Voice of America, 30 May 1996

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

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

[02] ALBANIA SITREP (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVAS (TIRANA)

[03] ALBANIA ELECTION (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[04] BOSNIA SITREP (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

[05] CONGRESS-BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID SWAN (SENATE)

[06] CZECH POLITICS (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[07] MACEDONIA RENEWAL (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[08] TURKEY / MUSLIM SOLDIERS (L ONLY-CORRECTION) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[09] U-S-BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

INTRO: THE GUILTY VERDICTS AGAINST THREE PEOPLE CAUGHT UP IN THE WHITEWATER AFFAIR IN ARKANSAS CONTINUE TO DOMINATE THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MANY U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS THURSDAY. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE COMMENTARIES ON: THE REPRESSION OF DISSENT IN BURMA; THE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM THE VALUJET CRASH; AND A SET-BACK FOR DEMOCRACY IN ALBANIA. NOW, HERE WITH A QUOTE OR TWO AND A CLOSER LOOK IS __________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE GUILTY VERDICTS IN A FEDERAL COURT IN PRESIDENT CLINTON'S HOME STATE, WERE RETURNED AGAINST THE SITTING GOVERNOR, JIM GUY TUCKER, AND TWO FORMER CLINTON BUSINESS ASSOCIATES, JAMES MCDOUGAL AND HIS EX-WIFE, SUSAN. SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME IN LATE TUESDAY, MANY PAPERS CHOSE TO CONSIDER ITS SIGNIFICANCE A DAY BEFORE COMMENTING, WHILE OTHERS DID SO QUICKLY. HERE IS HOW TODAY'S MIAMI HERALD REACTS.

VOICE: "PUTTING ITS BEST SPIN [INTERPRETATION OF THE NEWS] ON A BAD DAY FOR THE PRESIDENT, THE WHITE HOUSE AGAIN IS REMINDING EVERYONE THAT HE WAS ONLY A WITNESS, NOT A DEFENDANT. THAT IS CERTAINLY TRUE. BUT WHITEWATER - - A MONIKER [NICKNAME] NO LONGER APPLIED JUST TO A REAL-ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND .. BANKING SCANDAL - - ROILS ANEW. ...THE CLINTONS ... HAVE BEEN SOAKED THROUGH AND THROUGH WITH THE MUD OF SCANDAL. SOME OF IT IS SURE TO STICK ON ELECTION DAY."

TEXT: IN GEORGIA, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION TITLES ITS LEAD THURSDAY EDITORIAL "WHITEWATER SWIRLS TO SURFACE." THE PAPER SAYS THE CASE HAS BEEN SO CONFUSING, MOST PEOPLE COULDN'T FOLLOW IT, AND PAID LITTLE ATTENTION - - UNTIL NOW.

VOICE: ".... FOR THOSE NOT PREDISPOSED TO EITHER LOVE OR HATE THE CLINTONS, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH A CONCLUSION ABOUT THE CASE BASED ON THE FACTS. ....... IT'S NOW CERTAIN ... WE WON'T HAVE ALL THE FACTS ABOUT THE CASE BY NOVEMBER, WHEN VOTERS WILL HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION BASED IN PART ON THEIR ASSESSMENT OF THE PRESIDENT'S GUILT OR INNOCENCE. [OPT] ..... ON JUNE 17TH, A TRIAL BEGINS IN LITTLE ROCK INVOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF CAMPAIGN-RELATED CORRUPTION THAT MORE DIRECTLY INVOLVE [MR.] CLINTON. IF [INDEPENDENT COUNSEL KENNETH] STARR WINS CONVICTIONS IN THAT CASE, THE POLITICAL DAMAGE TO [PRESIDENT] CLINTON ..... MAY THREATEN HIS RE-ELECTION. ..... THIS WEEK, WHITEWATER BECAME AN ISSUE OF PRESSING NATIONAL IMPORTANCE." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE WARNS READERS:

VOICE: "[PRESIDENT] CLINTON'S TANGENTIAL CONNECTION TO THE CASE IMPOSES NO CONCLUSION ABOUT HIS CHARACTER AS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL NOR ABOUT THE POLITICAL EFFECTS OF THE DISPARATE CASES COMMONLY LINKED UNDER THE RUBRIC OF WHITEWATER. BUT TWO PENDING CASES HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE MORE DIRECT POLITICAL DAMAGE. ... HE COULD BE INNOCENT OF ANY CRIME AND STILL BE SHOWN TO HAVE ABUSED THE POWER AND INFLUENCE OF HIS POSITIONS AS GOVERNOR IN ARKANSAS AND PRESIDENT IN WASHINGTON."

TEXT: THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER ADDS THAT TUESDAY'S LITTLE ROCK VERDICT ONLY MEANS THAT:

VOICE: "IT WILL REQUIRE A LOT MORE WORK BY THE SPECIAL COUNSEL TO GET AT THE TRUTH REGARDING THE CLINTONS' CONDUCT IN THE WHITEWATER REAL-ESTATE DEAL, THE FINANCING OF MR. CLINTON'S GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGNS, AND OTHER MATTERS."

TEXT: WHILE ON THE WEST COAST, TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES NOTES:

VOICE: "THE ARKANSAS VERDICTS INEVITABLY WILL CAST A SHADOW OVER THE PRESIDENT'S CAMPAIGN IMAGE. ..... CERTAINLY EAGER REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN ORGANIZERS INTEND TO USE WHITEWATER, WHATEVER THE PRESIDENT'S INVOLVEMENT, AS A VEHICLE FOR RAISING ANEW QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS CHARACTER AND CREDIBILITY. [OPT] WHETHER VOTERS WILL BEGIN PAYING CLOSER ATTENTION PROBABLY DEPENDS ..... ON WHAT SUBSTANTIVE EVIDENCE [MR.] STARR'S DOGGED INVESTIGATION .... IS ABLE TO LAY BEFORE THE PUBLIC." [END OPT]

TEXT: ON LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY WRITES:

VOICE: "WHATEVER THIS [THE CONVICTIONS] MIGHT SAY ABOUT THE MCDOUGALS, [JAMES AND SUSAN, THE CLINTON'S FORMER BUSINESS PARTNERS] IT DOESN'T EVEN RISE TO THE LEVEL OF A CIRCUMSTANTIAL CASE AGAINST BILL AND HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON. BUT THE POLITICAL ARENA DOESN'T REQUIRE REAL EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT AN ACCUSATION; INNUENDO AND SPECULATION ARE OFTEN MORE THAN ENOUGH.... THAT MAY NOT BE FAIR, BUT IT SHOULDN'T SURPRISE ANYONE WITH A RUDIMENTARY KNOWLEDGE OF AMERICAN POLITICS ...."

TEXT: BRIEFLY ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE, TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR CRITICIZES THE RENEWED REPRESSION AND ARRESTS OF DEMOCRATIC ACTIVISTS IN BURMA. THE ACTIVISTS WERE TRYING TO ATTEND A CONFERENCE HELD BY AUNG SAN SUU KYI, THE WOMAN WHO SHOULD BE PRIME MINISTER, BUT WAS PREVENTED BY THE MILITARY JUNTA'S ANNULMENT OF THE 1990 ELECTION.

VOICE: "... BURMA'S DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT WON'T BE SILENCED. ITS LEADER IS RIGHT WHEN SHE NOTES THAT SLORC'S LATEST REPRESSION IS FURTHER EVIDENCE OF ITS INSECURITY. ..... THE WORLD SHOULD CLOSELY WATCH HOW THE GENERALS RESPOND TO THIS LATEST AFFRONT TO THEIR AUTHORITY. THEIR QUEST FOR NORMALIZED ECONOMIC RELATIONS SHOULD BE REBUFFED UNTIL THEY SHOW, AT THE LEAST, A WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE IN GENUINE DIALOGUE WITH SUU KYI AND HER FOLLOWERS."

TEXT: BACK IN THE UNITED STSTES, THE WASHINGTON POST SUGGESTS THAT ONE OF SEVERAL VALUABLE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM THE VALUEJET CRASH IN THE EVERGLADES, IS FOR BETTER FIRE AND SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEMS IN CARGO COMPARTMENTS.

VOICE: "WAITING FOR SOMEONE ON BOARD ELSEWHERE TO REPORT SMOKE ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH. SECONDS MATTER. ..... THE POINT HERE IS NOT TO PLUNGE HYSTERICALLY INTO A WAVE OF OVERREACTIONS BUT TO SEIZE OCCASION FOR A TOP-TO-BOTTOM REEXAMINATION OF AIR SAFETY POLICIES AND OVERSIGHT. "

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES IS DECRYING A SETBACK FOR DEMOCRACY IN ALBANIA, POOREST AND LAST OF THE EUROPEAN NATIONS TO THROW OFF COMMUNISM.

VOICE: "ALBANIA, EUROPE'S POOREST COUNTRY, SUFFERED FOR DECADES UNDER A FANATICAL STRAIN OF COMMUNISM. NOW IT SEEMS TO HAVE GRADUATED TO A HARSH FORM OF POST-COMMUNIST GOVERNANCE. ..... LAST SUNDAY'S DEFORMED PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS MADE CLEAR THAT DEMOCRACY IN ALBANIA REMAINS A DISTANT DREAM. A NEW DICTATORSHIP MAY BE IN THE MAKING UNDER THE AUTHORITARIAN RULE OF PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA. ..... OPPOSITION PARTIES WITHDREW FROM THE ELECTION EVEN BEFORE THE VOTES WERE COUNTED."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT ON SOME OF THE TOPICS OF THE DAY FROM THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/TBA
30-May-96 11:23 AM EDT (1523 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA SITREP (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVAS (TIRANA)

INTRO: FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO DAYS ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES HAVE CLASHED WITH OPPOSITION PARTY SUPPORTERS FOLLOWING LAST SUNDAY'S ELECTIONS. THE LATEST CLASHES COME TWO DAYS BEFORE A FINAL ROUND OF ALBANIA'S MULTI-PARTY ELECTIONS. ANTHEE CARASSAVAS REPORTS FROM TIRANA.

TEXT: THE CLASHES OCCURRED IN THE SOUTHERN ALBANIAN TOWN OF BERMET, CONSIDERED A STRONGHOLD OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY WHICH LED A BOYCOTT LAST SUNDAY'S NATIONAL ELECTIONS.

SOCIALIST PARTY MEMBERS SAY ABOUT THREE THOUSAND DEMONSTRATORS WERE MET WITH WHAT THEY CALLED THE BRUTAL FORCE OF SCORES OF POLICEMEN AND SECRET SERVICE PERSONNEL.

PARTY MEMBERS SAY THAT AS MANY AS 70 DEMONSTRATORS WERE BEATEN AND 35 PROTESTERS WERE DETAINED. ALBANIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE CONFIRMED THE INCIDENT AND SAY THAT TWO POLICEMEN WERE INJURED IN THE CLASHES.

THE VIOLENCE COMES TWO DAYS BEFORE ELECTIONS IN 10 ALBANIAN CONSTITUENCIES THAT FAILED TO PRODUCE A MAJORITY FOR ANY CANDIDATE.

EIGHT ALBANIAN PARTIES PULLED OUT HALF WAY THROUGH THE FIRST ROUND OF VOTING SUNDAY. THEY ACCUSED THE RULING DEMOCRATIC PARTY LED BY PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA OF RIGGING THE VOTE.

MR. BERISHA AND HIS CONSERVATIVE ALLIES HAVE COME UNDER CRITICISM BY INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS WHO NOTED VOTING IRREGULARITIES IN THE SUNDAY BALLOTING.

THE CRITICISM HAS LED THE CONSERVATIVES TO HOLD REPEAT ELECTIONS IN THREE CONSTITUENCIES. SOCIALISTS HAVE VOWED TO BOYCOTT THE ELECTIONS AND CALLED ON SUPPORTERS TO HOLD DAILY PROTESTS THROUGHOUT ALBANIA TO PRESS FOR THEY CALLED A NEW AND CLEAN DEMOCRATIC ELECTION.

ANALYSTS SAY THEY FEAR THAT SOCIAL UNREST COULD RESULT IN INSTABILITY IN ALBANIA AND DELAY IS DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRATIC REFORM JUST SIX YEARS AFTER EMERGING FROM COMMUNIST RULE. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/MH/CF
30-May-96 2:48 PM EDT (1848 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] ALBANIA ELECTION (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE SAYS ALBANIA'S GENERAL ELECTION MAY HAVE TO BE PARTLY REPEATED TO ENSURE IT WAS FREE AND FAIR. PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY DECLARED THE OVERWHELMING WINNER. BUT V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS FROM VIENNA OPPOSITION PARTIES SAY THE BALLOTING WAS RIGGED AND DO NOT ACCEPT THE RESULTS.

TEXT: O-S-C-E CHAIRMAN FLAVIO COTTI SAYS SERIOUS ELECTION IRREGULARITIES, REPORTED BY INTERNATIONAL MONITORS, ENDANGER ALBANIA'S DEVELOPMENT AS A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY. MR. COTTI, THE SWISS FOREIGN MINISTER, SAYS TO END THE DISPUTE OVER WHETHER IT WAS FREE AND FAIR ALL ALBANIAN POLITICAL PARTIES SHOULD CONSIDER PARTLY REPEATING THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD LAST SUNDAY.

OPPOSITION PARTIES WITHDREW FROM THE ELECTION. THEY HAVE COMPLAINED THE GOVERNMENT AND THE RULING DEMOCRATIC PARTY MANIPULATED THE BALLOTING AND INTIMIDATED VOTERS.

THE SIMILAR VIEWS OF MONITORS WERE SUMMARIZED WEDNESDAY IN THE MOST CRITICAL REPORT OF ITS KIND EVER ISSUED BY THE O-S-C-E ON A NATIONAL ELECTION IN POST-COMMUNIST EASTERN EUROPE.

THE CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION IN TIRANA ANNOUNCED PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY WON 95 OF THE 140 SEATS IN THE ALBANIAN PARLIAMENT.

WITH MORE THAN A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY, PRESIDENT BERISHA COULD NOW GET PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL OF A NEW CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD GIVE HIM ADDED POWERS.

THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF FORMER COMMUNISTS AND OTHER OPPOSITION PARTIES SAY THEY DO NOT ACCEPT THE ELECTION RESULTS, WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN A SECOND ROUND OF VOTING, AND WILL NOT TAKE THEIR SEATS IN PARLIAMENT.

THE SOCIALISTS ARE SAID TO HAVE WON ONLY FIVE SEATS. PRESIDENT BERISHA HAS SAID THE SOCIALISTS SUFFERED A MASSIVE DEFEAT BECAUSE THE ALBANIAN PEOPLE HAVE DECISIVELY REJECTED COMMUNISM.

THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE CANNOT COMPEL THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT TO REPEAT THE VOTING IN CONSTITUENCIES IN WHICH THE OUTCOME IS DISPUTED. BUT, ALBANIA'S HOPES TO JOIN WESTERN INSTITUTIONS WILL CLEARLY BE SET BACK IF THE GOVERNMENT IGNORES THE O-S-C-E CRITICISM OF THE COUNTRY'S LATEST GENERAL ELECTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/JWH/RAE
30-May-96 9:52 AM EDT (1352 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA SITREP (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE TOP CIVILIAN MEDIATOR IN BOSNIA HAS RULED OUT ANY COOPERATION WITH THE BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIAL APPOINTED BY BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC TO HANDLE RELATIONS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. THE MOVE IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF ATTEMPTS TO UNDERMINE MR. KARADZIC WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE BATTLE TO END RADOVAN KARADZIC'S GRIP ON POWER IS CONTINUING.

MR. KARADZIC FIRED HIS MODERATE PRIME MINISTER, AND REPLACED HIM WITH A HARD-LINE NATIONALIST. THEN, MR KARADZIC, UNDER STRONG INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE DROPPED OUT OF THE PUBLIC EYE, AND APPOINTED HIS ULTRA HARD-LINE VICE-PRESIDENT, BILJANA PLAVSIC, TO HANDLE ALL RELATIONS WITH NATO AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

NOW COLUM MURPHY, THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SENIOR INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR IN BOSNIA, CARL BILDT, SAYS THERE WILL BE NO DEALINGS WITH MS. PLAVSIC, BECAUSE THE BOSNIAN SERBS SAY SHE WILL ONLY BE "ASSISTING" MR. KARADZIC.

IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CANNOT ACCEPT CONTACTS WITH PROFESSOR DR. PLAVSIC IN HER FUNCTION AS ASSISTING A PERSON WHO IS SEEKING TO HANG ON TO PUBLIC OFFICE IN CLEAR VIOLATION OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT.

MR. MURPHY SAYS MR. BILDT IS STILL WILLING TO CO-OPERATE WITH BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIALS, BUT NOT WITH THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES.

WE BELIEVE THAT THE UNIMPEDED INFLUENCE OF INDICTED PERSONS ON THE POLITICAL CLIMATE IS CONTINUINGLY DESTRUCTIVE TO THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS.

UNDERLINING THE DISPUTE ABOUT MR. KARADZIC IS THE RENEWAL OF ETHNIC CLEANSING BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN NORTHERN BOSNIA. MUSLIMS WHO ARE STILL LIVING IN SERB AREAS HAVE BEEN THREATENED AND HARASSED AND MORE THAN 100 MUSLIMS HAVE BEEN FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES WITH ONLY WHAT THEY COULD CARRY. SENIOR OFFICIALS HERE DESCRIBE THIS IS AS THE GREATEST CRISIS IN BOSNIA SINCE THE DAYTON AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED, AND THERE ARE REAL FEARS THE PEACE PROCESS COULD BE UNRAVELLING.

KRIS JANOWSKI, THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE SPOKESMAN, SAYS MUSLIMS CANNOT BE PROTECTED UNLESS THE BOSNIAN SERBS CHANGE THEIR POLICIES.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THERE HAS TO BE A WILL ON THE PART OF THE BOSNIAN SERB AUTHORITIES AT THE TOP AND AT THE BOTTOM TO AGREE TO LIVE TOGETHER WITH THE MUSLIMS. IF THEY DON'T WANT TO LIVE WITH THE MUSLIMS, IF THEY THINK THAT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE, NO FORCE IN THE WORLD IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT THEM.

NATO OFFICIALS SEEM UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO PROTECT MUSLIMS FROM BOSNIAN SERB HARASSMENT, AND NATO OFFICERS SAY THEY CANNOT ENFORCE THE PARTS OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT THAT CALL FOR FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR REFUGEES TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS SAY THE COMPLETE ETHNIC DIVISION OF BOSNIA, A LONG CHERISHED DREAM OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS, IS LOOKING MORE AND MORE PERMANENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/DF/CF
30-May-96 1:38 PM EDT (1738 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] CONGRESS-BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID SWAN (SENATE)

INTRO: THE U-S AMBASSADOR TO CROATIA HAS DEFENDED WASHINGTON'S DECISION TO LET IRANIAN WEAPONS PASS THROUGH CROATIA TO THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE ENVOY SAYS IRAN HAS SUBSEQUENTLY LOST INFLUENCE IN THE BALKANS INSTEAD OF GAINING IT. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS FROM CAPITOL HILL.

TEXT: ECHOING OTHER OFFICIALS, AMBASSADOR PETER GALBRAITH TOLD CONGRESS THE DECISION WAS NOT EASY. HE CALLED IRAN AN INTERNATIONAL MENACE WHOSE TERRORISTS COULD HAVE THREATENED HIS OWN MISSION IN ZAGREB.

BUT THE AMBASSADOR SAYS THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY TO KEEP BOSNIAN SERBS FROM TAKING MORE LAND AND MORE CITIES, WITH HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE. HE SOUGHT TO COUNTER CHARGES THE POLICY OPENED THE DOOR FOR IRAN TO MOVE INTO THE REGION.

IT WAS THE WAR, NOT THE ARMS PIPELINE, THAT GAVE THE IRANIANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO FISH IN TROUBLED BALKAN WATERS.

MR. GALBRAITH SAYS THE PIPELINE DID NOT START WITH THE UNITED STATES. WHEN CROATIAN OFFICIALS ASKED HIM ABOUT THE MATTER, HE REPLIED HE HAD NO INSTRUCTIONS AND TOLD THEM TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT HE DID NOT SAY, MEANING WASHINGTON WOULD NOT OBJECT.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION ARGUES THE PLAN SUCCEEDED. THE AMBASSADOR SAYS IT HAD WHAT HE CALLS THE PERVERSE EFFECT OF SHRINKING IRANIAN INFLUENCE IN THE LONG RUN.

IT ENABLED THE BOSNIANS TO DEFEND THEMSELVES, TO SURVIVE, AND THEN -- IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CROATIANS TO ROLL BACK SOME OF THE SERB GAINS, THUS PAVING THE WAY TO THE DAYTON (PEACE) AGREEMENTS.

BUT REPUBLICANS ARE UNCONVINCED, SAYING IRAN COULD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN KEPT OUT OF THE ARMS TRAFFIC. CONGRESSMAN HENRY HYDE QUOTED THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S OWN REPORT ON GLOBAL TERRORISM.

IRAN AGAIN WAS THE MOST ACTIVE STATE SPONSOR OF TERRORISM IN 1993 AND WAS IMPLICATED IN TERRORIST ATTACKS IN ITALY, TURKEY AND PAKISTAN. IRAN STILL SURVEILLS (SPIES ON) U-S MISSIONS AND PERSONNEL. TEHRAN'S POLICYMAKERS VIEW TERRORISM AS A VALID TOOL TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR POLITICAL OBJECTIVES.

THE REPUBLICAN-LED CONGRESS PLANS AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION OF THE MATTER. WHILE THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE BOSNIAN POLICY, THE OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS ARE DETERMINED TO PUT THE ISSUE UNDER AN ELECTION-YEAR SPOTLIGHT. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/CB/PT
30-May-96 4:54 PM EDT (2054 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] CZECH POLITICS (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: VOTING FOR A NEW PARLIAMENT IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC IS SET TO BEGIN AT MID-DAY FRIDAY. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM PRAGUE THE POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY LEADS TO A CONCERN ABOUT TRADE DEFICITS THAT COULD DRIVE THE VALUE OF THE CZECH CROWN LOWER IN EUROPEAN CURRENCY MARKETS. .

TEXT: THE OUTGOING CABINET HELD ITS FINAL SESSION THURSDAY AT A CASTLE OUTSIDE OF PRAGUE. PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL BRIEFLY JOINED THE SESSION AND AFTERWARDS SAID IT HAD ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS. HOWEVER, HE ADDED THAT MUCH MORE NEEDED TO BE DONE TO COMPLETE THE TRANSFORMATION TO A FREE MARKET ECONOMY.

PRIME MINISTER VACLAV KLAUS, WHO WIELDS THE REAL POWER IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, WAS CALM AND CONFIDENT AS HE MINGLED WITH REPORTERS AND APPEARED BRIEFLY WITH THE PRESIDENT, WITH WHOM HE HAS ALWAYS HAD AN UNEASY RELATIONSHIP.

MR. KLAUS EXPECTS TO BE RETURNED TO POWER WITH HIS CIVIC DEMOCRATIC PARTY GETTING AT LEAST 30 PERCENT OF THE VOTE. THE CIVIC DEMOCRATS HEAD A THREE PARTY COALITION.

MR. KLAUS DISMISSED REPORTS THAT THE CZECH CROWN WILL DECLINE IN VALUE ONCE THE ELECTION RESULTS ARE KNOWN THIS WEEKEND. HE SAID THE CROWN'S VALUE WILL HOLD STEADY. OTHER FINANCIAL EXPERTS ARE NOT SO SURE. THEY POINT TO AN ALARMING RISE IN THE CZECH TRADE DEFICIT AND SAY THE CURRENCY IS TOO STRONG TO PROMOTE EXPORTS. THE CZECH REPUBLIC IS HEAVILY INDUSTRIALIZED AND DEPENDS ON EXPORTS FOR MUCH OF ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH.

THE CZECH CENTRAL BANK, WHICH IS INDEPENDENT OF THE GOVERNMENT, RELAXED ITS CONTROL OVER THE EXCHANGE RATE AT THE BEGINNING OF MARCH. EVEN WITH A MUCH WIDER FLUCTUATION BAND, THE CURRENCY HAS MAINTAINED ITS VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE DOLLAR. DESPITE A BIG RISE IN IMPORTS THE CZECH REPUBLIC'S FOREIGN CURRENCY RESERVES REMAIN VERY HIGH, ENOUGH TO PAY FOR MORE THAN 12 MONTHS OF IMPORTS.

OPINION SURVEYS SUGGEST THAT THE KLAUS LED COALITION WILL BE RETURNED TO POWER. PRAGUE'S LEADING NEWSPAPER (DNES) THURSDAY URGED VOTERS TO RE-ELECT THE CENTER RIGHT GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/MH/CF
30-May-96 11:19 AM EDT (1519 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] MACEDONIA RENEWAL (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: DESPITE RESERVATIONS BY RUSSIA -- THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL THURSDAY DECIDED TO KEEP MORE THAN ONE-THOUSAND PEACE-KEEPING TROOPS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA UNTIL NOVEMBER. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS RUSSIA ABSTAINED IN THE 14-0 VOTE.

TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL RENEWED THE MANDATE OF ONE-THOUSAND-50 TROOPS, 35 MILITARY OBSERVERS AND ABOUT 170 CIVILIAN POLICE IN MACEDONIA FOR ANOTHER SIX-MONTHS. RUSSIA WANTED A FOUR-MONTH EXTENSION AND PROPOSED THE FORCE BE CUT BACK TO 700 -- WITH OBSERVERS STARTING TO REPLACE THE TROOPS.

THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR ARGUED A SMALLER FORCE WOULD DO SINCE THE BOSNIAN WAR IS OVER. PEACE-KEEPERS FIRST WENT TO MACEDONIA IN 1993 AT THE HEIGHT OF THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF VIOLENCE.

U-S AMBASSADOR MADELEINE ALBRIGHT CONCEDED MACEDONIA HAS INDEED BEEN SPARED THE BLOODSHED THAT GRIPPED OTHER PARTS OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. BUT SHE ALSO NOTED REGIONAL PEACE, ESPECIALLY IN BOSNIA, IS NOT YET ON SURE FOOTING, AND STRESSED THE U-N FORCE (UNPREDEP) REMAIN UNCHANGED -- AT LEAST THROUGH NOVEMBER:

ANY CHANGE TO THE MANDATE OR STRUCTURE OF UNPREDEP (THE U-N ) NOW WOULD HAVE A POTENTIALLY DE-STABILIZING EFFECT ON THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE BALKANS. THE ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IN MID-SEPTEMBER ARE A CRITICAL STEP FORWARD IN THE PEACE PROCESS AND IT IS VITAL THAT WE AVOID AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ADDING ANY ELEMENTS OF UNCERTAINTY TO THAT PROCESS.

IN A REPORT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI HAD DISMISSED THE IDEA OF SUBSTITUTING MILITARY OBSERVERS FOR TROOPS IN MACEDONIA. HE SAID PATROLLING BORDERS IS A TASK BETTER SUITED TO FORMED INFANTRY UNITS. THE PEACE-KEEPERS ARE MONITORING MACEDONIA'S BORDERS WITH ALBANIA AND SERBIA'S RESTLESS KOSOVO PROVINCE -- WHERE ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE CHALLENGING BELGRADE'S AUTHORITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/RAE
30-May-96 2:11 PM EDT (1811 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY / MUSLIM SOLDIERS (L ONLY-CORRECTION) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: THE TURKISH MILITARY REMAINS THE BASTION OF SECULARISM IN THE WESTERN-ORIENTED REPUBLIC FOUNDED BY KEMAL ATATURK 73 YEARS AGO. OFFICERS VIEWED AS PROPAGATING ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM ARE SYSTEMATICALLY DISMISSED. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TURKEY'S MODERN HISTORY A GROUP OF EXPELLED OFFICERS HAS DECIDED TO CHALLENGE THE MILITARY'S DECISION TO DISMISS THEM IN COURT.

TEXT: BARELY SIX MONTHS AGO, CAPTAIN SULEYMAN OGRETEN HAD A PROMISING CAREER IN THE TURKISH MILITARY. HIS RECORD DURING TEN YEARS OF ACTIVE SERVICE WAS IMPECCABLE. HE WAS TWICE SENT FOR TRAINING TO THE UNITED STATES. LAST YEAR, HE WAS SENT TO SERVE WITH A UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN KUWAIT. CAPTAIN OGRETEN HAD EVERY HOPE OF RISING TO THE TOP ONE DAY. BUT ALL HIS DREAMS CAME TO AN ABRUPT HALT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, WHEN HE WAS SUMMARILY DISMISSED ALONG WITH 49 OTHER OFFICERS BY THE SUPREME MILITARY COMMAND FOR UNDISCIPLINED CONDUCT.

CAPTAIN OGRETEN SAYS THE REASON HE WAS DISMISSED WAS BECAUSE HE HAD TAKEN A BUS TRIP TO ISLAM'S SACRED SHRINES IN SAUDI ARABIA DURING HIS MISSION IN KUWAIT.

I WAS A MEMBER OF UNICOM IN KUWAIT. I WAS A MILITARY OBSERVER THERE. WE TOOK A TRIP TO MECCA, TO HOLY PLACES. I THINK IT WAS (THE) MAIN REASON. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT SUCH A GOOD IDEA TO VISIT SUCH A PLACE DURING MY MISSION. BEFORE (DURING THE PREVIOUS) EIGHT MONTHS, I WAS NUMBER ONE IN ARMORED BRANCH, AND THEN AFTER VISITING HOLY PLACES I BECAME A BAD BOY AND THEY DISCHARGED ME.

MILITARY EXPERTS SAY MILITANT ISLAMIC GROUPS HAVE LONG SOUGHT TO INFILTRATE THE TURKISH ARMED FORCES. MANY OF THE EXPELLED OFFICERS HAVE WIVES WHO COVER THEIR HEADS IN KEEPING WITH ISLAMIC FAITH.

THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE MILITARY FREE OF ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISTS HAS BECOME ALL THE MORE PRONOUNCED EVER SINCE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LAST DECEMBER, WHEN THE PRO-ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY CAME IN FIRST.

ALTHOUGH THE ISLAMISTS DID NOT SECURE ENOUGH VOTES TO FORM A GOVERNMENT ON THEIR OWN, THE FACT THAT THEY OUTPERFORMED THE PRO-SECULAR PARTIES WAS ENOUGH TO SEND ALARMS AMONG THE EIGHTY PERCENT OF THE TURKISH ELECTORATE WHICH VOTED AGAINST THE WELFARE PARTY.

LIKE MANY OF THE EXPELLED OFFICERS, CAPTAIN OGRETEN SAYS HE NEVER VOTED FOR THE WELFARE PARTY. AND LIKE MANY, HE DENIES EVER HAVING PROPAGATED RADICAL ISLAMIC VIEWS.

I DON'T SUPPORT ANY KIND OF RELIGIOUS PROPAGANDA. I'M NOT A MEMBER OF ANY GROUP. AND DURING MY MISSION IN ARMY I ALWAYS TRIED TO KEEP AWAY MYSELF FROM SUCH KIND OF ACTIVITIES.

CAPTAIN OGRETEN SAYS BEING A GOOD MUSLIM IS NOT INCOMPATIBLE WITH BEING A GOOD OFFICER. IF HE COMMITTED A CRIME, HE SAYS, HE WANTS A FAIR TRIAL.

BUT UNDER TURKISH LAW, DECISIONS MADE BY THE SUPREME MILITARY COMMAND CANNOT BE CHALLENGED IN TURKISH COURTS. FOR THAT REASON, HE AND 26 OTHER OFFICERS WHO WERE EXPELLED LAST YEAR HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE THEIR CASE TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN STRASBOURG.

BUT POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY THEIR DECISION TO SEEK JUSTICE IN EUROPE WILL NOT GO DOWN WELL WITH MOST TURKS. RATHER IT WILL BE VIEWED AS AN ACT OF TREASON, THEY SAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/MH/MMK
30-May-96 10:35 AM EDT (1435 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S-BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: A SENIOR U-S OFFICIAL MEETS WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE FRIDAY TO RENEW EFFORTS TO MAKE SURE BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC IS REMOVED FROM POWER. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE TRIP OF JOHN KORNBLUM WILL PREPARE THE WAY FOR ANOTHER HIGH LEVEL MEETING ON SUNDAY.

TEXT: ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KORNBLUM WILL BE PRESSING SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO SHOW SOME EVIDENCE THAT HE IS STILL IN CONTROL OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND THAT RADOVAN KARADZIC HAS BEEN EFFECTIVELY REMOVED FROM POWER.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY MR. KORNBLUM, WHO LEFT WASHINGTON THURSDAY, WILL WANT TO LEARN WHAT THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT DECIDED IN A MEETING HE HELD THIS WEEK WITH SENIOR BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS IN BELGRADE.

MR. KORNBLUM'S MEETINGS WITH THE PRESIDENTS OF SERBIA, CROATIA AND BOSNIA FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ARE IN PREPARATION FOR SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER'S SESSION WITH THE THREE BALKAN LEADERS THIS SUNDAY IN GENEVA.

AT A MEETING WITH REPORTERS ALONGSIDE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY MALCOLM RIFKIND, THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS THE UNITED STATES PREFERS TO HAVE RADOVAN KARADZIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC TURNED OVER TO THE HAGUE FOR TRIAL ON WAR CRIMES CHARGES, BUT HE MAINTAINS BOSNIAN ELECTIONS CAN TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER REGARDLESS.

I THINK THAT THE ELECTIONS CAN GO FORWARD, AS LONG AS THEY ARE NOT CANDIDATES IN THE ELECTIONS, AS LONG AS THE OSCE CERTIFIES THAT THEY CAN GO FORWARD. ELECTIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND AS I SAY, IT'S NOT OUR PREFERRED OUTCOME TO HAVE THEM STILL ON THE SCENE BUT AT THE SAME TIME I WOULD NOT RULE OUT THE HOLDING OF ELECTIONS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE ON THE SCENE. ON THE OTHER HAND STEPS WILL BE TAKEN OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS AND MONTHS TO ENCOURAGE THEIR DEPARTURE FROM THE SCENE AND INDEED ENCOURAGE THEIR BEING TURNED OVER TO THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL.

A SENIOR U-S OFFICIAL SAYS MR. KARADZIC HAS MADE AN OPEN CHALLENGE IN RECENT WEEKS TO UNDERMINE THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT AND THE UNITED STATES WANTS TO BE SURE IN MEETINGS WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THAT THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER IS STILL NOT PULLING THE STRINGS.

THE AMERICAN OFFICIAL INSISTS THE UNITED STATES STILL HAS LEVERAGE WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WHO WANTS INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ITS AILING ECONOMY AND FULL RECOGNITION OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO BY THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED NATIONS. THESE SANCTIONS WILL REMAIN UNTIL SERBIA AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS COMPLY WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. IN FACT, PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS BEEN WARNED THERE IS GROWING SENTIMENT TO RE-IMPOSE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA IF THERE IS CONTINUED DEFIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/GKT/PT
30-May-96 5:10 PM EDT (2110 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article