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INTRO: TENSIONS BETWEEN MACEDONIAN BORDER POLICE AND HUMANITARIAN AID AGENCIES REMAIN HIGH AS THE FLOW OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES AT THE BLACE BORDER CROSSING CONTINUES. AS SUZANNE KELLY REPORTS FROM SKOPJE, THERE ARE NO SIGNS THAT THINGS WILL CALM DOWN ANYTIME SOON.

TEXT: MONDAY MARKED THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE DAY OF HEAVY REFUGEE INFLUX, WITH THE DAILY COUNT NUMBERING CLOSE TO SEVEN-THOUSAND CROSSING THE BORDER AT BLACE.

REFUGEES WHO ARRIVED BY TRAIN TOLD AID WORKERS THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHERS, TRYING TO MAKE THEIR WAY OUT OF KOSOVO BY ANY WAY THEY CAN. REFUGEES ON ONE OF THE CROWDED TRAINS ARRIVING MONDAY SAID THE TRAIN WAS TOO FULL TO MAKE ANY OF ITS USUAL STOPS TO TAKE ON MORE PEOPLE. MEANWHILE, OTHER REFUGEES ARE ARRIVING ON FOOT. AID WORKERS SAY SOME OF THEM ARE HUNGRY AND SUFFERING FROM FATIGUE BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVE AT BLACE.

FURTHER COMPLICATING THE SITUATION WERE REPORTS OF TENSION BETWEEN MACEDONIAN BORDER POLICE AND AID WORKERS. THERE ARE REPORTS THAT BORDER POLICE HELD UP THE FLOW OF REFUGEES ON SATURDAY, INSISTING THAT THEY BE SENT DIRECTLY TO ALBANIA, PROMPTING A DIRECT REFUSAL FROM THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY.

THE U-N-H-C-R [U-N HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES] REPORTS THE REFUGEES WILL BE SENT TO TWO OF THE BIGGEST CAMPS IN MACEDONIA. BUT IF THE NUMBERS OF THOSE CROSSING THE BORDER CONTINUE AT THE CURRENT PACE, THOSE CAMPS COULD BE FILLED TO CAPACITY PERHAPS BY MID-WEEK. (SIGNED)
NEB/SK/PCF/WTW
24-May-99 5:02 PM EDT (2102 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] NATO / ALBANIANS (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: SOME KOSOVO ALBANIAN OFFICIALS ARE TELLING NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA TO INTENSIFY THE BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA -- EVEN IF IT INCREASES THE DANGER TO ETHNIC ALBANIANS STILL IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS.

TEXT: NATO'S BOMBING IN KOSOVO HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UNINTENDED DEATHS OF SCORES OF KOSOVO ALBANIANS. NATO PLANES HAVE BOMBED REFUGEE CONVOYS BY MISTAKE AND A PRISON, WHICH NATO OFFICIALS THOUGHT WAS EMPTY WHEN IT WAS NOT.

BUT AN OFFICIAL OF THE KOSOVO INFORMATION CENTER IN LONDON, ISA ZAMBERI, SAYS HE TOLD NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA -- DURING A VISIT TO NATO HEADQUARTERS -- TO IGNORE THE MISTAKES.

WHEN THE AIR STRIKES BEGAN, NATO WAS AWARE THAT THE WHOLE CAMPAIGN WAS NOT RISK FREE. THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS FELT ALSO THAT NATO BOMBING WAS A RISK WORTH TAKING. THEREFORE, THE ALBANIANS ARE OF THE OPINION THAT NATO SHOULD NOT BE DISTRACTED BY THESE MISTAKES. THE ALBANIANS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DELIBERATE AND THE ACCIDENTAL, EVEN IN THE MOST DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.

NATO MAINTAINS IT IS BOMBING YUGOSLAVIA TO HELP EXILED ALBANIANS RETURN SAFELY HOME TO KOSOVO.

ONE NEWLY-EXILED KOSOVO ALBANIAN IS FATMIR GASHI, A FORMER INTERPRETER. HE IS NOW IN KUKES, ALBANIA, AFTER MORE THAN ONE MONTH WANDERING THROUGH KOSOVO UNDER SERBIAN CONTROL.

MR. GASHI TOLD REPORTERS THROUGH A VIDEO LINK TO NATO HEADQUARTERS THAT HE KNOWS OF SERBIAN CONCENTRATION CAMPS HOLDIKNG ALBANIANS STILL IN KOSOVO.

I WAS TOLD FROM SOME MEN THAT THERE ARE CONCENTRATION CAMPS ALL OVER KOSOVO. DURING OUR TRIP, WE COULDN'T SEE MEN OR ALBANIANS BECAUSE ALL VILLAGES WERE EMPTY. ALL VILLAGES WERE BURNT, TOTALLY DESTROYED.

NATO HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT A SERBIAN PLAN TO DISTRIBUTE SO-CALLED GREEN CARDS TO ALBANIANS REMAINING IN KOSOVO. THE SERBS MAINTAIN THE CARDS ARE TO HELP DISTRIBUTE HUMANITARIAN AID. BUT NATO MILITARY SPOKESMAN WALTER JERTZ SPECULATES THE GREEN CARDS COULD HAVE A SINISTER PURPOSE, BECAUSE THE PROGRAM IS RUN BY A FORMER SERB POLICE CHIEF IN KOSOVO WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL.

AS NATO BOMBING BECOMES MORE CONTROVERSIAL EVEN WITHIN NATO COUNTRIES, ALLIANCE OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO KEEP THE FOCUS ON THE PLIGHT OF KOSOVO ALBANIANS. THAT IS THEIR WAY TO JUSTIFY THE CONTINUED INTENSIVE BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA TO WESTERN PUBLIC OPINION. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/JWH/WTW
24-May-99 12:23 PM EDT (1623 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE HAS DECLARED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC SHOULD NOT BE IMMUNE FROM POSSIBLE PROSECUTION AS A WAR CRIMINAL FOR HIS ACTIONS IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS.

TEXT: A RESOLUTION APPROVED LATE MONDAY URGES AUTHORITIES TO FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE OF WAR CRIMES, NO MATTER HOW HIGH IT LEADS IN THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT. THE NON-BINDING MEASURE SAYS NATO SHOULD NOT ACCEPT ANY PEACE TREATY BARRING THE INDICTMENT, APPREHENSION OR PROSECUTION OF SUSPECTS.

THOUGH THE RESOLUTION DOES NOT MENTION MR. MILOSEVIC BY NAME, ITS SPONSORS SAY HE MUST BE HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR BRUTALITY AND ETHNIC CLEANSING. REPUBLICAN SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER CONCEDES THIS COULD MAKE IT HARDER TO REACH A NEGOTIATED END TO THE TWO-MONTH CRISIS.

THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT MILOSEVIC MIGHT BE MORE INCLINED TO MAKE A SETTLEMENT IF HE CAN SAVE HIS OWN SKIN. BUT I DO NOT THINK WE OUGHT TO PERMIT THAT AND THAT'S A VERY STRONG THRUST OF THIS RESOLUTION.

THE AMENDMENT ALSO CALLS FOR THE UNITED STATES TO DO ALL IT CAN TO CAPTURE INDICTED CRIMINALS FROM THE BOSNIAN WAR, AND HELP THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE.

BUT WHILE THE RESOLUTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY (90 TO 0) MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THE ALLIED AIR CAMPAIGN. REPUBLICAN ROBERT BENNETT TOOK THE SENATE FLOOR TO CALL FOR A SUSPENSION IN BOMBING - WHICH, HE SAYS, IS NOT WORKING AND SHOWS NO SIGNS OF WORKING IN THE FUTURE.

THE BOMBING HAS BEEN OF NO HELP TO THE KOSOVARS, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF WHOM HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES, THEIR NEIGHBORS, THEIR CHILDREN AND EVEN THEIR LIVES WHILE THE BOMBING HAS GONE ON.

MR. BENNETT SAYS NATO SHOULD REVIEW ITS OPTIONS AND TRY TO FIND SOME OTHER STRATEGY. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PHW/PT
24-May-99 6:46 PM EDT (2246 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] RUSSIA DIPLOMACY (L ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: A FRESH ROUND OF DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY ON KOSOVO IS UNFOLDING THIS WEEK IN MOSCOW. FROM THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL, VOA'S PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS WESTERN NEGOTIATORS ARE RETURNING FOR MORE TALKS WITH SPECIAL BALKANS ENVOY, VICTOR CHERNOMYRDIN.

TEXT: MR. CHERNOMYRDIN WAS TENTATIVELY SLATED TO TRAVEL TO BELGRADE MONDAY. INSTEAD, HIS OFFICE SAYS HE IS LIKELY TO GO THURSDAY, AFTER ANOTHER VISIT FROM TWO TOP WESTERN NEGOTIATORS.

DEPUTY U-S SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT IS DUE HERE TUESDAY. THE EUROPEAN UNION'S POINT MAN ON YUGOSLAVIA, FINNISH PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI, ARRIVES WEDNESDAY. FOR BOTH MEN, IT WILL BE THEIR SECOND VISIT TO MOSCOW IN LESS THAN A WEEK.

MR. CHERNOMYRDIN TOLD REPORTERS HE IS HOPING TO PERSUADE PRESIDENT AHTISAARI TO ACCOMPANY HIM TO BELGRADE.

BUT EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS IN MOSCOW SAY SUCH A TRIP IS STILL PREMATURE, SINCE IT WOULD SIGNAL SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT IN THE SEARCH FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION.

MR. AHTISAARI SAID SATURDAY THAT SEVERAL IMPORTANT DETAILS WOULD HAVE TO BE CLARIFIED BEFORE HE WOULD GO TO THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL. BUT ONE SOURCE FAMILIAR WITH MR. AHTISAARI'S SCHEDULE TELLS VOA THE FINNISH PRESIDENT IS KEEPING HIS THURSDAY APPOINTMENT BOOK OPEN.

IN THE MEANTIME, MR. CHERNOMYRDIN HAS RENEWED HIS PLEA FOR A HALT TO NATO'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN.

AMONG THE MAIN STICKING POINTS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS IS WHETHER BELGRADE WILL BE PERMITTED TO MAINTAIN AT LEAST A TOKEN TROOP PRESENCE IN KOSOVO. MR. CHERNOMYRDIN TOLD REPORTERS MONDAY HE HAS SPENT THE PAST TWO OR THREE WEEKS TRYING TO PERSUADE NATO THAT SOME SERB TROOPS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO STAY.

[07] RUSSIA POLITICS (L ONLY) BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S NEW PRIME MINISTER, SERGEI STEPASHIN, HAS TRAVELLED TO A BLACK SEA RESORT TO DISCUSS HIS PLANNED CABINET LINEUP WITH VACATIONING PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN. AS V-O-A'S CHALLISS MCDONOUGH REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, MR. STEPASHIN EXPECTS TO NAME THE CORE OF HIS GOVERNMENT BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

TEXT: MR. STEPASHIN WENT TO THE BLACK SEA RESORT OF SOCHI, IN SOUTHERN RUSSIA, TO DISCUSS HIS CHOICES FOR TWO TOP ECONOMIC POSTS WITH THE VACATIONING PRESIDENT.

THE NEW PRIME MINISTER TOLD RUSSIAN TELEVISION (N-T-V) THAT HE WANTS FINANCE MINISTER MIKHAIL ZADORNOV TO KEEP HIS JOB. HE ALSO SAYS HE WANTS TO NAME A FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S OVERALL ECONOMIC POLICY -- POSSIBLY MODERATE REFORMER ALEXANDER ZHUKOV, WHO HEADS THE BUDGET COMMITTEE IN THE LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT.

MR. STEPASHIN ALREADY HAS A FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, BUT HIS PREDECESSOR, YEVGENY PRIMAKOV, HAD TWO. PRESIDENT YELTSIN HAS SAID HE WANTS THE NEW CABINET TO HAVE ONLY ONE FIRST DEPUTY.

THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF NAMED THE LITTLE-KNOWN RAILWAYS MINISTER NIKOLAI AKSYONENKO TO THE POST.

MR. STEPASHIN HAS PROMISED TO TACKLE RUSSIA'S ECONOMIC CRISIS AGGRESSIVELY. THE PRIME MINISTER SAYS HE WANTS ECONOMIC POLICY IN EXPERIENCED HANDS -- BUT NEITHER HE NOR HIS CURRENT FIRST DEPUTY HAVE MUCH EXPERIENCE RUNNING A NATIONAL ECONOMY.

MR. STEPASHIN SAID THAT, AT HIS MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT IN SOCHI, HE WOULD ASK MR. YELTSIN TO SUPPORT THE IDEA OF HAVING TWO FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTERS.

MR. YELTSIN LEFT FRIDAY FOR A TWO-WEEK VACATION AT THE BLACK SEA RESORT, AFTER CONFIRMING MR. STEPASHIN'S CHOICES FOR SEVERAL TOP CABINET POSTS, INCLUDING THE MINISTERS OF DEFENSE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

KREMLIN CHIEF OF STAFF ALEXANDER VOLOSHIN ACCOMPANIED MR. STEPASHIN TO SOCHI. ON THE WAY, THEY STOPPED IN THE NEARBY REPUBLIC OF KARACHAYEVO-CHERKESSIA TO MEET WITH THE CANDIDATES IN A DISPUTED LOCAL ELECTION THERE. (SIGNED)
NEB/CEM/JWH
24-May-99 9:02 AM EDT (1302 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] UN/ YUGO (L-O) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (NEW YORK)

INTRO: IN NEW YORK TODAY (MONDAY), YUGOSLAVIA'S PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, VLADISLAV JOVANOVIC, SAID NATO IS VIOLATING INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS ON WAR BY TARGETING HIS COUNTRY'S CIVILIAN POPULATION. CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. JOVANOVIC SAYS NATO BOMBS HAVE KILLED 13 HUNDRED CIVILIANS IN YUGOSLAVIA AND KOSOVO AND THAT UNEXPLODED BOMBS CAN BE EXPECTED TO CLAIM THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS MORE.

AMBASSADOR JOVANOVIC SAYS NATO IS DELIBERATELY DESTROYING HOSPITALS, INFRASTRUCTURE, WATER AND ELECTRICITY PLANTS, AGRICULTURE AND FACTORIES PRODUCING FOOD IN ORDER TO TERRORIZE YUGOSLAVIA'S CIVILIAN POPULATION.

THE OBJECTIVE IS TO TERRORIZE THE POPULATION AND TO FORCE IT TO ACCEPT A SURRENDER AND TO TURN AGAINST ITS OWN ELECTED GOVERNMENT. THE TARGETING OF FOREIGN MISSIONS IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING FOREIGN DIPLOMATS TO LEAVE YUGOSLAVIA TO ACHIEVE THE FAVORITE GOAL OF SOME POLICY MAKERS IN NATO COUNTRIES TO SEE YUGOSLAVIA TOTALLY ISOLATED.

AMBASSADOR JOVANOVIC SAYS NATO IS FOCUSING ON CIVILIANS BECAUSE THE ALLIANCE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DEFEAT THE YUGOSLAV ARMY OR DESTROY SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF ITS EQUIPMENT.

MR. JOVANOVIC SAYS NATO HAS IGNORED ALL OF YUGOSLAVIA'S ATTEMPTS TO REACH A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT TO THE CONFLICT BECAUSE SOME MEMBERS OF THE ALLIANCE WANT A COMPLETE SURRENDER OF YUGOSLAVIA WHICH HE CALLS "IMPOSSIBLE." THE YUGOSLAV REPRESENTATIVE ALSO SAYS HIS NATION WILL NEVER WILLINGLY ACCEPT FOREIGN TROOPS ON ITS SOIL. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BJS/LSF/PT
24-May-99 2:38 PM EDT (1838 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] BRITAIN / KOSOVO (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: AFTER THE ARRIVAL IN ALBANIA OF KOSOVAR MEN WHO HAD BEEN HELD PRISONERS, BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE STILL WORRIED ABOUT MORE THAN 200-THOUSAND OTHERS WHO REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON ALSO REPORTS BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS INSIST BELGRADE HAS NOT WITHDRAWN ANY TROOPS FROM KOSOVO.

TEXT: BRITISH DEFENSE CHIEF OF STAFF CHARLES GUTHRIE SAYS HE DOES NOT BELIEVE YUGOSLAV STATEMENTS ABOUT A PULLOUT FROM KOSOVO PROVINCE.

CONTRARY TO THE CLAIMS MADE BY THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT, THERE HAS BEEN NO WITHDRAWAL OF YUGOSLAV TROOPS OR SPECIAL POLICE UNITS FROM KOSOVO. INDEED, WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS SIMPLY A ROTATION OF TROOPS FROM MONTENEGRO TO KOSOVO.

GENERAL GUTHRIE ESTIMATES THERE ARE STILL ABOUT 40-THOUSAND SERB SOLDIERS IN KOSOVO. HE ALSO ESTIMATES NATO AIR STRIKES HAVE PROBABLY CLAIMED THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS AMONG THE SERB TROOPS THERE. BUT THE BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIAL HAS NO OFFICIAL CASUALTY FIGURES FOR THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY.

EVEN WITHOUT AN IMMINENT SERB PULLOUT FROM KOSOVO, BRITAIN'S DEFENSE SECRETARY GEORGE ROBERTSON SAYS NATO IS LOOKING AT INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE THAT WILL ESCORT KOSOVAR REFUGEES BACK HOME. STILL, NATO ALLIES APPEAR DIVIDED OVER WHETHER THE TROOPS WOULD ENTER KOSOVO BEFORE ALL SERB FORCES HAVE LEFT.

MR. ROBERTSON ACKNOWLEDGES IT IS STILL TOO SOON TO SAY WHEN THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES WILL RETURN.

WE CLEARLY WANT TO GET AS MANY IF NOT ALL THE REFUGEES BACK BEFORE THE WINTER (COLD MONTHS) SETS IN. AND THAT IS OUR CLEAR OBJECTIVE. BUT TO BE REALISTIC, IN A SITUATION WHERE MORE HUMAN BEINGS ARE BEING TIPPED ACROSS THE BORDER BY (YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT) MILOSEVIC'S THUGS, THAT JOB BECOMES MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT.

ON OTHER MATTERS, MR. ROBERTSON SAYS NATO IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE FATE OF ABOUT 200-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIAN MEN STILL MISSING IN KOSOVO EVEN AFTER SEVERAL HUNDRED ARRIVED IN ALBANIA LAST WEEKEND.

HE SAYS BRITAIN'S SPECIAL ENVOY ON WAR CRIMES IS HEADING TO ALBANIA TO INTERVIEW THE RECENT ARRIVALS WHO TALK OF BEING HELD AS PRISONERS. BRITAIN HAS PROMISED TO HAND OVER THE EVIDENCE IT GATHERS TO PROSECUTORS AT THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/JWH
24-May-99 9:48 AM EDT (1348 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] WAR IMPACT OVERVIEW BY BARRY WOOD (BUDAPEST)

ON THE SURFACE LIFE IS NORMAL. THE DOWNTOWN SQUARE IS CROWDED WITH PEOPLE ENJOYING A WARM SPRINGTIME SUN. TOURISTS BUY CARDS AND LOOK OVER THE COLORFUL EMBROIDERY AND LACE BROUGHT IN FROM THE COUNTRY SIDE.

ACROSS THE SQUARE, OTTO SABO SURVEYS THE CROWDED TABLES AT THE GERBEAUD COFFEE HOUSE THAT HE MANAGES. HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT TOURISM IS DOWN, BUT HIS BUSINESS IS HOLDING UP. MR. SABO ADMITS TO SOME, BUT NOT A LOT OF WORRIES ABOUT THE WAR.

YES, IT COULD BE (A PROBLEM). BUT I DO NOT EXPECT (BUSINESS) WILL BE SO MUCH WORSE THAN LAST YEAR. BECAUSE HUNGARY IS IN NATO NOW, AND IN ANY CASE THE WAR IS QUITE FAR FROM HERE.

BUT TWO-BLOCKS AWAY THE ONCE BUSY DANUBE RIVER IS QUIET. THERE ARE BOATS OF COURSE, BUT THEY ARE GOING ONLY UP THE RIVER TOWARDS SLOVAKIA, AUSTRIA, AND GERMANY -- NOT SOUTH TO THE WAR ZONE IN YUGOSLAVIA AND THE BLACK SEA BEYOND.

THREE LARGE RIVER BOATS FROM UKRAINE DECKED OUT IN YELLOW AND BLUE NATIONAL COLORS ARE TIED UP TO ONE ANOTHER, THREE DEEP OUT INTO THE RIVER. THESE BOATS ARE STRANDED IN THE UPPER DANUBE, UNABLE TO BACK TO THEIR HOME PORT OF IZMAIL, NEAR WHERE THE DANUBE MEETS THE SEA. THE BOATS, EACH AS LONG AS A FOOTBALL FIELD, ARE WORKING, CARRYING AUSTRIAN AND GERMAN PASSENGERS FROM PASSAU AND VIENNA DOWN AS FAR AS BUDAPEST.

PAVLENKA ALEK IS THE CHIEF MATE ON THE UKRAINA. HE FEELS LUCKY TO BE CAUGHT ON THIS SIDE OF THE CONFLICT, BUT HE IS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT HIS CREW, WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SEE THEIR FAMILIES IN MORE THAN TWO-MONTHS.

SHIPPING ON THE DANUBE THROUGH SERBIA CAME TO A HALT APRIL FIRST WHEN NATO PLANES BOMBED A BRIDGE IN NOVI SAD. CAPTAIN ALEK SAYS THE CLOSURE OF THE LOWER DANUBE IS COSTING HIS COMPANY A FORTUNE.

HE, OUR PRESIDENT, (L/E/O/N/I/D KUCHMA) KNOWS ABOUT THE SITUATION. HE SAYS THAT EVERYDAY BECAUSE OF THE YUGOSLAV WAR OUR COUNTRY IS LOSING ONE-POINT-TWO MILLION DOLLARS. THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY.

CAPTAIN ALEK SAYS EVEN IF THE WAR ENDS SOON IT COULD TAKE YEARS TO REPAIR DESTROYED BRIDGES AND GET SHIPPING BACK TO NORMAL. EXASPERATED AT THE MAGNITUDE OF THE CATASTROPHE, CAPTAIN ALEK GESTURES AND POINTS TOWARD YUGOSLAVIA.

THE BEST ESTIMATE IS THAT JUST LIFTING THE DESTROYED BRIDGES OUT OF THE WAY COULD TAKE SIX TO 12-MONTHS. THAT IS THE EARLIEST THAT SHIPPING COULD RETURN TO NORMAL. NOT ONLY UKRAINES' LARGE RIVER FLEET IS AFFECTED, SO TOO ARE THOSE OF BULGARIA AND ROMANIA, WHOSE SHIPPING COMPANIES PROVIDE A VITAL SOURCE OF FOREIGN INCOME.

BUT THE MANY PASSENGER BOATS CAUGHT IN THE UPPER RIVER HAVE CREATED FIERCE COMPETITION. PRICES ARE FALLING, AND IT IS A GOOD TIME TO BE A PASSENGER ON THE UPPER DANUBE.

HUNGARIAN TOURIST OFFICIALS ARE ALARMED BY CANCELLATIONS OF ADVANCE BOOKINGS FOR THE SUMMER SEASON. HUNGARY EARNS MORE THAN FIVE-BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FROM TOURISM.

[11] TURKEY / ISLAMIC CLOTHING BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: CONTROVERSY OVER THE ISLAMIC STYLE HEADSCARF HAS ERUPTED AGAIN IN TURKEY AFTER A NEWLY-ELECTED ISLAMIST FEMALE LAWMAKER SHOWED UP AT PARLIAMENT WEARING HER HEAD COVERED. FOR MANY PRO-SECULAR TURKS, THE HEADSCARF SYMBOLIZES ISLAMIC RADICALISM AND SHOULD BE BANNED FROM PARLIAMENT. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ISTANBUL ISLAMIC-STYLE CLOTHING IS A BIG SELLER IN THIS PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIM, BUT OFFICIALLY SECULAR COUNTRY.

TEXT: MUSTAFA KARADUMAN IS A DEVOUT MUSLIM. HE SAYS HIS WAY OF SERVING ALLAH IS TO ENCOURAGE ISLAMIC WOMEN TO DRESS IN CONFORMITY WITH THE KORAN -- TO COVER THEIR HEADS AND WEAR LOOSE FLOWING GARMENTS THAT COVER THEIR ARMS, LEGS, AND ANKLES.

MR. KARADUMAN APPEARS BE SUCCEEDING IN HIS MISSION, AND IN DOING SO MAKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. MR. KARADUMAN IS TURKEY'S UNCONTESTED KING OF ISLAMIC-STYLE CLOTHING.

HIS READY TO WEAR CHAIN IS CALLED "ALLAH IS GREAT APPAREL," OR IN TURKISH, "TEKBIR."

MR. KARADUMAN BEGAN WORKING AT THE AGE OF 12 AS AN IRONING BOY IN ISTANBUL'S CEMBERLITAS GARMENT DISTRICT. HE SAYS HE CHOSE TO FULFILL, WHAT HE TERMS, HIS RELIGIOUS DUTIES IN THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY BECAUSE THAT IS THE SECTOR HE KNOWS BEST.

PRUDISH THOUGH MR. KARADUMAN'S STYLE MAY SEEM, HIS DESIGNERS INSIST THAT THE CLOTHES THEY MANUFACTURE ARE EVERY BIT AS STYLISH AND MODERN AS WHAT THEY CALL "NORMAL CLOTHES."

YASEMIN TAKIR, A YOUNG DESIGNER FOR MR. KARADUMAN WHO HERSELF FAVORS THE CHADOR -- THE FULL LENGTH BLACK SHEET AND A VEIL -- EXPLAINS THAT THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF ISLAMIC STYLE CLOTHING.

MS. TAKIR SAYS THAT DEVOUT WOMEN MUST WEAR LONG LOOSE OVERCOATS WHEN THEY ARE IN PUBLIC. BUT UNDERNEATH THEY CAN WEAR CLOSE FITTING, TAILORED CLOTHES WHICH ARE, SHE SAYS, EXTREMELY FEMININE WITHOUT BEING OPENLY PROVOCATIVE.

SHE DECLARES TEKBIR'S FASHIONS ARE BETTER AND MORE ORIGINAL THAN CLOTHING DESIGNED ELSEWHERE AROUND THE WORLD.

ITEMS AVAILABLE AT TEKBIR RANGE FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF SILK HEADSCARVES TO ISLAMIC-STYLE WEDDING DRESSES COMPLETE WITH ELABORATE, SEQUINED TURBANS. LONG DENIM SKIRTS AND MATCHING JACKETS ARE ALSO ON DISPLAY FOR THE WORKING WOMAN.

MR. KARADUMAN SAYS HE IN NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST BIT WORRIED ABOUT THE RECENT GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN ON ISLAMIC HEADSCARVES AT STATE SCHOOLS AND OFFICES WHERE THEY ARE STRICTLY BANNED. HE SAYS THE BANS DO NOT AFFECT HIS BUSINESS, BUT DO OFFEND WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS -- HIS DEMOCRATIC SENSIBILITIES.

MR. KARADUMAN ARGUES THAT IN A FULL DEMOCRACY PEOPLE SHOULD BE PERMITTED TO DRESS AS THEY PLEASE. HE SAYS ISLAMIST FEMALE LAWMAKER -- MERVE KAVAKCI -- WHO WAS PREVENTED FROM TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE BECAUSE OF HER HEADSCARF SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SIT IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT ALONG WITH EVERYBODY ELSE.

BUT MR. KARADUMAN ALSO INSISTS THE BEST AND MOST DEMOCRATIC FORM OF GOVERNMENT IS PRESCRIBED BY THE ISLAMIC HOLY BOOK "THE KORAN", SUCH AS IN SAUDI ARABIA WHERE WOMEN HAVE FEW, IF ANY, RIGHTS. ANALYSTS SAY IT IS PRECISELY SUCH VIEWS THAT PROMPT PRO-SECULAR TURKS TO FEAR THE ISLAMIC HEADSCARF AND THE MILITANT MENTALITY THEY BELIEVE IT CONCEALS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/RAE
24-May-99 9:10 AM EDT (1310 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] EU-ASEAN (L) BY GERALDINE CARROLL (BANGKOK)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ASEAN, THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS, ARE HOLDING THEIR FIRST TALKS IN TWO YEARS. BURMA'S CONTROVERSIAL STATUS AT THE TALKS CAUSED THE COLLAPSE OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS. GERALDINE CARROLL REPORTS FROM BANGKOK ON THE FRESH ATTEMPT BY THE TWO BLOCS TO RESCUE RELATIONS.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ASEAN ARE HOPING THESE TALKS WILL STRENGTHEN RELATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN FROZEN FOR TWO-YEARS OVER BURMA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD.

THE MEETING OF THE JOINT COOPERATION COMMITTEE HAS BEEN DELAYED TWICE SINCE 1997, AFTER SEVERAL E-U COUNTRIES REFUSED TO ALLOW RANGOON TO PLAY A FULL ROLE. THEY INSISTED BURMA WAS NOT ENTITLED TO JOIN THE MEETING BECAUSE IT HAD NOT BEEN A SIGNATORY TO THE 1980 COOPERATION PROTOCOL BETWEEN ASEAN AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. BURMA AND LAOS JOINED ASEAN IN 1997.

THE EUROPEAN UNION ACCUSES BURMA OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND, ALONG WITH THE UNITED STATES, IMPOSED SANCTIONS AFTER BURMA'S MILITARY LEADERS REFUSED TO CEDE POWER AFTER 1990 ELECTIONS.

EUROPE VOWED IN MARCH THAT BURMA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD WOULD NOT RUIN TIES WITH ASEAN AND REACHED A COMPROMISE TO RESUME DIALOGUE. BURMA IS PARTICIPATING AT THIS WEEK'S MEETING IN WHAT THE EUROPEAN UNION DESCRIBES AS -- A PASSIVE ROLE. THE DELEGATION FROM RANGOON WILL BE PRESENT AT THE TALKS, BUT WILL NOT SPEAK.

E-U OFFICIALS SAY BURMA WILL BE ALLOWED TO BRING UP ISSUES ON THE SIDELINES OF THE CONFERENCE. THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYS ITS WILLINGNESS TO ATTEND THE MEETING SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS A SIGNAL IT IS EASING ITS TOUGH STANCE AGAINST BURMA.

ASEAN HAS MAINTAINED ITS UNITY DEPENDS ON ALL MEMBERS BEING PRESENT AT EVERY MEETING.

POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES BEING DISCUSSED AT THE FOUR-DAY, CLOSED-DOOR TALKS IN BANGKOK CONCERN TRADE, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND FORESTRY.

E-U SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA WERE RENEWED IN APRIL. THE MEASURES INCLUDE A BAN ON NON-HUMANITARIAN TRADE AND VISA RESTRICTIONS FOR SENIOR RANGOON OFFICIALS. (SIGNED)
NEB/GC/RAE
24-May-99 9:42 AM EDT (1342 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] BRITAIN/LOCKERBIE (S-O) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: LIBYA HAS DENIED A REPORT IN A BRITISH NEWSPAPER THAT CLAIMS IT WAS COLONEL MUAMMAR GADHAFI WHO ORDERED THE BOMBING OF A U-S AIRLINER OVER LOCKERBIE SCOTLAND IN 1988. THE CRASH OF THE PAN AMERICAN JUMBO JET KILLED 270 PEOPLE. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE "SUNDAY TIMES" NEWSPAPER QUOTES UNIDENTIFIED FORMER BRITISH SECRET AGENTS WHO SAY EVIDENCE SHOWS LIBYA'S LEADER DIRECTLY ORDERED THE 1988 BOMBING OF THE PAN AM JUMBO JET.

BRITAIN'S FOREIGN OFFICE HAS NO COMMENT ON THE STORY. BUT LIBYA'S GOVERNMENT CALLS IT DELIBERATE MISINFORMATION AIMED AT UNDERMINING EFFORTS TO NORMALIZE BRITISH-LIBYAN RELATIONS. BRITAIN CUT DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH TRIPOLI IN 1984 AFTER A BRITISH POLICE WOMAN WAS KILLED DURING A PROTEST IN FRONT OF THE LIBYAN EMBASSY IN LONDON.

AFTER THE 1988 AIRLINER BOMBING, BRITAIN -- ALONG WITH THE UNITED STATES -- INITIATED U-N RESOLUTIONS TO ISOLATE LIBYA AND IMPOSE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS BECAUSE OF ITS REFUSAL TO COOPERATE IN THE CRASH INVESTIGATION.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, LIBYA FINALLY AGREED TO HAND OVER TWO LIBYAN SUSPECTS TO STAND TRIAL IN A SPECIAL SCOTTISH COURT SET UP IN THE NETHERLANDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/PCF
24-May-99 8:14 AM EDT (1214 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (MONDAY). ANALYSTS SAY MANY INVESTORS ARE STILL WORRIED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF HIGHER INTEREST RATES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK:

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 174 POINTS -- A LITTLE MORE THAN ONE-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT -- TO CLOSE AT 10-THOUSAND-654. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500-STOCK INDEX CLOSED DOWN 23 POINTS AT 13-HUNDRED-SIX. AND THE NASDAQ INDEX LOST JUST OVER TWO-AND-ONE-HALF PERCENT.

ANALYSTS SAY INVESTORS ARE STILL THINKING ABOUT LAST WEEK'S INFLATION WARNING BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD -- THE U-S CENTRAL BANK. THAT COULD LEAD TO HIGHER SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES.

INVESTMENT HOUSES WERE TENSE OVER THE LOW ACTIVITY ON WALL STREET FOR THE WEEK'S FIRST DAY OF TRADING. // OPT // BROKER PETER HENDERSON SAYS THERE IS NOT A LOT OF MONEY GOING INTO THE MARKET.

IT'S A DIFFICULT DOWNWARD SLIDE FOR THE MARKET-MAKERS, BECAUSE THERE'S REALLY NOWHERE TO SINK YOUR TEETH INTO. THERE'S NOT AS MUCH MONEY COMING INTO THE MARKET NOW AS WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. SO, THERE'S REALLY NOT A LOT OF "BUY" SIDE.

THERE APPEARS TO BE AN UPSIDE, HOWEVER, TO MONDAY'S LIGHT TRADING. MOST ANALYSTS AGREED THE STOCK MARKET'S LOSSES ARE LESS DRAMATIC THAN THE NUMBERS MIGHT OTHERWISE INDICATE.

CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON, A MAJOR INVESTMENT HOUSE, DOWNGRADED FOUR OF THE FIVE LEADING BANKS IN THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE OF THE SO-CALLED Y-2-K ISSUE. IT SAID AMERICAN BANKS MAY BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH COMPUTER CHANGES IN THE YEAR TWO-THOUSAND, BUT MANY OF THEIR CLIENTS ARE NOT, AND THAT COULD CAUSE BIG PROBLEMS. COCA-COLA, THE WORLD'S BIGGEST BEVERAGE MAKER, HAS REVISED A DEAL TO BUY THE SOFT-DRINK BRANDS OF CADBURY SCHWEPPES OF BRITAIN. THE PROPOSED SALE HAS BEEN SCALED DOWN TO ONE-POINT-ONE-BILLION DOLLARS, FROM ONE-POINT-EIGHT-BILLION DOLLARS, AND NOW EXCLUDES MOST EUROPEAN-UNION COUNTRIES, EXCEPT FOR BRITAIN, IRELAND AND GREECE. ALSO CUT OUT ARE NORWAY AND SWITZERLAND, WHERE THE TRANSACTION WAS BEING SLOWED BY REGULATORS. VODAFONE, BRITAIN'S BIGGEST MOBILE PHONE COMPANY, SAYS IT HAS CLEARED EUROPEAN REGULATORY HURDLES AND WILL GO AHEAD WITH ITS PLANNED MERGER WITH AIR-TOUCH COMMUNICATIONS OF SAN FRANCISCO. THE TWO COMPANIES HOPE TO FORM THE LEADING PAN-EUROPEAN MOBILE NETWORK, WITH A PROJECTED 23-MILLION CUSTOMERS WORLD-WIDE. THE 62-BILLION DOLLAR MERGER IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY EARLY JULY. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/WTW
24-May-99 5:00 PM EDT (2100 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[15] MONDAY EDITORIALS BY RALPH A. ECKHARDT (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE EXPRESSING THEIR OPINIONS (MONDAY) ABOUT SCHOOLS, VIOLENCE, AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM.. NOW, HERE IS ___________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS, IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS A "LONG-TERM VIEW" IS NEEDED TO IMPROVE EDUCATION. IN CITING CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS, IT SAYS A LONG-RANGE PLAN SHOULD GRANT LOCAL DISTRICTS GREATER FREEDOM, EMPHASIZE STUDENT OUTCOMES, INCREASE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILURE, AND REMOVE BUREAUCRATIC OBSTACLES. THE PAPER WRITES:

VOICE: ... SUCCESSFUL REFORMS BY TEXAS AND NORTH CAROLINA...RAISED STANDARDS, REQUIRED STUDENT ASSESSMENT, IMPLEMENTED ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS WITH REAL CONSEQUENCES, SET UP COMPREHENSIVE DATA SYSTEMS TO TRACK STUDENTS AND ENCOURAGED LOCAL IMPROVEMENT. POLITICAL AND BUSINESS LEADERS MADE LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS TO BETTER SCHOOLS AND TEST SCORES, BUT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE ALLOWED TO FIGURE OUT THEIR OWN PATHS.

TEXT: IN THE COUNTRY'S HEARTLAND, THE "OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" ALSO SAYS LOCAL CONTROL IS NEEDED TO IMPROVE SCHOOLS. IT CRITICIZES AN EDUCATION INITIATIVE PROPOSED BY PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON THAT WOULD IMPOSE NEW CONDITIONS ON SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVE FEDERAL MONEY.

VOICE: THE JOB OF SELECTING TEACHERS BELONGS TO STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS -- WITH SCHOOL BOARDS, AND CONCERNED CITIZENS IN GENERAL, PRESSURING THEM FOR RESULTS. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT BE CRANKING OUT MANDATES THAT THREATEN TO DEFUND AND DESTABILIZE WELL-RUNNING SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

TEXT: IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" SAYS RECENT VIOLENCE HAS ADDED TO NON-ACADEMIC PRESSURE ON SCHOOLS. IT SAYS EXPOSURE TO VIOLENCE, ACCESS TO GUNS, AND SOCIAL PRESSURE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO EIGHT U-S SCHOOL SHOOTING INCIDENTS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.

VOICE: FOR THE SHORT-TERM VIGILANCE IS REQUIRED OF TEACHERS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND PARENTS. THE COPY-CAT NATURE OF THESE INCIDENTS IS UNMISTAKABLE. IN THE SCHOOLS ... STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD REACH OUT TO ALIENATED PEERS. ADOLESCENCE IS A DIFFICULT TIME, AND KIDS CAN USE ALL THE SUPPORT THEY CAN GET. PARENTS, TEACHERS AND LAWMAKERS ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY.

TEXT: THE "LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS ANOTHER U-S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN IS UNDERWAY AND CANDIDATES AND POLITICAL PARTIES ARE RAISING CASH IN RECORD AMOUNTS. IT SAYS CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM IS OVERDUE AND IT KNOWS WHY.

VOICE: THE PRESENT SYSTEM FAVORS INCUMBENTS OVER CHALLENGERS AND WORKS TO THE ADVANTAGE OF REPUBLICANS WHO OUTRAISED DEMOCRATS... THE VOTERS WANT REFORM. A MAJORITY IN EACH CHAMBER WANTS REFORM. THOSE WHO STAND IN THEIR WAY ARE NOT ACTING IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THEIR NATION.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" AGREES, SAYING IT IS TIME FOR CONGRESS' REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP TO BRING A CAMPAIGN REFORM BILL TO A VOTE. IT CALLS FOR MODERATE REPUBLICANS TO JOIN DEMOCRATS IN FORCING A HOUSE VOTE.

VOICE: THIS IS MODERATE LEGISLATION. IT WOULD BAN SOFT MONEY, THE MOST EGREGIOUS OF THE ABUSES, WHEREBY THE NATIONAL POLITICAL PARTIES ARE USED TO RAISE AND SPEND ON BEHALF OF THEIR CANDIDATES MONEY THE CANDIDATES ARE FORBIDDEN TO RAISE AND SPEND THEMSELVES.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES A LOOK AT SOME OF THE NATION'S EDITORIALS FOR MONDAY, MAY 24TH.
NEB/RAE
24-May-99 11:54 AM EDT (1554 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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