Voice of America, 99-06-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] KOSOVO / REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (PRISTINA)

[02] KOSOVO/RETURNEES (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)

[03] MACEDONIA REFUGEE CAMPS CQ BY EVE CONANT (SKOPJE, MACEDONIA)

[04] MACEDONIA REFUGEE CAMPS BY EVE CONANT (SKOPJE, MACEDONIA)

[05] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[06] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[07] RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MOSCOW)

[08] TURKEY / KURDISH MAYOR BY SCOTT BOBB (ISTANBUL)

[09] TURKEY / OCALAN (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (DIYARBAKIR)

[10] TURKEY TRIAL (S) BY SCOTT BOBB (ISTANBUL)

[11] TURKEY TRIAL (S) BY SCOTT BOBB (ISTANBUL)

[12] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO RETURNS (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[01] KOSOVO / REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY SUZANNE KELLY (PRISTINA)

INTRO: FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE NATO MILITARY CAMPAIGN BEGAN, KOSOVAR REFUGEES WHO ONCE FLED FOR THEIR LIVES ARE OFFICIALLY BEING TAKEN HOME. SUZANNE KELLY REPORTS FROM THE KOSOVAR CAPITAL, PRISTINA THAT THERE IS JUBILANCE COMBINED WITH AN AIR OF CAUTION AMONG THOSE RETURNING HOME.

TEXT: MANY OF THE 250 ETHNIC ALBANIANS WHO BOARDED A BUS BOUND FOR KOSOVO (MONDAY) FROM THE STENKOVEC REFUGEE CAMP WERE NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT TO EXPECT ONCE THEY ARRIVED HOME.

THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY -- THE U-N-H-C-R -- BEGAN THE FIRST OF MANY SUCH SCHEDULED BUS TRIPS FOR REFUGEES. IT SAYS AFTER TWO-WEEKS OF NATO PEACEKEEPING TROOPS BEING INSIDE THE PROVINCE, CONDITIONS IN KOSOVO ARE SAFE ENOUGH FOR THE REFUGEES TO RETURN.

BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE 342-THOUSAND REFUGEES YET TO RETURN FROM NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES WILL NOT BE FACING RISKS. THE PROVINCE IS STILL PLAGUED BY LAND MINES AND UNEXPLODED NATO BOMBS.

SOME OF THE MORE THAN 400-THOUSAND REFUGEES, WHO HAVE RETURNED HOME WITHOUT THE U-N-H-C-R'S BLESSING, HAVE FOUND THEIR HOMES HAVE BEEN BOOBY-TRAPPED. BECAUSE KOSOVO IS AN AGRICULTURAL AREA, THE U-N-H-C-R FEARS DEATHS FROM LAND MINES ONCE FARMERS RETURN TO THEIR FIELDS, AND IS URGING EXTREME CAUTION.

THE FIRST U-N-H-C-R BUSES WILL ONLY BE RETURNING REFUGEES TO KOSOVO'S LARGER CITIES, PRISTINA, PRIZREN, AND UROSEVAC, BUT MORE TRIPS ARE SCHEDULED IN THE COMING DAYS. (SIGNED)
NEB/SK/GE/RAE
28-Jun-99 2:13 PM EDT (1813 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO/RETURNEES (L-ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (TIRANA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS BEGAN THE ORGANIZED RETURN HOME OF KOSOVO ALBANIAN REFUGEES MONDAY. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM TIRANA, ALBANIA ON THE SENDOFF FOR ONE KOSOVAR FAMILY. TEXT : THE SIX-MEMBER BEGOLLI FAMILY WILL NOT MAKE USE OF THE FREE RIDE OFFERED BY THE UNITED NATIONS, BUT INSTEAD HAS RENTED A MINI-BUS FOR THE TEN-HOUR TRIP FROM TIRANA BACK TO THE WAR-WEARY CITY OF PEC (PRONOUNCED PEJA BY THE ALBANIANS). THE BEGOLLI FAMILY HAS BEEN LIVING HERE IN TIRANA FOR FREE FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS IN A HOUSE A COUSIN MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

SUZANA VERZIVOLLI WAS ONE OF THE MANY COUSINS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO GATHERED MONDAY NIGHT HERE IN TIRANA TO WISH THE FAMILY WELL IN THEIR RETURN. THE FAMILY COMPOUND NOW INCLUDES AN OLD HOUSE IN PEC (PEJA) WHICH HAS BEEN LOOTED BUT NOT DESTROYED AND A NEW ONE WHICH HAS BEEN BURNED TO THE GROUND.

MRS. VERZIVOLLI SAYS THE BEGOLLI FAMILY NEEDS MANY BASIC THINGS..

SHE SAYS THEY GAVE THEM SPOONS AND FORKS AND THE OTHER MAIN THINGS THEY WILL NEED TO BEGIN LIFE AGAIN IN KOSOVO. AND ALSO GAVE THEM SOME CLOTHING, ALL THAT THEY WILL NEED TO GET STARTED AGAIN.

REFUGEES IN MACEDONIA CROWDED ABOARD U-N BUSES FOR THE RIDE BACK TO THEIR HOMES IN AND AROUND THE KOSOVO CAPITAL PRISTINA MONDAY. MANY HAVE ALREADY GONE BACK ON THEIR OWN, IGNORING EARLIER NATO WARNINGS TO WAIT UNTIL MINES, BOOBY-TRAPS AND UNEXPLODED NATO BOMBS ARE DISMANTLED BY PEACEKEEPERS.

MRS. VERZIVOLLI SAYS THE NATO BOMBING OF KOSOVO WAS A GOOD IDEA.

SHE SAYS NATO HAS HELPED KOSOVO VERY MUCH. IT IS NOT ONLY THE KOSOVARS WHO WILL REMEMBER WHAT NATO HAS DONE. THE ALBANIANS WILL ALSO REMEMBER THIS.

RON REDMOND, SPOKESMAN FOR THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAY 400-THOUSAND KOSOVARS HAVE RETURNED HOME ON THEIR OWN. THE ORGANIZED REPATRIATION BEGAN SOONER THAN OFFICIALS OF THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY HAD WANTED BECAUSE OF CONTINUING SECURITY PROBLEMS IN KOSOVO.

THE LAST TWO DAYS HAVE BEEN MARKED BY REPORTS OF MURDER, LOOTING AND ARSON IN THE DEVASTATED SERBIAN PROVINCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
28-Jun-99 6:51 PM EDT (2251 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] MACEDONIA REFUGEE CAMPS CQ BY EVE CONANT (SKOPJE, MACEDONIA)

INTRO: ABOUT 400-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES HAVE LEFT ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA TO RETURN TO KOSOVO DESPITE THE CONTINUING THREAT OF LAND MINES. BUT THERE ARE STILL THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES ABROAD AND IN REFUGEE CAMPS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM THE STENKOVEC REFUGEE CAMP IN SKOPJE, MACEDONIA WHERE REFUGEES SAY THE CAMP IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY UNSAFE, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO LEAVE.

TEXT:

LOUDSPEAKERS BLARE ALBANIAN MUSIC IN WHAT USED TO BE THE OVERCROWDED REFUGEE CAMP OF STENKOVEC NEAR MACEDONIA'S BORDER WITH KOSOVO. LESS THAN ONE-MONTH AGO, THIS CAMP WAS TEAMING WITH PEOPLE. THERE WERE LONG LINES FOR FOOD, LINES TO TALK ON THE TELEPHONE, AND LINES TO GET A SEAT ON THE NEXT FLIGHT TO ANYWHERE, BUT NOW THERE IS ONE DESTINATION FOR THOSE WHO REMAIN KOSOVO.

A FAMILY UNLOCKS THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT OF A LARGE BUS AND BEGINS LOADING BLANKETS AND LARGE SACKS INSIDE. BEYOND THEM IS WHAT IS LEFT OF THE CAMP, SCATTERED TENTS, EMPTY BASKETBALL COURTS AND PILES OF GARBAGE. PROGRAM OFFICER FOR THE HUMANITARIAN GROUP "MERCYCORP", LUIZ VIEIRA, SAYS ONLY THE MOST VULNERABLE REMAIN.

THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LEFT NOW ARE PEOPLE THAT MOSTLY DO NOT HAVE THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO RETURN. THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEFT ARE PAYING FOR THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION BY TAXI OR BUSES, AND A LOT OF WHAT WE HEAR IS THE PEOPLE, THE POOR PEOPLE HERE, DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR TRANSPORTATION. ALSO A GROUP OF PEOPLE KNOW FOR A FACT, OR SUSPECT, THEIR HOUSES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. THERE ARE SINGLE WOMEN WITH CHILDREN, ETC. WHO ONCE THEY RETURN WILL HAVE NO WAY OF REBUILDING AND THEY ARE AFRAID OF RETURNING.

MR. VIEIRA SAYS TENSION IS HIGH IN THE CAMP BECAUSE THOSE WHO REMAIN FEEL ISOLATED AND UNPROTECTED.

THE CAMP IS MUCH MORE DISPERSED NOW THAN IT USED TO BE, SO PEOPLE FEEL MORE ISOLATED. THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE THE LAST ONES HERE, AND YET THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN THEY GET BACK, SO THERE IS A CERTAIN ANXIETY LEVEL.

A KOSOVAR ALBANIAN, AFERDITA SARAQI, SAYS SHE MUST WAIT TO GO HOME UNTIL UNICEF ORGANIZES A CONVOY BACK TO KOSOVO.

SHE SAYS EACH FAMILY NEEDS AT LEAST 250 GERMAN MARKS TO PAY FOR BUSES OR TAXIS BACK INTO KOSOVO, BUT SHE SAYS SHE DOES NOT HAVE ANY MONEY.

THOSE WHO ARE FORCED TO REMAIN IN THE CAMPS SAY THEY HAVE AN EVEN MORE SERIOUS CONCERN THAN MONEY -- THEIR PERSONAL SAFETY. REFUGEE ISMAIL ALLIEU SAYS IT IS NO LONGER SAFE IN THE CAMPS.

HE SAYS SERB PARAMILITARY HAVE COME INTO THE CAMPS AND ARE BEATING THOSE REFUGEES WHO CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAMP.

BUT AID WORKER LUIZ VIEIRA SAYS THE OVERALL SECURITY LEVEL IS ACCEPTABLE.

WE USED TO HAVE A GROUP OF REFUGEE VOLUNTEERS THAT ACTED AS PUBLIC SAFETY. WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO IS THE MACEDONIA POLICE IS ACTUALLY IN CHARGE OF SECURITY OUTSIDE THE CAMP AND THEY DO HAVE PATROLS INSIDE THE CAMP.

BUT THE REFUGEES SAY THE MACEDONIAN POLICE ARE NOT PROTECTING THEM. ONE REFUGEE, ARBEN LATIFI, SAYS 15 SERB PARAMILITARY WEARING SKI MASKS CAME INTO THE CAMP ONE NIGHT AT FIVE IN THE MORNING AND BEAT UP THREE REFUGEES.

THEY BRING, I THINK, 15 PARAMILITARY AT FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING. NO WE DO NOT HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY.

AN AMERICAN AID WORKER WHO DID NOT WISH TO BE IDENTIFIED ADMITTED THERE ARE SECURITY PROBLEMS INSIDE THE CAMP AND CONFIRMED AT LEAST ONE INCIDENT OF OUTSIDERS COMING INTO THE CAMPS AND ATTACKING REFUGEES -- SPECIFICALLY THOSE REFUGEES BELIEVED TO BE LINKED TO THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/JWH/RAE
28-Jun-99 2:01 PM EDT (1801 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] MACEDONIA REFUGEE CAMPS BY EVE CONANT (SKOPJE, MACEDONIA)

INTRO: ABOUT 400-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES HAVE LEFT ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA TO RETURN TO KOSOVO DESPITE THE CONTINUING THREAT OF LAND MINES. BUT THERE ARE STILL THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES ABROAD AND IN REFUGEE CAMPS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM THE STONKOVAC REFUGEE CAMP IN SKOPJA, MACEDONIA, WHERE REFUGEES SAY ALTHOUGH THE CAMP IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY UNSAFE THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO LEAVE.

TEXT:

LOUDSPEAKERS BLARE ALBANIAN MUSIC IN WHAT USED TO BE THE OVERCROWDED REFUGEE CAMP OF STENKOVAC NEAR MACEDONIA'S BORDER WITH KOSOVO. LESS THAN ONE MONTH AGO, THIS CAMP WAS TEAMING WITH PEOPLE. THERE WERE LONG LINES FOR FOOD, LINES TO TALK ON THE TELEPHONE, AND LINES TO GET A SEAT ON THE NEXT FLIGHT TO ANYWHERE, BUT NOW THERE IS ONE DESTINATION FOR THOSE WHO REMAIN HERE -- KOSOVO.

A FAMILY UNLOCKS THE BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT OF A LARGE BUS AND BEGINS LOADING BLANKETS AND LARGE SACKS INSIDE. BEYOND THEM IS WHAT IS LEFT OF THE CAMP, SCATTERED TENTS, EMPTY BASKETBALL COURTS AND PILES OF GARBAGE. PROGRAM OFFICER FOR THE HUMANITARIAN GROUP MERCYCORP, LUIZ VIEIRA, SAYS ONLY THE MOST VULNERABLE REMAIN.

THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LEFT NOW ARE PEOPLE THAT MOSTLY DON'T HAVE THE FINANCIAL MEANS TO RETURN. THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEFT ARE PAYING FOR THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION BY TAXI OR BUSES, AND A LOT OF WHAT WE HEAR IS THE PEOPLE, THE POOR PEOPLE HERE, DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR TRANSPORTATION. ALSO A GROUP OF PEOPLE KNOW FOR A FACT OR SUSPECT THEIR HOUSES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED, THERE ARE SINGLE WOMEN WITH CHILDREN, ETC. WHO ONCE THEY RETURN WILL HAVE NO WAY OF REBUILDING AND THEY ARE AFRAID OF RETURNING.

MR. VIEIRA SAYS TENSION IS HIGH IN THE CAMP BECAUSE THOSE WHO REMAIN FEEL ISOLATED AND UNPROTECTED.

THE CAMP IS MUCH MORE DISPERSED NOW THAN IT USED TO BE SO PEOPLE FEEL MORE ISOLATED, THEY DON'T WANT TO BE THE LAST ONES HERE, AND YET THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN THEY GET BACK, SO THERE IS A CERTAIN ANXIETY LEVEL.

A KOSOVAR ALBANIAN, AFERDITA SARAQI, SAYS SHE MUST WAIT TO GO HOME UNTIL UNICEF ORGANIZES A CONVOY BACK TO KOSOVO.

SHE SAYS EACH FAMILY NEEDS AT LEAST 250 GERMAN MARKS TO PAY FOR BUSES OR TAXIS BACK INTO KOSOVO, BUT SHE SAYS SHE DOES NOT HAVE ANY MONEY.

THOSE WHO ARE FORCED TO REMAIN IN THE CAMPS SAY THEY HAVE AN EVEN MORE SERIOUS CONCERN THAN MONEY -- THEIR PERSONAL SAFETY. REFUGEE ISMAIL ALLIEU SAYS IT IS NO LONGER SAFE IN THE CAMPS.

HE SAYS SERB PARAMILITARY HAVE COME INTO THE CAMPS AND ARE BEATING THOSE REFUGEES WHO CANNOT GET OUT OF THE CAMP.

BUT AID WORKER LUIZ VIEIRA SAYS THE OVERALL SECURITY LEVEL IS ACCEPTABLE.

WE USED TO HAVE A GROUP OF REFUGEE VOLUNTEERS THAT ACT AS PUBLIC SAFETY. WHAT IT BOILS DOWN TO IS THE MACEDONIA POLICE IS ACTUALLY IN CHARGE OF SECURITY OUTSIDE THE CAMP AND THEY DO HAVE PATROLS INSIDE THE CAMP.

BUT THE REFUGEES SAY THE MACEDONIAN POLICE ARE NOT PROTECTING THEM. ONE REFUGEE, ARBEN LATIFI, SAYS 15 SERB PARAMILITARY WEARING SKI MASKS CAME INTO THE CAMP ONE NIGHT AT FIVE IN THE MORNING AND BEAT UP THREE REFUGEES.

THEY BRING, I THINK, 15 PARAMILITARY AT FIVE O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING. NO WE DON'T HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY.

AN AMERICAN AID WORKER WHO DID NOT WISH TO BE IDENTIFIED ADMITTED THAT THERE ARE SECURITY PROBLEMS INSIDE THE CAMP AND CONFIRMED AT LEAST ONE INCIDENT OF OUTSIDERS COMING INTO THE CAMPS AND ATTACKING REFUGEES -- SPECIFICALLY THOSE REFUGEES BELIEVED TO BE LINKED TO THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/JWH
28-Jun-99 8:08 AM EDT (1208 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE THREAT OF NUCLEAR WAR ON THE SUBCONTINENT AND MORE PROTESTS ABOUT THE OVERALL EFFECTS OF THE UNITED STATES' ECONOMIC BOYCOTT OF CUBA ARE AMONG THE TOPICS IN MONDAY'S U-S EDITORIAL COLUMNS.

THERE ARE ALSO THOUGHTS ON THE REBUILDING OF SERBIA; A NEW THREAT TO TIBET; AND THE DISCOVERY OF ONE OF THE OLDEST WINE CELLARS EVER FOUND. NOW, HERE IS _____________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TWO PAPERS WITH VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE WORLD, "THE WASHINGTON POST" AND "THE MANCHESTER [NEW HAMPSHIRE] UNION LEADER" ARE COMMENTING ON THE CONTINUING BATTLE BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN OVER A PORTION OF CONTESTED KASHMIR. "THE UNION LEADER" BEGINS BY FAULTING PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LEADERSHIP ON THE ISSUE.

VOICE: SANCTIMONIOUS SPEECHES AND FECKLESS PHOTO-OPS ARE NO SUBSTITUTES FOR A CONSISTENT, RATIONAL FOREIGN POLICY. ... YET BILL CLINTON LURCHES ALONG, RELYING ON JUST SUCH GIMMICKS. CONFRONTED WITH REAL CHALLENGES AND REAL DANGERS, THE ADMINISTRATION REACTS WITH PLATITUDES ABOUT GLOBALISM AND MULTINATIONALISM. ... THE MOST DANGEROUS OF SUCH CONFLICTS IS NOT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S CONTINUED RULE IN THE REMNANTS OF YUGOSLAVIA ... [BUT] RATHER, THE GROWING WAR BETWEEN TWO NUCLEAR POWERS, INDIA AND PAKISTAN, OVER KASHMIR [WHICH] THREATENS TO BECOME UNMANAGEABLE. /// OPT /// ... WHILE THE CLINTONOIDS [ED'S: DISRESPECTFUL TERM FOR CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS] SCURRY AROUND RAVAGED KOSOVO SEARCHING FOR EVIDENCE OF SERB CRIMES AND POSTING REWARDS FOR [MR.] MILOSEVIC'S ARREST, /// END OPT /// THE CONFLICT ON THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT HOLDS THE DISTINCT POSSIBILITY IT COULD BECOME THE WORLD'S FIRST NUCLEAR EXCHANGE.... /// OPT /// THE SHALLOWNESS AND VAPIDITY OF THIS PHOTO-OP PRESIDENCY ARE TRULY ASTOUNDING. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: IN ITS HEADLINE, "THE WASHINGTON POST" WONDERS WHETHER THE WORLD WILL SEE "WAR OR PEACE IN SOUTH ASIA?" AND SAYS THE FIGHTING IS -- [BECOMING] STEADILY MORE DANGEROUS.

VOICE: THIS TIME AROUND IN OFTEN-CONTESTED KASHMIR, THE PAKISTANIS ARE PLAINLY TO BLAME FOR HAVING STARTED THE FIGHTING. /// OPT /// IF IT WAS NOT THE ELECTED GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE, THEN -- PERHAPS WORSE -- IT MAY HAVE BEEN A SORT OF PAKISTANI MILITARY-FUNDAMENTALIST AXIS THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT IN A POSITION TO KNOW FULLY ABOUT, LET ALONE TO SUBORDINATE. /// END OPT /// ...THE DANGER THE CONFRONTATION POSES ARISES FROM THE NEWLY ACHIEVED NUCLEAR STATUS OF THE TWO... COUNTRIES. ...AMERICAN OFFICIALS ...HOLD OUT SOME HOPE FOR A DIPLOMATIC RESOLUTION... BUT THAT IS MUCH THE LESSER PART OF IT. IF THE ...CRISIS IS CALMED THERE MUST COME A SERIOUS ADDRESS TO THE KASHMIR QUESTION.

TEXT: TURNING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD, THE CUBAN TRADE EMBARGO ENFORCED FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES BY THE UNITED STATES COMES IN FOR CRITICISM FROM "THE TULSA [OKLAHOMA] WORLD" WHICH BEGINS BY QUOTING THE LARGE AMOUNTS OF CORN [MAIZE] WHEAT, SOYBEANS, AND COOKING OIL THE COMMUNIST ISLAND PURCHASES FROM FARMERS EVERYWHERE BUT THE UNITED STATES.

VOICE: ... U-S FARMERS AND RANCHERS CAN NOT SELL ANYTHING TO CUBA BECAUSE OF A 37-YEAR-OLD-LAW THAT PROHIBITS SUCH SALES. SO, CHINA AND EUROPE REAP THAT HARVEST. /// OPT

TEXT: "THE SAINT PETERSBURG [FLORIDA] TIMES" AGREES, ADDING:

VOICE: EVER SINCE THE COLD WAR ENDED, THE UNITED STATES' RIGID ECONOMIC BLOCKADE OF CUBA HAS BECOME MORE POINTLESS BY THE DAY. NEARLY FOUR DECADES OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS HAVE HURT CUBA'S PEOPLE BY CONTRIBUTING TO THE ISLAND'S SEVERE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS, BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO LOOSEN FIDEL CASTRO'S GRIP ON POWER. /// OPT /// WHAT IS MORE, THE SANCTIONS HAVE HURT AMERICAN ECONOMIC INTERESTS BY RESTRICTING THE OVERSEAS MARKET FOR U-S GOODS. AND ... [SUCH] EMBARGOES ... RARELY CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR OF ROGUE REGIMES ANYWAY. /// END OPT ///

TEXT: TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS MAKING THE CASE IN TODAY'S LEAD EDITORIAL FOR SENDING HUMANITARIAN AID TO SERBIA, DESPITE ITS AGGRESSORS ROLE IN THE KOSOVO WAR, BECAUSE THE ALTERNATIVE, SAYS THE MONITOR, COULD CONTINUE THE INSTABILITY OF THE BALKANS.

VOICE: THE DEEP UNHAPPINESS IN SERBIA COULD BE EXPLOITED BY ULTRA-NATIONALISTS EVEN MORE VICIOUS THAN [MR.] MILOSEVIC. IT COULD ALSO BE TURNED TOWARD CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY ALLOW SERBIA TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH ITS NEIGHBORS. THE OUTSIDE WORLD'S TREATMENT RIGHT NOW OF THIS CRUCIAL BALKANS NATION IS CRUCIAL. HUMANITARIAN HELP SHOULD BE EXTENDED, WITH GREATER HELP ASSURED WHEN [MR.] MILOSEVIC GOES.

TEXT: WITH THE WAR AFTERMATH, "THE ST. PETERSBURG [FLORIDA] TIMES" IS CONCERNED THAT AFTER HAVING WAGED THE AIR WAR WITHOUT A SINGLE COMBAT CASUALTY, NATO TROOPS WILL BE IN SERIOUS DANGER ON THE GROUND IN KOSOVO PROVINCE.

VOICE: THE DANGERS FACED BY NATO FORCES -- AND BY THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVARS TRYING TO REBUILD NORMAL LIVES -- COME FROM ALL DIRECTIONS. THE MINES AND BOOBY TRAPS LEFT BEHIND BY RETREATING SERBS ARE EVEN MORE NUMEROUS AND TREACHEROUS THAN EXPECTED. ... HOWEVER, THE BIGGEST THREAT TO NATO TROOPS -- AND TO NATO'S HOPES FOR LONG-TERM PEACE IN KOSOVO -- MAY COME FROM THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY AND OTHER ETHNIC-ALBANIAN VIGILANTES BENT ON REVENGE AND POWER.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS CONCERNED ABOUT A POTENTIAL WORLD BANK LOAN TO CHINA TO HELP MOVE 58-THOUSAND HAN CHINESE AND MUSLIMS INTO TIBET FROM THEIR HOME PROVINCE. THE PAPER SUGGESTS:

VOICE: THE WISDOM OF CHINA'S RESETTLEMENT POLICY ASIDE, WHAT IS SO OBJECTIONABLE ABOUT THE WORLD BANK-BACKED PLAN IS THAT IT DOES NOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE POTENTIALLY DAMAGING EFFECT THIS WOULD HAVE ON THE POPULATION OF THE PLATEAU, A LAND THE TIBETANS CONSIDER THEIRS. THE BANK SHOULD WITHDRAW ITS FINANCIAL SUPPORT ... THE GROWING MIGRATION OF HAN PEOPLE -- WHO MAKE UP THE BULK OF CHINA'S POPULATION -- INTO TIBET FOR ECONOMIC REASONS IS ALREADY BREWING AN EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE.

TEXT: IN THE SAME PAPER, THERE IS THIS COMMENT ON A NEW TRADE LINK BETWEEN THE NEWLY, FINANCIALLY UNITED EUROPE UNION, AND LATIN AMERICA, LONG AN IMPORTANT TRADING PARTNER OF THIS COUNTRY. NOTES "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES:"

VOICE: ONLY HALF-JOKINGLY, A SUMMIT THAT HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER 33 LATIN AMERICAN HEADS OF STATE AND 13 FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS BEEN DUBBED THE FAREWELL PARTY FOR THE MONROE DOCTRINE, THE 1823 DECLARATION THAT ASSERTED U-S DOMINANCE IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. ALTHOUGH UNINVITED, THE UNITED STATES SHOULD PAY CLOSE ATTENTION. BOTH CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE HAVE FAILED TO MAKE PROGRESS TOWARD WHAT PRESIDENT CLINTON PROMISED AT A 1994 MIAMI SUMMIT: A HEMISPHERIC FREE TRADE ZONE IN PLACE BY 2005. THE RIO DE JANEIRO SUMMIT THAT ENDS TODAY, AIMED AT EVENTUALLY OPENING EURO-LATIN TRADE, SHOULD RESTORE A SENSE OF URGENCY TO THE U-S PLAN.

TEXT: LASTLY, SOME WONDER AT THE LATEST DEEP SEA ARCHEOLOGICAL FIND, OF TWO PHOENICIAN TRADING SHIPS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA, AIDED IN LARGE PART BY THE LATEST U-S SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS IN EXPLORATORY SUBMARINES, FROM "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER."

VOICE: THE SHIPS DATE FROM AROUND 750 B-C, THE HEIGHT OF THE PHOENICIAN CULTURE, PRE-GREEK, PRE-ROMAN. THE COLD, DARK WATERS AROUND THE BOATS WERE A POWERFUL PRESERVATIVE: AMONG THE FINDS WERE DOZENS OF CLAY AMPHORAS, OR WINE VATS, STILL SEALED, STILL FULL. ... EXPLORER ROBERT BALLARD ... AND TECHNOLOGIST-DARE-DEVILS LIKE HIM HAVE USHERED IN A NEW AGE OF DISCOVERY, IN WHICH WE WILL GAIN BACK LOST LEAVES IN THE STORY OF OURSELVES.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE FROM ANTIQUITY, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM TODAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS IN THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
28-Jun-99 12:03 PM EDT (1603 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (MONDAY) AS TRADERS SEEMED LESS WORRIED ABOUT HIGHER INTEREST RATES. V-O-A'S BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10-THOUSAND-655, UP 102 POINTS OR ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13 HUNDRED 31, UP 16 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX GAINED ALMOST TWO PERCENT

ANALYSTS SAID THAT, AFTER A THREE PERCENT LOSS IN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LAST WEEK, IT WAS TIME FOR SOME BARGAIN HUNTING. IN ADDITION, A CONSENSUS HAS DEVELOPED ON WALL STREET THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK WILL RAISE SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES BY ONE-QUARTER PERCENT. SOME TRADERS BELIEVED IT PRUDENT TO BUY STOCKS IN ADVANCE OF THE CENTRAL BANK ANNOUNCEMENT.

THE CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS BEGIN A TWO-DAY MEETING IN WASHINGTON ON TUESDAY.

AMERICANS CONTINUE TO SPEND MORE THAN THEY EARN. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS CONSUMER SPENDING ROSE SIX-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT IN MAY WHILE INCOMES ROSE FOUR-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT.

MANY ANALYSTS, SUCH AS LARRY WACHTEL OF THE PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT COMPANY, SAY RISING STOCK PRICES HAVE MADE MANY AMERICANS MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT SPENDING THEIR SAVINGS AND TAKING ON NEW DEBT.

THE ONLY EXPLANATION FOR A ZERO SAVINGS RATE AND BOOMING CONSUMER SPENDING HAS TO BE THE APPRECIATION (GROWTH) IN THE STOCK MARKET.

IN BUSINESS NEWS, THE ATLAS COPCO COMPANY OF SWEDEN WILL ACQUIRE THE RENTAL SERVICE CORPORATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN A DEAL WORTH ONE POINT SIX BILLION DOLLARS. THE COMBINED FIRM WILL BE THE SECOND-LARGEST CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT LEASING FIRM IN NORTH AMERICA.

THE CONSOLIDATION IN THE U-S UTILITY INDUSTRY CONTINUES. THE WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION WILL PAY ONE POINT THREE BILLION DOLLARS FOR WICOR, ANOTHER ENERGY FIRM IN THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF WISCONSIN. WALGREEN, ONE OF THE LARGEST DRUG STORE CHAINS IN THE UNITED STATES, REPORTED RECORD QUARTERLY EARNINGS AND ANNOUNCED IT WILL SOON LAUNCH A FULL SERVICE INTERNET PHARMACY.

A SURVEY OF AMERICAN CORPORATE EXECUTIVES SHOWS THEY ARE GAINING RENEWED CONFIDENCE IN ASIA. HONG KONG, MALAYSIA AND THE PHILIPPINES WERE ALL MENTIONED FAVORABLY WHILE THE AMERICAN CORPORATE LEADERS RANKED CHINA AS THE MOST ATTRACTIVE EMERGING MARKET IN THE WORLD.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
28-Jun-99 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] RUSSIA / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIAN SOLDIERS ARE BEING SENT TO KOSOVO AS PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN DISCUSSES THE SITUATION IN THE SERB PROVINCE WITH DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA HAS THIS REPORT FROM MOSCOW.

TEXT: THREE MORE RUSSIAN ILYUSHIN-76 CARGO PLANES LANDED AT PRISTINA'S AIRFIELD IN KOSOVO. THE PLANES CARRIED PARATROOPERS, WEAPONS AND AIRPORT EQUIPMENT AS PART OF RUSSIA'S PEACEKEEPING EFFORT UNDER NATO'S UMBRELLA.

THE MILITARY FLIGHTS FROM RUSSIAN BASES TO PRISTINA WERE CARRIED OUT WITHOUT INCIDENT. ON SUNDAY, ROMANIA TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED AN AIR CORRIDOR AFTER TWO RUSSIAN PLANES ENTERED ROMANIAN AIRSPACE 90 MINUTES APART -- VIOLATING AN AGREEMENT CALLING FOR A FOUR-HOUR GAP BETWEEN FLIGHTS. SEVERAL ROMANIAN MIGS ESCORTED ONE OF THE RUSSIAN PLANES OUT OF THE COUNTRY'S AIRSPACE. RUSSIAN OFFICIALS APOLOGIZED, SAYING THE INCIDENT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

UNDER TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT REACHED EARLIER THIS MONTH BETWEEN MOSCOW AND WASHINGTON, SOME 36-HUNDRED RUSSIAN SOLDIERS WILL BE DISPATCHED TO SECTORS IN KOSOVO RUN BY THE UNITED STATES, GERMANY AND FRANCE. IN ADDITION, RUSSIAN SOLDIERS WILL PROVIDE MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS AT THE PRISTINA AIRFIELD. RUSSIAN OFFICIALS SAY THE DEPLOYMENT OF RUSSIAN SOLDIERS TO KOSOVO WILL BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 45 DAYS.

AS THE LATEST RUSSIAN CONTINGENT ARRIVED IN KOSOVO, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HELD TALKS IN THE KREMLIN WITH DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR SERGEYEV. THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION WAS KOSOVO -- AND THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PRAISED THE WORK OF THE DEFENSE MINISTRY IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISPATCH OF RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPERS.

YOU'VE DONE A GREAT JOB -- SAID MR. YELTSIN. BUT NOW IT IS TIME TO FORMULATE A VERY STRONG STRATEGY NOT ONLY FOR KOSOVO, BUT FOR YUGOSLAVIA AS A WHOLE. THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DID NOT ELABORATE.

MEANWHILE IN BRUSSELS, A RUSSIAN MILITARY DELEGATION ARRIVED AT NATO HEADQUARTERS TO DISCUSS ISSUES RELATING TO MOSCOW'S PARTICIPATION IN KOSOVO'S PEACEKEEPING FORCE.

RUSSIA FROZE RELATIONS WITH NATO FOLLOWING THE WESTERN ALLIANCE'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. IN MOSCOW, FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV SAID IT IS TOO EARLY TO SPEAK OF RE-ESTABLISHING FULL-FLEDGED RELATIONS.

THE TALKS IN BRUSSELS ARE NEEDED -- SAYS MR. IVANOV - -TO DISCUSS A WHOLE RANGE OF ISSUES RELATING TO NATO'S PEACEKEEPING ROLE IN KOSOVO. AS FOR RE-ESTABLISHING FULL RELATIONS BETWEEN MOSCOW AND NATO, THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SAID MORE TALKS WILL BE NEEDED AND NATO WILL HAVE TO RESPOND TO A WHOLE SERIES OF QUESTIONS STEMMING FROM ITS MILITARY CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/GE/RRM
28-Jun-99 10:49 AM EDT (1449 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY / KURDISH MAYOR BY SCOTT BOBB (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN HAS FOCUSED ATTENTION ON WHAT IN TURKEY IS CALLED THE KURDISH PROBLEM. THIS IS A STRUGGLE BY THE COUNTRY'S ETHNIC KURDS FOR CULTURE AND IDENTITY IN THE FACE OF A STATE POLICY OF NATIONALISM AND ASSIMILATION. ALTHOUGH MR. OCALAN'S GROUP CHOSE VIOLENCE TO PRESS ITS CAUSE, OTHERS HAVE CHOSEN POLITICAL MEANS. ONE OF THESE IS THE MAYOR OF DIYARBAKIR, THE LARGEST CITY IN THE PREDOMINANTLY KURDISH, SOUTHEASTERN PART OF TURKEY. CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOBB SPOKE WITH THE MAYOR RECENTLY ABOUT HIS PROBLEMS AND ASPIRATIONS.

TEXT: THE NEW MAYOR OF DIYARBAKIR, FERIDUN CELIK (FEH-REE-DOON CHEH-LICK), IS A DYNAMIC YOUNG POLITICIAN WHO WAS ELECTED BY NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF THE VOTERS IN THIS CITY OF TWO-MILLION PEOPLE IN THE REMOTE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF TURKEY.

MAYOR CELIK IS A MEMBER OF HADEP, WHICH STANDS FOR "PEOPLES' DEMOCRATIC PARTY". ALTHOUGH HADEP ASPIRES TO BE A NATIONAL PARTY AND REPRESENT ALL THE PEOPLE OF TURKEY, MAYOR CELIK SAYS UNFORTUNATELY IT HAS BEEN LABELED A KURDISH PARTY.

IN ELECTIONS LAST APRIL, HADEP CANDIDATES WON CONTROL OF SEVERAL DOZEN MUNICIPALITIES, INCLUDING DIYARBAKIR AND SIX OTHER MAJOR URBAN CENTERS. BUT THE PARTY DID NOT WIN ENOUGH VOTES OVERALL TO OBTAIN SEATS IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

MAYOR CELIK'S ADMINISTRATION HAS HAD MANY GROWING PAINS. SOME SUPPORTERS COMPLAIN PRIVATELY THAT CITY OFFICIALS DO NOT HAVE MUCH ACCESS TO OFFICIALS IN THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH CONTROLS A GREAT DEAL OF THE CITY'S FUNDING. AND THEY SAY SOME LOCAL SECURITY OFFICIALS REFUSE TO MEET THEM OUT OF FEAR THEY SYMPATHIZE WITH KURDISH REBELS WHO OPERATE FROM BASES IN THE MOUNTAINS NEARBY.

MAYOR CELIK SAYS IN AN INTERVIEW WITH V-O-A THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE MINOR, AND AFTER 60-DAYS IN OFFICE THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT.

THE NEW MAYOR OF DIYARBAKIR SAYS THERE ARE PROBLEMS: LEGAL, STAFFING, AND WHAT HE CALLS PROCEDURAL. HE SAYS, IN PARTICULAR HE HAS BEEN LEFT WITH A LARGE DEBT FROM THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION WHICH MUST BE REPAID.

ASKED IF HE HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE HE IS FROM AN OPPOSITION PARTY, HE REPLIES DIPLOMATICALLY THAT ALL MUNICIPALITIES, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, ARE CONSTRAINED BY THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. BUT DIYARBAKIR'S NEW MAYOR SAYS BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF VOTES HE RECEIVED, THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CANNOT COMPLETELY IGNORE THE EXPECTATIONS OF HIS PEOPLE.

MR. CELIK IS A LAWYER WHO HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN HUMAN RIGHTS. HE IS UNDER PROSECUTION IN FIVE CASES, WHICH TOGETHER CARRY A TOTAL POSSIBLE PENALTY OF 50-YEARS IN PRISON. HE IS CHARGED WITH SUPPORTING, IN VARIOUS WAYS, THE KURDISH REBEL GROUP -- THE P-K-K. BUT IN ONE CASE HE FACES SEVEN-YEARS IN PRISON FOR USING THE WORD "WAR" IN AN INTERVIEW WITH A PRO-KURDISH TELEVISION STATION BASED ABROAD.

MAYOR CELIK WELCOMES THE RECENT GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF MEASURES TO CURB POLICE BRUTALITY, AND HE PRAISES THE RECENT CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT REMOVING MILITARY JUDGES FROM SPECIAL COURTS THAT TRY SUSPECTED REBELS AND SOME POLITICAL DISSIDENTS.

MAYOR CELIK CALLS THESE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS. BUT HE SAYS A MAJOR OBSTACLE TO DEMOCRATIZATION IN TURKEY IS THE LACK OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION.

MAYOR CELIK SAYS IF TURKEY IS TO SOLVE ITS PROBLEMS, IT MUST BE ABLE TO DEBATE THEM FREELY. OTHERWISE, HE SAYS THE PREJUDICE BETWEEN PEOPLE WILL NOT BE BROKEN DOWN AND ETHNIC CONFLICT WILL CONTINUE TO PLAGUE THE STATE AND HINDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/GE/RAE
28-Jun-99 9:15 AM EDT (1315 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] TURKEY / OCALAN (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (DIYARBAKIR)

INTRO: THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL CHIEF ABDULLAH OCALAN RESUMES (TUESDAY) ON A PRISON ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF ISTANBUL. PROSECUTORS ARE DEMANDING THE DEATH PENALTY FOR MR OCALAN, WHO FOUNDED AND LED THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, THE P-K-K. MANY ARE EXPECTING A VERDICT DURING TUESDAY'S SESSION. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM THE LARGELY KURDISH PROVINCE OF DIYARBAKIR IN SOUTHEAST TURKEY THAT MOST ETHNIC KURDS SAY A JUDGMENT OF DEATH WILL COME AS NO SURPRISE.

TEXT: FOR A REGION NOTORIOUS FOR ITS SUPPORT FOR THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, DIYARBAKIR IS REMARKABLY CALM. WITH ONLY HOURS LEFT FOR THE COURT TO DECIDE THE P-K-K LEADER'S FATE. PEOPLE HERE ARE GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS AS USUAL. THEY SAY THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR THE P-K-K LEADER IS WIDELY EXPECTED.

MANY PUBLICLY SUPPORT MR OCALAN'S DEMANDS THAT HIS LIFE BE SPARED SO THAT HE MAY IN HIS WORDS HELP SERVE THE TURKISH STATE AND BRING ABOUT A LASTING PEACE BETWEEN TURKS AND KURDS.

MR OCALAN HAS CLAIMED THROUGHOUT HIS TRIAL THAT GIVEN A CHANCE HE CAN PERSUADE AN ESTIMATED 10-THOUSAND KURDISH REBELS CURRENTLY UNDER ARMS TO SURRENDER. EASING RESTRICTIONS ON KURDISH BROADCASTING AND EDUCATION, HE SAYS, WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS MEETING THE KURDS' DEMANDS. THE P-K-K LEADER HAS WARNED OF A CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE IF HE IS HANGED, SAYING THERE ARE AT LEAST FIVE-THOUSAND KURDISH SUICIDE BOMBERS PREPARED TO DIE IN HIS NAME.

MANY TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE THEY CALL A TERRORIST AND A BABY KILLER IS SINCERE. RATHER, THEY SAY HE IS SIMPLY SEEKING TO SAVE HIS OWN LIFE, AND HIS THREATS OF VIOLENCE, THEY ADD, SMACK OF BLACKMAIL.

KURDS SYMPATHETIC TO THE REBELS SAY MR OCALAN SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO PROVE HE MEANS WHAT HE SAYS.

LITTLE IF ANY REACTION IS EXPECTED HERE IF AND WHEN A VERDICT IS DELIVERED. BUT SHOULD THE P-K-K LEADER BE ACTUALLY EXECUTED, MANY HERE SAY HIS WARNINGS OF AN UNPRECEDENTED OUTBREAK OF VIOLENCE COULD WELL HAPPEN.

SOME ANALYSTS SAY THERE ARE GROWING SIGNS THAT MR OCALAN MAY NOT BE EXECUTED AFTER ALL IF FOUND GUILTY. SOME TURKISH OFFICIALS WORRY THAT HANGING THE P-K-K CHIEF WILL ELEVATE HIM TO MARTYRDOM AND WILL FURTHER DIMINISH TURKEY'S CHANCES OF JOINING THE EUROPEAN UNION. STILL, THERE IS STRONG PUBLIC PRESSURE ON THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT TO APPROVE THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR MR OCALAN IF HE IS CONVICTED AS CHARGED. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/GE
28-Jun-99 1:48 PM EDT (1748 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] TURKEY TRIAL (S) BY SCOTT BOBB (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: TURKEY IS PREPARING FOR THE VERDICT IN THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOB REPORTS FROM ISTANBUL, THE TRIAL IS SET TO RESUME TUESDAY FOLLOWING A FOUR-DAY RECESS.

TEXT: THE THREE JUDGES HAVE BEEN DELIBERATING SINCE THURSDAY, WHEN DEFENSE LAWYERS PRESENTED THEIR FINAL ARGUMENTS. THE LAWYERS ASKED THE COURT TO SEIZE A HISTORIC CHANCE FOR PEACE AND NOT IMPOSE THE DEATH SENTENCE.

MR. OCALAN IS CHARGED WITH TREASON WHICH CARRIES A MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY. DURING THE TRIAL, HE ACKNOWLEDGED LEADING THE REBEL GROUP, BUT DENIED KILLING ANYONE. HE URGED THE JUDGES TO SPARE HIS LIFE SO THAT HE COULD WORK FOR PEACE.

THE REBELS SAY THEY SUPPORT ANY MOVE TOWARD PEACE, BUT THEY WARN THAT EXECUTING MR. OCALAN WILL LEAD TO MORE VIOLENCE. SCORES OF REBELS AND A NUMBER OF SECURITY FORCES HAVE REPORTEDLY BEEN KILLED IN CLASHES IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY SINCE THE TRIAL BEGAN FOUR WEEKS AGO. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH/PLM
28-Jun-99 6:53 AM EDT (1053 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] TURKEY TRIAL (S) BY SCOTT BOBB (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: TURKEY IS PREPARING FOR THE VERDICT IN THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT SCOTT BOB REPORTS FROM ISTANBUL, THE TRIAL IS SET TO RESUME TUESDAY FOLLOWING A FOUR-DAY RECESS.

TEXT: THE THREE JUDGES HAVE BEEN DELIBERATING SINCE THURSDAY, WHEN DEFENSE LAWYERS PRESENTED THEIR FINAL ARGUMENTS. THE LAWYERS ASKED THE COURT TO SEIZE A HISTORIC CHANCE FOR PEACE AND NOT IMPOSE THE DEATH SENTENCE.

MR. OCALAN IS CHARGED WITH TREASON WHICH CARRIES A MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY. DURING THE TRIAL, HE ACKNOWLEDGED LEADING THE REBEL GROUP, BUT DENIED KILLING ANYONE. HE URGED THE JUDGES TO SPARE HIS LIFE SO THAT HE COULD WORK FOR PEACE.

THE REBELS SAY THEY SUPPORT ANY MOVE TOWARD PEACE, BUT THEY WARN THAT EXECUTING MR. OCALAN WILL LEAD TO MORE VIOLENCE. SCORES OF REBELS AND A NUMBER OF SECURITY FORCES HAVE REPORTEDLY BEEN KILLED IN CLASHES IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY SINCE THE TRIAL BEGAN FOUR WEEKS AGO. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/JWH/PLM
28-Jun-99 6:53 AM EDT (1053 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] U-N-H-C-R / KOSOVO RETURNS (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, SAYS IT WILL BEGIN AN ORGANIZED RETURN OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES TO KOSOVO FROM ALBANIA ON TUESDAY. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE AGENCY BEGAN ITS REPATRIATION OPERATION FROM MACEDONIA EARLY MONDAY.

TEXT: ONLY 325 REFUGEES ARE RETURNING TO KOSOVO IN THIS FIRST CONVOY OF ORGANIZED RETURNS FROM MACEDONIA. THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE NUMBERS ARE SMALL. BUT, SPOKESWOMAN, JUDITH KUMIN SAYS SHE EXPECTS THE ORGANIZED REPATRIATION PROGRAM WILL BUILD UP STEADILY.

BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF REFUGEES WITH THE MEANS TO TAKE THEMSELVES BACK WILL HAVE RETURNED PRETTY SOON. WE SEE VERY FEW REFUGEES LEFT WHO HAVE THEIR OWN VEHICLES AND WE WILL SEE A DROPPING NUMBER, A DECREASING NUMBER OF REFUGEES WHO HAVE FUNDS TO ORGANIZE THEIR OWN RETURNS. SO, WE EXPECT MORE AND MORE WILL BE DEPENDENT ON ORGANIZED RETURN.

SINCE THE DEPLOYMENT OF PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN KOSOVO TWO WEEKS AGO, THE U-N ESTIMATES AROUND 400-THOUSAND REFUGEES HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES. THIS LEAVES JUST UNDER 350-THOUSAND REFUGEES IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. FOR NOW, THE REFUGEE AGENCY IS ORGANIZING RETURNS ONLY TO PRISTINA, UROSEVAC, AND PRIZREN, CITIES WHICH THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE CONSIDERS SAFE. MS. KUMIN SAYS OTHER DESTINATIONS WILL BE ADDED AS PEACEKEEPERS CONFIRM THEY ARE SECURE.

SHE SAYS REPATRIATIONS FROM ALBANIA WILL BE DONE IN TWO STAGES BECAUSE OF THE BAD ROADS AND LONG DISTANCES IN THE COUNTRY. SHE SAYS REFUGEES FIRST WILL BE BROUGHT TO KUKES, NORTHERN ALBANIA, FROM CAMPS IN SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL ALBANIA. THIS PHASE OF THE OPERATION WAS BEGINNING MONDAY. MS. KUMIN SAYS THIS FIRST GROUP OF REFUGEES WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO KOSOVO ON TUESDAY.

SPOKESWOMAN KUMIN SAYS ONE OF THE DIFFICULTIES FACING THE AGENCY IS THAT REFUGEES WHO GO BACK TO KOSOVO IN AN ORGANIZED MANNER EXPECT TO HAVE ACCOMMODATIONS READY FOR THEM WHEN THEY ARRIVE.

AND THAT WILL BE A CONTROLLING FACTOR ON THE RATE OF RETURNS BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO BRING PEOPLE BACK WHEN WE DON'T HAVE SOLUTIONS, WHEN PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN HOUSES OR APARTMENTS OR FRIENDS TO GO TO. AND, WITH TODAY'S RETURN, WE WORKED OUT ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE MOTHER THERESA SOCIETY THAT THERE ARE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO FIND THAT THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE A PLACE OF THEIR OWN TO GO BACK TO.

MS. KUMIN SAYS IT WILL BECOME HARDER TO FIND PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE WHEN THEY START RETURNING TO THE MITROVICA OR JACOVICA AREAS. THIS IS BECAUSE THE LEVEL OF DESTRUCTION THERE IS HIGH. SHE SAYS IN SOME PLACES AS MUCH AS 95 PERCENT OF THE HOUSES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH
28-Jun-99 7:33 AM EDT (1133 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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