Voice of America, 22 February 1996

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: A SINGLE TOPIC, THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION, DOMINATES THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MOST MAJOR U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS THURSDAY AS THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN TRULY MOVES INTO HIGH GEAR. AMONG OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION, THE IRAQI OIL DEBATE; THE FEDERAL EFFORT TO SAVE THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES; REACTION TO NATION OF ISLAM LEADER LOUIS FARRAKHAN'S RECENT TRAVELS ABROAD; THE LATEST I-R-A BOMBING IN ENGLAND; AND CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE NARROW VICTORY OF POPULIST CANDIDATE PAT BUCHANAN, WHO HAS NEVER HELD ELECTIVE OFFICE, OVER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE IN THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY IS THE DOMINANT TOPIC IN THE U-S PRESS TODAY. "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" CALLS IT: "AN UNDENIABLE SETBACK FOR [SENATOR] DOLE, ADDING:

VOICE: "FOR ALL OF BOB DOLE'S ENDORSEMENTS, ORGANIZATION AND CAMPAIGN FUNDS, HE IS NO LONGER THE INEVITABLE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE. AND FOR ALL OF PAT BUCHANAN'S DIVISIVENESS, SCAPEGOATING AND LACK OF CREDENTIALS FOR THE PRESIDENCY, HE IS NO LONGER A SUREFIRE ALSO-RAN. NEW HAMPSHIRE HAS TURNED THE PROFESSIONAL POLEMICIST INTO A PLAYER LIKELY TO CONTEND FOR THE TOP SPOT ... ALL THE WAY TO THE SAN DIEGO CONVENTION."

TEXT: UNDER THE EDITORIAL HEADLINE, "FIRE IN THE BELLY" [POLITICAL SLANG FOR "BURNING DESIRE"], "THE MIAMI HERALD" WRITES OF MR. BUCHANAN:

VOICE: "[OPT] THE FORMER COMMENTATOR AND COLUMNIST'S RECORD ALONE SHOULD MAKE ENOUGH ROPE TO HANG HIM TEN TIMES OVER IN A GENERAL ELECTION. HIS ANTI-SEMITISM IS BUT THINLY VEILED... HE UNCONDITIONALLY REJECTS ABORTION RIGHTS, GUN CONTROL, AND FREE TRADE... AGAINST THESE NEGATIVES, MR. BUCHANAN HAS SOME POWERFUL, VISCERALLY APPEALING POSITIVES. [END OPT] ... MORE THAN ANY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE THIS YEAR, PAT BUCHANAN RECOGNIZES AND ARTICULATES THE MALAISES THAT DEEPLY TROUBLE THE NATION."

TEXT: FROM NEW YORK'S FINANCIAL DISTRICT, "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" IS CALLING THE PRIMARY RESULTS A "GOP REALITY CHECK."

VOICE: "BOB DOLE, PAT BUCHANAN AND LAMAR ALEXANDER ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEY TRULY WANT TO BE THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE REPRESENTING [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. AS OF NOW, GOP VOTERS IN PRIMARY STATES ARE BEING ASKED TO VOTE FOR THREE GUYS WHO SEE THE PARTY MERELY AS A VEHICLE TO MAKE THEMSELVES PRESIDENT."

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" WRITES OF MR. DOLE'S CHANCES AFTER THE NEW HAMPSHIRE LOSS:

VOICE: "IT IS FAR TOO EARLY TO WRITE HIM OFF. HE HAS BOTH A LOT OF MONEY AND A LOT OF INFANTRY IN PLACE IN THE MAJOR STATES AHEAD. AND HE IS ..... A FAR BETTER FIGURE THAN THE GUY SCRAPPING AROUND THE PRIMARIES SO FAR. ....[HOWEVER] TO KEEP HIS CANDIDACY ALIVE AND TO KEEP HIS PARTY FROM FRACTURING BIG-TIME [SERIOUSLY], HE WILL HAVE TO GIVE PEOPLE AN AFFIRMATIVE REASON FOR VOTING FOR HIM."

TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" DESCRIBES MR. DOLE NOW AS LOOKING LIKE "AN EXTINCT VOLCANO," BUT CALLS MR. BUCHANAN: "... THE MOST EXCITING STUMP CAMPAIGNER SINCE THE 1980 REAGAN RACE."

VOICE: "... BUT MR. BUCHANAN IS ALSO DANGEROUS, BOTH TO THE REPUBLICAN CHANCES OF WINNING THE WHITE HOUSE ... AND TO THE FUTURE OF HIS PARTY."

TEXT: ACROSS TOWN, "THE NEW YORK POST" OBSERVES OF MR. BUCHANAN:

VOICE: "HE IS UNLIKELY TO BE THE G-O-P NOMINEE. INDEED, AS SOON AS THE FIELD IS WINNOWED A BIT, A BROADER-BASED AND MORE TRADITIONAL REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE SHOULD BEAT HIM WITHOUT GREAT DIFFICULTY. BUT BUCHANAN'S EARLY SUCCESSES SHOULD PROVIDE AN IMPORTANT LESSON FOR A PARTY WHOSE MESSAGE, OVER THE PAST YEAR, HAS BECOME FAR TOO NARROW."

TEXT: AND CLOSING OUT THIS SUBJECT, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" SAYS, "WHAT DISTINGUISHES [MR.] BUCHANAN FROM THE GOP PACK IS HIS SKILL AT SINGING THE WORKING-CLASS BLUES."

[END OPT]

AMONG TODAY'S FOREIGN EDITORIAL TOPICS, THE "LOS ANGELES TIMES" WONDERS IF SADDAM HUSSEIN "READY TO DEAL," AND GOES ON TO SAY OF THE POSSIBLE AGREEMENT TO ALLOW IRAQ TO SELL SOME CRUDE OIL IN ORDER TO FINANCE FOOD RELIEF SUPPLIES FOR ITS STARVING PEOPLE:

VOICE: "A LOT OF IRAQ'S NEIGHBORS AND OTHER OIL EXPORTERS QUIETLY HOPE THAT HE IS NOT READY TO END HIS REJECTIONIST STANCE, SINCE ADDING MILLIONS OF BARRELS OF IRAQI OIL TO THE WORLD MARKET WOULD WORK TO DEPRESS PRICES AND PROFITS... THE FACT THAT [SADDAM] HUSSEIN AGREED EVEN TO TAKE PART IN TECHNICAL TALKS ON EASING OIL SALES COULD INDICATE A NEW CONCERN THAT THE IRAQI PEOPLE MAY BE NEARING A BREAKING POINT."

TEXT: ON ANOTHER MATTER PERTAINING TO IRAQ, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" NOTES A BRITISH COURT'S EXONERATION OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR ALLOWING SALES OF BRITISH MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO BAGHDAD IN THE YEARS LEADING UP TO THE GULF WAR.

VOICE: "AS THE LABOR PARTY'S SPOKESMAN, ROBIN COOK WONDERED ALOUD: HOW COULD THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAVE SO MISJUDGED SADDAM HUSSEIN? COOK COULD HAVE BEEN SPEAKING ABOUT THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION AND THE CREDITS EXTENDED TO BAGHDAD, OR ABOUT THE DUAL-USE TECHNOLOGY THAT WAS EXPORTED FROM THE UNITED STATES TO IRAQ BETWEEN THE END OF THE IRAN-(IRAQ WAR AND IRAQ'S INVASION OF KUWAIT."

TEXT: IN DOMESTIC NEWS, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" GIVES MIXED REVIEWS TO THE GOVERNMENT'S PLAN ANNOUNCED MONDAY TO BEGIN A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION IN THE EVERGLADES IN FLORIDA.

VOICE: "THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S SEVEN-YEAR PLAN TO RESTORE FLORIDA SWAMPLAND ... IS AN AMBITIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROPOSAL ... INDISPUTABLY NECESSARY... BUT BIG UNCERTAINTIES REMAIN OVER FUNDING FOR THIS MASSIVE PROJECT, IMPERILING ITS SUCCESS. THOSE UNCERTAINTIES MUST BE RESOLVED BEFORE WORK GETS UNDER WAY... IT WON'T BE EASY."

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS MAY BE TURNED TO THE EVERGLADES PROJECT'S ADVANTAGE.

VOICE: "WHEN THE SENATE WAS WORKING ON THE FARM BILL A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, BOB DOLE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN INSERTING 200-MILLION DOLLARS TO CLEAN UP THE EVERGLADES. IN A STATE AS IMPORTANT POLITICALLY AS FLORIDA, THE CONTENDER FOR THE PRESIDENCY WAS NOT ABOUT TO BE OUTDONE BY THE PRESIDENT... IF THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN HELPS SAVE THE EVERGLADES, WELL, AT LEAST WE'LL SALVAGE SOMETHING FROM IT."

TEXT: "USA TODAY", THE NATIONAL DAILY, JOINS THE CHORUS OF CRITICISM OF NATION OF ISLAM LEADER LOUIS FARRAKHAN'S ANTI-AMERICAN COMMENTS WHILE TRAVELLING RECENTLY IN AFRICA AND PARTS OF THE MIDDLE EAST:

VOICE: "WELCOME HOME, LOUIS FARRAKHAN, TO THE LAND OF THE FREE. BECAUSE OF THIS COUNTRY'S SUBSTANTIAL LIBERTIES, YOUR SPLASHY TOUR OF TERRORIST CAPITALS WAS WELL WITHIN YOUR RIGHTS. YOUR VIRULENT CRITICISM OF AMERICAN POLICIES IN MEETINGS WITH DICTATORS AND DESPOTS IS AMPLY PROTECTED BY THE FIRST AMENDMENT... IN YOUR MILLION MAN MARCH ON WASHINGTON LAST FALL, YOU PREACHED THE VIRTUE OF RECONCILIATION AND ATONEMENT. THIS TOUR (OVERSEAS) SERVED NEITHER."

TEXT: IN REACTING TO THE LATEST IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY TERRORIST BOMBINGS IN LONDON, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "THE MEN OF THE I-R-A HAVE TEMPORARILY WON THE ARGUMENT WITH SINN FEIN'S LEADERS WHO FAVOR POLITICS OVER THE GUN. THE RETURN TO VIOLENCE IS DEPLORABLE, BUT OTHERS INVOLVED IN TRYING TO SETTLE THE CONFLICT SHOULD NOT ABANDON THEIR EFFORTS."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THIS ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, REVOLUTIONARY WAR VICTOR AND FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" REMEMBERS:

VOICE: "HIS STATURE ONLY GROWS WHEN WE COMPARE HIM AND HIS PRESIDENCY WITH THOSE WHO WOULD BE PRESIDENT TODAY... 'THEY DON'T MAKE PRESIDENTS LIKE WASHINGTON ANYMORE', IT SOMETIMES IS SAID. ON THIS, HIS BIRTHDAY, LET US BE GRATEFUL HE WAS THERE AT THE BEGINNING."

TEXT: AND THAT ENDS THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL OPINION FROM SOME OF THE NATION'S DAILY PAPERS.

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22-Feb-96 11:10 AM EST (1610 UTC)
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[02] GREECE / GERMANY (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GREEK PRIME MINISTER COSTAS SIMITIS HAS MET IN BONN WITH GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL FOR TALKS THAT INCLUDED A SIMMERING TERRITORIAL DISPUTE BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY. AS VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS, GREECE HAS BEEN TRYING TO DRUM UP EUROPEAN SUPPORT FOR ITS POSITION IN THE DISPUTE.

TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER TALKS WITH CHANCELLOR KOHL, THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER SAID HIS GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO BLOCK IMPLEMENTATION OF A PLANNED EUROPEAN UNION CUSTOMS AGREEMENT WITH TURKEY.

THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER REPEATED DEMANDS THAT ITS RECENT DISPUTE WITH TURKEY ABOUT A GROUP OF TINY AEGEAN SEA ISLANDS BE SETTLED THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE.

ALTHOUGH THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS APPROVED FUNDING FOR THE CUSTOMS UNION WITH TURKEY, THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION CANNOT EXPECT GREEK COOPERATION AT THIS TIME. TURKEY, WHICH EVENTUALLY WANTS TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, NEARLY WENT TO WAR WITH GREECE OVER THE AEGEAN SEA ISLAND DISPUTE LAST MONTH.

TURKEY SAYS THE ISSUE SHOULD BE SETTLED THROUGH BILATERAL NEGOTIATIONS.

AS THE DIPLOMATIC DISPUTE SIMMERS, TURKEY HAS RECALLED ITS AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS FOR WHAT IT CALLS A LARGE SCALE REVIEW OF RELATIONS WITH GREECE. TURKEY, WHICH SENT ITS FOREIGN MINISTER ON A TOUR OF E-U CAPITALS LAST WEEK, CITED WHAT IT CALLED GREEK EFFORTS TO OPEN WOUNDS IN TURKISH / E-U RELATIONS.

THE GREEK AND TURKISH GOVERNMENTS HAVE LONG BEEN AT ODDS ABOUT A NUMBER OF ISSUES, INCLUDING AIR SPACE, OCEAN RIGHTS, AND THE DIVIDED MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND OF CYPRUS. (SIGNED)

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22-Feb-96 2:54 PM EST (1954 UTC)
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[03] BOSNIA / PRESIDENT (S / 2ND UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC IS BEING TREATED IN A SARAJEVO HOSPITAL FOR HEART TROUBLE. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS THE BOSNIAN LEADER IS SAID TO BE IN STABLE CONDITION, AND HIS LIFE IS NOT THREATENED.

TEXT: THE 70-YEAR-OLD BOSNIAN PRESIDENT WAS TAKEN TO THE KOSOVO HOSPITAL IN SARAJEVO AFTER HE EXPERIENCED WHAT THE GOVERNMENT CALLS SUDDEN HEART PROBLEMS.

SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE RULING DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY IN SARAJEVO SAY MR. IZETBEGOVIC IS IN STABLE CONDITION. THEY SAY HIS LIFE IS NOT IN DANGER. BUT, THEY SAY HE NEEDS TO REST AFTER YEARS OF HARD WORK AS BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA'S PRESIDENT.

PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC, A MUSLIM, HAS HEADED THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SINCE 1990 THROUGH THE BREAKUP OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, THE WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, AND THE EARLY STAGES OF RENEWED PEACE IN BOSNIA.

AT A SUMMIT CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA LAST WEEKEND IN ROME, HE ACCEPTED A VITAL, LAST-MINUTE COMPROMISE WITH THE CROATS ON A PLAN TO RE-UNITE THE DIVIDED TOWN OF MOSTAR. (SIGNED)

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22-Feb-96 11:52 AM EST (1652 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA / SERBS (S UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: BOSNIAN SERBS SAY THEY ARE RESUMING FULL COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND WITH THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS TO IMPLEMENT THE PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. BUT, V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS THE COMMANDER OF THE NATO-LED PEACE FORCE IN BOSNIA IS SKEPTICAL AND WANTS TO HOLD OFF LIFTING INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST THE SERBS.

TEXT: THE SERB LEADERSHIP HAS AGREED ON DATES FOR RESUMING TALKS ON CIVIL ASPECTS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. BUT, NO DATES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR THE RESUMPTION OF JOINT MILITARY COMMISSION MEETINGS.

NATO GENERAL WILLIAM CARTER SAYS HIS COMMANDER, U-S ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH, WANTS TO WAIT UNTIL SERB INTENTIONS ARE CLEAR BEFORE LIFTING UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS AGAINST THE SERBS.

THE ADMIRAL HAS GONE FORWARD IN HIS ASSESSMENT, ASKING THAT THE SANCTIONS NOT BE SUSPENDED FOR THE NEXT 48 HOURS TO ALLOW BOTH THE ADMIRAL AND LIEUTENANT GENERAL WALKER (NATO'S GROUND FORCE COMMANDER IN BOSNIA) TIME TO ASSESS WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL HAVE FULL COMPLIANCE (WITH THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT) FROM THE BOSNIAN SERBS AS A RESULT OF THE ONGOING SESSION OF THE (SERB) GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN PALE.

THE SERBS BROKE OFF CONTACTS WITH NATO AND WITH THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION TO PROTEST THE DETENTION OF SERB SOLDIERS, SUSPECTED OF WAR CRIMES. (SIGNED)

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22-Feb-96 11:14 AM EST (1614 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA/REFUGEES (LONG) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF BOSNIAN SERBS ARE FLEEING SERB-HELD AREAS OF SARAJEVO ONLY HOURS BEFORE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT POLICE WILL BEGIN TAKING CONTROL. SEVERAL HOUSES AND BUILDINGS IN THE SERB AREAS HAVE BEEN SET ON FIRE BY THE DEPARTING SERBS. V-O-A'S DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE TASK FORCE IN SARAJEVO, ALEX IVANKO, MAKES IT CLEAR EXACTLY WHAT WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW MORNING (FRIDAY) IN THE SERB SUBURB OF VOGOSCA.

AS OF 0600 HOURS FRIDAY MORNING FEDERATION POLICE WILL START PATROLLING IN VOGOSCA. REPUBLICA SRPSKA POLICE WILL CEASE TO EXIST AS OF THAT HOUR IN THAT AREA.

THE SERBS BELIEVE THE POLICE FROM THE MUSLIM/CROAT FEDERATION WILL NOT PROTECT THEM FROM OTHER MUSLIMS WHO WILL COME SEEKING RETRIBUTION FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS OF ATTACKS ON NEARBY SARAJEVO. THAT IS A FEAR THE NATO CHIEF OF STAFF IN BOSNIA, LT GEN WILLIAM CARTER, SAYS NATO OFFICIALS ARE WELL AWARE OF.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT THERE'S FEAR. AGAIN WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN TO ALLEVIATE THAT FEAR.

THOSE EFFORTS INCLUDE MEETINGS WITH LOCAL PEOPLE, DISTRIBUTING LEAFLETS DOOR TO DOOR, INCREASING PATROLS IN THE AREA, AND EVEN A PERSONAL VISIT TO VOGOSCA ON THURSDAY FROM THE OVERALL COMMANDER OF NATO IN BOSNIA, ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH. BUT THIS IS A STRUGGLE FOR THE CONFIDENCE OF THE SERBS AND NATO SPOKESMAN MAJOR TOM MOYER, SAYS NATO IS LOSING.

THE CITIZENS OF THE SUBURBS RIGHT NOW ARE BEING BOMBARDED FROM EVERY SIDE BY INFORMATION, AND THE CITIZENS OF THE SUBURBS ARE GOING TO TEND TO LISTEN TO THE LEADERS THAT THEY'VE HAD OVER TIME. SO IT'S TOUGH FOR US TO GET OUR MESSAGE OUT, THAT IT'S UP TO THEM, THAT IT'S THEIR INDIVIDUAL CHOICE WHETHER TO STAY OR LEAVE.

THE MESSAGE FROM BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS IN PALE IS CLEAR. THERE IS NO SAFETY WITH OUT SERB SOLDIERS AND POLICE. ALEX IVANKO FOR THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE CONDEMNS THAT MESSAGE.

IT IS APPALLING THOUGH THAT THE PALE LEADERSHIP CONTINUES TO PRESSURE AND INTIMIDATE THEIR OWN PEOPLE, AND THE UNITED NATIONS HOPES THAT THESE ACTIVITIES BY THE PALE LEADERSHIP THROUGH THEIR MEDIA WILL CEASE IMMEDIATELY. THE SERBS DO HAVE A CHOICE AND NOBODY SHOULD BE FORCING THEM TO BECOME REFUGEES.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIATORS, IN AN EFFORT TO CONVINCE THE SERBS TO STAY AND LIVE UNDER BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL, MET FOR HOURS ON THURSDAY WITH SENIOR CIVILIAN OFFICIALS FROM ALL SIDES. THE FINAL STATEMENT, TRUMPETED AS A BREAKTHROUGH, CONTAINED NOTHING NEW.

AS THE SERBS ARE LEAVING, SOME ARE ENGAGED IN WHAT KRIS JANOWSKI, THE UN REFUGEE AGENCY SPOKESMAN, DESCRIBED AS THE "DEVIL'S WORK".

NOW WE ARE HAVING MORE AND MORE REPORTS OF HOUSES BURNING DOWN IN VOGOSCA. IT IS ABOMINABLE AND WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

SEVERAL HOUSES, A SUPERMARKET, A SCHOOL, AND A FACTORY IN VOGOSCA HAVE BEEN TORCHED. BUT BOTH NATO OFFICIALS AND THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE SAY THEY ARE POWERLESS TO STOP IT. (SIGNED)

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22-Feb-96 5:01 PM EST (2201 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA/SERBS (L) UPDATE BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE COMMANDER OF THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, U-S ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH, IS ASKING FOR A DELAY IN THE SUSPENSION OF INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS. THE COMMANDER WANTS TO BE SURE THE SERBS CARRY OUT A PLEDGE TO RESUME HIGH-LEVEL MILITARY CONTACTS WITH NATO, AND MILITARY AND CIVILIAN CONTACTS WITH THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS AND CROATS. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: HOURS AFTER ADMIRAL SMITH SAID THE SERBS WERE GENERALLY COMPLYING WITH THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT, HE HAS RECONSIDERED THAT ASSESSMENT.

HE IS NOW RECOMMENDING U-N SANCTIONS AGAINST THE SERBS SHOULD NOT BE SUSPENDED UNTIL THE SERBS CLEARLY END THEIR BOYCOTT OF MILITARY AND CIVILIAN TALKS ON IMPLEMENTING THE PEACE TREATY.

THE ADMIRAL'S POSITION HAS BEEN EXPLAINED IN SARAJEVO BY A NATO OFFICIAL, GENERAL WILLIAM CARTER.

THE ADMIRAL HAS GONE FORWARD IN HIS ASSESSMENT, ASKING THAT THE SANCTIONS NOT BE SUSPENDED FOR THE NEXT 48-HOURS TO ALLOW BOTH THE ADMIRAL AND LIEUTENANT GENERAL WALKER (NATO'S GROUND FORCE COMMANDER IN BOSNIA) TIME TO ASSESS WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL HAVE FULL COMPLIANCE FROM THE BOSNIAN SERBS AS A RESULT OF THE ONGOING SESSION OF THE (SERB) GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN PALE.

GENERAL CARTER SAYS NATO HAS ONLY A PRESS REPORT INDICATING THE SERBS' INTENTION TO RESUME FULL COOPERATION WITH THE NATO-LED PEACE FORCE AND WITH THE MUSLIM/CROAT FEDERATION IN BOSNIA.

THE SERBS ARE SAID TO HAVE AGREED ON DATES FOR TALKS ON CIVILIAN ASPECTS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT NEXT WEEK. BUT, NO DATES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR THE RESUMPTION OF JOINT MILITARY COMMISSION MEETINGS.

GENERAL CARTER SAYS NATO WANTS EVIDENCE THE SERBS WILL HONOR A COMMITMENT, BROKEN MONDAY, TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MILITARY TALKS.

THE DEPUTY SERB-ARMY COMMANDER WAS SUPPOSED TO MEET MONDAY WITH NATO, BOSNIAN ARMY AND CROAT MILITARY COMMANDERS. THE SERB GENERAL FAILED TO APPEAR.

NATO'S SKEPTICISM ABOUT WHETHER THE SERBS WILL HONOR THEIR PROMISES IS DUE PARTLY TO A SPLIT BETWEEN THEIR CIVILIAN LEADERSHIP AND THEIR ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC. THERE ARE ALSO POLICY DIFFERENCES AMONG SERB POLITICAL LEADERS. (SIGNED)

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22-Feb-96 1:08 PM EST (1808 UTC)
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[07] PERRY / NATO / BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: HERE IN WASHINGTON, U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY HAS GIVEN A CAUTIOUS WELCOME TO THE PLEDGE BY BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS TO RESTORE COOPERATION WITH NATO PEACEKEEPERS. HE SAYS NATO WILL WAIT TO SEE IF THE CONTACTS ACTUALLY MATERIALZE BEFORE RECOMMENDING THE LIFTING OF U-N SANCTIONS AGAINST THE SERBS. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: MR. PERRY SAYS THE STATEMENT FROM THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP IS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT. BUT HE SAYS NATO WILL WAIT A FEW DAYS TO SEE IF THERE ARE DEEDS TO MATCH THE WORDS BEFORE GOING AHEAD WITH ACTION ON THE SANCTIONS.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS WERE TOLD AT LAST WEEKEND'S ROME SUMMIT THAT THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED IN 1994 WOULD BE LIFTED, IN RETURN FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO RESTORE FULL CONTACTS WITH THE NATO PEACEKEEPERS AND THE BOSNIAN-CROAT FEDERATION.

BUT BOTH MR. PERRY AND THE COMMANDER OF NATO FORCES IN BOSNIA ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH HAVE NOW RECOMMENDED A DELAY -- TO SEE IF THE BOSNIAN SERBS COMPLY FULLY WITH THE PLEDGE ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY BY THEIR SELF-DESCRIBED PARLIAMENT AT PALE. MR. PERRY, WHO SPOKE TO REPORTERS AS HE BEGAN A MEETING WITH NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA, ALSO REJECTED THE NOTION THAT THE CONTINUING EXODUS OF SERBS FROM AREAS OF SARAJEVO BEING PASSED TO GOVERNMENT CONTROL AMOUNTS TO ANOTHER EPISODE OF ETHNIC CLEANSING:

IT IS NOT EVEN DE FACTO OR DE JURE ETHNIC CLEANSING. THE SERBS WHO ARE LEAVING ARE LEAVING ARE LEAVING VOLUNTARILY, ARE LEAVING OF THEIR OWN ACCORD. SO THIS IS NO RESEMBLANCE TO ETHNIC CLEANSING. WE WOULD HOPE THAT MORE OF THEM WILL STAY AND INDEED SOME OF THEM APPARENTLY PLAN TO STAY. BECAUSE OUR HOPE IS THAT OVER THE MONTHS AHEAD SARAJEVO WILL RETURN ONCE AGAIN TO A MULTI-ETHNIC CITY LIVING IN PEACE.

MR. PERRY U-S FORCES ARE CONDUCTING SURVELLIANCE OF LOCATIONS IN BOSNIA WHERE COMMANDERS THINK IRANIAN AGENTS MAY BE LOCATED OR WHICH MAY BE SITES FOR TERRORIST OPERATIONS. LAST WEEK, NATO TROOPS RAIDED WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A TERRORIST TRAINING SCHOOL NEAR SARAJEVO, ARRESTING 11 PERSONS INCLUDING THREE IRANIANS, WHO WERE SUBSEQUENTLY DEPORTED.

IN SENATE TESTIMONY (THURSDAY) C-I-A DIRECTOR JOHN DEUTCH -- WHILE PROVIDING NO DETAILS -- SAID HE REMAINS "ABSOLUTELY CONCERNED" ABOUT A CONTINUING IRANIAN PRESENCE IN BOSNIA AS A THREAT TO U-S FORCES, AND SAID IT IS A MATTER OF DAILY DISCUSSION WITH SECRETARY PERRY AND SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER. ALL IRANIANS, ALONG WITH OTHER FOREIGN FORCES, WERE TO HAVE LEFT BOSNIA MORE THAN A MONTH AGO UNDER TERMS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS. (SIGNED)

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22-Feb-96 11:21 AM EST (1621 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] U-S-BOSNIA ARMS (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS THERE ARE STILL IRANIAN FIGHTERS IN BOSNIA AND AMERICAN PLANS TO EQUIP AND TRAIN BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS HAVE BEEN SET BACK AS A RESULT. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: IF THE UNITED STATES IS GOING TO FULFILL ITS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND EQUIPMENT FOR BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TROOPS, THEN ARRANGEMENTS WOULD ALREADY BE MADE TO BEGIN THAT PROCESS NEXT MONTH. HOWEVER, THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THOSE PLANS HAVE BEEN SET BACK BECAUSE OF THE DISCOVERY OF THREE IRANIANS LAST WEEK IN A HOUSE USED FOR PLANNING EXPLOSIVES. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT DEPORTED THE THREE IRANIANS AND HAS GIVEN REPEATED COMMITMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES THAT ALL FOREIGN FORCES HAVE LEFT THE COUNTRY.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES IRANIANS ARE STILL IN BOSNIA AND WILL NOT COORDINATE MILITARY ASSISTANCE FOR THE GOVERNMENT UNTIL IT IS SURE THEY ARE GONE.

WE CAN'T DO THAT UNTIL WE SEE BY THE ACTIONS OF THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO FULFILL THEIR GOOD-FAITH COMMITMENTS TO US. IT IS TOO IMPORTANT TO SECURE THE SAFETY OF OUR TROOPS, OF OUR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN TO FOOL AROUND WITH THIS ISSUE AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT.

IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER CONTENDS THE IRANIANS WERE IN BOSNIA FOR HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE.IN RESPONSE, MR. BURNS ASKS WHY THE IRANIANS LAST WEEK WERE CAUGHT WITH EXPLOSIVES. (SIGNED)

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22-Feb-96 5:10 PM EST (2210 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America