Voice of America, 99-10-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] YUGO PROTEST (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (BELGRADE)

[02] MONTENEGRO / JOURNALIST (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[03] TURKEY / PRISONS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[04] EDITORIAL: MILOSEVIC MUST GO

[05] EDITORIAL: TURKISH LEADER IN WASHINGTON

[06] GERMAN POLITICS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[07] POLAND / E-U BY RON PEMSTEIN (WARSAW)

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

[09] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ERIKA EVANS (WASHINGTON)

[01] YUGO PROTEST (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (BELGRADE)

INTRO: Yugoslavia's former army chief predicts Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic will fail if he tries to use the military to suppress the democratic opposition in Serbia. Philip Smucker reports from Belgrade.

TEXT: General Momcilo Perisic, who now heads an independent political movement, says President Milosevic is out of touch with his own people. Gen. Perisic was chief of the Yugoslav Army until last year when he was ousted after disagreeing with Mr. Milosevic over how to handle the Kosovo crisis. Serbian police units have moved to block opposition street protests this week, beating demonstrators for two consecutive nights. The protesters are demanding the president's removal from office. General Perisic says in an interview that he expects the violence will get worse and that Mr. Milosevic's regime will try to use the Yugoslav army to hold on to power.

[02] MONTENEGRO / JOURNALIST (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: Speculation about a possible coup or even civil war in Montenegro, Serbia's partner republic in the Yugoslav Federation, has been widely discussed in the Balkans for more than a year. Montenegro's current plan to hold a referendum on independence -- letting the republic's citizens decide whether to break away from President Slobodan Milosevic's Yugoslavia -- has heightened fears about possible future turmoil. V-O-A's Pamela Taylor discussed the situation with a leading Montenegrin journalist, currently visiting Washington.

TEXT: Under the government of their independent- minded president, Milo Djukanovic, the people of the tiny, mountainous Republic of Montenegro enjoy many freedoms not known in neighboring Serbia. One of them is a freer press. The director of a leading newspaper in Montenegro, which published reports about ethnic cleansing and war crimes throughout the war in Kosovo, came to Washington (this week) to warn policy makers about the possibility of another war in the Balkans. Milka Tadic of Montenegro's Monitor newspaper says the decision by the Djukanovic government to hold a referendum on independence was made only after repeated attempts to steer Yugoslavia toward greater democracy.

[03] TURKEY / PRISONS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: A hostage crisis that erupted Sunday in several Turkish prisons has ended peacefully after negotiations between Turkish officials and rebel inmates. Amberin Zaman in Ankara reports Istanbul's chief prosecutor insists the release of more than 50 prison guards who were being held hostage did not result from any deal with inmate leaders.

TEXT: The chief prosecutor, Ferzan Citici, told reporters after the release that there were no problems left in any of the jails affected by the coordinated hostage-taking. He said everything was -- in his words -- "back to normal." The agreement between the authorities and inmates in nine jails across Turkey appears to have been reached after an investigation into the violence at Ankara's Ulucanlar prison Sunday in which 10 inmates were killed. In that incident, prison guards and soldiers raided a cell block housing inmates belonging to left-wing extremist groups. Officials say the inmates had been digging an escape tunnel. Turkish authorities say the inmates had guns and opened fire at the security forces. Ten inmates were killed in the ensuing shoot out. But the findings of the Justice ministry's investigation revealed that some of the slain prisoners had also suffered blows, reinforcing claims by their lawyers that they had been beaten to death. With more than 60-thousand people behind bars, Turkey's prisons are overcrowded, understaffed, and notoriously corrupt. Inmates frequently bribe their way out of jail, smuggle in weapons, cell phones, fax machines, drugs, computers, and even furniture. A recent parliamentary report on the state of prisons in Turkey said that torture still is common and that health and hygiene standards remain well below Western levels. Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit has pledged to overhaul the prison system. Among the measures being considered is to move inmates out of dormitories into single cells in order to prevent prisoners from engaging in what authorities call "illegal training and indoctrination activities." But human rights groups and inmates oppose to the move, saying it would deprive prisoners of social contacts that are a basic human right. (Signed)
NEB/AZ/JWH/JP 01-Oct-1999 11:19 AM EDT (01-Oct-1999 1519 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EDITORIAL: MILOSEVIC MUST GO

THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST 10/2/99. Anncr: The Voice of America presents differing points of view on a wide variety of issues. Next, an editorial expressing the policies of the United States Government: Voice: Tens of thousands of Serbs have been taking to the streets of Belgrade and other Serbian cities to demand the resignation of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. The demonstrations, sponsored by the Alliance for Change, began on September 21st. The Alliance has vowed to continue the protests until Milosevic steps down. Protests have been held in Bor, Novi Sad, Nis, Cacak, Kragujevac, and other cities. In Novi Sad, opposition leader Nenad Canak announced that he was forming a "transitional government" for Vojvodina province. Protesters in Belgrade held a mock trial of President Milosevic; his wife Mirjana Markovic, who is the head of the Yugoslav Left, part of the ruling coalition; ultra- nationalist Vojislav Seselji; and Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Marjanovic. These four were charged with leading Yugoslavia into ruin. "This is an uprising of a humiliated and impoverished nation," said Alliance leader Milan Protic. During his ten years of misrule, Milosevic has instigated and lost several wars. He has directly incited the murder, torture, robbery, and abuse of hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo. For these crimes, he and several top Yugoslav leaders have been indicted by the International Tribunal in the Hague. He has caused the breakup of Yugoslavia, ruined its economy and made his country an international outcast. The people of Yugoslavia have good reason to protest. Anncr: That was an editorial expressing the policies of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-voa-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043. 01-Oct-1999 11:31 AM EDT (01-Oct-1999 1531 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EDITORIAL: TURKISH LEADER IN WASHINGTON

THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST 10/3/99. Anncr: The Voice of America presents differing points of view on a wide variety of issues. Next, an editorial expressing the policies of the United States Government: Voice: The Washington visit of Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit is an apt occasion to reflect on the enduring strategic alliance between the United States and Turkey. Indeed, stability in the eastern Mediterranean has rested, for half a century, on this foundation. As a member of NATO, Turkey participated in the strategy of containing the Soviet Union throughout the Cold War. It now plays a key role in helping the U-S and others to confront post-Cold War challenges, such as establishing peace and stability in the Balkans. Turkey is also central to the international efforts to contain the threat that Saddam Hussein's regime poses and ensure that Iraq complies fully with its obligations under United Nations Security Council resolutions. The government of Bulent Ecevit deserves praise for its reform measures, designed to liberalize the economy. It also deserves praise for the release of Akin Birdal [Ah-keen Ber-DAHL], a top human rights activist, jailed last year on charges of encouraging the Kurdish separatist movement. This and other steps taken by the government are welcome signs of the growing liberalization of Turkey's political system. Relations between Greece and Turkey, two close NATO allies of the United States, have also recently improved. The quick and generous Greek response to Turkey's August 17th earthquake and Turkey's assistance after a Greek earthquake several weeks later gave a boost to efforts already underway to improve ties. It is clear that Turkish Prime Minister Ecevit and his coalition have made progress on a variety of fronts in a short period of time. Continued progress will strengthen Turkey's role as a key U.S. ally, and serve as the basis for improved relations between Turkey and the European Union. Anncr: That was an editorial expressing the policies of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-voa-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043. 01-Oct-1999 11:36 AM EDT (01-Oct-1999 1536 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] GERMAN POLITICS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: German politics are in turmoil. The left- center coalition government is stumbling badly after a series of losses in state and local elections. Many Germans in the east have soured on reunification, and some even say they would like to rebuild the Berlin wall. A new assertiveness in German foreign policy worries some of its neighbors. But as V-O-A's Ed Warner reports, analysts say these are the growing pains of a genuine democracy.

TEXT: Hardly anyone defends the current German government any more, says Bernhard May, a senior analyst at the Research Institute for Foreign Affairs in Berlin. The coalition of the Social Democratic and Green Parties has an approval rating of less than 30 percent and has lost a series of elections around the country. With an ever-widening budget deficit and continuing high unemployment, the German economic miracle has faded. Chancellor Gerhard Schroder is proposing budget and tax cuts to revive the economy and reduce the interventionist role of the state. Speaking at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Mr. May said the government has fumbled from the beginning:

[07] POLAND / E-U BY RON PEMSTEIN (WARSAW)

INTRO: European Commission President Romano Prodi has made Poland his first stop since the new E-U executive took office two weeks ago. V-O-A correspondent Ron Pemstein reports from Warsaw that Poland's application to join the European Union is drawing criticism at home.

TEXT: If you ask Poles if they want to be part of Western Europe by joining the European Union, the overwhelming majority say "yes." Even Andrzej Lepper, the leader of the populist Self-Defense movement, believes Poland belongs in the European Union. But speaking with an interpreter, Mr. Lepper tells V-O-A, in a telephone interview from the city of Poznan, the Union's conditions for membership are not fair.

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

INTRO: Stock prices in the United States were down today (Friday) as a result of new interest rate worries. V-O-A Business Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from New York.

TEXT: The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 10- thousand-273, down 64 points. For the week, the Industrial Average lost six points. The Standard and Poor's 500 index closed unchanged Friday at 12- hundred-82 points. The NASDAQ index lost about one- third of one percent. Analysts say new inflation and interest rate concerns were sparked by a monthly report from the National Association of Purchasing Management. It says U-S manufacturing activity accelerated in September and the prices paid by factories rose to their highest levels in four years. That report will be one of many that governors of the U-S central bank will consider Tuesday when they decide whether to raise short term interest rates. Interest rate worries also hit European markets. The European central bank and the Bank of England will set interest rates on Thursday.

[09] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ERIKA EVANS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: With disturbing new evidence and a revived investigation, an episode from the Korean War is the most talked about topic in today's U-S editorial columns. Other topics sparking comment include: a shaky start to the U-S government's new fiscal year, Al Gore's attempts to save his presidential campaign and the future of China as it celebrates a half century of communism. Now here is ___________ with some excerpts and a closer look in today's Editorial Digest.

TEXT: Earlier this year, the U-S Defense department investigated and dismissed allegations that U-S soldiers deliberately killed hundreds of Korean civilians at the onset of the Korean War. But now after additional investigation, The Associated Press is reporting that in July 1950, under orders to consider civilians as enemy North Koreans, U-S soldiers fired into a crowd of Korean women, children, and the elderly refugees caught between the Americans and advancing North Korean troops. The alleged mass killing provoked California's Los Angeles Times to make this comment: Voice: .The Associated Press, quoting Koreans who say they are survivors of a massacre and Army veterans who say they were present when one took place, has provided enough evidence to compel the Army to reopen its investigation. .It won't be easy for the Army to reconstruct events from 1950, but it has a moral responsibility to undertake what (U-S) Army Secretary Louis Caldera promises will be an "all encompassing" inquiry. Text: U-S-A Today in Arlington, Virginia is outraged over the incident and sees it as an obvious attempt by the U-S military to deny responsibility for the excesses of war. Voice: Only by shining sunlight on these dark chapters can the military build the moral strength to avoid such tragedies - and disreputable cover-ups - in the future. The U-S military demands such full accounting by other governments for the whereabouts of the remains of soldiers in Vietnam and indeed Korea, where 37,000 died. It should demand no less of itself. Text: Today is the first day of the U-S government's fiscal year 2000. Critical of the failure by Congress to pass new spending bills, The Washington Times in the nation's capital is comparing last year's fiscal problems with the ones the nation now faces, including dipping into the Social Security surplus budget for "emergency spending". Voice: .Repeatedly, House and Senate G-O-P (Republican) leaders. pledged that last year's fiscal fiasco would not be repeated. .There is now so much "emergency" spending that Congress has already erased the projected $14.4 billion in non-Social Security budget surplus. .The question is no longer whether Congress and the White House will loot the Social Security lock box. It is: How much will they take? Text: In an effort to rescue a shaky presidential campaign, U-S Vice President Al Gore has announced that he will establish headquarters in his home state of Tennessee. The New York Times had this to say: Voice: Mr. Gore needs to establish a headquarters that will operate more efficiently than the one that turned him from front-runner into self-described underdog. .Of course, Mr. Gore is discovering that there are no risk-free zones in presidential campaigns. He faces embarrassment at his new address if Mr. (George W.) Bush continues to lead him in the Tennessee polls. Text: And finally, today marks the 50th anniversary of Communist China, and Maryland's Baltimore Sun comments that although the late Mao Zedong had some proud achievements, they will prove smaller as decades pass. Voice: China today is 1.2-billion people, powerful, a menace to neighbors, booming and suspicious. .China's greatness, for good or ill, will continue. Communism can be seen as having had little to do with it. Yet it still rules politically and brooks no enemies, real or imagined. While the Communist Party will celebrate this first 50th anniversary in power, it is unlikely to see a second. On the 100th anniversary, China will most likely be the greatest nation, its system unrecognizable as Maoism. That will have been a passing phase, a brief dynasty, a curiosity of history. Text: That concludes this sampling of Friday's U-S editorials.
NEB/ENE/JP 01-Oct-1999 12:41 PM EDT (01-Oct-1999 1641 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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