Voice of America, 25 September 1995

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT A DOMINANT THEME AMONG U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS THIS FINAL MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER. THE LEADING TOPIC IS THE REPUBLICAN RUSH IN CONGRESS TO CHANGE THE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE POOR. OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE: A BRITISH-ARGENTINE DEAL TO EXPLORE FOR OIL WHERE ONCE THEY WAGED WAR; THE SORRY STATE OF U-S NATIONAL PARKS; ANTIQUATED U-S MINING LAWS, AND THE FIGHT OVER CAMPAIGN REFORM. NOW, HERE IS ________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS ARE GENERALLY UPSET THAT CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICAN LEADERS CHOSE TO HOLD ONLY ONE DAY-LONG HEARING ON PROPOSED MILLION-DOLLAR CUTS IN THE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PROGRAMS THAT PAY FOR MEDICAL CARE FOR ELDERLY AND POOR AMERICANS. ON LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY'S" LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE READS: "WHOA! NEWT"-- REFERRING TO HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH.

VOICE: "YOU'D THINK HOUSE REPUBLICANS WOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PUBLIC'S CYNICISM. AFTER ALL, DISGUST WITH THE WAY WASHINGTON CONDUCTS ITS BUSINESS WAS A SIGNIFICANT FACTOR BOOSTING THEM TO POWER. SO WHY IS HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH ... RAMMING THROUGH MASSIVE CUTS AND A WHOLESALE RESTRUCTURING OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE DARK OF NIGHT? IRRESPECTIVE OF THE PLAN'S MERITS OR FAILINGS, THE LEADERSHIP'S LIGHTENING-QUICK PACE IS SIMPLY DISGRACEFUL."

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS" IS EQUALLY CONCERNED, SAYING, IN ITS WORDS: "... THE PLAN IS LITTLE MORE THAN A BUDGET GIMMICK, AIMED TO SATISFY G-O-P CLAIMS OF A BALANCED BUDGET IN SEVEN YEARS."

VOICE: IN FLORIDA, THE HEADLINE IN TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" READS: "WITCH-DOCTOR MEDICINE," ADDING:

TEXT: "THE DRAMATIC BUDGET CUTS AND CHANGES BEING PROPOSED FOR MEDICARE ARE TOO CONSEQUENTIAL TO BE DEALT WITH IN THE PERFUNCTORY HEARING SCHEDULED BY HOUSE REPUBLICANS. ..... HEARINGS AND DEBATE (WITH AMENDMENTS ALLOWED) ARE IMPERATIVE. IT IS A MEASURE OF POLITICAL ARROGANCE THAT THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP IS SO BENT ON STIFLING BOTH."

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST", HOWEVER, CONTINUES TO LAUD THE REPUBLICANS FOR THEIR COURAGE IN EVEN PROPOSING REFORMS IN MEDICARE AND CHIDES THE DEMOCRATS FOR THEIR WEAK AND EVEN, AS "THE POST" CALLS IT, DEMAGOGIC RESPONSE:

VOICE: "... EARLIER IN THE YEAR A LOT OF THE SMART MONEY [WASHINGTON INSIDERS] SAID THE REPUBLICANS WOULD NEVER TAKE IT [MEDICARE REFORM] ON. THEY HAVE. ... IT IS NOT YET CLEAR HOW TOUGH IT WILL FINALLY BE... THEY [THE REPUBLICANS] HAVE NONETHELESS -- IN OUR JUDGMENT -- STEPPED UP TO THE ISSUE. ... WHAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE IN TURN IS CONFIRM THE RISK. THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO TAKE AWAY YOUR MEDICARE. THAT'S THEIR [THE DEMOCRATS] ONLY MESSAGE. THEY HAVE NO PLAN."

TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE IS PRAISING THE NEW FOUND ANGLO-ARGENTINIAN COOPERATION IN EXPLORING FOR OIL AROUND THE ONCE-DISPUTED FALKLAND ISLANDS.

VOICE: "THE AGREEMENT THAT BRITAIN AND ARGENTINA WILL SIGN FOR JOINT OIL EXPLOITATION OF THE SEABED EAST AND WEST OF THE FALKLAND (OR MALVINAS) ISLANDS DOES NOTHING TO RESOLVE THE DISPUTE OF SOVEREIGNTY OVER THOSE FORLORN SHEEP LANDS IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC. BUT IT DOES EVERYTHING TO SET THAT DISPUTE ASIDE AND GET ON WITH BUSINESS. IT SETS AN EXAMPLE THAT COULD WELL GET CHINA AND SIX NEIGHBORS PAST A SIMILAR DISPUTE TO ROCKY OUTCROPPINGS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA CALLED THE SPRATLY ISLANDS ...."

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES AND NEW YORK TIMES" ARE BOTH LEADING WITH EDITORIALS DEPLORING THE STATE OF THE NATIONAL PARKS AND CONGRESSIONAL READINESS TO MAKE EVEN MORE CUTS IN THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

VOICE: "... THE TIME HAS COME FOR CONGRESS TO FOCUS ON THE LARGER ISSUE ... THE NATIONAL PARKS ARE IN WOEFUL SHAPE AND GROSSLY UNDERFUNDED. THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE BILL NOW TOTALS FOUR-BILLION DOLLARS. ROADS, SEWERS, HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER FACILITIES ARE IN GREAT DISREPAIR, ... THE PARKS MUST BECOME MORE SELF-SUPPORTING -- BY RAISING VISITOR FEES AND GETTING A LARGER CUT [PERCENTAGE] OF CONCESSION PROFITS. "

TEXT: ON A RELATED MATTER, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS URGING PRESIDENT CLINTON TO OPPOSE A CONGRESSIONAL MANEUVER AIMED AT ESTABLISHING A COMMISSION TO POSSIBLY SELL OFF NATIONAL PARKLAND. THE COMMISSION WAS DEFEATED OUTRIGHT IN A HOUSE VOTE, BUT "THE TIMES" REPORTS IT WAS THEN TUCKED INTO A BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL THAT WILL BE SENT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

VOICE: "THE LAST TIME CONGRESS USED THE BUDGET PROCESS TO GIVE NEW LIFE TO A DESTRUCTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IDEA, MR. CLINTON ROLLED OVER [DID NOT RESIST IT]. A BUDGET RESCISSION BILL IN MAY MANDATED A HUGE INCREASE IN THE TIMBER HARVEST IN NATIONAL FORESTS. THE PRESIDENT PROFESSED DISMAY BUT SIGNED THE BILL ANYWAY. HE CANNOT PLAY THE PATSY [CONTINUED TO GIVE IN] ANY LONGER."

TEXT: IN A RELATED EDITORIAL, "THE WASHINGTON POST" CITES SEVERAL THINGS WRONG WITH THE CURRENT APPROPRIATIONS BILL FOR THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT AND SUGGESTS PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOULD VETO IT IN ITS PRESENT FORM BECAUSE IT WOULD:

VOICE: "END A MORATORIUM ON THE PATENTING OF PUBLIC LANDS FOR MINING PURPOSES, THEREBY PUTTING BACK INTO EFFECT A 19TH CENTURY LAW THAT BASICALLY GIVES THE LAND AND THE MINERAL RIGHTS AWAY. ... (IT WOULD) BLOCK AN EFFORT TO IMPOSE ALREADY LONG-DELAYED ENVIRONMENTAL RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF PUBLIC LAND FOR GRAZING ... PREVENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ANY LISTING OF NEW ENDANGERED SPECIES ... THE PRESIDENT'S THREAT TO BLOCK THIS BILL UNLESS IT IS RECAST IN ACCEPTABLE FORM IS ONE HE OUGHT TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE STICK."

TEXT: DEALING WITH THE STILL UNRESOLVED ISSUE OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM AND THE HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY IT TAKES TO RUN A MODERN CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN, TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" CALLS FOR FULL DISCLOSURE OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTORS BEFORE ELECTIONS.

VOICE: "... WHAT DISTINGUISHES A DEMOCRACY IS THAT A FREE FLOW OF FACTS AND OPINIONS LETS VOTERS CAST AN INFORMED BALLOT THAT HAS A REAL IMPACT. YET EXPERIENCE ALSO HAS SHOWS THAT SOME INFORMATION MUST BE PRIED LOOSE BY FORCE OF LAW. HIGH IN THAT CATEGORY: CAMPAIGN GIVING."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, IN NEW ENGLAND, "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" TAKES NOTE OF THE BEGINNING OF ROSH HASHANA, THE JEWISH NEW YEAR.

VOICE: "TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR - - AND THE YEAR IS 5756, ACCORDING TO THE JEWISH LUNAR CALENDAR. [OPT] ... THE JEWISH NEW YEAR BEGINS WITH THE TURN OF THE SEASONS TO AUTUMN, A TIME IN THE MIDDLE EAST WHEN THE LAND RECEIVES MUCH OF ITS RAINFALL, SOFTENING SOIL HARDENED BY THE SUMMER'S BAKING SUN SO THAT PLOWING AND PLANTING MAY OCCUR. [END OPT] THE HOLIDAY BEGINS THE 10 'DAYS OF AWE,' A PERIOD OF REFLECTION AND RENEWAL, OF REPENTANCE, JUDGMENT AND REMEMBRANCE .... SOMBER AND YET HOPEFUL, ROSH HASHANA IS A CELEBRATION OF LIFE."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT HISTORICAL AND RELIGIOUS NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS RUNNING IN NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE U-S-A TODAY.

NEB/ANG/PCH
25-Sep-95 11:15 AM EDT (1515 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA/TALKS (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE BOSNIA'S PRIME MINISTER HAS ANNOUNCED HIS GOVERNMENT WILL ATTEND PEACE TALKS TUESDAY IN NEW YORK. THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AFTER NEGOTIATIONS WITH U-S DIPLOMATS IN SARAJEVO. EARLIER, BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAID THEY WOULD NOT ATTEND THE TALKS UNLESS THE BOSNIAN SERBS AGREED NOT TO SECEDE FROM BOSNIA IN THE FUTURE. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: FOLLOWING SIX HOURS OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE U-S DIPLOMATS, BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC SAID HIS SIDE WOULD ATTEND THE PEACE TALKS TUESDAY IN NEW YORK. HE SAID HE HAD HAD VERY GOOD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE TWO AMERICANS, DEPUTIES OF RICHARD HOLBROOKE WHO LED THE LATEST PEACE INITIATIVE. MR. SILAJDZIC SAID THEY HAD REACHED AGREEMENT ON CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES FOR BOSNIA UNDER THE PROPOSED PEACE AGREEMENT.

THERE WAS NO WORD ON WHETHER THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAD AGREED NOT TO SECEDE FROM BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND JOIN WITH THE RUMP YUGOSLAVIA TO CREATE A GREATER SERBIA, THE CHERISHED DREAM OF MANY SERB NATIONALISTS. MR. SILAJDZIC HAD SAID THIS ISSUE WAS NON-NEGOTIABLE WHEN HE ANNOUNCED HIS GOVERNMENT'S BOYCOTT OF THE PEACE TALKS.

WHETHER MR. SILAJDZIC DROPPED HIS DEMAND OR WHAT THE U-S NEGOTIATORS SAID TO PROMPT HIS CHANGE OF HEART IS NOT CLEAR.

THE ISSUE OF BOSNIAN-SERB SECESSION LIES AT THE HEART OF THE WAR IN BOSNIA. FOLLOWING THE FIRST TALKS IN GENEVA MORE THAN TWO-WEEKS AGO THE BOSNIAN SERBS WERE ECSTATIC, INSISTING THEY HAD WON THE RIGHT TO FORM A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH SERBIA.

THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR OWN CONSTITUTION INSIDE THE BORDERS OF THE BOSNIAN STATE. THEY SAID IT WOULD JUST BE A MATTER OF MODIFYING THE CONSTITUTION ONCE PEACE WAS AGREED AND THEN JOINING SERBIA.

IT WAS THIS CLAIM THAT PROMPTED THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S DEMAND A PARAGRAPH BE INSERTED IN THE AGREEMENT SPECIFICALLY FORBIDDING SUCH A MOVE. THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE MADE IT VERY CLEAR DURING THE THREE-AND-ONE-HALF-YEAR WAR THEY HAVE NO WISH TO BE A MINORITY POPULATION IN A FUTURE BOSNIAN STATE.

AFTER HIS MEETING WITH THE AMERICANS, MR. SILAJDZIC ONLY SAID SOME DETAILS REMAINED TO BE WORKED OUT AND IT SEEMS THE PROBLEM OF SECESSION HAS BEEN ONLY TEMPORARILY DEFUSED. NEB/RAE 25-Sep-95 3:04 PM EDT (1904 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA FRANCE (L UPDATE) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN SAYS HE BELIEVES PEACE IS REALLY AT HAND IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. BUT, DURING A VISIT TO FRANCE, HE WARNED THAT ETHNIC PROBLEMS WILL PERSIST EVEN WHEN PEACE IS RESTORED. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN SAYS THE WEST WILL HAVE TO ENSURE THAT BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA DOES NOT BECOME A MILITANT MUSLIM STATE. HE SAYS THAT ALTHOUGH BOSNIAN LEADERS ARE RESPONSIBLE POLITICIANS, THERE IS A STRONG UNDERCURRENT OF MILITANT ISLAM IN THE REPUBLIC. HE SAID THIS HAS BEEN IMPORTED BY WHAT HE CALLS "MUJAHEDIN FROM ELSEWHERE."

AFTER TALKS WITH FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC, MR. TUDJMAN SAID MILITANT ISLAM IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS "A PROBLEM THAT PERSISTS AND IT SHOULD NOT BE UNDER-ESTIMATED."

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CONSERVATIVE DAILY LE FIGARO, THE CROATIAN LEADER SAID PEACE IS NOW POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE STRING OF RECENT SERB DEFEATS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. HE SAID THE SERBS HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO NEGOTIATE TO KEEP WHAT TERRITORIAL GAINS THEY STILL HAVE.

BUT MR. TUDJMAN SAID THE REAL KEY TO PEACE IN THE BALKANS IS A RECONCILIATION BETWEEN CROATS AND SERBS. HE COMPARED THIS TO THE RAPPROCHEMENT OF FRANCE AND GERMANY AFTER WORLD WAR TWO.

MR. TUDJMAN SAID CROATIA WOULD DO ALL IT COULD TO PERSUADE THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO OVERCOME ITS RELUCTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS WEEK'S PEACE TALKS IN NEW YORK AND TO HASTEN THE END OF THE WAR.

HE SAID HE FAVORS THE CREATION OF A NEW FORCE TO REPLACE WHAT HE CALLED THE "INEFFICIENT" UNITED NATIONS PROTECTION FORCE IN YUGOSLAVIA. CURRENT PEACE PLANS PROVIDE FOR A FORCE, PROBABLY DRAWN FROM NATO ARMIES, TO ENFORCE ANY ACCORD. MR. TUDJMAN SAID PEACE REQUIRES COURAGE AND WISDOM. HE SAID IT SHOULD BE "IMPOSED" ON ANYONE WHO TRIES TO RESIST IT.

MR. TUDJMAN'S VISIT TO PARIS FOLLOWS ONE LAST MONTH BY THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC. FRANCE, WITH THE BIGGEST NUMBER OF SOLDIERS IN UNITED NATIONS FORCES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, IS ANXIOUS TO PLAY A LEADING DIPLOMATIC ROLE AS WELL. LAST WEEK, PRESIDENT CHIRAC INVITED PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT AND SERBIAN LEADER, TO VISIT FRANCE NEXT. (SIGNED) NEB/MMK 25-Sep-95 4:00 PM EDT (2000 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA SITREP (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA )

INTRO: AFTER MAJOR BATTLEFIELD REVERSES, THE BOSNIAN SERBS SAY THEY HAVE PUSHED BACK AND INFLICTED HEAVY CASUALTIES ON THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN ARMY AND ON CROAT FORCES IN FIGHTING IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: FOLLOWING HEAVY FIGHTING WITH THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS OVER THE WEEKEND, THE SERBS SAY THEY HAVE REGAINED THE INITIATIVE ON THE BATTLEFIELDS OF NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA.

THE SERBS SAY THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS SUFFERED HEAVY CASUALTIES DURING FIERCE FIGHTING ALONG THE FRONT WEST OF BANJA LUKA, THE BIGGEST SERB-HELD TOWN IN BOSNIA.

IN ITS LATEST REPORT ON THE MILITARY SITUATION, GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED SARAJEVO RADIO SAYS NOTHING ABOUT FRESH BOSNIAN ARMY GAINS IN FIGHTING OR ABOUT ANY MAJOR SETBACKS.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS _NOT_ RENOUNCED AN ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE BANJA LUKA. BUT UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS IN SARAJEVO AND IN ZAGREB SAY THE TOWN IS, CLEARLY, UNDER _NO_ IMMEDIATE THREAT.

THE OFFICIALS SAY THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS MAY BE CONSIDERING AN ATTEMPT TO CUT THE NARROW, SERB-HELD POSAVINA CORRIDOR IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA.

THE STRATEGIC CORRIDOR LINKS BANJA LUKA WITH SERB TERRITORY TO THE EAST. MILITARY ANALYSTS BELIEVE THE DECISIVE BATTLE OF THE WAR IN BOSNIA COULD BE FOUGHT OVER CONTROL OF THAT CORRIDOR.

THE ANALYSTS SAY IT IS DOUBTFUL THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS COULD SEIZE AND HOLD THE CORRIDOR BECAUSE THE SERBS WOULD TRY TO DEFEND IT AT ALL COSTS.

WHERE OR WHEN FIGHTING IN BOSNIA MAY ESCALATE AGAIN COULD DEPEND ON WHETHER THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA AND YUGOSLAVIA MEET IN NEW YORK ON TUESDAY AS PLANNED. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/MH/ART
25-Sep-95 11:06 AM EDT (1506 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BULGARIA ECONOMY (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND HAS WARNED BULGARIA IT MUST DO MORE TO CLEAN UP ITS BANKING SYSTEM AND THE DEBT PROBLEMS OF STATE ENTERPRISES IF IT IS TO RECEIVE MORE INTERNATIONAL LOANS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS.

TEXT: I-M-F MISSION DIRECTOR RUSSEL KINCAID SAYS BULGARIA HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE DEBT OF STATE ENTERPRISES. HE SPOKE (SUNDAY) AT THE END OF A WEEK-LONG I-M-F VISIT TO SOFIA TO EXAMINE THE PROGRESS OF THE COUNTRY'S MARKET-BASED REFORMS. MR. KINCAID SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT THE BANKING SYSTEM AND ENTERPRISES BE HELD TO STRICT FINANCIAL DISCIPLINE.

THE I-M-F STOPPED LENDING TO BULGARIA LAST MARCH BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT WAS FAILING TO MEET ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE TARGETS.

THE WORLD BANK, A MAJOR LENDER TO BULGARIA, HAS SIMILARLY EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT SLOW PROGRESS IN BUILDING A MARKET ECONOMY. THE WORLD BANK HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY WORRIED ABOUT THE SLOW PACE OF PRIVATIZATION. A SPEED-UP IN SELLING STATE ENTERPRISES HAS BEEN A CONDITION FOR MAJOR NEW LENDING TO THE SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER ZHAN VIDENOV.

FEWER THAN 300 OF 35-HUNDRED BIG STATE ENTERPRISES HAVE BEEN TURNED OVER TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR. MOST BANKS LIKEWISE REMAIN GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED. BULGARIA, ALONG WITH ROMANIA, HAS LAGGED BEHIND THE FASTER REFORMING ECONOMIES OF POST-COMMUNIST EUROPE. IN BULGARIA, INFLATION REMAINS A BIG PROBLEM AND A 75-PERCENT INFLATION RATE IS EXPECTED FOR 1995. ECONOMIC GROWTH IS ESTIMATED AT ONE-PERCENT THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)

NEB/BDW/JWH/RAE
25-Sep-95 1:18 PM EDT (1718 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] CHRISTOPHER-BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER WILL BE MEETING SHORTLY WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, CROATIA, AND SERBIAN-DOMINATED YUGOSLAVIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK, THE SECRETARY IS TRYING TO ARRANGE THEIR MEETING TUESDAY WITH THE FULL BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP.

TEXT: THE SECRETARY OF STATE DECIDED TO MEET THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE THREE WARRING PARTIES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IN ADVANCE OF TUESDAY'S MEETING TO MAKE SURE THERE WILL BE NO MORE THREATS OF BOYCOTTS.

THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WANTED TO STAY AWAY FROM TUESDAY'S TALKS BECAUSE OF DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE SERBS ABOUT AN AGREEMENT REACHED SEPTEMBER 8TH IN GENEVA.

BEFORE SPEAKING TO THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER TELEPHONED BOSNIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MUHAMMED SACIRBEY WHO INTERPRETED FOR A THREE-WAY CONVERSATION WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC. EARLIER, MR. CHRISTOPHER SENT LEGAL ADVISER ROBERTS OWEN AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S CHRISTOPHER HILL TO SARAJEVO TO TRY TO CLEAR UP MISUNDERSTANDINGS THAT HAD ARISEN WITHIN THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT.

BY THE TIME THE SECRETARY OF STATE SPOKE TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED TO TAKE PART IN THE TALKS.

I WILL BE MEETING WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA, AND SERBIA LATER TODAY AND AT THAT TIME I WILL URGE THEM AND IMPLORE THEM TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM TOWARD PEACE AND TO ESTABLISH CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES FOR BOSNIA.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY MR. CHRISTOPHER WILL EMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE TALKING DIRECTLY WITH EACH OTHER ABOUT WHATEVER DIFFERENCES THEY HAVE ON THE ISSUES. YUGOSLAVIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER MILAN MILUTINOVIC WILL LEAD THE SERBIAN DELEGATION U-S OFFICIALS EXPECT TO INCLUDE BOSNIAN-SERB OFFICIAL NIKOLA KOLJEVIC. MR. KOLJEVIC REPRESENTED THE BOSNIAN SERBS AT THE GENEVA MEETING.

IT IS NOT CLEAR WHAT THE CONTACT GROUP MEETING TUESDAY AT THE U-S MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS IS EXPECTED TO ACCOMPLISH. THE UNITED STATES SAYS A FORMAL PEACE CONFERENCE CANNOT BE ARRANGED UNTIL SOME BASIC UNDERSTANDINGS ARE REACHED ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE BOSNIAN STATE WITH ITS SERBIAN ENTITY. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WANTS TO MAKE SURE THE SERB-HELD REGIONS, WITH 49-PERCENT OF THE TERRITORY, CANNOT BREAK AWAY FROM A UNITED BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

THAT IS WHY U-S OFFICIALS SAY A BOSNIA PEACE CONFERENCE IS NOT EXPECTED IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 25-Sep-95 2:52 PM EDT (1852 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] CLINTON / BOSNIA (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS CALLING ON U-S NEGOTIATORS WHO ARE TO MEET LATER TODAY (TUESDAY) IN NEW YORK WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PARTIES TO THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT TO PURSUE PEACE AGGRESSIVELY, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE DIFFICULT ISSUES THAT REMAIN TO BE RESOLVED. MR. CLINTON DISCUSSED THE STATUS OF U-S PEACE EFFORTS IN BOSNIA WITH HIS TOP FOREIGN POLICY ADVISORS ON THE EVE OF THE MEETING. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: CLINTON SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS THE PRESIDENT MET WITH HIS ADVISORS TO, IN HIS WORDS, "FASHION AND FINE-TUNE" INSTRUCTIONS THAT WILL BE USED BY U-S NEGOTIATORS WHEN THEY MEET TUESDAY WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA, AND YUGOLSAVIA, ALONG WITH U-S ALLIES.

MR. MCCURRY SAYS THE PRESIDENT BELIEVES THE TALKS ARE THE MOST PROMISING OPPORTUNITY TO DATE TO RESOLVE THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT, BUT ADMITS THERE ARE TOUGH ISSUES AHEAD.

THE PRESIDENT CLEARLY REFLECTING ON THE WORK OUTLINED, AGREED WITH THE ASSESSMENT OF SEVERAL AROUND THE TABLE THAT A LOT OF WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE ON SOME OF THE UNDERLYING ISSUES THAT DEFINE THIS NEGOTIATION, GEOGRAPHIC ISSUES, ISSUES RELATED TO CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND AFFILIATIONS. THESE WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT ISSUES FOR THE PARTIES TO ADDRESS, BUT WE WILL PURSUE A RESOLUTION OF THESE ISSUES DILIGENTLY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAYS NEGOTIATORS ARE CARRYING SUGGESTIONS BY THE PRESIDENT FOR WAYS TO MAKE FURTHER PROGRESS IN THE PEACE PROCESS, BUT HE DID NOT ELABORATE.

ATTENDING THE WHITE HOUSE MEETING WITH MR. CLINTON WAS VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR ANTHONY LAKE, DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI.

SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER, U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE, AND U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS MADELEINE ALBRIGHT -- WHO WERE ALL IN NEW YORK FOR THE OPENING OF DEBATE IN THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- JOINED THE WHITE HOUSE DISCUSSION BY TELECONFERENCE CALL.

THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS WAS PUT BACK ON TRACK EARLIER MONDAY WHEN THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO ATTEND TUESDAY'S TALKS, REVERSING AN EARLIER DECISION TO BOYCOTT THE TALKS UNLESS IT WAS GUARANTEED THAT A SETTLEMENT WOULD NOT INCLUDE A PARTITION OF BOSNIA.

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MCCURRY SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS ALWAYS INSISTED ON THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF BOSNIA. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/PT
25-Sep-95 6:13 PM EDT (2213 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] CLINTON / ILIESCU SCENESETTER (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON MEETS WITH ROMANIA'S PRESIDENT ION ILIESCU AT THE WHITE HOUSE LATER TODAY (TUESDAY) FOR TALKS EXPECTED TO FOCUS ON ECONOMIC ISSUES. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: DURING HIS TALKS WITH PRESIDENT ILIESCU, PRESIDENT CLINTON IS EXPECTED TO WELCOME PROGRESS MADE BY ROMANIA TOWARD DEVELOPING A FREE-MARKET ECONOMY.

BUT OFFICIALS SAY MR. CLINTON WILL ALSO URGE THAT ROMANIA CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT ECONOMIC REFORMS, MAKE PROGRESS IN PRIVATIZATION AND MAINTAIN ECONOMIC STABILIZATION.

OFFICIALS SAY THE PRESIDENT IS LIKELY TO CALL ON BUCHAREST TO PROMPTLY CONCLUDE AND IMPLEMENT AGREEMENTS WITH THE WORLD BANK AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND.

MR. CLINTON AND MR. ILIESCU ARE ALSO TO EXPLORE WAYS TO INCREASE BILATERAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT. TOWARD THAT END, OFFICIALS SAY, BOTH LEADERS ARE TO ANNOUNCE A JOINT FINANCING AGREEMENT TO SUPPORT EXPORTS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND ROMANIA TO THIRD MARKETS.

THE UNITED STATES IS CURRENTLY THE THIRD LARGEST INVESTOR IN ROMANIA, AFTER SOUTH KOREA AND GERMANY.

MR. ILIESCU -- WHOSE MEETING WITH MR. CLINTON IS HIS FIRST -- HOPES HIS COUNTRY WILL WIN PERMANENT STATUS AS A SO-CALLED "MOST FAVORED NATION" TRADING PARTNER WITH THE UNITED STATES.

AT PRESENT, ROMANIA'S M-F-N STATUS, WHICH GRANTS PREFERENTIAL TRADE PRIVILEDGES, MUST BE REVIEWED AND RENEWED EACH YEAR BY CONGRESS. (SIGNED)

NBEB/DAT/PT
25-Sep-95 6:54 PM EDT (2254 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] GERMANY / EURO CURRENCY (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING ( BONN )

INTRO: PLANS TO ESTABLISH A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY BY 1999 HAVE ONCE AGAIN BEEN THROWN INTO DOUBT. GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER THEO WAIGEL SET OFF A FUROR LAST WEEK WHEN HE SUGGESTED ITALY'S ECONOMY WOULD NOT BE FIT ENOUGH TO MEET THE 1999 DEADLINE. NOW, AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN, MR. WAIGEL IS DEFENDING THE COMMENTS THAT ANGERED MANY OF GERMANY'S EUROPEAN ALLIES.

TEXT: THE CRISIS OVER THE EUROPEAN CURRENCY DEADLINE WAS REKINDLED (MONDAY) WHEN MR. WAIGEL WAS QUOTED BY THE TABLOID BILD ZEITUNG THAT HIS ORIGINAL COMMENTS WERE SELF-EVIDENT. MR. WAIGEL SAYS THAT UNDER CURRENT E-U RULES THE ONLY COUNTRIES THAT WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY WILL BE THOSE THAT HAVE THEIR DEBTS IN ORDER AND CAN PROVIDE FOR STABILITY IN INTEREST RATES. AT PRESENT GERMANY AND LUXEMBOURG ARE THE ONLY ECONOMIES THAT QUALIFY FOR THE E-U CURRENCY MERGER, AND GERMAN OFFICIALS HAVE SUGGESTED MOST OTHER E-U MEMBERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE THE DEADLINE. ALTHOUGH MR. WAIGEL GOES ON TO SAY HE BELIEVES THE COMMON CURRENCY WILL EVENTUALLY BE ADOPTED, HE SAYS THE DEADLINE SHOULD DEPEND ON WHEN COUNTRIES MEET THE ECONOMIC CRITERIA. THAT POSITION HAS BEEN REINFORCED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE GERMAN CENTRAL BANK, HANS TIETMEYER, WHO HAS SUGGESTED THE TIMETABLE FOR THE CURRENCY UNION IS SECONDARY TO A PROPER ECONOMIC FOUNDATION. MR. WAIGEL'S ORIGINAL COMMENTS TOUCHED OFF A POLITICAL FUROR LAST WEEK. CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL LATER APOLOGIZED TO ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI, BUT NOT BEFORE THE CURRENCIES OF ITALY, FRANCE, AND BRITAIN FELL AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK. ALTHOUGH MR. WAIGEL HAS INDICATED HE BELIEVES THE DEBATE OVER THE ISSUE HAS BEEN HELPFUL, EUROPEAN LEADERS ARE TRYING TO DISPEL ANY NOTION THAT MONETARY UNION WILL NOT OCCUR. BUT EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS SAY THE DEBATE OVER WHICH COUNTRIES WILL BE AMONG THE FIRST TO TAKE PART IN THE NEW EUROPEAN CURRENCY HAS BROUGHT THE REALIZATION THAT THERE WILL BE TOUGH CHOICES AHEAD. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/MH/BG
25-Sep-95 11:40 AM EDT (1540 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] RUSSIA / NATO (S & L) BY ELIZABETH ARROTT (MOSCOW)

INTRO: MOSCOW IS SET TO PROPOSE A PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA JOINTLY LED BY NATO AND RUSSIAN OFFICERS. V-O-A'S ELIZABETH ARROTT IN MOSCOW REPORTS THAT DEFENSE MINISTER PAVEL GRACHEV ANNOUNCED THE DECISION WHILE AT THE SAME TIME RULING OUT ANY RUSSIAN TROOPS SERVING UNDER A FORCE LED ONLY BY NATO COMMANDERS.

TEXT: GENERAL GRACHEV SAID THE PROPOSED FORCE WOULD BE COMMANDED ALTERNATELY, FIRST BY A NATO AND THEN BY A RUSSIAN GENERAL.

THE DEFENSE MINISTER SAID RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN WILL MAKE THE PROPOSAL NEXT MONTH AT THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE PREVIEW COMES AS NATO IS PLANNING A 60 THOUSAND STRONG FORCE TO KEEP THE PEACE IN THE BALKANS IN ANTICIPATION OF AN END TO CURRENT HOSTILITIES. NATO PLANS TO LEAD THE FORCE, WHICH IT SAYS WILL INCLUDE TROOPS FROM NON-NATO STATES. GENERAL GRACHEV CATEGORICALLY RULED OUT RUSSIAN TROOPS TAKING PART IF ONLY NATO IS IN CHARGE, ADDING RUSSIA CAN _NOT_ SUBORDINATE ITS ARMED FORCES TO THE WESTERN ALLIANCE.

MOSCOW HAS BEEN UPSET BY NATO'S DOMINANCE IN BALKAN AFFAIRS AND HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF WHAT IT SAYS IS THE WEST'S ANTI-SERBIAN STANCE, IN PARTICULAR NATO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST SERB POSITIONS. GENERAL GRACHEV SAID THE PROPOSED JOINTLY-LED FORCE WOULD PUNISH _NOT_ JUST THE BOSNIAN SERBS, BUT ANY SIDE THAT DEFIED U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.

RUSSIA ALONE AMONG THE FIVE-MEMBER CONTACT GROUP NEGOTIATING THE CONFLICT HAS TENDED TO BE SYMPATHETIC TO THE SERB CAUSE. RUSSIANS SHARE ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS TIES WITH SERBIANS, A RELATIONSHIP STRESSED BY HARDLINE NATIONALISTS IN RUSSIA.

BUT THE SPLIT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE WEST OVER THE BALKANS IS ALSO APPARENTLY LINKED TO ONE OF NATIONAL PRIDE. GENERAL GRACHEV COMPLAINED ABOUT RUSSIA'S EXCLUSION FROM THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. WHY ARE RUSSIA'S VIEWS AND PROPOSALS _NOT_ TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, HE ASKED. THE SITUATION IS IN EFFECT UNDER THE CONTROL OF NATO, HE SAID, WITHOUT RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION. (SIGNED)

NEB/EA/ART
25-Sep-95 3:31 PM EDT (1931 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America