Voice of America, 10 October 1995

From: [email protected] (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: FEW U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE SAME EDITORIAL SUBJECTS THIS TUESDAY. AMONG TODAY'S TOPICS ARE THE VISIT OF MEXICAN PRESIDENT ZEDILLO TO WADSHINGTON; THE RAILROAD SABOTAGE AND RESULTING TRAIN WRECK IN ARIZONA; THE RETIREMENT OF GEORGIA SENATOR SAM NUNN, AND THE BUDGET IMPASSE BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _______________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: MEXICAN PRESIDENT ERNESTO ZEDILLO'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON IS THE SUBJECT SEVERAL EDITORIALS, INCLUDING THIS LEAD COMMENTARY IN TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES."

VOICE: "PRESIDENT ... ZEDILLO IS ... TELLING THE GOVERNMENT THAT MEXICO IS PUTTING ITS FINANCIAL HOUSE IN ORDER AND INVITING U-S POLITICAL LEADERS AND INVESTORS TO TRUST IN HIS COUNTRY'S RECOVERY. THE MEETING COULD BENEFIT BOTH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND [PRESIDENT] ZEDILLO. TO PROVE HIS POINT, [MR.] ZEDILLO WILL ARGUE THAT LAST WINTER'S 12-BILLION-500-MILLION BAILOUT (OF HIS COUNTRY) WAS NEITHER CHARITY NOR FOREIGN AID, BUT A LINE OF CREDIT THAT PRODUCES INTEREST (400 MILLION SO FAR) AND THAT THE DEBT IS BEING SERVICED AHEAD OF ITS REPAYMENT SCHEDULE, WITH 700-MILLION ALREADY RETURNED. ... [HOWEVER] [MR.] ZEDILLO MUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE BEST WAY TO CALM CROSS-BORDER AMERICAN RHETORIC IS TO PUT HIS OWN POLITICAL HOUSE IN ORDER. FOR INSTANCE, IT DOES NOT BUILD TRUST NORTH OF THE BORDER TO PERMIT THE TYPE OF SCANDALOUS POLITICAL TURMOIL THAT HAS SWEPT MEXICO FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS."

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" SAYS OF THE VISIT.

VOICE: "MEXICO'S PRESIDENT ... ZEDILLO, WHO IS TO MEET PRESIDENT CLINTON TODAY TO CONFIRM THEIR COMMON INTEREST IN UPHOLDING THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA), BELIEVES ONE HAS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN 'FOG' AND 'LONG VISION' IN ASSESSING THE U-S - MEXICAN RELATIONSHIP. WITH [PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE] PAT BUCHANAN, DICK GEPHARDT, ROSS PEROT AND ORGANIZED LABOR SINGING FROM THE SAME HYMNAL, [JOINING IN A CHORUS] NAFTA IS UNDER ATTACK. [OPT] ITS VULNERABILITY LIES NOT IN THE TERMS OF THE TREATY, A GOOD DEAL FOR BOTH COUNTRIES: RATHER, IT LIES IN THE SHORT-TERM COLLAPSE OF THE MEXICAN ECONOMY LAST DECEMBER THAT HAS CURTAILED MEXICO'S ABILITY TO BUY U-S GOODS AND SERVICES. ...... [END OPT] THE CLINTON-ZEDILLO MEETING SHOULD KICK OFF A CONCERTED COUNTER-ATTACK AGAINST THE WEIRD PROTECTIONIST ALLIANCE. "

TEXT: AT LEAST ONE NEWSPAPER HAS QUICKLY COMMENTED ON MONDAY'S DERAILMENT OF AN AMTRAK PASSENGER TRAIN IN ARIZONA, WHICH THE F-B-I IS BLAMING ON SABOTAGE. ONE TRAIN EMPLOYEE WAS KILLED AND DOZENS OF PASSENGERS WERE HURT. "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND SAYS "[THE] NATION HAS [THE] MEANS TO FIGHT DOMESTIC TERRORISTS", ADDING:

VOICE: "THE SABOTAGE-CAUSED DERAILMENT ... OF AN AMTRAK TRAIN IN ARIZONA POINTS AGAIN TOWARD PERSONS WHO BELIEVE THEIR GRIEVANCES AGAINST GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY JUSTIFY VIOLENCE. THEY'RE WRONG... THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO KILL INNOCENT AMERICANS. THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO VIOLATE THE LAWS... AND DESPITE THE VULNERABILITY OF WATER, POWER, COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS TO TERRORISTS, THE NATION MUST RESIST THEM, NOT BOW TO THEIR THREATS."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS, INCLUDING "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL", ARE LAMENTING GEORGIA SENATOR SAM NUMM'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE WILL RETIRE FROM THE LEGISLATURE NEXT YEAR. FOR YEARS HE WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE POWERFUL SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE. TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" IS CALLING HIS SERVICE "AN HONORABLE SENATE CAREER."

VOICE: "...THOUGH ANTICIPATED, SENATOR SAM NUNN'S DECISION NOT TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION IS A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS DWINDLING DEMOCRATIC ALLIES IN CONGRESS. BUT IT IS AN EVEN GREATER BLOW TO THE CAUSE OF BIPARTISANSHIP ON A HOST OF TOUGH FOREIGN POLICY AND DEFENSE ISSUES, WHERE MR. NUNN WIELDED GREAT INFLUENCE ...... [OPT] HE LEAVES A LEGACY OF UNUSUAL ACCOMPLISHMENT AND INDEPENDENCE THAT WILL BE MISSED IN THE SULLEN DISCORD OF TODAY'S WASHINGTON."[END OPT]

TEXT: "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" CALLS THE LONG-TIME GEORGIA SENATOR THE "LAST OF A BREED":

VOICE: "..... SENATOR NUNN'S RETIREMENT, ALONG WITH THAT OF SENATOR HOWELL HEFLIN AND J. BENNETT JOHNSTON, MARKS THE DEPARTURE OF THE LAST SIGNIFICANT MODERATE SOUTHERN DEMOCRAT IN THE SENATE. ..... AFTER HIS [PRESIDENT CLINTON'S] ELECTION, MR. NUNN, WHO IS CONSIDERED THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE SENATOR ON MILITARY ISSUES, NO DOUBT HOPED HE WOULD BE CONSULTED FREQUENTLY BY ONLY THE SECOND DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT HE HAS SERVED WITH. BUT ... HE WAS LARGELY UNUSED... MANY YOUNGER DEMOCRATS ARE SIMILARLY FRUSTRATED BY THEIR PARTY, BUT RATHER THAN QUIT THEY'VE SIMPLY SWITCHED ALLEGIANCES. SINCE BILL CLINTON'S ELECTION, 137 DEMOCRATIC OFFICE-HOLDERS, INCLUDING TWO U-S SENATORS, HAVE BECOME REPUBLICANS, A RECORD EXODUS FROM A PARTY IN THE MODERN ERA."

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" SAYS THE DEPARTURE OF SENATOR NUNN PROBABLY MEANS, IN ITS WORDS:

VOICE: "... BEING A DEMOCRAT IN THE SENATE THESE DAYS IS NO FUN. ..... SENATOR NUNN'S DECISION ALSO SUGGESTS THAT IT'S NO FUN TO BE A DEMOCRAT IN THE SOUTH, EITHER. ALL FOUR SOUTHERN DEMOCRATIC SENATORS UP FOR RE-ELECTION NEXT YEAR HAVE NOW ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT."

TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL MATTERS, "THE NEW YORK POST" HAS SOME "NAGGING QUESTIONS ON BOSNIA."

VOICE: "SUNDAY'S ATTACK BY BOSNIAN SERBS ON A MUSLIM REFUGEE CAMP -- SIX CIVILIANS WERE KILLED AND ANOTHER 30 WOUNDED -- JUST 48 HOURS BEFORE A 60-DAY CEASE-FIRE WAS TO TAKE EFFECT (IT HAS NOW BEEN DELAYED) SHOWS JUST HOW TENUOUS ANY PEACE AGREEMENT IN BOSNIA WILL LIKELY PROVE. MOREOVER, IT UNDERSCORES THE DANGER INHERENT IN PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECISION TO SEND U-S GROUND TROOPS TO THE WAR-TORN REGION. [OPT]...... EVEN AS THE BLOODY CIVIL WAR IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA SHOWS SIGNS OF WINDING DOWN, AMERICA'S DIRECT MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN THE BALKANS IS ABOUT TO INTENSIFY." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" IS VERY MUCH AGAINST THE POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT OF 25-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS AS PEACEKEEPERS IN THE BALKANS, AS PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS SUGGESTED.

VOICE "MR. CLINTON IS MOVING FAR AHEAD OF EVENTS ON THE GROUND BY TALKING ABOUT DISPATCHING U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS. EQUALLY DISTURBING IS THE BLUSTER THAT HE PLANS TO COMMIT AMERICAN FORCES WITH OR WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL. [OPT] ... IS HE TRYING TO SHORE UP HIS FOREIGN AFFAIRS CREDENTIALS, STRIVING TO BE THE PRESIDENT WHO BROUGHT PEACE TO BOSNIA? ..... FOR NOW ... MR. CLINTON'S EMPHASIS ON TROOPS IS PREMATURE. THERE'S PLENTY OF NEGOTIATING TO DO FIRST." [END OPT]

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE APPARENT IMPASSE BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS OVER THE FEDERAL BUDGET, NOTING:

VOICE: "CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT CLINTON NOW HAVE ABOUT SIX WEEKS TO BRIDGE THEIR DIFFERENCES AND PASS A BUDGET. PLENTY OF ROOM FOR COMPROMISE EXISTS, BUT THE PRESIDENT AND THE MOST CONSERVATIVE FACTION OF HOUSE REPUBLICANS MUST BOTH REALIZE THEY WON'T GET ALL THEY WANT. ..... HOW THE BATTLE ENDS DEPENDS ON THE INTERPLAY AMONG SEVERAL POWER CENTERS. THE COMPROMISES WILL PROBABLY BE WORKED OUT IN THE SENATE, AND THE PRESIDENT AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS WILL HAVE TO SWALLOW HARD AND ACCEPT THEM."

TEXT: "THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE" ECHOES MUCH OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC'S REACTION TO POPE JOHN PAUL THE SECOND'S VISIT TO THE U-S:

VOICE: "JUST AS HE HAS AFTER EACH OF HIS PREVIOUS THREE PASTORAL VISITS TO THE UNITED STATES, POPE JOHN PAUL II LEFT BEHIND WARMED HEARTS AND A SPIRITURAL RENEWAL AMONG THOSE WHO SAW HIM OR HEARD HIS MESSAGE DURING FIVE DAYS IN NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AND BALTIMORE. THE CHARISMATIC, 75-YEAR-OLD PONTIFF LOOKED FRAIL AND WEARY AT TIMES, BUT HE SEEMED ENERGIZED BY THE THRONGS OF ADORING FAITHFUL WHO HEARD HIS IMPASSIONED PLEAS FOR JUSTICE, HUMANITY AND GENEROSITY AT FOUR OUTOOR MASSES AND AN ADDRESS TO THE UNITED NATIONS..."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, SOME TROUBLING THOUGHTS FROM "THE BOSTON GLOBE" ON WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON IN RUSSIA; AS THE PAPER SEES IT, "A DESCENT INTO IMPULSIVE, AUTHORITARIAN RULE BY [BORIS] YELTSIN'S SHADY, UNACCOUNTABLE ENTOURAGE."

VOICE: "UNTIL RECENTLY U-S POLICY MAKERS OPERATED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT RUSSIA IS MUDDLING THROUGH A TRANSITION TOWARD LIBERAL DEMOCRACY AND THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S UNFLAPPABLE [CEASELESS] OPTIMISM ABOUT THIS PROCESS HAS CONTRIBUTED TO A CRUCIAL FOREIGN POLICY SUCCESS. THE HARSHNESS OF RUSSIA'S DOMESTIC CONDITION, THE PROSPECTS FOR UPCOMING ELECTIONS AND DISPUTES WITH MOSCOW OVER SERIOUS SECURITY MATTERS -- THESE DEVELOPMENTS HAVE CAST DOUBT ON SUCH OPTIMISTIC ASSUMPTIONS."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT SOMEWHAT GLOOMY ASSESSMENT OF PRESENT DAY RUSSIA, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE OPINIONS AMERICANS ARE CONTEMPLATING THIS TUESDAY IN EARLY OCTOBER.

NEB/ANG/PCH

10-Oct-95 11:08 AM EDT (1508 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA/RUSSIA (S ONLY) BY ELIZABETH ARROTT ( MOSCOW )

INTRO: RUSSIA'S STATE-CONTROLLED GAS COMPANY SAYS IT HAS RESUMED GAS SUPPLIES TO BOSNIA, BUT THAT IT MAY TAKE A FEW MORE HOURS UNTIL THE EFFECTS WILL BE FELT. VOA'S ELIZABETH ARROTT IN MOSCOW HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: A SPOKESMAN FOR RUSSIA'S GAZPROM COMPANY SAYS THE GAS WAS TURNED ON AT MIDNIGHT, THE SAME TIME THE TRUCE IN BOSNIA WAS SUPPOSED TO GO IN EFFECT. THE SPOKESMAN SAID THEY WERE WAITING FOR THE CEASEFIRE TO BEGIN BEFORE THEY RESUMED. HE SAID THE COMPANY ALSO WANTED GUARANTEES REGIONAL PIPELINES WERE IN GOOD SHAPE IN ORDER TO AVOID EXPLOSIONS OR FIRES AS THE GAS FLOWED BACK IN THE PIPES. A RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAID MONDAY THERE WERE NO POLITICAL OBSTACLES TO THE RESUMPTION OF THE SUPPLY. HE ALSO DENIED ANY CONNECTION WITH THE SLOW START TO THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S UNPAID GAS BILL WORTH SOME 100 MILLION DOLLARS. RUSSIA CUT OFF GAS SUPPLIES TO SARAJEVO EARLIER IN THE YEAR AT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S REQUEST. IT ACCUSED BOSNIAN SERBS OF STEALING GAS FROM THE LINE FOR THEIR OWN USE. BUT AS COLDER WEATHER SETS IN, THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT NOW WANTS TO ASSURE ENERGY SUPPLIES FOR HEATING. (SIGNED)

NEB/EA/MH/GPT
10-Oct-95 5:42 AM EDT (0942 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA / CEASEFIRE (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: U-N OFFICIALS SAY ALL UTILITIES HAVE BEEN RESTORED TO SARAJEVO, AND THEY HOPE TO ARRANGE FOR A CEASEFIRE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO BEGIN WEDNESDAY ONE-MINUTE AFTER MIDNIGHT. DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AFTER THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT MONDAY REFUSED TO ALLOW THE TRUCE TO BEGIN UNTIL GAS WAS RESTORED TO THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL.

TEXT: THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS INSISTED ON THE RESTORATION OF GAS, ELECTRICITY, AND WATER SUPPLIES TO SARAJEVO BEFORE A BOSNIA-WIDE CEASEFIRE CAN BEGIN. MONDAY, THE SCHEDULED START OF THE TRUCE WAS POSTPONED BECAUSE THE RUSSIANS HAD NOT AUTHORIZED THE OPENING OF THE GAS PIPELINE INTO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

RUSSIAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY WERE WAITING FOR SIGNED ASSURANCES FROM THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND BOSNIAN-SERB OFFICIALS THAT THE GAS PIPELINE THROUGH THEIR TERRITORY WAS SAFE. BUT SOURCES IN SARAJEVO SAY THE RUSSIAN GAS COMPANY, WHICH IS OWED ABOUT 100-MILLION DOLLARS FOR EARLIER GAS DELIVERIES TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, WAS HOLDING OUT FOR PAYMENT GUARANTEES.

ONCE PAYMENT AGREEMENT WAS REACHED EARLY TUESDAY, THE PIPELINE VALVES WERE OPENED AND GAS FLOWED QUICKLY TOWARDS SARAJEVO.

THE U-N OFFICIALS WORKING ON UTILITIES SAY THE FINAL STRETCH OF THE PIPELINE INTO SARAJEVO HAS BEEN PRESSURIZED, AND SOME CONSUMERS IN THE CITY ARE RECEIVING GAS. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE TRYING TO ARRANGE A MEETING BETWEEN THE WARRING SIDES TO AGREE ON A STARTING TIME FOR THE CEASEFIRE.

UNDER THE EXISTING AGREEMENT THE TRUCE SHOULD BEGIN AT ONE-MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT THE DAY AFTER UTILITIES ARE RESTORED TO SARAJEVO, OR IN OTHER WORDS, WEDNESDAY ONE-MINUTE AFTER MIDNIGHT. EARLIER, BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC, WHO IS ON A VISIT TO TUNISIA, SAID BEFORE THE TRUCE COULD BEGIN THE BOSNIAN SERBS MUST ALSO REMOVE A CHECKPOINT ON ONE OF THE ROADS INTO THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL. BUT BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN SARAJEVO HAVE DOWNPLAYED THAT DEMAND AFTER U-N OFFICIALS STRONGLY CRITICIZED THE ATTEMPT TO SET ADDITIONAL PRE-CONDITIONS FOR THE CEASEFIRE.

ELECTRICITY HAS BEEN ON IN MUCH OF THE CITY SINCE MONDAY, AND ELECTRICALLY-DRIVEN PUMPS ARE SLOWLY RETURNING WATER SUPPLIES TO THE CITY. THE PEOPLE OF SARAJEVO HAVE REACTED CAUTIOUSLY TO THE RETURN OF UTILITIES.

THE DELAY IN THE START OF THE CEASEFIRE CONFIRMED MANY PEOPLE'S FEARS OVER THE FRAGILITY OF THE AGREEMENT. THE INITIAL TRUCE IS ONLY SCHEDULED TO LAST 60-DAYS, AND WHILE MANY PEOPLE EXPECT IT TO BE EXTENDED, THEY KNOW THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER, ENERGY SUPPLIES COULD BE CUT FASTER THAN THEY HAVE BEEN RESTORED. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/JWH/RAE
10-Oct-95 11:16 AM EDT (1516 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA / DIPLOMACY (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: AMERICAN BOSNIA NEGOTIATOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS BACK IN WASHINGTON BRIEFING SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER ON THE NEXT STEP IN THE PEACE PROCESS. THE CEASE-FIRE HE HELPED ARRANGE IS DUE TO GO INTO EFFECT SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (LOCAL TIME). RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, PEACE TALKS ARE NEXT.

TEXT: AT THE END OF THE WEEK, RICHARD HOLBROOKE WILL FLY TO MOSCOW FOR THE NEXT MEETING OF THE BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP AND THEN WILL RESUME HIS BALKAN SHUTTLE MISSION PREPARING FOR THE START OF PEACE TALKS IN THE UNITED STATES ON OCTOBER 31ST.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS THE PROXIMITY TALKS AT SOME, ISOLATED LOCATION ON THE EAST COAST HAVE BEEN DELAYED SIX DAYS TO PERMIT CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN TO ATTEND. BECAUSE OF ELECTIONS IN CROATIA ON OCTOBER 29TH, MR. TUDJMAN COULD NOT MEET THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULE OF OCTOBER 25TH FOR TALKS WITH SERBIA'S PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC.

THE LEADERS WILL BE HOUSED IN SEPARATE BUILDINGS WITH AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE MOVING AMONG THEM TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES BLOCKING A FORMAL BOSNIA PEACE CONFERENCE IN PARIS. SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER WILL PLAY A ROLE IN THE TALKS BUT HE HAS PLANS TO BE IN THE MIDDLE EAST THE WEEK THEY OPEN.

MR. CHRISTOPHER WILL BE SPENDING MUCH OF HIS TIME TRYING TO CONVINCE THE U-S CONGRESS TO SUPPORT THE DEPLOYMENT OF AMERICAN TROOPS TO HELP IMPLEMENT WHATEVER PEACE AGREEMENT IS ULTIMATELY FOUND FOR BOSNIA. (SIGNED)

NEB / RP / BD / SKH
10-Oct-95 3:51 PM EDT (1951 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA / ETHNIC CLEANSING (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

INTRO: U-N OFFICIALS SAY A NOTORIOUS SERB MILITIA LEADER IS INVOLVED IN THE LATEST WAVE OF ETHNIC CLEANSING IN BOSNIA. THE GENEVA-BASED U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) SAYS THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN BRUTALLY EXPELLED FROM SERB-HELD AREAS OF NORTHERN BOSNIA DURING THE PAST FIVE DAYS. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS.

TEXT: U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN RON REDMOND SAID ABOUT FOUR-THOUSAND MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN FORCED OUT OF THEIR HOMES IN NORTHERN BOSNIA SINCE LATE LAST WEEK. AND AS MANY AS EIGHT-THOUSAND MORE ARE EXPECTED TO CROSS THE FRONT LINES INTO GOVERNMENT-HELD TERRITORY DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THIS LATEST WAVE OF ETHNIC CLEANSING HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY BRUTAL, WITH MANY REPORTS OF MURDER, RAPE, ROBBERY, AND LOOTING.

MR. REDMOND SAID U-N-H-C-R IS MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE SITUATION IN THE TOWN OF SANSKI MOST, A FEW KILOMTERS SOUTHWEST OF THE SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA.

HE SAID THE EXPULSION CAMPAIGN THERE IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY MILITIAMEN LOYAL TO SERB PARAMILITARY LEADER ZELJKO RAZNATOVIC, KNOWN AS ARKAN, A YUGOSLAV NATIONAL HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A WAVE OF ATROCITIES AND WAR CRIMES IN BOTH BOSNIA AND CROATIA SINCE THE BALKAN CONFLICTS ERUPTED MORE THAN FOUR YEARS AGO. MR. REDMOND SAID ARKAN'S MILITIAMEN ARRIVED IN SANSKI MOST IN A FLEET OF BUSES LATE LAST MONTH, LAUNCHING A WAVE OF TERROR AGAINST MUSLIMS IN THE REGION.

THEIR ARRIVAL RESULTED IN A MASS EVICTION OF ALL MUSLIMS FROM ALL OF THE VILLAGES AROUND SANSKI MOST AND FROM SANSKI MOST ITSELF.

MR. REDMOND SAID THAT WHILE THE WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND OLD PEOPLE WERE BEING EXPELLED FROM SANSKI MOST, ARKAN'S SUPPORTERS ROUNDED UP AND DETAINED ALL MUSLIM MEN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 30 AND 50.

THERE ARE REPORTS THAT SOME OF THE DETAINEES HAVE BEEN KILLED BY THE MILITIAMEN, BUT U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE NO INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION OF THIS.

NORTHERN BOSNIA WAS ONCE HOME TO ABOUT ONE-HALF-MILLION MUSLIMS AND CROATS AND A ROUGHLY EQUAL NUMBER OF SERBS. THE SERB POPULATION HAS SWELLED WITH THE ARRIVAL OF REFUGEES FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. BUT U-N OFFICIALS SAY ALMOST ALL THE CROATS HAVE BEEN EXPELLED DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS, AND FEWER THAN 30-THOUSAND MUSLIMS ARE LEFT IN THE REGION.

MR. REDMOND SAID U-N AND RED CROSS OFFICIALS HAVE REPEATEDLY INTERVENED WITH SERB AUTHORITIES IN A BID TO HALT THE EXPULSIONS, BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS.

FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS, U-N-H-C-R HAS BEEN IN THE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE POSITION OF SITTING IN BANJA LUKA AND WATCHING THIS TERROR TAKE PLACE ALL AROUND IT, AND BEING RESTRICTED IN ITS MOVEMENTS, BEING HARASSED.

THE SPOKESMAN ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS LITTLE U-N-H-C-R CAN DO ABOUT THE SITUATION, OTHER THAN TO ALERT WORLD PUBLIC OPINION TO THE CONTINUING EXPULSIONS. (SIGNED)

NEB/DBR/JWH/CF
10-Oct-95 10:03 AM EDT (1403 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA / FIGHTING (S ONLY UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: A STRATEGIC SERB-HELD TOWN IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA HAS BEEN CAPTURED BY BOSNIAN CROAT OR CROATIAN ARMY TROOPS, AND ANOTHER SERB TOWN MAY BE IN DANGER OF FALLING TO BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OR CROAT FORCES. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: CROATIAN TELEVISION IN ZAGREB AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS CONFIRM THE FALL OF THE SERB-HELD TOWN OF MRKONJIC GRAD. THE SERBS SAY THEY ABANDONED THE TOWN AFTER INTENSE CROATIAN ARMY SHELLING ATTACKS THERE.

MRKONJIC GRAD WAS THE LAST TOWN UNDER SERB CONTROL ON A ROAD THAT LINKS GOVERNMENT-HELD BIHAC, IN THE FAR NORTHWEST, WITH CENTRAL BOSNIA.

MRKONJIC GRAD IS ONLY 40 KILOMETERS SOUTH OF THE LARGEST SERB TOWN IN BOSNIA, BANJA LUKA.

HEAVY FIGHTING IS REPORTED NEAR ANOTHER SERB-HELD TOWN, SANSKI MOST, WEST OF BANJA LUKA. THERE ARE INDICATIONS SANSKI MOST COULD ALSO FALL TO THE BOSNIAN ARMY OR TO ITS BOSNIAN CROAT OR CROATIAN ARMY ALLIES.

CROATIAN ARMY ARTILLERY HAS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN ENABLING BOSNIAN MUSLIM AND CROAT FORCES TO CAPTURE AN INCREASINGLY LARGE CHUNK OF TERRITORY IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA.

THIS STRENGTHENS THE MUSLIMS' AND CROATS' BARGAINING POSITION IN PEACE TALKS WITH THE SERBS, DUE TO BEGIN IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.(SIGNED)

NEB / WC / BD/PT
10-Oct-95 6:29 PM EDT (2229 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] CYPRUS PREZ (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES -- CONCEDING A POLITICAL DEADLOCK IN HIS DIVIDED COUNTRY -- HAS BLAMED THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL FOR ALLOWING THE SITUATION TO CONTINUE. MR. CLERIDES -- WHO LEADS THE MAJORITY GREEK COMMUNITY -- SPOKE TO REPORTERS TUESDAY IN NEW YORK AFTER ADDRESSING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON HAS DETAILS:

TEXT: THE CYPRIOT PRESIDENT SAYS PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERSHIP -- BACKED BY TURKISH TROOPS -- WANTS TO PRESERVE THE STATUS QUO. HE ALSO POINTS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, WHICH HE BLAMES FOR FAILING TO ENFORCE ITS OWN DECISIONS:

THERE ARE TWO REASONS WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN PROGRESS ON THE CYPRUS PROBLEM. ONE, IS THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO POLITICAL WILL BY THE TURKISH LEADERSHIP AND BY TURKEY. AND SECOND, THERE WAS NO INTENTION BY THE FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO TAKE MEASURES FOR FORCING COMPLIANCE WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS.

MR. CLERIDES SAYS THE TURKISH SIDE HAS REJECTED ALL HIS PROPOSALS AND HE HAS NO NEW IDEAS TO OFFER.

IN HIS SPEECH TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- THE LEADER OF THE GREEK CYPRIOTS TALKED ABOUT MAKING THE U-N MORE EFFECTIVE AS IT HEADS TOWARD ITS SECOND 50-YEARS. HIS CRITICISM OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS SHARED BY DISPUTING PARTIES ELSEWHERE. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS OFTEN EXPRESSED BITTERNESS ABOUT THE COUNCIL'S FAILURE TO TAKE FORCEFUL ACTION.

IN THE CASE OF CYPRUS -- THE COUNCIL HAS PASSED MANY RESOLUTIONS SINCE TURKEY INVADED MORE THAN 20-YEARS AGO IN RESPONSE TO A COUP SUPPORTED BY GREECE. THEY RANGE FROM A CALL FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF FOREIGN TROOPS TO THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE DISPLACED BY THE INVASION TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

THE U-N HAS ENDORSED A FEDERAL SOLUTION FOR CYPRUS THAT WOULD RE-UNITE THE COUNTRY. BUT THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT HAS NOT BEEN PLEASED OVERALL WITH U-N MEDIATION, AND NEGOTIATIONS HAVE REPEATEDLY COLLAPSED.

PRESIDENT CLERIDES REJECTS A PERMANENT DIVISION INTO TWO STATES -- WHICH THE TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERSHIP HAS SIGNALED MIGHT BE THE ONLY SOLUTION. HE SAYS THIS WOULD LEAD TO ANNEXATION OF THE NORTH BY TURKEY AND PROBABLY PRESSURE FOR THE GREEK SIDE TO JOIN GREECE -- CREATING A NEW INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE TWO UNEASY NATO PARTNERS. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 10-Oct-95 1:33 PM EDT (1733 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] GERMANY/FRANCE/MAASTRICHT (S-O CORRECTED) BY IMANI CROSBY (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE TOP ECONOMIST OF GERMANY'S CENTRAL BANK SAYS HIS COUNTRY SUPPORTS FRANCE'S MEMBERSHIP IN A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY AS A RESULT OF THE MAASTRICHT TREATY ON EUROPEAN UNION. HE MADE HIS COMMENTS DURING A BRIEFING WITH REPORTERS (TUESDAY) IN WASHINGTON. V-O-A'S IMANI CROSBY REPORTS:

TEXT: BUNDESBANK CHIEF ECONOMIST OTMAR ISSING SAYS THERE IS GENERAL AGREEMENT IN HIS COUNTRY FRANCE MUST BE A PART OF A UNIFIED EUROPEAN CURRENCY. MR. ISSING SAYS FRANCE SHOULD NOT BE SINGLED-OUT BECAUSE OF THE FRANC'S RECENT TROUBLES:

IN GERMANY, I DO NOT SEE ANY PEOPLE WHO THINK IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE MONETARY UNION WITHOUT FRANCE. THERE ARE 15 MEMBER COUNTRIES, TWO OF THEM [HAVE] FULFILLED THE CRITERIA TO DATE. SO, THERE ARE 13 WHO DO NOT. WHY START A BETTING GAME, WHO OF THEM WILL [QUALIFY], YOU KNOW, I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD TRY.

MR. ISSING SAID THE DIFFICULTIES THE FRENCH ECONOMY IS EXPERIENCING SHOULD BE EXPECTED IN THE PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE JANUARY 1ST, 1999 DEADLINE TO QUALIFY FOR PARTICIPATING IN A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY.

THE BUNDESBANK OFFICIAL SAID IT IS COMMON FOR MARKETS TO REACT TO ANY STEPS A COUNTRY TAKES TO PREPARE ITS ECONOMY FOR MAJOR ECONOMIC CHANGES. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 10-Oct-95 1:22 PM EDT (1722 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] NATO/BOSNIA FORCE (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: SENIOR OFFICIALS OF NATO CONVENE IN BRUSSELS WEDNESDAY TO APPROVE AN OUTLINE OF PLANS FOR THE CREATION OF A MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE TO POLICE AN EVENTUAL PEACE SETTLEMENT IN BOSNIA. HOWEVER, THE QUESTIONS OF RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION AND U-S CONGRESSIONAL FUNDING FOR THE OPERATION HAVE YET TO BE RESOLVED. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: NATO'S DECISION-MAKING ARM -- THE NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL -- WILL CONSIDER WHAT IS TERMED A "CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS" FOR THE BOSNIAN FORCE, WHICH U-S OFFICIALS HOPE CAN BE READY FOR DEPLOYMENT WITHIN A MATTER OF WEEKS.

COUNCIL APPROVAL, WHICH IS ALL BUT ASSURED, WILL SET IN MOTION DETAILED PLANNING FOR THE ANTICIPATED FORCE OF BETWEEN 40 AND 60 THOUSAND TROOPS, ABOUT HALF OF WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE UNITED STATES.

U-S DEFENSE OFFICIALS WANT THE SO-CALLED IMPLEMENTATION FORCE TO BE READY TO MOVE INTO BOSNIA WITH THE CONCLUSION OF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS AMONG THE BOSNIAN PARTIES THAT ARE DUE TO BEGIN IN THE UNITED STATES LATE THIS MONTH.

THE COMMITMENT OF AS MANY AS 25-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS TO THE BOSNIAN PEACE FORCE IS A CENTRAL ELEMENT OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S DIPLOMATIC DRIVE TO END THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOSNIAN CONFLICT. BUT THE ANTICIPATED COST OF THE OPERATION -- AS MUCH A TWO BILLION DOLLARS FOR A YEAR-LONG STAY BY AMERICAN FORCES -- IS ALREADY UNDER ATTACK IN THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS.

WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF LEON PANETTA SAID OVER THE WEEKEND THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON DOES NOT NEED CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL TO DISPATCH THE FORCES TO BOSNIA. BUT BRIEFING REPORTERS HERE, DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN KENNETH BACON SAID THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES IT CAN AVOID A DAMAGING CONFRONTATION OVER THE FUNDING ISSUE:

MR. BACON SAID DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY WILL MEET REPUBLICAN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NEWT GINGRICH LATER IN THE DAY TO BEGIN A LOBBYING CAMPAIGN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE THAT WILL ALSO INVOLVE SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER.

THE DEFENSE SPOKESMAN SAID DESPITE MR. PERRY'S GENEVA MEETING SUNDAY WITH RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER PAVEL GRACHEV, MAJOR DIFFERENCES REMAIN WITH MOSCOW OVER RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE BOSNIA FORCE.

WHILE RUSSIA HAS MADE CLEAR IT WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PART, IT SAYS ITS FORCES CANNOT BE UNDER OVERALL NATO CONTROL -- A CONDITION U-S OFFICIALS SAY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE. ALSO STILL TO BE RESOLVED ARE THE SIZE OF THE RUSSIAN CONTINGENT AND WHO WILL PAY FOR THE RUSSIAN PRESENCE.

THE TWO DEFENSE CHIEFS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE UP THE ISSUES AGAIN LATER THIS MONTH, WHEN DEFENSE MINISTER GRACHEV AND MR. PERRY ATTEND UNPRECEDENTED JOINT MILITARY PEACEKEEPING EXERCISES INVOLVING U-S AND RUSSIAN FORCES IN THE CENTRAL STATE OF KANSAS. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/LWM
10-Oct-95 5:25 PM EDT (2125 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] SACRIBEY/BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON )

INTRO: BOSNIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS MUCH WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE PRIOR TO UPCOMING PEACE TALKS IF THE DISCUSSIONS ARE TO SUCCEED. AS V-O-A'S NICK SIMEONE REPORTS, MUHAMED SACIRBEY SAYS AS THINGS STAND NOW, HE BELIEVES THE CHANCES FOR FAILURE ARE HIGH.

TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTER SACIRBEY SAYS THE PARTIES TO THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT ARE DANGEROUSLY UNPREPARED FOR THE UPCOMING TALKS, LARGELY BECAUSE THE GROUNDWORK FOR SUCH A MEETING HAS NOT YET BEEN PREPARED BY THE FIVE NATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN TRYING TO NEGOTIATE AN END TO THE WAR. BY THIS HE MEANT A DETAILED CONSTITUTION.

WHAT WE ARE ASKING OF THE CONTACT GROUP IS TO PUT FORTH TO US A POLITICALLY NEUTRAL CONSTITUTION THAT HAS THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS BUT ALSO IS FUNCTIONAL AND THAT OF COURSE ENVISIONS BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AS A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION DOWN THE ROAD.

HE SAYS WITHOUT BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC FIRST AGREEING TO SUCH A DOCUMENT, HE DOES NOT EXPECT MUCH CHANCE OF PEACE TALKS BEARING FRUIT.

THE CONSTITUTION IS BEING DICTATED BY RADOVAN KARADZIC NOT A THOMAS JEFFERSON.

U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE WILL BE RETURNING TO THE REGION NEXT WEEK TO TRY TO FLESH PRINCIPLES OF A CONSTITUTION THAT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AGREED TO LAST MONTH. (SIGNED)

NEB/NJS/PT
10-Oct-95 5:52 PM EDT (2152 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[11] U-N YUGO SHUFFLE (S ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI IS REPLACING HIS SPECIAL ENVOY IN THE BALKANS -- YASUSHI AKASHI -- EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER FIRST WITH THE CURRENT HEAD OF THE U-N PEACEKEEPING DEPARTMENT. A U-N SPOKESMAN SAYS MR. AKASHI REQUESTED THE CHANGE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS, MR. AKASHI BECAME A CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE. HE WAS BLAMED BY NATO EARLY ON FOR HESITATING ON AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS. HIS POPULARITY WITH THE WARRING PARTIES HAS ALSO BEEN IN DECLINE.

THE U-N'S TOP PEACEKEEPING OFFICIAL, KOFI ANNAN, WILL REPLACE HIM IN ZAGREB AND ALSO SERVE AS U-N ENVOY TO NATO. ISMAT KITTANI -- A LONG-TIME U-N AIDE -- WILL TAKE OVER PEACEKEEPING. AND MR. AKASHI WILL ASSUME MR. KITTANI'S ROLE AS SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE CHANGE WAS MADE IN VIEW OF THE CRITICAL JUNCTURE OF PEACEKEEPING IN BOSNIA -- WHICH MAY BE PUT UNDER NATO COMMAND IF A SETTLEMENT IS REACHED. THE UNITED NATIONS INTENDS TO STAY INVOLVED, THOUGH ITS PRECISE ROLE IS NOT YET CLEARLY DEFINED.

THE U-N SHUFFLE COMES AS THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS BEING ASKED TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS FOR REDUCING PEACEKEEPING COMMITMENTS BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. (SIGNED)

NEB/EJ/MMK
10-Oct-95 12:47 PM EDT (1647 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[12] U-S / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS ELECTRICITY HAS BEEN RESTORED TO PARTS OF SARAJEVO AND RUSSIA HAS PROMISED NATURAL GAS WILL FLOW INTO THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL LATER TODAY (TUESDAY). V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS DEMANDED THE UTILITIES BE RESTORED TO THE CAPITAL BEFORE A U-S/BROKERED CEASE-FIRE CAN GO INTO EFFECT:

TEXT: PARTIAL ELECTRICITY WAS RESTORED TO SARAJEVO MONDAY. THE U-S AMBASSADOR TO RUSSIA -- THOMAS PICKERING -- SAYS HE HAS BEEN ASSURED BY MOSCOW THAT NATURAL GAS IS HEADING THROUGH A PIPELINE TO BOSNIA AND WOULD SOON BE IN THE CAPITAL.

A WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN EXPRESSED HOPE THE CEASE-FIRE THAT WAS TO HAVE GONE INTO EFFECT AFTER MIDNIGHT TUESDAY WILL TAKE PLACE SOON. HE SAYS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS PLEASED SOME PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE TOWARD IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS THAT WOULD MAKE THE CEASE-FIRE POSSIBLE.

THE MUSLIM-LED GOVERNMENT IN SARAJEVO SAYS RESTORATION OF THE CITY'S UTILITIES IS PART OF A CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT REACHED LAST WEEK IN NEW YORK.

THE WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN SAYS AN UPSURGE IN HEAVY FIGHTING IN BOSNIA UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF SECURING A CEASE-FIRE RAPIDLY. HE CALLED ON ALL PARTIES TO ENSURE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE TRUCE HAVE BEEN MET. MEANWHILE, BOSNIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMAD SACIRBEY -- IN WASHINGTON FOR THE WORLD BANK / INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND ANNUAL MEETING -- SAYS HE WILL LOBBY THE U-S CONGRESS TO SUPPORT DEPLOYMENT OF UP TO 25-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS AS PART OF A BOSNIAN PEACE-KEEPING FORCE. MR. SACIRBEY SAYS U-S PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTINGENT IS ESSENTIAL.

SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE BEEN SKEPTICAL OF INVOLVING U-S TROOPS IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PEACE-KEEPING OPERATION. (SIGNED)

NEB/VB/SKH
09-Oct-95 9:42 PM EDT (0142 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[13] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: AT THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE, A FORMER MUSLIM PRISONER HAS DESCRIBED THE BEATING AND KILLING OF INMATES OF A BOSNIAN SERB PRISON CAMP. AT THE SAME TIME, THE HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH, HAS ACCUSED THE UNITED NATIONS OF CONDONING SERB GENOCIDE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: DURING THE SECOND DAY OF A HEARING BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, FORMER MUSLIM PRISONER IBRO OSMANOVIC TESTIFIED ABOUT THE DEATHS OF TWO OTHER MUSLIM INMATES OF A SERB PRISON CAMP IN 1992.

THE HEARING PRECEDES THE TRIAL IN ABSENTIA OF THE ALLEGED PRISON CAMP COMMANDER, DRAGAN NIKOLIC.

IN HIS TESTIMONY BEFORE THREE JUDGES, IBRO OSMANOVIC SAID MR. NIKOLIC ORDERED TWO MUSLIM PRISONERS OUT OF A BUILDING WHERE MORE THAN 500 MUSLIMS WERE CROWDED TOGETHER AND BEATEN.

MR. OSMANOVIC SAID HE DID NOT SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TWO MEN. BUT HE SAID HE HEARD SCREAMS AND MOANING. ONE OF THE MEN RETURNED LATER, ACCORDING TO THE WITNESS, UNABLE TO SPEAK. THE PRISONER WAS SAID TO HAVE DIED WITHIN 20 MINUTES. MR. OSMANOVIC SAID THE OTHER PRISONER DIED THE NEXT DAY AFTER PLEADING WITH THE CAMP COMMANDER TO ALLOW HIM TO SEE THE SUN ONE MORE TIME.

WHEN THE HEARING AGAINST DRAGAN NIKOLIC IS COMPLETED, THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IS EXPECTED TO ISSUE AN INTERNATIONAL WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST.

MR. NIKOLIC WILL, PRESUMABLY, BE SAFE FROM PROSECUTION FOR WAR CRIMES AS LONG AS HE REMAINS IN BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY OR IN YUGOSLAVIA. THE SERBS AND THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT HAVE SAID THEY WILL TURN OVER NO ONE TO THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. MEANWHILE, THE HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH, HAS ACCUSED THE SERBS OF GENOCIDE AND HAS ACCUSED THE UNITED NATIONS PROTECTION FORCE IN BOSNIA OF CONDONING IT.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ISSUED A REPORT, CONDEMNING ALLEGED U-N PASSIVITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SERBS' CAPTURE OF THE U-N DECLARED SAFE AREA OF SREBRENICA IN JULY.

THE SERBS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE MURDERED THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS WHO DISAPPEARED AFTER THE FALL OF SREBRENICA, WHICH THE UNITED NATIONS WAS SUPPOSED TO DEFEND.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS CONSISTENTLY MISHANDLED THE CRISIS OVER SREBRENICA, FROM WHAT THE ORGANIZATION CALLS THE CRAVEN DECISIONS OF U-N FIELD COMMANDERS TO THE APPARENT DESTRUCTION OF EVIDENCE OF MASSIVE SERB HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. DUTCH PEACEKEEPERS ARE BLAMED FOR ALLEGEDLY STANDING BY AND NOT PREVENTING THOSE ABUSES.

THE DUTCH DEFENSE MINISTRY SAYS THE DUTCH PEACEKEEPERS COULD DO NOTHING BECAUSE THEY WERE OUT-GUNNED BY THE SERBS. THE MINISTRY ALSO DENIES THAT THE DUTCH PEACEKEEPERS DESTROYED A VIDEOTAPE THAT PROVIDED EVIDENCE OF SERB ATROCITIES. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/BG
10-Oct-95 11:22 AM EDT (1522 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America