Voice of America, 5 December 1995

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING AGAIN ON THE CORRUPTION SCANDAL IN SOUTH KOREA THIS TUESDAY, AND CALLING FOR A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS AGAIN CONGRESSMAN NEWT GINGRICH AND AN ORGANIZATION HE FORMERLY HEADED.. OTHER TOPICS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE OF PUBLIC OPINION INCLUDE THE DRIVES TOWARD PEACE IN IRELAND AND BOSNIA, THE DISPUTE OVER THE BUDGET; AND THE SUCCESS OF A MAIL-IN ELECTION IN OREGON. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: BOTH "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND THE "WASHINGTON POST" ARE TAKING NOTE OF THE GROWING POLITICAL SCANDAL IN SOUTH KOREA. ACCORDING TO TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES:"

VOICE: "PRESIDENT KIM YOUNG SAM OF SOUTH KOREA IS GUIDING HIS COUNTRY TO A MUCH-NEEDED RECKONING WITH ITS TROUBLED PAST. AS HE DOES SO, HE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO ABUSE THE PROCESS BY EXPLOITING IT FOR HIS OWN POLITICAL PROTECTION. ..... IN LESS THAN A MONTH MR. KIM'S GOVERNMENT HAS ARRESTED THE COUNTRY'S LAST TWO PRESIDENTS, CHUN DOO-HWAN AND ROH TAE WOO. THE TWO MEN, IN SUCCESSION, RULED KOREA FROM 1980 TO 1993. ..... BRINGING THE FORMER PRESIDENTS TO JUSTICE IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THEY CONTROLLED A CORRUPT, BRUTAL MILITARY DICTATORSHIP THAT ENRICHED ITS LEADERS AND ....SUPPRESSED THE DEMOCRATIC ASPIRATIONS OF THE KOREAN PEOPLE. ..... BUT THE PROSECUTION MUST NOT BE TAINTED BY REVENGE, OR ENGINEERED TO INOCULATE MR. KIM FROM AN EXAMINATION OF HIS OWN POSSIBLE ROLE IN THE SLUSH FUND."

TEXT: ON THIS SAME TOPIC, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS OF THE TWO IMPRISONED EX-PRESIDENTS:

VOICE: "THE TWO MEN, LET IT BE SAID, MADE THEIR OWN CONTRIBUTIONS TO KOREA'S SECURITY AND TO ITS POLITICAL AS WELL AS ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH. IN FALLING NOW THEY MAY ALSO BE TAKING DOWN THE COUNTRY'S LEADING CIVILIAN POLITICIANS, CURRENT PRESIDENT KIM YOUNG SAM AND VETERAN OPPOSITIONIST KIM DAE JUNG AMONG THEM."

TEXT: TURNING TO DOMESTIC ISSUES, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" TODAY CALLS FOR APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL COUNCIL TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH AND GOPAC, THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE HE ONCE HEADED.

VOICE: " ...... IF THE HOUSE FAILS TO CLEAR THE AIR WITH AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION THE PUBLIC CAN BELIEVE, [MR.] GINGRICH'S PERSONAL REPUTATION WILL BE TARNISHED AND HIS WORK UNDERCUT. FOR THIS REASON ALONE, IT IS IN THE REPUBLICANS' OWN LONG-TERM INTEREST TO JOIN WITH DEMOCRATS IN APPOINTING A COUNSEL NOW."

TEXT: CONTEMPLATING THE RISKS OF PEACE BOTH IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND BOSNIA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" NOTES THIS TUESDAY:

VOICE: "...IN NORTHERN IRELAND, BOSNIA AND THAT TINDERBOX OF FAITHS, ISRAEL, PEOPLE OF DETERMINED COURAGE HAVE STOOD AND SAID, 'ENOUGH.' ENOUGH WAR, ENOUGH BOMBS, ENOUGH KILLING AND MAIMING, ENOUGH SAVAGERY. 'LET'S RISK PEACE.' AND IN EACH OF THESE PLACES ARE PEOPLE HOLDING BACK, WARY AND AWASH WITH DOUBTS AND MISGIVINGS, OFTEN NURTURING IDEAS THAT JUST ONE MORE BOMB, ROUND OF AMMUNITION, OR A DOZEN MORE DEATHS WILL END ALL 'TROUBLES,' AS THE IRISH CALL THEIR CONFLICT. BUT ONE MORE DOESN'T END ANYTHING, COULDN'T, NEVER HAS."

TEXT: WHILE ON THE SUBJECT OF BOSNIA ALONE, "THE NEW YORK POST" IS WORRIED ABOUT THE APPROXIMATELY 4,000 ISLAMIC MUJAHEDEEN FIGHTERS IN BOSNIA, MANY OF WHOM ARE VETERANS OF THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN.

VOICE: "... THE MUJAHEDEEN NOW CONSTITUTE A KIND OF ARMY WITHOUT A STATE; THEY CARRY BOSNIAN IDENTIFICATION CARDS AND ARE PROTECTED BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, BUT ARE NOT UNDER ITS CONTROL. BOTH THEIR CONDUCT AND THEIR RHETORIC ARE EXTREMIST. ..... ..... THESE FOLKS WANT TO TURN BOSNIA INTO AN ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST STATE."

TEXT: DISCUSSING NORTHERN IRELAND, AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TRIP, "THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH" EXCLAIMS:

VOICE: "CHALK UP [POST] ANOTHER FOREIGN POLICY TRIUMPH FOR PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON. MERELY BOARDING AIR FORCE ONE AND POINTING THE PLANE TOWARD IRELAND SEEMED TO BE ENOUGH TO GET THE PRIME MINISTERS OF BRITAIN AND IRELAND TO RESOLVE THEIR IMPASSE OVER TALKS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. ..... THE PROSPECT THAT FULL-SCALE TALKS WILL FINALLY START IS GOOD."

TEXT: TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" IS CONCERNED WITH THE BUDGET DISPUTE BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS, WHICH SHOWS FEW SIGNS OF RESOLUTION.

VOICE: "ONLY HALF FACETIOUSLY, WE WONDER IF AMERICA WOULDN'T CHEER A MOVE TO SEND CONGRESSIONAL AND WHITE HOUSE BUDGET NEGOTIATORS OUT TO DAYTON, OHIO, TO HAMMER OUT THEIR DEFICIT COMPROMISE. SPARTAN MILITARY QUARTERS, A PERSISTENT MEDIATOR, AND SECLUSION FROM THE MEDIA SET INTRANSIGENT BALKAN LEADERS ON THE PATH TO SETTLEMENT. SOMETHING LIKE THOSE FACTORS MIGHT ALSO END THE FOOT-DRAGGING OF THE POLITICIANS BEHIND THE BUDGET NEGOTIATORS."

TEXT: BACK OVERSEAS, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" HAS THESE THOUGHTS ON THE PARALYZING TRANSPORTATION STRIKE IN FRANCE.

VOICE: "THE CHAOS CAUSED IN FRANCE BY BURGEONING STRIKES IS UNIQUE TO THE NATION OF ROBESPIERRE. THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM IS NOT. .... THE RESORT TO STRIKES REMAINS A RESPECTED EXTRAPARLIAMENTARY MEASURE FOR CHANGING POLICIES - - OR GOVERNMENTS - - IN FRANCE. AND SINCE POLLS INDICATE THAT 64 PERCENT OF THE PUBLIC NOW SUPPORTS THE STRIKERS, THEIR TACTICS CAN BE TAKEN AS AN EXPRESSION OF POPULAR DISCONTENT."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON AN INNOVATION IN THE WAY AMERICANS VOTE, "USA TODAY" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "THE RESIDENTS OF OREGON ARE ABOUT TO ELECT THE NATION'S FIRST MAIL-ORDER SENATOR. IF IT WORKS, EVERYBODY MAY WANT ONE NEXT YEAR. FOR THREE WEEKS, OREGONIANS HAVE BEEN VOTING .... IN THE FIRST STAGE OF A PRECEDENT-SETTING SPECIAL ELECTION, MARKING PRIMARY BALLOTS THEY RECEIVED IN THE MAIL AND SENDING THEM TO BE COUNTED. ..... THE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED TONIGHT, AND THEY WILL BE ON THE BALLOT .... FOR A VOTE-BY-MAIL GENERAL ELECTION IN JANUARY TO NAME A SUCCESSOR TO FORMER SENATOR BOB PACKWOOD. ......IF DEMOCRACY IS TO BE TRULY DEMOCRATIC, INCREASING VOTER PARTICIPATION SHOULD BE A GOAL SHARED BY ALL. AND IF THE STATES ARE TRULY THE LABORATORES OF DEMOCRACY, EXPERIMENTS SUCH AS OREGON'S SHOULD BE WELCOMED."

TEXT: AND ON THAT INNOVATIVE NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF PRESS OPINIONS FROM THE AMERICAN PRESS FOR THIS TUESDAY.

NEB/ANG/NES
05-Dec-95 11:40 AM EST (1640 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT

VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- 12/5/95 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).

NATO MINISTERS -- NATO FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTERS ARE MEETING IN BRUSSELS TO DISCUSS THE DEPLOYMENT OF SIXTY THOUSAND ALLIANCE TROOPS TO CARRY OUT THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE WELCOMING FRANCE'S DECISION TO PARTICIPATE IN MILITARY MATTERS. (12/5)

NATO / BOSNIA -- WITH LESS THAN TWO WEEKS TO GO BEFORE THE SIGNING OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD, NATO MILITARY PLANNERS ARE PREPARING TO DEPLOY A MULTINATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE OF MORE THAN SIXTY THOUSAND TROOPS. THE FIRST CONTINGENT OF NATO LOGISTICS AND COMMUNICATIONS EXPERTS FLEW INTO SARAJEVO MONDAY TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR WHAT WILL BE THE LARGEST OPERATION OF ITS KIND IN THE ALLIANCE'S HISTORY. CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING HAS A BACKGROUND REPORT ABOUT THE NATO TROOPS THAT WILL FORM THE MAJOR PART OF THE FORCE. (12/5)

BOSNIA / SARAJEVO SERBS -- MORE NATO ADVANCE FORCES ARE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO PREPARE FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF NATO TROOPS TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. IN SARAJEVO, A UN SPOKESMAN SAYS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE RENEGOTIATED IF SERBS IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL REJECT THE ACCORD IN A REFERENDUM. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS FROM VIENNA. (12/5)

PERRY / BOSNIA -- AS ADVANCE ELEMENTS OF US FORCES BEGAN ARRIVING IN BOSNIA, US DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY AGAIN STRESSED THAT THE UNITED STATES IS GOING THERE TO ENFORCE PEACE, AND NOT TO FIGHT A WAR. HE SAID HE EXPECTS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO LIVE UP TO ITS PLEDGE TO REMOVE ISLAMIC MILITANT VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COUNTRY. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON. (12/4)

NATO'S DEFINING MOMENT -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ERICA BENIS DISCUSSES NATO'S NATO'S BOSNIAN MISSION, ITS FIRST AND THE LARGEST PEACEKEEPING OPERATION EVER. (12/5)

US OPINION / BOSNIA -- IN A FURTHER EFFORT TO GAUGE THE MOOD OF THE NATION TOWARD THE BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING MISSION, CURRENT AFFAIRS' ANDREW GUTHRIE CALLED SEVERAL EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS AND WRITERS TO FIND WHY THEIR PAPERS WERE SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT OR NOT, AND HOW THEIR OPINIONS MATCHED THOSE OF THE READERS IN THEIR AREAS. (12/5)

BOSNIA / HIGH TECH -- WHEN THE BULK OF THE US 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 CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS, THAT TECHNOLOGY WILL GIVE US FORCES AN UNPRECEDENTED ABILITY TO RESOLVE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS. (12/4)

US / CZECH / BOSNIA -- 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 WITH DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. (12/4)

NATO / BOSNIA -- THE FIRST BRITISH TROOPS HAVE ARRIVED IN THE CROATIAN PORT OF SPLIT. THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE TROOPS SAYS THEY ARE WELL PREPARED AND READY TO ASSUME THEIR DUTIES IN TUZLA. ONE HUNDRED MORE TROOPS ARE EXPECTED IN SPLIT LATER IN THE DAY, AND TO CONTINUE THE TRIP TO GORNJI VAKUF. STRINGER RUZICA MIKACIC REPORTS. (CROATIAN 12/4)

NATO / GERMANY -- THE BRITISH CONTINGENT OF NATO TROOPS FOR BOSNIA LEFT ITS GERMAN BASE. AMERICAN TROOPS WILL ALSO LEAVE FROM GERMANY, AND GERMAN TROOPS ARE ALSO PREPARING FOR THE MISSION. STRINGER IVICA LOVRIC REPORTS. (CROATIAN 12/4)

AMERICANS IN HUNGARY / BOSNIA -- STRINGER JOZSEF BALLAI REPORTS FROM KAPOSVAR ABOUT THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST AMERICAN MILITARY PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO THE BOSNIA PEACEKEEPING FORCES, IN KAPOSVAR, HUNGARY. (HUNGARIAN 12/5)

AMERICAN CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION / BELGRADE -- A GROUP OF 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 FROM BELGRADE. (CROATIAN 12/2)

US DELEGATION / BELGRADE -- A DELEGATION OF US CONGRESS, MADE UP OF BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, VISITED BELGRADE AND DISCUSSED THE ISSUE OF SAFETY OF AMERICAN PEACEKEEPING TROOPS WITH THE PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE AMERICAN DELEGATION SAID HE ASSURED THEM OF HIS FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENTS. MILICA KUBUROVIC REPORTS FORM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 12/2)

SERBS / BOSNIA -- BOSNIAN SERB MEDIA CONTINUE TO FOCUS THEIR ATTENTION TO THE FUTURE STATUS OF SOME PARTS OF SARAJEVO WHICH ARE NOW UNDER SERB CONTROL. THE SERBS APPEALED FOR SUPPORT FROM THE PATRIARCH OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH. STRINGER MILICA KUBUROVIC REPORTS. (SERBIAN 12/4)

UNPROFOR COMMANDER / REGRET -- THE COMMANDER OF UNPROFOR IN SARAJEVO, GENERAL JEAN-RENE BACHELET DISMISSED AS UNINTENDED HIS INADVERTENT CRITICISM OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT WHICH PROVIDES 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)

NATO / BOSNIA -- AN ADVANCE NATO GROUP FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PEACE AGREEMENT ON BOSNIA HAS ARRIVED IN SARAJEVO. IN THE MEANTIME, SERBS IN SOME PARTS OF THE CITY SCHEDULED A REFERENDUM ON DECEMBER 12TH. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS. (SERBIAN 2/4)

BOSNIAN CROATS PROTEST -- 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, AS WELL AS TO US CONGRESS. 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, CROATIAN PRESIDENT TUDJMAN IS EXPECTED TO BLOCK THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS. (CROATIAN 12/2)

BOSNIA / REBUILDING -- OFFICIALS FROM THE WORLD BANK AND EUROPEAN COMMISSION ARE DISCUSSING IN BRUSSELS THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA AS THEY ARE ORGANIZING A CONFERENCE OF DONORS TO BOSNIA ON DECEMBER 20TH AND 21ST. THEY SAY THE CONFERENCE MUST CLOSELY FOLLOW THE PEACE CONFERENCES IN LONDON AND PARIS. STRINGER LADA STIPIC NISETEO REPORTS THAT THE CONFERENCE'S MAIN GOAL IS TO DEFINE AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL POWER AND PRIORITIES IN REBUILDING THE COUNTRY. (CROATIAN 12/4)

BOSNIA / REFUGEES -- UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES SADAKO OGATA MET WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC AND PRIME MINISTER SILAJDZIC IN SARAJEVO. THEY DISCUSSED THE START OF REPATRIATION OF BOSNIAN REFUGEES AND THEIR RETURN TO THE HOMES. THIS ACTION SHOULD BE CONDUCTED BY UNHCR WITH HELP OF BOSNIAN AUTHORITIES, SAYS STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC IN HIS REPORT FROM SARAJEVO. (CROATIAN 12/4)

CROATIA / HUMAN RIGHTS -- SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER ELIZABETH REHN MET IN CROATIA WITH PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN AND SEVERAL CROATIAN MINISTERS. THEY DISCUSSED THE HUMAN RIGHTS ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. CROATIAN OFFICIALS REASSURED MS REHN THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS OF MINORITIES AND REFUGEES. STRINGER LINDA MILISA REPORTED. (CROATIAN 12/4)

SERBIA / SANCTIONS -- SLOVENIA HAS SENT A LETTER TO BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI EXPRESSING CONCERN THAT THE NEW YUGOSLAVIA, CONSISTING OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO, WILL SIMPLY COLLECT TWO POINT THREE BILLION DOLLARS THAT HAD BEEN FROZEN IN WORLD BANKS, NOW WHEN THE SANCTIONS IMPOSED IN 1992 ARE LIFTED. CROATIAN REPRESENTATIVES AT THE UN EXPRESSED SIMILAR CONCERNS. STRINGER IVICA PULJIC REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (CROATIAN 12/4)

BOSNIA / MUSLIM FIGHTERS -- BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC HAS ASSURED US CHIEF OF THE JOINT STAFF GENERAL SHALIKASHVILI THAT ALL FOREIGN MUSLIM FIGHTERS WILL LEAVE BOSNIA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PEACE AGREEMENT. STAFFER USAMA FARAG INTERVIEWS KUWAITI JOURNALIST IN BOSNIA, YASSIN RAWASHDEH ON THE SUBJECT. (ARABIC 12/4)

EU / BOSNIA -- FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY SUSPENDED TRADE SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE MEMBERS OF EU ARE READY TO RECOGNIZE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA. STRINGER DRAGAN BLAGOJEVIC REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. (SERBIAN 12/4)

TUDJMAN / RHEN -- CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN MET WITH UN SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, ELIZABETH RHEN. IN THE MEANTIME, CROATIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE REJECTED THE ELECTION OF A MEMBER OF OPPOSITION AS THE MAYOR OF ZAGREB. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FORM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 12/5)

MONTENEGRO / BOSNIA -- THE MONTENEGRO OPPOSITION HAS ACCUSED PRESIDENT BULATOVIC OF MAKING NO CONTRIBUTION TO THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT, AND BEING INFLUENCED BY SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. STRINGER BOSKO DJUKIC REPORTS FROM PODGORICE. (SERBIAN 12/2)

KOMSIC / DAYTON -- BOSNIAN PRESIDENCY MEMBER AND A MEMBER OF BOSNIAN NEGOTIATING TEAM IN DAYTON, DR IVO KOMSIC, IS PUBLISHING HIS DIARY ON THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS IN THE NEWSPAPER, 'SLOBODNA BOSNA,' SPONSORED BY THE SOROS FOUNDATION. DR KOMSIC REVEALED SOME OF YET UNKNOWN DETAILS OF THE DAYTON NEGOTIATIONS, SUCH AS A HEATED DEBATE BETWEEN CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN AND THE BOSNIAN CROAT DELEGATION, AND A REACTION OF BOSNIAN SERB LEADER, NIKOLA KOLJEVIC,TO SARAJEVO ISSUES. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 12/2)

HUNGARIAN CONFERENCE -- LAJOS BURGET FED A REPORT FROM NYIREGYHAZA ABOUT A CONFERENCE OF HUNGARIAN CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS. THE SUBJECT OF THE CONFERENCE WAS: WHAT CAN CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS DO TO HELP BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA? (HUNGARIAN 12/5) 05-Dec-95 5:05 PM EST (2205 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE FIRST CONTINGENT OF NATO PEACEKEEPING TROOPS ARRIVED IN BOSNIA AND CROATIA ON MONDAY. THEY ARE THE VANGUARD OF 60-THOUSAND SOLDIERS -- INCLUDING 20-THOUSAND AMERICANS -- WHO WILL GO THERE TO ENFORCE AN END TO THREE AND A HALF YEARS OF FIGHTING IN THE REGION. AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED BY THE WARRING PARTIES LAST MONTH IN DAYTON, OHIO. HERE IS _________________ WITH A SAMPLING OF HOW SOME AMERICAN NEWSPAPER COMMENTATORS VIEW THE CURRENT SITUATION.

TEXT: ROBERT V. DANIELS IS A PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT, IN BURLINGTON. HE WRITES IN TUESDAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR THAT NO ONE CAN FAIL TO APPLAUD THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S DIPLOMATIC EFFORT IN GETTING "THE SERBS, THE CROATS, AND THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS TO SIT DOWN ALTOGETHER AT A LOCATION REMOTE FROM THEIR EMBATTLED HOMELAND AND SIGN A PEACE ACCORD. YET," CONTINUES PROFESSOR DANIELS, "THERE ARE SHOALS AND HAZARDS JUST BENEATH THE SURFACE THAT SHOULD DETER ANY PREMATURE CELEBRATION WHILE THE PRESIDENT ATTEMPTS TO SELL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE CONGRESS ON HIS COMMITMENT TO SEND U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO BOSNIA." THE PROFESSOR SAYS "THE TROUBLE WITH THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT IS THAT IT HAS NO NATURAL FOUNDATION IN THE REGION, OTHER THAN THE MOMENTARY EXHAUSTION OF TWO OF THE PARTIES, THE SERBS AND THE MUSLIMS. IT RESTS, ON THE ONE HAND, ON POLITICAL MYTHS AND CONTRADICTIONS, AND, ON THE OTHER, ON THE MOMENTARY POLITICAL WILL NEEDED TO GALVANIZE THE OVERWEENING ECONOMIC AND MILITARY POWER OF THE UNITED STATES."

A RETIRED AMERICAN ARMY GENERAL, WRITING FOR THE COMMENTARY PAGE OF TUESDAY'S NEW YORK TIMES, OFFERS A PEROSNAL OPINION ON THE U-S TROOP DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA. GENERAL WILLIAM ODOM, WHO WAS HEAD OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY FROM 1985 TO 1988, NOTES THAT THE MISSION IN BOSNIA IS EXPECTED TO LAST FOR ONE YEAR -- AN IDEA HE CALLS "LUDICROUS." ACCORDING TO GENERAL ODOM: "THE UNITED STATES HAS HAD EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN SUCH STATE-BUILDING VENTURES. IT SUCCEEDED HANDSOMELY IN GERMANY, ITALY, JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA BECAUSE IT PROVIDED BOTH A SUBSTITUTE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNTIL AN EFFECTIVE INDIGENOUS ONE WAS BUILT AND SECURITY FROM FOREIGN THREATS ASSURED. IN BOSNIA," HE SAYS, "THE TASK IS ESPECIALLY COMPLICATED BECAUSE SUCCESS DEPENDS FINALLY ON SERBIA AND CROATIA, AND NEITHER COUNTRY IS DISPOSED TO SEE AN INDEPENDENT BOSNIA. THUS TO SUCCEED, THE NATO OPERATION MUST ALSO BRING ABOUT BASIC POLITICAL CHANGE IN BOTH OF THESE NEIGHBORING STATES, WHICH IS NOT A SHORT-TERM UNDERTAKING."

E-J DIONNE JUNIOR, OF THE WASHINGTON POST, TAKES A LOOK AT THE POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS OF AMERICA'S ROLE IN BOSNIA -- SPECIFICALLY THE IMPACT IT MAY HAVE ON PRESIDENT CLINTON, A DEMOCRAT, AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ROBERT DOLE, A REPUBLICAN AND POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE. MISTER DIONNE TELLS READERS THAT "THE WIDESPREAD OPPOSITION TO CLINTON'S BOSNIA POLICY INSIDE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS NOT JUST THE RESULT OF RAW ELECTORAL CALCULATION. IT IS ALSO A SIGN THAT THE END OF THE COLD WAR HAS LED A LOT OF REPUBLICANS -- NOT JUST PAT BUCHANAN -- TO RE-EMBRACE THE PARTY'S ANTI-INTERVENTIONIST TRADITION. BEFORE WORLD WAR II," CONTINUES THE POST COLUMNIST, "BEFORE OUR MAJOR FOREIGN ENEMIES WERE COMMUNIST, MOST CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS VIEWED FOREIGN MILITARY INTERVENTION WITH THE SAME SUSPICION THEY ACCORDED TO COMPARABLE 'BIG GOVERNMENT' PROJECTS AT HOME. WITH THE SOVIET UNION GONE, THAT VIEW IS BACK. FOR SUCH ANTI-INTERVENTIONISTS, (PRESIDENT) CLINTON'S BOSNIAN PEACE FORCE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE SORT OF SOFT-HEADED FOREIGN POLICY THEY DESPISE. IN ACTING AS HE HAS ON BOSNIA, DOLE IS NOT ONLY TAKING A LARGE SHORT-TERM RISK IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES. HE IS ALSO TRYING TO KEEP ALIVE HIS PARTY'S ALTERNATIVE TRADITION -- ASSOCIATED WITH DOLE'S OWN HERO, DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER -- OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR AMERICAN ASSERTION ABROAD. PARADOXICALLY," SAYS MR. DIONNE, "THE SURVIVAL OF THAT TRADITION NOW RESTS HEAVILY ON (MR.) CLINTON'S ABILITY TO PULL OFF HIS BOSNIAN INTERVENTION. IF (THE PRESIDENT'S) GAMBLE FAILS, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT ANYTHING REMOTELY LIKE THIS OPERATION WILL HAPPEN AGAIN SOON, LET ALONE WIN BIPARTISAN SUPPORT."

AND, FINALLY, STEFAN HALPERN, A FORMER WHITE HOUSE AND STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL WHO IS NOW A NATIONALLY SYNDICATED COLUMNIST, OFFERS THIS OPINION. MISTER HALPER SAYS THAT: "INVOLVING NATO AND RUSSIAN FORCES IN A DIVIDED BOSNIA WHERE EACH HAS ITS PROTEGE IS GUARANTEED TO PRODUCE PRIME-TIME TROUBLE. WE DON'T NEED TO STAY OUT OF BOSNIA SIMPLY TO KEEP OUR SERVICEMEN FROM RETURNING IN BODYBAGS, WE NEED TO STAY OUT OF BOSNIA BECAUSE IN THE END MORE HARM THAN GOOD WILL COME OF IT FOR BOTH NATO AND AMERICAN LEADERSHIP."

STEFAN HALPERN'S COLUMN WAS PUBLISHED IN TUESDAY'S EDITION OF THE WASHINGTON TIMES. THIS CONCLUDES ANOTHER ROUND-UP OF U-S PRESS OPINION ON AMERICA'S ROLE IN BOSNIA.

NEB/DN/PCH
05-Dec-95 11:07 AM EST (1607 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA SITREP (L UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: MORE NATO ADVANCE TEAMS ARE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, AND MORE COUNTRIES HAVE ANNOUNCED CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NATO-LED FORCE THAT WILL HELP IMPLEMENT THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: ADDITIONAL AMERICAN MILITARY PERSONNEL HAVE ARRIVED IN TUZLA IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA, WHERE 20-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS WILL BE DEPLOYED, UNDER NATO COMMAND.

IN CENTRAL BOSNIA, MORE BRITISH SOLDIERS WERE ON THEIR WAY TO GORNJI VAKUF, WHERE BRITISH FORCES HAVE BEEN BASED AS UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPERS. ABOUT 13-THOUSAND OF THE 60-THOUSAND NATO TROOPS TO BE DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA WILL BE BRITISH. THEY WILL COMPRISE THE LARGEST NATIONAL CONTINGENT IN THE NATO FORCE AFTER THE AMERICAN CONTINGENT.

A UNITED NATIONS SPOKESMAN IN SARAJEVO SAYS THE PEACE AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE RENEGOTIATED EVEN IF SERBS IN SERB-HELD DISTRICTS OF THE CITY REJECT IT.

THE SARAJEVO SERBS PLAN TO HOLD A REFERENDUM ON DECEMBER 12TH, TWO DAYS BEFORE THE PEACE AGREEMENT IS TO BE SIGNED IN PARIS.

THE SERBS ARE EXPECTED TO OVERWHELMINGLY REJECT THE ACCORD BECAUSE IT PROVIDES FOR THEIR DISTRICTS TO BE PART OF A UNITED SARAJEVO UNDER BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL.

THE U-N SPOKESMAN SAYS NERVOUS AND ANGRY SERBS IN SARAJEVO DO NEED SIGNIFICANT ASSURANCES ABOUT THEIR SAFETY.

IN AN ATTEMPT TO BUILD THEIR CONFIDENCE, THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY IS ESTABLISHING OFFICES IN SERB-HELD DISTRICTS OF SARAJEVO.

WITH THE EASING OF THE SERB SIEGE OF SARAJEVO, THE REFUGEE AGENCY HAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE INTERNATIONAL AIRLIFT OF HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL WILL END IN JANUARY.

THE DANGEROUS AIRLIFT BEGAN IN 1992. SINCE THEN, AMERICAN, BRITISH, ITALIAN, FRENCH, GERMAN, AND CANADIAN FLIGHT CREWS HAVE RISKED THEIR LIVES TO FLY IN THE SUPPLIES THAT HAVE HELPED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN SARAJEVO TO SURVIVE. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/GPT
05-Dec-95 1:26 PM EST (1826 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BUSH / BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

INTRO: FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH SAYS CONGRESS SHOULD SUPPORT U-S TROOPS HEADED FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. FROM WASHINGTON, V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS LAWMAKERS MAY OPEN DEBATE ON THE MATTER LATER THIS WEEK.

TEXT: FIVE-YEARS AGO, GEORGE BUSH WAS PRESIDENT, AND CONGRESS WAS QUESTIONING HIS DECISION TO DEPLOY TROOPS TO THE PERSIAN GULF. NOW, MR. BUSH IS CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO BACK AMERICAN PEACEKEEPERS AS THEY TAKE UP POSITIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

IN A TWO-PAGE WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE FORMER PRESIDENT SAYS HE HAS SIGNIFICANT MISGIVINGS ABOUT THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. BUT HE SAYS THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, THE DEPLOYMENT HAS BEGUN, AND CONGRESS MUST SUPPORT THE TROOPS.

MR. BUSH SAYS WHAT IS AT STAKE IS NOTHING LESS THAN U-S CREDIBILITY IN THE WORLD. HE SAYS IF CONGRESS REFUSES TO BACK THE OPERATION, AMERICA'S LEADERSHIP OF THE FREE WORLD WILL BE GREATLY DIMINISHED, AS WILL NATO'S.

THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS PUT HIM IN LINE WITH SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER ROBERT DOLE. IN HIS STATEMENT, MR. BUSH PRAISES SENATOR DOLE FOR HIS STATESMANLIKE CONDUCT.

THE SENATE IS EXPECTED TO TAKE UP A RESOLUTION LATER THIS WEEK IN KEEPING WITH MR. DOLE'S POSITION CONGRESS SHOULD SUPPORT THE MISSION, DESPITE POLICY DIFFERENCES WITH THE ADMINISTRATION. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 05-Dec-95 12:41 PM EST (1741 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] CLINTON / BOSNIA O'NITER (S ONLY) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

HIS STATEMENT COULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER BOB DOLE. IT MIRRORS SENTIMENTS MR. DOLE HAS EXPRESSED IN INTERVIEWS AND IN SPEECHES ON THE SENATE FLOOR.

SENATOR DOLE IS BACKING A RESOLUTION THAT WOULD STRESS SUPPORT FOR THE TROOPS, DESPITE POLICY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE. //OPT// SEVERAL OF HIS RIVALS FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION HAVE CONDEMNED HIS STANCE. AND PERHAPS THAT IS WHY MR. BUSH SEEMS TO GO OUT OF HIS WAY TO DEFEND MR. DOLE. //END OPT//

THE FORMER PRESIDENT REFERS BACK TO THE 1990 DEBATE IN CONGRESS OVER HIS DECISION TO SEND TROOPS TO THE PERSIAN GULF. HE SAYS DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADERS OPPOSED A RESOLUTION GIVING THE WHITE HOUSE THE AUTHORITY TO TAKE ANY STEPS NECESSARY TO EVICT IRAQI FORCES FROM KUWAIT. MR. BUSH SAYS SENATOR DOLE HAS PUT THE NATIONAL INTEREST AHEAD OF POLITICS.

THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE PERSIAN GULF DEPLOYMENT IS COMING UP TIME AND TIME AGAIN THESE DAYS ON CAPITOL HILL. THEN, AS NOW, THERE ARE PUBLIC CONCERNS ABOUT THE DANGERS POSED TO U-S FORCES. AND THEN, AS NOW, CONGRESS IS QUESTIONING THE ACTIONS OF THE WHITE HOUSE.

THE SAME SITUATION EXISTED BEFORE WE WENT INTO KUWAIT.

HELMUT SONNENFELDT WAS A TOP STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL DURING THE NIXON ADMINISTRATION, SPECIALIZING IN THE SOVIET BLOC. HE SAYS THE AMERICAN PUBLIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN SKITTISH ABOUT SENDING FORCES ABROAD -- IT HAPPENED WITH THE GULF WAR...AND WITH THE U-S ENTRY INTO WORLD WAR TWO.

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT DID NOT HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC BASICALLY UNTIL THE UNITED STATES ITSELF WAS ATTACKED. SO, I DON'T THINK THIS PATTERN IS AN UNUSUAL PATTERN IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

MR. SONNENFELDT HAS JOINED FORCES WITH MORE THAN 40 OTHER EXPERTS ON FOREIGN POLICY IN AN EFFORT TO WIN SUPPORT FOR THE BOSNIA DEPLOYMENT. //OPT// THE GROUP IS RUNNING FULL PAGE ADVERTISEMENTS (WEDNESDAY) IN MAJOR AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS URGING CONGRESS TO STAND TOGETHER WITH THE PRESIDENT. IT IS A LOOSE BIPARTISAN COALITION, INCLUDING SEVERAL FORMER SECRETARIES OF STATE AND DEFENSE. //END OPT// FORMER DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN STEPHEN SOLARZ OF NEW YORK SAYS THEY REPRESENT ALL POINTS ON THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.

WE HAVE HAD OUR DISAGREEMENTS IN THE PAST OVER BOSNIA. BUT WE ARE ALL IN AGREEMENT THAT AT THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT IN HISTORY THE DAYTON AGREEMENT PROVIDES THE MOST REALISTIC OPPORTUNITY TO BRING A TRAGIC AND DESTABILIZING WAR IN BOSNIA TO AN END.

MR. SOLARZ SAYS MEMBERS OF THE GROUP, THE COMMITTEE FOR AMERICAN LEADERSHIP IN BOSNIA, WILL MEET WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON ON WEDNESDAY. (SIGNED)

NEB/PW/LWM
05-Dec-95 5:25 PM EST (2225 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] EDITORS ASSESS THE BOSNIA OPTIONS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SEVERAL HUNDRED U-S TROOPS HAVE BEGUN ARRIVING IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO JOIN OTHER NATO UNITS THAT WILL HELP IMPLEMENT THE PEACE AGREEMENT DUE TO BE SINGED IN PARIS DECEMBER 14TH. PRESIDENT CLINTON WENT ON NATIONAL TELEVISION AND RADIO TO OUTLINE THE U-S ROLE IN BOSNIA, BUT MANY AMERICANS REMAIN UNCONVINCED AS TO WHY THIS COUNTRY SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN WHAT MANY OF THEM CONSIDER A EUROPEAN CONFLICT.

TEXT: BY AND LARGE, THIS IS A MILITARY MISSION NOT SUPPORTED BY THE MAN OR WOMAN IN THE STREET; THAT IS, THE AVERAGE CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTRY. THAT IS THE CONSENSUS AFTER MORE THAN HALF-A-DOZEN CALLS TO EDITORIAL PAGE STAFFS AT NEWSPAPERS FROM THE ATLANTIC TO THE PACIFIC COASTS, AND SEVERAL CITIES IN BETWEEN. FOR THE MOST PART, AMERICANS ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE PEACEKEEPING ENDEAVOR, MANY OF THEM REMEMBERING A BAD U-S EXPERIENCE IN SOMALIA, AND A STILL UNPROVEN SUCCESS IN HAITI.

BEGINNING IN THE SOUTHWEST, IN TEXAS, WHERE PEOPLE SEEM GENERALLY LESS CONCERNED ABOUT FOREIGN ISSUES, THE VIEW OF THE BOSNIA SITUATION IS OVERWHELMINGLY NEGATIVE, ACCORDING TO RENA PEDERSON. MS. PEDERSON IS A VICE PRESIDENT OF "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS," AND EDITOR OF ITS EDITORIAL PAGE. SHE SAYS THE MAIL SO FAR, BOTH BY FAX AND LETTER, IS RUNNING AT LEAST TEN TO ONE AGAINST SENDING U-S TROOPS TO THE BALKANS. "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" RAN A LONG LIST OF PROS AND CONS REGARDING THE MISSION IN A RECENT LEAD EDITORIAL, AND THEN, UNDERNEATH, EXPLAINS MS. PEDERSON, GAVE VERY QUALIFIED SUPPORT TO THE OPERATION.

TAPE: CUT ONE PEDERSON "..... " (:36) "OURS WAS A VERY LIMITED APPROVAL, WITH REALLY SERIOUS RESERVATIONS AND, AND LIMITATIONS. I THINK ULTIMATELY WHERE WE CAME DOWN (REACHED OUR FINAL DECISION) WE WERE PROBABLY AT 50-POINT-FIVE PERCENT TO GO, [AND THE REST OPPOSED] AND LARGELY BASED ON THE FACT THAT THE PRESIDENT, THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE UNITED STATES, HAS ALREADY COMMITTED OUR COUNTRY TO THAT COURSE. AND FOR THE CONGRESS OR THE PUBLIC TO REPUDIATE HIM NOW, WOULD WEAKEN THE PRESIDENCY AND, IN TURN WEAKEN OUR COUNTRY. BUT THAT'S NOT MUCH OF A MANDATE."

TEXT: MOVING NEXT TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, TO THE STATE OF OREGON, WE TALKED TO BOB CALDWELL, THE NEW EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR OF "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND. MR. CALDWELL SAYS HIS PAPER INITIALLY LAID OUT THE RISKS OF THE BOSNIA OPERATION, AS WELL AS THE ADVANTAGES, IN A LEAD EDITORIAL, BEFORE PUBLISHING A SECOND COLUMN SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION.

CUT TWO CALDWELL ( RUNS:18)

"I THINK WE ARE GENERALLY MORE SUPPORTIVE OF THE PRESIDENT'S POSITION AND HAVE BEEN, THAN THE PUBLIC AT LARGE, AT LEAST IN OREGON. I DON'T HAVE ANY POLLS THAT INDICATE THAT ANECDOTALLY, BUT CERTAINLY, THAT'S THE IMPRESSION THAT I HAVE."

TEXT: HOWEVER, MR. CALDWELL SAYS THAT AT LEAST SO FAR, THE ISSUE OF SENDING U-S TROOPS TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAS NOT PROVOKED THE FLOOD OF LETTERS TO THE EDITOR AS PREVIOUS MILITARY OPERATIONS, SUCH AS OPERATION DESERT STORM IN THE PERSIAN GULF.

TAPE: CUT THREE CALDWELL (:11) "...I THINK IT'S SORT OF A SLOW MOVING ISSUE AND I MUST SAY THAT THE REACTION WE'VE GOTTEN SO FAR HAS BEEN, HAS BEEN MINIMAL; ITS BEEN NEGATIVE, BUT ITS ALSO BEEN MINIMAL."

TEXT: FOR A LOOK AT ATTITUDES IN THE MIDWEST, WE CALLED TOM SHANKER, A FORMER FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT AND NOW EDITORIAL PAGE WRITER AT "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE," WHICH SUPPORTS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S BOSNIA POLICY. HE REMINDED US OF THE SIZABLE POPULATION OF SERBIANS AND CROATIANS NOW LIVING IN THE CHICAGO AREA, WHICH ALSO IS HOME TO THE LARGEST NUMBER OF BOSNIAN MUSLIM REFUGEES IN THE UNITED STATES.

WHILE THOSE GROUPS HAVE WRITTEN NUMEROUS LETTERS TO THE "TRIBUNE" ABOUT THE BOSNIA SITUATION, MR. SHANKER SAYS MOST READERS ARE HIGHLY SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE NATO PEACEKEEPING MISSION. HE SAYS THE "TRIBUNE'S" DECISION TO SUPPORT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TROOP DEPLOYMENT DECISION WAS NOT DONE FOR TACTICAL, OR EVEN HUMANITARIAN REASONS. IT WAS, MR. SHANKER SAYS, FOR A FAR MORE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPAL:

TAPE: CUT FOUR SHANKER (:31) "WHAT WE HAVE SAID IN THIS EDITORIAL IS THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON DID NOT MAKE THE CASE ON VALUES; HE DID NOT MAKE THE CASE ON STRATEGIC INTERESTS. THE ONLY PLACE HE MADE THE CASE -- AND THIS IS WHY WE ARE SUPPORTING THE DEPLOYMENT -- IS BECAUSE OUR PRESIDENT MADE A COMMITMENT TO NATO AND TO OUR ALLIES THAT SAID: IF A PEACE TREATY IS SIGNED THAT WE HAVE BROKERED, WE WILL LEAD THE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE. BECAUSE OF A PRESIDENTIAL PROMISE, ITS A MATTER OF HONOR; ITS A MATTER OF COMMITMENT; ITS A MATTER OF LEADERSHIP. THAT'S WHY WE SUPPORT THE DEPLOYMENT."

TEXT: CHICAGO "TRIBUNE" EDITOR TOM SHANKER EXPLAINING HIS PAPER'S RATIONALE FOR BACKING THE DEPLOYMENT OF U-S TROOPS TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT IN BOSNIA.

IN A FOLLOWUP PROGRAM, WE WILL TALK TO NEWSPAPERS IN THE AMERIAN EAST AND SOUTH, WHERE SENTIMENTS ARE GENERALLY OPPOSED TO THE PRESIDENT'S TROOP DEPLOYMENT DECISION. PERHAPS THE STRONGEST OPPOSITION SO FAR COMES FROM "THE MANCHESTER UNION LEADER" IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, WHICH CALLS THE MOVE A HUGE MISTAKE. (SIGNED)

NEB/AG/PCH
05-Dec-95 3:11 PM EST (2011 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[11] GERMANY/TURKEY (S ONLY) BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH ( BONN )

INTRO: TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER HAS MET IN BONN WITH GERMAN POLITICAL LEADERS IN A BID TO SECURE GERMANY'S SUPPORT FOR A TRADE AGREEMENT WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION. FROM BONN, V-O-A'S DAGMAR BREITENBACH REPORTS.

TEXT: CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL TOLD TURKISH PRIME MINISTER CILLER TUESDAY THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS THE PLANNED CUSTOMS UNION BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND TURKEY. THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IS SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON THE ISSUE NEXT WEEK, DECEMBER 13TH. IF TURKEY IS APPROVED, IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THE EUROPEAN UNION JOINS IN A CUSTOMS UNION WITH A NON-MEMBER COUNTRY. TURKEY HOPES THIS STEP MIGHT BRING IT CLOSER TO FULL E-U MEMBERSHIP, FOR WHICH THE COUNTRY APPLIED IN 1987.

UNDER THE TRADE ACCORD, MOST CUSTOMS DUTIES FOR TURKISH IMPORTS AND EXPORTS WOULD BE ABOLISHED BEGINNING NEXT MONTH. TURKEY EXPECTS THE ACCORD WILL HELP BOOST PRODUCTION AND OPEN NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES. IF ACCEPTED, TURKEY MUST ALSO ADHERE TO THE UNION'S ANTI-CARTEL, INDUSTRIAL, AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS LAWS. GERMANY'S MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY, THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY, OR S-P-D, HAS ALSO SIGNALED SUPPORT OF TURKEY'S BID, SAYING EUROPE'S SOCIAL DEMOCRATS AGREE TURKEY SHOULD JOIN THE CUSTOMS UNION. AN S-P-D FOREIGN POLICY EXPERT SAID TURKEY IS THE NATO PARTNER WITH THE MOST HUMAN RIGHTS PROBLEMS, BUT ALSO THE MOST DEMOCRATIC OF ALL ISLAMIC COUNTRIES. (SIGNED)

NEB/DB/MH/RAE
05-Dec-95 8:16 AM EST (1316 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[12] NATO / BOSNIA BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: WITH LESS THAN TWO WEEKS TO GO BEFORE THE SIGNING OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD, NATO MILITARY PLANNERS ARE PREPARING TO DEPLOY A MULTINATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE OF MORE THAN 60-THOUSAND TROOPS. THE FIRST CONTINGENT OF NATO LOGISTICS AND COMMUNICATIONS EXPERTS FLEW INTO SARAJEVO MONDAY TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR WHAT WILL BE THE LARGEST OPERATION OF ITS KIND IN THE ALLIANCE'S HISTORY. V-O-A'S KYLE KING HAS THIS BACKGROUND REPORT ABOUT THE NATO TROOPS THAT WILL FORM THE MAJOR PART OF THE FORCE.

TEXT: FROM ITS HEADQUARTERS IN WESTERN GERMANY, THE LITTLE KNOWN ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS FORMS THE HEART OF NATO'S POST COLD WAR STRATEGY.

SINCE ITS FORMATION IN 1992, THE CORPS HAS CAREFULLY LAID PLANS THAT ENABLE NATO TO QUICKLY DEPLOY A POWERFUL, TAILOR MADE FIGHTING FORCE TO COUNTER ANY POTENTIAL CRISIS ON THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT.

FOR ITS MISSION TO BOSNIA, THE CORPS WILL BE COMPOSED OF THREE HEAVILY ARMED TANK DIVISIONS -- ONE AMERICAN, THE FIRST ARMORED DIVISION BASED IN TUZLA; ONE BRITISH, THE THIRD U-K ARMORED DIVISION BASED IN GORNJI VAKUF, AND THE FRENCH SIXTH DIVISION BASED IN MOSTAR.

A TOTAL OF 60-THOUSAND TROOPS FROM MORE THAN 20 COUNTRIES WILL TAKE PART IN THE OPERATION, INCLUDING SEVERAL NON-NATO MEMBERS LIKE FINLAND, SWEDEN, ESTONIA, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, AND POLAND.

MAJOR SIMON HASELOCK, A MEMBER OF THE RAPID REACTION CORP HEADQUARTERS WHICH WILL BE MOVING TO SARAJEVO THIS WEEK, SAYS THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT ARE NOW WELL UNDER WAY.

WHERE WE ARE AT THE MOMENT IS -- WE'VE NOW STARTED TO DEPLOY THE INITIAL, WHAT WE CALL, ENABLERS TO THEATER TO SET UP THE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH WILL ALLOW THE HEADQUARTERS AND THE DIVISIONS TO DEPLOY.

MAJOR HASELOCK SAYS COMMUNICATIONS AND LOGISTICS EXPERTS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN SCOUTING OUT THE SITES AND SETTING UP COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES.

HE SAYS THE ENTIRE ENABLING FORCE OF ABOUT 25-HUNDRED MEN WILL BE FULLY IN PLACE BY THE 18TH OF DECEMBER, FOUR DAYS AFTER THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD IS TO BE SIGNED IN PARIS.

NATO OFFICIALS ARE HOPING THAT THE CLEAR CHAIN OF COMMAND THAT RUNS FROM THE RAPID REACTION CORPS TO THE AMERICAN GENERAL IN CHARGE OF NATO FORCES WILL ELIMINATE THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE UNITED NATIONS.

BUT NOBODY EXPECTS THE JOB TO BE EASY AND EVEN THE BRITISH COMMANDER OF THE RAPID REACTION CORPS, GENERAL MICHAEL WALKER, SAYS IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE TO BRING TOGETHER TROOPS FROM SO MANY COUNTRIES. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/JWH/CF
05-Dec-95 9:06 AM EST (1406 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[13] NATO BOSNIA MISSION (4 OF 4): NATO'S DEFINING MOMENT BY ERICA BENIS (WASHINGTON)

TEXT: THE 60-THOUSAND-STRONG NATO IMPLEMENTATION FORCE WILL BE THE HEAVIEST ARMED OF ANY EVER SENT ON A PEACE CAMPAIGN. THE MILITARY TRAINING AND EXERCISES CONDUCTED IN PREPARATION FOR THIS MISSION IN GERMANY, ITALY AND HUNGARY HAD PEACE AS A GOAL BUT THEY WERE IN EFFECT WAR DRILLS. SOLDIERS PRACTICED BOTH DIFFUSING AND LAYING MINES, SETTING UP AND DEFENDING CHECKPOINTS.

PAUL BEAVER IS THE EDITOR OF "JANE'S BALKAN SENTINEL," A LONDON-BASED SECURITY PUBLICATION THAT SPECIALIZES IN THE CONFLICT IN BOSNIA. HE SAYS THAT GIVEN THE FACT THAT THERE ARE ABOUT SIX-MILLION MINES BURIED IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, AND THE LOCATIONS OF ONLY ONE-MILLION ARE KNOWN -- MOST CASUALTIES COULD COME FROM MINES.

TAPE: CUT ONE BEAVER "THAT'S A JOB FOR THE COMBAT ENGINEERS. THE BRITISH AND THE FRENCH WILL BE SENDING IN THEIR COMBAT ENGINEERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IN FACT, WE'VE SEEN ALREADY THAT FRENCH ENGINEERS FROM THE FOREIGN LEGION HAVE BEEN INTO THE SARAJEVO AND MOSTAR AREAS REMOVING MINES, SO THAT PEOPLE COULD GO ABOUT THEIR NORMAL BUSINESS. BUT THERE'S A LOT MORE TO BE DONE. AND THAT'S GOING TO BE AN AMAZING EFFORT. AND IT'S A VERY EXPENSIVE EFFORT. IT COSTS LITERALLY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS A DAY TO CLEAR MINEFIELDS."

TEXT: IN THIS FIRST NATO MILITARY OPERATION OF THE POST-COLD WAR ERA, AMERICA'S BURDEN IS ABOUT TO GROW. THE TOTAL U-S CONTRIBUTION TO THE BOSNIA MISSION NOW STANDS AT ABOUT 36-THOUSAND TROOPS -- COMBAT, LOGISTICAL SUPPORT, AND RESERVISTS. ACCORDING TO SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM PERRY, IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS 20-THOUSAND AMERICAN COMBAT TROOPS, JOINED BY 40-THOUSAND OTHER NATO SOLDIERS, WILL BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE BY SEPARATING THE COMBATANTS. THE SECOND SIX MONTHS WILL REQUIRE THE NATO TROOPS TO MAINTAIN A SECURE ENVIRONMENT WHILE EFFORTS BEGIN TO REBUILD THIS WAR-TORN REGION AND TO HOLD FREE ELECTIONS. MR. BEAVER SAYS THE PLAN CALLS FOR THE NATO FORCES TO DIVIDE CONTROL OF THE COUNTRY INTO THREE REGIONS:

TAPE: CUT TWO BEAVER "TO THE WEST WILL BE THE BRITISH DIVISIONAL AREA. TO THE EAST WILL BE THE AMERICAN DIVISIONAL AREA, BASED ON TUZLA. AND THEN IN THE SOUTH BASED AT MOSTAR WILL BE THE FRENCH AREA. THE MAIN COMMAND UNDER LIEUTENANT GENERAL MICHAEL WALKER WILL BE IN THE CENTER AT SARAJEVO."

TEXT: A NUMBER OF NON-NATO NATIONS HAVE OFFERED TROOPS, EQUIPMENT AND SPECIALISTS. THEY ARE NATIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE PROGRAM -- POLAND, HUNGARY, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- SOME OF THE BALTIC COUNTRIES, ALONG WITH RUSSIA, FINLAND AND SWEDEN. PAKISTAN AND MALAYSIA HAVE ALSO OFFERED TROOPS. LUXEMBURG AND ICELAND WILL NOT CONTRIBUTE TROOPS BUT WILL BE WATCHING THE POLITICAL SITUATION. PAUL BEAVER SAYS ABOUT 22 NATIONS WILL TAKE PART IN THE US-LED NATO OPERATION.

TAPE: CUT THREE BEAVER "THEY WILL COME UNDER THE COMMAND OF THE SECTOR COMMANDERS THAT ARE IN PLACE NOW: AMERICANS IN THE EAST, FRENCH IN THE SOUTH AND BRITISH IN THE CENTER AND THE WEST. THOSE THREE COMMANDERS COME UNDER THE COMMAND OF A NATO OFFICER, LIEUTENANT GENERAL SIR MICHAEL WALKER, WHO IS COMMANDING THE ALLIED RAPID-REACTION CORE. HE IS A BRITISH OFFICER WHO WILL BE BASED IN SARAJEVO. HE WILL REPORT DIRECTLY, IT'S PRESUMED, TO THE SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER, EUROPE, WHO IS GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN, THE AMERICAN ARMY OFFICER WHO IS THE HEAD OF THE MILITARY SIDE OF NATO."

TEXT: MICHAEL WILLIAMS IS A SENIOR FELLOW WITH THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES AND AN EXPERT ON THE BALKANS. HE SAYS THAT AS THE NATO TROOPS ARE ABOUT TO BE DEPLOYED, THERE IS AT LEAST ONE HOPEFUL SIGN TO CONSIDER:

TAPE: CUT FOUR WILLIAMS "THE CURRENT CEASE-FIRE WHICH HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE OCTOBER THE 12TH -- SO IT'S ALREADY SIX WEEKS -- HAS BEEN HOLDING QUITE WELL. THERE HAVE BEEN NO MAJOR INCIDENCES BETWEEN THE PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT. THAT IS A GOOD OMEN."

TEXT: THE FACT THAT THE NATO DEPLOYMENT IS BEING DONE IN WINTER ALSO HAS SOME POSITIVE ASPECTS, ACCORDING TO JANE'S DEFENSE ANALYST PAUL BEAVER:

TAPE: CUT FIVE BEAVER "THERE'S LESS LIKELY TO BE SKIRMISHES AND FIGHTING BREAKING OUT. TRADITIONALLY IN THE BALKANS WHEN IT'S WINTER TIME AND IT'S NASTY WEATHER, PEOPLE STOP FIGHTING, GO INDOORS, LICK THEIR WOUNDS, AND DREAM ABOUT FIGHTING IN THE SPRING."

TEXT: DAVID EVANS IS A DEFENSE EXPERT WITH BUSINESS EXECUTIVES FOR NATIONAL SECURITY, A WASHINGTON-BASED PUBLIC INTEREST ORGANIZATION THAT FAVORS A STRONG NATIONAL DEFENSE. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE ACCORD AND THE PEACEKEEPING MISSION WILL HEAL THIS MULTI-ETHNIC NATION RAVAGED BY FOUR YEARS OF KILLING -- SAYS MR. EVANS -- THE OPERATION IS A MAJOR TEST OF THE ALLIANCE.

TAPE: CUT SIX EVANS "NATO HAS EXISTED ALL ALONG FOR TWO PURPOSES: ONE, TO DETER AND IF NECESSARY DEFEAT THE WARSAW PACT, AND TWO, TO CONDUCT SO-CALLED OUT OF AREA OPERATIONS. WELL, THE WARSAW PACT IS GONE. THAT LEAVES THIS MILITARY ALLIANCE WITH ONLY THE SECOND ORDER MISSION: TO CONDUCT OUT-OF-AREA OPERATIONS. THIS IS THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT OUT-OF-AREA OPERATION FOR NATO. THE ALLIANCE, IF IT IS TO BE KEPT VIABLE, CANNOT AFFORD TO FAIL."

TEXT: THE DEPLOYMENT OF NATO COMBAT UNITS MUST BE PRECEDED BY SEVERAL KEY POLITICAL STEPS. THESE INCLUDE AUTHORIZATION BY THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL; A DEBATE IN THE U-S CONGRESS; FORMAL APPROVAL BY NATO'S GOVERNING NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL; AND THE COMPLETION OF AGREEMENTS WITH COUNTRIES SENDING TROOPS. ALL THIS WILL HAPPEN IN THE DAYS AHEAD. (SIGNED) [EDS NOTE: THIS CONCLUDES THE CURRENT AFFAIRS FOUR-PART SERIES OF REPORTS ON THE NATO BOSNIA MISSION.]

NEB/EB/PCH
05-Dec-95 1:22 PM EST (1822 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[14] NATO MINISTERS (L UPDATE) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: IN BRUSSELS, NATO FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTERS HAVE HELD A RARE JOINT MEETING TO ENDORSE MILITARY PLANNING FOR SENDING TROOPS TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO ENFORCE THE PEACE AGREEMENT. V-O-A DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE BOSNIA OPERATION HAS HELPED BRING FRANCE CLOSER TO NATO'S MILITARY STRUCTURE.

TEXT: NOT SINCE 1966, HAVE NATO FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTERS MET IN A JOINT SESSION WITH THE FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTER PRESENT. THE OCCASION THIS TIME WAS FOR NATO TO OFFICIALLY ENDORSE THE DEPLOYMENT OF 60-THOUSAND ALLIANCE TROOPS TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER HERVE DECHARETTE HAS TOLD HIS FELLOW NATO MINISTERS HIS COUNTRY WILL ONCE AGAIN TAKE A FULL PART IN THE ALLIANCE'S MILITARY COMMITTEE. SINCE FRANCE WITHDREW FROM NATO'S MILITARY STRUCTURE, THE FRENCH STOOD APART FROM ALLIANCE MILITARY PLANNING.

FRENCH GENERALS HAVE ATTENDED NATO MILITARY MEETINGS BEFORE, BUT ONLY AS OBSERVERS. IN ITS NEW POLICY, FRENCH MILITARY LEADERS WILL TAKE PART IN MEETINGS ON BOSNIA AND OTHERS AFFECTING FRENCH INTERESTS AS A FULL PARTNER.

U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER WELCOMED THE FRENCH MOVE BY TELLING THE MINISTERS FRANCE HAS TAKEN A CRITICAL STEP TO INCREASE THE STRENGTH AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ALLIANCE.

AT THE JOINT MEETING, NATO MILITARY COMMANDER GEORGE JOULWAN EXPLAINED THE MILITARY PLAN. SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER TOLD REPORTERS THE PLAN IS IMPRESSIVE.

IN ALL MODERN HISTORY OF EUROPE, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT SOLDIERS FROM VIRTUALLY EVERY MAJOR EUROPEAN POWER WILL SERVE TOGETHER IN A COMMON MILITARY OPERATION. THINK OF IT, SOLDIERS FROM FRANCE AND GERMANY, BRITAIN AND SPAIN, GREECE AND TURKEY, POLAND AND SWEDEN, RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES, ALL SHARING THE SAME RISKS, ON THE SAME SOIL, UNDER THE SAME BANNER AND AT THE SAME TIME.

NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE CONFIRMED THE APPOINTMENT OF SPANISH FOREIGN MINISTER JAVIER SOLANA AS THEIR NEW SECRETARY GENERAL. MR. SOLANA NOTES HE IS TAKING OVER THE ALLIANCE AS IT FACES ITS GREATEST CHALLENGE IN BOSNIA. HE PLANS TO FORMALLY ASSUME HIS DUTIES IN MID-DECEMBER, AFTER EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS HOLD THEIR SUMMIT MEETING IN MADRID.

THE OTHER ISSUE FACING NATO IS THE PLAN FOR EXPANDING THE ALLIANCE TO CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. NATO HAS COMPLETED ITS INTERNAL STUDY OF THE NEED FOR EXPANSION. THE NEXT PHASE WILL BE TO CONDUCT DETAILED BRIEFINGS WITH PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS TO SEE WHICH NATIONS ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN MEETING NATO'S STANDARDS.

AMERICAN OFFICIALS SEE THE EXPANSION PROCESS AS A LONG-TERM VENTURE THAT SHOULD NOT AGGRAVATE RUSSIA. IN FACT, THE COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA IN THE BOSNIA FORCE IS SEEN AS A DEMONSTRATION NATO CAN COOPERATE WITH ITS FORMER WARSAW PACT ADVERSARIES. (SIGNED)

NEB/RP/JWH/RAE
05-Dec-95 2:26 PM EST (1926 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[15] U.S. / BOSNIA TROOPS (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: ADVANCE ELEMENTS OF WHAT WILL BE A 60-THOUSAND-MEMBER NATO-LED PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE ARE BEGINNING TO TRICKLE INTO BOSNIA. AMERICAN TROOPS ARE SETTING UP THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS IN TUZLA. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT. .

TEXT: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY 10 MEMBERS OF THE U-S ARMY'S FIRST ARMORED DIVISION HAVE ARRIVED IN TUZLA TO BEGIN SETTING UP THE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE AMERICAN ZONE OF OPERATIONS IN EASTERN BOSNIA.

MORE THAN 700 AMERICANS WILL ENTER BOSNIA IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS PART OF NATO'S "ENABLING FORCE," WHICH WILL LAY GROUNDWORK FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE MAIN BODY OF U-S AND ALLIED TROOPS WHO MOVE IN AFTER THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD IS SIGNED DECEMBER 14TH.

THE OPERATIONS DIRECTOR OF THE U-S JOINTS CHIEF OF STAFF, AIR FORCE GENERAL HOWELL ESTES, SAYS MUCH OF THE MAIN FORCE MUST BE IN POSITION WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE SIGNING -- TO SEE TO IT THAT THE OPPOSING FORCES PULL BACK FROM CONFRONTATION LINES AS PROMISED IN THE DAYTON ACCORD:

THEY HAVE AGREED TO SEPARATE THEIR FORCES AT 30 DAYS AFTER TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY. THEY'VE SAID THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT. WE HAVE TO TAKE THEM AT THEIR WORD. THE PURPOSE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IS NOT TO GO IN AND AND FORCIBLY SEPARATE THE FORCES.

THE NATO TROOPS WILL PATROL A FOUR-KILOMETER-WIDE ZONE OF SEPARATION AND BE AUTHORIZED TO USE DEADLY FORCE IF NECESSARY TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/CF
05-Dec-95 2:08 PM EST (1908 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America