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Voice of America, 99-02-18Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] EDITORIAL: TURKEY CAPTURES P-K-K TERRORISTDATE= 02/19/99TYPE= EDITORIAL NUMBER= 0-08197 CONTENT=THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST 02/19/99. ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. VOICE: TURKISH AUTHORITIES HAVE FINALLY APPREHENDED ABDULLAH OCALAN ['AHB-DOOL-AH 'URJ-AH-LAHN]. HE IS THE FOUNDER AND HEAD OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K, A RUTHLESS TERRORIST GROUP WITH THE AIM OF SETTING UP AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. UNDER OCALAN'S DIRECTION, THE P-K-K HAS CARRIED OUT TERRORIST ATTACKS IN TURKEY AND THROUGHOUT WESTERN EUROPE. MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED BY P-K-K TERRORISM. FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, OCALAN ENJOYED SAFE HAVEN IN SYRIA. BUT UNDER A SECURITY AGREEMENT WITH TURKEY SIGNED LAST OCTOBER, SYRIA AGREED TO BAN ALL ACTIVITIES OF THE P-K-K IN AREAS UNDER SYRIAN CONTROL. IN NOVEMBER, OCALAN WAS APPREHENDED IN ITALY. BUT THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT REFUSED TO EXTRADITE HIM TO TURKEY. OCALAN LEFT ITALY LAST MONTH AND TURNED UP AT THE RESIDENCE OF THE GREEK AMBASSADOR IN KENYA. ON FEBRUARY 16TH, HE WAS TAKEN INTO TURKISH CUSTODY. IN RESPONSE TO THESE EVENTS, P-K-K TERRORISTS STAGED VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS AT A NUMBER OF DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN EUROPEAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES. IN BERLIN, GERMANY, THREE PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN AN ATTEMPT TO ATTACK THE ISRAELI CONSULATE. IN THE HAGUE, THE WIFE AND SON OF THE GREEK AMBASSADOR TO THE NETHERLANDS WERE HELD HOSTAGE FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THIS SHOWS -- IF ANY FURTHER EVIDENCE WERE NEEDED -- WHY OCALAN AND HIS FELLOW TERRORISTS NEED TO BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. THAT IS THE KEY -- JUSTICE. THERE IS MUCH BITTERNESS IN TURKEY OVER THE P-K-K'S TERRORISM. ABDULLAH OCALAN SHOULD HAVE A FAIR AND OPEN TRIAL, CONDUCTED IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS OF DUE PROCESS. IF HE IS FOUND GUILTY OF ENGAGING IN TERRORISM, HE SHOULD BE PUNISHED ACCORDINGLY. AND THAT GOES FOR ALL TERRORISTS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE RIGHTS OF ALL CITIZENS, INCLUDING KURDS, ARE RESPECTED. THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS BETWEEN ETHNIC KURDS AND OTHER TURKS LIES IN THE STRENGTHENING OF LIBERTY AND DEMOCRACY. ANNCR: THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS,
V-O-A, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO COMMENT AT
WWW-DOT-VOA-DOT-GOV-SLASH-EDITORIALS, OR FAX US AT (202)
619-1043.
[02] OCALAN'S CAPTURE AND KURDISH HOMELAND ISSUE BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=02/18/99TYPE=WORLD ROUNDUP NUMBER=6-11154 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= INTRO: THE WORLD'S PRESS IS REACTING WITH EDITORIAL COMMENT TO THE WAVE OF DEADLY AND VIOLENT PROTESTS THAT GREETED THE CAPTURE OF TURKEY'S KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY LEADER AND SEPARATIST ABDULLAH OCALAN. MANY DAILIES ARE PLEASED THAT A MAN SOME DESCRIBE AS A RUTHLESS TERRORIST HAS BEEN CAUGHT AND WILL NOW FACE A TRIAL FOR HIS CRIMES. BUT JUST AS MANY EDITORIALS ARE WARNING TURKEY THAT IF IT MISSES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERIOUSLY DELIVER HUMAN RIGHTS TO ITS MINORITY KURDISH POPULATION, AND A FAIR TRIAL TO MR. OCALAN, IT WILL HAVE SUFFERED A DEFEAT AND N O T A VICTORY. WE CALL ON ___________________ NOW FOR A SAMPLING IN THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP. TEXT: AS ONE PAPER IN JORDAN'S CAPITAL, AMMAN PUT IT, "[MR.] OCALAN, DESPITE THE ATROCITIES HE COMMITTED, IS BUT AN EXPRESSION OF THE PROBLEM AND HIS ARREST WILL NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM." ANOTHER QUOTE GOES TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER: "IT IS RIDICULOUS TO HOPE THAT BY CAPTURING [MR.] OCALAN [THE TURKS] SOLVED THE KURDISH PROBLEM." MANY FOREIGN PAPERS ARE RECOMMENDING A FAIR TRIAL FOR THE SEPARATIST LEADER, A N D AN END TO TURKISH MILITARY REPRESSION OF ITS 15-TO 20 MILLION KURDS. WE BEGIN OUR SURVEY IN TURKEY, WITH THE GIANT ISTANBUL DAILY "MILLIYET." VOICE: THE CAPTURE OF OCALAN GAVE A SERIOUS BLOW AGAINST THE TERRORIST GANG. TURKEY SHOULD USE THIS ACHIEVEMENT AS A TOOL TO SOLVE THE KURDISH ISSUE BY ESTABLISHING A FULL DEMOCRACY ... AS BEFITS A COUNTRY WHICH IS DETERMINED TO TAKE ITS PLACE IN THE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION.... IF WE ARE GOING TO BECOME A THOROUGHLY FREE COUNTRY RATHER THAN [A] PARTIALLY FREE ONE, THESE STEPS MUST BE TAKEN AT ONCE. TEXT: ACROSS TOWN, "RADIKAL" GENERALLY AGREES. VOICE: THE TERRORIST HAS BEEN APPREHENDED AND BROUGHT TO TURKEY FOR TRIAL. THIS CALLS FOR A VICTORY CELEBRATION. BUT AFTER THAT, THERE IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE DONE: ... IMPLEMENT A BROAD REFORM PLAN FOR THE SOUTHEAST, [THE KURDISH AREA] SOMETHING WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT, BUT HAVE NEVER REALIZED. /// OPT ///TEXT: AND IN ONE OF TURKEY'S OTHER MAJOR DAILIES "HURRIYET," ALSO FROM ISTANBUL, THIS IS PART OF A FRONT PAGE EDITORIAL: VOICE: THE APPREHENSION OF OCALAN IS CERTAINLY A BREAKTHROUGH IN TURKEY'S ONGOING FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM. ... IT PROVES THAT P-K-K-ORIGINATED TERRORISM IS ABOUT TO COME TO A DEAD-END. THEREFORE, IT WOULD BE [A] WISE THING FOR THE P-K-K MILITANTS ... TO SURRENDER TO THE TURKISH AUTHORITIES SO ... THEY CAN ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF THE 'REPENTANCE LAW.' ... AND THOSE WHO RULE TURKEY SHOULD PROVE THAT THEY ARE WISE ENOUGH TO IMPLEMENT LIBERAL STEPS TOWARD EVERYBODY'S FREEDOM. TEXT: IN ISTANBUL'S "CUMHURIYET" THERE ARE THESE THOUGHTS: VOICE: THE CAPTURE OF OCALAN IS A GOOD THING, BUT NOT A SOLUTION TO ALL PROBLEMS. SO FAR, WE HAVE SUCCEEDED TO TELL [EDITORS: THEY MEAN "IN TELLING"] THE WORLD THE TERRORISM PART OF [THE] KURDISH ISSUE. A NEW BEGINNING COMES, BECAUSE WE WILL BE TOLD NOW ABOUT THE KURDISH REALITY. WE CERTAINLY WILL STAND AGAINST ANY KIND OF SEPARATISM.... [BUT] THERE ARE PROBLEMS ... WAITING TO BE RESOLVED, AND ... SOME HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY WEAKNESSES. TEXT: LASTLY, IN "TURKIYE," PRAISE FOR THE UNITED STATES: VOICE: THE APPREHENSION OF TERRORIST ORGANIZATION LEADER OCALAN IS CLEARLY PROOF OF TURKEY BEING A GREAT STATE ... THE UNITED STATES TOOK A VERY CLEAR STANCE AGAINST OCALAN AND THE P-K-K FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND STOOD BY TURKEY'S SIDE. /// END OPT ///TEXT: IN LIEU OF A KURDISH DAILY NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL, THERE IS A STATEMENT FROM JALAL TALABANI, LEADER OF ONE OF THE KURDISH POLITICAL PARTIES IN IRAQ, THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN, OR P-U-K. MR. TALABANI SAYS, IN PART: VOICE: POLITICALLY, MR. OCALAN'S ARREST MUST SIGNAL THE BEGINNING OF A MEANINGFUL INTERNATIONAL DISCUSSION ON THE ISSUE OF KURDISH RIGHTS. IT IS TIME TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EXISTENCE OF THE KURDISH PEOPLE IN TURKEY, WHICH [ARE] ... ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN 12-MILLION. IT IS TIME TO ACCORD THE KURDS THEIR NATIONAL AND DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE MODERN TURKISH STATE. /// OPT /// ... IN THIS AGE OF DEMOCRACY, IT IS UNTHINKABLE THAT ANY NATION WOULD SEEK TO ERASE ANOTHER PEOPLE FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH. ... IT IS MY PROFOUND HOPE ... THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND ITS ALLIES DO NOT SQUANDER THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESOLVE, ONCE AND FOR ALL, THIS PROBLEM. /// END OPT /// TEXT: TURNING TO WESTERN EUROPE, BRITAIN'S "GUARDIAN" FROM LONDON SUGGESTS: VOICE: ... IF IT [THE CAPTURE] IS A TRIUMPH [FOR ANKARA], IT IS ONE WHICH CONCEALS WEAKNESS.... THE TURKS ARE LIKELY TO FIND THEIR KURDISH POLICIES SUBJECT TO INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY IN A WAY THEY HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST. /// OPT ///TEXT: AND IN "THE TIMES" SOME SIMILAR SENTIMENTS: VOICE: WITH HIS CAPTURE, HOWEVER, IT IS TURKEY THAT IS NOW ON TRIAL. ... TURKEY'S PEACE AT HOME AND ITS CREDIBILITY ABROAD DEPEND ON DECENT TREATMENT OF THE CAPTURED TERRORIST AND ON A SCRUPULOUSLY FAIR AND TRANSPARENT TRIAL. /// END OPT ///TEXT: ACROSS THE CHANNEL, "LE MONDE" IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL, RUNS SOME STRONG COMMENT, TINGED WITH MORE THAN A LITTLE SARCASM. VOICE: IN THE CATEGORY OF SMALL NATIONS WITHOUT ANY RIGHTS, IT IS BEST NOT TO BE KURDISH. IT IS BETTER TO BE AN ETHNIC ALBANIAN OR A PALESTINIAN ... BECAUSE THEY [KURDS] DO NOT FIT WITH THE INTERESTS OF ANY SUPERPOWER /// OPT ///TEXT: IN GERMANY, THE THEME OF U-S AND EUROPEAN HYPOCRISY, WHEN IT COMES TO THE KURDS, CONTINUES, IN MUNICH'S "SUEDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG." VOICE: THE UNITED STATES IS STANDING BY TURKEY WHICH IT NEEDS TO, FOR EXAMPLE AS A RUNWAY FOR ITS AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ. THE FATE OF THE TURKISH KURDS IS OF LESS INTEREST IN COMPARISON. ... FOR THE EUROPEANS IT IS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE AND THAT FOR VERY SELFISH REASONS: MILLIONS OF KURDS AND TURKS LIVE IN GERMANY AND ITS NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. THE TURKISH-KURDISH CONFLICT IS NOT A DOMESTIC TURKISH PROBLEM, BUT A EUROPEAN PROBLEM. /// OPT ///TEXT: FOR THE VIEW FROM DENMARK, WE TURN TO THE CITY OF AARHUS AND "JYLLANDS-POSTEN," WHICH IS LESS SYMPATHETIC TO THE KURDS. VOICE: THE RECENT KURDISH DISTURBANCES THROUGHOUT EUROPE DEMONSTRATE THAT THE KURDS ARE OFTEN THEIR OWN WORST ENEMIES. WHILE EUROPE HAS SHIRKED ITS RESPONSIBILITY [REGARDING OCALAN,] TURKEY'S MILITARY ACTED WITH GREAT PROFESSIONALISM. NOW IT IS UP TO TURKEY'S POLITICAL LEADERS TO SOLVE THE KURDISH PROBLEM. TURKEY MUST ALLOW THE KURDS TO EXPRESS THEIR CULTURAL HERITAGE. /// OPT /// END OPT ///TEXT: AND IN SPAIN, ONE OF THE NATION'S NEWEST DAILIES FROM MADRID, "LA RAZON" OPINES: VOICE: IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND TURKEY'S SATISFACTION AT HAVING CAPTURED OCALAN, ONE MUST UNDERSTAND WHO HE AND THE MEMBERS OF THE P-K-K ARE AND ALSO BEAR IN MIND THE 30-THOUSAND PERSONS MURDERED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE TURKEY AT HIS BEHEST. ... THE KURDS, A STATELESS PEOPLE PERSECUTED BY ONE AND ALL, DESERVE INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE. THEY ALSO DESERVE TO BE REPRESENTED BY LEADERS WHO, UNLIKE OCALAN, HAVE NOT COMMITTED THOUSANDS OF MURDERS. TEXT: TO ASIA NOW, AND A MORE SYMPATHETIC READING FROM TOKYO'S "ASAHI:" VOICE: ... GIVEN TURKEY'S PERSISTENT PURSUIT OF OCALAN, WE WONDER WHETHER HE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GRANTED POLITICAL ASYLUM. WE ALSO WONDER WHETHER PROPER PROTECTIVE MEASURES, BASED ON INTERNATIONAL LAW, SHOULD BE AFFORDED THE ANTI-TURKISH LEADER. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE TO FULLY EXPLAIN ITS CAPTURE OF OCALAN TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. /// OPT /// ... TURKEY IN PARTICULAR CONTINUES ITS POLICY OF DENYING KURDISH EXISTENCE. ISN'T [IT] NOW THE TIME FOR TURKEY TO REALIZE ITS ASSIMILATION POLICY TOWARD THE KURDISH PEOPLE IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH ITS GOAL OF ACHIEVING EUROPEANIZATION?/// END OPT /// TEXT: IN THE MIDDLE EAST, SOME WORDS FROM LEBANON'S AN-NAHAR" IN BEIRUT, WHICH HAS SEEN ITS SHARE OF ETHNIC WARFARE. VOICE: IT IS NATURAL FOR THE TURKS TO BE PROUD OF CAPTURING OCALAN. IT IS RIDICULOUS, HOWEVER, TO HOPE THAT BY CAPTURING OCALAN THEY SOLVED THE KURDISH CAUSE. SOLUTION STARTS WITH THE FOLLOWING: A) TURKEY HAS TO ADMIT THAT THE KURDS ARE REALLY A 'CAUSE' WITH OR WITHOUT OCALAN ... B) THE UNITED STATES HAS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE KURDS ARE A NATION AND NOT TERRORIST GROUPS FOR USE WHENEVER NECESSARY. ... TURKEY AND THE UNITED STATES SHOULD REALIZE THAT THE KURDS ARE CAPABLE OF 'PRODUCING' OTHER OCALAN(S) AND THAT A 'CAUSE' CAN NEVER BE CAPTURED. /// OPT ///TEXT: AND LASTLY, NEARBY, JORDAN'S "AL-RA'Y" IN AMMAN NOTES, SUCCINCTLY: VOICE: ... OCALAN, DESPITE THE ATROCITIES HE COMMITTED, IS BUT AN EXPRESSION OF A PROBLEM AND ... HIS ARREST WILL NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. RESOLVING THE PROBLEM REQUIRES MUCH MORE THAN PUTTING ONE MAN IN JAIL NO MATTER WHAT HIS CRIMES ARE ... /// END OPT ///TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF WORLD PRESS
REACTION TO THE ARREST OF KURDISH LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN BY
TURKISH SECURITY FORCES IN KENYA, AND THE RESULTING VIOLENT
PROTESTS BY HIS FOLLOWERS THROUGHOUT EUROPE.
[03] OCALAN / GREECE (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVA (ATHENS)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245680 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: GREEK PRIME MINISTER COSTAS SIMITIS HAS DISMISSED THREE OF HIS CABINET MINISTERS AMID POLITICAL FALLOUT AFTER THE ARREST OF KURDISH-REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. ANTHEE CARASSAVA REPORTS FROM ATHENS. TEXT: GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER THEODORE PANGALOS, INTERIOR MINISTER ALEKOS PAPADOPOULOS, AND PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER PHILLIPOS PETSALNIKOS WERE ASKED TO SUBMIT THEIR RESIGNATIONS FOR WHAT WAS CALLED A BOTCHED HANDLING OF THE FATE OF REBEL KURDISH LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. THE POLITICAL FALLOUT FOLLOWED WIDESPREAD ACCUSATIONS THAT THE THREE MINISTERS HAD BREACHED THEIR DUTIES DURING EVENTS THAT LED TO MASS KURDISH UNREST IN EUROPE AGAINST GREEK EMBASSIES AND NATIONALS. THE ALLEGED BREECH OF DUTIES ALSO LED TO WHAT THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CALLED THE UNFORTUNATE OUTCOME OF MR. OCALAN'S ARREST BY TURKISH INTELLIGENCE FORCES IN NAIROBI KENYA. MR. PANGALOS ADMITTED TO HAVING HARBORED THE KURDISH REBEL FOR 12 DAYS AT THE GREEK EMBASSY IN NAIROBI, AFTER SNEAKING HIM IN AND OUT OF GREECE, TWICE SINCE JANUARY. ALTHOUGH MYSTERY CONTINUES TO CLOUD THE EXACT CIRCUMSTANCES OF MR. OCALAN'S ARREST, PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS HAS ORDERED AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR TO EXAMINE ANY CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITIES THE THREE MINISTERS MAY RESPONSIBLE FOR. OBSERVERS SAY MR. SIMITIS' MOVE AIMS TO RID THE GREEK GOVERNMENT OF ITS BATTERED IMAGE FOLLOWING THE OCALAN AFFAIR, AND TO RE-AFFIRM ITS SOLIDARITY WITH THE KURDISH INDEPENDENCE STRUGGLE IN TURKEY. GREECE'S ADMISSION THAT IT PROVIDED SHELTER TO MR. OCALAN IN KENYA, FOLLOWED A NEAR MONTH OF ADAMANT DENIALS THAT THE GREEK GOVERNMENT KNEW ANY DETAILS OF MR. OCALAN'S WHEREABOUTS. THE ADMISSION BOLSTERED CLAIMS BY TURKEY THAT GREECE WAS INDEED SUPPORTING MR. OCALAN'S KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, WHICH THE U-S GOVERNMENT CALLS A TOP INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST ORGANIZATION. OBSERVERS SAY THEY EXPECT PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS TO USE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO PROCEED WITH A RADICAL SHAKE-UP OF THE GOVERNMENT.
BUT, OFFICIALS REJECT THE IDEA THAT THE POLITICAL FALLOUT MIGHT
SPARK CALLS FOR NATIONAL ELECTIONS. (SIGNED)
[04] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245676 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: HUNDREDS OF PRO-KURDISH ACTIVISTS WERE ROUNDED UP IN TURKEY THURSDAY IN THE FIRST WAVE OF VIOLENT PROTESTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOLLOWING MONDAY'S CAPTURE OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA TEXT: TURKISH POLICE DETAINED AT LEAST 100 PRO-OCALAN DEMONSTRATORS IN ISTANBUL AFTER THEY SET FIRE TO SEVERAL CARS AND BUSES AND SMASHED SCORES OF SHOP WINDOWS. OFFICIALS OF THE PRO-KURDISH PEOPLE'S DEMOCRACY PARTY SAY AT LEAST 700 PARTY MEMBERS WERE ROUNDED UP BY POLICE IN RAIDS IN ISTANBUL AND THE MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST PROVINCES. AS PROTEST OVER MR. OCALAN'S CAPTURE CONTINUE, THE MAN DESCRIBED BY THE TURKISH PRESS AS "SATAN" WAS SHOWN ON TURKISH TELEVISION STANDING BEFORE A TURKISH FLAG. THE LEADER OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR P-K-K, IS BEING HELD ON A PRISON ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF ISTANBUL. THREE PROSECUTORS FROM A SPECIAL STATE SECURITY COURT WHICH WILL TRY THE REBEL CHIEF TRAVELLED TO IMRALI ISLAND THURSDAY TO CONTINUE WITH MR. OCALAN'S INTERROGATION WHICH BEGAN WEDNESDAY. TURKISH PRIME MINISTER BULENT ECEVIT TOLD THE NATION THAT THE REBEL CHIEF WHO IS BEING CHARGED WITH TREASON WILL BE TRIED FAIRLY AND JUSTLY MEANWHILE, THOUSANDS OF TURKISH TROOPS KEPT UP THEIR HUNT FOR P-K-K REBELS IN KURDISH-CONTROLLED NORTHERN IRAQ. TURKISH MILITARY OFFICIALS DESCRIBED THE OFFENSIVE AS A LIMITED OPERATION AIMED FLUSHING THE REBELS FROM THEIR MOUNTAIN HIDEOUTS. TURKISH FORCES ROUTINELY CROSS INTO NORTHERN IRAQ IN SO-CALLED HOT PURSUIT OPERATIONS AGAINST THE KURDISH GROUP WHICH IS BELIEVED TO HAVE SOME HAVE BETWEEN TWO-THOUSAND AND FOUR-THOUSAND REBELS IN AND AROUND NORTHERN IRAQ. THE CAPTURED P-K-K LEADER'S BROTHER, OSMAN OCALAN, IS WIDELY
BELIEVED TO HAVE DECLARED HIMSELF THEIR NEW COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF
THE REBEL GROUP. OSMAN OCALAN IS KNOWN TO HAVE CLOSE TIES WITH
IRAN, BUT HE DOES NOT ENJOY THE SAME DEGREE OF POPULARITY AS
HIS IMPRISONED BROTHER. AND SOURCES SAY HE IS NOT LIKELY TO
EXERT THE SAME KIND OF IRON-FISTED CONTROL OVER THE GROUP.
(SIGNED)
[05] ISRAEL GERMANY KURDS (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (JERUSALEM)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245666 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ISRAEL HAS TIGHTENED SECURITY AT ITS DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS AND OTHER FACILITIES WORLD-WIDE AFTER ISRAELI GUARDS SHOT DEAD THREE KURDISH PROTESTERS AT ISRAEL'S CONSULATE IN BERLIN WEDNESDAY. ISRAELI OFFICIALS ARE CRITICAL OF GERMAN SECURITY IN THE INCIDENT. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM. TEXT: ISRAEL'S AMBASSADOR TO GERMANY -- AVI PRIMOR -- SAYS GERMAN POLICE HAD NOT TAKEN APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO DEAL WITH THE KURDISH THREAT TO ISRAELI INSTITUTIONS. HE SAYS THE FEW GERMAN POLICE STATIONED OUTSIDE THE ISRAELI CONSULATE IN BERLIN WERE BRUSHED ASIDE BY THE DEMONSTRATORS WHO STORMED THE BUILDING -- AND ONLY AFTER THE ISRAELI SECURITY GUARDS OPENED FIRE DID THE CROWD RETREAT. ISRAEL BECAME THE TARGET OF KURDISH ANGER AFTER A GERMAN NEWS REPORT EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT ISRAEL'S MOSSAD INTELLIGENCE AGENCY HAD HELPED TURKISH AUTHORITIES TRACK DOWN KURDISH REBEL ABDULLAH OCALAN, LEADER OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K. ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU INSISTS THE ISRAELI GUARDS IN BERLIN ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE WHEN THEY OPENED FIRE IN WEDNESDAY'S INCIDENT, AND THAT ISRAEL HAD NO PART IN THE CAPTURE OF MR. OCALAN: ///NETANYAHU ACT///OUR SECURITY GUARDS HAVE CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS TO PROTECT THEIR OWN LIVES, PROTECT THE LIVES OF ISRAELIS, AND ALSO TO PREVENT THE TAKING OF HOSTAGES. WE REGRET THE LOSS OF LIFE. ANY LOSS OF LIFE IS REGRETTABLE. AND IT'S TRAGIC. WE HOPE THAT CALM WILL PREVAIL. AND I REPEAT ONCE AGAIN THAT ISRAEL HAD NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO -- ABSOLUTELY NOTHING -- WITH THE APPREHENDING OF OCALAN, THE KURDISH LEADER. ///END ACT///ISRAEL HAS SENT A TEAM LED BY FOREIGN MINISTRY DIRECTOR-GENERAL EITAN BEN-TZUR TO JOIN GERMAN OFFICIALS IN AN INVESTIGATION OF THE CONSULATE INCIDENT. MEANTIME, ISRAELI OFFICIALS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE VENGEANCE ATTACKS BY P-K-K MILITANTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE DEATHS. ISRAELI TELEVISION SAID A POSSIBLE TARGET COULD BE ISRAELI TROOPS IN SOUTHERN LEBANON, WHERE THE P-K-K HAS TRAINING CAMPS. ISRAELI FORCES WERE SAID TO BE ON ALERT ALL ALONG ISRAEL'S SELF-DECLARED LEBANESE SECURITY ZONE. ISRAEL HAS CLOSE RELATIONS AND MILITARY AGREEMENTS WITH TURKEY,
THOUGH MR. NETANYAHU SAID REPEATEDLY ISRAEL HAS NO QUARREL
WITH THE KURDS. (SIGNED)
[06] WHITE HOUSE KURD DEMO (L-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245700 CONTENT= VOICED AT: TEXT: SCORES OF DEMONSTRATORS DEMANDING FREEDOM FOR KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN PROTESTED PEACEFULLY IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE THURSDAY, MANY SHOUTING ANTI-TURKISH SLOGANS AND DEMANDING RIGHTS FOR THE KURDISH PEOPLE, LONG DENIED A HOMELAND. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS. TEXT: THIS PROTEST WAS NOTHING LIKE THE MASSIVE AND AT TIMES VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS THAT HAVE BROKEN OUT IN EUROPEAN CAPITALS IN THE WAKE OF THE KURDISH LEADER'S ARREST. BUT THE MESSAGE WAS JUST AS CLEAR. NAJMALDIN KARIM HEADS THE WASHINGTON KURDISH INSTITUTE AND ACCUSES THE UNITED STATES OF PRACTICING A DOUBLE STANDARD BY FAILING TO STAND UP FOR THE RIGHTS OF KURDS WHILE DOING SO FOR OTHER OPPRESSED GROUPS. /// KARIM ACT ///ON THE ONE HAND IT CALLS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD AND EVEN HAS A HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ON THE KURDS IN TURKEY THAT COMES OUT ONCE A YEAR. IT SHOWS THE OPPRESSION THAT THE KURDS RECEIVE FROM THE TURKS BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT PROVIDES TURKEY WITH ARMS, AMMUNITION AND HELICOPTERS, WITH NAPALM AND CLUSTER BOMBS TO BE USED MAINLY AGAINST KURDISH CIVILIANS. /// END ACT ///THERE ARE MORE THAN 20 MILLION KURDS WORLDWIDE. PRESIDENT
CLINTON WAS NOT IN THE WHITE HOUSE AT THE TIME OF THURSDAY'S
DEMONSTRATION BUT WAS INSTEAD TRAVELING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.
(SIGNED)
[07] OCALAN PROTESTS/LONDON (S) BY CHRISTINE FURNELL (LONDON)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245678 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE KURDISH SIEGE OF THE GREEK EMBASSY IN LONDON ENDED PEACEFULLY THURSDAY WHEN PROTESTERS WHO HAD OCCUPIED THE BUILDING FOR THREE DAYS WERE ESCORTED OUT BY POLICE. AS VOA'S CHRISTINE FURNELL REPORTS FROM LONDON, THIS WAS ONE OF THE LAST PROTESTS CONTINUING SINCE TUESDAY, WHEN KURDS SEIZED GREEK DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS ACROSS EUROPE FOLLOWING THE ARREST OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. TEXT: UNDER A HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE THE KURDISH PROTESTERS QUIETLY FILED OUT OF THE GREEK EMBASSY IN LONDON. THEY WERE ARRESTED AND TAKEN AWAY FOR QUESTIONING. A FURTHER SIX TO EIGHT-HUNDRED KURDISH MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN HAVE CAMPED OUTSIDE THE GREEK EMBASSY SINCE TUESDAY FOLLOWING THE ARREST OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN. THE LONDON DEMONSTRATION WAS ONE OF THE LAST PROTESTS TO END AND WAS CONDUCTED PEACEFULLY. IT ENDED AMID SOMETHING OF A PARTY ATMOSPHERE WITH PROTESTERS CHANTING AND SINGING KURDISH SONGS -- UNLIKE THE PROTEST IN BERLIN, WHERE THREE KURDISH PROTESTERS WERE SHOT DEAD ON WEDNESDAY. //REST OPT//NEB/CEF/PCF/KL 18-Feb-99 10:20 AM EST (1520 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America [08] PENTAGON / KOSOVO O'NITER (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (PENTAGON)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245699 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO : U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING AT VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR KOSOVO -- OPTIONS WHICH ARE LINKED TO THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF PEACE TALKS ON THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE GOING ON OUTSIDE PARIS. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN MICHAEL DOUBLEDAY SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS SIMULTANEOUSLY PREPARING FOR TWO SCENARIOS TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. THE FIRST ONE IS BASED ON THE UNITED STATES AND ITS NATO ALLIES HAVING TO ATTACK TARGETS IN SERBIA, IF SERBS THWART AN AGREEMENT TO DEPLOY NATO PEACEKEEPERS IN THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REGION OF KOSOVO. SERB OFFICIALS AND ALBANIAN REPRESENTATIVES ARE MEETING OUTSIDE PARIS IN AN EFFORT TO REACH AN ACCORD BY SATURDAY'S DEADLINE (NOON PARIS TIME). CAPTAIN DOUBLEDAY TOLD REPORTERS TO PREPARE FOR SUCH AN ATTACK, THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING 51 ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT TO BASES IN EUROPE. THE AIRCRAFT INCLUDE STEALTH BOMBERS AND REFUELERS -- AND WILL BRING TO 260 THE NUMBER OF U-S AIRCRAFT AVAILABLE FOR A NATO STRIKE AGAINST THE SERBS. /// DOUBLEDAY ACT ///THIS ACTION IS A READINESS ACTION -- READINESS FOR U-S FORCES TO SUPPORT ANY NATO DECISION THAT WOULD BE TRIGGERED BY A FAILURE OF THE TALKS IN FRANCE. /// END ACT ///THE PENTAGON SPOKESMAN SAYS THE SECOND SCENARIO IS BASED ON THE SUCCESS OF THE TALKS AND WOULD INVOLVE SENDING ABOUT 30-THOUSAND NATO PEACEKEEPERS IN THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REGION OF KOSOVO. U-S MILITARY PLANNERS ARE LOOKING AT EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF AMERICAN FORCES WILL BE DEPLOYED AS PART OF THE NATO PEACEKEEPING MISSION. PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY KOSOVO WILL BE DIVIDED INTO SECTORS CONTROLLED BY VARIOUS UNITS FROM NATO MEMBER STATES BASED ON THE DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA. FOR EXAMPLE, THE EASTERN PART OF KOSOVO WILL BE PATROLLED BY THE UNITED STATES -- AND BRITISH FORCES WILL PATROL THE CENTRAL PART. FRENCH, GERMAN AND ITALIAN UNITS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE. CAPTAIN DOUBLEDAY SAYS IT IS STILL UNCERTAIN WHAT ROLE RUSSIAN TROOPS WILL PLAY IN PATROLLING KOSOVO. /// 2ND DOUBLEDAY ACT ///CERTAINLY WE HAVE DEVELOPED A VERY GOOD PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE RUSSIAN UNIT THAT WE OPERATE WITH IN BOSNIA. WE CERTAINLY HAVE DEMONSTRATED THERE WITH THE RUSSIANS THAT THIS KIND OF ARRANGEMENT CAN WORK. THE RUSSIANS PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN BOSNIA ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER FORCES THAT ARE PARTICIPATING - AND IT CERTAINLY IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE RUSSIANS COULD PLAY AN IDENTICAL ROLE IN KOSOVO IF THEY ELECT TO DO SO. /// END ACT ///RUSSIAN OFFICIALS HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN HELPING NATO
PEACEKEEPERS IN KOSOVO. BUT THEY REMAIN FIRMLY OPPOSED TO ANY
NATO MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST SERB TARGETS. (SIGNED)
[09] CLINTON/CHIRAC/KOSOVO (L O'NITER) BY NICK SIMEONE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245695 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: WITH THE DEADLINE FOR A PEACE AGREEMENT ON KOSOVO FAST APPROACHING, PREPARING FOR PEACE OR THE POSSIBILITY OF NATO AIR STRIKES LOOKS CERTAIN TO BE AT THE TOP THE AGENDA WHEN PRESIDENT CLINTON MEETS WITH FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC AT THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY (FRIDAY). PLANS ARE UNDERWAY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC FOR NATO ACTION IN THE BALKANS. BUT CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS WHETHER THAT WILL BE TO ENSURE PEACE OR TO BOMB SERBIA IS IN THE HANDS OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. TEXT: FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE A HISTORY OF DIFFERING ON FOREIGN POLICY. BUT THIS TIME, THEY DO SEE EYE-TO-EYE (AGREE) ON USING FORCE, IF NECESSARY, TO GET YUGOSLAVIA'S LEADER TO AGREE TO A NATO PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN KOSOVO PROVINCE. THE ALLOTTED TWO WEEK PERIOD FOR PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE RULING SERBS AND KOSOVAR'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN REBELS IS SET TO EXPIRE SATURDAY. NATO COUNTRIES ARE NOW MOVING MILITARY ASSETS INTO PLACE, PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION IF IT THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS EITHER SIDE IS READY TO END THE FIGHTING. /// OPT ///PENTAGON SPOKESMAN MIKE DOUBLEDAY. /// DOUBLEDAY ACT ///THIS ACTION IS A READINESS ACTION, READINESS FOR U-S FORCES TO SUPPORT ANY NATO DECISION THAT WOULD BE TRIGGERED BY A FAILURE OF THE (PEACE) TALKS IN FRANCE. /// END ACT ///SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SPOKE AGAIN THURSDAY WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AND IS WARNING BELGRADE CAN EXPECT ANY NATO ACTION TO EXACT A HEAVY PRICE. /// ALBRIGHT ACT ///HE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT IF AIR STRIKES OCCUR, HE WILL BE HIT HARD AND HE WILL BE DEPRIVED OF THE THINGS THAT HE VALUES. /// END ACT ///PRESIDENT CLINTON'S MEETING FRIDAY WITH FRENCH PRESIDENT CHIRAC WILL BE THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF HIGH LEVEL CONSULTATIONS ON KOSOVO, COMING JUST A WEEK AFTER HE MET HERE WITH GERMAN CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER. MR. CLINTON HAS SAID IF A KOSOVO PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED, HE WILL DISPATCH NEARLY FOUR THOUSAND U-S MILITARY PERSONNEL TO JOIN EUROPEAN TROOPS FOR WHAT WOULD BE THE SECOND NATO PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN THE BALKANS WITHOUT AN ANNOUNCED END DATE. BUT THE MORE IMMEDIATE QUESTION IS WHETHER NATO WILL BE FORCED TO
TAKE AGGRESSIVE ACTION AGAINST SERBIA FIRST. SOME U-S OFFICIALS
BELIEVE THAT, BASED ON THEIR PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH THE
YUGOSLAV LEADER, PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MAY DECIDE TO REVERSE COURSE
AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE IF HE CAN PORTRAY A NATO MILITARY
PRESENCE ON HIS TERRITORY AS A LESSER OF TWO EVILS AND NOT, AS HE
CURRENTLY MAINTAINS, AS A VIOLATION OF HIS COUNTRY'S SOVEREIGNTY.
(SIGNED)
[10] CLINTON/YELTSIN/KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245679 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A WARNING FROM RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN THAT FORCE NOT BE USED AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA IF BELGRADE FAILS TO AGREE TO PEACE IN KOSOVO IS PROMPTING CONFUSION AT THE WHITE HOUSE. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE HAS DETAILS. TEXT: THE WHITE HOUSE APPEARS TO BE BAFFLED BY STATEMENTS MADE BY THE RUSSIAN LEADER, WHO SAYS HE WARNED PRESIDENT CLINTON NATO MUST NOT BOMB SERB TARGETS IF BELGRADE BLOCKS AN AGREEMENT AT KOSOVO PEACE TALKS IN FRANCE. WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN P-J CROWLEY TELLS REPORTERS HE KNOWS OF NO TELEPHONE CALL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PRESIDENTS CLINTON AND YELTSIN IN RECENT DAYS. IN MOSCOW, MR. YELTSIN TOLD REPORTERS HE HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH MR. CLINTON AND TOLD HIM -- QUOTE -- WE WILL NOT ALLOW KOSOVO TO BE TOUCHED. HE SAYS HE CONVEYED BOTH IN WRITING AND OVER THE PHONE RUSSIA'S OPPOSITION TO AIR STRIKES WHICH THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS SHOULD BE EXPECTED IF BELGRADE CONTINUES TO STAND FIRM AGAINST NATO FORCES BEING STATIONED ON ITS SOIL. MOSCOW'S OPPOSITION TO THE USE OF FORCE TO RESOLVE THE KOSOVO
CONFLICT IS WELL KNOWN. BUT THE WHITE HOUSE CALLS THESE LATEST
COMMENTS BY PRESIDENT YELTSIN CONFUSING. (SIGNED)
[11] KOSOVO / ALBRIGHT (L) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245693 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS AGAIN WARNED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THAT HE FACES NATO AIR STRIKES IF A KOSOVO PEACE AGREEMENT IS NOT REACHED BY SATURDAY. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS. TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS SHE SPOKE WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC BY TELEPHONE (THIS MORNING / THURSDAY) TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHOICE HE FACES. MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC UNDERSTANDS HE MUST AGREE TO A PLAN THAT GIVES AUTONOMY TO THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO OR FACE THE PROSPECT OF NATO AIR STRIKES. /// ALBRIGHT ACT ///I THINK THAT HE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT IF AIR STRIKES OCCUR, HE WILL BE HIT HARD AND HE WILL BE DEPRIVED OF THE THINGS HE VALUES. /// END ACT ///MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS NATO HAS ALREADY MADE ADVANCED PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE STRIKES. AND SHE SAYS, PLANS ARE ALSO WELL UNDERWAY FOR THE EVACUATION OF THE O-S-C-E (ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE) VERIFICATION MISSION IN KOSOVO AND OTHER WESTERN DIPLOMATS, IF A PEACE AGREEMENT IS NOT REACHED. MS. ALBRIGHT'S COMMENTS FOLLOWED TALKS WITH NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER KNUT VOLLEBAEK AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT. MR. VOLLEBAEK SAID HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SLOW PROGRESS AT THE PEACE TALKS IN FRANCE. HE SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO KEEP MAXIMUM PRESSURE ON THE PARTIES TO REACH AGREEMENT. /// VOLLEBAEK ACT ///I THINK LATELY AS THE SECRETARY SAID, WE SEE SOME SIGNS THAT THE PARTIES NOW REALIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION. /// END ACT ///MR. VOLLEBAEK, WHO ALSO HEADS THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, SAID THE O-S-C-E WAS READY TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN KOSOVO IF A PEACE AGREEMENT WAS REACHED. BUT HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THERE WAS A VERY REAL POSSIBILITY THE
O-S-C-E MISSION IN KOSOVO WOULD HAVE TO BE WITHDRAWN BECAUSE OF
THE THREAT OF AIR STRIKES. HE SAID THE NEXT TWO DAYS WILL SHOW
IF SUCH ACTION IS NEEDED. THE DEADLINE FOR A PEACE AGREEMENT IS
SATURDAY AT NOON. (SIGNED)
[12] KOSOVO TALKS (L ALTERNATE) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245689 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SERB AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN NEGOTIATORS MADE A BIT MORE PROGRESS THURSDAY ON AN INTERIM PEACE AGREEMENT -- JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AHEAD OF THE SATURDAY DEADLINE. BUT NATO IS INCREASING PRESSURE ON THE NEGOTIATORS WITH THREATENED AIR STRIKES, AND THE UNITED STATES IS MOVING MORE PLANES TO EUROPE JUST IN CASE THE TWO SIDES MISS THE DEADLINE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM RAMBOUILLET, NEAR PARIS. TEXT: ENVOYS FROM THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP HAVE HANDED OVER THEIR FINAL DRAFT OF A PEACE AGREEMENT TO BOTH SIDES. U-S MEDIATOR CHRIS HILL SAYS NOW IT IS UP TO THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN AND SERB NEGOTIATORS TO APPROVE IT BY THE SATURDAY DEADLINE. /// HILL ACT ///WE BELIEVE THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS WHICH WERE BEGUN AT RAMBOUILLET NEED TO BE FINISHED AT RAMBOUILLET. WE BELIEVE THE NEGOTIATING TEAMS HERE ARE EMPOWERED TO REACH AN AGREEMENT. IT MAY HAVE BEEN THAT SOME OF THEIR INSTRUCTIONS MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATE TO THE TASK. WE BELIEVE THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOW VERY ADEQUATE SO WE HAVE TO SEE IF WE CAN REACH AN AGREEMENT BY NOONTIME ON SATURDAY. /// END ACT ///MR. HILL SAYS HE MADE THAT POINT AGAIN TO YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE ON TUESDAY. AND HE DOES NOT RULE OUT ANOTHER TRIP TO BELGRADE BEFORE SATURDAY. NATO HAS THREATENED AIR STRIKES IF THE NOON DEADLINE IS MISSED. WASHINGTON HAS DISPATCHED MORE PLANES TO EUROPE TO BACK UP THAT THREAT. BUT RUSSIA, WHICH IS A MEMBER OF THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP, STILL OPPOSES ANY USE OF FORCE. ONE OF THE KEY STUMBLING BLOCKS TO AN AGREEMENT IS PRESIDENT
MILOSEVIC'S REFUSAL TO LET NATO DEPLOY UP TO 30-THOUSAND
PEACEKEEPING TROOPS INTO KOSOVO TO ENFORCE AN AGREEMENT. AND,
ETHNIC ALBANIAN NEGOTIATORS HAVE OBJECTED TO THE DEMAND FOR
DISARMING THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF
IMPLEMENTATION OF A PEACE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
[13] NATO PLANES - L BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)DATE=2/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245661 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS RUSHING 51 MORE WARPLANES TO EUROPE FOR POSSIBLE AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA IF A PEACE AGREEMENT IS NOT WORKED OUT BY THIS SATURDAY. NATO HAS GIVEN SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS UNTIL THEN TO REACH A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN THEIR CONFLICT OVER KOSOVO. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON, WHERE OFFICIALS SAY NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO USE FORCE. TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN IS DISPATCHING STEALTH FIGHTERS, AERIAL TANKERS, AND ELECTRONIC WARFARE PLANES TO BOLSTER NATO FORCES IN EUROPE. THE PLANES ARE SCHEDULED TO LEAVE THE UNITED STATES FOR EUROPEAN AIRFIELDS SHORTLY. WEDNESDAY, THE CLINTON ADMINSTRATION AGAIN WARNED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THAT THE SERBS FACE "SWIFT AND SEVERE" CONSEQUENCES IF THEY CONTINUE TO REJECT A NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO. PENTAGON SPOKESMAN BRYAN SALAS SAYS NATO LEADERS WILL GIVE THE SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS UNTIL SATURDAY TO REACH AN AGREEMENT, OR FACE NATO'S BOMBS AND MISSILES. /// SALAS ACT ///WHATEVER MEASURES ARE NECESSARY, INCLUDING AIR STRIKES, IN THE EVENT OF BELGRADE'S FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE DEMANDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO ACHIEVE A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT. /// END ACT ///THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS PEACE TALKS ARE STILL UNDERWAY IN
FRANCE AND NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO USE FORCE. NATO
PLANS CALL FOR ASSEMBLING A FORCE OF MORE THAN 400 WARPLANES, A
MAJORITY FROM THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED).
[14] NATO PLANES (S-UPDATE) BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)DATE=2/17/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245660 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: CLARIFYS INTRO ///INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS RUSHING 51 MORE WARPLANES TO EUROPE FOR POSSIBLE AIR STRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA IF A PEACE AGREEMENT IS NOT WORKED OUT BY THIS SATURDAY. NATO HAS GIVEN SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS UNTIL THEN TO REACH A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN THEIR CONFLICT OVER KOSOVO. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON. TEXT: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY STEALTH FIGHTERS ARE AMONG THE PLANES THAT WILL LEAVE THE UNITED STATES FOR EUROPEAN AIRFIELDS SHORTLY. WEDNESDAY, THE CLINTON ADMINSTRATION AGAIN WARNED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC THAT THE SERBS FACE "SWIFT AND SEVERE" CONSEQUENCES IF THEY CONTINUE TO REJECT A NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO. NATO LEADERS HAVE SAID THEY COULD LAUNCH AIR STRIKES UNLESS YUGOSLAVIA AND KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIANS REACH A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT. THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS PEACE TALKS ARE STILL UNDERWAY IN
FRANCE AND NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO USE FORCE. NATO
PLANS CALL FOR ASSEMBLING A FORCE OF MORE THAN 400 WARPLANES.
THE UNITED STATES PROVIDES OVER HALF OF THE AIRCRAFT. (SIGNED).
[15] U-S / KOSOVO (S-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (PENTAGON)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245677 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING MORE PLANES TO EUROPE TO BOLSTER POTENTIAL NATO OPERATIONS AGAINST SERB TARGETS. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN ORDERED THE DEPLOYMENT OF AMERICAN AIRCRAFT FROM BASES IN THE UNITED STATES TO FORWARD STAGING AREAS IN EUROPE. THE 51 AIRCRAFT SENT TO EUROPEAN BASES INCLUDE 12 STEALTH FIGHTERS AS WELL AS REFUELERS. ADDITIONAL AMERICAN AIRCRAFT -- INCLUDING B-52 BOMBERS -- REMAIN ON STANDBY IN THE UNITED STATES IN SUPPORT OF ANY NATO OPERATION AGAINST SERB TARGETS. NATO HAS THE AUTHORITY TO LAUNCH AIR STRIKES AGAINST SERBIA IF SERBS THWART AN AGREEMENT TO DEPLOY NATO PEACEKEEPERS IN THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REGION OF KOSOVO. SERB OFFICIALS AND ALBANIAN REPRESENTATIVES ARE MEETING OUTSIDE PARIS IN AN EFFORT TO REACH AN ACCORD BY SATURDAY'S DEADLINE. THE LATEST CONTINGENT OF AMERICAN AIRCRAFT BRINGS TO ABOUT 260
PLANES THE UNITED STATES HAS COMMITTED TO SUPPORT NATO
OPERATIONS. MOST OF THE AIRCRAFT ARE IN EUROPEAN BASES -- SUCH AS
AVIANO, ITALY -- OR ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER "ENTERPRISE" IN
THE MEDITERRANEAN. (SIGNED)
[16] YELTSIN/KOSOVO (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245672 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIAN LEADER BORIS YELTSIN HAS WARNED PRESIDENT CLINTON AGAINST THE USE OF AIR STRIKES IN YUGOSLAVIA. CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW MR. YELTSIN SAYS THE WARNING CAME IN A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION. TEXT: MR. YELTSIN TOLD REPORTERS HE CALLED PRESIDENT CLINTON LATE WEDNESDAY TO SAY RUSSIA WOULD NOT ALLOW MILITARY ACTION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, EVEN IF PEACE TALKS ON KOSOVO FAIL. /// YELTSIN ACT IN RUSSIAN, THEN FADE TO...///HE SAYS -- I TOLD PRESIDENT CLINTON IN WRITING AND BY TELEPHONE THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN. THAT IS IT. WE WILL NOT ALLOW KOSOVO TO BE TOUCHED. MR. YELTSIN'S PHONE CALL CAME HOURS AFTER THE UNITED STATES ANNOUNCED IT IS SENDING AN ADDITIONAL 51 PLANES TO EUROPE TO PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE STRIKES ON YUGOSLAV TARGETS. NATO HAS THREATENED AIR STRIKES UNLESS A DEAL IS REACHED BY SATURDAY AT KOSOVO PEACE TALKS OUTSIDE PARIS. IN HIS COMMENTS TO REPORTERS, PRESIDENT YELTSIN GAVE NO HINT OF WHAT RUSSIA'S RESPONSE WOULD BE IF THE AIR STRIKES TAKE PLACE. HE HAS ISSUED SIMILAR WARNINGS IN THE PAST CONCERNING STANDOFFS OVER U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS IRAQ . BUT IN MANY CASES, HIS COMMENTS HAVE FAILED TO PREVENT STRIKES AGAINST IRAQI MILITARY TARGETS. /// REST OPT ///RUSSIA IS ONE OF THE SIX "CONTACT GROUP" POWERS TRYING TO PERSUADE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO REACH A DEAL ON THE FUTURE OF KOSOVO. NEWS REPORTS SAY RUSSIAN REPRESENTATIVES AT THE PEACE TALKS HAVE EXPRESSED A WILLINGNESS TO GO ALONG WITH A NATO PEACEKEEPING DEPLOYMENT AS PART OF A THREE-YEAR INTERIM ACCORD. BUT A SENIOR RUSSIAN DEFENSE OFFICIAL (WEDNESDAY) SHARPLY
CRITICIZED THE THREATS OF MILITARY INTERVENTION IN THE KOSOVO
CONFLICT. COLONEL GENERAL LEONID IVASHOV, HEAD OF THE DEFENSE
MINISTRY'S INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION DEPARTMENT, CALLED NATO'S
PLAN TO SEND TROOPS TO KOSOVO -- A CRUDE AND SIMPLISTIC WAY OF
RESOLVING THE MATTER. (SIGNED)
[17] YELTSIN / KOSOVO (S UPDATE) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245683 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIAN LEADER BORIS YELTSIN SAYS HE HAS WARNED PRESIDENT CLINTON AGAINST THE USE OF AIR STRIKES IN YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS THE KREMLIN IS STEPPING UP ITS RHETORIC AS THE DEADLINE FOR MILITARY ACTION APPROACHES. TEXT: MR. YELTSIN TOLD REPORTERS HE HAS CALLED AND WRITTEN PRESIDENT CLINTON TO SAY RUSSIA WOULD NOT ALLOW MILITARY ACTION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, EVEN IF PEACE TALKS ON KOSOVO FAIL. /// YELTSIN ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///NEWS AGENCIES FIRST QUOTED MR. YELTSIN'S AS SAYING THE PHONE CALL
TO THE WHITE HOUSE HAD BEEN MADE WEDNESDAY. BUT A KREMLIN
SPOKESMAN LATER CLARIFIED THAT THE CONVERSATION HAD TAKEN PLACE
ONLY IN RECENT DAYS. (SIGNED)
[18] E-U / SIERRA LEONE (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245685 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: A TOP EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIAL IS CALLING ON EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS TO PROVIDE MORE MONEY TO HELP HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES, ESPECIALLY IN SIERRA LEONE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE E-U OFFICIAL SPOKE AFTER A THREE-DAY TRIP TO WEST AFRICA. TEXT: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER IN CHARGE OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS HAS SEEN A LOT OF MISERY IN HER JOB. BUT AFTER A TRIP TO SIERRA LEONE, EMMA BONINO SAYS THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, THE CAPITAL, FREETOWN IS THE WORST CASE SHE HAS SEEN. /// BONINO ACT W/ INTERPRETER ///I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF HUMANITARIAN DRAMAS IN MY LIFE AND I HAVE TOLD YOU ABOUT IT AFTER OTHER MISSIONS BUT FRANKLY SPEAKING I'VE NEVER SEEN A HELLISH SITUATION LIKE THAT. I'M NOT THINKING SO MUCH ABOUT THE PHYSICAL DESTRUCTION. THE TOWN IS TOTALLY DESTROYED BUT I'VE SEEN WORSE THAN THAT. BUT IT IS SHOCKING TO GO INTO A HOSPITAL WHERE THEY HAVE OPERATED ON 300 PEOPLE IN THE LAST WEEKS WITHOUT HANDS, WITHOUT FEET, PEOPLE ARRIVE IN THE HOSPITAL, CHILDREN OF TWO, WOMEN, MEN. TOTAL BARBARY. /// END ACT ///MS. BONINO SAYS FREETOWN IS ONLY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE THE SITUATION IN THE TWO THIRDS OF SIERRA LEONE CONTROLLED BY REBEL FORCES. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER ALSO EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE PREDOMINANTLY NIGERIAN PEACEKEEPERS IN SIERRA LEONE. IN HER WORDS, "THEY DO NOT EVEN HAVE PENCILS." MS. BONINO'S WORRY IS THAT BOTH NIGERIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES HAVE SPOKEN OF WITHDRAWING THEIR COUNTRY'S CONTINGENT FROM SIERRA LEONE. NO REPLACEMENT FOR THEM IS IN SIGHT. THERE ARE 400-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM THE WARFARE, MOST OF THEM ARE ALONG SIERRA LEONE'S BORDER WITH GUINEA. MS. BONINO SAYS THE LOCAL POPULATION OF A POOR COUNTRY SUCH AS GUINEA HAS BEEN GENEROUS. BUT SHE WONDERS HOW LONG IT WILL BE BEFORE THE SITUATION BECOMES TENSE. MS. BONINO SAYS THERE IS LITTLE MORE THE EUROPEAN UNION CAN DO TO HELP THE REFUGEES. SHE CALLS ON THE INDIVIDUAL EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE THE EFFORT. /// BONINO ACT ///WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT AT THE EUROPEAN LEVEL WE HAVE NO POSSIBILITIES. BUT YES, BILATERALLY, MEMBER STATES CAN AND SOME DO. SO I'M JUST TRYING TO GET THE ATTENTION THAT MAYBE WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR RULES. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN REALLY HELP AND INTERVENE FINANCIALLY OR LOGISTICALLY, OR WHATEVER THEY CHOOSE IS BILATERALLY, MEMBER STATES. /// END ACT ///DURING HER THREE-DAY VISIT TO WEST AFRICA, MS. BONINO WENT TO
GUINEA-BISSAU WHICH HAS 150-THOUSAND REFUGEES FROM ITS CIVIL
CONFLICT. THESE REFUGEES ARE ENTIRELY DEPENDENT ON HUMANITARIAN
AID. (SIGNED)
[19] RUSSIA / E-U (S OVERNIGHTER) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245687 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE SET TO SIGN A 500-MILLION DOLLAR FOOD AID DEAL. CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW. TEXT: EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER SAYS AN AGREEMENT ON FOOD AID IS TO BE SIGNED FRIDAY. RUSSIA ASKED FOR THE AID FOLLOWING A POOR GRAIN HARVEST LAST YEAR AND A CURRENCY DEVALUATION THAT LEFT THE COUNTRY UNABLE TO PAY FOR FOOD IMPORTS. EARLIER, THE E-U AMBASSADOR TO MOSCOW SAID THE FOOD DEAL WAS BEING DELAYED BY RUSSIAN RED TAPE. BUT AT THE END OF A ONE-DAY RUSSIA / E-U SUMMIT (THURSDAY), MR. SANTER SAID AN AGREEMENT WOULD BE READY FOR SIGNING IN THE MORNING. ALSO ATTENDING THE SUMMIT WAS CHANCELLOR GERHARD SCHROEDER OF GERMANY, WHICH HOLDS THE ROTATING E-U PRESIDENCY. CHANCELLOR SCHROEDER CONTINUES HIS VISIT FRIDAY WITH BILATERAL
RUSSIAN-GERMAN TALKS. KREMLIN OFFICIALS HOPE THE VISIT WILL PAVE
THE WAY FOR A DEAL ON RESCHEDULING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEBTS
ON WHICH RUSSIA COULD DEFAULT AS EARLY AS MAY. (SIGNED)
[20] NY ECON WRAP (S&L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (NEW YORK)DATE=2/18/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-245697 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE UP TODAY (THURSDAY) IN THE UNITED STATES. BUT ANALYSTS BELIEVE THE U-S MARKET STILL LACKS DIRECTION AFTER RECENT LOSSES. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS: TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED UP 103 POINTS AT 92 HUNDRED 98 -- A GAIN OF MORE THAN ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX ALSO CLIMBED ONE PERCENT, GAINING 13 POINTS TO CLOSE AT 12 HUNDRED 37. THE NASDAQ INDEX CLOSED UP BUT ONLY 11 POINTS. ANALYSTS SAY THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR CONTINUES TO SHOW SOME WEAKNESS. IN FACT, ANALYSTS BELIEVE THE ENTIRE STOCK MARKET LACKS CONVICTION. THE RISE IN THE DOW (JONES) REFLECTED BUYING OF INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP STOCKS SUCH AS I-B-M AND A-T&T. BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE NO CLEAR LEADERSHIP GROUP AT THIS POINT. //BEGIN OPT////MANLEY ACT//YOU HAVE SLIGHTLY HIGHER INTEREST RATES. THE EARNINGS NUMBERS MAY BE A LITTLE BIT BETTER BUT NOT THAT DRAMATICALLY BETTER. YOU HAVE VERY HIGH VALUATIONS. BUT ESSENTIALLY THE U-S ECONOMY REMAINS IN A FAIRLY BENIGN SITUATION. AS LONG AS THE FED (FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD) DOESN'T TIGHTEN I THINK THE EQUITIES WILL BE OKAY THIS YEAR. //END ACT// //END OPT//U-S WHOLESALE PRICES ROSE IN JANUARY AT THEIR FASTEST PACE IN OVER TWO YEARS. BUT THEY WERE DRIVEN BY HIGHER FOOD AND ENERGY COSTS. ANALYSTS SAY THE INCREASE DOES NOT CHANGE THE LOW INFLATION PICTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. // REST OPT FOR LONG //A BIG DEAL WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE INSURANCE BUSINESS. AEGON (AY-GAHN), THE DUTCH INSURER, SAYS IT WILL PAY NINE POINT SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS IN CASH AND STOCK FOR TRANSAMERICA, THE U-S PROVIDER OF LIFE INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES. THE ACQUISITION MAKES AEGON THE THIRD LARGEST LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES. IT ALSO CONSOLIDATES AEGON'S POSITION AS THE THIRD LARGEST INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE WORLD, IN TERMS OF MARKET VALUE. INSURANCE STOCKS WERE UP ACROSS THE BOARD AS THE CONSOLIDATION TREND IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY CONTINUES. NORTHWEST AIRLINES -- THE FOURTH LARGEST AIR CARRIER IN THE UNITED STATES -- HAS PLACED AN ORDER WITH CANADIAN AEROSPACE COMPANY BOMBARDIER FOR 54 OF ITS 50-SEAT JETS. IT IS THE LARGEST SALE EVER FOR THAT PARTICULAR AIRCRAFT. NORTHWEST HAS SECURED OPTIONS TO BUY UP TO 70 ADDITIONAL PLANES. THE FIRST DELIVERY OF THE CANADIAN JETS IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL, IN THE YEAR TWO-THOUSAND. COCA-COLA, THE GIANT U-S SOFT-DRINK COMPANY, SAYS IT STILL HOPES TO BUY THE ORANGINA SOFT-DRINK DIVISION OF FRENCH BEVERAGE GROUP PERNOD-RICARD. COCA-COLA OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE STILL TALKING WITH FRENCH AUTHORITIES ABOUT A POSSIBLE DEAL. COCA-COLA FIRST BID FOR ORANGINA IN DECEMBER, 1997. BUT THE SALE
WAS BLOCKED AFTER RIVAL PEPSICO COMPLAINED THAT THE DEAL WOULD
SQUEEZE PEPSI OUT OF THE SOFT-DRINK MARKET. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/EJ/LSF/PT
[21] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=02/18/99TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11152 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= ////////INTRO: KURDISH OUTRAGE AROUND THE WORLD AT THE ARREST AND DETENTION OF TURKEY'S KURDISH SEPARATIST LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN IS THE FOCUS OF EDITORIALS IN THURSDAY'S U-S PRESS. MANY PAPERS ARE PLEASED THAT AN INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST HAS BEEN CAUGHT, BUT THEY ALSO WARN TURKEY THAT IT IGNORES THE UNDERLYING ISSUE OF LONG SUPPRESSED KURDISH CIVIL RIGHTS AT ITS PERIL. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: THE EFFORTS AT PEACE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE; A TRIAL FOR THE LOCKERBIE BOMBING SUSPECTS; CENTRAL AMERICA'S TRAVAIL AFTER THE HURRICANE; AND DEALING WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN'S CONTINUING AGGRESSION. NOW, HERE IS _________________ WITH SOME EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: FROM ONE SIDE OF THIS NATION TO THE OTHER, NEWSPAPERS ARE REACTING TO THE FURY OF TURKISH KURDS AS THEIR LEADER SITS IN A TURKISH JAIL, CHARGED WITH TERRORISM. IN MAINE, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" LAMENTS THAT MR. OCALAN'S FATE WILL BE THE SAME AS THE THREE KURDS KILLED BY ISRAELI SECURITY FORCES AS THEY STORMED THE ISRAELI EMBASSY IN BERLIN. VOICE: TURKEY WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY EXECUTE HIM. THAT, HOWEVER, WILL NOT CHANGE THE FATE OF [MILLIONS OF] KURDS, CALLED 'THE WORLD'S LARGEST ETHNIC GROUP WITHOUT A NATION.' /// OPT /// SPREAD ACROSS MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHERE TURKEY, IRAN AND IRAQ COME TOGETHER, THE KURDS HAVE SUFFERED TERRIBLY FROM ALL THREE NATIONS. TURKEY, HOWEVER, HAS BEEN THE MOST VICIOUS OPPRESSOR ... /// END OPT ///TEXT: IN HAWAII, "THE HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN" SAYS IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "[THE] U-S SHOULD URGE TURKS TO DEAL WITH [THE] KURDS." VOICE: WHATEVER THE MERITS OF THE KURDS' CASE IN TURKEY, IT MUST BE PURSUED BY PEACEFUL MEANS. TERRORIST AND OTHER VIOLENT TACTICS CANNOT BE TOLERATED. /// OPT /// THE WORLD IS NOW SO INTERDEPENDENT THAT THE UNITED STATES AND LESSER POWERS CANNOT IGNORE SUCH CAUSES WHEN THEY RESORT TO VIOLENCE. /// END OPT /// ... BUT IT TAKES TWO SIDES TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE TO VIOLENCE. IF WASHINGTON DID ASSIST IN [MR.] OCALAN'S CAPTURE, IT SHOULD BE IN A POSITION TO URGE TURKEY TO OFFER SOME CONCESSIONS TO THE KURDISH DEMANDS AS PART OF A SETTLEMENT. TEXT: FROM NASHVILLE, WHERE THERE IS A LARGE POPULATION OF IRAQI KURDS, TODAY'S "TENNESSEAN" SAYS : VOICE: /// OPT /// THERE IS N O JUSTIFICATION FOR THE GLOBAL MAYHEM WROUGHT BY THE KURDS IN RESPONSE TO [MR.] OCALAN'S ARREST. YET WHEN THOSE KURDISH PROTESTERS SAY THAT [MR.] OCALAN CANNOT POSSIBLY RECEIVE JUSTICE IN TURKEY, THEY ARE NOT OVER-REACTING. ... /// END OPT /// OPT ///TEXT: TO CALIFORNIA'S CAPITOL NOW, WHERE "THE SACRAMENTO BEE" SUGGESTS: VOICE: WITH ITS IMAGE AND PROSPECTS OF JOINING THE EUROPEAN UNION ON THE LINE [IN JEOPARDY], TURKEY MUST NOT ONLY ACCORD DUE PROCESS IN THE COURTROOM, BUT SHOW THE WORLD IT IS READY TO CLEAN UP A TARNISHED HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD THAT HAS OBSCURED THE P-K-K'S [KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, HEADED BY MR. OCALAN] OWN VICIOUS ACTS. /// OPT /// /// END OPT ///TEXT: TURNING TO ANOTHER WORLD TROUBLE SPOT, THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO ... "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THE PEACE TALKS, BUT SAYS THE THREAT OF NATO BOMBING MUST STILL BE KEPT OVER THE HEAD OF YUGOSLAVIA'S SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. VOICE: THE ... DEAL WOULD END THE YEAR-OLD CONFLICT AND GRADUALLY PULL SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES OUT OF KOSOVO, WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR MASSACRES AND WIDESPREAD ATROCITIES AGAINST THE LARGELY ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION. ..... THE PEACE PLAN'S VAGUENESS COULD BE A PROBLEM ON SOME ISSUES ... THE PRINCIPAL DANGER, HOWEVER, IS THAT WESTERN NATIONS WILL ALLOW MR. [YUGOSLAVIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] MILOSEVIC, TO DICTATE TERMS. TEXT: TURNING TO THE ISSUE OF THE BOMBING OF THE PAN AM JETLINER OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND, BLAMED ON LIBYAN SECURITY FORCES, A DEAL IS BEING FINALIZED, TO TRY THE MEN AND "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS RELIEVED. VOICE: MORE THAN A DECADE AFTER 270 PEOPLE DIED IN THE BOMBING OF PAN AM FLIGHT 103 OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND, REASONABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRYING THE TWO LIBYAN INTELLIGENCE AGENTS ... SEEM TO BE FALLING INTO PLACE. UNDER A PLAN ... BY THE UNITED NATIONS ... LIBYA'S LEADER, COLONEL MUAMMAR GADHAFI, WOULD SEND THE TWO SUSPECTS TO THE NETHERLANDS FOR A TRIAL UNDER SCOTTISH LAW. IF CONVICTED, THE LIBYANS WOULD SERVE THEIR SENTENCES IN SCOTLAND. WHATEVER THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIAL, U-N ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA WOULD BE SUSPENDED ..... COLONEL GADHAFI HAS NOT YET SEVERED HIS TIES WITH TERRORISM ... BUT AGREEMENT TO TURN OVER THE LOCKERBIE SUSPECTS COULD BE A SIGN THAT HE IS TIRING OF HIS ROLE AS AN INTERNATIONAL PARIAH. TEXT: IN CENTRAL AMERICA, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS, EVEN THOUGH THE TELEVISION NEWS CAMERAS HAVE LEFT, HONDURAS AND NICARAGUA STILL REMAIN DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE MITCH. VOICE: EVEN BEFORE MITCH STRUCK LAST FALL, ROUGHLY HALF OF ALL NICARAGUANS AND HONDURANS LIVED ON A DOLLAR A DAY OR LESS. NOW IT MAY TAKE YEARS FOR THEM TO RECOVER EVEN TO THAT LEVEL OF POVERTY. ... MR. CLINTON'S 956-MILLION DOLLAR PROPOSAL WON'T SOLVE CENTRAL AMERICA'S PROBLEMS. IT WOULD REPRESENT ONLY ABOUT 17 PERCENT OF WORLDWIDE ASSISTANCE PLEDGED SO FAR. IT INCLUDES A FAIR AMOUNT OF REPAYMENT TO THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT FOR HELP ALREADY RENDERED. BUT EVEN WITH THOSE CAVEATS, THIS IS A SUBSTANTIAL PROPOSAL THAT WILL OFFER REAL HELP. ... [HOWEVER] A PACKAGE OF THIS SIZE WILL CALL FOR CONTINUAL MONITORING, GIVEN THE DANGERS OF CORRUPTION. /// OPT ///TEXT: TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" IS ALSO PLEASED WITH THE AID PACKAGE BUT ADDS: VOICE: GOOD PLANS. NOW WASHINGTON MUST GET BUSY IMPLEMENTING THE AID PACKAGE TO EXPEDITE RECOVERY. /// END OPT ///TEXT: TURNING BACK TO THE MIDDLE EAST, BRIEFLY, THERE IS SUPPORT FROM "THE MIAMI HERALD" FOR U-S TOUGH TALK TO SADDAM HUSSEIN'S LATEST THREATS AGAINST THE ALLIES FOR THE CONTINUED FLIGHT EMBARGO OVER PARTS OF IRAQ. VOICE: .THE U-S PROMISE OF 'SWIFT AND SURE' RETALIATION AGAINST IRAQ IF AMERICAN FACILITIES IN TURKEY, SAUDI ARABIA OR KUWAIT ARE ATTACKED WAS THE RIGHT MESSAGE TO SEND IN RESPONSE TO HUSSEIN'S THREATS THIS WEEK. LET THERE BE NO DOUBT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE HUSSEIN THREAT IS CARRIED OUT: U-S FORCES WOULD DELIVER IRAQ A DEVASTATING BLOW, FAR WORSE THAN THE CURRENT BOMBING CAMPAIGN THAT LIKELY HAS AGITATED HUSSEIN TO THE POINT OF ISSUING THREATS -- WHETHER EMPTY OR DETERMINED. /// OPT ///TEXT: AND LASTLY, HERE AT HOME, REGARDING THE PROSPECT OF A FEDERAL JUDGE FINDING PRESIDENT CLINTON IN CONTEMPT OF COURT, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" FINDS SOME IRONY IN THE NEWS. VOICE: IF JUDGE SUSAN WEBBER WRIGHT DECIDES TO HOLD PRESIDENT CLINTON IN CONTEMPT OF COURT, SHE WOULD MERELY BE RETURNING THE FAVOR. MR. CLINTON CLEARLY HELD HER COURT IN CONTEMPT WHEN HE GAVE FALSE TESTIMONY DURING THE PAULA JONES DEPOSITION. ... IF EVER THERE WERE A CASE FOR HOLDING A LITIGANT IN CONTEMPT, THIS IS IT. MR. CLINTON NOT ONLY LIED BEFORE JUDGE WRIGHT, HE INSULTED HER COURT, DENOUNCING IT AS ILLEGITIMATE. ... NO SELF-RESPECTING JUDGE WOULD LET MR. CLINTON GET AWAY WITH IT. /// END OPT ///TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIAL
COMMENT FROM THURSDAY'S PAPERS.
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