Voice of America, 12 April 1996

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: A HUMAN INTEREST STORY THAT TURNED INTO A FRONT PAGE TRAGEDY IS ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT EDITORIAL SUBJECTS IN FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS. PAPERS ARE REACTING TO THE PLANE-CRASH DEATH OF A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL TRYING TO BECOME THE YOUNGEST PERSON EVER TO FLY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE LATEST ISRAELI ATTACKS ON LEBANON; THE FALL OF A POWERFUL CONGRESSMAN; A CONTROVERSIAL ABORTION DECISION; PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PREVIOUS BOSNIA ARMS POLICY; AND THE LATEST GYRATIONS OF THE STOCK MARKET. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER VIEW AND A QUOTE OR TWO IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: WHAT BEGAN AS THE STORY OF A COURAGEOUS LITTLE GIRL FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WHO LOVED TO FLY AIRPLANES AND WAS TRYING TO FLY ACROSS AMERICA ENDED IN TRAGEDY. SEVEN-YEAR-OLD JESSICA DUBROFF, HER FATHER AND HER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR, WERE KILLED WHEN THEIR PLANE CRASHED IN A HEAVY THUNDERSTORM SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF FROM CHEYENNE, WYOMING, AIRPORT. THE CRASH HAS RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT U-S AVIATION REGULATIONS AND PARENTAL JUDGMENT, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

IN FLORIDA, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" CALLS THE INCIDENT "A HARD, SAD LESSON FOR PARENTS," WHILE IN NEW ENGLAND, TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" HAS THESE THOUGHTS.

VOICE: "JESSICA DUBROFF THOUGHT SHE COULD FLY. WHAT SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DOESN'T? IN PETER PAN AND STAR WARS FANTASIES, IN DAYDREAMS AT AIRPORT WINDOWS, IN COMPUTER GAMES, THE CHILD TAKES OFF, PROPELLED BY THE EXUBERANCE OF YOUTH... FANTASY AND REALITY BLEND TOO EASILY IN AMERICAN CULTURE... JESSICA'S PLANE WENT DOWN IN A RAINSTORM A WEEK AFTER FORMER COMMERCE SECRETARY RON BROWN'S CRASHED IN A STORM IN CROATIA. IF U-S AIR FORCE PILOTS CAN HAVE SUCH DIFFICULTY WITH BAD WEATHER, WHAT WAS A CHILD DOING AT THE CONTROLS? [OPT] HUBRIS [BRAVADO/ARROGANCE] PUT HER THERE, AND PERHAPS PUSHED RON BROWN'S CREW TO TAKE CHANCES INSTEAD OF WAITING OUT THE STORM. PEOPLE ON A MISSION OFTEN FORGET THEIR VULNERABILITY, BELIEVING THEIR WINGS WON'T MELT." [AN ALLUSION TO ICARUS, WHO IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY MADE WINGS ON HIS ARMS AND FLEW, BUT DIED WHEN THE WAX SEALING THEM TO HIS BODY MELTED AS HE FLEW TOO NEAR THE SUN.]

TEXT: THERE IS MORE VIOLENCE IN BEIRUT, LEBANON, AFTER YEARS OF CALM, AND SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE ISRAELI RAIDS THERE AGAINST HEZBOLLAH GUERRILLAS WHO HAVE BEEN FIRING ROCKETS INTO NORTHERN ISRAEL. "THE NEW YORK TIMES," CALLS THURSDAY'S AIR STRIKES IN LEBANON "JUSTIFIED AND LIMITED", ADDING:

VOICE: "AS ISRAEL'S ELECTIONS APPROACH, PRIME MINISTER SHIMON PERES MAY BE TEMPTED TO UNLEASH ISRAELI FORCE AGAINST TERRORIST TARGETS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT HIS GOVERNMENT IS UNYIELDING IN ITS DEFENSE OF THE NATION'S SECURITY. GIVEN THE RECENT TERRORIST ATTACKS IN ISRAEL, MR. PERES HAS EVERY REASON TO BE RESOLUTE. BUT HE SHOULD NOT STRIKE OUT IN ANGER. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ISRAEL'S RESPONSE TO TERRORISM BE DISPASSIONATE AND PROPORTIONAL TO THE THREAT. "

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" ADDS:

VOICE: "NO ONE, OF COURSE, EXPECTS THIS SHOW OF FORCE TO MAKE AN ENDURING IMPRESSION ON HEZBOLLAH, SYRIA OR, FOR THAT MATTER, THE ISRAELI PUBLIC. AT BEST IT COULD BRING ABOUT A PAUSE IN THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE WHILE WOUNDS ARE LICKED AND THE POLITICAL SITUATION IS REASSESSED."

TEXT: THE FELONY CONVICTION OF FORMER POWERFUL CONGRESSMAN DAN ROSTENKOWSKI, WHO WAS SENTENCED TO PRISON EARLIER THIS WEEK, DRAWS THIS REJOINDER FROM "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION."

VOICE: "AMERICANS TAXPAYERS AREN'T STUPID. GIVEN RECENT NEWS, IT DOESN'T TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST [A BRILLIANT PERSON] TO UNDERSTAND WHY AMERICANS INCREASINGLY DISTRUST THEIR GOVERNMENT... THIS WEEK PUBLIC CONFIDENCE WAS ERODED FURTHER BY FORMER U-S REPRESENTATIVE DAN ROSTENKOWSKI'S GUILTY PLEAS TO FEDERAL CORRUPTION CHARGES... BUT HERE'S THE KICKER: [THE CROWNING IRONY TO THE TALE] THIS ADMITTED CRIMINAL, WHO MUST SPEND 17 MONTHS IN PRISON, GETS TO KEEP HIS ANNUAL TAXPAYER-PAID PENSION OF 96-THOUSAND-642-DOLLARS... THAT ABSURDITY IS NOT LOST ON AMERICANS."

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VETO OF A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE OUTLAWED A SPECIFIC TYPE OF LATE TERM ABORTION CALLED THE "PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION" DRAWS THIS REBUKE FROM "THE NEW YORK POST."

VOICE: "IT SHOULDN'T TAKE A STRONG OPPOSITION TO ABORTION IN GENERAL FOR ORDINARY FOLKS TO FIND 'PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTIONS' REPUGNANT... THE PROCEDURE IS PERFORMED AFTER THE FIFTH MONTH OF GESTATION, WHEN THE FETUS IS ALMOST FULLY FORMED. [OPT] THE DOCTOR EXTRACTS THE FETUS FROM THE WOMB FEET FIRST, AND THEN EITHER CRUSHES THE SKULL SO IT CAN SLIP OUT OF THE BIRTH CANAL OR MAKES AN INCISION IN ORDER TO SUCK OUT THE BRAIN, COLLAPSING THE SKULL. [END OPT] ... CANDIDATE CLINTON, IT WILL BE RECALLED, CAMPAIGNED FOR MAKING ABORTION 'SAFE, LEGAL AND RARE.' THE THIRD ELEMENT IN THIS FORMULATION, HOWEVER, SEEMS TO HAVE GOTTEN LOST SOMEWHERE IN THE COURSE OF THE LAST THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS."

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" SEES THINGS DIFFERENTLY, WRITING:

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOWED GENUINE POLITICAL COURAGE AND A BASIC RESPECT FOR WOMEN WHEN HE VETOED A BILL BANNING A LATE-TERM ABORTION PROCEDURE. THE PRESIDENT KNEW HIS VETO HANDED OPPONENTS EXACTLY WHAT THEY SOUGHT FOR THE COMING ELECTION CAMPAIGN, AN EXCUSE TO ATTACK HIM WITH MISLEADING SOUND BITES ABOUT ABORTION."

TEXT: TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" COMES TO THE PRESIDENT'S DEFENSE ON ANOTHER ISSUE -- THE TACIT APPROVAL HE APPARENTLY GAVE TO ARMS SALES FROM IRAN TO BOSNIA DURING THE HEAT OF THE BALKAN CIVIL WAR. WHILE CALLING IT A "FUMBLE," "THE MONITOR" POINTS OUT:

VOICE: "... IT'S IRONIC TO HEAR SENATOR DOLE AND OTHERS NOW CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF REPORTS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION KNEW OF THE IRANIAN SHIPMENTS... THE PEOPLE [CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ] WHO DEMANDED THE U-S VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL LAW BY LIFTING THE ARMS EMBARGO ARE NOW CONDEMNING THE PRESIDENT FOR, IN EFFECT, DOING WHAT THEY WANTED DONE?"

TEXT: AND FINALLY, THE REVERSE LOGIC OF THE STOCK MARKET -- THAT IS, STOCKS FALL WHEN THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES "GOOD" ECONOMIC NEWS -- COMES IN FOR SOME CRITICISM FROM TODAY'S "ATLANTA CONSTITUTION."

VOICE: "SO IF THINGS ARE SO GOOD, WHY ARE BIG INVESTORS HANGING CREPE [AS IF IN MOURNING] ON WALL STREET? BECAUSE MANY FEAR THAT A STRONGER ECONOMY WILL PUSH WAGES AND PRICES HIGHER -- IN OTHER WORDS, THAT IT WILL CREATE INFLATION. IF INFLATION WERE TO REIGNITE, THE FEDERAL RESERVE WOULD RAISE INTEREST RATES, THEREBY SLOWING BUSINESS GROWTH TO LESSEN WAGE AND PRICE PRESSURE. THIS LINE OF THINKING IS SO INGRAINED AMONG FED BANKERS AND STOCK INVESTORS THAT ANY -- ANY -- SIGN OF INFLATION TRIGGERS A SHARP SELLOFF ON WALL STREET. THIS HERD MENTALITY IS NEEDLESSLY HARMFUL TO THE STOCK MARKET AND ECONOMY."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.

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12-Apr-96 10:37 AM EDT (1437 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA AID (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER ( BRUSSELS )

INTRO: A TWO-DAY INTERNATIONAL DONORS' CONFERENCE TO RAISE ONE POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA IS UNDER WAY IN BRUSSELS AND WITHOUT ONE OF THE MAIN BENEFICIARIES. THE BOSNIAN SERBS DECIDED TO BOYCOTT THE MEETING, AND OFFICIALS SAY THEY MAY WIN LESS FUNDING AS A RESULT. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE DONORS CONFERENCE IS BEING JOINTLY HOSTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND BY THE WORLD BANK. IT HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM ABOUT 50 COUNTRIES AND 30 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

A SIMILAR MEETING IN DECEMBER RAISED AN INITIAL 666 MILLION DOLLARS, AND THE AIM OF THE CURRENT CONFERENCE IS TO ADD TWICE THAT MUCH -- AN ADDITIONAL ONE POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS, COVERING THE PERIOD TO THE END OF 1996.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS WEEK, THE BOSNIAN SERBS WERE STILL NOT INVITED, BECAUSE THEY HAD BEEN TOO SLOW IN RELEASING PRISONERS OF WAR. HOWEVER, AN INVITATION WAS ISSUED AFTER THE RELEASE TUESDAY OF THREE PRISONERS -- ONLY FOR THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO ANNOUNCE ON THE EVE OF THE MEETING THEY WOULD NOT BE ATEDNING.

THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH REPRESENTATIVE CARL BILDT SAYS AS A RESULT, THEY MAY NOT WIN AS MUCH FUNDING AS THEY MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE HOPED FOR.

OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, IT WAS PLANNED TO RAISE FIVE POINT ONE BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA, WITH ABOUT ONE POINT FOUR BILLION GOING TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND A LARGER THREE POINT SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS BEING GIVEN TO THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION.

THE FAILURE OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO ATTEND THIS BRUSSELS CONFERENCE COULD RESULT IN THEM RECEIVING AN EVEN SMALLER SHARE OF THE EVENTUAL TOTAL.

AND WHATEVER AID IS PLEDGED AT THE BRUSSELS MEETING MAY BE FROZEN UNTIL THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE HANDED OVER ALL INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS INCLUDING POLITICAL LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND HIS ARMY COMMANDER GENERAL RATKO MILADIC.

THE EUROPEAN UNION -- WITH ITS MEMBER GOVERNMENTS -- IS EXPECTED TO EMERGE AS THE LARGEST DONOR, WITH THE UNITED STATES PLANNING TO PLEDGE AROUND 10 PERCENT OF THE EVENTUAL TOTAL. AMERICAN AID OFFICIAL CRAIG BUCK SAYS ALMOST NONE OF THE 266 MILLION DOLLARS THE UNITED STATES HAS PLEDGED FOR THIS YEAR WILL GO TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS. AROUND 86 MILLION DOLLARS OF THE AMERICAN AID WILL BE SPENT ON REPAIRING ROADS, BRIDGES, SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS AND IN RESTORING ELECTRICITY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS. A FURTHER 66 MILLION DOLLARS WILL GO TO THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO HELP REVIVE BUSINESSES IN THE FIELDS OF TIMBER, TRANSPORT, TEXTILES, FURNITURE AND LEATHER.

ON TOP OF THIS, THERE WILL BE 45 MILLION DOLLARS FOR POLICE TRAINING AND FOR MONITORS, AND FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FOR MINE CLEARANCE. E-U OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE HOPEFUL THAT BY THE END OF THE CONFERENCE ON SATURDAY, THE TARGET OF AN ADDITIONAL ONE POINT TWO BILLION DOLLARS WILL HAVE BEEN PLEDGED FOR BOSNIA. (SIGNED)

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12-Apr-96 10:52 AM EDT (1452 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA CONFERENCE PREVIEW BY ANDREW BAIRD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A TOP U-S STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL HAS GIVEN A PREVIEW OF A CONFERENCE ON THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WHICH BEGINS APRIL 12TH IN BRUSSELS. V-O-A'S ANDREW BAIRD HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: IN A NEWS CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, JIM HOLMES, THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT'S COORDINATOR FOR ASSISTANCE TO CENTRAL AND AND EASTERN EUROPE, SAYS THAT THE BOSNIA RECONSTRUCTION DONORS CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS WILL ATTEMPT TO RAISE ONE-POINT-TWO BILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDS FOR PRIORITY CONSTRUCTION NEEDS IN THE THE RAVAGED COUNTRY. THE MONEY WILL BE USED FOR RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS FOR THE REST OF 1996. THE ONE-POINT-TWO BILLION DOLLARS COMES ON TOP OF 600 MILLION DOLLARS PLEDGED IN DECEMBER BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR.

HAVING RECENTLY BEEN AUTHORIZED FUNDS BY CONGRESS, THE UNITED STATES WILL PLEDGE AN ADDITIONAL 145 MILLION DOLLARS AT THE CONFERENCE. THAT IS IN ADDITION TO MORE THAN SIXTY MILLION DOLLARS PLEDGED FOR THE FIRST QUARTER. JIM HOLMES SAID THAT THE U-S EFFORT WILL FOCUS ON PRIVATE ENTERPRISES WHICH CAN HELP REBUILD THE COUNTRY. BUT HE ADDED THAT SOME MONEY COULD GO TOWARD ANY WORTHWHILE PROJECT WHICH CAN PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR DEMOBILIZED SOLDIERS.

WE SEE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THE DE-MOBILIZATION OF UPWARDS OF 200-THOUSAND TROOPS FROM ALL OF THE PARTIES, AND WE ATTACH HIGH PRIORITY TO GIVING AS MANY OF THEM AS POSSIBLE EMPLOYMENT. I THEREFORE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE AN IMPRESSION WITH YOU THAT WE WILL LOOK EXCLUSIVELY AT THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THEY MAY BE PROPOSALS AND PROJECTS WHICH WE FIND ECONOMICALLY VIABLE WHICH WILL COME OUT OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S JIM HOLMES SAYS THAT THE TOTAL COST OF BOSNIA RECONSTRUCTION COULD RUN SIX BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS. U-S EFFORTS, HE SAID, ARE ALREADY UNDER WAY. THEY INCLUDE A 25 MILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM TO REPAIR MORE THAN 2300 HOMES DAMAGED BY THE WAR. HE ADDED THAT THE UNITED STATES IS ALSO FOCUSSING ON THE CREATION OF AN EFFECTIVE CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE, WHICH WILL INHERIT THE TASK OF KEEPING ORDER ONCE IFOR TROOPS LEAVE THE COUNTRY. MR. HOLMES SAID THAT THE UNITED STATES ALSO WANTS TO HELP CREATE A STABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR NATIONAL ELECTIONS, TO BE HELD SOMETIME BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)

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11-Apr-96 8:10 PM EDT (0010 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA SITUATION BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: WHILE DONOR COUNTRIES CONSIDER POSTWAR RECONSTRUCTION AID TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AT A CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS, THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE COUNTRY IS BEHIND SCHEDULE. ALTHOUGH THERE IS _NO_ FIGHTING RIGHT NOW, MANY DEADLINES FOR IMPLEMENTING ASPECTS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN MISSED. AND RESURGENT SERB HARDLINERS ARE RAISING FEARS ABOUT BOSNIA'S FUTURE. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: THE DONORS' CONFERENCE IS EXPECTED TO RAISE MORE THAN ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC AID TO BOSNIA THIS YEAR.

THE MONEY PLEDGED WILL BE USED TO HELP REBUILD THE COUNTRY'S DEVASTATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND TO RELAUNCH ITS ECONOMY.

ELECTRICITY, WATER SUPPLIES, ROADS AND BRIDGES ALL NEED ATTENTION, AND NEW OR RENOVATED HOUSING IS NEEDED BEFORE LARGE NUMBERS OF REFUGEES CAN RETURN TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES.

BOSNIA'S POSTWAR ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE FOR YEARS, LONG AFTER THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE THAT IS PROVIDING OVERALL SECURITY WILL HAVE WITHDRAWN.

ASIDE FROM THE COUNTRY'S PHYSICAL NEEDS, DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HELD BY SEPTEMBER IN BOTH THE SERB REPUBLIC AND IN THE TERRITORY CONTROLLED BY THE MUSLIM/CROAT FEDERATION. BUT THAT ELECTION DEADLINE APPEARS INCREASINGLY UNREALISTIC.

A DARK AND OMINOUS CLOUD OF SERB OBSTRUCTIONISM IS OVERSHADOWING THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS. SERB POLICIES ARE, MORE THAN EVER, IN THE HANDS OF THE HARDLINE SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, AND HIS SUPPORTERS.

THE HARDLINERS SABOTAGED HOPES OF RESTORING A MULTIETHNIC SARAJEVO BY PROVOKING A MASS SERB EXODUS FROM THE CAPITAL'S SUBURBS. NOW, THE HARDLINERS HAVE KEPT THE SERBS AWAY FROM THE AID CONFERENCE. THAT WOULD APPEAR TO BE REMARKABLY COUNTERPRODUCTIVE UNLESS THE SERBS ARE THINKING ABOUT BREAKING THEIR TERRITORY AWAY FROM THE REST OF BOSNIA SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

MR. KARADZIC SHOULD _NOT_ BE IN POWER BECAUSE HE IS AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL. BUT IF HE IS OVERWHELMINGLY RE-ELECTED SERB PRESIDENT, WHO WILL FORCE HIM TO STEP DOWN?

ANOTHER INDICTED SERB WAR CRIMINAL, ARMY COMMANDER GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, SHOULD ALSO BE REPLACED. BUT HE HAS PUBLICLY SAID HE STILL HAS A JOB TO DO, AND HE WARNS AGAINST ANY ATTEMPTS TO GET RID OF HIM.

SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS LIKELY TO COME UNDER GREATER INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO FORCE MR. KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC TO GIVE UP POWER.

BUT DIPLOMATS ARE _NOT_ SURE IF MR. MILOSEVIC IS WILLING OR ABLE TO EXERT IRRESISTIBLE INFLUENCE OVER THE SERBS TO FORCE A LEADERSHIP CHANGE IN PALE. AFTER ALL, THE SERBS HAVE DEFIED HIM BEFORE WITHOUT SUFFERING CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES.

DESPITE THE FAILURE OF MR. MILOSEVIC AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO MEET ALL THEIR COMMITMENTS TO PEACE, YUGOSLAVIA AND THE SERBS _NO_ LONGER FACE INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS.

AT SOME POINT, THE MAJOR POWERS MAY HAVE TO THINK ABOUT RE-IMPOSING SANCTIONS. THERE COULD BE DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT DOING THAT. AS FOR USING FORCE TO ARREST INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS LIKE MR. KARADZIC, NATO IS GOING OUT OF ITS WAY TO AVOID THAT. SO FAR, THE HEAVILY-ARMED NATO-LED TROOPS IN BOSNIA HAVE SUCCESSFULLY KEPT THE PEACE. BUT, THEY HAVE HAD TO PERIODICALLY THREATEN THE FORMER WARRING FORCES IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO COMPLY WITH MILITARY ELEMENTS OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT. _NO_ FACTION IN BOSNIA IS EAGERLY DOING WHAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. EACH FACTION IS DOING JUST ENOUGH TO AVOID POTENTIALLY SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS.

THE IMPRESSION THIS BEHAVIOR CREATES IS THAT THE MUSLIMS, SERBS AND CROATS ARE TRYING TO RETAIN AS MANY OPTIONS AS POSSIBLE FOR THE UNCERTAIN FUTURE.

THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION, OF COURSE, IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE LEAVES BOSNIA LATER THIS YEAR?

SOME INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS IN SARAJEVO SAY THE NATO-LED FORCE WILL EITHER HAVE TO EXTEND ITS STAY OR BE REPLACED BY ANOTHER PEACEKEEPING MISSION. (SIGNED)

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12-Apr-96 9:47 AM EDT (1347 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EUROPE/HUMAN RIGHTS (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS ( GENEVA )

INTRO: A U-N INVESTIGATOR IS URGING THE GOVERNMENTS OF FRANCE, BRITAIN AND GERMANY TO DO MORE TO STAMP OUT RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST IMMIGRANTS AND MINORITY GROUPS. IN REPORTS TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IN GENEVA THIS WEEK, THE U-N ENVOY WAS PARTICULARLY CRITICAL OF THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT AND THE COUNTRY'S POLITICAL PARTIES. DETAILS FROM VOA'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN GENEVA.

TEXT: THE REPORTS WERE PREPARED BY MAURICE GLELE-AHANHANZO, A HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERT AND A MEMBER OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT IN THE WEST AFRICAN STATE OF BENIN.

AS THE U-N SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR ON CONTEMPORARY FORMS OF RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION, MR. GLELE-AHANHANZO WENT ON FACT-FINDING VISITS TO PARIS, LONDON AND BONN LAST AUTUMN.

HE SAYS FRANCE IS IN THE MIDST OF A WAVE OF XENOPHOBIA AND RACISM THAT IS HIGHLY PREJUDICIAL TO ITS IMAGE AS A CRADLE OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

HE ACCUSES BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT WING POLITICAL PARTIES IN FRANCE OF ENCOURAGING ANTI-IMMIGRANT SENTIMENT IN THE COUNTRY, IN A BID TO ATTRACT VOTERS.

THE U-N ENVOY IS PARTICULARLY CRITICAL OF IMMIGRATION LAWS ADOPTED BY THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT THREE YEARS AGO. HE SAYS THE LEGISLATION CONTRADICTS OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT POLICY OF ENCOURAGING THE INTEGRATION OF FRANCE'S IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY.

WHILE IMMIGRANTS RELATED BY BLOOD OR MARRIAGE TO FRENCH CITIZENS CANNOT BE EXPELLED FROM THE COUNTRY, MR. GLELE-AHANHANZO SAYS IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO OBTAIN RESIDENCY DOCUMENTS. AND IF THEY GO BACK TO THEIR HOME COUNTRIES TO SEEK NEW FRENCH VISAS, HE ADDS, THEY ARE FREQUENTLY DENIED PERMISSION TO RETURN TO FRANCE.

THE U-N ENVOY SAYS THOSE IMMIGRATION LAWS SHOULD BE AMENDED, AND HE ALSO URGES PARIS TO ADOPT WHAT HE CALLS A MORE LIBERAL POLICY ON THE ADMISSION OF ASYLUM-SEEKERS.

MR. GLELE-AHANHANZO SAYS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS MADE REMARKABLE PROGRESS OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS IN EFFORTS TO CURB RACISM. BUT PROBLEMS REMAIN, HE ADDS, AND NEW AND MORE SUBTLE FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION ARE ON THE RISE.

HE URGES LONDON TO DO MORE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE EQUALITY OF THE RACES. HE ALSO URGES IMPROVED TRAINING FOR BRITISH POLICE OFFICERS TO COUNTER WHAT HE SEES AS A GENERALIZED POLICE PREJUDICE AGAINST BLACK AND ASIAN IMMIGRANTS.

THE U-N ENVOY SAYS LONDON SHOULD STRENGTHEN LAWS AGAINST RACIAL HATRED, AND DO MORE TO COUNTER WHAT HE CALLS BRITAIN'S IMAGE AS A COUNTRY THAT REJECTS IMMIGRANTS FROM THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE WHILE WELCOMING THOSE FROM THE NORTH.

MR. GLELE-AHANHANZO SAYS RACIALLY MOTIVATED VIOLENCE REMAINS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN GERMANY. BUT IT HAS DECREASED RECENTLY, HE ADDS, THANKS TO NEW MEASURES BY THE GOVERNMENT AND VIGOROUS ACTION BY THE POLICE AGAINST RIGHT WING EXTREMISTS AND NEO-NAZI GROUPS.

HE SAYS GERMAN EFFORTS TO STAMP OUT RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA HAVE PRODUCED SOME LAUDABLE RESULTS. BUT HE SAYS THE INTEGRATION OF FOREIGNERS INTO GERMAN SOCIETY REMAINS PROBLEMATIC. AND HE SAYS THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD REDEFINE ITS POLICIES ON IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM.

THE U-N ENVOY SAYS GERMANY SHOULD ADOPT LEGISLATION AGAINST RACISM, ANTI-SEMITISM AND XENOPHOBIA. AND HE URGES THE GOVERNMENT TO DO MORE TO PERSUADE GERMANS TO ACCEPT THE IDEA OF A MULTI-ETHNIC AND MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETY. (SIGNED)

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12-Apr-96 1:09 PM EDT (1709 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] THE BOSNIAN ARMS EMBARGO'S IRANIAN CONNECTION BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: LAST WEEK "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" REPORTED THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON, DURING THE HEART OF THE BALKAN CIVIL WAR, CHOSE TO IGNORE BOSNIA'S ACQUIRING ARMS FROM IRAN, IN DEFIANCE OF THE U-N ARMS EMBARGO. CRITICS SAY THE UNITED STATES, IN EFFECT, APPROVED OF THE ARMS PURCHASES. THE STORY HAS GENERATED SUBSTANTIAL CONTROVERSY IN WASHINGTON AND IN THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS. REPUBLICANS, WHO AT THE TIME CHAFED UNDER THE U-N MANDATED ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST THE COMBATANTS, ARE NOW DEMANDING A CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION OF THE U-S POLICY. WE GET A SAMPLING OF HOW THE PRESS IS REACTING TO THE STORY NOW FROM ____________________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: "THE TIMES" REPORTED THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAD TOLD CROATIAN PRESIDENT TUDJMAN THE U-S HAD "NO POSITION" ON THE QUESTION OF IRANIAN ARMS SHIPMENTS CROSSING CROATIA FOR THE BELEAGUERED BOSNIAN-GOVERMENT ARMY. THIS WAS AT A TIME WHEN THE MUSLIM-CONTROLLED FORCES OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WERE LOSING GROUND TO A WELL-EQUIPPED BOSNIAN SERB MILITIA, APPARENTLY GETTING WEAPONS THROUGH THE BLOCKADE FROM SERBIA.

THE REVELATION THAT THE UNITED STATES DID NOT OBJECT TO THE IRANIAN ARMS SALES IS BEING CRITICIZED ON AT LEAST TWO FRONTS. ONE, IS THAT IT VIOLATED OFFICIAL U-S POLICY AND WAS, THEREFORE, HYPOCRITICAL AT THE LEAST, AND SECONDLY, THAT IT GAVE THE ISLAMIC REGIME IN IRAN A "FOOTHOLD" [OR CONNECTION] IN EUROPE. HOWEVER, SOME PAPERS SEE AS HYPOCRITICAL REPUBLICAN CALLS FOR A CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION OF THE PRESIDENT FOR DOING WHAT MANY OF THEM WERE AGGRESSIVELY CALLING FOR -- THAT IS, TO IGNORE OR FIND HOLES IN THE EMBARGO POLICY TO HELP THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT GET ARMS TO DEFEND ITSELF. WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN NEW ENGLAND, WHERE "THE HARTFORD COURANT" SAYS, IN PART:

VOICE: "... THE UNITED STATES IS A MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS, WHICH HAD IMPOSED THE ARMS EMBARGO ON BOSNIA. THE U-S GOVERNMENT OFFICIALLY WENT ALONG WITH THE PROHIBITION... BRANDING IRAN'S GOVERNMENT AN EXPORTER OF TERRORISM AND LOOKING THE OTHER WAY WHEN TEHRAN EXPORTS ARMS AND FIGHTERS TO BOSNIA IS IMPROPER. OR DOES MR. CLINTON CONSIDER HYPOCRISY TO BE ACCEPTABLE GOVERNMENT PRACTICE?"

TEXT: ELSEWHERE IN NEW ENGLAND, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" IS ALSO HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE U-S POSITION.

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON EXHIBITED BAD JUDGMENT IN 1994 WHEN HE APPROVED SECRET SHIPMENTS OF ARMS FROM IRAN TO THE MUSLIMS OF BOSNIA. IN RETROSPECT, IT MIGHT BE ARGUED THAT [MR.] CLINTON'S COMPLICITY IN VIOLATING THE U-N ARMS EMBARGO ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WAS JUSTIFIABLE AS THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS... NEVERTHELESS, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON WAS IGNORING SOUND PRINCIPLES AND MAKING BAD POLICY WHEN HE INSTRUCTED U-S DIPLOMATS TO TELL CROATIAN STRONGMAN FRANJO TUDJMAN ... THAT WASHINGTON WOULD NOT OBJECT TO THE ACTIVATION OF AN IRANIAN ARMS PIPELINE TO THE BOSNIANS. [OPT] THE PASSIVE PERMISSION OF IRANIAN ARMS TRANSFERS SHOULD NOT BE CONFOUNDED WITH RONALD REAGAN'S ACTIVE DELIVERY OF U-S MISSILES TO AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI'S MILITARY. BUT THE FOLLY OF CONDUCTING A SECRET POLICY THAT CONTRADICTS OFFICIAL POLICY IS THE SAME IN BOTH CASES." [END OPT ]

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, THE PAPER THAT REPORTED THE STORY, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES", HARKS BACK TO AN EARLIER SCANDAL INVOLVING ARMS AND IRAN THAT CLOUDED THE PRESIDENCY OF MR. CLINTON'S PREDECESSOR.

VOICE: "YES, THE WHITE HOUSE DECISION HELPED LEVEL THE FIELD IN THE BOSNIAN WAR, BUT SURELY THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SENSITIVE TO THE IRANIAN FACTOR. IRAN-CONTRA IS NOT EVEN IN THE HISTORY BOOKS YET. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, LIKE ITS PREDECESSORS, HAS PURSUED A POLICY OF CONTAINING IRANIAN INFLUENCE BEYOND THE PERSIAN GULF. WHY THEN DID THE ADMINISTRATION CHOOSE TO TACITLY ENDORSE IRAN'S SHIPMENT OF ARMS? WEREN'T THERE SOME OTHER OPTIONS AT THAT TIME, INCLUDING PUTTING THE QUESTION OF THE U-N ARMS EMBARGO BACK ON THE TABLE? [OPT] ... FALLOUT [CONSEQUENCES] FROM THE DISCLOSURES HAS BEGUN AND PRESIDENT CLINTON IS FEELING THE PRESSURE IN AN ELECTION YEAR. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE... CALLED THE DETAILS ... 'DISTURBING NEWS' AND ASKED PERTINENT SENATE COMMITTEES TO INVESTIGATE... THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT WAS OBSERVING THE LETTER OF THE U-N EMBARGO, BUT THE GUNS WERE GOING INTO BOSNIA, WITH U-S KNOWLEDGE. AND EACH SHIPMENT BUILT IRANIAN INFLUENCE THERE." [END OPT]

TEXT: "HOLD ON JUST A MINUTE", SAYS "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR", WITH REGARD TO THE CRIES OF OUTRAGE FROM REPUBLICANS, INCLUDING SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE. FINDING SOME WAY AROUND THE ARMS BLOCKADE TO HELP THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, THE PAPER REMINDS READERS, WAS EXACTLY THE POLICY THE REPUBLICANS ESPOUSED AT THE TIME.

VOICE: "... IT'S IRONIC TO HEAR SENATOR DOLE AND OTHERS NOW CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF REPORTS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION KNEW OF THE IRANIAN SHIPMENTS... THE PEOPLE [CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ] WHO DEMANDED THE U-S VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL LAW BY LIFTING THE ARMS EMBARGO ARE NOW CONDEMNING THE PRESIDENT FOR, IN EFFECT, DOING WHAT THEY WANTED DONE?"

TEXT: AND LASTLY, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" MAKES CLEAR IT DOES NOT AGREE WITH "THE MONITOR" AT ALL:

VOICE: "THE IRANIAN MULLAHS MUST BE RUBBING THEIR HANDS IN GLEE. THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF MUCH NEEDED ARMS TO THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS SINCE 1994, IT HAS ESTABLISHED A BRIDGEHEAD IN EUROPE. ALL THE PRESIDENT HAS TO SAY, FACED AS HE IS WITH SEVERAL CONGRESSIONAL PROBES OF U-S ACQUIESCENCE IN THE IRANIAN INVOLVEMENT IS, 'THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IMPROPER DONE.' THAT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU DEFINE IMPROPER, BUT CERTAINLY THIS POLICY WAS DUPLICITOUS AND FOOLISH IN THE EXTREME. AND IT IS NOT AS THOUGH THERE WERE NO ALTERNATIVES, EITHER."

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" GOES ON TO SUGGEST THAT EITHER TURKEY OR SAUDI ARABIA "WOULD HAVE BEEN INFINITELY PREFERABLE TO THE AYATOLLAHS OF TEHERAN" TO SUPPLY ARMS TO THE BOSNIAN MILITARY. AND ON THAT CRITICAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIAL COMMENT ON THE NEWS THAT WASHINGTON DID NOT INTERFERE WITH IRANIAN ARMS SHIPMENTS TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AT THE HEIGHT OF THE U-N EMBARGO AGAINST ALL SIDES IN THE BALKAN CONFLICT.

NEB/ANG/PCH
12-Apr-96 3:23 PM EDT (1923 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS CONSOLIDATES OPERATIONS IN LIBERIA TO PROTECT ITSELF AGAINST NEW FIGHTING; A NEW WEAPONS REPORT ON IRAQ POSTPONES AGAIN ANY POSSIBILITY OF LIFTING A U-N BAN ON OIL SALES; MEANWHILE, TALKS BETWEEN IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS SHOW SOME PROMISE OF A SPECIAL DEAL ALLOWING LIMITED EXPORTS; AND, THE UNITED STATES DEMANDS THE EXPULSION OF A SUDANESE DIPLOMAT CHARGED WITH INVOLVEMENT IN TERRORIST ACTIVITIES. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK.

TEXT: "SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND" -- A RELIEF AGENCY BASED IN LONDON -- HAS APPEALED TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NOT TO ABANDON LIBERIA. IT CALLED ON THE UNITED NATIONS TO ESTABLISH SECURITY ZONES IN THE CAPITAL, MONROVIA, TO ALLOW HUMANITARIAN GROUPS TO CONTINUE THEIR WORK. HOWEVER, BY WEEK'S END MUCH OF THE U-N SYSTEM IN LIBERIA WAS BEING CONSOLIDATED INTO AREAS AWAY FROM THE FIGHTING AND KEY AGENCIES WERE EVACUATING MOST OF THEIR STAFF. U-N OFFICES WERE LOOTED, GUNMEN THREATENED U-N PERSONNEL AND REPORTS WERE COMING INTO NEW YORK THAT THE 75-HUNDRED WEST AFRICAN PEACEKEEPERS IN LIBERIA HAD LOST CONTROL OF THE SITUATION.

SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSED CONCERN EARLIER IN THE WEEK AND CALLED ON THE LIBERIAN FACTIONS TO ABIDE BY LAST YEAR'S PEACE ACCORD.

IRAQ AND THE UNITED NATIONS ARE HOLDING A THIRD ROUND OF TALKS AIMED AT ALLOWING IRAQ TO EXPORT A LIMITED AMOUNT OF ITS OIL OVER SIX MONTHS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES. THE SECURITY COUNCIL LAST YEAR APPROVED AN EXEMPTION FROM A U-N EXPORT BAN, PROVIDED IRAQ AGREE TO U-N SUPERVISION OVER SALES AND DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS.

AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF TALKS, WORD FILTERED DOWN FROM THE NEGOTIATING ROOM THAT A COMPROMISE IS NEAR ON A MAJOR STICKING POINT: WHO WOULD CONTROL THE HUMANITARIAN OPERATION IN IRAQ'S REBELLIOUS KURDISH PROVINCES. IRAQ ESSENTIALLY WOULD DISTRIBUTE GOODS TO THE GENERAL POPULATION -- WITH SOME U-N OVERSIGHT. BUT THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS STIPULATED THAT U-N AGENCIES MUST TAKE CHARGE IN THE KURDISH AREAS. ON FRIDAY, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL BRIEFED INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL. BUT COUNCIL PRESIDENT -- JUAN SAMOVIA OF CHILE -- REFUSED TO SAY HOW CLOSE THE PARTIES ARE.

WHILE HE ADMITTED ME TO BRIEF ME ON THE SITUATION, I MUST SAY THAT I FOUND HIM CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC. BUT, OF COURSE, THERE ARE ISSUES PENDING AND SINCE THEY ARE PENDING IT IS IN THE HANDS OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL TO INFORM ON THE PROCESS.

IRAQ HAS BEEN UNDER A COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC EMBARGO SINCE IT INVADED KUWAIT. A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH ON BANNED WEAPONS IS REQUIRED BEFORE THE COUNCIL CONSIDERS LIFTING THE OIL BAN.

THE UNITED STATES THIS PAST WEEK ORDERED THE EXPULSION OF A DIPLOMAT AT SUDAN'S MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS WHO WAS ACCUSED OF ABETTING TERRORIST ACTIVITIES. THE DIPLOMAT -- WHO IS NOW OUT OF THE COUNTRY -- IS SAID TO HAVE CONSPIRED WITH A TERRORIST RING PLANNING TO BLOW UP MAJOR NEW YORK LANDMARKS, INCLUDING THE UNITED NATIONS. HE ALSO ALLEGEDLY COOPERATED IN A PLOT TO MURDER EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK DURING A PLANNED VISIT TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN 1993. THE TRIP WAS LATER CANCELLED.

U-S SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN TOLD REPORTERS DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS CANNOT BE A PROTECTION FOR TERRORISTS.

WE WILL NOT LET DIPLOMATS IN THE UNITED STATES USE THEIR IMMUNITIES TO MAKE THEIR MISSIONS A SAFE HAVEN OR A BASE FOR TERRORIST ACTIVITIES. . .

THE SUDANESE MISSION CALLED THE ALLEGATIONS BASELESS.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL WITHIN A WEEK IS EXPECTED TO IMPOSE LIMITED SANCTIONS ON SUDAN FOR SHELTERING SUSPECTS IN ANOTHER ATTEMPT ON PRESIDENT MUBARAK'S LIFE IN ETHIOPIA LAST YEAR. (SIGNED)

NEB/EJ/JM
12-Apr-96 2:52 PM EDT (1852 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America