Voice of America, 4 September 1995

From: [email protected] (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: THIS MONDAY IS LABOR DAY IN THE UNITED STATES, A NATIONWIDE HOLIDAY CELEBRATING THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS IN THE NATION'S DEVELOPMENT, AND OFFICIALLY ENDING THE SUMMER SEASON, HERE IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE. BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY, SOME NEWSPAPERS, SUCH AS "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR," "USA TODAY" AND "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" DO NOT PUBLISH. A TRADITIONAL ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF TRADE UNIONS IS THE LEADING EDITORIAL TOPIC TODAY, TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER COMMENTARY ON THE EFFECTS OF INCREASING MEAN SPIRITEDNESS IN U-S POLITICS. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS __________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: AS USUAL, THE ASSESSMENTS OF AMERICA'S WORKING MEN AND WOMEN, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO BELONG TO TRADE UNIONS, IS THE LEADING TOPIC THIS LABOR DAY HOLIDAY. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" BEGINS ITS LEAD EDITORIAL THIS WAY:

VOICE: "THE POLITICAL DOWNWARD SPIRAL OF UNIONS IS UNDERSCORED THIS YEAR BY A REPUBLIC CONGRESS VOWING TO UNDO JOB SAFETY REGULATIONS AND OTHER HARD-WON ACHIEVEMENTS OF WORKERS. BUT LABOR DAY OF 1995 ALSO ARRIVES WITH A RARE OPPORTUNITY FOR LABOR'S RENEWAL. THE BEGINNING IN EARNEST OF THE 1996 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN COMES JUST AS LABOR'S OWN LEADERSHIP IS ENGAGING IN AN UNUSUAL BOUT OF SOUL-SEARCHING. ..... LABOR DAY IS A GOOD TIME TO RECOGNIZE THAT WORKERS AND COMPANIES MUST UNDERTAKE TOGETHER THE TASK OF FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS AFFLICTING THE WORK FORCE."

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" LINKS THE TRADITIONAL LABOR HOLIDAY WITH THE BEGINNING OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL YEAR -- WHICH, IN MOST PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, BEGINS TOMORROW.

VOICE: "LABOR DAY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND THAT'S AN INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT CONNECTION. MORE THAN EVER, AMERICANS' EARNINGS DEPEND ON THE EXTENT AND QUALITY OF THEIR EDUCATION. .... PROFOUND CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY ARE PUTTING A HIGH AND GROWING PREMIUM ON ADVANCED TRAINING AND SKILLS. FOR NATIONAL POLICY .... THAT HAS TWO IMMEDIATE IMPLICATIONS. FIRST, IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN ACCESS TO EDUCATION. ..... SECOND AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, CONGRESS WILL DO GREAT HARM IF IT TRIES TO SOLVE ITS BUDGET TROUBLES AT THE EXPENSE OF ...... EDUCATION."

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" ADDS THIS ASSESSMENT OF LABOR'S ILLS:

VOICE: "HARVARD PROFESSOR RICHARD FREEMAN FORECASTS THAT BY [THE YEAR] 2000, ORGANIZED LABOR'S SHARE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR WORK FORCE WILL SHRINK TO FIVE PERCENT FROM ITS ANEMIC ELEVEN PERCENT LEVEL AT PRESENT. ..... THERE ARE PLENTY OF REASONS FOR LABOR'S HARSH DECLINE: FALLING EMPLOYMENT IN BLUE-COLLAR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES; INCREASING USE OF TEMPORARY OR PART-TIME WORKERS; COMPETITION FROM ABROAD; DIFFICULTIES IN ORGANIZING WHITE-COLLAR WORKERS; ..... FLAT OR DECLINING WAGE LEVELS AS MANAGEMENT PLUNGES FOR PROFITS AND PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH AGGRESSIVE COST CUTTING. YET SOME OF THE VARY FACTORS THAT HAVE BROUGHT PROSPERITY TO THE EXECUTIVE SUITE MAY PROVIDE THE IMPETUS FOR A LABOR REVIVAL. THIS HAS A LOT MORE TO DO WITH THE 84 PERCENT OF AMERICAN WORKERS WHO ARE UNORGANIZED THAN THE 16 PERCENT ON THE UNION ROLLS..... THESE WORKERS, AT LEAST A GOODLY PORTION OF THEM, ARE PLAGUED BY STRESS, UNCERTAINTY AND ANGST TO A DEGREE NOT SEEN SINCE DEPRESSION DAYS."

TEXT: IN OTHER NEWS, CUBA DRAWS THE ATTENTION OF BOTH "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND "THE MIAMI HERALD." "THE HERALD" HAS A SMALL EDITORIAL ON THE ILL-FATED FLOTILLA OF SMALL BOATS TO JUST OFF CUBA OVER THE WEEKEND IN A NAUTICAL PROTEST AGAINST LACK OF PERSONAL FREEDOM ON THE ISLAND.

VOICE: ".... THE DEMOCRACIA FLOTILLA TO CUBA WAS ABORTED AFTER ONE BOAT ..... SANK. ONE OF THE 47 PEOPLE ABOARD ..... DIED OF A HEART ATTACK AFTER BEING RESCUED. THUS THE FLOTILLA DID NOT GET TO DELIVER ITS 'CARGO': COPIES OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS INSIDE PLASTIC BOTTLES, WHICH IT PLANNED TO TOSS INTO THE SEA JUST OUTSIDE CUBA'S TERRITORIAL WATERS. THOSE BOTTLES WON'T REACH CUBA, BUT THEIR MESSAGE WILL."

TEXT: MEANWHILE, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CONCERNS ITSELF WITH THE INCREASING PRESSURE ON THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION FROM U-S BUSINESSMEN AND WOMEN TO REVISE ITS STAND AGAINST TRADE WITH THE ISLAND NATION.

VOICE: "FRUSTRATED AS THEY WATCH FOREIGN COMPANIES MARKING DEALS WITH CUBA, AMERICAN BUSINESS EXECUTIVES HAVE INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO END THE AMERICAN ECONOMIC EMBARGO. ...... CUBA DOES NOT LOOM LARGE AS A MARKET FOR THE UNITED STATES. BUT FOR SOME BUSINESSES IT COULD REPRESENT SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES, AND IT IS GALLING FOR THESE COMPANIES' EXECUTIVES TO WATCH HELPLESSLY WHILE CORPORATIONS FROM JAPAN, CANADA, EUROPE AND OTHER LATIN AMERICAN NATIONS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF CUBA'S NEW OPENNESS."

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST," NOTES THAT THE NATIONALLY-KNOWN FORMER GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY, REPUBLICAN THOMAS KEAN, HAS DECLINED TO RUN FOR THE SENATE SEAT BEING VACATED BY DEMOCRAT BILL BRADLEY. MR. KEAN CITED WHAT HE CALLED THE "LACK OF CIVILITY AND MEANNESS" IN NATIONAL POLITICS, BUT "THE POST" QUESTIONS HIS DECISION:

VOICE: "MR. KEAN MAY HAVE COMPELLING PERSONAL REASONS FOR NOT WANTING TO RUN FOR OFFICE IN 1996, A YEAR IN WHICH SHARP POLARIZATION IN WASHINGTON COULD SPILL OVER INTO A NASTY CAMPAIGN. BUT IF HE AND OTHER REPUBLICANS LIKE HIM DON'T LIKE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THEIR PARTY, THEY SHOULDN'T RUN FROM THE FIGHT OVER ITS FUTURE BUT GET INTO IT."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, A LAMENT FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ABOUT THE WAY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HAS BEEN REARRANGED SO THAT SO-CALLED "WILD CARD" TEAMS -- THAT IS, TEAMS BELOW THE FOUR CLUBS WHO WIN THEIR GEOGRAPHIC DIVISIONS -- WILL BE ALLOWED TO COMPETE IN THE POST-SEASON PLAYOFFS AND MIGHT EVEN BLUNDER INTO THE WORLD SERIES.

VOICE: "UNDER THE NEW RULES, ONE SECOND-PLACE TEAM IN EACH LEAGUE, THE ONE WITH THE BEST RECORD, WILL QUALIFY FOR THE PLAYOFFS. BY THIS NEW RECKONING, 13 TEAMS THAT ARE NOT IN FIRST PLACE STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS, MOST WITH SUCH LOUSY RECORDS THEY HAVE VIRTUALLY NO CHANCE OF CATCHING THE DIVISION LEADERS. ..... INDEED, IT IS CONCEIVABLE THAT TWO MEDIOCRE WILD CARD TEAMS COULD GET LUCKY IN THE PLAYOFFS AND MAKE IT TO THE WORLD SERIES...."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT COMPLAINT ABOUT HOW THE OWNERS ARE ONCE-AGAIN WARPING THE NATION'S SACRED SPORT OF PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL, WE CONCLUDE THIS LABOR DAY EDITION OF EDITORIAL DIGEST.

ANG/MMK 04-Sep-95 10:40 AM EDT (1440 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA/DEADLINE UPD (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIALS HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY ARE WITHDRAWING HEAVY WEAPONS FROM AROUND SARAJEVO TO COMPLY WITH UNITED NATIONS AND NATO DEMANDS. THEY HAVE INVITED TELEVISION CREWS TO FILM THE DEPARTURE. STILL, U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE SEEN NO EVIDENCE OF ANY WITHDRAWAL AND HAVE ONLY RECEIVED WHAT THEY CALLED "INDICATIONS" FROM BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL SOURCES THEY INTEND TO COMPLY WITH THE DEMANDS. U-N OFFICIALS SAY A DECISION WILL STILL BE MADE WITHIN HOURS ON WHETHER TO RESUME AIR STRIKES. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE BOSNIAN SERBS WAITED UNTIL THE LAST MOMENT -- ONLY TWO HOURS BEFORE NIGHTFALL -- BEFORE ANNOUNCING TO REPORTERS AT THEIR HEADQUARTERS IN PALE THAT THEY INTENDED TO COMPLY WITH U-N AND NATO DEMANDS TO MOVE THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS OUT OF RANGE OF THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL.

U-N OFFICIALS INSIST ONLY AN UNCONDITIONAL AND "SUBSTANTIAL" WITHDRAWAL WILL RESTRAIN NATO FROM RESUMING AIR STRIKES. IN THE HOURS BEFORE DARKNESS FELL OVER SARAJEVO, NATO WARPLANES CRISS-CROSSED THE SKIES OVER THE CITY LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE OF SUCH A WITHDRAWAL. ONCE IT WAS DARK, U-N OFFICIALS SAID THEY HAD SEEN NO INDICATION OF BOSNIAN SERB COMPLIANCE. THE OFFICIALS CONFIRM A DECISION ON WHETHER TO RESUME AIR STRIKES WILL STILL BE MADE AT 11 P-M HERE (LOCAL TIME, MONDAY) AND IT APPEARS NATO AIR STRIKES AND U-N ARTILLERY ATTACKS ON BOSNIAN SERB POSITIONS COULD RESUME WITHIN HOURS.

THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FOLLOW THE DELIVERY OF A LETTER TO BOSNIAN SERB ARMY COMMANDER RATKO MLADIC SUNDAY WHICH SET OUT U-N AND NATO DEMANDS. THE BOSNIAN SERBS WERE REQUIRED TO CEASE ATTACKS ON U-N / DECLARED SAFE AREAS; ALLOW FREE ACCESS INTO SARAJEVO TO U-N AND HUMANITARIAN TRAFFIC, INCLUDING RE-OPENING THE CITY'S AIRPORT; AND REMOVE THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS OUT OF THE 20-KILOMETER EXCLUSION ZONE AROUND THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE CEASED ATTACKS ON THE SO-CALLED SAFE AREAS AND HAVE PARTIALLY COMPLIED WITH THE DEMAND FOR FREE ACCESS. IT IS THE LAST POINT -- THE DEMAND TO PULL BACK HEAVY WEAPONS -- THAT HAS BEEN THE STICKING POINT.

THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP -- WHICH SO OFTEN IN THE PAST HAS MANIPULATED U-N OFFICIALS TO EXTRACT CONCESSIONS AND PUSHED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO THE BRINK -- HAS IN THIS LATEST CRISIS CONSISTENTLY MISJUDGED THE NEW WILLINGNESS OF THE WESTERN POWERS TO CONFRONT THE BOSNIAN SERBS. EVERYONE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CONFRONTATION LINE IS HOLDING THEIR BREATH AS THEY WAIT TO SEE WHAT U-N AND NATO COMMANDERS WILL DO IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS. (SIGNED). NEB/PT NEB / DF / WOD 04-Sep-95 3:05 PM EDT (1905 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] FOLEY / BOSNIA Q&A BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

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03-Sep-95 8:28 PM EDT (0028 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] NATO / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY KYLE KING (ZAGREB)

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP HAS TAKEN SUFFICIENT STEPS TO AVOID A NEW ROUND OF NATO AIR STRIKES. THE ASSESSMENT WAS STILL UNDERWAY AS THE DEADLINE PASSED FOR SERBS TO BEGIN PULLING THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS BACK FROM AROUND SARAJEVO. V-O-A'S KYLE KING HAS THIS REPORT FROM ZAGREB.

TEXT: NATO JETS ROARED OVER SARAJEVO AND THE BOSNIAN SERB STRONGHOLD OF PALE AS THE 11 O'CLOCK DEADLINE PASSED BUT THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY CONFIRMED REPORTS OF RENEWED AIR STRIKES.

NATO OFFICIALS SAY THE SOUNDS OF EXPLOSIONS HEARD BY SOME REPORTERS COULD HAVE BEEN THE SONIC BOOMS CAUSED BY JETS BREAKING THE SOUND BARRIER. U-N OFFICIALS IN ZAGREB SAY THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNS THE SERBS MAY BE PREPARING TO COMPLY WITH DEMANDS THEY END THEIR STRANGEL-HOLD OF SARAJEVO.

ONE OFFICIAL SAID SOME SERB HEAVY WEAPONS HAD BEEN ASSEMBLED IN SUBURBS OF THE CITY BUT IT WAS TOO EARLY TO TELL IF THEY WERE BEING PULLED BACK. THE UNUSUAL MOVEMENTS CAME JUST HOURS AFTER BOSNIAN SERB GENERAL RATKO MLADIC SAID NO ONE HAD A RIGHT TO ORDER A WITHDRAWAL. WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND NATO STILL ASSESSING WHETHER THE SERBS ARE MOVING QUICKLY ENOUGH TO MEET WESTERN DEMANDS, NATO JETS AND TROOPS OF THE RAPID REACTION FORCE ARE POISED TO FLEX THEIR MUSCLE AT A MOMENTS NOTICE. (SIGNED)

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04-Sep-95 7:10 PM EDT (2310 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NATO/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS AND NATO DEADLINE FOR THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO WITHDRAW THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS FROM SARAJEVO HAS JUST EXPIRED. THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANY SIGNIFICANT SERB HEAVY WEAPONS WITHDRAWAL, A UNITED NATIONS SPOKESMAN SAYS THE RESUMPTION OF NATO BOMBING OF THE SERBS MUST BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL LEADERS SAY THEY WILL COMPLY WITH THE U-N AND NATO DEMANDS. BUT, THE SERB ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, SAYS HE IS NOT GOING TO ORDER THE PULLBACK OF HIS FORCES' HEAVY WEAPONS FROM SARAJEVO. HE SENT A LETTER TO U-N GENERAL BERNARD JANVIER THREE-AND-A-HALF HOURS BEFORE THE U-N AND NATO DEADLINE EXPIRED, OUTLINING HIS POSITION. HE STILL WANTS NEGOTIATIONS ON THE HEAVY WEAPONS ISSUE.

GENERAL JANVIER HAS REJECTED THE SERB ARMY COMMANDER'S RESPONSE. A U-N SPOKESMAN SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS AND NATO MUST NOW SERIOUSLY CONSIDER RESUMING THE BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST SERB MILITARY TARGETS. ASIDE FROM WHAT SERB MILITARY AND POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS ARE SAYING, U-N SOURCES TOLD V-O-A A HALF HOUR BEFORE THE DEADLINE EXPIRED THAT THERE WAS SOME MOVEMENT OF SERB HEAVY WEAPONS. BUT, THE SOURCES SAY THERE WAS STILL NO SIGN OF A SIGNIFICANT WITHDRAWAL. (SIGNED)

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04-Sep-95 5:11 PM EDT (2111 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKEY / BOSNIA (L ONLY-RERUN) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC HAS ARRIVED IN ANKARA FOR TALKS WITH SENIOR TURKISH LEADERS ON LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CONFLICT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT IS ALSO EXPECTED TO MEET WITH U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE, WHO IS DUE IN ANKARA AFTER ENDING A VISIT TO ATHENS.

TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS UPON HIS ARRIVAL IN ANKARA, MR. IZETBEGOVIC EXPRESSED OPTIMISM ABOUT RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT, SAYING THAT THE SITUATION IN HIS COUNTRY HAS REACHED WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A REAL TURNING POINT.

THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT -- WHO IS ACCOMPANIED BY FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMMED SACIRBEY -- IS HOLDING TALKS WITH TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL AND TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER.

U-S OFFICIALS CONFIRMED THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT WOULD ALSO MEET WITH U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE. THEIR TALKS WILL FOCUS ON THE U-S SPONSORED PEACE PLAN FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS SAY THE UNITED STATES IS SEEKING TURKEY'S SUPPORT IN HELPING PERSUADE THE BOSNIAN LEADER TO GO ALONG WITH THE BROAD OUTLINES OF THE PLAN, WHICH GIVES THE BOSNIAN SERBS 49-PERCENT OF BOSNIA.

WESTERN OBSERVERS SAY TURKEY'S MEMBERSHIP IN BOTH NATO AND THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE COULD GIVE IT A UNIQUE ROLE IN EXERCISING A MODERATING INFLUENCE OVER THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS.

TURKEY SHARES PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC'S CONCERN THAT THE INDEPENDENCE OF HIS COUNTRY BE MAINTAINED, AND HAS CONSISTENTLY SOUGHT TOUGHER ACTION AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS. IT HAS ALSO BEEN A STRONG PROPONENT OF LIFTING THE ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST THE MUSLIMS. AND IT HAS YET TO OPENLY ENDORSE THE U-S PEACE PLAN. EVEN SO, OFFICIALS CLOSE TO THE TALKS SAY TURKEY COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENTAL ROLE IN PERSUADING THE BOSNIAN LEADER TO DISPLAY GREATER FLEXIBILITY ON THE THORNY ISSUE OF DECIDING ON A DEFINITIVE MAP FOR HIS COUNTRY. (SIGNED)

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04-Sep-95 12:09 PM EDT (1609 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S/BOSNIA (L) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-N AND NATO OFFICIALS WARN THE BOMBING RAIDS WILL RESUME SHORTLY IN BOSNIA UNLESS THE BOSNIAN SERBS MEET CONDITIONS EASING THE MILITARY AND HUMANITARIAN THREAT TO THE CAPITAL AND OTHER U-N SAFE AREAS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE AMERICAN DIPLOMAT HEADING THE LATEST PEACE INITIATIVE SEES PROGRESS IN NEGOTIATIONS BUT SAYS A BREAKTHROUGH IS NOT LIKELY RIGHT AWAY:

TEXT: ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH, THE HEAD OF NATO'S SOUTHERN COMMAND IN NAPLES, ITALY, SAYS IN ORDER TO AVOID FURTHER PUNISHMENT THE BOSNIAN SERBS MUST HALT ATTACKS ON SARAJEVO AND OTHER U-N/DECLARED SAFE AREAS. HE SAYS THEY MUST ALSO ALLOW UNIMPEDED MOVEMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AID AND RE-OPEN SARAJEVO AIRPORT.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE NATO OFFICIAL SAYS, THE BOSNIAN SERBS MUST REMOVE ALL HEAVY WEAPONS FROM A 20-KILOMETER EXCLUSION ZONE AROUND SARAJEVO:

THEY HAVE VERY LITTLE TIME IN WHICH TO MAKE A DECISION TO START SHOWING PROGRESS IN THIS AND IT IS UP TO THEM TO AS TO WHEN THE BOMBING STARTS, IF IT SHOULD START AGAIN.

ADMIRAL SMITH DECLINED TO COMMIT TO A TIMETABLE FOR A RESUMPTION OF NATO BOMBING WHICH WAS HALTED FRIDAY AFTER THREE DAYS OF RAIDS. HE SAYS INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENTS ARE BEING GATHERED BY SENIOR U-N AND NATO OFFICIALS AND A RECOMMENDATION WILL BE MADE TO THE APPROPRIATE POLITICAL AUTHORITIES. HE SAYS IT IS FAIR TO SAY THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE HOURS, NOT DAYS TO MAKE THEIR DECISION.

ASSISTANT U-S SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE, SPEARHEADING THE LATEST U-S PEACE INITIATIVE, SAYS HIS TALKS ARE MAKING SOME HEADWAY TOWARD DETERMINING THE FUTURE STATUS OF BOSNIA. MR. HOLBROOKE MET AGAIN SUNDAY WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE. IN A TELEVISION INTERVIEW, HE SAID THE SERB LEADER IS AUTHORIZED TO SPEAK FOR THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND HAS AGREED TO A 51-49 PARTITION OF BOSNIA, AS OUTLINED IN AN INTERNATIONAL PEACE PLAN:

BUT, EACH SIDE'S 51-49 LOOKS MORE LIKE 60-40 IN THEIR FAVOR. BUT THE PRINCIPLE OF 51-49 MUST BE MAINTAINED. THE U-S IS NOT GOING TO MOVE ON THAT UNLESS BOTH SIDES AGREE TO IT AND SO FAR THEY DON'T WANT TO.

UNDER THE CONTACT GROUP'S PROPOSAL THE BOSNIAN SERBS WOULD RECEIVE 49-PERCENT OF BOSNIAN TERRITORY INSTEAD OF THE 70-PERCENT THEY ARE BELIEVED TO HOLD NOW WHILE A MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION WOULD RECEIVE THE REMAINING 51 PERCENT. MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS THE SO-CALLED "MAP ISSUE" WILL NOT BE RESOLVED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND BELIEVES THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA AND YUGOSLAVIA WILL USE A MEETING FRIDAY IN GENEVA TO ENUNCIATE GENERAL POLITICAL AIMS.

AS TO A UNILATERAL LIFTING BY THE UNITED STATES OF AN ARMS EMBARGO ON BOSNIA -- DEMOCRATIC SENATOR JOSEPH LIEBERMAN SAYS RECENT EVENTS MAY HAVE UNDERMINED THOSE EFFORTS. SENATOR LIBERMAN -- A CO-SPONSOR OF THE MEASURE TO LIFT THE EMBARGO SAYS SUPPORT FOR THE MEASURE MAY BE ERODING:

THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN POLICY. THERE ARE PEACE TALKS GOING ON. I WOULD NOT WANT TO BRING THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENT'S VETO TO THE FLOOR (OF THE SENATE) AND FIND OUT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VOTES (TO GET IT PASSED). I'D RATHER KEEP THE SWORD (OR THREAT) HANGING OVER THE SERBS IN THE WHOLE PROCESS.

THE SENATE RETURNS FROM ITS AUGUST RECESS THIS WEEK. SENATOR LIEBERMAN SAYS SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ROBERT DOLE SHOULD SEEK A VOTE IF THE VOTES ARE THERE BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. (SIGNED)

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03-Sep-95 10:13 PM EDT (0213 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S/BOSNIA ARMS EMBARGO (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE AMERICAN DIPLOMAT HEADING THE LATEST BOSNIAN PEACE INITIATIVE SAYS FRAGILE NEGOTIATIONS COULD BE UNDERMINED BY A UNILATERAL CONGRESSIONAL LIFTING OF THE ARMS EMBARGO ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE REFERS TO A SENATE EFFORT TO OVERRIDE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VETO OF A MEASURE PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY IN JULY TO LIFT THE ARMS EMBARGO:

TEXT: ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE SAYS THE PEACE PROCESS IS AT A DELICATE STAGE WITH A MEETING OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA, AND YUGOSLAVIA SET FOR FRIDAY AND CONFIDENTIAL TALKS AMONG THE WARRING PARTIES UNDERWAY:

IT DOESN'T SEEM TO ME LOGICAL OR USEFUL OR HELPFUL FOR THE SENATE TO CONTRIBUTE BY UNILATERAL ACT, WHICH THE BRITISH AND THE FRENCH HAVE SAID WILL CAUSE THEM TO PULL OUT AND WHICH WILL DISRUPT THIS SITUATION, WHICH IS EXCEEDINGLY DIFFICULT.

HE SAYS THE CURRENT WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR PEACE MUST NOT BE UNDERMINED.

WITH THE SENATE RETURNING FROM ITS AUGUST RECESS THIS WEEK, ONE OF THE CO-SPONSORS OF THE SENATE MEASURE -- DEMOCRAT JOSEPH LIEBERMAN -- SAYS THE PEACE EFFORT AND NATO BOMBING APPEARS TO HAVE ERODED SUPPORT FOR LIFTING THE EMBARGO:

THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN POLICY. THERE IS PEACE TALK GOING ON. I WOULD NOT WANT TO BRING THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE GOING TO OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENT'S VETO TO THE FLOOR AND FIND OUT WE DON'T HAVE THE ENOUGH VOTES.

HE SAYS HE WOULD RATHER KEEP THE THREAT OF AN OVERRIDE HANDY TO PROD THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO A PEACE AGREEMENT. YET -- HE SAYS -- IF A HEAD COUNT FINDS ENOUGH SUPPORT HE EXPECTS A QUICK VOTE BECAUSE -- IN HIS WORDS -- IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. (SIGNED).

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03-Sep-95 11:08 PM EDT (0308 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] YUGO TALKS (S UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: AFTER MORE TALKS WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE, AMERICAN PEACE ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS TRAVELLING TO GREECE, THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA, AND TURKEY. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. HOLBROOKE MET IN ATHENS WITH GREEK PRIME MINISTER ANDREAS PAPANDREOU AND FOREIGN MINISTER KAROLOS PAPOULIAS.

THE U-S ENVOY BRIEFED THEM ON THE PROGRESS OF HIS PEACE MISSION TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. GREECE IS GENERALLY SYMPATHETIC TOWARD THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

STRAINED GREEK RELATIONS WITH THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA WERE ALSO BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED DURING MR. HOLBROOKE'S STOP IN ATHENS.

MR. HOLBROOKE THEN FLEW ON TO SKOPJE FOR TALKS WITH THE MACEDONIAN GOVERNMENT. GREEK / MACEDONIAN RELATIONS WERE EXPECTED TO BE DISCUSSED THERE, TOO.

FROM SKOPE, MR. HOLBROOKE IS GOING TO ANKARA TO MEET WITH TURKISH LEADERS AND WITH BOSNIA'S MUSLIM PRESIDENT, ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC.

THE SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL SAYS HIS SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY, SO FAR, HAS LED TO PROGRESS TOWARD PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. BUT, HE SAYS NO DIPLOMATIC OR POLITICAL BREAKTHROUGH IS IN SIGHT. (SIGNED)

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04-Sep-95 11:11 AM EDT (1511 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America