Voice of America, 23 November 1995

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: THIS IS THE GREAT AMERICAN HARVEST FESTIVAL OF THANKSGIVING, WHEN THE NATION ESCHEWS ITS HURRIED, HIGH-TECH CULTURE, AND RETURNS TO BASIC VALUES. MOST FAMILIES GATHER AROUND THE DINNER TABLE FOR A FEAST OF TURKEY, AFTER GIVING THANKS TO GOD FOR ALL THEIR BLESSINGS. MANY NEWSPAPERS DO NOT PUBLISH ON THIS NATIONAL HOLIDAY, BUT IN THOSE THAT DO, THERE ARE COMMENTARIES REFLECTING ON THIS THANKSGIVING TRADITION. IT WAS BEGUN BY ENGLISH SETTLERS IN THIS COUNTRY, WHO ATE A COLLECTIVE HARVEST MEAL OF THANKSGIVING, SOMETIMES WITH THEIR NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN NEIGHBORS. OTHER EDITORIALS OF THE DAY INCLUDE: MORE TROUBLE FOR A CHINESE DISSIDENT; SOME CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS BY HOUSE SPEAKER GINGRICH; A VETERAN WOMAN SENATOR ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT; AND CONGRESSIONAL ACTION AFFECTING SOME CHARITIES. NOW, HERE IS _____________WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" IS UPSET WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT FOR NEW HARASSMENT OF A LEADING DISSIDENT.

VOICE: "CHINA SEEMS TO THINK IT CAN JUSTIFY THE DETENTION OF WEI JINGSHEN, THE COUNTRY'S MOST PROMINENT DISSIDENT, BY FORMALLY CHARGING HIM WITH SEDITION INSTEAD OF SIMPLY HOLDING HIM IN SECRET WITHOUT ACCUSATION OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT. IT IS A PATHETIC AND TRANSPARENT EFFORT TO CREATE THE ILLUSION THAT CHINA IS A NATION GOVERNED BY THE RULE OF LAW. ..... MR. CLINTON AND HIS ADMINISTRATION MUST SPEAK OUT CLEARLY AND FORCEFULLY AGAINST THE PROSECUTION OF MR. WEI, WHO SEEMS HEADED FOR AN INEVITABLE CONVICTION AND ANOTHER LONG PRISON SENTENCE. [OPT] BEIJING IS BETTING THAT AMERICAN EAGERNESS FOR A PROFITABLE TRADE RELATIONSHIP WILL WEAR DOWN AMERICAN CONCERN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. BUT BUYING GOOD RELATIONS ... AT THE EXPENSE OF MR. WEI .... IS A DEAL WASHINGTON MUST DECLINE. [END OPT]

TEXT: HERE AT HOME, "THE WASHINGTON POST" THANKSGIVING EDITION IS CRITICAL OF SOME COMMENTS MADE THIS WEEK BY REPUBLICAN HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH. THE PAPER COMPLAINS THAT MR. GINGRICH IS AGAIN USING A PARTICULARLY LURID CRIME TO PROMOTE THE REPUBLICAN POLITICAL AGENDA, AND THE PAPER FINDS HIS WORDS OFFENSIVE. [EDITORS: NOTE THE PARTICULARLY OFFENSIVE NATURE OF SOME OF THE COMMENTS BELOW]

VOICE: "NEWT GINGRICH IS BACK ON THE SUBJECT OF AN ESPECIALLY GORY CRIME. THERE IS SOMETHING THAT SEEMS TO CAUSE THE MAN, UPON LEARNING OF SOME AMAZING ACT OF HUMAN DEPRAVITY, TO REACT NOT AS OTHERS DO -- ASTOUNDED AND HUMBLED BY THE KNOWLEDGE THAT A FELLOW HUMAN COULD DO SUCH A THING -- BUT EAGER TO BLAME IT ON 'THE WELFARE STATE.' ..... ON TUESDAY THE SPEAKER PLUMBED NEW DEPTHS: THE HORRIBLE ILLINOIS MURDER IN WHICH A HEALTHY INFANT WAS TORN FROM ITS MURDERED MOTHER'S WOMB WAS -- WHAT ELSE? ... -- THE FAULT OF (WHAT HE CALLED) "A WELFARE SYSTEM WHICH SUBSIDIZED PEOPLE FOR DOING NOTHING." .....MR. GINGRICH AFFECTS TO BE AN INTELLECTUAL, A HISTORIAN AND A MORALIST. THESE ODD FORMULATIONS OF HIS FAIL ON ALL THREE COUNTS. THEY ARE, INTELLECTUALLY, SURPASSINGLY SLOPPY AND SUPERFICIAL -- HORSEBACK ASSERTIONS OF CAUSE AND EFFECT THAT ARE TOTALLY POLITICAL IN NATURE....."

TEXT: IN ANOTHER EDITORIAL, "THE WASHINGTON POST" BIDS FAREWELL TO A VETERAN WOMAN SENATOR FROM THE MIDWEST, KANSAN NANCY KASSEBAUM, WHO HAS ANNOUNCED SHE WILL NOT SEEK ANOTHER TERM.

VOICE: "BILL BRADLEY, SAM NUNN, DAVID BOREN, JOHN DANFORTH, WARREN RUDMAN, DAVID PRYOR -- THERE ARE MORE, BUT ON THE BASIS OF THESE DEPARTING NOR NEWLY DEPARTED LEGISLATORS ALONE YOU COULD PUT TOGETHER AN AWFULLY GOOD ALTERNATIVE SENATE. THE QUESTION IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE OLD ONE [THE ACTUAL U-S SENATE] WITHOUT THEM, A QUESTION SHARPENED THIS WEEK BY THE LONG-EXPECTED ANNOUNCEMENT OF KANSAS REPUBLICAN NANCY ... KASSEBAUM THAT SHE TOO WILL BE RETIRING... ... SHE HAS PRESERVED HER HUMOR, HER INTEGRITY, HER VERY USEFUL STUBBORNNESS AND HER INDEPENDENCE IN HER TIME HERE .... ....SENATOR KASSEBAUM'S VOICE IN THE SENATE WILL REALLY BE MISSED."

TEXT: TODAY'S "DENVER POST" -- POINTING OUT THAT DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON CHARITIES DO THEIR BUSIEST WORK TO HELP THE POOR WITH FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHELTER -- COMPLAINS THAT A SUBTLE MOVE IS UNDER WAY IN CONGRESS TO, AS THE PAPER SUGGESTS, SILENCE GOVERNMENT CRITICS AMONG THE CHARITIES.

VOICE: "FOR MONTHS, A PROPOSAL BY REPRESENTATIVE ERNEST ISTOOK, AN OKLAHOMA REPUBLICAN, HAS BEEN SNEAKING ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS. [CONGRESSMAN] ISTOOK CLAIMS HE ONLY WANTS TO KEEP NONPROFIT GROUPS FROM USING FEDERAL FUNDS TO LOBBY POLITICIANS. BUT IT'S ALREADY AGAINST THE LAW TO USE FEDERAL MONEY FOR POLITICAL LOBBYING. ..... AMERICA DOES NEED TO REFORM ITS POLITICAL LOBBYING AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE SYSTEMS. BUT THE ISTOOK PROPOSAL DOESN'T FIX ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. IT JUST IS A WAY FOR THE POLITICALLY POWERFUL ELITE TO FORCE THEIR OPPONENTS AND CRITICS TO KEEP QUIET."

TEXT: AND NOW TO THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, AND COMMENTARIES ON THE MERITS OF GIVING THANKS FOR A GOOD HARVEST, AND FOR THE HELP OF FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, AND IN THIS ESPECIALLY FAST-PACED TIME, OF SITTING DOWN AS A FAMILY TO A MEAL, WITH EVERYONE PRESENT. [OPT] WE BEGIN WITH SOME THOUGHTS FROM "THE MIAMI HERALD" ON WHY ITS READERS SHOULD BE THANKFUL.

VOICE: "BE THANKFUL. ALL ELEVEN HURRICANES SKIPPED SOUTH FLORIDA THIS STORM SEASON. AND THE ABUNDANT RAINS OF AN OTHERWISE UNBEARABLY LONG SUMMER REINVIGORATED NEARLY MORIBUND PORTIONS OF THE EVERGLADES AND FLORIDA BAY. BE MINDFUL. OF ALL THE GOOD WORKERS WHO WERE 'FURLOUGHED' THIS YEAR AND NEED GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT IN 1996. OF THE LONELY OLD MEN IN VETERANS HOSPITALS WHO FOUGHT FOR YOUR FUTURE IN WORLD WAR TWO. OF THE HUNGRY, NEGLECTED, UNEDUCATED CHILDREN WHO ARE OUR FUTURE. ... BE SORROWFUL. FOR YITZAK RABIN'S MURDER, A HUGE LOSS. FOR THE 169 VICTIMS OF THE BOMBING OF THE ALFRED MURRAH FEDERAL BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA CITY ....." [END OPT]

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES" HAS THESE THOUGHTS ON A HOLIDAY WHICH ORIGINATED WITH EARLY COLONISTS IN VIRGINIA AND THE PLYMOUTH COLONY IN MASSACHUSETTS.

VOICE: "....THANKSGIVING REMAINS AS ONE OF THE FEW NATIONAL HOLIDAYS THAT HAS LITTLE ECONOMIC VALUE, EXCEPT TO POULTRY FARMERS. WHETHER ONE THINKS OF GOVERNOR [WILLIAM] BRADFORD'S [GOVERNOR OF THE PLYMOUTH COLONY] MISERABLE COLLEAGUES IN THE NEW ENGLAND WILDERNESS OR THE COLONISTS WHO FOUNDED THE CIVILIZATION OF VIRGINIA OR OF STILL OTHER AMERICANS WHO CAME AND FOUND AMPLE REASON TO GIVE THANKS FOR BEING HERE, THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS TO THINK ABOUT AND BE GRATEFUL FOR ON THIS UNIQUELY AMERICAN HOLIDAY."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, IN "THE SUN" FROM BALTIMORE, A CLOSING THOUGHT:

VOICE: "... AMERICANS ARE OPTIMISTIC PEOPLE. DESPITE OUR PROBLEMS, WE PERSIST IN BELIEVING THAT THINGS CAN [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] IMPROVE, THAT WITH PATIENCE AND HARD WORK, WE CAN MAKE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE. YET HOWEVER INNATE, THAT OPTIMISM SOMETIMES GETS SMOTHERED BY THE CARES OF AN IMPERFECT WORLD. THIS HOLIDAY, WHICH ALL AMERICANS SHARE, CAN SEEM A TIRED RITUAL ..... BUT THE GENIUS OF THANKSGIVING IS THAT SIMPLY GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF EXPRESSING GRATITUDE CAN PRODUCE UNEXPECTED REWARDS."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS BEING DIGESTED, ALONG WITH THE THANKSGIVING FEAST, ON THIS NATIONAL HARVEST HOLIDAY IN THE UNITED STATES.

ANG/MMK 23-Nov-95 10:38 AM EST (1538 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BALKAN SANCTIONS VOTE (L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL DID ITS PART WEDNESDAY TO STRENGTHEN THE U-S BROKERED PEACE ACCORD FOR BOSNIA. IT VOTED TO SUSPEND A TRADE EMBARGO ON SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA AND TO LIFT A REGIONAL WEAPONS BAN THAT WAS IMPOSED IN 1991 TO TRY TO HALT THE SPREAD OF BALKAN FIGHTING. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: AMID CALLS ON THE BALKAN PARTIES TO STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMITMENT TO PEACE -- THE SECURITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY SUSPENDED A TRADE EMBARGO ON BELGRADE AND UNFROZE ITS OVERSEAS BANK ACCOUNTS. THE SANCTIONS WILL BE LIFTED PERMANENTLY AFTER BOSNIA HOLDS DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS -- PROVIDED THE SERBS ARE STILL COMPLYING WITH THE PEACE ACCORD.

THE SANCTIONS CAN BE RE-IMPOSED -- WITHOUT A COUNCIL VOTE --IF BELGRADE RENEGES ON ANY PART OF THE DEAL.

NOTHING CHANGES IMMEDIATELY FOR THE BOSNIAN SERBS -- WHO WILL HAVE ECONOMIC RESTRICTIONS UNTIL THE COMMANDER OF THE NATO-LED FORCE SOON TO BE DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA CERTIFIES THEY HAVE WITHDRAWN THEIR FORCES BEHIND CEASEFIRE LINES .

U-S AMBASSADOR MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SIGNALLED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL BE MONITORING THE BOSNIAN SERBS CAREFULLY -- ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY WERE NOT OVER-JOYED BY THE TERMS SET OUT IN DAYTON:

AFTER THE SIEGE OF SARAJEVO, THE MARKETPLACE SHELLING, THE YEARS OF ETHNIC CLEANSING AND THE UNFORGIVABLE SAVAGERY AT SREBRENICA, THE WORLD HAS HAD ENOUGH OF BOSNIAN SERB ARROGANCE AND BRUTALITY. THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT MUST BE DEMANDED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE. IT MUST BE DEMANDED BY THIS COUNCIL AND IT MUST BE DEMANDED BY EVERY CIVILIZED PERSON ON EARTH.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTED A SECOND RESOLUTION THAT BRINGS A REGIONAL ARMS EMBARGO TO AN END IN SIX MONTHS. RUSSIA ABSTAINED ON THIS ONE -- ARGUING MORE WEAPONS IN THE AREA WOULD UNDERMINE STABILITY.

THE UNITED STATES -- LONG CONCERNED THAT THE MUSLIMS WERE OUTGUNNED -- INSISTED THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT MUST BE ALLOWED TO BUILD AN ARSENAL EQUAL TO THAT OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS. THE EMBARGO WILL BE ENDED SLOWLY AND IN PHASES -- AND IN THE CONTEXT OF AN OVERALL ARMS CONTROL PLAN FOR THE REGION. IT REMAINS INTACT FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS. FOR THE NEXT 90 DAYS, ONLY HEAVY WEAPONS WILL BE BANNED. THEN -- THE ENTIRE EMBARGO IS HISTORY.

[03] BOSNIA / EUROPE (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: AS FRANCE PREPARES TO HOST THE SIGNING CEREMONY FOR THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD, EUROPEAN OFFICIALS ARE EXPRESSING DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THE SETTLEMENT OF A EUROPEAN CONFLICT COULD NOT BE REACHED WITHOUT THE PRE-EMINENT ROLE OF THE UNITED STATES. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: FRANCE HAS LOST 53 SOLDIERS FROM THE FORCES IT SENT TO THE UNITED NATIONS PROTECTION FORCE IN YUGOSLAVIA. ANOTHER 300 FRENCH TROOPS HAVE BEEN WOUNDED THERE. FOR PIERRE LELLOUCHE, AN ADVISER TO FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC, THE PEACE ACCORD NEGOTIATED IN DAYTON, OHIO, AMOUNTS TO A WHAT HE CALLS A "PAX AMERICANA ON EUROPEAN BLOOD."

MR. LELLOUCHE, A MEMBER OF FRANCE'S NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, THE LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, EXPRESSED A COMMONLY FELT REGRET IN EUROPE THAT IT WAS THE UNITED STATES AND NOT THE EUROPEAN POWERS THAT FINALLY NEGOTIATED A SETTLEMENT TO THE CONFLICT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

MR. LELLOUCHE SAID THE BREAKTHROUGH CAME WHEN PRESIDENT CHIRAC, SHORTLY AFTER HIS ELECTION LAST MAY, PERSUADED HIS ALLIES -- BOTH EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN -- TO BE TOUGH ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

MR. CHIRAC WAS GIVEN MUCH OF THE CREDIT FOR THE AIR STRIKES AGAINST BOSNIAN SERB POSITIONS THREE MONTHS AGO. THE AIR STRIKES PROMPTED THE SERBS TO PULL BACK THEIR HEAVY ARTILLERY FROM AROUND SARAJEVO AND LED THEM TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.

LONDON IS TO BE THE LOCATION FOR A CONFERENCE TO WORK OUT MANY OF THE PRACTICAL DETAILS OF KEEPING THE PEACE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. AND PARIS IS TO HOST THE SIGNING CEREMONY. IN FRANCE, HOWEVER, THIS IS SEEN AS JUST A CONSOLATION PRIZE IN A PROCESS THAT HAS UNDERLINED EUROPE'S INABILITY TO RESOLVE ITS OWN PROBLEMS WITHOUT AMERICAN MUSCLE.

ALTHOUGH A SENIOR BRITISH OFFICIAL DESCRIBED SUCH TALK AS "OFFENSIVE," SAYING THAT EUROPE HAD DONE THE BULK OF THE WORK IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, OFFICIALS IN FRANCE SAID THEY SEE THE EPISODE AS A DIPLOMATIC FAILURE FOR THE CONTINENT.

FRANCE WAS SLOW TO REACT OFFICIALLY TO THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD. THEN, PRESIDENT CHIRAC SENT PRESIDENT CLINTON A LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS. FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER HERVE DE CHARETTE SAID THAT, ALTHOUGH A NUMBER OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ARE VERY ACTIVE ON THE GROUND IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, THE HISTORY OF THE CONFLICT IS WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS "A FAILURE FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION." (SIGNED)

NEB/JN/JWH/CF
23-Nov-95 9:49 AM EST (1449 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA / U-S DEPLOYMENT (L - ONLY) BY PHIL KURATA (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NOW THAT THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD HAS BEEN INITIALED, THE UNITED STATES IS PLANNING TO SEND ABOUT 20-THOUSAND TROOPS TO PARTICIPATE IN A 60-THOUSAND MAN NATO FORCE TO TRY TO ENFORCE IT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT PHIL KURATA HAS SOME DETAILS ABOUT THE COMING NATO DEPLOYMENT.

TEXT: THE BULK OF THE U-S FORCES DESTINED FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL COME FROM THE U-S FIRST ARMORED DIVISION BASED IN GERMANY. THEIR PRIME MISSION WILL BE TO HELP THE PARTIES DISENGAGE ALONG THE CEASEFIRE LINES ESTABLISHED LAST OCTOBER 10TH.

THE WAY U-S LIEUTENANT GENERAL WESLEY CLARK PUTS IT, THE PARTIES TO THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT WILL ORDER THEIR FIGHTERS TO PULL TWO KILOMETERS BACK FROM THE CEASEFIRE LINE WITHIN 30 DAYS. THEN, THE NATO FORCES WILL POSITION THEMSELVES BETWEEN THEM (THE BOSNIA GOVERNMENT, CROATIA AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS) TO ENCOURAGE FURTHER PULLBACKS.

THE PARTIES HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO ESTABLISH THAT SEPARATION OF FORCES ALONG THE EXISTING CEASEFIRE LINE WITHIN 30 DAYS, TO BE PULLED BACK AN AVERAGE DISTANCE OF ABOUT TWO KILOMETERS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CEASEFIRE LINE. THAT'S THE INTENT. BY THE END OF THOSE 30 DAYS, NATO SHOULD BE ON THE GROUND IN SUFFICIENT FORCE WITH SUFFICIENT CAPABILITY TO ASSIST IN PROVIDING THE KIND OF CONFIDENCE THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE FORCES TO DISENGAGE.

SEVERAL HUNDRED U-S TROOPS ARE IN BOSNIA NOW CHECKING THE BRIDGES, TUNNELS AND ROADS. ROUGHLY 15-HUNDRED MORE ARE EXPECTED TO BE SENT THERE DURING THE COMING MONTH TO SET UP LOGISTICS OPERATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS BEFORE THE PEACE TREATY SIGNING CEREMONY IN PARIS.

WHEN THE NATO FORCE FINALLY ARRIVES ON THE GROUND, MILITARY ANALYSTS DO NOT EXPECT IT TO TREAD GINGERLY (SOFTLY). MARK THOMPSON, THE NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT FOR TIME MAGAZINE, TOLD A TELEVISION INTERVIEWER (ELIZABETH FARNSWORTH) THAT U-S MILITARY COMMANDERS IN BOSNIA ARE PLANNING TO APPLY A NO-NONSENSE POLICY:

THE KEY THING HERE IS WE HAVE THREE WARRING SIDES. AN ARMY GENERAL TOLD ME WE HAVE TO BE BRUTALLY FAIR. WE CAN NOT BE PERCEIVED IN ANY WAY AS FAVORING ONE SIDE OVER THE OTHER. THAT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE GIVEN THE U-S BOMBING OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND VOCAL U-S SUPPORT FOR THE MUSLIMS. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS IF ANYONE MESSES WITH (TROUBLES) US, AND WE RESPOND FIRMLY AND DECISIVELY, THE PENTAGON (U-S DEFENSE DEPARTMENT) IS COUNTING ON THAT TO LEAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THE UNITED STATES IS BRUTALLY FAIR.

IN ADDITION TO MAKING SURE THE BOSNIAN ARMED FACTIONS STOP FIGHTING, THE NATO FORCES HAVE SECONDARY, HUMANITARIAN FUNCTIONS. THOSE INCLUDE ASSURING THE SAFE PASSAGE OF REFUGEES, REMOVING LAND MINES AND PROVIDING SECURITY FOR RELIEF AGENCIES.

IN DEALING WITH CIVILIANS, THE U-S POLICY MAY NOT BE EASILY APPLIED. TIME CORRESPONDENT MARK THOMPSON SAYS THE PEACE KEEPING MISSION COULD QUICKLY TURN SOUR IF U-S TROOPS HAVE TO KNOCK ON DOORS AND EVICT PEOPLE SO A REFUGEE CAN RETURN TO HIS HOUSE. (SIGNED)

NEB/PK/LWM
22-Nov-95 9:38 PM EST (0238 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA / POLITICS (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, IS PUTTING INTENSE PRESSURE ON BOSNIAN SERBS TO ACCEPT THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS BOSNIAN SERB NEGOTIATORS REJECTED THE DEAL, INITIALED BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, AND SERB OPPONENTS OF THE PLAN ARE BEING CALLED A THREAT TO PEACE.

TEXT: THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, IS STILL SAYING NOTHING ABOUT THE PEACE AGREEMENT, ANGRILY REJECTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE SELF-DECLARED SERB ASSEMBLY.

THE SPEAKER AND OTHER SERB NEGOTIATORS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN DELAYED IN RETURNING TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA FROM BELGRADE. THE NEGOTIATORS FLEW TO BELGRADE WITH THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT FOLLOWING THE END OF THE YUGOSLAV PEACE TALKS IN THE UNITED STATES.

MR. KARADZIC IS THOUGHT TO BE MAINTAINING HIS SILENCE EITHER BECAUSE HE HAS NOT YET HAD A CHANCE TO THOROUGHLY REVIEW THE PEACE AGREEMENT WITH HIS NEGOTIATORS OR BECAUSE HE HAS NOT DECIDED HOW TO REACT TO IT.

AUTHORITIES IN SERB-HELD SUBURBS OF SARAJEVO HAVE REJECTED THE AGREEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES THOSE SUBURBS TO BE PUT UNDER MUSLIM CONTROL. THE SERBS HAD INSISTED ON A DIVIDED SARAJEVO.

PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS SAID PAINFUL CONCESSIONS HAD TO BE MADE BY ALL SIDES BUT THAT THE PEACE AGREEMENT, INITIALED BY HIM AND BY THE BOSNIAN AND CROATIAN PRESIDENTS, IS FAIR.

MR. MILOSEVIC IS PUTTING INTENSE PRESSURE ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO ACCEPT IT. REFERRING TO THEIR OBJECTIONS, HE IS QUOTED AS SAYING HE BELIEVES THE SERBS WILL HAVE NO CHANCE TO HOLD ON IF THE MILITARY OPTION HAS TO BE USED TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

A BELGRADE NEWSPAPER (VERCENJE NOVOSTI), WHICH CLEARLY REFLECTS MR. MILOSEVIC'S POSITION, SAYS BOSNIAN SERB OPPOSITION TO THE AGREEMENT THREATENS PEACE.

THE NEWSPAPER WARNS THAT THE SERBS WOULD FACE COMPLETE INTERNATIONAL ISOLATION IF THEY FORMALLY REJECT THE PEACE AGREEMENT. THE NEWSPAPER SAYS THIS ISOLATION WOULD BE FATAL TO THE BOSNIAN SERB PEOPLE AND THEIR REPUBLIC.

THE BOSNIAN SERB ASSEMBLY IS EXPECTED TO MEET VERY SOON TO DECIDE WHETHER TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THE PEACE PLAN. PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC IS, APPARENTLY, TRYING TO ENSURE THAT THE PLAN WILL GET ENOUGH VOTES TO BE ADOPTED.

HARD-LINE DEPUTIES COULD ATTACH CONDITIONS TO THEIR APPROVAL OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT OR THEY COULD DEMAND A POPULAR REFERENDUM ON IT RATHER THAN COMPLETELY REJECT IT. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/MMK
23-Nov-95 10:11 AM EST (1511 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] CLINTON / BOSNIA (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS PREPARING TO CONVINCE A SKEPTICAL CONGRESS AND AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT SENDING U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO BOSNIA IS WORTH THE RISK. MR. CLINTON WILL MAKE HIS CASE IN A MAJOR ADDRESS FROM THE OVAL OFFICE MONDAY NIGHT. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON WEDNESDAY MET WITH HIS FOREIGN POLICY ADVISORS TO DISCUSS HOW TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE IN CONGRESS AND IN THE AMERICAN PUBLIC TO DEPLOYING U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA.

MR. CLINTON HAS COMMITTED 20-THOUSAND TROOPS TO A 60-THOUSAND-MEMBER NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE THAT WILL OVERSEE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT REACHED BY THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA, AND SERBIA IN DAYTON, OHIO TUESDAY.

SHORTLY AFTER THE PRESIDENT'S MEETING WITH HIS ADVISORS, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY ANNOUNCED THAT THE PRESIDENT WOULD SPEAK TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN A NATIONALLY-TELEVISED ADDRESS MONDAY NIGHT.

HE WANTS TO BOTH HELP AMERICANS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT THAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED NOW IN DAYTON AND ALSO HELP AMERICANS UNDERSTAND THE UNIQUE RESPONSIBILITIES THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL HAVE AS A RESULT OF THIS AGREEMENT. IN MANY WAYS WE ALONE ARE IN A POSITION TO HELP THESE PARTIES ENFORCE THIS PEACE.

BUT MR. MCCURRY ADMITS TROOP DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA WOULD NOT BE 'RISK-FREE', AND SAYS THAT IS AN ARGUMENT THE PRESIDENT WILL HAVE TO MAKE.

EVERYONE IS WELL AWARE OF THE TEST THAT IS OFTEN CALLED 'THE MOTHER TEST': WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THE MOTHER OF THE YOUNG MAN WHO HAS LOST HIS LIFE IN PURSUIT OF THIS PEACE AGREEMENT. BUT THAT IS THE RISK THIS PRESIDENT BELIEVES IS WELL WORTH TAKING BECAUSE OF THE ENORMOUS CONSEQUENCES AT STAKE HERE. ONE THING THE PRESIDENT WOULD REMIND PEOPLE IS THE ENORMOUS HORROR OF THIS WAR OVER THE LAST THREE-AND-A-HALF YEARS AND THE FACT THAT OVER A QUARTER OF A MILLION HUMAN BEINGS LOST THEIR LIVES AS THESE PARTIES HAVE ALLOWED THIS CONFLICT TO RAGE OUT OF CONTROL. WE NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING PEACE.

WHILE THE PRESIDENT PREPARES HIS MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, HIS ADVISORS WILL BE MEETING WITH LAWMAKERS TO PRESS THE ADMINISTRATION'S CASE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE ON VACATION UNTIL SUNDAY BECAUSE OF THE AMERICAN THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEKEND BEGINNING THURSDAY.

CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS ARE STILL SKEPTICAL OF SENDING U-S TROOPS TO BOSNIA, BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO HEAR THE ADMINISTRATION'S POSITION, AND HAVE SCHEDULED HEARINGS ON CAPITOL HILL NEXT WEEK.

THE ADMINISTRATION'S CAMPAIGN TO WIN SUPPORT FOR TROOP DEPLOYMENT HAS FORCED THE PRESIDENT TO DELAY BY A DAY HIS DEPARTURE FOR A SCHEDULED TRIP TO EUROPE NEXT WEEK.

MR. CLINTON WAS TO LEAVE MONDAY NIGHT FOR HIS WEEK-LONG TRIP TO BRITAIN, IRELAND, NORTHERN IRELAND AND SPAIN. SINCE HE IS TO MAKE HIS OVAL OFFICE ADDRESS AT THAT TIME, THE PRESIDENT WILL LEAVE TUESDAY NIGHT.

ALTHOUGH MR. CLINTON'S EUROPEAN TRIP WAS ORIGINALLY TO FOCUS ON PEACE EFFORTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND, OFFICIALS SAY BOSNIA WILL NOW BE A FOCUS OF MANY OF THE PRESIDENT'S DISCUSSIONS WITH EUROPEAN OFFICIALS NEXT WEEK, ALTHOUGH THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE PROCESS WILL BE HIGH ON THE AGENDA.

SPOKESMAN MCCURRY ANNOUNCED THE PRESIDENT IS ADDING A STOP IN GERMANY LATER IN THE WEEK TO MEET WITH U-S TROOPS STATIONED THERE -- TROOPS WHO WILL LIKELY BE DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA.(SIGNED)

NEB / DAT / BD/PT
22-Nov-95 7:08 PM EST (0008 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] PERRY / BOSNIA (S ONLY-RERUN) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS ANY NATO TROOPS SENT TO BOSNIA TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT WILL BE PREPARED TO USE FORCE IF THEY ARE ATTACKED. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS MR. PERRY MADE THE COMMENT IN COPENHAGEN WHERE HE MET WITH NORDIC DEFENSE MINISTERS BEFORE FLYING TO MACEDONIA TO VISIT WITH U-S AND NORDIC PEACEKEEPING TROOPS.

TEXT: MR. PERRY SAID HE DID NOT EXPECT ANY LARGE SCALE MILITARY OPPOSITION TO THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT REACHED THIS WEEK IN DAYTON, OHIO. BUT HE ACKNOWLEDGED SOME GROUPS OPPOSED TO THE ACCORD MAY TRY TO HARASS THE 60-THOUSAND MEMBER FORCE THAT NATO IS PUTTING TOGETHER TO ENSURE THE PEACE.

MR. PERRY SAID NATO COUNTRIES ARE PREPARED TO SEND A STRONG, WELL TRAINED, PROFESSIONAL FORCE TO BOSNIA, AND HE SAID ANY ATTACK ON NATO TROOPS WOULD BE MET WITH AN IMMEDIATE AND FIRM RESPONSE.

TURNING TO ANOTHER SUBJECT, THE U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY SAID HE THOUGHT DENMARK'S NOMINEE FOR THE JOB OF NATO SECRETARY GENERAL WAS A VERY STRONG CANDIDATE.

SEVERAL CANDIDATES ARE BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE NATO POST, INCLUDING FORMER DANISH FOREIGN MINISTER UFFE ELLEMANN-JENSEN AND SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER JAVIER SOLANA.

MR. PERRY SAID HE HOPED AND EXPECTED NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS TO FILL THE POST AT A MEETING IN EARLY DECEMBER. (SIGNED) NEB/KBK/JWH/CF/MMK 23-Nov-95 11:05 AM EST (1605 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] RUSSIA/BOSNIA POLICY (L ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA'S NEGOTIATOR AT THE BOSNIAN PEACE TALKS SAYS BALKAN LEADERS ARE EXPECTED IN MOSCOW SOON FOR A FOLLOW-UP MEETING WITH PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN. PETER HEINLEIN IN MOSCOW REPORTS RUSSIAN OFFICIALS, UNDER FIRE AT HOME FOR ALLEGED WEAKNESS, HAVE SERVED NOTICE THEY WILL TAKE A MORE ASSERTIVE ROLE IN THE BALKAN PEACE PROCESS.

TEXT: AS HE RETURNED THURSDAY FROM THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER, IGOR IVANOV, SAID BALKAN PRESIDENTS HAD AGREED TO MEET IN MOSCOW AFTER THE ACCORDS ARE SIGNED. INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY QUOTED SOURCES IN MR. IVANOV'S DELEGATION AS INDICATING THE FOLLOW-UP SUMMIT COULD COME AS EARLY AS THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH.

IF THAT SCHEDULE HOLDS, THE MEETING MIGHT BE HELD LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE RUSSIA'S DECEMBER 17TH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. THE TIMING WOULD HELP SILENCE DOMESTIC CRITICS WHO HAVE MADE A CAMPAIGN ISSUE OF RUSSIA'S LOSS OF INFLUENCE IN WORLD AFFAIRS.

THE LEADER OF THE FRONT-RUNNING COMMUNIST PARTY, GENNADY ZYUGANOV, THIS WEEK CHARGED RUSSIA HAD NOT ONLY BEEN SIDELINED IN THE PEACE PROCESS, BUT HAD BEEN EXCLUDED FROM YUGOSLAVIA ALTOGETHER.

A POLITICAL ANALYST AT THE MOSCOW OFFICE OF THE CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR WORLD PEACE, SERGEI MARKOV, SAYS CANDIDATES SUCH AS MR. ZYUGANOV ARE REACHING OUT TO HUGE BLOCS OF VOTERS WHO LONG FOR A RETURN TO THE DAYS WHEN RUSSIA WAS A WORLD SUPERPOWER.

RUSSIA HAS NOT PRESERVED ITS STATUS OF SUPERPOWER NOW, BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE PEOPLE TO MAKE THE CHANGE TO SEE FROM SUPERPOWER STATUS TO REGIONAL POWER STATUS.

RUSSIA'S FOREIGN POLICY ESTABLISHMENT THURSDAY STRESSED MOSCOW'S DEEP INVOLVEMENT IN THE BALKAN PEACE PROCESS.

A FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAID RUSSIA HAD WON SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTION ENDING THE ARMS EMBARGO ON COUNTRIES OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. IN THE END, RUSSIA ABSTAINED, ALLOWING THE MEASURE TO PASS.

PRESIDENT YELTSIN THURSDAY MET DEFENSE MINISTER PAVEL GRACHEV TO DISCUSS THE DIFFICULT ISSUE OF INCLUDING RUSSIAN TROOPS IN A NATO-LED BALKAN PEACEKEEPING FORCE. THAT ISSUE WAS THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN SOLVED EARLIER THIS MONTH. BUT MR. GRACHEV IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE IT UP AGAIN NEXT WEEK WITH U-S-DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY.

CRITICS CHARGE PLACING RUSSIAN SOLDIERS UNDER NATO COMMAND WOULD MEAN A LOSS OF RUSSIAN SOVEREIGNTY.

FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN GRIGORY KARASIN THURSDAY ACCUSED THOSE CRITICS OF HAVING AN INFERIORITY COMPLEX. HE SAID ANY TROOPS COMMITTED TO THE BALKAN FORCE WOULD PRESERVE WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS RUSSIA'S NATIONAL FACE.

BUT IT WAS FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI KOZYREV WHO POINTED TO POSSIBLY THE MAIN REASON FOR RUSSIA'S DESIRE FOR A HIGH-PROFILE ROLE IN THE BALKANS -- TRADE. MR KOZYREV URGED RUSSIAN FIRMS TO PREPARE FOR A QUICK RESUMPTION OF TRADE TIES AFTER SANCTIONS ARE LIFTED.

RUSSIA WAS YUGOSLAVIA'S BIGGEST TRADING PARTNER BEFORE THE WAR BROKE OUT. (SIGNED)

NEB/PH/JWH/BG
23-Nov-95 12:31 PM EST (1731 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] U-S TROOPS / BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS NATO TROOPS WILL NOT HESITATE TO USE FORCE IF THEY ARE SENT TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE PLAN. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS THE SECRETARY SPOKE DURING A STOP IN DENMARK, AS U-S ARMY TROOPS IN EUROPE CONTINUE TO GEAR UP FOR DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA, WHERE THEY ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE UP ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE 60-THOUSAND MEMBER NATO FORCE.

TEXT: DESPITE THE UNPLEASANT PROSPECT OF BEING DEPLOYED JUST AS THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON IS GETTING STARTED, SOLDIERS LIKE SERGEANT KEITH FRAZIER OF THE FIRST ARMORED DIVISION SAY THEY READY TO TAKE ON THE JOB.

WELL IF I JUST THINK ABOUT MYSELF, YEAH, OF COURSE I'M DISAPPOINTED. I'D RATHER SPEND THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH MY FAMILY. BUT, ALONG THE UNSELFISH LINES, THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR YEARS, AND IF THIS IS A CHANCE TO GIVE THEM A PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS, THEN HEY, O-K. YEAH, I'LL BE UPSET, BUT THEN IF I CAN BE A PART OF THAT, THEN WHY NOT? THESE PEOPLE DESERVE SOME PEACE, THEY NEED SOME PEACE AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GIVE IT TO THEM THIS CHRISTMAS.

THE FIRST ARMORED DIVISION IS EXPECTED TO MAKE UP THE BULK OF THE AMERICAN CONTINGENT TO THE NATO FORCE, AND OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL BE WELL PREPARED TO IMPLEMENT THE PEACE PLAN.

NEVERTHELESS, OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE IT WILL BE A DANGEROUS MISSION.

U-S ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF DENNIS REIMER SAYS SOME TYPE OF CASUALTIES WILL BE EXPECTED AND HE SAYS THE PUBLIC MUST BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THAT.

U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY, WHO IS SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH THE TROOPS OF THE FIRST ARMORED DIVISION ON FRIDAY, SAYS HE DOES NOT EXPECT ANY MAJOR OPPOSITION TO THE NATO TROOPS ON THE GROUND IN BOSNIA. BUT HE SAYS IF U-S OR NATO TROOPS COME UNDER ATTACK, THEY WILL DELIVER AN IMMEDIATE AND FIRM RESPONSE. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/JWH/CF
23-Nov-95 10:39 AM EST (1539 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America