October 27, 1998 – BBC World Service – Newshour – BBC –
October 27, 1998 – Busy International day. It was official, newly elected Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder was confirmed in the Germany Parliament today. Gerhard Schröder (SPD) was elected as the first Federal Chancellor by a majority of SPD and Alliance 90/The Greens votes in the Bundestag. His chancellorship was defined by the NATO mission in Kosovo, the phasing out of nuclear power and the Agenda 2010 reforms.
During the elections to the Bundestag in 1998 the SPD and Alliance 90/The Greens won a majority in the Bundestag. Gerhard Schröder became the leader of the new SPD/Green coalition.
At home, the government reformed the tax system and nationality law, for instance. The phasing out of nuclear power and better promotion of renewable energies meant Schröder’s government set a new course in energy policy. The “Alliance for Work” comprising the government, employers and employees was successful in stemming the high rates of unemployment.
A little further east, in the former Yugoslavia, the situation in Kosovo was continuing to unfold. On 13 October 1998, following a deterioration of the situation, the NATO Council authorized Activation Orders for air strikes. This move was designed to support diplomatic efforts to make the Milosevic regime withdraw forces from Kosovo, cooperate in bringing an end to the violence and facilitate the return of refugees to their homes. At the last moment, following further diplomatic initiatives including visits to Belgrade by NATO’s Secretary General Solana, US Envoys Holbrooke and Hill, the Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, General Naumann, and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Clark, President Milosevic agreed to comply and the air strikes were called off.
And even further east: Russian President Boris Yeltsin was again the focus of attention in Moscow. The president cancelled a trip to Austria and checked himself into a sanatorium outside the capital. Aides said he was suffering from general exhaustion after a recent bout of bronchitis, but critics say he’s more seriously ill and should call it quits. While others quietly speculated Yeltsin was “drying out”. Whatever it was, Yeltsin was out of sight for at least the coming days.
All that, and so much more for this October 27, 1998 as presented by the BBC World Service’ Newshour.
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