Compact version |
|
Saturday, 23 November 2024 | ||
|
Voice of America, 4 December 1995From: yanni@ix.netcom.com (Ioannis Bousnakis)Voice of America DirectoryCONTENTS[01] MONDAY'S HEADLINES BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)[02] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT --[03] BOSNIA BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)[04] BOSNIA / CROATIA (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (ZAGREB)[05] BOSNIA / HIGH TECH BY KYLE KING (BONN)[06] BOSNIA NATO OVERNIGHTER (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)[07] BOSNIA SITREP (L UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)[08] BOSNIA TROOPS (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)[09] E-U / NIGERIA (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)[10] HILLARY / BOSNIA / CHRISTMAS (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)[11] NATO / TROOPS (S) BY KYLE KING ( BONN )[12] PERRY/BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)[13] U-S/BOSNIA/MUJAHEDIN (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)[14] U-S/CZECH/BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)[01] MONDAY'S HEADLINES BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=12/04/95TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-09307 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=NEAL LAVON CONTENT= INTRO: AMERICA'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS ARE COVERING A WIDE ARRAY OF TOPICS IN THEIR EDITORIALS THIS FIRST MONDAY IN DECEMBER, INCLUDING THE ONGOING SCANDALS IN MEXICO; PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RESURGENCE IN THE POLLS; THE RWANDAN REFUGEE PROBLEM; CONTROVERSY OVER LEAKS OF CIA INFORMATION; [BEGIN OPT] THE WHITEWATER HEARINGS [END OPT] AND A GLIMMER OF HOPE IN ALGERIA. NOW, HERE IS _________________ WITH TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" LEADS ITS EDITORIAL COLUMN WITH A COMMENTARY ABOUT THE ONGOING SCANDAL ENVELOPING MEXICO'S PREVIOUS FIRST FAMILY, HEADED BY FORMER PRESIDENT CARLOS SALINAS DE GORTARI. IT INCLUDES THE NEWS HIS SISTER-IN-LAW HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN SWITZERLAND FOR USING PHONY IDENTIFICATION TO TRY AND DRAW OUT MILLIONS FROM A PREVIOUSLY SECRET ACCOUNT OWNED BY THE BROTHER OF MR. SALINAS. THE PAPER NOTES: VOICE: "GIVEN THE GRAVITY OF SOME OF THE ACCUSATIONS BEING MADE AGAINST THE SALINAS CLAN, MEXICAN INVESTIGATORS WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO FOCUS ON CARLOS SALINAS DE GORTARI AS WELL. IT IS UNLIKELY THAT HIS BROTHER COULD HAVE AMASSED SUCH A FORTUNE WITHOUT THE PRESIDENT'S KNOWLEDGE. TO IMPROVE MEXICO'S CIVIL HEALTH, MR. ZEDILLO AND HIS ALLIES MUST BE READY TO END IMPUNITY FOR FORMER PRESIDENTS IMPLICATED IN SERIOUS CRIMES. MEXICANS WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO TRUST THEIR GOVERNMENT UNTIL IT PUTS A HIGH PREMIUM ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND OFFICIAL PROBITY. RIGHT NOW, IT'S FAR FAR FROM ACHIEVING EITHER." TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS JUST BACK FROM A VERY SUCCESSFUL TRIP TO IRELAND AND A BRIEF SPEECH BEFORE U-S TROOPS IN GERMANY WHICH ARE BOUND FOR BOSNIA. IT DREW THIS COMMENT FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES": VOICE: "CLINTON REDUX. THE PRESIDENT, WHO ONLY RARELY DURING HIS NEARLY THREE YEARS IN THE WHITE HOUSE HAS ENJOYED APPROVAL RATINGS HIGHER THAN THE 43 PERCENT OF THE VOTE BY WHICH HE WAS ELECTED, APPEARS TO BE GROWING, HOWEVER MODESTLY, IN PUBLIC ESTEEM. A BIG REASON AMONG SEVERAL IS THAT HE HAS BEGUN TO LOOK - - AND ACT - - MORE PRESIDENTIAL, WHICH IS TO SAY HE HAS BEGUN FIRMLY TO WIELD SOME OF THE POWERS OF THE OFFICE. ACCUSED OFTEN, AND WITH REASON, OF INDECISIVENESS AND LACKING A GOVERNING PHILOSOPHY HE TRULY BELIEVES IN, THE PRESIDENT IS SHOWING SOME STRONG SIGNS OF LEADERSHIP AND RESOLVE." TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE GROWING REFUGEE PROBLEM IN RWANDA, NOTING: VOICE: "THE GOVERNMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS CONSTITUTING THE INTERNATIONAL 'SYSTEM' OR 'COMMUNITY' HAVE HAD LITTLE LUCK WITH RWANDA, TRULY A HARD CASE. UNDAUNTED, PERHAPS EVEN THE MORE DETERMINED, FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER, A ONE-MAN GLOBAL 911 [U-S ALMOST UNIVERSAL EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER FOR POLICE/FIRE] SERVICE, HAS PICKED IT UP. IF HE FAILS, HE WILL HAVE EXERTED HIMSELF WHERE MOST OTHERS FLAGGED. IF HE SUCCEEDS, HE WILL SAVE COUNTLESS LIVES AND POINT RWANDA AND ITS TWIN IN ETHNIC STRESS, BURUNDI, TOWARD SURVIVAL." TEXT: THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WAS CRITICIZED BY "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IN A LEAD EDITORIAL TODAY, REGARDING THE DISCLOSURE OF INTERNAL C-I-A INFORMATION ABOUT ITS CONDUCT IN GUATEMALA. "THE TIMES" WRITES: VOICE: "OPERATING ON THE WASHINGTON PRINCIPLE THAT NO GOOD DEED SHOULD GO UNPUNISHED, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING WHETHER THE LAW WAS VIOLATED BY THE DISCLOSURE EARLIER THIS YEAR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY MISCONDUCT IN GUATEMALA. THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IS WARPED WHEN THE GOVERNMENT PURSUES SOMEONE FOR EXPOSING MISDEEDS THAT THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF FOUND DEPLORABLE AND THAT LED TO THE DISMISSAL OF TWO SENIOR C-I-A OFFICERS AND THE PUNISHMENT OF SEVERAL OTHERS." TEXT: ON ANOTHER C-I-A TOPIC, IT APPEARS THAT EARLIER REPORTS THE AGENCY WAS SENDING THE PRESIDENT TAINTED INFORMATION, COMPROMISED BY SOVIET AND THEN RUSSIAN DOUBLE AGENTS, WAS NOT AS SERIOUS AS FIRST BELIEVED, AT LEAST ACCORDING TO THIS EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES." VOICE: "THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HAS REACHED MUCH THE SAME CONCLUSION AS THE C-I-A: NOT A SINGLE INSTANCE HAS BEEN FOUND OF DECISIONS ABOUT U-S DEFENSE SYSTEMS BEING MADE ON THE BASIS OF TAINTED OR SUSPECT INFORMATION. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS ABSENCE OF SERIOUSLY DAMNING EVIDENCE MAKES SOME PEOPLE LOOK RATHER SHEEPISH [FOOLISH]." TEXT: COMMENTING ON THE RECENT SOLID ELECTION VICTORY OF FORMER GENERAL LIAMINE ZEROUAL IN ALGERIA, TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SUGGESTS: VOICE: "THE STAGE MAY THUS BE SET FOR A MUCH-NEEDED POLITICAL OPENING IN ALGERIA. MODERATE ISLAMIC POLITICIANS HAVE A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT. EXTREMISTS WHO BROOK NO OPPOSITION, NOTABLY THE VICIOUS ARMED ISLAMIC GROUP AND ARMY HARD-LINERS, ARE AT ODDS BOTH WITH A GOVERNMENT THAT FAVORS DIALOGUE AND WITH THE EXPRESSED WISHES OF THE PEOPLE. ...... EUROPE ... AND THE U-S SHOULD ENCOURAGE MODERATING FORCES IN ALGERIA, PERHAPS TYING ECONOMIC AID TO STEPS TOWARD GREATER DEMOCRACY." TEXT: ABOUT THE ONGOING FRENCH TRANSIT STRIKE, WHICH IS GIVING INDICATIONS OF SPREADING TO OTHER SECTORS, TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" NOTES: VOICE: "IT'S NOT A GOOD SEASON TO TRAVEL BY TRAIN IN FRENCE, WHERE A SERIES OF STRIKES IS AFFLICTING THE RAIL SYSTEM. THE ISSUE IS BUDGET CUTS. NOT ONLY THE UNITED STATES IS STRUGGLING TO GET ITS DEFICIT DOWN. FRANCE'S PRIME MINISTER HAS PROMISED TO REDUCE HIS (MUCH BIGGER) DEFICIT AS MUCH IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS AS CONGRESS, WITH MUCH ANGUISH, PROPOSES TO DO IN SEVEN. THE RESULT HAS BEEN AN EPIDEMIC OF PUBLIC SERVICE STRIKES THAT HAVE INTERMITTENTLY PARALYZED THE TRAINS, THE PARIS METRO, BUS SERVICE AND MUCH ELSE. ..... THE FRENCH TRADITIONAL OF ENORMOUSLY GENEROUS SOCIAL BENEFITS ONLY MAKES REDUCTIONS HARDER." TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE RESUMED WHITEWATER HEARINGS IN THE SENATE, DRAW THIS COMMENT FROM "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL." VOICE: "SENATOR D'AMATO'S WHITEWATER HEARINGS LAST WEEK SURFACED A NICE SHARE OF NEW LEADS AND MOMENTS OF HIGH VIEWING DRAMS. ..... IT NOW LOOKS AS IF WE MAY FINALLY GET AN ANSWER TO THE MYSTERIOUS WASHINGTON [TELEPHONE] NUMBER THAT HILLARY CLINTON CALLED FROM HER MOTHER'S LITTLE ROCK HOME ON THE NIGHT OF VINCENT FOSTER'S DEATH. ..... TESTIMONY BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ALSO MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE ARE FAR FROM THE FULL STORY ON THE LITTLE ROCK POLITICAL ELITE'S RELATIONSHIP WITH MADISON GUARANTY SAVING & LOAN [THE LITTLE ROCK BANK WHO'S OWNER HAD BUSINESS AND OTHER DEALINGS WITH MR. AND MRS. CLINTON BEFORE MR. CLINTON WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT]. TEXT: AND WITH THAT WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIAL TOPICS IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS. NEB/ANG/NL [02] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT --DATE=12/4/95TYPE=ADVISORY CONTENT= VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- 12/4/95 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). REPORTS BY VOA NEWS SERVICES:BOSNIA / TROOPS -- THE FIRST CONTINGENT OF NATO TROOPS HAS ARRIVED IN BOSNIA TO BEGIN LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING SAYS THE MISSION WILL BE THE MOST COMPLEX UNDERTAKEN BY NATO SINCE THE GULF WAR FIVE YEARS AGO. (12/4) BOSNIA NATO -- ADVANCE ELEMENTS OF THE NATO FORCE TO BE DEPLOYED TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAVE ARRIVED IN SARAJEVO AND IN CROATIA. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS FROM VIENNA. (12/4) BOSNIA / CROATIA -- UN OFFICIALS SAY BOSNIAN CROATS ARE CONTINUING TO LOOT AND BURN HOMES AND FACTORIES IN AREAS THEY ARE REQUIRED TO TURN OVER TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS UNDER THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. STRINGER DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (12/4) BOSNIA / MLADIC SAYS NO -- AS AMERICAN AND OTHER NATO FORCES PREPARE TO GO TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, THE SERB ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, SAYS THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT IS UNACCEPTABLE. HE SAYS IT MUST BE RENEGOTIATED, ESPECIALLY ITS PROVISIONS FOR A UNITED SARAJEVO UNDER BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (12/2) US / BOSNIA / MUJAHEDIN -- THE CHAIRMAN OF THE US JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF SAYS HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT SEVERAL HUNDRED MUJAHEDIN FIGHTERS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WHO FOUGHT FOR THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT. CORRESPONDENT VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI SAYS HE HAS RECEIVED ASSURANCES THE MUJAHEDIN FIGHTERS WILL LEAVE THE COUNTRY AS PART OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD. (12/3) CLINTON / RETURNS -- PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS RETURNED TO THE WHITE HOUSE FOLLOWING A FIVE-DAY TRIP TO EUROPE THAT FOCUSED ON THE PEACE PROCESS IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND IN BOSNIA. THE PRESIDENT NOW TURNS HIS ATTENTION TO WINNING AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR HIS BOSNIA POLICY, AND MAKING PEACE WITH THE REPUBLICAN-LED CONGRESS IN THE BATTLE OVER THE FEDERAL BUDGET. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS. (12/3) CLINTON / BOSNIA -- PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS TOLD US TROOPS GOING TO BOSNIA AS PART OF THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE THEY ARE ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING "'VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE NATION AND FOR THE WORLD.' SPEAKING TO THOUSANDS OF TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES AT A US ARMY BASE IN BAUMHOLDER, GERMANY, THE PRESIDENT ASSURED THEM THEY ARE GOING TO BOSNIA WELL-ARMED AND READY FOR THEIR MISSION. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA WAS THERE. (12/2) CLINTON / SPAIN ARRIVAL -- PRESIDENT CLINTON, ON ARRIVAL IN MADRID FOR A EUROPEAN UNION MEETING, HAS THANKED SPAIN FOR ITS COOPERATION IN THE SEARCH FOR PEACE IN BOSNIA. THE 60,000-STRONG NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR BOSNIA WILL BE HIGH ON THE PRESIDENT'S AGENDA HERE WHEN HE MEETS WITH SPANISH PRIME MINISTER FELIPE GONZALEZ AND EU OFFICIALS. THE PRESIDENT ARRIVED IN SPAIN FROM GERMANY, WHERE HE SPOKE TO US TROOPS THAT WILL BE PART OF THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS FROM MADRID. (12/2) CLINTON / GERMANY ARRIVAL -- PRESIDENT CLINTON IS IN GERMANY TO MEET WITH US SOLDIERS PREPARING TO GO TO BOSNIA AS PART OF THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE THERE. HE PLANS TO PERSONALLY EXPLAIN TO THE SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHY HE BELIEVES THE US ROLE IS SO IMPORTANT. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS FROM THE US ARMY BASE IN BAUMHOLDER, GERMANY. (12/2) REPUBLICANS / BOSNIA -- A LEADING REPUBLICAN SENATOR SAYS CONGRESS SHOULD SUPPORT THE USE OF AMERICAN TROOPS IN A NATO PEACE FORCE FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, BUT THE BOSNIANS MUST ALSO BE ABLE TO DEFEND THEMSELVES. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS. (12/2) PERRY / BOSNIA REARM -- THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION ASSURED CONGRESS IT WILL SEE TO IT THAT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT ARMY IS REARMED, IF THE ARMS CONTROL PROVISIONS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD DO NOT PRODUCE A MILITARY BALANCE WITH THE BOSNIAN SERBS. DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS DIPLOMATIC CONTACTS ON THE ISSUE ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS. (12/1) TROOPS FOR BOSNIA -- PRESIDENT CLINTON'S INITIATIVE TO COMMIT THOUSANDS OF US TROOPS TO NATO PEACE-IMPLEMENTATION EFFORTS IN BOSNIA HAS SPARKED A RANGE OF MEDIA AND PUBLIC REACTION AROUND THE COUNTRY. CURRENT AFFAIRS' TOM MAHONEY ANCHORS A DISCUSSION WITH CORRESPONDENTS IN WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND LOS ANGELES ABOUT THE ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE TOWARD INVOLVING US TROOPS IN BOSNIA. (12/4) NATO / BOSNIA MISSION / DEFINED -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ERICA BENIS LOOKS AT THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT, DANGERS AND THE ROLE OF THE NATO MISSION. (12/4) NATO / BOSNIA MISSION / THE COST OF THE OPERATION -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ERICA BENIS LOOKS MOSTLY BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY AT THE COST TO US TAXPAYERS. IT ALSO LOOKS AT OTHER COUNTRIES' CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES. (12/4) US CONGRESS / BOSNIA -- AN AMERICAN CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION VISITS SARAJEVO TO ASSES THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND. THE HEAD OF THE FIFTEEN MEMBER DELEGATION, REPUBLICAN CONGRESSWOMAN SUSAN MOLINARI SAYS THEY HAVE RECEIVED ASSURANCES FROM BALKAN LEADERS THAT THE TROOPS WILL BE SAFE, DESPITE THEIR CONCERN REGARDING BOSNIAN SERB REBELS. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (CROATIAN 12/3) CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION / BELGRADE -- A GROUP OF FIFTEEN AMERICAN CONGRESSMEN MET IN BELGRADE WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE MEETING FOCUSED ON THE PROSPECTS FOR A LASTING PEACE IN BOSNIA, NORMALIZATION OF THE SITUATION IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AND THE RESUMPTION OF THE BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND YUGOSLAVIA. STRINGER JADRANKA KRONJA REPORTS. (CROATIAN 12/2) US CONGRESS / CROATIA -- STRINGER LINDA MILISA REPORTS THAT THE FIFTEEN-MEMBER US CONGRESS DELEGATION MET WITH CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN. (CROATIAN 12/3) CROATIA / BOSNIA PEACE PLAN -- STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC INTERVIEWS ZELJKO DOBRANOVIC, CROATIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY OFFICIAL, WHO DISCUSSED CROATIAN ROLE IN NATO PEACE IMPLEMENTATION MISSION IN BOSNIA. MR DOBRANOVIC SAID THAT NATO FORCES WILL USE CROATIAN TERRITORY FOR A LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR ITS TROOPS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. (CROATIAN 12/3) UN HUMAN RIGHTS / BOSNIA -- UN SPECIAL ENVOY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, ELIZABETH REHN SAYS SHE WAS NOT PREVENTED FROM VISITING TOWNS IN WESTERN BOSNIA. MS REHN IS VISITING BOSNIAN AND CROATIAN TOWNS, AND TALKING TO HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIALS ABOUT THE RETURN OF REFUGEES. STRINGER JADRANKA KRONJA REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (CROATIAN 12/3) EX YUGO / RECOGNITION -- STRINGER JADRANKA KRONJA REPORTS THAT SOME OPPOSITION LEADERS IN BELGRADE CONSIDER THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT TO BE THE REASON WHY SLOVENIA HAS RECOGNIZED YUGOSLAVIA. SHE ALSO NOTES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF MEETINGS RECENTLY BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS, MOSTLY ABOUT TRADE. (CROATIAN 12/1) UNPROFOR COMMANDER / REGRET -- THE COMMANDER OF UNPROFOR IN SARAJEVO, GENERAL JEAN-RENE BACHELET DISMISSED AS UNINTEDED HIS INADVERTENT CRITICISM OF THE PARTS THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY OVER THE SERB-HELD PARTS OF THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL TO THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (CROATIAN 12/2) BOSNIAN CROATS PROTEST IN ZAGREB -- CROATS FROM THE BOSNIAN REGION OF POSAVINA PROTESTED IN THE CROATIAN CAPITAL AGAINST THE PROVISIONS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT WHICH TRANSFER THE CONTROL OF THE REGION TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS. APPEALS FOR A DIFFERENT TERRITORIAL ARRANGEMENT WERE SENT TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF CROATIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. STRINGER SLAVICA LUKIC REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (CROATIAN 12/2) CITY GOVERNMENT / ZAGREB -- DURING THE FIRST MEETING OF THE NEW CITY GOVERNMENT IN ZAGREB, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNIFIED CROATIAN OPPOSITION ELECTED THE NEW MAYOR AND THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE CITY ASSEMBLY. AS STRINGER ?ZELJKO MATIC REPORTS FROM ZAGREB, THE CROATIAN PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO BLOCK THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS. (CROATIAN 12/2) CROATIA / DAYTON AGREEMENT -- STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC REPORTS ON THE NEWS CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENT TUDJMAN. THE CROATIAN PRESIDENT SAYS THAT SOMETHING IN DAYTON HAD TO BE GIVEN UP. HE ALSO REJECTED ANY ACCUSATION THAT HE PREVIOUSLY AGREED WITH THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT TO HAND THE POSAVINA REGION TO SERBS. (CROATIAN 12/1) BOSNIA / MUSLIM-CROAT RELATIONS -- STRINGER LINDA MILISA VISITED THE CENTRAL-BOSNIAN TOWN OF GORNJI VAKUF AND REPORTS ON THE DIFFICULTIES REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH THE FRAMEWORK FOR FEDERATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. (CROATIAN 12/2) US / CROATIAN SERBS -- STRINGER JADRANKA KRONJA REPORTS ON THE MEETING BETWEEN PETER GALBRAITH, UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO CROATIA AND LEADERS OF CROATIAN SERBS. MR GALBRAITH DISCUSSED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN TO REINTEGRATE SERB-HELD EASTERN SLAVONIA INTO CROATIA. (CROATIAN 12/2) KOSOVO / REFUGEES -- LEADERS OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN COMMUNITY IN KOSOVO SAY THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN ALBANIAN EMIGRATION FROM THE REGION SINCE THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. ALBANIANS ARE CONCERNED THAT WITH THE END OF HOSTILITIES IN BOSNIA, SERBIA'S PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC MAY TURN HIS ATTENTION TO KOSOVO. ALBANIANS, WHO REPRESENT ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION, HAVE DECLARED KOSOVO'S INDEPENDENCE FROM SERBIA AND HAVE RELIED ON A PEACEFUL APPROACH TO ACHIEVE THEIR OBJECTIVES. THE SERBS INSIST THAT KOSOVO REMAIN PART OF SERBIA. MANY OBSERVERS CONSIDER IT THE NEXT FLASHPOINT IN THE BALKANS. STRINGER IBRAHIM OSMANI REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 12/4) ALBANIA / YUGOSLAVIA -- FOLLOWING THE SUSPENSION OF UN ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS AGAINST RUMP-YUGOSLAVIA, A DRAMATIC INCREASE IS
REPORTED IN THE TRAFFIC BETWEEN ALBANIA AND MONTENEGRO. STRINGER
PELLUMB SULO REPORTS FROM SHKODER THAT DESPITE PUBLIC CRITICISM
OF THE LIFTING OF THE SANCTIONS, THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT HOPES
THAT TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH MONTENEGRO WILL RISE
RAPIDLY. THE SANCTIONS HAD A CRIPPLING EFFECT ON ALBANIA,
PARTICULARLY THE ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED NORTHERN REGIONS.
(ALBANIAN 12/4)
04-Dec-95 5:24 PM EST (2224 UTC) [03] BOSNIA BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)DATE=12/04/95TYPE=U-S COLUMNISTS ROUNDUP: BOSNIA #6 NUMBER=6-09309 TELEPHONE=619-1014 EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES CONTENT= (ED. NOTE: THIS IS ONE OF A CONTINUING SERIES ON DEVELOPMENTS IN BOSNIA AND THE REACTION OF SELECTED AMERICAN NEWSPAPER COLUMNISTS) INTRO: A NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE OF APPROXIMATELY 60-THOUSAND TROOPS, INCLUDING 20-THOUSAND AMERICANS, IS EXPECTED INBOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA LATER THIS MONTH. THEY WILL BEGIN DEPLOYING THERE AFTER THE EXPECTED DECEMBER 14TH SIGNING OF A BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD IN PARIS. AMERICA'S ROLE IN BOSNIA CONTINUES TO BE THE SUBJECT OF COMMENTARY IN NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. WITH A SAMPLING OF HOW SOME COLUMNISTS IN AMERICAN DAILIES VIEW THE ISSUES, HERE IS _________________________. TEXT: IN A COLUMN APPEARING IN MONDAY'S PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, DAVID BRODER, A WASHINGTON-BASED WRITER, SAYS THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS MADE HIS ARGUMENTS FOR SENDING U-S TROOPS TO BOSNIA, AND -- IN MR. BRODER'S WORDS -- "HE HAS MADE IT WELL AND HE HAS WON A RESPECTFUL HEARING, IF NOT GREAT ASSENT IN CONGRESS AND THE COUNTRY." BUT, CONTINUES MR. BRODER, "WITH NO DISRESPECT TO THE PRESIDENT, IT IS CLEAR THAT ON THIS ISSUE, THE MAN WHOSE VIEWS WILL -- AND SHOULD -- CARRY THE GREATEST WEIGHT IS SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ROBERT J. DOLE (A KANSAS REPUBLICAN). IT IS 9MR.) DOLE WHO HAS THE CREDENTIALS TO BE THE DECISIVE INFLUENCE IN THE DEBATE OVER THE DEPLOYMENT OF AN ARMY DIVISION IN THE DANGEROUS TERRAIN SEPARATING THE WARRING ETHNIC GROUPS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA." AND, CONTINUES COLUMNIST DAVID BRODER, SENATOR DOLE "HAS ADMONISHED HIS FELLOW-REPUBLICANS, ESPECIALLY THE NEWER MEMBERS WHO GIVE LITTLE THOUGHT TO SUCH MATTERS, THAT THE CREDIBILITY OF A PRESIDENT'S COMMITMENT IS A VITAL MATTER, EVEN IF THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP IGNORED THAT FACT IN VOTING AGAINST PRESIDENT BUSH'S 1991 REQUEST FOR SUPPORT IN SENDING TROOPS INTO COMBAT ON THE EVE OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR. BOB DOLE WANTS TO DO BETTER THAN THAT, AS EVERYONE WITHOUT IDEOLOGICAL BLINDERS CAN SEE. THAT IS WHY HIS WORD IS THE ONE THAT WILL COUNT." GEORGE MELLOAN, WRITING IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, IS OF THE OPINION THAT "THE CLINTON TACTICS HAVE BEEN BRILLIANT." ACCORDING TO MR. MELLOAN, IN HIS GLOBAL VIEW COLUMN, THE PRESIDENT "IS NOT ONLY GETTING HIS WAY BUT LOOKING DECISIVE AND PRESIDENTIAL." HE SAYS, "THE PRESIDENTS OF SERBIA, CROATIA AND BOSNIA WERE HELD CAPTIVE AT WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE UNTIL THEY AGREED THAT -- AT LEAST IN NOMINAL TERMS -- BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA WILL REMAIN A SINGLE, SOVEREIGN STATE... MR. CLINTON HAS A HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL AMERICAN ARMY AT HIS DISPOSAL, THANKS TO RONALD REAGAN AND GEORGE BUSH." COLUMNIST MELLOAN SAYS "ONLY A VERY BRAVE OR FOOLISH COMMANDER OF THE KIND OF TROOPS FIGHTING IN BOSNIA WOULD ATTEMPT A FRONTAL ASSAULT ON THE FIRST ARMORED DIV. AND ITS SUPPORTING AIR POWER. HE NONETHELESS WANTS TO GET THE TROOPS OUT OF BOSNIA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE... IN SHORT," CONCLUDES GEORGE MELLOAN, "THE OPENING GAMBITS IN THIS EXERCISE IN BIGTIME FOREIGN POLICY HAVE BEEN BRILLIANT. BUT IT WILL BE THE END GAME THAT WILL MATTER MOST. WE ARE YET TO KNOW IF IT WILL BE PLAYED WITH THE SAME SKILL." ALSO DISCUSSING THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA IS SYNDICATED COLUMNIST WILLIAM PFAFF. IN A COLUMN PUBLISHED IN MONDAY'S BALTIMORE SUN, MR. PFAFF SAYS THAT "THE U-S WILL RUN THE BOSNIA OPERATION, AS IT RAN THE AUGUST BOMBINGS AND THE DAYTON TALKS, NOT ONLY BECAUSE THAT IS THE SIMPLE AND EFFICIENT WAY TO GET THINGS DONE, BUT ALSO BECAUSE THE WEST EUROPEANS FORFEITED THEIR CHANCE TO TAKE CHARGE OF EUROPE'S POST-COLD WAR ORDER. IT IS NOT A GOOD SITUATION, NOR DOES IT AUGUR WELL FOR TRANS-ATLANTIC RELATIONS. BUT," HE CONCLUDES, "THIS IS THE WAY IT IS TODAY, AND IT'S NOT WASHINGTON'S FAULT." JESSICA MATHEWS, A SENIOR FELLOW AT THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS, OFFERS HER VIEW IN A COLUMN IN THE WASHINGTON POST. SHE WRITES THAT, "A SUCCESSFUL COMMITMENT OFTEN TAKES LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED, OR A DEADLINE MAY SIMPLY ENCOURAGE OPPONENTS TO HANG ON UNTIL THE DAY PASSES. THE ONLY EFFECTIVE PROTECTION AGAINST BEING SUCKED INTO AN OPEN-ENDED COMMITMENT LIES IN BEING CLEAR ABOUT PURPOSES AND MEANS AND MAKING SURE THEY MATCH." ACCORDING TO JESSICA MATHEWS, "IF CONGRESS WANTS TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE U-S ENGAGEMENT MAKES A LASTING DIFFERENCE, IT WILL RECOGNIZE THAT WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION HAS SENT CONFLICTING MESSAGES, IN THE END IT HAS SET BOTH A CLEAR GOAL AND -- BECAUSE THE ELEMENTS OF A SUSTAINABLE PEACE WILL BE RECOGNIZABLE WHEN THEY APPEAR -- AN EXIT STRATEGY." SHE SAYS, "CONGRESS SHOULD INSIST THAT THE MISSION NOT END BEFORE THESE ELEMENTS ARE ACHIEVED. IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST IT SHOULD SEEK MORE, NOT LESS, WIGGLE ROOM IN THE LENGTH OF THE COMMITMENT." THIS CONCLUDES ANOTHER EDITION OF A SPECIAL VOICE OF AMERICA SERIES REFLECTING THE VIEWS OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPER COLUMNISTS WRITING ON DEVELOPMENTS IN BOSNIA AND THE PLANNED DEPLOYMENT OF U-S TROOPS THERE. NEB/DN/PCH [04] BOSNIA / CROATIA (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (ZAGREB)DATE=12/4/95TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-189504 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS SAY BOSNIAN CROATS ARE CONTINUING TO LOOT AND BURN HOMES AND FACTORIES IN AREAS THEY THEY ARE REQUIRED TO TURN OVER TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS UNDER THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. TEXT: THE PEACE AGREEMENT CALLS FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED SQUARE KILOMETERS OF TERRITORY IN CENTRAL BOSNIA, NOW UNDER THE CONTROL OF BOSNIAN CROATS, TO BE TURNED OVER TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS, IN PART TO COMPENSATE SERBS FOR TERRITORY THEY WILL LOSE AROUND SARAJEVO. BUT U-N OFFICIALS SUGGEST CROAT AUTHORITIES IN THE REGION ARE PURSUING A SCORCHED EARTH POLICY. THE AREA, INCLUDING THE TOWNS OF MRKONIC GRAD AND SIPOVO, WAS CAPTURED FROM BOSNIAN SERBS DURING A LIGHTENING OFFENSIVE TWO MONTHS AGO. AND U-N OFFICIALS HAVE REPORTED THE WIDESPREAD LOOTING AND BURNING OF HOMES AND FACTORIES IN THE AREA. A WEEK AGO, U-N OFFICIALS SAID 30 PERCENT OF HOMES IN THE AREA HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY MEN IN BOSNIAN CROAT UNIFORMS. BUT AFTER COMPLAINTS TO CROAT AUTHORITIES, U-N OBSERVERS WERE ALLOWED ACCESS TO THE AREA AND THERE SEEMED TO BE A PAUSE IN THE DESTRUCTION. NOW, U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEIR MOVEMENTS ARE ONCE AGAIN BEING RESTRICTED AND THE DESTRUCTION HAS RESUMED. THE OFFICIALS SAY AT LEAST A DOZEN HOUSES ARE ON FIRE IN SIPOVO, AND THEY REPORT THE ORGANIZED LOOTING OF FACTORY EQUIPMENT. A U-N SPOKESMAN SAYS THE CAMPAIGN OF DESTRUCTION PAUSED ONLY WHILE BOSNIAN CROATS WITHDREW FROM AREAS WHERE THE OPERATION HAD BEEN COMPLETED. THIS POLICY OF BURNING HOMES BEFORE WITHDRAWING IS LIKELY TO AFFECT SARAJEVO, WHERE THE PEACE AGREEMENT CALLS FOR BOSNIAN SERB AREAS TO BE TURNED OVER TO GOVERNMENT CONTROL. DELICATE NEGOTIATIONS ARE TAKING PLACE TO PERSUADE BOSNIAN SERBS TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES WHEN THE AREA IS HANDED OVER TO GOVERNMENT CONTROL. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE DESTRUCTION IN CENTRAL BOSNIA COULD SET AN UNWELCOME PRECEDENT IN AN AREA WHERE MOST SERBS REJECT THE PEACE PLAN, AND SOME HAVE ALREADY SAID THEY WILL BURN THEIR HOMES BEFORE THEY LET GOVERNMENT FORCES TAKE OVER. MEANWHILE, NATO TROOPS HAVE BEGUN TO ARRIVE IN BOSNIA AND CROATIA. AT THE U-N HEADQUARTERS IN THE CROATIAN CAPITAL, ZAGREB, SCORES OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS WERE BUSY CARRYING COMPUTERS INTO OFFICES TO ESTABLISH WHAT THEY SAID WOULD BE A REAR HEADQUARTERS FOR THE NATO COMMANDER OF THE MISSION, U-S ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH. (SIGNED) NEB/DF/JWH/CF [05] BOSNIA / HIGH TECH BY KYLE KING (BONN)DATE=12/4/95TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-31819 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: WHEN THE BULK OF THE U-S CONTINGENT TO THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE BEGINS ARRIVING IN BOSNIA, THE TROOPS WILL BE BRINGING SOME OF THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY. AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS, THAT TECHNOLOGY WILL GIVE U-S FORCES AN UNPRECEDENTED ABILITY TO RESOLVE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS. TEXT: THE U-S TROOPS STANDING BY FOR DEPLOYMENT TO BOSNIA ARE EQUIPPED WITH SOME OF THE MOST ADVANCED AND DEADLY WEAPONS ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH. EVERYTHING FROM HEAT SEEKING SENSORS THAT CAN BE USED TO DETECT AND KILL SNIPERS, TO TANK BUSTING APACHE HELICOPTERS THAT CAN LAY DOWN A WITHERING STREAM OF DEADLY FIRE. U-S OFFICIALS HOPE THE OVERWHELMING FIREPOWER OF AMERICAN TROOPS WILL HELP DETER POTENTIAL ATTACKS. BUT THEY ARE ALSO PLANNING TO USE THEIR HIGH TECH COMMUNICATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE GATHERING EQUIPMENT IN A NEW AND UNUSUAL WAY TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS BEFORE THEY GROW VIOLENT. CAPTAIN JOHN SUTTLE OF THE FIRST ARMORED DIVISION SAYS HIS UNIT PLANS TO ESTABLISH A COMMAND POST THAT WILL GIVE COMMANDERS AND CIVIL AFFAIRS EXPERTS INSTANT TELEVISION ACCESS TO ALL THE INFORMATION GATHERED BY AMERICAN FORCES. // SUTTLE ACT //NOW, WE'VE COME UP WITH THIS THING THAT LOOKS LIKE A CROSS BETWEEN THE BRIDGE OF THE STARSHIP ENTERPRISE, THE FLOOR OF THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, AND THE SENATE. // END ACT //THE COMMAND POST CAPTAIN SUTTLE DESCRIBES WILL HAVE INSTANT COMMUNICATIONS WITH U-S TROOP UNITS PATROLLING THE ZONE OF SEPARATION. INTELLIGENCE GATHERING EQUIPMENT AND TELEVISION CAMERAS MOUNTED ON HELICOPTERS WILL ALLOW EXPERTS GATHERED AT THE COMMAND POST THE CHANCE TO SEE THE SITUATIONS THEY WILL BE ASKED ABOUT. // SUTTLE ACT //THIS THING IS SET UP IN SUCH A WAY WHERE PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT PEOPLE AND TALK TO EACH OTHER. AND THE GUY MAKING THE DECISION CAN WHEEL AROUND IN HIS CHAIR AND ASK AN ATTORNEY IS THIS LEGAL, IS WHAT I'M SEEING ON THAT COMPUTER MONITOR -- ON THAT SCREEN THAT'S BEING SHOWN TO ME FROM AN APACHE ATTACK HELICOPTER, REAL TIME, LOOKING AT A ZONE OF SEPARATION -- IS THAT ACT THAT'S GOING ON, THAT THAT VEHICLE FROM THIS ENTITY IS DOING, IS THAT A VIOLATION OF THE PEACE TREATY? // END ACT //IN ADDITION TO MILITARY COMMANDERS, CAPTAIN SUTTLE SAYS THE COMMAND POST WILL ALSO BE STAFFED WITH A HOST OF EXPERTS IN IN A RANGE OF SUBJECTS, WHO CAN INSTANTLY PROVIDE ADVICE TO U-S TROOPS. // SUTTLE ACT //AND THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT CAN GO (SAY), "THAT IS IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF TREATY PARAGRAPH NUMBER THIS, LINE THIS, SO AN SO, SO AND SO." AND THEN HE CAN TURN TO THE OTHER PEOPLE AND ASK THEM WHAT THE ASSESSMENT IS. "INTEL GUY, GIVE ME AN ASSESSMENT. . .FIRE SUPPORT, AIR FORCE, PUBLIC AFFAIRS," SO ON AND SO FORTH. YOU HAVE THE FREE INSTANTANEOUS INTERCHANGE OF INFORMATION, COUPLED WITH THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE DECISION MAKERS WITH ALL THE TOOLS TO MAKE A QUICK ACCURATE AND VERY GOOD DECISION. // END ACT //MANY OF THE IDEAS INVOLVED IN THE NEW COMMAND POST ARE A RESULT OF TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT WERE ONCE THE STUFF OF SCIENCE FICTION NOVELS. BUT CAPTAIN SUTTLE SAYS HIS UNIT HAS ALREADY PUT SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT AND IDEAS INTO PRACTICE DURING RECENT TRAINING EXERCISES IN GERMANY, AND HE EXPECTS THE MISSION TO BE A SUCCESS. (SIGNED) NEB/KK/JWH/CF [06] BOSNIA NATO OVERNIGHTER (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=12/4/95TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-189523 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTERS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION MEET IN BRUSSELS TODAY (TUESDAY) TO APPROVE PLANS FOR A 60-THOUSAND TROOP FORCE TO CARRY OUT THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTERS OF NATO WILL BEGIN THEIR DAY WITH A REGULAR MEETING BUT THEY WILL CLOSE IN AN EXTRAORDINARY JOINT SESSION WITH NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS. JAVIER SOLANA WILL START THE DAY AS SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER. BY EVENING, HE WILL OFFICIALLY BE CONFIRMED AS NATO SECRETARY GENERAL. SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER DESCRIBED THE MEETING AS HISTORIC. HIS COMMENT CAME AS HE OPENED A U-S TRADE AND INVESTMENT CENTER HERE IN BRUSSELS. // CHRISTOPHER ACTUALITY //THE WORD "HISTORIC" GETS USED ALL TOO OFTEN, BUT TOMORROW (TUESDAY) WILL BE IN MANY RESPECTS A VERY HISTORIC MEETING OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL. WE WILL APPROVE THE LARGEST MISSION IN NATO'S HISTORY, A MISSION TO IMPLEMENT THE PEACE SETTLEMENT REGARDING BOSNIA AND THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, THE SETTLEMENT THAT WAS WORKED OUT IN DAYTON, OHIO. // END ACTUALITY //THE NATO MINISTERS WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE STATUS OF PLANS TO ENLARGE THE ALLIANCE TO CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. U-S OFFICIALS SAY DETAILED BRIEFINGS ARE BEGINNING TO DETERMINE WHICH COUNTRIES WILL MEET ALLIANCE STANDARDS BUT NONE QUALIFY IN THE NEAR FUTURE. (SIGNED) NEB/RP/ART [07] BOSNIA SITREP (L UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)DATE=12/4/95TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-189521 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AS NATO ADVANCE FORCES ARRIVE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, LEADERS OF SERB-HELD SUBURBS OF SARAJEVO HAVE ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR A REFERENDUM ON THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. TEXT: SERB LEADERS IN SARAJEVO HAVE ISSUED A DEFIANT STATEMENT ON THE PEACE AGREEMENT, SAYING SERBS HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP THEY CHOOSE. THE MAYOR OF SERB-HELD PARTS OF SARAJEVO, VOJISLAV MAKSIMOVIC, SAYS SERBS IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL WILL VOTE IN A REFERENDUM ON WHETHER THEY SUPPORT THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. HE SAYS THE REFERENDUM WILL BE HELD ON DECEMBER 12TH, TWO DAYS BEFORE THE PEACE AGREEMENT IS TO BE SIGNED IN PARIS. MR. MAKSIMOVIC SAYS SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, WHO INITIALED THE AGREEMENT LAST MONTH, HAS _NO_ MANDATE TO DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF SERBS IN SARAJEVO. THE SERBS THERE HAVE BEEN HOLDING ANGRY DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE PEACE PLAN'S PROVISION FOR SERB-HELD SUBURBS TO BE TURNED OVER TO BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL. THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, HAS SAID THAT PROVISION SHOULD BE CHANGED OR SARAJEVO WILL BECOME ANOTHER BEIRUT, AND SERBS WILL FLEE. MR. KARADZIC IS _NOT_ THREATENING RENEWED WARFARE. RATHER, HE SAYS HE WANTS TO WAGE AN INTENSE POLITICAL STRUGGLE TO ACHIEVE THE SERBS' ULTIMATE GOAL -- EITHER AN INDEPENDENT STATE OR UNITY WITH SERBIA. OVER THE WEEKEND, THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, ENCOURAGED SARAJEVO SERBS TO REMAIN DEFIANT. A UNITED NATIONS SPOKESMAN IN SARAJEVO SAYS THE GENERAL'S REMARKS DO _NOT_ HELP THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS. SOME SERBS HAVE ALREADY LEFT SARAJEVO TO LIVE WITH FRIENDS OR RELATIVES IN OTHER BOSNIAN SERB-HELD TERRITORY. THERE ARE REPORTS THAT SERB POLICE ARE PREVENTING MORE DEPARTURES. THE UNITED NATIONS IS TRYING TO EASE THE TENSION IN SARAJEVO. U-N CIVILIAN POLICE ARE TO REASSURE SERBS THERE THAT THEY WILL BE SAFE AS THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT IS IMPLEMENTED. (SIGNED) NEB/WC/JWH/ART [08] BOSNIA TROOPS (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)DATE=12/4/95TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-189510 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE FIRST CONTINGENT OF NATO TROOPS HAS ARRIVED IN BOSNIA TO BEGIN LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS, THE MISSION WILL BE THE MOST COMPLEX UNDERTAKEN BY NATO SINCE THE GULF WAR FIVE-YEARS AGO. TEXT: THE FIRST NATO TROOPS LANDED IN SARAJEVO IN C-130 HERCULES TRANSPORT PLANES. THE HANDFUL OF BRITISH, FRENCH, BELGIAN, AND AMERICAN TROOPS ARE PRIMARILY LOGISTICS EXPERTS. AS THEY FLEW INTO SARAJEVO, OTHER TRANSPORT PLANES WERE UNLOADING BRITISH TROOPS AND THEIR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT IN THE CROATIAN PORT CITY OF SPLIT. THOSE TROOPS, FROM BRITAIN'S SEVENTH SIGNALS REGIMENT, PLAN TO TRAVEL ON TO SARAJEVO AND TUZLA, WHERE THE U-S CONTINGENT OF 20-THOUSAND TROOPS IS TO BE HEADQUARTERED. THE INITIAL WAVE OF SEVERAL HUNDRED NATO TROOPS IS PART OF WHAT IS CALLED THE ENABLING FORCE, WHICH WILL LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR NATO'S DEPLOYMENT OF ABOUT 60-THOUSAND TROOPS ONCE THE PEACE TREATY IS SIGNED LATER THIS MONTH. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, MILITARY PLANNERS SAY U-S TROOPS BASED IN GERMANY WILL BEGIN MOVING BY TRAIN THROUGH THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO AN INTERMEDIATE STAGING BASE IN SOUTHERN HUNGARY. TRUCKS WILL THEN CARRY TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT TO THE BOSNIAN BORDER, WHERE AN ARMY-BUILT BRIDGE WILL ALLOW THEM TO CROSS THE SAVA RIVER. ONCE INSIDE BOSNIA, U-S TROOPS, MAINLY FROM THE FIRST ARMORED DIVISION, WILL SET UP A SERIES OF SMALLER COMPOUNDS AND BEGIN PATROLLING THE SO-CALLED ZONE OF SEPARATION BETWEEN THE WARRING PARTIES. IN ADDITION TO THE MILITARY RISKS TO THE U-S TROOPS, MILITARY OFFICERS PLANNING THE OPERATION SAY THE COLD WEATHER ALSO WILL PRESENT A MAJOR CHALLENGE. BUT THEY SAY THE TROOPS, WHO WILL BE BACKED BY ATTACK HELICOPTERS AND THE U-S ARMY'S MOST MODERN TANKS AND ARMORED VEHICLES, ARE WELL PREPARED FOR THE JOB. (SIGNED) NEB/KK/JWH/RAE INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS APPROVED MORE SANCTIONS AGAINST NIGERIA TO PROTEST HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES THERE. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THIS IS IN ADDITION TO SANCTIONS IMPOSED SOON AFTER NIGERIA EXECUTED NINE DISSIDENTS, INCLUDING THE WRITER KEN SARO WIWA. TEXT: EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE ANNOYED THAT THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT HAS MADE NO RESPONSE TO THE SANCTIONS THEY APPROVED AT THEIR LAST MEETING IN NOVEMBER. THOSE MEASURES INCLUDE A BAN ON ARMS SALES, AND VISA RESTRICTIONS ON MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY REGIME AND THEIR FAMILIES. SO THE 15 EUROPEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS DECIDED AT TALKS MONDAY THAT THEY WILL TAKE NEW MEASURES. THE DECISION WAS ANNOUNCED BY BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY MALCOLM RIFKIND. // ACT RIFKIND //WE HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT ON A FURTHER TIGHTENING OF THE SCREWS AGAINST THE NIGERIAN REGIME. THREE ADDITIONAL MEASURES WERE AGREED TODAY ON EXTENDING VISA RESTRICTIONS TO CIVILIAN AND MILITARY PERSONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REGIME; EXPELLING OR WITHDRAWING MILITARY PERSONNEL AT THE RESPECTIVE EMBASSIES IN BOTH NIGERIA AND IN MEMBER STATE COUNTRIES, AND STOPPING THE FORMAL SPORTING CONTACT, WITH NATIONAL TEAMS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN GOING TO NIGERIA OR RECEIVED FROM THAT COUNTRY. THIS IS, AS I SAY, A FURTHER TIGHTENING OF THE SCREWS. IT IS INTENDED TO BE A CLEAR INDICATION TO THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT THAT THE EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES BELIEVE IT IS CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT THAT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TOWARDS A RESUMPTION OF CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT AND TOWARDS RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS. // END ACT //IN ANOTHER ACTION, THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT MONTH A PLEDGING CONFERENCE FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THIS WILL GIVE THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN, IN PARTICULAR, TIME TO FORMULATE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS. IT ALSO WILL GIVE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MORE TIME TO ASSESS THE EXACT AMOUNT OF AID THAT WILL BE NEEDED FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION. (SIGNED) NEB/JF/JWH/CF [09] E-U / NIGERIA (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=12/4/95TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-189527 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AS THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY APPROACHES LATER THIS MONTH, FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON IS ASKING AMERICANS NOT TO FORGET THE U-S TROOPS WHO WILL BE GOING TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO TAKE PART IN A PEACE-KEEPING MISSION. MRS. CLINTON MADE HER COMMENTS AS SHE GAVE REPORTERS A TOUR OF WHITE HOUSE ROOMS DECORATED FOR THE HOLIDAYS. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS. TEXT: // OPENS W/MUSIC....FADE UNDER // THE CHRISTMAS SEASON HAS ARRIVED AT THE WHITE HOUSE, AND FIRST LADY HILLARY CLINTON COULD NOT WAIT TO SHOW REPORTERS THE HOLIDAY DECORATIONS AS CAROLERS SANG NEARBY. BUT A DAY AFTER SHE AND PRESIDENT CLINTON RETURNED FROM A EUROPEAN TRIP THAT INCLUDED A VISIT WITH U-S TROOPS, STATIONED IN GERMANY, WHO ARE GOING TO BOSNIA MRS. CLINTON MONDAY PAUSED TO REMEMBER THOSE SOLDIERS, AND URGED AMERICANS TO DO LIKEWISE. // HILLARY ACT //I THINK PARTICULARLY THIS CHRISTMAS I WOULD WISH FOR A PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS HERE AT HOME AND AROUND THE WORLD. I WOULD PARTICULARLY WISH FOR THE WELL-BEING AND SAFETY OF OUR TROOPS WHO ARE GOING INTO BOSNIA. I WOULD ALSO WISH THAT WE WOULD NOT FORGET THE SACRIFICES THAT WERE MADE BY TROOPS THAT STAY BEHIND TO SUPPORT THEM AND THE FAMILIES OF THOSE TROOPS. // END ACT //AMERICAN TROOPS ARE TO MAKE UP ONE-THIRD OF THE 60-THOUSAND-MEMBER PEACE-KEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA. ON A MUCH LIGHTER NOTE, MRS. CLINTON WAS HAPPY TO SHOW OFF THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS THAT WERE PUT UP WHILE SHE AND THE PRESIDENT WERE IN EUROPE. AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS -- A SIX-METER-HIGH FIR TREE, TRIMMED WITH HAND-MADE NEEDLEPOINT ORNAMENTS, AND A GINGERBREAD HOUSE THAT IS A COPY OF MRS. CLINTON'S CHILDHOOD HOME NEAR CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. // 2ND HILLARY ACT //THIS WAS MY HOUSE -- THE ONE THAT I GREW UP IN. // END ACT //THE HOUSE MRS. CLINTON LIVES IN NOW WILL BE BUSTLING WITH ACTIVITY OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS. SOME 150-THOUSAND VISITORS ARE EXPECTED TO TOUR THE WHITE HOUSE OVER THE CHRISTMAS SEASON, AND THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF HOLIDAY PARTIES, TOO. (SIGNED) NEB/DAT/CB/SKH [10] HILLARY / BOSNIA / CHRISTMAS (L ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=12/4/95TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-189491 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE FIRST TROOPS FROM THE NATO LED MULTINATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR BOSNIA HAVE LEFT GERMANY, TO BEGIN LAYING THE GROUND WORK FOR FULL NATO DEPLOYMENT. VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS. TEXT: THE FIRST CONTINGENT OF BRITISH TROOPS LEFT THEIR BASE IN NORTHERN GERMANY ON A C-130 CARGO PLANE. THE 56 SOLDIERS FROM THE BRITISH 7TH SIGNALS REGIMENT WILL BE HELPING TO SET UP COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES FOR THE NATO MISSION, WHICH WILL BE HEADQUARTERED IN SARAJEVO. THE BRITISH TROOPS AND THEIR EQUIPMENT ARE PART OF WHAT IS CALLED THE ENABLING FORCE THAT WILL LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE FULL NATO DEPLOYMENT OF SOME 60-THOUSAND PEACEKEEPING TROOPS. THOSE TROOPS, WHO WILL BE HEAVILY ARMED AND CHARGED WITH ENFORCING THE TERMS OF THE PEACE TREATY, ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BEGIN DEPLOYING UNTIL AFTER THE FORMAL SIGNING CEREMONY LATER THIS MONTH. BUT BY THEN THE ENABLING FORCE WILL HAVE ESTABLISHED MUCH OF THE COMMUNICATIONS, LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORTATION NETWORK THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE AMBITIOUS NATO MISSION. (SIGNED) NEB/KBK/MH [11] NATO / TROOPS (S) BY KYLE KING ( BONN )DATE=12/4/95TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-189528 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AS ADVANCE ELEMENTS OF U-S FORCES BEGAN ARRIVING IN BOSNIA, U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY AGAIN STRESSED THAT THE UNITED STATES IS GOING THERE TO ENFORCE PEACE, AND NOT FIGHT A WAR. HE SAID HE EXPECTS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO LIVE UP TO ITS PLEDGE TO REMOVE ISLAMIC MILITANT VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COUNTRY. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: MR. PERRY SAID THE UNITED STATES TAKES SERIOUSLY THE THREAT POSED BY THE ESTIMATED THREE TO FOUR THOUSAND ISLAMIC VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE GONE INTO BOSNIA TO HELP THE MUSLIM-LED GOVERNMENT OVER THE YEARS. MANY OF THOSE STILL IN BOSNIA ARE VETERANS OF THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN OR ARE LINKED TO GROUPS SEEKING THE OVERTHROW OF MODERATE ARAB GOVERNMENTS, AND SOME HAVE ALREADY MADE VERBAL THREATS AGAINST U-S TROOPS. BUT MR. PERRY TOLD REPORTERS HE WAS REASSURED BY BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC LAST FRIDAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO LIVE UP TO ITS PLEDGE UNDER THE DAYTON ACCORD TO HAVE ALL FOREIGN TROOPS OUT OF THE COUNTRY WITHIN 30 DAYS: /// PERRY ACT ///WE CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS ISSUE. AND HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS FOR THE UNITED STATES AND IN PARTICULAR, FOR THE UNITED STATES MILITARY THAT THOSE FORCES GO OUT OF THERE. AND THE PRIME MINISTER RECONFIRMED TO ME THAT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WOULD SEE THAT THAT HAPPENED AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN. AND WE COUNT ON THEM TO DO THAT AND WE HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FULLFILL THAT REQUIREMENT. /// END ACT ///MR. PERRY SAID ALL RESOURCES OF THE U-S INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY WOULD BE APPLIED IN BOSNIA TO TRY TO HEAD OFF POTENTIAL ATTACKS ON AMERICAN FORCES BY ISLAMIC MILITANTS OR OTHERS. THE DEFENSE SECRETARY ALSO BRUSHED ASIDE DEMANDS BY THE BOSNIAN SERB MILITARY COMMANDER GENERAL RATKO MLADIC FOR CHANGES IN PROVISIONS OF THE DAYTON ACCORD THAT PLACE ALL OF SARAJEVO UNDER CONTROL OF THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION. HE SAID HE EXPECTS CONSIDERABLE PRESSURE FOR CHANGES BY VARIOUS PARTIES IN ADVANCE OF THE SIGNING IN PARIS DECEMBER 14TH, BUT INSISTED THE ACCORD WILL NOT BE ALTERED: /// 2ND PERRY ACT ///WE DO NOT HAVE ANY INTENTION OF RENEGOTIATING THE DAYTON AGREEMENT, NOR ARE ANY OF THE PARTIES ASKING US TO RENEGOTIATE THAT AGREEMENT. AT DAYTON, SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WAS AUTHORIZED, IN WRITING, BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO NEGOTIATE ON THEIR BEHALF. AND SINCE THAT TIME, THE BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL LEADERS HAVE SUPPORTED THAT AGREEMENT, INCLUDING INTIALLING ALL OF THE DAYTON DOCUMENTS. SO, WE EXPECT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS WITH THE TERMS OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT. /// END ACT ///MR. PERRY SAID HE HAD SIGNED ORDERS DISPATCHING SOME THREE THOUSAND U-S SOLDIERS TO HUNGARY TO SET UP THE MAIN STAGING BASE FOR THE MOVE OF SOME 20-THOUSAND AMERICANS INTO BOSNIA ONCE THE DAYTON ACCORD IS SIGNED. HE SAID AMERICANS MAKE UP ABOUT HALF OF THE 26-HUNDRED MEMBER "ENABLING FORCE" THAT IS NOW MOVING INTO BOSNIA AND CROATIA TO SET UP HEADQUARTERS AND COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE MAIN BODY OF PEACEKEEPING SOLDIERS. (SIGNED) NEB/DAG/CB/SKH [12] PERRY/BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)DATE=12/3/95TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-189481 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF SAYS HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT SEVERAL HUNDRED MUJAHEDIN FIGHTERS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WHO SUPPORT THE MUSLIM-LED GOVERNMENT. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE RERORTS GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI SAYS HE HAS RECEIVED ASSURANCES THE MUJAHEDIN FIGHTERS WILL LEAVE THE COUNTRY AS PART OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD: TEXT: GENERAL SHALIKASHVILI SAYS HE IS AWARE THAT MANY OF THE MUJAHEDIN ARE BASED IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA WHERE 20-THOUSAND U-S PEACEKEEPERS WILL BE BASED TO ENFORCE THE PEACE AGREEMENT. HE SAYS FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE BOSNIA PEACE NEGOTIATIONS NEAR DAYTON, OHIO WASHINGTON HAS INSISTED THAT THE REMOVAL OF THOSE FIGHTERS BE PART OF ANY FINAL ACCORD. GENERAL SHALIKASHVILI SAYS BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC HAS ASSURED U-S OFFICIALS THE MUJAHEDIN WILL LEAVE THE COUNTRY: /// SHALIKASHVILI ACT ///I THINK THE OTHER THING THAT HELPS US IS THAT WE HAVE, FROM THE BEGINNING, ARMED OUR FORCES AND GIVEN THEM THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT TO DEAL WITH THOSE KIND OF FORCES LIKE THE MUJAHEDIN, SHOULD THEY THREATEN US. BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE THE CASE. /// END ACT ///THE MUJAHEDIN FORCES ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN SENT FROM SUDAN, AFGHANISTAN, IRAN, ALGERIA AND SOME GULF COUNTRIES TO HELP THE MUSLIM-LED GOVERNMENT FIGHT THE BOSNIAN SERBS. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, IN A CONFRONTATION WITH BRITISH TROOPS, A MUJAHEDIN FIGHTER WAS SHOT AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY THREATENED A CREW ABOARD A U-N ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER. HIS RELATIVES DENY THE ALLEGATION. (SIGNED) NEB/VB/SKH [13] U-S/BOSNIA/MUJAHEDIN (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=12/4/95TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-189535 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// RERUNNING WITH CORRECT C-R NUMBER ///INTRO: THE CZECH REPUBLIC, CONSIDERED A LEADING CANDIDATE FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP WHEN THE ALLIANCE EXPANDS, IS MAKING A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA. THE REPUBLIC'S PRIME MINISTER VACLAV KLAUS DISCUSSED THE DEPLOYMENT IN TALKS (MONDAY) WITH DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON. TEXT: PRIME MINISTER KLAUS SAYS HIS COUNTRY IS CONTRIBUTING A MECHANIZED BATTALION OF UP TO ONE THOUSAND TROOPS TO THE BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING OPERATION TO SUPPORT ITS CANDIDACY FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP. THE CZECH REPUBLIC, ALONG WITH HUNGARY, POLAND AND SLOVAKIA, ARE CONSIDERED LEADING CANDIDATES ONCE NATO GOES THROUGH WITH ITS EXPANSION PLANS LATER IN THE DECADE. AT A IMPROMPTU PENTAGON NEWS CONFERENCE WITH DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY, MR. KLAUS SAID HIS COUNTRY IS MAKING A DISPROPORTIONATELY LARGE COMMITMENT TO THE BOSNIA OPERATION TO DEMONSTRATE, IN HIS WORDS, THAT WE ARE A COUNTRY THAT DESERVES TO BECOME A NATO MEMBER: ///KLAUS ACTUALITY///WE WILL PARTICIPATE AT A FULL SCALE. WE WILL SEND A MECHANIZED BATTALION, UP TO ONE THOUSAND SOLDIERS, WHICH IS, I MUST SAY, PROPORTIONALLY EVEN MORE THAN THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING THERE. WHICH MEANS THAT OUR PARTICIPATION WILL NOT BE SYMBOLIC. WE TAKE IT AS A GENUINE PARTICIPATION. AND WE DO IT FULLY KNOWING WHAT IT MEANS. WE ARE REALLY FULLY INVOLVED. //END ACTUALITY///MR. KLAUS SAID THE CZECH TROOPS WILL BE DEPLOYED IN THE BRITISH ZONE OF CONTROL IN EASTERN BOSNIA AND BE ORGANIZED UNDER A CANADIAN COMBAT BRIGADE. RUSSIA, FINLAND, AND SWEDEN ARE AMONG OTHER NON-NATO COUNTRIES CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF TROOPS TO THE OPERATION. SECRETARY PERRY SAID HE EXPECTS THIS WEEK'S NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN BRUSSELS TO CONFIRM THAT PLANS FOR EXPANSION OF THE ALLIANCE ARE ON TRACK, THOUGH U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE SELECTION OF NEW MEMBERS IS STILL AT LEAST A YEAR AWAY. THE CZECH REPUBLIC IS A MEMBER OF NATO'S PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE AND HAS ALREADY BEGUN CONVERTING IS ADVANCED ARMS INDUSTRY TO NATO STANDARDS. THE PRAGUE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO SEEKING MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION. (SIGNED) NEB/DAG/PT |