Voice of America, 22 September 1995

From: [email protected] (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: AMONG THE TOPICS IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF FRIDAY'S U-S PAPERS IS THE MAJOR CHANGE IN POLICY TOWARD NATO'S EASTERN EXPANSION VOICED EARLIER THIS WEEK BY DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT. OTHER TOPICS ARE: A NEW PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ANNOUNCES; THE SITUATION IN SARAJEVO; THE DEBATE OVER A PAIR OF ENVIRONMENTALLY IMPORTANT AREAS AT RISK; AND THE BREAKUP OF THE LEADING U-S COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY A T & T. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF THESE COMMENTS IS ___________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: AFTER A TRIP TO RUSSIA, U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE AND FORMER JOURNALIST STROBE TALBOTT TOLD A POLISH RADIO STATION LAST WEEK THAT NATO SHOULD EXPAND EASTWARD TO INCLUDE SOME OF THE FORMER SOVIET BLOCK NATIONS TO PROTECT AGAINST WHAT TODAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES" DESCRIBES AS TURMOIL IN RUSSIA. THE PAPER PRAISES MR. TALBOTT FOR WHAT IT CALLS "THE MOST HONEST ASSESSMENT" HE HAS MADE OF THE SITUATION IN RUSSIA IN YEARS ADDING:

VOICE: "[OPT] .... IT MUST HAVE BEEN QUITE SOME TRIP MR. TALBOTT HAD HIMSELF TO RUSSIA LAST WEEK. PERHAPS IT WAS THE ROCKET ATTACK ON THE U-S EMBASSY IN MOSCOW. EVEN THOUGH THE INCIDENT WAS OFFICIALLY DOWNPLAYED BY RUSSIAN AND AMERICAN DIPLOMATS, IT STILL SENT A FAIRLY UNAMBIGUOUS SIGNAL -- ONE THAT IS UNLIKELY TO MAKE ANY TRAVELING AMERICAN DIGNITARY FEEL MORE AT HOME. OR [END OPT] PERHAPS IT WAS THE RECEPTION HE GOT FROM THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT, WHOSE RUFFLED TEMPERS OVER THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN IN BOSNIA MR. TALBOTT WAS SENT TO SOOTHE. TO SAY THAT MR. TALBOTT WAS GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER [IGNORED] IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. ..... SO, IT'S NICE FINALLY TO HAVE MR. TALBOTT ON BOARD [WHERE] NATO EXPANSION IS CONCERNED."

TEXT: ADDING ITS VOICE TO THE DEBATE, "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND SAYS EXPANDING NATO EASTWARD IS "ASKING FOR TROUBLE."

VOICE: "THE GRADUAL SHIFT IN U-S POLICY TOWARD EXPANDING NATO TO INCLUDE EAST EUROPEAN NATIONS ADJOINING RUSSIA IS UNWISE. SUCH A POLICY WOULD SERVE TO ALARM MOSCOW AT A TIME WHEN RUSSIA IS SETTING ITS FUTURE COURSE, AND COULD PUSH MOSCOW INTO A DEFENSIVE POSTURE THAT WOULD LEAD TO A MORE HOSTILE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE WEST IN THE FUTURE."

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, WE HAVE ANOTHER ANNOUNCED PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE WITH PUBLISHER-AND BUSINESSMAN STEVE FORBES, SON OF THE FOUNDER OF FORBES MAGAZINE, MALCOLM FORBES. "THE NEW YORK POST" SAYS WELCOME.

VOICE: "FROM OUR STANDPOINT, [MR] FORBES' ENTRY INTO THE RACE IS WELCOME. INDEED, HIS CANDIDACY CAN BE EXPECTED TO ENERGIZE THE ENTIRE GOP CONTEST. .... THOSE WHO KNOW HIS WORK RECOGNIZE THAT [MR.] FORBES IS A THOUGHTFUL, SERIOUS MAN - - PERHAPS THE MOST ARTICULATE PROPONENT OF RONALD REAGAN'S FISCAL WORLDVIEW IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN LIFE."

TEXT: TURNING OVERSEAS AGAIN, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS PLEASED THAT "INTERVENTION BY THE WESTERN POWERS SEEMS TO BE PAYING OFF IN THE BALKANS WAR" ADDING:

VOICE: "[OPT] IN SARAJEVO, ELECTRICITY, WATER AND NATURAL GAS ARE BEING RESTORED. RELIEF PLANES ARE LANDING AT THE AIRPORT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS. ALTHOUGH PEDESTRIANS STILL MOVE QUICKLY THROUGH OPEN AREAS FOR FEAR OF SNIPERS, TENSION HAS CLEARLY EASED. [END OPT] ... WHAT MUST BE SAID IS THAT THIS AGONY IN THE HEART OF EUROPE WOULD NOT HAVE APPROACHED THIS SEEMINGLY FINAL STAGE WITHOUT THE INTERVENTION OF THE BIG POWERS. BUT IT TOOK THEM FAR TOO LONG TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER."

TEXT: [BEGIN OPT] THERE ARE TWO MAJOR EDITORIALS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. "THE BOSTON GLOBE" CALLS FOR PROTECTING WHAT IT DESCRIBES AS THE AMERICAN SERENGETI, THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, LOCATED IN THE FAR NORTHERN STATE OF ALASKA.

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON GAVE AMERICA'S ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT A BADLY NEEDED BOOST ... WHEN HE PROMISED TO VETO ANY BUDGET THAT OPENS ONE OF THE NATION'S PREMIER NATURAL LANDSCAPES TO PETROCHEMICAL DEVELOPMENT. IN STANDING UP TO PROTECT THE ARCTIC ... REFUGE, THE PRESIDENT EXPOSED THE HEADLONG CAPITULATION OF CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS TO THE OIL INDUSTRY AND ITS ATTEMPT TO PERPETUATE ALASKA'S OIL-WELFARE ECONOMY."

TEXT: MEANWHILE, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS CALLING ON THE PRESIDENT TO VETO THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT'S APPROPRIATIONS BILL, WHICH THE PAPER SAYS CONTAINS HIDDEN ATTACKS ON PUBLIC LANDS, ESPECIALLY THE NEWLY CREATED EAST MOJAVE [DESERT] NATIONAL PRESERVE." [END OPT]

TEXT: AN ALLEGED RAPE OF A YOUNG JAPANESE SCHOOLGIRL ON OKINAWA BY THREE U-S SERVICEMEN DRAWS THE ATTENTION OF "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES," WHICH CALLS IT "A RAPE WITH INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS."

VOICE: "A KEY REQUIREMENT NOW IS FOR JUSTICE TO MOVE SWIFTLY. .... U-S AMBASSADOR WALTER MONDALE HAS DENOUNCED THE CRIME AS 'BRUTAL AND LOATHSOME,' AND - - IN A COUNTRY WHERE SHAME AND PUBLIC CONTRITION ARE KEY MECHANISMS IN REGULATING SOCIAL BEHAVIOR - - HAS PUBLICLY STATED 'WE ARE ASHAMED AND WE APOLOGIZE.'"

TEXT: THE HUGE TELEPHONE AND COMMUNICATIONS GIANT A T AND T, THE AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY, THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED IT WAS SPLITTING INTO THREE SEPARATE CORPORATIONS, DRAWING THIS ESSENTIALLY FAVORABLE RESPONSE FROM "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" WHICH SEES THE MOVE AS MAKING THE GIANT FIRM MORE COMPETITIVE.

VOICE: "... WHAT STRIKES US MOST ABOUT WEDNESDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT A T & T WAS DIVIDING INTO THREE COMPANIES IS HOW UNKNOWABLE THE FUTURE HAS SUDDENLY BECOME FOR THE A T & T'S [VERY LARGE, RICH, POWERFUL, INSTIUTIONAL-LIKE CORPORATIONS] OF THE WORLD. ... WE HAVE ENTERED NIMBLE-WORLD, AN ERA IN WHICH ENTERPRISES LARGE AND SMALL MUST HAVE THE ABILITY - - AND WILLINGNESS - - TO NAVIGATE AT WARP [EXTREME] SPEED, LIKE HANS SOLO [ONE OF THE LEAD CHARACTERS IN THE 1980S SPACE MOVIE] 'STAR WARS,' THROUGH A CONSTANTLY SHIFTING METEOR SHOWER OF PRODUCTS, CONSUMER WHIMS AND COMPETITORS."

[BEGIN OPT]

TEXT: TO WHICH "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ADDS:

VOICE: "DESPITE THE MAMMOTH SIZE OF THE BREAKUP - - THE THREE COMPANIES COULD EMPLOY ALMOST 300-THOUSAND WORKERS AND GENERATE MORE THAN 70-BILLION DOLLARS IN SALES - - THE IMPACT ON THE PUBLIC MAY BE SMALL."

TEXT: ABOUT HAITI'S FIRST TROUBLED YEAR OF DEMOCRACY, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" WRITES: "SO FAR THE RESULTS ARE, AT THE LEAST, BETTER THAN MIGHT HAVE BEEN EXPECTED." WHILE IN "THE WASHINGTON POST" THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT TIGHTENING THE ECONOMIC EMBARGO ON CUBA, AS THE CONGRESS WANTS TO DO, WITH "THE POST" CALLING THE HELMS-BURTON BILL BOTH "CARELESS AND DAMAGING."

AND THIS GRIM WARNING ABOUT THE FUTURE FROM WERNER FORNOS OF THE POPULATION INSTITUTE AS REPEATED IN TODAY'S "PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" EDITORIAL:

VOICE: "THE 'FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE 21ST CENTURY APOCALYPSE,' WERNER FORNOS .L.. CALLED THEM ....OVERPOPULATION, GLOBAL WARMING, OZONE DEPLETION AND DEFORESTATION - - WILL RIDE TO GLOBAL DISASTER ... ON THE BACK OF THE WORLD'S FAILURE TO STABILIZE ITS POPULATION. ..... WITH WORLD POPULATION AT FIVE-POINT SEVEN BILLION AND INCREASING BY 100 MILLION YEARLY, THE FOUR HORSEMEN ARE GETTING CLOSER. HALTING THEIR ADVANCE IS A TEST WE DARE NOT FAIL." [END OPT]

TEXT: AND WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS AMERICANS ARE READING THIS FRIDAY IN LATE SEPTEMBER.

ANG/GE 22-Sep-95 11:55 AM EDT (1555 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA/PILOT (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: U-S AND FRENCH COMMANDOS HAVE MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO RESCUE TWO FRENCH AIRMEN SHOT DOWN LAST MONTH OVER BOSNIA. TWO AMERICANS WERE REPORTEDLY WOUNDED IN THE LAST ATTEMPT TWO WEEKS AGO. THE FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTER HAS CONFIRMED THE ATTEMPTS TOOK PLACE. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE TWO FRENCH AIRMEN HAVE BEEN MISSING SINCE THEIR MIRAGE 2000 FIGHTER- BOMBER WAS SHOT DOWN OVER THE BOSNIAN SERB HEADQUARTERS OF PALE ON AUGUST 3OTH, THE FIRST DAY OF THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

THE ATTEMPTS TO RESCUE THE MEN REPORTEDLY BEGAN A WEEK LATER, AFTER A GERMAN RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT TOOK A PHOTO OVER BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY OF A MAN POINTING TO A CRUDELY LETTERED SIGN SHOWING THE FRENCH PLANE'S RADIO CALL SIGN. THE FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTER, CHARLES MILLON, CONFIRMED THREE RESCUE ATTEMPTS WERE MADE DURING A BRIEFING WITH FRENCH LAWMAKERS, BUT NATO OFFICIALS HAVE SO FAR REFUSED TO COMMENT.

THE RESCUE ATTEMPTS REPORTEDLY TOOK PLACE ON THREE SUCCESIVE NIGHTS IN EARLY SEPTEMBER. THE FIRST RESCUE ATTEMPT WAS BY 16 U-S NAVY COMMANDOS, BUT BAD WEATHER PREVENTED THEIR HELICOPTERS FROM EVEN LANDING IN BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY. THE NEXT NIGHT U-S AND FRENCH COMMANDOS FLEW FROM A NATO BASE IN ITALY, BUT BAD WEATHER AGAIN FORCED THE OPERATION TO ABORT. ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT A TEAM OF AMERICAN AND FRENCH COMMANDOS WERE ABLE TO LAND, BUT THEN CAME UNDER HEAVY AUTOMATIC WEAPONS FIRE. TWO AMERICANS WERE REPORTEDLY WOUNDED, BUT THE COMMANDOS WERE ABLE TO FIGHT THEIR WAY BACK TO THEIR HELICOPTERS BEFORE ESCAPING.

THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE INFORMATION AVAILABLE ABOUT THE FATE OF THE TWO FRENCH FLIERS. BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIALS HAVE CLAIMED TO BE HOLDING THEM, BUT NO PICTURES OF THE MEN HAVE BEEN SHOWN. // OPTR // SHORTLY AFTER THE PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN A WESTERN REPORTER IN PALE INTERVIEWED A FARMER WHO SAID HE HAD CAPTURED THE TWO FLIERS, AND HELD THEM UNTIL BOSNIAN SERB ARMY TROOPS ARRIVED, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO CONFIRMATION OF THE STORY. // END OPT //

IF THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE HOLDING THE TWO FRENCH PILOTS IT IS NOT CLEAR WHY THEY ARE STILL PRISONERS. NATO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE NOW BEEN HALTED, AFTER THE BOSNIAN SERBS WITHDREW THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS FROM AROUND SARAJEVO, BUT THERE ARE SUGGESTIONS THAT THE MEN ARE BEING HELD AS BARGAINING CHIPS FOR FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS ON AN OVERALL PEACE SETTLEMENT TO THE WAR IN BOSNIA.

TWO OTHER NATO PILOTS HAVE BEEN SHOT DOWN OVER BOSNIA, AND LATER RESCUED. A BRITISH PILOT WAS SHOT DOWN OVER GORAZDE LAST YEAR AND RESCUED BY FRENCH COMMANDOS AND THE AMERICAN PILOT, SCOTT O'GRADY, WAS SHOT DOWN OVER BANJA LUKA IN JUNE. HE HID FROM BOSNIAN SERB SEARCH TEAMS FOR SIX DAYS, BEFORE AMERICAN COMMANDOS COULD MOUNT A RESCUE MISSION. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/MH/GPT
22-Sep-95 12:13 PM EDT (1613 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA/SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: WITH THE WITHDRAWAL OF BOSNIAN SERB HEAVY WEAPONS FROM AROUND SARAJEVO AND THE END OF NATO AIRSTRIKES, RELATIVE CALM HAS ARRIVED IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SIX MONTHS. U-N OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A LOCAL CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SIDES, AND UTILITIES ARE STILL CUT OFF, BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME PEACE SEEMS SOMETHING MORE THAN A DISTANT DREAM. DAVID FOLEY REP ORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: LIFE IN SARAJEVO IS IMPROVING EVERY DAY. TONS OF HUMANITARIAN AID AND HUNDREDS OF COMMERCIAL TRUCKS ARRIVE IN THE CITY EACH DAY WITH FOOD AND OTHER GOODS AND PRICES HAVE FALLEN BY 50 PERCENT OR MORE. THE SOUND OF GUNFIRE ON THE HILLS AROUND THE CITY IS NOW THE EXCEPTION INSTEAD OF THE RULE, AND THE PEOPLE HERE ARE STARTING TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER PEACE COMES.

KRIS JANOWSKI, THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SPOKESMAN, EXPLAINS HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED, BUT ALSO HOW MANY THINGS HAVE NOT.

THINGS HAVE IMPROVED ENORMOUSLY ON THE ONE HAND, SINCE WE ARE GETTING CONVOYS IN WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. WE HAD THE AIR LIFT RESTARTED AFTER A FIVE MONTH INTERRUPTION, WHICH IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

HOWEVER THE CITY STILL REMAINS UNDER SIEGE, VERY MUCH UNDER SIEGE. OUR CONVOYS STILL GO THROUGH BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY, WITH THEIR PERMISSION, AFTER THE NATO AIR ACTION, BUT THINGS COULD REVERSE ANY TIME.

U-N SPOKESMAN ALEXANDER IVANKO SAYS U-N OFFICIALS, EAGER TO EXPLOIT THE CURRENT MOMENTUM TOWARDS PEACE CREATED BY THE NATO AIRSTRIKES, ARE TRYING TO GET THE TWO SIDES TOGETHER FOR NEGOTIATIONS.

ALTHOUGH THE CITY OF SARAJEVO IS A RELATIVELY SAFE PLACE THESE DAYS, A FORMAL CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AGREEMENT FOR THE SARAJEVO AREA HAS STILL NOT BEEN COMPLETED. SUCH AN AGREEMENT WOULD HELP CEMENT THE CURRENT CLIMATE OF STABILITY IN THE CITY, AND WOULD PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR A FURTHER COUNTRY-WIDE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AGREEMENT.

NOW THAT SARAJEVO IS PROTECTED BY U-N ARTILLERY, BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, ALSO EMBOLDENED BY THE SUCCESS OF THEIR ARMY'S OFFENSIVE IN NORTHERN BOSNIA, ARE NOT READY TO SIGN A CEASEFIRE. THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT, ALIA IZETBEGOVIC, HAS SAID UTILITIES MUST BE RESTORED, AND CIVILIAN AND COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC MUST BE ALLOWED TO USE THE MAIN HIGHWAY INTO SARAJEVO, BEFORE A LOCAL CEASEFIRE CAN BE AGREE., BUT U-N OFFICIALS WANT THE TWO SIDES TO SIT DOWN TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT THIS, RATHER THAN ISSUING DEMANDS. THE OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE TO ARRANGE A MEETING FOR SATURDAY, BUT SO FAR NEITHER SIDE HAS AGREED TO ATTEND TALKS. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/MH/GPT
22-Sep-95 10:39 AM EDT (1439 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA RESOLUTION (S ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL THURSDAY -- AT THE INSISTENCE OF RUSSIA -- UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A TOTAL CESSATION OF BOSNIAN AND CROATIAN MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN BOSNIA-HERZERGOVINA. THE RUSSIANS WANTED A RESOLUTION MORE CRITICAL OF THE MUSLIM/CROAT FORCES, BUT FOUND LITTLE SUPPORT. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND ITS CROATIAN ALLIES HAVE ASSURED THE U-N THAT THEIR OFFENSIVE IS SLOWING DOWN. HAVING PRESSED THEIR ADVANTAGE DURING THE NOW SUSPENDED NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN, THEY PRESENTLY CONTROL 50 PERCENT OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL REAFFIRMED ITS BELIEF THAT ALL MILITARY ACTIVITIES MUST CEASE COMPLETELY -- IN DEFERENCE TO THE DELICATE DIPLOMACY UNDERWAY. IT CALLED ON THE BOSNIAN PARTIES -- INCLUDING THE SERBS -- TO NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH TOWARD A COMPREHENSIVE PEACE.

THE KEY PLAYERS IN THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT ARE MEETING IN NEW YORK NEXT TUESDAY TO DISCUSS FURTHER THE SETTLEMENT PRINCIPLES THEY AGREED TO IN GENEVA THIS MONTH. SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER -- PARTICIPATING IN THE NEW SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- IS EXPECTED TO ATTEND. SO WILL HIS MEDIATOR FOR BOSNIA -- RICHARD HOLBROOKE. (SIGNED) NEB/PT 21-Sep-95 8:35 PM EDT (0035 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA SITREP (L UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, SAYS HIS FORCES HAVE STOPPED THE MUSLIM AND CROAT OFFENSIVE IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. HE SAYS THE SERBS WILL TRY TO RETAKE SOME TERRITORY THAT HAS BEEN LOST. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: SPEAKING IN THE SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA, MR. KARADZIC VOWS NOT TO ACCEPT THE HUGE MUSLIM AND CROAT GAINS IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA. HE SAYS THE SERBS WILL TRY TO RETAKE LOST TERRITORY THAT HAS TRADITIONALLY BELONGED TO THEM.

AS EXPECTED, THE SERBS HAVE ALSO REJECTED THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S DEMAND FOR THE DEMILITARIZATION OF BANJA LUKA, THE LARGEST SERB-HELD TOWN IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. A SENIOR SERB OFFICIAL, NIKOLA KOLJEVIC, SAYS THE DEMAND IS MEANINGLESS AND UNREALISTIC. HE SAYS IT COULD SET BACK EFFORTS TO END THE WAR IN BOSNIA.

BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC HAS SAID A SERB MILITARY WITHDRAWAL FROM BANJA LUKA IS ONE OF HIS GOVERNMENT'S CONDITIONS FOR A NATIONWIDE CEASE-FIRE. THE OTHER CONDITIONS INCLUDE THE COMPLETE LIFTING OF THE SERB SIEGE OF SARAJEVO, FREE ACCESS TO THE MUSLIM ENCLAVE OF GORAZDE AND A PEACE AGREEMENT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A TRUCE.

ALTHOUGH THE SERBS SAY THEY HAVE STOPPED THE MUSLIM AND CROAT OFFENSIVE IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA, THEY REPORT MORE MUSLIM AND CROAT SHELLING AND GROUND ATTACKS IN THE REGION. ONE OF THE ATTACKS IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN AGAINST THE TOWN OF SANSKI MOST ON A MAIN ROAD WEST OF BANJA LUKA. THE SERBS SAY THE TOWN'S DEFENSES ARE HOLDING.

UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS IN ZAGREB COULD NOT CONFIRM THE REPORTED FIGHTING BECAUSE OF A LIMITED ABILITY TO MONITOR THE MILITARY SITUATION. THE OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE SIGNS, THOUGH, THAT THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS ARE TRYING TO CONSOLIDATE THEIR NEW POSITIONS AND TO PREPARE FOR A POSSIBLE SERB COUNTER-OFFENSIVE.

IN CENTRAL BOSNIA, MORE SHELLING ATTACKS ARE REPORTED AROUND THE STRATEGIC SERB-HELD TOWN OF DOBOJ. MUSLIM AND CROAT TROOPS HAVE MADE SOME IMPORTANT GAINS IN CENTRAL BOSNIA. BUT THEIR ADVANCE INTO SERB-HELD TERRITORY IN THAT AREA IS BELIEVED TO HAVE SLOWED DOWN. (SIGNED)

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22-Sep-95 2:46 PM EDT (1846 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] CLINTON / BOSNIA (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS EXPRESSING CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM ABOUT NEGOTIATIONS TOWARD A PEACE SETTLEMENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. MR. CLINTON SPOKE ABOUT THE PEACE PROCESS IN A WIDE-RANGING RADIO INTERVIEW TODAY (THURSDAY), SHORTLY AFTER THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED THAT FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM BOSNIA, CROATIA AND SERBIA WOULD MEET AGAIN NEXT TUESDAY IN NEW YORK TO DISCUSS A NEGOTIATED END THE CONFLICT. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: TUESDAY'S MEETING WAS ANNOUNCED SHORTLY AFTER PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS BRIEFED BY U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE ON THE STATUS OF U-S EFFORTS TO REACH A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT TO THE WAR IN BOSNIA.

THE PRESIDENT CALLED ON U-S NEGOTIATORS TO TRY TO CLEAR AWAY THE REMAINING OBSTACLES TO A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN THE COMING WEEKS.

LATER THURSDAY, MR. CLINTON EXPRESSED HOPE THAT THE DIPLOMATIC EFFORT WOULD SUCCEED.

I FEEL THAT WE ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING, AND WE HAVE A CHANCE TO PUT AN END TO THE MISERY AND TO LIMIT ONCE AND FOR ALL THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS COULD SPREAD INTO A WIDER WAR THAT COULD INVOLVE OUR PEOPLE.

THE PRESIDENT SAID HE WAS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS, BUT CAUTIONED THAT MUCH WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE BEFORE A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IS REACHED.

THE PRESIDENT MADE HIS COMMENTS IN AN INTERVIEW ON THE " WESTWOOD ONE RADIO NETWORK" FROM CALIFORNIA, WHERE HE IS ON A CAMPAIGN-STYLE VISIT. (SIGNED)

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21-Sep-95 9:49 PM EDT (0149 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] E-U/SUMMIT (L) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION HEADS OF GOVERNMENT HAD HOPED TO ESCAPE DAY-TO-DAY PROBLEMS AS THEY GATHERED FOR AN INFORMAL SUMMIT ON THE SPANISH HOLIDAY ISLAND OF MAJORCA. BUT AS JOHN FRASER REPORTS, THERE WILL BE LITTLE RELAXATION, AS A NUMBER OF PRESSING ISSUES MUST BE DISCUSSED.

TEXT: THE MAJORCA INFORMAL SUMMIT WAS PLANNED AS A RELAXED GATHERING, DURING WHICH LONG-TERM POLICY GOALS COULD BE DISCUSSED. INSTEAD, HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN OVERSHADOWED BY THE RESUMPTION OF FRENCH NUCLEAR TESTS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC, BY A DISAGREEMENT OVER WHICH STATES WILL TAKE PART IN A EUROPEAN SINGLE CURRENCY, AND BY A DISPUTE BETWEEN FRANCE AND ITS NEIGHBORS OVER THE ABOLITION OF FRONTIER CONTROLS.

THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS THAT THE SECOND OF THE NEW SERIES OF FRENCH NUCLEAR TESTS IS LIKELY TO BE STAGED WITHIN THE NEXT 10 DAYS. THIS NEWS IS BEING GREETED WITH DISMAY BY SEVERAL E-U STATES -- NOTABLY DENMARK, SWEDEN AND AUSTRIA. FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC MAY BE ASKED TO JUSTIFY HIS NUCLEAR PROGRAM TO THE SUMMIT, AND IS NOT LIKELY TO BE GIVEN A VERY WARM RECEPTION. MEANWHILE, FRANCE IS ALSO INVOLVED IN A DISPUTE WITH BELGIUM AND HOLLAND OVER A TREATY CALLED THE SCHENGEN ACCORD. UNDER THIS TREATY, SEVEN E-U STATES SHOULD HAVE ALREADY SCRAPPED ALL FRONTIERS CONTROLS WITH EACH OTHER. FRANCE SAYS IT IS NOT ABLE TO DO SO, BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUING TERRORIST THREAT.

WHILE THERE IS SYMPATHY FOR THIS ARGUMENT, THE BELGIANS IN PARTICULAR DISLIKE THE WAY IN WHICH PRESIDENT CHIRAC RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL BE FURTHER DELAYING INTO 1996 THE LIFTING OF FRANCE'S BORDER CONTROLS. THE BELGIANS BELIEVE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSULTATATION INSIDE THE SCHENGEN GROUP BEFORE ANY FRENCH DECISION WAS TAKEN. GERMANY, TOO, WILL COME UNDER CRITICISM AT THE E-U SUMMIT, FOR SUGGESTING THAT BELGIUM AND ITALY WILL NOT BE AMONG THE FIRST COUNTRIES TO EMBARK ON EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION. ITALY AND BELGIUM WERE BOTH FOUNDER MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN ECOMOMIC COMMUNITY, WHICH HAS NOW EVOLVED INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND THE GOVERNMENTS IN BOTH BRUSSELS AND ROME ARE EAGER TO PARTICIPATE IN A SINGLE CURRENCY.

ASSUMING THERE IS TIME FOR DEBATE ON THE LONG-TERM AGENDA, THE E-U LEADERS WILL EXPLORE WAYS OF IMPROVING DECISION MAKING, OF BETTER COORDINATING FOREIGN POLICY, AND OF FUNDING THE EVENTUAL ABSORPTION OF THE POORER NATIONS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE INTO THE UNION. GIVEN THE SCALE OF ALL THESE CHALLENGES, NO KEY DECISIONS ARE EXPECTED. (SIGNED)

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22-Sep-95 9:31 AM EDT (1331 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] NATO / FRANCE RESCUE (S ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: NATO HAS CONFIRMED REPORTS IT SENT COMMANDOS INTO BOSNIA- HERZEGOVINA THREE TIMES IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT TO RESCUE TWO FRENCH AIRMEN SHOT DOWN AUGUST 30TH. THE PILOT AND NAVIGATOR HAVE BEEN MISSING SINCE THEIR PLANE WAS SHOT DOWN NEAR (THE BOSNIAN SERB STRONGHOLD OF) PALE, ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE ALLIED BOMBING CAMPAIGN. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: NATO'S SOUTHERN COMMANDER, ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH, SAYS ALLIED FORCES HAD NO DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE PAIR. BUT A GERMAN SPY PLANE PHOTOGRAPHED A MAN ON THE GROUND WITH A CRUDE SIGN, WHICH APPEARED TO SHOW THE AIRMEN'S RADIO CODE AND A ROUGH DRAWING OF A FRENCH "MIRAGE" FIGHTER.

NATO LAUNCHED SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSIONS THREE NIGHTS IN A ROW, STARTING SEPTEMBER SIXTH. U-S AND FRENCH COMMANDOS FLEW IN ON HELICOPTERS FROM ITALY AND THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER THEODORE ROOSEVELT, WITH FIGHTERS AND GROUND ATTACK PLANES PROVIDING COVER.

ADMIRAL SMITH SAYS THE FIRST TWO FLIGHTS WERE HAMPERED BY BAD WEATHER AND SHOT AT BY SERBS BUT NO ONE WAS HIT. THE THIRD TIME, HE SAYS, THE HELICOPTERS TOOK FAIRLY HEAVY FIRE AND TWO AMERICAN CREWMEN WERE WOUNDED IN THE LEGS BY SHRAPNEL. THE AIRCRAFT WERE SHOT AT AGAIN WHILE LEAVING THE AREA, AND NATO WARPLANES FIRED BACK.

ADMIRAL SMITH SAYS THE FATE OF THE FRENCHMEN IS STILL UNKNOWN, DESPITE REPORTS THE SERBS MAY HAVE CAPTURED ONE OR BOTH. HE SAYS THE SEARCH CONTINUES -- AND IF THE SERBS ARE HOLDING THE AIRMEN, THEY SHOULD RELEASE THEM IMMEDIATELY. (SIGNED)

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22-Sep-95 12:50 PM EDT (1650 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS AGREES TO A SUSPENSION OF NATO BOMBING IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA -- AFTER BOSNIAN SERBS MOVE HEAVY WEAPONS OUT OF SARAJEVO; THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY GETS UNDERWAY; AND, CHINA THWARTS TAIWAN'S BID FOR U-N MEMBERSHIP -- FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: TO SUSPEND OR TO TERMINATE NATO'S AIR CAMPAIGN IN BOSNIA -- THAT'S THE QUESTION THE U-N AND THE WESTERN ALLIANCE GRAPPLED WITH EARLIER THIS WEEK. THE TWO ORGANIZATIONS EVENTUALLY AGREED ON THE SUSPENSION, WITH A THREAT TO RESUME BOMBING IF THE BOSNIAN SERBS RENEGE ON (OR WITHDRAW) THEIR PLEDGE TO LIFT THE SIEGE OF SARAJEVO.

INFORMED U-N SOURCES SAY SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI WAS INCLINED TO DECLARE THE AIR CAMPAIGN OVER. BUT NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL WILLY CLAES SPOKE WITH HIM BY TELEPHONE, PERSUADING HIM THAT A TERMINATION OF THE NATO THREAT COULD BE INTERPRETED AS A SIGN OF WEAKNESS AND MIGHT PROMPT HARD-LINERS AMONG THE SERBS TO STOP COOPERATING.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECURITY COUNCIL ISSUED WARNINGS TO THE MUSLIM/CROAT FORCES THAT TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE NATO BOMBING TO GAIN TERRITORY. THE COUNCIL CALLED FOR AN END TO ALL MILITARY ACTIVITIES TO PRESERVE THE DELICATE PEACE PROCESS NOW UNDERWAY.

THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF CROATIA, BOSNIA AND YUGOSLAVIA ARE DUE TO MEET IN NEW YORK NEXT TUESDAY AT THE UNITED STATES MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS. THE TALKS -- UNDER JOINT U-S AND EUROPEAN SPONSORSHIP --WILL TRY TO CONSOLIDATE THE PRINCIPLES OF A SETTLEMENT THE PARTIES AGREED TO IN GENEVA ON SEPTEMBER EIGHTH.

SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER WILL BE IN TOWN TO ATTEND THE NEW SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

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THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OPENED LAST TUESDAY, ELECTING A FORMER PORTUGESE MINISTER AS ITS PRESIDENT. DIOGO FREITAS DO AMARAL WAS A KEY FIGURE DURING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN PORTUGAL IN 1974.

THE POST OF ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT IS FULL OF PRESTIGE BUT CARRIES WITH IT LITTLE POWER. IT WILL HAVE MORE VISIBILITY THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE U-N'S ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION. AT LEAST 150 HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING PRESIDENT CLINTON, WILL BE IN NEW YORK TOWARD THE END OF OCTOBER TO OBSERVE THE EVENT. MEANWHILE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY INSCRIBED OVER 150 ITEMS ON ITS AGENDA FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS -- MOST OF THEM PERENNIAL ISSUES.

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A TOPIC THAT DID NOT MAKE THE ASSEMBLY AGENDA WAS TAIWAN'S BID FOR U-N MEMBERSHIP. IT WAS DEFEATED IN COMMITTEE, WITH CHINA AND ITS SUPPORTERS STRONGLY OPPOSING THE MOVE.

CHINA REGARDS TAIWAN AS A RENEGADE PROVINCE. IT ARGUED SEATING TAIWAN AT THE UNITED NATIONS WOULD BE TANTAMOUNT TO HAVING TWO CHINAS REPRESENTED.

TAIWAN LOST ITS U-N SEAT TO THE MAINLAND IN 1971. THIS YEAR IT LAUNCHED ITS MOST AGGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN YET FOR RE-GAINING MEMBERSHIP, EVEN OFFERING THE U-N ONE BILLION DOLLARS FOR A DEVELOPMENT FUND. CHINA DERIDED THE TACTIC AS "DOLLAR DIPLOMACY" AND SAID TAIWAN CANNOT BUY ITS WAY INTO A VIOLATION OF CHINA'S SOVEREIGNTY. BEIJING CONSIDERS THE TAIWAN ISSUE AN INTERNAL MATTER.

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SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS-GHALI THIS PAST WEEK CALLED ON GOVERNMENTS TO REFINE THEIR WAYS OF WORKING TOGETHER. HE SAID THE UNITED NATIONS MAY BE IN BAD NEED OF REFORM, BUT THE REAL NEED IS FOR MORE COOPERATION AMONG GOVERNMENTS. THE U-N LEADER SAID POLITICAL WILL, NOT STRUCTURE, WAS THE ISSUE.

THE U-N IS UNDER PRESSURE -- ESPECIALLY IN THE U-S CONGRESS -- TO ELIMINATE WASTE, CUT PROGRAMS AND REDUCE ITS BUDGET.

THE UNITED STATES HAS UNVEILED A REFORM PLAN WHICH IT INTENDS TO PRESS OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS. THE U-N, FOR ITS PART, IS CALLING ON GOVERNMENTS TO PAY THEIR MANDATORY DUES TO RELIEVE THE CASH SHORTFALL.

WASHINGTON IS THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO THE U-N BUDGET AND THE BIGGEST DEBTOR, OWING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN BACK PAYMENTS. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT IS COMMITTED TO PAYING ALL BUT HAS TO COPE WITH CONGRESSIONAL DISCONTENT. (SIGNED) NEB/EJ/SKH 22-Sep-95 5:25 PM EDT (2125 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] YUGO / KRAJINA REFUGEES BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS ( IRIG, YUGOSLAVIA)

INTRO: IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN SIX WEEKS SINCE THE CROATIAN ARMY RECAPTURED THE REBEL SERB STRONGHOLD OF KRAJINA, IN A LIGHTENING OFFENSIVE THAT SPARKED A MASS EXODUS OF SERB CIVILIANS. CLOSE TO 200-THOUSAND SERBS FLED THE AREA IN THE SPACE OF TWO WEEKS IN WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED THE LARGEST SINGLE MOVEMENT OF REFUGEES SINCE THE BALKAN WARS ERUPTED FOUR YEARS AGO. MOST OF THOSE REFUGEES ARE NOW IN YUGOSLAVIA, LIVING AT COLLECTIVE CENTERS OR WITH HOST FAMILIES IN SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO. VOA'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS TALKED WITH SOME OF THE REFUGEES IN THE TOWN OF IRIG, NORTHWEST OF BELGRADE. HE REPORTS FEW HOLD OUT ANY HOPE OF RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES.

TEXT: DARA PLAVSIC IS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES. IT TOOK HER ONLY THREE DAYS TO COVER THE 500 KILOMETERS FROM KRAJINA TO THE YUGOSLAV BORDER. AND SHE KNEW EVEN BEFORE SHE ARRIVED IN THIS SMALL FARMING TOWN THAT SHE WOULD FIND REFUGE WITH THE BURSAC FAMILY, HER FORMER NEIGHBORS IN THE KRAJINAN PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, KNIN.

DARA PLAVSIC LOOKS FAR YOUNGER THAN HER 47 YEARS. BUT THE STRAIN IS EVIDENT ON HER FACE, AND THERE IS A TIGHTNESS IN HER VOICE AS SHE RECALLS THE TRAUMA OF HER FLIGHT FROM KRAJINA.

SHE REMEMBERS THOSE HOURS WITH GREAT PRECISION: THE LONG DAY SPENT IN THE BASEMENT OF HER APARTMENT BUILDING, STILL DRESSED IN HER NIGHTGOWN, SHELTERING FROM THE CROATIAN ARTILLERY BOMBARDMENT; THE NIGHT-LONG BUS RIDE OUT OF KRAJINA, NOT EVEN KNOWING HER DESTINATION.

THE BUSES FINALLY STOPPED IN THE BOSNIAN SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA, HALF WAY TO THE YUGOSLAV BORDER, AND FROM THERE MS. PLAVSIC WAS ABLE TO TELEPHONE THE BURSAC FAMILY, HER FRIENDS HERE IN IRIG. NOW, MS. PLAVSIC IS ONE OF 13 KRAJINA REFUGEES LIVING WITH MR. AND MRS. BURSAC IN A SMALL HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF TOWN.

MR. BURSAC, A PART-TIME DRIVER AT AN AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE, CLEARLY EARNS BARELY ENOUGH TO SUPPORT HIS OWN FAMILY, LET ALONE THE REFUGEES. BUT HIS WIFE, ANDJA, SAYS SHE JUST THANKS GOD THEY REACHED IRIG IN SAFETY. WHATEVER WE HAVE, SHE SAYS, WE WILL SHARE WITH THEM, DOWN TO THE LAST CRUMB.

DARA PLAVSIC AND THE OTHER REFUGEES HAVE BEEN GIVEN SOME SUPPLIES -- FLOUR, COOKING OIL AND A FEW CANNED GOODS -- BY THE YUGOSLAV RED CROSS. BUT SHE KNOWS IT IS NOT SUFFICIENT, AND SHE SUSPECTS ANDJA BURSAC HAS ALREADY DIPPED INTO SOME HIDDEN SAVINGS TO ENSURE THERE IS ENOUGH TO EAT.

EIGHTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD DUSAN BUGIC AND HIS FRIEND LLUBAN MATUT HAVE RECEIVED ALMOST NO S UPPLIES SINCE THEY ARRIVED IN IRIG FROM KRAJINA MORE THAN A MONTH AGO. WE ARE HUNGRY ALL THE TIME NOW, THEY TOLD A VISITOR, WE DO NOT EVEN LIKE TO TALK ABOUT FOOD ANYMORE.

THE TWO OLD MEN ARE AMONG A SMALL GROUP OF REFUGEES LIVING IN A SHABBY WORKERS' DORMITORY ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF IRIG. THEIR ONE ROOM HAS A SMALL STOVE FOR COOKING AND WARMTH, BUT ALMOST NOTHING ELSE. ON THIS DAY, THEIR ONLY MEAL IS POTATO SOUP, THE POTATOS PLUCKED FROM AN ADJOINING FARM. MR. BUGIC, MR. MATUT AND FOUR OTHERS IN THE GROUP CAME TO IRIG FROM THEIR VILLAGE IN KRAJINA ON AN AGEING RED TRACTOR, IN A NOW INFAMOUS CONVOY THROUGH CROATIAN TERRITORY.

U-N OFFICIALS HAD SUPPOSEDLY OBTAINED SAFE PASSAGE FOR THE REFUGEES FROM THE ZAGREB GOVERNMENT. BUT THEIR PASSAGE WAS ANYTHING BUT SAFE.

MR. BUGIC ANGRILY RECALLS THE CROATIAN CIVILIANS WHO LINED THE ROADSIDE AS THE CONVOY PASSED, PELTING THE SERB REFUGEES WITH STONES AND OTHER DEBRIS. ONCE, HE SAYS, CROATIAN POLICE INTERVENED TO STOP THE ATTACKS. BUT IN MOST CASES, HE ADDS, THE POLICE MERELY WATCHED AND DID NOTHING.

MR. BUGIC IS OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THE PERSECUTION OF SERBS, JEWS AND OTHER MINORITIES BY THE NAZI-INSTALLED REGIME IN CROATIA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR. AND HE BITTERLY DENOUNCES THE PRESENT CROATIAN GOVERNMENT AS NO BETTER.

FEW IF ANY OF THE REFUGEES HERE SEE ANY HOPE OF EVER GOING BACK TO THEIR HOMES IN KRAJINA. AND U-N OFFICIALS IN BELGRADE CONFIRM THERE IS LITTLE PROSPECT THAT THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT WILL ALLOW THE SERBS TO RETURN, EVEN THOUGH THOUSANDS HAVE ALREADY APPLIED.

BUT IT IS EQUALLY CLEAR THAT THE SERB REFUGEES FACE BLEAK PROSPECTS IN YUGOSLAVIA, WHERE THE ECONOMY HAS BEEN CRIPPLED BY YEARS OF U-N SANCTIONS.

THEY CAME WITH NOTHING BUT THE CLOTHES ON THEIR BACKS, AND THERE IS NO WORK FOR THEM HERE, SAYS IRIG'S REFUGEE COMMISSIONER MILAN BUDIMCIC. MOST, HE ADDS, FEEL TOTAL DESPAIR.

MR. BUDIMCIC SPENDS HIS DAYS VISITING THE REFUGEES SCATTERED AROUND THE MUNICIPALITY, TRYING TO SEE TO THEIR NEEDS, AND ASKING THEM TO COMPILE LISTS OF THE PROPERTY THEY LEFT BEHIND IN CROATIA.

HE DISPLAYS ONE OF THE HAND-WRITTEN DOCUMENTS, JUST HANDED IN BY A KRAJINA FARMER. IT LISTS A HOUSE, A BARN, A MILL, 400 SQUARE METERS OF CORN AND WHEAT, A TRACTOR, A PLOW, A SEWING MACHINE AND 10 BARRELS OF BRANDY.

THERE IS LITTLE CHANCE THE REFUGEES WILL EVER BE ABLE TO RECLAIM THE PROPERTY, SAYS MR. BUDIMCIC. BUT PUTTING THEIR LOSSES ON RECORD, HE ADDS, SEEMS TO HAVE A CALMING EFFECT, GIVING THEM SOME TANGIBLE HOPE AND A SMALL PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOST.

MR. BUDIMCIC SUMS UP THE FEELINGS OF MANY OF THE REFUGEES HERE WITH A SERB PROVERB: "THERE IS NO WORSE CURSE THAN TO HAVE, AND THEN NOT TO HAVE". (SIGNED)

NEB/DBR/MH/CF
22-Sep-95 12:15 PM EDT (1615 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America