Voice of America, 98-08-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (S-ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[02] KOSOVO REFUGEES BY ART CHIMES (DJAKOVICA)

[03] KOSOVO REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[04] WORLD BASKETBALL WRAP (L) BY DAVID BYRD (ATHENS, GREECE)

[01] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (S-ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE BIG POWER CONTACT GROUP ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAS PRESENTED A SO-CALLED "OPTIONS PAPER" TO BOTH SIDES IN THE KOSOVO DISPUTE, AS DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS CONTINUE TO END THE CONFLICT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

TEXT: THE CONTACT GROUP PROPOSAL WAS PRESENTED TO THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS SATURDAY, ONE DAY AFTER THE SERBS GOT THE DOCUMENT.

DEPUTY RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER NIKOLAI AFANASYEVSKY SAID IN BELGRADE THAT THE CONTACT GROUP IS PROPOSING A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIANS. BUT HE SAID THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS UNANIMOUSLY AGAINST THE INDEPENDENCE DEMANDED BY KOSOVO'S 90-PERCENT ALBANIAN MAJORITY.

THE CONTACT GROUP INCLUDES RUSSIA, THE UNITED STATES AND FOUR EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.

EFFORTS TO BRING THE TWO SIDES TO NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN HAMPERED BY THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN'S FAILURE TO CHOOSE A NEGOTIATING TEAM. THEY FACE POLITICAL DIFFERENCES, PLUS THE CHALLENGE OF INCLUDING THE GUERRILLAS IN A WAY THAT WILL BE ACCEPTABLE TO BELGRADE. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/JO
08-Aug-98 2:08 PM EDT (1808 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO REFUGEES BY ART CHIMES (DJAKOVICA)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL AID WORKERS ESTIMATE MORE THAN 200-THOUSAND RESIDENTS OF YUGOSLAVIA'S EMBATTLED KOSOVO PROVINCE HAVE FLED THEIR HOMES IN FIVE-MONTHS OF FIGHTING. AS SERB FORCES INTENSIFY THEIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST SEPARATIST ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS, TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF NEW PEOPLE ARE FLEEING FOR SAFETY. CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM KOSOVO.

TEXT: THE MINARET OF A GRACEFUL MOSQUE DOMINATES THE OLD QUARTER OF DJAKOVICA, WHERE A WARREN OF SHOPS SELLING EVERYTHING FROM VEGETABLES TO PLUMBING SUPPLIES LINE STONE-PAVED STREETS. JUST OFF THE STREET, THE MOSQUE IS A SANCTUARY FOR THREE FAMILIES WHO HAVE COME FROM VILLAGES IN THE REGION. LIKE PERHAPS A QUARTER-MILLION OTHER ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO, THESE FAMILIES HAVE LEFT THEIR HOMES, TOO FRIGHTENED TO STAY. THE IMAM, THE SPIRITUAL LEADER AT THAT MOSQUE, ASKS THAT WE NOT USE HIS NAME. HE SAYS HE IS NOT FRIGHTENED FOR HIMSELF, BUT IS WORRIED ABOUT OTHERS. THE REFUGEES, HE SAYS, ARE CONSTANTLY AFRAID.

ONE REFUGEE FAMILY IN TOWN SPEAKS TO VISITORS, BUT THEY ARE AFRAID TO GO OUT. THE COUPLE AND THEIR FIVE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN STAYING IN A SINGLE LARGE ROOM FOR THE PAST WEEK. THEY COME FROM A SMALL VILLAGE NEAR JUNIK, IN WESTERN KOSOVO.

THE MAN SAYS SERB FORCES SHELLED HIS VILLAGE, DESTROYING HIS HOUSE.

DESPITE ALL THE HARDSHIP THIS INSURRECTION HAS BROUGHT, THE REFUGEES WHO HAVE LOST EVERYTHING DO NOT BLAME THE GUERRILLAS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. THE COUPLE'S TEENAGE SON THINKS THE REBELS HAVE BEEN RIGHT TO FIGHT

HE SAYS NOW THE FIGHTING SHOULD STOP AND THERE SHOULD BE NEGOTIATIONS SO PEOPLE CAN RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

IT IS UNCLEAR JUST HOW MANY REFUGEES ARE IN DJAKOVICA, BUT THE HEAD OF THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE MOTHER TERESA SOCIETY, SADIK POLOSHKE, SAYS A COUPLE OF HUNDRED PEOPLE ARRIVE EVERYDAY.

HE SAYS THEY ARE IN MISERABLE CONDITION, AND THEY HAVE NO PLACE TO STAY.

A YOUNG WOMAN IN TOWN SAYS EVERY EMPTY HOUSE IS FILLED WITH REFUGEES.

THERE ARE NO REFUGEE CAMPS IN KOSOVO. FOR MONTHS, RESIDENTS WHO FLED FROM THEIR HOMES FOUND SHELTER WITH RELATIVES, OR EVEN STRANGERS. IN THE PAST MONTH, AS MORE AND MORE HOUSES HAVE BEEN DAMAGED OR DESTROYED, TENS-OF-THOUSANDS ARE HIDING IN FORESTS OR LIVING OUT IN THE OPEN, OFF THE PAVED ROADS, TO AVOID SERB AUTHORITIES. BUT THEIR REMOTE LOCATION ALSO MAKES IT HARDER FOR RELIEF SUPPLIES TO REACH THEM.

INTERNATIONAL AID AGENCIES ARE FRUSTRATED AT THEIR INABILITY TO KEEP UP WITH THE NEED. A U-N APPEAL FOR 18-MILLION DOLLARS HAS PRODUCED LESS THAN HALF THAT IN PLEDGES, LET ALONE ACTUAL CASH, AND THERE IS LITTLE LEFT IN THE U-N WAREHOUSE IN BELGRADE.

ON THIS DAY TWO TRUCKLOADS OF FOOD ARE BEING UNLOADED FOR REFUGEES IN DJAKOVICA, BUT AID OFFICIALS KNOW IT IS NOWHERE NEAR WHAT IS NEEDED. MICK LORENTZEN OF THE U-N WORLD FOOD PROGRAM SAYS WITH MANY PEOPLE LIVING OUT IN THE OPEN, THE COMING WINTER COULD BE A DISASTER.

WELL, WINTER IS GOING TO BE A HEADACHE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO AT THE MOMENT. WE HAVE GOT A MONTH TO GET OUR ACTS TOGETHER. IF THE PEACE DOES EVENTUALLY COME -- SAY IT CAME NEXT WEEK -- WHAT HAVE THE PEOPLE GOT TO MOVE BACK TO? MOST OF THE HOUSES ARE DESTROYED.

DRIVING ACROSS MANY PARTS OF KOSOVO IS AN EERIE EXPERIENCE: VILLAGE AFTER ABANDONED VILLAGE, WITH HUNDREDS, PERHAPS THOUSANDS OF UNINHABITABLE HOUSES. THE IMMEDIATE NEED IS GREAT: FOR FOOD AND WATER, SANITATION AND MEDICAL CARE, AND SHELTER. BUT IF PERHAPS 15-PERCENT OF KOSOVO'S POPULATION IS TO RETURN HOME, THE REBUILDING EFFORT WILL HAVE TO BE ENORMOUS. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/RAE
09-Aug-98 11:49 AM EDT (1549 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: IN YUGOSLAVIA'S EMBATTLED KOSOVO PROVINCE, ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR INDEPENDENCE AGAINST SERB POLICE AND MILITARY FORCES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES HAS TRAVELED FREQUENTLY TO KOSOVO TO REPORT ON THE CONFLICT. HE RECENTLY SENT US SOME OF HIS IMPRESSIONS IN THIS REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK.

TEXT: SATURDAY, YUGOSLAVIA BEAT GREECE AT THE WORLD BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP. MOMENTS LATER, SERBS IN PRISTINA BEGAN TO CELEBRATE IN THE TRADITIONAL WAY, WITH GUNFIRE.

THE ALBANIAN CAFES, USUALLY TEEMING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, IMMEDIATELY CLOSE DOWN, TO AVOID POSSIBLE TROUBLE. CARLOADS OF SERB FANS DRIVE THROUGH TOWN, HONKING THEIR HORNS AND WAVING THE NATIONAL FLAG, WITH ITS RED, BLUE, AND WHITE STRIPES. MOST OF THE FLAGS ARE CUT OR TORN, SEPARATING THE RED STRIPE FROM THE OTHERS. RED IS THE ALBANIAN COLOR.

DRIVING THROUGH KOSOVO IS AN EERIE EXPERIENCE. LEAVING THE BUSY PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA, YOU ARE SOON ON NEARLY-DESERTED ROADS, PASSING THROUGH EMPTY VILLAGES, WITH MOST BUILDINGS HEAVILY DAMAGED FROM ARTILLERY OR OTHER WEAPONS, OR BY FIRE. CATTLE WANDER ALONG THE ROADS. THE ACRID SMELL OF BURNING BUILDINGS AND FIELDS, AND SOMETIMES THE ROTTING SMELL OF DEAD FARM ANIMALS, DRIFT ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE.

A U-N OFFICIAL SAYS IT IS HARD TO THINK THIS IS EUROPE. OUR ALBANIAN TRANSLATOR NOTICES THE ROAD SIGNS THAT GIVE THE NAME OF EACH VILLAGE AS YOU ENTER HAVE BEEN REMOVED, AS IF THESE PLACES, NOW DESTROYED AND ABANDONED, NO LONGER EXIST.

THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN RESIDENTS OF THOSE EMPTY TOWNS AND VILLAGES HAVE FLED, SOME ACROSS THE BORDER TO ALBANIA OR MONTENEGRO. BUT MOST REMAIN IN KOSOVO STAYING WITH FRIENDS OR RELATIVES OR, INCREASINGLY, OUT IN THE OPEN, IN FORESTS OR FIELDS AWAY FROM SERB FORCES. AID WORKERS FEAR A HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE AS THE HARSH BALKAN WINTER LOOMS.

THE GRAND HOTEL PRISTINA -- WHERE MANY REPORTERS STAY -- IS HOME TO THE SERB-RUN MEDIA CENTER. THEY ORGANIZE FIELD TRIPS, NEWS CONFERENCES, AND OTHER EVENTS.

DOZENS OF MEN AND WOMEN CROWD THE TABLES WHERE JOURNALISTS USUALLY WRITE. THEY ARE THE RELATIVES OF SERBS SAID TO HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED BY THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS. BOTH SERBS AND ALBANIANS ACCUSE THE OTHER SIDE OF KIDNAPPING CIVILIANS.

THE MEDIA CENTER ORGANIZES A CONVOY TO VIEW A BURIAL PLACE IN ORAHOVAC, WHERE LOCAL OFFICIALS TELL US THERE ARE 40 BODIES OF GUERRILLAS WHO FELL IN BATTLE. SOME PUBLISHED REPORTS HAVE SAID THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CIVILIANS HERE.

WHATEVER THE TRUTH, THE COVOY GOES THROUGH MALISEVO, A TOWN DESERTED BY ITS ALBANIAN POPULATION AND SYSTEMATICALLY WRECKED WHILE UNDER THE CONTROL OF SERB POLICE. FIRES BLAZE AS WE DRIVE THROUGH, AND MY COLLEAGUE FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (ANNE THOMPSON) NOTES THE SERBS' MISPLACED PUBLIC RELATIONS INITIATIVE.

AS TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL OUT IN THE OPEN, LIFE IN KOSOVO'S CAPITAL IS SURPRISINGLY NORMAL. THE POLICE PRESENCE IN PRISTINA HAS INCREASED SOMEWHAT, AND NEW CHECKPOINTS HAVE BEEN SET UP RECENTLY. BUT THE CAFES ARE FULL OF YOUNG PEOPLE DRINKING COFFEE AND FLIRTING, VENDORS SELL ICE CREAM AND POPCORN ALONG THE MAIN STREET, AND LOCAL RESTAURANTS FEATURE DELICIOUS, FRESH GRILLED FISH. THE BAND PLAYS LOUDLY AT A JOYOUS WEDDING FEAST AT THE HOTEL GRAND. HERE THE FIGHTING SEEMS FAR AWAY, BUT MANY RESIDENTS OF KOSOVO'S CAPITAL WONDER HOW LONG IT CAN STAY THERE. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/RAE
09-Aug-98 1:07 PM EDT (1707 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] WORLD BASKETBALL WRAP (L) BY DAVID BYRD (ATHENS, GREECE)

INTRO: YUGOSLAVIA HAS WON THE 13TH WORLD MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP IN ATHENS, GREECE. AS V-O-A'S DAVID BYRD REPORTS, RUSSIA FINISHED WITH THE SILVER MEDAL, WHILE THE UNITED STATES TOOK HOME THE BRONZE.

TEXT: //ACT OF ANNOUNCER IN STADIUM // (CROWD) THE AWARD FOR THE CHAMPION OF THE 13TH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR MEN, THE NATIONAL TEAM OF YUGOSLAVIA. (CROWD NOISE)

THE YUGOSLAV TEAM WAS ONE OF THE FAVORITES TO WIN THE TOURNAMENT AFTER THE U-S DREAM TEAM OF N-B-A STARS PULLED OUT AND WAS REPLACED BY A COLLECTION OF C-B-A PLAYERS, EUROPEAN BASED STARS AND COLLEGE PLAYERS.

IN THE GOLD MEDAL GAME, THE YUGOSLAVS TOOK THE LEAD EARLY, BUT WERE BEHIND 35-30 AT HALFTIME. IN THE SECOND HALF, YUGOSLAVIA CAME OUT AND WAS ABLE TO SCORE A 64-62 WIN OVER THE RUSSIAN TEAM.

IN THE BRONZE MEDAL GAME, THE UNITED STATES CRUSHED HOST COUNTRY GREECE, 84-61. FIBA PRESIDENT GEORGE KILLIAN CLOSED THE TOURNAMENT BY THANKING THE PARTICIPANTS AND THE HOST COUNTRY.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE HERE IN ATHENS AND IN GREECE WHO PLAYED A PART IN MAKING THIS THE FINEST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN FIBA'S HISTORY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE PLAYERS, COACHES, WHO SHOWED US HOW THE GAME SHOULD BE PLAYED. TO THE CHAMPIONS, MY SINCEREST CONGRATULATIONS FOR A GREAT VICTORY.

HOST COUNTRY GREECE FINISHED THE TOURNAMENT FOURTH, FOLLOWED BY SPAIN, ITALY, LITHUANIA, ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, AND BRAZIL. PUERTO RICO FINISHED 11TH FOLLOWED BY CANADA, NIGERIA, JAPAN, SENEGAL, AND SOUTH KOREA. THE NEXT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, IN 2002. (SIGNED)
NEB/DB/MMK
09-Aug-98 4:02 PM EDT (2002 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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