Voice of America, 24 November 1995

From: [email protected] (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: A VARIETY OF TOPICS APPEARS IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF AMERICA'S MAJOR DAILY NEWSPAPERS THIS DAY AFTER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, AND TRADITIONALLY, THE DAY THAT STARTS THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON IN THE UNITED STATES. AMONG THE TOPICS ARE THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD; THE CHOICE FOR A NEW NATO HEAD; CHINA'S JAILING OF A LEADING DISSIDENT; A CONTENDER DROPS OUT OF THE REPUBLICAN RACE FOR PRESIDENT; AND THE DOW JONES STOCK AVERAGE TOPS 5-THOUSAND. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT COMMENTS ON THOSE TOPICS IS ______________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE PEACE TREATY FOR BOSNIA CONTINUES TO GARNER ATTENTION FROM EDITORIAL BOARDS AS THE COUNTRY PREPARES FOR A CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE ON THE DISPATCH OF 20-THOUSAND U-S PEACEKEEPERS TO THE REGION AS PART OF THE ACCORD. IN TODAY'S "ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" THERE IS CONCERN THAT CONGRESS MAY BAR THE U.S. MILITARY ROLE IN BOSNIA.

VOICE: "...... IF CONGRESS SOMEHOW ENDS UP BLOCKING DEPLOYMENT OF U-S TROOPS IN THE BALKANS, IT WILL HAVE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT ACTION. WITHOUT U-S TROOPS, THE PEACE AGREEMENT WILL COLLAPSE QUICKLY. ..... IF WE REFUSE TO USE [OUR] MILITARY POWER IN THE CAUSE OF BALKAN PEACE, WE FORFEIT OUR CLAIM TO INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP."

TEXT: MEANWHILE, IN BOSTON, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" CALLS THE ACCORD "A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION," BUT ADDS:

VOICE: "... SUCCESS IN ENDING THE WAR, WHICH HAS KILLED 250-THOUSAND PEOPLE AND MADE TWO MILLION REFUGEES, DEPENDS GREATLY ON AMERICA'S WILLINGNESS TO MAKE IT STICK [TO ENFORCE THE ACCORD]. ... IF THIS SORRY WAR HAS SHOWN ANYTHING, IT IS THAT ONLY WHEN THE UNITED STATES GETS INVOLVED CAN PROGRESS BE MADE. THE WORLD'S ONLY SUPERPOWER HAS A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY. AMERICANS AND THEIR CONGRESS MUST STEP UP TO IT."

TEXT AND IN AN ACCOMPANYING EDITORIAL, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" INSISTS THAT WAR CRIMINALS FROM THE BALKAN CONFLICT MUST BE PUNISHED. [OPT] IN A RELATED TOPIC, THE SELECTION FOR A NEW HEAD OF NATO, THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION, TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD," HAS THIS COMMENT.

VOICE: "EVEN AS PLANS FOR THE BOSNIAN IMPLEMENTATION FORCE ARE TAKING SHAPE, NATO'S THORNIEST [MOST DIFFICULT] INTERNAL CHALLENGE WILL BE TO FILL THE LEADERSHIP VACUUM CREATED BY THE RESIGNATION ... OF WILLY CLACS, THE ALLIANCE'S SECRETARY GENERAL ..... SO FAR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS PLAYED AN UNHELPFUL ROLE IN THE PROCESS. IT VETOED THE NOMINATION OF KUUD LUBBERS, AN ABLE DUTCHMAN .... NOW WASHINGTON ADDS INSULT TO INJURY BY COZYING UP TO [SUPPORTING] AN UNSUITABLE ALTERNATIVE, SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER HAVIER SOLANA. ..... EVEN IF HE WERE THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL-SHIP - - WHICH HE IS NOT - - THE UNITED STATES WOULD DO BETTER TO BACK SOMEONE WHO HAS NOT MADE SO MANY DIPLOMATIC SORTIES AGAINST U-S INTERESTS."

TEXT: TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" IS CRITICAL OF CHINA FOR ITS CAMPAIGN AGAINST A LEADING DISSIDENT.

VOICE: "AT LEAST THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT CHARGED WEI JINGSHENG WITH SOMETHING IDENTIFIABLE, BRINGING ITS MOST FAMOUS DISSIDENT UP ON CHARGES OF SUBVERSION. HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE TRYING TO 'OVERTHROW THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.' MR. WEI, A PERENNIAL NOMINEE FOR A NOBEL PRIZE, HAS BEEN INCOMMUNICADO FROM HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR 20 MONTHS, WITH BEIJING ADVANCING VARIOUS ABSURDITIES .... TO EXPLAIN WHY. THAT MR. WEI HAS BEEN TRYING TO CHANGE CHINA GOES WITHOUT SAYING. HE WANTS DEMOCRACY. TO SUGGEST THAT HE HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN 'AN ATTEMPT TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT,' AS THAT PHRASE IS COMMONLY UNDERSTOOD, IS SEMANTICALLY A STRETCH."

TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" HAS SOME WORDS OF SOLACE FOR ITS U.S. SENATOR, ARLEN SPECTER, WHOSE QUEST FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION WAS SUSPENDED THIS WEEK DUE TO LACK OF MONEY, OR AS THE PAPER SUGGESTS, A "LACK OF SUCCESS." HOWEVER THE "INQUIRER" SAYS OF SENATOR SPECTOR:

VOICE: "...HE VOWS TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT FROM THE PLACE WHERE HE STILL HAS SOME FIREPOWER [INFLUENCE] - - THE SENATE. ... GIVEN THAT THE SENATE'S REASONABLE CENTER SEEMS TO BE ERODING RAPIDLY THROUGH EXHAUSTED RESIGNATION AND EXPEDIENT DEFECTION, THAT SEEMS A MORE USEFUL PLACE FOR ARLEN SPECTER .... THAN THE GRIMY SLUSH OF NEW HAMPSHIRE [THE STATE WITH THE FIRST PRIMARY ELECTION.]"

TEXT: COMMENTING ON THE HISTORIC UPSURGE OF THE U-S STOCK MARKET THAT TOOK THE DOW JONES AVERAGE TO ABOVE 5-THOUSAND POINT, THIS WEEK, THE LATEST OF A WHOLE SET OF NEW HIGHS - - "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE NOTES:

VOICE: "THROUGHOUT THIS CENTURY, THE DIRECTION OF THE STOCK MARKET HAS BEEN STRONGLY UPWARD, THOUGH WITH SOME PRECIPITOUS PLUNGES ALONG THE WAY. WHAT THE DOW AT 5000 DOES TELL US IS THAT CORPORATE AMERICA IS ENJOYING GOOD TIMES AND EXPECTS A STRONG YEAR AHEAD. PREDICTING MORE THAN THAT WOULD BE RISKY BUSINESS."

TEXT: TODAY'S LEAD EDITORIAL IN "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CHEERS WHAT THE PAPER CALLS THE "STRONG START" OF NEW ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER SHIMON PERES, CITING HIS EARLY VISIT TO THE WEST BANK AND HIS INCLUSIVE CABINET APPOINTMENTS, ADDING:

VOICE: "THE NEW PRIME MINISTER'S GRACE PERIOD IS LIKELY TO PROVE SHORT. IMPORTANT DECISIONS ON PEACE NEED TO BE MADE SOON AND A NATIONAL ELECTION IS DUE NEXT YEAR. MR. PERES'S REAL MAJORITY IN THE KNESSET [PARLIAMENT] IS THIN. HIS REAL MAJORITY IN THE COUNTRY WILL DEPEND ON WINNING THE CONFIDENCE OF CAUTIOUS DOVES EVEN AS HE ACCELERATES THE MOMENTUM OF PEACE."

TEXT: OF ALGERIA'S RECENT ELECTIONS, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS:

VOICE: "ALGERIA'S GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO MOVE FAST IF IT IS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE IMPRESSIVE ELECTION RETURNS EARLIER THIS MONTH. THE INCUMBENT PRESIDENT, LIAMINE ZEROUAL, WON 61 PERCENT OF THE VOTE ..... ELECTIONS ALONE, UNFORTUNATELY, ARE UNLIKELY TO BRING SERENITY TO A COUNTRY IN WHICH THE SOCIAL TENSIONS ARE AS SEVERE AS IN ALGERIA. ....... MR. ZEROUAL NEEDS TO ... MOVE QUICKLY TO ENGAGE THE BROAD CENTER THAT, THESE ELECTION RETURNS SUGGEST, NOW EXISTS IN ALGERIAN POLITICS."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, SPEAKING OF THE WIDELY PUBLICIZED TELEVISION INTERVIEW GRANTED BY PRINCESS OF WALES DIANA ABOUT HER FAILED MARRIAGE TO PRINCE CHARLES, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" SAYS SHE APPEARED "SO HUMAN" AND NOW:

VOICE: "....WE HAVE A MORE COMPLETE PICTURE OF TWO PEOPLE IN AN UNHAPPY MARRIAGE, UNABLE TO MAKE A GO OF IT TOGETHER AND, WHILE SEPARATED, UNSURE WHETHER OR HOW THEY SHOULD GO THEIR OWN WAYS. IT'S A RATHER HUMAN ..... PREDICAMENT. ..... THOSE WHO BASH [CRITICIZE] CHARLES AND ... DIANA DO SO NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT THE TWO HAVE DONE, BUT BECAUSE THEY DARE ADMIT TO IT PUBLICLY."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT SOMMENT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF REVIEW OF SOME EDITORIALS IN THE U-S PRESS THIS FRIDAY IN THE UNITED STATES.

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24-Nov-95 10:52 AM EST (1552 UTC)
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[02] BOSNIA / SARAJEVO (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS REPORTEDLY HAVE AGREED TO THE BOSNIAN PEACE PLAN AFTER A MEETING IN BELGRADE WITH THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. BUT DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS SOME BOSNIAN SERBS ARE CONTINUING TO REJECT THE PLAN, WHICH CALLS FOR BOSNIAN SERBS AND BOSNIAN CROATS TO WITHDRAW FROM SOME TERRITORY THEY NOW HOLD.

TEXT: THE REPORTED DECISION BY BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS, INCLUDING RADOVAN KARADZIC, TO ACCEPT THE PEACE PLAN CAME IN THE LATE NIGHT MEETING NEAR BELGRADE WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. THE SERBIAN PRESS AGENCY REPORTED BOSNIAN SERBS WOULD IMPLEMENT THE AGREEMENT "IN ITS ENTIRETY," DESPITE WHAT IT SAID WERE SOME PAINFUL PROVISIONS IN THE PLAN.

MOMCILO KRAJISNIK, THE SPEAKER OF THE BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENT AND A NATIONALIST HARDLINER, REPORTEDLY IS CONTINUING TO REJECT THE PLAN. HE REPRESENTED BOSNIAN SERBS AT THE PEACE TALKS IN DAYTON, OHIO, AND HAS CALLED FOR RE-NEGOTIATION OF THE PARTS OF THE PLAN CALLING FOR BOSNIAN SERB WITHDRAWAL FROM AROUND SARAJEVO.

UNDER THE PLAN, SEVERAL SERB NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL, WITH BETWEEN 30-THOUSAND AND 40-THOUSAND SERB INHABITANTS, WILL COME UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION. BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIA IZETBEGOVIC HAS CALLED FOR THE SERBS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES.

BUT KRIS JANOWSKI, THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SPOKESMAN, SAYS MOST OF THE SERBS WILL PROBABLY CHOOSE TO LEAVE.

I BELIEVE THAT REALISTICALLY IT WOULD BE RATHER NAIVE TO ASSUME THAT THESE PEOPLE WILL STAY. WE WILL PROBABLY SEE SOME EXODUS FROM THE SERB CONTROLLED AREAS NOW. AFTER THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS OF WAR, HOSTILITY, HATRED, HOSTILE PROPAGANDA -- THESE PEOPLE WILL PROBABLY NOT TAKE CHANCES AND TRY AND STAY IN AN AREA WHICH IS GOING TO BE CONTROLLED BY THE FEDERATION GOVERNMENT.

THE PLAN ALSO CALLS FOR THE BOSNIAN CROATS TO TURN OVER CONSIDERABLE TERRITORY THEY NOW HOLD IN CENTRAL BOSNIA TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS, INCLUDING THE TOWN OF MRKONJIK GRAD, CAPTURED FROM THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN HEAVY FIGHTING JUST BEFORE THE CURRENT CEASE-FIRE WENT INTO EFFECT.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY BOSNIAN CROATS ARE BURNING HOUSES AROUND MRKONJIC GRAD IN POSSIBLE PREPARATION FOR THE RETURN OF THE AREA TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS. THE U-N SPOKESMAN, ALEX IVANKO, CONDEMNED WHAT COULD BE A SCORCHED EARTH POLICY.

UNPROFOR IS EXTREMELY CONCERNED WITH THESE REPORTS AND HOPES THAT THESE CASES OF VANDALISM ARE NOTHING MORE THAN ISOLATED INCIDENTS. UNPROFOR URGES THE BOSNIAN CROAT AUTHORITIES IN THE AREA TO ENSURE THAT SUCH ACTIVITIES CEASE IMMEDIATELY AND THAT THE PERPETRATORS ARE DEALT WITH ACCORDINGLY.

IT WAS THE ISSUE OF TERRITORY THAT ALMOST CAUSED THE COLLAPSE OF THE PEACE TALKS IN DAYTON, AND THIS IS LIKELY TO BE THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE PEACE PLAN TO IMPLEMENT. (SIGNED)

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24-Nov-95 10:55 AM EST (1555 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA / SERBS ALT. VERSION (S-O) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, SAYS THE SERBS ARE READY FOR PEACE AND WILL CONTINUE THEIR STRUGGLE THROUGH POLITICAL MEANS. IT IS HIS FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, INITIALED BY THE SERBIAN, BOSNIAN AND CROATIAN PRESIDENTS. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: IN A BOSNIAN SERB TELEVISION INTERVIEW, MR. KARADZIC SAYS THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT GIVES THE SERBS BASICALLY WHAT THEY WANTED. HE SAYS THEY ARE GETTING ABOUT HALF OF BOSNIA AND INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THEIR REPUBLIC.

HE WARNS THAT SARAJEVO COULD BECOME A HOTBED OF TENSION, THOUGH, LIKE JERUSALEM. HE SAYS SERBS, WHOSE SUBURBS WILL BE UNDER MUSLIM CONTROL, WILL REFUSE TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES.

MR. KARADZIC SAYS THE SERBS WANT MORE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF SARAJEVO AND WILL CONTINUE THEIR STRUGGLE FOR AN INDEPENDENT SERB STATE BY POLITICAL MEANS.

THE SERB LEADER SAYS NOTHING ABOUT HIS OWN FUTURE. UNDER THE PEACE AGREEMENT, HE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD POWER BECAUSE HE FACES INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES CHARGES.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS WERE, CLEARLY, FORCED TO ACCEPT THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT BY THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

ONE OF THE SERBS, INVOLVED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS, SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC'S MAIN OBJECTIVE WAS TO END INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.(SIGNED)

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24-Nov-95 5:35 PM EST (2235 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA: PEACE AT LAST BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE ROAD TO PEACE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS LITTERED WITH DEADLY LANDMINES AND BROKEN PROMISES. IT IS ALSO SOAKED WITH THE BLOOD OF CIVILIANS, THE MAIN VICTIMS OF EUROPE'S WORST CONFLICT SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS ON THE WOUNDS OF WAR THAT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME TO HEAL.

TEXT: THE PLANNED ETHNIC DIVISION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS A PARTIAL VICTORY FOR THE BOSNIAN SERBS. THE RESULTS OF THEIR VICIOUS ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN WILL NOT BE REVERSED, ALTHOUGH THE SERB POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS WILL HAVE TO GIVE UP POWER.

THE SERB POLITICAL LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, HAS SAID SERBS AND MUSLIMS ARE LIKE CATS AND DOGS AND CANNOT LIVE TOGETHER.

MUSLIM LEADERS HOPE THAT, ONE DAY, THE ETHNIC COMMUNITIES OF BOSNIA WILL BREAK DOWN POLITICAL AND EMOTIONAL BARRIERS SO THE COUNTRY CAN BECOME A MULTI-ETHNIC STATE ONCE AGAIN.

FAR TOO MUCH BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED, THOUGH, TO MAKE THAT HOPE ANYTHING MORE THAN A FORLORN DREAM. THE SHOCKING IMAGES OF AN INCREDIBLY BRUTAL WAR WILL NOT FADE AWAY EASILY. ONE IMAGE, CAPTURED ON TELEVISION AND IN PHOTOGRAPHS, SYMBOLIZES THE WAR IN BOSNIA PERHAPS BETTER THAN ANY OTHER. IT WAS THE PICTURE OF A YOUNG MAN AND HIS GIRLFRIEND, ONE A SERB AND THE OTHER A MUSLIM, LYING DEAD, NEXT TO EACH OTHER, ON A STREET IN SARAJEVO.

THEY WERE KILLED BY AN UNIDENTIFIED SNIPER. MAYBE, THERE WERE TWO SNIPERS. IT DOES NOT MATTER. WHOEVER SHOT THEM COULD NOT HAVE KNOWN WHETHER THEY WERE MUSLIMS, SERBS, OR CROATS. THEN, THERE ARE THE MORE THAN TWO-MILLION REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLE. THE PEACE AGREEMENT GIVES THEM THE RIGHT TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. BUT, THE HOMES OF MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN DESTROYED, OCCUPIED BY OTHERS, OR ARE LOCATED IN TERRITORY THAT WILL BE CONTROLLED BY AN ETHNIC GROUP TO WHICH THEY DO NOT BELONG.

THE REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES AND THE RESETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE DISPLACED WITHIN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL BE AN ENORMOUS AND EXPENSIVE UNDERTAKING.

THE RETURNEES WILL NOT, EASILY, FORGIVE WHICHEVER WARRING FACTION FORCED THEM FROM THEIR HOMES. AN INABILITY OR REFUSAL TO FORGIVE OR FORGET INJUSTICES IS A SCAR ON THE SOULS OF THE PEOPLE OF BOSNIA THAT NEVER HEALS.

THE WAR IN BOSNIA WILL BE AN OPEN WOUND ON THE FACE OF THE BALKANS AND ON THE FACE OF EUROPE AS WHOLE FOR A LONG TIME. THE EUROPEANS LACKED THE WILL AND THE UNITY TO DECISIVELY INTERVENE AT AN EARLY STAGE TO STOP THE SERBS' DELIBERATE KILLING OF CIVILIANS.

EUROPEAN MEDIATORS FAVORED A NARROW AND NEUTRAL PEACEKEEPING ROLE, NEGOTIATIONS AND SANCTIONS TO KEEP THE WAR IN BOSNIA CONTAINED UNTIL A PEACE AGREEMENT, ALMOST ANY AGREEMENT, COULD BE REACHED.

IN THE END, EVERYONE REALIZED THAT ONLY MILITARY FORCE COULD STOP THE SERBS FROM COMMITTING WAR CRIMES FOR WHICH THE SERB POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS ARE NOW FORMALLY CHARGED. THE SERB CAPTURE OF THE MUSLIM ENCLAVE OF SREBRENICA IN JULY, THE APPARENT MASSACRE OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THERE, AND ANOTHER DEADLY SHELLING ATTACK IN SARAJEVO LED TO THE SYSTEMATIC NATO BOMBING OF THE SERBS IN SEPTEMBER.

NATO WILL EMBARK ON A PEACE ENFORCEMENT MISSION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AFTER THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA IS SIGNED NEXT MONTH.

PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC NOW APPEARS TRULY AT HAND. NO ONE CAN BE SATISFIED THAT IT WILL BE A JUST PEACE. BUT, THE WAR IN BOSNIA WAS, FINALLY, TOO AWFUL, TOO SICKENING, FOR THE COLLECTIVE CONSCIENCE OF AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN POLICYMAKERS TO BEAR ANY LONGER. (SIGNED)

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24-Nov-95 12:26 PM EST (1726 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] CLINTON/BOSNIA FORCE BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS BEGINNING AN INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN FOR PUBLIC AND CONGRESSIONAL BACKING FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF 20-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS FOR PEACEKEEPING DUTY IN BOSNIA. KEY ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS WILL BE CONTENDING IN A BLITZ OF SPEECHES AND CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS IN COMING WEEK THAT THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD WILL COLLAPSE IF THE UNITED STATES FAILS TO PLAY THE LEAD ROLE IN ITS IMPLEMENTATION. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TELEVISED MESSAGE TO THE NATION MONDAY NIGHT IN WHICH HE IS EXPECTED TO SAY THAT A LEAD U-S ROLE IN THE FORCE IS ESSENTIAL NOT ONLY TO PEACE IN BOSNIA BUT TO FUTURE EUROPEAN SECURITY IN GENERAL.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TAKEN WHAT AMOUNTS TO A HIGH-STAKES GAMBLE BY MOVING HEAD WITH PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT DESPITE MAJOR OPPOSITION THE REPUBLICAN-LED CONGRESS. AND ITS KEY SPOKESMEN ARE ALREADY MAKING THE CASE THAT IF LEGISLATORS FORCE A U-S PULLBACK FROM ITS BOSNIAN COMMITMENT, IT WOULD BE A FOREIGN POLICY DISASTER.

DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY, IN A NEWS CONFERENCE IN GERMANY FRIDAY AFTER VISITING U-S TROOPS TRAINING FOR BOSNIAN DUTY, SAID THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD WOULD BE EFFECTIVELY NULLIFIED IF THE UNITED STATES CANNOT HELP ENFORCE IT:

WE NOW HAVE, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR YEARS, A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO ACHEIVE A PEACE. AND TO SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY, NOT ONLY MUST NATO GO IN FOR THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE, BUT THE U-S MUST COMMIT TO BE A PART OF THAT FORCE. THE PEACE AGREEMENT WILL SIMPLY BE NULLIFIED IF THE UNITED STATES IS NOT A PART OF THIS FORCE. THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT HAVE MADE VERY CLEAR THAT THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT WAS BASED ON THE COMMITTMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION.

REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN CONGRESS HAVE ARGUED THAT A U-S PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA WOULD BE A RECKLESS VENTURE -- RAISING THE DANGER OF HIGH AMERICAN CASUALTIES AND A PROTRACTED INVOLVEMENT GOING BEYOND THE ONE-YEAR WITHDRAWAL TARGET THE ADMNINISTRATION HAS SET.

THE INFLUENTIAL CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, SENATOR JESSE HELMS, SAYS THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THE CURRENT NEGOTIATING PROCESS IS ANYTHING MORE THAT A PAUSE BY THE PARTIES IN A CONFLICT THAT COULD CONTINUE FOR DECADES MORE:

I CANNOT AND DO NOT, AND I WILL NOT SUPPORT SENDING AMERICAN SOLDIERS TO FIGHT AN TO DIE FOR THE SAKE OF AN AGREEMENT WHICH MAY OFFER NO MORE THAN THE PROMISE OF A BRIEF PAUSE WHILE ALL SIDES PREPARE FOR THE NEXT ROUND OF BALKAN WARS. DISPLACED POPULATIONS AND UNPUNISHED WAR CRIMINALS ORGANIZED IN A TEMPORARY PARTITION OF BOSNIA WILL NOT BE THE BASIS FOR A LASING PEACE. IF ANYTHING, BY PUTTING THE IMPRIMATUR OF THE WEST ON SERB MILITARY GAINS, WE MAY WELL GUARANTEE A WIDER BALKAN WAR FOR YEARS, IF NOT DECADES TO COME. AND PUTTING AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN THE CROSSFIRE WON'T STOP IT.

SENATOR HELMS AND OTHER LEGISLATORS ALSO BALK AT THE PROJECTED COST OF THE MISSION -- ONE AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS -- AT A TIME REPUBLICANS ARE DRIVING FOR A BALANCED BUDGET.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS INSIST THAT THE BOSNIAN MISSION SHOULD LAST NO LONGER THAN A YEAR. AND THEY SAID THAT LETTERS TO MR. CLINTON FROM THE SERBIAN, BOSNIAN AND CROATIAN LEADERS PROMISING TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF PEACEKEEPING TROOPS CAN HELP PUT TO REST CONCERNS ABOUT HIGH CASUALTIES.

SECRETARY PERRY SAYS THE AMERICAN FORCES COULD WELL ENCOUNTER INDIVIDUALS OR GANGS IN BOSNIA HOSTILE TO THE PEACE ACCORD. BUT HE SAYS U-S AND OTHER SOLDIERS IN THE FORCE WILL OPERATE UNDER RULES OF ENGAGEMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO USE DEADLY FORCE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES WHENEVER NECESSARY.

AND MR. PERRY, IN A THEME EXPECTED TO BE ECHOED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON MONDAY NIGHT, SAYS THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ALLOWING THE BOSNIAN WAR TO RESUME AND POSSIBLY ESCALATE ARE FAR GREATER THAN THOSE INVOLVED WITH COMMITTING TROOPS AND IMPLEMENTING PEACE. (SIGNED)

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24-Nov-95 4:52 PM EST (2152 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] MORE ON THE BOSNIAN PEACE PLAN BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE PEACE AGREEMENT SIGNED EARLIER THIS WEEK IN DAYTON, OHIO, BY THE PRESIDENTS OF YUGOSLAVIA, CROATIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA CONTINUES TO ELICIT A LARGE DEGREE OF EDITORIAL REACTION FROM THE U-S MEDIA. WE GET A FURTHER SAMPLING OF REACTION NOW FROM ______________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: WE BEGIN IN THE MIDWEST, WITH ONE OF THAT REGION'S LARGEST DAILIES, "THE DETROIT NEWS". THE "NEWS" EXPRESSES SKEPTICISM OF THE BOSNIA PEACE ACCORD IN A LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "WHAT PEACE? WHAT MISSION?"

VOICE: "ONE CAN ONLY HOPE ... THE YUGOSLAV 'PEACE SETTLEMENT' ..... IS FOR REAL [LEGITIMATE]. THE FIGHTING IN BOSNIA HAS RESULTED IN AN ESTIMATED 250-THOUSAND CASUALTIES AND A LONG STRING OF UNSPEAKABLE WAR CRIMES. BUT IF PRESIDENT CLINTON WANTS TO SEND 25-THOUSAND AMERICAN SOLDIERS INTO THE BALKANS AS 'PEACEKEEPERS,' HE STILL HAS SOME EXPLAINING TO DO. ....... THERE IS ... A REASONABLE CASE TO BE MADE THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS A NATIONAL INTEREST IN SEEING A SETTLEMENT, HOWEVER IMPERFECT, IN ORDER TO AVOID A WIDENING OF THE WAR TO TURKEY, GREECE AND OTHER COUNTRIES. BUT THAT CASE HAS NEVER BEEN PERSUASIVELY MADE TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. WHILE MR. CLINTON MAY HAVE THE AUTHORITY AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF TO COMMIT AMERICAN FORCES TO THE BALKANS, THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO DO SO."

TEXT: "THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH" SAYS A FULL CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE SHOULD BE HELD BEFORE SENDING U-S TROOPS TO THE REGION. HOWEVER, THE PAPER SUPPORTS DEPLOYING U-S MILITARY PERSONNEL AFTER SUCH A NATIONAL DISCUSSION, ADDING:

VOICE: "FOR THE UNITED STATES TO DECLINE TO FURNISH GROUND TROOPS WOULD BE AN ABANDONMENT OF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES AS WORLD LEADER AND ITS DUTY TO WORK FOR PEACE EVERYWHERE. ..... A SAVAGE WAR FUELED BY CENTURIES-OLD HATREDS HAS BEEN RAGING IN BOSNIA FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS NOW, AND MORE CEASE-FIRES AND PROMISES OF PEACE HAVE COME AND GONE IN THAT TIME THAN ANYONE CAN COUNT. NOW THOUGH, EVERYONE MAY BE EXHAUSTED BY THE KILLING, AND EACH MAY FEEL IT HAS GOT AS MUCH AS IT IS GOING TO GET FROM WAR. IF PEACE CAN BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO TAKE ROOT, IT MIGHT VERY WELL THRIVE."

TEXT: FOR ITS PART, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS:

VOICE: "THERE IS LITTLE TIME FOR CONGRATULATIONS. DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TASKS LIE AHEAD, BEGINNING WITH THE ISSUE OF SENDING AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS TO HELP ENFORCE THE PEACE. ...BEFORE PROCEEDING, THE PRESIDENT HAS PROMISED TO CONSULT WITH CONGRESS AND SEEK ITS SUPPORT. THAT IS NOT QUITE ENOUGH. FORMAL CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL MUST BE A CONDITION FOR AMERICAN PARTICIPATION. IT WOULD UNDERMINE THE PEACE, AND BE UNFAIR TO THE AMERICAN TROOPS, TO SEND THEM TO BOSNIA WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION. [OPT]..... IT IS UP TO MR. CLINTON TO BE AS PERSUASIVE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AS HIS DIPLOMATS PROVED TO BE WITH THE BALKAN LEADERS." [END OPT]

TEXT: TURNING WESTWARD TO THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, "THE DENVER POST" THIS WEEK ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE THE U-S MUST PLAY IN THE WORLD, BUT VOICED SOME SKEPTICISM ABOUT THE FUTURE:

VOICE: "DON'T CONFUSE A PEACE PACT WITH REAL PEACE. THE AGREEMENT .... BEGINS TO BUILD TRANQUILITY IN THE BALKANS, BUT IT DOESN'T FINISH THE JOB. WORDS ON PAPER WILL BE WORTHLESS UNLESS PEOPLE IN THE BALKANS LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS AND LET GO OF THEIR HATRED. THAT GOAL MAY TAKE YEARS, GIVEN THE REGION'S HISTORY OF CONFLICT, ETHNIC HATREDS AND POLITICAL DIVISION."

TEXT: IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, THERE IS PRAISE FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ROLE IN THE ACCORD FROM THE REGION'S LARGEST DAILY, "THE [PORTLAND] OREGONIAN."

VOICE: "FOR A PRESIDENT WHO ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE ANY GOOD AT FOREIGN POLICY, BILL CLINTON ISN'T DOING SO BADLY. [MR.] CLINTON, SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER AND RICHARD HOLBROOKE, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE, ALL DESERVE CREDIT FOR THE PEACE ACCORD THAT THE WARRING PARTIES IN THE BOSNIAN CIVIL WAR ACCEPTED ON TUESDAY. ..... THE RESULTING PEACE AGREEMENT APPEARS TO ADDRESS THE TERRITORIAL CONCERNS OF THE ADVERSARIES AND ATTEMPTS TO BALANCE COMPETING INTERESTS IN A POSTWAR BOSNIA."

TEXT: MORE PRAISE FOR THE PRESIDENT, AND HIS FOREIGN POLICY TEAM, FROM THE WEST COAST'S LARGEST DAILY, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES."

VOICE: "THE AMERICAN, EUROPEAN AND U-N DIPLOMATS AND SOLDIERS WHO FINALLY BROUGHT THIS WAR TO AN END DESERVE GREAT CREDIT. CERTAINLY THE COMBATANTS WERE NOT ABLE TO DO IT THEMSELVES. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE PERFORMED A REMARKABLE AND EXHAUSTING FEAT IN GETTING THE THREE PRESIDENTS ONTO FOREIGN SOIL FOR A PEACE CONFERENCE. SECRETARY OF STATE ... CHRISTOPHER TIME AND AGAIN GAVE THE EXTRA SHOVE THAT MOVED THEM CLOSER. AND FULL CREDIT GOES TO PRESIDENT CLINTON. HE STUCK HIS NECK OUT [TOOK A MAJOR RISK] AND MADE A PEACE AGREEMENT HIS ADMINISTRATION'S NUMBER ONE FOREIGN POLICY OBJECTIVE."

[END OPT}

TEXT: AND LASTLY, "THE WASHINGTON POST" ALSO COMPLIMENTS THE PRESIDENT FOR THE ACCORD. BUT THE PAPER SUGGESTS THAT THE LARGER BATTLE FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON LIES AHEAD, AS HE MUST PERSUADE BOTH CONGRESS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO SUPPORT HIM ON THIS ISSUE.

VOICE: "TO GET OVER THE HURDLES OF SKEPTICISM AND PARTISANSHIP, MR. CLINTON NEEDS TO SHOW HE IS ACTING WITH STRATEGIC PURPOSE AS WELL AS TACTICAL SHREWDNESS. HE MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT THE AGREEMENT, FOR ALL ITS FRAILTIES, SERVES THE PARTIES AND THEREFORE WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY RESPECTED BY THEM. FURTHER, HE MUST CONVEY THAT A DEFAULT WOULD BE A STUNNING BLOW TO POST-COLD WAR AMERICAN CLAIMS OF GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AND A VIRTUAL INVITATION TO DISORDER ELSEWHERE. ..... WE WILL SEE IF THE PRESIDENT IS UP TO IT [CAPABLE OF THIS DIFFICULT TASK]."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SECOND SAMPLING OF OPINIONS REGARDING THE WEEK'S MAJOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS NEWS, THE AGREEMENT ON A PEACE ACCORD FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

ANG/NL 24-Nov-95 11:48 AM EST (1648 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] PERRY / GERMANY (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS NATO TROOPS SENT INTO BOSNIA TO ENFORCE THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT WILL HAVE TO HAVE ACCESS TO ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING BOSNIAN SERB HELD TERRITORY. MR. PERRY FLEW INTO GERMANY LATE FRIDAY FOLLOWING A STOP IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS MR. PERRY SAYS HE EXPECTS NATO FORCES TO BEGIN MOVING INTO BOSNIA SHORTLY AFTER THE FORMAL SIGNING OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT NEXT MONTH.

TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY PERRY SAYS THE DEPLOYMENT OF NATO TROOPS TO BOSNIA WILL BEGIN JUST DAYS AFTER THE PEACE AGREEMENT IS SIGNED. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, HE SAYS, A SIZABLE FORCE WILL BE IN PLACE.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS IN VIENNA, THE DEFENSE SECRETARY SAID NATO TROOPS WILL HAVE TO HAVE ACCESS TO ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY TO CARRY OUT THEIR MISSION.

THE AGREEMENT CLEARLY AUTHORIZES NATO FORCES TO OPERATE IN ANY PART OF BOSNIA, AND NATO FULLY EXPECTS TO DO THAT. ONE OF THE TASKS WE WILL HAVE IS ENFORCING A ZONE OF SEPARATION. THAT ZONE OF SEPARATION IS IN BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY AS WELL AS FEDERATION TERRITORY AND THEREFORE, FOR THAT TASK ALONE, IT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE NATO FORCES IN BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY. IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE EXPECT NATO FORCES TO BE TRANSITING THROUGH BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY.

MR. PERRY SPENT MUCH OF THE DAY IN VIENNA WHERE HE SAID OFFICIALS HAD GRANTED PERMISSION FOR U-S TROOPS TO CROSS AUSTRIAN TERRITORY ON THEIR WAY TO BOSNIA FROM BASES IN GERMANY.

HE THEN FLEW TO BAD KREUZNACH (GERMANY), WHERE HE MET WITH SOLDIERS OF THE FIRST ARMORED DIVISION. THE UNIT, WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH THE U-S ARMY'S MOST ADVANCED TANKS AND ATTACK HELICOPTERS, IS EXPECTED TO MAKE UP THE BULK OF THE AMERICAN CONTINGENT TO THE 60-THOUSAND MEMBER NATO FORCE.

MR. PERRY SAID HE USED HIS TALKS WITH U-S TROOPS TO EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NATO MISSION, WHICH HE SAID WAS IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE AGREEMENT AND TO U-S INTERESTS.

THE DEFENSE SECRETARY SAID HE EXPECTED THE U-S CONGRESS TO APPROVE THE DEPLOYMENT OF U-S TROOPS, BECAUSE A FAILURE TO DO SO WOULD MEAN THE WAR WOULD START AGAIN. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/JWH/CF
24-Nov-95 12:31 PM EST (1731 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] PERRY / BOSNIA (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: AMERICAN DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS 60-THOUSAND NATO TROOPS WILL BEGIN TO BE DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ONCE THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT IS SIGNED. HE SAYS A LARGE NATO FORCE WILL BE IN BOSNIA WITHIN WEEKS AFTER THE SIGNING AND THAT NATO TROOPS WILL OPERATE IN SERB-HELD TERRITORY, AS WELL AS IN THE TERRITORY OF THE MUSLIM/CROAT FEDERATION. V-O-A'S WAYNE COREY REPORTS FROM VIENNA.

TEXT: ADVANCE ELEMENTS OF THE NATO PEACE ENFORCEMENT MISSION ARE ALREADY MAKING PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF NATO TROOPS TO WAR-RAVAGED BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

THE AMERICAN DEFENSE SECRETARY, WILLIAM PERRY, SAYS THE DEPLOYMENT WILL, EFFECTIVELY, BEGIN SHORTLY AFTER THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT IS SIGNED IN PARIS EARLY NEXT MONTH.

FIRST OF ALL, WE REQUIRE THE SIGNING OF THE PEACE TREATY. AFTER THAT IS SIGNED, I EXPECT THE DEPLOYMENT TO PROCEED PROMPTLY, WITHIN A MATTER OF DAYS AND THAT (THERE IS) TO BE A SIZEABLE FORCE IN COUNTRY WITHIN A MATTER OF A FEW WEEKS.

MR. PERRY OUTLINED THAT TIMETABLE AT THE END OF AN OVERNIGHT VISIT TO VIENNA. AUSTRIA WILL BE CONTRIBUTING SOME FORCES FOR THE NATO PEACE-ENFORCEMENT ROLE IN BOSNIA.

DESPITE PAST BOSNIAN SERB OBJECTIONS, THE U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY SAYS NATO FORCES WILL OPERATE IN SERB TERRITORY AS WELL AS IN THE TERRITORY CONTROLLED BY THE MUSLIM/CROAT FEDERATION.

AFTER HIS NEWS CONFERENCE HERE, MR. PERRY FLEW TO GERMANY. HE IS VISITING SOME OF THE 20-THOUSAND AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO WILL SOON BE SENT TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/MMK
24-Nov-95 9:54 AM EST (1454 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 SECURITY COUNCIL GIVES A BOOST TO THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD BY SUSPENDING A CRIPPLING TRADE EMBARGO ON SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO; U-N OFFICIALS PREPARE FOR A LARGER HUMANITARIAN EFFORT IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA; INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS ON LIBYA REMAIN IN PLACE; AND, U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI VISITS AFRICA. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS REMOVED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON BELGRADE -- A PAY-OFF TO SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE PEACE AGREEMENT INITIALED IN DAYTON, OHIO THIS PAST WEEK. THE TRADE EMBARGO WAS SUSPENDED IMMEDIATELY IN A UNANIMOUS DECISION. THE MEASURES CAN BE RE-IMPOSED EASILY IF THE SERBS RENEGE ON ANY PART OF THE BOSNIAN DEAL. HOWEVER, RUSSIA ABSTAINED ON A SECOND RESOLUTION EASING AN ARMS EMBARGO ON ALL FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS -- ARGUING THAT MORE WEAPONS WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO REGIONAL INSTABILITY. THE MEASURE PASSED ANYWAY, WITH THE UNITED STATES DETERMINED THAT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT BE ALLOWED TO BUILD AN ARSENAL TO MATCH THE STRENGTH OF THE BETTER-EQUIPPED BOSNIAN SERBS.

THE EMBARGO WILL BE LIFTED IN STAGES OVER SIX MONTHS. IT REMAINS INTACT FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS. DURING THE NEXT 90 DAYS -- ONLY HEAVY WEAPONS WILL BE BANNED. AFTER THAT -- THE EMBARGO IS HISTORY.

THE WEAPONS BAN WAS IMPOSED IN 1991, IN AN EFFORT TO CONTAIN BALKAN FIGHTING.

U-N OFFICIALS AND DIPLOMATS APPLAUDED THE OUTCOME OF THE U-S LED NEGOTIATIONS TO END BOSNIA'S WAR. NO ONE HERE IS TAKING ANYTHING FOR GRANTED. BUT THE NEW DEAL IS SEEN AS THE FIRST REAL OPENING TOWARD A COMPREHENSIVE PEACE. MEANWHILE, THE U-N THIS PAST WEEK LAUNCHED AN APPEAL FOR OVER TWO HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS TO FUND HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA FROM JANUARY UNTIL APRIL NEXT YEAR. U-N AGENCIES EXPRESSED OPTIMISM THAT THE PEACE AGREEMENT WOULD MARK A TURNING POINT IN THE REGION. BUT THEY SAID UNCERTAINTY OVER FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS AND THE WINTER AHEAD MADE THE APPEAL NECESSARY.

-0-

THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS DECIDED IN CLOSED DOOR DISCUSSIONS THAT INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS MUST REMAIN INTACT ON LIBYA. THE MEASURES -- WHICH INCLUDE A FREEZE ON OVERSEAS ASSETS AND RESTRICTIONS ON THE IMPORT OF OIL-RELATED EQUIPMENT --WERE FIRST IMPOSED IN 1992, BECAUSE OF LIBYA'S REFUSAL TO SURRENDER TWO SUSPECTS IN THE 1988 BOMBING OF AN AMERICAN AIRLINER OVER SCOTLAND. 270 PEOPLE WERE KILLED.

LIBYA IS ALSO HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 1989 CRASH OF A FRENCH AIRLINER IN WEST AFRICA. 171 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THAT INCIDENT.

LIBYA SAYS IT WOULD TURN THE SUSPECTS OVER FOR TRIAL UNDER SCOTTISH LAW AND BEFORE A SCOTTISH JUDGE AT THE WORLD COURT IN THE HAGUE. LIBYA HAS ARGUED THE ALLEGED BOMBERS WOULD NOT GET A FAIR TRIAL IN THE UNITED STATES OR BRITAIN. BOTH WESTERN COUNTRIES CALLED THE OFFER UNACCEPTABLE.

-0-

SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS-GHALI IS ON HIS WAY TO AFRICA . HE IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN GHANA SUNDAY. HIS TRIP WILL ALSO TAKE HIM TO SIERRA LEONE, LIBERIA, BENIN AND IVORY COAST.

MR. BOUTROS-GHALI WILL LIKELY SPEND ABOUT FOUR DAYS IN GHANA AND HOLD TALKS WITH PRESIDENT JERRY RAWLINGS -- HEAD OF THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES (ECOWAS). ECOWAS HAS A LARGE PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN LIBERIA -- WHERE OVER 150-THOUSAND PEOPLE ARE SAID TO HAVE DIED IN SIX YEARS OF CIVIL WAR.

THE WEST AFRICANS HELPED BROKER THE LASTEST LIBERIAN PEACE DEAL. IN BENIN, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WILL ATTEND A FRANCOPHONE SUMMIT BEGINNING DECEMBER SECOND. HIS PRECISE ITINERARY IS NOT BEING ANNOUNCED, PRIMARILY FOR SECURITY REASONS. (SIGNED) NEB/.PT 24-Nov-95 4:20 PM EST (2120 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] U-S/BOSNIA FORCE (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS HE EXPECTS THE FIRST AMERICAN PEACEKEEPING SOLDIERS TO MOVE INTO BOSNIA BY MID-DECEMBER. HE ALSO WARNS THAT IF CONGRESS BLOCKS THE U-S DEPLOYMENT, THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD WOULD BE EFFECTIVELY NULLIFIED. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: IN THE MOST SPECIFIC TIMETABLE PROVIDED BY AN ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL THUS FAR, MR. PERRY SAID HE EXPECTS THE NATO-LED FORCE TO BEGIN MOVING INTO BOSNIA WITHIN THREE WEEKS. AND HE ALSO SAYS IF THE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IS ABLE TO CREATE A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT IN THE COUNTRY, SOME U-S TROOPS COULD BE PULLED BACK WITHIN SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS.

MR. PERRY SPOKE AT A NEWS CONFERENCE AT BAD KREUZNACH, GERMANY -- ALSO MONITORED HERE AT THE PENTAGON -- AFTER MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE U-S ARMY'S FIRST ARMORED DIVISION, WHICH IS MAKING FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA. HE SAID HE TOLD THE U-S SERVICEMEN THEY WOULD BE MOVING WITHIN HOURS AFTER THE PEACE AGREEMENT IS FORMALLY SIGNED IN PARIS:

WE WILL BE GOING IN SOMETIME IN DECEMBER, PROBABLY ABOUT MID-DECEMBER, BASED ON PRESENT PLANNING. I ALSO DESCRIBED TO THEM GENERAL NASH'S AND GENERAL CROUCH'S PLANS FOR BUILDING UP THE FORCE OVER SEVERAL MONTHS, MAINTAINING THE FULL LEVEL OF THE FORCE ON TO THE SIXTH OR SEVENTH MONTH, AND THEN ASSUMING THAT WE'VE MAINTAINED FOR SOME MONTHS A SECURE ENVIRONMENT, WE WILL START WITHDRAWING THAT FORCE. AND WE PLAN TO WITHDRAW THE FULL FORCE AT THE END OF 12 MONTHS.

MR. PERRY IS EXPECTED TO BE A KEY PLAYER IN THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S COMING DRIVE TO PERSUADE A SKEPTICAL CONGRESS TO SUPPORT THE DEPLOYMENT OF SOME 20-THOUSAND TROOPS IN BOSNIA. HE WARNED AT HIS NEWS CONFERENCE THAT THE AGREEMENT, TO END EUROPE'S MOST SERIOUS CONFLICT SINCE WORLD WAR TWO, WOULD SIMPLY UNRAVEL IF THE UNITED STATES CANNOT PLAY THE LEAD ROLE IN ENFORCING PEACE:

TO SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY, NOT ONLY MUST NATO GO IN FOR THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE, BUT THE U-S MUST COMMIT TO BE A PART OF THAT FORCE. THE PEACE AGREEMENT WILL SIMPLY BE NULLIFIED IF THE UNITED STATES IS NOT A PART OF THIS FORCE. THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT HAVE MADE VERY CLEAR THAT THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT WAS BASED ON THE COMMITMENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION.

MR. PERRY STRESSED THAT U-S FORCES ARE NOT GOING INTO BOSNIA TO FIGHT AN ORGANIZED ARMY BUT COULD ENCOUNTER INDIVIDUALS OR GANGS OPPOSED TO THE PEACE ACCORD. HE SAID THE PEACEKEEPERS WILL OPERATE UNDER RULES OF ENGAGEMENT THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO USE DEADLY FORCE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES WHENEVER NECESSARY.

HE ALSO SAID 25 COUNTRIES, FROM WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NATO ARE OFFERING TO CONTRIBUTE TROOPS AND THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE OF SOME 60-THOUSAND SOLDIERS IN ALL WILL BE AS HE PUT IT "OVER SUBSCRIBED" WITH MORE VOLUNTEERS THAN IT CAN USE. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/PT
24-Nov-95 6:36 PM EST (2336 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America