Voice of America, 99-01-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO / MASSACRE (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PRISTINA)

[02] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (S/L) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[03] KOSOVO/OBSERVERS (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PRISTINA)

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

[05] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[06] U-N / KOSOVO KILLINGS (S & L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[07] U-S / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

[08] EUROPEAN FINANCE (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

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

[10] BRITAIN PINOCHET (L) BY CHRISTINE FURNELL (LONDON)

[01] KOSOVO / MASSACRE (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PRISTINA)

INTRO: YUGOSLAV BORDER GUARDS HAVE KEPT WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL CHIEF PROSECUTOR LOUISE ARBOUR FROM ENTERING THE COUNTRY TO INVESTIGATE THE KILLING OF 45 PEOPLE FRIDAY IN THE KOSOVO PROVINCE VILLAGE OF RACAK. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS SERB POLICE HAVE MOVED THE MASSACRE VICTIM'S BODIES TO THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL -- PRISTINA.

INTRO: A SPOKESMAN FOR INTERNATIONAL MONITORS CONFIRMS SERB POLICE TRANSPORTED THE BODIES TO A FORENSIC LAB IN PRISTINA, FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY THE MONITORS.

SERB FORCES SPENT MOST OF THE DAY FIRING MORTARS AND ARTILLERY AT ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REBELS AROUND RACAK, WHERE THE BODIES HAD BEEN KEPT IN THE VILLAGE MOSQUE SINCE THE MASSACRE.

INTERNATIONAL MONITORS BLAME SERB SPECIAL FORCES FOR THE KILLINGS. YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS ACCUSE THE MONITORS OF DISINFORMATION.

THE PRISTINA DISTRICT COURT JUDGE WHO IS INVESTIGATING THE MASSACRE HAS THREATENED TO CHARGE ANYONE WHO TRIES TO OBSTRUCT HER INVESTIGATION. INTERNATIONAL MONITORS WANT YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE TO VISIT YUGOSLAVIA TO CARRY OUT AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION. (SIGNED)
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18-Jan-99 1:39 PM EST (1839 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (S/L) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY, ROBIN COOK, HAS CONDEMNED LAST FRIDAY'S KILLING OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN A VILLAGE SOUTH OF KOSOVO'S PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA. HE TOLD THE BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS (TODAY/MONDAY) THE KILLINGS REPRESENT WHAT HE TERMED A "WAR CRIME," AND HE DEMANDED ACCESS FOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATORS. MORE FROM LONDON AND V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH.

TEXT: MR. COOK CONDEMNED THE KILLINGS OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS, SAYING THE EVIDENCE GATHERED SO FAR MAKES CLEAR THEY WERE NOT THE VICTIMS OF A MILITARY CONFLICT.

THE EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS OF INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS MAKE IT ONLY TOO CLEAR THAT THEY WERE MURDERED. IN ANY COMMON-SENSE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TERM, THIS WAS A WAR CRIME [CHEERS OF APPROVAL, FADES OUT]

THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ECHOED DEMANDS BY OTHER TOP WESTERN OFFICIALS THAT INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE WAR CRIMES PROSECUTOR LOUISE ARBOUR BE GIVEN FULL ACCESS TO THE MASSACRE SCENE TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION. // OPT // MS. ARBOUR WAS DENIED ACCESS INTO YUGOSLAVIA EARLIER MONDAY. // END OPT //

MR. COOK ALSO CALLED FOR AN EARLY MEETING, CHAIRED BY BRITAIN, OF WHAT'S CALLED THE SIX-NATION "CONTACT GROUP" ON YUGOSLAVIA, TO DISCUSS THE MASSACRE.

THEY MUST STOP UNDERMINING THE CEASE-FIRE AND BLOCKING POLITICAL DIALOGUE. NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES, IN PARTICULAR ALBANIA, MUST BE MORE RESOLUTE IN HALTING THE FLOW OF WEAPONS, WHICH FUELS THE CONFLICT.

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK ALSO URGED MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE ON THE PART OF THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, AND HE REPEATED THAT NATO WAR PLANES REMAIN ON A 96-HOUR ACTIVATION ORDER, IF NEEDED TO UNDERSCROE THE POINT. (SIGNED)
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18-Jan-99 12:29 PM EST (1729 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO/OBSERVERS (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THE HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER MISSION TO SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE HAS BEEN GIVEN 48-HOURS TO LEAVE YUGOSLAVIA. AS VOA'S LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM KOSOVO'S PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA, THE EXPULSION ORDER CAME HOURS AFTER SERB AUTHORITIES PREVENTED THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR FOR THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO ENTER KOSOVO TO INVESTIGATE A MASSACRE IN THE WESTERN VILLAGE OF RACAK.

TEXT: THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT IS EXPELLING VETERAN U-S DIPLOMAT WILLIAM WALKER WHO HEADS THE KOSOVO OBSERVER MISSION. SERB AUTHORITIES HAVE DENOUNCED MR. WALKER FOR BLAMING SERB SPECIAL FORCES FOR A MASSACRE FRIDAY IN RACAK VILLAGE. MORE THAN 40 MEN [AND CHILDREN] WERE SHOT IN THE HEAD AT CLOSE RANGE.

MR WALKER TRIED (MONDAY) TO BRING IN THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL CHIEF PROSECUTOR (LOUISE ARBOUR) TO CARRY OUT AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION, BUT SHE WAS TURNED BACK AT THE YUGOSLAV BORDER.

EARLIER IN THE DAY, SERB FORCES CONTINUED THEIR ATTACK ON ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REBEL POSITIONS AROUND RACAK.

THE MASSACRE IN RACAK AND RENEWED CLASHES BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REBELS DURING THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS ARE THREATENING THE FRAGILE CEASEFIRE MEDIATED LAST OCTOBER

THE UNARMED INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS, LED BY AMBASSADOR WALKER, HAVE BEEN MONITORING AND PROTESTING ANY BREACHES OF THE CEASEFIRE. THEY CONTINUE TO URGE RESTRAINT ON BOTH SIDES, BUT CAN DO LITTLE ELSE.

THE OBSERVERS MONITORED THE FIGHTING AROUND RACAK (MONDAY) AND FOLLOWED SERB POLICE AS THEY REMOVED THE BODIES OF THE MURDERED VILLAGERS AND TRANSPORTED THEM TO A FORENSIC LAB IN PRISTINA.

AFTER VISITING THE MASSACRE SITE SATURDAY, MR WALKER CALLED IT A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY AND A VIOLATION OF THE OCTOBER AGREEMENT. HE DEMANDED THOSE WHO ORDERED AND CARRIED OUT THE EXECUTIONS BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. THAT BROUGHT SHARP CRITICISM FROM SERB OFFICIALS WHO ACCUSED THE U- S DIPLOMAT OF OVERSTEPPING THE BOUNDS OF HIS MISSION IN YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
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18-Jan-99 3:44 PM EST (2044 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: NATO AMBASSADORS MET IN EMERGENCY SESSION SUNDAY EVENING TO CONDEMN THE MASSACRE OF ALBANIANS IN SERBIA'S PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, NATO IS SENDING ITS TOP GENERALS TO BELGRADE TO DELIVER A MESSAGE.

TEXT: NATO COMMANDER, GENERAL WESLEY CLARK AND GENERAL KLAUS NAUMAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF NATO'S MILITARY COMMITTEE, ARE FLYING TO BELGRADE TO TELL YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO LIVE UP TO HIS COMMITMENTS TO THE ALLIANCE.

NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA READS A STATEMENT FROM THE NATO AMBASSADORS ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF THE MILITARY MISSION.

TO IMPRESS UPON THE YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION AND THEIR OBLIGATION TO RESPECT ALL THEIR COMMITMENTS TO NATO AND TO REPORT BACK TO THE COUNCIL.

THE NATO COUNCIL MAKES NO SPECIFIC MILITARY THREAT AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. HOWEVER, THE STATEMENT SAYS AN EXISTING ORDER FOR AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA REMAINS IN EFFECT.

THE NATO AMBASSADORS DEMAND YUGOSLAVIA GIVE ACCESS TO WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATORS TO THE VILLAGE OF RACAK IN KOSOVO WHERE 45 PEOPLE WERE MASSACRED IN AN ATTACK BY SERBIAN FORCES.

THE PROSECUTOR OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, LOUISE ARBOUR IS IN NEIGHBORING MACEDONIA INTENDING TO VISIT KOSOVO BUT SERBIAN AUTHORITIES INDICATE SHE WILL NOT BE WELCOME.

MR. SHEA SAYS THE COUNCIL ALSO WANTS THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KILLINGS IN RACAK TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.

THE COUNCIL DEMANDS THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MASSACRE ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE KILLING AND THOSE WHO GAVE THE ORDERS MUST BE DIVULGED AND THEY MUST BE HANDED OVER TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR PROSECUTION IF REQUESTED.

THE YUGOSLAV AND SERBIAN AUTHORITIES DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL'S AUTHORITY TO DEAL WITH WAR CRIMES.

LAST OCTOBER, YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AGREED TO A CEASEFIRE IN KOSOVO MONITORED BY INTERNATIONAL VERIFIERS AS WELL AS THE WITHDRAWAL OF YUGOSLAV ARMY AND SERBIAN SECURITY UNITS. THE COUNCIL SAYS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC IS PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF HIS SECURITY FORCES IN KOSOVO AND FOR THE SAFETY OF THE VERIFIERS. TWO WERE WOUNDED ON FRIDAY, AN ACTION STRONGLY CONDEMNED BY NATO. (SIGNED)
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17-Jan-99 7:17 PM EST (0017 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] RUSSIA/KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA -- A TRADITIONAL SERBIAN ALLY -- HAS CONDEMNED THE MASSACRE OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO LAST FRIDAY. V-O-A MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV CALLED FOR TOUGH POLITICAL ACTION TO STOP WHAT HE DESCRIBED (MONDAY) AS "ACTS OF TERRORISM."

MR. IVANOV SAYS "RUSSIA RESOLUTELY CONDEMNS TERRORISM AND VIOLENCE, REGARDLESS OF WHICH SIDE IT COMES FROM."

HE IS URGING YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATORS TO LOOK INTO THE MASSACRE, WHICH HAS BEEN BLAMED ON SERB SECURITY FORCES.

AT THE SAME TIME, MR. IVANOV CRITICIZES WESTERN COUNTRIES FOR FAILING TO SUPPORT PREVIOUS RUSSIAN PROPOSALS CONDEMNING ACTS OF TERRORISM IN YUGOSLAVIA.

RUSSIA HAS TRADITIONALLY SUPPORTED THE SERB POSITION, AND FAULTED [BLAMED] THE UNITED STATES FOR BLOCKING EFFORTS AT THE UNITED NATIONS THAT WOULD ALLOW YUGOSLAV FORCES TO TAKE TOUGHER MEASURES AGAINST ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS. (SIGNED)
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18-Jan-99 1:50 PM EST (1850 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] U-N / KOSOVO KILLINGS (S & L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (MONDAY) CONDEMNED THE WEEKEND MASSACRE OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE AND DENOUNCED THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT FOR ITS RESPONSE TO THE KILLINGS. V-O-A'S UNITED NATIONS CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

TEXT: AFTER ABOUT TWO HOURS OF EMERGENCY CONSULTATIONS, THE COUNCIL ISSUED A STATEMENT STRONGLY CONDEMNING THE MASSACRE IN SOUTHERN KOSOVO. COUNCIL PRESIDENT CELSO NUNEZ AMORIM OF BRAZIL READ A STATEMENT CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND FULL INVESTIGATION INTO THE KILLINGS.

THE COUNCIL ALSO DENOUNCED THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT FOR ITS DECISION AFTER THE MASSACRE TO EXPEL THE HEAD OF THE THREE-MONTH-OLD KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION, WILLIAM WALKER.

YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS DENY INVOLVEMENT IN THE MASSACRE. THEY SAY ETHNIC ALBANIANS STAGED THE KILLINGS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS.

THE COUNCIL REMINDED THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT OF ITS OBLIGATION TO ABIDE BY SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS BUT DID NOT THREATEN MILITARY ACTION OR ANY OTHER SPECIFIC RESPONSE TO THE KILLINGS.

PAST EFFORTS BY SOME STATES TO HAVE THE SECURITY COUNCIL ENDORSE NATO STRIKES OR OTHER MILITARY INTERVENTION IN KOSOVO HAVE FAILED. RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE BEEN THE STRONGEST OPPONENTS OF SUCH MEASURES. DIPLOMATS SAY CHINA AND RUSSIA DID NOT WANT TO ESTABLISH A PRECEDENCE FOR INTERVENTION IN A COUNTRY'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS. THEY SAY IT IS TOO EARLY TO DETERMINE IF THOSE COUNTRIES WILL CHANGE THEIR POLICIES FOLLOWING THE LATEST DETERIORATION OF SECURITY CONDITIONS IN KOSOVO.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TALKS ON KOSOVO OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. DIPLOMATS SAY THE TALKS MONDAY - A HOLIDAY AT THE UNITED NATIONS - WERE DESIGNED TO SHOW THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT THAT THE SECURITY COUNCIL WILL RESPOND WITH INCREASINGLY SERIOUS MEASURES IF THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO DOES NOT STOP. (SIGNED)
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18-Jan-99 5:10 PM EST (2210 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS CONDEMNING YUGOSLAVIA'S DECISION TO EXPEL THE U-S DIPLOMATIC HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER MISSION IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: A SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL WHO DOES NOT WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED CALLS THE DECISION TO EXPEL AMBASSADOR WILLIAM WALKER AN 'OUTRAGE', AND SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS CONSULTING WITH ITS ALLIES TO DECIDE ON AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE.

AMBASSADOR WALKER - WHO HAD BEEN SERVING AS THE HEAD OF THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE - HAD BLAMED YUGOSLAV SECURITY FORCES FOR THE MASSACRE OF 45 ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN RECAK IN SOUTHWESTERN KOSOVO FRIDAY.

YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS HAVE BARRED THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF THE HAGUE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FROM ENTERING KOSOVO TO INVESTIGATE - ANOTHER MOVE CONDEMNED BY THE UNITED STATES.

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART NOTES THAT NATO IS SENDING TWO TOP OFFICIALS - SUPREME COMMANDER GENERAL WESLEY CLARK AND GENERAL KLAUS NAUMANN - TO BELGRADE TO DELIVER AN URGENT APPEALTO PRESIDENT SLOBODON MILOSEVIC.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS UNITED IN SENDING A STRONG MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC BOTH CONDEMNING THIS ATROCITY, DEMANDING ACCESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO GO IN AND BRING TO JUSTICE THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, AND DEMANDING FURTHER THAT MR. MILOSEVIC COME INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE AGREEMENTS HE MADE WITH THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL.

GENERAL CLARK AND GENERAL NAUMANN WERE TO HAVE LEFT FOR BELGRADE MONDAY, BUT THEIR TRIP HAS BEEN DELAYED BECAUSE MR. MILOSEVIC HAS YET TO AGREE TO MEET WITH THEM. (SIGNED)
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18-Jan-99 5:28 PM EST (2228 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] EUROPEAN FINANCE (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: FINANCE MINISTERS OF THE 15-MEMBER EUROPEAN UNION ARE HOLDING THEIR FIRST MEETING UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF GERMANY -- THE PRESIDING NATION OF THE E-U THROUGH THIS JUNE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM E-U HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS THAT THE ISSUE OF CORRUPTION WITHIN THE EUROPEAN EXECUTIVE BODY IS STILL A CONCERN.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT CHARGES THE EXECUTIVE, KNOWN AS THE "EUROPEAN COMMISSION," HAS NOT PROPERLY DEALT WITH CORRUPTION AND NEPOTISM. THE COMMISSION NARROWLY SURVIVED A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON THE ISSUE LAST WEEK IN THE PARLIAMENT.

THE COMMISSION HAD TO AGREE TO AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF ITS FINANCES. EUROPEAN UNION FINANCE MINISTERS MEETING HERE IN BRUSSELS ARE CONCERNED THE CHARGES MAY DIVERT THE COMMISSION AT A TIME WHEN SENSITIVE NEGOTIATIONS ARE TAKING PLACE ON THE UNION'S FUTURE BUDGET.

BRITAIN'S CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER [FINANCE MINISTER], GORDON BROWN, TELLS THE MINISTERS A PERSON NEEDS TO BE APPOINTED TO BRING THESE CORRUPTION CHARGES TO A CLOSE.

THE WAY FORWARD, WE BELIEVE, IS FOR THE COUNCIL HERE TO ESTABLISH A HEAD OF FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS WHO IS INDEPENDENT AND WHO HAS STATUTORY PROTECTION FROM DISMISSAL. HE OR SHE SHOULD HAVE WIDE RANGING POWERS TO LAUNCH INVESTIGATIONS, AN AUTOMATIC RIGHT OF ACCESS TO COMMISSION PAPERS AND DOCUMENTS, THE RIGHT TO CROSS-EXAMINE OFFICIALS AND THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAKING PUBLIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SPEEDY AND EFFECTIVE ACTION ONCE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER TELLS THE MINISTERS THROUGH AN INTERPRETER THAT HE WILL COOPERATE WITH A NEW ANTI-FRAUD INVESTIGATION.

THE COMMISSION IS PREPARED TO EXAMINE ALL POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES, PROVIDED WE ENSURE THAT IS EFFECTIVE AND THAT WHATEVER DECISION IS TAKEN REMOVES ANY SUSPICION OF LACK OF INDEPENDENCE IN THESE INVESTIGATIONS. // SUB OPT // MR. PRESIDENT, YOU WILL SEE THEREFORE THAT THE COMMISSION'S PRIORITIES DOVETAIL VERY CLOSELY WITH THOSE OF THE PRESIDENCY. // END OPTS //

THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL, GERMANY'S FINANCE MINISTER OSKAR LAFONTAINE, WANTS THESE CORRUPTION CHARGES CLEARED AWAY BY MARCH. THAT IS GERMANY'S DEADLINE FOR COMPLETING NEGOTIATIONS ON THE EUROPEAN UNION'S BUDGET. MR. LAFONTAINE SAYS GERMANY'S TOP PRIORITY WILL BE REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT. EIGHTEEN MILLION EUROPEANS ARE UNEMPLOYED, AND GERMANY WANTS THE E-U TO FOCUS ON JOBS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED. (SIGNED)
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18-Jan-99 9:18 AM EST (1418 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: TODAY IS THE NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN WHICH THE UNITED STATES HONORS THE MEMORY OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS LEADER MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REFLECTIONS IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS ON MARTIN LUTHER KING'S LIFE, AND THE STATE OF RACE RELATIONS TODAY.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: THE MASSACRE IN KOSOVO; DEALING WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN; THE JONATHAN POLLARD CONTROVERSY; AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN THE SENATE. NOW, HERE IS _________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR WAS ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE OF A GENERATION BLACK RELIGIOUS AND CIVIL LEADERS WHO IN THE LATE FIFTIES AND SIXTIES WORKED TO HELP AFRICAN-AMERICANS OVERCOME THE INEQUALITY THEY FACED. HE LED DEMONSTRATIONS IN MANY CITIES THAT OFTEN RESULTED IN HIS ARREST, ALONG WITH THE ARRESTS OF THOUSANDS OF HIS FELLOW PROTESTERS. THE PROTESTS EVENTUALLY LED TO DRAMATIC CHANGES BOTH IN CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS. THE DAY OF HIS BIRTH HAS BECOME A NATIONAL HOLIDAY, AND MANY PAPERS LIKE "THE NEW YORK TIMES," ARE TAKING NOTE OF HIS CONTRIBUTION.

VOICE: FOR MANY YOUNG AMERICANS, THE HEROIC LIFE AND TRAGIC DEATH OF THE REVEREND DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR ARE HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS FROM THE TURBULENT 1960'S, DISTANT CHAPTERS IN THE MULTI-VOLUME HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENT. IN THE DECADES SINCE THEN, THE RANKS OF THOSE WITH VIVID MEMORIES OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS STRUGGLE DR. KING WAGED IN THE SOUTH AND UP NORTH HAVE THINNED. YET NEITHER OF THESE CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD NUDGE AMERICANS TOWARD ALLOWING EACH YEAR'S OBSERVANCE OF HIS BIRTHDAY TO MORPH [CHANGE] INTO ANOTHER THREE-DAY GET-AWAY WEEKEND.

TEXT: IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SAYS "MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY IS A TIME TO FULFILL [A] PROMISE."

VOICE: THE SIN OF RACISM STILL KEEPS US FROM [THE] PROMISE [OF A RACIALLY FAIR SOCIETY] SO FIGHTING RACISM HAS TO REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS STRUGGLE. ... THE PROMISE IS ALL AROUND US. LIKE DR. KING, WE HAVE TO ACT AS WELL AS TALK IN ORDER TO FULFILL IT.

TEXT: STILL ON THE SUBJECT OF RACIAL INEQUALITY, "THE HARTFORD [CONNECTICUT] COURANT" TALKS ABOUT A RECENT LAW SUIT BROUGHT BY BLACK FARMERS AGAINST THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. IT RESULTED IN A 400-MILLION-DOLLAR PAYMENT TO MORE THAN ONE-THOUSAND AFRICAN AMERICAN FARMERS WHO ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY OF RACISM. SAYS "THE COURANT" :

VOICE: UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT, THE U-S-D-A DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE WRONGDOING, ALTHOUGH AGRICULTURE SECRETARY DAN GLICKMAN ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HIS AGENCY WAS PROBABLY CULPABLE. IN FACT, THE DEPARTMENT'S DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES WERE SO WIDELY KNOWN THAT EVEN EMPLOYEES REFERRED TO THE AGENCY AS THE 'LAST PLANTATION.' ... JUSTICE IS NOT ALWAYS EASILY ADMINISTERED. SOMETIMES, IT REQUIRES A LONG BATTLE.

TEXT: SPEAKING OF JUSTICE, AND INJUSTICE, "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS OUTRAGED BY THE MASSACRE BY SERB FORCES OF A GROUP OF UNARMED CIVILIAN ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE.

VOICE: FOR NEARLY A YEAR SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS BEEN WAGING WAR AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO. THROUGHOUT THAT TIME THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN INSISTING THAT IT WOULD NOT STAND FOR THE SORT OF ATROCITIES FOR WHICH MR. MILOSEVIC ULTIMATELY WAS RESPONSIBLE IN BOSNIA EARLIER IN THIS DECADE. THE BRUTAL MASSACRE LATE LAST WEEK BY SERB FORCES OF 45 OR MORE CIVILIANS SHOWS JUST HOW MUCH THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROMISES HAVE BEEN WORTH. /// OPT

TEXT: IN ANOTHER MIDDLE EAST RELATED ISSUE, THE FUTURE OF CONVICTED U-S SPY JONATHAN POLLARD WHO SOLD VITAL SECRET INFORMATION TO ISRAEL AND OTHER NATIONS IS COMMENTED UPON BY "USA TODAY," THE NATIONAL DAILY PUBLISHED IN THE VIRGINIA SUBURBS. THE PAPER JOINS A GROWING LIST OF MAJOR DAILIES OPPOSING ANY CLEMENCY.

VOICE: IN THE CASE OF ... JONATHAN POLLARD, NOW UNDER REVIEW BY PRESIDENT CLINTON THE DAMAGE WAS IN THE BIG LEAGUES, COMPARABLE TO THAT ATTAINED BY TOP SPIES FOR THE KGB. WHILE [MR.] POLLARD SPIED FOR AN AMERICAN ALLY, ISRAEL, SOME OF HIS INFORMATION ENDED UP IN SOVIET HANDS. ... THESE BASICS EXPLAIN WHY THE FORMER NAVAL INTELLIGENCE ANALYST REMAINS IN JAIL ELEVEN YEARS INTO HIS LIFE SENTENCE ... AND WHY POLLARD'S PROSPECTS FOR CLEMENCY ARE, AND SHOULD REMAIN, VERY DIM.

TEXT: TURNING TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" SAYS OF THE CASE AGAINST THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE:

VOICE: IF IT SEEMED LIKE THE HOUSE MANAGERS ... WERE BELABORING THE OBVIOUS ON THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, IT IS NO COINCIDENCE. THEY WERE. ... THIS EXERCISE IN REPETITION WAS MADE NECESSARY BY PRESIDENT CLINTON, WHOSE MINIONS CONTINUE TO CLAIM THAT LYING UNDER OATH AND CONSPIRING TO GET OTHERS TO LIE IS SOMEHOW NO BIG DEAL. TO UNDERSTAND THE DAMAGE THAT MR. CLINTON HAS DONE TO THE RULE OF LAW ONE NEED ONLY LOOK TO THE FACT THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS NOW HAVE TO ARGUE AT LENGTH IN AN EFFORT TO PROVE THAT PERJURY IS ... INDEED A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

TEXT: WITH THAT WE COME TO THE END OF THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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18-Jan-99 11:22 AM EST (1622 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] BRITAIN PINOCHET (L) BY CHRISTINE FURNELL (LONDON)

INTRO: THE CASE FOR THE EXTRADITION TO SPAIN OF FORMER CHILEAN LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET IS ONCE AGAIN BEFORE BRITAIN'S HOUSE OF LORDS. GENERAL PINOCHET SAYS HE IS IMMUNE FROM PROSECUTION BY AUTHORITIES IN MADRID, WHO WANT TO CHARGE HIM WITH GENOCIDE AND OTHER CRIMES COMMITTED IN CHILE. AN EARLIER LORDS' DECISION AGAINST THE GENERAL WAS OVERTURNED (AFTER ONE JUDGE WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST), AND THE CASE IS NOW BEING RE-TRIED. V-O-A'S CHRISTINE FURNELL REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: EARLY PROCEEDINGS WERE TAKEN UP WITH STATEMENTS MONDAY BY PROSECUTING LAWYER ALUN JONES. HE OUTLINED DETAILS OF THE ARREST WARRANT AND REITERATED THE ARGUMENT THAT NO ONE CAN CLAIM JUSTIFICATION FOR GENOCIDE AND TORTURE ON ANY GROUNDS.

THE NEW PANEL OF SEVEN LAW LORDS HEARING THE CASE WAS CAREFULLY SELECTED, FOLLOWING LAST NOVEMBER'S RULING GRANTING GENERAL PINOCHET'S EXTRADITION TO SPAIN ON CHARGES OF GENOCIDE. THAT RULING WAS OVERTURNED WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED ONE OF THE TRIBUNAL JUDGES HAD LINKS WITH AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL. THE HUMAN-RIGHTS GROUP HAS BEEN A KEY PLAYER IN THE LONG CAMPAIGN AGAINST MR. PINOCHET.

MR. PINOCHET IS CHARGED WITH CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY COMMITTED DURING HIS 17-YEAR RULE. AN OFFICIAL CHILEAN REPORT SAYS MORE THAN THREE-THOUSAND PEOPLE WERE MURDERED OR DISAPPEARED AT THE HANDS OF HIS SECRET POLICE.

LEGAL ARGUMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE MUCH THE SAME IN THIS REHEARING AS IN NOVEMBER, EXCEPT NOW, THE CHILEAN GOVERNMENT WILL BE REPRESENTED BEFORE THE PANEL OF BRITISH LORDS. CHILE SAYS THE ATTEMPT TO TRY MR. PINOCHET IN A FOREIGN COURT VIOLATES ITS SOVEREIGNTY.

MR. PINOCHET IS NOT ATTENDING THE HEARING IN PERSON. HOWEVER, SPANISH MAGISTRATE BALTISAR GARZON -- WHO ORDERED HIS EXTRADITION UNDER AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT WITH BRITAIN -- IS ATTENDING AS AN OBSERVER AND TO ADVISE THE TRIBUNAL, THOUGH HE WILL NOT ADDRESS THE COURT DIRECTLY.

PROCEEDINGS ARE EXPECTED TO LAST SEVERAL DAYS. (SIGNED)
NEB/CEF/PCF/WTW
18-Jan-99 2:09 PM EST (1909 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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