Voice of America, 20 February 1996

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: THERE IS NO SCARCITY OF INTERNATIONAL TOPICS ADDRESSED TODAY IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF LEADING U-S NEWSPAPERS. SUBJECTS INCLUDE THE DEFIANCE OF BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS FOLLOWING THE WEEKEND ROME CONFERENCE; THE LATEST I-R-A BOMBING CAMPAIGN IN BRITAIN AND GERRY ADAM'S PROPOSED TRIP TO THE U-S; THE MYSTERY SURROUNDING NORTH KOREA; THE MILITARY JUNTA RULING NIGER, AND OF COURSE, THE U-S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN. NOW, HERE IS _________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND THE EFFORTS TO MAINTIAN THE BALKANS PEACE PROCESS IS BACK UNDER SCRUTINY BECAUSE OF THE WEEKEND EMERGENCY SUMMIT IN ROME. TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" EXCLAIMS:

VOICE: "THE AMERICAN BOSNIA NEGOTIATOR, RICHARD HOLBROOKE, ATTRIBUTES THE DIFFICULTIES OF ENFORCING PEACE TO THE 'AMBIGUITIES' AND 'UNDENIABLE SHORTCOMINGS' OF THE ACCORD SIGNED AT DAYTON. HENCE THE CONVENING OF A 'DAYTON TWO' MEETING OVER THE WEEKEND IN ROME TO REPAIR 'BUMPS' IN THE ROAD. NEW PATCHES OF PROMISES WERE PUT ON A RANGE OF URGENT QUESTIONS. AND WHAT HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY? HEDGED COMPLIANCE... IN FACT, THE PROBLEMS GO BEYOND THE DAYTON ACCORD'S 'SHORTCOMINGS.' IT WAS NOT SIMPLY AN AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES ... IT WAS ALSO AN INSTANCE OF COERCIVE DIPLOMACY -- THE APPLICATION OF MILITARY FORCE AND ECONOMIC PRESSURE BY OUTSIDERS TO BRING ABOUT A CERTAIN POLITICAL RESULT."

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, THIS WARNING FROM "THE SUN" ABOUT PROSECUTING SUSPECTED WAR CRIMES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA:

VOICE: "AT THE SAME TIME U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE WAS TRYING TO GET THE PEACE PROCESS BACK ON TRACK, HIS FELLOW ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE, JOHN SHATTUCK, WAS PROCLAIMING: '[KARADZIC AND MLADIC] MUST BE DETAINED AND ARRESTED AND BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. WHILE THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT THESE TWO BOSNIAN SERB BUTCHERS FULLY DESERVE PUNISHMENT FOR UNSPEAKABLE ATROCITIES, THE UNITED STATES SHOULD TAKE CARE NOT TO LET THE PURSUIT OF WAR CRIMINALS BRING THE PEACE PROCESS TO A FULL STOP."

TEXT: AMONG EDITORIAL COMMENTS ABOUT THE IRISH REPBULICAN ARMY'S RESUMED BOMBING CAMPAIGN IN ENGLAND AFTER MORE THAN 17 MONTHS OF TRUCE, TODAY'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" SAYS:

VOICE: "IN THE AFTERMATH OF TERRORISM, AMONG THE MOST INSULTING AND ESSENTIALLY USELESS GESTURES ARE EXPRESSIONS OF SORROW FROM PERPETRATORS. TO THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- WHICH TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR, AND INDICATED REGRET ABOUT, CASUALTIES IN SUNDAY'S DEADLY BOMBING OF A LONDON BUS -- THE PROPER RESPONSE IS: SAVE YOUR SENTIMENTS. AND TO GERRY ADAMS, PRESIDENT OF ... SINN FEIN, WHO IS SCHEDULED TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES NEXT MONTH, A BIT OF ADVICE: STAY HOME."

TEXT: SECONDING THAT SENTIMENT IS THE NATIONAL DAILY "USA TODAY", WHICH INSTRUCTS IN ITS EDITORIAL ABOUT THE I-R-A BOMBING: "PUT OUT UN-WELCOME MAT" [FOR GERRY ADAMS].

NORTH KOREA COMES IN FOR SOME ATTENTION FROM "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," WHICH SAYS THE POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN CIVILIAN AND MILITARY LEADERS ACCOUNTS FOR THE RECENT REVERSAL ON FOOD AID REQUESTS.

VOICE: "SIX DAYS AFTER WASHINGTON INFORMED THE NORTH IT WOULD IGNORE SEOUL'S OBJECTIONS AND GO AHEAD WITH PLANS TO GIVE HUMANITARIAN AID TO NORTH KOREANS, PYONGYANG PUBLICLY THANKED THE U-S GOVERNMENT FOR THE MONEY... THEN THE NEXT DAY, PYONGYANG CALLED OFF ITS APPEAL FOR FOOD AND OTHER EMERGENCY AID. NORTH KOREAN U-N AMBASSADOR PARK GIL-YON, IN A RARE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE GENERALS' INFLUENCE, SAID THE DECISION HAD BEEN TAKEN BY THE MILITARY."

TEXT: ON THE SAME SUBJECT, TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" EXAMINES THE FASCINATING QUESTION OF "WHO'S IN CHARGE" IN PYONGYANG.

VOICE: "PITY THE POOR KIMOLOGISTS WHO HAVE BEEN PEERING THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY AT THE NORTH KOREAN TYRANNY CONSTRUCTED BY THE DECEASED STALINIST KIM IL SUNG AND PERPETUATED BY HIS SON, KIM JONG IL... SCRUTINY OF TROOP MOVEMENTS, RADIO BROADCASTS AND ECONOMIC POLICY WERE OF LITTLE HELP IN DISCLOSING WHETHER KIM JONG IL EXERCISES TRUE POWER... CLOSE READINGS OF OFFICIAL SCREEDS YIELD NO TELLING CLUES ABOUT POSSIBLE POWER STRUGGLES OR IMMINENT CHANGES OF POLICY."

TEXT: TURNING ATTENTION TO AFRICA, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" HAS WORDS OF PRAISE FOR THE CONFERENCE OF FRENCH-SPEAKING SUB-SAHARAN NATIONS THAT VOTED TO CONDEMN THE MILITARY JUNTA THAT RECENTLY OVERTHREW THE GOVERNMENT OF NIGER.

VOICE: "THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, PROPERLY CUT OFF U-S AID [TO NIGER], AS DID OTHER COUNTRIES. WHAT CAN MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERNCE, THOUGH IS WHEN NEIGHBORING NATIONS SPEAK OUT AND TAKE DECISIVE ACTION AGAINST USURPERS. THEY HAVE THE BIGGEST STAKE IN REGIONAL STABILITY... THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE COURSE OF CRITICISM WAS THAT OF FRENCH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES AT A CONFERENCE LAST WEEK... WELL DONE."

TEXT: OF COURSE, SEVERAL U-S PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON TODAY'S PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY VOTE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, "THE DENVER POST" HAS SOME HARSH THINGS TO SAY ABOUT CANDIDATE PAT BUCHANAN, CALLING HIM "THE TEFLON EXTREMIST."

VOICE: "[MR.] BUCHANAN'S HUMOR IS UNDENIABLE. BUT HIS WIT HAS ALSO MADE HIM A 'TEFLON EXTREMIST,' [A REFERENCE TO A SUPER DURABLE COATING USED ON COOKING PANS TO PREVENT FOODS FROM STICKING] WHO IS SELDOM HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FAR-OUT VIEWS THAT WOULD BRING LESS PERSONABLE POLITICIANS TO RUIN.NO MATTER HOW WELL [MR.] BUCHANAN DOES IN TODAY'S NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY, IT'S CLEAR THAT HIS VIEWS ARE FAR OUT OF THE MAINSTREAM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY."

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE CHANCES OF THE SUPPOSED FRONT-RUNNER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE:

VOICE: "MR. DOLE'S REAL PROBLEM IS NOT HIS AGE, BUT HIS DISINTEREST. THEY HAVE HIM HEAVILY PANCAKED, [MADE UP] BUT HIS GRUMPINESS AND ENNUI KEEP SHOWING THROUGH."

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ALSO OFFERS SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS IN SPAIN:

VOICE: "SPANISH DEMOCRACY MOVES INTO A MORE MATURE, IF LESS HEROIC, PHASE WITH NEXT MONTH'S ELECTIONS. PRIME MINISTER FELIPE GONZALEZ, LONG THE SYMBOL OF DEMOCRATIC RESISTANCE TO THE OLD FRANCO DICTATORSHIP, NOW MUST ALSO BEAR THE BURDENS OF AN INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT INCUMBENCY... MR. GONZALEZ HAS ESTABLISHED A FORMIDABLE LEGACY... BUT VOTERS ARE USUALLY LESS CONCERNED WITH HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS THAN CURRENT CONDITIONS. THE SPREADING STAIN OF SCANDAL HAS PUT MR. GONZALEZ IN TROUBLE."

TEXT: FIANALLY, IN CALIFORNIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" MAKES NOTE OF PROGRESS BETWEEN THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT AND ITS OFTEN HOSTILE PEASANTS IN CHIAPAS STATE, AS THEY SIGN THE FIRST OF SIX AGREEMENTS CONCERNING THEIR FUTURE, AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE STATE.

VOICE: "LAST WEEK THE CHIAPAS GUERRILLAS AND THE GOVERNMENT REACHED A HISTORIC AGREEMENT... FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SPANISH CONQUEST OF MEXICO IN 1521, THE ORIGINAL PEOPLES OF THAT LAND ARE RECOGNIZED BY THEIR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN AS FULL EQUALS, MEN AND WOMAN DESERVING, AND CAPABLE OF FORMULATING, THEIR OWN HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS... WHAT IS TAKING PLACE NOW IN CHIAPAS WILL HAVE REPERCUSSIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT, WE END THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS AMERICANS ARE READING THIS TUESDAY, AT THE COMPLETION OF THE THREE-DAY PRESIDENT'S DAY WEEKEND.

NEB/ANG/PCH

20-Feb-96 11:22 AM EST (1622 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA / SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS HAVE ORDERED AN EXODUS OF THEIR PEOPLE FROM SERB-HELD AREAS OF SARAJEVO, BUT BAD WEATHER HAS PREVENTED MANY SERBS FROM COMPLYING. ALSO, BOSNIAN SERB ARMY COMMANDERS ARE STILL REFUSING TO RESUME CONTACTS WITH NATO OR THE OTHER PARTIES. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO BEGIN A THREE-DAY EXODUS WAS BROADCAST ON BOSNIAN SERB TELEVISION. THE SERB LEADERSHIP IS UNHAPPY WITH AN INTERNATIONAL PLAN THAT WILL ALLOW POLICE FROM THE MUSLIM/CROAT FEDERATION TO BEGIN DEPLOYING IN SERB NEIGHBORHOODS OF SARAJEVO THIS WEEK. THE NEW POLICE WILL MOVE FIRST INTO SERB-HELD VOGOSCA ON FRIDAY, AND TODAY MANY SERBS IN VOGOSCA WERE LOADING THEIR BELONGINGS ONTO TRUCKS, BUT THE WORK WAS HAMPERED BY A HEAVY SNOWSTORM. ONE MAN, PREPARING TO FLEE WITH HIS WIFE, MOTHER AND TWO-MONTH-OLD BABY, DISMISSED CLAIMS THAT HE WOULD BE SAFE IN BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HANDS.

WE WERE IN A WAR FOUR YEARS WITH MUSLIMS, WITH CROATS AND WE CANNOT BELIEVE THEM.

LOCAL SERB OFFICIALS COMPLAINED THEY WERE SHORT OF TRUCKS AND FUEL, AND THERE WAS NO SIGN OF BUSES THAT HAD BEEN PROMISED BY THE SERB LEADERSHIP IN PALE TO TAKE SERBS OUT OF THE AREA. ONE SERB OFFICIAL SAID IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS TO MOVE ALL THE REMAINING CIVILIANS OUT OF THE SERB AREAS.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS REACTED SHARPLY TO THE SERB ANNOUNCEMENT. THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE UN'S REFUGEE AGENCY ACCUSED THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP OF TRYING TO CREATE PANIC AMONG THE SERB CIVILIANS.

THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SENIOR INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR IN BOSNIA SAID OFFICIALS WERE STILL TRYING TO REASSURE SERB CIVILIANS THAT THEY WOULD BE SAFE AND THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE TASK FORCE DEPLOYED IN THE AREA WOULD STRICTLY SUPERVISE THE FEDERATION POLICE. MEANWHILE, THE DISPUTE OVER THE REFUSAL OF BOSNIAN SERB ARMY COMMANDERS TO RESUME FORMAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH NATO AND THE OTHER PARTIES IN BOSNIA IS CONTINUING. BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL OFFICIALS PROMISED TO RESTORE ALL RELATIONS AT THE ROME SUMMIT ON SUNDAY, BUT ON MONDAY SERB MILITARY COMMANDERS FAILED TO ATTEND A MEETING OF THE JOINT MILITARY COMMISSION, KNOWN AS THE J-M-C, CALLED SPECIFICALLY TO TEST THE COMMITMENT MADE IN ROME. THE NATO SPOKESMAN, BRIGADIER ANDREW CUMMING, SAID THE SERBS WERE NOT COMPLYING WITH THE PEACE AGREEMENT.

A REFUSAL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE J-M-C PROCESS IS, OF COURSE, A CONTRAVENTION OF THE DAYTON PROCESS AND INDEED, (VIOLATES THE ACCORDS REACHED AT) THE ROME SUMMIT THAT CONCLUDED ON SUNDAY.

ON TUESDAY MORNING, THE DEPUTY COMMANDER OF THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY, GENERAL ZDRAVKO TOLIMIR, DID MEET WITH THE COMMANDER OF NATO GROUND FORCES, LIEUTENANT GENERAL MICHAEL WALKER, BUT THE SERB GENERAL SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE BOSNIAN SERB CABINET AND ASSEMBLY BEFORE FORMAL RELATIONS COULD RESUME, AND THERE WAS NO MENTION OF RESUMING TALKS WITH THE CROAT OR GOVERNMENT ARMIES AS REQUIRED BY THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. GENERAL WALKER SAID THERE IS VERY LITTLE HE CAN DO.

YOU CANNOT ENFORCE THEIR ATTENDANCE AT THE MEETING. IT'S NOT A THING YOU CAN APPLY MILITARY FORCE TO. ALL YOU CAN DO IS ACCEPT THAT THAT IS THE POSITION, AND CONTINUE TO DO ALL THE THINGS THE DAYTON AGREEMENT REQUIRES.

NATO OFFICIALS ARE PUTTING VERY LITTLE PRESSURE ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS ON THIS ISSUE, PERHAPS IN HOPES THAT THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WILL APPLY THE PRESSURE FOR THEM. SO FAR, THE BOSNIAN SERBS SEEM TO HAVE VERY LITTLE REGARD THE AGREEMENTS REACHED AT THE ROME SUMMIT, AND IT MAY BE THAT LITTLE PROGRESS WILL BE MADE IN THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS UNTIL THE CURRENT CRISIS OVER THE SERB-HELD SUBURBS OF SARAJEVO HAS RUN ITS COURSE. (SIGNED)

NEB / DF / BD / SKH
20-Feb-96 5:07 PM EST (2207 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA/MOSTAR (L UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY ( VIENNA )

INTRO: THE MUSLIM AND CROAT SECTORS OF THE TOWN OF MOSTAR IN SOUTHWESTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ARE NOW OFFICIALLY REUNITED. BUT, JOINT POLICE PATROLS HAVE BEEN DELAYED AND LIMITED, AND THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE FREE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT MOSTAR. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: ALL BARRIERS AND CHECKPOINTS IN MOSTAR WERE TO COME DOWN ON REUNIFICATION DAY. JOINT MUSLIM / CROAT POLICE PATROLS WERE TO ENSURE FREE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE FROM THE MUSLIM SECTOR OF EASTERN MOSTAR AND FROM THE CROAT-HELD WESTERN SECTOR.

AS IT TURNED OUT, THE JOINT PATROLS WERE DELAYED. WHEN THEY FINALLY BEGAN, THEY WERE VISIBLE IN ONLY CENTRAL MOSTAR.

THE EUROPEAN UNION'S (EU) ADMINISTRATOR FOR MOSTAR, HANS KOSHNICK, SAYS THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS HAVE PROMISED THAT THE JOINT POLICE PATROLS WILL OPERATE THROUGHOUT THE TOWN BY MARCH FIRST.

HUNDREDS OF MUSLIMS WERE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE CROAT SECTOR. BUT, MOST OF THEM DID NOT DARE TO VENTURE VERY FAR, AND FEW CROATS ENTERED THE MUSLIM HALF OF THE TOWN.

AMID GROWING TENSION, A CAR, CARRYING THREE OR FOUR YOUNG MUSLIM MEN, ENTERED THE CROAT SECTOR AND WAS BLOCKED BY CROAT CARS. ONE OF THE MUSLIMS IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT WHEN HE TRIED TO FLEE AND WAS BEATEN BY CROATS. THERE WAS ALSO SOME GUNFIRE AND STONE-THROWING IN THE CROAT SECTOR. BUT, THE DISTURBANCES WERE ISOLATED, AND THERE ARE NO REPORTS THAT ANYONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT. SO, MOSTAR'S REUNIFICATION HAS GOTTEN OFF TO A SHAKY START. THE FIRST TENTATIVE STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN, THOUGH, AND THE E-U ADMINISTRATOR RECOGNIZES THAT REUNIFICATION CANNOT BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED AT ONCE.

MR. KOSHNICK SAYS LINGERING HOSTILITY BETWEEN THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS, WHO FOUGHT OVER MOSTAR IN 1993, WILL NOT CHANGE OVERNIGHT.

WHAT HAPPENS IN MOSTAR WILL BE CRUCIAL TO THE FUTURE OF THE MUSLIM / CROAT FEDERATION IN BOSNIA. IF THE FEDERATION DOES NOT SURVIVE, DIPLOMATS SAY THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT WOULD NOT SURVIVE EITHER. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/MH/CF
20-Feb-96 1:37 PM EST (1837 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] CHRISTOPHER-NATO BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS MET WITH NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA IN WASHINGTON. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT THEY TOOK AN OPTIMISTIC VIEW OF HOW THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT IS BEING CARRIED OUT.

TEXT: IN THE FACE OF SIGNS FROM BOSNIA THAT AGREEMENTS REACHED DURING THE WEEKEND IN ROME ARE SLOW TO BE CARRIED OUT, SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER AND NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA BELIEVE A GOOD START HAS BEEN MADE IN CARRYING OUT THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT.

IN THE CITY OF MOSTAR, JOINT PATROLS OF MUSLIMS AND CROATS DID NOT TAKE PLACE WHEN CROATIAN POLICE FAILED TO TAKE PART. CROAT YOUTHS ATTACKED MUSLIMS CROSSING THE DIVIDING LINE IN MOSTAR.

SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER DID NOT APPEAR TO BE AWARE THE JOINT POLICE AGREEMENT IN MOSTAR HAD FALLEN APART WHEN HE SPOKE TO REPORTERS ALONGSIDE THE NATO SECRETARY GENERAL.

THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT ISSUES. IF THE PROGRESS INDICATED TODAY AND IF THE DECISION TAKEN IN ROME WILL REALLY BE ACHIEVED, I WOULD SAY THAT IS A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT AND RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS GOOD.

BOTH THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND HIS VISITOR ACKNOWLEDGE THE AGREEMENT STILL HAS OBSTACLES AHEAD. MR. SOLANA CAUTIONS IT IS TOO EARLY TO ASSESS HOW SERIOUS THE BOSNIAN PARTIES ARE IN MAKING PEACE.

IT IS TRUE THAT WE HAVE PROBLEMS SOMETIMES, BUMPS IN THE ROAD AS GENERAL JOULWAN LIKES TO SAY, BUT TO THIS MOMENT, AND I AM SURE THAT AT THE END OF THE YEAR, WE WILL OVERCOME ALL THE BUMPS IN ROAD AND THE IFOR OPERATION WILL BE A SUCCESS. WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR OTHER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, MAYBE. IT IS A VERY COMPLICATED OPERATION. SOMETIMES WE DO NOT REALIZE THE DIMENSION OF THE OPERATION IN THE SHORT TIME WE HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED ON THE GROUND. TODAY IS D-PLUS 62 AND SOME THINK WE HAVE BEEN THERE FOR YEARS. WE HAVE BEEN ON THE GROUND FOR ONLY TWO MONTHS AND IN THESE TWO MONTHS THE JOB WE HAVE DONE HAS BEEN VERY IMPRESSIVE.

SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER EXPRESSED OPTIMISM ABOUT BOSNIAN-SERB COOPERATION WITH NATO BECAUSE GENERAL ZDRAVKO TOLIMER MET WITH THE COMMANDER OF NATO TROOPS IN BOSNIA AFTER FAILING TO ATTEND A PLANNED MEETING MONDAY.

MR. CHRISTOPHER SAYS ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS WILL BE LIFTED ONLY WHEN IT IS SURE THEY ARE COMPLYING WITH THE PEACE AGREEMENT.

MEANWHILE THE BOSNIAN SERBS APPEAR TO BE ENCOURAGING SERBS TO LEAVE THE SUBURBS OF SARAJEVO, DESPITE REPEATED ASSURANCES FROM THE GOVERNMENT THEY WILL BE SAFE WHEN THE AREA RETURNS TO MUSLIM-CROAT CONTROL. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 20-Feb-96 1:17 PM EST (1817 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] TURKEY / MISSING (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN ( ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIALS SAY AN INCREASING NUMBER OF TURKS ARE DISAPPEARING WHILE IN POLICE CUSTODY -- DESPITE THE GOVERNMENT'S PLEDGE TO CURB HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS EVEN THE GOVERNMENT ACKNOWLEDGES HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS DO OCCUR IN POLICE CUSTODY. AND TURKEY'S INTERIOR MINISTER RECENTLY LAUNCHED AN INQUIRY INTO THE DEATH OF A TURKISH JOURNALIST WHO WAS ALLEGEDLY BEATEN TO DEATH BY POLICE LAST MONTH.

TEXT: IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, A KURDISH LABORER, FEHMI TOSUN, LEFT HIS ISTANBUL HOME AS USUAL TO GO TO HIS JOB. HIS WIFE, HANIM, WAS STANDING ON THEIR BALCONY TO WAVE GOODBYE TO HER HUSBAND. AND SHE SAYS SHE SAW A SMALL GROUP OF MEN SHE BELIEVES WERE SECURITY OFFICIALS CARRYING WALKIE-TALKIE RADIOS STOP HIM, PUSH HIM INTO A WHITE CAR, AND DRIVE OFF.

HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIALS SAY FEHMI TOSUN HAS JOINED THE GROWING RANKS OF ABOUT 400 TURKS WHO ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE DISAPPEARED WHILE IN POLICE CUSTODY.

HANIM TOSUN HAS BEEN STRUGGLING EVER SINCE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR FIVE YOUNG CHILDREN WHILE CONTINUING HER SEARCH FOR HER HUSBAND.

SHE SAYS SHE KNOCKED ON THE DOORS OF ALMOST EVERY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SHE BELIEVES MIGHT BE IN A POSITION TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER HUSBAND. BUT SHE SAYS EVERYONE SHE SPOKE TO DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE AFFAIR.

OFFICIALS AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION (I-H-D) SAY THE STORY IS DEPRESSINGLY FAMILIAR. THEY SAY THE BULK OF THE MISSING ARE EITHER KURDISH DISSIDENTS OR, LIKE FEHMI TOSUN, LEFT-WING RADICALS WITH LABOR UNION TIES.

THE HEAD OF THE ISTANBUL BRANCH OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION, ERCAN KANAR, SAYS THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISAPPEARED ARE USUALLY FOLLOWED FOR A FEW DAYS BY SECURITY OFFICIALS IN CIVILIAN CLOTHES BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY DISAPPEAR.

MR. KANAR SAYS THE AUTHORITIES DENY ALL KNOWLEDGE OF THE AFFAIR BECAUSE -- IN HIS WORDS -- THE VICTIM HAS BEEN TORTURED TO DEATH DURING POLICE INTERROGATION. AND HE SAYS MOST OF THE CASES GO UNREPORTED BECAUSE FAMILIES ARE SIMPLY TOO AFRAID TO SPEAK UP FOR FEAR OF REPRISAL FROM TURKISH AUTHORITIES.

BUT A GROWING NUMBER OF TURKS WHO HAVE DECIDED TO SPEAK UP GATHER IN FRONT OF A HIGH SCHOOL IN ISTANBUL'S HISTORIC GALATASARAY DISTRICT EVERY SATURDAY TO PROTEST THE DISAPPEAREANCES.

ONE WOMAN WHO IDENTIFIED HERSELF ONLY AS AYSE SAID SHE CAME TO GALATASARAY OUT OF SOLIDARITY FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE MISSING AND ALSO BECAUSE -- IN HER WORDS -- IT COULD BE HER TURN NEXT.

AYSE SAYS SHE BELIEVES THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT SHOULD RESIGN FOR FAILING TO END HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.

AT THE HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION, MR KANAR BELIEVES THE EUROPEAN UNION MADE A BIG MISTAKE IN FINALIZING A CRUCIAL FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH TURKEY LAST DECEMBER.

MR. KANAR SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION NOW HAS NO CARROT (INDUCEMENT) LEFT TO EXTEND AND NO STICK (PUNISHMENT) TO WIELD. SO, HE SAYS, THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT BELIEVES IT CAN GET LITERALLY GET AWAY WITH MURDER. (SIGNED)

NEB/AZ/JWH/GPT
20-Feb-96 10:40 AM EST (1540 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] U-S-BOSNIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS DEPORTED THREE IRANIANS DETAINED BY NATO LAST WEEK IN A HOUSE USED TO PLAN BOMBINGS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THERE IS STILL CONCERN THERE ABOUT FOREIGN FORCES IN BOSNIA.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS ONE IRANIAN DIPLOMAT AND TWO IRANIAN FIGHTERS FOUND IN A SAFE HOUSE BY NATO FORCES LAST WEEK HAVE BEEN EXPELLED BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT.

SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS DESPITE ASSURANCES FROM THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, THE UNITED STATES IS STILL NOT CONVINCED ALL FOREIGN FORCES HAVE LEFT THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF FOREIGN FIGHTERS THERE. WE ARE NOT CONVINCED THAT ALL THE FOREIGN FIGHTERS ARE OUT. HOW COULD WE BE?, GIVEN THE FACT THE SOME OF THEM WERE FOUND IN THIS SAFE HOUSE LAST THURSDAY AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO PRESS THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE.

MR. BURNS SAYS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO HOLD THREE BOSNIAN SERBS FROM THE 11 SERBS DETAINED EARLIER THIS MONTH. TWO OF THOSE ELEVEN WERE DEPORTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE BUT THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT IS UNWARRANTED TO HOLD ANY MORE OFTHE BOSNIAN SERBS. BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC HAS GIVEN THE UNITED STATES ASSURANCES THEY ALL WOULD BE RELEASED. (SIGNED)

NEB/RP/LTJ/SKH
20-Feb-96 4:22 PM EST (2122 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America