Voice of America, 99-04-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO WRAP (L-ONLY) BY CAROL PINEAU (WASHINGTON)

[02] KOSOVO WRAP/MONDAY (L ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

[03] NATO-KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

[04] NATO-KOSOVO (S-UPDATE) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

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

[06] U-S POWS/KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[07] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S/L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (WHITE HOUSE)

[08] CLINTON / KOSOVO UPDATE (S/L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (WHITE HOUSE)

[09] E-U / SANCTIONS (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)

[10] NATO / KOSOVO ANALYSIS BY CAROL PINEAU (WASHINGTON)

[11] NATO / U-S ROLE BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

[12] MACEDONIA / ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER BY EVE CONANT (TETOVO, MACEDONIA)

[13] FINANCE MEETING BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

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

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

[01] KOSOVO WRAP (L-ONLY) BY CAROL PINEAU (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NATO JETS ATTACKED TARGETS THROUGHOUT YUGOSLAVIA, AS NATO OFFICIALS SAID ALLIANCE FORCES WILL SOON BEGIN USING HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS TO ATTACK SERB GROUND FORCES IN KOSOVO. CAROL PINEAU WRAPS UP THE DAYS EVENTS.

TEXT: NATO AIR ATTACKS CONTINUED SUNDAY AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. THE YUGOSLAV NEWS AGENCY REPORTED STATE TELEVISION WAS KNOCKED OFF THE AIR FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE FRIDAY WHEN PLANES STRUCK A TRANSFORMER NEAR BELGRADE.

IN ALBANIA, A SECOND WAVE OF APACHE HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS MOVED INTO POSITION SUNDAY, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO 18 OF THE HIGH-TECH GUNSHIPS. THE TANK-KILLING AIRCRAFT AND ACCOMPANYING SURFACE-TO-SURFACE MISSILE UNITS WILL BE USED TO DESTROY SERB ARMOR IN KOSOVO. MEANWHILE, DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES CONTINUED AS CANADA'S FOREIGN MINISTER HEADS FOR RUSSIA TO TRY TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN RUSSIA'S PROPOSALS AND NATO'S DEMANDS. RUSSIA'S SPECIAL BALKANS ENVOY IS ALSO IN GERMANY FOR TALKS. NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS RUSSIA'S INITIATIVES ARE POSITIVE, EVEN IF THE TWO SIDES DO NOT AGREE.

THIS IS GOOD. WE WANT TO WORK WITH RUSSIA. WE ARE NOT TRYING TO EXCLUDE RUSSIA FROM THE DIPLOMACY OF SOLVING THE KOSOVO CRISIS.

AS THE NATO SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON CAME TO A CLOSE, NATO'S SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA WAS ASKED TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE OF DEPLOYING GROUND TROOPS IN KOSOVO, THOUGH FOR NOW NATO LEADERS HAVE MADE NO DECISION. BUT U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN WARNED NATO NOT TO SEND INTERNATIONAL MILITARY FORCES INTO KOSOVO WITHOUT FIRST SEEKING UNITED NATIONS APPROVAL.

ON THE SUMMIT'S FINAL DAY, PRESIDENT CLINTON DECLARED HIS DETERMINATION NOT TO LET YUGOSLAVIA'S NEIGHBORS PAY FOR SUPPORTING THE NATO ALLIANCE.

IF BELGRADE CHALLENGES ITS NEIGHBORS AS A RESULT OF NATO, WE WILL RESPOND. WE ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH YOU AND WITH MULTI-LATERAL INSTITUTIONS TO EASE YOUR EMERGENCY NEEDS AND HELP YOU WITH YOUR DEBTS. YOU WANT A BETTER FUTURE FOR YOUR NATIONS AND YOUR REGION. AND THERE AS WELL WE CAN HELP.

THE PRESIDENT THANKED THE SEVEN FRONT-LINE NATIONS FOR PROVIDING BASES FOR ALLIANCES FORCES AND TAKING IN SO MANY REFUGEES. MEANTIME, MORE THAN 15-HUNDRED ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO HAVE CROSSED INTO MACEDONIA AS THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS CONTINUES. AID WORKERS ALSO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE STILL INSIDE KOSOVO, FEARING THAT THOSE WHO FLED THEIR HOMES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CRISIS ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF ASSISTANCE.

BELGRADE HAS ALLOWED A GREEK AID CONVOY INTO YUGOSLAVIA, WHERE IT WILL DISTRIBUTE ASSISTANCE THROUGH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS. THE PRESIDENT OF THE RED CROSS IS ALSO IN BELGRADE FOR TALKS MONDAY WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE RED CROSS IS HOPING FOR SECURITY ASSURANCES WHICH WOULD ENABLE ITS WORKERS TO RETURN TO KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/CP/WFR
25-Apr-99 8:12 PM EDT (0012 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO WRAP/MONDAY (L ONLY) BY JIM MALONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING 30 AIR REFUELING TANKERS TO EUROPE AS PART OF NATO'S EFFORT TO STEP UP THE AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. MONDAY'S TARGETS INCLUDED A KEY BRIDGE OVER THE DANUBE AS WELL AS AIRFIELDS AND RADAR SITES. CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE HAS A WRAP-UP OF MONDAY'S DEVELOPMENTS.

TEXT: THE REFUELING AIRCRAFT BEING SENT TO EUROPE ARE THE FIRST OF SOME 300 ADDITIONAL U-S PLANES REQUESTED BY NATO COMMANDERS FOR THE AIR CAMPAIGN.

AIR STRIKES CONTINUED MONDAY DESPITE BAD WEATHER. NATO OFFICIALS SAY ALLIANCE PLANES DESTROYED A ROAD AND RAIL BRIDGE ACROSS THE DANUBE IN NOVI SAD, CUTTING THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE BETWEEN BELGRADE AND CENTRAL EUROPE.

NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS OTHER TARGETS INCLUDED AIRFIELDS AND RADAR SITES IN YUGOSLAVIA AS WELL AS YUGOSLAV FORCES ON THE GROUND IN SOUTHERN KOSOVO.

WE ARE NOW ABLE TO STRIKE MORE AND MORE ARMOR AND FIELD FORCES IN KOSOVO ITSELF. AND WE ARE IN A POSITION OBVIOUSLY TO DISRUPT SERB OPERATIONS SIGNIFICANTLY INSIDE KOSOVO. THAT MAY HELP TO TAKE SOME OF THE IMMEDIATE PRESSURE OFF THE CIVILIAN POPULATION, BUT OBVIOUSLY THE SITUATION IS VERY DIRE. WE ARE AWARE OF THAT.

IT IS OUR COLLECTIVE TASK NOW TO MAKE THAT VICTORY A VICTORY OF JUSTICE OVER EVIL A REALITY FOR KOSOVO'S LONG SUFFERING PEOPLE. (CHANTS OF "HERE, HERE!")

IN BELGRADE, THE HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS, CORNELIO SOMMARUGA, SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS AGREED TO ALLOW RED CROSS WORKERS TO RETURN TO KOSOVO. THOSE WORKERS LEFT LAST MONTH WHEN THE NATO AIRSTRIKES BEGAN.

I-C-R-C PRESIDENT SOMMARUGA MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER HE MET WITH THREE U-S SOLDIERS MONDAY CAPTURED BY YUGOSLAV FORCES LAST MONTH. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME RED CROSS OFFICIALS WERE ALLOWED TO VISIT THE THREE CAPTURED AMERICANS DESPITE REPEATED APPEALS. ANOTHER VISIT IS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY.

SUSAN BERGIER IS A RED CROSS SPOKESWOMAN IN GENEVA.

OUR DELEGATES WILL BE ABLE TO HOLD PRIVATE TALKS WITH THE PRISONERS AND REGISTER THEIR PERSONAL DETAILS AND THE PRISONERS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO REPLY TO THE RED CROSS MESSAGES THAT THEY RECEIVED FROM THEIR FAMILIES TODAY.

IN WASHINGTON, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS U-S OFFICIALS ARE HOPING FOR A MORE EXTENSIVE REPORT ON THREE AMERICANS AFTER TUESDAY'S MEETING.

REGULAR VISITS, WHICH ARE PRIVATE VISITS, WHICH THIS WAS NOT PRIVATE. MEDICAL ATTENTION, WHICH THIS (VISIT) DID NOT PROVIDE. BUT THE HEAD OF THE I-C-R-C DID GET 15 MINUTES TODAY. HE SAYS THAT THE THREE SERVICEMEN APPEAR TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY GOOD NEWS.

ON THE DIPLOMATIC FRONT, EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS AGREED TO TIGHTEN SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA MONDAY, BY EXTENDING THE TRAVEL BAN ON TOP YUGOSLAV LEADERS AND A BAN ON INVESTMENT IN YUGOSLAVIA.

BUT THE EUROPEAN MINISTERS PUT OFF ACTION ON A PROPOSED NATO OIL BLOCKADE. NATO OFFICIALS WANT TO CUT OFF OIL SUPPLIES REACHING YUGOSLAVIA BY SHIP. BUT A TOP NATO GENERAL SAYS THE PLAN UNDER DISCUSSION WOULD NOT ALLOW NAVAL COMMANDERS TO USE FORCE TO STOP AND SEARCH SHIPS BOUND FOR YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/JBM/JO
26-Apr-99 5:22 PM EDT (2122 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] NATO-KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: NATO REPORTS IT HAS KNOCKED OUT THE LAST REMAINING BRIDGE LINKING YUGOSLAVIA TO CENTRAL EUROPE, AS THE ALLIES CONTINUE TRYING TO STOP THE VIOLENCE AND ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN REPORTS ON THE LATEST ROUND OF AIR RAIDS AFTER THE (NATO) WASHINGTON SUMMIT.

TEXT: WHILE ALLIED LEADERS AT LEAST TEMPORARILY LAID ASIDE THE IDEA OF GROUND TROOPS FOR KOSOVO, THEY VOWED TO STEP UP THE MONTH-LONG BOMBING CAMPAIGN.

SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS THE MOST RECENT STRIKES (SUNDAY AND MONDAY) RANGED ACROSS BOTH YUGOSLAVIA AND KOSOVO. HE SAYS THE TARGETS INCLUDED THE ONLY BRIDGE STILL CARRYING TRAFFIC FROM BELGRADE ACROSS THE DANUBE RIVER.

WE ATTACKED, SUCCESSFULLY, THE LAST BRIDGE ACROSS THE DANUBE, WHICH IS THE RAILWAY BRIDGE AT NOVI SAD AND ALSO A HIGHWAY BRIDGE INTEGRATED INTO THE SAME SYSTEM, AND WE KNOW THAT THAT BRIDGE IS NOW DESTROYED.

OFFICIALS SAY THIS SHOULD HAMPER TROOP MOVEMENTS AND FUEL SHIPMENTS. THE PLANES ALSO STRUCK FUEL DEPOTS, EARLY-WARNING RADAR STATIONS NEAR BELGRADE, AN AIRFIELD, AND COMMAND CENTERS.

BUT BAD WEATHER REMAINS NATO'S ENEMY AND YUGOSLAVIA'S FRIEND, ALLOWING GOVERNMENT FORCES TO MOVE AGAINST ETHNIC-ALBANIAN FIGHTERS. MR. SHEA SAYS THE ALLIES ARE TRYING TO TURN UP THE PRESSURE AGAINST THE TROOPS IN THE FIELD.

WE ARE NOW ABLE TO STRIKE MORE AND MORE ARMOR AND FIELD FORCES IN KOSOVO ITSELF. AND WE ARE IN A POSITION OBVIOUSLY TO DISRUPT SERB OPERATIONS SIGNIFICANTLY INSIDE KOSOVO. THAT MAY HELP TO TAKE SOME OF THE IMMEDIATE PRESSURE OFF THE CIVILIAN POPULATION, BUT OBVIOUSLY THE SITUATION IS VERY DIRE. WE ARE AWARE OF THAT.

NATO HOPES TO START TURNING THE TIDE WHEN U-S "APACHE" ATTACK HELICOPTERS START FLYING OVER KOSOVO. THE FULL UNIT IS NOW IN ALBANIA AND SHOULD BE READY FOR OPERATIONS WITHIN DAYS. MEANWHILE, THE HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS (CORNELIO SOMMARUGA) HAS PAID A SHORT, SUPERVISED VISIT TO THREE AMERICAN PRISONERS IN YUGOSLAVIA. THE SOLDIERS WERE CAPTURED ALMOST A MONTH AGO NEAR THE MACEDONIAN BORDER AND HAD NOT BEEN SEEN SINCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/LTD/RAE
26-Apr-99 12:03 PM EDT (1603 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] NATO-KOSOVO (S-UPDATE) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE PENTAGON IS SENDING MORE PLANES AND PREPARING TO CALL UP RESERVES FOR AN ESCALATING AIR WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: ABOUT 30 MORE U-S TANKERS WILL SOON JOIN THE ALLIED FLEET, ALLOWING FIGHTERS AND BOMBERS TO SPEND MORE TIME IN THE AIR FINDING TARGETS. AND AS DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN KEN BACON POINTS OUT, THIS IS JUST A FRACTION OF THE REINFORCEMENTS SOUGHT BY NATO COMMANDING GENERAL WESLEY CLARK.

THESE 30 TANKERS ARE REALLY A DOWN PAYMENT ON A MUCH LARGER DEPLOYMENT ORDER THAT WILL BE COMING SOON. THIS IS THE ORDER -- THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO GENERAL CLARK'S REQUEST FOR APPROXIMATELY 300 PLANES.

THE AIR FORCE WILL HAVE TO SUMMON RESERVE CREWS TO FLY SOME OF THE PLANES. EARLIER (SUNDAY AND MONDAY), NATO SAID IT STRUCK TARGETS ACROSS SERBIA AND KOSOVO AND KNOCKED OUT THE LAST BRIDGE CARRYING TRAFFIC OVER THE DANUBE. HOWEVER, THE RAIDS ARE STILL HAMPERED BY WHAT ONE GENERAL CALLS THE WORST WEATHER IN A LONG TIME. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/ENE-T/JO
26-Apr-99 3:49 PM EDT (1949 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, SAYS IT IS ALARMED AT REPORTS OF NEW ATROCITIES ALLEGEDLY COMMITTED BY SERB SECURITY FORCES AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. LISA SCHLEIN REPORTS FROM GENEVA.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS REFUGEES WHO ARRIVED BY TRAIN IN MACEDONIA IN THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS TOLD ABOUT KILLINGS AND OTHER ABUSES IN THREE VILLAGES. THESE ATTACKS OCCURRED IN THE SAME PLACES WHERE MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE WERE ALLEGEDLY KILLED BY SERB PARAMILITARY FORCES EARLIER THIS MONTH.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS THAT A FEW DAYS AGO, 60 ETHNIC ALBANIAN MEN FROM THE TOWN OF PRIZREN WERE SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES. THEY WERE TOLD TO LEAVE AND THEIR WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE FORCED TO STAY BEHIND.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE MEN ARE EXTREMELY WORRIED AND BELIEVE THEIR WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE BEING USED BY THE SERBS AS POTENTIAL HUMAN SHIELDS.

SEVERAL REPORTED THAT IN ONE THREE- STORY BUILDING IN PRIZREN, THE FIRST STORY WAS USED TO STORE AMMUNITIONS FOR TROOPS, THE SECOND STORY FOR LIVING QUARTERS FOR THE MILITARY, AND THE THIRD AND THE HIGHEST FULL OF YOUNG HOSTAGES WHO WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE THE FIRST VICTIMS OF ANY AIR STRIKES. AND AGAIN, ALL WE HAVE IS THE TESTIMONY WHICH IS IN ITSELF ALARMING ENOUGH. WE HAVEN'T BEEN IN PRIZREN.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS PEOPLE ARRIVING IN MACEDONIA SAY THEY HAD TO PAY THE SERBS UP TO TWO-THOUSAND GERMAN MARKS TO LEAVE WITH THEIR CARS. BUT, HE SAYS MOST OF THESE PEOPLE WERE NOT ABLE TO BRING THEIR CARS INTO MACEDONIA BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PAPERS. MEANWHILE, UNICEF, THE U-N CHILDREN'S FUND IS CONDUCTING IMMUNIZATION CAMPAIGNS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MAJOR CHILDHOOD DISEASES. UNICEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, PATRICK MC CORMACK SAYS THE CAMPAIGNS ARE GOING ON IN KUKES, NORTHERN ALBANIA, AND IN REFUGEE CAMPS IN MACEDONIA.

AS OF THIS MORNING, THE ONE IN KUKES HAD VACCINATED 16-THOUSAND CHILDREN AGAINST MEASLES AND POLIO. ALL CHILDREN FROM SIX MONTHS TO 12 YEARS OLD WILL RECEIVE MEASLES VACCINATION, AND ALL ZERO TO FIVE YEAR OLDS WILL RECEIVE POLIO IMMUNIZATION. WE EXPECT TO COVER THE ENTIRE UNDER 12 POPULATION OF AROUND 30-THOUSAND IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

UNICEF SAYS A FIRST ROUND OF IMMUNIZATION ALSO IS BEGINNING IN MACEDONIA. AROUND NINE-THOUSAND REFUGEE CHILDREN UNDER AGE FIVE IN MACEDONIA WILL RECEIVE THE VACCINES. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
26-Apr-99 7:17 AM EDT (1117 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] U-S POWS/KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: OFFICIALS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS HAVE VISITED THE THREE AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR IN BELGRADE. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA SAYS THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE RED CROSS HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO SEE THEM SINCE THEIR CAPTURE BY YUGOSLAV SOLDIERS ON MARCH 31ST.

TEXT: THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS SAYS I-C-R-C PRESIDENT CORNELIO SOMMARUGA AND OTHER RED CROSS OFFICIALS HAD A BRIEF VISIT WITH THE THREE AMERICANS MONDAY MORNING. RED CROSS PRESS OFFICER SUSAN BERGIER SAYS THE VISIT TOOK PLACE BEFORE A SCHEDULED MEETING BETWEEN MR. SOMMARUGA AND YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

THE YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES HAVE ASSURED THE I-C-R-C THAT A DETENTION VISIT IN FULL ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD PROCEDURES WILL BE GRANTED TOMORROW, THE 27TH OF APRIL. AND DURING THIS VISIT, DELEGATES WILL BE ABLE TO HOLD PRIVATE TALKS WITH THE PRISONERS AND REGISTER THEIR PERSONAL DETAILS. THE PRISONERS OF WAR WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO REPLY TO RED CROSS MESSAGES THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED FROM THEIR FAMILIES TODAY.

A RED CROSS DOCTOR AND A DELEGATE ARE EXPECTED TO VISIT THE AMERICAN SERVICEMEN ON TUESDAY. MS. BERGIER SAYS SHE HAS NO INFORMATION ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE P-O-W'S. BUT SHE SAYS THE FACT THAT SOMEONE FROM THE RED CROSS HAS SEEN THE SOLDIERS SHOULD ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE ANXIETY FELT BY THEIR FAMILIES.

MS. BERGIER SAYS THE RED CROSS HOPES TO SET UP REGULAR VISITS WITH THE SOLDIERS FOR AS LONG AS THEIR DETENTION LASTS.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS TO BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH THAT THE PRISONERS OF WAR ARE WELL TREATED AND TO ENABLE THEM TO REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH RED CROSS MESSAGES.

THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN PRESSING THE YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES TO RELEASE THE SOLDIERS. HOWEVER, RED CROSS PRESIDENT SOMMARUGA THINKS SUCH A RELEASE IS UNLIKELY.

AFTER MEETING WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, MR. SOMMARUGA SAID THAT INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW STIPULATES THAT PRISONERS OF WAR BE FREED AT THE END OF A CONFLICT. HE SAID THIS POINT HAS NOT YET BEEN REACHED. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/ALW/WFR
26-Apr-99 12:07 PM EDT (1607 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] CLINTON/KOSOVO (S/L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE WHITE HOUSE WELCOMES RED CROSS EFFORTS ON BEHALF OF THE THREE AMERICAN SOLDIERS HELD BY YUGOSLAVIA. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS DISCOURAGING ATTEMPTS BY PRIVATE U-S CITIZENS TO GO TO BELGRADE IN HOPES IF WINNING THEIR RELEASE. CORRESPONDENT PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS.

TEXT: WHEN A RED CROSS OFFICIAL FINALLY GOT A CHANCE TO MEET WITH THE THREE PRISONERS, HE SENT A MIXED MESSAGE BACK TO WASHINGTON.

HE SAID THE THREE APPEAR TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION, BUT THE INITIAL RED CROSS VISIT WAS BRIEF AND THERE WAS NO DOCTOR PRESENT.

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS THE FACT THE MEETING OCCURRED AT ALL IS GOOD NEWS. BUT HE STRESSES YUGOSLAVIA CONTINUES TO VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL RULES FOR THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS, AND THE U-S HOLDS SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE.

U-S CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER JESSIE JACKSON HAS INDICATED HE WOULD LIKE TO GO TO BELGRADE TO SEE WHAT HE COULD DO TO HELP THE PRISONERS. THE WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN SAYS MR. JACKSON HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THE RISKS INVOLVED IN SUCH A TRIP.

MR. LOCKHART SAYS REVEREND JACKSON HAS SPOKEN WITH ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS, AND IF HE GOES TO YUGOSLAVIA IT WILL BE AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN. IN THE PAST, JESSIE JACKSON HAS HELPED OBTAIN THE RELEASE OF AMERICAN CAPTIVES IN SEVERAL COUNTRIES. IN 1984, HE WON THE FREEDOM OF A U-S PILOT SHOT DOWN BY SYRIAN FORCES OVER LEBANON.

HE IS NOT THE ONLY U-S CITIZEN SEEKING TO MEET WITH SERBIAN OFFICIALS. A MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA WANTED TO TAKE A DELEGATION TO BELGRADE MADE UP OF AMERICAN AND RUSSIAN LAWMAKERS. REPUBLICAN CURT WELDON WAS TOLD THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION COULD NOT SUPPORT HIS MISSION -- IN LARGE PART, BECAUSE OF THE PHYSICAL RISKS INVOLVED. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/ENE/RAE
26-Apr-99 11:56 AM EDT (1556 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] CLINTON / KOSOVO UPDATE (S/L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS OFFICIALS HOPE TO SEE THE THREE AMERICAN SOLDIERS HELD IN YUGOSLAVIA FOR THE SECOND TIME TUESDAY. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WELCOMES THE DEVELOPMENT, BUT SAYS THE VISITS SHOULD HAVE STARTED WEEKS AGO. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS.

TEXT: THE WHITE HOUSE HOPES THE THREE SOLDIERS WILL GET REGULAR VISITS FROM THE RED CROSS -- INCLUDING ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE.

SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS THE FIRST MEETING WAS TOO BRIEF, AND THE HEAD OF THE RED CROSS WAS NOT ABLE TO MEET WITH THE PRISONERS IN PRIVATE.

IT IS OUR EXPECTATION THAT THEY WILL BE SEEN BY DOCTORS IN THE COMING DAYS AND THERE WILL BE MORE FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE GENEVA CONVENTION.

THE THREE AMERICANS WERE HELD FOR ALMOST A MONTH BEFORE THE INITIAL VISIT. MR. LOCKHART SAYS THEY SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN TAKEN PRISONER IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THERE IS NO BASIS FOR HOLDING THEM AND (YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT) MILOSEVIC WILL BE HELD PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR WELL-BEING.

U-S CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER JESSIE JACKSON HAS INDICATED HE WOULD LIKE TO INTERVENE WITH YUGOSLAV LEADERS. THE WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN SAYS MR. JACKSON HAS BEEN WARNED OF THE RISKS OF TRAVELING TO BELGRADE.

WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION, NOR WILL WE BE IN A POSITION, ANYTIME IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE TO GUARANTEE THE SAFETY OF A PRIVATE CITIZEN.

MR. JACKSON HAS HELPED SECURE THE RELEASE OF AMERICAN CAPTIVES IN THE PAST. IN 1984, HE WON THE FREEDOM OF A U-S PILOT SHOT DOWN BY SYRIA OVER LEBANON. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/JO
26-Apr-99 5:06 PM EDT (2106 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] E-U / SANCTIONS (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)

INTRO: E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS ON MONDAY AGREED TO TIGHTEN THE ECONOMIC SQUEEZE ON YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, WITH AGREEMENT TO TOUGHEN EXISTING SANCTIONS. HOWEVER, THERE WAS A SPLIT AMONG THE FIFTEEN MINISTERS, WITH SOME HESITATION OVER IMPOSING A FULL BOYCOTT ON SPORTING CONTACTS, AS JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM LUXEMBOURG.

TEXT: THE AIM OF THE NEW E-U SANCTIONS PACKAGE IS TO TRY TO SPEED UP THE END OF THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO.

THE FIFTEEN FOREIGN MINISTERS AGREED THAT THE E-U'S NEW OIL EMBARGO AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, WHICH WAS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE LAST WEEK, MUST BE IN FORCE BY THE END OF THIS MONTH. AND THEY CALLED ON THE E-U'S ALLIES IN THE REGION TO ALL SIGN UP TO THE MEASURE, AS SOME HAVE ALREADY DONE.

THE FOREIGN MINISTERS ALSO AGREED TO EXTEND THE E-U'S EXISTING SANCTIONS, AND THEY PRODUCED A LIST OF NEW MEASURES WHICH ARE TO BE RUSHED THROUGH.

THERE WAS NOT AGREEMENT ON A FULL BAN ON SPORTING CONTACTS, WITH ITALY AND GREECE EXPRESSING HESITATION. INSTEAD, E-U GOVERNMENTS AND SPORTING FEDERATIONS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED NOT TO ORGANIZE INTERNATIONAL SPORTING EVENTS WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF YUGOSLAVIA.

THERE WAS AGREEMENT TO EXTEND AN EXISTING TRAVEL BAN TO ALSO COVER PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, HIS FAMILY AND ALL MINISTERS AND SENIOR YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS AS WELL AS LEADING SUPPORTERS OF THE SERB PRESIDENT.

THE EXISTING FREEZE ON FUNDS HELD ABROAD BY YUGOSLAVIA IS TO BE EXTENDED TO COVER INDIVIDUALS ASSOCIATED WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AND COMPANIES CONTROLLED BY, OR LINKED TO, HIS REGIME.

THERE WILL BE EXTENSIONS OF THE EXISTING INVESTMENT BAN, AND A BAN ON EXPORT CREDITS, AS WELL AS AN EXTENSION OF THE EMBARGO ON THE EXPORT OF EQUIPMENT WHICH COULD BE USED FOR INTERNAL OPPRESSION SO THAT IT ALSO COVERS ANYTHING WHICH COULD BE USED FOR REPAIRING TARGETS WHICH HAVE BEEN HIT BY NATO AIR STRIKES. FINALLY, THE EXISTING FLIGHT BAN IS TO BE TIGHTENED.

IN A DECLARATION, THE E-U GOVERNMENTS EXPRESSED THEIR STRONG AND CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR MAXIMUM PRESSURE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ON PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AND HIS REGIME TO STOP THEIR BRUTAL CAMPAIGN OF FORCED DEPORTATION, TORTURE AND MURDER IN KOSOVO.

BUT THE FOREIGN MINISTERS AVOIDED A FULL DISCUSSION OF THE PLANNED NATO BLOCKADE OF YUGOSLAVIA THAT IS DESIGNED TO CUT OFF OIL SUPPLIES. THERE IS OPEN DISAGREEMENT OVER WHETHER THIS WILL REQUIRE THE BACKING OF A NEW UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTION.

SUCH A RESOLUTION WOULD BE LIKELY TO BE BLOCKED BY RUSSIA.

THE E-U MINISTERS DID WELCOME RECENT REMARKS BY DEPUTY SERBIAN PRESIDENT VUK DRASKOVIC, IN WHICH HE SUGGESTED THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE REGIME TO TELL ITS PEOPLE THE FULL TRUTH, AND IN WHICH HE HINTED THAT THE TIME WILL SOON COME TO NEGOTIATE A PEACE.

THE FIFTEEN E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS ALSO AGREED THAT ONCE THE WAR IS OVER, THE EUROPEAN UNION MUST SUPPORT A STABILITY PACT FOR THE WHOLE REGION -- AND THEY VOWED THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR NEIGHBORING STATES WHICH ARE BEING AFFECTED BY THE CONFLICT. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/ALW
26-Apr-99 1:28 PM EDT (1728 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] NATO / KOSOVO ANALYSIS BY CAROL PINEAU (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE JUST-CONCLUDED NATO SUMMIT (4/23-25) HAD BEEN PLANNED AS A CELEBRATION OF 50 YEARS OF WHAT MANY CONSIDER TO BE THE WORLD'S MOST SUCCESSFUL MILITARY ALLIANCE. INSTEAD, THE ALLIANCE WAS BOGGED DOWN WITH THE WAR IN KOSOVO AND QUESTIONS OF NATO COHESION. CAROL PINEAU TAKES A LOOK AT THE EFFECT THE WAR IN KOSOVO HAD ON THE SUMMIT AND NATO'S FUTURE.

TEXT: BALKANS POLICY EXPERT IVO DAALDER CALLS THE NATO CONFERENCE SURREAL -- SAYING IT PROJECTED A VISION OF A CONFIDENT, ABLE, UNITED ALLIANCE DEALING WITH THE NEW THREATS IN EUROPE. BUT THE FORMER DIRECTOR FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL STAFF, SAYS WHEN HE LOOKS AT NATO IN PRACTICE, IT SEEMS NEITHER CONFIDENT, NOR UNITED, NOR ABLE TO DEAL WITH THREATS TO SECURITY IN EUROPE.

NATO ON PAPER IS A MUSCULAR ORGANIZATION THAT IS READY AND ABLE TO DEFEND MEMBERS AGAINST ANY THREAT TO THEIR SECURITY, TO PROMOTE THEIR INTEREST AS BEST THEY CAN AND TO SAFEGUARD PEACE THROUGHOUT THE EURO-ATLANTIC AREA. NATO ON PAPER -- IN OTHER WORDS -- IS A WONDERFUL, ROBUST ORGANIZATION. HOWEVER, NATO IN PRACTICE TODAY CONTINUES TO FACE THE SEVEREST TEST OF THIS NEW VISION....IN THE LAST FEW DAYS WE HAVE WITNESSED A NATO THAT LACKS THE WILL TO ACT IN WAYS NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE NOT ONLY ITS AIMS IN KOSOVO, BUT ALSO ITS VISION AS STATED ON PAPER.

MR. DAALDER SAYS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS' CONCERNS TOOK PRECEDENCE OVER NATO OBJECTIVES, AS EACH LEADER WORRIED ABOUT DOMESTIC SUPPORT FOR DEPLOYMENT OF GROUND FORCES IN KOSOVO.

SENIOR U-N ADVISOR ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND REFUGEE ISSUES ROBERTA COHEN ALSO SEES A DICHOTOMY BETWEEN NATO STATEMENTS AND ACTIONS. NATO STATES IT WILL NOT ALLOW YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S CAMPAIGN TO ETHNICALLY CLEANSE KOSOVO OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO SUCCEED, BUT MS. COHEN SAYS NATO'S INSISTENCE ON WAGING A WAR WITHOUT ALLIANCE CASUALTIES HAS EXACERBATED THE CRISIS.

FEAR OF CASUALTIES HAS PREVENTED NATO FROM AIR DROPPING FOOD AND MEDICINE TO PEOPLE REPORTED TO BE NEAR STARVING. ITS INSISTENCE ON HIGH FLYING PLANES ALSO RESULTED IN LAST WEEK'S AIR STRIKES AGAINST DISPLACED PERSONS. ITS RECENT AIR STRIKES ON ARMY HEADQUARTERS AND AMMUNITION PLANTS WITHIN KOSOVO HAVE NOT STOPPED DOOR TO DOOR ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGNS. ONLY NATO FORCES ON THE GROUND WOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

RICHARD HAAS IS THE DIRECTOR OF FOREIGN POLICY STUDIES AT THE PRIVATE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION IN WASHINGTON. HE SAYS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS THE MOST RELUCTANT TO SEND IN GROUND TROOPS AND THIS WILL HAVE REPERCUSSIONS ON HOW THE UNITED STATES IS PERCEIVED IN THE FUTURE BY ITS ALLIES.

IT MAKES US LOOK SLIGHTLY LESS DEPENDABLE, SLIGHTLY LESS RELIABLE AS AN ALLY....ITS HARD TO SEE HOW THIS MAKES US MORE LIKELY TO PLAY AN EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE WORLD.

BALKANS SCHOLAR IVO DAALDER AGREES. HE SAYS U-S FOREIGN POLICY IN THE BALKANS IS MAKING EUROPEAN ALLIES TAKE A HARD LOOK AT HOW MUCH THEY WANT TO RELY ON NATO AND THE UNITED STATES.

AT LEAST LONDON, AND PERHAPS OTHERS IN THE NATO ALLIANCE NOW REALIZE THAT HAVING A FOREIGN POLICY THAT RELIES ON THE UNITED STATES FOR BRINGING ALL THE MILITARY MUSCLE TO BEAR IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE.

ONE CLEAR CASUALTY OF THE WAR -- AT LEAST IN THE SHORT TERM -- IS NATO EXPANSION. MR. HAAS OF BROOKINGS SAYS NATO'S FAILURE TO MOVE FORWARD ON EXPANSION WILL ONLY CAUSE BITTERNESS AMONG SEVERAL COUNTRIES -- LIKE SLOVENIA -- WHICH HAD HOPED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THIS WAS THE SUMMIT AT WHICH A DECISIVE SECOND ROUND (OF EXPANSION) COULD HAVE HAPPENED, AND THE WAR IN KOSOVO ONLY MADE ACCEPTANCE OF SLOVENIA MORE IMPORTANT, MORE APPROPRIATE AT THIS TIME, AND INSTEAD WHAT WE TOLD THEM WAS A SLAP IN THE FACE. THAT'S WHAT THEY GOT FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IN THE WAR IN KOSOVO.

NATO DECLINED TO MAKE ANY PROMISES AT THE SUMMIT ON FURTHER EXPANSION AT THIS TIME. THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT SAID NATO WOULD SIMPLY REVIEW EXPANSION AT THE NEXT SUMMIT. (SIGNED)
NEB/CP/JO
26-Apr-99 2:31 PM EDT (1831 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] NATO / U-S ROLE BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NATO LEADERS HAVE ENDED THEIR SUMMIT SHOWING UNITY AND VOWING TO CONTINUE THE AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. IN THIS REPORT FROM WASHINGTON, CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT THE PREDOMINANT ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES IN NATO AND ASKS WHETHER THAT ROLE WILL CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE.

TEXT: THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION -- NATO -- WAS CREATED 50-YEARS AGO AS A RESPONSE TO THE GROWING POWER OF THE SOVIET UNION AND THE MILITARY THREAT IT COULD POSE TO WESTERN EUROPE. WITH THE UNITED STATES AS THE DOMINANT PLAYER IN NATO, IT MEANT COMMITTING U-S POWER TO PRESERVING STABILITY AND SECURITY ON THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT FOLLOWING THE RAVAGES OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

BUT THE PAST 10-YEARS HAVE BROUGHT MAJOR CHANGES -- ESPECIALLY IN EUROPE. THE END OF THE COLD WAR, THE COLLAPSE OF THE BERLIN WALL AND THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE WARSAW PACT -- ALL OF THESE EVENTS HAVE FORCED NATO TO FIND A NEW ROLE. AT THE SAME TIME, QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN RAISED ABOUT THE DOMINANT ROLE PLAYED BY THE UNITED STATES WITHIN NATO -- AND WHETHER THAT ROLE SHOULD CONTINUE AS NATO BEGINS ITS SECOND HALF CENTURY OF EXISTENCE.

SIMON SERFATY, DIRECTOR OF EUROPEAN STUDIES AT THE (WASHINGTON-BASED) "CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES", SAYS DURING THE PAST 50-YEARS, THE INTERESTS OF THE UNITED STATES IN EUROPE HAVE NOT ONLY TAKEN ROOT -- THEY HAVE BECOME IRREVERSIBLE.

THE REALITY OF THE COLD WAR IS THAT THE "OVER THERE" OF EUROPE HAS MOVED "OVER HERE" IN THE UNITED STATES. WE HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, AN ECONOMIC SPACE BETWEEN US AND THE STATES OF EUROPE THAT REPRESENTS ABOUT 25 TO 28-HUNDRED-BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR -- AND THAT WE CAN NOT DO WITHOUT AN AFFLUENT EUROPE ANY BETTER THAN THE EUROPEANS CAN DO WITHOUT AN AFFLUENT AMERICAN SPACE. THUS IT IS THE INTEREST IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THOSE TWO SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC THAT IS DRIVING THE NEED TO SUSTAIN THE ALLIANCE AS AMERICA'S INSTITUTIONAL CONDUIT TO THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT.

MR. SERFATY SAYS FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, THE UNITED STATES HAS BECOME A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION WHILE NOT OFFICIALLY JOINING THAT ORGANIZATION.

IVO DAALDER -- FROM "THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION" RESEARCH ORGANIZATION -- SAYS WASHINGTON'S PREEMINENT ROLE IN NATO WILL CONTINUE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

THE UNITED STATES REMAINS THE LEADER OF NATO. IT REMAINS FIRST AMONG EQUALS OF THE ALLIANCE. IT WOULD LIKE TO SEE NATO MOVE AT TIMES FURTHER GEOGRAPHICALLY -- PERHAPS OUTSIDE OF EUROPE -- THAN THE EUROPEANS ARE WILLING AT THIS POINT. IT WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE EUROPE DO MORE -- AND WE ARE SEEING AN EVOLUTION IN EUROPE BECOMING MILITARILY AND POLITICALLY MORE CAPABLE OF STANDING ON ITS OWN TWO FEET AND THEREFORE DOING MORE ITSELF WITHOUT NECESSARILY HAVING THE UNITED STATES PARTICIPATE IN THE MAJOR OR EVEN MINOR ROLE.

OVER THE YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN CALLS BY SOME EUROPEAN LEADERS FOR A REDUCED AMERICAN PRESENCE IN EUROPE. MANY ANALYSTS SAY THE EUROPEANS HAVE ALREADY ACCEPTED THE IDEA PEACEKEEPING IN EUROPE SHOULD BE PRIMARILY THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.

FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBER CHARLES KUPCHIN SAYS WE ARE SEEING THE HIGH WATER MARK OF AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT ON THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT.

THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO, AT THE END OF THE DAY, IS GOING TO EXPEDITE CALLS FOR EUROPE TO CARRY MORE OF ITS OWN DEFENSE BURDEN. BECAUSE ALREADY, YOU ARE SEEING PEOPLE SAY : "WHY IS IT THAT THE UNITED STATES IS THE ONE THAT HAS TO BAIL OUT THE EUROPEANS FROM THIS CRISIS? WHY CAN NOT THEY KEEP THEIR OWN HOUSE IN ORDER?" THOSE VOICES ARE SOMEWHAT MUTED RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES IS AT WAR AND EVERYONE IS RALLYING AROUND THE FLAG.

BUT MR. KUPCHIN BELIEVES ONCE THE KOSOVO CRISIS IS OVER, THERE WILL BE INCREASED CALLS IN THE UNITED STATES FOR EUROPE TO DO MORE ON ITS OWN. BUT HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THE UNITED STATES WILL TOTALLY WITHDRAW FROM EUROPE.

I WOULD SAY RETRENCHMENT IN WHICH THE UNITED STATES BECOMES A PARTNER, SENDS TROOPS AND PROVIDES SUPPORT, BUT NO LONGER RUNS THE SHOW AND RUNS THE BULK OF THE RISKS. // OPT // BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, AMERICANS ARE GOING TO SAY : "WHAT IS THE DEAL HERE? WHY ARE WE ALWAYS THE ONES WHO HAVE TO CARRY THE BURDEN AND RUNS THE COSTS AND RUN THE RISKS?" // END OPT // I THINK AMERICANS ARE PREPARED TO STAY THE COURSE IN EUROPE AND REMAIN A PLAYER. BUT I THINK THE CURRENT LEVEL OF EUROPEAN STRATEGIC DEPENDENCE ON THE UNITED STATES IS UNSUSTAINABLE OVER THE LONG TERM.

MOST ANALYSTS SEE THE UNITED STATES BEING INVOLVED IN EUROPEAN SECURITY AT LEAST FOR THE NEXT TWO-DECADES. AFTER THAT, THEY SAY WASHINGTON'S INVOLVEMENT IN EUROOE WILL DEPEND ON THE NEED FOR SECURITY FORCES IN EUROPE -- AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE EUROPEANS DEVELOP THEIR OWN SECURITY AND DEFENSE CAPABILITIES. (SIGNED)
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26-Apr-99 2:54 PM EDT (1854 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] MACEDONIA / ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER BY EVE CONANT (TETOVO, MACEDONIA)

INTRO: THE ALBANIAN LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER -- KOHA DITARE -- WAS THE MAIN SOURCE OF NEWS FOR THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION OF KOSOVO. THE LAST ISSUE PRINTED WAS MARCH 24TH, THE DAY NATO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA BEGAN. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT VISITED THE MACEDONIAN CITY OF TETOVO -- WHICH IS 80 PERCENT ALBANIAN AND WHICH HAS OPENED ITS DOORS TO THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES. IT IS IN TETOVO THAT THE EDITORS AND WRITERS OF THE NEWSPAPER -- REFUGEES THEMSELVES -- ARE TRYING TO PRINT THE ALBANIAN NEWSPAPER ONCE AGAIN. BUT THIS TIME THEIR READERS ARE LIVING IN REFUGEE CAMPS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

TEXT: PEOPLE IN KOSOVO WERE MOSTLY INTERESTED IN POLITICS, SAYS NASER MIFTARI (NA-'SER' MIF-'TARI') AS HE SIPS HIS COFFEE. HE IS ONE OF THE MANY WRITERS AND INTELLECTUALS WHO GATHER AT A CENTRAL CAFE IN TETOVO. LIKE MOST OF THE CAFE'S CLIENTS, THE 24-YEAR-OLD REPORTER IS NOW A REFUGEE.

HE SAYS THE DAY AFTER AIR STRIKES BEGAN, HE WENT TO THE PRISTINA OFFICE OF HIS NEWSPAPER, CALLED KOHA DITORE -- WHICH MEANS "TIME OF DAY" IN ALBANIAN. BUT HE KEPT WALKING WHEN HE SAW FOUR SERB POLICE IN FRONT OF THE ENTRANCE. MR. MIFTARI SAYS SOON AFTER, HE LEARNED THEIR NEWSPAPER SECURITY GUARD HAD BEEN MURDERED.

AFTER THEY KILLED HIM, THEY DESTROYED EVERYTHING INSIDE KOHA DITORE -- THE COMPUTERS, THE EQUIPMENT, EVERYTHING.

THE YOUNG REPORTER SAYS HE THEN THREW AWAY HIS PRESS CARD AND WENT INTO HIDING. HE SHOWS THE ROPE BURNS ON HIS HANDS FROM A FAILED ESCAPE ATTEMPT FROM A SECOND STORY WINDOW . HE SAYS IT FEELS STRANGE TO BE THE SUBJECT OF THE NEWS, AFTER SPENDING SO MANY YEARS DOCUMENTING THE LIVES OF OTHER PEOPLE. BOTH HE AND THE OTHER WRITERS OF KOHA DITORE WHO ESCAPED KOSOVO HAVE TERRIBLE STORIES TO TELL OF THEIR FLIGHT.

TWENTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD EDITOR ARDIAN ARIFAI (AR-'DIAN' AR-I-'FAIYH') -- WHO RECENTLY ARRIVED IN TETOVO -- SAYS THEIR GOAL NOW IS SIMPLE.

THE GENERAL IDEA, WHICH IS STILL THE ONLY ONE THAT WE HAVE, IS THAT WE MUST CONTINUE WITH OUR PAPER, PRINTING OUR PAPER, KOHA DITORE.

HE AND NINE OTHER REPORTERS NOW OCCUPY A TINY OFFICE IN DOWNTOWN TETOVO. WHILE THEY DO HAVE SEVERAL COMPUTERS, THEY DO NOT EVEN HAVE A TELEPHONE. MR. ARIFAI SAYS FOR NOW IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD. BUT ONCE THEY GET PERMISSION FROM THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT TO PRINT, THEY PLAN TO DISTRIBUTE THE NEWSPAPER FOR FREE INSIDE THE REFUGEE CAMPS OF MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA.

EDITOR ARIFAI SAYS THEY DO NOT KNOW WHERE MANY OF THEIR COLLEAGUES ARE AFTER THE FORCED EXXODUS FROM KOSOVO. BUT HE HOPES TO FIND SOMEONE LEFT IN KOSOVO WHO HAS THE COURAGE TO SMUGGLE REPORTS OUT.

THEY WOULD BE RISKING THEIR LIFE, BUT I'M SURE THAT EVERY ALBANIAN OF KOSOVO NOW WOULD STOP AND THINK "WHICH LIFE? WHAT LIFE? WE HAVE A LIFE?" I THINK THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE WILLING TO INFORM US AND HELP US. WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO GET TO THEM AND GET FACTS FROM THEM.

MR. ARIFAI MAY NOT THINK HIS FELLOW KOSOVARS HAVE MUCH OF A LIFE LEFT, BUT HE KNOWS THOSE REFUGEES WHO HAVE MADE IT TO SAFETY ARE DESPERATE FOR NEWS ABOUT THE LIVES OF THOSE LOVED ONES THEY HAVE LEFT BEHIND. (SIGNED)
NEBJWN/JWH
26-Apr-99 7:32 AM EDT (1132 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] FINANCE MEETING BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: FINANCE MINISTERS AND CENTRAL BANKERS FROM THE SEVEN RICHEST INDUSTRIAL COUNTRIES MET MONDAY AT THE U-S TREASURY TO DISCUSS GLOBAL ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ISSUES. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.

TEXT: THE FINANCE MINISTERS EMERGED AFTER AN ALL DAY MEETING TO SAY THERE HAVE BEEN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WORLD ECONOMY DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS. HOWEVER, A STATEMENT SAYS SERIOUS CHALLENGES REMAIN FROM THE FINANCIAL CRISES IN ASIA, RUSSIA AND BRAZIL WHICH WILL TAKE TIME TO RESOLVE.

AFTER THE MEETING U-S TREASURY SECRETARY ROBERT RUBIN FOCUSED ON THE CHALLENGES RATHER THAN THE PROGRESS.

I THINK WHAT YOU HAD, AND SOME OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY THIS BEFORE, YOU HAD A CRISIS THAT ERUPTED FIRST IN THAILAND. IT CREATED ENORMOUS HARDSHIPS OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I THINK THE EFFECTS OF THAT CRISIS ARE STILL BEING FELT IN A GOODLY NUMBER OF COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD. AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE A LONG TIME WORKING OUR WAY THROUGH THE EFFECTS OF THAT CRISIS.

THE GROUP OF SEVEN MEETING INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FOUR BIGGEST EUROPEAN ECONOMIES, THE UNITED STATES, JAPAN, AND CANADA. RUSSIA'S FINANCE MINISTER AND CENTRAL BANK CHIEF JOINED THE TALKS LATER TO OUTLINE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIAN ECONOMY. THE HEAD OF THE NEW EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND ALSO TOOK PART.

THE GROUP OF SEVEN MEETING PRECEDES THE TUESDAY SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. THE I-M-F IS DEVELOPING NEW PROCEDURES TO PROVIDE BETTER EARLY WARNING OF FINANCIAL TROUBLES LIKE THOSE WHICH SHOOK ASIA IN 1997 AND RUSSIA IN 1998. THE I-M-F AND THE WORLD BANK ARE BEING URGED TO BE MORE GENEROUS IN GRANTING DEBT RELIEF TO THE POOREST COUNTRIES, THOSE UNABLE TO PAY BUT WHO ARE PURSUING SENSIBLE ECONOMIC POLICIES.

PRIOR TO THE GROUP OF SEVEN MEETING, TREASURY SECRETARY RUBIN MET PRIVATELY WITH THE JAPANESE FINANCE MINISTER. THEY EXCHANGED VIEWS ON THE WORLD ECONOMY AND THE JAPANESE PREDICTED GRADUAL RESTORATION OF GROWTH IN JAPAN'S LONG DEPRESSED ECONOMY. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/PHW/PT
26-Apr-99 7:13 PM EDT (2313 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) WITH TECHNOLOGY STOCKS TAKING A FIRM POSITION AS MARKET LEADERS. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10 THOUSAND 718, UP 29 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 13 HUNDRED 60, UP THREE POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX, WHICH IS HEAVILY WEIGHTED WITH TECHNOLOGY STOCKS, CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 26 HUNDRED 52, UP 61 POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THE STRENGTH IN TECHNOLOGY STOCKS WAS FUELED BY BOTH A FACT AND A RUMOR. THE FACT IS THAT WORLDWIDE SALES OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS WERE STRONGER-THAN-EXPECTED IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1999. THE RUMOR IS THAT I-B-M, THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMPUTER COMPANY, MAY RAISE ITS DIVIDEND AND SPLIT ITS STOCK.

JOE BARTHEL OF THE FAHNESTOCK INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS THERE IS A GENERAL ATTITUDE OF OPTIMISM AMONG STOCK MARKET TRADERS.

ANY GOOD NEWS RIGHT NOW SEEMS TO BE LOOKED AT IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY WHILE THE BAD NEWS REALLY HAS GIVEN US NOTHING MORE THAN VERY BRIEF REACTIONS TO THE DOWNSIDE.

FIRST UNION, A BANK AND INVESTMENT COMPANY, WILL PAY ONE POINT ONE BILLION DOLLARS FOR EVEREN CAPITAL, AN INVESTMENT BROKERAGE FIRM. FIRST UNION SAYS THE ACQUISITION WILL GIVE THE COMPANY A NATIONAL PRESENCE IN THE SECURITIES BROKERAGE INDUSTRY. E-BAY, THE ON-LINE AUCTION COMPANY, WILL ACQUIRE BUTTERFIELD AND BUTTERFIELD, A 134-YEAR OLD AUCTION HOUSE BASED IN SAN FRANCISCO. THE ALL-STOCK DEAL IS WORTH AN ESTIMATED 260 MILLION DOLLARS.

THE WARNER-LAMBERT PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY REPORTS ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS JUMPED BY 36 PERCENT, LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS OF LIPITOR, ITS ANTI-CHOLESTEROL DRUG.

THE TOP U-S SECURITIES REGULATOR SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF EXTENDING STOCK MARKET HOURS. HOWEVER, ARTHUR LEVITT SAYS HE WOULD LIKE TO DEFER THAT ISSUE UNTIL U-S STOCK MARKETS START PRICING SECURITIES IN DECIMALS RATHER THAN FRACTIONS OF A DOLLAR. MR. LEVITT HOPES DECIMALIZATION WILL OCCUR WITHIN A YEAR.

THE U-S SUPREME COURT HAS AGREED TO DECIDE WHETHER FEDERAL DRUG REGULATORS HAVE JURISDICTION OVER TOBACCO PRODUCTS. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTS REGULATION BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE THE NICOTINE IN TOBACCO IS CONSIDERED A DRUG. TOBACCO COMPANIES ARGUE CONGRESS HAS EXPLICITLY EXEMPTED THEIR INDUSTRY FROM DRUG REGULATIONS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
26-Apr-99 5:24 PM EDT (2124 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SCANNING THE NATION'S DAILY PAPERS THIS MONDAY, THE NATO SUMMIT IS DRAWING CONSIDERABLY COMMENTARY, AS IS THE MASSACRE AT THE COLORADO HIGH SCHOOL LAST WEEK.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE PLIGHT OF THE KOSOVO PROVINCE REFUGEES; THE SITUATION IN EAST TIMOR; MORE WORRIES ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM BUG; AND THOUGHTS ABOUT THE LATEST ANTHROPOLOGICAL DISCOVERY OF MAN'S ANCESTORS. NOW, HERE IS ______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE NATO SUMMIT AND 50TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY CEREMONIES HAVE ENDED HERE IN WASHINGTON, BUT THE COMMENTARY ON THE ALLIANCE AND ITS FUTURE CONTINUE. IN "THE [NEWARK, NEW JERSEY] STAR LEDGER" THE PAPER SUGGESTS "U-S LEADERSHIP OF NATO IS NO LONGER A CERTAINTY."

VOICE: FOR ITS FIRST 50-YEARS, NATO HAS BEEN THE POLITICAL AS WELL AS THE MILITARY INSTRUMENT OF THE UNITED STATES. THAT MAY NOT BE TRUE MUCH LONGER -- OR EVEN ANY LONGER -- IN THE NEW NATO EMERGING FROM THE KOSOVO CRISIS. MILITARILY, EUROPE'S NATO PARTNERS WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON WASHINGTON'S MILITARY MUSCLE IN ANY MAJOR CLASH. ... THERE IS NO NATO WITHOUT U-S MILITARY HARDWARE AND MANPOWER. THAT IS THE BLUNT TRUTH. BUT AS THE MEMORY OF THE SOVIET MENACE RECEDES IN WESTERN EUROPE AND ITS PROBLEMS AND POTENTIAL CLASHES BECOME MORE LOCAL AND LESS COSMIC, THE INCLINATION TO AUTOMATICALLY CEDE LEADERSHIP TO WASHINGTON CAN ONLY LESSEN.

TEXT: TODAY'S "HARTFORD COURANT" CONCURS, ADDING:

VOICE: IN A NEW EUROPE WITHOUT DEEP EAST-WEST IDEOLOGICAL DIVISIONS, NATO NEEDS TO BE REINVENTED. FOR EXAMPLE, NOTHING IN THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARTER EVEN HINTS AT MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF A COUNTRY. ARTICLE FIVE ... [STATED] 'THE ALLIANCE IS PURELY DEFENSIVE IN PURPOSE; NONE OF ITS WEAPONS WILL EVER BE USED EXCEPT IN SELF-DEFENSE.' TECHNICALLY, THEREFORE, NATO VIOLATED ITS CHARTER BY ATTACKING YUGOSLAVIA LAST MONTH. ... UPDATING THE CHARTER SHOULD BE A PRIORITY. GENOCIDAL CAMPAIGNS WAGED BY GOVERNMENTS IN EUROPE TO GET RID OF ETHNIC, RACIAL, OR RELIGIOUS GROUPS SHOULD FORMALLY COME WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE ALLIANCE.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" FEELS THE SUMMIT DID NOT ACHIEVE ITS MOST IMPORTANT CURRENT GOAL, ALTHOUGH IT RIGHTLY CELEBRATED HOLDING THE SOVIET MILITARY AT BAY FOR 50-YEARS.

VOICE: ... KOSOVO HUNG OVER THE PROCEEDINGS, A DARK REALITY THAT WOULD NO GO AWAY. THE SUMMIT DID NOT MEET ITS LITMUS TEST: TO PROMPTLY START PREPARING A GROUND OPTION FOR LATER DECISION. AS A RESULT, THE ALLIANCE FINDS ITSELF STILL HAVING TO PROVE ITS QUALIFICATIONS FOR 21ST CENTURY SERVICE. ITS SO-FAR AMBIVALENT AND INCONCLUSIVE TREATMENT OF KOSOVO LEAVES IT UNDER CONTINUING OBLIGATION TO SHOW ITS CAPACITIES FOR DEALING WITH POST-COLD WAR CRIMES AND DISORDERS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF SOVEREIGN STATES.

TEXT: THE OTHER MAJOR FOCUS OF COMMENTARY IS LAST WEEK'S MASSACRE AT THE LITTLETON, COLORADO, HIGH SCHOOL, WHERE TWO BOYS, SHOT AND KILLED A DOZEN FELLOW STUDENTS, A TEACHER, AND FINALLY, THEMSELVES. THE NATIONAL DAILY, "USA TODAY" PUBLISHED IN A WASHINGTON, D-C SUBURB, MENTIONS SUNDAY'S HUGE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE SLAIN STUDENTS, THEN TALKS ABOUT PREVENTION:

VOICE: MAYBE SOMEONE SHOULD START GETTING ANGRY. THE DEATHS ARE NOT JUST A PERPLEXING TRAGEDY. THEY AND DOZENS MORE IN OTHER SCHOOL SHOOTINGS OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS RIP AT THE FABRIC OF SOCIETY. THEY DEMAND A DISCUSSION, LED WITH REAL ENERGY, THAT PRODUCES REAL REMEDIES. /// OPT

TEXT: IN AN ACCOMPANYING EDITORIAL, THE PAPER CRITICIZES THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION, (N-R-A) THE FOREMOST GUN LOBBYING GROUP IN THE COUNTRY, NOTING:

VOICE: THE N-R-A AND ITS ALLIES HAVE BEEN UNCHARACTERISTICALLY SILENT ABOUT THE LITTLETON SHOOTING AND ITS POLITICAL FALLOUT, SAYING IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE AT THIS TIME. MORE LIKELY, THEY KNOW THAT PUBLIC DISCUSSION WORKS AGAINST THEIR TWISTED GUN-PROMOTION ARGUMENT.

TEXT: BUT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, "THE [MANCHESTER] UNION LEADER" SAYS BLAMING GUNS AND GUN OWNERS IS WRONG:

VOICE: IT WAS PROBABLY TOO MUCH TO HOPE THAT THE GUN CONTROL SET WOULD REFRAIN FROM EXPLOITING THIS LATEST SCHOOL SHOOTING TRAGEDY. ... WE SHOULD GUARD AGAINST OVERREACTING OUT OF A NATURAL HUMAN DESIRE TO DO SOMETHING WHEN CONFRONTED WITH A HORROR OF THIS MAGNITUDE. ... THE TEMPTATION TO BLAME INANIMATE OBJECTS FOR HUMAN FAILINGS ALSO MUST BE RESISTED.

TEXT: ON TO ASIA, AND THE LONG-TROUBLED ISLAND OF TIMOR, WHERE ACCORDING TO "THE WASHINGTON POST," INDONESIAN ARMY-BACKED LOCAL MILITIAS IN EAST TIMOR HAVE BEEN RUNNING AMUCK, BEFORE A PLEBISCITE ON INDEPENDENCE.

VOICE: BEFORE ALL HOPE OF A PEACEFUL NEGOTIATED TRANSITION ... IS UNDERMINED, AN INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE NEEDS TO BE PLACED IN THE TERRITORY TO OVERSEE THE VOTE.

TEXT: THE THREATENED CRASH OF MANY COMPUTERS WHICH WILL NOT BE ABLE TO READ THE YEAR 2000 ACCURATELY, IS AGAIN A CONCERN OF "THE NEW YORK TIMES." THE PAPER WONDERS WHETHER A CONGRESSIONALLY-PROPOSED MORATORIUM ON LAWSUITS FROM ANY RESULTING DAMAGE IS A GOOD IDEA.

VOICE: IF HOSPITALS, SUPERMARKETS, UTILITIES, AND SMALL BUSINESSES ARE FORCED TO SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF COMPUTER PROBLEMS, LAWSUITS AGAINST COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE MANUFACTURERS WILL CERTAINLY RESULT. SOME EXPERTS ESTIMATE THAT LIABILITIES COULD REACH ONE-TRILLION DOLLARS. ... THE PROSPECT OF IMMUNITY COULD DISSUADE EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE MAKERS FROM MAKING THE EFFORT TO CORRECT THE MILLENNIUM-BUG PROBLEM. ... BEFORE THE NEW YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT USE THE MILLENNIUM BUG TO OVERTURN LONGSTANDING LIABILITY PRACTICES. A POTENTIAL CRISIS IS NO TIME TO ABROGATE LEGAL RIGHTS.

TEXT: COMMENTING ON THE LATEST ANTHROPOLOGICAL FINDS BY SCIENTISTS, OF WHAT MAY BE THE OLDEST HUMAN ANCESTOR, AND OF THE OLDEST USE OF TOOLS, PORTLAND'S "OREGONIAN" NOTES:

VOICE: THE LATTER DISCOVERY, SCIENTISTS SAY, MEANS THAT SOME PREHUMANS HAD STONE IMPLEMENTS THAT ALLOWED THEM TO SLICE MEAT AND CRACK BONES TO GET NARROW TO EAT. THIS GAVE THEM A DIETARY ADVANTAGE OVER PLANT-EATERS AND ALLOWED THEM TO SURVIVE, INCREASE THEIR BODY SIZE AND INTELLIGENCE, AND EVENTUALLY SPREAD AROUND THE WORLD. IRONICALLY, THE NEWS ABOUT THE EARLY ADVANTAGES OF MEAT-EATING COMES AT A TIME WHEN MODERN PEOPLE ARE INCREASINGLY WARNED OF THE DANGERS OF OVERCONSUMING MEAT ...

TEXT: LASTLY, AS REGARDS DEBT RELIEF TO THE LESS DEVELOPED WORLD, AND A BILL CURRENTLY IN THE HOUSE TO THAT END, CALIFORNIA'S "SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS" SAYS:

VOICE: NOW THE NON-PROFITS "OXFAM" AND "BREAD FOR THE WORLD", AND A CHURCH-BASED MOVEMENT "JUBILEE 2000", PROPOSE THE SAME CONCEPT FOR RELATIONS BETWEEN RICH AND POOR NATIONS. THEY ARE URGING A FRESH START FOR THE THIRD WORLD. A BIPARTISAN BILL, SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE JIM LEACH, AN IOWA REPUBLICAN, WOULD DO THAT. /// OPT