Voice of America, 96-12-05

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BELGRADE PROTESTS (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

[03] BOSNIA / NATO MEMBERSHIP (L-ONLY) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

[04] BOSNIA CONFERENCE (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[05] PERRY/NATO/NUCLEAR (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

[06] SERBIA / DEMOS (UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[07] SERBIA'S OPPOSITION BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[08] U-S/ GREECE TERRORISM (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[09] U-S-SERBIA (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

INTRO: A PROPOSED DRASTIC REASSESSMENT OF HOW THE U-S ECONOMY IS MEASURED IS THE FAVORITE TOPIC OF EDITORIAL WRITERS IN THE NATION'S PRESS THIS THURSDAY. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE LATEST TERRORIST BOMBING IN PARIS; THE CONTROVERSY REGARDING ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO'S SPECIAL COUNSEL DECISION, AND TROUBLE FOR NICARAGUA'S NEW PRESIDENT. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A QUOTE OR TWO IS ________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: A PANEL OF ECONOMIC EXPERTS APPOINTED BY THE CONGRESS HAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S KEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS ARE FAULTY AND SHOULD BE RE-DRAWN. THE PANEL SAYS THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (C-P-I) HAS BEEN OVERSTATING THE RATE OF INFLATION BY AT LEAST ONE-POINT-ONE PERCENT ANNUALLY. THE PRONOUNCEMENT HAS CAUSED AN PUBLIC UPROAR BECAUSE IT HAS FAR-REACHING IMPLICATIONS BOTH FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S FINANCIAL CONDITION, AND FOR PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE GOVERNMENT BENEFITS LINKED TO THE RATE OF INFLATION. THERE IS ALSO A FLURRY OF EDITORIALS, LIKE THIS ONE IN THE BOSTON GLOBE.

VOICE: "THE THOUGHTFUL CRITIQUE OF INFLATION-MEASURING STATISTICS PRESENTED TO CONGRESS BY AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION PROVIDES A USEFUL FOUNDATION FOR ADJUSTING FLAWS IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX AND, BY EXTENSION, THE COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES IN SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER PROGRAMS. CONGRESS WILL BEST SERVE THE LONG-TERM INTERESTS OF ALL AMERICANS IF IT CRAFTS SUCH ADJUSTMENTS IN THE SAME CAREFUL MANNER AS THE COMMISSION."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST ADDS THESE COMMENTS:

VOICE: "NOBODY SEEMS EAGER TO CHALLENGE THE COMMISSION'S FINDINGS. ADDRESSING THEM CONSTRUCTIVELY, HOWEVER, IS ANOTHER MATTER. IT COULD MEAN TAKING ON SOME OF THE NATION'S MOST FORMIDABLE SPECIAL INTERESTS, INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE SENIOR-CITIZENS LOBBY. ...CONGRESS HAS DEFINED THE ISSUE ... BY CREATING THE ... COMMISSION. IT'S FOR THE WHITE HOUSE TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP."

TEXT: USA TODAY SESS THE COMMISSION'S FINDINGS AS VINDICATION FOR AN ECONOMIC STUDY IT DID RECENTLY THAT PRODUCED SIMILAR FINDINGS. TODAY THE NATIONAL DAILY SAYS, IN PART:

VOICE: "... IF YOU'RE A BIT SKEPTICAL ABOUT BEING AS WELL OFF AS THE ... COMMISSION SAYS, YOU HAVE GOOD COMPANY. THE KEEPER OF THE C-P-I, THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, THINKS [THE COMMISSION'S] ... INFLATION CORRECTION GOES TOO FAR. IT ESTIMATES THE C-P-I OVERSTATES INFLATION BY ABOUT HALF AS MUCH... THE NEED IS TO GET THE NUMBERS RIGHT. AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT, AS THE ... COMMISSION ALSO POINTS OUT, IS TO IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF THE NATION'S STATISTICAL MEASUREMENTS, WHICH ARE SO FLAWED THAT EVEN THE ... FEDERAL RESERVE (THE CENTRAL BANK) IS RELUCTANT TO USE THEM."

TEXT: TURNING TO OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENTS, SEVERAL NEWSPAPERS EXPRESS CONCERN OVER THE TERRORIST BOMBING OF A PARIS TRAIN STATION. THE WASHINGTON POST WRITES:

VOICE: "THE EXPLOSION BORE THE SIGNATURE OF ALGERIA'S ARMED ISLAMIC GROUP, OR A-I-G. ITS BOMBS LAST YEAR FORCED A FRANTIC FRENCH GOVERNMENT TO GO ON NATIONAL ANTI-TERRORIST ALERT, WHICH IT NOW IS REPEATING. TERRORISTS MAY BE PUNISHING FRANCE FOR ITS SUPPORT OF AN ALGERIAN JUNTA THAT HAS BEEN IN AN EFFECTIVE WAR WITH THE A-I-G SINCE THE GENERALS ANNULLED DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS THAT THE ISLAMIST FIS PARTY SEEMED ABOUT TO WIN IN 1992... ALGERIA IS MORE THAN A COUNTRY IN GRAVE TROUBLE. IT IS THE LEADING TESTING GROUND OF WHETHER POLITICAL ISLAM CAN BE BROUGHT INTO A STRUCTURE OF DEMOCRATIC RULES."

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE REMEMBERS ANOTHER TIME, NOT SO LONG AGO, WHEN PARIS WAS ALSO THREATENED BY TERRORISTS.

VOICE: "SO THE BOMB THAT KILLED TWO PEOPLE AND SERIOUSLY WOUNDED 35 AT THE PORT-ROYAL STATION ... RECALLED NOT ONLY LAST YEAR'S BOMBING CAMPAIGN BY THE ARMED ISLAMIC GROUP OF ALGERIA BUT ALSO THE HORRORS OF THE EARLY '60S. FOR THE PEOPLE OF PARIS, TUESDAY'S BOMB RESEMBLED THE RETURN OF A RECURRING NIGHTMARE."

TEXT: U-S ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO'S CONTROVERSIAL DECISION NOT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF SELECTING A SPECIAL INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED CAMPAIGN FINANCE VIOLATIONS BY DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR.

VOICE: "JANET RENO'S DECISION ... INEVITABLY OPENS A NEW SET OF QUESTIONS. DID SHE DO IT TO KEEP HER JOB? MORE IMPORTANT, CAN THIS MATTER ... BE ADEQUATELY DISSECTED WITHOUT AN OUTSIDE COUNSEL?... THIS IS A JUDGMENT CALL, OF COURSE... BUT THERE'S LITTLE REASON, ON THE FACE OF IT, TO VIEW THE ... DECISION AS A CAVE-IN BY AN ATTORNEY GENERAL TRYING TO HOLD ONTO TO HER JOB."

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, THE MIAMI HERALD ALSO LOOKS AT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S DECISION AND SAYS TO ITS READERS: "QUESTION HER DECISION ON THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN'S FINANCES, BUT DON'T QUESTION HER MOTIVES."

VOICE: "THIS ISN'T TO SAY ... THAT MS. RENO'S DECISION WAS CORRECT, EVEN IF HER MOTIVATIONS WERE PURE... A GOOD ARGUMENT CAN BE MADE ... THAT SHE'S WRONG.... "

TEXT: AND SPEAKING OF SPECIAL, INDEPENDENT COUNSEL, THAT BRINGS US TO KENNETH STARR, THE SPECIAL COUNSEL LOOKING INTO THE WHITEWATER AFFAIR AND ALL ITS ANCILLARY EVENTS. MR. STARR WAS THE SUBJECT OF A PROPOSED NEGATIVE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN, ACCUSING HIM OF PARTISANSHIP, PLANNED BY FORMER CLINTON CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT JAMES CARVILLE. NOW THE PLAN MAY BE DROPPED AND THE NEW YORK TIMES CALLS IT A "GOOD SENSE" MOVE:

VOICE: " ... THE PUBLIC VENDETTA THAT MR. CARVILLE PLANNED WAS BOTH A CIVIC DISSERVICE AND A SOURCE OF POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PRESIDENT AND THE FIRST LADY."

TEXT: CONCERNING A NATO QUARREL BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE OVER WHICH NATION WILL PICK FUTURE COMMANDERS FOR THE ALLIANCE'S SOUTHERN COMMAND, BASED IN NAPLES, THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS:

VOICE: "WASHINGTON IS RIGHT TO INSIST THAT AN AMERICAN ADMIRAL HOLD THIS JOB, WHICH INCLUDES CONTROL OVER THE UNITED STATES SIXTH FLEET. BUT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SHOULD MOVE QUICKLY TO BREAK THE IMPASSE BY SUPPORTING A FRENCH OFFICER FOR A COMPARABLY HIGH-LEVEL POSITION. [OPT] ... BRINGING FRENCH FORCES BACK INTO NATO WOULD MEAN A STRONGER ALLIANCE AND A BETTER BALANCE BETWEEN EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN MILITARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMON DEFENSE... TO SECURE THESE BENEFITS, WASHINGTON SHOULD SEEK AGREEMENT ON AN APPROPRIATE WAY TO SATISFY FRANCE'S REASONABLE AMBITION TO JOIN NATO'S TOP COMMAND STRUCTURE." [END OPT]

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ABOUT EARLY OPPOSITION ATTACKS AGAINST THE NEW PRESIDENT OF NICARAGUA, ARNOLDO ALEMAN, THE FORMER MAYOR OF MANAGUA, THE MIAMI HERALD SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "NICARAGUA, POVERTY-STRICKEN AND IDEOLOGICALLY SPLINTERED AS IT IS, DESPERATELY NEEDS FOR ITS LEADERS TO WORK JOINTLY TOWARD SOLVING ITS TOUGH, INGRAINED SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ILLS... AFTER YEARS OF STRIFE AND A FAIR ELECTION ... NICARAGUANS ... MAY WONDER WHEN THEIR LEADERS WILL BEGIN TO PUT THE NATION'S NEEDS AHEAD OF POLITICAL INTERESTS AND PERSONAL GAIN."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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05-Dec-96 11:10 AM EST (1610 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BELGRADE PROTESTS (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

INTRO: AFTER NEARLY THREE WEEKS OF MASSIVE PUBLIC PROTESTS IN BELGRADE, BOTH DEMONSTRATORS AND GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES APPEAR TO BE CHOOSING COMPROMISE OVER CONFRONTATION. ON THURSDAY, THE INDEPENDENT RADIO STATIONS "B-92" AND "RADIO INDEX" WENT BACK ON THE AIR. REPORTER JULIA GLYN-PICKETT HAS DETAILS FROM BELGRADE.

TEXT: INSTEAD OF HURLING EGGS AT THE BUILDINGS OF STATE TELEVISION, DEMONSTRATORS IN BELGRADE ON THURSDAY FLEW HUNDREDS OF PAPER AIRPLANES. INSTEAD OF THROWING ROCKS THROUGH THE WINDOWS OF STATE PUBLISHING HOUSE "POLITICA," PEOPLE LIT CANDLES IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING'S MAIN ENTRANCE.

THURSDAY'S PROTESTS SENT THE MOST RESOUNDING MESSAGE YET THAT DEMONSTRATORS SOUGHT A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE THREE-WEEK-LONG CRISIS.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES GAVE FURTHER INDICATION THAT THEY TOO WERE OPEN TO COMPROMISE. THE BELGRADE ELECTION COMMITTEE THAT ORIGINALLY ANNULLED THE ELECTION RESULTS OF NOVEMBER 17TH REQUESTED ON THURSDAY THAT THE SUPREME COURT OF SERBIA MEET AGAIN TO REVIEW THOSE DECISIONS.

FOLLOWING TUESDAY'S CRACKDOWN ON FREE BROADCASTING, RADIO "INDEX" WENT BACK ON-THE-AIR AT 15 HOURS-30, LOCAL TIME (EDS: 14:30 GMT), AND AT 17 HOURS 30 (16:30 GMT), SERBIAN AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCED THAT THE "TECHNICAL PROBLEMS" ALLEGEDLY RESPONSIBLE FOR RADIO "B-92'S" LOST FREQUENCY HAD BEEN SOLVED, AND THAT THE STATION COULD RESUME BROADCASTING.

RESPONDING TO THE AUTHORITIES' EXPLANATION THAT HEAVY RAIN AND FLOODING HAD DAMAGED THE TRANSMITTER USED BY RADIO B-92, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THAT RADIO, VERAN MATIC ('MAH-TITCH), SAID THAT THE EVENTS OF THE PAST WEEKS COULD NOT BE DISMISSED WITH EXCUSES ABOUT BAD WEATHER ALONE. (SIGNED)
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05-Dec-96 2:16 PM EST (1916 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA / NATO MEMBERSHIP (L-ONLY) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE LIST OF COUNTRIES SEEKING ADMISSION TO NATO MAY GROW EVEN LONGER. A SENIOR DIPLOMAT FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SAYS MEMBERSHIP IN THE WESTERN ALLIANCE IS HIS COUNTRY'S LONG-TERM GOAL. V-O-A'S MAXIM KNIAZKOV HAS THE REPORT.

TEXT: BOSNIA'S MILITARY ATTACHE IN WASHINGTON, BRIGADIER GENERAL SELMO CIKOTIC, MADE THE REMARK DURING A BOSNIA DEBATE AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON.

GENERAL CIKOTIC, SEEN AS A TRUSTED ALLY OF BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC, TOLD THE WASHINGTON AUDIENCE (WEDNESDAY) BOSNIA'S ASSOCIATION WITH NATO -- AND EVENTUAL MEMBERSHIP IN IT ARE KEY TO STABILITY IN THE REGION.

IN TERMS OF CREATING A STABLE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT AND IN TERMS OF MILITARY ENGAGEMENT, WE ARE PLANNING TO -- WE ARE PLANNING TO JOIN 'PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE' AND, IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL, PROBABLY NATO, LATER.

NATO TROOPS ARE DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA AS PART OF A PEACEKEEPING FORCE, AND ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN FOR SOME TIME TO HELP MAINTAIN STABILITY. AND, THE ARMY OF BOSNIA'S MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION IS RECEIVING U-S MILITARY AID WORTH 100 MILLION DOLLARS -- AID THAT EXPERTS BELIEVE IS BOUND TO CLOSELY TIE THE FEDERATION TO THE UNITED STATES AND NATO.

BUT ANALYSTS SAY BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA REMAINS A DEEPLY DIVIDED STATE -- A REALITY THAT IS LIKELY TO HAMPER ITS CHANCES FOR FORMAL ASSOCIATION WITH NATO.

NONETHELESS, ROBERT SIMMONS, A SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL WHO HELPED NEGOTIATE THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD, TOLD PARTICIPANTS OF WEDNESDAY'S DEBATE THAT A RELATIONSHIP WITH NATO COULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR BOSNIA.

I DON'T THINK IT'S UNREASONABLE TO SUGGEST THAT AT SOME EVENTUAL STAGE, IT (BOSNIA) COULD DO SO. ONE OF THE PURPOSES THAT WE, IN FACT, HAVE IN "PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE" IS THAT THERE ARE OTHER STATES THAT HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF CONFLICT -- HUNGARY AND ROMANIA, FOR INSTANCE, AND OTHERS -- FOR WHOM JOINING IT IS, IN FACT, A MEANS OF PROMOTING COOPERATION. SO, INTRINSICALLY, IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A (BAD) IDEA. THE QUESTION -- WITH ALL THESE KINDS OF QUESTIONS -- IS THE TIME TO DO SO.

GENERAL CIKOTIC SAID HE ENVISAGES AN ASSOCIATION WITH NATO ONLY FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AS A WHOLE, AND NOT FOR THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION. AND, HE DID NOT SAY WHETHER THE ISSUE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED AT ANY LEVEL WITH U-S OR NATO OFFICIALS. (SIGNED)
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05-Dec-96 11:53 AM EST (1653 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA CONFERENCE (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAS ENDED IN LONDON. AND AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM THE BRITISH CAPITAL, CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS AGREED ON A DETAILED PLAN TO HELP BOSNIA NEXT YEAR.

TEXT: CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS AGREED TO PROVIDE CONTINUED AID TO BOSNIAN OFFICIALS AS THEY REBUILD THEIR COUNTRY'S SHATTERED ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SYSTEM. BUT AS BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY MALCOLM RIFKIND TOLD REPORTERS, THAT AID IS CONDITIONAL ON BOSNIAN LEADERS FULFILLING THEIR COMMITMENTS UNDER THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD SIGNED A YEAR AGO.

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA'S LEADERS CAN BE IN NO DOUBT THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S WILLINGNESS TO DEVOTE FURTHER HUMAN AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO THEIR COUNTRY IS DEPENDENT -- DEPENDENT -- UPON A STRENGTHENED COMMITMENT FROM THEM TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT IN ALL AREAS.

THE DOCUMENT AGREED BY ALL PARTIES INCLUDES PROVISIONS FOR STRENGTHENING THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCE ALREADY IN BOSNIA AND ENHANCING THE POWERS OF THE TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE TO DEAL WITH THOSE CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES. THE DOCUMENT INSISTS ON PRACTICAL MEASURES TO INCREASE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, SUCH AS A COMMON AIR SPACE, A BOSNIA-WIDE RAIL AND BUS SERVICE, AND AN INTEGRATED TELEPHONE SYSTEM.

THE DOCUMENT ALSO MAPS OUT A PROGRAM TO HELP BOSNIA'S ECONOMY AND CALLS ON MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE THE RETURN OF REFUGEES. ABOUT 250-THOUSAND REFUGEES HAVE RETURNED TO BOSNIA, BUT SOME TWO-MILLION OTHERS HAVE NOT.

THE CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS ALSO SAID ARMS REDUCTIONS MUST BE COMPLETED BY NEXT OCTOBER AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS MUST BE HELD BY THE MIDDLE OF 1997.

THE LONDON CONFERENCE MADE CLEAR THAT STRONGER MEASURES ARE NEEDED TO BRING THOSE INDICTED OF WAR CRIMES TO TRIAL. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE 75 PEOPLE SO-FAR INDICTED ARE STILL AT LARGE. MR. RIFKIND SAID HE WOULD BE EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED IF A YEAR FROM NOW THOSE INDICTED ARE NOT BROUGHT TO TRIAL.

ANY INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO THE TRIBUNAL TO FACE A PROPER TRIAL, A PROPER VERDICT WE -- NOT JUST I -- BUT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE WOULD BE EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED. THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE ARE STRENGTHENING THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THE TRIBUNAL AND THE EFFORT MUST CONTINUE UNTIL THESE RESULTS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED.

THE CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT ALL OF THE OBJECTIVES SET OUT IN THE FINAL DOCUMENT REQUIRE THE FULL COMMITMENT OF THE BOSNIAN AUTHORITIES. NEXT YEAR, A SIMILAR CONFERENCE TO THIS ONE WILL BE CALLED TO AGAIN ASSESS PROGRESS. (SIGNED)
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05-Dec-96 12:36 PM EST (1736 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] PERRY/NATO/NUCLEAR (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY HAS REJECTED UNILATERAL CUTS IN THE U-S NUCLEAR ARSENAL. BUT HE SAYS THERE SHOULD BE RENEWED EFFORTS TO SECURE RUSSIAN RATIFICATION FOR THE START-TWO STRATEGIC ARMS REDUCTION ACCORD. THE COMMENTS FOLLOWED AN APPEAL BY SOME RETIRED GENERALS FOR THE UNITED STATES TO URGENTLY PURSUE THE ABOLITION OF NUCLEAR ARMS. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: MR. PERRY EXPRESSED A MEASURE OF AGREEMENT WITH A GROUP OF RETIRED SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS WHO SAY U-S NUCLEAR FORCE LEVELS ARE IRRATIONALLY LARGE.

BUT HE IS RESISTING UNILATERAL WEAPONS CUTS, AND SAYS THE UNITED STATES SHOULD DO WHAT IT CAN NOW TO SECURE RUSSIAN RATIFICATION OF THE START-TWO STRATEGIC ARMS REDUCTION ACCORD.

THE RETIRED GENERALS -- INCLUDING A FORMER COMMANDER OF THE U-S STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND -- CALLED WEDNESDAY FOR ACTION TOWARD THE OUTRIGHT ABOLITION OF NUCLEAR ARMS AND SAID THE MAJOR POWERS COULD BEGIN BY REMOVING THE WARHEADS FROM STRATEGIC MISSILES.

MR. PERRY -- SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON A FLIGHT TO WASHINGTON AFTER COMPLETING AN OVERSEAS MISSION -- SAID THE IMMEDIATE EMPHASIS SHOULD BE ON OBTAINING RUSSIAN RATIFICATION FOR THE START-TWO ARMS REDUCTION ACCORD, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE U-S SENATE LAST JANUARY.

THE TREATY -- WHICH WOULD SLASH THE ARSENALS OF THE MAJOR POWERS BY TWO THIRDS OVER SEVEN YEARS -- IS STALLED IN THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT BECAUSE OF -- AMONG OTHER THINGS -- OPPOSITION BY DUMA MEMBERS TO NATO EXPANSION.

MR. PERRY SAID RUSSIA CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO HOLD VETO POWER OVER NATO MEMBERSHIP. BUT HE SAID THE ALLIES CAN ASSURE RUSSIA THAT ANY NEW NATO MEMBER COUNTRIES WILL BE NON-NUCLEAR:

I BELIEVE THERE ARE ACTIONS WE CAN TAKE THAT WILL DEAL WITH ANY OBJECTIVE ISSUES WHICH THE RUSSIANS MAY HAVE ABOUT NATO EXPANSION -- PARTICULARLY THEIR CONCERN OVER NATO EXPANSION LEADING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW NUCLEAR BASES IN THE NEW NATO COUNTRIES. AND I THINK NATO CAN AND SHOULD MAKE A VERY DIRECT STATEMENT THAT WE HAVE NO PLANS TO EXPAND THE NUCLEAR BASING OF NATO AND NO NEED TO EXPAND.

MR. PERRY -- WHO MADE AN UNPRECEDENTED PERSONAL APPEAL FOR START-TWO RATIFICATION IN THE DUMA A MONTH AGO -- SAID RUSSIAN LAWMAKERS HAVE LEGITIMATE CONCERN ABOUT THE COST TO MOSCOW OF THE RE-SHAPING OF NUCLEAR FORCES REQUIRED UNDER START TWO. BUT HE SAID THAT PROBLEM COULD BE ELIMINATED IF THE TWO SIDES IMMEDIATELY NEGOTIATE EVEN DEEPER WEAPONS CUTS UNDER A START-THREE ACCORD:

THE RUSSIANS SEE START-TWO AS REQUIRING THEM TO UNDERGO ACTUAL EXPENSES IN RE-STRUCTURING THEIR FORCES, WHICH THEY DON'T WANT TO UNDERTAKE FOR UNDERSTANDABLE REASONS. BUT IF THEY COULD COUNT OF START-THREE, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO UNDERGO THOSE EXPENSES. THAT WOULD OBVIATE THE NEED FOR IT. WE WANT START-THREE ALSO AND SO THEREFORE IT MAKES ALL KIND OF SENSE TO COME TO EARLY AGREEMENT ON WHAT THE FRAMEWORK FOR START-THREE WILL BE.

MR. PERRY SAID HE NO LONGER EXPECTED RUSSIAN RATIFICATION BEFORE HE STEPS DOWN AS DEFENSE CHIEF, PROBABLY WITHIN A FEW WEEKS, BUT HE SAID HE IS STILL OPTIMISTIC THE ACTION CAN OCCUR EARLY NEXT YEAR.

THE DEFENSE SECRETARY SAID HE WAS "VERY DISAPPOINTED" THAT RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER IGOR RODIONOV HAD POSTPONED A VISIT TO WASHINGTON THIS WEEK DURING WHICH THE ARMS ISSUES WERE TO BE DISCUSSED.

HE SAID HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART HAD SENT A LETTER EXPRESSING REGRET OVER THE DECISION, AND HOPING TO RE-SCHEDULE THE VISIT AFTER SOME INTERNAL PROBLEMS ARE RESOLVED.

MR. PERRY SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THIS INCLUDED THE CONTROVERSY IN MOSCOW OVER RODIONOV'S MOVE TO DISMISS THE COMMANDER OF RUSSIAN GROUND FORCES, GENERAL VLADIMIR SEMYONOV. (SIGNED)
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04-Dec-96 10:33 PM EST (0333 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] SERBIA / DEMOS (UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS NOW, DEMONSTRATIONS HAVE BEEN HELD IN SERBIA'S CAPITAL, BELGRAD,E AGAINST PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON, V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA LOOKS AT WHETHER THESE DEMONSTRATIONS POSE A REAL THREAT TO MR. MILOSEVIC AND WHAT OPTIONS ARE NOW OPEN TO HIM.

TEXT: THE DEMONSTRATIONS WERE SPARKED BY SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBOBAN MILOSEVIC'S DECISION TO ANNUL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS WON BY OPPOSITION PARTIES. THE PROTESTERS -- CONFINED LARGELY TO THE SERBIAN CAPITAL, BELGRADE -- ARE NOW CALLING FOR MORE DEMOCRACY, CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC.

BRITISH EXPERTS ON THE BALKANS ARE DIVIDED AS TO WHETHER THESE DEMONSTRATORS POSE A THREAT TO THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT. JAMES GOW OF LONDON'S KING'S COLLEGE SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC MUST HAVE BEEN SURPRISED BY THE SCALE OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS, BUT THAT THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT'S POSITION IS NOT IN JEOPARDY.

I DO NOT THINK HE IS DIRECTLY THREATENED, BUT HE RECOGNIZES HE IS IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION, ONE IN WHICH HE HAS TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO MAKE MISTAKES. WHAT HE IS DOING IS KEEPING HIS HEAD VERY LOW, SITTING VERY TIGHT. YOU WILL NOTICE HE HAS MADE NO STATEMENT, HE IS WAITING TO SEE HOW THE LAND LIES, TO SEE WHAT THE BEST OPPORTUNITY IS TO MOVE AHEAD.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN ABOUT THREE AND A HALF TO FOUR YEARS THAT THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND IN SERBIA ARE ACTUALLY TAKING TO THE STREETS AGAINST A REGIME WHICH THEY ALSO SUPPORTED QUITE STRONGLY DURING THE YEARS OF THE CONFLICT IN BOSNIA. SO THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT WE HAVE SEEN SOME KIND OF POPULAR DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE RULE OF MR. MILOSEVIC AND THIS HAS TO BE A SERIOUS THREAT TO HIS GOVERNMENT.

EXPERTS HERE IN LONDON SAY MR. MILOSEVIC IS FACED WITH LIMITED OPTIONS TO COUNTER THE DEMONSTRATIONS. ONE OF THEM IS TO CRUSH THE PROTESTS BY USING MILITARY FORCE. WESTERN GOVERNMENTS HAVE WARNED HIM NOT TO USE VIOLENCE AND EXPERTS HERE BELIEVE THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT WILL NOT USE THE MILITARY CARD BECAUSE HE NEEDS INTERNATIONAL HELP TO REBUILD HIS COUNTRY'S ECONOMY. HOWEVER, PROFESSOR ECONOMIDES DOES NOT RULE OUT THE USE OF FORCE.

INEVITABLY, IF HE DOES USE VIOLENT MEANS ... IT WILL COME VERY QUICKLY AND VERY SHARPLY AND IT WILL PUT AN END TO THESE DEMONSTRATIONS AT LEAST IN THE SHORT TERM.

WHAT MR. MILOSEVIC HAD DONE WAS CLOSE DOWN THE INDEPENDENT BELGRADE RADIO STATION KNOWN AS B-92 -- A MOVE THAT WAS CONDEMNED BOTH BY DEMONSTRATORS AND WESTERN GOVERNMENTS BEFORE THE STATION RESUMED BROADCASTING LATE THURSDAY. BUT PROFESSOR GOW SAYS CLOSING THE RADIO WAS A MINOR EVENT.

CLOSING A RADIO STATION IS A FAIRLY INSIGNIFICANT STEP. IT IS NOT PARTICULARLY A SIGN OF PANIC, BECAUSE IT IS THE KIND OF THING THAT HE DOES FROM TIME TO TIME -- HE CLOSES DOWN RADIO STATIONS, HE LETS RADIO STATIONS OPEN UP AGAIN. HE CLOSES DOWN NEWSPAPERS, HE LETS NEWSPAPERS OPEN UP AGAIN. IT IS A FAIRLY TO-AND-FRO PROCESS.

PROFESSOR GOW BELIEVES IF THE DEMONSTRATIONS CONTINUE AND MR. MILOSEVIC DOES NOT USE FORCE, THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT WILL HAVE TO MAKE CONCESSIONS -- SUCH AS ACCEPT THE ELECTORAL RESULTS OR CALL NEW ELECTIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION. LATE THURSDAY, OPPONENTS WON AT LEAST A MORAL VICTORY WHEN BELGRADE'S ELECTION COMMISSION ASKED THE COUNTRY'S SUPREME COURT TO REVIEW THE RECENT DISPUTED ELECTION RESULTS. PROFESSOR ECONOMIDES SAYS, HOWEVER, THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT CANNOT AFFORD TO GIVE IN TO OPPOSITION DEMANDS.

AS SOON AS HE ENTERS INTO EITHER DIALOGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION PARTIES OR LETS INTO (GIVES INTO) ANY OF THE DEMANDS OF THE POPULAR DEMONSTRATORS, I THINK MR. MILOSEVIC WILL FEEL THAT THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END. HE CAN NOT BE SEEN TO DO THAT.

PROFESSOR ECONOMIDES SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC MAY OFFER SOME ECONOMIC INCENTIVES IN AN EFFORT TO QUELL THE DEMONSTRATIONS. BUT IN THE END, HE BELIEVES THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT WILL WAIT AND HOPE THE DEMONSTRATIONS WILL SIMPLY PETER OUT. (SIGNED)
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05-Dec-96 2:19 PM EST (1919 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] SERBIA'S OPPOSITION BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE MASSIVE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS WHICH HAVE WRACKED SERBIA FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS WERE CALLED BY A LOOSE COALITION OF PARTIES WITH LITTLE IN COMMON EXCEPT THEIR OPPOSITION TO SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE DEMONSTRATIONS WERE MEANT TO FORCE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO WITHDRAW THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT'S NULLIFICATION OF THE NOVEMBER MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, WON BY THE OPPOSITION PARTIES. THE CONTINUATION OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS HAS LED TO SPECULATION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF MR. MILOSEVIC'S GOVERNMENT. THE QUESTION NOW IS HOW MUCH DO THE OPPOSITION PARTIES DIFFER FROM PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S SOCIALIST PARTY? VOA'S PAMELA TAYLOR INTERVIEWED TWO OPPOSITION LEADERS BY TELEPHONE AND HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: THE COALITION KNOWN AS 'ZAJEDNA', OR 'TOGETHER,' WAS FORMED TO BRING TOGETHER FOUR MAIN OPPOSITION PARTIES WHICH OPPOSE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. VUK DRASKOVIC OF THE SERBIAN RENEWAL MOVEMENT IS ONE OF THE COALITION'S FIRST LEADERS. IN 1991 HE AND HIS WIFE, DANICA, WERE IMPRISONED BY MR. MILOSEVIC FOR THEIR PART IN THE MASS DEMONSTRATIONS WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO AN ARMED CRACKDOWN AND TANKS ON THE STREETS OF BELGRADE.

THE UNOFFICIAL HEAD OF THE ZAJEDENA COALITION IS ZORAN DJINDJIC, LEADER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY -- NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF SERBIA HEADED BY VOIJSLAV KOSTUNICA, ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE COALITION. THE SMALLEST IN SIZE -- BUT IMPORTANT IN INFLUENCE -- IS THE SERBIAN CIVIC ALLIANCE HEADED BY VESNA PESIC, WHO IS CONSIDERED BY MANY IN SERBIA AS THE CONSCIENCE OF THE ZAJEDENA COALITION. MS. PESIC SAYS HER PARTY JOINED THE COALITION WHEN THE OTHERS OVERCAME THEIR DIFFERENCES AND DECIDED TO MERGE. ONE OF HER CHIEF CONCERNS WAS MR. DJINDJIC'S EARLIER RELATIONSHIP WITH BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, THE FORMER LEADER OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS. BUT MS. PESIC SAYS SHE'S NO LONGER CONCERNED ABOUT THAT EARLIER RELATIONSHIP AND SAYS TODAY ALL THE ALLIANCE PARTIES HAVE BASICALLY THE SAME PROGRAM:

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE MANY DISPUTES WITH OUR PROGRAM OR THE DAYTON AGREEMENT OR THINGS LIKE THAT. WE ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT (AS) PEOPLE, THAT'S WHAT I HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT, NOT WHETHER WE ARE FOR DEMOCRACY OR TOTALITARIANISM OR WHETHER SOMEONE IS AGAINST PRIVATIZATION. WE DON'T HAVE THIS KIND OF DISPUTE. WE COOPERATE WELL NOW AND THERE'S NO PROBLEM RIGHT NOW BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WILL BE IN THE FUTURE AND THAT'S ALWAYS A QUESTION MARK.

FELLOW OPPOSITION LEADER VUK DRASKOVIC AGREES THAT THE ZAJEDENA COALITION IS UNITED ON THE CENTRAL ISSUE OF DEMOCRATIZATION AND ENDING SERBIA'S ISOLATION AS A RESULT OF THE WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. HE SAYS THIS IS THE CRUX OF THEIR OPPOSITION TO MR. MILOSEVIC AND HIS SOCIALIST PARTY:

WE DIDN'T WANT THIS WAR AND WE ARE READY TO RECONCILIATE. WE RECOGNIZE THE BORDERS OF CROATIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AS INDEPENDENT STATES. WE ARE COMPLETELY DEDICATED TO THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. ALL REFUGEES MUST COME BACK, ALL WAR CRIMINALS MUST PAY.

SOME INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS HAVE COMMENTED THAT SERBIA'S OPPOSITION PARTIES ARE SIMPLY INVOLVED IN THE SAME KIND OF POWER POLITICS MANY CENTRAL EUROPEAN POLITICIANS ENGAGED IN UNDER COMMUNISM. BUT MS. PESIC SAYS THE ZAJEDENA OPPOSITION'S COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY IS NOT JUST PUBLIC RELATIONS. AND NEITHER, SHE SAYS, IS ITS COMMITMENT TO HONORING THE DAYTON ACCORDS, POST-MILOSEVIC:

THERE IS NOT ANY KIND OF WAR ATMOSPHERE FROM ANY OPPOSITION PARTY HERE, THAT SOMEONE WOULD NEGATE THE DAYTON AGREEMENT, TO FIGHT FOR SOMETHING, I DON'T KNOW WHAT. THIS IS OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR THE MOMENT. WE HAVE MORE QUESTIONS (DISCUSSIONS) ABOUT DEMOCRACY THAN OF NATIONALISM. THIS IS THE MAIN THING THE DEMONSTRATIONS ARE ABOUT -- NOT SERBIAN NATIONALISM.

MS. PESIC REPEATED THE INJUNCTION FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON AND OTHER AMERICAN OFFICIALS TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, THAT ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR THIS, SHE SAID, JUDGE US BY OUR ACTIONS. BUT SHE ADMITS EVENTS ARE MOVING SO FAST IN SERBIA THAT THE ZAJEDENA ALLIANCE HAS NOT HAD TIME TO FORMULATE A CONCRETE PLAN OF ACTION TELLING WHAT THEY WOULD DO IF THEY HAD A CHANCE TO GOVERN (SIGNED)
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05-Dec-96 6:09 PM EST (2309 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S/ GREECE TERRORISM (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS SHARPLY CRITICIZED A GREEK DECISION TO ALLOW A CONVICTED TERRORIST TO BE RELEASED FROM PRISON AHEAD OF SCHEDULE FOR ALLEGED GOOD BEHAVIOR. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON THE AMERICAN REACTION TO THE RELEASE OF MOHAMMED RASHID.

TEXT: GREECE HAS ALLOWED MOHAMMED RASHID TO FLY TO TUNISIA AFTER COMPLETING ONLY PART OF HIS 15 YEAR PRISON TERM FOR BLOWING UP AN AMERICAN AIRLINER IN 1982. THE UNITED STATES WAS AWARE OF THE DECISION BY THE GREEK COURT IN ADVANCE AND REGISTERED ITS PROTEST WITH THE GREEK GOVERNMENT IN ATHENS AND THE GREEK EMBASSY HERE IN WASHINGTON.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE EARLY RELEASE OF MR. RASHID AS A MODEL PRISONER.

THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY CLAIM, GIVEN THE FACT THAT MR. RASHID WAS THE RINGLEADER OF A PRISON RIOT AND THAT HIS CELL WAS ONCE FOUND TO BE FILLED WITH CONTRABAND AND WEAPONS. THIS IS AN INCOMPREHENSIBLE RULING. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAYS HIS REMARKS WERE DIRECTED AT THE PIRAEUS CITY COURT THAT RELEASED MR. RASHID FROM PRISON, NOT AT THE GREEK GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
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05-Dec-96 6:04 PM EST (2304 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S-SERBIA (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS WELCOMED SERBIA'S DECISION TO ALLOW INDEPENDENT RADIO STATIONS TO RESUME OPERATIONS IN BELGRADE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES IS RESERVING JUDGMENT ABOUT THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT'S POLICIES.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS TAKING A WAIT AND SEE ATTITUDE TO SIGNS THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT MAY BE RESPONDING TO THE DAILY PROTEST MARCHES IN THE STREETS.

THE UNITED STATES WELCOMES THE RETURN TO THE AIRWAVES FOR INDEPENDENT RADIO STATIONS, BEE-92 AND RADIO INDEX. V-O-A AND OTHER FOREIGN BROADCASTERS HAD CARRIED PARTS OF BEE-92 PROGRAMMING WHEN THE STATION WAS SHUT DOWN BY THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT.

THE UNITED STATES ALSO TOOK NOTICE OF A SERBIAN COURT DECISION TO REVIEW THE ANNULMENT OF SEVERAL LOCAL ELECTIONS OF NOVEMBER 17TH. THE PROTEST MARCHES BEGAN WHEN THE OPPOSITION PARTIES WERE DENIED THEIR APPARENT VICTORIES.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL BE WATCHING THE ACTIONS.

WE WILL NOT BE SATISFIED UNTIL THE SERB GOVERNMENT RESPECTS THE WILL OF THE SERB PEOPLE AT THE BALLOT BOX, IN THE STREETS AND ON THE AIRWAVES.

MR. BURNS SAYS THE CHIEF AMERICAN DIPLOMAT IN BELGRADE MET WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND GAVE HIM A STIFF WARNING NOT TO USE VIOLENCE AGAINST THE STREET DEMONSTRATIONS. (SIGNED)
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05-Dec-96 6:28 PM EST (2328 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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