May 1999 Military News

TURKEY/TRIAL OVERNITER Voice of America 31 May 1999 -- IN TURKEY, THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN IS SET TO ENTER ITS SECOND DAY TUESDAY, AFTER A DAY OF DRAMATIC OPENING TESTIMONY ON MONDAY.
ISRAEL / LEBANONVoice of America 31 May 1999 -- THE ISRAELI-BACKED SOUTH LEBANON ARMY MILITIA, THE S-L-A, HAS ANNOUNCED IT IS WITHDRAWING FROM THE CHRISTIAN TOWN OF JEZZINE NORTH OF ISRAEL'S OCCUPATION ZONE IN LEBANON. THE S-L-A HAS BEEN UNDER HEAVY MILITARY PRESSURE FROM PRO-IRANIAN HEZBOLLAH GUERRILLAS.
COLOMBIA/KIDNAP-UPDATE Voice of America 31 May 1999 -- IN COLOMBIA, A MASS KIDNAPPING BY LEFTIST REBELS HAS BEGUN TO UNRAVEL. THE REBELS, WHO BELONG TO THE COUNTRY'S SECOND-LARGEST GUERRILLA GROUP, TOOK CLOSE TO A 100 PEOPLE HOSTAGE IN THE CITY OF CALI SUNDAY. BUT UNDER HEAVY FIRE FROM THE ARMY, THE REBELS RELEASED AT LEAST 79 PEOPLE.
ISRAEL/LEBANONVoice of America 30 May 1999 -- ISRAEL STAGED ANOTHER AIR STRIKE (SUNDAY) IN LEBANON IN RESPONSE TO AN ONGOING OFFENSIVE BY PRO-IRANIAN HEZBOLLAH GUERRILLAS AGAINST ISRAEL'S TROUBLED MILITIA ALLY IN LEBANON, THE SOUTH LEBANON ARMY, OR S-L-A.
LANKA/SOLDIERS Voice of America 31 May 1999 -- THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP -- AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL -- HAS ACCUSED TAMIL REBELS OF FORCIBLY RECRUITING CHILD SOLDIERS TO FIGHT AGAINST GOVERNMENT TROOPS.
TURKEY/KURDISH LEADER VOICE OF AMERICA 31 MAY 1999 -- THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN HAS OPENED. THE JUDGES TURNED DOWN A REQUEST BY THE DEFENSE FOR AN ADJOURNMENT IN ORDER TO BETTER PREPARE THEIR CASE.
TURKEY/KURDISH LEADER Voice of America 30 MAY 1999 -- IN TURKEY, AUTHORITIES ARE PREPARING FOR THE TRIAL OF KURDISH REBEL LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN WHICH IS DUE TO BEGIN MONDAY. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT WANTS THE TRIAL TO BE FAIR AND THE VERDICT OF THE JUDGES TO BE ACCEPTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS ALREADY ARE CRYING FOUL
COLOMBIA/KIDNAP Voice of America 30 MAY 1999 -- LEFT-WING GUERRILLAS HAVE ABDUCTED MEMBERS OF A CHURCH CONGREGATION IN CITY OF CALI -- TAKING AT LEAST 45 PEOPLE HOSTAGE INTO THE MOUNTAINS, WITH ARMY AND POLICE IN HOT PURSUIT. MANY OF THE HOSTAGES WERE LATER ABANDONED BY THE GUERRILLAS.
CONGO/REBELS Voice of America 29 MAY 1999 -- REBELS IN CONGO-KINSHASA ON SATURDAY DECLARED THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO OUST THE NATION'S PRESIDENT. THE STATEMENT COMES ONE DAY AFTER THE REBEL'S CHIEF SPONSOR -- RWANDA -- DECLARED A CEASEFIRE.
INDONESIA / EAST TIMOR Voice of America 28 May 1999 -- INDONESIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS THE SECURITY SITUATION IN EAST TIMOR WILL BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL, SO THERE WILL BE NO NEED TO DELAY THE AUTONOMY VOTE THERE.
INDONESIA / EAST TIMOR Voice of America 27 MAY 1999 -- PRO-INDONESIAN MILITIAS IN EAST TIMOR HAVE STEPPED UP THEIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST EAST TIMORESE WHO SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE.THE EAST TIMORESE ARE REPORTEDLY BEING UPROOTED, IN ADVANCE OF THE AUGUST VOTE ON AUTONOMY OR INDEPENDENCE.
LANKA/RECRUITMENT Voice of America 26 May 1999 -- IN EARLY MAY, THE SRI LANKAN ARMY BEGAN A CAMPAIGN TO RECRUIT MORE MINORITY TAMILS INTO THE ARMY. THE DRIVE HAS NOW ENDED AND THE ARMY SAYS IT HAS RECEIVED VIRTUALLY NO RESPONSE FROM THE MINORITY TAMIL COMMUNITY.
U-S/ETHIOPIA-ERITREA Voice of America 26 May 1999 --THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT REMAINS STRONGLY COMMITTED TO FINDING A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT TO THE WAR BETWEEN ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA. AT A CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING (5/25) ON THE CURRENT SITUATION, MEMBERS BLAMED BOTH OF THE WARRING GOVERNMENTS FOR THE CONTINUING CONFLICT.
CONGO DEBATE Voice of America 26 May 1999 -- NEXT MONTH, THE GOVERNMENT IN CONGO-KINSHASA SAYS IT WILL HOLD WHAT IT CALLS A "NATIONAL DEBATE" WITH THE POLITICAL OPPOSITION AND THE REBELS WHO NOW CONTROL ALMOST HALF OF THE COUNTRY.
COLOMBIA/MILITARY Voice of America 26 May 1999 -- A CRISIS HAS ERUPTED IN THE MILITARY OVER THE WAY THE GOVERNMENT HAS HANDLED THE ONGOING PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH LEFTIST GUERRILLAS.
TEXT: STATE'S RICE ON U.S. POLICY OPTIONS IN HORN OF AFRICA WAR USIA 25 May 1999--The United States government "remains actively engaged" in support of the Organization of African Unity and U.N. efforts to gain a cease-fire and implement the OAU's Framework Agreement to end the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea, says Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Susan E. Rice.
AFRICAN WARS Voice of America 25 May 1999 -- A SUMMIT MEETING BY HEADS OF STATES FROM THE COMMON MARKETS FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA CLOSED TUESDAY IN THE KENYAN CAPITAL, NAIROBI. JOSIAH OBAT REPORTS THE MEETING ENDED ACRIMONIOUSLY WITH SHARP DIFFERENCES OVER THE REBELLION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO.
EAST TIMOR Voice of America 24 May 1999 -- UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS PROPOSED (MONDAY) THE CREATION OF A U-N MISSION IN EAST TIMOR TO CONDUCT THE SCHEDULED POLL IN AUGUST ON AUTONOMY FOR THE TERRITORY. AT THE SITUATION IN EAST TIMOR REMAINS EXTREMELY TENSE.
MUBARAK / LIBYA Voice of America 24 May 1999 -- EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK HAS FLOWN TO LIBYA FOR A BRIEF VISIT. THE UNEXPECTED TRIP FOLLOWS THE SUSPENSION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST LIBYA AFTER IT HANDED OVER TWO SUSPECTS IN THE LOCKERBIE BOMBING CASE. AND IT FOLLOWS A REPORT THAT THE BOMBING WAS ORDERED BY THE LIBYAN GOVERNMENT.
SUDAN/NIMEIRI Voice of America 22 May 1999 --FORMER SUDANESE PRESIDENT JAFAAR NIMEIRI RETURNED HOME SATURDAY AFTER 14 YEARS IN EXILE IN EGYPT. MR. NIMEIRI HAS URGED OTHER SUDANESE OPPOSITION LEADERS TO GO BACK AS WELL.
AFGHAN / U-N Voice of America 21 May 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS ITS INTERNATIONAL STAFF HAS COMPLETED AN ASSESSMENT MISSION TO THE NORTHERN AFGHAN CITY OF MAZAR-E-SHARIF, THE FIRST SUCH MISSION IN MORE THAN A YEAR.THE U-N HAS BEEN SLOWLY RETURNING ITS INTERNATIONAL STAFF TO THE DEVASTATED COUNTRY -- EVEN AS THE WAR CONTINUES TO DRAG ON.
EAST TIMOR/MILITIA TERROR Voice of America 20 May 1999 -- COFFEE FARMERS, PRODUCERS OF EAST TIMOR'S NUMBER ONE CASH CROP, SAY THEIR LIVELIHOODS ARE ENDANGERED BECAUSE OF A CAMPAIGN OF TERROR BY PRO-INDONESIA MILITIAS.KILLINGS AND KIDNAPPINGS CONTINUE, DESPITE THE PRESENCE OF A UNITED NATIONS TEAM IN THE TERRITORY.
EAST TIMOR / MILITIAS Voice of America 20 May 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS PRO-INDONESIA MILITIAS ARE BEING TRAINED IN EAST TIMOR FOR MORE ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS.WARNING IS THE SECOND STATEMENT FROM THE NEW U-N MISSION IN EAST TIMOR CONDEMNING PRO-JAKARTA VIOLENCE.
TURKEY / KURDS Voice of America 20 May 1999 -- A COURT IN TURKEY HAS SENTENCED A TOP KURDISH REBEL COMMANDER TO DEATH FOR HIS ROLE IN THE KILLINGS OF MORE THAN 200 TURKISH SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS. THE KURDISH REBEL OFFICIAL -- SEMDIN SAKIK -- WAS ONCE CONSIDERED AS ONE OF THE MOST BRUTAL AND FEARLESS LEADERS OF THE BANNED KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, THE P-K-K.
NORTHERN IRELAND Voice of America 20 May 1999 -- THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS IS STUCK. AND THERE ARE FEW SIGNS THAT EITHER SIDE IS READY FOR COMPROMISE TO END THE DEADLOCK OVER WEAPONS DECOMMISSIONING.
CONGO REBELS Voice of America 20 May 1999 -- REBELS IN CONGO-KINSHASA HAVE ANNOUNCED A NEW PRESIDENT FOR THEIR MOVEMENT, THE CONGOLESE RALLY FOR DEMOCRACY, OR R-C-D. FORMER REBEL LEADER ERNEST WAMBA DIA WAMBA HAS DENOUNCED THE MOVE AND STILL CLAIMS HIS POST AS PRESIDENT.
FRANCE MERCENARY Voice of America 19 May 1999 -- BOB DENARD, A FAMOUS FRENCH MERCENARY SOLDIER, HAS WON ACQUITTAL ON CHARGES THAT HE MURDERED A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE COMORO ISLANDS. MR. DENARD WAS DECLARED INNOCENT BY A JURY IN PARIS LATE WEDNESDAY.
UGANDA/AMNESTY Voice of America 18 May 1999 -- ALICE LAKWENA, A PERSON ONCE REGARDED BY SOME AS UGANDA'S MOST-FEARED REBEL LEADER, HAS FORMALLY REQUESTED THE GOVERNMENT TO ALLOW HER TO RETURN TO KAMPALA. MS. LAKWENA NOW LIVES IN A REFUGEE CAMP IN NORTHERN KENYA ALONG WITH 20 REMAINING FOLLOWERS.
TURKEY IRAQ Voice of America 18 May 1999 -- TURKISH TROOPS ARE CONTINUING THEIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST KURDISH SEPARATIST REBELS BASED IN NORTHERN IRAQ. SOME 15-THOUSAND TURKISH TROOPS HAVE CROSSED INTO TO THE KURDISH-CONTROLLED ENCLAVE AS PART OF A ROUTINE OFFENSIVE AGAINST REBEL FORCES OF THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY OR P-K-K -- A GROUP OUTLAWED BY THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT
CAMBODIA/KHMER ROUGE Voice of America 18 May 1999 -- CAMBODIA WILL ALLOW A U-N LEGAL TEAM TO REVIEW ITS PLANS FOR A JOINT TRIBUNAL FOR MEMBERS OF THE KHMER ROUGE KILLING FIELDS REGIME. THE AGREEMENT IS SEEN AS A BREAKTHROUGH THAT WILL ALLOW THE UNITED NATIONS TO HELP STAGE INTERNATIONALLY-ACCEPTABLE TRIALS UNDER CAMBODIAN LAW.
NEPAL ELECTION Voice of America 17 May 1999 -- THE POLLS HAVE CLOSED IN NEPAL WHERE VOTERS ON MONDAY CAST BALLOTS IN A SECOND AND FINAL ROUND OF ELECTIONS FOR A NEW PARLIAMENT. POLICE DEFUSED FOUR BOMBS AT ONE POLLING SITE ON MONDAY BUT THREATS OF WIDESPREAD VIOLENCE BY MAOIST GUERRILLAS OPPOSED TO THE ELECTIONS DID NOT MATERIALIZE. ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL DAYS TO HAVE FINAL RESULTS FROM THE ELECTIONS
KHMER ROUGE TRIBUNAL Voice of America 17 May 1999 -- THE CAMBODIAN GOVERNMENT IS MOVING FORWARD WITH PLANS TO PUT ON TRIAL FORMER KHMER ROUGE LEADERS FOR THEIR PART IN THE DEATHS OF MILLIONS OF CAMBODIANS DURING THE 1970'S. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS QUESTIONING WHETHER A TRIAL INSIDE CAMBODIA WILL MEET MINIMUM STANDARDS OF JUSTICE.
CONGO ANNIVERSARY UPDATE Voice of America 17 May 1999 -- IN THE DEMOCRACTIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO, PRESIDENT LAURENT KABILA MARKED HIS SECOND ANNIVERSARY IN POWER WITH A SPEECH CALLING FOR A GENERAL MOBILIZATION AGAINST THE REBELLION WHICH HAS CAPTURED ALMOST HALF OF THE COUNTRY. MR. KABILA ALSO DETAILED HIS PLANS FOR A NATIONAL DEBATE SCHEDULED FOR NEXT MONTH.
CONGO REBELS Voice of America 17 May 1999 -- REBELS IN CONGO-KINSHASA DISSOLVED THEIR LEADERSHIP AT A MEETING MONDAY IN THE EASTERN TOWN OF GOMA. THE REBEL MOVEMENT PLANS TO NAME NEW LEADERS LATER IN THE DAY.
CONGO ANNIVERSARY Voice of America 17 May 1999 -- THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO HAS CELEBRATED THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF PRESIDENT LAURENT KABILA'S RISE TO POWER (MONDAY). IN THE CAPITAL, KINSHASA, THOUSANDS OF MR. KABILA'S SUPPORTERS HELD A PARADE. THE ANNIVERSARY ALSO WAS A TIME FOR THE COUNTRY TO TAKE STOCK OF A HOST OF SEVERE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES.
GUATEMALA REFERENDUM Voice of America 16 May 1999 -- IN GUATEMALA, A NATIONAL REFERENDUM IS BEING (WAS) HELD (SUNDAY) ON A PACKAGE OF CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS THAT WOULD -- AMONG OTHER THINGS -- STRENGTHEN THE JUDICIARY, PROFESSIONALIZE THE ARMED FORCES AND GRANT SPECIAL RIGHTS TO THE INDIGENOUS MAYAN INDIAN MAJORITY.
LIBYA/CONGO TALKS Voice of America 16 May 1999 -- SIX (SUB-SAHARAN) AFRICAN LEADERS HAVE AGREED TO A CEASEFIRE IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION OF EASTERN CONGO. THE AGREEMENT FOLLOWS A MINI-SUMMIT MEETING CHAIRED BY LIBYAN LEADER MUAMMAR GADHAFI
LIBYA/CONGO TALKS Voice of America 16 May 1999 -- (L) SIX (SUB-SAHARAN) AFRICAN LEADERS HAVE AGREED TO A CEASEFIRE IN EASTERN CONGO -- WHICH HAS IMPLICATIONS FOR STABILITY IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION. THE AGREEMENT FOLLOWS A MINI-SUMMIT MEETING CHAIRED BY LIBYAN LEADER MUAMMAR GADHAFI
EAST TIMOR/ UN Voice of America 15 May 1999 -- EAST TIMOR'S BISHOP CARLOS BELO SAYS HIS TERRITORY NEEDS THOUSANDS OF UNITED NATIONS PEACE KEEPING PERSONNEL IF A BALLOT ON SPECIAL AUTONOMY IS TO BE FAIR. A NEW GROUP OF U-N PERSONNEL ARRIVED SATURDAY TO ASSESS CONDITIONS FOR THE DIRECT VOTE.
DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION IN NIGERIA Voice of America 15 May 1999 -- FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO DECADES, A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT WILL TAKE OFFICE IN NIGERIA ON MAY 29TH. PRESIDENT-ELECT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO IS A FORMER GENERAL AND HEAD OF STATE WHO VOLUNTARILY RETURNED POWER TO CIVILIANS IN 1979.
LANKA/KILL Voice of America 15 May 1999 --AT LEAST 44 TAMIL TIGER REBELS AND GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS WERE KILLED AND 37 WOUNDED IN FIERCE FIGHTING IN NORTHWESTERN SRI LANKA.
LESSONS OF VIETNAM Voice of America 14 May 1999 -- A NEW BOOK ON THE VIETNAM WAR BY FORMER U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERT MCNAMARA SAYS THE AMERICAN AND NORTH VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENTS MISSED OPPORTUNITIES TO AVOID THE WAR OR END IT EARLIER.
NORTHERN IRELAND Voice of America 14 May 1999 -- THE BRITISH AND IRISH PRIME MINISTERS ARE BACK AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE WITH NORTHERN IRISH CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT LEADERS. THEY ARE TRYING TO BREAK A DEADLOCK OVER THE SURRENDER OR "DECOMMISSIONING" OF WEAPONS -- A DISPUTE WHICH IS BLOCKING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A POWER-SHARING GOVERNMENT IN BELFAST.
NEPAL MAOISTS PT. 2 OF 2 Voice of America 14 May 1999 -- FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS IN NEPAL, A SPORADIC BUT VICIOUS WAR BETWEEN MAOISTS AND POLICE HAS BEEN GAINING INTENSITY. MANY VILLAGERS HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES TRAPPED -- CAUGHT BETWEEN FIGHTING BETWEEN MAOIST GUERRILLAS WHO CALL THEMSELVES NEPAL'S "RED ARMY" AND POLICE SENT TO PROTECT THEM.
NEPAL MAOISTS PART 1 Voice of America 13 May 1999 -- THE GUERRILLAS WHO CALL THEMSELVES NEPAL'S "RED ARMY" ARE SOME OF THE LAST COMMUNIST INSURGENTS IN ASIA AND SOUTH ASIA STILL FIGHTING A CENTRAL GOVERNMENT. NEPAL'S MAOIST GUERRILLAS ALSO SEEM TO BE GAINING STRENGTH AS THEY WAGE THEIR "PEOPLE'S WAR."
EGYPT / TORTURE Voice of America 13 May 1999 -- (L) EGYPT'S LEADING HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION SAYS IT WILL APPEAL A GOVERNMENT DECISION TO DROP CHARGES OF TORTURE AGAINST FOUR POLICE OFFICERS. THE CHARGES STEMMED FROM A CASE OF REPORTED POLICE BRUTALITY THAT RECEIVED WIDESPREAD PUBLICITY ABROAD.
SUDAN / EL-MAHDI Voice of America 13 May 1999 -- ONE OF SUDAN'S MAIN POLITICAL OPPOSITION FIGURES SAYS THE SUDANESE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED TO A MEETING WITH ALL THE OPPOSITION PARTIES -- ONE THAT COULD BE HELD AS EARLY AS NEXT MONTH. THE MEETING HAS RECEIVED QUALIFIED ENDORSEMENT FROM SOME OF SUDAN'S OTHER OPPOSITION PARTIES.
NEW SLAVERY Voice of America 13 May 1999 -- IN THE PAST, SLAVES USUALLY REPRESENTED A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT, TODAY THEY ARE CHEAP AND DISPOSABLE. ZLATICA HOKE DISCUSSED NEW SLAVERY WITH A MEMBER OF THE ANTI-SLAVERY INTERNATIONAL GROUP AND HAS THIS REPORT.
SOUTH AFRICA/ARMS Voice of America 13 May 1999 -- IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE LEADER OF THE ZULU NATIONALIST "INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY," MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI, HAS APPEALED TO ANYONE CONTROLLING ARMS CACHES IN THE COUNTRY TO TURN THEM OVER TO AUTHORITIES. MR. BUTHELEZI MADE A CAMPAIGN APPEARANCE (THURSDAY) AHEAD OF SOUTH AFRICA'S JUNE SECOND ELECTIONS.
GUATEMALA KILLING Voice of America 13 May 1999 -- A PROMINENT LEFTIST POLITICIAN WAS MURDERED IN FRONT OF HIS HOME IN GUATEMALA ON THURSDAY, JUST TWO DAYS BEFORE A NATIONAL REFERENDUM IS TO BE HELD TO IMPLEMENT HUMAN RIGHTS REFORMS.
RWANDA/CONGO Voice of America 13 May 1999 -- RWANDA HAS RENEWED ACCUSATIONS THAT CONGO-KINSHASA IS ARMING REBEL GROUPS FIGHTING THE GOVERNMENT IN KIGALI. ACCUSATIONS COME JUST ONE DAY AFTER CONGO-KINSHASA CAME IN FOR INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM FOR BOMBING MOSTLY CIVILIAN TARGETS NEAR THE RWANDAN BORDER EARLIER IN THE WEEK (EDS: TUESDAY).
SLAVERY; CIVIL WAR IN SUDAN GRIND ON OUT OF VIEW Voice of America 12 May 1999 -- AS ONE UNITED STATES DAILY PAPER PUTS IT, YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE MAY BE GETTING ALL THE ATTENTION IN THE NEWS, BUT AN INTERNAL PROBLEM IN THE SUDAN IS CAUSING MUCH MORE SUFFERING, MOSTLY OUT OF PUBLIC VIEW.
CONGO REFUGEES Voice of America 12 May 1999 -- DESPITE ONGOING VIOLENCE IN CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE, THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, U-N-H-C-R, SAYS IT IS HELPING THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES RETURN HOME FROM NEIGHBORING CONGO-KINSHASA. THIS PROGRAM OF RETURN IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THE USUAL UNITED NATIONS REPATRIATION PROGRAMS.
CONGO / RAIDS Voice of America 12 May 1999 -- REBEL OFFICIALS IN CONGO-KINSHASA SAY AT LEAST 28 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN GOVERNMENT BOMBING RAIDS AGAINST TWO REBEL-HELD CITIES IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. THE REBELS SAY AT LEAST 15 PEOPLE WERE INJURED.
EAST TIMOR/ VIOLENCE Voice of America 10 May 1999 -- AT LEAST ONE MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED MONDAY IN THE EAST TIMOR CAPITAL DILI, IN THE SECOND DAY OF PRO-INDONESIAN MILITIA VIOLENCE. THE VIOLENCE FOLLOWS RAISED EXPECTATIONS THAT A UNITED NATIONS POLICE FORCE WOULD SOON BE PATROLLING THE TROUBLED TERRITORY.
U-N / TIMOR Voice of America 10 May 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS IT IS PREPARING TO DEPLOY MORE THAN 600 STAFF IN EAST TIMOR BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH TO ASSIST WITH THE TERRITORY'S UPCOMING AUTONOMY POLL. MORE FROM OUR U-N CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON.
U-S / PAK PRESS REACT Voice of America 10 May 1999 -- THE UNITED STATES HAS CONDEMNED PAKISTAN OVER THE RECENT CRACKDOWN ON JOURNALISTS CRITICAL OF THE GOVERNMENT. WASHINGTON IS CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF TWO JOURNALISTS BEING HELD WITHOUT FORMAL CHARGES BY THE PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT.
CAMBODIA / KHMER ROUGE Voice of America 10 May 1999 -- THE CAMBODIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS IT IS HOLDING THE NOTORIOUS EXECUTIONER OF THE KHMER ROUGE 'KILLING FIELDS' REGIME IN PROTECTIVE CUSTODY. THE MOVE COMES AS A SENIOR UNITED NATIONS ENVOY ARRIVES FOR TALKS ON SECURING INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION IN TRIALS OF TOP KHMER ROUGE LEADERS.
FAST REACTION WEAPONS DEMONSTRATION SOL F08630-99-C-0076
EAST TIMOR VIOLENCE Voice of America 09 May 1999 -- VIOLENCE ERUPTED IN THE EAST TIMOR CAPITAL, DILI, SUNDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE INDONESIA AND PORTUGAL SIGNED AN AGREEMENT ON SPECIAL AUTONOMY. THE LATEST ATTACK BY PRO-INDONESIA MILITIAS, WHICH KILLED AT LEAST ONE MAN.
EAST TIMOR / SECURITY Voice of America 08 May 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS' CHIEF POLICE ADVISOR ARRIVED IN EAST TIMOR, SATURDAY, TO ASSESS SECURITY PREPARATIONS FOR A BALLOT ON SPECIAL AUTONOMY. REPORTS PRO-INDONESIA MILITIA GROUPS HANDED OVER WEAPONS TO THE MILITARY BUT HAVE PLEDGED TO KEEP FIGHTING.
PAKISTANI JOURNALIST ARREST Voice of America 08 May 1999 -- PAKISTANI POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A PROMINENT NEWSPAPER EDITOR IN A CONTINUING CRACKDOWN ON JOURNALISTS WHO ARE CRITICAL OF THE GOVERNMENT. THE ARREST COMES JUST DAYS AFTER A NEW YORK-BASED JOURNALIST'S RIGHTS GROUP ISSUED A LETTER TO THE PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT PROTESTING WHAT IT CALLS A CAMPAIGN OF INTIMIDATION AND HARASSMENT.
U-N / TIMOR RESOLUTION Voice of America 07 May 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (FRIDAY) ENDORSED AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDONESIA AND PORTUGAL THAT WILL ALLOW THE PEOPLE OF EAST TIMOR TO DETERMINE THEIR TERRITORY'S FUTURE POLITICAL STATUS.
GUINEA-BISSAU / SURRENDER Voice of America IN GUINEA-BISSAU, REBELS HAVE BROUGHT THEIR YEAR-LONG STRUGGLE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT TO A VIOLENT CLOSE. ON FRIDAY, FOLLOWING SEVERAL HOURS OF VIOLENT COMBAT, THE REMAINING GOVERNMENT LOYALISTS SURRENDERED TO THE REBELS, AND PRESIDENT JOAO BERNARDO VIERA TOOK REFUGE IN THE PORTUGUESE EMBASSY. THE REBELS SAY THEY NOW CONTROL THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
COLOMBIA/HOSTAGES Voice of America 07 May 1999 -- LEFT-WING GUERRILLAS RELEASED SEVEN HOSTAGES WHO WERE KIDNAPPED LAST MONTH. THE REBEL GROUP, THE NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY OR E-L-N, IS PROMISING TO FREE THE REMAINING 25 HOSTAGES.THE REBELS ARE ASKING THE COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT TO PULL TROOPS OUT OF A SMALL REGION IN THE COUNTRYSIDE.
U-N / ANGOLA / SANCTIONS Voice of America 07 May 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL APPROVED A RESOLUTION TODAY (FRIDAY) AIMED AT STRENGTHENING ENFORCEMENT OF ITS ARMS AND TRADE EMBARGOES AGAINST ANGOLA'S UNITA OPPOSITION GROUP.
ANGOLA/CRISIS Voice of America 07 May 1999 -- U-N OFFICIALS IN ANGOLA SAY THAT WHAT THEY CHARACTERIZE AS AN "EXTREME" HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IS UNFOLDING IN THAT WAR-TORN COUNTRY -- A CRISIS THAT THEY SAY IS FAR WORSE THAN THE ONE IN KOSOVO.
EAST TIMOR ACCORD: 'ROUGH PATH' STILL AHEAD FOR INDONESIA USIA Foreign Media Reaction Report May 7, 1999 -- The UN-brokered autonomy agreement for East Timor signed by the foreign ministers of Indonesia and Portugal in New York on Wednesday attracted the attention of editorialists in East and South Asia, and a small number in Europe. Analysts hailed the accord--which provides for an August 8 referendum in which East Timorese will be given an opportunity to accept or reject autonomy for the province under the continued rule of Indonesia--as a "major step forward for democracy in the region," but cautioned that a "rough path" still lay ahead for Indonesia as it attempts to come to terms with the "problem" of East Timor.
Resolution S/RES/1236 (1999) - Secretary-General's Report 07 May 1999 - The culmination of the good offices process was the 5 May signing of an overall Agreement between the two Governments, which entrusts the Secretary-General with organizing a consultation to determine whether the East Timorese accept or reject a proposed constitutional framework for special autonomy within Indonesia.
EAST TIMOR AGREEMENT REACT Voice of America 06 May 1999 -- A NUMBER PRO-INDONESIAN EAST TIMOR RESIDENTS, WHO FOR MONTHS HAVE REJECTED PROPOSALS TO HOLD AN AUTONOMY BALLOT, ARE NOW WELCOMING THE SIGNING OF AN AGREEMENT ON SPECIAL AUTONOMY FOR THE TERRITORY. OTHER RESIDENTS ARE SIMPLY SAYING THEY HOPE THE UNITED NATIONS-BROKERED PLAN BRINGS PEACE.
SUDAN BOMBING LAWSUIT Voice of America 06 May 1999 -- THE UNITED STATES DESTROYED A PLANT IN SUDAN IN AUGUST 1998 THAT IT SAID WAS PRODUCING INGREDIENTS FOR POISON GAS. THE SUDANESE PROTESTED THE PLANT WAS MANUFACTURING ONLY LEGITIMATE PHARMACEUTICALS. THE U-S GOVERNMENT HAS NOT CHALLENGED A LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY THE PLANT'S OWNER AND RELEASED 24 MILLION DOLLARS OF HIS FUNDS THAT HAD BEEN FROZEN.
PAK / PRESS CRACKDOWN Voice of America 06 May 1999 -- THE NEW YORK-BASED "COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS" HAS WRITTEN A LETTER TO PAKISTAN'S PRIME MINISTER, PROTESTING HARASSMENT OF JOURNALISTS BY THE GOVERNMENT. JOURNALISTS IN PAKISTAN SAY PRESSURE FROM THE GOVERNMENT HAS INCREASED BECAUSE OF CRITICAL REPORTING OF ALLEGED CORRUPTION BY THE PRIME MINISTER'S FAMILY.
SAF / CONGO Voice of America 06 May 1999 -- THE CONFLICT IN CONGO-KINSHASA WAS AT THE CENTER OF TALKS IN PRETORIA THURSDAY BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICAN DEPUTY PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI AND RWANDAN VICE PRESIDENT AND DEFENSE MINISTER PAUL KAGAME.
EAST TIMOR / RESOLUTION Voice of America 05 May 1999 -- INDONESIA AND PORTUGAL HAVE SIGNED AN ACCORD ON EAST TIMOR, PLEDGING TO LET THE PEOPLE OF THE FORMER PORTUGUESE COLONY DECIDE THEIR FUTURE POLITICAL STATUS IN A REFERENDUM IN THREE MONTHS' TIME. IN WASHINGTON, A GROUP OF U-S SENATORS WANTS PRESIDENT CLINTON TO PRESS INDONESIA TO DISARM PARAMILITARY GROUPS IN EAST TIMOR.
Agreement between The Republic of Indonesian and the Portuguese Republic on the Question of East Timor 05 May 1999
YEMEN SENTENCES Voice of America 05 May 1999 -- A COURT IN YEMEN HAS SENTENCED THREE ISLAMIC MILITANTS TO DEATH FOR KIDNAPPING 16 FOREIGN TOURISTS LAST YEAR. FOUR TOURISTS WERE KILLED IN A RESCUE ATTEMPT BY YEMENI AUTHORITIES.
SRI LANKA RECRUITS Voice of America 05 May 1999 -- THE SRI LANKAN ARMY HAS STARTED RECRUITING TAMIL YOUTH TO THE ARMED FORCES. IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE THE SRI LANKAN GOVERNMENT HAS MADE THIS KIND OF AN EFFORT.
AFGHAN/EXPLOSION Voice of America 05 May 1999 -- A SERIES OF EXPLOSIONS AT AN AMMUNITION DEPOT ROCKED THE AFGHAN CAPITAL, KABUL (WEDNESDAY) DAMAGING NEARBY BUILDINGS. AT LEAST ONE PERSON HAS BEEN KILLED AND AT LEAST EIGHT OTHERS INJURED.
U-N / TIMOR OVERNIGHTER Voice of America 04 May 1999 --INDONESIA AND PORTUGAL ARE SCHEDULED TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT ON EAST TIMOR TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) THAT WILL ALLOW THE TERRITORY'S 800 THOUSAND RESIDENTS TO VOTE ON THEIR FUTURE.
PRIVATE DIPLOMACY IN SUDAN Voice of America 04 May 1999 -- FORMAL DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS OVER MANY YEARS HAVE FAILED TO END THE LONG WAR IN SUDAN BETWEEN THE MUSLIM NORTH AND THE NON-MUSLIM SOUTH. SO PRIVATE, NON-GOVERNMENTAL GROUPS ARE OFFERING THEIR SERVICES.
FRANCE MERCENARY Voice of America 04 May 1999 -- BOB DENARD, A FRENCH MERCENARY CREDITED WITH INVOLVEMENT IN 18 COUPS D'ETAT IN AFRICA, WENT ON TRIAL IN PARIS TUESDAY FOR THE MURDER OF A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE COMORO ISLANDS.
SINN FEIN / MCGUINNESS Voice of America 04 May 1999 -- A LEADING CATHOLIC POLITICIAN FROM NORTHERN IRELAND WARNS THE PROVINCE'S STALLED PEACE PROCESS IS IN DANGER OF FAILING UNLESS STEPS ARE TAKEN TO SALVAGE THE EFFORT. MARTIN MCGUINNESS, THE CHIEF NEGOTIATOR FOR THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, MADE THE COMMENT TUESDAY IN WASHINGTON.
INDONESIA/ ACEH Voice of America 04 May 1999 -- THE HEAD OF THE INDONESIAN MILITARY HAS PROMISED A FULL INVESTIGATION INTO THE KILLING OF 23 CIVILIANS BY SOLDIERS IN THE PROVINCE OF ACEH. HEAVY MILITARY PRESENCE PATROLLED THE TOWN IN NORTHWESTERN INDONESIA, WHERE THE SHOOTINGS TOOK PLACE.
PAK / ANTI-TERRORISM LAW Voice of America 03 May 1999 -- PAKISTAN HAS ENACTED AN ANTI-TERRORIST LAW TO COMBAT AN INCREASE IN VIOLENCE AND CRIME. BUT THE LAW IS UNDER FIRE FROM HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS AND OPPOSITION PARTIES BECAUSE IT PLACES RESTRICTIONS ON STREET PROTESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS -- WHICH ARE CONSIDERED ACTS OF TERRORISM UNDER THE LAW.
WESTERN SAHARA PRISONERS Voice of America 03 May 1999 -- THE UNITED NATIONS HAS POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT YEAR A REFERENDUM ON THE FUTURE OF THE WESTERN SAHARA.
COLOMBIA REBELS Voice of America 03 May 1999 -- COLOMBIA WILL BEGIN FORMAL PEACE TALKS WITH LEFTIST REBELS THURSDAY. THE DECISION WAS ANNOUNCED AFTER A SURPRISE MEETING SUNDAY BETWEEN PRESIDENT ANDRES PASTRANA AND REBEL LEADER MANUEL MARULANDA.
FACT SHEET: DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DESCRIBES DEPLETED URANIUM USE Voice of America 03 May 1999