April 1999 Military News

TIMOR THREATS Voice of America 30 April 1999-- HUMAN RIGHTS WORKERS AND THE DIPLOMATS SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A THREAT IN EAST TIMOR BY A PRO-INDONESIA MILITIA GROUP, WHICH REPORTEDLY SAYS IT IS PLANNING TO ATTACK THE EAST TIMORESE CAPITAL OF DILI ON FRIDAY.
TURKEY / OCALAN Voice of America 30 April 1999-- A SPECIAL TURKISH COURT SAYS THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN WILL BEGIN ON MAY 31ST. THE KURDISH LEADER IS CHARGED WITH TREASON FOR FOUNDING AND LEADING THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, P-K-K.
SMALL ARMS IN AFRICA (PT. 3) Voice of America 30 April 1999-- SMALL ARMS IN AFRICA (PT. 3) AFRICAN STATES ARE NOW ENGAGED IN A CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE UNREGULATED SALE OF ASSAULT RIFLES AND OTHER LIGHT WEAPONS.
SMALL ARMS IN AFRICA (PT. 2) Voice of America 30 April 1999-- IN THE POST-COLD WAR ERA, SMALL ARMS HAVE BECOME PRIME CONTRIBUTORS TO REGIONAL INSTABILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA, FUELING NATIONALISTIC AND ETHNIC WARS IN THE CONTINENT. A LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF THE INCREASING USE OF THESE LIGHT AND EASY TO USE WEAPONS ARMS ON AFRICAN SOCIETIES.
SMALL ARMS IN AFRICA (PT. 1) Voice of America 30 April 1999-- ONE EFFECT OF THE CIVIL WAR RAGING THROUGHOUT AFRICA IS THAT THEY HAVE MADE SMALL ARMS WIDELY AVAILABLE, AND MANY OF THESE ARMS ARE IN THE HANDS OF CRIMINALS, BANDITS AND REBELS. A REPORT ON THE ILLICIT DISTRIBUTION AND FLOWS OF LIGHT WEAPONS IN AFRICA.
TALEBAN RULE IN AFGHANISTAN Voice of America 30 April 1999-- AFGHANISTAN IS ONE OF THE MOST REPRESSIVE COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD TODAY.THERE IS GROWING HOSTILITY TOWARD THE TALEBAN. SOME COMMENTARY ON THEIR ROLE IN CONTEMPORARY AFGHANISTAN.
GUSMAO-EAST TIMOR Voice of America 29 April 1999-- THE JAILED LEADER OF THE EAST TIMOR'S INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT SAYS HE IS WILLING TO DISCUSS DISARMAMENT OF HIS FOLLOWERS, BUT ONLY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. XANANA GUSMAO SAID HE WILL ONLY SURRENDER WEAPONS TO UNITED NATIONS MONITORS.
FRANCE BACKS U.S.-AFRICAN PEACEKEEPING PARTNERSHIP TRAINING USIA 29 April 1999-- A peacekeeping partnership for Africa, called the African Crisis Response Initiative (ACRI), has the full backing of the French government, says Colonel Marc Wood, military attache at the French Embassy here.
EAST TIMOR REACT Voice of America 28 April 1999-- IN THE DISPUTED TERRITORY OF EAST TIMOR, A LEADER OF A PRO-INDONESIA MILITIA GROUP SAYS HE IS REJECTING A PLAN ANNOUNCED BY THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT TO HOLD A VOTE ON THE FUTURE OF THE DISPUTED TERRITORY. AN INDONESIAN MILITARY SPOKESMAN SAYS THE MILITIAS WILL BE DISARMED.
TRANSCRIPTION: Press Conference with Minister Downer on East Timor Situation 28 April 1999 -- Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer discusses the Bali summit meeting with Indonesian President Habibie, Prime Minister John Howard and Defence Minister John Moore, regarding East Timor. Mr Downer also outlines what arrangements were discussed to try and bring peace and stability into the East Timor region, following recent bloodshed in the area.
Subjects: East Timor PRIME MINISTER THE HON JOHN HOWARD PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT 28 April 1999 – What everybody wants is a free and open choice so that the people of East Timor can make a decision about their future. You can’t have that free and open choice if the circumstances of harassment and intimidation and violence continue. That is why the commitments made both before and at the meeting, and through the agreement at the United Nations in relation to maintaining peace and relative stability in East Timor are so important.
U-N / SOMALIA Voice of America 28 April 1999-- THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL SAYS IT IS CONCERNED ABOUT DETERIORATING HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS IN SOMALIA AND CONTINUING FIGHTING BETWEEN RIVAL MILITIAS IN THE COUNTRY.
WESTERN SAHARA ADMINISTRATION Voice of America 28 April 1999-- WHILE DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS CONTINUE OVER THE FUTURE OF THE WESTERN SAHARA, THE LARGEST TERRITORIAL DECOLONIZATION ISSUE REMAINING TODAY, NEARLY 200 THOUSAND PEOPLE FROM THE TERRITORY LIVE IN REFUGEE CAMPS IN NEIGHBORING ALGERIA. THEIR LEADERS HAVE PROCLAIMED THE SAHARAWI DEMOCRATIC ARAB REPUBLIC AND HAVE ESTABLISHED POLITICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INSTITUTIONS TO RUN IT.
EAST TIMOR TALKS Voice of America 27 April 1999-- INDONESIAN PRESIDENT B-J HABIBIE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A VOTE ON THE FUTURE STATUS OF EAST TIMOR WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST EIGHTH. MR. HABIBIE MADE THE COMMENTS AFTER A MEETING WITH AUSTRALIA'S PRIME MINISTER ABOUT THE CRISIS IN THE DISPUTED TERRITORY.
NIGERIA / MILITARY Voice of America 27 April 1999-- IN LATE MAY, NIGERIA WILL SWEAR IN AN ELECTED CIVILIAN PRESIDENT. PRO-DEMOCRACY FORCES HOPE THE INAUGURATION WILL MARK THE BEGINNING OF A NEW DEMOCRATIC ERA AND PUT A PERMANENT END TO OVER 35 YEARS OF MILITARY RULE. THE DEBATE NOW IS ON ABOUT HOW TO ENSURE CIVILIAN CONTROL OVER THE ARMED FORCES
AUSTRALIA-EAST TIMOR Voice of America 26 April 1999-- AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER JOHN HOWARD HAS GONE TO THE INDONESIAN RESORT ISLAND OF BALI, WHERE HE IS TO MEET TUESDAY WITH INDONESIAN PRESIDENT B-J HABIBIE. EAST TIMOR IS THE SUBJECT OF THE BALI MEETING. AUSTRALIA FEARS A FURTHER ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE
SOMALIA RIGHTS Voice of America 26 April 1999-- A UNITED NATIONS INVESTIGATOR SAYS HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES MUST BE INTEGRATED INTO NEGOTIATIONS AIMED AT BRINGING PEACE TO SOMALIA, OTHERWISE THEY WILL NOT SUCCEED. THE INVESTIGATOR HAS SUBMITTED A REPORT TO THE U-N HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION DESCRIBING GROSS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY MEMBERS OF THE WARRING FACTIONS
EGYPT/MILITANT RELEASE Voice of America 26 April 1999-- EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS SAY POLICE HAVE RELEASED ONE THOUSAND ISLAMIC MILITANTS FROM PRISON. RICHARD ENGEL REPORTS FROM CAIRO THE RELEASE IS PART OF A GOVERNMENT POLICY TO REWARD ISLAMISTS WHO GIVE UP VIOLENCE AND AT THE SAME TIME CRACK DOWN ON TERRORISTS.
CONGO/TALKS Voice of America 26 April 1999-- PEACE TALKS TO END THE NINE-MONTH CONFLICT IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO ARE DUE TO BE HELD IN ROME ON FRIDAY UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC PEACE GROUP, THE SANT' EGIDIO COMMUNITY. THE REBELS SAY THE TALKS ARE A WASTE OF TIME AND THEY WON'T ATTEND.
AUSTRALIA / EAST TIMOR Voice of America 23 April 1999-- AUSTRALIAN MILITARY INTELLIGENCE WARNED GOVERNMENT LEADERS IN MARCH THAT INDONESIAN SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY LINKED IN VIOLENCE IN THE FORMER PORTUGUESE COLONY OF EAST TIMOR. THE ACCUSATION IS CONTAINED IN A SECRET DOCUMENT LEAKED FRIDAY.
U-N / TIMOR AGREEMENT Voice of America 23 April 1999-- PORTUGAL AND INDONESIA SAY (FRIDAY) THEY HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT ON AN AUTONOMY PLAN FOR EAST TIMOR. THE AGREEMENT FOLLOWS A ROUND OF UNITED NATIONS-SPONSORED TALKS IN NEW YORK.
AUSTRALIA / EAST TIMOR UPDATE Voice of America 23 April 1999-- AUSTRALIAN MILITARY INTELLIGENCE WARNED GOVERNMENT LEADERS IN MARCH THAT INDONESIAN SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY LINKED TO VIOLENCE IN THE FORMER PORTUGUESE COLONY OF EAST TIMOR. THE ACCUSATION IS CONTAINED IN A DOCUMENT LEAKED FRIDAY.
EAST TIMOR : HOW IT HAPPENED Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia 23 April 1999 -- For decades after independence, Indonesian governments had been content, like the Dutch before them, toleave the poverty-stricken and neglected enclave in their archipelago in Portuguese hands. But when Fretilin overran the colony by force, the Indonesian Government became thoroughly alarmed.
ERITREA DEPORTEES Voice of America 23 April 1999-- IN THE PAST YEAR OF FIGHTING, ETHIOPIA HAS DEPORTED THOUSANDS OF ERITREAN NATIONALS, SAYING THEY ARE SECURITY THREATS. MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE FINDING IT HARD TO READJUST TO LIFE BACK IN ERITREA.
REPORTERS NOTEBOOK: AFRICA / PEACEKEEPING Voice of America 23 April 1999-- "NARALAND" IS A SIMULATION -- PART OF THE BIGGEST PEACEKEEPING MILITARY EXERCISE EVER STAGED ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT.
AFGHAN U-N Voice of America 23 April 1999-- THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS FUNDING SHORTAGES ARE SEVERELY AFFECTING RELIEF AND REPATRIATION EFFORTS FOR AFGHAN REFUGEES. PAKISTAN IS STILL SHELTERING MORE THAN A MILLION REFUGEES AS THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN DRAGS ON.
AUSTRALIA-EAST TIMOR REFUGEES Voice of America 22 April 1999-- AUSTRALIA SAYS IT HAS NO PLANS TO CHANGE ITS POLICY ON REFUGEES FROM EAST TIMOR. AN OFFICIAL SAYS THERE ARE NO ACTIVE PREPARATIONS TO DEAL WITH ANY NEW INFLUX OF TIMORESE
U-N / TIMOR TALKS / DAY TWO Voice of America 22 April 1999-- THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF PORTUGAL AND INDONESIA BEGAN A NEW ROUND OF U-N SPONSORED TALKS ON EAST TIMOR TODAY (THURSDAY) IN NEW YORK. THE TALKS ARE AIMED AT ESTABLISHING AN AUTONOMY PLAN FOR THE FORMER PORTUGUESE COLONY.
ETHIOPIA / ERITREA / U-N Voice of America 22 April 1999 - U-N SPECIAL ENVOY MOHAMED SAHNOUN IS HEADING FOR THE HORN OF AFRICA ON THE LATEST MISSION TO SEEK AN END TO THE BORDER WAR BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA. BOTH COUNTRIES HAVE ACCEPTED A REGIONAL PEACE PLAN, BUT THERE IS STILL NO PEACE.
ETHIOPIA / ERITREA INDEPENDENCE Voice of America 21 April 1999 - ERITREA'S PRESIDENT SAYS ETHIOPIA'S GOVERNMENT MAY TRY DIVIDING THE COUNTRY IF IT LOSES SUPPORT IN THEIR ONGOING BORDER WAR. BUT ETHIOPIA SAYS IT STANDS UNITED AGAINST ERITREAN AGGRESSION.
SAF POLICE BRUTALITY Voice of America 21 April 1999 -- EACH YEAR, THE SOUTH AFRICA POLICE SERVICE PAYS THREE-MILLION-DOLLARS IN COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS OF UNLAWFUL POLICE ACTION. IN A RECENT 11-MONTH PERIOD MORE THAN 650 PEOPLE DIED EITHER IN POLICE CUSTODY OR AS A RESULT OF POLICE ACTION.
EAST TIMOR PEACE ACCORD Voice of America 21 April 1999--OPPOSING PARTIES IN EAST TIMOR SIGNED A PEACE ACCORD WEDNESDAY TO END THE CONFLICT IN THE TERRITORY. BOTH SIDES SAY THE AGREEMENT IS A FRAGILE ONE.
HABIBIE/ E. TIMOR Voice of America 21 April 1999--INDONESIA'S PRESIDENT SAYS HE WILL STICK TO HIS OFFER TO GIVE EAST TIMOR EITHER AUTONOMY OR INDEPENDENCE. PRESIDENT B-J HABIBIE SAYS HE WANTS INDONESIA AND EAST TIMOR TO LIVE AS NEIGHBORS.
AFGHAN FIGHTING Voice of America 21 April 1999-- OPPOSITION FIGHTERS REPORTEDLY HAVE CAPTURED (WEDNESDAY) A KEY TOWN HELD BY THE TALEBAN IN CENTRAL AFGHANISTAN. THE VICTORY COMES AS FIGHTING INTENSIFIES IN THE WAR-TORN COUNTRY.
EAST TIMOR SECURITY Voice of America 20 April 1999-- INDONESIA'S MILITARY CHIEF ARRIVED IN THE TROUBLED TERRITORY OF EAST TIMOR TUESDAY. GENERAL WIRANTO SAYS HE WILL DISARM THE MILITIAS WHICH ARE CREATING HAVOC IN EAST TIMOR.
COLOMBIA/PEACE TALKS Voice of America 20 April 1999-- IN COLOMBIA, GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATORS HAVE RESUMED PRELIMINARY PEACE TALKS WITH THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST REBEL GROUP -- FARC. THE GOVERNMENT WARNS THAT IF THERE IS NO SERIOUS PROGRESS THIS WEEK, THE PRESIDENT MAY SCRAP TALKS.
ANGOLA / KAUNDA Voice of America 20 April 1999 -- ANGOLAN GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES SAY THEY HAVE BEEN PROVIDING SUPPORT TO ZAMBIAN OPPOSITION LEADER KENNETH KAUNDA. THE MOVE IS AN APPARENT SIGN OF ANGOLA'S DISPLEASURE WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBIAN
ETHIOPIA / ERITREA CULTURE WAR Voice of America 20 April 1999 - ERITREA'S PRESIDENT SAYS HIS WAR WITH NEIGHBORING ETHIOPIA IS NOT ABOUT RIVAL BORDER CLAIMS, IT IS ABOUT CULTURE.
ETHIOPIA / ERITREA / O-A-U Voice of America 19 April 1999 - ETHIOPIA'S PRIME MINISTER SAYS ERITREA IS NOT SERIOUS ABOUT REGIONAL EFFORTS TO END THE BORDER WAR BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. BUT ERITREA SAYS IT IS ETHIOPIA THAT IS DELAYING THE DEAL.
CONGO TALKS Voice of America 19 April 1999-- THE PRESIDENT OF CONGO-KINSHASA, LAURENT KABILA, HAS SIGNED A PEACE DEAL WITH UGANDAN PRESIDENT YOWERI MUSEVENI, WHOSE TROOPS ARE BACKING REBELS IN THEIR NINE-MONTH STRUGGLE AGAINST THE KABILA GOVERNMENT. THE AGREEMENT IS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT THE PARTICIPATION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT.
CONGO / ACCORD Voice of America 19 April 1999--CONGOLESE PRESIDENT LAURENT KABILA SAYS AN INTERNATIONAL MILITARY OBSERVER MISSION COULD BE IN PLACE ALONG CONGO'S EASTERN BORDERS WITHIN A MATTER OF DAYS. THE OBSERVERS WOULD MONITOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF FOREIGN TROOPS FROM THE CONGO'S NINE-MONTH-OLD CIVIL WAR.
COLOMBIA REBELS Voice of America 19 April 1999-- COLOMBIA IS PREPARING TO RESUME PRELIMINARY PEACE TALKS ON TUESDAY WITH THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST REBEL GROUP, THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES, KNOWN AS FARC FROM ITS SPANISH INITIALS.
ANGOLA / UNITA Voice of America 19 April 1999-- DESPITE INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS, ANGOLA'S UNITA REBEL MOVEMENT CONTINUES TO ACQUIRE NEW WEAPONS -- INCLUDING POWERFUL ROCKETS THAT COULD BE USED IN TERROR ATTACKS ON GOVERNMENT-HELD CITIES.
AFGHANISTAN / U-N Voice of America 19 April 1999-- THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN MONDAY AT THE WITHDRAWAL OF AFGHANISTAN'S RULING TALEBAN FROM TALKS WITH THAT COUNTRY'S OPPOSITION.
EAST TIMOR MASSACRE Voice of America 18 April 1999 -- THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MASSACRE OF UP TO 30 CIVILIANS IN EAST TIMOR THIS WEEKEND.
EGYPT/MILITANTS Voice of America 18 April 1999 -- IN EGYPT SUNDAY, A MILITARY COURT HANDED OUT SENTENCES TO 87 PEOPLE CONVICTED OF TERRORISM. TWENTY OTHERS WERE ACQUITTED. NINE MEN WERE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOLLOWING THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST TRIAL OF ISLAMIC MILITANTS.
CONGO / CEASEFIRE Voice of America 18 April 1999 -- THE PRESIDENTS OF UGANDA AND THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO HAVE REPORTEDLY SIGNED A PEACE AGREEMENT FOR CONGO FOLLOWING TALKS IN LIBYA.
EAST TIMOR/SHOOTING, UPDATE Voice of America 17 April 1999 -- AS MANY AS 30 PEOPLE WERE KILLED WHEN PRO JAKARTA MILITIAS BEGAN SHOOTING IN THE EAST TIMOR CAPITAL, DILI, ON SATURDAY. THE MILITIAS VIOLENTLY ATTACKED THE HOMES AND BUSINESSES OF PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE FORMER PORTUGUESE TERRITORY.
CONGO TALKS Voice of America 17 April 1999 -- REBELS FIGHTING TO OUST CONGO KINSHASA PRESIDENT LAURENT KABILA HAVE WALKED OUT OF PEACE TALKS IN LUSAKA, ZAMBIA. THE TALKS WERE INTENDED TO WORK OUT DETAILS OF A POSSIBLE CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT.
CONGO/TALKS Voice of America 16 April 1999 -- TALKS AIMED AT SECURING A CEASE-FIRE IN THE WAR IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO ARE UNDERWAY IN THE ZAMBIAN CAPITAL OF LUSAKA. THE TALKS ARE BEING ATTENDED BY ALL THE COUNTRIES INVOLVED IN THE CONGO WAR EXCEPT ANGOLA, WHOSE ATTENDANCE HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED.
CONGO FRONT Voice of America 16 April 1999 -- REBELS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO TOOK UP ARMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT LAURENT KABILA MORE THAN EIGHT MONTHS AGO. THE REBELLION HAS DISRUPTED THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS WHO HAVE BEEN FORCED TO FLEE THEIR HOMES.
EAST TIMOR / PARAMILITARIES Voice of America 16 April 1999 -- U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS, STANLEY ROTH, SAYS THAT INDONESIA MUST ENSURE THAT PARAMILITARY GROUPS OPERATING IN EAST TIMOR DO NOT COMMIT ANYMORE ACTS OF VIOLENCE.
COLOMBIA RIGHTS Voice of America 16 April 1999 -- A UNITED NATIONS REPORT ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN COLOMBIA PRESENTS A PICTURE OF A LAWLESS SOCIETY WHERE VIOLENCE, CORRUPTION AND DRUG TRAFFICKING ARE HAVING A DISASTROUS EFFECT ON THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE.
ANGOLA/UNITA Voice of America 16 April 1999 -- OFFICIALS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND 14 SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL AFRICAN COUNTRIES HAVE VOWED TO TIGHTEN SANCTIONS AGAINST ANGOLA'S UNITA REBEL MOVEMENT.
AFGHAN FIGHTING Voice of America 16 April 1999 -- THE TALEBAN MOVEMENT HAS LAUNCHED A MAJOR ATTACK AGAINST OPPOSITION FORCES LED BY AHMAD SHAH MASOOD NEAR KHANJAN, IN THE BAGHLAN PROVINCE NORTH OF THE CAPITAL.
SECURITY COUNCIL BLAMES UNITA FOR ANGOLA CRISIS By Judy Aita USIA 15 April 1999 -- The Security Council April 14 blamed UNITA for the failure of the peace process in Angola and restated its long-standing demand that the rebels allow the dos Santos government to control the entire country.
U-N / TIMOR POLL Voice of America 16 April 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL ENVOY FOR EAST TIMOR SAYS (THURSDAY) HE IS DETERMINED NOT TO ALLOW RECENT VIOLENCE TO SET BACK PLANS FOR AN AUTONOMY POLL IN THE TERRITORY LATER THIS YEAR.
TURKEY / ISLAMISTS / KURDS Voice of America 15 April 1999 -- TURKEY'S ISLAMIST VIRTUE PARTY IS EXPECTED TO WIN SCORES OF PARLIAMENTARY SEATS IN THE THE KURDISH SOUTHEASTERN REGION IN NATIONAL ELECTIONS ON SUNDAY. THE PARTY IS SPREADING A MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION BETWEEN TURKS AND KURDS.
INDIA / POLITICS Voice of America 15 April 1999 -- DEBATE BEGAN IN INDIA'S PARLIAMENT THURSDAY OVER THE FATE OF PRIME MINISTER ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE'S 15-MONTH COALITION GOVERNMENT.
WD and AD team with contractor on a quick-reaction project for F/A-18 The Weaponeer 15 April 1999 -- China Lake, Patuxent River and Boeing successfully measured the noise and vibration environment that will affect the new Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) pod.
ETHIOPIA / ERITREA OPPOSITION Voice of America 15 April 1999 -- THE PRESIDENT OF ERITREA SAYS ETHIOPIA AND SUDAN ARE TRYING TO OVERTHROW HIS GOVERNMENT. BUT ETHIOPIA SAYS IT IS GIVING ONLY POLITICAL SUPPORT TO ERITREAN OPPOSITION GROUPS.
COLOMBIA/PLANE Voice of America 15 April 1999 -- IN COLOMBIA, ANOTHER THREE HOSTAGES HAVE BEEN RELEASED BY LEFT-WING GUERRILLAS IN THE MASS HOSTAGE TAKING THAT BEGAN MONDAY WHEN A COLOMBIAN AIRLINER WAS HIJACKED AND FORCED TO LAND IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
BRITAIN / PINOCHET Voice of America 15 April 1999 -- BRITAIN'S JUSTICE MINISTER HAS RULED THAT FORMER CHILEAN LEADER AUGUSTO PINOCHET CAN FACE EXTRADITION TO SPAIN ON CHARGES OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.
ANGOLA/ZAMBIA Voice of America 15 April 1999 -- ZAMBIA'S PRESIDENT SAYS HIS COUNTRY AND NEIGHBORING ANGOLA HAVE AGREED TO HOLD TALKS TO REDUCE TENSIONS OVER ANGOLAN CHARGES THAT ZAMBIA IS AIDING THE "UNITA" REBEL GROUP.
EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS Voice of America 14 April 1999 -- A UNITED NATIONS REPORT SAYS EXTRAJUDICIAL, SUMMARY, OR ARBITRARY EXECUTIONS ARE INCREASING AND OCCUR IN EVERY COUNTRY INTHE WORLD.
ERITREAN REACT Voice of America 14 April 1999 -- ERITREA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES HAS DISMISSED ETHIOPIA'S LATEST OFFER OF A CEASE-FIRE AND A TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM THE DISPUTED AREA ALONG THE TWO COUNTRIES' BORDERS.
U-S / AFGHANISTAN Voice of America 14 April 1999 -- THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF RENEWED WARFARE IN AFGHANISTAN, AFTER THE FAILURE OF TALKS BETWEEN THE RULING TALEBAN AND THE OPPOSITION.
ETHIOPIA / ERITREA CEASEFIRE Voice of America 14 April 1999 -- ETHIOPIA SAYS IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CEASEFIRE IN THE WAR WITH ERITREA BEFORE ERITREAN TROOPS PHYSICALLY WITHDRAW FROM DISPUTED AREAS.
EAST TIMOR / GUSMAO CALL Voice of America 14 April 1999 -- EAST TIMOR INDEPENDENCE LEADER XANANA GUSMAO HAS DECLINED TO RETRACT THE CALL TO ARMS THAT HE MADE LAST WEEK. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HE IS URGING CALM IN THE TROUBLED TERRITORY.
COLOMBIA/PLANE Voice of America 13 April 1999 -- : GOVERNMENT TROOPS IN COLOMBIA ARE SEARCHING A REMOTE JUNGLE AREA FOR 46 PEOPLE WHOSE PLANE WAS HIJACKED MONDAY. THE MASS KIDNAPPING IS NOW BELIEVED TO BE THE WORK OF A LEFT-WING GUERRILLA GROUP DESPERATE FOR PUBLICITY AND RECOGNITION.
COLOMBIA/PLANE Voice of America 13 April 1999 -- COLOMBIA'S RED CROSS IS CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF 46 PEOPLE KIDNAPPED MYSTERIOUSLY MONDAY FROM A HIJACKED COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT.
COLOMBIA/PLANE-UPDATE Voice of America 13 April 1999 -- COLOMBIAN GUERRILLAS HAVE RELEASED FIVE PEOPLE AND A BABY WHO WERE AMONG THE 46 PASSENGERS AND CREW KIDNAPPED AFTER THEIR PLANE WAS HIJACKED MONDAY.
SECURITY COUNCIL CONCERNED OVER ETHIOPIA/ERITREA FIGHTING UNITED NATIONS REPORT, TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 1999 -- The Security Council is seriously concerned at the continuing hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the council's president said April 13.
ETHIOPIA / ERITREA / O-A-U Voice of America 13 April 1999 -- DIPLOMATS FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY (O-A-U) ARE TRYING TO END THE BORDER WAR BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA.
NORTHERN IRELAND Voice of America 13 April 1999 -- IN BELFAST, CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT LEADERS ARE BACK AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, TRYING TO BREAK AN IMPASSE OVER "DECOMMISSIONING" -- THE SURRENDER OF WEAPONS BY NORTHERN IRELAND'S PARAMILITARY GROUPS.
EAST TIMOR / VIOLENCE Voice of America 13 April 1999 -- INDONESIA HAS CALLED FOR A CEASEFIRE IN EAST TIMOR AND THE CREATION OF A COMMISSION TO END THE VIOLENCE. THE CALL COMES AMID REPORTS OF NEW BLOODSHED AND INCREASED MISERY FOR VICTIMS OFTHE CONFLICT.
YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES UPDATE Voice of America 12 April 1999 -- PROSECUTORS AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE ARE LAYING OUT THEIR CASE AGAINST TWO PROMINENT BOSNIAN CROATS WHO THEY SAY PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN A LONG-TERM CAMPAIGN OF PERSECUTION AGAINST MUSLIMS.
IRAN / FUNERAL Voice of America 12 April 1999 -- LARGE CROWDS OF MOURNERS AND SENIOR IRANIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS GATHERED MONDAY IN TEHRAN FOR THE FUNERAL OF AN ASSASSINATED MILITARY OFFICIAL. IRAN HAS VOWED TO TAKE REVENGE AGAINST THE REBEL GROUP THAT CLAIMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MURDER.
CHIAPAS CONFLICT Voice of America 12 April 1999 -- THE SIMMERING CIVIL CONFLICT IN MEXICO'S SOUTHERN STATE OF CHIAPAS APPEARED ON THE POINT OF EXPLODING ONCE AGAIN LAST WEEK DURING A STAND-OFF BETWEEN STATE POLICE AND SYMPATHIZERS OF THE ZAPATISTA ARMY FOR NATIONAL LIBERATION.
RWANDA TRIAL Voice of America 12 April 1999 -- A FORMER MAYOR FROM RWANDA HAS GONE ON TRIAL IN A SWISS COURT FOR HIS ALLEGED PARTICIPATION IN HIS COUNTRY'S 1994 GENOCIDE.
SOMALIA/ETHIOPIA Voice of America 12 April 1999 -- SOMALI FACTION LEADERS SAY ETHIOPIAN TROOPS HAVE ATTACKED TWO SOMALI TOWNS. ETHIOPIA SAYS IT HAS ARRESTED WHAT IT TERMS "SOMALI TERRORISTS," BUT SAYS ITS TROOPS HAVE NOT CROSSED THE BORDER.
EAST TIMOR/ SECURITY Voice of America 12 April 1999 -- THE GOVERNOR OF EAST TIMOR SAYS HE FEARS ANARCHY ACROSS THE TROUBLED TERRITORY AS MILITIAS WHO FAVOR CONTINUED TIES WITH JAKARTA BEGIN THEIR CAMPAIGN TO CONTROL THE CAPITAL OF EAST TIMOR, DILI.
EAST TIMOR / ATTACK Voice of America 11 April 1999 -- TIMORESE MILITIAS SUPPORTING INTEGRATION WITH INDONESIA AMBUSHED THE MOTORCADE OF EAST TIMOR'S BISHOP CARLOS BELO SUNDAY, INJURING ONE PERSON.
AFGHAN TALKS Voice of America 10 April 1999 -- THE TALEBAN LEADERSHIP IN AFGHANISTAN HAS RULED OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF FURTHER TALKS WITH THEIR OPPOSITION, DEALING A BLOW TO HOPES FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTRY'S LONG CIVIL WAR.
ERITREA PRESIDENT Voice of America 10 April 1999 -- ERITREA'S PRESIDENT SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST PUT MORE PRESSURE ON ETHIOPIA TO END THEIR BORDER WAR. BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED TO A REGIONAL PEACE PLAN, BUT THERE IS STILL NO PEACE.
IRAN/ASSASSINATION Voice of America 10 April 1999 -- THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF IRAN'S ARMED FORCES, BRIGADIER-GENERAL ALI SAYID SHIRAZI, WAS KILLED AS HE LEFT HIS HOME SATURDAY MORNING. THE MURDER IS LATEST IN A STRING OF ATTACKS AGAINST IRANIAN OFFICIALS IN RECENT MONTHS.
MEXICO ZAPATISTAS Voice of America 10 April 1999 -- THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT'S CHIEF PEACE NEGOTIATOR FOR THE CHIAPAS DISPUTE, EMILIO RABASSA, IS APPEALING TO THE ZAPATISTA REBEL MOVEMENT TO ALLOW HEALTH CARE TO HELP INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WITHIN THEIR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE.
EAST TMOR/VIOLENCE Voice of America 10 April 1999 -- EAST TIMOR'S SENIOR BISHOP CARLOS BELO HAS DELAYED RECONCILIATION TALKS OVER THE FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY UNTIL A CEASEFIRE. DESPITE THE CALL TO PUT DOWN ARMS THERE WAS MORE VIOLENCE IN EAST TIMOR ON SATURDAY.
SUDAN / HUMAN RIGHTS Voice of America 08 April 1999 -- A U-N SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR ACCUSES BOTH THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT AND SOUTHERN REBELS OF GROSSLY VIOLATING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF CIVILIANS.
EAST TIMOR KILLING Voice of America 08 April 1999 -- A CONTROVERSIAL ATTACK BY A PRO-INDONESIAN MILITIA INSIDE AN EAST TIMORESE CHURCH GROUND THIS WEEK LEFT UP TO 25-PEOPLE DEAD, ACCORDING TO DILI'S BISHOP CARLOS BELLO.
ANGOLA / ZAMBIA Voice of America 09 April 1999 -- THERE ARE NEW PUBLISHED ALLEGATIONS OF ZAMBIAN COMPLICITY IN THE ACQUISITION OF MIG FIGHTER-BOMBERS BY ANGOLA'S UNITA REBELMOVEMENT.
ERITREA DISPLACED Voice of America 09 April 1999 -- FIGHTING BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA HAS DISPLACED THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS. REGIONAL EFFORTS TO END THE WAR ARE MAKING LITTLE PROGRESS.
ALGERIA ELECTIONS Voice of America 08 April 1999 -- ALGERIA HAS BEEN ROCKED BY VIOLENCE SINCE THE MILITARY CANCELED THE SECOND ROUND OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN JANUARY 1992 THAT AN ISLAMIST PARTY, THE ISLAMIC SALVATION FRONT, WAS POISED TO WIN.
CONGO REBELS Voice of America 08 April 1999 -- REBELS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO HAVE SCORED A MAJOR VICTORY AGAINST GOVERNMENT TROOPS AND THEIR ALLIES IN THE SOUTHEAST OF THE COUNTRY.
ETHIOPIA/ERITREA FRONT Voice of America 08 April 1999 -- THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE WAR BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA -- MOST ALONG THE REMOTE BORDER, FAR FROM THE PUBLIC EYE. AT THE FRONT THE ARMIES ARE SEPARATED BY LESS A KILOMETER OF "NO MAN'S" LAND.
U-N / TIMOR VIOLENCE Voice of America 06 April 1999 -- UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SAYS HE IS SERIOUSLY CONCERNED BY THE REPORTS OF ESCALATING VIOLENCE IN EAST TIMOR. BUT U-N OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE NO PLANS AT THIS TIME FOR SENDING A PEACEKEEPING FORCE TO THE TERRITORY, NOW CONTROLLED BY INDONESIA.
RED CROSS / SUDAN Voice of America 02 April 1999 -- THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (I-C-R-C) HAS CONDEMNED THE KILLINGS OF THREE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT WORKERS AND A SUDANESE RED CROSS EMPLOYEE WHO WERE ABDUCTED BY THE REBEL SUDAN PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY.
KURDS COMPARE THEIR PROBLEM TO KOSOVO Voice of America 02 April 1999 -- IRAQI KURDISH LEADERS SAY THERE ARE STRONG SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE PLIGHT OF THEIR PEOPLE, CONCENTRATED IN NORTHERN IRAQ, AND THAT OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO.
LANKA/ATTACK REPORT Voice of America 01 April 1999 -- AT LEAST 20 TAMIL TIGER REBELS WERE KILLED IN AN AMBUSH IN SRI LANKA'S NORTH.
NORTHERN IRELAND Voice of America 01 April 1999 -- NORTHERN IRELAND'S CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT NEGOTIATORS HAVE ADJOURNED THEIR TALKS UNTIL APRIL 13TH TO FINALIZE A COMPROMISE THAT WOULD BREAK THE IMPASSE OVER WEAPONS DECOMMISSIONING.
ANGOLA/ZAMBIA/ARMS Voice of America 01 April 1999 -- ANGOLA CONTINUES TO MAKE SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST ZAMBIA, ACCUSING IT OF SUPPORTING THE "UNITA" REBEL MOVEMENT. ZAMBIA, ON THE OTHER HAND, CONTINUES TO REJECT THE ALLEGATIONS.
TRAVEL WARNING ISSUED FOR GUERRERO STATE IN MEXICO USIA 01 April 1999 -- The State Department has issued a travel warning for the state of Guerrero in Mexico, due to the potential for violence in the region.
The First DEUCEs are on the Ground By Jeffrey Klein, Engineer Bulletin, April 1999
SECURITY COUNCIL CONCERNED OVER ETHIOPIA/ERITREA FIGHTING USIA 13 April 1999-- The Security Council is seriously concerned at the continuing hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the council's president said April 13.
RAND REVIEW INDICATES NO EVIDENCE OF HARMFUL HEALTH EFFECTS FROM DEPLETED URANIUM April 15, 1999 -- The Department of Defense announced today the release of a RAND scientific literature review that indicates no evidence of harmful health effects directly linked to depleted uranium exposures at levels experienced by Gulf War veterans.
DoD News Briefing -- Bernard D. Rostker, Special Assistant for Gulf War Illnesses April 15, 1999 - Natural uranium is 40 percent less radioactive than depleted uranium, so any conclusions that you can draw on natural uranium, say of a negative nature, can be applied equally well to depleted uranium.
DEPLETED URANIUM A Review of the Scientific Literature As It Pertains to Gulf War Illnesses April 1999 --RAND Health's Center for Military Health Policy Research and the Forces and Resources Policy Center of the National Defense Research Institute, sponsored by the Office of the Special Assistant
The RAM/RS program continues history of successful Marine Corps systems When FMC management realized in 1940 that U.S. involvement in World War II was inevitable, they had a decision to make. Because they wouldn’t be able to continue making peace-time goods, they would either be forced to close plants, or become involved in producing a war-time product. The decision to manufacture a war-time product led to the company’s first attempt at producing amphibious vehicles.