Voice of America, 23 February 1996

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NANCY SMART (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: EDITORIAL WRITERS AROUND THE COUNTRY DEAL WITH A VARIETY OF TOPICS IN TODAY'S PAPERS, INCLUDING HEALTH INSURANCE, A CRACKDOWN IN CUBA, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S MEETING WITH THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER IN CALIFORNIA. OTHER CONCERNS INCLUDE THE LATEST IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY BOMBING AND RICHARD HOLBROOKE'S LEGACY IN BOSNIA. WITH MORE, HERE IS _______________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TWO NEWSPAPERS ARE POINTING OUT THAT IN THE WAKE OF THE DEFEAT TWO YEARS AGO OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S AMBITIOUS NATIONAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAM, CONGRESS HAS YET TO PASS A MODEST HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL THAT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. NEW YORK'S "NEWSDAY" SAYS THE BILL SHOULD BE PASSED:

VOICE: "IT WOULD HELP MILLION WHO LOSE THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE . . . BY ASSURING THEY CAN BUY COVERAGE ELSEWHERE. IT WOULD END SOME OF THE CRUELEST INSURANCE-INDUSTRY PRACTICES, SUCH AS TERMINATING A FAMILY'S COVERAGE WHEN ONE MEMBER GETS SICK OR REFUSING TO GRANT POLICIES AT ALL TO THOSE WITH A PRE-EXISTING ILLNESS. . . THIS BILL MAY BE IMPERFECT, BUT IT WOULD IMPROVE THE CURRENT SYSTEM . . . THE SENATE MUST PASS IT AND THE HOUSE, WHICH IS LAGGING ON HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION, MUST GET TO WORK, TOO.

TEXT: "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE" POINTS OUT THAT 40-MILLION AMERICANS STILL DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, AND SAYS THE BILL IS BEING HELD UP IN CONGRESS BY "SEVERAL SENATORS WHO INSIST THEIR NAMES NOT BE DISCLOSED." IT ADDS:

VOICE: CHANCES ARE THE OBSTRUCTIONISTS ARE DOING THE BIDDING OF THE INSURANCE LOBBY, WHICH OPPOSES A PROVISION THAT WOULD REQUIRE INSURERS TO OFFER INDIVIDUAL POLICIES TO WORKERS WHO, THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, ARE LOSING THEIR EMPLOYER-SPONSORED GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE . . . WHATEVER THE PROBLEMS ARE, IT'S TIME TO ADVANCE THE . . . BILL TO THE SENATE FLOOR AND FOR THE ANONYMOUS TO STAND UP AND EXPLAIN WHY, AND ON WHOSE BEHALF, THEY OPPOSE THIS SENSIBLE REFORM."

TEXT: THE RECENT ARRESTS IN CUBA OF MEMBERS OF A BROAD-BASED COALITION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE KNOWN AS "CONCILIO CUBANO" -- CUBAN CONCILIATION -- HAS PROVOKED EDITORIAL CENSURE FROM BOTH THE "WASHINGTON POST" AND THE "MIAMI HERALD". FIRST, THE WASHINGTON POST:

VOICE: "THIS BRAVE LITTLE BAND'S FIRST MEETING WAS TO TAKE PLACE TOMORROW. BUT PRESIDENT CASTRO UNLEASHED HIS POLICE, AND THE RESULTING ARRESTS AND HARASSMENT PREEMPTED THE MEETING. SO WHAT IS NEW? IS THERE ANYONE LEFT WHO DOUBTS THAT FOR FIDEL CASTRO THE PRESERVATION OF PERSONAL POWER IS THE FIRST GOAL OF THE "REVOLUTION?". . . IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE ELSEWHERE TO ANNOUNCE THEMSELVES IN FAVOR OF A "PEACEFUL TRANSITION" IN CUBA . . . THE AUTHORITIES ARE THE ONES BLOCKING A PEACEFUL TRANSITION. THE DISSENTERS AND THE PEOPLE WHO WISH TO CLAIM THEIR RIGHTS AND SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES ARE THE ONES WHO CAN SHOW THE WAY."

TEXT: FLORIDA'S "MIAMI HERALD", WHICH KEEPS CLOSE WATCH ON CUBAN MATTERS, SPEAKS IN EQUALLY STRONG TERMS:

VOICE: "POTENTIAL FOREIGN INVESTORS OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED TO CUT DEALS WITH A GOVERNMENT PARTNER THAT SAVAGES ITS OWN CITIZENS AS THEY STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM. WHY DOES A REGIME THAT CLAIMS SUCH DEEP POPULAR SUPPORT LAUNCH SUCH A FEROCIOUS CRACKDOWN AGAINST A NONVIOLENT COALITION OF DECENT PEOPLE? PERHAPS CASTRO'S REGIME REALIZES . . . THE CONCILIO HAS THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR KINDLING MASSIVE RESISTANCE TO CASTRO'S THUGGIST RULE."

TEXT: THE "LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS THE GET-ACQUAINTED MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER RYUTARO HASHIMOTO IN SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, ON THURSDAY PAVES THE WAY FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE VISIT TO JAPAN IN APRIL. BUT THE "TIMES" ADDS THAT THERE IS MUCH HARD WORK TO COME.

VOICE: ". . . THE TWO LEADERS WILL FACE STICKY BILATERAL ISSUES IN APRIL . . . EACH FACES CONSIDERABLE POLITICAL PRESSURES AT HOME AND ABROAD. THEIR CHALLENGE IS TO HOLD TO WHAT'S BEST FOR BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN, EVEN WHEN THE GOALS FOR EACH NATION SEEM TO COLLIDE. THERE'S BEEN PROGRESS ON TRADE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, BUT MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE. THE SECURITY ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN HAS BEEN STRAINED SINCE THE RAPE OF A JAPANESE GIRL IN OKINAWA SET OFF PROTESTS AGAINST THE U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE. . . . THESE ARE THE CHALLENGES FOR CLINTON AND HASHIMOTO."

TEXT: THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE", COMMENTING ON ANOTHER IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY BOMB BLAST IN LONDON ON SUNDAY, SAYS THE RENEWED KILLING CAN ONLY RENDER THE I-R-A "MORAL PARIAHS IN THE EYES OF THE CIVILIZED WORLD":

VOICE: "ONCE THEY MAY AT LEAST HAVE CLAIMED TO BE FIGHTING FOR AN OPPRESSED CATHOLIC MINORITY IN NORTHERN IRELAND. BUT BY SUBVERTING THE CAUSE OF PEACE IN THAT WAR-WEARY COUNTRY THEY HAVE LOST CLAIM TO ANY CONSTITUENCY BEYOND THE VIOLENT AND THE HATEFUL. OMINOUSLY, IT APPEARS THAT GERRY ADAMS, THE HEAD OF THE IRA'S POLITICAL WING, MAY NO LONGER BE ABLE TO CONTROL ITS MILITANT FORCES. IF TRUE, THAT MAKES A RETURN TO PEACEFUL NEGOTIATIONS HIGHLY PROBLEMATIC. . . . BUT IF PROTESTANT PARAMILITARY GROUPS DON'T RETALIATE AGAINST THE BOMBINGS AND IF ADAMS CAN PERSUADE THE I-R-A TO HONOR ANOTHER CEASEFIRE, THEN PERHAPS PEACE NEGOTIATIONS CAN GO FORWARD ONCE AGAIN -- WITH EVEN GREATER CAUTION AND A DEARTH OF TRUST."

TEXT: FINALLY, THE "BOSTON GLOBE" PAYS THIS TRIBUTE TO RICHARD HOLBROOKE, ARCHITECT OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT THAT HALTED THE BOSNIAN CIVIL WAR, AS HE LEFT HIS JOB AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO RETURN TO PRIVATE LIFE:

VOICE: "HIS ACHIEVEMENT WAS TO SEIZE THE EXACT PSYCHOLOGICAL MOMENT WHEN ALL SIDES SAW THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE MORE TO GAIN THROUGH PEACE THAN WAR. EMPLOYING A COMBINATION OF DANGLED CARROT AND BRANDISHED STICK, HOLBROOKE CAJOLED, PERSUADED AND SOMETIMES SHOUTED AT THE LEADERS OF BOSNIA, SERBIA AND CROATIA -- MANY OF WHOM HAD BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS -- UNTIL AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED. . . AS SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER TOLD HOLBROOKE UPON HIS DEPARTURE, EVERY BULLET NOT FIRED AND EVERY GRAVE NOT DUG IN BOSNIA CAN BE ATTRIBUTED IN GREAT MEASURE TO RICHARD HOLBROOKE'S DIPLOMATIC SKILLS."

TEXT: AND THAT WRAPS UP TODAY'S LOOK AT EDITORIAL PAGES AROUND THE UNITED STATES.

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23-Feb-96 11:24 AM EST (1624 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] ASIA-EUROPE BY ZUL TAJIBNAPIS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NEXT MONTH (MARCH 1-2), HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF 10 ASIAN NATIONS -- JAPAN, CHINA, SOUTH KOREA AND THE SEVEN MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS OR ASEAN -- WILL MEET IN BANGKOK WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. VOA'S ZUL TAJIBNAPIS IN WASHINGTON REPORTS TRADE AND INVESTMENT WILL BE ON THE AGENDA AND MATTERS OF ENVIRONMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS ARE LIKELY TO BE DISCUSSED.

TEXT: THE HIGH LEVEL MEETING IS AN OUTGROWTH OF LONG TERM RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO REGIONS SINCE THE 1970S. THE ASIA SIDE IS REPRESENTED IN ASEAN, THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIA NATIONS, WHOSE MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES SINGAPORE, INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, THE PHILIPPINES, THAILAND, BRUNEI AND VITENAM. ADDITONAL PARTICIPANTS IN THE REGIONAL GATHERING WILL BE FROM JAPAN, CHINA AND SOUTH KOREA. THE EUROPEAN SIDE IS GROUPED IN THE EUROPEAN UNION.

ASLAM AZIZ, MINISTER COUNSELOR FOR DEVELOPMENT AT THE EUROPEAN UNION COMMISION IN WASHINGTON, SAYS THE INITIAL MEETING MAY BE A FREE WHEELING EVENT.

THERE IS, IN FACT, NO PRE-DETERMINED AGENDA HERE. BOTH PARTIES ARE FREE TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES OPENLY AND IN A TRANSPARENT MANNER. AND SO, WE WILL NOT AVOID SPEAKING ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING, SOCIAL SERVICES, THE PROMOTION OF FREE SPEECH, THE RULE OF LAW, DEMOCRACY AND THE RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

MR. AZIZ SAYS THE MEETING IN BANGKOK MAY ALSO ALLOW FOR PREPARATION FOR THE INITIAL MEETING OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) LATER THIS YEAR IN SINGAPORE. DRAMATIC RESULTS ARE NOT EXPECTED IN BANGKOK BUT MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING IS EXPECTED TO BE IMPROVED.

LINDA LIM IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIA BUSINESS PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN IN EAST LANSING.

I THINK MEETING AND TALKING IS GOOD BECAUSE IT WILL INCREASE UNDERSTANDING AND HELP AVOID AND SOLVE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS, FOR EXAMPLE, ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND TRADE ISSUES. BUT OVERALL, I THINK, THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS GOING TO BE LIMITED.

PROFESSOR LIM SAYS EUROPE FACES STRONG COMPETITION IN TRADE WITH ASIA. SHE SAYS MANY EUROPEAN FIRMS LACK THE TECHNOLOGICAL OR MARKETING ADVANTAGES POSSESSED BY THEIR COUNTERPARTS FROM JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES. SHE ADDS THAT SOME FLAGGING INDUSTRIES IN EUROPE MIGHT DO BETTER IF MOVED TO ASIA.

RICHARD GRANT, AN ASIA SPECIALIST AT THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS IN LONDON, URGES MORE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT IN ASIA BUT HE EXPECTS THE TWO-DAY ASIA-EUROPE DIALOGUE IN BANGKOK TO BE ONLY SYMBOLIC.

I THINK THAT THE LEADERS CAN EXPECT A GREAT DEAL OF SYMBOLIC VALUE AS LEADERS OF EUROPEAN NATIONS AND OF ASIAN NATIONS STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF TIES ACROSSS THE PACIFIC INTO EUROPE AND VICE VERSA. I DON'T EXPECT A GREAT DEAL OF SUBSTANCE OUT OF THE MEETING. IT IS SYMBOLISM.

DR. WISARN PUPPHAVESA (PRONOUCED: VEE-SUN POO-PAH-VAY-SA) IS ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT THE THAILAND NATIONAL INSITUTTE OF DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION IN BANGKOK. HE SAYS HE HOPES THE MEETING WILL ENHANCE OPEN GLOBAL TRADE.

MR. AZIZ OF THE EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSION SAYS THE NEXT ASIA-EUROPE SUMMIT WILL TAKE PLACE IN 1998 IN EUROPE. (SIGNED)

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23-Feb-96 11:00 AM EST (1600 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA/MOSTAR (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY ( VIENNA )

INTRO: AS FRIGHTENED BOSNIAN SERBS LEAVE A DISTRICT IN SARAJEVO, ATTEMPTS TO REUNITE THE DIVIDED CITY OF MOSTAR IN SOUTHWESTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ARE SAID TO BE MAKING STEADY PROGRESS. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: A JOINT MUSLIM?CROAT POLICE FORCE BEGAN TO PATROL THE CENTER OF MOSTAR EARLIER THIS WEEK. MUSLIMS FROM EASTERN MOSTAR ALSO BEGAN TO CAUTIOUSLY ENTER THE CROAT-HELD WESTERN SECTOR OF THE EUROPEAN UNION-ADMINISTERED CITY. THE DEPUTY E-U ADMINISTRATOR, KLAUS METSCHER, NOW SAYS ALL PHYSICAL BARRIERS AND BARRICADES IN MOSTAR HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN. HE SAYS THERE IS FREE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE MUSLIM AND CROAT SECTORS. MR. METSCHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME INCIDENTS AND THAT PEOPLE MAY STILL BE AFRAID TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE MOVEMENT. BUT HE SAYS INCREASING NUMBERS OF PEOPLE ARE CROSSING FROM ONE PART OF MOSTAR TO THE OTHER. THE PROGRESS REPORTED TOWARD REUNITING MOSTAR FOLLOWS A REVISED AGREEMENT ON THE CITY'S REUNIFICATION AT THE SUMMIT CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA IN ROME LAST WEEKEND. MUSLIMS AND CROATS FOUGHT AGAINST EACH OTHER IN MOSTAR IN 1993. CROAT SHELLING ATTACKS DEVASTATED THE MUSLIM AREA. (SIGNED)

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23-Feb-96 1:35 PM EST (1835 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA/PRESIDENT (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY ( VIENNA )

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT, ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC, IS SAID TO BE IN SLIGHTLY BETTER CONDITION TODAY (FRIDAY) AFTER BEING ADMITTED TO A SARAJEVO HOSPITAL YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) WITH HEART TROUBLE. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: OFFICIALS AT THE KOSOVO HOSPITAL IN SARAJEVO SAY THE AILING BOSNIAN PRESIDENT SPENT A PEACEFUL NIGHT AND THAT HIS CONDITION HAS SLIGHTLY IMPROVED. THE 70-YEAR-OLD MR. IZETBEGOVIC IS EXPECTED TO BE IN THE HOSPITAL FOR SOME TIME. SENIOR MEMBERS OF HIS DEMOCRATIC ACTION PARTY SAY HE NEEDS TO REST, BUT HIS LIFE IS _NOT_ IN DANGER.

VICE PRESIDENT EJUP GANIC PRESIDED OVER A MEETING OF BOSNIA'S COLLECTIVE PRESIDENCY. MR. GANIC, WHO IS 49, IS EXPECTED TO BE ACTING PRESIDENT WHILE MR. IZETBEGOVIC IS INCAPACITATED.

LIKE PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC, MR. GANIC IS A MUSLIM. THERE ARE _NO_ KNOWN MAJOR POLICY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO MEN.

BOTH MEN WON THE RESPECT OF SARAJEVO RESIDENTS FOR SPENDING MOST OF THEIR TIME IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL DURING THE DEVASTATING SERB SIEGE OF THE CITY. (SIGNED)

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23-Feb-96 7:30 AM EST (1230 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] IRAN / TURKEY / GERMANY (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: AN EXILED IRANIAN OPPOSITION GROUP HAS ACCUSED IRANIAN AGENTS OF KILLING TWO IRANIAN REFUGEES IN TURKEY. THE GROUP IS CALLED THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF RESISTANCE OF IRAN, AND IS BASED IN IRAQ. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS IT IS THE SECOND TIME IN A WEEK THAT THE GROUP HAS ACCUSED IRANIAN AGENTS OF TARGETING OPPOSITION FIGURES IN EUROPE.

TEXT: A STATEMENT FROM THE EXILED IRANIAN OPPOSITION GROUP ACCUSED IRANIAN AGENTS OF PLANNING AND EXECUTING TUESDAY'S ATTACK AGAINST THE TWO IRANIAN EXILES IN ISTANBUL.

TURKISH POLICE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT TWO PEOPLE OF IRANIAN ORIGIN WERE KILLED. BUT OFFICIALS SAID THEY HAVE _NO_ FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCIDENT.

IRANIAN OPPOSITION LEADERS IN PARIS HAVE CALLED ON TURKEY AND OTHER EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS TO SHUT DOWN IRANIAN EMBASSIES. THE EXILED OPPOSITION GROUP SAYS THE MISSIONS ARE BEING USED BY WHAT IT CALLS TERRORIST DIPLOMATS.

OPPOSITION LEADERS SAY ONE OF THE TWO PEOPLE KILLED IN ISTANBUL HAD BEEN ACTIVE IN THE IRANIAN OPPOSITION SINCE 1977, AND HAD BEEN THE TARGET OF A 1992 ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IN GERMANY. LAST WEEK, IRANIAN OPPOSITION LEADERS IN GERMANY ACCUSED IRANIAN AGENTS OF KIDNAPPING AND TORTURING AN IRANIAN EXILE NEAR BONN.

THE GROUP SAID THE ATTACK WAS ORGANIZED BY IRANIAN AGENTS WHO ARE ABLE TO TRAVEL FREELY TO GERMANY.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IRANIAN EMBASSY IN BONN DISMISSED THE GROUP'S ACCUSATIONS, AND SAID THE MAN MAY HAVE BEEN THE VICTIM OF A DISPUTE BETWEEN RIVAL OPPOSITION FACTIONS.

GERMAN POLICE SAY THEY SUSPECT POLITICAL MOTIVES FOR THE ATTACK. THEY HAVE _NOT_ IDENTIFIED ANY SUSPECTS. (SIGNED)

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23-Feb-96 7:22 AM EST (1222 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] SARAJEVO SERBS (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: MUSLIM AND CROAT POLICE HAVE MOVED PEACEFULLY INTO A SERB SUBURB OF SARAJEVO. DAVID FOLEY IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL REPORTS THOUSANDS OF SERBS FLED FROM THE AREA IN THE HOURS BEFORE THE NEW POLICE FORCE ARRIVED. HUNDREDS OF FRIGHTENED SERBS ARE STILL WAITING TO LEAVE.

TEXT: A SHORT CEREMONY WAS HELD AT DAWN AND THE SERB FLAG WAS HAULED DOWN FROM THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING IN VOGOSCA, JUST OUTSIDE SARAJEVO.

MOST SERBS HAD ALREADY LEFT, BUT A SMALL CROWD OF PEOPLE WANTED TO KNOW WHO WOULD PROTECT THEM FROM THE MUSLIM AND CROAT FEDERAL POLICE KEEPING WATCH. A MEMBER OF THE I-P-T-F, THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE TASK FORCE, TRIED TO REASSURE THEM.

YOU GO INTO YOUR HOMES AND WE WILL MONITOR THE FEDERAL POLICE VERY CLOSELY. THERE WILL BE NO SEARCHES WITHOUT US, THERE WILL BE NO CHECKPOINTS WITHOUT US, THERE WILL BE NOBODY DETAINED WITHOUT US.

IN ADDITION TO SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF THE POLICE MONITORS, THERE WAS A STRONG PRESENCE OF NATO SOLDIERS FROM THE ITALIAN BRIGADE ON THE STREETS IN VOGOSCA.

NATO'S INTELLIGENCE CHIEF IN BOSNIA, BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN SYLVESTER, SAID NATO OFFICIALS WANT TO SEE THE TRANSITION GO SMOOTHLY.

WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO PROVIDE THAT OVERALL MILITARY SECURITY FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN PARTICULAR INTO VOGOSCA THIS MORNING YOU WILL NOTE THAT THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE I-FOR (IMPLEMENTATION FORCE) PRESENCE AS THE I-P-T-F BEGINS ITS OPERATION THERE. I EXPECTED TO HEAR "O SOLO MIO" BEING SUNG ON EVERY STREET CORNER.

WHILE THE TRANSITION WAS MOSTLY SMOOTH, ROBERT WASSERMAN, THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCE, AND THE MAN IN CAHRGE IN VOGOSCA SAID THERE HAD BEEN ONE SNAG.

THERE WAS CONFUSION OVER WHETHER THE LOCAL SERB MAYOR COULD STAY. THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR FROM THE FEDERATION WANTED THE MAYOR TO VACATE THE OFFICE SO THEY COULD BRING IN FEDERATION OFFICIALS.

THE MAYOR REFUSED TO GIVE UP HIS OFFICE, AND EVENTUALLY THE FEDERATION MINISTER BACKED DOWN.

IN A POSITIVE SIGN, ONLY A FEW BUILDINGS IN VOGOSCA HAVE BEEN BURNED DOWN BY DEPARTING SERBS. BUT IN OTHER SERB SUBURBS, HOUSES AND FACTORIES ARE BEING SET ALIGHT BY SERBS WHO SAY THEY WILL LEAVE NOTHING BEHIND FOR THEIR ENEMIES.

HOPEFULLY AFTER WE GO THROUGH THE TRAUMA AND TURMOIL OF THE NEXT PERIOD BETWEEN NOW AND D+90, TWENTY-FIVE DAYS, WHATEVER THAT IS, THAT THINGS WILL BEGIN TO SETTLE OUT.

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23-Feb-96 9:02 AM EST (1402 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] TURKEY INSIDE AND OUT BY ED WARNER ( WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE RISE OF THE REFAH ISLAMIST PARTY, THE CONFLICT WITH GREECE AND THE TRIALS OF DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT WERE DISCUSSED AT A CONFERENCE ON TURKEY HELD BY THE TERRORISM STUDIES PROGRAM AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY. VOA'S ED WARNER ATTENDED AND HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: NEGOTIATIONS ARE NOW UNDER WAY FOR A POSSIBLE COALITION GOVERNMENT IN TURKEY THAT WILL INCLUDE THE REFAH ISLAMIST PARTY. THAT HAS CREATED SOME APPREHENSION IN THE U-S CONGRESS, SAID HILLEL WEINBERG AT A DISCUSSION AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY.

MR. WEINBERG, A STAFF MEMBER OF THE U-S HOUSE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, RECALLED A BRIEF MEETING WITH REFAH LEADER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN ON CAPITOL HILL:

IT WAS A KIND OF AN ODD VISIT. I WAS FRANKLY STRUCK BY A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE AMERICAN POLITICAL PROCESS AND AMERICAN POLICY IN HIS PART OF THE WORLD. AND I THINK THAT IS GOING TO PRESENT PROBLEMS IF HE COMES INTO GOVERNMENT, UNLESS HE WAS DISSEMBLING IN SOME SENSE.

HAROLD RHODE OF THE U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS MANY PEOPLE VOTED FOR REFAH, WHICH WON A PLURALITY IN THE RECENT ELECTION, AS A PROTEST AGAINST THE TWO MAJOR PARTIES:

THIS SAYS ONE THING, AND NOW IT SAYS THE OPPOSITE THING. HOW CAN YOU VOTE FOR REFAH IF YOU ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THAT THE STATE SHOULD BE SECULAR? DO THEY WANT AN ISLAMIC HOLY STATE? NO, NOT AT ALL. BUT THEY ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THE PERSONALITY FIGHT BETWEEN THE RIGHT OF CENTER LEADERS. ENOUGH ALREADY! GET TOGETHER AND DO WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. IF YOU WILL NOT, WE ARE GOING TO VOTE YOU OUT OF OFFICE. THAT IS NOT A PRO-ISLAMIC LAW VIEW.

MR. RHODE ADDED THAT DESPITE THE POLITICAL WRANGLING, TURKEY IS MAKING IMPRESSIVE PROGRESS AS A DEMOCRACY.

THAT DID NOT REASSURE NIKOLAOS STAVROU, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY, WHO ARGUED THAT TURKEY'S UNSETTLED DOMESTIC POLITICS HAVE LED TO CONFRONTATION WITH GREECE OVER SOME SMALL ISLANDS IN THE AEGEAN:

IT IS QUITE LIKELY THAT THESE TENSIONS WILL INTENSIFY BY THIS SUMMER BECAUSE THE RHETORIC IS INTENSIFYING IN ATHENS, IN ANKARA AND IN WASHINGTON. BOTH COUNTRIES LOOK TO WASHINGTON TO RESOLVE INTERNAL PROBLEMS, AND THAT IS A MISTAKE BECAUSE AS WE KNOW, ANY TIME WASHINGTON IS INVOLVED IN THE POLITICS OF THE COUNTRIES OF THE BALKANS THE PROBLEMS CONTINUE. IN FACT, THE PROBLEMS BECOME THE PROFESSION OF LOCAL POLITICIANS.

SABRI SAYARI, DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE OF TURKISH STUDIES AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, RESPONDED THAT A THIRD PARTY LIKE WASHINGTON CAN HELP RESOLVE A CONFLICT, AS IN THE CASE OF THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS.

HE ADDED THAT THE DISPUTE WITH GREECE, ALONG WITH THE WAR IN BOSNIA, HAS STRENGTHENED THE REFAH PARTY. THERE IS A CLOSER LINK THAN EVER BETWEEN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN POLICIES IN TURKEY. EVERY TELEVISION REPORT ON CONDITIONS IN MUSLIM SARAJEVO, HE NOTED, BRINGS MORE VOTES FOR REFAH.

THAT IS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF TURKEY, ACCORDING TO MR. SAYARI:

THERE ARE POSITIONS WHICH REFAH ADVOCATES WHICH ARE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO WHAT TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY HAS BEEN IN THE LAST 40 YEARS: CLOSE RELATIONS WITH THE WEST, CLOSE TIES TO THE UNITED STATES, INCREASING COOPERATION WITH ISRAEL AND SO FORTH. REFAH IS AGAINST ALL OF THESE. IT ADVOCATES SOME FORM OF AN ISLAMIC UNION, ALTHOUGH NONE OF THE OTHER ISLAMIC STATES HAVE ANY INTEREST IN THIS.

MR. SAYARI SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO AGREE WITH REFAH ON ONE THING: BECAUSE OF ITS SUCCESS, THE WORLD NOW HAS A DIFFERENT VIEW OF TURKEY. (SIGNED)

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23-Feb-96 2:52 PM EST (1952 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] U-N / BOSNIA (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF SERB CIVILIANS ARE LEAVING PARTS OF THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL, SARAJEVO, THAT ARE COMING UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT UNDER TERMS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES IS PROVIDING SOME ASSISTANCE TO THOSE FLEEING THE CITY. BUT AS V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS FROM GENEVA, U-N-H-C-R OFFICIALS SAY THE EXODUS IS NOT WARRANTED, AND THEY ARE ACCUSING BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS OF MANIPULATING THEIR CIVILIAN FOLLOWERS.

TEXT: U-N-H-C-R SPOKESWOMAN CHRISTIANE BERTHIAUME SAID THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAVE PROVIDED SUFFICIENT GUARANTEES FOR THE PROTECTION OF SERB CIVILIANS IN THE SARAJEVO SUBURBS.

AND SHE ACCUSED BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS OF ORCHESTRATING THE EXODUS FOR POLITICAL REASONS.

THE DEPARTURE OF SERBS FROM SERB SUBURBS IN SARAJEVO IS POLITICAL MANIPULATION. THESE PEOPLE SHOULD STAY. BUT THEY ARE AFRAID BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED, AND THEY ARE LEAVING.

U-N-H-C-R ESTIMATES THAT ABOUT 20-THOUSAND SERB CIVILIANS HAVE ALREADY FLED VOGUSA, ILIAS, AND OTHER DISTRICTS THAT ARE NOW COMING UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL. AND U-N OFFICIALS FEAR THAT MANY OF THE REMAINING 40-THOUSAND TO 50-THOUSAND SERBS IN THE SUBURBS MAY ALSO DECIDE TO LEAVE.

MS. BERTHIAUME SAID LOCAL SERB AUTHORITIES IN THE VOGUSA DISTRICT LEFT AHEAD OF THE CIVILIAN RESIDENTS. THE CAPTAIN DESERTED THE SHIP BEFORE THE PASSENGERS, SHE SAID, AND THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NOTHING LEFT IN THE AREA.

MS. BERTHIAUME SAID SNOW-BOUND ROADS LEADING OUT OF THE FORMER SERB STRONGHOLDS ARE CROWDED WITH BUSES, CARS AND TRUCKS FILLED WITH DEPARTING CIVILIANS. SHE SAID U-N-H-C-R HAS ASKED THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE TO OPEN UP NEW ROUTES TO EASE THE CONGESTION.

THE SPOKESWOMAN SAID THE SITUATION IS DIFFICULT, BUT IT HAS NOT REACHED CRISIS PROPORTIONS.

IT IS VERY SAD. BUT SO FAR IT IS UNDER CONTROL. IT IS NOT DRAMATIC. BUT WE OBVIOUSLY ARE GETTING PREPARED. IF THERE IS A MAJOR HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, WE WILL BE THERE AND WE WILL HELP.

U-N-H-C-R HAS NOT BEEN DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE EXODUS. BUT THE U-N AGENCY HAS PROVIDED FUEL TO SOME OF THOSE LEAVING THE CITY.

MS. BERTHIAUME SAID MOST OF THE DEPARTING CIVILIANS ARE HEADING FOR PALE AND OTHER SERB-CONTROLLED VILLAGES NEAR SARAJEVO. SHE SAID U-N-H-C-R HAS BEEN PROVIDING FOOD AND SHELTER MATERIALS TO THESE NEWEST REFUGEES WHEN THEY REACH THEIR DESTINATIONS. (SIGNED)

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23-Feb-96 10:02 AM EST (1502 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS WAITS FOR BAGHDAD TO SIGNAL AN INTEREST IN RESUMING TALKS AIMED AT LIMITED EXPORTS OF IRAQI OIL; SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI APPOINTS A NEW CHIEF PROSECUTOR FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE; THE SECRETARY-GENERAL PROPOSES A STANDBY FORCE FOR RAPID INTERVENTION IN BURUNDI -- WHERE ETHNIC TENSIONS COULD GET OUT OF CONTROL; AND RUSSIA SAYS IT'S TIME TO SUSPEND SANCTIONS ON THE SERBS OF BOSNIA. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: THE U-N AND IRAQ ENDED THE FIRST STAGE OF A NEW ROUND OF OIL TALKS AIMED AT PUTTING IRAQ BACK ON THE WORLD MARKETS AFTER A FIVE-YEAR ABSENCE. IRAQ HAS BEEN UNDER AN ECONOIMC EMBARGO SINCE IT INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990.

BUT NEARLY TWO WEEKS OF DISCUSSIONS WERE INCONCLUSIVE AND THE IRAQI DELEGATION WENT BACK HOME TO CONSULT HIGHER AUTHORITY.

THE U-N NEGOTIATING TEAM SAID IT HAD FULFILLED ITS PART OF THE BARGAIN AND DISCUSSED HIGHLY TECHNICAL ISSUES OF THE SO-CALLED OIL-FOR-FOOD FORMULA. THE SECURITY COUNCIL LAST YEAR OFFERED TO ALLOW IRAQ TO SELL TWO BILLION DOLLARS OF OIL EVERY SIX MONTHS UNDER U-N SUPERVISION -- PARTLY TO PAY FOR ESSENTIAL HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES FOR THE IRAQI POPULATION.

SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS-GHALI DESCRIBED THE TALKS AS POSITIVE. BUT HE SIGNALLED THAT THE NEXT MOVE IS UP TO BAGHDAD. IF SADDAM HUSSEIN AGREES TO PURSUE THE DEAL FURTHER, A NEW ROUND OF TALKS WOULD BE SCHEDULED.

OIL MARKETS RESPOND TO EVERY RUMOR OF IRAQI OIL. IRAQ HAS THE SECOND-LARGEST RESERVES, AFTER SAUDI ARABIA. HOWEVER -- DESPITE OPTIMISTIC NEWS REPORTS -- U-N OFFICIALS URGE CAUTION, SAYING REPEATEDLY NO DEAL HAS BEEN STRUCK YET.

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JUSTICE RICHARD GOLDSTONE OF SOUTH AFRICA IS LEAVING IN OCTOBER AS CHIEF PROSECUTOR FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. THE COURT'S MANDATE IS TO INVESTIGATE AND INDICT SUSPECTED VIOLATORS OF HUMANITARIAN LAW IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR'S AUTHORITY ALSO INCLUDES THE U-N-ESTABLISHED TRIBUNAL FOR THE 1994 GENOCIDE IN RWANDA.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS NAMED JUDGE LOUISE ARBOUR OF CANADA TO REPLACE JUSTICE GOLDSTONE. HER NOMINATION HAS TO BE APPROVED BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL. NO PROBLEM IS EXPECTED.

JUSTICE GOLDSTONE ANNOUNCED AT THE OUTSET HE WAS ON A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM HIS SOUTH AFRICAN DUTIES AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD THE U-N POST INDEFINITELY. HE RETURNS TO SERVE ON SOUTH AFRICA'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT. HIS REPLACEMENT --JUSTICE ARBOUR -- IS A SPECIALIST IN HUMAN RIGHTS AND CRIMINAL LAW.

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THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS BEGUN DISCUSSION ON A STRATEGY FOR DEALING WITH ETHNIC TENSIONS IN THE AFRICAN NATION OF BURUNDI. SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS-GHALI IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDING THE CREATION OF A STANDBY MULTINATIONAL FORCE THAT WOULD BE CAPABLE OF FAST DEPLOYMENT IF BURUNDI SHOULD START SLIDING INTO CIVIL WAR.

THE UNITED STATES SUPPORTS THE RECOMMENDATION AND HAS SAID IT MIGHT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE LOGISTICAL SUPPORT. BUT NO AMERICAN TROOPS WOULD BE INVOLVED.

MR. BOUTROS-GHALI HAS SUGGESTED THE NEW FORCE SHOULD INCLUDE AS MANY AFRICAN CONTINGENTS AS POSSIBLE.

THE U-N WAS SHAMED BY ITS INABILITY TO PREVENT THE 1994 GENOCIDE IN NEIGHBORING RWANDA, WHICH HAS AN ETHNIC MIX MUCH LIKE BURUNDI'S. THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS SIGNALLED THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS A MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO PREVENT ANOTHER CENTRAL AFRICAN TRAGEDY.

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RUSSIA HAS BROKEN WITH THE SECURITY COUNCIL. IT ANNOUNCED UNILATERALLY THIS PAST WEEK THAT THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT HAD LIFTED U-N-IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS. THOSE MEASURES ARE SCHEDULED TO END WHEN NATO CERTIFIES THAT THE SERBS HAVE WITHDRAWN THEIR FORCES FROM DESIGNATED ZONES OF SEPARATION.

THE UNITED STATES -- WHICH HAS THE PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL THIS MONTH -- CALLED THE RUSSIAN MOVE PREMATURE. A U-S SPOKESMAN SAID THE COUNCIL EXPECTS A LETTER SOON FROM NATO'S SECRETARY-GENERAL AFFIRMING THAT THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE FULFILLEDTHEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER LAST YEAR'S DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. BUT HE SAID THE COUNCIL TECHNICALLY CANNOT SUSPEND THE SANCTIONS UNTIL THEN.

RUSSIA -- WITH TRADITIONAL LINKS TO THE SERBS -- HAS GUARDED THEIR INTERESTS THROUGHOUT THE VARIOUS BALKAN CONFLICTS. (SIGNED)

NEB/EJ/SKH
23-Feb-96 5:47 PM EST (2247 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] U-S / BOSNIA ELECTIONS (S-O) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS APPLAUDED THE ADOPTION OF THE FRAMEWORK ELECTION CODE FOR BOSNIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON WHAT'S IN IT.

TEXT: THE ELECTIONS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE HELD UNTIL LATE IN THE BOSNIAN SUMMER (SOMETIME IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER). HOWEVER, THE UNITED STATES IS ENCOURAGED THAT THE BOSNIAN FACTIONS AND INTERNATIONAL ELECTION EXPERTS HAVE AGREED ON A FRAMEWORK TO ORGANIZE THEM.

IN THE DOCUMENT, THEY AGREE TO SCHEDULE LOCAL AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS AND TO ESTABLISH THE BASIS FOR WINNING THE ELECTIONS. THEY ALSO AGREE TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR BALLOTS, VOTER REGISTRATION AND THE BASIC RULES FOR REGISTERING POLITICAL PARTIES.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES THE FRAMEWORK IS IMPORTANT.

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT. AS YOU KNOW, IT IS BEING HEADED BY THE O-S-C-E AND THE GROUP THERE IS HEADED BY AN AMERICAN DIPLOMAT, BOB FROWICK. IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE PARTIES HAVE AGREED ON A PARAMETER, A FRAMEWORK THAT WILL GOVERN THE ELECTIONS.

ALTHOUGH ELECTIONS ARE ENVISIONED IN THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE BOSNIAN FACTIONS HAVE AGREED ON THE PRINCIPLES FOR CARRYING THEM OUT. (SIGNED)

NEB / RP / BD / SKH
23-Feb-96 3:30 PM EST (2030 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America