Voice of America, 99-03-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO TALKS (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PARIS)

[02] KOSOVO TALKS (L UPDATE) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PARIS)

[03] KOSOVO / SERBIA REACT (L-O) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PARIS)

[04] SERBS / NATO TROOPS (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (LAUSHE, KOSOVO)

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

[06] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (S) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[07] SENATE-KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[08] U-S/KOSOVO (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (WHITE HOUSE)

[09] E-U / JERUSALEM (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (JERUSALEM)

[10] ILLEGAL MIGRATION (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[11] N A T O GETS THREE NEW MEMBERS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[13] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[14] I-O-C SCANDAL (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[15] OLYMPICS / KLAGENFURT BID (S & L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[01] KOSOVO TALKS (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PARIS)

INTRO: THE SERB MILITARY APPEARS TO BE PREPARING FOR WAR WHILE THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS IN PARIS ARE DUE TO END WITHOUT A FULL AGREEMENT. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM PARIS, THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE READY TO SIGN BUT THE SERB DELEGATION STILL SAYS "NO."

TEXT: THE BRITISH AND FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTERS -- CO-CHAIRMEN OF THE PEACE TALKS -- WILL CONFER BY TELEPHONE WITH THE THREE MEDIATORS LATER IN THE DAY TO MAKE THEIR FINAL DECISION TO SUSPEND THE PEACE TALKS. THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE EXPECTED TO SIGN THE DOCUMENT -- AS THEY AGREED -- BEFORE THEY LEAVE PARIS. THE SERBS STILL SAY "NO."

THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN DELEGATION HAS ARRIVED EARLY AT THE CONFERENCE SITE WITH LITTLE TO DO BUT WAIT FOR THE DECISION OF THE CO-CHAIRMEN.

THEN IT WILL BE UP TO THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP ON KOSOVO TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO NEXT. ONE OPTION IS A HIGH-LEVEL MISSION TO BELGRADE TO TRY TO CONVINCE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO ACCEPT THE AUTONOMY PLAN FOR KOSOVO.

THE THREAT OF NATO AIR STRIKES REMAINS IF HE DOES NOT.

THE THREE WESTERN MEDIATORS SAY THE SERB DELEGATION WANTED TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE POLITICAL SETTLEMENT AND REFUSED TO DISCUSS ITS IMPLEMENTATION. THE SERBS OPPOSE THE SECURITY ASPECTS OF THE PLAN, WHICH CALL FOR NATO-LED PEACEKEEPERS TO GUARANTEE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT.

THE MEDIATORS SAY THE 81-PAGE PEACE DOCUMENT CANNOT BE ALTERED.

ONE ETHNIC ALBANIAN DELEGATION MEMBER COMPLAINS THAT THE SERBS ARE NOT NEGOTIATING IN GOOD FAITH AND ONLY WANT TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS ON THE BATTLEFIELD. THE WESTERN NEGOTIATORS HAVE CRITICIZED THE BUILD-UP OF SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO, WHICH THEY SAY VIOLATES THE OCTOBER CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT AND THE SPIRIT OF THE PEACE TALKS. (SIGNED)
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18-Mar-99 6:26 AM EST (1126 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO TALKS (L UPDATE) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PARIS)

INTRO: THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN DELEGATION TO THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS IN PARIS HAS SIGNED THE PEACE PLAN THAT WOULD GIVE THE PROVINCE LIMITED AUTONOMY. BUT THE SERB DELEGATION STILL REJECTS THE AGREEMENT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN PARIS REPORTS THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE FRIDAY WHAT STEPS IT WILL TAKE TO TRY TO PERSUADE THE SERB LEADERSHIP TO ADD ITS SIGNATURE TO THE PEACE DOCUMENT.

TEXT: FOUR MEMBERS OF THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN DELEGATION SIGNED THE 81-PAGE DOCUMENT IN A LOW-KEY CEREMONY WITHOUT FANFARE OR SPEECHES. THE SILENCE WAS BROKEN ONLY BY THE VOICE OF A FRENCH PROTOCOL OFFICER.

ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRMEN, WE ARE INVITING THE MEMBERS OF THE KOSOVAR DELEGATION TO SIGN THE PAPER STATING THE RESOLUTION IN FAVOR OF AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO.

THE U-S AND EUROPEAN UNION MEDIATORS ADDED THEIR SIGNATURES AS WITNESSES. BUT THE RUSSIAN MEDIATOR DID NOT PARTICIPATE. ON WEDNESDAY HE TOLD REPORTERS THE AGREEMENT NEEDS TO BE SIGNED BY BOTH SIDES.

THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS ISSUED A STATEMENT AFTER THE BRIEF CEREMONY AFFIRMING THEIR COMMITMENT TO AN AGREEMENT FOR PEACE AND SELF-GOVERNMENT. BUT THE STATEMENT ALSO CALLS ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO FULFILL ITS COMMITMENT TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE AGREEMENT, AN AGREEMENT, THE STATEMENT SAYS, THAT CAN NO LONGER BE ALTERED IN ANY WAY.

THE STATEMENT CRITICIZES THE SERB LEADERSHIP FOR RESORTING TO VIOLENCE AND OPPRESSION INSTEAD OF EMBRACING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE. THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS SAY SIGNING THE INTERIM AGREEMENT WAS NOT AN EASY DECISION BECAUSE OF CONTINUING SERB MILITARY ATTACKS IN KOSOVO.

THE FRENCH AND BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTERS, THE CO-CHAIRMEN OF THE PEACE TALKS, HAVE BEEN CONSULTING WITH THE REST OF THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP ON KOSOVO TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PERSUADE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO ACCEPT THE PEACE PLAN TOO. THE THREAT OF NATO AIR STRIKES REMAINS IF HE DOES NOT. MEANWHILE, THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS PLAN TO RETURN TO KOSOVO ON FRIDAY. SOME DELEGATION MEMBERS WILL STOP IN BRUSSELS FOR MORE DISCUSSIONS WITH NATO ON DETAILS OF IMPLEMENTATION. BUT, UNTIL THE SERBS SIGN THE DOCUMENT, PEACE FOR KOSOVO IS STILL NOT CERTAIN. (SIGNED)
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18-Mar-99 2:17 PM EST (1917 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO / SERBIA REACT (L-O) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PARIS)

INTRO: ON THURSDAY KOSOVAR ALBANIANS SIGNED A PEACE PLAN FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE BUT THE SERB DELEGATION STILL REFUSED. THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS ACCUSED THE SERBS OF NEGOTIATING IN BAD FAITH WHILE WAGING WAR IN KOSOVO AND THE SERBS ARE CALLING THE PEACE PLAN A FRAUD. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS ISSUED A STATEMENT AFTER THEIR BRIEF SIGNING CEREMONY ACCUSING THE SERB LEADERSHIP OF RESORTING TO VIOLENCE AND OPPRESSION, INSTEAD OF EMBRACING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE.

LATER IN THE EVENING, SERBIAN REPUBLIC PRESIDENT MILAN MILUTINOVIC ACCUSED INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATORS OF TRYING TO IMPOSE AN AGREEMENT WITHOUT LISTENING TO SERB CONCERNS.

THEY MADE THEIR DOCUMENT, THEIR OWN DOCUMENT. THEY SIGNED. THEY NEVER DISCUSSED THIS. WE NEVER SAW THEM (THE ALBANIANS) AT THE TABLE. THAT IS THEIR OWN DOCUMENT. SO FOR THE AGREEMENT, YOU NEED TO HAVE TWO. THEY HAVE ONLY ONE AND SIGNED ONLY BY THE ALBANIANS, NOBODY ELSE.

MR. MILUTINOVIC COMPLAINED ABOUT PROVISIONS IN THE AUTONOMY PLAN FOR A CONSTITUTION AND A PRESIDENT FOR KOSOVO PROVINCE -- WHICH HE SAID WOULD CONTRADICT THE YUGOSLAV CONSTITUTION. HE SAID SERB PROPOSALS TO AMEND THE DOCUMENT WERE PUSHED AWAY.

BUT MEDIATORS HAD ALWAYS INSISTED THE PARIS TALKS WOULD FOCUS ONLY ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE PEACE PLAN, AND WOULD NOT MAKE SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE DOCUMENT -- WHICH WAS PRODUCED DURING THE FIRST ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS LAST MONTH.

MR. MILUTINOVIC ALSO JUSTIFIED THE SERB MILITARY BUILD-UP IN KOSOVO AS SELF-DEFENSE AGAINST THE THREAT OF NATO AIR STRIKES.

IF THEY ATTACK US WE SHALL FIGHT. BUT I DON'T KNOW WHY BECAUSE WE DIDN'T ATTACK ANY NATO COUNTRY. WE'RE JUST FIGHTING AGAINST TERRORISM, THAT'S ALL.

THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP ON KOSOVO SAYS THE MILITARY BUILD-UP IN KOSOVO PROVINCE VIOLATES THE OCTOBER CEASEFIRE AND THE SPIRIT OF THE PEACE TALKS.(SIGNED)
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18-Mar-99 5:35 PM EST (2235 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] SERBS / NATO TROOPS (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (LAUSHE, KOSOVO)

INTRO: SERB CIVILIANS IN KOSOVO GENERALLY SEEM TO OPPOSE THE IDEA OF NATO PEACEKEEPERS IN THE TROUBLED PROVINCE -- A KEY PART OF THE PROPOSED KOSOVO PEACE DEAL. PHILIP SMUCKER VISITED THE THE DESTROYED ETHNIC-ALBANIAN VILLAGE OF LAUSHE AND TALKED WITH THE HEAD SERBIAN NUN AT THE ORTHODOX DEVIC NUNNERY WHO SAID ALBANIANS AND SERBS MUST SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS WITHOUT OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE.

TEXT: IT IS HARD TO FIND MANY SERBS IN KOSOVO WHO SUPPORT THE IDEA OF A NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. KOSOVO'S SMALL SERBIAN POPULATION -- LESS THAN TEN PERCENT OF THE PROVINCE'S TOTAL -- STILL BELIEVES THAT THE YUGOSLAV ARMY AND SERBIAN POLICE FORCES CAN PROVIDE NEEDED PROTECTION. . AT THE 14TH CENTURY ORTHODOX DEVIC NUNNERY, SISTER ANASTASIJA -- SPEAKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR -- SAYS THAT ONLY SERBS AND ALBANIANS CAN SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS.

ONLY WE, THE PEOPLE CAN HELP EACH OTHER BY SOLVING THIS PROBLEM, BY THE AGREEMENT AND IT NEVER HAPPENED THAT THE THIRD SIDE CAN HELP, YOU KNOW, THE TWO SIDES. SO IT IS UP TO US.

SISTER ANASTASIJA SAYS THAT AN OUTSIDE, THIRD PARTY HAS NEVER SOLVED PROBLEMS IN KOSOVO. SHE SAYS SHE WORRIES THAT IF NATO INTERVENES ON THE GROUND IN KOSOVO, HER ETHNIC ALBANIAN NEIGHBORS MIGHT TRY TO TAKE OVER HER NUNNERY.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS SAY KOSOVO'S ONLY HOPE IS A 28-THOUSAND-MEMBER NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE .

THE HANDFUL OF SERBIAN NUNS IN DEVIC ARE ALREADY COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. THE SISTERS SAY THE REBELS HAVE SHOT AT THEM AND HAVE KILLED THEIR DOGS AND LIVESTOCK.

ONE REBEL FIGHTER, GANI GOETSE, WHO SAYS HE KNOWS THE DEVIC NUNS PERSONALLY, SAYS THAT SISTER ANASTASIJA IS A LIAR. HE POINTS OUT THAT NEARLY EVERY HOME IN LAUSHE, THE ALBANIAN VILLAGE AROUND THE NUNNERY, HAS BEEN BURNED TO THE GROUND BY SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES.

MR. GOETSE SAYS THAT ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SUPPORT THE NATO-BACKED PEACE DEAL WHICH THEIR LEADERS HAVE ENDORSED. HE ALSO SAYS THE REBELS HAVE NEVER ATTACKED THE NUNNERY.

WESTERN MONITORS SAY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY MOVED SEVEN TANKS TO AN AMMUNITION DEPOT JUST FOUR KILOMETERS FROM LAUSHE THIS WEEK. THE MASSING OF HEAVY ARMOR, COMBINED WITH MAJOR TROOP MOVEMENTS, HAS WESTERN MILITARY EXPERTS WARNING THAT THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT IS PREPARING ANOTHER MAJOR OFFENSIVE ACROSS KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
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18-Mar-99 1:34 PM EST (1834 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: RUSSIA IS APPEALING TO YUGOSLAVIA TO SIGN A PEACE AGREEMENT WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS OVER KOSOVO. V-O-A'S PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: AS THE PEACE TALKS IN PARIS LIMPED TOWARD COLLAPSE, RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV URGED YUGOSLAVIA TO REVERSE COURSE AND SIGN THE KOSOVO AGREEMENT.

AFTER A MEETING OF PARLIAMENT'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE IN MOSCOW, MR. IVANOV WARNED THAT FAILURE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS COULD LEAD TO A WIDENING OF THE CONFLICT. EARLIER, RUSSIAN NEWS AGENCIES REPORTED MR. IVANOV HAD SPOKEN ABOUT KOSOVO BY TELEPHONE WITH U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT. A FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAID ONLY THAT THE TWO HAD AGREED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE TALKS ON TRACK.

RUSSIA HAS STOOD BY ITS TRADITIONAL SERBIAN ALLY DURING THE STANDOFF OVER KOSOVO. THE KREMLIN HAS CONSISTENTLY OPPOSED THE USE OF MILITARY POWER AGAINST THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT, AND SAID IT WOULD JOIN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO ONLY WITH SERBIAN CONSENT. (SIGNED)
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18-Mar-99 9:25 AM EST (1425 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (S) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS NATO STANDS READY TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST THE SERBS IF BELGRADE DOES NOT HALT AGGRESSIVE MILITARY ACTIONS IN KOSOVO. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS IT DOES NOT APPEAR THE SERBS ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT THE PEACE ACCORDS THAT HAVE NOW BEEN SIGNED BY KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE BRIEFING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, MS. ALBRIGHT PRAISED THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS FOR SIGNING THE DEAL.

BUT SHE SAID THE SERB DELEGATION IN PARIS HAD GONE BACKWARDS AND TRIED TO REOPEN PREVIOUSLY SETTLED ISSUES. MEANWHILE, SHE SAID SERB SECURITY FORCES WERE STEPPING UP UNJUSTIFIED, AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS IN KOSOVO.

AND IF BELGRADE DOESN'T REVERSE COURSE, THE SERBS ALONE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES.

SHE AGAIN WARNED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THAT NATO HAS THE AUTHORITY TO LAUNCH MILITARY ACTION AGAINST THE SERBS, WHO HAVE BEEN POURING REINFORCEMENTS INTO KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
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18-Mar-99 2:49 PM EST (1949 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] SENATE-KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: AMERICAN MILITARY LEADERS HAVE WARNED CONGRESS A NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA COULD MEAN U-S OR ALLIED CASUALTIES. AND REPUBLICAN SENATORS ARE SKEPTICAL OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S COMMITMENT TO USE AMERICAN MILITARY PERSONNEL IN NATO TO FORCE -- OR ENFORCE -- A FUTURE PEACE DEAL FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVO PROVINCE. // OPT // THE TWO-PRONGED STRATEGY CONSISTS OF POSSIBLE ATTACKS ON SERB TARGETS IF BELGRADE BLOCKS A PEACE DEAL FOR KOSOVO OR THE DEPLOYMENT OF AMERICAN PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO HELP IMPLEMENT ANY EVENTUAL AGREEMENT. // END OPT // V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE CHIEFS OF THE FOUR ARMED SERVICES (THURSDAY) GAVE A CANDID ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK INVOLVED IN STRIKING AGAINST THE SERBS. AIR FORCE GENERAL MICHAEL RYAN SAID YUGOSLAV AIR DEFENSES ARE SOPHISTICATED, WELL-PROTECTED, AND U-S LOSSES ARE A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY. THE MARINE CORPS COMMANDANT, GENERAL CHARLES KRULAK, ECHOED THOSE VIEWS.

IT IS GOING TO BE TREMENDOUSLY DANGEROUS. THE (ANTI-AIRCRAFT) SYSTEMS ARE IN MANY INSTANCES MOBILE. THE TERRAIN IS VERY TOUGH AND THE WEATHER CAN NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED. THAT CAN BE A SHOWSTOPPER IN MANY WAYS.

LATER PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NATIONAL SECURITY TEAM BRIEFED SENATORS IN HOPES OF WINNING SUPPORT OR AT LEAST CONSENT FOR THE PLAN. BUT REPUBLICAN KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, A LONGTIME CRITIC OF U-S INVOLVEMENT IN THE REGION, EMERGED FROM THE CLOSED-DOOR SESSION TO SAY SHE WILL NOT BACK THE BOMBING.

I AM MORE CONVINCED THAN EVER THAT WE DO NOT HAVE A LONG-TERM STRATEGY ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IN THE BALKANS.

MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT WAS EQUALLY SKEPTICAL, SAYING HE AND OTHER SENATORS HAVE SIGNIFICANT RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY.

I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THE PREDICATE (FOUNDATION) HAS BEEN LAID, THAT THE SENATE, LET ALONE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT WHAT THE REASONS ARE FOR POTENTIAL AIR STRIKES AT THIS TIME. WHAT ARE THE RISKS? WHAT DO WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

THE LAWMAKERS' CONCERNS DO NOT MEAN THE AIR STRIKES CAN NOT GO FORWARD. HOWEVER, THIS INITIAL REACTION SUGGESTS THE WHITE HOUSE MAY FACE A DIFFICULT TASK IN PERSUADING CONGRESS TO ACCEPT THE POLICY FOR THE LONG RUN. (SIGNED)
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18-Mar-99 4:46 PM EST (2146 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S/KOSOVO (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: A WHITE HOUSE SOURCE SAYS A SENIOR WESTERN ENVOY MAY BE DISPATCHED TO BELGRADE IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS IN A FINAL ATTEMPT TO GET YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO JOIN ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN SIGNING A PEACE ACCORD FOR KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS WARNING THAT THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE IS NOW AT A DECISIVE MOMENT.

TEXT: THE WHITE HOUSE IS NOT YET READY TO DECLARE THE KOSOVO PEACE PROCESS A FAILURE, SUGGESTING OTHER DIPLOMATIC MOVES MAY STILL BE IN THE WORKS TO AVERT THREATENED NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST SERB TARGETS.

AN ADMINISTRATION SOURCE SAYS IT'S POSSIBLE EITHER BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK OR HIS FRENCH COUNTERPART, HUBERT VEDRINE, WILL GO TO BELGRADE SOON TO ONCE AGAIN SPELL OUT WHAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WILL BE RISKING IF HE BLOCKS A PEACE AGREEMENT WHICH KOSOVAR REBELS HAVE NOW SIGNED.

SUCH A STRATEGY COULD PAY OFF IF THE YUGOSLAV LEADER'S PAST NEGOTIATING STYLE IS ANY GUIDE TO THE PRESENT. WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART.

FROM OUR PAST DEALINGS WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, HE OFTEN DOESN'T ACT UNTIL HE FEELS HE HAS TO. THIS IS A DECISIVE PHASE, AS I'VE SAID, BECAUSE THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS HAVE SIGNED AND HE FACES A CHOICE.

BUT SO FAR, BELGRADE HAS NOT BUDGED FROM ITS OPPOSITION TO ANY PEACE AGREEMENT THAT CALLS FOR DISPATCHING THOUSANDS OF NATO TROOPS TO KOSOVO TO ENFORCE IT. U-S OFFICIALS WARN NATO HAS THE AUTHORITY TO TAKE ACTION NOW. BUT AT THIS TIME, THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS SUCH A MOVE WOULD LIKELY BE TRIGGERED ONLY BY FURTHER SERB AGGRESSION. (SIGNED)
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18-Mar-99 3:37 PM EST (2037 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] E-U / JERUSALEM (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (JERUSALEM)

INTRO: EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS DEFIED ISRAEL THURSDAY BY VISITING THE PALESTINIAN LIBERATION ORGANIZATION'S HEADQUARTERS IN EAST JERUSALEM. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE IN JERUSALEM REPORTS THEIR MEETING WITH PALESTINIAN OFFICIALS COMES AMID A STEPPED-UP DISPUTE WITH ISRAEL OVER THE STATUS OF JERUSALEM.

TEXT: THE MEETING AT ORIENT HOUSE, THE UNOFFICIAL P-L-O HEADQUARTERS IN EAST JERUSALEM, CAME DESPITE A REQUEST FROM ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER ARIEL SHARON TO FOREIGN DIPLOMATS TO REFRAIN FROM SUCH VISITS.

DAVID BAR-ILAN, SENIOR ADVISER TO PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, EXPLAINS THE GOVERNMENT'S POSITION.

WE HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT ORIENT HOUSE CANNOT SERVE AS THE FOREIGN MINISTRY OF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, BECAUSE THAT CONTRADICTS THE OSLO AGREEMENTS AND OBVIOUSLY ALSO OUR SOVEREIGNTY OVER JERUSALEM, WHICH IS UNSHAKABLE.

ISRAEL CAPTURED EAST JERUSALEM IN THE 1967 MIDDLE EAST WAR, AND REGARDS THE ENTIRE CITY AS ITS UNDIVIDED CAPITAL.

ALTHOUGH THE FUTURE OF JERUSALEM IS TO BE NEGOTIATED IN FINAL STATUS PEACE TALKS, ISRAEL SAYS IT WILL NEVER RELINQUISH SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE CITY.

THE JERUSALEM ISSUE WAS THE FOCUS OF THE ORIENT HOUSE MEETING, WITH THE PALESTINIANS EXPRESSING THEIR HOPE THAT EAST JERUSALEM WILL BECOME THE CAPITAL OF A FUTURE PALESTINIAN STATE.

FAISAL HUSSEINI HOLDS THE JERUSALEM PORTFOLIO IN THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY.

IT IS OUR CAPITAL FROM A HISTORICAL POINT OF VIEW, FROM THE SOCIAL POINT OF VIEW, FROM THE ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW, FROM THE RELIGIOUS POINT OF VIEW, ALL OF THESE THINGS WE CAN SAY, WE AS PALESTINIANS, AS MUSLIMS, CHRISTIANS, ARE LOOKING TO IT AS OUR CAPITAL.

THE EUROPEAN UNION, MEANWHILE, SAYS IT REGARDS JERUSALEM AS A 'SEPARATE ENTITY' FROM ISRAEL, BUT BELIEVES THE CITY'S FUTURE SHOULD BE DETERMINED THROUGH PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

DIPLOMATS VISITING ORIENT HOUSE THURSDAY SAID THEY DID NOT ATTACH ANY SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE TO THE MEETING. BRITISH CONSUL GENERAL ROBIN KEALY:

THEY (THE PALESTINIANS) HAVE THEM FROM TIME TO TIME, A GENERAL BRIEFING OF MISSIONS UP HERE, AND WE NORMALLY ATTEND, EITHER I OR ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES.

BUT PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU WAS CONCERNED ENOUGH TO SUMMON THE E-U'S MIDEAST ENVOY, MIGUEL MORATINOS, TO REITERATE ISRAEL'S POSITION ON THE MATTER. (SIGNED)
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18-Mar-99 1:20 PM EST (1820 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] ILLEGAL MIGRATION (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: A PRIVATE GROUP THAT MONITORS MIGRATION SAYS IT HAS FOUND AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE BEING SMUGGLED FROM KOSOVO AND OTHER AREAS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE INTO COUNTRIES OF WESTERN EUROPE. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE STUDY BY THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION ALSO NOTES AN INCREASE IN TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN FOR PURPOSES OF PROSTITUTION.

TEXT: THE REPORT SAYS THE CRISIS IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO HAS CAUSED ABOUT 200-THOUSAND PEOPLE TO LEAVE FOR OTHER COUNTRIES, MAINLY TO GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND. IT FINDS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN WHAT IT CALLS IRREGULAR MIGRATION AND TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS.

FOR INSTANCE, THE NUMBER OF KOSOVO ALBANIANS WHO ILLEGALLY CROSSED THE BORDER FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC INTO GERMANY IN 1998 WAS THREE-TIMES HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THE REPORT ALSO NOTES WHAT IT CALLS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN THE RECRUITMENT AND TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE FOR PURPOSES OF PROSTITUTION. THE REPORT SAYS TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN HAS STEADILY RISEN SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION BECAUSE OF THE GREATER FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT.

IT SAYS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF WOMEN ARE SMUGGLED INTO GERMANY. OFFICIAL GERMAN FIGURES PUT THE NUMBER OF PROSTITUTES FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AT 50-THOUSAND. UNOFFICIAL FIGURES ARE TWO TO THREE TIMES HIGHER.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION, BRUNSON MC KINLEY, SAYS THE WOMEN ARE BADLY EXPLOITED AND ABUSED BY THE TRAFFICKERS.

IT'S PROFITING OFF THE BACKS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES AND WHO EITHER WILLINGLY OR PARTLY WILLINGLY OR COMPLETELY AGAINST THEIR WILL, AND HAVING BEEN MISLED BY THE TRAFFICKERS, FIND THEMSELVES IN VERY POOR CONDITIONS OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, OFTEN GET ABANDONED.

THE AUTHOR OF THE STUDY, JONAS WIDGREN, SAYS THERE IS A CLEAR LINK BETWEEN ORGANIZED CRIME AND THE INCREASE IN THE ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING OF HUMAN BEINGS.

BETWEEN SECTORS OF ORGANIZED CRIME, TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS STARTS TO BECOME ONE OF THE ITEMS ON THEIR AGENDA. AND, THAT'S VERY FRIGHTENING BECAUSE THEN, AS SOME OF THESE POLICEMEN SAID, THEY DECIDE ACTUALLY WHETHER ONE GROUP FROM ONE COUNTRY, FROM AN AFRICAN OR ASIAN COUNTRY SHOULD GO IN PARTICULAR TO THAT WESTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRY OR TO ANOTHER COUNTRY. IN A WAY THE TRAFFICKERS TAKE OVER FROM THE GOVERNMENTS.

THE REPORT CALLS FOR MORE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO ASSIST VICTIMS AND TO PROSECUTE OFFENDERS. IT SAYS STRATEGIES TO PREVENT AND COMBAT TRAFFICKING NEED TO BE COORDINATED AMONG NATIONS. (SIGNED)
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18-Mar-99 11:20 AM EST (1620 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] N A T O GETS THREE NEW MEMBERS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: HISTORY WAS MADE AT INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI, RECENTLY WHEN THE LEADERS OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC SIGNED PAPERS FORMALLY JOINING THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION - N A T O.

THE EXPANSION WAS A MAJOR TOPIC OF EDITORIAL COMMENT IN PAPERS AROUND THE GLOBE, AND WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM _________________ IN THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE CEREMONY WAS HELD AT THE HARY S. TRUMAN LIBRARY IN THE SMALL MISSOURI CITY BECAUSE IT WAS PRESIDENT TRUMAN WHO LED THE MOVE TO CREATE THE ALLIANCE JUST 50 YEARS AGO TO CONTAIN THE SOVIET MILITARY THREAT.

THE SUBJECT OF EXPANDING NATO HAS BEEN A MUCH-DEBATED TOPIC IN MANY COUNTRIES, BUT SOME U-S PAPERS FEEL IT WAS NOT DEBATED AS MUCH AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN, IN THIS COUNTRY. NOW IT IS A FACT OF LIFE, THE THREE FORMER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNIST ALLIANCE, THE WARSAW PACT, ARE NOW MEMBERS IN FULL OF NATO. AND AROUND THE GLOBE, THE WORLD'S PRESS IS TAKING NOTE OF THE CHANGE. PAPERS IN THE THREE NEWEST MEMBERS WERE UNIFORMLY PLEASED, WHILE SOME OTHER WERE SKEPTICAL, GIVEN NATO'S CURRENT PROBLEMS IN DEALING WITH THE VIOLENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, WHERE IN PRAGUE, "PRAVO" CHORTLED:

VOICE: WE HARDLY CAN DOUBT THAT IN THE PROCESS OF ACCESSION OF THESE THREE COUNTRIES, THE WESTERN FEELINGS OF GUILT TOWARD THESE COUNTRIES PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART. IT WAS MUNICH FOR THE CZECHS, PLAIN PROMISES TO THE POLISH IN 1939 AND IRRESPONSIBLE AMERICAN PROMISES TO HUNGARIANS AT THE TIME OF THEIR NATIONAL UPRISING IN 1956 ... THE POLISH PRESIDENT ... ALEXANDER KWASNIEWSKI ... COULD NOT HAVE CHARACTERIZED IT BETTER. ... 'WE ARE AT HOME!'

TEXT: ACROSS THE CITY, "LIDOVE NOVINY" SUGGESTED:

VOICE: THROUGH THIS ACT, OUR COUNTRY AND OUR FREEDOM GET MAXIMUM SECURITY GUARANTEES ... WE RECEIVED FREEDOM AND SECURITY AS A GIFT RATHER THAN FOR OUR MERITS. NOW, IT WILL BE ENTIRELY UP TO US HOW WE'LL DEAL WITH THESE ASSETS ... THE DAYS TO COME ARE FOR WORK. TODAY IS FOR CELEBRATION.

TEXT: NEXT DOOR, IN HUNGARY, THE BUDAPEST PRESS IS ALSO FILLED WITH REACTION. "MAGYAR NEMZET" SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: AFTER SO MUCH SUFFERING AND VICISSITUDE, FROM NOW ON, THE HUNGARIAN PEOPLE ONCE AGAIN BELONG TO THE PART OF THE WORLD WHOSE VALUES THEY HAVE ALWAYS CLAIMED TO BE THEIR OWN.

TEXT: AND IN THE BUSINESS DAILY "VILAGGAZDASAG" THERE WAS THIS OBSERVATION:

VOICE: HUNGARY HAS BEEN EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE FIRST WAVE OF NATO'S EASTWARD EXPANSION. FIRST, BECAUSE WHO KNOWS IF THERE WILL EVER BE A SECOND WAVE. SECOND, BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE COUNTRY BELONGS TO AN ALLIANCE WHICH IS TRULY A DEFENSE COMMUNITY, DOES NOT USE PRESSURE AND DOES NOT FOLLOW IDEOLOGICAL GOALS.

TEXT: TO POLAND, NOW, AND THE VIEW FROM WARSAW, WHERE IN "ZYCIE WARSZAWY" READERS READ:

VOICE: [RUSSIA'S POLITICIANS SAY THAT ] NATO ENLARGEMENT IS A 'HISTORIC MISTAKE.' ... RUSSIAN PLITICIANS CANNOT STOP THINKING IN TERMS OF IMPERIAL AMBITIONS. IF THEY CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THE WORLD THIS WAY, THEN NATO CAN BE REALLY PERCEIVED AS A THREAT BECAUSE THE NATO TREATY WILL NOT ALLOW RUSSIA TO REBUILD ITS LOST EMPIRE AND RESTORE ITS ZONES OF INFLUENCE.

TEXT: ACROSS TOWN, IN "RZECZPOSPOLITA" THE EXPANSION WAS GREETED WITH THESE THOUGHTS.

VOICE: NATO IS A GUARANTOR OF STABILITY AND NORMAL DEVELOPMENT FOR ITS MEMBER COUNTRIES, BUT IT ALSO BRINGS THE OFFER OF RECONCILIATION AND COOPERATION OT ITS NEW NEIGHBORS. POLAND MUST REMEMBER THIS MISSION. ... TO MEET NATO STANDARDD WILL NOT BE EASY ... BUT ONCE THE OBSTACLES ARE OVERCOME, POLAND WILL BECOME MORE COHESIVE INTERNALLY AND MORE CREDIBLE EXTERNALLY ...

TEXT: TURNING TO THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBORS OF THE THREE NEWEST NATO MEMBERS, WE READ A SOMEWHAT LESS EUPHORIC APPRAISAL IN LONDON'S "GUARDIAN."

VOICE: THE DECISION TO ACCELERATE THE MEMBERSHIP PROCESS SO THEY COULD ATTEND NEXT MONTH'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY NATO SUMMIT INW ASHINGTON WAS A POLITICAL ONE. THE THREE NEW MEMBERS HAVE ONLY A LIMITED CAPACITY TO SUSTAIN THE AMBITIOUS NEW ROLE WHICH NATO PLANS TO ADOPT.

TEXT: HOWEVER IN "THE DAILY TELEGRAPH" THE ASSESSMENT WAS WARMER.

VOICE: WE WELCOME WHOLEHEARTEDLY THE ACCESSION OF THE CZECHS, HUNGARIANS AND POLES ... THE COLLAPSE OF DICTATORSHIP IN EAST EUROPE WAS A VICTORY FOR DEMOCRACY, INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND THE RULE OF LAW, VALUES ENSHRINED IN THE PREAMBLE TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY. ... TO HAVE DENIED THEM ACCESS TO THE TWO BRUSSELS-BASED INSTITUTIONS WOULD HAVE BEEN CRUEL BETRAYAL OF THE PRINCIPLES ON WHICH WESTERN POLICY WAS BASED.

TEXT: AND WHAT OF FRENCH REACTION. FROM PARIS, "LE FIGARO" WRITES:

VOICE: THE SITE CHOSEN FOR THE CEREMONY IS HIGHLY SYMBOLIC GEOGRAPHICALLY: IT IS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND NOT WHERE THE ALLIANCE HAS ITS HEADQUARTERS. .. THE THREE NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS ARE ALSO IN THE RANKS TO BECOME PART OF THE E-U [EUROPEAN UNION.] BUT AS A SIGN THAT U-S HEGEMONY IS ALIVE AND WELL, THOSE WHO WANT TO BECOME PART OF THE EUROPEAN FAMILY NEED FIRST TO BE VETTED, SECURITY-WISE, BY THE UNITED STATES.

TEXT: TURNING TO GERMANY, IN THE EMERGING CAPITAL OF BERLIN, "DIE TAGESZEITUNG" RAN THIS COMMENTARY:

VOICE: HOPES THAT THE HISTORIC ACT OF THE ACCEPTANCE OF EASTERN EUROPEAN NATIONS WOULD OUTSHINE THE PROBLEMS IN KOSOVO, AT LEAST UNTIL AFTER THE NATO SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, WILL NOT COME TRUE. ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT DEVELOPMENTS IN KOSOVO WILL CREATE THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEMS FOR NATO IN ITS HISTORY. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE CONSIDERABLE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION REGARDING BOTH NATO'S FUTURE STRATEGY AND THE ACCEPTANCE OF NEW MEMBERS TEXT : FROM RUSSIA, THE OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT VOICE, ROSSIYSKAYA GAZETA WROTE :

VOICE: WE ARE NOT GOING TO DRAMATIZE THIS EVENT AND SEE IT AS WAR-MONGERING.... WE MAINTAIN CORRECT WORKING RELATIONS WITH BRUSSELLS ... THE FOUNDING ACT, SIGNED BY RUSSIA AND NATO HAS A CONSIDERABLE POTENTIAL FOR COOPERATION, SO USING IT EFFECTIVELY WILL HELP EVEN OUT RELATIONS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND NATO AND BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES. TEXT : AND JAPAN'S LIBERAL TOKYO SHIMBUN HAS EXPRESSED ITS CONCERN OVER THE ROLE OF RUSSIA IN THE NEW NATO :

VOICE: EUROPEAN NATIONS BELIEVE EUROPEAN SECURITY CANNOT BE ENSURED WITHOUT PAYING DUE ATTENTION TO A WEAKENED YET NUCLEAR-POWERFUL RUSSIA. UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, SHOULD'NT NATO COME UP WITH A NEW EASTWARD EXPANSION STRATEGY DESIGNED TO GIVE RUSSIA MEMBERSHIP IN THE FUTURE ? NATO'S RAISON D'ETRE WOULD BE LOST IF ITS EASTWARD ENLARGEMENT INVERSELY ENDANGERED THE SECURITY OF EUROPE.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF THE EUROPEAN AND ASIAN PRESS ON THE OCCASION OF NATO'S HISTORIC ENLARGMENT.
NEB/ANG/PT
18-Mar-99 5:53 PM EST (2253 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (THURSDAY) AND THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE AGAIN TRADED ABOVE 10 THOUSAND. BUT THE INDEX CLOSED JUST SHORT OF THAT MARK -- AS WE HEAR FROM VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY IN NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 99 HUNDRED 97, UP 118 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 13 HUNDRED 16, UP 18 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX GAINED ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT.

THERE WAS GREAT EXCITEMENT ON THE FLOOR OF THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE JUST A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE CLOSE OF TRADING. THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE HIT 10 THOUSAND, THEN BRIEFLY FELL BACK. THEN, JUST 30 SECONDS BEFORE THE END OF THE SESSION, IT HIT 10 THOUSAND AGAIN, BUT AGAIN FELL BACK AT THE CLOSE.

ANALYSTS ARE DIVIDED ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS. SOME SAY THE FACT THAT THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE ABOVE 10 THOUSAND WILL GIVE TRADERS A NEGATIVE PSYCHOLOGY FOR FRIDAY. OTHERS SAY THAT, SINCE THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT RECORD HIGHS TWICE THIS WEEK, 10 THOUSAND SHOULD BE NO PROBLEM.

BUT MOST ANALYSTS AGREE THAT 10 THOUSAND IS STRICTLY SYMBOLIC AND THERE IS NOTHING "MAGIC" ABOUT THAT NUMBER.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS U-S CONSUMER PRICES ROSE JUST ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT IN FEBRUARY, ANOTHER SIGN THAT INFLATION IS STILL NO PROBLEM IN THE U-S ECONOMY. HOWEVER, THE U-S TRADE DEFICIT SOARED IN JANUARY TO A MONTHLY RECORD OF ALMOST 17 BILLION DOLLARS. FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN MANY INTERNATIONAL MARKETS CONTINUE TO DEPRESS U-S EXPORTS WHILE IMPORTS, ESPECIALLY FROM CHINA, ROSE SHARPLY.

ECONOMIST MARK ZANDY DOES NOT EXPECT THE U-S TRADE DEFICIT TO IMPROVE MUCH IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THE GLOBAL ECONOMY IS STILL VERY FRAGILE. SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE DIFFICULTY EXPORTING THIS YEAR AND THAT MEANS THE TRADE GAP WILL CONTINUE TO WIDEN.

BARNES AND NOBLE, THE LEADING U-S BOOKSTORE, AND THE BERTELSMANN PUBLISHING COMPANY OF GERMANY ARE PLANNING TO SELL UP TO 20 PERCENT OF THEIR ON-LINE BOOKSTORE BARNES AND NOBLE DOT COM. ALTHOUGH THE ON-LINE BUSINESS HAS BEEN REASONABLY SUCCESSFUL, THE BARNES AND NOBLE OPERATION STILL LAGS FAR BEHIND AMAZON DOT COM, THE ORIGINAL ON-LINE BOOKSELLER.

THE HEAD OF THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK IS REPORTEDLY ATTEMPTING TO MERGE HIS COMPANY WITH A MAJOR INVESTMENT BANKING AND BROKERAGE FIRM. SOURCES SAY WALTER SHIPLEY HAS APPROACHED SEVERAL SECURITIES FIRMS WITH THE IDEA BUT SO FAR WITH NO LUCK. ANALYSTS SAY CHASE, THE THIRD-LARGEST BANK IN THE UNITED STATES, IS SEEKING A MERGER TO INCREASE ITS PRESENCE IN THE LUCRATIVE BUSINESS OF SECURITIES UNDERWRITING.

THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IN MANY ASIAN NATIONS ARE CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR EXPORTERS OF LUXURY PRODUCTS, LIKE SCOTCH WHISKY. THE SCOTTISH WHISKY ASSOCIATION SAYS WORLDWIDE EXPORTS LAST YEAR DROPPED EIGHT PERCENT, LARGELY BECAUSE OF FALLING ORDERS FROM ASIA.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WFR
18-Mar-99 5:24 PM EST (2224 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE APPROVAL OF A MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM IS A POPULAR TOPIC IN THURSDAY'S U-S EDITORIAL COLUMNS. OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE PRESS INCLUDE: THE SCANDAL IN THE EUROPEAN UNION'S STAFF; THE KOSOVO SITUATION; DEALING WITH NORTH KOREA; THE DEADLY TRAIN CRASH IN ILLINOIS; AND REFORMING THE OLYMPICS. NOW, HERE WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: CONCERN ABOUT NORTH KOREA'S EXPANDING OFFENSIVE MISSILE PROGRAM, AND NEW REVELATIONS ABOUT CHINESE ESPIONAGE IN THE U-S, HAVE PROMPTED THE SENATE TO APPROVE BUILDING AN ANTI-MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM. (EDS: THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS PREPARING TO VOTE ON ANTI-MISSILE LEGISLATION, PLEASE WATCH CN WIRE AND UPDATE TEXT AS NEEDED) "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER," WRITES THAT BUILDING AN ANTI-MISSILE SYSTEM MAY HARM NATIONAL DEFENSE.

VOICE: THESE SHOCKS [THE KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCH OVER THE SEA OF JAPAN AND THE CHINESE ESPIONAGE CASE] AND OTHER WORRIES, SUCH AS NUKE-TOTING [SLANG: NUCLEAR BOMB CARRYING] TERRORISTS, HAVE MADE MOST POLS [POLITICIANS] IN WASHINGTON UNABLE TO RESIST A SIMPLISTIC SOLUTION: A NEW, MISSILE-KILLING SYSTEM TO DEFEND THE UNITED STATES. ... YET THIS BILL ... WILL PROBABLY HURT NATIONAL DEFENSE, NOT ENHANCE IT. THE MEASURE IS LIKELY TO HARM ARMS-CONTROL EFFORTS WITH RUSSIA AND WITH REMNANTS OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION - - ALL IN THE SUPPOSED SERVICE OF AN UNDEVELOPED MILITARY TECHNOLOGY WHOSE EFFICACY IS A MATTER OF SPECULATION. ... WHAT A TRAVESTY. /// OPT /// TO PROVE THEY CARE ABOUT AMERICANS GETTING NUKED BY A ROGUE NATION OR TERRORIST GROUP, NERVOUS POLS [POLITICIANS] PASSED A BILL THAT WORSENS THE NATION'S NUCLEAR RISKS. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" WANTS THE PROGRAM TO BE DONE "RIGHT," RATHER THAN TOO FAST.

VOICE: /// OPT /// THE MISSILE THREAT FROM ROGUE STATES HAS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. NORTH KOREA, IRAN AND IRAQ DON'T NEED LONG-RANGE MISSILES TO INTIMIDATE THEIR NEIGHBORS; IT'S THE UNITED STATES THEY HAVE IN MIND. IS A DEFENSE AGAINST THIS THREAT FEASIBLE? /// END OPT /// A RUSHED AND WASTEFULLY EXPENSIVE PROGRAM THAT PROVES TO BE INEFFECTIVE WOULD DO NOTHING TO MAKE AMERICANS MORE SECURE. DOING IT RIGHT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN DOING IT QUICKLY.

TEXT: IN A RELATED ISSUE, NORTH KOREA SAYS ITS WILL PERMIT A U-S INSPECTION OF ITS LARGE, UNDERGROUND FACILITY SUSPECTED OF BEING A NUCLEAR WEAPONS PLANT. "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND, SEES A BIT OF PROGRESS IN RELATIONS WITH THE PYONGYANG REGIME.

VOICE: /// OPT /// AFTER WEEKS OF TENSE BARGAINING, U-S NEGOTIATORS HAVE SUCCEEDED IN BREAKING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IMPASSE WITH NORTH KOREA OVER PYONGYANG'S SUSPECTED DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS. FACING A PERSISTENT FAMINE THAT HAS KILLED MORE THAN THREE MILLION OF ITS PEOPLE, AN INCREASINGLY DESPERATE NORTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT FINALLY HAS AGREED TO OPEN TO U-S INSPECTIONS A HUGE UNDERGROUND COMPLEX SUSPECTED OF BEING A NUCLEAR-WEAPONS SITE. /// END OPT /// IT'S A GOOD START AND SHOULD HELP RELIEVE REGIONAL TENSIONS. BUT IT MUST BE FOLLOWED UP WITH INSPECTIONS OF OTHER POSSIBLE WEAPONS SITES AND AN EQUALLY AGGRESSIVE PUSH TO STEER NORTH KOREA AWAY FROM THE DEVELOPMENT AND SALE TO OTHER COUNTRIES OF BALLISTIC MISSILES CAPABLE OF CARRYING NUCLEAR WARHEADS.

TEXT: TURNING TO EUROPEAN AFFAIRS, "THE PROVIDENCE [RHODE ISLAND] JOURNAL" IS REACTING TO THE SCANDAL AMONG THE STAFF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, WONDERING WHERE IT WILL LEAD.

VOICE: THE FORCED RESIGNATIONS OF ALL 20 EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSIONERS THIS WEEK DISPLAYED WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION LACKS THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND CHECKS AND BALANCES NEEDED IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. /// OPT /// AS EUROPEAN UNIFICATION PROCEEDS, CITIZENS THERE MUST BE INCREASINGLY ON GUARD AGAINST MEMBERS OF SUCH AN UNELECTED ELITE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THEIR POWER. /// END OPT /// ... THIS SCANDAL ARGUES FOR CONTINUING TO STRENGTHEN THE [EUROPEAN] PARLIAMENT'S OVERSIGHT OF THE COMMISSION. IT MAY ALSO ARGUE ... THAT THE E-U'S SYSTEM OF DOING EVERYTHING IMPORTANT VIA TREATIES THAT ENCOURAGE BYZANTINE [COMPLEX] BUREAUCRATIC OPERATIONS PERHAPS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A CONSTITUTION THAT ... ENCOURAGES EFFICIENCY.

TEXT: STILL IN EUROPEAN AFFAIRS, AS THE POSSIBILITY OF WIDE-SCALE NEW FIGHTING IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE INCREASES WITH THE IMPASSE IN THE PEACE TALKS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS CATAGORIZING THE SITUATION AS "BRINKMANSHIP."

VOICE: BY BALKING AT A REASONABLE PEACE PLAN AND SENDING MORE COMBAT FORCES INTO KOSOVO, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, THE SERBIAN LEADER, IS PUSHING THE UNITED STATES AND ITS NATO ALLIES TO THE BRINK OF MILITARY CONFLICT IN THE BALKANS. UNLESS MR. MILOSEVIC RETREATS AT THE LAST MINUTE, WHICH HE HAS DONE BEFORE, AMERICAN MISSILES AND NATO WARPLANES COULD BE ATTACKING SERBIAN TARGETS WITHIN A MATTER OF DAYS. ... NATO SHOULD NOT UNDERTAKE BOMBING CASUALLY, ESPECIALLY TO CHANGE THE WAY A GOVERNMENT TREATS ITS OWN CITIZENS. BUT IN THIS CASE, NATO MUST BE UNITED IN CARRYING OUT ITS THREAT. ... BOMBING IS THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE.

TEXT: AND TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" POINTS OUT THAT MILITARY ACTION IN KOSOVO IS NOT THE ONLY HOSTILE ACT OF WHICH MR. MILOSEVIC IS CURRENTLY GUILTY. "THE POST" SAYS HE'S ALSO ASSAULTING THE YUGOSLAV MEDIA, ADDING:

VOICE: THIS IS N O COINCIDENCE. EVERY TIME THE UNITED STATES THREATENS MR. MILOSEVIC AND DOES NOT FOLLOW THROUGH, HE HAS AN EXCUSE TO TURN ON THOSE HE REGARDS AS INTERNAL ENEMIES. REPRESSION OF ALL INDEPENDENT MEDIA IN TURN ALLOWS THE SERBIAN DICTATOR TO FILL HIS AIRWAVES WITH HATEFUL NATIONALIST AND ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA. WHIPPING UP NATIONALIST SUPPORT FOR HIS BRUTAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS OF KOSOVO THEN HELPS HIM SOLIDIFY HIS GRIP ON POWER ... POISON AT HOME PROMOTES INSTABILITY THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD. OFFICIAL MEDIA HELPED PRODUCE THE ETHNIC CLEANSING IN BOSNIA ... NOW THEY ARE PROVIDING A COVER FOR MR. MILOSEVIC'S CRIMES IN KOSOVO. EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES ONCE AGAIN ARE VACILLATING ON WHETHER TO STAND UP TO THIS EVIL. UNTIL THEY DO, IT WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND.

TEXT: MORE COMMENT IS COMING IN ABOUT MONDAY'S DEADLY LONG-DISTANCE TRAIN WRECK IN ILLINOIS, IN WHICH THE "CITY OF NEW ORLEANS" DERAILED AFTER HITTING A BIG TRUCK [LORRY] LOADED WITH STEEL BARS, SOUTH OF CHICAGO. "USA TODAY," THE NATIONAL DAILY PUBLISHED IN A WASHINGTON D-C SUBURB, HAS THIS COMMENT.

VOICE: WHATEVER EMERGES FROM THE CONFLICTING STORIES OF THE TRUCK DRIVER AND OTHERS AT THE SCENE, THE FACT REMAINS: PEOPLE APPARENTLY AREN'T VERY GOOD AT STOPPING, LOOKING AND LISTENING AT RAILROAD TRACKS. THEY APPARENTLY MISJUDGE THE SPEED OF AN ONCOMING TRAIN, NOT REALIZING THAT EVEN A SMALL EIGHT-CAR PASSENGER TRAIN TRAVELING ABOUT 128-KILOMETERS-AN-HOUR TAKES MORE THAN 18-HUNDRED METERS TO STOP. PAST DISASTERS HAVE PROMPTED A MIGHTY NATIONAL EFFORT TO MINIMIZE THE DANGER ... YET, IMPATIENCE AND INATTENTION STILL TRIUMPH. HALF OF CROSSING COLLISIONS OCCUR WHERE THERE ARE AUTOMATIC GATES, LIGHTS, BELLS AND THE LIKE.

TEXT: ON TO THE OLYMPIC SCANDAL NOW, AS THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE IN SWITZERLAND MEETS TO TRY AND REPAIR THE DAMAGE. SAYS "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES:"

VOICE: THE 90 MEMBERS [OF THE I-O-C] ON HAND AT LAUSANNE ... BEGAN THE HOUSECLEANING BY EXPELLING SIX OF THEIR OWN FOR TAKING 'GIFTS' FROM SALT LAKE CITY. WHILE THIS WAS AN UNPRECEDENTED ACTION IN THE MODERN OLYMPIC MOVEMENT, IT IS A MINIMAL FIRST STEP. EVIDENCE OF CORRUPTION BY OTHER I-O-C MEMBERS MUST BE PURSUED. BUT THE REAL WORK BEGINS TODAY AS THE I-O-C ESTABLISHES A NEW SYSTEM FOR SELECTION OF OLYMPIC SITES, CREATES AN ETHICS COMMISSION AND LAUNCHES BASIC CHANGES IN OLYMPIC GOVERNANCE.

TEXT: TURNING TO LATIN AMERICAN AFFAIRS, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" IS REMEMBERING THE 'DISAPPEARED' OF THE REGION, FROM ITS "DIRTY WARS PERIOD" IN ITS THURSDAY EDITORIAL COLUMNS, FOLLOWING AN EMOTIONAL SPEECH AT HARVARD THIS WEEK BY SOME VICTIM'S FAMILIES.

VOICE: IT HAPPENED ... IN THIS HEMISPHERE. A RECRUDESCENT TYRANNY ROLLED ACROSS LATIN AMERICA. ... IN THE NAME OF ORDER AND ANTICOMMUNISM, AND THEY KIDNAPPED, TORTURED, AND ASSASSINATED THEIR CITIZENS. NOWHERE ... WAS STATE TERRORISM MORE SAVAGE THAN IN ARGENTINA UNDER THE MILITARY DICTATORSHIP THAT LASTED FROM MARCH 1976 UNTIL DECEMBER 1983. AND N O INSTRUMENT OF THAT TERROR WAS MORE EVIL THAN THE ANONYMOUS KIDNAPPING OF ARGENTINES SUSPECTED OF OPPOSING THE DICTATORSHIP. THE 30-THOUSAND VICTIMS ... CAME TO BE CALLED 'LOS DESAPARECIDOS' - - THE DISAPPEARED. ... 'THE WOUND WILL NEVER CLOSE,' SAID ONE OF THREE MOTHERS OF THE PLAZA DE MAYO WHO SPOKE TO STUDENTS MONDAY AT HARVARD . ... THOSE MOTHERS WHO MARCHED WITH WHITE KERCHIEFS BEFORE THE INTERIOR MINISTRY IN BUENOS AIRES, ASKING FOR JUSTICE, DID AS MUCH TO COMBAT FASCISM IN THIS HEMISPHERE AS ANDREI SAKHAROV AND HIS FELLOW DISSIDENTS DID TO RESIST THE SOVIET ORDER. ... AND THEY [STILL] HAVE HAD NO TRUTH AND NO JUSTICE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC [ARGENTINIAN] GOVERNMENTS THAT SUCCEEDED THE JUNTA ...

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES" IS UPSET WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR NOT SUSPENDING THE DEPORTATION OF THOUSANDS OF CENTRAL AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO THE UNITED STATES IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE MITCH'S DEVASTATING DAMAGE. SAYS "THE TIMES:"

VOICE: THE IMMIGRANTS WERE GIVEN A STAY OF DEPORTATION, WHICH ALLOWS THEM THREE MONTHS TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE UNITED STATES, BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGED CONDITIONS OF THEIR STORM-STRUCK NATIVE LANDS. COINCIDENTALLY, THAT STAY EXPIRED ON MARCH 8TH, THE VERY DAY MR. CLINTON BEGAN HIS TOUR OF NICARAGUA, HONDURAS, EL SALVADOR AND GUATEMALA. UNSURPRISINGLY, THE DEPORTATION OF THE GUATEMALANS AND SALVADORANS BECAME A DOMINANT THEME OF THE PRESIDENT'S TRIP, WHEN OTHER MORE CONCILIATORY ISSUES, SUCH AS TRADE, SHOULD HAVE COME TO THE FORE. ... THE TRIP WAS A POSITIVE STEP IN AND OF ITSELF, BUT IT WAS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY. ... THE IMMIGRANTS FROM MITCH-RAVAGED COUNTRIES WHO LIVE AND WORK IN THE UNITED STATES SERVE A VALUABLE FUNCTION. SALVADORANS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES SEND HOME A WHOPPING ONE-POINT-TWO-BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR. THIS IS AID WHICH U-S TAXPAYERS DON'T HAVE TO FOOT [PAY FOR] AND IS BADLY NEEDED IN THE BELEAGUERED REGION.

TEXT: TURNING BRIEFLY TO THE MIDDLE EAST, TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS ASSESSING THE FIRST TRIP OF AN IRANIAN LEADER TO THE WEST IN TWENTY YEARS, MOHAMAD KHATAMI'S RECENT VISIT TO ROME.

VOICE: ... IRAN'S PUBLIC FACE IS CHANGING WITH THE CONTINUED ASCENDANCY OF REFORMIST PRESIDENT MOHAMAD KHATAMI. ... SINCE HIS RETURN [TO IRAN] HE HAS TAKEN PREDICTABLE SNIPING FROM IRANIAN CONSERVATIVES, WHO DISTRUST ANY OUTREACH TO THE WORLDLY WEST. BUT THEY'RE FIGHTING A REAR-GUARD ACTION. [PRESIDENT] KHATAMI'S STRATEGY OF OPENNESS SERVES BOTH IRAN'S AND THE WEST'S LONG TERM INTERESTS.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM THE PAGES OF SOME OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/GE
18-Mar-99 11:52 AM EST (1652 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] I-O-C SCANDAL (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, THE I-O-C, HAS APPROVED A SERIES OF REFORMS FOLLOWING THE SALT LAKE CITY CORRUPTION SCANDAL. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE I-O-C HOPES THE REFORM MEASURES WILL HELP RESTORE THE ORGANIZATION'S TARNISHED IMAGE.

TEXT: THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE AGREED TO CHANGE THE WAY THE HOST CITY FOR THE 2006 WINTER GAMES WILL BE CHOSEN.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY, I-O-C MEMBERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO VISIT THE CITIES BIDDING FOR THE GAMES. INSTEAD, THE ORGANIZATION HAS DECIDED TO SET UP A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF I-O-C MEMBERS, FORMER ATHLETES, AND OTHER SPORTING OFFICIALS TO SELECT TWO OF THE BEST CITIES FROM THE SIX CANDIDATES.

THE I-O-C EXECUTIVE BOARD WANTED THE SMALL SELECTION PANEL TO CHOOSE THE WINNING CITY. BUT THIS CAUSED AN UPROAR AMONG I-O-C MEMBERS. SO A COMPROMISE WAS REACHED UNDER WHICH ALL MEMBERS WILL VOTE ON THE FINALIST.

THE I-O-C BELIEVES THIS NEW SYSTEM WILL NO LONGER PERMIT CANDIDATE CITIES TO TRY TO BUY VOTES BY LAVISHING MONEY AND GIFTS ON I-O-C MEMBERS. ON WEDNESDAY, THE I-O-C EXPELLED SIX MEMBERS WHO WERE ACCUSED OF ACCEPTING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN BRIBES OFFERED BY SALT LAKE CITY OFFICIALS.

THE TWO FRONT-RUNNERS AMONG THE SIX CITIES BIDDING FOR THE 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS ARE SION IN SWITZERLAND AND TURIN IN ITALY.

DELEGATES ATTENDING THE TWO-DAY EMERGENCY SESSION ALSO UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE CREATION OF AN ETHICS COMMISSION TO BE MADE UP MAINLY OF OUTSIDERS.

IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE ITS OPERATIONS MORE PUBLIC, THE ORGANIZATION ALSO RELEASED AN AUDIT SHOWING THE I-O-C HAD AROUND 236-MILLION DOLLARS AT THE END OF LAST YEAR.

THE ACCOUNTS ALSO REVEAL THAT I-O-C PRESIDENT JUAN ANTONIO SAMARANCH WAS PAID MORE THAN 200-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO COVER HIS ROOM AND LIVING EXPENSES WHILE HE WAS ON BUSINESS IN LAUSANNE, THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT. MR. SAMARANCH DOES NOT RECEIVE A SALARY. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
18-Mar-99 12:55 PM EST (1755 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[15] OLYMPICS / KLAGENFURT BID (S & L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: REPRESENTATIVES FROM AUSTRIA, ITALY AND SLOVENIA LAUNCHED A JOINT BID TODAY (THURSDAY) TO HOST THE TWO-THOUSAND-SIX WINTER OLYMPICS. THEY ANNOUNCED THE BID AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK, AS WE HEAR FROM CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.

TEXT: THE IDEA BEGAN AT LEAST 15 YEARS AGO -- A TIME WHEN BOYCOTTS PLAGUED THE OLYMPIC GAMES. THE THEME OF THE BID IS "BEYOND BORDERS -- KLAGENFURT TWO-THOUSAND-SIX." ONE OF ITS LEAD ORGNAIZERS, GABRIELE MASSARUTTO, SAYS THE BID IS DESIGNED TO SHOW THE BENEFITS OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION. HE SAYS 90 PERCENT OF THE WORLD'S NATIONS ARE TOO SMALL TO HOST OLYMPIC GAMES ON THEIR OWN. HE EXPECTS THE KLAGENFURT BID TO SET AN EXAMPLE FOR FUTURE OLYMPIC COOPERATION.

OUR VICTORY COULD BE THE HOPE OF THE FUTURE FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD.

OTHER COMPETITORS FOR THE WINTER TWO-THOUSAND-SIX WINTER OLYMPICS INCLUDE CITIES IN FINLAND, SWITZERLAND, SLOVAKIA AND POLAND.

OLYMPIC CHAMPION FRANZ KLAMMER IS SERVING AS AN AMBASSADOR FOR THE KLAGENFURT BID. HE SAYS THE JOINT EFFORT BY SLOVENIA, AUSTRIA AND ITALY WILL GIVE THE OLYMPIC GAMES THEIR ORIGINAL VALUE. HE SAYS THE BID RISES ABOVE THE SCANDALS OF TODAY TO OFFER HOPE FOR THE OLYMPICS OF TOMORROW.

THE AREA WHERE THE THREE COUNTRIES MEET IS HOME TO SOME OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR SCENERY AND SKIING FACILITIES IN THE WORLD. ORGANIZERS SAY IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR ANY OTHER REGION TO SURPASS THE QUALITIES OF THEIR BID. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/PT
18-Mar-99 6:47 PM EST (2347 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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