Voice of America, 9 November 1995

From: [email protected] (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: JUST DAYS AFTER THE ASSASSINATION OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER RABIN CAPTURED THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN VIRTUALLY EVERY U-S DAILY NEWSPAPER, ANOTHER SUBJECT, THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF GENERAL COLIN POWELL, HAS REPLACED IT. IN ALMOST EVERY MAJOR U-S DAILY THIS THURSDAY THERE IS AN EDITORIAL, AND IN MANY CASES, THE LEAD EDITORIAL, ON RETIRED ARMY GENERAL COLIN POWELL'S DECISION NOT TO RUN FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT IN 1996.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE DEATH SENTENCE FOR A NIGERIAN DISSIDENT; THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS' ATTACK ON U-S ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS; THE FACT THAT GOVERNMENT SPENDING IS DOWN AND NOBODY IS NOTICING; TROUBLE AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY; AND THE DEFEAT OF A HOMOSEXUAL DISCRIMINATION ISSUE ON THE MAINE BALLOT. NOW, HERE IS ________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: WE BEGIN ON THE WEST COAST, WHERE "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS ONE OF MANY PAPERS EDITORIALLY LAMENTING GENERAL POWELL'S DECISION TO PASS UP THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

VOICE: "NEXT YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY AND NATIONAL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS HAVE BECOME CONSIDERABLY MORE PREDICTABLE AND CERTAINLY LESS INTERESTING WITH COLIN POWELL'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE LACKS THE 'PASSION ...' FOR POLITICAL LIFE. ..... A PUBLIC THAT HAS GROWN WEARY OF THE DODGES, THE CYNICISM, THE CONTEXTUAL EVASIVENESS, THE INCREASING NASTINESS OF CONVENTIONAL POLITICS SENSED [GENERAL] POWELL'S QUALITIES EARLY ON. SIMPLY BY OFFERING HIMSELF AS A CANDIDATE ... COLIN POWELL MAY HAVE RAISED THE MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL TONE OF THE CAMPAIGN."

TEXT: IN THE EAST, "THE NEW YORK TIMES," SAYS UNDER AN EDITORIAL HEADLINE READING "THE GENERAL CHECKS OUT," THE GENERAL'S DECISION HAS TO BE 'RESPECTED,' ADDING:

VOICE: "MR. POWELL'S BRIEF TRANSIT ACROSS THE CAMPAIGN SKIES WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS BRAVER-THAN-EXPECTED STANDS ON ABORTION, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, SCHOOL PRAYER AND GUN CONTROL. ..... HE HAD DEMONSTRATED THAT THE PUBLIC CARES LESS ABOUT THOSE ISSUES THAN DO THE CANDIDATES WHO RUN ON THEM OR THE PREACHERS WHO RAISE MONEY WITH THEM. ..... MR. POWELL EXPOSED THE WEAKNESS OF THE REPUBLICAN FIELD AND THE EXTREMITY OF THEIR PHILOSOPHIES."

TEXT: AND IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL, "THE WASHINGTON POST" NOTED:

VOICE: "TOO BAD HE ISN'T A CANDIDATE; BUT COLIN POWELL, IF THE OTHERS WOULD TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THE TAPE OF HIS PRESENTATION, COULD YET HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE '96 CAMPAIGN."

TEXT: THERE IS CONTINUING EDITORIAL CONCERN IN THIS COUNTRY OVER THE DEATH SENTENCE RECENTLY HANDED OUT BY NIGERIA'S MILITARY DICTATORSHIP TO OGONI TRIBAL LEADER AND WORLD-FAMOUS ENVIRONMENTALIST KEN SARO-WIWA.TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" NOTES:

VOICE: "ONLY OUTSIDE INTERVENTION, ESPECIALLY BY THE UNITED STATES AND THE INTERNATIONAL OIL COMPANIES WHOSE BUSINESS KEEPS THE ABACHA REGIME AFLOAT, CAN NOW SIVE HIS LIFE. PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOULD SPEAK OUT ON MR. SARO-WIWA'S BEHALF WITHOUT DELAY."

TEXT: ANOTHER ASSAULT ON THE ENVIRONMENT, HERE AT HOME BY THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS COMES IN FOR SOME CRITICISM THURSDAY FROM "USA TODAY" WHICH SAYS, IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL:

VOICE: "[OPT] YOU CAN ARGUE ABOUT OIL DRILLING IN ALASKA, OR DRAINING A MARSH IN MISSOURI..... BUT AFTER MORE THAN TWO DECADES, THERE'S STILL NO REASON TO RELAX THE NATION'S PRIMARY ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS - - THOSE GOVERNING CLEAN AIR AND CLEAN WATER. ..... SO WHAT GIVES [WHAT IS GOING ON ] IN CONGRESS? THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECENTLY REPUDIATED 17 RIDERS TO THE EPA'S APPROPRIATIONS BILL THAT WOULD HAVE GUTTED MAJOR COMPONENTS OF OUR AIR AND WATER LAWS. BUT THE VOTE IS NONBINDING AND THE RIDERS REMAIN IN PLAY. [END OPT] ....... THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CLEAN AIR AND WATER DON'T DESERVE TO BE SHANGHAIED [KIDNAPPED OR, IN THIS CASE, DONE AWAY WITH]. NOR DO THE LAWS THAT HONOR AND ADVANCE THEM."

TEXT: THURSDAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" EXPRESSES AMAZEMENT THAT ALTHOUGH THE FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT IS SHRINKING, NO ONE SEEMS TO BE PARTICULARLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

VOICE: "WE'RE REFERRING TO FED [FEDERAL RESERVE] CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN'S PRAISE LAST WEEK FOR CONGRESSIONAL EFFORTS THIS YEAR TO CUT THE GROWTH OF FEDERAL SPENDING. IT DID HAPPEN, BUT NEARLY ALL OF THE BELTWAY'S [WASHINGTON'S] THOUSANDS OF REPORTERS DIDN'T THINK IT DESERVED COVERAGE. ..... THE FED BOSS TOLD THE CONCORD COALITION, THE ANTI-DEFICIT LOBBYING GROUP, ON NOVEMBER SECOND 'IT IS DIFFICULT TO OVERSTATE THE HISTORIC IMPORTANCE OF THE CURRENT INITIATIVE.' ..... IT'S HARD TO INTERPRET HIS LANGUAGE AS ANYTHING BUT A THUNDERING ENDORSEMENT OF THE GOP BUDGET. NOT OF EVERY DETAIL, OF COURSE, BUT CERTAINLY OF ITS GENERAL DIRECTION."

TEXT: WRITING ABOUT THE LATEST SCANDAL AT THE U-S NAVAL ACADEMY, THE ARREST OF AT LEAST TWO MIDSHIPMEN FOR POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL DRUGS, AND THE IMPLICATION OF ABOUT TWO DOZEN MORE, TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" COMMENTS:

VOICE: "WITH SO MUCH AT STAKE, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE WHY ANYONE WOULD RISK GETTING INVOLVED WITH ILLEGAL DRUGS. BUT AS THE LATEST NAVY SCANDAL SADLY SHOWS, EVEN THE HALLS OF ANNAPOLIS ARE NOT IMMUNE FROM THIS SCOURGE. ... THE ...INVESTIGATION AND THE PROMISE OF APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT SHOW THAT THERE ARE CLEAR BOUNDARIES AND CONSEQUENCES IN MILITARY LIFE AND THAT SOME FORMS OF BEHAVIOR ARE FULLY UNACCEPTABLE. THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR. SADLY, IN THE SOCIETY AT LARGE, MESSAGES OF THIS KIND ARE FAR MORE AMBIGUOUS."

TEXT: FINALLY, A BALLOT ISSUE IN MAINE, THAT WOULD HAVE DENIED LEGAL PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION FOR HOMOSEXUALS, WAS DEFEATED IN TUESDAY'S ELECTIONS, DRAWING THIS COMMENT FROM "PORTLAND'S PRESS HERALD."

VOICE: "THE SENSE OF RELIEF THAT SWEPT ACROSS MAINE ... WAS ALMOST PALPABLE, AS IT BECAME EVIDENT THE BALLOT MEASURE ... HAD BEEN DEFEATED. MAINE DIDN'T NEED THIS DISTRACTION FROM ITS EFFORT TO MAKE THE STATE A PLACE WHERE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN CAN LIVE IN SAFETY AND EQUITY. ..... IN THE END, MAINE PEOPLE [FROM MADAWASKA TO KITTERY] SAID 'NO' TO ..... DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ANY OF THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS. MAINE IS A BETTER PLACE TODAY BECAUSE OF IT ..."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE END THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL REACTION TO THE TOPICS OF THE DAY.

ANG/NES 09-Nov-95 10:44 AM EST (1544 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA PEACE TALKS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: AT THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS NEAR DAYTON, OHIO, CROATIA AND BOSNIA ARE EXPECTED TO SIGN (FRIDAY) AN AGREEMENT SHORING UP THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION IN BOSNIA. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE PRESIDENTS OF SERBIA AND BOSNIA HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT OF THEIR OWN.

TEXT: AS A HUMANITARIAN GESTURE, BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC AND SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAVE AGREED TO HAVE THE UNITED NATIONS SUSPEND THE SANCTION THAT PREVENTS NATURAL GAS FROM REACHING SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME AT DAYTON THAT THE TWO LEADERS HAVE MET FACE TO FACE FOR SUBSTANTIVE NEGOTIATIONS. IT IS ALSO THE FIRST TIME SINCE NEGOTIATIONS STARTED ON NOVEMBER FIRST THAT A UNITED NATIONS SANCTION WOULD BE SUSPENDED AGAINST SERBIA. OTHER 1992 SANCTIONS MEANT TO PUNISH THE SERBS FOR INSTIGATING THE WAR IN BOSNIA REMAIN IN PLACE. FOR THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, THE AGREEMENT SHOULD ENSURE MORE REGULAR DELIVERIES OF RUSSIAN NATURAL GAS. ALTHOUGH GAS DELIVERIES WERE RESUMED IN OCTOBER, SERVICE TO THE CAPITAL SARAJEVO AND OTHER AREAS HAS BEEN ERRATIC.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE EXCEPTION TO THE SANCTIONS REGIME AGAINST SERBIA WILL BE LIMITED.

IT IS LIMITED TO THE NATURAL GAS DELIVERIES AND ALSO THE HEATING OIL AND LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS THAT I MENTIONED. IT DOES NOT PERTAIN TO THE VAST MAJORITY OF SANCTIONS FOR GOODS THAT STILL REMAINS IN PLACE.

SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER WILL RETURN TO THE TALKS AT WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE TO ATTEND THE SIGNING OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN CROATIA AND BOSNIA THAT WILL RESOLVE SOME ISSUES BLOCKING THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION. THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS HE IS PLEASED THE NEGOTIATIONS HAVE MOVED FROM PROXIMITY TALKS TO DIRECT SUBSTANTIVE TALKS.

FRANKLY, I'M ENCOURAGED BY THE FACT THAT THE PARTIES ARE TALKING DIRECTLY AND DEALING AGGRESSIVELY WITH THE PROBLEMS THEY FACE. THERE'S A LONG WAYS TO GO YET, BUT I HOPE MY PRESENCE OUT THERE TOMORROW MAY ASSIST THE NEGOTIATORS IN MAKING SOME PROGRESS.

SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER PLANS TO MEET INDIVIDUALLY WITH EACH OF THE PRESIDENTS TO TRY TO SETTLE DIFFERENCES OVER THE BOSNIAN CONSTITUTION AND BETWEEN CROATIA AND SERBIA OVER SERBIAN-OCCUPIED EASTERN CROATIA. CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN IS BACK IN DAYTON AND HE WILL TAKE PART IN THE CEREMONY DESIGNED TO SHORE UP THE SHAKY MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION. THIS IS MEANT TO GUARANTEE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT WITHINT HE FEDERATION, THE RIGHT OF REFUGEES TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES AND THE REUNIFICATION OF THE CITY OF MOSTAR THAT IS DIVIDED BETWEEN THE MUSLIM AND CROAT SECTORS. (SIGNED) NEB/PT 09-Nov-95 5:59 PM EST (2259 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] CLINTON / BOSNIA (L-O) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS CALLING ON LAWMAKERS TO WAIT UNTIL A PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO SUPPORT HIS COMMITMENT TO SEND AMERICAN TROOPS TO BOSNIA TO JOIN A NATO PEACEKEEPING OPERATION. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS CONCERNED THAT CONGRESSIONAL OPPOSITION TO SENDING U-S TROOPS TO BOSNIA TO TAKE PART IN A NATO PEACEKEEPING MISSION MAY MAKE PARTIES TO BOSNIAN PEACE TALKS MORE RELUCTANT TO REACH A PEACE AGREEMENT.

SO PRESIDENT CLINTON CALLED A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS TO THE WHITE HOUSE LATE WEDNESDAY TO ASK THEM TO ALLOW PEACE TALKS UNDERWAY IN DAYTON, OHIO TO TAKE THEIR COURSE BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO SUPPORT U-S PARTICIPATION IN SUCH A MISSION.

DEMOCRATIC SENATOR CARL LEVIN OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE SPOKE TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS MEETING WITH MR. CLINTON.

THE PRESIDENT VERY ELOQUENTLY ASKED US TO DO NOTHING THAT WOULD UNDERMINE THE CHANCES OF THOSE PEACE TALKS SUCCEEDING. THERE WAS A BIPARTISAN DELEGATION, AND I DID NOT HEAR ANY REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT DISAGREE WITH THAT REQUEST OR STATE THAT IT WAS NOT FAIR.

LAWMAKERS SAID IF THE DAYTON TALKS RESULT IN AN AGREEMENT, MR. CLINTON WOULD THEN ASK CONGRESS FOR ITS SUPPORT.

AT THIS POINT, HOWEVER, SOME SKEPTICAL LAWMAKERS ARE NOT EVEN SURE NATO SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN A PEACEKEEPING MISSION, LET ALONE THE UNITED STATES.

THE RANKING DEMOCRAT ON THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, SAM NUNN, STILL HAS MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT A NATO PEACEKEEPING OPERATION, INCLUDING THE MILITARY ASPECTS OF SUCH A MISSION, DETAILS REGARDING CHAIN OF COMMAND, AND HOW SUCH AN OPERATION WOULD PULL OUT OF BOSNIA.

ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS HAVE TO BE ANSWERED. IF THEY ARE ANSWERED IN WAYS THAT THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES ARE NOT ADEQUATE, THEN IT IS MY VIEW THAT WE OUGHT TO LEAD THE FIGHT AGAINST NATO BEING INVOLVED AT ALL, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO SEND OUR ALLIES OVER THERE, HAVE THE NATO ALLIES ON THE GROUND OVER THERE, HAVE THINGS GO WRONG, AND THEN GET CAUGHT IN A SITUATION OF GOING IN AND HAVING TO RESCUE THEM. THAT WOULD BE A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT MILITARY MISSION THAN GOING IN IN THE FIRST PLACE.

PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS PLEDGED UP TO 25-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS TO A NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN THE EVENT A PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED.

REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS HAVE ARGUED THE PRESIDENT HAS NOT CONVINCED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT SENDING AMERICANS TO BOSNIA IS IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/BD/LWM
08-Nov-95 8:19 PM EST (0119 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] OAKLEY/BOSNIA(S) BY IMANI CROSBY (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A FORMER U-S AMBASSADOR AND FORMER SPECIAL ENVOY IN FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUPPORTS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S ONE-YEAR COMMITMENT OF U-S TROOPS IN A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. IMANI CROSBY REPORTS ABOUT AMBASSADOR ROBERT OAKLEY'S BRIEFING WITH REPORTERS (THURSDAY) IN WASHINGTON:

TEXT: FORMER AMBASSADOR OAKLEY BELIEVES U-S PARTICIPATION IN A NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA CAN ONLY WORK IF THE PARTIES IN THE BALKAN CONFLICT BACK-UP ANY PEACE AGREEMENT THEY SIGN AS A RESULT OF THEIR CURRENT TALKS IN THE UNITED STATES:

TO ME, WE WILL KNOW WHEN NOT ONLY WHEN THE PAPER IS SIGNED, BUT WHEN THINGS ON THE GROUND HAPPEN OR DO NOT HAPPEN. IF YOU FIND A LOT IRREGULAR ACTIVITY, IN EITHER BELGRADE OR ZAGREB DEPENDING UPON THE SITUATION, WEIGHS (INTERVENES) IN TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, THEN YOU WILL KNOW YOU DO NOT HAVE A GENUINE AGREEMENT.

THE FORMER AMBASSADOR SAID U-S PARTICIPATION WOULD NOT ONLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF SUCH A MISSION, BUT HELP STRENGTHEN NATO. HE POINTED-OUT THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AND THE CURRENT BALKAN STATES ARE NOT NATO MEMBERS.

FORMER AMBASSADOR OAKLEY ADDED HE BELIEVES THE UNITED STATES SHOULD ONLY BEGIN THE NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, AND HAND-OVER OPERATIONS TO THE EUROPEANS ONCE THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS SECURE. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 09-Nov-95 12:23 PM EST (1723 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] PERRY / NATO (S ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY, WRAPPING UP A VISIT TO BRUSSELS, HAS BRIEFED THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE COUNTRIES ON RESULTS OF HIS TALKS WITH RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER PAVEL GRACHEV. THE TWO DEFENSE CHIEFS WEDNESDAY REACHED AN ACCORD OPENING THE WAY TO RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN BOSNIA PEACEKEEPING. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS.

TEXT: MR. PERRY MET WITH AMBASSADORS FROM 21 PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE COUNTRIES, INCLUDING FORMER WARSAW PACT STATES AND SOVIET REPUBLICS, TO REVIEW HIS TALKS WITH GENERAL GRACHEV ON EFFORTS TO AMEND THE TREATY LIMITING CONVENTIONAL FORCES IN EUROPE.

RUSSIA IS PRESSING FOR CHANGES IN THE TREATY CONCLUDED IN 1990, CONTENDING IT DOES NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CHANGED SITUATION IN EUROPE RESULTING FROM THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION.

AFTER HIS MEETING WITH SECRETARY PERRY HERE WEDNESDAY, DEFENSE MINISTER GRACHEV SAID THEY FOCUSED ON WAYS TO GIVE RUSSIA MORE FLEXIBILITY IN DEPLOYING FORCES ALONG ITS SOUTHERN FLANK -- CHANGES VIEWED WITH APPREHENSION BY SEVERAL PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES.

MR. PERRY ALSO BRIEFED THE PARTNERSHIP AMBASSADORS ON THE COMMAND FORMULA REACHED WEDNESDAY, UNDER WHICH MOSCOW WILL CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND TROOPS TO THE BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING FORCE BEING ASSEMBLED BY NATO.

IN DEFERENCE TO MOSCOW'S CONCERNS, THE RUSSIAN CONTINGENT WILL NOT TAKE ORDERS DIRECTLY FROM NATO, BUT FROM U-S GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN IN HIS CAPACITY AS AMERICAN FORCES COMMANDER IN EUROPE. (SIGNED) NEB/DAG/LTJ-T/BG 09-Nov-95 4:06 AM EST (0906 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] RUSSIA / BOSNIA (L) BY ELIZABETH ARROTT (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS REJECTED A LAW CALLING FOR RUSSIA TO UNILATERALLY END SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S ELIZABETH ARROTT IN MOSCOW REPORTS MR. YELTSIN'S VETO WILL HELP AVERT A CONFRONTATION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND ITS WESTERN PARTNERS MEDIATING THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT.

TEXT: THE KREMLIN'S POSITION HAS BEEN THAT SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA SHOULD BE LIFTED, AND RUSSIAN NEGOTIATORS CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE THE IDEA AT PEACE TALKS UNDERWAY IN OHIO. BUT MR. YELTSIN THURSDAY REJECTED AN INITIATIVE BY RUSSIAN LAWMAKERS THAT WOULD HAVE UNILATERAL REMOVED THE EMBARGO.

NATIONALISTS AND OTHER HARDLINERS IN PARLIAMENT HAVE ACCUSED THE WEST OF BIAS AGAINST THE SERBS, WITH WHOM RUSSIANS SHARE ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS TIES. RUSSIAN CRITICISM OF THE ALLEGED WESTERN BIAS INTENSIFIED AFTER A SERIES OF NATO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST SERB POSITIONS.

MR. YELTSIN'S VETO FOLLOWS A U-S/RUSSIAN AGREEMENT TO SEND RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPERS TO BOSNIA, AS WELL AS ATTEMPTS BY MOSCOW TO RAISE ITS PROFILE IN REGIONAL MEDIATING EFFORTS. THOSE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN SIDELINED BY MR. YELTSIN'S RECENT BOUT OF HEART TROUBLE, WHICH HAS KEPT HIM IN THE HOSPITAL FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS.

BUT LAWMAKERS THURSDAY SERVED NOTICE THE PEACEKEEPER AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE FINAL WITHOUT THEIR APPROVAL. NATIONALIST LEGISLATORS STRONGLY OPPOSED THE IDEA OF RUSSIAN TROOPS IN THE BALKANS SERVING UNDER NATO COMMAND. INDICATIONS ARE THEY MAY ALSO OBJECT TO THE COMPROMISE PROPOSAL WHEREBY RUSSIANS WOULD SERVE INDIRECTLY UNDER A U-S OFFICER.

MR. YELTSIN HAS DISCUSSED THE BROADER ISSUES OF THE BALKAN CONFLICT WITH HIS FOREIGN MINISTER, ANDREI KOZYREV. THE MEETING WAS MR. KOZYREV'S FIRST SINCE THE PRESIDENT WAS HOSPITALIZED AND BRINGS THE FOREIGN MINISTER INTO THE SMALL CIRCLE OF OFFICIALS ALLOWED TO SEE THE AILING LEADER.

THE MEETING HAD AT LEAST ONE POSITIVE OUTCOME -- FROM MR. KOZYREV'S POINT OF VIEW. THE MINISTER, ACCUSED BY HARDLINERS OF CAVING IN TO WESTERN DEMANDS, HAS BEEN GIVEN A NEW DEPUTY. LAST MONTH, MR. YELTSIN SAID HE MIGHT REPLACE MR. KOZYREV, THEN IMMEDIATELY BACKTRACKED AND SAID THE FOREIGN MINISTER WAS DOING WELL IN HIS JOB, BUT JUST NEEDED SOME HELP. (SIGNED)

NEB/EA/JWH/MMK
09-Nov-95 12:42 PM EST (1742 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE FINANCIAL CRISIS AT THE UNITED NATIONS STRAINS THE BUDGET OF THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL; U-N OFFICIALS AND DIPLOMATS EXPRESS SHOCK AND CONDOLENCES FOLLOWING THE ASSASSINATION OF ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER YITZAK RABIN; AND THE U-N CALLS FOR AN "OLYMPIC TRUCE" DURING THE 1996 SUMMER GAMES TO BE HELD IN THE UNITED STATES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK.

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT OF THE TRIBUNAL CHARGED WITH PROSECUTING WAR CRIMINALS FROM THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAS COMPLAINED TO THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY THE COURT IS POORLY FUNDED. ANTONIO CASSESSE SAYS ON-SITE INSPECTIONS OF ALLEGED CRIME SCENES ARE SOMETIMES DELAYED BECAUSE INVESTIGATORS ARE NOT SURE OF TRAVEL MONEY. HE SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS TO ACCEPT ITS RESPONSIBILITY IF IT WANTS FURTHER INDICTMENTS:

ALL OF THESE PROCEDURES ARE COSTLY. OF THAT, THERE IS NO DOUBT. BUT IF THE U-N WANTS TO HEAR THE VOICE OF JUSTICE SPEAK LOUDLY AND CLEARLY -- THEN THE MEMBER STATES MUST BE WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE TRIBUNAL HAS ALSO NOTED ONLY 15 OF THE U-N'S 185 MEMBERS HAVE PASSED LEGISLATION TO HELP THE COURT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL DEPENDS ON THE COOPERATION OF GOVERNMENTS. SUSPECTS MUST BE SURRENDERED TO THE COURT FOR PROSECUTION.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL ESTABLISHED THE TRIBUNAL TWO-YEARS AGO. IT HAS SINCE SET UP A COURT TO TRY CRIMES OF GENOCIDE IN RWANDA.

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THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS WEEK PAID TRIBUTE TO ISRAEL'S ASSASSINATED PRIME MINISTER YITZAK RABIN. JUST TWO WEEKS EARLIER MR. RABIN HAD ADDRESSED THE U-N'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY SESSION, WARNING OF THE DANGERS OF TERRORISM.

THE LATE PRIME MINISTER DESCRIBED TERRORISM AS THE WORLD'S CANCER. HE TOLD WORLD LEADERS GATHERED IN NEW YORK, DO NOT FOOL YOURSELF, EVEN IF YOU IGNORE TERROR IT CAN ENTER ANY OF YOUR HOUSES.

MR. RABIN WAS KILLED BY AN ISRAELI OPPONENT OF THE PEACE PROCESS.

U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI WENT MONDAY TO TEL AVIV FOR THE FUNERAL. IN ACCORDANCE WITH TRADITION, THE U-N FLAG FLEW AT HALF-STAFF AT HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK.

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SPORTS OFFICIALS AND U-N DIPLOMATS JOINED THIS WEEK IN AN APPEAL FOR CEASEFIRES AROUND THE WORLD DURING THE 1996 OLYMPIC GAMES THAT ARE TO OPEN JULY 16TH IN ATLANTA. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVED A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN "OLYMPIC TRUCE". THE TRADITION DATES BACK TO ANCIENT GREECE.

THE RESOLUTION WAS INTRODUCED BY U-S GYMNAST BART CONNOR -- TWICE A GOLD MEDALIST. A RECORD 161 COUNTRIES SPONSORED IT.

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THE ASSEMBLY HAS ELECTED FIVE NEW NON-PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL, WHOSE TWO-YEAR TERMS BEGIN JANUARY FIRST. SOUTH KOREA -- A U-N MEMBER ONLY SINCE 1991 -- WILL SERVE ON THE COUNCIL FOR THE FIRST TIME.

POLAND WILL OCCUPY A SEAT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE END OF SOVIET DOMINATION IN EASTERN EUROPE. THE POLISH AMBASSADOR SAID HIS COUNTRY AT LAST WILL SPEAK IN ITS OWN VOICE.

GUINEA-BISSAU, CHILE, AND EGYPT WERE ALSO CHOSEN. FIVE OF THE COUNCIL'S 10 NON-PERMANENT SEATS ARE UP FOR ELECTION EVERY YEAR. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 09-Nov-95 2:04 PM EST (1904 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] U-S/RUSSIA/BOSNIA (LONG) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS RUSSIA WILL NOT HAVE VETO POWER OVER POLITICAL DECISIONS CONCERNING THE PEACKEEPING FORCE NATO IS ASSEMBLING FOR DUTY IN BOSNIA. MR. PERRY AND HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART PAVEL GRACHEV PLAN ANOTHER MEETING IN EUROPE LATER THIS MONTH TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: MR. PERRY SAYS NATO IS PREPARED TO GIVE MOSCOW A ROLE IN PLANNING FOR PEACEKEEPING IN BOSNIA. BUT HE SAYS MOSCOW WILL NOT GET VETO POWER OVER POLITICAL DECISIONS ON THE PEACE FORCE, WHICH WILL BE MADE BY NATO'S POLICY-MAKING ATLANTIC COUNCIL.

THE DEFENSE SECRETARY MET WEDNESDAY IN BRUSSELS WITH RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER PAVEL GRACHEV AND REACHED AGREEMENT ON MILITARY TERMS UNDER WHICH RUSSIAN TROOPS WILL SERVE IN THE FORCE -- BEING ASSEMBLED BY NATO FOR DUTY IN BOSNIA ONCE A PEACE ACCORD IS REACHED.

HE TOLD REPORTERS ACCOMPANYING HIM HOME THAT MOSCOW WANTS A ROLE IN POLITICAL DECISION-MAKING FOR THE PEACE FORCE THAT WOULD PUT IT ON EQUAL FOOTING WITH NATO MEMBERS -- BUT AS MR. PERRY PUT IT, THAT IS NOT IN THE CARDS.

HE SAID HE AND MR. GRACHEV WILL MEET AGAIN IN BRUSSELS ON THE SIDELINES OF THE NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS MEETING AT THE END OF THE MONTH TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE, AND SAID HE HAS "SOME OPTIMISM" AN AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED.

MR. PERRY SAID NATO IS UNWILLING TO GIVE MOSCOW VETO POWER IN EITHER POLITICAL OR MILITARY ASPECTS IN THE BOSNIAN OPERATION IN ORDER TO PRESERVE A CLEAR LINE OF AUTHORITY BY NATO.

NATO WANTS FULL CONTROL IN ORDER TO AVOID THE PITFALLS OF THE PREVIOUS BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING OPERATION -- IN WHICH NATO AND THE UNITED NATIONS SHARED POLITICAL CONTROL AND FREQUENTLY CLASHED OVER THE USE OF NATO AIRPOWER AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

THE TWO DEFENSE CHIEFS AGREED IN BRUSSELS ON A FORMULA THAT WILL PERMIT AT LEAST ONE THOUSAND RUSSIAN COMBAT TROOPS TO JOIN THE 60-THOUSAND MEMBER FORCE. MOSCOW HAD RESISTED PUTTING ITS TROOPS UNDER DIRECT NATO COMMAND AND UNDER A COMPROMISE ARRANGEMENT, ITS TROOPS WILL TAKE THEIR ORDERS FROM A SENIOR U-S GENERAL WITH A RUSSIAN DEPUTY.

AN ADDITIONAL TWO-THOUSAND RUSSIANS WILL WORK WITH U-S UNITS CARRYING OUT SUPPORT OPERATIONS FOR THE PEACE FORCE.

MR. PERRY STRESSED THAT FINDING AN ACCOMMODATION FOR RUSSIAN INVOLVEMENT IS IMPORTANT NOT ONLY TO BOSNIA BUT TO FUTURE U-S/RUSSIAN COOPERATION IN THE POST COLD-WAR ERA. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/PT
09-Nov-95 3:51 PM EST (2051 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] YUGO / WAR CRIMES (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS INDICTED THREE OFFICERS OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAV NATIONAL ARMY FOR WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. THE THREE MEN ARE THE FIRST YUGOSLAV ARMY OFFICERS TO BE CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL INDICTED A COLONEL, A MAJOR, AND A CAPTAIN IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAV NATIONAL ARMY.

ALL THREE OFFICERS (MILE MRKSIC, MIROSLAV RADIC AND VESELIN SLJIVANCANIN) ARE LINKED TO WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEVASTATING SIEGE OF THE CROATIAN TOWN OF VUKOVAR IN 1991.

THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL SAYS THE OFFICERS ARE, INDIVIDUALLY, RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIMINAL ACTS AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIMES COMMITTED BY THEIR SUBORDINATES.

THE ACTS COMMITTED ARE SAID TO HAVE SERIOUSLY VIOLATED THE GENEVA CONVENTION OF 1949 AS WELL AS OTHER INTERNATIONAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS CONCERNING THE CONDUCT OF WARFARE.

VUKOVAR WAS ALMOST TOTALLY DESTROYED IN THE SIEGE THAT FOLLOWED CROATIA'S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE FROM THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA STATE.

YUGOSLAV ARMY AND PARAMILITARY FORCES CAPTURED THE TOWN. HUNDREDS OF CROATIANS WERE TAKEN FROM A LOCAL HOSPITAL, SHOT, AND BURIED.

CROATIAN SERBS, WHO CONTROL THE VUKOVAR AREA, HAVE NOT ALLOWED INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS TO INVESTIGATE MASS GRAVES THERE.

CROATIAN OFFICIALS SAY THERE MAY BE MASS GRAVES WITH THE BODIES OF THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS AND SOLDIERS WHO WERE MASSACRED.

THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT HAS VOWED TO RECAPTURE VUKOVAR AND THE SERB-HELD EASTERN SLAVONIA REGION. EASTERN SLAVONIA IS THE ONLY PART OF CROATIA STILL HELD BY THE SERBS.

UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS IN ZAGREB FEAR THE CROATIAN ARMY WILL BE SENT IN TO RECAPTURE EASTERN SLAVONIA WITHIN WEEKS. THEY DOUBT THAT THE ATTACK WOULD BE CALLED OFF EVEN IF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SERBS REACH A PEACE AGREEMENT ON THE TERRITORY'S FUTURE.

WHAT HAPPENED IN VUKOVAR FOUR YEARS AGO IS STILL A HIGHLY EMOTIONAL ISSUE AMONG CROATIANS. THEY WANT REVENGE. A CROATIAN ARMY ATTACK TO RECAPTURE VUKOVAR WOULD HAVE STRONG POPULAR SUPPORT. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/MMK
09-Nov-95 2:18 PM EST (1918 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] YUGO SITREP (L) BY WAYNE COREY ( VIENNA )

INTRO: THERE ARE INDICATIONS THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE AT A CRUCIAL STAGE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS INDICTED THREE SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAV NATIONAL ARMY FOR WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: THE YUGOSLAV NEWS AGENCY, TANJUG, REPORTS THE TALKS ON PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAVE ENTERED A DECISIVE STAGE AND MAY BE AT A TURNING POINT.

IN A REPORT FROM OHIO, WHERE THE TALKS ARE UNDERWAY, TANJUG SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS EXPECTED TO PRESENT THE BOSNIAN, SERBIAN AND CROATIAN PRESIDENTS WITH A REVISED OVERALL PEACE AGREEMENT.

ACCORDING TO TANJUG, THE REVISED AGREEMENT REFLECTS THE LATEST POSITIONS OF ALL THE WARRING FORCES ON KEY ISSUES, EXCLUDING TERRITORIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS AND SERBS.

OFFICIALS AT THE TALKS HAVE SPOKEN OF PROGRESS. THERE ARE PREDICTIONS THE NEGOTIATIONS COULD BE SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED WITHIN A WEEK IF NECESSARY COMPROMISES ARE MADE.

RADIO BELGRADE SAYS AMERICAN MEDIATOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS PUTTING INTENSE PRESSURE ON THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, SERBIAN AND CROATIAN DELEGATIONS TO MAKE THOSE COMPROMISES.

MR. HOLBROOKE'S EFFORTS ARE SUPPORTED BY EUROPEAN UNION MEDIATOR CARL BILDT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND BY A RUSSIAN ENVOY, IGOR IVANOV.

NOW THAT CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN HAS RETURNED TO THE TALKS, ANALYSTS SAY THERE ARE HOPES THAT THE MUSLIM/CROAT FEDERATION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA MAY BE STRENGTHENED.

OFFICIALS ALSO ANTICIPATE RENEWED ATTEMPTS TO END THE CONFLICT IN CROATIA.

AMERICAN AND UNITED NATIONS MEDIATORS ARE PLANNING MORE TALKS WITH REBEL SERBS IN CROATIA WHILE MR. TUDJMAN AND THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE SERB-HELD EASTERN SLAVONIA REGION. IN ZAGREB, UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS FEAR PRESIDENT TUDJMAN WILL ORDER THE CROATIAN ARMY TO RECAPTURE EASTERN SLAVONIA RATHER THAN WAIT FOR THE REGION TO BE REINTEGRATED WITH THE REST OF CROATIA AFTER A TRANSITION PERIOD. MEANWHILE, THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS INDICTED THREE SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAV NATIONAL ARMY.

THE OFFICERS ARE CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SIEGE OF THE CROATIAN TOWN OF VUKOVAR AFTER CROATIA DECLARED ITS INDEPENDENCE FROM YUGOSLAVIA IN 1991.

VUKOVAR WAS DEVASTATED, AND MORE THAN 200 PATIENTS, ALL NON-SERBS, WERE TAKEN FROM A HOSPITAL, SHOT AND BURIED IN MASS GRAVES.

THE INDICTED OFFICERS ARE THE FIRST SOLDIERS OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAV ARMY TO BE CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES. THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL SAYS THE INDICTMENTS REFLECT ITS INTENTION TO GO AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND IN IDENTIFYING WAR CRIMINALS.

THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, AND THE SERB ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, HAVE ALREADY BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. BUT, THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE NOT WILLING TO TURN OVER SUSPECTED OR INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL. SO, IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THE HIGHEST-RANKING MILITARY OR CIVILIAN OFFICIALS, RESPONSIBLE FOR WAR CRIMES, WILL EVER FACE TRIAL.

THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL WILL NOT HOLD A TRIAL UNLESS THE PERSON TO BE TRIED IS ACTUALLY IN ITS CUSTODY. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/MH/MMK
09-Nov-95 10:14 AM EST (1514 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America