Voice of America, 2 November 1995

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- NOVEMBER 2, 1995

VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- 11/2/95 THE FOLLOWING IS A SYNOPSIS OF SIGNIFICANT REPORTING ON BOSNIA BY THE VOICE OF AMERICA THAT HAD BEEN BROADCAST OR FIRMLY SCHEDULED AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. THIS SELECTION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE EXHAUSTIVE, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE LATE-BREAKING NEWS OR THE MANY REPORTS IN ALL VOA LANGUAGES THAT ARE BASED ON COMMERCIAL WIRE SERVICES OR OTHER SECONDARY SOURCES. WE REGRET THAT WE CANNOT RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR TRANSCRIPTS OF SPECIFIC BROADCASTS OR PROGRAM SEGMENTS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT VOA, OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. TELEPHONE: +1-202-619-2538. ELECTRONIC MAIL: LETTERS@VOA.GOV (FOR CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES); LETTERS-USA@VOA.GOV (FOR CORRESPONDENCE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES).

BOSNIA / PEACE TALKS -- THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS ARE UNDERWAY IN DAYTON, OHIO. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS THERE ALREADY HAS BEEN A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT ON ONE ISSUE. (11/1)

CLINTON / CONGRESS / BOSNIA -- A GROUP OF BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS MET WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON AT THE WHITE HOUSE WEDNESDAY TO TALK ABOUT BOSNIA. THEY SAY MR. CLINTON ADMITS HE HAS MUCH WORK TO DO TO CONVINCE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO SUPPORT SENDING US TROOPS TO BOSNIA TO TAKE PART IN A POSSIBLE PEACEKEEPING MISSION THERE. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS. (11/1)

BOSNIA JOURNALIST -- THE UNITED NATIONS HAS CONFIRMED THAT BOSNIAN SERBS ARE HOLDING AMERICAN JOURNALIST DAVID ROHDE, WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE SUNDAY. REPORTER MICHELE KELEMEN SAYS THE JOURNALIST FROM THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR MAY HAVE ANGERED THE SERBS WITH HIS REPORTING ABOUT WAR CRIMES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. (11/2)

BOSNIA PANELISTS / OHIO TALKS -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS ON COMMENTS BY BALKAN EXPERTS ATTENDING THE RECENT AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SLAVIC STUDIES (AAASS) CONFERENCE. (11/2)

DAYTON / BOSNIAN PEACE TALKS -- SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER FORMALLY OPENED THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS IN DAYTON, OHIO. STAFFER ZDENKO NOVACKI REPORTS FROM WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE. (CROATIAN 11/1)

BOSNIA / PEACE TALKS / POLLS -- ACCORDING TO THE LATEST PUBLIC POLLS IN SARAJEVO, BOSNIANS ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE PEACE CONFERENCE IN DAYTON. IN THE MEANTIME, A BRIDGE THAT SEPARATES GOVERNMENT AND SERB-HELD PARTS OF THE CAPITAL OPENED FOR THE MOVEMENT OF CIVILIANS. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 11/1)

BOSNIA / DAYTON TALKS REACT -- ZORAN PAJIC, A FORMER UNIVERSITY OF SARAJEVO LAW PROFESSOR TOLD A PANEL ON BOSNIA AT THE WOODROW WILSON CENTER, THAT HE IS VERY PESSIMISTIC ABOUT THE DAYTON TALKS, BECAUSE THE TALKS WILL FINALIZE THE PARTITION OF BOSNIA AND END THE DREAM OF A MULTI-ETHIC STATE THERE. CURRENT AFFAIRS STAFFER PAMELA TAYLOR PROVIDES THE COMMENTS OF PROFESSOR PAJIC. (ENP 11/1)

PAJIC / PEACE TALKS -- PROFESSOR OF LAW AT KING'S COLLEGE OF LONDON UNIVERSITY, AND FORMER PROFESSOR OF LAW AT SARAJEVO UNIVERSITY, ZORAN PAJIC DISCUSSES THE CHANCES FOR THE SUCCESS OF DAYTON PEACE CONFERENCE IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STRINGER DARAKO POPOVIC. MR PAJIC BELIEVES THAT THE DAYTON TALKS WILL UNFORTUNATELY LEAD TO A DIVISION OF THE COUNTRY ALONG ETHNIC LINES. (SERBIAN 11/1)

BOSNIAN / OPPOSITION CRITICISM -- SARAJEVO STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS THAT BOSNIAN OPPOSITION LEADERS CONTINUED TO CRITICIZE THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE WAY THEY PREPARED FOR THE OHIO TALKS. (CROATIAN 11/1)

DAYTON / KOSOVO DEMO -- SOME ONE HUNDRED ALBANIAN-AMERICAN STAGED A DEMONSTRATION WEDNESDAY OUTSIDE THE GATES OF THE WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE IN DAYTON TO PROTEST THE PRESENCE OF SERBIA'S STRONGMAN SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND CALL FOR THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE PROVINCE OF KOSOVA. REPORT BY STAFFER XHEVDET HOXHA. (ALBANIAN 11/1)

MILOSEVIC / DEMOS -- A GROUP CALLED THE ACTION COMMITTEE FOR PEACE IN BOSNIA ORGANIZED DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE AGAINST THE PARTICIPATION OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT S MILOSEVIC IN PEACE TALKS ON BOSNIA. THE PROTEST WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 50 PARTICIPANTS. STAFFER JOVAN DJUKANOVIC REPORTS. (SERBIAN 11/1)

ANTI-MILOSEVIC DEMO / WASHINGTON -- A FEW PROTESTERS GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE TO DENOUNCE SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S PARTICIPATION IN DAYTON PEACE TALKS. THE LEADERS OF THE AMERICAN COMMITTEE TO SAVE BOSNIA, AND THE ACTION COUNCIL FOR THE PEACE ON THE BALKANS SAID MILOSEVIC SHOULD BE IN THE HAGUE INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES RATHER THAN IN OHIO. STAFFER MIRJANA DEDAIC REPORTS. (CROATIAN 11/1)

RODMAN / PEACE TALKS -- DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAM AT THE NIXON CENTER, PETER RODMAN DESCRIBES THE DAYTON PEACE CONFERENCE THE BEST CHANCE OF THE LAST FEW YEARS TO END THE WAR. HE WAS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER DRAGANA MILIC. (SERBIAN 11/1)

SCHNEIER APPEAL -- RABBI ARTHUR SCHNEIER DISCUSSED HIS APPEAL OF CONSCIENCE TO LEADERS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER DRAGANA MILIC. HE APPEALED TO THE PRESIDENTS OF CROATIA, BOSNIA, AND SERBIA TO DO THEIR UTMOST TO BRING THE PEACE TO FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. (SERBIAN 11/1)

SARAJEVO / BRIDGE REOPENED -- SARAJEVO STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS THAT CIVILIANS STARTED TO CROSS THE SARAJEVO BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS THE SERB-HELD SECTOR WITH THE REST OF THE CITY. EIGHT PEOPLE CROSSED THE BRIDGE UNDER UN ESCORT. (CROATIAN 11/1)

CROATIAN ELECTIONS / FINAL RESULTS -- STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC REPORTS FROM ZAGREB ON THE FINAL COUNT OF THE VOTES IN CROATIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. THE RULING CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION GOT AROUND 44 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, WHILE THE COALITION OF FIVE MODERATE PARTIES GOT 18 PERCENT. (CROATIAN 11/1)

CROATIA / ELECTIONS -- CROATIAN MEDIA NOTE THAT PRESIDENT F TUDJMAN GAINED MORE POPULARITY IN THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION THAN HIS RULING HDZ PARTY. IT IS ALSO REPORTED THAT THE OPPOSITION PARTIES GOT MORE VOTES THAN EXPECTED. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 11/1)

CROATIAN OPPOSITION / PROTEST -- STRONGEST CROATIAN OPPOSITION PARTY, SOCIAL-LIBERAL PARTY PROTESTED ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES AT THE ELECTION VOTE COUNTING. THE LIBERALS CLAIM THAT ONE OF THEIR CANDIDATES IN ZAGREB DISTRICT LOST BY SUSPICIOUSLY NARROW MARGIN, AND DEMAND A RECOUNT. STRINGER SLAVICA LUKIC REPORTS. (CROATIAN 11/1) 02-Nov-95 4:49 PM EST (2149 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S DAILY NEWSPAPERS TODAY (THURSDAY) ARE FOCUSING ON SEVERAL TOPICS THAT HAVE ATTRACTED WIDE ATTENTION IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK. THEY INCLUDE REVELATIONS THE C-I-A WAS DUPED BY SOVIET DOUBLEAGENTS DURING THE COLD WAR; THE OUTCOME OF THE QUEBEC INDEPENDENCE REFERENDUM; THE BEGINNING OF BOSNIAN PEACE TALKS IN THE U-S, AND THE GROWING DISEASE PERIL AROUND THE WORLD. NOW, HERE IS ____________ WITH DETAILS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TWO OF THE NATION'S THREE MOST INFLUENTIAL NEWSPAPERS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND "LOS ANGELES TIMES", ARE LEADING THEIR EDITORIAL COLUMNS WITH CAUSTIC COMMENTS ABOUT REVELATIONS THAT CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY INFORMATION GIVEN TO PAST PRESIDENTS WAS WRONG AND THAT THE AGENCY KNEW IT WAS UNFACTUAL. SAYS "THE NEW YORK TIMES":

VOICE: "AN INTELLIGENCE AGENCY THAT KNOWINGLY MISLEADS ITS OWN GOVERNMENT WITH TAINTED INFORMATION FROM THE OTHER SIDE IS ABOUT AS OUT OF CONTROL AS IT GETS. IT IS [NEW C-I-A DIRECTOR JOHN] DEUTCH'S RESPONSIBILITY TO INSURE THAT SUCH AN APPALLING PERFORMANCE IS NEVER REPEATED. CONGRESS MUST INSIST THAT HE SUCCEED."

TEXT: ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IN CALIFORNIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" REMARKS:

VOICE: "EVEN CONGRESSIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO HAD A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE REPORT ASSESSING THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY BY ALDRICH AMES WERE SHOCKED BY THE BRIEFING THEY GOT THIS WEEK... SOME OF THE MISLEADING INFORMATION REACHED THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE U-S GOVERNMENT AND IS SAID TO HAVE HELPED SHAPE POLICY, INCLUDING DECISIONS ABOUT SPENDING BILLIONS ON VARIOUS MILITARY PROJECTS. MOST STARTLING, SOME OF THE REPORTS THAT WERE KNOWN TO BE PLANTED BY THE K-G-B WERE PASSED ON TO HIGH U-S OFFICIALS WITH NO HINT THAT THE SOURCES WERE TAINTED BECAUSE THEY WERE IN FACT CONTROLLED BY THE SOVIETS. IN RETROSPECT, IT SEEMS A WONDER THE UNITED STATES WAS ABLE TO WIN THE COLD WAR."

TEXT: BACK ON THE EAST COAST, "THE BALTIMORE SUN" FAULTS C-I-A DIRECTOR JOHN DEUTCH FOR FAILING TO SEVERELY PUNISH ALL THE MEN HELD RESPONSIBLE, AND FOR DECLARING "THE HIGHEST RESPECT" FOR THREE OF HIS PREDECESSORS AT THE SPY AGENCY.

VOICE: "MR. DEUTCH'S HANDLING OF THIS LATEST SCANDAL WILL HARDLY IMPROVE MORALE AT HIS SULLEN, ANGRY AGENCY. BUT FAR MORE IMPORTANT IS WHETHER HIS ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROCEDURE GIVING OTHER BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT ... THE MEANS TO ASSESS THE RELIABILITY OF THE C-I-A'S SOURCES WILL IMPOSE SOME DISCIPLINE AND CREDIBILITY ON THE WHOLE TATTERED PROCESS."

TEXT: THE "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS" ALSO COMMENTS:

VOICE: "[MR.] DEUTSCH MUST DO MORE THAN MERELY CLEAN HOUSE. HE MUST REBUILD IT FROM THE FOUNDATION UP. OTHERWISE, THE C-I-A WILL REMAIN AS DANGEROUS TO U-S INTERESTS AS ITS OVERSEAS TARGETS."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS RESERVED COMMENT UNTIL THIS MORNING ON THE NARROW DEFEAT OF A SECESSION MOVE IN QUEBEC, AND NOW "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" IS EXPRESSING RELIEF OVER THE OUTCOME.

VOICE: "THE REFERENDUM RESULTS THIS WEEK WERE A RELIEF FOR CANADA AND FOR THE UNITED STATES... CLEARLY, THOUGH, THE CANADIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE TO LIVE UP TO ITS COMMITMENT TO ACCOMMODATE FURTHER THE CONCERNS OF FRENCH-SPEAKING CANADIANS. THOSE WHO HOPE ... THE ISSUE SIMPLY WILL GO AWAY, AS WAS A POPULAR PERCEPTION A DECADE AND A HALF AGO, WHEN QUEBEC ALSO REJECTED SOVEREIGNTY, ARE DREAMING. THE DEBATE IS AS OLD AS CANADA, ITSELF."

TEXT: IN NEW ENGLAND, A REGION CLOSE TO QUEBEC, A SIMILAR VIEW IS EXXPRESSED BY "THE BOSTON GLOBE":

VOICE: "THE CLOSENESS OF THE VOTE IN QUEBEC MEANS THAT THE SECESSION ISSUE CANNOT BE LAID TO REST. THIS PREOCCUPATION ALSO PROVIDES LEADERS OF ENGLISH-SPEAKING CANADA A CHANCE TO MAKE A GESTURE OF CONCILIATION TOWARD THEIR FRANCOPHONE COMPATRIOTS. [OPT] ..... QUEBEC GIVES CANADA A GALLIC FLAVOR THAT HELPS TO DISTINGUISH ITS CULTURE FROM THAT OF THE UNITED STATES. CANADA CLOAKS QUEBEC WITH THE PROTECTIVE STATUS NEEDED TO FEND OFF ENCROACHMENTS FROM THE VAST ANGLOPHONE SOCIETY TO THE SOUTH. THIS UNIQUE SYMBIOSIS PRODUCES A DISTINCT CANADIAN SOCIETY." [END OPT]

TEXT: WITH A VIEW TOWARD THE MIDDLE EAST, "THE NEW YORK POST" SEES SOME JUSTICE IN THE RECENT ASSASSINATION OF PALESTINIAN ISLAMIC JIHAD LEADER FATHI SHIKAKI:

VOICE: "CERTAINLY [MR.] SHIKAKI EARNED HIS FATE, WHOEVER ORDERED THE HIT [KILLING]. IN THE PAST YEAR ALONE, HIS TERRORISTS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THREE OF THE DEADLIEST SUICIDE BOMBINGS EVER TO STRIKE ISRAEL, TAKING 28 INNOCENT LIVES. BUT WHATEVER HAPPENS NEXT ... IT'S WELL TO REMEMBER THAT TERRORIST GROUPS LIKE SHIKAKI'S CANNOT OPERATE WITHOUT STATE SPONSORSHIP... AND SYRIA HAS ALLOWED [MR.] SHIKAKI TO OPERATE FROM A DAMASCUS BASE EVER SINCE HIS EXPULSION FROM GAZA BY ISRAEL IN 1988."

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" HEADLINES ONE OF ITS THURSDAY EDITORIALS, "NIGERIA PLANS A MURDER", AND GOES ON TO COMMENT:

VOICE: "THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT IS THREATENING TO COMMIT MURDER. AN INNOCENT MAN, KEN SARO-WIWA, A PROMINENT ENVIRONMENTALIST, IS SENTENCED TO DIE FOR SLAYING HE DIDN'T COMMIT. SHAME ON PRESIDENT SANI ABACHA. HE SHOULD COMMUTE THIS DEATH SENTENCE AND FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS TO SHOW THAT REFORM IS POSSIBLE EVEN THOUGH DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA APPEARS DEAD FOR NOW."

TEXT: UP THE CALIFORNIA COAST, THE "SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE" SAYS "ONLY INTERNATIONAL OUTRAGE STANDS BETWEEN THE GALLOWS AND ... KEN SARO-WIWA AND EIGHT OTHERS ... SENTENCED TO DEATH BY A KANGAROO COURT". THE PAPER APPEALS TO AMERICANS TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY CALL TO THE NIGERIAN AMBASSADOR IN WASHINGTON TO APPEAL FOR A COMMUTATION OF THE DEATH SENTENCES.

TURNING TO THE BOSNIAN PEACE TALKS NOW UNDERWAY AT AN AIR FORCE BASE NEAR DAYTON, OHIO, "THE MIAMI HERALD" INTERTWINES THE HISTORY OF FLIGHT WITH THE CURRENT UNDERTAKING.

VOICE: "AS THEY FACE EACH OTHER IN DAYTON, OHIO ... THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA, SERBIA, AND CROATIA WOULD DO WELL TO REMEMBER HOW TWO HUMBLE BICYCLE-SHOP OWNERS IN DAYTON CHANGED HISTORY BY DOING THE IMPOSSIBLE. SOME THOUGHT THE TWO TINKERERS CRAZY FOR TRYING TO BUILD A FLYING MACHINE. BUT IN DUE COURSE, WILBUR AND ORVILLE WRIGHT TOOK THEIR FLIMSY CRAFT TO THE DUNES OF KITTY HAWK (N.C.) ... AND ... IT FLEW [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS]. WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE ... IS NAMED IN PART FOR THEM... IN THE ABSENCE OF AMITY UNDER WHICH THESE TALKS BEGAN YESTERDAY, IT WOULD BE AS RASH TO PREDICT THAT [CHIEF U-S NEGOTIATOR RICHARD] HOLBROOKE WILL SUCCEED AS IT WAS TO PREDICT, IN 1903, THAT WILBUR AND ORVILLE WRIGHT WOULD FLY."

TEXT: IN THE FAR NORTHEAST, "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD" ADDS ITS VOICE TO THE DISCUSSION, NOTING:

VOICE: "IT IS NOT ENOUGH THAT THE THREE BALKAN PRESIDENTS IMPLEMENT A PEACE IN THEIR TALKS AT DAYTON. THE SOULS OF MORE THAN 200-THOUSAND SLAUGHTERED INNOCENTS DEMAND THEY IMPLEMENT JUSTICE AS WELL."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, ON THE GROWING THREAT OF INTERNATIONAL DISEASE SPREAD BY THE INCREASINGLY MOBILE WORLD POPULATION, TODAY'S "BALTIMORE SUN" COMMENTS:

VOICE: "WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ... OFFICIALS WARN THAT NEW DISEASES LIKE THE H-I-V VIRUS THAT PRODUCED AN AIDS CRISIS IN MANY COUNTRIES, OR OLD ONES LIKE THE PLAGUE THAT BROKE OUT IN INDIA IN 1994, ARE APPEARING ALL TOO FREQUENTLY. DR. DAVID HEYMANN, DIRECTOR OF A NEW W-H-O DIVISION DEVOTED TO EMERGING DISEASES, SAYS, 'IT IS CLEAR THAT AN OUTBREAK OF DISEASE ANYWHERE MUST NOW BE PERCEIVED AS A THREAT TO ALL COUNTRIES.' ... THE BUBONIC PLAGUE, TUBERCULOSIS, DIPHTHERIA, CHOLERA -- ALL THESE DISEASES WERE ONCE REGARDED AS PROBLEMS SOLVED. NOW, EVEN AMERICANS IN COMFORTABLE HOMES COULD BE THREATENED BY HEALTH CRISIS FAR FROM HOME." TEXT; AND ON THAT UNSETTLING NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE TOPICS BEING ANALYZED BY THE DAILY PRESS IN THE UNITED STATES AS WE ENTER THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER. NEB/ANG/PCH 02-Nov-95 10:59 AM EST (1559 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA JOURNALIST (L-ONLY) BY MICHELE KELEMEN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS HAS CONFIRMED THAT BOSNIAN SERBS ARE HOLDING AMERICAN JOURNALIST DAVID ROHDE, WHO HAS BEEN MISSING SINCE SUNDAY. V-O-A'S MICHELE KELEMEN REPORTS THE JOURNALIST FROM THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR MAY HAVE ANGERED THE SERBS WITH HIS REPORTING ABOUT WAR CRIMES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

TEXT: U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE 28-YEAR OLD REPORTER IS ALIVE, AND THEY ARE CALLING FOR HIS RELEASE. MR. ROHDE'S EDITOR AT THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, CLAYTON JONES, WELCOMED THAT NEWS AND SAID U-N OFFICIALS ARE KEEPING HIM UP TO DATE.

THE U-N HAS BEEN MEETING WITH BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIALS AT THE SERB HEADQUARTERS IN PALE AND WE ARE USING OTHER BACK CHANNELS TO FIND OUT ABOUT DAVID'S WHEREABOUTS AND HIS CONDITION.

MR. JONES SAYS HE LAST HEARD FROM DAVID ROHDE ON SATURDAY. HE SAYS THE REPORTER PROBABLY ANGERED THE SERBS WHEN HE SECRETLY VISITED SREBRENICA SOON AFTER THE SERBS CAPTURED THAT MUSLIM ENCLAVE IN JULY. DAVID ROHDE THEN WROTE AND TALKED ABOUT THE MASS GRAVES HE FOUND THERE. HIS BROTHER LEE SAYS DAVID OFTEN SPOKE ABOUT THE DANGERS HE FACED IN COVERING SUCH STORIES, BUT THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP HIM.

MANY TIMES HE WOULD EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT GOING INTO AN AREA LIKE THAT BUT AT THE SAME TIME HE WAS FIRST AND FOREMOST A JOURNALIST AND HE WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS STORY NEEDED TO BE PUT OUT TO THE WORLD SO THAT PEOPLE CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ACTIONS THAT WERE TAKEN.

U-S STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS HAVE ASSURED DAVID ROHDE'S FAMILY THAT THEY BROUGHT UP THE CASE IN TALKS IN DAYTON, OHIO, WITH SERBIA'S PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE UNITED NATIONS, MEANTIME, CONTINUES ITS EFFORTS TO ARRANGE HIS RELEASE. (SIGNED)

NEB/MK/CF
02-Nov-95 12:03 PM EST (1703 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA PANELISTS ON OHIO TALKS BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: FORMAL PEACE TALKS ON ENDING THE WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE BEGUN OUTSIDE DAYTON, OHIO. THE PRESIDENTS OF SERBIA, CROATIA AND BOSNIA ARE THERE, AS WELL AS A SIX-MEMBER BOSNIAN SERB DELEGATION HEADED BY SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. A KEY QUESTION FOR MANY BALKAN SCHOLARS AND ANALYSTS IS WHETHER THE U-S-BACKED FRAMEWORK FOR THE NEGOTIATIONS PROVIDES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF A SINGLE BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA OR A DE

TEXT: THE ANNUAL AMERICAN SLAVIC CONVENTIONS HAVE, UNTIL RECENT YEARS, TENDED TO BE DOMINATED BY KREMLINOLOGISTS AND RUSSIAN-AREA SCHOLARS. BUT FOLLOWING THE BREAKUP OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, DISCUSSIONS ABOUT VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE WAR IN BOSNIA HAVE DRAWN THE LARGEST CROWDS. BOSNIAN SCHOLARS, HOWEVER, WERE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN, THEIR POINT OF VIEW BEING REPRESENTED PRIMARILY BY A FEW U-S EXPERTS. PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE HISTORIC LINKS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND SERBIA, THE MAJORITY OF SPEAKERS HAVE TENDED TO BE SPECIALISTS IN SERBIAN STUDIES. ONE SUCH PANELIST, CARL JACOBSEN, A PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT CARLETON UNIVERSITY IN OTTAWA, CANADA, SAID THE UNITED STATES AND GERMANY BORE PRIME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WAR IN BOSNIA BY TOO HASTILY RECOGNIZING THE INDEPENDENCE OF SLOVENIA, CROATIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. HE SAID THIS LED TO A MEDIA CAMPAIGN TO MAKE BOSNIA'S MUSLIMS THE WORLD'S NEW 'CAUSE-CELEBRE':

TAPE: CUT # 1 JACOBSON RUNS [:27] "THERE HAS BEEN AN EXTRAORDINARY MEDIA BIAS, A SETTING OF MORAL PARAMETERS, THE WHITE HOUSE LINE WAS ECHOED IN THE PARTISAN ANTI-SERB PATHOLOGISTS (SIC), I USE THE TERM ADVISEDLY (ABOUT) THE NEW YORK TIMES AND MADELEINE ALLBRIGHT. THE NEW YORK TIMES NEVER SAW A SERB ATROCITY IT DIDN'T LIKE WHILE CROAT AND MUSLIM ATROCITIES ARE NOT FIT TO PRINT."

TEXT: THE LAST U-S AMBASSADOR TO BELGRADE, WARREN ZIMMERMAN, NOW WITH THE JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF ADVANCED INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (SAIS) IN WASHINGTON, REJECTED THIS NOTION. HE REPLIED THAT WHATEVER ROLE WASHINGTON AND BONN PLAYED, THE WAR WAS STARTED BY THE PARTIES THEMSELVES AND NOT BY EXTERNAL FORCES. AND, TURNING HIS ATTENTION TO ATROCITIES COMMITTED DURING THE WAR, HE HAD THIS TO SAY:

TAPE: CUT # 2 ZIMMERMAN RUNS [:23] "I'M PRETTY SURE THAT EVEN A PERFECT INVESTIGATING (WAR CRIMES) TRIBUNAL WOULD FIND THAT WHILE ALL SIDES HAD COMMITTED ATROCITIES, THE SERBIAN SIDE HAD COMMITTED ATROCITIES IN A VOLUME MANY TIMES THAT OF THE OTHER TWO SIDES COMBINED. I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE VERY MUCH DISPUTE ABOUT THAT."

TEXT: IN FACT, EVEN AS THE CONVENTION WAS TAKING PLACE, THE LEADING U-S NEWSPAPERS (INCLUDING THE NEW YORK TIMES) WERE FULL OF NEW REPORTS ABOUT THE EXTENT OF LARGE-SCALE SERB ATROCITIES FOLLOWING THE CAPTURE OF THE BOSNIAN ENCLAVE OF SREBRENICA IN JULY. THE REPORTS CALLED THEM THE WORST SUCH CRIMES SINCE WORLD WAR TWO. WHILE THERE WAS MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THESE LATEST REVELATIONS OUTSIDE THE MEETING ROOMS, INSIDE, SPEAKERS MAINLY STUCK TO THEIR PREPARED TEXTS. IF ANY SUBJECT WAS NOTABLE BY ITS ABSENCE IN THE DEBATES ON BOSNIA, IT WAS THE SUBJECT OF ATROCITIES AND WAR CRIMES. MOST SPEAKERS FOCUSED THEIR ATTENTION ON TRYING TO ANALYZE THE LATEST PEACE PLAN. IN HIS CRITIQUE OF INTERNATIONAL CONSTITUTION-MAKING, ROBERT HAYDEN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURG, PRESENTED A THOROUGH BREAKDOWN OF THE CONTRADICTIONS IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE BEING PRESENTED IN OHIO:

TAPE: CUT # 3 HAYDEN RUNS [:50] "ALTHOUGH THE UNITED STATES AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL SAYS THESE DOCUMENTS, THESE AGREED PRINCIPLES, DO NOT PARTITION BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, IN FACT IF IT MAKES ANY SENSE AT ALL, THEY ARE INDEED THE PARTITION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. NOW HOW CAN THAT BE SINCE CLAUSE NUMBER ONE SAYS BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL CONTINUE ITS LEGAL EXISTENCE WITH ITS PRESENT BORDERS AND CONTINUING INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION? CLAUSE TWO PROVIDES FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO CONSIST OF TWO ENTITIES, THE FEDERATION AS ESTABLISHED BY THE WASHINGTON AGREEMENT -- THE CROAT-MUSLIM FEDERATION -- AND THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AND THAT EACH OF THESE ENTITIES WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST UNDER ITS PRESENT CONSTITUTION."

TEXT: PROFESSOR HAYDEN POINTED OUT THAT THE NEGOTIATING FRAMEWORK WOULD PERMIT EACH ENTITY TO COORDINATE MILITARY COMMAND STAFFS AND DEFENSE POLICY WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE NEIGHBORING STATES: CROATIA AND SERBIA. THIS, HE SAID, LEGITIMATES THE EVENTUAL CREATION OF A GREATER SERBIA.

THE QUESTION OF WHETHER BOSNIA CAN REMAIN A MULTI-ETHNIC, MULTI-CULTURAL STATE WAS A PERSONAL CONCERN OF AT LEAST ONE CONVENTION PARTICIPANT. ZORAN PAJIC [PIE-ITCH], A FORMER PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AT SARAJEVO UNIVERSITY, NOW A LECTURER AT KINGS COLLEGE OF LAW IN LONDON, IS LIVING TESTIMONY TO BOSNIAN MULTI-CULTURALISM. PROFESSOR PAJIC WAS BORN IN MOSTAR, THE CROATIAN PART OF BOSNIA, AND RAISED AS A CHILD IN SERBIAN BANJA LUKA. HE SPENT HIS ADULT LIFE IN SARAJEVO AND SAYS HIS ETHNIC MAKEUP IS SO MIXED HE CANNOT TODAY QUALIFY AS A MEMBER OF ANY ONE GROUP. PROFESSOR PAJIC SAID HE FEARED THAT THE FINAL OUTCOME OF THE OHIO PEACE TALKS MIGHT WELL BE, AS PROFESSOR HAYDEN BELIEVES, A DE FACTO PARTITION OF HIS COUNTRY:

TAPE: CUT # 4 PAJIC RUNS [:36] "IT'S MAYBE EARLY TO SAY BUT THE AMERICAN PEACE PLAN HAS FALLEN INTO THE SAME TRAP. IT'S FOLLOWING A STEREOTYPE ACCORDING TO WHICH ALL SERBS, MUSLIMS OR CROATS BLINDLY FOLLOW THEIR RESPECTIVE LEADERS IN THE REGION. THE AMERICAN PEACE PLAN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, WILL LEGITIMIZE ETHNIC CLEANSING AND DEFINITELY WILL OPEN THE NEW APPETITE FOR FURTHER ETHNIC CLEANSING AND FURTHER WAGING OF WARS. "

TEXT: PROFESSOR PAJIC CRITICIZED THE WEST FOR FAILING TO SUPPORT DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION GROUPS IN SERBIA AND BOSNIA AND FOR SPEAKING ONLY TO NATIONALIST LEADERS. HE ALSO SAID HE BELIEVES THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY WILL ONE DAY REGRET NOT DEFENDING WESTERN IDEALS LIKE PLURALISM BECAUSE OF THEIR CONCERN WITH THE PRAGMATIC REALITIES OF MILITARY INVOLVEMENT. (SIGNED)

NEB/PAM/PCH
02-Nov-95 3:21 PM EST (2021 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA PEACE TALKS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: BOSNIA PEACE TALKS CONTINUE AT WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OUTSIDE DAYTON, OHIO, BETWEEN AMERICAN AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIATORS AND THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA, AND SERBIA. THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS HANDLING ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLOSED-DOOR TALKS AND RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THERE.

TEXT: THE BALKAN PRESIDENTS ARE STUDYING FOUR DRAFT AGREEMENTS THE UNITED STATES HAS DRAWN UP WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION AND RUSSIA. THEY INCLUDE A GENERAL PEACE AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED IN PARIS AS WELL AS CHAPTERS ON A CONSTITUTION, ON ELECTIONS, AND ON SEPARATION OF BOTH MILITARY AND PARAMILITARY FORCES. OF COURSE, ALL SIDES HAVE DIFFERING VIEWS OF THESE ISSUES. SO THE NEXT STEP WILL BE FOR THE PRESIDENTS TO REVIEW THESE COMPLICATED DOCUMENTS AND TO PRESENT THEIR PROPOSALS TO THE MEDIATORS. STILL TO COME ARE DOCUMENTS ON REFUGEES, RECONSTRUCTION, AND THE MAP SHOWING WHAT TERRITORY IS TO BE CONTROLLED BY WHICH ENTITY.

THE SECOND DAY OF TALKS IN DAYTON ALSO PRODUCED A GOODWILL GESTURE BY CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN AND BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJAIZET BEGOVIC. THEY AGREED THAT SOME MUSLIM REFUGEES CAN RETURN TO HOMES IN TOWNS CONTROLLED BY BOSNIAN CROAT FORCES AND SOME CROAT REFUGEES CAN RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN TOWNS CONTROLLED BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT ARMY.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS READ THE AGREEMENT REACHED IN DAYTON THROUGH AMERICAN AND GERMAN MEDIATION.

THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, CROATIA, AND THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION DISCUSSED FEDERATION ISSUES INCLUDING THE PROBLEM OF THE RETURN OF DISPLACED PERSONS. AS A FIRST STEP AND AS A GESTURE OF GOODWILL, THEY AGREE THAT 200 BOSNIAK FAMILIES, THESE ARE MOSTLY MUSLIM FAMILIES, MAY IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO RETURN TO THE TOWN OF JAJCE AND 200 CROATIAN FAMILIES MAY IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO RETURN TO BOGOJNO. IN ONE WEEK, 100 BOSNIAK FAMILIES, AGAIN MAINLY MUSLIM, WILL BEGIN TO BE SETTLED IN HOMES IN STOLAC AND 100 CROATIAN FAMILIES CAN RETURN TO TRAVNIK.

ALL THESE TOWNS IN CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST BOSNIA WERE EITHER LOST TO ONE SIDE OR OTHER DURING MUSLIM-CROAT FIGHTING IN 1993 OR WERE RECAPTURED LAST SEPTEMBER FROM THE BOSNIAN SERBS BY EITHER THE CROATIAN ARMY OR BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES.

THIS IS THE SECOND GESTURE SINCE THE TALKS OPENED NEAR DAYTON ON WEDNESDAY. PRESIDENT TUDJMAN HAS AGREED WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO PEACEFULLY SETTLE THE DISPUTED REGION OF EASTERN SLAVONIA. THIS IS THE LAST PART OF CROATIAN TERRITORY STILL UNDER SERBIAN OCCUPATION.

THE U-S AMBASSADOR TO CROATIA AND THE UNITED NATIONS MEDIATOR, THORVALD STOLTENBERG, ARE TRAVELING TO EASTERN SLAVONIA TO TALK TO THE CROATIAN SERB AUTHORITIES ONCE AGAIN ABOUT RESTORING CROATIAN SOVEREIGNTY OVER THE REGION. THE CROATIAN SERBS HAVE REJECTED EARLIER APPEALS. CROATIAN PRESIDENT TUDJMAN IS LEAVING THE DAYTON TALKS BUT PLANS TO RETURN NEXT WEEK FOR MORE DISCUSSIONS AFTER THE NEW MEDIATION EFFORT.

THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN SHATTUCK BACK TO POSSIBLE SITES OF MASSACRES IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA NEAR BANJA LUKA AND SANSKI MOST. HE ALSO PLANS TO GO TO SREBRENICA AND ZEPA IN EASTERN BOSNIA. SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS ASSURED AMERICAN OFFICIALS MR. SHATTUCK CAN GO WHERE HE WANTS TO INVESTIGATE THESE ALLEGATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.

MR. SHATTUCK ALSO RAISED WITH THE SERBIAN DELEGATION IN DAYTON THE CASE OF A MISSING REPORTER FOR THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR (NEWSPAPER), DAVID ROHDE. MR. ROHDE IS BELIEVED HELD BY BOSNIAN SERB FORCES. THE SERBIAN DELEGATION AT THE PEACE TALKS INCLUDES AT LEAST THREE BOSNIAN SERB REPRESENTATIVES. (SIGNED)

NEB/RP/JM
02-Nov-95 5:12 PM EST (2212 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] GREEK / IMMIGRANTS (L RERUN) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVAS (ATHENS)

INTRO: GREECE IS STEPPING UP EFFORTS TO STEM A SHARP INCREASE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. ANTHEE CARASSAVAS IN ATHENS REPORTS THE MOVE FOLLOWS PUBLICATION OF A REPORT SHOWING MORE THAN ONE-MILLION ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE SNEAKED INTO GREECE IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

TEXT: THE REPORT WAS RELEASED BY GREEK PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER SIFIS VALYRAKIS AFTER HE HELD WHAT WERE CALLED CRISIS TALKS WITH A COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS HANDLING THE REFUGEE PROBLEM.

THE REPORT SHOWED THAT WHILE GREEK POLICE WERE ARRESTING AND DEPORTING UP TO TWO-THOUSAND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS A DAY, MOST OF THE REFUGEES WERE FINDING THEIR WAY BACK INTO THE COUNTRY.

THE REPORT SAYS CLOSE TO ONE-MILLION IMMIGRANTS HAVE POURED INTO GREECE FROM NEIGHBORING ALBANIA, WHERE BORDER CONTROLS HAVE BEEN RELAXED SINCE THE FALL OF THE COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT IN 1991. // OPT // THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SAYS ABOUT 300-THOUSAND ALBANIANS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE COUNTRY, AND THE REST HAVE BEEN DEPORTED. // END OPT //

IN ADDITION TO THE ALBANIANS, HUNDREDS OF KURDISH, IRAQI, AND PAKISTANI REFUGEES DAILY CROSS BY LAND OR SEA INTO GREECE FROM TURKEY.

AUTHORITIES SAY GREECE'S CASH-STRAPPED GOVERNMENT HAS SPENT ABOUT 30-MILLION DOLLARS IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS IN ARRESTING, DETAINING, FEEDING, AND EXPELLING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

OFFICIALS ALSO SAY THE INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAS INCREASED CRIME BY UP TO 40 PERCENT.

TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, GREEK AUTHORITIES HAVE SET UP A NEW COORDINATED TASK FORCE, COMBINING POLICE, ARMY, NAVY, AND COAST GUARD OFFICIALS.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY ALSO PLAN TO INSTALL ELECTRIC MONITORING DEVICES ALONG GREECE'S RUGGED NORTHERN FRONTIERS TO DETECT ILLEGAL INTRUDERS. GREECE HAS REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION TO SUPPORT ITS SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM. (SIGNED)

NEB/AC/JWH/MMK
02-Nov-95 9:25 AM EST (1425 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] U-S/ NATO OVERNIGHTER (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IS HAVING BREAKFAST WITH FORMER DANISH FOREIGN MINISTER UFFE ELLEMANN JENSEN THIS MORNING (FRIDAY) AFTER HAVING LUNCH WITH FORMER DUTCH PRIME MINISTER RUUD LUEBBERS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES IS DEFENDING THE PRACTICE OF INTERVIEWING CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY GENERAL OF NATO.

TEXT: UNNAMED FRENCH DIPLOMATS HAVE EXPRESSED SHOCK THAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD CONDUCT JOB INTERVIEWS FOR THE POSITION OF NATO SECRETARY GENERAL. HOWEVER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS HAS DEFENDED THE PRACTICE OF MEETING THE LEADING CANDIDATES TO SUCCEED WILLY CLAES.

THERE HAS TO BE A NATO CONSENSUS ON THIS ISSUE AND THE UNITED STATES IS THE LEADING MEMBER OF NATO. WE WILL PARTICIPATE IN THAT CONSENSUS. WHEN WE HAVE DECIDED AS A GOVERNMENT WHO WE FAVOR, WE WILL LET THE EUROPEANS KNOW THAT AND WE WILL DO IT PRIVATELY. WE WON'T DO IT PUBLICLY.

THE EUROPEANS HAD INTERPRETED THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S PUBLIC MEETINGS WITH MR. LUEBBERS AND MR. ELLEMANN-JENSEN AS AN ATTEMPT TO LESSEN THE FRENCH INFLUENCE ON THE CHOICE OF A NEW ALLIANCE LEADER. FRANCE HAS GIVEN CLEAR SIGNS OF FAVORING MR. LUEBBERS. MR. BURNS DESCRIBES THE CRITICAL COMMENTS ABOUT THE AMERICAN INTERVIEWS AS, "RATHER BIZARRE." (SIGNED)

NEB/RP/LWM
02-Nov-95 6:01 PM EST (2301 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] YUGO / HUMAN RIGHTS (L-ONLY) BY CHRIS SIMKINS (NEW YORK)

INTRO: U-N OFFICIAL ELISABETH REHN (PRON: RAIN), THE WOMAN IN CHARGE OF GATHERING INFORMATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, TOLD REPORTERS TODAY (THURSDAY) PEACE IN THE REGION CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED IF AND WHEN THE WARRING PARTIES ADDRESS THE ENFORCEMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS. VOA CORRESPONDENT CHRIS SIMKINS REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: MRS. REHN SAYS PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE WARRING PARTIES IN BOSNIA CAN ONLY BE SUCCESSFUL IF GOVERNMENT LEADERS COMMIT TO OBSERVING HUMAN RIGHTS AND COOPERATE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, MRS. REHN SAID SHE HOPES NEGOTIATORS IN DAYTON, OHIO, WILL LINK CONDITIONS OF OBSERVING HUMAN RIGHTS WITH A PEACE AGREEMENT.

I BELIEVE THAT IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT NOW THAT THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS ARE IN THIS BEGINNING STAGE THAT THE ISSUE OF HUMAN RIGHTS SHOULD BE TAKEN AS ONE OF THE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT POINTS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS. WITHOUT THIS RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY THERE CANNOT BE A LASTING PEACE, IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE.

MRS. REHN SAYS IF THE WARRING FACTIONS, SPECIFICALLY THE BOSNIAN SERBS, ARE NOT WILLING TO OBSERVE HUMAN RIGHTS, THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES SHOULD MAINTAIN AN ECONOMIC EMBARGO AGAINST SERBIA. MRS. REHN SAYS FOR ITS PART, THE UNITED NATIONS SHOULD NOT LINK THE LIFTING OF ITS 41 MONTH OLD SANCTIONS ON JUST THE WORD OF THE SERB LEADERS THAT HUMAN RIGHTS WILL BE OBSERVED. U-N REPORTS INDICATE FIGHTING HAS RESULTED IN TWO MILLION REFUGEES AND WIDESPREAD HUMAN RIGHTS ATROCITIES. THE U-N HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL SAYS FOR ANY PEACE AGREEMENT TO HOLD, THE WARRING PARTIES MUST BE COMMITTED TO THE VOLUNTARY FREE RETURN OF REFUGEES AND THE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS OF WAR. MRS. REHN, WHO RECENTLY RETURNED FROM THE WAR-TORN AREAS OF CROATIA AND SREBENICA, SAYS SHE WITNESSED A LOT OF HUMAN SUFFERING. MRS. REHN ALSO RESPONDED TO CRITICISM LEVELED AGAINST THE UNITED NATIONS THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO GATHER ACCURATE INFORMATION ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, DURING A WAR, WHEN ALL SIDES ARE COMMITTING ATROCITIES.

EVEN DURING WAR YOU SHOULD RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS. I CANNOT SEE WHAT WOULD MAKE IT POSSIBLE AND EVEN LEGAL DURING A WAR JUST TO RAPE SMALL GIRLS, TO SHOOT OLD PEOPLE. I KNOW THAT THE BOSNIAN SERBS CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT HAVE ENFORCE HUMAN RIGHTS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHEN THE NATION, AND THE SOCIETY DOES NOT ENFORCE HUMAN RIGHTS. I CANNOT REALLY ACCEPT THAT BECAUSE IT IS TOO COLD HEARTED. IF WE GIVE UP THEN WE ARE IN ONE WAY ACCEPTING THE CRIMES AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS.

MRS. REHN SAYS SHE WILL RETURN TO THE WAR-TORN AREA IN FOUR WEEKS AT WHICH TIME SHE PLANS TO VISIT MONTENEGRO, TUZLA, AND BANJA LUKA. THE U-N HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR SAYS INSTEAD OF TRYING TO GATHER INFORMATION FROM UNCOOPERATIVE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, SHE WILL CONDUCT INTERVIEWS WITH THE VICTIMS OF ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. (SIGNED)

NEB/NY/CS/LWM
02-Nov-95 5:42 PM EST (2242 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America