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Voice of America, 99-06-25

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

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)
  • [02] CLINTON/KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)
  • [03] E-U / KOSOVO PRESS (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)
  • [04] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)
  • [05] KOSOVO / REFUGEE RETURNS (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)
  • [06] KOSOVO GUNFIGHT (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)
  • [07] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES BY EVE CONANT (PRISTINA)
  • [08] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES BY EVE CONANT (PRISTINA)
  • [09] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)
  • [10] RUSSIA PARLIAMENT / KOSOVO (S) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MOSCOW)
  • [11] RUSSIA PARLIAMENT / KOSOVO (S) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MOSCOW)
  • [12] TURKEY / KURDS DISPLACED BY SCOTT BOBB (DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY)
  • [13] TURKEY AFTER KOSOVO (CQ) BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)
  • [14] U-N / KOSOVO / G-EIGHT (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)
  • [15] UNHCR / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

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

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-251119
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON, IN HIS FIRST FULL-SCALE NEWS CONFERENCE SINCE THE END OF THE KOSOVO AIR CAMPAIGN, SAYS THE SERBIAN PEOPLE MUST COME TO GRIPS WITH THE HORRORS COMMITTED IN KOSOVO BY PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

    TEXT: THE PRESIDENT DELIVERED A BLUNT WANRING TO THE PEOPLE OF SERBIA THAT THE COUNTRY CANNOT EXPECT ANY RECONSTRUCTION HELP AS LONG AS MR. MILOSEVIC REMAINS IN CHARGE. IN A LENGTHY SESSION WITH REPORTERS THAT INCLUDED SEVERAL KOSOVO QUESTIONS, MR. CLINTON SAID SERBS HAVE TO "GET OUT OF DENIAL" ABOUT THE MURDERS, RAPES AND OTHER CRIMES COMMITTED ON MR. MILOSEVIC'S ORDERS, AND DECIDE WHETHER THEY SUPPORT HIS CONTINUED LEADERSHIP:

    /// CLINTON ACTUALITY ///

    THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEY THINK THAT IS O-K. AND IF THEY THINK IT'S O-K THEY CAN MAKE THAT DECISION. BUT I WOULDN'T GIVE THEM ONE CENT FOR RECONSTRUCTION IF THEY THINK IT'S O-K.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. CLINTON ALSO SAID HE WAS HEARTBROKEN BY THE MISTAKEN U-S BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE, AND SAID HE HAD "NO EARTHLY IDEA" THAT THE U-S MILITARY TARGETING SYSTEM COULD COMMIT SUCH AN ERROR. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAG/GM
    25-Jun-99 6:06 PM EDT (2206 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-251122
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON, IN HIS FIRST FULL-SCALE NEWS CONFERENCE SINCE THE END OF THE KOSOVO AIR CAMPAIGN, SAYS THE SERBIAN PEOPLE MUST COME TO GRIPS WITH THE HORRORS COMMITTED IN KOSOVO BY THE FORCES OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

    TEXT: THE PRESIDENT DELIVERED A BLUNT WARNING TO THE PEOPLE OF SERBIA THAT THE COUNTRY CANNOT EXPECT ANY RECONSTRUCTION HELP AS LONG AS MR. MILOSEVIC REMAINS IN CHARGE.

    IN A LENGTHY SESSION WITH REPORTERS THAT INCLUDED SEVERAL KOSOVO QUESTIONS, MR. CLINTON SAID SERBS HAVE TO "GET OUT OF DENIAL" ABOUT THE MURDERS, RAPES AND OTHER CRIMES COMMITTED ON MR. MILOSEVIC'S ORDERS, AND DECIDE WHETHER THEY SUPPORT HIS CONTINUED LEADERSHIP:

    /// FIRST CLINTON ACTUALITY ///

    THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO COME TO GRIPS WITH IT. AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY SUPPORT HIS LEADERSHIP OR NOT. WHETHER THEY THINK IT'S O-K THAT ALL THOSE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE KILLED, AND ALL THOSE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE RUN OUT OF THEIR HOMES, AND ALL THOSE LITTLE GIRLS WERE RAPED AND ALL THOSE BOYS WERE MURDERED. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEY THINK THAT IS O-K. AND IF THEY THINK IT'S O-K THEY CAN MAKE THAT DECISION. BUT I WOULDN'T GIVE THEM ONE CENT FOR RECONSTRUCTION IF THEY THINK IT'S O-K.

    /// END ACT ///

    THE UNITED STATES ANNOUNCED THURSDAY IT WOULD PAY UP TO FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST OF MR. MILOSEVIC AND OTHERS INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. BUT MR. CLINTON REJECTED A SUGGESTION THAT THIS AMOUNTED TO PUTTING A PRICE ON THE HEAD OF THE SERB LEADER -- SAYING THE DECADES-OLD U-S LAW AGAINST ATTEMPTS ON THE LIVES OF FOREIGN LEADERS IS BEING "RIGOROUSLY" MAINTAINED.

    MR. CLINTON ACKNOWLEDGED SURPRISE THAT THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT HELD OUT FOR SO LONG AGAINST THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN. BUT HE SAID THE BIGGEST SURPRISE WAS THE MISTAKEN MAY SEVENTH U-S BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE, ABOUT WHICH HE SAID HE IS HEARTBROKEN:

    /// SECOND CLINTON ACTUALITY ///

    I'M TERRIBLY SORRY ABOUT THE EMBASSY. WE MADE OUR REPORT, I'VE GOTTEN A REPORT AND I MADE SURE THE CHINESE GOT ESSENTIALLY THE SAME REPORT I DID. WE DIDN'T PUT ANY VARNISH ON IT AND I'M SORRY ABOUT IT. BUT OUR PILOTS, ON THE WHOLE DID A SUPERB JOB, AND WE DID THE RIGHT THING. AND I HOPE THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AS TIME GOES ON WILL FEEL MORE AND MORE STRONGLY THAT WE DID.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. CLINTON EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER APPARENT REVENGE ATTACKS BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS AGAINST SERBS IN KOSOVO, AND SAID THE BEST WAY TO COUNTER THEM IS TO DEPLOY THE FULL NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

    HE SAID THE TWO COMMUNITIES WILL NEED MUCH TIME AND OUTSIDE HELP IF THEY ARE TO EVER AGAIN LIVE TOGETHER IN PEACE. HE SAID THE IMMEDIATE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON REBUILDING BOTH THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WAR DAMAGE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAG/GM
    25-Jun-99 6:56 PM EDT (2256 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [03] E-U / KOSOVO PRESS (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-251093
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, THE EXECUTIVE BODY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, HAS ANNOUNCED AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO HELP DISPLACED JOURNALISTS IN YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE EUROPEANS ARE TRYING TO ASSIST AN INDEPENDENT MEDIA IN YUGOSLAVIA.

    TEXT: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SAYS DESPITE THE POLITICAL PEACE AGREEMENT IN KOSOVO, THE SITUATION FOR JOURNALISTS THERE IS CRITICAL. IT SAYS THERE IS LITTLE MONEY TO RESTART NEWSPAPERS, AND THERE ARE FEW WAYS TO GET ACCURATE INFORMATION TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES WHO REMAIN IN MACEDONIA OR ALBANIA. IN SERBIA, WAR-TIME RESTRICTIONS ARE STILL IN PLACE AGAINST INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS. CENSORSHIP AGAINST NEWSPAPERS IS IN FORCE, AND THE GOVERNMENT CONTROLS TELEVISION AND RADIO.

    THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IS SPENDING MORE THAN 700-MILLION DOLLARS TO ASSIST THE FREE MEDIA IN THE BALKANS. THIS IS THE FIRST STAGE OF WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE A THREE-YEAR STRATEGY OF REBUILDING A FREE MEDIA.

    THE COMMISSION'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPOKESMAN, NICO WEGTER, SAYS THE PROGRAM AIMS TO PROMOTE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS EVEN IF CONFLICTING VIEWS ARE EXPRESSED.

    /// WEGTER ACT ///

    FREEDOM OF THE PRESS MEANS THAT ALL OPINIONS SHOULD BE EXPRESSED -- AT LEAST, THERE SHOULD BE THE POSSIBILITY THAT ALL OPINIONS SHOULD BE EXPRESSED. THAT IS PART OF DEMOCRACY. WHAT IT ALL ENTAILS IN PRACTICE REMAINS TO BE SEEN. BUT AGAIN, NO MONEY WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO MR. MILOSEVIC AND HIS GOVERNMENT.

    /// END ACT ///

    THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S INITIAL MONEY WILL BE USED TO HELP STRANDED JOURNALISTS IN YUGOSLAVIA, MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA WITH EMERGENCY FUNDS AND, IF NECESSARY, NEW IDENTITY PAPERS.

    THE EUROPEANS ALSO WANT TO ESTABLISH AN INFORMATION SERVICE IN MACEDONIA WITH A RADIO STATION. OFFICIALS SAY THIS RADIO WILL WORK WITH LOCAL MACEDONIAN- AND ALBANIAN-SPEAKING JOURNALISTS.

    OTHER MONEY WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT TWO INTERNET WEB SITES WHERE INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS WILL CONTRIBUTE INFORMATION. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IS ALSO PROVIDING SATELLITE EQUIPMENT TO LOCAL TELEVISION STATIONS IN CROATIA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, MACEDONIA, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO TO ENABLE RE-TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATION.

    WHILE AID TO THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT IS PROHIBITED, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS IDENTIFIED PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY IN THE SERBIAN MEDIA AS AN AREA WHERE MONEY CAN BE SPENT. DONOR CONFERENCES BEGINNING IN LATE JULY WILL RAISE MONEY FOR RECONSTRUCTION IN KOSOVO INCLUDING THOSE FUNDS NEEDED TO PROMOTE A FREE PRESS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RDP/JWH/WTW
    25-Jun-99 9:06 AM EDT (1306 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [04] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=06/24/99
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-11353
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS
    CONTENT=

    //// EDS: MATERIAL DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-D-T ////

    INTRO: THE AFTERMATH OF THE WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE IS VYING FOR ATTENTION WITH THE CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT OF U-S DOCTORS JOINING TRADE UNIONS IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL COLUMNS. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: THE COCA COLA HEALTH SCARE IN EUROPE; AMERICA'S U-N DEBT; THE MALAYSIAN MIRACLE AND DEALING WITH NORTH KOREA. NOW, HERE IS _________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: THERE IS CONCERN THAT AS NATO TROOPS SPREAD THROUGHOUT YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, REPRISALS AGAINST SERBS AND GYPSIES APPEARS TO BE GROWING, AS IS THE PROBLEM OF DISARMING THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. "THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL" IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE WRITES:

    VOICE: NOW THAT SERB TROOPS HAVE LEFT KOSOVO, THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES FACE TWO RELATED CHALLENGES: HOW TO PREVENT THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY FROM COMMITTING ITS OWN BRAND OF ETHNIC HARASSMENT, AND HOW TO REBUILD THE SERBIAN TERRITORY DAMAGED BY THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN. IN BOTH CASES HUMANITARIAN IMPULSES MUST BE TEMPERED BY POLITICAL REALISM. THE SCOPE OF SERBIA'S PREMEDITATED ATROCITIES IN KOSOVO IS BECOMING MORE EVIDENT, AND MORE TERRIBLE, BY THE DAY: /// OPT /// MASS GRAVES,WRECKED VILLAGES, MORE THAN TEN-THOUSAND MURDERED KOSOVAR ALBANIANS, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS MORE REFUGEES. /// END OPT /// CERTAINLY YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC BEARS PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE WAR CRIMES, AND HE MUST BE CALLED TO ACCOUNT ...

    TEXT: IN TEXAS, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" FEARS FOR THE FUTURE OF KOSOVO:

    VOICE: THE WHOLE POINT OF THE BALKAN INTERVENTION WAS SUPPOSEDLY TO HALT, OR PREVENT, THE REALIZATION OF SERB DREAMS OF A MONO-ETHNIC KOSOVO. BUT NOW THAT SERB TROOPS HAVE ABANDONED THE PROVINCE, NATO PEACEKEEPERS ARE FAILING TO FULFILL THEIR PROMISES. /// OPT /// ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE TORCHING THE HOMES AND BUSINESSES OF SERBS, AND EVEN MURDERING SOME OF THEM, SOMETIMES IN SIGHT OF NATO TROOPS. ELSEWHERE, SERBS CONTINUE TO MENACE ETHNIC ALBANIANS. /// END OPT /// ... NATO FACES A DIFFICULT SITUATION, TO BE SURE. BUT A FAILURE TO PROVE THAT THE ALLIANCE STANDS FOR THE PROTECTION OF EVERYONE IN KOSOVO IS MISGUIDED .... IT WILL HARM NATO'S REPUTATION AND ITS ABILITY TO DO GOOD.

    TEXT: AND IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES" THERE IS CONTINUING FRUSTRATION AT THE NATO BOMBING THAT DAMAGED THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. THE NEW YORK PAPER WRITES:

    VOICE: SEVEN WEEKS AFTER NATO BOMBS HIT THE ... EMBASSY ... CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A FULL EXPLANATION OF THE MISTAKEN ATTACK. THE ABSENCE OF INFORMATION ONLY COMPOUNDS THE ORIGINAL ERROR AND FUELS SPECULATION THAT THE BOMBING WAS DELIBERATE. THE WHITE HOUSE SHOULD INSIST THAT THE VARIOUS AGENCIES INVOLVED ... PULL TOGETHER EVERYTHING THEY KNOW AND MAKE A PUBLIC PRESENTATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ... /// OPT /// THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT WENT WRONG IN THIS EMBARRASSING EPISODE AND TO HAVE CREDIBLE ASSURANCES THAT THE SAME MISTAKES ARE NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN AGAIN. /// END OPT ///

    TEXT: THE DAY'S MAJOR DOMESTIC TOPIC IS THE CONTROVERSIAL DECISION BY THE LARGEST DOCTORS ORGANIZATION IN THE NATION, THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, TO HELP SOME DOCTORS UNIONIZE. "THE WASHINGTON POST," SUGGESTING THE VOTE BOTH "REFLECTS AND COULD ACCELERATE THE EXTRAORDINARY CHANGES THAT HAVE SWEPT THE U-S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM," TRIES TO PUT THE ISSUE IN PERSPECTIVE THIS WAY:

    VOICE: THE IMPORTANCE FOR NOW IS MORE SYMBOLIC THAN SUBSTANTIVE. UNLESS THE LAW IS CHANGED, ONLY A MINORITY OF DOCTORS WOULD CURRENTLY BE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN A UNION, AND MANY OF THOSE DON'T WANT TO. THE APPARENTLY CLOSE VOTE IN THE ORGANIZATION'S HOUSE OF DELEGATES IS NONETHELESS AN INDICATOR OF HOW AGGRIEVED MANY DOCTORS FEEL IN A WORLD IN WHICH BUYERS OF HEALTH CARE HAVE INCREASINGLY CONSOLIDATED AND OTHERWISE BULKED UP TO IMPROVE THEIR BARGAINING POWER AND HOLD DOWN COSTS.

    /// OPT ///

    TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES," POINTING OUT THAT TODAY ONE OUT OF EVERY SEVEN U-S DOCTORS WORKS FOR SOMEONE ELSE, IN CONTRAST TO EARLIER DECADES WHEN ALMOST ALL DOCTORS WERE SELF-EMPLOYED, NOTES:

    VOICE: THE RAPID SHIFT IN THE MEDICAL MARKETPLACE HAS BEEN DRIVEN LARGELY BY EMPLOYERS AND INSURERS EAGER TO HOLD DOWN HIGH MEDICAL COSTS. FOR THE MOST PART, DOCTORS HAVE BEEN BEWILDERED OBSERVERS OF THE UPHEAVAL. THE A-M-A'S ACTION SHOWS THAT THE PROFESSION IS NO LONGER WILLING TO STAY OUT OF THE GAME.

    TEXT: STILL ON MEDICAL ISSUES, THERE IS ALSO COMMENT IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ABOUT THE DRINKS FROM COCA-COLA THAT SICKENED NUMEROUS PEOPLE IN BELGIUM. THE PAPER SAYS THE CORPORATE RESPONSE HAS BEEN ACCEPTABLE.

    VOICE: COCA-COLA ... REACTED SLOWLY BUT ADEQUATELY TO A CRISIS THAT ERUPTED IN EUROPE WHEN ... UNRELATED PROBLEMS AT TWO PLANTS PRODUCED SODAS THAT SMELLED AND TASTED TERRIBLE. ...COCA-COLA'S ... TOP MANAGEMENT WAS SLOW TO GET PUBLICLY INVOLVED, THEREBY OFFENDING BELGIAN OFFICIALS AND CITIZENS, BUT OVERALL IT APPEARS TO HAVE ACTED RESPONSIBLY. ... /// OPT /// GIVEN THE CLEAR BREAKDOWN IN QUALITY CONTROL AT TWO DIFFERENT PLANTS, COCA-COLA NEEDS TO BETTER EXPLAIN WHY IT FAILED TO DETECT THE PROBLEMS AND WHAT IT HAS DONE TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE. /// END OPT ///

    TEXT: TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF THE U-S DEBT TO THE UNITED NATIONS, TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" SAYS THAT DESPITE CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO APPROVE RICHARD HOLBROOKE TO BE THE NEW U-N AMBASSADOR AND TO PAY 819-MILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT ARREARS, THERE IS MORE TO BE DONE.

    VOICE: FOR ONE THING, THE 819-MILLION DOLLARS IS ONLY A PARTIAL PAYMENT AND IS ATTACHED TO A PROVISION THAT FUTURE U-S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE U-N BE REDUCED FROM 25 TO 20 PERCENT OF THE U-N BUDGET. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE ARREARS ... IS ANYWHERE FROM ONE BILLION TO ONE-POINT-SEVEN BILLION DEPENDING ON WHO IS DOING THE CALCULATIONS. ... /// OPT /// IF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WANT THE COUNTRY TO RESIGN FROM THE UNITED NATIONS, THAT CAN BE DEBATED. BUT /// END OPT /// AS LONG AS THE UNITED STATES BELONGS TO THE COMMUNITY OF NATIONS, IT SHOULD PAY ITS BILLS, STOP MICROMANAGING, AND ACT LIKE THE WORLD LEADER IT PURPORTS TO BE.

    TEXT: "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" WRITES THAT WHILE MALAYSIA'S PRIME MINISTER, MAHATHIR MOHAMMAD, BASKS IN THE GLOW OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY:

    VOICE: THE VERDICT ON HIS ECONOMIC LEADERSHIP IS STILL OUT, HOWEVER. THE REAL TEST WILL NOT COME FOR A YEAR OR TWO, WHEN WE WILL SEE WHETHER MALAYSIA'S PERFORMANCE KEEPS UP WITH THE OTHER ASIAN CRISIS COUNTRIES WHO CHOSE TO KEEP THEIR ECONOMIES OPEN. ... THE REAL QUESTION IS WHETHER THE SHORT-TERM GAIN IS WORTH THE COST, AND WHAT MALAYSIA'S LONG-TERM PROSPECTS ARE.

    TEXT: STILL IN ASIAN AFFAIRS, BOSTON'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" CONTINUES TO COUNSEL PATIENCE TO THE WHITE HOUSE AND OTHERS IN DEALING WITH THE XENOPHOBIC REGIME IN NORTH KOREA, EVEN AFTER WHAT THE PAPER CALLS "THE PERILOUS SEA-GOING TANGO BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA" IN THE YELLOW SEA LAST WEEK, IN WHICH A NORTH KOREAN PATROL BOAT WAS SUNK.

    VOICE: EVEN AS KOREAN GUNBOATS - - NOW JOINED BY SOME INTERVENING AMERICAN SHIPS - - CONTEST OCEAN BOUNDARIES, DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY IS BUBBLING. ... IT REMAINS UNCLEAR JUST WHEN THE NORTH KOREANS, STILL WEDDED TO THEIR PECULIAR FORM OF STALINISM, WILL GRASP THE HANDS BEING EXTENDED IN THEIR DIRECTION AND ENTER THE WORLD'S MAINSTREAM. BUT CHANGE IS SLOWLY UNDER WAY. THE DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES SHOULD CONTINUE ...

    /// OPT ///

    TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" TAKES NOTE OF THE FURY IN SWITZERLAND THAT FOLLOWED THE AWARDING OF THE 2-THOUSAND-AND SIX WINTER GAMES TO TURIN, ITALY OVER SION, SWITZERLAND.

    VOICE: ALAS, THE FIVE THOUSAND SWISS GATHERED FOR AN EXPECTED CELEBRATION IN SION, ON THE RHONE RIVER ... REACTED BADLY, JEERING AND BOOING THE DECISION. AND SOME LOUT DEFACED A STATUE IN THE GARDEN OF THE OLYMPIC MUSEUM IN LAUSANNE BY PAINTING THE LETTERS ' M-A-F-I-A ' WITHIN THE FIVE OLYMPIC RINGS. THE SWISS HAD SOME REASON TO BE UPSET, ALTHOUGH OF COURSE NO JUSTIFICATION FOR THE VANDALISM.

    TEXT: AND LASTLY, SOME THOUGHTS ON RECENT REVELATIONS ABOUT THE BRAIN OF THE MATHEMATICAL GENIUS ALBERT EINSTEIN FROM "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE."

    VOICE: ALBERT EINSTEIN'S BRAIN REALLY WAS DIFFERENT - - NOT BIGGER IN THE AGGREGATE, BUT DIFFERENT. THE REGIONS OF THE BRAIN THAT DEAL WITH MATH, SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS AND VISUALIZING IN THREE DIMENSIONS ... WERE FIFTEEN PERCENT LARGER IN EINSTEIN'S BRAIN THAN IN THE BRAINS OF THOSE WITH NORMAL INTELLIGENCE. ... THIS PROMPTS ENDLESS QUESTIONS. WHY DID HIS BRAIN DEVELOP THIS WAY? ARE THERE OTHER BRAINS OUT THERE WITH SIMILAR ANOMALIES? ... NEARLY A CENTURY AFTER HELPING MAKE SENSE OF THE FORCES IN THE UNIVERSE, [MR.] EINSTEIN'S FINAL GIFT TO US ... RESOLVES ONE MYSTERY WHILE TANTALIZINGLY RAISING COUNTLESS OTHERS.

    /// END OPT ///

    TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS.
    NEB/ANG/KL
    25-Jun-99 11:40 AM EDT (1540 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] KOSOVO / REFUGEE RETURNS (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-251086
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS IT IS READY TO BEGIN ORGANIZING RETURNS OF ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REFUGEES TO THREE CITIES IN KOSOVO AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK. TIM BELAY IN PRISTINA REPORTS THE EXACT DATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A FEW DAYS.

    TEXT: DESPITE THE DANGER OF MINES AND OTHER SECURITY TRAPS, MORE THAN 240-THOUSAND ETHNIC-ALBANIAN KOSOVARS HAVE ALREADY RETURNED HOME, AHEAD OF ANY ORGANIZED REPATRIATION. ABOUT 450-THOUSAND ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REFUGEES REMAIN IN THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES OF ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA.

    THE REFUGEE AGENCY'S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AND ALBANIA, DENNIS MCNAMARA, SAYS THOSE NOW STAYING IN REFUGEE CAMPS WILL BE INVITED TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN PRIZREN, PRISTINA AND UROSEVAC.

    MR. MCNAMARA SAYS NATO HAS DETERMINED THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE THREE CITIES TO BE REASONABLY SAFE. HE SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS WILL TRANSPORT, FEED AND, IF NECESSARY, SHELTER THE RETURNED REFUGEES.

    HE SAYS THIS IS THE MOST "RETURN-FOCUSED" REFUGEE GROUP HE HAS SEEN IN 25 YEARS.

    /// FIRST MCNAMARA ACT ///

    USUALLY, REFUGEES WANT TO GET AWAY, TO THIRD COUNTRIES [IN] AMERICA OR WESTERN EUROPE. THIS GROUP DOES NOT. I'VE DEALT WITH INDO-CHINESE AND AFGHANS AND AFRICAN REFUGEES FOR MANY YEARS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A GROUP SO ANXIOUS TO GO BACK. AND THE 200-THOUSAND THAT ARRIVED [IN KOSOVO] IN THE LAST 10 DAYS OR SO IS INDICATIVE OF THAT. THAT IS THE FASTEST SPONTANEOUS RETURN GROUP IN RECENT HISTORY, FOR SURE.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. MCNAMARA SAYS THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY WELCOMES THE SPONTANEOUS RETURNS. HE SAYS THE REFUGEES' CONFIDENCE AND ENTHUSIASM FOR RETURNING HOME ARE VERY HEALTHY, ASSUMING THEY DO NOT GET INTO DIFFICULTY.

    /// SECOND MCNAMARA ACT ///

    SOME HAVE [HAD DIFFICULTY], AND I'M AFRAID THAT WILL CONTINUE EVEN IF WE DO IT WITH ALL CARE IN THE WORLD. IN A POST-WAR ENVIRONMENT LIKE THIS -- LIKE YOU HAD IN CAMBODIA OR AFGHANISTAN, ET CETERA -- THERE WILL BE SOME VICTIMS, I'M AFRAID, OF ORDNANCE AND MINES. THAT [IS SOMETHING] YOU CAN'T AVOID. YOU CAN'T CLEAR THAT STUFF OUT IN A MATTER OF YEARS, LET ALONE WEEKS.

    /// END ACT ///

    THE U-N ENVOY SAYS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE REFUGEES WHO HAVE RETURNED SO FAR -- ALTHOUGH DESPERATELY IN NEED OF MANY BASIC THINGS TO RESTART THEIR LIVES -- HAVE DONE SO WITHOUT INCIDENT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/TB/JWH/WTW
    25-Jun-99 7:42 AM EDT (1142 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [06] KOSOVO GUNFIGHT (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-251118
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:
    // EDITORS: INTRO MAY HAVE TO BE UPDATED IF CASUALTY FIGURE CHANGES //

    INTRO: FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE ENTERING KOSOVO, U-S MARINES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A FIREFIGHT WITH CIVILIANS. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE IN WASHINGTON REPORTS U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY AT LEAST ONE CIVILIAN WAS KILLED LATE FRIDAY WHEN AMERICAN MARINES SERVING WITH THE K-FOR PEACE-KEEPING FORCE CAME UNDER FIRE.

    TEXT: THE U-S MILITARY SAYS MORE THAN 20 MARINES ON PATROL IN THE TOWN OF GNJILANE WERE FIRED UPON BY UNKNOWN SHOOTERS. THE MARINES THEN FIRED BACK. MAJOR ED LOOMIS IS SPOKESMAN AT U-S EUROPEAN COMMAND IN STUTTGART, GERMANY.

    // LOOMIS ACT //

    THEY DON'T KNOW YET HOW THIS GUY WAS KILLED, WHETHER IT WAS OUR FIRE OR SOMEBODY ELSE'S THAT RESULTED IN THE WOUNDS THAT CAUSED HIS DEATH.

    // END ACT //

    NO AMERICAN TROOPS WERE INJURED IN THE EXCHANGE. BUT EVER SINCE K-FOR TROOPS ROLLED INTO KOSOVO, THEY HAVE FACED AN UPHILL BATTLE TO RESTORE ORDER, WITH INSTANCES OF VIOLENCE BETWEEN NATO FORCES AND SERBS, WHO VIEW PEACEKEEPERS AS SUPPORTING KOSOVAR REBELS. AS KOSOVO REFUGEES FLOOD BACK INTO THE PROVINCE, MANY ETHNIC ALBANIANS REMAIN ARMED, CARRYING OUT REVENGE ATTACKS AGAINST FLEEING SERB CIVILIANS (SIGNED)
    NEB/NJS/GM
    25-Jun-99 5:57 PM EDT (2157 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [07] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES BY EVE CONANT (PRISTINA)

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-43730
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: EXPERTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE ESTIMATE MORE THAN 10-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE CONFLICT OVER KOSOVO. INVESTIGATORS SAY THERE IS MOUNTING EVIDENCE OF WAR CRIMES COMMITTED ON A MASSIVE SCALE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT, WHO HAS BEEN TRAVELING THROUGH KOSOVO, HAS THIS REPORT.

    TEXT: IT SEEMS THAT IN ALMOST EVERY VILLAGE IN KOSOVO, THERE IS SOMEONE READY TO POINT OUT BULLET HOLES IN THE WALLS, BLOOD ON RESTAURANT FLOORS OR HUMAN BONES SCATTERED IN THE RUBBLE OF BURNED HOMES.

    PAUL RISLEY, SPOKESMAN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE, SAYS INVESTIGATORS IN KOSOVO ARE FINDING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE EVIDENCE OF WAR CRIMES THAN THEY EXPECTED. HE SAYS THE ASTONISHING PART IS THE SPEED AND EFFICIENCY WITH WHICH THEY WERE COMMITTED -- SETTING THESE WAR CRIMES APART FROM THOSE DISCOVERED IN CROATIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

    /// RISLEY ACT ///

    IT CERTAINLY LOOKS LIKE, IN THE FEW DAYS FOLLOWING THE BEGINNING OF THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN, THAT NOT ONLY WAS THERE A RAMPAGE OF VIOLENCE, BUT IT WAS ALSO ON A SCALE AND LEVEL THAT COULD HAVE ONLY BEEN COORDINATED AND DIRECTED FROM A CENTRAL COMMAND STRUCTURE, SUCH AS THAT THAT IS USED BY THE ARMY FORCES AND THE POLICE FORCES.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. RISLEY SAYS MOST OF THE CRIMES WERE LIKELY COMMITTED OVER AN EIGHT-WEEK PERIOD, BEGINNING AROUND MARCH 28TH -- SHORTLY AFTER THE NATO BOMBING BEGAN.

    AT MANY MASS GRAVE SITES, THERE ARE MAKESHIFT TOMBSTONES WITH THE DATES OF DEATH WRITTEN AS LATE MARCH OR EARLY APRIL.

    IN THE CITY OF DJAKOVICA, (U-S) F-B-I INVESTIGATORS TAKE MEASUREMENTS AND SNAP PHOTOS OF A ROOM WHERE THEY BELIEVE 20 WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE EXECUTED BY MACHINE-GUN FIRE. THE AREA IS CORDONED OFF BY YELLOW TAPE AND GUARDED BY SOLDIERS.

    /// OPT F-B-I INVESTIGATOR ACT ///

    WE'RE LOOKING AT A CRIME SCENE AND WE'RE TREATING IT LIKE A CRIME SCENE, SO I'D RATHER NOT MAKE ANY OTHER STATEMENTS.

    /// END ACT ////// END OPT ///

    JUST TWO HOUSES AWAY IS A MAN WHO HAS JUST FOUND A CHARRED SPINAL COLUMN IN THE RUBBLE OF HIS COLLAPSED ROOF. EVIDENCE IS EVERYWHERE, AND WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL EXPERTS SAY EVERY DAY THEY ARE ADDING MORE SITES TO THEIR LIST -- MORE SITES THAN THEY WILL EVER BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE THOROUGHLY.

    MR. RISLEY SAYS THEY ARE SEARCHING FOR POSSIBLE VIDEOTAPE OF MASSACRES AND ATROCITIES, AS WELL AS SIMPLE FILES WHICH COULD HELP TO PROVE THEIR BELIEF THAT THE CRIMES IN KOSOVO WERE CALCULATED AND ORDERED AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS.

    /// SECOND RISLEY ACT ///

    ETHNIC CLEANSING IS VERY TOUGH WORK, AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT INDIVIDUALS JUST DO BECAUSE THEY'RE HAVING FUN OR IT'S, YOU KNOW, TIME OFF. CLEARLY, THE FORCES THAT WENT INTO A VILLAGE AND CAREFULLY SET FIRES IN EACH AND EVERY HOUSE, AND THEN CAREFULLY TARGETED A PRIMARY SCHOOL AND DESTROYED IT WITH ARTILLERY FIRE -- THESE PEOPLE PUT SEVERAL DAYS INTO WHAT THEY WERE DOING. THEY WERE WORKING [TO] ORDERS. THEY WERE RECEIVING SOME SORT OF AN INDUCEMENT TO DO THIS.

    /// END ACT ///

    BUT FINDING DOCUMENTS MAY PROVE DIFFICULT. AT A SERB POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN PRISTINA, TOOLS FOR TORTURING VICTIMS LIE SCATTERED ABOUT, BUT THE WALLS HAVE BEEN STRIPPED OF THEIR PLASTER, LEAVING NO TRACE OF FINGERPRINTS OR BLOOD.

    IN THE OFFICE ROOMS, THE FILE CABINETS ARE EMPTY. BELOW THE WINDOW THERE IS A THREE-METER-HIGH PILE OF ASHES AND STILL-SMOLDERING DOCUMENTS.

    // OPT //

    STILL, THERE IS NO LACK OF EVIDENCE IN KOSOVO. IN THE NORTHERN CITY OF PODUJEVO, A FAMILY FINDS DECOMPOSING SKELETONS IN THEIR GARDEN. A BRITISH POLICE OFFICER ADDS THIS TO HIS LIST OF DISCOVERIES THAT DAY.

    /// BRITISH POLICEMAN / INTERPRETER ACT, BEGINS IN ALBANIAN ///

    (INTERPRETER) E SAW ONE KILLED. (POLICEMAN) THE DATE THEY KILLED THE PERSON? (INTERPRETER) YEAH, 28TH MARCH.

    /// FADE UNDER NARRATOR ///

    IN THE CITY OF MITROVICA, A SERBIAN MAN WHO RECENTLY SERVED IN THE SERB ARMY SAYS THE BURNED BUILDINGS AND EVIDENCE OF MURDERS ARE SIMPLY PART OF WARFARE.

    /// SERB SOLDIER ACT ///

    BUT THAT'S WAR. THEY WANTED WAR. THEY WANTED TO LIVE ALL ALONE. THEY WANTED AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. RISLEY SAYS THE EVIDENCE THAT INVESTIGATORS ARE NOW GATHERING IS TESTIMONY OF WAR CRIMES -- NOT WARFARE.

    /// THIRD RISLEY ACT ///

    THIS WAS NOT ACTS OF WAR. THIS WAS NOT JUST SIMPLY WARFARE, WHICH ONE MIGHT SAY IN OTHER PLACES AROUND THE WORLD. THESE WERE CRIMES THAT WERE COMMITTED HERE.

    /// END ACT ////// END OPT ///

    WAR-CRIMES INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY HAVE ALREADY GATHERED ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE WHICH COULD BE USED IN A FUTURE PROSECUTION OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND FOUR OTHER TOP YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS.

    INVESTIGATORS ARE TRYING TO CORROBORATE INFORMATION GIVEN TO THEM BY REFUGEES IN THE CAMPS WITH FORENSIC EVIDENCE THEY ARE NOW ABLE TO COLLECT INSIDE KOSOVO. IF THEY CAN, SOME OF THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES WHO HAVE HELPED TO FIT THE PIECES OF THIS HORRIBLE PUZZLE TOGETHER WILL BE ASKED TO PERSONALLY TESTIFY AGAINST THE ALLEGED PERPETRATORS IN AN INTERNATIONAL COURT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/EC/PCF/WTW
    25-Jun-99 10:10 AM EDT (1410 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [08] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES BY EVE CONANT (PRISTINA)

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-43730
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: EXPERTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE ESTIMATE MORE THAN 10-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE CONFLICT OVER KOSOVO. INVESTIGATORS SAY THERE IS MOUNTING EVIDENCE OF WAR CRIMES COMMITTED ON A MASSIVE SCALE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT, WHO HAS BEEN TRAVELING THROUGH KOSOVO, HAS THIS REPORT.

    TEXT: IT SEEMS THAT IN ALMOST EVERY VILLAGE IN KOSOVO, THERE IS SOMEONE READY TO POINT OUT BULLET HOLES IN THE WALLS, BLOOD ON RESTAURANT FLOORS OR HUMAN BONES SCATTERED IN THE RUBBLE OF BURNED HOMES.

    PAUL RISLEY, SPOKESMAN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE, SAYS INVESTIGATORS IN KOSOVO ARE FINDING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE EVIDENCE OF WAR CRIMES THAN THEY EXPECTED. HE SAYS THE ASTONISHING PART IS THE SPEED AND EFFICIENCY WITH WHICH THEY WERE COMMITTED -- SETTING THESE WAR CRIMES APART FROM THOSE DISCOVERED IN CROATIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

    /// RISLEY ACT ///

    IT CERTAINLY LOOKS LIKE, IN THE FEW DAYS FOLLOWING THE BEGINNING OF THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN, THAT NOT ONLY WAS THERE A RAMPAGE OF VIOLENCE, BUT IT WAS ALSO ON A SCALE AND LEVEL THAT COULD HAVE ONLY BEEN COORDINATED AND DIRECTED FROM A CENTRAL COMMAND STRUCTURE, SUCH AS THAT THAT IS USED BY THE ARMY FORCES AND THE POLICE FORCES.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. RISLEY SAYS MOST OF THE CRIMES WERE LIKELY COMMITTED OVER AN EIGHT-WEEK PERIOD, BEGINNING AROUND MARCH 28TH -- SHORTLY AFTER THE NATO BOMBING BEGAN.

    AT MANY MASS GRAVE SITES, THERE ARE MAKESHIFT TOMBSTONES WITH THE DATES OF DEATH WRITTEN AS LATE MARCH OR EARLY APRIL.

    IN THE CITY OF DJAKOVICA, (U-S) F-B-I INVESTIGATORS TAKE MEASUREMENTS AND SNAP PHOTOS OF A ROOM WHERE THEY BELIEVE 20 WOMEN AND CHILDREN WERE EXECUTED BY MACHINE-GUN FIRE. THE AREA IS CORDONED OFF BY YELLOW TAPE AND GUARDED BY SOLDIERS.

    /// OPT F-B-I INVESTIGATOR ACT ///

    WE'RE LOOKING AT A CRIME SCENE AND WE'RE TREATING IT LIKE A CRIME SCENE, SO I'D RATHER NOT MAKE ANY OTHER STATEMENTS.

    /// END ACT ////// END OPT ///

    JUST TWO HOUSES AWAY IS A MAN WHO HAS JUST FOUND A CHARRED SPINAL COLUMN IN THE RUBBLE OF HIS COLLAPSED ROOF. EVIDENCE IS EVERYWHERE, AND WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL EXPERTS SAY EVERY DAY THEY ARE ADDING MORE SITES TO THEIR LIST -- MORE SITES THAN THEY WILL EVER BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE THOROUGHLY.

    MR. RISLEY SAYS THEY ARE SEARCHING FOR POSSIBLE VIDEOTAPE OF MASSACRES AND ATROCITIES, AS WELL AS SIMPLE FILES WHICH COULD HELP TO PROVE THEIR BELIEF THAT THE CRIMES IN KOSOVO WERE CALCULATED AND ORDERED AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS.

    /// SECOND RISLEY ACT ///

    ETHNIC CLEANSING IS VERY TOUGH WORK, AND IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT INDIVIDUALS JUST DO BECAUSE THEY'RE HAVING FUN OR IT'S, YOU KNOW, TIME OFF. CLEARLY, THE FORCES THAT WENT INTO A VILLAGE AND CAREFULLY SET FIRES IN EACH AND EVERY HOUSE, AND THEN CAREFULLY TARGETED A PRIMARY SCHOOL AND DESTROYED IT WITH ARTILLERY FIRE -- THESE PEOPLE PUT SEVERAL DAYS INTO WHAT THEY WERE DOING. THEY WERE WORKING [TO] ORDERS. THEY WERE RECEIVING SOME SORT OF AN INDUCEMENT TO DO THIS.

    /// END ACT ///

    BUT FINDING DOCUMENTS MAY PROVE DIFFICULT. AT A SERB POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN PRISTINA, TOOLS FOR TORTURING VICTIMS LIE SCATTERED ABOUT, BUT THE WALLS HAVE BEEN STRIPPED OF THEIR PLASTER, LEAVING NO TRACE OF FINGERPRINTS OR BLOOD.

    IN THE OFFICE ROOMS, THE FILE CABINETS ARE EMPTY. BELOW THE WINDOW THERE IS A THREE-METER-HIGH PILE OF ASHES AND STILL-SMOLDERING DOCUMENTS.

    // OPT //

    STILL, THERE IS NO LACK OF EVIDENCE IN KOSOVO. IN THE NORTHERN CITY OF PODUJEVO, A FAMILY FINDS DECOMPOSING SKELETONS IN THEIR GARDEN. A BRITISH POLICE OFFICER ADDS THIS TO HIS LIST OF DISCOVERIES THAT DAY.

    /// BRITISH POLICEMAN / INTERPRETER ACT, BEGINS IN ALBANIAN ///

    (INTERPRETER) E SAW ONE KILLED. (POLICEMAN) THE DATE THEY KILLED THE PERSON? (INTERPRETER) YEAH, 28TH MARCH.

    /// FADE UNDER NARRATOR ///

    IN THE CITY OF MITROVICA, A SERBIAN MAN WHO RECENTLY SERVED IN THE SERB ARMY SAYS THE BURNED BUILDINGS AND EVIDENCE OF MURDERS ARE SIMPLY PART OF WARFARE.

    /// SERB SOLDIER ACT ///

    BUT THAT'S WAR. THEY WANTED WAR. THEY WANTED TO LIVE ALL ALONE. THEY WANTED AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. RISLEY SAYS THE EVIDENCE THAT INVESTIGATORS ARE NOW GATHERING IS TESTIMONY OF WAR CRIMES -- NOT WARFARE.

    /// THIRD RISLEY ACT ///

    THIS WAS NOT ACTS OF WAR. THIS WAS NOT JUST SIMPLY WARFARE, WHICH ONE MIGHT SAY IN OTHER PLACES AROUND THE WORLD. THESE WERE CRIMES THAT WERE COMMITTED HERE.

    /// END ACT ////// END OPT ///

    WAR-CRIMES INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY HAVE ALREADY GATHERED ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE WHICH COULD BE USED IN A FUTURE PROSECUTION OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND FOUR OTHER TOP YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS.

    INVESTIGATORS ARE TRYING TO CORROBORATE INFORMATION GIVEN TO THEM BY REFUGEES IN THE CAMPS WITH FORENSIC EVIDENCE THEY ARE NOW ABLE TO COLLECT INSIDE KOSOVO. IF THEY CAN, SOME OF THE KOSOVAR REFUGEES WHO HAVE HELPED TO FIT THE PIECES OF THIS HORRIBLE PUZZLE TOGETHER WILL BE ASKED TO PERSONALLY TESTIFY AGAINST THE ALLEGED PERPETRATORS IN AN INTERNATIONAL COURT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/EC/PCF/WTW
    25-Jun-99 10:10 AM EDT (1410 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-251114
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (FRIDAY) AND NERVOUSNESS ABOUT U-S INTEREST RATES CONTINUED. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

    TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10-THOUSAND- 552, UP 17 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 303 POINTS, OR ALMOST THREE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 13-HUNDRED-15, DOWN A FRACTION OF ONE POINT. THE NASDAQ INDEX WAS DOWN FRACTIONALLY.

    ANALYSTS SAY THE STOCK MARKET SEEMED DUE FOR A REBOUND FRIDAY AFTER FOUR STRAIGHT LOSING SESSIONS. HOWEVER, THERE WAS STILL CAUTION IN ADVANCE OF NEXT WEEK'S MEETING OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD -- THE U-S CENTRAL BANK -- AT WHICH AN INTEREST RATE INCREASE WILL BE CONSIDERED.

    /// BEGIN OPT ///

    SOME ANALYSTS SUCH AS RICHARD CRIPPS OF THE LEGG MASON INVESTMENT FIRM BELIEVE THE STOCK MARKET WILL RALLY AFTER THE CENTRAL BANK ANNOUNCES ITS DECISION.

    /// CRIPPS ACT ///

    AROUND THE CORNER, PAST THE "'FED," PAST NEXT WEEK, IS PROBABLY A VERY GOOD EARNINGS SEASON COMING UP.

    /// END ACT ///

    /// END OPT ///

    THE GOVERNMENT HAS REVISED UPWARD THE RATE OF U-S ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THE ECONOMY EXPANDED AT A FOUR-POINT-THREE PERCENT ANNUAL RATE INSTEAD OF THE FOUR-POINT-ONE PERCENT ORIGINALLY ESTIMATED.

    /// REST OPT ///

    EXISTING HOME SALES IN THE UNITED STATES FELL IN MAY FOR THE SECOND MONTH IN A ROW, REFLECTING THE EFFECT OF HIGHER HOME MORTGAGE INTEREST RATES.

    THE CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY SAYS WEAK DEMAND WILL RESULT IN QUARTERLY EARNINGS WHICH ARE WELL BELOW WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS. CAMPBELL ALSO ANNOUNCED A RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO CUT COSTS BY AS MUCH AS 25 MILLION DOLLARS.

    THE SEAGRAM BEVERAGE AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY WILL SELL ITS MUMM AND PERRIER-JOUET CHAMPAGNE LINES TO A PRIVATE INVESTMENT FIRM FOR 310-MILLION DOLLARS. SINCE ENTERING THE MOVIE AND MUSIC BUSINESS A FEW YEARS AGO, SEAGRAM HAS BEEN SELLING VARIOUS BEVERAGE DIVISIONS TO REDUCE DEBT.

    LUCENT TECHNOLOGIES, A LEADING MAKER OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, WILL PAY ALMOST ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN STOCK FOR NEXABIT, A MAKER OF DATA NETWORKING EQUIPMENT.

    WALL STREET'S APPETITE FOR NEW INTERNET-RELATED STOCKS REMAINS STRONG. THE STOCK OF JUNIPER, A COMPANY WHICH MAKES INTERNET CONNECTIONS PRODUCTS, SOARED BY MORE THAN 200-PERCENT ON ITS FIRST DAY OF TRADING.

    THE UNITED NATIONS IS WARNING THAT YEAR 2000 COMPUTER PROBLEMS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS TRADE DISRUPTIONS IN SOME DEVELOPING NATIONS. THE U-N CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT SAYS AS MANY AS 40 NATIONS MAY SUFFER TRADE PROBLEMS NEXT YEAR BECAUSE OF OUTDATED COMPUTER SOFTWARE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/GM
    25-Jun-99 5:14 PM EDT (2114 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [10] RUSSIA PARLIAMENT / KOSOVO (S) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MOSCOW)

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-251082
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UPPER HOUSE OF THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT - THE FEDERATION COUNCIL - HAS VOTED IN FAVOR OF SENDING RUSSIAN SOLDIERS AS PART OF NATO'S PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

    TEXT: THE VOTE WAS A MERE FORMALITY, SINCE THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO CHANCE MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION COUNCIL WOULD REJECT A U-S / RUSSIAN AGREEMENT FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO.

    THE FEDERATION COUNCIL FIRST HEARD APPEALS FROM RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV AND FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV. BOTH MEN SAID IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR RUSSIA TO BE PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE PATROLLING KOSOVO.

    AFTER HEARING THE SENIOR RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION COUNCIL VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY TO DISPATCH RUSSIAN TROOPS TO KOSOVO.

    UNDER TERMS OF THE U-S/RUSSIAN ACCORD WORKED OUT IN HELSINKI EARLIER THIS MONTH, SOME 36-HUNDRED RUSSIAN SOLDIERS WILL BE PATROLLING SECTORS IN KOSOVO RUN BY THE UNITED STATES, GERMANY AND FRANCE. THE RUSSIAN SOLDIERS WILL ALSO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT THE AIR FIELD IN KOSOVO'S CAPITAL - PRISTINA. (SIGNED)
    NEB/ADEN/GE
    25-Jun-99 6:21 AM EDT (1021 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [11] RUSSIA PARLIAMENT / KOSOVO (S) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MOSCOW)

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-251082
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UPPER HOUSE OF THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT - THE FEDERATION COUNCIL - HAS VOTED IN FAVOR OF SENDING RUSSIAN SOLDIERS AS PART OF NATO'S PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM MOSCOW.

    TEXT: THE VOTE WAS A MERE FORMALITY, SINCE THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO CHANCE MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION COUNCIL WOULD REJECT A U-S / RUSSIAN AGREEMENT FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO.

    THE FEDERATION COUNCIL FIRST HEARD APPEALS FROM RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV AND FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV. BOTH MEN SAID IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR RUSSIA TO BE PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE PATROLLING KOSOVO.

    AFTER HEARING THE SENIOR RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, MEMBERS OF THE FEDERATION COUNCIL VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY TO DISPATCH RUSSIAN TROOPS TO KOSOVO.

    UNDER TERMS OF THE U-S/RUSSIAN ACCORD WORKED OUT IN HELSINKI EARLIER THIS MONTH, SOME 36-HUNDRED RUSSIAN SOLDIERS WILL BE PATROLLING SECTORS IN KOSOVO RUN BY THE UNITED STATES, GERMANY AND FRANCE. THE RUSSIAN SOLDIERS WILL ALSO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OPERATIONS AT THE AIR FIELD IN KOSOVO'S CAPITAL - PRISTINA. (SIGNED)
    NEB/ADEN/GE
    25-Jun-99 6:21 AM EDT (1021 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [12] TURKEY / KURDS DISPLACED BY SCOTT BOBB (DIYARBAKIR, TURKEY)

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-43729
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN HAS FOCUSED ATTENTION ON THE 15-YEAR CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND THE COUNTRY'S ETHNIC KURDS, WHO LIVE PRIMARILY IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. BECAUSE OF THE VIOLENCE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS MOVED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KURDS OUT OF REMOTE RURAL VILLAGES INTO COMMUNITIES NEAR THE CITIES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB VISITED THESE PEOPLE AND HAS THIS REPORT FROM THE REGIONAL CAPITAL OF DIYARBAKIR.

    TEXT: FROM THE HIGHWAY, A HARD-SCRABBLE ROAD LEADS UP A HILL TO A COMPLEX OF 100 APARTMENT BLOCKS, SQUATTING ON A PLATEAU OF DRY GRASS. THEY ARE SIMPLE THREE-STORY BUILDINGS. EACH CONTAINS SIX APARTMENTS AND ABOUT TWICE AS MANY FAMILIES.

    IT IS EVENING AND MOTHERS SITTING ON THE BALCONIES WATCH THE CHILDREN PLAYING IN THE ROAD BELOW.

    ///SOUND OF CHILDREN TALKING, CRYING.///

    SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE FROM REMOTE VILLAGES IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY LIVE HERE. THEY WERE MOVED BY THE GOVERNMENT A FEW YEARS AGO AS PART OF ITS FIGHT AGAINST KURDISH REBELS.

    ON THE EDGE OF THE COMPOUND, A GROUP OF MEN SIT ON LOW STOOLS, SIPPING TEA. THEY ARE OLDER MEN FOR THE MOST PART. THEIR LEATHERY FACES SPEAK OF A LIFETIME OF WORK IN THE SUN. THEY WEAR KNIT CAPS AND HEAVY CLOTHES. SOME ROLL CIGARETTES USING YELLOW TOBACCO PINCHED FROM BATTERED TINS.

    BETWEEN PUFFS OF SMOKE AND SIPS OF TEA, THEIR STORY BEGINS TO EMERGE.

    ///ACT IN KURDISH OF VILLAGERS///

    THE MEN SAY LIFE IN THE VILLAGE WAS GOOD. THEY WERE HEALTHY. BUT HERE, THEY SAY, THERE IS MUCH DISEASE. THE WEATHER IS DIFFERENT. AND BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE JOBS, THEY CANNOT AFFORD MEDICAL CARE.

    THEY COMPLAIN THAT THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH TOOK THEM AWAY FROM THEIR SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD, DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF THEM. BECAUSE THEY ARE DISPLACED WITHIN THEIR OWN COUNTRY, THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERED REFUGEES, AND AS A RESULT DO NOT RECEIVE INTERNATIONAL AID.

    THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT BEGAN MOVING THE VILLAGERS ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO. THREE THOUSAND VILLAGES WERE EVACUATED AND DESTROYED. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THE VILLAGERS WERE MOVED FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTION. ANALYSTS NOTE THE EVACUATIONS ALSO DISTANCED THE REBELS FROM POSSIBLE SYMPATHIZERS, BECAUSE MANY OF THE VILLAGERS ARE RELATED TO THE FIGHTERS.

    ///OPT///

    THE VILLAGERS COMPLAIN THAT THE POLICE SOMETIMES HARASS THEM, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE SEEN TALKING TO JOURNALISTS OR FOREIGNERS. SOMETIMES, THE VILLAGERS SAY, THEY ARE TAKEN AWAY AND BEATEN. THEY SAY THAT IS WHY THEY DO NOT TELL EVERYTHING THEY KNOW AND DO NOT GIVE THEIR NAMES.

    THEIR MAIN COMPLAINT IS THE LACK OF JOBS. SOME MEN OCCASIONALLY FIND WORK AS PORTERS, AND SOME WOMEN SOMETIMES MAKE MONEY PICKING COTTON ON NEARBY FARMS. BUT IN A REGION WITH ALREADY HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, FINDING A JOB IS DIFFICULT.

    ///ACT OF VILLAGER IN KURDISH///

    THEY SAY SOMETIMES THE YOUNGER MEN COLLECT SOME MONEY AND TRAVEL TO ISTANBUL OR ANKARA, IN WESTERN TURKEY, TO LOOK FOR WORK. BUT THEY SAY THE PEOPLE THERE REFUSE TO GIVE THEM JOBS, SAYING THEY ARE TERRORISTS. AND SO, WHEN THE MONEY RUNS OUT, THEY COME BACK.

    ///END OPT.///

    AMONG THE OLD MEN SITS A BOY IN HIS EARLY TEENS, LISTENING. SOCIOLOGISTS SAY IF THE CONFLICT CONTINUES, MANY OF THE DISPLACED YOUTH --LIKE THIS YOUNG MAN -- MAY TURN TO CRIME AS THEY GROW OLDER, OR JOIN THE REBELS IN THE MOUNTAINS. THAT IS WHY THEY HOPE THE CONFLICT CAN BE ENDED, BEFORE A NEW GENERATION COMES OF AGE AND THE VIOLENCE ENTERS ANOTHER VICIOUS CYCLE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/SB/GE
    25-Jun-99 9:50 AM EDT (1350 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [13] TURKEY AFTER KOSOVO (CQ) BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-43735
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:
    /// EDS: UPDATES BKG 5-43719 (ISSUED THURSDAY) WITH ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND IN 4TH PARA TEXT ///

    INTRO: AS HIS TRIAL RESUMED IN TURKEY, KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN ONCE AGAIN SAID IF HIS LIFE IS SPARED, HE WOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO END THE LONG CONFLICT BETWEEN HIS P-K-K MOVEMENT AND THE TURKISH STATE. WHILE TURKISH PUBLIC OPINION SEEMS FIRMLY IN FAVOR OF THE DEATH SENTENCE, PROTESTS HAVE BEEN RISING IN EUROPE AGAINST THE TRIAL AND THE TREATMENT OF TURKEY'S KURDS. IN WASHINGTON, THE TURKISH AMBASSADOR EXPLAINED HIS COUNTRY'S POSITION ON THE OCALAN TRIAL AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO NATO'S WAR IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S ED WARNER REPORTS.

    TEXT: TURKEY WAS A VITAL ALLY IN THE COLD WAR, SAYS MAJOR GENERAL EDWARD ATKESON, A SENIOR FELLOW AT THE INSTITUTE OF LAND WARFARE. TODAY, TURKEY, WHILE LESS CRITICAL, REMAINS A KEY FACTOR IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND BEYOND.

    THAT SAME POINT WAS MADE BY TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES, BAKI ILKIN, IN A RECENT PRESS BRIEFING (WED., JUNE 23). HE NOTED TURKEY'S ASSISTANCE TO SOME 46-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO AND ITS MILITARY CONTRIBUTION TO THE WAR:

    /// FIRST ILKIN ACT ///

    WE PARTICIPATED FULLY IN THE NATO OPERATIONS. WE ALLOCATED AIRCRAFT. WE ALLOCATED A FRIGATE WHICH MONITORED THE OIL EMBARGO IN THE ADRIATIC. ALSO AT A LATER STAGE, WHEN WE WERE ASKED BY NATO, WE MADE AVAILABLE CERTAIN FACILITIES IN TURKEY FOR AIR OPERATIONS. I THINK THAT TURKEY'S RECORD, AS FAR AS CONTRIBUTING TO THE NATO OPERATIONS, IS IMPECCABLE.

    /// END ACT ///

    JOHN VOLL, PROFESSOR OF ISLAMIC HISTORY AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, SAYS THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TURKEY, BUT THERE IS CLEAR APPRECIATION OF TURKEY'S ROLE IN THE KOSOVO WAR:

    /// FIRST VOLL ACT ///

    I THINK IN GENERAL TERMS, TURKEY STARTS FROM A RESIDUAL VERY POSITIVE IMAGE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND THAT MEANS IN THE POST-KOSOVO ERA, I THINK MOST AMERICANS AND PARTICULARLY AMERICAN POLICY-MAKERS WOULD BE QUITE OPEN TO RECOGNIZING THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME RECOGNITION OF TURKISH INTERESTS IN THE SOUTHERN BALKANS.

    /// END ACT ///

    THOSE INTERESTS ARE CLOSE TO THE KOSOVARS, SAYS GENERAL ATKESON. HE BELIEVES FACTIONS WITHIN TURKEY ARE URGING A PARTITION OF THE PROVINCE THAT WOULD PLACE MOST OF IT IN KOSOVAR HANDS. BUT MAINSTREAM OPINION AND OFFICIAL POLICY IN TURKEY SUPPORT SERBIA KEEPING KOSOVO.

    WHILE ENJOYING THE ACCLAIM FOR ITS WARTIME ROLE, TURKEY FACES INCREASING CRITICISM OVER ITS POLICY TOWARD ITS KURDISH MINORITY, WHICH MAY GROW MORE INTENSE WITH THE TRIAL OF P-K-K LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN.

    REFLECTING TURKISH PUBLIC OPINION, AMBASSADOR ILKIN SCOFFED AT MR. OCALAN'S PROMISE TO HELP END THE KURDISH REBELLION IF HE IS NOT SENTENCED TO DEATH:

    /// SECOND ILKIN ACT ///

    THIS MAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOSS OF 30-THOUSAND LIVES. HE IS BEING TRIED IN AN INDEPENDENT COURT. HE HAS ADMITTED HIS GUILT. SO WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO DO? IT IS LIKE ASKING AN AMERICAN WHETHER YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO COOPERATE WITH [ACCUSED TERRORIST OSAMA] BIN LADEN IF HE REPENTS.

    /// END ACT ///

    PROFESSOR VOLL SAYS TURKEY SHOULD NOT BE SO QUICK TO DISMISS MR. OCALAN'S OFFER OF HELP. HE BELIEVES IT MIGHT WORK, AS HAS HAPPENED IN THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT:

    /// SECOND VOLL ACT ///

    THE FACT IS THAT YASSER ARAFAT, WHO MOST PEOPLE THOUGHT OF AS BEING UNALTERABLY, RADICALLY OPPOSED TO ISRAEL, SAT DOWN AND SIGNED A PEACE AGREEMENT WITH THEM, AND THE WORLD IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF ENGAGING IN A RESOLUTION TO WHAT WAS SEEMINGLY AN INTRACTABLE PROBLEM. I THINK THERE IS A DANGER IN REJECTING THE OCALAN INITIATIVE JUST SIMPLY OUT OF HAND WITHOUT AT LEAST GIVING IT A CHANCE TO FLY. I THINK THERE ARE SAFE WAYS OF DOING THAT.

    /// END ACT ///

    WHATEVER THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIAL, GENERAL ATKESON THINKS U-S-TURKISH RELATIONS WILL REMAIN FIRM:

    /// ATKESON ACT ///

    A LOT DEPENDS ON THE POLITICAL WINDS IN WASHINGTON. THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS CHOSEN TO PLACE HUMAN-RIGHTS ISSUES VERY HIGH ON OUR NATIONAL OBJECTIVES OR INTERNATIONAL OBJECTIVES LIST. ANOTHER ADMINISTRATION MAY BE SOMEWHAT MORE ORIENTED TOWARD NATIONAL INTERESTS AND DOWNPLAY THOSE THINGS.

    /// END ACT ///

    BUT GENERAL ATKESON SAYS IT IS CRUCIAL FOR THE TURKISH MILITARY TO GIVE WAY TO CIVILIAN AUTHORITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY'S POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL STRUCTURE. (SIGNED)
    25-Jun-99 11:58 AM EDT (1558 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [14] U-N / KOSOVO / G-EIGHT (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-251113
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS CALLING A SPECIAL MEETING OF SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM 16 NATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS THE REFUGEE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. THE MEETING IS AIMED AT IMPROVING PLANS FOR THE RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS.

    TEXT: U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE MEETING WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO AND DETERMINE WHAT TO DO NEXT. THEY SAY IT WILL ALSO GIVE THE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL A CHANCE TO LAUNCH A NEW APPEAL FOR THE MONEY AND PERSONNEL NEEDED IN KOSOVO.

    PARTICIPANTS WILL INCLUDE FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM THE G-EIGHT COUNTRIES -- FRANCE, GERMANY, BRITAIN, ITALY, CANADA, JAPAN, THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA. OFFICIALS FROM CHINA, GREECE, TURKEY, FINLAND AND THE NETHERLANDS WILL ALSO TAKE PART.

    U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD:

    /// ECKHARD ACT ///

    THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS FORMED A GROUP OF FRIENDS FOR KOSOVO AND HAS INVITED THEM TO NEW YORK NEXT WEDNESDAY MORNING TO CONSULT ON THE ISSUES THAT HAVE ARISEN DURING THE INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE U-N MISSION IN KOSOVO. YOU WILL RECALL THAT IN HIS REPORT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON THE 12TH OF JUNE, HE SAID HE WOULD CONSULT REGULARLY WITH GOVERNMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE IN A POSITION TO ASSIST HIM WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THEIR (SECURITY COUNCIL) RESOLUTION 12-44 ON KOSOVO.

    /// END ACT ///

    UNDER THE KOSOVO PEACE PLAN, THE UNITED NATIONS IS OVERSEEING THE RETURN OF REFUGEES TO KOSOVO AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF ITS INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLITICAL STRUCTURE. THE U-N COMPONENT IS MEANT TO WORK IN COOPERATION WITH THE NATO FORCE IN THE PROVINCE.

    U-N OFFICIALS SAY MR. ANNAN HOPES THE MEETING ON WEDNESDAY WILL HELP PROMOTE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COMPONENTS IN KOSOVO AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. THEY SAY THE U-N CHIEF IS CONCERNED THAT FAILURE TO COOPERATE COULD POSE THE GREATEST THREAT TO THE MISSION. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/GM
    25-Jun-99 4:30 PM EDT (2030 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [15] UNHCR / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

    DATE=6/25/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-251091
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY -- U-N-H-C-R -- INDICATES A RECORD NUMBER OF REFUGEES RETURNED TO KOSOVO ON THURSDAY FROM CAMPS IN ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND MONTENEGRO. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE AGENCY SAYS NEARLY 50-THOUSAND PEOPLE RETURNED ON THEIR OWN, BRINGING TO OVER 300-THOUSAND THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES WHO HAVE GONE BACK TO KOSOVO.

    TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS SINCE K-FOR PEACEKEEPING TROOPS WERE DEPLOYED TO KOSOVO, SPONTANEOUS RETURNS HAVE BEEN FAR GREATER THAN ANTICIPATED. THE AGENCY SAYS LESS THAN A HALF-MILLION REFUGEES NOW REMAIN IN CAMPS IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.

    U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN, KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS BECAUSE OF THESE DRAMATIC RETURNS, THE U-N HAS DECIDED TO SUSPEND ITS HUMANITARIAN EVACUATION PROGRAM TO THIRD COUNTRIES ON JULY FIRST.

    /// JANOWSKI ACT ///

    BECAUSE WITH THIS KIND OF NUMBERS OF PEOPLE GOING BACK TO KOSOVO, THE RAISON D'ETRE FOR THE HUMANITARIAN EVACUATION ESSENTIALLY EXPIRES. THE SITUATION IN MACEDONIA IS DEFUSED COMPLETELY.

    ///END ACT///

    THE PROGRAM BEGAN IN EARLY APRIL MAINLY TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON MACEDONIA POSED BY THE HUGE INFLUX OF REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO. SINCE THE FLIGHTS BEGAN, MORE THAN 88-THOUSAND REFUGEES HAVE BEEN FLOWN TO 29 COUNTRIES.

    MR. JANOWSKI SAYS FLIGHTS TO ALL OF THESE COUNTRIES WILL END, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE TO THE UNITED STATES. HE SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAD PROMISED TO ACCEPT 20-THOUSAND KOSOVAR REFUGEES AND WANTS TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM UNTIL IT HAS FULFILLED THE QUOTA. HE SAYS THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY HOPES TO BEGIN ORGANIZED RETURNS OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA BY BUS AND TRUCK ON MONDAY.

    /// JANOWSKI ACT ///

    IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION WITH THE SPONTANEOUS RETURNS, WHICH ARE ESSENTIALLY NOW COMPLETELY BLOCKING THE ROAD. THERE'S A CONSTANT STREAM OF PEOPLE BLOCKING THE ONLY THREE ROADS WHICH ARE BEING USED FOR THE SPONTANEOUS RETURN.

    ///END ACT///

    MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THE U-N DOESN'T WANT TO ADD TO THIS BOTTLENECK WITH MORE BUSES AND TRUCKS. HOWEVER, HE SAYS AS SOON AS THE ROADS CLEAR, THE AGENCY HOPES TO REPATRIATE SEVERAL THOUSAND REFUGEES EVERY DAY. THEY WILL BE TAKEN TO THREE LOCATIONS IN KOSOVO WHICH ARE CONSIDERED SAFE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/LS/GE
    25-Jun-99 9:11 AM EDT (1311 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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