Voice of America, 98-10-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[02] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[03] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[04] KOSOVO / N-G-O'S (L-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

[05] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[06] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[07] KOSOVO DOCTORS (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

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

[09] NATO AIR STRIKES AND MACEDONIA BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

[10] RUSSIA / KOSOVO (S) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[11] TURKEY/SYRIA (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[12] U-S / GERMANY / KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[13] U-S / GERMANY / KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[14] U-S/GERMANY/KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[01] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR -- RETURNING FROM CHINA HAS ISSUED YET ANOTHER WARNING (FRIDAY) TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO COMPLY WITH U-N DEMANDS ON CEASING AGGRESSION IN THE PROVINCE KOSOVO -- OR FACE CONSEQUENCES. FROM LONDON, CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE TOUGH TONE COINCIDES WITH U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE'S LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO FIND A DIPLOMATIC WAY OUT OF THE CRISIS.

TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE SIX-MEMBER CONTACT GROUP ON THE BALKANS MET IN LONDON LATE THURSDAY AND AGREED TO LET U-S ENVOY HOLBROOKE TRY ONCE MORE TO CONVINCE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THAT HE MUST COMPLY WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS NOW OR FACE GRAVE CONSEQUENCES.

WHILE THEY WAIT FOR RESULTS, WESTERN ALLIES ARE NOT EASING THE PRESSURE. BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR ONCE AGAIN WARNS THAT THE TIME FOR DIPLOMACY IS RUNNING OUT.

IN MY VIEW, IF THERE IS NOT FULL COMPLIANCE BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WITH THE U-N RESOLUTIONS CALLING UPON HIM TO WITHDRAW (TROOPS) AND STOP PERMITTING THE ATROCITIES INSIDE KOSOVO, IT IS INEVITABLE THAT ACTION WILL FOLLOW.

I MAKE IT CLEAR AGAIN, THAT WE MUST BE VERY CLEAR THAT WE WANT A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION. BUT IF THERE IS NOT A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION, THEN WE ARE PREPARED TO USE FORCE IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT HE CEASES FROM CREATING A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER THERE.

MR. BLAIR SAYS ABOUT 250-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO AND ARE AFRAID TO RETURN FOR FEAR OF SERB AGGRESSION. WESTERN AID GROUPS WARN OF A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER IF SOME ACTION IS NOT TAKEN BEFORE THE COLD WINTER MONTHS SET IN. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH/JO
09-Oct-98 10:34 AM EDT (1434 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THERE IS A SINGLE, DOMINANT THEME AMONG EDITORIALS IN MANY U-S DAILIES THIS FRIDAY: THE HISTORIC VOTE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO BEGIN FORMAL IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON.

SOME PAPERS ARE IN FAVOR OF THE INVESTIGATION AS THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS ORGANIZED IT, WHILE OTHERS FEAR IT IS MERELY AN EXERCISE IN PARTISAN POLITICS THAT MAY HARM THE COUNTRY, AND DISTRACT FROM PRESSING FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC PROBLEMS. NOW, HERE AT OUR V-O-A MICROPHONE IS_________________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THERE ARE A VARIETY OF OPINIONS ON YESTERDAY'S HISTORIC VOTE IN WHICH 31 DEMOCRATS JOINED THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE IN VOTING TO CONDUCT AN IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION OF THE PRESIDENT. SOME NEWSPAPERS WANT THE MATTER TO END QUICKLY WITH SOME KIND OF CENSURE; OTHERS SUPPORT A LONG AND OPEN-ENDED PROBE OF THE PRESIDENT. THE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION CAN BE SEEN IN THE DAILY PAPERS OF JUST ONE CITY -- NEW YORK. HERE'S THE HEADLINE IN TODAY'S "DAILY NEWS:" "KANGAROO COURT [U-S SLANG FOR A COURT THAT TRIES SOMEONE WITH ITS MIND TOTALLY MADE UP BEFOREHAND] NOW IN SESSION."

VOICE: WITH ITS VOTE YESTERDAY (THURSDAY 10/8) TO BEGIN IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEMONSTRATED BEYOND ALL DOUBT ITS FAILURE TO PERFORM ITS MOST FUNDAMENTAL DUTY. THE REFUSAL TO BUILD BI-PARTISAN CONSENSUS ON THE FATE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON BODES ILL FOR THE NATION. BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IS PUBLICLY LICKING ITS CHOPS [SLANG: DELIGHTED, IN ANTICIPATION OF] FOR [PRESIDENT] CLINTON'S BLOOD, THE INQUIRY PROMISES TO BE NOTHING MORE OR LESS THAN A POLITICAL LYNCHING.

TEXT: IN THE SAME CITY, READERS ARE ALSO PONDERING THIS EDITORIAL IN "THE NEW YORK POST," WITH ITS HEADLINE READING: 'WHEN YOU TAKE AN OATH, YOU MUST KEEP IT.' "THE POST" QUOTES DEMOCRAT PAUL MCHALE'S SPEECH BEFORE THE CONGRESSIONAL VOTE.

VOICE: 'WHAT IS AT STAKE IS REALLY THE RULE OF LAW. WHEN THE PRESIDENT TOOK AN OATH TO TELL THE TRUTH, HE WAS NO DIFFERENT AT THAT POINT FROM ANY OTHER CITIZEN, BOTH AS A MATTER OF MORALITY OR LEGAL OBLIGATION. WE CANNOT EXCUSE THAT KIND OF MISCONDUCT (LYING UNDER OATH ABOUT HIS AFFAIR WITH MONICA LEWINSKY) BECAUSE WE HAPPEN TO BELONG TO THE SAME PARTY AS THE PRESIDENT OR AGREE WITH HIM ON ISSUES OR FEEL TRAGICALLY THAT THE REMOVAL OF THE PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE WOULD BE ENORMOUSLY PAINFUL FOR THE UNITED STATES. ... THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL SAY TO ALL OUR CITIZENS, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT, ... WHEN YOU TAKE AN OATH, YOU MUST KEEP IT.'

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" IS DISTRESSED AT BOTH THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS, AND WORRIES ABOUT A DISTRACTED LEADERSHIP IN DIFFICULT TIMES.

VOICE: MR. CLINTON'S CONDUCT WAS PUERILE, RECKLESS, AND STUPID BEYOND BELIEF. BUT WHILE IT OFFENDS MORALITY AND RESPECT FOR THE PRESIDENCY, IT HARDLY RISES TO THE CONSTITUTION'S IMPEACHMENT STANDARD OF 'HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.' BUT NEVER MIND. THIS HOUSE'S ACTION ... WAS A PARTISAN EFFORT TO WRING FROM THIS SELF-DISGRACED PRESIDENT ... EVERY DROP OF RESPECT FOR HIS PRESIDENCY AND THE CONSEQUENCES BE HANGED. ... WALL STREET IS IN TURMOIL, THE WORLD'S ECONOMY IS IN PERIL, AND NATO IS PREPARING TO BOMB THE SERBS. THE TIMES CALL OUT FOR LEADERSHIP, BUT THE HOUSE CHOSE AN EXTENDED FISHING TRIP.[SLANG FOR: "A NEEDLESS EXERCISE" IN THIS CASE]

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS "THE HOUSE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION ... IN AUTHORIZING AN OPEN-ENDED INQUIRY INTO WHETHER PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOULD BE IMPEACHED" AND IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" AGREES, CALLING IT THE "RIGHT STEP FOR [THE] NATION." IN TEXAS, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" SAYS THE INQUIRY SHOULD NOW BE DIGNIFIED AND PROMPT:

VOICE: THE HOUSE WISELY REJECTED THE PUSH FOR PUTTING TIME LIMITS ON ANY INVESTIGATION. THE WHITE HOUSE PROVED DURING (INDEPENDENT COUNSEL) KEN STARR'S PROBE THAT IT CAN STALL AS WELL AS ANY FOUR-CORNERS [SLOW] BASKETBALL OFFENSE. ...THAT SAID, HENRY HYDE'S JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SHOULD NOT DRAG ITS HEARINGS ON AND ON. .. IT'S STILL NOT TOO LATE FOR THE PRESIDENT TO SPARE THE COUNTRY MORE PROTRACTED LEGAL TURMOIL BY RESIGNING. OTHERWISE, THE INQUIRY WILL LIKELY BEGIN AFTER THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS. MAY IT BE FAIR AND PROMPT. THE PUBLIC DESERVES AT LEAST THAT MUCH.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CALLS IT "A GRIM BUT HISTORIC DAY" AND AGREES THAT THE VOTE IS TAKING CONGRESS IN "THE PROPER DIRECTION," BUT "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" WORRIES THAT "MANY IN CONGRESS SEEM TO HAVE THEIR MINDS MADE UP."

TEXT: THAT BRINGS TO A CLOSE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/JO
09-Oct-98 12:55 PM EDT (1655 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THERE IS A SINGLE, DOMINANT THEME AMONG EDITORIALS IN MANY U-S DAILIES THIS FRIDAY: THE HISTORIC VOTE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO BEGIN FORMAL IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON.

SOME PAPERS ARE IN FAVOR OF THE INVESTIGATION AS THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP HAS ORGANIZED IT, WHILE OTHERS FEAR IT IS MERELY AN EXERCISE IN PARTISAN POLITICS THAT MAY HARM THE COUNTRY, AND DISTRACT FROM PRESSING FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC PROBLEMS. NOW, HERE AT OUR V-O-A MICROPHONE IS_________________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THERE ARE A VARIETY OF OPINIONS ON YESTERDAY'S HISTORIC VOTE IN WHICH 31 DEMOCRATS JOINED THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE IN VOTING TO CONDUCT AN IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION OF THE PRESIDENT. SOME NEWSPAPERS WANT THE MATTER TO END QUICKLY WITH SOME KIND OF CENSURE; OTHERS SUPPORT A LONG AND OPEN-ENDED PROBE OF THE PRESIDENT. THE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION CAN BE SEEN IN THE DAILY PAPERS OF JUST ONE CITY -- NEW YORK. HERE'S THE HEADLINE IN TODAY'S "DAILY NEWS:" "KANGAROO COURT [U-S SLANG FOR A COURT THAT TRIES SOMEONE WITH ITS MIND TOTALLY MADE UP BEFOREHAND] NOW IN SESSION."

VOICE: WITH ITS VOTE YESTERDAY (THURSDAY 10/8) TO BEGIN IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DEMONSTRATED BEYOND ALL DOUBT ITS FAILURE TO PERFORM ITS MOST FUNDAMENTAL DUTY. THE REFUSAL TO BUILD BI-PARTISAN CONSENSUS ON THE FATE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON BODES ILL FOR THE NATION. BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IS PUBLICLY LICKING ITS CHOPS [SLANG: DELIGHTED, IN ANTICIPATION OF] FOR [PRESIDENT] CLINTON'S BLOOD, THE INQUIRY PROMISES TO BE NOTHING MORE OR LESS THAN A POLITICAL LYNCHING.

TEXT: IN THE SAME CITY, READERS ARE ALSO PONDERING THIS EDITORIAL IN "THE NEW YORK POST," WITH ITS HEADLINE READING: 'WHEN YOU TAKE AN OATH, YOU MUST KEEP IT.' "THE POST" QUOTES DEMOCRAT PAUL MCHALE'S SPEECH BEFORE THE CONGRESSIONAL VOTE.

VOICE: 'WHAT IS AT STAKE IS REALLY THE RULE OF LAW. WHEN THE PRESIDENT TOOK AN OATH TO TELL THE TRUTH, HE WAS NO DIFFERENT AT THAT POINT FROM ANY OTHER CITIZEN, BOTH AS A MATTER OF MORALITY OR LEGAL OBLIGATION. WE CANNOT EXCUSE THAT KIND OF MISCONDUCT (LYING UNDER OATH ABOUT HIS AFFAIR WITH MONICA LEWINSKY) BECAUSE WE HAPPEN TO BELONG TO THE SAME PARTY AS THE PRESIDENT OR AGREE WITH HIM ON ISSUES OR FEEL TRAGICALLY THAT THE REMOVAL OF THE PRESIDENT FROM OFFICE WOULD BE ENORMOUSLY PAINFUL FOR THE UNITED STATES. ... THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL SAY TO ALL OUR CITIZENS, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT, ... WHEN YOU TAKE AN OATH, YOU MUST KEEP IT.'

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" IS DISTRESSED AT BOTH THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS, AND WORRIES ABOUT A DISTRACTED LEADERSHIP IN DIFFICULT TIMES.

VOICE: MR. CLINTON'S CONDUCT WAS PUERILE, RECKLESS, AND STUPID BEYOND BELIEF. BUT WHILE IT OFFENDS MORALITY AND RESPECT FOR THE PRESIDENCY, IT HARDLY RISES TO THE CONSTITUTION'S IMPEACHMENT STANDARD OF 'HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS.' BUT NEVER MIND. THIS HOUSE'S ACTION ... WAS A PARTISAN EFFORT TO WRING FROM THIS SELF-DISGRACED PRESIDENT ... EVERY DROP OF RESPECT FOR HIS PRESIDENCY AND THE CONSEQUENCES BE HANGED. ... WALL STREET IS IN TURMOIL, THE WORLD'S ECONOMY IS IN PERIL, AND NATO IS PREPARING TO BOMB THE SERBS. THE TIMES CALL OUT FOR LEADERSHIP, BUT THE HOUSE CHOSE AN EXTENDED FISHING TRIP.[SLANG FOR: "A NEEDLESS EXERCISE" IN THIS CASE]

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS "THE HOUSE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION ... IN AUTHORIZING AN OPEN-ENDED INQUIRY INTO WHETHER PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOULD BE IMPEACHED" AND IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" AGREES, CALLING IT THE "RIGHT STEP FOR [THE] NATION." IN TEXAS, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" SAYS THE INQUIRY SHOULD NOW BE DIGNIFIED AND PROMPT:

VOICE: THE HOUSE WISELY REJECTED THE PUSH FOR PUTTING TIME LIMITS ON ANY INVESTIGATION. THE WHITE HOUSE PROVED DURING (INDEPENDENT COUNSEL) KEN STARR'S PROBE THAT IT CAN STALL AS WELL AS ANY FOUR-CORNERS [SLOW] BASKETBALL OFFENSE. ...THAT SAID, HENRY HYDE'S JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SHOULD NOT DRAG ITS HEARINGS ON AND ON. .. IT'S STILL NOT TOO LATE FOR THE PRESIDENT TO SPARE THE COUNTRY MORE PROTRACTED LEGAL TURMOIL BY RESIGNING. OTHERWISE, THE INQUIRY WILL LIKELY BEGIN AFTER THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS. MAY IT BE FAIR AND PROMPT. THE PUBLIC DESERVES AT LEAST THAT MUCH.

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CALLS IT "A GRIM BUT HISTORIC DAY" AND AGREES THAT THE VOTE IS TAKING CONGRESS IN "THE PROPER DIRECTION," BUT "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" WORRIES THAT "MANY IN CONGRESS SEEM TO HAVE THEIR MINDS MADE UP."

TEXT: THAT BRINGS TO A CLOSE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/JO
09-Oct-98 12:55 PM EDT (1655 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO / N-G-O'S (L-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: WITH A WORSENING HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN KOSOVO, RELIEF AGENCIES OPERATING IN THE BALKANS ARE WARY OF THE POSSIBILITY OF NATO MILITARY INTERVENTION. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS THERE IS CONCERN THAT AN ATTACK ON SERB TARGETS WOULD ONLY WORSEN THE PLIGHT OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES.

TEXT: SOME AID AGENCIES HAVE EVACUATED THEIR STAFFS FROM KOSOVO IN PREPARATION FOR POSSIBLE AIR STRIKES -- A MOVE THAT WESTERN NATIONS ARE WARNING MAY BE ONLY DAYS AWAY, BUT ONE THAT RELIEF AGENCIES SAY COULD MAKE A BAD SITUATION WORSE.

SERGE DUSS OF THE RELIEF AGENCY WORLD VISION.

THOSE OF US HERE WHO ARE AMERICANS, ADVOCATED WITH OUR GOVERNMENTS TO BE AGGRESSIVE IN FINDING A POLITICAL SOLUTION THAT WILL LESSEN THE LOSS OF LIFE THAT WOULD BE THE RESULT OF ANY KIND OF MILITARY ACT.

SOME ESTIMATES SUGGEST HALF A MILLION KOSOVARS ARE NOW LIVING AS DISPLACED PEOPLE, AND AN EARLY WINTER COULD PRECIPITATE A CATASTROPHE IF AID IS INTERRUPTED. THE PROVINCE HAS ALREADY HAD ITS FIRST SNOW AND MORE THAN 50-THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE ESTIMATED TO BE LIVING WITHOUT ANY SHELTER AT ALL.

NANCY LINDBORG WORKS FOR THE RELIEF AGENCY MERCY CORPS.

WE'VE WATCHED AS VILLAGERS HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH ONLY THOSE ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES THAT THEY COULD GRAB IN A MATTER OF MOMENTS. THEY HAVE BEEN MOVING FROM VILLAGE TO VILLAGE IN SEARCH OF SAFETY, IN SEARCH OF A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN BE ENSURED THAT THEIR HUSBANDS, THEIR FATHERS, THEIR SONS WOULD NOT BE SEPARATED FROM THEM.

ADD TO THAT THE CONCERNS OF AID WORKERS WHO WONDER IF AIR STRIKES WILL LEAD TO A BACKLASH AGAINST THE WEST. GERALD MARTONE IS A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE.

THE FIRST QUESTION IS SECURITY. WOULD THERE BE REAL OR LATENT HOSTILITY AGAINST EX-PATRIATE HUMANITARIAN WORKERS AS THEY RETURN TO AN ENVIRONMENT THAT WAS JUST BOMBED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES?

[05] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: U-S SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS BACK IN YUGOSLAVIA IN WHAT IS CALLED A FINAL EFFORT TO FIND A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

TEXT: MR. HOLBROOKE RETURNED TO BELGRADE AFTER TALKS IN BRUSSELS WITH U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT. HE IS MEETING FRIDAY WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC , WHICH HAS RAISED HOPES FOR A DIPLOMATIC RESOLUTION OF THE CRISIS. IT IS WIDELY BELIEVED THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE USE OF RUSSIAN AND WESTERN FORCES ON THE GROUND TO MONITOR THE AGREEMENT.

A UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTION LAST MONTH DEMANDED A CEASEFIRE IN KOSOVO AND THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES. YUGOSLAVIA HAS ALREADY PULLED BACK MOST ARMY AND SOME POLICE UNITS, AND THE SEPARATIST GUERRILLAS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HAVE DECLARED A CEASEFIRE.

DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME OF HIS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, MR. HOLBROOKE COULD RETURN TO PRISTINA SATURDAY FOR TALKS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHAM RUGOVA.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE FRIDAY, MR. RUGOVA WELCOMED THE INVOLVEMENT OF VARIOUS WORLD LEADERS IN HELPING TO SOLVE THE KOSOVO CRISIS. HE MENTIONED IN PARTICULAR RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN, BUT SAID RUSSIA COULD DO MORE.

WE URGE RUSSIA TO DEMONSTRATE INCREASED ENGAGEMENT, HE SAID, AND TO ABANDON THE LOGIC OF THE COLD WAR.

RUSSIA HAS CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS AFFINITY WITH SERBIA, AND HAS OPPOSED AIR STRIKES AGAINST SERB TARGETS. THE UNITED STATES AND ITS NATO ALLIES HAVE THREATENED MILITARY ACTION UNLESS YUGOSLAVIA COMPLIES FULLY WITH UNITED NATIONS DEMANDS.

MR. RUGOVA ALSO SAID THAT SERB FORCES ARE CONTINUING TO BOMB OR SHELL ALBANIAN VILLAGES IN SEVERAL AREAS OF KOSOVO (DRENICE, MITROVICE, MALESEVO).

BUT DIPLOMATIC OBSERVERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM SUCH ATTACKS. IN FACT, THEY SAY THEY HAVE SEEN NO AGGRESSIVE SERBIAN POLICE OR MILITARY ACTION SINCE OCTOBER FIRST. WESTERN DIPLOMATS HAVE CRITICIZED MR. RUGOVA'S LEADERSHIP, WHICH IN ANY EVENT HAS BEEN OVERTAKEN IN MANY WAYS BY THE GUERRILLAS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY.

MONTHS OF FIGHTING IN KOSOVO HAS FORCED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS FROM THEIR HOMES. MANY ARE STILL AFRAID TO RETURN, AND THOUSANDS OF THEIR HOUSES AND FARMS HAVE BEEN BADLY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. TENS OF THOUSANDS ARE LIVING OUT IN THE OPEN, AS THE HARSH BALKAN WINTER APPROACHES.

THE SPECTRE OF A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER HAS GIVEN SPECIAL URGENCY TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE KOSOVO CRISIS, AND RESOLVE IT QUICKLY.
NEB/ART/JWH
09-Oct-98 7:41 AM EDT (1141 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: U-S SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS BACK IN YUGOSLAVIA IN WHAT IS CALLED A FINAL EFFORT TO FIND A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

TEXT: MR. HOLBROOKE RETURNED TO BELGRADE AFTER TALKS IN BRUSSELS WITH U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT. HE IS MEETING FRIDAY WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC , WHICH HAS RAISED HOPES FOR A DIPLOMATIC RESOLUTION OF THE CRISIS. IT IS WIDELY BELIEVED THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE USE OF RUSSIAN AND WESTERN FORCES ON THE GROUND TO MONITOR THE AGREEMENT.

A UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTION LAST MONTH DEMANDED A CEASEFIRE IN KOSOVO AND THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES. YUGOSLAVIA HAS ALREADY PULLED BACK MOST ARMY AND SOME POLICE UNITS, AND THE SEPARATIST GUERRILLAS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HAVE DECLARED A CEASEFIRE.

DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME OF HIS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, MR. HOLBROOKE COULD RETURN TO PRISTINA SATURDAY FOR TALKS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHAM RUGOVA.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE FRIDAY, MR. RUGOVA WELCOMED THE INVOLVEMENT OF VARIOUS WORLD LEADERS IN HELPING TO SOLVE THE KOSOVO CRISIS. HE MENTIONED IN PARTICULAR RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN, BUT SAID RUSSIA COULD DO MORE.

WE URGE RUSSIA TO DEMONSTRATE INCREASED ENGAGEMENT, HE SAID, AND TO ABANDON THE LOGIC OF THE COLD WAR.

RUSSIA HAS CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS AFFINITY WITH SERBIA, AND HAS OPPOSED AIR STRIKES AGAINST SERB TARGETS. THE UNITED STATES AND ITS NATO ALLIES HAVE THREATENED MILITARY ACTION UNLESS YUGOSLAVIA COMPLIES FULLY WITH UNITED NATIONS DEMANDS.

MR. RUGOVA ALSO SAID THAT SERB FORCES ARE CONTINUING TO BOMB OR SHELL ALBANIAN VILLAGES IN SEVERAL AREAS OF KOSOVO (DRENICE, MITROVICE, MALESEVO).

BUT DIPLOMATIC OBSERVERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONFIRM SUCH ATTACKS. IN FACT, THEY SAY THEY HAVE SEEN NO AGGRESSIVE SERBIAN POLICE OR MILITARY ACTION SINCE OCTOBER FIRST. WESTERN DIPLOMATS HAVE CRITICIZED MR. RUGOVA'S LEADERSHIP, WHICH IN ANY EVENT HAS BEEN OVERTAKEN IN MANY WAYS BY THE GUERRILLAS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY.

MONTHS OF FIGHTING IN KOSOVO HAS FORCED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS FROM THEIR HOMES. MANY ARE STILL AFRAID TO RETURN, AND THOUSANDS OF THEIR HOUSES AND FARMS HAVE BEEN BADLY DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. TENS OF THOUSANDS ARE LIVING OUT IN THE OPEN, AS THE HARSH BALKAN WINTER APPROACHES.

THE SPECTRE OF A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER HAS GIVEN SPECIAL URGENCY TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE KOSOVO CRISIS, AND RESOLVE IT QUICKLY.
NEB/ART/JWH
09-Oct-98 7:41 AM EDT (1141 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO DOCTORS (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL RELIEF AGENCY "MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERES" -- "DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS" -- IS ACCUSING YUGOSLAV TROOPS IN KOSOVO OF TARGETING LOCAL PHYSICIANS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS WHERE A MEDICAL TEAM HAS GIVEN DETAILS TO REPORTERS.

TEXT: IN THE VILLAGE OF GRADICA, 25 KILOMETERS NORTHWEST OF PRISTINA IN KOSOVO, DR. LEC (PRONOUNCED "LETS") UKAJ ("OO-KEYE") WAS ARRESTED LAST MONTH BY YUGOSLAV FORCES, TORTURED AND KILLED. THE LOCAL DOCTOR HAD WORKED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL AGENCY MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERES TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THE MEDICAL PROBLEMS SUFFERED BY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVO ALBANIANS WHO ARE LIVING EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS AFTER THEIR VILLAGES WERE BURNED OUT.

KEITH URSEL, A CANADIAN NURSE COORDINATING EMERGENCY OPERATIONS FOR THE RELIEF AGENCY, SAYS THERE IS A PATTERN TO THE ELIMINATION OF DOCTORS IN KOSOVO SIMILAR TO THE KILLING OF DR. UKAJ.

THAT'S ONE TERRIBLE EXAMPLE. THERE ARE CERTAINLY MORE EXAMPLES OF DOCTORS THAT ARE GOING MISSING, OF DOCTORS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR FAMILIES BEATEN UP -- "WHERE'S YOUR BROTHER? WHERE IS HE WORKING?" -- THIS HAPPENS A LOT. THESE PEOPLE HAVE CELLULAR TELEPHONES. THEY CAN CLIMB UP ON A MOUNTAIN AND THEY PHONE DOWN TO US IN PANIC AND SAY "THEY ARE COMING AFTER ME" OR "A VILLAGE IS BEING ATTACKED," SO WE CAN HEAR THIS AS IT IS HAPPENING. SO WE KNOW THERE ARE DOCTORS STILL MISSING, STILL UNACCOUNTED FOR. SOME WE NOW KNOW ARE HIDING IN SAFE COUNTRIES.

MR. URSEL SAYS HE HAS SEEN REGULAR YUGOSLAV ARMY TROOPS COME INTO VILLAGES AND LOOT HOUSES. THEN TROOPS RETURN AND SET FIRE TO THE HOUSES. HE SAYS ALL MEDICAL SUPPLIES IN THE VILLAGES ARE DESTROYED.

DR. VINCENT JANSSEN LEADS THE MEDICINS DES FRONTIERES OFFICE IN BRUSSELS. HE SAYS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IN KOSOVO IS A MASSIVE INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE TO PROTECT THE REFUGEES.

ALL THIS, FOR ME, POINTS TOWARDS THE RECOMMENDATION, THE URGENT RECOMMENDATION -- THERE IS A NEED FOR AN IMPORTANT PHYSICAL INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE IN THE FIELD. ALL THE ACTIVITIES SHOULD CONTINUE, BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT WHAT HAS BEEN TRIED SO FAR, DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS DID NOT CHANGE THE PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF THE INDIVIDUALS. THE SAME WITH INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS. //OPT// SO WE NEED A HUGE INTERNATIONAL (PRESENCE) AND IT NEEDS TO BE INTERNATIONAL, BECAUSE NATIONAL PEOPLE DON'T TRUST EACH OTHER ANYMORE. //END OPT//

IRONICALLY, DR. JANSSEN'S COMMENT COMES AS INTERNATIONAL RELIEF AGENCIES ARE FORCED TO EVACUATE PERSONNEL FROM KOSOVO BECAUSE OF THE SERBIAN THREATS TO RETALIATE AGAINST FOREIGNERS, IF NATO AIR STRIKES ARE LAUNCHED. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/PCF
09-Oct-98 7:47 AM EDT (1147 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 STEADILY TODAY (FRIDAY) IN A WELCOME RELIEF FROM RECENT VOLATILITY. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 78 HUNDRED 99, UP 167 POINTS, MORE THAN TWO PERCENT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 115 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT NINE HUNDRED 84, UP 25 POINTS.

STOCK PRICES WERE UP AT THE START OF TRADING AND GAINED MOMENTUM AS THE DAY CONTINUED.

ANALYSTS SAY THE RALLY WAS THE RESULT OF BARGAIN HUNTING AND A RUMOR THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL CUT SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES AGAIN AND SOON. ACCORDING TO THE RUMOR, THE RATE CUT WILL COME WELL BEFORE THE NEXT SCHEDULED CENTRAL BANK MEETING ON NOVEMBER 17TH. THE CENTRAL BANK, OF COURSE, NEVER COMMENTS ON RUMORS.

SOME ANALYSTS SAY THE WORST MAY BE OVER AND STOCK PRICES CAN CONTINUE TO RALLY FROM THIS POINT. OTHERS CAUTION THAT THERE ARE STILL TOO MANY ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL UNCERTAINTIES FOR A SUSTAINED RALLY.

PHIL ROTH OF THE MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS IF THIS IS THE END OF THE DOWNTURN, THERE SHOULD BE A RISING RATIO OF ADVANCING TO DECLINING STOCK PRICES.

YOU SHOULD SEE VERY STRONG BREADTH FIGURES FOR A FEW DAYS IF THE MARKET HAS REALLY SEEN A FINAL LOW. FRANKLY, I DO NOT THINK SO. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER INTERIM RALLY AND COME DOWN AGAIN.

SOME TRADERS SAY THEY WILL REMAIN ON ALERT UNTIL THE END OF OCTOBER. ONE-HALF OF ALL THE MAJOR U-S STOCK MARKET DOWNTURNS HAVE OCCURRED IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.

THERE IS NERVOUSNESS ON WALL STREET AS RUMORS CIRCULATE OF CUTBACKS IN SOME MAJOR INVESTMENT FIRMS. SOME COMPANIES HAVE ALREADY IMPOSED A HIRING FREEZE.

AT PRATT AND WHITNEY, A DIVISION OF THE UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION COMPANY, JOB CUTS ARE MORE THAN RUMORS. THE MAKER OF AIRCRAFT ENGINES SAYS IT WILL CUT ABOUT ONE THOUSAND JOBS OR SIX PERCENT OF ITS WORK FORCE. PRATT AND WHITNEY SAYS IT HOPES MOST OF THE REDUCTION CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH AN EARLY RETIREMENT PROGRAM.

A SURVEY OF TOP U-S CORPORATE EXECUTIVES SHOWS MOST OF THEM BELIEVE A PROLONGED ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN IS AHEAD. SIXTY PERCENT OF THEM SAY THEY ARE MAKING PLANS TO CUT COSTS AT THEIR COMPANIES.

A HUGE ACQUISITION WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE U-S DRUG DISTRIBUTION INDUSTRY. THE CARDINAL HEALTH COMPANY WILL PAY FIVE POINT FOUR BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE ALLEGIANCE CORPORATION.

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS ORDERED THAT THE MICROSOFT COMPANY GRANT GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATORS ACCESS TO MICROSOFT'S DATABASES SO THE COMPANY'S PRICING PRACTICES CAN BE EXAMINED. IT IS PART OF THE U-S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S ANTI-MONOPOLY LAWSUIT AGAINST MICROSOFT.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
09-Oct-98 5:20 PM EDT (2120 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] NATO AIR STRIKES AND MACEDONIA BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO, THE WESTERN POWERS AND KOSOVO'S NEIGHBORS HAVE WORRIED THAT THE CONFLICT WOULD SPREAD. MUCH OF THAT CONCERN HAS FOCUSED ON MACEDONIA, A COUNTRY WITH A LARGE ETHNIC ALBANIAN

TEXT: DAVID PHILLIPS IS DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROGRAM AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK CITY AND AN EXPERT ON KOSOVO. HE SAYS THAT, IF DIPLOMACY IS NOT SUCCESSFUL AND NATO ACTION IS REQUIRED TO RESOLVE TO KOSOVO CRISIS, THIS WILL HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE ENTIRE REGION. BUT, MR. PHILLIPS ADDS, HE HAS GREAT SYMPATHY FOR THE PEOPLE IN MACEDONIA AND THEIR WORRIES ABOUT THE CONFLICT SPREADING.

TAPE: CUT ONE -- PHILLIPS (0:57) "THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED THAT AIR STRIKES MIGHT ESCALATE A BROADER REGIONAL CONFLICT. I'M SYMPATHETIC TO THAT CONCERN, BUT I RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT TO OUR FRIENDS IN SKOPJE THAT THE REAL CAUSE OF THE CONFLICT ESCALATION IS THE AGGRESSION BY SERBIAN AUTHORITIES AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND ATROCITIES THAT ARE COMMITTED WITH IMPUNITY. IF THAT'S NOT DEALT WITH DIPLOMATICALLY, WITH A CREDIBLE THREAT OF FORCE, IT WILL CONTINUE TO DESTABILIZE THE REGION. THEREFORE, AIR STRIKES AND NATO ACTION SHOULD BE SEEN AS AN EFFORT TO STABILIZE THE ENTIRE REGION. (OPT) IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT AIR STRIKES WILL BE PART -- OR SHOULD BE PART -- OF A CONTINUING EFFORT TO DEAL WITH REGIONAL STABILITY THAT WOULD REQUIRE AN ONGOING INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRESENCE." (END OPT)

TEXT: MR. PHILLIPS SAYS THAT, IF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DOES NOT INTERVENE IN KOSOVO, THE SECURITY OF MACEDONIA MAY BE AT EVEN GREATER RISK.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- PHILLIPS (0:27) "IF YOU DON'T DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM THAT EXISTS IN KOSOVO, THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE CONFLICT SPREADING IS GREATER AND GREATER. ALL COUNTRIES IN THE REGION, ALL NATO MEMBERS, HAVE AN INTEREST IN DEALING WITH THIS VIRULENT VIRUS OF ETHNIC NATIONALISM, WHICH HAS BEEN STARTED BY [MR.] MILOSEVIC AND IS PROPAGATED BY THE BELGRADE REGIME. IF DIPLOMACY DOESN'T WORK TO STAMP OUT THAT VIRUS, THEN NATO ACTION WILL."

TEXT: CHARLES KUPCHAN ['KUP-CHIN], PROFESSOR AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON, D-C, IS A SENIOR FELLOW AT THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS. HE SAYS, THAT THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE CONFLICT ENGULFING MACEDONIA IS, IN FACT, DIMINISHED BY NATO'S WARNING THAT IT WILL USE FORCE.

TAPE: CUT THREE -- KUPCHAN (1:08) "ESPECIALLY IF THE UNITED STATES AND ITS NATO PARTNERS STAND BEHIND THEIR CURRENT CONVICTION TO USE FORCE, IF [MR.] MILOSEVIC DOESN'T PULL HIS TROOPS OUT, AND TO STICK BY THAT TYPE OF RESOLVE OVER THE LONG RUN --IN OTHER WORDS, NOT TWO WEEKS FROM NOW, IF [MR.] MILOSEVIC DOES IN FACT PULL BACK, TO GET INVOLVED IN SOME OTHER CONCERN AND LET [MR.] MILOSEVIC HAVE A FREE HAND AGAIN. I THINK, IF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DOES NOT INTERVENE IN A VERY DETERMINED WAY, THAT THIS CONFLICT WILL SPREAD BECAUSE I THINK THAT ULTIMATELY THE ALBANIAN COMMUNITY IN KOSOVO WILL TAKE TO ARMS, AND ONCE THAT HAPPENS, AND ONCE YOU HAVE ALL OUT WAR, AND PEOPLE AND ARMS FLOWING ACROSS THE BORDERS WITH ALBANIA AND WITH MACEDONIA, THEN I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE VERY HARD FOR MACEDONIA TO STAY OUT OF THE CONFLICT. SO, I THINK A SMALL INVESTMENT OF STOPPING THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO NOW IS MUCH, MUCH BETTER THAN LETTING IT GO FORWARD AND PERHAPS SEEING MACEDONIA GET INVOLVED AND PERHAPS ITS NEIGHBORS AS WELL."

TEXT: PROFESSOR KUPCHAN SAYS THE GOVERNMENT OF MACEDONIA IS UNDER CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE BECAUSE OF ITS POSITION, GEOGRAPHICALLY AND DIPLOMATICALLY.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- KUPCHAN (1:30) "THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF RAMIFICATIONS, SOME OF THEM STEMMING FROM THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES, AND WHAT POSITION THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE IF INDEED NATO FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH ITS COMMITMENT, OR ITS INTENTIONS, TO USE FORCE AGAINST THE SERB MILITARY IN KOSOVO. WOULD MACEDONIA ALLOW OVERFLIGHT? WOULD IT ALLOW ITS BASES TO BE USED BY THE AIRCRAFT CARRYING OUT BOMBING RAIDS INSIDE KOSOVO? THERE ARE A WHOLE BUNCH OF ISSUES THAT ARE PROBLEMATIC. AND THEN, THE QUESTION OF HOW TO POSITION ITSELF IN THE DIPLOMATIC SENSE -- WHETHER TO BE PRO-SERB OR PRO-AMERICAN, OR TO SIMPLY TO STAY OUT OF IT. WHAT THE MACEDONIAN GOVERMENT HAS THUS FAR ATTEMPTED IS SIMPLY TO STAY AS FAR AWAY FROM THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE IT KNOWS, IF IT LEANS TOWARD THE U-S AND THE USE OF FORCE, SERBS GET UPSET. AND, IF IT LEANS TOWARD THE SERBS, THE AMERICANS GET UPSET. AND IT'S ESPECIALLY COMPLICATED BECAUSE THE MACEDONIANS HAVE PEACEKEEPERS THAT ARE DEPLOYED ON THE BORDER, WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS, I THINK, THAT THE MACEDONIANS CAN AFFORD TO STAY OUT OF IT. (OPT) BUT I THINK THEY LEGITIMATELY FEEL A CERTAIN OBLIGATION TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF NATO BECAUSE -- ACTUALLY THEY'RE U-N TROOPS -- BUT IT'S PART OF THE BROADER OPERATION THAT THEY'RE SUPPORTING AND HELPING TO SUSTAIN THE PEACE IN MACEDONIA." (END OPT)

TEXT: MACEDONIA DESERVES ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT, PROFESSOR KUPCHAN SAYS, FOR REMAINING AN "ISLAND OF STABILITY" IN THE SOUTH BALKANS OVER THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.

TAPE: CUT FIVE -- KUPCHAN (1:04) "THAT HAS NOT BEEN EASY, AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY SHOULD DIMINISH THAT SUCCESS. AT THIS POINT, I THINK SOME OF THE MAIN STEPS THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD TAKE ARE, FIRST OF ALL, TO TRY TO STABILIZE THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO SO THAT THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT DOESN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS. NUMBER TWO, TO PROCEED WITH MUCH MORE AMBITIOUS DOMESTIC REFORM. AND BY THAT I MEAN, NOT JUST MOVING MORE RAPIDLY TOWARD LIBERAL DEMOCRACY AND GOING AFTER CORRUPTION AND INTRODUCING ECONOMIC PRIVATIZATION, BUT MOVING FORWARD ON INTEGRATING THE ALBANIANS INTO MAINSTREAM LIFE WITHIN MACEDONIA. AND THEN, FINALLY, I THINK THAT ECONOMIC RENEWAL IS CRITICAL. AND ALSO A RETURN TO THE IDEA OF BUILDING A TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WOULD LINK MACEDONIA TO BULGARIA AND TO ALBANIA. AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE A VERY IMPORTANT START IN GETTING, NOT JUST TRADE GOING ACROSS THESE BOUNDARIES, BUT THE POSITIVE POLITICAL SPILLOVER THAT OFTEN ACCOMPANIES TRADE."

TEXT: CHARLES KUPCHAN SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEEDS TO APPRECIATE THAT MACEDONIA HAS COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIPS AND DISPUTES OVER TERRITORY AND IDENTITY WITH ALL ITS NEIGHBORS. BUT IT SHOULD ALSO APPRECIATE, HE ADDS, THAT IF MACEDONIA IS DRAWN INTO THE CONFLICT, THE BROADER TASK OF TRYING TO BUILD A STABLE PEACE IN THE BALKANS WILL BECOME MORE DIFFICULT THAN IT IS NOW.
09-Oct-98 12:25 PM EDT (1625 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] RUSSIA / KOSOVO (S) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS REAFFIRMED RUSSIA'S STAUNCH OPPOSITION TO NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST SERBIA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: AS HE WENT INTO A MEETING WITH HIS DEFENSE MINISTER, IGOR SERGEYEV, MR. YELTSIN WAS QUOTED AS SAYING, "WE MUST NOT ALLOW NATO AIR STRIKES".

MINISTER SERGEYEV, WHO VISITED BELGRADE LAST WEEK, TOLD REPORTERS ANY ALLIANCE MILITARY ACTION OVER KOSOVO WOULD LEAD TO FULL SCALE WAR.

RUSSIA TOOK PART IN THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP MEETING IN LONDON THURSDAY THAT ENDORSED U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE'S EFFORTS TO PRESS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM KOSOVO. AFTERWARD, U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAID RUSSIA'S OBJECTIONS WOULD NOT AFFECT NATO'S DECISION ON WHETHER TO LAUNCH MILITARY ACTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/JWH/PLM
09-Oct-98 7:13 AM EDT (1113 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] TURKEY/SYRIA (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER KAMAL KHARAZI HAS BEEN MEETING WITH TURKISH LEADERS IN ANKARA, TRYING TO DEFUSE RISING TENSIONS BETWEEN SYRIA AND TURKEY OVER KURDISH SEPARATIST REBELS. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM THE TURKISH CAPITAL, MR. KHARAZI SAYS HE HOPES THE CRISIS CAN RESULT IN A PEACEFUL SETTELMENT.

TEXT: MR. KHARAZI ARRIVED IN ANKARA FRIDAY -- ONE DAY AFTER HOLDING TALKS IN DAMASCUS WITH SYRIAN PRESIDENT HAFEZ AL-ASSAD. HE BROUGHT A MESSAGE FROM THE SYRIAN LEADER TO TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL, SAYING SYRIA WANTS TO RESOLVE ITS DIFFERENCES WITH TURKEY THROUGH DIPLOMATIC MEANS.

DURING HIS DAY-LONG MEDIATION MISSION, MR. KHARAZI ALSO MET TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER ISMAIL CEM. FOLLOWING TALKS WITH FOREIGN MINISTER CEM, MR. KHARAZI SAID IF -- IN HIS WORDS -- EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT, THERE MAY SOON A PEACEFUL SOLUTION.

BUT TURKISH OFFICIALS WARN EVERYTHING MAY GO HORRIBLY WRONG, UNLESS DAMASCUS RESPONDS TO TURKEY'S DEMAND TO END SUPPORT FOR SEPARATIST KURDISH GUERRILLAS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K. TURKEY ALSO IS DEMANDING THAT SYRIA HAND OVER KURDISH REBEL CHIEF ABDULLAH OCALAN, WHO IS WIDELY KNOWN TO LIVE IN DAMASCUS, AND THE RENUNCIATION OF SYRIAN TERRITORIAL CLAIMS OVER A TURKISH PROVINCE ON THE SYRIAN BORDER, HATAY.

OVER THE PAST WEEK, TURKISH LEADERS INCLUDING PRESIDENT DEMIREL AND PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ HAVE DELIVERED THINLY-VEILED THREATS TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST SYRIA. STILL, TURKISH LEADERS INSIST THEY WILL EXHAUST ALL DIPLOMATIC MEANS BEFORE THEY CONSIDER USING FORCE AGAINST THEIR ARAB NEIGHBOR. THESE WILL INCLUDE TRIPS TO ARAB CAPITALS AND THE WEST BY FOREIGN MINISTER CEM, WHERE HE WILL EXPLAIN TURKEY'S CASE.

SYRIA DENIES IT SUPPORTS THE P-K-K, AND SYRIAN OFFICIALS CHARGE THAT TURKEY'S BELLICOSE STANCE IS A DIRECT RESULT OF ITS DEEPENING MILITARY TIES WITH ISRAEL.

TURKEY AND ISRAEL SIGNED A MILITARY COOPERATION ACCORD IN 1996 WHICH PROVOKED A STORM OF PROTEST IN THE ARAB WORLD. TURKEY AND SYRIA ARE ALSO AT LOGGERHEADS OVER THE STATUS OF THE EUPHRATES RIVER, A VITAL SOURCE OF WATER FOR SYRIAN FARMERS. SYRIA WANTS TURKEY TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT PLEDGING TO RELEASE A FIXED AMOUNT OF WATER DOWNSTREAM. TURKEY SAYS IT RELEASES MORE THAN ENOUGH WATER, AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DISCUSS WITH SYRIA UNTIL IT ENDS ITS SUPPORT FOR WHAT ANKARA TERMS "TERRORISTS." (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/WTW
09-Oct-98 10:45 AM EDT (1445 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] U-S / GERMANY / KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON DISCUSSED THE KOSOVO CRISIS FRIDAY WITH GERMANY'S INCOMING CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER. HE ASSURED MR. CLINTON HIS GOVERNMENT WILL MAINTAIN AS FIRM A STAND ON KOSOVO AS THE OUTGOING HELMUT KOHL ADMINISTRATION. DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THERE HAS BEEN CONCERN IN WASHINGTON AND ELSEWHERE ABOUT A TURN IN POLICY BY MR. SCHROEDER'S COALITION, WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE LEFT LEANING GREENS PARTY.

BUT IN A TALK WITH REPORTERS AFTER THE HOUR-AND-A-HALF MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT, MR. SCHROEDER -- HEARD HERE THROUGH AN INTERPRETER -- SAID GERMANY'S SUPPORT FOR THE USE OF FORCE BY NATO, IF IT PROVES NECESSARY, WILL NOT CHANGE:

A NEW GERMAN GOVERNMENT, A GOVERNMENT IN GERMANY, OR ANY GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE AN INTEREST IN GOING INTO WAR IN KOSOVO. NOBODY WANTS A WAR THERE. BUT CERTAINLY I FOUND IT VERY IMPORTANT TO REVEAL A CERTAIN DEGREE OF DECIDEDNESS HERE THAT IF ACTION IS NEEDED AND IF MR. MILOSEVIC DOESN'T COMPLY AND DOES FORCE US INTO FURTHER MEASURES, THEN THE RESOLUTION AND THE DECIDEDNESS AMONG US IS THERE.

BOTH MR. SCHROEDER AND THE PRESIDENT SAID THEY HOPE MILITARY ACTION WILL NOT BEEN NEEDED. BUT MR. SCHROEDER SAID THE WORLD COMMUNITY CANNOT ALLOW A HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE TO UNFOLD IN KOSOVO THIS WINTER.

HE SAID IF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON KOSOVO AND FURTHER ACTION IS NEEDED, THE BLAME WILL REST "SOLELY AND EXCLUSIVELY" WITH THE YUGOSLAV LEADER.

THE CHANCELLOR-ELECT -- WHO IS TO TAKE OFFICE OCTOBER 27TH -- TOLD MR. CLINTON HE SUPPORTS THE NATO ACTIVATION ORDER FOR MILITARY FORCES FOR A KOSOVO MISSION THAT IS EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED BY THE HELMUT KOHL CABINET ON MONDAY.

BUT HE SAID THE ACTUAL DISPATCH OF GERMAN FORCES OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY'S BORDERS WAS A MATTER THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE DECIDED BY THE PARLIAMENT, AND IS PROBLEMATIC UNDER THE GERMAN CONSTITUTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/AC/JO
09-Oct-98 3:56 PM EDT (1956 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] U-S / GERMANY / KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON DISCUSSED THE KOSOVO CRISIS FRIDAY WITH GERMANY'S INCOMING CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER. HE ASSURED MR. CLINTON HIS GOVERNMENT WILL MAINTAIN AS FIRM A STAND ON KOSOVO AS THE OUTGOING HELMUT KOHL ADMINISTRATION. DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THERE HAS BEEN CONCERN IN WASHINGTON AND ELSEWHERE ABOUT A TURN IN POLICY BY MR. SCHROEDER'S COALITION, WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE LEFT LEANING GREENS PARTY.

BUT IN A TALK WITH REPORTERS AFTER THE HOUR-AND-A-HALF MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT, MR. SCHROEDER -- HEARD HERE THROUGH AN INTERPRETER -- SAID GERMANY'S SUPPORT FOR THE USE OF FORCE BY NATO, IF IT PROVES NECESSARY, WILL NOT CHANGE:

A NEW GERMAN GOVERNMENT, A GOVERNMENT IN GERMANY, OR ANY GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE AN INTEREST IN GOING INTO WAR IN KOSOVO. NOBODY WANTS A WAR THERE. BUT CERTAINLY I FOUND IT VERY IMPORTANT TO REVEAL A CERTAIN DEGREE OF DECIDEDNESS HERE THAT IF ACTION IS NEEDED AND IF MR. MILOSEVIC DOESN'T COMPLY AND DOES FORCE US INTO FURTHER MEASURES, THEN THE RESOLUTION AND THE DECIDEDNESS AMONG US IS THERE.

BOTH MR. SCHROEDER AND THE PRESIDENT SAID THEY HOPE MILITARY ACTION WILL NOT BEEN NEEDED. BUT MR. SCHROEDER SAID THE WORLD COMMUNITY CANNOT ALLOW A HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE TO UNFOLD IN KOSOVO THIS WINTER.

HE SAID IF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON KOSOVO AND FURTHER ACTION IS NEEDED, THE BLAME WILL REST "SOLELY AND EXCLUSIVELY" WITH THE YUGOSLAV LEADER.

THE CHANCELLOR-ELECT -- WHO IS TO TAKE OFFICE OCTOBER 27TH -- TOLD MR. CLINTON HE SUPPORTS THE NATO ACTIVATION ORDER FOR MILITARY FORCES FOR A KOSOVO MISSION THAT IS EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED BY THE HELMUT KOHL CABINET ON MONDAY.

BUT HE SAID THE ACTUAL DISPATCH OF GERMAN FORCES OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY'S BORDERS WAS A MATTER THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE DECIDED BY THE PARLIAMENT, AND IS PROBLEMATIC UNDER THE GERMAN CONSTITUTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/AC/JO
09-Oct-98 3:56 PM EDT (1956 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] U-S/GERMANY/KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS DISCUSSED THE KOSOVO CRISIS WITH GERMANY'S INCOMING CHANCELLOR, GERHARD SCHROEDER. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. SCHROEDER IS MAKING BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ASSURANCES HERE THAT THE PENDING CHANGE IN THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT WILL NOT MEAN AN EASING IN GERMANY'S STANCE ON KOSOVO.

THERE HAS BEEN CONCERN IN WASHINGTON AND ELSEWHERE ABOUT A TURN IN POLICY BY MR. SCHROEDER'S COALITION WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE LEFT-LEANING GREENS PARTY. BUT IN A TALK WITH REPORTERS AFTER MEETING THE PRESIDENT, MR. SCHROEDER -- HEARD HERE THROUGH AN INTERPRETER -- SAID GERMANY'S SUPPORT FOR THE USE OF FORCE BY NATO, IF IT PROVES NECESSARY, WILL NOT CHANGE:

IF ACTION IS NEEDED AND IF MR. MILOSEVIC DOESN'T COMPLY AND DOES FORCE US INTO FURTHER MEASURES, THEN THE RESOLUTION AND THE DECIDEDNESS AMONG US IS THERE.

BOTH MR. SCHROEDER AND THE PRESIDENT SAID THEY HOPE MILITARY ACTION WILL NOT BEEN NEEDED. BUT IF IT IS, MR. SCHRODER SAID THE RESPONSIBILITY WILL REST "SOLELY AND EXCLUSIVELY" WITH THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG
09-Oct-98 2:50 PM EDT (1850 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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