Voice of America, 16 February 1996

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: AMERICA'S NEWSPAPER READERS ARE BEING TREATED TO A WIDE RANGE OF OPINIONS ON NUMEROUS FOREIGN TOPICS THIS FRIDAY MORNING. INCLUDED ARE WHAT ONE PAPER CALLS THE "SCENT OF DECAY IN NORTH KOREA"; CHINESE BELLICOSITY; THE POTENTIAL FOR FRESH VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND; RUSSIAN DEMOCRACY; A FLAWED NUCLEAR WASTE STUDY IN THE UNITED STATES, AND A GLIMMER OF HOPE IN ANGOLA. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _______________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, STARING OUT AT READERS OF THE "LOS ANGELES TIMES" EDITORIAL PAGE IS A PICTURE OF AN UNHAPPY-LOOKING KIM JONG IL, SUPPOSED LEADER OF NORTH KOREA. UNDER A HEADLINE READING, "DANGEROUS SCENT OF DECAY IN A TROUBLED NORTH KOREA," THE PAPER SAYS:

VOICE: "KIM JONG IL, ... RARELY SEEN AND NEVER HEARD, REMAINS A MYSTERY. KIM JONG IL IS FAR FROM HAVING THE NEAR-ABSOLUTE INFLUENCE WIELDED BY HIS FATHER... SOME U-S EXPERTS, RELUCTANT IN THE PAST TO FORECAST EVENTS IN NORTH KOREA, ARE NOW TALKING ABOUT ITS POTENTIAL FOR COLLAPSE WITHIN TWO OR THREE YEARS. WHAT CONCERNS AMERICAN AND SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS IS THAT ... PYONGYANG'S LEADERS COULD BE DRIVEN TO TAKE DESPERATE MEASURES TO SURVIVE, THE MOST DANGEROUS OF WHICH WOULD BE A MILITARY ATTACK ON SOUTH KOREA..."

TEXT: STILL DEALING WITH ASIA, TODAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES" CONCERNS ITSELF WITH CHINA'S EVER-INCREASING BELLIGERENCY TOWARD THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

VOICE: "FOR REASONS BEST KNOWN TO ITS LEADERSHIP, MAINLAND CHINA HAS DECIDED THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO FLEX ITS MUSCLE; LARGE NUMBERS OF TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT ARE MOVING TOWARD THE CHINESE COASTAL PROVINCE OF FUJIAN IN PREPARATION FOR SO-CALLED MILITARY EXERCISES... TAIWAN, OF COURSE, HAS NOT BEEN THE ONLY COUNTRY TO FEEL CHINA'S MORE AGGRESSIVE ATTITUDE. SO HAS THE UNITED STATES... IT MAY BE THAT THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT WANT TO GET INTO A COLD WAR CONFRONTATION WITH BEIJING. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT CHOICE MAY NOT BE OURS TO MAKE."

TEXT: THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S TERRORIST BOMBING ON LONDON ONE WEEK AGO HAS RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR RENEWED VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND. THIS COMMENT FROM TODAY'S "DENVER POST":

VOICE: "POLITICAL CAUSES DO NOT JUSTIFY MURDER. THUS THE WORLD MUST CONDEMN THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S RECENT BOMBINGS IN LONDON, AS WELL AS ITS DECISION TO REJECT A FRAGILE CEASEFIRE THAT HAD HELD FOR ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF... FOR BOTH SIDES, THE ALTERNATIVE [TO RENEWED TALKS] IS A CONTINUATION OF THE BLOODY STALEMATE THAT TURNED BELFAST'S STREETS INTO A WAR ZONE, RUINED NORTHERN IRELAND'S ECONOMY AND SHAMED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT OVER HUMAN-RIGHTS ABUSES... HOWEVER, RESTORING THE CEASEFIRE AND GETTING THE PEACE TALKS BACK ON TRACK MAY REQUIRE OUTSIDE HELP... THAT ROLE MAY FALL TO THE UNITED STATES."

TEXT: ACROSS THE COUNTRY, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" HAS THESE THOUGHTS ON ULSTER:

VOICE: "PEACE NEGOTIATIONS ON NORTHERN IRELAND MUST CONTINUE NOT BECAUSE OF, BUT DESPITE, THE IRA BOMBING ... A CRIMINAL ACT, TAKING THE LIVES OF INNOCENT PEOPLE, IS ANTITHETICAL TO A CONSTRUCTIVE POLITICAL PROCESS. [OPT] THE GREAT MAJORITY OF CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND YEARN FOR PEACE AND SUPPORT THE PROCESSES OF NEGOTIATION AND RECONCILIATION THAT BUILD PEACE."[END OPT]

TEXT: CONCERNING THE PLANNED PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN RUSSIA, AND HOW IT COULD AFFECT THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY IN THAT HUGE COUNTRY, TODAY'S "PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" COMMENTS:

VOICE: "IN DECLARING HIS CANDIDACY FOR A SECOND TERM ... THURSDAY ... [BORIS] YELTSIN JUSTLY CAN CLAIM TO HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES TOWARD REFORM. HE CANNOT CLAIM WITH ANY VALIDITY, HOWEVER, THAT ONLY HE CAN ENSURE DEMOCRACY AND STABILITY... IF GENNADY ZYUGANOV, THE CANDIDATE OF THE NEW COMMUNIST COALITION ... WERE TO WIN THE ELECTION, IT WOULD NOT MEAN THE END OF DEMOCRACY ... JUST THE OPPOSITE, THAT THE PEOPLE HAD SPOKEN (AGAIN), AND [MR.] YELTSIN WOULD HAVE TO ABIDE BY IT."

TEXT: THE NATIONAL DAILY, "USA TODAY" HAS CONCLUDED A SERIES OF INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS ON HOW THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WASTED 59-MILLION-DOLLARS STUDYING WHAT TO DO WITH THE NATION'S EVER-EXPANDING NUCLEAR WASTE. TODAY IT SUMS UP THE PAPER'S FINDINGS IN AN EDITORIAL:

VOICE: "DEFENDERS SAY THE STUDY COULD HAVE BEEN DONE FASTER AND CHEAPER BUT THAT IT HAS PRODUCED USEFUL DATA FOR ADDITIONAL STUDIES. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS MAKE ALLOWANCES FOR THE LEARNING CURVE. BUT THE EXTRA STUDIES WILL COST MORE MILLIONS AND WERE SUPPOSED TO BE PART OF THE INITIAL PROJECT ANYWAY... IN 1990, THE STUDY WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE LESS THAN THREE YEARS, COST LESS THAN EIGHT-MILLION DOLLARS AND PROVIDE DECISION-MAKING GUIDANCE ON THE D-O-E'S ENTIRE WASTE-MANAGEMENT PROBLEM. BUT ... THE PROJECT WAS SO POORLY PERFORMED IT HAD TO BE SCALED BACK REPEATEDLY. AS A DECISION-MAKING TOOK, CRITICS NOW CALL IT WORTHLESS."

TEXT: TURNING BACK OVERSEAS, TO THE ISSUE OF WAR CRIMES ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE BALKANS, TODAY'S "BALTIMORE SUN" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "WITH THE CONVENING OF AN EMERGENCY BALKAN SUMMIT IN ROME THIS WEEKEND, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CONFRONTS TWO WORTHY OBJECTIVES THAT ARE NOT WHOLLY COMPATIBLE. FIRST IS THE IMPOSITION OF PEACE IN BOSNIA BY A U-S-LED NATO FORCE OF 60-THOUSAND. SECOND IS A PRECEDENT-SETTING ATTEMPT TO BRING SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE... RICHARD GOLDSTONE, THE WHITE LIBERAL SOUTH AFRICAN WHO IS THE [WAR CRIMES] TRIBUNAL'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR, SAYS THAT ON THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF HIS EFFORTS RESTS 'THE WHOLE FUTURE OF THE ENFORCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW.'

TEXT: WITH REGARD TO THE U-S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, NOW FOCUSED ON NEW HAMPSHIRE, WHERE THE ISSUE OF FOREIGN POLICY HAS SURFACED, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS TODAY:

VOICE: "BOB DOLE PLAYED THE FOREIGN POLICY CARD IN NEW HAMPSHIRE ON WEDNESDAY ... AS HE ATTACKED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S HANDLING OF BOSNIA AND HAITI. A NEW DOLE TELEVISION AD HIT THE AIR [BEGAN BEING TELECAST] THE SAME DAY, SAVAGING PAT BUCHANAN AS A DANGEROUS ISOLATIONIST. IT WAS NOT A BAD STRATEGY IN THE TIGHT NEW HAMPSHIRE ... RACE... MR. DOLE ... HAS A LARGELY RESPONSIBLE [FOREIGN POLICY] RECORD... TRANSLATED INTO AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY, MR. BUCHANAN'S POSITIONS WOULD UNDERMINE RATHER THAN PROTECT AMERICAN JOBS, LIVING STANDARDS AND MILITARY SECURITY."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE RENEWED GLIMMER OF PEACE HOPES IN ANGOLA, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS:

VOICE: "THE INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS INVOLVED SHOULD BE PRESSING ANGOLANS TO MOVE THEIR LATEST PEACE AGREEMENT ALL THE WAY FROM PAPER TO REALITY. THEIR'S WAS A COLD WAR CONFLICT, BUT SO PUNISHING AND BITTER THAT IT SPUN ON FOR YEARS WHEN THE COLD WAR ENDED."

TEXT: AND THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF REVIEW OF SOME OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS TO BE FOUND IN THE U-S PRESS.

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16-Feb-96 11:10 AM EST (1610 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: COLUMNISTS IN AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS CONTINUE TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN BOSNIA. HERE IS A SAMPLING OF SOME OF THEIR RECENT COMMENTS. OUR READER IS _______________.

TEXT: TRUDY RUBIN, A COLUMNIST FOR THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, NOTES THAT ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD C. HOLBROOKE IS RETIRING TO REJOIN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. COMMENTING ON MR. HOLBROOKE'S SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS IN THE BALKANS, SHE ASKS: "WHY COULD HE STOP THE WAR WHEN THE EUROPEANS FAILED?" MS. RUBIN CONTINUES BY WRITING THAT: "SOME EUROPEANS WILL CLAIM THAT THEY COULD HAVE SUCCEEDED IN 1993 WITH AN EARLIER PEACE PLAN HAD NOT UNHELPFUL AMERICAN INTERVENTION PERSUADED THE MUSLIMS NOT TO GO ALONG. BUT THERE WAS ALWAYS A FATAL FLAW IN THE EUROPEAN'S EFFORTS... -- INDIVIDUAL EUROPEAN NATIONS HAD DIFFERENT POLITICAL INTERESTS. AS A RESULT," ADDS TRUDY RUBIN, "NO WARRING SIDE EVER TOOK THE EUROPEANS SERIOUSLY, BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY COULD PLAY ONE OFF AGAINST THE OTHER. MOREOVER, INTERNAL EUROPEAN DIFFERENCES PREVENTED EUROPE FROM EVER PRESENTING A CREDIBLE THREAT OF FORCES IN BOSNIA, DESPITE THE PRESENCE OF FRENCH AND BRITISH PEACEKEEPERS. FOR THIS REASON, EVEN HAD PREVIOUS TREATIES BEEN SIGNED, THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED. (MR.) HOLBROOKE BELIEVES THAT THE KEY TO THE BOSNIAN SETTLEMENT WAS NATO'S BELATED DECISION LAST YEAR TO USE FORCE. ONCE THE WARRING PARTIES SAW THAT NATO -- LED BY AMERICA -- WAS SERIOUS ABOUT ENDING THE WAR, THEY KNEW THE JIG WAS UP. AND SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, THE MAN MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR BEGINNING THE WAR, DECIDED THAT HE HAD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH (MR.) HOLBROOKE IN ORDER TO SURVIVE."

FROM TRUDY RUBIN OF THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, WE TURN TO A COLUMN BY AMOS PERLMUTTER, WHICH APPEARS IN THE WASHINGTON TIMES. THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY POLITICAL SCIENCE AND SOCIOLOGY PROFESSOR IS ALSO EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL OF STRATEGIC STUDIES. PROFESSOR PERLMUTTER WRITES THAT "THE DAYTON AGREEMENT HAS BEGUN TO TEAR AT ITS SEAMS. THE ARREST OF TWO ALLEGED BOSNIAN SERB WAR CRIMINALS, GEN. DJORDE DJUKIC AND COL. ALEXA KRSMANOVIC, AFTER THEY APPARENTLY TOOK A WRONG TURN INTO BOSNIAN MUSLIM-HELD SARAJEVO, DEMONSTRATES ONCE AGAIN THE DEEP AND CONTINUED ANIMOSITIES BETWEEN THE VARIOUS CONTENDING ETHNIC GROUPS, AND THE VERY CONTRADICTIONS OF DAYTON ITSELF." THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR IS OF THE OPINION THAT -- IN HIS WORDS -- "THE UNITED STATES IS COMMITTED TO TWO IRRECONCILABLE POLICY POSITIONS: THE MAJOR TASK OF PEACE-KEEPING AND THE AFTERTHOUGHT, RELATING TO THE ROLE OF U-S / NATO FORCES IN THE CONTROVERSIAL AREA OF WAR CRIMINAL DETAINMENT. IT IS INDEED NOBLE AND NECESSARY TO PUNISH WAR CRIMINALS," WRITES PROFESSOR PERLMUTTER, "BUT IN THE CASE OF BOSNIA, EITHER WE SUSTAIN THE FRAGILE PEACE OR WE DISRUPT IT BY SUPPORTING THE AGGRESSIVE HAGUE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE IN THE PURSUIT OF SERB, CROAT AND MUSLIM WAR CRIMINALS BEFORE THERE IS STABILITY IN BOSNIA."

AND, MORRIS B. ABRAM, CHAIRMAN OF U-N WATCH AND THE FORMER UNITED STATES PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN EUROPE, GIVES HIS VIEW IN A WALL STREET JOURNAL COLUMN. MR. ABRAM SAYS THAT THE ARREST OF THE TWO BOSNIAN SERB OFFICERS "AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT TRANSFER TO THE AD HOC INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE, HIGHLIGHTS THE TENSION BETWEEN IMPLEMENTING A PEACE ACCORD AND PURSUING JUSTICE IN BOSNIA." HE ADDS THAT, "WE NOW FACE IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM CHALLENGES IN SECURING UNIVERSAL RECOGNITION OF THE RULE OF LAW." HE CONCLUDES HIS COLUMN BY WRITING THAT, "THERE ARE MANY COMPELLING REASONS WHY THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE IN BOSNIA MUST CONTINUE, EVEN AT THE RISK OF SHORT-TERM INSTABILITY. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD GIVE THE TRIBUNAL THE SUPPORT GUARANTEED BY THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD, INCLUDING IFOR'S HELP IN ARRESTING THOSE INDICTED BY THE TRIBUNAL WHOM IT ENCOUNTERS IN THE FIELD. THIS WILL NOT HINDER BUT HELP BRING A TRUE AND LASTING PEACE IN BOSNIA. AND IT WILL PROMOTE UNIVERSAL RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW, HITHERTO SO ABSENT IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS."

THOSE WORDS, WRITTEN BY MORRIS B. ABRAM, IN A WALL STREET JOURNAL COLUMN, CONCLUDE ANOTHER ROUNDUP OF U-S PRESS OPINION ON AMERICA'S ROLE IN BOSNIA.

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16-Feb-96 12:19 PM EST (1719 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA / NATO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: NATO SAYS IT HAS BROKEN UP WHAT IT CALLS A "TRAINING SCHOOL FOR TERRORISTS" IN BOSNIA, AND HAS DETAINED THREE IRANIANS AND EIGHT OTHER MEN. DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS THE FACILITY WAS BEING USED AS AN ANTI-TERRORISM SCHOOL.

TEXT: IN AN OPERATION NATO OFFICIALS CALL A "GREAT SUCCESS," FRENCH TROOPS RAIDED THE HOUSE NEAR SARAJEVO AFTER THEY NOTICED SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY. A LARGE CACHE OF WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES WAS FOUND ALONG WITH TERRORIST TRAINING MANUALS AND BOMB MAKING EQUIPMENT.

THE NATO SPOKESMAN, LIEUTENANT COLONEL MARK RAYNER, SAYS BOOBY TRAPS FOR CHILDREN WERE ALSO IN THE HOUSE.

ALSO FOUND WERE ITEMS SUCH AS CHILDREN'S TOYS WIRED-UP TO EXPLODE AND VARIOUS OTHER TYPES OF MODELS AND IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES.

THREE IRANIANS, SIX BOSNIANS, AND TWO PEOPLE OF UNKNOWN NATIONALITY HAVE BEEN DETAINED BY NATO AND THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. ISLAMIC MILITANTS FROM IRAN AND AFGHANISTAN HAVE FOUGHT ON THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SIDE DURING THE WAR HERE. BUT UNDER THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT, ALL FOREIGN FORCES, SHOULD HAVE LEFT THE COUNTRY IN JANUARY.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL RAYNER SAYS THE NATO COMMANDER IN BOSNIA HAS ALREADY SPOKEN TO THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ABOUT THE INCIDENT.

ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH, IFOR COMMANDER, INSPECTED THE SITE THIS MORNING AND HE CALLED IT AN ABOMINATION. HE SAID HE HAD SPOKEN TO PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC, WHO TOLD HIM THE SITE WAS A FORMER PLACE OF INSTRUCTION FOR AGENTS OF THE BOSNIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY.

BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL WERE BEING TRAINED AT THE HOUSE, BUT IN ANTI-TERRORIST TECHNIQUES. THEY INSIST THE BOOBY-TRAPPED CHILDREN'S TOYS WERE USED TO PRACTICE DEFUSING BOMBS. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION OF WHY SUCH TRAINING AIDS CONTAINED REAL EXPLOSIVES.

NATO OFFICIALS SAY SO FAR THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT AN ATTACK WAS SPECIFICALLY PLANNED ON NATO FORCES. AND THEY SAY THE HOUSE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN ONLY A SCHOOL, INCLUDING CLASSROOMS, SLEEPING ACCOMMODATION, AND AN ARMORY. OFFICIALS SAY WHILE THERE WERE SCALE MODELS OF BUILDINGS THERE, THE MODELS DO NOT SEEM TO CORRESPOND TO NATO FACILITIES, AND MAY HAVE BEEN USED ONLY FOR GENERAL INSTRUCTION.

THE INCIDENT IS CERTAIN TO PROVOKE A STRONG REACTION FROM WESTERN GOVERNMENTS. AT THE BEGINNING OF NATO'S DEPLOYMENT TO BOSNIA, NATO COMMANDERS WERE CONCERNEDABOUT ATTACKS ON AMERICAN FORCES. AND U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE INCIDENT WILL DEFINITELY BE DISCUSSED AT THE SUMMIT MEETING IN ROME THIS WEEKEND BETWEEN WESTERN DIPLOMATS AND THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA, SERBIA AND CROATIA. (SIGNED)

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16-Feb-96 10:12 AM EST (1512 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA DIPLOMACY (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES MEDIATOR AMONG THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS SAYS THE FACT THAT THE BOSNIAN, CROATIAN AND SERBIAN PRESIDENTS HAVE AGREED TO ATTEND A SUMMIT IN ROME THIS WEEKEND SHOWS THAT THE PEACE PROCESS IS STILL ALIVE. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE, WHO BROKERED THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT LAST YEAR, SAID IN PARIS THAT, DESPITE THE NEW TENSIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, HE EXPECTS THE ROME CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND TO REAFFIRM THE DAYTON AGREEMENTS.

HE ALSO WARNED THAT THE BOSNIAN SERBS MUST CO-OPERATE WITH PEACEKEEPING FORCES.

MR. HOLBROOKE, BRIEFING AMERICAN NEWS ORGANIZATIONS, SAID THE PARTIES TO THE DAYTON ACCORDS HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN EXPECTED TO MEET SOME TIME NEXT MONTH. BUT U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER DECIDED TO ADVANCE THE MEETING AS THE SITUATION HAS GROWN MORE TENSE.

IN PARTICULAR, THE ARREST AND TRANSFER TO THE HAGUE OF A BOSNIAN SERB GENERAL AND COLONEL FOR INVESTIGATIONS INTO WAR CRIMES HAS MADE THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA MORE VOLATILE.

MR. HOLBROOKE SAID HE EXPECTS THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO BE REPRESENTED AT THE 24-HOUR ROME CONFERENCE THAT OPENS ON SATURDAY. HE SAID THAT IF GENERAL RATKO MLADIC MAINTAINED HIS STANCE OF NOT CO-OPERATING WITH THE NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCES IN THE REPUBLIC, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE SERIOUS.

IN MR. HOLBROOKE'S WORDS, PEOPLE WHO HAVE TESTED NATO'S RESOLVE IN THE PAST HAVE FOUND THAT "THAT RESOLVE IS VERY REAL." LAST AUGUST, NATO STARTED THE BOMBING RAIDS ON BOSNIAN SERB ARTILLERY AROUND SARAJEVO THAT ARE CREDITED WITH BRINGING THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO THE PEACE TALKS. BUT, MR. HOLBROOKE SAID, IT WILL BE UP TO THE MILITARY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO DETERMINE IF GENERAL MLADIC IS OVERSTEPPING THE MARK. MR. HOLBROOKE SAID THE INTERNATIONAL OPERATION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVIA IS CREATING HISTORY. HE SAID THAT MUCH OF THE WORK DONE THERE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO PRECEDENT IN HISTORY.

THE AMERICAN ENVOY SAID THE DAYTON ACCORDS HAD TO SUCCEED. OTHERWISE, THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE INCALCULABLE. BUT, HE ADDED, THE FACT THAT THE LEADERS OF THE F/O/R/M/E/R YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS HAVE ALL AGREED TO ATTEND THE ROME MEETING SHOWS THAT ALL THREE ARE STILL COMMITTED TO THE PEACE PROCESS. (SIGNED).

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15-Feb-96 7:55 PM EST (0055 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA SUMMIT (L ONLY) BY PEGGY POLK (ROME)

INTRO: WESTERN GOVERNMENTS ARE SEEKING TO INJECT NEW MOMENTUM INTO THE DAYTON AGREEMENT ON BOSNIA AT A TWO-DAY MEETING BEGINNING SATURDAY IN ROME. THE MEETING BRINGS TOGETHER THE PRESIDENTS OF SERBIA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, AND CROATIA. PEGGY POLK IN ROME REPORTS THE MEETING WAS CALLED AMID GROWING SIGNS OF STRAIN IN THE PEACE PACT.

TEXT: WESTERN OFFICIALS ARE CALLING THE SUMMIT "DAYTON TWO."

THE PEACE BROKERS SUMMONED THE SERB, CROAT, AND BOSNIAN PRESIDENTS TO COME TOGETHER AS STRAINS IN THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT, REACHED TWO MONTHS AGO AT DAYTON, OHIO, BEGAN TO MOUNT. THE GOAL IS TO CONVINCE THE LEADERS TO APPLY PRESSURE ON LOCAL OFFICIALS TO DO MORE TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT.

ALTHOUGH THE MILITARY CEASEFIRE IS PROCEEDING, POLITICAL PROGRESS HAS BEEN BLOCKED BY SERB ANGER OVER THE DETENTION IN THE HAGUE OF TWO SENIOR OFFICERS SUSPECTED OF WAR CRIMES, AND BY THE REFUSAL OF CROATS TO ACCEPT NEW BOUNDARIES IN THE DIVIDED CITY OF MOSTAR.

WESTERN OFFICIALS BLAME THESE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE HARDENING OF NATIONALISM IN ALL THREE CAMPS. THEY WANT THE SERB, CROAT, AND BOSNIAN LEADERS TO ASSURE THAT LOCAL MILITARY AND CIVILIAN OFFICIALS ABIDE BY BOTH THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT.

TO PUT MUSCLE BEHIND THEIR ARGUMENTS, THE PEACE BROPKERS ARE EXPECTED TO WARN THE LEADERS THAT THEIR HOPES OF FUTURE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SUPPORT FROM THE WEST DEPEND ON MAKING THE PEACE PACT WORK.

THE MEETING IS BEING HELD IN ROME BECAUSE ITALY IS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.

THE U-S DELEGATION IS HEADED BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE, THE CHIEF ARCHITECT OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. HE FLEW TO SARAJEVO LAST SUNDAY TO START THE PROCESS OF BOLSTERING THE ACCORDS. (SIGNED)

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16-Feb-96 10:57 AM EST (1557 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA/ARREST (S) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: NATO TROOPS HAVE RAIDED A HOUSE IN SARAJEVO AND ARRESTED A NUMBER OF SUSPECTED MUJAHEDEEN SOLDIERS. UNDER THE DAYTON AGREEMENT ALL FOREIGN FORCES SHOULD HAVE LEFT BOSNIA LAST MONTH. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: IN A SECRET OPERATION ON THURSDAY NIGHT NATO SOLDIERS RAIDED THE HOUSE IN A SUBURB WEST OF THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL. NATO SAYS ELEVEN PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE WERE DETAINED, SOME OF THEM NOT NATIVES OF BOSNIA, AND A LARGE NUMBER OF WEAPONS, AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES WERE SEIZED.

NATO SOURCES CONFIRM SOME OF THE DETAINED MEN ARE ISLAMIC MUJAHEDEEN FIGHTERS, WHO UNDER THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT SHOULD HAVE LEFT BOSNIA BY MID JANUARY. NATO SAYS THERE WERE NO CASUALTIES OR DAMAGE DURING THE RAID WHICH WAS CARRIED OUT WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE BOSNIAN POLICE. SO FAR NATO WILL ONLY SAY THE DETAINEES ARE BEING HELD FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO INDICATION YET THAT AN ATTACK WAS PLANNED ON NATO TROOPS. WHEN THE NATO DEPLOYMENT BEGAN IN DECEMBER THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT INTEREST IN THE MUJAHEDEEN, MANY OF WHOM ARE AFGHAN OR IRANIAN ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS. U-S COMMANDERS SAID THE MUJAHEDEEN FIGHTERS POSED POTENTIALLY THE GREATEST THREAT TO AMERICAN TROOPS, AND US INTELLIGENCE HAS BEEN LOOKING HARD FOR ANY STILL IN THE COUNTRY.

THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAD SAID EARLIER THAT ALL MUJAHEDEEN SOLDIERS WHO FOUGHT ON THE GOVERNMENT SIDE DURING THE WAR HERE HAD LEFT BOSNIA. (SIGNED)

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15-Feb-96 7:17 PM EST (0017 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL ADDS MORE PERSONNEL TO ITS PEACE FORCE IN MACEDONIA ... U-N DIPLOMATS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER PERSISTENT FIGHTING IN AFGHANISTAN ... SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI SEEKS HELP FROM REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN PEACEKEEPING MATTERS ... AND THE UNITED NATIONS AND IRAQ CONTINUE TALKS IN NEW YORK ON LIMITED OIL SALES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.

TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A SMALL INCREASE OF 50 TROOPS FOR ITS PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA. ELEVEN HUNDRED MOSTLY AMERICAN AND NORDIC SOLDIERS WERE STATIONED IN MACEDONIA DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE BOSNIAN WAR TO PREVENT THE CONFLICT FROM SPREADING.

THE UNITED NATIONS INTENDS TO MAINTAIN ITS SO-CALLED PREVENTIVE DEPLOYMENT FORCE AS A SEPARATE OPERATION FROM THE NATO-LED FORCE IN BOSNIA. ITS CURRENT MANDATE EXPIRES MAY 30TH.

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PERSISTENT FACTIONAL FIGHTING IN AFGHANISTAN PROMPTED CONCERN IN THE COUNCIL THIS PAST WEEK. IT ISSUED A FORMAL STATEMENT CALLING FOR AN END TO HOSTILITIES AND THE MONTHS-LONG BLOCKADE OF THE CAPITAL, KABUL.

AFGHANISTAN HAS EXPERIENCED NEARLY 20 YEARS OF VIOLENCE THAT CONTINUED AFTER THE 1989 DEPARTURE OF SOVIET TROOPS, WHO HAD INVADED THE COUNTRY 10 YEARS EARLIER.

THE TALEBAN MILITIA -- CONTROLLING LARGE PARTS OF AFGHANISTAN -- IS TRYING TO DEPOSE THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT AND ENFORCE STRICT ISLAMIC RULE.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL CALLED ON ALL FACTIONS TO COOPERATE WITH A U-N PEACE MISSION. MEANWHILE, THE COUNCIL ISSUED ANOTHER STATEMENT EXPRESSING SATISFACTION THAT ELECTIONS IN THE AFRICAN NATION OF SIERRA LEONE APPARENTLY WILL GO AHEAD AS PLANNED ON FEBRUARY 26TH. THE MILITARY LEADER WHO SEIZED POWER LAST MONTH IN A BLOODLESS PALACE COUP HAS PLEDGED TO ALLOW THE VOTE.

THE COUNCIL SAID FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS ARE CRITICAL TO SIERRA LEONE'S TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY.

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SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS-GHALI HAS INVITED REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN LATIN AMERICA, AFRICA AND ASIA TO PLAY A LARGER ROLE IN THE SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICTS. IN A SPECIAL TWO-DAY MEETING OF REGIONAL LEADERS, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL SAID THE UNITED NATIONS CAN _NOT_ TAKE CARE OF ALL SITUATIONS BY ITSELF.

THE U-N HAS BEEN HAMPERED LATELY BY ITS PERSISTENT CASH CRISIS AND THE APPARENT LACK OF INTEREST BY GOVERNMENTS TO GET INVOLVED IN EVERY CONFLICT. THE U-N HANDED OVER A PEACE MISSION IN BOSNIA TO NATO. IT COOPERATES WITH THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES IN HAITI. WEST AFRICAN PEACEKEEPERS ARE LEADING EFFORTS TO END THE WAR IN LIBERIA. AND RUSSIA IS IN CHARGE OF A MISSION IN GEORGIA.

BUT MOST REGIONAL GROUPS ARE EVEN MORE FINANCIALLY INSECURE THAN THE UNITED STATES. THEY STILL RELY ON THE ORGANIZATION TO SUBSIDIZE THEIR OPERATIONS. U-N OFFICIALS ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT REGIONAL FORCES MAY _NOT_ ALWAYS BE PERCEIVED AS NEUTRAL BY WARRING FACTIONS.

IN A RELATED DEVELOPMENT -- THE SECURITY COUNCIL THIS COMING WEEK WILL START REVIEWING ITS OPTIONS ON BURUNDI, WHERE MANY FEAR ETHNIC TENSIONS MAY ERUPT INTO A GENOCIDE SIMILAR TO WHAT OCCURRED IN RWANDA IN 1994. SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS-GHALI IS TO SUBMIT A REPORT SHORTLY.

AMONG THE PROPOSALS LIKELY TO BE CONSIDERED IS THE CREATION OF A STAND-BY FORCE CAPABLE OF DEPLOYMENT WITHIN WEEKS, RATHER THAN MONTHS. THE BURUNDI GOVERNMENT OFFICIALLY REMAINS OPPOSED TO FOREIGN INTERVENTION.

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IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS CONTINUED THEIR MARATHON TALKS THIS PAST WEEK ON LIMITED IRAQI OIL SALES. IRAQ HAS BEEN UNDER U-N SANCTIONS -- INCLUDING AN EXPORT BAN -- SINCE IT INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL LAST YEAR OFFERED TO ALLOW IRAQ TO SELL TWO BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL EVERY SIX MONTHS TO PAY FOR ESSENTIAL HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES. IRAQ SEEMS CLOSE TO ACCEPTING THE DEAL FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THE TWO SIDES HAVE ALREADY DISCUSSED A SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AND MEDICINE, AND HAVE NOW MOVED ON TO BANKING AND OIL EXPORT MATTERS. THERE IS _NO_ INDICATION YET OF WHEN OR IF AN AGREEMENT WILL EMERGE. IRAQ HAS BEEN EXTREMELY SENSITIVE ABOUT ANY PERCEIVED ENCROACHMENT OF ITS SOVEREIGNTY. (SIGNED) EJ/ART 16-Feb-96 2:38 PM EST (1938 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] U-S-BOSNIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IS FLAGRANTLY VIOLATING THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT BY REFUSING TO EXPEL ALL FOREIGN FORCES FROM THE COUNTRY. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THESTATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: NATO'S RAID ON THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT FACILITY CONTAINING EXPLOSIVES AND IRANIAN FIGHTERS HAS PLACED THE ISSUE OF FOREIGN FORCES ON THE TOP OF THE AMERICAN AGENDA FOR THE ROME MEETING OF THE BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP WITH BALKAN LEADERS.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE RAID DEMONSTRATES NEW EVIDENCE THAT ALL FOREIGN FORCES HAVE NOT LEFT BOSNIA.

THE CONTINUED PRESENCE OF FOREIGN FIGHTERS IN BOSNIA IS A FLAGRANT VIOLATION OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS. WE ARE DISTURBED BY THE FACT THAT THEY WERE NOT OUT BY THE 19TH OF JANUARY, THAT ON THE 20TH OF JANUARY WHEN WE PROTESTED THAT FACT, THEY WEREN'T OUT. IT IS DISTURBING.

THE SPOKESMAN REPEATED AMERICAN THREATS NOT TO EQUIP AND TRAIN BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TROOPS UNLESS THE ESTIMATED 200 TO 300 ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS ARE EXPELLED FROM THE COUNTRY. MR. BURNS SAYS THE SIGNERS OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT--INCLUDING THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT-CANNOT PICK WHAT ELEMENTS OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT THEY WANT TO CARRY OUT. (SIGNED) NEB/PT 16-Feb-96 3:18 PM EST (2018 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] U-S/BOSNIA RAID (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: HERE IN WASHINGTON, DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THAT IRANIANS WITH DIPLOMATIC STATUS WERE AMONG THOSE ARRESTED IN THURSDAY'S RAID BY NATO FORCES ON WHAT HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS A TERRORIST CAMP WEST OF SARAJEVO. NATO OFFICIALS ARE CALLING THEIR PRESENCE IN BOSNIA A SERIOUS VIOLATION OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: SENIOR OFFICIALS HERE SAY THREE IRANIANS WERE AMONG THE ELEVEN PERSONS ARRESTED IN THE RAID BY NATO FORCES, AND THAT TWO OF THEM CARRIED DIPLOMATIC CREDENTIALS FROM THE TEHRAN GOVERNMENT.

SEVERAL HUNDRED IRANIANS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN AMONG ISLAMIC VOLUNTEERS WHO FOUGHT ALONGSIDE GOVERNMENT TROOPS DURING THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT. THE MUSLIM-LED GOVERNMENT HAD REPEATEDLY ASSURED NATO THAT ALL FOREIGN TROOPS HAD LEFT THE COUNTRY LAST MONTH UNDER TERMS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS.

THE CAPTURE OF THE IRANIANS CALLS THOSE ASSURANCES INTO QUESTION AND ALSO RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT IRANIAN INVOLVEMENT IN WHAT U-S OFFICIALS SAY WERE APPARENT PLANS TO ATTACK NATO FORCES IN BOSNIA.

THE RAID ON THE FORMER SKI CHALET WEST OF SARAJEVO TURNED UP A LARGE SUPPLY OF WEAPONS INCLUDING ROCKET PROPELLED GRENADES, EXPLOSIVES AND DETONATORS -- AND ALSO, PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY, BOMBS DISGUISED AS CHILDRENS' TOYS. THE 11 MEN ARRESTED IN THE RAID, INCLUDING EIGHT BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, REMAIN IN NATO CUSTODY. THE TWO IRANIANS WITH DIPLOMATIC PAPERS PRESUMABLY ARE IMMUNE FROM PROSECUTION AND WILL BE EXPELLED. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/LTJ/ART
16-Feb-96 11:15 AM EST (1615 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] U-S/CROATIA DEFENSE (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: CROATIAN DEFENSE MINISTER GOJKO SUSAK -- ENDING A FOUR-DAY WASHINGTON VISIT -- SAYS HIS COUNTRY IS NOT CONSIDERING MILITARY ACTION TO RECLAIM EASTERN SLAVONIA, THE LAST SECTION OF CROATIAN TERRITORY UNDER SERB CONTROL. THE CROATIAN MINISTER ALSO FORECAST AN EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE DISPUTE BETWEEN BOSNIAN CROATS AND MUSLIMS OVER ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY OF MOSTAR. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: MR. SUSAK STRESSED HIS GOVERNMENT'S PATIENCE ABOUT EASTERN SLAVONIA AND SAID HE EXPECTS THE AREA TO BE RETURNED TO CROATIAN CONTROL WITHIN ABOUT A YEAR AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE BALKANS PEACE PROCESS.

HE SAID THE U-N FORCE THAT WILL PATROL EASTERN SLAVONIA DURING THE TRANSITION WILL BE DEPLOYED BY APRIL. HE ENDORSED PEACE EFFORTS BY U-N ADMINISTRATOR JACQUES KLEIN, AND REJECTED WHAT HE CALLED SPECULATION THAT HIS GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO TAKE THE AREA BY FORCE:

I CAN STATE HERE IN FRONT OF YOU WITH FULL RESPONSIBILITY -- AND I THINK I'M A PERSON THAT SHOULD KNOW WHAT THE PLANS ARE -- THAT CROATIA IS NOT PLANNING ANY MILITARY ACTION. WE WILL GIVE A FULL CHANCE TO THE ADMINISTRATOR TO DO THE JOB, AND COOPERATE FULLY WITH HIM.

THE CROATIAN MINISTER PREDICTED AN AGREEMENT, AS EARLY AS THIS WEEKEND, IN THE DISPUTE BETWEEN BOSNIAN CROATS AND MUSLIMS IN MOSTAR THAT HAS THREATENED THEIR FEDERATION. HE DENIED THAT CROATIA WAS BEHIND VIOLENT CROAT OPPOSITION TO A EUROPEAN UNION PLAN FOR ADMINISTERING THE CITY, AND SAID CROATIA BELIEVES PRESERVING THE FEDERATION IS CRITICAL FOR BALKANS PEACE. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/LTJ/CF
16-Feb-96 1:04 PM EST (1804 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America