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Voice of America, 99-05-08Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] CHINA / EMBASSY / L BY STEPHANIE HO (BEIJING)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249114 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: CHINA IS STRONGLY CONDEMNING WHAT IT CALLS A BARBARIAN ATTACK ON ITS EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. AS V-O-A'S STEPHANIE HO REPORTS, CHINESE MEDIA ARE REPORTING TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED, WITH MORE THAN 20 OTHERS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED. TEXT: CHINA'S OFFICIAL XINHUA NEWS AGENCY SATURDAY SAID BEIJING CONSIDERS NATO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BOMBING AND HAS LODGED ITS STRONGEST PROTEST. YUGOSLAV MEDIA QUOTE CHINESE AMBASSADOR TO BELGRADE PAN JUANLIAN AS RULING OUT PILOT ERROR FOR THE STRIKES -- SAYING THERE ARE NO MILITARY OR INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES NEAR THE CHINESE EMBASSY. THE XINHUA REPORT SAYS THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE EXPRESS THEIR UTMOST INDIGNATION AND CONDEMNATION OF WHAT IT CALLS A BARBARIAN ACT. IT SAYS BEIJING RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION, BUT PROVIDES NO DETAILS. IN BEIJING, THE NOON NEWSCAST LED WITH PICTURES OF RESCUE WORKERS RECOVERING PEOPLE FROM THE FIVE-STORY CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. SMOKE POURED OUT OF THE DAMAGED BUILDING. A T-V ANNOUNCER SAID NATO HAS BEEN WANTONLY BOMBING YUGOSLAVIA FOR MORE THAN 40 DAYS. HE SAID THE AIRSTRIKES ALREADY HAVE BEEN KILLING AND WOUNDING LARGE NUMBERS OF INNOCENT YUGOSLAV CIVILIANS. HE ACCUSED NATO OF NOW LAUNCHING AIRSTRIKES AGAINST THE CHINESE EMBASSY AND VIOLATING CHINA'S SOVEREIGN RIGHTS. A CHINA CENTRAL TELEVISION REPORTER AT THE SCENE SAID SEVERAL OTHER BUILDINGS NEARBY WERE ALSO HIT. BEIJING HAS FURIOUSLY DENOUNCED THE NATO BOMBING AND THE BLASTS
THAT WRECKED ITS BELGRADE EMBASSY WILL ADD TO ITS ANGER AND
POSSIBLY COMPLICATE THE SEARCH FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION.
IN CHINA, RESENTMENT HAS BEEN BUBBLING AGAINST THE UNITED STATES
WHICH HAS BEEN PORTRAYED BY CHINESE MEDIA AS AN ARROGANT
SUPERPOWER. CHINESE NEWS REPORTS DEPICT THE UNITED STATES AS
ACTING LIKE A GLOBAL BULLY -- BYPASSING THE UNITED NATIONS AND
CHOOSING CONFLICT OVER DIPLOMACY.
MEANTIME, ORDINARY CHINESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN OPENLY INDIGNANT AT
NATO. THE REUTERS NEWS AGENCY QUOTES DIPLOMATS AS SAYING THEIR
NATIONALISTIC PASSIONS COULD HAVE UNPREDICTABLE CONSEQUENCES.
(SIGNED)
[02] CHINA / EMBASSY (L-UPDATE) BY STEPHANIE HO (BEIJING)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249127 CONTENT= VOICED AT: (UPDATES EARLIER HO LONG CR #2-249114) INTRO: SEVERAL THOUSAND CHINESE STUDENTS DEMONSTRATED IN FRONT OF THE U-S EMBASSY IN BEIJING, TO PROTEST THE NATO BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE THAT KILLED THREE CHINESE PEOPLE. V-O-A'S STEPHANIE HO REPORTS THAT ALTHOUGH SECURITY WAS VISIBLY STEPPED UP, AUTHORITIES NOT ONLY ALLOWED THE PROTESTS TO HAPPEN, BUT ALSO DID NOT HINDER FOREIGN JOURNALISTS FROM COVERING THEM. TEXT: SATURDAY'S DEMONSTRATION IS THE SECOND LARGE PROTEST IN THE CHINESE CAPITAL IN TWO WEEKS. ALL AFTERNOON, BUSLOADS OF CHINESE STUDENTS FROM DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES IN BEIJING CONVERGED AT THE U-S EMBASSY TO PROTEST THE NATO BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. THE WELL-ORGANIZED STUDENTS SAID THEY CAME VOLUNTARILY, BUT THEY WERE ASSISTED BY POLICEMEN AT THE SCENE. THE STUDENT GROUPS CAME IN SHIFTS AND WHEN THEY WERE FINISHED DEMONSTRATING, THEY QUICKLY RETURNED TO THEIR BUSES AND LEFT TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW BUSLOADS OF STUDENTS. THE STUDENTS' NATIONALISTIC ANGER AT THE DEATHS OF THEIR COMPATRIOTS IN BELGRADE WAS GENUINE -- AS THEY CHANTED "U-S KILLERS" IN ENGLISH. // DEMO SOUNDS -- FADE IN, EST, FADE UNDER //CHINESE MEDIA HAS DIRECTED MOST OF THE BLAME AGAINST THE UNITED STATES -- SAYING NATO IS LED BY WASHINGTON. SO, IT WAS NOT SURPRISING CHINESE DEMONSTRATORS DECIDED TO PROTEST IN FRONT OF THE U-S EMBASSY. TO THE CHEERS OF BYSTANDERS, ROCKS, BRICKS AND BOTTLES WERE THROWN AT U-S EMBASSY BUILDINGS -- APPARENTLY IN IMITATION OF THE NATO MISSILE VOLLEYS THAT STRUCK THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. // CHEERING SOUND -- FADE IN, EST, FADE UNDER //ONE CHINESE POLICEMAN STANDING BY SAID, WHY SHOULD HE STOP THE ROCK-THROWING WHEN NATO DESTROYED THE CHINESE EMBASSY? BY SATURDAY NIGHT, POLICE HAD DISPERSED THE STUDENTS, BUT ABOUT 15-HUNDRED ANGRY DEMONSTRATORS -- ORDINARY PEOPLE, NOT ALL STUDENTS -- CONTINUED PROTESTING IN FRONT OF THE U-S AND BRITISH EMBASSIES. ALTHOUGH THE CROWD TURNED UGLY AND STARTED DESTROYING DIPLOMATIC CARS, POLICE DID NOT STOP THEM. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE STRIKE AGAINST ITS EMBASSY IN BELGRADE -- CALLING IT A BARBARIC AND BRAZEN ACT. CHINESE VICE-FOREIGN MINISTER WANG YINGFAN SUMMONED U-S AMBASSADOR TO CHINA JAMES SASSER TO LODGE BEIJING'S STRONG PROTEST. CHINA'S OFFICIAL XINHUA NEWS AGENCY SAID MR. WANG CRITICIZED WHAT THE REPORT CALLED THE U-S-LED NATO MISSILE ATTACKS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. HE CALLED THE STRIKE ON THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE A GROSS VIOLATION OF CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS SAID IT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE
FURTHER MEASURES, ALTHOUGH OFFICIAL MEDIA HAVE GIVEN NO DETAILS.
MEANTIME, THE STUDENT PROTESTERS SAY THEY WANT TO RETURN FOR MORE
DEMONSTRATIONS IN FRONT OF THE U-S EMBASSY SUNDAY -- WHICH COULD
ATTRACT AN EVEN LARGER CROWD. (SIGNED)
[03] KOSOVO/PENTAGON SATURDAY (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249140 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE PENTAGON'S TOP SPOKESMAN SAYS WASHINGTON DEEPLY REGRETS THE MISGUIDED NATO BOMB THAT HIT THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. BUT KENNETH BACON SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC SHOULD BEAR SOME BLAME FOR THE BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA AND THE INEVITABLE ACCIDENTS THAT ACCOMPANY MILITARY ACTION. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS THE INCIDENT DREW STRONG CRITICISM FROM MANY NATIONS. TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KENNETH BACON SAYS IF BELGRADE HAD ACCEPTED NATO'S DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO WORK OUT A SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS, THE BOMBING CAMPAIGN WOULD NOT BE NEEDED. /// BACON ACT ///THIS WAS NOT A FIGHT THAT NATO SOUGHT. IT WAS A FIGHT THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BUT (YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC CHOOSE NOT TO AVOID IT. AND NOW THAT WE ARE IN THIS CONFLICT, IT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL WE ACHIEVE THE POLITICAL GOALS THAT THE MILITARY CAMPAIGN IS DESIGNED TO BRING ABOUT. /// END ACT ///MR. BACON SAYS NATO WILL FURTHER INTENSIFY THE BOMBING CAMPAIGN TO DRIVE YUGOSLAV TROOPS OUT OF KOSOVO AND INSURE THE SAFE RETURN OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO THEIR FORMER HOMES IN THE SERB PROVINCE. HE SAYS ALLIANCE OFFICIALS WILL GIVE NO DETAILS OF THE EMBASSY INCIDENT UNTIL A NATO INVESTIGATION IS FINISHED. NATO SAYS THE BOMBS WERE SUPPOSED TO HIT AN OFFICE THAT OBTAINS WEAPONS FOR THE YUGOSLAV MILITARY. /// OPT ///THIS IS AT LEAST THE SEVENTH TIME DURING "OPERATION ALLIED FORCE" THAT NATO AND PENTAGON OFFICIALS HAVE HAD TO EXPLAIN WHY A NATO WEAPON HAS KILLED CIVILIANS, HIT THE WRONG TARGET OR EVEN HIT THE WRONG COUNTRY. PENTAGON OFFICIALS INSIST THAT THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS IS SMALL IN RELATION TO THE 17-THOUSAND TIMES THEY HAVE FLOWN OVER OR NEAR YUGOSLAVIA DURING THIS CAMPAIGN. THE MISTAKEN ATTACK CAME ON ONE OF NATO'S HEAVIEST ATTACKS OF THE WAR. SOME PLANES FOCUSED ON MILITARY COMMAND CENTERS IN BELGRADE, INCLUDING A COMMAND BUNKER LOCATED UNDER ONE OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S HOMES. ANOTHER TARGET WAS A HOTEL HOUSING THE FORCES LED BY PARAMILITARY LEADER ARKAN (ZELJKO RAZNATOVIC). /// BACON ACT ///ARKAN HIMSELF AND HIS GROUP HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN ETHNIC CLEANSING, IN CROATIA AND BOSNIA. IN FACT, HE HAS BEEN INDICTED BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR ETHNIC CLEANSING IN CROATIA. /// END ACT ///NATO ALSO HIT THE YUGOSLAV ARMY GENERAL STAFF BUILDING AGAIN, AS
WELL AS POWER AND COMMUNICATIONS SITES, FUEL DEPOTS, AND YUGOSLAV
FORCES OPERATING IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
[04] NATO / CHINA (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249121 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO HAS APOLOGIZED TO CHINA FOR BOMBING ITS EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, DESPITE THE MISTAKE NATO PLANS TO CONTINUE AIR STRIKES. TEXT: A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, NATO SAYS. THIS WAS NOT A CASE OF A MISSILE GONE ASTRAY. THE TARGET WAS YUGOSLAVIA'S FEDERAL DIRECTORATE FOR SUPPLY AND PROCUREMENT OF WEAPONS. ONLY LATER DID NATO DISCOVER, TO ITS HORROR, THE BUILDING WAS REALLY THE CHINESE EMBASSY. NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS THE WRONG BUILDING WAS ATTACKED. ///SHEA ACTUALITY//THIS WAS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. NATO DEEPLY REGRETS LOSS OF LIFE, INJURIES TO CHINESE DIPLOMATIC PERSONNEL OR TO ANY OTHER INNOCENT CIVILIANS PRESENT IN THE EMBASSY AT THE TIME. ///END ACTUALITY///DESPITE THE MISTAKE, MR. SHEA SAYS NATO AIR STRIKES ON YUGOSLAVIA
WILL CONTINUE WITH THE SAME CONCERN FOR AVOIDING CIVILIAN
CASUALTIES. THE CHINESE EMBASSY WAS ATTACKED DURING NATO'S MOST
CONCENTRATED ATTACK ON BELGRADE TO DATE. (SIGNED)
[05] NATO-CHINA UPDATE (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249135 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO SAYS IT MADE A TRAGIC MISTAKE WHEN IT BOMBED THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS, NATO HIT ITS INTENDED TARGET WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE THE WRONG BUILDING. TEXT: THE DAMAGE IS WIDESPREAD. THERE IS THE FAILURE OF NATO'S INTELLIGENCE TO TARGET THE RIGHT BUILDING WITH ITS PRECISION GUIDED WEAPONS. THERE IS THE UNFORTUNATE MISTAKE OF HITTING THE EMBASSY OF A PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL AT THE TIME WHEN WESTERN COUNTRIES NEED CHINESE COOPERATION FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION. NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA EXPRESSES THE NATO AMBASSADORS'S DEEP REGRET FOR A TRAGIC MISTAKE. MR. SOLANA SAYS AIR STRIKES WILL CONTINUE, BUT STILL NATO HOPES FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION BASED ON YUGOSLAVIA'S ACCEPTANCE OF ITS FIVE CONDITIONS FOR SUSPENDING THE BOMBING. ///SOLANA ACT///THE NATO COUNTRIES WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ALL ATTEMPTS AT A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION WHICH RESPECTS THESE CONDITIONS. THE MISTAKEN ATTACK AGAINST THE CHINESE EMBASSY SHOULD NOT DIMINISH OR SHOULD NOT DERAIL THESE EFFORTS. ///END ACT///NATO HAS JUST TAKEN PRIDE IN RUSSIA AGREEING TO SUPPORT A SECURITY PRESENCE IN KOSOVO AND HAS WANTED TO BRING CHINA INTO SUPPORTING A SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION BACKING A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE. THE PLANNED NATO TARGET WAS THE FEDERAL DIRECTORATE FOR SUPPLY AND PROCUREMENT OF WEAPONS IN BELGRADE. NATO MILITARY SPOKESMAN WALTER JERTZ SAYS NATO'S PROCESS OF EVALUATING MILITARY TARGETS FAILED IN THIS CASE. ///JERTZ ACT///WE MADE A MISTAKE. WE HIT THE WRONG BUILDING. THERE WAS AN ERROR IN THE PROCESS WHICH CAUSED US TO ATTACK THE WRONG BUILDING AND WE ARE REVIEWING THIS PROCESS WHICH UP UNTIL NOW HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BE A STRONG TESTAMENT TO ONE OF THE MOST PROFESSIONAL AND METICULOUS SCIENCES OF THIS AIR CAMPAIGN. ///END ACT///GENERAL JERTZ INSISTS NATO HAS NOT BEEN MISLED. ASKED IF NATO KNOWS WHERE EMBASSIES ARE LOCATED IN BELGRADE, HE SAYS NO. EMBASSIES ARE NOT MILITARY TARGETS AND SO THERE IS NO NEED TO HAVE THIS INFORMATION. THE BOMBS HIT THE EMBASSY WITH NATO THINKING IT WAS THE DIRECTORATE FOR ARMS PURCHASES. NATO HAS BLAMED MISSILES GOING ASTRAY FOR PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS DURING ITS AIR STRIKES ON YUGOSLAVIA OR FOR TRAINS OR VEHICLES MOVING INTO THE INTENDED TARGETS. THIS TIME, IT APPEARS TO BE AN INTELLIGENCE FAILURE ABOUT THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION OF BUILDING IN BELGRADE. THE EMBASSY ATTACK CAME AS NATO MADE THE MOST CONCENTRATED ATTACK ON BELGRADE SINCE THE AIR STRIKES BEGAN ON MARCH 24TH. AMONG THE OTHER TARGETS WAS THE HOTEL YUGOSLAVIA ALONG THE DANUBE
RIVER IN NEW BELGRADE. NATO CHARGES THE HOTEL IS BEING USED AS A
BARRACKS BY ARKAN'S TIGERS, A PARA MILITARY GROUP ACTIVE IN
KOSOVO. ARKAN IS THE NICKNAME OF ZELJKO RAZNJATOVIC WHO HAS BEEN
INDICTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN HAGUE. NATO
ALSO TARGETED A COMMAND BUNKER SOMETIMES USED BY YUGOSLAV
PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. RATHER THAN BOASTING ABOUT ITS
TARGETING, NATO IS MAKING APOLOGIES. (SIGNED)
[06] KOSOVO/AGANI KILLING (L-O) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (SKOPJE, MACEDONIA)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249138 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A LEADING MEMBER OF THE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN PEACE DELEGATION, FEHMI AGANI, HAS BEEN KILLED IN KOSOVO. HIS FAMILY SAYS HE WAS KILLED WHILE IN POLICE CUSTODY AFTER HE WAS TAKEN OFF A TRAIN THURSDAY WHICH WAS TURNED BACK AT THE MACEDONIAN BORDER. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS MORE FROM SKOPJE. TEXT: MR AGANI'S SON, SHPEND, TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE IN SKOPJE HE HAD EXPECTED HIS FATHER TO CROSS INTO MACEDONIA TWO DAYS AGO. HE WAS ON A TRAIN HEADED FOR THE BORDER ON THURSDAY BUT IT WAS TURNED BACK BY SERB POLICE. MACEDONIA HAD CLOSED THE BORDER WITH KOSOVO THE DAY BEFORE AFTER COMPLAINING IT COULD NO LONGER COPE WITH THE FLOOD OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES. SHPEND AGANI -- VISIBLY SHAKEN AND NOT SPEAKING MUCH ABOVE A WHISPER -- SAYS HIS FATHER WAS TAKEN FROM THE TRAIN BY SERB POLICE. /// SHPEND ACT ///THIS MORNING, AFTER WE TALKED WITH DIFFERENT FAMILY MEMBERS WHO LIVE IN PRISTINA, WE ARE NOW SURE HE WAS KILLED BY SERB POLICE. /// END ACT ///FEHMI AGANI WAS A RESPECTED MODERATE KOSOVAR ALBANIAN LEADER AND MEMBER OF THE KOSOVAR PEACE DELEGATION THAT TRIED TO REACH A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT FOR THE KOSOVO CRISIS. MR. AGANI'S SON DISMISSES SERB POLICE CLAIMS THAT HIS FATHER WAS KILLED BY ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS FIGHTING INSIDE KOSOVO. HE SAYS FAMILY MEMBERS STILL IN PRISTINA CONFIRMED HIS FATHER HAD BEEN TAKEN BY SERB POLICE. /// SHPEND ACT TWO ///YESTERDAY (FRIDAY), WHEN WE TALKED WITH THEM, THEY SAID HE WAS ARRESTED BY SERB POLICE AND AFTER THAT THEY TRIED TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HIM. ONE MEMBER OF MY FAMILY, WHEN HE WAS IN POLICE STATION, WAS BEATEN BY POLICE OFFICERS. ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER WHEN THEY TIRED TO GET INFORMATION BY PHONE THEY HEARD FROM THE POLICE ANGRY WORDS ABOUT ALL OF US. // END ACT ///MR. AGANI'S SON SAYS FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE IDENTIFIED HIS FATHER'S BODY BUT WOULD GIVE NO OTHER DETAILS. A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY, WHO WAS ALSO AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE, SAYS HE SPENT FIVE WEEKS IN HIDING WITH FEHMI AGANI BUT LEFT A FEW DAYS EARLIER BECAUSE IT WAS BECOMING TOO DANGEROUS. SHPEND AGANI SAYS HIS FATHER STAYED ON IN PRISTINA BECAUSE HE DID
NOT THINK IT WOULD TAKE SO LONG TO END THE CONFLICT. (SIGNED)
[07] MACEDONIA/ALBANIA (L-O) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CEGRANE, MACEDONIA)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249132 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-N REFUGEE OFFICIALS ARE TALKING WITH ALBANIA ABOUT THE TRANSFER OF UP TO 60-THOUSAND KOSOVAR REFUGEES FROM MACEDONIA. BUT THE U-N OFFICIALS SAYS THE TRANSFER MUST BE VOLUNTARY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN VISITED THE NEWEST -- AND MOST CROWDED CAMP -- AT CEGRANE IN WESTERN MACEDONIA TO SEE HOW MANY ARE WILLING TO MOVE ON TO ALBANIA. TEXT: THE CEGRANE CAMP OPENED LESS THAN TEN DAYS AGO. TEN THOUSAND REFUGEES MOVED IN EVEN BEFORE IT WAS FINISHED. THE POPULATION NOW SURPASSES 30 THOUSAND -- ABOUT THE SAME SIZE OF A NEARBY MACEDONIAN TOWN. BUT WALKING THROUGH THE MAZE OF TENTS THAT SNAKE UP A MUDDY HILLSIDE, IT IS STILL HARD TO FIND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TAKE UP THE U-N-H-C-R OFFER TO MOVE TO ALBANIA. RAMADAN IS A SCHOOL TEACHER FROM UROSEVAC - OR FERASAJ IN ALBANIAN. HE ARRIVED IN CEGRANE CAMP FIVE DAYS AGO. IF HE GOES ANYWHERE, HE SAYS, IT WILL BE TO EUROPE. ///RAMADAN ACT///I WANT TO GO SOMEWHERE FOR SIX MONTHS, AT MOST FOR A YEAR, AND THEN COME BACK TO MY PLACE (HOME). I HAVE MY BROTHER IN GERMANY, BUT I LIKE TO GO SOMEWHERE TO SPEAK ENGLISH. /// END ACT ///TWO YOUNG GIRLS CARRYING WATER IN PLASTIC BOTTLES BACK TO THEIR TENT SHAKE THEIR HEAD "NO" IN UNISON WHEN ASKED ABOUT MOVING TO ALBANIA. /// ALBANIAN AND FADE ////// KIMETE ACT ///WE HAVE BROTHER IN GERMANY AND WE WANT TO GO THERE. WE HAVE MY AUNT AND UNCLE THERE. /// END ACT ///U-N-H-C-R OFFICIALS INSIST ANY MOVE OUT OF MACEDONIA MUST BE VOLUNTARY BUT THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING VOLUNTEERS TO GO TO ALBANIA. THEY WANT TO START MOVING AS MANY AS FIVE THOUSAND THIS WEEKEND BUT SO FAR ONLY ABOUT 600 HAVE SAID YES. MOST WHO SIGN UP TO LEAVE MACEDONIA WANT TO GO TO EUROPE, AUSTRALIA OR THE UNITED STATES. SO FAR FEWER THAN 30 THOUSAND HAVE BEEN AIR-LIFTED OUT. MACEDONIA COMPLAINS IT CAN NO LONGER COPE WITH THE REFUGEE
CRISIS. MORE THAN 200-THOUSAND KOSOVOAR ALBANIANS HAVE FLOODED
INTO THE COUNTRY IN THE PAST MONTH AND A HALF. ON WEDNESDAY, THE
GOVERNMENT CLOSED ITS BORDER WITH KOSOVO TO STEM THE TIDE.
(SIGNED)
[08] MACEDONIA/SURPRISE AID (L-O) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CEGRANE, MACEDONIA)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249131 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: DONOR STATES ARE PROMISING FINANCIAL AID TO MACEDONIA. THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY AND OTHER RELIEF GROUPS ARE IMPORTING MASSIVE SUPPLIES. BUT V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN FOUND AN ENTERPRISING AID MISSION FROM LONDON WHEN SHE VISITED THE CEGRANE CAMP IN WESTERN MACEDONIA. TEXT: IT IS A STRANGE SIGHT TO SEE AT THE ENTRANCE TO CEGRANE CAMP: A 1968 BRITISH-MADE TOURING BUS, THAT LOOKS LIKE IT IS HELD TOGETHER WITH METAL SCRAP AND A LOT OF HOPE. IT IS NOT A TOURIST BUS ANYMORE. NOW IT IS A DELIVERY TRUCK, FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND FOODSTUFFS, TOILET PAPER, TOOTHPASTE AND OTHER BASIC NECESSITIES. THREE VOLUNTEERS FROM A LONDON NEIGHBORHOOD DROVE THE BUS FOR TEN DAYS DOWN THROUGH ITALY AND ONTO A FERRY THAT TOOK THEM TO GREECE AND THEN UP TO MACEDONIA. MATTHEW IS ON THE THREE-MAN TEAM ON THIS MISSION. THE SUPPLIES WERE COLLECTED IN SOUTH LONDON AND THEY DECIDED TO DELIVER THE SHIPMENT PERSONALLY TO MAKE SURE IT ACTUALLY REACHED THE REFUGEE CAMPS. /// MATTHEW ACT ///IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF THE AID GETS DELIVERED INTO SKOPJE (MACEDONIA'S CAPITAL CITY) WHERE IT GOES INTO HOLDING PENS AND YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH ACTUALLY DRIVEN UP INTO THE CAMPS. /// END ACT ///MATTHEW SAYS THE TRIP WAS AN ADVENTURE IN ITSELF. THERE WERE SEVERAL BREAKDOWNS AND MANY TIMES WHEN THE TWO PASSENGERS HAD TO GET OUT AND WALK ALONG SIDE THE BUS AS IT SPUTTERED UP STEEP MOUNTAIN ROADS. GETTING INTO MACEDONIA WAS NOT SO EASY EITHER. /// MATTHEW ACT TWO ///THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE HAD WAS GETTING ACROSS THE BORDER INTO MACEDONIA AND THEN FINDING WHERE THE CAMP WAS. THEY WANTED US TO DRIVE STRAIGHT INTO THIS POUND (TERMINAL). LIKE I SAY IN THIS POUND WHERE MOST OF THE AID AGENCIES WERE BEING SENT, THEY'RE CHARGING THEM TO GET INTO THE POUND, TO GET OUT OF THE POUND. AND ONCE THE FOOD IS OFF-LOADED INTO THE POUND NOBODY KNOWS WHERE IT GOES. /// END ACT ///MATTHEW SAYS AS SOON AS THE BUS IS UNLOADED THEY WILL BE ON THEIR WAY BACK TO LONDON FOR MORE SUPPLIES. /// MATTHEW ACT THREE ///NOW WE KNOW WE CAN MAKE IT HERE, I THINK IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. /// END ACT ///MATTHEW ADMITS IT WAS A TIRING TRIP BUT REWARDING, HE SAYS, NOW
THAT HE ACTUALLY SEES THE AID BEING DELIVERED TO THE PEOPLE WHO
NEED IT MOST. (SIGNED)
[09] RUSSIA / YUGO (L) BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (MOSCOW)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249126 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIIN HAS ANGRILY DENOUNCED NATO'S APPARENT ACCIDENTAL BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. V-O-A'S CHALLISS MCDONOUGH REPORTS THAT THE INCIDENT, HAS COMPLICATED MOSCOW'S EFFORTS TO FIND A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS. TEXT: PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN CALLS THE BOMBING A BARBAROUS AND INHUMANE ACT. THE KREMLIN SAYS HE HAS SENT HIS CONDOLENCES TO BEIJING. AFTER THE INCIDENT, MR. YELTSIN ORDERED FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV TO CANCEL A SCHEDULED THREE-DAY TRIP TO GREAT BRITAIN. THE FOREIGN MINISTRY DID NOT LINK THE MOVE DIRECTLY TO THE EMBASSY BOMBING. HOWEVER, IT DID SAY THE VISIT WAS BEING POSTPONED BECAUSE OF WHAT IT CALLED THE "SHARPLY WORSENING SITUATION IN THE BALKANS." A MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAYS MR. IVANOV WILL STAY IN MOSCOW TO ANALYZE THE LATEST EVENTS IN YUGOSLAVIA AND HELP PREPARE RUSSIA'S RESPONSE. //OPT//IN SPITE OF MOSCOW'S ANGER OVER THE APPARENT EMBASSY BOMBING, RUSSIAN SPECIAL BALKANS ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN LEFT FOR BONN SATURDAY FOR TALKS WITH GERMAN LEADERS. HE IS ALSO EXPECTED TO MEET THE NEWLY-NAMED UNITED NATIONS ENVOY TO THE REGION, FORMER SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER CARL BILDT. MR. CHERNOMYRDIN TOLD REPORTERS THE EMBASSY BOMBING WILL COMPLICATE HIS DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS. // CHERNOMYRDIN ACT IN RUSSIAN, ESTABLISH AND FADE //MR. CHERNOMYRDIN SAYS: THIS WILL NOT LEAD TO AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE SITUATION. OBVIOUSLY, IT WILL HAMPER PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. THE RUSSIAN ENVOY SAYS A TRIP TO BELGRADE MAY FOLLOW HIS TALKS IN GERMANY. HE SAYS HIS MISSION REMAINS THE SAME. // CHERNOMYRDIN ACT IN RUSSIAN, ESTABLISH AND FADE //MR. CHERNOMYRDIN SAYS EVERYONE HAS A HARDENED POSITION. AND
RUSSIA'S TASK IS TO SOFTEN THEM. (SIGNED)
[10] RUSSIA / YUGO (L-UPDATE) BY CHALLISS MCDONOUGH (MOSCOW)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249139 CONTENT= VOICED AT: (UPDATES CR #2-249126) INTRO: RUSSIA HAS ANGRILY DENOUNCED NATO'S ACCIDENTAL BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. V-O-A'S CHALLISS MCDONOUGH REPORTS THAT THE INCIDENT HAS COMPLICATED MOSCOW'S EFFORTS TO BROKER A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS. TEXT: RUSSIAN OFFICIALS HAVE CALLED FOR AN IMMEDIATE END TO NATO'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN IN YUGOSLAVIA IN THE WAKE OF THE EMBASSY BOMBING. IN A STATEMENT ISSUED FROM THE KREMLIN, PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN CALLS THE INCIDENT AN ACT OF VANDALISM AND A GROSS VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. THE KREMLIN SAYS HE HAS SENT HIS CONDOLENCES TO BEIJING. MR. YELTSIN ON SATURDAY ORDERED FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV TO POSTPONE A SCHEDULED THREE-DAY TRIP TO GREAT BRITAIN. THE FOREIGN MINISTRY SAID THE VISIT IS BEING PUT OFF BECAUSE OF WHAT IT CALLED THE 'SHARPLY WORSENING' SITUATION IN THE BALKANS. // OPT //MR. IVANOV TOLD REPORTERS HERE IN MOSCOW IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE NATO'S CLAIMS THAT THE EMBASSY BOMBING WAS A MISTAKE. // IVANOV ACT IN RUSSIAN, ESTABLISH AND FADE //THE FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BOMBING MUST BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. // IVANOV ACT #2 IN RUSSIAN, ESTABLISH AND FADE //BUT MR. IVANOV ALSO TOLD REPORTERS HE HOPES PUTTING OFF HIS VISIT WILL NOT AFFECT RELATIONS WITH LONDON. DESPITE MOSCOW'S ANGER OVER THE EMBASSY BOMBING, RUSSIA CONTINUES ITS EFFORTS TO FIND A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. SPECIAL BALKANS ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN WENT TO BONN (SATURDAY) FOR TALKS WITH GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER, U-N SPECIAL ENVOY CARL BILDT AND KOSOVAR ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA. MR. RUGOVA DECIDED TO FLY IN FROM ITALY FOR THE TALKS. MR. CHERNOMYRDIN SAYS THE EMBASSY BOMBING IS LIKELY TO COMPLICATE HIS DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS. THE RUSSIAN ENVOY SAYS A TRIP TO BELGRADE MAY FOLLOW HIS TALKS IN
GERMANY. (SIGNED)
[11] ANNAN/NATO BOMBING REACT (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249129 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN BELIEVES NATO'S ACCIDENTAL BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE COULD COMPLICATE EFFORTS TO FIND A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE WAR OVER KOSOVO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS. TEXT: SECRETARY GENERAL ANNAN SAYS HE IS SHOCKED BY THE BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY, CALLING IT ONE MORE REASON WHY THE SEARCH FOR A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA NEEDS TO BE INTENSIFIED. BUT THE U-N CHIEF BELIEVES THE NATO ATTACK ON THE EMBASSY MAY HAVE DEALT A SETBACK TO THAT PROCESS. // ANNAN ACT //OBVIOUSLY, THE CHINESE, WHO ARE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, ARE NOT PLEASED WITH THIS INCIDENT BUT I HOPE THAT IT WILL NOT UNDULY COMPLICATE A SOLUTION IF ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL (WANT) TO FIND A SOLUTION. . . BUT OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOT GOING TO MAKE MATTERS EASY. // END ACT //CHINA HAS ANGRILY DENOUNCED THE NATO BOMBING, CALLING IT A WAR
CRIME WHICH SHOULD BE PUNISHED. THE ALLIANCE HAS EXPRESSED
REGRET TO BEIJING FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE LATEST INCIDENT OF A
NATO BOMB STRIKING AN UNINTENDED TARGET. (SIGNED)
[12] U-N / CHINA / EMBASSY BOMBING / S&L BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249113 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: CHANGES THROUGHOUT. ///INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IS HOLDING AN EMERGENCY MEETING TO DISCUSS THE NATO'S APPARENT ACCIDENTAL BOMBING OF CHINA'S EMBASSY IN THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL, BELGRADE. CHINA'S OFFICIAL XINHUA NEWS AGENCY SAYS TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THE BOMBING. MORE FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON. TEXT: CHINA CALLED FOR THE EMERGENCY MEETING AFTER DESCRIBING THE APPARENT NATO BOMBING AS A BARBARIAN ACT. CHINESE DIPLOMATS SAY THEY ARE SHOCKED BY THE STRIKE AND VIEW IT AS A VIOLATION OF THE U-N CHARTER. CHINA IS ASKING THE COUNCIL TO DENOUNCE THE BOMBING AND CALL ON NATO TO END ITS AIRSTRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE IS ALSO SHOCKED AND DISMAYED BY NEWS OF THE BOMBING. NATO WARPLANES APPARENTLY HIT THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE EARLY SATURDAY. /// REST OPTIONAL ///U-S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS PETER BURLEIGH, ON ENTERING THE SECURITY COUNCIL LATE FRIDAY, APOLOGIZED TO HIS CHINESE COUNTERPART FOR THE STRIKE. HE SAYS, IF IT IS SHOWN THAT NATO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE STRIKE, THE UNITED STATES DEEPLY REGRETS THE INCIDENT AND APOLOGIZES FOR IT. HE SAYS NATO NEVER TARGETS CIVILIANS AND WOULD NEVER INTENTIONALLY STRIKE AN EMBASSY. THE APPARENT STRIKE COULD COMPLICATE EFFORTS TO FIND A POLITICAL
SOLUTION TO THE KOSOVO CRISIS, AS IT IS LIKELY TO FUEL CHINA'S
OPPOSITION TO THE NATO STRIKES. SOME PROGRESS WAS MADE OVER THE
LAST WEEK IN ESTABLISHING A CONSENSUS AMONG THE WESTERN
INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS AND RUSSIA ON THE BASIS FOR A POLITICAL
SOLUTION TO THE CONFLICT. CHINA'S SUPPORT FOR ANY SUCH CONSENSUS
IS CRUCIAL AS IT IS ONE OF THE FIVE VETO-HOLDING PERMANENT
MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL. THE OTHER FOUR ARE BRITAIN,
FRANCE, THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA. WESTERN DIPLOMATS BELIEVE
THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE YUGOSLAV AGREEMENT TO A POLITICAL
SETTLEMENT IS TO MAINTAIN THE DAILY NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST
MILITARY TARGETS IN THE COUNTRY. (SIGNED)
[13] U-N / CHINA / EMBASSY / S / 2ND UPDATE BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249119 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: CHANGES THROUGHOUT. ///INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (SATURDAY) EXPRESSED SHOCK AND CONCERN OVER THE CASUALTIES CAUSED BY NATO'S ACCIDENTAL BOMBING OF CHINA'S EMBASSY IN BELGRADE. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE STORY. TEXT: WITHIN HOURS OF THE BOMBING, CHINA CALLED AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL AT WHICH IT DENOUNCED NATO AND THE UNITED STATES FOR COMMITTING WHAT IT DESCRIBES AS A WAR CRIME. IT CALLED THE NATO STRIKE A BARBARIC ACT. RUSSIA EXPRESSED OUTRAGE AT THE BOMBING AND ALLEGED IT WAS PART OF AN ATTEMPT BY NATO TO DESTROY THE WORLD ORDER. U-S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS PETER BURLEIGH SAID WASHINGTON DEEPLY REGRETS AND APOLOGIZES FOR THE ACCIDENTAL STRIKE. CHINA HAD ASKED THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO FORMALLY DENOUNCE THE
BOMBING. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF DISCUSSIONS, THE COUNCIL ISSUED
A BRIEF STATEMENT EXPRESSING SHOCK AND CONCERN ABOUT THE DAMAGE
AND CASUALTIES CAUSED BY THE STRIKE. THE STATEMENT EXPRESSES
CONDOLENCES TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THE FAMILIES OF
VICTIMS. (SIGNED)
NEB / UN / MPR / WD / WD
[14] U-N / CHINA (L) - SECOND UPDATE BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249122 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (SATURDAY) EXPRESSED SHOCK AND CONCERN OVER THE CASUALTIES CAUSED BY NATO'S ACCIDENTAL BOMBING OF CHINA'S EMBASSY IN THE YUGOSLAV CAPITAL, BELGRADE. THREE PEOPLE ARE REPORTED TO HAVE DIED IN THE BOMBING. V-O-A'S U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS THE STORY. TEXT: AT AN OPEN SESSION OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL, CHINA DESCRIBED THE ACCIDENTAL NATO BOMBING AS A BARBARIC ACT AND A WAR CRIME. RUSSIA WAS EQUALLY VEHEMENT IN ITS CONDEMNATION, SAYING THE EVENT MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO PASS WITHOUT PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE RESPONSIBLE. RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR SERGEI LAVROV CHARGED THAT THE STRIKE, WHICH HIT THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE EARLY SATURDAY, WAS PART OF AN ATTEMPT BY NATO TO DESTROY WORLD ORDER. U-S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS PETER BURLEIGH SAID WASHINGTON DEEPLY REGRETS AND APOLOGIZES FOR THE ACCIDENTAL STRIKE. BUT HE SAID BLAME FOR THE INCIDENT BELONGS TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODON MILOSEVIC, WHOSE ETHNIC CLEANSING IN KOSOVO NECESSITATED THE NATO CAMPAIGN. CHINA HAD ASKED THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO FORMALLY DENOUNCE THE BOMBING AND CARRY OUT A FULL INVESTIGATION. IN A BRIEF STATEMENT, THE COUNCIL EXPRESSED SHOCK AND CONCERN ABOUT THE CASUALTIES CAUSED BY THE STRIKE, BUT DID NOT REACH A CONSENSUS ON THE LEVEL OF CONDEMNATION REQUESTED BY BEIJING. THE STATEMENT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND THE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS AND NOTES THAT WASHINGTON EXPRESSED REGRET. DIPLOMATS SAY THE COUNCIL IS NOT EXPECTED TO TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTION ON THE ISSUE UNTIL NATO COMPLETES ITS INVESTIGATION. THEY SAY MOST MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WANT TO ENSURE THE ACCIDENTAL BOMBING DOES NOT UPSET PROGRESS MADE OVER THE LAST WEEK TOWARDS DEVELOPING AN INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE KOSOVO ISSUE. CHINA'S SUPPORT FOR ANY SUCH CONSENSUS IS CRUCIAL AS IT IS ONE OF THE FIVE VETO-HOLDING PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL. THE OTHER FOUR ARE BRITAIN, FRANCE, THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA. DIVISIONS OVER NATO AIR STRIKES HAVE SO FAR PREVENTED THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL FROM PLAYING AN ACTIVE ROLE IN EFFORTS TO SEEK A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS. THE COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN TALKS NEXT WEEK AIMED AT
FORMALIZING A PROPOSED PLAN THAT WOULD ESTABLISH AN INTERNATIONAL
FORCE IN KOSOVO AND SET THE TERMS FOR AN AUTONOMOUS
ADMINISTRATION IN THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE. (SIGNED)
[15] TURKEY / ISLAM / L-O BY AMBERIN ZAMIN (ANKARA)DATE=5/8/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249115 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ISLAMIST VIRTUE PARTY LEADER RECAI KUTAN HAS DENOUNCED MOVES BY TURKEY'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR, VURAL SAVAS, TO SHUT HIS PARTY DOWN AS "ILLEGAL" AND IN VIOLATION OF TURKEY'S SECULAR STATE. BUT -- AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA -- THE ISLAMISTS ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF BACKING DOWN, IN THE FACE OF MOUNTING LEGAL PRESSURE AGAINST THEM. TEXT: MR. KUTAN WAS RESPONDING TO FRIDAYS LEGAL CHALLENGE MOUNTED BY TURKEY'S HAWKISH CHIEF PROSECUTOR TO BAN VIRTUE ON CHARGES IT VIOLATES THE SECULAR PRINCIPLES OF TURKEY'S CONSTITUTION. THE CASE FILED AGAINST VIRTUE -- TURKEY'S LARGEST ISLAMIC GROUP CAPS A WEEK IN WHICH TENSIONS BETWEEN THE COUNTRY'S PRO-SECULAR ESTABLISHMENT AND THE ISLAMISTS HAVE BEEN STEADILY ESCALATING RHETORIC OVER THE ISSUE OF THE ISLAMIC HEAD SCARF. THE DEBATE OVER USE OF THE HEAD SCARF -- BANNED IN ALL PUBLIC OFFICES AND SCHOOLS --WAS TRIGGERED BY THE APPEARANCE SUNDAY IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT OF AN ISLAMIST FEMALE DEPUTY WEARING HER HEAD COVERED. MERVE KAVACKCI -- WHO WAS ELECTED ON VIRTUE'S TICKET IN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS HELD IN MID-APRIL -- WAS FORCED TO QUIT PARLIAMENT, WITHOUT BEING SWORN IN, AFTER A GROUP OF PRO-SECULAR LAWMAKERS CALLED FOR HER DISMISSAL. A DEFIANT MS. KAVAKCI INITIALLY VOWED TO KEEP UP HER FIGHT TO TAKE HER SEAT IN THE PARLIAMENT, WEARING HER HEAD SCARF. MS. KAVAKCI IS NOW SAYING SHE WILL DEFER TO THE PARLIAMENT SPEAKER'S JUDGMENT ON THE ISSUE. THERE ARE WIDESPREAD REPORTS MS. KAVAKCI WILL BE LEAVING TURKEY TO LIVE WITH HER PARENTS, IN THE UNITED STATES. ANALYSTS SAY THE CASE FILED AGAINST VIRTUE HAS DEALT A CRUSHING BLOW TO THE ISLAMISTS, WHO ARE STILL REELING FROM THE BANNING LAST YEAR OF "WELFARE" -- THE PARTY UNDER WHICH THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY GROUPED. // OPT //THE MILITARY PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN FORCING THE ISLAMISTS TO RELINQUISH POWER IN 1997, AMID CLAIMS THEY WERE SEEKING TO INTRODUCE ISLAMIC RULE. PROSECUTOR SAVAS'S CASE AGAINST VIRTUE IS MAINLY BASED ON THE CONTENTION THE PARTY -- IS IN HIS WORDS -- NOTHING MORE THAN A CONTINUATION OF THE BANNED WELFARE" PARTY. MR. SAVAS -- WHO FILED THE CASE AGAINST WELFARE -- IS NOW SEEKING
WAYS TO ENSURE VIRTUE MEMBERS DO NOT REGROUP UNDER A NEW NAME, BY
BARRING ALL 110 VIRTUE LAWMAKERS FROM POLITICS FOR THE COMING
FIVE YEARS. (SIGNED)
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