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Voice of America, 99-02-16Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] OCALAN/TURKEY (S) (NAIROBI) BY JENNIFER GLASSEDATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245582 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: KENYA'S GOVERNMENT HAS CALLED FOR GREECE TO WITHDRAW ITS AMBASSADOR. JENNIFER GLASSE REPORTS FROM NAIROBI, KENYA SAYS THE AMBASSADOR LIED TO KENYAN OFFICIALS ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF KURDISH SEPARATIST LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN IN GREECE'S NAIROBI EMBASSY. TEXT: KENYAN FOREIGN MINISTER BONAYA GODANA SAYS THE GREEK AMBASSADOR INITIALLY DENIED HE WAS HARBORING MR. OCALAN. BUT HE ADMITTED IT MONDAY WHEN KENYAN AUTHORITIES CONFRONTED HIM WITH WHAT MR. GODANA CALLED "CONCRETE EVIDENCE." MR. GODANA SAYS THE FOREIGN MINISTRY IMMEDIATELY ORDERED THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO GET MR. OCALAN OUT OF THE COUNTRY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MR. GODANA SAYS WHILE HE DID NOT KNOW WHERE MR. OCALAN WAS GOING, KENYA WOULD NOT HAVE APPROVED SENDING HIM TO TURKEY. /// GODANA ACT ///THE GOVERNMENT OF KENYA WISHES TO EMPHASIZE THAT IT HAD NO HAND, NO ROLE WHATSOEVER TO PLAY IN MR. OCALAN'S PRESENCE IN KENYA OR, FOR THAT MATTER, WHEREVER HE MAY BE NOW. /// END ACT ///MR. GODANA'S STATEMENTS CONFLICT WITH CLAIMS BY OFFICIALS IN
GREECE THAT THEY TURNED MR. OCALAN OVER TO KENYAN AUTHORITIES
LATE MONDAY. (SIGNED)
[02] OCALAN / GREECE (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245568 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: GREECE HAS ISSUED AN ULTIMATUM TO THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, ORDERING ITS EXTREMIST SUPPORTERS TO RELEASE A HOST OF GREEK NATIONALS TAKEN HOSTAGE IN AT LEAST 10 GREEK EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES THROUGHOUT EUROPE TUESDAY. ANTHEE CARASSAVA REPORTS FROM ATHENS ON THE HOSTAGE CRISIS, IN LIGHT OF GREECE'S REFUSAL TO GRANT POLITICAL ASYLUM TO REBEL KURDISH LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. TEXT: GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER THEODORE PANGALOS ISSUED THE ULTIMATUM, WARNING THAT GREECE WOULD TAKE WHAT HE CALLED "MERCILESS ACTION" AGAINST KURDS WHO ARE HOLDING AT LEAST THREE HOSTAGES IN VARIOUS GREEK EMBASSIES THROUGHOUT EUROPE. THE EXTREMIST SUPPORTERS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR THE P-K-K, HAVE STORMED AT LEAST 10 GREEK CONSULATES AND EMBASSIES IN PROTEST TO GREECE'S REFUSAL TO GRANT POLITICAL ASYLUM TO THEIR RUNAWAY LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. THE HOSTAGE CRISIS FOLLOWED GREEK ADMISSION TO HARBORING MR OCALAN FOR 12 DAYS AT THE GREEK EMBASSY IN NAIROBI, KENYA. //OPT//THE KURDISH REBEL WAS CAPTURED BY AUTHORITIES IN KENYA AND SUBSEQUENTLY FLEW TO TURKEY WHERE HE HAS BEEN WANTED FOR ON CHARGES OF TERRORISM. //END OPT// HUNDREDS OF P-K-K REBELS PROTESTING AT GREEK EMBASSIES THROUGHOUT EUROPE ARE THREATENING TO SET THEMSELVES ABLAZE IN RESPONSE TO WHAT THEY SAY GREECE'S INABILITY TO PROTECT MR. OCALAN. IN ONE EMBASSY AT THE HAGUE, P-K-K PROTESTERS ARE HOLDING THE WIFE AND EIGHT YEAR-OLD SON OF THE GREEK AMBASSADOR HOSTAGE. //OPT//MR. PANGALOS HAS BLASTED THE P-K-K FOR WHAT HE CALLED ITS MONSTROUS OPERATION AND SHORT OF DECLARED WAR IT. THE REMARK IS A SHARP SWING FROM YEARS OF SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT WHICH GREECE HAS PROVIDED TO KURDS IN LIGHT OF THEIR ARMED STRUGGLE IN TURKEY. STILL, GREECE ADAMANTLY DENIES TURKISH ACCUSATIONS THAT IT HAS BEEN AIDING AND ABETTING THE P-K-K IN ITS ARMED INSURGENCE. //REST OPT//ATHENS HAS INSTEAD OPTED FOR A CONCERTED EFFORT BY THE EUROPEAN
UNION TO HELP SOLVE THE KURDISH PROBLEM. (SIGNED)
[03] OCALAN / GREECE (L-ONLY) CQ BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245570 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///// RE-PRINTING WITH CORRECT CR-NUMBER. ///////////////INTRO: GREECE HAS ISSUED AN ULTIMATUM TO THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, ORDERING ITS EXTREMIST SUPPORTERS TO RELEASE A HOST OF GREEK NATIONALS TAKEN HOSTAGE IN AT LEAST 10 GREEK EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES THROUGHOUT EUROPE TUESDAY. ANTHEE CARASSAVA REPORTS FROM ATHENS ON THE HOSTAGE CRISIS THAT BEGAN AFTER GREECE'S REFUSAL TO GRANT POLITICAL ASYLUM TO REBEL KURDISH LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. TEXT: GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER THEODORE PANGALOS ISSUED THE ULTIMATUM, WARNING THAT GREECE WOULD TAKE WHAT HE CALLED "MERCILESS ACTION" AGAINST KURDS WHO ARE HOLDING AT LEAST THREE HOSTAGES IN VARIOUS GREEK EMBASSIES THROUGHOUT EUROPE. THE EXTREMIST SUPPORTERS OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR THE P-K-K, HAVE STORMED AT LEAST 10 GREEK CONSULATES AND EMBASSIES TO PROTEST GREECE'S REFUSAL TO GRANT POLITICAL ASYLUM TO THEIR RUNAWAY LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. THE HOSTAGE CRISIS FOLLOWED GREEK ADMISSION TO HARBORING MR. OCALAN FOR 12 DAYS AT THE EMBASSY IN NAIROBI, KENYA. // OPT //THE KURDISH REBEL WAS CAPTURED BY AUTHORITIES IN KENYA AND SUBSEQUENTLY FLOWN TO TURKEY WHERE IS WANTED FOR CHARGES OF TERRORISM. // END OPT // HUNDREDS OF P-K-K REBELS PROTESTING AT GREEK EMBASSIES THROUGHOUT EUROPE ARE THREATENING TO SET THEMSELVES ABLAZE IN RESPONSE TO WHAT THEY SAY IS GREECE'S INABILITY TO PROTECT MR. OCALAN. IN THE EMBASSY AT THE HAGUE, P-K-K PROTESTERS ARE HOLDING THE WIFE AND EIGHT-YEAR-OLD SON OF THE GREEK AMBASSADOR HOSTAGE. // OPT // THEY ARE HOLDING THEM AT GUN POINT, WITH A GRENADE AT HAND WHILE TAKING VIDEO AND SNAPSHOT PICTURES. // END OPT // MR. PANGALOS HAS BLASTED THE P-K-K FOR WHAT HE CALLED ITS MONSTROUS OPERATION. THE REMARK IS A SHARP SWING FROM YEARS OF SYMPATHY AND SUPPORT WHICH GREECE HAS PROVIDED TO KURDS IN THEIR ARMED STRUGGLE IN TURKEY. BUT, GREECE ADAMANTLY DENIES TURKISH ACCUSATIONS IT HAS BEEN AIDING AND ABETTING THE P-K-K IN ITS ARMED INSURGENCE. // REST OPT //ATHENS HAS INSTEAD OPTED FOR A CONCERTED EFFORT BY THE EUROPEAN
UNION TO HELP SOLVE THE KURDISH PROBLEM. (SIGNED)
[04] OCALAN / KENYA (L) BY JENNIFER GLASSE (NAIROBI)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245585 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: KENYA SAYS IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PRESENCE OF KURDISH SEPARATIST REBEL ABDULLAH OCALAN IN KENYA, WHERE HE SPENT NEARLY TWO WEEKS AT THE GREEK AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE. JENNIFER GLASS IN NAIROBI ALSO REPORTS KENYA IS ASKING GREECE TO RECALL ITS AMBASSADOR IMMEDIATELY. TEXT: KENYA'S FOREIGN MINISTER BONAYA GODANA SAYS MR. OCALAN ARRIVED IN KENYA ON FEBRUARY SECOND ON A PRIVATE PLANE. HE SAYS MR. OCALAN AND FOUR OTHER PEOPLE WERE PICKED UP AT THE AIRPORT BY THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO KENYA. HE SAYS THE AMBASSADOR BYPASSED NORMAL AIRPORT PROCEDURE AND THEREFORE MR. OCALAN DID NOT FILL IN AN IMMIGRATION FORM. MR. GODANA SAYS THE GREEK AMBASSADOR DENIED THAT MR. OCALAN WAS IN THE EMBASSY RESIDENCE WHEN INITIALLY QUESTIONED BY KENYAN AUTHORITIES. HE SAYS THE AMBASSADOR ADMITTED MR. OCALAN'S PRESENCE MONDAY WHEN CONFRONTED WITH WHAT MR. GODANA CALLS CONCRETE EVIDENCE. THE DECEPTION, SAYS MR. GODANA, MEANS THE AMBASSADOR MUST LEAVE KENYA /// ACT GODANA ///IT IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE TO TRUST THE AMBASSADOR AS SERIOUS DOUBTS ABOUT HIS CREDIBILITY HAVE BEEN CREATED. ACCORDINGLY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DEMANDED HIS RECALL WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT /// END ACT ///DESPITE THEIR DISPLEASURE WITH THE GREEK AMBASSADOR, KENYAN OFFICIALS SAY IT WAS THE GREEK OFFICIAL'S RESPONSIBILITY TO GET MR. OCALAN OUT OF KENYA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MR. GODANA SAYS HE LEFT MONDAY NIGHT. /// ACT GODANA ///THE AMBASSADOR AGREED TO TAKE HIM FROM HIS EMBASSY AND WE UNDERSTAND HE TOOK HIM TO THE AIRPORT AND PUT HIM ON AN AIRCRAFT. /// END ACT ///MR. GODANA'S STATEMENTS CONTRAST SHARPLY WITH THOSE OF AUTHORITIES IN GREECE, WHO SAY GREEK OFFICIALS IN NAIROBI TURNED MR. OCALAN OVER TO KENYAN AUTHORITIES MONDAY NIGHT. MR. GODANA SAYS KENYAN OFFICIALS MAY HAVE ACCOMPANIED MR. OCALAN AND THE AMBASSADOR TO THE AIRPORT, BUT HE WOULD NOT SAY WHICH OFFICIALS. MR. GODANA SAID KENYAN AUTHORITIES DID NOT KNOW MR. OCALAN WAS BEING TAKEN TO TURKEY, WHERE HE IS WANTED FOR LEADING A KURDISH SEPARATIST WAR. HE SAID KENYA WOULD NOT HAVE APPROVED OF SUCH A PLAN. /// ACT GODANA ///THE GOVERNMENT OF KENYA WISHES TO EMPHASIZE THAT IT HAD NO HAND, NO ROLE WHATSOEVER TO PLAY IN MR. OCALAN'S PRESENCE IN KENYA OR FOR THAT MATTER WHEREVER HE MAY BE NOW /// END ACT ///OFFICIALS AT THE GREEK EMBASSY IN KENYA WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR
COMMENT. THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF THE TURKISH MISSION IN NAIROBI SAYS
HE HAS NO IDEA HOW MR. OCALAN GOT FROM NAIROBI TO ANKARA.
(SIGNED)
[05] OCALAN REACT (L ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245590 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TURKEY'S ARREST OF THE KURDISH SEPARATIST LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN HAS SPARKED A WAVE OF PROTESTS AGAINST GREEK EMBASSIES ACROSS EUROPE. THE GREEK EMBASSY IN KENYA HAD BEEN HARBORING MR. OCALAN BUT LET KENYA AUTHORITIES ARREST HIM AND SEND HIM BACK TO TURKEY. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASMAN IN LONDON REPORTS OCALAN SUPPORTERS WARN OF NEW WAVES OF VIOLENCE BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE TURKEY. TEXT: ANGRY KURDISH DEMONSTRATORS WARN OF VIOLENCE IF ABDULLAH OCALAN IS NOT FREED. HE WAS ARRESTED IN KENYA AND FLOWN TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION IN TURKEY BEFORE DAWN (TUESDAY). HE IS WANTED BY TURKEY ON CHARGES OF TERRORISM AND COULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY. FOR TURKISH KURDS, "APO" AS HE IS BETTER KNOWN, IS A HERO OF THEIR SEPARATIST MOVEMENT, NOT A TERRORIST. /// VOICE OF DEMONSTRATOR ///ABDULAH OCALAN TO ME IS THE WHOLE WORLD. HE IS ME. /// END ACT ///JAWAD MELLA HEADS THE KURDISTAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION THAT TRIES TO GROUP KURDISH MOVEMENTS IN EUROPE, TURKEY, SYRIA, IRAN, AND IRAQ. HIS GROUP SHUNS VIOLENCE, BUT HE SAYS TURKEY'S ARREST AND EVENTUAL TRIAL OF ABDULLAH OCALAN WILL FUEL MORE VIOLENCE. /// MELLA ACT ///THEY THINK THAT IF THEY KILL ABDULLAH OCALAN THEY WILL SORT OUT THE KURDISH PROBLEM. NO, IT WILL BE WORSE THE BEFORE. AND THIS GROUP OF ABDULLAH OCALAN WILL BE MORE DIFFICULT THAN BEFORE AND EVERYBODY WILL SAY WE HOPE ABDULLAH OCALAN COME BACK AGAIN. /// END ACT ///MR. MELLA WARNS KURDISH ANGER WILL NOT BE DIRECTED ONLY AT TURKEY. /// MELLA ACT ///MR. OCALAN WAS ABOUT TWO-MONTHS IN EUROPE ASKING THE EUROPEANS, THE WESTERN COUNTRIES, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO RECOGNIZE HIS POLITICAL ASYLUM, RECOGNIZE THE KURDISH PEOPLE AS A NATION WITHOUT A STATE. WE HAVE NO STATE. BUT NOBODY ANSWERED MR. OCALAN DURING HIS STAY IN ROME. NOBODY SAID, "WE WILL DO SOMETHING FOR YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE." IT WAS A VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE WEST, FOR EUROPE TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE KURDISH PEOPLE BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY DID NOT DO ANYTHING. /// END ACT ///LAWYERS WORKING FOR THE KURDISH SEPARATIST LEADER IN AMSTERDAM ARE PREPARING TO FILE A WRONGFUL ARREST COMPLAINT AGAINST TURKEY IN THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS. THE P-K-K LEADER FOUNDED THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY IN 1978 AND LAUNCHED A MILITARY CAMPAIGN IN 1984 TO ESTABLISH A KURDISH STATE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. AN ESTIMATED 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE CONFLICT SINCE THEN. /// REST OPT ///LAST DECEMBER ABDULLAH OCALAN FLED HIS REFUGE IN SYRIA AND TRIED
TO GAIN POLITICAL ASYLUM IN ITALY. HE WAS TURNED DOWN AND LEFT
ITALY IN MID-JANUARY. HIS WHEREABOUTS SINCE THEN WERE A MYSTERY
UNTIL HIS ARREST. (SIGNED)
[06] OCALAN WRAP (L UPDATE) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245598 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: THIS REPORT UPDATES CR 2-245568 ///INTRO: THE ARREST OF KURDISH SEPARATIST LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN HAS UNLEASHED A WAVE OF DEMONSTRATIONS ACROSS EUROPE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN LONDON REPORTS MANY OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS TURNED VIOLENT AS HIS SUPPORTERS PROTESTED GREEK LINKS TO MR. OCALAN'S ARREST IN KENYA AND HIS RETURN TO TURKEY FOR TRIAL. TEXT: THE KURDISH DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE THE GREEK EMBASSY IN LONDON STARTED PEACEFULLY. BUT THE NUMBER OF KURDS GATHERED THERE MULTIPLIED THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND SCUFFLES WITH POLICE ERUPTED. ONE DEMONSTRATOR SET HERSELF ON FIRE, A SCENE THAT WAS REPEATED IN COPENHAGEN. ELSEWHERE, KURDISH PROTESTERS DOUSED THEMSELVES WITH GASOLINE AND THREATENED MASS SUICIDES. POLICE HAVE FORCIBLY REMOVED KURDISH PROTESTERS FROM INSIDE GREEK MISSIONS IN SEVERAL CITIES -- INCLUDING PARIS, STRASBOURG, MARSEILLES, AND STUTTGART. POLICE USED TEAR GAS AND WATER CANNONS TO DISBURSE KURDISH PROTESTERS IN FRANKFURT AND HAMBURG. TURKISH KURDS ARE PROTESTING THE ARREST IN KENYA OF SEPARATIST LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. HE WAS RETURNED BEFORE DAWN ON TUESDAY TO TURKEY, WHERE HE FACES TERRORIST CHARGES THAT CARRY THE DEATH PENALTY. SINCE 1984, THE KURDISH SEPARATIST LEADER HAS WAGED A MILITARY CAMPAIGN TO SET UP A SEPARATE KURDISH STATE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. THE CONFLICT HAS CLAIMED AN ESTIMATED 30-THOUSAND VICTIMS. TURKS ARE CELEBRATING THE CAPTURE OF THE KURDISH SEPARATIST LEADER. BUT KURDS WARN THERE WILL BE MORE VIOLENCE IF MR. OCALAN IS NOT FREED. SOME PREDICT THE VIOLENCE WILL SPREAD BEYOND TURKEY'S BORDERS. KURDISH ANGER NOW IS DIRECTED AT GREECE BECAUSE OF REPORTS THE GREEK EMBASSY IN KENYA, WHICH WAS HARBORING MR. OCALAN, LET HIM BE TRANSFERRED TO TURKEY. KURDISH PROTESTERS ALSO ACCUSE THE UNITED STATES OF A HAND IN MR. OCALAN'S CAPTURE, A CHARGE WASHINGTON DENIES. SOME KURDS ALSO CRITICIZE EUROPEAN NATIONS FOR ABANDONING THE
KURDISH LEADER. LAST MONTH, MR. OCALAN WAS FORCED TO LEAVE ITALY
AFTER ROME REFUSED TO GRANT HIM POLITICAL ASYLUM. (SIGNED)
[07] RUSSIA / KURDS (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245575 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: POLICE IN MOSCOW HAVE REMOVED ABOUT 50 KURDISH DEMONSTRATORS WHO FORCED THEIR WAY INTO THE GREEK EMBASSY TO PROTEST THE ARREST OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN WATCHED AS THE PROTESTERS WERE LED AWAY. TEXT: /// ACT - CHANTING DEMONSTRATORS - FADE UNDER ///THE DEMONSTRATORS SHOOK THEIR FISTS AND SHOUTED "FREE OCALAN" AS OFFICERS IN RIOT GEAR SHOVED THEM INTO VANS AND DROVE THEM AWAY FROM THE EMBASSY BUILDING ON A NARROW CENTRAL MOSCOW STREET. A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEMONSTRATORS AGREED TO GO PEACEFULLY AFTER ADDRESSING THEIR GRIEVANCES TO THE GREEK AMBASSADOR. THE INCIDENT LASTED LESS THAN THREE HOURS. AN EMBASSY GUARD SAID THE ONLY MOMENT OF TENSION CAME WHEN THE DEMONSTRATORS FIRST ARRIVED AND PUSHED THEIR WAY INTO A COURTYARD. BUT THE GUARD SAID THE INTRUDERS WERE NOT ARMED, AND DENIED EARLIER REPORTS GUNSHOTS HAD BEEN FIRED. BUT ONE PROTESTER WARNED THERE WOULD MORE VIOLENT OUTBURSTS IF ANY HARM COMES TO THEIR LEADER. /// ALADDIN ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///THE DEMONSTRATOR, WHO IDENTIFIED HIMSELF ONLY AS ALADDIN, SAID -- WE WILL BE FIGHTING AND THE WHOLE WORLD SHOULD BE AWARE. HE TOLD REPORTERS -- BEFORE WE WERE SETTING OURSELVES ON FIRE, BUT FROM THIS MOMENT, WE WILL BE BURNING PEOPLE WHO HARM US. ABDULLAH OCALAN WAS BRIEFLY IN RUSSIA LAST NOVEMBER, AFTER BEING
FORCED TO LEAVE SYRIA, BUT THE KREMLIN DENIED HIS REQUEST FOR
ASYLUM. TWO KURDISH DEMONSTRATORS BURNED THEMSELVES TO DEATH
NEAR THE KREMLIN WALL TO PROTEST RUSSIA'S REFUSAL TO GRANT THEIR
LEADER REFUGE. (SIGNED)
[08] TURKEY / KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245571 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ABDULLAH OCALAN, THE LEADER OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K, HAS BEEN CAPTURED AND BROUGHT TO TURKEY, TURKISH PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT ANNOUNCED TUESDAY. THE PARTY IS OUTLAWED BY TURKEY AND MR. OCALAN IS WANTED ON TERRORISM CHARGES. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA. TEXT: SPEAKING AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TUESDAY, MR. ECEVIT SAID THE TURKISH STATE HAD KEPT ITS PROMISE AND BROUGHT BACK THE MAN HE TERMED A "TERRORIST" TO FACE JUSTICE. THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER SAID MR. OCALAN'S ARREST WAS THE RESULT OF A 12-DAY COVERT OPERATION WHICH ONLY 10 TURKISH OFFICIALS WERE AWARE OF, BUT HE DECLINED TO ELABORATE. MR. ECEVIT ALSO DECLINED TO REVEAL MR. OCALAN'S WHEREABOUTS, SAYING ONLY THAT HE WAS SOMEWHERE IN TURKEY. MR ECEVIT SAID THE P-K-K LEADER WOULD BE ACCORDED A FAIR TRIAL AND THAT HE HAD NOT COME TO ANY PHYSICAL HARM DURING HIS CAPTURE. MR. OCALAN WILL LIKELY BE TRIED ON TREASON CHARGES FOR WHICH HE WILL LIKELY BE GIVEN THE DEATH PENALTY, IF CONVICTED. BUT EVEN THOUGH CAPITAL PUNISHMENT HAS NOT BEEN ABOLISHED IN TURKEY, IT HAS NOT BEEN CARRIED OUT FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS NOW. MR OCALAN IS WIDELY BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO TURKEY FROM KENYA WHERE HE HAD ALLEGEDLY SOUGHT REFUGE AT THE GREEK EMBASSY. MR. ECEVIT APPEALED TO P-K-K REBELS MONDAY TO TURN THEMSELVES INTO THE TURKISH AUTHORITIES. /// INSERT ECEVIT ACT ///MR. ECEVIT PLEDGED THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO BENEFIT FROM A REPENTANCE LAW. MR. OCALAN'S ARREST CAPS A 14-YEAR EFFORT BY THE TURKISH STATE TO BRING TO JUSTICE THE MAN IT HOLDS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND TURKISH CITIZENS. //OPT// THE P-K-K HAS BEEN WAGING A BLOODY SEPARATIST CAMPAIGN SINCE 1984 FOR KURDISH SELF RULE IN THE MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST PROVINCES. ITS VICTIMS HAVE INCLUDED THOUSANDS OF UNARMED CIVILIANS SIDING WITH THE STATE. BUT WIDESPREAD UNEMPLOYMENT AND DISAFFECTION WITH THE TURKISH STATE HAS BRED SUPPORT FOR THE REBEL LEADER AMONG MANY KURDS. MANY CREDIT HIM WITH FORCING THE TURKISH STATE TO RECOGNIZE THEIR LONG DENIED ETHNIC IDENTITY. HIS CAPTURE WILL NO DOUBT COME AS A BLOW TO THEM. ANTICIPATING MASS PROTESTS IN THE SOUTHEAST, TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY SECURITY HAS BEEN STEPPED-UP IN THE KURDISH REGION. THE P-K-K LEADER HAS BEEN ON THE RUN SINCE OCTOBER WHEN SYRIA,
BACKING DOWN UNDER TURKISH MILITARY THREATS, ORDERED HIM OUT OF
THAT COUNTRY. MR. OCALAN EMERGED IN ROME IN NOVEMBER, WHERE HE
SPENT TWO MONTHS SEEKING POLITICAL ASYLUM. (SIGNED)
[09] KOSOVO TALKS (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245595 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE AMERICAN MEDIATOR AT THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS HAS UNEXPECTEDLY LEFT THE TALKS IN FRANCE TO MEET WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS. TEXT: THE DEPARTURE OF CHRISTOPHER HILL, ONE OF THREE NEGOTIATORS AT THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS HELD JUST OUTSIDE PARIS, CAME JUST AS THE FIRST SIGNS OF PROGRESS BEGAN TO EMERGE AT THE SLOW-MOVING TALKS. MR. HILL, TOGETHER WITH A RUSSIAN AND AN AUSTRIAN REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, HAS BEEN MEDIATING FOR THE PAST 10 DAYS BETWEEN ETHNIC ALBANIANS SEEKING AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO AND A SERBIAN-LED DELEGATION. MR. HILL'S PREVIOUSLY UNANNOUNCED DECISION TO FLY TO BELGRADE CAME AFTER AMERICAN SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT TELEPHONED PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO TELL HIM THAT THE ALBANIANS APPEAR READY TO SIGN A SETTLEMENT. IF SO, THE MAIN OBSTACLE TO AN ACCORD NOW IS SERBIAN OPPOSITION TO AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE. DIPLOMATS SAY THE TALKS HAVE GROWN MORE INTENSE SINCE THE SIX-NATION "CONTACT GROUP" ON YUGOSLAVIA TOLD THE TWO NEGOTIATING TEAMS LAST WEEKEND THAT THEY HAVE ONLY UNTIL SATURDAY TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT. THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL COMMENT ON THE SUBSTANCE OF THE TALKS SINCE THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE CONTACT GROUP -- COMPRISING THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA, BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY AND ITALY -- MET WITH THE TWO DELEGATIONS. BUT DIPLOMATS SAY THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS SEEM LIKELY TO DROP ONE OF THEIR KEY DEMANDS. THIS IS FOR A NATIONAL REFERENDUM TO BE HELD AT THE END OF THE THREE-YEAR INTERIM PERIOD COVERED BY THE CONTACT GROUP'S FRAMEWORK FOR A PEACE ACCORD. FOR THE SERBS, THE CALL FOR A REFERENDUM WAS A WAY OF EVENTUALLY SEEKING FULL INDEPENDENCE VIA THE BALLOT BOX. THE CONTACT GROUP'S PRECONDITIONS FOR THE TALKS INCLUDE A RECOGNITION OF YUGOSLAVIA'S EXISTING FRONTIERS, MEANING THAT THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO, WHILE GAINING CONTROL OF THEIR INTERNAL AFFAIRS, WOULD KEEP THEIR PROVINCE INSIDE THE EXISTING YUGOSLAV FEDERATION. BELGRADE HAS CONSISTENTLY OPPOSED THE DISPATCH OF A PEACE FORCE TO GUARANTEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY ACCORD. NATO -- WHICH HAS THREATENED AIR STRIKES AGAINST MILITARY TARGETS IF THE TWO SIDES DO NOT REACH AN ACCORD -- HAS PLANS TO SEND A FORCE OF 30-THOUSAND TROOPS TO GUARANTEE SECURITY IN THE PROVINCE. RUSSIA HAS SO FAR SUPPORTED BELGRADE'S RELUCTANCE, SAYING THAT A PEACE FORCE CANNOT BE SENT UNLESS THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT FIRST AGREES TO ITS PRESENCE. TUESDAY, FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC'S OFFICE SAID THAT SINCE THE CONTACT GROUP CONVENED IN PARIS LAST WEEKEND, ALL ITS MEMBERS ARE NOW UNITED IN THEIR AIMS FOR KOSOVO. MR. CHIRAC'S SPOKESWOMAN, TALKING AFTER THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT HELD AN INNER CABINET MEETING ON KOSOVO AND OTHER DEFENSE ISSUES, TOLD THE TWO SIDES AT THE RAMBOUILLET TALKS THAT THEY SHOULD MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THE DETERMINATION OF ALL THE GROUP'S MEMBERS TO REACH AN ACCORD. SHE SAID THE TWO NEGOTIATING TEAMS MUST NOW BOTH MAKE AN EFFORT
AND DEMONSTRATE A REAL DESIRE FOR A SETTLEMENT. (SIGNED)
[10] KOSOVO/NATO TROOPS BY NICK SIMEONE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-42620 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS WARNING YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THAT HE MUST ACCEPT NOT ONLY A PEACE AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO NOW BEING HAMMERED OUT IN FRANCE -- BUT A NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE AS WELL. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WOULD LIKELY FIND LITTLE SUPPORT FROM THE WORLD COMMUNITY IF HIS OPPOSITION TO A NATO PRESENCE BLOCKS AN AGREEMENT IN THE YEAR-OLD KOSOVO CONFLICT. TEXT: THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT HAS LONG INSISTED THAT THE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO -- BETWEEN SERB AUTHORITIES AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS -- IS STRICTLY A DOMESTIC CONCERN. BUT FACED WITH POSSIBLE NATO AIR STRIKES, THE SERBIANS AGREED TO ATTEND PEACE TALKS IN FRANCE. NOW THE DEAL, BEING FASHIONED OUTSIDE PARIS UNDER WESTERN MEDIATION, INSISTS YUGOSLAVIA GIVE THE KOSOVARS BROAD AUTONOMY AND ALLOW NEARLY 30-THOUSAND NATO PEACEKEEPING TROOPS ONTO ITS TERRITORY. WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART. // LOCKHART ACT //IF THEY ( THE SERBIANS) CONTINUE TO HOLD FAST TO THIS POSITION, THEN WE MAY BE RIGHT BACK WHERE WE WERE SOME WEEKS AGO, AS WE WERE SOME MONTHS AGO, WITH NATO POISED TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION TO ENFORCE SOME DECISIONS. // END ACT //BUT UNLIKE THE DEPLOYMENT OF PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN NEIGHBORING BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA THREE-YEARS AGO, THIS TIME AMERICAN SOLDIERS WOULD BE ENTERING A COUNTRY WHOSE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE CLEAR THEY ARE NOT WANTED. THE SITUATION RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT WHEN A FOREIGN POWER -- SHORT OF A DECLARATION OF WAR -- SHOULD IGNORE THE WILL OF A SOVEREIGN COUNTRY AND ORDER TROOPS TO CROSS ITS BORDERS. EVEN THOUGH THE GOALS OF A NATO MISSION IN KOSOVO HAVE THE BACKING OF WESTERN DEMOCRACIES, SUCH A MOVE -- IF BELGRADE DOES NOT RELENT COULD AMOUNT TO A DE FACTO INVASION. REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN TOM CAMPBELL IS AMONG THOSE WHO BELIEVE THERE IS VERY LITTLE PRECEDENT FOR SUCH A MOVE -- APART FROM CASES WHERE GENOCIDE IS BEING COMMITTED OR WHEN FORCE HAS ALREADY BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL. NEITHER CAN BE SAID ABOUT THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. PRESIDENT CLINTON POINTS TO THE SUCCESS OF THE AMERICAN-LED PEACE KEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA IN MAKING THE CASE NOW FOR SIMILAR ACTION IN KOSOVO. BUT THAT IS WHERE THE SIMILARITIES APPEAR TO END. DURING AN EXCHANGE AT A RECENT CONGRESSIONAL HEARING, CONGRESSMAN CAMPBELL PUT SOME TOUGH QUESTIONS TO UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE THOMAS PICKERING. // PICKERING AND CAMPBELL ACT //// END ACT //THE RANKING DEMOCRAT ON THE HOUSE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SAM GEJDENSON, EXPECTS THE FEAR OF ANOTHER GENOCIDE WILL BE ENOUGH FOR CONGRESS NOT TO OBJECT TO SENDING NEARLY FOUR-THOUSAND U-S SOLDIERS TO KOSOVO, IF PRESIDENT CLINTON GIVES THE ORDER. // GEJDENSON ACT //I THINK WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE SURE THAT A NEW GENOCIDE DOES NOT BEGIN AND THAT THE ACTS THAT HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED DO NOT SIMPLY LEAD TO THE SAME CYCLE WE SAW ELSEWHERE IN FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS. // END ACT //IF SERBIA CONTINUES TO OPPOSE NATO TROOPS ON ITS TERRITORY, IT APPEARS DOUBTFUL IT WILL DRAW MUCH SUPPORT FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, GIVEN THE YEAR OF VIOLENCE SERB FORCES HAVE CARRIED OUT AGAINST KOSOVO'S ETHNIC-ALBANIAN CIVILIANS. AS MICHAEL O'HANLON, A FOREIGN POLICY ANALYST AT WASHINGTON'S BROOKINGS RESEARCH INSTITUTION SEES IT, NO RULE BOOK EXISTS ON HOW TO GUIDE NATIONS WEIGHING WHETHER TO INTERVENE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY'S INTERNAL CONFLICT. BUT HE SAYS BELGRADE WOULD HAVE LITTLE LEGAL RECOURSE TO CHALLENGE THE WILL OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY IN KOSOVO. // O'HANLON ACT //WE DO NOT WANT TO DO THIS KIND OF THING FRIVOLOUSLY, BUT WE HAVE RIGHTS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW TO DO IT AND NOT ALL COUNTRIES ARE EQUAL. AND A SERBIA RULED BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC IS NOT THE SAME THING AS A DEMOCRACY LIKE CANADA, FOR EXAMPLE, WHICH IS TRYING TO WORK OUT SUCCESSION ISSUES OVER QUEBEC. IT IS JUST TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT THINGS AND WE SHOULD NOT PARALYZE OURSELVES OR TRIP OURSELVES UP BY THINKING WE HAVE TO APPLY EXACTLY THE SAME PROCEDURES TO EACH AND EVERY PLACE. A PLACE LIKE SERBIA WITH A THUG IN CHARGE, LIKE MILOSEVIC, SHOULD BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY FROM A DEMOCRACY THAT MAY BE TRYING TO SORT OUT ITS OWN PROBLEMS OVER INTERNAL SELF-DETERMINATION. // END ACT //CONVINCING SERBS TO ALLOW FOREIGN TROOPS ON YUGOSLAV TERRITORY IS
SHAPING UP TO BE THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE PEACE TALKS
UNDERWAY IN FRANCE. DIPLOMATS LEADING THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE
TURNING TO RUSSIA TO CONVINCE SERBIA, ITS TRADITIONAL ALLY IN THE
BALKANS, TO DROP OBJECTIONS AND CLEAR THE WAY FOR A KOSOVO PEACE
AGREEMENT THAT CAN BE REACHED WITHOUT BEING IMPLEMENTED BY FORCE.
(SIGNED)
NEB/NS/LTD/RAE/JO
[11] THE DEBATE OVER KOSOVO BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=02/16/99TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUNDUP NUMBER=6-11149 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= INTRO: A FULL SCALE DEBATE IS ON IN THE UNITED STATES OVER WHETHER TO COMMIT TROOPS TO A CONTEMPLATED NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. MANY U-S NEWSPAPERS SUPPORT THE IDEA OF A SMALL U-S CONTINGENT AS PART OF THE FORCE -- NOTING THE IMPORTANCE OF PEACE IN THE BALKANS TO EUROPE AND THAT EUROPEAN NATO MEMBERS ARE MORE COMFORTABLE ACTING ONLY WHEN U-S TROOPS ARE INVOLVED. OTHER PAPERS SAY KOSOVO WILL BE YET ANOTHER BALKAN QUAGMIRE, AND A POTENTIALLY RISKY AND UNSUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE FOR THE U-S MILITARY. THE DEBATE CONTINUES IN THIS COUNTRY, AS WESTERN EUROPEAN AND U-S DIPLOMATS PRESS BOTH SIDES FOR AN AGREEMENT TO END THEIR FIGHTING IN TALKS AT A FRENCH VILLA OUTSIDE PARIS. WE'RE JOINED NOW BY ____________ WHO HAS A SAMPLING OF U-S COMMENT IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP. TEXT: AT PEACE TALKS IN FRANCE, YUGOSLAVIA'S SERBIAN DELEGATION HAS GIVEN INTO TO INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS AND OFFERED BROAD AUTONOMY TO ETHNIC ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS IN ITS KOSOVO PROVINCE. BUT THE SERBS STILL REFUSE TO ACCEPT A NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE ON THEIR SOIL. THE TWO SIDES HAVE UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK TO REACH AGREEMENT OR FACE POSSIBLE NATO AIR STRIKES. WITH SOME SORT OF NATO ACTION PENDING, WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING HERE IN WASHINGTON, WHERE "THE WASHINGTON POST" ASKS, IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE [2/16] "WHY KOSOVO?" VOICE: IT'S A FAIR QUESTION, AND A NECESSARY ONE, NOW THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ANNOUNCED HIS PEACEKEEPING PLAN, IF AGREEMENT IS REACHED IN THIS MAINLY ETHNIC-ALBANIAN, INDEPENDENCE-MINDED PROVINCE OF SERBIA. /// OPT /// WHY SHOULD THE UNITED STATES BE TAKING ON EVEN A LESSER SHARE OF THE COSTS AND UNCERTAINTIES OF A SECOND BALKAN INTERVENTION IN KOSOVO? /// END OPT /// ... WHY BURDEN NATO WITH ANOTHER BALKAN RESCUE MISSION? WHO IS NOT PAINFULLY AWARE THAT BILL CLINTON, COMING OFF HIS IMPEACHMENT ... , HAS SCANT POLITICAL CAPACITY FOR ASKING THE NATION TO TAKE ON SUCH A MISSION AT THIS TIME? NONETHELESS, IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO IF THE UNITED STATES IS GOING TO MAINTAIN THE LEADERSHIP ROLE THAT GLOBAL STABILITY REQUIRES. /// OPT /// ... IF THE [RAMBOUILLET] TALKS PRODUCE AGREEMENT, A BETTER FUTURE IS POSSIBLE. IF THEY DO NOT, THE REALISTIC FORECAST IS FOR ANOTHER DESCENT INTO BALKAN HELL. /// END OPT /// TEXT: NOTING THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN THE PEACE TALKS, "NEWSDAY," ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND, WARNS : "LOOK BEFORE LEAPING INTO KOSOVO." VOICE: ... THE GULF DIVIDING THE SERBS AND THE KOSOVARS, SWORN ENEMIES IN THE KOSOVO CIVIL WAR, IS PREDICTABLE AND EXPECTED. MORE SURPRISING -- AND MUCH MORE UNSETTLING BECAUSE OF ITS IMPLICATIONS -- IS THE WIDENING GAP BETWEEN THE U-S DIPLOMATS AT THE CONFERENCE, WHO ARE PUSHING FOR THE COMMITMENT OF A U-S MILITARY FORCE TO KEEP THE PEACE ... AND PENTAGON COMMANDERS, WHO ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT SUPPLYING TROOPS. AT THIS POINT, THE PENTAGON'S QUALMS SEEM EMINENTLY JUSTIFIED. ... THE DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN WHAT U-S DIPLOMATS ARE SEEKING AND WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE IS PREPARED TO OFFER MUST BE RECONCILED BEFORE THE TALKS PROCEED MUCH FURTHER. IF NOT, THE UNITED STATES RISKS PLUNGING INTO ANOTHER BALKAN SINKHOLE. TEXT: THE WORD "QUAGMIRE," KEEPS APPEARING IN EDITORIAL HEADLINES OR TEXT, RELATED TO KOSOVO, IN "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE" AND NEBRASKA'S "OMAHA WORLD-HERALD." OFFICIALLY IT MEANS A SWAMP IN WHICH IT IS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT TO MOVE ABOUT. THE ANALOGY IS APT TO MANY EDITORIAL WRITERS, INCLUDING THOSE AT CLEVELAND'S "PLAIN DEALER" [IN OHIO] WHICH NOTES: VOICE: THE HUMANITARIAN RING OF 'PEACEKEEPING' IS TOO OFTEN LOST IN THE CLANG OF COMBAT. THE UNITED STATES LURCHED FROM THE POOR EXAMPLE OF SOMALIA TO BOSNIA, WHERE WE ARE THREE YEARS INTO WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A ONE YEAR EFFORT TO KEEP WHAT, IN DIPLOMATIC PARLANCE, PASSES FOR PEACE. 'QUAGMIRE' COMES TO MIND: AMERICA'S GOOD INTENTIONS IN VIETNAM BEGAN WITH A FEW DOZEN MILITARY ADVISERS. ... JUST WHAT IS OUR NATIONAL INTEREST THERE? HOW MANY AMERICAN LIVES, NEVER MIND HOW MUCH AMERICAN TREASURE, SHOULD BE EXPENDED THERE? AND IF WE GO IN, WHEN AND HOW DO WE GET OUT? TEXT: TURNING TO "THE BOSTON GLOBE," A COLUMN BY MARLENE NADLE OF THE EAST AND CENTRAL EUROPE PROGRAM OF NEW YORK'S NEW SCHOOL OF SOCIAL RESEARCH, IS NOT PLEASED WITH U-S KOSOVO POLICY. VOICE: NEITHER THREATS FROM NATO NOR BOMBS CAN FIX THE ADMINISTRATION'S FUNDAMENTALLY FLAWED POLICY ON KOSOVO. PRESIDENT CLINTON'S REFUSAL TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVO WILL ONLY PRODUCE INSTABILITY IN THE BALKANS. HE AND U-S SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD ... HOLBROOKE ARE NOT NOTED FOR THEIR FAR-SIGHTED STRATEGIC PLANNING. THEY TOOK KOSOVO OFF THE AGENDA AT THE DAYTON PEACE CONFERENCE IN 1995. THEY ARE MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE BY TAKING KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE OFF THE AGENDA NOW. IT'S 10 YEARS TOO LATE TO OFFER KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS A LITTLE AUTONOMY WITHIN YUGOSLAVIA. ... [YUGOSLAV LEADER] SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ... ANNEXED AND MILITARILY OCCUPIED KOSOVO IN 1989, BANNED ALBANIANS FROM SCHOOLS, ... FIRED THEM FROM JOBS ... BURNED THEIR HOMES, AND KILLED THEM. IF THIS CHANGED POLITICAL REALITY ISN'T UNDERSTOOD AND INDEPENDENCE SUPPORTED DIPLOMATICALLY, THE UNITED STATES WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH ITS HARSHER ASSERTION WHEN THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY IS MILITARILY STRONGER AND POLITICALLY HOSTILE. /// OPT /// ... [MR.] HOLBROOKE, WHEN ASKED IN MAY WHAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT KOSOVO, REPLIED, 'I HAVE NO IDEA.' HE AND [PRESIDENT] CLINTON HAVE SPENT NINE MONTHS PROVING THAT POINT. /// END OPT /// TEXT: IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, HOWEVER, "THE OREGONIAN" SUPPORTS THE CURRENT U-S POLICY AS THE BEST WAY IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION. VOICE: /// OPT /// OF ALL THE PLACES THAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD JUST AS SOON IGNORE, KOSOVO CLAIMS A HIGH RANKING. IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE ... THERE ARE N O EASY SOLUTIONS ... AND NO VITAL U-S INTERESTS. WHAT THERE IS LIKELY TO BE, WITHOUT A FIRM AMERICAN ROLE, IS A MASSACRE. /// END OPT /// ... THIS WEEK, OUTSIDE PARIS, THE UNITED STATES AND FIVE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ... HAVE BROKERED A MEETING BETWEEN THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE K-L-A [KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY], AND PUT ON THE TABLE A THREE-YEAR PLAN TO REDUCE HOSTILITIES ... WITH ... TROOPS MAINTAINING ORDER. ... THE SERBIANS ARE RESISTING.... SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS MADE CLEAR THE AMERICAN WILLINGNESS TO CONTRIBUTE TROOPS -- OR ... PLANES FOR BOMBING RUNS IF SERBIA CONTINUES RESISTING. [MRS.] ALBRIGHT IS TAKING THE RIGHT POSITION. TEXT: AND LASTLY, THIS VIEW FROM ABOUT ONE-THOUSAND KILOMETERS DOWN THE WEST COAST, IN "THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE" WHICH SAYS, DESPITE THE CRITICS: VOICE: ... THE UNITED STATES, AS NATO'S LEADER AND PARTICULARLY AS NATO'S LEADER IN THE BALKANS, HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN KOSOVO. IT IS NOT A GOOD DIVISION OF LABOR FOR AMERICA TO PROVIDE THE BOMBS AND EUROPE THE SOLDIERS IN PEACEKEEPING. AS A GENUINE SECURITY PARTNERSHIP, WE SHOULD SHARE THE TASKS. ... THE JOB IS WORTH DOING. SHOULD CONGRESS DISAGREE, THE PRESIDENT, AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, SHOULD ACT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE NATION AND OF THE ALLIANCE. IN KOSOVO, AMERICA SHOULD BE SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER WITH IT ALLIES. TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL
OPINION ON U-S POLICY IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE.
[12] U-S / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245611 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AS NEGOTIATORS IN FRANCE CONTINUE PRESSING FOR AN END TO THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO, U-S SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS APPEALED DIRECTLY TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS. TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY MS. ALBRIGHT TELEPHONED THE YUGOSLAV LEADER DIRECTLY ON TUESDAY TO URGE HIM TO MEET WITH U-S ENVOY CHRISTOPHER HILL. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE SECRETARY WANTED MR. MILOSEVIC TO HEAR FIRST HAND WHAT WAS AT STATE AT THE PEACE TALKS IN FRANCE. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC HAS TWO CHOICES, ONE IS TO ACCEPT THE WESTERN BACKED PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO. // FOLEY ACT //IF HE REFUSES TO AGREE TO THE INTERIM SETTLEMENT OR TO AGREE TO A NATO PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE, TO FACE THE PROSPECT, THE VERY REAL PROSPECT OF NATO AIRSTRIKES. // END ACT //THE U-S ENVOY'S BRIEF TRIP TO BELGRADE TO SEE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC CAME AMID SIGNS THE PEACE TALKS WERE MAKING SOME PROGRESS. HOWEVER, DIPLOMATS SAY ANY FINAL DECISION TO ACCEPT THE U-S BACKED PEACE PLAN FOR KOSOVO AND THE PRESENCE OF NATO PEACEKEEPING TROOPS WILL BE UP TO MR. MILOSEVIC. THE SERBS HAVE BEEN ADAMANT ABOUT REFUSING ANY PEACEKEEPING
FORCE. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THAT REJECTION OF THE PEACEKEEPERS IS
THE SAME AS REJECTION OF THE PEACE PLAN.
U-S, BRITISH AND FRENCH OFFICIALS AT THE TALKS HAVE GIVEN THE
SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN DELEGATION FROM KOSOVO TWO WEEKS TO
REACH AGREEMENT. THE TIME IS UP ON SATURDAY. (SIGNED)
[13] TURKEY / E-U PIPELINE (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245596 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TURKEY IS TRYING TO GET EUROPEAN NATIONS TO BACK A TURKISH ROUTE TO BRING OIL FROM AZERBAIJAN TO WESTERN EUROPE. BUT AS V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS TURKEY FACES A DIFFICULT TASK. TEXT: AS THE EUROPEAN UNION GATHERS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE NEWLY INDEPENDENT STATES AND ROMANIA AND BULGARIA TO DISCUSS OIL AND GAS SUPPLY LINES TO EUROPE, TURKEY IS ONLY AN OBSERVER. THE MAPS OF TRANSPORTATION LINKS LEAVE TURKEY BLANK. THE EUROPEAN UNION MAPS INDICATE THE LACK OF EUROPEAN ENTHUSIASM FOR TURKEY'S PROPOSAL TO BUILD A PIPELINE FROM THE AZERI CAPITAL, BAKU, TO THE TURKISH MEDITERRANEAN SEA PORT OF CEYHAN (JAY-HAN) THE TURKS SAY THE PROJECT WILL COST TWO-POINT-FOUR-BILLION DOLLARS AND THE PIPELINE HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS AZERBAIJAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION. BUT RUSSIA DOES NOT WANT TO LOSE CONTROL OF CASPIAN ENERGY SUPPLIES. MOSCOW HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR SUPPORT OF CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE PORTS IN RUSSIA AND GEORGIA. TURKEY OPPOSES THESE ALTERNATIVES BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE HEAVIER OIL TANKER TRAFFIC THROUGH THE ALREADY CROWDED BOSPORUS WHICH DIVIDES ISTANBUL. MITHAT BALKAN FROM TURKEY'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET SUPPORT FROM ALL 15 MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR THE TURKISH PIPELINE. /// BALKAN ACT ///IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION WHEN ONE MEMBER STATE, EVEN ONE MEMBER STATE, OPPOSES A DECISION ON ANYTHING TO COME OUT WITH A JOINT APPROACH TO ANY QUESTION. AND I THINK THERE ARE POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION ITSELF. A GREAT MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRIES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION SEE THE COMMON INTEREST BUT THEY CANNOT COME TOGETHER TO MAKE THEIR VOICES, THEIR APPROACH, MUCH CLEARER. /// END ACT ///ALTHOUGH MR. BALKAN DOES NOT NAME GREECE AS THE ONE STATE BLOCKING THE EUROPEAN UNION FROM SUPPORTING THE PIPELINE, IT IS CLEAR FROM THE REMARKS OF OTHER TURKISH OFFICIALS. // OPT //TURKEY HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP ON POLITICAL GROUNDS, PRINCIPALLY BECAUSE OF ITS TREATMENT OF ITS KURDISH MINORITY. MR. BALKAN TELLS V-O-A THE EUROPEAN UNION NEEDS TURKEY. /// BALKAN ACT ///TURKEY HAS SPECIAL TIES WITH THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL ASIA AND CAUCASUS. BY SPECIAL TIES, I MEAN LANGUAGE, HISTORY, CULTURE. AND IT HAS SPECIAL TIES WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION. IT HAS A CUSTOMS UNION. ITS TRADE IS MORE THAN 50 PERCENT WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION. SO THE MORE RELATIONS ARE IMPROVED BETWEEN TURKEY, BOTH WITH CENTRAL ASIA AND EUROPE, THE CLOSER THEY WILL GET TO EACH OTHER. /// END ACT ///// OPT //NEB/RDP/JWH 16-Feb-99 1:53 PM EST (1853 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America [14] BURMA / E-U (L ONLY) BY GARY THOMAS (BANGKOK)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245563 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BURMA'S FOREIGN MINISTER IS ON A TOUR OF FELLOW MEMBER STATES OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS. EXPECTED TO BE DISCUSSED IS A SIMMERING DISPUTE OVER BURMA, BETWEEN ASEAN AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, THAT THREATENS TO SCUTTLE AN E-U / ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING. AS VOA SOUTHEAST ASIA CORRESPONDENT GARY THOMAS REPORTS, EFFORTS TO REACH A COMPROMISE HAVE SO FAR BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. TEXT: AS BURMA'S FOREIGN MINISTER WIN AUNG TALKS WITH FELLOW SOUTHEAST ASIAN OFFICIALS, GERMANY IS TALKING WITH EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS IN A DESPERATE BID TO HEAD OFF A COLLAPSE OF NEXT MONTH'S E-U / ASEAN MINISTERIAL MEETING. A GERMAN EMBASSY SPOKESMAN IN BANGKOK SAYS IT IS DIFFICULT FOR E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS TO ACCEPT THE PRESENCE OF THEIR BURMESE COUNTERPART AT THE E-U / ASEAN MEETING, BECAUSE OF WHAT HE TERMED BURMA'S "UNSATISFACTORY" HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. HE SAID BURMA HAS TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT HE CALLS "SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS" ON HUMAN RIGHTS. ONLY THEN, HE ADDS, WILL SEVERAL COUNTRIES -- INCLUDING BRITAIN, NORWAY, DENMARK, AND THE NETHERLANDS -- DROP THEIR OBJECTIONS TO BURMA'S PARTICIPATION. ASKED WHAT "SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS" MEANS, THE GERMAN SPOKESMAN SAYS THAT IS A JUDGMENT TO BE MADE BY THE CONCERNED EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS. BUT HE ADDS THAT THE RELEASE OF ONE POLITICAL PRISONER IS NOT LIKELY TO SATISFY THAT REQUIREMENT. LAST WEEK, THE BURMESE GOVERNMENT RELEASED A DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST SERVING A 20-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE, ON WHAT IT CALLED "HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS." SHE WAS IMPRISONED IN 1993 FOR DISTRIBUTING ANTI-GOVERNMENT LEAFLETS. GERMANY CURRENTLY HOLDS THE REVOLVING PRESIDENCY OF THE E-U AND IS HOST TO THE E-U / ASEAN MEETING, SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 30TH IN BERLIN. THE EMBASSY SPOKESMAN SAYS THAT AS PRESIDENT, GERMANY IS ANXIOUS FOR THE MEETING TO TAKE PLACE AS PLANNED. BUT THERE HAS SO FAR BEEN LITTLE PROGRESS TO REPORT ON A COMPROMISE. A BANGKOK NEWSPAPER QUOTES AN UNNAMED THAI FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIAL AS SAYING THAILAND IS NOT VERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CHANCES FOR THE MEETING. THE DISPUTE FORCED THE CANCELLATION OF AN ASEAN / E-U SENIOR OFFICIALS MEETING IN BANGKOK LAST MONTH. WITH ITS ADOPTED STANCE OF "NON-INTERFERENCE" IN INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF MEMBER STATES, ASEAN AS A GROUP DOES NOT WANT HUMAN RIGHTS ON AGENDA. HOWEVER, THAT VIEW VARIES AMONG INDIVIDUAL STATES. BUT THE GERMAN SPOKESMAN SAYS THE ASEAN / E-U DIALOGUE HAS ALWAYS INCLUDED POLITICAL ISSUES, INCLUDING HUMAN RIGHTS. BURMESE FOREIGN MINISTER WIN AUNG HEADS FOR SINGAPORE THURSDAY,
ON A TOUR THAT ALSO TAKES HIM TO THAILAND, INDONESIA, AND BRUNEI.
SINGAPORE IS BURMA'S BIGGEST TRADING PARTNER AND INVESTOR, AND
TRADE IS HIGH ON THE AGENDA. BUT DIPLOMATIC ANALYSTS SAY THEY
EXPECT WIN AUNG TO ALSO DISCUSS THE ASEAN / E-U DISPUTE.
(SIGNED)
[15] FRANCE / AIDS BLOOD (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245600 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE TRIAL OF A FORMER FRENCH PRIME MINISTER ACCUSED OF ALLOWING THE DISTRIBUTION OF AIDS-TAINTED BLOOD ENTERED ITS SECOND WEEK TUESDAY. JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS SOME OF THE JUDGES ARE CRITICIZING THE SPECIAL COURT SET UP TO TRY THE CASE. TEXT: THE TRIAL OF FORMER FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LAURENT FABIUS AND TWO OF HIS MINISTERS APPEARS SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED BY AN ONSLAUGHT OF CRITICISM OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE SPECIAL COURT. THE COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC, CREATED IN 1993, CONVENED FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST WEEK TO TRY THE THREE FORMER MINISTERS TO ESTABLISH WHETHER THEY BEAR ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS TAINTED WITH THE AIDS H-I-V VIRUS IN 1985. // OPT //THE COURT IS MADE UP OF THREE PROFESSIONAL JUDGES AND 12 MEMBERS OF THE TWO HOUSES OF THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT, WHO MOSTLY HAVE A LEGAL BACKGROUND. AS THE TRIAL ENTERED ITS SECOND WEEK, SEVERAL OF THE PARLIAMENTARY JUDGES OPENLY CRITICIZED THE FUNCTIONING OF THE COURT AND THE WAY THE TRIAL IS BEING HANDLED BY THE MAIN JUDGE. THEY ACCUSE HIM OF NOT BEING FULLY ACQUAINTED WITH THE CASE AND OF MAKING ERRORS OF PROCEDURE THAT COULD INVALIDATE THE TRIAL. THE LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE SPECIAL COURT HAS GROWN SO SERIOUS THAT THE PARIS LAWYERS' ASSOCIATION OFFICIALLY EXPRESSED ITS CONCERN. THE HEARING IS EXPECTED TO LAST ANOTHER TWO WEEKS AND THE MINISTERS COULD FACE UP TO THREE YEARS IN JAIL FOR CHARGES THAT INCLUDE MANSLAUGHTER. /// REST OPT ///ONE WITNESS TO TAKE THE STAND TUESDAY WAS PROFESSOR JACQUES ROUX, A FORMER HEAD OF THE FRENCH HEALTH SERVICE. ALREADY SENTENCED HIMSELF IN THE CASE TO A SUSPENDED JAIL TERM IN 1992, DR. ROUX DENIED THAT THE MINISTERS ON TRIAL HAD DELAYED THE INTRODUCTION OF AN AMERICAN AIDS TEST IN FEBRUARY 1985, PREFERRING, AS HAS BEEN CHARGED, TO AWAIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A FRENCH TEST. DR. ROUX, WHO WAS AT THE TIME A MEMBER OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF THE FRENCH COMMUNIST PARTY, SAID FRANCE HAD TAKEN ONLY TWO WEEKS TO APPROVE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE AMERICAN ABBOTT TEST. SAYING THERE HAD NEVER BEEN ANY FRENCH PROTECTIONISM IN SUCH A
VITAL PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR, DR. ROUX INSTEAD ACCUSED THE UNITED
STATES OF FAVORING ITS OWN TESTS BY WAITING A YEAR AND ONE-HALF
TO GIVE THE EQUIVALENT FRENCH TEST A LICENSE. (SIGNED)
[16] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=2/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245608 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE GENERALLY UP TODAY (TUESDAY) ALTHOUGH THERE WAS CONTINUED WEAKNESS IN SOME TECHNOLOGY STOCKS. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 92 HUNDRED 97, UP 22 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 12 HUNDRED 41, UP 11 POINTS. STOCK PRICES RALLIED STRONGLY EARLY IN THE SESSION REFLECTING STRENGTH IN THE BOND MARKET WHICH DROVE INTEREST RATES DOWN. BUT SELLING PRESSURE DEVELOPED LATER IN THE DAY, ESPECIALLY AMONG MANY HIGH TECHNOLOGY STOCKS. THERE WAS SOME ANXIETY ABOUT THE EARNINGS OF THE DELL COMPUTER COMPANY. AFTER THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED, DELL REPORTED QUARTERLY PROFITS WHICH WERE IN-LINE WITH WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS AND ANNOUNCED A TWO-FOR-ONE STOCK SPLIT. ///BEGIN OPT///ACUFF ACT/// AS LONG AS THE EARNINGS ENVIRONMENT IS FOR SLOW OR NO GROWTH, THE STOCK MARKET WILL BECOME INCREASINGLY DEPENDENT ON A DECLINE IN INTEREST RATES. ///END ACT & OPT///DELTA AIRLINES, THE THIRD LARGEST IN THE UNITED STATES, WILL PAY 700 MILLION DOLLARS FOR ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES, A REGIONAL CARRIER. DELTA SAYS IT DOES NOT ANTICIPATE ANY LABOR PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE TAKEOVER. ///REST OPT///SERVICE AT AMERICAN AIRLINES IS ALMOST BACK TO NORMAL FOLLOWING A 10-DAY "SICK OUT" BY PILOTS IN A DISPUTE OVER PAY FOR PILOTS AT RENO AIR, A REGIONAL CARRIER RECENTLY ACQUIRED BY AMERICAN. AMERICAN AIRLINES SAYS THE JOB ACTION COST IT MORE THAN 75 MILLION DOLLARS IN LOST REVENUE. THE STOCK OF NAVISTAR, THE U-S TRUCK AND BUS MAKER, JUMPED MORE THAN 10 PERCENT ON RUMORS THAT VOLVO OF SWEDEN MAY ACQUIRE NAVISTAR. NEITHER COMPANY WOULD COMMENT. ANALYSTS SAY THAT VOLVO, WHICH RECENTLY AGREED TO SELL ITS AUTO BUSINESS TO THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY, MAY WANT TO INCREASE ITS PRESENCE IN THE INTERNATIONAL TRUCK MARKET. A STRONG CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON HELPED THE WAL-MART DISCOUNT STORE CHAIN TO A RECORD QUARTERLY PROFIT OF ONE POINT SIX BILLION DOLLARS. SPIEGEL, THE CATALOG AND RETAIL STORE OPERATOR, REPORTED A 30 PERCENT INCREASE IN QUARTERLY EARNINGS, WELL AHEAD OF WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS. THE WORLD JEWISH CONGRESS SAYS IT WILL NOW TURN ITS ATTENTION TO
FRANCE AFTER 12 GERMAN COMPANIES HAVE AGREED TO ESTABLISH A FUND
WHICH WILL PAY VICTIMS OF THE NAZI HOLOCAUST AND THEIR HEIRS. THE
JEWISH CONGRESS SAYS THERE ARE QUESTIONS REGARDING BILLIONS OF
DOLLARS WHICH MAY BE OWED TO HOLOCAUST VICTIMS BY FRENCH BANKS
AND THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/WFR
[17] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=02/16/99TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11148 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ////////INTRO: THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS AND PROSPECTS FOR LONG TERM PEACE IN THAT TROUBLED YUGOSLAV PROVINCE DOMINATE THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF TUESDAY'S U-S PAPERS. OTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDE: ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ACQUITTAL; THE PRESIDENT IN MEXICO; THE AMERICAN AIRLINES JOB ACTION; AND A NEW, MORE CONSERVATION-ORIENTED DIRECTION FOR THE U-S FOREST SERVICE. NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: TODAY'S "OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND LAMENTS THE ETHNIC TENSION IN KOSOVO, AND SUPPORTS THE PROSPECT OF U-S TROOP INVOLVEMENT THERE TO HELP KEEP THE PEACE. VOICE: OF ALL THE PLACES THAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD JUST AS SOON IGNORE, KOSOVO CLAIMS A HIGH RANKING. IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE ... THERE ARE N O EASY SOLUTIONS ... AND NO VITAL U-S INTERESTS. WHAT THERE IS LIKELY TO BE, WITHOUT A FIRM AMERICAN ROLE, IS A MASSACRE. ... THIS WEEK, OUTSIDE PARIS, THE UNITED STATES AND FIVE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ... HAVE BROKERED A MEETING BETWEEN THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE K-L-A [KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY], AND PUT ON THE TABLE A THREE-YEAR PLAN TO REDUCE HOSTILITIES ... WITH ... TROOPS MAINTAINING ORDER. ... THE SERBIANS ARE RESISTING ... SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS MADE CLEAR THE AMERICAN WILLINGNESS TO CONTRIBUTE TROOPS -- OR ... PLANES FOR BOMBING RUNS IF SERBIA CONTINUES RESISTANT. [MRS.] ALBRIGHT IS TAKING THE RIGHT POSITION. TEXT: HOWEVER, "THE MIAMI HERALD" CALLS THE ASSIGNMENT "MISSION IMPOSSIBLE" ADDING: "DON'T SEND IN G-I'S UNTIL THERE'S AN EXIT STRATEGY AND A CHANCE TO SUCCEED. VOICE: ... IF MONDAY'S ROUND OF TALKS AT RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE, WAS ANY INDICATION, THE SITUATION IS NOT YET RIPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL PEACEKEEPING MISSION. ... YET THIS IS THE CHASM INTO WHICH MR. CLINTON WOULD SEND U-S GROUND TROOPS. MARCHING INTO IT WOULD VIOLATE A BASIC TENET OF MILITARY STRATEGY AND TACTICS: NEVER GRAB THE LOW GROUND FIRST. /// OPT ///... IF THE KOSOVO QUAGMIRE TURNS INTO 'ANOTHER SOMALIA, ' IT COULD SAP [DEPLETE] AMERICA'S WILL TO INTERVENE IN FUTURE SITUATIONS IN WHICH MILITARY REALITY, MORAL IMPERATIVES, AND THE NATIONAL INTEREST ALL SUGGEST THAT INTERVENTION IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" DISAGREES WITH "THE MIAMI HERALD," SUGGESTING: VOICE: ... MANY AMERICANS WILL ASK WHY THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD SEND MORE U-S FORCES TO THE BALKANS, WHERE SEVERAL THOUSAND ALREADY SERVE AS PEACEKEEPERS IN BOSNIA. THE ANSWER: BY DOING SO, WE NOT ONLY SERVE U-S INTERESTS WITH MINIMUM RISK, BUT ALSO SPEED THE DAY WHEN OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES WILL BEAR THE MAJOR BURDEN FOR KEEPING THEIR CONTINENT STABLE. ... THE UNITED STATES CANNOT POLICE THE ENTIRE GLOBE ... [BUT] ... UNTIL THE EUROPEANS CAN DO ALL THEIR OWN HEAVY LIFTING, WASHINGTON MUST HELP THEM OUT. /// END OPT ///TEXT: BOSTON'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS REGISTERING ITS VIEWS ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S IMPEACHMENT ACQUITTAL. VOICE: AMERICANS HAVE DEMONSTRATED TIME AND AGAIN THAT THEY WANT DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TO COOPERATE. NOW IT IS TIME FOR HEALING AND FOR GETTING ON WITH THE NATION'S BUSINESS. /// OPT /// WHAT WASHINGTON COULD MOST USE, AT THIS TIME OF INCREASED INTEREST IN SPIRITUAL MATTERS IN AMERICA, ARE THE QUALITIES JESUS SET FORTH IN HIS SERMON ON THE MOUNT: HUMILITY, REPENTANCE, PATIENCE, SPIRITUALITY, COMPASSION, MORALITY, PEACEMAKING, SELF-RESTRAINT. ... THEY ARE VALUES THAT DEMAND MORE THAN LIP SERVICE FROM THE NATION'S LEADERS. /// END OPT TEXT: SPEAKING OF THE PRESIDENT, THERE IS A COMMENT FROM "THE MIAMI HERALD" ON HIS RECENT VISIT TO MEXICO, TO DISCUSS ILLICIT DRUGS. THE PAPER FINDS THIS NATION'S DRUG CERTIFICATION LAW COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE. VOICE: THE TRIP'S TIMING ... SQUARELY PUT THE FOCUS ON NARCOTICS TRAFFIC, A PERSISTENT THORN IN THE SIDE OF BOTH COUNTRIES AND THEIR RELATIONS. IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, PRESIDENT CLINTON MUST PRONOUNCE WHICH NATIONS ARE U-S ALLIES AGAINST ILLICIT DRUGS. BY LAW, NATIONS DEEMED NOT COOPERATIVE ARE 'DECERTIFIED' AND LOSE TRADE AND AID BENEFITS. ... WHILE THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THAT MEXICO IS DOING ALL IT CAN, CRITICS POINT TO ITS DISMAL RECORD IN DRUG SEIZURES AND EXTRADITION OF DRUG SUSPECTS. ... BUT THE POINT ISN'T MEXICO'S ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS ... THE PROBLEM IS THE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE CERTIFICATION LAW, WHICH FORCES THE ADMINISTRATION TO PUT ON AN ANNUAL SHAM RITUAL THAT STEAMS [ANGERS] EVEN U-S ALLIES. WITH REASON: HOW HYPOCRITICAL IS IT THAT THE WORLD'S BIGGEST CONSUMER OF ILLEGAL DRUGS POINTS THE FINGER AT THOSE WHO FILL THE SEDUCTIVE DEMAND? TEXT: AMERICAN AIRLINES PILOTS GET LITTLE SYMPATHY FROM "USA TODAY." THE PILOTS ARE RETURNING TO WORK TODAY AFTER ALMOST TEN DAYS DURING WHICH MANY OF THEM CALLED IN SICK TO PROTEST THEIR COMPANY'S PURCHASE OF A LOWER-PAYING AIRLINE, RENO AIR. USA TODAY WRITES: VOICE: IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO MUSTER [AROUSE] SYMPATHY FOR AMERICAN AIRLINES' 92-HUNDRED PILOTS. THE WHITE-COLLAR UNION MEMBERS, WHOSE SIX-FIGURE INCOMES PUT THEM IN THE RICHEST FIVE PERCENT OF U-S HOUSEHOLDS AND WHO ARE BARRED FROM WORKING MORE THAN 100 HOURS A MONTH, CAUSED A LABOR SLOWDOWN THAT HAS SINCE FEBRUARY SIXTH STRANDED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TRAVELERS - - ALL OVER AN OBSCURE, MINOR BELLYACHE [DISPUTE] ABOUT PAY. /// OPT TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS, INCLUDING "THE NEW YORK TIMES," ARE HAILING A NEW DIRECTION IN THE U-S FOREST SERVICE WHICH, "THE TIMES" NOTES, APPEARS TO HAVE SHED ITS TRADITIONAL, PRO-BUSINESS POSITION FOR A MORE CONSERVATIONIST OUTLOOK VOICE: FROM THE DAY HE ASSUMED CONTROL OF THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE TWO YEARS AGO, MICHAEL DOMBECK MADE CLEAR ... HIS FIRST PRIORITY WOULD BE THE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AS OPPOSED TO THEIR EXPLOITATION. ... GIVEN THE OBSTINATE ATTITUDES OF THE LOGGING INDUSTRY AND ITS OBEDIENT FRIENDS IN CONGRESS, CONSERVATIONISTS GAVE HIM LITTLE CHANCE OF SUCCEEDING. IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, HOWEVER, MR. DOMBECK HAS BEGUN TO MAKE GOOD ON HIS PROMISES IN IMPORTANT WAYS. FIRST HE ANNOUNCED A BAN ON MINING ALONG THE 100-MILE ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT .... THEN LAST THURSDAY HE ANNOUNCED A LONG-AWAITED 18-MONTH SUSPENSION OF ... NEW LOGGING ROADS IN MUCH OF THE UNDEVELOPED BACK COUNTRY OF THE NATIONAL FORESTS. /// OPT ///TEXT: LASTLY, THE ISSUE OF FREE SPEECH ON THE INTERNET DRAWS A COMMENT FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES," WHICH SUGGESTS THAT THE CHILD ONLINE PROTECTION ACT OF 1998 WAS A FLAWED ATTEMPT BY CONGRESS TO GUARD CHILDREN, WITHOUT TAKING ADULT FREEDOM INTO ACCOUNT. "BETTER OPTIONS EXIST" SAYS "THE TIMES." VOICE: FILTERING SOFTWARE CAN PROTECT CHILDREN FROM ON-LINE PORNOGRAPHY MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN A LAW THAT INFRINGES ON THE RIGHTS OF ADULTS. /// END OPT ///TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S
U-S PAPERS.
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