Voice of America, 19 July 1996 (2 of 2)

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

CONTENTS

[01] REBUILDING BOSNIA BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[02] U-N/KARADZIC (S ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

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

[04] U-S / ROMANIA (L) BY JOHN PITMAN (WASHINGTON)

[05] U-S / TURKEY (L-O) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[01] REBUILDING BOSNIA BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRODUCTION: VARIOUS COUNTRIES AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES ARE COLLABORATING TO REBUILD BOSNIA. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS THEY ARE MAKING SOME HEADWAY, BUT ALL DEPENDS ON KEEPING THE FRAGILE PEACE AMONG THE EMBITTERED COMMUNITIES.

TEXT: TIM CULLEN, A SENIOR ADVISER AT THE WORLD BANK, HAS JUST RETURNED FROM A TOUR OF BOSNIA. HE SAYS HE SEES HOPE AMID THE WRECKAGE.

DESPITE THE TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS WHICH ARE THE THINGS ONE READS ABOUT EVERY DAY IN THE NEWSPAPERS, THE HATREDS AND THE FEARS THAT A WAR INEVITABLY LEAVES BEHIND, AT THE SAME TIME THERE ARE SOME VERY, VERY ENCOURAGING SIGNS. FOR EXAMPLE, IN MOST TOWNS, YOU SEE QUITE ACTIVE MARKETS. YOU ALSO SEE IN SARAJEVO THERE ARE STREETCARS RUNNING EVERY THREE MINUTES ALONG THE MAIN STREETS. AND THERE IS QUITE A LOT OF COMMERCE GOING ON BETWEEN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

THE WORLD BANK, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION AND A LARGE NUMBER OF DONOR COUNTRIES ARE FINANCING THE REPAIR OF ROADS AND ELECTRIC POWER STATIONS, EXTENDING STREET CAR LINES, REPLACING ROOFS AND WALLS OF HOMES. THEY ARE MAKING MODEST LOANS TO REVIVE DAMAGED BUSINESSES AND TO START NEW ONES. SCHOOLS ARE BEING REBUILT AND TEACHERS TRAINED AND PROVIDED WITH TEXTBOOKS.

ADMITTEDLY, THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A MAMMOTH EFFORT. WAR WIPED OUT 75 PER CENT OF BOSNIA'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND HALF ITS INDUSTRIAL CAPITAL. SIXTY PER CENT OF ITS HOUSING IS DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. ONE SIXTH OF ITS FARM LAND IS ABANDONED BECAUSE OF LAND MINES. TRANSPORTATION IS SLOW AND UNCERTAIN DUE TO BOMBED OUT ROADS, BRIDGES AND RAILWAYS.

RENEWED FIGHTING WOULD UNDO THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE. CARL BILDT, WESTERN NEGOTIATOR IN BOSNIA, THINKS RECONSTRUCTION MAY PROVIDE A MORE ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO WAR. HE TOLD THE TORONTO GLOBE AND MAIL NEWSPAPER: "I SEE TRADE, BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC LINKS AS SOME OF THE MOST POWERFUL INTEGRATING FORCES IN THE BOSNIA REGION."

INTEGRATION IS ALREADY UNDER WAY TO A LIMITED DEGREE, SAYS JIM SCHEAR, A RESIDENT ASSOCIATE AT THE CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR PEACE WHO RECENTLY RETURNED FROM BOSNIA.

YOU CAN ALREADY SEE IT OCCURRING ON THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS OF THE COUNTRY. IF YOU CROSS THE BOUNDARY LINE, FOR EXAMPLE, SEPARATING THE SERB FROM THE OTHER ENTITIES, YOU CAN SEE SOME CONTACT GOING ON -- OPEN AIR MARKETS, BARTER ACTIVITY. THERE IS A NEW TAXI INDUSTRY, WHERE PEOPLE CROSS THE LINE AND HOP A CAB ON THE OTHER SIDE. IT IS CERTAINLY A LOT SAFER THAN DRIVING YOUR OWN CAR WITH A LICENSE PLATE THAT GIVES YOU AWAY.

BUT POLITICAL DIVISION CONTINUES TO PREVENT THE CREATION OF A SINGLE BANKING SYSTEM AND CURRENCY FOR BOSNIA. AT PRESENT, FOUR CURRENCIES ISSUED BY THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES ARE IN CIRCULATION. ATTEMPTING TO USE ONE IN THE WRONG ONE AREA IS RISKY AND CAN LEAD TO VIOLENCE.

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION OFFERED ALMOST EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS TO MOSTAR TO REBUILD A HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT THE CITY NEEDS. BUT AFTER FOUR MONTHS, CROATIANS AND MUSLIMS COULD NOT AGREE ON WHO WAS TO OWN THE PLANT, AND THE PROJECT WAS CANCELLED.

BUT TIM CULLEN OF THE WORLD BANK SAYS HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE RESILIENCE OF PEOPLE.

EVERYBODY I TALKED TO FROM THE PRIME MINISTER, FINANCE MINISTER, DOWN TO MAYORS OF CITIES AND ORDINARY PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING IN LITTLE BUSINESSES AND SO ON, EVERYBODY SAID THAT THEY WERE UNANIMOUS IN WANTING TO MOVE TO A MARKET ECONOMY. WE WERE ALSO UNIVERSALLY TOLD THERE THAT PEOPLE WERE SAYING, "WE DO NOT WANT CHARITY. WE WANT TO MOVE AWAY FROM HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE. WE WANT TO BE GIVEN THE TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO BUILD OUR OWN LIVES AND TO BE ABLE TO BUILD OUR OWN PROSPERITY." AND THAT ALSO WAS VERY ENCOURAGING.

THE ONLY THING STANDING IN THE WAY OF BOSNIAN PROSPERITY, SAYS TIM CULLEN, IS MORE WARFARE. (SIGNED)
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19-Jul-96 5:24 PM EDT (2124 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] U-N/KARADZIC (S ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS IN NEW YORK ARE CALLING FOR THE PROSECUTION OF BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, WHO HAS AGREED UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE UNITED STATES TO RELINQUISH POWER. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: U-N SPOKESMAN AHMAD FAWZI WELCOMED THE RESIGNATION OF MR. KARADZIC. BUT HE SAID THE NEXT STEP MUST BE PROSECUTION IN THE HAGUE:

THE RELINQUISHING OF HIS POSITIONS OF POWER IS ANOTHER STEP ON THE ROAD TO THE HAGUE, TO THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL SET UP BY THE UNITED NATIONS TO TRY WAR CRIMINALS. ONLY THE HAGUE CAN ENSURE JUSTICE, AND ONLY WITH JUSTICE CAN PEACE BE DURABLE. I THINK I ECHO THE FEELINGS OF THE SECRTARY-GENERAL AND OF THE ENTIRE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WHEN I SAY THAT THESE MEN MUST BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

A U-N REPORT THIS WEEK COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LACK OF COOPERATION IN THE REGION TO ROUND UP SUSPECTS. IT SAID 50 INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE FOUND SANCTUARY IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC, 15 IN THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION IN BOSNIA AND THREE IN SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/MMK
19-Jul-96 1:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS CALLS FOR A CESSATION OF ALL CONFLICTS DURING THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA; IRAQ MOVES CLOSER TOWARD EXPORTING OIL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY SIX YEARS BUT NEW TROUBLE BREWS FOR BAGHDAD OVER WEAPONS INSPECTIONS; THE SECURITY COUNCIL MAINTAINS ITS FOUR YEAR-OLD SANCTIONS ON LIBYA; AND SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI -- EMBATTLED OVER HIS BID FOR RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR -- SAYS HE WILL MAKE NO FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE CONTROVERSY. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT DIOGO FREITAS DO AMARAL URGED ALL GOVERNMENTS AND WARRING PARTIES TO OBSERVE A TRUCE DURING THE OLYMPIC GAMES THAT OPENED FRIDAY IN ATLANTA. THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES -- FROM ONE WEEK BEFORE THE GAMES BEGIN TO ONE WEEK AFTER THE CLOSE -- WOULD ALLOW ATHLETES AND OTHERS TO TRAVEL SAFELY TO THE OLYMPIC SITE.

PRESIDENT DO AMARAL NOTED THE IDEA BEHIND THE OLYMPIC TRUCE IS TO GIVE PEOPLE A BREAK FROM KILLING AND DESTRUCTION:

I SOLEMNLY APPEAL TO ALL STATES TO OBSERVE THE OLYMPIC TRUCE DURING THE GAMES OF THE 26TH OLYMPIAD, THE CENTENNIAL GAMES, AND TO STRIVE TOWARDS BUILDING LASTING PEACE, WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE NOW PARTIES TO A CONFRONTATION. I APPEAL TO THOSE NOW ENGAGED IN ARMED STRUGGLES TO UPHOLD THIS PRINCIPLE AND SUSPEND HOSTILITIES IN KEEPING WITH ITS OBSERVANCE.

THE OLYMPIC TRUCE IS AN ANCIENT GREEK TRADITION DATING BACK TO THE NINTH CENTURY B.C.

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THE UNITED NATIONS HAS ACCEPTED AN IRAQI PLAN FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION UNDER A SPECIAL OIL-FOR-FOOD DEAL THAT ALLOWS IRAQ TO EXPORT A LIMITED QUANTITY OF OIL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY SIX YEARS. IRAQ EXPECTS TO START SELLING OIL IN EARLY AUGUST. THE U-N WILL HANDLE THE PROFITS AND USE PART OF THE MONEY TO BUY HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES TO EASE THE SUFFERING OF THE IRAQI POPULATION AFTER YEARS OF U-N SANCTIONS.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL NOW MUST SIGN OFF ON THE DISTRIBUTION PLAN, AS WELL AS A SET OF PROCEDURES FOR APPROVING OIL CONTRACTS AND THE PURCHASE OF FOOD AND MEDICINE. U-N OFFICIALS ANTICIPATE NO PROBLEMS.

MEANWHILE , IRAQ'S CAMPAIGN TO GET THE OIL BAN REMOVED COMPLETELY WENT INTO REVERSE THIS PAST WEEK AS THE CHIEF U-N ARMS INSPECTOR REPORTED MORE PROBLEMS WITH GAINING ACCESS TO SITES. ROLF EKEUS WAS FORCED TO ABANDON A MISSION AFTER U-N TEAMS WERE BARRED FROM A FACILITY THEY SUSPECT CONTAINS MATERIAL RELATED TO BANNED WEAPONS. THE IRAQIS ARGUED THE INSPECTORS WERE TAKING ROUTES THAT RAN TOO CLOSE TO PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S RESIDENCE.

U-N INSPECTORS MUST CERTIFY THAT IRAQ IS COMPLETELY FREE OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND THE POTENTIAL TO RE-BUILD AN ARSENAL BEFORE THE SECURITY COUNCIL CAN CONSIDER LIFTING THE EXPORT BAN.

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THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO CONTINUE FOUR YEARS OF SANCTIONS ON LIBYA FOR REFUSING TO SURRENDER TWO SUSPECTS IN THE 1988 BOMBING OF AN AMERICAN AIRLINER OVER LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND. 270 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THE CRASH.

THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN ARE DEMANDING THE TWO LIBYANS STAND TRIAL IN EITHER AN AMERICAN OR SCOTTISH COURT. LIBYA HAS OFFERED TO TURN THEM OVER TO A THIRD COUNTRY, EXPRESSING CONCERN THAT THEY WOULD NOT OTHERWISE GET A FAIR TRIAL.

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SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS GHALI -- EMBROILED IN A CONTROVERSY WITH THE UNITED STATES OVER HIS RE-ELECTION HOPES -- RETURNED TO NEW YORK THIS PAST WEEK AFTER SIX WEEKS ABROAD. HIS ABSENCE WAS MARKED BY AN ESCALATING DIPLOMATIC WRANGLE OVER WHETHER HE SHOULD SERVE A SECOND FIVE-YEAR TERM. THE UNITED STATES SAID IT WOULD USE ITS VETO TO STOP HIM.

MR. BOUTROS-GHALI INDICATED A CHANGE OF TACTICS FOLLOWING HIS PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE WOULD SEEK RE-ELECTION. HE RETREATED INTO A LOW PROFILE AND SAID "NO COMMENT":

I HAVE NO INTENTION TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM OF MY RE-ELECTION FOR THE TIME BEING. I'M OVERLOADED BY DAILY PROBLEMS. I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TACKLE THOSE DAILY PROBLEMS IF I PAY ATTENTION (TO THE ISSUE). THIS IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE MEMBER STATES. THEY HAVE TO DECIDE IT. IT IS NO MORE MY PROBLEM.

THOUGH HIS OFFICE DENIES IT -- THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S OVERSEAS TRIP, AT LEAST IN PART, WAS SEEN WIDELY AS A SOLICITATION OF SUPPORT FOR HIS RE-ELECTION. HE RECEIVED QUALIFIED BACKING FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY. FRANCE, RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE SIGNALLED THEIR WILLINGNESS TO LET HIM SERVE AGAIN. BUT THE CONTEST IS STILL WIDE OPEN. ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD TOWARD THE END OF THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)
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19-Jul-96 5:27 PM EDT (2127 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] U-S / ROMANIA (L) BY JOHN PITMAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ROMANIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER TEODOR MELESCANU HAS COMPLETED A WEEK OF MEETINGS WITH U-S OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON. THE MAIN FOCUS HAS BEEN ROMANIA'S BID FOR MEMBERSHIP IN NATO, BUT THE VISIT ALSO COINCIDED WITH A VOTE IN THE U-S CONGRESS ON ROMANIA'S APPLICATION FOR MOST-FAVORED-NATION STATUS. VOA'S JOHN PITMAN HAS MORE.

TEXT: MR. MELESCANU SAID HE CAME TO WASHINGTON WITH ONE MESSAGE: THAT ROMANIA IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR INCLUSION IN AN EXPANDED NATO ALLIANCE. HE SAID POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORMS IN HIS COUNTRY WERE WORKING AND EXPRESSED SATISFACTION THAT U-S OFFICIALS SEEM TO AGREE. ON WEDNESDAY, U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER SAID THESE REFORMS HAD DONE A GREAT DEAL TO ENHANCE ROMANIA'S APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN NATO.

MR. CHRISTOPHER DID NOT SAY WHEN A DECISION WOULD BE MADE ON ROMANIA'S OR ANY OTHER FORMER WARSAW PACT STATE'S APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP -- AND MR. MELESCANU SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THAT THE PROCESS TAKES TIME.

BUT HE EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT PROLONGING THE SELECTION PROCESS COULD LEAD TO COMPETITION AMONG THE FORMER WARSAW PACT ALLIES AND REIGNITE OLD RIVALRIES. HE SAID ROMANIA OPPOSES A TWO-STAGE SELECTION PROCESS -- OR ANYTHING LESS THAN FULL MEMBERSHIP -- BECAUSE IT WOULD CREATE NEW BARRIERS AND FUEL REGIONAL INSECURITIES.

THE MOMENT YOU MAKE SUCH A DIVIDING LINE OR SEPARATION, THERE ARE TWO CONSEQUENCES, BOTH PROFOUNDLY NEGATIVE. THOSE LEFT OUTSIDE ARE CLEARLY INDICATED AS A GREY AREA IN WHICH THE FIGHT FOR INFLUENCE IS OPEN. AND SECONDLY, IT CAN TRIGGER A LOCAL COMPETITION BETWEEN THE COUNTRIES THAT ARE LEFT OUT. EVERYBODY, IN ORDER TO DEFEND HIS SECURITY, WILL BE TEMPTED TO IGNORE THE SECURITY INTERESTS OF THE OTHERS.

MR. MELESCANU SAID ROMANIA'S INTEREST IN NATO IS NOT LIMITED TO THE GUARANTEES MEMBERSHIP WOULD OFFER AGAINST FOREIGN THREATS. HE SAID STRENGTHENING TIES WITH THE WEST IN GENERAL -- WHETHER WITH NATO, THE EUROPEAN UNION OR THE O-E-C-D -- WOULD ENHANCE THE COUNTRY'S INTERNAL SECURITY AS WELL.

SOCIAL UNREST, TERRORISM, DRUGS, ETHNIC PROBLEMS. A LOT OF THE THREATS TO OUR SECURITY ARE NOT OF AN EXTERNAL NATURE. THAT'S WHY, AMONG PUBLIC OPINION IN ROMANIA, JOINING NATO IS ALSO CONSIDERED -- I REPEAT -- A KIND OF ASSURANCE THAT OUR EVOLUTION WILL CONTINUE TO BE A VERY DEMOCRATIC EVOLUTION.

THE ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALSO TRIED TO REASSURE RUSSIA -- WHICH OPPOSES NATO EXPANSION -- SAYING A NEW, ENLARGED WESTERN ALLIANCE WOULD SEEK TO ENGAGE MOSCOW IN PARTNERSHIPS, NOT ANTAGONIZE IT.

MR. MELSCANU'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON COINCIDED WITH AN IMPORTANT VOTE IN THE U-S CONGRESS ON ROMANIA'S APPLICATION FOR MOST-FAVORED-NATION TRADING STATUS. ROMANIA WAS GRANTED M-F-N STATUS IN 1993, BUT WAS SUBJECT TO SEMI-ANNUAL REVIEWS. THIS WEEK, THE U-S CONGRESS VOTED TO MAKE ROMANIA'S M-F-N STATUS PERMANENT AND MR. MELESCANU SAID HIS MEETINGS ON CAPITOL HILL GAVE HIM CONFIDENCE THAT SENATE APPROVAL WILL FOLLOW.

ACCORDING TO THE ROMANIAN EMBASSY, TRADE BETWEEN THE U-S AND ROMANIA REACHED NEARLY 600 MILLION DOLLARS IN 1995, AND, SINCE 1989, U-S BUSINESSES HAVE INVESTED NEARLY ONE-POINT-SIX BILLION DOLLARS IN ROMANIA.

AFTER SPEAKING TO REPORTERS IN WASHINGTON, MR. MELESCANU FLEW TO ATLANTA FOR THE OPENING CEREMONIES AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES. (SIGNED)
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19-Jul-96 1:54 PM EDT (1754 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] U-S / TURKEY (L-O) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, MADELEIN ALBRIGHT, BECAME THE FIRST HIGH-RANKING U-S OFFICIAL TO MEET WITH TURKEY'S NEW ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, FRIDAY. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, TALKS BETWEEN AMBASSADOR ALBRIGHT AND LEADING TURKISH OFFICIALS FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON THE CYPRUS DISPUTE.

TEXT: SPEAKING AT A NEWS CONFERENCE AFTER ENDING DAY-LONG TALKS IN ANKARA, AMBASSADOR ALBRIGHT CONFIRMED THAT SHE HAD HELD A SERIES OF WHAT SHE TERMED "PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS" ON CYPRUS, THE AEGEAN, IRAQ, AND "OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT," THE U-S-LED ALLIED FORCE IN SOUTHERN TURKEY TO PROTECT IRAQI KURDS FROM POSSIBLE ATTACKS BY IRAQ.

REFERRING TO CYPRUS, AMBASSADOR ALBRIGHT SAID THE U-S ADMINISTRATION HAS NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY OF ACHIEVING A COMPREHENSIVE AND LASTING PEACE SETTLEMENT BETWEEN TURKISH AND GREEK COMMUNITIES ON THE ISLANDS.

CYPRUS HAS REMAINED DIVIDED SINCE 1974, WHEN THE TURKISH MILITARY INTERVENED, IN THE WAKE OF AN ATTEMPTED COUP ON THE ISLAND AIMED AT JOINING IT TO GREECE. HOWEVER, MS. ALBRIGHT SAID THAT DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES INVOLVED, SOME PROGRESS TOWARD THE SOLUTION HAD ALREADY BEEN ACHIEVED DURING HER TRIP.

DURING OUR DISCUSSIONS TODAY, AND WITH OTHER COALITION PARTNERS, WE HAVE GOT TO ADDRESS TURKISH CONCERNS. GIVEN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS ISSUE TO THE U-S AND THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRAQ, OUR TWO GOVERNMENTS HAVE REACHED A MEETING OF THE MINDS FOR CONTINUING OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT.

ON THE ISSUE OF "PROVIDE COMFORT," AMBASSADOR ALBRIGHT SAID THE TWO SIDES HAD AGREED ON THE NEED TO EXTEND THE FORCE'S MANDATE, WHICH IS DUE TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

DURING OUR MEETING, WE EXPLAINED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF YESTERDAY'S AGREEMENT, WHICH CONVENED FOR THE FIRST TIME TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES' MILITARY COMMANDERS ON CYPRUS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE U-N FORCE COMMANDER. I EXPRESSED MY THANKS FOR THE COOPERATION WE RECEIVED YESTERDAY FROM THE COMMANDER OF THE TURKISH FORCES ON CYPRUS. OUR HOPE IS THAT THIS FLAWED BUT SIGNIFICANT STEP CAN HELP REDUCE TENSIONS ALONG THE BUFFER ZONES AND IMPROVE THE CLIMATE FOR BROADER NEGOTIATIONS TO ACHIEVE A COMPREHENSIVE CYPRUS SETTLEMENT.

AS A MEMBER OF THE OPPOSITION, TURKEY'S FIRST ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, HAD BEEN FIRMLY OPPOSED TO THE PRESENCE OF THE U-S - LED FORCE.

ANALYSTS SAY HIS STAND OF THE ISSUE WOULD BE THE FIRST REAL TEST OF HIS RELATIONS WITH TURKEY'S WESTERN ALLIES. BUT AFTER COMING TO POWER EARLIER THIS MONTH, MR. ERBAKAN SAID HE WOULD DEFER TO THE ADVICE OF THE TURKISH MILITARY, WHICH IS WIDELY BELIEVED TO BE IN FAVOR OF KEEPING OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT.

THE MANDATE OF THE FOURTH, HOWEVER, NEEDS TO BE APPROVED BY A MAJORITY IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT IN ORDER TO BE EXTENDED.

TRADITIONALLY, THE PARLIAMENT FOLLOWS THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, THE COUNTRY'S TOP DECISION-MAKING BODY, WHICH COMPRISES THE PRESIDENT, THE PRIME MINISTER, AND THE COUNTRY'S TOP MILITARY OFFICIALS.(SIGNED)
NEB / AZ / BD-T/PT
19-Jul-96 5:23 PM EDT (2123 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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