Voice of America, 1 September 1995

From: [email protected] (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: EVENTS IN BOSNIA CONTINUE TO BE A MAJOR TOPIC DISCUSSED ON THE EDITORIAL PAGES AND COMMENTARY SECTIONS OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS. OTHER SUBJECTS TODAY (FRIDAY) INCLUDE THE WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IN CHINA, AND DEVELOPMENTS IN AFRICA. NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT THESE AND OTHER MATTERS OF JOURNALISTIC INTEREST IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: ACCORDING TO NEWS REPORTS, NATO WARPLANES HAVE MADE "OVER 400 SORTIES" IN BOSNIA, IN AN EFFORT TO CONVINCE BOSNIAN SERBS TO STOP FIGHTING. RICHARD HOLBROOKE, U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE, IS IN BELGRADE SEEKING TO REOPEN PEACE NEGOTIATIONS TO SETTLE THE CONFLICT. ON THURSDAY, HE TOLD REPORTERS THAT THERE WERE "ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT" ADVANCES IN THE TALKS. HOWEVER, MR. HOLBROOKE ADDED THAT "TOUGH WORK REMAINS AHEAD." COMMENTING ON THE NATO ACTION, THE NEW YORK POST HEADS ITS LEAD EDITORIAL: "MAY THE MISSION END SOON."

VOICE: "WE CONTINUE TO HARBOR PROFOUND DOUBTS ABOUT WHETHER ANY LASTING GOOD WILL COME OF THE NATO AIR STRIKES INTERMITTENTLY UNDER WAY IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. BUT YOUNG U-S FLIERS ARE GOING INTO HARM'S WAY ON A REGULAR BASIS NOW; THEY HAVE OUR UNSWERVING SUPPORT -- AND, WE TRUST, THAT OF THE NATION AS A WHOLE. TO BE SURE, THE BOSNIAN SERB GUNNERS DUG IN AROUND SARAJEVO AND ITS ENVIRONS DESERVE WHATEVER NATO WARPLANES CAN INFLICT UPON THEM -- AND THEN SOME. AND IF THE ATTACKS IN FACT RESULT IN NEGOTIATIONS WHICH -- IN TURN -- LEAD TO A PERMANENT PEACE IN THE BALKANS, THAT WOULD BE TERRIFIC. WE SUSPECT, HOWEVER, THAT THE PASSIONS NOW ABROAD IN THAT UNHAPPY LAND -- THEY ARE ROOTED DEEPLY IN HISTORY AND HAVE BEEN STIRRED BY NEARLY FOUR YEARS OF SAVAGE CIVIL WAR -- WILL OUTLAST NATO'S RESOLVE. AND, NOT TO BELABOR THE OBVIOUS, AERIAL ASSAULT HAS NEVER PROVED DECISIVE IN MOUNTAIN WARFARE. GROUND TROOPS ARE INDEED THE ULTIMATE WEAPON IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES -- AND WE HOPE AND PRAY THAT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS NO PLANS THAT COULD EVENTUALLY INVOLVE U-S HISTORY."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES, ON ITS EDITORIAL PAGE, CALLS FOR THE LIFTING OF THE BOSNIAN ARMS EMBARGO.

VOICE: "ONE COULD CERTAINLY APPRECIATE SENATOR BOB DOLE'S SENTIMENT ON HEARING ABOUT THE RETALIATORY NATO BOMBING RAIDS ON SERB POSITIONS THIS WEEK. IT WAS, MR. DOLE SAID, 'THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD' THAT NATO FINALLY RESPONDED WITH FORCE AFTER ALL THIS TIME AND ALL THESE PROVOCATIONS. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD GIVEN UP HOPE THAT NATO LEADERSHIP WOULD EVER FIND THE HEART TO OPPOSE WITH SIGNIFICANT FORCE THE SOURCE OF AGGRESSION IN THE BALKAN WAR. MR. DOLE'S NEXT IMPULSE, HOWEVER, IS LESS EASY TO UNDERSTAND. THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER STATED, 'I AM WILLING TO CONSIDER POSTPONING SENATE ACTION IF THE RECENT WESTERN ATTACKS PROVE TO BE PART OF A NEW AND EFFECTIVE POLICY WHICH LEADS TO A JUST AND LASTING PEACE SETTLEMENT', ADDING THAT HE WAS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE PROSPECTS. A NUMBER OF MR. DOLE'S SENATE COLLEAGUES HASTENED TO REGISTER THEIR DISAGREEMENT, AND THEY ARE RIGHT. THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO LET UP THE PRESSURE ON THE SERBIAN LEADERSHIP ... IF ANYTHING WILL EVER GET THEM TO THE POINT OF A PEACEFUL AND SOMEWHAT EQUITABLE SOLUTION, IT WILL BE THE FACT THAT THEIR STRATAGEMS WILL BE OPPOSED BY A WELL-PREPARED BOSNIAN ARMY, BACKED BY NATO AIR POWER."

TEXT: AND, TRUDY RUBIN, WHOSE COLUMN APPEARS ON THE COMMENTARY PAGE OF TODAY'S PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, SAYS THAT "THE ASTONISHING EVENTS IN BOSNIA THIS WEEK SHOW HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE A LITTLE LEADERSHIP FROM THE WHITE HOUSE CAN STILL MAKE IN GLOBAL POLITICS." SHE ADDS:

VOICE: "IT'S NOT CLEAR YET WHETHER THE POLICY WILL WORK (OR WHETHER PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL FOLLOW IT THROUGH). BUT, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS, THERE IS A CHANCE THAT A PEACE SETTLEMENT WILL EMERGE FROM THE BOSNIAN WRECKAGE. THE REASON: A U-S PRESIDENT FINALLY SEEMS COMMITTED TO ENDING THE FIGHTING AND BROKERING PEACE."

TEXT: THE UNITED NATIONS FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN OPENS NEXT WEEK IN BEIJING. THE NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS MEETING IS ALREADY UNDERWAY OUTSIDE THE CHINESE CAPITAL. CAL THOMAS, WHOSE SYNDICATED COLUMN APPEARS IN NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES -- INCLUDING THE BALTIMORE SUN -- OFFERS THIS OPINION OF THE INTERNATIONAL GATHERING.

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON IS SUPPORTING A DELEGATION AND A CONFERENCE THAT SEEKS TO REDEFINE 'FAMILY' AS WE KNOW IT. THE COVER OF HUMAN RIGHTS FOR WOMEN IS USED TO ADVANCE A RADICAL AGENDA ... MARRIAGE IS NO LONGER CONSIDERED A COOPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP, BUT A COMPETITIVE ENTANGLEMENT IN WHICH RIVALS BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY IN THE HOME ... THE WORD 'GENDER' IS LEFT OPEN TO INTERPRETATION, WITH AS MANY AS FIVE UNDER CONSIDERATION. THE IDEA THAT THERE ARE ONLY TWO -- MALE AND FEMALE -- IS APPARENTLY PASSE, SAID TO RESULT FROM 'SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED ROLES WHICH SOCIETY ASSIGNS TO MEN AND WOMEN' ... THE BEIJING WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IS GOING TO BE 'TRUE BLUE TO FAMILIES', AS THE PRESIDENT CLAIMS? NOT TO ANY FAMILIES MOST AMERICANS LIVE IN OR KNOW. THIS IS THE MOST RADICAL ATTEMPT YET TO USE THE POWER OF GOVERNMENT TO ENFORCE AN OUTRAGEOUS SOCIAL ORDER ON A WORLD THAT IS ALREADY SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES OF A BOGUS AND WRONG-HEADED PHILOSOPHY PLANTED BY THE FLOWER CHILDREN OF THE '60S."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES, ON ITS EDITORIAL PAGE, QUESTIONS THE ROLE OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AT THE WOMEN'S GATHERING. THE TIMES NOTES THAT, IN ITS WORDS, "CHINA'S LUDICROUS EFFORT TO RESTRICT DEMONSTRATIONS...BROKE DOWN ALMOST AS SOON AS NON-GOVERNMENT PARTICIPANTS ASSEMBLED YESTERDAY." THE PAPER ADDS THAT "THERE IS NO PLACE FOR CENSORSHIP AT AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE LIKE THIS."

VOICE: "AT FIRST CHINA SAW ITS ROLE IN THE CONFERENCE AS A WAY TO ADVERTISE ITS RECENT ECONOMIC GAINS AND ITS DETERMINATION TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE PLACE IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS. THAT SEEMED EVEN MORE IMPORTANT AFTER HUMAN RIGHTS PROBLEMS COST CHINA ITS CHANCE TO STAGE THE 2000 OLYMPICS. BUT LATER CHINESE LEADERS BEGAN TO PANIC ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN AS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF EXPERIENCED POLITICAL ACTIVISTS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE WORLD'S PRESS DESCENDED ON BEIJING. THE CLUMSY AND REPRESSIVE STEPS THAT FOLLOWED REINFORCE THE VIEW THAT THE OLYMPICS SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE MADE EXACTLY THE RIGHT CALL. UNITED NATIONS AUTHORITIES, FOR THEIR PART, SHOULD HAVE STEPPED IN EARLIER TO CHALLENGE CHINA'S APPROACH TO CONFERENCE PLANNING. IT MAKES GOOD SENSE TO HOLD THE FOURTH WORLD WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IN A COUNTRY THAT IS HOME TO ONE-FIFTH OF THE WORLD'S WOMEN -- PROVIDED THAT THOSE WOMEN GET A CHANCE TO HEAR AND SEE THE PROCEEDINGS."

TEXT: TURNING TO AFRICA, THE WASHINGTON POST EDITORIALIZES THAT "THE REASON RWANDA IS SO TOUGH IS THAT IT'S THE ONE INSTANCE OF GENOCIDAL WAR IN WHICH THE VICTIMS OF GENOCIDE FINALLY WON."

VOICE: "THE HUTU PERPETRATORS OF LAST YEAR'S ETHNIC SLAUGHTER WERE FINALLY DEFEATED AND FLED, PRINCIPALLY TO ZAIRE. THIS LEFT THE TUTSIS AS TRAUMATIZED POWER-HOLDERS INSISTING ON DOING 'JUSTICE' TO HUTUS, AND THE HUTUS AS AN ARMED FORCE IN NEARBY EXILE WAITING TO RETURN AND 'FINISH THE WORK' OF KILLING TUTSIS. THIS IS THE UNFORGIVING POLITICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TERRAIN ON WHICH THE RWANDESE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO BUILD A LIFE ... THE SHORT-TERM ANSWER LIES IN DRAWING REFUGEES AWAY FROM THEIR MILITARY BOSSES IN ZAIRE AND IN SEEING TO THEIR INCREASED SECURITY BACK HOME IN RWANDA ... THE LONG-TERM ANSWER LIES IN STRENGTHENING POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL INSTITUTIONS -- THE WHOLE POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL HABIT. AN IDEA IS GETTING UP STEAM TO CALL A COMPREHENSIVE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR RWANDA AND ITS AFFECTED NEIGHBORS ON THE MODEL OF THE MADRID CONFERENCE THAT LAUNCHED MIDEAST PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. IT IS A LONG SHOT. BUT THERE ARE ONLY LONG SHOTS IN RWANDA."

TEXT: THE ATLANTA JOURNAL/CONSTITUTION COMMENTS ON ANOTHER COUNTRY IN THE REGION.

VOICE: "ONCE ONE OF THE BRIGHTEST HOPES OF THE NEW AFRICAN NATIONS, NIGERIA HAS STAGNATED ECONOMICALLY AND MORALLY UNDER MILITARY RULE. THOUGH THEIR COUNTRY IS BLESSED WITH RICH OIL RESERVES, NIGERIANS' PER CAPITA INCOME HAS DIPPED BELOW THAT OF HAITIANS, THE POOREST PEOPLE IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. NIGERIA IS BECOMING FAMOUS -- MAKE THAT INFAMOUS -- FOR ANOTHER EXPORT AS WELL: NARCOTICS. BUT GEN. SANI ABACHA, NIGERIA'S CURRENT AND BY ALL ACCOUNTS MOST CORRUPT AND BRUTAL DICTATOR DURING ITS 25 YEARS OF MILITARY RULE, MUST SENSE THAT THE WORLD'S PATIENCE IS RUNNING THIN. [OPT] THE UNITED STATES, FOR INSTANCE, HAS BEEN LEERY OF ABACHA SINCE HE TOOK POWER IN A 1993 COUP, AND HAS SHOWN ITS DISAPPROVAL BY ENDING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, TERMINATING COMMERCIAL AIR LINKS AND CANCELLING CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGES. EVEN MORE DRASTIC ACTION MAY BE NECESSARY." [END OPT]

TEXT: A GROUP OF CUBAN-EXILES IS PLANNING TO SAIL TOMORROW TO THE EDGE OF CUBA'S 12-MILE TERRITORIAL WATERS ZONE. THE MIAMI POST REMINDS READERS THAT AN EARLIER GROUP, CONSISTING OF "A HANDFUL OF RECREATIONAL VESSELS", MADE A TRIP IN JULY TO PAY RESPECTS TO THE 41 PEOPLE, "INCLUDING 23 CHILDREN, WHO DROWNED LAST YEAR WHEN CUBAN FIRE BOATS SANK THE TUGBOAT 13 DE MARZO IN WHICH THE VICTIMS WERE FLEEING."

VOICE: "THE ORGANIZERS, WHO AREN'T AFFILIATED WITH ANY ESTABLISHED ANTI-CASTRO GROUP, ARE COMMITTED TO NONVIOLENCE. THEY WANT THIS FLOTILLA TO DRAW ATTENTION TO CUBAN TOURISM, WHICH DISCRIMINATES AGAINST THE ISLAND'S NATIVES. ORGANIZERS SAY THAT THEY WILL STAY OUTSIDE THE 12-MILE LIMIT. THEY SHOULD. CAUTION DIMINISHES THE RISK OF SENSELESS TRAGEDY. BUT THAT WON'T PLACATE HAVANA'S SUSCEPTIBLE DICTATOR. NONVIOLENCE UNSETTLES CASTRO. HE SLANDERS FLOTILLA ORGANIZERS, CALLING THEM 'THUGS' AND 'PROVOCATEURS' WHO ARE PART OF AN UNDERCOVER 'DIRTY WAR'. THE EXILES MUST BE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT."

TEXT: AND, THE BOSTON GLOBE, COMMENTING ON DOMESTIC POLITICS, SAYS THAT "A THIRD FRONT HAS OPENED IN THE 1996 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: POTENTIAL INDEPENDENT OR THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATES HAVE EARNED AS MUCH ATTENTION WITH THEIR ARTFUL MANEUVERINGS AS HAVE THE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PARTISANS."

VOICE: "WHETHER THIS DEVELOPMENT IS GOOD OR BAD, SIGNIFICANT OR ONLY A MOMENTARY SIDESHOW, WILL DEPEND MORE ON THE ACTIONS OF PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS THAN ON THE DEEDS OF BILL BRADLEY, COLIN POWER, LOWELL WEICKER, ROSS PEROT, JESSE JACKSON AND PERHAPS OTHERS. OPTIMALLY, CLINTON AND THE REPUBLICANS WILL FASHION SUCH CLEAR AND POSITIVE CHOICES FOR THE NATION THAT NO ONE WILL FEEL THE NEED TO LOOK ELSEWHERE. BUT THEY SURE HAVEN'T YET .... THERE IS A DANGER THAT THE THIRD-PARTY MOVEMENT WILL CAPITALIZE ON LEGITIMATE FRUSTRATIONS WITHOUT FORMULATING CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVES -- NO EASY TASK. STILL, IT IS WORTH HAVING A CHOICE IF BOTH MAJOR PARTIES ABDICATE. IF A POTENTIALLY VIABLE INDEPENDENT CANDIDACY COMPELS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TO MAKE PROGRESS INSTEAD OF NOISE, IT WILL PERFORM A VALUABLE SERVICE."

[ END OPT ]

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES OUR REVIEW OF MAJOR TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THE EDITORAL COLUMNS OF AMERICA'S LEADING DAILY NEWSPAPERS THIS FIRST DAY OF SEPTEMBER. NEB/DN/PCH

01-Sep-95 10:28 AM EDT (1428 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT !!!

YUGO / TALKS -- AN AMERICAN ENVOY INVOLVED IN SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, IS HOLDING WHAT HE CALLS SERIOUS AND SUBSTANTIVE TALKS ON A BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT WITH THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC NEAR BELGRADE. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (9/1)

BOSNIA / SILAJDZIC -- BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT IS WILLING TO GRANT THE BOSNIAN SERBS A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY. BUT HE HAS REJECTED THE IDEA OF A FORMAL LINK BETWEEN SERB CONTROLLED TERRITORY IN BOSNIA AND THE GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE. CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING IN BONN REPORTS MR SILAJDZIC TOLD REPORTERS BOSNIA'S SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE. (9/1)

BOSNIA / BOMBING / 4TH UPDATE -- NATO AIR ATTACKS IN BOSNIA HAVE BEEN PUT ON HOLD WHILE A SENIOR UN COMMANDER MEETS WITH THE BOSNIAN ARMY COMMANDER TO DISCUSS UN AND NATO DEMANDS THAT THE BOSNIAN SERBS CEASE ATTACKS ON SARAJEVO. BUT STRINGER DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS UN ARTILLERY HAS CONTINUED FIRING AT BOSNIAN SERB POSITIONS AROUND THE CITY. (9/1)

BOSNIA / BOMBING HALT -- NATO AND THE UNITED NATIONS HAVE TEMPORARILY STOPPED AIR AND ARTILLERY ATTACKS ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS, WHILE THE UN'S MILITARY COMMANDER MEETS WITH THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY COMMANDER. THEY ARE DISCUSSING NATO AND UN DEMANDS THAT THE BOSNIAN SERBS CEASE ATTACKS ON SARAJEVO. STRINGER DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL. (9/1)

BOSNIA / BOMBING -- NATO AIRSTRIKES AND UN ARTILLERY ATTACKS ON BOSNIAN SERB POSITIONS HAVE NOW ENTERED THEIR THIRD DAY, AND THERE ARE GROWING SIGNS THE BOSNIAN SERBS WILL COMPLY WITH UN DEMANDS TO REMOVE HEAVY WEAPONS FROM AROUND SARAJEVO. STRINGER DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL. (9/1)

RUSSIA / YUGO -- RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI KOZYREV IS PLAYING DOWN RUSSIAN CRITICISM OF NATO AIRSTRIKES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. MEANWHILE, AS CORRESPONDENT ELIZABETH ARROTT REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, RUSSIA SAYS IT HAS RECEIVED FRENCH BACKING FOR ITS PROPOSED SUMMIT ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, POSSIBLY NARROWING THE GAP BETWEEN RUSSIA AND ITS WESTERN ALLIES ON THE BALKAN WAR. (9/1)

NATO AIRSTRIKES / WHY NOW? -- REPORTER PAMELA TAYLOR EXAMINES WHAT LED UP TO THE DECISION TO LAUNCH AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS NOW AND NOT BEFORE. INCLUDES INTERVIEWS WITH US AMBASSADOR TO NATO IN BRUSSELS, ROBERT HUNTER, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PROFESSOR JOHN MIERSCHEIMER, AND BALKAN ANALYST OBRAD KESIC OF IREX IN WASHINGTON. (9/1)

BOSNIA / WHAT CHANCE DIPLOMACY? -- REPORTER PAMELA TAYLOR LOOKS AT WHAT DIPLOMATS AND CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE CHANCES FOR SUCCESS OF THE NEW US LED PEACE INITIATIVE FOR THE BALKANS. COMMENTS BY US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE AND BOSNIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMED SACIRBEY PLUS AN INTERVIEW WITH HISTORY PROFESSOR ROBERT DANIELS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT. (9/1)

US ENVOY / BELGRADE -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE SAYS THAT PEACE TALKS ON BOSNIA ARE SOON TO BEGIN. STRINGER JADRANKA KRONJA REPORTS THAT MR.HOLBROOKE HAILED THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THAT HE WILL NEGOTIATE ON BEHALF OF BOSNIAN SERBS. (CROATIAN 9/1)

BOSNIA / BELGRADE REACTION -- THE INDEPENDENT MEDIA IN BELGRADE SPECULATES THAT THE ANNOUNCED AGREEMENT BETWEEN BOSNIAN SERBS AND BELGRADE HAS NOT BEEN MADE COMPLETELY PUBLIC. STRINGER JADRANKA KRONJA REPORTS THAT THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION IS STILL SUPPORTING AGREEMENT. (CROATIAN 9/1)

BOSNIA / AIR STRIKES -- STRINGER VLADO BILIC QUOTES BOSNIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MUHAMED SACIRBEGOVIC AS SAYING THAT A HALT OF THE AIR STRIKES MIGHT ENCOURAGE THE SERBS TO ATTACK AGAIN. BILIC REPORTS THAT A UN MILITARY SPOKEWOMAN IN SARAJEVO SAID THE STOPPAGE DOES NOT APPLY TO THE RAPID REACTION FORCE. (CROATIAN 9/1)

SARAJEVO / MT IGMAN -- GROUP OF REPORTERS VISITED MT. IGMAN, THE ONLY REMAINING LAND ACCESS TO SARAJEVO. AMONG THEM STRINGER LINDA MILISA. SHE REPORTS THAT GENERAL ANDRE SOUBROU, COMMANDER OF THE MULTINATIONAL RAPID REACTION FORCES FOR BOSNIA HELD HIS FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE OCCASION. HE BRIEFED REPORTERS ABOUT JOINT ATTACKS BY NATO AND RRF ON THE SERBIAN POSITIONS IN BOSNIA. (CROATIAN 9/1)

GERMANY / BOSNIA / GENOCIDE CONFERENCE -- MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED EXPERTS, POLITICIANS AND JOURNALISTS ARE ATTENDING THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GENOCIDE IN BOSNIA OPENED IN BONN ON THURSDAY. THE GOAL OF THE CONFERENCE, SPONSORED BY THE GERMAN SOCIETY FOR ENDANGERED NATIONS, A NON-PROFIT PRIVATE ORGANIZATION, IS TO STUDY GENOCIDE FROM VARIOUS ASPECTS, AND TO GIVE A POLITICAL ASSESSMENT OF IT. STRINGER IVICA LOVRIC REPORTS. (CROATIAN 9/1)

BOSNIA / GENOCIDE -- EXPERTS ON GENOCIDE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA ARE MEETING IN BONN, GERMANY, FOR THE SECOND DAY. STRINGER IVICA LOVRIC REPORTS THAT THE VICAR FROM BANJA LUKA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, MILJENKO ANICIC TOLD THE AUDIENCE THAT OUT OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND CASTHOLICS FOUR YEARS AGO, ONLY 6000 REMAIN IN HIS PARISH. (CROATIAN 9/1)

SARAJEVO / NATO ATTACKS -- A BOSNIAN OFFICIAL SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT WILL INSIST ON THE REMOVAL OR DISMANTLING OF SERB ARTILLERY POSITIONS AROUND SARAJEVO DURING THE CURRENT NATO OPERATIONS. IN THE MEANTIME, BOSNIAN SERB LEADER R KARAZDIC EXPRESSED HOPE THAT THE NATO MILITARY ACTION WOULD NOT DERAIL PEACE PROCESS. STRINGER B KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 8/31)

BELGRADE / PALE AGREEMENT -- MOST POLITICAL PARTIES IN SERBIA REACTED FAVORABLY TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BELGRADE AND PALE ABOUT FORMING COMMON DELEGATION FOR PEACE TALKS ON BOSNIA. HOWEVER, LEADER EXPECT VERY DIFFERENT RESULTS FROM THE PEACE TALKS. STRINGER M. KUBUROVIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 8/31)

TUDJMAN / HOLBROOKE -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE, R HOLBROOKE WELCOMED THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BELGRADE AND PALE. AFTER HIS TALKS IN ZAGREB WITH CROATIAN PRESIDENT F TUDJMAN, MR HOLBROOKE STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROCEDURAL BREAKTHROUGH FOR THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT BOSNIA. STRINGER S SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 8/31)

ODOM / NATO ATTACK -- THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, WILLIAM ODOM TALKED ABOUT NATO ACTION AGAINST BOSNIAN SERB POSITIONS AND THE CHANCES FOR REVIVING THE PEACE PROCESS IN AN INTERVIEW WITH OUR STAFFER D MILIC. MR ODOM SAID THAT BRINGING BOSNIAN MUSLIMS TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE COULD PROVE AS DIFFICULT AS CONVINCING THE BOSNIAN SERBS. (SERBIAN 8/31)

BURG / NATO / BOSNIA -- POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT BRENDEIS UNIVERSITY, STEPHEN BURG COMMENTED ON NATO OPERATIONS AGAINST BOSNIAN SERBS IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER D MILIC. HE CLAIMED THAT LATEST NATO ACTION, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BRING BOSNIAN SERBS TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, WOULD PROBABLY ENCOURAGE BOSNIAN MUSLIM GOVERNMENT TO RESIST PEACE TALKS. (SERBIAN 8/31)

EUROPEAN UNION / SPAIN / BOSNIA -- REPORTER JOHN PITMAN SPEAKS TO JESUS ATIENSA, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTRY, ABOUT THE DEATHS OF THREE SPANISH EU MONITORS IN BOSNIA. HE GOES OVER THE STATEMENT MADE BY SPANISH FM JAVIER SOLANA THIS MORNING, REPEATING MADRID'S BELIEF THAT THE MONITORS WERE KILLED BY BOSNIAN SERB GUNFIRE, NOT NATO BOMBS. HE SAYS IT IS UP TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO PROVE THEIR INNOCENCE. HE ALSO TALKS ABOUT WHAT THE MONITORS WERE DOING. AT THE TIME OF THEIR DEATHS, THEY WERE OPERATING NEAR DUBROVNIK TO TRY TO SPARE THE CITY FROM MASSIVE SHELLING. (ENP 8/31)

NATO / BOSNIA -- MILAN REBAN OF NORTH TEXAS UNIVERSITY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT NATO STRIKES AGAINST BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE FINALLY SHOWN THAT NATO WILL NOT TOLERATE AGRESSION AGAINST CIVILIANS AND MAY PROMPT THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO BE MORE REALISTIC IN NEGOTIATIONS. HOWEVER HE CAUTIONS THAT MUCH DEPENDS ON THE INTERNAL POLITICS IN THE YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC. NEW YORK CORRESPONDENT ALEXANDER BATCHAN REPORTS. (RUSSIAN 8/31)

FRANCE / BOSNIA -- FRANCE, ALONG WITH BRITAIN HAS SAID IT SUPPORTS THE RECENT NATO AIR STRIKES ON SERB POSITIONS. FRENCH TO AFRICA'S STAFFER JEAN-CLAUDE ANDRE SPOKE WITH YVES DUTRIO, SPOKESPERSON FOR FRANCE'S FOREIGN MINISTRY WHO DEFINED FRANCE'S UNDERSTANDING OF NATO AND THE UN'S OBJECTIVES IN THE STRIKES. (FRENCH 8/31) 01-Sep-95 5:29 PM EDT (2129 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA / BOMBING (S / 4TH UPDATE RERUN 2) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: NATO AIR ATTACKS IN BOSNIA HAVE BEEN PUT ON HOLD WHILE A SENIOR U-N COMMANDER MEETS WITH THE BOSNIAN ARMY COMMANDER TO DISCUSS U-N AND NATO DEMANDS THAT THE BOSNIAN SERBS END ATTACKS ON SARAJEVO. BUT DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS U-N ARTILLERY HAS CONTINUED FIRING AT BOSNIAN SERB POSITIONS AROUND THE CITY. DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS

TEXT: U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE MEETING BETWEEN THE SENIOR U-N COMMANDER, GENERAL BERNARD JANVIER, AND BOSNIAN SERB ARMY COMMANDER RATKO MLADIC IS CONTINUING. THEY SAY AIRSTRIKES WILL RESUME ONLY AFTER NATO AND U-N OFFICIALS EVALUATE ANY RESULTS OF THEIR TALKS.

NATO AND U-N OFFICIALS INSIST THE BOSNIAN SERBS MUST END THE THREAT TO SARAJEVO'S CIVILIANS. BUT THERE MAY BE ADDITIONAL DEMANDS, INCLUDING THE OPENING OF AID ROUTES INTO THE CITY, THE RE-OPENING OF THE CITY'S AIRPORT, AND AN END TO ATTACKS ON OTHER U-N - DECLARED SAFE AREAS.

BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE CRITICIZED THE PAUSE IN AIRSTRIKES, SAYING IT WILL SLOW THE NEW MOMENTUM TOWARD PEACE IN THE REGION.

BUT U-N ARTILLERY HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE AROUND SARAJEVO IN THE HOURS SINCE THE PAUSE WAS DECLARED. U-N OFFICIALS SAY NATO AIRCRAFT OVER SARAJEVO SPOTTED A LARGE BOSNIAN SERB ROCKET BOMB LAUNCHER NEAR THE CITY, AND U-N BIG GUNS SHELLED THE POSTION. ANOTHER SERB GUN POSTION WAS ALSO ATTACKED, AND AN S-A-6 SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE-LAUNCHING VEHICLE WAS SHELLED IN A BOSNIAN SERB SUBURB OF THE CITY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/JWH/MMK
01-Sep-95 12:31 PM EDT (1631 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA / SILAJDZIC (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT IS WILLING TO GRANT THE BOSNIAN SERBS A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY. BUT HE HAS REJECTED THE IDEA OF A FORMAL LINK BETWEEN SERB CONTROLLED TERRITORY IN BOSNIA AND THE GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE. V-O-A'S KYLE KING IN BONN REPORTS MR. SILAJDZIC TOLD REPORTERS BOSNIA'S SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER SILAJDZIC SAYS BOSNIA HAS ALREADY MADE A MAJOR CONCESSION BY AGREEING TO DISCUSS CHANGES IN THE CONTACT GROUP PEACE PLAN THAT WOULD GIVE THE SERBS CONTROL OF NEARLY HALF OF BOSNIA. BUT, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT A CONFERENCE ON GENOCIDE IN BOSNIA, MR. SILAJDZIC RULED OUT ANY FORMAL LINK BETWEEN THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND THE GOVERNMENT OF SERBIA.

MR. SILAJDZIC SAID A CONFEDERATION WITH SERBIA, WHICH HE LABELED THE AGGRESSOR, AND THE PEOPLE WHO COMMITTED GENOCIDE WILL NOT HAPPEN.

ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT YET KNOWN WHAT CHANGES WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE TO THE CONTACT GROUP PEACE PLAN BEFORE ALL THE PARTIES WOULD ACCEPT IT, DIPLOMATS SAY A NEW U-S PEACE INITIATIVE INCORPORATES THE IDEA OF A CONFEDERATION BETWEEN BOSNIAN SERB CONTROLLED TERRITORY AND SERBIA.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTACT GROUP ARE TO DISCUSS THE INITIATIVE IN BONN ON SATURDAY, DURING A SESSION TO BE ATTENDED BY U-S PEACE ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS IN BELGRADE, MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS BOTH SIDES ARE NOW IN BASIC AGREEMENT ON A ROUGHLY 50-50 SPLIT OF BOSNIA, BUT HE SAID THEY STILL HAVE VERY DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT WHO GETS WHAT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/JWH/CF
01-Sep-95 8:15 AM EDT (1215 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA-DIPLOMACY (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS ANNOUNCED TALKS BETWEEN THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA AND SERBIA TO START NEXT WEEK IN GENEVA TO SET OUT THE PRINCIPLES FOR PEACE TALKS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON THE DIPLOMATIC BREAKTHROUGH.

TEXT: IN A DEPARTURE FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS ON BOSNIA, THE GENEVA SESSION NEXT WEEK WILL BE BASED ON THE FIVE-NATION CONTACT GROUP PLAN WITH ITS MAP DIVIDING BOSNIA BETWEEN THE ETHNIC GROUPS.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS, WHO HAD REJECTED THE PLAN BEFORE THIS WEEK'S NATO AIR STRIKES, WILL BE REPRESENTED IN THE DELEGATION OF THE SERBIAN FOREIGN MINISTER. SERBIA HAS AGREED TO USE THE CONTACT GROUP MAP AND PLAN AS A BASIS FOR THE PEACE TALKS.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE BOSNIAN SERBS MUST NOW REALIZE THEY CANNOT WIN A MILITARY VICTORY IN BOSNIA.

IF THE BOSNIAN SERBS FELT AT ONE TIME THAT COULD ACHIEVE A MILITARY VICTORY IN THIS CONFLICT, THEY CERTAINLY DON'T BELIEVE THAT TODAY AND NO ONE ELSE DOES EITHER. I THINK THERE IS AN IMPETUS NOW AND A MOMENTUM TOWARD PEACE. WE'VE SEEN IT THIS WEEK IN THE STATEMENTS FROM BELGRADE. WE'VE SEEN IT NOW IN THE AGREEMENT TO ATTEND THIS MEETING AND TO TALK ABOUT THE PRINCIPLES THAT WILL BE THE FOUNDATION FOR A PEACE PROCESS, AND I THINK THAT IS CLEAR FOR EVERYONE -- THAT'S WHERE THE SITUATION OUGHT TO HEAD AND THAT'S CERTAINLY WHERE THE UNITED STATES IS PUTTING ITS EFFORTS AND WE'RE GOING TO STAND BY THAT PROCESS.

THE GENEVA MEETING WILL BE HELD UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CONTACT GROUP THAT INCLUDES THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, FRANCE, RUSSIA AND GERMANY. THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS BOSNIA, CROATIA AND THE SERBIAN-DOMINATED YUGOSLAV FEDERATION WILL BE REPRESENTED BY FOREIGN MINISTERS BUT THE LEVEL OF THE OTHER COUNTRIES AT THE CONFERENCE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE WILL BRIEF CONTACT GROUP AND NATO REPRESENTATIVES THIS WEEKEND IN BONN AND BRUSSELS AND THEN WILL REMAIN IN EUROPE TO ARRANGE THE GENEVA MEETING.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE IS NO CEASE-FIRE AGREED FOR THESE PEACE TALKS, AND NATO REMAINS READY TO PROTECT SARAJEVO AND THE OTHER SAFE AREAS IN BOSNIA IF THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE NOT LEARNED THE LESSON OF THIS WEEK'S AIR STRIKES. AT THE SAME TIME, THE SPOKESMAN SAYS THE MILITARY ACTION MAY HAVE CHANGED THE SERB ATTITUDE.

NOW WE SEE, ESPECIALLY FOLLOWING THE VERY FIRM AND DECISIVE DISPLAY OF WESTERN RESOLVE THIS WEEK, WE SEE THE BEGINNINGS OF AN INTEREST IN THE PART OF THE SERBIAN COMMUNITY TO TALK ABOUT PEACE. WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE'RE SEEING IT NOW. WE'RE AT THE BEGINNING OF THAT PROCESS, I WOULD SAY THAT IS A HOPEFUL DEVELOPMENT, BUT IT'S ONE WE HAVE TO WORK AT VERY, VERY HARD.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT REFRAINED FROM CHASTISING AMERICAN NATO ALLIES AND RUSSIA FOR OPPOSING THE USE OF DECISIVE FORCE ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS WHEN THE BOSNIAN SERBS WERE ON THE OFFENSIVE. SOMETIMES, OFFICIALS HERE LIKE TO SAY, THERE HAS TO BE MILITARY FORCE IF DIPLOMACY IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. (SIGNED)

NEB/RP/MMK
01-Sep-95 3:03 PM EDT (1903 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] CLINTON / BOSNIA (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (HONOLULU, HI.)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS PRAISING WORD THAT FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, CROATIA, AND Y/U/G/O/S/L/A/V/I/A ARE TO MEET IN GENEVA NEXT WEEK TO TRY TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE PRINCIPLES OF A PEACE SETTLEMENT. BUT HE ADDED THAT MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE. THE PRESIDENT MADE HIS COMMENTS DURING CEREMONIES IN HAWAII FRIDAY MARKING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON -- WHILE CELEBRATING THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO -- TALKED ABOUT RESOLVING ANOTHER CONFLICT, THE WAR IN BOSNIA.

MR. CLINTON WELCOMED THE DECISION TO RESUME PEACE TALKS, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS STILL MUCH WORK AHEAD BEFORE A PEACE SETTLEMENT IS REACHED.

THIS IS A POSITIVE STEP FORWARD, BUT MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE. OUR OWN NEGOTIATING TEAM WILL CONTINUE ITS WORK TO BRING THE PARTIES TOGETHER.

BUT MR. CLINTON REPEATED HIS WARNING THAT NATO WOULD NOT HESITATE TO RESUME ITS BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERB MILITARY IF THE BOSNIAN SERBS RENEW THEIR ATTACKS AGAINST U-N - DECLARED SAFE AREAS.

NO ONE SHOULD DOUBT NATO'S RESOLVE TO PREVENT THE FURTHER SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS IN SARAJEVO AND THE OTHER SAFE AREAS IN BOSNIA.

AFTER LAST MONDAY'S MORTAR ATTACK ON SARAJEVO, THE PRESIDENT HAD URGED THAT RETALIATORY AIR STRIKES BE CONDUCTED. HE HAD ALSO HOPED THE AIR ACTION WOULD SPUR THE RESUMPTION OF PEACE TALKS. THAT HAS NOW HAPPENED. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/PT
01-Sep-95 5:45 PM EDT (2145 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] YUGO TALKS (S UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED IN WASHINGTON AND IN BELGRADE THAT THE BOSNIAN, CROATIAN AND YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTERS WILL MEET IN GENEVA LATE NEXT WEEK. THEY WILL DISCUSS BASIC PRINCIPLES OF A PEACE AGREEMENT FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. AMERICAN ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE, WHO HAS BEEN MEETING WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC NEAR BELGRADE, SAYS HE HOPES THE GENEVA TALKS WILL LEAD TO A SUMMIT CONFERENCE. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: DURING A BREAK BETWEEN MEETINGS WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE SAYS THE PLANNED MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE WILL BE BRIEF. BUT, HE SAYS HE HOPES IT WILL CHANGE THE MOMENTUM OF WAR INTO MOMENTUM TOWARD PEACE AND WILL LEAD TO A SUMMIT CONFERENCE ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

MR. HOLBROOKE ADDS THAT LIMITED STEPS THIS WEEK TOWARD PEACE PROVE THAT HIS DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE IN THE BALKANS IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS SAY THEY ACCEPT THE BIG POWERS' PROPOSED PEACE PLAN AS THE BASIS FOR NEGOTIATIONS. THAT PLAN WOULD GIVE THEM ABOUT HALF THE TERRITORY OF BOSNIA COMPARED TO THE TWO/THIRDS THEY HOLD NOW.

THE U-S ENVOY PREDICTS TERRITORIAL DISPUTES WILL BE THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES TO RESOLVE. AFTER ALL, HE SAYS, THE QUESTION OF WHO GETS EXACTLY WHAT LAND IS WHAT THE WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS ALL ABOUT. (SIGNED) NEB / WC / BD/PT 01-Sep-95 5:12 PM EDT (2112 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America