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Voice of America, 98-11-11Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] KOSOVO - CQ BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (WASHINGTON)DATE=11/11/98TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-41832 CONTENT= VOICED AT: (EDS: RE-RUNNING WITH CORRECT LOG NUMBER; NO OTHER CHANGES) INTRO: THE CEASEFIRE IN (THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF) KOSOVO APPEARS INCREASINGLY SHAKY, WITH SEVERAL REPORTED CLASHES BETWEEN SERBIAN POLICE FORCES AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. /// OPT /// THE K-L-A GUERRILLAS HAVE MOVED BACK INTO MANY TOWNS AND VILLAGES FOLLOWING THE REDEPLOYMENT OF YUGOSLAV ARMY TROOPS AND SERB PARAMILITARY FORCES UNDER THE TERMS OF LAST MONTH'S AGREEMENT BETWEEN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE. THAT ACCORD ALSO LED TO THE START OF U-S MEDIATED NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN BELGRADE AND THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP IN KOSOVO. /// END OPT /// BUT, LIKE THE CEASEFIRE, THE PROSPECTS FOR A LONG TERM POLITICAL SETTLEMENT APPEAR UNCERTAIN AT BEST. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS FILED THIS BACKGROUND REPORT. TEXT: RESPONDING TO THE STEPPED-UP ACTIVITY BY THE K-L-A, THE SERBIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY WARNED THIS WEEK THAT IT WILL SEND REINFORCEMENTS TO KOSOVO UNLESS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY REINS IN THE GUERRILLAS. UNDER THE TERMS OF LAST MONTH'S BELGRADE AGREEMENT, THE EUROPEAN SECURITY ORGANIZATION IS TO DISPATCH TWO THOUSAND UNARMED PERSONNEL TO KOSOVO TO VERIFY COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACCORD AND MONITOR THE TRUCE. BUT THE O-S-C-E MISSION IS NOT YET OPERATIONAL. FOR THE TIME BEING, THE TASK OF URGING K-L-A COMMANDERS TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT HAS BEEN LEFT TO AMERICAN DIPLOMATS. BUT TOMAS VALASEK, A RESEARCH ANALYST AT THE WASHINGTON-BASED CENTER FOR DEFENSE INFORMATION, SAYS THE K-L-A RESPONSE TO THESE APPEALS IS VERY MUCH IN DOUBT. ///VALASEK ACT///WE ARE AND CERTAINLY SHOULD BE PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE K-L-A TO REFRAIN FROM ATTACKS. TO WHAT EXTENT WE CAN CONTROL IT IS ANOTHER QUESTION. ///END ACT///OTHER ANALYSTS HERE SAY MORE K-L-A ATTACKS ARE ALL BUT INEVITABLE BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUED PRESENCE OF YUGOSLAV AND SERBIAN FORCES IN KOSOVO. JAMES HOOPER, A FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL WHO NOW HEADS THE BALKAN ACTION COUNCIL, SAYS THE BELGRADE AGREEMENT IS DOOMED. ///HOOPER ACT///WE WILL BE LUCKY FOR THIS AGREEMENT TO LAST INTO THE SPRING, IN MY VIEW, VERY LUCKY FOR IT TO LAST INTO THE SPRING. ///END ACT///MR. HOOPER SAYS THE BELGRADE ACCORD--BACKED BY THE THREAT OF NATO AIRSTRIKES--WAS FATALLY FLAWED BECAUSE IT ALLOWED SOME TWENTY THOUSAND YUGOSLAV FORCES TO REMAIN IN KOSOVO. BUT TOMAS VALASEK DISAGREES. ///VALASEK ACT///I MEAN IT (YUGOSLAVIA) IS A SOVEREIGN COUNTRY. KOSOVO IS AN INTERNATIONALY-RECOGNIZED PART OF THE SOVEREIGN COUNTRY. IT IS KIND OF HARD TO DENY THE GOVERNMENT THE RIGHT TO STATION ITS LAW ENFORCEMENT UNITS ON ITS OWN TERRITORY. ///END ACT///THERE IS A CONSENSUS AMONG ANALYSTS HERE THAT THE PRECARIOUS SITUATION ON THE GROUND IN KOSOVO ADDS A SENSE OF URGENCY TO THE MEDIATION EFFORTS OF U-S ENVOY CHRISTOPHER HILL, WHO IS NOW TRYING TO FORGE A PACT ON AUTONOMY FOR THE PROVINCE BETWEEN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AND KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN POLITICAL LEADERS. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT PLAN FIRST PRESENTED BY AMBASSADOR HILL LAST SUMMER. MANY BALKAN EXPERTS HERE SAY IT STILL FALLS SHORT OF THE MINIMUM DEMANDS OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITY, ALTHOUGH JAMES HOOPER, FOR ONE, BELIEVES THE MODERATE ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP IN KOSOVO'S CAPITAL PRISTINA MAY EVENTUALLY BE PERSUADED OR COMPELLED TO ACCEPT IT. /// OPT ACT ////// HOOPER ACT ///IT MAY BE SIGNED BY IBRAHIM RUGOVA WHO IS THE ELECTED LEADER OF THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS. HE IS A MAN WHO HAS BEEN DISCREDITED BY HIS OWN POLICIES AMONG THE KOSOVO ALBANIAN PEOPLE. AND IF HE SIGNS IT, HE WILL SIGN IT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OTHER KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADERS APART FROM HIS OWN ENTOURAGE, AND CERTAINLY WITHOUT ANY BROAD-BASED SUPPORT AMONG THE KOSOVO ALBANIAN PEOPLE. ///END ACT////// END OPT ACT ///MR. HOOPER BELIEVES THE SOLUTION LIES IN RESTORING THE FULL AUTONOMY THAT PREVAILED IN KOSOVO PRIOR TO 1989, WHEN THE PROVINCE WAS STRIPPED OF ITS POWERS BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. ///HOOPER ACT///I BELIEVE THAT WHILE THIS WOULD NOT BE A FINAL STATUS AGREEMENT, THAT THIS WOULD IN FACT BE A STABILIZING INTERIM AGREEMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW SOMETHING...THAT WOULD ALLOW BUILDING ON THIS FOR THE FUTURE. ///END ACT///ANALYSTS HERE SEE LITTLE CHANCE THAT BELGRADE WOULD AGREE TO A RETURN TO FULL AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO. AND SOME, LIKE JAMES HOOPER, SAY THE UNITED STATES IS NOT PREPARED TO PRESS THE ISSUE WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. OTHERS BELIEVE THAT AFTER NEARLY A DECADE OF REPRESSION FROM BELGRADE, AND SEVEN MONTHS OF A BRUTAL SCORCHED EARTH CAMPAIGN BY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY, THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO CHANCE THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS OF KOSOVO CAN BE PERSUADED TO ACCEPT ANY PLAN THAT MAINTAINS BELGRADE'S CONTROL OVER THE PROVINCE. /// REMAINDER OPT ///CVIJETO JOB, A FORMER YUGOSLAV DIPLOMAT IN THE (JOSIP BROZ) TITO ERA, SAYS A RESURGENCE OF THE FIGHTING IS ALL BUT A FOREGONE CONCLUSION.///JOB ACT/// THERE IS PRACTICALLY NO POSSIBILITY ANYMORE, IF THERE EVER WAS ONE IN MODERN TIMES, FOR ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO CO-HABITING WILLINGLY IN ANY KIND OF ARRANGEMENT RULED FROM SERBIAN BELGRADE. SERBS AND ALBANIANS, ON THEIR OWN, CAN HARDLY BE EXPECTED TO CO-EXIST IN ONE SAME STATE HOWEVER (IT IS) CONFIGURED. ///END ACT///AMBASSADOR JOB SEES THE SITUATION AS A CLASH OF PRINCIPLES--THE
ALBANIAN DEMAND FOR SELF-DETERMINATION VERSUS BELGRADE'S
INSISTENCE ON MAINTAINING SOVEREIGNTY OVER KOSOVO. THIS SORT OF
DISPUTE IS RARELY SETTLED THROUGH POLITICAL TALKS, SAYS MR. JOB,
IT IS USUALLY DECIDED ON THE BATTLEFIELD. (SIGNED)
[02] KOSOVO / VERIFERS (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (LJUBIZDA, KOSOVO)DATE=11/11/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-241525 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE U-S HEAD OF AN INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER MISSION IN KOSOVO SAYS HIS TEAM WILL TAKE A GET-TOUGH APPROACH TO LOOKING INTO VIOLENCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN KOSOVO. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM A SMALL KOSOVO VILLAGE, LJUBIZDA. TEXT: THE HEAD OF THE OBSERVER MISSION, WILLIAM WALKER, SAYS HIS TEAM OF TWO-THOUSAND VERIFIERS FOR KOSOVO WILL TAKE A "GET TOUGH" APPROACH IN EXAMINING VIOLENT INCIDENTS. THE U-S CHIEF OF THE MISSION BEING LAUNCHED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (O-S-C-E), SAID MEMBERS OF THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION (K-V-M) WILL DEMAND ACCESS TO AREAS WHERE CLASHES AND REPRESSIVE ACTS CONTINUE. HE SAID HIS VERIFIERS WILL GET AS CLOSE TO THE VIOLENCE AS POSSIBLE. /// WALKER ACT ///IT IS HARD TO VERIFY COMPLIANCE THAT FOR INSTANCE VIOLENCE HAS ENDED OR REPRESSION HAS STOPPED IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO GET A MUCH CLOSER LOOK THAN I THINK HAS BEEN THE GROUND RULES UP TO TODAY. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THIS IS GOING TO BE VERIFICATION. THIS IS GOING TO FORWARD-LEANING PRO-ACTIVE ASSERTIVE, INTRUSIVE VERIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE -- NOT JUST OBSERVATION. /// END ACT ///BUT IN A SMALL VILLAGE NEAR THE YUGOSLAV-ALBANIAN BORDER ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGERS SAID THAT THEY WANT WESTERN DIPLOMATS TO LOOK INTO THE ARREST OF THEIR RELIGIOUS LEADER, SHEH SALI MUJAJ, BY SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES THIS WEEK. O-S-C-E OFFICIALS SAID WEDNESDAY THAT WESTERN VERIFIERS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED FROM ENTERING THE VILLAGE BY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY. WESTERN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIALS ARE CONCERNED THAT POLICE
ABDUCTIONS AND TORTURE HAVE CONTINUED IN KOSOVO SINCE WESTERN
OBSERVERS ARRIVED. NATO OFFICIALS IN BRUSSELS SAID WEDNESDAY
THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A SURGE OF VIOLENCE IN THE PROVINCE
WHERE ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS ARE LOCKED IN A STRUGGLE WITH
SERB FORCES. (SIGNED)
[03] E-U / PALESTINIANS (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=11/11/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-241516 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION GOVERNMENTS ACCUSES THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY OF SERIOUS BREACHES OF HUMAN RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE WIDESPREAD TORTURE OF PRISONERS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. TEXT: THE REPORT SAYS THAT RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN AREAS UNDER THE FULL CONTROL OF THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY FALLS FAR SHORT OF INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS. IT SAYS THERE IS LITTLE HOPE THAT THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY IS SERIOUS ABOUT RESPECTING THE RULE OF LAW. AND IT SAYS THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE HAVE NO TRUST IN THE EXISTING SYSTEM. THE REPORT WAS WRITTEN BY DIPLOMATS FROM THE 15 E-U NATIONS WHO ARE POSTED TO THE MIDDLE EAST, AND IT COVERS THE SITUATION BETWEEN MAY AND AUGUST OF THIS YEAR. THE REPORT SAYS PALESTINIAN COURTS STILL FIND THEMSELVES POWERLESS TO ENFORCE COURT RULINGS, AND IT SAYS PROCEEDINGS IN PALESTINIAN STATE SECURITY AND MILITARY COURTS FALL FAR SHORT OF INTERNATIONAL NORMS. IT SAYS THAT FOR PEOPLE IN DETENTION WITHOUT TRIAL, ACCESS TO LAWYERS IS STILL RESTRICTED OR NON-EXISTENT. IT SAYS THE TORTURE OF DETAINEES IS STILL WIDELY USED, INCLUDING IN SOME CRIMINAL CASES. AND IT EXPRESSES CONCERN AT REPORTS THAT BUSINESSMEN HAVE BEEN TORTURED TO GET THEM TO HAND OVER UNPAID TAXES. THE REPORT NOTES THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FREED FOLLOWING PROTESTS THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DETAINED WITHOUT TRIAL BUT IT SAYS THIS TENDS TO HAPPEN ONLY WHEN THE CASES ARE PUBLICIZED WIDELY BY PROMINENT HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS. THE REPORT ALSO LOOKS AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN ISRAEL. IT SAYS THE RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO DEATHS OF PEOPLE IN
CUSTODY HAVE NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC AND THAT ISRAELI SECURITY
SERVICES CONTINUE TO USE LETHAL FIREPOWER WITH IMPUNITY. THE
REPORT ALSO SAYS PRISON CONDITIONS IN ISRAEL FOR PALESTINIAN
DETAINEES REMAIN POOR. (SIGNED)
[04] E-U / U-S / BANANAS (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=11/11/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-241520 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///// RE-PRINTING WITH CORRECT CR-NUMBER. /////INTRO: THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, JACQUES SANTER, HAS SHARPLY CRITICIZED A THREAT BY THE UNITED STATES TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON E-U EXPORTS. AS JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, THE UNITED STATES IS THREATENING THE SANCTIONS IN A DISPUTE ABOUT EUROPE'S POLICIES ON BANANA IMPORTS. TEXT: THE UNITED STATES WENT TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION TO SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGE EUROPEAN UNION'S RULES ON BANANA IMPORTS WHICH FAVOR IMPORTS FROM FORMER BRITISH AND FRENCH COLONIES IN AFRICA AND THE CARIBBEAN. THE EUROPEAN UNION THEN AMENDED ITS RULES. AND IT SAYS ITS NEW BANANA IMPORT POLICIES FULLY CONFORM WITH WORLD TRADE RULES. THE UNITED STATES DISAGREES. AND IT SAYS IT PLANS RETALIATORY ACTION AGAINST EUROPE, WITH 100 PERCENT IMPORT TAXES ON A VAST RANGE OF EUROPEAN EXPORTS. PRODUCTS ON THE LIST -- WORTH MORE THAN ONE-BILLION-DOLLARS A YEAR -- INCLUDE WINE, VACUUM CLEANERS, TWEED JACKETS, TOYS, MAGIC TRICKS, AND A RANGE OF OTHER ITEMS. THE EUROPEAN UNION RESPONDED WITH FURY TO THE AMERICAN TRADE MEASURES, CLAIMING THAT IF THE UNITED STATES IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE E-U RULES ON BANANAS, IT SHOULD TAKE ITS COMPLAINT TO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. THE UNITED STATES SAYS THIS WOULD TAKE TOO LONG, AND INSTEAD DECIDED ON THE PUNITIVE TARIFFS. IN A LETTER, E-U COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER TOLD PRESIDENT CLINTON THE U-S SANCTIONS ARE A BREACH OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE RULES. AND HE SAID THAT IF THEY ARE IMPLEMENTED, EUROPE WILL RESPOND SPEEDILY BY TAKING THE MATTER BEFORE THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. MR. SANTER ALSO SAID THE UNILATERAL U-S ACTION WOULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE INTERNATIONAL TRADING SYSTEM, AND TO RELATIONS BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE UNITED STATES. HE SAID IT IS A SERIOUS POLITICAL MISJUDGMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES TO BE ACTING IN THIS WAY AT A TIME WHEN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE WORKING TOGETHER IN PROVIDING LEADERSHIP IN RESOLVING THE WORLD'S ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. LEADERS OF THE 15 E-U MEMBER NATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO SEND SIMILAR
MESSAGES TO PRESIDENT CLINTON. (SIGNED)
[05] EUROPE - ARMISTICE (L-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (YPRES, BELGIUM)DATE=11/11/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-241538 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: EUROPE CELEBRATED THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD WAR ONE WITH WREATH LAYINGS BY BRITAIN'S QUEEN ELIZABETH IN PARIS AND LATER IN YPRES [PRON: 'EE-PRUH], IN WESTERN BELGIUM. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM YPRES, WHERE THE BLOODIEST FIGHTING OF THE WAR TOOK PLACE. TEXT: /// MUSIC -- "THE LAST POST" -- ESTABLISH, THEN FADE OUT ///ONE OF THOSE GREETED BY BRITAIN'S QUEEN ELIZABETH AND BELGIUM'S KING ALBERT WAS 102-YEAR-OLD HAROLD LIDSTONE, A CANADIAN. HE IS BLIND NOW, AND CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR, BUT MEMORIES OF HIS TIME AS AN INFANTRYMAN ARE STILL FRESH 80 YEARS LATER. "IT WAS TOUGH IN THE TRENCHES," HE SAYS. "WITH THE SHELLS COMING OVER, YOU JUST HAD TO COVER YOUR HEAD. THE SOUND OF THE SHELLS WAS WORSE THAN THE SHELLS THEMSELVES." YPRES, 15 KILOMETERS FROM THE FRENCH BORDER, WAS THE PLACE POISON GAS WAS INTRODUCED TO WARFARE ON APRIL 22ND, 1915. MR. LIDSTONE DID NOT EXPERIENCE THE GAS ATTACKS. THE SHELLING IS WHAT HE REMEMBERS. BESIDES THE FRAIL SURVIVORS, WHO PROBABLY WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THESE ANNIVERSARIES IN ANOTHER FIVE OR 10 YEARS, THOUSANDS CAME TO THIS TOWN TO REMEMBER THE WAR AND ITS VICTIMS. IRISH PRESIDENT MARY MCALEESE CAME AS WELL, TO UNVEIL A PEACE TOWER. IRISH LIEUTENANT KIERAN JORDAN, ACCOMPANYING HIS PRESIDENT TO YPRES, SAYS THE FIRST WORLD WAR STILL HAS MEANING FOR THE IRISH TODAY. /// JORDAN ACT ///NO SOLDIER WANTS TO FIGHT A WAR. SOLDIERS MORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE UNDERSTAND THE SACRIFICES THAT HAVE TO BE MADE BY THE SOLDIERS AT THE FRONT, AND THE PEOPLE AT HOME. I MEAN YOU ONLY HAVE TO LOOK AT THE WIDOWS AND THE MOTHERS AND FATHERS AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THOSE WHO WERE LEFT AFTER THE GREAT WAR TO REALIZE THE TRAUMA AND SHOCK THAT IT LEFT IN THE U-K [UNITED KINGDOM] AND IN IRELAND. /// END ACT ///ALSO COMING HERE WERE BRITISH VETERANS WHO FOUGHT WORLD WAR TWO BATTLES IN NORMANDY. THEY TOURED THE MENEM GATE, WHICH COMMEMORATES 50-THOUSAND BRITISH SOLDIERS WHO DIED IN YPRES, BUT WHOSE BODIES WERE NEVER FOUND. /// REST OPT ///NORMAN GILBERT SAYS THE WORLD WAR ONE MEMORIAL HAS MEANING FOR HIM. /// GILBERT ACT ///FOR POSTERITY TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT WAR -- WHEN ONE SEES ALL THESE NAMES AND IN THE LONG TERM [THEIR LIVES] APPEAR TO BE SO USELESSLY WASTED -- TO ME IT APPEARS ABSOLUTE SACRILEGE, AND SHOULD BE A WARNING TO ALL PEOPLE: DON'T GO TO WAR, [IT'S AS] SIMPLE AS THAT. /// END ACT ///YPRES TODAY IS A SMALL TOWN OF 40-THOUSAND PEOPLE, WITH MEDIEVAL
BUILDINGS LINING ITS MARKETPLACE. EIGHTY YEARS AGO, NO
BUILDING WAS LEFT STANDING HERE. ALL WAS RE-BUILT IN THE
ORIGINAL STYLE IN THE 1930S. THE MEMORIAL IS THE MENEM GATE, THE
IRISH PEACE PARK AND THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TOMBSTONES OF
SOLDIERS WHO NEVER LEFT WESTERN BELGIUM. (SIGNED)
[06] ARMISTSICE DAY / FRANCE (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)DATE=11/11/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-241507 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BRITAIN'S QUEEN ELIZABETH JOINED FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC IN PARIS WEDNESDAY TO OBSERVE THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR. JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS THE TWO LEADERS ALSO UNVEILED A STATUE OF THE BRITISH WORLD WAR TWO LEADER, WINSTON CHURCHILL. TEXT: AS ON EVERY ARMISTICE DAY COMMEMORATED AT THE ARC DE TRIOMPHE IN PARIS, THERE WERE A HANDFUL OF FRENCH VETERANS FROM THE FIRST WORLD WAR TO WATCH THE TRADITIONAL WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY. TO MARK THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF THE FOUR-YEAR WAR AGAINST GERMANY THIS YEAR, BRITAIN'S QUEEN ELIZABETH FLEW FROM LONDON TO JOIN FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC. THE OLDEST OF THE VETERANS AT THE ARC DE TRIOMPHE WAS 107 YEARS OLD. LIKE ALL THE OTHER 12-HUNDRED FORMER FIRST WORLD WAR FRENCH SOLDIERS WHO ARE STILL ALIVE, HE WAS MADE A MEMBER OF THE FRENCH LEGION OF HONOR AT THIS YEAR'S CEREMONY. /// OPT ////// OPT ///ALTOGETHER, FRANCE LOST ONE-AND-ONE-HALF-MILLION SOLDIERS IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR AND BRITAIN LOST 900-THOUSAND, MANY OF THEM ON FRENCH AND BELGIAN BATTLEFIELDS. THE LAST TIME A BRITISH LEADER ATTENDED THE PARIS ARMISTICE DAY CEREMONY WAS IN 1944 WHEN THE SECOND WORLD WAR LEADER WINSTON CHURCHILL STOOD AT THE SIDE OF GENERAL CHARLES DE GAULLE, THE WAR-TIME LEADER OF FREE FRENCH FORCES. THAT WAS FOR THE FIRST CEREMONY AFTER THE LIBERATION OF PARIS FROM NAZI GERMAN OCCUPATION. MUCH OF QUEEN ELIZABETH'S VISIT TO PARIS THIS YEAR WAS DEVOTED TO CHURCHILL'S MEMORY. AFTER THE ARC DE TRIOMPHE CEREMONY, SHE AND PRESIDENT CHIRAC UNVEILED A STATUE OF CHURCHILL IN THE CENTER OF PARIS THAT WAS PAID FOR BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION. FRANCE HAD HOPED THE PARIS CEREMONIES WOULD INCLUDE GERMANY AS A
GESTURE OF RECONCILIATION. BUT THE NEW GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD
SCHROEDER -- WHO HAS SAID HE WANTS TO TURN THE PAGE ON HIS
COUNTRY'S ROLE IN THE MAJOR CONFLICTS OF THIS CENTURY -- TURNED
DOWN HIS INVITATION TO ATTEND. (SIGNED)
[07] BRITAIN / IRAQ (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)DATE=11/11/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-241521 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///// RE-PRINTING WITH CORRECT CR-NUMBER. /////INTRO: BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN TO END HIS BAN ON U-N INSPECTORS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER SAYS THE WORLD IS LOSING PATIENCE WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN. TEXT: BRITISH OFFICIALS ARE QUICK TO SAY THEY WANT A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE LATEST IRAQI CONFRONTATION WITH U-N INSPECTORS. BUT THEY ALSO SAY THE WORLD'S PATIENCE IS RUNNING OUT. BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR UNDERLINES THAT IMPATIENCE IN HIS COMMENTS TO PARLIAMENT. HE INSISTS SADDAM HUSSEIN IS STILL TRYING TO HIDE HIS BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS PROGRAMS. /// BLAIR ACT ///IT IS CLEAR ON THE EVIDENCE THAT WE HAVE COMPILED ON SADDAM HUSSEIN, GOING BACK A PERIOD OF YEARS, THAT HE HAS ATTEMPTED TO DEVELOP THOSE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. THAT IS THE REASON HE WANTS THE INSPECTORS OUT. HE WANTS THEM OUT SO WE DO NOT KNOW THE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION HE IS DEVELOPING. /// END ACT ///BRITAIN'S DEFENSE SECRETARY GEORGE ROBERTSON VISITED KUWAIT AND BAHRAIN TO DISCUSS THE IRAQI CRISIS, FOLLOWING CLOSE ON THE HEELS OF A VISIT BY DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN. THE U-S AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS BOTH SAY THEY HAVE NOT RULED OUT MILITARY FORCE TO END IRAQ'S LATEST CONFRONTATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS. MR. ROBERTSON'S SPECIAL ADVISOR, BERNARD GRAY SAYS THE THREAT OF AN AIR STRIKE AGAINST IRAQI MILITARY TARGETS IS MORE SERIOUS THIS TIME THAN IN THE PAST. HE SAYS SADDAM HUSSEIN SHOULD HEED THE WARNING. /// GRAY ACT ///IF HE WILL NOT COMPLY WITH THE INSPECTORS, IF HE CONTINUES TO FRUSTRATE THEIR WORK, IF HE WILL NOT OPEN UP ALL THE SITES WE NEED TO SEE, THEN WE WILL STOP HIM BECOMING A THREAT TO HIS NEIGHBORS ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. IF THAT MEANS MILITARY ACTION THEN WE ARE PREPARED TO TAKE IT. /// END ACT ///MR. GRAY SAYS THE MOOD IN THE GULF HAS SHIFTED SINCE THE LAST CONFRONTATION IN FEBRUARY WHEN ARAB LEADERS PUSHED HARD FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION. HE DESCRIBES IT AS A PSYCHOLOGICAL WATERSHED WITH A WIDER RECOGNITION SADDAM HUSSEIN IS AT FAULT, AND A GROWING CONSENSUS ON THE NEED FOR A TOUGH STAND AGAINST HIM. BRITISH DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY NO FINAL DECISION HAS BEEN TAKEN
YET ON AN AIR STRIKE. BUT MR GRAY SAYS ANY ACTION WOULD TARGET
THE IRAQI MILITARY MACHINERY THAT THREATENS REGIONAL STABILITY.
(SIGNED)
[08] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=11/11/98TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-241542 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS UNCERTAINTY GREW ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF INTEREST RATES. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 88 HUNDRED 23, DOWN 40 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 11 HUNDRED 20, DOWN SEVEN POINTS. STOCKS GOT OFF TO A POSITIVE START BUT FADED AS THE DAY WENT ON. ANALYSTS SAY THERE IS SOME CAUTION IN THE MARKET IN ADVANCE OF NEXT WEEK'S U-S CENTRAL BANK MEETING. TRADERS NOW SEEM UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHETHER THE CENTRAL BANK WILL AGAIN CUT SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES. ///BEGIN OPT//////NYE ACT///WE ARE SEEING THE BENEFITS OF STRONG LEADERSHIP FROM THE HIGH TECHS BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE EDGING INTO OVERBOUGHT TERRITORY AND THAT IS WEIGHING ON THE MARKET. TECHNOLOGY ISSUES CONTINUED TO BE STRONG AFTER THE INTEL MICROPROCESSOR COMPANY SAID ITS SALES IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WILL EXCEED EXPECTATIONS. THAT IS AN INDICATION THAT DEMAND FOR PERSONAL COMPUTERS REMAINS STRONG. ///REST OPT///THE COMPAQ COMPUTER COMPANY SAYS IT WILL START SELLING COMPUTERS DIRECTLY TO INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES. THAT IS A CHALLENGE TO DELL AND OTHER DIRECT-MARKET P-C COMPANIES. MICROSOFT CHAIRMAN BILL GATES HAS LASHED OUT AT THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S ANTI-MONOPOLY LAWSUIT AGAINST HIS COMPANY. AT THE ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING, MR. GATES SAID THE CASE IS DRIVEN "BY THE INTERESTS OF A HANDFUL OF COMPETITORS OVER THE INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC." THREE STOCKS BEGAN TRADING FOR THE FIRST TIME. ALL OF THEM WERE UP AND ONE HAD A SPECTACULAR RISE. EARTHWEB, AN INTERNET COMPANY, WAS ISSUED AT 14 DOLLARS A SHARE AND IMMEDIATELY ROSE TO 44 DOLLARS. FOX ENTERTAINMENT, WHICH CONTAINS THE ENTERTAINMENT PROPERTIES OF RUPERT MURDOCH'S NEWSCORP, ROSE BY ABOUT TWO PERCENT AND MONY GROUP, AN INSURANCE FIRM, WAS UP ABOUT FOUR PERCENT. SOURCES SAY AN AGREEMENT MAY BE NEAR BETWEEN THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY AND A GROUP OF U-S ATTORNEYS GENERALS WHO HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING WITH THE COMPANIES. REPORTS SAY THE COMPANIES ARE WILLING TO PAY 200 BILLION DOLLARS OVER 25 YEARS TO COVER THE COSTS OF TREATING SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESSES. THERE IS ALSO ANOTHER REPORT THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WILL AGAIN PROPOSE A HIKE IN THE NATIONAL CIGARETTE TAX. ANOTHER PLAN TO RAISE CIGARETTE TAXES DIED IN THE U-S CONGRESS EARLIER THIS YEAR. MOBIL HAS BECOME THE FOURTH MAJOR OIL COMPANY TO WARN THAT LOW
OIL PRICES WILL RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN CAPITAL SPENDING. IN
ADDITION TO THE SPENDING CUTBACKS, MOBIL SAYS IT WILL ALSO TAKE
STEPS TO CUT OPERATING COSTS BY HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. (SIGNED)
[09] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=11/11/98TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11001 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ////////INTRO: THIS IS THE HOLIDAY NOW CALLED VETERAN'S DAY IN THE UNITED STATES, TO HONOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO DIED IN WORLD WAR ONE. /// OPT /// THE ARMISTICE WAS SIGNED IN FRANCE ENDING THAT WAR /// END OPT ///. IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS, THERE ARE TRIBUTES TO THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES AND DISCUSSIONS OF WAR; AS WELL AS COMMENTS ON DEALING WITH IRAQ; U-S POLICY TOWARD CHINA; THE IMPEACHMENT CONTROVERSY; A GLOBAL WARMING CONVENTION IN BUENOS AIRES; AND DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE MITCH. NOW, HERE IS _______________WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: THE PROBLEMS OF HOW TO RESPOND TO SADDAM HUSSEIN'S LATEST ACTIONS IN HALTING ALL U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IN HIS COUNTRY, CONTINUES TO OCCUPY AN IMPORTANT PLACE IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS. TODAY'S "SUN" IN BALTIMORE (MARYLAND) SUGGESTS THAT NEITHER THREATS NOR DIPLOMACY ALONE WILL CHANGE THINGS. VOICE: DEALING WITH IRAQ'S TYRANT, SADDAM HUSSEIN, DOES NOT INVOLVE A CHOICE BETWEEN FORCE AND DIPLOMACY. NEITHER PROVIDES HOPE OF RESTORING THE ARMS INSPECTION PROCESS WITHOUT THE OTHER. IN RENEGING ON HIS COMMITMENTS TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ORDERING U-N ARMS INSPECTORS OUT OF THE COUNTRY, SADDAM HUSSEIN IS COUNTING ON HIS PERSISTENCE AND FOCUS WHERE FOREIGN POWERS ARE FITFUL AND ANXIOUS TO MOVE ON. /// OPT /// ... SADDAM HUSSEIN IS LIKELY TO BACK DOWN ONLY WHEN HE SEES A CREDIBLE THREAT. HE HAS BEFORE. THIS TAKES PATIENT PERSUASION FROM OTHER GOVERNMENTS, ARAB AND NON-ARAB. /// END OPT TEXT: "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" SUGGESTS PATIENCE WHEN DEALING WITH CHINA, WHERE RECENT MOVES TO SUPPRESS DISSENT HAS DRAWN CRITICISM FROM HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS. VOICE: AMERICANS MAY FIND WHAT IS GOING ON IN CHINA CONFUSING. MERE WEEKS AGO, THAT NATION'S GOVERNMENT SIGNED A GLOBAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS. THEN, IN RECENT DAYS, IT HAS SUPPRESSED EFFORTS BY SOME PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES. .... THAT ISN'T RIGHT OR FAIR, BUT BEFORE ALLOWING THE APPARENT CONTRADICTION TO DICTATE AN ANGRY RESPONSE, AMERICANS SHOULD TRY TO STEP BACK AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN CHINA, BROADLY SPEAKING. DESPITE THE SETBACK, THE CHINESE PEOPLE ARE BETTER OFF AND FREER THAN THEY WERE TWO DECADES AGO. ... AMERICANS - - AND OTHERS WHO SUPPORT POLITICAL REFORM IN CHINA - - SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE LONG HAUL. /// OPT /// TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" HAS SOME THOUGHTS ON THE CONTINUING ECONOMIC WOES OF THE ASIAN REGION ON THE EVE OF THE 21-NATION ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION SUMMIT IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA. VOICE: ANY RETREAT FROM OPEN MARKETS WOULD FURTHER HURT THE UNITED STATES. AMERICAN COMPANIES ALREADY ARE EXPERIENCING A SIGNIFICANT SLOWDOWN IN SALES TO ASIA. DELAYING PLANNED TARIFF REDUCTIONS IN CHEMICAL, TELECOMMUNICATION, FORESTRY AND SIX OTHER SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES WOULD ONLY MAKE THINGS WORSE. ...TURNING INWARD OR RESORTING TO CURRENCY CONTROLS AS PROPOSED BY [MALAYSIA] ... IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO ASIA'S PROBLEMS. /// OPT ////// OPT ///TEXT: REGARDING THE CURRENT VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES OF TIBET'S RELIGIOUS LEADER-IN-EXILE, THE DALAI LAMA, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" HAS SOME ANALYSIS OF HIS CAREFULLY ORCHESTRATED VISIT TO THE WHITE HOUSE TUESDAY. VOICE: TO AVOID GIVING TOO MUCH OFFENSE TO BEIJING, THIS WAS NOT AN OFFICIAL MEETING IN THE OVAL OFFICE FOR A ONE-ON-ONE ENCOUNTER LIKE THE CHAT GEORGE BUSH HELD WITH THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE SEVEN YEARS AGO. YET [MR.] CLINTON'S SCRIPTED ARRIVAL IN THE MAP ROOM TEN MINUTES AFTER THE DALAI LAMA HAD BEEN RECEIVED THERE BY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON SIGNIFIED A SUBTLE UPGRADING OF PREVIOUS PRESIDENTIAL DROP-BYS DURING CONVERSATIONS .... [MR.] CLINTON INSPIRED A CERTAIN OPTIMISM LAST JUNE WHEN HE TOLD CHINA'S PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN, IN REMARKS TELEVISED THROUGHOUT CHINA AND TIBET, THAT THE DALAI LAMA WAS AN HONEST MAN AND JIANG WOULD LIKE HIM IF THE TWO MEN MET. ... THE DALAI LAMA HAS SINCE TRIED TO MEET BEIJING'S CONDITIONS FOR A DIALOGUE THAT COULD LEAD TO A MEASURE OF AUTONOMY - - BUT NOT INDEPENDENCE - - FOR TIBET. .... HE HAS BEEN WAITING SINCE LAST JUNE FOR A SIGNAL THROUGH BACK CHANNELS THAT BEIJING IS PREPARED TO ENTER INTO A DIALOGUE. .... NOTHING COULD BRING BEIJING MORE INTERNATIONAL GOOD WILL THAN A DIALOGUE WITH THE DALAI LAMA. SHOULD THAT APOSTLE OF COMPASSION AND NONVIOLENCE APPROVE A NEGOTIATED AUTONOMY FOR HIS PEOPLE, CHINA COULD ACHIEVE A HISTORIC COMPROMISE THAT MAY BECOME IMPOSSIBLE AFTER THE DALAI LAMA'S DEATH. /// END OPT ///TEXT: THERE WAS A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING THIS WEEK WITH VARIOUS SCHOLARS GIVING THEIR VIEWS ON WHAT CONSTITUTES GROUNDS FOR IMPEACHMENT, AS THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO GRAPPLE WITH THE QUESTION OF HOW TO PUNISH PRESIDENT CLINTON. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CALLS THE DISCUSSION "ELEVATED AND ENLIGHTENING," AND SAYS THERE IS A VIABLE COMPROMISE BETWEEN IMPEACHMENT AND NO PUNISHMENT. VOICE: THIS NARROW READING [IMPEACHMENT OR NOTHING] OF THE CONSTITUTION FAILS TO ADDRESS BOTH THE POLITICAL REALITIES OF THE MOMENT AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF JUSTICE. THIS PAGE (I.E. EDITORIAL) HAS RECOMMENDED CENSURE AS A REASONED COMPROMISE THAT RESPECTS THE POLITICAL CONSENSUS AGAINST REMOVING THE PRESIDENT UNLESS THE EVIDENCE CHANGES, AND THE HIGH CIVIC IMPORTANCE OF REBUKING HIM FOR HIS FAILURE IN HIS CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO UPHOLD THE LAW. /// OPT /// WE BELIEVE .... THAT THE CONSTITUTION IS SUFFICIENTLY FLEXIBLE TO ALLOW CONGRESS TO TAKE THAT COURSE. /// END OPT /// ... THE FACT THAT THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT VOTES IN THE HOUSE TO SUPPORT SENDING ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT TO THE SENATE DOES NOT ABSOLVE CONGRESS OF ITS DUTY TO EXPRESS ITS ANGER AND DISAPPROVAL. TEXT: IN SCIENCE, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" LINKS THE HORRIFIC DESTRUCTION OF HURRICANE MITCH TO GLOBAL WARMING, THE TOPIC OF THE BUENOS AIRES CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE. VOICE: THE SUMMIT IS AIMED AT IMPLEMENTING A TREATY, WORKED OUT LAST YEAR IN KYOTO, JAPAN, IN WHICH DEVELOPED NATIONS AGREED TO REDUCE THE FOSSIL FUEL EMISSIONS THAT INTENSIFY GLOBAL WARMING. THE UNITED STATES HAD PREVIOUSLY REFUSED TO SIGN THE TREATY, LEADING THE OTHER DEVELOPED NATIONS TO ASK WHY THEY SHOULD REDUCE EMISSIONS WHEN THE WORLD'S BIGGEST POLLUTER IS NOT. IT'S A FAIR QUESTION .... THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, EAGER TO SIGN THE TREATY, FACES OVERWHELMING OPPOSITION IN CONGRESS. ITS CRITICS SAY THE TREATY SHOULD BE SIGNED ONLY AFTER ALL DEVELOPING NATIONS ALSO AGREE TO EMISSION REDUCTIONS. THAT ... IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. TEXT: DEALING DIRECTLY WITH THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY HURRICANE MITCH, "THE MIAMI HERALD" SUGGESTS IN TODAY'S LEAD EDITORIAL THAT THE DEVELOPED WORLD SHOULD "INVEST IN RECOVERY," BUT POINTS OUT: VOICE: /// OPT /// HURRICANE MITCH BROUGHT STILL-UNMEASURABLE MISERY, DEATH, AND DESTRUCTION TO CENTRAL AMERICA. HURRICANE GEORGES DEVASTATED HISPANIOLA IN SEPTEMBER. YET THESE TWO DISASTERS' TERRIBLE EFFECTS OFFER THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION A GENUINE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE FARSIGHTED LEADERSHIP IN THE HEMISPHERE. /// END OPT TEXT: /// OPT /// LASTLY, THESE THOUGHTS FROM "THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD" ON ARMISTICE DAY, NOW CALLED VETERAN'S DAY; THOUGHTS ON THE SOULS WHO SACRIFICED THEMSELVES FOR A BETTER TOMORROW IN WHAT WAS THEN CALLED THE GREAT WAR. VOICE: MOST OF THEM ARE GONE, THOSE AMERICANS ONCE KNOWN AS DOUGHBOYS WHO ANSWERED THE CALL OF PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON IN 1917 TO MAKE THE WORLD SAFE FOR DEMOCRACY. THE YOUNGEST SURVIVORS ARE IN THEIR LATE 90S. SOON THERE WILL BE NO LIVING REMINDERS OF ONE OF HISTORY'S BLOODIEST CHAPTERS. THE POSSIBILITY OF THEIR BEING FORGOTTEN SHOULD BE UNTHINKABLE. ... THEY NEED TO BE REMEMBERED. ANY SOCIETY THAT WOULD FORGET THEM COULDN'T BE TRUSTED TO KEEP ANY OF ITS HISTORY SACRED. .... IN THE CENTURY'S MAJOR CONFLICTS, THIS MANY AMERICANS PERISHED: WORLD WAR ONE 116-THOUSAND-5-HUNDRED. [IN] WORLD WAR TWO: 405-THOUSAND-399. /// END OPT /// TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM
TODAY'S HOLIDAY EDITORIAL PAGES OF THE U-S PRESS.
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