Voice of America, 8 February 1996

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: THE NATION'S GOVERNORS HAVE COME UP WITH A COMPROMISE ON THE ISSUES OF MEDICAID AND WELFARE REVISION, TWO ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN HOLDING UP WHITE HOUSE-CONGRESSIONAL AGREEMENT ON THIS YEAR'S FEDERAL BUDGET. THAT COMPROMISE COMES IN FOR A GOOD DEAL OF ATTENTION IN TODAY'S U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS, ALONG WITH SUCH TOPICS AS: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PAT BUCHANAN'S VICTORY IN LOUISIANA'S REPUBLICAN CAUCUS; STEVE FORBES PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN; TRADE ISSUES CONCERNING CHINA; THE PEACEKEEPING IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, AND A NEW PRESIDENT IN HAITI. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: AFTER MONTHS OF ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE BETWEEN THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT OVER THE BUDGET, WHICH HAS YET TO BE PASSED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR WHICH BEGAN OCTOBER FIRST, TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" HAILS A COMPROMISE FROM THE COUNTRY'S STATE GOVERNORS.

VOICE: "THE MEDICAID AND WELFARE OVERHAUL ENDORSED BY THE NATION'S REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS PROVIDES A LESSON IN BIPARTISAN COMPROMISE THAT SHOULD PROVE INSTRUCTIVE FOR A BITTERLY PARTISAN CONGRESS AND A WHITE HOUSE THAT ALSO IS PLAYING HARDBALL [ADOPTING A TOUGH, UNCOMPROMISING NEGOTIATING POSITION]. THOUGH VAGUE AND IMPERFECT, THE GOVERNORS' PROPOSALS PROVIDE AT THE VERY LEAST A DECENT STARTING POINT FOR RENEWED NEGOTIATIONS ON THESE TWO BIG-TICKET [VERY COSTLY] SPENDING ITEMS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROLONGED FEDERAL BUDGET DEADLOCK."

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" ALSO HAILS THE COMPROMISE, BUT IS SKEPTICAL OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SUPPORT FOR IT.

VOICE: "JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY IS EXCITED ABOUT THE BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS TO THE WELFARE AND MEDICAID MESSAGES THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED BY THE NATION'S GOVERNORS... MR. CLINTON SUGGESTED THAT IT COULD BE THE GROUNDS FOR A NEW ROUND OF BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS -- THAT IS, AS LONG AS THE PRESIDENT COULD BE GUARANTEED THAT MEDICAID REMAINED A FEDERAL ENTITLEMENT... THE PRESIDENT'S REACTION SUGGESTS THAT ALL MR. CLINTON IS INTERESTED IN IS RESUMING NEGOTIATIONS ON BUDGET ISSUES, AS OPPOSED TO ACTUALLY ACHIEVING AGREEMENT ON BUDGET ISSUES."

TEXT: DEALING WITH A RELATED ISSUE, THE CURRENT CONGRESSIONAL RECESS, TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST," IN A LEAD EDITORIAL, CHIDES THE LAWMAKERS FOR TAKING TIME OFF WHEN THERE STILL MUCH WORK TO BE DONE:

VOICE: "CONGRESS HAS GONE HOME TO CAMPAIGN. GIVEN THE LITTLE THEY HAVE ACCOMPLISHED TO DATE, YOU WONDER WHAT THE MEMBERS WILL CAMPAIGN ON, BUT RESOURCEFUL TROOPERS THAT THEY ARE, THEY'LL NO DOUBT FIND SOMETHING. [OPT] THE SENATE WAS THE LAST TO LEAVE; FIRST IT PASSED A FARM BILL... BUT THE HOUSE HASN'T ACTED YET AND ISN'T SCHEDULED TO RETURN UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH... WHEN THEY [CONGRESS] GET THE FARM PROBLEM SETTLED, THEY CAN GO ON TO THE REST OF THEIR UNFINISHED BUSINESS, LIKE RAISING THE DEBT CEILING SO THE TREASURY DOESN'T HAVE TO DEFAULT ... AND FIGURING OUT WHAT IF ANYTHING THEY WANT TO DO ABOUT MEDICARE, MEDICAID, WELFARE, THE CLEAN WATER ACT AND A COUPLE OF OTHER TRIFLES LIKE THAT." [END OPT]

TEXT: TURNING TO THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE COMMENT REGARDING CANDIDATE PAT BUCHANAN'S SURPRISE VICTORY IN TUESDAY'S LOUISIANA CAUCUSES. "THE NEW YORK POST" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "PAT BUCHANAN'S SURPRISING UPSET VICTORY ... IS A CLEAR SIGN THAT REPUBLICAN VOTERS HAVE MORE ON THEIR MINDS IN 1996 THAN THE FLAT TAX. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN OBSCURED BY THE LENGTHY BATTLE OVER THE FEDERAL BUDGET AND BY THE ATTENTION DEVOTED ... TO STEVE FORBES' CAMPAIGN. BUT IT'S PLAIN THE SOCIAL CONSERVATISM STRESSED BY [MR.] BUCHANAN ... STILL RESONATES WITH GOP VOTERS."

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS SOMEWHAT MORE SKEPTICAL, REMARKING OF THE RESULTS:

VOICE: "[OPT] SENATOR PHIL GRAMM THOUGHT HE HAD A SURE THING GOING [AN EASY VICTORY] WHEN LOUISIANA REPUBLICANS DECIDED TO JUMP THE GUN [GET IN LINE FIRST] ON IOWA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE AND HOLD THEIR OWN CAUCUSES... INSTEAD, IT IS MR. BUCHANAN WHO GOT, IF NOT BIG MO, [SLANG FOR A SUDDEN SURGE OF MOMENTUM] THEN AT LEAST SMALL MO, [A SMALLER AMOUNT OF MOMENTUM] BEATING MR. GRAMM RATHER SOUNDLY... IT SHOULD BE NOTED ... IT [THIS] IS ... MR. BUCHANAN'S FIRST-EVER REAL VICTORY IN A REAL ELECTION CONTEST OF ANY SORT. [END OPT] [ALSO] ONE CAN DISPUTE HOW REAL THIS PARTICULAR ELECTION WAS... THE RESULT WAS AN ANEMIC TURNOUT IN WHICH MR. BUCHANAN'S PASSIONATE FOLLOWING AMONG ABORTION FOES AND CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVES COULD DOMINATE THE PROCEEDINGS."

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" COMMENTS ON ANOTHER ASPECT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE STEVE FORBES SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF HIS PERSONAL FORTUNE TO PRODUCE NEGATIVE T-V ADS TO DISCREDIT HIS OPPONENTS:

VOICE: "STEVE FORBES'S HARD-PUNCHING TV SPOTS HAVE REVIVED THE PERENNIAL QUESTION OF JUST HOW EFFECTIVE SUCH ATTACK ADS ARE. THE ISSUE ISN'T REALLY NEGATIVITY, PER SE, BUT FAIRNESS AND TRUTH. ..... CANDIDATES ARE WELL AWARE THAT ATTACK ADS CAN BOOMERANG AND SLAP THEIR ORIGINATOR WITH A 'NEGATIVE' [UNDERSTOOD BUT NOT WRITTEN: "CONNOTATION"] BEFORE THE MONTH'S OUT, WE'LL SEE IF THAT HAS HAPPENED TO STEVE FORBES. "

TEXT: BACK TO INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS, TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" DISCUSSES THE CURRENT TENSION BETWEEN THE U-S AND CHINA OVER THE PIRATING OF COPYRIGHTED INTELLECTUAL MATERIAL SUCH AS COMPUTER PROGRAMS, COMPACT DISCS AND VIDEO MOVIES.

VOICE: "CONSIDERED SOLELY AS A TRADE ISSUE, BEIJING'S INVETERATE PIRACY ... CAN BE DEFINED AS AN INTOLERABLE VIOLATION OF A BILATERAL AGREEMENT... BUT THE DISPUTE OVER CHINA'S PIRATING ... CANNOT BE APPROACHED AS IF IT WERE A PURELY COMMERCIAL QUARREL. REALISM REQUIRES THE ADMINISTRATION TO RECOGNIZE THAT THE PUNITIVE MEASURES THREATENED BY [U-S TRADE REPRESENTATIVE MICKEY] KANTOR BECOME INEXTRICABLY ENTANGLED WITH OTHER ASPECTS OF AMERICA'S DETERIORATING RELATIONS WITH BEIJING."

TEXT: THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" TALKS ABOUT "THE DELICATE BALANCE IN BOSNIA," AND SUGGESTS A WAY TO DEFUSE THE CURRENT CRISIS CAUSED BY THE ARREST BY THE BOSNIAN MUSLIM GOVERNMENT OF A BOSNIAN SERB GENERAL AND SEVERAL HIGH OFFICERS ON WAR CRIMES CHARGES.

VOICE: "THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS HELPFULLY STEPPED IN TO REQUEST THAT THOSE OFFICERS REMAIN IN CUSTODY WHILE IT INDEPENDENTLY REVIEWS THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THEM. THAT OUGHT TO PROVIDE THE BASIS FOR AN EARLY RESOLUTION OF THE CRISIS. [OPT] ... THIS EPISODE SHOWS THAT THE WHOLE QUESTION OF WAR CRIMES ARRESTS BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES, LEFT AMBIGUOUS BY THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT, REQUIRES CLARIFICATION AND A MORE SYSTEMATIC APPROACH." [END OPT]

TEXT: AND FINALLY, OF HAITI'S PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION WEDNESDAY, THE FIRST PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER IN THE NATION'S TURBULENT 200-YEAR HISTORY, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" WORRIES:

VOICE: "ALAS, IT MAY BE THE MOST FRAGILE OF MOMENTS. THE U-S TROOPS, DISPATCHED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON TO CALM THE CHAOS THAT WAS DRIVING HAITIAN REFUGEES TO AMERICAN SHORES, HAVE KEPT THE PEACE IN STREETS THAT WERE RUNNING WITH BLOOD BY THE TIME THEY LANDED IN OCTOBER 1994. BUT THEY ARE SET TO LEAVE AT THE END OF THE MONTH AS WELL ... THEY SHOULD... INDEED, IT WILL TAKE ALL THE NEW GOVERNMENT CAN MUSTER -- ALONG WITH THE SILENCE OR TACIT SUPPORT OF MR. ARISTIDE -- TO KEEP YESTERDAY'S MOMENT FROM WASHING AWAY."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF REVIEW OF THURSDAY'S U-S PRESS EDITORIALS. NEB/ANG/PCH 08-Feb-96 10:48 AM EST (1548 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA/ MOSTAR (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY ( VIENNA )

INTRO: THE PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA NOW FACES TWO MAJOR OBSTACLES. ONE IS SERB RETALIATION FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S DETENTION OF SERB SOLDIERS AS SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS. THE OTHER IS THE CROATS' REFUSAL TO ACCEPT A EUROPEAN UNION PLAN TO RE-UNITE THE DIVIDED CITY OF MOSTAR. AS V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY REPORTS, THE UN-CERTAIN SITUATION IN MOSTAR WILL BE A KEY TEST OF INTERNATIONAL RESOLVE TO IMPLEMENT THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT.

TEXT: AFTER WEEKS OF WHAT WAS CONSIDERED GOOD PROGRESS TOWARD IMPLEMENTING THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT, POTENTIALLY CRITICAL PROBLEMS HAVE DEVELOPED. ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL PROBLEMS NOW IS THE CROATS' REJECTION OF A PLAN TO RE-UNITE THE MUSLIM AND CROAT SECTORS OF THE SOUTHWESTERN TOWN OF MOSTAR. WHEN THE PLAN WAS UNVEILED BY EUROPEAN-UNION ADMINISTRATOR HANS KOSHNICK, CROATS IN MOSTAR ANGRILY DENOUNCED IT AS TOO FAVORABLE TO THE MUSLIMS. THE CROATS WENT ON THE RAMPAGE. FRENCH TROOPS OF THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE WERE CALLED IN TO HELP ENSURE THE SECURITY OF MR. KOSHNICK AND OTHER E-U OFFICIALS. THE MAYOR OF CROAT/HELD WESTERN MOSTAR CONDEMNED MR. KOSHNICK'S RE-UNIFICATION PLAN AND BROKE OFF CONTACTS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION. IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT, THE CROAT PRESIDENT OF THE MUSLIM/CROAT FEDERATION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, KRESIMIR ZUBAK, SAYS HE WILL NOT IMPLEMENT THE E-U PLAN FOR MOSTAR. MR. KOSHNICK, A GERMAN, SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION MUST DECIDE IF IT WILL ACCEPT THE DIVISION OF MOSTAR. HE SAYS HE WOULD RESIGN IF THE CITY REMAINS DIVIDED AS BERLIN WAS DURING THE COLD WAR. THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYS CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN HAS AGREED TO URGE THE BOSNIAN CROATS TO ACCEPT POWER-SHARING WITH THE MUSLIMS IN MOSTAR. MR. TUDJMAN PROBABLY HAS DECISIVE INFLUENCE OVER THE CROATS, BUT IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER HE WILL USE IT IF HE OPPOSES MOSTAR'S RE-UNIFICATION. AN E-U REPRESENTATIVE, ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SUSANNA AGNELLI, EARLIER DISCUSSED THE SITUATION WITH MR. TUDJMAN IN ZAGREB. GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL IS ALSO EXPECTED TO VISIT ZAGREB NEXT WEEK TO TRY TO GET CROATIA'S COOPERATION IN RESOLVING THE SERIOUS DISPUTE OVER MOSTAR. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/MH/RAE
08-Feb-96 2:39 PM EST (1939 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA/SERBS (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY ARE BREAKING OFF ALL CONTACTS WITH NATO FORCES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO THE RIFT COMES AFTER A SERB DEADLINE FOR THE RELEASE OF TWO SENIOR BOSNIAN-SERB ARMY OFFICERS HELD FOR SUSPECTED INVOLVEMENT IN WAR CRIMES WAS IGNORED.

TEXT: WORD OF THE BREAK IN RELATIONS CAME IN WHAT NATO OFFICIALS SAY WAS A LETTER FROM THE COMMANDER OF THE BOSNIAN-SERB ARMY, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, TO THE NATO COMMANDER IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, U-S ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH.

THE SERBS ARE DEMANDING THE RELEASE OF TWO SENIOR SERB-ARMY OFFICERS HELD BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT FOR SUSPECTED INVOLVEMENT IN WAR CRIMES. WEDNESDAY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE ASKED THE MEN BE HELD ON THE TRIBUNAL'S BEHALF, AND COMMENDED THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT FOR ITS ACTIONS.

NATO SOURCES SAY GENERAL MLADIC SENT A LETTER TO ADMIRAL SMITH EARLY THURSDAY THREATENING THE BREAK IN RELATIONS IF THE TWO SERB OFFICERS WERE NOT RELEASED BY 11 AM LOCAL TIME. ONCE THE DEADLINE WAS IGNORED, NATO OFFICIALS SAY A SECOND LETTER WAS RECEIVED ANNOUNCING THE SUSPENSION OF ALL CONTACTS BETWEEN THE SERBS AND NATO UNTIL THE TWO SERB OFFICERS ARE RELEASED.

THE SERBS ARE ALSO DEMANDING THE RELEASE OF SIX OTHER SERBS ALSO HELD BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THREE OF THE SIX ARE ALSO UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR WAR CRIMES, AND THE OTHER THREE SHOULD BE RELEASED SOON.

NATO OFFICIALS SAY NEITHER OF THE LETTERS SUPPOSEDLY FROM GENERAL MLADIC WAS SIGNED, AND HIS NAME WAS ONLY TYPED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE. EVEN IF THE LETTERS ARE AUTHENTIC, NATO SAYS IT WILL NOT REACT TO THE MOVE BECAUSE GENERAL MLADIC, AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL, IS IN NATO TERMS -- A NON-PERSON WITHOUT AUTHORITY.

NATO SAYS IT IS WAITING TO BE INFORMED OF THE MOVE BY OTHER SERB OFFICIALS. ONE NATO OFFICIAL DESCRIBED THE LETTER AS UNFORTUNATE AND DISAPPOINTING, SAYING IT PUTS THE PEOPLE OF THE SERB REPUBLIC AT A DISADVANTAGE.

THE ONGOING DISPUTE OVER THE SUSPECTED SERB WAR CRIMINALS IS NOW THE MOST SERIOUS CRISIS SINCE NATO BEGAN ITS MISSION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IN DECEMBER. OBSERVERS SAY THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT IS CERTAIN TO INCREASE FEARS THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS IS UNRAVELING. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/MH/RAE
08-Feb-96 1:30 PM EST (1830 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA / WAR CRIMES (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, RICHARD GOLDSTONE, HAS STRONGLY DEFENDED THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S DETENTION OF SERB SOLDIERS WHO ARE ALLEGEDLY LINKED TO WAR CRIMES. V-O-A'S WAYNE COREY IN VIENNA REPORTS THE PROSECUTOR SAYS THE TRIBUNAL ALSO HAS INFORMATION ABOUT THE SERBS AND HOPES TO DECIDE WITHIN DAYS IF THEY SHOULD BE INDICTED.

TEXT: JUSTICE GOLDSTONE REJECTS CLAIMS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S DETENTION OF POSSIBLE WAR CRIMINALS COULD IMPEDE THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS.

SPEAKING AFTER A MEETING WITH THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, MR. GOLDSTONE SAYS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS ACTED LEGALLY IN DETAINING A SERB GENERAL AND A COLONEL UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR WAR CRIMES.

ANY SUGGESTION THAT THE BOSNIAN AUTHORITIES ACTED IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS IS COMPLETELY WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION. THERE'S NOTHING IN THE DAYTON ACCORDS THAT IN ANY WAY PRECLUDES ANY OF THE AUTHORITIES IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA FROM INVESTIGATING CRIME. THAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE ABSOLUTELY ELEMENTARY AND OBVIOUS. AND, THERE'S NO REASON WHY WAR CRIMES, AND PARTICULARLY SERIOUS WAR CRIMES SHOULD BE ON ANY DIFFERENT FOOTING.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARGUE THAT THE SERB SOLDIERS SUSPECTED OF WAR CRIMES WERE SEIZED IN VIOLATION OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT.

THE SERBS HAVE SUSPENDED ALL CONTACTS WITH THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT UNTIL THE DETAINED MEN ARE FREED. THE SERBS HAVE ALSO WARNED THEY MIGHT FREEZE THEIR RELATIONS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE IN BOSNIA, KNOWN AS I-FOR, UNLESS I-FOR INTERVENES TO SECURE THE SOLDIERS' RELEASE.

AWARE THAT THE ISSUE IS EXPLOSIVE, JUSTICE GOLDSTONE SAYS THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IS URGENTLY INVESTIGATING WHETHER THERE IS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO INDICT THE SERB GENERAL AND THE COLONEL.

HE SAYS HOPES THE INVESTIGATION WILL BE COMPLETED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. HE CANNOT PREDICT HOW LONG THE INQUIRY WILL TAKE.

I REALLY DON'T KNOW. BUT, CERTAINLY, MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE DAYS AND NOT WEEKS. IT REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT THE INVESTIGATION YIELDS, AND I REALLY HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY REPORT YET.

MR. GOLDSTONE MADE IT CLEAR THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS ITS OWN INFORMATION ABOUT THE DETAINED SERB OFFICERS IN ADDITION TO THE INFORMATION ABOUT ALLEGED WAR CRIMES PROVIDED BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAYS THE TRIBUNAL COULD DECIDE, DEPENDING ON THE EVIDENCE, TO LET THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT EITHER PROSECUTE THE SERB GENERAL AND COLONEL OR FREE THEM. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/JM
08-Feb-96 10:25 AM EST (1525 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] CHRISTOPHER-BOSNIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (HELSINKI)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IS SENDING TOP STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS BACK TO THE BALKANS TO DISCUSS THE LATEST PROBLEMS IN THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM HELSINKI WHERE MR. CHRISTOPHER HOLDS TALKS WITH THE RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER IS DIRECTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY RICHARD HOLBROOKE AND TWO OTHER U-S OFFICIALS TO GO TO SARAJEVO SUNDAY AND TO VISIT BELGRADE AND ZAGREB THE FOLLOWING DAYS IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE CONTINUING TROUBLES IN THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT.

MR. CHRISTOPHER SPOKE TO THE BOSNIAN AND SERBIAN PRESIDENTS ON HIS WAY TO HELSINKI FROM THE MIDDLE EAST TO INFORM THEM OF THE HOLBROOKE MISSION. THE BIGGEST DISPUTE IS OVER THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S DETENTION OF TWO BOSNIAN SERB GENERALS IT ACCUSES OF WAR CRIMES.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES SUPPORTS THE JURISDICTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO DECIDE THE ISSUE.

OUR POSITION IS THAT THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL SHOULD MAKE A JUDGMENT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT A CASE SHOULD BE PREPARED AGAINST THESE INDIVIDUALS OR IF THERE IS NO INCLINATION ON THE PART OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO DO SO, THEN OBVIOUSLY THE INDIVIDUALS SHOULD BE RELEASED.

MR. BURNS SAYS AN ALREADY INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, HAS NO AUTHORITY TO ORDER BOSNIAN SERB FORCES NOT TO COOPERATE WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE FORCE. (SIGNED)

NEB/RP/LTJ/LWM
08-Feb-96 4:10 PM EST (2110 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] SHATTUCK ON BOSNIA HUMAN RIGHTS

VOICE:

IN RECENT TESTIMONY BEFORE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN SHATTUCK SAID HUMAN RIGHTS CONTINUE TO BE A PILLAR OF U.S. FOREIGN POLICY. NOWHERE IS THAT MORE TRUE THAN IN BOSNIA, WHERE EUROPE HAS WITNESSED ITS MOST TERRIBLE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY SINCE THE HOLOCAUST. THE U.S. BELIEVES THERE CAN BE NO LASTING PEACE IN BOSNIA UNLESS THE HUMAN RIGHTS PROVISIONS OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT ARE FULLY IMPLEMENTED.

SINCE THE ONSET OF THE WAR, THE U.S. HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO EXPOSING THE HORRIFIC VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN BOSNIA. IN AN EFFORT TO BRING THE PERPETRATORS OF THESE CRIMES TO JUSTICE, THE U.S. SPEARHEADED THE CREATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THE U.S. HAS BEEN THE STAUNCHEST SUPPORTER OF THE TRIBUNAL, PROVIDING IT WITH FINANCIAL, INTELLIGENCE AND PERSONNEL SUPPORT. THE TRIBUNAL HAS HANDED DOWN FIFTY-TWO INDICTMENTS TO DATE.

ON A RECENT VISIT TO THE REGION, MR. SHATTUCK WAS ABLE TO VISIT SREBRENICA, SITE OF ONE OF THE WORST MASSACRES IN BOSNIA. HE WAS ALSO ABLE TO VISIT SEVERAL OTHER SITES, SUCH AS THE SOCCER FIELD IN KASABA WHERE AS MANY AS TWO-THOUSAND BOSNIANS WERE HERDED BEFORE BEING TAKEN AWAY AND KILLED. EACH VISIT, SAID MR. SHATTUCK, CORROBORATED THE DETAILED ACCOUNTS HE RECEIVED IN TUZLA IN LATE JULY FROM SURVIVORS OF THE MASS EXECUTIONS. THE SITES ARE BEING WATCHED CAREFULLY. MR. SHATTUCK WARNED THAT ANY EFFORT TO TAMPER WITH EVIDENCE WOULD BE FUTILE.

THE U.S. GREATLY VALUES THE WORK OF THE BOSNIAN WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. AS PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HAS SAID, "NO PEACE WILL ENDURE FOR LONG WITHOUT JUSTICE. FOR ONLY JUSTICE CAN BREAK FINALLY THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE AND RETRIBUTION THAT FUELS WAR AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY . . . ONLY JUSTICE CAN ASSIGN RESPONSIBILITY TO THE GUILTY AND ALLOW EVERYONE ELSE TO GET ON WITH THE HARD WORK OF REBUILDING AND RECONCILIATION." ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR. 08-Feb-96 3:36 PM EST (2036 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] U-S/BOSNIA HOLBROOKE (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS SENDING ITS CHIEF BOSNIA MEDIATOR -- RICHARD HOLBROOKE -- BACK TO THE BALKANS TO TRY TO HEAD OFF A POTENTIAL CRISIS IN IMPLEMENTING THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORDS. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENTS HAS BEEN STALLED BY A CONTROVERSY STEMMING FROM THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S DETENTION OF SEVERAL BOSNIAN SERBS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: MR. HOLBROOKE -- WHO IS ONLY DAYS FROM RETIREMENT FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE -- IS BEING SENT BACK TO BOSNIA TO TRY TO DEAL WITH A SPIRALING ROUND OF VIOLATIONS OF THE PEACE ACCORDS HE HELPED ENGINEER LAST YEAR.

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY WAS SUMMONED FOR THE TASK BY SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER AFTER A ROUND OF TELEPHONE DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE SECRETARY AND THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA AND SERBIA.

THE CURRENT CRISIS GREW OUT OF THE DETENTION BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT LATE LAST MONTH OF EIGHT BOSNIAN SERBS -- INCLUDING TWO SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS -- FOR ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN WAR CRIMES.

INCENSED BOSNIAN SERB AUTHORITIES HAVE SUSPENDED THEIR PEACE IMPLEMENTATION DIALOGUE WITH THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE SERB MILITARY CHIEF, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, HAS ORDERED A HALT TO ALL COOPERATION WITH NATO PEACEKEEPERS.

AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, SPOKESMAN GLYN DAVIES SAID ALL THE BOSNIAN PARTIES HAVE A CONTINUING OBLIGATION TO COOPERATE WITH NATO. AND HE SAID ORDERS FROM GENERAL MLADIC -- HIMSELF INDICTED BY THE BOSNIAN WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL -- SHOULD BE DISREGARDED:.

OUR VIEW OF GENERAL MLADIC IS OUR VIEW OF ALL THOSE INDICTED BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR HUMANITARIAN OFFENSES. HE SHOULD NOT BE IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY. WE DON'T REGARD -- WE DON'T RECOGNIZE -- ANY, CERTAINLY, ANY ORDERS THAT HE WOULD GIVE OR ANY PRONOUNCEMENTS THAT HE WOULD MAKE. WE'RE NOT AT ALL HAPPY WITH THE WAY THIS ISSUE HAS ESCALATED AND WE'RE TAKING STEPS TO TRY TO GET THE SIDES TO COME BACK TO THE TABLE AND CONTINUE THEIR TALKS.

U-S SPOKESMEN HAVE DECLINED TO CRITICIZE THE MUSLIM-LED GOVERNMENT FOR ARRESTING THE SERBS, WHOSE CASES HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO JUSTICE RICHARD GOLDSTONE AND THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. BUT THEY HAVE CAUTIONED AGAINST ARBITRARY ARRESTS THAT COULD LEAD TO A BEIRUT-STYLE PATTERN OF HOSTAGE-TAKING AND UNDERMINE THE PEACE PROCESS.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT GROWING INTERCOMMUNAL TENSIONS IN THE CITY OF MOSTAR THAT THREATEN THE SHAKY CONFEDERATION OF BOSNIAN MUSLIMS AND CROATS.

MR. HOLBROOKE AND A U-S DELEGATION INCLUDING DIPLOMATIC TROUBLESHOOTER ROBERT GALLUCCI AND STATE DEPARTMENT HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF JOHN SHATTUCK WILL BEGIN THEIR MISSION IN BOSNIA THIS COMING WEEKEND.

A SENIOR OFFICIAL HERE INSISTED THE PROBLEMS IN SARAJEVO AND MOSTAR DO NOT SIGNAL THE UNRAVELING OF THE BOSNIAN ACCORDS -- AND THAT THE ADMINISTRATION KNEW FROM THE START THERE WOULD BE "ROCKS IN THE ROAD" AS IT PURSUED THE PEACE PROCESS. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/LWM
08-Feb-96 6:18 PM EST (2318 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America