Voice of America, 99-06-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] FILM / CABARET BALKAN BY KATAYOUN BEGLARI (WASHINGTON)

[02] K-L-A AND KOSOVO BY GIL BUTLER (WASHINGTON)

[03] KOSOVO/ROMANIA/COHEN (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[04] KOSOVO/ROMANIA/COHEN (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[05] KOSOVO: REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK BY EVE CONANT (PRISTINA)

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

[07] OCALAN / NEWSMAKER BY SCOTT BOBB (MUDANYA, TURKEY)

[08] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

[09] TURKEY TRIAL VERDICT (S) BY SCOTT BOBB (MUDANYA, TURKEY)

[10] TURKEY TRIAL VERDICT (S) BY SCOTT BOBB (MUDANYA, TURKEY)

[11] TURKEY VERDICT REACT (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[12] U-N / KOSOVO MEETING PREVIEW (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[13] UNHCR KOSOVO RETURNS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[14] UNHCR KOSOVO RETURNS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[01] FILM / CABARET BALKAN BY KATAYOUN BEGLARI (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: YUGOSLAV DIRECTOR GORAN PASKALJEVIC'S NEW POLITICAL FILM WHICH PAINTS A DARK AND GLOOMY PICTURE OF TODAY'S YUGOSLAVIA HAS OPENED TO RAVE REVIEWS IN EUROPE. NOW, THE DIRECTOR IS HOPING FOR THE SAME SUCCESS WHEN THE FILM OPENS IN THE UNITED STATES IN JULY (THIS MONTH). V-O-A'S KATAYOUN BEGLARI INTERVIEWED THE DIRECTOR AND HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: GORAN PASKALJEVIC'S FILM, 'CABARET BALKAN,' WAS RELEASED IN EUROPE UNDER A DIFFERENT TITLE: "POWDER KEG." IT IS MR. PASKALJEVIC'S BITTER PORTRAIT OF EVERYDAY LIFE IN BELGRADE.

THE FILM DOES NOT FOLLOW A CONVENTIONAL STORYTELLING STYLE, BUT IS A SERIES OF 'SHORT CUTS' THAT FOCUSES ON VARIOUS CHARACTERS AND EVENTS, SOMETIMES VIOLENT, THAT TAKE PLACE ON THE DARKENED STREETS OF BELGRADE ONE NIGHT AFTER THE END OF THE BOSNIAN WAR.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN ONE SCENE A MAN REPRESENTING THE POST-COMMUNIST YOUNGER GENERATION HIJACKS A BUS OUT OF FRUSTRATION AND BERATES AN OLDER COUPLE FOR REMAINING POLITICALLY SILENT FOR DECADES. THE BUS IS BEING DRIVEN BY A FORMER SARAJEVO PROFESSOR WHO WAS HOPING TO AVOID TROUBLE IN HIS NEW JOB.

NEW YORK TIMES FILM CRITIC STEPHEN HOLDEN WRITES THAT "THE MOVIE ILLUSTRATES WHAT MIGHT BE CALLED THE PANDORA'S BOX THEORY OF SOCIAL ORDER; IT CREATES A CLIMATE WHERE EVERONE HAS THE LICENSE TO LASH OUT."

THE FILM WON THE PRESTIGIOUS 'FIPRESCI' (FEDERATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FILM CRITICS) AWARD AT LAST YEAR'S VENICE FILM FESTIVAL, AND IT WAS THE CENTERPIECE OF THE 'HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH FILM FESTIVAL' IN NEW YORK CITY IN JUNE (LAST MONTH). THE 54-YEAR-OLD MR. PASKALJIEVIC SAYS HE ADAPTED THE SCRIPT FROM A PLAY WITTEN BY A MACEDONIAN PLAYWRIGHT.

I DID A LOT OF THINGS (DIFFERENT) BECAUSE IT WAS A THEATER PLAY, WRITTEN BY A YOUNG MACEDONIAN WRITER WHO UNDERSTOOD THE BALKAN MENTALITY VERY WELL. I WAS VERY INSPIRED BY THE TEXT, BUT WE WORKED A YEAR (ON THE FILM SCRIPT) BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT EASY WHEN YOU TAKE A BOOK OR THEATER PIECE (AND ADAPT IT TO FILM). IT CAN PUSH YOU TO DO A FILM WHICH DOES NOT EXPRESS ITSELF IN PURE FILM LANGUAGE.

MR. PASKALJEVIC INTENTIONALLY SHOT THE FILM AT NIGHT BECAUSE -- HE SAYS -- IN HIS HOMELAND EVERYTHING IS BITTER AND PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN THE DARK.

IT IS BITTER BECAUSE OUR LIFE THERE IS BITTER. I MEAN WE LIVE UNDER REPRESSION AND DEPRESSION AND, UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS THE PICTURE OF OUR SOULS TODAY. IT IS NOT EASY IN BELGRADE. I PUT EVERTHING IN THE NIGHT BECAUSE THE FIRST IDEA WAS TO MAKE IT THE NIGHT (IN 1995) THEY SIGNED "THE DAYTON TREATY" (WHICH BROUGHT AN END TO THE BOSNIAN WAR). THAT WAS THE FIRST IDEA. SO IT IS IRONIC THAT THEY ARE SIGNING "THE DAYTON TREATY" IN AMERICA AND YOU HAVE A NIGHT OF VIOLENCE FROM THE OTHER SIDE (IN YUGOSLAVIA). BUT LATER DURING THE SHOOTING, I ABANDONED THE IDEA AND I JUST SAID THAT (IT HAPPENED) ONE NIGHT SYMBOLICALLY (TIED TO THE DAYTON ACCORD).

THE SERBIAN DIRECTOR WAS BORN IN YUGOSLAVIA, BUT NOW LIVES IN PARIS WITH HIS FRENCH WIFE AND CHILDREN. HIS FILM OPENED IN BELGRADE LAST OCTOBER, BUT WITHOUT ANY OFFICIAL PUBLICITY.

I DIDN'T HAVE THE BEST SCREENING ... NO POSTERS IN THE STREETS, NOTHING. BUT THE WORD OF MOUTH WAS SO STRONG THAT THE FILM MADE A RECORD; 5OO-THOUSAND PEOPLE SAW IT IN SERBIA AND I OPENED THE FILM IN SARAJEVO, I OPENED IT IN LUBLJANA AND CITIES IN EX-YUGOSLAVIA, AND I AM VERY PROUD, IT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT PEOPLE, YOUNG PEOPLE ESPECIALLY TODAY IN MY COUNTRY, LIKED IT VERY MUCH. IT IS A KIND OF CULT FILM NOW.

GORAN PASKALJEVIC IS HOPING TO MAKE ANOTHER FILM IN YUGOSLAVIA SOON, NOW THAT THE NATO AIR WAR IS OVER. (SIGNED)
NEB/KB/RRM
29-Jun-99 12:44 PM EDT (1644 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] K-L-A AND KOSOVO BY GIL BUTLER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY--UNDER ITS AGREEMENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO-- HAS BEGUN HANDING OVER WEAPONS AND HALTING OVERT MILITARY DISPLAYS. IN THIS BACKGROUND REPORT, CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER LOOKS AT THE K-L-A, A GUERRILLA FORCE THAT WANTS TO BE A GOVERNMENT.

TEXT:

THE REAL ISSUE FOR THE K-L-A IS NOT WHETHER THERE IS DEMILITARIZATION OR NOT. THE REAL ISSUE IS: WHO CONTROLS KOSOVO AND WHAT IS THE FUTURE POLITICAL STATUS OF THE PROVINCE.

IVO DAALDER OF WASHINGTON'S BROOKINGS INSTITUTION. HE POINTS OUT THAT THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY'S GOAL IS AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVO.

SINCE THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO, THE K-L-A HAS ESTABLISHED PROMINENT OFFICES IN MOST OF THE TOWNS AND CITIES OF THE PROVINCE. THE ORGANIZATION SEEMS TO BE POSITIONING ITSELF TO BE THE SOLE VIABLE ETHNIC ALBANIAN POLITICAL FORCE IN KOSOVO. JAMES ANDERSON OF THE CONSERVATIVE HERITAGE FOUNDATION SAYS IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FULFILL THAT ROLE.

THE K-L-A, ALTHOUGH IT WAS PORTRAYED ENDLESSLY AS JUST A RAG-TAG MILITIA GROUP, IN FACT THEY HAVE MATURED QUITE A BIT AND HAVE DEVELOPED RATHER A SOPHISTICATED ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, WITH PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR LOGISTICS, FINANCE, HEALTH AND ALL THE REST. AND SO , IN ESSENCE, IT HAS SORT OF IN EMBRYONIC FORM, THE ABILITY, AT LEAST, THE POTENTIAL, TO TRANSFORM ITSELF INTO A REAL GOVERNING FORCE. I SHOULD SAY THEY ARE BETTER EQUIPPED TO DO THIS THAN ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION OR GROUP IN KOSOVO AT THIS TIME.

THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC SERBS HAVE ALREADY LEFT KOSOVO AMID BITTER ATTACKS BY KOSOVAR ALBANIANS RETURNING FROM REFUGE IN MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA TO FIND THEIR HOMES BURNED AND LOOTED. ONE OF THE FIRST ROLES THE K-L-A HAS SOUGHT FOR ITSELF IS AS PART OF A CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE IN KOSOVO, BUT IVAN ELAND OF WASHINGTON'S CATO INSTITUTE IS DOUBTFUL THAT WOULD PROTECT THE SERB MINORITY.

THEY WILL JUST BE CHANGING THEIR UNIFORMS FROM THE CAMOUFLAGE OF THE K-L-A TO THE UNIFORM OF A POLICEMAN, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE SERB MINORITY IN KOSOVO WILL BE PROTECTED.

BROOKINGS' IVO DAALDER SAYS SERBS PROBABLY COULD NOT LIVE IN A K-L-A- RUN KOSOVO.

NOT AT THE MOMENT CLEARLY. WHICH IS WHY A K-L-A RUN KOSOVO AT THE MOMENT IS STILL UNACCEPTABLE. IT HAS TO BE RUN BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY: BY NATO ON THE MILITARY SIDE, BY THE U-N ON THE CIVILIAN SIDE--WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE K-L-A. BUT IT IS ONLY IF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS IN CLEAR CONTROL THAT THE SERBS ARE LIKELY TO REMAIN--OR TO RETURN--THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT TO RETURN TO SERBIA. THAT IS THE ONLY HOPE FOR WHATEVER POSSIBILITY OF A MULTI ETHNIC PROVINCE TO EXIST.

THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION'S JAMES ANDERSON SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD BE ASSISTING MODERATE ELEMENTS WITHIN KOSOVO TO BECOME POTENTIAL LEADERS. FOR NOW, GIVEN THE HATRED LEFT BY THE SERB AUTHORITIES' ASSAULTS ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS, IVAN ELAND OF THE CATO INSTITUTE SAYS THE K-L-A, WITH ITS STRONG NATIONALIST POLICIES, IS THE ONLY ORGNIZATION THAT MEETS KOSOVAR POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS.

THERE PROBABLY IS NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE THAN THE K-L-A FOR THE POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS OF THE ALBANIANS. THE PROBLEM IS, I DON'T THINK THE K-L-A CAN BE TRUSTED TO RESTRAIN ITSELF FROM ATTACKING SERBS. IF THE PEACEKEEPERS ARE THERE THEY WILL JUST GO AROUND THE PEACE KEEPERS. WAIT TIL THEY'RE NOT THERE AND JUST HAVE AT IT. I'M VERY PESSIMISTIC THAT THIS IS GOING TO TURN OUT THE WAY THE WEST WANTS IT TO.

[03] KOSOVO/ROMANIA/COHEN (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN IS URGING NATO TO MOVE THE REST OF ITS PEACEKEEPING FORCES INTO KOSOVO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. HE SPOKE AFTER SOME SENIOR OFFICIALS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT ROAMING BANDS OF ARMED SERBS MIGHT SPARK RENEWED VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, WHERE OFFICIALS SAY THE U-S PORTION OF K-FOR WILL BE IN PLACE QUICKLY.

TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAYS ABOUT 20-THOUSAND OF THE PLANNED 50-THOUSAND NATIO-LED PEACEKEEPING TROOPS ARE ALREADY DEPLOYED IN KOSOVO, WITH THE REST DUE IN PLACE IN TWO WEEKS.

WE HAD ANTICIPATED THAT THERE MIGHT BE THESE SPORADIC GROUPS OR ATTEMPTS TO DISRUPT THE PEACE PROCESS THERE. WHAT WILL BE IMPORTANT WILL BE FOR US TO ACCELERATE TO THE EXTENT WE CAN, THE ARRIVAL OF THE FULL K-FOR FORCE.

THE PENTAGON'S OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF LOGISTICS SAYS THE LIMITED NUMBER OF RAIL LINES, AIR FIELDS AND SEAPORTS MAKES MOVING INTO KOSOVO A CHALLENGE, AND HE SAYS K-FOR NATIONS WILL HAVE TO CLOSELY COORDINATE SHIPMENTS OF TROOPS AND VEHICLES TO AVOID SLOWING THE PROCESS WITH TRAFFIC JAMS.

BUT GENERAL MIKE MCDUFFIE SAYS HE STILL THINKS THE BALANCE OF THE SEVEN THOUSAND U-S TROOPS WILL BE IN PLACE A FEW DAYS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

HE SAYS THE FIRST OF TWO LARGE U-S SHIPS BEARING TANKS AND OTHER HEAVY MILITARY EQUIPMENT HAS ARRIVED IN A GREEK PORT AND IS UNLOADING ITS CARGO. A SECOND SHIP AND MANY PLANE-LOADS OF TROOPS SHOULD ARRIVE SOON.

SECRETARY COHEN SPOKE AFTER TALKS AT THE PENTAGON WITH VISITING ROMANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER VIKTOR BABIUC (PRONO:BAB-EE-YOOK).

MR. COHEN THANKED ROMANIA FOR OPENING ITS AIR SPACE TO NATO DURING THE RECENT BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. ROMANIA IS ALSO SENDING ENGINEERING AND HOSPITAL UNITS TO HELP THE NATO-LED KOSOVO PEACE FORCE.

MR. COHEN STRESSED THAT NATO'S MEMBERSHIP IS POSSIBLE FOR ROMANIA AND OTHER NATIONS IF THEY CONTINUE TO RESTRUCTURE THEIR MILITARY FORCES TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE ALLIANCE AND MAKE DEMOCRATIC REFORMS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
29-Jun-99 4:44 PM EDT (2044 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO/ROMANIA/COHEN (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN IS URGING NATO TO MOVE THE REST OF ITS PEACEKEEPING FORCES INTO KOSOVO AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. HE SPOKE AFTER SOME SENIOR OFFICIALS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT ROAMING BANDS OF ARMED SERBS MIGHT SPARK RENEWED VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, WHERE OFFICIALS SAY THE U-S PORTION OF K-FOR WILL BE IN PLACE QUICKLY.

TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY COHEN SAYS ABOUT 20-THOUSAND OF THE PLANNED 50-THOUSAND NATIO-LED PEACEKEEPING TROOPS ARE ALREADY DEPLOYED IN KOSOVO, WITH THE REST DUE IN PLACE IN TWO WEEKS.

WE HAD ANTICIPATED THAT THERE MIGHT BE THESE SPORADIC GROUPS OR ATTEMPTS TO DISRUPT THE PEACE PROCESS THERE. WHAT WILL BE IMPORTANT WILL BE FOR US TO ACCELERATE TO THE EXTENT WE CAN, THE ARRIVAL OF THE FULL K-FOR FORCE.

THE PENTAGON'S OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF LOGISTICS SAYS THE LIMITED NUMBER OF RAIL LINES, AIR FIELDS AND SEAPORTS MAKES MOVING INTO KOSOVO A CHALLENGE, AND HE SAYS K-FOR NATIONS WILL HAVE TO CLOSELY COORDINATE SHIPMENTS OF TROOPS AND VEHICLES TO AVOID SLOWING THE PROCESS WITH TRAFFIC JAMS.

BUT GENERAL MIKE MCDUFFIE SAYS HE STILL THINKS THE BALANCE OF THE SEVEN THOUSAND U-S TROOPS WILL BE IN PLACE A FEW DAYS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

HE SAYS THE FIRST OF TWO LARGE U-S SHIPS BEARING TANKS AND OTHER HEAVY MILITARY EQUIPMENT HAS ARRIVED IN A GREEK PORT AND IS UNLOADING ITS CARGO. A SECOND SHIP AND MANY PLANE-LOADS OF TROOPS SHOULD ARRIVE SOON.

SECRETARY COHEN SPOKE AFTER TALKS AT THE PENTAGON WITH VISITING ROMANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER VIKTOR BABIUC (PRONO:BAB-EE-YOOK).

MR. COHEN THANKED ROMANIA FOR OPENING ITS AIR SPACE TO NATO DURING THE RECENT BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. ROMANIA IS ALSO SENDING ENGINEERING AND HOSPITAL UNITS TO HELP THE NATO-LED KOSOVO PEACE FORCE.

MR. COHEN STRESSED THAT NATO'S MEMBERSHIP IS POSSIBLE FOR ROMANIA AND OTHER NATIONS IF THEY CONTINUE TO RESTRUCTURE THEIR MILITARY FORCES TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE ALLIANCE AND MAKE DEMOCRATIC REFORMS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
29-Jun-99 4:44 PM EDT (2044 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO: REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK BY EVE CONANT (PRISTINA)

INTRO: IN JUST TWO WEEKS, THE CAPITAL OF KOSOVO, PRISTINA, HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED FROM A CITY CONTROLLED BY THE SERB MILITARY TO A BUSTLING CITY OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT WAS RECENTLY IN PRISTINA AND OTHER CITIES IN KOSOVO, AND FILED THIS REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK.

TEXT:

NATO TANKS ROLLING INTO SOUTHERN KOSOVO WERE GREETED WITH A HEROES' WELCOME BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

BUT IN THE CAPITAL, PRISTINA, THE STREETS WERE EMPTY, EXCEPT FOR SERB SOLDIERS AND SMALL CLUSTERS OF SERB CIVILIANS, ANXIOUS TO EXPRESS THEIR DISGUST WITH WHAT THEY CALL "NATO AGGRESSION" AND THE "FOREIGN OCCUPATION" OF THEIR CITY. ETHNIC ALBANIANS OF PRISTINA WERE SILENT. THEY STILL WERE INDOORS, AFTER MONTHS TRAPPED IN THEIR HOMES, AFRAID TO GO ASIDE.

DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS, AS THE YUGOSLAV ARMY DEPARTED, THE ATMOSPHERE OF FEAR WAS LIFTED, AND PRISTINA CAME BACK TO LIFE.

EVEN AFTER THE FIRST NATO TROOPS SETTLED IN PRISTINA, SERB PARAMILITARY VEHICLES PATROLLED THE STREETS. NOW, PEOPLE LOOK ON IN DISBELIEF AND HAPPINESS WHEN CARS DRIVE PAST WITH WINDOWS OPEN AND ALBANIAN MUSIC PLAYING.

BUT DESPITE THE FEELING OF FREEDOM AND THE CEASELESS FLASHING OF THE VICTORY SIGN, ALMOST EVERY PERSON HAS A HORROR STORY TO TELL A SON HAS BEEN KILLED, OR A WIFE, OR AN UNCLE. IT SEEMS THERE IS NO ONE NOT TOUCHED BY THE WAR.

IN A SMALL VILLAGE ONE DAY IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS. THE ONLY PEOPLE TO ASK WERE CRYING, AFTER SEEING THEIR DESTROYED HOMES.

V-O-A'S ALBANIAN TRANSLATOR, WHEN SHE VISITED HER HOME IN THE CITY OF PEC, FOUND IT HAD BEEN BURNED TO THE GROUND. SHE AND THE FAMILY SHE WAS RENTING A ROOM FROM IN PRISTINA HAVE NOT THROWN OUT THE NOTE SLIPPED UNDER THEIR DOOR ONE NIGHT. IT READS, "YOU HAVE 24 HOURS TO LEAVE THE HOUSE, OR YOU WILL BE SHOT."

THOSE WHO DID LEAVE NOW ARE RETURNING HOME TO FIND THEIR HOUSES BURNED, THE ROOF COLLAPSED, BULLET HOLES IN THE WALLS, AND SHATTERED GLASS.

BUT THERE IS A SAYING THAT IF A DESTROYED HOME STILL HAS ITS CHIMNEY, THEN IT WILL BE LIVED IN AGAIN.

THERE ALSO ARE STORIES OF SERBS AND ALBANIANS WHO HELPED EACH OTHER DURING THE CONFLICT. ONE SERB FAMILY WATCHED OVER AN ALBANIAN'S HOME WHILE THEY WERE AWAY IN THE CAMPS. WHEN THE ALBANIANS RETURNED, IT WAS THE SERBS WHO HAD TO FLEE.

THEY BEGGED THEIR NEIGHBORS TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR HOME. BUT AFTER TWO WEEKS OF MASS LOOTING AND BURNING OF SERB HOMES, THEIR HOME WAS ROBBED AND VANDALIZED. THE ALBANIAN NEIGHBOR FAILED TO STOP THE LOOTING -- AND THE CYCLE OF HATRED.

BUT THERE IS STILL CELEBRATION. REFUGEES COME HOME WITH CARTONS OF CIGARETTES UNDER THEIR ARMS, PASSING OUT PACKS OF MARLBORO'S TO ANY SOLDIERS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY THEY COME ACROSS. IN FACT, THE K-L-A ARE EVERYWHERE, FREE TO ROAM AS THE VICTORS OF KOSOVO.

AT THE ONE OPERATING BAR IN PRISTINA, THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE K-L-A, HASHIM THACI -- WHO HAS GIVEN UP HIS CAMOUFLAGE AND DONNED A SUIT -- CAN BE SEEN MINGLING WITH NEWSPAPER EDITORS, JOURNALISTS, AND YOUNG LOCALS.

IN A DIFFERENT CORNER OF THE BAR IS ANOTHER FAMILIAR FACE -- AN ALBANIAN RAP STAR WHO SEEMS TO BE IN HIS ELEMENT, SMOKING CIGARETTES AND TALKING WITH FRIENDS. ONE MONTH AGO HE COULD BE SEEN LOADING CRATES OF BANANAS AT AN OVERCROWDED AND DUSTY REFUGEE CAMP IN MACEDONIA.

THE FIRST WEEKS IN KOSOVO ALSO SAW NATO SUFFER ITS FIRST CASUALTIES. TWO BRITISH SOLDIERS WITH A GURKHA UNIT DIED WHEN AN UNDETONATED NATO CLUSTER BOMB EXPLODED.

SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, ON THE SECOND DAY OF NATO DEPLOYMENT INTO KOSOVO, THE TRAFFIC JAM OF TANKS AND OTHER MILITARY VEHICLES WAS SO DENSE, THAT A PLATOON OF GURKHA SOLDIERS HAD TO WAIT BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR HOURS.

TO KEEP THE MOOD UP, ONE OF THE GURKHA SOLDIERS PULLED OUT A LARGE BAG FROM HIS TANK. INSIDE WAS A BAGPIPE, WHICH HE PLAYED FOR THE OTHER SOLDIERS WHILE THEY WAITING TO REACH THE CAPITAL OF KOSOVO.

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (TUESDAY) AS TRADERS BRUSHED ASIDE CONCERN ABOUT INTEREST RATES. V-O-A BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10-THOUSAND-815, UP 160 POINTS, OR ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13-HUNDRED-51, UP 20 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX GAINED ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT

ANALYSTS SAY MOST TRADERS NOW ASSUME THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL ANNOUNCE A MODEST ONE-QUARTER PERCENT RISE IN SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES AT THE END OF A TWO-DAY MEETING ON WEDNESDAY. RATHER THAN WORRYING ABOUT INTEREST RATES, TRADERS SEEM TO BE CONCENTRATING ON EXPECTED STRONG CORPORATE EARNINGS.

MOST ANALYSTS, SUCH AS AL GOLDMAN OF THE A-G EDWARDS INVESTMENT COMPANY, BELIEVE A MODEST INCREASE IN INTEREST RATES WILL NOT HURT THE STOCK MARKET.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A GOOD SUMMER IN THE MARKET BECAUSE THE PROSPECTS FOR CORPORATE EARNINGS ARE POSITIVE AND THE DOMINANT MOOD IN THE MARKET IS OF WANTING TO BUY AND HOLD STOCKS FOR THE LONG TERM.

A MONTHLY SURVEY OF CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES IS UP IN JUNE FOR THE EIGHTH CONSECUTIVE MONTH. THE CONFIDENCE INDEX IS NOW WITHIN FOUR POINTS OF AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

BUT SALES OF NEW HOMES DROPPED IN MAY BY FIVE PERCENT. HOWEVER, ANALYSTS SAY THE DROP IN NEW HOME SALES IS LARGELY BECAUSE OF A GROWING MARKET SATURATION AND NOT BECAUSE OF LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE ECONOMY. C-M-G-I, THE TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT FIRM, WILL PAY TWO POINT THREE BILLION DOLLARS TO BUY A CONTROLLING INTEREST IN ALTA VISTA, AN INTERNET SEARCH ENGINE WHICH IS CURRENTLY OWNED BY THE COMPAQ COMPUTER COMPANY. ANALYSTS SAY THE DEAL WILL ALLOW COMPAQ TO FOCUS MORE ON ITS COMPUTER HARDWARE BUSINESS.

INTERSTATE, THE LARGEST BAKING COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES, REPORTED LOWER QUARTERLY EARNINGS BECAUSE OF START-UP COSTS FOR NEW BAKERIES.

THE GENERAL FOODS COMPANY SAYS ITS PROFITS ROSE 14 PERCENT LARGELY BECAUSE OF RECORD SALES OF ITS CHEERIOS BREAKFAST CEREAL BRAND.

THE CONSOLIDATION IN THE U-S BANKING INDUSTRY CONTINUES. THE HUDSON UNITED BANCORP WILL PAY ABOUT 430 MILLION DOLLARS TO BUY TWO SMALLER BANKS. THE COMBINED COMPANY WILL HAVE ALMOST 10 BILLION DOLLARS IN ASSETS AND SERVE FOUR NORTHEASTERN STATES.

U-S DRUG REGULATORS HAVE APPROVED AN AIDS DRUG FOR USE IN THE TREATMENT OF OVARIAN CANCER. THE DRUG, NAMED DOXIL AND PRODUCED BY THE ALZA CORPORATION, WAS ORIGINALLY APPROVED TO TREAT A FORM OF CANCER ASSOCIATED WITH AIDS BUT RESEARCH SHOWS IT CAN ALSO BE EFFECTIVE AGAINST SOME ADVANCED CASES OF OVARIAN CANCER. LUKOIL, THE LARGEST OIL COMPANY IN RUSSIA, SAYS IT WILL SEEK UNITED NATIONS APPROVAL TO INVEST IN IRAQ. THE COMPANY SAYS IT IS IN ITS INTEREST TO HELP DEVELOP IRAQI OIL FIELDS BUT WILL NOT VIOLATE CURRENT U-N SANCTIONS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/GM
29-Jun-99 5:01 PM EDT (2101 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] OCALAN / NEWSMAKER BY SCOTT BOBB (MUDANYA, TURKEY)

INTRO: KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF TREASON AND SENTENCED TO DEATH FOLLOWING A FOUR-WEEK TRIAL ON AN ISLAND PRISON OFF THE COAST OF TURKEY. THE CONVICTION, HOWEVER, MUST BE APPROVED BY AN APPEALS COURT AND ULTIMATELY BY THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT. KURDISH LEADERS HAVE WARNED THAT EXECUTING MR. OCALAN COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN VIOLENCE FOR, ALTHOUGH HE IS VIEWED BY MANY TURKS AS A RUTHLESS TERRORIST, MR. OCALAN IS REVERED BY MANY KURDS AS A FOUNDER OF THEIR AUTONOMY MOVEMENT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB HAS THIS PROFILE OF THE KURDISH LEADER.

TEXT: WHETHER OR NOT THE DEATH PENALTY IS CARRIED OUT AGAINST MR. OCALAN, IT IS ALMOST CERTAIN THAT HIS CAREER AS ONE OF THE MOST FEARED OPPONENTS OF THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT IS OVER. FOR EVEN IF HIS LIFE IS SPARED, THE STOCKY, MUSTACHIOED REBEL LEADER IS LIKELY EITHER TO LANGUISH IN PRISON, MARGINALIZED FROM HIS ORGANIZATION, OR LAUNCH A NEW CAREER AS A POLITICIAN AND EMISSARY OF PEACE.

SUCH A CHANGE WOULD NOT SURPRISE MANY OBSERVERS. FOR, ABDULLAH OCALAN IS A MIXTURE OF CONTRADICTIONS. CONSIDERED BRUTAL AND THUGGISH BY HIS OPPONENTS, HE IS VIEWED AS GIFTED AND CHARISMATIC BY HIS FOLLOWERS.

A RESPECTED LEADER OF THE ARMED KURDISH MOVEMENT, HE REPORTEDLY NEVER SAW BATTLE. AND ALTHOUGH HE IS ONE OF THE FATHERS OF THE MOVEMENT TO PROMOTE KURDISH CULTURE, HE REPORTEDLY IS MORE COMFORTABLE SPEAKING TURKISH THAN THE KURDISH LANGUAGE.

ABDULLAH OCALAN WAS BORN 50 YEARS AGO TO A POOR FARMING FAMILY IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY, NEAR TURKEYS BORDER WITH SYRIA.

AS A YOUNG MAN, HE WANTED TO BE A SOLDIER AND TRIED TO ENLIST IN THE TURKISH ARMY. HE WAS REJECTED, HOWEVER, HE SAYS, BECAUSE HE WAS OF KURDISH ORIGIN.

SO INSTEAD, HE ENTERED ANKARA UNIVERSITY'S COMPETITIVE POLITICAL SCIENCE FACULTY. HE SOON BECAME A MARXIST SYMPATHIZER AND A KURDISH NATIONALIST. IN 1972, HE WAS IMPRISONED FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS FOR PRO-KURDISH ACTIVITIES AND LEFT THE UNIVERSITY. HE SUBSEQUENTLY FOUNDED THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR P-K-K, AND LAUNCHED THE KURDISH AUTONOMY MOVEMENT.

JUST BEFORE THE MILITARY COUP IN TURKEY IN 1980, ABDULLAH OCALAN FLED TO SYRIA AND SET UP TRAINING CAMPS IN THE LEBANESE PLAINS WHICH WERE UNDER SYRIAN CONTROL. APO, AS HE IS KNOWN TO HIS SUPPORTERS, LAUNCHED HIS ARMED STRUGGLE ON AUGUST 15TH, 1984. IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS, THE P-K-K STAGED MANY ATTACKS ON TURKISH SECURITY FORCES AND ON KURDISH VILLAGES THAT SUPPORTED THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT. AN ESTIMATED 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE, INCLUDING MANY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE ATTACKS.

DURING THE 1990'S, MR. OCALAN DECLARED A CEASEFIRE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND OFFERED TO ENTER INTO PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. BUT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT REFUSED ANY DEAL AND VOWED TO CRUSH HIS ORGANIZATION.

LAST OCTOBER, THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT THREATENED TO INVADE SYRIA IF IT CONTINUED TO SUPPORT MR. OCALAN. MEDIATION BY EGYPT AVOIDED ANY CONFRONTATION AND BROUGHT ASSURANCES FROM DAMASCUS THAT MR. OCALAN HAD LEFT THE COUNTRY.

IN NOVEMBER, MR. OCALAN SURRENDERED TO POLICE IN ITALY AND ASKED FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM. HE WAS REFUSED AFTER A STRONG PROTEST BY TURKEY, AND LEFT TWO MONTHS LATER. A NUMBER OF OTHER EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS ALSO TURNED DOWN HIS REQUEST FOR ASYLUM. AND MR. OCALAN EVENTUALLY TOOK REFUGE IN GREECE, A REGIONAL RIVAL TO TURKEY. HOWEVER, HIS PRESENCE MADE EVEN THE GREEK GOVERNMENT UNCOMFORTABLE. AND IN FEBRUARY, MR. OCALAN WAS FLOWN TO KENYA, REPORTEDLY SEEKING ASYLUM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.

UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH STILL HAVE NOT BEEN FULLY EXPLAINED, HE ENDED UP SEDATED AND IN HANDCUFFS ON A PRIVATE PLANE FLYING TO TURKEY AND IN THE CUSTODY OF TURKISH SPECIAL AGENTS.

THE ARREST SPARKED VIOLENT PROTESTS BY KURDISH SYMPATHIZERS IN SEVERAL EUROPEAN CAPITALS.

AT THE OPENING OF HIS TRIAL, THE FEARED REBEL LEADER STARTLED TURKS AND KURDS ALIKE WHEN HE ASKED THE VICTIMS' FAMILIES FOR FORGIVENESS AND URGED THE COURT TO SPARE HIS LIFE SO HE COULD WORK FOR PEACE. HIS LAWYERS SAY SPARING MR. OCALAN'S LIFE WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO END THE VIOLENCE. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT, HOWEVER, IS ALSO UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE MILITARY AND SOLDIERS' FAMILIES TO EXECUTE HIM.

NO MATTER WHAT HIS FATE ULTIMATELY IS, MR. OCALAN'S CASE HAS NOW MOVED FROM THE JURIDICAL STAGE TO THE POLITICAL ARENA. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH/PLM
29-Jun-99 5:34 AM EDT (0934 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE BALKANS, PAYING U-S DUES TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND DOUBTS ABOUT WHETHER AMERICANS WILL EVER KNOW THE FULL STORY BEHIND ALLEGED CHINESE ESPIONAGE AT U-S NUCLEAR LABS ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES BEING ADDRESSED BY EDITORIALS IN U-S NEWSPAPERS TUESDAY. HERE IS _____________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK.

TEXT: UNNAMED CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS TELL THE NEW YORK TIMES THE WHITE HOUSE KNEW ABOUT CHINESE EFFORTS TO OBTAIN U-S NUCLEAR WEAPONS SECRETS AS LONG AGO AS 1995. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION MAINTAINS THE ALLEGED SPYING WASN'T BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION UNTIL A FULL YEAR LATER. THAT PROMPTED THIS COMMENT FROM THE NEW YORK POST.

VOICE: WHEN IT COMES TO THE GROWING CHINA NUCLEAR ESPIONAGE SCANDAL, BILL CLINTON HAS MORE SHOES TO DROP THAN IMELDA MARCOS. AND IT'S ALSO BECOMING INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS THAT NO ONE IN THIS ADMINISTRATION IS PREPARED TO TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT THE SCANDAL -- EVER . . . ONE MONTH AGO, WE SAID IT WAS TIME TO DEMAND AN ANSWER TO HOWARD BAKER'S FAMOUS WATERGATE QUESTION: WHAT DID THE PRESIDENT KNOW, AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT?

TEXT: THE WAR IN KOSOVO MAY BE OVER, BUT REBUILDING A DEVASTATED SERBIA IS YET TO BEGIN. JUST HOW TO RECONSTRUCT A REGION DESTROYED BY NATO BOMBS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME TRYING TO ISOLATE SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WILL BE A CHALLENGE FOR THE NATO ALLIES IN THE MONTHS TO COME. THE NEW YORK TIMES HAS SOME ADVICE ABOUT WHAT THE WEST SHOULD HELP REBUILD AND WHAT IT SHOULD NOT.

VOICE: THE COUNTRY'S ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEM SHOULD BE REBUILT BUT THROUGH THE WORK OF FOREIGN COMPANIES OR THOSE OWNED BY THE OPPOSITION IN SERBIA. THE WEST SHOULD SUPPORT DEMOCRACY IN SERBIA BY HELPING GROUPS LIKE THE INDEPENDENT MEDIA AND OPPOSITION MAYORS, PERHAPS EVEN HELPING THEM REBUILD FACTORIES OR INFRASTRUCTURE IN THEIR CITIES . . . ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT RECONSTRUCTION ISSUES IS WHAT TO DO ABOUT ROADS AND BRIDGES NEEDED BY SERBIA'S NEIGHBORS. BULGARIA, FOR EXAMPLE, DEPENDS ON SERBIA'S PORTION OF THE DANUBE RIVER -- CURRENTLY BLOCKED BY BOMBED OUT BRIDGES -- FOR SHIPPING. THE RIVER SHOULD BE CLEARED OF DEBRIS SO COMMERCE CAN RESUME, BUT THE WEST OUGHT NOT TO REBUILD THE BRIDGES.

TEXT: LAST WEEK, THE U-S SENATE APPROVED PAYMENT OF ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS IN DUES WASHINGTON OWES THE UNITED NATIONS, BUT ON CONDITION THAT FUTURE U-S DUES BE REDUCED. THE SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER EXAMINES THE WISDOM OF THAT.

VOICE: THE U-N IS A KEY TO OUR CURRENT PACIFICATION EFFORTS IN THE BALKANS, AS IT WAS IN THE 1950'S DEFENSE OF SOUTH KOREA AND SCORES OF OTHER DISPUTES AROUND THE WORLD. IT ALSO SERVES AS A GLOBAL SAFETY VALVE FOR SIMMERING DISPUTES AND A PROMOTER OF HEALTH AND EDUCATION AROUND THE WORLD. BUT ON CAPITOL HILL, THE U-N IS A FAVORED PUNCHING BAG OF CONSERVATIVES FLAILING AT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE CRITICISM THAT U-S INTERESTS GET IN THE RHETORIC OF THIRD WORLD DELEGATES.

TEXT: JUST SEVERAL ISSUES RECEIVING EDITORIAL COMMENT IN U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS TUESDAY.
NEB/NJS/KL
29-Jun-99 12:34 PM EDT (1634 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] TURKEY TRIAL VERDICT (S) BY SCOTT BOBB (MUDANYA, TURKEY)

INTRO: A SPECIAL SECURITY COURT IN TURKEY HAS SENTENCED KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN TO DEATH AFTER FINDING HIM GUILTY OF TREASON. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB IN MUDANYA, TURKEY, REPORTS THE VERDICT BROUGHT AN OUTBURST OF EMOTION FROM FAMILIES OF SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN KURDISH ATTACKS.

TEXT: THE JUDGE DELIVERED THE VERDICT WHILE MR. OCALAN STOOD IMPASSIVELY IN THE BULLET-PROOF CUBICLE WHERE HE HAS SAT DURING THE ENTIRE TRIAL.

AFTER THE VERDICT, SOME OBSERVERS SANG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, AS MR. OCALAN LEFT THE ROOM.

ON THE DOCK IN MUDANYA, VICTIMS FAMILIES WAVED THE TURKISH FLAG AND SANG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. MOTHERS CLUTCHING PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR DEAD SONS CRIED AND OFFERED PRAISES TO GOD.

TURKEY HAS NOT ADMINISTERED THE DEATH PENALTY SINCE 1984 AND MR. OCALAN'S SENTENCE MUST BE APPROVED BY THE PARLIAMENT.

KURDISH LEADERS WARN HIS EXECUTION COULD LEAD TO MORE VIOLENCE. BUT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT IS UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE MILITARY AND MUCH OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO CARRY OUT THE SENTENCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH/PLM
29-Jun-99 5:04 AM EDT (0904 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] TURKEY TRIAL VERDICT (S) BY SCOTT BOBB (MUDANYA, TURKEY)

INTRO: A SPECIAL SECURITY COURT IN TURKEY HAS SENTENCED KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN TO DEATH AFTER FINDING HIM GUILTY OF TREASON. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB IN MUDANYA, TURKEY, REPORTS THE VERDICT BROUGHT AN OUTBURST OF EMOTION FROM FAMILIES OF SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN KURDISH ATTACKS.

TEXT: THE JUDGE DELIVERED THE VERDICT WHILE MR. OCALAN STOOD IMPASSIVELY IN THE BULLET-PROOF CUBICLE WHERE HE HAS SAT DURING THE ENTIRE TRIAL.

AFTER THE VERDICT, SOME OBSERVERS SANG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, AS MR. OCALAN LEFT THE ROOM.

ON THE DOCK IN MUDANYA, VICTIMS FAMILIES WAVED THE TURKISH FLAG AND SANG THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. MOTHERS CLUTCHING PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEIR DEAD SONS CRIED AND OFFERED PRAISES TO GOD.

TURKEY HAS NOT ADMINISTERED THE DEATH PENALTY SINCE 1984 AND MR. OCALAN'S SENTENCE MUST BE APPROVED BY THE PARLIAMENT.

KURDISH LEADERS WARN HIS EXECUTION COULD LEAD TO MORE VIOLENCE. BUT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT IS UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE MILITARY AND MUCH OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO CARRY OUT THE SENTENCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH/PLM
29-Jun-99 5:04 AM EDT (0904 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] TURKEY VERDICT REACT (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: EUROPEAN CAPITALS ARE ON ALERT FOR A POSSIBLE VIOLENT BACKLASH AS KURDS REACT TO TURKEY'S DEATH SENTENCE FOR REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS ARE APPEALING TO TURKEY NOT TO CARRY OUT THE DEATH SENTENCE.

TEXT: ABOUT 200 KURDS DEMONSTRATED IN FRONT OF THE U-S EMBASSY IN LONDON AND MARCHED THROUGH THE CITY CENTER. OTHER PROTESTS HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED IN BERLIN, MOSCOW, AND AMSTERDAM. PROTESTERS HAVE SCUFFLED WITH POLICE IN SEVERAL EUROPEAN CITIES.

ZENAR HOGIR OF THE LONDON-BASED KURDISH INFORMATION CENTER WARNS OF KURDISH VIOLENCE IN TURKEY AND ELSEWHERE. HE CALLS THE VERDICT A DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE WHOLE KURDISH NATION.

IF THE (TURKISH) STATE DOES NOT ACCEPT THE MINIMUM DEMANDS OF THE KURDISH PEOPLE, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO DO? YOU CAN NOT EXPECT THEM TO LAY DOWN THEIR HEADS AND SAY OKAY WE ARE A SACRIFICING HERD AND WE ARE PREPARED TO DIE FOR IT.

EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS HAVE APPEALED TO KURDISH COMMUNITIES TO SHOW RESTRAINT. THE 41-NATION COUNCIL OF EUROPE AND INDIVIDUAL EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS HAVE APPEALED TO TURKEY TO REFRAIN FROM EXECUTING OCALAN.

MANY EUROPEAN STATES, WHICH HAVE CALLED ON TURKEY TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY AND IMPROVE ITS HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD, NOW WARN THAT TURKEY WILL DISTANCE ITSELF FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION IF IT EXECUTES OCALAN. TURKEY HAS BEEN TRYING TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES

KURDISH REBELS HAVE ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING KURDS SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO ACCEPT THE VERDICT IN SILENCE.

EUROPEAN AUTHORITIES ARE BRACING FOR VIOLENCE, ESPECIALLY IN GERMANY, WHICH HAS EUROPE'S LARGEST KURDISH COMMUNITY. THE SWISS GOVERNMENT HAS WARNED THAT CARRYING OUT THE DEATH SENTENCE WOULD PROVOKE A NEW SPIRAL OF VIOLENCE AND WOULD NOT HELP RESOLVE THE KURDISH QUESTION PEACEFULLY.

LAST FEBRUARY, KURDISH DEMONSTRATORS ACROSS EUROPE CLASHED WITH POLICE, AND STONED SEVERAL GREEK AND OTHER DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS. THEY WERE PROTESTING THE GREEK ROLE IN OCALAN'S ARREST.

ABDULLAH OCALAN WAS CONVICTED OF TREASON FOR HIS LEADERSHIP OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, WHICH HAS WAGED A 15-YEAR CAMPAIGN FOR AUTONOMY IN THE MOSTLY-KURDISH SOUTHEASTERN REGION OF TURKEY. THE BLOODSHED HAS CLAIMED MORE THAN 37-THOUSAND VICTIMS.

THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT, WHICH HAD REFUSED TO EXTRADITE OCALAN TO TURKEY LAST YEAR, SAYS IT WILL APPEAL TO THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO TRY TO BLOCK AN EXECUTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/GE/RAE
29-Jun-99 10:49 AM EDT (1449 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] U-N / KOSOVO MEETING PREVIEW (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM AT LEAST 10 NATIONS GATHER AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS KOSOVO. U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN IS CALLING THE MEETING TO APPEAL FOR STRONGER INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR REBUILDING THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS MORE.

TEXT: MR. ANNAN DESCRIBES THE PARTICIPANTS AS THE FRIENDS OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR KOSOVO. THEY REPRESENT THE WORLD'S LEADING INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS AND POLITICAL POWERS IN ADDITION TO KEY COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT.

U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS MR. ANNAN WANTS TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO CONTRIBUTE MORE TO THE REBUILDING OF KOSOVO.

HE NEEDS TO APPEAL TO THEM AND THROUGH THEM TO OTHER GOVERNMENTS FOR POLICE AND CIVILIAN ADMINISTRATORS AND MONEY FOR THE TRUST FUNDS IN ORDER TO PAY THE CIVIL SERVANTS IN KOSOVO. I THINK THOSE ARE THE THREE PRIORITIES. I THINK THEY WILL ALSO JUST BE ASSESSING WHERE WE ARE WITH DEPLOYMENT. HE MIGHT TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ANNOUNCE HIS SELECTION OF A SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE.

THE MEETING IS EXPECTED TO LAST ABOUT FOUR HOURS. THE COUNTRIES REPRESENTED INCLUDE CHINA, THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA, JAPAN, FRANCE, ITALY, TURKEY AND SPAIN. REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE WILL ALSO ATTEND.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE MAIN MOTIVATION FOR THE MEETING IS MR. ANNAN'S BELIEF THAT THE MISSION TO REBUILD KOSOVO WILL NOT SUCCEED IF ALL PARTIES INVOLVED DO NOT MOVE FORWARD IN CONCERT. THERE IS ALSO SOME CONCERN THAT INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE REBUILDING OF KOSOVO, IN THE FORM OF MONEY AND PERSONNEL, COULD FALL SHORT OF WHAT WILL BE NEEDED.

TWO SPECIFIC APPEALS MR. ANNAN IS EXPECTED TO MAKE ARE FOR MONEY FOR A SPECIAL U-N TRUST FUND FOR KOSOVO, AND FOR PERSONNEL FOR A CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE. THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS IT NEEDS ABOUT THREE-THOUSAND CIVILIAN POLICE TO ENSURE BASIC SECURITY WHILE A LOCAL POLICE FORCE IS TRAINED. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS OFFERED ABOUT 13-HUNDRED OFFICERS SO FAR. ON THE QUESTION OF MONEY, SENIOR U-N OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS NO UPPER LIMIT TO THEIR NEEDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/GM
29-Jun-99 6:04 PM EDT (2204 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] UNHCR KOSOVO RETURNS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY -- U-N-H-C-R -- REPORTS THE NUMBER OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURNING TO KOSOVO ON THEIR OWN APPEARS TO BE SLOWING DOWN. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THAT THE AGENCY SAYS MORE THAN 29-THOUSAND REFUGEES RETURNED ON MONDAY (EDS: A DECREASE OF 15 PERCENT COMPARED WITH SUNDAY'S FIGURE AND OF 30 PERCENT COMPARED WITH SATURDAY'S).

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS IT EXPECTED SPONTANEOUS RETURNS TO KOSOVO TO SLOW AS MOST OF THE REFUGEES WHO HAVE TRANSPORT OF THEIR OWN AND A PLACE TO LIVE HAVE RETURNED. THE AGENCY IS REPATRIATING AROUND 320 REFUGEES FROM MACEDONIA ON TUESDAY.

JUDITH KUMIN OF THE U-N-H-C-R SAYS THE FIRST ORGANIZED RETURNS FROM ALBANIA WILL BEGIN ON THURSDAY. THE REFUGEES WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO PRISTINA, UROSEVAC AND PRIZREN, WHICH ARE CONSIDERED SAFE. SHE SAYS IT IS MORE COMPLICATED TO REPATRIATE REFUGEES FROM ALBANIA THAN MACEDONIA BECAUSE THE REFUGEE POPULATION THERE IS SO SPREAD OUT. SHE SAYS FIELD OFFICERS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF ALBANIA ARE ASKING PEOPLE WHO HAVE HOMES IN THE THREE SAFE AREAS OF KOSOVO TO REGISTER TO RETURN.

WHEREUPON THEY ARE TRANSPORTED TO KUKES, EITHER BY ROAD OR INITIALLY BY TRAIN TO SKODA AND THEN BY ROAD. THEY CAN TRANSIT IN THE KUKES TWO CAMP AND THEN THE RETURNS WILL BE BY BUS FROM THERE. BUT THE GATHERING OF APPLICANTS IS MORE DIFFICULT SIMPLY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE COUNTRY, BOTH IN HOST FAMILIES, COLLECTIVE CENTERS AND CAMPS.

THE U-N ESTIMATES AROUND 312-THOUSAND REFUGEES REMAIN IN ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND MONTENEGRO. THIS IS WELL UNDER THE NEARLY 800-THOUSAND PEOPLE STAYING IN THOSE COUNTRIES IN EARLY JUNE WHEN THE PEACE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED.

MS. KUMIN SAYS AID WORKERS IN NORTHERN KOSOVO REPORT THAT SHELTER FOR RETURNEES CONTINUES TO BE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM. SHE SAYS THE SITUATION IN PEC IS PARTICULARLY CRITICAL. AND THE NEED FOR MATERIAL TO REPAIR HOMES THAT CAN BE REPAIRED IS ENORMOUS.

THE MATERIAL FOR OUR U-N-H-C-R SHELTER KITS HAS STARTED TO ARRIVE IN KOSOVO. WE'RE NOW WITH OUR N-G-O PARTNERS ASSEMBLING THE KITS AND WILL BEGIN DISTRIBUTION VERY SOON TO THOSE RETURNEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLE WHOSE HOMES CAN BE REPAIRED. NOT ALL OF THE HOMES CAN BE REPAIRED. SOME WE HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH.

JUDITH KUMIN SAYS A U-N SHELTER EXPERT ESTIMATES UP TO 45-THOUSAND HOMES IN KOSOVO ARE SO SEVERELY DAMAGED AS TO BE UNINHABITABLE. SHE SAYS THE U-N HAS DISTRIBUTED HUNDREDS OF TENTS TO RETURNEES AND 16-THOUSAND ADDITIONAL TENTS ARE ON ORDER. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/GE/KL
29-Jun-99 9:03 AM EDT (1303 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[14] UNHCR KOSOVO RETURNS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY -- U-N-H-C-R -- REPORTS THE NUMBER OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES RETURNING TO KOSOVO ON THEIR OWN APPEARS TO BE SLOWING DOWN. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THAT THE AGENCY SAYS MORE THAN 29-THOUSAND REFUGEES RETURNED ON MONDAY (EDS: A DECREASE OF 15 PERCENT COMPARED WITH SUNDAY'S FIGURE AND OF 30 PERCENT COMPARED WITH SATURDAY'S).

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS IT EXPECTED SPONTANEOUS RETURNS TO KOSOVO TO SLOW AS MOST OF THE REFUGEES WHO HAVE TRANSPORT OF THEIR OWN AND A PLACE TO LIVE HAVE RETURNED. THE AGENCY IS REPATRIATING AROUND 320 REFUGEES FROM MACEDONIA ON TUESDAY.

JUDITH KUMIN OF THE U-N-H-C-R SAYS THE FIRST ORGANIZED RETURNS FROM ALBANIA WILL BEGIN ON THURSDAY. THE REFUGEES WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO PRISTINA, UROSEVAC AND PRIZREN, WHICH ARE CONSIDERED SAFE. SHE SAYS IT IS MORE COMPLICATED TO REPATRIATE REFUGEES FROM ALBANIA THAN MACEDONIA BECAUSE THE REFUGEE POPULATION THERE IS SO SPREAD OUT. SHE SAYS FIELD OFFICERS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF ALBANIA ARE ASKING PEOPLE WHO HAVE HOMES IN THE THREE SAFE AREAS OF KOSOVO TO REGISTER TO RETURN.

WHEREUPON THEY ARE TRANSPORTED TO KUKES, EITHER BY ROAD OR INITIALLY BY TRAIN TO SKODA AND THEN BY ROAD. THEY CAN TRANSIT IN THE KUKES TWO CAMP AND THEN THE RETURNS WILL BE BY BUS FROM THERE. BUT THE GATHERING OF APPLICANTS IS MORE DIFFICULT SIMPLY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE COUNTRY, BOTH IN HOST FAMILIES, COLLECTIVE CENTERS AND CAMPS.

THE U-N ESTIMATES AROUND 312-THOUSAND REFUGEES REMAIN IN ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND MONTENEGRO. THIS IS WELL UNDER THE NEARLY 800-THOUSAND PEOPLE STAYING IN THOSE COUNTRIES IN EARLY JUNE WHEN THE PEACE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED.

MS. KUMIN SAYS AID WORKERS IN NORTHERN KOSOVO REPORT THAT SHELTER FOR RETURNEES CONTINUES TO BE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM. SHE SAYS THE SITUATION IN PEC IS PARTICULARLY CRITICAL. AND THE NEED FOR MATERIAL TO REPAIR HOMES THAT CAN BE REPAIRED IS ENORMOUS.

THE MATERIAL FOR OUR U-N-H-C-R SHELTER KITS HAS STARTED TO ARRIVE IN KOSOVO. WE'RE NOW WITH OUR N-G-O PARTNERS ASSEMBLING THE KITS AND WILL BEGIN DISTRIBUTION VERY SOON TO THOSE RETURNEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLE WHOSE HOMES CAN BE REPAIRED. NOT ALL OF THE HOMES CAN BE REPAIRED. SOME WE HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH.

JUDITH KUMIN SAYS A U-N SHELTER EXPERT ESTIMATES UP TO 45-THOUSAND HOMES IN KOSOVO ARE SO SEVERELY DAMAGED AS TO BE UNINHABITABLE. SHE SAYS THE U-N HAS DISTRIBUTED HUNDREDS OF TENTS TO RETURNEES AND 16-THOUSAND ADDITIONAL TENTS ARE ON ORDER. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/GE/KL
29-Jun-99 9:03 AM EDT (1303 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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