Voice of America, 98-06-08

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO / BALKANS (L ONLY-CQ) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[02] U-S/KOSOVO (L UPDATE) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[03] SENATE-KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[04] COHEN / KOSOVO / NATO PREVIEW BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[05] KOSOVO / E-U (L ONLY-CQ) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[06] KOSOVO BATTLEGROUND/REPORTERS NOTEBOOK BY PAMELA TAYLOR (PEC, KOSOVO)

[07] EURO STOCK (S ONLY) BY KEVIN LYNCH (LONDON)

[08] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[09] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[10] AIR FRANCE STRIKE (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[11] NORTHERN IRELAND / POLICE BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[12] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

[01] KOSOVO / BALKANS (L ONLY-CQ) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: BALKAN FOREIGN MINISTERS -- MEETING IN ISTANBUL -- HAVE FAILED TO AGREE ON A JOINT STATEMENT ON THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, YUGOSLAVIA BLOCKED THE ACTION, SAYING THE UNREST IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE IS AN INTERNAL MATTER.

TEXT: TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER ISMAIL CEM MADE IT CLEAR HE DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE YUGOSLAV POSITION. HE TOLD THE CONFERENCE THAT THE KOSOVO PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE SOLVED BEFORE IT IS -- IN HIS WORDS -- TOO LATE.

TURKEY HAS STRONG HISTORICAL, ETHNIC, AND RELIGIOUS TIES WITH KOSOVO. THESE DATE TO THE 17TH CENTURY, WHEN MOST OF YUGOSLAVIA WAS PART OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE. *** TURKEY'S GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN URGING YUGOSLAVIA TO RESTORE AN AUTONOMY AGREEMENT WITH KOSOVO THAT WAS SUSPENDED IN 1989, FOLLOWING SEPARATIST UNREST.

ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER PASCAL MILO SAID NO ONE COULD LEAVE THE CONFERENCE WITH WHAT HE TERMED A CLEAR CONSCIENCE IF THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO WAS NOT DISCUSSED. HE WARNED THE CONFLICT COULD SPILL OVER INTO HIS COUNTRY AND OTHER NEIGHBORING NATIONS SHOULD IT CONTINUE TO ESCALATE.

THE ISTANBUL MEETING IS PART OF A BROAD REGIONAL INITIATIVE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL COOPERATION AMONG THE NINE SOUTHEAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES -- ALBANIA, BOSNIA, BULGARIA, CROATIA, GREECE, MACEDONIA, ROMANIA, TURKEY, AND YUGOSLAVIA. THE FOREIGN MINISTERS ALSO WILL PREPARE PLANS FOR AN ANNUAL SUMMIT OF BALKAN LEADERS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER. (SIGNED)
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08-Jun-98 11:54 AM EDT (1554 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] U-S/KOSOVO (L UPDATE) BY GIL BUTLER (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS REIMPOSED A SET OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON SERBIA THAT HAD BEEN SUSPENDED WHILE A DIALOGUE TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA. THE DECISION TO STIFFEN THE SANCTIONS CAME IN THE WAKE OF A BLOODY CRACKDOWN BY SERBIAN AUTHORITIES ON ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGES. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS A REPORT FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAID THE SANCTIONS MEAN THAT NO PRIVATE OR GOVERNMENT-BACKED AMERICAN INVESTMENT CAN BE MADE IN SERBIA AND SERBIAN FINANCIAL ASSETS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE FROZEN.

IN ADDITION, MR. RUBIN SAID THE UNITED STATES IS BACKING A BRITISH U-N RESOLUTION THAT DECLARES THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO A THREAT TO INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND ALLOWS MILITARY ACTION IF IT IS DECIDED ON.

NATO PLANNING FOR A MILITARY CONTINGENCY WILL BE ACCELERATED.

WHAT WE REALIZE AS THE ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP REALIZES, THAT A LASTING SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM CAN ONLY OCCUR THROUGH A PEACEFUL DISCUSSION THAT GIVES GREATER AUTONOMY TO THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO. THAT IS THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. THAT CAN'T HAPPEN OUT OF THE BARREL OF A GUN. THAT HAS TO HAPPEN THROUGH A NEGOTIATING PROCESS. THE SOONER PRESIDENT MILOSOVIC REALIZES THAT, THE SOONER THE PEOPLE OF SERBIA WILL BE IN A POSITION TO INTEGRATE INTO THE REST OF THE WORLD.

IN THE PAST WEEK OR SO, AN ESTIMATED TEN THOUSAND REFUGEES HAVE STREAMED INTO ALBANIA FROM BORDER VILLAGES IN KOSOVO, THE SERBIAN PROVINCE WITH A MAJORITY POPULATION OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS. SERBIAN FORCES HAVE BEEN CARRYING OUT MILITARY AND POLICE OPERATIONS AIMED AT THE BURGEONING GUERRILLA GROUP CALLED THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. MORE THAN 250 ETHNIC ALBANIAN CIVILIANS HAVE DIED IN THE SERBIAN CAMPAIGN.

ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST BELGRADE WERE ALREADY IN PLACE--NO ARM SALES, AVOIDING SALE OF EQUIPMENT THAT CAN BE USED FOR REPRESSION AGAINST THE POPULATION, AND A FREEZE OF GOVERNMENT-BACKED INVESTMENT IN SERBIA. NOW THERE ARE ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS TO INCREASE THE PRESSURE ON PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSOVIC.(SIGNED)
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08-Jun-98 4:43 PM EDT (2043 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] SENATE-KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: U-S SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE PRODDING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE A TOUGHER STAND AGAINST SERB REPRESSION IN (THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF) KOSOVO, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE USE OF FORCE. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT ACCUSES THE WHITE HOUSE OF SENDING MIXED SIGNALS IN RESPONSE TO BELGRADE'S CRACKDOWN ON THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY. WHILE SAYING IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO SEND IN TROOPS NOW, THE SENATOR ADDS THAT THE NATION SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR AGGRESSIVE ACTION IF NECESSARY.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING HAPPEN ONCE AGAIN IS SLAUGHTER, PEOPLE BEING LEFT DEAD IN THE STREETS AND ETHNIC CLEANSING. I DON'T WANT US TO REPEAT NECESSARILY THE ACTIONS THAT WE TOOK IN BOSNIA BUT IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING PRETTY QUICKLY, STRONGER THAN WHAT WE'VE DONE SO FAR, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME SORT OF DISASTER.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT IS NOT RULING OUT A MILITARY OPTION - AND HAS REIMPOSED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. HOWEVER, REPUBLICAN SENATOR RICHARD LUGAR SAYS FORCE SHOULD ALSO BE ON THE TABLE.

SANCTIONS WITH REGARD TO MILOSEVIC IN SERBIA HAVE NOT BEEN PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE. AND ALTHOUGH THE COUNTRY IS CERTAINLY POORER BY ANY STANDARD, THE G-N-P (ECONOMIC OUTPUT) SEEMS TO BE GOING DOWN, THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE CHANGED THE FOREIGN POLICY OF THE COUNTRY.

THE KOSOVO CRISIS COMES AS THE SENATE PREPARES TO REVISIT U-S POLICY IN THE BALKANS. A NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS, MOSTLY REPUBLICANS, WANT THE UNITED STATES TO START PULLING TROOPS OUT OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

BUT DEMOCRATIC LEADER TOM DASCHLE SAYS THAT MISSION COULD BE THE MODEL FOR A NEW OPERATION IN KOSOVO.

I WOULDN'T PROPOSE THAT WE DO IT TODAY. CERTAINLY IT HAS TO BE MULTINATIONAL. BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE MULTINATIONAL FORCE THAT EXISTS TODAY IN BOSNIA IS A CLEAR DEMONSTRATION OF THE SUCCESS WE COULD ALSO WITNESS IN KOSOVO IF DONE CORRECTLY.

THE FATE OF THE BOSNIAN DEPLOYMENT WILL BE DEBATED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, AS THE SENATE TAKES UP A DEFENSE BILL FOR THE COMING FISCAL YEAR. (SIGNED)
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08-Jun-98 5:20 PM EDT (2120 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] COHEN / KOSOVO / NATO PREVIEW BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS ENDING THE BLOODSHED IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO WILL BE HIGH ON THE AGENDA WHEN NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS MEET THURSDAY IN BRUSSELS. BUT V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, U-S OFFICIALS EMPHASIZE THAT NO MILITARY ACTION IN KOSOVO IS IMMINENT.

TEXT: MR. COHEN CALLS THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO "EXPLOSIVE" AND SAYS "SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES" WOULD COME IF SERB FORCES CONTINUE TO LAUNCH ATTACKS AGAINST THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY IN THE PROVINCE. HE SAYS EVERY OPTION, INCLUDING THE MILITARY ONE, MUST BE EXAMINED CLOSELY BY NATO MEMBERS.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE STILL SEEKING A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION. I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYONE WHO DISAGREES THAT IS THE BEST OUTCOME THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE ACHIEVED. WE ALSO ARE ACCELERATING NATO'S EXAMINATION OF WHAT MILITARY OPTIONS WOULD BE DESIRABLE OR FEASIBLE. AND THAT WILL CONTINUE.

SERBS SAY KOSOVO IS THE CRADLE OF THEIR CULTURE, BUT THE PROVINCE IS NOW 90 PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN. RECENTLY, SERB FORCES HAVE BEEN ATTACKING VILLAGES ALONG KOSOVO'S BORDER WITH ALBANIA. THE SERBS SAY THEY ARE REACTING TO ATTACKS BY ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS; ETHNIC ALBANIANS ACCUSE SERBIA OF A CAMPAIGN OF "ETHNIC CLEANSING."

SECRETARY COHEN SAYS THAT, IN BRUSSELS, HE WILL DISCUSS A BRITISH U-N RESOLUTION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO INTERVENE IN KOSOVO. THE UNITED STATES ANNOUNCED MONDAY IT WOULD SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION.

AS A RESULT, NATO PLANNING FOR A MILITARY CONTINGENCY IS NOW EXPECTED TO BE ACCELERATED.

NATO MILITARY EXPERTS HAVE BEEN VISITING MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA -- THE TWO NATIONS BORDERING KOSOVO -- TO HELP PREPARE SOME OPTIONS. BUT PENTAGON OFFICIALS DECLINE TO DISCUSS WHAT THOSE OPTIONS MIGHT BE, SAYING ONLY THAT NOTHING HAD BEEN RULED OUT.

ONE SUGGESTION HAS BEEN TO PLACE A FORCE ALONG THE BORDER BETWEEN KOSOVO AND ALBANIA TO STEM THE FLOW OF ARMS INTO KOSOVO AND PREVENT SERBIAN INCURSIONS INTO ALBANIA. BUT NATO EXPERTS SAY THAT UNDER THIS SCENARIO, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TROOPS WOULD BE NEEDED TO PATROL THE RUGGED TERRAIN EFFECTIVELY. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE ONLY 750 U-N PEACEKEEPING TROOPS STATIONED ALONG KOSOVO'S BORDER WITH MACEDONIA.

DEFENSE ANALYST JAMES ANDERSON OF THE PRIVATE "HERITAGE FOUNDATION" (IN WASHINGTON) SAYS NATO'S MAIN INTEREST IS TO KEEP KOSOVO'S VIOLENCE FROM SPREADING TO NEIGHBORING ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA.

HE SAYS A WIDER WAR BETWEEN MUSLIM KOSOVARS AND ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN SERBS MIGHT DRAW IN MUSLIM TURKEY AND ORTHODOX GREECE INTO THE CONFLICT ON OPPOSING SIDES. HE SAYS THESE WELL-ARMED NATO ALLIES ALREADY HAVE LONG-STANDING TENSIONS.

MR. ANDERSON SAYS NATO MILITARY ACTION IS FAR FROM CERTAIN. HE SAYS RUSSIA, FRANCE AND MANY MEMBERS OF THE U-S CONGRESS ARE LIKELY TO OPPOSE MILITARY FORCE.

SOME IN CONGRESS ARE ADVOCATING FIRM NATO ACTION IN KOSOVO. REPRESENTATIVE SUE KELLY (-- A REPUBLICAN FROM NEW YORK --) SAYS NATO SHOULD THREATEN TO SHOOT DOWN SERB MILITARY HELICOPTERS OVER KOSOVO. SHE SAYS NATO MUST SEND A BLUNT MILITARY MESSAGE, OR BECOME IRRELEVANT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE PRESSING THE ADMINISTRATION TO SET A DATE FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE 85-HUNDRED U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS FROM BOSNIA. (SIGNED).
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08-Jun-98 7:33 PM EDT (2333 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO / E-U (L ONLY-CQ) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN LUXEMBOURG HAVE AGREED TO A BAN ON NEW INVESTMENTS IN SERBIA, AND A FREEZE ON THE REPUBLIC'S ASSETS ABROAD. JOHN FRASER AT E-U HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE FOREIGN MINISTERS ACTED IN RESPONSE TO THE GROWING CRISIS IN KOSOVO

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS EXPRESSED ALARM AT WHAT THEY TERM THE DETERIORATING SITUATION ON THE GROUND, INVOLVING THE EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE BY SERB SECURITY FORCES AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

MORE THAN 250 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE FEBRUARY IN CLASHES BETWEEN SERBIAN FORCES AND THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, WHICH IS FIGHTING FOR THE PROVINCE'S INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIA.

THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS ITS ACTIONS ARE NECESSARY TO CRUSH THE REBEL GROUP. HOWEVER, THE E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS SAID THE WIDESPREAD HOUSE-BURNING AND INDISCRIMINATE ARTILLERY ATTACKS ON ENTIRE VILLAGES GO FAR BEYOND WHAT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS A TARGETED ANTI-TERRORIST OPERATION.

THE E-U URGED BOTH SIDES TO SEEK A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT. IT SAID THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC BEARS WHAT IT CALLS "SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY" FOR SEEKING A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT.

THE EUROPEAN UNION HAD ALREADY IMPOSED SOME SANCTIONS, INCLUDING AN ARMS EXPORT BAN AND RESTRICTIONS ON VISAS FOR YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS. THE FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE NOW TRIGGERED A BAN ON INVESTMENT IN SERBIA, AND A FREEZE ON THE COUNTRY'S ASSETS ABROAD.

FURTHER MEASURES ALSO ARE BEING CONSIDERED -- INCLUDING WITH WITHDRAWAL OF LANDING RIGHTS FOR THE YUGOSLAV AIRLINE JAT.

NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS WILL DISCUSS POSSIBLE MILITARY OPERATIONS WHEN THEY MEET IN BRUSSELS AT THE END OF THIS WEEK. OBSERVERS SAY ANY MILITARY ACTION PROBABLY WOULD INVOLVE THE DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS ON THE BORDERS OF KOSOVO. THEY SAY ANY DEPLOYMENT WITHIN KOSOVO WOULD REQUIRE A UNITED NATIONS MANDATE, AND THERE IS LITTLE PROSPECT OF THAT BEING APPROVED.

FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE WORLD'S SEVEN LARGEST INDUSTRIAL NATIONS AND RUSSIA WILL MEET IN LONDON FRIDAY TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION. INTERNATIONAL CONCERN IS GROWING THAT THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO COULD SPILL OVER INTO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. (SIGNED)
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08-Jun-98 1:24 PM EDT (1724 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO BATTLEGROUND/REPORTERS NOTEBOOK BY PAMELA TAYLOR (PEC, KOSOVO)

INTRO: FOR THE PAST MONTH OUTSIDERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ENTER AREAS OF FIGHTING IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. DURING THE WEEKEND, A HANDFUL OF REPORTERS MANAGED TO GET WITHIN TWO-KILOMETERS OF THE EMBATTLED TOWN OF DECANI, FROM WHERE THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES HAVE FLED. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR HAS THIS REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK ABOUT WHAT SHE SAW:

TEXT: ALMOST AS DIFFICULT AS THE TRIP ITSELF WAS FINDING ETHNIC ALBANIANS WILLING TO ACCOMPANY US ON THE BACK ROADS LEADING TO DECANI. UNRECOGNIZED VISITORS COULD BE STOPPED OR SHOT AT BY SERB SNIPERS IN THE HILLS OR BY KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY GUERRILLAS HIDING IN THE BUSHES -- SO OUR ESCORTS HELD OUT THEIR ARMS TO INDICATE WE WERE FRIENDS, NOT FOES.

BUT THE FIRST K-L-A COMMANDER WHO STOPPED US -- A MAN IN HIS 50'S WEARING GREEN CAMOUFLAGE AND A BLACK BERET -- WAS NOT VERY FRIENDLY AS OUR ESCORTS TRIED TO TALK OUR WAY PAST HIS CHECKPOINT:

WHEN WE EXPLAINED WE NEEDED TO SEE FOR OURSELVES WHETHER REPORTS OF BOMBING AND BURNING OF VILLAGES IN THE AREA WERE CORRECT, HE AGREED TO LET US PASS. BUT THIS PROCESS HAD TO BE REPEATED EVERY FEW KILOMETERS WITH EACH COMMANDER WE MET, AN INDICATION THERE IS LITTLE OVERALL CONTROL OR COORDINATION IN THIS SO-CALLED 'ARMY'. THE FIGHTERS WE SAW WERE MOSTLY LOCAL MEN WITH NEWLY PURCHASED GUNS.

WE PASSED THROUGH SEVERAL VILLAGES WHICH HAD BEEN ATTACKED THE DAY BEFORE (JUNE 5) BY SERBIAN FORCES. WE SAW EVIDENCE OF HEAVY MORTAR AND ARTILLERY SHELLING, WITH MANY HOUSES GUTTED AND STILL SMOLDERING. VILLAGERS SAID MILITARY PLANES FLEW OVERHEAD AND DROPPED GRENADES ONTO THE ROOFS.

IN THE VILLAGE OF RSNIC, TWO KILOMETERS FROM DECANI, WE WERE TOLD IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO GO ANY FARTHER. SO WE STOPPED TO SPEAK THROUGH A TRANSLATOR TO A TERRIFIED YOUNG WOMAN AND HER 90-YEAR-OLD GRANDMOTHER:

SHE IS SCARED TO DEATH. THEY KILLED HER UNCLE. THIS IS THE FIRST DAY BACK. SHE IS SCARED TO DEATH AND THEY ARE PLANNING TO SPEND THE EVENING HERE. THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY FOOD, THEY HAVE NOTHING.

THE GRANDMOTHER WAS MUCH MORE STOIC AND SAID SHE HAD SEEN IT ALL BEFORE, DURING WORLD WAR TWO. BUT THIS TIME SHE SAID WAS MUCH WORSE. WE ALSO SPOKE WITH MUSA BERISHA, A LOCAL HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST WHO HAS BEEN SENDING REPORTS ABOUT THE EXTENT OF THE DEATH AND DEVASTATION IN AND AROUND DECANI. MR. BERISHA SAYS 22 VILLAGES IN THE REGION ARE NOW DESERTED. HE SHOWED US A LONG LIST OF NAMES OF 200 ETHNIC ALBANIANS HE SAYS ARE TRAPPED IN THE CENTER OF DECANI:

MR. BERISHA THEN SHOWED ANOTHER LIST OF 200 MORE NAMES OF PEOPLE HE SAID WERE MISSING AND SUSPECTED DEAD. HE SAID FLEEING VILLAGERS TALKED OF DEAD BODIES LYING UNATTENDED IN THE STREETS OF DECANI.

IN THE NEARBY VILLAGE OF PRILEP, WE WERE SHOWN A BOMBED OUT MOSQUE, ITS MINARET ON THE GROUND NEAR A HUGE CRATER. A MAN IN THE VILLAGE SHOWED US 120-MILLIMETER SHELL CASINGS ON THE GROUND AND SAID SEVEN KATUSHA ROCKETS WERE FIRED INTO THE TOWN. HE SAID AFTER THE SHELLING, SERB FORCES CAME IN WITH TRUCKS AND LOOTED EVERYTHING OF VALUE FROM THE HOUSES.

OUR ESCORTS BEGGED US TO GET THEM BACK TO THE TOWN OF PEC BEFORE NIGHTFALL. WE RETURNED AT DUSK AND AS WE WALKED AROUND THE TOWN WE HEARD ONLY SERBIAN BEING SPOKEN.

WE SAT DOWN IN ONE CAFE NEXT TO SEVERAL HEAVILY ARMED MEN IN VARIOUS TYPES OF YUGOSLAV MILITARY UNIFORMS. A CAPTAIN FROM BELGRADE WHO SPOKE ENGLISH ADVISED US NOT TO EVEN TRY TO GET NEAR DECANI, SAYING THE DANGER FROM K-L-A TERRORIST SNIPERS WAS SIMPLY TOO GREAT AND HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE OUR SAFETY.

THE TOWN OF PEC IS THE SEAT OF THE PATRIARCH OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AND THE WHOLE REGION IS SPRINKLED WITH MEDIEVAL CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES, INCLUDING THE BEAUTIFUL VISOKI MONASTERY IN DECANI. THIS IS THE REGION WHERE SERBIAN WARRIORS FOUGHT THE INVADING OTTOMAN TURKS AT THE BATTLE OF KOSOVO POLJE, 600-YEARS AGO NEAR PRISTINA. IT WAS AN EPIC BATTLE WHICH HAS BEEN IMMORTALIZED IN SERBIAN POETRY AND SONG:

TODAY THE MODERN FORCES OF THE ONCE MIGHTY YUGOSLAV ARMY ARE TRYING TO PREVENT LOSING THE REGION AGAIN -- THIS TIME TO ANOTHER MUSLIM GROUP -- THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO ARE DEMANDING INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIA.

THE PROBLEM IS; KOSOVO'S SERBIAN COMMUNITY HAS SHRUNK TO ABOUT 10-PERCENT OF THE PROVINCE'S POPULATION, AND MORE MOSQUES DOT THE COUNTRYSIDE THAN SERBIAN CHURCHES. (SIGNED)
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08-Jun-98 12:58 PM EDT (1658 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] EURO STOCK (S ONLY) BY KEVIN LYNCH (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS IN GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, AND GERMANY CLOSED HIGHER ON MONDAY. V-O-A'S KEVIN LYNCH HAS THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: THE MARKETS IN LONDON, FRANKFURT, AND PARIS ALL BEGAN THE WEEK CONFIDENTLY, FOLLOWING A STRONG EARLY START ON WALL STREET.

LONDON'S FINANCIAL TIMES 100 INDEX ROSE SHARPLY FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT SESSION, CLOSING MONDAY UP 90 POINTS, OR ONE-POINT-FIVE PERCENT -- ITS HIGHEST CLOSE SINCE EARLY APRIL. IN PARIS, THE CAC 40 INDEX, BUOYED BY LOWER INTEREST RATES IN FRANCE, WAS UP ALMOST 20 POINTS, WHILE IN FRANKFURT THE DAX ROSE 62 POINTS, UP ALMOST TWO PERCENT, FUELED BY REPORTS THE GERMAN ECONOMY IS GETTING STRONGER.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE DOLLAR ROSE SLIGHTLY IN VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE BRITISH POUND, BUT ROSE STRONGLY AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN.

GOLD IN LONDON TRADING ROSE ABOUT A HALF A DOLLAR AND WAS SELLING AT A LITTLE ABOVE 292 DOLLARS PER OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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08-Jun-98 3:44 PM EDT (1944 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) AND ANOTHER DOMINANT COMPANY IN THE PERSONAL COMPUTER INDUSTRY IS BEING SUED BY THE U-S GOVERNMENT. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT NINE THOUSAND 69, UP 31 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 15, UP ONE POINT.

THE U-S FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION -- F-T-C -- WILL FILE AN ANTI-MONOPOLY LAWSUIT AGAINST THE INTEL MICROPROCESSOR CORPORATION, THE WORLD'S DOMINANT PRODUCER OF CHIPS USED IN PERSONAL COMPUTERS. THE COMMISSION SAYS INTEL UNFAIRLY WITHHELD NECESSARY INFORMATION TO THREE OTHER COMPANIES.

ANOTHER HUGE MERGER IN THE U-S BANKING INDUSTRY WAS ANNOUNCED WITH THE COMBINATION OF THE WELLS FARGO AND NORWEST COMPANIES. THE DEAL IS WORTH 34 BILLION DOLLARS.

A THREE-DAY STRIKE AT A GENERAL MOTORS STAMPING PLANT IS ALREADY CAUSING SUPPLY PROBLEMS FOR MANY OF THE COMPANY'S NORTH AMERICAN VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PLANTS. ANALYSTS SAY IF THE STRIKE IS NOT SETTLED SOON, IT COULD COST GENERAL MOTORS 300 MILLION DOLLARS A WEEK IN LOST REVENUES.

GENERAL MOTORS DID WIN A LEGAL BATTLE OVER RETIREMENT BENEFITS. THE U-S SUPREME COURT HAS LET STAND A LOWER COURT DECISION THAT G-M IS WITHIN ITS RIGHTS TO REDUCE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR ITS RETIRED WORKERS. NABISCO, THE HUGE PACKAGED FOODS COMPANY, SAYS IT WILL IMPLEMENT A 400 MILLION DOLLAR RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM THAT WILL INCLUDE PLANT CLOSINGS AND OTHER COST CUTTING STRATEGIES. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NO PLANS TO SEPARATE NABISCO FROM TOBACCO GIANT R-J-R, WHICH CURRENTLY OWNS 80 PERCENT OF NABISCO.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
08-Jun-98 5:01 PM EDT (2101 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: MAKING PROGRESS AFTER DICTATORSHIP IN INDONESIA IS THE THEME OF AT LEAST ONE EDITORIAL IN MONDAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS, AS IS THE PENDING TRIP OF PRESIDENT CLINTON TO CHINA. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS CONCERNED ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING, WHILE "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" HAS SOME THOUGHTS ON THE FATTENING OF AMERICA, AT LEAST ACCORDING TO NEW GOVERNMENT OBESITY STANDARDS. THERE ARE ALSO COMMENTS ON THE WORLD ECONOMY AND DISCOVERY OF WHAT LOOKS LIKE A NEW PLANET, OUTSIDE OUR SOLAR SYSTEM. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IS ____________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" ASSESSES THE PRESENT SITUATION IN INDONESIA, AFTER THE RELATIVELY PEACEFUL REMOVAL OF PRESIDENT SUHARTO AS A TIME OF BOTH "PERIL AND OPPORTUNITY."

VOICE: THERE IS A SENSE IN THE WORLD'S FOURTH MOST POPULOUS NATION THAT THE FUTURE IS UP FOR GRABS. FOR INDONESIANS AS WELL AS FOR U-S POLICY TOWARD THAT IMPORTANT COUNTRY, THIS IS A MOMENT OF PERIL AND OPPORTUNITY. ... [HOWEVER] ... IF THE ECONOMY IS NOT RIGHTED SOON, ANY HOPE OF DEMOCRATIZATION MAY BE LOST. HEREIN LIES AMERICA'S OPPORTUNITY. ... THE UNITED STATES COULD SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS BY AIDING FLEDGLING CIVIC INSTITUTIONS, FUNDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS WHO SUDDENLY SEE THEIR PROSPECTS FOR EDUCATION DISAPPEARING, AND ABOVE ALL, GIVING FOOD AND MEDICINE IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES TO AVERT A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER.

TEXT: STILL WITH ASIAN AFFAIRS, "NEWSDAY" IS COMMENTING ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FORTHCOMING TRIP TO CHINA AND THE ANNUAL BATTLE OVER THAT NATION'S MOST-FAVORED-NATION TRADING STATUS, WHICH MUST BE APPROVED BY CONGRESS.

VOICE: CONGRESSIONAL STORM CLOUDS ARE GATHERING ONCE AGAIN AROUND PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S DECISION TO RENEW MOST-FAVORED-NATION TRADING STATUS FOR CHINA, JUST AS HE PREPARES FOR HIS TRIP TO BEIJING LATER THIS MONTH. CONTROVERSY ON CHINA'S TRADE STATUS IS INEVITABLE -- MORE SO NOW THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS. INVESTIGATIONS OF CHINA'S ROLE IN ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND THE QUESTIONABLE TRANSFER OF SENSITIVE SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY TO BEIJING VIRTUALLY GUARANTEE IT. ...THE TWO ISSUES, HOWEVER, SHOULD NOT BE MIXED. [MR.] CLINTON IS RIGHT TO SEEK TO RENEW NORMAL TRADE RELATIONS WITH BEIJING, AN EXTENSION THAT HAS BEEN GRANTED EVERY YEAR SINCE 1980. ... A BRUISING FIGHT IN THE HOUSE -- WITH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS SIDING WITH CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS-FREEDOM ISSUES -- WOULD SERVE NO GOOD PURPOSE.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES," CONCERNED ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING, NOTES THE BEGINNING OF AN IMPLEMENTATION CONFERENCE IN BONN, GERMANY FOLLOWING UP ON THE INTERNATIONAL GLOBAL WARMING TREATY AGREED TO IN KYOTO, JAPAN LAST YEAR.

VOICE: U-S HIGH TECHNOLOGIES THAT REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED, AND SO SHOULD ALL KINDS OF MARKET INCENTIVES. BUT AMERICA HAS TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT IT CAN DO MORE THAN RAKE IN GREEN PROFITS FROM SELLING TECHNOLOGY.PART OF THE PROBLEM IN BONN IS THE U-S TRACK RECORD. AT THE 1992 EARTH SUMMIT IN RIO DE JANEIRO, WASHINGTON PROMISED TO REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL EMISSIONS TO 1990 LEVELS BY TWO-THOUSAND, BUT EMISSION LEVELS JUST KEPT INCREASING. OTHER RIO SIGNATORIES LIKE BRITAIN AND GERMANY HAVE ALREADY MET THEIR NONBINDING TWO-THOUSAND TARGETS, IN PART BY REDUCING COAL USE AND SCRAPPING INEFFICIENT ENERGY PLANTS. ..... THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD LET ITS NEGOTIATORS COMMIT TO DOMESTIC REDUCTIONS, THEN VIGOROUSLY PRESS CONGRESS TO RATIFY.

VOICE: THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH ADMINISTERED A SHOCK TO THE NATIONAL NERVOUS SYSTEM LAST WEEK, ISSUING NEW OBESITY GUIDELINES THAT SHIFT 29 MILLION ADULTS INTO THE RANKS OF THE OVERWEIGHT. ... BUT HERE'S THE CATCH WITH THE STERNER GUIDELINES: WHILE THEY ARE ABOUT HEALTH, NOT VANITY, IT'S HAD TO PREDICT HOW THEY'LL INTERACT WITH A NATIONAL CULTURE THAT OFTEN CONFUSES THE TWO. WE NEED BETTER EATING HABITS; WE ALSO NEED TO SHED THE OBSESSION WITH BECOMING MODEL-THIN .... PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUNG WOMEN.

TEXT: "THE BOSTON GLOBE" IS TRYING TO DRAW LESSONS FOR TODAY FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S RECENT REPORT ON THE HELP NEUTRAL COUNTRIES GAVE NAZI GERMANY DURING WORLD WAR TWO IN TRADE AND FINANCING, AND EVEN AFTER THE WAR, IN SHIELDING WAR CRIMINALS.

VOICE: TO APPRECIATE THE MEANING OF SUCH A THWARTING OF JUSTICE, ONE NEED ONLY CONTEMPLATE CURRENT PARALLELS: MOTHERS OF CHILDREN MASSACRED BY THE SERBIAN WAR CRIMINALS RATKO MLADIC OR RADOVAN KARADZIC ARE VICTIMIZED TWICE OVER WHEN THE KILLERS WALK FREE, MUCH AS KURDISH MOTHERS WHOSE CHILDREN WERE MURDERED AT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S BEHEST ARE PUNISHED AGAIN BY FRENCH AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS SEEKING TO REHABILITATE SADDAM'S REGIME.

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" REMINDS READERS ABOUT A WORLD BANK PROJECTION FOR THE FIRST TWO DECADES OF THE 21ST CENTURY THAT SAW BILLIONS OF THE WORLD'S POOR MOVING OUT OF GRINDING POVERTY, ESPECIALLY IN THESE NATIONS: CHINA, INDIA, INDONESIA, RUSSIA, AND BRAZIL. THE PREDICTIONS, THOUGH POSSIBLY LOOKING FLAWED BY RECENT EVENTS, MAY, SAYS "THE MONITOR" PROVE CORRECT IN THE END.

VOICE: OOPS! INDONESIA? RUSSIA? CHINA? INDIA? RECENT EVENTS SEEM TO CALL INTO QUESTION THIS HAPPY SCENARIO, IN WHICH THE SUPERFIVE WOULD DOUBLE THEIR SHARE OF WORLD TRADE, AND THE UPPER TIER OF DEVELOPING NATIONS WOULD REACH AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATES OF FIVE-POINT SIX PERCENT. ... WE WILL NOT HAVE A HARD ANSWER TILL 2020. BUT THE CURRENT DAMAGE TO THE BANK'S CORE SCENARIO CONTAINS A LESSON. ECONOMIC NUMBER CRUNCHERS [ANALYSTS] WERE NOT ABLE TO SEE HALF A YEAR AHEAD TO THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF SUDDEN CURRENCY COLLAPSES ROOTED IN RISKY LOANS, OVERBUILDING, AND CRONY CAPITALISM. ... NATIONS LIKE THAILAND ARE STARTING TO TURN THE CORNER. CRONY CAPITALISM IS IN RETREAT AND ECONOMIC REFORMS ARE BEING PUSHED IN KEY STATES. THE HARD WORKING, INCREASINGLY WELL-EDUCATED AND TECHNICALLY-LITERATE MIDDLE CLASSES OF ASIA WILL NOT MEEKLY SUBMIT TO DECLINE. IN SHORT, DON'T RULE OUT [REFUSE TO ACCEPT] SOME MODIFIED VERSION OF THE WORLD BANK SCENARIO.

TEXT: FINALLY, A BRIEF COMMENT ON THE RECENTLY-ANNOUNCED DISCOVERY, OF THE FIRST PLANET TO BE SEEN OUTSIDE OUR OWN SOLAR SYSTEM FROM "THE BOSTON GLOBE."

VOICE: THE DISCOVERY ... BRINGS MAN CLOSER TO THE HEART OF THE UNIVERSE AND TO ANSWERING THE ULTIMATE QUESTION: IS ANYBODY THERE?

TEXT: ON THAT INTERPLANETARY NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENTS FROM MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
08-Jun-98 10:56 AM EDT (1456 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] AIR FRANCE STRIKE (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: STRIKING AIR FRANCE PILOTS HAVE OFFERED TO FLY AT NO COST TO GET FANS TO MATCHES DURING THE WORLD CUP SOCCER TOURNAMENT THAT STARTS WEDNESDAY. BUT JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS THE AIRLINE'S MANAGEMENT SEEMS DETERMINED TO PUSH THROUGH ITS PLAN FOR PAY CUTS.

TEXT: SINCE THE AIR FRANCE PILOTS' STRIKE BEGAN ONE WEEK AGO, IT HAS TURNED INTO ONE OF THE MOST UNPOPULAR STOPPAGES IN FRANCE IN MODERN YEARS.

POLITICIANS AND THE MEDIA HAVE CONDEMNED THE STRIKE AS AN ATTEMPT TO BLACKMAIL AIR FRANCE MANAGEMENT DURING THE WORLD CUP SOCCER TOURNAMENT THAT BEGINS WEDNESDAY. THE CONSERVATIVE MAYOR OF MARSEILLE SAYS THE PILOTS ARE BEHAVING LIKE DESERTERS IN TIME OF WAR.

AIR FRANCE SAYS IT HAS LOST NEARLY 170-MILLION DOLLARS SINCE THE STRIKE BEGAN. IF IT CONTINUES, AIR FRANCE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FULFILL ITS ROLE AS THE OFFICIALLY DESIGNATED AIR CARRIER FOR THE WORLD CUP.

AS THE TOURNAMENT STARTS ON WEDNESDAY, AIR FRANCE IS ALSO PLANNING TO HOLD A MEETING OF ITS DIRECTORS. ACCORDING TO SOME AIRLINE OFFICIALS, THE STATE-OWNED AIRLINE IS PLANNING SIMPLY TO IMPOSE A NEW PAY ACCORD ON THE PILOTS.

TO COUNTER THE CRITICISM, THE MAIN PILOTS' UNION IS OFFERING TO PROVIDE PILOTS AT NO COST TO FLY FANS TO AND FROM THE MAIN WORLD CUP MATCH SITES. BUT THE MANAGEMENT SAYS IT WOULD BE SIMPLY ILLEGAL TO RESTRICT FLIGHTS TO ONE CATEGORY OF PASSENGERS.

THE PILOTS OBJECT TO A CURRENT TWO-TIER PAY STRUCTURE THAT ENABLES THE MANAGEMENT TO PAY NEW RECRUITS ON A LOWER BASIS THAN SENIOR PILOTS. THEY ALSO REJECT A PLAN FOR ENFORCED PAY CUTS IN EXCHANGE FOR STOCK IN THE AIRLINE.

AIR FRANCE PILOTS ARE THE HIGHEST PAID IN EUROPE. THE AIRLINE -- ALTHOUGH IT IS NOW SHOWING AN OPERATING PROFIT -- HAS HAD TO RELY ON HUGE STATE SUBSIDIES TO SURVIVE IN RECENT YEARS.

THE AIRLINE MANAGEMENT HAS DECIDED ON A HARD-LINE RESPONSE TO THE PILOTS, AFTER ITS CHAIRMAN WAS ASSURED OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT OVER THE WEEKEND.

FRANCE'S SOCIALIST-LED GOVERNMENT FEARS THAT, IF THE AIRLINE GIVES IN, THEN A HOST OF OTHER WORKERS MIGHT PRESS PAY CLAIMS BY ALSO ATTEMPTING STRIKE ACTION DURING THE WORLD CUP.

DESPITE INITIAL PREDICTIONS OF CHAOS, OTHER AIRLINES AND THE STATE RAILROAD SAY THEIR EXTRA SERVICES DURING THE WORLD CUP WILL BE ENOUGH TO ENSURE THAT THE TOURNAMENT PASSES OFF SMOOTHLY. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH/MMK
08-Jun-98 11:10 AM EDT (1510 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] NORTHERN IRELAND / POLICE BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: AS VOTERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND PREPARE TO CAST BALLOTS FOR A NEW ELECTED ASSEMBLY (JUNE 25TH), MANY CONTENTIOUS ISSUES REMAIN TO BE RESOLVED BEFORE THE BRITISH PROVINCE CAN FIND LASTING PEACE. ONE ISSUE WHICH IS GENERATING A LOT OF DEBATE IS WHAT WILL BE THE ROLE OF THE LOCAL POLICE FORCE, KNOWN AS THE "ROYAL ULSTER CONSTABULARY." V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE "ROYAL ULSTER CONSTABULARY" -- OR R-U-C -- IS A POLICE FORCE OF ABOUT 12,000 MEN. ALONG WITH THE 16,000 BRITISH TROOPS BASED IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THEY TRY TO KEEP LAW AND ORDER IN A PROVINCE WHERE VIOLENCE HAS BEEN AN ALMOST DAILY OCCURRENCE FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS.

NOW THAT VOTERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY ACCEPTED A POLITICAL ACCORD TO GIVE THEM MORE SAY IN RUNNING THEIR OWN AFFAIRS, MANY ARE BEGINNING TO ASK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE R-U-C. IS THE POLICE FORCE NECESSARY AS THE BRITISH PROVINCE MOVES TOWARD PEACE -- ALBEIT EVER SO SLOWLY?

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE ROYAL ULSTER CONSTABULARY IS PROTESTANT AND IS THUS SEEN WITH SUSPICION BY MANY CATHOLICS. IT IS NO SURPRISE THAT SINN FEIN -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- IS CALLING FOR THE R-U-C TO BE DISBANDED.

PETER ROBINSON IS DEPUTY LEADER OF THE HARDLINE PRO-BRITISH "ULSTER DEMOCRATIC PARTY." HE CAMPAIGNED AGAINST THE POLITICAL AGREEMENT BECAUSE HE BELIEVES IT WILL DIMINISH THE POWER OF THE R-U-C AND LET TERRORIST PRISONERS OUT BEFORE THEY HAVE SERVED THEIR FULL TIME IN PRISON.

WHAT I WOULD ASK YOU TO DO IS TO LOOK AT THE ORDINARY POLICEMAN IN NORTHERN IRELAND WHO HAS FACED PROVISIONAL I-R-A TERRORISM -- AND INDEED NOT JUST PROVISIONAL I-R-A TERRORISM BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN TERRORISM FROM LOYALISTS (PRO-BRITISH PARAMILITARIES) AS WELL. HE HAS BEEN OUT THERE -- LOST MANY OF HIS COLLEAGUES IN BATTLE, MANY OF THEM INJURED -- AND HE WILL WALK DOWN THE ROAD, BUMP INTO PEOPLE THAT HE HAS PUT IN JAIL WHO WILL BE LAUGHING AT HIM IN THE STREETS. HE WILL HAVE HIS GUN TAKEN OFF HIM, THE TERRORISTS WILL HOLD ON TO THEIRS AND THE TERRORIST REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE IN THE GOVERNMENT OF NORTHERN IRELAND AND NO DOUBT BEFORE TOO LONG WILL HAVE CONTROL OF THE POLICE.

THIS NIGHTMARISH SCENARIO HAS BEEN REJECTED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. IN A RECENT TRIP TO BELFAST -- HIS FOURTH IN FIVE WEEKS -- BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR SAID THE R-U-C WILL NOT BE DISBANDED AND FORMER PARAMILITARIES WILL NOT BE DRAFTED WITHIN ITS RANKS.

WHAT IS RIGHT, HOWEVER, IS THAT IF WE CAN CHANGE THE CONTEXT IN NORTHERN IRELAND IN WHICH POLICING TAKES PLACE TO ONE OF PEACE AND STABILITY AND PROGRESS, THEN HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET POLICING DONE IN A NORMAL WAY WHICH IS -- I AM SURE -- WHAT ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE R-U-C WANT TO SEE AS WELL, QUIET APART FROM THE PUBLIC.

WHENEVER A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND POLITICIANS WORLDWIDE HAVE A TENDENCY TO NAME A SPECIAL COMMISSION TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. THE ISSUE OF THE FUTURE ROLE OF THE "ROYAL ULSTER CONSTABULARY" IS NO EXCEPTION.

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS NAMED AN EIGHT-MEMBER INTERNATIONAL PANEL -- HEADED BY FORMER HONG KONG GOVERNOR CHRIS PATTEN -- WHICH WILL HAVE UNTIL THE SUMMER OF NEXT YEAR TO COME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS.

JOHN HUME IS LEADER OF THE PRO-NATIONALIST "SOCIAL, DEMOCRATIC AND LABOUR PARTY." HE SAYS WHETHER IT IS THE ISSUE OF THE R-U-C OR PRISONERS HELD FOR TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, PEOPLE IN NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE TO LET GO OF PAST PREJUDICES.

EVERYBODY IN NORTHERN IRELAND CAN POINT AT THE OTHER SIDE AND KEEP THE PAST ALIVE. AND IF YOU KEEP THE PAST ALIVE, ALL YOU ARE DOING IS KEEPING THE PROBLEM ALIVE. IF YOU ARE GOING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM OF OUR NATURE -- OR INDEED IN ANY OTHER AREA OF CONFLICT IN THE WORLD -- YOU HAVE TO, AT SOME STAGE, DRAW A LINE AND LEAVE THE PAST COMPLETELY BEHIND YOU AND BUILD A NEW FUTURE TOGETHER.

MOST POLITICIANS IN NORTHERN IRELAND AGREE THE ACCORD OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED BY VOTERS LAST MONTH IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD A PEACEFUL FUTURE. BUT THEY ALSO SAY THE TASK OF ACHIEVING THAT PEACEFUL FUTURE IS FRAUGHT WITH OBSTACLES AND WITH ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED -- SUCH AS THE FATE OF TERRORIST PRISONERS AND THE FUTURE ROLE OF THE ROYAL ULSTER CONSTABULARY. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/KL
08-Jun-98 9:23 AM EDT (1323 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: THE FIRST TRIAL CONCERNED SOLELY WITH RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT HAS OPENED AT THE BOSNIAN WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. BOSNIAN CROAT SPECIAL FORCES COMMANDER ANTO FURUNDZIJA IS ACCUSED OF FAILING TO STOP THE RAPE AND TORTURE OF A WOMAN PRISONER. GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE TRIBUNAL.

TEXT: THIS CASE CONCERNS THE EVENTS OF A SINGLE DAY IN MAY, 1993, WHEN PROSECUTORS SAY ANTO FURUNDZIJA INTERROGATED A MUSLIM WOMAN PRISONER. THEY CHARGE THE 28-YEAR OLD WITH BEING THE LOCAL COMMANDER OF A SPECIAL FORCES GROUP KNOWN AS THE JOKERS, WHICH OPERATED WITHIN THE BOSNIAN CROAT ARMY.

ACCORDING TO THE INDICTMENT, THE WOMAN WAS BROUGHT TO JOKERS HEADQUARTERS IN VITEZ. ONCE THERE, SHE WAS FORCED TO STRIP NAKED, AND A SOLDIER IN THE GROUP THREATENED HER WITH A KNIFE AND RAPED AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HER REPEATEDLY. SHE AND A MALE PRISONER WERE BADLY BEATEN. PROSECUTOR MICHAEL BLAXILL TOLD THE JUDGES, MR. FURUNDZIJA DID NOTHING TO STOP OR EVEN LESSEN THE VIOLENCE.

SO IN THAT SMALL ROOM, YOUR HONORS, YOU HAVE "WITNESS A" BEATEN AND RAPED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ACCUSED, AND "WITNESS A" WILL SAY THAT OTHER JOKERS WERE STANDING AT THE DOOR OF THIS PANTRY, WATCHING WHAT TRANSPIRED.

IN ITS OPENING STATEMENT, THE DEFENSE DENIED THEIR CLIENT HAD EVEN BEEN PRESENT. DEFENSE LAWYER LUKA MISETEC TOLD THE COURT THAT THERE SIMPLY WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT.

THE NUMBER OF DEFENSE WITNESSES IS NOT YET KNOWN, BUT THE PROSECUTION SAYS IT HAS ONLY FIVE OR SIX. THAT MEANS THIS COULD BE A VERY SPEEDY TRIAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/KL/MMK
08-Jun-98 10:54 AM EDT (1454 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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