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Voice of America, 99-03-16Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] KOSOVO FIRES (L ONLY) BY PHILIP SMUCKER (PRILUZJE, KOSOVO)DATE=3/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246699 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SERB FORCES HAVE ATTACKED ETHNIC-ALBANIAN VILLAGES ABOUT 20 KILOMETERS NORTH OF THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA. PHILIP SMUCKER REPORTS FROM THE SERB VILLAGE OF PRILUZJE. TEXT: SERBIAN SPECIAL FORCES MARCHED TUESDAY INTO THE BURNING ETHNIC-ALBANIAN VILLAGES OF GLAVOTINA, BIVOLJAK, AND STROVCE. HAYSTACKS AND HOMES WERE SET ABLAZE. A FEW HUNDRED METERS FROM THE BURNING HOMES, RESIDENTS OF A SERB VILLAGE, PRILUZJE, STOOD WATCHING THE FIRES AND SHELLING. ONE SERBIAN BOY DESCRIBED THE FIGHTING. /// BOY ACT - IN SERBIAN - FADE UNDER ///THE BOY SAID THE BURNING VILLAGE HAD BEEN USED BY ALBANIAN REBEL SNIPERS TO SHOOT AT HIS VILLAGE. SERB MILITARY OFFICIALS CONFISCATED FILM OF THE BURNING VILLAGES MADE BY TWO EUROPEAN JOURNALISTS. THE SERB OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE CONDUCTING A PROFESSIONAL COUNTER-INSURGENCY CAMPAIGN. THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGERS HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS AS THE YUGOSLAV ARMY HAS MOUNTED WHAT IT CALLS "WINTER MILITARY EXERCISES" ACROSS THE TROUBLED PROVINCE. MEANWHILE, OFFICIALS IN THE MONITORING MISSION CHARGED WITH OVERSEEING KOSOVO'S SHATTERED CEASEFIRE SAID THAT TWO SERBIAN TANKS AND TWO LARGE SELF-GUIDED MISSILE CARRIERS ARRIVED TUESDAY IN KOSOVO. THE WEAPONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING KOSOVO UNDER THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT. ONE WESTERN OFFICIAL SAID THE MONITORING MISSION HAD NO
EVIDENCE SO FAR FROM THE SERB SIDE THAT IT IS WILLING TO GIVE
PEACE A CHANCE. (SIGNED)
[02] KOSOVO TALKS (S/L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PARIS)DATE=3/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246676 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE KOSOVO TALKS CONTINUE IN PARIS WITH PRESSURE MOUNTING ON THE SERB DELEGATION TO FOLLOW THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND APPROVE THE PEACE PACKAGE TO END THE CONFLICT. AS CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM THE CONFERENCE SITE, THE SERBS HAVE GIVEN THE NEGOTIATORS A LONG LIST OF CONCERNS ABOUT THE FINAL DOCUMENT. TEXT: THE SERB DELEGATION DISMISSES THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN DECISION TO SIGN THE PEACE PLAN AS PREMATURE AND SAYS THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE NOT OVER YET. THE SERBS ARE STILL GOING OVER POINTS OF THE DOCUMENT THEY WANT CLARIFIED OR AMENDED. BUT THE MEDIATORS SAY THERE IS VERY LITTLE ROOM FOR CHANGES, NOW THAT THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE APPROVED THE DOCUMENT. ON MONDAY, THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS SAID THEY ARE READY TO SIGN THE 83-PAGE PEACE PLAN, WHENEVER THE CO-CHAIRMEN OF THE PEACE TALKS WANT IT. THE FRENCH AND BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE DELAYING THAT SIGNATURE WHILE THEY TRY TO GET THE SERBS TO SIGN TOO. BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK HAS WARNED THE SERBS THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT. THE SERBS STILL OPPOSE THE PRESENCE OF NATO TROOPS IN KOSOVO TO GUARANTEE ANY PEACE AGREEMENT. ///OPT THE REST FOR SHORT VERSION ///NATO HAS THREATENED AIR STRIKES IF THE SERBS DO NOT APPROVE THE FULL PEACE PACKAGE, WHICH INCLUDES THE PEACEKEEPERS. THE INTERIM AGREEMENT FOR KOSOVO CALLS FOR THREE YEARS OF AUTONOMY, WITH A NEW CONSTITUTION, AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND POLICE FORCE FOR THE MOSTLY-ETHNIC ALBANIAN PROVINCE. THE PEACE PACKAGE RELIES ON A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE TO GUARANTEE ITS IMPLEMENTATION. EVEN THOUGH THE NEGOTIATORS HAVE NOT SET A DEADLINE FOR THIS
ROUND OF TALKS, THEY DO NOT WANT IT TO LAST MORE THAN A FEW
DAYS. NOW THAT THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE AGREED TO SIGN THE
DOCUMENT, THE PRESSURE HAS INCREASED ON THE SERBS TO DO THE SAME
AND TO DO IT QUICKLY. (SIGNED)
[03] KOSOVO TALKS (L UPDATE) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (PARIS)DATE=3/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246706 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE KOSOVO PEACE TALKS ARE CONTINUING IN PARIS WITH NO SIGN THE SERB DELEGATION IS ANY CLOSER TO SIGNING A PEACE PLAN, WHICH INCLUDES A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN PARIS REPORTS THE NEGOTIATORS WILL ASSESS WHETHER ANY PROGRESS IS BEING MADE BEFORE DETERMINING WHETHER TO CONTINUE THE TALKS. TEXT: THE SERB DELEGATION SPENT THE DAY TRYING TO RAISE NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLITICAL ASPECTS OF THE PEACE PLAN. SERB REPUBLIC PRESIDENT MILAN MILUTINOVIC SAYS THE SERBS WOULD BE READY TO SIGN THE POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IF THE NEGOTIATORS ACCEPT WHAT HE CALLS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DOCUMENT. /// MILUTINOVIC ACT ///WE ARE READY TO SIGN THE POLITICAL AGREEMENT, BUT I UNDERLINE POLITICAL AGREEMENT. OF COURSE IF THEY ACCEPT ADJUSTMENTS WHICH WE SUBMITTED TO THE CONTACT GROUP AND THE TROIKA (MEDIATORS) AND EVERYBODY FOLLOWING THE RAMBOUILLET PROCESS. SO IF THEY ACCEPT IT WE WILL SIGN. /// END ACT ///THE NEGOTIATORS WILL NOT DISCUSS ANY SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO THE DOCUMENT AND ARE WAITING FOR THE SERB DECISION ON THE WHOLE PEACE PACKAGE. SO FAR, THE SERBS DO NOT WANT TO DISCUSS IMPLEMENTATION, WHICH INCLUDES NATO PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO. VETON SURROI OF THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN DELEGATION SAYS THE SERB PROPOSALS FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE POLITICAL SETTLEMENT ARE AIMED AT UNDERMINING THE PEACE PROCESS. /// SURROI ACT ///WE THINK THAT BY THEIR ATTEMPT TO REOPEN THE WHOLE PACKAGE, THEY ARE TRYING TO DELAY AND BLOCK THE WHOLE PROCESS. I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY ANYONE. /// END ACT //THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO SIGN THE 83-PAGE
INTERIM AUTONOMY AGREEMENT. THE DELEGATION SPENT MOST THE DAY
TUESDAY DISCUSSING THE DETAILS OF IMPLEMENTATION WITH ADVISORS
FROM NATO AND THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION. THEY ALSO MET
WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO TALK ABOUT
KOSOVO'S RECONSTRUCTION. (SIGNED)
[04] KOSOVO FORCES (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=3/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246726 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THE SERB-DOMINATED YUGOSLAV ARMY IS BUILDING UP ITS DEFENSES AGAINST NATO PLANES AND GROUND FORCES AROUND THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. THE MILITARY MOVEMENTS FOLLOW NATO'S REPEATED THREATS TO BOMB YUGOSLAV TARGETS IF THE SERBS FAIL TO REACH A PEACE AGREEMENT WITH ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS IN KOSOVO. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: MR. BACON SAYS THE SERBS ARE PREPARING FOR WAR, BUT STILL PARTICIPATING IN THE PEACE TALKS NEAR PARIS. HE SAYS THE NEWEST REPORTS SHOW SOME OF YUGOSLAVIA'S MOST CAPABLE TANKS ARE MOVING INTO POSITION IN KOSOVO. /// BACON ACT ///THE MOST DISTURBING REPORT CAME FROM THE KOSOVO VERIFICATION MISSION THIS MORNING THAT THE SERBS HAVE MOVED IN SEVEN T-72 TANKS INTO KOSOVO. /// END ACT ///THE TANKS JOIN 14-THOUSAND TO 18-THOUSAND SERBIAN TROOPS ALREADY ON DUTY IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. MANY OF THOSE TROOPS ARE APPARENTLY MASSED ALONG THE PROVINCE'S BORDER WITH THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA. MACEDONIA IS CURRENTLY HOSTING (12-THOUSAND) TROOPS FROM SEVERAL NATO NATIONS. THE SOLDIERS ARE ORGANIZING THE 28-THOUSAND MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE THAT WOULD BE ORDERED INTO KOSOVO IF A PEACE AGREEMENT IS EVENTUALLY SIGNED. // OPT //MR. BACON SAYS SERBIAN COMMANDERS SEEM WORRIED THAT NATO WILL INVADE KOSOVO. HE SAYS THE ALLIANCE TROOPS WILL ENTER THE TROUBLED PROVINCE ONLY IF A PEACE AGREEMENT IS SIGNED AND THE SERBS AND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS INVITE THEM IN. TOP NATO OFFICIALS HAVE REPEATED THEIR THREATS TO USE AIR STRIKES
TO ENCOURAGE SERBS AND KOSOVARS TO REACH AGREEMENT. THE THREATS
ARE BACKED UP BY SOME 400 NATO WARPLANES. THE AIR ARMADA IS
APPARENTLY PROMPTING SERB COMMANDERS TO REPOSITION SOME OF THEIR
AIR DEFENSE MISSILES AND ARTILLERY, IN THE HOPE OF COUNTERING
POSSIBLE AIR ATTACKS. (SIGNED)
[05] EUROPE FRAUD (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=3/15/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246665 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, JACQUES SANTER, AND ALL 20 MEMBERS EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE RESIGNED. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, THE MOVE CAME AFTER A GROUP OF INDEPENDENT EXPERTS BLAMED THE COMMISSION FOR CASES OF MISMANAGEMENT. TEXT: PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER THE LEADER OF THE LARGEST BLOC IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SAID SHE WOULD SPONSOR A MOTION OF CENSURE AGAINST THE COMMISSIONERS, UNLESS THEY RESIGNED. MR. SANTER'S REMARKS WERE INTERPRETED: /// SANTER ACT W/ INTERPRETATION ///LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IN THE LIGHT OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF INDEPENDENT EXPERTS, THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION HAVE DECIDED THIS EVENING UNANIMOUSLY TO RESIGN COLLECTIVELY. /// END ACT ///AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER FRANZ FISCHLER EXPLAINS THE COMMISSION
LOST THE TRUST OF A MAJOR EUROPEAN INSTITUTION. THE REPORT BY
THE EXPERTS HOLDS ALL THE COMMISSIONERS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSTANCES
OF FRAUD, IRREGULARITIES OR MISMANAGEMENT OF SERVICES. THE
EXPERTS SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND ANYONE ON THE COMMISSION
WHO HAD EVEN THE SLIGHTEST SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY. (SIGNED)
[06] EUROPE-FRAUD (L-UPDATE) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=3/15/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246666 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: THIS REPLACES CR 2-246651 -- NEW THROUGHOUT ///INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S EXECUTIVE BODY, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, HAS RESIGNED. PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER AND HIS 20 COMMISSIONERS TOOK THE ACTION EARLY TODAY (TUESDAY -- AFTER MIDNIGHT MONDAY LOCAL TIME) FOLLOWING A GROUP OF INDEPENDENT EXPERTS CONCLUDED THE WHOLE COMMISSION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CASES OF CORRUPTION AND CRONYISM. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS ON THE REASONS FOR THE HISTORIC MOVE. TEXT: THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE NEARLY HALF-CENTURY HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION THAT ITS COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO RESIGN. THEIR MOVE CAME SHORTLY AFTER (PAULINE GREEN) THE LEADER OF THE SOCIALIST BLOC, THE BIGGEST GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, SAID SHE WOULD SPONSOR A MOTION OF CENSURE IF THE COMMISSION DID NOT RESIGN. PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT A FEW HOURS LATER, SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER: /// SANTER ACT ///LADIES AND GENTLEMEN IN THE LIGHT OF THE REPORT OFTHE COMMITTEE OF INDEPENDENT EXPERTS, THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION HAVE DECIDED THIS EVENING UNANIMOUSLY TO RESIGN COLLECTIVELY. THE COMMISSION IS THUS ASSUMING ITS RESPONSIBILITIES IN LINE WITH THE COMMITMENT IT GAVE TO ACCEPT THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF INDEPENDENT EXPERTS. /// END ACT ///THE COMMITTEE OF INDEPENDENT EXPERTS CRITICIZED THE COMMISSION COLLECTIVELY. THE FIVE AUDITORS SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FIND ANYONE ON THE COMMISSION WHO HAS EVEN THE SLIGHTEST SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY. THE MOST DAMAGING EVIDENCE FROM THE EXPERTS IS DIRECTED AT ONE COMMISSIONER, FORMER FRENCH PRIME MINISTER EDITH CRESSON. NOW THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR RESEARCH, SHE IS ACCUSED OF HIRING HER DENTIST AS AN INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC ADVISER. MRS. CRESSON IS NAMED IN ANOTHER SECTION FOR IGNORING MISMANGEMENT OF AN OUTSIDE AGENCY THAT SQUANDERED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN A YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAM. HOWEVER, THE REPORT HOLDS ALL 20 COMMISIONERS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSTANCES OF FRAUD, IRREGULARITIES OR MISMANAGEMENT OF SERVICES. AT THE SAME TIME THE EXPERTS CAUTION THAT NO COMMISSIONER GAINED FINANCIALLY FROM ANY OF THESE CASES. THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SET UP THE EXPERTS PANEL IN JANUARY, AFTER IT FAILED TO REMOVE THE COMMISSIONERS IN A CONFIDENCE VOTE. MRS. GREEN SAYS THE EXPERTS HAVE REVEALED MORE EVIDENCE OF WRONGDOING WITHIN THE COMMISSION. ONE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER, BRITISH CONSERVATIVE EDWARD MCMILLAN-SCOTT, AYS THE REPORT VINDICATES HIS EARLIER SUSPICIONS. /// MCMILLAN-SCOTT ACT ///WHAT IT DOES DO IS CRITICIZE THE COLLEGE OF COMMISSIONERS, AND CONFIRMS A CULTURE OF COVER-UP AND CRONYISM AND AMOUNTS IN MY VIEW TO A CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE ON THE PART OF THE COMMISSION AS A WHOLE. /// END ACT ///THE PARLIAMENT'S MOVE AGAINST THE COMMISSION BEGAN WITH A REPORT BY A EUROPEAN COMMISSION AUDITOR, WHO WAS PUT ON LEAVE WITH HALF SALARY. THE COMMISSION ACCUSED PAUL VON BUITENEM OF LEAKING HIS CONCLUSIONS. MR. VAN BUITENEM TAKES PLEASURE IN THE EXPERTS' REPORT. /// VAN BUITENEM ACT ///FOR ME, THE IMPORTANCE OF THE REPORT IS NOT WHETHER MY ALLEGATIONS ARE CONFIRMED. FOR ME IT IS IMPORTANT THAT FINALLY AN INVESTIGATION IS TAKING PLACE INTO ALLEGATIONS THAT WERE CIRCULING AROUND THE HOUSE FOR LONG. I AM A GENUINE WHISTLE BLOWER . I PROPERLY ADDRESSED MY HIERARCHY. I ACTED IN GOOD FAITH. I ENVISAGED NO PERSONAL GAIN. /// END ACT ///THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR AGRICULTURE, FRANZ FISCHLER, TELLS
REPORTERS [THAT] ALL 20 MEMBERS DECIDED TO QUIT BECAUSE THEY HAD
LOST THE TRUST OF A MAJOR EUROPEAN INSTITUTION -- THE PARLIAMENT,
THE ONLY ONE DIRECTLY ELECTED BY ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE EUROPEAN
UNION. (SIGNED)
[07] EUROPEAN COMMISSIONERS (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=3/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246688 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, JACQUES SANTER, SAYS HE WILL STAY ON IN HIS POST HEADING A CARETAKER ADMINISTRATION UNTIL E-U LEADERS APPOINT A REPLACEMENT 20-MEMBER EXECUTIVE. AS JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, THE PRESENT COMMISIONERS RESIGNED AFTER A REPORT CONDEMNED THEM FOR FAILING TO PROPERLY DEAL WITH FRAUD AND CORRUPTION. TEXT: TO THE SURPRISE OF MANY, AND THE SHOCK OF THE 20 EUROPEAN COMMISSIONERS, THE REPORT BY THE TEAM OF INVESTIGATORS -- CALLED THE WISE MEN -- WAS MORE CRITICAL THAN HAD BEEN ANTICIPATED. IT CONCLUDES THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND ANYONE IN BRUSSELS WHO HAS EVEN THE SLIGHTEST SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY. AND IT BACKS UP A NUMBER OF MEDIA REPORTS ABOUT SPECIFIC FRAUDS INVOLVING EUROPEAN AID, A HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM, AND TOURISM GRANTS. E-U COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER ADMITTED THAT IF HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES HAD NOT RESIGNED, THEY WOULD HAVE FACED A MOTION OF "NO CONFIDENCE" IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT. AND HE ADDED THAT THE 20 COMMISSIONERS ACCEPTED THEIR POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITIES BY STEPPING DOWN. HOWEVER, HE SHARPLY CRITICIZED THE REPORT, WHICH HE SAID HE FOUND SHOCKING, UPSETTING, AND UNBALANCED. HE SAID THAT THE BLANKET CRITICISM OF THE COMMISSIONERS CONTAINED IN THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE REPORT DOES NOT TIE IN WITH THE TONE OF THE REST OF THE DOCUMENT, AND HE SUGGESTED THAT THE INVESTIGATORS HAD ACTED DISHONORABLY. HE ALSO CHARGED THAT THE 20 E-U COMMISSIONERS HAVE BEEN THE VICTIMS OF PRESS HARASSMENT. MR. SANTER SAID ALL 20 COMMISSIONERS WILL STAY ON IN A CARETAKER ROLE UNTIL THE 15 E-U GOVERNMENTS HAVE NOMINATED THEIR SUCCESSORS. THIS WILL INCLUDE FORMER FRENCH PRIME MINISTER EDITH CRESSON WHO WILL REMAIN IN OFFICE, EVEN THOUGH THE REPORT CLEARLY ACCUSES HER OF SECURING HIGHLY PAID CONTRACTS FOR HER FORMER DENTIST, WHO THE REPORT SAYS WAS NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE WORK AND WHO DID LITTLE WORK. MR. SANTER SAID MRS. CRESSON'S BEHAVIOUR WAS DEPLORABLE AND HIGHLY REGRETTABLE. BUT HE DENIED THAT SHE ALONE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COMMISSION'S TROUBLES. THE E-U COMMISSION PRESIDENT SUGGESTED THAT HE PERSONALLY HAS
EMERGED UNSCATHED FROM THE REPORT. HE SAID HE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO
BE -- IN HIS WORDS-- WHITER THAN WHITE. BUT HE CONFIRMED THAT HE
WILL NOT BE SEEKING A FURTHER TERM AT THE HEAD OF THE EUROPEAN
COMMISSION, WHICH MEANS THE IS E-U GOVERNMENTS FACE THE
CHALLENGING TASK OF AGREEING ON A SUCCESSOR. (SIGNED)
[08] NORTHERN IRELAND / KILLING REACT (S-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)DATE=3/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246703 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ALL THE MAJOR POLITICIANS FROM NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE CONDEMNED THE KILLING OF PROMINENT CATHOLIC LAWYER ROSEMARY NELSON. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON, THE POLITICIANS ARE IN THE UNITED STATES TO ATTEND WEDNESDAY'S SAINT PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS AT THE WHITE HOUSE. TEXT: ROSEMARY NELSON WAS KILLED WHEN HER CAR EXPLODED MONDAY AS SHE WAS DRIVING NOT FAR FROM HER HOME IN LURGAN, WEST OF BELFAST. A DISSIDENT PROTESTANT PARAMILITARY GROUP KNOWN AS "THE RED HAND DEFENDERS" HAS CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BOMBING. DAVID TRIMBLE -- NORTHERN IRELAND'S FIRST MINISTER AND LEADER OF THE PROVINCE'S LARGEST PARTY, THE PRO-BRITISH "ULSTER UNIONISTS" SAYS THE BOMBING IS A VERY WORRYING SIGN. // TRIMBLE ACT //WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE BOMB THAT KILLED ROSEMARY NELSON CAME FROM. THAT IS A VERY DISTURBING DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE HITHERTO THESE SMALL LOYALIST SPLINTER GROUPS HAVE NOT HAD THE CAPACITY, THEY HAVEN'T HAD THE EQUIPMENT OR THE SKILLS TO DO THIS. // END ACT //MR. TRIMBLE SAYS THIS LATEST KILLING UNDERLINES THE NEED TO GET
ALL PARAMILITARY GROUPS TO SURRENDER THEIR WEAPONS. (SIGNED)
[09] NATO EXPANDS TO EASTERN EUROPE BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=03/16/99TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUNDUP NUMBER=6-11193 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= INTRO: /// OPT /// IN CEREMONIES AT THE HARRY TRUMAN LIBRARY IN INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI, /// END OPT /// LAST FRIDAY, THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION [NATO] FORMALLY EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THREE FORMER MEMBERS OF THE WARSAW PACT. AS HUNGARY, POLAND, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC'S LEADERS SIGNED THE DOCUMENTS BINDING THEM TO THE ALLIANCE, A SMALL CROWD OF OFFICIALS LOOKED ON. AND IN THE U-S PRESS, DESPITE THE ANTI-CLIMACTIC NATURE OF THE CEREMONY, SINCE THE DECISION WAS MADE LAST YEAR, THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF COMMENT. WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM _______________ IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: THE HARRY TRUMAN LIBRARY WAS CHOSEN AS THE SITE OF THE CEREMONY WELCOMING THE THREE NEW, EASTERN EUROPEAN MEMBERS, BECAUSE IT WAS IN 1948 THAT THEN-PRESIDENT TRUMAN SIGNED THE DOCUMENTS THAT BROUGHT N A T O INTO BEING. ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO COUNTER THE MENACE OF THE SOVIET ARMY MARCHING ACROSS EUROPE, THE DEFENSE ALLIANCE HAS, MORE RECENTLY BECOME CONCERNED WITH SMALLER, ETHNIC CONFLICTS LIKE THE CIVIL WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND THE CONFLICT IN KOSOVO. OUR SURVEY OF EDITORIAL COMMENTS ON NATO EXPANSION BEGINS IN VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON, WHERE "THE COLUMBIAN" HAS THESE THOUGHTS ABOUT THE FUTURE. TEXT: /// OPT /// ALREADY ON THE PATH TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS ARE SLOVENIA, ROMANIA, BULGARIA, SLOVAKIA, LITHUANIA, ESTONIA AND LATVIA. SOME MIRACLES OF PEACE COULD FIT FOR MEMBERSHIP THE RAGING BALKAN FRAGMENTS SOMEWHERE DOWN THE LINE. DEPENDING ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN MOSCOW, MINSK AND KIEV, IT IS NOT BEYOND BELIEF THAT THE SOVIET HEARTLANDS, RUSSIA, BELORUS AND UKRAINE, COULD SIGN UP WITH NATO BEFORE A DECADE PASSES. SUCH PROSPECTS REINFORCE THE QUESTIONS RAISED BY THE EXPANSION THAT HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE: /// END OPT ///TEXT: IN THE EAST, "THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE" IS PLEASED WITH THE EXPANSION, AND SUGGESTS WHY SUCH A MOVE, GIVEN RUSSIA'S CURRENT INSTABILITY, IS SUCH A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT. VOICE: IF RUSSIA WERE TO REVERT TO ITS FORMER AGGRESSIVENESS, PERHAPS AS A RESULT OF INTERNAL COLLAPSE, THE TRADITIONALLY WESTERN-LOOKING POLES, CZECHS AND HUNGARIANS AT LEAST WOULD HAVE THE BENEFIT OF NATO'S MILITARY PROTECTION AND THE ATTENDANT CULTURAL AND COMMERCIAL CONSEQUENCES. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF REFORM CONTINUED IN RUSSIA, AN EXPANDED NATO COULD WORK WITH THAT HUGE AND RESOURCE-RICH COUNTRY TO CONTAIN CONFLICTS THAT THREATEN EUROPEAN SECURITY. FOR ALL THE DELAYS AND DIVISIVENESS, THAT IS A FAIR DESCRIPTION OF THE RESOLUTION OF THE CIVIL WAR IN BOSNIA. /// OPT /// IT WAS THE NATO OF YESTERDAY THAT ATTRACTED THE POLES, CZECHS AND HUNGARIANS TO WANT TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE. BUT FOR THE NATO OF TOMORROW TO SUCCEED, NEW SACRIFICES WILL BE REQUIRED OF THE COUNTRY THAT REMAINS ITS MOST IMPORTANT MEMBER, THE UNITED STATES. /// END OPT /// TEXT: THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEED FOR AN EXPANDED NATO FROM "THE BOSTON HERALD," WHICH SUGGESTS: VOICE: /// OPT /// ... WHAT EXACTLY IS THE SECURITY THREAT TO EASTERN EUROPE TODAY? THE SOVIET UNION SLEEPS WITH THE CZARS [SLANG FOR "IS DEAD"]. OTHER THAN THE BALKANS, A SOURCE OF TROUBLE FOR HALF A MILLENNIUM, THE CONTINENT HAS NEVER BEEN SO PEACEFUL. THE NEW NATO MEMBERS WILL NEED TO INCREASE THEIR DEFENSE BUDGETS SIGNIFICANTLY TO MAKE THEIR ARMIES COMPATIBLE WITH OTHER NATO FORCES, AT A TIME WHEN ALL ARE DRIVING A BUMPY ECONOMIC ROAD. IT IS N O ACCIDENT THAT U-S DEFENSE CONTRACTORS WERE AMONG THE BIGGEST SUPPORTERS OF NATO EXPANSION. /// END OPT /// PUBLIC OPINION IN ALL THREE COUNTRIES IS BEGINNING TO TAKE A MORE SOBER VIEW OF THE ALLIANCE. RECENT POLLS SHOW SUPPORT FOR NATO AFFILIATION IN POLAND AND HUNGARY HAS FALLEN FROM 80 PERCENT A YEAR AGO TO ABOUT 60 PERCENT TODAY. WE'RE NOT CONVINCED THAT MOST AMERICANS HAVE YET GRASPED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE. ... THE ADMISSION OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC IS A DONE DEAL. THIS IS ENOUGH EXPANSION FOR NOW AND THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. TEXT: IN THE HEARTLAND OF AMERICA, "THE KANSAS CITY STAR" GREETED THE EXPANSION, IN NEARBY INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI, WITH THESE THOUGHTS. VOICE: IT WAS FITTING THAT THE ACCEPTANCE CEREMONY FRIDAY TOOK PLACE AT THE TRUMAN LIBRARY ... A LOCATION THAT RIGHTFULLY HONORED THE PRESIDENT WHO PLAYED SUCH A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THE ALLIANCE'S CREATION 50 YEARS AGO. EXPANDING NATO'S MEMBERSHIP WAS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FOREIGN-POLICY DECISIONS IN YEARS. /// OPT /// OPT ///TEXT: IN FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" IS CONCERNED THAT MOST AMERICANS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT, EVEN THOUGH THIS NATION IS NOW COMMITTED TO DEFEND EVERY INCH OF THE THREE NEW ADDITIONS, AS IF IT WERE U-S TERRITORY. VOICE: ... THE WAY THESE EVENTS [THE DEBATE ON SENDING U-S TROOPS TO KOSOVO AND THE NATO ENLARGEMENT] UNFOLDED THIS WEEK SUGGESTS THAT AMERICA'S POST-COLD WAR INATTENTION TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS HAS WORSENED. COMPARED TO 1990'S INTENSE NATIONAL DEBATE ON INTERVENING IN KUWAIT, FOR INSTANCE, THURSDAY'S HOUSE DEBATE ON INTERVENING IN KOSOVO SEEMED SMALL - - EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUES LOOM LARGE. MOREOVER, NATO'S EXPANSION CEREMONIES ... BIG NEWS IN EUROPE AND TO RUSSIAN NATIONALISTS - - PASSED WITH LITTLE NOTICE IN NATO'S LARGEST MEMBER NATION. ... THE UNITED STATES CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS. IT CAN'T PREACH GLOBALIZATION OF MARKETS AND COMMERCE WHILE WITHDRAWING INTO A SHELL. IT CAN'T HAVE ITS WAY AT THE UNITED NATIONS WHILE NOT PAYING DUES. AND IT CAN'T INSIST ON EARING THE MANTLE OF WORLD LEADERSHIP WHILE SHIRKING THE DUTIES THAT COME WITH THAT ROLE - - DUTIES, ALAS, THAT SOMETIMES REQUIRE DRAWING A SWORD. TEXT: THE "LOS ANGELES TIMES" WRITES THAT EVEN WITH THE ADDITION OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO NATO, "QUESTIONS ABOUT ITS PURPOSES AND ITS FUTURE LOOM LARGE." THE "TIMES," ALSO NOTING THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES LAST THURSDAY ONLY NARROWLY PASSED [BY A SINGLE VOTE] A NON-BINDING RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE USE OF U-S TROOPS IN ANY NATO MISSION IN KOSOVO, CONTINUES, VOICE: IN OUR VIEW, CONGRESS IS RIGHT TO BE SKEPTICAL. NATO'S EUROPEAN MEMBER SHOULD BE ABLE TO MANAGE KOSOVO BY THEMSELVES, WITH, AT MOST, SOME U-S LOGISTICAL HELP. INTERVENING IN KOSOVO HAS BEEN FOOLISHLY PROMOTED AS A TEST OF NATO'S RESOLVE AND CREDIBILITY. BUT AN ANCIENT CONFLICT IN WHICH MILITANTS ON BOTH SIDES REJECT COMPROMISE AND SHUN PEACE IS NOT THE PLACE FOR NATO TO TRY TO PROVE ITS VALIDITY. /// END OPT ///TEXT: WITH THAT COMMENT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF U-S
EDITORIAL COMMENT ON THE FORMAL EXPANSION OF NATO TO INCLUDE
THE FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH
REPUBLIC.
[10] NATO CEREMONY (L ONLY) (BRUSSELS)DATE=3/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246685 CORRESPONDENT=RON PEMSTEIN
CONTENT= INTRO: IN BRUSSELS, THE FLAGS OF POLAND, HUNGARY, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC HAVE JOINED FLAGS OF THE 16 EXISTING NATO MEMBERS JUST INSIDE THE GATE AT THE ALLIANCE HEADQUARTERS. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS PRIME MINISTERS OF THE THREE COUNTRIES WERE PRESENT FOR THE CEREMONIES. TEXT: THIS WAS THE DAY WHEN NATO MEMBERSHIP BECAME REAL FOR THE THREE NEW MEMBERS. NINETEEN FLAGS NOW FLY AT NATO HEADQUARTERS. AND THE THREE PRIME MINISTERS TOOK THEIR SEATS AT THE NATO COUNCIL AS FULL MEMBERS FOR THE FIRST TIME. HUNGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR ORBAN NOTES THAT HUNGARY IS NOW A MEMBER OF NATO'S SOUTHERN COMMAND AT A TIME WHEN NATO FACES CHALLENGES FROM SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE. MR. ORBAN TELLS REPORTERS HUNGARY HAS SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN DEALING WITH THE KOSOVO CRISIS. /// ORBAN ACT ///WE ARE A NEIGHBORING COUNTRY OF SERBIA. THEREFORE WE SHOULD TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THEREFORE WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT ON WHICH FORM HUNGARY COULD CONTRIBUTE. BUT DIRECTLY, WE CANNOT BE INVOLVED BECAUSE OF OBVIOUS REASONS INTO THIS SETTLEMENT. BUT WE ARE READY TO COOPERATE, READY TO CONTRIBUTE IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT CREATE ANY DANGER TO THE HUNGARIANS. /// END ACT ///WHILE HUNGARY HAS SPECIAL CONCERNS IN ITS REGION, POLAND BELIEVES IT CAN HELP NATO IN DEALING WITH RUSSIA. PRIME MINISTER JERZY BUZEK PUT IT THIS WAY IN HIS REMARKS TO THE NATO COUNCIL. /// BUZEK ACT ///POLAND NOW HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE EVEN MORE EFFECTIVELY TO THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF THIS PART OF OUR CONTINENT, TO DEEPEN THE DIALOGUE AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE ALLIANCE AND ALL COUNTRIES OF OUR REGION. WE FEEL GREAT RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS AREA. THIS IS WHY WE BELIEVE THAT WE MUST ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN SHAPING NATO'S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA, UKRAINE, AND OTHER PARTNERS IN THE EASTERN PART OF EUROPE. /// END ACT ///ALL THREE PRIME MINISTERS GIVE HIGH PRIORITY TO KEEPING NATO'S DOOR OPEN TO OTHER NEW MEMBERS. CZECH PRIME MINISTER MILOS ZEMAN PUSHED FOR SLOVAKIA'S MEMBERSHIP IN NATO. AT THE SAME TIME HE IS PESSIMISTIC ABOUT CHANCES FOR PEACE IN KOSOVO. /// ZEMAN ACT ///ALL DEPENDS ON SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEMS. I STILL HOPE THERE IS A CHANCE OF A PEACEFUL SOLUTION, BUT I MUST ADMIT THAT THE PROBABILITY OF SUCH A CHANCE SEEMS TO BE RELATIVELY LOW. /// END ACT ///AFTER NATO'S SUMMIT MEETING NEXT MONTH IN WASHINGTON, THE
CEREMONIES WILL BE OVER FOR THE NEW MEMBERS. WHAT REMAINS ARE
THREE MORE NATO ALLIES TO DEAL WITH THE CHALLENGE OF WAR AND
PEACE IN EUROPE. (SIGNED)
[11] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=3/16/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-246724 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (TUESDAY) BUT THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE DID TRADE ABOVE 10 THOUSAND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 99 HUNDRED 30, DOWN 28 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13 HUNDRED SIX, DOWN ALMOST ONE POINT. BUT THE NASDAQ INDEX GAINED A FRACTION OF ONE PERCENT. TWENTY-ONE MINUTES INTO THE TRADING SESSION, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE MOVED ABOVE THE 10 THOUSAND LEVEL FOR THE FIRST TIME, CAUSING CHEERS ON THE FLOOR OF THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE. BUT THE CHEERING DID NOT LAST LONG AS THE INDEX QUICKLY MOVED BACK BELOW 10 THOUSAND WHERE IT STAYED FOR THE REST OF THE DAY. ///BEGIN OPT//////OPT///ROTH ACT///THE MARKET WAS AT 10 THOUSAND FOR A NANO-SECOND AND THEN SOME "SHARPSHOOTERS" (TRADERS) DECIDED IT WAS A GOOD TIME TO TAKE SOME PROFITS. ///END ACT///END OPT///ANALYSTS SAY THAT, ALTHOUGH THERE IS NOTHING "MAGIC" ABOUT 10 THOUSAND, IT IS AN IMPORTANT PSYCHOLOGICAL MARKER WHICH CAN CAUSE SOME TRADERS TO TAKE PROFITS AND OTHERS TO BUY MORE STOCK. APPARENTLY THE PROFIT-TAKERS WERE IN CONTROL ON TUESDAY. ///REST OPT///INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE MODESTLY IN FEBRUARY, REFLECTING A GROWTH IN MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY. EVEN SO, U-S BUSINESSES ARE OPERATING AT AN AVERAGE OF JUST 80 PERCENT OF CAPACITY, INDICATING LITTLE, IF ANY, INFLATIONARY PRESSURE. THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS SINGLE-FAMILY HOME CONSTRUCTION IN FEBRUARY ROSE AT ITS FASTEST RATE IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS. INTERNET MANIA CONTINUES ON WALL STREET. THE STOCK OF FLASHNET, AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER, BEGAN ITS FIRST DAY OF TRADING AND QUICKLY ROSE BY MORE THAN 150 PERCENT. CHASE MANHATTAN, THE THIRD-LARGEST BANKING COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES, IS RAISING ITS QUARTERLY DIVIDEND BY 14 PERCENT. ANALYSTS SAY THE ACTION INDICATES CHASE MANHATTAN'S DIRECTORS BELIEVE THE COMPANY'S RECENT STRONG PROFIT PERFORMANCE WILL CONTINUE. STOCKHOLDERS OF THE GREYHOUND BUS LINES OF THE UNITED STATES HAVE APPROVED A 650 MILLION DOLLAR TAKEOVER BY THE LAIDLAW COMPANY OF CANADA. GREYHOUND IS THE ONLY NATIONAL INTERCITY BUS OPERATOR IN THE UNITED STATES. GOLDMAN SACHS, THE PRIVATELY-HELD INVESTMENT BANKING AND
BROKERAGE FIRM, REPORTED ITS QUARTERLY PROFITS ROSE 16 PERCENT.
THE NEWS CAME AS GOLDMAN SACHS TOOK PRELIMINARY STEPS TOWARD
ENDING ITS PRIVATELY-OWNED STATUS. THE COMPANY HAS FORMALLY
APPLIED FOR REGULATORY APPROVAL TO SELL STOCK TO THE PUBLIC.
GOLDMAN SACHS EXPECTS TO RAISE ABOUT THREE AND ONE-HALF BILLION
DOLLARS FROM THE STOCK OFFERING.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
[12] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=03/16/99TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11192 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= //// EDS: MATERIAL DATED AFTER 10 P-M EST ////INTRO: SCANNING THE DAILY PAPERS THIS TUESDAY, ONE FINDS EDITORIALS ON A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS, INCLUDING: THE DRIVE FOR PEACE IN SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE; THE IRISH PEACE ACCORD REACHING A DEADLINE ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY; QUESTIONS WHETHER THE U-S PLAYED A ROLE IN CHILE'S PINOCHET ERA; CONTINUING CRITICISM OF NEW YORK FOR THE POLICE SHOOTING DEATH OF A WEST AFRICAN; AND FRUSTRATION AT THE HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT, WHICH WAS DECLARED A DRAW. NOW, HERE IS ___________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIALS DIGEST. TEXT: THE EDITORIAL HEADLINE IN TODAY'S "PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" SHOWS THE PAPER'S CONCERN FOR THE KOSOVO PEACE EFFORT. IT READS: "PEACE SLIPPING AWAY." VOICE: /// OPT /// ...THE STEAM [RESOLVE] WENT OUT OF THE PEACE TALKS, AND NATO'S THREATS, WHEN THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS BALKED AT SIGNING THE PEACE AGREEMENT. THEY WERE ASKED TO DISARM, AND TO SWAP THEIR DREAMS OF KOSOVAR INDEPENDENCE FOR AUTONOMY WITHIN SERBIA. BUT THEY WERE FEARFUL THAT NATO TROOPS WOULDN'T ARRIVE TO PROTECT THEM IF THEY LAID DOWN THEIR ARMS. /// END OPT /// ... NOW IS THE CRUCIAL MOMENT FOR U-S LEADERSHIP. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WAS RIGHT TO GIVE THE EUROPEANS THEIR CHANCE TO EMULATE THE FEAT OF U-S NEGOTIATOR RICHARD ... HOLBROOKE, WHO BROUGHT THE BOSNIAN WAR TO AN END IN 1995 AT TALKS IN DAYTON, OHIO. ... YET THE EUROPEANS SEEM UNABLE TO GRASP THE MAIN LESSON OF BOSNIA: ONLY THREATS OF FORCE MOVE MR. MILOSEVIC ... TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" FEELS MR. MILOSEVIC IS NOW AT A CROSSROADS, WHERE HE MUST DECIDE FOR PEACE, OR NATO AIRSTRIKES. VOICE: /// OPT /// THE LONG MONTHS OF DIPLOMACY, BATTLE AND BLUFF OVER ... KOSOVO CAME MONDAY TO A DECISION THAT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC CANNOT DUCK [AVOID]. /// END OPT /// ... ONCE AGAIN HE IS BEING ASKED TO STAND DOWN HIS TROOPS IN KOSOVO. THE RESULT IF HE REFUSES SHOULD BE THE AIR ASSAULT. BUT TWICE BEFORE NATO HAS HELD ITS WAITING AIRCRAFT IN HOPES THAT DIPLOMACY COULD RESOLVE THE CRISIS. BOTH TIMES THE SERBIAN STRONGMAN STOOD FIRM. NOW HE APPEARS TO HAVE NO CARDS [OPTIONS] LEFT IN HIS HAND. TEXT: TURNING TO YET ANOTHER EUROPEAN TROUBLE SPOT, ONE THAT FOR A WHILE APPEARED TO BE RESOLVED: THE NORTHERN IRELAND DISPUTE. "THE WASHINGTON POST," NOTING THAT TALKS HAVE BROKEN DOWN OVER THE ISSUE OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY DISARMING, FEELS THIS, TOO, IS A "LAST CHANCE" FOR PEACE. VOICE: THE PARTIES TO THE NORTHERN IRELAND DISPUTE HAVE TAKEN TO DESCENDING ON WASHINGTON FOR A POLITICAL BOOSTER SHOT ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY. ... THIS TIME THE VISITING PARTIES SEEK HELP TO UNTIE THE TIGHT KNOT OF DECOMMISSIONING, OR DISARMING, THE OUTLAW MILITIAS OF THE TWO SIDES IN NORTHERN IRELAND, ESPECIALLY THE CATHOLIC MINORITY'S IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. THE CONVEYANCE OF THIS ISSUE TO WASHINGTON IS BEING WIDELY DEPICTED AS THE 'LAST CHANCE' TO SAVE THE NEARLY YEAR-OLD GOOD FRIDAY PEACE AGREEMENT. /// OPT ///TEXT: IN THIS HEMISPHERE, TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT SOON, STILL-SECRET U-S DOCUMENTS ON THIS COUNTRY'S POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT WITH THE PINOCHET DICTATORSHIP IN CHILE WILL BE COMING TO LIGHT. VOICE: ONE OF THE LINGERING MYSTERIES ABOUT GENERAL AUGUSTO PINOCHET OF CHILE IS WHETHER WASHINGTON AIDED IN THE 1973 MILITARY COUP THAT BROUGHT HIM TO POWER AND HOW MUCH IT KNEW OF THE MURDERS AND FORCED DISAPPEARANCES COMMITTED BY HIS GOVERNMENT. ... NOW, IF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CARRIES OUT A WELL-DESIGNED PLAN TO DECLASSIFY ITS INFORMATION ON CHILE, THE DETAILS OF AMERICA'S ROLE MAY BE KNOWN. /// END OPT ///TEXT: THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (I-O-C) MEETS THIS WEEK IN LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND, TRYING TO REFORM ITSELF IN THE WAKE OF THE SALT LAKE CITY BRIBERY SCANDAL INVOLVED WITH CHOOSING THE SITE FOR THE NEXT WINTER GAMES. "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS THE REFORM EFFORTS MUST SUCCEED. VOICE: THE CREDIBILITY OF THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT IS AT STAKE ... EITHER THE I-O-C LAUNCHES AN ACCEPTABLE REFORM PROGRAM OR ONE WILL BE IMPOSED ON IT BY OLYMPIC COMMERCIAL SPONSORS, INTERNATIONAL SPORTS FEDERATIONS AND NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES. ONE I-O-C MEMBER SAYS THE COMMITTEE WILL ALWAYS BEAR THE STAIN OF THE SALT LAKE AFFAIR. PERHAPS. BUT IF THE I-O-C REACTS CREDIBLY AND FORCEFULLY THIS WEEK, SALT LAKE 2002 COULD BECOME THE SYMBOL OF A BRIGHT NEW FUTURE FOR THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT. /// OPT ///TEXT: "THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS SAYS THE FUROR OVER THE POLICE SHOOTING OF A WEST AFRICAN [GUINEA] IMMIGRANT SEVERAL WEEKS AGO IS HAVING A BENEFICIAL EFFECT ON THE MAYOR'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE POLICE. VOICE: THE CRITICS ... ARE WRONG ON SUBSTANCE [OF THEIR COMPLAINTS OF INSENSITIVITY]. [MAYOR] GIULIANI AND POLICE COMMISSIONER HOWARD SAFIR HAVE MOVED TO ADDRESS THE RACIAL CONCERNS THE CASE HAS IGNITED, EVEN AS THEY HAVE DENIED THAT THE SHOOTING WAS RACIALLY MOTIVATED. /// OPT ////// END OPT ///TEXT: LASTLY "THE NEW YORK POST" IS UPSET, AS ARE MANY BOXING FANS, WITH THE OUTCOME OF SATURDAY'S HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT BETWEEN LENNOX LEWIS OF BRITAIN AND EVANDER HOLYFIELD OF THE UNITED STATES, WHICH ENDED IN A HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL DRAW. SAYS "THE POST:" VOICE: IF THERE WERE NO REPERCUSSIONS BEYOND THE WORLD OF BOXING, THEN THE ODORIFEROUS DRAW ... MIGHT REMAIN CONFINED TO THE SPORTS PAGES. BUT THE DECISION BY THE JUDGES TO ROB LEWIS OF A VICTORY THAT MOST BOXING OBSERVERS SAY WAS RIGHTLY HIS CAN'T BE CAVALIERLY DISMISSED. /// OPT /// AS (NEW YORK CITY) MAYOR GIULIANI NOTED, THOUSANDS OF BRITISH FANS WERE PRESENT CHEERING ON THEIR FELLOW COUNTRYMAN LEWIS. 'THEY HAVE TO BE GOING HOME TONIGHT THINKING WE'RE A BUNCH OF CHEATS,' THE MAYOR SAID. ... SO GOVERNOR [GEORGE] PATAKI IS RIGHT TO ASK THE STATE ATHLETIC COMMISSION - - WHICH REGULATES BOXING IN NEW YORK - - TO INVESTIGATE. /// END OPT ///TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE END THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM
TUESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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