Voice of America, 99-01-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO VIOLENCE (S) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

[02] KOSOVO / PRISONERS (L-O) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (LIKOVAC, KOSOVO)

[03] NATO/ SOLANA (L-ONLY) BY SABINA CASTELFRANCO (ROME)

[04] ROMANIA ECONOMY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

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

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

[07] KOSOVO/CYBER MONK BY LAURIE KASSMAN (DECANI, KOSOVO)

[01] KOSOVO VIOLENCE (S) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THERE'S BEEN MORE VIOLENCE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. INTERNATIONAL MONITORS SAY THEY HAVE DISCOVERED THE BODIES OF FIVE ETHNIC ALBANIANS SHOT DEAD OVERNIGHT. DICOVERY OF THE KILLINGS COMES AS DIPLOMATS TRY TO BRING ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND RULING SERBS TOGETHER. VOA'S GIL BUTLER IS IN THE KOSOVO PROVINCIAL CAPITAL OF PRISTINA AND HAS MORE.

TEXT: ANOTHER GRISLY KILLING -- THIS ONE IN THE VILLAGE OF RAKOVINA -- WEST OF PRISTINA. FIVE PEOPLE WERE FOUND SHOT TO DEATH ON A TRACTOR AND TRAILER. THEIR BODIES WERE RECOVERED AT MID-AFTERNOON (MONDAY).

ACCORDING TO ALBANIAN SOURCES, THE VICTIMS WERE TWO MEN, TWO CHILDREN AND A WOMAN -- ALL FROM TWO LOCAL FAMILIES. SO FAR, NO BLAME HAS BEEN ASSESSED FOR THIS WORST KILLING SINCE 45 PEOPLE WERE SLAIN IN RACAK, 10 DAYS AGO.

THE U-S SPECIAL ENVOY ON KOSOVO -- AMBASSADOR CHRIS HILL -- MET WITH ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM ROGOVA AND LATER WARNED THAT TIME FOR A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IS RUNNING OUT. (SIGNED)
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25-Jan-99 1:09 PM EST (1809 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO / PRISONERS (L-O) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (LIKOVAC, KOSOVO)

INTRO: A SENIOR U-S NEGOTIATOR IS CALLING ON BOTH WARRING FACTIONS IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE TO MOVE TO THE PEACE TABLE. MEANWHILE, A 16-YEAR-OLD ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REBEL NURSE, JUST RETURNED TO HER FAMILY IN A PRISONER EXCHANGE, HAS VOWED TO FIGHT ON AGAINST THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT -- THIS TIME AS A FOOT SOLDIER. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM THE LIKOVAC HEADQUARTERS OF THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY (THE KLA).

TEXT: U-S PEACE MEDIATOR FOR KOSOVO, CHRISTOPHER HILL, CALLED FOR BOTH SIDES TO GIVE UP THEIR FIGHT AND TALK PEACE. BUT AFTER MEETING WITH ETHNIC-ALBANIAN LEADERS, MR. HILL WARNED THAT TIME FOR A PEACE DEAL IS RUNNING OUT IN KOSOVO.

LATER HE MET WITH INTERNATIONAL PEACE MONITORS WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO STOP NEW OUTBREAKS OF FIGHTING IN THE TROUBLED PROVINCE.

BUT IN THE COUNTRYSIDE THERE IS LITTLE INDICATION SERB SECURITY FORCES OR THE ETHNIC-ALBANIAN KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY ARE PREPARED TO GIVE UP THE GUNS.

IN THE CENTRAL K-L-A HEADQUARTERS TOWN OF LIKOVAC, A YOUNG FEMALE REBEL FIGHTER TOLD A TALE OF SURVIVING A FOILED ARMS SMUGGLING ATTEMPT FROM ALBANIA INTO YUGOSLAVIA. MERITA RAMADANI, AGE 16, SAID SHE HAD SURVIVED A DECEMBER FIREFIGHT THAT KILLED MORE THAN 30 K-L-A MEMBERS. SHE WAS IMPRISONED IN THE SERBIAN CITY OF NIS. SHE VOWED TO FIGHT ON AGAINST SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES AFTER CLAIMING SHE WAS MISTREATED BY HER CAPTORS IN PRISON.

MS. RAMADANI WAS ONE OF NINE K-L-A MEMBERS SERBIAN AUTHORITIES EXCHANGED FOR EIGHT YUGOSLAV ARMY SOLDIERS, DURING THE WEEKEND.

SHE CLAIMED YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES HAD CONDEMNED HER FOR HER WORK AS A NURSE FOR THE SEPARATIST ARMY AND THREATENED HER WITH 25-YEARS IN PRISON BEFORE HER RELEASE.

THEY CONDEMNED ME. WHY? I HAVE WORKED IN A HOSPITAL FOR K-L-A SOLDIERS? WHY? I WEAR THE UNIFORM OF K-L-A AND WHY I TRY TO CROSS THE BORDER IN THAT WAY THAT I TRIED?

THE YOUNG K-L-A MEMBER VOWED TO GIVE UP HER WORK AS A NURSE AND BECOME A FOOT SOLDIER. SHE SAID HER FATHER, WHO SAT NEXT TO HER, APPROVED OF HER DECISION. SHE ALSO SAID SHE EXPECTED TWO OF HER BROTHERS LIVING IN EUROPE TO RETURN AND FIGHT WITH THE K-L-A AS WELL. (SIGNED)
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25-Jan-99 12:28 PM EST (1728 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] NATO/ SOLANA (L-ONLY) BY SABINA CASTELFRANCO (ROME)

INTRO: NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA SAYS FURTHER DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS WILL BE MADE IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO. BUT AS SABINA CASTELFRANCO REPORTS FROM ROME, MR. SOLANA IS STILL WARNING THE ALLIANCE IS PREPARED TO USE FORCE TO BRING AN END TO HOSTILITIES.

TEXT: NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA SAYS KOSOVO IS NOT ONLY AN IMMEDIATE CRISIS BUT ALSO AN ILLUSTRATION OF TODAY'S SECURITY CHALLENGES. MR. SOLANA WAS ADDRESSING PARTICIPANTS AT A ONE-DAY CONFERENCE IN ROME (TODAY/MONDAY), CALLED "A NEW NATO FOR A NEW EUROPE". HE MADE CLEAR THAT THE CURRENT STATE OF CONSTANT VIOLENCE AND POLITICAL OPPRESSION IN THE REGION CAN NOT CONTINUE.

NATO MUST BE READY, READY TO ACT, IF THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO BRING ABOUT A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THIS CRISIS.

MR. SOLANA SAYS THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE'S OBJECTIVES ARE TO PREVENT A HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE, TO PROTECT CIVILIAN RIGHTS AND TO HELP ACHIEVE A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN THE REGION. IN ORDER TO DO THIS, HE ADDS, NATO'S AIR AND NAVAL OPERATIONS IN THE BALKANS DEPEND ON THE USE OF ITALIAN BASES AND FACILITIES.

IF FORCE MUST BE USED TOMORROW TO BRING ABOUT A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO, ITALY'S SUPPORT WILL BE A CRUCIAL FACTOR.

MR. SOLANA SAYS ITALY HAS BECOME A KEY MEMBER OF THE ALLIANCE. HE ADDS THAT EFFORTS TO STABILIZE THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE ROME GOVERNMENT'S SOLIDARITY, POLITICAL GUIDANCE AND ACTIVE CONTRIBUTION. (SIGNED)
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25-Jan-99 3:03 PM EST (2003 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] ROMANIA ECONOMY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE IMPLICATIONS OF FRIDAY'S DECISION BY THE ROMANIAN GOVERNMENT TO ACQUIESCE TO PAY DEMANDS OF STRIKING COAL MINERS ARE BEGINNING TO BE FELT. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IS POSTPONING PLANNED TALKS ON A NEW LOAN FOR ROMANIA.

TEXT: THE SURPRISE DECISION TO GIVE IN TO THE DEMANDS OF MILITANT COAL MINERS COMPLICATES THE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORT TO REDUCE ITS LARGE BUDGET DEFICIT. THE I-M-F INSISTS THAT TO FORESTALL A POSSIBLE COLLAPSE OF THE CURRENCY THE BUDGET DEFICIT NEEDS TO BE REDUCED TO NO MORE THAN TWO PERCENT OF ECONOMIC OUTPUT. THE CENTRIST COALITION GOVERNMENT HAS STILL NOT PASSED ITS 1999 BUDGET AND SAYS THERE IS NO POINT OF HAVING THE I-M-F MISSION VISIT BUCHAREST UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, PROBABLY IN MID-FEBRUARY. THE I-M-F TEAM WAS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE THIS WEEK.

KAREN ZIETLOW, A ROMANIA SPECIALIST AT PLANECON CONSULTANCY IN WASHINGTON, SAYS THE ROMANIAN COAL SECTOR IS A VALUE SUBTRACTING INDUSTRY. THAT MEANS THE COST OF PRODUCING ROMANIAN COAL IS GREATER THAN THE PRICE IT IS SOLD FOR.

MOST OF THE MINES NEED TO BE CLOSED. THE ONES THAT WILL REMAIN IN OPERATION NEED TO STREAMLINE THEIR PROCEDURES SO THAT COSTS ARE LESS, MOST DEFINITELY.

MS. ZIETLOW SAYS WHILE THE COST OF MAINTAINING PRODUCTION SUBSIDIES CAN PROBABLY BE MET SHORT-TERM, THE WAGE AGREEMENT SENDS THE WRONG SIGNAL TO THE RESTIVE TEACHER AND RAILROAD UNIONS WHOSE WORKERS EARN ONLY HALF AS MUCH AS THE MINERS. MS. ZIETLOW SAYS SINCE MINING IS DANGEROUS AND UNHEALTHY, HIGHER WAGES MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED IF LABOR PRODUCTIVITY IS ABOVE THE NATIONAL NORM.

IT IS NOT COMPLETELY OUT OF PLACE THAT THEY WOULD WANT HIGHER WAGES. BUT WE SHOULD EXPECT THAT HIGHER WAGES WOULD GO HAND IN HAND WITH HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY, WHICH WE HAVE NOT SEEN IN THE COAL MINING SECTOR AS YET.

SIGNIFICANTLY, ONLY TWO OF THE OVER 140 MINES THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO CLOSE THIS YEAR ARE IN THE JIU VALLEY WHERE THE PROTESTING MINERS WORK. ANALYSTS SAY THE GOVERNMENT'S RESOLVE TO HOLD THE LINE AGAINST INFLATIONARY WAGE AGREEMENTS WAS WEAKENED BOTH BY THE MINERS TRADITIONAL PRIVILEGED POSITION AND THE SUPPORT THEY GOT FROM INDUSTRIAL WORKERS SIMILARLY THREATENED BY LAYOFFS. (SIGNED)
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25-Jan-99 3:26 PM EST (2026 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) IN A MODEST REBOUND FROM LAST WEEK'S LOSSES. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 92 HUNDRED THREE, UP 82 POINTS, ALMOST ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 33, UP EIGHT POINTS.

STOCKS TRADED UP MOST OF THE DAY. BUT ANALYSTS SAY SOME CAUTION REMAINS WITH CONTINUED WORRIES ABOUT THE BRAZILIAN ECONOMIC CRISIS AND SPECULATION THAT CHINA MAY DEVALUE ITS CURRENCY.

SALES OF EXISTING HOMES IN THE UNITED STATES REACHED A RECORD FOUR-POINT-EIGHT MILLION LAST YEAR.

WE HAVE A DEMOGRAPHIC EFFECT WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE TRADING UP TO BIGGER HOMES. WE ALSO HAVE IMMIGRANTS AND MINORITIES BOOSTING THE FIRST TIME BUYER MARKET. WE HAVE HIGH CONSUMER CONFIDENCE, LOW UNEMPLOYMENT AND VERY GOOD AFFORDABILITY CONDITIONS.

THE U-S SUPREME COURT HAS OVERTURNED A LOWER COURT RULING WHICH RESTRICTED COMPETITION IN THE 100 BILLION DOLLAR MARKET FOR LOCAL TELEPHONE SERVICE. THE DECISION MEANS LONG DISTANCE CARRIERS WILL NOW BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO LOCAL TELEPHONE NETWORKS IN THE UNITED STATES.

TECHNOLOGY STOCKS WERE STRONG MONDAY, LED BY MICROSOFT WHICH ANNOUNCED A TWO-FOR-ONE STOCK SPLIT. THAT CAME JUST FIVE DAYS AFTER THE SOFTWARE COMPANY REPORTED BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED QUARTERLY EARNINGS.

ANALYSTS ARE SPECULATING THAT I-B-M, THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPUTER COMPANY, WILL DECLARE A TWO-FOR-ONE STOCK SPLIT AFTER ITS BOARD MEETING ON TUESDAY. I-B-M DECLINED COMMENT.

THE EARNINGS REPORTING SEASON CONTINUED WITH A-T AND T, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS GIANT, REPORTING QUARTERLY PROFITS OF ALMOST TWO BILLION DOLLARS, IN-LINE WITH WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS.

CITIGROUP SAID ITS PROFITS DROPPED BY MORE THAN 50 PERCENT BECAUSE OF A ONE-TIME CHARGE RELATED TO THE MERGER OF THE CITICORP BANK AND THE TRAVELERS GROUP INSURANCE AND INVESTMENT FIRM.

PROCTER AND GAMBLE, THE HUGE CONSUMER PRODUCTS COMPANY, SAYS ITS PROFITS ROSE BY NINE PERCENT AS HIGHER PRICES OFFSET SLOWER VOLUME GROWTH.

UNION CARBIDE, THE U-S-BASED CHEMICAL COMPANY, REPORTED A 55 PERCENT PROFIT DECLINE BECAUSE OF WEAKNESS IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.(SIGNED)
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25-Jan-99 4:51 PM EST (2151 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: ONCE AGAIN, THE CLINTON IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN THE SENATE IS THE MOST POPULAR TOPIC AMONG MAJOR U-S DAILIES THIS MONDAY. OTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDE: DEALING WITH RUSSIA'S DISCONTENTED NUCLEAR SCIENTISTS; THE MURDER CONVICTION OF A PRESIDENT'S BROTHER IN MEXICO; AND THE CONTROVERSY OVER COMMUTING THE LIFE SENTENCE OF SPY JONATHAN POLLARD.

TEXT: THE DEBATE CONTINUES OVER WHETHER THE SENATE SHOULD END THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF PRESIDENT CLINTON NOW THAT ARGUMENTS FROM BOTH SIDES HAVE BEEN HEARD, OR ALLOW WITNESSES TO TESTIFY AND SO LENGTHEN THE PROCEEDING. "THE [MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA] STAR TRIBUNE" SAYS "END THE TRIAL NOW."

VOICE: TWO THINGS ARE CLEAR SO FAR. FIRST, HOUSE PROSECUTORS HAVE NOT ADVANCED THE CASE FOR REMOVING [MR.] CLINTON FROM OFFICE. SECOND, A FIGHT OVER WITNESSES WOULD MOVE THE SENATE DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE PARTISAN WRANGLING THAT DEBASED THE HOUSE VOTE LAST MONTH. BARRING SOME LAST-MINUTE BOMBSHELL OR COMPROMISE, SENATORS SHOULD VOTE TODAY TO END THIS PROCEEDING.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON [D-C] TIMES" HOWEVER, SAYS "THE TRIAL MUST GO ON."

VOICE: PERHAPS, AS THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ASSURED ONE AND ALL, IT IS ALL OVER. PERHAPS EVEN DIVINE REVELATION WOULD BE INSUFFICIENT TO CONVINCE SENATE DEMOCRATS OF THEIR MAN'S GUILT. EVEN SO, THE SENATE CAN GET TO THE TRUTH AND HAS AN OBLIGATION TO DO SO. THE OBSTINATE REFUSAL OF THE MINORITY TO LIVE UP TO THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES IS N O REASON FOR THE MAJORITY TO ABANDON THEIRS.

TEXT: BOSTON'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" PLEADS FOR A RETURN TO THE BI-PARTISAN FEELING WHICH IT BELIEVES HAS BEEN LOST SIGHT OF.

VOICE: VOTES ON MOTIONS TO DISMISS THE CASE AND CALLING WITNESSES SEEM LIKELY TO FALL LARGELY ALONG PARTISAN LINES. SINCE NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHICH REPUBLICANS AND WHICH DEMOCRATS MIGHT BREAK RANKS, THE OUTCOME OF EITHER VOTE IS DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, TO PREDICT. ... SENATE REPUBLICANS WANT TO ENSURE HOUSE MANAGERS A FULL HEARING; DEMOCRATS RUN INTERFERENCE FOR [PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF] THE WHITE HOUSE TEAM. ... IT IS TIME FOR ANOTHER BIPARTISAN MEETING IN THE OLD SENATE CHAMBER.

TEXT: FOR ITS PART, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" SAYS " ... THE SENATE OUGHT TO VOTE TO END THE TRIAL -- TO BE FOLLOWED BY DRAFTING AND PASSING A STINGING CENSURE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON ... WHILE "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" MOCKS THE ENTIRE SENATE PROCESS IN THIS EDITORIAL COMMENT.

VOICE: THE PROCEEDINGS THAT HAVE SO FAR TAKEN PLACE IN THE SENATE HAVE BEEN THEATRICAL AND SOMETIMES ILLUMINATING, BUT HAVE HAD ONLY A PASSING RESEMBLANCE TO A TRIAL. WHEN ... HAS ANYONE HELD A TRIAL WITH RULES THAT OUTLAW WITNESSES? ... SUMMARY JUDGMENT AGAINST THE PRESIDENT, HOWEVER, IS FAR FROM WHAT ANYONE HAS IN MIND. INSTEAD, WE GET SENATOR ROBERT BYRD'S UNCHARACTERISTICALLY SLIMY MOTION TO END THE PROCEEDINGS WITHOUT EVER TAKING A STAND ON THE MERITS. ... THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF A PRESIDENT HAPPENING TO FALL FOR [BECOME INFATUATED WITH] A 21-YEAR-OLD TEMPTRESS, BUT [EDITORS: UNWRITTTEN BUT UNDERSTOOD HERE "THE CASE OF A PRESIDENT WITH"] AN INGRAINED HABIT OF LYING. ... HIS ENTIRE PRESIDENCY HAS BEEN BENT TO OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE ...

TEXT: TURNING TO OTHER TOPICS, "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL THREAT OF UNHAPPY AND UNPAID RUSSIAN NUCLEAR SCIENTISTS HELPING TERRORIST NATIONS BUILD WEAPONS.

VOICE: CONGRESS SHOULD GO ALONG WITH PRESIDENT ... CLINTON'S REQUEST FOR MORE FUNDING TO KEEP RUSSIAN NUCLEAR KNOW-HOW AND MATERIALS FROM FALLING INTO THE WRONG HANDS. ... PRECISELY BECAUSE THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY IS SUCH A WASTELAND, IT'S PRUDENT FOR THE UNITED STATES TO BOOST SPENDING TO DISMANTLE RUSSIAN MISSILES, SECURE FISSIONABLE MATERIAL AND EMPLOY NUCLEAR SCIENTISTS WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE PEDDLE THEIR EXPERTISE TO IRAN OR NORTH KOREA.

TEXT: TURNING TO EVENTS IN NORTH AMERICA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" IS PRAISING THE MEXICAN GOVENRMENT FOR ITS COURAGE IN CONVICTING RAUL SALINAS DE GOTARI, BROTHER OF THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT, OF MURDER AND SENTENCING HIM TO 50 YEARS IN JAIL. SAYS THE PAPER:

VOICE: ... THIS DENOUEMENT SIGNALS A STUNNING BREAK WITH TRADITION; NO LONGER CAN MEXICO'S RICH AND POLITICALLY CONNECTED RELY ON THE BEST IMPUNITY THAT MONEY CAN BUY. ... PRESIDENT ZEDILLO, TO HIS CREDIT, HAS BROKEN WITH THE PARTY TRADITION OF PROTECTING POLITICAL SACRED COWS [INDIVIDUALS IMMUNE FROM CRITICISM]. THAT RAISES HOPE THAT MEXICO'S FAMOUSLY CORRUPT JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS A CHANCE OF CLEANING HOUSE. ... IN THE PROCESS, HOWEVER, EXPECT MORE WORMS TO CRAWL OUT [MORE REVELATIONS OF WRONG-DOING].

TEXT: IN ASIA, ATTENTION HAS FOCUSED ON MOB VIOLENCE IN INDONESIA, WHERE THE ECONOMY IS FALTERING. "THE BOSTON GLOBE" IS CONCERNED FOR THE ETHNIC CHINESE VICTIMS IN INDONESIA.

VOICE: ... THE UNITED STATES AND THE REST OF THE WORLD'S DEMOCRACIES CONTRADICT THEIR OWN VALUES WHEN THEY OVERLOOK THE PERSECUTION OF INDONESIA'S CHINESE MINORITY. ... BECAUSE A TINY ELITE OF CHINESE BUSINESSMEN AND FINANCIERS BENEFITED FROM [FORMER PRESIDENT] SUHARTO'S FAVORS UNDER THE DICTATOR'S SYSTEM OF CRONY CAPITALISM, THE REST OF INDONESIA'S CHINESE CITIZENS ARE ALL TOO EASILY SCAPEGOATED AS CORRUPT CAPITALISTS BY PROVOCATEURS OF ALL STRIPES. TO MAKE THINGS WORSE, THE CHINESE ARE OFTEN PERSECUTED FOR BEING CHRISTIAN IN A PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIM SOCIETY. ... WHEN PRESSING JAKARTA FOR FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY AND DEMOCRATIC REFORM, WASHINGTON SHOULD BE EQUALLY VEHEMENT ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTAL DEMOCRATIC VALUE OF RESPECT FOR MINORITIES.

TEXT: BACK AT HOME, TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" IS EXPRESSING ITSELF ON THE JONATHAN POLLARD CONTROVERSY.

VOICE: JONATHAN POLLARD IS THE FORMER NAVAL INTELLIGENCE ANALYST CONVICTED IN 1987 OF SPYING FOR ISRAEL AND SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT. HE IS BACK IN THE PUBLIC EYE BECAUSE ISRAEL AGAIN HAS ASKED PRESIDENT CLINTON TO LET HIM OUT ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE SENTENCE WAS TOO SEVERE. WE ALWAYS HAVE THOUGHT OF JONATHAN POLLARD, AND STILL DO, AS A CONTEMPTIBLE AND DUPLICITOUS MERCENARY WHOSE MISDEEDS WERE RECKLESS AND THREATENING TO AMERICAN SECURITY ... THE UNCOMFORTABLE FACT REMAINS THAT HE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO TEST IN COURT THE OFFICIAL ASSERTIONS THAT PUT HIM AWAY. NOR DO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE TODAY TRYING TO JUDGE THE FAIRNESS ... OF THE SENTENCE HAVE ACCESS TO THE MATERIALS REQUISITE TO AN INFORMED JUDGMENT. .... ESPECIALLY WITH THE PASSAGE OF TIME, CANNOT A WAY BE FOUND TO PIERCE SOME OF THE SECRECY AND PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH A BETTER MEANS OF JUDGING WHETHER FAIRNESS WAS ACHIEVED IN THIS CASE?

TEXT: LASTLY, WE DEAL WITH THE ISSUE OF SAFETY OVERSEAS FOR AMERICANS WHO ARE WORKING IN EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES. SAYS "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE, CONGRESS SHOULD HEED THE RECENT REPORT OF AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION THAT SAYS SECURITY IS LAX AT TOO MANY OVERSEAS FACILITIES.

VOICE: THE UNITED STATES OWES ITS PUBLIC SERVANTS PROTECTION AGAINST THE NATION'S ENEMIES. THE COMMISSION INVESTIGATING THE AUGUST SEVENTH BOMBINGS OF U-S EMBASSIES IN KENYA AND TANZANIA REPORTED A PERSISTENT FAILURE TO MEET THAT OBLIGATION. ... CONGRESS HAS REPEATEDLY CUT THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET ALONG WITH FOREIGN AID AND FOREIGN POLICY SPENDING. LOSS OF INFLUENCE ABROAD IS ONE RESULT. VULNERABILITY IS ANOTHER. IT IS TIME TO REVERSE COURSE.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM MONDAY'S U-S DAILY PAPERS.
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25-Jan-99 11:48 AM EST (1648 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO/CYBER MONK BY LAURIE KASSMAN (DECANI, KOSOVO)

INTRO: THE DEADLY CONFLICT IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO HAS ALSO INVADED AN OASIS OF TRANQUILITY AT THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MONASTERY, TUCKED AWAY IN THE SNOWY HILLS ABOVE THE KOSOVAR TOWN OF DECANI IN WESTERN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN VISITED THE MONASTERY TO TALK WITH FATHER SAVA THERE. HE HAS BECOME KNOWN AS KOSOVO'S CYBERSPACE MONK FOR HIS INTERNET NEWS LINK ABOUT THE CRISIS.

TEXT: AS YOU ENTER THE COURTYARD OF THE STONE-WALLED MONASTERY, THE HORRORS OF KOSOVO'S CONFLICT FADE. TRANQUIL HOURS OF PRIVATE PRAYER AND REFLECTION DOMINATE LIFE HERE, MUCH AS THEY HAVE SINCE THE MONASTERY WAS BUILT SOME SIX CENTURIES AGO.

BUT THE SILENCE OF THAT CLOISTERED EXISTENCE NOW IS BROKEN BY THE REGULAR TAP, TAP, TAP OF A COMPUTER KEYBOARD. IT IS FATHER SAVA'S LINK TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

I HAVE CONTACT WITH MANY PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING AREA, BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF MESSAGES GO IN ENGLISH. IT'S USUALLY JOURNALISTS FROM MANY NEWS AGENCIES AND ESPECIALLY JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE VISITED THE MONASTERY. I KEEP REGULAR CONTACT AND HELP THEM TO OBTAIN FRESH INFORMATION FROM THE GROUND HERE. IT'S ALSO DIPLOMATS, EVEN A FEW AMBASSADORS IN BELGRADE WHO ARE ON THE MAILING LIST IN BELGRADE. AND LOTS OF ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED, HISTORIANS AND OTHER PEOPLE AND OTHERS I DON'T EVEN KNOW

OUR BISHOP VERY OFTEN SAYS WE WISH THAT WE DON'T DO WHAT WE DO NOW. WE COULD DEVOTE OURSELVES COMPLETELY TO SPIRITUAL LIFE, BUT WE DON'T THINK THAT IT IS (GOOD) SPIRITUAL ADVICE TO NORMAL CHRISTIANS TO BE INDIFFERENT TO A SITUATION WHERE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING, WHERE THOUSANDS ARE BEING KILLED, WHERE THERE IS A DANGER OF WAR. WE SIMPLY CANNOT BEHAVE AS IF WE LIVE ON THE MOON AND NOT HERE.

FATHER SAVA SAYS HE ALSO TRIES TO EXPLAIN THE HISTORY OF KOSOVO'S CONFLICT AND TO REMIND HIS READERS THAT MANY PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE BLAMED FOR THE MISTAKES OF A FEW.

SERBS ARE NOT ONLY THE POLICE AND THE ARMY, BUT PEOPLE WHO LIVED HERE FOR CENTURIES. AND ON THE OTHER HAND, WE ALSO TRY TO SHOW THE SIGNS OF GOODWILL, THAT AMONG THE SERB PEOPLE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS.

IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT THAT KOSOVO SERBS TAKE PART IN THE NEGOTIATIONS AND BECOME AN IMPORTANT FACTOR OF PEACE HERE BECAUSE IT IS THEY WHO WILL LIVE HERE WITH THE ALBANIANS AND NOT MR. (PRESIDENT SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC OR ANYONE FROM BELGRADE.

BUT THE CHURCH'S CALLS FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGES IN SERBIA HAVE MADE IT A VERBAL TARGET OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. SERBIA'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER NOW ACCUSES THE CHURCH OF BEING PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT, AN ACCUSATION THE CHURCH FIRMLY DENIES.

FATHER SAVA'S MONASTERY ALSO WORKS AT BRIDGING THE GAP OF TRUST BETWEEN SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS THROUGH HUMANITARIAN AID FOR VICTIMS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FIGHTING.

FOR YEARS THERE IS A CERTAIN WALL (BARRIER) BETWEEN SERBS AND ALBANIANS BUT WHEN FIGHTING STARTED, WE MADE A FIRST BREAKTHROUGH WITH HUMANITARIAN HELP, NOT ONLY TO SERBS BUT ALSO FOR ALBANIANS. AND SO WE MADE A LOT OF GOOD FRIENDS.

CHURCH LEADERS ARE ALSO IN CONTACT WITH MODERATE ETHNIC ALBANIAN POLITICIANS IN KOSOVO AND RESPECTED MUSLIM FIGURES TO URGE AN END TO THE VIOLENCE SO PEACE TALKS CAN RESUME.

FATHER SAVA STRESSES THE NEED FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGES IN YUGOSLAVIA TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH KOSOVO'S SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS CAN LIVE TOGETHER PEACEFULLY.

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