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Voice of America, 97-01-09Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)DATE=1/9/97TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-09966 TELEPHONE=619-1014 EDITOR= CONTENT=_ INTRO: MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, CURRENTLY AMERICA'S U.N. AMBASSADOR, WAS SELECTED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON TO SUCCEED WARREN CHRISTOPHER AS SECRETARY OF STATE. MS. ALBRIGHT IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING CONFIRMATION HEARINGS BEFORE THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE. SEVERAL AMERICAN NEWSPAPER COMMENT ON THE PROCESS. OTHER SUBJECTS DISCUSSED ON THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF THURSDAY'S NEWSPAPERS INCLUDE COMMENTS ON NORTH KOREA; AN OPINION ON WHAT'S CALLED THE GULF WAR SYNDROME; AND A POINT OF VIEW ABOUT THE PHYSICIANS' STRIKE IN VENEZUELA. NOW, HERE IS _________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: SENATOR JESSE HELMS, A REPUBLICAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA, HEADS THE COMMITTEE THAT IS HOLDING THE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS. HE PREDICTED THAT THE CZECH-BORN MS. ALBRIGHT WILL BE CONFIRMED QUICKLY. IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL TODAY, THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS THAT THE NOMINEE "OBSERVED THAT SHE HADN'T ALWAYS DREAMED OF HOLDING THE JOB FOR WHICH PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS NOW NOMINATED HER." VOICE: "SHE CAME TO AMERICA AT AGE 11, SHE SAID, HER FAMILY HAVING ESCAPED BOTH NAZISM AND COMMUNISM. 'MY AMBITION THEN WAS ONLY TO SPEAK ENGLISH WELL, PLEASE MY PARENTS, STUDY HARD AND GROW UP TO BE AN AMERICAN', SHE SAID. SHE CLAIMED NO SINGULARITY IN THIS IMMIGRANT'S TALE; INDEED, HER TESTIMONY WAS ALL THE MORE MOVING FOR BEING SUCH AN ARCHETYPICAL AMERICAN STORY.... AMBASSADOR ALBRIGHT ALSO BRINGS AUTHENTICITY AND EMOTION TO THE VIEW THAT U.S. FOREIGN POLICY SHOULD GO BEYOND AN ACCOUNTANT'S RECKONING OF OBLIGATIONS AND INTERESTS AND EXTEND INSTEAD TO A VIGOROUS PROMOTION OF AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC VALUES. TURNING A FAMILIAR ADAGE ON ITS HEAD, MRS. ALBRIGHT SAID THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS 'NO PERMANENT ENEMIES, ONLY PERMANENT PRINCIPLES -- RESPECT FOR LAW, HUMAN DIGNITY AND FREEDOM'." TEXT: THE BALTIMORE SUN, ON ITS EDITORIAL PAGE, SAYS THAT "MS. ALBRIGHT HAS A GIFT MANY ELECTED POLITICIANS ENVY AND DIPLOMATS SHUN FOR CRISP, CLEAR, DIRECT AND EVEN UNDIPLOMATIC STATEMENT. NO SHILLY-SHALLY OR OBFUSCATION, NO QUEST OF VICTORY THROUGH BORDEOM." VOICE: "WELCOMED ON CAPITOL HILL AS THE U.S. AMBASSADOR WHO PUSHED BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI OFF HIS PERCH AS UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL, SHE PROMISED ADMIRING SENATORS SHE WOULD 'WORK WITH YOU TO PAY OUR BILLS AND SPUR CONTINUED REFORM'. FACING SOME SENATORS WHO USE THE FOREIGN POLICY ESTABLISHMENT AS A KICKING BALL, SHE ARGUED FOR THE RESOURCES TO MAKE FOREIGN POLICY EFFECTIVE.... MS. ALBRIGHT IS UNLIKELY TO BE THE ENDLESSLY PATIENT NEGOTIATOR THAT SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS BEEN. BUT SHE SEEMS TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN MAKING THE CASE FOR FOREIGN AID, NEW EMBASSIES AND OTHER TOOLS OF FOREIGN POLICY, AS HE DID NOT. SHE KNOWS HOW TO RELATE THOSE THINGS TO THE POLITICAL GOALS OF EXPANDING U.S. EXPORTS, CURBING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND BROKERING PEACE IN FAR-OFF PLACES." TEXT: BUT THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THAT "IF MADELEINE ALBRIGHT IS CONTEMPLATING ANY SIGNIFICANT SHIFTS IN AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY DURING BILL CLINTON'S SECOND TERM, SHE DID A GOOD JOB OF DISGUISING IT YESTERDAY." VOICE: "IN A DETERMINEDLY CAUTIOUS APPEARANCE BEFORE A FRIENDLY...COMMITTEE, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NOMINEE...STUCK MOSTLY TO PLATITUDES AND FAMILIAR STRATEGIES, CLEARLY EAGER TO AVOID ANY SURPRISES THAT MIGHT ENDANGER HER LIKELY CONFIRMATION BY THE SENATE. IT IS PROBABLY TOO MUCH TO EXPECT A SECOND-TERM SECRETARY OF STATE TO PROPOSE NEW INITIATIVES THAT MIGHT APPEAR CRITICAL OF EXISTING POLICIES, PARTICULARLY BEFORE ASSUMING OFFICE, BUT MS. ALBRIGHT SHOWED DISAPPOINTINGLY LITTLE OF THE FIRE SHE IS KNOWN FOR ON ISSUES LIKE DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS. SHE WILL PROVE MORE A CUSTODIAN THAN AN INNOVATOR IF SHE MANAGES AMERICAN DIPLOMACY ACCORDING TO THE FAMILIAR OUTLINE SHE SKETCHED YESTERDAY." TEXT: NEW YORK'S NEWSDAY HAS AN EDITORIAL TODAY ON NORTH KOREA'S APOLOGY TO ITS SOUTHERN NEIGHBOR FOR LAST YEAR'S COMMANDO RAID. THE NEWSPAPER CALLS THE ACTION "A STUNNING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NEW U.S. FOREIGN-POLICY TEAM TO MAKE INROADS IN EAST ASIA'S MOST TROUBLING CORNER." VOICE: "PYONGYANG'S OFFICIAL APOLOGY FOR INFILTRATING THE SOUTH WITH A TEAM OF ARMED COMMANDOS IS A SIGN OF NORTH KOREA'S DESPERATION IN THE FACE OF FAMINE AND ECONOMIC ENTROPY. IT HINTS OF WILLINGNESS TO NEGOTIATE ON ISSUES THAT COULD LEAD TO THE EASING OF PERILOUS TENSIONS. (///OPT///) YET SEOUL HAS NOT RESPONDED TO THE APOLOGY WITH ALACRITY OR GRACE. IT REMAINS DISTRUSTFUL OF ITS ARCHENEMY, PERHAPS UNDERSTANDABLY. HERE IS WHERE THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE AS HONEST BROKER." (///END OPT///) TEXT: TODAY'S EDITION OF THE WASHINGTON TIMES HAS AN EDITORIAL HEADLINED "FREER MARKETS IN ISRAEL." VOICE: "IT MAY COME AS SOMETHING OF A SURPRISE THAT THERE ARE THINGS GOING ON IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND ISRAEL, IN PARTICULAR, THAT HAVE LITTLE OR NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PEACE PROCESS, BUT IN FACT THE BIGGEST NEWS TO COME OUT OF THE JEWISH STATE IN RECENT WEEKS HAS GOT TO BE THE JAN. 1 PASSAGE OF ISRAEL'S NEW BUDGET. THE REASON SUCH A USUALLY MUNDANE SUBJECT IS IMPORTANT THIS TIME AROUND IS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME, ISRAEL'S BUDGET IS MORE IN TUNE WITH CAPITALISM THAN SOCIALISM; PRIVITIZATION HAS FINALLY MADE A DENT IN A COUNTRY FOUNDED ON THE MOST PRISTINE OF COMMUNAL ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES.... (///OPT///) ISRAEL'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC. SINCE ISRAEL'S ECONOMY DEPENDS SO MUCH ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND EXPORTS, MANY BUSINESS LEADERS FEEL THE PEACE PROCESS HAS A DIRECT EFFECT ON ISRAEL'S ECONOMIC HEALTH. BUT EVEN THOSE WHO ARE SKEPTICAL ADMIT THAT ANY CUTS IN THE BUDGET ARE AN IMPROVEMENT." (///END OPT///) TEXT: EARLIER THIS WEEK, A SPECIAL WHITE HOUSE PANEL ISSUED A REPORT ON WHAT HAS BECOME KNOWN AS THE GULF WAR SYNDROME -- A VARIETY OF ILLNESSES CLAIMED BY SOME VETERANS OF THE CONFLICT. THE NEW YORK POST OFFERS THE OPINION THAT SINGULARLY MISSING "IS ANY EVIDENCE THAT SUCH A SYNDROME ACTUALLY EXISTS." VOICE: "NONE OF THIS IS TO SUGGEST THAT A LOT OF THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS WHO SERVED HONORABLY IN THE GULF -- AND IN VIETNAM -- DON'T BELIEVE SINCERELY THAT THEY SUFFER FROM SERVICE-RELATED MALADIES. MEANWHILE, THERE'S NO LACK OF SPECULATION AS TO POSSIBLE 'CAUSES'. IN THE CASE OF GULF WAR SYNDROME, EXPERTS HAVE SUGGESTED EVERYTHING FROM POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO IRAQI CHEMICAL WEAPONS TO EXOTIC BUGS TO -- YES -- STRESS. BUT SPECULATION -- HOWEVER WELL-MEANT -- IS A POOR FOUNDATION FOR PUBLIC POLICY. HARD FACTS ARE NEEDED. AND IN THE MATTER OF GULF WAR SYNDROME, HARD FACTS REMAIN IN SHORT SUPPLY." TEXT: THE MIAMI HERALD COMMENTS ON WHAT THE FLORIDA NEWSPAPER SAYS IS "A DEADLY IMPASSE" IN THE PHYSICIANS' STRIKE IN VENEZUELA. THE HERALD ADDS THAT VENEZUELAN DOCTORS ARE AMONG THE LOWEST PAID IN LATIN AMERICA, "AND THEY WORK UNDER DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS, IN WOEFULLY ILL-EQUIPPED AND ILL-RUN HOSPITALS AND CLINICS...." VOICE: "THE GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO NEGOTIATE UNLESS THE DOCTORS GO BACK TO WORK. AND THE DOCTORS -- 25,000 OF THEM...VOW NOT TO RETURN UNLESS THEIR DEMANDS ARE MET. PEOPLE ARE DYING BECAUSE OF THE TWO-WEEK OLD STRIKE.... VENEZUELA FACES MANY URGENT PROBLEMS -- FROM RUNAWAY UNEMPLOYMENT TO A CHAOTIC PENAL SYSTEM, TO A HOPELESSLY CLOGGED JUDICIARY. BUT NONE IS MORE URGENT TODAY THAN THE HEALTH-CARE CRISIS UNLEASHED BY THE PHYSICIANS STRIKE.... THE TWO SIDES MUST NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT IN GOOD FAITH. MEANWHILE, THEY MUST ENSURE THAT THE ILL RECEIVE THE TREATMENT THAT BY RIGHT IS THEIRS." TEXT: AND THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME
EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
[02] CZECH / POLAND (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)DATE=1/9/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-208448 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE PRIME MINISTERS OF POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC AGREED IN PRAGUE THURSDAY TO COOPERATE IN PLANS TO JOIN BOTH NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU). V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN STEADILY IMPROVING. TEXT: PRIME MINISTER VACLAV KLAUS WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO BE A GRACIOUS HOST TO HIS POLISH VISITOR, PRIME MINISTER WLODZIMIERZ CIMOSZEWICZ. THE TWO MEN MET FOR NEARLY TWO HOURS IN MR. KLAUS'S OFFICE AND THEN HELD A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE. MR. KLAUS, WHO HASN'T OFTEN BEEN GENEROUS WITH PRAISE FOR POLISH PRIME MINISTERS, DESCRIBED HIS TALKS WITH MR. CIMOSZEWICZ AS VERY CORDIAL. HE SAID RELATIONS BETWEEN THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND POLAND WERE EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD. BOTH LEADERS SAID THEY HAVE INSTRUCTED THEIR FOREIGN MINISTERS TO PREPARE A JOINT STATEMENT ON THEIR COORDINATED STRATEGY FOR JOINING NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. THEY SAID THEY WOULD EXPAND THEIR COOPERATION ON MODERNIZING THEIR DEFENSE FORCES AND BRINGING THEIR ECONOMIES INTO COMPABILITY WITH EUROPEAN UNION STANDARDS. THEY SPOKE APPROVINGLY OF THE RAPID GROWTH IN BI-LATERAL TRADE, A TREND THEY EXPECT TO ACCELERATE. THERE WILL BE CLOSER COOPERATION ON MODERNIZING RAIL AND HIGHWAY LINKS ALONG THE NORTH SOUTH WARSAW VIENNA ARTERY WHICH PASSES THROUGH THE CZECH REPUBLIC. MR. CIMOSZEWICZ, WHO HAS BEEN POLISH PRIME MINISTER FOR NEARLY A YEAR, IS MAKING HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO PRAGUE. ON FRIDAY HE MEETS WITH THE CZECH FOREIGN MINISTER, BUSINESS LEADERS AND THE OPPOSITION CHAIRMAN OF PARLIAMENT. MR. KLAUS, WHO HAS BEEN CZECH PRIME MINISTER FOR FOUR YEARS, UNTIL RECENTLY SHUNNED CLOSE COOPERATION WITH POLAND. PREVIOUSLY HE INTIMATED THAT PRAGUE WAS FAR AHEAD IN MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM COMMUNISM TO CAPITALISM AND THAT IT NEED NOT COOPERATE WITH ANY OTHER EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRY IN PREPARING FOR EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP. NOW MR. KLAUS SAYS THAT POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC ARE AT SIMILAR STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT AND THAT THERE IS NO COMPETITION BETWEEN THEM ABOUT BEING THE FIRST TO JOIN WESTERN INSTITUTIONS. IT IS WIDELY EXPECTED THAT BOTH COUNTRIES, ALONG WITH HUNGARY,
WILL JOINTLY BE THE FIRST FORMER COMMUNIST COUNTRIES ASKED TO
JOIN NATO AND THE E-U. THE DECISION ON NATO'S EXPANDED
MEMBERSHIP IS EXPECTED WITHIN SIX MONTHS WHILE THE E-U IS
UNLIKELY TO DESIGNATE ITS FIRST EASTERN MEMBERS FOR AT LEAST
ANOTHER YEAR. BOTH THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND POLAND WOULD LIKE TO
BE NATO AND E-U MEMBERS BY THE YEAR 2000. (SIGNED)
[03] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)DATE=1/9/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-208447 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: MAJOR WEST EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS THURSDAY CLOSED MIXED, BUT PRICES WERE SPURRED IN PART BY GAINS IN LATER TRADING ON WALL STREET. FROM OUR LONDON OFFICES, PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS THE CLOSING NUMBERS. TEXT: SEVERAL MARKET ANALYSTS SAY THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT LOW INFLATION IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH SENT WALL STREET PRICES SKYROCKETTING, HAD A MIXED EFFECT IN WESTERN EUROPE. STOCKS TRACKED BY THE "DAX 30" INDEX IN FRANKFURT CLOSED LOWER ALMOST 14-POINTS THURSDAY. GERMAN UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES OUT EARLIER IN THE DAY FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER HIT A POST-WORLD WAR TWO HIGH. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF FRENCH STOCKS WAS 17-AND-A-HALF POINTS HIGHER AT THE CLOSE. BUT LONDON'S KEY "FOOTSIE" INDEX CLOSED ONE-HALF POINT LOWER. THE U-S DOLLAR WAS RELATIVELY STABLE ON THE LONDON MONEY MARKET,
AND GOLD REMAINED UNCHANGED. (SIGNED)
[04] NATO-RUSSIA (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=1/9/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-208460 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA HAS BEEN HOLDING DISCUSSIONS IN WASHINGTON WITH AMERICAN LEADERS IN PREPARATION FOR HIS TALKS LATER THIS MONTH IN MOSCOW. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. TEXT: THE NATO SECRETARY GENERAL HELD MEETINGS AT THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT, AS HE PREPARES FOR TALKS JANUARY 19TH AND 20TH IN MOSCOW ON A PROPOSED CHARTER BETWEEN RUSSIA AND NATO. THE ALLIANCE HOPES TO HAVE THE CHARTER READY BY JULY WHEN NATO HOLDS A SUMMIT MEETING IN MADRID TO INVITE NEW MEMBERS FROM CENTRAL EUROPE. MR. SOLANA HELD DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WITH STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS ON THE CHARTER, BEFORE MEETING VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE AND NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SANDY BERGER. PRESIDENT CLINTON STOPPED BRIEFLY AT THE SECRETARY GENERAL'S WHITE HOUSE TALKS. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS DID NOT GIVE DETAILS OF WHAT THE UNITED STATES WANTS TO SEE IN THE CHARTER, BUT HE SAYS RUSSIAN OPPOSITION WILL NOT BLOCK NATO EXPANSION. /// BURNS ACT ///WE DO HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH THE ACCORD -- BUT AGAIN, IF THE NEGOTIATIONS DRAG OUT, WE WILL CONTINUE WITH OUR OBJECTIVE OF ANNOUNCING THE NEW COUNTRIES AT MADRID. ///END ACT///THE NATO RUSSIA CHARTER WOULD GOVERN RUSSIA'S SECURITY
RELATIONSHIP WITH AN EXPANDED NATO. (SIGNED)
[05] SERBIA BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)DATE=1/9/97TYPE=WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP NUMBER=6-09967 TELEPHONE=619-1014 EDITOR= CONTENT= INTRO: NEWSPAPER COMMENTATORS, AROUND THE WORLD, CONTINUE TO WATCH THE TENSE SITUATION IN BELGRADE WHERE DEMONSTRATORS HAVE BEEN PROTESTING SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S ANNULMENT OF NOVEMBER LOCAL ELECTIONS. FOR A SAMPLING OF REACTION, HERE IS ______________ WITH THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP. TEXT: ON WEDNESDAY, PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MADE WHAT NEWS REPORTS DESCRIBE AS "A SIGNIFICANT CONCESSION." HE ADMITTED THAT "THE OPPOSITION WON ELECTIONS IN THE SERBIAN CITY OF NIS." BUT, PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS IN BELGRADE ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE. JOHANN GEORG REISSMELLER, WRITING FOR GERMANY'S FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE, SAYS THAT "THE FATE OF THE (MILOSEVIC) REGIME CAN BE DETERMINED BY THE POLICY OF THE WEST." VOICE: "IF IT CAN BE DISCLOSED THAT IT WANTS A CHANGE OF POWER IN BELGRADE AND IF IT MADE CLEAR THAT IT DOES NOT WANT TO NEGOTIATE SUCH A CHANGE, THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION COULD GAIN NEW MOMENTUM.... HE WOULD HAVE TROUBLE GIVING IN TO THE TEMPTATION TO CRUSH THE PROTEST MOVEMENT BY USING FORCE. BUT IF THE WEST WANTS TO USE THIS STRATEGY TO INFLUENCE THE POWER STRUGGLE IN BELGRADE, IT MUST GIVE UP ITS ABSURD VIEW...THAT MILOSEVIC CAN BE ACCUSED ONLY OF ELECTION FRAUD AND THAT THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT IS A RELIABLE PARTNER..." TEXT: FROM BRITAIN, THE GUARDIAN ASKS A QUESTION IN TWO PARTS: VOICE: "THE FIRST IS WHETHER THE OPPOSITION CAN WIN, AND THE SECOND IS WHETHER, IF IT DOES, IT MIGHT OFFER A BETTER ALTERNATIVE. AT THE MOMENT, THE ODDS REMAIN EVEN AS TO WHETHER HE (MILOSEVIC) WILL SURVIVE. THE SECOND QUESTION CAN BE ANSWERED MORE CLEARLY.... SERBIA...IS THE ONLY EUROPEAN COUNTRY WHERE THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT CHANGED FOR HALF A CENTURY. THE BELGRADE STREET PERFORMERS HAVE BEGUN AT LAST TO CRACK THE MOLD." TEXT: AN EDITORIAL IN ANOTHER BRITISH NEWSPAPER, THE TIMES, OBSERVES THAT -- IN THE NEWSPAPER'S WORDS -- "FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NINE YEARS, MR. MILOSEVIC APPEARS ON SHAKIER GROUND THAN HIS OPPONENTS." VOICE: "THE MORE HE ACTS AS THOUGH THE REMOVAL OF A SMALL BRICK WOULD TEAR HIS HOUSE DOWN, THE MORE LIKELY HE MAKES IT COLLAPSE. BY THEIR WIT, COURAGE AND PEACEABLE CONDUCT, SERBIA'S STUDENTS AND BURGHERS HAVE SHOWN THEIR DETERMINATION TO EFFECT BLOODLESS REFORM. THEY HAVE DONE MUCH TO REBUILD SERBIA'S TARNISHED REPUTATION; IF THEY WIN, IT WOULD HAVE A REDEEMING INFLUENCE ON THE INTOLERANT POLITICS OF THE BALKANS. FOR ALL THESE REASONS, THEY DESERVE MORAL AND POLITICAL SUPPORT." TEXT: THE ITALIAN NEWSPAPER, LA STAMPA, NOTES THAT "ON JANUARY 20, THE THREE TOP REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION MAY ATTEND THE CLINTON INAUGURATION CEREMONIES ALONG WITH WORLD LEADERS." VOICE: "THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME FROM THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION PARTY, WHILE THE WHITE HOUSE HAS CAUTIOUSLY LET IT BE KNOWN THAT ACCREDITED AMBASSADORS WILL BE IN WASHINGTON ON THAT DATE. IN ANY CASE, THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION MADE A POINT IN LETTING IT BE KNOWN THAT ITS LEADERS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY. IF THAT HAPPENS, IT WILL BE A NEW PROPAGANDA MASTERPIECE." TEXT: MAXIM YUSIN OFFERS THIS COMMENT WHICH APPEARS IN RUSSIA'S IZVESTIA. VOICE: "ALL OUR DIPLOMACY HAS GAINED BY BACKING MILOSEVIC -- WITHOUT A WORD OF CRITICISM SAID AGAINST HIS MUNICIPAL VOTE-RIGGING -- IS TO TURN AWAY THE OPPOSITION...AND MAKE RUSSIA INTO A BUGABOO MANY SERBS CONTRAST WITH CIVILIZED EUROPE. ITS DESPERATE ATTEMPTS TO FIND A STRATEGIC ALLY FOR MOSCOW IN BELGRADE HAS OBVIOUSLY FAILED. SERBS REMEMBERED THEIR 'RUSSIAN BROTHERS' ONLY AS LONG AS THE WAR IN BOSNIA WAS ON AND THERE WAS A DANGER OF AN ARMED CONFLICT WITH NATO. WITH THAT DANGER OVER, NEITHER THE AUTHORITIES NOR THE OPPOSITION BOTHER TO RECALL THE OLD FRIENDSHIP, SEEKING SUPPORT IN THE WEST." TEXT: AN EDITORIAL IN EL MUNDO OF SPAIN ARGUES THAT THE SERB PRESIDENT "REMAINS ALONE TO DEFEND HIS LIES." VOICE: "MILOSEVIC'S DAYS ARE NUMBERED WITH THE ARMY'S SUPPORT OF THE OPPOSITION. GENERAL PERISIC'S WORDS TO THE EFFECT THAT THE ARMY WAS SEEKING A SOLUTION WITHIN THE LEGAL CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK....ALMOST CANCEL THE POSSIBILITIES THAT, FOLLOWING AN ORDER FROM MILOSEVIC, THE ARMY WOULD SHOOT AGAINST THE PEOPLE. THEY ALSO SHOW MILOSEVIC'S WEAKNESS.... IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER, AFTER SEVEN WEEKS OF PROTEST, THE CITIZENS ARE SATISFIED OR WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THEY DEFINITELY OUST HIM FROM POWER." TEXT: AL-ALAM OF MOROCCO, ASKS: "WHAT LESSON WILL MILOSEVIC LEARN?" VOICE: "WHAT IS OCCURRING IN BELGRADE SHOULD NOT GO UNNOTICED. YUGOSLAVIA HAS GONE THROUGH A RIGID DICTATORSHIP SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR TO THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL. WHILE MARSHALL TITO, LIKE STALIN, GOVERNED WITH AN IRON FIST AND GATHERED ALL POWER UNDER HIS TIGHT CONTROL, HE COULD NOT DEPRIVE HIS PEOPLE FROM ASPIRING TO DEMOCRACY." TEXT: AND, THE ARGENTINEAN NEWSPAPER, CLARIN, REMARKS THAT "SERBIA'S REGIME...SEEMS TO HAVE ENTERED ITS FINAL PHASE OF EXISTENCE." VOICE: "THE END OF THE WAR, ACHIEVED A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO WITH INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION, MEANT SERBIA HAD TO FACE A PRE-WAR SCENARIO IN ADDITION TO THE TOUGH TERMS OF THE POST-WAR ERA. THE NATIONALISTIC AND BELLIGERENT MONOLOGUE CEASED AND GAVE WAY TO GROWING VOICES FROM THE OPPOSITION, THE PRESS, THE INFLUENTIAL ORTHODOX CHURCH AND STRONG INTERNAL FIGHTS IN THE ARMY. WITHOUT FOREIGN ENEMIES OR 'SCAPEGOATS', SERBIA TODAY IS GOING THROUGH WHAT ALL COUNTRIES IN EASTERN EUROPE EXPERIENCED AFTER THE COMMUNIST GOVERNMENTS TOPPLED LIKE DOMINOES." TEXT: THOSE THOUGHTS FROM A MAJOR NEWSPAPER IN ARGENTINA,
CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
COMMENT ON EVENTS IN SERBIA.
[06] SERBIA OPPOSITION VICTORY (L-ONLY) BY LAURA KAY ROZEN (BELGRADE)DATE=1/8/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-208415 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT HAS CONCEDED AN ELECTION DEFEAT TO THE OPPOSITION IN SERBIA'S SECOND LARGEST CITY, NIS. BUT AS LAURA ROZEN REPORTS, THE OPPOSITION SAYS IT IS NOT FULLY SATISFIED WITH THE RECOMMENDATION. TEXT: SIGNALING A NEW WILLINGNESS TO COMPROMISE, THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT CALLED FOR THE OPPOSITION TO BE GIVEN A VICTORY IN NIS. THE RECOMMENDATION -- ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND BROADCAST ON STATE-RUN TELEVISION -- IS A MAJOR CONCESSION TO THE OPPOSITION COALITION, ZAJEDNO. THE OPPOSITION HAS STAGED 52 DAYS OF STREET DEMONSTRATIONS TO PROTEST WHAT IT CALLS VOTE-STEALING BY THE GOVERNMENT OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. AN INTERNATIONAL DELEGATION HAS CONFIRMED THE OPPOSITION'S CLAIMS IN NOVEMBER'S LOCAL ELECTIONS. A DELEGATION FROM THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (THE O-S-C-E) HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT REINSTATE THE OPPOSITION'S ELECTION WINS IN 14 CITIES, INCLUDING THE CAPITAL, BELGRADE. LEADERS OF THE OPPOSITION COALITION ARE STILL STUDYING THE GOVERNMENT'S LATEST RECOMMENDATION. SO FAR, THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT FULLY SATISFIED. VLADO LABUS, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, SAYS THE OPPOSITION COALITION WON 41 OF 70 AVAILABLE SEATS. TODAY'S DECISION BY THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THE OPPOSITION WON ONLY 37 SEATS, GIVING IT A VERY SLIM MAJORITY. MR. LABUS SAYS THE OPPOSITION IS STILL NOT CERTAIN IF THE LATEST DECISION IS LEGALLY BINDING. A LOCAL COURT IN NIS HAS ALREADY DEMANDED RECOGNITION OF ZAJEDNO'S ELECTION WIN. BUT THE LOCAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION IN NIS LATER REJECTED THAT DECISION, AND CALLED FOR A NEW ELECTION INSTEAD. STILL, OPPOSITION LEADERS SAY THEY SENSE THAT SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBDOAN MILOSEVIC MAY BE TRYING TO CLIMB DOWN FROM A TENSE STANDOFF WITH THE OPPOSITION. OPPOSITION LEADERS HAVE CALLED ON THEIR SUPPORTERS TO PROTEST IN THEIR CARS, TO BOYCOTT THE PAYMENT OF UTILITY BILLS, AND TO JAM GOVERNMENT TELEPHONE LINES AND FAXES. THE LATEST PROTEST TECHNIQUES FOLLOW SIGNALS FROM THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH AND THE ARMY THAT THEY SYMPATHIZE WITH THE OPPOSITION. RECENTLY, THERE ARE SIGNS OF DISSENT WITHIN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S OWN SOCIALIST PARTY. THE MAYOR OF BELGRADE, NEBOJAS COVIC, ONE OF THE MORE POPULAR SOCIALIST PARTY FIGURES, HAS THREATENED TO RESIGN IN PROTEST AGAINST HIS PARTY'S POLICIES. THE OPPOSITION HOPES THAT THE LATEST DECISION MEANS PRESIDENT
MILOSEVIC WILL CHOOSE RECOGNITION OF OPPOSITION ELECTION WINS
OVER A POLICE CRACKDOWN AGAINST DEMONSTRATORS. (SIGNED)
[07] U-S-TURKEY (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=1/9/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-208453 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS WARNED TURKEY NOT TO TAKE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST CYPRUS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. TEXT: THE TURKISH THREAT CAME AFTER CYPRUS ANNOUNCED THE PURCHASE OF A RUSSIAN ANTI AIRCRAFT MISSILE SYSTEM. THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY PROTESTED THE CYPRIOT DECISION BUT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS TURKEY SHOULD NOT BE MAKING MILITARY THREATS. /// BURNS ACT ///IT'S NO TIME FOR THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT TO BE MAKING WILD AND DRAMATIC STATEMENTS WHICH WILL NOT OF COURSE BE SUPPORTED BY ANY SENSIBLE MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. WE WARNED THE OTHER DAY THAT IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY OUT OF BOUNDS FOR TURKEY TO TAKE THIS ACTION AND WE REAFFIRM THAT TODAY. ///END ACT///THE TURKISH WARNING -- CARRIED ON THE ANATOLIAN NEWS AGENCY -- SAYS ANKARA IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING AN OPERATION AGAINST THE MISSILE LAUNCHERS WHEN THE TIME COMES IF TURKEY'S WARNINGS TO CYPRUS ARE NOT HEEDED. CAREY CAVANAUGH, A STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL, IS TRAVELING TO THE
REGION THIS WEEKEND TO TRY TO STABILIZE THE SITUATION AND TO SEE
IF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS ON CYPRUS CAN BE GIVEN NEW ENERGY. (SIGNED)
[08] U-S / SERBIA (S-O) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=1/9/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-208459 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT'S RECOGNITION OF AN OPPOSITION VICTORY IN NOVEMBER'S LOCAL ELECTION IN THE CITY OF NIS DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. TEXT: SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC DID NOT SATISFY THE UNITED STATES BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE OPPOSITION VICTORY IN SERBIA'S SECOND LARGEST CITY OF NIS. THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS JOINED THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION IN CALLING FOR ALL OPPOSITION VICTORIES, INCLUDING THE ONE IN BELGRADE, TO BE RECOGNIZED. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WILL NOT GET CREDIT BY ONLY CONCEDING THE LOCAL ELECTION IN NIS. /// BURNS ACT. ///GOVERNMENT LEADERS DO NOT DECIDE ELECTIONS, PEOPLE DO -- AND MR. MILOSEVIC DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE GRASPED THAT FUNDAMENTAL LESSON ABOUT WHAT DEMOCRACY IS. HE IS PRACTICING A FORM OF POLITICS THAT IS REMINISCENT OF THE COLD WAR, OF COMMUNISM, OF AUTHORITARIAN RULE. /// END ACT. ///ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KORNBLUM IS TRAVELING TO A
MEETING OF THE FIVE-NATION BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP IN BRUSSELS THAT
WILL DISCUSS THE DEMONSTRATIONS IN SERBIA, ALONG WITH ECONOMIC
RECONSTRUCTION IN BOSNIA. MR. KORNBLUM WILL ALSO HOLD
DISCUSSIONS NEXT WEEK IN ZAGREB AND SARAJEVO. (SIGNED)
[09] U-S RETHINKS AID TO BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)DATE=1/9/97TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-208465 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: A LEADING U-S AID OFFICIAL HAS INDICATED THE UNITED STATES IS RE-EXAMINING THE "CARROT AND STICK" APPROACH USED UNTIL NOW TO PRESSURE THE BOSNIAN SERBS INTO FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE DAYTON ACCORDS. THE COMMENTS WERE MADE AT A CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON TODAY/THURSDAY ON INVESTING IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS. TEXT: BRIAN ATWOOD, THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR U-S-A-I-D (AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT), THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY WHICH ALLOCATES U-S ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES SAID HE NOW FAVORS GRANTING AID EVENLY TO BOTH ENTITIES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA (THE CROAT-MUSLIM FEDERATION AND THE SERB REPUBLIC). HE RECOMMENDED INTERNATIONAL DONORS AND INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RIFT BETWEEN THE TWO PARTS OF THE SERB REPUBLIC. // ACT //MY OWN VIEW NOW IN LIGHT OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SERBIA AND IN LIGHT OF THE STRUGGLE GOING ON BETWEEN PALE AND BANJA LUKA, WE SHOULD ENGAGE, WE WHOULD ENGAGE (THEM). IF THERE IS A MUNICIPALITY WHEREIN THE MAYOR, OR THE LEADER REALLY IS COMPLYING WITH DAYTON OR WANTS TO SEE THAT KIND OF COMPLIANCE, THAT KIND OF GOOD WILL OUGHT TO BE REWARDED. // END ACT //MR. ATWOOD SAID THERE'S ALWAYS A DISCUSSION AMONG INTERNATIONAL AID AGENCIES ABOUT WHEN AND WHERE TO APPLY" CARROT AND STICK" CONDITIONS FOR RECEIVING AID. THIS DOES NOT MEAN IN THIS CASE, HE ADDED, THAT DONOR COUNTRIES SHOULD STOP DEMANDING FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. // ACT //WE WILL CONTINUE TO INSIST ON COMPLIANCE WITH DAYTON BUT THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF COMPLIANCE. WE WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO SEE FULL COMPLIANCE AND WILL CONTINUE TO INSIST ON IT BUT THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE ACHIEVE THAT THROUGH ENGAGEMENT OR NON-ENGAGEMENT? MY PREFERENCE IS TO SEE US ENGAGE. // END ACT //ASKED IF THE CHANGE IN FOCUS WAS IN PART A RESULT OF THE FACT THE BOSNIAN SERBS AGREED TO ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL DONOR CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS THIS WEEK, MR. ATWOOD RESPONDED THAT HE HAD NO NEWS OF EVENTS TAKING PLACE AT THE BRUSSELS CONFERENCE. LAST YEAR, INTERNATIONAL DONORS ENDORSED A FIVE BILLION DOLLAR MULTI-YEAR PROGRAM FOR BOSNIA. ONLY ABOUT TWO PERCENT OF THAT MONEY WENT TO THE SERB ENTITY BECAUSE SERB LEADERS REFUSED TO ATTEND INTERNATIONAL AID MEETINGS. MR. ATWOOD SAID BOSNIA WILL NEED ABOUT ONE AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS IN AID THIS YEAR -- MAINLY FOR PROJECTS SUCH AS HOUSING, JOB CREATION AND REBUILDING THE COUNTRY'S WAR-DAMAGED INFRASTRUCTURE. MR. ATWOOD'S COMMENTS WERE MADE TO REPORTERS FOLLOWING HIS SPEECH AT A CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON OF THE NEW YORK-BASED U-S BOSNIA BUSINESS COUNCIL. THE CONFERENCE WAS CONVENED TO BRING VISITING BOSNIAN BUSINESSMEN TOGETHER WITH AMERICAN INVESTORS AND OFFICIALS OF THE U-S GOVERNMENT. /// OPT ///NEB/PAM/PT 09-Jan-97 5:24 PM EST (2224 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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