 |
Compact version |
|
 |
        |
|
 |
||
|
Monday, 18 November 2024
|
||
 |
 |
|
|
|
Voice of America, 98-10-12Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240067 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAS CALLED AN EMERGENCY CABINET MEETING TODAY, AS NATO AMBASSADORS GATHER IN BRUSSELS TO DISCUSS PLANS FOR AN AIR STRIKE AGAINST SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON. TEXT: THE POSSIBILITY OF NATO MILITARY ACTION IS AT THE TOP OF THE AGENDA FOR THE BRITISH CABINET MEETING IN LONDON. BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAS WARNED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION. U-S B-52 BOMBERS ARRIVED THIS PAST WEEKEND AT SEVERAL BRITISH AIRFIELDS TO WAIT FOR A GO-AHEAD FROM NATO COMMANDERS. BUT U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS IN BELGRADE, STILL TRYING TO PERSUADE MR MILOSEVIC TO COMPLY WITH U-N DEMANDS TO PULL HIS TROOPS OUT OF KOSOVO OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES. U-N RESOLUTIONS HAVE CALLED FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF SPECIAL SERB
FORCES FROM KOSOVO, ACCESS FOR HUMANITARIAN WORKERS AND
INTERNATIONAL MONITORS AND THE START OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH ETHNIC
ALBANIANS THERE. (SIGNED)
[02] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240067 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAS CALLED AN EMERGENCY CABINET MEETING TODAY, AS NATO AMBASSADORS GATHER IN BRUSSELS TO DISCUSS PLANS FOR AN AIR STRIKE AGAINST SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON. TEXT: THE POSSIBILITY OF NATO MILITARY ACTION IS AT THE TOP OF THE AGENDA FOR THE BRITISH CABINET MEETING IN LONDON. BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR HAS WARNED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION. U-S B-52 BOMBERS ARRIVED THIS PAST WEEKEND AT SEVERAL BRITISH AIRFIELDS TO WAIT FOR A GO-AHEAD FROM NATO COMMANDERS. BUT U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS IN BELGRADE, STILL TRYING TO PERSUADE MR MILOSEVIC TO COMPLY WITH U-N DEMANDS TO PULL HIS TROOPS OUT OF KOSOVO OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES. U-N RESOLUTIONS HAVE CALLED FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF SPECIAL SERB
FORCES FROM KOSOVO, ACCESS FOR HUMANITARIAN WORKERS AND
INTERNATIONAL MONITORS AND THE START OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH ETHNIC
ALBANIANS THERE. (SIGNED)
[03] KOSOVO NEGOTIATIONS (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (BELGRADE)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240071 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: WITH NATO NEARING A MILITARY ACTIVATION ORDER THAT WOULD ALLOW AIR RAIDS ON YUGOSLAVIA, KOSOVO TALKS BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS CONTINUE IN BELGRADE. A U-S OFFICIAL FAMILIAR WITH THE TALKS SAID THAT U.S. GENERAL MIKE SHORT IS DISCUSSING WITH YUGOSLAV COUNTERPARTS A MEANS TO VERIFY A PULLOUT OF SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES FROM KOSOVO. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. BEGINS: ARMED WITH THE EXPECTATION OF A NATO AUTHORIZATION TO USE AIR POWER, U-S OFFICIALS ARE PUSHING AHEAD WITH EFFORTS TO GAIN YUGOSLAV COMPLIANCE WITH U-N DEMANDS FOR A PULLOUT OF THEIR SECURITY FORCES FROM KOSOVO. THEY HOPE THAT THE THREAT OF FORCE WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND LEAD TO FULL YUGOSLAV COMPLIANCE WITH U-N DEMANDS FOR AN END TO VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS SAY THAT NATO AIR STRIKES WOULD ONLY INHIBIT PROGRESS ON A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT TO THE CRISIS. YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS HASTEN TO ADD THAT SAY THEIR MILITARY IS READY TO DEFEND THE STATE FROM OUTSIDE INTERVENTION. //OPT////END OPT//AMERICAN OFFICIALS CONFIRMED MONDAY THAT U-S THREE STAR GENERAL MIKE SHORT IS LEADING DISCUSSIONS ON THE FORMATION OF A SCHEME TO VERIFY A PULL BACK OF SERB SECURITY FORCES FROM KOSOVO. BUT THAT PULLOUT IS FAR FROM CERTAIN. YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ABIDING BY AN EARLIER AGREEMENT SIGNED IN MOSCOW THAT THEY SAY ALLOWS A PULL BACK IN YUGOSLAV FORCES -- IF THE KOSOVO ALBANIAN REBELS DO THE SAME. THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY" IS FIGHTING FOR AN
INDEPENDENT STATE THAT IS OPPOSED BY BOTH THE SERBS AND THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. (SIGNED)
[04] KOSOVO NEGOTIATIONS-UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (BELGRADE)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240089 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /////INTRO: U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS BROKEN OFF TALKS WITH YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE AND IS TO BRIEF (IS BRIEFING) NATO OFFICIALS IN BRUSSELS ABOUT THE DISCUSSIONS. U-S OFFICIALS SAID EARLIER A DEAL FOR VERIFICATION OF A SERBIAN TROOP PULLOUT FROM KOSOVO WAS IN THE WORKS, BUT YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES STILL HAVE NOT AGREED TO WESTERN DEMANDS FOR A COMPLETE PULLOUT. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. TEXT: MR. HOLBROOKE LEFT THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENTIAL PALACE WITHOUT ANNOUNCING A DEAL TO AVERT NATO AIR STRIKES. HE HAS SPENT ABOUT 50-HOURS IN RECENT DAYS MEETING WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN HOPES OF GAINING COMPLIANCE WITH U-N DEMANDS FOR AN END TO HOSTILITIES IN KOSOVO. BUT DIFFERENCES REMAIN BETWEEN MR. MILOSEVIC AND MR. HOLBROOKE IN INTERPRETATIONS OF THE U-N DEMANDS. U-S OFFICIALS EARLIER SAID NEGOTIATORS WERE TRYING TO HAMMER OUT A MEANS OF VERIFYING A SERBIAN SECURITY FORCE PULLBACK FROM KOSOVO. FEW DETAILS HAVE BEEN MADE PUBLIC AS TO WHAT INTERNATIONAL MILITARY OR POLICE FORCES EUROPE OR THE UNITED STATES ARE OFFERING TO HELP WITH VERIFICATION OR CEASEFIRE MONITORING IN KOSOVO. MONITORING COULD INVOLVE ARMED WESTERN FORCES. BUT A SENIOR YUGOSLAV OFFICIAL SAID REDUCTION OF SERBIAN FORCES MUST BE LINKED TO A WITHDRAWAL OR SURRENDER OF ETHNIC-ALBANIAN GUERRILLA FORCES IN THE PROVINCE. WESTERN OFFICIALS SAY THE THREAT OF FORCE WILL CONTINUE IN THE
HOPE BELGRADE WILL FULLY COMPLY WITH U-N DEMANDS TO END THE
VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS SAY THEIR MILITARY IS
READY TO DEFEND THE STATE FROM OUTSIDE INTERVENTION -- NOTABLY
NATO PLANES AND MISSILES. (SIGNED)
[05] KOSOVO NEWSPAPER BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-41578 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AMID THE UNCERTAINTIES IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE, LIFE CONTINUES FOR SOME TWO-MILLION RESIDENTS. THE CAFES, AS ALWAYS, ARE FULL OF PEOPLE CHATTING, DRINKING COFFEE, READING NEWSPAPERS. AND AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IN THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA, SOME OF THEM ARE READING A NEW DAILY PAPER. TEXT: INTERPRESS COMPANY IS A LEADING PUBLISHER IN KOSOVO, AND IT PUTS OUT FOUR OUT OF FIVE TEXTBOOKS USED IN THE CLASSROOMS OF THE PROVINCE'S SEPARATE ALBANIAN-LANGUAGE SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE COMPANY'S MONTH-OLD NEWSPAPER, "KOSOVA SOT," SEES ITSELF AS A CENTRIST ALTERNATIVE TO PRISTINA'S TWO EXISTING ALBANIAN LANGUAGE NEWSPAPERS ("BUJKU" AND "KOHA DITORE"). PUBLISHER RUZHDI KADRIU SAYS THE COMPETTING PAPERS EACH HAS ITS OWN POLITICAL AGENDA. HE SIMPLY WANTS HIS PAPER TO CONVEY THE TRUTH. /// RUZHDI KADRIU ACT - IN ALBANIAN - FADE UNDER ///MR. KADRIU SAYS HIS FIRST AIM IS TO BE OBJECTIVE. BUT HE SAYS THE NEWSPAPER ALSO WANTS TO EDUCATE KOSOVO'S STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE TO THINK CONSTRUCTIVELY ABOUT THE ISSUES IN THEIR LIVES. "KOSOVA SOT" IS ORGANIZING GATHERINGS OF STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, INTELLECTUALS, AND OTHERS TO DISCUSS SOME OF THESE ISSUES, AND IT PRINTS SUMMARIES OF THOSE MEETINGS IN THE PAPER. THAT FOCUS ON EDUCATION IS NOT TOO SURPRISING, SINCE THE PAPER'S PARENT COMPANY IS KOSOVO'S LARGEST TEXTBOOK PUBLISHER. THE PAPER'S 63 STAFF MEMBERS ARE THEMSELVES MOSTLY YOUNG, GIVING THEM A SPECIAL AFFINITY FOR YOUNGER READERS. THE NEWSPAPER'S MANAGING EDITOR (EDS: OFFICIAL TITLE IS "DREJTOR," DIRECTOR), MARGARITA KADRIEU, IS ONLY 24 AND FINISHED HER MANAGEMENT STUDIES IN VIENNA JUST TWO YEARS AGO. /// MARGARITA KADRIEU ACTUALITY ///EDUCATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. IF THE YOUNG PEOPLE -- STUDENTS, PUPILS -- HAVE GOOD EDUCATION, THEN WE'LL HAVE A BETTER FUTURE, A BETTER SOCIETY. HEALTHY SOCIETY. /// END ACTUALITY ///THE PAPER IS ESPECIALLY PROUD OF A DAILY HALF-PAGE NEWS DIGEST IN ENGLISH. DESPITE SALES OF 12 TO 14-THOUSAND COPIES A DAY, "KOSOVA SOT" IS
LOSING MONEY AND FOR NOW IS EFFECTIVELY BEING SUBSIDIZED BY
INTERPRESS COMPANY'S OTHER PUBLICATIONS. (SIGNED)
[06] KOSOVO YUGOSLAVS (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (BELGRADE)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240080 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: YUGOSLAVIA'S MINISTER OF INFORMATION LASHED OUT MONDAY AT NATO'S PLANS FOR MILITARY INTERVENTION IN HIS COUNTRY. GORAN MATIC SAID A U-N DEMANDED PULLBACK OF SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES WAS PROCEEDING ACCORDING TO AN EARLIER DEAL YUGOSLAVIA SIGNED WITH RUSSIA. AS PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM BELGRADE, MR. MATIC SAID ANY FORM OF NATO INTERVENTION IN KOSOVO WOULD HURT EFFORTS FOR GETTING AID TO ALBANIAN REFUGEES. TEXT: YUGOSLAVIA'S INFORMATION MINISTER GORAN MATIC CRITICIZED NATO THREATS OF INTERVENTION AS SHORTSIGHTED. HE SAID SERB FORCES HAD ALREADY REDUCED THEIR PRESENCE IN KOSOVO PROPORTIONAL TO THE DRAW-DOWN IN ACTIVITIES BY THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY". YUGOSLAV LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC SIGNED THE SO-CALLED "MOSCOW AGREEMENT" A FEW-MONTHS AGO, BEFORE KOSOVO'S CRISIS ESCALATED INTO A HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE. WESTERN OFFICIALS, INCLUDING TOP NEGOTIATOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE, SAY ALL SERB FORCES MUST EITHER BE WITHDRAWN TO THEIR BARRACKS OR BE ENTIRELY REMOVED FROM KOSOVO. NATO IS THREATENING AIR STRIKES TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. SERB SECURITY FORCES ARE FACING OFF IN FRONT LINE POSITIONS WITH BELEAGUERED ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS LIVING IN THE FORESTS AND HILLS OF KOSOVO WITH REFUGEE FAMILIES. BUT MR. MATIC SAID NATO STRIKES WOULD GET IN THE WAY OF HELPING THESE DISPLACED ETHNIC ALBANIANS. HE ALSO SAID YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS ARE SERIOUS ABOUT BRINGING BOTH SERB AND ALBANIAN WAR CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE. YUGOSLAVIA HAS AGREED TO HAVE INTERNATIONAL FORENSICS EXPERTS
EXAMINE THE SITES OF SEVERAL ALLEGED MASSACRES FOR EVIDENCE THAT
COULD LEAD TO INDICTMENTS. THAT WORK HAS YET TO GET UNDERWAY AS
MORE WESTERN AID AGENCIES HAVE LEFT IN FEAR OF NATO AIR STRIKES
AND THREATS OF A POSSIBLE SERB BACKLASH AGAINST FOREIGNERS.
(SIGNED)
[07] KOSOVO/TALKS-UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (BELGRADE)DATE=10/11/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240060 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE AND YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAVE ENDED ANOTHER ROUND OF TALKS ON THE DEEPENING KOSOVO CRISIS. THE TALKS -- AIMED AT FINDING A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS -- BEGAN IN BELGRADE SUNDAY NIGHT LOCAL TIME AND CONTINUED WELL PAST MIDNIGHT. AS WE HEAR FROM PHILIP SMUCKER IN BELGRADE, U-S DIPLOMATS SAY THERE WAS LITTLE PROGRESS, BUT REPORT THE TWO MEN DISCUSSED DETAILS OF A POSSIBLE VERIFICATION SCHEME FOR A WITHDRAWAL OF SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES FROM KOSOVO. TEXT: WITH NATO PLANES POISED TO TAKE OFF FOR BOMBING RUNS AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS ACROSS EUROPE, U-S OFFICIALS REPORTED LITTLE PROGRESS TOWARDS SERBIAN COMPLIANCE WITH WESTERN DEMANDS FOR A PULLOUT OF SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES FROM KOSOVO. BUT THE OFFICIALS SAID THAT MR. HOLBROOKE AND MR. MILOSEVIC DID DISCUSS A SCHEME TO VERIFY THAT COMPLIANCE WHEN AND IF IT HAPPENS. THEY ALSO SAID THE TALKS WOULD GO ON AS LONG AS THEY WERE THOUGHT TO BE WORTHWHILE. EVEN WITH AN EXPECTED NATO ACTIVATION ORDER MONDAY, U-S OFFICIALS SAID TALKS COULD CONTINUE BEFORE NATO PLANES LEAVE FOR BOMBING RUNS. WESTERN DIPLOMATS IN BELGRADE WERE TAKING NO CHANCES. MANY OF THEM HAVE LEFT THE COUNTRY OR ARE PREPARING FOR NATO AIR STRIKES. YUGOSLAV CITIZENS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THEIR GOVERNMENT TO EXPECT THE AIR STRIKES, THOUGH SOME COMPLAINED THEY HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED WHAT BOMB SHELTERS TO HIDE IN. EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES ARE PUSHING FOR WHAT THEY CALL DURABLE AND VERIFIABLE COMPLIANCE ON A SERB PULLOUT. SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO ARE IN A TENSE STANDOFF WITH GUERRILLAS IN THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, OR K-L-A. MR. MILOSEVICH REMAINS STUBBORNLY OPPOSED TO WITHDRAWING ALL HIS
POLICE FORCES FROM KOSOVO. HE ALSO HAS OBJECTED TO THE IDEA OF
LETTING ARMED WESTERN OBSERVERS VERIFY A PULLOUT. (SIGNED)
[08] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-10953 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ///// ED'S: DATED AFTER 10 PM EDT. /////INTRO: THIS IS THE COLUMBUS DAY HOLIDAY IN THE UNITED STATES, WHEN THE NATION PAUSES TO HONOR THE ITALIAN EXPLORER, WHO DISCOVERED AMERICA, WHILE SEARCHING FOR A BETTER ROUTE TO ASIA. HOLIDAY NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON U-S POLICY TOWARD SADDAM HUSSEIN; THE PROGRESS BEING MADE IN LATVIA TOWARD REAL DEMOCRACY FOLLOWING THE SOVIET UNION'S BREAKUP; AND REVEALING DETAILS OF AN UGLY CHAPTER IN MEXICO'S PAST. OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE: THE BATTLE FOR BRAZIL'S NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT IN SAVING THE ECONOMY; AN APPARENT MOVE TOWARD PEACE IN SPAIN WITH THE BASQUE SEPARATISTS; AND SOME NEW INSIGHT INTO EARTH'S EARLIEST PAST. NOW HERE IS ________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: TURNING FIRST TO THE MIDDLE EAST, "USA TODAY" IS SHARPLY CRITICAL OF WHAT IT CONSIDERS A FAILURE TO ADHERE TO A STRONG-WILLED POLICY TOWARD WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ. VOICE: EIGHT MONTHS AGO, PRESIDENT CLINTON STOOD BEFORE A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS AND BOLDLY WARNED SADDAM HUSSEIN: 'YOU CANNOT DEFY THE WILL OF THE WORLD.' IN THE SHORT TERM, [MR.] CLINTON'S TOUGH TALK -- REINFORCED BY THE CREDIBLE THREAT OF AIRSTRIKES -- WORKED. U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS PROCEEDED. BUT HIS RESOLVE PROVED SHORT-TERM AS WELL, WITH INCREASINGLY WORRISOME CONSEQUENCES. ... FORMER U-N INSPECTOR SCOTT RITTER, WHO QUIT TO PROTEST THE HOBBLED INSPECTIONS, INSISTS THAT BAGHDAD CONTROLS 'THREE VIRTUALLY COMPLETE NUCLEAR BOMBS' AND COULD RECONSTITUTE CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS PROGRAMS WITHIN SIX MONTHS. ...YET [MR.] CLINTON'S 'DETERMINATION' LAST FEBRUARY THAT SADDAM NEVER GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO USE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION SEEMS TO HAVE EVAPORATED. ... PIECE BY PIECE, THE ADMINISTRATION IS BLOWING [THROWING AWAY] ITS CREDIBILITY. TEXT: TO NORTHERN EUROPE NEXT, AND SOME THOUGHTS FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST" ON THE DIFFICULT QUESTION IN LATVIA, OF HOW TO DEAL WITH ITS HUGE, NON-CITIZEN, ETHNIC-RUSSIAN POPULATION, A TROUBLING LEGACY FROM THE SOVIET UNION. RECENTLY THE LATVIANS ENDORSED, IN A NATIONWIDE REFERENDUM, LAWS THAT GRANT THE RUSSIAN SPEAKERS THE RIGHT TO APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP WITHOUT A QUOTA, AND ALSO GRANTS CITIZENSHIP TO THE ETHNIC RUSSIAN'S CHILDREN BORN AFTER 1991. SAYS "THE POST:" VOICE: RUSSIAN SPEAKERS STILL MUST DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO THEIR NEW COUNTRY. BUT THE REFERENDUM RESULT IS AN IMPORTANT SYMBOL OF LATVIA'S DESIRE TO JOIN THE WEST AS A LIBERAL DEMOCRACY. NOW WESTERN INSTITUTIONS THAT STRONGLY ENCOURAGED THIS RESULT, AND IN PARTICULAR THE EUROPEAN UNION, SHOULD RESPOND BY ACCELERATING LATVIA'S INCLUSION IN EUROPE. TEXT: TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS ARGUING FOR THE RELEASE, TO MEXICAN NEWSPAPERS, OF STILL-SECRET DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE KILLING OF ABOUT 300 STUDENTS DEMONSTRATORS IN A MEXICO CITY PLAZA IN OCTOBER OF 1968. VOICE: MANY ACCOUNTS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED ABOUT THOSE TURBULENT EVENTS, BUT THE ARMY ARCHIVES HAVE REMAINED SEALED BY PRESIDENTIAL ORDER. THAT SHIELD OF SECRECY HAS LED SOME POLITICIANS AND COMMENTATORS TO DEMAND THAT MEXICO ENACT A LAW SIMILAR TO THE U-S FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE PUBLICATION OF MANY GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS UPON PETITIONING AND THE PASSAGE OF TIME. ... IF OPENING THE BOOKS LETS TRUTH MOVE OUT OF THE SHADOWS, MEXICO WILL BENEFIT. TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS ALSO COMMENTING ON THE CHALLENGES OF THE SITUATION IN BRAZIL, WHERE NEWLY RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT FERNANDO HENRIQUE CARDOSO HAS TO FEND OFF A FINANCIAL CRISIS NOT OF HIS OWN MAKING. VOICE: A LONG-DISTANCE CONTAGION THAT NOBODY HAD ANTICIPATED SUDDENLY DREW IN INNOCENT BRAZIL, COSTING IT BILLIONS AT THE HANDS OF PANICKY INVESTORS AND SPECULATORS. NOW, PREPARING FOR THE INAUGURATION OF A SECOND FOUR-YEAR TERM ... THE 67-YEAR-OLD FORMER SOCIOLOGIST FACES OBSTACLES THAT WOULD FLOOR [DEFEAT] JUST ABOUT ANY OTHER MAN. ... IF BRAZIL WERE A LESSER COUNTRY, THE UNITED STATES MIGHT TAKE THE SHOCK IN STRIDE. BUT AS ONE OF THE TOP-10 WORLD ECONOMIES AND AS THE LARGEST LATIN COUNTRY, THE ONE WHOSE FATE MOST IMPINGES ON THE OTHERS, BRAZIL'S AGONIES CANNOT BE PUT ASIDE. ... THE UNITED STATES, AS A LEADING LENDER AND EXPORTER AND AS A PATRON AND MAJOR BENEFICIARY OF LATIN AMERICA'S OVERALL STABILITY, HAS ITS OWN INTEREST IN EXTENDING A HELPING HAND TO A COUNTRY THAT GOT INTO ITS PICKLE [TROUBLE] TO A CONSIDERABLE EXTENT BY TAKING AMERICAN ADVICE. TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES," SUGGESTING THAT PEACE CAN BE -- CONTAGIOUS -- HAILS SIGNS OF YET ANOTHER LONG-STANDING DISPUTE IN EUROPE COMING TO A PEACEFUL CONCLUSION. BASQUE SEPARATISTS HAVE BEGUN A TRUCE WITH THE SPANISH AUTHORITIES AND HAVE JUST HAD A VISIT FROM IRISH NATIONALIST AND SINN FEIN PARTY LEADER GERRY ADAMS, PART OF THE PEACE SETTLEMENT MOVEMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND. VOICE: THE E-T-A'S [THE BASQUE NATIONALIST ORGANIZATION] APPARENT DECISION TO PURSUE ITS GOAL OF INDEPENDENCE FOR THE BASQUE COUNTRY THROUGH POLITICS ALONE, AFTER A 30-YEAR CONFLICT THAT HAS KILLED 800 PEOPLE, SEEMS IN PART INSPIRED BY NORTHERN IRELAND'S PEACE EFFORT. NOW THE SPANISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD RESPOND WITH CONCILIATORY GESTURES TO CREATE LASTING PEACE. ... SPAIN IS RIGHT TO INSIST ON ITS TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY. BUT IT SHOULD NOT TREAT THE E-T-A'S CEASEFIRE AS UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER ... [AND] SHOULD BEGIN A REAL PEACE PROCESS -- INCLUDING HUMANITARIAN GESTURES... TEXT: LASTLY, ON THIS COLUMBUS DAY HOLIDAY, THESE THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ITALIAN EXPLORER FOR THE SPANISH THRONE, FROM MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD." VOICE: ... A NATIVE OF GENOA ... [HE] WAS A MAN WITH AN IDEA AND THE PERSUASIVE SKILLS TO SELL IT WHEN HE CAME TO THE COURT OF SPAIN, TO CONVINCE KING FERDINAND AND QUEEN ISABELLA THAT THEY SHOULD FINANCE A TRIP -- TO CHINA, THE EAST INDIES, INDIA AND JAPAN, THE 'INDIES' AS THEY WERE CALLED. ... HE DID NOT MAKE IT A THIRD OF THE WAY, BUT WHAT HE FOUND FAR SURPASSED HIS SALES PITCH. ONCE THE NEWS REACHED EUROPE, THE RUSH TO EXPLOIT, CONVERT AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, SETTLE THE NEW WORLD BEGAN. ... INDEED, THE WHOLE WORLD CHANGED AFTER COLUMBUS' VOYAGES, THE FIRST OF WHICH SIGHTED LAND 506 YEARS AGO... TEXT: ON THAT BIT OF HISTORICAL DATA, WE END THIS SAMPLING OF
COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
[09] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240097 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (MONDAY) AFTER RALLIES IN OTHER WORLD STOCK MARKETS. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT EIGHT THOUSAND ONE, UP ALMOST 102 POINTS OR MORE THAN ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT NINE HUNDRED 97, UP 13 POINTS. A RISE OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT IN THE JAPANESE STOCK MARKET SPARKED RALLIES IN OTHER ASIAN MARKETS AND IN EUROPE. THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED TO A PLAN TO RESCUE THAT NATION'S TROUBLED BANKING INDUSTRY. SOME TRADERS ON WALL STREET WERE ALSO ENCOURAGED BY A GROWING BELIEF THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL CONTINUE TO CUT INTEREST RATES, WITH PERHAPS AS MUCH AS A ONE-HALF PERCENT CUT BY NEXT MONTH. ///BEGIN OPT//////GOLDMAN ACT///WE THINK THE MARKET, WHICH HAD BROUGHT THE AVERAGE STOCK DOWN 35 PERCENT, HAS ALREADY DONE A GOOD JOB OF DISCOUNTING A RECESSION. IT HAS NOT DONE A GOOD JOB OF DISCOUNTING WHAT WE THINK WILL BE AN O-K ECONOMY NEXT YEAR. ///END ACT & OPT///THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION REPORTED A RECORD THIRD QUARTER PROFIT OF 682 MILLION DOLLARS. IT WAS THE LAST EARNINGS RESULT THAT THE NATION'S THIRD-LARGEST AUTOMAKER WILL REPORT ON ITS OWN. THE MERGER OF CHRYSLER AND DAIMLER-BENZ MOTORS OF GERMANY IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED NEXT MONTH. ///REST OPT///NOVELLUS SYSTEMS, A MAKER OF SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT, REPORTED BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED EARNINGS AND ITS STOCK PRICE JUMPED BY 25 PERCENT. ANALYSTS SAY THE APPLE COMPUTER COMPANY SEEMS TO BE BACK ON TRACK TO STEADY PROFITS. ON WEDNESDAY, APPLE IS EXPECTED TO REPORT ITS FIRST PROFITABLE YEAR SINCE 1995. GANNETT, THE LARGEST NEWSPAPER CHAIN IN THE UNITED STATES, REPORTED A 16 PERCENT QUARTERLY PROFIT INCREASE LARGELY BECAUSE OF STRONG GAINS IN CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING. THE BRITISH AEROSPACE COMPANY CONFIRMS IT IS IN TALKS WITH
DAIMLER-BENZ AEROSPACE OF GERMANY ABOUT A POSSIBLE MERGER.
ANALYSTS SAY IT SEEMS TO BE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD CREATION OF A
PAN-EUROPEAN PRIVATE SECTOR DEFENSE FIRM WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY
INCLUDE A FRENCH COMPANY.
BEST BUY, THE U-S CONSUMER ELECTRONICS CHAIN, WILL BUY BACK UP TO
100 MILLION DOLLARS OF THE COMPANY'S STOCK. IN ADDITION, BEST BUY
SAYS IT WILL OPEN 40 NEW STORES NEXT YEAR.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WFR
[10] NATO / KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240063 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO AMBASSADORS ARE MEETING AGAIN IN BRUSSELS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS THE AMBASSADORS ARE EXPECTED TO APPROVE AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE USE OF FORCE IN YUGOSLAVIA. TEXT: THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN RICHARD HOLBROOKE'S TALKS IN BELGRADE IS PUSHING NATO TO TAKE THE LAST STEP BEFORE THE BOMBS ACTUAL FALL ON YUGOSLAVIA. THE MILITARY ACTIVATION ORDER PUTS ALL NATO AIRCRAFT UNDER THE SUPREME COMMANDER IN EUROPE, GENERAL WESLEY CLARK. U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS WANTED NATO TO TAKE THIS FINAL STEP TO GIVE HIM ANOTHER WEAPON IN HIS NEGOTIATIONS WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. ONLY A LAST MINUTE DECISION BY THE YUGOSLAV LEADER TO ALLOW INTERNATIONAL MONITORING OF A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IN KOSOVO CAN PREVENT NATO FROM LAUNCHING A FIRST STAGE AIR ATTACK. THE ACTIVATION ORDER IS EXPECTED AFTER THE CARETAKER GOVERNMENT IN GERMANY MEETS TO APPROVE NATO'S USE OF FORCE. ITALY'S CARETAKER GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY AUTHORIZED THE ALLIANCE
TO USE ITALIAN AIRFIELDS . THE STEP DOES NOT NEED APPROVAL BY
PARLIAMENT BECAUSE IT IS CONSISTENT WITH ITALIAN MEMBERSHIP IN
NATO. (SIGNED)
[11] NATO / KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240063 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO AMBASSADORS ARE MEETING AGAIN IN BRUSSELS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS THE AMBASSADORS ARE EXPECTED TO APPROVE AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE USE OF FORCE IN YUGOSLAVIA. TEXT: THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN RICHARD HOLBROOKE'S TALKS IN BELGRADE IS PUSHING NATO TO TAKE THE LAST STEP BEFORE THE BOMBS ACTUAL FALL ON YUGOSLAVIA. THE MILITARY ACTIVATION ORDER PUTS ALL NATO AIRCRAFT UNDER THE SUPREME COMMANDER IN EUROPE, GENERAL WESLEY CLARK. U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS WANTED NATO TO TAKE THIS FINAL STEP TO GIVE HIM ANOTHER WEAPON IN HIS NEGOTIATIONS WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. ONLY A LAST MINUTE DECISION BY THE YUGOSLAV LEADER TO ALLOW INTERNATIONAL MONITORING OF A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IN KOSOVO CAN PREVENT NATO FROM LAUNCHING A FIRST STAGE AIR ATTACK. THE ACTIVATION ORDER IS EXPECTED AFTER THE CARETAKER GOVERNMENT IN GERMANY MEETS TO APPROVE NATO'S USE OF FORCE. ITALY'S CARETAKER GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY AUTHORIZED THE ALLIANCE
TO USE ITALIAN AIRFIELDS . THE STEP DOES NOT NEED APPROVAL BY
PARLIAMENT BECAUSE IT IS CONSISTENT WITH ITALIAN MEMBERSHIP IN
NATO. (SIGNED)
[12] NATO / KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240063 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO AMBASSADORS ARE MEETING AGAIN IN BRUSSELS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS THE AMBASSADORS ARE EXPECTED TO APPROVE AN ORDER AUTHORIZING THE USE OF FORCE IN YUGOSLAVIA. TEXT: THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN RICHARD HOLBROOKE'S TALKS IN BELGRADE IS PUSHING NATO TO TAKE THE LAST STEP BEFORE THE BOMBS ACTUAL FALL ON YUGOSLAVIA. THE MILITARY ACTIVATION ORDER PUTS ALL NATO AIRCRAFT UNDER THE SUPREME COMMANDER IN EUROPE, GENERAL WESLEY CLARK. U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS WANTED NATO TO TAKE THIS FINAL STEP TO GIVE HIM ANOTHER WEAPON IN HIS NEGOTIATIONS WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. ONLY A LAST MINUTE DECISION BY THE YUGOSLAV LEADER TO ALLOW INTERNATIONAL MONITORING OF A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IN KOSOVO CAN PREVENT NATO FROM LAUNCHING A FIRST STAGE AIR ATTACK. THE ACTIVATION ORDER IS EXPECTED AFTER THE CARETAKER GOVERNMENT IN GERMANY MEETS TO APPROVE NATO'S USE OF FORCE. ITALY'S CARETAKER GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY AUTHORIZED THE ALLIANCE
TO USE ITALIAN AIRFIELDS . THE STEP DOES NOT NEED APPROVAL BY
PARLIAMENT BECAUSE IT IS CONSISTENT WITH ITALIAN MEMBERSHIP IN
NATO. (SIGNED)
[13] TURKEY / BALKANS / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240083 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BALKAN LEADERS HAVE STEPPED UP DEMANDS ON YUGOSLAVIA TO END ITS CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO AND AVOID POSSIBLE NATO MILITARY ACTION. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE DEMANDS WERE MADE DURING A TWO-DAY ANNUAL MEETING OF BALKAN LEADERS IN TURKEY'S SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN RESORT, ANTALYA. TEXT: SPEAKING AT THE SUMMIT -- WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER LEADERS OF ALBANIA, BULGARIA, GREECE, MACEDONIA, ROMANIA, TURKEY, AND YUGOSLAVIA -- TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ REJECTED YUGOSLAV CALLS TO KEEP KOSOVO OFF THE AGENDA. HE SAYS ANY PROBLEM AFFECTING PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE BALKANS HAS TO BE DISCUSSED. OFFICIALS ATTENDING THE MEETING SAY PARTICIPANTS WERE WORKING ON A DRAFT DECLARATION CONDEMNING YUGOSLAVIA'S HARSH TACTICS AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. THERE IS STRONG PUBLIC SYMPATHY FOR THE ALBANIAN MUSLIMS IN TURKEY -- WHICH HAS A SIZEABLE POPULATION OF ETHNIC KOSOVARS, MACEDONIANS, AND BOSNIANS. MANY MIGRATED TO TURKEY AFTER THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA FELL UNDER COMMUNIST RULE. BUT MANY ALSO CAME HERE WHEN MOST OF THE BALKANS WAS PART OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE. THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT HAS ALREADY VOTED TO AUTHORIZE SENDING TURKISH TROOPS TO ANY MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE IN KOSOVO. TURKEY IS A MEMBER OF NATO AND HAS CONTRIBUTED TROOPS TO THE NATO-LED PEACE FORCE THAT WAS SET UP TO ENFORCE AND MONITOR PEACE IN BOSNIA. STILL, TURKEY HAS BEEN LESS VOCAL IN ITS SUPPORT FOR THE SEPARATIST KOSOVO ALBANANIANS THAN IT WAS FOR THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, NOT LEAST, SAY ANALYSTS, BECAUSE IT IS FIGHTING ITS OWN BATTLE AGAINST KURDISH SEPARATIST REBELS. FEW ANALYSTS BELIEVE THE SUMMIT IN TURKEY WILL HAVE MUCH IMPACT ON YUGOSLAVIA'S POLICIES. YUGOSLAV PRIME MINISTER MOMIR BULATOVIC, WHO IS AT THE SUMMIT, SAYS NATO THREATS OF MILITARY INTERVENTION ARE "UNACCEPTABLE." AND HE REPEATED HIS GOVERNMENT'S ASSERTIONS THAT IT IS COMMITTED TO SOLVING THE KOSOVO CRISIS THROUGH PEACEFUL MEANS. /// REST OPT ///THE BALKAN GATHERING HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER THE PRIME MINISTERS OF
TURKEY AND GREECE. THE TWO COUNTRIES ARE AT LOGGERHEADS OVER
CYPRUS AND TERRITORIAL RIGHTS IN THE AEGEAN -- DIFFERENCES THAT
WESTERN GOVERNMENTS FEAR COULD TRIGGER A MILITARY CONFRONTATION
BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. MONDAY'S MEETING BETWEEN GREEK PRIME
MINISTER COSTAS SIMITIS AND MR. YILMAZ IS THE FIRST IN NEARLY A
YEAR. (SIGNED)
[14] TURKEY / BALKANS / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240083 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BALKAN LEADERS HAVE STEPPED UP DEMANDS ON YUGOSLAVIA TO END ITS CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO AND AVOID POSSIBLE NATO MILITARY ACTION. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, THE DEMANDS WERE MADE DURING A TWO-DAY ANNUAL MEETING OF BALKAN LEADERS IN TURKEY'S SOUTHERN MEDITERRANEAN RESORT, ANTALYA. TEXT: SPEAKING AT THE SUMMIT -- WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER LEADERS OF ALBANIA, BULGARIA, GREECE, MACEDONIA, ROMANIA, TURKEY, AND YUGOSLAVIA -- TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ REJECTED YUGOSLAV CALLS TO KEEP KOSOVO OFF THE AGENDA. HE SAYS ANY PROBLEM AFFECTING PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE BALKANS HAS TO BE DISCUSSED. OFFICIALS ATTENDING THE MEETING SAY PARTICIPANTS WERE WORKING ON A DRAFT DECLARATION CONDEMNING YUGOSLAVIA'S HARSH TACTICS AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. THERE IS STRONG PUBLIC SYMPATHY FOR THE ALBANIAN MUSLIMS IN TURKEY -- WHICH HAS A SIZEABLE POPULATION OF ETHNIC KOSOVARS, MACEDONIANS, AND BOSNIANS. MANY MIGRATED TO TURKEY AFTER THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA FELL UNDER COMMUNIST RULE. BUT MANY ALSO CAME HERE WHEN MOST OF THE BALKANS WAS PART OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE. THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT HAS ALREADY VOTED TO AUTHORIZE SENDING TURKISH TROOPS TO ANY MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE IN KOSOVO. TURKEY IS A MEMBER OF NATO AND HAS CONTRIBUTED TROOPS TO THE NATO-LED PEACE FORCE THAT WAS SET UP TO ENFORCE AND MONITOR PEACE IN BOSNIA. STILL, TURKEY HAS BEEN LESS VOCAL IN ITS SUPPORT FOR THE SEPARATIST KOSOVO ALBANANIANS THAN IT WAS FOR THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, NOT LEAST, SAY ANALYSTS, BECAUSE IT IS FIGHTING ITS OWN BATTLE AGAINST KURDISH SEPARATIST REBELS. FEW ANALYSTS BELIEVE THE SUMMIT IN TURKEY WILL HAVE MUCH IMPACT ON YUGOSLAVIA'S POLICIES. YUGOSLAV PRIME MINISTER MOMIR BULATOVIC, WHO IS AT THE SUMMIT, SAYS NATO THREATS OF MILITARY INTERVENTION ARE "UNACCEPTABLE." AND HE REPEATED HIS GOVERNMENT'S ASSERTIONS THAT IT IS COMMITTED TO SOLVING THE KOSOVO CRISIS THROUGH PEACEFUL MEANS. /// REST OPT ///THE BALKAN GATHERING HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER THE PRIME MINISTERS OF
TURKEY AND GREECE. THE TWO COUNTRIES ARE AT LOGGERHEADS OVER
CYPRUS AND TERRITORIAL RIGHTS IN THE AEGEAN -- DIFFERENCES THAT
WESTERN GOVERNMENTS FEAR COULD TRIGGER A MILITARY CONFRONTATION
BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. MONDAY'S MEETING BETWEEN GREEK PRIME
MINISTER COSTAS SIMITIS AND MR. YILMAZ IS THE FIRST IN NEARLY A
YEAR. (SIGNED)
[15] TURKEY/SYRIA (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=10/12/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-240088 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: EGYPT'S FOREIGN MINISTER, AMR MOUSSA, HELD TALKS WITH TURKISH LEADERS IN ANKARA MONDAY AS PART OF HIS GOVERNMENT'S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO DEFUSE THE CURRENT DISPUTE BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA OVER KURDISH SEPARATIST REBELS. THE EGYPTIAN DIPLOMAT IS SAID TO HAVE CARRIED WHAT TURKEY'S PRESIDENT CALLS "USEFUL PROPOSALS" -- WHICH ANALYSTS SAY MAY LEAD TO A BREAKTHROUGH. FROM ANKARA, AMBERIN ZAMAN HAS THE DETAILS. TEXT: THE EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BRIEFED HIS TURKISH COUNTERPART, ISMAIL CEM, AND TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL ON HIS TALKS WITH SYRIAN PRESIDENT HAFIZ AL-ASAD. MR. MOUSSA REPORTEDLY CONVEYED THE SYRIAN LEADER'S DESIRE TO SOLVE HIS COUNTRY'S DIFFERENCES WITH TURKEY THROUGH PEACEFUL MEANS. SIGNALING TURKEY'S RESOLVE, FOREIGN MINISTER CEM SAID TURKEY WAS NOT -- AS HE PUT IT -- EXPECTING "WORDS" BUT "ACTIONS." IRAN IS ALSO ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN TRYING TO COOL TENSIONS BETWEEN SYRIA AND TURKEY AND SENT ITS FOREIGN MINISTER TO ANKARA ON FRIDAY. TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA HAVE ESCALATED IN RECENT WEEKS AFTER ANKARA THREATENED MILITARY ACTION AGAINST DAMASCUS OVER ITS SUPPORT FOR THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, THE P-K-K. AMONG ITS DEMANDS, TURKEY WANTS DAMASCUS TO STOP PROVIDING ARMS AND BASES TO THE REBELS, TO HAND OVER REBEL CHIEF ABDULLAH OCALAN -- WHO IS BELIEVED TO RESIDE IN SYRIA -- AND TO STOP P-K-K FIGHTERS FROM USING SYRIA TO CROSS INTO TURKEY. SYRIA DENIES IT HELPS THE P-K-K AND BLAMES THE CURRENT CRISIS ON
TURKEY'S DEEPENING MILITARY RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL. SUCH VIEWS
ARE WIDELY SHARED BY ARAB COUNTRIES WHO HAVE SPRUNG TO SYRIA'S
SUPPORT. LEBANESE PRESIDENT LLYAS HARAWI ACCUSED TURKISH PRIME
MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ MONDAY OF PLANNING WITH ISRAEL WHAT HE
TERMED A "PINCER MOVEMENT" AROUND SYRIA AND LEBANON. TURKEY SAYS
THE P-K-K ALSO HAS BASES IN LEBANON'S SYRIAN-CONTROLLED BEKAA
VALLEY. (SIGNED)
Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
All Rights Reserved.