Voice of America, 26 August 1995

From: yanni@ix.netcom.com (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] YUGO SITREP (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE CROATIAN PRESIDENT, FRANJO TUDJMAN, SAYS HE IS DETERMINED TO REUNITE THE LAST SERB-HELD TERRITORY IN HIS COUNTRY WITH THE REST OF CROATIA WITHIN MONTHS. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: PRESIDENT TUDJMAN SAYS THE SERB-HELD EASTERN SLAVONIA REGION MUST BE LIBERATED. HE SAYS IT WILL BE LIBERATED IN THE COMING MONTHS BY PEACEFUL MEANS OR BY MILITARY FORCE. HE SPOKE BEFORE A NEW CEASE-FIRE ALONG THE CONFRONTATION LINES AROUND EASTERN SLAVONIA WENT INTO EFFECT. UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS IN CROATIA HOPE THE TRUCE WILL ENABLE THEM TO RE-ESTABLISH A BUFFER ZONE BETWEEN THE CROATIAN ARMY AND SERB FORCES IN THE AREA. BUT, THE CEASE-FIRE HAS LITTLE MEANING IN VIEW OF PRESIDENT TUDJMAN'S THREAT TO RETAKE EASTERN SLAVONIA BY FORCE IF THE SERBS DO NOT GIVE IT UP IN NEGOTIATIONS. THE CROATIAN ARMY COULD EASILY CAPTURE EASTERN SLAVONIA FROM ITS SERB DEFENDERS. BUT, IF THE YUGOSLAV ARMY INTERVENED ON THE SIDE OF SERBS, CROATIA WOULD FIND ITSELF IN SERIOUS TROUBLE. YUGOSLAVIA WANTS TO AVOID WAR WITH CROATIA. AT THE SAME TIME, THOUGH, OFFICIALS IN BELGRADE HAVE WARNED CROATIA NOT TO IGNORE YUGOSLAV INTERESTS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA. (SIGNED)

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26-Aug-95 10:16 AM EDT (1416 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America