Voice of America, 16 January 1996

From: "Ioannis V. Bousnakis" <[email protected]>

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: TWO TOPICS ARE SINGLED OUT FOR COMMENT IN A LARGE NUMBER OF U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL COLUMNS THIS TUESDAY. ONE IS THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR AND THE OTHER IS THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY OF MAGAZINE PUBLISHER AND MILLIONAIRE STEVE FORBES. ALSO OF EDITORIAL INTEREST: A POLITICAL CHANGE IN GUATEMALA; PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TRIP TO BOSNIA; A DISPUTED COURT VERDICT IN PERU; THE RUSSIAN HOSTAGE CRISIS, AND THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, WHO'S BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY WAS OBSERVED ON MONDAY. NOW, HERE IS ________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN THE FAR PACIFIC NORTHWEST, TODAY'S "PORTLAND OREGONIAN" NOTES THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE GULF WAR WITH THESE COMMENTS:

VOICE: "FIVE YEARS AFTER THE PERSIAN GULF WAR STARTED, THE SITUATION REMAINS DANGEROUS -- BUT HOPEFUL... FIVE YEARS LATER, SADDAM [HUSSEIN] IS STILL PRESIDENT OF HIS COUNTRY WHILE HIS CONQUEROR, GEORGE BUSH, NO LONGER RULES HIS. IRAQ REMAINS SHATTERED BY THE WAR AND THE WORLD EMBARGO ON ITS OIL EXPORTS, BUT [PRESIDENT] SADDAM HAS MAINTAINED HIS GRIP ON POWER BY DETERMINED ANNIHILATION OF ANY OPPOSITION."

TEXT: IN ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE GULF WAR AND ITS AFTERMATH, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" SAYS, IN PART:

VOICE: "THE MAIN CASUALTIES WERE ON THE IRAQI SIDE, WHICH WAS DEFANGED. AND THE COALITION HELD. INDEED, SEVERAL ARAB NATIONS WERE PARTICIPANTS. UNFORTUNATELY, ANOTHER BELIEF THAT WAS WIDELY DISCUSSED IN 1991 -- THAT MR. HUSSEIN'S DEMISE WAS IMMINENT -- DIDN'T COME TO PASS. AS FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH INDICATES IN A PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE INTERVIEW TO BE AIRED [BROADCAST] TODAY, MR. HUSSEIN HAD MORE STAYING POWER THAN WAS ANTICIPATED. MISCALCULATIONS HAPPEN... THE LEGACY OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR REMAINS POSITIVE."

TEXT: A MUCH LESS FAVORABLE ASSESSMENT IN TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" CONCLUDES THIS WAY:

VOICE: "EVEN MORE INEXPLICABLE WAS THE ALMOST CASUAL APPROACH TO KEY ISSUES TAKEN WHEN THE ARMISTICE FORMALLY ENDING THE CONFLICT WAS SIGNED ON MARCH 3RD. THE IRAQIS, APPARENTLY ON THE BASIS OF A SNAP DECISION MADE BY GENERAL NORMAN SCHWARZKOPF, THE COALITION COMMANDER, WERE ALLOWED TO KEEP FLYING THEIR ARMED HELICOPTERS OVER IRAQI TERRITORY. THAT GAVE THEM THE MEANS TO BRUTALLY SUPPRESS THE UPRISINGS BY THE SHIITES IN THE SOUTH AND THE KURDS IN THE NORTH. MOREOVER, THE ALLIES MISSED THE CHANCE TO REQUIRE [PRESIDENT] HUSSEIN ... TO TAKE PART IN THE MILITARY SURRENDER, WHICH WOULD HAVE FURTHER SAPPED THE REGIME'S PRESTIGE ...... SO SADDAM HUSSEIN HAS SURVIVED, AND OVER FIVE YEARS THE SUFFERING OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE HAS DEEPENED. IT COULD WELL HAVE BEEN OTHERWISE."

TEXT: TURNING TO DOMESTIC POLITICS, SEVERAL EDITORIALS DEAL WITH THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF MULTIMILLIONAIRE MAGAZINE PUBLISHER STEVE FORBES. IN THE SOUTHWEST, TODAY'S "HOUSTON CHRONICLE" NOTES:

VOICE: "[MR.] FORBES' RAPID RISE IN THE POLLS FROM UNKNOWN TO RUNNER-UP IS NO DOUBT THE PRODUCT OF THE MONEY HE HAS SPENT, BUT THE SIMPLICITY AND POPULAR APPEAL OF HIS MESSAGE DON'T HURT. MANY REPUBLICAN VOTERS (AND NOT JUST THE RICH) LIKE THE IDEA OF AN EASILY CALCULATED FLAT TAX, EVEN IF THEY WOULD HAVE TO GIVE UP THE HOME MORTGAGE DEDUCTION TO GET IT."

TEXT: IN A LESS FLATTERING APPRAISAL, TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" SAYS IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL THAT MR. FORBES USE OF HIS OWN MONEY, IN SUCH LARGE AMOUNTS, IS TROUBLING.

VOICE: "A CANDIDATE LIKE [MR.] FORBES, WILLING TO SPEND FAR BEYOND THESE [OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING LIMITS (FOR THOSE WHO TAKE GOVERNMENT ELECTION FUNDS)] CAN DOMINATE THE AIRWAVES, SKEWING THE DEBATE BADLY... NO ONE WANTS THE PRESIDENCY RESTRICTED TO MULTIMILLIONAIRES, SO THE QUESTION BECOMES: WHO WILL PAY, AND WHO WILL HAVE INFLUENCE?"

TEXT: TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" SUMS UP THE FORBES CANDIDACY THIS WAY:

VOICE: "IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION. STEVE FORBES' MAIN CONTRIBUTION HAS BEEN TO PUT 'GROWTH' [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] AT THE CENTER OF THE G-O-P DEBATE. WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER HIS RISING (POPULARITY) NUMBERS REFLECT SUPPORT FOR HIM PERSONALLY, BUT WE'RE SURE THEY REFLECT INTEREST IN THE CONTENT OF HIS MESSAGE."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS IN BOSNIA, "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND CALLS THE PLAN TO RE-ARM AND TRAIN THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES A "SOPHISTIC WRINKLE" AND A POTENTIAL PROBLEM.

VOICE: "IN THE DELICATE TASK OF OVERSEEING THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD IN BOSNIA, WASHINGTON UNTIL NOW HAS GINGERLY SKIRTED THE PROBLEM OF TAKING SIDES BETWEEN THE BECALMED COMBATANTS. BUT A NEW, CONVOLUTED PLAN TO TRAIN THE UNDERGUNNED AND OUTNUMBERED ARMY OF THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS WOULD NO LONGER LEAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT WHOSE SIDE WASHINGTON AND ITS ALLIES ARE ON. AS A FIG LEAF, THE PLAN IS EMBARRASSINGLY TRANSPARENT. THE BOSNIAN SERBS WON'T BE FOOLED BY IT FOR A MINUTE."

TEXT: WHILE COMMENTING ON THE PRESIDENT'S BRIEF TRIP TO VISIT U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON'S WHIRLWIND TRIP TO BOSNIA WAS A WELL-TIMED SHOW OF HIS AUTHORITY AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. MANY AMERICANS MAY HARBOR DOUBTS ABOUT HIS COMMITMENT OF 20-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS TO THAT WAR-SCARRED BALKAN NATION, BUT THERE SHOULD BE NO DOUBT ABOUT HIS CONSTITUTIONAL POWER TO DO SO. "

TEXT: IN CENTRAL AMERICA, A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP IN GUATEMALA, DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE MIAMI HERALD."

VOICE: "THE BETTER CANDIDATE WON IN GUATEMALA'S PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF SOME DAYS AGO... ALVARO ARZU'S SLIM MARGIN OF VICTORY WAS SURPRISING, HOWEVER. HE BEAT AN OPPONENT SERVING AS THE FRONT MAN FOR GENERAL EFRAIN RIOS MONTT. THE FORMER MILITARY STRONG MAN [GENERAL MONTT] EMBODIES THE WORST ASPECTS OF GUATEMALA'S CIVIL WAR... MR. ARZU HAS PROVEN DEMOCRATIC CREDENTIALS. HE WILL NEED THEM TO GOVERN ONE OF LATIN AMERICA'S MOST TROUBLED COUNTRIES."

TEXT: ABOUT ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" COMMENTS ON WHAT IT CONSIDERS A FLAWED MILITARY TRIAL OF AN AMERICAN CITIZEN ACCUSED OF AIDING PERUVIAN TERRORISTS.

VOICE: "LORI HELENE BERENSON OF NEW YORK CITY MAY INDEED HAVE CONSPIRED WITH VIOLENT TERRORISTS, AS THE PERUVIAN GOVERNMENT CLAIMS... OR MS. BERENSON'S ACTIVITIES WITH THE TUPAC AMARU ... MOVEMENT MAY HAVE BEEN STRICTLY NONVIOLENT, AS SHE INSISTS. A FAIR TRIAL MIGHT HAVE DETERMINED THE ANSWER. BUT A FAIR TRIAL IS EXACTLY WHAT SHE DID NOT GET... THE MILITARY COURTS CONTINUE TO DEPRIVE PERUVIANS AND FOREIGNERS OF THEIR MOST BASIC RIGHTS TO DUE PROCESS. THEY ARE AMONG THE MORE DISTURBING TRAPPINGS OF PRESIDENT ALBERTO FUJIMORI'S AUTHORITARIAN REGIME."

TEXT: THE LEADING MIDWEST DAILY, THE SAINT LOUIS "POST-DISPATCH", HAS HARSH WORDS FOR THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT'S HANDLING OF THE LATEST CONFRONTATION WITH CHECHEN REBELS:

VOICE: WHAT DOES RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN THINK HE CAN ACCOMPLISH BY HAVING TROOPS STORM THE VILLAGE OF PERVOMAYSKAYA? DOES HE REALLY THINK AN ASSAULT WILL SAVE INSTEAD OF ENDANGER THE LIVES OF THE HOSTAGES HELD BY CHECHEN REBELS? DOES HE THINK THIS SHOW OF FORCE WILL HELP END CHECHNYA'S CIVIL WAR, WHICH HAS ALREADY COST 30-THOUSAND LIVES...? MR. YELSIN HAD ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO LAUNCH HIS SWEEPING ATTACK ON THE 150-TO-250 CHECHEN FIGHTERS WHO ARE REPORTEDLY HOLDING BETWEEN 70 AND 120 HOSTAGES..."

TEXT: COMMENTING ON RECENT NEW INFORMATION RELEASED BY THE WHITE HOUSE ON TWO CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES INVOLVING THE CLINTONS, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" EDITORIALIZES:

VOICE: "IT'S STILL UNCLEAR THAT THE CLINTONS ENGAGED IN 'ANY' [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] WRONGDOING, AND LIKELY WILL REMAIN SO UNTIL A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR FINISHES HIS WORK. BUT THE CLINTONS' LATEST P-R [PUBLIC RELATIONS] WOUNDS AREN'T THE HANDIWORK OF HYPOCRITICAL G-O-P TORMENTORS SUCH AS SENATOR ALFONSE D'AMATO. THEY'RE SELF-INFLICTED. THE CLINTONS ... HAVE DAMAGED THEIR CREDIBILITY AND DEEPENED SUSPICIONS OF WRONGDOING BY ISSUING MISLEADING AND DOWNRIGHT FALSE STATEMENTS, AND BY FAILING TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTS SOUGHT BY INVESTIGATORS."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" COMMENTS ON THE LEGACY OF THE REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JUNIOR, WHOSE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY WAS CELEBRATED MONDAY AS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY:

VOICE: "ONE HAS TO WONDER WHAT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR WOULD THINK IF HE COULD ATTEND ONE OF THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS IN HIS HONOR. IF HE HAD BEEN IN PORTLAND ON MONDAY, AT THE 15TH ANNUAL BREAKFAST SPONSORED BY THE PORTLAND BRANCH OF THE NAACP, HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN PLEASED... DR. KING WOULD HAVE HEARD THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER, MASSACHUSETTS STATE SENATOR DIANNE WILKERSON ... SAY THAT THOUGH SOME TRY TO EXPLAIN IT AWAY, 'RACISM IS AN IRRATIONAL EMOTION THAT YOU CAN'T MAKE SENSE.' THIS IS ESPECIALLY SAY BECAUSE 'IT IS KILLING US, LITERALLY.' ... DR. KING WOULD HAVE ... BEEN VERY PLEASED. HE WOULD HAVE KNOWN HE DIDN'T LIVE, AND DIE BY AN ASSASSIN'S BULLET, IN VAIN."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS FROM THE U-S PRESS. NEB/ANG/PCH

16-Jan-96 11:39 AM EST (1639 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA/SITREP (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY ( SARAJEVO )

INTRO: FRENCH FORCES IN SARAJEVO HAVE TAKEN CONTROL OF KEY UTILITIES IN SERB-HELD SARAJEVO TO PREVENT SABOTAGE BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS. NATO SAYS ITS FORCES ENCOUNTERED NO RESISTANCE, AND FRENCH TROOPS AND ARMORED VEHICLES ARE NOW STATIONED AT FOUR KEY FACILITIES. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: SEVERAL HUNDRED FRENCH TROOPS MOVED INTO SERB-HELD SUBURBS OF SARAJEVO AT DAWN TO TAKE CONTROL OF FOUR KEY UTILITY STATIONS. IT WAS THE MOST AGGRESSIVE MILITARY OPERATION UNDERTAKEN BY NATO SINCE IT BEGAN ENFORCING THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT ALMOST A MONTH AGO.

THE CITY'S MAIN WATER PUMPING STATION, TWO ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMER FACILITIES, AND THE NATURAL GAS REGULATOR STATION ARE NOW UNDER THE CONTROL OF FRENCH SOLDIERS. FRENCH OFFICERS SAID THEY ENCOUNTERED NO RESISTANCE FROM THE SERBS.

NATO SPOKESMAN BRIGADIER GENERAL ANDREW CUMMING DESCRIBED THE REASON FOR THE SURPRISE MOVE.

THIS ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AS A PRECAUTION, AND IT IS TO PREVENT ANY ACTIONS BY ELEMENTS THAT MIGHT WANT TO DISRUPT THE GAS, ELECTRIC AND WATER UTILITIES THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF SARAJEVO. EVERYONE IN SARAJEVO DEPENDS ON THESE PARTICULARLY THE WATER PUMPING STATION.

BRIGADIER CUMMING SAID NATO COMMANDERS HAD LONG HAD CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR SUCH AN OPERATION.

THIS PLAN HAS BEEN ON THE CARDS FOR SOME TIME AND OBVIOUSLY IT IS A MATTER OF VERY CAREFUL MILITARY JUDGEMENT AS TO WHEN OR IF INDEED THIS OPERATION HAD TO TAKE PLACE AT ALL.

HE SAID RECENT STATEMENTS FROM BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS, AND INIDCATIONS THAT SERBS FLEEING SARAJEVO MIGHT RESORT TO VIOLENCE HAD PROMPTED THE ACTION FRENCH OFFICERS SAID THEY WERE CONCERNED THE FACILITIES WOULD BE SABOTAGED.

A SENIOR U-N OFFICIAL SAID BEFORE THE MOVE IF THE FOUR FACILITES WERE DESTROYED BY THE SERBS, SARAJEVO WOULD BE IN THE COLD AND DARK WITHOUT WATER FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS WHILE REPAIRS WERE MADE.

ON MONDAY FRENCH TROOPS ALSO INSPECTED AN AIRFIELD AT VISIKO, IN CENTRAL BOSNIA, AFTER GOVERNMENT TROOPS TRIED TO STOP THE FRENCH FROM ENTERING THE AIRPORT.

ON TWO OCCASSIONS THE FRENCH DIVISION HAS BEEN DENIED ACCESS AND SAW THIS AS CONSTITUTING A SERIOUS RESTRICTION OF MOVEMENT. YESTERDAY ON THE THIRD OCCASION THEY FELT NOT OBLIGED TO LISTEN TO THOSE WHO TURNED THEM AWAY AND DECIDED TO ENTER THE AIRPORT, WHICH THEY DID TO HAVE A LOOK AROUND.

THE SOLDIERS FOUND NOTHING AT THE AIRPORT, BUT THESE MILITARY ACTIONS ARE CLEAR EVIDENCE NATO IS TAKING STRONG MOVES TO REINFORCE ITS AUTHORITY BEFORE FRIDAY'S DEADLINE FOR ALL SIDES TO WITHDRAW FROM CONFRONTATION LINES AROUND THE COUNTRY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/MH/GPT
16-Jan-96 9:45 AM EST (1445 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA / REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

INTRO: OFFICIALS FROM MORE THAN 40 COUNTRIES AND 20 INTERNATIONAL AID AGENCIES ARE MEETING IN GENEVA ON THE PLANNED REPATRIATION OF THE MORE THAN TWO-MILLION BOSNIANS FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES DURING THE LONG CONFLICT. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS GENEVA REPORTS THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, SADAKO OGATA, SAYS SHE HOPES NEARLY HALF OF THE REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.

TEXT: MRS. OGATA SAYS THE REPATRIATION PROGRAM FACES ENORMOUS OBSTACLES, AND WILL IN MANY WAYS BE MORE COMPLEX THAN U-N-H-C-R'S EFFORT TO DELIVER HUMANITARIAN AID TO BOSNIA DURING THE THREE-AND-ONE-HALF YEARS OF WARFARE.

THE REPATRIATION PROCESS IS NOT EXPECTED TO BEGIN UNTIL THE WINTER SNOWS MELT. AND MRS. OGATA SAYS SEVERAL OTHER CONDITIONS MUST ALSO BE MET, INCLUDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MILITARY AND HUMAN RIGHTS ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD.

THE PLAN UNVEILED BY U-N-H-C-R HERE TODAY HAS THE APPROVAL OF BOTH THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE LEADERSHIP OF THE BOSNIAN SERB ENTITY.

IT ENVISAGES THE REPATRIATION OR RESETTLEMENT OF AROUND 870-THOUSAND BOSNIANS THIS YEAR, MOST OF THEM DISPLACED INSIDE THE COUNTRY. SPOKESMAN RON REDMOND SAYS MANY ARE CONTINUING TO LIVE IN DESPARATE CONDITIONS.

WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO GET THESE PEOPLE -- WHO ARE LIVING IN CINEMAS, OLD FACTORY BUILDINGS, IN SCHOOLS, YOU NAME IT -- GET THEM RESETTLED FIRST. THEN WE COULD CONCENTRATE ON SOME OF THESE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORING REPUBLICS AND IN EUROPE.

U-N-H-C-R OFFICIALS HAVE VOICED CONCERN IN RECENT WEEKS ABOUT MOVES BY SOME WEST EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS TO REVOKE THE TEMPORARY ASYLUM STATUS ACCORDED ABOUT 700-THOUSAND BOSNIAN REFUGEES -- NEARLY HALF OF THEM IN GERMANY.

BUT MR. REDMOND SAID WEST EUROPEAN LEADERS NOW APPEAR TO UNDERSTAND THAT ANY PREMATURE, LARGE-SCALE RETURN OF THE EXILES COULD COMPLICATE THE PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA. AND HE SAID SOME OF THE REFUGEES IN EUROPE MAY NEVER BE ABLE TO RETURN.

THERE ARE RAPE VICTIMS. THERE ARE MEN WHO SUFFERED TERRIBLY IN THE DETENTION CAMPS. THERE ARE MIXED MARRIAGES, PEOPLE WHO DO NOT FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG IN ANY TERRITORY THAT IS DOMINATED BY A CERTAIN ETHNIC GROUP. SOME OF THESE PEOPLE MAY HAVE TO EVENTUALLY ENTER THE REGULAR REFUGEE STATUS DETERMINATION PROCEDURE IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES OR WHO MAY HAVE TO BE RESETTLED OUTSIDE THE REGION.

U-N-H-C-R OFFICIALS SAY THE REPATRIATION PROGRAM IS INEXTRICABLY LINKED TO RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS IN BOSNIA. THERE IS NO POINT IN THE REFUGEES RETURNING, SAYS MR. REDMOND, IF THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.

MRS. OGATA TOLD TUESDAY'S CONFERENCE HERE IT MAY BE SOME TIME BEFORE LARGE SCALE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ENVISAGED BY THE WORLD BANK AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS ARE STARTED. AND AS A STOPGAP MEASURE, U-N-H-C-R IS ESTABLISHING A 30-MILLION DOLLAR TRUST FUND TO PROVIDE THE RETURNING REFUGEES WITH BUILDING MATERIALS, INCLUDING BRICKS, ROOFING TILES, AND LUMBER. (SIGNED)

NEB/DBR/GPT
16-Jan-96 9:23 AM EST (1423 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA NATO BY WAYNE COREY (TUZLA)

INTRO: THE PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ESTABLISHES THE RIGHT OF FREE MOVEMENT FOR EVERYONE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC. THAT RIGHT IS NOT YET BEING HONORED EVERYWHERE, BUT IT IS BRINGING A DEGREE OF NORMAL LIFE TO SOME AREAS. VOA'S WAYNE COREY REPORTS FROM TUZLA.

TEXT: IT WOULD NOT BE ACCURATE TO SAY LIFE HAS RETURNED TO NORMAL IN THIS POOR INDUSTRIAL TOWN IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA. BUT LIFE IS NOT AS DESPERATE AS IT WAS DURING THE WAR WHEN THE BOSNIAN SERBS OCCASIONALLY SHELLED TUZLA, MOST RECENTLY LAST AUGUST. SERB ARTILLERY MAY STILL BE WITHIN SHELLING RANGE BUT THE GROWING PRESENCE OF THOUSANDS OF HEAVILY ARMED AMERICAN TROOPS IN THE TUZLA REGION IS CLEARLY A DETERRENT.

WITH MORE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR OWN SECURITY, CIVILIANS ARE INCREASINGLY DRIVING THEIR OWN CARS ON THE ROADS AROUND HERE, UP INTO THE SURROUNDING HILLS AND BEYOND. AT THE SAME TIME, CARS AND TRUCKS FROM DOBOJ, SARAJEVO AND EVEN FROM BRCKO IN THE SERB-HELD POSAVINA CORRIDOR CAN BE SEEN HERE NOW, ALONG WITH CARS FROM ZAGREB.

AMERICAN MILITARY CONVOYS MOVING ALONG THE MAIN ROAD BETWEEN HERE AND THE CROATIAN BORDER, LESS THAN 100 KILOMETERS AWAY, PROVIDE SECURITY THAT ENABLES FOOD AND OTHER SUPPLIES TO REACH TOWNS IN THIS PART OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

FEW BOSNIANS CAN AFFORD THE IMPORTED GOODS UNLESS THEY HAVE RELATIVES ABROAD WHO SEND THEM GERMAN MARKS, THE CURRENCY OF CHOICE IN THIS COUNTRY. BUT THE RIGHT OF FREE MOVEMENT GIVES MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ACCESS TO THESE GOODS AND PRICES ARE GRADUALLY COMING DOWN AS SUPPLIES INCREASE.

FREE MOVEMENT MEANS PEOPLE CUT OFF FROM EACH OTHER DURING THE WAR ARE MEETING AGAIN. THE PAIN OF LONG SEPARATION FROM FRIENDS AND RELATIVES AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THEIR FATE IS BEING EASED. MEANWHILE, THE AMERICAN MILITARY PRESENCE IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA IS BEGINNING TO PRODUCE FINANCIAL DIVIDENDS FOR TUZLA. THE AMERICAN PRESS CORPS, WHICH HAS BEEN REPORTING ON THE U-S MILITARY DEPLOYMENT IN THIS AREA, HAS HELPED TO FILL THE TOWN'S MAIN HOTEL.

LAST NIGHT, APPARENTLY FOR THE FIRST TIME, SOME AMERICAN SOLDIERS WEARING CIVILIAN CLOTHES CAME INTO TOWN FROM THE TUZLA AIRBASE TO HAVE DINNER AT THE HOTEL'S RESTAURANT. BENEFITTING FROM THE MILITARY VERSION OF FREE MOVEMENT, TUZLA IS NO LONGER OFF LIMITS ALL THE TIME FOR U-S SOLDIERS AND OTHER SOLDIERS OF THE NATO-LED PEACE FORCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/MH/GPT
16-Jan-96 8:52 AM EST (1352 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] CROATIA THEFT (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS IS REPORTING MISSING HUMAN RIGHTS MATERIAL FROM THE U-N OFFICE IN ZAGREB, CROATIA. THE THEFT IS SAID TO HAVE OCCURRED LAST FRIDAY OR SATURDAY. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON HAS THE PRELIMINARY DETAILS:

TEXT: U-N HEADQUARTERS IS WAITING FOR A FULL SECURITY EVALUATION OF THE BREAK-IN. BUT INITIAL REPORTS SAY AMONG THE MISSING ITEMS WERE TWO DESK-TOP COMPUTERS, TWO LAP TOPS (COMPUTERS), TWO WALKIE-TALKIES AND A FAX MACHINE. THE U-N SAYS IT HAS BACK-UP FILES FOR THE INFORMATION ON THE DESK-TOP COMPUTERS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY FOR THE OTHERS.

THE LAP-TOP COMPUTERS CONTAIN INTERVIEWS WITH MAINLY CROATIAN SERBS ABOUT THE LOOTING AND BURNING OF THEIR PROPERTY AND FORCED EXPULSIONS FOLLOWING A CROATIAN ARMY OFFENSIVE LAST AUGUST. THIS IS CONSIDERED POTENTIALLY VITAL INFORMATION FOR THE U-N HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER, WHICH UNTIL RECENTLY FOCUSED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON CRIMES AGAINST BOSNIAN MUSLIMS.

A U-N SPOKESWOMAN, SYLVANA FOA, SAYS THE FEELING NOW IS THAT IT WAS A COMMON THEFT -- NOT A POLITICAL ONE -- AND PROBABLY AN INSIDE JOB BY SOMEONE WITH ACCESS TO THE U-N COMPOUND. MS. FOA ALSO NOTES THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST BURGLARY. BREAK-INS AT THE ZAGREB OFFICE HAVE BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER, WHEN U-N STAFF WERE ALREADY PREPARING FOR THE TRANSFER TO THE NEW NATO-LED FORCE IN BOSNIA.

THE U-N SPOKESWOMAN SAYS BURGLARIES ARE COMMON WHENEVER A U-N MISSION WINDS DOWN:

THIS HAS BEEN IN WHATEVER U-N MISSION I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH. VEHICLES BEGIN TO DISAPPEAR. ANYTHING THAT CAN WALK AWAY, WALKS AWAY: RADIOS, WALKIE-TALKIES, COMPUTERS, FAX MACHINES. AND IT IS A SAD... BUT SAD FACT OF LIFE.

THE U-N IS ALSO TRYING TO TRACE MISSING TRUCKS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT FROM CROATIA THAT U-N SOLDIERS MOVING TO NEW DEPLOYMENTS IN BOSNIA MAY HAVE TAKEN WITH THEM. HOWEVER, THE U-N SAYS THIS IS PROBABLY A CASE OF MISUNDERSTANDING --NOT THEFT -- SINCE CERTAIN UNITS MAY NOT HAVE REALIZED THEY WERE CARTING U-N EQUIPMENT. (SIGNED)

NEB/EJ/GPT
16-Jan-96 2:27 PM EST (1927 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] TURKEY/KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY TURKISH KURDISH REBELS BROKE A MONTH-OLD UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE MONDAY KILLING 11 PEOPLE IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCE OF SIRNAK. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: SECURITY OFFICIALS SAY REBELS FROM THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K, STOPPED A MINIBUS NEAR THE TOWNSHIP OF GUCLUKONAK IN SIRNAK PROVINCE AND, AFTER CHECKING THE PASSENGERS' IDENTITY CARDS, SHOT THEM DEAD. THE REBELS THEN SET THE BUS ON FIRE AND FLED. HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION OF THE GOVERNMENT REPORT, AND THE KURDISH REBELS HAVE NOT ISSUED ANY COMMENT.

SOME OF THE VICTIMS ARE BELIEVED TO BE VILLAGE GUARDS -- KURDS IN THE PAY OF THE GOVERNMENT WHO ARE FIGHTING ALONGSIDE TURKISH TROOPS AGAINST THE P-K-K. THE MARXIST REBELS OFTEN TARGET VILLAGE GUARDS AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS "BETRAYING THE KURDISH PEOPLE."

THE INCIDENT WAS THE FIRST REPORT OF A P-K-K ATTACK SINCE THE GROUP ANNOUNCED A UNILATERAL CEASEFIRE AHEAD OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS HELD ON CHRISTMAS EVE. HOWEVER, THEGOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL NOT TALK WITH THE P-K-K, WHICH IT TERMS A RUTHLESS TERRORIST ORGANISATION.

THE APPARENT COLLAPSE OF THE MONTH-OLD CEASEFIRE CAME AS NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, LEADER OF THE PRO-ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY, OR REFAH, FAILED TO FORM A COALITION GOVERNMENT WEDNESDAY AFTER THE SOCIAL DEMOCRAT LEADER DENIZ BAYKAL JOINED THE COUNTRY'S OTHER SECULAR LEADERS IN SPURNING HIS OFFER FOR A PARTNERSHIP.

THE ISLAMISTS WON LAST MONTH'S ELECTIONS BUT FAILED TO SECURE A MAJORITY IN THE 550-MEMBER PARLIAMENT. PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL IS NOW EXPECTED TO ASK CARETAKER PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER TO TRY TO FORGE A COALITION. A PROPOSED ALLIANCE BETWEEN MRS. CILLER'S CONSERVATIVE TRUE PATH PARTY AND MESUT YILMAZ'S CENTRE RIGHT MOTHERLAND PARTY HAVE FALTERED OVER HER ALLEGED INSISTENCE THAT SHE REMAIN THE PRIME MINISTER.

ANALYSTS SAY UNLESS THE TWO LEADERS SOON AGREE ON A FORMULA TO FORM A GOVERNMENT, FRESH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS MAY WELL BECOME NECESSARY. (SIGNED)

NEB/AZ/MH/GPT
16-Jan-96 11:41 AM EST (1641 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] U-S / GREECE (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS PAYING TRIBUTE TO FORMER GREEK PRIME MINISTER ANDREAS PAPANDREOU, WHO RESIGNED MONDAY -- TWO MONTHS AFTER BEING HOSPITALIZED WITH PNEUMONIA. U-S OFFICIALS ARE PRAISING MR. PAPANDREOU FOR HIS WORK TOWARD PEACE IN THE BALKANS, AND ARE EXPRESSING HOPE FOR HIS SPEEDY RECOVERY. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY TUESDAY PRAISED FORMER PRIME MINISTER PAPANDREAU FOR HIS EFFORTS TO SEEK PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AND EASE TENSIONS IN THE REGION.

HE HAS PLAYED TO ONE OF HIS STRENGTHS AS A PERSONAL NEGOTIATOR IN BEHALF OF PEACE IN THE BALKANS, THE WORK THAT HE HAS DONE IN TRYING TO RELIEVE TENSIONS BETWEEN ALBANIA, GREECE, THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA HAVE BEEN PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN THAT REGARD.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID MR. PAPANDREAU -- A FORMER AMERICAN CITIZEN -- WORKED TO DEEPEN WHAT HE CALLED "THE VERY WARM TIES" THAT EXIST BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND GREECE.

MR. MCCURRY SAID THE UNITED STATES LOOKS FORWARD TO A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH MR. PAPANDREAU'S SUCCESSOR. (SIGNED)

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16-Jan-96 4:32 PM EST (2132 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America