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Voice of America, 99-06-14Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] CLINTON / RUSSIA / KOSOVO (S&L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250630 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///// USE OPT MATERIAL FOR LONG CR. /////INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAVE HAD THEIR SECOND TELEPHONE CONVERSATION IN TWO DAYS ABOUT QUESTIONS SURROUNDING THE ROLE OF RUSSIAN TROOPS IN AN INTERNATIONAL PEACKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. TEXT: WHITE HOUSE AIDES DESCRIBE MONDAY'S DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE TWO PRESIDENTS AS 'CONSTRUCTIVE', BUT FEW DETAILS HAVE BEEN RELEASED. THE PHONE CALL WAS A FOLLOW-UP TO AN HOUR-LONG CONVERSATION THE TWO LEADERS HAD SUNDAY. // OPT //// END OPT //U-S OFFICIALS WERE SURPRISED LATE LAST FRIDAY TO LEARN RUSSIAN TROOPS ENTERED KOSOVO AHEAD OF NATO PEACEKEEPERS. THE RUSSIANS -- WHO OPPOSE SERVING UNDER NATO COMMAND -- WANT CONTROL OF A ZONE IN KOSOVO. BUT THAT IS A DEMAND SECRETARY ALBRIGHT REJECTS, FEARING THE MOVE WOULD LEAD TO THE PARTITIONING OF THE SOUTHERN SERB PROVINCE. AT THE WHITE HOUSE, SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SOUGHT TO PLAY DOWN THE CONTROVERSY AND CONFUSION OVER RUSSIA'S ROLE IN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE. HE SAYS THE ENTRY OF A FEW-HUNDRED RUSSIAN TROOPS INTO KOSOVO BEFORE NATO'S ARRIVAL WAS NOT A MILITARILY SIGNIFICANT EVENT, AND HAS NOT AFFECTED NATO'S PEACEKEEPING MISSION, WHICH HE SAYS IS PROCEEDING ON SCHEDULE. // REST OPT //THE SPOKESMAN SAYS TALKS BETWEEN U-S AND RUSSIANS OFFICIALS WILL ULTIMATELY PROVE SUCCESSFUL IN RESOLVING THE DISAGREEMENT. MR. CLINTON WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET PERSONALLY WITH MR.
YELTSIN NEXT SUNDAY IN COLOGNE, GERMANY, WHERE THE LEADERS OF THE
MAJOR INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS AND RUSSIA WILL BE HOLDING AN
ECONOMIC SUMMIT. (SIGNED)
[02] CLINTON / RUSSIA / KOSOVO (S&L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250630 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///// USE OPT MATERIAL FOR LONG CR. /////INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAVE HAD THEIR SECOND TELEPHONE CONVERSATION IN TWO DAYS ABOUT QUESTIONS SURROUNDING THE ROLE OF RUSSIAN TROOPS IN AN INTERNATIONAL PEACKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. TEXT: WHITE HOUSE AIDES DESCRIBE MONDAY'S DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE TWO PRESIDENTS AS 'CONSTRUCTIVE', BUT FEW DETAILS HAVE BEEN RELEASED. THE PHONE CALL WAS A FOLLOW-UP TO AN HOUR-LONG CONVERSATION THE TWO LEADERS HAD SUNDAY. // OPT //// END OPT //U-S OFFICIALS WERE SURPRISED LATE LAST FRIDAY TO LEARN RUSSIAN TROOPS ENTERED KOSOVO AHEAD OF NATO PEACEKEEPERS. THE RUSSIANS -- WHO OPPOSE SERVING UNDER NATO COMMAND -- WANT CONTROL OF A ZONE IN KOSOVO. BUT THAT IS A DEMAND SECRETARY ALBRIGHT REJECTS, FEARING THE MOVE WOULD LEAD TO THE PARTITIONING OF THE SOUTHERN SERB PROVINCE. AT THE WHITE HOUSE, SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SOUGHT TO PLAY DOWN THE CONTROVERSY AND CONFUSION OVER RUSSIA'S ROLE IN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE. HE SAYS THE ENTRY OF A FEW-HUNDRED RUSSIAN TROOPS INTO KOSOVO BEFORE NATO'S ARRIVAL WAS NOT A MILITARILY SIGNIFICANT EVENT, AND HAS NOT AFFECTED NATO'S PEACEKEEPING MISSION, WHICH HE SAYS IS PROCEEDING ON SCHEDULE. // REST OPT //THE SPOKESMAN SAYS TALKS BETWEEN U-S AND RUSSIANS OFFICIALS WILL ULTIMATELY PROVE SUCCESSFUL IN RESOLVING THE DISAGREEMENT. MR. CLINTON WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET PERSONALLY WITH MR.
YELTSIN NEXT SUNDAY IN COLOGNE, GERMANY, WHERE THE LEADERS OF THE
MAJOR INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS AND RUSSIA WILL BE HOLDING AN
ECONOMIC SUMMIT. (SIGNED)
[03] CLINTON/RUSSIA/KOSOVO UPDATE (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250638 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTR0: U-S SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN AND SECRETARY OF STATE MADELINE ALBRIGHT WILL MEET WITH THEIR RUSSIAN COUNTERPARTS IN HELSINKI THIS WEEK TO SEEK AN AGREEMENT ON RUSSIA'S ROLE IN PEACE KEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. TEXT: SECRETARY ALBRIGHT SAYS THE MEETING TO TAKE PLACE IN THE COMING DAYS WILL TRY TO WORK OUT WHAT SHE CALLS THE LONGER TERM ISSUES CONCERNING RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN KOSOVO. RUSSIA, WHICH HAS BALKED AT HAVING ITS SOLDIERS UNDER NATO COMMAND HAS SOUGHT ITS OWN SECTOR IN KOSOVO TO CONTROL. BUT MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS MOSCOW UNDERSTANDS AND ACCEPTS NATO'S INSISTENCE ON A UNIFIED COMMAND STRUCTURE. ///ALBRIGHT ACT///THE CONCEPT OF UNITY OF COMMAND IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE AGREED TO. WE HAVE ALSO AGREED THAT K-FOR WILL IN FACT HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR EVERY INCH OF KOSOVO TERRITORY. ///END ACT///SECRETARY ALBRIGHT MADE HER COMMENTS AT THE WHITE HOUSE SHORTLY
AFTER PRESIDENT CLINTON SPOKE FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO DAYS
WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, BORIS YELSTIN, ABOUT RUSSIA'S ROLE IN THE
KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING MISSION. (SIGNED)
[04] JACKSON / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250621 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: K-FOR COMMANDER, GENERAL MICHAEL JACKSON, SAYS HE IS NOT CONCERNED THAT RUSSIAN TROOPS ARE AT PRISTINA AIRPORT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER HAS THIS REPORT FROM PRISTINA, KOSOVO. TEXT: GENERAL JACKSON SAYS THE AIRPORT IS NOT IMPORTANT. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS BEING "ON SCHEDULE" FOR THE INTERNATIONAL FORCE TO TAKE OVER AS YUGOSLAV SOLDIERS AND POLICE WITHDRAW. ///ACT JACKSON///I'M VERY HAPPY TO LEAVE THE AIRFIELD IN RUSSIAN HANDS AND COME HERE. NO, IT'S TRUE. I'M MUCH HAPPIER WHERE I AM. AND IF YOU THINK THAT IS A FEEBLE EXCUSE, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY WRONG, BECAUSE I'M QUITE SURE MY RECONNAISSANCE PERSONS DON'T WANT TO BE HERE (I.E., AT THE AIRPORT), WE WANT TO BE CLOSER IN. /// END ACT ///GENERAL JACKSON WELCOMED THE RUSSIAN ROLE FOR K-FOR BUT SAID WHAT EXACTLY THAT WILL BE IS A POLITICAL DECISION. HE SAID WITH ABOUT 14-THOUSAND K-FOR TROOPS IN KOSOVO, THE ENVIRONMENT IS DIFFERENT AND HE HOPES IT WILL IMPROVE FURTHER. AS FAR AS THE K-L-A -- THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- IS
CONCERNED, GENERAL JACKSON SAYS THEY HAVE GIVEN A COMMITMENT TO
DE-MILITARIZE, WE WILL HOLD THEM TO THAT. (SIGNED)
[05] KOSOVO / GROUND TROOPS BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43645 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: MANY MILITARY EXPERTS PREDICTED NATO WOULD HAVE TO MOUNT AN INVASION OF KOSOVO AND THAT AIR POWER ALONE WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH TO FORCE SERB TROOPS OUT OF THE PROVINCE. THAT NEVER HAPPENED. ALTHOUGH THEY WERE PROVEN WRONG, CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS THE PENTAGON IS NOT YET READY TO LET RELIANCE ON AIR POWER ALONE BE A MODEL FOR FUTURE WARS. TEXT: THE PENTAGON CALLS IT THE MOST PRECISE APPLICATION OF AIR POWER IN HISTORY. YET MANY DEFENSE EXPERTS REMAINED SKEPTICAL THAT AIR POWER BY ITSELF WOULD SUCCEED IN FORCING THE YUGOSLAV ARMY OUT OF THE SERB PROVINCE. GROUND TROOPS WOULD BE NECESSARY THE EXPERTS SAID, ADDING THAT NO WAR IN MODERN HISTORY HAD EVER BEEN WON THROUGH AIR POWER ALONE. BUT SEVENTY EIGHT DAYS AND 23-THOUSAND BOMBS AND MISSILES LATER, THEY WERE PROVEN WRONG. DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN CREDITS NATO'S TRIUMPH IN LARGE MEASURE TO REVOLUTIONARY ADVANCEMENTS IN AERIAL FIREPOWER. IN JUST THE EIGHT YEARS SINCE THE GULF WAR, THE USE OF PRECISION-GUIDED BOMBS AND STEALTH AIRCRAFT HAS REVOLUTIONIZED THE WAY AIR WARS ARE CARRIED OUT. // COHEN ACT //AIR POWER HAS DEMONSTRATED SOME IMPORTANT LESSONS. WHEN YOU CAN HAVE A B-2 THAT CAN FLY ALL THE WAY FROM THE MIDDLE OF THIS COUNTRY ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE ATLANTIC AND DROP ITS BOMBS THAT WILL LAND WITHIN TWENTY FEET OF ITS TARGET AND RETURN TO ITS HOME BASE, THAT'S QUITE A TESTAMENT TO THE PRECISION AND TECHNOLOGY THAT WE HAVE. // END ACT //SOME MILITARY EXPERTS ARGUE ALL THIS ADVANCED AIR POWER COULD NOT COMPENSATE FOR HAVING TROOPS ON THE GROUND. BOMBS AND MISSILES DROPPED FROM THE SKY FAILED TO STOP SERB FORCES FROM CARRYING OUT ETHNIC CLEANSING AND OTHER ABUSES, WHICH ONLY INTENSIFIED ONCE THE NATO AIR ATTACKS BEGAN. IN FACT, UP UNTIL JUST DAYS BEFORE BELGRADE AGREED TO SURRENDER, NATO COMMANDER GENERAL WESLEY CLARK WAS URGING THE PENTAGON TO PREPARE FOR AN INVASION. IT WASN'T UNTIL LATE IN THE WAR THAT SERB FORCES IN THE FIELD BEGAN TO TAKE SIGNIFICANT LOSSES. // O'HANLON ACT //FORTY PERCENT -- TWO FIFTHS OF ALL SERBIAN ARMOR THAT WAS LOST IN THE ENTIRE AIR CAMPAIGN WAS LOST IN THE LAST WEEK. //END ACT //MICHAEL O'HANLON IS A DEFENSE EXPERT AT WASHINGTON'S BROOKINGS INSTITUTION. HE ATTRIBUTES THE SERBIAN ACCEPTANCE OF NATO'S DEMANDS TO ADVANCES MADE LATE IN THE WAR BY THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, AS MUCH AS TO NATO AIR POWER. // SECOND O'HANLON ACT //NATO WANTS TO SAY THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAD MORE AIRPLANES AND THE WEATHER WAS BETTER. BUT TO A LARGE EXTENT, AND I THINK TO A DOMINANT EXTENT, I THINK IT WAS BECAUSE THE K-L-A GOT STRONGER. ALSO THE K-L-A GOT STRONGER THROUGH NO GOOD DEED OF NATO. NATO DID NOT MAKE THAT A MATTER OF POLICY. SO IT WAS NOT TO OUR CREDIT THAT THAT ULTIMATELY PLAYED OUT IN SUCH A FASHION. NONETHELESS, I WOULD CONCEDE THAT THE AIR CAMPAIGN DID ULTIMATELY PRODUCE, TOGETHER WITH THE K-L-A GROUND FORCES, A BETTER OUTCOME THAN I EXPECTED AT THIS POINT. // END ACT //WORLD WAR TWO VETERAN AND C-B-S COMMENTATOR ANDY ROONEY TOOK SOME CRITICISM FOR BEING AMONG THE FEW PEOPLE WITH MILITARY EXPERIENCE WHO PREDICTED THAT SUSTAINED, PRECISION-GUIDED AIR POWER COULD -- BY ITSELF -- WIN THE WAR. // ROONEY ACT //WE ARE SO MUCH MORE ACCURATE THAN WE USED TO BE, EVEN WITH THE PROBLEMS WE HAD. THE PROBLEMS WERE NOT WITH THE ACCURACY OF THE BOMBS BUT WITH THE SELECTION OF THE TARGETS. I THINK THERE STILL IS GONG TO BE LOTS OF TIMES WHEN WE'RE GOING TO NEED GROUND TROOPS. // END ACT //ONE OF THOSE TIMES IS NOW -- NOT TO WAGE WAR BUT TO KEEP THE
PEACE IN KOSOVO. NEARLY FOUR YEARS AGO, THOUSANDS OF NATO TROOPS
WERE SENT INTO NEIGHBORING BOSNIA TO KEEP THE PEACE. THEY ARE
STILL THERE. NATO SOLDIERS HEADED FOR KOSOVO ARE ALREADY CALLING
THE PEACE KEEPING MISSION THERE "BOSNIA-TWO". (SIGNED)
[06] KOSOVO / MASS GRAVES (S) BY EVE CONANT (PRISTINA)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250609 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BRITISH PARATROOPERS HAVE DISCOVERED A POSSIBLE MASS GRAVE THAT MAY HAVE CONTAINED 100 BODIES IN THE SOUTHERN KOSOVO VILLAGE OF KACANIK. CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT IN PRISTINA REPORTS THAT IF CONFIRMED IT WOULD BE THE FIRST SUCH SITE FOUND BY PEACEKEEPING TROOPS WHO ARRIVED SATURDAY. TEXT: A K-FOR MILITARY SOURCE SAYS THE EXISTENCE OF A POSSIBLE MASS GRAVE EMERGED WHEN BRITISH PARATROOPERS SAW ETHNIC ALBANIANS LAYING FLOWERS ON FRESHLY DUG GRAVES IN KACANIK, A SMALL VILLAGE 50-KILOMETERS SOUTH OF PRISTINA. VILLAGERS SAY THEY DUG UP BODIES FROM THREE HOLES IN THE GROUND AND THEN -- CAREFULLY AVOIDING MINES -- REBURIED THE BODIES IN A NEARBY GRAVEYARD. THE MILITARY SOURCE SAID THE ALBANIANS LEFT A STICK IN THE GROUND FOR EACH BODY THEY EXHUMED AND SAY THEY COUNTED 99 STICKS IN TOTAL. THE POSSIBLE MASS GRAVE IS BEING REPORTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL
WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. FORENSIC EXPERTS WILL BEGIN
INVESTIGATING THE TERRITORY AS SOON AS IT IS CHECKED AND CLEARED
OF ANY LANDMINES. (SIGNED)
[07] KOSOVO ALBANIA SECURITY (S) BY AMY BICKERS (KUKES, ALBANIA)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250608 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO FORCES ARE TIGHTLY CONTROLLING ACCESS TO KOSOVO FROM ALBANIA ONE DAY AFTER THEY OPENED THE MAIN BORDER CROSSING. AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM KUKES, A LARGE CONCENTRATION OF SERB MILITARY TROOPS SPOTTED NEAR THE BORDER IS CAUSING SECURITY WORRIES. TEXT: NATO TROOPS ARE DISCOURAGING AID AGENCIES FROM MOVING INTO KOSOVO FROM ALBANIA. THE MOVE TO TIGHTEN ACCESS INTO KOSOVO CAME AS A LARGE GROUP OF SERB SOLDIERS WAS SEEN AT A VILLAGE 10 KILOMETERS FROM THE ALBANIAN BORDER. ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, ONE AID AGENCY THAT DELIVERED FOOD TO KOSOVO ON SUNDAY WAS CONSIDERING RETURNING TO ALBANIA BECAUSE OF SECURITY CONCERNS. DESPITE THE DANGERS OF SERB TROOPS AS WELL AS LANDMINES AND
UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE, ABOUT 300 REFUGEES LINED UP MONDAY MORNING
AT THE BORDER IN ORDER TO RETURN HOME. HUMANITARIAN AID
ORGANIZATIONS AND SOLDIERS FROM NATO AND THE REBEL KOSOVO
LIBERATION ARMY ENCOURAGED THEM TO REMAIN IN ALBANIA -- BUT SOME
WERE SEEN ENTERING KOSOVO ANYWAY. (SIGNED)
[08] KOSOVO ALBANIA SECURITY (S) BY AMY BICKERS (KUKES, ALBANIA)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250608 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO FORCES ARE TIGHTLY CONTROLLING ACCESS TO KOSOVO FROM ALBANIA ONE DAY AFTER THEY OPENED THE MAIN BORDER CROSSING. AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM KUKES, A LARGE CONCENTRATION OF SERB MILITARY TROOPS SPOTTED NEAR THE BORDER IS CAUSING SECURITY WORRIES. TEXT: NATO TROOPS ARE DISCOURAGING AID AGENCIES FROM MOVING INTO KOSOVO FROM ALBANIA. THE MOVE TO TIGHTEN ACCESS INTO KOSOVO CAME AS A LARGE GROUP OF SERB SOLDIERS WAS SEEN AT A VILLAGE 10 KILOMETERS FROM THE ALBANIAN BORDER. ACCORDING TO A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, ONE AID AGENCY THAT DELIVERED FOOD TO KOSOVO ON SUNDAY WAS CONSIDERING RETURNING TO ALBANIA BECAUSE OF SECURITY CONCERNS. DESPITE THE DANGERS OF SERB TROOPS AS WELL AS LANDMINES AND
UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE, ABOUT 300 REFUGEES LINED UP MONDAY MORNING
AT THE BORDER IN ORDER TO RETURN HOME. HUMANITARIAN AID
ORGANIZATIONS AND SOLDIERS FROM NATO AND THE REBEL KOSOVO
LIBERATION ARMY ENCOURAGED THEM TO REMAIN IN ALBANIA -- BUT SOME
WERE SEEN ENTERING KOSOVO ANYWAY. (SIGNED)
[09] KOSOVO MASS GRAVES (L) BY EVE CONANT (KACANIK)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250634 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PEACEKEEPING FORCES IN KOSOVO HAVE DISCOVERED A POSSIBLE MASS GRAVE CONTAINING UP TO 40 BODIES IN THE SOUTHERN KOSOVO VILLAGE OF KACANIK. VOA'S EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM THE VILLAGE THAT AMERICAN FORCES HAVE CORDONED-OFF THE AREA AND ARE AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF FORENSIC EXPERTS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. TEXT: A K-FOR (KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCES) MILITARY SOURCE SAYS THE EXISTENCE OF A POSSIBLE MASS GRAVE EMERGED WHEN BRITISH PARATROOPERS NOTICED ETHNIC ALBANIANS LAYING FLOWERS ON FRESHLY-DUG GRAVES IN KACANIK -- A VILLAGE LOCATED ABOUT 50 KILOMETERS SOUTH OF PRISTINA. LOCAL VILLAGERS SAY THAT SERBS WENT ON A KILLING SPREE ON APRIL EIGHTH AND NINTH, AND THEN BURIED THEIR VICTIMS IN THREE LARGE PITS. WHEN THE RAMPAGE WAS OVER, REMAINING VILLAGERS SAY THEY EXHUMED THE BODIES AND REBURIED THEM IN A LOCAL GRAVE YARD LOCATED BEHIND A ROADSIDE GAS (PETROL) STATION. OVER EACH NEW GRAVE THEY PLACED A STICK. EACH STICK HAS NUMBERS ON IT, SUCH AS "79," THEN A SLASH, AND THEN "99" -- MOST LIKELY THE VICTIM'S DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH. THE BRITISH FORCES HAVE HANDED CONTROL OF THE AREA OVER TO AMERICAN FORCES, WHO HAVE CORDONED-OFF THE AREA UNTIL FORENSIC EXPERTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ARRIVE TO INVESTIGATE. AMERICAN SOLDIER ERIC LAMBERT SAYS ONLY RELATIVES OF THE DEAD WILL BE ALLOWED IN. BUT HE DESCRIBES WHAT HE SAW INSIDE. /// LAMBERT ACT ///JUST DIRT MOUNDS, STAKES WITH DATES ON THEM, INDIVIDUAL GRAVES -- I GUESS IT'S THE YEAR THEY'RE BORN, AND THEN "99" ON THE BOTTOM, WHICH EVERYONE ASSUMES IS (THIS) YEAR. /// END ACT ///HE SAYS HE NOTICED ABOUT 40 MOUNDS OF DIRT, SIDE-BY-SIDE, IN TWO LONG ROWS. HE SAYS THERE COULD STILL BE LAND MINES IN THE GRAVE YARD, WHICH MEANS THE VILLAGERS MIGHT HAVE RISKED THEIR OWN LIVES TO BURY THEIR DEAD. IT IS POSSIBLE TO SEE OVER THE FENCE OF THE GRAVEYARD, WHERE AT LEAST 30 WOODEN STAKES ARE VISIBLE IN THE TALL GRASS. ASTRAD VAN GENDEREN STORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY -- THE U-N-H-C-R -- SAYS SHE WAS FOREWARNED BY REFUGEES THAT THIS SITE MIGHT EXIST. /// VAN GENDEREN STORT ACT ///YES, WE WERE ABSOLUTELY EXPECTING IT. I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN INTERVIEWING REFUGEES ALL ALONG WHEN THEY ENTERED INTO BLACE (MACEDONIA) AND WE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM KACANIK AND THERE HAVE BEEN REFUGEES WHO TOLD US ABOUT MASS GRAVES CLOSE TO A PETROL (GAS) STATION. SO THERE WERE THINGS THAT WE KNEW OF ALREADY FROM OUR INTERVIEWS AND WE JUST HAD TO VERIFY IN THE COMING DAYS OR WEEKS. /// END ACT ///THE VILLAGE OF KACANIK IS STILL PATROLLED BY UNARMED KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY UNITS, WHO GUARD THE STREETS AND REGISTER REFUGEES AS THEY RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. MATCHING THE REPORTS OF VILLAGES, K-L-A OFFICER ZEJNULLAH DEMA SAYS THERE WAS A MASSACRE ON APRIL NINTH. HE SAYS YOUNGER PEOPLE WERE SHOT AS THEY TRIED TO RUN AWAY, BUT THAT OLDER PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT ESCAPE SO QUICKLY WERE BRUTALIZED. /// DEMA ACT IN ALBANIAN -- ESTABLISH AND UNDER ///THE GRAVES ARE THE FIRST FINDINGS OF THE K-FOR TROOPS IN KOSOVO. AID WORKERS, THE K-L-A AND REFUGEES THEMSELVES ALL SAY THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING AND THAT THERE WILL BE MANY MORE HORROR STORIES TO COME. ///REST OPT///MEANWHILE IN THE NORTHERN KOSOVO TOWN OF VUCITRN, AN IRISH
JOURNALIST SAYS SHE SAW DOZENS OF BODIES OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS
LYING BY THE ROADSIDE. HER REPORT HAS NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY OR
INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED. (SIGNED)
[10] KOSOVO MASS GRAVES-UPDATE (S) BY EVE CONANT (KACANIK)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250633 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///UPDATES WITH NEW FIGURES AND REWRITES ///INTRO: PEACEKEEPING FORCES IN KOSOVO HAVE DISCOVERED A POSSIBLE MASS GRAVE CONTAINING UP TO 40 BODIES IN THE SOUTHERN KOSOVO VILLAGE OF KACANIK. VOA CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM THE VILLAGE THAT AMERICAN-LED K-FOR TROOPS HAVE CORDONED-OFF THE AREA AND ARE AWAITING THE ARRIVAL OF FORENSIC EXPERTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. TEXT: A K-FOR (KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCES) MILITARY SOURCE SAYS THE EXISTENCE OF A POSSIBLE MASS GRAVE EMERGED WHEN BRITISH PARATROOPERS NOTICED ETHNIC ALBANIANS LAYING FLOWERS ON FRESHLY-DUG GRAVES IN KACANIK -- A VILLAGE LOCATED ABOUT 50 KILOMETERS SOUTH OF PRISTINA. LOCAL VILLAGERS SAY THAT SERBS WENT ON A KILLING SPREE ON APRIL EIGHTH AND NINTH, AND THEN BURIED THEIR VICTIMS IN THREE LARGE PITS. WHEN THE RAMPAGE WAS OVER, REMAINING VILLAGERS SAY THEY EXHUMED THE BODIES AND REBURIED THEM IN A LOCAL GRAVE YARD LOCATED BEHIND A ROADSIDE GAS (PETROL) STATION. OVER EACH NEW GRAVE THEY PLACED A STICK. EACH STICK HAS NUMBERS
ON IT, SUCH AS "79," THEN A SLASH, AND THEN "99" -- MOST LIKELY
THE VICTIM'S DATE OF BIRTH AND DEATH. (SIGNED)
[11] KOSOVO REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250616 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AN INFORMAL SURVEY OF RANDOMLY SELECTED REFUGEES FROM TWO LARGE CAMPS IN MACEDONIA SHOWS EFFORTS TO PERSUADE THEM TO DELAY RETURNING TO KOSOVO IS WORKING. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS 374 PEOPLE FROM THE BRAZDE AND STANKOVEC REFUGEE CAMPS TOOK PART IN THE SURVEY. TEXT: THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION, SHOWS OVER 90 PERCENT OF THE REFUGEES DO NOT INTEND TO RETURN TO KOSOVO IMMEDIATELY. THEY WILL, INSTEAD, WAIT A LITTLE LONGER BEFORE DECIDING TO GO BACK. SPOKESMAN JEAN-PHILIPPE CHAUZY SAYS BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, REGARDLESS OF THEIR AGE, HAD SIMILAR REASONS FOR DELAYING THEIR RETURN HOME. ///CHAUZY ACT///THE MAIN REASONS CITED FOR THIS DECISION WERE NO TRANSPORT HOME -- 43 PERCENT; SECURITY CONCERNS -- 24 PERCENT; WISH TO GO TO A THIRD COUNTRY -- 31 PERCENT; AND PERCEIVED ETHNIC PROBLEMS, STRANGELY ENOUGH, ONLY TWO PERCENT. ///END ACT/////OPT//NOW THAT THE WAR IN KOSOVO IS OVER, THE U-N EXPECTS TO WIND UP THIS PROGRAM IN THE COMING WEEKS. //END OPT// U-N REFUGEE SPOKESWOMAN, JUDITH KUMIN, SAYS THE SURVEY RESULTS INDICATE THAT THE AGENCY'S INFORMATIONAL CAMPAIGN IN ASYLUM COUNTRIES IS PAYING OFF. SHE SAYS THE AGENCY HAS DISTRIBUTED LEAFLETS IN THE CAMPS AND TRANSMITTED MESSAGES ON RADIO WARNING REFUGEES NOT TO RUSH BACK TO KOSOVO. ///KUMIN ACT///WE HAVE TO BE SURE THAT THE NECESSARY SECURITY CONDITIONS ARE THERE. IT'S BETTER TO WAIT A FEW MORE DAYS OR A FEW MORE WEEKS UNTIL THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE TELLS US THAT THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE YUGOSLAV AND SERBIAN TROOPS HAS BEEN COMPLETED, THAT MINES HAVE BEEN CLEARED OFF AT LEAST FROM THE MAIN ROADS, THAT AN EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE TO LOOK FOR UNEXPLODED ORDNANCES OR BOOBY TRAPS, AND THEN MOVE PEOPLE BACK. ///END ACT/////OPT//NEB/LS/PCF 14-Jun-99 9:32 AM EDT (1332 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America [12] KOSOVO/ ROAD TO PRISTINA BY EVE CONANT (PRISTINA, KOSOVO)DATE=6/13/99TYPE=BACKGROUND/FEATIRE REPORT NUMBER=5-43640 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: K-FOR (PEACEKEEPING FORCE) GENERALS HAVE ESTIMATED THAT UP TO TEN THOUSAND PEACE KEEPING TROOPS COULD BE INSIDE KOSOVO BY SUNDAY. BUT TENSIONS REMAIN HIGH AS SERB FORCES PULL OUT AND PEACE KEEPING FORCES MOVE IN. TWO GERMAN JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN KILLED AFTER BEING FIRED UPON BY AN UNIDENTIFIED GUNMEN IN STIMLJE. V-O-A CORREPONDENT EVE CONANT HAS TRAVELED TO THE KOSOVO CAPITAL PRISTINA WHERE LOCAL SERBS ARE OUTRAGED AT WHAT THEY VIEW AS THE FOREIGN OCCUPATION OF THEIR CITY. TEXT: TANKS AND ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS DOMINATE THE ROAD LEADING FROM THE MACEDONIAN BORDER OF SKOPJE TOWARD THE KOSOVO CAPITAL OF PRISTINA. EVERY FEW KILOMETERS IS AN ABANDONED GAS STATION. BUT INSTEAD OF CARS LINING UP FOR FUEL, THERE ARE BRITISH SOLDIERS UNLOADING EQUIPMENT. EVERY VIILLIAGE HAS SEVERAL BLACK BURNED OUT SHELLS OF WHAT HAD BEEN HOMES AND SMALL SHOPS. CLOSER TOWARD PRISTINA ONE CAN SEE GROUPS OF SERB SOLDIERS STANDING IDLY BY THE ROAD WITH THEIR GUNS SWUNG OVER THEIR SHOULDERS. THEY SEEM IN NO RUSH TO LEAVE. ON ONE STRETCH OF THE ROAD IS ANOTHER MAN IN UNIFORM. UNLIKE THE SERBS, HE HAS NO GUN AND UNLIKE THE SERBS, HE SEEMS TO BE IN A GOOD MOOD. HACIF TOPOJANI IS A SOLDIER WITH THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. HE SAYS HE MAKES SURE TO STAY CLOSE TO BRITISH VEHICLES WHILE HE WALKS HOME. // INSERT TOPOJANI ACT //HE IS JOINED ON THE ROAD BY A HANDFUL OF REFUGEES. ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO CAN BE SEEN ASKING BRITISH SOLDIERS AND JOURNALIST FOR WATER TO HELP THEM SURVIVE THEIR LONG WALK HOME. BUT THIS TIME THE ALBANIANS ARE NOT THE ONLY REFUGEES. ON THE ROAD ARE SEVERAL CARS FILLED WITH SERBS. NOW IT IS THEIR TURN TO FLEE. IN THE CAPITAL PRISTINA THERE ARE STILL MANY SERB FORCES AND SERB CIVILIANS. AND LIKE THIS WOMAN THEY ARE AGITATED AND UPSET. //INSERT UNKNOWN WOMAN ACT//I NO LIKE CLINTON, I NO LIKE BLAIR, I NO LIKE ALBRIGHT. HERE IS IN MY COUNTRY. //END ACT//SHE AND A CROWD OF FELLOW SERBS ARE WATCHING ON AS BRITISH A-P-C'S ROLL INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD. SHE CALLS THEM AGRESSORS AND SAYS NATO IS OCCCUPYING HER HOME. A TWENTY YEAR-OLD PRIVATE IN THE SERB ARMY-- ZHARKO RAZNIC -- IS STANDING GUARD NEARBY. HE SAYS THERE IS NO TENSION BETWEEN K-FOR AND THE SERBS, DESPITE OPEN HOSTILITIES IN OTHER PARTS OF KOSOVO. // INSERT RANIC ACT //EVERYTHING IS OKAY BETWEEN SERBS AND NATO. EVERYTHING IS FINE. //END ACT//BUT WHEN ASKED WHO IS IN CHARGE OF PRISTINA, K-FOR OR THE SERBS, HE GETS ANGRY. HE SAYS THE SERBS WANT AND EXPECT THE RUSSIANS TO TAKE OVER. BUT IT IS NOT YET CLEAR WHO IS IN CONTROL HERE. THE RUSSIAN ARMY CONTROLS THE AIRPORT. SERB FORCES STILL GAURD CHECKPOINTS AND ROAM THE STREETS ARMED AND IN UNIFORM. MEANWHILE BRITISH SOLDIERS SEARCH PRISTINA FOR PLACES TO SET UP CAMP. BUT A PRIVATE IN THE BRITISH FORCES, JAMIE JENKINS SAYS THE TENSION IN THE AIR AND THE EVER PRESENT SOUND OF GUNFIRE IS NOT DIRECTED AT THE K-FOR FORCES. //INSERT JENKINS ACT//THERE'S A FEW GUN BATTLES GOING ON BUT THAT'S NOT BETWEEN US AT THE MOMENT. IT'S THE YUGOSLAVIAN FORCES AND KOSOVO FORCES. //END ACT//HE AND HIS BREGADE ARE WAITING FOR AN ABANDONED SCHOOL TO BE CLAERED OF LANDMINES SO THEY CAN SET UP THEIR HEADQUARTERS IN IT. THEY ARE SURROUNDED BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO LIVE IN NEAR-BY APARTMENTS AND NEVER LEFT PRISTINA. THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS SAY DESPITE THE PRESENCE OF BRITISH FORCES
THEY ARE STILL SCARED. THEY SAY THEY BELIEVE THE SERBS WILL
LEAVE BUT THAT THEY WON'T LEAVE QUIETLY. (SIGNED)
[13] KOSOVO/COMPLIANCE (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250641 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE PENTAGON SAYS IT SEES EVERY SIGN THAT SERB FORCES ARE MAKING A DETERMINED EFFORT TO COMPLY WITH THE KOSOVO PEACE AGREEMENT BY MAKING A FAST EXIT FROM THE PROVINCE. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE LAST THE LATEST. TEXT: SOME 14-THOUSAND NATO TROOPS ARE NOW OCCUPYING KOSOVO AND FOR THE MOST PART, THE PENTAGON SAYS SERB FORCES AS WELL AS ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS ARE RESPECTING THE PEACE AGREEMENT. SPOKESMAN KEN BACON. // BACON ACT //GENERALLY, WE SEE THAT THE KOSOVAR LIBERATION ARMY IS SHOWING RESTRAINT IN NOT ATTACKING THE SERBS AS THEY'RE LEAVING AND WE SEE THE SERBS SHOWING MUCH MORE RESTRAINT THAN THEY HAVE IN THE PAST. THERE ARE STILL SCATTERED REPORTS OF BURNING AND LOOTING ON THE WAY OUT. // END ACT //AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE SHOWS CONVOYS OF HUNDREDS OF SERB MILITARY
VEHICLES MOVING OUT OF KOSOVO. AT LEAST 14-THOUSAND SERB FORCES
OUT OF AN ESTIMATED 40-THOUSAND HAVE NOW LEFT. THE PENTAGON
ESTIMATES THAT AT LEAST TEN PEOPLE MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE
NATO TROOPS ARRIVED IN KOSOVO, SEVERAL WHEN PEACE KEEPERS
RESPONDED TO ATTACKS AGAINST THEM. (SIGNED)
[14] KOSOVO/REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250644 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE CHEERING THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCES NOW IN KOSOVO. AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS, THE VAST MAJORITY ARE REMAINING IN CAMPS AND WITH HOST FAMILIES WHILE THE PEACEKEEPERS EVALUATE THE CONDITION OF VILLAGE AND TOWNS THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE. TEXT: /// KIDS PLAYING UP FOR :05 AND UNDER /// THE MOOD AT THE PISCINA (PRONO: PEE-SHEE-NAH) REFUGEE CAMP IN TIRANA IS RELAXED AND UPBEAT. CHILDREN JUMP ROPE AND PLAY TAG IN A LARGE OUTDOOR AREA, WOMEN SIT TOGETHER DOING NEEDLEWORK, WHILE THE MEN, WALK TOGETHER DEEP IN CONVERSATION. THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ONE SUBJECT ON EVERYONE'S MIND: WHEN THEY WILL RETURN TO KOSOVO. THE REFUGEES KNOW THAT 14-THOUSAND NATO TROOPS HAVE SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE, SECURING ROADS, CHECKING FOR LANDMINES AND PROTECTING ETHNIC ALBANIANS AS THE SERB FORCES WITHDRAW. WHILE THERE IS ALREADY A TRICKLE OF PEOPLE RETURNING BY FOOT, CAR AND TRACTOR, MOST REFUGEES ARE WAITING UNTIL NATO AND HUMANITARIAN AID GROUPS APPROVE THEIR REPATRIATION. FRIDINA, (PRONO: FREE-DANYA) A 26 YEAR-OLD STUDENT FROM PEA (PRONO PAY-AH), SAYS THROUGH A TRANSLATOR THAT SHE IS EAGER TO CHECK ON THE CONDITION OF HER HOME, BUT THAT SHE WILL WAIT AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE SHE RETURNS. /// FRIDINA ACT/ TRANSLATOR ///I DO NOT HAVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MY HAPPINESS ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF GOING BACK BUT WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NATO SAYS IT IS SAFE TO RETURN. /// END ACT ////// NEKI ACT/TRANSLATOR ///YES WE HAVE HEARD THE UNHCR (U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES) SAYING THAT IT IS DANGEROUS TO RETURN FOR THE MOMENT AND WE ARE VERY PLEASED SOMEONE IS TAKING CARE OF US BECAUSE WE KNOW THE ENEMY IS UNPREDICTABLE AND MIGHT PUT IN MINES AND POISON WATER. I THINK OUR RETURN SHOULD BE ORGANIZED AS THE UNHCR AND OTHER AGENCIES ARE PREPARING TO DO. /// END ACT //CAPTAIN WOLGANG GREFTREN (PRONO: GRAV-EN) OF NATO, TOLD REPORTERS MONDAY THAT NATO IS RELIEVED THAT MOST REFUGEES ARE NOT YET MOVING TOWARDS KOSOVO. /// GREVEN ACT ///WE SEE A LITTLE MOVEMENT, BUT NOT VERY MUCH. COMPLIMENT TO THE REFUGEES, COMPLIMENT TO THE ALBANIANS, THEY ARE REALLY BEHAVING IN AN INTELLIGENT AND GOOD WAY. THEY WANT TO BE SAFE. /// END ACT ///IN ADDITION TO LAND MINES AND UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE, MANY OTHER
HAZARDS REMAIN IN KOSOVO. THEY INCLUDE DESTROYED BRIDGES AND
ROADS, AS WELL AS COUNTLESS BUILDINGS BURNED DOWN BY SERB FORCES.
HUMANITARIAN AID WORKERS WARN THE FLOW OF REFUGEES GOING BACK TO
KOSOVO WILL INCREASE QUICKLY. BUT THEY STRESS THAT THE LONGER THE
REFUGEES WAIT, THE SAFER THEY WILL BE. (SIGNED)
[15] KOSOVO/RUSSIAN TROOPS (S) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250637 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE PENTAGON SAYS IT SEES EVERY SIGN THAT SERB FORCES ARE MAKING A DETERMINED EFFORT TO COMPLY WITH THE KOSOVO PEACE AGREEMENT BY MAKING A FAST EXIT FROM THE PROVINCE. BUT, AS CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS, STILL PREVENTING NATO'S FULL DEPLOYMENT IS THE YET TO BE RESOLVED MYSTERY OVER WHY RUSSIAN TROOPS DECIDED TO MOVE INTO KOSOVO ON THEIR OWN. TEXT: A SECOND DAY OF PHONE CALLS (MONDAY) BETWEEN PRESIDENTS CLINTON AND YELTSIN FAILED TO CLEAR UP QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY MOSCOW SENT SOME 200 TROOPS TO PRISTINA AIRPORT -- AHEAD OF THE DEPLOYMENT OF BRITISH NATO FORCES. THREE DAYS AFTER THEIR SUDDEN ARRIVAL, U-S OFFICIALS STILL HAVE NO THOROUGH EXPLANATION FROM MOSCOW ABOUT WHETHER THE TROOPS WERE ACTING ON THEIR OWN OR WITH ORDERS FROM THE KREMLIN. PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON. // BACON ACT //IT'S CLEAR FROM THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S STATEMENTS THAT MOSCOW ITSELF IS LOOKING INTO THAT. WE'LL LET THEM SORT THAT OUT. // END ACT //DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN AND SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE
ALBRIGHT ARE EXPECTED TO HOLD FACE TO FACE MEETINGS IN THE NEXT
FEW DAYS WITH SENIOR RUSSIAN OFFICIALS IN HELSINKI IN AN EFFORT
TO OVERCOME THE IMPASSE AND FIND A NICHE FOR RUSSIA IN THE
PEACEKEEPING FORCE. RUSSIAN OFFICIALS HAD ASSURED NATO ITS
TROOPS WOULD WITHDRAW. BUT PENTAGON SPOKESMAN BACON SAYS HE SEES
NO SIGNS THE RUSSIANS ARE PREPARING TO LEAVE AND EXPECTS THEM TO
SOON BEGIN RESUPPLY OPERATIONS. (SIGNED)
[16] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (WASHINGTON)DATE=06/10/99TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11334 TELEPHONE=619-2702 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= /// ED'S: MATERIAL DATED AFTER 10 P-M EASTERN TIME ///INTRO: THE KOSOVO ISSUE DOMINATED THE OPINION PAGES OF MANY U-S NEWSPAPERS MONDAY. EDITORIAL WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS ARE COMMENTING ON THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE PLAN, THE ROLE OF U-S TROOPS IN THE KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE AND THE SURPRISE DEPLOYMENT OF 200 RUSSIAN TROOPS TO THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA. HERE WITH A SAMPLING IS ___________ WITH TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCES ARE MOVING INTO KOSOVO AND SERB TROOPS ARE WITHDRAWING -- MAKING FRONT-PAGE NEWS AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN YUGOSLAVIA HAVE TAKEN JUST AS PROMINENT A SPOT ON U-S EDITORIAL PAGES. "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STRATEGY IN THE BALKANS HAS PAID OFF. THE PAPER CRITICIZES THE PRESIDENT'S CRITICS FOR FAILING TO GIVE HIM CREDIT FOR SUCCESS IN KOSOVO: VOICE: HAVING LABELED THIS "MR. CLINTON'S WAR," CRITICS NOW FIND THEMSELVES IN A BOX, GIVEN IT SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION. ... MUCH OF THE [REPUBLICAN] CRITICISM OF THIS WAR WAS BASED, NOT ON STRATEGIC AND MILITARY CONSIDERATIONS, BUT ON REPUBLICANS' PROFOUND DISLIKE OF THIS PRESIDENT. THAT IS NOT A PROPER BASIS FOR DETERMINING PUBLIC POLICY. TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" GOES ON TO SAY THE HARD PART HAS JUST BEGUN IN KOSOVO -- BUILDING PEACE AND A CIVIL ADMINISTRATION WHILE PREPARING FOR THE RETURN OF UP TO ONE-MILLION REFUGEES. OTHER PAPERS TURNED THEIR ATTENTION TO THE NEW NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE MAKING ITS WAY INTO KOSOVO. A SERIOUS DEBATE IS GROWING AROUND THE ROLE OF U-S TROOPS IN THE FORCE. SOME IN CONGRESS HAVE CALLED FOR CUTTING OFF U-S MILITARY FUNDING FOR THE OPERATION AS EARLY AS SEPTEMBER. THE "U-S-A TODAY" CALLS THAT PROPOSAL -- IRRESPONSIBLE. VOICE: ON A HUMAN LEVEL, IT BREAKS FAITH WITH THE DEPORTED KOSOVARS WHOM WEEKS OF BOMBING WERE INTENDED TO HELP. ON A POLICY LEVEL, IT UNDERCUTS U-S LEADERSHIP IN NATO. ... WITH NO SECURITY CRISES OF SOVIET-LEVEL ALARM, THE U-S, AS LEADER OF NATO, CAN AFFORD TO HANDLE A SHARE OF THE KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING DUTIES. TEXT: BUT THE "U-S-A TODAY" ALSO PRESENTS AN OPPOSING VIEWPOINT FROM U-S SENATOR JAMES INHOFE, A REPUBLICAN FROM OKLAHOMA. VOICE: STOPPING A WAR WE SHOULD HAVE NEVER STARTED IS GOOD POLICY. PLACING U-S TROOPS IN AN INDEFINITE PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN KOSOVO ... IS NOT. KOSOVO IS NOT IN AMERICA'S VITAL SECURITY INTEREST. IT IS IN EUROPE'S. WE PAID FOR THE AIR WAR. EUROPE SHOULD CARRY THE PEACEKEEPING LOAD. THE U-S MILITARY SHOULD RETURN TO ITS PROPER MISSION -- DEFENDING AMERICA. TEXT: IN RECENT DAYS, THE APPEARANCE OF 200 RUSSIAN TROOPS AT THE AIRPORT IN PRISTINA HAS COMPLICATED NATO'S DEPLOYMENT IN KOSOVO. A NUMBER OF U-S NEWSPAPERS FOCUSED ON THE ROLE OF RUSSIA IN THE KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" SAYS NO ONE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SURPRISED WHEN THE RUSSIAN TROOPS MOVED IN, DESPITE MOSCOW'S REASSURANCES THE DEPLOYMENT WAS A MISTAKE, THE TROOPS WOULD STOP AT THE KOSOVO BORDER, OR THAT THEY WOULD WITHDRAW FROM THE PROVINCE. VOICE: THAT ANY OF THESE ASSERTION SHOULD FOR A SECOND BE WEIGHED SERIOUSLY IN WASHINGTON SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF KOSOVO POLICY, AS DOES THE SPECULATION HERE THAT THE ORDERS COULD HAVE COME FROM ANY PLACE BUT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT. "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" SAYS THE STANDOFF GIVES MOSCOW A CHANCE TO EXERT ITS MILITARY INFLUENCE IN EUROPE IN A WAY MANY WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IMPOSSIBLE JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS WASHINGTON IS RIGHT TO INSIST ON A UNIFIED COMMAND FOR PEACEKEEPING FORCES IN KOSOVO, TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ACCIDENTAL CONFRONTATION. THE TIMES ALSO SAYS RUSSIA SHOULD NOT CONTROL A SEPARATE SECTOR OF THE PROVINCE -- WHICH, THE PAPER SAYS, COULD EQUAL PARTITION. BUT THE TIMES SAYS NATO AND THE KREMLIN NEED TO FIND A WAY TO WORK TOGETHER. VOICE: NATO SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT THE RUSSIAN MILITARY ... CANNOT BE SEEN AS TAKING DIRECT ORDERS FROM THE ALLIANCE. SOME KIND OF FACE-SAVING PROCEDURE MUST BE DEVELOPED THAT GIVES RUSSIAN FORCES CONSIDERABLE LATITUDE WITHIN THE PEACEKEEPING OPERATION. ... THE WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA IS OVER, BUT THE EVENTS OF THE WEEKEND SHOW HOW HARD IT WILL BE TO PRODUCE AN ENDURING PEACE. SECURING THE COOPERATION OF RUSSIA IS ESSENTIAL TO EVERYTHING ELSE. TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS ESCALATING MILITARY TENSION WITH MOSCOW WOULD SERVE NO ONE'S INTEREST. AND THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS FOR
MONDAY, JUNE 14TH. (SIGNED)
[17] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250642 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE GENERALLY UP TODAY (MONDAY) ALTHOUGH THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL WEAKNESS IN MANY TECHNOLOGY STOCKS. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10 THOUSAND 563, UP 72 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 94, UP A FRACTION OF ONE POINT. THE NASDAQ INDEX LOST TWO PERCENT, REFLECTING WEAKNESS IN TECHNOLOGY STOCKS, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF INTERNET COMPANIES.. AS IN THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS, INTEREST RATES DOMINATED DISCUSSIONS ON WALL STREET. A GENERAL CONSENSUS SEEMS TO BE DEVELOPING THAT IF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK RAISES SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES BY ONE-QUARTER PERCENT LATER THIS MONTH, IT SHOULD NOT HURT THE STOCK MARKET. HOWEVER, IF THE CENTRAL BANK SENDS A SIGNAL THAT THE INCREASE IS JUST THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF INTEREST RATE HIKES, THAT COULD PUSH BOTH THE STOCK AND BOND MARKETS LOWER. CENTRAL BANK CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN DID NOT COMMENT ON INTEREST RATES DURING TESTIMONY BEFORE A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE WHICH IS REVIEWING THE ROLE OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY IN THE U-S ECONOMY. HOWEVER, MR. GREENSPAN DID CAUTION THAT IT IS LIKELY THAT THE HIGH RATE OF U-S PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH WILL SLOW IN THE FUTURE. ///REST OPT//////GREENSPAN ACT///THE RATE OF GROWTH IN PRODUCTIVITY CAN NOT INCREASE INDEFINITELY. WHILE THERE APPEARS TO BE CONSIDERABLE EXPECTATION IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND ON WALL STREET THAT THE PRODUCTIVITY ACCELERATION HAS NOT YET PEAKED, EXPERIENCE DOES ADVISE CAUTION. ///END ACT///STAGECOACH HOLDINGS, A BRITISH BUS AND RAIL COMPANY, WILL PAY ONE POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE COACH U-S-A, THE LARGEST CHARTER AND TOUR BUS OPERATOR IN THE UNITED STATES. THE CONSOLIDATION IN THE U-S GAS AND ELECTRIC UTILITY INDUSTRY CONTINUES. THE DYNEGY COMPANY OF TEXAS WILL PAY FOUR BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE ILLINOVA, BASED IN THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF ILLINOIS. THE BOEING AIRCRAFT COMPANY HAS RECEIVED ORDERS FOR TWENTY-FIVE
737 MODEL JETLINERS. JET AIRWAYS, THE LARGEST PRIVATE AIRLINE IN
INDIA WILL BUY 10 AND MIDWAY, A REGIONAL CARRIER IN THE UNITED
STATES, HAS ORDERED FIFTEEN 737'S.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
[18] NATO-KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250612 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO FORCES IN KOSOVO ARE SETTING UP THEIR OPERATIONAL HEADQUARTERS SOUTH OF THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS THAT NATO REPORTS THE SERB WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO IS PROCEEDING ON SCHEDULE. TEXT: NATO PEACEKEEPER TROOPS IN KOSOVO NOW EXCEEDS 14-THOUSAND. ACCORDING TO NATO ESTIMATES, THE SERBIAN WITHDRAWAL IS ON SCHEDULE, WITH 10-THOUSAND TROOPS HAVING LEFT KOSOVO, ALONG WITH 15 PERCENT OF THE TANKS, 10 PERCENT OF THE ARTILLERY AND ONE-THIRD OF THE ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS. NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS THE RECENT KILLING OF ARMED SERBS BY THE NATO-LED PEACEKEEPER "K-FOR" TROOPS SHOULD SERVE WARNING TO ANY FUTURE CHALLENGES. ///SHEA ACT///THE VERY ROBUST WAY IN WHICH THE K-FOR FORCES RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY TO ANYBODY THREATENING THEIR LIVES ACCORDING TO THEIR RULES OF ENGAGEMENT IS, I HOPE, A SIGNAL THAT WILL BE HEEDED VERY CLEARLY BY ANY OTHER ARMED ASSAILANTS ON THE GROUND. ///END ACT///NATO HAS CALLED FOR RESTRAINT BY KOSOVO'S SERBS AND ALBANIANS,
SAYING THE INCOMING PEACEKEEPERS WILL PROTECT BOTH COMMUNITIES.
(SIGNED)
[19] PRISTINA STREET SCENE BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA, KOSOVO)DATE=6/13/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43639 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// RE-RUNING W/CORRECT SPELLING IN FIRST GRAPH ///INTRO: ON THE DAY K-FOR ARMORED UNITS TOOK UP POSITIONS IN PRISTINA, THE CAPITAL OF KOSOVO, THERE WERE STILL ARMED YUGOSLAV SOLDIERS AND POLICE CONTROLLING PARTS OF THE CITY. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER IS IN PRISTINA AND HAS A REPORT. TEXT: AS I AM WRITING THIS, A YUGOSLAV INTERIOR MINISTRY POLICEMAN ARMED WITH A K/A/L/A/S/H/N/I/K/O/V RIFLE AND AN AUTOMATIC PISTOL IS LOUNGING ON THE TRUNK LID OF MY CAR. ALL THE YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE OUT OF PRISTINA WITHIN 36-HOURS. MEANWHILE, THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO OPERATE CHECK POINTS OR OTHERWISE EXERT AUTHORITY. A BUILDING ON THE GROUNDS OF ONE OF PRISTINA'S OLD MOSQUES WAS BURNING FIERCELY SUNDAY AFTERNOON, WHILE ACROSS THE STREET YUGOSLAV SOLDIERS LOADED A BUS. A SHORT WHILE LATER THE BUS WAS GONE AND THE FIRE HAD GUTTED THE BUILDING. MANY ETHNIC SERBS CAN BE SEEN LEAVING IN PRIVATE CARS WITH SUITCASES PILED INSIDE AND OUT. ON THE MAIN STREET, BRITISH BATTLE TANKS AND ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS ROAR TO LOCATIONS AROUND THE CITY, BUT A SHORT DRIVE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT ONCE HOUSE THE AMERICAN MISSION SHOWED THERE IS A SERB CHECKPOINT. NEAR PRISTINA AIRPORT, YUGSOLAV SOLDIERS WITH ARMORED VEHICLES STOPPED JOURNALISTS AND DEMANDED TO SEE THEIR PASSPORTS. AFTER EXAMINATION, THE REPORTERS WERE WAVED ON, THOUGH NONE HAD VALID YUGOSLAV VISAS. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SIMPLE HARASSMENT, OR A SEARCH FOR ETHNIC ALBANIANS. IT APPEARS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT A FEW DAYS FROM NOW, PRISTINA
WILL BE A DIFFERENT CITY. ALBANIANS WILL START TO SHOW
THEMSELVES ON THE STREETS, AND THERE WILL BE ONLY K-FOR SOLDIERS
HERE. (SIGNED)
[20] U-N / KOSOVO ADMINISTRATION (S) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250627 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (MONDAY) RELEASED ITS PROPOSAL FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KOSOVO AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW POLITICAL STRUCTURE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE STORY. TEXT: THE PROPOSAL IS OUTLINED IN A BRIEF DOCUMENT SENT BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL. IT CALLS FOR A U-N-APPOINTED SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO HEAD A TEAM OF FOUR DEPUTY REPRESENTATIVES. THEY WILL LEAD EFFORTS TO CREATE AN INTERIM CIVIL ADMINISTRATION, ENABLE THE RETURN OF REFUGEES, BEGIN THE BUILDING OF A LONGER-TERM DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL STRUCTURE AND OVERSEE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KOSOVO'S INFRASTRUCTURE. SOME OF THE TASKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN COORDINATION WITH THE
ORGANZIATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, THE O-S-C-E.
MR. ANNAN SAYS IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE U-N MISSION COORDINATE
ITS ACTIVITIES CLOSELY WITH THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
PRESENCE NOW DEPLOYING IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. FULL DETAILS OF
THE PROPOSAL WILL BE ANNOUNCED WITHIN 30 DAYS. (SIGNED)
[21] U-N / KOSOVO ADMINISTRATION (S) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=6/14/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250627 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (MONDAY) RELEASED ITS PROPOSAL FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KOSOVO AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW POLITICAL STRUCTURE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE STORY. TEXT: THE PROPOSAL IS OUTLINED IN A BRIEF DOCUMENT SENT BY SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL. IT CALLS FOR A U-N-APPOINTED SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO HEAD A TEAM OF FOUR DEPUTY REPRESENTATIVES. THEY WILL LEAD EFFORTS TO CREATE AN INTERIM CIVIL ADMINISTRATION, ENABLE THE RETURN OF REFUGEES, BEGIN THE BUILDING OF A LONGER-TERM DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL STRUCTURE AND OVERSEE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KOSOVO'S INFRASTRUCTURE. SOME OF THE TASKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN COORDINATION WITH THE
ORGANZIATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, THE O-S-C-E.
MR. ANNAN SAYS IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE U-N MISSION COORDINATE
ITS ACTIVITIES CLOSELY WITH THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
PRESENCE NOW DEPLOYING IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. FULL DETAILS OF
THE PROPOSAL WILL BE ANNOUNCED WITHIN 30 DAYS. (SIGNED)
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