Voice of America, 15 November 1995

From: [email protected] (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: FROM A NEARLY-DESERTED WASHINGTON, D-C, THIS IS THE EDITORIAL DIGEST FOR WEDNESDAY THE 15TH OF NOVEMBER, AND THE SECOND DAY OF AN UNUSUAL PARTIAL SHUTDOWN OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THAT IS THE MAIN TOPIC OF MOST EDITORIALS, AND THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS ARE EXPRESSING THEIR DISGUST WITH BOTH THE CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE OVER THE BUDGETARY IMPASSE. AMONG OTHER TOPICS, THE PAPERS DISCUSS THE TERRORIST BOMBING IN SAUDI ARABIA; THE BOSNIAN PEACE TALKS; THE QUESTION OF WHAT TO DO WITH NIGERIA AFTER THE HANGING OF KEN SARO-WIWA, AND THE RECENT ELECTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA.

NOW, HERE IS __________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: WE BEGIN WITH THE TOPIC ON ALMOST EVERYBODY'S LIPS IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON AREA, THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THAT BEGAN TUESDAY AT NOON LOCAL TIME. THE ACTION WAS BROUGHT ABOUT BECAUSE THE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT CANNOT AGREE ON A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ALREADY UNDERWAY, AND THE GOVERNMENT'S SPENDING AUTHORITY UNDER A TEMPORARY FUNDING BILL RAN OUT AT MIDNIGHT LOCAL TIME MONDAY NIGHT. THE NATION'S PAPERS ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE SITUATION. FOR EXAMPLE, THE LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE IN WEDNESDAY'S "ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" READS: "BAD GOVERNMENT THEATER", AND THE PAPER CONTINUES:

VOICE: "THE BIT OF POLITICAL THEATER BEING STAGED THIS WEEK BY CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET LEADERS AND PRESIDENT CLINTON IS DRAWING BOOS FROM THE MOST IMPORTANT CRITICS: THE VOTERS... WHAT IS HAPPENING ... IS NOT A HIGH-MINDED CONFLICT OVER PRINCIPLES, BUT RATHER AN UGLY FAILURE TO GOVERN BY OUR ALLEGED LEADERS. THEY MAY THINK THEY ARE IMPRESSING VOTERS WITH THEIR DEVOTION TO IDEALS, BUT IN FACT THEY ARE INCREASING CYNICISM AND PROVING TO MANY VOTERS THAT NEITHER PARTY IS WORTHY OF SUPPORT."

TEXT: IN THE U-S SOUTHWEST, "THE DAILY OKLAHOMAN" SUGGESTS THE WORST IS STILL TO COME.

VOICE: "IF YOU THINK THE TALK IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK OF FISCAL CRISIS, GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND GENERAL DOOM IS HAIR-RAISING, JUST WAIT. NEXT MONTHS'S CLASH BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND BILL CLINTON OVER THE G-O-P'S SEVEN-YEAR PLAN TO BALANCE THE BUDGET WILL MAKE CURRENT EVENTS LOOK LIKE A PICNIC... REPUBLICANS SHOULD DIG IN AND GIRD FOR THE COMING BATTLE. THEY BETTER LISTEN TO TAXPAYERS WHO ASK: WILL WE EVER GET OUR FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER? IF NOT US, WHO? IF NOT NOW, WHEN?"

TEXT: THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS LEADING DAILY, "THE DENVER POST", ADDS ITS VOICE TO THE FRAY, SUGGESTING THE REPUBLICANS' PROPOSED TAX CUT, WHICH THE PRESIDENT OPPOSES, BE DELAYED, SINCE IT WOULD BE OF ONLY MARGINAL HELP FOR MOST MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES. AND THEN "THE POST" ADDS THIS:

VOICE: "VOTERS SHOULD TELL CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE: STOP YOUR POLITICAL POSTURING; IT'S EMBARRASSING OUR COUNTRY. BALANCE THE BOOKS FIRST, GIVE US THE TAX CUT LATER, AND FOR ONCE PUT POLITICAL AMBITIONS ON THE BACK BURNER."

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO'S TO BLAME.

VOICE: "IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, AND IT IS NOT ACCURATE, TO LAY A GENERAL PALL OF BLAME ON 'ALL SIDES' IN THE WASHINGTON FACEOFF OVER THE FEDERAL BUDGET. ..... BOTH SIDES ARE RESPONSIBLE ... BUT THEY ARE NOT EQUALLY AT FAULT. ..... THERE IS ONE REASON, AND ONE REASON ONLY, WHY THE PENALTY FOR THIS SCHOOLYARD TUSSLE HAS BECOME SO STEEP: CONGRESS REFUSES TO PASS ANY BILL THAT SIMPLY EXTENDS THE GOVERNMENT'S OPERATING AND BORROWING AUTHORITY WHILE OTHER, UNRELATED DISPUTES ARE NEGOTIATED. THERE'S BOTH THE PROBLEM AND THE BLAME."

TEXT: IN BOSTON, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" TRIES TO EXPLAIN THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, OR SO-CALLED "TRAIN WRECK", TO ITS READERS, AND THEN ISSUES THIS CALL:

VOICE: "AMERICA NEEDS A CHURCHILLIAN CALL FOR SHARED SACRIFICE. READJUSTING SOCIAL PROGRAMS TO FIT NATIONAL GROWTH CALLS FOR BALANCING THE TAXES, PENSIONS, AND SUBSIDIES OF THE PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE FIRST BABY-BOOM PRESIDENT HAS NOT YET SHOWN REAL AWARENESS THAT HIS GENERATION IS ABOUT TO WEIGH HEAVILY ON THE BIG SOCIAL PROGRAMS. AND ON ITS OWN CHILDREN'S TAXES."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THIS TOPIC, FROM TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL", SUPPORT FOR THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS:

VOICE: "THIS IS OCCURRING BECAUSE MESSERS GINGRICH AND DOLE AREN'T BLINKING. WE HOPE THEY STAY THE COURSE, MAKING THE STAKES OF RATIONALIZING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CLEAR TO THE PUBLIC RIGHT THROUGH TO NOVEMBER 1996 IF NECESSARY."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE MORNING'S OTHER MAJOR TOPIC, THE BOMBING THAT KILLED SIX PEOPLE AT A SAUDI ARABIAN MILITARY TRAINING CENTER RUN BY U-S MILITARY PERSONNEL, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS:

VOICE: "... MOST PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WERE PROBABLY UNAWARE OF THE CONTINUING U-S MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN SAUDI ARABIA, FIVE YEARS AFTER U-S FORCES WERE SENT THERE IN RESPONSE TO IRAQ'S INVASION OF KUWAIT. BUT ENEMIES OF THE SAUDI MONARCHY HAVE BEEN AWARE, AND IN HINDSIGHT IT'S EASY TO DISCERN THE THREAT THAT AMERICANS FACE IN THE KINGDOM... THE UNITED STATES, AS IT SHOWED FIVE YEARS AGO, WILL FIGHT TO DEFEND SAUDI ARABIA AGAINST FOREIGN THREATS. BUT IT CAN DO LITTLE TO DEFEND THE ROYAL FAMILY AGAINST ITS INTERNAL ENEMIES."

TEXT: WRITING ON THE SAME SUBJECT, TODAY'S "BALTIMORE SUN" SUGGESTS HISTORY MAY BE REPEATING ITSELF.

VOICE: "THE SITUATION ... DEVELOPING IN SAUDI-ARABIA IS NOT UNIQUE. IRAN EXPERIENCED SOMETHING SIMILAR BEFORE THE VIOLENT OVERTHROW OF THE SHAH IN 1979. THE RULING SAUDIS ARE PAINFULLY AWARE OF THESE PARALLELS. THAT IS WHY THE HOUSE OF SAUD HAS SO JEALOUSLY GUARDED ITS EXCLUSIVE POWER, MINDFUL OF HOW THE SHAH OF IRAN, WHO APPLIED BRAKES AFTER A PERIOD OF INITIAL REFORMS, LOST HIS ABILITY TO CONTROL EVENTS. SAUDI RULERS DON'T WANT TO REPEAT HIS MISTAKES -- BUT DO NOT QUITE KNOW HOW TO AVOID THEM."

TEXT: NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND "NEWSDAY" SUMS UP BY DECLARING THE "BOMBING IS [THE] PRICE OF U-S SUPPORT FOR THE SAUDIS."

TURNING TO ANOTHER MIDDLE EAST TOPIC, THE FUTURE OF ISRAEL, "THE NEW YORK POST" TALKS ABOUT THE TOUGH JOB FACING ACTING PRIME MINISTER SHIMON PERES, AND HIS CREDENTIALS FOR TAKING IT ON.

VOICE: "TODAY, PRESIDENT EZER WEIZMAN WILL ASK ACTING PRIME MINISTER SHIMON PERES TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT... AS THE PEACE PROCESS' PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT, AND AS A MAJOR FIGURE IN ISRAELI LIFE VIRTUALLY SINCE DAVID BEN-GURION PROCLAIMED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A JEWISH STATE, PERES -- IN EVERY RELEVANT RESPECT -- IS A WORTHY AND APPROPRIATE SUCCESSOR TO THE MURDERED PRIME MINISTER."

TEXT: CONCERNING THE OHIO NEGOTIATIONS TO END THE WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SUGGESTS THINGS MAY BE GRINDING TO A HALT:

VOICE: "THE DIPLOMATICALLY HERCULEAN EFFORTS OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY RICHARD HOLBROOKE IN GRINDING OUT A CEASE-FIRE OFFERED PROMISE WHEN THE THREE LEADERS ARRIVED AT WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE OUTSIDE DAYTON AT THE END OF OCTOBER. BUT SINCE THEN THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE TO INSPIRE HOPE EXCEPT FOR THE CONTINUING PRESENCE OF PRESIDENTS FRANCO TUDJMAN OF CROATIA, ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC OF BOSNIA AND SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC OF SERBIA."

TEXT: TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR," CONTEMPLATING THE HANGING LAST WEEK OF ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS KEN SARO-WIWA IN NIGERIA, DESPITE WORLD-WIDE PLEAS FOR CLEMENCY, SAYS THE WORLD MUST CONFRONT NIGERIAN RULER ABACHA:

VOICE: "HOW CAN SUCH A MAN BE FORCED FROM POWER? DIPLOMATIC PRESSURES HAVE MULTIPLIED SINCE [MR.] SARO-WIWA'S DEATH... ARMS SALES TO NIGERIA HAVE BEEN CUT OFF. INTERNATIONAL LOAN DEALS ARE CANCELED... BUT THERE'S LITTLE ASSURANCE [GENERAL] ABACHA WILL HEED THEM. HE AND HIS LIEUTENANTS CARE PRIMARILY ABOUT LINING THEIR POCKETS WITH NIGERIA'S OIL WEALTH... WASHINGTON SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD IN PLANNING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS THAT ESCALATE TOWARD AN OIL EMBARGO. THIS COULD DESTABILIZE NIGERIA, BUT NOTHING WILL HURT THE COUNTRY MORE THAN ALLOWING [GENERAL] ABACHA TO GO UNCHALLENGED."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, OF SOUTH AFRICA'S LOCAL ELECTIONS EARLIER THIS MONTH, TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" COMMENTS:

VOICE: "THE LOCAL ELECTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA THIS MONTH DEALT A VICTORY TO NELSON MANDELA'S AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, BUT THE MORE IMPORTANT MESSAGE COMING FROM THE POLLING STATIONS WAS THAT SOUTH AFRICANS, BOTH BLACK AND WHITE, ARE MOVING AWAY FROM EXTREMISM AND TOWARD A POLITICS OF MODERATION THAT MUST FORM THE CORE OF STABLE SOUTH AFRICAN DEMOCRACY. ALSO ENCOURAGING WAS THE CONDUCT OF THE BALLOTING. SOME LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS PERSISTED, BUT THEY DID NOT IMPUGN THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROCESS. VIOLENCE WAS RARE."

TEXT: AND ON THAT HOPEFUL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF REVIEW OF SOME OF THE TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED ACROSS THE NATION THIS WEDNESDAY, THE MID-POINT OF NOVEMBER.

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15-Nov-95 10:55 AM EST (1555 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, THE UNITED STATES HAS RAISED QUESTIONS WITH CROATIAN LEADERS ABOUT THE PROMOTION OF AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL TO A SENIOR POSITION IN THE CROATIAN ARMY. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE CHIEF AMERICAN OFFICIAL AT THE PEACE TALKS, RICHARD HOLBROOKE, ACTING ON INSTRUCTIONS FROM SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS LET CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN KNOW OF THE AMERICAN CONCERN ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT OF TIHOMIR BLASKIC TO A POSITION IN THE CROATIAN ARMY'S OFFICE OF INSPECTORS.

MR. BLASKIC IS A BOSNIAN CROAT GENERAL WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR ALLEGED CRIMES AGAINST MUSLIMS IN 1992 AND 1993 IN CENTRAL BOSNIA. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN SHATTUCK HAS ALSO RAISED THE CASE IN DAYTON WITH CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MATE GRANIC.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS WARNS CROATIA TO COOPERATE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL

WE CERTAINLY WANT TO LISTEN TO THE VIEWPOINTS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF CROATIA BUT THE FACT IS THAT ONE OF THEIR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAS BEEN INDICTED AND THE FACT IS THERE CAN BE NO DOUBLE STANDARDS, NO EXCEPTIONS, EVERYONE HAS GOT TO COOPERATE WITH THE TRIBUNAL.

THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS INDICTED 45 SERBS AND SEVEN CROATS FOR ALLEGED ATROCITIES IN BOSNIA. U-S OFFICIALS IN DAYTON HAVE BEEN OUTRAGED BY THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT ACTION AND THEY THREATEN TO PUNISH CROATIA BY PREVENTING ZAGREB FROM MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IF MR. BLASKIC IS NOT MADE AVAILABLE FOR PROSECUTION.

SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER LEARNED OF THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT'S ACTION A FEW HOURS BEFORE HE LEFT DAYTON TO FLY TO JAPAN TO PREPARE THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC SUMMIT MEETING. MR. BURNS SAYS MR. CHRISTOPHER RAISED OTHER BOSNIA ISSUES WITH PRESIDENT TUDJMAN IN HIS FINAL MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT, BUT NOT THE CASE OF GENERAL BLASKIC.

ALTHOUGH MR. CHRISTOPHER DID NOT MAKE NOTABLE PROGRESS IN HIS 12 HOURS OF TALKS IN DAYTON WITH THE PRESIDENTS OF CROATIA, BOSNIA AND SERBIA, THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS IT IS TOO EARLY TO TERM THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS A FAILURE OR A SUCCESS.

WE'RE RIGHT AT THE MOST INTENSIVE PHASE OF THE TALKS. ALL OF THE PRELIMINARY POSTURING IS OUT OF THE WAY. ALL OF THE MINOR ISSUES HAVE EITHER BEEN RESOLVED OR CAST ASIDE. WE'RE ENGAGED NOW ON THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES. IT IS UNFAIR TO SAY THAT THESE TALKS ARE UNSUCCESSFUL. IT'S NOT ACCURATE TO SAY THAT THEY'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL. THEY ARE IN THE MIDDLE, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HARDEST PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS AND I THINK WE'LL SOON SEE WHETHER THESE TALKS INDEED ARE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL OR NOT.

THE PEACE TALKS ARE FOCUSSED ON THE BASIC ISSUES OF TERRITORY AND POWER, INCLUDING THE STATUS OF SARAJEVO. THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO HAVE 70 OR 80 PERCENT OF AN AGREEMENT COMPLETED AND DECISIONS MUST BE MADE SOON ABOUT FINISHING A COMPREHENSIVE PEACE AGREEMENT.(SIGNED)

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15-Nov-95 4:57 PM EST (2157 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA HEARING (L-ONLY) BY MICHELE KELEMEN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SEVERAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND REFUGEES EXPERTS SAY THEY ARE WORRIED THAT U-S NEGOTIATORS AT ONGOING BALKAN PEACE TALKS MAY BE PUSHING TOO FAST FOR A PEACE AGREEMENT WITHOUT PAYING ENOUGH ATTENTION TO THE HUMAN FACTORS. AS V-O-A'S MICHELE KELEMEN REPORTS, THEY TOLD MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THAT NEGOTIATORS MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF REFUGEE ISSUES AND THE NEED TO PROSECUTE THE CRIMINALS OF WAR IN THE BALKANS.

TEXT: THOMAS WARRICK OF THE COALITION FOR INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE TOLD THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THAT IN ORDER TO BUILD A LASTING PEACE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED. HE SAID HE BELIEVES ONE OF THE MAJOR FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ONGOING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IS THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH REPORTED ABOUT ATROCITIES IN THE AFTERMATH OF WORLD WAR TWO. AND, HE ADDED THERE WERE UNSETTLED SCORES.

AS THOSE VICTIMS HEARD NOTHING AFTER WORLD WAR TWO, TODAY'S VICTIMS HAVE TO SEE JUSTICE BE DONE BEFORE THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE RESUMES IN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

REPORTS FROM BELGRADE HAVE SUGGESTED THAT BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND THE MILITARY COMMANDER RATKO MLADIC MAY WORK OUT SOME KIND OF IMMUNITY FROM WAR CRIMES IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR COOPERATION IN SECURING A PEACE DEAL. MR. WARRICK SAID THAT VIOLATES INTERNATIONAL LAW AND MAY PUSH THE HEAD OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO QUIT, COMPLICATING THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE BALKANS.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE WASHINGTON OFFICE OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL JAMES O'DEA AGREED THAT PROSECUTING WAR CRIMINALS IS VITAL TO ANY LONG TERM SOLUTION.

THE PROCESS IS ESSENTIAL FOR PEACE, BECAUSE THOSE WHO ARE INDICTED HAVE NOT ONLY ORCHESTRATED KILLINGS BUT HAVE ALSO INCITED OTHERS TO KILL AND HAVE INCITED ETHNIC HATRED. THE BOSNIAN SERBS WHO WISH TO LIVE IN A MULTI-ETHNIC BOSNIA HAVE NO CHANCE OF RAISING THEIR VOICES IF THE MONGERS OF HATRED ARE STILL IN POWER.

THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED. THERE ARE STILL MORE THAN 25-THOUSAND MISSING. THERE ARE OVER TWO MILLION REFUGEES, AND SOME PEOPLE CONSIDER THIS A QUESTION OF MAPS. HOWEVER (IN WHATEVER WAY) THE MAPS ARE DRAWN, MINORITIES WILL STILL HAVE TO BE PROTECTED.

MR. O'DEA AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE ROBERT DEVECCHI TOLD THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THAT REFUGEES SHOULD NOT BE FORCED BACK TO THEIR HOMES, AND A VARIETY OF SOLUTIONS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. THEY EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT AS PROSPECTS FOR PEACE GROW STRONGER, THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT IS TALKING MORE AND MORE ABOUT SENDING SOME REFUGEES BACK. THEY SAID THEY HOPE U-S NEGOTIATORS ARE DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES.

THERE IS LITTLE NEWS COMING OUT OF THE TALKS AT THE WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR BASE NEAR DAYTON, OHIO. (SIGNED)

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15-Nov-95 4:22 PM EST (2122 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] CHRISTOPHER-BOSNIA TALKS OVERNIGHTER (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (DAYTON, OHIO)

TEXT: THE ISSUES OF SARAJEVO, ELECTIONS, TERRITORY AND THE BOSNIAN CONSTITUTION ARE STILL CONSIDERED SO DIFFICULT THAT NO FINAL AGREEMENT IS EXPECTED HERE BEFORE EARLY NEXT WEEK.

SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER HELD THREE SEPARATE, INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS WITH ALL THREE BALKAN PRESIDENTS TO TRY TO BRING THEM CLOSER TOGETHER TOWARD A COMPREHENSIVE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS TOLD REPORTERS, AFTER 12 HOURS WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE, IMPORTANT DIFFERENCES REMAIN BETWEEN BOSNIA AND SERBIA.

HE DISCUSSED WITH THEM ALL OF THE ISSUES BUT PARTICULARLY ISSUES CONCERNING THE MAP AND SARAJEVO, TERRITORITORIAL ISSUES. THERE WAS A LOT OF INTENSIVE WORK DONE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THESE PARTIES STILL NEED TO MAKE MORE PROGRESS. THEY ARE NOT AT THE POINT WHERE THEY CAN DELCARE TONIGHT THAT THEY HAVE RESOLVED ALL THEIR PROBLEMS. ALL OF THE ISSUES REMAIN ON THE TABLE. THERE ARE DIFFERENCES AMONG THE PARTIES ON ALL THE MAJOR ISSUES.

THE SPOKESMAN SAYS THE LACK OF PROGRESS WAS NOT SURPRISING SINCE MR. CHRISTOPHER EXPECTED THESE NEGOTIATIONS STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO. THE SECRETARY OF STATE FLEW TO OSAKA, JAPAN TO PREPARE THE APEC ECONOMIC SUMMIT CONFERENCE AFTER CONCLUDING HIS TALKS SHORTLY BEFORE MIDNIGHT. MR. BURNS SAYS THE OBJECTIVE REMAINS A COMPREHENSIVE PEACE AGREEMENT. HE SUGGESTS THE DIFFERENCES MAY PERSIST UNTIL EARLY NEXT WEEK WHEN MR. CHRISTOPHER IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES.

AMONG THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES IS THE STATUS OF SARAJEVO. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WANTS A UNIFIED CAPITAL WHILE THE BOSNIAN SERBS INSIST ON KEEPING THE AREAS OF THE CITY THEY HOLD NOW. THERE IS ALSO NO AGREEMENT ON THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S DEMAND TO HAVE A CORRIDOR THROUGH SERBIAN-HELD TERRITORY TO THE EASTERN ENCLAVE OF GORAZDE. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OBJECTS TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVING A LARGER CORRIDOR CONNECTING THE NORTHWEST CITY OF BANJA LUKA WITH SERBIA.

ON THE CONSTITUTION, THERE ARE DIFFERENCES ABOUT THE POWERS OF THE CENTRAL BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND THOSE THAT WILL BE RESERVED FOR THE SERBIAN ENTITY IN BOSNIA.

THE TALKS HERE AT WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE HAVE FOCUSED ON THE CENTRAL ISSUES OF TERRITORY AND POWER THAT HAVE DIVIDED BOSNIA AND SERBIA SINCE THE FIRST DAYS OF THE BOSNIAN WAR. MR. CHRISTOPHER SAYS THE UNITED STATES CANNOT DRAG THE PARTIES ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. (SIGNED)

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15-Nov-95 2:43 AM EST (0743 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] CROATIA / WAR CRIMES (S UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS CRITICIZED THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT FOR APPOINTING AN ALLEGED BOSNIAN CROAT WAR CRIMINAL TO A POSITION IN THE CROATIAN ARMY. A SENIOR AMERICAN DIPLOMAT SAYS THE MAN SHOULD BE TURNED OVER TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR IN ZAGREB, PETER GALBRAITH, SAYS HE IS SURPRISED BY THE APPOINTMENT OF BOSNIAN CROAT GENERAL TIHOMIR BLASKIC TO A POSITION IN THE CROATIAN ARMY'S OFFICE OF INSPECTORS.

AMBASSADOR GALBRAITH SAYS THE ONLY APPOINTMENT GENERAL BLASKIC CAN, LEGALLY, HAVE IS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. THE TRIBUNAL INDICTED THE GENERAL AND FIVE OTHER BOSNIAN CROATS EARLIER THIS WEEK FOR WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.

THE SIX CROATS ARE CONSIDERED RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KILLING OR EXPULSION OF MUSLIMS FROM LASVA VALLEY IN CENTRAL BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IN 1992 AND 1993.

THE U-S AMBASSADOR TO CROATIA SAYS CROATIA, LIKE OTHER COUNTRIES, IS OBLIGATED TO HAND OVER TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS WHO ARE ON THEIR TERRITORY.

MR. GALBRAITH SAYS COOPERATION ON THE ISSUE OF WAR CRIMINALS WILL AFFECT RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND COUNTRIES IN THE BALKANS. (SIGNED)

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15-Nov-95 10:43 AM EST (1543 UTC)
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[06] E.U. / SANTER (L) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER HAS CALLED ON THE 15-NATION ORGANIZATION TO STRENGTHEN ITS FOREIGN POLICY EFFORTS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS MR. SANTER MADE THE COMMENTS IN HIS "STATE OF THE UNION" SPEECH TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT.

TEXT: PRESIDENT SANTER TOLD THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT THAT THE CRISIS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAS REVEALED WHAT HE CALLS GLARING HOLES IN THE E-U'S CAPACITY TO REACT TO WORLD EVENTS.

MR. SANTER CRITICIZED WHAT HE CALLED THE E-U'S FEEBLE ABILITY TO REACT TO EVENTS. BUT HE SAID EUROPE CAN ACT MORE EFFECTIVELY IF IT ACTS TOGETHER. AND HE SAID HE WANTS TO SEE A STRENGTHENING OF THE EUROPEAN UNION'S FOREIGN POLICY COOPERATION.

HE SPOKE AS E-U DIPLOMATS WERE PREPARING THE LATEST EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY INITIATIVE -- A SERIES OF MEASURES AGAINST NIGERIA.

THE PROPOSALS ARE BEING DEBATED BY E-U AMBASSADORS, AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE FORMALLY APPROVED BY THE 15 E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS AT A MEETING IN BRUSSELS MONDAY. EUROPE IS EXPECTED TO AGREE TO AN ARMS BAN ON NIGERIA, BUT NOT TO A BOYCOTT ON IMPORTS OF NIGERIAN OIL.

PRESIDENT SANTER EMPHASIZED THAT THIS FORM OF FOREIGN POLICY COORDINATION IS POSSIBLE ONLY WHEN E-U GOVERNMENTS SHOW THE POLITICAL WILL TO WORK TOGETHER IN PROJECTING EUROPE'S VIEWS ON WORLD ISSUES.

ON OTHER ISSUES, HE EMPHASIZED THAT A MAJOR PRIORITY FOR EUROPE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL BE TO NEGOTIATE THE ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION CHIEF TOLD THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT THAT THE E-U HAS A MORAL DUTY TO THESE COUNTRIES. BUT HE WARNED THAT THERE WILL BE A FINANCIAL COST TO THE EUROPEAN BUDGET WHEN THEY JOIN.

PRESIDENT SANTER ALSO WELCOMED THE EMERGENCE OF REGIONAL GROUPINGS AROUND THE WORLD, SUCH AS ASEAN IN ASIA AND MERCOSUR IN LATIN AMERICA. HE PREDICTED THAT, IN THE FUTURE, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS WILL BE CONDUCTED AS A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THESE LARGE GROUPINGS. (SIGNED)

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15-Nov-95 10:23 AM EST (1523 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] EURO / SOCCER (S-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: IN EUROPEAN FOOTBALL ACTION, GERMANY HAS VAULTED TO THE TOP OF THE GROUP OF SEVEN STANDINGS WITH A THREE TO ONE COME FROM BEHIND VICTORY OVER BULGARIA AT BERLIN'S OLYMPIC STADIUM. FROM BONN, V-O-A'S KYLE KING HAS MORE ON THE GAME AND THE LATEST QUALIFIERS FOR THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS NEXT YEAR IN ENGLAND.

TEXT: THE VICTORY IN BERLIN WAS SWEET REVENGE FOR THE GERMANS WHO SUFFERED A STINGING DEFEAT TO THE BULGARIANS IN THE WORLD CUP QUARTERFINALS LAST YEAR.

TEAM CAPTAIN JUERGEN KLINSMANN WAS THE HERO OF THE GAME WITH TWO GOALS FOR THE GERMANS, WHO BE GOING TO THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR THE SEVENTH TIME IN A ROW.

DESPITE THEIR LOSS, THE BULGARIANS HAD ALREADY BEEN ASSURED A PLACE IN THE FINALS. ELSEWHERE, DENMARK, WHICH ENDED THEIR GROUP MATCHES WITH A THREE TO ONE WIN OVER ARMENIA HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ALONG WITH NEWCOMER CROATIA. TURKEY, WHICH DREW A 2-2 TIE WITH SWEDEN HAS REACHED THE FINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE 1954 WORLD CUP. ROMANIA, SCOTLAND, HOST ENGLAND, SPAIN, RUSSIA AND SWITZERLAND HAVE ALSO SECURED THEIR PLACES IN THE CHAMPIONSHIPS.(SIGNED)

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15-Nov-95 5:23 PM EST (2223 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] EURO / SOCCER (S-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: IN EUROPEAN FOOTBALL ACTION, GERMANY HAS VAULTED TO THE TOP OF THE GROUP OF SEVEN STANDINGS WITH A THREE TO ONE COME FROM BEHIND VICTORY OVER BULGARIA AT BERLIN'S OLYMPIC STADIUM. FROM BONN, V-O-A'S KYLE KING HAS MORE ON THE GAME AND THE LATEST QUALIFIERS FOR THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS NEXT YEAR IN ENGLAND.

TEXT: THE VICTORY IN BERLIN WAS SWEET REVENGE FOR THE GERMANS WHO SUFFERED A STINGING DEFEAT TO THE BULGARIANS IN THE WORLD CUP QUARTERFINALS LAST YEAR.

TEAM CAPTAIN JUERGEN KLINSMANN WAS THE HERO OF THE GAME WITH TWO GOALS FOR THE GERMANS, WHO BE GOING TO THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR THE SEVENTH TIME IN A ROW.

DESPITE THEIR LOSS, THE BULGARIANS HAD ALREADY BEEN ASSURED A PLACE IN THE FINALS. ELSEWHERE, DENMARK, WHICH ENDED THEIR GROUP MATCHES WITH A THREE TO ONE WIN OVER ARMENIA HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS ALONG WITH NEWCOMER CROATIA. TURKEY, WHICH DREW A 2-2 TIE WITH SWEDEN HAS REACHED THE FINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE 1954 WORLD CUP. ROMANIA, SCOTLAND, HOST ENGLAND, SPAIN, RUSSIA AND SWITZERLAND HAVE ALSO SECURED THEIR PLACES IN THE CHAMPIONSHIPS.(SIGNED)

NEB / KBK / BD/PT
15-Nov-95 5:23 PM EST (2223 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] THE U-S BOSNIA POLICY BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS PRESENTED TO THE U-S CONGRESS A NINE-PAGE LETTER OUTLINING HIS RATIONALE FOR SENDING 20-THOUSAND AMERICAN TROOPS TO HELP POLICE AN EVENTUAL PEACE SETTLEMENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE LETTER IS IN RESPONSE TO CRITICISM FROM THE CONGRESS THAT THE PRESIDENT HAD NOT GIVEN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE A FULL JUSTIFICATION FOR WHY TROOPS SHOULD BE SENT TO BOSNIA. A PREVIEW OF THE ARGUMENTS THE ADMINISTRATION IS PRESENTING TO CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC CAME IN A MAJOR POLICY SPEECH TO REPORTERS LAST WEEK (11/9) BY DEPUTY

TEXT: STROBE TALBOTT IS THE NUMBER TWO OFFICIAL AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, AND UNTIL RECENTLY WAS BEST KNOWN AS THE ADMINISTRATION'S TOP DIPLOMAT FOR RUSSIA. IN A LENGTHY POLICY SPEECH ON BOSNIA (LAST WEEK), HE PAINTED THE BROAD OUTLINES OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S SALESPITCH TO WIN CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR SENDING AMERICAN TROOPS TO POLICE AN EVENTUAL PEACE ACCORD.

FIRST OF ALL, MR. TALBOTT SAID, WHILE A COMPREHENSIVE BREAKTHROUGH IS NOT YET APPARENT AT THE DAYTON, OHIO, PEACE TALKS, THE U-S-LED NEGOTIATIONS HAVE PRODUCED SOME IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:

TAPE: CUT # 1 TALBOTT RUNS [:] "MOST OF THE DRAFT DOCUMENTS THAT COMPRISE THE OVERALL PEACE SETTLEMENT (WHICH) WE ARE HOPING WILL EMERGE FROM THE DAYTON TALKS ARE NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE PARTIES. THOSE INCLUDE DETAILED CONSTITUTIONAL AND TERRITORIAL PROPOSALS FOR A FUTURE BOSNIAN STATE, A SEPARATION OF FORCES AGREEMENT, A PLAN FOR NATIONAL ELECTIONS AND AN AGREEMENT FOR THE RETURN OF REFUGEES."

TEXT: AS FOR THE MUCH CRITICIZED PARTITION ARRANGEMENT WHICH WOULD PERMIT AN AUTONOMOUS SERB REPUBLIC WITHIN A NOMINALLY UNIFIED BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, MR. TALBOTT HAD THIS TO SAY:

TAPE: CUT # 2 TALBOTT RUNS [:] "THAT ARRANGEMENT, WE BELIEVE, WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR FRATRICIDAL PASSIONS TO COOL DOWN. THE PEOPLE OF BOSNIA NEED TIME TO RECOVER FROM THE DISINTEGRATION THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH AND THEY NEED TIME TO RE-DISCOVER FIRST THE POSSIBILITY AND THEN THE BENEFITS OF GENUINE INTEGRATION. IF -- AND IT IS STILL A VERY BIG 'IF' -- THE DAYTON TALKS SUCEED AND THE THREE HEADS OF STATE AGREE TO A PEACE SETTLEMENT, THEN THE TOUGH WORK OF IMPLEMENTATION BEGINS. AND THERE, TOO, THE U-S MUST TAKE THE LEAD. AND THAT MEANS BEING WILLING TO SEND TROOPS."

TEXT: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION VERY MUCH WANTS CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FOR SENDING U-S TROOPS TO BOSNIA EVEN THOUGH TECHNICALLY SUCH PERMISSION IS NOT NECESSARY. BUT SO FAR, THE CONGRESS HAS NOT VIEWED THE IDEA WITH MUCH FAVOR. MR. TALBOTT GAVE THIS EXPLANATION FOR WHY CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD CARE ABOUT BOSNIA:

TAPE: CUT # 3 TALBOTT RUNS [:] "BOSNIA MATTERS TO AMERICA BECAUSE EUROPE MATTERS TO AMERICA. WAR IN BOSNIA THREATENS THE PEACE OF EUROPE, PARTICULARLY, THOUGH BY NO MEANS EXCLUSIVELY, THOSE PARTS OF EUROPE THAT ARE EMERGING FROM SOVIET ERA DICTATORSHIPS. AND THAT MEANS IT THREATENS THE TRANS-ATLANTIC COMMUNITY OF WHICH WE ARE A PART AND OF WHICH WE ARE A LEADER."

TEXT: MR. TALBOTT SAID BOSNIA IS NOT ONLY A QUESTION OF 'REAL POLITIK' BUT ALSO OF WHAT HE CALLED 'MORAL POLITIK'. WITH THIS IN MIND, HE SAID NEGOTIATORS IN DAYTON HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT NO INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS WILL BE INVOLVED IN A PEACE AGREEMENT. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ALSO NOTED THAT WAR CRIMES, LIKE 'ETHNIC CLEANSING', CONTINUE AND HE BLAMED SERBIA FOR INSTIGATING THE PRACTICE IN ITS QUEST FOR A GREATER SERBIA. BUT HE ALSO HAD THIS WARNING FOR CROATIA:

TAPE: CUT # 4 TALBOTT RUNS [:] "EQUALLY UNACCEPTABLE IS THE IDEA OF AN ETHNICALLY PURE CROATIA THAT WOULD DENY THE LEGITIMATE RIGHTS OF CROATIAN MUSLIMS AND (CROATIAN) SERBS. WE HAVE GIVEN PRESIDENT TUDJMAN A CLEAR, UNAMBIGUOUS MESSAGE AND WE HAVE GIVEN IT TO HIM IN DAYTON AS WELL AS IN ZAGREB: 'IF CROATIA WANTS THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY OF MARKET DEMOCRACIES, IF IT WANTS TO ENJOY THE INTERNATIONAL RESPECTIBILITY TO WHICH IT FEELS ENTITLED, THEN IT WILL HAVE TO INSURE THAT THE NON-CROATS IN ITS POPULATION HAVE THE FULL RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS OF CITIZENSHIP."

TEXT: MR. TALBOTT MADE IT CLEAR, HOWEVER, THAT THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES THAT THE BULK OF CRIMES CONTINUE TO BE PERPETRATED BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS:

TAPE: [OPT] CUT # 5 TALBOTT RUNS [:] "AS RECENTLY AS AUGUST, BOSNIAN SERB AUTHORITIES IN BANJA LUKA MADE LOCAL MUSLIMS WEAR SPECIAL WHITE ARM BANDS AND MARKED THEIR HOMES WITH WHITE CLOTH AS A PRELUDE TO ETHNIC CLEANSING. THAT ADMINISTRATIVE EUPHEMISM, COUPLED WITH THE 'DEJA VUE' OF ARMBANDS, MAKES CLEAR WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP AGAINST IN BOSNIA. IN A WORD, AND IT IS THE RIGHT WORD: IT'S GENOCIDE IN OUR TIME. GENOCIDE ON THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE." [END OPT]

TEXT: FINALLY, MR. TALBOTT SAID, THE WAY IN WHICH U-S NEGOTIATORS IN DAYTON JUGGLE THE ISSUES OF 'REAL POLITIK' AND 'MORAL POLITIK' IS BEING CLOSELY WATCHED BY AMERICA'S ALLIES AND ADVERSARIES AROUND THE WORLD:

TAPE: CUT # 6 TALBOTT RUNS [:] "IF THERE IS TO BE A POST-COLD WAR PEACE IN EUROPE, IT MUST BE BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF MULTI-ETHNIC DEMOCRACY. THE UNITED STATES IS ONE OF THE FIRST AND ONE OF THE GREATEST EXAMPLES OF THAT PRINCIPLE. WHAT'S MORE, THE CIVIC BEHAVIOR AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH POLITICAL PLURALISM ARE ALSO CONDUCIVE TO REGIONAL PEACE AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE. HENCE IT IS IN OUR INTEREST, AS AMERICANS, THAT MULTI-DEMOCRACIES ULTIMATELY PREVAIL IN EUROPE AND ELSEWHERE."

TEXT: MR. TALBOTT SAID THIS IS THE MESSAGE PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL CONVEY TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SEEKING TO CONVINCE THEM OF THE NEED TO BACK UP U-S DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS WITH MILITARY RESOURCES. (SIGNED)

NEB/PAM/PCH
15-Nov-95 4:13 PM EST (2113 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] U-S/ALBANIA MILITARY (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS SUSPENDED AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE FLIGHTS OVER BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA BY PILOTLESS SPY PLANES BASED IN ALBANIA. THE PROGRAM COULD RESUME NEXT YEAR IF SUCH FLIGHTS ARE REQUIRED BY THE PROPOSED NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THE ONSET OF WINTER WEATHER AND THE EFFECTIVE HALT TO HOSTILITIES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA PROMPTED THE U-S DECISION TO SUSPEND THE UNIQUE RECONNAISSANCE OPERATION, BEING STAGED FROM AN ALBANIAN AIRBASE NORTH OF TIRANA.

THE PILOTLESS U-S SPY PLANES, KNOWN AS PREDATORS, HAD BEEN OPERATING OVER BOSNIAN TERRITORY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, RELAYING BACK DETAILED PICTURES OF ONGOING MILITARY ACTIVITIES, DAMAGE DONE BY NATO AIRSTRIKES, AND REFUGEE MOVEMENTS.

IT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN THE MOST EXTENSIVE USE TO DATE OF DRONE AIRCRAFT BY U-S FORCES, AND THE PENTAGON CALLS THE OPERATION HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL. ONE OF THE PLANES WAS SHOT DOWN BY BOSNIAN-SERB FORCES AND ANOTHER WAS LOST DUE TO AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE -- BUT SINCE THE PLANES ARE UNMANNED THERE WERE NO PERSONNEL LOSSES.

OFFICIALS SAY THE SPY FLIGHTS COULD RESUME NEXT SPRING, WITH APPROVAL OF THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT, IF THEY ARE REQUIRED BY THE NATO LED PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE EXPECTED TO BE DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA BY THEN.

ALBANIA IS A MEMBER OF NATO'S PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE AND HAS HAD INCREASING CLOSE MILITARY TIES WITH THE UNITED STATES IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/RAE
15-Nov-95 1:16 PM EST (1816 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[11] U-S/BOSNIA FUNDS (S/L) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS TOLD CONGRESS HE BELIEVES THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE PREPARED TO CONTRIBUTE AT LEAST TWO BILLION DOLLARS IN PEACEKEEPING AND RECONSTRUCTION ONCE A PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE PRESIDENT CONTINUES TO FIND STRONG BI-PARTISAN OPPOSITION TO INTRODUCING TROOPS OR PROVIDING MONEY:

TEXT: IN A LETTER TO REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS, MR. CLINTON ESTIMATED THE COST OF 20-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS IN A PEACEKEEPING ROLE FOR ONE YEAR AT ONE AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS. IN ADDITION, HE SAYS THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE PREPARED TO CONTRIBUTE 500 TO 600-MILLION DOLLARS IN RECONSTRUCTION AID OVER SEVERAL YEARS.

ONE OF MR. CLINTON STRONGEST CRITICS ON BOSNIA, COLORADO REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN JOEL HEFLEY, SAYS THERE IS NO MONEY:

I'M TERRIBLY SORRY ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON OVER THERE BUT WHEN WE'RE AT A TIME OF TRYING TO GET OUR OWN FINANCIAL HOUSE IN ORDER AND TIGHTENING UP ON SPENDING EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK; TO HAVE TWO BILLION, OR ONE AND ONE-HALF BILLION TO GO OVER THERE AND POUR IT INTO BOSNIA, I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S THERE.

THE PRESIDENT ALSO MET (LATE TUESDAY) WITH MEMBERS OF BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES IN CONGRESS ON THE ISSUE BUT WON FEW CONVERTS. DEMOCRAT PAUL MCHALE OF PENNSYLVANIA SAYS HE STILL HAS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WITH MR. CLINTON. MARYLAND DEMOCRAT STENEY HOYER ACKNOWLEDGES IT WILL BE DIFFICULT GETTING SUCH FUNDING THROUGH BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS.

IN HIS LETTER, THE PRESIDENT PLEDGED TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR A CONGRESSIONAL EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT FOR U-S PARTICIPATION IN A NATO-LED BOSNIA PEACEKEEPING FORCE ONCE A PEACE AGREEMENT IS SIGNED AT TALKS NEAR DAYTON, OHIO. THE PRESIDENT REPEATED HIS VIEW THAT, UNDER THE CONSTITUTION AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, HE DOES NOT NEED CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FOR A DEPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, CONGRESS COULD WITHHOLD FUNDS FROM THE OPERATION.

TWO WEEKS AGO, THE HOUSE, IN A NON-BINDING RESOLUTION, CALLED ON THE PRESIDENT TO SEEK CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT BEFORE A U-S TROOP DEPLOYMENT WAS MADE.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, WHO REMEMBER THE CASUALITIES SUFFERED FROM WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY A HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO SOMALIA, WANT TO AVOID A REPEAT IN BOSNIA. (SIGNED).

NEB/PT/LH
15-Nov-95 5:41 AM EST (1041 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[12] YUGO SITREP (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS CRITICIZED THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT'S APPOINTMENT OF A SENIOR BOSNIAN-CROAT MILITARY OFFICIAL CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES AGAINST MUSLIMS TO A POSITION IN THE CROATIAN ARMY. THE U-S AMBASSADOR IN ZAGREB SAYS THE MAN SHOULD BE HANDED OVER TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: THE APPOINTMENT OF BOSNIAN-CROAT GENERAL TIHOMIR BLASKIC TO A POSITION IN THE CROATIAN ARMY'S OFFICE OF INSPECTORS HAS SURPRISED THE U-S AND BOSNIAN GOVERNMENTS. IN ZAGREB, U-S AMBASSADOR, PETER GALBRAITH SAYS THE ONLY APPOINTMENT GENERAL BLASKIC CAN LEGALLY HAVE IS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. THE INTERNATIONAL COURT INDICTED THE GENERAL AND FIVE OTHER BOSNIAN CROATS EARLIER THIS WEEK FOR WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY EARLIER THIS WEEK. THEY WERE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE KILLING, MISTREATMENT OR EXPULSION OF MUSLIMS FROM LASVA VALLEY IN CENTRAL BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IN 1992 AND 1993. AMBASSADOR GALBRAITH SAYS ALL COUNTRIES ARE LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO HAND OVER OVER INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS WHO ARE ON THEIR TERRITORY. HE ADDS COOPERATION ON THIS ISSUE WILL AFFECT RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND COUNTRIES IN THE BALKANS. OFFICIALS OF THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IN SARAJEVO HAVE ALSO CRITICIZED GENERAL BLASKIC'S NEW ASSIGNMENT WITH CROATIA'S ARMY. THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE THE INDICTMENT OF ANOTHER WAR CRIMINAL IN THE BALKANS THURSDAY. THE INDICTMENT IS EXPECTED TO INVOLVE THE FIRST BOSNIAN MUSLIM TO BE CHARGED BY THE TRIBUNAL. THE TRIBUNAL HAS INDICTED 52 PEOPLE, SO FAR, FOR WAR CRIMES OR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY DURING THE WAR IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA -- 45 OF THEM ARE ETHNIC SERBS. THE SERBS HAVE REPEATEDLY CLAIMED THEY ARE BEING SINGLED OUT FOR UNFAIR TREATMENT. THE SERBS SAY ALL OF THE WARRING FORCES IN EX-YUGOSLAVIA HAVE COMMITTED WAR CRIMES. U-N HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIALS AGREE MUSLIMS, CROATS, AND SERBS HAVE ALL COMMITTED THESE CRIMES. BUT, THE SERBS ARE BLAMED FOR ESPECIALLY WIDESPREAD AND SYSTEMATIC CRIMES, INCLUDING THE MASSACRE OF CIVILIANS IN CROATIA AND IN BOSNIA. SOME TIME NEXT YEAR, THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL WILL TRY THE ONLY SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINAL IN ITS CUSTODY, DUSAN TADIC, A BOSNIAN SERB. HE IS CHARGED WITH CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST MUSLIMS WHILE HE WAS THE COMMANDER OF A SERB PRISON CAMP. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/MH/RAE
15-Nov-95 10:09 AM EST (1509 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America