Voice of America, 98-10-13

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY LARRY FREUND (NEW YORK)

[03] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY LARRY FREUND (NEW YORK)

[04] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[05] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[06] CLINTON/KOSOVO ONITER (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[07] KOSOVO / ANNAN REACT (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[08] KOSOVO AGREEMENT BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[09] KOSOVO VERIFICATION FORCE - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[10] NATO / KOSOVO / WRAP / L BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[11] NATO-KOSOVO BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[12] NATO-KOSOVO WRAP (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[13] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

[14] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (WASHINGTON)

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

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

[17] TURKEY/SYRIA BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANTAKYA)

[18] U-S KOSOVO ACCORD BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[19] ZEDILLO/EUROPE (L) BY GREG FLAKUS (MEXICO CITY)

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

INTRO: BRITAIN, LIKE ITS EUROPEAN ALLIES, WELCOMES THE AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO -- BUT PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR WARNS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THE THREAT OF ALLIED MILITARY ACTION REMAINS. IN BELGRADE, U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE TOLD REPORTERS (TUESDAY) THE AGREEMENT COULD SIGNAL A TURNING POINT IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM LONDON.

TEXT: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR WARNS NATO IS READY TO STRIKE IF MR. MILOSEVIC FALTERS IN CARRYING OUT HIS PROMISES. LATE MONDAY, NATO AMBASSADORS AGREED TO HOLD OFF ON AIR STRIKES FOR FOUR DAYS (96-HOURS) SO INTERNATIONAL INSPECTORS COULD VERIFY THE SERB MILITARY PULLOUT.

U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE TOLD REPORTERS IN BELGRADE VERIFICATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY ALLIED FLIGHTS OVER KOSOVO.

THAT ARRANGEMENT WILL BE CODIFIED IN A FORMAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF NATO JAVIER SOLANA, THE SUPREME COMMANDER OF NATO GENERAL CLARK, AND THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS NATO'S SECRETARY GENERAL WILL TRAVEL TO BELGRADE TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT. WESTERN ALLIES HAVE CAUTIOUSLY WELCOMED MR. MILOSEVIC'S NEW COMMITMENT TO END THE SERB CRACKDOWN IN KOSOVO, AND ALLOW TWO-THOUSAND FOREIGN OBSERVERS TO MONITOR THE CEASE-FIRE ARRANGEMENTS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ETHNIC-ALBANIAN KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY IS LESS OPTIMISTIC. HE TOLD A BRITISH T-V INTERVIEWER HE WORRIES THAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WILL EVENTUALLY DEVIATE FROM THE AGREEMENT AND PROVOKE A NEW CRISIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF/RAE
13-Oct-98 7:27 AM EDT (1127 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY LARRY FREUND (NEW YORK)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID LATE MONDAY THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS AGREED TO WITHDRAW SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO AND ALLOW INTERNATIONAL INSPECTIONS TO VERIFY THE WITHDRAWAL. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT LARRY FREUND REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC -- FOLLOWING SEVERAL DAYS OF TALKS WITH U-S SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE -- AGREED TO FULLY COMPLY WITH A UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB TROOPS FROM KOSOVO.

PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID THE YUGOSLAV LEADER HAS ALSO AGREED TO WHAT MR. CLINTON DESCRIBED AS AN INTRUSIVE INTERNATIONAL INSPECTION TO VERIFY COMPLIANCE. AND PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID MR. MILOSEVIC HAS AGREED TO A TIMETABLE TO COMPLETE INTERIM AUTONOMY ARRANGEMENTS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

MR. CLINTON -- SPEAKING IN NEW YORK DURING A SERIES OF CAMPAIGN APPEARANCES -- SAID THE ARRANGEMENTS COULD PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR PEACE AND PROGRESS. BUT HE ADDED THAT THE FOCUS WILL BE NOT ONLY ON WHAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC SAYS, BUT WHAT HE DOES. PRESIDENT CLINTON MADE HIS REMARKS SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT NATO AMBASSADORS IN BRUSSELS HAD AGREED TO AUTHORIZED AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, WITH A 96 HOUR DELAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/LSF/PT
12-Oct-98 9:35 PM EDT (0135 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY LARRY FREUND (NEW YORK)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID LATE MONDAY THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS AGREED TO WITHDRAW SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO AND ALLOW INTERNATIONAL INSPECTIONS TO VERIFY THE WITHDRAWAL. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT LARRY FREUND REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC -- FOLLOWING SEVERAL DAYS OF TALKS WITH U-S SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE -- AGREED TO FULLY COMPLY WITH A UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB TROOPS FROM KOSOVO.

PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID THE YUGOSLAV LEADER HAS ALSO AGREED TO WHAT MR. CLINTON DESCRIBED AS AN INTRUSIVE INTERNATIONAL INSPECTION TO VERIFY COMPLIANCE. AND PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID MR. MILOSEVIC HAS AGREED TO A TIMETABLE TO COMPLETE INTERIM AUTONOMY ARRANGEMENTS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

MR. CLINTON -- SPEAKING IN NEW YORK DURING A SERIES OF CAMPAIGN APPEARANCES -- SAID THE ARRANGEMENTS COULD PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR PEACE AND PROGRESS. BUT HE ADDED THAT THE FOCUS WILL BE NOT ONLY ON WHAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC SAYS, BUT WHAT HE DOES. PRESIDENT CLINTON MADE HIS REMARKS SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT NATO AMBASSADORS IN BRUSSELS HAD AGREED TO AUTHORIZED AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, WITH A 96 HOUR DELAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/LSF/PT
12-Oct-98 9:35 PM EDT (0135 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE AGREEMENT FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE -- STRESSING THAT THE USE OF NATO FORCE REMAINS IF THERE IS NOT FULL COMPLIANCE BY BELGRADE AUTHORITIES. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON SAYS THE WORLD COMMUNITY PREFERS COMPLIANCE TO CONFLICT, BUT THAT NATO REMAINS READY TO ACT MILITARILY IF THERE IS NOT IMMEDIATE AND VISIBLE ACTION BY BELGRADE TO FULFILL THE AGREEMENTS.

IN A TALK WITH REPORTERS AS HE LEFT THE WHITE HOUSE FOR AN EDUCATION EVENT, THE PRESIDENT SAID THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DEAL HAMMERED OUT MONDAY, BY U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE, AND PAST UNDERSTANDINGS IS THAT THERE WILL BE INTRUSIVE AIR AND GROUND MONITORING OF SERB ACTIONS:

WE'RE NOT DEPENDENT UPON OUR HOPES. WE HAVE A VERIFICATION SYSTEM. THERE WILL BE FACTS. FACTS ON THE GROUND WILL TELL US THAT THE COMPLIANCE IS THERE.

MR. CLINTON SAID NATO WILL HAVE UNRESTRICTED AIR SURVEILLANCE RIGHTS WHILE A TWO-THOUSAND-MEMBER O-S-C-E (ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE) VERIFICATION FORCE WILL MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS ON THE GROUND. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/JO
13-Oct-98 1:09 PM EDT (1709 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE AGREEMENT FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE -- STRESSING THAT THE USE OF NATO FORCE REMAINS IF THERE IS NOT FULL COMPLIANCE BY BELGRADE AUTHORITIES. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON SAYS THE WORLD COMMUNITY PREFERS COMPLIANCE TO CONFLICT, BUT THAT NATO REMAINS READY TO ACT MILITARILY IF THERE IS NOT IMMEDIATE AND VISIBLE ACTION BY BELGRADE TO FULFILL THE AGREEMENTS.

IN A TALK WITH REPORTERS AS HE LEFT THE WHITE HOUSE FOR AN EDUCATION EVENT, THE PRESIDENT SAID THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DEAL HAMMERED OUT MONDAY, BY U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE, AND PAST UNDERSTANDINGS IS THAT THERE WILL BE INTRUSIVE AIR AND GROUND MONITORING OF SERB ACTIONS:

WE'RE NOT DEPENDENT UPON OUR HOPES. WE HAVE A VERIFICATION SYSTEM. THERE WILL BE FACTS. FACTS ON THE GROUND WILL TELL US THAT THE COMPLIANCE IS THERE.

MR. CLINTON SAID NATO WILL HAVE UNRESTRICTED AIR SURVEILLANCE RIGHTS WHILE A TWO-THOUSAND-MEMBER O-S-C-E (ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE) VERIFICATION FORCE WILL MONITOR DEVELOPMENTS ON THE GROUND. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/JO
13-Oct-98 1:09 PM EDT (1709 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] CLINTON/KOSOVO ONITER (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS DEMANDING THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC SHOW SERIOUS PROGRESS TOWARD HONORING HIS PLEDGE TO END THE KOSOVO CRISIS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS IF WE WANTS TO AVOID NATO MILITARY ACTION. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS ARE USED TO DISAPPOINTMENT IN DEALING WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. AND THEY SAY NATO IS SERIOUS ABOUT ITS THREAT TO CONDUCT AIRSTRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAV FORCES IF THERE IS NOT VISILE PROGRESS TOWARD COMPLIANCE WITH MONDAY'S ACCORD WITHIN THE 96-HOUR DEADLINE SET BY THE ALLIES. PRESIDENT CLINTON TOLD REPORTERS IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE YUGOSLAV LEADER:

WE PREFER COMPLIANCE OVER CONFLICT. AND WE HOPE THAT WILL BE THE CASE. BUT WHETHER IT IS OR NOT IS ENTIRELY UP TO HIM NOW. AND WE HAVE THE VERIFICATION SYSTEM IN PLACE, AND SO WE'LL KNOW.

THE AGREEMENT CALLING FOR A PULLBACK OF YUGOSLAV FORCES AND TALKS FOR THE RETURN OF AUTONOMY TO KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY IS TO BE MONITORED BY A TWO THOUSAND CIVILIAN OBSERVERS FROM THE O-S-C-E, AND UNRESTRICTED AIR SURVEILLANCE BY NATO. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/PT
13-Oct-98 5:23 PM EDT (2123 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO / ANNAN REACT (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE WILL SEND A SPECIAL MISSION TO KOSOVO OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO FOLLOW-UP ON INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO END VIOLENCE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT: U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS MR. ANNAN WARMLY WELCOMES NEWS OF A BREAKTHROUGH IN EFFORTS TO END THE KOSOVO CRISIS. BUT MR. ECKHARD SAYS THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL STILL CONSIDERS IT HIGHLY IMPORTANT THAT BOTH SIDES IN THE CONFLICT COMPLY WITH SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING KOSOVO.

IT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE THAT BOTH SIDES IN KOSOVO HONOR THEIR COMMITMENTS AND FULLY COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS 11-60 AND 11-99.

HE SAYS MR. ANNAN WILL SEND A MISSION TO THE REGION IN THE COMING DAYS IN RESPONSE TO SECURITY COUNCIL REQUESTS. THE COUNCIL HAS ASKED MR. ANNAN TO REPORT REGULARLY ON COMPLIANCE WITH ITS KOSOVO RESOLUTIONS.

THE MOST RECENT SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION CONCERNING KOSOVO, NUMBER 11-99, DEMANDS AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE, THE WITHDRAWAL OF YUGOSLAV FORCES RECENTLY SENT TO THE PROVINCE, IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO THE AREA BY HUMANITARIAN RELIEF AGENCIES AND AGREEMENT ON A TIMETABLE FOR AUTONOMY NEGOTIATIONS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

MR. ANNAN WAS ACTIVE IN SUPPORTING U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE'S NEGOTIATIONS THIS WEEK WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. ON MONDAY, MR. ANNAN TELEPHONED MR. MILOSEVIC. HE URGED THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT TO COMPLY WITH SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS AND ENCOURAGED HIM TO WORK WITH MR. HOLBROOKE. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
13-Oct-98 2:35 PM EDT (1835 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] KOSOVO AGREEMENT BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: TOUGH TALK AND THE THREAT OF MILITARY ACTION HAVE MANAGED TO PRODUCE A COMMITMENT FROM YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO COMPLY WITH U-N DEMANDS TO WITHDRAW SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO AND START NEGOTIATIONS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS THERE. U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE BROKERED THE AGREEMENT WHILE NATO KEPT UP THE PRESSURE WITH THREATS OF AN AIR STRIKE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN LOOKS AT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF 'BIG STICK' DIPLOMACY. (USE OF POSSIBLE FORCE AS A DIPLOMATIC TOOL)

TEXT: U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE SPENT MORE THAN 40 HOURS IN OFTEN HEATED NEGOTIATIONS TO CONVINCE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THAT THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID A NATO AIR STRIKE WOULD BE TO COMPLY WITH U-N DEMANDS. IN THE END, MR. MILOSEVIC'S AGREEMENT COINCIDED WITH NATO'S APPROVAL OF MILITARY ACTION.

ANALYSTS WARN THAT THREATS ARE DANGEROUS IF THEY ARE EMPTY. BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS THE CREDIBLE MIX OF FORCE AND DIPLOMACY WORKS.

THIS HAS BEEN A VINDICATION FOR OUR STRATEGY OF DIPLOMACY BACKED BY CREDIBLE THREAT OF FORCE. BUT THIS IS NOT AN ENDING. THIS CAN ONLY BE A BEGINNING. IF THIS AGREEMENT IS TO WORK, THEN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST PUT ALL PRESSURE ON PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO MAKE SURE THAT HE STICKS TO THIS AGREEMENT

WESTERN ALLIES DO NOT TRUST THE YUGOSLAV LEADER TO FULFILL HIS PROMISES. SO NATO HAS NOT CANCELLED THE AIR STRIKES BUT ONLY PUT THEM ON HOLD.

MILITARY ANALYST KEN PETRIE OF THE INSTITUTE OF STRATEGIC STUDIES IN LONDON AGREES NATO MUST KEEP UP THE PRESSURE.

THERE ARE AIRCRAFT IN THE REGION AND IF MILOSEVIC DOESN'T BEHAVE AND DOESN'T DO WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD DO, AND BREAKS THE AGREEMENT, YOU STILL HAVE THE BIG STICK OF AN AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST HIM. THAT IS A USEFUL TOOL

MR. PETRIE SAYS AIR AND GROUND MONITORING OF THE SERB MILITARY PULLOUT IS ESSENTIAL. BUT HE ADDS THE INTERNATIONAL MONITORS MUST ALSO BE READY TO ACT IF SERB POLICE TRY TO FRUSTRATE THE RETURN OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES.

WESTERN ALLIES MAY BE RELIEVED THAT MILITARY ACTION HAS BEEN AVERTED. BUT THE FORCEFUL DIPLOMACY HAS ALSO FUELED ANGER AMONG NATIONALIST SERBS WHO SEE THEIR COUNTRY AS A VICTIM OF FOREIGN AGGRESSION.

MISHA GAVRILOVIC HELPED ORGANIZE A DEMONSTRATION BY SERB NATIONALISTS NEAR THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE IN LONDON.

IT IS THE MAXIMUM FORM OF BLACKMAIL IN ORDER TO THREATEN A PEOPLE AND A NATION WITH DESTRUCTION AND EFFECTIVELY WITH DEATH. THE AGREEMENT, IF THAT IS WHAT WE CALL IT, IS AN IMPOSITION OF BLACKMAIL ON A NATION AND ON A PEOPLE.

THE SERB NATIONALIST ARGUES THAT THE THREATS OF MILITARY INTERVENTION VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL LAW REGARDING YUGOSLAVIA'S SOVEREIGNTY. WESTERN DIPLOMATS SAY THE THREAT OF FORCE IS THE ONLY LANGUAGE THE STUBBORN YUGOSLAV LEADER UNDERSTANDS.

ANALYSTS SAY THE THREAT OF FORCE HAS TO BE CREDIBLE BUT THE DIPLOMACY IT SUPPORTS ALSO NEEDS CLEAR POLITICAL AIMS. DIPLOMATS SAY THE THREAT OF INTERVENTION IN KOSOVO WAS CLEARLY AIMED AT STOPPING SERB AGGRESSION AND AVERTING A HUMANITARIAN DISASTER THERE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH/KBK
13-Oct-98 1:39 PM EDT (1739 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] KOSOVO VERIFICATION FORCE - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF WORK TO BE DONE BEFORE INTERNATIONAL MONITORS CAN VERIFY THAT YUGOSLAVIA IS LIVING UP TO AN AGREEMENT TO STOP ITS OFFENSIVE IN ITS KOSOVO PROVINCE. THE DEAL BETWEEN YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND U-S SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE PUT OFF THREATENED NATO AIRSTRIKES -- AT LEAST FOR NOW. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL PUT EXPERTS ON THE GROUND AND RECONNAISSANCE PLANES IN THE SKY TO MAKE SURE YUGOSLAV TROOPS KEEP THEIR AGREEMENT.

TEXT: THE PACT CALLS FOR TWO THOUSAND UN-ARMED CIVILIAN MONITORS TO MAKE SURE THAT YUGOSLAV FORCES ARE COMPLYING WITH A U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION, AND HAVE STOPPED THEIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

PENTAGON SPOKESMAN MIKE DOUBLEDAY SAYS MOST OF THE MONITORS WILL COME FROM THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE.

O-S-C-E MONITORS WILL MAKE SURE YUGOSLAV FORCES ALLOW 300- THOUSAND DISPLACED PEOPLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO. THE AGREEMENT ALSO REQUIRES YUGOSLAV TROOPS TO ALLOW INTERNATIONAL AID WORKERS TO BRING FOOD AND MEDICINE TO THE NEEDY IN KOSOVO.

NAVY CAPTAIN MIKE DOUBLEDAY SAYS OFFICIALS ARE STILL WORKING OUT HOW TO PROTECT THE UNARMED FOREIGN MONITORS.

I BELIEVE THAT WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS SOME KIND OF RAPID REACTION CAPABILITY THAT WILL BE OVER THE HORIZON, NOT LOCATED THERE IN KOSOVO.

HE SAYS THE RAPID REACTION GROUND FORCE IS NOT LIKELY TO CONTAIN AMERICANS.

FACTS GATHERED BY MONITORS ON THE GROUND WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY INFORMATION GLEANED FROM CAMERAS AND SENSORS IN NATO RECONNAISSANCE PLANES CRISS-CROSSING YUGOSLAV AIR SPACE.

CAPTAIN DOUBLEDAY SAYS THE AIR CRAFT WILL INCLUDE A VARIETY OF PLANES CARRYING CAMERAS AND SENSORS -- INCLUDING THE HIGH FLYING U-2, THE LARGE P-3 ORION WHICH USUALLY HUNTS SUBMARINES, AS WELL AS TINY UNMANNED FLYING DRONES.// END OPT //

HE SAYS IT WILL TAKE A COUPLE OF DAYS TO WORK OUT SAFE WAYS FOR THESE UNARMED AIRCRAFT TO GO WHERE THEY NEED TO.

IN ADDITION TO UNRESTRICTED ACCESS, THERE IS GOING TO BE A STAND-DOWN OF THE AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM SO THAT THESE AIR CRAFT WILL NOT FEEL THREATENED.

CAPTAIN DOUBLEDAY SAYS NATO IS BUSY WORKING OUT WAYS TO ORGANIZE AND ANALYZE THE INFORMATION GATHERED ON THE GROUND AND IN THE AIR. THE INFORMATION IS KEY TO DECIDING IF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS MEETING HIS OBLIGATIONS.

CAPTAIN DOUBLEDAY WOULD NOT SAY EXACTLY WHAT ACTION NATO WOULD TAKE IF THE DEAL BREAKS DOWN, BUT HE SAYS A POWERFUL AIR ARMADA IS STILL IN PLACE AND STILL ON ALERT IF NEEDED. (SIGNED).
NEB/JR/WDC/JO
13-Oct-98 4:36 PM EDT (2036 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] NATO / KOSOVO / WRAP / L BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: EVEN AS NATO TOOK THE LAST STEP BEFORE LAUNCHING AN AIR STRIKE ON YUGOSLAVIA, A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS APPEARS TO BE TAKING SHAPE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, WHERE NATO PUT ITS MILITARY FORCES ON ALERT EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

TEXT: NATO AIRPLANES ARE READY TO LAUNCH AN AIR STRIKE ON YUGOSLAVIA. ACTION WAS TAKEN JUST BEFORE TWO TUESDAY MORNING AT NATO HEADQUARTERS. THE NATO COUNCIL CALLED THE ALERT AFTER HEARING FROM AMERICAN NEGOTIATOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE OF THE PROGRESS HE HAS MADE IN HIS TALKS WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT APPEARS TO HAVE AGREED TO WITHDRAW SERBIAN POLICE FROM KOSOVO AND TO ALLOW TWO THOUSAND INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ON THE GROUND. AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE ALSO TELLS NATO, THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT WILL ALLOW NATO PLANES TO MONITOR THE SERB WITHDRAWAL. STILL, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA TELLS REPORTERS, AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE ASKED FOR THE ALLIANCE TO GET ITS FORCES READY TO ACT.

AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE REPORTED THAT THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS AND HE HAS STRESSED VERY CLEARLY THAT THIS PROGRESS HAS BEEN LARGELY DUE TO THE PRESSURE OF THE ALLIANCE IN THE LAST FEW DAYS AND THAT WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THIS PRESSURE IN ORDER TO INSURE THAT THE PROCESS CONTINUES MOVING FORWARD.

AS AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE FLEW BACK TO BELGRADE TO RESUME HIS TALKS, THE NATO COUNCIL AGREED TO START A LIMITED BOMBING CAMPAIGN ON YUGOSLAVIA NO EARLIER THAN THE WEEKEND -- 96 HOURS FROM TUESDAY.

MR. SOLANA EXPLAINS TWO DAYS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO GET THE PLANES READY TO BOMB IN ANY CASE AND TWO MORE DAYS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO ALLOW AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE TO WRAP UP A PEACEFUL AGREEMENT IN KOSOVO..

BEFORE LEAVING BRUSSELS, AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE TELLS REPORTERS HE FEELS A DIFFERENCE IN HIS TALKS FROM HIS PREVIOUS NEGOTIATING ROLE IN BOSNIA.

IT REMINDED ME A GREAT DEAL OF SIMILAR MEETINGS THREE YEARS AGO AT THE HEIGHT OF THE BOSNIA CRISIS BUT WITH A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE. THREE YEARS AGO WHEN WE WERE HERE, THE BOMBS WERE FALLING ON BOSNIA. NOW THE BOMBS ARE NOT FALLING. WE ARE HERE TO DISCUSS HOW TO MOVE FORWARD TO FULL AND VERIFIABLE COMPLIANCE WITH THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION IN AN EFFECTIVE WAY.

AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE FINISHED HIS TALKS HERE BY MEETING POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER BRONISLAW GEREMEK TO DISCUSS A MONITORING ROLE FOR THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE IN KOSOVO.

SECRETARY GENERAL SOLANA SUGGESTS RUSSIA -- WHICH VIGOROUSLY OPPOSES NATO'S USE OF FORCE IN YUGOSLAVIA -- MAY PLAY A VERIFICATION ROLE IN KOSOVO BECAUSE OF RUSSIA'S MEMBERSHIP IN THE O-S-C-E. RUSSIA IS NOT A MEMBER OF NATO WHICH IS WHY ITS VIEWS WERE DISREGARDED IN THE 96-HOUR ULTIMATUM TO YUGOSLAVIA AHEAD OF AIR STRIKES. (SIGNED)
NEB / WD / WD
12-Oct-98 11:17 PM EDT (0317 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] NATO-KOSOVO BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE 16-MEMBER NATO ALLIANCE WILL PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN MONITORING YUGOSLAVIA'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT AMERICAN ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE WORKED OUT WITH PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. AS RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS, THE ALLIANCE CARRIED A PROVERBIAL "BIG STICK" [THREATENED POSSIBLE MILITARY FORCE] THAT IT APPARENTLY WILL NOT HAVE TO USE.

TEXT: NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA AND THE SUPREME COMMANDER OF NATO FORCES IN EUROPE, GENERAL WESLEY CLARK, ARE EXPECTED TO GO TO BELGRADE THIS WEEK. THEIR TRIP WILL BE TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT ALLOWING NATO RECONNAISSANCE PLANES TO FLY WITHOUT RESTRICTION OVER KOSOVO. THIS WILL BE TO MAKE SURE YUGOSLAVIA IS CARRYING OUT ITS PROMISE TO WITHDRAW SERB PARA-MILITARY FORCES FROM THE PROVINCE.

IRONICALLY, MR. SOLANA AND GENERAL CLARK ARE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO CAN DECLARE THAT YUGOSLAVIA IS NOT COMPLYING WITH THE AGREEMENT. THE 16 NATO ALLIES DECIDED THE BEST WAY TO KEEP PRESSURE ON PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WOULD BE TO TAKE THE LAST PROCEDURAL STEP BEFORE LAUNCHING AN AIR STRIKE. THEY AUTHORIZED GENERAL CLARK TO TAKE CONTROL OF ALL NATO AIRCRAFT TO USE AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. NATO'S AMBASSADORS DECIDED, HOWEVER, NOT TO LAUNCH THESE AIR STRIKES BEFORE SATURDAY MORNING -- TO GIVE PEACE A CHANCE. STILL, THE STRIKE ORDER WILL STAY IN PLACE, SAYS SECRETARY-GENERAL SOLANA, DESPITE THE DIPLOMATIC AGREEMENT IN BELGRADE.

I DO HOPE VERY MUCH THAT THE REPORT THAT AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE GAVE US LAST NIGHT WILL COME TRUE AND THAT THE DIPLOMATIC CHANNEL WILL CONTINUE WORKING SO THAT A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE WHOLE CRISIS WILL BE POSSIBLE. WE DO NOT WANT TO USE FORCE. WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN USING FORCE, BUT FORCE MAY BE NEEDED IF THE IMPLEMENTATION ON THE GROUND AND VERIFICATION IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

IF NATO DECIDES TO USE ITS THREATENED "BIG STICK," IT WOULD MARK A FIRST FOR THE ALLIANCE. WHEN NATO ATTACKED BOSNIAN SERBS IN 1995, IT WAS WITH THE INVITATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF BOSNIA AND THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL. THIS TIME, SERBIA REJECTED NATO'S THREAT OF AIR STRIKES AND RUSSIA PROMISED TO VETO ANY SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE USE OF FORCE. THE NATO ALLIES, EVEN THE PRESENT CARETAKER GOVERNMENTS IN GERMANY AND ITALY, ACCEPT THE ARGUMENT THAT YUGOSLAVIA'S ACTIONS IN KOSOVO CONSTITUTE A THREAT TO PEACE.

BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY, ROBIN COOK, VISITED NATO HEADQUARTERS ON TUESDAY TO DISCUSS THE DIPLOMATIC AGREEMENT. HE BELIEVES THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT CONCESSIONS BY THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT.

THIS IS A BIG CLIMB-DOWN BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. HE HAS AGREED FOR THE FIRST TIME TO CONTEMPLATE A SELF-GOVERNING KOSOVO, AND HE HAS SIGNED UP TO ELECTIONS FOR A KOSOVO ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL BE SUPERVISED BY AN INTERNATIONAL BODY THROUGH THE O-S-C-E [THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE]. SECONDLY, HE HAS ALSO AGREED TO VERIFICATION MECHANISMS WHICH WILL MAKE SURE THAT HE CAN NOT GO BACK ON THE UNDERTAKINGS THAT HE HAS MADE.

NATO PLANES WILL FLY OVER KOSOVO BUT THEY WILL BE NON-COMBAT AIRCRAFT. // OPT // THE HIGH FLYING U-2 AND THE LOWER FLYING ORION P-3 WILL MONITOR YUGOSLAVIA'S COMPLIANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE MADE. // END OPT //

THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE -- THE O-S-C-E -- WILL CONTRIBUTE TWO-THOUSAND PEOPLE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND. YUGOSLAVIA IS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR GUARANTEEING THEIR FREE MOVEMENT AND SAFETY IN KOSOVO.

FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK SAYS NATO'S THREAT OF FORCE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REVERSAL OF POLICY BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC.

THERE CAN BE NOBODY HERE WHO IMAGINES THAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WOULD HAVE GONE INTO THESE AGREEMENTS AND GONE SO FAR IF HE HAD NOT BEEN CONVINCED THAT NATO MEANT BUSINESS. THIS HAS BEEN A VINDICATION FOR OUR STRATEGY OF DIPLOMACY BACKED BY A CREDIBLE THREAT OF FORCE.

SO NATO WILL MAINTAIN ITS MILITARY THREAT -- BUT WITH GROWING CONFIDENCE THAT IT WILL NOT HAVE TO USE IT. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/PCF/WTW
13-Oct-98 2:11 PM EDT (1811 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] NATO-KOSOVO WRAP (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: AT A LATE NIGHT MEETING IN BRUSSELS, NATO HAS AUTHORIZED ITS MILITARY COMMANDER TO TAKE CONTROL OF ALL ALLIANCE AIRCRAFT IN PREPARATION FOR AN AIR STRIKE ON YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, EFFORTS AT A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT CONTINUE.

TEXT: AS NATO TAKES THE FINAL STEP TOWARD MILITARY ACTION IN YUGOSLAVIA, AMERICAN ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE RETURNS TO BELGRADE FROM BRUSSELS IN ANOTHER TRY TO ACHIEVE A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IN KOSOVO. HE RESUMES HIS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ARMED WITH NATO'S ULTIMATUM TO LAUNCH AN AIR STRIKE ON YUGOSLAVIA NO EARLIER THAN THE WEEKEND.

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA SAYS AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE HAS ACHIEVED IMPORTANT PROGRESS IN HIS TALKS AND A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT IS STILL POSSIBLE.

EVEN AT THIS LAST HOUR I STILL BELIEVE DIPLOMACY CAN SUCCEED AND THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE CAN BE AVOIDED BUT THE RESPONSIBILITY LIES ON THE SHOULDERS OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HE KNOWS WHAT HE HAS TO DO.

THE FINAL DETAILS CONCERN VERIFICATION THAT YUGOSLAVIA HAS STOPPED ATTACKING CIVILIANS IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
12-Oct-98 8:41 PM EDT (0041 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN NEW YORK MOVED LOWER TODAY (TUESDAY) AMID CONCERNS ABOUT CORPORATE EARNINGS REPORTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE YEAR. VOA'S JOE CHAPMAN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED DOWN 63 POINTS, LESS THAN ONE PERCENT, AT 79-HUNDRED-38. THE MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 FINISHED ALMOST UNCHANGED, DOWN TWO POINTS AT 995. BUT THE NASDAQ COMPOSITE, WHICH INCLUDES MANY HIGH TECHNOLOGY STOCKS, CLOSED DOWN 36 POINTS AT 15-HUNDRED-NINE AS INVESTORS TOOK PROFITS FROM TWO DAYS OF GAINS.

EASTMAN KODAK, ONE OF 30 STOCKS IN THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIALS, CLOSED 14 PERCENT LOWER, EXERTING A STRONG DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON THE INDEX. THE BIG PHOTOGRAPHY COMPANY EXCEEDED WALL STREET PROFIT ESTIMATES BY ONE CENT A SHARE, BUT ANALYSTS SAY INVESTORS EXPECTED MORE PROFIT GROWTH AND CONTINUE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COMPANY'S MARKET SHARE AND REVENUES.

ANOTHER FACTOR IN THE NEGATIVE SENTIMENT WAS THE COLLAPSE OF A MERGER BETWEEN MONSANTO, A BIOTECH AND CHEMICAL COMPANY, AND AMERICAN HOME PRODUCTS, A PHARMACEUTICALS FIRM. MONSANTO SHARES SOLD MORE THAN 20 PERCENT LOWER FOR MOST OF THE DAY.

BOB MCCOOEY, WHO HEADS AN INVESTMENT FIRM, SAYS STOCK MARKET VOLATILITY WILL CONTINUE AND MAY WORSEN IF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK DOES NOT FURTHER LOWER INTEREST RATES.

THE STOCK MARKET IS VERY, VERY VULNERABLE IF WE DO NOT SEE A RATE CUT. WE'RE HOPING TO SEE ONE BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING, BUT IF WE DON'T SEE ONE AT THE NEXT MEETING, HOPEFULLY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 50 BASIS POINTS (ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT) THAT WOULD BE VERY, VERY NEGATIVE AND WEIGH ON THE MARKET GOING FORWARD.

THE U-S CENTRAL BANK CUT INTEREST RATES BY ONE QUARTER OF A PERCENT EARLIER THIS MONTH AND REPORTS PUBLISHED IN THE LONDON TIMES AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS SAY CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN IS DISCUSSING ANOTHER CUT BEFORE A MEETING ON NOVEMBER 17TH. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/JMC/LSF/KBK
13-Oct-98 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE DEATH ON MONDAY OF A HOMOSEXUAL COLLEGE STUDENT WHO WAS BRUTALLY BEATEN IN THE WESTERN U-S STATE OF WYOMING HAS CATAPULTED THE ISSUE OF HATE CRIME LAWS INTO THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MANY NEWSPAPERS.

EDITORIAL WRITERS ARE ALSO ADDRESSING THE REPORTED AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO BETWEEN YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE. HERE IS _________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK, INCLUDING SOME EXCERPTS AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: POLICE IN THE COLLEGE TOWN OF LARAMIE, WYOMING, SAY TWO MEN LURED 21-YEAR-OLD MATTHEW SHEPARD OUT OF A BAR AND BEAT HIM INTO A COMA FROM WHICH HE NEVER AWOKE. TWO JOGGERS FOUND HIM THE NEXT MORNING, TIED TO A FENCE AND LEFT FOR DEAD.

THE STUDENT, WHO WAS HOMOSEXUAL, DIED MONDAY, AND THE BRUTALITY OF THE CRIME THAT KILLED HIM HAS HORRIFIED THE NATION. BUT IT HAS ALSO OPENED A DEBATE ABOUT THE NEED FOR LAWS TO PUNISH CRIMES MOTIVATED BY HATRED FOR THE VICTIM'S RACE, GENDER, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

FORTY STATES ALREADY HAVE LAWS FORBIDDING HATE CRIMES. WYOMING, WHERE MR. SHEPARD LIVED, DOES NOT, AND 19 STATES THAT DO HAVE LAWS DO NOT INCLUDE SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN THEM. SOME NEWSPAPERS, LIKE "THE NEW YORK TIMES", ARE CALLING FOR A FEDERAL HATE-CRIME LAW.

VOICE: IN THE UNITED STATES, FOR ALL ITS CONSECRATION OF EQUAL RIGHTS, THE MEMBERS OF MINORITY GROUPS HAVE OFTEN HAD TO PAY A TERRIBLE PRICE JUST FOR BEING WHO THEY ARE. ... GRADUALLY, CRIMES MOTIVATED BY HATE HAVE COME TO BE SEEN AS A CATEGORY OF THEIR OWN. ... HATRED CAN KILL. THE MEN ACCUSED OF KILLING MATTHEW SHEPARD WILL BE TRIED FOR FIRST-DEGREE MURDER. BUT HIS DEATH MAKES CLEAR THE NEED FOR HATE-CRIMES LAWS TO PROTECT THOSE WHO SURVIVE AND PUNISH THOSE WHO ATTACK OTHERS, WHETHER FATALLY OR NOT, JUST BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE. "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" SAYS BRUTALITY BASED ON HATRED SHOULD BE TREATED MORE SEVERELY THAN SIMILAR VIOLENCE SPARKED, FOR EXAMPLE, BY A FAMILY ARGUMENT.

VOICE: NOT ONLY DOES VIOLENCE AGAINST BLACKS OR ASIANS OR LESBIANS INFLICT FEAR ON EVERYONE WHO MAY LOOK THE PART, IT DEMEANS AND POLLUTES SOCIETY AT LARGE.

BUT OTHER EDITORIAL PAGES SAY HATE CRIME LAWS ARE NOT NECESSARY. "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" SAYS SUCH LAWS SHOULD BE AVOIDED BECAUSE THEY PUNISH NOT CRIMES BUT OPINIONS.

VOICE: MUCH NOTE HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE FACT THAT WYOMING HAS NOT PASSED A HATE-CRIMES STATUTE TO DETER ATTACKS ON GAYS. BUT GIVEN WHAT MR. SHEPARD'S KILLERS WERE WILLING TO DO IN THE FACE OF EXISTING LAWS AGAINST KIDNAPPING, ASSAULT AND MURDER, AS WELL AS OF ALL MORAL CODES AND NORMS OF CIVILIZED BEHAVIOR, WOULD A HATE CRIMES LAW HAVE SUCCEEDED IN DETERRING THE KILLERS WHERE ALL ELSE FAILED? UNLIKELY. ... MR. SHEPARD'S KILLERS SHOULD BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW NOT BECAUSE HE WAS HOMOSEXUAL, BUT BECAUSE HE WAS A HUMAN BEING.

WE NOW TURN FROM FIGHTING HATE CRIMES IN THE UNITED STATES TO THE OPTIONS FOR ENDING THE ETHNIC-BASED VIOLENCE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE APPEARS TO HAVE BROKERED AN AGREEMENT WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO AVERT NATO AIRSTRIKES IN KOSOVO.

BUT NATO WARNS AIRSTRIKES CAN NOT BE RULED OUT UNTIL MR. MILOSEVIC WITHDRAWS HIS FORCES FROM THE PROVINCE AND ALLOWS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

A NUMBER OF U-S DAILIES ARE CALLING FOR NATO AND THE UNITED STATES TO BE TOUGH WITH MR. MILOSEVIC. HERE IS WHAT "THE WASHINGTON POST" HAD TO SAY.

VOICE: A NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN WOULD CARRY GRAVE RISKS. BUT IT WOULD BE EVEN RISKIER IN THE LONG RUN FOR NATO TO ACCEPT A DEAL THAT FALLS SHORT OF ITS STATED POLITICAL GOALS AND OF KOSOVO'S OBVIOUS HUMANITARIAN NEEDS. ... CRITICS ARE RIGHT TO WARN THAT MANY CIVILIANS COULD BE KILLED OR HURT AND THAT U-S AND ALLIED PILOTS WILL BE AT RISK. BOMBING COULD INFLAME SERB NATIONALISM. ... YET NOT BOMBING WOULD BE EVEN MORE DANGEROUS IF THE PRICE IS A MILOSEVIC VICTORY. ... IF KOSOVO'S MAJORITY FEELS THAT AN UNJUST SOLUTION HAS BEEN IMPOSED AND THAT AN OCCUPYING ARMY REMAINS IN CONTROL, MILITARY RESISTANCE IS SURE TO FLARE AGAIN NEXT SPRING. "THE WASHINGTON POST" STOPS SHORT OF CALLING FOR THE OUTRIGHT TOPPLING OF MR. MILOSEVIC, BUT "THE NEW YORK POST" HEADLINES ITS EDITORIAL -- WHY MILO[SEVIC] MUST GO.

VOICE: EVEN IF THE 400-PLANE NATO FORCE THAT IS NOW ON ALERT IN EUROPE WERE TO SERIOUSLY DAMAGE SERBIAN MILITARY ASSETS, IT IS QUESTIONABLE THAT DOING SO WOULD ACHIEVE MUCH UNLESS IT LED TO MILOSEVIC'S DOWNFALL ONCE AND FOR ALL. THE FACT IS THAT FOR ALL THE TALK ABOUT "ANCIENT ENMITIES," MILOSEVIC IS THE KEY TO THE SUFFERING IN KOSOVO. ... AND THE TRUTH IS THAT RIGHT NOW, MILOSEVIC HAS NO REAL INCENTIVE TO BEHAVE DIFFERENTLY, EVEN IF PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS ALLIES ARE NOT BLUFFING. ... CERTAINLY IF NATO DOES NOT SIGNIFICANTLY RAISE THE COST OF MILOSEVIC'S MISBEHAVIOR -- IN WAYS THAT AFFECT HIM AND HIS SUPPORTERS PERSONALLY -- THEN THERE IS NO POINT IN TAKING ANY ACTION AT ALL.

AND WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE TODAY'S OPINION SAMPLING FROM THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/CEM/RAE
13-Oct-98 11:27 AM EDT (1527 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: TURKISH DEFENSE MINISTER ISMET SEZGIN SAYS HE BELIEVES KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN HAD LEFT SYRIA AND THAT HIS CAMPS IN THAT COUNTRY HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THE MOVES HAVE HELPED COOL ESCALATING TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA OVER THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K

TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS TUESDAY, TURKISH DEFENSE MINISTER ISMET SEZGIN SAID THAT SYRIA HAD MOST PROBABLY PUT AN END TO THE ACTIVITIES OF THE P-K-K WITHIN ITS TERRITORY AS WELL AS IN THE BEKAA VALLEY IN LEBANON WHICH IS UNDER ITS CONTROL.

MR. SEZGIN ADDED THAT THE P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN HAD LIKELY LEFT SYRIA, BUT HE DECLINED TO SPECIFY HIS WHEREABOUTS. ARAB DIPLOMATS IN ANKARA SPECULATED TUESDAY THAT MOST LIKELY MR. OCALAN WAS IN EITHER NORTHERN IRAQ OR LIBYA, WHICH IS SYMPATHETIC TO THE TURKISH KURD REBEL MOVEMENT.

MR. SEZGIN SAID HE HAD OBTAINED THE INFORMATION CONCERNING SYRIA'S MOVES FROM THE EGYPTIAN AND IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS WHO HAVE BEEN MEDIATING BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA DURING THE PAST WEEK.

TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA ESCALATED AFTER ANKARA THREATENED TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST ITS ARAB NEIGHBOUR OVER ITS CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR THE P-K-K.

TURKISH OBSERVERS SAY THEY BELIEVE SYRIA WAS BACKING THE REBELS TO PRESS ITS HISTORIC CLAIMS TO A TURKISH BORDER PROVINCE, HATAY, AND TO GET TURKEY TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT TO SHARE THE WATERS OF THE EUPHRATES RIVER WHICH BEGINS IN TURKEY. SYRIAN FARMING HEAVILY DEPENDS ON THE RIVER.

SYRIA DENIES THE CLAIMS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH
13-Oct-98 1:02 PM EDT (1702 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: TURKISH DEFENSE MINISTER ISMET SEZGIN SAYS HE BELIEVES KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN HAD LEFT SYRIA AND THAT HIS CAMPS IN THAT COUNTRY HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THE MOVES HAVE HELPED COOL ESCALATING TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA OVER THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K

TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS TUESDAY, TURKISH DEFENSE MINISTER ISMET SEZGIN SAID THAT SYRIA HAD MOST PROBABLY PUT AN END TO THE ACTIVITIES OF THE P-K-K WITHIN ITS TERRITORY AS WELL AS IN THE BEKAA VALLEY IN LEBANON WHICH IS UNDER ITS CONTROL.

MR. SEZGIN ADDED THAT THE P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN HAD LIKELY LEFT SYRIA, BUT HE DECLINED TO SPECIFY HIS WHEREABOUTS. ARAB DIPLOMATS IN ANKARA SPECULATED TUESDAY THAT MOST LIKELY MR. OCALAN WAS IN EITHER NORTHERN IRAQ OR LIBYA, WHICH IS SYMPATHETIC TO THE TURKISH KURD REBEL MOVEMENT.

MR. SEZGIN SAID HE HAD OBTAINED THE INFORMATION CONCERNING SYRIA'S MOVES FROM THE EGYPTIAN AND IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS WHO HAVE BEEN MEDIATING BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA DURING THE PAST WEEK.

TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA ESCALATED AFTER ANKARA THREATENED TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST ITS ARAB NEIGHBOUR OVER ITS CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR THE P-K-K.

TURKISH OBSERVERS SAY THEY BELIEVE SYRIA WAS BACKING THE REBELS TO PRESS ITS HISTORIC CLAIMS TO A TURKISH BORDER PROVINCE, HATAY, AND TO GET TURKEY TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT TO SHARE THE WATERS OF THE EUPHRATES RIVER WHICH BEGINS IN TURKEY. SYRIAN FARMING HEAVILY DEPENDS ON THE RIVER.

SYRIA DENIES THE CLAIMS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH
13-Oct-98 1:02 PM EDT (1702 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[17] TURKEY/SYRIA BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANTAKYA)

INTRO: TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA HAVE ESCALATED IN RECENT WEEKS. ANKARA HAS THREATENED TO USE FORCE UNLESS SYRIA ENDS ITS SUPPORT FOR SEPARATIST KURDISH REBELS WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR SELF-RULE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. MANY PEOPLE IN TURKEY'S PREDOMINANTLY ARAB-POPULATED HATAY PROVINCE ALONG THE SYRIAN BORDER SAY THEY BELIEVE THEY WILL BE AT THE FRONTLINE OF ANY WAR. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANTAKYA, CAPITAL OF HATAY PROVINCE.

TEXT: IN A DARK SMOKE-OBSCURED TEA HOUSE ONLY METERS AWAY FROM THE SYRIAN BORDER, ALL EYES ARE TURNED TO THE HOURLY NEWS PROGRAM ON TURKISH TELEVSION.

TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ REPEATS WARNINGS TO SYRIA TO RESPOND TO TURKEY'S DEMANDS CONCERNING REBELS OF THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY -- THE P-K-K. TURKEY WANTS SYRIA TO SHUT ALL P-K-K CAMPS ON ITS TERRITORTY AND HAND OVER P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN WHO LIVES IN DAMASCUS. TURKEY ALSO DEMANDS THAT SYRIA DROP ITS TERRITORIAL CLAIMS FOR HATAY.

LOCAL PEOPLE SAY THEIR FERTILE COTTON-GROWING PROVINCE IS AT THE CORE OF SYRIA'S ENMITY AGAINST TURKEY.

HATAY WAS PART OF SYRIA DURING THE TIME OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE. SYRIA CAME UNDER FRENCH RULE WHEN THE OTTOMANS WERE DEFEATED AT THE END OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR. FRANCE KEPT CONTROL OF HATAY WHEN IT GRANTED SYRIA INDEPENDENCE IN 1936, BUT THEN GAVE THE PROVINCE TO THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED TURKISH REPUBLIC IN 1939.

SYRIA NEVER RECOGNIZED THE MOVE AND CONTINUES TO SHOW THE PROVINCE ON ITS OFFICIAL MAPS.

BUT HATAY'S POPULATION STRONGLY ENDORSED THE TRANSFER TO TURKEY, DESPITE THEIR PREDOMINANTLY ARAB ROOTS. THEY ORGANIZED A REFERENDUM THE SAME YEAR THE PROVINCE WAS CEDED BY FRANCE AND VOTED OVERHWHELMINGLY IN FAVOR OF BECOMING PART OF TURKEY.

A RETIRED GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE, HIKMET MUSAOGLU, SAYS HE WAS ONLY 14 YEARS OLD WHEN THE REFERENDUM TOOK PLACE. HE SAYS THAT AT THE TIME, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DEMONSTRATED TO SHOW THEY WANTED TO BE PART OF TURKEY.

MR. MUSAOGLU SAYS THAT NO MATTER WHAT THE SYRIANS SAY, HATAY IS TURKISH AND WILL REMAIN SO.

LIKE MANY HERE, MR. MUSAOGLU SAYS TURKEY SHOULD, IN HIS WORDS, TEACH SYRIA A LESSON FOR ITS CONTINUED HOSTILITY AGAINST TURKEY.

AHMET ALTUNER, WHO RUNS THE TEA SHOP, SAYS THERE IS NO NEED FOR AN ALL OUT WAR, HOWEVER, BECAUSE SYRIA IS NO MATCH MILITARILY FOR HIS COUNTRY.

MR. ALTUNER SAYS HE BELIEVES ALL TURKEY NEEDS TO DO IS TO CARRY OUT AIR STRIKES AGAINST P-K-K CAMPS IN THE SYRIAN-CONTROLLED BEKAA VALLEY IN LEBANON.

A TRUCK DRIVER, NURI, SAYS ECONOMIC SANCTIONS WOULD, IN HIS WORDS, BRING SYRIA TO ITS KNEES.

NURI SAYS TURKEY COULD EITHER HALT ITS BORDER TRADE WITH SYRIA OR EVEN CUT THE FLOW OF THE EUPHRATES RIVER ON WHICH SYRIAN FARMERS HEAVILY DEPEND.

THE STATUS OF THE EUPHRATES IS ANOTHER SOURCE OF TENSION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY SYRIA IS SUPPORTING THE P-K-K IN ORDER TO PRESS ITS CLAIMS OVER HATAY AND TO GET TURKEY TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT TO SHARE THE WATERS OF THE RIVER.

THE TURKISH MILITARY HAS SPENT NEARLY 100-MILLION DOLLARS ON ITS 14-YEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE P-K-K. THE CONFLICT HAS CLAIMED NEARLY 40-THOUSAND LIVES.

SHOULD THERE BE A WAR BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA, TEA SHOP OWNER AHMET ALTUNER SAYS ORDINARY CITIZENS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER WILL, IN HIS WORDS, CRY FOR EACH OTHER.

HE SAYS MANY PEOPLE HERE HAVE RELATIVES WHO LIVE ACROSS THE BORDER AND DO NOT WANT THEM TO GET HURT. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/KL
13-Oct-98 9:07 AM EDT (1307 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[18] U-S KOSOVO ACCORD BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC MUST MAKE IMMEDIATE MOVES TO COMPLY WITH THE KOSOVO AGREEMENT HAMMERED OUT BY U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE. OFFICIALS, FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON ON DOWN, ARE STRESSING THAT NATO RETAINS A MILITARY OPTION -- IF COMPLIANCE BY MR. MILOSEVIC IS NOT RAPID AND READILY APPARENT. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: THE AGREEMENT FORGED BY MR. HOLBROOKE, IN SEVERAL DAYS OF BALKANS SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY, WOULD APPEAR TO OPEN THE WAY TO RESOLUTION OF ONE OF EUROPE'S MOST INTRACTABLE PROBLEMS.

BUT OFFICIALS HERE SAY THEY ARE USED TO DISAPPOINTMENTS IN DEALING WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. AND THEY ARE STRESSING THAT NATO STANDS READY TO CARRY OUT THE AIRSTRIKES ITS MEMBERS AUTHORIZED MONDAY IF THERE IS NOT TANGIBLE PROGRESS TOWARD COMPLIANCE BY BELGRADE WITHIN THE 96-HOUR TIME FRAME SET BY THE ALLIES.

PRESIDENT CLINTON TOLD REPORTERS THE STEPS THE ALLIES WANT TO SEE INCLUDE: THE A WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES FROM YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, ENTRY INTO KOSOVO AND FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL MONITORS AND RELIEF WORKERS, AND SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE RETURN OF AUTONOMY TO THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY.

HE SAID THE ALLIES WILL NOT HAVE TO RELY ON MR. MILOSEVIC'S PROMISES, BUT WILL HAVE AN "INTRUSIVE" SYSTEM OF AIR AND GROUND VERIFICATION:

IT WILL INCLUDE ABOUT 2000 INTERNATIONAL INSPECTORS IN KOSOVO, WHO WILL SERVE AS WATCHDOGS TO INSURE THAT THE CEASEFIRE HOLDS AND THE SERB FORCES WITHDRAW, WHILE BUILDING CONFIDENCE AMONG KOSOVARS TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. AND IT WILL INVOLVE UNRESTRICTED NATO AERIAL SURVEILLANCE TO MONITOR COMPLIANCE AND QUICKLY DETECT VIOLATIONS. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PREFERS COMPLIANCE TO CONFLICT. BUT IN VOTING TO GIVE OUR MILITARY COMMANDERS THE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT AIRSTRIKES AGAINST SERBIA, NATO SENT A CLEAR MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC: NATO IS READY TO ACT.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE GROUND VERIFICATION FORCE TO BE ASSEMBLED BY THE O-S-C-E WILL NOT BE IN PLACE BY THE TIME THE NATO DEADLINE EXPIRES. BUT THE AERIAL SURVEILLANCE OPERATION, TO INCLUDE U-S AIRCRAFT, WILL BEGIN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

THEY SAY ACTION EXPECTED FIRST WILL BE THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB PARAMILITARY UNITS SENT INTO KOSOVO IN RECENT MONTHS -- BLAMED FOR REPRESSION OF ALBANIANS -- AND THE RETURN TO GARRISON OF OTHER YUGOSLAV FORCES. CLINTON NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SANDY BERGER SAYS THE END OF COERCION BY SERB FORCES WILL ALLOW THE QUARTER-MILLION ETHNIC ALBANIANS DISPLACED BY MILITARY OPERATIONS TO BEGIN RETURNING HOME:

THERE WILL BE A LARGE PRESENCE ON THE GROUND, AND IN THE AIR, DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT, IN FACT, THERE IS REPRESSIVE ACTION BEING TAKEN. IF IN FACT THAT IS THE CASE, WE EXPECT THESE VERIFIERS TO REPORT TO THE O-S-C-E, TO REPORT TO NATO, THAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC IS NOT COMPLYING WITH THE AGREEMENT. AND WE ARE BACK TO NATO AND THE ISSUE IS USE OF FORCE. SO I THINK WE HAVE TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY (REFUGEES) FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING BACK IN, BECAUSE THE THREAT OF FORCE EXISTS, AND THERE ARE INDEPENDENT, INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ON THE GROUND TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THAT COMPLIANCE IS TAKING PLACE.

OF THOSE MADE REFUGEES BY THE SERB MILITARY DRIVE IN KOSOVO, TENS OF THOUSANDS ARE LIVING IN THE OPEN AND VULNERABLE TO THE ELEMENTS AS WINTER APPROACHES.

THE KOSOVO CRISIS BEGAN IN EARNEST LAST FEBRUARY WHEN MR. MILOSEVIC SENT ADDITIONAL TROOPS AND POLICE INTO THE PROVINCE IN AN EFFORT TO CRUSH THE SEPARATIST KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, MOSTLY CIVILIANS, DIED IN SUBSEQUENT FIGHTING.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER ALLIED GOVERNMENTS HAVE OPPOSED THE BREAKAWAY OF KOSOVO, BUT WANT A RETURN OF THE AUTONOMY STRIPPED AWAY BY BELGRADE IN 1989 AND END TO SUPPRESSION OF ALBANIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS.

U-S ENVOY HOLBROOKE, A CENTRAL FIGURE IN THE 1995 BOSNIA ACCORDS, TOLD REPORTERS IN BELGRADE, MONDAY'S AGREEMENT HAS THE THE POTENTIAL OF TRANSFORMING WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF EUROPE'S POLITICAL FLASH POINTS:

WE HOPE THAT IT WILL MARK A TURNING POINT IN THE TORTURED AND TRAGIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE PEOPLES -- ALBANIAN, SERB, OTHERS -- IN KOSOVO. THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE OF KOSOVO HAVE, IN OUR VIEW, SUFFERED ENORMOUSLY OVER THE YEARS, AND PARTICULARLY IN RECENT WEEKS AND MONTHS. AND THAT'S WHAT BROUGHT US HERE.

THE UNITED STATES IS CONTINUING A PARALLEL EFFORT TO NEGOTIATE A POLITICAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN BELGRADE AND THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS, WHO HAVE BEEN INSISTING ON INDEPENDENCE RATHER THAN A NEW AUTONOMY ARRANGEMENT. OFFICIALS HERE SAY THEY HOPE TO A SPEEDY CONCLUSION TO THOSE DISCUSSIONS, BEING LED BY U-S AMBASSADOR TO MACEDONIA, CHRISTOPHER HILL. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/JO
13-Oct-98 4:51 PM EDT (2051 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[19] ZEDILLO/EUROPE (L) BY GREG FLAKUS (MEXICO CITY)

INTRO: MEXICAN PRESIDENT ERNESTO ZEDILLO BEGAN AN OFFICIAL TRIP TO EUROPE (TUESDAY) TO PROMOTE TRADE AND COMMERCE AND AN INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO PREVENT FURTHER ECONOMIC TURMOIL IN EMERGING ECONOMIES. AS CORRESPONDENT GREG FLAKUS REPORTS FROM MEXICO CITY, PRESIDENT ZEDILLO'S FIRST STOP IS LONDON.

TEXT: DURING HIS THREE-DAY VISIT TO LONDON, PRESIDENT ZEDILLO WILL MEET WITH GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND MEXICO. GREAT BRITAIN IS SECOND ONLY TO THE UNITED STATES IN TERMS OF INVESTMENT IN MEXICO, AND OTHER LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES.

THE BRITISH HAVE ALSO BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF MEXICO'S DEMOCRATIC OPENING IN RECENT YEARS.

ALTHOUGH PRESIDENT ZEDILLO REPRESENTS THE REVOLUTIONARY INSTITUTIONAL PARTY, WHICH HAS HELD POWER IN MEXICO SINCE 1929, HE HAS PROMOTED MULTI-PARTY SOLUTIONS TO MEXICO'S PROBLEMS. HE HAS ALSO EMPHASIZED HIS COMMITMENT TO OPEN AND FAIR ELECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. MONDAY, PRESIDENT ZEDILLO RE-EMPHASIZED HIS COMMITMENT TO INTERNAL PARTY DEMOCRACY, SAYING HE WOULD NOT PICK HIS SUCCESSOR, AS HAVE PREVIOUS MEXICAN PRESIDENTS.

THE BRITISH HAVE ALSO INCREASED THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH MEXICO BECAUSE OF ITS ROLE IN THE NORTH-AMERICAN FREE-TRADE AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, ITS MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT AND ITS ACCORDS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION.

BRITISH GOVERNMENT SPOKESMEN SAY THE ONGOING GUERRILLA CONFLICT IN MEXICO'S SOUTHERN STATE OF CHIAPAS WILL LIKELY ALSO BE A SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION.

AFTER HIS MEETINGS IN LONDON, PRESIDENT ZEDILLO WILL TRAVEL TO PORTUGAL TO ATTEND THE EIGHTH IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT SCHEDULED FOR THE WEEKEND. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
13-Oct-98 12:06 PM EDT (1606 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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