Voice of America, 16 October 1995

From: [email protected] (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: TODAY IN WASHINGTON, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BLACK MEN FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ARE ANSWERING THE CALL OF NATION OF ISLAM LEADER LOUIS FARRAKAN TO GATHER FOR A DAY OF PRAYER AND REFLECTION. MANY EDITORIAL WRITERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE MARCH, MADE MORE CONTROVERSIAL BY SOME OF MR. FARRAKAN'S PREVIOUS DEROGATORY REMARKS ABOUT JEWS AND OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS. OTHER EDITORIAL TOPICS INCLUDE: [BEGIN OPT] DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THE O-J SIMPSON TRIAL AFTERMATH [END OPT]; THE CHANGE IN CONGRESSIONAL POLICY TOWARD CUBA; AND THE START OF JACQUES CHIRAC'S PRESIDENCY IN FRANCE. NOW HERE IS ____________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" TRIES TO SEPARATE THE MESSAGE OF TODAY'S GATHERING IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL--SPIRITUAL RENEWAL AND SELF-RESPECT FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN AND THEIR FAMILIES--FROM THE MESSENGER, LOUIS FARRAKHAN OF THE NATION OF ISLAM.

VOICE: "ITS MESSENGER IS A VIRULENT BIGOT WHO HAS ENOUGH IDEOLOGICAL FIREPOWER TO SWAY AND TO WOUND; ITS MESSAGE IS ADMIRABLE, BUT ALSO TOO EXCLUSIVE AND TOO OPEN TO BROAD INTERPRETATION. THE MILLION MAN MARCH ..... PLANS TO DRAW THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN ... FOR A DAY OF 'ATONEMENT,' PRAYERS, AND THE INSPIRATION TO AFFIRM THEIR STRENGTH AND ABILITY TO CHANGE THE DISMAL NATURE OF TOO MANY BLACK LIVES, REFORGING THE BONDS OF COMMUNITY AND RE-ENGAGING IN FAMILY LIFE. ..... BUT THE MARCH HAS ALREADY GOTTEN OFF TO AN IDEOLOGICALLY WOBBLY START IN THAT ITS CONDITIONS ARE IN DIRECT CONTRADICTION TO ITS GOALS. BLACK WOMEN HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT TO PARTICIPATE."

TEXT: IN BOSTON, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" ADDS THESE STATISTICS TO ITS COMMENTARY:

VOICE: "REGARDLESS OF THE ATTENDANCE AT THE MILLION MAN MARCH .... IT HAS SUCCEEDED IN FOCUSING SOME NEEDED ATTENTION ON THE PLIGHT OF BLACK MEN IN AMERICA TODAY. THE PICTURE IS A SOBERING ONE. ..... IN 1993, 499-THOUSAND BLACK MEN WERE ENROLLED IN UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE CLASSES, COMPARED WITH 789-THOUSAND-400 BLACK WOMEN. ..... IN 1994, 30-POINT-TWO-PERCENT OF BLACK MEN AGES 20 TO 29 WERE IN PRISON OR JAIL OR ON PROBATION OR PAROLE, COMPARED WITH FOUR-POINT-EIGHT PERCENT OF BLACK WOMEN; SIX-POINT-SEVEN PERCENT OF WHITE MEN; AND ONE-POINT FOUR PERCENT OF WHITE WOMEN. [OPT] ..... THE PERCENTAGE OF BLACK MEN AGES 18 TO 64 LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL IS 20 PERCENT; BLACK WOMEN, 32 PERCENT; WHITE MEN, SEVEN PERCENT; WHITE WOMEN, TEN PERCENT." [END OPT]

TEXT: TURNING TO THE NATIONWIDE WEEKDAY PAPER, "USA TODAY," THERE WAS THIS REACTION IN THE LEAD EDITORIAL.

VOICE: "LEONARD MUHAMMAD, NATION OF ISLAM CHIEF OF STAFF AND SON-IN-LAW OF LOUIS FARRAKHAN, SAYS THE THOUSANDS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN GATHERING IN WASHINGTON ... TODAY ARE RALLYING TO SUPPORT [MR.] FARRAKHAN. THAT MAY SURPRISE PARTICIPANTS ..... HIS PARTICULAR BRAND OF RACISM - - FIRM AND OFTEN REPEATED - - IS AS FAMILIAR AS IT IS APPALLING. BUT THE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT ... MOST PARTICIPANTS HAVE SEPARATED THE ORGANIZER FROM THE MARCH. 'IT'S NO LONGER HIS. IT'S OURS,' SAYS CLARENCE WHITE, A TEXAS POSTAL WORKER IN A TYPICAL VIEW. ..... THEY'RE DEMONSTRATING BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE .... MESSAGE ...A PLEA FOR BLACK MEN TO TAKE CHARGE OF THEIR OWN LIVES AND FAMILIES..."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST", HOWEVER, TAKES ISSUE WITH THAT IDEA, AND COMMENTS:

VOICE: "WERE IT NOT FOR LOUIS FARRAKHAN, THERE WOULD BE NO MARCH. FOLKS WHO TAKE ISSUE WITH [REVEREND] FARRAKHAN'S RHETORIC OF HATE - - OR WHO OPPOSE HIS SEGREGATIONIST AGENDA - - HAVE NO BUSINESS MARCHING UNDER HIS UMBRELLA. [REST OPT] THIS INESCAPABLE FACT CAUSES SOME LIBERALS CONSIDERABLE DISCOMFORT. PRESIDENT CLINTON ..... HAS BEEN UNCHARACTERISTICALLY TONGUE-TIED ON THE SUBJECT OF [MR.] FARRAKHAN'S RALLY. .... WE DOUBT THAT IF [WHITE SUPREMACIST] DAVID DUKE OR THE KU KLUX KLAN HELD AN ALL-WHITE MARCH IN CENTRAL WASHINGTON TO CELEBRATE FAMILY VALUES, THE WHITE HOUSE WOULD BE QUITE AS HESITANT ABOUT EXPRESSING ITS DISAPPROVAL." [END OPT]

TEXT: [BEGIN OPT] IN OTHER DOMESTIC TOPICS, TWO PAPERS, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" AND THE "ORLANDO SENTINEL" ARE DISCUSSING THE ON-GOING PROBLEM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, BROUGHT INTO FOCUS DURING THE O-J SIMPSON MURDER TRIAL. FIRST, THE MONITOR":

VOICE: "ADVOCATES FOR BATTERED WOMEN ARE CONCERNED THE CASE HAS SENT A DANGEROUS MESSAGE TO WOMEN THAT IT IS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT TO FIGHT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THAT EFFORT, HOWEVER, BELONGS TO ALL OF US. .... MOST IMPORTANT, A DEEP SEATED UNDERSTANDING MUST BE FOSTERED THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WON'T BE TOLERATED."

TEXT: AND THE "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" NOTES:

VOICE: "IT MAY BE THAT PUBLICITY SURROUNDING THE O-J SIMPSON CASE HAS PROMPTED MORE WOMEN TO REPORT SUCH INCIDENTS AND ENCOURAGED MORE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TO INTERVENE. WHAT'S OBVIOUS, THOUGH, IS THAT THE SAD CYCLE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS FAR FROM OVER... NICOLE BROWN SIMPSON PUT A BATTERED FACE ON THE PREVIOUSLY MUDDLED IMAGES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, TRAGICALLY RAISING THE PUBLIC AWARENESS. NOW THE PUBLIC MUST RESPOND."

TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" HAS A COMMENT ON THE O-J SIMPSON TRIAL, BUT AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT ONE. IT CONCERNS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIME LAB IN PROCESSING CRUCIAL GENETIC EVIDENCE.

VOICE: "[OPT] THE POTENTIAL VALUE OF DNA EVIDENCE AS AN IDENTIFICATION TOOL IN CRIMINAL CASES HAS BEEN CLEAR FOR A DECADE. .... BUT THE BUMBLING OF THE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE IN THE O-J SIMPSON CASE HIGHLIGHTED GLARING DEFICIENCIES IN HOW DNA EVIDENCE GETS COLLECTED AND TESTED - - A PROBLEM, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS NOT ISOLATED TO THE ASTONISHINGLY INEPT POLICE LAB IN LOS ANGELES. [END OPT] ......THE SEVERE BLOW DEALT THE PROSECUTION BY THE SLOPPY HANDLING OF THE FORENSIC EVIDENCE SHOULD SERVE AS A WARNING NOT JUST TO THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT BUT TO OTHER POLICE AGENCIES AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT RELY ON SIMILARLY SUBSTANDARD LABS." [END OPT]

TEXT: CUBA IS BACK IN THE EDITORIAL PAGES THIS MORNING AS "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" CRITICIZES THE ATTEMPT IN CONGRESS TO STRENGTHEN THE ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST THE ISLAND.

VOICE: "CUBAN RAFT-PEOPLE HAVEN'T BEEN FLOODING THE FLORIDA STRAITS OF LATE, BUT THAT HASN'T STOPPED THE SENATE'S REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP FROM STAMPEDING TOWARD HARSHER SANCTIONS TO, IN NORTH CAROLINA SENATOR JESSE HELMS' WORDS, 'SET [FIDEL CASTRO'S] TAIL FEATHERS AFIRE.' ..... THE LEGISLATION HAS BEEN RUN UP THE FLAGPOLE [PROPOSED WITH MUCH PUBLICITY] NOT IN RESPONSE TO SOME NEW EMERGENCY, BUT FOR THE MOST SPURIOUS OF PURPOSES - - TO EMBARRASS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, WHICH HAS MOVED TO SOFTEN THE U-S EMBARGO ON CUBA. THAT IS A SENSIBLE DIRECTION ..... INSTEAD, WE HAVE THE 'CUBAN LIBERTY AND DEMOCRACY SOLIDARITY ACT,' AN UGLY, BACKWARD PACKAGE OF MISCHIEF."

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, HOWEVER, "THE MIAMI HERALD" WARNS THAT CUBA IS CURRENTLY PRESENTING TWO FACES TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

VOICE: "THERE ARE TWO CUBAS. .... AS THE VOLUME OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT HAS INCREASED ... SO HAVE THE CUBAN REGIME'S LITTLE-NOTICED VIOLATIONS OF FUNDAMENTAL POLITICAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS. [PREMIER] CASTRO'S WARY DICTATORSHIP KNOWS THAT IT MUST PREVENT ITS ECONOMIC REFORMS FROM OPENING SPACE FOR THE ISLAND'S BESIEGED OPPOSITION GROUPS. YET FIDEL CASTRO'S SPIN DOCTORS [PROPAGANDISTS] WANT TO CONVEY THE IMPRESSION ABROAD THAT CUBA IS A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS."

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" PRAISES THE RARE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS. THE TWO AGREED ON A PROPOSAL THAT WILL ALLOW PAKISTAN TO FINALLY BUY, OR GET MONEY RETURNED FROM 368 MILLION DOLLARS OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT IT ORDERED FIVE YEARS AGO. THE PURCHASE WAS HALTED AND THE MATERIEL NEVER DELIVERED AS A RESULT OF CONGRESSIONAL DISAPPROVAL.

VOICE: "THE LEGISLATION IN QUESTION IS AN AMENDMENT OFFERED BY SENATOR HANK BROWN TO CLARIFY RESTRICTIONS OF U-S AID TO PAKISTAN, WHICH HAS BEEN FROZEN FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. ..... THE APPEAL OF THE BROWN AMENDMENT IS THAT IT FOCUSES ON THE POSSIBLE, WHICH IS TO CREATE A ONE-TIME EXEMPTION THAT WILL LET PAKISTAN GET THE WEAPONS IT PAID FOR OR AT LEAST A REFUND. ..... SIMPLE FAIRNESS, IT WOULD SEEM, DEMANDS NO LESS."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, ON THE BEGINNING OF FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC'S PRESIDENCY, AND THE COUNTRY'S RESUMPTION OF NUCLEAR TESTING IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC, TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" COMMENTS:

VOICE: "[OPT] JACQUES CHIRAC'S PRESIDENCY OF FRANCE BEGAN LAST SPRING WITH A BURST OF ENERGY AND HIGH PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS. BUT THE INITIAL MOOD WAS DEFLATED WHEN THE NEW GOVERNMENT COULD NOT DELIVER ON ITS BEGUILING CAMPAIGN PROMISES OF SWIFT AND PAINLESS ECONOMIC REVIVAL. MR. CHIRAC, WHOSE TERM RUNS UNTIL 2002, STILL HAS PLENTY OF TIME TO TURN THINGS AROUND. BUT HE NEEDS TO BEGIN MAKING THE TOUGH ECONOMIC POLICY DECISIONS HE EVADED AS A CANDIDATE AND IN HIS FIRST FEW MONTHS. .... MR. CHIRAC HAS A DESERVED REPUTATION FOR OBSTINACY IN DAY-TO-DAY BATTLES. BUT IN HIS LONG CAREER HE HAS ALSO DEMONSTRATED THAT HE CAN LEARN FROM PAST MISTAKES AND SHARPLY CHANGE COURSE WHEN NECESSARY. THAT IS WHAT HE NEEDS TO DO NOW."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS APPEARING IN MONDAY'S PAPERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

ANG/T-B-A 16-Oct-95 10:37 AM EDT (1437 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] ALBANIA / AUTOS (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

INTRO: ALBANIA -- EUROPE'S POOREST COUNTRY -- IS IN THE MIDST OF AN ECONOMIC BOOM, ALBEIT ONE FROM A LOW BASE. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD IN TIRANA REPORTS THAT BUILDING ROADS IS A MAJOR PRIORITY IN AN ECONOMY WITH ALMOST NO MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE.

TEXT:

IN THE EARLY PART OF THIS CENTURY, HENRY FORD WAS ASKED WHY THE AUTOMOBILE WAS SUCH A SUCCESS. PUZZLED, MR. FORD REPLIED, BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT TO GET UP OFF THE GROUND AND RIDE.

IN ALBANIA WHERE PRIVATE CARS WERE AGAINST THE LAW UNTIL 1990, PEOPLE ARE PUTTING THEIR BICYCLES AND HORSECARTS ASIDE AND GETTING INTO AUTOMOBILES.

IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE NUMBER OF CARS IN ALBANIA HAS TRIPLED. MORE THAN 50-THOUSAND VEHICLES -- MOST OF THEM USED -- ARE BEING IMPORTED EACH YEAR.

OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL, HORSECARTS AND BICYCLES ARE STILL MORE NUMEROUS THAN CARS. BUT IN TIRANA, MOTORIZED TRAFFIC HAS QUICKLY EMERGED AS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

CABDRIVER SOKOL TASHI SAYS PEOPLE ARE GETTING USED TO TRAFFIC LIGHTS. BUT THE RULES OF PROPER DRIVING ARE NOT KNOWN TO MOST ALBANIANS.

THE BIG PROBLEM IS BECAUSE A LOT OF THE PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE A LICENSE, AT THE MOMENT. OR TAKE A LICENSE FOR 100 DOLLARS AND DRIVE A CAR.

Q: AND THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DRIVE?

YES, OF COURSE (LAUGHING)

APPROACHING TIRANA FROM THE AIR, IT IS NOTICEABLE MOST OF THE ROADS IN THIS MOUNTAINOUS LAND ARE NOT PAVED. ONLY ONE-THIRD OF ALBANIA'S EIGHT-THOUSAND KILOMETERS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HIGHWAYS ARE PAVED.

INFRASTRUCTURE IS THE PRINCIPLE DEVELOPMENT PRIORITY IN THIS COUNTRY. HEALTH, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION, WATER, POWER, AND HIGHWAYS.

IN THE TRANSPORTATION SECTOR, MODERNIZING THE MAIN NORTH-SOUTH ROAD FROM GREECE TO TIRANA AND THE EAST-WEST HIGHWAY FROM MACEDONIA TO THE ADRIATIC SEA ARE TOP PRIORITIES. MEANWHILE, IN THE CAPITAL, TRAFFIC CONTROL, DRIVER EDUCATION, AND VEHICLE MAINTENANCE ARE MAJOR CONCERNS. (SIGNED)

NEB/BW/JWH/RAE
16-Oct-95 1:35 PM EDT (1735 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] ALBANIA / ECONOMY (L) BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

INTRO: ALBANIA IS ARGUABLY POST COMMUNIST EUROPE'S FASTEST TRANSFORMING ECONOMY. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD IN TIRANA REPORTS THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT IS BOOSTING ITS GROWTH FORECAST FOR 1995.

TEXT: THE ECONOMIC ADVISER TO PRESIDENT SALLI BARISHA SAYS HER PROJECTIONS SHOW GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT EXPANDING BY 15-PERCENT THIS YEAR. THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND PROJECTS A MORE MODEST SEVEN TO EIGHT-PERCENT. NONETHELESS THAT WOULD BE THE FASTEST GROWTH ANYWHERE IN EUROPE.

THE ADVISOR, FORMER UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR MIMOZA VOKSHI, SAYS THE FREE MARKET TRANSFORMATION IS GATHERING MOMENTUM. SHE SAYS PER CAPITA INCOME HAS MORE THAN TRIPLED SINCE 1992 TO 700 DOLLARS PER YEAR.

THE ECONOMIC GROWTH FIGURES HAVE TO BE PUT IN CONTEXT. ALBANIA IS GROWING IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF FOREIGN ASSISTANCE WHICH SINCE 1992 TOTALS ABOUT TWO-BILLION DOLLARS, AND BECAUSE OF REMITTANCES FROM ALBANIANS LIVING OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY. BUT THE SMALL BUSINESS SECTOR IS VIBRANT AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THE ECONOMY IS GROWING RAPIDLY.

THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO LOOK AT ALBANIA. IT IS EQUALLY EUROPE'S POOREST ECONOMY AND ITS NEWEST. DURING THE 50-YEARS OF COMMUNIST DICTATORSHIP, ALBANIA WAS ESSENTIALLY SEALED OFF FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD. MISS VOKSHI SAYS ALBANIA CANNOT AFFORD TO WASTE TIME.

WE HAVE LOST TOO MUCH TIME, 50 YEARS OR SO. SO, WE HAVE NO TIME TO LOSE MORE. FOR THIS REASON, PEACE IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US.

GROWTH IS NOT THE ONLY ACHIEVEMENT. INFLATION IS DOWN TO UNDER FIVE-PERCENT ANNUALLY. THE CURRENCY IS STABLE AGAINST THE DOLLAR AND HAS BEEN FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

NONETHELESS, THE ECONOMIC CONDITION OF ALBANIA IS FRAGILE, AND WITH THE GENERAL INSTABILITY OF THE BALKANS AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR, THE LONG-TERM FUTURE IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT. (SIGNED)

NEB/BW/JWH/RAE
16-Oct-95 2:12 PM EDT (1812 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA / DUTCH TROOPS (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (AMSTERDAM)

INTRO: THE DUTCH DEFENSE MINISTRY THIS WEEK IS EXPECTED TO PUBLISH ITS REPORT ABOUT THE FALL OF THE U-N SAFE AREA OF SREBRENICA TO BOSNIAN SERBS MORE THAN THREE-MONTHS AGO. THE RED CROSS SAYS EIGHT-THOUSAND MUSLIMS FROM THE ENCLAVE REMAIN MISSING. THE DUTCH U-N PEACEKEEPING TROOPS WHO WERE IN THE ENCLAVE WHEN IT FELL HAVE BEEN CRITICIZED FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO PROTECT THE MUSLIMS. BUT GILLIAN SHARPE IN AMSTERDAM REPORTS THE SOLDIERS REJECT THE CHARGES.

TEXT:

WHEN WE CAME BACK WE WERE HEROES. WHAT WE HAD DONE WAS GOOD. WE DID A GOOD JOB. AND THEN IT IS TYPICALLY DUTCH THAT YOU HAVE TO FIND SOMETHING WHICH IS NOT SO GOOD, BLOW IT UP, AND MAKE A BIG THING OF IT.

SERGEANT FRANK STRUIK WAS STATIONED IN SREBRENICA FOR SIX MONTHS. LIKE THE OTHER DUTCH SOLDIERS WHO SERVED THERE, HE FEELS UNFAIRLY CRITICIZED BY THE ALLEGATION THE SOLDIERS OF "DUTCHBAT" AS ITS KNOWN, COULD HAVE DONE MORE TO PROTECT MUSLIM LIVES.

THE REPORT THIS WEEK IS SUPPOSED TO CLEAR UP EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. BUT SOME MEMBERS OF THE DUTCH PARLIAMENT SAY THEY FEAR THE DEFENSE MINISTRY MAY HOLD SOMETHING BACK.

THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPOKESPERSON OF THE OPPOSITION GROEN LINKS PARTY, LOONE SIPKES, IS ONE OF THOSE WHO EXPRESSED CONCERN.

EVERYTHING CONNECTED WITH DUTCHBAT, IT IS AMAZING. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT, AND I HOPE I NEVER SEE IT AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT SEEMS THAT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED WAS WRONG, AND IT IS NOT JUST THERE, IT IS THE LITTLE THINGS LIKE VIDEO TAPES, PHOTOS, EVERYTHING WAS LOST OR DESTROYED, AND IT WAS MORE OR LESS A MESS.

PART OF THAT MESS WAS LOW MORALE AMONG THE DUTCH SOLDIERS. THE SERBS DID NOT ALLOW PEACEKEEPERS WHO HAD GONE ON LEAVE TO BE REPLACED. THEY HAD ONLY 16-PERCENT OF THEIR NEEDED AMMUNITION, AND THERE WAS TENSION BETWEEN THE VARIOUS PARTS OF THE FORCE.

ARMY MEDIC COLONEL GERRY KREMMER SAID HE WATCHED THE SITUATION DETERIORATE TO A POINT THAT WHEN THE END CAME, THE SOLDIERS WERE NOT MENTALLY EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH IT.

WE WERE SQUEEZED BY THE SERBS FOR TWO MONTHS. WE HAD NO BREAD OR MILK. THE WEIGHT OF THE SOLDIERS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY. WHEN YOU LOSE 12-KILOS, THERE IS NOT MUCH THAT KEEPS YOU THERE. NOT THIS BLOODY WAR. IT WAS THEIR WAR, THEIR GAME, AND WE WERE THERE TO PUT A FINGER UP AND SAY "NO FIGHTING." BUT WE COULD NEVER MILITARILY DIVIDE THE TWO PARTIES.

SERGEANT FRANK STRUIK WATCHED AS THE SERBS SEPARATED MEN FROM WOMEN. HE SAID HE HAD NO WEAPON, AND THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO.

YOU ARE A VERY BIG GUY TO SAY TO A SERB WHO IS AGGRESSIVE -- YOU CAN NOT SEPARATE THEM. HE WILL BLOW YOU AWAY. WELL, MY SAFETY FIRST. AT THAT MOMENT, YOU ARE IN THE SAME POSITION AS THE MUSLIMS. YOU ARE NOT FREE. AND THEN A FEW MOMENTS LATER, THERE CAME A BUS AND TOOK THEM AWAY.

Q: DO YOU EVER WONDER ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?

NO, WHY? IT IS NOT MY BUSINESS. IF THE SERBS SAY WE ARE TAKING THEM FOR A GOOD DINNER, AND THEN WE HAVE A BIG PARTY, WELL, YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE THEM. IF YOU WONDER ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MEN, THEN MENTALLY YOU ARE GOING BROKE.

MANY OF THE MEN WHO SERVED IN SREBRENICA HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT WHAT THEY DID. COLONEL KREMMER COMFORTS HIMSELF WITH THE BELIEF THAT IF THEY HAD NOT BEEN THERE, THINGS WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN WORSE.

OF COURSE, WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT MANY PEOPLE DIED, YOU FEEL GUILTY. AND OF COURSE, WHEN THE MEN WERE SEPARATED FROM THE WOMEN, WE KNEW THAT THEIR FATE WAS VERY UNCERTAIN. BUT I THINK WE MADE THE TRANSPORT OF THESE PEOPLE AS DECENT AS POSSIBLE, IF SUCH A THING CAN BE CALLED DECENT STILL.

THE FULL STORY OF THE ROLE THAT THE DUTCH TROOPS PLAYED MAY BECOME CLEARER WHEN THE REPORT ABOUT THEIR DEBRIEFINGS IS PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT. DEFENSE MINISTER JORIS VOORHOEVE HAS PROMISED NO FACTS WILL BE HIDDEN. BUT HE ALSO SAID IN SUCH SITUATIONS, THERE CAN BE NO CERTAINTY ALL QUESTIONS CAN BE ANSWERED. (SIGNED)

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16-Oct-95 11:49 AM EDT (1549 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA / FIGHTING (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THERE IS RENEWED FIGHTING IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA, DESPITE A CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE WARRING SIDES. DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS WHILE CONCERN REMAINS THE FIGHTING COULD CAUSE THE COLLAPSE OF THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT, OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE QUITE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

TEXT: THE CEASEFIRE IN BOSNIA, NOW INTO ITS FIFTH DAY, IS ONCE AGAIN UNDER THREAT AFTER RENEWED FIGHTING IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA BETWEEN BOSNIAN SERBS AND THE GOVERNMENT ARMY BACKED BY CROAT FORCES.

EARLY SUNDAY, BOTH SIDES SAID FIGHTING HAD STOPPED. BUT LATER IN THE DAY, FIERCE ARTILLERY DUELS RESUMED AROUND THE TOWN OF SANSKI MOST, WITH BOTH SIDES BLAMING THE OTHER FOR THE CLASHES. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE ARTILLERY BATTLE IS CONTINUING, BUT THEY SAY NO TERRITORY IS BEING TAKEN BY EITHER SIDE.

MOST OF THE CONFRONTATION LINE IN BOSNIA IS QUIET, AND OFFICIALS SAY THEY BELIEVE THE ARTILLERY EXCHANGES ARE NOT AS GREAT A THREAT TO THE CEASEFIRE AS LAST WEEK'S GROUND CAMPAIGNS BY THE BOSNIAN ARMY. SENIOR U-N OFFICIALS IN SARAJEVO SAY IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR THE FIGHTING IN THE AREA TO STOP, BUT THEY BELIEVE ALL SIDES ARE NOW COMMITTED TO THE CEASEFIRE.

U-N MILITARY OBSERVERS HAVE BEEN INSPECTING SERB-CONTROLLED AREAS IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA NEAR WHERE THE FIGHTING HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE. U-N OFFICIALS HOPE THE BOSNIAN SERBS WILL PERMIT ACCESS FOR THE TEAMS TO FRONTLINE AREAS. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE SO FAR NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE FRONT LINES TO MAKE ANY ASSESSMENT OF WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS.

SENIOR MILITARY AND CIVILIAN OFFICIALS FROM ALL SIDES ARE ATTENDING A MEETING AT SARAJEVO'S AIRPORT TO WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT ABOUT WHERE THE CONFRONTATION LINE BETWEEN THE SIDES IS LOCATED. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, THE CROAT MILITIA, AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE PROVIDING MAPS OF THE CONFRONTATION LINE. OFFICIALS SAY THE MAPS SHOW WIDELY DIFFERING VIEWS ABOUT WHERE THE FRONTLINES ARE. MEANWHILE, THE LITTLE KNOWN BOSNIAN-SERB PRIME MINISTER DUSAN KOSIC RESIGNED DURING A MARATHON SESSION OF THE BOSNIAN-SERB'S SELF-STYLED PARLIAMENT IN BANJA LUKA IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA. BEFORE THE MEETING, THERE WERE ANGRY RECRIMINATIONS AS A RESULT OF RECENT LOSSES ON THE BATTLEFIELD, AND THE BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC SAID RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MILITARY SET-BACKS MUST BE DETERMINED. HE ALSO CALLED FOR THE RECAPTURE OF ALL TERRITORY LOST SINCE EARLY SEPTEMBER. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/JWH/RAE
16-Oct-95 11:12 AM EDT (1512 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA / SERBS (S UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: A SENIOR BOSNIAN-SERB OFFICIAL HAS BEEN DISMISSED AND FOUR SENIOR OFFICERS ARE BEING FORCED TO RETIRE FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF MORE SERB TERRITORY TO MUSLIM AND CROAT FORCES IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: DURING A MEETING OF THE SELF-DECLARED BOSNIAN-SERB PARLIAMENT, IT WAS ANNOUNCED THE RELATIVELY-UNKNOWN SERB PRIME MINISTER DUSAN KOZIC HAS RESIGNED. MEANWHILE, SERB DEPUTY ARMY COMMANDER GENERAL MILAN GVERO, THE SERB MILITARY INTELLIGENCE CHIEF, AND TWO OTHER OFFICERS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO RETIRE.

THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY DISMISSALS FOLLOW RECENT SERB TERRITORIAL LOSSES TO MUSLIM AND CROAT FORCES IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA.

IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THE DISMISSAL OF THE SERB PRIME MINISTER AND THE FORCED RETIREMENTS OF THE OFFICERS HAVE THE SUPPORT OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. LAST WEEK, GENERAL GVERO BLAMED SERB POLITICAL LEADERS FOR BATTLEFIELD LOSSES. HE SUGGESTED THE POLITICIANS WERE INVOLVED IN A SECRET DEAL TO WILLINGLY GIVE UP TERRITORY.

THAT CRITICISM REFLECTED THE CONTINUING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SERB POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERSHIP. IN AUGUST, SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC TRIED, BUT FAILED, TO SACK ARMY COMMANDER GENERAL RATKO MLADIC. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/RAE
16-Oct-95 10:17 AM EDT (1417 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] PERRY / NATO (L ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS HE HOPES NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL WILLY CLAES -- UNDER DOMESTIC ATTACK IN BELGIUM FOR ALLEGED CORRUPTION -- WILL NOT HAVE TO STEP DOWN. THE CONTROVERSY ENVELOPING THE NATO CHIEF COMES AS THE ALLIANCE IS TRYING TO ASSEMBLE AN UNPRECEDENTED PEACE FORCE FOR BOSNIA. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS A REPORT FROM THE PENATGON.

TEXT: SENIOR U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING MR. CLAES IS YET ANOTHER COMPLICATING FACTOR AS NATO STRUGGLES TO PUT TOGETHER ITS BIGGEST-EVER PEACEKEEPING OPERATION.

MR. CLAES HAS BEEN HAS BEEN INTENSIVELY INVOLVED IN THE INTRICATE DIPLOMACY OF ASSEMBLING THE NATO-LED FORCE OF AT LEAST 50-THOUSAND TROOPS. AND OFFICIALS SAY HIS POSSIBLE DEPARTURE OVER THE POLITICAL CORRUPTION CHARGES AT HOME WOULD MAKE THE TASK THAT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.

IN A BRIEF SESSION WITH REPORTERS HERE, DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY STEERED CLEAR OF RESPONDING TO THE ALLEGATIONS THAT MAY FORCE MR. CLAES OUT OF OFFICE. BUT HE MADE CLEAR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS WELL-SATISIFIED WITH HIS PERFORMANCE AT NATO:

I BELIEVE THAT SECRETARY-GENERAL CLAES, IN HIS MORE THAN ONE YEAR IN HIS POSITION, HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB. AND FOR THAT REASON, AS WELL AS FOR THE FACT THAT WE ARE IN A CRUCIAL PERIOD IN NATO NOW, I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE IN HIS JOB. BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT I DO NOT HAVE THE INFORMATION THAT IS POSSESSED BY THE BELGIAN COURTS AND THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT SURROUNDING THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM, SO I CANNOT MAKE ANY JUDGEMENT ON THAT ISSUE AND I DO NOT MAKE ANY JUDGMENT.

NATO'S OBJECTIVE IS TO HAVE THE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE ASSEMBLED AND READY FOR DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA IMMEDIATELY UPON THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS AMONG THE PARTIES DUE TO BEGIN IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

AS MANY AS 25-THOUSAND AMERICAN TROOPS WILL BE PART OF THE OPERATION, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO LAST A YEAR AND COST AS MUCH AS TWO BILLION DOLLARS FOR THE U-S CONTINGENT ALONE.

DEFENSE SECRETARY PERRY -- ALONG WITH SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MILITARY JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI -- BEGIN A TWO-DAY SET OF HOUSE AND SENATE HEARINGS TUESDAY IN AN EFFORT TO LINE UP CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE PEACEKEEPING PLAN. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/CF
16-Oct-95 2:53 PM EDT (1853 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] RUSSIA / BOSNIA TALKS (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: MEMBERS OF THE FIVE-NATION CONTACT GROUP ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA ARE IN MOSCOW TO DISCUSS RUSSIA'S ROLE IN EFFORTS TO BRING PEACE TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS THE BIG POWER ENVOYS WILL TRY TO OVERCOME RUSSIAN CONCERNS ABOUT JOINING A NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE.

TEXT: THERE WAS A MOOD OF GUARDED OPTIMISM AS THE CONTACT GROUP REPRESENTATIVES ARRIVED MONDAY IN MOSCOW. SENIOR OFFICIALS EXPRESSED HOPE THE MEETINGS WOULD PAVE THE WAY FOR TALKS IN THE UNITED STATES LATER THIS MONTH AMONG THE WARRING PARTIES IN BOSNIA.

THE TWO-DAY MOSCOW MEETING IS EXPECTED TO FOCUS ON DEVELOPING A COMMON STRATEGY FOR THE U-S TALKS, AND ON RUSSIAN INVOLVEMENT IN THE PEACE PROCESS. A KEY STUMBLING BLOCK WILL BE HOW TO INTEGRATE RUSSIAN TROOPS INTO A PLANNED 60-THOUSAND MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE BEING ORGANIZED BY NATO.

RUSSIA HAS OFFERED AS MANY AS 20-THOUSAND TROOPS FOR THE FORCE, BUT HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT NATO CONTROL OVER ITS SOLDIERS. RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER PAVEL GRACHEV HAS SUGGESTED A SYSTEM OF ROTATION BETWEEN NATO AND RUSSIAN COMMANDERS. BUT THE UNITED STATES FLATLY REJECTED THAT PROPOSAL.

THE IMPORTANCE WASHINGTON ATTACHES TO THE MOSCOW TALKS IS UNDERSCORED BY ITS HIGH-LEVEL DELEGATION. CHIEF NEGOTIATOR ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA RICHARD HOLBROOKE LED THE U-S TEAM AT MONDAY'S SESSION. HE WILL BE JOINED TUESDAY BY DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT AND UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE WALTER SLOCOMBE.

ON HIS WAY TO MOSCOW, AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE MET IN PARIS WITH FRANCE'S FOREIGN MINISTER AND WITH SENIOR FRENCH DIPLOMATS IN WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS A STRATEGY SESSION. THE U-S NEGOTIATOR WAS REPORTED TO HAVE LEFT THE FOREIGN MINISTRY WITHOUT MAKING ANY COMMENT TO REPORTERS.

PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S ENVOY TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA INDICATED DURING THE WEEKEND THAT DIFFERENCES OVER SUCH ISSUES AS TROOP COMMAND WOULD NOT DAMPEN RUSSIA'S WILLINGNESS TO COOPERATE. ALEXANDER ZOTOV TOLD THE ITAR-TASS NEWS AGENCY RUSSIA WANTS TO SEE THE PEACE PROCESS SPEEDED UP SO PROGRESS MADE SO FAR WILL NOT BE LOST.

RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IS CONSIDERED CRITICAL IN ANY MOVE TOWARD PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, WHERE RUSSIA HAS TRADITIONALLY WIELDED STRONG INFLUENCE. BUT AS THEY JOIN WESTERN PEACE EFFORTS, RUSSIAN LEADERS FACE HARSH CRITICISM AT HOME FROM OPPONENTS WHO ACCUSE THEM OF PRESIDING OVER THE COLLAPSE OF RUSSIAN FOREIGN POLICY.

WITH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ONLY TWO-MONTHS AWAY, POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY THE APPEARANCE OF WEAKNESS COULD BE POLITICALLY DISASTROUS WITH VOTERS, MANY OF WHOM LONG FOR THE DAYS WHEN RUSSIA WAS A WORLD SUPERPOWER.

FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI KOZYREV REJECTED THE CHARGE OF WEAKNESS DURING THE WEEKEND. IN A TELEVISION INTERVIEW, HE POINTED OUT THE CURRENT CEASEFIRE IN BOSNIA WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT RUSSIA'S AGREEMENT TO RESTORE NATURAL GAS SUPPLIES TO SARAJEVO. (SIGNED)

NEB/PH/JWH/RAE
16-Oct-95 12:04 PM EDT (1604 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] TURKEY / POLITICS (S) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER SAYS SHE HAS MADE A NEW ALLIANCE WITH HER FORMER SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC COALITION PARTNERS AFTER HER MINORITY GOVERNMENT LOST A CRUCIAL VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE PARLIAMENT SUNDAY. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: MRS. CILLER TOLD REPORTERS AFTER A MEETING WITH DENIZ BAYKAL, LEADER OF THE SOCIAL DEMOCRAT PEOPLE'S REPUBLICAN PARTY, OR C-H-P, THAT THEY BOTH BELIEVED IN WHAT SHE TERMED THE NEED TO _NOT_ DEPRIVE THE TURKISH PEOPLE OF A GOVERNMENT.

MRS CILLER SAID SHE AND MR BAYKAL HAD AGREED IN PRINCIPLE ON THE BROAD OUTLINES OF A NEW COALITION GOVERNMENT THEY WERE PROPOSING TO FORM. THE RESIGNATION OF ISTANBUL'S CHIEF OF POLICE (NECDET MENZIR) AHEAD OF THE MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO LEADERS IS THOUGHT TO HAVE PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THEIR DECISION TO RESTORE THE FOUR-YEAR-LONG COALITION WHICH COLLAPSED OVER POLICY DIFFERENCES.

THE C-H-P LEADER -- AS A CONDITION FOR REMAINING IN THE GOVERNMENT -- HAD EARLIER SOUGHT THE DISMISSAL OF THE ISTANBUL CHIEF OF POLICE BECAUSE OF HIS ANTI-SOCIAL DEMOCRAT REMARKS.

IT IS NOW UP TO TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL TO DECIDE WHETHER TO ASK MRS. CILLER TO TRY TO FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)

NEB/AZ/JWH/ART
16-Oct-95 12:12 PM EDT (1612 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] U-S / ALBANIA MILITARY (S ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: ALBANIA IS OFFERING THE UNITED STATES AND NATO THE USE OF ITS MILITARY FACILITIES FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE PLANNED PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IN BOSNIA. THE OFFER WAS MADE BY THE ALBANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER SAFET ZHULALI, WHO HELD TALKS IN WASHINGTON WITH SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM PERRY. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: THE ALBANIAN DEFENSE CHIEF SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT IS READY TO PROVIDE WHATEVER LOGISTICAL SUPPORT IT CAN TO ASSIST IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE NATO-LED FORCE -- WHICH IS TO GO INTO BOSNIA IMMEDIATELY UPON THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF PEACE TALKS, WHICH ARE DUE TO BEGIN IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

MR. ZHULALI SAID THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA IS UNEQUIVALLY BEHIND THE EFFORT TO END THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOSNIAN CONFLICT. BUT HE ALSO SAID HE HOPES ANY PEACE SETTLEMENT IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA IS ACCOMPANIED BY GUARANTEES FOR THE RIGHTS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO.

THE ALBANIAN DEFENSE MINISTER AND U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SIGNED AN AGREEMENT PROVIDING FOR THE SHARING OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION. MR. PERRY DESCRIBED THE AGREEMENT AS MAJOR MILESTONE IN THE EMERGING MILITARY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES.

U-S NAVY SHIPS INVOLVED IN BOSNIAN OPERATIONS HAVE OPERATED FROM ALBANIAN COASTAL WATERS, AND UNMANNED AMERICAN DRONE AIRCRAFT HAVE BEEN USING AN ALBANIAN BASE FOR RECONNAISANCE MISSIONS OVER BOSNIA. MR. PERRY SAID HELPING MODERNIZE AND PROFESSIONALIZE THE ALBANIAN ARMED FORCES IN AN IMPORTANT U-S PRIORITY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/ART
16-Oct-95 1:40 PM EDT (1740 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[11] YUGO SITREP (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THERE HAS BEEN A SHAKEUP OF THE BOSNIAN-SERB LEADERSHIP FOLLOWING MAJOR LOSSES OF SERB TERRITORY TO MUSLIM AND CROAT FORCES IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: THE MAN WHO THE SERBS CALL THE PRIME MINISTER OF THEIR SELF-DECLARED REPUBLIC, DUSAN KOSIC, HAS RESIGNED.

FOUR SENIOR SERB ARMY OFFICERS, INCLUDING THE DEPUTY ARMY COMMANDER AND THE MILITARY INTELLIGENCE CHIEF, HAVE BEEN FORCED TO RETIRE. THE DISMISSALS WERE ANNOUNCED DURING A MEETING OF THE SERB ASSEMBLY IN THE NORTHWESTERN TOWN OF BANJA LUKA. SATURDAY, SERB POLITICAL LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC SAID SOME ARMY COMMANDERS WOULD HAVE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LOSS OF SERB TERRITORY TO MUSLIM AND CROAT FORCES.

THE MILITARY MAY HAVE INSISTED THE PRIME MINISTER, WHO HAD LITTLE POWER, STEP DOWN IN RETURN FOR THE FORCED RETIREMENTS OF THE SENIOR OFFICERS.

THE FORCED RETIREMENT OF GENERAL GVERO SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXPECTED. LAST WEEK, HE BLAMED THE SERB POLITICAL LEADERSHIP FOR THE ARMY'S RECENT FAILURES ON THE BATTLEFIELD. GENERAL GVERO SUGGESTED THE POLITICIANS WERE INVOLVED IN A SECRET DEAL TO GIVE UP TERRITORY. THEY HAVE DENIED IT.

THE BOSNIAN-SERB ASSEMBLY CONTINUES MEETING. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF THERE WILL BE ANY ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS.

NO MAJOR FIGHTING IS REPORTED IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA. THE WARRING FORCES FOUGHT ARTILLERY DUELS SUNDAY IN THE REGION. BUT THERE WERE NO CHANGES IN THE FRONTLINES. MEANWHILE, THE BIG POWER CONTACT GROUP ON BOSNIA WAS MEETING IN MOSCOW. U-S PEACE ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE WAS TO ATTEND THE MEETING BEFORE BEGINNING ANOTHER ROUND OF SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY IN SARAJEVO, ZAGREB, AND BELGRADE LATER THIS WEEK. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/RAE
16-Oct-95 10:59 AM EDT (1459 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America