Voice of America, 7 December 1995

From: [email protected] (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: AMERICA'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS ARE WRITING ON A BROAD RANGE OF TOPICS IN THEIR EDITORIAL PAGES TODAY, THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE HISTORIC JAPANESE ATTACK AGAINST THE U-S NAVAL BASE AT PEARL HARBOR IN HAWAII 54 YEARS AGO. THE U-S FEDERAL BUDGET IMPASSE IS ON THE MINDS OF MANY EDITORS, WHILE OTHER CONCERNS INCLUDE: THE ECONOMIC DISPARITY AMONG THE AMERICAN POPULATION; THE WHITEWATER HEARINGS IN THE SENATE; CANADA'S PROBLEMS WITH QUEBEC; NEW SEAFOOD REGULATIONS, AND A NEW RESOLVE IN NATO. HERE, WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES COULD BE FACING YET ANOTHER PARTIAL SHUTDOWN OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN THE WAKE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VETO OF THE BALANCED BUDGET BILL PASSED BY THE REPUBLICAN-DOMINATED CONGRESS. UNLESS THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS CAN AGREE ON A BUDGET FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, OR AT LEAST A TEMPORARY FUNDING MEASURE, BY MIDNIGHT ON THE 15TH OF DECEMBER, THE U-S GOVERNMENT WILL AGAIN RUN OUT OF MONEY. THIS SITUATION HAS NOT ESCAPED THE ATTENTION OF MOST EDITORIAL WRITERS AROUND THE NATION, INCLUDING THOSE AT THE LEADING BUSINESS DAILY, "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL":

VOICE: "WE NOW READ THAT THE WHITE HOUSE IS ITCHING [ANXIOUS] TO PROPOSE A SEVEN-YEAR BALANCED-BUDGET PLAN, JUST LIKE THE REPUBLICANS. IN THE PARLANCE OF THE COMBATANTS, THIS 'GESTURE' IS INTENDED TO 'BREAK THE BUDGET LOGJAM' [STALEMATE], THOUGH IT COULD FOUNDER ON DISAGREEMENTS OVER 'ECONOMIC ASSUMPTIONS.' ... FOR OBSERVERS TRYING TO PENETRATE THE FOG, WE PROPOSE A SIMPLE SEARCHLIGHT WHEN SCANNING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S SEVEN-YEAR BUDGET AND MEDICARE PROPOSALS IN THE DAYS AHEAD: COMPARE ITS COMMITMENTS TO PRESERVE THE ENTITLEMENT PRINCIPLE WITH COMMITMENTS TO GENUINE MARKET ALTERNATIVES. THE FORMER CAUSES PUBLIC SPENDING TO RISE; THE LATTER WILL BRING IT DOWN."

TEXT: ON THE WEST COAST, TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS IN THE WAKE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO, IT IS TIME "NOW FOR A SERIOUS CHAT ON THE BUDGET." AS THE CALIFORNIA PAPER PUTS IT -- "AFTER A HURRICANE OF RHETORIC, THE STAGE IS SET" FOR SOME REAL NEGOTIATIONS:

VOICE: "AFTER MONTHS OF OFTEN RIDICULOUS SCHOOLYARD POSTURING AND OVERBLOWN RHETORIC, AFTER A PARTIAL SHUTDOWN OF THE GOVERNMENT ... THE WAY HAS BEEN CLEARED FOR SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS ON ACHIEVING A BALANCED BUDGET. PRESIDENT CLINTON ... IS SET TO PRESENT HIS OWN IDEAS TODAY, SIGNIFICANTLY AFTER ACCEPTING THE GOP TIMETABLE FOR A ZERO-DEFICIT BUDGET BY THE YEAR TWO-THOUSAND-TWO (2002). AND SO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THIS COMPLEX AND VITAL PROCESS, COHERENT COMPETING IDEAS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ON THE TABLE AND SUBJECT TO REAL BARGAINING... NOW PLEASE, CAN WE HAVE AN END TO POLITICAL CLOWNING AND THE OPENING OF A SERIOUS EFFORT TO REACH THE COMPROMISES THAT EVERYONE KNOWS ARE INEVITABLE?"

TEXT: IN RELATED NEWS, "THE WASHINGTON POST" LEAD EDITORIAL LAMENTS THE FACT THAT WHILE THE ECONOMY GAINS STRENGTH, MANY WORKERS ARE SEEING THEIR PAY AND BENEFITS EITHER REMAIN STATIC OR SHRINK, EVEN AS THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS WORKS TO CUT SOCIAL SERVICES."

VOICE: "BETTER PERFORMANCE FOR THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE IS BEING PURCHASED IN THIS DECADE AT THE PRICE OF LESS SECURITY FOR MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORK IN IT, AND OF WIDER DISPARITIES BETWEEN THE EXTREMES OF WEALTH AND POVERTY. THE FURIOUS QUARRELS HERE IN WASHINGTON OVER THE FEDERAL BUDGET ARE PART OF A LARGER ISSUE, BUT ONLY A PART. MORE PEOPLE ARE BEING AFFECTED BY THE CHANGES IN COMPANIES' ATTITUDES TOWARD THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THE WIDESPREAD SENSE OF ERODED TENURE IN THE WORKPLACE THAN BY THE CHANGES IN THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS OVER WHICH CONGRESS IS CURRENTLY STRUGGLING."

TEXT: THE SENATE'S CONTINUING WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION, AND LINGERING QUESTIONS ABOUT WHITE HOUSE AID VINCENT FOSTER'S SUICIDE LAST YEAR, IS ANOTHER MATTER PONDERED BY "THE POST" THIS THURSDAY.

VOICE: "HAD A DISTRAUGHT WHITE HOUSE REACTED AS IT SHOULD HAVE AFTER LEARNING OF MR. FOSTER'S UNEXPECTED DEATH -- THAT IS, HAD IT IMMEDIATELY SEALED HIS OFFICE AND ALLOWED LAW-ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES TO CONDUCT AN UNRESTRICTED INVESTIGATION... -- QUESTIONS THAT ... THAT CONTINUE TO PLAGUE PRESIDENTIAL AIDES AND FRIENDS, MIGHT NEVER HAVE ARISEN. FOR THAT, THE WHITE HOUSE HAS ONLY ITSELF TO BLAME. ... HAS THE WHITE HOUSE ... MANAGED TO THROW SUSPICION OVER MATTERS OF LITTLE CONSEQUENCE, OR 'IS' [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] SOMETHING SERIOUS BEING COVERED UP? [OPT] THE QUESTION IS EVERYWHERE THESE DAYS, IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF ALL THE IMPROBABLE AND IMPLAUSIBLE RESPONSES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO INQUIRIES SO FAR." [END OPT]

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES," PERSISTENT IN ITS COVERAGE O THE WHITEWATER AFFAIR, STRENGTHENS THE "POST'S" REASONING WITH THIS COMMENT:

VOICE: "... SINCE CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST IN WHITEWATER BEGAN, STONEWALLING [REFUSING TO DIVULGE INFORMATION] HAS BEEN THE ORDER OF THE DAY AT THE CLINTON WHITE HOUSE. "

TEXT: IS CANADA STILL ABOUT TO COME APART AT THE SEAMS? THAT QUESTION IS POSED BY "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IN REFERENCE TO THE SECESSIONIST AMBITIONS OF THE FRENCH-SPEAKING PROVINCE OF QUEBEC. THE PAPER SAYS "MANY BELIEVE THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT AND THAT OTTAWA IS FLOUNDERING. IT'S TIME," SAYS THE MONITOR, "TO STUDY THE SWISS MODEL [OF GOVERNMENT, THAT IS THE USE OF SEMI-INDEPENDENT CANTONS OF GERMAN AND FRENCH-SPEAKING AREAS].

ON ANOTHER TOPIC, NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS AIMED AT MAKING SEAFOOD SAFER FOR AMERICAN CONSUMERS DRAWS THIS REACTION FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES."

VOICE: "... THE REVISED ... RULES ... WERE A LONG TIME IN COMING. WE HOPE THEY HERALD NEW RESOLVE IN WASHINGTON ON THE ISSUE OF FOOD SAFETY. ... THE CURRENT SYSTEM FOR BOTH SEAFOOD AND MEATS, ESTABLISHED IN THE EARLY 1900S, IS NOW SEEN AS INEFFECTIVE BECAUSE IT PRIMARILY DETECTS PROBLEMS ONLY AFTER THEY OCCUR."

[ END OPT ]

TEXT: AND FINALLY, ON WHAT APPEARS TO "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AS A RESURGENCE OF NATO, THE NORTH A T L A N T I C TREATY ORGANIZATION, THE PAPER COMMENTS:

VOICE: "THE BOSNIA PEACEKEEPING MISSION, THE LARGEST MILITARY OPERATION IN NATO'S HISTORY, IS TURNING INTO THE CATALYST FOR SOME WELCOME CHANGES IN AN ORGANIZATION THAT WAS LEFT WITHOUT A CLEAR PURPOSE AFTER THE DEMISE OF THE SOVIET UNION, BUT DID NOT SEEM TO REALIZE IT... THIS WEEK'S MEETINGS IN BRUSSELS HAVE BROUGHT ENCOURAGING SIGNS THAT THE ALLIANCE IS READY TO MAKE THE KIND OF ADJUSTMENTS THAT CAN GIVE IT A FUTURE PROVIDING FOR THE NEW SECURITY NEEDS OF AN UNDIVIDED EUROPE."

TEXT: AND ON THAT HOPEFUL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL OPINIONS IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS. NEB/ANG/PCH 07-Dec-95 1:57 PM EST (1857 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA/MINEFIELDS (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: A SENIOR U-S GENERAL SAYS MEMBERS OF THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE -- WHEN THEY ARRIVE IN BOSNIA -- WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH MILLIONS OF BURIED ANTI-PERSONNEL AND ANTI-TANK MINES. OPPOSING FORCES IN BOSNIA ARE BEING PRESSED FOR INFORMATION ON THE LOCATION OF MINEFIELDS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY LANDMINES WILL POSE THE MOST SERIOUS SINGLE THREAT TO MEMBERS OF THE NATO-LED PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IN BOSNIA.

AND THEY SAY EFFORTS ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY TO OBTAIN AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE FROM THE BOSNIAN PARTIES -- AND DEPARTING U-N PEACE OBSERVERS -- ON THE LOCATION AND TYPES OF MINES STREWN ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE DANGER IS ACUTE FOR THE ARRIVING PEACEKEEPERS, SINCE THEY ARE TO PATROL ZONES OF SEPARATION BETWEEN THE OPPOSING FORCES, WHERE MINES ARE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN LAID.

AIR FORCE LIEUTETANT GENERAL HOWELL ESTES, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE U-S JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, TOLD REPORTERS HERE THERE ARE THREE MAJOR MINEFIELDS NEAR WHAT IS TO BE THE U-S HEADQUARTERS AT TUZLA -- APPARENTLY LAID DOWN FOR DEFENSIVE PURPOSES BY BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES.

AND HE SAID THROUGHOUT BOSNIA THERE ARE SOME THREE MILLION MINES -- AND PERHAPS MANY MORE -- WHICH IS WHY EVERY U-S SOLDIER GOING INTO BOSNIA IS BEING GIVEN INTENSIVE MINE-AWARENESS TRAINING:

OUR SPECULATION, BASED ON INTELLIGENCE FROM WHAT WE KNOW, SAYS IT'S ABOUT THREE MILLION. COULD IT BE DOUBLE THAT. YES SIR, IT COULD BE. I MEAN I DON'T THINK ANYBODY REALLY KNOWS HOW MANY MINES ARE THERE. THE ISSUE IS: WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT ANYBODY THAT GOES IS FULLY AWARE THEY COULD BE THERE, PROPERLY TRAINED, TAKE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT, AND WORK THE PROBLEM.

GENERAL ESTES SAYS THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS OBLIGATE THE BOSNIAN PARTIES TO IDENTIFY AND CLEAR MINEFIELDS -- BUT THAT U-S FORCES THEMSELVES WILL HAVE TO DEAL IMMEDIATELY WITH MINED AREAS AROUND BASES THEY WILL OCCUPY AFTER THE ACCORDS ARE SIGNED NEXT WEEK.

U-S BATTLE TANKS WITH GIANT PLOWS AND ROLLERS -- TO PUSH ASIDE OR DETONATE MINES -- WILL BE SENT INTO BOSNIA. AND AMERICAN TROOPS WILL USE CONVENTIONAL MAGNETIC MINE DETECTORS AND EVEN EXPLOSIVES-SNIFFING DOGS TO LOCATE OTHERS.

MANY OF THE MINES IN BOSNIA ARE PLASTIC YUGOSLAV-MADE FRAGMENTATION DEVICES THAT ARE HARD TO LOCATE. BUT GENERAL ESTES SAYS THERE IS ENOUGH METAL IN THE DETONATORS OF THESE MINES TO MAKE THEM DETECTABLE BY SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT BEING BROUGHT IN BY U-S FORCES. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/CB/PT
07-Dec-95 5:53 PM EST (2253 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA/RUSSIA (L ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN ( MOSCOW )

INTRO: RUSSIA IS GOING AHEAD WITH PREPARATIONS TO SEND PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO BOSNIA, DESPITE NAGGING QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THEY WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE NATO FORCE. FROM V-O-A'S MOSCOW BUREAU, PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS THE DECISION TO WORK TOGETHER WITH OLD ENEMIES IN THE BOSNIA OPERATION HAS EXPOSED DEEP DIFFERENCES AMONG RUSSIAN POLICYMAKERS.

TEXT: A SENIOR RUSSIAN MILITARY COMMANDER SAYS HIS TROOPS ARE READY TO GO TO BOSNIA. BUT IN AN INTERVIEW PUBLISHED THURSDAY IN THE OFFICIAL MILITARY NEWSPAPER RED STAR, THE OFFICER ADMITS HE DOES NOT KNOW WHEN THE RUSSIAN FORCE WILL BE SENT, OR WHAT IT WILL DO.

DEFENSE MINISTER PAVEL GRACHEV AND U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY AGREED LAST MONTH IN BRUSSELS RUSSIAN TROOPS WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE FORCE. BUT SEVERAL DELICATE QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED. THE BIGGEST QUESTION CONTINUES TO BE THE EXACT STATUS OF THE RUSSIAN CONTINGENT WITHIN THE NATO-LED FORCE.

FOR RUSSIA, THE ISSUE IS SOVEREIGNTY. FOR DECADES, NATO WAS THE ARCH-ENEMY. CAN RUSSIAN TROOPS NOW BE PLACED UNDER VIRTUAL NATO COMMAND? MANY RUSSIAN ANALYSTS AND POLITICAL LEADERS THINK NOT. THE SUBJECT IS PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE AT THIS ELECTION SEASON.

MICHAEL MCFAUL OF THE MOSCOW OFFICE OF THE CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR WORLD PEACE SAYS DEFENSE MINISTER GRACHEV MAY HAVE OVERSTEPPED HIS NEGOTIATING AUTHORITY IN BRUSSELS.

IT'S A VERY CONFUSING PICTURE, OBVIOUSLY. BECAUSE HE CAME BACK HAPPY WITH THE BRUSSELS MEETING, BUT MOST RUSSIAN COMMENTATORS, LOOKING AT IT, SAW IT AS A TOTAL FAILURE IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY WERE TRYING TO DO. IT'S VERY AMBIGUOUS EXACTLY HOW THE COMMAND STRUCTURE STILL WILL BE WHEN FORCES ARE ON THE GROUND. MY GUESS IS WE'VE GOT SEVERAL ROUNDS TO GO.

THE PAPER NOTED THAT PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN RECENTLY FIRED ONE OF MR. GRACHEV'S MOST TRUSTED AIDES, DESPITE THE DEFENSE MINISTER'S STRONG OBJECTIONS.

WHAT'S MORE, MR. GRACHEV'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE BOSNIA TALKS IS SEEN AS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE ALREADY EMBATTLED FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI KOZYREV. MICHAEL MCFAUL OF THE CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT SAYS MR. KOZYREV MAY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO RESIGN.

GRACHEV IS CONFIDENT THESE DAYS, AS I THINK THE GENERAL FEELING IS KOZYREV WILL RESIGN. HE'S SEEN AS A LAME-DUCK FOREIGN MINISTER AND THIS GIVES AN OPPORTUNITY TO OTHER ENTREPRENEURS LIKE MR. GRACHEV TO ASSUME MORE INFLUENCE OVER FOREIGN POLICY.

FOREIGN MINISTER KOZYREV SAID THIS WEEK THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS A BASIC DISAGREEMENT AMONG RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY MAKERS ABOUT WHETHER TO COOPERATE WITH NATO OR TO CONFRONT IT. THE RESULT, HE SAID, IS NO POLICY AT ALL.

MANY ANALYSTS SAY THE WEST HAS LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO BE UNDERSTANDING, SINCE RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IS CRITICAL TO THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS. MICHAEL MCFAUL OF THE CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT SAYS IT WILL TAKE TIME FOR WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS A WOUNDED GREAT POWER TO FIND ITS ROLE IN WORLD AFFAIRS IN THE POST-SOVIET ERA. (SIGNED)

NEB/PH/MH/MMK
07-Dec-95 11:55 AM EST (1655 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA / SERBS (L ONLY) CORRECT BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: RESIDENTS OF SERB-HELD SARAJEVO HAVE HELD ANOTHER ANGRY DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE BOSNIAN PEACE PLAN. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT:

THE LATEST RALLY IN SERB-HELD SARAJEVO WAS HELD ON THURSDAY AT THE END OF "THE BROTHERHOOD AND UNITY BRIDGE" THAT SEPARATES THE TWO SIDES IN THE HEART OF THE CITY.

SPEAKER AFTER SPEAKER CONDEMNED THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD, WHICH SAYS THESE PEOPLE MUST EITHER LIVE UNDER BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL OR LEAVE THE HOMES THEY HAVE FOUGHT FOR DURING THE THREE-AND-A-HALF-YEAR WAR. A 26-YEAR-OLD SOLDIER AT THE DEMONSTRATION SAID HE AND HIS FRIENDS WOULD NEVER LEAVE.

I WILL STAY AND FIGHT BECAUSE THIS IS MY TOWN, TOO. I WAS BORN HERE.

HE DID NOT KNOW IF NATO SOLDIERS WOULD BE ATTACKED, AS SOME BANNERS IN THE CROWD SUGGESTED. BUT HE SAID IF HE WAS FORCED TO ABANDON HIS HOME, HE WOULD LEAVE NOTHING BEHIND.

SOLDIER: IF I MUST GO, (IF I) MUST LEAVE, I WILL BURN ALL OF THESE BUILDINGS.

QUESTION: WHY?

SOLDIER: BECAUSE TOO MANY PEOPLE GOT KILLED HERE.

THERE IS GROWING PRESSURE ON THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SPECIAL SECURITY GUARANTEES TO THE SERBS TO CONVINCE THEM TO STAY IN SARAJEVO. THE AMERICAN NEGOTIATOR OF THE PEACE DEAL, RICHARD HOLBROOKE, WILL BE IN BOSNIA THIS WEEKEND TO SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION THAT DOES NOT CHANGE THE DAYTON PLAN, BUT DOES ADDRESS SERB CONCERNS THEY WILL BE MISTREATED IF THEIR ARMY LEAVES.

THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IS STRUGGLING TO CONVINCE THE SERBS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THE SERBS WILL BE SAFE.

IF THE RESIDENTS OF SERB AREAS COULD BE INTEGRATED INTO THE GOVERNMENT SIDE, IT WOULD BE A MAJOR BLOW TO CLAIMS BY BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIALS THAT THEIR PEOPLE WOULD NOT BE SAFE AS A MINORITY IN BOSNIA. BUT ON WEDNESDAY, THE BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER, HARIS SILAJDZIC, REJECTED THE SERB DEMANDS AND INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM AND SAID THERE WOULD BE NO CONCESSIONS AT ALL.

UNDER THE PEACE AGREEMENT THE SERBS MUST HAND OVER THEIR PARTS OF SARAJEVO BY LATE JANUARY. BUT THERE ARE FEARS THEY WILL SIMPLY IGNORE THE DEADLINE. IF SARAJEVO IS STILL DIVIDED IN THE SPRING, THIS COULD GIVE THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AN EXCUSE TO RESTART THE WAR THAT MOST BOSNIANS THOUGHT THEY WERE WINNING WHEN THE LATEST CEASEFIRE CAME INTO EFFECT. AN AMERICAN MILITARY OFFICIAL IN SARAJEVO SAYS EVEN IF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT COLLAPSES THE UNITED STATES WILL STILL ARM THE BOSNIAN ARMY.

U-S AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS SAY REACHING AGREEMENT ON TERRITORIAL ISSUES WAS ALWAYS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE PEACE PROCESS. AND THEY INSIST THIS CRISIS CAN BE DEFUSED. BUT WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NATO TROOPS DUE TO ARRIVE IN BOSNIA THIS MONTH, AN URGENT SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION IS UNDERWAY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/JWH/MMK
07-Dec-95 12:58 PM EST (1758 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA PEACE / CROATS BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (MOSTAR)

INTRO: AS NATO TROOPS PREPARE FOR THEIR DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA, SOME PEOPLE IN THAT WAR-TORN COUNTRY ARE CONTINUING TO VOICE OPPOSITION TO THE PEACE PLAN THE WESTERN ALLIANCE IS SET TO ENFORCE. BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS ARE DECRYING THE IMMINENT LOSS OF SERB DISTRICTS OF SARAJEVO THAT UNDER TERMS OF THE PEACE PLAN ARE TO REVERT TO BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL. AND V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN THE SOUTHERN CITY OF MOSTAR REPORTS MANY IN BOSNIA'S CROAT COMMUNITY ALSO ARE ANGRY ABOUT TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT.

TEXT: MANY OF BOSNIA'S CROATS DESCRIBE THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT WITH WORDS LIKE "TREACHERY" AND "SELL-OUT." AND MOST ARE BLAMING THEIR CHIEF PATRON AND PROTECTOR, CROATIA'S PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN.

THE CROATS' CHIEF COMPLAINT IS THE LOSS OF THE NORTHERN REGION OF POSAVINA, CAPTURED BY SERB FORCES AT THE OUTSET OF THE WAR AND NOW A STRATEGIC CORRIDOR LINKING SERB-HELD TERRITORY TO THE EAST AND WEST.

BOSNIA'S CROATS HAVE LONG MADE THE RETURN OF POSAVINA A CONDITION FOR PEACE. BUT AT THE DAYTON CONFERENCE, PRESIDENT TUDJMAN ULTIMATELY AGREED THAT POSAVINA WILL REMAIN UNDER SERB CONTROL.

THE CHIEF BOSNIAN CROAT NEGOTIATOR IN DAYTON REFUSED TO SIGN THE ACCORD AND LATER RESIGNED IN PROTEST FROM HIS POST AS PRESIDENT OF THE CROAT-MUSLIM FEDERATION.

REFUGEES FROM POSAVINA AND BOSNIAN CROATS STAGED ANGRY DEMONSTRATIONS IN ZAGREB AND ELSEWHERE. HERE IN MOSTAR, CROATS TORE DOWN POSTERS OF PRESIDENT TUDJMAN JUST WEEKS AFTER GIVING OVERWHELMING SUPPORT TO MR. TUDJMAN'S POLITICAL PARTY IN CROATIA'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS.

IVAN AND NIKOLA CORIC WERE AMONG THOUSANDS OF BOSNIAN CROATS WHO CAST THEIR BALLOTS FOR MR. TUDJMAN'S DEMOCRATIC UNION IN THE OCTOBER ELECTIONS. BUT BOTH SAY THEY WOULD HAVE VOTED DIFFERENTLY IF THE ELECTIONS HAD TAKEN PLACE AFTER THE DAYTON AGREEMENT WAS ANNOUNCED.

PRESIDENT TUDJMAN LET US DOWN, SAYS ANTE RAJIC, A RETIRED BUTCHER, WHO LIKE MANY CROATS HERE, DOES NOT BELIEVE THE DAYTON ACCORD WILL BRING LASTING PEACE. IT IS AS FRAGILE AS A SPIDER'S WEB, HE SAYS, PREDICTING THAT THE WAR WILL RESUME IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS.

MOSTAR WAS THE SCENE OF SOME OF THE BLOODIEST FIGHTING IN BOSNIA, AS CROAT AND MUSLIM FORCES BATTLED FOR CONTROL OF THIS HISTORIC AND ONCE PICTURESQUE CITY. FOR THE PAST 17 MONTHS, ADMINISTRATORS FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REUNITE THE TWO COMMUNITIES.

AND ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN SOME LIMITED PROGRESS SINCE THE DAYTON PEACE CONFERENCE, EUROPEAN OFFICIALS READILY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROCESS IS STILL PAINSTAKINGLY SLOW AND THE CITY REMAINS ESSENTIALLY DIVIDED, LARGELY AS A RESULT OF CROAT OPPOSITION. SOME CROATS SAY THEY FEAR NATO TROOPS WILL BE USED TO FORCE THE REUNIFICATION OF MOSTAR. AND A MORTAR ATTACK ON A FRENCH U-N BASE ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY A FEW WEEKS AGO WAS WIDELY INTERPRETED AS A WARNING FROM MILITANT CROATS.

FRENCH OFFICERS HERE, WHOSE TROOPS WILL SOON BE PART OF THE NATO FORCE, DISMISS ANY SUGGESTIONS OF A ROLE FOR THE ALLIANCE IN RESOLVING MOSTAR'S PROBLEMS. AND PRESIDENT TUDJMAN'S SUPPORTERS HERE CLEARLY ARE TRYING TO PERSUADE THE CROAT COMMUNITY THAT THE PEACE PLAN AND THE IMMINENT NATO DEPLOYMENT SHOULD BE SUPPORTED.

A SENIOR OFFICIAL IN THE BOSNIAN CROAT ADMINISTRATION AND A LEADING FIGURE IN THE LOCAL BRANCH OF MR. TUDJMAN'S DEMOCRATIC UNION ACKNOWLEDGES THE BITTERNESS FELT BY MANY CROATS IN THE WAKE OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. HE SAYS IT BROUGHT SATISFACTION AS WELL AS DISAPPOINTMENT TO ALL SIDES. BUT HE SAYS CONTINUING PROBLEMS BETWEEN CROATS AND MUSLIMS OF MOSTAR CAN BE RESOLVED ONLY IN THE CONTEXT OF A GUARANTEED PEACE. AND HE SAYS NATO HAS THE POWER TO ENSURE THAT PEACE PREVAILS. (SIGNED)

NEB/DR/JWH/SB
07-Dec-95 2:26 PM EST (1926 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA SITREP (L UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: AS NATO ADVANCE FORCES TRICKLE INTO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, THE WARRING FORCES ARE INVOLVED IN A FRENZY OF LOOTING, THE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, OR ETHNIC CLEANSING. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS THE WARRING FORCES ARE, APPARENTLY, TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TIME LEFT TO THEM BEFORE THE NATO PEACE FORCE TAKES OVER FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: IN VIOLATION OF THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT, THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE SAID TO HAVE EXPELLED AS MANY AS 250 MUSLIMS FROM THEIR HOMES NEAR THE SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA.

A U-N SPOKESMAN IN ZAGREB SAYS BOSNIAN CROATS, WHO HAVE BEEN LOOTING AND BURNING SERB HOMES, HAVE BEGUN TO REMOVE EQUIPMENT FROM FACTORIES. THIS THEFT AND DESTRUCTION IS TAKING PLACE IN CROAT-OCCUPIED AREAS THAT ARE TO BE GIVEN BACK TO THE SERBS UNDER THE TERMS OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT.

AT THE SAME TIME, U-N OFFICIALS IN SARAJEVO SAY BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS HAVE LOOTED HOUSES IN A CROAT VILLAGE IN CENTRAL BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT, BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC SAYS DEFIANT SERBS IN SARAJEVO SHOULD BE GIVEN NO SPECIAL CONCESSIONS TO ACCEPT THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT.

THE SERBS IN SERB-HELD DISTRICTS SAY THEY WOULD NOT BE SAFE, LIVING AS REQUIRED BY THE PEACE AGREEMENT, UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION.

PRIME MINISTER SILAJDZIC TOLD GERMAN RADIO THE SERBS WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE SAME GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS PROTECTED SERB CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, AND CEMETERIES. THIS AND OTHER ISSUES CONCERNING THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT WILL BE DISCUSSED WHEN U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE VISITS SARAJEVO, ZAGREB, AND BELGRADE THIS WEEKEND.

MR. HOLBROOKE PRESIDED OVER THE PEACE TALKS IN OHIO THAT LED TO THE INITIALING OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT LAST MONTH. HE WILL BE HOLDING WHAT MAY BE A FINAL ROUND OF MEETINGS WITH THE WARRING FORCES BEFORE THE ACCORD IS SIGNED NEXT WEEK IN PARIS. MEANWHILE, FRANCE IS DEMANDING THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF TWO FRENCH PILOTS, CAPTURED BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS LAST AUGUST. IF THE PILOTS ARE NOT FREED, THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT WARNS OF WIDESPREAD CONSEQUENCES AGAINST THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR HOLDING THEM.

ACCORDING TO THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT, ITS WARNING ALSO APPLIES TO THOSE WHO HAVE NOT HONORED A COMMITMENT TO DO ALL THEY CAN TO OBTAIN THE PILOTS' FREEDOM. THIS IS A REFERENCE TO THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, WHO ALSO FACES A WARNING FROM THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE.

PROSECUTOR RICHARD GOLDSTONE SAYS INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS COULD BE RE-IMPOSED AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA IF THE COUNTRY CONTINUES TO WITHHOLD INFORMATION ABOUT ALLEGED WAR CRIMES. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/RAE
07-Dec-95 1:21 PM EST (1821 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] GERMANY-FRANCE (BONN)

TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS TALKS WITH MR. CHIRAC, CHANCELLOR KOHL SAID HE COULD NOT ENVISION A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY WITHOUT BOTH GERMANY AND FRANCE TAKING PART.

ADDRESSING WIDESPREAD CONCERNS THAT MANY COUNTRIES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MEET THE STRICT CRITERIA TO JOIN THE SINGLE CURRENCY BY THE 1999 DEADLINE, HE SAID NO ONE SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM MONETARY UNION.

BUT HE SAID THE SLOWEST NATION SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO SET THE PACE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SINGLE CURRENCY.

ALTHOUGH MR. KOHL AND MR. CHIRAC ARE STILL HOPING A COMMON EUROPEAN CURRENCY WILL BE INTRODUCED ON TIME, THE JOB WILL NOT BE EASY. RECENT OPINION POLLS SHOW GROWING OPPOSITION TO THE IDEA IN GERMANY, WHERE TWO OUT OF THREE PEOPLE SAY THEY WOULD RATHER KEEP THE MARK.

WHILE IN FRANCE, THE ONGOING STRIKE BY PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS THREATENS TO DERAIL GOVERNMENT SPENDING CUTS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR FRANCE TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS TO JOIN.

SO FAR ONLY GERMANY AND LUXEMBOURG MEET THE CRITERIA LAID OUT IN THE MAASTRICHT TREATY IN 1992.

ON OTHER ISSUES, THE FRENCH AND GERMAN LEADERS DID ISSUE A LETTER CALLING FOR GREATER EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH A COMMON EUROPEAN FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY.

AND MR. KOHL EXPRESSED HIS APPROVAL OF FRANCE'S DECISION TO TAKE BACK ITS SEAT ON THE MILITARY COMMITTEE OF NATO AND PARTICIPATE IN THE DEFENSE MINISTERS' MEETINGS.

MR. KOHL SAID HE WELCOMES FRANCE'S STEP IN MOVING CLOSER TO NATO.

OUTSIDE THE TALKS, ABOUT 500 PEOPLE HELD A NOISY PROTEST AGAINST FRENCH NUCLEAR TESTING. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/GPT
07-Dec-95 3:55 PM EST (2055 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] HOLBROOKE-BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS FLYING BACK TO THE BALKANS TO RAISE ISSUES OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BOSNIAPEACE AGREEMENT, ONE WEEK BEFORE THE TREATY IS SIGNED IN PARIS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS ARE ON THE AMERICAN AGENDA IN SARAJEVO.

TEXT: FIGHTERS FROM IRAN, AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN HELPING THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT RESIST ATTACKS BY BOSNIAN SERB FORCES. SEVERAL HUNDRED FOREIGN EXTREMISTS ARE BASED AROUND THE CENTRAL BOSNIAN CITY OF ZENICA AND THEY HAVE ALREADY POSED A THREAT TO BRITISH UNITED NATIONS FORCES THERE. UNDER THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED NEXT WEEK, FOREIGN FORCES MUST LEAVE BOSNIA WITHIN 30 DAYS. ZENICA IS LOCATED IN THE ZONE TO BE PATROLLED BY AMERICAN TROOPS.

THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN ASSURANCES THAT IT WILL ASK THESE FIGHTERS TO LEAVE OR AT LEAST TO GIVE UP THEIR WEAPONS. HOWEVER, THESE IRREGULAR UNITS HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE AUTHORITIES IN SARAJEVO.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE HOLBROOKE IS RETURNING TO THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL THIS WEEK AS WELL AS TO ZAGREB AND BELGRADE. HE IS TRYING TO TIE UP SOME OF THE LOOSE ENDS FROM THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT SUCH AS THESE ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT ACCEPT THESE FOREIGN FORCES WITHIN THE AMERICAN PATROLLED ZONE.

IF THEY ARE NOT BOSNIANS, BY BIRTH OR NATURALIZATION. IF THEY ARE REALLY INDEED FOREIGNERS THEN THEY SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN THE RIGHT TO STAY AND FIGHT IN A DIFFERENT UNIFORM. THEY SHOULD BE REMOVED. MOST OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE A DIFFERENT AGENDA, A VERY DIFFERENT AGENDA THAN THAT OF PEACE AND WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT THEIR PRESENCE THERE IS AT ALL HELPFUL AND WE WON'T TOLERATE IT.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY MR. HOLBROOKE WILL PRESENT THE REMOVAL OF THE ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS AS A BOTTOM LINE ISSUE FOR THE UNITED STATES WITH NO COMPROMISE. THEY SAY AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE WILL WANT TO KNOW WHERE THESE FORCES ARE LOCATED, HOW MANY THEY ARE AND WHEN THEY ARE LEAVING BOSNIA.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS MR. HOLBROOKE WILL ALSO ASK THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO GIVE NEW ASSURANCES TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN SARAJEVO SUBURBS THAT THEY HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR FROM RE-UNIFICATION OF CITY UNDER MUSLIM-CROAT CONTROL.

CONTINUING PROTESTS BY BOSNIAN SERBS AGAINST THE AGREEMENT ARE AN INDICATION THAT PREVIOUS ASSURANCES HAVE NOT BEEN SUFFICIENT. MR. BURNS SAYS THE PEACE AGREEMENT SIGNED IN PARIS WILL NOT BE CHANGED FROM THE ONE NEGOTIATED IN DAYTON. THERE WILL ALSO BE NO CHANGES IN THE ANNEXES OR ANY SIDE LETTERS WRITTEN. INSTEAD, THE UNITED STATES WILL INSIST THAT BOSNIAN SERB CIVILIANS MUST BE PROTECTED WITH FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR ALL PEOPLE.

AS FOR THE ISLAMIC FIGHTERS, THE UNITED STATES WANTS TO SEE THEM OUT OF BOSNIA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. (SIGNED) NEB/PT 07-Dec-95 5:18 PM EST (2218 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] PERRY/BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT IS CONFIDENT OF WINNING CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR DEPLOYING U-S FORCES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA -- EVEN THOUGH REPUBLICANS ARE NOT RUSHING TO JOIN SENATE LEADER BOB DOLE IN ENDORSING THE PEACEKEEPING MISSION. DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS HE WILL BE BACK IN CONGRESS TO PRESS THE ISSUE. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: MR. PERRY SAYS HE EXPECTS CONGRESS TO EVENTUALLY PRODUCE AN EXPRESSION OF SUPPORT FOR SENDING TROOPS TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA -- THIS, DESPITE A GROWING RIFT AMONG REPUBLICANS OVER THE ISSUE.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS WERE RELIEVED LAST WEEK WHEN SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE SAID HE WOULD SUPPORT THE MISSION. BUT SOME LEADING CONSERVATIVES HAVE BROKEN RANKS WITH MR. DOLE AND SAY THEY WILL PRESS FOR A MEASURE IN OPPOSITION. IN A BRIEF TALK WITH REPORTERS, THE DEFENSE SECRETARY, SAID HE IS NOT OVERLY CONCERNED.

I BELIEVE WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR THE CONGRESS TO VOTE, THEY WILL VOTE TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. AND SO I DO NOT HAVE PROFOUND CONCERN. I HAVE, OF COURSE TESTIFIED TO THEM I BELIEVE FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. ANOTHER HEARING TODAY AND ANOTHER ONE NEXT WEEK. WE WILL HAVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE OUR CASE. WE DO HAVE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE OUR CASE TO THE CONGRESS. WE'RE MAKING IT. AND IN THE END, I AM CONFIDENT THEY WILL SUPPORT US.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT WILL PROCEED WITH DEPLOYMENT IN ANY CASE, BUT CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT FOR TROOP MORALE, AND THE CREDIBILITY OF THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/RAE
07-Dec-95 11:19 AM EST (1619 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America