Voice of America, 98-12-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] U-N/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (UNITED NATIONS)

[02] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

[03] TURKEY/KURDS/REACTION BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (DIYARBAKIR)

[04] HUMAN RIGHTS ANNIVERSARY (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[05] ALBRIGHT / NATO (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[06] NATO / FOREIGN MINISTERS (L-ONITER) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

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

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

[01] U-N/KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: AT THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (MONDAY), SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN RELEASED A REPORT EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS, THE PLIGHT OF KOSOVO'S INTERNALLY-DISPLACED PEOPLE FIGURED PROMINENTLY IN THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S DOCUMENT..

TEXT: IN HIS REPORT, MR. ANNAN SAYS THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN KOSOVO CONTINUES TO BE CHARACTERIZED BY ABDUCTION AND ARBITRARY DETENTION OF PEOPLE.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ALSO NOTES THAT THE RETURN OF INTERNALLY-DISPLACED PERSONS HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERBIAN POLICE AND YUGOSLAV MILITARY FORCES AT THE END OF OCTOBER. BUT HE WRITES THAT THE PROCESS IS FRAGILE AND MANY REFUGEES WHO HAVE RETURNED ARE NOT CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO BEGIN REBUILDING THEIR HOMES AND COMMUNITIES.

U-N SPOKESPERSON FRED ECKHART SAYS THE REPORT REFLECTS MR. ANNAN'S CONCERN ABOUT THE WILLINGNESS OF REUGEES AND INTERNALLY-DISPLACED PEOPLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

ABOUT 175-THOUSAND PEOPLE REMAIN DISPLACED IN KOSOVO AND ALBANIA HOSTS ANOTHER 24 THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO. HE SAID EARLY DEPLOYMENT OF THE O-S-C-E (THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE) KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION WILL BE A CRITICAL FACTOR IN BUILDING THE CONFIDENCE FOR THE RETURN OF THOSE WHO FLED THEIR HOMES. HE ALSO SAID THAT HE HOPED THE VERIFICATION MISSION WILL HAVE TAKEN OVER THE REPORTING RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, OTHER THAN ON HUMANITARIAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS BY THE TIME ANOTHER REPORT IS DUE.

MR. ANNAN IS CONCERNED THAT AFTER THE END OF MAJOR HOSTILITIES IN KOSOVO, THE ADVANCE TOWARD A POLITICAL SOLUTION REMAINS SLOW. THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S REPORT LATER THIS WEEK. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BJS/LSF/WFR
07-Dec-98 3:34 PM EST (2034 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: BOSNIAN-SERB GENERAL, RADISLAV KRSTIC, PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO GENOCIDE CHARGES (MONDAY) AT THE THE SPECIAL U-N YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. THE HIGHEST-RANKING BOSNIAN SERB TO BE ARRESTED IS CHARGED WITH COMMANDING THE EXECUTION OF THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS AFTER THE FALL OF THE SO-CALLED "SAFE HAVEN" OF SREBRENICA THREE-YEARS AGO. FROM THE HAGUE, REPORTER LAUREN COMITEAU HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE 50-YEAR-OLD GENERAL LISTENED CAREFULLY FOR OVER AN HOUR AS THE CHARGES WERE READ. THEN, BEFORE A PACKED COURTROOM, HE EMPHATICALLY SAID HE WAS NOT GUILTY OF DIRECTING THE EXECUTION OF THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS AFTER SERBS TOOK OVER SREBRENICA.

THE GENERAL ALSO PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES OF EXTERMINATION, MURDER, AND PERSECUTION.

PROSECUTORS SAY GENERAL KRSTIC WAS PRESENT AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIMES WHEN MEN WERE SEPARATED FROM WOMEN AND CHILDREN, LOADED ON TO BUSES, TAKEN TO EXECUTION SITES, AND BURIED IN MASS GRAVES. THEY SAY IT WAS HIS TROOPS THAT CARRIED OUT THE SLAUGHTER, AND THE GENERAL WAS EVEN PROMOTED DURING THE MASSACRE.

GENERAL KRSTIC WAS ARRESTED BY NATO TROOPS LAST WEEK. HE TOLD JUDGES HE WAS EXHAUSTED AFTER THAT ORDEAL, BUT HE WAS DOING AS WELL AS CAN BE EXPECTED, UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE GENERAL SAID HE WAS BEING TREATED WELL IN PRISON, BUT THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO HEAT FOR THE PAST THREE DAYS. HE SAID THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TAKE CARE OF HIS LEG, WHICH WAS AMPUTATED AFTER A WAR INJURY. JUDGES SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT. HIS LAWYER ALSO ASKED THAT THE COURT ADDRESS THE GENERAL BY HIS RANK.

GENERAL KRSTIC -- WHO ACTED UNDER THE COMMAND OF FORMER BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND HIS MILITARY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC -- WILL NOW STAND TRIAL FOR GENOCIDE. NO DATE FOR THE TRIAL HAS BEEN SET, BUT PROSECUTORS SAY THEY EXPECT TO CALL BETWEEN 50 AND 70 WITNESSES.

GENERAL KRSTIC'S LAWYER, CITING THE GENERAL'S POOR HEALTH AND THE PROSECUTION'S LACK OF EVIDENCE, SAID HE WILL SOON ASK FOR HIS CLIENT'S RELEASE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/PCF/RAE
07-Dec-98 9:31 AM EST (1431 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] TURKEY/KURDS/REACTION BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (DIYARBAKIR)

INTRO: THE ARRIVAL IN ITALY LAST MONTH OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN MARKS A NEW PHASE IN HIS 14-YEAR-LONG SEPARATIST CAMPAIGN AGAINST TURKEY. HE SAYS HE IS NOW PREPARED TO LAY DOWN HIS ARMS AND PURSUE HIS FIGHT THROUGH PEACEFUL MEANS. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM THE MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCE OF DIYARBAKIR, FOR SOME KURDS THE LEADER OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY -- OR P-K-K -- IS A HERO. BUT FOR MANY OTHERS HE IS NO MORE THAN A BLOODTHIRSTY MURDERER.

TEXT: IN THE NARROW WINDING STREETS OF DIYARBAKIR'S "BAGLAR" NEIGHBORHOOD, SCORES OF RAGGED LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS BEG FOR MONEY AND FOOD. THEY ARE THE CHILDREN OF KURDISH FARMERS FORCED OUT OF THEIR VILLAGES BY THE TURKISH SECURITY FORCES AFTER REFUSING TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST REBELS OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY. //OPT// HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY AROUND THREE-THOUSAND VILLAGES HAVE BEEN FORCIBLY EVACUATED IN THE SOUTHEAST REGION SINCE THE P-K-K LAUNCHED ITS ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR SELF RULE IN 1984. //END OPT// ONE 85-YEAR-OLD FARMER WHO REFUSED TO GIVE HIS NAME SAYS HIS VILLAGE WAS DESTROYED THREE YEARS AGO BY THE SECURITY FORCES AND THAT HE AND MANY VILLAGERS WERE FORCED TO FLEE LEAVING BEHIND THEIR CROPS AND CATTLE.

THIS OLD FARMER MAKES NO SECRET OF HIS ADMIRATION FOR ABDULLAH OCALAN, WHOM HE REFERS TO BY HIS NICKNAME "APO." LIKE MANY DISPLACED KURDS, HE BELIEVES THAT THE P-K-K LEADER HAS FORCED THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ETHNIC IDENTITY OF THE COUNTRY'S ESTIMATED 12-MILLION KURDS.

BUT OPPONENTS ARE QUICK TO POINT OUT THAT THE KURDS HAVE PAID A HEAVY PRICE FOR SUCH RECOGNITION. FOR EXAMPLE, THE P-K-K HAS KILLED SCORES OF SCHOOL TEACHERS IN THE REGION, SAYING THEY WERE "GOVERNMENT AGENTS" SEEKING TO ASSIMILATE THE KURDS. //OPT// FEARING FOR THEIR LIVES, FEW TEACHERS ARE WILLING TO COME HERE NOW. HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS REMAIN SHUT AND THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN REMAIN UNEDUCATED. //END OPT// WORSE, THE P-K-K CONTINUES TO MURDER KURDS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO SIDE WITH THE TURKISH STATE. DURMUS GEZER IS A KURDISH SHOPKEEPER WHOSE 20-YEAR-OLD SON BULENT DIED THREE YEARS AGO IN A P-K-K AMBUSH. MR GEZER'S SON WAS A VOLUNTEER IN THE TURKISH MILITARY.

MR. GEZER SAYS IF HE HAD "A THOUSAND MORE SONS" HE WOULD SEND EACH AND EVERYONE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE P-K-K AS WELL. MR. GEZER DESCRIBES THE REBELS AS "ENEMIES OF THE KURDS" WHO ARE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE ENEMIES OF TURKEY TO SPLIT THE COUNTRY UP.

LIKE MANY KURDS WHO LOST SONS IN THE INSURGENCY, HE SAYS HE IS NOT TREATED DIFFERENTLY HERE BECAUSE OF HIS ETHNIC BACKGROUND. MANY KURDISH POLITICIANS HERE AGREE THAT THE P-K-K'S OFTEN BRUTAL METHODS HAVE REINFORCED THE TURKISH AUTHORITIES' ARGUMENT THAT "THERE IS NO KURDISH PROBLEM," BUT MERELY A "TERRORIST PROBLEM."

SERAFETTIN ELCI IS THE LEADER OF THE PRO-KURDISH "DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE MASSES."

MR. ELCI SAYS THE P-K-K LEADER'S ARRIVAL IN ITALY LAST MONTH OFFERS A UNIQUE CHANCE FOR NON-VIOLENT KURDISH GROUPS TO JOIN FORCES AND SEEK WHAT HE CALLS A "DEMOCRATIC SOLUTION" TO THE KURDISH PROBLEM.

HIKMET SAMI TURK IS THE TURKISH MINISTER OF STATE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AFFAIRS. HE SAYS KURDS CAN NOW PUBLISH AND BROADCAST IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE -- AS LONG AS THIS IS DONE THROUGH NON- GOVERNMENTAL CHANNELS. AND LIKE MOST TURKISH OFFICIALS, HE INSISTS THAT IF THE KURDS ARE OFFICIALLY GRANTED CULTURAL AUTONOMY THEN SOME WILL -- IN HIS WORDS -- SEEK POLITICAL AUTONOMY AND FINALLY INDEPENDENCE. AND THAT, MR. TURK ARGUES, IS WHAT THE P-K-K WANTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF
07-Dec-98 9:18 AM EST (1418 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] HUMAN RIGHTS ANNIVERSARY (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES OPENED FOUR DAYS OF CEREMONIES IN PARIS MONDAY TO MARK THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, ONE OF THE FOUNDING DOCUMENTS OF THE UNITED NATIONS. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE COMMEMORATION OF THE ADOPTION OF THE DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IS BEING HELD IN PARIS BECAUSE THE AUTHOR OF THE TEXT WAS RENE CASSIN, A FRENCH LAWYER, WHOSE WORK WAS HONORED WITH THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE EXACTLY 30 YEARS AGO.

CASSIN HAD BEEN A MEMBER OF THE LONDON STAFF OF GENERAL CHARLES DE GAULLE, THE FREE FRENCH LEADER, WHILE FRANCE WAS UNDER NAZI OCCUPATION DURING WORLD WAR TWO.

OPENING THE COMMEMORATION AT THE PARIS HEADQUARTERS OF UNESCO -- THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION -- FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC MADE A PLEA FOR NEW MOVES TO GUARANTEE HUMAN RIGHTS. HIS AUDIENCE INCLUDED THE AMERICAN SECRETARY OF STATE MADELINE ALBRIGHT AND THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL, KOFI ANNAN.

MR. CHIRAC SAID THE HUMAN RIGHTS DECLARATION HAS BECOME THE BASIS FOR WHAT HE CALLED "THE NEW WORLD JURIDICAL ORDER." HE SAID THE WORLD COMMUNITY SHOULD NOW TRY AND SAFEGUARD RIGHTS, NOT JUST BY CONDEMNATION OF VIOLATIONS, BUT BY DIALOGUE AND UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFERENT CULTURES.

THE FRENCH PRESIDENT SAID THE STRUGGLE TO IMPROVE RIGHTS IS ALSO ECONOMIC, BECAUSE, HE SAID, DEMOCRACY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GO HAND IN HAND.

MR. CHIRAC PROPOSED WHAT HE CALLED "A GLOBALIZATION AGENDA" SETTING DOWN ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND PENAL GUIDELINES TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN THE YEAR 2000.

THE FRENCH LEADER ADDED THAT THE COMBAT WAS NOT JUST AN EXTERNAL ONE FOR FRANCE. INSIDE HIS OWN COUNTRY AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL SOCIETIES, HE SAID, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO REDUCE POVERTY AND RESTORE LAW AND ORDER TO SOME OF THE MOST UNDERPRIVILEGED URBAN AREAS TO ENSURE CITIZENS' RIGHTS.

LATER IN THE WEEK, PRESIDENT CHIRAC IS TO HOST A LUNCHEON AT THE ELYSEE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE AT WHICH A NUMBER OF NOBEL PEACE PRIZE-WINNERS, INCLUDING THE TIBETAN RELIGIOUS LEADER, THE DALAI LAMA, ARE SCHEDULED TO ATTEND.

THE FOUR DAYS OF COMMEMORATION WILL ALSO INCLUDE CONFERENCES ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND A FINAL CEREMONY THURSDAY TO MARK THE EXACT ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE DECLARATION BY THE UNITED NATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/PCF
07-Dec-98 12:57 PM EST (1757 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] ALBRIGHT / NATO (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT MEETS WITH OTHER NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS IN BRUSSELS TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, FOR TALKS EXPECTED TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE OF THE MILITARY ALLIANCE. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: WITH JUST FOUR MONTHS TO GO BEFORE NATO CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY, OFFICIALS ARE DEBATING A NEW STRATEGY TO TAKE THE ALLIANCE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS NATO'S MAIN MISSION WILL ALWAYS REMAIN THE DEFENSE AGAINST AGGRESSION. BUT IN AN ARTICLE IN THE FINANCIAL TIMES OF LONDON (MONDAY) SHE SAYS NATO STRATEGY MUST NOW TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FACT THAT ALLIANCE TERRITORY AND ALLIANCE INTERESTS CAN BE AFFECTED BY A RANGE OF RISKS FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY SAYS MS. ALBRIGHT WILL USE HER TALKS IN BRUSSELS TO URGE HER NATO COLLEAGUES TO ADOPT A COMMON UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEW THREATS, INCLUDING THE THREAT FROM THE PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS.

ON THE QUESTION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION -- WE ARE ENCOURAGING THE ALLIANCE TO WORK ON A COMMON UNDERSTANDING OF THE THREAT FROM WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. WE MUST IMPROVE OVERALL ALLIANCE EFFORTS BOTH TO STEM PROLIFERATION AND TO DETER, PREVENT AND PROTECT AGAINST SUCH ATTACKS.

THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION IS PLANNING TO PROPOSE THE CREATION OF A NEW NATO CENTER THAT WILL SHARE INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION AND PRODUCE A MORE UNIFIED ASSESSMENT OF THREATS FROM SPECIFIC NATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS. OTHER PROPOSALS ARE SAID TO CALL FOR GREATER COLLABORATION ON THINGS LIKE VACCINES, RESEARCH AND EQUIPMENT, TO HELP LESSEN THE COST FOR INDIVIDUAL NATIONS.

THE LAST TIME NATO REVISED ITS POLITICAL AND MILITARY MISSION WAS IN 1991 -- BEFORE THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION. NOW OFFICIALS SAY, QUESTIONS OF STRATEGIC BALANCE AND NUMBERS OF TANKS, PLANES AND MISSILES, ARE NO LONGER AS IMPORTANT AS THEY ONCE WERE. THE EMPHASIS HAS SHIFTED TO QUESTIONS LIKE TERRORISM AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN PLACES LIKE BOSNIA.

DURING HER TWO DAY VISIT TO BRUSSELS, MS. ALBRIGHT WILL ALSO BE HOLDING DISCUSSIONS WITH NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA AND MEETING WITH A HOST OF OTHER OFFICIALS ON THE SIDELINES OF THE TALKS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/WDC/PT
07-Dec-98 5:29 PM EST (2229 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] NATO / FOREIGN MINISTERS (L-ONITER) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS OPEN A DISCUSSION TODAY (TUESDAY) ON WHAT THE ALLIANCE'S MISSION SHOULD BE IN THE NEXT CENTURY. THE DISCUSSION WILL END NEXT APRIL, AT NATO'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY SUMMIT MEETING IN WASHINGTON. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, THE ROLE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS IS BEING DEBATED IN THAT MISSION STATEMENT.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES WANTS NATO TO PUT INTO THEORY WHAT IT ALREADY PRACTICES. THAT IS, ACTING OUTSIDE NATO'S BORDERS, SUCH AS IT ALREADY DOES IN BOSNIA, KOSOVO AND MACEDONIA. THAT IS, TAKING AN INTEREST IN ITS PARTNERSHIP-FOR-PEACE COUNTRIES, WHICH STRETCH AS FAR EAST AS KAZAKHSTAN. THE UNITED STATES ALSO WANTS NATO'S STRATEGIC CONCEPT TO INCLUDE NEW THREATS SUCH AS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT IS ALSO BRINGING SOMETHING NEW TO THE WINTER MEETING. GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER WILL PROPOSE THAT NATO'S STRATEGIC CONCEPT INCLUDE A PLEDGE NEVER TO BE THE FIRST TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER ACKNOWLEDGES SUCH A PROPOSAL IS NOT LIKELY TO FIND CONSENSUS IN THE 16-NATION ALLIANCE. THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN AND FRANCE -- NATO'S NUCLEAR POWERS -- HAVE NO INTENTION OF CHANGING A DOCTRINE REAFFIRMED ONLY LAST YEAR, BEFORE THE MADRID SUMMIT MEETING.

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS HIS COUNTRY WILL SUPPORT THE AMERICAN PROPOSAL TO IAVE NATO COMBAT THE SPREAD OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. HE DISMISSES THE GERMAN PROPOSAL.

WE CERTAINLY ARE VIGOROUSLY AGAINST THE PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. IT IS A CENTRAL PART OF OUR FOREIGN POLICY AND IT IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WE HAVE BEEN SO ROBUST AND VIGOROUS OVER THE CONFRONTATION WITH IRAQ. ON THE QUESTION OF NO-FIRST-USE, THIS GOVERNMENT SHARES THE AGREED POSITION WITHIN NATO, OF WHICH WE ARE A FULL MEMBER.

FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK WILL BE BRIEFING HIS NATO COLLEAGUES ON BRITAIN'S AGREEMENT WITH FRANCE LAST WEEK TO BUILD A SEPARATE IDENTITY FOR EUROPEAN NATIONS TO ACT WHEN THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE.

MR. COOK SAYS EUROPEAN FORCES WILL BE USED FOR HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS.

WE ARE NOT TALKING HERE ABOUT TERRITORIAL DEFENSE. WE ARE QUITE CLEAR THAT TERRITORIAL DEFENSE IS A MATTER FOR NATO WHICH HAS PROVEN ITS WORTH, AND IT IS AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF DEFENSE AND IS THE BASIS OF A VERY IMPORTANT STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS. BUT THERE MAY BE OCCASIONS WHERE WE MAY WANT TO TAKE PART IN A PEACE-KEEPING OPERATION OR A CRISIS-MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION WHERE THE AMERICANS ARE NOT THEMSELVES TAKING PART. FOR INSTANCE THERE IS THE EXTRACTION FORCE IN MACEDONIA THAT WE ARE DEPLOYING IN SUPPORT OF THE VERIFICATION MISSION, WHICH IS AN ALL-EUROPEAN CONTINGENT.

NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA HAS REJECTED SERBIAN THREATS AGAINST MACEDONIA, AND SAYS NATO WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY RENEWAL OF WARFARE BY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY IN KOSOVO. THAT WARNING IS EXPECTED TO BE AMPLIFIED BY THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/WTW
07-Dec-98 4:25 PM EST (2125 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) IN A CONTINUED REBOUND FROM LAST WEEK'S SELL-OFF. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT NINE THOUSAND 70, UP 54 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 87, UP 11 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY STOCKS CONTINUED A REBOUND WHICH BEGAN FRIDAY WHEN BARGAIN HUNTERS CAME INTO THE MARKET AFTER SOME BIG SELL-OFFS EARLIER LAST WEEK.

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE ANTI-MONOPOLY LAWSUIT AGAINST THE MICROSOFT COMPUTER SOFTWARE COMPANY. THE SUIT, FILED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND 20 STATES, CLAIMS MICROSOFT IS ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE NETSCAPE COMPANY OUT OF THE INTERNET BROWSER MARKET. HOWEVER, SOUTH CAROLINA OFFICIALS SAY THAT THE PENDING ACQUISITION OF THE NETSCAPE COMPANY BY AMERICA ONLINE PROVES THERE IS PLENTY OF COMPETITION IN THAT MARKET. MICROSOFT STOCK SOARED TO A RECORD HIGH ON THE NEWS.

THE SCOTTISH POWER COMPANY OF BRITAIN HAS AGREED TO PAY ALMOST EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS FOR PACIFICORP, AN ELECTRIC UTILITY COMPANY SERVING THE WESTERN UNITED STATES. HOWEVER, ANALYSTS SAY SCOTTISH POWER WILL HAVE TO BECOME A U-S REGULATED UTILITY IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH U-S LAW WHICH PROHIBITS FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AMERICAN UTILITIES.

TWO MORE AMERICAN COMPANIES ARE CUTTING JOBS IN AN EFFORT TO LOWER COSTS. THE LEAR CORPORATION, A LARGE AUTO PARTS FIRM, WILL ELIMINATE ALMOST THREE THOUSAND JOBS IN ITS NORTH AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN PLANTS. AND LIZ CLAIBORNE, THE CLOTHING DESIGNER AND RETAILER, WILL CLOSE 30 STORES AND CUT 400 JOBS.

THE STOCK OF THE FEDERAL EXPRESS PACKAGE DELIVERY COMPANY IS THE LATEST TO BENEFIT FROM THE INTERNET CRAZE ON WALL STREET. FEDERAL EXPRESS STOCK ROSE 10 PERCENT AFTER A NEWSPAPER ("BARRON'S") ARTICLE SAID THE COMPANY WOULD BENEFIT BY INCREASED CONSUMER SHOPPING ON THE INTERNET.

THE COMPTROLLER OF NEW YORK CITY HAS JOINED WITH LAWYERS FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS AND THEIR HEIRS IN URGING DELAY OF THE PROPOSED MERGER OF DEUTSCHE BANK AND BANKERS TRUST. ALAN HEVESI SAYS U-S REGULATORS SHOULD NOT APPROVE THAT DEAL UNTIL A COMPLETE INVESTIGATION OF DEUTSCHE BANK'S WORLD WAR TWO ACTIVITIES IS COMPLETED.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
07-Dec-98 5:20 PM EST (2220 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: LOOKING THOUGH THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF SOME U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS MONDAY, WE FIND COMMENTS ON SEVERAL TOPICS, INCLUDING THE CHANGING FACE OF NATO; DEALING WITH THE WORLD'S ECONOMIC ILLS; THE U-S RESPONSE TO GENERAL PINOCHET'S DETAINMENT; AN IMPORTANT ARREST IN BOSNIA; PUNISHMENT FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE ABUSES; AND REFLECTIONS ON PEARL HARBOR, 57-YEARS LATER. NOW, HERE IS ___________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THIS IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FAMED SURPRISE ATTACK BY THE JAPANESE FORCES ON THE U-S MILITARY BASE AT PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, AND SEVERAL PAPERS CARRY EDITORIALS COMMENTING ON THE ANNIVERSARY. AT THE TOP OF THE "THE NEW YORK TIMES" EDITORIAL COLUMN, IS A REVIEW OF HOW THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ALLIANCE IS CHANGING, WHICH INCLUDES THESE THOUGHTS:

VOICE: THOUGH NATO HAS PLAYED A USEFUL ROLE IN SUPPRESSING VIOLENCE IN THE BALKANS IN RECENT YEARS, IT REMAINS A MILITARY ALLIANCE WITHOUT A CLEAR PURPOSE IN THE WAKE OF THE COLD WAR. WASHINGTON'S ANSWER TO THIS IDENTITY CRISIS HAS BEEN MISCHIEVOUS. FIRST IT PUSHED THROUGH THE ADMISSION OF THREE NEW MEMBERS FROM CENTRAL EUROPE WITHOUT ADEQUATELY WEIGHING POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES. NOW IT IS PRESSING IDEAS THAT COULD ULTIMATELY LEAD TO TRANSFORMING THE ALLIANCE INTO A GLOBAL STRIKE FORCE AGAINST THREATS TO AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN INTERESTS. SUCH A ROLE WOULD GO FAR BEYOND ANY SENSIBLE MANDATE.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" COMMENTS ON SOME CRITICISM OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND THE U-S TREASURY BY THE WORLD BANK IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON GLOBAL ECONOMIC PROSPECTS. THE PAPER POINTS OUT THAT AS COUNTRY AFTER COUNTRY, BEGINNING IN THAILAND, FELL INTO RECESSION, IT BECAME CLEAR THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE DEMANDED A VERY FINE-TUNED SET OF RESCUE EFFORTS, AS WORLD BANK CHIEF ECONOMIST JOSEPH STIGLITZ IS SUGGESTING.

VOICE: IT IS WORTH NOTING FIRST WHAT THE [WORLD] BANK AND [CHIEF ECONOMIST] STIGLITZ DO NOT DO: [IN THEIR REPORT] THEY DO NOT QUESTION THE VALUE OF GLOBALIZATION. ON THE CONTRARY, THEY URGE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES NOT TO 'RETREAT.' OPENNESS TO TRADE AND FOREIGN INVESTMENT ENCOURAGES LONG-TERM GROWTH, THEY SAY. THE DIFFERENCES HERE ARE MORE OF TACTICS THAN STRATEGY. BUT THE WORLD BANK DOES QUESTION 'THE EUPHORIA THAT HAD EMERGED ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF FINANCIAL LIBERALIZATION, PRIVATE CAPITAL FLOWS, AND EMERGING MARKETS.' SINCE THE BANK IMPLICITLY CRITICIZES THE I-M-F, IT IS ONLY FAIR TO INTERJECT HERE THAT THE BANK WAS AS GUILTY AS ANYONE OF STOKING THAT EUPHORIA, WITH ITS TRUMPETING OF THE ASIAN MIRACLE AND ITS PLAYING DOWN OF CORRUPTION. ... [THE U-S] TREASURY AND THE I-M-F ERRED, THE BANK SUGGESTS, BY IMPOSING HIGH INTEREST RATES WHEN THE CRISIS BROKE. THE IDEA WAS TO DEFEND LOCAL CURRENCIES, BUT THE EFFECT WAS TO BANKRUPT BANKS AND COMPANIES THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE SURVIVED. ... AS IMPORTANT AS THIS DEBATE IS FOR FUTURE ACTIONS, EVEN MORE URGENT NOW IS THE PLIGHT OF THE SUFFERING ECONOMIES, AND THE QUESTION OF HOW TO HELP THEM.

TEXT: THE RELEASE OF PREVIOUSLY CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS FROM U-S ARCHIVES REGARDING THE RULE OF FORMER CHILEAN LEADER, GENERAL AUGUSTO PINOCHET, IS BEING PRAISED BY "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES." THE GENERAL IS BEING DETAINED IN ENGLAND, AS SPAIN TRIES TO EXTRADITE AND TRY HIM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CRIMES DURING HIS 17-YEAR-LONG RULE.

VOICE: IT MAY HAVE BEEN AN AGONIZING DECISION, BUT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION DID RIGHT BY AGREEING TO DECLASSIFY AND RELEASE SECRET U-S FILES THAT COULD HELP SPANISH JUDGE BALTAZAR GARZON DOCUMENT HIS CASE AGAINST FORMER CHILEAN DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET. ... U-S FILES UNDOUBTEDLY HOLD INFORMATION ON [MR.] PINOCHET'S PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT IN CHILE'S MILITARY REIGN OF TERROR, WHICH SWEPT UP THE INNOCENT ALONG WITH THE INVOLVED. /// OPT