Check our bulletin board of Hellenic Job Opportunities Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Voice of America, 99-06-05

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

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] KOSOVO MILITARY MEETING (S-ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (BLACE BORDER)
  • [02] KOSOVO/FOOD AID BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA, ALBANIA)
  • [03] NATO-KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)
  • [04] NATO-KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)
  • [05] NATO-KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)
  • [06] NATO/KOSOVO UPD (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)
  • [07] PENTAGON-KOSOVO (S AND L) BY GIL BUTLER (WASHINGTON)
  • [08] RUSSIA / YUGOSLAVIA (L-ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

  • [01] KOSOVO MILITARY MEETING (S-ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (BLACE BORDER)

    DATE=6/5/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250276
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: TALKS BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAV MILITARY LEADERS ON A YUGOSLAV SERB TROOPS WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED UNTIL SUNDAY. BOTH SIDES MET FOR THE FIRST TIME SATURDAY IN BLACE, MACEDONIA, NEAR THE BORDER WITH YUGOSLAVIA. NATO SAYS IT WILL END ITS BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA IF SERB TROOPS PULLOUT OF KOSOVO. SUZANNE KELLY IN BLACE REPORTS ON THE TALKS.

    TEXT: EVEN THOUGH THE MEETING GOT OFF TO A SHAKY START WHEN THE YUGOSLAV DELEGATION ARRIVED THREE HOURS LATE -- A NATO SPOKESMAN DESCRIBED THE TALKS (SATURDAY) AS CONSTRUCTIVE.

    THE FIRST REAL BREAK, AFTER MORE THAN FIVE HOURS OF MEETINGS, CAME WHEN THE YUGOSLAV DELEGATION LEFT THE BUILDING, GOT INTO A SMALL CONVOY OF CARS, AND WENT BACK OVER THE BLACE BORDER INTO YUGOSLAVIA.

    A NATO SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE SIMPLY A FEW MINOR POINTS THAT THE THE YUGOSLAVS WANTED TO DISCUSS WITH BELGRADE BEFORE SIGNING THE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/SK/LTD/JO
    05-Jun-99 2:16 PM EDT (1816 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [02] KOSOVO/FOOD AID BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA, ALBANIA)

    DATE=6/5/99
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-43587
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: A MAJOR COMPONENT OF AID TO KOSOVAR REFUGEES COMES IN THE FORM OF FOOD. AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM TIRANA, AID AGENCIES ARE BOTH DISTRIBUTING RATIONS TO REFUGEES NOW IN CAMPS AND PREPARING TO DELIVER FOOD TO KOSOVO.

    TEXT: ///COOKING SOUNDS IN CAMP///

    AT A REFUGEE CAMP SOUTH OF ALBANIA'S CAPITAL, A GROUP OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVARS ARE MAKING LUNCH FOR THEIR FAMILIES. THEY COOK SOUPS AND STEWS IN LARGE COMMUNAL KITCHENS LOCATED AROUND THE CAMP.

    AID WORKERS SAY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE REFUGEES TO PREPARE THEIR OWN MEALS FROM RATIONS LIKE RICE, OIL, FLOUR AND SALT. IT GIVES THEM A DAILY ACTIVITY WHICH HELPS CREATE THE SEMBLANCE OF A NORMAL LIFE DESPITE HIGHLY STRESSFUL AND UNUSUAL CONDITIONS.

    HANS GUNTERPRATZ, AN OFFICIAL WITH THE ADVENTIST DEVELOPMENT AND RELIEF AGENCY, SAYS THE SUPPLIES ARE ADEQUATE -- THOUGH HE ACKNOWLEDGES THE REFUGEES IN THE CAMP RARELY RECEIVE MEAT OR FRESH VEGETABLES.

    /// GUNTERPRATZ ACT ///

    THE BIG CHALLENGE IS MAKING THE REFUGEES UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR RATION IS. THEY BELIEVE THE RATIONS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THEM, BUT WE TELL THEM THAT COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD THEIR RATION IS 30-PERCENT MORE THAN WHAT EVERY ONE ELSE GETS. SINCE THEY HAVE HAD SUCH A MODERATELY HIGH STANDARD OF LIVING, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND.

    /// END ACT ///

    THE IMMEDIATE CHALLENGE WILL BE GETTING FOOD INTO KOSOVO. ONCE THE CONDITIONS PUT FORWARD BY WESTERN POWERS ARE IMPLEMENTED BY BELGRADE, THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE WILL MOVE IN AND FOOD AID TRUCKS WILL FOLLOW.

    SUSAN MANUEL, SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM, SAYS HER ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN LAYING PLANS FOR MONTHS AND HAS MOVED MORE THAN ONE MILLION RATION PACKAGES INTO ITALY, GREECE AND ALBANIA TO BE DELIVERED TO KOSOVO AS SOON AS IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.

    /// MANUEL ACT ///

    THESE ARE PACKS THAT HAVE BEEN DESIGNED FOR A MUSLIM POPULATION -- IN OTHER WORDS NO PORK. BUT THEY HAVE MEAT IN VARIOUS FORMS, STEWS, PASTA, VEGETABLES AND SWEETS. THEY HAVE ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A MEAL YOU WOULD SIT DOWN TO AT YOUR DINNER TABLE.

    /// END ACT ///

    FOOD AID WILL ALSO BE DELIVERED TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE INSIDE KOSOVO. REFUGEES WHO HAVE RECENTLY ARRIVED IN ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA HAVE WARNED THAT HUNGER IS A GROWING PROBLEM FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND, SINCE PRIVATE FOOD STOCKS ACROSS THE PROVINCE HAVE BEEN DEPLETED.

    MS. MANUEL SAYS FOOD WILL BE A VITAL COMPONENT OF HUMANITARIAN AID IN KOSOVO BECAUSE THE PROVINCE'S AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM IS IN TATTERS. IN ADDITION, MANY FIELDS HAVE BEEN HEAVILY MINED AND WILL BE USELESS FOR SOME TIME.

    ///2ND MANUEL ACT///

    WE HAVE TO GO IN AND DO AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CROPS LEFT IN KOSOVO BUT WE THINK THAT LESS THAN A THIRD OF THE NORMAL HARVEST WILL BE FORTHCOMING. THIS HAS TO BE ASSESSED, BUT WE IMAGINE IT WILL BE A LONG TERM NEED FOR ASSISTANCE.

    //END ACT//

    MS. MANUEL SAYS EVEN HER MOST OPTIMISTIC PREDICTION IS THAT IT WILL BE AT LEAST ONE YEAR BEFORE BEFORE KOSOVARS ONCE AGAIN CAN PRODUCE THEIR OWN FOOD (SIGNED)
    NEB/AB/DW/JO
    05-Jun-99 12:05 PM EDT (1605 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [03] NATO-KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

    DATE=6/5/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250263
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: TALKS BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAV MILITARY OFFICIALS AT MACEDONIA'S BORDER WITH KOSOVO HAVE BEGUN, AFTER A DELAY OF SEVERAL HOURS WHILE YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS QUESTIONED THE SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, NATO AIRCRAFT ARE CONTINUING THEIR ATTACKS UNTIL YUGOSLAVIA ACCEPT NATO'S TERMS COMPLETELY.

    TEXT: THE NATO COMMANDER OF PEACE-KEEPING FORCES IN MACEDONIA, GENERAL MICHAEL JACKSON, IS GIVING THE YUGOSLAV OFFICERS THE TIMETABLE, ASSEMBLY POINTS AND ROUTES THEY MUST USE AS THEY WITHDRAW ALL YUGOSLAV FORCES FROM KOSOVO.

    NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS BOMBING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE YUGOSLAVS ACCEPT NATO'S TERMS FOR THEIR COMPLETE PULLOUT.

    /// SHEA ACT ///

    THE AIR OPERATIONS ARE ON-GOING, AND THEY WILL NOT BE STOOD DOWN UNTIL SUCH TIME AS WE HAVE THE COMPLETE, RAPID AND VERIFIED WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERB FORCES.

    /// END ACT ///

    NATO AIR STRIKES CONCENTRATED ON YUGOSLAV FORCES IN KOSOVO NEAR THE ALBANIAN BORDER, HITTING 30 ARTILLERY PIECES, NINE TANKS AND 21 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS AND OTHER VEHICLES. NATO PEACE-KEEPERS IN MACEDONIA ARE ON 24-HOURS NOTICE TO BE READY TO MOVE INTO KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RDP/DW/WTW
    05-Jun-99 6:44 AM EDT (1044 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [04] NATO-KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

    DATE=6/5/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250263
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: TALKS BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAV MILITARY OFFICIALS AT MACEDONIA'S BORDER WITH KOSOVO HAVE BEGUN, AFTER A DELAY OF SEVERAL HOURS WHILE YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS QUESTIONED THE SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, NATO AIRCRAFT ARE CONTINUING THEIR ATTACKS UNTIL YUGOSLAVIA ACCEPT NATO'S TERMS COMPLETELY.

    TEXT: THE NATO COMMANDER OF PEACE-KEEPING FORCES IN MACEDONIA, GENERAL MICHAEL JACKSON, IS GIVING THE YUGOSLAV OFFICERS THE TIMETABLE, ASSEMBLY POINTS AND ROUTES THEY MUST USE AS THEY WITHDRAW ALL YUGOSLAV FORCES FROM KOSOVO.

    NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS BOMBING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE YUGOSLAVS ACCEPT NATO'S TERMS FOR THEIR COMPLETE PULLOUT.

    /// SHEA ACT ///

    THE AIR OPERATIONS ARE ON-GOING, AND THEY WILL NOT BE STOOD DOWN UNTIL SUCH TIME AS WE HAVE THE COMPLETE, RAPID AND VERIFIED WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERB FORCES.

    /// END ACT ///

    NATO AIR STRIKES CONCENTRATED ON YUGOSLAV FORCES IN KOSOVO NEAR THE ALBANIAN BORDER, HITTING 30 ARTILLERY PIECES, NINE TANKS AND 21 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS AND OTHER VEHICLES. NATO PEACE-KEEPERS IN MACEDONIA ARE ON 24-HOURS NOTICE TO BE READY TO MOVE INTO KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RDP/DW/WTW
    05-Jun-99 6:44 AM EDT (1044 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] NATO-KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

    DATE=6/5/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250263
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: TALKS BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAV MILITARY OFFICIALS AT MACEDONIA'S BORDER WITH KOSOVO HAVE BEGUN, AFTER A DELAY OF SEVERAL HOURS WHILE YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS QUESTIONED THE SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, NATO AIRCRAFT ARE CONTINUING THEIR ATTACKS UNTIL YUGOSLAVIA ACCEPT NATO'S TERMS COMPLETELY.

    TEXT: THE NATO COMMANDER OF PEACE-KEEPING FORCES IN MACEDONIA, GENERAL MICHAEL JACKSON, IS GIVING THE YUGOSLAV OFFICERS THE TIMETABLE, ASSEMBLY POINTS AND ROUTES THEY MUST USE AS THEY WITHDRAW ALL YUGOSLAV FORCES FROM KOSOVO.

    NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS BOMBING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE YUGOSLAVS ACCEPT NATO'S TERMS FOR THEIR COMPLETE PULLOUT.

    /// SHEA ACT ///

    THE AIR OPERATIONS ARE ON-GOING, AND THEY WILL NOT BE STOOD DOWN UNTIL SUCH TIME AS WE HAVE THE COMPLETE, RAPID AND VERIFIED WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERB FORCES.

    /// END ACT ///

    NATO AIR STRIKES CONCENTRATED ON YUGOSLAV FORCES IN KOSOVO NEAR THE ALBANIAN BORDER, HITTING 30 ARTILLERY PIECES, NINE TANKS AND 21 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS AND OTHER VEHICLES. NATO PEACE-KEEPERS IN MACEDONIA ARE ON 24-HOURS NOTICE TO BE READY TO MOVE INTO KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RDP/DW/WTW
    05-Jun-99 6:44 AM EDT (1044 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [06] NATO/KOSOVO UPD (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

    DATE=6/5/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250271
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: NATO IS SETTING THE TERMS FOR THE YUGOSLAV TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO PROVINCE AT A MEETING AT THE MACEDONIA-KOSOVO BORDER. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS THAT IF ALL GOES WELL, NATO'S AIR STRIKES WILL END SOON.

    TEXT: NATO OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA TO ANNOUNCE A SUSPENSION OF AIR STRIKES ON SUNDAY EVENING TO ALLOW YUGOSLAVIA TO WITHDRAW ITS 40-THOUSAND TROOPS BACK TO SERBIA (THE DOMINANT YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC).

    UNTIL THEN, NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS NATO AIRCRAFT WILL CONTINUE THE BOMBING THAT APPEARS TO BE CONCENTRATED NOW AGAINST YUGOSLAV FORCES IN KOSOVO.

    ///SHEA ACT///

    IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO TALK ABOUT WITHDRAWING. IF I CAN USE A TERM FROM CHESS -- PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, IT'S YOUR MOVE.

    ///END ACT///

    NATO PEACEKEEPERS ARE READY TO MOVE FROM MACEDONIA INTO KOSOVO JUST AS SOON AS THE YUGOSLAV FORCES LEAVE.

    A MEETING OF G-8 FOREIGN MINISTERS TO APPROVE THE WORDING OF THE U-N RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FORCE HAS BEEN POSTPONED FROM SUNDAY TO MONDAY. THAT IS APPARENTLY TO MAKE SURE THE SERB WITHDRAWAL STARTS AND THE NATO BOMBING STOPS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RDP/DW/JO
    05-Jun-99 12:19 PM EDT (1619 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [07] PENTAGON-KOSOVO (S AND L) BY GIL BUTLER (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=6/5/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250275
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:
    /// NOTE: CAN BE USED AS A SHORT CR BY DROPPING OPTIONAL MATERIAL ///

    INTRO: NATO'S BOMBING OF YUGOSLAVIA'S SERB TARGETS CONTINUES -- BUT IS MORE LIMITED AS THEIR MILITARY LEADERS MEET IN MACEDONIA TO WORK OUT A SERB TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO. NATO'S AIR WAR BEGAN MORE THAN 10 WEEKS AGO IN AN EFFORT TO GET YUGOSLAVIA TO AGREE TO WESTERN TERMS FOR KOSOVO -- YUGOSLAVIA'S INDEPENDENCE-MINDED PROVINCE. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE.

    TEXT: U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THE BOMBING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL A DEMONSTRABLE, VERIFIED SERBIAN FORCE PULLOUT BEGINS -- AND IT HASN'T YET STARTED.

    /// BACON ACT ///

    IF THEY WOULD START MOVING OUT QUICKLY AND AGGRESSIVELY, I THINK THE BOMBING PAUSE COULD BE VOTED ON BY NATO IN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD // OPT // BUT NOTHING LIKE THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AS LONG AS THE SERBS REFUSE TO MOVE.

    // END OPT //

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. BACON SAYS THE FIRST AMERICAN PEACEKEEPING TROOPS -- AN EXPEDITIONARY UNIT OF MARINES -- WILL MOVE INTO MACEDONIA ON MONDAY AND BE READY TO ENTER KOSOVO AS SERB FORCES WITHDRAW. A BRITISH FORCE WILL BE THE FIRST CONTINGENT TO ENTER KOSOVO.

    THE PENTAGON SPOKESMAN SAYS HE IS NOT WORRIED AT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE K-L-A -- THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- REFUSING TO COMPLY WITH THE PEACE PLAN.

    /// REST OPTIONAL ///

    /// BACON ACT ///

    I DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE FROM THE K-L-A. THE K-L-A WANTS KOSOVAR ALBANIANS TO RETURN HOME. THAT'S WHAT NATO IS DOING THERE TO FACILITATE. AND THERE WOULD BE NO REASON FOR THE K-L-A TO COMPLICATE NATO'S EFFORTS TO GET KOSOVAR ALBANIANS BACK INTO THEIR VILLAGES, TOWNS AND CITIES AND HOMES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

    /// END ACT ///

    THE PENTAGON SPOKESMAN SAYS THERE ARE INDICATIONS SOME ETHNIC SERBIANS WILL WANT TO LEAVE KOSOVO AS KOSOVAR ALBANIANS RETURN. HE SAID THEY WILL BE FREE TO LEAVE, BUT THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE WILL BE THERE TO PROTECT ALL KOSOVO CITIZENS AND THOSE SERBS WHO WANT TO STAY WILL BE FREE TO DO THAT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/MGB/JO
    05-Jun-99 1:52 PM EDT (1752 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [08] RUSSIA / YUGOSLAVIA (L-ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

    DATE=6/5/99
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-250264
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS HELD A RARE SATURDAY MEETING WITH HIS FOREIGN MINISTER, AMID INCREASING SIGNS OF MOSCOW'S DISPLEASURE WITH THE KOSOVO PEACE PLAN. V-O-A'S PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS RUSSIA'S CHIEF BALKANS NEGOTIATOR APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN SIDELINED IN THE POLICY-MAKING PROCESS.

    TEXT: PRESIDENT YELTSIN SIGNALLED HIS UNHAPPINESS WITH THE KOSOVO PEACE DEAL (SATURDAY) BY HOLDING A ONE-ON-ONE STRATEGY SESSION WITH FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV.

    MR. YELTSIN'S BALKANS ENVOY VICTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, WHO NEGOTIATED THE AGREEMENT, WAS NOT PRESENT. MR. CHERNOMYRDIN'S ONLY CONTACT WITH THE RUSSIAN LEADER SINCE RETURNING FROM BELGRADE FRIDAY HAS BEEN BY TELEPHONE.

    THE DEAL MR. CHERNOMYRDIN NEGOTIATED WAS WIDELY CRITICIZED IN MOSCOW AS A CAPITULATION TO NATO DEMANDS. SENIOR FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTRY OFFICIALS EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT THAT RUSSIA'S CONCERNS WERE IGNORED IN THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS.

    MR. YELTSIN'S REACTION WAS POINTEDLY NON-COMMITTAL. HIS ONLY COMMENT SATURDAY, AS HE SAT DOWN WITH FOREIGN MINISTER IVANOV, WAS, "WE MUST CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR A WAY OUT OF THIS CRISIS."

    THE FOREIGN MINISTER HAS ALL ALONG ADVOCATED A TOUGHER LINE THAN MR. CHERNOMYRDIN. BUT THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS, THE BALKANS ENVOY APPEARED TO HAVE PRESIDENT YELTSIN'S BLESSING.

    MR. IVANOV IS NOW TELLING REPORTERS HE IS IN CHARGE OF COORDINATING RUSSIA'S POSITION ON SETTLEMENT OF THE KOSOVO CRISIS. HE INDICATES THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER COOPERATION ON A POLITICAL ACCORD UNTIL NATO STOPS ITS BOMBING CAMPAIGN.

    /// FIRST IVANOV ACT IN RUSSIAN, FADE UNDER ///

    HE SAYS, "AFTER THE AIR STRIKES STOP, RUSSIA WILL HELP PREPARE A U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION THAT WILL SERVE AS A LEGAL BASIS FOR A POST-CRISIS SETTLEMENT IN YUGOSLAVIA."

    MR. IVANOV ALSO SAYS THE ISSUE OF RUSSIA'S PARTICIPATION IN A KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE IS STILL UNSETTLED.

    /// 2ND IVANOV ACT IN RUSSIAN, IN AND UNDER ///

    HE SAYS, "AS FOR RUSSIA JOINING THE INTERNATIONAL FORCE, THAT WILL BE DECIDED LATER, AND ONLY IF THE NATURE OF THE FORCE IS IN KEEPING WITH RUSSIAN INTERESTS."

    MR. IVANOV'S COMMENT APPEARS TO CONTRADICT BALKANS ENVOY CHERNOMYRDIN, WHO HAS BEEN QUOTED AS SAYING RUSSIA WOULD COMMIT UP TO 10-THOUSAND TROOPS TO PEACE-KEEPING DUTIES.

    /// REST OPT ///

    MR. CHERNOMYRDIN DEFENDED THE KOSOVO PEACE DEAL SATURDAY IN COMMENTS TO THE INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY. HE WAS QUOTED AS SAYING PRESIDENT YELTSIN EXPRESSED SATISFACTION WITH THE PLAN WHEN THEY SPOKE BY PHONE FRIDAY, AND ORDERED HIM TO CONTINUE AS HIS ENVOY.

    BUT MR. CHERNOMYRDIN CANCELLED PLANS TO TRAVEL TO HELSINKI, WHERE HE WAS SCHEDULED TO MEET WESTERN NEGOTIATORS FOR MORE TALKS ON THE KOSOVO CRISIS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PFH/DW/WTW
    05-Jun-99 7:09 AM EDT (1109 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    voa2html v2.03a run on Sunday, 6 June 1999 - 15:24:23 UTC