Voice of America, 99-04-13

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA FIGHTING (S) BY GIL BUTLER (TIRANA)

[02] ALBANIA FIGHTING (S/L VER) BY GIL BUTLER (TIRANA)

[03] REPORTERS NOTEBOOK: ALBANIA'S REFUGEES BY GIL BUTLER (KUKES, ALBANIA)

[04] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (BRAZHDA, MACEDONIA)

[05] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[06] BELGRADE DISPATCH (L-ONLY) BY GUY DINMORE (BELGRADE)

[07] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[08] CLINTON/KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[09] CLINTON/SERBS (S- ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[10] CLINTON/KOSOVO WRAP (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

[11] ALBRIGHT/RUSSIA (O'NITER) (S) BY KYLE KING (BRUSSELS)

[12] ALBRIGHT / RUSSIA (L) BY KYLE KING (BRUSSELS)

[13] ALBRIGHT / RUSSIA (L) BY KYLE KING (OSLO)

[14] NEWS ANALYSIS: CONGRESS KOSOVO BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

[15] RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA DURING BALKAN BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[16] RUSSIA/U-S BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[17] BLAIR / KOSOVO (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[18] BRITAIN/KOSOVO (S/L VER) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[19] NATO-KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[20] KOSOVO - MORE U-S PLANES (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[21] KOSOVO/U-S PLANES - UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[22] KOSOVO / AIR CAMPAIGN BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

[23] KOSOVO WRAP/TUESDAY (L ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

[24] NATO ATTACKS Q&A BY GUY DINMORE (BELGRADE)

[25] EDITORIAL: SERBIAN DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN

[26] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) (CQ) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[27] FRANCE TUNNEL (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[28] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

[29] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] ALBANIA FIGHTING (S) BY GIL BUTLER (TIRANA)

INTRO: SERB INFANTRY FORCES HAVE CROSSED THE BORDER INTO ALBANIA AND ATTACKED A BORDER VILLAGE THOUGHT TO BE A STRONGHOLD OF THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY (K-L-A). V-O-A CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM ALBANIA'S CAPITAL, TIRANA.

TEXT: INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS AND ALBANIAN OFFICIALS SAY THE SERB ASSAULT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY HEAVY ARTILLERY FIRE.

IT TOOK PLACE IN THE TROPOJA AREA, IN THE VILLAGE OF KAMENICA. THIS IS THE SAME AREA THAT HAS COME UNDER ARTILLERY FIRE FOR THE PAST FIVE DAYS, WITH A NUMBER OF K-L-A GUERRILLAS AND ALBANIAN CIVILIANS KILLED.

IT IS A BORDER CROSSING IN THE FAR NORTH OF ALBANIA, ABOUT 300 KILOMETERS FROM TIRANA.

IF THE REPORTS ARE ACCURATE AND SERBS HAVE TAKEN CONTROL OF SOME ALBANIAN TERRITORY, IT COULD MEAN AN ESCALATION OF THE CONFLICT.

SOURCES IN THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, WHICH HAS OBSERVERS IN MOST REGIONS OF ALBANIA, SAY THE SERB STRATEGY APPEARS TO BE TO CLEAR OUT BORDER REGIONS THAT HAVE BEEN STRONGHOLDS FOR K-L-A FORCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/JWH
13-Apr-99 9:59 AM EDT (1359 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA FIGHTING (S/L VER) BY GIL BUTLER (TIRANA)

INTRO: ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS SAY YUGOSLAVIA'S SERB INFANTRY FORCES CROSSED INTO ALBANIA AND ATTACKED A BORDER VILLAGE. THE AREA IS A STRONGHOLD OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- THE K-L-A. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE ON THE STORY FROM THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL.

TEXT: OBSERVERS FROM THE O-S-C-E -- THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE -- SAY THERE WAS A FIFTH DAY OF ARTILLERY FIRE ON THE ALBANIAN REGION CALLED TROPOJA. REPORTEDLY THIS TIME, SERB GROUND TROOPS CROSSED THE BORDER AND BRIEFLY OCCUPIED THE VILLAGE OF KAMERNICA, BEFORE MOVING BACK -- THAT ACCORDING TO ALBANIAN STATE TELEVISION.

YUGOSLAVIA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY DENIES THAT THERE WAS ANY SERB INCURSION AND SAYS, ON THE CONTRARY, SIX-THOUSAND K-L-A "TERRORISTS" -- THE TERM THE YUGOSLAVS USE TO DESCRIBE THE K-L-A ARE ATTACKING INSIDE YUGOSLAVIA.

THE SHELLING PRIOR TO TUESDAY KILLED AS MANY AS EIGHT K-L-A GUERRILLAS AND SEVERAL ALBANIAN CIVILIANS.

THE TROPOJA AREA IS IN THE FAR NORTH OF ALBANIA -- ABOUT 300 KILOMETERS FROM THE CAPITAL, TIRANA. //END OPT FOR SHORT//

WHILE A SERB GROUND ATTACK COULD REPRESENT AN ESCALATION OF THE CONFLICT, IT COULD ALSO BE PART OF A MORE LIMITED SERB OBJECTIVE CLEARING BORDER AREAS OF K-L-A FIGHTERS IN ANTICIPATION OF POSSIBLE GROUND ACTION BY NATO, THOUGH GROUND ACTION HAVE NOT BEEN GIVE NATO APPROVAL.

THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY IS A PRESENCE IN NORTHERN ALBANIA. THERE'S A K-L-A TRAINING CAMP A FEW KILOMETERS FROM THE LARGEST TOWN IN THE REGION -- KUKES -- AND NUMEROUS YOUNG MEN, AND SOME YOUNG WOMEN IN CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORMS STROLL DOWN THE TOWN STREETS OR VISIT WITH KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN THE ENCAMPMENTS AROUND KUKES.

THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT HAS FORMAL RELATIONS WITH THE K-L-A -- WHICH HAS AN OFFICE HERE IN TIRANA. ALBANIA SAYS AFTER THE SERB SIDE REFUSED TO SIGN THE RAMBOUILLET PEACE AGREEMENT FOR KOSOVO, THE ARMED RESISTANCE OF THE K-L-A IS LEGITIMATE. (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/PCF/JO
13-Apr-99 11:59 AM EDT (1559 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] REPORTERS NOTEBOOK: ALBANIA'S REFUGEES BY GIL BUTLER (KUKES, ALBANIA)

INTRO: THE TOWN OF KUKES ALBANIA HAS BECOME, IN RECENT WEEKS, THE FIRST STOP FOR SEEMINGLY COUNTLESS REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLE, CROSSING IN FROM NEIGHBORING KOSOVO. THE EXODUS HAS COMPOUNDED THE STRESS AND HARDSHIP FOR THIS ALREADY IMPOVERISHED TOWN. BUT AS V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER RECALLS FROM HIS REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK, HARDY KUKES ENDURES THE STRAIN ... AND LIFE GOES ON.

TEXT: //SOUNDS OF TRUCKS MOVING, CARRYING REFUGEES -- ESTABLISH, THEN FADE UNDER AND LOSE ///

THE ONLY ROAD LINKING ALBANIA'S CAPITAL WITH THE NORTHERN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY MAY BE THE ROUGHEST AND MOST DETERIORATED IN EUROPE ... IF NOT THE WORLD. YOU COULD DESCRIBE IT AS POTHOLES CONNECTED BY BITS OF ASPHALT. FOR 200 KILOMETERS, THE ROAD SNAKES UP AND DOWN AND AROUND MOUNTAINS AND ACROSS RIVERS.

KUKES -- THE LARGEST TOWN NEAR THE KOSOVO BORDER -- NORMALLY IS HOME TO ABOUT 20-THOUSAND PEOPLE. IT LIES AT THE BASE OF ALBANIA'S SECOND-HIGHEST MOUNTAIN, DJALLICA, WHICH STILL HAS SNOW IN ITS PEAKS. ABOUT 100-THOUSAND PEOPLE LIVE IN KUKES NOW. EIGHTY-THOUSAND REFUGEES HAVE TAKEN SHELTER WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS OR LIVE IN THEIR FARM TRAILERS COVERED IN PLASTIC SHEETING. IN ALL, ABOUT 300-THOUSAND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS HAVE PASSED THROUGH THIS TOWN SINCE THE KOSOVO CRISIS TURNED INTO A SHOOTING WAR.

THE MUDDY STREETS ARE CROWDED DAY AND NIGHT. THERE ARE GROUPS OF MEN TALKING, WOMEN SHOPPING, CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORMED KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY RECRUITS, ALBANIAN POLICE, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF JUST ABOUT EVERY HUMANITARIAN AID AGENCY IN THE WORLD.

AND THERE ARE CROWDS OF CHILDREN ...

THE LOCAL KIDS HAVE NOT FACED THE KIND OF TRAUMA THE KOSOVAR CHILDREN HAVE ENDURED. BUT THE REFUGEE CHILDREN TOO PLAY WITH WHATEVER IS AVAILABLE IN THE CAMPS. ONE GROUP OF GIRLS JUMPED ROPE WITH AN ELECTRIC EXTENSION CORD. RADIO, TELEVISION AND CASSETTE RECORDINGS FURNISH THE MUSIC. MOST OF IT IS A KIND OF "DISCO" WITH ALBANIAN LYRICS. BUT THERE IS A UNIQUELY-ALBANIAN FOLK MUSIC YOU CAN HEAR OCCASIONALLY.

THIS IS POLYPHONIC SINGING CALLED "PILURIOTE."

SOME SECTIONS OF KUKES' ECONOMY MUST BE DOING QUITE WELL -- RESTAURANTS, THE ONE HOTEL, APARTMENT OWNERS WHO HAVE RENTED THEIR HOMES TO FOREIGN NEWS ORGANIZATIONS. BUT LIKE IN MOST OF ALBANIA, UNDERLYING A BRISK TRADE THERE IS AMPLE EVIDENCE OF SEVERE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. THE POOR ROADS, THE CRUMBLING BUILDINGS AND BRIDGES, THE UNEMPLOYED YOUNG PEOPLE. ONE ALBANIAN SAID IT LOOKS LIKE WE'VE BEEN AT WAR FOR 50 YEARS. INDEED, THE MOST STRIKING LEGACY OF THE STRANGE 40 YEAR RULE OF STALINIST DICTATOR ENVER HOXHA ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF STEEL-AND-CONCRETE "PILL BOXES" (GUN HOUSES) THAT MAR THE LANDSCAPE. THEY WERE ORDERED BECAUSE HOXHA WAS CERTAIN AN INVASION OF ALBANIA BY THE SOVIET UNION WAS IMMINENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/PCF/JO
13-Apr-99 2:40 PM EDT (1840 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] MACEDONIA/REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (BRAZHDA, MACEDONIA)

INTRO: HUNDREDS OF REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO CROSSED (TUESDAY) INTO MACEDONIA. INTERNATIONAL AID WORKERS ESTIMATE THE NUMBER OF NEW ARRIVALS TO BE ABOUT 600 AND SAY THEY EXPECT MORE IN THE COMING DAYS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT IN BRAZHDA, MACEDONIA, REPORTS MANY OF THE NEW ARRIVALS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN HIDING IN KOSOVO FORESTS FOR THE PAST WEEK.

TEXT: ONE BY ONE, HUNDREDS OF NEW ARRIVALS AT THE BLACE BORDER POINT CLIMB ONTO MACEDONIAN BUSES. IN ONE EXAMPLE OF THE CHAOS HERE, THE FIRST THREE BUSES ARE TAKEN TO THE WRONG CAMP. THE REFUGEES CRAMMED INSIDE -- SOME SITTING, SOME STANDING PRESSED AGAINST THE DOUBLE DOORS -- ARE THEN SHUTTLED BACK TOWARDS THE BORDER TO THEIR CORRECT DESTINATION -- THE STANKOVIC CAMP.

REFUGEES WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN IN THE CAMP SEVERAL DAYS RUN ALONG SIDE THE BUSES LOOKING FOR ANY FAMILIAR FACE INSIDE. A MIDDLE AGED MAN WITH WHITE HAIR STICKS HIS HEAD OUT THE WINDOW AND SHOUTS OVER THE ENGINE NOISE.

THE MAN THEN LISTS VILLAGES -- CERNILA (TSER-'NILA), BABUSH, (BAB'OOSH) GADIME (GA-DI'-MEH), SEJEVA (SE-YEH'-VA) AND OTHERS. HE SAYS THEY ARE ALL EMPTY, ALL THE VILLAGERS AHIDING IN THE FOREST. HE SAYS THAT AFTER TEN DAYS IN THE FOREST HIS FAMILY COULD NOT STAND THE HUNGER AND LEFT.

THE MAN IS SOON LOST IN THE CROWD AS THE HUNDREDS OF REFUGEES CLIMB OFF THE BUSES AND BEGIN A SHORT WALK UP A MUDDY HILL TO THEIR TENTS.

MOST OF THESE REFUGEES ARE FROM A VILLAGE KNOWN IN SERBIAN AS URUSHEVAC (OO-ROW'-SHE-VATS), IN ALBANIAN AS FERIZAJ (FERI'-ZAI). THE CHILDREN WALK WITH GLAZED EYES. THEIR MOTHERS AND FATHERS HOLD THEIR HANDS AND STROKE THE HEADS OF THOSE WHO ARE CRYING. THEY ARE TIRED, OVERWHELMED, AND DIRTY.

AN OLD COUPLE STAND SIDE BY SIDE IN ASTONISHMENT AS REPORTERS PHOTOGRAPH THEM. THE 70-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, ELMASE MUSA (EL-MA-ZE MOO'SA), BEGINS TO CRY.

SHE SAYS SERBS USED THE LEG OF A CHAIR TO ATTACK HER HUSBAND, THEN POURED GASOLINE ON HIM.

THE OLD MAN SAYS THE SERBS LOCKED HIM IN HIS HOUSE AND SET IT ON FIRE, BUT HE MANAGED TO ESCAPE. HE PULLS UP HIS SLEEVE AND TAKES OFF HIS CAP TO SHOW BUMPS AND SCARS ON HIS BODY.

NATO SOLDIERS TAKE THE COUPLE AND ESCORT THEM AND OTHER FAMILIES TOWARDS EMTPY TENTS. ONCE INSIDE, ENTIRE FAMILIES SIT ON THE GRASS AND DIRT FLOORS OF THEIR NEW HOMES, WAITING TO KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. LIKE THE MAN WHO SHOUTED FROM THE BUS WINDOW, MOST REFUGEES SAY THEIR VILLAGES ARE NOW EMPTY. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/JWH
13-Apr-99 11:32 AM EDT (1532 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, SAYS 48-HUNDRED KOSOVAR REFUGEES CROSSED INTO NORTHERN ALBANIA BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND FIVE O'CLOCK TUESDAY MORNING. BUT LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS SERB SECURITY FORCES IN KOSOVO QUICKLY PUT AN END TO THIS LATEST EXODUS BY ONCE AGAIN CLOSING THE BORDER BETWEEN ALBANIA AND THE SERBIAN PROVINCE.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS MOST OF THE REFUGEES ARRIVED IN ALBANIA DRIVING TRACTORS WITH TRAILERS PULLING CARS THAT HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS AMONG THE REFUGEES WERE ABOUT 300 PEOPLE FROM THE VILLAGE OF ZRZE. HE SAYS THESE PEOPLE WERE AMONG THE LARGE NUMBER OF REFUGEES WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY FLED TOWARD ALBANIA BUT HAD BEEN TURNED BACK AT THE BORDER BY SERB SECURITY FORCES. HE SAYS THE REFUGEES WERE TOLD ONCE AGAIN TO GO TO KOSOVO FOLLOWING YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S CEASEFIRE ANNOUNCEMENT.

THEY TURNED THEM AROUND. THESE PEOPLE TOLD US THEY WERE TAKEN AT GUNPOINT, TOLD TO GO BACK TO THEIR VILLAGE WHICH WAS COMPLETELY WIPED OUT, AND THEY WERE STAYING IN THEIR VILLAGE TOTALLY TERRIFIED, SURROUNDED BY SNIPERS AND KEPT IN THE DESTROYED VILLAGE UNTIL APRIL 12 WHEN THE SERB FORCES CAME OVER AND TOLD THEM TO GO TO THE BORDER.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THIS IS THE FIRST GROUP OF PEOPLE TO TELL AID WORKERS WHAT HAPPENED AT THE TIME SERBS HALTED THE EXODUS LAST WEDNESDAY. HE SAYS IT IS REASONABLE TO ASSUME THAT OTHER REFUGEES WHO WERE FORCED TO RETURN TO KOSOVO WENT THROUGH SIMILAR EXPERIENCES.

THE REFUGEES SAID THEY WERE NOT PHYSICALLY ABUSED BY THE SERBS IN THEIR VILLAGE. BUT, THEY SAID THEY WERE STRIPPED OF THEIR MONEY AND THEIR IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS MOST OF THE OTHER REFUGEES WHO ARRIVED IN ALBANIA EARLY TUESDAY CAME FROM TWO VILLAGES LOCATED WEST OF THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA.

THESE PEOPLE TOLD US THAT THEY WERE BASICALLY ROUNDED UP ALSO WITHOUT EXCESSIVE VIOLENCE, BUT BASICALLY ROUNDED UP AND SENT OFF TO THE BORDER. THEY TOLD US ABOUT THE VIOLENT INCIDENT AT THE BORDER ITSELF WHERE A YOUNG WOMAN WAS ALLEGEDLY SHOT AND KILLED BY THE SERBIAN FORCES WHEN THE SOLDIERS TRIED TO TAKE HER AWAY AND SHE TRIED TO ESCAPE. THE WOMAN'S FAMILY WAS ALSO HELD BACK AT THE BORDER.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE SERBS APPEAR TO HAVE CHANGED THEIR TACTICS AND ARE ENGAGED IN, WHAT HE CALLS, A WELL-ORGANIZED MOPPING UP OPERATION, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE PRISTINA AREA. HE SAYS THE SERBS ARE NO LONGER PUSHING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS OUT OF KOSOVO AT ONE TIME. INSTEAD, HE SAYS SERB FORCES ARE ROUNDING UP PEOPLE IN A FAIRLY SYSTEMATIC, PLANNED WAY. HE SAYS THEY ARE THEN TAKEN TO THE BORDER AND PUSHED ACROSS INTO ALBANIA AND THEN THE BORDER IS CLOSED AGAIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
13-Apr-99 9:01 AM EDT (1301 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] BELGRADE DISPATCH (L-ONLY) BY GUY DINMORE (BELGRADE)

INTRO: A RUSSIAN AID CONVOY FINALLY ARRIVED IN BELGRADE TUESDAY, BUT TOO LATE FOR THE ORTHODOX EASTER CELEBRATION. THE AUTHORITIES IN HUNGARY HELD UP THE TRUCKS FOR THREE DAYS. THREE WEEKS OF BOMBING BY NATO IS TAKING ITS TOLL ON YUGOSLAVIA'S INFRASTRUCTURE. GUY DINMORE REPORTS.

TEXT: HUNGARIAN BORDER GUARDS HELD UP THE CONVOY OF 73 VEHICLES THAT CROSSED THROUGH UKRAINE FROM RUSSIA BECAUSE FIVE WERE ARMORED AND FOUR CARRIED DIESEL FUEL. HUNGARY, WHICH JUST THIS MONTH JOINED NATO, ARGUED THAT THESE NINE VEHICLES COULD HELP YUGOSLAVIA'S MILITARY. BUT AFTER A THREE DAY DELAY, THE REST OF THE TRUCKS, CARRYING FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES, WERE ALLOWED TO PASS.

AIR RAIDS MONDAY NIGHT INFLICTED SERIOUS DAMAGE ON TARGETS ACROSS SERBIA (YUGOSLAVIA'S DOMINANT REPUBLIC), DESPITE HEAVY ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE FROM THE SUBURBS OF BELGRADE. THE MAIN OIL REFINERY AT PANCEVO, JUST OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL, WAS DESTROYED IN A BALL OF FIRE.

NATO SAID SERBIA COULD NO LONGER MAKE FUEL OR LUBRICANTS. RESIDENTS SAY, HOWEVER, THAT LIMITED AMOUNTS OF FUEL ARE GETTING ACROSS THE BORDER FROM THE SERB-CONTROLLED HALF OF EASTERN BOSNIA. FOUR YEARS AGO, DURING THE BOSNIAN WAR, IT WAS SERBIA THAT SUPPLIED THE BOSNIAN SERBS WITH FUEL. BUT NOW DESPERATELY NEEDED PETROL AND DIESEL ARE BEING SMUGGLED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

NATO ALSO CONTINUED TO TARGET AIRPORTS, FUEL DEPOTS AND BRIDGES IN AN ATTEMPT TO BRING THE YUGOSLAV ARMY OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO A HALT.

BUT THE STRIKES ARE ALSO INFLICTING SERIOUS CASUALTIES AMONG CIVILIANS. FOREIGN REPORTERS WERE TAKEN TO BELGRADE'S MILITARY HOSPITAL WHERE SIX PEOPLE, INCLUDING A 14 YEAR-OLD BOY, WERE SEEN IN INTENSIVE CARE. DOCTORS SAID NONE OF THEM WOULD SURVIVE. THE HOSPITAL ITSELF WAS ALSO DAMAGED IN MONDAY NIGHT'S RAIDS. SOME PATIENTS WERE INJURED BY FLYING GLASS AND DEBRIS.

THE RAIDS ON CIVILIAN TARGETS ARE FUELING ANTI-WESTERN SENTIMENT AMONG SERBS -- WHO ARE TURNING TO THEIR FELLOW ORTHODOX SLAVS IN RUSSIA FOR HELP. A BID BY YUGOSLAVIA TO JOIN A UNION WITH RUSSIA AND BELARUS WAS TURNED DOWN BY MOSCOW TUESDAY -- AT LEAST UNTIL THE CONFLICT WITH NATO IS OVER.

MR. MILOSEVIC IS SHOWING NO SIGNS OF INTENDING TO ACCEPT NATO'S DEMANDS OVER KOSOVO PROVINCE. BUT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, IN A SOFTENING OF BELGRADE'S POSITION, HAVE INDICATED THAT SOME KIND OF INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE. DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER VUK DRASKOVIC SUGGESTED THAT THE BASIS FOR COMPROMISE WOULD BE A MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE THAT EXCLUDED TROOPS FROM COUNTRIES TAKING PART IN NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN. (SIGNED)
NEB/GD/JO
13-Apr-99 3:56 PM EDT (1956 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: HERE IN WASHINGTON, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS EXPRESSING "SERIOUS CONCERN" ABOUT THE REPORTED YUGOSLAV INCURSION INTO ALBANIA. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: CLINTON SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAID HE WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM THE REPORTED RAID. BUT ECHOING COMMENTS BY SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT IN NORWAY, HE SAID THE NATO ALLIES HAVE TOLD BELGRADE TO RESPECT THE BORDERS OF NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. HE SAID ANY WIDENING OF THE CONFLICT WOULD HAVE THE MOST SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.

HE NOTED ALBANIA IS A MEMBER OF NATO'S PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE, BUT DECLINED COMMENT ON WHETHER THE ALLIES MIGHT TRY TO HELP ALBANIAN FORCES REPEL THE INCURSION. HE SAID PARTNERSHIP STATUS DOES NOT ENTAIL A NATO OBLIGATION TO DEFEND MEMBER COUNTRIES.

THE NEW DEVELOPMENT CAME AS PRESIDENT CLINTON CONVENED A MEETING OF MORE THAN 50 CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES ON KOSOVO.

SPOKESMAN LOCKHART SAID THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN MR. CLINTON'S VIEW THAT U-S GROUND TROOPS ARE NOT NEEDED. HE INDICATED THE PRESIDENT IS INCLINED TO SUPPORT A PENTAGON REQUEST TO COMMIT ANOTHER 300 U-S PLANES TO THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/RAE
13-Apr-99 10:25 AM EDT (1425 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] CLINTON/KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS BRIEFED CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS ON THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, WHICH HE SAYS IS "GRINDING DOWN" SERBIAN FORCES' MILITARY CAPABILITIES. PARTICIPANTS SAY THE PRESIDENT DID NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING TO USE GROUND TROOPS AT SOME POINT. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON BRIEFED A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF MORE THAN 50 CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS ON NATO AIR OPERATIONS, WHICH HE SAYS HAVE ALREADY INFLICTED HEAVY DAMAGE ON SERB FORCES AND ARE MOVING UP TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF INTENSITY.

EMERGING TO TALK TO REPORTERS AFTER THE TWO-HOUR SESSION, THE PRESIDENT SAID YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S ABILITY TO WAGE WAR IS RAPIDLY DECLINING IN THE THIRD WEEK OF NATO'S AIR OFFENSIVE:

OUR CAMPAIGN IS DIMINISHING AND GRINDING DOWN MR. MILOSEVIC'S MILITARY CAPABILITIES. WE HAVE WEAKENED SERBIA'S AIR DEFENSES AND COMMAND AND CONTROL. WE HAVE REDUCED HIS ABILITY TO MOVE, SUSTAIN AND SUPPLY THE WAR MACHINE IN KOSOVO. WE HAVE DAMAGED HIS REFINERIES AND DIMINISHED HIS CAPACITY TO PRODUCE AMMUNITION. WE ARE STRIKING NOW AT HIS TANKS, AND AT HIS ARTILLERY, AND HAVE DESTROYED HALF HIS ADVANCED MIG-29 AIRCRAFT.

NOTING THE OBSERVANCE [TUESDAY] OF HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY, MR. CLINTON SAID AMERICANS SHOULD RESOLVE NOT TO ALLOW MR. MILOSEVIC'S ETHNIC CLEANSING AND KILLING IN KOSOVO TO GO UNANSWERED.

HE SAID AMERICANS WANT THE CONFLICT TO END -- NOT ONLY FOR THE SAKE OF THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO, BUT ALSO FOR THOSE OF SERBIA, WHO HE SAYS HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO CONFRONTATION BY A CYNICAL LEADER WITH NO REGARD FOR THEIR WELFARE.

WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS SAY THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN MR. CLINTON'S VIEW THAT NATO CAN ACHIEVE ITS AIMS IN KOSOVO WITH AIR POWER ALONE. BUT AT LEAST TWO SENATORS WHO TOOK PART IN THE MEETING HERE, INCLUDING DEMOCRAT JOSEPH LIEBERMAN, SAY MR. CLINTON DID NOT FORECLOSE THE OPTION OF DEPLOYING GROUND TROOPS AT SOME POINT, IF NECESSARY:

HE SAID A COUPLE OF TIMES THAT HE DOES NOT FAVOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF GROUND FORCES, AND THAT IT'S NOT UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION NOW, BUT THAT NO OPTION SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE TABLE, AND THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR MR. MILOSEVIC NOT TO HAVE ANY SENSE OF CONFIDENCE THAT HE CAN SUFFER OUT OR WAIT OUT THE NATO AIR BOMBARDMENT, AND EXPECT US TO WALK AWAY.

SEVERAL OF THOSE AT THE MEETING SAID THE NATO ALLIES SHOULD PRE-POSITION GROUND TROOPS -- OR AT LEAST THE MATERIAL THAT WOULD BE NEEDED TO SUPPORT THEM -- NEAR KOSOVO TO SPEED THEIR DEPLOYMENT IN CASE SUCH A STEP PROVES NECESSARY.

SENATE REPUBLICAN MITCH MCCONNELL TOLD REPORTERS HE PROPOSED THAT NATO ARM AND SUPPORT KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY GUERRILLAS AS ONE STEP THAT MIGHT ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE ALLIANCE TO COMMIT GROUND TROOPS ITSELF:

IF YOU DON'T GIVE THE FORCES IN KOSOVO AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES, THE PRESUMPTION IS SOMEBODY ELSE IS GOING TO HAVE TO GO IN AND DO THAT. [IT] SEEMS TO ME THIS IS A MUCH BETTER OPTION. THE K-L-A IS STILL ALIVE. IT'S STILL THERE. THERE WERE RUMORS THAT THEY HAD SORT OF FADED AWAY. THEY HAVE NOT, AND THEY COULD BE A FAIRLY EFFECTIVE FIGHTING FORCE IF WE GIVE THEM A BETTER CHANCE TO DO THAT.

THE WHITE HOUSE DISMISSED THE MCCONNELL PROPOSAL, WITH A SPOKESMAN SAYING U-S POLICY IS TO GET SERB FORCES OUT AND TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO -- NOT ADD TO IT BY ARMING THE K-L-A.

THE K-L-A ISSUE NOT-WITH-STANDING, THE MEETING AMOUNTED TO A BIPARTISAN DISPLAY OF UNITY FOR MR. CLINTON'S HANDLING OF THE CRISIS THUS FAR. A SENIOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN HOUSE MEMBER, DEMOCRAT MAXINE WATERS OF CALIFORNIA, SAID THE KOSOVO SITUATION CAN BE COMPARED TO BOTH THE NAZI HOLOCAUST, AND WHAT OCCURRED IN CENTRAL AFRICA EARLIER IN THIS DECADE:

HISTORY WILL NOT TREAT US KINDLY IF WE SIT BY AND WATCH GENOCIDE TAKE PLACE AGAIN. WE WERE SLOW WITH THE HOLOCAUST. WE WERE NOT THERE IN RWANDA. I'VE HAD SLEEPLESS NIGHTS ABOUT THE BODIES THAT WERE SHOWN FLOATING DOWN THE RIVER, WHEN THE CONFLICT TOOK PLACE BETWEEN THE HUTUS AND THE TUTSIS AND WE WATCHED ALMOST A MILLION PEOPLE DIE. AND I SAID TO MYSELF AT THAT TIME, "NEVER AGAIN."

THE ADMINISTRATION IS EXPECTED TO SEND CONGRESS WEDNESDAY A PROPOSAL FOR AT LEAST THREE-BILLION DOLLARS IN SUPPLEMENTAL DEFENSE SPENDING TO COVER THE COST OF THE KOSOVO CAMPAIGN. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/PHW/WTW
13-Apr-99 4:08 PM EDT (2008 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[09] CLINTON/SERBS (S- ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS URGED AMERICANS NOT TO, AS HE PUT IT, "DEMONIZE" THE SERB PEOPLE BECAUSE OF ATROCITIES BY YUGOSLAV FORCES IN KOSOVO. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON TOLD A WHITE HOUSE MILLENIAL EVENT FOCUSSING ON THE NAZI HOLOCAUST THAT IT IS "ONLY NATURAL" TO DRAW COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE FATE OF JEWS IN WORLD WAR TWO AND WHAT IS HAPPENING TO KOSOVAR ALBANIANS. BUT HE URGED AMERICANS NOT TO FALL VICTIM TO WHAT HE SAID WAS THE "EASY TEMPTATION" TO DEMONIZE THE SERB PEOPLE, BECAUSE OF ACTIONS OF THE BELGRADE LEADERSHIP:

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LEGITIMATE CONCERNS. ANY INTERNATIONAL FORCE GOING INTO KOSOVO TO MAINTAIN THE PEACE MUST BE DEDICATED ALSO TO PROTECTING THE SERBIAN MINORITY FROM THOSE WHO MAY WISH TO TAKE THEIR VENGEANCE.

AT THE SAME TIME, MR. CLINTON SAID AMERICANS CANNOT BE INDIFFERENT TO THE FACT THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS DEFINED HIS POLITICAL DESTINY AS A LICENSE TO KILL. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/PHW/PT
12-Apr-99 9:36 PM EDT (0136 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[10] CLINTON/KOSOVO WRAP (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: WITH CONGRESS RETURNING FROM ITS SPRING RECESS, PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS BEGUN AN INTENSIVE ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS WITH MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES ON MILITARY OPERATIONS IN THE BALKANS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON HAD AN EVENING MEETING WITH LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES, WHO PUT ON A SHOW OF UNITY -- AT LEAST IN THEIR SUPPORT FOR U-S MILITARY PERSONNEL IN THE FIELD. HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER DICK GEPHARDT SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC SHOULD KNOW THAT THE UNITED STATES IS DETERMINED TO CARRY ON UNTIL THERE IS AN ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS:

I THINK HE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT AMERICA IS UNITED WITH NATO IN THIS QUEST, AND THAT OUR POLICY IS VERY CLEAR: WE WANT HIS TROOPS TO PULL BACK OUT OF KOSOVO. WE WANT THE KOSOVAR CITIZENS TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK INTO KOSOVO, AND WE WANT AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE TO MAKE SURE THAT POLICY GOES FORWARD. THAT'S WHAT WE WANT. AND WE'RE UNITED IN STOCKING WITH THAT POLICY UNTIL WE ACCOMPLISH IT.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT, WHO BEFORE THE RECESS HAD BEEN STRONGLY OPPOSED TO PUTTING U-S GROUND TROOPS IN KOSOVO, POINTEDLY TOLD REPORTERS THAT NO OPTION SHOULD BE PRECLUDED -- THOUGH MR. CLINTON'S INTENTION NOW IS TO CONTINUE WITH AIRSTRIKES ALONE.

THE PRESIDENT PLANNED A BROADER MEETING WITH SEVERAL DOZEN SENIOR CONGRESSMEN TUESDAY, AT WHICH HE IS EXPECTED TO FORMALLY REQUEST AS MUCH AS THREE BILLION DOLLARS IN ADDITIONAL MILITARY FUNDING FOR BALKANS OPERATIONS.

MR. CLINTON MEANWHILE CONTINUED HIS EFFORT TO GENERATE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE KOSOVO INTERVENTION. AT A WHITE HOUSE MILLENIAL EVENT FOCUSSING ON THE NAZI HOLOCAUST, THE PRESIDENT SAID IT IS "ONLY NATURAL" TO DRAW COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE FATE OF JEWS IN WORLD WAR TWO AND WHAT IS HAPPENING TO KOSOVAR ALBANIANS.

AT THE SAME TIME HOWEVER, MR. CLINTON URGED AMERICANS NOT TO FALL VICTIM TO WHAT HE SAID WAS THE "EASY TEMPTATION" TO DEMONIZE THE SERB PEOPLE BECAUSE OF THE ACTIONS OF THE BELGRADE LEADERSHIP:

THEY WERE OUR ALLIES IN WORLD WAR TWO. THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LEGITIMATE CONCERNS. ANY INTERNATIONAL FORCE GOING INTO KOSOVO TO MAINTAIN THE PEACE MUST BE DEDICATED ALSO TO PROTECTING THE SERBIAN MINORITY FROM THOSE WHO MAY WISH TO TAKE THEIR VENGEANCE. BUT WE CANNOT BE INDIFFERENT TO THE FACT THAT THE SERBIAN LEADER HAS DEFINED DESTINY AS A LICENSE TO KILL.

MR. CLINTON SAID THE NATO-LED PEACE FORCE ENVISAGED FOR KOSOVO CANNOT CAUSE ANCIENT GRUDGES AND WOUNDS TO HEAL OVERNIGHT. BUT HE SAID IT WOULD MAKE IT MORE LIKELY THE PARTIES WILL RESOLVE DIFFERENCES BY FORCE OF ARGUMENT, RATHER THAN FORCE OF ARMS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/PT
12-Apr-99 9:10 PM EDT (0110 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[11] ALBRIGHT/RUSSIA (O'NITER) (S) BY KYLE KING (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV MEET IN OSLO TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR TALKS ON THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO. VOA'S KYLE KING IS TRAVELING WITH THE SECRETARY.

TEXT: EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS DESCRIBE THE OSLO MEETING AS AN EFFORT TO GET RUSSIA BACK ON BOARD SO IT CAN PLAY A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN ANY DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IN KOSOVO.

RUSSIA HAS BEEN A FIERCE CRITIC OF NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS RUSSIA HAS PLAYED A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN EFFORTS TO BRING PEACE TO THE BALKANS. DESPITE DIFFERENCES OVER KOSOVO, SHE SAYS SHE WANTS MOSCOW AND THE WEST TO WORK TOGETHER.

I EXPECT WHEN I MEET WITH FOREIGN MINISTER IVANOV WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE COMMON APPROACH TO THIS CAN BE.

IN AN EFFORT EASE RUSSIAN OPPOSITION TO NATO INVOLVEMENT IN KOSOVO, ALLIANCE OFFICIALS HAVE STOPPED CALLING FOR A PURELY NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. OFFICIALS ARE NOW CALLING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE THAT COULD INCLUDE RUSSIAN TROOPS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PHW/WFR
12-Apr-99 8:02 PM EDT (0002 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[12] ALBRIGHT / RUSSIA (L) BY KYLE KING (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV MEET IN OSLO TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR TALKS ON THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO. THE MEETING WILL BE FIRST SINCE NATO'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WAS LAUNCHED OVER STRONG RUSSIAN OBJECTIONS. VOA'S KYLE KING IS TRAVELING WITH THE SECRETARY AND FILES THIS REPORT.

TEXT: EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS DESCRIBE THE OSLO MEETING IS AN IMPORTANT EFFORT TO GET RUSSIA BACK BOARD SO THEY CAN PLAY A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN ANY DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO.

RUSSIA HAS BEEN A FIERCE CRITIC OF NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA. LAST WEEK, RUSSIA SET OFF ALARM BELLS WHEN NEWS REPORTS SAID RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAD RETARGETED NUCLEAR MISSILES AT NATO MEMBERS INVOLVED IN THE AIR STRIKES.

RUSSIAN OFFICIALS QUICKLY RETRACTED THE COMMENTS AND REAFFIRMED THEIR COMMITMENT TO STAY OUT OF THE CONFLICT MILITARILY. BUT TENSIONS REMAIN.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS RUSSIA HAS PLAYED A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE IN EFFORTS TO BRING PEACE TO THE BALKANS. AND DESPITE DIFFERENCES OVER KOSOVO SHE SAYS SHE WANTS MOSCOW AND THE WEST TO WORK TOGETHER ON THE ISSUE.

I EXPECT WHEN I MEET WITH FOREIGN MINISTER IVANOV WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE COMMON APPROACH TO THIS CAN BE. AFTER ALL THE RUSSIANS WERE VERY MUCH A PART OF HOW WE DEALT WITH BOSNIA AND HOW WE DEALT WITH KOSOVO FOR THE LAST YEAR AN A HALF.

IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN EFFORT EASE RUSSIAN OPPOSITION TO NATO INVOLVEMENT IN KOSOVO, ALLIANCE OFFICIALS HAVE STOPPED CALLING FOR A PURELY NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE.

OFFICIALS ARE NOW CALLING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE TO PROTECT ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES AS THEY RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. THE FORCE WOULD BE NATO LED, BUT THE CHANGE IN LANGUAGE LEAVES OPEN THE POSSIBILITY OF RUSSIAN INVOLVEMENT.

BUT RUSSIAN ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS TIES WITH THE SERBS REMAIN STRONG. THE PARLIAMENT OF SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA HAS VOTED TO JOIN A LOOSE UNION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND BALARUS. YUGOSLAV OFFICIAL SAY SUCH A UNION WOULD PRESERVE NATIONAL INTERESTS.

FOLLOWING HER ONE DAY MEETING WITH NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MS. ALBRIGHT SAID NATO REMAINED COMMITTED TO ITS COURSE OF ACTION IN KOSOVO.

DURING MONDAY'S NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING, SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAID THE ALLIANCE IS UNIFIED IN ITS DEMANDS FOR A WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO AND THE RETURN OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES. SHE SAYS THE ALLIANCE IS NOW CONSIDERING WAYS OF CREATING AN INTERNATIONAL PROTECTORATE SO REFUGEES CAN RETURN HOME AND CREATE A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED MULTI-ETHNIC GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PT
12-Apr-99 8:00 PM EDT (0000 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[13] ALBRIGHT / RUSSIA (L) BY KYLE KING (OSLO)

INTRO: U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV SAY THEY HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT ON THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF A PEACE PLAN FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. BUT V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS THE TWO FAILED DURING TALKS IN OSLO TO RESOLVE THE CRUCIAL ISSUE OF WHAT A FUTURE INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT TOLD REPORTERS AFTER HER TALKS THAT AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUE SHE AND MR. IVANOV DISCUSSED.

THERE IS AGREEMENT THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME KIND OF AN INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE THAT WOULD IN FACT PROVIDE THE SECURITY AND CONFIDENCE FOR THE REFUGEES TO BE ABLE TO RETURN. WHAT WE DISAGREE ON, OR HAVE NOT YET REACHED AGREEMENT ON, IS THE CHARACTER OF THAT KIND OF FORCE.

MS. ALBRIGHT REPEATED THE U-S POSITION THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS THE SOURCE OF THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO. SHE SAID THE CORE OF ANY PEACEKEEPING FORCE MUST BE PROVIDED BY NATO.

MR. IVANOV CALLED THE ISSUE COMPLICATED.

THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAID AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO SHOULD BE PART OF A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT. HE SAID THE SETTLEMENT MUST BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE SERB-LED YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT, WHICH OPPOSES THE IDEA (OF FOREIGN TROOPS ON ITS SOIL).

BOTH MR. IVANOV AND MS. ALBRIGHT SAY THEIR TALKS RESULTED IN A NARROWING OF DIFFERENCES ON THE ISSUE, WHICH HAS BADLY STRAINED RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAID DIFFERENCES REMAIN, BUT THE TWO NATIONS AGREED ON MANY OF THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF WHAT A SETTLEMENT FOR KOSOVO WOULD LOOK LIKE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THERE NEEDS TO BE AN IMMEDIATE AND VERIFIABLE END OF VIOLENCE AND REPRESSION IN KOSOVO. THAT THERE HAS TO BE WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO OF (SERB) MILITARY, POLICE AND PARAMILITARY FORCES. THERE HAS TO BE UNCONDITIONAL AND SAFE RETURN OF REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS REGARDLESS OF THEIR ETHNICITY OR RELIGION, AND FOR ALLOWING INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS UNHINDERED ACCESS TO FULFILL THEIR FUNCTIONS THROUGHOUT YUGOSLAVIA IN THE FIRST PLACE AND KOSOVO.

FOLLOWING THEIR TALKS, THE TWO OFFICIALS BOTH SAID THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO TRY TO FIND A RESOLUTION OF THE ISSUE, WHICH MR. IVANOV CALLED A DEAD END. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JWH/JO
13-Apr-99 10:22 AM EDT (1422 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[14] NEWS ANALYSIS: CONGRESS KOSOVO BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: DESPITE THEIR DIFFERENCES WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON, REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN THE U-S CONGRESS ARE SHOWING RESTRAINT DURING THE KOSOVO CRISIS. THEY ARE PUTTING OFF DEBATE ON ADMINISTRATION POLICY -- POSTPONING ALL CHALLENGES WHILE CONSULTING WITH THE WHITE HOUSE. IT IS A MAJOR TURNAROUND FROM THE EXPLOSIVE PARTISANSHIP OF THE RECENT IMPEACHMENT BATTLE ON CAPITOL HILL. AND AS V-O-A'S CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS THE TONE IS BEING SET AT THE TOP.

TEXT: THE NEW SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE UTTERED FEW WORDS AS HE LEFT THE OVAL OFFICE AFTER A MEETING WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON. BUT IN HIS OWN WAY DENNIS HASTERT SPOKE VOLUMES.

WE HAVE NO INTENT AT LEAST ON THE HOUSE SIDE -- AND I THINK ON THE SENATE SIDE -- TO HAVE ANY VOTES ON THE WAR THIS WEEK. THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. AND WE WANT TO STAY ENGAGED WITH THE PRESIDENT AND DISCUSS THIS AS DEVELOPMENTS PROGRESS.

GONE WAS THE IMPASSIONED RHETORIC OF FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH -- THE SELF-DESCRIBED "POLITICAL REVOLUTIONARY" WHO LED REPUBLICANS TO POWER IN THE HOUSE IN THE 1994 CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION.

IN ITS PLACE WAS THE MEASURED, LOW-KEY RESPONSE OF THE FORMER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER WHO UNEXPECTEDLY FOUND HIMSELF THIS YEAR IN THE TOP JOB IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

THIS IS THE FIRST FOREIGN CRISIS OF HIS SPEAKERSHIP, AND DENNIS HASTERT IS HANDLING IT IN HIS OWN DISTINCTIVE STYLE. HE IS SHOWING LITTLE APPETITE FOR POLITICAL CONFRONTATION, AND IS WORKING TO CALM PARTISAN PASSIONS.

HE SAYS HE WANTS LAWMAKERS TO ASK QUESTIONS AND GET ANSWERS BEFORE RENDERING JUDGMENT ON KOSOVO POLICY. SPEAKER HASTERT SAYS HEARINGS WILL BE HELD. AND HE IS SENDING A DELEGATION OF SENIOR HOUSE MEMBERS TO THE BALKANS TO GET A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE SITUATION.

POLITICAL ANALYST STUART ROTHENBERG SAYS MR. HASTERT PERSONIFIES A NEW REPUBLICAN APPROACH IN THE DAYS FOLLOWING THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT AND SENATE TRIAL OF PRESIDENT CLINTON.

THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THEY WERE PERCEIVED AS TOO PARTISAN, TOO PETTY, TOO PERSONAL, TOO CONFRONTATIONAL. AND THEY ARE JUST GENERALLY TRYING TO COOL IT AND LOWER THE VOLUME...POSITION THEMSELVES TO BE CRITICAL IN THE FUTURE IF THEY NEED TO BE, BUT NOT JUMPING ON THE PRESIDENT RIGHT NOW.

ANOTHER REASON FOR THE LACK OF PARTISAN RHETORIC MAY BE THE FACT THERE ARE SPLITS IN BOTH PARTIES. YOU CAN FIND REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WHO SUPPORT THE OPERATION....AND SOME FROM EACH PARTY WHO WANT IT TO END.

THIS WAR WAS A GREAT MISCALCULATION BEING CARRIED OUT AT ALMOST OBSCENE EXPENSE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

REPUBLICAN JOHN DUNCAN OF TENNESSEE IS AMONG THOSE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE NATO MISSION. SO THE RESTRAINED TONE OF SPEAKER HASTERT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A CODE OF SILENCE IMPOSED ON REPUBLICANS.

WHILE THERE ARE NO VOTES ON KOSOVO CURRENTLY ON THE SCHEDULE, THERE ARE MANY PROPOSED PIECES OF LEGISLATION CIRCULATING ON CAPITOL HILL. CONGRESS COULD BE ASKED TO VOTE ON THE NATURE OF THE DEPLOYMENT, THE FUNDING AND EVEN THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE MILITARY OPERATION.

THERE ARE MANY IDEAS BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE MEASURE SPEAKER HASTERT IS COMPELLED TO PLACE ON THE HOUSE SCHEDULE. CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN TOM CAMPBELL IS INVOKING THE 1973 WAR POWERS ACT. IT IS A CONTROVERSIAL LAW THAT LINKS THE PRESIDENT'S RIGHT TO DEPLOY U-S FORCES WITH CONGRESS' RIGHT TO DECLARE WAR.

WE ARE PRESENTLY AT WAR AND IT IS AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL WAR. AND THE SOONER WE BRING THE MATTER TO A VOTE IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SOONER THE CONSTITUTION IS COMPLIED WITH.

REPUBLICAN LEADERS SAY UNDER THE RULES OF THE HOUSE, MR. CAMPBELL CAN DEMAND A VOTE UNDER THE WAR POWERS ACT. THEY CAN'T STOP HIM, BUT THEY MAY ASK HIM TO RECONSIDER.

HOUSE MAJORITY PARTY LEADER DICK ARMEY SAYS HE PLANS TO SIT DOWN AND DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH MR.CAMPBELL. HE MAKES CLEAR THE LEADERSHIP WOULD PREFER TO SKIP A POTENTIALLY DIVISIVE DEBATE ON THE WAR POWERS ACT. MR. ARMEY -- A FIERCE POLITICAL PARTISAN -- IS FOLLOWING THE LEAD SET BY SPEAKER HASTERT. HE SAYS NOW THAT THE MILITARY OPERATION IS UNDERWAY, AMERICA MUST SEE THE MISSION THROUGH TO ITS CONCLUSION. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/JO
13-Apr-99 5:03 PM EDT (2103 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[15] RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA DURING BALKAN BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THERE IS GROWING CONCERN AMONG THE EDITORIAL WRITERS OF U-S NEWSPAPERS THAT ONE OF THE CRITICAL SIDE-EFFECTS OF THE NATO CAMPAIGN IN THE BALKANS MAY BE AN ESTRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA. THE RUSSIANS HAVE ALREADY VOICED THEIR DISAGREEMENT WITH THE AERIAL ATTACKS ON YUGOSLAVIA, AND HAVE DISPATCHED AN INTELLIGENCE-GATHERING SHIP TO THE REGION TO MONITOR THE SITUATION.

THIS CONCERN IS BEING EXPRESSED IN A GROWING NUMBER OF EDITORIALS, AND WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM _______________ IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: RUSSIA WAS IN CRISIS EVEN BEFORE THE KOSOVO SITUATION INDUCED NATO TO BEGIN AIR ATTACKS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN CONTINUES TO HAVE HEALTH PROBLEMS AND THE ECONOMY IS IN CHAOS.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN BOSTON, WHERE "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" MAKES SOME KEY POINTS ABOUT THE CURRENT SITUATION.

VOICE: THE ANGRY VOICES FROM MOSCOW BLASTING THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN IN YUGOSLAVIA CAN'T BE IGNORED. THE RUSSIANS ... ARE FRUSTRATED OVER THEIR POWERLESSNESS IN A REGION WHERE THEY HAVE HISTORIC INTERESTS. BUT GOOD NATO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS ARE A PARAMOUNT INTEREST OF BOTH SIDES. ... [HOWEVER] SEVERAL POINTS SHOULD BE KEPT IN MIND REGARDING THE RUSSIAN RHETORIC: THE ISSUE IS A DOMESTIC POLITICAL FOOTBALL IN MOSCOW. ... PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN IS FIGHTING FOR HIS POLITICAL LIFE. ... RUSSIA IS NOT GOING TO INTERVENE MILITARILY, AS ITS GOVERNMENT HAS REPEATEDLY STATED. ... THE PRIMAKOV GOVERNMENT WON'T ENDANGER INTERNATIONAL LOANS TO CURRY FAVOR WITH THE SERBS.

TEXT: "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" IS ALSO WORRIED ABOUT THE DETERIORATION IN U-S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA, AS A RESULT OF THE BALKAN WAR, BUT CAUTIONS THAT MUCH OF MR. YELTSIN'S RHETORIC NEEDS TO BE HEARD IN CONTEXT.

VOICE: PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN CERTAINLY SHOWED SOME NERVE LAST WEEK IN WAITING DAYS TO DENY THAT RUSSIA HAD AIMED MISSILES AT MEMBER STATES OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION. EQUALLY DISCONCERTING WERE HIS REPORTED SUPPORT OF A POLITICAL UNION INVOLVING RUSSIA, BELARUS AND YUGOSLAVIA AND HIS INCLUSION OF ARMED VEHICLES AND DIESEL TANKERS IN A CONVOY OF HUMANITARIAN RELIEF SUPPLIES DESTINED FOR YUGOSLAVIA BUT STOPPED AT THE HUNGARIAN BORDER. BUT IF MR. YELTSIN'S RECORD OF RASH PRONOUNCEMENTS FOLLOWED BY HIS AIDES' DENIALS IS ANY GUIDE, NO NATO MEMBER STATE SHOULD BEGIN QUAKING IN ITS BOOTS JUST YET. HE MAY FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT NATO INTERVENTION IN THE BALKANS, BUT OTHER FACTORS ARE CLEARLY AT WORK. ... THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT'S DOMESTIC PROBLEMS AND HIS ONGOING SEARCH FOR MASSIVE WESTERN LOANS ALMOST GUARANTEE THAT HIS THREATS WERE FOR INTERNAL CONSUMPTION ALONE.

TEXT: "THE ST. PETERSBURG [FLORIDA] TIMES" ON THE OTHER HAND, REMINDS US THAT RUSSIA IS STILL A MAJOR NUCLEAR POWER, AND THAT IS REASON ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT THE STATE OF RELATIONS.

VOICE: NO ONE SHOULD BE SURPRISED THAT ANTI-AMERICAN SENTIMENT IN RUSSIA HAS BECOME DEEPER AND MORE WIDESPREAD THAN AT ANY TIME SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION. ... THE RUSSIANS' GRIEVANCES AREN'T ALWAYS VALID, OR EVEN RATIONAL, BUT THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. THE UNITED STATES HAS THOUSANDS OF POWERFUL REASONS - - IN THE FORM OF SOVIET- ERA NUCLEAR WEAPONS THAT STILL ARE NOT ADEQUATELY CONTROLLED - - FOR MAKING RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA OUR TOP FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY.

TEXT: IN HAWAII, "THE HONOLULU STAR BULLETIN" IS ALSO WATCHING WITH INTEREST.

VOICE: IN A SYMBOLIC STEP DESIGNED TO REDUCE TENSIONS, RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES STOPPED AIMING THEIR MISSILES AT EACH OTHER. BUT IT WOULD NOT BE DIFFICULT TO RETARGET THE MISSILES. ... MOSCOW IS VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE NATO ATTACKS ON ITS ALLY. RETARGETING THE MISSILES WOULD BE A WAY TO EXPRESS THAT DISPLEASURE WITHOUT CROSSING THE LINE OF OVERT INTERVENTION. RUSSIA STILL HAS INFLUENCE IN BELGRADE AND MIGHT BE USEFUL AS A DIPLOMATIC INTERMEDIARY TO REACH A SETTLEMENT. ... BUT TO RETAIN THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS ROLE [PRESIDENT] YELTSIN HAS TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO ANTAGONIZE THE WESTERN ALLIES TOO MUCH - - AND TO SURVIVE THE ASSAULTS OF HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS AT HOME.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE U-S PRESS ON THE WAY THE FIGHTING IN THE BALKANS IS CAUSING FRICTION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA.
NEB/ANG/KL
13-Apr-99 2:20 PM EDT (1820 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[16] RUSSIA/U-S BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: AT FIRST GLANCE, THE NEWS (TUESDAY) FROM OSLO MIGHT BE INTERPRETED AS A DISAPPOINTMENT. SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT AND RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV FAILED TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES ON THE TICKLISH (DIFFICULT) ISSUE OF AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO. BUT CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS THAT BEHIND THE SCENES, THERE WAS A HINT OF COMPROMISE IN THE AIR.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT TOLD REPORTERS SHE AND FOREIGN MINISTER IVANOV DISAGREE SHARPLY ON SEVERAL ASPECTS OF THE KOSOVO CONFLICT.

WE OBVIOUSLY LOOK AT IT FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. THE FOREIGN MINISTER MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT RUSSIA HAS NOT CHANGED ITS VIEWS ABOUT NATO BOMBING, AND I MADE CLEAR THAT I HAVE NOT CHANGED MY VIEWS ABOUT THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY OF MILOSEVIC FOR ALL THIS AND THE NECESSITY FOR NATO ACTION.

BUT BEYOND THOSE OBVIOUS DIFFERENCES, ANALYSTS IN MOSCOW SAY THERE WAS PROGRESS. FOR ONE THING, MR. IVANOV DROPPED THE COLD-WAR STYLE CONDEMNATIONS OF NATO AIRSTRIKES THAT HAVE GOTTEN HEADLINES IN RECENT DAYS. INSTEAD, HIS FOCUS WAS ON THE COMPOSITION OF A FUTURE PEACEKEEPING FORCE.

HE SAYS -- THE WORLD COMMUNITY MAY AND MUST PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN REACHING THIS GOAL.

MR. IVANOV'S USE OF THE TERM "WORLD COMMUNITY" IS A CLEAR REFERENCE TO A UNITED NATIONS-LED FORCE IN KOSOVO, AN IDEA THAT APPEARS TO BE GAINING FAVOR BOTH IN MOSCOW AND IN NATO CAPITALS. ANALYSTS AND WESTERN DIPLOMATS HERE SAY ONE PROPOSAL UNDER DISCUSSION IN OSLO WOULD EFFECTIVELY HAND OVER PEACEMAKING RESPONSIBILITY TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.

DMITRY TRENIN OF THE MOSCOW CARNEGIE CENTER SAYS RUSSIAN LEADERS HAVE SEVERAL REASONS TO FAVOR SUCH A PLAN, ESPECIALLY AT A TIME OF GROWING PUBLIC CONCERN THE COUNTRY IS ABOUT TO BE DRAGGED INTO A WAR ON YUGOSLAVIA'S SIDE.

IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOT DRAGGING RUSSIA INTO WAR, IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A JUST SOLUTION, IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AN END TO THE NATO OPERATION AND THE START OF A PEACEKEEPING OPERATION THAT WILL BE HELD UNDER U-N AUSPICES, THEN BOTH (BORIS) YELTSIN AND (PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY) PRIMAKOV WILL BE ABLE TO PORTRAY THEMSELVES AS SUPER PEACEMAKERS.

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT'S SPOKESMAN TOLD REPORTERS THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES RUSSIA HAS A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE TO PLAY IN BRINGING ABOUT A SETTLEMENT OVER KOSOVO. BUT THAT ROLE APPEARS TO LIE IN PERSUADING PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO ACCEPT SOME SORT OF INTERNATIONAL FORCE ON YUGOSLAV SOIL, A DIFFICULT PROPOSITION UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/PCF/RAE
13-Apr-99 2:39 PM EDT (1839 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[17] BLAIR / KOSOVO (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN IS SENDING ANOTHER 18-HUNDRED TROOPS TO MACEDONIA AND GREECE TO PREPARE TO HELP ESCORT KOSOVAR REFUGEES HOME WHEN NATO AIR STRIKES END THE SERB MILITARY'S CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. V-O-A LONDON CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE ADDITIONAL TROOPS RAISES THE NUMBER OF BRITISH FORCES IN MACEDONIA TO SIX-THOUSAND-300.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR TOLD PARLIAMENT THE ADDITIONAL BRITISH TROOPS WILL GO TO MACEDONIA AND GREECE TO BOLSTER NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCES STATIONED THERE.

LET ME MAKE CLEAR FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, THEY ARE BEING SENT SO THE U-K CAN BE IN A POSITION TO PLAY OUR PROPER ROLE IN THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO ENSURE THE REFUGEES ARE ABLE TO RETURN TO KOSOVO IN SAFETY.

PRIME MINISTER BLAIR INSISTS THE TROOPS ARE NOT PART OF ANY NATO INVASION PLAN FOR KOSOVO.

TO THOSE WHO SAY PUT IN GROUND FORCES NOW AS PART OF A LAND FORCE INVASION OF KOSOVO, I REPEAT, THE DIFFICULTIES OF SUCH AN UNDERTAKING IN THE FACE OF SERB RESISTANCE ARE FORMIDABLE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S A QUESTION OF NEGOTIATING A SETTLEMENT. IT'S A QUESTION OF HIM MEETING THE TERMS THAT NATO HAS SET OUT AND THERE WILL BE NO COMPROMISE ON THOSE TERMS.

ON THE DIPLOMATIC FRONT, MR. BLAIR SAYS HE AND HIS EUROPEAN COLLEAGUES ARE MEETING WITH THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL IN BRUSSELS ON WEDNESDAY TO DISCUSS A POTENTIAL U-N PEACE MISSION. MR BLAIR ALSO SAYS THERE IS A ROLE FOR RUSSIA IN ANY PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN KOSOVO, ONCE NATO'S OBJECTIVES ARE ACHIEVED. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
13-Apr-99 11:59 AM EDT (1559 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[18] BRITAIN/KOSOVO (S/L VER) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH OFFICIALS SAY NATO HAS TRIPLED THE NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT FLYING BOMBING RAIDS OVER YUGOSLAVIA. AND AS THE AIR CAMPAIGN INTENSIFIES, BRITAIN SAYS IT WILL BE SENDING IN MORE TROOPS TO BOLSTER NATO FORCES IN THE REGION. DETAILS FROM LONDON AND CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN:

TEXT: NATO IS BUILDING UP ITS FORCES AROUND KOSOVO BUT THE ALLIES STILL SAY "NO" TO INVADING KOSOVO WITH GROUND TROOPS. BRITISH CHIEF OF STAFF CHARLES GUTHRIE TOLD THE DAILY DEFENSE BRIEFING THE SO-CALLED "K-FOR" TROOPS NOW IN MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA ARE NOT AN INVASION FORCE.

I WOULDN'T WANT YOU TO GO AWAY BELIEVING THAT K-FOR -- EITHER IN ITS PRESENT CONFIGURATION OR SUBSEQUENTLY -- IS A WAR-FIGHTING FORCE OR AN INVASION FORCE. IT IS NOT. WE LEARNED THE LESSON FROM BOSNIA THAT A PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE HAS TO BE BOTH CREDIBLE AND CAPABLE OF DEFENDING THE PEACE.

GENERAL GUTHRIE SAYS NATO IS RELYING ON MORE THAN 500 NATO PLANES THAT ARE NOW FLYING MISSIONS OVER YUGOSLAVIA. THAT'S THREE TIMES THE NUMBER THAT FLEW LAST WEEK.

THERE ARE WELL OVER 550 AIRCRAFT ENGAGED IN THE OPERATION. MORE THAN 240 OF THEM ARE STRIKE AIRCRAFT.

AND MORE FIGHTER JETS ARE ON THE WAY. GENERAL GUTHRIE SAYS WASHINGTON IS SENDING 82 FIGHTER JETS. FRENCH, BRITISH AND AMERICAN AIRCRAFT CARRIERS ARE ALSO MOVING INTO THE AREA.

WHAT I DO THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT WHEN YOU ARE ASSESSING THE SUCCESS OF A CAMPAIGN IS NOT TO DO IT ARITHMETICALLY AND COUNT THE NUMBER OF BODY BAGS AND THE NUMBER OF TANKS YOU'VE KNOCKED OUT. IT'S WHERE IT REALLY HURTS THEM WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE ACTUAL TOTALITY OF WHAT WE ARE DOING.

AT THE SAME DEFENSE BRIEFING, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK UNDERLINED NATO'S RESOLVE TO INTENSIFY ITS CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE SERB MILITARY UNTIL YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ENDS THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF KOSOVO PROVINCE, PULLS OUT HIS TROOPS AND LETS ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURN HOME IN SAFETY. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF
13-Apr-99 8:43 AM EDT (1243 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[19] NATO-KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO IS BEGINNING ITS FOURTH WEEK OF AIR STRIKES ON YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS THAT WHILE NATO'S MILITARY COMMANDER IS INTENSIFYING THE BOMBING, HE SAYS HE'S BOTHERED BY A MISTAKEN ATTACK ON A PASSENGER TRAIN IN SOUTH SERBIA ON MONDAY.

TEXT: ASSESSING THE FIRST THREE WEEKS OF AIR STRIKES, GENERAL WESLEY CLARK DESCRIBES IT AS A RACE BETWEEN NATO BOMBERS AND YUGOSLAVIA'S ABILITY TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO ITS AIR DEFENSE NETWORK.

THIS IS A RACE OF OUR ATTACK AGAINST HIS RECONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR. HE'S LOSING THIS RACE RIGHT NOW AND DAY BY DAY, HIS ABILITY TO CONTROL AND INTEGRATE HIS EARLY WARNING RADARS WITH HIS MISSILES AND HIS FIGHTERS AND HAVE COUNTRY-WIDE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF THE AIR CAMPAIGN ... THAT IS BEING DEGRADED.

THE NUMBER OF ATTACKS BY NATO PLANES IS GROWING AND GENERAL CLARK CONFIRMS HE HAS ASKED THE UNITED STATES FOR 300 MORE AIRCRAFT -- PLUS AN UNSPECIFIED NUMBER FROM OTHER NATO COUNTRIES. //OPT// BY HIS ESTIMATE, 70 PERCENT OF YUGOSLAVIA'S FUEL SUPPLIES HAVE BEEN PUT OUT OF SERVICE AND HE BELIEVES YUGOSLAVIA IS VULNERABLE TO COLLAPSE. //END OPT//

DESPITE HAVING AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF PRECISION WEAPONS, NATO HAS MADE MISTAKES IN ITS EFFORT TO AVOID CIVILIAN CASUALTIES. A CASE IN POINT WAS MADE AT TUESDAY'S BRIEFING. GENERAL CLARK BROUGHT FILM OF MONDAY'S BOMBING OF A PASSENGER TRAIN ON A BRIDGE IN SOUTH SERBIA.

THE FILM FROM THE COCKPIT SHOWS A RAILROAD BRIDGE. THE BOMB IS RELEASED. GENERAL CLARK TALKED TO THE PILOT. HE DESCRIBES WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

AS THE PILOT STARED INTENTLY AT THE DESIRED AIM POINT ON THE BRIDGE AND WORKED IT, AND WORKED IT, AND WORKED IT ... AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, AT THE VERY LAST INSTANT WITH LESS THAN A SECOND TO GO, HE CAUGHT A FLASH OF MOVEMENT THAT CAME INTO THE SCREEN. AND IT WAS THE TRAIN COMING IN. AND UNFORTUNATELY, HE COULDN'T DUMP (DIVERT) THE BOMB AT THAT POINT. IT WAS LOCKED AND GOING INTO THE TARGET. AND IT WAS AN UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT WHICH HE AND THE CREW AND ALL OF US VERY MUCH REGRET.

YUGOSLAVIA SAYS 10 PEOPLE DIED ON THE PASSENGER TRAIN, WHICH WAS HIT BY A SECOND BOMB AS THE DAMAGED ROLLING STOCK SLID TO ANOTHER PART OF THE BRIDGE.

NATO DOES NOT REGRET HITTING THE BRIDGE, WHICH IT SEES AS PART OF THE SUPPLY LINES LEADING FROM SERBIA TO THE PROVINCE OF KOSOVO.

NATO'S MILITARY COMMANDER SAYS HIS FILM DEMONSTRATES THAT EVEN THE BEST INTENDED AIR STRIKES CANNOT AVOID DEADLY MISTAKES. WHAT HE DOES CLAIM IS THAT INTENSIFIED NATO AIR STRIKES WILL RAISE THE COST OF YUGOSLAVIA'S ACTIONS IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/PCF
13-Apr-99 2:59 PM EDT (1859 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[20] KOSOVO - MORE U-S PLANES (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE CONSIDERING A REQUEST BY NATO'S MILITARY COMMANDER FOR HUNDREDS MORE PLANES FOR USE AGAINST SERB FORCES. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: NATO'S TOP MILITARY COMMANDER, U-S ARMY GENERAL WESLEY CLARK, SAYS HE IS ASKING NATIONS IN THE ALLIANCE FOR MORE PLANES.

I HAVE ASKED FOR ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT, APPROXIMATELY THREE HUNDRED IS THE NUMBER THAT'S BEING REPORTED IN THE PRESS, WHICH I REQUESTED FROM THE U-S SOURCES. BUT THIS IS PART OF A NATO REQUEST. AND SO IT'S ACTUALLY A LARGER TOTAL THAN THAT.

PENTAGON SOURCES SAY THE U-S SHARE IS LIKELY TO INCLUDE PLANES DESIGNED TO DESTROY TANKS AND ATTACK GROUND FORCES, AS WELL AS AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS.

IN A RECENT INTERVIEW WITH V-O-A, DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAID UP TO NOW, WASHINGTON HAS APPROVED EVERY REQUEST FOR FORCES MADE BY NATO'S MILITARY COMMANDER, U-S GENERAL WESLEY CLARK. MEANTIME, AIR FORCE OFFICIALS SAY THEY MAY NEED HELP FROM PART-TIME OR RESERVE PILOTS. THE RESERVISTS WOULD PLAY THE BIGGEST ROLE IN FLYING THE EXPANDED FLEET OF AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS AND TRANSPORT PLANES. (OPT) ONE EXAMPLE OF THE SIZE OF THE TASK: LOGISTICS EXPERTS SAY IT WILL TAKE 217 FLIGHTS BY HUGE C-17'S JUST TO GET THE 24 APACHE TANK-KILLER HELICOPTERS FROM GERMANY TO ALBANIA, ALONG WITH THE PEOPLE NEEDED TO FLY, FIX AND PROTECT THEM. (END OPT) (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/LTD/KL
13-Apr-99 1:02 PM EDT (1702 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[21] KOSOVO/U-S PLANES - UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE CONSIDERING A REQUEST BY NATO'S MILITARY COMMANDER FOR HUNDREDS MORE PLANES FOR USE AGAINST SERB-LED FORCES IN YUGOSLAVIA. IF GRANTED, THE REQUEST WOULD BOOST NATO'S AIR ARMADA TO ABOUT ONE THOUSAND PLANES. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: NATO'S TOP MILITARY COMMANDER, U-S ARMY GENERAL WESLEY CLARK, SAYS HE IS ASKING MANY OF NATO'S 19-MEMBER NATIONS FOR MORE PLANES

I HAVE ASKED FOR ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT, APPROXIMATELY THREE HUNDRED IS THE NUMBER THAT'S BEING REPORTED IN THE PRESS, WHICH I REQUESTED FROM THE U-S SOURCES. BUT THIS IS PART OF A NATO REQUEST. AND SO IT'S ACTUALLY A LARGER TOTAL THAN THAT.

PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS WASHINGTON WILL LIKELY PROVIDE SEVERAL DIFFERENT KINDS OF PLANES SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO WRECK AIR DEFENSES, DESTROY TANKS AND GROUND FORCES, OR REFUEL OTHER AIRCRAFT IN FLIGHT. HE SAYS ADDITIONAL PLANES WOULD SPEED AND INTENSIFY NATO ATTACKS ON SERB-LED YUGOSLAV FORCES BLAMED FOR ATTACKS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.

A LOT OF WHAT HE'S ASKING FOR WILL BE TARGETED AGAINST (SERB) UNITS OPERATING IN KOSOVO. AND THAT IS THE POSITION WE'VE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS. ALREADY ABOUT 50 PERCENT OF THE TARGETS TO DATE OVER THE THREE WEEKS OF THE OPERATION ARE V-J (YUGOSLAV ARMY) AND MUP (INTERIOR MINISTRY FORCE) TARGETS IN KOSOVO AND HE WOULD LIKE TO PUT EVEN MORE PRESSURE ON THAT.

IN A RECENT V-O-A INTERVIEW, DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAID UP TO NOW, WASHINGTON HAS APPROVED EVERY REQUEST FOR FORCES MADE BY NATO'S MILITARY COMMANDER. MEANTIME, AIR FORCE OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE LIKELY TO NEED HELP FROM PART-TIME OR RESERVE PILOTS. RESERVISTS OFTEN FLY THE FLEET OF AERIAL REFUELING TANKERS AND TRANSPORT PLANES. EXPANDING THE WAR WON'T BE CHEAP -- OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT THE U-S SHARE OF AIR ATTACKS ON SERB TARGETS IN YUGOSLAVIA TO COST BETWEEN THREE AND FOUR BILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/JR/PHW/WFR
13-Apr-99 5:56 PM EDT (2156 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[22] KOSOVO / AIR CAMPAIGN BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NATO IS INTENSIFYING ITS AIR ASSAULTS AGAINST SERB FORCES AND OTHER MILITARY TARGETS IN YUGOSLAVIA. IN THIS REPORT FROM WASHINGTON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA SAYS SOME MILITARY ANALYSTS QUESTION THE EFFICACY OF THE THREE-WEEK CAMPAIGN.

TEXT: NATO OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS OF THE AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WHICH BEGAN MARCH 24TH. SINCE THAT TIME, NATO WARPLANES AND SUPPLY AIRCRAFT HAVE FLOWN ABOUT SIX THOUSAND SORTIES DESPITE BAD WEATHER IN THE SKIES ABOVE YUGOSLAVIA.

NATO PILOTS HAVE HIT A WIDE VARIETY OF TARGETS INCLUDING MISSILE SITES, FUEL DEPOTS, AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS, ARMORED UNITS, MILITARY SUPPLY ROUTES AND BRIDGES.

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR TOLD THE HOUSE OF COMMONS (TUESDAY) EVERY DAY NATO PLANES ARE IN THE SKIES, THEY DAMAGE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S MILITARY MACHINE.

HIS AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM IS SERIOUSLY DEGRADED. HALF HIS FRONT LINE AIR FORCE IS NOW UNUSABLE. THE ROADS AND RAILWAYS SUPPLYING HIS FORCES IN KOSOVO ARE LARGELY CUT. FUEL IS NOW IN SHORT SUPPLY HAMPERING THE MOVEMENT OF HIS TANKS AND TRUCKS. ARTILLERY AND TROOPS ON THE GROUND ARE NOW BEING TARGETED AND HIT.

NATO LEADERS SAY THE AIR CAMPAIGN WILL CONTINUE UNTIL PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WITHDRAWS HIS FORCES FROM KOSOVO, ALLOWS AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE AND ALLOWS THE UNCONDITIONAL RETURN OF ALL REFUGEES -- MOST OF THEM ETHNIC ALBANIAN.

BUT MANY MILITARY ANALYSTS ARE QUESTIONING THE EFFICACY OF NATO'S AIR BOMBARDMENT IN YUGOSLAVIA.

FORMER ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH WAS THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF CARRYING OUT THE AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN 1995. HE SAYS THE MILITARY LEADERSHIP AND NATO PILOTS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB GIVEN THE CONSTRAINTS PLACED ON THEM BY AN ALLIANCE MADE UP OF 19 COUNTRIES.

THE TARGETING PROCESS IS FLAWED IN THAT THE TARGETS ARE BEING MEASURED FIRST FOR COLLATERAL DAMAGE (CIVILIAN CASUALTIES) - THAT'S IN THIS COUNTRY - AND THEN THE NEXT STEP IS 18 OTHER COUNTRIES GET A CHANCE TO GO OVER THE TARGET LIST AND DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO TAKE THAT STEP. CONSEQUENTLY, I DO NOT SENSE THAT THERE IS A GREAT SYNERGY (SENSE OF COMBINATION) BETWEEN THE VARIOUS TARGETS. I THINK THE CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN ONE TARGET AND ANOTHER IS NOT THERE AND I BELIEVE THAT LACKING THOSE THINGS, YOU LACK THEREFORE AN UNDERPINNING TO SOME GREATER STRATEGY AND WHAT IS THIS AIR CAMPAIGN SUPPOSED TO DO?

ADMIRAL SMITH SAYS THERE IS FAR MORE POLITICAL OVERSIGHT IN THIS AIR CAMPAIGN THAN NECESSARY, THUS HINDERING THE WORK OF THE MILITARY.

RETIRED COLONEL RALPH PETERS IS A MILITARY ANALYST, AUTHOR AND EXPERT ON THE BALKANS. HE DESCRIBES NATO'S AIR BOMBARDMENT AS A "POLITICAL CAMPAIGN WITH A MILITARY COMPONENT." HE SAYS THE MICRO-MANAGEMENT BY NATO'S 19 POLITICAL LEADERS IS COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE AND HAS RESULTED IN A WEAK AND TIMID AIR CAMPAIGN.

IT TOOK TWO WEEKS TO GET THE LEVEL OF SORTIES OF AIR MISSIONS THAT WE HAD IN ONE DAY IN "DESERT STORM" (AGAINST IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN). THIS WAS MEANT TO BE A TOKEN GESTURE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO IMPRESS MILOSEVIC -- BUT MR. MILOSEVIC WAS NOT IMPRESSED.

BUT COLONEL PETERS SAYS THERE IS A FAR GREATER PROBLEM FACING NATO.

YOU HAVE A GENERATION OF POLITICIANS WHETHER IT IS (BRITISH PRIME MINISTER) TONY BLAIR, OR (GERMAN CHANCELLOR) GERHARD SCHROEDER OR BILL CLINTON AND VARIOUS OTHER EUROPEAN POLITICAL LEADERS WHO NEVER SERVED IN UNIFORM AND ALSO WHO NEVER THOUGHT THE MILITARY WAS IMPORTANT, NEVER TOOK TIME TO LEARN WHAT THE MILITARY CAN AND CAN NOT DO, WHAT THE LIMITS OF MILITARY CAPABILITY ARE -- AND ULTIMATELY, HOW BLOODY MILITARY SOLUTIONS SOMETIMES MUST BE IF YOU WANT RESULTS. AND SO THEY BROUGHT THIS NAIVETE AND FRANKLY ARROGANCE TO THIS CAMPAIGN.

MEANWHILE - SAYS COLONEL PETERS - THE NATO AIR BOMBARDMENT AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA CONTINUES WITH NO SIGNS OF ABATING. THE SENIOR NATO COMMANDER -- GENERAL WESLEY CLARK -- HAS ASKED THE UNITED STATES TO PROVIDE 300 ADDITIONAL PLANES BRINGING TO CLOSE TO ONE THOUSAND THE AIRCRAFT INVOLVED IN THE KOSOVO CAMPAIGN -- MORE THAN DOUBLING THE PLANES AVAILABLE WHEN THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN THREE WEEKS AGO. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/JO
13-Apr-99 2:14 PM EDT (1814 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[23] KOSOVO WRAP/TUESDAY (L ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NATO OFFICIALS ARE PROMISING AN INTENSIFIED BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA EVEN AS CONCERNS MOUNT THAT THE CONFLICT OVER THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVO PROVINCE MAY BE WIDENING. CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE HAS A WRAP-UP OF TUESDAY'S DEVELOPMENTS IN THE KOSOVO CRISIS.

TEXT: ALBANIAN OFFICIALS AND INTERNATIONAL MONITORS SAY YUGOSLAV FORCES WITHDREW TUESDAY FROM TWO VILLAGES BRIEFLY OCCUPIED IN NORTHEAST ALBANIA. A YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL DENIED THE INCURSION AND SAID YUGOSLAV UNITS WERE ONLY DEFENDING THEIR NATIONAL BORDERS.

IN BRUSSELS, NATO SUPREME COMMANDER GENERAL WESLEY CLARK SAYS THE ALLIED AIR CAMPAIGN IS WEARING DOWN YUGOSLAVIA'S SERB FORCES AND WILL BE INTENSIFIED IN THE DAYS TO COME.

WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR THESE FORCES TO SURVIVE ON THE GROUND IN KOSOVO. WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO BE RESUPPLIED AND REINFORCED FROM OUTSIDE KOSOVO AND WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT INCREASINGLY PAINFUL AND DIFFICULT FOR (YUGOSLAV) PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO MAINTAIN HIS CONTROL AND THE HIGH-LEVEL COMMAND AND CONTROL OF THE ARMED FORCES AND POLICE WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO MAINTAINING HIS AUTHORITY.

GENERAL CLARK IS ASKING FOR MORE PLANES FROM NATO COUNTRIES, INCLUDING 300 FROM THE UNITED STATES ALONE.

REPORTS FROM INSIDE YUGOSLAVIA INDICATE THE AIR STRIKES ARE INFLICTING SERIOUS CASUALTIES AMONG CIVILIANS DESPITE NATO EFFORTS TO FOCUS SOLELY ON MILITARY TARGETS. INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS WERE TAKEN TO BELGRADE'S MILITARY HOSPITAL TUESDAY AND SHOWN SIX INJURED CIVILIANS WHO ARE NOT EXPECTED TO SURVIVE INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE LATEST BOMBING.

DESPITE MAJOR DISAGREEMENTS, MS. ALBRIGHT WAS SOMEWHAT UPBEAT AFTER THE MEETING AS WAS THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER WHO SPOKE THROUGH AN INTERPRETER.

AND THEREFORE, THE TALK WAS NOT SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT DIVIDES RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES TODAY, AS (IT WAS ABOUT) THOSE APPROACHES WHICH WOULD LEAD US TO A SETTLEMENT.

MEANWHILE ON THE REFUGEE FRONT, ANOTHER LARGE WAVE OF ETHNIC-ALBANIANS HAS CROSSED INTO ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA TO ESCAPE THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. MANY BROUGHT WITH THEM FRESH REPORTS OF SERBIAN ATROCITIES WHICH YUGOSLAVIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS QUICKLY DENIED.

FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT IF WE AIR-DROP SUPPLIES, THEY WILL NOT ACTUALLY GET TO THE REFUGEES, THAT THE SERBIAN FORCES WILL TAKE THEM UP. SECONDLY, THERE IS THE PROBLEM OF RISK TO OUR AIRCRAFT OF GOING INTO KOSOVO AIRSPACE TO TRY TO AIR-DROP THE SUPPLIES.

THE PRESIDENT BRIEFED MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ABOUT THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN AT THE WHITE HOUSE. MOST LAWMAKERS EMERGED FROM THE MEETING SUPPORTIVE OF AIR STRIKES AND SOME ARE OPENLY PRESSING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO AT LEAST PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBLE COMMITMENT OF U-S GROUND TROOPS.

THIS IS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR JOSEPH LIEBERMAN OF CONNECTICUT.

NO OPTION SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE TABLE AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR MR. MILOSEVIC NOT TO HAVE ANY SENSE OF CONFIDENCE THAT HE CAN SUFFER OUT OR WAIT OUT THE NATO AIR BOMBARDMENT AND EXPECT US TO WALK AWAY.

THE PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO ASK CONGRESS FOR AN ADDITIONAL THREE-BILLION DOLLARS TO PAY FOR THE MILITARY CAMPAIGN IN KOSOVO AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS, AT LEAST FOR NOW, SEEM GENERALLY RECEPTIVE TO THE REQUEST. (SIGNED)
NEB/JBM/JO
13-Apr-99 5:36 PM EDT (2136 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[24] NATO ATTACKS Q&A BY GUY DINMORE (BELGRADE)

INTRO: V-O-A NEWS NOW'S VICTOR BEATTIE IN WASHINGTON SPOKE TO "FINANCIAL TIMES" REPORTER GUY DINMORE IN BELGRADE AT 3:45 AM, EDT (TUESDAY, 4/13) ABOUT THE LATEST NATO ATTACKS: BEATTIE: COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT LAST NIGHT'S (MON. NIGHT - TUES. MORNING) NATO RAIDS AROUND BELGRADE? DINMORE: WELL LAST NIGHT WAS IN FACT A VERY CLEAR NIGHT AND THE STARS WERE SHINING BRIGHTLY AND THERE WAS A HUGE AMOUNT OF ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE, THE BIGGEST WE'VE HEARD YET, AROUND BELGRADE. THERE SEEMED TO BE THREE WAVES OF ATTACKS AROUND TEN P.M., MIDNIGHT (MON. NIGHT) AND THEN AGAIN EARLY IN THE MORNING (TUES. A.M.). WE HEARD SOME DISTANT EXPLOSIONS ON THE EDGE OF BELGRADE. THIS WAS PROBABLY THE OIL REFINERY IN PANCHEVA BEING HIT , WHICH IS ACROSS THE DANUBE RIVER FROM BELGRADE. AND ALSO THERE IS A REPORTED ATTACK ON A MILITARY BARRACKS IN THE EASTERN OUTSKIRTS OF THE CAPITAL. SO IT SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN A VERY NOISY NIGHT. BEATTIE: CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU HEAR WHEN THIS NATO BOMBING BEGINS? DO YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF JET ENGINES FIRST OR DO YOU HEAR AIR RAID SIRENS OR ANTI-AIRCRAFT FIRE FIRST? DINMORE: WELL, THE PATTERN IS FIRST THE AIR RAID SIRENS GO, A SINISTER WAILING AND HOWLING NOISE. THIS SENDS PEOPLE DOWN INTO THEIR BASEMENTS. AND THEN ABOUT A HALF HOUR LATER, LAST NIGHT ANYWAY, THERE IS A SORT OF MULTIPLE THUMP AND THUD OF SORT OF HEAVY MACHINE GUN FIRE OR ANTI AIRCRAFT FIRE. AND THEN YOU CAN SOMETIMES HEAR AIRCRAFT IN THE SKY BUT THEY SEEM TO BE EXTREMLY HIGH AND OF COURSE WE NEVER SEE THEM, THEY ARE ALWAYS IN THE DISTANCE AND THEN OCCASSIONALLY YOU SORT OF FEEL AN EXPLOSION MORE THAN ACTUALLY HEAR IT, THE GROUND SHAKES A LITTLE BIT. AND THATS THE SOUND OF SOME BIG BOMBS OR MISSILES BEING DROPPED. IT GETS PRETTY FRIGHTENING. BEATTIE: WHAT KIND OF REACTION DO YOU GET FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT YOU ARE CONVERSING WITH DURING THE DAY, DO THEY TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS OR DO THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT? DINMORE: AH, NO, ITS THE TOPIC OF CONVERSATION. I'VE JUST BEEN OUT TO BUY THE MORNING EGGS AND BREAD FOR BREAKFAST AND EVERYONE IN THE SHOP THERE, MOSTLY OLD PEOPLE WERE OBVIOUSLY VERY SHAKEN IN TALKING ABOUT LAST NIGHT'S EVENTS AND SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES AND HOW THEY WERE FRIGHTENED AND WHAT THEY WERE DOING. OBVIOUSLY BEING BRITISH IN THE MIDDLE OF THESE PEOPLE IS DIFFICULT BUT I TRIED TO TALK WITH THEM. BEATTIE: DO YOU SENSE A HOSTILITY TOWARD YOU? DINMORE: WELL, I WAS IN A SHOP WHERE I KNOW THE PEOPLE, AND THEY KNOW ME AND I'VE BEEN HERE FOR TWO YEARS AND THEY KNOW MY CHILDREN SO I AM ACCEPTED BUT GENERALLY I WOULD SAY THERE IS A GROWING SENSE OF HOSTILITY TOWARD FOREIGNERS WHICH IS QUITE UNDERSTANDABLE. BEATTIE: NOW APPARENTLY NATO IS TARGETING OIL REFINERIES IN AND AROUND BELGRADE AND OTHER CITIES ACROSS YUGOSLAVIA. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY IMPACTING THE CIVIL POPULATION AND NO DOUBT THE MILITARY IN SOME FORM. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE RATIONING OF PETROL OR FUEL GOING ON THERE NOW? DINMORE: WELL THE GOVERNMENT GOT ITSELF ORGANIZED QIUTE QUICKLY. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE AIRSTRIKES OR PERHAPS IT WAS ONE WEEK THEY INTRODUCED PETROL RATIONING. ITS 40 LITERS A MONTH PER REGISTERED CAR-OWNER. AND UP TO THAT MOMENT THERE WAS JUST NO PETROL AT THE GARAGES AT ALL AND THE GOVERNMENT MANAGED TO GET PETROL ON SALE AGAIN AND THE PEOPLE BEGAN COLLECTING THEIR 40 LITERS WHICH THEY GOT THRU A COUPON. AND SINCE THEN THE TRAFFIC HAS REALLY PICKED UP IN BELGRADE AND A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS ACTUALLY CAUGHT IN A TRAFFIC JAM IN BELGRADE, I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. BUT I DON'T THINK THIS WILL LAST LONG. I THINK THE GOVERNMENT WAS TRYING TO STOP PEOPLE FROM PANICKING AND WERE TRYING TO PUT WHAT PETROL THEY HAD ON THE MARKET. I THINK AFTER THESE LATEST STRIKES THERE WILL BE VERY LITTLE LEFT AND PRETTY SOON I THINK THE ROAD WILL BE QUITE EMPTY. BUT THIS COUNTRY LIVED UNDER SANCTIONS FOR YEARS, PETROL HAS ALWAYS BEEN SMUGGLED IN FROM ROMANIA AND BULGARIA UNTIL THE SANCTIONS WERE LIFTED IN 1996. AND THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE WHAT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS COUNTRY IS NOT GOING TO RUN OUT OF FUEL COMPLETELY, IT WILL ALWAYS FIND WAYS TO KEEP SOME TRANSPORT GOING. BEATTIE: NOW , AS YOU HAVE BEEN REPORTING, YUGOSLAVIA'S PARLIAMENT VOTED TO JOIN AN ALLIANCE WITH RUSSIA AND BELARUS. WHAT DO THEY HOPE TO GAIN FROM THIS ALLIANCE AND YOU SEEMED TO INDICATE ALSO IN OUR CONVERSATION THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A GROWING SENSE THAT PERHAPS SOME SORT OF ACCOMODATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS INEVITABLE AS FAR AS A FOREIGN MILITARY PEACEKEEPING PRESENCE IS CONCERNED. DINMORE: YES, I THINK YUGOSLAVIA IS TRYING TO USE ITS TRADITIONAL POSITION OF BEING NEUTRAL OR NON-ALIGNED COUNTRY IN THE MIDDLE OF EUROPE AND NOW SIGNALLING TO NATO, "LOOK, WE CAN THROW OFF OUR HISTORY OF NON-ALIGNMENT AND THEN EMBRACE OUR SLAV BROTHERS IN RUSSIA AND THE COMMUNISTS IN RUSSIA AND THE NATIONALISTS IN SERBIA WOULD PROBABLY, IN THE WORDS OF ONE POLITICIAN HERE WOULD PRORABLY LIKE TO BUILD WHAT HE CALLED A BALKAN WALL OR A NEW BERLIN WALL AROUND THE BALKANS, A NEW COLD WAR DIVISION. BUT THE ORDINARY PEOPLE I THINK REFLECT A HOPE , A SOMEWHAT FRUSTRATED HOPE THAT RUSSIA WILL COME AND AID THEM MILITARILY, ALTHOUGH I DON'T THINK THATS IN THE CARDS AT THE MOMENT AS LONG AS YELTSIN IS IN POWER. AND WE ARE SEEING SIGNS IN THE GOVERNMENT, TALKING TO PEOPLE THAT PEOPLE ARE AT LEAST COMING AROUND TO THE IDEA THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO ACCEPT SOME KIND OF INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. THE QUESTION IS , AS THE OFFICIALS SAY HERE , THE SCOPE AND CHARACTER , AND MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HERSELF WHO WAS TALKING ABOUT VARIOUS FORMS OF A NATO FORCE, OR A NATO COMPONENT, ....THE LINE SEEMS TO BE NOW: FOREIGN TROOPS YES, BUT NOT FROM COUNTRIES THAT TOOK PART IN WHAT THEY CALL THE AGGRESSION AGAINST SERBIA. YO COULD STILL PERHAPS IMAGINE SOME NATO COUNTRY THAT HASN'T TAKEN PART IN THE AIR CAMPAIGN FOR EXAMPLE GREECE OR NORWAY PERHAPS, MAYBE SPAIN. ESSENTIALLY NOT BRITAIN , FRANCE, GERMANY, OR THE UNITED STATES. SO THERE IS PERHAPS SOMETHING TO BE TALKED ABOT THERE. BEATTIE: GUY, THANKS VERY MUCH.
NEB/PLM
13-Apr-99 6:56 AM EDT (1056 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[25] EDITORIAL: SERBIAN DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGN

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS BEEN DELIBERATELY DISINFORMING THE SERBIAN PEOPLE. THE GOVERNMENT HAS SEVERELY RESTRICTED THE FLOW OF NEWS AND INFORMATION TO SERBS IN YUGOSLAVIA AND BOSNIA. TELEVISION AND NEWSPAPER REPORTS HAVE FEATURED DEMONSTRATIONS AND ANGRY COMMENTS BY SERBIAN CIVILIANS OPPOSED TO NATO POLICY. WHAT THEY HAVE FAILED TO SHOW ARE THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES BEING DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES AT GUNPOINT BY SERBIAN POLICE AND FORCED OUT OF KOSOVO. WHEN THE REFUGEES HAVE BEEN MENTIONED, THEIR PLIGHT HAS BEEN BLAMED ON NATO BOMBING, NOT MILOSEVIC'S ETHNIC CLEANSING.

THE MILOSEVIC REGIME HAS CLOSED AT LEAST FOUR MAJOR NEWSPAPERS AND A HALF DOZEN INDEPENDENT BROADCAST OUTLETS IN SERBIA. ANY STATION THAT DARES REPORT BALANCED NEWS TO THE SERBIAN PEOPLE FACES EXTINCTION. BELGRADE'S SOLE INDEPENDENT RADIO STATION -- B-92 -- DISCOVERED THIS WHEN POLICE RECENTLY CONFISCATED ITS TRANSMITTER. POLICE ALSO TELEPHONED MANY OF THE STATION'S REPORTERS AT HOME AND THREATENED THEM IF THEY CONTINUED WORKING. AND THE COURAGEOUS VOICE OF SLAVKO CURUVIJA [CHOO-'ROO-VEE-YAH], ONE OF BELGRADE'S MOST PROMINENT INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS, WAS SILENCED FOREVER BY AN ASSASSIN'S BULLET.

AS A RESULT, THE VAST MAJORITY OF SERBS ONLY HAVE ACCESS TO OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED WAR PROPAGANDA. TO PENETRATE THIS NEWS BLACKOUT, THE VOICE OF AMERICA AND RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY HAVE BEGUN BROADCASTING F-M PROGRAMMING INTO SERBIA TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY. THIS AUGMENTS CURRENT SHORT-WAVE AND A-M BROADCASTS.

PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS LONG USED CONTROL OVER STATE MEDIA AS A MEANS OF MAINTAINING HIS STRANGLEHOLD ON POWER. LIKE ALL DICTATORS, HE FEARS THE CONSEQUENCES OF PEOPLE DISCOVERING THE TRUTH. AND HE CERTAINLY HAS A LOT TO HIDE: ETHNIC CLEANSING, RAPE, MASS KILLINGS AND FORCED MARCHES. BUT THE SERBIAN PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW. IT IS THEIR FUTURE THAT IS AT STAKE.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, V-O-A, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO COMMENT AT WWW-DOT-VOA-DOT-GOV-SLASH-EDITORIALS, OR FAX US AT (202) 619-1043.
13-Apr-99 1:43 PM EDT (1743 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[26] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) (CQ) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: IN BELFAST, CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT LEADERS ARE BACK AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, TRYING TO BREAK AN IMPASSE OVER "DECOMMISSIONING" -- THE SURRENDER OF WEAPONS BY NORTHERN IRELAND'S PARAMILITARY GROUPS. THE DISPUTE HAS STALLED THE INSTALLATION OF THE PROVINCE'S NEW GOVERNING CABINET. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: BOTH SIDES ARE SOUNDING PESSIMISTIC ABOUT A BREAKTHROUGH. SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE PARAMILITARY IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, HAS FORMALLY REJECTED A COMPROMISE PROPOSAL PUT FORTH BY THE IRISH AND BRITISH PRIME MINISTERS TWO WEEKS AGO.

THE PLAN SET OUT A TIMETABLE FOR APPOINTING NORTHERN IRELAND'S NEW CABINET MINISTERS, IF THE I-R-A TURNS IN SOME WEAPONS WITHIN A MONTH. BUT SINN FEIN SAYS IT CANNOT FORCE THE I-R-A TO DO THAT.

SINN FEIN CHAIRMAN MITCHELL MCLAUGHLIN INSISTS WHAT'S COME TO BE CALLED THE GOOD FRIDAY PEACE AGREEMENT SET NO PRECONDITIONS FOR SINN FEIN JOINING THE NORTHERN IRELAND GOVERNMENT. HE SAYS THE COMPROMISE PROPOSAL WOULD REWRITE THE PEACE AGREEMENT SIGNED LAST YEAR.

PROTESTANT FIRST MINISTER DAVID TRIMBLE REFUSES TO LET SINN FEIN TAKE (TWO) POSTS IN THE NEW CABINET UNTIL THE I-R-A STARTS DISARMING.

THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS BOTH JOINED THE LAST ROUND OF MARATHON TALKS TWO WEEKS AGO IN BELFAST. THEY SAY THEY ARE READY TO TAKE PART IN FURTHER MEETINGS, IF THERE ARE SIGNS OF PROGRESS.

THE DEADLOCK HAS HELD UP FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF LAST YEAR'S PEACE PLAN, WHICH ENDED THREE DECADES OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE. BRITAIN WAS DUE TO TRANSFER HOME-RULE POWERS TO THE NEW "PEACE" GOVERNMENT LAST MONTH, BUT HAD TO POSTPONE THAT MOVE BECAUSE NO ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN SET UP YET. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF/WTW
13-Apr-99 3:03 PM EDT (1903 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[27] FRANCE TUNNEL (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: A PRELIMINARY REPORT INTO LAST MONTH'S FIRE IN THE MONT BLANC ROAD TUNNEL LINKING FRANCE AND ITALY UNDER THE ALPS BLAMES A LACK OF TRAINING AND OTHER SAFETY LAPSES FOR A TRAGEDY THAT COST AT LEAST 41 LIVES. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF A STUDY ORDERED BY THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT ARE SEVERE FOR THE FRENCH AND ITALIAN STATE-OWNED COMPANIES THAT OPERATE THE TUNNEL. IN THE 33 YEARS SINCE THE TUNNEL WAS OPENED, THE REPORT SAYS, FIRE TEAMS FROM THE TWO COUNTRIES HAVE CARRIED OUT JOINT EXERCISES ONLY TWICE. THE LAST WAS HELD IN 1989 AND THE PREVIOUS ONE TOOK PLACE IN 1974.

THE REPORT, COMPILED BY TWO SENIOR FRENCH CIVIL SERVANTS, INCLUDING A TUNNEL ENGINEER, SAYS THE REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE TWO COMPANIES SPENT MORE TIME DISCUSSING THE TOLLS THEY SHOULD CHARGE DRIVERS USING THE TUNNEL THAN ON SAFETY MATTERS.

THE REPORT PUTS THE DEATH TOLL FOR THE FIRE, THAT BROKE OUT ON MARCH 24TH AND RAGED FOR TWO DAYS, AT 41. BUT, IT SAYS, THERE MAY BE OTHER, AS YET UNDISCOVERED BODIES. LOCAL AUTHORITIES ON THE FRENCH SIDE OF THE BORDER SAY THEY BELIEVE A TOTAL OF 45 PEOPLE DIED..

THE PRELIMINARY REPORT, WHICH WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE RESULTS OF AN ITALIAN INVESTIGATION AND FINAL FRENCH FINDINGS AT THE END OF MAY, SAYS THAT, IN GENERAL, SAFETY EQUIPMENT INSIDE THE TUNNEL WAS ADEQUATE. IT CONFIRMS, HOWEVER, THAT MODERN BREATHING EQUIPMENT COULD NOT BE USED BECAUSE FIREFIGHTERS ON THE FRENCH SIDE WERE NOT TRAINED TO USE IT.

THE FRENCH REPORT DOES, HOWEVER, POINT SOME BLAME AT THE TUNNEL'S VENTILATION SYSTEM. THIS CAN BE ADAPTED EITHER TO BRING FRESH AIR INTO THE TUNNEL OR TO SUCK OUT STALE AIR AND SMOKE.

THE REPORT SAYS DUCTS CONTROLLED FROM THE ITALIAN SIDE WERE INEXPLICABLY BLOWING AIR INTO THE TUNNEL FOR SOME TIME AFTER THE FIRE, THAT STARTED IN A BELGIAN TRUCK, WAS REPORTED. THIS, THE REPORT SAYS, COULD HAVE FANNED THE FLAMES.

IT SAYS SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REVERSE THE THRUST OF THE VENTILATION SYSTEM FAILED AS ITS MECHANISM BECAME DAMAGED BY THE HEAT.

THE REPORT SAYS RESCUE TEAMS WERE ALERTED AND WERE ON THE SCENE QUICKLY, BUT THE FIRE WAS SO INTENSE, THERE WAS LITTLE THEY COULD DO. THE SINGLE TUNNEL, IN WHICH TRAFFIC RUNS SIMULTANEOUSLY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, IS EXPECTED TO BE OUT OF COMMISSION FOR UP TO ONE YEAR..

THE MAYOR OF THE NEARBY FRENCH ALPINE RESORT OF CHAMONIX HAS LODGED A LEGAL COMPLAINT FOR MANSLAUGHTER. HE ALSO HAS CALLED FOR TRUCKS TO BE BANNED FROM THE TUNNEL ENTIRELY WHEN IT FINALLY REOPENS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH
13-Apr-99 11:38 AM EDT (1538 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[28] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (TUESDAY). V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED 55 POINTS UP -- A GAIN OF ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT -- AT 10-THOUSAND-395. BUT THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX LOST EIGHT POINTS, CLOSING AT 13-HUNDRED-49. THE NASDAQ INDEX WAS OFF [DECLINED] 15 POINTS, AS TECHNOLOGY STOCKS WEAKENED.

THE BIG NEWS FOR THE STOCK MARKET WAS THE ROBUST EARNINGS REPORTS OF THE MAIN BROKERAGE FIRMS LIKE MERRILL LYNCH AND PAINE WEBBER. THAT MEANS THERE IS A LOT OF CASH OUT THERE -- A GOOD SIGN FOR WALL STREET. FINANCIAL AND BANKING STOCKS ROSE TUESDAY, KEEPING UPWARD PRESSURE ON THE DOW.

IN ECONOMIC NEWS, U-S CONSUMER PRICES ROSE MODESTLY -- JUST TWO-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT -- IN MARCH. RETAIL SALES ALSO EDGED UP TWO-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT. SO AMERICANS ARE STILL SPENDING MONEY, AND INFLATION IS NOT A PROBLEM.

ANALYST NED RILEY SAYS THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE U-S ECONOMY REMAIN VERY STRONG:

WE'VE GOT AN ECONOMY THAT'S BUBBLING ALONG. WE HAVE UNEMPLOYMENT AT FOUR-POINT-TWO PERCENT -- WHICH I THINK THE CONSUMER LOOKS PRETTY GOOD AT. AND, PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE STOCK MARKET IS HITTING NEW HIGHS. WHETHER YOU OWN STOCKS OR NOT, I THINK THAT'S MAKING THE CONSUMER FEEL REAL GOOD ABOUT SPENDING AND SPENDING PRETTY HEFTILY.

SOME EXPERTS ARE SAYING THE U-S ECONOMY MAY GROW AS MUCH AS FOUR PERCENT THIS YEAR -- MORE THAN HAS BEEN PREDICTED. AND WITH INFLATION ON THE TAME SIDE, THEY ALSO EXPECT THAT FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN WILL LEAVE INTEREST RATES ALONE.

FALLING PRICES FOR COMPUTERS, HOME APPLIANCES AND OTHER PRODUCTS OFFSET THE INCREASE IN ENERGY COSTS IN THE UNITED STATES. AVON, THE WORLD'S LARGEST DIRECT SELLER OF BEAUTY PRODUCTS, REACHED A NEW 52-WEEK HIGH TUESDAY AFTER THE COMPANY SAID IT EXPECTS TO BEAT EARNINGS PREDICTIONS FOR THE QUARTER.

AVON SAYS IT HAD STRONGER SALES IN THE UNITED STATES AND A SURPRISE BOOST FROM SALES IN BRAZIL. APPARENTLY AVON WAS ABLE TO DODGE THE FALL-OUT FROM BRAZIL'S ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.

U-S HAMBURGER GIANT MCDONALD'S, IT SEEMS, IS WINNING ONE BATTLE IN THE FRENCH-AMERICAN CULTURAL WAR -- AT LEAST FOR NOW. A NEW SURVEY SHOWS MCDONALD'S KEPT ITS NUMBER-ONE SPOT IN THE FRENCH FAST-FOOD INDUSTRY LAST YEAR. HOWEVER, SHOPS SELLING SANDWICHES ON BAGUETTE BREAD ARE SAID TO BE CATCHING UP. MCDONALD'S HAS OVER 700 RESTAURANTS IN FRANCE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/WTW
13-Apr-99 5:27 PM EDT (2127 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[29] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE WAR IN THE BALKANS, AND THE DEBATE OVER THE POSSIBLE USE OF GROUND TROOPS, HAS SURGED BACK TO THE TOP OF MANY U-S EDITORIAL COLUMNS.

OTHER TOPICS TO BE FOUND IN THE COMMENTARY SECTION INCLUDE: THE PRESIDENT FOUND IN CONTEMPT OF COURT , AND RELATED ISSUES: AN ELECTION IN ALGERIA; /// OPT /// AND /// END OPT /// THE EUROPEAN UNION'S NEW LEADER; /// OPT /// AND PRAISE FOR A HERO IN ATLANTA. /// END OPT /// NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THERE IS AN INCREASINGLY STRIDENT TONE IN MANY EDITORIALS ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN OVER KOSOVO PROVINCE AND AGAINST YUGOSLAVIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. "THE OREGONIAN" IS TALKING ABOUT THE SIGHTING OF MASS GRAVES, WHILE "THE WASHINGTON POST" CASTIGATES SERBIA FOR MURDERING AN OPPOSITION NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER. ONE OF THE STARKEST HEADLINES, IN TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" READS SIMPLY: "DECLARE WAR" AND URGES CONGRESS, RETURNING AFTER THE EASTER BREAK:

VOICE: CONGRESS MUST STEEL THE WILL OF A PRESIDENT WHO WANTS TO WIN A WAR, AS SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN HAS PUT IT, 'WITHOUT WAGING A WAR.' WHAT CONGRESS NEEDS TO DEBATE IS ... WAR AIMS. ... CONGRESS SHOULD HONOR THE CONSTITUTION BY INTRODUCING A FORMAL DECLARATION THAT IS PRECISE ABOUT THE GOALS OF VICTORY. ... SENATOR MCCAIN'S SUGGESTION OF A RESOLUTION URGING 'ALL MEANS NECESSARY' TO WIN IS TO THE POINT. CONGRESS SHOULD DECLARE WAR ... AND AMERICA SHOULD USE WHATEVER FORCES ARE NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS AS QUICKLY AND DECISIVELY AS POSSIBLE.

TEXT: "THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE" AGREES, SAYING "CONGRESS MUST ... TAKE A FIRM, UNEQUIVOCAL STAND ON THE WAR ... AND DECIDE WHETHER AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS SHOULD BE COMMITTED TO THE FIGHTING. BUT IN MINNESOTA, "THE ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS" SAYS "DIPLOMACY [IS THE] ONLY WAY TO AVOID TROOPS USE," ADDING:

VOICE: /// OPT /// THE MYTH OF DETERMINANT AIR POWER IS REVEALING ITSELF AS THE NATO MINISTERS ON MONDAY SHOWED IN THEIR MANEUVERING FOR TERMINOLOGY THAT CAN RESTART DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION-SEEKING. /// END OPT /// AIR POWER CAN PUNISH AND CAJOLE. IT CANNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM ... WITHOUT THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER MILITARY ENGAGEMENT. GROUND TROOPS MAY BE INEVITABLE AND THEIR PRESENCE LENGTHY UNLESS ... DIPLOMATS CAN SOMEHOW CUT A DEAL.

TEXT: IN PORTLAND, "THE OREGONIAN" IS HORRIFIED BY THE SIGHTING OF WHAT APPEAR TO BE MASS GRAVES IN KOSOVO, ADDING.

VOICE: /// OPT /// AND NOW ... APPARENTLY CONFIRMING STORIES REPEATEDLY TOLD BY KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA - - SATELLITE RECONNAISSANCE REVEALED WHAT SEEM TO BE FRESHLY DUG MASS GRAVES. ... THE STAKES IN KOSOVO ARE NOW TOWERING /// END OPT /// ..... SHORTLY, NATO MARKS ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY AS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL MILITARY ALLIANCE IN HISTORY. ITS SEMI-CENTENNIAL MONUMENT SHOULD NOT BE A MASS GRAVE.

TEXT: /// OPT /// IN NEW YORK, "THE NEW YORK POST" FUMES IN ITS HEADLINE, "WHY AREN'T THE APACHES ON THE WARPATH," REFERRING TO REPORTS THAT IT WILL TAKE WEEKS FOR THE U-S ARMY'S HUGE, HIGH-TECHNOLOGY, TANK-KILLING HELICOPTERS TO BE OPERATIONAL IN KOSOVO. /// END OPT /// IN THE MID WEST, THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" NOTES:

VOICE: AT THIS JUNCTURE, SENDING U-S GROUND TROOPS WOULD BE WRONG. IT WON'T SATISFY THE FRUSTRATION OF ARMCHAIR GENERALS ON CAPITOL HILL, BUT NATO SHOULD STAY THE COURSE WITH AN UNRELENTING CAMPAIGN OF BOMBS AND CRUISE MISSILES, A COURSE THAT APPEARS, AT LEAST, TO FINALLY BE STARTING TO PINCH ... SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ... SADLY THIS IS THE BEST OPTION AVAILABLE.

TEXT: LASTLY ON THIS MAIN TOPIC, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER'S" EDITORIAL HEADLINE SUGGESTS THE WAR MUST BE WON BY "ANY MEANS NECESSARY," ADDING: "IF NATO REALLY WANTS TO STOP [MR.] MILOSEVIC, IT MUST ALLOW FOR [THE] POSSIBILITY OF GROUND TROOPS."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS, INCLUDING "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS," ARE WORRYING ABOUT THE DETERIORATION IN U-S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA, AS A RESULT OF THE BALKAN WAR, SINCE THE RUSSIANS ARE ALSO SLAVS, LIKE THE SERBIANS, AND MOST FOLLOW THE SAME EASTERN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAITH. TODAY'S "THE ST. PETERSBURG [FLORIDA] TIMES" NOTES:

VOICE: /// OPT /// NO ONE SHOULD BE SURPRISED THAT ANTI-AMERICAN SENTIMENT IN RUSSIA HAS BECOME DEEPER AND MORE WIDESPREAD THAN AT ANY TIME SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION. /// END OPT /// ... THE RUSSIANS' GRIEVANCES AREN'T ALWAYS VALID, OR EVEN RATIONAL, BUT THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. THE UNITED STATES HAS THOUSANDS OF POWERFUL REASONS - - IN THE FORM OF SOVIET- ERA NUCLEAR WEAPONS THAT STILL ARE NOT ADEQUATELY CONTROLLED - - FOR MAKING RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA OUR TOP FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY.

TEXT: BOSTON'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" AGREES, HEADLINING ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, "STAY ENGAGED WITH MOSCOW" /// OPT /// AND ADDING:

VOICE: THE ANGRY VOICES FROM MOSCOW BLASTING THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN IN YUGOSLAVIA CAN'T BE IGNORED. ... [HOWEVER] SEVERAL POINTS SHOULD BE KEPT IN MIND REGARDING THE RUSSIAN RHETORIC: THE ISSUE IS A DOMESTIC POLITICAL FOOTBALL IN MOSCOW. ... PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN IS FIGHTING FOR HIS POLITICAL LIFE. ... RUSSIA IS NOT GOING TO INTERVENE MILITARILY, AS ITS GOVERNMENT HAS REPEATEDLY STATED. ... THE PRIMAKOV GOVERNMENT WON'T ENDANGER INTERNATIONAL LOANS TO CURRY FAVOR WITH THE SERBS.

TEXT: ON TO DOMESTIC ISSUES, AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S BEING FOUND IN CONTEMPT OF FEDERAL COURT MONDAY FOR LYING, UNDER OATH, ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH MONICA LEWINSKY. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SUGGESTS THE DECISION, WAS:

VOICE: ... A FITTING JUDICIAL RESPONSE TO WHAT SHE [JUDGE SUSAN WEBBER WRIGHT] TERMED HIS 'FALSE, MISLEADING AND EVASIVE' TESTIMONY ... IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL PENALTIES ... ARE APPROPRIATELY SYMBOLIC. THE PRESIDENT WOULD BE WISE NOT TO CHALLENGE THEM. ... IF THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL, KENNETH STARR, IS SMART, HE WILL FOLLOW JUDGE WRIGHT'S IMPULSE AND DRAW THE SAME LESSON FROM THE JURY VERDICT IN LITTLE ROCK YESTERDAY ... [ACQUITTING] SUSAN MCDOUGAL ON CHARGES ... SHE OBSTRUCTED MR. STARR'S WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION ...

TEXT: TO NORTH AFRICA NOW, AND THIS WEEK'S ALGERIAN ELECTION, ABOUT WHICH, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE SAYS:

VOICE: THE VOTE FOR PRESIDENT THURSDAY GIVES ALGERIA A CHANCE TO END THE DREADFUL MURDER AND STRIFE THAT HAVE GRIPPED IT SINCE THE LAST ELECTION WAS ANNULLED IN 1992. /// OPT /// THE TERRORISTS OF THE ARMED ISLAMIC GROUP (G-I-A) HAVE NOT AGREED TO IT, BUT THE OUTLAWED ISLAMIC SALVATION FRONT (F-I-S) HAS. A CREDIBLE RESULT COULD CREATE A LEGITIMACY TERRORISTS COULD NOT OVERTHROW. /// END OPT /// ... PEACE AND DEMOCRACY ARE NOT ASSURED. BUT THIS IS THE MOST HOPEFUL POSSIBILITY ALGERIA HAS HAD IN SEVEN YEARS.

TEXT: IN RHODE ISLAND'S CAPITOL, "THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL," IS PLEASED WITH THE NEW MAN AT THE "HELM" OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, FORMER ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER ROMANO PRODI, WHO TAKES OVER IN THE WAKE OF THE MASS FIRING OF THE E-U'S COMMISSION PRESIDENT AND HIS WHOLE EXECUTIVE BODY FOR CORRUPTION AND MISMANAGEMENT. "THE JOURNAL" CALLS MR. PRODI'S SELECTION:

VOICE: ... A SOUND CHOICE, IN VIEW OF [HIS] ... POLITICAL CLOUT [STRENGTH / INFLUENCE] AT HOME AND HIS REPUTATION THROUGHOUT EUROPE FOR FISCAL PROBITY AND RECTITUDE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS. THE MOVE EASES SOMEWHAT THE CRISIS OVER THE ... MASS RESIGNATIONS ...

TEXT: IN TEXAS, "THE FORTH WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM" TAKES NOTE OF INDIA'S TEST FIRING SUNDAY OF THE AGNI ROCKET, WHICH CAN CARRY A 997-KILO NUCLEAR WARHEAD AND REACH POTENTIAL TARGETS IN PAKISTAN, AND PARTS OF CHINA.

VOICE: PAKISTAN AND CHINA CAN'T BE EXPECTED TO PUT MUCH FAITH IN INDIAN PRIME MINISTER ATAL BIHARI VAUJPAYEE'S ASSERTION THAT INDIA WILL NOT BE THE FIRST COUNTRY IN THE REGION TO LAUNCH A NUCLEAR ATTACK. /// OPT /// [MR.] VAJPAYEE [ASSERTS] THAT 'INDIA CANNOT DEPEND ON OTHERS TO DEFEND HER.' HE'S RIGHT, OF COURSE. BUT /// END OPT /// WHEN INDIA'S EFFORTS TO PROVIDE FOR ITS OWN DEFENSE PROVOKE ITS NEIGHBORS TO RESPOND IN KIND, IT INCREASES THE PERIL TO ITS OWN PEOPLE AND TO THE STABILITY OF SOUTH ASIA.

TEXT: IN GEORGIA, TODAY, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" IS CELEBRATING A HERO FIREMAN, WHO DANGLED FROM A HELICOPTER ABOVE A HUGE FIRE, TO RESCUE A CRANE OPERATOR TRAPPED BY THE FLAMES, AS MOST OF THE CITY AND THE NATION WATCHED ON TELEVISION.

VOICE: WHAT HAD SEEMED TO BE A HEART-RENDING TRAGEDY IN THE MAKING, WITH A HUMAN LIFE ALMOST LITERALLY HANGING IN THE BALANCE, WAS TRANSFORMED BY THE COURAGE OF WELL-TRAINED MEN AND WOMEN WILLING TO RISK THEIR LIVES FOR OTHERS.

TEXT: ON THAT /// OPT /// HEROIC /// END OPT /// NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF TUESDAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/ANG/GE
13-Apr-99 10:59 AM EDT (1459 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article