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Voice of America, 99-06-30Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] ETHNIC VIOLENCE / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)DATE=6/30/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251266 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY -- THE U-N-H-C-R -- SAYS AS MANY AS 70-THOUSAND ETHNIC SERBS HAVE FLED KOSOVO TO ESCAPE REVENGE ATTACKS AND HARASSMENT BY THE ETHNIC-ALBANIAN POPULATION. TIM BELAY HAS THIS REPORT FROM PRISTINA. TEXT: LAW AND ORDER PROBLEMS TIED TO ETHNIC VIOLENCE REMAIN AT THE TOP OF THE LIST OF CONCERNS FOR NATO AND THE UNITED NATIONS IN KOSOVO. MAJOR JAN JOOSTEN ('YOH - STEN), A SPOKESMAN FOR NATO MILITARY OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO, SAYS PUBLIC SAFETY HAS ACTUALLY IMPROVED IN THE SOUTHERN REGIONS OF THE PROVINCE, PARTIALLY DUE TO A MIDNIGHT TO FIVE A-M CURFEW, WHICH IS BEING ENFORCED IN MANY AREAS. BUT REPRISALS BY KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIANS AGAINST THE SERBIAN AND GYPSY -- THE ROMA -- POPULATIONS CONTINUE, ACCORDING TO RON REDMOND OF THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY. /// ACT REDMOND ///OVER THE LAST TWO-WEEKS THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASING REPORTS OF INTIMIDATION AND VIOLENT ATTACKS DIRECTED AGAINST BOTH THE SERB AND ROMA MINORITIES IN KOSOVO. MANY OF THOSE TARGETED ARE ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO DO NOT PRESENT A THREAT TO ANYONE. THE SERBS ARE NOW LEAVING KOSOVO BECAUSE THEY FEEL INSECURE AND IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE DO NOT SOLVE ONE REFUGEE PROBLEM AND CREATE ANOTHER. THE REFUGEE CYCLE IN THE BALKANS HAS TO BE ENDED. /// END ACT ///MR. REDMOND SAYS FIVE-THOUSAND SERBIAN REFUGEES FROM THE CONFLICT IN BOSNIA AND CROATIA ARE AMONG THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INTIMIDATED BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. ALTHOUGH THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY HAS NOT BEGUN ITS ORGANIZED REPATRIATION OF ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REFUGEES TO KOSOVO, THEY CONTINUE TO STREAM BACK INTO THE PROVINCE. /// OPT /// TWENTY-FIVE-THOUSAND RETURNED TUESDAY, AND 477-THOUSAND HAVE COME BACK TO CITIES AND VILLAGES THROUGHOUT KOSOVO. ///END OPT/// MR. REDMOND AND OTHERS ARE STRUGGLING TO EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF ASKING THE MINORITY POPULATIONS TO REMAIN IN KOSOVO, EVEN THOUGH MANY OF THEM ARE BEING INTIMIDATED AND ATTACKED. /// ACT REDMOND ///THE U-N-H-C-R UNDERSTANDS THE FEARS THAT THESE PEOPLE FEEL. WE ARE A REFUGEE AGENCY AND WE BELIEVE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEEK ASYLUM IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES OR FLEE TO SAFETY WHEN THEIR LIVES ARE IN DANGER. WHAT WE ARE CALLING FOR IS THE IMPOSITION OF LAW AND ORDER AND SECURITY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. K-FOR IS DOING EVERYTHING IT CAN TO DO THAT, AND U-N POLICE ARE STREAMING IN HERE, BUT IT IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE FOR THE SITUATION TO STABILIZE. /// END ACT ///THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS IT IS ASKING THE MINORITY POPULATION TO
STAY IN KOSOVO AS PARTICIPANTS IN REBUILDING. U-N OFFICIALS SAY
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LAW AND ORDER IN KOSOVO IS A RACE AGAINST
TIME. THE ORGANIZATION WILL BEGIN ITS ORGANIZED REPATRIATION OF
ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES THURSDAY. (SIGNED)
[02] ETHNIC VIOLENCE / KOSOVO, ALT. VERSION (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)DATE=6/30/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251276 CONTENT= VOICED AT: (EDS: CAN BE USED AS AN ALTERNATE TO EARLIER BELAY CR, 2-251266; ADDS ROBINSON ACTS, DROPS REDMOND) INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS AS MANY AS 70-THOUSAND ETHNIC SERBS HAVE FLED KOSOVO TO ESCAPE REVENGE ATTACKS AND HARASSMENT BY THE ETHNIC-ALBANIAN POPULATION. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM PRISTINA THAT THE U-N'S TOP HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL WAS IN KOSOVO (WEDNESDAY) STRESSING THE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO MINORITY RIGHTS. TEXT: LAW AND ORDER PROBLEMS TIED TO ETHNIC VIOLENCE REMAIN AT THE TOP OF THE LIST OF CONCERNS FOR NATO AND THE UNITED NATIONS IN KOSOVO. MAJOR JAN JOOSTEN ('YOH - STEN), A SPOKESMAN FOR NATO MILITARY OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO, SAYS PUBLIC SAFETY HAS ACTUALLY IMPROVED IN THE SOUTHERN REGIONS OF THE PROVINCE, PARTIALLY DUE TO A MIDNIGHT TO FIVE A-M CURFEW, WHICH IS BEING ENFORCED IN MANY AREAS. BUT STILL, REPRISALS BY KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIANS AGAINST THE SERBIAN AND GYPSY -- OR ROMA -- POPULATIONS CONTINUE. MARY ROBINSON, THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, SAYS THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN KOSOVO IS A DIFFICULT, COMPLEX AND SERIOUS SITUATION. MRS ROBINSON SAYS ALBANIANS AND SERBS WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE TOGETHER IF ENOUGH OF THE RIGHT RESOURCES ARE MADE AVAILABLE. /// ACT ROBINSON///THERE IS PRESSURE ON THE SERB MINORITY AND THE ROMA POPULATION. WE NEED TO HAVE FAR MORE RESOURCES HERE ON THE GROUND TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM. AND WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO THAT IT BE A FUTURE FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE, THAT IT DOES NOT, IN FACT, SUCCUMB IN PRACTICE TO A FORM OF ETHNIC CLEANSING. /// END ACT ///ALTHOUGH THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY HAS NOT BEGUN ITS ORGANIZED REPATRIATION OF ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REFUGEES TO KOSOVO, THEY CONTINUE TO STREAM BACK INTO THE PROVINCE. /// OPT /// TWENTY-FIVE-THOUSAND RETURNED TUESDAY, AND 477-THOUSAND HAVE COME BACK TO CITIES AND VILLAGES THROUGHOUT KOSOVO. ///END OPT/// MRS. ROBINSON SAYS A RECENT EXAMPLE IN SOUTH AFRICA MAY POINT THE WAY TO SORTING OUT QUESTIONS ABOUT ACTS OF ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. ///ACT ROBINSON///I THINK IT IS NECESSARY TO THINK IN TERMS OF SOME KIND OF TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION. IT MAY BE A LITTLE SOON NOW BECAUSE OF IMMEDIATE PREOCCUPATIONS, BUT THERE HAS BEEN SUCH TRAUMA, SUCH VIOLENCE AND SUCH VIOLATIONS (OF HUMAN RIGHTS) IN A VILLAGE, AND EVEN BETWEEN NEIGHBORS, THAT I THINK IT WILL BE VERY NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND THE EXTENT OF THE TRAUMA (OF THE) PEOPLE. ///END ACT///THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS IT IS ASKING THE MINORITY POPULATION TO
STAY IN KOSOVO AS PARTICIPANTS IN REBUILDING. U-N OFFICIALS SAY
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LAW AND ORDER IN KOSOVO IS A RACE AGAINST
TIME. THE U-N WILL BEGIN ITS ORGANIZED REPATRIATION OF ETHNIC
ALBANIAN REFUGEES THURSDAY. (SIGNED)
[03] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=6/30/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251285 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WITH TWO MAJOR AVERAGES CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS. V-O-A BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10-THOUSAND- 970, UP 155 POINTS OR ONE AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 13-HUNDRED-72, UP 21 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX ALSO CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 26-HUNDRED-86, UP 44 POINTS. MAJOR STOCK AVERAGES WERE DOWN UNTIL MID-AFTERNOON WHEN THE U-S CENTRAL BANK MADE AN ANNOUNCEMENT. AS EXPECTED, GOVERNORS OF THE BANK RAISED SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES BY ONE-QUARTER PERCENT. BUT, MORE IMPORTANT TO WALL STREET, THE CENTRAL BANK CHANGED ITS "BIAS" TO NEUTRAL. WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT THE BANK GOVERNORS HAVE NO INCLINATION, AT THE PRESENT TIME, TO CHANGE INTEREST RATES AGAIN. ///REST OPT//////ELLIS ACT///PUTTING A NEUTRAL BIAS ON TODAY DOES NOT PRECLUDE THEM FROM MOVING RATES UP AGAIN NEXT TIME IF THE EVIDENCE THEN IS THAT THEY NEED TO DO THAT. ///END ACT///STOCK TRADERS ARE NOW EXPECTED TO CHANGE THEIR FOCUS FROM INTEREST RATES TO CORPORATE EARNINGS, ALTHOUGH ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS WILL STILL BE SENSITIVE TO ANY SIGNS OF INFLATION. AN INDEX (LEADING INDICATORS) DESIGNED TO FORECAST FUTURE U-S ECONOMIC CONDITIONS SHOWS CONTINUED EXPANSION THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR WITH NO SIGNS OF INFLATION. GENERAL MOTORS HAS OBTAINED A LICENSE TO MANUFACTURE THE "HUMMER," THE CIVILIAN VERSION OF THE U-S MILITARY'S HUMVEE ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE WHICH GAINED PUBLIC ATTENTION DURING THE GULF WAR. ANALYSTS SAY THAT, AT ABOUT 80-THOUSAND DOLLARS EACH, THE "HUMMER" WILL PROBABLY NOT BE A BIG SELLER BUT COULD ENHANCE THE IMAGE OF G-M AS A SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. F-D-X CORPORATION, THE PARENT COMPANY OF THE FEDERAL EXPRESS PACKAGE DELIVERY SERVICE, ANNOUNCED RECORD QUARTERLY PROFITS OF 221 MILLION DOLLARS. THE COMPANY SAYS LOWER FUEL COSTS AND IMPROVED INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS WERE THE MAIN REASONS FOR THE RECORD PERFORMANCE. COCA-COLA SAYS THE RECENT HEALTH SCARE IN PARTS OF EUROPE WILL CAUSE ITS SALES VOLUME THERE TO DROP BY UP TO SEVEN PERCENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER. ANALYSTS SAY THAT COULD MEAN ABOUT A 10 PERCENT DROP IN COKE'S QUARTERLY EARNINGS. PROCTER AND GAMBLE, THE GIANT U-S CONSUMER PRODUCTS COMPANY, SAYS IT WILL NO LONGER USE ANIMAL TESTING FOR ANY PRODUCT EXCEPT WHERE SUCH TESTING IS REQUIRED BY LAW. THE ELIMINATION OF UNNECESSARY ANIMAL TESTING IS A MAJOR GOAL OF ANIMAL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS. ANOTHER BANK MERGER WAS ANNOUNCED, WITH THE WEBSTER FINANCIAL CORPORATION BUYING THE NEW ENGLAND COMMUNITY BANK IN AN ALL-STOCK DEAL WORTH 220 MILLION DOLLARS. AMERICAN BANKERS ARE ANNOYED ABOUT A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL WHICH
PROMOTES THE POLAROID COMPANY'S NEW DISPOSABLE INSTANT CAMERA.
THE ADVERTISING HUMOROUSLY SUGGESTS THAT BANK CUSTOMERS TAKE A
PICTURE OF THEIR BALANCE AT AN AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE THIS NEW
YEAR'S EVE IN CASE YEAR 2000 COMPUTER PROBLEMS OCCUR. BUT
POLAROID IS NOW BOWING TO PRESSURE FROM THE AMERICAN BANKERS
ASSOCIATION AND SAYS IT WILL WITHDRAW THE COMMERCIAL.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
[04] NATO / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=6/30/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251270 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ONE OF NATO'S SENIOR MILITARY COMMANDERS SAYS THE KOSOVO CONFLICT TAUGHT THE ALLIANCE SOME IMPORTANT LESSONS. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE ASSESSMENT WAS MADE BY THE CHAIRMAN OF NATO'S MILITARY COMMITTEE, ITALIAN ADMIRAL GUIDO VENTURONI. TEXT: ADMIRAL VENTURONI SAID IT WILL BE SOME TIME BEFORE NATO LEARNS WITH PRECISION ALL THE LESSONS PROVIDED BY THE WAR IN KOSOVO. BUT HE SAID THE ALLIANCE ALREADY IS ABLE TO DRAW A NUMBER OF CONCLUSIONS. THE ADMIRAL SAID IT IS CLEAR THAT EUROPE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MOUNT ITS AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES. /// VENTURONI ACT ///THE UNITED STATES NOT ONLY PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 78 PERCENT OF THE AIR ASSETS FOR NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN, BUT IT ALSO PROVIDED A LION'S SHARE OF THE SOPHISTICATED AIRCRAFT AND WEAPONRY, PLUS OTHER STRATEGIC ASSETS. INDEED, WITHOUT THE UNITED STATES, THE ALLIANCE COULD NEVER HAVE MOUNTED AN IMPRESSIVE AIR CAMPAIGN SUCH AS THIS. QUITE FRANKLY, THE REST OF THE ALLIANCE MEMBERS SIMPLY DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED CAPACITY, AND NOT JUST IN TERMS OF AIR ASSETS. /// END ACT ///ADMIRAL VENTURONI SAYS THE KOSOVO CONFLICT ALSO SHOWED CLEARLY THAT NATO NEEDS BETTER INTELLIGENCE-GATHERING CAPABILITIES. HE SAYS INTELLIGENCE GATHERING CAN HOLD THE KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF A MILITARY CAMPAIGN. AND HE SAYS NATO'S MEMBER NATIONS MUST EXPAND AND ENHANCE THEIR EFFORTS IN BOTH MILITARY AND CIVIL INTELLIGENCE GATHERING. THE ADMIRAL SAYS IT ALSO IS CLEAR THAT NATO'S CAPABILITIES WERE STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT AT THE START OF THE KOSOVO CAMPAIGN. HE SAYS VIRTUALLY ALL OF NATO'S RAPIDLY-DEPLOYMENT FORCES AND COMMAND HEADQUARTERS WERE USED IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. AND HE QUESTIONED IF THE ALLIANCE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COPE IF ANOTHER CRISIS HAD DEVELOPED ELSEWHERE. HE SAYS NATO MUST RESTRUCTURE ITS FORCES SO THAT IT CAN MOVE SPEEDILY -- IF AND WHEN REQUIRED TO DO SO IN THE FUTURE. THE ADMIRAL SAYS A FOURTH LESSON LEARNED IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF NATO'S PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS WITH THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. HE SAYS THESE COUNTRIES PROVIDED VITAL SUPPORT DURING THE KOSOVO CAMPAIGN THE ADMIRAL REPEATEDLY WAS ASKED ABOUT YUGOSLAV CLAIMS THAT NATO DID FAR LESS DAMAGE TO TANKS, ARTILLERY, AND OTHER HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN KOSOVO THAN IT CLAIMED DURING THE CONFLICT. HE DID NOT GIVE UP-TO-DATE FIGURES, BUT HE DISMISSED REPORTS THAT JUST 13 SERB TANKS WERE HIT FROM THE AIR, AND THAT MOST OF THE TANKS HIT BY NATO WERE IN FACT DUMMIES. THE ADMIRAL SAID NATO WAS AWARE SUCH DUMMIES WERE IN USE AND TOOK THIS INTO ACCOUNT WHEN ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS AIR STRIKES. /// REST OPT ///ADMIRAL VENTURONI WAS APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF NATO'S MILITARY
COMMITTEE HALFWAY THROUGH THE KOSOVO CAMPAIGN. THE COMMITTEE
GROUPS TOGETHER SENIOR COMMANDERS FROM ALL NATO NATIONS, AND
GIVES MILITARY ADVICE TO THE ALLIANCE'S SECRETARY GENERAL AND TO
ITS 19 MEMBER GOVERNMENTS.(SIGNED)
[05] SERBS ROMA EXODUS (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)DATE=6/30/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251268 CONTENT= VOICED AT: (EDS: CAN BE USED AS AN ALTERNATE TO TIM BELAY REPORT) INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY -- U-N-H-C-R -- IS EXPRESSING ALARM AT THE LARGE EXODUS FROM KOSOVO OF SERBS AND GYPSIES, OR ROMA. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THAT THE AGENCY ESTIMATES MORE THAN HALF OF THE ORIGINAL SERB AND ROMA POPULATIONS MAY HAVE LEFT THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS. TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY IS CALLING ON RETURNING KOSOVAR REFUGEES TO STOP RETALIATORY ATTACKS AGAINST THE SERB AND ROMA POPULATIONS IN THE REGION. THE AGENCY IS ALSO CALLING ON THE INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE TO STEP UP SECURITY MEASURES TO PROTECT THESE PEOPLE. JUDITH KUMIN OF THE U-N-H-C-R SAYS OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASING REPORTS OF INTIMIDATION AND VIOLENT ATTACKS AGAINST THE SERB AND ROMA MINORITIES IN KOSOVO. SHE SAYS THESE PEOPLE ARE FLEEING THE PROVINCE IN FEAR. /// KUMIN ACT ///THE NUMBERS RIGHT NOW ARE, AS I SAID, PRETTY ALARMING WITH MORE THAN 70-THOUSAND PEOPLE ALREADY GONE. THAT MIGHT BE CLOSE TO HALF OF THE NUMBER OF SERBS WHO WERE IN KOSOVO BEFORE THE VIOLENCE STARTED IN MARCH OF 1998. BUT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TRYING BECAUSE WE CANNOT ADMIT THAT THE RETURN OF ONE POPULATION GROUP WOULD LEAD TO THE DEPARTURE OF ANOTHER. ///END ACT///THE REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS AMONG THOSE TARGETED ARE SOME 5-THOUSAND SERB REFUGEES WHO FLED WARS IN BOSNIA AND CROATIA. IT CALLS THIS SITUATION PARTICULARLY DISTURBING BECAUSE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THESE PEOPLE ARE BEING VIOLENTLY UPROOTED. MS. KUMIN SAYS A NUMBER OF RECENT INCIDENTS HAVE FED THIS SPIRAL OF FEAR. FOR INSTANCE, LAST FRIDAY SHE SAYS A DOZEN PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA. HALF OF THEM WERE SERBS, INCLUDING TEACHERS AND DOCTORS. ///KUMIN ACT///THERE ARE A LOT OF THREATS WHICH ARE GOING AROUND. THERE ARE THREATENING PHONE CALLS. THERE ARE HOUSES BEING BURNED. AND THERE IS A GENERAL CLIMATE OF INSECURITY AND THE FEAR, WHICH IS CAUSING PEOPLE TO LEAVE. AND, WE KNOW FROM PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THIS REGION THAT WHEN A GROUP STARTS TO LEAVE, THE REMAINING MEMBERS ARE FRIGHTENED, ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY PEOPLE AND THEY LEAVE TOO. ///END ACT///MS. KUMIN SAYS THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY IS DOING EVERYTHING IT CAN
TO HELP PEOPLE ON THE GROUND AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO STAY. BUT,
SHE SAYS THERE ARE LIMITS TO WHAT HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS CAN
DO. AND IT IS UP TO THE INTERNATIONAL SECURITY FORCE TO MAINTAIN
LAW AND ORDER. (SIGNED)
[06] TURKEY VERDICT REACT (L/S VER) BY SCOTT BOBB (ISTANBUL)DATE=6/30/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251264 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///// USE OPT MATERIAL FOR LONG REPORT. /////INTRO: IN TURKEY, THE NEWS MEDIA ARE HAILING THE DEATH SENTENCE HANDED DOWN TUESDAY TO KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, COMMENTATORS DISAGREE ON WHETHER THE SENTENCE SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB REPORTS FROM ISTANBUL. TEXT: MASS CIRCULATION NEWSPAPERS USED BANNER HEADLINES (WEDNESDAY) TO ANNOUNCE THE DEATH SENTENCE AGAINST ABDULLAH OCALAN. THE "SABAH" NEWSPAPER SAID -- THE EXECUTIONER IS HANDED OVER TO THE EXECUTIONER. THE "HURRIYET" DAILY PUBLISHED A PICTURE OF AN INFANT KILLED IN A REBEL ATTACK AND SAID -- THE CRY OF THE BABIES. BUT COMMENTATORS DIFFERED IN THEIR ASSESSMENTS. WHILE SOME CALLED FOR THE DEATH SENTENCE TO BE CARRIED OUT, OTHERS SAID TURKEY'S LARGER INTERESTS SHOULD COME FIRST, NOTING THE EXECUTION OF OCALAN WOULD CREATE MORE VIOLENCE AND WOULD HURT RELATIONS WITH EUROPE AND THE WEST. /// REST OPT FOR SHORT CR ///JOURNALIST ERTUGRUL KURKCU (EHR-TUR-UL KURK-CHU) SAYS THE PROBLEM IS NOT JUST WHETHER TO EXECUTE OCALAN, BUT WHETHER TO CHANGE THE WAY THE KURDISH ISSUE HAS BEEN HANDLED FOR THE PAST 20-YEARS. MR. KURKCU SAYS THE DECISION WILL BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE TURKISH SOCIETY HAS BEEN POLARIZED BY THE CASE. /// KURKCU ACT ///SINCE OCALAN'S CAPTURE AND HIS TRIAL, TURKISH SOCIETY HAS ETHNICALLY DIVIDED ON POLITICAL LINES. AND KURDS ARE FOR OCALAN AND TURKS ARE FOR KILLING OCALAN. /// END ACT. ///A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MEDIA WATCH GROUP, "REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS," SAYS THE POLARIZATION HAS BEEN AGGRAVATED BY THE TURKISH NEWS MEDIA. JOURNALIST NADIRE MATER SAYS TURKISH TELEVISION STATIONS HAVE FOCUSED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON FAMILIES OF THE SOLDIERS WHO WERE KILLED IN REBEL ATTACKS. /// MATER ACT ///THEY ARE JUST [PROVOKING] AND MANIPULATING THE PEOPLE. AND FOR INSTANCE, YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) -- CONCERNING THE DEATH PENALTY -- THEY WERE INTERVIEWING THE PEOPLE AND WHEN YOU WATCHED THE TELEVISION YOU WOULD SEE (THINK) THAT EVERYBODY IN TURKEY IS ON THE SIDE OF THE DEATH PENALTY. THAT IS NOT TRUE OF COURSE, JUST LIKE OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD. /// END ACT ////// OPT ////// SECOND KURKCU ACT ///THERE ARE REASONABLE VOICES, BUT THEY ARE STILL VERY LOW. AND WE ARE WITNESSING AN UGLY NATIONALISTIC EUPHORIA, WHICH I BELIEVE TURKEY HAS NOT DESERVED. /// END ACT. // END OPT.///POLITICAL LEADERS IN TURKEY HAVE REACTED CAUTIOUSLY, SAYING JUSTICE MUST PURSUE ITS COURSE. OBSERVERS SAY THAT BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT MOOD, THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT -- WHICH ULTIMATELY MUST UPHOLD THE DEATH SENTENCE -- WOULD LIKELY VOTE FOR EXECUTION. BUT THEY SAY TURKEY HAS SIGNED A MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS WITH
THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS, THIS MUST BE OVERTURNED IN
ORDER FOR OCALAN'S SENTENCE TO BE CARRIED OUT. (SIGNED)
[07] U-N / GREECE - TURKEY (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=6/30/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251287 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF GREECE AND TURKEY TOOK A FIRST STEP TOWARDS RAPPROCHEMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY). THE TWO DIPLOMATS HELD TALKS AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK, AS WE HEAR FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON. TEXT: THE TWO FOREIGN MINISTERS MADE IT CLEAR THEIR TALKS WERE AIMED AT FINDING AREAS OF COOPERATION, NOT DISPUTE. THEY SUCCEEDED IN SELECTING FIVE SUCH AREAS: TOURISM, THE ENVIRONMENT, CULTURAL EXCHANGES, CRIME AND TRADE. TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER ISMAIL CEM SAYS SEPARATE, HIGH-LEVEL TALKS WILL BE HELD ON EACH OF THESE FIVE ISSUES OVER THE NEXT MONTH. /// CEM ACT ///WE SHALL HAVE RESPONSIBLE HIGH LEVEL OFFICIALS FROM OUR FOREIGN MINISTRIES, WE ARE INSTRUCTING THEM TO GET IN CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER ON THOSE FIVE DIFFERENT ISSUES TO HAVE FIVE MEETINGS ON EACH ONE OF THEM AND TO SEE HOW THEY CAN COOPERATE TO FINALLY REACH AGREEMENTS, BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL, ON EACH ONE OF THOSE ISSUES, WITHOUT RAISING HIGH EXPECTATIONS, WITHOUT BEING TOO ASSERTIVE. AS I SAID, I CONSIDER THIS A POSITIVE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I HOPE THOSE STEPS WILL GO ON. /// END ACT ///GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER GEORGE PAPANDREOU IS EQUALLY OPTIMISTIC, BUT DOES NOT DISMISS THE IMPORTANCE OF MORE DIVISIVE ISSUES. HE SAYS THERE ARE MANY OTHER BILATERAL ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT AND COMPLICATED -- AN APPARENT REFERENCE TO THE LONGSTANDING DISPUTES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES OVER TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES, MINERAL RIGHTS AND CYPRUS. BUT, HE SAYS THEY DECIDED TO FOCUS THEIR LATEST TALKS ON AREAS WHERE POSITIVE RESULTS CAN BE ACHIEVED AND TO DETERMINE WHAT TO DO NEXT AT A LATER DATE. /// PAPANDREOU ACT ///I THINK WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS WE HAVE PUT OUR TARGETS AT A VERY REALISTIC BASIS. WE ARE NOT SHOOTING VERY HIGH. WE ARE SHOOTING EXACTLY WHERE WE THINK WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND SOME RESULT. AND I THINK THIS IS WHAT HAS BROUGHT THE RESULTS TODAY. WE ARE WORKING WITH, I THINK, REALISTIC TARGETS. /// END ACT ///MR. PAPANDREOU SAYS THE KOSOVO CRISIS WAS THE MAIN CATALYST FOR THE LATEST ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY. HE SAYS THAT MADE THE TWO GOVERNMENTS REALIZE THEY HAVE SOME INTERESTS IN COMMON. THE TWO FOREIGN MINISTERS WERE IN NEW YORK FOR TALKS ON KOSOVO,
ORGANIZED BY THE UNITED NATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
[08] U-N / KOSOVO MEETING CLOSER (S) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=6/30/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251281 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM MORE THAN 20 NATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS MET AT THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KOSOVO. THEY AGREED ON THE NEED TO SPEED UP ASSISTANCE AND SECURITY PROGRAMS FOR KOSOVO, BUT DISAGREED OVER WHETHER ANY ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO SERBIA. MORE FROM CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON AT U-N HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK. TEXT: THE MEETING FOCUSSED ON TWO KEY ISSUES: THE NEED FOR MORE FUNDING FOR RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, AND THE URGENCY OF MOBILIZING A CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE IN KOSOVO. U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN CALLED THE MEETING IN AN EFFORT TO BOLSTER INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON THESE AND OTHER KOSOVO-RELATED ISSUES. DIPLOMATS SAY THE MEETING ACHIEVED THIS GOAL, BUT ALSO SERVED TO HIGHLIGHT SOME ISSUES WHICH ARE DIVIDING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. DIPLOMATS SAY THERE WERE SIGNS OF DISAGREEMENT OVER HOW MUCH AID TO GIVE SERBIA AND THE ROLE OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY IN KOSOVO. PARTICIPANTS AGREED ON THE NEED TO MOBILIZE A CIVILIAN POLICE
FORCE IN KOSOVO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THEY ALSO EXPRESSED A
WILLINGNESS TO STEP-UP FUNDING OF RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN
KOSOVO BUT MADE FEW SPECIFIC PLEDGES. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
[09] U-N / KOSOVO MEETING CLOSER (S) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=6/30/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251281 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM MORE THAN 20 NATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS MET AT THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO DISCUSS THE RECONSTRUCTION OF KOSOVO. THEY AGREED ON THE NEED TO SPEED UP ASSISTANCE AND SECURITY PROGRAMS FOR KOSOVO, BUT DISAGREED OVER WHETHER ANY ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE GIVEN TO SERBIA. MORE FROM CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON AT U-N HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK. TEXT: THE MEETING FOCUSSED ON TWO KEY ISSUES: THE NEED FOR MORE FUNDING FOR RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, AND THE URGENCY OF MOBILIZING A CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE IN KOSOVO. U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN CALLED THE MEETING IN AN EFFORT TO BOLSTER INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ON THESE AND OTHER KOSOVO-RELATED ISSUES. DIPLOMATS SAY THE MEETING ACHIEVED THIS GOAL, BUT ALSO SERVED TO HIGHLIGHT SOME ISSUES WHICH ARE DIVIDING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. DIPLOMATS SAY THERE WERE SIGNS OF DISAGREEMENT OVER HOW MUCH AID TO GIVE SERBIA AND THE ROLE OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY IN KOSOVO. PARTICIPANTS AGREED ON THE NEED TO MOBILIZE A CIVILIAN POLICE
FORCE IN KOSOVO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THEY ALSO EXPRESSED A
WILLINGNESS TO STEP-UP FUNDING OF RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN
KOSOVO BUT MADE FEW SPECIFIC PLEDGES. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
[10] U-N / KOSOVO MEETING OPENER (S & L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=6/30/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-251267 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: REPRESENTATIVES FROM MORE THAN 20 NATIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE MEETING AT THIS HOUR AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. THEY ARE TRYING TO IMPROVE SECURITY CONDITIONS IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE AND SPEED UP THE PROCESS OF RECONSTRUCTION. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS. TEXT: THE MEETING BEGAN WITH A BRIEFING FROM BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK ON THE STATUS OF THE NATO-LED SECURITY FORCE IN KOSOVO, K-FOR. THE AGENDA ALSO INCLUDES DISCUSSIONS OF HUMANITARIAN ISSUES, THE RECRUITMENT OF CIVILIAN POLICE, PAYMENT OF LOCAL COSTS, INSTITUTION BUILDING AND RECONSTRUCTION. SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE CALLED THE MEETING TO APPEAL FOR STRONGER INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT AND COOPERATION IN KOSOVO AND TO DETERMINE THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION FOR MOVING FORWARD AT THE FASTEST PACE. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY ALSO WANT THE MEETING TO LOOK AHEAD TO POTENTIAL PROBLEMS IN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE PROVINCE, SO THAT EARLY SOLUTIONS CAN BE FOUND. /// REST OPTIONAL ///THE NEED FOR SUCH COOPERATION WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY BRITAIN'S FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR. COOK, AS HE ENTERED THE MEETING. /// COOK ACT ///THERE ARE OF COURSE VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS AND MANY OF THOSE PROBLEMS RELATE TO THE U-N CIVIL ADMINISTRATION SIDE. FOR INSTANCE WE DESPERATELY DO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A CIVILIAN POLICE FUNCTIONING WITHIN KOSOVO AND A PROPER SYSTEM OF LAW AND ORDER AND OUR TASK TODAY IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CIVIL SIDE OF THE OPERATION CATCHES UP WITH THE MILITARY TRACK, WHICH IS ALREADY IN PLACE WITHIN KOSOVO. /// END ACT ///MR. COOK SAYS THAT HAVING WON THE WAR IN KOSOVO, IT IS NOW NECESSARY TO FOCUS ON BUILDING THE PEACE. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ALREADY WORRIED THAT INTERNATIONAL FUNDING FOR U-N-LED PROJECTS IN KOSOVO COULD RUN SHORT OF WHAT IS NEEDED. THE UNITED NATIONS HAS SET UP A SPECIAL TRUST FUND THAT WILL PROVIDE EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR PROJECTS IN KOSOVO, INCLUDING THE PAYMENT OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS. MR. ANNAN IS EXPECTED TO ASK PARTICIPANTS IN THE MEETING AT U-N HEADQUARTERS TO PROVIDE MONEY FOR THAT FUND. HE IS ALSO EXPECTED TO EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR MORE PLEDGES FOR AN
INTERNATIONAL CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE IN KOSOVO. THE FORCE IS
CONSIDERED A KEY COMPONENT FOR MAINTAINING SECURITY IN THE
YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. U-N OFFICIALS SAY AT LEAST THREE-THOUSAND
POLICE OFFICERS ARE NEEDED. ABOUT 13-HUNDRED HAVE BEEN PROMISED
SO FAR. (SIGNED)
[11] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY RALPH ECKHARDT (WASHINGTON)DATE=06/30/99TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11359 TELEPHONE=619-2702 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= INTRO: DISARMAMENT IN NORTHERN IRELAND, THE CONVICTION OF TURKISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN, AND CONTINUING ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES BEING MOST ADDRESSED BY EDITORIALS IN U-S NEWSPAPERS. HERE IS _____________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK. TEXT: MORE THAN A YEAR AGO A PEACE PLAN WAS AGREED TO FOR NORTHERN IRELAND. THE PLAN CALLED FOR PRO-BRITISH AND PRO-IRISH FACTIONS TO JOIN IN UNIFIED, MULTI-PARTY GOVERNMENT FOR THE BRITISH PROVINCE BY JULY FIRST, 1999. BUT PRO-BRITISH LEADERS, KNOWN AS UNIONISTS, INSIST THE OUTLAWED "IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY" MUST DISARM BEFORE ITS POLITICAL WING, THE "SINN FEIN" PARTY CAN JOIN THE NEW GOVERNMENT. THE "I-R-A" REFUSES TO HAND OVER ITS WEAPONS, DESPITE THE AGREEMENT. UNIONIST LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE AND SINN FEIN LEADER GERRY ADAMS HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING TO FIND A COMPROMISE TO SAVE THE MULTI-PARTY GOVERNMENT. MR. ADAMS SAYS HE DOES NOT HAVE CONTROL OF THE I-R-A AND ITS DECISION TO KEEP ITS WEAPONS SHOULD NOT STOP HIS PARTY FROM JOINING THE GOVERNMENT. MR. TRIMBLE NOW SAYS A PLEDGE BY THE "I-R-A" TO DISARM IF SINN FEIN JOINS THE GOVERNMENT IS GOOD ENOUGH TO FULFILL THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT. "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE" SAYS NORTHERN IRELAND IS ON THE BRINK OF PEACE. VOICE: MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT ITS, BOTH MEN WANT TO GET BEYOND THIS ISSUE AND GET TO THE WORK OF GOVERNING. AND BOTH KNOW THAT IF A COMPROMISE CAN NOT BE REACHED FAST, THE MOMENT MAY WELL BE LOST. ...NOW ITS ADAMS TURN. IN PRINCIPLE, SINN FEIN HAS ALREADY AGREED TO TRIMBLE'S TONED DOWN DEMAND, SINCE ALL PARTIES PLEDGED LAST SPRING IN THE GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT TO WORK TOWARD DISARMAMENT OF THEIR PARTISANS BY MAY 22, 2000.. ADAMS MUST NOW GRASP THE HAND THAT HAS BEEN EXTENDED. BRINKSMANSHIP IS VALUABLE, AFTER ALL, ONLY IF ONE KNOWS WHEN THE BRINK HAS BEEN REACHED. TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS THE DISARMAMENT ISSUE HAS LONG BEEN THE MOST IMPORTANT OBSTACLE TO PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. IT CALLS FOR COMPROMISE FROM EACH SIDE. VOICE THOSE CALLED THE "HARD MEN" ON BOTH SIDES HAVE THE POWER TO TAKE NORTHERN IRELAND BACK TO WAR. ...IT WOULD BE TRAGIC IF NORTHERN IRELAND SPENT ONE YEAR RELATIVELY FREE OF TERROR, WITH HOPE FOR A FUTURE OF RECONCILIATION, JOBS AND PROSPERITY -- UNTIL THE HARD MEN TOOK IT AWAY. TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" SAYS THE UNIONISTS ARE RUNNING OUT OF BARGAINING CHIPS AS THEY HAVE TRIED TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE PEACE AGREEMENT. THE "TIMES" SAYS IT IS TIME FOR GERRY ADAMS TO DO MORE TO HELP BRING LASTING PEACE TO NORTHERN IRELAND. VOICE ...IT WAS MR. ADAMS WHO HELPED LEAD THE I-R-A TO A CEASEFIRE IN 1994 -- AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HIS VOICE CARRIES WEIGHT IN THE PARAMILITARY GROUP. HIS...EXCUSES ARE NOT CUTTING IT (VALID) ANYMORE. ...IN THE PAST MONTHS, THE BRITISH AND ULSTER UNIONISTS HAVE GIVEN HIM AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE HIS TUNE. TEXT: A TURKISH COURT RETURNED A GUILTY VERDICT AND DEATH SENTENCE TUESDAY IN THE TREASON TRIAL OF KURDISH SEPARATIST LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. THE "BALTIMORE SUN" SAYS HE WOULD HAVE BEEN CONVICTED IN ANY COUNTRY, UNDER ANY LEGAL SYSTEM, FOR LEADING THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY FOR 21 YEARS AND ITS VIOLENT REBELLION FOR 15 YEARS. VOICE: THAT OCALAN IS A MASS TERRORIST IS BEYOND DISPUTE. SO IS HIS STANDING AS A FREEDOM FIGHTER FOR OPPRESSED PEOPLE. ...MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE FATE OF MR. OCALAN IS TURKISH POLICY TOWARD ITS KURDISH MINORITY. ...WHAT TURKEY NEEDS FOR ITS OWN SERENE FUTURE...IS TO TREAT ALL CITIZENS, INCLUDING KURDS, AS FIRST-CLASS TURKS. IF TURKEY CAN MANAGE THAT, IT NEED NOT FEAR OTHER OCALANS TAKING THE PLACE OF THIS ONE. TEXT: MANY EUROPEAN LEADERS HAVE APPEALED TO TURKEY'S GOVERNMENT FOR OCALAN'S LIFE TO BE SPARED. "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION SHOULD DO MORE TO HELP TURKEY'S KURDS AND BRING THE ANKARA GOVERNMENT CLOSER. VOICE: EUROPEANS CAN HAVE NO CAUSE FOR COMPLAINT ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF LAWS OCALAN KNEW WELL WHEN HE BEGAN HIS CAMPAIGN OF TERROR THAT LEFT 30-THOUSAND DEAD. IT WOULD NEVERTHELESS BE A GOOD TIME FOR TURKEY TO MAKE SOME MAGNANIMOUS GESTURES TOWARD ITS KURDISH COMMUNITY. EUROPE SHOULD NOT CHASTISE TURKEY FOR REFUSING TO LEGITIMATE A TERRORIST. INSTEAD, EUROPE SHOULD ENCOURAGE TURKEY TO IMPLEMENT LIBERAL REFORMS THAT FINALLY LOOK POSSIBLE. TEXT: NEW VIOLENCE HAS FLARED IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE AS ETHNIC-ALBANIANS HAVE ATTACKED ETHNIC-SERB CIVILIANS. THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" CALLS IT REVERSE ETHNIC CLEANSING. VOICE: NATO'S CREDIBILITY IS ON THE LINE. SINCE NATO FORCES TOOK CONTROL TWO-WEEKS AGO, THEY HAVE FAILED TO PUT AN END TO A CONTINUING BACKLASH BY ETHNIC ALBANIANS. GRANTED THE PEACEKEEPING FORCES, KNOWN AS K-FOR, DO NOT YET NUMBER EVEN HALF THEIR TARGET STRENGTH OF 55-THOUSAND OR MORE, AND THAT IS PART OF THE PROBLEM. ...THE RETALIATION...MAY BE UNDERSTANDABLE, EVEN PREDICTABLE... BUT IT IS STILL UTTERLY UNACCEPTABLE, AND NATO MUST HALT IT NOW. TEXT: MEANWHILE, "THE MIAMI HERALD" SAYS SERBIA MUST ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACTIONS OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. IT SAYS TWO WEEKS AFTER NATO BOMBING STOPPED, UNFOLDING HORROR STORIES CONTINUE TO SHOCK THE WORLD'S CONSCIENCE. VOICE: AND YET SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC MOVES ABOUT IN YUGOSLAVIA PROCLAIMING A NOBLE VICTORY FOR SERBIA... IF THIS BIG LIE IS ALLOWED TO BECOME ACCEPTED WISDOM, THE MEANING OF NATO'S ACTION WILL BE THWARTED, THE WAR AND SUFFERING POINTLESS. ...PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS CORRECT...IN DEFENDING THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S FIVE-MILLION-DOLLAR BOUNTY FOR THE ARREST OF MILOSEVIC TO STAND TRIAL IN THE HAGUE FOR WAR CRIMES. PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS ALSO RIGHT TO ASSERT THAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD NOT OFFER 'ONE RED CENT' IN RECONSTRUCTION AID TO THE YUGOSLAVIAN PEOPLE AS LONG AS THEY ACCEPT... MILOSEVIC'S VERSION OF EVENTS AND ALLOW... HIM TO STAY IN OFFICE. TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES TODAY'S SAMPLE OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM
U-S NEWSPAPERS.
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