Voice of America, 8 December 1995

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: MANY AMERICAN NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS TODAY (FRIDAY) ARE CONCERNED WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LATEST BUDGET PROPOSAL, AND THE REVIEWS ARE DECIDEDLY MIXED. OTHER EDITORIAL TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDE FRANCE'S RE-ENTRY INTO THE NATO MILITARY SPHERE; THE LATEST TROUBLES OF HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH; SOME GOOD NEWS FROM AFRICA ON A PERSISTENT PARASITE, AND THE DEATH OF JAMES RESTON, A NOTED SCOTTISH-BORN AMERICAN JOURNALIST. NOW, HERE IS _________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THERE ARE ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT BEFORE THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ONCE AGAIN MAY BE FORCED TO SHUT DOWN FOR LACK OF OPERATING FUNDS BECAUSE THE REPUBLICAN-DOMINATED CONGRESS AND PRESIDENT CLINTON CANNOT AGREE ON A BUDGET FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. PRESIDENT HAS SUBMITTED A NEW PROPOSAL TO THE CONGRESS, AND SEVERAL NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON IT. WE BEGIN WITH THE "NEW YORK TIMES:"

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON, AS THE PRICE HE PAID TO OPEN SHUTTERED GOVERNMENT OFFICES, PROMISED THE REPUBLICANS THAT HE WOULD AGREE TO THEIR DEMAND TO BALANCE THE BUDGET IN SEVEN YEARS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ESTIMATES BY THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE... THE MOMENT MR. CLINTON AGREED TO A SEVEN-YEAR BLOODLETTING BASED ON CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE NUMBERS, HE GUARANTEED THAT ANY BUDGET HE SIGNED WOULD LOOK ALMOST AS UNFORGIVING AS THE ONE THE REPUBLICANS HAVE PASSED. HE CAN FIGHT HARD TO MAKE IT GENTLER AT THE MARGINS. BUT YESTERDAY'S PLAN SHOWS HOW MUCH THE G-O-P HAS ALREADY WON."

TEXT: IN NEARBY BALTIMORE, NORTH OF WASHINGTON, "THE SUN" SAYS THE REPUBLICAN BUDGET FRAMEWORK IS APPARENT IN THE CLINTON SPENDING PLAN, ADDING THAT BOTH ARE "SHY OF THE NATION'S REAL NEEDS":

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON'S 'THIRD' [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] BUDGET OF THE YEAR SHOWS TO WHAT A REMARKABLE EXTENT HE HAS LOST THE FISCAL INITIATIVE TO HIS POLITICAL OPPONENTS... THE THIRD CLINTON BUDGET CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED AS 'GINGRICH LITE.' [MEANING HERE, A SLIGHTLY DILUTED VERSION OF MR. GINGRICH'S OWN BUDGET PROPOSAL.] ... THE TWO PARTIES MAY NOW HAVE REDUCED THEIR BUDGET DIFFERENCES TO 500 BILLION DOLLARS, BUT BOTH ARE MANY MORE BILLIONS OFF THE PACE OF FISCAL ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED FOR THE YEARS AHEAD."

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST", MEANWHILE, IS CALLING THE PRESIDENT'S LATEST BUDGET PROPOSAL "A DISAPPOINTMENT:"

VOICE: "IT RETAINS THE BASIC WEAKNESSES OF THE ONE HE PUT FORWARD IN JUNE THAT IT PRETENDS TO SUPPLANT. MR. CLINTON CONTINUES TO BACK AWAY FROM THE SERIOUS PART OF DRIVING DOWN THE DEFICIT. HE TRIES TO BALANCE THE BUDGET WEARING A SANTA [IE: SANTA CLAUS AKA SAINT NICHOLAS/FATHER CHRISTMAS] SUIT, AND THE SIMPLE FACT IS THAT YOU CAN'T."

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" IS OFTEN A HARSH CRITIC OF THE PRESIDENT, AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL IS NO EXCEPTION:

VOICE: "IT'S NOW CLEAR WHY THE PRESIDENT YIELDED TO THE PRESSURE TO PROVIDE HIS OWN SEVEN-YEAR PLAN. HE HAS LITTLE INTENTION OF MAKING THE DIFFICULT, RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO ELIMINATE THE DEFICIT."

TEXT: INTERNATIONALLY, THE FRENCH DECISION ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK TO RE-ENTER THE MILITARY COMPONENT OF THE NATO ALLIANCE, AFTER A DECADES-LONG ABSENCE, DRAWS THIS REACTION FROM "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND:

VOICE: "THERE IS A COMMON THREAD TO TWO MAJOR ACTIONS THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT IS NOW TAKING, AND BOTH ARE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS. BY ANNOUNCING IT WILL REJOIN THE NATO MILITARY COMMAND AND BY TRYING TO REDUCE ITS MUCH-TOO LARGE BUDGET DEFICIT -- AN ACTION THAT HAS TRIGGERED NATIONWIDE STRIKES -- PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC IS ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN FRANCE'S RELEVANCE IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD... {PRESIDENT] CHIRAC IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON BOTH THESE FRONTS. DESPITE OPPOSITION, HE SHOULD STAY THE COURSE."

TEXT: "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE EXPRESSES SOME SKEPTICISM ABOUT FRANCE'S INTENTIONS IN REENTERING THE NATO MILITARY FRAMEWORK:

VOICE: "FRANCE'S HALFWAY RETURN TO THE MILITARY INSTITUTIONS OF NATO AFTER THREE DECADES OF HAUGHTY ISOLATION REPRESENTS A BOW TO THE REALITIES OF THE BOSNIA INTERVENTION... THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE GRACIOUS BUT WARY IN WELCOMING THIS STEP. [OPT] FRANCE STILL REFUSES TO BE INTEGRATED INTO THE NATO MILITARY CHAIN OF COMMAND, WHICH IS TRADITIONALLY HEADED BY AN AMERICAN GENERAL... NOW TORN BY INTERNAL DISSENSION, FRANCE FACES A FUTURE IN WHICH ITS EXTERNAL PRETENSIONS AND ITS CAPABILITIES MIGHT NOT MATCH." [END OPT]

TEXT: RETURNING TO DOMESTIC ISSUES, THE LATEST TROUBLES FOR HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH, CONCERNING THE POSSIBLE ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES OF A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE HE ONCE HEADED, ARE ANALYZED BY "THE NEW YORK POST", WHICH CALLS THE PROBE AN "INQUISITION."

VOICE: "... CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR MORE THAN HALF A DECADE TO PIN ETHICS VIOLATIONS ON SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH. TO THIS END, THEY AND THEIR ALLIES IN THE LAND OF THE LEFT LEVELED ENDLESS CHARGES AGAINST [MR.] GINGRICH... ONLY ONE OF THE 65 CHARGES [ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS WEEK BY THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE] WAS DEEMED WORTHY OF FURTHER EXPLORATION BY AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL. PARDON US IF WE SUGGEST THAT THIS SIX-YEAR FISHING EXPEDITION HAS PRODUCED DECIDEDLY UNIMPRESSIVE RESULTS."

TEXT: AND IN "THE WASHINGTON POST", SOME ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE EMBATTLED HOUSE SPEAKER.

VOICE: "AS WE SAID ... YESTERDAY ... IN AN EDITORIAL, ... THE PROLIFERATION OF SPECIAL COUNSELS AND PROSECUTORS IS NOT A GOOD THING. THERE ARE DANGERS OF RUNAWAY, POLITICALLY-MOTIVATED FISHING EXPEDITIONS THAT GO ON FOREVER. DEMOCRATS WOULD LOVE THAT TO HAPPEN HERE, BUT IT SHOULDN'T. IN MR. GINGRICH'S CASE, A SPECIAL COUNSEL SHOULD BE NEITHER THE INSTRUMENT OF DEMOCRATIC VENGEANCE NOR A PLOY THROUGH WHICH REPUBLICANS DISPOSE OF A DIFFICULT ISSUE."

TEXT: AND THE LAST WORD ON THIS FOR TODAY FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES."

VOICE: "IF IT IS EVENTUALLY FOUND THAT HE [SPEAKER GINGRICH] ALSO BROKE THE NATION'S LAWS IN MORE SUBSTANTIVE WAYS, HIS CAREER COULD AND SHOULD BE ENDED."

TEXT: TURNING TO SOME GOOD NEWS IN AFRICA, THE NEAR ERADICATION OF THE VERY DESTRUCTIVE GUINEA WORM PARASITE, TODAY'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" HAS THIS REACTION:

VOICE: "THAT NASTY PARASITE, WHICH LONG HAS AFFLICTED AFRICANS -- AND ALSO SOUTH ASIANS -- NOW IS VIRTUALLY UNDER CONTROL. THE METHODS FOR DEALING WITH IT INCLUDE WATERPURIFYING CHEMICALS AND FILTERING... TODAY THE WORM CLAIMS FEWER THAN 100-THOUSAND VICTIMS EACH YEAR, COMPARED WITH SEVERAL MILLION ANNUALLY A DECADE AGO. IF INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO FIGHT THE GUINEA WORM CONTINUE TO BE SUCCESSFUL, ERADICATION COULD BE COMPLETED WITHIN A YEAR OR TWO. WHAT A TRIUMPH THAT WOULD BE."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, TRIBUTES IN BOTH HIS OWN PAPER, "THE NEW YORK TIMES," AND "THE WASHINGTON POST" FOR JAMES "SCOTTY" RESTON, THE PULITZER-PRIZE WINNING REPORTER AND EDITOR, WHO DIED IN WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY AT THE AGE OF 86. FIRST "THE TIMES", WHICH SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "IN THE YEARS BEFORE TELEVISION BECAME A SERIOUS FACTOR IN POLITICAL REPORTING, MR. RESTON ... WAS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AMERICAN JOURNALIST OF HIS TIME... AS LATE AS 1975, MARQUIS CHILDS, HIMSELF A PROMINENT COLUMNIST, GUESSED THAT MR. RESTON HAD ROUGHLY THE POWER OF THREE UNITED STATES SENATORS... HE HAD A KEEN EYE FOR JOURNALISTIC TALENT. HE SPOTTED YOUNG REPORTERS OF POTENTIAL, SHAPED AND INSPIRED THEM ... AND GENEROUSLY SHARED WITH THEM HIS INSIGHTS AND INFORMATION."

TEXT: AND IN "THE WASHINGTON POST":

VOICE: "MR. RESTON HAD A GIFT THAT CAN NEITHER BE LEARNED NOR PURCHASED NOR COMMANDEERED: A KIND OF JOURNALISTIC INTUITION ABOUT WHAT WAS DUE FOR BEING LOOKED IN ON, WHAT JUST DIDN'T FEEL QUITE RIGHT, WHAT SUSPICIOUSLY HADN'T BEEN HEARD FROM FOR TOO LONG... HIS JOURNALISTIC LEGACY ... REMAINED STRONG IN WASHINGTON LONG AFTER HE WAS NO LONGER ACTIVE ON THE SCENE. HIS DEATH WILL NOT CHANGE THAT."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS SPREAD ACROSS THE CONTINENT IN THE DAILY PAPERS, THIS FRIDAY THE 8TH OF DECEMBER.

NEB/ANG/PCH
08-Dec-95 11:24 AM EST (1624 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT

VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- 12/8/95 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).

HOLBROOKE / BOSNIA -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS FLYING TO BOSNIA TO RAISE ISSUES REMAINING FROM THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS WILL BE ON MR HOLBROOKE'S AGENDA IN SARAJEVO. (12/7)

BOSNIA / LOOTING -- AS NATO ADVANCE FORCES TRICKLE INTO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, THE WARRING FORCES ARE INVOLVED IN LOOTING, THE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, OR ETHNIC CLEANSING. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS THE SERBS, CROATS, AND MUSLIMS ARE USING THE TIME REMAINING BEFORE NATO BEGINS TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. (12/7)

BOSNIA / MINE FIELDS -- A SENIOR US GENERAL SAYS MEMBERS OF THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH MILLIONS OF BURIED ANTI-PERSONNEL AND ANTI-TANK MINES. OPPOSING FORCES IN BOSNIA ARE BEING PRESSED FOR INFORMATION ON THE LOCATION OF MINEFIELDS. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON. (12/7)

BOSNIA / RUSSIA -- RUSSIA IS GOING AHEAD WITH PREPARATIONS TO SEND PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO BOSNIA, DESPITE NAGGING QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THEY WILL BE INCORPORATED IN THE NATO FORCE. STRINGER PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS THE DECISION TO WORK TOGETHER WITH FORMER ADVERSARIES IN THE BOSNIA OPERATION HAS EXPOSED DEEP DIFFERENCES AMONG RUSSIAN POLICYMAKERS. (12/7)

US / TROOPS IN BOSNIA -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ANDREW GUTHRIE INTERVIEWS NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS ON HOW THE PEOPLE IN THEIR REGIONS FEEL ABOUT US TROOPS TO BOSNIA. (12/8)

HUMAN RIGHTS / EUROPE -- THE NEW YORK-BASED HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH HAS ISSUED ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AROUND THE WORLD. AS CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS, SOME OF THE WORST HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES OCCURRED IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WHERE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE REMAIN DISPLACED BY CONFLICT. (12/7)

GRANIC / YUGOSLAVIA -- CROATIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT IS NOT AGAINST IDEA THAT THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA BECOMES SUCCESSOR STATE TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, IF ITS PROPERTY IS EQUALLY DIVIDED AMONG THE FORMER REPUBLICS. HE ALSO HINTED THAT MUTUAL RECOGNITION BETWEEN CROATIA AND SERBIA IS POSSIBLE. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 12/7)

MLADIC / MONTENEGRO -- THE STATEMENT MADE BY BOSNIAN SERB MILITARY LEADER R MLADIC ABOUT THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT AND THE REFERENDUM FOR THE SERB SECTIONS OF SARAJEVO EVOKED UNEASINESS IN MONTENEGRO. STRINGER BOSKO DJUKIC REPORTS FROM PODGORICA. (SERBIAN 12/7)

BOSNIA / WAR CRIMES -- THE US CONGRESSIONAL COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE HELD A HEARING ON WAR CRIMES COMMITTED IN BOSNIA, SPECIFICALLY IN SREBRENICA. ADDRESSING THE HEARING WERE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, CONGRESSMAN CHRISTOPHER SMITH, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR REPORTER DAVID RHODE, AND BARBARA WOLF, AN AMERICAN PATHOLOGIST WHO RECENTLY VISITED BOSNIA AND CROATIA TO HELP IDENTIFY BODIES FOUND IN MASS GRAVES. STAFFER BRANKO MIKASINOVIC REPORTS. (SERBIAN 12/6)

BULGARIA / NATO / BOSNIA -- STRINGER P SOFRONIEV REPORTS ON THE DECISION TAKEN BY THE BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT TO JOIN NATO'S PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE INITIATIVE BY SHARING IN NON-MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO BOSNIA. (BULGARIAN 12/7)

CHRISTOPHER / RUGOVA MEETING -- SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER MET WITH DR IBRAHIM RUGOVA, LEADER OF THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO REGION. DR RUGOVA IS URGING THE UNITED STATED TO MEDIATE TALKS BETWEEN SERBS AND ALBANIANS ON THE FUTURE OF KOSOVO. THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER ALSO TALKED WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS, INCLUDING SENATOR BOB DOLE. STAFFER AGIM FETAHAJ REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 12/8)

KOSOVO LEADER / US -- THE LEADER OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO REGION, IBRAHIM RUGOVA HAS CALLED ON THE UNITED STATES TO GET INVOLVED TO HELP NEGOTIATE KOSOVO'S FUTURE. DR RUGOVA TOLD VOA THAT HE SUPPORT THE US BROKERED BALKAN PEACE ACCORDS, BUT IS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE FUTURE OF KOSOVO HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. HE SAID THE UNITED STATES SHOULD MEDIATE THE SERB-ALBANIAN DISPUTE OVER KOSOVO. STAFFER AGIM FETAHAJ REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 12/7)

ALBANIA / BULGARIA -- THE PRESIDENT OF BULGARIA, ZHELYU ZHELEV, CONFERRED IN TIRANA WITH HIS ALBANIAN COUNTERPART, SALI BERISHA. IN A JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE, THE TWO BALKAN LEADERS CALLED FOR FURTHER STEPS TO RESTORE PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE TROUBLED BALKANS. STRINGER ILIRIAN AGOLLI REPORTS. (ALBANIAN 12/7) 08-Dec-95 4:15 PM EST (2115 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: YESTERDAY (FYI - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8), MORE THAN 180 MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SENT PRESIDENT CLINTON A LETTER IN WHICH THEY URGED HIM NOT TO SEND AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS TO BOSNIA. WHILE MOST OBSERVERS AGREE THAT CONGRESS WILL EVENTUALLY PASS A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PRESIDENT, THE NATIONWIDE DEBATE CONTINUES. HERE IS _________________ WITH A SAMPLING OF OPINION PUBLISHED TODAY (FYI - FRIDAY) IN SOME PROMINENT AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.

TEXT: CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER, A WASHINGTON POST COLUMNIST, IS OF THE OPINION THAT "IT DOES NOT MATTER THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE INTO BOSNIA IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT NOW MATTERS ONLY THAT WE SUCCEED." MISTER KRAUTHAMMER NOTES THAT "AN OPERATION THAT INVOKES ALL OF NATO'S POWER AND CREDIBILITY CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO COME TO NOTHING. AFTER ALL," HE SAYS, "THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ALREADY PUT THE QUESTION: IF NATO CANNOT SECURE A PEACE IN BOSNIA, THEN WHAT IS THE POINT OF NATO? SHOULD THE BOSNIA OPERATION CRASH AND BURN, OR, AS IS MORE LIKELY, SIMPLY FADE AWAY TO NO EFFECT, NATO WILL BE GRAVELY WOUNDED. LIKE IT OR NOT -- AND I DON'T --" CONTINUES CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER, "THE BOSNIAN OPERATION HAS BECOME A TEST OF THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE AND AMERICA'S LEADERSHIP."

BUT TRUDY RUBIN, WHOSE WORLDVIEW COLUMN APPEARS IN THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, WRITES THAT, "WHAT THE PRESENCE OF NATO TROOPS CAN DO IS GIVE THE SIDES A BREATHER, AND STABILIZE THE CEASEFIRE. WITHIN THE COMING YEAR," SHE SAYS, "WASHINGTON WILL NEED TO PROD ITS NATO ALLIES TO USE EVERY TOOL OF DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE -- AND EVERY CARROT OF RELIEF AID -- TO PRESSURE THE CROATS AND MUSLIMS TO WORK MORE CLOSELY TOGETHER, AND TO OPEN UP TRADE AND ROADS BETWEEN THE TWO BOSNIAN SECTORS."

GEORGIA ANNE GEYER, A NATIONALLY-SYNDICATED COLUMNIST, SAYS THAT THE 60-THOUSAND GROUND TROOPS FACE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AS THEY ENTER BOSNIA. SHE SAYS THAT: "FOR IMMEDIATE DANGER, THEY CAN COUNT ON THE SERBS FORMING ANGRY CROWDS AND USING THEM AS TREACHEROUS 'WEAPONS' AGAINST THE FOREIGN TROOPS. THEN THERE ARE THE SERB PARAMILITARIES AND SOME TWO-THOUSAND ISLAMIC MUJAHIDEEN FIGHTERS SKULKING ABOUT -- LARGELY IRANIAN AND AFGHAN VOLUNTEERS ON THE BOSNIAN MUSLIM SIDE WHO PASSIONATELY HATE THE WEST. BUT, LET'S FACE IT," SAYS MS GEYER, "OUR AMERICAN TROOPS AND THE NATO TROOPS WILL BE GOING IN THIS TIME AROUND, THANK GOD, WITH MASSIVE FORCE. INDEED, IF YOU READ THE MILITARY PARTS OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LEADERS OF BOSNIA, SERBIA AND CROATIA, YOU WILL FIND A MOST EXTRAORDINARY GRANTING OF POWER THAT I HAVE NEVER SEEN IN THIS TYPE OF MISSION BEFORE." GEORGIA ANNE GEYER SAY THAT, "UNLIKE THE HAPLESS AND PITIFULLY HELPLESS U-N OBSERVER TROOPS BEFORE THEM, THESE TROOPS WILL TOTALLY CONTROL THE AIRSPACE AND THE COMMUNICATIONS, AND THEY WILL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ARREST ANYONE INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES OR ANYONE WHO INTERFERES WITH THEIR MISSION."

THE BOSNAI PEACE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED AT DAYTON, OHIO, IS THE SUBJECT OF A COLUMN APPEARING IN FRIDAY'S EDITION OF THE BALTIMORE SUN. ANDREW SULLIVAN, EDITOR OF THE NEW REPUBLIC MAGAZINE, WRITES: "FROM ITS VERY FIRST SENTENCES, THE AGREEMENT IS A FANTASY. DOES ANYONE, FOR EXAMPLE, BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE TWO 'ENTITIES' IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, AS THE AGREEMENT INSISTS, RATHER THAN THREE? OR THAT THE THREE WILL ACTUALLY COMPLY WITH A TOTAL EXCHANGE OF 'ALL COMBATANTS AND CIVILIANS HELD IN RELATION TO THE CONFLICT...NO LATER THAN 30 DAYS AFTER THE TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY'? OR THAT ALL REFUGEES WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN WITHOUT 'RISK OF HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, PERSECUTION, OR DISCRIMINATION, PARTICULARLY ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR ETHNIC ORIGIN....'?" WELL I DON'T...."

ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS, A WASHINGTON BUSINESS EXECUTIVE, TALK SHOW HOST AND SYNDICATED COLUMNIST, HAS QUESTIONS OF HIS OWN ABOUT AMERICA'S INVOLVEMENT IN BOSNIA. HE ASKS: "WHAT WILL BE THE NEXT REGION THAT NECESSITATES U-S MILITARY ENGAGEMENT? WILL WE BE APPRISED OF THAT BEFORE TROOPS ARE COMMITTED? OR WILL OUR 'COMMANDER IN CHIEF' DEMAND OUR SIMPLE OBEISANCE ON HIS PECULIAR WHIMS? IF SUCH IS THE CASE, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY AND A DE FACTO DICTATORSHIP IS A VERY THIN ONE, INDEED."

AND, RUTH WALKER, A STAFF WRITER FOR THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, OFFERS HER ANALYSIS OF THE SITUATION IN THE BALKANS. SHE SAYS THAT A MAJOR CHALLENGE "IS HOW TO FIT EASTERN EUROPE INTO NATO'S UMBRELLA WITHOUT PROVOKING RUSSIA, WHICH REMAINS ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO ENLARGING THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE. IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST SECURITY ISSUES FACING EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES." ACCORDING TO MS WALKER, RUSSIA CAN HELP THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE BECAUSE" -- IN HER WORDS -- "IT HAS CREDIBILITY WITH THE SERBS. BUT IF 'PEACE ENFORCEMENT' BREAKS DOWN INTO GREAT-POWER PATRONS OVER THE INTERESTS OF THEIR CLIENTS, THE SAME FORCES THAT PLUNGED EUROPE INTO WORLD WAR ONE WILL BE AT WORK."

THAT ANALYSIS FROM RUTH WALKER OF THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR CONCLUDES ANOTHER ROUND-UP OF U-S PRESS OPINION ON AMERICA'S ROLE IN BOSNIA.

NEB/DN/PCH
08-Dec-95 12:01 PM EST (1701 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA/FRANCE (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY ( PARIS )

INTRO: AS PARIS SENDS IN MORE TROOPS TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA UNDER THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENTS, FRANCE'S DIPLOMATIC POSITION IS GROWING INCREASINGLY COMPLEX AS IT INSISTS ON NEWS OF TWO FRENCH PILOTS WHO WERE SHOT DOWN IN AUGUST. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE TWO FRENCH PILOTS WERE IN THE FIRST WAVE OF NATO BOMBINGS OF BOSNIAN SERB POSITIONS AROUND SARAJEVO THAT STARTED ON AUGUST 30. THE BOMBINGS ARE CREDITED WITH BRINGING THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO THE PEACE TALKS THAT WERE FINALLY HELD IN DAYTON, OHIO. THE PILOTS WERE FILMED BAILING OUT OF THEIR MIRAGE 2000 FIGHTER OVER THE BOSNIAN SERB CAPITAL OF PALE.

FRANCE IS TO BE THE HOST FOR THE CEREMONY AT WHICH THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT WILL BE SIGNED NEXT WEEK. BUT THE CELEBRATION WILL ONLY BE A COVER FOR VERY MIXED FEELINGS IN FRANCE.

FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC SUDDENLY EXPRESSED CONCERN LAST WEEK THAT THE SERBS INSIDE SARAJEVO WERE NOT BEING PROTECTED UNDER THE DAYTON ACCORDS. AND FOREIGN MINISTER HERVE DE CHARETTE SUGGESTED A SEPARATE AGREEMENT TO DEAL WITH THE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS OF SARAJEVO.

ACCORDING TO SOME SOURCES, THIS WAS BECAUSE THE SERBS WERE DEMANDING A GESTURE FROM FRANCE AS A CONDITION FOR GIVING PARIS NEWS OF ITS TWO PILOTS. THEN, FRANCE WITHDREW GENERAL JEAN-RENE BACHELET, THE COMMANDER OF ITS CONTINGENT IN UNITED NATIONS FORCES IN SARAJEVO BECAUSE HE CRITICIZED THE DAYTON ACCORDS. HE TOLD FRENCH JOURNALISTS HE BELIEVED THE DAYTON TALKS SERVED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DOMESTIC POLITICAL INTERESTS MORE THAN THOSE OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. HE COMPLAINED THAT THE SARAJEVO SERBS WERE NOT SUFFICIENTLY PROTECTED UNDER THE DAYTON AGREEMENT.

PRESIDENT CHIRAC SAYS HE HAS HAD SEVERAL TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ABOUT THE FATE OF THE TWO FRENCH PILOTS. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THEIR CAPTURE, THE FRENCH MAGAZINE PARIS-MATCH OBTAINED PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEM IN CAPTIVITY IN THE HANDS OF A BOSNIAN SERB MILITIA.

BUT RADOVAN KARADZIC, THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER, SAID AT ONE POINT THAT THE TWO MEN WERE KIDNAPPED FROM A HOSPITAL. THIS WEEK, MR. CHIRAC TOLD MR. MILOSEVIC THAT FRANCE'S FUTURE RELATIONS WITH THE SERBS COULD BE AFFECTED IF FRANCE DID NOT HAVE NEWS OF ITS PILOTS SOON.

ACCORDING TO EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS IN PARIS, THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT IS GROWING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED THAT THE SERBIAN SILENCE ABOUT THE FATE OF THE AIRMEN AND THE LACK OF ANY RECENT MATERIAL PROOF THAT THEY ARE STILL ALIVE IS OMINOUS. (SIGNED)

NEB/JN/MH/MMK
08-Dec-95 10:02 AM EST (1502 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA / SERBS (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS IN BOSNIA SAYS SERB CIVILIANS ARE BEGINNING TO FLEE FROM TERRITORY IN SOUTHERN BOSNIA THAT MUST BE HANDED OVER TO GOVERNMENT CONTROL. REFUGEE OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE WORRIED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SERBS AROUND SARAJEVO MAY ALSO DECIDE TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: RED CROSS OFFICIALS SAY UP TO TWO THOUSAND BOSNIAN SERBS ARE ON THE MOVE IN SOUTHERN BOSNIA, LEAVING VILLAGES WHICH MUST BE HANDED OVER TO BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL. SO FAR 125 FAMILIES HAVE ABANDONED THEIR HOMES NEAR KOJNIC, 50 KILOMETERS SOUTH OF SARAJEVO, AND ARE MAKING THEIR WAY ALONG SNOW-COVERED ROADS TO AREAS THAT WILL REMAIN UNDER SERB CONTROL. THE SERBS HAVE TOLD RED CROSS OFFICIALS THEY ARE AFRAID OF REPRISALS BY CROAT AND GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS IF THEY STAY.

REFUGEE OFFICIALS SAY THIS COULD BE A PREVIEW OF THE EXODUS OF MORE THAN 40-THOUSAND RESIDENTS OF SERB-HELD SARAJEVO, WHO, UNDER THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT, MUST EITHER LIVE UNDER BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL OR LEAVE THEIR HOMES.

THE U-N'S REFUGEE SPOKESMAN, KRIS JANOWSKI, SAYS THE SERBS IN SARAJEVO SHOULD THINK VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO LEAVE.

THE MESSAGE THAT WE ARE TRYING TO GET ACROSS IS LOOK IF YOU FLEE BEFORE THIS AREA CHANGES HANDS, IF YOU FLEE TO OTHER BOSNIAN SERB-CONTROLLED AREAS YOU ARE GOING TO END UP AS DISPLACED PEOPLE IN AN AREA WHICH IS COMPLETELY SATURATED WITH DISPLACED PEOPLE ALREADY AND WHERE THERE IS VIRTUALLY NOWHERE TO PUT NEW PEOPLE UP.

U-N OFFICIALS DO ADMIT PRIVATELY THEY EXPECT MOST OF THE SERBS TO LEAVE, BUT ARE PUBLICLY URGING THE SERBS TO STAY. THE SERBS ARE DEMANDING SPECIAL SECURITY GUARANTEES FROM THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IF THEY ARE TO STAY, AND KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE THE LEAD.

A LOT WILL DEPEND ON THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT -- HOW FAR THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO GO TO REASSURE THOSE PEOPLE THEY WILL BE SAFE ONCE THE TERRITORY CHANGES HANDS, WHETHER THAT'S GOING TO WORK WE'LL SEE.

SO FAR BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE REJECTED ANY SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR THE SERBS. THEY SAY THE SERBS WILL BE SAFE AND INSIST THERE WILL BE _NO_ CONCESSIONS. THE AMERICAN NEGOTIATOR OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT, RICHARD HOLBROOKE, IS IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL IN PART TO REASSURE THE SERBS. BUT ON ARRIVAL AT SARAJEVO'S AIRPORT HE SAID HE WOULD _NOT_ ASK THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE ANY SPECIAL GUARANTEES. HE IS EXPECTED, HOWEVER, TO DISCUSS WAYS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CAN START TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AMONG THE SERBS AND CONVINCE THEM TO STAY IN THE CITY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/MH/ART
08-Dec-95 10:12 AM EST (1512 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA / O-S-C-E (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA )

INTRO: THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE) HAS APPROVED A PLAN TO HELP IMPLEMENT THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. IT WILL BE THE ORGANIZATION'S MOST AMBITIOUS OPERATION EVER. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTERS OR SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA ENDED AN O-S-C-E MEETING IN BUDAPEST BY AGREEING TO ARRANGE FREE ELECTIONS, MONITOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND ESTABLISH AN ARMS CONTROL REGIME IN BOSNIA.

ELECTIONS ARE TO BE HELD THERE WITHIN NINE MONTHS AFTER THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT IS SIGNED IN PARIS NEXT THURSDAY.

A SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL IN BUDAPEST, STROBE TALBOTT, SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS READY, WILLING AND ABLE TO IMPLEMENT THE PEACE AGREEMENT. MR. TALBOTT SAYS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS CRUCIAL FOR PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. BUT, THE O-S-C-E HAS NOT YET DECIDED WHO WILL HEAD ITS MISSION TO THE REGION. THE AMERICAN CANDIDATE IS ROBERT FROWICK, A RETIRED DIPLOMAT WITH LONG EXPERIENCE IN THE BALKANS.

BESIDES HELPING TO IMPLEMENT THE PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA, THE O-S-C-E WILL PLAY A ROLE IN RESTORING CROATIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER THE LAST SERB-HELD REGION IN CROATIA.

THE O-S-C-E MEETING IN BUDAPEST WAS DOMINATED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S FUTURE ROLE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. BUT, MINISTERS ALSO BEGAN TALKS ON A NEW EUROPEAN SECURITY MODEL FOR THE 21ST CENTURY.

THE SECURITY MODEL IS BEING PROMOTED BY RUSSIA AND OTHER COUNTRIES WHICH WANT TO STRENGTHEN THE O-S-C-E. THE MODEL WILL BE DISCUSSED AGAIN AT AN O-S-C-E SUMMIT MEETING IN LISBON NEXT YEAR. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/MH/CF
08-Dec-95 10:08 AM EST (1508 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] BOSNIA CONFERENCE (L-UPDATE) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE ON WAYS TO IMPLEMENT THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD HAS OPENED IN LONDON. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA HAS MORE IN THIS REPORT FROM THE BRITISH CAPITAL.

TEXT: SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM MORE THAN 50 COUNTRIES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE DISCUSSING WAYS TO TRANSFORM THE TEXT OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD REACHED IN DAYTON, OHIO LAST MONTH INTO REALITY.

OPENING THE TWO-DAY LONDON CONFERENCE, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR SAID THE MAIN TASK OF THE INTERNATIONAL GATHERING IS TO ENSURE THAT WAR DOES NOT RESUME.

THE GUNS ARE NOW SILENT, AND NEXT WEEK THE PEACE AGREEMENT WILL BE SIGNED IN PARIS. THE TASK THAT WE HAVE HERE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE GUNS REMAIN SILENT, TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DAYTON ACCORDS ARE PUT INTO EFFECT AND THAT WAR DOES NOT RESUME THROUGH ANY ERROR OR OMISSION ON OUR PART. AND TODAY, EVEN BEFORE THE FINAL SIGNATURE OF THE AGREEMENT, WE NEED TO BEGIN THE TRULY MASSIVE TASK OF IMPLEMENTING AND CONSOLIDATING PEACE AND REBUILDING A COUNTRY THAT HAS BEEN QUITE LITERALLY SHATTERED OVER RECENT YEARS.

CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS WILL DISCUSS WAYS TO SET UP NEW POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS IN BOSNIA, HOW BEST TO HELP REFUGEES RETURN HOME, AND TO PROVIDE FOR BOSNIA'S RECONSTRUCTION. PRIME MINISTER MAJOR SAID THE TASK OF REBUILDING BOSNIA IS ENORMOUS.

BUT WE ARE NOT ASKING PEOPLE TO ACT ALONE. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS MADE QUITE LITERALLY A HUGE EFFORT TO SAVE LIVES, TO HELP CIVILIANS, AND TO NEGOTIATE PEACE OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. AND THE MESSAGE OF THIS CONFERENCE, THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONFERENCE IS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT WE ARE READY TO MAKE NO LESS VAST AN EFFORT TO HELP ENTRENCH THAT PEACE AND TO FIND STABILITY AND SECURITY WITHIN THE EUROPEAN FAMILY AND WITHIN THE UNITED NATIONS.

PARTICIPANTS AT THE LONDON CONFERENCE WILL ALSO NAME A HIGH REPRESENTATIVE TO OVERSEE THE ATTEMPTS AT BRINGING PEACE AND REBUILDING BOSNIA. THE MAN EXPECTED TO BE NAMED TO THAT POST IS THE CURRENT EUROPEAN NEGOTIATOR FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA -- FORMER SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER CARL BILDT.

WRITING IN FRIDAY'S EDITION OF THE FINANCIAL TIMES, MR. BILDT SAYS MANY LESSONS WILL HAVE TO BE LEARNED BEFORE THE BOSNIAN CRISIS RECEDES INTO HISTORY. HE SAYS IMPLEMENTING THE MILITARY SIDE OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS IS THE KEY TO STOPPING THE WAR. BUT MR. BILDT SAYS IMPLEMENTING THE CIVILIAN AND POLITICAL ASPECTS IS THE KEY TO CREATING CONDITIONS FOR A GENUINE PEACE. (SIGNED)

NEB/ADEN/JWH/MMK
08-Dec-95 1:23 PM EST (1823 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] BOSNIA SITREP (S UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: AMERICAN PEACE ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS HOLDING TALKS WITH THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IN SARAJEVO. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS MR. HOLBROOKE WILL ALSO VISIT ZAGREB AND BELGRADE IN LAST MINUTE PREPARATIONS FOR THE NEW PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO BE SIGNED NEXT THURSDAY.

TEXT: BEFORE MEETING WITH THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC AND PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC, MR. HOLBROOKE TOLD REPORTERS HE WOULD REASSURE THEM THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE RENEGOTIATED.

MR. HOLBROOKE ALSO SAID HE WOULD NOT ASK THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO GIVE MORE REASSURANCES TO SARAJEVO SERBS WHO OPPOSE THE PEACE AGREEMENT.

ON THAT ISSUE, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT IN SARAJEVO HAS ALREADY DONE MORE THAN HAS BEEN PUBLICLY REVEALED. HE GAVE NO DETAILS. MEANWHILE, PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC TOLD MR. HOLBROOKE ALL FOREIGN FIGHTERS, UNDER BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL, WILL LEAVE BOSNIA WITHIN 20 DAYS AFTER THE PEACE AGREEMENT IS SIGNED NEXT THURSDAY.

THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN CONCERNED THAT IRANIAN OR RADICAL AFGHAN FIGHTERS COULD THREATEN AMERICAN TROOPS TO BE DEPLOYED WITH OTHER NATO FORCES TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/CF
08-Dec-95 10:13 AM EST (1513 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] CHRISTOPHER-CROATIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER SAYS THE RELEASE OF A SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINAL BY THE BOSNIAN CROATS IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: BOSNIAN CROATS HAVE RELEASED IVICA RAJIC FROM JAIL AFTER ACQUITTING HIM OF MURDER CHARGES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER TOLD REPORTERS HERE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT THAT CROATIA WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR TURNING OVER INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS.

WE'VE MADE IT CLEAR TO THE CROATS WHAT THEIR OBLIGATIONS ARE UNDER THE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED IN DAYTON. I'M SURE THAT WE WILL HAVE MANY OCCASIONS IN THE FUTURE TO CALL THE ATTENTION OF THE PARTIES TO THE PROVISIONS THAT WERE NEGOTIATED IN DAYTON AND WE'LL LOOK TO THEM TO IMPLEMENT THOSE PROVISIONS IN A CONSCIENTIOUS AND FAITHFUL WAY.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS THE RELEASE OF A MAN WANTED BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE WAY HE READS THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. HOWEVER, WITH LESS THAN A WEEK LEFT BEFORE THE AGREEMENT WILL BE SIGNED IN PARIS, MR. CHRISTOPHER REFRAINED FROM PUBLICLY ASKING CROATIA TO TURN MR. RAJIC OVER TO THE TRIBUNAL. (SIGNED)

NEB/RP/GO/BG
08-Dec-95 11:50 AM EST (1650 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] CLINTON-BOSNIA (S&L) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE FEELS MORE STRONGLY NOW ABOUT SENDING U-S TROOPS TO BOSNIA TO ENFORCE A PEACE THERE THAN HE DID BEFORE HIS TRIP TO EUROPE LAST WEEK. IN BRIEF COMMENTS TO REPORTERS FRIDAY, HE SAID HE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO CONVINCE SKEPTICAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS DEPLOYING U-S TROOPS IN THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE IS IN THE U-S NATIONAL INTEREST. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS.

TEXT: WITH CONGRESSIONAL VOTES ON THE U-S ROLE IN BOSNIA EXPECTED NEXT WEEK, PRESIDENT CLINTON IS CONTINUING HIS DAILY RHETORICAL OFFENSIVE ON BEHALF OF THE U-S TROOP DEPLOYMENT.

HE TOLD REPORTERS HE HOPES BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS VOTE TO ENDORSE THE DEPLOYMENT, SAYING IT IS THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO.

HE SAID HIS EUROPEAN TRIP LAST WEEK UNDERSCORED FOR HIM JUST HOW IMPORTANT THE U-S ROLE IS FOR EUROPE.

I FEEL FAR MORE STRONGLY ABOUT IT EVEN THAN I DID BEFORE I WENT LAST WEEK. IT'S CLEAR TO ME THAT OUR NATION'S ABILITY TO WORK WITH THESE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ON EVERY OTHER SECURITY ISSUE -- REDUCING THE NUCLEAR THREAT, FIGHTING TERRORISM -- YOU NAME IT -- DEPENDS UPON OUR PARTNERSHIP HERE.

HIS COMMENTS CAME A DAY AFTER HE MET AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH LAWMAKERS.

DIFFERENCES WITH REPUBLICANS OVER DOMESTIC BUDGET ISSUES IS THREATENING A SECOND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN LATE NEXT WEEK. BUT CLINTON SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS THE PRESIDENT IS "ABSOLUTELY" GOING TO PARIS MID-WEEK TO TAKE PART IN THE PEACE SIGNING CEREMONY FOR BOSNIA.

THE FIRST TEMPORARY FEDERAL SHUTDOWN LAST MONTH FORCED THE PRESIDENT TO POSTPONE A STATE VISIT TO JAPAN.

PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS THE AUTHORITY TO PRESS FORWARD WITH THE U-S TROOP DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA. BUT HE WOULD PREFER SUPPORT FROM CONGRESS AS THE U-S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN APPROACHES.

WINNING THAT SUPPORT REMAINS A CHALLENGE, HOWEVER. THURSDAY THE PRESIDENT RECEIVED A ONE-SENTENCE LETTER SIGNED BY 184 MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, INCLUDING 13 DEMOCRATS. IT READ SIMPLY: " WE URGE YOU NOT TO SEND GROUND TROOPS TO BOSNIA." (SIGNED)

NEB/BORG/GO/BG
08-Dec-95 11:05 AM EST (1605 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[11] CONGRESS-BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE HOPES THE U-S CONGRESS WILL PASS A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING HIS DECISION TO SEND GROUP TROOPS TO BOSNIA. BUT AS V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, MANY LAWMAKERS ARE MOVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

TEXT: TECHNICALLY, THE PRESIDENT DOES NOT NEED THE APPROVAL OF CONGRESS TO DEPLOY TROOPS. BUT A SHOW OF SUPPORT FROM THE HOUSE AND SENATE IS IMPORTANT FOR OTHER REASONS.

FOREIGN POLICY EXPERTS SAY IT WOULD PROVIDE A "PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOST" -- PROVING TO THE WORLD THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES BACK THEIR PRESIDENT ON THIS CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE. THESE EXPERTS SAY A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT WOULD REASSURE THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE BOSNIA PEACE PROCESS, AND LIFT THE MORALE OF AMERICAN FORCES.

BUT CONGRESSIONAL OPPONENTS OF THE DEPLOYMENT REMAIN UNCONVINCED. AND THEY ARE DOING ALL THEY CAN TO FIGHT THE POLICY DECISION.

IN THE SENATE, DEBATE ON BOSNIA IS SET TO OPEN ON TUESDAY. REPUBLICAN LEADER BOB DOLE WILL OFFER A MEASURE THAT, IN EFFECT, OFFERS CONDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE MILITARY MISSION. BUT SENATORS WILL HAVE ALTERNATIVES -- INCLUDING A RESOLUTION THAT STATES OUTRIGHT OPPOSITION TO THE PRESIDENT'S BOSNIA POLICY.

SENATOR KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON -- A REPUBLICAN FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS -- DRAFTED THE RESOLUTION.

THIS RESOLUTION IS VERY SIMPLE. IT STATES OUR OPPOSITION TO THIS DECISION. AND IT STATES FULL SUPPORT FOR THE TROOPS. BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE SEND OUR TROOPS INTO HARMS' WAY, THAT THEY HAVE OUR ABSOLUTE AND TOTAL SUPPORT AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE SEND THEM ON A MISSION WHERE THERE IS A UNITED STATES SECURITY THREAT.

MRS. HUTCHISON'S RESOLUTION IS A STATEMENT OF OPINION. SHE SAYS IT IS UNLIKELY THE SENATE WILL GO ALONG WITH THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THREATEN TO CUT OFF FUNDING FOR THE MISSION. BUT SHE STRESSES THE LEGISLATURE MUST MAKE ITS VOICE HEARD.

...AND THIS IS AN EFFORT TO SAY TO THE PRESIDENT THAT WE WANT TO NARROW THIS MISSION. WE WANT TO SECURE OUR TROOPS IN THE FIELD. AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ROLE OF CONGRESS IS NEVER IGNORED IN THIS VERY IMPORTANT PROCESS.

SUPPORTERS OF THE HUTCHISON RESOLUTION WERE JOINED AT A CAPITOL HILL NEWS CONFERENCE BY SPOKESMEN FOR SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT REPRESENT MILITARY VETERANS. AMONG THEM WAS TOM BURCH -- A LEADER OF A COALITION OF GROUPS MADE UP OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM.

WE DON'T WANT TO PUT THESE TROOPS IN HARMS' WAY. WE FEEL THAT WHEN THEY GO OVER THERE WITH SUCH WEAK PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THIS EFFORT, THEY WILL BE TARGETS FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS AND THERE WILL BE A CRUMBLING OF SUPPORT.

THE AIM IN THE SENATE IS TO ADOPT A POSITION ON THE DEPLOYMENT ON DECEMBER 13TH -- ONE DAY BEFORE THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT IS SIGNED IN PARIS. ALSO ON THE 13TH, HOUSE REPUBLICANS WILL MEET BEHIND CLOSED DOORS TO DECIDE ON THEIR COURSE OF ACTION. A GROUP OF HOUSE CONSERVATIVES IS PRESSING FOR AN ALL-OUT CAMPAIGN TO BLOCK THE DEPLOYMENT, BUT REPUBLICAN LEADERS ARE RESISTING. (SIGNED)

NEB/PW/MMK
08-Dec-95 1:31 PM EST (1831 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[12] FRANCE AND THE EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: FRANCE REMAINS PARALYZED BY DEMONSTRATIONS AND STRIKES PROTESTING THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT'S MOVE TO CURTAIL SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND THEREBY CUT ITS DEFICIT IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH THE FISCAL RESTRAINTS OF THE MASTRICHT

TEXT: BROOKINGS INSTITUTION EUROPEAN EXPERT WOLFGANG REINICKE HAS NO TROUBLE ANALYZING THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES OF THE DISRUPTION IN FRANCE. IF THE GOVERNMENT GIVES IN AND REFUSES TO CUT ITS SOCIAL PROGRAMS, MR. REINICKE SAYS, FRANCE WILL NOT MEET THE DEFICIT REDUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EUROPEAN MONETARY INTEGRATION. AND WITHOUT FRANCE, MR. REINICKE SAYS, THERE WILL BE NO EUROCURRENCY.

TAPE: CUT #1 -- REINICKE [:32] "IT IS UNDERSTOOD IN EUROPE THAT WITHOUT FRANCE, THERE WILL BE NO MONETARY UNION. CERTAINLY FRANCE HAS TO BE WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS THE CORE, THE HARD CORE, OF THE COUNTRIES, INCLUDING GERMANY, MAYBE A COUPLE OF BENELUX COUNTRIES, AUSTRIA, AND WITHOUT MEETING THOSE CRITERIA FRANCE COULD NOT JOIN. SO, THIS IS NOT ONLY A DOMESTIC ISSUE OF COURSE, AND CREATES A LOT OF POLITICAL TURMOIL, BUT IT HAS A EUROPEAN DIMENSION, EVEN AN INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION SINCE CLEARLY THE FORMATION OR NON-FORMATION OF A EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION WILL ALSO HAVE CONSEQUENCES FOR THE DOLLAR."

TEXT: AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR STEPHEN SILVIA SAYS THE PROTESTS ARE ALREADY HAVING AN EFFECT IN EUROPE, CAUSING MANY TO QUESTION THE MAASTRICHT CRITERIA FOR EUROPEAN CURRENCY. THE CRITERIA WERE CREATED FOR BANKS, HE SAYS, NOT HUMAN BEINGS. BY STRESSING KEEPING INFLATION AND BUDGETARY DEFICITS AT A MINIMUM, MR. SILVIA SAYS, THE TREATY CHALLENGES THE ENTIRE SOCIAL SAFETY NET OF EUROPE.

TAPE: CUT #2 -- SILVIA [:46] "IT'S IMPORTANT NOT TO FORGET THAT HISTORICALLY THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET BROUGHT TO A CLOSE ALMOST A CENTURY OF HISTORY OF CLASS CONFLICT THAT RAN THROUGHOUT EUROPE. IT'S NOT THAT CLASS CONFLICT CAME TO AN END IN A POST WAR PERIOD WHEN THESE SOCIAL SAFETY NETS WERE CONSTRUCTED, BUT THE SOCIAL SAFETY NETS ALLOWED FOR A GREAT DEAL OF INCLUSION OF SECTORS THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN EXCLUDED FROM EUROPEAN SOCIETY AND THAT MAASTRICHT TREATY REALLY BRINGS INTO QUESTION THIS ENTIRE CLASS COMPROMISE THAT TOOK PLACE AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR."

TEXT: EUROPE IS NOT THE ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD TODAY UNDER PRESSURE TO CUT NATIONAL DEFICITS AND SOCIAL SPENDING. MR. SILVIA BELIEVES THE STEPPED-UP PRESSURES STEM FROM THE FACT THAT, OVER THE LAST DECADE, NATIONAL CAPITAL MARKETS HAVE BECOME INTERCONNECTED INTO ONE BIG GLOBAL CAPITAL MARKET. THAT DEVELOPMENT, HE SAYS, HAS CREATED A WHOLE NEW SET OF PRIORITIES.

TAPE: CUT #3 -- SILVIA [:34] "THE INFLUENCE OF FINANCIAL MARKETS HAS GROWN DRAMATICALLY AND THE INTEREST OF FINANCIAL PLAYERS HAS GROWN BEYOND THE BORDERS OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES. THEREFORE, YOU HAVE HEDGE FUNDS AND BROKERAGE FIRMS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT ARE KEENLY INTERESTED IN THESE BUDGETARY MATTERS FOR EUROPE BECAUSE THEY TRADE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF CURRENCY AND THEREFORE THEY STAND TO GAIN OR LOSE A LOT DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION."

TEXT: THAT SAID, HOWEVER, BEFORE DUMPING BLAME ON INTERNATIONAL BANKERS, STEPHEN SILVIA SAYS, IT IS IMPORTANT TO PUT THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEM IN PERSPECTIVE.

TAPE: CUT #4 -- SILVIA [:39] "IF THE GOVERNMENTS OF FRANCE AND GERMANY CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SYSTEM THAT THEY HAVE NOW FOR CARING FOR THEIR ELDERLY AND DO NOT HAVE ANY SOCIAL CUTS, AND THE COST OF HEALTH CARE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE, 20 YEARS OUT FROM 1995, THE ENTIRE FRENCH GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT WOULD HAVE TO BE DEDICATED TOWARD THE SERVICING OF THE ELDERLY, AND 80 PERCENT OF THE GERMAN GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT WOULD HAVE TO BE DEDICATED TOWARD THE SERVICING OF THE ELDERLY, IF THE CURRENT COMMITMENTS ARE KEPT IN PLACE."

TEXT: NO ECONOMY COULD SPEND THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY ON ONE SINGLE SUBGROUP IN ITS POPULATION. AS A RESULT, MR. SILVIA SAYS, THOSE SOCIAL CUTS ARE INEVITABLE, WITH OR WITHOUT EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION. (SIGNED)

NEB/LC/PCH
08-Dec-95 4:14 PM EST (2114 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[13] FRANCE REVISITS NATO BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: FRANCE SURPRISED MORE THAN A FEW OBSERVERS THIS WEEK WHEN IT ANNOUNCED AT THE NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IN BRUSSELS THAT AFTER A 29-YEAR BOYCOTT, IT WAS REJOINING THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION'S MILITARY WING. U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE RESPONDING TO THE NEWS, BASICALLY CALLING IT A POSITIVE SIGN FOR THE NEW EUROPE. WE GET A SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM _________________IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER HERVE DE CHARRETTE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT WEDNESDAY AT THE BRUSSELS MEETING, SAYING THAT FRANCE IS RETURNING BECAUSE OF THE RADICALLY CHANGED NATURE OF THE ALLIANCE. HE SAYS FRANCE WILL ATTEND MEETINGS OF DEFENSE MINISTERS, ALTHOUGH ITS ARMED FORCES WILL N O T BE FULLY INTEGRATED INTO NATO. THE FRENCH PULLED OUT OF NATO'S MILITARY STRUCTURE IN 1966 AS THEN PRESIDENT CHARLES DE GAULLE ATTEMPTED TO ASSERT FRENCH INDEPENDENCE FROM WHAT HE CALLED AT THE TIME, A U-S DOMINATED ALLIANCE.

NATO PARTNERS WELCOMED THE RETURN AND NOW U-S PAPERS ARE JOINING IN THE REACTION, AS WE HEAR, BEGINNING WITH "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE."

VOICE: "IT'S A DUBIOUS HONOR, OF COURSE, BUT FRANCE SUDDENLY HAS OVERTAKEN GERMANY AS THE MOST FASCINATING NATION IN EUROPE. WHAT A COMPELLING COMBINATION OF SELF-CONFIDENCE AND INTERNAL TURMOIL, OF STRENGTH WITHIN CONSTRAINTS, OF BRAVERY AND BRAVURA! FIRST OF ALL, A SPECTER HANGING OVER THE FACE OF NATO FOR ALMOST THREE DECADES HAS BEEN EXERCISED. ....FRANCE HAS LEARNED THAT VERY LITTLE MILITARY INDEPENDENCE WAS POSSIBLE AND THAT NO PAN-EUROPEAN SECURITY STRUCTURE CAN YET COMPETE WITH THE TRANS-ATLANTIC ALLIANCE. THUS, FRANCE HAS CHOSEN TO PLAY A STRONGER ROLE IN A U-S-DOMINATED NATO, WHICH IS GOOD SINCE AMERICA, IN POST-BOSNIA POLITICS, SURELY WILL SHOW INCREASING INDIFFERENCE TO EUROPEAN PROBLEMS."

TEXT: IN THE SOUTHWEST, "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" SAYS "WELCOME BACK."

VOICE: "FORMER FRENCH PRESIDENT CHARLES DE GAULLE MUST BE ROLLING OVER IN HIS GRAVE. BUT FRANCE COULD NOT HAVE CHOSEN A MORE CRITICAL TIME TO END ITS NEARLY 30-YEAR ABSTENTION FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE MILITARY DECISION-MAKING OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION. OF COURSE, FRANCE IS A MEMBER OF NATO. HOWEVER, SINCE 1966 IT HAS BEEN INVOLVED ONLY IN THE POLITICAL DECISIONS OF THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE. ... WITH NATO UNDERTAKING THE MOST AMBITIOUS MISSION IN ITS HISTORY, AND FRANCE SENDING AS MANY AS 10-THOUSAND TROOPS TO BOSNIA AS PART OF THE NATO FORCE ..... THE FACT THAT NATO WILL BE ENTERING BOSNIA AS A MORE COHESIVE MILITARY ALLIANCE BODES WELL FOR SUCCESS. "

TEXT: FARTHER EAST, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE IS ALSO PLEASED, AND SAYS THE NEW FRENCH COOPERATION IS AN ADMISSION OF CURRENT EUROPEAN REALITIES.

VOICE: "FRANCE'S HALFWAY RETURN TO THE MILITARY INSTITUTIONS OF NATO AFTER THREE DECADES OF HAUGHTY ISOLATION REPRESENTS A BOW TO THE REALITIES OF THE BOSNIA INTERVENTION. ..... WHAT HAPPENS IN BOSNIA WILL MIGHTILY AFFECT WHAT IS TO HAPPEN WITH NATO. A SUCCESSFUL VENTURE WOULD, IN ITSELF, REDEFINE THE ALLIANCE AS A PEACE-ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATION WHOSE SWAY COULD EXTEND BEYOND THE CONFINES OF EUROPE. A FAILED OPERATION, IN CONTRAST, COULD NATO AS WE KNOW IT. FRANCE WOULD THEN BE FREE AT LAST FROM WHAT GENERAL DE GAULLE ONCE CALLED THE "AMERICAN PROTECTORATE." BUT IT WOULD ALSO BE FACED WITH THE NEED TO PROTECT ITSELF FROM BOTH THE GERMANS AND THE RUSSIANS."

TEXT: ALMOST A WHOLE CONTINENT AWAY, IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, THERE IS THIS INTERESTING ASSESSMENT FROM [TODAY'S 12/8] ["THE] "SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE."

VOICE: "AS MUCH AS BOSNIA IS COUNTING ON NATO FOR ITS VERY SURVIVAL, NATO MAY OWE ITS OWN FUTURE TO BOSNIA. THAT IRONY IS ONE OF THE VEILED MESSAGES IN FRANCE'S SURPRISING AND ENCOURAGING DECISION THIS WEEK TO REJOIN THE MILITARY WING OF THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE IT ABANDONED, IN HIGH GALLIC DUDGEON, [SULLEN, ANGRY OR INDIGNANT: ALSO, IN THIS INSTANCE PERHAPS "HURT FEELINGS"] ALMOST 30 YEARS AGO. ... NOW, SUDDENLY, NATO AGAIN LOOKS STRONG AND CONFIDENT, THANKS TO THE LEAD ROLE IT HAS ASSUMED IN BOSNIA - - A TURN OF FORTUNE THAT DEPENDED ULTIMATELY ON THE U-S DECISION TO EXERCISE ITS LEADERSHIP. WITHOUT THAT LEADERSHIP, THE ALLIANCE WAS AN EMPTY PROMISE. [OPT] ... A STRONG AND PURPOSEFUL NATO, AFTER ALL, NEEDN'T BE AFRAID OF TURF BATTLES WITH A COMPLEMENTARY DEFENSE ORGANIZATION. NOR MUST IT PEG ITS FUTURE TO A LESS THAN COMPELLING EXPANSION PLAN THAT WOULD FURTHER UNSETTLE ITS EVOLVING RELATIONSHIP WITH RUSSIA. WELCOME BACK NATO. AND WELCOME BACK FRANCE."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, BACK EAST, ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY" SEES AN INTERACTION BETWEEN TWO MAJOR DECISIONS MADE RECENTLY AT THE ELYSEE PALACE.

VOICE: "THERE IS A COMMON THREAD TO TWO MAJOR ACTIONS THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT IS NOW TAKING, AND BOTH ARE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS. BY ANNOUNCING IT WILL REJOIN THE NATO MILITARY COMMAND AND BY TRYING TO REDUCE ITS MUCH-TOO LARGE BUDGET DEFICIT -- AN ACTION THAT HAS TRIGGERED NATIONWIDE STRIKES -- PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC IS ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN FRANCE'S RELEVANCE IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD... [PRESIDENT] CHIRAC IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ON BOTH THESE FRONTS. DESPITE OPPOSITION, HE SHOULD STAY THE COURSE."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM SELECTED NEWSPAPERS ON THE PARTIAL RETURN OF FRANCE TO THE MILITARY STRUCTURE OF NATO.

NEB/ANG/NL
08-Dec-95 1:25 PM EST (1825 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[14] GERMANY / EUROPE BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS MEET NEXT WEEK IN MADRID TO DISCUSS THE COURSE OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION. BUT THERE ARE GROWING DOUBTS ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR SUCCESS -- ESPECIALLY ON THE PROPOSED SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY SCHEDULED TO GO INTO EFFECT IN 1999. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL AND FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC DISCUSSED THE SITUATION DURING THEIR TALKS THURSDAY.

TEXT: GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL HAS LONG SAID HE COULD NOT ENVISION A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY WITHOUT FRENCH PARTICIPATION. BUT THE 1999 DEADLINE FOR THE SINGLE CURRENCY, A KEY ELEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION'S PLAN FOR GREATER INTEGRATION AMONG MEMBER NATIONS, HAS BEEN THROWN INTO DOUBT BY A NUMBER OF FACTORS.

MEMBERS OF MR. KOHL'S OWN GOVERNMENT HAVE INSISTED ON A STRICT INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES FOR JOINING THE CURRENCY, TOUCHING OFF A WIDE-RANGING DEBATE ABOUT WHICH COUNTRIES WOULD BE ABLE TO MEET THE DEADLINE.

WITH GERMANY AND LUXEMBOURG THE ONLY COUNTRIES THAT NOW SEEM TO QUALIFY FOR THE E-U CURRENCY, OBSERVERS HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY WATCHING FRENCH EFFORTS TO SLASH GOVERNMENT SPENDING TO MEET THE CRITERIA. WHETHER FRANCE WILL SUCCEED IN THE FACE OF NATIONWIDE LABOR UNREST IS AN OPEN QUESTION. IT IS ALSO ONE THAT GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL WOULD LIKE TO HELP CLOSE.

IN AN EFFORT TO BOLSTER PROSPECTS FOR FRENCH PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMON CURRENCY, MR. KOHL ON THURSDAY, PUBLICLY THANKED PRESIDENT CHIRAC FOR HIS GREAT EFFORT AT MEETING THE TOUGH CRITERIA.

MR. KOHL AND PRESIDENT CHIRAC BOTH REAFFIRMED THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE 1999 DEADLINE, AND WENT ON TO OUTLINE A SERIES OF PROPOSALS AIMED AT MOVING THE OVERALL PROCESS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION FORWARD.

BUT DESPITE THE PLANS, MR. KOHL IS ALSO FACING GROWING SKEPTICISM ABOUT EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AT HOME. RECENT POLLS INDICATE TWO OUT OF THREE GERMANS WOULD RATHER NOT TRADE IN THEIR MARKS FOR A EUROPEAN CURRENCY. AND ONLY ABOUT ONE GERMAN COMPANY OUT OF EVERY THREE IS IN FAVOR OF THE STEP.

AGAINST THAT BACKDROP, EUROPEAN LEADERS WILL BE MEETING IN MADRID NEXT FRIDAY TO MAKE KEY DECISIONS ABOUT THE NEW CURRENCY, INCLUDING WHAT IT WILL BE CALLED. EUROPEAN NEWSPAPERS SAY THEY EXPECT IT TO BE THE EURO, BUT IF IT ARRIVES ON TIME IS ANOTHER QUESTION. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/JWH/CF
08-Dec-95 12:51 PM EST (1751 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[15] SOROS/BOSNIA BY DINA WEINSTEIN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: THE AMERICAN FINANCIER AND PHILANTHROPIST GEORGE SOROS HAS PRAISED THE UNITED STATES FOR ITS LEADERSHIP IN ESTABLISHING THE BOSNIA PEACEKEEPING MISSION. VOA'S DINA WEINSTEIN REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: GEORGE SOROS, A FORMER RECIPIENT OF AN AWARD FROM THE COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS, TOLD THE ORGANIZATION AT ITS ANNUAL AWARD'S DINNER THAT THE UNITED STATES IS SHOWING MORAL RESPONSIBILITY IN WAR-TORN BOSNIA.

THE INVOLVEMENT OF AMERICAN TROOPS IS TREATED WITH GREAT SKEPTICISM, GREAT RESERVATIONS. I CAN UNDERSTAND IT, BECAUSE THE ROAD AHEAD IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT. BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT WE HAVE GOT TO TACKLE THAT TASK. BECAUSE WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED. WE BEAR A RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SITUATION AS IT EVOLVED.

RATHER THAN DISCUSSION WHETHER WE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT, WE OUGHT TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL. BECAUSE THE OUTCOME IS FAR FROM ASSURED.

MR. SOROS SAID ONE ROAD TO JUSTICE AND RECONSTRUCTION IN BOSNIA IS THROUGH A WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. REMOVING WAR CRIMINALS FROM THE SCENE, HE ADDED, WOULD ALLOW NEW LEADERS TO EMERGE AMONG THE SERBS. A FUNCTIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, MR. SOROS SAID, WOULD TRANSCEND BOSNIA AND AFFECT ETHNIC CONFLICTS WORLDWIDE.

MR. SOROS SPOKE AT A CEREMONY HONORING INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS WHO RISK THEIR LIVES PURSUING THE TRUTH. THE REPORTERS HONORED BY THE COMMITTEE CAME FROM ZAMBIA, IRELAND, GUATEMALA, INDONESIA AND RUSSIA. (SIGNED) NY/NEB/DW/LSF/LWM 07-Dec-95 8:18 PM EST (0118 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[16] U-S PLANS FOR BOSNIA BY ED WARNER ( WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SKEPTICS OF THE U-S BOSNIAN COMMITMENT POINT TO THE FLAWED RECORD OF AMERICAN INTERVENTION IN SOMALIA AND HAITI AND EXPECT NO BETTER IN THE BALKANS. OTHERS ARGUE THE EPISODES ARE NOT THE SAME, AND THE UNITED STATES, LEARNING FROM THE PAST, IS BETTER PREPARED FOR THE BOSNIAN MISSION. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS.

TEXT: GOOD INTENTIONS ARE BETTER THAN BAD INTENTIONS, SAYS ABRAHAM SOFAER, BUT THEY, TOO, CAN LEAD TO FAILURE. THAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THE U-S INTERVENTION IN BOSNIA, SAYS MR. SOFAER, A SENIOR FELLOW AT THE HOOVER INSTITUTION, A RESEARCH GROUP IN CALIFORNIA. MR. SOFAER ALSO IS A FORMER LEGAL ADVISER TO THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT.

MR. SOFAER, WHO HAS WRITTEN A MUCH DISCUSSED ANALYSIS OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT IN "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," SAYS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS DEMONSTRATING A CONFIDENCE IN SOCIAL ENGINEERING THAT HAS NOT WORKED AT HOME:

IT WAS VERY MUCH IN EVIDENCE WHEN THE SOMALIA FOOD OPERATION GOT EXPANDED INTO A NATION-BUILDING EXERCISE AND COLLAPSED, AND WE WENT AFTER (WARLORD) AIDID AND THAT WAS A TOTAL FAILURE. AND IT WAS ALSO APPARENT AND GETTING MORE APPARENT IN HAITI, WHERE WE HAVE ENGAGED IN A NATION-BUILDING EXERCISE THAT IS COMING APART. THERE IS A NEED TO INTERFERE AND INTERCEDE AND PREVENT MURDER AND ALL THESE HORRIBLE THINGS, AND TO USE AMERICAN POWER. BUT WE HAVE GOT TO BE HUMBLE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THAT POWER, THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ON THE GROUND THAT WE ARE GOING TO GO FOR.

OTHERS ARE MAKING THE SAME POINT. IN THE FORTHCOMING "FOREIGN AFFAIRS" QUARTERLY, PROFESSOR MICHAEL MANDELBAUM OF JOHNS HOPKINS SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES WRITES THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING TO CONDUCT FOREIGN POLICY ACCORDING TO THE BENEVOLENT STANDARDS OF MOTHER TERESA WHILE IGNORING THE POWER REALITIES OF THIS IMPERFECT WORLD.

MR. SOFAER SAYS THE PRESIDENT AND HIS ADVISERS WANT TO AVOID A SHOOTOUT BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS IN BOSNIA -- AS WHO WOULD NOT?

BUT YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES YOU CANNOT AVOID A SHOOTOUT. THERE HAS TO BE A REALIZATION THAT AMERICA, WHICH COULD NOT AVOID ITS OWN CIVIL WAR AND IN FACT IS LIVING NOW IN A NATION THAT IS SO MUCH STRONGER FOR HAVING GONE THROUGH THAT CIVIL WAR, CANNOT STOP EVERY OTHER CIVIL WAR. WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE FORCES IN THE WORLD THAT WE ARE NOT CAPABLE OF CONTROLLING.

BUT DO NOT BE A CAPTIVE OF THE PAST, CAUTIONS ARNOLD KANTER OF THE FORUM FOR INTERNATIONAL POLICY IN WASHINGTON. EACH AMERICAN INTERVENTION ABROAD HAS BEEN DIFFERENT, HE SAYS, AND NONE SERVES AS A MODEL FOR BOSNIA:

IN HAITI, WE WERE ESSENTIALLY FACING NO ARMED OPPOSITION, TO SPEAK OF. THERE WAS VARIOUSLY SOCIAL DISORDER AND SOME WOULD SAY ANARCHY -- A NON-FUNCTIONING GOVERNMENT. BUT YOU DID NOT FACE THE KIND OF ORGANIZED FORCES; YOU DID NOT FACE THE KIND OF ARMED FORCES, THE KIND OF ETHNIC HATRED AND FOUR YEARS OF WARFARE THAT YOU FACE IN BOSNIA -- SO I THINK EVERYONE WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT BOSNIA IS A MUCH MORE THREATENING SITUATION THAN HAITI.

IN BOSNIA, AT LEAST IN THEORY, THE MANDATE OF "IFOR" (IMPLEMENTATION FORCE) IS TO KEEP THE VARIOUS FORCES SEPARATED AND PUT THEM IN THEIR OWN CANTONMENTS BUT NOT GET DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THINGS LIKE ELECTIONS, RETURN OF REFUGEES AND SO FORTH. SO I GUESS I WOULD SAY THAT BOSNIA IS ON THE ONE HAND, A MORE DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, THE FORCES ARE BEING ASKED TO DO MISSIONS WITH WHICH THEY ARE MORE FAMILIAR AND FOR WHICH, ARGUABLY, THEY ARE BETTER TRAINED.

MR. KANTER WARNS THAT MUCH IS UNDECIDED. AS IT EVOLVES, THE U-S MISSION WILL HAVE TO REMAIN FOCUSED WITH A CLEAR GOAL AND EXIT STRATEGY. (SIGNED)

NEB/EW/CF
08-Dec-95 11:31 AM EST (1631 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America