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Voice of America, 98-03-27

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

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)
  • [02] FRANCE RIGHT (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)
  • [03] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)
  • [04] ISLAM IN KOSOVO BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)
  • [05] ISRAEL / TURKEY BY PATRICIA GOLAN (TEL AVIV)
  • [06] KOSOVO FRIDAY (L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)
  • [07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)
  • [08] MONTENEGRINS FACE KOSOVO BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)
  • [09] ROMANIA IMPASSE (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)
  • [10] U-S-KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

  • [01] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

    DATE=3/27/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-228848
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE UP IN TRADING FRIDAY IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

    TEXT: SHARE PRICES ROSE IN ALL MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS, BUT CLOSED WELL BELOW THEIR HIGHS FOR THE DAY AFTER A WEAK OPENING ON WALL STREET.

    IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX INDEX ENDED THE DAY UP 38 POINTS, ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF ONE PERCENT. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE MORE THAN 26 POINTS, SEVEN-TENTHS PERCENT.

    AND IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX GAINED 34 POINTS, SIX-TENTHS PERCENT.

    ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, THE BRITISH POUND, AND THE JAPANESE YEN. (SIGNED)
    NEB/JWH/KL
    27-Mar-98 2:00 PM EST (1900 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [02] FRANCE RIGHT (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

    DATE=3/27/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-228852
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    /// EDS: REPORT IS DESIGNED FOR USE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND ///

    INTRO: FRANCE'S CONSERVATIVE RIGHT IS IN DISARRAY AFTER LOCAL ELECTIONS IN WHICH THE EXTREME-RIGHT, ANTI-IMMIGRATION NATIONAL FRONT SUDDENLY DEMONSTRATED ITS MUSCLE. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

    TEXT: FOR THE RESPECTED DAILY NEWSPAPER LE MONDE, THESE HAVE BEEN THE 10 DAYS THAT SHOOK THE FRENCH RIGHT. IN FACT, THEY SHOOK THE WHOLE FRENCH POLITICAL SCENE.

    TWO WEEKS AGO, THE RULING LEFTWING COALITION OF SOCIALISTS, COMMUNISTS, AND ECOLOGISTS -- ELECTED IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LAST JUNE -- SEEMED SURE TO TAKE THE MAJORITY OF FRANCE'S 22 REGIONAL COUNCILS. THEN, AFTER THE RESULTS OF THE PROPORTIONAL VOTE ON MARCH 15TH, THE EXTREME-RIGHT NATIONAL FRONT LED BY JEAN-MARIE LE PEN USED ITS NATIONWIDE 15 PERCENT, THAT GAVE IT SEATS ON EVERY COUNCIL, TO UNEXPECTED EFFECT.

    PREVIOUSLY, THE NATIONAL FRONT ALWAYS PUNISHED THE CONSERVATIVE COALITION OF THE GAULLIST RALLY FOR THE REPUBLIC, OR R-P-R, AND UNION FOR FRENCH DEMOCRACY, OR U-D-F, FOR REFUSING TO STRIKE ALLIANCES WITH IT. TYPICALLY, IT WOULD SWING ITS SUPPORT BEHIND LEFT-WING CANDIDATES WHEREVER IT COULD. .

    IN THE LATEST ELECTIONS, HOWEVER, THE NATIONAL FRONT SUDDENLY CHANGED TACK. THE NATIONAL FRONT'S COUNCILLORS SUPPORTED THE CONSERVATIVE RIGHT'S CANDIDATES WHEN THE NEW REGIONAL COUNCILS MET FOR THE FIRST TIME, GIVING THE CONSERVATIVES A MAJORITY. THIS SWUNG THE BALANCE TO THE RIGHT IN EIGHT COUNCILS, DEPRIVING THE LEFT OF ITS EXPECTED NATIONAL VICTORY.

    IN THREE COUNCILS, THE NEWLY ELECTED CONSERVATIVE PRESIDENTS RESIGNED IMMEDIATELY. ANOTHER TWO HAVE RESIGNED SINCE, MEANING THAT THERE WILL HAVE TO BE NEW VOTES IN FIVE COUNCILS DURING THE NEXT MONTH.

    IN ALL CASES, THE COUNCIL PRESIDENTS WHO DID ACCEPT NATIONAL FRONT VOTES CAME FROM THE CENTER-RIGHT U-D-F. THEIR BEHAVIOR SEEMS TO HAVE CONDEMNED THEIR PARTY TO OBLIVION.

    FRANCOIS BAYROU, WHO WAS EDUCATION MINISTER WHEN THE CONSERVATIVE RIGHT WAS IN POWER FROM 1993 UNTIL PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LAST YEAR, HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION OF LEAVING THE U-D-F TO FORM A NEW CENTRIST PARTY.

    HE HAS THE BACKING OF SEVERAL TOP CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS. IN THE MEANTIME, FRANCE'S GAULLIST PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC, CONDEMNING THE NATIONAL FRONT FOR BEING, IN HIS WORDS, "RACIST AND XENOPHOBIC," SAYS IT IS TIME TO MODERNIZE FRENCH POLITICAL LIFE, HINTING AT A FAR-REACHING FORM OF POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS.

    PHILIPPE SEGUIN, THE HEAD OF THE GAULLIST R-P-R PARTY, PHILIPPE SEGUIN, SAYS HE WILL NO LONGER FIELD JOINT CANDIDATES WITH OTHER CONSERVATIVES, SAYING THAT THE TIME FOR WHAT HE CALLS "SOFT" RIGHT-WING IDEAS IS OVER.

    ALL THIS SIGNALS A FRAGMENTATION OF TRADITIONAL CONSERVATIVE PARTIES THAT IS LIKELY TO MAKE THE NATIONAL FRONT THE STRONGEST AND MOST MOTIVATED PARTY ON THE FRENCH RIGHT, AT LEAST IN THE SHORT TERM. (SIGNED)
    NEB/JWH/JWH
    27-Mar-98 1:47 PM EST (1847 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [03] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=03/27/98
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-10637
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    CONTENT=

    //// EDS: PERISHABLE MATERIAL, DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-S-T ! ! ////

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S AFRICA TRIP IS COMING IN FOR A GOOD DEAL OF COMMENT IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF FRIDAY'S PAPERS, ESPECIALLY SOME OF HIS COMMENTS APOLOGIZING FOR U-S INACTION TOWARD GENOCIDE IN RWANDA, AND FOR BENEFITING FROM SLAVERY. OTHER TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED INCLUDE THE SCHOOL KILLINGS IN ARKANSAS; THE UNFULFILLED PROMISE OF THE "STAR WARS" PROGRAM; SOME MOVEMENT BY ISRAEL IN THE PEACE PROCESS WITH THE PALESTINIANS; AND THE CABINET-SACKING IN RUSSIA. NOW, HERE IS ___________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS IN SOUTH AFRICA ON THE LONGEST ONE-COUNTRY STOP OF HIS HISTORIC TOUR OF AFRICA AND IN THIS COUNTRY, THE PRESIDENT'S VARIOUS COMMENTS, ARE BEING ANALYZED IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS. TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" CALLS THE PRESIDENTS REMARKS ABOUT NOT RESPONDING FAST ENOUGH TO THE RWANDA GENOCIDE "AN EVASIVE APOLOGY."

    VOICE: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S APOLOGY FOR A FAILURE TO INTERCEDE AGAINST GENOCIDAL MASSACRES IN RWANDA IN APRIL 1994 WAS A WELCOME GESTURE. /// OPT /// HIS SPEECH TO RWANDAN OFFICIALS AND SURVIVORS OF THE ... BLOODBATH RESOUNDED WITH AN APPEAL TO UNIVERSAL HUMAN SOLIDARITY. /// END OPT ///... NONETHELESS, THE APOLOGY WAS INCOMPLETE, EVEN MISLEADING. THE PRESIDENT .... DID NOT EXPLAIN WHY HIS REFUSAL TO ALLOW THE TERM GENOCIDE WAS CRUCIAL, AND HE DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE HOW MUCH WAS KNOWN IN WASHINGTON AND OTHER CAPITALS ABOUT THE RWANDAN CALAMITY AS IT WAS HAPPENING. ..... IN REALITY, THERE WERE REPORTS FROM THE CIA, /// OPT /// UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPERS, AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS /// END OPT /// THAT WARNED OF THE PLANNED MASSACRES AND DESCRIBED THEM ONCE THEY BEGAN. WORST, U-S OFFICIALS WERE INSTRUCTED TO FOLLOW A POLICY OF ABJURING THE TERM GENOCIDE. .... AT THE TIME, U-S POLICY MAKERS WERE DETERMINED TO AVOID A REPEAT OF U-S MISADVENTURES THE PREVIOUS YEAR IN SOMALIA. BUT TELLING THE WHOLE TRUTH ABOUT THE PAST IS THE BEST POLICY FOR PREVENTING FUTURE GENOCIDES.

    TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" HEADLINES ITS COMMENTARY ON THE PRESIDENT'S AFRICAN REMARKS SO FAR "GUILT TRIP."

    VOICE: BILL CLINTON ..... EXPRESSED REGRETS FOR SLAVERY, FOR THE COLD WAR CODDLING OF SOME AFRICAN DICTATORS AND FOR WHAT HE CALLS THE COUNTRY'S SLOWNESS TO RESPOND TO GENOCIDE IN RWANDA. ..... HIS WORDS EXPOSE HIM TO THE CHARGE THAT FOR PERSONAL AND POLITICAL REASONS HE IS ADVERTISING A LOPSIDED AND GRATUITOUS VISION OF THE COUNTRY HE REPRESENTS. STILL, HE IS ADDRESSING THEMES DEEPLY RELEVANT TO THE UNITED STATES AND AFRICA. .... MR. CLINTON IDENTIFIED AMERICAN NEGLECT AS 'THE BIGGEST MISTAKE AMERICA EVER MADE WITH AFRICA OVER THE LONG RUN.' HIS TRIP WAS DESIGNED TO COUNTER THAT NEGLECT. ... [HOWEVER] THE PRESIDENT, WHO EARLY IN HIS TRIP HAILED A PROSPECTIVE AFRICAN 'RENAISSANCE,' HAS NOT OFFERED NEW IDEAS TO MATCH.

    TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S USE OF EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE, THE CONFIDENTIALITY REGULATION THAT MAKES SOME WHITE HOUSE CONVERSATIONS SECRET TO EVERYONE, EVEN A GRAND JURY, IN WHITE HOUSE CONVERSATIONS INVOLVING MRS. CLINTON, DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM MAINE'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD."

    VOICE: THIS CLAIM IS SHAKY AT BEST, RESULTING IN PART ON WHETHER ANY FIRST LADY HAS LEGAL STATUS AS A PRESIDENTIAL 'ADVISER.' SOME CONVERSATIONS AMONG ADVISERS ARE PROTECTED UNDER CURRENT COURT RULINGS EVEN IF THE PRESIDENT IS NOT PRESENT. ... [BUT] LET'S BE CLEAR: WHAT IS BEING DISCUSSED HERE ISN'T FACE-TO-FACE TALKS BETWEEN SPOUSES; IT IS ADVICE OFFERED BY GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES TO A PRIVATE CITIZEN WHO HAPPENS TO BE MARRIED TO THE PRESIDENT. ..... EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE? THAT'S A STRETCH.

    TEXT: TURNING TO THE TRAGEDY OF THE SCHOOL KILLINGS IN ARKANSAS WHICH HAS RIVETED THE NATION'S ATTENTION ON YOUTH VIOLENCE, THE GUN CULTURE, AND TROUBLED YOUNGSTERS, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS ONE ISSUE IS NOT BEING GIVEN APPROPRIATE CONSIDERATION.

    VOICE: SCANT ATTENTION IS BEING PAID TO SOMETHING THAT MIGHT HELP PREVENT OTHER MURDEROUS RAMPAGES: NATIONAL LEGISLATION, SIMILAR TO CALIFORNIA'S, THAT WOULD ALLOW PROSECUTION OF IRRESPONSIBLE PARENTS AND OTHER ADULTS WHO LEAVE GUNS WITHIN REACH OF CHILDREN UNDER 14. THE CALIFORNIA LAW CARRIES A PENALTY OF UP TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON. THE JONESBORO CASE PROVIDES AN UNFORTUNATE EXAMPLE OF THIS NEED. /// OPT /// THE SUSPECTS ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO BREAK INTO THE GUN VAULT OF THE ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD'S FATHER BUT FAILED ..... /// END OPT

    ///

    TEXT: "THE TIMES" THEN EXPLAINS THAT THE BOYS STOLE MOST OF THEIR WEAPONS FROM THEIR GRANDFATHER'S COLLECTION WHICH WAS NOT AS SECURE AND ENDS UP BY STATING: "THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO PURSUE FEDERAL LEGISLATION NOW, AS THE HORROR OF 'FLEDGLING SOCIOPATHS' AGAIN GRIPS THE NATION." "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" COMMENTING ON WHAT IT CALLS THE FUTILITY OF FORMER PRESIDENT REAGAN'S STAR WARS PROGRAM AFTER BILLIONS OF DOLLARS SPENT, SAYS CURRENT REPUBLICAN EFFORTS TO CONTINUE THE EFFORT ARE FOLLY.

    VOICE: ..... [THE] SYSTEM ... WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CAPABLE OF SHOOTING DOWN EVERY MISSILE THEN IN THE SOVIET ARSENAL, COULD BE FULLY OPERATIONAL BY TWO-THOUSAND-TWO, THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATED AT THE TIME. IT WAS A WONDERFUL DREAM, A BIG DREAM .... IT WAS ALSO UNATTAINABLE. IN THE PAST 15 YEARS, WE HAVE SPENT MANY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO DEVISE A SYSTEM THAT COULD TRACK AND SHOOT DOWN JUST ONE MISSILE, JUST ONE TIME, ...... AND TIME AFTER TIME WE HAVE FAILED. THE FEAT IS SIMPLY BEYOND OUR TECHNOLOGICAL CAPACITY, NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY WE SPEND.

    TEXT: TURNING TO ASIA, "THE ORLANDO [FLORIDA] SENTINEL" IS COUNSELING "PATIENCE FOR PEACE" AS REGARDS THE RECENTLY BROKEN-OFF TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO KOREAS, THE U-S AND CHINA.

    VOICE: THE IMPORTANT POINT .... IS THAT THE TWO SIDES ARE NOT AT AN IMPASSE. PEACE TALKS ARE SCHEDULED TO GO ON, WITH ANOTHER ROUND AS EARLY AS THIS SUMMER. AMERICANS AND THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BE PATIENT. AFTER ALL, IT TOOK NEARLY HALF A CENTURY TO GET TO THE PEACE TABLE. REALISTICALLY A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE KOREAS WILL TAKE MANY MORE YEARS. BUT AT LEAST THERE IS MOVEMENT IN THAT DIRECTION.

    TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY" TAKES NOTE OF THE LATEST OFFER BY ISRAEL IN TROOP PULL OUTS FROM THE WEST BANK AND SAYS, "NOW IT'S [MR.] ARAFAT'S MOVE."

    VOICE: BY PROPOSING TO WITHDRAW ISRAELI FORCES FROM BETWEEN TEN-POINT-FIVE AND 12 PERCENT OF THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORY, HE HAS UPPED THE ANTE JUST ENOUGH TO MAKE HIS OFFER MORE CREDIBLE TO PALESTINIANS AND TO AVERT A POTENTIALLY EMBARRASSING CONFRONTATION WITH PRESIDENT ... CLINTON OVER THE DEADLOCKED PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. ..... NOW IT'S UP TO [MR.] ARAFAT TO RESPOND IN THE SAME SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE.

    /// OPT ///

    TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" IS AGAIN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF JOURNALISTS IN MUCH OF LATIN AMERICA; IT SAYS OF THE 26 JOURNALISTS KILLED WORLDWIDE LAST YEAR, TEN WERE IN LATIN AMERICA.

    VOICE: BUT AN ARREST WARRANT IS A MORE COMMON DANGER. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE BRINGING CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST JOURNALISTS WHO REPORT ON OFFICIAL CRIME AND CORRUPTION, GIVING INTIMIDATION A LEGAL VENEER. IN PERU, ONE CURRENT TARGET IS AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER, JOSE ARRIETA. [WHO] ..... REPORTED THAT A DEATH SQUAD RUN BY THE GOVERNMENT'S INTELLIGENCE SERVICES COMMITTED A NOTORIOUS MASSACRE IN 1992. ....... AN ARREST WARRANT WAS ISSUED ACCUSING MR. ARRIETA OF FALSIFYING HIS STORIES. A COURAGEOUS JUDGE KNOCKED IT DOWN. BUT MR. ARRIETA, CERTAIN THE GOVERNMENT WILL TRY AGAIN, IS IN MIAMI APPLYING FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM. ..... GOVERNMENTS ARE ABLE TO USE THE COURTS AGAINST REPORTERS BECAUSE JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE IS A FICTION IN MANY COUNTRIES. INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM IS ONLY POSSIBLE WITH AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY.

    /// END OPT ///

    TEXT: LASTLY, THIS COMMENT FROM "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" ON THE RUSSIAN CABINET FIRINGS BY BORIS YELTSIN.

    VOICE: WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN FOR US HERE IN THE WEST? RUSSIA IS NOT LIKELY TO CHANGE COURSE AS A RESULT OF MR. YELTSIN'S MANEUVERS, BUT AT THE VERY LEAST IT SUGGESTS THE UNDENIABLE INSTABILITY OF A SYSTEM THAT RELIES ON THE WHIMS OF ONE MAN -- A MAN IN SHAKY HEALTH AND WITH AN EVIDENT DRINKING PROBLEM AS WELL. CAN THERE BE A BETTER ARGUMENT FOR GETTING NATO EXPANSION UNDER WAY WHILE THE GOING IS GOOD?

    TEXT: WITH THAT COMMENT, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
    NEB/ANG/KL
    27-Mar-98 11:19 AM EST (1619 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [04] ISLAM IN KOSOVO BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

    DATE=3/27/98
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-39390
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE ETHNIC DISPUTE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE IS SOMETIMES DESCRIBED IN RELIGIOUS TERMS. MOST -- ALTHOUGH NOT ALL ALBANIAN KOSOVARS ARE MUSLIMS. MOST SERBIANS ARE ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER HAS BEEN EXAMINING THE ROLE OF ISLAM IN KOSOVO.

    TEXT:

    /// MUSLIM CALL TO PRAYER ///

    TWELVE NOON, FRIDAY, THE LARGEST MOSQUE IN PRISTINA, THE CAPITAL OF KOSOVO.

    ON THIS FREEZING MARCH DAY WHILE NEARBY MOSQUES APPEARED TO HAVE FEW WORSHIPPERS, THE LARGE MOSQUE WAS FILLED WITH MEN, MANY OF THEM OLDER, BUT SOME YOUNG MEN AS WELL.

    /// PRAYER - FADE UNDER ///

    ISLAM DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN OVERLY BURDENSOME FAITH FOR ETHNIC ALBANIANS HERE. ALCOHOL IS SERVED IN MUSLIM-OWNED CAFES AND RESTAURANTS. AND A LOT OF THE PEOPLE DRINK WINE, BEER, OR SPIRITS. IT IS RARE TO SEE MUSLIM PRAYER BEADS BEING USED. AND MUSLIMS HERE DO NOT SEEM TO STOP EVERYTHING AND PRAY FIVE TIMES A DAY AS IS COMMON IN EGYPT OR SAUDI ARABIA.

    SOME YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE NEVER BEEN INSIDE A MOSQUE, ALTHOUGH THEY IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AS MUSLIMS. MOST MUSLIM FAMILIES CELEBRATE ISLAMIC FEASTS, BUT MANY ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO FEASTING AT CHRISTMAS TIME.

    THE DIRECTOR OF A 600-STUDENT ISLAMIC SCHOOL, NAIM TERNAVA, INSISTS THAT INTEREST IN THE RELIGION IS GROWING.

    /// TERNAVA ACT - FADE UNDER ///

    HE SAYS THE INTEREST IN RELIGION AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM IS NOW BIGGER. PEOPLE ARE TAKING MORE INTEREST, HE SAYS -- THE FIRST SIGNS THAT PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO KNOWING THEMSELVES AND KNOWING ABOUT RELIGION. EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW WHICH RELIGION THEY BELONG TO, HE SAYS. IF IT IS CATHOLIC OR MUSLIM, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

    MR. TERNAVA EXPLAINS THE LACK OF PUBLIC DISPLAY OF RELIGIOUS FERVOR BY SAYING THERE ARE ENOUGH MOSQUES IN KOSOVO FOR MUSLIMS TO EXERCISE THEIR FAITH INDOORS.

    /// TERNAVA ACT - FADE UNDER ///

    IN THE FUTURE, HE SAYS, IF INTEREST IN RELIGION BECOMES BIGGER AND THE PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE PLACES TO PRAY, YOU WILL SEE PEOPLE PRAYING IN THE STREET.

    KOSOVAR MUSLIMS ARE OVERWHELMINGLY SUNNI. BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL SMALL GROUPS OF SHI'ITE MUSLIMS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.

    EXCEPT FOR RELIGIOUS STUDENTS, ALBANIAN MUSLIMS READ ISLAM'S HOLY BOOK, THE KORAN, IN ALBANIAN, NOT IN THE ORIGINAL ARABIC.

    IN NORMAL YEARS, ABOUT 500 ALBANIAN MUSLIMS GO ON THE HAJ, OR PILGRIMAGE, TO ISLAM'S HOLY PLACES IN SAUDI ARABIA. THIS YEAR, NONE WENT.

    /// TERNAVA ACT - FADE UNDER ///

    MR. TERNAVA SAYS BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION, IN HIS WORDS, THE MASSACRES IN DRENICA, "WE DECIDED TO SUSPEND THIS YEAR'S HAJ, BUT HOPE THE FOLLOWING YEARS THERE WILL BE MORE MUSLIMS GOING TO HAJ, PERHAPS IN BETTER DAYS."

    SOME OBSERVERS SAY THERE ARE SIGNS IN THE KOSOVO COUNTRYSIDE THAT ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE TURNING TO ISLAM BECAUSE OF THE STRESS OF THEIR CONDITIONS UNDER SERBIAN CONTROL. BUT HERE IN PRISTINA, MUSLIMS SEEM TO LEAD LARGELY SECULAR LIVES. (SIGNED)
    NEB/MGB/JWH/KL
    27-Mar-98 2:08 PM EST (1908 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] ISRAEL / TURKEY BY PATRICIA GOLAN (TEL AVIV)

    DATE=3/27/98
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-39381
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, ISRAEL AND TURKEY HAVE DEVELOPED A CLOSE AND HIGHLY-PUBLICIZED DEFENSE RELATIONSHIP, WHICH HAS INCLUDED JOINT MANEUVERS AND ISRAEL'S UPGRADING THE TURKISH AIRFORCE. BUT, AS PATRICIA GOLAN REPORTS, A QUIET PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES HAS DEVELOPED SIGNIFICANTLY ON OTHER FRONTS AS WELL.

    TEXT: JUST TEN YEARS AGO, TRADE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND TURKEY AMOUNTED TO LITTLE MORE THAN FIGS AND NUTS -- LITERALLY. BUT SINCE SIGNING A FREE TRADE AGREEMENT LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO, BUSINESS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES HAS SKYROCKETED. TODAY, BI-LATERAL TRADE IS CLOSE TO 600-MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR, AND IS EXPECTED TO REACH TWO TO THREE-BILLION DOLLARS WITHIN A SHORT TIME.

    ISRAELI ECONOMIST ALON LIEL, AN EXPERT ON TURKEY, CALLS ISRAELI-TURKISH RELATIONS ALMOST A LOVE AFFAIR.

    /// LIEL ACT ///

    NOT ONLY THAT, WE HAVE A VERY MEANINGFUL LOBBYING SIDE IN FAVOR OF ENHANCING THESE RELATIONS, AND THIS IS THE TURKISH ARMY, BUT MOST OF THE POLITICAL MAP IN TURKEY, EXCEPT THE ISLAMIC PARTY WHICH WAS NOW OUTLAWED, IS IN FAVOR OF DEVELOPING THE RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL.

    /// END ACT ///

    FOR NOW, THE MOST LUCRATIVE TIES FOR ISRAEL ARE THE HIGHLY PUBLICIZED RELATIONS BETWEEN THE MILITARY ESTABLISHMENTS.

    /// OPT // SOUND - ESTABLISH, THEN FADE UNDER ///

    (VOICE 1) DELTA ROMEO, THIS IS KBECK LIMA. REQUEST YOU SAY AGAIN OVER. (VOICE 2) THIS IS DELTA ROMEO, A DISTRESS CALL HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM THREE YACHTS, POSITION UNCERTAIN, ENROUTE FROM LIMMOSAL TO TEL AVIV, POSSIBLE POSITION ABOUT 50 MILES (70 KILMETERS) NORTHWEST FROM HAIFA. PLEASE CONFIRM, OVER.

    /// END ACT // END OPT ///

    EARLIER THIS YEAR AMERICAN, ISRAELI AND TURKISH NAVY VESSELS PLAYED OUT A SEARCH AND RESCUE DRILL IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN.. THE IMAGE OF THE THREE COUNTRIES' WARSHIPS PLOWING THROUGH THE MEDITERRANEAN HINTED AT WHERE THE MIDDLE EAST'S NEWEST STRATEGIC ALLIANCE MAY BE HEADING. AND IT MAKES THE ARAB COUNTRIES -- AND GREECE -- NERVOUS.

    IN ADDITION TO JOINT TRAINING EXERCISES, ISRAEL IS MODERNIZING THE TURKISH AIRFORCE. LATE LAST YEAR, ISRAEL WON A 75-MILLION-DOLLAR CONTRACT TO UPGRADE TURKEY'S F-5 FIGHTER JETS. IT IS SUPPLYING VARIOUS GUIDED MISSILES. AND THERE IS EVEN TALK OF A POSSIBLE JOINT MANUFACTURE OF ISRAEL'S STATE-OF-THE-ART TANK, THE MERKAVA.

    ECONOMIST ALON LIEL:

    /// LIEL ACT ///

    TURKEY NEEDS A VERY STRONG ARMY BECAUSE OF THE REGIONAL THREATS, THEY CANNOT GET AT THE MOMENT SOME OF THE SOPHISTICATED MILITARY EQUIPMENT THEY NEED FROM EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE OF A PARTIAL EUROPEAN AND PARTIAL AMERICAN EMBARGO BECAUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES, THEY ARE GETTING SOME OF THESE PRODUCTS FROM US.

    /// END ACT ///

    AND ISRAEL'S MILITARY INDUSTRIES NEED THE BUSINESS. UNTIL RECENTLY ON THE VERGE OF ECONOMIC COLLAPSE, THE INDUSTRIES PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. TURKEY NOW APPEARS TO BE FILLING THE VACUUM LEFT BY SOUTH AFRICA, ONCE ISRAEL'S MAJOR DEFENSE CLIENT.

    /// OPT ///

    ACCORDING TO RECENT REPORTS, ISRAEL AND RUSSIA HAVE TEAMED UP IN SUBMITTING A BID TO SELL THREE-AND-ONE-HALF-BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF ATTACK HELICOPTERS TO TURKEY, POSSIBLY UNDERMINING AN AMERICAN OFFER TO SELL HELICOPTERS IN EXCHANGE FOR TURKEY IMPROVING ITS HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. /// END OPT ///

    FOR TURKEY, TRADE RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL ARE ALSO ATTRACTIVE BECAUSE OF ISRAEL'S SPECIAL ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH NORTH AMERICA. THE UNITED STATES, FOR EXAMPLE, DOES NOT APPLY QUOTAS TO TEXTILE IMPORTS FROM ISRAEL.

    LEO COSKIN ("JOSHKOON") HEADS A CONSULTANCY FIRM IN ISTANBUL WHICH ADVISES TURKISH BUSINESSMEN ON INVESTMENTS IN ISRAEL.

    /// COSKIN ACT ///

    ISRAEL COULD BE A DOOR TO THE MARKET OF THE UNITED STATES. IT'S MORE EASY TO GO TO ISRAEL TO GET TO THE UNITED STATES THAN TO GO DIRECTLY.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. COCKIN EXPLAINS THAT BY TEAMING UP IN JOINT VENTURES WITH ISRAELIS, TURKISH BUSINESSMEN CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ISRAEL'S EASY ACCESS TO THE U-S MARKET. ABOUT 15 TURKISH COMPANIES ARE ACTIVE IN ISRAEL TODAY, MAINLY IN CONSTRUCTION. AND 20 MAJOR ISRAELI COMPANIES ARE INVESTING AND MANUFACTURING IN TURKEY, INCLUDING WATER CONSULTANCY, CHEMICAL, AND AGRICULTURAL FIRMS.

    /// SOUND: FROM PROMOTIONAL VIDEO ///

    HAZERA IS ISRAEL'S LARGEST SEED COMPANY. IT DOES A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS WITH TURKEY, SELLING MAINLY VEGETABLE SEEDS.

    /// OPT ///

    HAZERA'S MARKETING DIRECTOR, AMIT SCHWARTZ, SAYS THERE WERE FEARS THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME POLITICAL RESISTANCE, BUT NOW HAZERA HAS WON BRAND LOYALTY FROM TURKISH FARMERS.

    /// OPT // SCHWARTZ ACT ///

    IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO KNOW THAT IT'S ISRAEL AND THAT IT HAS TO BE HAZERA. IT GOES ON EVERY PACKAGE AND IT'S WELL-KNOWN, TO THE EXTENT THAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO COPY US AND STEAL FROM US. THAT'S NORMAL I GUESS.

    /// END ACT // END OPT ///

    ISRAEL'S INTERESTS IN THE TURKISH MARKET GO BEYOND THE STRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC ALLIANCES. IT ALSO HAS ITS EYE ON THE TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL IN THE CENTRAL ASIAN REPUBLICS OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION -- WHERE TURKEY HAS A STRONG FOOTHOLD. INTENSE NEGOTIATIONS ARE NOW TAKING PLACE ON A VARIETY OF JOINT TURKISH-ISRAELI, PROJECTS -- AND EVEN THREE-WAY DEALS INVOLVING AMERICAN COMPANIES -- INCLUDING HYDROELECTRIC PLANTS, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, PETROCHEMICALS AND AGRICULTURE.

    THE OFFICIAL LINE IS THAT PLANS INVOLVING ISRAELI COMPANIES IN THESE ISLAMIC REPUBLICS ARE STILL ON THE DRAWING BOARD. BUT BUSINESSMEN PRIVATELY ADMIT SOME OF THESE JOINT VENTURES ARE ALREADY IN THE WORKS, BUT ARE BEING KEPT QUIET FOR POLITICAL REASONS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PG/JWH
    27-Mar-98 9:07 AM EST (1407 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [06] KOSOVO FRIDAY (L) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

    DATE=3/27/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-228847
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: SERBIAN STUDENTS HAVE AGAIN DEMONSTRATED IN KOSOVO'S PROVINCIAL CAPITAL (PRISTINA), AS ETHNIC ALBANIANS BURIED TWO MEN WHO DIED IN RENEWED VIOLENCE IN SERBIA'S TROUBLED PROVINCE IN YUGOSLAVIA. A LEADER OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS SAYS HE IS READY FOR TALKS WITH THE GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER HAS MORE FROM PRISTINA.

    TEXT: // DEMO SOUND, THEN FADE //

    ABOUT TWO-THOUSAND SERBIAN STUDENTS DEMONSTRATED AGAINST THE EDUCATION AGREEMENT THAT WOULD RETURN ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO SCHOOLS HERE (IN KOSOVO). THEY ALSO DENOUNCED TERRORISM AND INSISTED THAT KOSOVO IS PART OF SERBIA. MEANWHILE, IN THE VILLAGE OF GLODJANE, SEVERAL THOUSAND MOURNERS GATHERED TO BURY TWO YOUNG COUSINS -- MEN, 21 AND 19 YEARS OLD WHO DIED WHEN VIOLENCE ERUPTED LAST TUESDAY. MANY BUILDINGS SHOWED DAMAGE FROM GUNFIRE. SERBIAN OFFICIALS SAY A POLICE PATROL WAS AMBUSHED. ONE POLICEMAN WAS KILLED -- LEADING TO THE FIRE FIGHT IN THE VILLAGE. EARLIER, HERE IN PRISTINA, ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA HELD A REGULAR FRIDAY NEWS CONFERENCE.

    // RUGOVA IN ALBANIAN, THEN FADE //

    HE THANKED THE INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP FOR ITS STAND IN PUSHING FOR MEANINGFUL TALKS BETWEEN BELGRADE AND THE ALBANIAN KOSOVARS -- AND SAID HE IS READY FOR SUCH A DIALOGUE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/GB/ADEN/JO
    27-Mar-98 1:38 PM EST (1838 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=3/27/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-228866
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (FRIDAY) AS MANY TRADERS LOOKED AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK'S ECONOMIC STATISTICS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

    TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 87 HUNDRED 96, DOWN 50 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 110 POINTS OR MORE THAN ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT ONE THOUSAND 95, DOWN FIVE POINTS.

    ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS SOME CAUTION AMONG TRADERS IN ADVANCE OF NEXT WEEK'S ECONOMIC REPORTS WHICH INCLUDE NEW HOME SALES FIGURES AND THE MONTHLY CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX. ALSO NEXT WEEK IS A MEETING OF THE GOVERNORS OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK. ALL THESE COULD AFFECT THE DIRECTION OF STOCK PRICES.

    THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS PERSONAL INCOMES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE BY A STRONG SIX-TENTHS OF A PERCENT LAST MONTH AFTER THE SAME INCREASE IN JANUARY.

    ///BEGIN OPT///

    MATTHEW ALEXIE OF THE C-S FIRST BOSTON INVESTMENT FIRM SAYS THE FIGURES SHOULD MEAN GROWING CONFIDENCE AMONG AMERICAN CONSUMERS.

    ///ALEXIE ACT///

    ///OPT////

    THE INCOME NUMBERS ARE CERTAINLY THE FUNCTION OF A VERY FIRM LABOR MARKET SO I DO THINK A HIGH LEVEL OF CONSUMER SENTIMENT IS JUSTIFIED. I EXPECT IT TO CONTINUE FOR A WHILE.

    ///END OPT///

    ///END ACT///

    MANY ECONOMISTS SAY STRONG SPENDING BY AMERICAN CONSUMERS COULD HELP OFFSET A DECREASE IN U-S EXPORTS CAUSED BY THE FINANCIAL WEAKNESS IN ASIA.

    /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///

    THE STOCK OF ADOBE SYSTEMS FELL AFTER A DISAPPOINTING EARNINGS REPORT. THE MAKER OF COMPUTER GRAPHICS SOFTWARE SAYS WEAK SALES IN ASIA WERE LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DROP IN PROFITS.

    EUROPE'S MAJOR AEROSPACE FIRMS HAVE AGREED TO STUDY WAYS TO CREATE A UNIFIED TRANS-NATIONAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT COMPANY ALONG THE LINES OF AIRBUS INDUSTRIES. THE EUROPEANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE GROWING COMPETITION FROM A CONSOLIDATING U-S DEFENSE INDUSTRY.

    THE MCDONALD'S RESTAURANT CHAIN IS RECEIVING FAVORABLE REVIEWS FROM ANALYSTS FOR ITS RESTRUCTURING PROGRAM. MCDONALD'S, WHICH HAS SUFFERED A SLOWDOWN IN GROWTH RECENTLY, SAYS IT WILL CUT COSTS BY REORGANIZING ITS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS AND WILL HELP ITS FRANCHISE OWNERS FINANCE MAJOR OVERHAULS OF THEIR KITCHENS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
    27-Mar-98 5:17 PM EST (2217 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [08] MONTENEGRINS FACE KOSOVO BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=3/27/98
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-39386
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRODUCTION: THE PEOPLE OF MONTENEGRO, WHO LIVE IN A LAND OF REMOTE, ISOLATED MOUNTAINS, ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR FIERCE INDEPENDENCE. BUT IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK, A GROUP OF MONTENEGRIN PARLIAMENTARIANS STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING WITH OTHERS TO RESOLVE THE GROWING CRISIS IN NEIGHBORING KOSOVO. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS.

    TEXT: DIALOGUE, DIALOGUE AND MORE DIALOGUE. THAT WAS THE RECOMMENDATION OF ONE OF THE MONTENEGRIN PARLIAMENTARIANS, SPEAKING FOR THEM ALL. THEY HAVE BEEN WARMLY WELCOMED IN WASHINGTON BECAUSE THEY SEEK TALKS TO END THE TENSIONS BETWEEN SERBS AND ALBANIANS IN NEIGHBORING KOSOVO.

    WHILE SHARING YUGOSLAVIA WITH SERBIA, THE RECENTLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO HAS REJECTED BELGRADE'S BELLIGERANCE TOWARD KOSOVO'S ALBANIAN MAJORITY. IN TURN, THE UNITED STATES HAS PLEDGED FINANCIAL AID TO MONTENEGRO, ALTHOUGH SERBIA REMAINS UNDER ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.

    AT A PRESS BRIEFING IN WASHINGTON, SVETOZAR MAROVIC, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSEMBLY OF MONTENEGRO, SAID SERBS AND ALBANIANS SHOULD MAKE CONCESSIONS NECESSARY FOR A SETTLEMENT IN KOSOVO:

    // MAROVIC ACT //

    I AM SURE THAT THE OUTCOME OF SUCH TALKS SHOULD BE A CERTAIN FORM OF AUTONOMY. BUT I DO NOT THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR US TO TRY TO DEFINE THE FINAL OUTCOME OF SUCH TALKS, WHICH SHOULD BE STARTING IMMEDIATELY. I THINK THAT BOTH SIDES WILL BE ENTERING THESE TALKS WITH THEIR RADICAL DEMANDS, ONE SIDE WISHING NOT TO CHANGE ANYTHING AND THE OTHER SIDE WISHING TO TAKE ALL.

    // END ACT //

    A SOLUTION LIES SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE, SAID MR. MAROVIC, ADDING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST PUT ITS WEIGHT BEHIND A COMPROMISE.

    DRAGAN DJUROVIC OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF SOCIALISTS WARNED OF WIDER IMPLICATIONS IF OUTSIDE POWERS DO NOT GET INVOLVED:

    // DJUROVIC ACT //

    THE KOSOVO ISSUE SHOULD BE RESOLVED SOLELY BY POLITICAL MEANS. OTHERWISE, THERE WILL BE MORE VIOLENCE AND MORE HUMAN LOSSES IN KOSOVO, WHICH WOULD GIVE RISE TO INSTABILITY IN A BROADER REGION.

    // END ACT //

    WHILE THE MONTENEGRIN DELEGATION EMPHASIZED MODERATION, THERE WERE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION IN THE GROUP. MR. MORAVIC CALLED THIS AN EXAMPLE OF DEMOCRACY IN ACTION.

    ONE OF THE DELEGATES, A MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC UNION OF ALBANIANS, SAID KOSOVO SHOULD DECIDE ITS OWN FATE, REGARDLESS OF THE AUTHORITARIAN REGIME IN BELGRADE. ANOTHER MONTENEGRIN INSISTED KOSOVO IS AN INTERNAL MATTER FOR SERBIA, WHICH SHOULD NOT BE DETERRED BY ALBANIAN TERRORISTS.

    ALL THE MONTENEGRINS COULD AGREE THE CONTINUING CONFLICT IN THE REGION IS DAMAGING TO THEM. THEIR ONCE BOOMING TOURISM IS IN DECLINE. REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO HAVE ADDED TO THEIR BURDEN.

    A LEADING MONTENEGRIN BUSINESSMAN, WHO WAS NOT ON THE TRIP, OFFERS A VISION SHARED BY OTHERS: "WE DO NOT JUST WANT TO TRADE WITH THE WORLD, WE WANT TO CONNECT TO THE WORLD."

    FOR SOME MONTENEGRINS, THAT MEANS GAINING INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIA. ONE OF THE VISITING PARLIAMENTARIANS, MIROSLAV VICKOVICH, SAID HE FEARS FOR MONTENGRO IF IT REMAINS IN THE FEDERATION WITH SERBIA:

    // VICKOVICH ACT //

    MONTENEGRO CAN HARDLY BREATHE EVEN IN THIS DUAL FEDERATION, AND SHOULD IT CONTINUE TO SUFFER UNDER THE MILOSEVICH AUTOCRATIC REGIME, IT COULD EVEN PASS AWAY.

    // END ACT //

    BUT ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT MAROVIC SAID THE ANSWER FOR YUGOSLAVIA IS DEMOCRACY RATHER THAN SEPARATION. (SIGNED)
    NEB/EW/KL
    27-Mar-98 1:00 PM EST (1800 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [09] ROMANIA IMPASSE (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=3/27/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-228844
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: AS ROMANIA'S FEUDING CENTER-RIGHT COALITION STRUGGLES TO HOLD TOGETHER, WESTERN CREDITORS WARN THAT THE 16 MONTH OLD GOVERNMENT'S EARLY PROGRESS IN ECONOMIC REFORM IS RAPIDLY BEING LOST. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.

    TEXT: PRIME MINISTER VICTOR CIORBEA THURSDAY NIGHT REFUSED DEMANDS THAT HE STEP DOWN AS A WAY OF RESOLVING ROMANIA'S DEEPENING POLITICAL CRISIS. ANALYSTS IN BUCHAREST SAY THE REFUSAL IS LIKELY TO PROLONG THE DEADLOCK THAT HAS BLOCKED PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL OF A 1998 BUDGET. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE SECOND BIGGEST MEMBER IN THE FOUR PARTY COALITION, HAS BEEN DEMANDING MR. CIORBEA'S RESIGNATION AND IN DECEMBER WITHDREW ITS SIX MINISTERS FROM THE GOVERNMENT. THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND SUSPENDED ITS ASSISTANCE TO ROMANIA IN JANUARY, AND THE ECONOMY HAS BEEN HEADING DOWNHILL FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS.

    HERE IN WASHINGTON, ANALYSTS POINT TO RISING INFLATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT, AS WELL AS DECLINING INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT, AS EVIDENCE THAT REFORM MOMENTUM HAS BEEN LOST. OUTPUT DECLINED NEARLY SEVEN PERCENT IN 1997. WHEN THE CENTER-RIGHT COALITION TRIUMPHED OVER THE FORMER COMMUNISTS IN NOVEMBER, 1996, ELECTIONS, THERE WAS OPTIMISM THAT ROMANIA'S LONG DELAYED STRUCTURAL REFORMS WOULD BEGIN. ECONOMISTS SAY THERE WAS EARLY PROGRESS IN STABILIZING THE EXCHANGE RATE. HOWEVER, POLITICAL INFIGHTING STEADILY ERODED PROGRESS AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE TARGETS AGREED WITH THE I-M-F WERE REPEATEDLY MISSED.

    ONE EXPERT, INSISTING ON ANONYMITY, SAYS THE CIORBEA GOVERNMENT'S BIGGEST MISTAKE WAS FAILING TO QUICKLY CLOSE MONEY-LOSING, BUT POLITICALLY POWERFUL, STATE ENTERPRISES THAT REQUIRE HUGE BUDGETARY OUTLAYS. THE ENTERPRISES -- INCLUDING COAL MINES -- WERE A CENTERPIECE OF THE COMMUNIST DRIVE FOR INDUSTRIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

    ROMANIA IS NOT ATTRACTING THE ANTICIPATED HIGH VOLUME OF FOREIGN PRIVATE INVESTMENT, AND THE BUCHAREST STOCK EXCHANGE LOST FOUR PERCENT OF ITS VALUE THIS PAST WEEK. (SIGNED)
    NEB/BDW/MMK
    27-Mar-98 12:34 PM EST (1734 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [10] U-S-KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

    DATE=3/27/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-228862
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS MAKING A SERIOUS MISTAKE BY SNUBBING THE AMERICAN BALKAN ENVOY AND REJECTING MEDIATION BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

    TEXT: APPARENTLY ENCOURAGED BY THE LACK OF ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS FROM THE BIG POWERS, THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT HAS IGNORED THE AMERICAN ENVOY, ROBERT GELBARD IN BELGRADE AND TOLD O-S-C-E CHAIRMAN BRONISLAW GEREMEK THAT HE DOES NOT WANT INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION FOR TALKS WITH KOSOVO'S ALBANIAN POPULATION.

    THE SIX NATION CONTACT GROUP HAS THREATENED MORE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA UNLESS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TAKES PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR OPENING A POLITICAL DIALOGUE. HOWEVER, THESE SANCTIONS WILL NOT BE DISCUSSED FOR ANOTHER FOUR WEEKS.

    STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY SAYS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC IS IGNORING THE CONSEQUENCES.

    ///FOLEY ACT///

    WE THINK HE IS MAKING A SERIOUS MISTAKE IF HE DOESN'T WAKE UP AND IMPLEMENT WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED FOR BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN THE FORM OF THE CONTACT GROUP.

    ///END ACT///

    WHEN THE GROUP MEETS AGAIN THE MINISTERS ARE LIKELY TO FREEZE YUGOSLAV ASSETS ABROAD IF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC REFUSES TO TALK TO THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS. (SIGNED)
    27-Mar-98 3:29 PM EST (2029 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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