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Voice of America, 99-03-22Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] CLINTON/KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246981 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS DEPICTING THE RICHARD HOLBROOKE MISSION TO BELGRADE AS A -- LAST CHANCE -- FOR YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO AVOID THE USE OF NATO FORCE IN KOSOVO. CORESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. TEXT: ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY MR. HOLBROOKE'S PURPOSE IN BELGRADE IS NOT TO NEGOTIATE, BUT TO DELIVER A -- STARK MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THAT IT IS TIME TO SIGN THE KOSOVO PEACE DEAL OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES. SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART DECLINED TO ADDRESS REPORTS QUOTING ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SUGGESTING NATO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAV FORCES COULD BEGIN WITHIN A MATTER OF HOURS IF THE HOLBROOKE MISSION FAILS. BUT HE SAID THE U-S ENVOY WILL BE OFFERING A -- LAST CHANCE -- FOR PEACE IN A SITUATION HE DESCRIBED AS -- SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS. PRESIDENT CLINTON, WHO SPENT MUCH OF THE WEEKEND AT THE CAMP DAVID RETREAT IN MARYLAND, SUNDAY TELEPHONED THE LEADERS OF BRITAIN, FRANCE, AND GERMANY TO DISCUSS KOSOVO. HE HAS ALSO SENT A MESSAGE TO RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN -- WHO OPPOSES THE USE OF FORCE IN KOSOVO -- ADVISING HIM NATO IS PREPARED TO ACT. RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER YEVGENY PRIMAKOV BEGINS A VISIT TO WASHINGTON TUESDAY. SPOKESMAN LOCKHART SOUGHT TO DOWN-PLAY THE RIFT WITH MOSCOW OVER KOSOVO, SAYING THAT WHILE THEY DO NOT AGREE ON THE NEED FOR NATO ACTION THE RUSSIANS HAVE BEEN A POSITIVE FORCE IN PRESSING BELGRADE ON THE NEED FOR A POLITICAL SOLUTION. SPOKESMAN LOCKHART ALSO MADE CLEAR THAT MR. PRIMAKOV'S PRESENCE IN WASHINGTON WILL NOT EFFECT U-S DECISION-MAKING ON KOSOVO INTERVENTION. HE SAID THE PURPOSE OF INTERVENTION WOULD BE TO DEGRADE THE ABILITY OF YUGOSLAV FORCES TO REPRESS THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS. THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID IT WOULD BE UNFORTUNATE IF SENATE REPUBLICANS, AS THREATENED, ACT ON LEGISLATION TO BAR THE PENTAGON FROM SPENDING MONEY ON OPERATIONS IN YUGOSLAVIA WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION. HE SAID PRESIDENT CLINTON BELIEVES HE HAS ALREADY MADE HIS CASE
WITH CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC ON THE NEED TO AVERT A HUMANITARIAN
CRISIS IN KOSOVO. HE SAID WHAT IS NEEDED NOW IS A STRONG SIGNAL
THAT AMERICANS ARE UNITED IN PURSUING NATIONAL INTERESTS.
(SIGNED)
[02] CLINTON/KOSOVO (L-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246997 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS SERVED NOTICE THAT NATO IS PREPARED TO ACT MILITARILY IF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TURNS DOWN A FINAL U-S EFFORT TO RESOLVE THE KOSOVO CRISIS DIPLOMATICALLY. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. TEXT: MR. CLINTON SPOKE TO REPORTERS HERE AS U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE BEGAN WHAT IS SEEN AS A LAST-DITCH ATTEMPT TO SETTLE THE CRISIS WITHOUT NATO INTERVENTION. THE PRESIDENT SAID TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SERB TROOPS ARE POISED FOR FURTHER ACTION AGAINST KOSOVAR ALBANIANS. HE SAID IF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC CONTINUES TO CHOOSE AGGRESSION OVER PEACE, NATO MILITARY PLANS MUST MOVE FORWARD: ///END ACT////WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT OF LESSONS IN THE LAST 50 YEARS. ONE OF THEM SURELY IS THAT WE HAVE A STAKE IN EUROPEAN FREEDOM AND SECURITY AND STABILITY. I HOPE THAT CAN BE ACHEIVED BY PEACEFUL MEANS. IF NOT, WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO ACT. ///END ACT///MR. CLINTON DID NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT A TIME FRAME FOR NATO ACTION, BUT OFFICIALS HERE DO NOT CONTEST REPORTS THAT NATO AIRSTRIKES COULD BEGIN WITHIN HOURS IF THE HOLBROOKE MISSION FAILS. THE SITUATION IS COMPLICATED BY RUSSIAN OPPOSITION TO NATO INTERVENTION, THOUGH IN HIS REMARKS HERE MR. CLINTON DOWNPLAYED THE RIFT AND SAID WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW DO AGREE ON THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION, IF NOT THE REMEDY: ///CLINTON ACTUALITY TWO///OUR OBJECTIVE IN KOSOVO REMAINS CLEAR: TO STOP THE KILLING AND ACHIEVE A DURABLE PEACE THAT RESTORES KOSOVARS TO SELF-GOVERNMENT -- THE SELF-GOVERNMENT THAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC STRIPPED AWAY FROM THEM A DECADE AGO. WE AND OUR NATO ALLIES, AND RUSSIA, ALL AGREE THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT GOAL. ///END ACT///RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER YEGENY PRIMAKOV BEGINS A SET OF TALKS IN WASHINGTON TUESDAY LIKELY TO BE DOMINATED BY KOSOVO. ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS INSIST HIS PRESENCE WILL NOT AFFECT NATO DECISION-MAKING ON THE ISSUE. PRESIDENT CLINTON OVER THE WEEKEND SENT RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN A LETTER EXPLAINING NATO'S RATIONALE FOR USING FORCE IF NECESSARY TO PROD MR. MILOSEVIC TO SUPPORT A KOSOVO PEACE DEAL AND HE ALSO HAD TELEPHONE TALKS WITH THE LEADERS OF BRITAIN, FRANCE AND GERMANY. THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO HAS TO CONTEND WITH OPPOSITION IN CONGRESS TO NATO INTERVENTION INCLUDING A REPUBLICAN MOVE TO BAR FUNDING FOR SUCH ACTIVITY WITHOUT PRIOR CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL. CLINTON SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART INSISTED THE PRESIDENT HAS ALL THE
AUTHORITY HE NEEDS TO PROCEED WITH AIRSTRIKES IF NECESSARY, AND
THAT SUCH A RESTRICTION BY CONGRESS WOULD BE "UNFORTUNATE" AT A
TIME, HE SAID, WHEN A STRONG SIGNAL OF NATIONAL UNITY IS
REQUIRED. (SIGNED)
[03] HOLBROOKE / KOSOVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246973 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S DIPLOMAT RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS WARNING YUGOSLAVIA OF SEVERE CONSEQUENCES IF IT DOES NOT APPROVE A PEACE AGREEMENT CONTAINING A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS MR. HOLBROOKE LEFT FOR BELGRADE AFTER OBTAINING SUPPORT FROM EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS AND NATO MILITARY LEADERS. TEXT: THERE IS EVERY SENSE THAT MR. HOLBROOKE'S MISSION IS THE LAST CHANCE BEFORE NATO BOMBERS STRIKE YUGOSLAVIA. HE PUT IT IN THOSE TERMS AS HE MET NATO AMBASSADORS. /// HOLBROOKE ACT ///WE ARE, AS EVERYONE HAS SAID, ON THE BRINK OF MILITARY ACTION. IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO AVOID IT, BUT THE WINDOW IS NARROWING. I DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT WE ARE OPTIMISTIC. /// END ACT ///MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS HE DOES NOT HAVE ENORMOUS EXPECTATIONS THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WILL DROP HIS OPPOSITION TO A NATO LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE AND ALLOW THE CURRENT PEACE AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED. HE SAYS THE FORCE IS NEEDED BECAUSE IT WAS MISSING FROM THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT HE NEGOTIATED IN BELGRADE LAST YEAR. /// HOLBROOKE ACT ///THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NATO LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE THAT IS CONTAINED IN IT ARE ESSENTIAL TO PLUG THE LIMITATIONS OF THE OCTOBER 12TH AGREEMENT WHICH AGREED TO THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION BUT DID NOT GIVE IT ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITY OR AN ARMED CAPABILITY. THOSE LIMITATIONS WHICH WE DISCUSSED PUBLICLY WITH YOU AT THE TIME, BOTH IN BRUSSELS AND BELGRADE, HAVE NOW LED TO THE DANGERS THAT YOU SEE AND THE EVENTS IN RACAK. /// END ACT ///MR. HOLBROOKE WON SUPPORT FROM EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS WHO ARE MEETING HERE IN BRUSSELS. HE HELD TALKS WITH THE MINISTERS FROM BRITAIN, FRANCE, AND GERMANY. BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK TOLD REPORTERS, PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS SHOWN HE IS A BRINKSMAN. HE IS NOW AT THE BRINK. TO EMPHASIZE THAT POINT, NATO MILITARY COMMANDER, GENERAL WESLEY CLARK SAYS 10-THOUSAND PEACEKEEPERS ARE READY IN MACEDONIA TO PATROL KOSOVO. BUT IF THE HOLBROOKE MISSION FAILS, HE SAYS, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER OUTCOME. /// CLARK ACT ///WE HAVE SOME 400 AIRCRAFT. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF NAVAL VESSELS. WE HAVE PLANS THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED OVER MONTHS, WEEKS, AND REFINED DAYS AND HOURS AGO. THE CREWS ARE READY. THE EQUIPMENT IS READY. WE KNOW WHAT SERB CAPABILITIES ARE. WE KNOW WHAT SERB VULNERABILITIES ARE. AND IF REQUIRED, WE WILL STRIKE IN A SWIFT AND SEVERE FASHION. /// END ACT ///MR. HOLBROOKE LEFT FOR BELGRADE VOWING NOT TO TALK WHILE THE
FIGHTING INTENSIFIES IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
[04] KOSOVO / ALBRIGHT (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246989 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THE TIMING OF NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE SERBS WILL BE DETERMINED BY WHAT IS GOING ON IN KOSOVO, AS WELL AS THE OUTCOME OF TALKS WITH U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS. TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, AND HE MUST HALT SERB AGGRESSION IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, MS. ALBRIGHT SAID SHE SENT U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE TO BELGRADE TO DELIVER A CLEAR MESSAGE TO MR. MILOSEVIC. // ALBRIGHT ACT //HE WILL MAKE IT CLEAR THAT MILOSEVIC FACES A VERY STARK CHOICE TO HALT AGGRESSION AGAINST THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS AND ACCEPT AN INTERIM SETTLEMENT WITH A NATO LED IMPLEMENTATION FORCE OR BEAR THE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES. // END ACT //THE SECRETARY ALSO SAID SHE IS GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN KOSOVO, WHERE SERB FORCES HAVE LAUNCHED A MAJOR OFFENSIVE AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS. // ALBRIGHT ACT TWO //THE INTENSIFICATION OF THE FIGHTING, THE HUGH NUMBERS OF REFUGEES THAT ARE BEING CREATED, THE POSSIBILITY OF MORE OF THIS KIND OF MARAUDING AND ACTION IS SOMETHING THAT IS OF GREAT CONCERN TO US, AND THE TIMING OF OUR ACTION WILL BE DETERMINED BY WHAT IS GOING ON THE GROUND THERE, AS WELL AS WHAT COMES OUT OF AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE'S TALKS. // END ACT //THE SECRETARY SAYS SHE SENT AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE TO BELGRADE TO
GIVE DIPLOMACY ONE LAST CHANCE BEFORE ANY MILITARY ACTION
INVOLVING U-S TROOPS IS UNDERTAKEN. (SIGNED)
[05] SENATE-KOSOVO (L) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-247001 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S THREAT OF AIR STRIKES IN KOSOVO IS MEETING RESISTANCE IN THE SENATE, AS REPUBLICANS TRY TO BLOCK MONEY FOR MILITARY ACTION. EVEN IF THAT EFFORT FAILS, AS EXPECTED, QUESTIONS ABOUT U-S COMMITMENTS IN THE REGION ARE LIKELY TO LINGER ON. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS. TEXT: OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS REMAIN SKEPTICAL ABOUT USING AMERICAN FORCE IN THE BALKANS. THEIR ARGUMENTS ARE THE SAME ONES RAISED AGAINST THE DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA - THE ADMINISTRATION IS RISKING ITS TROOPS ON A MARGINAL MISSION WITH NO LONG-TERM STRATEGY IN SIGHT. TEXAS REPUBLICAN SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON ASKED WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF BOMBING DOES NOT BRING RESULTS AND U-S PILOTS BECOME PRISONERS IN YUGOSLAVIA. SHE SUGGESTS THE NATION HAS NO BUSINESS STEPPING INTO THIS CONFLICT, WHERE SHE SAYS BOTH SIDES ARE GUILTY OF ATROCITIES. // HUTCHISON ACT //WE ARE NOW PICKING SIDES IN A CIVIL WAR WHERE I THINK THE UNITED STATES' SECURITY INTEREST IS NOT CLEAR. SO I THINK IT IS INCUMBENT ON THE PRESIDENT TO COME TO CONGRESS BEFORE HE TAKES ANY MILITARY ACTION IN KOSOVO. // END ACT //EVEN SOME DEMOCRATS DOUBT THE AIR RAIDS WILL HAVE THE DESIRED EFFECT OF FORCING YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO MAKE PEACE WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS. BUT THEY SAY THE SERBIAN ASSAULT ON THE PROVINCE CAN NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO ON -- AND THE CRISIS STILL DEMANDS U-S INVOLVEMENT. DEMOCRAT JOSEPH BIDEN OF DELAWARE WARNS A FAILURE TO ACT WOULD BRING DISASTER FOR THE REGION AND PERHAPS NATO. // BIDEN ACT //WE KNOW THAT IF MILOSEVIC'S CORCHED-EARTH POLICY OF ETHNIC CLEANSING IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE THE INEVITABLE RESULT WILL BE MASSIVE TIDES OF REFUGEES WHICH WILL DESTABILIZE THE FRAGILE DEMOCRACIES IN MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA. // END ACT //A NUMBER OF SENATE REPUBLICANS WOULD LIKE TO HOLD BACK FUNDING
FOR ACTION IN YUGOSLAVIA UNLESS CONGRESS SPECIFICALLY APPROVES.
THE MEASURE FACES A KEY VOTE TUESDAY BUT APPEARS UNLIKELY TO
PASS- AND EVEN IF IT DOES, WOULD HAVE NO IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON
NATO'S PLANS.
HOWEVER, FRESH OPPOSITION APPEARS CERTAIN IF PEACE EVER DOES COME
TO KOSOVO AND AMERICAN TROOPS ARE CALLED ON TO HELP ENFORCE IT.
(SIGNED)
[06] SENATE-KOSOVO (S-ONITE) BY DAVID SAWN (SENATE)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-247006 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE U-S SENATE MAY VOTE TODAY (TUESDAY) TO SIGNAL ITS SUPPORT OR DISPLEASURE AT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S POLICY ON KOSOVO AND THE PROSPECT OF AIR STRIKES. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS ON THE DEBATE. TEXT: REPUBLICANS CHARGE THE WHITE HOUSE IS JUMPING INTO A BALKAN CIVIL WAR WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT THE LONG TERM OR THE RISKS. SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON WONDERS WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF BOMBING PROVES INEFFECTIVE. // HUTCHISON ACT //WHAT IF NATO DECIDES TO STRIKE AND AN AMERICAN PLANE IS SHOT DOWN ? WHAT IF THERE IS AN AMERICAN P-O-W (PRISONER OF WAR) ? WHAT THEN ? // END ACT //DEMOCRAT JOSEPH BIDEN ARGUES THE AIR CAMPAIGN IS JUSTIFIED IN LIGHT OF THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT ASSAULT ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS. // BIDEN ACT //AND THEY ARE SYSTEMATICALLY ANNIHILATING ENTIRE VILLAGES, THE REFUGEE POPULATION IS GROWING BY TENS OF THOUSANDS AND INSTABILITY IS MOUNTING. // END ACT //A PENDING REPUBLICAN MEASURE WOULD TIE UP FUNDS FOR MILITARY
ACTION UNLESS CONGRESS APPROVES. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS UNLIKELY TO
PASS - AND EVEN IF IT DOES WOULD HAVE NO IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON
NATO'S PLANS. (SIGNED)
[07] U-N / ANNAN / KOSOVO (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-247002 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TODAY (MONDAY) ADDED HIS NAME TO THE LIST OF WORLD LEADERS URGING YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES TO STOP THEIR MILITARY OFFENSIVE IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS. TEXT: MR. ANNAN ISSUED A STATEMENT EXPRESSING GRAVE CONCERN ABOUT THE ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. HE SAYS HE IS PARTICULARLY ALARMED THAT THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION HAS SERIOUSLY DETERIORATED OVER THE LAST WEEK. HE BLAMES THAT DETERIORATION ON YUGOSLAV SECURITY FORCES. MR. ANNAN URGES THE YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES TO HALT THEIR MILITARY OFFENSIVE IN KOSOVO. HE SAYS YUGOSLAVIA MUST ALLEVIATE THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION AND COOPERATE FULLY WITH INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO PREVENT FURTHER CONFRONTATION. MR. ANNAN'S STATEMENT FOLLOWS SIMILAR CALLS FROM LEADERS AROUND THE WORLD, URGING AN END TO VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO. NATO HAS WARNED THAT IT IS PREPARING TO LAUNCH MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAV SECURITY FORCES IF THE SITUATION DOES NOT IMPROVE. THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS DIVIDED OVER THE ISSUE OF MILITARY
STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. CHINA AND RUSSIA HAVE OPPOSED SUCH
MOVES, SAYING THEY REPRESENT INTERFERENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S
INTERNAL AFFAIRS. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
[08] NATO / YUGO TARGETS BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-42916 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO WARPLANES ARE READY TO STRIKE AT YUGOSLAV AND SERB MILITARY POSITIONS IF A LAST-MINUTE DIPLOMATIC ATTEMPT FAILS TO CONVINCE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO ACCEPT A PEACE PLAN FOR THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REGION OF KOSOVO. IN THIS REPORT FROM WASHINGTON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT THE NATO OPTION OF AIR STRIKES. TEXT: NATO HAS ABOUT 430 PLANES AT ITS DISPOSAL. 260 OF THEM ARE AMERICAN AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING B-52 BOMBERS AND STEALTH FIGHTER JETS. THEY ARE POISED TO ATTACK SERB AND YUGOSLAV MILITARY POSITIONS SHOULD THE ORDER COME FROM NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA. MILITARY ANALYSTS SAY NATO WILL FIRST ATTACK FIXED-BASE RADAR SITES SCATTERED AROUND THE SERBIAN MOUNTAINS. THESE INCLUDE COMMAND CENTERS FOR AIR-DEFENSE SYSTEMS AS WELL AS THE RADAR COMPONENTS OF SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SITES AND ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN SITES. TONY CORDESMAN IS A SENIOR MILITARY ANALYST WITH THE (WASHINGTON-BASED) "CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES." HE SAYS THOSE TARGETS WILL BE HIT FIRST BY CRUISE MISSILES. /// CORDESMAN ACT ///DEPENDING UPON THE DECISION OF THE NATO COUNCIL, THIS COULD EASILY ESCALATE TO INCLUDE SUBSTANTIAL STEALTH [AIRCRAFT] STRIKES AND OTHER STRIKES ON THE ENTIRE SERBIAN AIR-DEFENSE SYSTEM. A LOT IS GOING TO DEPEND ON THE SPECIFIC LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT THAT THE SERBIAN ARMY IS INVOLVED IN. THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE ARGUING THAT THIS TIME, RATHER THAN HAVE A GRADUATED SET OF STRIKES AND A PAUSE, THEY NEED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO HALT THE SERBIAN ARMY. AND THAT COULD MEAN THAT YOU COULD HAVE A FURTHER ESCALATION INTO STRIKES AGAINST SERBIAN UNITS OPERATING IN THE FIELD. /// END ACT ///MILITARY ANALYSTS SAY THE KIND OF AIR STRIKES CONTEMPLATED BY NATO POSE MANY DIFFICULTIES. THEY SAY THE ROUGH AND MOUNTAINOUS SERBIAN TERRAIN WILL FORCE NATO PILOTS TO FLY LOW, MAKING THEM VULNERABLE TO RATHER UNSOPHISTICATED AIR-DEFENSE WEAPONS LIKE ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS. BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL ALSO BE A FACTOR. PAUL BEAVER, SENIOR DEFENSE ANALYST WITH THE BRITISH PUBLICATION "JANE'S DEFENSE WEEKLY," SAYS SERBIA WILL BE A FAR MORE DIFFICULT ENEMY TO CONTAIN THAN IRAQ. /// BEAVER ACT ///YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT SERBIA IS A PRETTY IMPRESSIVE MILITARY FORCE. ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAD SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IT FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, IT IS NOT AN IRAQ. IT IS CERTAINLY A CAPABLE PLACE WHERE THE [MILITARY] INDUSTRY WITHIN SERBIA, A DECADE AGO, WAS THE 12TH MOST EFFICIENT EXPORTER IN THE WORLD. SO IT IS NOT A PUSHOVER. AND I THINK NATO IS PRETTY AWARE OF THE RISKS THAT ARE INVOLVED. /// END ACT ///FOR HIS PART, TONY CORDESMAN SAYS SERBIAN AIR DEFENSES MAY NOT BE AS SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGICALLY AS THE NATO PLANES ATTACKING THEM. BUT HE SAYS TACTICALLY, THE SERBS ARE VERY SKILLED. /// SECOND CORDESMAN ACT ///THEY KNOW HOW TO CREATE AMBUSHES, OR TRAPS. [THEY WILL] SORT OF TRY TO DECOY AN AIRCRAFT INTO FLYING A GIVEN COURSE BY ILLUMINATING A RADAR, SAY SOMEWHERE IN ADVANCE OF THE FIGHTER, WHILE IT IS GOING TO OVERFLY ANOTHER SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SYSTEM IT DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT -- AND ONLY ILLUMINATES ITS RADAR AT THE LAST MOMENT. SO THERE IS ALWAYS THE RISK - AND A VERY SERIOUS RISK - THAT SOMETHING CAN GO WRONG AT VIRTUALLY ANY TIME. AND WE MAY END UP WITH SIGNIFICANT CASUALTIES. /// END ACT ///MANY DEFENSE ANALYSTS BELIEVE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS NOT LIKELY TO GIVE IN SOON AFTER NATO ATTACKS BEGIN. PAUL BEAVER SAYS IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL AIR STRIKES. /// SECOND BEAVER ACT ///I THINK HE PROBABLY WILL NOT CAVE IN UNTIL ABOUT THE FOURTH WAVE OF ATTACKS, ACTUALLY MAYBE THE FIFTH. I THINK HE IS PREPARED TO TAKE QUITE A FEW CASUALTIES. /// END ACT ///BUT IN THE END, MR. BEAVER SAYS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WILL HAVE TO
AGREE TO SOME SORT OF AUTONOMY FOR THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REGION OF
KOSOVO IN THE FACE OF NATO'S OVERWHELMING MIGHT. THE BRITISH
DEFENSE ANALYST SAYS WESTERN AIR STRIKES WILL GIVE THE YUGOSLAV
PRESIDENT A POLITICAL WAY OUT: TO SAY TO THE SERBS, "WE HAVE TO
GIVE IN BECAUSE WE CANNOT DEFEND OURSELVES AGAINST NATO'S
SUPERIORITY." (SIGNED)
[09] KOSOVO / SERB FORCES (L-ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (GLOGOVAC, KOSOVO)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246993 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: MORE FIGHTING IS REPORTED IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, AS NATO PREPARES POSSIBLE AIR STRIKES. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM GLOGOVAC. TEXT: SERBIAN FORCES POURED INTO CENTRAL KOSOVO ON MONDAY, ENCIRCLING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF REBEL FIGHTERS AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES. U-N REFUGEE OFFICIALS SAY MASKED SERBIAN SOLDIERS DROVE TANKS AND ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS INTO THE DRENICA DISTRICT IN A THIRD DAY OF HEAVY FIGHTING IN KOSOVO. SERBIAN FORCES COULD BE SEEN CREEPING BEHIND TANKS AND PERSONNEL CARRIERS, HEADING IN THE DIRECTION OF A REBEL HEADQUARTERS IN THE VILLAGE OF LIKOVAC. ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS TRIED TO HALT THE ADVANCE OF GOVERNMENT FORCES BY MINING SEVERAL BRIDGES, BUT THEIR DEMOLITION WORK WAS ONLY PARTIALLY SUCCESSFUL. YUGOSLAV ARMY SOLDERS REINFORCED BUNKERS AND APPEARED TO BE MINING KEY HIGHWAYS LEADING OUT OF THE TROUBLED PROVINCE. AT A YUGOSLAV MILITARY INSTALLATION IN EASTERN KOSOVO, SERBIAN TROOPS APPEARED ON HIGH ALERT, AS NEW BUNKERS WERE BEING BUILT AND POSITIONS MOVED. ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES SAID THE SERBIAN FORCES WERE SHOWING LITTLE MERCY IN THEIR CAMPAIGN TO ROOT OUT PERSONS THE SERBIAN FORCES CALL TERRORISTS. THE REFUGEES -- AWARE THAT NATO IS PREPARING TO LAUNCH STRIKES IF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC DOES NOT SIGN A KOSOVO PEACE AGREEMENT -- SAID TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR ALLIED ACTION. ONE YOUNG MALE REFUGEE, AFRIM MAKOLI, SAID HE FLED HIS HOME FOR FEAR OF BEING KILLED BY THE APPROACHING SERBIAN TROOPS. /// MAKOLI ACT ///EVERYBODY IS WAITING FOR NATO TO ACT, BUT THEY ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME BECAUSE THEY [THE SERBS] HAVE BEEN LAUNCHING THIS HUGE OFFENSIVE. /// END ACT ///REBEL LEADERS SAID MANY OF THEIR FIGHTERS HAVE BEEN KILLED. BUT ANY EXACT COUNT OF THE DEAD WAS NOT POSSIBLE AS ROADS LEADING INTO THE BATTLE AREA REMAINED CLOSED. KOSOVO'S WAR HAS KILLED WELL OVER TWO-THOUSAND PEOPLE AND FORCED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS FROM THEIR HOMES. FOREIGN OBSERVERS SAY THE SERBIAN FORCES ARE PREPARING TO MAKE
GOOD ON THEIR THREAT TO MOUNT MAJOR ATTACKS ACROSS KOSOVO IF NATO
DOES LAUNCH PUNITIVE AIR STRIKES. (SIGNED)
[10] NATO / YUGO TARGETS BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-42916 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO WARPLANES ARE READY TO STRIKE AT YUGOSLAV AND SERB MILITARY POSITIONS IF A LAST-MINUTE DIPLOMATIC ATTEMPT FAILS TO CONVINCE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO ACCEPT A PEACE PLAN FOR THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REGION OF KOSOVO. IN THIS REPORT FROM WASHINGTON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT THE NATO OPTION OF AIR STRIKES. TEXT: NATO HAS ABOUT 430 PLANES AT ITS DISPOSAL. 260 OF THEM ARE AMERICAN AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING B-52 BOMBERS AND STEALTH FIGHTER JETS. THEY ARE POISED TO ATTACK SERB AND YUGOSLAV MILITARY POSITIONS SHOULD THE ORDER COME FROM NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA. MILITARY ANALYSTS SAY NATO WILL FIRST ATTACK FIXED-BASE RADAR SITES SCATTERED AROUND THE SERBIAN MOUNTAINS. THESE INCLUDE COMMAND CENTERS FOR AIR-DEFENSE SYSTEMS AS WELL AS THE RADAR COMPONENTS OF SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SITES AND ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN SITES. TONY CORDESMAN IS A SENIOR MILITARY ANALYST WITH THE (WASHINGTON-BASED) "CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES." HE SAYS THOSE TARGETS WILL BE HIT FIRST BY CRUISE MISSILES. /// CORDESMAN ACT ///DEPENDING UPON THE DECISION OF THE NATO COUNCIL, THIS COULD EASILY ESCALATE TO INCLUDE SUBSTANTIAL STEALTH [AIRCRAFT] STRIKES AND OTHER STRIKES ON THE ENTIRE SERBIAN AIR-DEFENSE SYSTEM. A LOT IS GOING TO DEPEND ON THE SPECIFIC LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT THAT THE SERBIAN ARMY IS INVOLVED IN. THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE ARGUING THAT THIS TIME, RATHER THAN HAVE A GRADUATED SET OF STRIKES AND A PAUSE, THEY NEED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO HALT THE SERBIAN ARMY. AND THAT COULD MEAN THAT YOU COULD HAVE A FURTHER ESCALATION INTO STRIKES AGAINST SERBIAN UNITS OPERATING IN THE FIELD. /// END ACT ///MILITARY ANALYSTS SAY THE KIND OF AIR STRIKES CONTEMPLATED BY NATO POSE MANY DIFFICULTIES. THEY SAY THE ROUGH AND MOUNTAINOUS SERBIAN TERRAIN WILL FORCE NATO PILOTS TO FLY LOW, MAKING THEM VULNERABLE TO RATHER UNSOPHISTICATED AIR-DEFENSE WEAPONS LIKE ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUNS. BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS WILL ALSO BE A FACTOR. PAUL BEAVER, SENIOR DEFENSE ANALYST WITH THE BRITISH PUBLICATION "JANE'S DEFENSE WEEKLY," SAYS SERBIA WILL BE A FAR MORE DIFFICULT ENEMY TO CONTAIN THAN IRAQ. /// BEAVER ACT ///YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT SERBIA IS A PRETTY IMPRESSIVE MILITARY FORCE. ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAD SANCTIONS IMPOSED ON IT FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, IT IS NOT AN IRAQ. IT IS CERTAINLY A CAPABLE PLACE WHERE THE [MILITARY] INDUSTRY WITHIN SERBIA, A DECADE AGO, WAS THE 12TH MOST EFFICIENT EXPORTER IN THE WORLD. SO IT IS NOT A PUSHOVER. AND I THINK NATO IS PRETTY AWARE OF THE RISKS THAT ARE INVOLVED. /// END ACT ///FOR HIS PART, TONY CORDESMAN SAYS SERBIAN AIR DEFENSES MAY NOT BE AS SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGICALLY AS THE NATO PLANES ATTACKING THEM. BUT HE SAYS TACTICALLY, THE SERBS ARE VERY SKILLED. /// SECOND CORDESMAN ACT ///THEY KNOW HOW TO CREATE AMBUSHES, OR TRAPS. [THEY WILL] SORT OF TRY TO DECOY AN AIRCRAFT INTO FLYING A GIVEN COURSE BY ILLUMINATING A RADAR, SAY SOMEWHERE IN ADVANCE OF THE FIGHTER, WHILE IT IS GOING TO OVERFLY ANOTHER SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SYSTEM IT DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT -- AND ONLY ILLUMINATES ITS RADAR AT THE LAST MOMENT. SO THERE IS ALWAYS THE RISK - AND A VERY SERIOUS RISK - THAT SOMETHING CAN GO WRONG AT VIRTUALLY ANY TIME. AND WE MAY END UP WITH SIGNIFICANT CASUALTIES. /// END ACT ///MANY DEFENSE ANALYSTS BELIEVE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS NOT LIKELY TO GIVE IN SOON AFTER NATO ATTACKS BEGIN. PAUL BEAVER SAYS IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL AIR STRIKES. /// SECOND BEAVER ACT ///I THINK HE PROBABLY WILL NOT CAVE IN UNTIL ABOUT THE FOURTH WAVE OF ATTACKS, ACTUALLY MAYBE THE FIFTH. I THINK HE IS PREPARED TO TAKE QUITE A FEW CASUALTIES. /// END ACT ///BUT IN THE END, MR. BEAVER SAYS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WILL HAVE TO
AGREE TO SOME SORT OF AUTONOMY FOR THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REGION OF
KOSOVO IN THE FACE OF NATO'S OVERWHELMING MIGHT. THE BRITISH
DEFENSE ANALYST SAYS WESTERN AIR STRIKES WILL GIVE THE YUGOSLAV
PRESIDENT A POLITICAL WAY OUT: TO SAY TO THE SERBS, "WE HAVE TO
GIVE IN BECAUSE WE CANNOT DEFEND OURSELVES AGAINST NATO'S
SUPERIORITY." (SIGNED)
[11] TURKEY / ISLAMISTS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246977 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A TURKISH PROSECUTOR IS SEEKING THE CLOSURE OF THE ISLAMIST VIRTUE PARTY -- THE BIGGEST PARTY IN TURKEY'S PARLIAMENT ON CHARGES IT VIOLATED THE COUNTRY'S SECULAR CONSTITUTION. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA TEXT: ANKARA'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR, NUH METE YUKSEL, SUBMITTED A SIX PAGE FILE DETAILING VIRTUE'S ALLEGED OFFENSES TO TURKEY'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR VURAL SAVAS ON MONDAY, SAYING THE PARTY SHOULD BE BANNED. MR. YUKSEL CITED VARIOUS ANTI-SECULAR SPEECHES MADE BY VIRTUE OFFICIALS AND THE PARTY'S CONTINUING LINKS WITH BANNED ISLAMIST LEADER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN AS EVIDENCE AGAINST VIRTUE. THE MOVE CAME AS PARLIAMENT BEGAN A DEBATE TO DELAY ELECTIONS. HOWEVER, THEIR BID TO BRING DOWN THE MINORITY GOVERNMENT OF LEFTIST PREMIER BULENT ECEVIT FAILED WHEN A MAJORITY IN MONDAY'S SESSION VOTED AGAINST A NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION. /// OPT ////// OPT ///MR. ERBAKAN TURKEY'S FIRST ISLAMIST PREMIER WAS FORCED OUT POWER BY THE PRO-SECULARIST ARMED FORCES IN 1997 AND WAS BARRED FROM POLITICS LAST YEAR ON CHARGES THAT HE HAD SOUGHT TO INTRODUCE ISLAMIC RULE DURING HIS YEAR-LONG TERM AS PRIME MINISTER. HIS ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY WAS BANNED ON SIMILAR CHARGES. THE ISLAMISTS RE-GROUPED UNDER VIRTUE WHICH WAS FORMED IN DECEMBER 1997. MR. ERBAKAN HAS CONTINUED TO WIELD CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE OVER
THE ISLAMISTS AND IS SAID TO HAVE APPROVED CANDIDATES LISTS.
ANALYSTS SAY HIS CONTINUING GRIP OVER VIRTUE HAS CAUSED DEEP
DIVISIONS WITHIN THE PARTY AND HURT ITS IMAGE IN THE CAMPAIGNING
BEFORE THE APRIL ELECTIONS. SHOULD THE PARTY BE BANNED LIKE ITS
PREDECESSORS, ANALYSTS ADD, MANY WILL BLAME THEIR FORMER LEADER.
(SIGNED)
[12] TURKEY POL (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246978 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TURKEY'S PARLIAMENT HAS DEFEATED A MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE IN THE LEFTIST MINORITY GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA. TEXT: TWO-HUNDRED-THIRTY-SIX TURKISH LAWMAKERS VOTED FOR THE CENSURE MOTION IN A ROWDY SESSION OF THE 550-MEMBER PARLIAMENT. BUT THAT WAS 40 VOTES SHORT OF THE 276 VOTES NEEDED TO BRING DOWN THE GOVERNMENT. TWO-HUNDRED-FORTY-ONE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT VOTED AGAINST THE PROPOSAL. THE CAMPAIGN TO UNSEAT MR. ECEVIT'S THREE MONTH OLD MINORITY GOVERNMENT AND TO POSTPONE THE ELECTIONS IS BEING SPEARHEADED BY A GROUP OF LAWMAKERS NICKNAMED "THE DISGRUNTLED ONES" BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT INVITED BY THEIR PARTIES TO RUN FOR PARLIAMENT AGAIN. THE ISLAMIST VIRTUE PARTY HAS BEEN BACKING THEIR MOVES IN EXCHANGE FOR PLEDGES THAT THEY WOULD END ARTICLES OF THE CONSTITUTION USED TO PROSECUTE ISLAMIST LAWMAKERS AND BANS ON FORMER ISLAMIST PREMIER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN TO LOSE STEAM AFTER TURKEY'S POWERFUL ARMY CHIEF, HUSEYIN KIVRIKOGL, WARNED AGAINST THE MOVES, SAYING THEY WOULD -- IN HIS WORDS -- DRAG THE COUNTRY INTO CHAOS. HE SAID REPEALING THE SEDITION LAWS WOULD MAKE ENABLE ISLAMIC RADICALISM TO EMERGE AS AN EVEN GREATER THREAT. DURING MONDAY'S SESSION, DEPUTY SPEAKER ULUC GURKAN FROM MR ECEVIT'S DEMOCRATIC LEFT PARTY RULED THAT THE OPPOSITION MOTION TO POSTPONE THE ELECTIONS COULD NOT BE DEBATED UNTIL THE PROPOSAL WAS APPROVED BY A COMMITTEE. THE RULING PROVOKED A STORM OF PROTEST FROM REBEL LAWMAKERS. MEANWHILE ANKARA'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR IS DEMANDING THE CLOSURE OF
THE ISLAMIST PARTY ON THE GROUNDS THAT -- LIKE ITS BANNED
PREDECESSOR WELFARE -- IT HAD VIOLATED THE COUNTRY'S SECULAR
CONSTITUTION. (SIGNED)
[13] HUMAN RIGHTS / AMNESTY (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246988 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SAYS THE U-N HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IS CAVING IN TO POLITICAL PRESSURE TO THE DETRIMENT OF VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SAYS IT WANTS THE COMMISSION TO TAKE ACTION IN PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS IN FIVE AREAS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN. TEXT: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SAYS HUMAN RIGHTS VICTIMS IN PLACES LIKE ALGERIA, CAMBODIA, TURKEY AND THE GREAT LAKES REGION OF CENTRAL AFRICA HAVE BEEN LET DOWN BY LACK OF ACTION FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. IT SAYS THE U-N HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION -- WHICH BEGAN ITS ANUUAL SIX-WEEK MEETING ON MONDAY -- HAS A DUTY TO MAKE SURE EFFORTS ARE MADE TO IMPROVE THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATIONS IN THESE COUNTRIES. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL'S SECRETARY-GENERAL, PIERRE SANE, SAYS THE ALGERIAN GOVERNMENT HAS REPEATEDLY BROKEN ITS PROMISES TO COOPERATE WITH THE COMMISSION AND HAS REFUSED TO ALLOW SPECIAL INVESTIGATORS DEALING WITH TORTURE AND SUMMARY OR ARBITRARY EXECUTIONS TO ENTER THE COUNTRY. /// SANE ACT ONE ///IN SPITE OF A REDUCTION IN LARGE-SCALE MASSACRES, KILLINGS STILL CONTINUE, DISAPPEARANCES CONTINUE. WE WANT THE COMMISSION TO APPOINT A SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR TO COVER ALGERIA. /// END ACT ///AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ALSO IS ASKING THE COMMISSION TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO CAMBODIA WHERE IT SAYS HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO DEATH THREATS, ARBITRARY ARREST, AND PHYSICAL ATTACKS BY UNIFORMED POLICE. THE ORGANIZATION WANTS THE CAMBODIAN GOVERNMENT TO AGREE TO HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL PROSECUTE KHMER ROUGE LEADERS FOR GENOCIDE. THE ORGANIZATION SAYS IT BELIEVES TURKEY IS SHOWING TENTATIVE SIGNS OF CHANGE. BUT, IT SAYS TURKEY NEEDS HELP FROM THE COMMISSION TO IMPROVE ITS HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. IT SAYS SYSTEMATIC TORTURE STILL GOES ON THERE. MR. SANE SAYS THE COMMISSION SHOULD STOP TREATING BURUNDI, CONGO-KINSHASA, AND RWANDA AS THREE SEPARATE CASES. HE SAYS THE CYCLE OF CONFLICT AND GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN THE GREAT LAKES AREA OF AFRICA ARE BOUND TOGETHER AND SHOULD BE DEALT WITH FROM A REGIONAL APPROACH. /// SANE ACT TWO ///THERE ARE 600-THOUSAND DISPLACED PEOPLE IN BURUNDI, THERE ARE 300-THOUSAND DISPLACED PEOPLE IN RWANDA, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES IN THE REGION. IT HAS TO BE ADDRESSED IN A REGIONAL CONTEXT. /// END ACT ///NEB/LS/JWH 22-Mar-99 1:22 PM EST (1822 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America [14] CHINA / ITALY (L ONLY) BY SABINA CASTELFRANCO (ROME)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246985 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: CHINA'S PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN HAS BEGUN THE OFFICIAL PART OF HIS FIVE-DAY VISIT TO ITALY WITH TALKS WITH ITALIAN PRESIDENT OSCAR LUIGI SCALFARO. SABINA CASTELFRANCO IN ROME REPORTS DEMONSTRATORS OUTSIDE THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE PROTESTED CHINA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. TEXT: CHINESE PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN SPENT A DAY AND A HALF IN VENICE BEFORE BEGINNING HIS OFFICIAL VISIT TO ITALY IN ROME ON MONDAY. HE SPENT ONE HOUR IN TALKS WITH ITALIAN PRESIDENT OSCAR LUIGI SCALFARO, THEN MET WITH THE SPEAKERS OF ITALY'S TWO HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. THE CHINESE LEADER IS BEING RECEIVED WARMLY BY ITALY. THE VISIT IS AIMED AT STRENGTHENING ALREADY GOOD BILATERAL TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. CHINA CONSIDERS ITALY AN IMPORTANT TRADING PARTNER, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY. DESPITE THE WARM RECEPTION BY ITALIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, DEMONSTRATORS PROTESTED CHINA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. AMONG THOSE PROTESTING WAS CHINESE DISSIDENT WEJ JINGSHENG, WHO SAID REPRESSION IN CHINA HAS INTENSIFIED IN RECENT TIMES. BUT AT A NEWS BRIEFING, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN ZHU BANGZAO SAID CHINA IS EXPERIENCING THE BEST SITUATION IN ITS HISTORY AS FAR AS HUMAN RIGHTS ARE CONCERNED. HE CRITICIZED -- IN HIS WORDS -- "SOME WESTERN NATIONS, SPECIFICALLY THE UNITED STATES, WHICH HAVE NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE SUCCESSES ACHIEVED IN THIS FIELD AND CONTINUE TO PAINT A TOTALLY BLEAK SCENARIO." THE CHINESE SPOKESMAN ALSO DISCUSSED ANOTHER THORNY ISSUE -- RELATIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. HE SAID TWO CONDITIONS NEED TO BE MET BEFORE RELATIONS CAN IMPROVE. MR. ZHU SAID THE VATICAN MUST BREAK DIPLOMATIC TIES WITH TAIWAN AND IT MUST NOT INTERFERE IN CHINA'S DOMESTIC AFFAIRS THROUGH ITS RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES. PRESIDENT JIANG WILL MEET ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER MASSIMO D'ALEMA
ON TUESDAY BEFORE TRAVELLING TO MILAN TO MEET WITH ITALIAN
BUSINESSMEN. HE GOES TO SWITZERLAND ON THURSDAY, THE SECOND STOP
OF HIS THREE-NATION TOUR WHICH ALSO WILL TAKE HIM TO AUSTRIA.
(SIGNED)
[15] E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS / CHINA (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246984 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE URGED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO SEIZE THE LAST CHANCE OF A PEACEFUL SOLUTION IN KOSOVO AND TO ACCEPT THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE PLAN FOR THE SERBIAN PROVINCE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, THE MINISTERS ALSO CRITICIZED HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES IN CHINA BUT WILL NOT SPONSOR A RESOLUTION AGAINST THEM. TEXT: EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE EXPRESSED DISMAY AT CHINA'S CRACKDOWN ON PEACEFUL POLITICAL ACTIVISTS AND BY THE CONTINUATION SINCE DECEMBER OF ARRESTS AND SENTENCING. THE MINISTERS SAY HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE IS NOT AN END IN ITSELF AND THE EUROPEAN UNION EXPECTS MORE CONCRETE IMPROVEMENTS. DESPITE THE STRONG STATEMENT CRITICIZING CHINA'S PRACTICES, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL NOT SPONSOR A RESOLUTION AGAINST CHINA IN THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IN GENEVA. HE TELLS REPORTERS THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL INSTEAD JOIN THE UNITED STATES IN UPHOLDING DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS IN GENERAL. /// FISCHER ACT W/ INTERPRETER ///IT IS BECOMING APPARENT THAT WE ARE CONTINUING OUR EFFORTS TO LOOK FOR A THEMATIC RESOLUTION TOGETHER WITH OUR PARTNERS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC. THIS WOULD BE A RESOLUTION ON DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS AND THE RIGHTS OF DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION IN THRESHOLD COUNTRIES. THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT POINT. /// END ACT ///THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS AT THEIR MEETING LAST WEEK IN GERMANY, IT BECAME CLEAR THERE IS NO AGREEMENT ABOUT SPONSORING A RESOLUTION AGAINST ONE COUNTRY. AS ONE EUROPEAN DIPLOMAT PUT IT, IF THE UNITED STATES IS SOFT, WHY SHOULD WE BE HARD? /// REST OPT ///THE EUROPEAN UNION IS REMAINING HARD AGAINST ALLOWING BURMA TO ATTEND A MEETING WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN). AS A RESULT THE MEETING PLANNED FOR NEXT WEEK IN BERLIN HAS BEEN CANCELLED. BRITAIN AND THE SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES HAVE REFUSED TO RELAX THE
EUROPEAN VISA BAN AGAINST LEADING BURMESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
THE BAN WAS IMPOSED BECAUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES THERE. MR.
FISCHER SAYS ASEAN HAS REFUSED TO ATTEND THE BERLIN MEETING
WITHOUT BURMA. (SIGNED)
[16] E EURO ENVIRONMENT (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246996 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A GERMAN ENVIRONMENTALIST SAYS FIVE EUROPEAN-UNION CANDIDATE COUNTRIES IN EASTERN EUROPE MUST SPEND 150-BILLION DOLLARS TO RAISE ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS TO THOSE PREVAILING IN WESTERN EUROPE. CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS. TEXT: MOST OF THE 150-BILLION DOLLARS WOULD BE USED TO ALLEVIATE AIR AND WATER POLLUTION. ALEXANDER CARIUS OF THE PRIVATE ECOLOGY INSTITUTE IN BERLIN SAYS THE MONEY WOULD BE SPENT DURING A 15-YEAR PERIOD. HE BELIEVES THE E-U COMMISSION WILL BE STRICT IN MAKING THE FIVE CANDIDATE COUNTRIES COMPLY WITH MORE THAN 250 STATUTES CONCERNING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. THE CANDIDATES ARE THE CZECH REPUBLIC, POLAND, HUNGARY, ESTONIA, AND SLOVENIA. THEY WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION BY 2003, BUT MR. CARIUS SAYS E-U OFFICIALS INDICATE 2005 IS A MORE REALISTIC DATE. SPEAKING AT A MEETING OF WASHINGTON'S "INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY GERMAN STUDIES", MR. CARIUS SUGGESTED THE E-U MEMBER STATES PROBABLY SHOULD PAY THE BIGGEST SHARE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN-UP COST. HE SAYS SECURITY CONCERNS SHOULD OVER-RIDE MATTERS OF COST. // CARIUS ACT //WE NEED SOME KIND OF VISION AND IDEA OF WHAT KIND OF EUROPE WE ARE LOOKING FOR. USING COOPERATIVE POLICIES IN THE FIELD OF THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ECONOMIC AND SECURITY STABILIZATION IS A LEGITIMATE AND NECESSARY APPROACH. // END ACT //UNDER ITS EXISTING (PHARE) AID PROGRAM FOR EASTERN EUROPE, E-U MEMBERS ARE SPENDING ABOUT SIX-BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY ON CLEANING UP THE EASTERN ENVIRONMENT. UN-MENTIONED IN MR. CARIUS'S TALK IS THE FACT EASTERN GERMANY DID NOT HAVE TO UPGRADE ITS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PRIOR TO BECOMING PART OF THE EUROPEAN UNION IN 1991. HEAVILY POLLUTED EAST GERMANY WAS GIVEN SPECIAL EXEMPTIONS BECAUSE IT BECAME PART OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, WHICH WAS AN E-U MEMBER. OBSERVERS NOTE THE STRICT ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS COULD EASILY
BE USED TO DELAY E-U ENTRY FOR THE EASTERN COUNTRIES. MR. CARIUS
STRESSES OTHER CHALLENGES, SPECIFICALLY THE DISPARITY IN INCOMES
BETWEEN EAST AND WEST. THE AVERAGE PER-CAPITA INCOME OF THE FIVE
CANDIDATE COUNTRIES IS ONLY ONE-THIRD THE AVERAGE LEVEL OF
CURRENT E-U MEMBERS. (SIGNED)
[17] EDITORIAL: THREE NEW COUNTRIES JOIN NATODATE= 03/23/99TYPE= EDITORIAL NUMBER= 0-08237 CONTENT=THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST 03/23/99. 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: POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC HAVE BECOME THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF NATO -- AN EVENT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNTHINKABLE NOT LONG AGO. DURING THE COLD WAR, THESE THREE COUNTRIES WERE MEMBERS OF THE SOVIET-CONTROLLED WARSAW PACT, WHICH OPPOSED NATO AND ENFORCED THE DIVISION OF EUROPE. NOW THEY ENJOY THE PROTECTION OF NATO'S GUARANTEE OF COLLECTIVE SECURITY: THAT AN ATTACK AGAINST ONE MEMBER OF THE ALLIANCE IS CONSIDERED AN ATTACK AGAINST ALL. POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY FACE THE CHALLENGE OF ADAPTING THEIR ARMIES SO THAT THEY CAN BE FULL PARTICIPANTS IN NATO OPERATIONS. THIS WILL MEAN INCREASED MILITARY SPENDING, WHICH WILL NOT BE EASY FOR COUNTRIES STILL STRUGGLING TO BUILD FREE-MARKET ECONOMIES AND RAISE THEIR STANDARD OF LIVING. BUT IT IS A BURDEN THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE IN POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC KNOW THEY MUST ACCEPT. FOR THESE COUNTRIES, MEMBERSHIP IN THE PREMIER WESTERN ALLIANCE REPRESENTS A KEY TO FUTURE SUCCESS. CZECH FOREIGN MINISTER AND FORMER DISSIDENT JAN KAVAN SAID THAT JOINING NATO IS "THE GUARANTEE THAT MY COUNTRY WILL NEVER AGAIN BE THE POWERLESS VICTIM OF FOREIGN AGGRESSION." FOR HUNGARIANS, MEMBERSHIP REPRESENTS THE ULTIMATE TRIUMPH OF THE 1956 DEMOCRATIC UPRISING THAT WAS CRUSHED BY THE SOVIET UNION. AND POLAND'S FOREIGN MINISTER, BRONISLAW GEREMEK, SAID: "TODAY, POLAND FOREVER RETURNS TO WHERE SHE HAS ALWAYS BELONGED, TO THE FREE WORLD." POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE SETTLEMENT OF REGIONAL DISPUTES. THE DOOR TO NATO MEMBERSHIP WILL REMAIN OPEN. AND THE ALLIANCE WILL REVIEW THE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND MILITARY PROGRESS OF COUNTRIES INTERESTED IN MEMBERSHIP. ANNCR: THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE U.S.
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.
[18] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=3/22/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-247005 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (MONDAY) IN A DIRECTIONLESS SESSION. V-O-A BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 98 HUNDRED 90, DOWN 13 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 97 DOWN TWO POINTS. AND THE NASDAQ INDEX LOST ONE PERCENT. THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE MOVED UP AND DOWN IN A NARROW RANGE ALL SESSION AND NEVER MADE ANY REAL MOVE TOWARD THE 10 THOUSAND LEVEL. SOME ANALYSTS ARE NOW WORRIED THAT FIRST QUARTER CORPORATE EARNINGS -- TO BE REPORTED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS -- MAY FALL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS. BUT OTHERS EXPECT FEW NEGATIVE SURPRISES. ///BEGIN OPT//////OPT///BATTAPAGLIA ACT///THINGS LOOK VERY, VERY POSITIVE. THERE ARE POSITIVE SURPRISES FROM THE U-S ECONOMY. THERE WILL BE POSITIVE SURPRISES ON THE EARNINGS FRONT. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE A PROGRESSION OF MUCH BETTER NUMBERS THAN THE (WALL) STREET CONSENSUS IS LOOKING FOR. ///END ACT///END OPT///THERE ARE PLANS TO CREATE A HUGE INTERNATIONAL WATER TREATMENT COMPANY. THE VIVENDI (VEE-VON-DEE) COMPANY OF FRANCE WILL ACQUIRE THE U-S FILTER CORPORATION FOR SIX POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS. THE COMPANIES PROVIDE WATER TREATMENT SERVICES FOR GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES AND RESIDENCES. ///REST OPT///A-T AND T SAYS IT PLANS A SEVEN BILLION DOLLAR BOND ISSUE LATER THIS WEEK, THE LARGEST IN THE HISTORY OF THAT U-S-BASED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY. MUCH OF THE MONEY WILL BE USED TO PAY OFF SHORT-TERM DEBT USED FOR THE ACQUISITION OF TELE-COMMUNICATIONS INCORPORATED, WHICH A-T AND T FORMALLY ACQUIRED EARLIER THIS MONTH. THE MICROSOFT CORPORATION SAYS IT WILL ATTEMPT TO SETTLE A LONG-RUNNING ANTI-MONOPOLY CASE AND THE U-S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT IS WILLING TO CONSIDER A SETTLEMENT. THE TRIAL OF THE CASE, IN WHICH MICROSOFT IS ACCUSED OF ABUSING ITS DOMINANCE OF PERSONAL COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEMS, IS SCHEDULED TO RESUME APRIL 12TH UNLESS A SETTLEMENT IS REACHED. U-S BANKING REGULATORS HAVE BACKED AWAY FROM PROPOSED RULES WHICH
WOULD REQUIRE BANKS TO MONITOR CUSTOMERS' ACCOUNTS IN ORDER TO
DETECT AND REPORT SO-CALLED "UNUSUAL ACTIVITY." THE IDEA WAS TO
SPOT ILLEGAL MONEY "LAUNDERING." BUT AFTER RECEIVING ABOUT 200
THOUSAND PUBLIC COMMENTS HOSTILE TO THE IDEA, REGULATORS HAVE
DECIDED THAT ANY MARGINAL ADVANTAGES THE PLAN MIGHT GIVE LAW
ENFORCEMENT IS OUTWEIGHED BY PERSONAL PRIVACY CONCERNS.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
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