Voice of America, 99-04-11

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA/KOSOVO- REFUGEES (L) BY GIL BUTLER (KUKES, ALBANIA)

[02] ALBANIA/REFUGEES (S&L) BY GIL BUTLER (KUKES)

[03] MACEDONIA/EASTER (L ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (SKOPJE)

[04] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (L) BY KYLE KING (BRUSSELS)

[05] ALBRIGHT/AID BY KYLE KING (BRUSSELS)

[06] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO TROOPS (S-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BRUSSELS)

[07] NATO-FOREIGN MINISTERS (S&L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[08] NATO-KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[09] BRITAIN/KOSOVO (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[10] BRITAIN/KOSOVO (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

[11] RUSSIA CONVOY (L ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

[12] YUGOSLAV/JOURNALIST (L-ONLY) BY GUY DINMORE (BELGRADE)

[13] DINSMORE Q&A BY GUY DINSMORE (BELGRADE)

[14] KOSOVO / U-S SUNDAY SHOWS (L-O) BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

[01] ALBANIA/KOSOVO- REFUGEES (L) BY GIL BUTLER (KUKES, ALBANIA)

INTRO: AN ESTIMATED FIVE THOUSAND KOSOVO REFUGEES ARRIVED IN ALBANIA ON SUNDAY AS SERBIAN AUTHORITIES OPENED THE BORDER BETWEEN KOSOVO AND ALBANIA UNTIL NOON. AS THE AIR WAR CONTINUES, THE SITUATION OF THE REFUGEES APPEARS TO BE BECOMING MORE ORDERLY WITH INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES PROVIDING FOOD, MEDICAL CARE, AND OTHER AID. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER IS IN THE NORTHERN ALBANIAN CITY OF KUKES AND HAS A REPORT.

TEXT: THE REFUGEE CAMPS HERE APPEAR TO BE PARKING LOTS FOR TRACTORS WITH TRAILERS. THE TRAILERS HAVE PLASTIC COVERINGS MAKING THEM INTO TENTS. SOME FAMILIES HAVE ELABORATE COOKING GEAR. OTHERS LIKE THE BARISHA FAMILY COOK THE EVENING MEAL OVER AN OPEN FIRE AND AN IRON KETTLE.

THE BARISHA FAMILY TOTALS 50 PEOPLE, ALL OF THEM FROM THE PEC AREA OF KOSOVO. THEY GOT ACROSS THE BORDER A WEEK AGO.

INTERPRETER: "MILITARY FORCES AND POLICE FORCES POINTING GUNS AT US THEY FORCED US TO MOVED OUT OF OUR HOUSE." "DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOUR HOME SINCE YOU'VE LEFT?"

INTERPRETER: "WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING EXACTLY BUT WE THINK THAT THEY PUT FIRE TO THE HOUSE."

REFUGEE CHILDREN PLAY AS ALL CHILDREN WILL WITH WHATEVER COMES TO HAND. SIX OR SEVEN GIRLS AND BOYS ARE JUMPING ROPE USING AN ELECTRIC EXTENSION CORD.

IN ADDITION TO THE CHILDREN, ANOTHER COMMON SIGHT AT THE REFUGEE CAMP FRONTIER IS THE CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORM OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, THE K-L-A. THEY ARE EVIDENT IN THE STREETS OF KUKES AS WELL. AND, ON THE ONE ROAD FROM TIRANA TO KUKES, THERE IS A K-L-A CHECK POINT INSIDE ALBANIA. THE K-L-A MEMBERS ARE CHECKING A LINE OF DEPARTING REFUGEES FOR FIGHTING-AGED MEN -- PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS OF THE GUERRILLA ORGANIZATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/GB/ENE-T/WFR
11-Apr-99 4:50 PM EDT (2050 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA/REFUGEES (S&L) BY GIL BUTLER (KUKES)

INTRO: AROUND 140-THOUSAND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS REMAIN IN MAKESHIFT CAMPS IN THE BORDER AREA WITH KOSOVO. THE REST HAVE DISPERSED TO OTHER PARTS OF ALBANIA. ALMOST HALF OF THE 300-THOUSAND REFUGEES WHO HAVE COME TO ALBANIA ARE CHILDREN. FROM KUKES, ALBANIA, CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTS ON U-N EFFORTS TO AID THE CHILDREN OF THE KOSOVO VIOLENCE.

TEXT: UNICEF DIRECTOR CAROL BELLAMY TOURED ALBANIAN REFUGEE AREAS THIS WEEKEND AND TOLD REPORTERS IN KUKES ABOUT THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN. IN ADDITION TO MEDICAL TREATMENT, INOCULATIONS AND TREATMENT FOR DIARRHEA, UNICEF SPECIALISTS ARE STARTING TO DEAL WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS.

MS. BELLAMY SAID REFUGEE BOYS ARE ESPECIALLY SHOWING SIGNS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA, HYPER-ACTIVITY, AND SOMETIMES VIOLENT BEHAVIOR. SHE SAID UNICEF WORKERS ARE NOW TRYING TO IDENTIFY KOSOVAR ADULTS WHO CAN SUPERVISE INTERACTIVE PLAY AND RECREATIONAL PROJECTS TO HELP THEM GET OVER THE EFFECTS OF THEIR TRAUMA.

WE HAVE WORKERS HERE. WE ARE ALSO TRYING TO IDENTIFY TEACHERS AND OTHERS IN THE KOSOVO COMMUNITY WHO CAN COME TOGETHER WITH THE CHILDREN ... SIMPLE THINGS LIKE PLAY, HAVING BOOKS TO WRITE IN, OR JUST WORKING WITH SOME KIND OF CLAY, OR SMALL MATERIALS -- CUTTING PAPER -- SINGING -- BRINGING THEM TOGETHER.

THE SINGLE TWISTING ROAD OUT OF KUKES HAD A STEADY STREAM OF TRACTORS PULLING LOADED TRAILERS FILLED WITH REFUGEE FAMILIES. THEY ARE HEADING FOR SHELTER ELSEWHERE IN ALBANIA.

MANY OF THE REFUGEES IN NORTHERN ALBANIA ARE STAYING PUT IN THEIR TRAILERS WHICH HAVE BEEN TURNED INTO MAKESHIFT TENTS. THESE REFUGEES ARE RELUCTANT TO MOVE ANY FARTHER AWAY FROM THE KOSOVO BORDER IN HOPES THEY MIGHT BE BACK HOME SOON. (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/DW/RAE
11-Apr-99 1:19 PM EDT (1719 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] MACEDONIA/EASTER (L ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (SKOPJE)

INTRO: THE SERB LEADERSHIP OF YUGOSLAVIA DECLARED A CEASEFIRE FOR THE EASTERN ORTHODOX EASTER. IN SKOPJE, EVE CONANT SPOKE TO MACEDONIANS WHO OPENED THEIR EASTER WITH A SPECIAL MASS.

TEXT: /// NAT SOUND EASTER SERVICE PRIEST AND SINGING UP AND UNDER ///

THE MIDNIGHT MASS IS HELD OUTDOORS IN THE CENTER OF SKOPJE. TENS-OF-THOUSANDS HAVE GATHERED IN THE SQUARE AND STREETS SURROUNDING THE CHURCH "KLIMENT OXRIDSKI." THEIR FACES ARE LIT UP BY THE THIN GOLDEN CANDLES THEY CARRY WITH THEM.

THE ORTHODOX PRIESTS IN THEIR LONG GOLDEN ROBES AND JEWELED HATS CROSS THEMSELVES AS THEY WIND THEIR WAY THROUGH THE CROWD. TWO PRIESTS CARRY SMALL CROSSES. ANOTHER TWO CARRY A LARGE ICON OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH THE MASSES SURROUNDING THEM. ONE PRIEST FILLS THE AIR WITH THE SMELL OF INCENSE.

EVEN IN THIS MOST CHRISTIAN OF CELEBRATIONS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO FORGET WAR AND POLITICS. OLIVER RISTICH IS PART OF THE SERB COMMUNITY OF MACEDONIA.

NOBODY CAN MAKE PEACE IN BALKAN EXCEPT THE PEOPLE OF BALKAN -- BY THEIR OWN.

ONE MACEDONIAN TEENAGER NAMED DEA STANDS IN THE CROWD WITH THREE OF HIS FRIENDS.

HE SAYS -- I WANT THE FIGHTING TO STOP. BUT I SUPPORT THE SERBS.

HIS FRIENDS ALL NOD IN AGREEMENT.

MOST OF THE OTHER ORTHODOX SLAVS WHO CAME HERE, SUCH AS SVETLANA EFRIMOVSKA, WANT TO TALK ABOUT PEACE

SHE SAYS -- ON THIS DAY WE JUST WANT PEACE, EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

AFTER MIDNIGHT, EVERYONE IN THE CROWD IS HOLDING A RED-PAINTED EGG. AS THE ORTHODOX SERVICE GOES ON, PEOPLE IN THE CROWD TAKE TURNS CRACKING THE SHELLS OF THE HARD-BOILED EGGS. THE RED IS TO SYMBOLIZE THE BLOOD OF CHRIST, THE BROKEN SHELL REPRESENTS HIS PAIN. SOON THE GROUND IS LITTERED WITH THE RED EGG SHELLS.

FOR THE ORTHODOX MACEDONIANS CELEBRATING THEIR THEIR EASTER, THE TIME HAS CLEARLY COME FOR THE FIGHTING TO STOP. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/DW/RAE
NEB/EC/DW
11-Apr-99 12:14 PM EDT (1614 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO (L) BY KYLE KING (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS MONDAY'S MEETING OF NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS IN BRUSSELS WILL SHOW ALLIANCE UNITY ON THE QUESTION OF KOSOVO. FROM BRUSSELS, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS THE NATO OFFICIALS WILL DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE PROVINCE.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS WRONG IF HE THINKS HE CAN DRIVE A WEDGE BETWEEN NATO MEMBERS.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON THE FLIGHT TO BRUSSELS, MS. ALBRIGHT SAID THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING WILL UNDERLINE THE FACT THAT MR. MILOSEVIC IS THE CAUSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN KOSOVO.

IN ADDITION TO A DISPLAY OF UNITY, MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS ALLIANCE FOREIGN MINISTERS WILL USE THEIR ONE DAY SUMMIT TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE PROVINCE.

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT A VARIETY OF WAYS THAT IT WILL BE POSSIBLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO TO HAVE A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED, MULTI-ETHNIC FUTURE, THAT ALLOWS THEM TO HAVE THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF SELF GOVERNMENT.

MS. ALBRIGHT AGAIN DEMANDED PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC PULL HIS FORCES OUT OF KOSOVO AND ALLOW REFUGEES TO RETURN UNDER NATO PROTECTION. BUT SHE SIGNALED A SHIFT IN POLICY ON THE NUMBER OF SERB TROOPS THAT WOULD BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN THE PROVINCE ONCE A PEACE DEAL IS REACHED.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAID THERE WOULD HAVE TO BE A RECONSIDERATION OF PREVIOUS PEACE OFFERS THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED ABOUT FIVE THOUSANDS SERB TROOPS AND POLICE TO REMAIN IN THE PROVINCE.

I THINK THERE HAS TO BE A RECONSIDERATION OF THAT. THERE ARE LOTS OF PARTS OF THAT, AND LOTS OF PARTS OF RAMBOUILLET THAT OBVIOUSLY ARE AS WE SAY O-B-E, OVERTAKEN BY EVENTS. SO I THINK WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC AND FLEXIBLE AS WE LOOK AT THE FUTURE.

SENIOR OFFICIALS TRAVELING WITH THE SECRETARY REFUSED TO SAY HOW MANY IF ANY SERB TROOPS MIGHT BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN THE PROVINCE AS PART OF ANY NEW PEACE ACCORD. BUT THEY SAID PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED TROOPS LEVELS NOW APPEARED OUT OF THE QUESTION.

SHE WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF THE REFUGEES, WHO SOME REPORTS SAY COULD FACE STARVATION. AIR DROPS OF FOOD AND MEDICINE HAVE UNTIL NOW BEEN RULED OUT BECAUSE SUPPLIES COULD FALL INTO THE HANDS OF SERB FORCES. // END OPT //

[05] ALBRIGHT/AID BY KYLE KING (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT IS IN BRUSSELS FOR TALKS WITH NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS ABOUT THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO. FROM THE BELGIAN CAPITAL, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS THE OFFICIALS WILL DISCUSS WAYS TO PROVIDE AID TO THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS INSIDE KOSOVO.

TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON THE FLIGHT FROM WASHINGTON, MS. ALBRIGHT SAID SHE WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF REFUGEES INSIDE KOSOVO.

SOME REPORTS SAY ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO HAVE DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES COULD FACE STARVATION BECAUSE THE SERB OFFENSIVE IN THE PROVINCE HAS CUT OFF OUTSIDE AID.

WELL WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT AND IT HAS BEEN A SUBJECT AS I TALK TO THE ALLIES AND WE ARE TRYING TO SORT OUT WAYS TO GET FOOD AND MEDICINE TO THEM.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS MONDAY'S NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING WILL ALSO FOCUS ON WAYS TO CREATE A MULTI-ETHNIC AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/WFR
11-Apr-99 3:53 PM EDT (1953 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] ALBRIGHT / KOSOVO TROOPS (S-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BRUSSELS)

TEXT: MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS NATO IS UNITED IN ITS DEMANDS THAT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC PULL HIS FORCES OUT OF KOSOVO AND ALLOW REFUGEES TO RETURN UNDER NATO PROTECTION.

BUT SPEAKING ON THE FLIGHT FROM WASHINGTON, SHE SIGNALED A SHIFT IN POLICY ON THE NUMBER OF SERB TROOPS THAT WOULD BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN THE PROVINCE IF A PEACE DEAL IS REACHED. PREVIOUS PROPOSALS HAD PUT THE NUMBER AT ABOUT FIVE THOUSAND.

I THINK THERE HAS TO BE A RECONSIDERATION OF THAT. THERE ARE LOTS OF PARTS OF THAT, AND LOTS OF PARTS OF RAMBOUILLET THAT OBVIOUSLY ARE AS WE SAY O-B-E, OVERTAKEN BY EVENTS. SO I THINK WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC AND FLEXIBLE AS WE LOOK AT THE FUTURE.

MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS WILL USE THEIR ONE DAY MEETING TO LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF KOSOVO AND SHOW ALLIANCE UNITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/WFR
11-Apr-99 6:36 PM EDT (2236 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] NATO-FOREIGN MINISTERS (S&L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE 19 FOREIGN MINISTERS OF NATO MEET MONDAY AT THE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IN BRUSSELS TO DISCUSS THEIR BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANY AGREEMENT TO STOP THE AIR STRIKES.

TEXT: THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF 19 FOREIGN MINISTERS, THEIR FIRST SINCE NATO AIR STRIKES BEGAN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA ON MARCH 24TH.

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS IN LONDON, THE NATO MINISTERS ARE UNIFIED ON THE REASON FOR CONTINUING THE AIR STRIKES INTO A FOURTH WEEK.

OUR OFFICIALS HAVE ALREADY BEEN WORKING ON A STRONG COMMUNIQUE WHICH CONFIRMS OUR OBJECTIVE TO SECURE THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES AND AN INTERNATIONAL MILITARY FORCE TO ENABLE THE REFUGEES TO RETURN IN SECURITY. NO ALLY IS WILLING TO CONTEMPLATE AN OUTCOME WHICH REWARDS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC FOR HIS VICIOUS PROGRAM OF ETHNIC CLEANSING.

THAT PROGRAM RESUMED WITH THE RE-OPENING OF YUGOSLAVIA'S BORDER WITH ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA AND THE OUTFLOW OF THOUSANDS MORE ALBANIANS FROM KOSOVO.

NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS THE MINISTERS WILL EXPRESS OUTRAGE AT THE FORCED DEPOPULATION OF KOSOVO

I BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL RE-COMMIT THEMSELVES AS ALLIES TO AN INTENSIFIED MILITARY AND HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE TO THE ACTIONS OF BELGRADE. THEY WILL CONDEMN THE SYSTEMATIC DEPOPULATION OF KOSOVO AND STATE THAT NATO WILL NOT ALLOW THIS TO STAND. I THINK THEY WILL REITERATE NATO'S DETERMINATION TO CONTINUE THE AIR CAMPAIGN WITH UNDIMINISHED INTENSITY UNTIL WE SUCCEED IN PERSUADING PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO MEET OUR OBJECTIVES.

THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, AND ITALY HAVE GIVEN NATO INCREASED AIR POWER TO CONTINUE THE AIR STRIKES AS LONG AS NECESSARY. A NATO DIPLOMAT TELLS V-O-A THERE HAS BEEN NO CONSIDERATION TO POSTPONING THE APRIL 24TH WASHINGTON SUMMIT MEETING TO CELEBRATE THE ALLIANCE'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY, EVEN IF AIR STRIKES ARE STILL UNDER WAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/RBP/DW/RAE
11-Apr-99 10:58 AM EDT (1458 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] NATO-KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO SAYS IT WAS MINDFUL OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH EASTER HOLIDAY IN LIMITING ITS BOMBING RUNS TO THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, OFFICIALS THERE ARE INVESTIGATING A PHOTOGRAPH OF A POSSIBLE MASS GRAVE SITE.

TEXT: THE PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS NOTHING MORE CONCLUSIVE THAN FRESHLY TURNED EARTH. NATO OFFICIALS SAY IT APPEARED LAST WEEK IN THE AREA OF ORHOVAC WHERE YUGOSLAV ARMY AND SPECIAL POLICE HAVE BEEN ACTIVE, SOUTHWEST OF THE REGIONAL CAPITAL OF PRISTINA.

A MILITARY SPOKESMAN SAYS THE PICTURE IS SIMILAR TO PREVIOUS SITES OF MASS GRAVES IN BOSNIA ,BUT THERE CAN BE NO PROOF OF THE ALLEGATION UNTIL FORENSIC SCIENTISTS INSPECT THE SITE. ALBANIANS EXPELLED FROM KOSOVO TO ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA HAVE REPORTED YOUNG MEN HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY BY YUGOSLAV SECURITY OFFICIALS AND NOT BEEN SEEN AGAIN.

NATO ALSO SEES SIGNS THAT THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY IS HAVING TROUBLE GETTING RECRUITS FOR ITS ARMED FORCES AS A RESULT OF NATO'S AIR STRIKES. NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA DESCRIBES THE SIGNS TO REPORTERS.

THE YUGOSLAV ARMED FORCES CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE SIGNS OF WEAR AND TEAR AS A RESULT OF OUR OPERATIONS. ONE THING WE ARE TRACKING AT THE MOMENT ARE THE MOBILIZATION PROBLEMS AND THE MANPOWER CALL-UP PROBLEMS THAT THE YUGOSLAV ARMY IS FACING. BELGRADE IS TURNING WHEREVER IT CAN TO IDENTIFY OFFICERS AND MEN THAT CAN BE CALLED UP, EVEN GOING AS FAR AS THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA. (IN BOSNIA)

AS ANOTHER SIGN OF THESE PROBLEMS, MR. SHEA MENTIONED THAT MANY OF THE YUGOSLAV MEN ELIGIBLE TO SERVE IN THE ARMY ARE ALBANIANS LIVING IN KOSOVO. THE SPOKESMAN REMARKS SARCASTICALLY, THERE ARE FEW ALBANIANS WANTING TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE DRIVEN HUNDREDS-OF-THOUSANDS OF KOSOVO ALBANIANS INTO EXILE. HE ALSO SAYS NATO HAS SIGNS MILITARY ORDERS IN KOSOVO ARE BEING IGNORED.

MR. SHEA CONFIRMS REPORTS THAT A NEW NATO MEMBER, HUNGARY, HAS INTERCEPTED A SHIPMENT FROM RUSSIA INTENDED AS A HUMANITARIAN PACKAGE FOR YUGOSLAVIA.

I UNDERSTAND FROM THE INFORMATION I HAVE THAT THE CONVOY CONTAINED EIGHT FUEL TANKERS AND OF COURSE, THAT IS A DIRECTLY MILITARY ASSET IN THE CURRENT ENVIRONMENT, AND THERE WERE SOME ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS AND ALSO A NUMBER OF VEHICLES WHICH ARE CLEARLY MILITARY IN USE. ARMORED VEHICLES, BUT ALSO A NUMBER OF TRUCKS THAT CONTAINED MEDICINE AND CHILDREN'S TOYS, I UNDERSTAND, AND NORMAL FOODSTUFFS.

MR. SHEA SAYS HUNGARY'S POSITION IS SIMILAR TO OTHER UNITED NATIONS MEMBERS IN THAT THE CLEARLY HUMANITARIAN GOODS WILL BE PERMITTED TO GO ON TO THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MONTENEGRO, BUT THE MILITARY GOODS ARE BEING STOPPED IN HUNGARY. (SIGNED)
NEB/RDP/DW/RAE
11-Apr-99 1:15 PM EDT (1715 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[09] BRITAIN/KOSOVO (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS HE HAS WORD FROM INSIDE KOSOVO THAT AS MANY AS 400-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE HIDING IN THE SNOW-FILLED WOODS AND MOUNTAINS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE DAILY MILITARY BRIEFING (SUNDAY) IN LONDON INCLUDED A SATELLITE HOOK-UP WITH ALBANIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER PASKAL MILO, WHO SAYS HIS COUNTRY IS GIVING NATO FULL ACCESS TO CARRY OUT ITS OPERATIONS AGAINST THE SERB MILITARY.

TEXT: FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK SAYS HASIM THACI OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY TOLD HIM BY PHONE THE REFUGEES HIDING IN THE WOODS AND MOUNTAINS ARE RUNNING OUT OF FOOD AND WATER.

MR. COOK HOLDS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR WELFARE.

THEY ARE PEOPLE WHOM HE REGARDS AS HIS CITIZENS. THEY LIVE IN KOSOVO, WHICH HE INSISTS IS HIS COUNTRY. THEY THEREFORE ARE HIS RESPONSIBILITY, AND WE WILL BE DEMANDING THAT HE MAKE SURE THAT WELFARE RELIEF REACHES THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE VICTIMS OF HIS PROGRAM OF ETHNIC CLEANSING.

FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK SAYS NATO ALLIES HAVE TRACED, BY SATELLITE PHOTOS, THE MOVEMENT OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES INSIDE THE SERB PROVINCE. BUT NATO ALLIES ALSO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DISAPPEARANCE OF 250-THOUSAND MILITARY-AGE MEN INSIDE KOSOVO.

FOREIGN SECRETARY COOK STILL RULES OUT MILITARY HELP FOR ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REBELS FIGHTING INSIDE KOSOVO. HE SAYS IT WOULD VIOLATE THE U-N ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA

MR. COOK CONFIRMS NATO IS INTENSIFYING THE AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST SERB MILITARY TARGETS, BUT HE SAYS HE IS AGAINST THE USE OF GROUND FORCES.

ALBANIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER PASKAL MILO TOLD THE LONDON BRIEFING, BY SATELLITE, THAT ALBANIA IS GIVING NATO FULL ACCESS TO CARRY OUT ITS MISSIONS.

WE NOW HAVE DECIDED TO GIVE NATO THE RIGHTS TO CONTROL ALL OUR AIR SPACES, PORTS AND ANY KIND OF MILITARY INFRASTRUCTURE IN ALBANIA.

ALBANIA -- THE POOREST NATION IN EUROPE -- HAS TAKEN IN TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES. MANY HAVE FOUND SHELTER WITH ALBANIAN FAMILIES. INTERNATIONAL RELIEF AGENCIES SAY THEY WILL TRY TO EASE THE BURDEN BY PROVIDING RELIEF SUPPLIES FOR THE HOST FAMILIES, AS WELL AS THE REFUGEES STAYING WITH THEM. (SIGNED)
NEB/LK/DW/RAE
11-Apr-99 8:37 AM EDT (1237 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[10] BRITAIN/KOSOVO (S) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS HE HAS WORD FROM INSIDE KOSOVO THAT AS MANY AS 400-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE HIDING IN THE SNOW-FILLED WOODS AND MOUNTAINS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAYS HASIM THACI OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY TOLD HIM BY PHONE FROM INSIDE KOSOVO THE REFUGEES HIDING IN THE WOODS AND MOUNTAINS ARE RUNNING OUT OF FOOD AND WATER.

MR. COOK HOLDS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR WELFARE.

THEY ARE PEOPLE WHOM HE REGARDS AS HIS CITIZENS. THEY LIVE IN KOSOVO, WHICH HE INSISTS IS HIS COUNTRY. THEY THEREFORE ARE HIS RESPONSIBILITY.

MR. COOK SAYS NATO ALLIES HAVE TRACED, BY SATELLITE PHOTOS, THE MOVEMENT OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES INSIDE THE SERB PROVINCE. BUT NATO ALLIES ALSO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DISAPPEARANCE OF 250-THOUSAND MILITARY-AGE MEN INSIDE KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/LMK/DW/RAE
11-Apr-99 8:40 AM EDT (1240 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[11] RUSSIA CONVOY (L ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: HUNGARIAN CUSTOMS OFFICIALS HAVE DETAINED A CONVOY OF RUSSIAN TRUCKS CARRYING HUMANITARIAN AID TO YUGOSLAVIA. MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS HUNGARY IS OBJECTING TO ITEMS IN THE CONVOY THAT VIOLATE UNITED NATIONS EMBARGOES.

TEXT: THE 73-TRUCK CONVOY CARRYING FOOD, MEDICINES, BLANKETS, AND FUEL WAS STOPPED LATE SATURDAY WHEN IT REACHED THE HUNGARY-UKRAINE BORDER. THE CONVOY LEFT MOSCOW LAST TUESDAY, PASSING THROUGH BELARUS AND UKRAINE BEFORE IT WAS TO CROSS INTO NEWLY-ADMITTED NATO MEMBER HUNGARY, THEN ON TO YUGOSLAVIA.

RUSSIA'S EMERGENCIES MINISTER SERGEI SHOIGU SAYS HUNGARIAN OFFICIALS FIRST REFUSED TO ALLOW PASSAGE TO SEVERAL ARMORED MILITARY VEHICLES, ON THE GROUNDS THAT THEY VIOLATE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL EMBARGO RESOLUTIONS.

BUT IN AN INTERVIEW WITH RUSSIA'S STATE-RUN TELEVISION NETWORK, MR. SHOIGU COMPLAINED THE DEMANDS SEEM TO BE CHANGING.

HE SAYS -- UNFORTUNATELY, THE HUNGARIANS ARE MAKING MORE AND MORE DEMANDS ALL THE TIME. MR. SHOIGU SAYS HE IS PUZZLED BY THE DELAY, BECAUSE THE SAME TRUCKS PASSED HUNGARIAN TERRITORY AT LEAST EIGHT-TIMES DURING THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT WITHOUT INCIDENT.

A HUNGARIAN CUSTOMS OFFICIAL WAS QUOTED SUNDAY AS EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT TWO ITEMS IN THE CONVOY, THE ARMORED TRUCKS AND 10 FUEL TANKERS, WHICH WOULD ALSO VIOLATE THE U-N EMBARGO.

RUSSIAN OFFICIALS SAY THE CONVOY BROUGHT ITS OWN FUEL TO AVOID THE EXPENSE OF HAVING TO PURCHASE GASOLINE ALONG THE WAY. EMERGENCIES MINISTER SHOIGU SAID MONEY IS BEING SENT FROM MOSCOW SO THE CONVOY CAN LEAVE THE FUEL TANKERS AT THE BORDER AND BUY GAS THE REST OF THE WAY.

HUNGARIAN OFFICIALS SAY THE CONVOY COULD BE BACK ON THE ROAD SHORTLY, AFTER THE FUEL TANKERS AND ARMORED VEHICLES ARE DETACHED.

RUSSIA HAD ORIGINALLY HOPED TO HAVE THE AID SHIPMENTS ARRIVE SUNDAY IN BELGRADE, THE ORTHODOX EASTER. NOW, IT APPEARS THE CARGO WILL ARRIVE NO EARLIER THAN TUESDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/PFH/DW/RAE
11-Apr-99 11:04 AM EDT (1504 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[12] YUGOSLAV/JOURNALIST (L-ONLY) BY GUY DINMORE (BELGRADE)

INTRO: A PROMINENT SERBIAN NEWSPAPER EDITOR, ONE OF THE MOST OUTSPOKEN CRITICS OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, WAS SHOT DEAD SUNDAY OUTSIDE HIS BELGRADE APARTMENT. HIS MURDER HAS SENT SHOCK WAVES THROUGH THE FEW MEMBERS OF THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION WHO HAVE NOT LENT THEIR SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT DURING NATO'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN. FROM BELGRADE, GUY DINMORE REPORTS.

TEXT: SLAVKO CURUVIJA, A NEWSPAPER EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR WELL KNOWN FOR HIS OUTSPOKEN ATTACKS ON THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, WAS SHOT DEAD BY TWO MEN IN BROAD DAYLIGHT OUTSIDE HIS HOME IN CENTRAL BELGRADE.

HIS COMPANION, BRANKA PRVA, WAS WITH MR CERUVIJA AND SHE TOLD REPORTERS SHE HEARD MUFFLED SHOTS FROM PISTOLS WITH SILENCERS. AS HER FRIEND FELL TO THE GROUND, SHE SAW TWO YOUNG MEN WITH GUNS. ONE HIT HER WITH HIS PISTOL AND THE OTHER PUMPED MORE BULLETS INTO THE BACK AND HEAD OF MR. CERUVIJA.

MRS PRVA COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE ATTACKERS AND SAID SHE DID NOT KNOW THEIR MOTIVE. BUT HIS MURDER, ON ORTHODOX EASTER SUNDAY, HAS SHOCKED THE FEW MEMBERS OF THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION AND INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS WHO HAVE REMAINED SILENT SINCE NATO LAUNCHED ITS AIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA OVER TWO WEEKS AGO.

FRIENDS RECALLED THAT STATE MEDIA LAST WEEK ATTACKED MR CURUVIJA BY NAME, ACCUSING HIM OF BEING HAPPY NOW THAT NATO WAS BOMBING HIS COUNTRY.

HIS TWO MAIN PUBLICATIONS, THE DAILY TELEGRAPH AND A MAGAZINE, THE EUROPEAN, WERE BOTH HEAVILY FINED BY BELGRADE COURTS LAST YEAR FOR ARTICLES CRITICAL OF MR MILOSEVIC AND HIS GOVERNMENT. ONE ISSUE DREW COMPARISONS WITH THE LAST DAYS OF THE ROMANIAN PRESIDENT NICOLAE CEAUSESCU WHO WAS EXECUTED BY HIS OWN SECURITY FORCES IN 1989.

IN A SEPARATE DEVELOPMENT, STEVE PRATT, AN AUSTRALIAN AID WORKER DETAINED ON MARCH 31ST WHILE TRYING TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY, UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARED ON STATE TELEVISION SUNDAY. HE SAID HE HAD ABUSED HIS POSITION AS HEAD OF THE CHARITY CARE AND HAD GATHERED INTELLIGENCE IN KOSOVO PROVINCE ON THE EFFECTS OF NATO AIR RAIDS. MR PRATT, A FORMER MAJOR IN THE AUSTRALIAN ARMY, EXPRESSED REGRET FOR HIS ACTIONS AND SAID HE HAD ALWAYS BEEN OPPOSED TO NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN. STATE TELEVISION DID NOT SAY WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO MR PRATT OR TO PETER WALLACE, ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN AID WORKER WHO IS ALSO IN DETENTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/GD/ENE/WFR
11-Apr-99 4:42 PM EDT (2042 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[13] DINSMORE Q&A BY GUY DINSMORE (BELGRADE)

INTRO: V-O-A NEWS NOW REPORTER VICTOR BEATTIE HAS SPOKEN, BY PHONE, TO "FINANCIAL TIMES" REPORTER GUY DINSMORE ABOUT THE LATEST HAPPENINGS IN THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL. Q: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT THE LATEST WAVE OF NATO ATTACKS?

A. AS FAR AS I KNOW, BELGRADE HAS HAD A FAIRLY QUIET NIGHT. WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANY BOMB IMPACTS IN OUR PART OF THE CITY. IT'S THE ORTHODOX EASTER SUNDAY. IT'S THE HOLIEST DAY IN THE RELIGIOUS CALENDAR. HOWEVER, STATE MEDIA WAS REPORTING SOME STRIKES ON CENTRAL SERBIA. AND, THERE WERE SOME IN THE NORTH. IT'S POSSIBLE BELGRADE WAS SPARED BECAUSE THE WEATHER FOR THE PAST FEW DAYS HAS BEEN QUITE CLOUDY AND RAINY.

Q. ACCORDING TO THE WIRES, THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF ATTACKS IN KOSOVO. DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT?

A. UNFORTUNATELY, THE NEWS WE GET HERE IN BELGRADE ABOUT KOSOVO IS QUITE FILTERED. THE STATE MEDIA DOESN'T REPORT NATO ATTACKS ON INSTALLATIONS. NORMALLY, THEY STRESS ATTACKS ON CIVILIAN TARGETS. IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR US TO GET A CLEAR IDEA OF WHAT'S HAPPENING DOWN THERE. WE'RE NOT ALLOWED DOWN THERE UNLESS WE'RE ESCORTED.

Q. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO CHURCH. IT'S ORTHODOX EASTER.

A. THAT'S RIGHT. A LOT OF PEOPLE WENT TO MIDNIGHT COMMUNION LAST NIGHT. THE PATRIARCH OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH CELEBRATED MASS IN THE CATHEDRAL IN THE CENTER OF BELGRADE. THE ARMY -- INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH -- ISSUED A STATEMENT CALLING FOR THE ORTHODOX CHURCH TO UNITE AND HELP THE COUNTRY IN THE DEFENSE (AGAINST) WHAT THEY CALL NATO AGGRESSION. SO, THE CHURCH IS BEING CALLED UPON BY THE ARMY TO GET POLITICALLY INVOLVED IN THIS CONFLICT.

Q. THERE WAS A REPORT BY THE YUGOSLAV ARMY -- WHICH HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED BY NATO -- THAT AN F-117 U-S STEALTH WAS SHOT DOWN LATE FRIDAY AND THE PILOT CAPTURED. HAVE YOU HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.

A. WE HAVE HEARD THOSE REPORTS. STRANGELY, WE HAVE FRIENDS TO THE NORTH OF BELGRADE WHO HAVE BEEN CALLING US FOR THE LAST DAY OR SO INSISTING THAT, INDEED, AN AMERICAN PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN. MILITARY JOURNALISTS HERE CLAIM TO HAVE BEEN WITH AN AIR DEFENSE BATTERY THAT SHOT DOWN THIS PLANE. BUT, AS FAR AS I KNOW, NO WRECKAGE HAS BEEN PRODUCED. AND, NO PILOT HAS BEEN SHOWN -- DEAD OR ALIVE. UNTIL THE AUTHORITIES COME UP WITH EVIDENCE, WE ARE SKEPTICAL. I MUST SAY THERE ARE RUMORS GOING AROUND THAT YUGOSLAVIA HAS SHOT DOWN SEVERAL NATO PLANES AND THAT THEY (THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT) ARE SAVING IT UP FOR A WHILE, UNTIL THEY CAN PUT A WHOLE ROW OF PRISONERS ON TELEVISION. I SUSPECT THIS IS JUST SUBTLE PROPAGANDA THAT'S GOING AROUND HERE.

Q. HAS THERE BEEN ANYTHING NEW ABOUT THOSE THREE AMERICAN SERVICEMEN WHO WERE TAKEN NEAR THE MACEDONIAN BORDER?

A. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THEY'VE NOT BEEN MENTIONED, AT ALL, ON THE STATE MEDIA. WE BELIEVE THEY ARE BEING HELD SOMEWHERE IN BELGRADE. WE'RE NOT EXACTLY SURE WHERE. FOR NOW, IT APPEARS THAT THEY REMAIN PRISONERS OF WAR. WHETHER A TRIAL IS GOING AHEAD, AS HAD BEEN REPORTED EARLIER, I'M NOT CERTAIN. THEY'VE JUST DISAPPEARED OFF THE NEWS RADAR SCREEN HERE.

Q. ON THE POLITICAL FRONT, THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF YUGOSLAVIA SAID, IN AN INTERVIEW PUBLISHED TODAY IN FRANCE, THAT BELGRADE WANTED A "POLITICAL ACCORD" FOR KOSOVO AND WOULD ACCEPT A "FOREIGN PRESENCE" TO GUARANTEE THE DEAL. DO YOU SEE THIS AS AN ESSENTIAL CHANGE IN YUGOSLAV POLICY TOWARD KOSOVO?

A. NOT REALLY, BECAUSE -- EVEN DURING THE TWO ROUNDS OF PEACE TALKS IN FRANCE -- THE SERBIAN LINE WAS "YES, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE SCOPE AND CHARACTER OF AN INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE." BUT, THEY ARE MAKING IT FAIRLY CLEAR THIS WILL NOT BE A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE, AS THE WEST WANTS. I DON'T THINK IT REALLY REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD. ENDIT
NEB / WD-T / WD
11-Apr-99 4:58 AM EDT (0858 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[14] KOSOVO / U-S SUNDAY SHOWS (L-O) BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE NATO AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS EXACTING A GROWING TOLL ON SERBIA, ACCORDING TO U-S AND NATO MILITARY OFFICIALS (SPEAKING ON U-S TELEVISION TALK SHOWS SUNDAY.) CORRESPONDENT LINDA CASHDAN REPORTS THE OFFICIALS SAY AIR STRIKES WILL CONTINUE UNTIL SERBIAN FORCES ARE REMOVED FROM KOSOVO AND ETHNIC-ALBANIAN REFUGEES CAN RETURN HOME, THEIR SAFETY ASSURED BY NATO GROUND TROOPS.

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS STRESS THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT A "PARTITIONING AGREEMENT," UNDER WHICH SERBIAN TROOPS COULD KEEP THE MINERAL-RICH AND HISTORIC PARTS OF KOSOVO AND THE ALBANIAN REFUGEES WOULD RETURN TO A SEPARATE AREA.

SPEAKING ON C-B-S'S "FACE THE NATION," DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT SAID PARTITIONING KOSOVO WOULD REINFORCE ALL THAT IS OBJECTIONABLE ABOUT MILOSEVIC'S POLICIES.

PART OF WHAT WE ARE FIGHTING AGAINST IN THAT PART OF EUROPE IS THE IDEA THAT STATEHOOD, CITIZENSHIP, NATIONHOOD, SHOULD BE DEFINED IN TERMS OF ETHNICITY AND RELIGION. THAT INSIDIOUS CONCEPT HAS CAUSED AN UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF BLOODSHED, MISERY, AND WAR. ONE OF THE VALUES THAT IS CHAMPIONED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN EUROPE IS THE IDEA OF MULTI-ETHNIC DEMOCRACY, AND MR. MILOSEVIC HAS NOW UNLEASHED FOUR WARS IN THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, BASICALLY BY TRYING TO MAKE ETHNICITY THE BASIS OF STATEHOOD.

AS A RESULT OF HIS RECENT ACTIONS, MR. TALBOTT SAYS, MR. MILOSEVIC SHOULD BE THOUGHT OF AS A WAR CRIMINAL RATHER THAN A HEAD OF STATE. ON A-B-C TELEVISION'S SUNDAY NEWS PROGRAM "THIS WEEK" DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN AGREED. MR. COHEN SAYS SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST HUMANITY BY THOSE SERVING HIM.

I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH MR. MILOSEVIC. WHAT HIS STATUS IS, IS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE, BUT I THINK THAT EVERY DAY THAT GOES BY AND WE SEE MORE AND MORE EVIDENCE OF THE GROTESQUE BRUTALITY THAT HE OR HIS FORCES HAVE ENGAGED IN -- EITHER BY HIS DIRECT ORDERS OR HIS SUFFERANCE -- IS GOING TO MAKE IT FAR MORE DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH HIM ON ANY BASIS.

MR. COHEN SAYS HE QUESTIONS WHETHER MR. MILOSEVIC SHOULD BE AT THE BARGAINING TABLE AT ALL, IF AND WHEN THE FIGHTING STOPS.

MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THAT WILL BE. NATO COMMANDER GENERAL WESLEY CLARK TOLD C-B-S'S FACE THE NATION THE EFFECTS OF THE AIR CAMPAIGN ARE INTENSIFYING, TAKING A EVER INCREASING TOLL ON SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S MILITARY MACHINE.

WE ARE TARGETING THE LINES OF COMMUNICATIONS, PETROLEUM STORAGE, AND MANY OTHER ASSETS THAT HE NEEDS TO SUSTAIN HIS MILITARY EQUIPMENT AND HIS MILITARY FORCES, AND HE IS GOING TO PAY AN EVER MOUNTING PRICE FOR HIS POLICIES.

SPEAKING ON N-B-C TELEVISION'S "MEET THE PRESS", CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL HUGH SHELTON AGREED. GENERAL SHELTON SAYS EVIDENCE IS GROWING MILOSEVIC'S FORCES ARE IN NEED OF BOTH FUEL AND AMMUNITION.

I KNOW THAT WE HAVE CERTAINLY TAKEN AWAY A LOT OF THEIR SUSTAINMENT CAPABILITIES, AND WE DO HAVE EVIDENCE NOW THAT THIS IS STARTING TO HAVE AN IMPACT, THAT THE LACK OF FUEL, THE LACK OF AMMUNITION, THE LOWER MORALE OF (CAUSED BY) STARTING TO BE POUNDED BY NATO AIR BOTH NIGHT, AS WELL AS IN THE DAYTIME, IS STARTING TO HAVE AN EFFECT.

GENERAL SHELTON SAYS EXTENSIVE USE OF PRECISION WEAPONS DESIGNED TO HIT ONLY DESIGNATED TARGETS CONTINUES TO MINIMIZE CIVILIAN DAMAGE. HE SAYS 90-PERCENT OF THE WEAPONS USED IN THIS CONFLICT ARE PRECISION WEAPONS, COMPARED TO ONLY NINE-PERCENT IN U-S MANEUVERS AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN IN DESERT STORM. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/RAE
11-Apr-99 2:45 PM EDT (1845 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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