Voice of America, 5 January 1996 (#1)

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: FOR ANOTHER DAY, EDITORIAL WRITERS FOR MANY OF THE COUNTRY'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS ARE FOCUSED DOMESTIC ISSUES. AMONG THE TOPICS COVERED THIS FRIDAY ARE THE CONTROVERSIAL TRAVEL EXPENSE RECORD OF ENERGY SECRETARY HAZEL O'LEARY; THE CHALLENGES FACING THE PEACEKEEPERS IN BOSNIA; JUDGING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NAFTA TRADE PACT; POLICING THE INTERNET; AND CONTINUED COMMENT ON THE U-S BUDGET IMPASS AND ITS IMPACT ON FEDERAL WORKERS. WE GET DETAILS FROM _____________ AND FRIDAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: FOR THE SECOND TIME IN SIX WEEKS, A NUMBER OF PAPERS ARE RUNNING EDITORIALS CRITICAL OF ENERGY SECRETARY HAZEL O'LEARY, WHO HAS TAKEN A LARGE NUMBER OF EXPENSIVE OFFICIAL TRIPS OVERSEAS DURING THE PAST YEAR, FAR MORE THAN HER PREDECESSORS. THE TRAVEL, AT A TIME OF ANGUISHED ATTEMPTS TO REDUCE THE FEDERAL BUDGET, DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM "USA TODAY."

VOICE: "JUST WHEN IT SEEMS WASHINGTON FINALLY IS GETTING THE MESSAGE TO CURB UNNECESSARY SPENDING, ALONG COMES AN EXAMPLE OF EXCESS THAT SHATTERS THE ILLUSION. IT IS HAZEL O'LEARY, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S HIGH-FLYING ENERGY SECRETARY. SHE'S BEEN OUT OF THE COUNTRY 130 DAYS SINCE TAKING HER DOMESTIC-POLICY JOB IN 1993... MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE, THE INVESTIGATIVE ARM OF CONGRESS, SAID THURSDAY [MS.] O'LEARY'S DEPARTMENT CAN'T ACCOUNT FOR 255-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN EXPENSES FROM TRADE MISSIONS SHE LED TO INDIA AND SOUTH AFRICA. ALL THIS RAISES TWO QUESTIONS: DOES THE SECRETARY HAVE ANY CONCERN AT ALL ABOUT CONSERVING THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY? AND CAN SHE EXPLAIN HER SPENDING?

TEXT: FROM CALIFORNIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" ADDS:

VOICE: "IT IS TIME THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON PUBLICLY REPRIMAND AND REIN IN HAZEL O'LEARY, WHO HAS BEEN RUNNING THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT MORE LIKE HER PERSONAL FIEFDOM THAN A PUBLIC AGENCY..."

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS EQUALLY CRITICAL OF MRS. O'LEARY:

VOICE: "... IT IS NOT ACCURATE TO CHARACTERIZE ENERGY SECRETARY ... O'LEARY AS A HOLIDAY JUNKETEER. THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH HOLIDAYS ON THE CALENDAR TO SUPPORT HER SPENDING LEVEL... THE (TRAVEL EXPENSE) NUMBERS ARE OFFENSIVE, EVEN WHEN OFFERED UP BY HER DEPARTMENT'S SLIPSHOD [SLOPPY] BOOKEEPERS."

TEXT: MORE FORGIVING THOUGHTS ARE OFFERED BY TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST":

VOICE: "MRS. O'LEARY NONETHELESS SEEMS TO US TO HAVE DONE SOME GOOD THINGS, AS IN THE RELEASE OF MATERIALS BEARING ON NUCLEAR TESTING IN THIS COUNTRY DURING THE 1950S AND BEYOND. IT IS NOT, THEREFORE, THAT SHE SHOULD NECESSARILY RESIGN ... BUT MRS. O'LEARY HAS DONE NEITHER HERSELF NOR HER DEPARTMENT NOR HER PRESIDENT A LOT OF GOOD WITH THIS TRAVEL. SHE NEEDS TO ... CUT IT OUT."

TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL NEWS BRIEFLY, NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND "NEWSDAY" IS RELIEVED ABOUT THE RELEASE OF 16 HOSTAGES IN BOSNIA, BUT ADDS THE "INCIDENT PROVES NEED FOR BOSNIAN POLICE."

VOICE: "NATO'S FIRST TEST IN BOSNIA WAS SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVED YESTERDAY WHEN THE BOSNIAN SERBS RELEASED 16 CIVILIAN HOSTAGES. BUT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM OF HOW TO RESPOND TO CIVILIAN VIOLATIONS OF THE PEACE ACCORD IS LIKELY TO POSE A CONTINUING CHALLENGE TO NATO AND THE INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES ENTRUSTED WITH THE FORMATION OF A POLICE FORCE FOR BOSNIA. [OPT] ... THE ALLIES HAVE LITTLE TIME TO LOSE IF THEY WANT TO MAKE THE PEACE ACCORD WORK, NOT ONLY ON THE SILENCED BATTLEFIELDS, BUT IN THE CITIES AND TOWNS WHERE SERBS, CROATS AND MUSLIMS MUST LIVE IN UNEASY PROXIMITY."[END OPT]

TEXT: THAT HOSTAGE RELEASE DRAWS THIS REACTION FROM TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES."

VOICE: "THE INCIDENT ... IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT FACES OUTSIDERS AS THEY TRY TO BRING THE RULE OF LAW TO A NOW LAWLESS COUNTRY. EACH FACTION WANTS THE LAW ENFORCED TO ITS BENEFIT. WHEN DECISIONS GO THE OTHER WAY, A SENSE OF BETRAYAL RISES."

TEXT: STILL WITH OVERSEAS ISSUES, ALTHOUGH A LOT CLOSER TO HOME, TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SAYS IT IS FAR TOO SOON TO "RUSH TO JUDGMENT" ON THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (NAFTA).

VOICE: "AMERICANS SHOULD RESERVE JUDGMENT ON A RECENT REPORT REGARDING ... NAFTA AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ALONG THE U-S-MEXICAN BORDER. ... IT'S JUST TOO EARLY TO JUDGE THE EFFECTS OF NAFTA IN ANY SECTOR: ECONOMIC, LABOR, OR ENVIRONMENT. SUCH A BROAD-REACHING ACCORD HAS CONSEQUENCES AND EFFECTS THAT WILL TAKE YEARS TO WORK THEMSELVES OUT."

TEXT: AND, THE PARTIAL SHUTDOWN OF THE U-S GOVERNMENT, NOW APPROACHING WEEK NUMBER THREE, CONTINUES TO DRAW CONSIDERABLE EDITORIAL NOTICE. "THE DENVER POST", NOTING THAT SOME COLORADO BANKS ARE GIVING INTEREST-FREE, EMERGENCY LOANS TO FURLOUGHED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, SAYS "CONGRESS SHOULD STILL ACT."

VOICE: "THEIR ACTION [THE BANK'S] POINTS TO THE IRONY OF CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL RHETORIC: IT'S FASHIONABLE FOR POLITICIANS TO BASH GOVERNMENT WORKERS. BUT CITIZENS WHO DEPEND ON THEIR SERVICES KNOW THESE HARD-WORKING AND NEEDED GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AS FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS AND FAMILY. [OPT] THE RECENT MOVEMENT STARTED IN GLENWOOD SPRINGS, [COLORADO] WHERE RESIDENTS LEARNED IN THE STORM KING MOUNTAIN FIRE [WHERE MORE THAN A DOZEN YOUNG, NATIONAL FOREST SERVICE FIRE-FIGHTERS WERE KILLED IN A FOREST FIRE] THAT GOVERNMENT WORKERS ARE MORE THAN FACELESS BUREAUCRATS... THE MOVE BY THE COLORADO BANKS IS WELCOME, BUT IT CANNOT REPLACE THE OVERRIDING NEED FOR CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE TO ACCEPT A BUDGET COMPROMISE AND GET THE GOVERNMENT BACK TO WORK." [END OPT]

TEXT: [OPT] FOR SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE'S EFFORTS TO END THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, THERE IS PRAISE FROM "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND.

VOICE: [OPT] "MAJORITY LEADER ... DOLE ... HAS MADE KEY DECISIONS LATELY THAT SEEM TO PROVIDE SOME HOPE THAT MATURE LEADERSHIP HASN'T BECOME EXTINCT IN WASHINGTON. ..... HE HAS BROKEN WITH THE MADCAP [IRRESPONSIBLE] HOUSE REPUBLICANS OVER THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN, FORCING THROUGH THE SENATE A MEASURE ... THAT WOULD HAVE PUT FEDERAL WORKERS BACK ON THE JOB WHILE BUDGET TALKS CONTINUE... [MR.] DOLE ... SHOWED GENUINE EMPATHY FOR THOSE WHO NEED THEIR PAYCHECKS TO SURVIVE ....." [END OPT]

TEXT: REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN CONGRESS SAY THE GOVERNMENT CRISIS COULD BE ENDED IF PRESIDENT CLINTON PRODUCED A WORKABLE BUDGET, AS HE PROMISED ON NOVEMBER 19TH, USING CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE FIGURES. "THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS" OFFERS THIS COMMENT:

VOICE: "IN THE NEARLY SEVEN WEEKS SINCE, THE PRESIDENT STILL HASN'T DELIVERED ON EITHER PLEDGE [PRODUCING THE BUDGET OR USING CBO DATA TO WORK IT UP]. WHAT HE HAS DONE IS PRESENT HIS THIRD BUDGET OUTLINE -- A HOLLOW ONE, JUST LIKE THE FIRST TWO -- AND PLAY A CYNICAL GAME LIMITED TO FAULTING GOP EXCESSES. THAT'S NOT LEADERSHIP."

TEXT: [OPT] AND LASTLY, NOTING THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS NOT HELD A FULL-SCALE, EVENING NEWS CONFERENCE SINCE LAST APRIL, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: [OPT] "... A PRESIDENT'S WILLINGNESS TO FACE THE PRESS REGULARLY AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THAT MIGHT NOT EXACTLY BE THE ONES HE WOULD CHOOSE IS A FAIR TEST OF HIS OWN CONFIDENCE IN HIS COURSE AND HIS CLARITY OF PURPOSE."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS NECESSARILY BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE TOPICS UNDER REVIEW IN THE NATION'S PRESS THIS FIRST FRIDAY OF THE NEW YEAR.

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05-Jan-96 10:43 AM EST (1543 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ON THURSDAY, MIKE MCCURRY, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON, SAID THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL VISIT, "IN A MATTER OF DAYS," AMERICAN PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN BOSNIA. NEWSPAPER COLUMNISTS IN THE UNITED STATES CONTINUE TO DISCUSS THE SITUATION IN THE BALKANS. HERE IS A SAMPLING OF SOME OF THEIR RECENT COMMENTS. OUR READER IS _______________.

TEXT: ANTHONY LEWIS, IN HIS "ABROAD AT HOME COLUMN," WHICH APPEARS REGULARLY IN THE NEW YORK TIMES, POSES THIS QUESTION: "HOW DID YUGOSLAVIA DESCEND INTO THE SAVAGERY THAT KILLED 200-THOUSAND PEOPLE AND MAKE TWO-MILLION REFUGEES?" THEN, MR. LEWIS WRITES: "WE NOW HAVE A DOCUMENTED ANSWER, POWERFULLY CONVINCING IN ITS EVIDENCE. IT IS A FIVE-HOUR TELEVISION SERIES, 'YUGOSLAVIA: DEATH OF A NATION', SHOWN ON THE B-B-C AND THEN HERE (IN THE UNITED STATES), BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S... WESTERN POLITICIANS AND COMMENTATORS WHO WANTED TO CLOSE THEIR EYES TO THE HORROR IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAVE OFTEN SAID THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY 'ANCIENT HATREDS'. AMERICANS, THEY SAID -- OR BRITONS OR WHOEVER -- SHOULD NOT GET INVOLVED IN SUCH IMPENETRABLE ETHNIC-RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS. BUT," CONTINUES ANTHONY LEWIS, "IT WAS NOT 'ANCIENT HATREDS' THAT PRODUCED ETHNIC CLEANSING, RAPE AND CONCENTRATION CAMPS. IT WAS MEN: AMBITIOUS MEN WHO STIRRED UP EXTREME NATIONALIST EMOTIONS AS A WAY TO POWER. IT WAS ONE MAN ABOVE ALL, SLOBADAN MILOSEVIC OF SERBIA. 'DEATH OF A NATION' MAKES THAT CLEAR."

CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER, OF THE WASHINGTON POST, CRITICIZES A COLUMN WRITTEN BY JACOB HEILBRUN AND MICHAEL HEILBRUNN, WHICH WAS PUBLISHED EARLIER IN THE WEEK IN THE NEW YORK TIMES. ACCORDING TO MR. KRAUTHAMMER, MR. HEILBRUN AND MR. LIND MAINTAIN THAT "WE ARE IN BOSNIA, IT SEEMS, NOT BECAUSE, AS ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT, CLINTON WAS BACKED INTO THIS INTERVENTION, EXACTLY AS IN HAITI, BY A COMMITMENT HE MADE THAT HE COULD FINALLY NO LONGER AVOID REDEEMING. NOR ARE WE THERE FOR WHAT SEEMS THE OBVIOUS HUMANITARIAN MOTIVE OF STOPPING A WRENCHING LIVING-ROOM WAR. ONE WOULD EXPECT SUCH A MOTIVE FROM AN ADMINISTRATION FOR WHICH FOREIGN POLICY IS SOCIAL WORK AND AMERICA'S ROLE IS, AS MADELEINE ALBRIGHT PUT IT SO MEMORABLY UPON BEING SWORN IN AS U-N ENVOY, 'TO BUILD A PEACEFUL WORLD AND TO TERMINATE THE ABOMINABLE INJUSTICES AND CONDITIONS THAT STILL PLAQUE CIVILIZATION'. AS FOR WHAT MINIMAL GEOPOLITICAL THOUGHT WENT INTO THIS INTERVENTION, THE IDEA WAS NOT, ACCORDING TO HEILBRUNN AND LIND, TO SHORE UP A FRAYING NATO, DEMONSTRATE ALLIANCE RELEVANCE AND ASSERT AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN EUROPE. NO," SAYS MR. KRAUTHAMMER, "HEILBRUNN AND LIND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT OUR INTERVENTION IN BOSNIA IS REALLY NOT A EUROPEAN OR NATO-MOTIVATED ACTION AT ALL BUT AN OCCUPATION OF (WHAT THEY CALL) 'THE WESTERN FRONTIER OF AMERICA'S RAPIDLY EXPANDING SPHERE OF INFLUENCE IN THE MIDDLE EAST'. AGAINST THE BETTER JUDGMENT OF OUR EUROPEAN ALLIES, WE ARE ADDING YET ANOTHER CLIENT TO OUR 'THIRD AMERICAN EMPIRE', OUR ISLAMIC DOMINION STRETCHING FROM THE PERSIAN GULF TO THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN AND NOW TO THE BALKANS." CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER ASKS: "WHY IN GOD'S NAME WOULD WE WANT THAT? THE BALKANS, I MEAN. I KNOW WHY WE WANT THE GULF. THE GULF MEANS SOMETHING. IT HAS OIL, HALF THE KNOWN RESERVES OF THE ENTIRE PLANET. AND THE REST OF THE MIDDLE EAST OFFERS EXCELLENT IMPERIAL ASSETS: AIR BASES, SEA LANES, PORTS, A CANAL -- AS WELL AS BEING THE LOCUS OF AMERICA'S ONE RELIABLE, DEMOCRATIC INDUSTRIAL ALLY IN THE AREA. ISRAEL. BUT BOSNIA? WHY," ASKS THE POST COLUMNIST, "SHOULD ANY AMERICAN 'EMPIRE' COVET BOSNIA, A GODFORSAKEN RUMP STATE, LANDLOCKED, DESTITUTE AND DEFENSELESS? A GREATER STRATEGIC ALBATROSS -- A GREATER DRAIN ON AMERICAN RESOURCES OFFERING NOTHING IN RETURN -- IS HARD TO CONCEIVE OF THIS SIDE OF SOMALIA."

AND, WILLIAM PFAFF, WHOSE SYNDICATED COLUMN APPEARS IN A NUMBER OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS, INCLUDING THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, DISCUSSES THE SOLDIERS WHO ARE NOW IN BOSNIA. HE NOTES THAT "ONE COULD ARGUE THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS INVENTED A NEW, 'CIVILIANIZED' VERSION OF MILITARISM. FOR COMPLICATED REASONS, CIVILIANS HAVE BECOME MORE MILITARISTIC THAN THE MILITARY THEMSELVES. THE LATTER OBVIOUSLY DO THEIR DUTY, AS IN BOSNIA. BUT BATTLE IS NOT WHAT THEY WANT." COLUMNIST PFAFF SAYS THAT, "IN TRADITIONAL ARMIES, OFFICERS SOUGHT 'GLORY', A REPUTATION FOR COURAGE AND HONOR THAT COULD BE WON ONLY IN BATTLE... YOU DO NOT JOIN THE AMERICAN ARMY OR NAVY TODAY TO BE A WARRIOR," HE SAYS. "YOU DO IT TO LEARN A TRADE, OR EARN MONEY FOR COLLEGE, OR TO HAVE A WELL PAID RETIREMENT AFTER 20 OR 30 YEARS. WAR -- EVEN A DEPLOYMENT LIKE THAT IN BOSNIA -- INTERFERES WITH THAT. THE TROOPS RESENT IT. THEIR WIVES COMPLAIN THAT THEIR HUSBANDS DIDN'T JOIN UP FOR THIS. IT INTERFERES WITH THE ESSENTIALLY CIVILIAN SOCIAL REALITY OF THE AMERICAN SERVICES."

THOSE THOUGHTS, IN A COLUMN BY WILLIAM PFAFF, CONCLUDE ANOTHER ROUND-UP OF U-S PRESS OPINION ON AMERICA'S ROLE IN BOSNIA.

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05-Jan-96 9:59 AM EST (1459 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA/NATO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY ( SARAJEVO )

INTRO: NATO OFFICIALS SAY THE DEPLOYMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCE IN BOSNIA WILL HELP TO AVOID INCIDENTS THAT MAY AFFECT THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN, BUT THE HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL CIVILIAN EFFORT IN BOSNIA IS APPEALING FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR HIS OFFICE AND FOR THE NEW POLICE FORCE. THE APPEAL COMES AMID RISING TENSIONS BETWEEN CROATS AND MUSLIMS IN BOSNIA. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: NATO OFFICIALS SAY THEY APPLIED THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF PRESSURE TO CONVINCE THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO RELEASE SIXTEEN DETAINED MUSLIMS ON THURSDAY. BUT NATO COMMANDERS INSIST THEY ARE NOT, AND WILL NOT BECOME, A POLICE FORCE FOR THE COUNTRY, AND SAY IT IS UP TO THE PARTIES TO COMPLY WITH THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. NATO SPOKESMAN LIEUTENANT COLONEL MARK RAYNOR SAYS NATO IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ARRIVAL OF AN INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCE UNDER U-N DIRECTION, WHICH SHOULD HELP TO AVOID ANY FURTHER INCIDENTS THAT MIGHT MAR THE PEACE PROCESS.

WHEN THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES ARRIVE HERE, MR. BILDT'S OFFICE ARRIVES HERE, HE'LL HAVE MORE OF A PART TO PLAY IN THAT, BUT THIS WAS CONCLUDED VERY SUCCESSFULLY YESTERDAY. WE'LL BE GETTING ON WITH THE MILITARY ASPECTS OF IT, AND HE'LL BE GETTING ON WITH HIS PART OF IT.

CARL BILDT, THE SENIOR CIVILIAN INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, IS TOURING BOSNIA. AFTER MEETING WITH THE COMMANDER OF NATO GROUND FORCES HE REJECTED CRITICISM THAT INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS ON POLITICAL SIDE OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT WERE OFF TO A SLOW START. HE ADMITTED HIS OFFICE DID NOT EVEN HAVE A TELEPHONE, BUT HE SAID HE WAS USING HIS POLITICAL AUTHORITY TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE SIDES TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT.

THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCE IS NOT EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN BOSNIA UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH AT THE EARLIEST, AND MR. BILDT APPEALED FOR MORE FUNDING FOR HIS CIVILIAN AUTHORITIES. HE SAID ONLY THE EUROPEAN UNION HAD PROVIDED ANY MONEY SO FAR.

IN ADDITION TO TENSIONS BETWEEN SERBS AND MUSLIMS AROUND SARAJEVO, ETHNIC TENSIONS BETWEEN CROATS AND MUSLIMS ARE ALSO SOARING AROUND MOSTAR IN SOUTHERN BOSNIA.

ON THURSDAY NIGHT A CAR CARRYING TWO MUSLIM POLICEMEN WAS HIT BY A HAIL OF BULLETS FROM A CROAT CHECKPOINT. THE TWO POLICEMEN WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED AND THE EUROPEAN UNION AUTHORITIES WHO ADMINISTER MOSTAR HAVE APPEALED FOR CALM.

THE TWO SIDES FOUGHT A BITTER 10 MONTH WAR IN 1993 AND THE CITY HAS BEEN UNDER PARTIAL EUROPEAN UNION CONTROL SINCE 1994. THERE ARE FEARS THAT RENEWED VIOLENCE AROUND MOSTAR COULD WRECK THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION, AND PUT THE DAYTON PLAN AT RISK.

DESPITE SUCH FEARS PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN OTHER AREAS OF THE PEACE PROCESS. INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE RECEIVED LISTS OF PRISONERS OF WAR FROM ALL SIDES, BUT REFUSED TO GIVE A FIGURE FOR HOW MANY NAMES WERE ON THE LISTS. OFFICIALS SAID THEIR PRIORITY WAS ARRANGING THE RETURN OF THE POW'S WITHIN 15 DAYS, AND DID NOT WANT TO CREATE ANY CONTROVERSY OVER HOW MANY NAMES MAY OR MAY NOT BE ON THE LIST OF EACH SIDE. (SIGNED)

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05-Jan-96 2:14 PM EST (1914 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA/O-S-C-E (L ONLY) OVERNIGHTER BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE FORMER WARRING FORCES IN THE BALKANS HAVE BEGUN TALKS ON IMPLEMENTING CRUCIAL ELEMENTS OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. WHILE THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, SERBS AND CROATS DISCUSSED CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES, NEGOTIATIONS ON ARMS REDUCTION HAVE BEEN DELAYED BY A SENSITIVE TECHNICAL ISSUE. V-O-A'S WAYNE COREY REPORTS FROM VIENNA.

TEXT: REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, CROATS AND SERBS, CROATIA AND YUGOSLAVIA WERE TO HAVE TO BEGUN TALKS HERE ON THURSDAY ON WORKING OUT A BALANCE OF POWER IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. BUT, THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OBJECTED TO A SMALL PLAQUE ON THE TABLE IN FRONT OF THE SENIOR BOSNIAN SERB REPRESENTATIVE, ALEKSA BUHA.

THE PLAQUE BORE THE WORDS REPUBLIKA SRPSKA OR SERB REPUBLIC. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT DELEGATION ARGUES THIS MAKES IT APPEAR THAT THE SERB REPUBLIC IS A SEPARATE STATE - NOT A PART OF BOSNIA.

THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT DESCRIBES THE SERB REPUBLIC AS ONE OF TWO ENTITIES WITHIN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE OTHER ENTITY IS THE MUSLIM/CROAT FEDERATION.

BOSNIAN DIPLOMATS SAY THE SERBS ARE SIMPLY TRYING WITH THEIR NAME PLAQUE TO GAIN INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THEIR REPUBLIC AS A SEPARATE STATE.

THE DISARMAMENT TALKS HAVE BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL FRIDAY WHILE DIPLOMATS OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE TRIED TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE.

OTHER TALKS ON CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES APPEAR TO HAVE GOTTEN OFF TO A GOOD START, BASED ON COMMENTS BY HUNGARIAN DIPLOMAT ISTVAN GYARMATI WHO IS PRESIDING OVER THEM.

MR. GYARMATI SAYS THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, SERBS AND CROATS COULD SIGN AN AGREEMENT ON FRIDAY TO ESTABLISH MILITARY LIAISON MISSIONS IN SARAJEVO. IF THEY DO, HE SAYS THE MISSIONS COULD BE SET UP WITHIN 10 DAYS.

OTHER CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES TO BE DISCUSSED INCLUDE THE EXCHANGE OF MILITARY INFORMATION, SUCH AS THE LOCATION OF HEAVY WEAPONS AND ARMS FACTORIES AND THE RETURN OF TROOPS TO THEIR BARRACKS.

AN AGREEMENT ON CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES IS SUPPOSED TO BE REACHED BY JANUARY 26. AN ARMS REDUCTION AGREEMENT AMONG THE FORMER WARRING FORCES IS TO BE CONCLUDED BY JUNE SIXTH UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/CB/PT
04-Jan-96 7:12 PM EST (0012 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA/RUSSIA (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S PARLIAMENT HAS APPROVED A GOVERNMENT DECISION TO COMMIT TROOPS TO THE NATO-LED PEACE MISSION IN BOSNIA. PETER HEINLEIN AT VOA'S MOSCOW BUREAU REPORTS THE RUSSIAN FORCE WILL SERVE ALONGSIDE AMERICAN TROOPS, BUT WILL TECHNICALLY BE OUTSIDE THE NATO COMMAND.

TEXT: IT WAS A FOREGONE CONCLUSION, BUT THE UPPER HOUSE OF RUSSIA'S PARLIAMENT FRIDAY VOTED TO SEND ABOUT 16-HUNDRED SOLDIERS TO JOIN THE BOSNIA PEACE FORCE. THE VOTE WAS 137 IN FAVOR, TWO AGAINST.

THE DECISION TO COMMIT TROOPS TO THE NATO-LED FORCE HAD BEEN MADE EARLIER BY PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN. BUT ACCORDING TO RUSSIA'S CONSTITUTION, PARLIAMENT MUST APPROVE SPECIAL EXPENDITURES NEEDED TO STATION TROOPS ABROAD.

THE RUSSIAN CONTINGENT WILL BE A LIGHTLY-ARMED AIRBORNE BRIGADE WITH LIMITED PEACE-ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITY. A PROMINENT MOSCOW MILITARY ANALYST SAID THE FORCE IS NOT INTENDED TO FIGHT BATTLES, BUT TO PATROL, OBSERVE AND REPORT CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS.

BUT THE RUSSIANS WILL SERVE ALONGSIDE MORE HEAVILY EQUIPPED U-S SOLDIERS IN BOSNIA'S POSAVINA CORRIDOR. THE THIN SERB-HELD CORRIDOR CONNECTS BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY TO THE EAST AND WEST.

A WESTERN DIPLOMAT SAID DETAILS OF HOW THE RUSSIAN FORCE WILL FIT INTO THE OVERALL COMMAND STRUCTURE IN BOSNIA ARE STILL BEING NEGOTIATED. MOSCOW HAS REFUSED TO PLACE ITS TROOPS UNDER THE COMMAND OF ITS OLD ENEMY, NATO. BUT A SOURCE CLOSE TO THE NEGOTIATIONS SAYS THE HEAD OF THE RUSSIAN CONTINGENT WILL TAKE ORDERS FROM AN AMERICAN GENERAL.

MOSCOW'S DECISION TO MAINTAIN A SMALL, LIGHTLY-ARMED UNIT IN BOSNIA WAS DICTATED BY THE COST. IN CONTRAST TO THE UNITED NATIONS-FUNDED FORCE IT REPLACES, THE NATO-LED OPERATION IS BEING FINANCED BY THE PARTICIPANTS THEMSELVES.

DURING FRIDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE, DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER NIKOLAI AFANASYEVSKY ADMITTED FINDING THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THE MISSION HAD BEEN A CHALLENGE. RUSSIA'S MILITARY BUDGET IS ALREADY TIGHT. BUT HE SAID PARTICIPATION IN THE BOSNIA PEACE FORCE WAS CRITICAL FOR MOSCOW.

RUSSIA'S FAILURE TO PARTICIPATE WOULD NOT ONLY DIMINISH OUR ABILITY TO INFLUENCE EVENTS IN THE BALKANS, BUT ON A LARGER SCALE, IT WOULD WEAKEN OUR POSITION ON DEVELOPMENTS IN EUROPE.

A TOP RUSSIAN MILITARY OFFICER OVERSEEING THE BOSNIA OPERATION SAID FRIDAY THE COMMAND CENTER SHOULD BE IN OPERATION BY JANUARY 20TH. ENTIRE RUSSIAN FORCE SHOULD BE IN PLACE BY EARLY NEXT MONTH. (SIGNED)

NEB/PH/MH/GPT
05-Jan-96 9:02 AM EST (1402 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA / E-U (L & S) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS )

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS RESPONDED TO CRITICS WHO CLAIM THAT THE UNION HAS BEEN TOO SLOW IN SETTING UP THE CIVILIAN SIDE OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE. A SPOKESMAN HAS DISMISSED THESE REPORTS, SAYING THAT THE WORK IS WELL UNDERWAY. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: EUROPEAN UNION SPOKESMAN NICO WEGTER SAYS THAT FORMER SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER CARL BILDT -- WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE CIVILIAN ASPECTS OF THE BOSNIAN RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM -- NOW HAS A HEADQUARTERS IN SARAJEVO, AND HAS BEEN OPERATING THERE FOR TWO DAYS.

HE SAYS THE CIVILIAN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM IS PROGRESSING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, DESPITE SOME PROBLEMS.

THESE INCLUDE A DELAY IN ESTABLISHING A POLICE FORCE, WHICH WOULD BE THE PROPER BODY TO DEAL WITH HOSTAGE TAKING.

HIS CONCLUSION IS THAT IT IS WRONG TO SUGGEST THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CIVILIAN SIDE OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD IS IN DISARRAY.

THE EUROPEAN UNION'S MANDATE IN MOSTAR IS DUE TO EXPIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR, AND EUROPEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE EXPECTED TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS THERE WHEN THEY MEET IN BRUSSELS LATER THIS MONTH.

THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS ALREADY WARNED THAT THE PAYMENT OF AID TO AREAS UNDER BOSNIAN SERB CONTROL WILL DEPEND ON AN END TO SUCH HOSTAGE-TAKING. (SIGNED)

NEB/JF/MH/ART
05-Jan-96 8:25 AM EST (1325 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America