Voice of America, 20 October 1995

From: [email protected] (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY TED LANDPHAIR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SEVERAL OF AMERICA'S LEADING NEWSPAPERS HAVE THEIR EDITORIAL PERISCOPES TRAINED ON FOREIGN TARGETS THIS FRIDAY. HERE IS _________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TWO CARIBBEAN NATIONS, TWO OTHERS IN AFRICA, AND THE UNITED STATES' INVOLVEMENT IN A WAR-TORN EUROPEAN COUNTRY CATCH EDITORIAL WRITERS' EYE. "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" NOTES THAT THIS WEEK MARKS THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF PRESIDENT JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE'S RETURN TO POWER IN HAITI.

VOICE: "HE HAS TONED DOWN HIS ANTI-CAPITALIST RHETORIC, DISBANDED AN ARMY FILLED WITH THUGS, NURTURED A CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE AND OVERSEEN IMPERFECT BUT REASONABLY FAIR ELECTIONS. NOW, HE MUST FULLY EMBRACE PRIVITIZATION AND TRIM GOVERNMENT BLOAT IN ORDER TO GET AT LEAST ONE-BILLION DOLLARS IN FOREIGN AID FROM THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER SOURCES."

TEXT: THE DALLAS NEWSPAPER WRITES THAT HAITI IS ON A SLOW BUT CORRECT ROAD TO RECOVERY.

VOICE: "THE NEXT KEY STEP IN ADDRESSING THE NATION'S WIDESPREAD POVERTY WILL TAKE PLACE WITH THE SELECTION OF A NEW PRIME MINISTER BY THE PARLIAMENT. IT IS DOMINATED BY [MR.] ARISTIDE'S LIBERAL BACKERS. THEY MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO THWART PRIVITIZATION, BUT THE SALE OF STATE-OWNED COMPANIES ALSO MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENRICH HAITI'S TINY AND ARROGANT ELITE."

[ END OPT ]

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK POST" SAYS NEW YORK MAYOR RUDOLPH GIULIANI [JEWEL-EE-ANN-EE] DID THE RIGHT THING IN BARRING CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO FROM CITY-SPONSORED CELEBRATIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS' 50TH ANNIVERSARY NEXT WEEK.

VOICE: "AT A TIME WHEN THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SEEMS INTENT ON IMPROVING RELATIONS BETWEEN THE U-S AND [MR.] CASTRO'S STALINIST POLICE STATE, THE MAYOR'S PLAIN WORDS ABOUT [THE CUBAN LEADER] ARE ESPECIALLY WELCOME. . . . TRUE, MANY DICTATORS WILL ATTEND THE CITY'S FESTIVITIES NEXT WEEK. . . . BUT THE EYES OF THIS COUNTRY HAVE BEEN TRAINED ON [MR.] CASTRO'S CUBA FOR 35 YEARS: THE HORRORS THAT TAKE PLACE THERE CONTINUE TO GENERATE SPECIAL OUTRAGE, PARTICULARLY AMONG THE THOUSANDS OF CUBAN-AMERICANS WHO HAVE FLED TO THESE SHORES IN ORDER TO BUILD NEW LIVES. . . . EVEN IF THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS TO NURTURE A FRIENDLIER RELATIONSHIP WITH [MR. CASTRO], NEW YORKERS CAN TAKE COMFORT IN THE FACT THAT THEIR MAYOR HAS NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT THE NATURE OF LIFE IN CUBA."

TEXT: FLORIDA'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" WORRIES ABOUT FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUE CHIRAC'S PLAN TO MEET WITH ALGERIAN HEAD OF STATE LIAMINE ZEROUAL [LEE-UH-MEEN ZAIR-OH-ALL] DURING THE U-N ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN NEW YORK. THE NEWSPAPER POINTS TO DEADLY TERRORIST BOMBINGS IN BOTH ALGERIA AND FRANCE.

VOICE: "NOW AN ULTIMATUM FROM [ALGERIAN TERRORISTS WHO CALL THEMSELVES 'THE ARMED ISLAMIC GROUP'] HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN A LONDON NEWSPAPER. THE ULTIMATUM DEMANDS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT FRANCE SUSPEND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH, AND AID TO, ALGERIA AND THAT MR. CHIRAC CANCEL THE MEETING WITH MR. ZEROUAL. FURTHER TERROIST ACTS ARE IMPLIED IF THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN. MR. CHIRAC HAS VOWED TO STICK TO HIS SCHEDULE. "THAT DECISION WAS A BIT HASTY. . . CONSIDERING THE VOLATILITY OF THE PLANNED ENCOUNTER . . . IT'S INAPPROPRIATE FOR MR. CHIRAC TO HOLD THAT MEETING IN THE UNTED STATES. THAT COULD EXPOSE THIS COUNTRY TO THE WRATH OF THOSE WHO OBJECT. . . BETTER TO POSTPONE THE MEETING WITH MR. ZEROUAL AND HOLD IT IN ANOTHER LOCATION -- PERHAPS IN FRANCE."

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SALUTES KENYAN PRESIDENT DANIEL ARAP-MOI [AIR-UP MOY] FOR SETTING FREE NEARLY 11-THOUSAND PRISONERS, MOSTLY PETTY OFFENDERS. BUT IT SCOLDS HIM FOR KEEPING A LEADING POLITICAL DISSIDENT [KOIGI WA WAMWERE] IN JAIL. THOUGH MR. MOI TRIES TO PORTRAY KENYA AS A "LAND OF TRANQUILITY", WRITES "THE MONITOR", THE REALITY IS SOMETHING QUITE DIFFERENT.

VOICE: "ACCORDING TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, MORE THAN 80 JOURNALISTS, WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, AND GOVERNMENT CRITICS WERE DETAINED [IN KENYA] LAST YEAR. . . MORE THAN 56 MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WERE ALSO DETAINED, MOSTLY WHEN THEY TRIED TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETINGS. ETHNIC CLASHES WITH POLITICAL OVERTONES ARE COMMON IN THE SLUMS OF NAIROBI. . . . THE U-S SHOULD INCREASE PRESSURE ON THE KENYAN GOVERNMENT TO HONOR ITS INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENT TO RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS. THAT INCLUDES FREEING PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE. . . . [ OPT ] THOUGH THE LIKELIHOOD IS SLIM, [MR.] MOI MIGHT BE FORCED TO LISTEN, SINCE HE RELIES ON WESTERN AID AND INVESTMENT. GERMANY AND DENMARK HAVE SAID THEIR AID WILL DEPEND ON POLITICAL REFORM. THE U-S AND OTHER DONOR NATIONS SHOULD FOLLOW SUIT." [ END OPT ]

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WEIGHS IN ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S COMMITMENT TO SEND 20-THOUSAND OR MORE GROUND TROOPS TO BOSNIA AS PART OF A NATO PEACEKEEPING EFFORT. BY PROCLAIMING THAT HE DOES NOT NEED CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR SUCH A MOVE, "THE TIMES" WRITES, THE ADMINISTRATION IS STRAYING ONTO SHAKY CONSTITUTIONAL AND POLITICAL GROUND.

VOICE: "THE WHITE HOUSE MISREADS THE CONSTITUTION AND PUBLIC SENTIMENT ON BOSNIA IF IT THINKS PRESIDENT CLINTON CAN ORDER AMERICAN TROOPS INTO DANGER WITHOUT A CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE OR VOTE. THIS IS NOT THE KIND OF UNFORESEEN EMERGENCY WHERE THE PRESIDENT MUST ACT SO QUICKLY TO DEFEND NATIONAL INTERESTS THAT THERE IS NOT TIME TO SEEK ADVANCE CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL. . . BEFORE THE PERSIAN GULF WAR, PRESIDENT BUSH ASSERTED HIS AUTHORITY TO ACT WITHOUT CONGRESS. BUT IN THE END, BOTH HOUSES DEBATED AND APPROVED THE USE OF AMERICAN FORCE. AS A RESULT, A COUNTRY THAT HAD BEEN DIVIDED OVER THE NEED FOR WAR WAS UNITED WHEN AMERICAN LIVES WERE PUT AT RISK. PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOULD FOLLOW THAT WISE PRECEDENT ON BOSNIA."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT BIT OF ADVICE FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES", WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS IN THE AMERICAN PRESS THIS FRIDAY.

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20-Oct-95 12:14 PM EDT (1614 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- OCTOBER 20, 1995 !!!

VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- 10/20/95 THE FOLLOWING IS A SYNOPSIS OF SIGNIFICANT REPORTING ON BOSNIA BY THE VOICE OF AMERICA THAT HAD BEEN BROADCAST OR FIRMLY SCHEDULED AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. THIS SELECTION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE EXHAUSTIVE, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE LATE-BREAKING NEWS OR THE MANY REPORTS IN ALL VOA LANGUAGES THAT ARE BASED ON COMMERCIAL WIRE SERVICES OR OTHER SECONDARY SOURCES. WE REGRET THAT WE CANNOT RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR TRANSCRIPTS OF SPECIFIC BROADCASTS OR PROGRAM SEGMENTS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT VOA, OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. TELEPHONE: +1-202-619-2538. ELECTRONIC MAIL: [email protected] (FOR CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES); [email protected] (FOR CORRESPONDENCE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES).

YUGO TRIBUNAL -- THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAS ISSUED AN INTERNATIONAL ARREST WARRANT FOR THE COMMANDER OF A BOSNIAN SERB PRISON CAMP WHO IS ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES. DRAGAN NIKOLIC WAS THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL TO BE INDICTED BY THE TRIBUNAL BUT HAS REMAINED AT LARGE IN BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY SINCE 1994 WHEN THOSE CHARGES WERE BROUGHT. SO FAR THE TRIBUNAL, BASED IN THE HAGUE, HAS BROUGHT CHARGES AGAINST 43 PEOPLE BUT ONLY ONE OF THOSE IS IN CUSTODY. FROM THE HAGUE, STRINGER GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS. (10/20)

RUSSIA / YELTSIN / KOZYREV -- BEFORE LEAVING MOSCOW ON HIS TRIP TO FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HINTED HE MAY KEEP FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI KOZYREV IN HIS JOB AT LEAST FOR THE TIME BEING. AS CORRESPONDENT PETER COLLINS REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, THE FLAP OVER MR. KOZYREV UNDERSCORES RUSSIA'S ANGER OVER RECENT NATO ACTIONS IN BOSNIA AND ITS PLANS TO EXPAND INTO EASTERN EUROPE. (10/20)

RUSSIA / FRANCE -- RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS ARRIVED IN FRANCE FOR TWO DAYS OF TALKS THAT WILL CONCENTRATE ON RUSSIA'S ROLE IN THE PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. STRINGER JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS. (10/20)

AMERICAN ENVOY / CROATIA -- CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN TOLD AMERICAN PEACE MEDIATOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE THAT CROATIA WILL NOT ENDANGER THE PEACE PROCESS BY TAKING MILITARY CONTROL OVER IT'S TERRITORY IN EASTERN SLAVONIA. STRINGER ?ZELJKO MATIC REPORTS FROM ZAGREB THE CROATIAN PRESIDENT HELD SEPARATE TALKS WITH SPECIAL RUSSIAN ENVOY IGOR IVANOV. (CROATIAN 10/19)

HOLBROOKE / SHATTUCK / TUDJMAN -- DURING THE TALKS WITH US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE R HOLBROOKE, CROATIAN PRESIDENT F TUDJMAN STRESSED THE NEED TO INCLUDE THE QUESTION OF EASTERN SLAVONIA IN THE FRAMEWORK OF PEACE TALKS ON BOSNIA TO BE HELD IN DAYTON, OHIO. AT THE SAME TIME, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS J SHATTUCK WARNED AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF THE SERB MINORITY IN CROATIA. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 10/19)

AMERICAN DIPLOMAT / SERB WAR CRIMES -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN SHATTUCK DISCLOSED POSSIBLE NEW SERB WAR CRIMES COMMITTED DURING THE LATEST WAVE OF ETHNIC CLEANSING IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA. STRINGER ?ZELJKO MATIC SAYS THE US DIPLOMAT TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE IN ZAGREB THAT MOST OF THOSE KILLED WERE IN SANSKI MOST AND BOSANSKI NOVI. (CROATIAN 10/19)

HOLBROOKE / MILOSEVIC -- AFTER TALKS WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT S MILOSEVIC, US ENVOY R HOLBROOKE SAID THAT THERE IS NO NEED FOR HIS RETURN TO THE BALKANS, ADDING THAT THE FORTHCOMING NEGOTIATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES WILL BE DIFFICULT. THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT ALSO MET WITH UN PEACE NEGOTIATOR T STOLTENBERG. STRINGER MILICA KUBUROVIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 10/19)

US ENVOY IN SERBIA -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE HELD TALKS IN BELGRADE WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. MR HOLBROOKE EXPRESSED HOPE THAT THE TALKS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN BY THE END OF THE MONTH IN DAYTON, OHIO WILL LEAD TO PEACE IN THE BALKANS. BELGRADE STRINGER JADRANKA KRONJA REPORTS. (CROATIAN 10/19)

BOSNIA CEASE-FIRE -- UNPROFOR REPORTS THAT THE CEASE-FIRE IN BOSNIA IS HOLDING. BUT, AS STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO, THE UNPROFOR GAVE THE GOVERNMENT TWENTY-FOUR HOURS TO ALLOW UN MONITORS INTO THE CRITICAL AREA OF NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA. (CROATIAN 10/19)

CEASE-FIRE / BOSNIA -- UNPROFOR OFFICIALS IN SARAJEVO SAY THE LATEST CEASEFIRE IN BOSNIA IS TAKING HOLD ON ALMOST ALL CONFRONTATION LINES. HOWEVER, THE WARRING SIDES ARE ACCUSING EACH OTHER OF SPORADIC FIGHTING IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 10/19)

GERMANY / BOSNIA -- GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL SAYS IT IS POSSIBLE THE SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA WILL BE EXTENDED. STRINGER IVICA LOVRIC IN BONN REPORTS THAT THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALSO CONDEMNED SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY SERBS, CROATS AND MUSLIMS. (CROATIAN 10/19)

US FORCES / BOSNIA -- WEST POINT PROFESSOR DON SNIDER PREDICTS THAT THE AMERICAN MILITARY MISSION TO BOSNIA WILL INCLUDE ONLY MONITORING OF BOSNIAN BORDERS, AND THAT IT WILL PRECLUDE HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS, AND DISARMAMENT. STAFFER DZENITA MEHIC INTERVIEWS PROFESSOR SNIDER ABOUT US MILITARY MISSION IN BOSNIA. (CROATIAN 10/19)

SEWEL / BOSNIAN FEDERATION -- GENERAL JOHN SEWEL, SPECIAL MILITARY ADVISER TO THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN BOSNIAN CROATS AND BOSNIACS, IS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER DZEILANA PECANIN. HE ALSO TALKS ABOUT THE TRAINING OF THE BOSNIAN ARMY, AND THE GOAL TO REDUCE THE SERB HEAVY WEAPONRY. (CROATIAN 10/19) 21-Oct-95 8:31 AM EDT (1231 UTC)
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[03] BOSNIA / NATO BY WAYNEY COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: AS NATO PREPARES TO OVERSEE A POSSIBLE PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, THE MAIN QUESTION IS STILL THAT OF RUSSIAN INVOLVEMENT. RUSSIA DOES NOT WANT NATO TO EVOLVE INTO EUROPE'S MAIN SECURITY ORGANIZATION, AND RUSSIA IS NOT PREPARED TO OPERATE UNDER NATO COMMAND. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: PLANS TO DEPLOY ABOUT 60-THOUSAND NATO TROOPS TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ARE WELL-ADVANCED EVEN THOUGH A BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT STILL APPEARS UNCERTAIN.

ASSUMING A PEACE AGREEMENT IS CONCLUDED IN THE COMING WEEKS, NATO IS EXPECTED TO TAKE OVER THE UNITED NATIONS REGIONAL MILITARY HEADQUARTERS IN ZAGREB AS ITS OPERATIONAL BASE.

SOME OF THE U-N PEACE-KEEPERS, NOW IN BOSNIA, WILL SIMPLY REPLACE THEIR BLUE U-N HELMETS WITH NATO HELMETS AND WILL, BASICALLY, CONTINUE TO DO WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING. THOUSANDS OF OTHER NATO TROOPS, THEIR SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT WILL BE BROUGHT IN BY AIR OR OVERLAND FROM GERMANY, ITALY, CROATIA AND SERBIA.

NATO IS ASSIGNING CERTAIN GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS OF BOSNIA TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBER COUNTRIES. FRENCH TROOPS ARE LIKELY TO REMAIN IN AND AROUND SARAJEVO. THE APPROXIMATELY 20-THOUSAND AMERICAN TROOPS, PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS PROMISED, WILL BE DEPLOYED AROUND THE TOWN OF TUZLA IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA.

THE DEPLOYMENT OF FORCES FROM COUNTRIES THAT ARE NOT NATO MEMBERS STILL HAS TO BE WORKED OUT. FOR EXAMPLE, AUSTRIA, A FORMER IMPERIAL POWER IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, MAY PROVIDE MILITARY ENGINEERS AND MEDICAL UNITS. BUT, THE MAIN QUESTION AT THE MOMENT IS RUSSIA'S ROLE. THE RUSSIANS DEMAND A ROLE BUT NOT UNDER NATO COMMAND. NATO DOES NOT WANT A JOINT COMMAND. LOGICALLY, SOME, IF NOT ALL, OF THE RUSSIAN FORCES WOULD BE DEPLOYED IN BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY. THEY WOULD BE LESS LIKELY TO BE TAKEN HOSTAGE IF SERIOUS TROUBLE BROKE OUT. BUT, THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT HAS INDICATED IT MAY NOT BE IN A POSITION TO SEND MANY TROOPS, AND IT COULD FACE FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN PAYING FOR ITS DEPLOYMENT.

ATTEMPTS TO FIND A WAY TO SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IMPLEMENTING A PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA HAVE MADE LITTLE PROGRESS, SO FAR. BUT, NATO AND RUSSIA BOTH WANT TO FIND A WAY, AND THIS ISSUE WILL BE DISCUSSED WHEN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN VISITS THE UNITED STATES EARLY NEXT WEEK.

A SUCCESSFUL NATO AND RUSSIAN PEACE ENFORCEMENT OPERATION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WOULD BE A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT ON ITS OWN. OF COURSE, THERE ARE CONSIDERABLE RISKS OF FAILURE WITH POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES FOR THE WESTERN ALLIANCE AND FOR RUSSIA. EVERYTHING WILL BE DONE TO MINIMIZE THESE RISKS. EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION BETWEEN NATO AND RUSSIA IN POST-WAR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA COULD, CONCEIVABLY, BECOME A MODEL FOR A JOINT PEACE-KEEPING OR PEACE-ENFORCEMENT OPERATION SOMEWHERE ELSE.

EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, THE CREATION OF A DURABLE PEACE IN BOSNIA, BECAUSE OF NATO AND RUSSIAN INVOLVEMENT, COULD EASE THE TENSION OVER NATO'S PLANNED EASTWARD EXPANSION. (SIGNED)

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20-Oct-95 10:52 AM EDT (1452 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA / KILLINGS (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

INTRO: THERE ARE GROWING INDICATIONS OF MORE MASS KILLINGS BY SERB FORCES IN NORTHERN BOSNIA. MORE THAN EIGHT-THOUSAND MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN EXPELLED FROM THE REGION OVER THE PAST MONTH IN WHAT U-N OFFICIALS HAVE CALLED THE FINAL CHAPTER IN A SERB ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS SOME OF THOSE EXPELLED HAVE TOLD U-N AND U-S OFFICIALS THAT HUNDREDS -- PERHAPS THOUSANDS -- MORE MUSLIMS WERE ROUNDED UP AND EXECUTED BY SERB PARAMILITARY GROUPS.

TEXT: U-N AND U-S OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS NO CONFIRMATION OF THE REPORTED MASS KILLINGS IN NORTHERN BOSNIA. BUT EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNTS FROM MUSLIMS RECENTLY EXPELLED FROM THE REGION HAVE LED THESE OFFICIALS TO THE CONCLUSION -- AS ONE U-N SPOKESMAN PUT IT -- THAT SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS HAPPENING.

U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN SHATTUCK INTERVIEWED RECENTLY-ARRIVED REFUGEES FROM THE NORTH THIS WEEK. HE LATER TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE THE REPORTS OF MASS KILLINGS ARE BOTH SIGNIFICANT AND CREDIBLE, AND COULD WELL LEAD TO FURTHER INDICTMENTS BY THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE.

BOTH MR. SHATTUCK AND OFFICIALS OF THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES HAVE GATHERED TESTIMONY ABOUT AN INCIDENT EARLIER THIS MONTH IN THE TOWN OF BOSANSKI NOVI, NEAR BOSNIA'S NORTHERN BORDER WITH CROATIA.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN RON REDMOND SAID A MUSLIM WOMAN, EXPELLED FROM THE TOWN, TOLD U-N OFFICIALS HER SON WAS FORCED TO COLLECT THE BODIES OF THOSE KILLED BY SUPPORTERS OF A NOTORIOUS SERB PARAMILITARY LEADER KNOWN AS ARKAN.

ONE WOMAN IN THAT GROUP SAID THAT THERE WERE ABOUT 100 MUSLIM CIVILIANS WHO HAD REFUSED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES IN THE REGION, AND THAT EVENTUALLY MEN FROM ARKAN'S UNIT HAD GONE THROUGH THE VILLAGE, TAKEN THESE PEOPLE AWAY, AND THEY WERE MURDERED.

U-N OFFICIALS, INCLUDING NEWLY APPOINTED HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR ELIZABETH REHN, ARE VOICING GRAVE CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE FEW THOUSAND MUSLIMS WHO REMAIN IN THE NORTH.

AND I AM EXTREMELY WORRIED THAT THERE COULD BE A NEW SREBRENICA COMING OUT FROM THIS. THAT IS A CONCERN FOR ALL PARTIES.

A SENIOR U-N-H-C-R OFFICIAL HAS APPEALED TO BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC TO PUT AN END TO THE EXPULSION CAMPAIGN AND THE REPORTED ATROCITIES IN THE NORTH.

MR. KARADZIC IS HIMSELF UNDER INDICTMENT BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. AND MUSLIMS EXPELLED FROM THE NORTH SAY THE SERB LEADER WAS IN THE REGION WHEN SOME OF THE REPORTED KILLINGS TOOK PLACE. (SIGNED)

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20-Oct-95 12:44 PM EDT (1644 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA SITREP (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: FIGHTING HAS BROKEN OUT IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA, WHERE REPORTS SAY BOSNIAN SERB FORCES HAVE LAUNCHED AN ATTACK TOWARD THE TOWN OF SANSKI MOST. BUT DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS U-N OFFICIALS SAY REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL SIDES HAVE AGREED TO ISSUE ORDERS TO STOP THE FIGHTING.

TEXT: U-N OFFICIALS SAY FIGHTING HAS RESUMED IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA. BUT THEY SAY THEY CANNOT CONFIRM REPORTS THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE LAUNCHED AN ATTACK TOWARD THE TOWN OF SANSKI MOST, WHICH WAS CAPTURED BY GOVERNMENT FORCES JUST BEFORE THE CEASE-FIRE WENT INTO EFFECT NINE DAYS AGO.

UNCONFIRMED REPORTS FROM THE AREA SAY THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARMY HAS PUSHED A SHORT DISTANCE INTO GOVERNMENT-HELD TERRITORY.

THE U-N MILITARY SPOKESMAN, LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHRIS VERNON, SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN A "VAST NUMBER OF CEASE-FIRE VIOLATIONS," AND BOTH SIDES ARE USING ARTILLERY AROUND SANSKI MOST. BUT HE CANNOT SAY WHO STARTED THE FIGHTING.

WHAT WE GET IS THE BOTH SIDES SAYING THE OTHER ONE IS ATTACKING. BOTH SIDES SAYING THE OTHER ONE IS VIOLATING THE CEASE-FIRE.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY ALL SIDES HAVE AGREED TO ISSUE EXPLICIT ORDERS TO THEIR FORCES TO HALT ALL OFFENSIVE MILITARY ACTIVITY. AND TWO MEETINGS BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND THE MUSLIM-CROAT FORCES ARE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON THE FRONT LINES ON FRIDAY IN A FURTHER EFFORT TO HALT MILITARY OPERATIONS.

U-N OFFICIALS HAVE ALSO SHARPLY CRITICIZED THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT FOR FAILING TO ALLOW U-N MONITORS INTO NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA TO CHECK ON COMPLIANCE WITH THE CEASE-FIRE.

UNPROFOR CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THAT THE REPUBLIC AND FEDERATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA AUTHORITIES ARE NOT, ARE NOT, COMPLYING WITH PARAGRAPH SIX OF THE CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT WHICH THEY SIGNED, WHICH STATES THAT THEY WILL COOPERATE WITH THE CEASE-FIRE MONITORING AUTHORITIES OF UNPROFOR.

U-N OBSERVERS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED ACCESS TO THE BOSNIAN SERB SIDE OF THE FRONT LINES, AND U-N OFFICIALS SAY ANOTHER TEAM OF SIX U-N MONITORS IS GOING TO THE AREA ON FRIDAY TO EXPAND THE U-N'S ABILITY TO CHECK ON CEASE-FIRE VIOLATIONS. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED THE FIGHTING COULD CONTINUE UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH WHEN PEACE TALKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED)

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20-Oct-95 9:45 AM EDT (1345 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] CLINTON-SENATE BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ASSURED CONGRESS HE WILL REQUEST THEIR SUPPORT BEFORE COMMITTING U-S TROOPS TO A PEACEKEEPING OPERATION IN BOSNIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO WAIT UNTIL A PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED.

TEXT: THIS WEEK, THE ADMINISTRATION ENCOUNTERED A STORM OF WARNINGS THAT CONGRESS IS NOT READY TO AGREE TO SEND AMERICAN TROOPS TO BOSNIA UNTIL PRESIDENT CLINTON EXPLAINS WHY THIS PEACEKEEPING MISSION IS IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST. AT REQUEST OF WEST VIRGINIA SENATOR ROBERT BYRD, PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS WRITTEN THAT HE WOULD WELCOME, ENCOURAGE AND AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, HE WILL REQUEST, AN EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT BY CONGRESS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE PRESIDENT MAINTAINS HIS CONSTITUTIONAL POWER TO COMMIT AMERICAN TROOPS AND SAYS HE WILL NOT REQUEST THIS SUPPORT UNTIL A PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED. THE PRESIDENT'S LETTER SAYS ACTION AT THIS TIME IS PREMATURE PENDING THE PEACE TALKS TO BE HELD OCTOBER 31ST WITH THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA AND SERBIA IN DAYTON, OHIO. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER RECOMMENDED SENDING THE LETTER TO SENATOR BYRD.

I KNOW THAT THE SECRETARY FEELS VERY STRONGLY ABOUT ONE THING. AS WE DEBATE WHETHER OR NOT THE UNITED STATES SHOULD DEPLOY TROOPS TO BOSNIA, SOMETIME IN A MONTH OR TWO OR THREE OR FOUR HENCE (IN THE FUTURE) WE'VE GOT TO KEEP OUR MINDS OPEN TO THE VITAL NATIONAL INTEREST THE COUNTRY HAS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD NOT BE UNDERCUT BY CONGRESS BEFORE THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS EVEN BEGIN. (SIGNED)

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20-Oct-95 4:55 PM EDT (2055 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] CLINTON / CLAES (S-ONLY) BY ERIN BRUMMETT (COLUMBUS, OHIO)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR DEPARTING NATO SECRETARY GENERAL WILLY CLAES. IN A STATEMENT ISSUED DURING MR. CLINTON'S TRIP TO OHIO (FRIDAY), THE WHITE HOUSE SAID MR. CLAES PROVIDED GREAT LEADERSHIP TO THE ALLIANCE DURING ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PERIODS IN HISTORY. V-O-A'S ERIN BRUMMETT IS AMONG JOURNALISTS TRAVELLING WITH THE PRESIDENT AND HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE WHITE HOUSE IS CALLING MR. CLAES A STRONG AND EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE FOR THE ROBUST NATO ROLE IN BOSNIA WHICH HELPED TRANSFORM THE SITUATION THERE AND PAVE THE WAY FOR SERIOUS PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

THE WHITE HOUSE NOTED THAT MR. CLAES SPEARHEADED ALLIANCE EFFORTS TO REACH OUT TO THE NATIONS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE AND HELPED SET NATO FIRMLY ON ITS COURSE TOWARD EVENTUAL ENLARGEMENT.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS SECRETARY GENERAL CLAES IS A GOOD FRIEND OF THE UNITED STATES AND A STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONSHIP, WHOSE PRESENCE AT THE NATO HELM WILL BE MISSED. (SIGNED)

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20-Oct-95 12:22 PM EDT (1622 UTC)
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[08] DOLE / BOSNIA TALKS (S-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (SENATE)

INTRO: U-S SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER BOB DOLE SAYS SERBIA'S PRESIDENT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED INTO THE UNITED STATES FOR PEACE TALKS ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, THE MEETINGS START IN ABOUT TEN DAYS (OCTOBER 31) AT A MIDWESTERN AIR BASE.

TEXT: SPEAKING ON THE SENATE FLOOR (FRIDAY), THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER CHARGED THE ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING A SERIOUS MISTAKE BY GIVING A VISA TO PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

THE SENATOR SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC IS NO PEACEMAKER BUT INSTEAD THE MASTERMIND OF ETHNIC CLEANSING IN BOSNIA -- AND THE OPPRESSOR OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE PROVINCE OF KOSOVO.

WHILE MR. MILOSEVIC IS WIDELY BLAMED FOR INCITING THE BOSNIAN WAR, HE HAS NOT BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES LIKE SOME BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS, WHO WILL NOT TAKE PART IN THE UPCOMING PEACE TALKS.

A STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN (NICK BURNS) DEFENDS THE DECISION TO INCLUDE MR. MILOSEVIC, SAYING IT IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY TO NEGOTIATE WITH ONE'S ENEMIES. (SIGNED)

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20-Oct-95 3:55 PM EDT (1955 UTC)
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[09] EUROPE SPACE (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: MINISTERS FROM THE COUNTRIES IN THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY HAVE AGREED THAT EUROPE SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION THAT IS DUE TO COME INTO BEING IN TWO YEARS' TIME. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE 14-NATION EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY AGREED DURING A MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE IN THE FRENCH CITY OF TOULOUSE THAT EUROPE WILL PROVIDE A CARGO TRANSPORT VEHICLE AND A LABORATORY MODULE FOR THE ALPHA SPACE STATION.

FOR THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY, THE AGREEMENT IS A RARE SUCCESS. IN THE PAST, THE AGENCY -- FOUNDED TO HELP EUROPE JOIN A SPACE RACE DOMINATED BY THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA -- HAS BEEN HAMPERED BY A LACK OF MONEY AND ENTHUSIASM.

EVEN FOR THE ALPHA STATION, IT WILL BE FRANCE, GERMANY AND ITALY THAT WILL PROVIDE MOST OF THE MONEY. GERMANY HAS PROMISED 42 PERCENT OF THE ESTIMATED TWO-BILLION-DOLLAR COST OF THE EUROPEAN PARTICIPATION. FRANCE WILL GIVE 37 PERCENT, AND ITALY NINE PERCENT.

THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY INCLUDES ALL EUROPEAN UNION NATIONS EXCEPT, GREECE, LUXEMBOURG, AND PORTUGAL. NORWAY AND SWITZERLAND ALSO ARE MEMBERS.

IN ADDITION TO THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA, JAPAN WILL BE THE OTHER MAIN CONTRIBUTOR TO THE STATION.

THE EUROPEAN AUTOMATIC TRANSFER VEHICLE, ALREADY DUBBED "THE SPACE TRUCK" WILL BE BUILT BY FRANCE'S AEROSPATIALE COMPANY IN TOULOUSE AND LAUNCHED IN THE YEAR 2002. IT WILL BE DESIGNED TO CARRY BETWEEN SIX AND NINE TONS OF CARGO. ITS ENGINES CAN ALSO BE USED TO MODIFY THE STATION'S ORBIT.

FRANCE'S ARIANE-FIVE ROCKET WILL BE USED TO LAUNCH THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, FRANCE WHOSE ARIANE PROGRAM COMPETES WITH U-S, RUSSIAN, AND CHINESE ROCKETS FOR THE LAUNCH OF COMMERCIAL SATELLITES, IS THE ONLY EUROPEAN COUNTRY WITH AN ACTIVE SPACE PROGRAM.

THE ALPHA STATION WILL BEGIN ITS EXISTENCE AT THE END OF 1997 WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE FIRST, RUSSIAN-BUILT MODULE. IT WILL THEN BE BUILT UP, PIECE BY PIECE, IN SPACE. IT WILL BE PERMANENTLY MANNED BY A CREW OF SIX ASTRONAUTS FROM THE PARTICIPATING NATIONS. (SIGNED)

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20-Oct-95 8:52 AM EDT (1252 UTC)
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[10] NATO / CLAES (L) BY JOHN FRASER ( BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO SECRETARY GENERAL WILLY CLAES DECLARED FRIDAY HE IS ''AN ANGRY MAN'' -- AS HE ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION FROM THE NATO ALLIANCE. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS MR. CLAES' DECISION FOLLOWED A VOTE IN THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT THAT HE SHOULD BE TRIED FOR CORRUPTION.

TEXT: WILLY CLAES IS ACCUSED OF INVOLVEMENT IN A BRIBERY SCANDAL INVOLVING SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS, WHICH DATES BACK TO THE 1980'S, WHEN HE WAS BELGIAN ECONOMICS MINISTER.

THE BRIBES WERE PAID BY THE ITALIAN AGUSTA HELICOPTER FIRM AND BY THE FRENCH DEFENSE CONTRACTOR DASSAULT TO THE FLEMISH SOCIALIST PARTY, OF WHICH MR. CLAES IS A MEMBER.

MR CLAES SAID HIS RESIGNATION IS A PERSONAL TRAGEDY FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY.

HE ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION AT A NEWS CONFERENCE ON HIS LAST DAY AT HIS BRUSSELS OFFICE -- AFTER HAVING A FAREWELL LUNCH WITH NATO AMBASSADORS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I HAVE CALLED THIS PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE THAT FOLLOWING YESTERDAY'S VOTE IN THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT, I HAVE DECIDED, OF COURSE WITH GREAT REGRET, TO RESIGN. SINCE I TOOK UP MY APPOINTMENT HERE A YEAR AGO, THE INTERESTS OF THIS GREAT ALLIANCE -- ITS CREDIBILITY AND ITS EFFICIENCY -- HAVE ALWAYS COME FIRST WITH ME. I THEREFORE CONCLUDED THAT THE INTERESTS OF THE ALLIANCE ARE BEST SERVED BY MY TAKING THIS COURSE OF ACTION.

MR CLAES PROTESTED HIS INNOCENCE -- AND BLAMED HIS DOWNFALL ON THE BELGIAN MEDIA AND LEGAL SYSTEM, WHICH HE BRANDED AS UNWORTHY OF A MODERN STATE BASED ON A DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTION AND THE RULE OF LAW.

MR CLAES PLAYED DOWN HIS ROLE IN AWARDING THE DEFENSE CONTRACTS FOR WHICH BRIBES WERE PAID.

HE SAID HE CONDEMNS THE PAYMENT OF BRIBES, AND GAVE HIS WORD THAT HE WAS IN NO WAY INVOLVED IN, OR AWARE OF, WHAT HAPPENED.

AND HE ALSO CRITICIZED THE 150-MEMBER BELGIAN PARLIAMENT, WHICH VOTED BY TWO TO ONE THAT HE SHOULD BE TRIED, CLAIMING THAT IT HAD NOT JUDGED HIM FAIRLY, BUT HAD VOTED ALONG POLITICAL LINES.

HE CONCLUDED HE NOW INTENDS TO GET ON WITH HIS LIFE, AND WILL FIGHT TO CLEAR HIS NAME.

NATO MINISTERS WILL BE IN NEW YORK THIS WEEKEND FOR CELEBRATIONS TO MARK THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED NATIONS. IT IS LIKELY THAT THEY WILL USE THE OCCASION TO TRY TO AGREE ON A SUCCESSOR. (SIGNED)

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20-Oct-95 12:25 PM EDT (1625 UTC)
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[11] NATO OVERVIEW BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL WILLY CLAES HAS RESIGNED AFTER THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT VOTED TO REFER HIM TO THE COUNTRY'S HIGHEST COURT WHERE HE WILL ANSWER CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY CHARGES. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, VOA CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT MR. CLAES'S TENURE AS NATO'S HEAD AND THE REASON FOR HIS RESIGNATION.

TEXT: WILLY CLAES HAS BEEN NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR 13 MONTHS. MILITARY EXPERTS SAY HIS TENURE BEGAN AUSPICIOUSLY BUT THEN HE BECAME DISTRACTED BY BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS WHICH HAMPERED HIS ACTIVITIES AND ULTIMATELY BROUGHT HIM DOWN.

MR. CLAES TOOK TOOK OVER AS NATO'S HEAD ON OCTOBER 17TH OF LAST YEAR. FREDERICK BONNART -- EDITOR OF THE BRUSSELS-BASED MAGAZINE ENTITLED "16 COUNTRIES" FOCUSING ON NATO AFFAIRS -- SAYS MR. CLAES'S DIPLOMATIC SKILLS WERE IMMEDIATELY PUT TO TEST WHEN THE AMERICANS DECIDED NOT TO ENFORCE AN ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT. AT THAT TIME, MR. CLAES MADE SURE NATO PRESENTED A UNIFIED STANCE DESPITE THE AMERICAN DECISION.

MR. BONNART SAYS THAT DIPLOMATIC ACHIEVEMENT WAS QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER ONE.

THE SECOND POINT WHERE HE SHONE QUITE WELL WAS THE FOLLOWING DECEMBER, THAT IS LAST DECEMBER, WHEN THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI KOZYREV REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE AGREEMENT PREVIOUSLY NEGOTIATED BECAUSE RUSSIA OBJECTED TO THE ENLARGEMENT PROJECT. AGAIN, HE HANDLED THAT EXTREMELY WELL. TACTFULLY, IN A VERY DIFFERENT SORT OF WAY BUT VERY, VERY WELL. SO IT LOOKED ALL RIGHT.

BUT IT ALL BEGAN TO UNRAVEL LAST FEBRUARY. ALLEGATIONS SURFACED THAT WHEN HE WAS BELGIAN ECONOMICS MINISTER, HE KNEW ABOUT BRIBES GIVEN BY AN ITALIAN HELICOPTER FIRM TO HIS FLEMISH SOCIALIST PARTY TO SECURE A LUCRATIVE DEFENSE CONTRACT. MR. BONNART SAYS IN THE 1980'S, CONTRIBUTIONS BY VARIOUS COMPANIES TO BELGIAN POLITICAL PARTIES WAS A COMMON PRACTICE.

I OUGHT TO SAY THAT AT THAT TIME, THE POLITICAL PARTIES IN BELGIUM LIVED ONLY FROM EXTERNAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND INTERNAL MEMBERSHIP, OF COURSE. BUT THERE WAS NO WAY OF FINANCING PARTIES OTHERWISE. THIS IS NOW -- THE LAW HAS CHANGED IN THE MEANTIME -- BUT AT THAT TIME IT WAS LEGAL FOR THEM TO RECEIVE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM FIRMS. NATURALLY IT WAS ILLEGAL, OBVIOUSLY, TO PUT A BRIBE INTO THAT AND AS A MINISTER, HAD A DUTY TO REPORT THIS, BUT HE DID NOT.

FROM FEBRUARY ON -- WHEN NATO'S ROLE IN BOSNIA INCREASED AS THE MONTHS WENT BY -- MR. CLAES WAS DOGGED BY THE BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS, WHICH HE TO THIS DAY, DENIES. BUT THOSE ALLEGATIONS ULTIMATELY BROUGHT HIM DOWN AFTER THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT DECIDED THERE WERE ENOUGH INDICATIONS TO SEND MR. CLAES TO THE COUNTRY'S HIGHEST COURT.

MR. BONNART SAYS MR. CLAES'S RESIGNATION COMES AT A CRITICAL TIME FOR NATO, WHEN THE ALLIANCE PREPARES TO LAUNCH ITS BIGGEST OPERATION EVER IN BOSNIA. NATO ALSO FACES MAJOR ISSUES SUCH AS ENLARGEMENT TO EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NATO AND RUSSIA.

MR. BONNART SAYS ANY NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL MUST HAVE AN UNUSUAL PERSONALITY.

HE HAS GOT TO BIG A BIG PUBLIC FIGURE AND THEREFORE WILL HAVE TO BE A POWERFUL PERSONALITY IN THE FIRST PLACE. BUT HE MUST ALSO BE ABLE TO SUBORDINATE HIS OWN PERSONALITY -- HIS OWN PERSONAL VIEWS AT ANY RATE -- TO THOSE OF THE MEMBER COUNTRIES FOR WHOM HE IS THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE. HE IS NOT THE BOSS. HE IS NOT THE BOSS -- AND THAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE OVERLOOK. HE IS A SENIOR EXECUTIVE BECAUSE HE IS ONLY ALLOWED TO EXPRESS THE OPINION OF THE COUNCIL, OF NATO -- NOT HIS OWN OPINIONS IN PUBLIC. HE CAN SAY WHAT HE LIKES INTERNALLY, IN THE COUNCIL HE CAN TRY AND PERSUADE PEOPLE AND BEND THEM TO HIS VIEWS -- BUT ONCE NATO HAS TAKEN A DECISION, ONCE NATO HAS ADOPTED A LINE, HE MUST LOYALLY FOLLOW THAT LINE.

MR. BONNART BELIEVES ALLIANCE MEMBERS MUST ACT SWIFTLY TO NAME A NEW NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL -- AND THAT MAY HAPPEN AS EARLY AS THIS WEEKEND, WHEN NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN NEW YORK FOR CELEBRATIONS MARKING THE UNITED NATIONS'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY. (SIGNED)

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20-Oct-95 11:19 AM EDT (1519 UTC)
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[12] PERRY / NATO RESIGNATION (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: SENIOR U-S OFFICIALS ARE MINIMIZING THE EFFECT THE RESIGNATION OF NATO-SECRETARY GENERAL WILLY CLAES WILL HAVE ON ALLIANCE EFFORTS TO ASSEMBLE A PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR BOSNIA. BUT MR. CLAES'S PERFORMANCE IN JUST MORE THAN ONE YEAR AS NATO CHIEF IS DRAWING PRAISE IN WASHINGTON. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: THE DEPARTURE OF MR. CLAES LEAVES NATO LEADERLESS AT A TIME WHEN IT IS DRAWING UP PLANS FOR ITS BIGGEST MILITARY UNDERTAKING EVER. BUT SENIOR U-S DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THEY DO NOT EXPECT THE RESIGNATION TO IMPEDE EFFORTS TO DEPLOY THE 60-THOUSAND MEMBER IMPLEMENTATION FORCE, ONCE A BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD IS REACHED.

OFFICIALS HERE DESCRIBED THE RESIGNATION OF MR. CLAES -- UNDER THE CLOUD OF A BELGIAN POLITICAL SCANDAL -- AS A PERSONAL TRAGEDY AND SAID HE HAD BEEN AN EFFECTIVE LEADER FOR THE WESTERN ALLIANCE.

DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY EXPRESSED HIS PERSONAL REGRET ABOUT THE TURN OF EVENTS AS HE BEGAN A PENTAGON MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF MONGOLIA (EDS: PUNSALMAAGIN OCHIRBAT):

I'M SADDENED BY THAT ANNOUNCEMENT, BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT SECRETARY GENERAL CLAES HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB IN THE LITTLE OVER A YEAR IN WHICH HE HAS BEEN SECRETARY-GENERAL. SO I'M VERY SORRY TO SEE HIM GO. I CANNOT COMMENT ON THE LEGAL ISSUES WHICH HAVE LED TO HIS RESIGNATION. BUT I CAN SAY FROM MY OWN FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE THAT HE DID A VERY EFFECTIVE JOB AS THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF NATO AND WE WILL MISS HIM.

MR. PERRY SAID IT IS DIFFICULT TO LOSE AN ALLIANCE LEADER AT A SUCH A CRITICAL TIME. BUT HE SAID NATO MILITARY PLANNING AND LEADERSHIP WILL BE UNAFFECTED. HE SAID HE EXPECTS THE ALLIANCE TO MOVE QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO FIND A NEW SECRETARY-GENERAL.

U-S OFFICIALS SAID THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING MR. CLAES HAD BEEN A BEHIND-THE-SCENES ISSUE AT THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN VIRGINIA EARLIER THIS MONTH. THEY PRIVATELY EXPRESSED A MEASURE OF RELIEF OVER HIS DEPARTURE -- SAYING IT WILL ALLOW UNDIVIDED ATTENTION TO BE FOCUSSED ON THE POLITICALLY-DIFFICULT TASK OF WINNING SUPPORT FOR THE BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING OPERATION. (SIGNED)

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20-Oct-95 12:57 PM EDT (1657 UTC)
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[13] THE U-N AT 50: LOOKING BACK BY AMIN FEKRAT (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CELEBRATIONS MARKING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED NATIONS BEGAN IN SAN FRANCISCO IN MARCH AND ARE CULMINATING WITH U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY OBSERVANCES IN NEW YORK ON TUESDAY. POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE NOTWITHSTANDING, THE DIFFICULTIES THE U-N HAS FACED IN BOSNIA HAVE FOCUSED ATTENTION ON THE WORLD BODY AND ITS ROLE IN THE INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AS NEVER

TEXT: THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MUCH CELEBRATION. BUT IT ALSO BROUGHT THE SOBERING REALITY THAT THE WORLD COULD FACE A THIRD WORLD WAR IF SOME EFFECTIVE MECHANISM COULD NOT BE FOUND TO HEAD OFF CONFLICT BETWEEN STATES.

(OPT)THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS, CREATED IN THE WAKE OF WORLD WAR ONE, HAD FAILED TO REALIZE THE DREAM OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE. BUT THE INTRODUCTION OF ATOMIC WEAPONS IN 1945 USHERED IN A NEW ERA WHICH MADE IT IMPERATIVE TO FIND NEW PEACEMAKING MECHANISMS AND INSTITUTIONS. THE LEGACY OF WORLD WAR TWO, FOR BOTH VICTOR AND THE VANQUISHED, WAS COUNTRIES LAID TO WASTE, THEIR CITIES IN RUINS, ECONOMIES A SHAMBLES AND WITH MILLIONS OF CASUALTIES ON ALL SIDES. (END OPT)

ON OCTOBER 30TH, 1943, AS THE WAR RAGED IN EUROPE, THE WORLD'S MAJOR POWERS -- THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, CHINA AND THE SOVIET UNION -- TOOK THE FIRST MAJOR STEP TOWARD FORMING AN NEW WORLD BODY. THEY SIGNED A DECLARATION IN MOSCOW CALLING FOR THE EARLY ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION "TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND SECURITY." THAT GOAL WAS REAFFIRMED AT A MEETING OF AMERICAN, BRITISH AND SOVIET LEADERS IN TEHRAN ON DECEMBER FIRST, 1943.

A FOLLOW-UP CONFERENCE OF THE BIG FOUR NATIONS WAS HELD AT DUMBARTON OAKS, IN WASHINGTON, D-C, FROM AUGUST TO OCTOBER, 1944. BUT IT ENDED IN DISAGREEMENT ON TWO MAJOR ISSUES -- HOW MANY SOVIET REPUBLICS COULD BE ADMITTED TO U-N MEMBERSHIP AND THE VOTING SYSTEM OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL. THE DUMBARTON PROPOSALS WERE MODIFIED AND AGREED TO BY U-S, BRITISH AND SOVIET LEADERS AT YALTA IN 1945. THEY THEN FORMED THE BASIS OF THE MEETING HELD IN SAN FRANCISCO, ON APRIL 25TH, 1945 TO WRITE A CHARTER FOR THE NEW UNITED NATIONS.

WHEN THE SAN FRNCISCO CONFERENCE WAS CONVENED, THE WORLD WAS STILL AT WAR IN BOTH EUROPE AND ASIA. PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT HAD JUST DIED AND HARRY TRUMAN, AS THE NEW LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD, SOUNDED A WARNING. IN ONE OF HIS MORE FAMOUS ADDRESSES, PRESIDENT TRUMAN SAID: "WE WHO HAVE LIVED THROUGH THE TRAGEDY AND TORTURE OF THE TWO WORLD CONFLICTS MUST REALIZE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM BEFORE US... WITH EVER INCREASING BRUTALITY AND DESTRUCTION, MODERN WARFARE, IF UNCHECKED, WOULD ULTIMATELY CRUSH ALL CIVILIZATION." SAID THE PRESIDENT: "WE STILL HAVE A CHOICE BETWEEN ALTERNATIVES: THE CONTINUATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHAOS OR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORLD ORGANIZATION FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF PEACE."

THE CHARTER OF THE NEWLY FORMED WORLD BODY WAS SIGNED ON JUNE 24TH, 1945, BY 51 STATES, WHICH CONSTITUTED THE CHARTER MEMBERS OF THE UNITED NATIONS.

[ OPT ] THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS WERE: ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, BELGIUM, THE BELORUSSIAN SSR, BOLIVIA,BRAZIL, CANADA, CHILE, THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA, COLOMBIA, COSTA RICA, CUBA, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, DENMARK, THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, ECUADOR, EGYPT, EL SALVADOR, ETHIOPIA, FRANCE, GREECE, GUATEMALA, HAITI, HONDURAS, INDIA, IRAN, IRAQ, LEBANON, LIBERIA, LUXEMBOURG, MEXICO, THE NETHERLANDS, NEW ZEALAND, NICARAGUA, NORWAY, PANAMA, PARAGUAY, PERU, THE PHILIPPINES, POLAND, SAUDI ARABIA, SOUTH AFRICA, SYRIA, TURKEY, THE UKRANIAN S-S-R, THE SOVIET UNION, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE U.S., URAGUAY, VENEZUELA, YUGOSLAVIA. (END OPT)

FROM THE ORIGINAL 51 COUNTRIES, THE U-N HAS GROWN TO 185 MEMBERS, WITH THE REPUBLICS OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION AMONG THE NEWEST ADDITIONS. THE WORLD BODY HAS ADDED 22 MEMBER COUNTRIES TO ITS MEMBERSHIP IN THIS DECADE.

ARTICLE ONE OF THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER MAKES THE MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY THE ORGANIZATION'S TOP PRIORITY, FOLLOWED BY WORKING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FRIENDLY RELATIONS AMONG NATIONS. THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY IS PLACED ON THE SECURITY COUNCIL. ARTICLE 11 OF THE CHARTER, HOWEVER, AUTHORIZES THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO "DISCUSS ANY QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE MAINTENANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS IN REGARD TO SUCH QUESTIONS TO THE STATE OR STATES CONCERNED, TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL OR BOTH."

(OPT) THE UNITED NATIONS HAS SIX PRINCIPAL ORGANS: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE SECURITY COUNCIL, THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL, THE TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL, THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE AND THE SECRETARIAT. (END OPT)

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS THE ONLY BODY IN WHICH ALL MEMBER STATES ARE REPRESENTED ON AN EQUAL FOOTING. DECISIONS ARE ADOPTED BY THE MAJORITY VOTE OR BY TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY, DEPENDING ON THE SENSITIVITY OR SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ISSUE OR ISSUES BEING DELIBERATED. DECISIONS IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL ARE ADOPTED BY A MAJORITY OF NINE, WITH VETO POWER RESERVED FOR ANY OF THE FOUR PERMANENT MEMBER STATES: THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, AND THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, REPLACING THE FORMER SOVIET UNION.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE U.N., WHO IS APPOINTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, HEADS THE UN SECRETARIET. BOUTROS BOUTROS GHALI OF EGYPT IS THE CURRENT SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE WORLD BODY. (OPT) HIS PREDECESSORS WERE: TRYGVE LIE OF NORWAY, ELECTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN 1946, FOLLOWED BY DAG HAMMARSKJOLD OF SWEDEN FROM APRIL, 1953, UNTIL HE DIED IN A PLANE CRASH IN 1961. HE WAS FOLLOWED BY KURT WALDHEIM OF AUSTRIA, 1961 TO 1982, AND JAVIER PEREZ DE CUELLAR OF PERU, FROM 1982 TO 1992. (END OPT)

THE UNITED NATIONS HAS BEEN BOTH VILIFIED FOR ITS PERCEIVED SHORTCOMINGS AND PRAISED FOR ITS ACCOMPLISHMENTS. BUT THE ORGANIZATION'S POWER, ITS STRENGTHS OR ITS FAILURES, CAN ONLY REFLECT THE WILL OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE DEGREE TO WHICH THE COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD ARE WILLING TO DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO THE WORLD BODY. (SIGNED)

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20-Oct-95 5:12 PM EDT (2112 UTC)
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[14] U-N/50 - SCENESETTER (L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS IS BRACING FOR THE LARGEST GATHERING OF NATIONAL LEADERS IN HISTORY. ON SUNDAY -- KINGS, PRESIDENTS AND PRIME MINISTERS FROM OVER 150 COUNTRIES WILL BEGIN A THREE-DAY MARATHON OF SPEECH-MAKING IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO HONOR THE U-N'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: IT'S THE TYPE OF GALA THE UNITED NATIONS HANDLES WELL -- ADDED SECURITY INSIDE AND AROUND THE U-N BUILDING, GROUP PHOTOGRAPHS ON NEWLY-CONSTRUCTED DECKS AND A HOST OF SOCIAL EVENTS TRACKED BY THOUSANDS OF JOURNALISTS. THE EXCITEMENT IS PALPABLE.

IT IS ALSO WELCOME. SUCH HIGH-LEVEL ATTENTION COMES AT A TIME WHEN THE U-N'S POPULARITY IS FRAYED AND ITS COURSE FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS UNCERTAIN.

PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON -- AS LEADER OF THE HOST COUNTRY -- WILL LEAD OFF THE SPEECH-MAKING SUNDAY. HE WAS ASSIGNED 10 MINUTES AT THE PODIUM. EVERYONE ELSE HAS BEEN ASKED TO SPEAK FOR ONLY FIVE MINUTES BECAUSE OF THE RUSH TO GET IT ALL DONE IN THREE DAYS. U-N OFFICIALS ARE NOT VERY CONFIDENT THE TIME LIMIT WILL BE HONORED IN ALL CASES.

CUBAN LEADER FIDEL CASTRO, FOR ONE, WILL ADDRESS THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR ONLY THE THIRD TIME IN 35 YEARS. HE LAST SPOKE HERE IN 1979. OTHER DIGNITARIES ON THE FIRST DAY WILL INCLUDE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN AND JORDAN'S KING HUSSEIN.

U-N REFORM WILL BE A DOMINANT THEME DURING THE ANNIVERSARY. U-S OFFICIALS SAY PRESIDENT CLINTON IS CERTAIN TO ADDRESS THE NEED TO ELIMINATE OVERLAPPING PROGRAMS AND CUT THE U-N'S SPRAWLING BUREAUCRACY. // OPT // ON FRIDAY, U-S AMBASSADOR MADELEINE ALBRIGHT TOLD THE U-N BUDGET COMMITTEE WASHINGTON WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE U-N SPEND LESS ON SALARIES, STATIONERY AND CEREMONIES, AND MORE ON SERVICES THAT DIRECTLY ENRICH PEOPLES' LIVES. // END OPT //

AT THE SAME TIME, THE UNITED STATES IS LIKELY TO HEAR MORE CRITICISM OF ITS FAILURE TO PAY ITS DEBT TO THE ORGANIZATION. THE U-S MISSION HAS JUST TURNED OVER A CHECK FOR 95 MILLION DOLLARS. BUT THE U-S ARREARS ARE STILL OVER A BILLION DOLLARS.

DIOGO FREITAS DO AMARAL OF PORTUGAL WILL GUIDE THE CELEBRATION AS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, THE MAIN OVERSEER WILL BE SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI, WHO MANY SUSPECT WILL SEEK A SECOND FIVE-YEAR TERM AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

MR. BOUTROS-GHALI, AN EGYPTIAN, HAD INDICATED EARLY ON HE MIGHT BE A ONE-TERM SECRETARY-GENERAL. BUT HE BELIEVES THE WORLD IS GOING THROUGH A NEW REVOLUTION AFTER THE COLD WAR AND HAS SIGNALLED HIS WISH TO REMAIN AT THE HELM. (SIGNED)

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20-Oct-95 2:53 PM EDT (1853 UTC)
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[15] U-N 50TH / NYC SECURITY (L-ONLY) BY CHRIS SIMKINS (NEW YORK)

INTRO: SECURITY HAS BEEN TIGHTENED IN NEW YORK CITY AS WORLD LEADERS BEGIN ARRIVING TO ATTEND THE UNITED NATIONS 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION (NEXT WEEK). VOA CORRESPONDENT CHRIS SIMKINS HAS MORE ON THE STORY FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: NEW YORK CITY HAS ROLLED OUT THE RED CARPET AND TIGHTENED SECURITY FOR THE 180 VISITING INTERNATIONAL LEADERS ATTENDING THE UNITED NATION'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY GATHERING. FEDERAL AGENTS AND CITY POLICE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO PROTECT THE DIGNITARIES IN WHAT IS THE LARGEST SECURITY FORCE EVER ESTABLISHED IN THE CITY.

THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION IS OPERATING COMMAND CENTERS AROUND THE CLOCK AND THE F-B-I'S TERRORISM TASK FORCE IS WORKING WITH SECURITY PERSONNEL FROM OTHER COUNTRIES TO PROTECT THE LEADERS.

JAMES KALLSTROM, DIRECTOR OF THE F-B-I OFFICE IN NEW YORK, WOULD NOT SAY WHETHER ANY SERIOUS THREATS HAVE BEEN MADE AGAINST THE DIGNITARIES. MR. KALLSTROM SAYS RECENT ACTS OF TERRORISM AROUND THE WORLD AND THE RECENT CONVICTION IN NEW YORK OF SHEIK OMAR ABDEL RAHMAN ON TERRORISM CHARGES HAS POLICE CONCERNED.

WE ARE CONCERNED WHEN RHETORIC TURNS INTO ACTION. THERE WERE ATTEMPTS MADE ON THE LIFE OF EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK. THERE ARE NUMEROUS THINGS GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD THAT WOULD CAUSE WORLD LEADERS TO HAVE EXTRA SECURITY. THE SITUATION LIKE THE GASSING OF THE TOKYO SUBWAY, OBVIOUSLY THE WORLD TRADE CENTER BOMBING IS ON EVERYONE'S MINDS AS WELL AS THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN RECENT ARRESTS IN PAKISTAN OF TERRORISTS AND THE ACTIVITY GOING ON IN THE BALKANS. ALL THESE THINGS HAVE RAISED THE LEVEL OF CONCERN AND THE PREPARATION THAT WE MUST TAKE. WE HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THE WORST CASE SCENARIO.

NEW YORK CITY OFFICIALS ARE PREDICTING A TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE FOR DRIVERS IN MANHATTAN. JERRY BURNS OF THE U-S SECRET SERVICE SAYS POLICE PLAN TO CLOSE STREETS WHEN DIGNITARIES' MOTORCADES TRAVEL AROUND THE CITY.

I WOULD PLAN, NOT ONLY ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY BUT SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AS BEING DAYS WHERE TRAFFIC WILL BE FAIRLY CONGESTED IN THE NEW YORK CITY AREA.

ON SATURDAY, NEW YORK CITY MAYOR RUDOLPH GIULIANI HOSTS A GALA TO BE ATTENDED BY 140 HEADS OF STATE. MEANWHILE A FEW BLOCKS AWAY, P-L-O LEADER YASSER ARAFAT WILL HOST A FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT TWO HOSPITALS IN GAZA. BESIDES THOSE EVENTS, SECURITY WILL ALSO BE ESPECIALLY TIGHT AROUND SEVERAL MANHATTAN HOTELS WHERE PRESIDENT CLINTON AND OTHER WORLD LEADERS WILL BE STAYING. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/CS/LSF/SKH 20-Oct-95 3:52 PM EDT (1952 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[16] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS HAS BEEN DEEPLY ENGAGED IN PREPARATIONS FOR ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY SESSION, BEGINNING SUNDAY. OVER 150 PRESIDENTS, PRIME MINISTERS AND KINGS WILL ATTEND WHAT IS CONSIDERED THE LARGEST GATHERING OF NATIONAL LEADERS IN HISTORY. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE PAST WEEK IN NEW YORK:

TEXT: THE UNITED NATIONS HAS INVESTED AN ESTIMATED ONE-POINT-FOUR MILLION DOLLARS IN ITS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. THROUGHOUT THE WEEK SECURITY OFFICERS ROAMED THE EXTENSIVE BUILDINGS ON NEW YORK'S EAST RIVER TO REVIEW PLANS FOR SCREENING ALL WHO PASS THROUGH THE DOORS -- INCLUDING THOUSANDS OF VISITING JOURNALISTS.

THE UNITED NATIONS MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO PUT IN PLACE EXTRA COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT AND STAFF. U-N WORKERS ALREADY UNDER JOB STRAIN WITH THE U-N'S FINANCIAL CRISIS HAVE BEEN ASSURED THEY WILL BE PAID OVERTIME FOR THE OVERLY-LONG DAYS ANTICIPATED -- AS AN EXCEPTION TO NEW CURBS ON STAFF SALARIES. AFTER THE CELEBRATION, IT WILL BE BACK TO AUSTERITY.

THE UNITED NATIONS HAS BEEN BUSY ERECTING TEMPORARY SITES FOR BILATERAL MEETINGS. MANY NATIONAL LEADERS WILL HOLD TALKS OUTSIDE THE U-N BUILDING -- IN HOTEL ROOMS OR THEIR U-N MISSIONS. BUT OTHERS HAVE REQUESTED ACCOMMODATIONS INSIDE. SMALL CUBICLES WITH LIMITED SEATING WERE INSTALLED THROUGHOUT THE U-N PREMISES.

A HUGE PLATFORM HAS ALSO BEEN BUILT OUTSIDE ONE OF THE U-N'S MAIN ROOMS -- WHERE PRESIDENTS, PRIME MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF ROYALTY WILL POSE FOR A GROUP PICTURE EARLY ON SUNDAY. U-N STAFF WERE CONSCRIPTED TO STAND IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THE DECK IS ADEQUATE. IT IS NOT QUITE CLEAR HOW THE PROBLEM OF HEIGHT WAS RESOLVED. SOME U-N OFFICIALS WORRIED THAT NATIONAL LEADERS SMALL IN STATURE WOULD BE BLOCKED OUT BY THEIR TALLER COUNTERPARTS.

AT A BRIEFING FOR REPORTERS, A U-N SPOKESMAN DISMISSED CONCERNS AND QUIPPED "THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SMALL HEAD OF STATE."

THE STRAIN OF THE GALA WAS VERY MUCH IN EVIDENCE THIS PAST WEEK. EVEN SECURITY COUNCIL DIPLOMATS, WHO WILL BE ESCORTING THEIR GOVERNMENT LEADERS FOR THREE DAYS, BARELY STOPPED TO TALK TO U-N JOURNALISTS. NORMALLY THEY NEVER MISS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PRESS COVERAGE.

IT IS NOT THAT THE WORLD HAS STOPPED STILL FOR THE U-N'S BIRTHDAY. DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA -- ESPECIALLY THE REPORTED MILITARY ACTIVITY DESPITE A CEASE-FIRE -- CONTINUED TO PROMPT CONCERN AT U-N HEADQUARTERS. BUT U-N OFFICIALS ARE AWARE THAT THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPACITY TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY DEPENDS ON A RENEWAL OF SUPPORT FROM THE WORLD COMMUNITY.

NATIONAL LEADERS OVERALL ARE EXPECTED TO ENDORSE THE U-N'S EXISTENCE INTO THE 21ST CENTURY. SOME MAY EVEN SUBMIT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING ITS PERFORMANCE. (SIGNED)

NEB/EJ/SKH
20-Oct-95 6:53 PM EDT (2253 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[17] U-S TROOPS TO BOSNIA BY ERICA BENIS (WASHINGTON)

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER, DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY, AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI, SPENT TWO DAYS TESTITYING BEFORE SENATE AND HOUSE COMMITTEES ON THE NEED TO SEND U-S GROUND TROOPS TO BOSNIA. THE DEBATE TAKES ON A NEW URGENCY AS THE LATEST CEASEFIRE AND AMERICAN DIPLOMACY APPEAR TO OFFER THE BEST-EVER PROSPECT FOR SETTLING EUROPE'S WORST CONFLICT SINCE WORLD WAR TWO.

DEFENSE SECRETARY PERY TOLD CONGRESS THAT THE MISSION WILL NOT BE WITHOUT RISKS AND COSTS, BUT SAID ALLOWING THE WAR TO CONTINUE ALSO HAS RISKS AND COSTS. ACCORDING TO MR. PERRY, A PEACE AGREEMENT WILL CALL FOR A PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE -- KNOWN AS IFOR -- UNDER NATO COMMAND AND CONTROL.

TAPE: CUT ONE PERRY "IF NATO DIRECTS THIS OPERATION, THE UNITED STATES, IN MY OPINION, MUST PARTICIPATE. U-S LEADERSHIP IN NATO, INDEED THE U-S ROLE IN EUROPE, IS AT STAKE. MORE FUNDAMENTALLY, WE WILL SIMPLY NOT GET A PEACE AGREEMENT WITHOUT A COMMITMENT OF U-S MILITARY."

TEXT: SECRETARY PERRY MADE IT CLEAR THAT NO NATO TROOPS WILL BE DEPLOYED UNTIL THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, THE ALLIED BOSNIAN CROATS AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS SIGN A PEACE ACCORD. THE PARTIES HAVE AGREED TO PARTICIPATE IN PROXIMITY TALKS TO NEGOTIATE A PEACE AGREEMENT BEGINNING OCTOBER 31ST IN THE UNITED STATES.

MR. PERRY OUTLINED THE PLANNED U-S ROLE IN THE NATO INTERVENTION FORCE, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS LARGE AND HEAVILY ARMED.

TAPE: CUT TWO PERRY "THE U-S COMPONENT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT TODAY WILL CONSIST OF MECHANIZED BRIGADES. AND IT WILL HAVE A ROBUST ROLE OF ENGAGEMENT. IF IT IS ATTACKED BY ANYONE, IT WILL BRING A LARGE HAMMER DOWN ON THEM IMMEDIATELY. THEY WILL RESPOND QUICKLY AND DECISIVELY. IN SUM, THIS NATO FORCE IN BOSNIA WILL BE THE BIGGEST, AND THE TOUGHEST, AND THE MEANEST DOG IN TOWN."

TEXT: GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, SAID THAT NATO'S INITIAL PLANNING INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 60-THOUSAND TROOPS TO BE LOCATED IN BOSNIA. HE DESCRIBED THE BREAKDOWN OF THE PROPOSED U-S CONTRIBUTION:

TAPE: CUT THREE PERRY "SUBJECT TO FINAL PLANNING AND APPROVAL BY THE PRESIDENT, THE U-S IS ENVISIONED TO SEND AROUND A DIVISION, APPROXIMATELY 20-THOUSAND TROOPS, IN BOSNIA, WITH OTHER PARTICIPATION IN AIR, NAVAL AND LOGISTIC SUPPORT ACTIVITIES GOING ON IN SURROUNDING AREAS. SUCH A U-S DEPLOYMENT WOULD MOST LIKELY REQUIRE A RESERVE CALLUP OF APPROXIMATELY TWO TO THREE-THOUSAND."

TEXT: WHILE MANY DETAILS ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE HAVE TO BE WORKED OUT, THE PLAN -- ACCORDING TO NATO OFFICALS -- CALLS FOR BRITAIN TO FURNISH UP TO 15-THOUSAND TROOPS, FRANCE 12-THOUSAND-500, GERMANY FIVE-THOUSAND, AND SPAIN ABOUT ONE-THOUSAND. EACH OF THE MAJOR ALLIES WILL BE ASSIGNED TO A GEOGRAPHICAL SECTOR, WITH U-S TROOPS MONITORING THE REGION BETWEEN SARAJEVO AND TUZLA IN NORTHERN BOSNIA. AGAIN GENERAL SHALIKASHVILI:

TAPE: CUT FOUR SHALIKASHVILI "NATO'S PLAN WILL CALL FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE TO COMPLETE ITS MISSION IN 12 MONTHS AND TO WITHDRAW. SUBJECT OF THE APPROVAL OF THE PLAN BY THE PRESIDENT, THE COST OF THE U-S PART OF THE OPERATION WILL BE APPROXIMATELY ONE-AND-A-HALF BILLION (DOLLARS) FOR THIS 12-MONTH PERIOD."

TEXT: IN HIS TESTIMONY, SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER STRESSED THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS A VITAL INTEREST IN MAINTAING THE INTEGRITY AND THE COHESION OF THE NATO ALLIANCE.

TAPE: CUT FIVE CHRISTOPHER "IF NATO IS ASKED TO IMPLEMENT THIS AGREEMENT, AND THE UNITED STATES WERE TO TURN IT DOWN, TO BACK AWAY, WE WOULD IMPERIL THE FUTURE OF THE STRONGEST MILITARY ALLIANCE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, AND WE WOULD IMPERIL THE STABILITY IN EUROPE. I THINK IN THAT CONGERY (ACCUMULATION) OF EVENTS IS THE VITAL NATIONAL INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES. IT COMES INTO BEING BECAUSE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR YEARS, TO SEEK A PEACE AGREEMENT. BUT THAT WILL ONLY COME ABOUT IF WE HELP IMPLEMENT THROUGH A NATO FORCE."

TEXT: TWO DAYS OF TESTIMONY APPARENTLY FAILED TO PERSUADE EITHER REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS OF THE NEED TO DEPLOY 20- THOUSAND AMERICAN PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN BOSNIA. BIPARTISAN SKEPTICISM FOR THE MISSION REFLECTS THE FACT THAT THE PLAN HAS A NUMBER OF GAPS, INCLUDING A CLEAR EXIT STRATEGY. BUT THE DEBATE FOCUSED MAINLY ON THE QUESTION CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE HAVE FOUGHT OVER SINCE THE VIETNAM WAR: WHETHER THE PRESIDENT HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO OBTAIN CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL BEFORE COMMITING U-S TROOPS TO PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT WOULD WELCOME APPROVAL BY CONGRESS, BUT INSISTS THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF TO SEND AMERICAN TROOPS WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL BLESSING. SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS REMINDED CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS THAT THE POWER OF THE PURSE -- MEANING THE MEANS TO FINANCE AMERICAN MILITARY OPERATIONS -- BELONGS TO THE LEGISLATIVE BODY. (SIGNED)

NEB/EB/PCH

20-Oct-95 2:38 PM EDT (1838 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[18] YUGO TRIBUNAL (L) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (HAGUE)

INTRO: THE CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAS ISSUED AN INTERNATIONAL ARREST WARRANT FOR THE COMMANDER OF A BOSNIAN SERB PRISON CAMP WHO IS ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES. DRAGAN NIKOLIC WAS THE FIRST INDIVIDUAL TO BE INDICTED BY THE TRIBUNAL BUT HAS REMAINED AT LARGE IN BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY SINCE 1994 WHEN THOSE CHARGES WERE BROUGHT. SO FAR THE TRIBUNAL -- BASED IN THE HAGUE -- HAS BROUGHT CHARGES AGAINST 43 PEOPLE BUT ONLY ONE OF THOSE IS IN CUSTODY. FROM THE HAGUE GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FOR VOA NEWS.

TEXT: DRAGAN NIKOLIC WAS COMMANDER OF THE SUSICA PRISON CAMP IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA. HE IS ACCUSED OF THE KILLING OF EIGHT BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, THE TORTURING OF 10 OTHERS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AGAINST SOME 500 PRISONERS -- ALL BETWEEN APRIL AND SEPTEMBER OF 1992.

CONFIRMING THAT THE CHARGES AGAINST MR. NIKOLIC WILL BE PURSUED, JUDGE CLAUDE JORDA SAID THERE ARE REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE HE COMMITTED THE CRIMES. THE COURT ALSO ASKED PROSECTORS TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MR. NIKOLIC WHICH MIGHT LEAD TO CHARGES OF RAPE AND GENOCIDE.

THE COURT'S DECISION MEANS MR. NIKOLIC IS EFFECTIVELY AN INTERNATIONAL FUGITIVE AND ALL UNITED NATIONS MEMBER STATES ARE REQUIRED TO HAND HIM OVER FOR TRIAL IF HE CAN BE SEIZED.

BUT CARRYING OUT THE COURT DECISION IS LIKELY TO PROVE DIFFICULT. AN ARREST WARRANT WAS ALREADY ISSUED AGAINST MR. NIKOLIC A YEAR AGO AND HANDED TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS. MR. NIKOLIC IS BELIEVED TO BE HIDING IN THEIR TERRITORY, BUT SO FAR HE HAS NOT BEEN TURNED OVER TO INTERNATIONAL AUTHORITIES.

ACTUALLY PLACING ACCUSED WAR CRIMINALS IN CUSTODY IS ONLY ONE PROBLEM OF THE UNIQUE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL DEALING WITH THE BOSNIAN WAR.

IT WAS SET UP TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO BY THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL. BUT UNLIKE THE NUREMBERG TRIALS WHICH ADMINISTERED PUNISHMENT TO CAPTURED LEADERS OF A DEFEATED GERMAN NATION, THE YUGOSLAV TRIBUNAL IS DEALING WITH A WAR STILL IN PROGRESS. ONE OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED -- THE SERBS -- DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE TRIBUNAL'S JURISDICTION.

TWO OF THE PERSONS SO FAR INDICTED BY THE TRIBUNAL ARE THE BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS, RADOVAN KARADIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC. BUT THEY REMAIN BEYOND THE REACH OF THE COURT.

AT THE MOMENT, THE TRIBUNAL HAS CUSTODY OF ONLY ONE PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES -- A BOSNIAN SERB SOLDIER. HIS TRIAL IS DUE TO START IN NOVEMBER. BUT WHETHER OTHER TRIALS WILL FOLLOW IS NOT CERTAIN. (SIGNED)

NEB/GS/MH/JM
20-Oct-95 12:38 PM EDT (1638 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America