Voice of America, 19 December 1995

From: "Ioannis V. Bousnakis" <[email protected]>

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: THERE IS NO LACK OF IMPORTANT SUBJECTS ON WHICH AMERICA'S MAJOR PAPERS ARE COMMENTING THIS TUESDAY, AS CHRISTMAS FAST APPROACHES. ASIDE FROM IMPORTANT ELECTIONS IN RUSSIA AND HAITI, THERE IS YET ANOTHER PARTIAL SHUTDOWN OF THE U-S GOVERNMENT BECAUSE OF THE BUDGET IMPASSE. OTHER TOPICS UNDER CONSIDERATION ARE HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH'S SELECTION AS "TIME MAGAZINE'S" MAN OF THE YEAR, AND SOME SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN MIDDLE EAST PEACE. NOW, _______________ HAS A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THREE OF THE NATION'S MOST INFLUENTIAL DAILIES ARE ALL DEVOTING CONSIDERABLE SPACE TO THE OUTCOME OF THE RUSSIAN ELECTIONS. TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" HEADLINES ITS COMMENT: "THE CENTER APPEARS TO HOLD IN RUSSIA."

VOICE: "THE AVERAGE RUSSIAN, CONCERNED ABOUT RAMPANT CORRUPTION AND CRIME AND DESPERATE FOR JOB STABILITY, HAS VOTED TO TAP THE BRAKES [I.E. SLOW NOT STOP], TO SEEK A MORE MODERATE APPROACH TO THE FREEMARKET REFORMS THAT {BORIS] YELTSIN AND [VIKTOR] CHERNOMYRDIN HAVE CHAMPIONED. BUT EVEN COMMUNIST PARTY LEADER [GENNADY] ZYUGANOV SAID RUSSIA DOES NOT NEED 'A SHARP POLITICAL TURN TO THE LEFT OR ELSEWHERE.' U-S OFFICIALS AGREED, SAYING THAT THE ELECTIONS HAD NOT GREATLY SHIFTED THE BALANCE OF POWER AND THAT WASHINGTON EXPECTED REFORM AND DEMOCRACY TO MOVE AHEAD."

TEXT: ON THE SAME TOPIC, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SEES IT THIS WAY:

VOICE: "THE UNHAPPY FACT IS THAT RUSSIA'S PRO-MARKET, PRO-DEMOCRACY POLITICAL BASE IS WOBBLY. WESTERNERS SAVOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROCESS OF GOVERNANCE - - THE ELECTIONS, THEIR ACCEPTANCE. BUT MOST RUSSIANS ASK FIRST WHAT THE POST-SOVIET DEVELOPMENTS HAVE DONE FOR THEM. THE ANSWER, ESPECIALLY THE ECONOMIC ANSWER, IS: NOT ENOUGH. [BEGIN OPT] .... RUSSIA'S POLITICIANS MUST BUILD REAL PARTIES, WITH A MEMBERSHIP, ORGANIZATION, PROGRAM AND STRATEGY. THE POLITICIANS CANNOT IGNORE THE IRONY THAT ONLY THE COMMUNISTS, THANKS TO THE STRUCTURE AND HABIT THEY INHERITED, POSSESS THE MAKINGS OF AN AUTHENTIC PARTY NOW." [END OPT]

TEXT: WHILE IN NEW YORK, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SUGGESTS THERE IS NO NEED FOR PANIC IN THE WEST:

VOICE: "THE COMMUNIST RESURGENCE IS DISHEARTENING, BUT NOT CALAMITOUS. POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM IN RUSSIA HAVE ADVANCED TOO FAR TO BE BROUGHT TO A DEAD STOP BY THIS ELECTION. [BEGIN OPT] THE NEW STATE DUMA, OR LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, WILL BE MORE CONSERVATIVE THAN THE OLD, BUT NOT MUCH MORE UNIFIED. UNEQUAL IN POWER TO THE PRESIDENCY, IT CANNOT FORCE A DRASTIC CHANGE IN DIRECTION UNLESS AN OPPOSITION COALITION CAN PUT TOGETHER A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY TO OVERTURN YELTSIN VETOES, WHICH SEEMS UNLIKELY. WHAT IT CAN DO IS SLOW REFORM." [END OPT]

TEXT: TURNING TO ANOTHER ELECTION, IN HAITI, "THE MIAMI HERALD" TALKS ABOUT THE CURRENT PRESIDENT AND HIS PEACEFULLY CHOSEN SUCCESSOR.

VOICE: "ACCORDING TO OTHER POLLS, THE VAST MAJORITY OF HAITIANS WANTED PRESIDENT [JEAN BERTRAND] ARISTIDE TO STAY ON FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS. ..... BUT MR. ARISTIDE ... KEPT PART OF HIS WORD BY ANNOUNCING IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS THAT HE WILL STEP DOWN ON FEBRUARY 7TH. HE ALSO ANNOUNCED ... HE WAS WHOLEHEARTEDLY BACKING MR. [RENE] PREVAL, ONE OF HIS CLOSEST FRIENDS. THAT PRETTY MUCH MADE MR. PREVAL ..... A GUARANTEED WINNER. ....... HAITI CAN CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS AND GIVE THANKS FOR WHAT IT HAS ACCOMPLISHED."

TEXT: [BEGIN OPT] WHILE IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL, "THE WASHINGTON POST" CALLS THE HAITIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION "A NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT," ADDING:

VOICE: "IT WENT FORWARD SMOOTHLY WITH ALMOST NO VIOLENCE AND WITH LITTLE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONFUSION THAT DAMAGED THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN JUNE. ..... WITH THAT, THE MILITARY INTERVENTION ... HAS ACCOMPLISHED MOST OF ITS IMMEDIATE GOALS." [END OPT]

TEXT: HERE AT HOME, WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PARTIALLY SHUT DOWN FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO MONTHS, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" ANGRILY WRITES:

VOICE: "IT'S A DISGRACE THAT NATIONAL LEADERS PUSH PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY YET ELUDE THEIR OWN SO BLATANTLY WITH A SECOND SHUTDOWN IN LESS THAN A MONTH. ..... THE KEY IS TO COMPROMISE, MAKE PROGRESS ON REDUCING THE FEDERAL DEFICIT AND GET ON WITH THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT."

TEXT: TO WHICH, TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" ADDS:

VOICE: "[OPT] NO DEAL, NO PAY. SENATOR BARBARA BOXER, DEMOCRAT OF CALIFORNIA IS ADVOCATING THAT BOTH CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT CLINTON BE DENIED THEIR PAYCHECKS UNTIL THEY DELIVER A BUDGET. SOUNDS FAIR. THEY SHOULDN'T BE PAID UNTIL, AT THE VERY LEAST, THEY PASS A TEMPORARY SPENDING BILL SO THE GOVERNMENT CAN RESUME FULL OPERATIONS. [END OPT] ..... CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT NEED TO MAKE A REALITY CHECK ON HOW THEIR SELFISH, INSIDE-THE-BELTWAY APPROACH IS ALIENATING AMERICANS, AS WELL IT SHOULD. IN THIS SEASON OF GOODWILL, BOTH SIDES ARE BEING MEAN-SPIRITED."

TEXT: AMERICA'S WELL-KNOWN NEWS MAGAZINE "TIME" HAS NAMED SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NEWT GINGRICH AS ITS MAN OF THE YEAR, ELICITING THESE COMMENTS FROM, FIRST "THE BOSTON GLOBE:"

VOICE: "IN THE SHORT TERM, AT LEAST, HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH HAS LITTLE COMPETITION AS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AMERICAN OF 1995. HE HAS CHANGED THE POLICY DYNAMIC IN WASHINGTON - - SOME OF IT IN HELPFUL WAYS, MUCH OF IT HARMFUL ..... SO IT IS NO COINCIDENCE THAT [MR.] GINGRICH WAS NAMED TIME MAGAZINE'S MAN OF THE YEAR AT THE SAME TIME MUCH OF THE GOVERNMENT HE IS PUSHING TO 'REVOLUTIONIZE' IS SHUT DOWN, LARGELY BY HIS HAND."

TEXT: AND SECOND, FROM "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" WHICH CALLS HIM, IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE, "A CALLOW COLOSSUS," ADDING:

VOICE: "LIKE IT OR NOT, NEWT GINGRICH, TIME'S MAN OF THE YEAR, DOMINATED 1995. ..... GIVEN THE FLAWS IN MAN OF THE YEAR GINGRICH'S AGENDA, IT'S GOOD HE'S WACKY AS OFTEN AS MASTERFUL. [OPT] ... MR. GINGRICH AND HIS ALLIES ACTUALLY SPECIFIED HOW THEY WOULD BALANCE THE BUDGET. BY CONTRAST, MR. CLINTON HAS SIMPLY BEEN POSTURING."[END OPT]

TEXT: FINALLY, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE SEES NEW AND HOPEFUL SIGNS OF POSSIBLE THAWING IN THE MIDDLE EAST BETWEEN ISRAEL AND SYRIA.

VOICE: "EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR COULD THERE BE PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND SYRIA AND PEACE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND MOST OF THE ARAB WORLD? ..... IF PRESENT HOPES TURN INTO FUTURE REALITY, AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY WOULD BE TRIUMPHANT IN ITS LONG QUEST COMBINING SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL WITH SECURING PERSIAN GULF OIL SUPPLIES."

TEXT: AND ON THAT HOPEFUL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM SOME OF THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS.

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19-Dec-95 10:44 AM EST (1544 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA / REFUGEES BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (TRAVNIK, BOSNIA)

INTRO: EVEN BEFORE THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED, SMALL NUMBERS OF CROAT AND MUSLIM REFUGEES HAD BEGUN RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE COUNTRY. THE REPATRIATION PLAN, WORKED OUT AT THE DAYTON PEACE CONFERENCE, IS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION. AND IT IS BEING CLOSELY MONITORED BY U-N OFFICIALS PLANNING THE MUCH LARGER EFFORT TO REPATRIATE THE NEARLY THREE-MILLION BOSNIANS WHO FLED THEIR HOMES DURING MORE THAN THREE YEARS OF WARFARE. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS FROM THE BOSNIAN TOWN OF TRAVNIK.

TEXT: STIPO JURISIC WALKED SLOWLY UP THE HILL, CARRYING A PAIL OF MILK TO HIS BOYHOOD HOME ON THE EASTERN EDGE OF TRAVNIK. THE 72-YEAR-OLD CROAT FARMER RETURNED TO THIS LARGELY MUSLIM TOWN A FEW WEEKS AGO, AFTER NEARLY THREE YEARS AS A REFUGEE. HE LEAVES NO DOUBT THAT HE IS GLAD TO BE BACK. "I CANNOT EVEN DESCRIBE MY EMOTIONS," HE SAYS. BUT HE ALSO STILL WONDERS IF HE AND HIS WIFE WILL BE SAFE HERE.

AS MANY AS 350-THOUSAND PEOPLE WERE UPROOTED FROM THEIR HOMES DURING THE BLOODY MUSLIM-CROAT FIGHTING OF 1993. NOW, A FEW ARE GOING BACK, BUT IT IS STILL ONLY A TRICKLE.

MUSLIM AND CROAT LEADERS AGREED AT THE DAYTON PEACE CONFERENCE LAST MONTH THAT A TOTAL OF 600 FAMILIES WOULD BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN THE FEDERATION TOWNS OF TRAVNIK, BUGOJNO, JAJCE, AND STOLAC, IN THE INITIAL PHASE OF A REPATRIATION PROGRAM.. SO FAR, ONLY TRAVNIK HAS MET AND, IN FACT, EXCEEDED ITS QUOTA.

IN A SMALL OFFICE NEAR THE MUNICIPALITY BUILDING, TRAVNIK'S DIRECTOR OF HUMANITARIAN AND REFUGEE AFFAIRS, EDO KOZOR, PORES OVER A TYPEWRITTEN LIST OF CROATS WHO WANT TO COME BACK HERE.

ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY FAMILIES HAVE RETURNED SO FAR, AND MORE THAN 300 OTHERS HAVE REGISTERED FOR THE REPATRIATION PROGRAM.

WE WANT THEM ALL TO RETURN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SAYS MR. KOZOR, WHO DISPLAYS THE EARNEST COMMITMENT TO AN ETHNICALLY-INTEGRATED BOSNIA THAT IS TYPICAL OF MUSLIM OFFICIALDOM IN THE COUNTRY. WE ARE DETERMINED THAT THIS PROGRAM WILL SUCCEED, HE ADDS, BECAUSE IT WILL STRENGTHEN THE FEDERATION.

MR. KOZOR SAYS THE RETURNING CROATS ARE ALLOWED TO MOVE BACK INTO THEIR HOMES ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THEIR RIGHTS ARE FULLY GUARANTEED, HE SAYS, AND THEY ARE PROTECTED -- AN ASSERTION CONFIRMED BY SOME OF THE RETURNEES AS WELL AS MUSLIM RESIDENTS OF TRAVNIK. "THE CROATS ARE SAFER HERE THAN WE ARE," QUIPS ONE MUSLIM SHOPKEEPER. "NO ONE WOULD DARE TOUCH THEM."

STIPO JURISIC BELIEVES OTHER CROATS LIKE HIMSELF WILL COME BACK TO TRAVNIK EVENTUALLY. BUT IT WILL BE MOSTLY THE OLD PEOPLE, HE ADDS, SAYING THERE IS NO WORK FOR THE YOUNG, AND ALL THE RETURNEES, LIKE MANY OF TRAVNIK'S MUSLIMS, REMAIN DEPENDENT ON HUMANITARIAN AID.

MR. JURISIC SAYS THERE IS SOME LINGERING TENSION BETWEEN THE RETURNING CROATS AND TRAVNIK'S MUSLIMS, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN NO REAL PROBLEMS. AND AS HE STANDS BY THE ROADSIDE, ONE OF HIS MUSLIM NEIGHBORS, YUSIF SKROBO, GREETS HIM WITH A FRIENDLY SMILE AND A HANDSHAKE.

MR. SKROBO PROVIDES A TEXTBOOK EXAMPLE OF THE PROBLEMS MUSLIM AND CROAT LEADERS ARE FACING AS THEY TRY TO ARRANGE FOR THE RETURN OF THE REFUGEES.

HE IS CURRENTLY LIVING IN A CROAT HOME, BUT MAY HAVE TO LEAVE IT IF ITS OWNER RETURNS TO TRAVNIK. MR. SKROBO'S OWN HOME IS IN A VILLAGE BARELY 15 KILOMETERS AWAY, BUT IT WAS DESTROYED IN A BATTLE.

POLITICAL PROBLEMS ALSO CONTINUE TO PLAGUE THE REPATRIATION PROGRAM. IN CROAT-CONTROLLED JAJCE AND STOLAC, AND IN MUSLIM BUGOJNO, HARDLINE MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES HAVE SO FAR ALLOWED FEW REFUGEES FROM MINORITY GROUPS TO RECLAIM THEIR PROPERTY.

JOZO MARIC, A SENIOR BOSNIAN CROAT OFFICIAL, SAYS IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO RESOLVE THE OBSTACLES IN THE PATH OF THE REPATRIATION PROGRAM. AND HE DOUBTS THAT THE SCHEDULE ESTABLISHED AT THE DAYTON CONFERENCE CAN BE MET.

MR. MARIC IS NONETHELESS CONFIDENT THAT WITH PEACE NOW TAKING HOLD IN BOSNIA, ALL THE REFUGEES WITHIN THE FEDERATION WILL EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. (SIGNED)

NEB/DBR/JWH/MMK
19-Dec-95 9:21 AM EST (1421 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA / U-N (L) BY KYLE KING (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: NATO OFFICIALS ARE MAKING FINAL PREPARATION FOR THE TAKEOVER OF PEACEKEEPING DUTIES IN BOSNIA. V-O-A'S KYLE KING IN SARAJEVO REPORTS U-N OFFICIALS, WHO WILL BE FORMALLY ENDING THEIR MISSION ON WEDNESDAY, SAY THE WARRING PARTIES HAVE SO FAR COMPLIED WITH THE INITIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT.

TEXT: WITH JUST HOURS TO GO BEFORE THE U-N PEACEKEEPING MANDATE IN BOSNIA RUNS OUT, A SENIOR BRITISH GENERAL ARRIVED IN SARAJEVO TO TAKE COMMAND OF THE NATO GROUND FORCES ON WEDNESDAY.

BRITISH GENERAL MICHAEL WALKER, WHO HEADS THE ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS, WILL BE CHARGED WITH INSURING THE NATO-LED MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE OPERATES SMOOTHLY IN IMPLEMENTING THE PEACE AGREEMENT.

AS THE GENERAL WAS LOOKING OVER WHAT WILL BE HIS NEW SARAJEVO HEADQUARTERS, U-N OFFICIALS HELD THEIR FINAL BRIEFING IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL.

U-N SPOKESMAN CHRIS VERNON SAYS THE THREE WARRING FACTIONS HAVE MET THE FIRST REQUIREMENTS OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT AND SHUT DOWN THEIR AIR DEFENSE RADAR SYSTEMS.

THAT IS ENCOURAGING, FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE READ THE DAYTON MILITARY AGREEMENT, THAT WAS THE PREREQUISITE PRIOR TO THE TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY, IT FELL TO UNPROFOR (U-N PROTECTION FORCE) TO SEE IT THOUGH WITH NATO. AND IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT FIRST STEP HAS BEEN ACHIEVED AND HOPEFULLY ALL GOES WELL FOR THE FUTURE.

THE SHUT DOWN OF THE RADAR SYSTEMS GIVES NATO UNHINDERED USE OF THE AIR SPACE ABOVE BOSNIA, AND THE ABILITY TO FREELY CALL ON ITS MASSIVE AIR ASSETS IN THE EVENT THEY ARE NEEDED TO PROTECT GROUND FORCES.

AWACS SURVEILLANCE PLANES ARE ALREADY PATROLLING THE SKIES OF BOSNIA AND HUNDREDS OF FIGHTER JETS ARE ON CALL AT BASES IN ITALY AND ON U-S, BRITISH, AND FRENCH AIR CRAFT CARRIERS OFF THE COAST OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

WHILE NATO IS GEARING UP FOR THE START OF THE BIGGEST MISSION IN THE HISTORY OF THE ALLIANCE, THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN SARAJEVO CONTINUE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TERMS OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT.

BOSNIAN SERB RADIO HAS BEEN BROADCASTING DEFIANT STATEMENTS CONDEMNING SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSOVIC, AND VOWING THE SERBS WILL NEVER GIVE UP THEIR HOLD ON PARTS OF SARAJEVO.

WHETHER SERB TROOPS WILL COMPLY WITH TERMS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT AND LEAVE SARAJEVO PEACEFULLY IS NOW THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING NATO COMMANDERS, WHO ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT, JUST GETTING THEIR FORCES INTO PLACE AMID THE SNOWS OF A BOSNIAN WINTER. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/JWH/CF
19-Dec-95 12:37 PM EST (1737 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA SITREP (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: NATO IS PREPARING TO FORMALLY TAKE OVER THE U-N PEACEKEEPING ROLE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS THE COMMANDER OF THE NATO GROUND FORCES BEING DEPLOYED TO BOSNIA, BRITISH GENERAL MICHAEL WALKER, IS IN SARAJEVO, AND A RUSSIAN MILITARY ADVANCE TEAM IS IN TUZLA TO PREPARE FOR THE ARRIVAL OF RUSSIAN FORCES.

TEXT: GENERAL WALKER ARRIVED IN SARAJEVO, A DAY BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS FORMALLY TRANSFERS ITS PEACEKEEPING AUTHORITY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO NATO.

GENERAL WALKER SAYS THE NATO-LED FORCES GOING TO BOSNIA OFFER THE CHANCE FOR SOMETHING EVERYBODY WANTS -- PEACE. HE DOES NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE CHALLENGE HE FACES. BUT, HE SAYS HE HAS BEEN GIVEN THE TOOLS TO DO THE JOB.

AS THE COMMANDER OF TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF NATO GROUND TROOPS, THE BRITISH GENERAL WILL REPORT TO THE NATO THEATER COMMANDER, U-S ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH. ADMIRAL SMITH WILL BE BASED FOR SOME TIME IN ZAGREB.

A PLANE CARRYING A RUSSIAN MILITARY ADVANCE TEAM LANDED IN TUZLA IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA. RUSSIAN SOLDIERS WILL JOIN 20-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS WHO WILL HELP IMPLEMENT THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT IN THAT REGION. MOST OF THE AMERICANS WILL TRAVEL OVERLAND TO TUZLA VIA CROATIA FROM A STAGING AREA AND LOGISTICS BASE IN SOUTHERN HUNGARY.

MORE U-S ARMY ENGINEERS HAVE REACHED CROATIA TO PUT UP A PONTOON BRIDGE NEEDED OVER THE SAVA RIVER ON THE CROATIAN/BOSNIAN FRONTIER.

THE AMERICAN DEPLOYMENT TO BOSNIA IS MOVING SLOWLY BECAUSE OF WEATHER PROBLEMS. BUT BRITISH FORCES ALREADY IN BOSNIA ARE PLANNING TO QUICKLY SPREAD OUT IN THEIR AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY.

THE BRITISH ARE BASED IN GORNJI VAKUF IN CENTRAL BOSNIA. A SPOKESMAN SAYS FIVE-THOUSAND BRITISH SOLDIERS THERE WILL MAKE THEIR PRESENCE FELT IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN BOSNIA AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

THERE WILL EVENTUALLY BE 13-THOUSAND BRITISH TROOPS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THEY WILL COMPRISE THE SECOND LARGEST NATO CONTINGENT. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/RAE
19-Dec-95 10:10 AM EST (1510 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] HOLBROOKE-BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID SWAN (SENATE)

INTRO: U-S AMBASSADOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE, WHO BROKERED THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORDS, HAS CONFIRMED HE PLANS TO LEAVE THE STATE DEPARTMENT NEXT YEAR. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS THE MOVE WILL NOT MAKE IT HARDER TO PUT THE AGREEMENT INTO EFFECT.

TEXT: MR. HOLBROOKE, A FORMER INVESTMENT BANKER, HAD BEEN EXPECTED TO RETURN TO PRIVATE INDUSTRY FOR SOME TIME. STILL, HIS DECISION COMES JUST WHEN THE BOSNIAN FACTIONS ARE STARTING TO IMPLEMENT THE PLANS HE NEGOTIATED. IN A SENATE HEARING (TUESDAY), MR. HOLBROOKE STRESSED HE IS NOT STEPPING DOWN RIGHT AWAY, AND WILL STAY INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS EVEN AFTER LEAVING GOVERNMENT.

THE NEWSPAPERS THIS MORNING REPORTED THAT I WILL LEAVE SOMETIME NEXT YEAR AND THAT IS CORRECT AND I'VE SAID THAT BEFORE. BUT I HOPE YOU WILL NOT TREAT THIS AS MY LAST AVAILABILITY TO YOU. I'M NOT PLANNING TO LEAVE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. IT'LL BE AN ORDERLY PROCESS.

MR. HOLBROOKE LED FOUR MONTHS OF DIPLOMACY THAT BROUGHT FIRST A CEASE-FIRE AND THEN FORMAL PEACE ACCORDS. HE SAYS NATO'S AIR STRIKES ON BOSNIAN SERBS GAVE AN UNINTENDED BOOST TO THE PROCESS -- AND THE BOMBING WAS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE WASHINGTON FORCED THE ALLIES TO TAKE A TOUGH STAND.

WHILE CONGRESS REMAINS SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE PEACE AGREEMENT AND THE USE OF AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS TO ENFORCE THE PACT, MR. HOLBROOKE'S WORK HAS WON PRAISE. REPUBLICAN SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL EXPRESSED HOPE THE ACCORD WILL NOT BREAK DOWN ONCE THE AMBASSADOR IS GONE.

IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU ARE THE MIDWIFE FOR THE DELIVERY OF THIS BOSNIAN PEACE, AND I HOPE THAT YOUR DEPARTURE DOES NOT LEAVE BEHIND AN ORPHAN.

MR. HOLBROOKE URGED THE LAWMAKERS TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE PROCESS, ESPECIALLY BY APPROVING ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FOR BOSNIA. BUT DEMOCRATIC SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY VOWS TO FIGHT ANY U-S AID UNLESS ALL BOSNIAN FACTIONS TAKE PART IN BRINGING WAR CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE.

THEIR HATE-FILLED GREED RESULTED IN A QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE DEAD, TENS OF THOUSANDS PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY BRUTALIZED AND A COUNTRY REDUCED TO RUINS. AND NOW WE, THE AMERICANS, ARE EXPECTED TO PUT THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER WITH NO ASSURANCE THE CRIMINALS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS PROPOSED SPENDING 600-MILLION DOLLARS ON VARIOUS RELIEF AND RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS. EUROPEAN STATES AND INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE FAR MORE. (SIGNED)

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19-Dec-95 1:04 PM EST (1804 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] NATO / BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO MILITARY COMMANDER GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN SAYS THE OPERATION TO ENFORCE THE PEACE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS ON SCHEDULE -- DESPITE BAD WEATHER. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS GENERAL JOULWAN SPOKE TO NEWS REPORTERS ON THE EVE OF NATO TAKING OVER FROM THE UNITED NATIONS IN BOSNIA.

TEXT: GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN SAYS A MASSIVE MOVEMENT OF TROOPS IS UNDERWAY AS NATO PREPARES FOR THE BIGGEST MILITARY OPERATION IN EUROPE SINCE THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO.

TROOPS ARE POURING INTO THE AREA BY LAND, SEA, AND AIR, NOT JUST FROM NATO, BUT FROM SEVERAL OTHER COUNTRIES -- INCLUDING RUSSIA.

THE GENERAL SAYS THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST WINTERS THE REGION HAS SEEN IN YEARS -- BUT DESPITE THE WEATHER, THE DEPLOYMENT IS GOING TO PLAN.

MORE THAN 28-HUNDRED TROOPS HAVE BEEN SENT INTO BOSNIA AND CROATIA, AND HE HOPES TO MEET THE 60-DAY TARGET FOR THE FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE 60-THOUSAND MEMBER INTERNATIONAL FORCE.

I DO NOT NEED TO TELL YOU, WE ARE DEPLOYING AT A VERY DIFFICULT TIME OF THE YEAR. WE ARE NOT GOING TO PUSH IT -- BUT WE DO HAVE A TIME SCHEDULE, AND SO FAR WE ARE ROUGHLY ON THAT TIME SCHEDULE. SO WITHIN ABOUT 60 DAYS, I THINK YOU WILL SEE THE FULL FORCE THERE.

THE GENERAL WAS ASKED HOW PREPARED HIS TROOPS ARE TO DEAL WITH THE POTENTIAL DANGER OF ATTACKS FROM SNIPERS, AND HE REPLIED THEY HAVE BEEN TRAINED FOR THIS.

WE HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE AN ATMOSPHERE OF COMPLIANCE BY ALL THE PARTIES. WE ARE NOT GOING IN THERE TO FIGHT OUR WAY IN. BUT THE TROOPS HAVE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, THEY DO HAVE GOOD TRAINING, THEY DO HAVE GOOD EQUIPMENT, THEY DO HAVE GOOD LEADERSHIP, AND THEY WILL DO ALL THEY CAN TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM ALL KINDS OF THREATS, TO INCLUDE SNIPING.

NATO TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR PEACEKEEPING DUTY IN BOSNIA FROM THE UNITED NATIONS WEDNESDAY (MORNING AT 11 O'CLOCK, LOCAL TIME). (SIGNED)

NEB/JF/JWH/RAE
19-Dec-95 2:46 PM EST (1946 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] TURKEY / EUROPE BY LAURIE KASSMAN (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: TURKISH VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS SUNDAY TO ELECT A NEW 550 SEAT PARLIAMENT. ONE OF THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES OF THE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN TURKEY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH EUROPE AND THE CUSTOMS UNION AGREEMENT, WHICH WAS SIGNED LAST WEEK. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARGUE THE AGREEMENT CAN BRING TURKEY FULLY INTO EUROPE. OPPONENTS SAY THAT IS AN ILLUSION. V-O-A'S MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM ISTANBUL ON THE PROS AND CONS OF AN ECONOMIC PLAN THAT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER FIGHT TO HOLD ONTO POWER.

TEXT: WHEN THE CUSTOMS UNION AGREEMENT TAKES EFFECT ON JANUARY FIRST, TURKEY AND THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL REMOVE THEIR TRADE BARRIERS. TURKEY OPENS ITS MARKET TO EUROPE, AND EUROPE WILL ACCEPT TURKISH PRODUCTS WITHOUT TARIFFS. THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL ALSO PROVIDE TURKEY WITH SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS OF CREDITS TO BRIDGE THE ECONOMIC GAP.

TURKISH OPPONENTS OF THE CUSTOMS AGREEMENT SAY MANY COMPANIES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE COMPETITION AND WILL GO BANKRUPT, ESPECIALLY IN PROTECTED SECTORS LIKE AUTO PARTS AND DOMESTIC GOODS. AND THAT, THEY ARGUE, WILL PUT MORE PEOPLE OUT OF WORK. TURKEY ALREADY HAS A 20 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

ASLAN GUNDUZ HEADS THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY INSTITUTE AT ISTANBUL'S MARMARA UNIVERSITY. HE SUPPORTS THE AGREEMENT AND UNDERLINES THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP HE SAYS HAS BEEN BUILDING SINCE 1963.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF COMPETITION. YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD. AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES IF YOU CAN SEIZE THEM AND USE THEM WITH THE BENEFITS. THE CUSTOMS UNION, AS SUCH, IS NOT A PARADISE. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU MONEY FOR FREE. YOU HAVE TO WORK AND YOU HAVE TO COMPETE. THERE IS GOING TO BE A VERY, VERY BIG MARKET FOR YOU TO SELL YOUR PRODUCTS.

MR. GUNDUZ SEES THE AGREEMENT AS THE NEXT STEP TOWARD FULL INTEGRATION WITH EUROPE.

CRITICS OF THE CUSTOMS UNION SAY TURKEY SHOULD SPEND MORE TIME EXPLOITING OTHER MARKETS IN CENTRAL ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST.

OMER BOLAT HEADS A BUSINESSMAN'S GROUP IN ISTANBUL, CALLED MUSIAD. HE OPPOSES THE CUSTOMS UNION AGREEMENT FOR BOTH POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REASONS. HE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT WILL LOSE ITS INDEPENDENT FOREIGN TRADE POLICY AND ABOUT THREE-BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IN INCOME. HE AND OTHER CRITICS SAY THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT ARE UNFAIR TO TURKEY AND SHOULD BE RENEGOTIATED.

MR. BOLAT DISMISSES PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER'S EXPECTATIONS OF FULL E-U MEMBERSHIP. HE CALLS IT AN ILLUSION.

WE ARE BEHIND THIS GOAL FOR THE PAST 36 YEARS AND WE SEE THAT ALL CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES PLUS BALTIC COUNTRIES AND GREEK CYPRIOTS AND MALTA ARE IN LINE TO BECOME A FULL MEMBER BY THE YEAR 2000 AND TURKEY'S NAME IS NOT MENTIONED.

MR. GUNDUZ OF MARMARA UNIVERSITY AGREES THERE IS A DOUBLE STANDARD IN EUROPE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD TURKEY, BUT THAT, HE SAYS, DOES NOT JUSTIFY TURNING AWAY FROM A VIABLE MARKET OF MORE THAN 370-MILLION PEOPLE.

WHY WE SHOULD ALWAYS CONFRONT EACH OTHER, FRICTION AND CONFRONTATION. WHY WE SHOULD NOT LIVE IN PEACE WITH THE COUNTRIES. IF IT'S BELIEF, BELIEVE AS YOU LIKE, WHY SHOULD WE BE SO HOSTILE TO EACH OTHER. WE ARE PLEASED THE COLD WAR IS OVER, WHY SHOULD WE HAVE A NEW ONE?

WHEN PRIME MINISTER CILLER LOBBIED THE EUROPEAN UNION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL LINK WITH TURKEY, SHE ARGUED THAT LEAVING TURKEY ON THE SIDELINES WOULD ONLY STRENGTHEN ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISTS WHO WANT TO DISMANTLE TURKEY'S SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT.

THE PRO-ISLAMIST REFAH PARTY -- THE WELFARE PARTY IN ENGLISH -- BLUNTLY TELLS SUPPORTERS THAT EUROPE WILL NEVER ACCEPT TURKEY AS A FULL PARTNER BECAUSE IT IS A MUSLIM NATION. THAT IS JUST ONE OF THE PARTY'S MANY ATTACKS ON THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICIES AND PERFORMANCE.

JUST DAYS BEFORE SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, REFAH LEADS IN MOST UNOFFICIAL OPINION POLLS. IT IS PREDICTED TO TAKE MORE THAN 20 PERCENT OF THE 550 SEATS IN PARLIAMENT, WHICH COULD MAKE IT AN INFLUENTIAL FORCE IN THE FORMATION OF A NEW GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)

NEB/LK/JWH/SKH
19-Dec-95 4:06 PM EST (2106 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.

[08] TURKEY / EUROPE BY LAURIE KASSMAN (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: TURKISH VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS SUNDAY TO ELECT A NEW 550 SEAT PARLIAMENT. ONE OF THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES OF THE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN TURKEY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH EUROPE AND THE CUSTOMS UNION AGREEMENT, WHICH WAS SIGNED LAST WEEK. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARGUE THE AGREEMENT CAN BRING TURKEY FULLY INTO EUROPE. OPPONENTS SAY THAT IS AN ILLUSION. V-O-A'S MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM ISTANBUL ON THE PROS AND CONS OF AN ECONOMIC PLAN THAT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER FIGHT TO HOLD ONTO POWER.

TEXT: WHEN THE CUSTOMS UNION AGREEMENT TAKES EFFECT ON JANUARY FIRST, TURKEY AND THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL REMOVE THEIR TRADE BARRIERS. TURKEY OPENS ITS MARKET TO EUROPE, AND EUROPE WILL ACCEPT TURKISH PRODUCTS WITHOUT TARIFFS. THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL ALSO PROVIDE TURKEY WITH SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS OF CREDITS TO BRIDGE THE ECONOMIC GAP.

TURKISH OPPONENTS OF THE CUSTOMS AGREEMENT SAY MANY COMPANIES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE COMPETITION AND WILL GO BANKRUPT, ESPECIALLY IN PROTECTED SECTORS LIKE AUTO PARTS AND DOMESTIC GOODS. AND THAT, THEY ARGUE, WILL PUT MORE PEOPLE OUT OF WORK. TURKEY ALREADY HAS A 20 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

ASLAN GUNDUZ HEADS THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY INSTITUTE AT ISTANBUL'S MARMARA UNIVERSITY. HE SUPPORTS THE AGREEMENT AND UNDERLINES THE POSITIVE ASPECTS OF A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP HE SAYS HAS BEEN BUILDING SINCE 1963.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF COMPETITION. YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD. AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES IF YOU CAN SEIZE THEM AND USE THEM WITH THE BENEFITS. THE CUSTOMS UNION, AS SUCH, IS NOT A PARADISE. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU MONEY FOR FREE. YOU HAVE TO WORK AND YOU HAVE TO COMPETE. THERE IS GOING TO BE A VERY, VERY BIG MARKET FOR YOU TO SELL YOUR PRODUCTS.

MR. GUNDUZ SEES THE AGREEMENT AS THE NEXT STEP TOWARD FULL INTEGRATION WITH EUROPE.

CRITICS OF THE CUSTOMS UNION SAY TURKEY SHOULD SPEND MORE TIME EXPLOITING OTHER MARKETS IN CENTRAL ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST.

OMER BOLAT HEADS A BUSINESSMAN'S GROUP IN ISTANBUL, CALLED MUSIAD. HE OPPOSES THE CUSTOMS UNION AGREEMENT FOR BOTH POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REASONS. HE SAYS THE GOVERNMENT WILL LOSE ITS INDEPENDENT FOREIGN TRADE POLICY AND ABOUT THREE-BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IN INCOME. HE AND OTHER CRITICS SAY THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT ARE UNFAIR TO TURKEY AND SHOULD BE RENEGOTIATED.

MR. BOLAT DISMISSES PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER'S EXPECTATIONS OF FULL E-U MEMBERSHIP. HE CALLS IT AN ILLUSION.

WE ARE BEHIND THIS GOAL FOR THE PAST 36 YEARS AND WE SEE THAT ALL CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES PLUS BALTIC COUNTRIES AND GREEK CYPRIOTS AND MALTA ARE IN LINE TO BECOME A FULL MEMBER BY THE YEAR 2000 AND TURKEY'S NAME IS NOT MENTIONED.

MR. GUNDUZ OF MARMARA UNIVERSITY AGREES THERE IS A DOUBLE STANDARD IN EUROPE'S ATTITUDE TOWARD TURKEY, BUT THAT, HE SAYS, DOES NOT JUSTIFY TURNING AWAY FROM A VIABLE MARKET OF MORE THAN 370-MILLION PEOPLE.

WHY WE SHOULD ALWAYS CONFRONT EACH OTHER, FRICTION AND CONFRONTATION. WHY WE SHOULD NOT LIVE IN PEACE WITH THE COUNTRIES. IF IT'S BELIEF, BELIEVE AS YOU LIKE, WHY SHOULD WE BE SO HOSTILE TO EACH OTHER. WE ARE PLEASED THE COLD WAR IS OVER, WHY SHOULD WE HAVE A NEW ONE?

WHEN PRIME MINISTER CILLER LOBBIED THE EUROPEAN UNION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL LINK WITH TURKEY, SHE ARGUED THAT LEAVING TURKEY ON THE SIDELINES WOULD ONLY STRENGTHEN ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISTS WHO WANT TO DISMANTLE TURKEY'S SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT.

THE PRO-ISLAMIST REFAH PARTY -- THE WELFARE PARTY IN ENGLISH -- BLUNTLY TELLS SUPPORTERS THAT EUROPE WILL NEVER ACCEPT TURKEY AS A FULL PARTNER BECAUSE IT IS A MUSLIM NATION. THAT IS JUST ONE OF THE PARTY'S MANY ATTACKS ON THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICIES AND PERFORMANCE.

JUST DAYS BEFORE SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, REFAH LEADS IN MOST UNOFFICIAL OPINION POLLS. IT IS PREDICTED TO TAKE MORE THAN 20 PERCENT OF THE 550 SEATS IN PARLIAMENT, WHICH COULD MAKE IT AN INFLUENTIAL FORCE IN THE FORMATION OF A NEW GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)

NEB/LK/JWH/SKH
19-Dec-95 4:06 PM EST (2106 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.

[09] U-N COUNTERPUNCH/BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: AS THE UNITED NATIONS PREPARES TO TAKE ON CIVILIAN RESPONSIBILITIES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA -- U-N OFFICIALS ARE DEFENSIVE ABOUT THE U-N'S MILITARY ROLE IN THE COUNTRY OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI SAYS THE CRITICISM OF U-N PEACEKEEPERS IS MOST UNFAIR. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: U-N OFFICIALS HAVE CONSISTENTLY ARGUED THE SECURITY COUNCIL -- WHICH SEATS SOME OF THE KEY NATO COUNTRIES -- WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TYPE OF OPERATION THE U-N RAN IN BOSNIA. U-N PEACEKEEPERS WERE GIVEN A LIMITED MANDATE. THEY COULD NOT USE FORCE EXCEPT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. AND THEY WERE CRITICALLY SHORT OF MANPOWER.

SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS-GHALI HAD ASKED FOR A MINIMUM OF 30-THOUSAND TROOPS TO DEFEND THE SO-CALLED SAFE AREAS -- MOSTLY MUSLIM ENCLAVES UNDER SERBIAN SIEGE. HE WAS GIVEN ABOUT SEVEN-THOUSAND.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S SPOKESMAN, AHMAD FAWZI, SAYS U-N TROOPS WERE NOT SENT TO BOSNIA TO STOP A WAR YET WERE BLAMED FOR THE LACK OF PEACE:

DOES THE UNITED NATIONS FEEL IT HAS BEEN UNFAIRLY CRITICIZED? YES. DOES THE UNITED NATIONS FEEL IT HAS DONE A GOOD JOB IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA? CERTAINLY YES. THE UNITED NATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO DO A GOOD JOB. AND AS I SAID EARLIER, THE UNITED NATIONS WILL HELP THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO HELP THE PEOPLE OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AS LONG AS THEY NEED US.

ON THE HEELS OF THE U-N'S FAILED MISSION IN SOMALIA -- BOSNIA HAS BROUGHT INTO CLEARER FOCUS THE ORGANIZATION'S MILITARY LIMITATIONS.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WARNED AGAIN OF THE U-N'S LIMITED CAPACITY FOR ENFORCEMENT ACTION. HE RECOMMENDED AT LEAST NINE-THOUSAND TROOPS FOR EASTERN SLAVONIA. HE WILL BE GIVEN ABOUT HALF OF THAT. (SIGNED) NEB/PT

19-Dec-95 2:03 PM EST (1903 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America