Voice of America, 13 February 1996

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: THE I-R-A BOMBING IN LONDON LAST FRIDAY COMES IN FOR A GOOD DEAL OF ATTENTION TODAY (TUESDAY) IN THE EDITORIALS COLUMNS OF LEADING U-S NEWSPAPERS. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: THE IOWA POLITICAL CAUCUSES; WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA; HOW THE COMING RUSSIAN ELECTIONS COULD CHANGE MOSCOW-WASHIGTON RELATIONS, AND NORTH KOREA'S FOOD CRISIS. NOW, HERE IS ______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIALS DIGEST.

TEXT: THE BOMB BLAST THAT THREATENED TO DESTROY A 17-MONTH TRUCE BETWEEN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY IS BY FAR THE DOMINANT EDITORIAL TOPIC IN TODAY'S AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS. THE I-R-A ATTACK ELICITS THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE NEW YORK POST."

VOICE: "THE I-R-A'S RETURN TO ANTI-CIVILIAN TERROR DEALS A CRUSHING BLOW TO THE PEACE PROCESS. IT HAS CAUSED BRITISH PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR TO BACK AWAY FROM THE NOTION OF DIALOGUE WITH THE GROUP AND WILL SURELY PROD OTHERS TO RECONSIDER THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THE I-R-A WILL EVER BE AN APPROPRIATE PARTNER FOR PEACE TALKS... SADLY, THE I-R-A'S MURDEROUS MISDEED REPRESENTS A GIANT STEP BACKWARD."

TEXT: NEW YORK'S MOST WIDELY-READ PAPER, THE "DAILY NEWS", EXPRESSES SIMILAR CONCERN:

VOICE: "THERE ARE NO POLITICAL INNOCENTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE BOMB BLAST THAT ROCKED LONDON AND BLEW TO OBLIVION 17 PRECIOUS MONTHS OF PEACE OVER NORTHERN IRELAND... THE ONLY HOPE IS FOR THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY TO REINSTATE ITS CEASEFIRE AND FOR [BRITISH PRIME MINISTER JOHN] MAJOR TO GIVE UP HIS POLITICALLY SELFISH DEMAND THAT [THE I-R-A] DISARM BEFORE SITTING AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE."

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" ADDS THESE THOUGHT:

VOICE: "THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO JUSTIFICATION FOR THIS TERRIBLE VIOLENCE. IT IS AS COWARDLY AS THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING, AND AS DESERVING OF CONDEMNATION. IF THE KILLERS BELIEVE ... THEY CAN INTIMIDATE ANY OF THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES TO THE NEGOTIATIONS, OR WIN OVER PUBLIC SUPPORT IN ENGLAND AND IRELAND BY THESE TACTICS, THEY ARE FOOLS AS WELL AS TERRORISTS."

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN "THE SUN" IS COCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS:

VOICE: "THE NEED TO RESTART MOMENTUM IS GREAT. THE U-S MAY HAVE A HELPFUL ROLE TO PLAY... THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CANNOT IMPOSE A PROCEDURE, BUT IT CAN INSIST ON THE RENUNCIATION OF TERRORISM AND HELP KEEP CONTACTS GOING. THE RESUMPTION OF BOMBING ISOLATED THE I-R-A FROM SOME OF ITS SUPPORT AND SHOWED ALL OTHERS THEIR COMMON VALUES."

TEXT: A FINAL THOUGHT ON THE LONDON BOMBING IS THIS FROM "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL":

VOICE: "SUPPORT IN NORTHERN IRELAND FOR A PEACEFUL SOLUTION HAS GROWN STRONGER WITH EVERY DAY OF THE CEASEFIRE. A SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY HAD RETURNED AFTER MORE THAN A QUARTER-CENTURY OF VIOLENCE AND UNCERTAINTY, PROVIDING A TASTE OF THE POSSIBLE. MOREOVER, SINN FEIN IS SUPPORTED BY, AT BEST, ABOUT 12-PERCENT OF THE ELECTORATE. BY NOW, ELECTIONS WOULD RESULT NOT ONLY IN THE I-R-A'S ALLIES BEING DEFEATED BY A PROTESTANT MAJORITY, BUT ALSO IN SINN FEIN BEING REJECTED BY A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF CATHOLICS... IF THE I-R-A BOMB SQUAD FEARS ANYTHING, IT IS THE BALLOT BOX."

TEXT: TURNING TO DOMESTIC POLITICS, AND YESTERDAY'S IOWA CAUCUSES, "NEWSDAY" URGES READERS TO KEEP IT IN PERSPECTIVE.

VOICE: "[OPT] IF YOU'RE LIKE MOST AMERICANS, YOU'VE SEEN THE SATURATION COVERAGE OF YESTERDAY'S IOWA REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES. YOU'VE HEARD THE WINNER AND THE LOSERS DECLARE THEMSELVES VICTORS. [END OPT] YOU'VE HEARD THE ANALYSES FRAUGHT WITH MEANING AND PREDICTIVE OF SOMETHING, BUT WHO KNOWS WHAT? ... RARELY HAS THE IOWA WINNER EVER GONE ON TO WIN HIS PARTY'S NOMINATION. [OPT] IN FACT, IF IOWA WERE A GOOD PREDICTOR, BOB DOLE -- THE 1988 GOP WINNER -- MIGHT NOW BE FINISHING HIS SECOND TERM AS PRESIDENT." [END OPT]

TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" IS FOCUSED ON BOSNIA AND THE U-S BROKERED AGREEMENT THAT LIMITS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT FROM ARRESTING MORE BOSNIAN SERBS ON WAR CRIMES CHARGES.

VOICE: "THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT SEEMS TO HAVE WEATHERED ITS FIRST SERIOUS CHALLENGE, A DISPUTE BETWEEN THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND BOSNIAN SERBS OVER THE HANDLING OF WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATIONS... THIS COMPROMISE PRESERVES THE PRINCIPLE OF HOLDING WAR CRIMINALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. BUT IT ALSO BUILDS IN USEFUL SAFEGUARDS AND OUGHT TO SERVE AS A MODEL FOR ALL SIDES."

TEXT: THERE IS A WORRISOME EVALUATION OF THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE OF U-S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA, AS WE HEAR IN THIS LEAD EDITORIAL FROM TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES."

VOICE: "FRESH FROM TALKS WITH YEVGENY PRIMAKOV, HIS NEW RUSSIAN COUNTERPART, SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS CONCLUDED THAT WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW CAN STILL FIND MORE AREAS OF POTENTIAL AGREEMENT THAN AREAS WHERE THEY FEEL COMPELLED TO DISAGREE. FOR NOW, THAT ASSESSMENT MAY BE ACCURATE. BUT GIVEN THE UNMISTAKABLE NEW TONE IN RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY AND THE DEEP UNCERTAINTIES RAISED BY THE SCHEDULED JUNE 16TH RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, IT'S ALSO ONE THAT COULD SOON UNDERGO DRAMATIC REVISION. "

TEXT: IN DISCUSSING THE RECENT U-S RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREAN APPEALS FOR FOOD AID DUE TO FLOOD-INDUCED FAMINE, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "THE AMERICAN RESPONSE TO NORTH KOREA'S APPEAL ... IS A JUDGMENT CALL, BUT A REASONABLE ONE... AS, STILL, THE PRINCIPAL ARBITER OF REGIONAL SECURITY IN EAST ASIA, THE UNITED STATES HAS AN IMMENSE STAKE IN BRINGING THE ISOLATED AND DANGEROUS NORTH KOREAN DICTATORSHIP INTO A 'SOFT LANDING' OF ACCOMMODATION WITH ITS NEIGHBORS. THIS IS THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THE UNITED STATES UNDERTOOK TO BARGAIN NORTH KOREA OUT OF ITS SUSPECTED NUCLEAR STATUS."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THIS WEEK'S FAMOUS MATCH BETWEEN MAN AND MACHINE, PITTING CHESS CHAMPION GARY KASPAROV AGAINST AN I-B-M COMPUTER KNOWN AS DEEP BLUE. SO FAR THE HUMAN HAS WON A MATCH AND SO HAS THE MACHINE CAUSING "USA TODAY" TO REMARK:

VOICE: "EXPERTS PREDICTED THAT DEEP BLUE MIGHT WIN A GAME OR TWO, ESPECIALLY EARLY ON... BUT THEY ALSO PREDICTED THAT AS [MR.] KASPAROV GREW FAMILIAR WITH THE NECESSARY LIMITS OF DEEP BLUE'S PROGRAMMING, HE WOULD FIND AN EDGE [ADVANTAGE]. AND SO, IT SEEMS, HE HAS... AFTER THE SECOND GAME, WHICH [MR.] KASPAROV WON, HE SAID: '(DEEP BLUE'S) COMPUTATIONAL POWER WAS NOT ENOUGH TO OVERCOME MY ... INTUITIVE APPRECIATION OF WHERE THE PIECES SHOULD GO".... INTUITION. YOU GOTTA LOVE IT... AGAINST IT, DEEP BLUE MAY BE AN ADVANCE IN MATHEMATICAL PROBLEM SOLVING. BUT IT CAN'T FORM IMPRESSIONS. IT'S NOT CREATIVE. IT'S NOT HUMAN, HAH-HAH!"

TEXT: AND WITH THOSE THOUGHTS FROM "USA TODAY", WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME EDITORIALS FROM THE NATION'S DAILY PAPERS.

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13-Feb-96 10:43 AM EST (1543 UTC)
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[02] BOSNIA/FLIGHT (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: TWO SENIOR SERB ARMY OFFICERS HAVE BEEN FLOWN OUT OF BOSNIA TO FACE CHARGES AS WAR CRIMINALS. THE TWO MEN ARE EXPECTED TO LAND ABOUT NOW IN THE NETHERLANDS WHERE THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS THEY WILL BE INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES BY THE HAGUE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE SUDDEN, UNANNOUNCED TRANSFER OF THE TWO SERB OFFICERS TOOK PLACE SHORTLY AFTER DARK HERE. THE MEN WERE HUSTLED OUT OF SARAJEVOS'S CENTRAL PRISON AND TAKEN TO THE AIRPORT WHERE THEY WERE PUT ABOARD A SPECIAL FLIGHT TO THE HAGUE.

THE MOVE CAME ONLY HOURS AFTER THE AMERICAN NEGOTIATOR OF THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN, RICHARD HOLBROOKE, ANNOUNCED A DEAL BETWEEN SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AND THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT THAT MR. HOLBROOKE SAID ESTABLISHED NEW RULES FOR WHO COULD BE ARRESTED FOR SUSPECTED WAR CRIMES.

UNDER THE NEW PLAN THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT MUST NOW SUBMIT A LIST OF SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS TO THE TRIBUNAL, AND SUSPECTS CAN ONLY BE ARRESTED IF THE TRIBUNAL AGREES IN ADVANCE. THE TWO SERB OFFICERS WERE IDENTIFIED AS SUSPECTS BY THE TRIBUNAL ONLY AFTER THEY WERE ARRESTED BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT.

THE PLAN MEANS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS, FOR THE MOMENT, GIVEN UP THE RIGHT TO INDICT WAR CRIMINALS UNLESS THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL AGREES, AND THAT IS A MAJOR CONCESSION. THE BOSNIAN SERBS WILL NOW BE FREE TO MOVE AROUND IN BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TERRITORY WITHOUT FEAR OF ARREST UNLESS THEY ARE NAMED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS.

THE DISPUTE OVER THE TWO SERB OFFICERS HAS BADLY DISRUPTED THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS. THE BOSNIAN SERB GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN DEMANDING THEIR RELEASE, AND HAS SEVERED ALL CONTACTS WITH THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IN SARAJEVO. THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY HAS ALSO BROKEN OFF HIGH-LEVEL CONTACTS WITH NATO.

SO FAR THERE'S BEEN NO BOSNIAN SERB REACTION TO THE TRANSFER, NOR HAVE THE SERBS SAID THEY'LL ACCEPT THE HOLBROOKE DEAL AGREED FOR THEM BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS HERE, HOPE WITH THE TWO SERB OFFICERS OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT HANDS, IT MAY BE EASIER FOR SERB ARMY COMMANDERS TO ACCEPT THE DEAL, AND RE-ENGAGE IN THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS. (SIGNED)

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12-Feb-96 7:12 PM EST (0012 UTC)
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[03] BOSNIA / SERBS (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE STEPPING UP THEIR RETALIATION FOR THE DETENTION OF TWO SERB-ARMY OFFICERS, SUSPECTED OF WAR CRIMES. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS THE SERBS ARE WARNING OF FURTHER RETALIATION IF THE OFFICERS ARE NOT FREED SOON.

TEXT: THE BOSNIAN-SERB VICE PRESIDENT, NIKOLA KOLJEVIC, SAYS THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THE PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL BE THREATENED IF THE SERB OFFICERS ARE NOT FREED.

HE WARNS THEIR CONTINUED DETENTION WILL BE MET BY AN APPROPRIATE SERB RESPONSE. HE REFUSED TO GIVE DETAILS.

MR. KOLJEVIC'S WARNING FOLLOWS THE TRANSFER OF A SERB GENERAL AND A COLONEL FROM A PRISON IN SARAJEVO TO THE CUSTODY OF THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE.

THE SERB OFFICIAL SAYS THE ISSUE COULD BE RESOLVED IF THE SERBS ARE RELEASED IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. BUT, THE TRIBUNAL PREDICTS IT COULD TAKE WEEKS FOR IT TO DECIDE WHETHER THE SERB OFFICERS SHOULD BE INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES OR FREED.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE ALREADY SUSPENDED HIGH-LEVEL CONTACTS WITH THE NATO-LED PEACE FORCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND HAVE STOPPED ALL CONTACTS WITH THE MUSLIM/CROAT FEDERATION.

IN THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS, THE SERBS ARE BOYCOTTING TALKS IN VIENNA ON ARMS CONTROL IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, AS WELL AS MEETINGS IN SARAJEVO ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR POST-WAR ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA.

THE SEPARATE TALKS IN VIENNA AND IN SARAJEVO ARE SPONSORED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE. THE ELECTION MEETINGS ARE SAID TO BE PROCEEDING ON SCHEDULE DESPITE THE SERB BOYCOTT.

O-S-C-E OFFICIAL ROBERT FROWICK SAYS ELECTION RULES AND REGULATIONS ARE LIKELY TO BE ESTABLISHED BY THE END OF THE MONTH. SO, BY NOT PARTICIPATING IN THESE TALKS, HE SAYS THE SERBS ARE ONLY DAMAGING THEIR OWN INTERESTS. BUT, THE SERBS' MAIN INTEREST APPEARS TO BE THE PROMPT RELEASE OF THEIR GENERAL AND COLONEL, WHO ARE NOW IN A DUTCH PRISON WITH ANOTHER SERB WHO FACES A WAR CRIMES TRIAL.

THE GENERAL COULD LINK OTHER SENIOR SERB OFFICERS TO WAR CRIMES, AND HAS BEEN CLOSE TO SERB-ARMY COMMANDER GENERAL RATKO MLADIC AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL. (SIGNED)

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13-Feb-96 1:42 PM EST (1842 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA / GALLUCCI (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR ROBERT GALLUCCI HAS DEFENDED THE REMOVAL OF TWO SERBIAN ARMY OFFICERS TO THE CUSTODY OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE AFTER THE ACTION WAS CRITICIZED BY BOSNIAN SERBS. AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES, THE AMERICAN OFFICIAL SAYS THE ACTION WAS "PROPER."

TEXT: MR. GALLUCCI SAYS THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. THE TWO MEN, A GENERAL AND A COLONEL, WERE ARRESTED TWO WEEKS AGO.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE FOR INTERNATIONAL REPORTERS, MR. GALLUCCI EXPLAINED HOW THE SERB OFFICERS WERE INTERVIEWED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL BEFORE THEY WERE FLOWN TO THE NETHERLANDS.

THAT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A PROPER PROCESS. BUT YOU ASK A LARGER QUESTION. AND THAT IS: IN LIGHT OF THIS, NOW, AND IN LIGHT OF EARLIER CONCERNS ABOUT FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, IS THE ISSUE OF FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT NOW FIRMLY PUT TO REST. AND I'D SAY THE ANSWER TO THAT IS, PROBABLY NOT. THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE CONCERNS ABOUT FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, BUT IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE THAT ISSUE IS PUT TO REST.

MR. GALLUCCI SAYS THAT IF THERE ARE TO BE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, AS REQUIRED BY THE DAYTON ACCORDS, THAT IT IS "INCONCEIVABLE" THAT INDIVIDUALS AND CANDIDATES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE AROUND THE COUNTRY FREELY AND SECURELY.

AND SPEAKING OF FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, NEWS REPORTS SAY BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC PASSED THROUGH SEVERAL CHECKPOINTS WITHOUT BEING DETAINED, EVEN THOUGH HE HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. MR. GALLUCCI SAID THE FACTS ARE NOT CLEAR, AND ANYWAY THE CHECKPOINTS ARE NOT CONCERNED WITH THE MOVEMENTS OF CIVILIANS. BUT THERE REMAINS THE QUESTION OF WHY PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES, SUCH AS MR. KARADZIC AND BOSNIAN SERB COMMANDER GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, HAVE SO FAR ESCAPED ARREST.

THEY HAVE NOT DECIDED TO TURN THEMSELVES IN YET, (LAUGHTER) AND SO IT BECOMES A MATTER OF APPREHENSION. AND UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, AS YOU MAY KNOW, I-FOR HAS A VERY SPECIFIC MISSION FOR VERY GOOD REASON. . . . THEY MAY WELL, IF THEY COME ACROSS, INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN INDICTED, THE I-FOR INDIVIDUALS MAY DECIDE THAT IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO, TO SO APPREHEND. BUT THE APPREHENSION OF WAR CRIMINALS IS NOT A MISSION REQUIREMENT.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAID MONDAY GENERAL MLADIC AND MR. KARADZIC WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE. (SIGNED)

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13-Feb-96 1:49 PM EST (1849 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA / GALLUCCI (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR ROBERT GALLUCCI HAS DEFENDED THE REMOVAL OF TWO SERBIAN ARMY OFFICERS TO THE CUSTODY OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE AFTER THE ACTION WAS CRITICIZED BY BOSNIAN SERBS. AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES, THE AMERICAN OFFICIAL SAYS THE ACTION WAS "PROPER."

TEXT: MR. GALLUCCI SAYS THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. THE TWO MEN, A GENERAL AND A COLONEL, WERE ARRESTED TWO WEEKS AGO.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE FOR INTERNATIONAL REPORTERS, MR. GALLUCCI EXPLAINED HOW THE SERB OFFICERS WERE INTERVIEWED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL BEFORE THEY WERE FLOWN TO THE NETHERLANDS.

THAT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE A PROPER PROCESS. BUT YOU ASK A LARGER QUESTION. AND THAT IS: IN LIGHT OF THIS, NOW, AND IN LIGHT OF EARLIER CONCERNS ABOUT FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, IS THE ISSUE OF FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT NOW FIRMLY PUT TO REST. AND I'D SAY THE ANSWER TO THAT IS, PROBABLY NOT. THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE CONCERNS ABOUT FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, BUT IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE GET TO THE POINT WHERE THAT ISSUE IS PUT TO REST.

MR. GALLUCCI SAYS THAT IF THERE ARE TO BE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, AS REQUIRED BY THE DAYTON ACCORDS, THAT IT IS "INCONCEIVABLE" THAT INDIVIDUALS AND CANDIDATES WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE AROUND THE COUNTRY FREELY AND SECURELY.

AND SPEAKING OF FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, NEWS REPORTS SAY BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC PASSED THROUGH SEVERAL CHECKPOINTS WITHOUT BEING DETAINED, EVEN THOUGH HE HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. MR. GALLUCCI SAID THE FACTS ARE NOT CLEAR, AND ANYWAY THE CHECKPOINTS ARE NOT CONCERNED WITH THE MOVEMENTS OF CIVILIANS. BUT THERE REMAINS THE QUESTION OF WHY PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES, SUCH AS MR. KARADZIC AND BOSNIAN SERB COMMANDER GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, HAVE SO FAR ESCAPED ARREST.

THEY HAVE NOT DECIDED TO TURN THEMSELVES IN YET, (LAUGHTER) AND SO IT BECOMES A MATTER OF APPREHENSION. AND UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, AS YOU MAY KNOW, I-FOR HAS A VERY SPECIFIC MISSION FOR VERY GOOD REASON. . . . THEY MAY WELL, IF THEY COME ACROSS, INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN INDICTED, THE I-FOR INDIVIDUALS MAY DECIDE THAT IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO, TO SO APPREHEND. BUT THE APPREHENSION OF WAR CRIMINALS IS NOT A MISSION REQUIREMENT.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAID MONDAY GENERAL MLADIC AND MR. KARADZIC WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE. (SIGNED)

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13-Feb-96 1:49 PM EST (1849 UTC)
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[06] BOSNIA / WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: TWO BOSNIAN-SERB OFFICERS HAVE BEEN FLOWN TO THE NETHERLANDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. THE TWO MEN -- ONE A GENERAL, THE OTHER A COLONEL -- WERE ARRESTED BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT LATE LAST MONTH. THEIR DETENTION PROMPTED THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO BREAK OFF CONTACTS WITH THE NATO-LED PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE. GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE.

TEXT: THE TWO MEN -- GENERAL DJORDJE DJUKIC AND COLONEL ALEKSA KRSMANOVIC -- WERE FLOWN TO THE NETHERLANDS (MONDAY) IN AN OPERATION WHICH U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE DESCRIBED AS -- DRAMATIC.

A NATO SPOKESMAN SAID THE OPERATION TO MOVE THE TWO HAD INVOLVED SEVERAL NATIONS. THEY WERE FLOWN TO HOLLAND IN A U-S TRANSPORT PLANE.

THE TWO MEN -- THE HEAD OF BOSNIAN-SERB LOGISTICS DURING THE WAR, AND HIS DEPUTY -- ARE NOW IN U-N CUSTODY IN A PRISON IN THE DUTCH SEASIDE RESORT OF SCHEVENIGEN.

THE U-N DETENTION BLOCK IS JUST MINUTES FROM THE TRIBUNAL'S HEADQUARTERS. THESE LATEST ARRIVALS BRING THE NUMBER BEING HELD THERE TO JUST THREE. THE OTHER PRISONER -- DUSAN TADIC ALSO A BOSNIAN SERB -- HAS BEEN IN DETENTION SINCE APRIL OF LAST YEAR.

THE TRANSFER OF THE TWO MEN CAME AT THE REQUEST OF THE TRIBUNAL'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR, RICHARD GOLDSTONE. THE TWO WILL BE QUESTIONED IN CONNECTION WITH ALLEGED WAR CRIMES COMMITTED IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

THEY HAVE NOT BEEN INDICTED, AND A DECISION ON WHETHER TO DO SO WILL BE MADE ONLY AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN INTERVIEWED BY WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATORS. A TRIBUNAL SPOKESMAN SAID THAT PROCESS WOULD BEGIN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT ONLY AFTER THE TWO ARE LEGALLY REPRESENTED.

THEIR DETENTION IS A SIGNIFICANT BOOST FOR THE TRIBUNAL. IT HAS BEEN CRITICIZED IN THE PAST FOR FAILING TO DELIVER CONCRETE RESULTS, BUT OBSERVERS SAY IT COULD NOW BE ENTERING A NEW PHASE.

IN A DEAL WORKED OUT BETWEEN U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE AND THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, THE TRIBUNAL WILL SCREEN LISTS OF POSSIBLE WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS BEFORE THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT MAKES FURTHER ARRESTS.

THE TRIBUNAL PRESIDENT, ANTONIO CASSESE, HAS SAID THE NEW MEASURES ARE APPROPRIATE. THEY COULD GIVE THE TRIBUNAL UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS TO POSSIBLE WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS.

BUT THE REAL TEST IS FOR THE TRIBUNAL TO SUCCESSFULLY MOUNT A TRIAL. ITS FIRST -- THAT OF DUSAN TADIC -- IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN MARCH. MR. TADIC'S LAWYER HAS SAID UNLESS HE GETS BETTER ACCESS TO WITNESSES IN BOSNIA, HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MOUNT AN ADEQUATE DEFENSE. IN THAT SITUATION, HE SAYS HE WILL MOVE FOR A MISTRIAL. (SIGNED)

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13-Feb-96 9:57 AM EST (1457 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] CROATIA / MOSTAR (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: U-S PEACE ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS MET WITH CROATIA'S PRESIDENT TO TRY TO RESOLVE A DISPUTE BETWEEN ETHNIC CROATS AND MUSLIMS OVER THE DIVIDED TOWN OF MOSTAR IN SOUTHWESTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE INDICATION WHETHER THE TALKS IN ZAGREB MADE PROGRESS.

TEXT: MR. HOLBROOKE AND CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN DISCUSSED THE BOSNIAN CROAT'S REJECTION OF A PLAN TO RE-UNITE MOSTAR.

MUSLIMS CONTROL THE DEVASTATED EASTERN PART OF THE TOWN. THE CROATS CONTROL THE RELATIVELY PROSPEROUS AND UNDAMAGED WESTERN SECTION.

IT IS NOT CLEAR IF ANY PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN OVERCOMING CROAT OBJECTIONS TO THE RE-UNIFICATION PLAN, PREPARED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION ADMINISTRATOR IN MOSTAR, HANS KOSHNICK.

MR. HOLBROOKE LEFT ZAGREB WITHOUT COMMENTING ABOUT THE TALKS. THE U-S EMBASSY IN THE CROATIAN CAPITAL WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY COMMENT.

WHILE IN ZAGREB, THE U-S PEACE ENVOY ALSO MET WITH GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL.

BOTH MEN WERE EXPECTED TO PUT STRONG PRESSURE ON PRESIDENT TUDJMAN TO COMPEL THE BOSNIAN CROATS TO ACCEPT THE E-U RE-UNIFICATION PLAN FOR MOSTAR.

SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER CARLOS WESTENDORP, WHO MET IN MOSTAR WITH THE E-U ADMINISTRATOR, SAYS THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY THE E-U PLAN COULD BE CHANGED.

RICHARD HOLBROOKE EARLIER SAID THE DISPUTE OVER MOSTAR MUST BE RESOLVED FOR THE SAKE OF THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. SPEAKING IN BUCHAREST, HE SAID THE FEDERATION MUST WORK OR THERE WILL BE A DISASTER IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

THE FEDERATION'S ETHNIC CROAT PRESIDENT, KRESIMIR ZUBAK, IS REFUSING TO IMPLEMENT THE E-U RE-UNIFICATION PLAN FOR MOSTAR.

THE UNITED STATES AND GERMANY HAVE CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE IN ZAGREB -- MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR PRESIDENT TUDJMAN TO RESIST THEIR COMBINED PRESSURE TO SUPPORT MOSTAR'S RE-UNIFICATION.

IF MOSTAR REMAINS DIVIDED, CROATIA WOULD CONTINUE TO BE ISOLATED FROM WESTERN INSTITUTIONS WHICH IT WANTS TO JOIN. (SIGNED)

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13-Feb-96 10:33 AM EST (1533 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] PERRY / BOSNIA CHECKPOINTS (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS NATO TROOPS IN BOSNIA ARE BEING GIVEN BETTER INFORMATION TO ALLOW THEM TO MORE READILY IDENTIFY SUSPECTS SOUGHT BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE. NATO IS INVESTIGATING REPORTS THAT BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED BY TRIBUNAL, WAS ALLOWED TO PASS THROUGH CHECKPOINTS LAST WEEK. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: MR. PERRY SAYS THE PEACEKEEPERS WILL BE GIVEN BETTER PICTURES AND INFORMATION SO THAT THEY CAN IDENTIFY AND DETAIN WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS IF THEY TRY TO CROSS THE NATO-PATROLLED ZONES OF SEPARATION.

WHAT THE DEFENSE SECRETARY CALLED A CHANGE IN TACTICS -- RATHER THAN POLICY -- BY NATO FOLLOWS REPORTS THAT BOSNIA SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC PASSED THROUGH AS MANY AS FOUR NATO CHECKPOINTS LAST WEEK ON A SURPRISE TRIP FROM PALE TO BANJA LUKA.

THE SERB LEADER IS UNDER INDICTMENT BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE AND NOMINALLY SUBJECT TO ARREST BY NATO TROOPS. WHILE AN INVESTIGATION OF THE CHECKPOINT INCIDENTS IS UNDER WAY, MR. PERRY SAYS NATO IS ALREADY ACTING TO TIGHTEN PROCEDURES:

WHILE WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE SETTING UP CHECKPOINTS SPECIFICALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF LOOKING FOR CRIMINALS, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE CONDUCTING MANHUNTS FOR INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS, WE WILL SEE TO IT THAT OUR FORCES GET BETTER INFORMATION -- SO THAT IF THEY COME ACROSS THEM THEY WILL RECOGNIZE THEM, AND THEREFORE BE ABLE TO DETAIN THEM.

MR. PERRY SAID THE PRINCIPAL TASK OF THE CHECKPOINTS CONTINUES TO BE PREVENTING THE MOVEMENT OF WEAPONS INTO OR THROUGH THE ZONE OF SEPARATION -- AND THAT NATO DOES NOT WANT TO IMPEDE THE MOVEMENT OF CIVILIANS OR SET UP DEFACTO BORDERS INSIDE THE COUNTRY.

HE ALSO SAID HE THINKS THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS HAS WEATHERED THE CRISIS TOUCHED OFF BY THE SARAJEVO GOVERNMENT'S ARREST OF 11 BOSNIAN SERBS ON SUSPICION OF WAR CRIMES:

I THINK THE MISSION IS BACK ON TRACK, YES. THE SPECIFIC ISSUE WHICH WAS THE HANDLING OF THE 11 BOSNIAN SERBS WHO WERE APPREHENDED AND BEING DETAINED BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, I THINK, HAS BEEN APPROPRIATELY HANDLED. NINE OF THEM HAVE BEEN RELEASED. THE OTHER TWO WERE TURNED OVER TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL.

MR. PERRY SPOKE HERE AS HE BEGAN TALKS WITH CROATIAN DEFENSE MINISTER GOJKO SUSAK, WHO PREDICTED AN EARLY RESOLUTION OF THE ON-GOING DISPUTE ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION OF THE BOSNIAN CITY OF MOSTAR, WHICH IS POPULATED BY MUSLIMS AND CROATS. (SIGNED)

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13-Feb-96 1:28 PM EST (1828 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] RUSSIA / BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY ELIZABETH ARROTT (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA HAS CONDEMNED THE DETENTION OF THE TWO BOSNIAN SERB OFFICERS AS NOT ACCEPTABLE. V-O-A'S ELIZABETH ARROTT IN MOSCOW REPORTS RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY SAYS THE MOVE WOULD LIKELY HURT THE PEACE PLAN.

TEXT: A FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN DESCRIBED THE DETENTION AS A WILLFUL ACT THAT COULD PROVOKE BOSNIAN-SERB FORCES TO RETALIATE.

SPOKESMAN GRIGORY KARASIN ALSO QUESTIONED THE LEGAL GROUNDS FOR THE MOVE. HE SAID MOSCOW WILL ASK THE TRIBUNAL FOR AN EXPLANATION.

THE OFFICIAL EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE BROADER IMPLICATIONS OF THE INCIDENT, SAYING THE TRANSFER OF THE TWO OFFICERS WAS, IN HIS WORDS, HARDLY CONDUCIVE TO IMPLEMENTING PEACE.

MR. KARASIN ADDED THE INCIDENT WENT FAR TO EXPLAINING WHY BOSNIAN-SERB FORCES INITIALLY RESISTED COOPERATING WITH NATO.

RUSSIA HAS A SMALL CONTINGENT OF FORCES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, ALTHOUGH NOT DIRECTLY UNDER NATO COMMAND. THROUGHOUT THE CONFLICT, THE KREMLIN HAS GIVEN GREATER SUPPORT TO THE SERB SIDE, OCCASIONALLY IN CONFLICT WITH THE OTHER MEDIATING POWERS. (SIGNED)

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13-Feb-96 1:36 PM EST (1836 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] U-S/BOSNIA/KARADZIC (S-ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON )

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT REPORTS THAT BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC PASSED THROUGH NATO CHECKPOINTS UNDETECTED. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS A STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN VOWS MR. KARADZIC AND OTHERS UNDER INDICTMENT BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL WILL EVENTUALLY BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE:

TEXT: NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS HE IS DISTURBED BY WEEKEND REPORTS THAT MR. KARADZIC, ONE OF 52 INDIVIDUALS ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES, PASSED THROUGH FOUR NATO I-FOR, OR IMPLEMENTATION FORCE CHECKPOINTS LAST WEEK:

WE ARE NOW LOOKING INTO THOSE REPORTS TO SEE IF THEY ARE, INDEED, ACCURATE AND IF THEY'RE ACCURATE WE WILL CERTAINLY WANT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE A CLOSE DISCUSSION WITH I-FOR ABOUT THE RULES OF THE ROAD THAT WE UNDERSTAND.

MR. BURNS SAYS THE CENTRAL ROLE OF NATO TROOPS IS NOT THE ARREST OF INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS. HE SAYS TROOPS FOCUS MOST OF THEIR ATTENTION ON MILITARY, NOT CIVILIAN VEHICLES. HOWEVER, HE SAYS IT IS AN I-FOR OBLIGATION TO DETAIN SUCH SUSPECTS, AND ADDS THAT PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ACCUSED MAY BE DISTRIBUTED TO NATO TROOPS TO AID IN THEIR APPREHENSION.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS HE STILL HOLDS OUT HOPE THAT THOSE INDICTED WILL BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE:

SOONER OR LATER THEY ARE GOING TO BE DETAINED AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE TRIED BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AND THEY ARE GOING TO SERVE TIME.

MR. BURNS ALSO WELCOMES BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES THAT FUTURE ARRESTS OF SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS WILL BE CARRIED OUT UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. (SIGNED)

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12-Feb-96 10:33 PM EST (0333 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America