Browse through our Interesting Nodes on Religion in Greece Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Tuesday, 26 November 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Voice of America, 96-08-06

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>


CONTENTS

  • [01] TURKEY / TORTURE (L) BY DAVID MCALARY (WASHINGTON)
  • [02] IRAN / LIBYA / REACT (S ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)
  • [03] FRANCE EURO REACT (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)
  • [04] HELMS-BURTON: EUROPE FIGHTS BACK BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)
  • [05] U-N / CROATIA (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)
  • [06] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)
  • [07] BOSNIA / MOSTAR (L UPDATE) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)
  • [08] IRAQ / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)
  • [09] FOREIGN-BORN PARENT NETWORK (S) (CORRECTED VERSION) BY ZLATICA HOKE (WASHINGTON)
  • [10] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

  • [01] TURKEY / TORTURE (L) BY DAVID MCALARY (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=8/6/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201350
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    ///// EMBARGOED -- DO NOT USE UNTIL 4 P.M. E.D.T. /////

    INTRO: A U-S HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION ACCUSES THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT OF PERMITTING THE SYSTEMATIC TORTURE OF CRIMINAL AND POLITICAL DETAINEES. THE GROUP ALSO FINDS TURKISH PHYSICIANS TO BE UNWILLING PARTICIPANTS IN THE OFFICIAL COVERUP OF PHYSICAL ABUSES. V-O-A'S DAVID MCALARY SUMMARIZES THE FINDINGS OF A TWO-YEAR INVESTIGATION BY PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

    TEXT: THE EVIDENCE UNCOVERED BY PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS SUGGESTS TORTURE BY TURKISH POLICE AND SECURITY FORCES IS WIDESPREAD. THE ORGANIZATION SAYS IT HAS LEARNED OF THE SYSTEMATIC APPLICATION OF SEVERE BEATINGS, PHYSICAL SUSPENSION, SEXUAL ABUSE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, BURNS, FOOD AND WATER DEPRIVATION, AND OTHER METHODS AGAINST DETAINEES HELD INCOMMUNICADO FOR UP TO 30 DAYS.

    THE PRACTICES ARE DOCUMENTED IN A NEW 200-PAGE REPORT BY "PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS" INVESTIGATORS WHO INTERVIEWED 39 TORTURE VICTIMS, DOZENS OF PHYSICIANS WHO EXAMINED SUCH VICTIMS, AND HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS.

    THE CHIEF INVESTIGATOR FOR THE GROUP -- DR. VINCENT IACOPINO ['YAH-KO-'PEE-NO] -- SAYS TURKISH DOCTORS ARE TRAPPED IN A WEB OF COMPLICITY WITH THE TORTURERS. TURKISH LAW REQUIRES DETAINEES TO BE MEDICALLY EXAMINED, BUT DR. IACOPINO SAYS PHYSICIANS ARE FORCED TO CERTIFY NO ABUSE HAS OCCURRED, DESPITE PERSISTENT DENUNCIATIONS OF THE COERCION BY THE TURKISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

    /// IACOPINO ACT ///

    IN THE EXAMINATION ROOM, THE POLICE COERCE AND INTIMIDATE THE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS NOT TO DOCUMENT THE PRACTICE OF TORTURE, WHICH IS SYSTEMATIC IN TURKEY. THE PHYSICIANS ARE SOMEWHAT PASSIVE IN THIS REGARD. IT IS VERY HARD TO OPPOSE THE POLICE WHEN THEY COME WITH A DETAINEE AND ACTUALLY DO WHAT IS REQUIRED OF THEM -- TO DOCUMENT EVIDENCE OF TORTURE.

    /// END ACT ///

    THE PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS NOTES THE PROBLEM IS WORST IN THE 10 SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCES IN THE EMERGENCY ZONE, WHERE GOVERNMENT FORCES COMBAT THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, KNOWN AS P-K-K. THE DOCUMENT SAYS HEALTH WORKERS ARE REPEATEDLY PERSECUTED, TORTURED, AND KILLED FOR PROVIDING CARE TO P-K-K MEMBERS.

    BUT DR. IACOPINO SAYS THE OFFICIAL SANCTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN LIMITED TO JUST THE EMERGENCY ZONE.

    /// IACOPINO ACT ///

    IT HAS HAPPENED IN ISTANBUL AND OTHER CITIES WHERE A PHYSICIAN HAS BEEN ACCUSED -- VERY PROMINENT PHYSICIANS, I MIGHT ADD, HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF PERFORMING SURGERY OR SOME SORT OF CARE TO A MEMBER OF AN ILLEGAL ORGANIZATION. IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE THE P-K-K. IT CAN BE ONE OF ANY OF A NUMBER OF ILLEGAL ORGANIZATIONS IN TURKEY. THEY HAVE ALSO PROSECUTED MEMBERS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION OF TURKEY -- THAT IS, THE TREATMENT CENTERS FOR SURVIVORS OF TORTURE.

    /// END ACT ///

    THE U-S DOCTORS' GROUP ALSO NOTES HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED BY THE P-K-K IN THE SOUTHEAST AND URGES ALL MILITANT ORGANIZATIONS TO COMPLY WITH HUMANITARIAN LAW.

    TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES HAVE COME UNDER CLOSE SCRUTINY AS IT SEEKS ADMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION. THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE AND INHUMAN TREATMENT, AND MANY NON-GOVERNMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE DOCUMENTED TORTURE AND OTHER TURKISH RIGHTS VIOLATIONS DURING THE PAST 15-YEARS.

    TURKISH LAW OFFICIALLY PROHIBITS TORTURE AND OFFICIALS HAVE ROUTINELY DENIED THE PROBLEM EXISTS. PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PRESENTED ITS FINDINGS TO THE GOVERNMENT IN OCTOBER AND THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE RESPONDED BY SAYING TORTURE IS NOT APPLIED SYSTEMATICALLY IN THE COUNTRY AND DETAINEES' INJURIES ARE SELF-INFLICTED.

    IN A JANUARY U-S TELEVISION INTERVIEW, THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER DISMISSED REPORTS OF TORTURE AS ALLEGATIONS WITHOUT PROVEN FACTS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DEM/RAE

    ///// EMBARGOED -- USE ONLY AFTER 4 P.M. E.D.T. /////


    06-Aug-96 1:01 PM EDT (1701 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [02] IRAN / LIBYA / REACT (S ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

    DATE=8/6/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201334
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: IRAN AND LIBYA HAVE DENOUNCED THE NEW U-S LAW CALLING FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS WITH THEM. V-O-A CORESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN SUMS UP FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU.

    TEXT: LIBYA'S STATE-RUN NEWS AGENCY SAYS THE U-S LAW UNDERLINES A POLICY BASED ON SELF-INTEREST. THE NEWS AGENCY GOES ON TO WARN THAT THE NEW SANCTIONS WILL HURT ONLY AMERICAN BUSINESS. IN IRAN, THE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAYS THE U-S POLICY IS DOOMED TO FAILURE BECAUSE IT LACKS INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT. MOHMAED MOHAMMADI ACCUSES THE UNITED STATES OF USING LIES TO FURTHER ITS GOAL OF ISOLATING IRAN. BUT HE SAYS THE EFFORT WILL BACKFIRE AND ONLY ISOLATE THE U-S ADMINISTRATION. IN FACT, EUROPEAN ALLIES ALREADY ARE SHAPELY CRITICIZING THE U-S SANCTIONS, WHICH NOW EXTEND TO NON-US COMPANIES AND AIM TO DISCOURAGE ALL FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN IRAN. THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS PREFERRED A POLICY OF WHAT IT CALLS CRITICAL DIALOGUE TO KEEP THE DOOR OPEN TO IRAN'S ISLAMIC LEADERSHIP.

    THE UNITES STATES HAS ACCUSED IRAN AND LIBYA OF SPONSORING TERRORISTS TRYING TO SABOTAGE MIDDLE EAST PEACE EFFORTS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/LK/JWH/CF
    06-Aug-96 8:20 AM EDT (1220 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [03] FRANCE EURO REACT (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

    DATE=8/6/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201341
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS REACTED ANGRILY TO NEW U-S MOVES TO PUNISH COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS WITH IRAN AND LIBYA, BUT A MAJOR FRENCH OIL FIRM SAYS IT UNDERSTANDS THAT ONLY NEW -- NOT EXISTING -- TRADE WILL BE AFFECTED. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

    TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SIGNATURE OF THE LAW APPLYING SANCTIONS TO COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS WITH IRAN AND LIBYA -- BECAUSE OF THOSE TWO COUNTRIES' ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN TERRORISM PROVOKED A STORM OF CRITICISM IN EUROPE.

    FRANCE AND BRITAIN BOTH SPOKE OF RETALIATION, IF THEIR INTERESTS WERE AFFECTED. BUT LATER, THERE WERE SIGNS OF SOFTENING AND TALK THAT THE MEASURES ARE NOT AS TOUGH AS ORIGINALLY THOUGHT.

    FRANCE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST COUNTRIES TO REACT, PROMISING RETALIATION AGAINST WASHINGTON. NOW, THE FRENCH OIL FIRM "TOTAL," WITH IMPORTANT INTERESTS IN BOTH IRAN AND LIBYA, SAYS IT DOES NOT BELIEVE THE NEW LAW WILL AFFECT ITS BUSINESS.

    A SPOKESMAN FOR TOTAL SAID THE COMPANY'S READING OF THE LAW WAS THAT AMERICAN SANCTIONS WILL APPLY ONLY TO NEW BUSINESS WITH IRAN AND LIBYA. HE SAID TOTAL, ITS SUPPLIERS AND CUSTOMERS WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.

    ITALY'S FOREIGN TRADE MINISTER, AUGUSTO FANTOZZI, EARLIER SPOKE OF BLACKLISTING AMERICAN COMPANIES IF THE LAW WAS APPLIED. BUT FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI SAID EUROPE MUST REACT, BUT SHOULD NOT DO SO HYSTERICALLY. HE DESCRIBED THE AMERICAN MOVE AS MAINLY SYMBOLIC.

    GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL DEFENDED THE EUROPEAN POLICY CALLED "CRITICAL DIALOGUE" -- A POLICY OF KEEPING RELATIONS OPEN WITH COUNTRIES THAT ARE SUSPECTED OF TERRORISM OR SUBVERSION. WHILE MR. KINKEL SAID EUROPE COULD NOT ACCEPT THE AMERICAN SANCTIONS, HE SAID HE DID NOT BELIEVE IN TALK OF A TRADE WAR.

    // OPT //

    IN HIS WORDS, EVERYTHING WILL NOT BE "EATEN AS HOT AS IT IS BEING SERVED UP." // END OPT // (SIGNED)
    NEB/JN/PCF/CF
    06-Aug-96 10:53 AM EDT (1453 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [04] HELMS-BURTON: EUROPE FIGHTS BACK BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)

    DATE=8/6/96
    TYPE=CLOSEUP
    NUMBER=4-09331
    TELEPHONE=619-0932 (EDITOR)
    EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES
    CONTENT= // TAPE INSERTS IN AUDIO SERVICES //

    INTRO: THE UNITED STATES' EUROPEAN ALLIES ARE UP IN ARMS OVER THE SO-CALLED HELMS-BURTON ACT, WHICH IMPOSES SANCTIONS AGAINST CERTAIN FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT DO BUSINESS IN CUBA. SIMILARLY, THEY HAVE DENOUNCED A LAW SIGNED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON ON MONDAY THAT CALLS FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST FOREIGN FIRMS THAT INVEST IN IRAN AND LIBYA, WHICH THE UNITED STATES CONSIDERS SUPPORTERS OF

    TERRORISM. AS VOA'S DAGMAR BREITENBACH REPORTS FROM

    BONN, THE EUROPEAN UNION SEES BOTH MEASURES AS A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND IS CONSIDERING A SERIES OF COUNTER-MEASURES.

    TEXT: FRANZ-JOSEF MEIERS IS A RESEARCH ASSISTANT AT THE BONN-BASED GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY INSTITUTE. HE SAYS GERMANY AND THE OTHER EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES ARE NOT CONCERNED THAT THE HELMS-BURTON ACT WILL HAVE A MATERIAL IMPACT ON EUROPEAN COMPANIES. BUT THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT THE U-S LEGISLATION IS BEING IMPOSED UNILATERALLY, AND SETS A BAD PRECEDENT:

    TAPE: CUT # 1: MEIERS "THE TRADE BETWEEN THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES WITH CUBA FOR EXAMPLE IN 1994 WAS -- AND I ASSUME STILL IS -- NEGLIGIBLE... THE EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS ARE VERY MUCH CONCERNED THAT THE HELMS-BURTON ACT WILL SET A NEGATIVE PRECEDENT, OR MAY BE A HARBINGER OF THINGS TO COME, LIKE THE D'AMATO ACT."

    TEXT: THE D'AMATO BILL, SIGNED MONDAY BY PRESIDENT CLINTON, ORDERS U-S SANCTIONS AGAINST COMPANIES THAT DO BUSINESS WITH IRAN AND LIBYA. WASHINGTON CONSIDERS THESE COUNTRIES TO BE SPONSORS OF TERRORISM.

    WHILE THE EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES SAY THEY SHARE WITH THE UNITED STATES A DESIRE TO TURN CUBA INTO A RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, THEY ARGUE THAT THE HELMS-BURTON ACT IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT. THEY SAY IT OFFENDS AMERICA'S ALLIES.

    WHEN PRESIDENT CLINTON SIGNED THE HELMS-BURTON ACT, HE SOFTENED ITS IMPACT BY SUSPENDING FOR SIX MONTHS ITS TITLE THREE PROVISION, ALLOWING U-S CITIZENS TO SUE FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT "TRAFFIC" OR DEAL IN AMERICAN-OWNED PROPERTIES CONFISCATED IN THE CUBAN REVOLUTION. FRANZ-JOSEF MEIERS SAYS THE SUSPENSION OF TITLE THREE WAS WELCOMED BY EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS.

    TAPE: CUT #2: MEIERS "I WOULD CONSIDER IT A BREATHING SPACE GIVING BOTH THE U-S GOVERNMENT AND THE E-U GOVERNMENTS TIME TO RECONSIDER THE IMPACT OF THE HELMS-BURTON ACT, AND I DO HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE AN INDEFINITE SUSPENSION -- AT LEAST OF TITLE THREE -- OTHERWISE THERE WILL BE SOME ROWS BETWEEN BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC."

    TEXT: MR. MEIERS DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE U-S / EUROPEAN TENSIONS OVER HELMS-BURTON OR THE D'AMATO BILL WILL ESCALATE INTO A TRADE WAR, BUT FEARS IT COULD AFFECT U-S / EUROPEAN COOPERATION IN OTHER AREAS.

    TAPE: CUT # 3: MEIERS "I WOULD NOT GO THAT FAR AS TO SAY OR CHARACTERIZE THE PRESENT CONFLICT AS A TRADE WAR, BUT IT COULD FURTHER AGGRAVATE THE TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONSHIP, AND MAY HAVE AN IMPACT WITHIN THE U-S CONGRESS, WITHIN THE U-S PUBLIC WHEN THE EXTENSION FOR EXAMPLE OF THE IFOR MANDATE (IN BOSNIA) COMES OR WILL BE A TOPICAL ISSUE WITHIN THE ALLIANCE AND THERE IS A PREVAILING MOOD WITHIN THE U-S PUBLIC AND CONGRESS THAT THE EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS ARE BASICALLY PURSUING A SELF-INTERESTED POLICY WHICH NEGLECTS BASIC INTERESTS OF THE U-S. [OPT] AND HERE, THE EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS MAY -- THIS IS A POSSIBILITY -- MAY NO LONGER EXPECT U-S HELP FOR EXAMPLE IN CASES LIKE THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, WHERE U-S HELP IS STILL VERY MUCH IN NEED." [END OPT]

    TEXT: THE GERMAN FOREIGN POLICY EXPERT SAYS THE EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS VIEW THE CUBA ISSUE AS VERY MUCH A PART OF U-S DOMESTIC POLITICS IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

    TAPE: CUT # 4: MEIERS "IT'S A KIND OF FLORIDA-NEW JERSEY POLICY, ELECTORAL STAKES FOR BOTH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND HIS CONTENDER BOB DOLE ARE VERY HIGH IN BOTH STATES. AND WHY? BECAUSE THE CUBAN-AMERICANS ARE HEAVILY CONCENTRATED IN BOTH STATES, AND THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT FOR BOTH PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS BECAUSE THEY ARE TWO OUT OF THE 14 CONTESTED STATES WHICH ARE MUST-WIN STATES FOR BOTH PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDERS, BUT IN PARTICULAR FOR THE REPUBLICAN CONTENDER, ROBERT DOLE."

    TEXT: MR. MEIERS SAYS THERE IS HOPE THAT THINGS WILL CALM DOWN AFTER THE U-S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER. BUT HE NOTES ANOTHER ISSUE THAT COULD AFFECT THE EXTENT TO WHICH BOTH THE HELMS-BURTON ACT AND D'AMATO LAW ARE ENFORCED.

    TAPE: CUT #5: MEIERS "...THE HELMS-BURTON ACT CERTAINLY WILL BE TO SOME EXTENT INFLUENCED BY DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING THE CRASH OF T-W-A FLIGHT 800, AND IF THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THE CRASH WAS CAUSED BY A TERRORIST ACT, COMMITTED BY ONE OF THE FOUR COUNTRIES CLINTON MENTIONED IN HIS SPEECH THE OTHER DAY --IRAN, IRAQ, LIBYA OR SUDAN -- THEN I THINK THE MOOD IN THE U-S, WITHIN THE PUBLIC, CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATION WILL NOT CHANGE IN FAVOR OF WHAT WE EXPECT HERE IN EUROPE, BUT IN THE OTHER DIRECTION; THAT IS, TO TOUGHEN SANCTIONS ON CUBA AS WELL AS ON THESE SO-CALLED ROGUE STATES LIKE LIBYA AND IRAN."

    TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION, MEANTIME, IS CONSIDERING A SERIES OF COUNTERMEASURES TO PROTECT EUROPEAN BUSINESSMEN DOING BUSINESS IN CUBA, INCLUDING POSSIBLE VISA RESTRICTIONS AGAINST U-S CITIZENS WHO SUE EUROPEAN COMPANIES. BUT FOREIGN POLICY EXPERT FRANZ-JOSEF MEIERS THINKS ANY MEASURES THAT COULD FURTHER AGGRAVATE THE U-S/EUROPEAN RELATIONSHIP SHOULD BE AVOIDED.

    TAPE: CUT #6: MEIRS "I DO HOPE THERE WILL BE SOME ROOM FOR MANEUVER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC, AND I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE THAT TO PUT EVERYTHING IN PERSPECTIVE, THIS HELMS-BURTON ACT HAS NO MATERIAL IMPACT AT ALL ON THE TRADE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE U-S AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. AND ALL PEOPLE INVOLVED SHOULD BE AWARE OF WHAT COMES FIRST, AND THAT IS THE TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONSHIP, AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE PUT AT STAKE BY THIS RATHER MINOR PROBLEM OF THE HELMS-BURTON ACT."

    TEXT: MR. MEIERS SAID THAT WHILE THE TRANS-ATLANTIC RELATIONSHIP IS SOMEWHAT STRAINED AT THE MOMENT, HE IS CONFIDENT THAT U-S AND EUROPEAN LEADERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING THE ALLIANCE -- AND WILL SET THEIR PRIORITIES ACCORDINGLY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DB/PCH
    06-Aug-96 3:45 PM EDT (1945 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [05] U-N / CROATIA (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

    DATE=8/6/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201347
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES SAYS THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT IS STILL FAILING TO COOPERATE IN EFFORTS TO REPATRIATE SERB CIVILIANS WHO FLED THE KRAJINA REGION ONE YEAR AGO, WHEN CROATIAN GOVERNMENT TROOPS RE-CAPTURED THE AREA FROM SERB REBELS. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS FROM GENEVA.

    TEXT: THE COMMENTS FROM U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN RON REDMOND WERE TIMED TO COINCIDE WITH THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF OPERATION STORM THE CROATIAN ARMY OFFENSIVE THAT DISLODGED SERB REBELS FROM THE KRAJINA REGION, AND SET IN MOTION A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT ULTIMATELY LED TO THE PEACE AGREEMENT FOR NEIGHBORING BOSNIA.

    BUT OPERATION STORM ALSO PROVOKED A MASS EXODUS OF CROATIAN SERB CIVILIANS FROM THE KRAJINA. MORE THAN 170-THOUSAND FLED TO NEIGHBORING YUGOSLAVIA -- THE LARGEST SINGLE POPULATION MOVEMENT OF THE BALKAN CONFLICT. AND MR. REDMOND SAID ONLY A HANDFUL HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO GO BACK TO THEIR HOMES.

    /// REDMOND ACT ///

    AND THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS FOR THIS LACK OF RETURN TO KRAJINA. IT INCLUDES A LACK OF INTEREST AND COOPERATION ON THE CROATIAN SIDE; ALSO MASS DESTRUCTION IN KRAJINA. THERE HAS BEEN INTIMIDATION AND HARASSMENT OF THE REMAINING MINORITY POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY TEN-THOUSAND CROATIAN SERBS. THERE IS ALSO A VERY RESTRICTIVE AMNESTY LAW WHICH CAUSES PEOPLE TO FEAR GOING BACK.

    /// END ACT ///

    THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS BETWEEN SEVEN-THOUSAND AND EIGHT-THOUSAND SERBS HAVE RETURNED TO THE COUNTRY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. BUT U-N OFFICIALS AND HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS IN CROATIA DISPUTE THE FIGURE.

    MR. REDMOND SAID THE ZAGREB GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN RESETTLING CROAT REFUGEES FROM BOSNIA IN FORMER SERB HOMES IN THE KRAJINA. HE COULD PROVIDE NO FIGURES, BUT SAID THE TREND APPEARS TO BE CONTINUING.

    THE SPOKESMAN SAID CROATIAN SERB REFUGEES IN YUGOSLAVIA ARE LIVING IN BLEAK CONDITIONS. NEARLY HALF ARE STILL STAYING IN SPARTAN COLLECTIVE CENTERS.

    THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT RESETTLED ABOUT 15-THOUSAND OF THE REFUGEES IN THE KOSOVO REGION, IN A MOVE THAT HEIGHTENED TENSIONS BETWEEN THE SERB COMMUNITY AND KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DBR/JWH/MMK
    06-Aug-96 12:04 PM EDT (1604 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [06] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

    DATE=8/6/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201351
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: A MUSLIM DOCTOR WHO TREATED TORTURE VICTIMS AT THE TRNOPOLJE PRISON CAMP IN BOSNIA HAS TOLD THE U-N'S WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ABOUT WIDESPREAD RAPE IN THE CAMP. GILLIAN SHARPE IN THE HAGUE REPORTS THE DOCTOR WAS GIVING EVIDENCE IN THE TRIAL OF BOSNIAN SERB DUSAN TADIC, WHO IS IS ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND OTHER WAR CRIMES.

    TEXT: THE WITNESS, VASIF GUTIC, WAS HIMSELF AN INMATE OF TRNOPOLJE PRISON CAMP. AS A DOCTOR, HE TREATED THE VICTIMS OF TORTURE AND BEATINGS IN A MAKESHIFT CLINIC.

    OF THE THREE CAMPS IN WHICH DUSAN TADIC IS ACCUSED OF COMMITTING WAR CRIMES, PROSECUTORS SAY TRNOPOLJE WAS THE LEAST BRUTAL. EVEN SO, DR. GUTIC'S ACCOUNT WAS GRAPHIC. HE TOLD THE COURT THAT WOMEN WERE FREQUENTLY GANG RAPED IN THE CAMP AND WERE TAKEN OUTSIDE TO WHAT AMOUNTED TO BROTHELS. SPEAKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR, HE TOLD THE STORY OF ONE 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL.

    /// GUTIC TRANSLATOR ACT ///

    SHE DIDN'T REGISTER ANYTHING AROUND HER. SHE HAD THAT DEJECTED LOOK. SHE WAS STARING IN FRONT OF HER, A SORT OF EXPRESSIONLESS STARE. THERE WAS NOTHING IN IT. AND THAT LEFT A TERRIBLE IMPRESSION ON ME, BECAUSE I MET HER THE NIGHT BEFORE AND I SAW HER EYES, HER BEAUTIFUL EYES, AND THEY WERE GONE.

    /// END ACT ///

    THERE WAS, THE WITNESS SAID, NOTHING HE COULD DO BEYOND GIVING THE GIRL PAINKILLERS.

    MR. TADIC WAS NOT LINKED TO THIS INCIDENT. BUT PROSECUTORS SAY HE WAS INVOLVED IN GANG RAPES AT THE CAMP AND THE KILLING OF MORE THAN 30 DETAINEES -- CHARGES HE DENIES.

    DR. GUTIC TOLD THE COURT THAT ON ONE OCCASION, HE SAW MR. TADIC DISCUSSING A LIST OF NAMES WITH THE CAMP'S DEPUTY COMMANDER. THIS KIND OF LIST, HE SAYS, WAS NORMALLY USED TO SELECT PEOPLE FOR INTERROGATION AND BEATINGS. HE SAID MANY OF THOSE SELECTED DID NOT RETURN.

    THE COURT ALSO HEARD FROM SEFIK KESIC, A SURVIVOR OF THE KERATERM CAMP. HE TOLD JUDGES THAT DUSAN TADIC HAD BEATEN HIM AND OTHER PRISONERS AT THE CAMP. INITIALLY, MR, KESIC SAID MR. TADIC HAD ALSO BEATEN HIM ON OTHER OCCASIONS. BUT HE WITHDREW THE ALLEGATIONS WHEN HE ADMITTED TO BEING UNSURE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/GS/JWH/MMK
    06-Aug-96 1:31 PM EDT (1731 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [07] BOSNIA / MOSTAR (L UPDATE) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

    DATE=8/6/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201357
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS SAY BOSNIAN CROATS HAVE SIGNED A DEAL ENDING A POLITICAL STAND-OFF IN MOSTAR, AGREEING TO FORM A LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITH MUSLIMS. AS DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO, THE CRISIS IN BOSNIA BEGAN WHEN CROATS IN BITTERLY DIVIDED MOSTAR REFUSED TO RECOGNISE THE RESULTS OF AN ELECTION THEY LOST TO MUSLIMS.

    TEXT: THE AGREEMENT REACHED AFTER MARATHON TALKS SAYS THE JOINT CITY COUNCIL WILL MEET SOMETIME IN AUGUST TO CHOOSE A CROAT MAYOR. BUT AFTER THAT THE COUNCIL WILL PROBABLY NOT MEET AGAIN FOR AT LEAST TWO MONTHS.

    FURTHER MEETINGS MUST WAIT UNTIL THE YET TO BE APPOINTED SUPREME COURT OF THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION RULES ON CROAT CLAIMS OF VOTING IRREGULARITIES DURING THE ELECTIONS. UNDER THE AGREEMENT, THAT COURT DECISION SHOULD BE ISSUED WITHIN TWO-MONTHS OF THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING.

    COLUM MURPHY, THE SPOKESMAN FOR CARL BILDT, THE SENIOR INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR IN BOSNIA, SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL NOT BE CELEBRATING NOW THAT A DEAL HAS BEEN MADE.

    /// ACT - MURPHY ///

    IT MEANS WE ARE AT LEAST BACK AT GROUND ZERO, BUT IN FACT IT IS NOT AN AGREEMENT THAT WE ARE NECESSARILY SUPER ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT.

    /// END ACT ///

    MR. MURPHY SAYS THE CROATS HAVE ACCEPTED THE PRINCIPLE OF A JOINT COUNCIL, BUT THEY HAVE ALSO BOUGHT MORE TIME BEFORE THE COUNCIL CAN EXERCISE POWER. HE SAYS THERE WILL LIKELY BE SIMILAR PROBLEMS AFTER NATION-WIDE ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER, AND HE SAYS THE AGREEMENT DOES NOT AUGER WELL FOR THE FUTURE.

    /// ACT - MURPHY ///

    IT SIMPLY TAKES US BACK TO WHERE WE WERE IN THE SENSE THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN NECESSARY IN THE FIRST PLACE. AN ELECTION IS AN ELECTION, WE KEEP SAYING AD NAUSEAM (UNTIL WE ARE SICK OF SAYING IT). THE RESULTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED THE FIRST TIME AROUND. NOW WE HAVE GONE AROUND IN CIRCLES.

    /// END ACT ///

    BUT, FOR THE MOMENT THE LATEST CHALLENGE TO THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD HAS BEEN AT LEAST TEMPORARILY DEFUSED, AND INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS SAY THEY MUST NOW WORK TO CALM ETHNIC TENSIONS BETWEEN CROATS AND MUSLIMS WHICH HAVE SOARED DURING THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DF/JWH/RAE
    06-Aug-96 2:52 PM EDT (1852 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [08] IRAQ / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

    DATE=8/6/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201355
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: IRAN'S INCURSION INTO NORTHERN IRAQ LAST WEEK HAS INCREASED TENSIONS BETWEEN THE TWO RIVAL IRAQI KURDISH FACTIONS CONTROLLING THE AREA. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THERE ARE FEARS ON BOTH SIDES THAT THESE TENSIONS MAY LEAD TO RENEWED CONFLICT BETWEEN MASSOUD BARZANI'S KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF IRAQ, OR K-D-P, AND JALAL TALABANI'S PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN, OR P-U-K.

    TEXT: K-D-P OFFICIALS SAY A FRAGILE PEACE AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE RIVAL P-U-K LAST YEAR COULD BE SHATTERED AT ANY MOMENT AS A RESULT OF THE IRANIAN OFFENSIVE LAST WEEK.

    K-D-P OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE CROSS BORDER ATTACK BY ABOUT TWO-THOUSAND IRANIAN TROOPS, BACKED BY HEAVY WEAPONS AND ARTILLERY, TOOK PLACE WITH THE FULL COOPERATION OF JALAL TALABANI'S FORCES.

    /// OPT ///

    ALTHOUGH THE OPERATION WAS CONCENTRATED AGAINST IRANIAN KURDISH REBELS, K-D-P OFFICIALS SAY THAT BEFORE WITHDRAWING, THE IRANIANS LEFT BEHIND A LARGE SUPPLY OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION FOR THE P-U-K.

    /// OPT ///

    THEY ALSO SAY THE OPERATION WAS LAUNCHED IN AREAS UNDER P-U-K CONTROL. /// END OPT ///

    SAFFEEN DIZAYEE IS THE ANKARA REPRESENTATIVE OF THE K-D-P. HE SAYS THE IRANIAN INCURSION COINCIDED WITH P-U-K ATTACKS AGAINST K-D-P POSITIONS NEAR THE CITY OF ERBIL.

    /// DIZAYEE ACT ///

    FROM WHAT WE SEE ON THE GROUND, WE HAVE WITNESSED REINFORCEMENT OF POSITION AROUND ERBIL AND DIGGING EVEN DEEPER TRENCHES BY P-U-K FORCES AND ACQUIRING NEW WEAPONS WITH THE COORDINATION OF IRANIAN FORCES. HENCE P-U-K SEES ITSELF IN A STRONGER POSITION MILITARILY IF THEY EMBARK ON ANY MILITARY VENTURE AGAINST K-D-P.

    /// END DIZAYEE ACT ///

    P-U-K OFFICIALS, HOWEVER, STRONGLY DENY HAVING COOPERATED WITH IRANIAN FORCES.

    SHAZAD SAIB, THE ANKARA REPRESENTATIVE OF THE P-U-K, SAYS HIS PARTY COULD NOT HAVE RESISTED IRANIAN FORCES AND HAD WARNED THE IRANIAN KURDS IN ADVANCE ABOUT THE OPERATION, WHICH HAS LEFT BETWEEN FIVE-THOUSAND AND SEVEN-THOUSAND IRANIAN KURDISH CIVILIANS HOMELESS.

    /// OPT ///

    HE POINTS OUT THAT THE K-D-P HAS ALSO NOT BEEN ABLE TO PREVENT TURKISH FORCES FROM LAUNCHING CROSS-BORDER ATTACKS AGAINST TURKISH KURD REBELS BASED IN AREAS UNDER ITS CONTROL. /// END OPT ///

    MR SAIB SAID HE BELIEVES IT IS THE INTERNAL DIVISIONS BETWEEN THE IRAQI KURDS WHICH HAVE ENABLED NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES TO PURSUE THEIR OWN MILITARY AND STRATEGIC GOALS IN THE REGION -- OFTEN, IN HIS WORDS, TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE KURDISH PEOPLE.

    /// SAIB ACT ///

    IF WE HAVE NORMAL RELATION WITH K-D-P AND IF OUR REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION WERE MORE POWERFUL AND EFFECTING EVERYWHERE, WE COULD HAVE MORE STRENGTH, AT LEAST WE COULD PROTECT ALL OUR AREAS. THERE WOULD BE NO EXCUSE FOR ANYBODY TO INTERFERE IN OUR INTERNAL MATTERS.

    /// END SAIB ACT ///

    ANALYSTS SAY SYRIA, TURKEY AND IRAN -- WHICH ALL HAVE RESTIVE ETHNIC KURDISH MINORITIES -- HAVE LONG FEARED THAT UNDER WESTERN MILITARY PROTECTION THE IRAQI KURDS ARE HEADING TOWARDS FULL INDEPENDENCE.

    FOR THAT REASON, ANALYSTS SAY ALL THREE COUNTRIES HAVE SOUGHT TO EXACERBATE TRADITIONAL RIVALRIES BETWEEN THE K-D-P AND THE P-U-K. THESE ESCALATED INTO BLOODY CLASHES IN MAY, 1994, CLAIMING WELL OVER THREE-THOUSAND LIVES. A CEASE-FIRE BROKERED PARTLY BY THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN HOLDING FOR THE PAST YEAR.

    BUT MAJOR DIFFERENCES REMAIN BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. THESE INCLUDE THE STATUS OF ERBIL, THE LARGEST CITY IN THE ENCLAVE, NOW UNDER P-U-K CONTROL, AND THE SHARING OF CUSTOMS REVENUE FROM BORDER POSTS WITH TURKEY AND IRAN.

    BOTH K-D-P AND P-U-K OFFICIALS AGREE ON THE NEED TO REACH A LASTING AND COMPREHENSIVE PEACE IF FURTHER CLASHES ARE TO BE AVERTED. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AZ/JWH/MMK
    06-Aug-96 2:29 PM EDT (1829 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [09] FOREIGN-BORN PARENT NETWORK (S) (CORRECTED VERSION) BY ZLATICA HOKE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=8-5-96
    TYPE=CURRENT AFFAIRS FEATURE
    NUMBER=3-25607
    TELEPHONE=619-0935
    EDITOR=NANCY SMART
    //RERUNNING TO CORRECT SPELLING AND PRONUNCIATION OF OLCAY RACHED'S NAME//

    INTRO: MANY FOREIGN-BORN PARENTS IN AMERICA WOULD LIKE THEIR CHILDREN TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE OF THEIR ORIGIN, BUT KIDS DO NOT ALWAYS CO-OPERATE. ZLATICA HOKE REPORTS SOME FOREIGN-BORN PARENTS ARE SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES THROUGH A GROWING NETWORK.

    TEXT: TURKISH-BORN AMERICAN OLCAY RACHED (PRON: ALL-JAI RHA-SHID) SPEAKS TURKISH AS A NATIVE TONGUE. AS A CHILD SHE ALSO LEARNED AZERBAIJANI FROM HER GRANDPARENTS. MS RACHED, WHO NOW LIVES IN SUBURBAN VIRGINIA OUTSIDE WASHINGTON, D.C., WANTED HER CHILDREN TO LEARN TURKISH FROM HER, JUST AS SHE LEARNED AZERBAIJANI FROM HER GRANDPARENTS.

    TAPE CUT ONE RACHED :16 "I WANTED THEM TO KNOW TURKISH BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO LEARN ENGLISH ANYWAY AND I DIDN'T WANT MY CHILDREN TO LEARN ENGLISH FROM ME BECAUSE I HAVE AN ACCENT, SO I WANTED TO TEACH THEM WHATEVER I KNOW THE BEST."

    TEXT: OLCAY RACHED SAYS HER CHILDREN, WHO ARE NOW TEENAGERS, SPEAK BOTH LANGUAGES FLUENTLY. OTHER PARENTS ARE NOT SO SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE KIDS OFTEN DON'T SEE WHY THEY SHOULD LEARN ANOTHER LANGUAGE IF ALL THEIR PEERS SPEAK ONLY ENGLISH.

    VIETNAMESE-BORN ALICE RASMUSSEN COMMUNICATES WITH HER CHILDREN ONLY IN FRENCH WHILE HER AMERICAN-BORN HUSBAND SPEAKS TO THEM IN ENGLISH. LAST YEAR SHE FOUNDED THE FOREIGN-BORN PARENT NETWORK IN THE WASHINGTON D.C. AREA WITH THE IDEA OF SHARING HER EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER PARENTS WHO WANT TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN BILINGUALLY. THE GROUP PUBLISHES A NESLETTER EVERY TWO MONTHS. (BEGIN OPT) AND IT ALREADY HAS ALMOST A THOUSAND MEMBERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND TWO MEMBERS IN OTHER COUNTRIES. (END OPT)

    TAPE CUT TWO RASMUSSEN :22 "NUMBER ONE, THROUGH THE PUBLICATION I INFORM, EDUCATE PARENTS ON WHAT BILINGUALISM MEANS IN THE EARLY AGES OF CHILDHOOD, WHAT THE RESEARCH SAYS ABOUT BILINGUAL CHILDREN. THE SECOND THING IS IN THE HOME. WHAT WE SHARE WITH OUR MEMBERS -- THAT IS WE SHARE A LOT OF STRATEGIES."

    TEXT: MS RASMUSSEN SAYS HER STRATEGY REQUIRES WHAT SHE CALLS THE THREE C'S ON THE PART OF THE PARENT: THE CHOICE TO RAISE THE CHILDREN BILINGUALLY, CONSISTENCY IN SPEAKING TO THEM IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE AND COMMITMENT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/ZH/NES
    06-Aug-96 10:56 AM EDT (1456 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

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

    DATE=08/06/96
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-09715
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES
    CONTENT=
    // EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS PERISHABLE MATERIAL AND BECOMES DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-D-S-T ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 6TH //

    INTRO: THE OVERWHELMING EDITORIAL TOPIC IN MOST U-S DAILY PAPERS THIS TUESDAY IS PRESUMED REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE'S ECONOMIC PLAN THAT PROMISES AMERICANS A 15 PERCENT TAX CUT. REACTION IS PREDOMINANTLY NEGATIVE. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE ASSESSING THE ATLANTA OLYMPICS; CONCERN FOR THE U-S TROOPS IN SAUDI ARABIA, AND PROBLEMS AFFLICTING THE EAST EUROPEAN PRESS. NOW, FOR A QUOTE OR TWO AND A CLOSER LOOK, HERE IS _____________________ WITH TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: A LARGE NUMBER OF PAPERS ARE LEADING THEIR EDITORIAL COLUMNS WITH COMMENTS ON BOB DOLE'S ECONOMIC PLAN ANNOUNCED IN A MAJOR CHICAGO SPEECH ON MONDAY. ALTHOUGH SOME PAPERS SUPPORT THE TAX CUT, MANY ARE CALLING IT A RETURN TO THE SO-CALLED "VOODOO ECONOMICS" POLICIES OF THE BUSH AND REAGAN ADMINISTRATIONS. MANY EDITORIALS POINT OUT THAT DURING HIS MANY YEARS IN THE SENATE, MR. DOLE WAS ONE OF THE STRONGEST CRITICS OF THE VERY ECONOMIC POLICY HE IS NOW ESPOUSING. AMONG THE PAPERS THAT DISAGREE WITH THE PRESUMED REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE ARE THE NEW YORK TIMES, WHICH CALLS THE PLAN "TAX-CUT TRICKERY":

    VOICE: "BOB DOLE'S TAX-CUT PLAN IS A POLITICALLY BOLD IF IRRESPONSIBLE PLOY TO RESURRECT HIS CAMPAIGN. THE 15 PERCENT ACROSS-THE-BOARD TAX CUT IS BIG ENOUGH TO WIN VOTERS' ATTENTION AND EXCITE THEIR GREED... WASHINGTON OWES VOTERS A MENU OF PRUDENT SPENDING PROGRAMS BALANCED BY THE TAXES NEEDED TO PAY FOR THEM. WHAT MR. DOLE WOULD GIVE VOTERS IS A HUGE TAX CUT WITH A PROMISE OF SPENDING CUTS THAT ARE EITHER ILLUSORY OR DESTRUCTIVE."

    TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST IS EQUALLY CRITICAL OF THE DOLE ECONOMIC PLAN

    VOICE: "THE TAX CUTS WOULD LIKELY ADD TO THE DEFICIT, THEREBY REDUCING THE SAVINGS RATE ON WHICH INVESTMENT DEPENDS WHILE FORCING INTEREST RATES HIGHER THAN THEY WOULD OTHERWISE BE. FAR FROM GENERATING GREATER GROWTH, THESE FACTORS WOULD COMBINE TO SUPPRESS IT... THE SPENDING CUTS THAT THE PLAN IMPLIES WOULD ... GREATLY REDUCE THE SERVICES THAT GOVERNMENT PROVIDES."

    TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES IS A BIT CYNICAL IN SUGGESTING:

    VOICE: "...GOOD POLITICAL TEASERS, LIKE PROPOSALS TO CUT TAXES, DON'T NECESSARILY SAVE TROUBLED CAMPAIGNS."

    TEXT: AMONG THE FEW PAPERS ENDORSING THE DOLE PLAN IS THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, WHICH SAYS IN PART:

    VOICE: MR. DOLE ... IS SAYING THAT WITH THE RIGHT POLICIES AMERICA CAN ONCE AGAIN EXPERIENCE THE PROSPERITY IT DID IN THE 1980S, AND BEFORE THAT IN THE POSTWAR BOOM YEARS. AND HE IS OFFERING SOMETHING SERIOUS TO THOSE AMERICANS ..+.. WORRIED ABOUT THEIR ECONOMIC FUTURE. BY CONTRAST, MR. CLINTON IS CASTING HIMSELF WITH THE PESSIMISTS IN THIS DEBATE, WITH THOSE WHO SAY TODAY IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS... THIS IS A BIG DEBATE WORTHY OF A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN."

    [OPT]

    TEXT: SUPPORT FOR THE DOLE PROPOSALS ALSO COMES FROM THE NEW YORK POST, WHICH CALLS THE PLAN "BOLD," ADDING:

    VOICE: "WITH A SINGLE BOLD STROKE, PRESUMPTIVE G-O-P NOMINEE BOB DOLE MAY WELL HAVE PUT HIMSELF BACK INTO THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE... IF THE EX-SENATOR SELLS HIS PLAN WITH CONVICTION, WE SUSPECT THAT MANY AMERICANS WILL BE PROMPTED TO TAKE A MORE SYMPATHETIC LOOK AT HIS CANDIDACY."

    [END OPT]

    TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS CONTINUE THEIR ASSESSMENTS OF THE CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC GAMES WHICH ENDED SUNDAY IN ATLANTA, INCLUDING TODAY'S ORLANDO SENTINEL:

    VOICE: "ATLANTA HAS EVERY REASON TO BE PROUD. THE SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES ... WERE WONDERFUL... CONSIDERING ALL THE HURDLES IT OVERCAME, ATLANTA DESERVES A MEDAL."

    TEXT: BUT THE BOSTON GLOBE TEMPERS ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE GAMES, COMMENTING:

    VOICE: "THEY HAD THE MOST ATHLETES. THEY SOLD THE MOST TICKETS. THEY MADE THE MOST MONEY -- FOR SOMEONE, IN ANY CASE. THEY WERE NOT HOWEVER, THE MOST ENJOYABLE, ON THE SCENE OR ON THE AIR [OVER TELEVISION]."

    [OPT]

    TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES, HOWEVER, SAYS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE GAMES WENT WELL.

    VOICE: "WHAT MATTERED IN ATLANTA WAS THE QUALITY OF THE ATHLETIC COMPETITION. IT WAS SUPERB."

    [END OPT]

    TEXT: AMONG OTHER CONCERNS, TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION IS FOCUSED ON THE TERRORIST THREAT STILL LOOMING OVER U-S TROOPS IN SAUDI ARABIA.

    VOICE: "THERE'S DISTASTEFUL IRONY IN THE NEED TO MOVE U-S PROTECTORS OF SAUDI ARABIA -- FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTION -- FROM DHAHRAN TO A REMOTE DESERT BASE 80 KILOMETERS SOUTH OF THE SAUDI CAPITAL, RIYADH. EVEN MORE CHILLING IS THE NEWS ... THAT U-S OFFICIALS HAD ORDERED 700 MILITARY DEPENDENTS, MANY OF THEM SCHOOLCHILDREN, TO LEAVE SAUDI ARABIA FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY. THE FANATICS, WHO HAVE KILLED 24 AMERICANS ... IN SAUDI ARABIA IN THE PAST YEAR, CAN BE EXPECTED TO STOP AT NOTHING, EVEN GOING AFTER CHILDREN."

    TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES TURNS IT ATTENTION TO GROWING CONSTRAINTS ON THE FLEDGLING INDEPENDENT PRESS IN CERTAIN EAST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES:

    VOICE: "IN COUNTRIES WHERE DEMOCRATIC REFORMS ARE DOING RELATIVELY WELL, THE MEDIA ARE, TOO. IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, POLAND, HUNGARY, SLOVENIA, THE BALTIC STATES AND TO A LESSER EXTENT RUSSIA AND UKRAINE, THE BIGGEST PROBLEM FOR LOCALLY-OWNED NEWSPAPERS IS GENERATING ENOUGH INCOME TO STAY IN BUSINESS... IN MORE AUTHORITARIAN NATIONS, THE PRESS IS NOT PROSPERING BY ANY MEASURE. THERE IS LITTLE REAL JOURNALISM IN COUNTRIES LIKE BULGARIA AND ALBANIA, AND NONE AT ALL IN SOME FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS, THE WORST BEING TURKMENISTAN... [OPT] THE NEW GENERATION OF AUTHORITARIAN LEADERS IN THESE COUNTRIES IS UNLIKELY TO WARM TO THE PRINCIPLES OR A FREE PRESS ON ITS OWN... THE UNITED STATES AND ITS EUROPEAN ALLIES MUST REMAIN INSISTENT THAT AN UNFETTERED PRESS BE A CONDITION FOR PARTNERSHIP." [END OPT]

    TEXT: WITH THOSE CRITICAL COMMENTS FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
    NEB/ANG/PCH
    06-Aug-96 11:27 AM EDT (1527 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    voa2html v2.02 run on Wednesday, 7 August 1996 - 23:42:55