Voice of America, 28 November 1995

From: [email protected] (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S MONDAY NIGHT SPEECH TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE EXPLAINING WHY U-S TROOPS ARE NEEDED TO HELP ENFORCE THE PEACE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS THE LEAD TOPIC IN SEVERAL U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORAL COLUMNS. OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED TODAY: THE DETERIORATING SITUATION IN HAITI, AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE BOSNIA MISSION; THE VOTE TO LEGALIZE DIVORCE IN IRELAND; THE WHITEWATER HEARINGS RESUMING IN THE U-S SENATE; NEWT GINGRICH OPTING OUT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DERBY, AND MORE CRITICISM OF NIGERIA. NOW, _________________ HAS A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: BOTH "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND "LOS ANGELES TIMES" RUSHED EDITORIALS INTO PRINT THIS MORNING ON THE PRESIDENT'S BOSNIA SPEECH. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS THE PRESIDENT MADE A STRONG CASE FOR THE TROOP DEPLOYMENT, ADDING:

VOICE: "[OPT] IN A SPEECH TELEVISED FROM THE OVAL OFFICE LAST NIGHT, PRESIDENT CLINTON ASKED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THEIR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES TO APPROVE HIS PLAN TO SEND 20-THOUSAND UNITED STATES TROOPS TO BOSNIA TO HELP ESTABLISH THE PEACE. [END OPT] ... MR. CLINTON MADE A STRONG CASE IN A SOBER, MEASURED ADDRESS. CONGRESS SHOULD HONOR HIS REQUEST IN A TIMELY MANNER... PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS DEFINED A REASONABLE MISSION FOR AMERICAN TROOPS. HE DESERVES THE COUNTRY'S CAREFULLY CONSIDERED SUPPORT."

TEXT: ON THE WEST COAST, THAT REGION'S LARGEST DAILY, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES", SAYS THE CLINTON PROPOSAL IS CORRECT, BUT RISKY:

VOICE: "THE ATTEMPT TO SELL THE PUBLIC ON A U-S MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN A FARAWAY, LITTLE-UNDERSTOOD COUNTRY IS A HIGH-RISK POLITICAL GAMBLE. THOSE WHO WOULD ATTRIBUTE CLINTON'S BOSNIA STRATEGY PRIMARILY TO ELECTORAL POLITICS ARE WAY OFF TARGET [WRONG]. NEVERTHELESS, THIS PRESIDENT'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE WILL BE GREATLY AFFECTED BY WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COMING MONTHS IN THE BALKANS... BUT THE PRESIDENT'S CAUSE IS RIGHT."

TEXT: AND IN THE FAR NORTHEAST, "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" ALSO SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT'S STAND:

VOICE: " ... IT IS BECAUSE AMERICA DID NOT TAKE THE LEAD AMONG WESTERN NATIONS IN ACTING TO PREVENT THE BOSNIAN HOLOCAUST -- DEPENDING TOO LONG ON EUROPE TO ACT -- THAT THE WORLD IS AT THIS POINT TODAY... NOW, AS THEN, U-S NATIONAL INTERESTS ARE BEING DIRECTLY CHALLENGED, FOR WAR IN EUROPE THREATENS STABILITY THROUGHOUT THE WEST. AS PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID SO WELL MONDAY NIGHT, AMERICA LETS THAT CHALLENGE GO UNANSWERED AT ITS PERIL."

TEXT: THE TOPIC GETTING MOST ATTENTION IN TODAY'S LEADING PAPERS IS NOT BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA BUT HAITI, WHERE U-S PEACEKEEPING FORCES ARE TRYING TO HELP ANOTHER WAR-TORN LAND RESTORE ITSELF. BUT RECENT COMMENTS BY HAITIAN PRESIDENT JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE, THAT HE MIGHT NOT STEP DOWN AS PRESIDENT, AND RENEWED STREET RIOTING, HAVE CAUSED CONCERN IN WASHINGTON THAT HAITI'S RETURN TO DEMOCRACY IS FALTERING. THAT VIEW IS MIRRORED IN THE NATION'S PAPERS, AS EXPRESSED IN THIS LEAD EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD."

VOICE: "IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS HAITI HAS AGAIN SHOWN THAT, DESPITE ITS MODEST PROGRESS SINCE PRESIDENT JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE'S RETURN 14 MONTHS AGO, THE COUNTRY SITS ON DRY KINDLING, AWAITING COMBUSTION... ALARMINGLY, MR. ARISTIDE'S PENCHANT FOR INCENDIARY RHETORIC COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONFLAGRATION... HAITI'S FRAGILE DEMOCRACY MAY BE IN DEEP TROUBLE. MR. ARISTIDE HAS THE OBLIGATION TO DISPEL LINGERING DOUBTS ... ABOUT STAYING IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE. HE MUST REITERATE HIS COMMITMENT TO STEP ASIDE FOR THE GOOD OF HAITI."

TEXT: "THE BOSTON GLOBE" ECHOES THAT SENTIMENT:

VOICE: "IN THE LONG RUN IT IS IMMATERIAL THAT JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE ENJOYS WIDE POPULARITY AS PRESIDENT OF HAITI AND THAT SOME UNNUMBERED BUT PROBABLY SIGNIFICANT SEGMENT OF THE HAITIAN PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM CONTINUE AS PRESIDENT BEYOND THE END OF HIS TERM NEXT FEBRUARY. [PRESIDENT] ARISTIDE OWES IT TO HIS COUNTRY AND TO HIMSELF TO STAND BY THE LETTER OF ELECTION LAW AND BY HIS WORD TO THOSE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED HIS RESTORATION TO OFFICE AND STEP DOWN."

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK POST," LONG A STRIDENT CRITIC OF PRESIDENT ARISTIDE, IS NOT REASSURED BY HIS PROMISE TO LEAVE OFFICE NEXT YEAR.

VOICE: "YESTERDAY, TO BE SURE, THE MARXIST EX-PRIEST WHO RULES HAITI INSISTED IN AN INTERVIEW THAT HE MEANS TO KEEP HIS PLEDGE, THEREBY COMFORTING THE ADMINISTRATION. BUT A RESOLUTION CALLING ON [MR.] ARISTIDE TO CANCEL THE SCHEDULED DECEMBER 17TH ELECTION REMAINS ON THE AGENDA FOR TOMOROW'S CABINET MEETING. INSOFAR AS ARISTIDE CONTROLS THE CABINET AGENDA, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THE ISSUE IS STILL UNRESOLVED."

TEXT: ON THE WEEKEND VOTE TO ALLOW DIVORCE IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND [THE SOUTH], TODAY'S "ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "BY THE SMALLEST OF MARGINS, THE IRISH PEOPLE HAVE VOTED TO LEGALIZE DIVORCE... IT MAY SEEM STRANGE THAT DIVORCE IS PART OF THE [REPUBLIC OF IRELAND] CONSTITUTION, BUT IT IS AND THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THE MAJORITY IN NORTHERN IRELAND IS WARY OF REUNIFICATION WITH THE REPUBLIC... A LOT MORE THAN A SINGLE CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE RESISTANCE TO REUNIFICATION IS EASED SIGNIFICANTLY, BUT LIFTING THE BAN ON DIVORCE IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

TEXT: THE U-S SENATE RESUMES ITS WHITEWATER HEARINGS TODAY AND IN "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" OFFERS THESE THOUGHTS:

VOICE: "IN THE HEARINGS THAT RESUME TODAY, SENATOR ALFONSE D'AMATO'S SPECIAL WHITEWATER COMMITTEE GETS TO THE CENTRAL ISSUE OF THE CONTROVERSY, THE CONDUCT OF GOVERNMENT WHILE BILL CLINTON WAS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. IT IS NOT WHETHER CRIMES WERE COMMITTED IN A TWO-BIT [INCONSEQUENTIAL] LAND DEAL IN THE OZARKS, BUT WHETHER EXECUTIVE POWER WAS ABUSED TO SHORT-CIRCUIT INVESTIGATIONS THAT MIGHT EMBARRASS A SITTING PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE."

TEXT: "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE COMMENTS TODAY ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NEWT GINGRICH HAS DEFINITELY RULED HIMSELF OUT OF THE RACE FOR PRESIDENT:

VOICE: "AFTER DRAWING THE HIGHEST NEGATIVES ANY NATIONAL LEADER HAS AMASSED IN RECENT MEMORY, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE HAD MUSED WEEKS BEFORE HE MADE IT OFFICIAL YESTERDAY THAT HE DID NOT CONSIDER HIMSELF A VIABLE CANDIDATE -- IF HE EVER DID. ... AFTER RIDING HIGH THROUGH LAST WINTER AND SPRING, MR. GINGRICH HAS RECENTLY MADE HIMSELF A LAUGHINGSTOCK WITH ONE VERBAL GAFFE AFTER ANOTHER..."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" COMMENTS ON THE CONTINUING BARRAGE OF INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM OF THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT OVER THE EXECUTION OF DISSIDENT AND ENVIRONMENTALIST KEN SARO-WIWA AND EIGHT OTHERS:

VOICE: "NELSON MANDELA, THE VOICE OF MORAL AUTHORITY IN AFRICA, HAS INTENSIFIED HIS CALL FOR A GLOBAL BOYCOTT OF NIGERIAN OIL TO PUNISH THAT COUNTRY'S UNREPENTANT MILITARY DICTATORS FOR HANGING NINE MINORITY RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTALIST AND WRITER KEN SARO-WIWA. THE WORLD MUST NOT LET UP THE PRESSURE... {MR.] MANDELA IS RIGHT. NIGERIA MUST BE PUNISHED SEVERELY."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL OPINION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES THIS TUESDAY.

NEB/ANG/PCH

28-Nov-95 11:06 AM EST (1606 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- NOVEMBER 28, 1995

VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- 11/28/95 THE FOLLOWING IS A SYNOPSIS OF SIGNIFICANT REPORTING ON BOSNIA BY THE VOICE OF AMERICA THAT HAD BEEN BROADCAST OR FIRMLY SCHEDULED AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. THIS SELECTION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE EXHAUSTIVE, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE LATE-BREAKING NEWS OR THE MANY REPORTS IN ALL VOA LANGUAGES THAT ARE BASED ON COMMERCIAL WIRE SERVICES OR OTHER SECONDARY SOURCES. WE REGRET THAT WE CANNOT RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR TRANSCRIPTS OF SPECIFIC BROADCASTS OR PROGRAM SEGMENTS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT VOA, OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. TELEPHONE: +1-202-619-2538. ELECTRONIC MAIL: [email protected] (FOR CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES); [email protected] (FOR CORRESPONDENCE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES).

US / RUSSIA / BOSNIA -- US DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY AND HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART, PAVEL GRACHEV, HAVE REACHED AN ACCORD CLEARING THE WAY FOR RUSSIAN INVOLVEMENT IN BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING. THE DEAL IN BRUSSELS CAME AS NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS PUT FINAL TOUCHES ON THEIR PLAN FOR A SIXTY THOUSAND MEMBER PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS. (11/28)

BOSNIA / PUBLIC OPINION -- THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS CALLED THE WHITE HOUSE SHORTLY AFTER PRESIDENT CLINTON APPEALED TO THE NATION MONDAY NIGHT TO SUPPORT HIS PLANS TO SEND TWENTY THOUSAND US PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO BOSNIA. THE CALLS INDICATE AMERICANS ARE STILL SHARPLY DIVIDED OVER THE MISSION, DESPITE MR CLINTON'S EFFORT TO CONVINCE THEM IT IS IN THE US INTEREST. ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRESIDENT HAS MORE WORK TO DO TO WIN THE PUBLIC'S SUPPORT. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS. (11/28)

BOSNIA / SERBS -- THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT HAS JOINED THE UNITED STATES IN REJECTING BOSNIAN SERB DEMANDS FOR CHANGES IN THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. A SENIOR BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIAL, WHO COULD REPLACE HARD-LINE SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, HAS ALSO PRAISED THE AGREEMENT. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (11/27)

NATO / BOSNIA -- MILITARY OFFICIALS OF NATO COUNTRIES SAID THAT THEY HAVE STARTED THE FINAL PHASE OF THE PLAN TO SEND SIXTY THOUSAND SOLDIERS TO BOSNIA. NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE EXPECTED TO ISSUE AN ORDER FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT IN ABOUT A WEEK. STRINGER DRAGAN BLAGOJEVIC REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. (SERBIAN 11/27)

SERBS / SARAJEVO -- BOSNIAN SERB MEDIA REPORT THAT THE SERBIAN POPULATION IN SARAJEVO IS UNHAPPY WITH A PROVISION OF THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN WHICH PUTS THE CAPITAL UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE BOSNIAN-CROAT FEDERATION. AT THE SAME TIME, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UN HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES BELIEVES THE MAJORITY OF SERBS WILL LEAVE THE AREA. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS. (SERBIAN 11/27)

SARAJEVO SERBS / UN -- THE MAJORITY OF SERBS LIVING IN SARAJEVO AREAS THAT WILL REVERT TO GOVERNMENT CONTROL ACCORDING TO THE DAYTON AGREEMENT, WILL LEAVE SARAJEVO, ACCORDING TO CHRIS JANOWSKI, UNHCR SPOKESMAN IN SARAJEVO. THEY WOULD PROBABLY RETURN WHEN THEY ARE CONVINCED THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA WILL NOT RETALIATE. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS. (CROATIAN 11/27)

SACIRBEY / ZAGREB -- BOSNIAN FOREIGN MINISTER M. SACIRBEY HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE IN CROATIAN CAPITAL, EXPRESSING SOME UNHAPPINESS WITH THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. HOWEVER, HE BELIEVES THAT THE BOSNIAN SERBS WILL JOIN IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FORM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 11/27)

YUGOSLAVIA / BOSNIA -- HIGH OFFICIALS OF THE YUGOSLAV FEDERATION HAVE RESTATED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD ON BOSNIA. AT THE SAME TIME, THEY WARNED AGAINST ANY ATTEMPTS TO SABOTAGE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT. STRINGER MILICA KUBUROVIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 11/27)

POSAVINA REFUGEES / REACTIONS -- CROATIAN REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS FROM POSAVINA CLAIM THAT THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD HAS SOLD OUT THE POSAVINA REGION TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS, VIOLATING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION. STRINGER LINDA MILISA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (CROATIAN 11/27)

DAYTON ACCORD / CHURCH REACTIONS -- SARAJEVO CARDINAL VINKO PULJIC HAS QUESTIONED WHETHER THE DAYTON ACCORD WILL BRING A JUST PEACE. THE SERBIAN CHURCH PATRIARCH WELCOMED THE PEACE ACCORD, AND ZAGREB CARDINAL FRANJO KUHARIC SAYS THAT WHILE HE IS HOPEFUL THAT ACCORD WILL BRING PEACE, HE FEARS THAT THE PREWAR CROATIAN MAJORITY IN THE POSAVINA REGION COULD BECOME THE VICTIM OF 'ETHNIC CLEANSING.' STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (CROATIAN 11/27)

GERMANY / BOSNIAN REFUGEES -- THERE IS A DISPUTE WITHIN THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT REGARDING REPATRIATION OF SOME THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND BOSNIAN REFUGEES. GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER VOLKER RUHE WANTS TO SEND THEM HOME, WHILE FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL THINKS THAT MOVE IS UNTIMELY, AND WOULD INCREASE TENSIONS IN THE AREA. STRINGER IVICA LOVRIC FROM BONN. (CROATIAN 11/27)

REBEL MUSLIM REFUGEES RETURN -- ABOUT FIFTEEN HUNDRED REFUGEES, SUPPORTERS OF RENEGADE BOSNIAN LEADER FIKRET ABDIC LEFT A CAMP IN CROATIA AND RETURNED TO VELIKA KLADUSA, IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA. THE MAJORITY REFUSED TO DO SO FEARING RETALIATION FROM 5TH CORPS OF THE BOSNIAN ARMY. SOME SAY THEY WANT THEIR FORMER LEADER FIKRET ABDIC TO LEAD THEM BACK. STRINGER LINDA MILISA REPORTS FROM VELIKA KLADUSA. (CROATIAN 11/27)

UN / BOSNIA -- UN SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS GHALI HAS RECOMMENDED TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL THAT UN FORCES IN CROATIA AND BOSNIA STAY ON FOR TWO MORE MONTHS AFTER THE PRESENT DEADLINE EXPIRES AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. HE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT UN OPERATION IN MACEDONIA SHOULD BE EXTENDED FOR ONE YEAR. STRINGER DRAGISA BOSKOVIC REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (SERBIAN 11/27)

UN PEACEKEEPING MANDATE -- FEW DAYS BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE UN MANDATE IN BOSNIA, CROATIA, AND MACEDONIA, UN SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS GHALI SAID UN PEACEKEEPERS SHOULD STAY IN CROATIA AND BOSNIA FOR TWO MORE MONTHS, AND IN MACEDONIA FOR ONE MORE YEAR. STRINGER IVICA PULJIC REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (CROATIAN 11/27)

BOSNIA / NATO FORCES -- SOME OF THE UN PEACE KEEPERS ARE LEAVING BOSNIA NOW WHILE MAJORITY WILL STAY, SAYS HASAN MURATOVIC, BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT MINISTER IN CHARGE OF RELATIONS WITH UNPROFOR. SOME PEACEKEEPERS WILL CHANGE THEIR UNIFORMS, AND PAINT THEIR WEAPONS AND VEHICLES TO BECOME PART OF NATO OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (CROATIAN 11/27)

TURKEY / US / BOSNIA PEACE -- THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS ENDORSED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECISION TO SEND THOUSANDS OF US TROOPS TO BOSNIA AS PART OF THE NATO PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE. STAFFER KEMAL AKAYDIN INTERVIEWS ALI DINCER, TURKISH MINISTER OF STATE. THE TURKISH OFFICIAL SAYS DESPITE SOME OF ITS SHORTCOMINGS TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, THE DAYTON AGREEMENT IS A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT TOWARD PEACE. HE ALSO SAYS TURKEY IS READY TO PROVIDE AS LARGE A CONTINGENCY AS NEEDED TO THE NATO FORCE IN BOSNIA. (TURKISH 11/28)

BOSNIA / PEACEKEEPING -- REPORTER TERRY WING TALKS WITH COLONEL DAVID HACKWORTH AND LLOYD CUTLER ABOUT THE JOB PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS IN CONVINCING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND CONGRESS TO BACK US PARTICIPATION IN THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA. HACKWORTH SAYS THE US HAS MORE PRESSING PROBLEMS HERE AT HOME AND THAT NATO IS A COLD-WAR AGE CONCEPT THAT HAS BECOME OUTDATED AND DOESN'T NEED AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT. MR CUTLER, FORMER ADVISER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON, SAYS THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MOMENT FOR BOTH MR CLINTON AND THE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 11/27)

US / BOSNIA / ALBANIA -- THREE HUNDRED FIFTY US MARINES HAVE ARRIVED IN ALBANIA FOR A FIVE DAY TRAINING ON MOUNTAIN TERRAIN AND WEATHER CONDITIONS, IN PREPARATION FOR THEIR MISSION TO ENFORCE THE PEACE AGREEMENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. STRINGER MERO BAZE REPORTS FROM TIRANA THAT PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA REAFFIRMED ALBANIA'S READINESS TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO AMERICAN AND NATO FORCES ALL FACILITIES TO CARRY OUT THEIR MISSION IN BOSNIA. (ALBANIAN 11/27)

UN / KOSOVO -- UN HUMAN RIGHTS SPECIAL ENVOY TO FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, ELIZABETH RAND, VISITED KOSOVO, WHERE SHE DISCUSSED THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN THE PROVINCE WITH DR IBRAHIM RUGOVA, WITH THE LEADERS OF THE PRISTINA COUNCIL FOR PROTECTION OF LIBERTIES AND HUMAN RIGHTS, AND WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. STRINGER IBRAHIM OSMANI REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 11/27) 28-Nov-95 4:56 PM EST (2156 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: MONDAY EVENING, IN A NATIONALLY TELEVISED ADDRESS, PRESIDENT CLINTON EXPLAINED HIS PLANS FOR SENDING 20-THOUSAND AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS TO BOSNIA AS PART OF A NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. THE PRESIDENT CALLED IT A 'LIMITED, FOCUSED MISSION FOR BOSNIA", ADDING THAT "AMERICA'S ROLE WILL NOT BE ABOUT FIGHTING A WAR. IT WILL BE ABOUT HELPING THE PEOPLE OF BOSNIA TO SECURE THEIR OWN PEACE AGREEMENT." AMERICAN NEWSPAPER COLUMNISTS ARE EXPRESSING A RANGE OF VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT. ______________ HAS THIS DIGEST OF COMMENTS APPEARING IN SOME OF AMERICA'S LEADING DAILIES.

TEXT: PAT BUCHANAN, A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT, OFFERS HIS VIEW ABOUT AMERICAN MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN BOSNIA, IN A COLUMN APPEARING IN TUESDAY'S EDITION OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES. IN THE WORDS OF MR. BUCHANAN, A FORMER AIDE TO PRESIDENT NIXON, "THIS BOSNIAN CRISIS IS THE TIME TO TELL THE EUROPEANS WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD YEARS AGO: DEFENSE OF THEIR CONTINENT IS NOW THEIR RESPONSIBILITY." AND, SAYS PAT BUCHANAN, "KEEP AMERICA THE GREATEST POWER ON EARTH, FIRST ON LAND, SEA, IN THE AIR AND SPACE. STRIKE HARD ANY ENEMY THAT STRIKES US. HOLD HIGH THE TORCH OF LIBERTY, REPUBLICANISM. BUT KEEP THE BRAVEST OF AMERICA'S YOUNG OUT OF WARS WHERE NO VITAL INTEREST IS AT RISK, AND DO NOT SEND OUR WEALTH ABROAD IN FOREIGN AID TO BALANCE THE BUDGETS OF FOREIGN REGIMES WHEN WE CANNOT EVEN BALANCE OUR OWN."

AGREEING WITH PAT BUCHANAN IS JOSEPH SOBRAN, WHOSE COLUMN APPEARS IN THE WASHINGTON TIMES AND IS SYNDICATED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. MR. SOBRAN ARGUES THAT "THE BOSNIAN MISSION IS NEITHER NECESSARY NOR BENEFICIAL FOR THE COUNTRY." HE SAYS, "FEW OUTSIDE THE MEDIA AND FOREIGN POLICY ESTABLISHMENTS REALLY WANT THE UNITED STATES INVOLVED; EVEN (FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE) HENRY KISSENGER HAS RESERVATIONS. MANY OTHERS PASSIONATELY WANT THE UNITED STATES TO STAY OUT. FOR MR. CLINTON," WRITES JOSEPH SOBRAN, "THE PROSPECT IS NO POLITICAL GAIN AND A HUGE POTENTIAL LOSS. HIS FOREIGN POLICY IS THE ONE AREA OF HIS PRESIDENCY THAT HASN'T MADE HIM BITTER ENEMIES." BUT, SAYS MR. SOBRAN, "THAT CAN CHANGE OVERNIGHT. HE MAY KEEP REPEATING THAT IT'S MERELY A PEACEKEEPING MISSION, BUT AS SOON AS AMERICAN TROOPS START GETTING KILLED BY SNIPERS AND MAIMED BY LANDMINES, IT MAY AS WELL BE THE KOREAN WAR -- ANOTHER 'POLICE ACTION' WITHOUT A FORMAL CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF WAR."

RICHARD COHEN, WRITING IN THE WASHINGTON POST, DISAGREES WITH MR. SOBRAN'S CONTENTION. MR. COHEN TELLS READERS THAT THE BEST REASON FOR SENDING AMERICAN TROOPS TO BOSNIA WAS -- IN HIS WORDS -- "PROVIDED NOT BY A POLITICIAN OR STATESMAN BUT, AS SOMETIMES HAPPENS, BY A WRITER: ELIE WIESEL. 'WE MUST DO SOMETHING TO STOP THE BLOODSHED IN THAT COUNTRY'. IT IS THAT SIMPLE." RICHARD COHEN ADDS THAT "IN THE END, SENDING TROOPS TO BOSNIA MAY NOT WORK... AMERICANS MAY DIE AND STILL THE WAR MIGHT GO ON... BUT WE CAN SAY WE DID THE RIGHT THING. TO DO NOTHING WOULD PUT US ALL INTO A CATEGORY THE LATE BRITISH WRITER ARTHUR KOESTLER CREATED FOR A FELLOW INTELLECTUAL WHO SAID HE WAS UNAWARE OF THE HOLOCAUST -- 'AN ACCOMPLICE BY OMISSION', HE CALLED HIM."

PAUL WOLFOWITZ, UNDERSECRETARY OF DEFENSE IN THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION, AND DOUGLAS J. FEITH, WHO SERVED AS DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE IN THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION, OFFER THEIR THOUGHTS IN A COLUMN PUBLISHED IN TUESDAY'S WALL STREET JOURNAL. UNDER THE HEADING: "THE ARGUMENT CLINTON ISN'T MAKING ON BOSNIA," THE TWO WRITE THAT: "UNFORTUNATELY, THE DAYTON ACCORDS LACK CLEAR COMMITMENTS TO EQUIP AND TRAIN THE BOSNIAN FORCES. ADMINISTRATION STATEMENTS ARE DISTURBINGLY AMBIGUOUS ON THIS POINT. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE ASSURED THE BOSNIANS THAT FEDERATION FORCES WILL BE EQUIPPED AND TRAINED, BUT THAT ASSURANCE ITSELF IS HEDGED BY A MISPLACED FAITH THAT NEW ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENTS MIGHT MAKE IT UNNECESSARY..." THE TWO FORMER OFFICIALS SAY, "IF THE ADMINISTRATION IS TO ALLAY PUBLIC AND CONGRESSIONAL SKEPTICISM ABOUT THE TROOP DEPLOYMENT, IT MUST MAKE CLEAR THAT ARMING AND TRAINING BOSNIAN FEDERATION FORCES IS NOT ONLY CONSISTENT WITH (AMERICA'S) ROLE IN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE, IT IS ALSO THE KEY TO THE 'EXIT STRATEGY' FOR (U-S) TROOPS." IN THEIR WORDS: "IF WE ARE UNABLE TO HELP PUT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IN A POSITION TO DEFEND ITSELF, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL FIND, WHEN IT WANTS TO WITHDRAW OUR FORCES AFTER A YEAR OR SO, THAT IT CANNOT DO SO WITHOUT TRIGGERING A CATASTROPHE."

SIMILAR THOUGHTS ARE EXPRESSED BY JAMES WEBB, A MARINE WHO FOUGHT IN VIETNAM, AND WHO LATER BECAME SECRETARY OF THE NAVY IN THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION. HE WRITES THAT, "THE U-S NEEDS A GLOBAL STRATEGY BEFORE IT PUTS OUT ANY MORE FIRES." MR. WEBB MAINTAINS THAT: "MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, THE UNITED STATES HAS BECOME THE NATION OF CHOICE WHEN CRISES OCCUR, LARGE AND SMALL. AT THE SAME TIME, THE SIZE AND LOCATION OF OUR MILITARY FORCES ARE IN FLUX. IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE OUR INTERESTS KNOWN TO OUR CITIZENS, OUR ALLIES AND EVEN OUR POTENTIAL ADVERSARIES, NOT JUST IN BOSNIA BUT AROUND THE WORLD, SO THAT COMMITMENTS CAN BE MEASURED BY SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE PRESSURES OF INTEREST GROUPS AND MANIPULATION BY THE PRESS."

MR. WEBB'S COLUMN APPEARED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES.

THIS CONCLUDES ANOTHER EDITION OF A SPECIAL VOICE OF AMERICA SERIES ON THE VIEWS OF LEADING AMERICAN NEWSPAPER COLUMNISTS ON DEVELOPMENTS IN BOSNIA.

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28-Nov-95 10:12 AM EST (1512 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA/SARAJEVO (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE RESISTANCE TO THE PEACE PLAN BY RESIDENTS OF SERB-HELD SARAJEVO IS OF CONTINUING CONCERN. UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS HAVE WARNED IT COULD BE THE FLASH POINT FOR RENEWED FIGHTING IN BOSNIA. HOWEVER, THERE IS GROWING OPTIMISM IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL THE DISPUTE CAN BE DEFUSED. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE FUTURE OF SERB-HELD AREAS OF SARAJEVO IS THE BIGGEST THREAT TO THE BOSNIAN PEACE PLAN, WHICH SAYS THE AREAS MUST BE TURNED OVER TO GOVERNMENT CONTROL. THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC HAS SAID SARAJEVO WILL BECOME THE "BEIRUT OF EUROPE" IF THE PLAN IS NOT CHANGED.

BUT THE THREATS, WHICH WERE WIDELY SEEN AS AN EFFORT TO TURN U-S PUBLIC AND CONGRESSIONAL OPINION AGAINST THE PEACE DEAL, SEEM TO HAVE HAD LITTLE IMPACT. PRESIDENT CLINTON, IN HIS NATIONALLLY TELEVISED ADDRESS TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC MONDAY TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF AMERICAN TROOPS HERE, DID NOT EVEN MENTION THEM. U-S STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS WERE DISMISSIVE, SAYING THEY DO NOT EXPECT ORGANIZED RESISTANCE TO THE NATO DEPLOYMENT.

BUT SERB-HELD SARAJEVO IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN THE PATH OF PEACE IN BOSNIA, DESPITE U-S EFFORTS TO DOWNPLAY IT. U-N OFFICIALS SAY 40 TO 60-THOUSAND SERBS LIVE IN THE AREAS THAT ARE TO BE HANDED OVER, AND HAVE URGED THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO TRY TO CONVINCE THE SERBS TO STAY. BOSNIAN PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC SAID TUESDAY CIVILIANS SHOULD STAY IN THEIR HOMES, BUT HE SAID BOSNIAN SERB SOLDIERS COULD EXPECT NO FORGIVENESS.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTACT THESE PEOPLE AND TO CONVEY THEM THE GUARANTEES FOR SECURITY, BUT EMPHASIZING THAT NO SECURITY WOULD BE GUARANTEED TO THE KLLLERS.

BUT MEETINGS ARE BEING HELD TO DISCUSS WAYS TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AMONG THE RESIDENTS OF SERB HELD AREAS OF THE CAPITAL. MEASURES SUCH AS OPENING INTERNATIONAL AID AGENCY OFFICES IN SERB AREAS, IMPROVING FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, AND RESTORING TELEPHONE LINKS ARE ALL BEING CONSIDERED, BUT PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC SAYS IN THE END IT WILL BE UP TO SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO ENSURE THE BOSNIAN SERBS COMPLY WITH THE PEACE DEAL.

PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED, WAS AUTHORIZED TO SIGN, TO NEGOTIATE AND TO SIGN ON BEHALF OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS, AND HE IS OBLIGED TO ENSURE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WHAT HE SIGNED THERE.

BUT THE RESIDENTS OF SERB AREAS OF SARAJEVO ARE VERY CRITICAL OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, SAYING HE TRADED SARAJEVO FOR THE LIFTING OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA. THEY HOPE MR. KARADZIC, AND OTHER HARDLINE BOSNIAN SERB NATIONALISTS BASED IN THEIR HEADQUARTERS IN PALE, NEAR SARAJEVO, CAN WRECK THE PEACE AGREEMENT AND SAVE THEIR HOMES.

BUT THERE IS GROWING EVIDENCE THE BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL CENTER OF GRAVITY IS SHIFTING FROM PALE TOWARD THE NORTHERN CITY OF BANJA LUKA.

BANJA LUKA IS THE BOSNIAN SERBS' LARGEST CITY. WHILE IT IS SECURE UNDER THE PEACE PLAN, IT WOULD BE UNDER SERIOUS THREAT SHOULD THE WAR RESUME. POLITICIANS THERE ARE MORE MODERATE AND GENERALLY PRO-MILOSEVIC. THEY HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR A MEETING OF THE BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENT TO ENDORSE THE PEACE PLAN, INDICATING THE MODERATES MAY NOW CONTROL THE BOSNIAN SERB ASSEMBLY, A FORMER BASTION OF SERB HARDLINERS.

IN ANOTHER BLOW TO THE HARDLINERS THE NUMBER THREE MAN IN THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY, GENERAL GVERO, HAS ALSO ENDORSED THE PLAN, WHILE GENERAL MLADIC HAS REMAINED SILENT. IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO SAY IF THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN SARAJEVO WILL ACCEPT THE PEACE PLAN, OR WILL CHOOSE TO FIGHT, BUT THERE ARE GROWING HOPES MOST RESISTANCE TO THE PEACE PLAN CAN BE OVERCOME. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/MH/GPT
28-Nov-95 3:03 PM EST (2003 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA / PUBLIC OPINION (L-O) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS CALLED THE WHITE HOUSE SHORTLY AFTER PRESIDENT CLINTON APPEALED TO THE NATION MONDAY NIGHT TO SUPPORT HIS PLANS TO SEND 20-THOUSAND U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO BOSNIA. THE CALLS INDICATE AMERICANS ARE STILL SHARPLY DIVIDED OVER THE MISSION, DESPITE MR. CLINTON'S EFFORT TO CONVINCE THEM IT IS IN THE U-S INTEREST. ADMINISTSRATION OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRESIDENT HAS MORE WORK TO DO TO WIN THE PUBLIC'S SUPPORT. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: CLINTON SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS THE WHITE HOUSE RECEIVED AS MANY AS THREE-THOUSAND PHONE CALLS ABOUT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NATIONALLY-TELEVISED OVAL OFFICE ADDRESS BY EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

MR. MCCURRY SAYS THE CALLS WERE ABOUT EVENLY SPLIT FOR AND AGAINST THE PRESIDENT'S POSITION. HE SAYS THAT INDICATES AMERICANS STILL HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MISSION.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CLEARLY WANT TO KNOW MORE. THEY CLEARLY ARE ASKING QUESTIONS LIKE 'WHY DO WE HAVE TO CARRY THIS BURDEN? WHY AREN'T THE EUROPEANS DOING MORE? WHAT IS THIS CONFLICT ABOUT TO BEGIN WITH?'

MR. MCCURRY SAYS THE PRESIDENT UNDERSTANDS THERE IS STILL A GREAT DEAL OF SKEPTICISM ABOUT THE PEACEKEEPING MISSION, AND WILL HAVE MORE WORK TO DO TO MAKE HIS CASE CLEAR.

WE BELIEVE WE WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO EXPLAIN TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THE NATURE OF THIS CONFLICT, THE PRECISE DETAILS OF THE SETTLEMENT WHICH HAS NOW BROUGHT THAT CONFLICT, WE HOPE, TO AN END, AND THE REQUIREMENTS OF LEADERSHIP AS WE WORK WITH THE PARTIES TO IMPLEMENT THAT PEACE. NOT ONE SPEECH WILL CONVINCE A SKEPTICAL CONGRESS OR A SKEPTICAL NATION THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT COURSE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAYS MR. CLINTON IS CONFIDENT THAT ONCE AMERICANS UNDERSTAND HIS POSITION, THEY WILL FULLY SUPPORT HIM.

THE PRESIDENT WILL HAVE A NUMBER OF OPPORTUNITIES TO UNDERSCORE HIS ARGUMENT DURING A TRIP TO EUROPE THIS WEEK.

HE IS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE DURING A SPEECH TO THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT SHORTLY AFTER HIS ARRIVAL IN LONDON WEDNESDAY, AND THEN AGAIN SATURDAY AT RAMSTEIN AIR FORCE BASE IN GERMANY, WHERE HE WILL MEET WITH U-S TROOPS WHO WILL BE DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA.

OFFICIALS SAY MR. CLINTON WILL ALSO DEVOTE HIS SATURDAY RADIO ADDRESS TO BOSNIA, FOR THE SECOND WEEK IN A ROW. (SIGNED)

NEB / DAT / BD / GPT
28-Nov-95 3:25 PM EST (2025 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA ACCORD PANEL BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS LAUNCHED HIS CAMPAIGN TO CONVINCE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE U-S CONGRESS THAT HE IS DOING THE RIGHT THING IN SENDING OF ABOUT 20 THOUSAND AMERICAN TROOPS TO BOSNIA. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN WITH A NATIONAL TELEVISED SPEECH TO THE NATION ON MONDAY NIGHT AND HAS CONTINUED WITH MEETINGS BETWEEN ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM BOTH PARTIES. PRESIDENT CLINTON'S MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IS THAT THE AS A LEADING MEMBER OF NATO, THE UNITED STATES MUST PLAY ITS PART IN BOSNIA. BUT HE PLEDGED THE AMERICAN ROLE WOULD BE LIMITED AND CARRIED OUT UNDER THE

NEB/PAM/PCH
28-Nov-95 5:21 PM EST (2221 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] BOSNIAN STUDENT PROJECT HELPS YOUTH FROM 15 TO 30 BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE BOSNIAN STUDENT PROJECT HAS HELPED BOSNIAN YOUTH COME TO THE UNITED STATES TO STUDY AND COMPLETE THEIR SECONDARY SCHOOL OR COLLEGE

TEXT: SINCE WORLD WAR I, AN INTERFAITH, PACIFIST ORGANIZATION CALLED THE FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION HAS BEEN TRYING TO FIND ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE AND BUILD A MORE JUST AND PEACEFUL WORLD. THAT'S ACCORDING TO DOUG HOSTETTER [HOS-STET-ER], THE FELLOWSHIP'S INTERNATIONAL AND INTERFAITH SECRETARY. HE IS ALSO DIRECTOR OF THE BOSNIAN STUDENT PROJECT, WHICH HAS HELPED BRING 106 BOSNIAN STUDENTS OUT OF THE WAR ZONE AND INTO U.S. SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES. MR. HOSTETTER SAYS ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ON FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS, AND MOST LIVE WITH AMERICAN FAMILIES. MANY ARE OF BOSNIAN MUSLIM OR MIXED ETHNIC BACKGROUND, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION BECAUSE THEIR PROFESSORS WERE KILLED DURING THE WAR OR THEIR UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS WERE DESTROYED.

TAPE: CUT ONE -- HOSTETTER (0:19) "WE TRY TO SELECT THE STUDENTS THAT ARE IN MOST NEED. WE TAKE ONLY TALENTED STUDENTS WHO WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND STUDENTS WHO HAVE GOOD ENGLISH. BEYOND THAT, WE TRY TO LOOK FOR STUDENTS WHO WILL BE THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THE COUNTRY, BUT ARE UNABLE TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION IN THEIR CURRENT SITUATION."

TEXT: MOST OF THE STUDENTS ARE REFUGEES. FOR EXAMPLE, MR. HOSTETTER SAYS, A STUDENT'S FATHER MIGHT HAVE BEEN KILLED IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP OR STILL BE HELD AT SOME UNDISCLOSED LOCATION, WHILE THE MOTHER IS AN UNEMPLOYED REFUGEE SOMEWHERE IN CROATIA. THE ROLE OF THE BOSNIAN STUDENT PROJECT IS TO LOCATE U.S. INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE WILLING TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS AND RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES WHOSE MEMBERS CAN OFFER THE STUDENT ROOM AND BOARD.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- HOSTETTER (0:24) "MANY OF THE FAMILIES ALSO GET SUPPORT FROM RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS, AND VERY OFTEN BOTH MUSLIM, JEWISH, AND CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS IN THEIR PARTICULAR AREA. WE ARE AN INTERFAITH ORGANIZATION, BUT THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE EVER DONE IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH HAS BROUGHT JEWS, CHRISTIANS, AND MUSLIMS TOGETHER TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF TRAGIC DISCRIMINATION."

TEXT: DOUG HOSTETTER SAYS THE HOST INSTITUTIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECT AND THE BOSNIAN STUDENTS ATTENDING SCHOOL THERE HAVE RECIPROCAL RESPONSIBILITIES. HE SAYS THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, BY ITS INVOLVEMENT IS MAKING A STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT AND THE STUDENTS, IN TURN, HAVE BASICALLY TWO OBLIGATIONS:

TAPE: CUT THREE -- HOSTETTER (0:34) "THE STUDENTS HAVE TWO RESPONSIBILITIES WHEN THEY COME TO THE UNITED STATES. THE FIRST IS THEY KNOW THAT THEY ARE HERE TO LEARN THEIR OWN PROFESSION TO RETURN TO HELP TO REBUILD THEIR COUNTRY. BUT WE ALSO ARE VERY CLEAR WITH THEM THAT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP AMERICANS UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS OF RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC BIGOTRY AND HATRED, WHAT HAPPENS TO A SOCIETY AND A CULTURE, EVEN A VERY SUCCESSFUL MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY, WHEN THE POLITICS OF HATRED ARE USED BY POLITICIANS. AND, I THINK AMERICANS HAVE A LOT TO LEARN FROM BOSNIA."

TEXT: AMERICANS FAMILIES, SUCH AS HIS OWN, DOUG HOSTETTER SAYS, ALSO BENEFIT ENORMOUSLY FROM HOSTING THESE BOSNIAN STUDENTS.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- HOSTETTER (0:23) "I AM MENNONITE [PROTESTANT], AND MY WIFE IS JEWISH. WE ARE AN INTERFAITH FAMILY TO START WITH, AND WE'VE ADDED TWO BOSNIAN MUSLIMS TO OUR FAMILY. I HAVE TWO BOYS OF MY OWN, A NINE-YEAR OLD AND A THIRTEEN-YEAR OLD, AND IT'S BEEN AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE FOR THEM TO HAVE TWO OLDER BROTHERS, BOTH COLLEGE AGE, MOVE INTO THE FAMILY. AND, IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE FOR ALL OF US."

TEXT: ONE OF THE BOSNIAN STUDENTS IS DAMIR FAZLIC [DAH-MEER FAHZ-LITCH], WHO'S PURSUING AN M-B-A, OR MASTER'S OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, AT BUTLER UNIVERSITY IN INDIANA. DAMIR'S FAMILY IS ORIGINALLY FROM KOSAREC [KOH-ZAH-RETS], A BOSNIAN TOWN THAT WAS ETHNICALLY CLEANSED BY THE SERBS IN MAY 1992, AND HIS PARENTS WERE INTERNED AT TRNOPOLJE [TER-NOH-POL-YEH] CONCENTRATION CAMP. AT THAT TIME, DAMIR SAYS, HE WAS A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB IN CROATIA. BUT, IN 1993, WHEN THE CONFLICT ERUPTED BETWEEN BOSNIA AND CROATIA, MUSLIM STUDENTS FROM BOSNIA WERE NO LONGER WELCOME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB, SO HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE HIS STUDIES.

TAPE: CUT FIVE -- FAZLIC (0:25)**PHONER EQ/BRIGHTEN** "WE COULDN'T WORK, WE COULDN'T STAY IN DORMS, WE COULDN'T EAT IN THE CAFETERIA, ALL THOSE THINGS, JUST BECAUSE WE WERE FOREIGN STUDENTS. AND WE FORMED AN ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. WE MET A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES -- FROM AUSTRIA, FROM GERMANY -- AND WE WERE LUCKY TO MEET SOME PEOPLE FROM THE UNITED STATES WHO HELPED US START THE BOSNIAN STUDENT PROJECT."

TEXT: DAMIR'S YOUNGER BROTHER, WHO GRADUATED FROM AN AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL IN COLORADO LAST SPRING, IS NOW STUDYING AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN NEW YORK STATE. DAMIR SAYS THE BOSNIAN STUDENT PROJECT HAS CHANGED THEIR LIVES AND OTHERS' AS WELL.

TAPE: CUT SIX -- FAZLIC (0:16) **PHONER EQ/BRIGHTEN** "I MET A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HELPED ME, WHO HELPED MY BROTHER, WHO HELPED MY FAMILY, WHO HELPED MY FRIENDS, AND IT GIVES ME HOPE THAT THERE ARE STILL GOOD PEOPLE AND THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS WORLD BETTER."

TEXT: DAMIR FAZLIC SAYS HE HOPES TO RETURN TO BOSNIA WHEN HE COMPLETES HIS EDUCATION BECAUSE HE WANTS TO HELP IN THE REBUILDING PROCESS. OF THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF COLLEGE-AGE BOSNIANS WHO WERE DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES BY THE WAR, ONLY ABOUT 2,000 HAVE FOUND PLACES AT UNIVERSITIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES. THOUGH THERE'S NO OFFICIAL COUNT OF THE NUMBER IN THE UNITED STATES, THE FIGURE IS ESTIMATED TO RANGE BETWEEN 200 AND 400. OF THAT NUMBER, THE BOSNIAN STUDENT PROJECT HAS HELPED 106 PURSUE AN EDUCATION. 28-Nov-95 3:24 PM EST (2024 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.

[08] CLINTON / BOSNIA SCENESETTER (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)