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Voice of America, 99-06-01Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] NATO / KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250057 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO IS ORGANIZING A LARGER PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO EVEN AS DIPLOMATS TRY TO WORK OUT DIFFERENCES OVER THE COMPOSITION OF THAT FORCE. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS. TEXT: PLANNERS AT NATO'S MILITARY HEADQUARTERS IN MONS, BELGIUM HAVE BEGUN A CONFERENCE TO SEE WHICH COUNTRIES CAN SUPPLY THE ALLIANCE WITH THE RIGHT SPECIALITY OF SOLDIERS TO BRING THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE UP TO 48-THOUSAND. NATO OFFICIALS SAY 12 PARTNER COUNTRIES OF NATO ARE TAKING PART IN WHAT IS CALLED A "FORCE GENERATION CONFERENCE" ALONG WITH ALL 19 ALLIANCE MEMBERS. NATO'S MILITARY COMMANDER WANTS TO SEND THE PEACEKEEPERS TO MACEDONIA JUST AS SOON AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE. SO FAR, YUGOSLAVIA HAS COMMITTED ITSELF ONLY TO THE PRINCIPLES THAT SPEAK OF AN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORCE FOR KOSOVO. A NATO SPOKESMAN SAYS PRINCIPLES ARE FINE BUT THE ALLIANCE IS INTERESTED IN SEEING SUBSTANTIAL DETAIL. NATO SAYS IT WILL MAINTAIN INTENSIVE BOMBING UNTIL IT SEES
WHETHER YUGOSLAVIA WILL AGREE TO A PEACEKEEPING FORCE THAT NATO
CONTROLS. (SIGNED)
[02] NATO / KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250071 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO HAS RELEASED NEW ESTIMATES OF THE DAMAGE ITS 10 WEEKS OF AIR STRIKES HAVE DONE TO THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY FORCES. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN AT NATO HEADQUARTERS ALSO REPORTS THERE ARE FEW SIGNS THE ALLIANCE WILL BE STOPPING THE BOMBING ANY TIME SOON. TEXT: WHILE THE DIPLOMATS TRY TO DETERMINE WHETHER YUGOSLAVIA WILL ACCEPT AN INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORCE TO ESCORT REFUGEES BACK TO KOSOVO, NATO MILITARY PLANNERS HAVE STARTED FORMING A 48-THOUSAND MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE. AT NATO'S MILITARY HEADQUARTERS IN MONS, BELGIUM, A CONFERENCE INVOLVING THE 19 NATO COUNTRIES AND THEIR 12 PARTNERS HAS BEGUN TO DETERMINE HOW MANY SOLDIERS EACH COUNTRY CAN CONTRIBUTE AND WHAT JOBS THEY CAN PERFORM. THE ENTRY OF THIS PEACEKEEPING FORCE TO KOSOVO IS ONE OF NATO'S CONDITIONS FOR STOPPING THE INTENSIVE BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA. NATO HAS ISSUED DAMAGE ESTIMATES FOR THE FIRST 70 DAYS OF BOMBING. ALL NINE SERB AIRFIELDS HAVE BEEN MODERATELY OR SEVERELY DAMAGED. THIS DAMAGE HAS REDUCED THEIR OPERATIONS TO 69 PERCENT WITH MORE THAN 100 AIRCRAFT DESTROYED. IN KOSOVO, 314 ARTILLERY PIECES, 203 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS, AND 120 TANKS HAVE BEEN BOMBED. AT THE SAME TIME, NATO MILITARY SPOKESMAN WALTER JERTZ SAYS YUGOSLAVIA IS STILL NOT MOVING TO FULFILL ANOTHER NATO CONDITION: THE PULLOUT OF ITS ARMY AND POLICE FROM KOSOVO. /// JERTZ ACT ///WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT THERE'S NO EVIDENCE OF WITHDRAWALS FROM KOSOVO AND THAT WITH SOME REPLACEMENTS, THERE REMAINS AROUND 40-THOUSAND SERB FORCES IN THE REGION. /// END ACT ////// OPT ////// OPT // JERTZ ACT ///THE MAIN GROUND ACTION YESTERDAY INVOLVED FIERCE FIGHTING IN THE VICINITY OF MOUNT PASTRIC IN SOUTHWESTERN KOSOVO. THE SERBS, MASSING THEIR FORCES TO COMBAT THE U-C-K (KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY) OFFENSIVE, PRESENTED NATO WITH A TARGET-RICH ENVIRONMENT. OUR STRIKE AIRCRAFT TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THAT CONCENTRATION AND STRUCK A WIDE VARIETY OF TARGETS. /// END ACT // END OPT ///NATO SAYS IT IS ABLE TO STRIKE YUGOSLAVIA CONSTANTLY WITH NEW AIRCRAFT DEPLOYED IN BASES IN HUNGARY AND TURKEY. THE MORE THAN 400 DAILY STRIKE MISSIONS RAISE THE PROSPECT OF MORE UNINTENDED CIVILIAN CASUALTIES. NATO HAS DECIDED TO STOP APOLOGIZING FOR ITS MISTAKES SHOWN ON SERBIAN TELEVISION. SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS THAT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE AIR STRIKES, THERE HAS BEEN A 10 FOLD INCREASE IN NATO BOMBING BUT NOT IN CIVILIAN CASUALTIES. /// SHEA ACT ///AND THERE CERTAINLY HAS NOT BEEN A TEN FOLD INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF BOMBS THAT HAVE GONE ASTRAY OR THE NUMBER OF INSTANCES WHERE NATO HAS INFLICTED HARM ON CIVILIANS. IF ANYTHING, THE PROPORTION IS GETTING BETTER. /// END ACT ///NATO SAYS YUGOSLAVIA HAS TO GIVE A CLEAR ANSWER TO THE SUBSTANCE
OF THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE PLAN -- NOT JUST TO THE PRINCIPLES --
IF IT WANTS TO SEE AN END TO THE BOMBING. (SIGNED)
[03] ALBANIA DAY WRAP (L-O) BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250087 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TENSIONS ARE GROWING ON THE BORDER BETWEEN ALBANIA AND YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE -- WITH REPORTS OF INCREASED FIGHTING BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. AND AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM TIRANA, INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS SAY NATO FORCES -- WAGING AN AIR WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA'S SERB TROOPS HAS ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED SEVERAL BOMBS ON THE ALBANIAN SIDE OF THE BORDER. TEXT: NATO SAYS ALLIANCE WAR PLANES, TARGETING SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO, MISTAKENLY DROPPED BOMBS ON THE ALBANIAN SIDE OF THE BORDER. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED IN THE EARLY TUESDAY MORNING INCIDENT NEAR THE MORINA BORDER CROSSING. THE CROSSING IS USED DAILY BY REFUGEES FLEEING FROM KOSOVO INTO ALBANIA. MORE THAN TWO-THOUSAND KOSOVAR REFUGEES ARE NOW IN CAMPS IN NEARBY, WITH MANY MORE IN CAMPS IN THE REGION OR LIVING WITH LOCAL FAMILIES. MOST ARE IN THE PREFECTURE OF KUKES. THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES ALSO SAYS THERE HAS BEEN STEPPED UP FIGHTING IN THE AREA BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. THE U-N-H-C-R SAYS THE AREA ALONG THE BORDER AND IN KUKES ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY UNSTABLE, AND THEY ARE TRYING TO MOVE MORE REFUGEES TO SOUTH AND CENTRAL ALBANIA. THE U-N-H-C-R SAYS SINCE MONDAY, IT HAS MOVED SOME TWO-THOUSAND REFUGEES OUT OF NORTHERN ALBANIA AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE STILL FLOWING IN FROM KOSOVO. AID ORGANIZATIONS MET TUESDAY WITH ENGINEERS AND CONSULTANTS IN
THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL TO DEVELOP PLANS FOR ADAPTING THE REFUGEE
CAMPS FOR WINTER. THE U-N-H-C-R SAYS TENTS THAT CAN WITHSTAND
FREEZING TEMPERATURES AND SNOW ARE NOW BEING PURCHASED.(SIGNED)
[04] ALBANIA / CHILDREN'S DAY (L-O) BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250086 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ALBANIANS HAVE CELEBRATED CHILDREN'S DAY, THIS YEAR FOCUSING ON KOSOVAR REFUGEE CHILDREN WHO HAVE RECENTLY ARRIVED IN THE COUNTRY. AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM THE ALBANIAN CAPITAL ON THIS TRADITIONAL JUNE FIRST HOLIDAY. TEXT: /// :04 MUSIC UP AND UNDER /// TIRANA'S PYRAMID SQUARE WAS FILLED WITH CHILDREN ON TUESDAY, MANY OF THEM CLIMBING ON THE PYRAMID-SHAPED BUILDING WHICH WAS ONCE THE FORMER MEMORIAL TO ALBANIAN LEADER ENVER HOXHA. UNDER A SPARKLING SUN AND CLOUDLESS SKY, THERE WERE CLOWNS, GAMES, SONGS AND POPCORN -- ALL IN HONOR OF THE CHILDREN'S DAY HOLIDAY. BUT THE CELEBRATIONS HERE AND ACROSS ALBANIA DIFFERED FROM THOSE IN PREVIOUS YEARS. THIS TIME, THEY HONORED THE CHILDREN WHO HAVE COME TO ALBANIA AS REFUGEES FROM NEARBY KOSOVO. FATBADH (PRONO: FAT-BAR) KADILLI, AN ORGANIZER FOR THE U-N AID AGENCY UNICEF, SAYS THE ACTIVITIES WERE GEARED TOWARDS EASING THE WORRIES AND STRESS OF YOUNG REFUGEES. /// FATBADH KADILLI ///IN ALBANIA WE HAVE A HUGE NUMBER OF REFUGEES AND HALF OF THEM ARE CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OLD. THEY ARE IN DIFFICULT CONDITIONS, LIVING IN CAMPS AND COLLECTIVE CENTERS. THEY HAVE TO SEE THEY ARE WELCOMED HERE AND THAT THERE IS SOLIDARITY FROM CHILDREN THE SAME AGE. /// END ACT ///CHILDREN FROM BOTH ALBANIA AND KOSOVO RELISHED THE OCCASION. /// ROSANNA UP FOR :04 AND UNDER ///FOURTEEN YEAR-OLD ROSANNA SAYS SHE IS HERE IN PYRAMID SQUARE FOR THE DAY BECAUSE IT IS CHILDREN'S DAY AND ADDS THAT SHE WISHES THE KOSOVAR CHILDREN EVERYTHING GOOD. /// SHQIPONJA UP FOR :04 AND UNDER ///THIRTEEN YEAR OLD SHQIPONJA (SHEEP-ON-YA) SAYS SHE IS FROM KOSOVO AND THAT SHE IS HAPPY TO BE IN ALBANIA TODAY. SCHOOLS WERE OFFICIALLY CLOSED, BUT SOME STAYED OPEN SO THAT LOCAL CHILDREN AND REFUGEES COULD MEET TOGETHER IN CLASSROOMS. IN REFUGEE CAMPS ACROSS THE NATION, ALBANIAN CHILDREN VISITED WITH THEIR KOSOVAR COUNTERPARTS, AND ALBANIA'S PRESIDENT REXHEP (RE-JIP) MEJDANI (MAY- DA - NEE) MET WITH 20 YOUNG STUDENTS FOR A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CURRENT CRISIS IN THE REGION. WHILE CHILDREN'S DAY WAS AN ENJOYABLE DISTRACTION FOR THE KOSOVAR
YOUTHS, THEIR MAIN CONCERN -- WHEN THEY WILL RETURN HOME --
REMAINS UNRESOLVED. (SIGNED)
[05] ALBANIA ART / REFUGEES BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43548 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SO FAR, THE BULK OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO HAS GONE TO NEIGHBORING ALBANIA -- EUROPE'S POOREST COUNTRY. DESPITE THE ALBANIANS' SEVERE ECONOMIC TROUBLES, THE PLIGHT OF THE REFUGEES HAS CAPTURED THE HEARTS OF MANY. AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM TIRANA, LOCAL ARTISTS ARE AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE BANDED TOGETHER TO HELP. TEXT: IN ALBANIA, EUROPE'S POOREST COUNTRY, EVEN WELL-KNOWN PAINTERS STRUGGLE TO MAKE A LIVING. NEVERTHELESS, THE ARTISTS' COMMUNITY IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL IS USING ITS TALENTS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO. WITH THE HELP OF ART GALLERY OWNER DONIKA BARDHA, 40 ARTISTS ARE HOLDING AN AUCTION OF THEIR WORKS TO BENEFIT THE REFUGEES. /// BARDHA ACT ///I THINK ALBANIANS IN GENERAL HAVE BEEN VERY HOSPITABLE IN CARING AND TRYING TO DO THE MOST IN THE SITUATION. AND THESE YOUNG ARTISTS, THIS IS A WAY THEY WANTED TO HELP AND SHOW THEIR SUPPORT. IT MEANS THEY CARE AND THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING AND THEY FEEL FOR THESE PEOPLE. THEY DEFINITELY NEED OUR HELP. /// END ACT ///ART BUYERS WILL BID ON THE PAINTINGS OVER THE NEXT THREE WEEKS. EACH PAINTING STARTS AT AN INITIALLY PRICE OF 100 DOLLARS. MS. BARDHA SAYS THAT SOME OF THE WORKS, LIKE A PAINTING BY SHAQIR VESELI, CONTAIN REFERENCES TO HOW THE CRISIS IS AFFECTING ALBANIA. /// SECOND BARDHA ACT ///IT IS A KIND OF ABSTRACTION ON THE ALBANIAN FLAG. IT IS A DEEP RED WITH A BLACK FRAME AND IT HAS LINES CUT INTO THE CANVAS FORMING THE ALBANIAN FLAG. AND IN THE MIDDLE, IT HAS A WHITE METAL SHEET OVER IT WHICH SYMBOLIZES PEACE. /// END ACT ///MS. BARDHA EXPLAINS THAT ALI OSEKU, ONE OF ALBANIA'S BEST KNOWN PAINTERS AND A DONOR TO THE AUCTION, HAS FAMILY ROOTS IN KOSOVO. /// THIRD BARDHA ACT ///HIS PAINTING IS DEDICATED TO KOSOVO. YOU CAN SEE THAT IT HAS THE WORDS "KOSOVO 1999" QUITE LARGELY ON IT, AND THIS WAS A PIECE DONE SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS EXHIBIT. IT HAS VIBRANT COLORS AND IS A BEAUTIFUL ABSTRACT. /// END ACT /////OPT///// BERISHA ACT ///MOSTLY BECAUSE I WANT TO HELP AND RAISE MONEY, SO I STARTED THE BIDDING FIRST WITH THREE OF THE PAINTINGS AND WE WILL SEE HOW MUCH MONEY WE CAN RAISE WITH THEM. /// END ACT ///THE FUNDS WILL HELP SUPPORT A GROUP OF ABOUT 200 KOSOVAR REFUGEES
THAT THE GALLERY OWNER, THE ARTISTS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE
SPONSORING. WHILE THE PAINTERS VARY GREATLY IN STYLE AND
TECHNIQUE, THEY ALL BELIEVE IN THE ART OF HELPING OTHERS.
(SIGNED)
[06] KOSOVO REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY GORDON MARTIN (GENEVA)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250072 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AS THE EXODUS OF SOME 850-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO CONTINUES, THE OFFICE OF THE U-N-H-C-R -- UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES -- IS MAKING PLANS FOR THEIR IMMEDIATE FUTURE. FROM GENEVA, GORDON MARTIN HAS DETAILS. TEXT: UNPREDICTABLE POLICY SHIFTS BY SERBIAN AUTHORITIES IN RECENT WEEKS HAVE MEANT THE FLOW OF REFUGEES ACROSS THE YUGOSLAV BORDER HAS VARIED FROM A TRICKLE TO A DELUGE. U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS THE LATEST SERBIAN MOVE IS TO ALLOW ONLY THOSE WITH VALID YUGOSLAV PASSPORTS TO CROSS INTO MACEDONIA. ///JANOWSKI ACT///WE ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S BEHIND IT AND WHAT GAME THEY'RE PLAYING AGAIN -- WHETHER IT'S ONE, ANOTHER TRICK BEING PLAYED THERE OR (TWO), WHETHER THERE'S SOME SORT OF UNIFORM POLICY. ///END ACT///DENNIS MCNAMARA, THE U-N-H-C-R'S CHIEF OF OPERATIONS IN THE BALKANS, SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION IS BUDGETING TO COPE WITH AN ANTICIPATED ONE-POINT-TWO-FIVE MILLION REFUGEES -- BUT HE STRESSES THE TOTAL MAY NOT ACTUALLY GO THAT HIGH. AND IN THE WAKE OF CRITICISM THAT THE U-N REFUGEE ORGANIZATION ISN'T DOING ENOUGH, MR. MCNAMARA DEFENDED ITS WORK IN KOSOVO. //MCNAMARA ACT///WE'VE HAD MANY MORE REFUGEES IN MANY WORSE SITUATIONS OVER MANY DECADES. YOU ALL RECALL THAT 50-THOUSAND RWANDANS DIED IN ZAIRE IN TWO WEEKS AT THE HEIGHT OF THAT EXODUS. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, IF I MAY SAY, TO KEEP IN MIND. FOR ALL THE FAILURES AND CRITICISMS OF THE RESPONSE, THERE HAS BEEN NO HEALTH EPIDEMIC AMONGST THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES. THERE IS NO INCREASE IN MORTALITY RATES AMONGST THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES. THERE IS NO MALNUTRITION AMONGST THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES THAT WE ARE LOOKING AFTER TODAY. IT IS NOT A CATASTROPHE, IN THOSE SENSES. ///END ACT/////OPT/////SECOND MCNAMARA ACT///BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST SAFE TO RETURN FROM SNIPERS AND MINES. IT'S MUCH MORE THAN THAT. IT'S VIABLE RETURN TO REGAIN -- RESTART -- SOME SORT OF NORMAL LIFE. IT'S MUCH MORE COMPLEX THAN (JUST) NATO CLEARING THE MINES. THIS IS NOT A NATO-LED RETURN. THIS IS A U-N-H-C-R-LED RETURN WITH NATO AND OTHER FORCES, HOPEFULLY, PROVIDING THE SECURITY ENVIRONMENT FOR IT. ///END ACT// //END OPT//THE U-N-H-C-R'S DENNIS MCNAMARA SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION IS NOW
SPENDING ABOUT 10 MILLION DOLLARS A WEEK TO AID THE KOSOVO
REFUGEES. HE SAYS AN APPEAL WILL BE LAUNCHED NEXT MONTH TO RAISE
ENOUGH MONEY TO ASSIST THE DISPLACED KOSOVARS THROUGH THE END OF
THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)
[07] KOSOVO/FOOD (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250091 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///EDS: RE-RUNNING WITH NUMBER///INTRO: AN INTERNATIONAL AID GROUP SAYS IT WILL DROP FOOD TO HUNGRY DISPLACED PEOPLE IN KOSOVO THURSDAY, AT DAWN LOCAL TIME. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE SAYS IT HAS HAD TO WORK OUT MANY SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. TEXT: INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN ED BLIGH SAYS THOUSANDS OF FOOD PACKETS WILL BE DROPPED BY RUSSIAN-BUILT CARGO PLANES FROM AN ALTITUDE OF SEVERAL HUNDRED METERS. HE SAID THE FOOD PACKAGES, WHICH WEIGH ABOUT ONE KILOGRAM, WILL HIT THE GROUND AT NEARLY 60 KILOMETERS PER HOUR. TO PREVENT INJURIES, MR. BLIGH SAID THE PLANES WILL DROP LEAFLETS WEDNESDAY, WARNING THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO BE CAREFUL DURING THE FOOD DROPS. /// BLIGH ACT ///IF YOU SEE OR HEAR THESE AIRCRAFT, STAY UNDER COVER. AVOID THE FALLING SUPPLIES, AS YOU MAY BE INJURED IF YOU ARE HIT BY THEM. THE AIRCRAFT MAY MAKE MORE THAN ONE PASS. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECOVER THE SUPPLIES UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT HAS DEFINITLY LEFT THE DROP AREA. /// END ACT ///THE PLANES ARE TWIN ENGINE ANTONOV-26'S, PAINTED WHITE WITH ORANGE STRIPES. THEY WILL BE DELIVERING ENOUGH FOOD TO FEED PERHAPS EIGHT THOUSAND PEOPLE PER DAY. BUT AID AGENCIES ESTIMATE THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN HALF A MILLION PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DRIVEN OUT OF THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO, WHO ARE STILL IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE. OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT THESE DISPLACED PEOPLE HAVE RUN OUT OF FOOD AND FACE STARVATION UNLESS THEY GET MORE HELP. PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE VERY WORRIED THAT SERBIAN AIR DEFENSES MIGHT SHOOT DOWN THE LARGE, SLOW, LOW ALTITUDE AID FLIGHTS. BUT MR. BLIGH SAYS HIS GROUP HAS CONTACTED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT AT THE UNITED NATIONS IN NEW YORK TO LET THEM KNOW WHERE AND WHEN THE PLANES WILL BE TO REDUCE THE CHANCES THEY WILL OPEN FIRE. HE SAID YUGOSLAV DIPLOMATS DID NOT GUARANTEE SAFE PASSAGE. PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE AID AGENCIES ARE ALSO LETTING NATO
OFFICIALS KNOW THE AIR FLIGHT PLANS TO THEY CAN KEEP ALLIANCE
WARPLANES AWAY FROM THE FOOD FLIGHTS. (SIGNED)
[08] CLINTON / KOSOVO SCENESET (S-ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250090 CONTENT= VOICED AT: // EDS: THIS HOLDS UNTIL CLINTON ADDRESS AT 1 P-M E-D-T//INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON DELIVERS THE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS TO GRADUATING CADETS AT THE AIR FORCE ACADEMY IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (WEDNESDAY). HIS REMARKS ARE EXPECTED TO FOCUS ON KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SAY MR. CLINTON IS EXPECTED TO UNDERSCORE THE REASONS FOR U-S INVOLVEMENT IN KOSOVO, AS WELL AS NATO'S INTENT TO REVERSE WHAT THEY SAY IS YUGOSLAV LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING THERE. OFFICIALS SAY MR. CLINTON WILL ALSO TALK ABOUT NATO PLANNING FOR A FUTURE PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO NUMBER 50-THOUSAND TROOPS. THEY SAY THE PRESIDENT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE COMPOSITION OF THE FORCE AND THE EXTENT OF AMERICAN PARTICIPATION IN IT. U-S DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THE UNITED STATES WOULD PROVIDE ABOUT 15 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL -- ABOUT 75-HUNDRED TROOPS. MR. CLINTON WILL ALSO USE HIS SPEECH TO ONCE AGAIN HIGHLIGHT
NATO'S RESOLVE TO CONTINUE ITS AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
UNTIL ITS DEMANDS ARE MET. THOSE DEMANDS INCLUDE THE WITHDRAWAL
OF SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO, THE SAFE RETURN OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN
REFUGEES, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PEACEKEEPING FORCE WITH NATO
AT ITS CORE. (SIGNED)
[09] CONGRESS - KOSOVO RAPES BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43549 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: REVISES GRAF BETWEEN SECOND & THIRD ACTS //INTRO: IN KOSOVO, AS IN BOSNIA, RAPE APPEARS TO HAVE BECOME A WEAPON OF WAR. SLOWLY, THE STORIES OF THE VICTIMS ARE COMING OUT. THEY ARE GUT-WRENCHING TALES FROM ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVAR REFUGEE WOMEN AND GIRLS -- WHO NOW FIND THEMSELVES SHUNNED AND FAR FROM HOME. ONE U-S CONGRESSWOMAN IS TRYING TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THEIR PLIGHT. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, LOUISE SLAUGHTER HAS MADE THEIR WELFARE A PERSONAL CRUSADE. TEXT: WHEN LOUISE SLAUGHTER SPEAKS OF THE RAPED WOMEN OF KOSOVO, YOU CAN HEAR THE SENSE OF HORROR IN HER VOICE. YOU CAN ALSO HEAR HER DETERMINATION. /////SLAUGHTER ACT////ALTHOUGH WE KNOW FROM HISTORY THE BODIES OF WOMEN AND GIRLS HAVE OFTEN BEEN USED IN WAR, WE HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE THE RAPE OF WOMEN AND GIRLS USED AS A SYSTEMATIC TOOL OF WAR. /////END ACT///////SHE IS A MOTHER, A GRANDMOTHER, AND A SEASONED POLITICAL PROFESSIONAL. THE NEW YORK DEMOCRAT HAS SPENT YEARS FIGHTING TO CHANGE LAWS AND ATTITUDES AFFECTING RAPE VICTIMS IN THE UNITED STATES. NOW, SHE IS FOCUSING ON THE BALKANS. AT THE HEIGHT OF THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT, LOUISE SLAUGHTER CONVINCED OTHER DELEGATES TO THE HELSINKI COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE TO DECLARE RAPE A WAR CRIME. NOW THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS BEEN INDICTED AS A WAR CRIMINAL, SHE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THE CHARGES WILL INCLUDE SANCTIONING THE RAPE OF KOSOVAR ALBANIANS. ///SLAUGHTER ACT////THAT HAS TO BE AS MAJOR A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY AS WE CAN FILE AGAINST HIM. THOSE WOMEN NEED SOME IDEA OF JUSTICE. WITHOUT IT, I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO FACE ANY KIND OF LIFE IN THE FUTURE. //////END ACT//////SHE RELATES THE STORY OF A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL SENT BY HER FAMILY TO FIGHT AND DIE WITH THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AFTER BEING RAPED BY A SERBIAN SOLDIER. HER FATHER SAID HE HAD NO CHOICE. CONGRESSWOMAN SLAUGHTER SAYS AMERICANS CAN'T UNDERSTAND THAT RAPE IS A POWERFUL TABOO IN THIS TRADITION-BOUND CULTURE, LEAVING THE VICTIM WITH CHILLING OPTIONS: LIVE AS AN OUTCAST OR DIE. //////SLAUGHTER ACT/////WE HEARD ABOUT WOMEN TRYING TO STICK THEIR HANDS IN LIGHT SOCKETS, SISTERS WHO WOULD HOLD HANDS AND JUMP OFF A MOUNTAINSIDE TO COMMIT SUICIDE. /////END ACT//////HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCIES DON'T KNOW HOW MANY WOMEN AND GIRLS HAVE BEEN RAPED IN KOSOVO. ALL THEY KNOW IS THE STORIES COME WITHOUT END. THEY ARE OFTEN TOLD RELUCTANTLY BY WOMEN SCARED TO SHARE A SECRET THEY BELIEVE IS A CAUSE OF SHAME. ///SLAUGHTER ACT////WE KNOW THAT NUMBERS OF THEM HAVE BEEN RAPED AND THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. AND WE FEEL WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO AT LEAST TRY TO HEAL THAT PART, THE MENTAL PART, FOR THEM. ////END ACT////IN THE REFUGEE CAMPS, THE RAPE VICTIMS TEND TO LIVE IN SELF-IMPOSED ISOLATION. TEAMS OF PSYCHOLOGISTS, GYNECOLOGISTS AND LAWYERS ARE TRAVELING FROM CAMP TO CAMP. THEY TRY TO TREAT THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WOUNDS, WHILE COLLECTING TESTIMONY FOR THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. CONGRESSWOMAN SLAUGHTER PLANS TO MAKE HER OWN VISIT IN THE WEEKS AHEAD. SHE SAYS SHE WANTS TO TALK TO THE RAPE VICTIMS: TO HEAR THEIR OWN WORDS, AND OFFER WHAT COMFORT SHE CAN. ///////SLAUGHTER ACT////WE NEED TO TELL THEM THAT THERE IS HELP, THAT IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT, THAT THE SENSE OF SHAME THAT HAS BEEN HEAPED UPON THEM IS JUST MORE A CRIME AGAINST THEM, AND THAT THEY HAVE SHOWN THEIR STRENGTH. ///////END ACT////NO DATE FOR THE TRIP HAS BEEN SET. BUT MRS. SLAUGHTER SAYS SHE
MUST SEE THE SITUATION IN THE CAMPS FOR HERSELF BEFORE TAKING
PART IN THE NEXT SESSION OF THE HELSINKI COMMISSION ON SECURITY
AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE. THAT MEETING IS SET TO CONVENE IN ST.
PETERSBURG, RUSSIA IN EARLY JULY. (SIGNED)
[10] RUSSIA / KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250055 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIA'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE BALKANS, VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, IS FLYING TO BONN FOR MORE TALKS ABOUT RESOLVING THE KOSOVO CRISIS. V-O-A'S EVE CONANT IN MOSCOW REPORTS THE RUSSIAN OFFICIAL PLANS TO CONTINUE ON TO BELGRADE TO MEET WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. TEXT: IN GERMANY, RUSSIA'S BALKANS ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN IS EXPECTED TO HOLD WHAT WILL BE A FOURTH ROUND OF TALKS WITH U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT AND FINNISH PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI. AS HE DEPARTED MOSCOW, MR. CHERNOMYRDIN SAID HE HOPES FOR PROGRESS IN FINDING A PEACE AGREEMENT. /// CHERNOMYRDIN ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///HE SAYS EVERYBODY WANTS PEACE. THE UNITED STATES, EUROPE, AND OF COURSE RUSSIA, TOO, ALL DESIRE A SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT. THE INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY REPORTS MR. CHERNOMYRDIN SAID HE HAS NEW PROPOSALS DEVELOPED BY RUSSIA AND APPROVED BY PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN. NO OTHER DETAILS WERE GIVEN. THE RUSSIAN ENVOY MAY BE JOINED BY THE FINNISH PRESIDENT ON HIS SCHEDULED TRIP TO BELGRADE ON WEDNESDAY. YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS RECENTLY SENT SIGNALS HE MIGHT BE READY TO ACCEPT, IN PRINCIPLE, A PEACE AGREEMENT DEVELOPED BY SEVEN WESTERN INDUSTRIAL COUNTRIES AND RUSSIA. THE PLAN INCLUDES THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERBIAN FORCES FROM KOSOVO,
THE SAFE RETURN OF REFUGEES, AND A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN
THE SERBIAN PROVINCE. ONE OF THE STICKING POINTS IN THE
NEGOTIATIONS REMAINS THE MAKEUP OF THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE. NATO
WANTS TO LEAD THE FORCE -- A PLAN THE YUGOSLAV LEADER OPPOSES.
(SIGNED)
[11] RUSSIA / KOSOVO / DIPLOMACY (S-UPDATE) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250051 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIA'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE BALKANS VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN HAS DEPARTED FOR BONN, GERMANY FOR A FRESH ROUND TO TALKS ON RESOLVING THE KOSOVO CRISIS. V-O-A'S EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM MOSCOW. TEXT: BALKANS ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN IS EXPECTED TO HOLD A NEW ROUND OF TALKS WITH U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT AND FINNISH PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI. AS HE DEPARTED FROM MOSCOW, MR. CHERNOMYRDIN SAID HE WAS HOPEFUL FOR PROGRESS IN FINDING A PEACE AGREEMENT. HE SAID THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE ALSO DESIRE TO FIND A SOLUTION. THE RUSSIAN ENVOY MAY BE JOINED BY THE FINNISH PRESIDENT ON A PLANNED TRIP TO BELGRADE FOLLOWING THE TALKS IN BONN. YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS RECENTLY SENT SIGNALS HE MIGHT BE READY TO ACCEPT, IN PRINCIPLE, A PEACE AGREEMENT HAMMERED OUT BY SEVEN WESTERN COUNTRIES AND RUSSIA. THE PLAN INCLUDES THE WITHDRAWL OF SERBIAN FORCES FROM KOSOVO,
THE SAFE RETURN OF REFUGEES, AND A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN
THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. (SIGNED)
[12] BALKAN MICROLENDING BY MICHAEL LELAND (CHICAGO)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43550 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN DEVELOPING AREAS OF THE WORLD, A TYPE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE KNOWN AS MICROLENDING HAS BEEN USED WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SUCCESS TO HELP LOCAL RESIDENTS START SMALL, OFTEN HOME-BASED BUSINESSES. ONE MICROLENDING ORGANIZATION IS "OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL," LOCATED NEAR THE U-S CITY OF CHICAGO. VOA'S MICHAEL LELAND TELLS US, ITS DIRECTOR SEES MICROLENDING AS ONE WAY TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY FOR THE BALKANS, ONCE THE KOSOVO CONFLICT ENDS. TEXT: MICROLENDING IS NOT A NEW IDEA. AS INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC PROFESSOR ROBERT ALIBER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO EXPLAINS, IT IS GIVING AS LITTLE AS 25 OR 50 U-S DOLLARS TO A PERSON WHO NEEDS HELP STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS. // FIRST ALIBER ACT //LOANS TO SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE OF AMOUNTS THAT SEEM VERY SMALL IN U-S DOLLAR TERMS, BUT CAN BE RELATIVELY LARGE IN TERMS OF THE PER-CAPITA INCOMES OF THE RECIPIENTS OF THE LOANS. // END ACT //SUBURBAN CHICAGO-BASED OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL IS ONE OF A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS ARRANGING MICROLOANS. IT OPERATES IN 30 COUNTRIES IN LATIN AMERICA, AFRICA, ASIA AND EASTERN EUROPE. DIRECTOR CHARLES DOKMO SAYS SOME OF THE MORE SUCCESSFUL LOANS ARE MADE TO GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO PLEDGE TO REPAY THE FULL AMOUNT, WITH INTEREST, AND MAKE SURE THE NEW BUSINESS SURVIVES. // FIRST DOKMO ACT //IN COLOMBIA, FOR EXAMPLE, THE TRUST BANK CLIENTS WILL SET UP A FLORAL BUSINESS. THEY WILL BUY FRESH-CUT FLOWERS FROM THE COUNTRY (RURAL GROWERS) AND SELL THEM IN THE MARKETS IN BOGOTA. // END ACT //MR. DOKMO SAYS MICROLENDING COULD BE ONE WAY TO HELP PEOPLE DISPLACED BY YEARS OF FIGHTING IN THE BALKANS, INCLUDING THE LATEST CONFLICT IN KOSOVO. // SECOND DOKMO ACT //OUR WORK REALLY BEGINS ONCE THE WAR STOPS. THE VERY FIRST THINGS AN I-D-P, AN INTERNALLY-DISPLACED PERSON, WILL WANT IS A JOB. // END ACT //OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL HAS NO IMMEDIATE PLANS TO MAKE LOANS IN KOSOVO, THOUGH IT HAD PLANNED TO BEGIN OFFERING THEM IN ALBANIA AND MONTENEGRO THIS YEAR. MR. DOKMO SAYS THOSE PLANS ARE ON HOLD BECAUSE OF THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. HE ADDS THE BENEFITS OF MICROLENDING IN WAR-RAVAGED COUNTRIES CAN GO BEYOND ECONOMIC RECOVERY. // THIRD DOKMO ACT //WHAT WE HAVE SEEN WORKING IN CROATIA, WORKING IN COMMUNITIES WHERE THERE IS STILL STRONG SERB AND CROATIAN PRESENCE LIVING IN THESE VILLAGES, IS THAT OUR MICROLENDING PROGRAMS HELP REBUILD BRIDGES BETWEEN SOME OF THESE CULTURES. IT IS COMMON ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT WILL, IN THE END, BE PART OF THE HEALING PROCESS. // END ACT //// OPT //// OPT SECOND ALIBER ACT //THEY ENCOURAGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THE RECIPIENTS BENEFIT, THE INCOMES OF THE RECIPIENTS ARE HIGHER, THE RECIPIENTS SPEND MORE MONEY, THEY GROW THEIR SMALL BUSINESS FIRMS, THEY SPEND MONEY TO BUY FOOD FOR THEIR FAMILIES, ETC. // END ACT // // END OPT //LATER THIS MONTH (JUNE 24-26), GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES
AND MICROLENDING ORGANIZATIONS WILL GATHER IN IVORY COAST FOR THE
SECOND ANNUAL MICROCREDIT MEETING OF COUNCILS. THEIR GOAL IS TO
SEE 100-MILLION OF THE WORLD'S POOREST FAMILIES RECEIVING CREDIT
FOR SELF-EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES BY
THE YEAR TWO-THOUSAND-FIVE. (SIGNED)
[13] EDITORIAL: MILOSEVIC INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMESDATE= 06/02/99TYPE= EDITORIAL NUMBER= 0-08318 CONTENT=THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST 06/02/99. 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: THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE HAS INDICTED YUGOSLAVIA'S LEADER SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FOR WAR CRIMES. THERE IS AMPLE EVIDENCE OF HIS COMPLICITY IN ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY SERBIAN POLICE, MILITARY, AND PARAMILITARY UNITS AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. THESE ATROCITIES INCLUDE THE MURDER, RAPE, ROBBERY, AND ASSAULT OF CIVILIANS, INCLUDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN, AND THE DELIBERATE DESTRUCTION OF HOMES, MEDICAL FACILITIES, AND PLACES OF WORSHIP. THEY INCLUDE THE FORCIBLE EXPULSION OF AN ESTIMATED ONE-MILLION ALBANIAN KOSOVARS FROM THEIR HOMES. THE REFUGEES HAVE BEEN DENIED FOOD, SHELTER, AND MEDICAL CARE BY SERBIAN AUTHORITIES. THE TOLL OF CIVILIAN DEAD, INJURED, AND SERIOUSLY ILL AS A RESULT OF THEIR BRUTAL MISTREATMENT BY SERBIAN FORCES IS NOT YET KNOWN, BUT IS CERTAINLY IN THE THOUSANDS. THE REIGN OF TERROR IMPOSED ON KOSOVO BY SERBIAN FORCES IS A SERIOUS VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS AND THE RULES OF WAR ACCEPTED BY ALL CIVILIZED NATIONS. THE 1949 GENEVA CONVENTION AND SUBSEQUENT CONVENTIONS EXPRESSLY REQUIRE MILITARY FORCES IN OCCUPIED AREAS TO PROTECT THE CIVILIAN POPULATION FROM HARM. MILITARY COMMANDERS IN KOSOVO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF ALL REGULAR ARMY AND SECURITY FORCES, AS WELL AS THOSE OF CIVILIAN PARAMILITARIES. AND SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF ALL THEM. THE INDICTMENT OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC UNDERSCORES THE REASON FOR THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN -- THE BRUTAL ETHNIC CLEANSING OF KOSOVO BY SERBIAN FORCES UNDER MILOSEVIC'S COMMAND. THE AIR CAMPAIGN WILL STOP WHEN MILOSEVIC ACCEPTS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH BY NATO AND HIS FORCES BEGIN TO WITHDRAW FROM KOSOVO. 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.
[14] OCALAN NEWSMAKER CQ BY SCOTT BOBB (MUDANYA, TURKEY)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43546 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///// FIXES NAME TO APO IN TEXT GRAF SEVEN OF BKG5-43543. /////INTRO: KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN WENT ON TRIAL TODAY (ED'S: MONDAY) ON AN ISLAND PRISON OFF THE COAST OF TURKEY. HE IS ON TRIAL FOR TREASON AND IF CONVICTED WILL RECEIVE A MANDATORY DEATH SENTENCE. THE TRIAL SEEMS DESTINED TO END -- ONE WAY OR ANOTHER -- THE REBEL CAREER OF A MAN REVERED BY MANY KURDS AS THE FOUNDER OF THEIR AUTONOMY MOVEMENT AND BY MANY TURKS, AS A RUTHLESS TERRORIST. CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB, WHO IS COVERING THE TRIAL, HAS THIS PROFILE OF THE KURDISH LEADER. TEXT: DURING HIS CAREER AS ONE OF THE MOST FEARED OPPONENTS OF THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT, ABDULLAH OCALAN HAS BEEN A MIX OF CONTRADICTIONS -- DUE IN PART TO THE FOLKLORE THAT SURROUNDS HIS NAME, AND THE NATURE OF THE STRUGGLE HE HAS WAGED. CONSIDERED BRUTAL AND THUGGISH BY HIS OPPONENTS, HE IS VIEWED AS GIFTED AND CHARISMATIC BY HIS FOLLOWERS. A RESPECTED LEADER OF THE ARMED KURDISH MOVEMENT, HE REPORTEDLY NEVER SAW BATTLE. AND ALTHOUGH HE IS ONE OF THE FATHERS OF THE MOVEMENT TO PROMOTE KURDISH CULTURE, HE REPORTEDLY IS MORE COMFORTABLE SPEAKING TURKISH THAN THE KURDISH LANGUAGE. ABDULLAH OCALAN WAS BORN 50-YEARS AGO TO A POOR FARMING FAMILY IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY ALONG THE SYRIAN BORDER. AS A YOUNG MAN, HE WANTED TO BE A SOLDIER AND APPLIED TO ENTER THE TURKISH ARMY. BUT, HE WAS REJECTED BECAUSE, HE SAYS, HE IS OF KURDISH ORIGIN. SO INSTEAD HE APPLIED AND WAS ACCEPTED AT ANKARA UNIVERSITY'S COMPETITIVE POLITICAL SCIENCE FACULTY. HE SOON BECAME A MARXIST SYMPATHIZER AND A KURDISH NATIONALIST. IN 1972, HE WAS IMPRISONED FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS FOR A PRO-KURDISH ACTIVITIES AND LEFT THE UNIVERSITY. HE SUBSEQUENTLY FOUNDED THE KURDISTAN WORKER'S PARTY, OR P-K-K, AND LAUNCHED THE KURDISH AUTONOMY MOVEMENT. JUST BEFORE THE MILITARY COUP IN TURKEY IN 1980, ABDULLAH OCALAN FLED TO SYRIA AND SET UP TRAINING CAMPS IN THE LEBANESE PLAINS WHICH WERE UNDER SYRIAN CONTROL. APO -- AS HE IS KNOWN TO HIS SUPPORTERS -- LAUNCHED HIS ARMS STRUGGLE ON AUGUST 15, 1984. IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS, THE P-K-K STAGED MANY ATTACKS ON TURKISH SECURITY FORCES AND ON KURDISH VILLAGES THAT SUPPORTED THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT. AN ESTIMATED 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE, INCLUDING MANY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, WERE KILLED IN THE ATTACKS. DURING THE 1990'S MR. OCALAN DECLARED A CEASEFIRE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND OFFERED TO ENTER INTO PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. BUT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT REFUSED ANY DEAL AND VOWED TO CRUSH HIS ORGANIZATION. THE GOVERNMENT MOVED THREE-THOUSAND VILLAGES AWAY FROM KURDISH AREAS OF SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY AND SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENT OFFENSIVES DROVE MANY P-K-K FIGHTERS OUT OF TURKEY INTO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. LAST OCTOBER, THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT THREATENED TO INVADE SYRIA IF IT CONTINUED TO SUPPORT MR. OCALAN. RAPID MEDIATION BY EGYPT AVOIDED ANY OFFENSIVE AND BROUGHT ASSURANCES BY DAMASCUS THAT MR. OCALAN HAD LEFT SYRIA. IN NOVEMBER, MR. OCALAN SURRENDERED TO POLICE IN ITALY AND ASKED FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM. HE WAS REFUSED, AFTER PROTESTS BY TURKEY AND LEFT TWO MONTHS LATER. A NUMBER OF OTHER EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS ALSO TURNED DOWN HIS REQUEST FOR ASYLUM, FEARING A BACKLASH FROM TURKEY, AND MR. OCALAN EVENTUALLY TOOK REFUGE IN GREECE-- A REGIONAL RIVAL. HOWEVER, HIS PRESENCE MADE EVEN THE GREEK GOVERNMENT UNCOMFORTABLE, AND IN FEBRUARY MR. OCALAN WAS FLOWN TO KENYA REPORTEDLY SEEKING ASYLUM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH HAVE NOT YET BEEN FULLY EXPLAINED, HE ENDED UP DRUGGED ON A PRIVATE PLANE FLYING TO TURKEY AND IN THE CUSTODY OF THE TURKISH SPECIAL AGENTS. HE ARREST SPARKED VIOLENT PROTESTS BY KURDISH SYMPATHIZERS IN A NUMBER OF EUROPEAN CAPITALS. SINCE THEN, MR. OCALAN HAS BEEN IMPRISONED ON THE PENAL ISLAND IMRALI IN THE MARMARA SEA SOUTHWEST OF ISTANBUL. HE IS CHARGED WITH TREASON AND FACES THE DEATH PENALTY. IN HIS OPENING REMARKS MONDAY, THE FEARED REBEL LEADER PLEADED TO
THE VICTIM'S FAMILIES FOR FORGIVENESS. HE URGED THE COURT TO
ALLOW HIM TO LIVE, SO THAT HE COULD WORK FOR PEACE AND
RECONCILIATION BETWEEN HIS PEOPLE AND THE TURKS AGAINST WHOM HE
HAS FOUGHT FOR MORE THAN 14-YEARS. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/TMD-T/WFR/RAE
[15] TURKEY/TRIAL OVERNITER (L) BY SCOTT BOBB (MUDANYA, TURKEY)DATE=5/31/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250048 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN TURKEY, THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN IS SET TO ENTER ITS SECOND DAY TUESDAY, AFTER A DAY OF DRAMATIC OPENING TESTIMONY ON MONDAY. VOA CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB IN MUDANYA IS COVERING THE TRIAL. TEXT: THE FACT THAT THERE IS A SESSION TUESDAY SURPRISED MANY PEOPLE SINCE MR. OCALAN'S LAWYERS AT THE START REQUESTED AN ADJOURNMENT TO PRESENT THEIR CASE. BUT THEIR REQUEST WAS DENIED BY THE JUDGES. MR. OCALAN DELIVERED A BRIEF, OPENING STATEMENT MONDAY MORNING -- DURING WHICH HE APOLOGIZED TO FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS OF THE REBEL ATTACKS. HE SAID IF ALLOWED TO LIVE HE WOULD WORK FOR RECONCILIATION BETWEEN TURKS AND KURDS. MR. OCALAN ALSO SAID HE WOULD CALL FOR AN END TO THE VIOLENCE IF THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT SHOWED CLEMENCY. DURING A RAMBLING STATEMENT MONDAY AFTERNOON, THE REBEL LEADER REITERATED HIS DESIRE TO SOLVE THE KURDISH PROBLEM. OBSERVERS SAY THE DEFENDANT ADMITTED PARTIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE 30-THOUSAND DEATHS OF WHICH HE IS ACCUSED. BUT HE SEEMED TO BE GROPING FOR A POLITICAL SOLUTION WHICH THE IMPASSIVE PANEL -- MADE UP OF ONE MILITARY AND TWO CIVILIAN JUDGES -- DID NOT SEEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE. IF CONVICTED, MR. OCALAN FACES A MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY, WHOSE IMPLEMENTATION CAN ONLY BE ORDERED BY THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT. THE KURDISH LEADER HAS BEEN IMPRISONED ON THE IMRALI PRISON
ISLAND, SOUTHWEST OF ISTANBUL SINCE HE WAS CAPTURED LAST FEBRUARY
IN KENYA. HIS CAPTURE FOLLOWED A FOUR-MONTH ODYSSEY DURING WHICH
HE SOUGHT POLITICAL ASYLUM FROM A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES. (SIGNED)
[16] TURKEY / TRIAL (S) BY SCOTT BOBB (MUDANYA, TURKEY)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250058 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE TRIAL OF TURKISH KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN HAS ENTERED ITS SECOND DAY ON A HIGH-SECURITY PRISON ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF TURKEY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM THE COASTAL TOWN OF MUDANYA NEAR THE PRISON THAT PROSECUTORS ARE BEGINNING TO QUESTION THE REBEL LEADER AFTER READING A 139-PAGE INDICTMENT AGAINST HIM ON MONDAY. TEXT: LAWYERS AND JUDGES GOT DOWN TO BUSINESS TUESDAY AFTER SPENDING MOST OF THE FIRST DAY READING THE CHARGES AGAINST MR. OCALAN AND LISTENING TO HIM ASK FOR FORGIVENESS AND SAY HE WANTS TO WORK FOR PEACE. TWO OF MR. OCALAN'S SENIOR LAWYERS WITHDREW FROM THE CASE MONDAY, PROTESTING THE CONDITIONS OF THE TRIAL. JUDGES DENIED THEIR APPEAL FOR AN ADJOURNMENT. OBSERVERS NOTE THAT MR. OCALAN IS LIKELY TO BE CONVICTED AND RECEIVE THE DEATH PENALTY BECAUSE HE HAS TO CONFESSED TO AT LEAST PARTIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEATHS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DURING HIS WAR AGAINST THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT. THEY SAY THE REBEL LEADER SEEMS TO BE SEEKING A DEAL -- AN END TO
THE KURDISH VIOLENCE IN EXCHANGE FOR POLITICAL LEGITIMACY AND HIS
LIFE. (SIGNED)
[17] TURKEY TRIAL TUESDAY (L) BY SCOTT BOBB (MUDANYA, TURKEY)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250082 (L) CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: KURDISH LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN WAS QUESTIONED AT LENGTH BY TURKISH LAWYERS ON TUESDAY ABOUT SUPPORT FOR HIS ORGANIZATION AND ALLEGATIONS OF MURDER AND DRUG TRAFFICKING. THE QUESTIONING CAME DURING THE SECOND DAY OF HIS TREASON TRIAL ON THE IMRALI PRISON ISLAND. CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM THE NEARBY COASTAL TOWN OF MUDANYA. TEXT: INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS ATTENDING THE TRIAL OF ABDULLAH OCALAN SAY THE REBEL LEADER WAS QUESTIONED AT LENGTH TUESDAY ABOUT HIS ORGANIZATION WHICH IS LEGALLY BANNED IN TURKEY, THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR P-K-K. THEY SAY HE SEEMED MORE IN CONTROL THAN ON THE OPENING DAY OF THE TRIAL. AND HE PROVIDED NEW INFORMATION, ALTHOUGH THEY SAY HE WAS VAGUE AT TIMES AND DENIED EVER HAVING ORDERED ANY MURDERS. THE P-K-K IS ACCUSED OF KILLING 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE DURING ITS 14-YEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT. MR. OCALAN ALSO SAID HE NEVER ORDERED THE MURDER OF SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER OLAF PALME IN 1986, AS HAS BEEN ALLEGED. BUT HE SAID THE MURDER MAY HAVE BEEN COMMITTED BY FORMER OFFICERS OF HIS ORGANIZATION. MR. OCALAN SAID GREECE WAS A MAJOR SUPPORTER AND PROVIDED HEAVY WEAPONS AND TRAINING CAMPS FOR BOMBERS. HE SAID P-K-K FIGHTERS ALSO TRAINED IN YUGOSLAVIA AND IN THE CAUCUSES. HE SAID HIS ORGANIZATION RECEIVED NO OFFICIAL ASSISTANCE IN SYRIA BUT DID NOT ENCOUNTER ANY OBSTACLES EITHER. HE SAID THE P-K-K HAD A HOSPITAL IN IRAN THAT WAS KNOWN TO IRANIAN AUTHORITIES, BUT NO MILITARY CAMPS. ASKED ABOUT ALLEGATIONS THAT THE P-K-K FUNDS ITS ACTIVITIES THROUGH DRUG TRAFFICKING, MR. OCALAN SAID HE VIEWS SUCH TRAFFICKING AS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. HE SAID HE FORBADE IT, ALTHOUGH HE SAID THE P-K-K MAY HAVE BENEFITED INDIRECTLY FROM THE GENEROSITY OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS. /// OPT ///DEFENSE LAWYERS AT THE TRIAL REPORTEDLY SPOKE VERY LITTLE DURING TUESDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. HOWEVER, THEY DID COMPLAIN THAT THEY WERE NOT BEING ALLOWED ENOUGH TIME WITH THEIR CLIENT TO PROPERLY PLAN HIS DEFENSE. THEY WERE GRANTED MEETING TIME BEFORE AND AFTER EACH DAY'S PROCEEDINGS./// END OPT /// ONE OF THE DEFENSE LAWYERS WHO HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE CASE, AHMED ZEKI OKCUOGLU, TOLD V-O-A BY TELEPHONE THAT MR. OCALAN IS NOW MAKING STATEMENTS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT HE SAID BEFORE. AND HE SAID THE REBEL LEADER SEEMS TO BE UNDER PRESSURE TO SAY CERTAIN THINGS. ASKED WHAT HE THINKS THE VERDICT WILL BE, MR. OKCUOGLU SAID HE THINKS HIS FORMER CLIENT WILL BE HANGED UNTIL DEAD. /// REST OPT ///NEB/SB/PCF 01-Jun-99 3:19 PM EDT (1919 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America [18] UN/UNSCOM/ RUSSIA (L-O) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (NEW YORK)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250085 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: IN NEW YORK TODAY (TUESDAY), RUSSIA CALLED FOR AN EMERGENCY MEETNG OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE CHEMICALS U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS MAY HAVE LEFT BEHIND IN IRAQ. CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS. TEXT: RUSSIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SERGEI LAVROV, SAYS THE U-N INSPECTORS LEFT SAMPLES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES IN THEIR BAGHDAD LABORATORY WHEN THEY DEPARTED LAST DECEMBER. MEMBERS OF UNSCOM -- THE U-N SPECIAL COMMISSION CHARGED WITH DISMANTLING IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION -- LEFT IRAQ JUST 24 HOURS BEFORE BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES BOMBED IRAQ IN RETALIATION FOR ALLEGEDLY REFUSING TO COOPERATE WITH THE WEAPONS INSPECTORS. U-N INSPECTORS HAVE SAID THAT IRAQ POSSESSES TWO DEADLY CHEMICAL AGENTS -- SARIN AND V-X NERVE GAS. BUT IT IS NOT CERTAIN THAT THE INSPECTION TEAM LEFT SAMPLES OF EITHER OF THE TWO CHEMICALS. MR. LAVROV SAYS UNSCOM CHIEF RICHARD BUTLER HAS SAID NOTHING DANGEROUS WAS LEFT IN UNSCOM OFFICES. BUT MR. LAVROV SAYS RUSSIA WANTS MORE INFORMATION, INCLUDING A WRITTEN REPORT, ON THE MATTER. /// LAVROV ACT ////WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE MEASURES ON THE PART OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS STUFF IS REMOVED FROM THE FORMER UNSCOM OFFICES IN BAGHDAD AND NEUTRALIZED. UNTIL, AND UNLESS, WE KNOW THAT THERE IS AN UNBIASED TEAM ENTERING THOSE PREMISES AND TELLING US WHAT IS IN THERE, WE WOULD NOT BE SATISFIED. /// END ACT ///MR. LAVROV'S CHARGES ARE MADE AGAINST A BACKDROP OF DIPLOMATIC INTRIGUE CONCERNING THE INSPECTION TEAM, PARTICULARY ITS LEADER. MR. BUTLER HAS SAID HE DOES NOT EXPECT HIS CONTRACT TO BE RENEWED WHEN IT EXPIRES THIS MONTH. MR. BUTLER AND RUSSIA HAVE BEEN AT ODDS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR OVER THE ISSUE OF INSPECTIONS IN IRAQ. THE INSPECTIONS ARE TIED TO U-N SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAQ WHICH WERE IMPOSED FOLLOWING IRAQ'S INVASION OF KUWAIT IN 1991. IN ADDITION, THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN DISCUSSING THE CREATION OF A SUCCESSOR ORGANIZATION TO UNSCOM TO CONTINUE MONITORING IRAQ. BRITAIN AND THE NETHERLANDS HAVE PUT FORWARD ONE PLAN. RUSSIA HAS PRESENTED ANOTHER PLAN. THE TWO PLANS DIFFER ON THE ISSUE OF HOW TO HANDLE SANCTIONS. SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT BABOUCARR-BLAISE JAGNE OF GAMBIA SAYS
NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN UNTIL ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL HAVE
SEEN MR. BUTLER'S REPORT, WHICH IS EXPECTED BY EARLY WEDNESDAY.
(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BJS/LSF/WFR
[19] FRANCE TERROR (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250081 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TWENTY-FOUR PEOPLE, DESCRIBED BY PROSECUTORS AS ALGERIAN ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS, WENT ON TRIAL IN PARIS TUESDAY FOR THEIR ALLEGED ROLE IN BOMB ATTACKS IN FRANCE FOUR YEARS AGO. THE ATTACKS LEFT 12 PEOPLE DEAD AND DOZENS MORE WOUNDED. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS. TEXT: AS A COURT OFFICIAL READ OUT THE NAMES OF THE 24 ACCUSED, ASKING THEM TO STAND, EACH STAYED SEATED. THE WOMAN JUDGE TRYING THE CASE ASKED THEM: "WHY WILL YOU NOT STAND?" "BECAUSE Y-O-U ARE SITTING" REPLIED ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS, BOUALEM BENSAID. THE FIRST DAY OF THE ONE-MONTH-LONG TRIAL SET THE TONE FOR WHAT ARE EXPECTED TO BE HIGHLY CONFRONTATIONAL PROCEEDINGS. ALL OF THE 24 DEFENDANTS FACE UP TO 10 YEARS IN JAIL ON CHARGES OF PREPARING A SERIES OF BOMB ATTACKS THAT TERRORIZED FRANCE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE RESULTS ARE STILL VISIBLE TODAY, AS TROOPS TOTING AUTOMATIC RIFLES STILL PATROL MAINLAND RAILROAD STATIONS IN PARIS AND OTHER FRENCH CITIES TO HEAD OFF ANY REPETITION. THE ATTACKS ARE BLAMED ON THE BANNED "ALGERIAN ARMED ISLAMIC GROUPS," OR "G-I-A," THAT ARE ALSO HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF THE WORST ATROCITIES INSIDE ALGERIA DURING RECENT YEARS OF CIVIL STRIFE. THE 1995 FRENCH BOMBINGS BEGAN WITH AN EXPLOSION IN A PARIS SUBWAY TRAIN IN JULY THAT YEAR. EIGHT PEOPLE WERE KILLED. BUT THE SIGNAL FOR THE CAMPAIGN HAD COME TWO WEEKS EARLIER WHEN THE ALGERIAN IMAM OF A PARIS MOSQUE -- HIMSELF AN OPPONENT OF THE GOVERNMENT IN ALGIERS -- WAS SHOT DEAD DURING PRAYERS. THE IMAM HAD ARGUED THAT IT WAS WRONG TO BRING ALGERIA'S CIVIL WAR TO PARIS. ALL THE BOMBS IN 1995 WERE THE SAME TYPE -- CONSISTING OF EMPTY GASOLINE CANISTERS PACKED WITH EXPLOSIVE POWDER AND NAILS AND TRIGGERED BY PRIMITIVE TIMING DEVICES. ONE BOMB WAS SET TO GO OFF BY AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR JEWISH CHILDREN NEAR THE CITY OF LYON. IT EXPLODED EARLY -- JUST TWO OR THREE MINUTES BEFORE THE CHILDREN WERE DUE TO LEAVE THEIR CLASSROOMS. NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT IN THAT ATTACK. DEFENDANT RACHID RAMDA -- WHO IS CONSIDERED BY SOME TO BE THE G-I-A'S BANKER BECAUSE HE TRANSFERRED MONEY TO THE BOMBERS' OPERATION IN FRANCE FROM AN ACCOUNT IN LONDON, WAS ABSENT FROM THE OPENING TRIAL. HE HAS BEEN IN PRISON IN BRITAIN FOR THREE YEARS AS SUCCESSIVE FRENCH ATTEMPTS TO EXTRADITE HIM HAVE FAILED. SOME OF THE OTHERS ACCUSED CAN EXPECT TO GO BEFORE ANOTHER COURT
LATER TO FACE CHARGES THAT THEY ACTUALLY PLACED AND DETONATED THE
BOMBS THAT TURNED THE SUMMER OF 1995 IN FRANCE ... INTO A SEASON
OF TERROR. (SIGNED)
[20] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=6/1/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250088 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE REVERSED DIRECTION IN THE LAST HOUR OF TRADING. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10 THOUSAND 596, UP 36 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 94, DOWN SEVEN POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX LOST MORE THAN TWO PERCENT. STOCKS WERE MOSTLY DOWN UNTIL THE LAST HOUR OF TRADING WHEN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE TURNED POSITIVE BUT THE BROAD MARKET REMAINED NEGATIVE. TRADERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT A MONTHLY INDEX OF U-S MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY WHICH WAS STRONGER-THAN-EXPECTED, TRIGGERING NEW INFLATION FEARS. ///BEGIN OPT//////JOHNSON ACT///THE APPREHENSION IS PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON ISSUES OF VALUATION AND THAT MIGHT CAUSE THE STOCK MARKET TO HAVE A HEALTHY STALL FOR ANOTHER ONE TO THREE MONTHS. ///END ACT & OPT///AN INDEX DESIGNED TO FORECAST FUTURE U-S ECONOMIC ACTIVITY WAS DOWN ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT IN APRIL, ITS FIRST DROP IN SIX MONTHS. BUT ANALYSTS SAY A SMALL ONE-MONTH DROP IN THE INDEX DOES NOT NECESSARILY SIGNAL A SLOWDOWN IN U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH. ///REST OPT///MERRILL LYNCH, THE LARGEST CONSUMER INVESTMENT BROKERAGE FIRM IN THE UNITED STATES, WILL OFFER ONLINE TRADING TO ALL ITS CUSTOMERS EFFECTIVE NEXT MONTH. THE COMPANY CONCEDES IT HAS LOST BUSINESS TO THE MANY EXISTING ONLINE TRADING FIRMS WHICH CHARGE LOW COMMISSIONS. THE LAMAR ADVERTISING COMPANY SAYS IT WILL PAY ONE POINT SIX BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE THE OUTDOOR ADVERTISING BUSINESS OF THE CHANCELLOR MEDIA COMPANY. THE DEAL WILL MAKE LAMAR THE LARGEST BILLBOARD ADVERTISING COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES. CHANCELLOR SAYS IT WANTS TO FOCUS ON ITS CORE RADIO BROADCASTING BUSINESS. CROMPTON AND KNOWLES AND WITCO, TWO U-S SPECIALTY CHEMICAL COMPANIES, ARE MERGING IN A DEAL WORTH MORE THAN TWO BILLION DOLLARS. AMERICA ONLINE, THE WORLD'S LARGEST INTERNET SERVICES COMPANY, WILL PAY 400 MILLION DOLLARS FOR NULLSOFT AND THE SPINNER NETWORKS COMPANY. BOTH FIRMS ARE LEADERS IN SUPPLYING MUSIC ON THE INTERNET. THE CANADIAN-BASED LOEWEN GROUP, NORTH AMERICA'S SECOND-LARGEST FUNERAL AND CEMETERY COMPANY, HAS OFFICIALLY FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY LAW PROTECTION IN BOTH CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES. AN AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION PROGRAM IN THE EARLY 1990'S LEFT THE COMPANY WITH EXCESSIVE DEBT. THE BORDERS BOOKSTORE CHAIN HAS BOUGHT A 20 PERCENT INTEREST IN
THE SPROUT COMPANY WHICH MAKES MACHINES THAT ARE ABLE TO PRINT
BOOKS ON DEMAND. ANALYSTS SAY, IF THE TECHNOLOGY BECOME ACCEPTED,
IT WOULD RADICALLY CUT COSTS IN THE BOOK BUSINESS BY ELIMINATING
TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND PRINTING ONLY THOSE BOOKS WHICH ARE
ACTUALLY SOLD. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/JC/WFR
[21] MILOSEVIC INDICTMENT BY KEVIN LYNCH (WASHINGTON)DATE=06/1/99TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUNDUP NUMBER=6-11317 TELEPHONE=619-2702 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ///// EDS: MATERIAL DATED AFTER 10 P-M EASTERN TIME /////INTRO: THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL'S INDICTMENT OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FOR WAR CRIMES CONTINUES TO DRAW CONSIDERABLE COMMENT IN U-S PAPERS. NONE OF THE PAPERS EXPRESS ANY DOUBT MR. MILOSEVIC IS PRIMARILY TO BLAME FOR THE ATROCITIES HIS FORCES ARE ACCUSED OF COMMITTING IN KOSOVO, BUT SOME OF THE PAPERS HAVE RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE INDICTMENT AND WONDER WHAT EFFECT IT WILL HAVE ON EFFORTS TO END THE BOMBING IN THE BALKANS. NOW HERE IS ______ AND TODAY'S OPINION ROUNDUP. TEXT: "THE BOSTON GLOBE" SAYS THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS BEHAVED CRIMINALLY. BUT IT ADDS: VOICE: IN THE ABSTRACT, THIS INDICTMENT MIGHT SEEM LONG OVERDUE. IN THE REAL WORLD, HOWEVER, IT COULD MAKE INFINITELY MORE DIFFICULT EFFORTS TO BRING PEACE TO THE BALKANS. AS THE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP'S COLIN SOLOWAY ASKED: "WHO CAN MEET WITH HIM IF HE IS AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL? IT COULD MEAN MILOSEVIC IS JUST GOING TO PUT HIS BACK UP TO THE WALL AND FIGHT UNTIL THE END."... THE INDICTMENT OF MILOSEVIC, IF IT IS SEEN AS AN INSTRUMENT OF NATO POLICY, WILL CALL INTO QUESTION THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF AN INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNE. TEXT: "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE" SAYS THAT INDICTMENT WILL COMPLICATE NATO'S ABILITY TO CRAFT A POLITICAL SOLUTION IN THE BALKANS, BUT IT STILL CONSIDERS EMINENTLY JUSTIFIED: VOICE: FINALLY, THE TRIBUNAL HAS FINGERED THE EVIL ARCHITECT OF "ETHNIC CLEANSING" IN THE BALKANS -- THE MAN MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR UNLEASHING THE DEMONS OF HATRED AND SLAUGHTER THAT LED TO THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.... THE UNITED NATIONS COURT ISSUED ARREST WARRANTS AND, ASSUMING HE IS EVER CAPTURED AND TRIED, MILOSEVIC COULD FACE A LIFE SENTENCE. AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, HOWEVER, THE INDICTMENT'S EFFECT IS TO IMPRISON HIM WITHIN HIS COUNTRY -- HE RISKS ARREST IF HE LEAVES. YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS CALLED THE INDICTMENT A POLITICAL PLOY TO JUSTIFY NATO'S AIR WAR AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, NOW IN ITS TENTH WEEK. IT DOES THAT, BUT THE CRIMINAL NATURE OF MILOSEVIC'S BEHAVIOR TOWARD THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS HAS BEEN ALL TOO APPARENT ALREADY.... THE LAST THING NATO NEGOTIATORS SHOULD DO NOW IS OFFER MILOSEVIC ANY KIND OF IMMUNITY FROM PERSECUTION. IN DUE TIME, HE MUST BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SAYS THE MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC EFFECTS OF THE TRIBUNAL'S ACTIONS ARE FROM CLEAR, BUT THE PAPERS SAYS IT COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO TWO DEVELOPMENTS: VOICE: THE WAR CRIMES INDICTMENT IS SOMETHING OF A WILD CARD. BUT IT OUGHT TO 1) PUSH MILOSEVIC TOWARD A SETTLEMENT AND 2) STRENGTHEN NATO'S DETERMINATION TO MAKE THAT SETTLEMENT ONE THAT FULFILLS THE BASIC GOAL OF RETURNING THE REFUGEES TO AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ENSURES THEIR SAFETY AND A LARGE MEASURE OF SELF-DETERMINATION. TEXT: AND THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING FROM U-S EDITORIAL PAGES
ON THE INDICTMENT OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC BY THE WAR TRIBUNAL IN
THE HAGUE.
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