Voice of America, 99-02-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] PENTAGON KOSOVO TROOPS - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[02] THE NEXT STEP ON KOSOVO BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[03] YOUNG SERBS / KOSOVO BY GIL BUTLER (BELGRADE)

[04] YUGO / PARIS NEGOTIATIONS (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (BELGRADE)

[05] RUSSIA / TURKEY (S-ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (MOSCOW)

[06] E-U-SOUTH AFRICA (L ONLY) (BRUSSELS)

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

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

[01] PENTAGON KOSOVO TROOPS - L BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE TOP U-S MILITARY OFFICER SAYS UP TO FOUR THOUSAND AMERICAN TROOPS MAY PARTICIPATE IN A KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR SEVERAL YEARS. IT IS THE FIRST TIME TOP DEFENSE OFFICIALS HAVE PUBLICLY REVEALED DETAILS OF THE POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, SOME KEY SENATORS BACK THE DEPLOYMENT, BUT OTHERS SAY THEY HAVE DEEP RESERVATIONS.

TEXT: GENERAL HUGH SHELTON SAYS HE "HAS NO DOUBT" AMERICAN TROOPS WILL BE ASKED TO JOIN A PEACEKEEPING FORCE. HE SAYS THERE WILL BE NO DEPLOYMENT UNLESS A PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED BY THE SERBS AND THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS.

HE SAYS THE SIZE OF THE FORCE WILL DEPEND ON THE NATURE OF THE AGREEMENT TO BE ENFORCED.

OUR NUMBERS COULD BE VERY LOW, POSSIBLY AS LOW AS TWO TO FOUR THOUSAND, AND I WOULD SEE THAT BEING THE MAXIMUM NUMBER.

REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS COX OF CALIFORNIA SAYS OTHER OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THERE COULD BE FIVE THOUSAND TROOPS FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS.

SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JOHN WARNER SAYS MANY MEMBERS OF THE SENATE SUPPORT NATO AIR STRIKES AND BLOCKADES IF THEY WILL GET THE TWO SIDES TO PEACE TALKS. BUT HE SAYS IT WILL TAKE NATO GROUND TROOPS TO ENFORCE A PEACE AGREEMENT, AND THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS WON'T TRUST A PEACEKEEPING FORCE UNLESS IT CONTAINS AMERICANS.

BUT SENATOR WARNER NOTES CONGRESS IS WARY ABOUT SENDING MORE AMERICAN TROOPS TO THE BALKANS.

WE WANT TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT SIZE FORCE WOULD BE PUT IN PLACE. WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND WHAT IS THE EXIT STRATEGY? MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE CONCERNED THAT WE ARE MOVING INTO ANOTHER BOSNIA, AN OPEN-ENDED SITUATION, WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION HAS SET DEADLINES (FOR THE TROOPS TO LEAVE) IN YEARS PAST AND THOSE DEADLINES HAVE NOT BE MET.

IT WOULD BE CLOSE TO THE ENTIRE COST OF A BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM FOR THIS COUNTRY. SO WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SOME HARD CHOICES. KOSOVO AND THE BALKANS HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO AS THE BACK DOOR TO EUROPE, IT'S CERTAINLY THEIR BACK YARD.

MANY SENATORS, INCLUDING KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON OF TEXAS, SAY EUROPEAN NATIONS MUST SEND A LARGER SHARE OF THE TROOPS NEEDED IN KOSOVO.

DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN AGREES AND SAYS THE UNITED STATES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SEND AS MANY GROUND TROOPS AS OTHER MAJOR NATO NATIONS THIS TIME, BECAUSE WASHINGTON IS PROVIDING THE LION'S SHARE (THE MOST) OF THE WARPLANES FOR POSSIBLE AIR STRIKES.

A SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL SAYS EUROPEAN NATIONS ARE NOT SHYING AWAY FROM THE KOSOVO ISSUE, BUT THEY REACHED A FINAL AGREEMENT ON PROVIDING EITHER.

[02] THE NEXT STEP ON KOSOVO BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER TO COMMIT GROUND TROOPS TO A NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE THAT WOULD ENTER YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE IF AN ARMISTICE CAN BE BROKERED. AT THE SAME TIME, U-S ENVOYS ARE PREPARING FOR PEACE TALKS BETWEEN SERBIAN AUTHORITIES AND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS THAT ARE SCHEDULED TO OPEN NEAR PARIS SATURDAY.

U-S PAPERS ARE FILLED WITH ADVICE FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE, AND WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM _____________ IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: AT MID-WEEK, LEADERS OF KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS NAMED A FIVE-MAN DELEGATION TO THE PEACE TALKS. YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT YET SAID THEY WILL ATTEND THE SATURDAY TALKS, BUT THEY ARE UNDER HEAVY PRESSURE FROM NATO AND THE UNITED STATES TO DO SO. NATO HAS THREATENED BOTH SIDES WITH POSSIBLE AIR STRIKES IF THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO IS NOT HALTED.

THERE IS NO DEARTH OF ADVICE FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON FROM THE U-S PRESS. AND WE BEGIN IN THE MIDDLE WEST, WHERE "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE" ASKS:

VOICE: WHAT NEXT? WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED INTERNATIONAL MONITORS ON THE GROUND IN KOSOVO AND AVAILABLE AS POTENTIAL HOSTAGES, THE LIKELIHOOD OF IMMEDIATE NATO AIR-STRIKES SEEMS NIL. WHAT'S MORE, THE DIPLOMATIC MINUET SURROUNDING THIS SITUATION HAS NOT YET BEEN COMPLETED. ... IF THERE IS ANY ENCOURAGING SIGN IN THIS SITUATION, IT IS THIS: BRITAIN AND FRANCE BOTH HAVE SAID THEY WOULD CONTRIBUTE GROUND TROOPS TO A KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. INDEED, THE FRENCH HAVE GONE SO FAR AS TO SAY THEY WOULD DO SO EVEN IF THE UNITED STATES DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN SUCH A FORCE. EUROPE, THE FRENCH SAID, OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION BY ITSELF. IT'S TIME FOR THE U-S TO TEST WHETHER THE EUROPEANS REALLY CAN DO THAT. INSTEAD OF COMMITTING GROUND TROOPS RIGHT AWAY, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OUGHT TO OFFER AIR COVER, AND AIRLIFT AND OTHER LOGISTICAL SUPPORT TO A EUROPEAN GROUND FORCE. TAKE AWAY ALL THE PRACTICAL EXCUSES FOR EUROPEAN RELUCTANCE AND SEE IF THE WILL TO POLICE ITS OWN BACKYARD REALLY EXISTS OVER THERE.

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" SEES THE SITUATION AS APPROACHING A SHOWDOWN ON KOSOVO, WHERE YUGOSLAV LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC NEEDS TO BE GIVEN A REAL ULTIMATUM.

VOICE: ALL EUROPE HAS A STAKE IN THE WAR IN KOSOVO, TO SEE THAT IT DOES NOT CREATE A WIDER WAR, DOES NOT COMPOUND ATROCITIES, DOES NOT BECOME A CLASH OF SERBIA AGAINST ALBANIA OR OF CHRISTENDOM AGAINST ISLAM. THE TROUBLE IS THAT WARRING BETWEEN SERBIA'S STRONG MAN, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, AND THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY (K-L-A) OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS THREATENS TO PROVOKE THOSE THINGS. /// OPT /// NATO'S ULTIMATUM TO THE TWO SIDES ... WAS A TRIUMPH FOR U-S DIPLOMACY. ... IT ... REQUIRES A CEASEFIRE AND A CONFERENCE IN FRANCE ON SATURDAY. /// END OPT /// ... WHY IS THIS ANYONE'S BUSINESS OUTSIDE SERBIA? BECAUSE THE SERBIAN POLICY OF DISLOCATING LARGE POPULATIONS THREATENS TO ENGULF NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES, NOTABLY ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND BOSNIA, WITH MASSES OF REFUGEES. /// OPT /// THE ULTIMATUMS ISSUED BY NATO MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY BOTH MR. MILOSEVIC'S SERBIAN REGIME AND BY THE K-L-A EXTREMISTS, OR THEY WON'T WORK.

TEXT: IN MAINE, THERE IS A WARNING FROM "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" THAT WHILE STOPPING THE FIGHTING IMMEDIATELY IS GOOD, THERE SHOULD BE NO RUSH FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO A DIFFICULT PROBLEM.

VOICE: THE WESTERN POWERS SHOULD BE CAREFUL. USING THE THREAT OF FORCE TO END THE KILLING IS JUSTIFIED. RUSHING TO A FINAL DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION, HOWEVER, AS WELL AS PULLING ALBANIA ITSELF DEEPER INTO THE DISPUTE, HOLD THE POTENTIAL FOR TROUBLE. IT'S GOOD TO SEE NATO POWERS ACTING TO END THE KILLING IN KOSOVO. ONCE THAT IS ACCOMPLISHED, DIPLOMACY WILL NEED TIME TO WORK IF THE CONFLICT IS TO END FOR GOOD.

TEXT: THERE IS ANOTHER CONCERN AT "NEWSDAY" IN NEW YORK THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS NOT YET CONVINCED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OF THE NEED FOR THIS COUNTRY TO SEND ADDITIONAL GROUND TROOPS TO POLICE THE BALKANS.

VOICE: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HASN'T QUITE COME OUT AND SAID SO, BUT JUST YESTERDAY [2/2] DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN CONCEDED THAT PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO WOULD BE A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY, AND NECESSARY TO GUARANTEE A CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT. HE'S RIGHT, OF COURSE. BUT IT'S UP TO [MR.] CLINTON TO MAKE THE CASE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR SENDING YET ANOTHER CONTINGENT OF U-S TROOPS TO THE BALKANS ON A POTENTIALLY OPEN-ENDED MISSION. THAT'S HOW THINGS HAVE WORKED OUT IN NEIGHBORING BOSNIA. ONCE AGAIN, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON MUST JUSTIFY INTERVENTION ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS IN AN AREA THAT IS OF N O VITAL NATIONAL INTEREST TO THIS NATION.

TEXT: LASTLY, "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE MAKEUP OF ANY PEACEKEEPING FORCE AND ITS POTENTIAL U-S CONTINGENT.

VOICE: EVEN AS THE ADMINISTRATION GINGERLY DISCUSSES SUCH A FORCE WITH CONGRESS, IT IS JOCKEYING WITH EUROPEAN ALLIES ON WHO WILL BEAR THE LARGEST BURDEN. MILITARY PLANNERS BELIEVE A FORCE OF 28-THOUSAND MIGHT DO THE JOB, AND THE BRITISH AND FRENCH ARE READY TO SUPPLY ABOUT EIGHT-THOUSAND TROOPS EACH. THEY WOULD LIKE THE AMERICANS TO DEPLOY ABOUT AS MANY; THE U-S MILITARY IS SO FAR TALKING ABOUT A CONTRIBUTION OF TWO-THOUSAND. THAT WOULD BE PITIFULLY FEW -- COUNTERPRODUCTIVELY FEW, IN FACT. IT IS FINE TO URGE THE EUROPEANS TO DO MORE FOR EUROPEAN PEACE, AND THE FRENCH AND BRITISH HAVE SAID THEY WILL DEPLOY TROOPS REGARDLESS OF U-S DECISIONS. BUT U-S LEADERSHIP IS KEY. /// OPT /// ... AND IF AN ACTIVE U-S ARMY OF ONE-HALF-MILLION MEN AND WOMEN CAN NOT FIND SIX-THOUSAND TROOPS FOR THIS JOB, CONGRESS SHOULD ASK THE GENERALS SOME SERIOUS QUESTIONS. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIAL COMMENT ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE FIGHTING IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE.
NEB/ANG/KL
03-Feb-99 1:08 PM EST (1808 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] YOUNG SERBS / KOSOVO BY GIL BUTLER (BELGRADE)

INTRO: YUGOSLAVIA IS PREPARING FOR ITS (POSSIBLE) PARTICIPATION [EDS: WILL DECIDE ON THURSDAY IN PARLIAMENTARY VOTE] IN A PEACE CONFERENCE ON KOSOVO PROVINCE TO BEGIN IN RAMBOUILLET, OUTSIDE PARIS IN A FEW DAYS. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER IS IN BELGRADE AND ASKED SOME SERBS HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT KOSOVO (AND THE DISPUTE BETWEEN ETHNIC ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS AND SERBIAN OFFICIALS).

TEXT: DISCUSSION IN BELGRADE IS CARRIED ON IN HUNDREDS OF COFFEE SHOPS. LINGERING OVER CUPS OF ESPRESSO OR GLASSES OF SODA, PEOPLE TALK -- AND TALK -- AND TALK.

YOUNG PEOPLE AT ONE CAFE NEAR A SCHOOL MAY REPRESENT A GENERAL FEELING AMONG SERBS -- THAT KOSOVO IS PART OF SERBIA (THE DOMINANT YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC), BUT THE POPULATION SHOULD HAVE SELF RULE.

I DON'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO POLITICS BUT I KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON THERE. (BUTLER) HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT KOSOVO -- AS A SERB? (YOUNG MAN) WELL, I REALLY THINK IT IS REALLY PART OF SERBIA AND CAN'T BE GIVEN TO ALBANIANS. (BUTLER) DO YOU THINK THIS WILL HAVE A PEACEFUL OUTCOME? (YOUNG MAN) THERE SHOULD BE. THEY SHOULD GET SOME KIND OF INDEPENDENCE, BUT NOT FULL INDEPENDENCE.

HE SAYS OFFICIALS MUST FIND A COMPROMISE. A 20-YEAR-OLD SIPPING COFFEE AT THE SAME TABLE IS PESSIMISTIC.

HE SAYS HE DOES NOT THINK THERE WILL BE AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL LAST BECAUSE NEITHER SIDE WANTS TO COMPROMISE AND BOTH SIDES HAVE INTERNAL DISAGREEMENTS. WITHOUT UNITY, HE SAYS, THERE CANNOT BE AN AGREEMENT.

THE CONSENSUS OF THE UNSCIENTIFIC SURVEY IN BELGRADE IS THAT THERE CAN BE NO INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVO -- KOSOVO IS PART OF SERBIA -- BUT LIMITED SELF RULE IS ACCEPTABLE. (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/JWH/JO
03-Feb-99 11:51 AM EST (1651 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] YUGO / PARIS NEGOTIATIONS (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (BELGRADE)

INTRO: YUGOSLAVIA'S OFFICIAL DECISION ON WHETHER TO ATTEND KOSOVO PEACE TALKS NEAR PARIS IS EXPECTED TO BE MADE PUBLIC ON THURSDAY. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER IN BELGRADE REPORTS EXPECTATIONS ARE THE GOVERNMENT WILL JOIN TALKS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

TEXT: THE SIGNS SEEM TO BE POINTING TOWARD A YUGOSLAV AND SERBIAN DELEGATION ATTENDING THE TALKS AT RAMBOUILLET NEAR PARIS ON SATURDAY. BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL ACCEPTANCE.

GOVERNMENT-GUIDED MEDIA REPORTS EMPHASIZED THE SUPPORT FOR THE TALKS BY SERB RENEWAL MOVEMENT LEADER VUK DRASKOVIC, WHO IS NOW PART OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S GOVERNMENT.

OBSERVERS HERE SAY THE EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OF MR. DRASKOVIC'S REMARKS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT APPROVED OF THEM.

U-S SPECIAL BALKANS MEDIATOR CHRISTOPHER HILL CAME TO BELGRADE FOR MEETINGS WITH SERB REPUBLIC LEADERS IN ADVANCE OF THURSDAY'S SERBIAN PARLIAMENT SESSION THAT IS TO DEBATE THE QUESTION OF ATTENDING THE PEACE CONFERENCE.

WHILE YUGOSLAV ATTENDANCE AT THE TALKS IS EXPECTED, IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HIMSELF WOULD ATTEND, AT LEAST AT THE BEGINNING. (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/JWH/KL
03-Feb-99 1:36 PM EST (1836 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] RUSSIA / TURKEY (S-ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: THE WHEREABOUTS OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN REMAIN A MYSTERY SINCE HE LEFT ITALY LAST MONTH. NOW RUSSIA IS DENYING REPORTS THE FUGITIVE IS BACK IN RUSSIA. MR. OCALAN HEADS THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY -- THE P-K-K -- WHICH HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR A SEPARATE KURDISH STATE SINCE 1984. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: TURKISH OFFICIALS ARE QUOTED AS SAYING ABDULLAH OCALAN HAS RETURNED TO RUSSIA. BUT FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN BORIS MALAKHOV DISMISSES THE REPORTS.

WELL, I THINK IT'S SHEER SPECULATION.

/ END ACT //

NEWS REPORTS IN ANKARA SAY THE P-K-K LEADER WAS STRANDED FOR TWO WEEKS AT A RUSSIAN MILITARY AIRFIELD AFTER LEAVING ITALY. THAT COUNTRY REFUSED HIM POLITICAL ASYLUM, BUT ALSO REJECTED TURKEY'S EXTRADITION REQUEST BECAUSE OF ANKARA'S CAPITAL PUNISHMENT LAW. ON MONDAY, THE NETHERLANDS REFUSED TO LET MR. OCALAN'S JET LAND THERE. MR. OCALAN ALREADY PASSED THROUGH MOSCOW LAST NOVEMBER IN HIS SEARCH FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM AFTER FLEEING HIS BASE IN SYRIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF
03-Feb-99 6:13 AM EST (1113 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] E-U-SOUTH AFRICA (L ONLY) (BRUSSELS)

CORRESPONDENT=RON PEMSTEIN CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S EXECUTIVE, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, HAS APPROVED A COMPROMISE WITH SOUTH AFRICA THAT COULD COMPLETE A LONG-DELAYED FREE TRADE AGREEMENT. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS ON THE PROPOSED DEAL INVOLVING SHERRY AND PORT WINE.

TEXT: THE DEAL WAS REACHED AT THE JUST-CONCLUDED WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM IN DAVOS, SWITZERLAND. EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER JOAO PINHEIRO AND SOUTH AFRICAN TRADE MINISTER ALEC ERWIN AGREED ON A FORMULA TO OVERCOME THE LAST HURDLE IN A LONG-RUNNING TRADE NEGOTIATION.

AFTER AGREEMENTS ON FREE TRADE INVOLVING A VARIETY OF INDUSTRIES AND AGRICULTURE, THE FOUR-YEAR-LONG NEGOTIATION HAS BEEN STALLED ON WHAT SOUTH AFRICA EXPORTS AS "SHERRY" AND "PORT" WINE. EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERS SPAIN AND PORTUGAL CLAIM EXCLUSIVE USE OF THOSE TERMS FOR THEIR EXPORTS.

THE COMPROMISE APPROVED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION INVOLVES A GRADUAL PHASING-OUT OF SOUTH AFRICA'S USE OF THE TERMS, "PORT" AND "SHERRY."

EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER FRANZ FISCHLER TELLS REPORTERS, SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, THAT THE MAIN CONCERN FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION IS SETTING A PRECEDENT FOR OTHER FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS.

THE COMMISSION IS PUTTING THE COMPROMISE ON WINE INTO PRECISE, LEGAL LANGUAGE AND SENDING IT ON TO THE EUROPEAN UNION MINISTERS FOR APPROVAL.

THE PROPOSED FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WILL OPEN 95-PERCENT OF EUROPEAN UNION MARKETS TO SOUTH AFRICAN EXPORTS AFTER 10 YEARS.

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AFTER THE U-S CENTRAL BANK DECIDED TO MAKE NO CHANGE IN INTEREST RATES. V-O-A BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 93-HUNDRED-66, UP 92 POINTS, OR ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12-HUNDRED-72, UP 10 POINTS.

GOVERNORS OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK ENDED A TWO-DAY MEETING BY LEAVING SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES UNCHANGED. THAT DECISION WAS EXPECTED ON WALL STREET, BUT IT STILL GAVE STOCK PRICES A BOOST.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE MOVING THE FOCUS BACK TO EARNINGS. WE HAD VERY ROBUST GROWTH IN THE FOURTH QUARTER, AND THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD THAT PEOPLE ARE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY ON THESE COMPANIES. THEY ARE DOING WELL AND PEOPLE ARE RESPONDING TO THAT, I BELIEVE.

SEVERAL COMPANIES REPORTED BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED QUARTERLY EARNINGS, INCLUDING CISCO SYSTEMS, THE COMPUTER-NETWORKING FIRM, WHERE PROFITS ROSE BY 33 PERCENT. ANHEUSER BUSCH, THE LARGEST BREWING COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYS HIGHER PRICES AND HIGHER SALES COMBINED TO GIVE IT A 15 PERCENT PROFIT INCREASE. AND MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, THE HOTEL COMPANY, REPORTS A 23 PERCENT EARNINGS RISE.

THE GOODYEAR COMPANY OF THE UNITED STATES AND SUMITOMO RUBBER OF JAPAN ARE FORMING A GLOBAL ALLIANCE WHICH WILL CREATE THE LARGEST TIRE COMPANY IN THE WORLD. GOODYEAR SAYS THE DEAL WILL RESULT IN THE ELIMINATION OF UP TO 28-HUNDRED JOBS IN THE UNITED STATES.

GENERAL MOTORS SAYS ITS U-S SALES ROSE FOUR PERCENT IN JANUARY. G-M SAYS STRONG DEMAND FOR ITS CARS OFFSET A DROP IN SALES OF LIGHT TRUCKS AND SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLES. THAT WAS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF FORD, WHICH ANNOUNCED TUESDAY A BIG GAIN IN LIGHT TRUCKS AND SPORT-UTILITY VEHICLES AND A DROP IN CAR SALES.

THE STOCK OF THE COMPUTER SERVICES COMPANY "PEROT SYSTEMS" GAINED ANOTHER 50 PERCENT AFTER RISING 165 PERCENT TUESDAY, ITS FIRST DAY OF TRADING. THE COMPANY IS OWNED BY BILLIONAIRE BUSINESSMAN AND TWO-TIME U-S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ROSS PEROT.

M-C-I WORLDCOM, THE SECOND-LARGEST LONG-DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES, WILL SOON BE BACK IN THE INTERNET ACCESS SERVICE BUSINESS. THE COMPANY WAS REQUIRED TO SELL ITS INTERNET BUSINESS ALMOST FIVE MONTHS AGO, AS A CONDITION FOR REGULATORY APPROVAL OF WORLDCOM'S 40-BILLION-DOLLAR TAKEOVER OF M-C-I. NOW THE COMPANY SAYS IT WILL LAUNCH A NEW INTERNET SERVICE.

I-B-M HAS INTRODUCED A NEW COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH ALLOWS THE BLIND TO USE THE INTERNET. THE PROGRAM SPEAKS ALOUD THE INFORMATION ON INTERNET SITES AND WILL INITIALLY BE AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND JAPANESE WITH OTHER LANGUAGES TO BE RELEASED LATER IN THE YEAR. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WTW
03-Feb-99 5:26 PM EST (2226 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

(UNEDITED)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS IN THE ENVIABLE POSITION OF HAVING TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH A BUDGET SURPLUS AND THE WEDNESDAY EDITORIAL COLUMNS IN MANY NEWSPAPERS ARE FILLED WITH SUGGESTIONS.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE HOW TO DEAL WITH THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO PROVINCE; THE NEW LINE OF SUCCESSION IN JORDAN; THE FORTHCOMING MEXICAN ELECTIONS; KEN STARR'S PURSUIT OF THE PRESIDENT AND THE CHALLENGES AWAITING VENEZUELA'S NEW PRESIDENT. NOW, HERE IS ____________________WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON ANNOUNCED HIS BUDGET PROPOSAL THIS WEEK AND AS HE SENT IT TO CONGRESS, HE EXPLAINED THAT PROJECTIONS SHOW A GROWING BUDGET SURPLUS WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY. THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS ARE RECOMMENDING CAUTION, SINCE THE ECONOMY COULD STILL FACE AN UNEXPECTED DOWNTURN, CHANGING THE PREDICTIONS. TAKE "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND FOR INSTANCE.

VOICE: WASHINGTON ... OFFICIALS HAVE TO DECIDE HOW TO HANDLE PROSPERITY. THE ANSWER IS CAREFULLY. THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR PROFLIGACY, WHETHER IN THE FORM OF A HUGE, ACROSS-THE-BOARD TAX CUT OR NEW DOMESTIC PROGRAMS. IT IS INSTEAD AN EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY TO SHORE UP SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE, PAY DOWN THE NATIONAL DEBT AND POSITION THE MILITARY FOR THE FUTURE. THAT IS A FULL PLATE, PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE SPECULATIVE NATURE OF MUCH OF THE PROJECTED 15-YEAR-SURPLUS OF FOUR-POINT-THREE-TRILLION DOLLARS. ... TO PUT TAX CUTS IN PLACE NOW BASED ON REVENUE THAT MAY NOT MATERIALIZE WOULD BE UNWISE. BESIDES, PRACTICALLY ALL THE SURPLUS BEFORE 2002 WILL COME FROM SOCIAL SECURITY PAYROLL TAXES.

TEXT: IN MANHATTAN, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN TO USE THE MAJORITY OF THE SURPLUS DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO SHORE UP MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY.

VOICE: THE APPROACH IS ... SENSIBLE AND FARSIGHTED. SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE FACE FUTURE DEFICITS UNLESS SIGNIFICANT CHANGES ARE MADE. INSTEAD OF PROPOSING BOLD NEW PROGRAMS TO SERVE AS HIS LEGACY, MR. CLINTON IS CALLING FOR A MAJOR INVESTMENT IN THE TWO PROGRAMS THAT ARE THE GREATEST LEGACIES OF THE NEW DEAL AND THE GREAT SOCIETY.

TEXT: TURNING OVERSEAS, THE VIOLENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A NATO GROUND FORCE INCLUDING U-S TROOPS SENT IN TO KEEP THE PEACE ELICITS THIS FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST."

VOICE: EVEN AS THE ADMINISTRATION GINGERLY DISCUSSES SUCH A FORCE WITH CONGRESS, IT IS JOCKEYING WITH EUROPEAN ALLIES ON WHOM WILL BEAR THE LARGEST BURDEN. MILITARY PLANNERS BELIEVE A FORCE OF 28-THOUSAND MIGHT DO THE JOB, AND THE BRITISH AND FRENCH ARE READY TO SUPPLY ABOUT EIGHT-THOUSAND TROOPS EACH. THEY WOULD LIKE THE AMERICANS TO DEPLOY ABOUT AS MANY; THE U-S MILITARY IS SO FAR TALKING ABOUT A CONTRIBUTION OF TWO-THOUSAND. THAT WOULD BE PITIFULLY FEW -- COUNTERPRODUCTIVELY FEW, IN FACT. IT IS FINE TO URGE THE EUROPEANS TO DO MORE FOR EUROPEAN PEACE, AND THE FRENCH AND BRITISH HAVE SAID THEY WILL DEPLOY TROOPS REGARDLESS OF U-S DECISIONS. BUT U-S LEADERSHIP IS KEY. ... AND IF AN ACTIVE U-S ARMY OF ONE-HALF-MILLION MEN AND WOMEN CAN NOT FIND SIX-THOUSAND TROOPS FOR THIS JOB, CONGRESS SHOULD ASK THE GENERALS SOME SERIOUS QUESTIONS.

TEXT: TO THE MIDDLE EAST NOW, AND THE CHANGED LINE OF SUCCESSION IN JORDAN, WHICH CAUSES "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE TO NOTE:

VOICE: AT LAST JORDAN WILL GET A KING WHOSE MOTHER TONGUE IS ENGLISH AND WHOSE WIFE COMES FROM THE PALESTINIAN MAJORITY. ... JORDAN'S FOREIGN POLICY OF PEACE WITH ISRAEL, USEFULNESS TO THE UNITED STATES, COOPERATION WITH THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY AND GREAT CARE WITH RESPECT TO BAGHDAD IS NOT LIKELY TO CHANGE. ... AT 37, [PRINCE] ABDULLAH IS BETTER PREPARED FOR WHAT LIES AHEAD THAN HIS FATHER WAS 47-YEARS AGO. ... CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH COULD PROVIDE THE TRANSITION TO A PEACEFUL JORDAN THAT IS STABLE AND DEMOCRATIC.

TEXT: STILL WITH MIDDLE-EASTERN AFFAIRS, "THE NEW YORK POST" IS UPSET AT PLANS FOR THIS WEEK'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON BY PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY LEADER YASSER ARAFAT.

VOICE: TOMORROW MORNING, P-L-O LEADER YASSER ARAFAT WILL BE A SPECIAL GUEST AT THE ANNUAL NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST IN WASHINGTON, WHERE HE WILL JOIN SOME 35-HUNDRED POLITICIANS, DIPLOMATS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN AN EXPLORATION OF FAITH. BUT SEVERAL LEADING CHRISTIAN GROUPS WHO USUALLY SEND MEMBERS TO THE EVENT WILL NOT DO SO THIS YEAR; THEY SAY THE PRESENCE OF A MAN WITH SO MUCH BLOOD ON HIS HANDS WILL 'PROFANE THE SACRED.' THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. /// OPT /// PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS COMPOUNDED THE INSULT BY BLATANTLY POLITICIZING WHAT IS MEANT TO BE A NON-POLITICAL EVENT: DESPITE ORGANIZERS' REQUEST THAT HE N O T DO SO, [MR.] CLINTON PLANS TO USE THE BREAKFAST TO MEET WITH [MR.] ARAFAT.

TEXT: TURNING TO HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" MAKES A PLEA FOR A FREE AND OPEN NOMINATING CONVENTION TO CHOOSE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF MEXICO, NOT SIMPLY AN "ANOINTING" BY THE RULING P-R-I PARTY.

VOICE: WHAT SHOULD DEFINITELY END IS THE TRADITIONAL SYSTEM OF LETTING THE INCUMBENT PRESIDENT FROM THE P-R-I CHOOSE THE PARTY'S NOMINEE TO SUCCEED HIM. EIGHT-MONTHS AGO, PRESIDENT ERNEST ZEDILLO PROPOSED AN AMERICAN-STYLE PRIMARY. BUT HE HAS DONE LITTLE TO BRING ONE ABOUT. ... RECENT REFORMS HAVE MADE FOR FAIRER CAMPAIGNS AND CLEANER BALLOTING. THE NEXT STEP SHOULD BE TO INTRODUCE FAIR COMPETITION INTO THE P-R-I'S NOMINATION PROCESS AS WELL.

TEXT: TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" SALUTES THE NEW PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA AND THE CHALLENGES HE FACES.

VOICE: VENEZUELA ENTERED A BRAVE NEW ERA OF HOPE AND CHANGE YESTERDAY WITH THE SWEARING IN OF HUGO CHAVEZ AS PRESIDENT, A MAN OF FIERY RHETORIC AND REVOLUTIONARY BENT. ... CLEARLY, HE UNDERSTANDS THAT WITHOUT ECONOMIC REFORM, ALL THE OTHER REFORMS MIGHT BE FOR NAUGHT. ... HE IS A MAN OF GREAT ENERGY, POLITICAL COURAGE, BOLD IDEAS AND FIERCE DESIRE. HE MUST NOW USE THOSE TALENTS TO HELP VENEZUELA TOP ITS GREAT POTENTIAL.

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" ON THE IDEA THAT SPECIAL COUNSEL (PROSECUTOR) KENNETH MAY POSSIBLY INDICT PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR THE SAME CRIMES HE IS BEING TRIED FOR IN THE SENATE.

VOICE: IT IS TEMPTING TO LIST THE IMPEACHMENT OF WILLIAM ... CLINTON AMONG THINGS THAT GO ON FOREVER. BUT IT IS NOT. IN FACT, OUR JOYOUS DAY OF LIBERATION MAY SOON BE INSIGHT. ... UNFORTUNATELY, ALTHOUGH IMPEACHMENT WILL END, KEN STARR DOES NOT. HE IS SOMETHING LIKE A CHARACTER OUT OF MOBY DICK ... THAT OBSESSION [TO GET PRESIDENT CLINTON] HAS DRIVEN HIM TO REPEATEDLY ABUSE HIS AUTHORITY. ... IT IS TIME TO END [MR.] STARR'S REIGN OF ERROR.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM SOME OF THE NATION'S DAILY NEWSPAPERS THIS WEDNESDAY.
NEB/ANG/RAE
03-Feb-99 10:55 AM EST (1555 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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