AAP Internet Bulletin 0001 Sunday Feb 14, 1999

AAP General News (Australia)
02-14-1999
AAP Internet Bulletin 0001 Sunday Feb 14, 1999

[I][US KOSOVO]

US troop commitment for Kosovo

President Bill Clinton will announce today the United States is prepared to contribute
ground troops to a NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo if Serbs and ethnic Albanians agree to a
political settlement.

Clinton will discuss his plans in his weekly radio address, a senior administration
official said today.

Senator John Warner, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, hinted at Clinton's
decision.

"There's going to be a significant announcement by the president in his Saturday talk show
on Kosovo, what we're going to do," Warner said on CNN's "Larry King Live."

Warner said he had talked with Pentagon officials and Senate colleagues, and that the
Senate would be supportive.

Asked about Warner's comment, National Security Council spokesman David Leavy said Clinton,
in his radio address, would "continue his conversation with the American people about the US
National interests and the stakes in Kosovo."

Any decision to send US Troops would depend upon Serbs and ethnic Albanians reaching an
agreement to end their fighting, US officials said.

Mediators said that deep divisions between the Serbs and Kosovo Albanians persist on almost
all important issues.

"We are going to have to make a lot of progress in the days ahead," said US envoy
Christopher Hill, the chief mediator.

The parties have an informal deadline of February 20 for reaching an accord and Secretary
of State Madeleine Albright has flown to Paris to assess peace talks between the two sides.

Officials said it was not a foregone conclusion that there would be a settlement despite
the threat of NATO military intervention if one isn't reached.





[A][POLLNSW POWER][NSW]

Coalition to announce power plans

The New South Wales Opposition will today outline its plans for the State's electricity
industry in what will be the first major policy launch of the March 27 election.

Power privatisation remains a major difference between the Coalition and Labor, with
Premier Bob Carr's plans for a $25 billion sell-off quashed by his own party in 1997.

The Coalition, if it opts for privatisation, will outline the largest sell-off of its type
in Australian history.

The policy launch, by Deputy Opposition leader Ron Phillips, will also confirm whether the
coalition will offer a sweetner for the sale.

It's proposed a controversial plan to give every household in the state $1,000 in
electricity shares, at a cost of $3 billion.

Other proceeds from the sale are likely to be used to retire state debt and set up a fund
for rural infrastructure, like dams, roads and hospitals.





[S][OLY BRIBES COLES LEAD][OLY]

CBS explains hosting Coles on trip

Former CBS executive Rick Gentile, the man that Phil Coles cited as his host at the 1995
Superbowl, played down suggestions that the longtime Australian Olympic official had been
caught out claiming he was a guest of the American network.

"It's splitting hairs a bit," Gentile said today.

"Yes, CBS didn't literally host Mr Coles; we did not pay for airfares or anything, but we
did pass on (Superbowl) tickets to Mr Welch of the IOC, as we did to other corporate friends."

An article in yesterday's Sydney Morning Herald also highlighted Gentile's insistence that
he did not attend the Superbowl game, despite Coles' assertion that the CBS executive was
there as host.

Speaking to AAP in his Manhattan offices, Gentile, now an independent TV producer,
reiterated that he had watched the game on television from New York that year and not from the
stands alongside Coles in Miami.

However he said he had been in the CBS contingent dealing with the IOC party in the days
leading up to the game and concluded it wouldn't be a surprise if Olympic delegates assumed he
was at the game.

"In fact there were quite a few CBS executives at the Superbowl.

He (Coles) probably wrote my name down and remembered it as though I was there," he said.

"After all, I did see him at a dinner CBS held for the IOC party in the days before."

Gentile, an Olympics broadcasting veteran, said that while the wider IOC scandal "was
always going to come out sometime", he would be surprised if Coles' actions were to be
adjudged corrupt.





[A][RONA][QLD]

Beattie puts forward relief proposal

Areas affected by natural disasters may not be so badly off after future events if a
Queensland mitigation proposal gets the go ahead from Canberra.

As tropical north Queensland continued to clean up today after the battering of
category-three cyclone Rona, Premier Peter Beattie put a plan to Prime Minister John Howard
for a joint commonwealth/state disaster mitigation fund.

Under the proposal, local governments would get help to assess mitigation needs and set in
place appropriate strategies in a bid to minimise damage risks from future natural disasters.

This would translate to reduced funding outlays from the Natural Disaster Relief
Arrangements (NDRA) funding, Mr Beattie said.

Mr Beattie outlined his proposal to reporters as he inspected the Cairns region today.

The Premier had planned to inspect the area yesterday but had been unable to, partly
because emergency workers had required all available space on planes out of Brisbane.

Today, Mr Beattie congratulated emergency workers in Cairns and asked Mayor Tom Pyne to
pass on the state's commiserations for the losses suffered by the people of the region.

Rona battered the Cairns and Innisfail regions when it crossed the coast late on Thursday,
dumping more than 400mm of rain. Its destructive winds caused mostly environmental damage.

No injuries were reported but in the cyclone's wake 1,200 people were evacuated from their
homes in the northern suburbs of Cairns and 22 people were evacuated from parts of Innisfail.

Helicopters and boats were being used today to deliver food and medical supplies to areas
of Cairns isolated by floodwaters.





[I][US CLINTON]

Clinton acquitted but tarnished

US President Bill Clinton is campaigning for better relations with Congress and the nation
after his acquittal by the Senate.

The drive to oust him from office failed but seems destined to taint him as the second
president in history to be impeached.

"I hope all Americans here in Washington and throughout our land, will rededicate ourselves
to the work of serving our nation and building our future together," Clinton said in a brief,
low-key statement he read on Friday after the Senate acquitted him on charges of perjury and
obstruction of justice.

"This can be and this must be a time of reconciliation and renewal for America."

Republicans, battered by this latest defeat in a series of Clinton administration probes,
were happy to oblige.

"Let's move on. He won. He always wins," said Senator Bob Smith, who twice voted to convict
the president and remove him from office.





[A][POLLNSW LAND][NSW]

Parties trade blows on land tax

The two major New South Wales parties accused each other of secretly planning to introduce
a general property tax today, after Treasurer Michael Egan labelled the opposition's promise
of no tax on the family home a cover-up.

Opposition housing spokesman Peter Debnam announced yesterday the coalition would not tax
the family home, regardless of size, if it won government in March.

"Whether you live in Strathfield or a larger home in Camden, you will not be hit for land
tax if the coalition is elected on 27th March," Mr Debnam said in a statement.

A spokesman for Kerry Chikarovski told AAP this was official party policy. As opposition
leader she would elaborate on it at a land tax rally at the Wesley Centre tomorrow.

This contradicted an assertion by opposition legal affairs spokesman John Hannaford
yesterday that the coalition would revive the tax for big blocks abolished by the ALP in 1997.

Gearing up to make land tax a major election issue, Treasurer Michael Egan said Mr Debnam's
assurances "were just pure duplicity" and "simply an attempt at cover-up by the Liberals."

He said the opposition introduced the Land Tax Legislation Amendment (Protection of Private
Homes) Bill into parliament in April last year.

He produced documents to show it had been read once in Parliament and was listed on the
last Parliamentary notice paper dated February 9.

A Treasury briefing paper said the intent of the legislation was to repeal the luxury land
tax and reintroduce land tax on family homes sitting on blocks larger than 2,100 square
metres.

"They're now trying to pretend that they won't introduce this tax," Mr Egan told reporters
outside Parliament House.





[A][BABY][VIC]

Woman sought over baby disappearance

Victorian police were seeking a woman in connection with the disappearance of an
eight-day-old baby girl who is missing, following a suspicious house fire in Melbourne's east
yesterday.

Police hold grave fears for the welfare of the baby following the fire in Bellara Street,
Doncaster.

Police have already interviewed the mother and father of the missing child and said they
would now seeking a third person believed to be an acquaintance of the mother.

Detective Inspector Ray McCleod-Dryden said he could not release further details of the
woman being sought.

He said forensic experts were still at the scene, trying to determine if the baby had
perished in the fire or was missing.

Inspector McCleod-Dryden said police were following a number of leads in relation to the
missing child but officers were concerned for the baby's welfare.

"The mother was asleep at the time the fire started and when she woke, it appears she
couldn't find the baby and was disorientated," Inspector McCleod-Dryden said.

"Once the investigation has been conducted, we'll be in a better position to say what
happened.





[A][CHALLENGE][NSW]

Paddle against homelessness starts

Hundreds of enthusiasts are expected to take part in today's inaugural Harbour Challenge, a
canoeing event to raise awareness and support for the city's homeless.

Organisers Sydney City Mission said the challenge would include ten young people from the
mission's youth centre in Robertson in the Southern Highlands.

"Triple Care Farm caters for young people aged 15-21 with troubled backgrounds," mission
CEO Patrick McClure said.

"The unique three month program combines residential care in the southern highlands with
vocational training.

"Young people develop self reliance and living skills, enhancing their independence once
they leave the farm."

One of sport's most famous paddlers, iron man Guy Leech joins champion swimmer Kieren
Perkins, Olympic kayaker Clint Robinson, actor Steve Bisley and a group of breast cancer
sufferers in the four kilometre challenge.

Federal Sports Minister Jackie Kelly also would participate and officiate at the event.

Those taking part would use various craft, from dragon boats, Canadian touring canoes and
estuary kayaks to surf skis and outriggers.

Mr McClure said the event would begin from north western Putney near Ryde at 8.30am (AEDT),
with other paddlers joining in at 9.45am from inner western Glebe.

The event was expected to finish at Darling Harbour around 10.30am.





[T][TRI AUST][CRIK]

Lehmann proves a point to selectors

Darren Lehmann took his frustration at missing the upcoming West Indies cricket tour out on
the England attack to give the tourists a tough target in last night's second final of the tri
series.

Lehmann clubbed a powerful 71 off only 75 balls as Australia ended its 50 overs at 8-272.

It was fine knock from the big South Australian, who was bitterly disappointed earlier in
the week at missing out on a place in the 15 man squad which will play four Test in the
Carribbean.

His cutting and driving was again a feature of his innings but he also showed a willingness
to loft over the infield although hitting just four boundaries during his stay.

Rain again threatened the match yesterday but play began at 2.45pm, just 15 minutes after
the scheduled starting time, as the showers finally cleared away.

But Australia, looking to clinch the best of three finals series following its thrilling
ten run victory in Sydney on Wednesday night, made a disastrous start when Mark Waugh fell in
just the fifth over for one.

Waugh, who has made seven half centuries in the series, fended Darren Gough straight to
Graeme Hick at second slip to give England a dream start.

But two big partnerships, firstly an 81 run stand between Adam Gilchrist (52 off 64 balls)
and Ricky Ponting (37 off 43 balls) and then 112 for the fourth wicket between Lehmann and
Damien Martyn (57 off 80 balls) ensured England a difficult chase for victory.

And even when Lehmann finally departed Stuart Law and Shane Lee kept the runs flowing with
both making 20 not out with Lee striking Alan Mullally for successive sixes in the final over.

Should England succeed in its run chase then a third final will be played at the MCG
tonight.





[T][GOLF AUST NORMAN][GOLF]

Practice may make Greg perfect

An afternoon practising in the rain may yet win Greg Norman his seventh Ericsson Masters
title.

The former world No.1 spent much of Friday hitting practice balls and getting wet in an
attempt to sort out a problem he detected while he was shooting a five-under par 68 in the
second round of the Masters at Huntingdale.

So he adjourned to the practice ground after walking off the course and returned yesterday
to shoot an immaculate 66 in the third round.

"I hit balls in the rain all afternoon and it sorted things out," Norman said.

Norman's seven under par third round set up a tantalising match between the man who "owns"
Huntingdale and the kid who virtually lives there.

Norman will partner local hero Craig Spence in today's final round after the youngster shot
a 69 today to be 13 under, two shots ahead of the six-time Masters champion.

Spence, a Huntingdale member, has led since the opening round in which he shot a course
record 64.

He parred the second round to lead going into today and survived all the pressures to
increase his advantage.

But his biggest test is yet to come with the formidable task of playing off for the
championship with Australia's finest golfer.

For Norman, who began the second round 10 shots off the lead, the comeback has been
amazing.





[T][CUP NSW][CRIK]

WA in danger of missing semi-finals

Even Tom Moody can't remember the last time Western Australia missed out on the one-day
cricket semi-finals.

It certainly hasn't happened in the last ten years, and it won't happen this season if
Moody has his way in what could be his last hurrah in the Mercantile Mutual Cup.

WA is currently fifth on five points and must beat New South Wales at the SCG today in
their final round match to make the top four.

NSW, third on six points, can finish anywhere from first to fourth.

If the Blues win they will host a semi-final, having beaten Queensland (eight points).

If Victoria loses to Tasmania in Hobart today, it will finish first.

Moody holds records for most games (62) and most wickets (65) in the domestic competition
and is third on the run list with 1,703 behind Tasmanian skipper David Boon (1,725) and former
Victorian great Dean Jones (2,122).

The 33-year-old is undecided on his future but wants a win today.

"We've been in this position before but we're just starting to run into some form," Moody
said.

"The Blues have always been a very tough opposition and we're going to have to produce our
best cricket to beat them (in Sydney)."



[I][SINGAPORE VALENTINE][ASIA]

No Valentines, Muslims told

Singapore Muslims have been advised by their religious leaders not to celebrate Valentine's
Day today because of its non-Islamic origins.

The advice is despite the modern commercialisation of dining out and buying flowers,
presents, candy or card for one's sweetheart.

St Valentine was a third century Christian priest and martyr in Rome who was put to death
because he performed marriage ceremonies for Roman soldiers, who were supposed to remain
single.

For centuries, February 14 has been marked as a day for lovers to express their affection
for each other and may have originated with a Roman festival.

"While we are asked to respect other religions, we should not imitate them," Murat Mohammed
Aris, manger of the office of Singapore's mufti, said in an interview.

He warned that young Muslim couples who go out for Valentine's Day may get caught up in the
romantic mood and risk overstepping the bounds of Islamic morality. That was especially so for
unmarried couples, who are required under Islam to have a third party with them, he said.

"We had Muslims calling us to ask if they can celebrate Valentine's Day, as well as
feedback from a few parents saying that their children are celebrating it," Murat told The
Straits Times.

"So we thought that we might as well clear up the confusion."

"Although the slant of Valentine's Day now has become more commercialised than religious,
it is still an event which has non-Islamic roots, and it is not permissible for Muslims to
participate in it," Murat said.

A letter from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore advising against participation was
published yesterday in the Malay-language newspaper Berita Herian.

Malays, who are mostly Muslim, comprise 14 per cent of the population in Chinese-majority
Singapore.

KEYWORD: NETNEWS 0001

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