Voice of America, 23 January 1996

From: "Ioannis V. Bousnakis" <ivb19@nfi.com>

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: NEWSPAPERS ACROSS AMERICA THIS TUESDAY ARE COMMENTING ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS, MANY OF THEM DOMESTIC, BUT ONE INTERNATIONAL MATTER OF CONSIDERABLE INTEREST IS THE RECENT PALESTINIAN ELECTION. AMONG TODAY'S OTHER EDITORIAL SUBJECTS ARE: THE U-S DEBT CEILING EXTENSION; PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS; THE ARREST OF A MEXICAN DRUG LORD, AND THE FUTURE OF RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _______________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: MANY PAPERS HAVE NOW HAD TIME TO DIGEST THE RESULTS OF THE WEEKEND PALESTINIAN ELECTION IN GAZA AND THE WEST BANK, AND OFFER A RANGE OF EDITORIAL OPINION ON THE OUTCOME. ON LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY" SAYS, IN PART:

VOICE: "THE RESULTS OF THE PALESTINIAN ELECTION -- THE FIRST EVER HELD FOR THE SELF-RULED TERRITORIES ON THE WEST BANK AND GAZA -- WERE PREDICTABLE BUT GRATIFYINGLY SURPRISING NONETHELESS... YASSER ARAFAT WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT IN A LANDSLIDE, BUT HIS PARTY, FATAH, WHICH WON AT LEAST A PLURALITY OF THE 88 SEATS ON THE GOVERNING COUNCIL, DID NOT ENJOY AS SWEEPING A VICTORY. ... THE STRONGER THAN EXPECTED SHOWING OF CRITICS OF [MR.] ARAFAT COULD BE A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT."

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS ALSO PLEASED WITH THE VOTE, CALLING IT "THAT RAREST OF POLITICAL EVENTS IN THE ARAB WORLD, A FREE AND INTERNATIONALLY VALIDATED ELECTION."

VOICE: "MORE THAN EVER, THEN, THE FUTURE OF THE PALESTINIANS IS IN [MR.] ARAFAT'S HANDS. THE PEOPLE HAVE ENDORSED A FULL PEACE WITH ISRAEL. [MR.] ARAFAT MUST SHOW THAT HE HAS THE POLITICAL CLOUT WITHIN THE PALESTINIAN LEADERSHIP TO BRING THAT GOAL WITHIN REACH."

[ END OPT ]

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" CALLS THE VOTE A "NEW DAWN FOR PALESTINIANS?" BUT WITH A QUESTION MARK, ADDING:

VOICE: "... [YASSER ARAFAT'S] TRIUMPH COMES AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MOST VOCAL PALESTINIAN EXTREMISTS. DESPITE THE CALL FOR AN ELECTION BOYCOTT FROM TERRORIST AND FUNDAMENTALIST GROUPS OPPOSED TO THE OSLO ACCORDS, IT APPEARS THAT A MASSIVE, ENTHUSIASTIC TURNOUT GAVE MR. ARAFAT'S GROUP A SOLID MAJORITY OF SEATS IN THE ... PALESTINIAN COUNCIL... HIS NEW STATUS IS LIKELY TO ENHANCE THE EXPECTATIONS OF A MAJORITY OF PALESTINIANS, WHO LONG FOR THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT STATE."

TEXT: "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" LOOKS AT THE ELECTION RESULTS AND SEES REASON FOR HOPE:

VOICE: "NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME, MR. ARAFAT IS ABLE TO SPEAK WITH THE AUTHORITY OF A PALESTINIAN LEADER WHO HAS BEEN SELECTED BY A VOTE OF HIS PEOPLE. THAT WILL GIVE HIM NEW STATURE... ONE CAN ONLY HOPE ... HE WILL USE HIS NEW STANDING WELL."

TEXT: HOWEVER, NOT ALL THE VIEWS ARE SO POSITIVE. "THE NEW YORK POST," FOR EXAMPLE, SUGGESTS THE IDEA OF A PALESTINIAN DEMOCRACY IS "PERNICIOUS NONSENSE."

VOICE: "DESPITE A WAVE OF ENTHUSIASTIC NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS AND CONGRATULATORY TELEPHONE CALLS FROM WESTERN LEADERS, LAST WEEKEND'S ELECTIONS IN THE WEST BANK AND GAZA DID NOT HERALD THE DAWN OF PALESTINIAN 'DEMOCRACY.' ... NOR WAS THERE REASON TO EXPECT THAT [MR.] ARAFAT'S P-L-O -- A NON-DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION LONG DEVOTED TO TERRORISM AND SUSTAINED BY SOVIET TOTALITARIANS -- WOULD SUDDENLY CHANGE ITS STRIPES."

TEXT: TURNING TO A KEY DOMESTIC ISSUE, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF THE NATION GOING INTO DEFAULT IF THE FEDERAL DEBT CEILING IS NOT SOON RAISED BY CONGRESS, AS THREATENED BY HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER DICK ARMEY.

VOICE: "THE TEXAS REPUBLICAN SAID THIS WEEK THAT CONGRESS WILL NOT RAISE THE NATION'S BORROWING AUTHORITY TO PAY GOVERNMENT BILLS UNLESS PRESIDENT CLINTON ACCEPTS A 'SUBSTANTIAL' SHARE OF THE CONSERVATIVE G-O-P AGENDA. ... THE THREAT OF A NATIONAL DEFAULT COULD HAVE REPERCUSSIONS FAR BEYOND U-S BORDERS, SHOULD THE LOOSE TALK SCARE INVESTORS."

TEXT: A SERIES OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING POLICE EITHER SHOOTING PEOPLE OR BEING SHOT THEMSELVES, IN THE LINE OF DUTY, IS RECEIVING CRITICAL ATTENTION BY SEVERAL EDITORIALS PAGE WRITERS. TODAY'S LEAD EDITORIAL IN "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" IS TITLED "TRAGEDY IN BLUE," AND SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "THERE IS NO REASON FOR POLICE OFFICERS ACROSS THE NATION, AND PARTICULARLY IN PHILADELPHIA OF LATE, TO SEE ANY PERSONAL RELIEF IN REPORTS THAT THE NATIONAL CRIME RATE HAS DROPPED SLIGHTLY IN RECENT YEARS... TWO PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICERS HAVE NOW BEEN KILLED IN A PERIOD OF LESS THAN THREE WEEKS... MORE THAN THE REST OF US ... POLICE OFFICERS ... BEAR THE BRUNT OF REMORSELESS, MORAL BREAKDOWN, PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUNG SHOOTERS, WHEN IT COMES TO THE USE OF GUNS IN CRIMES."

TEXT: "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION," MEANWHILE, TODAY DEALS WITH THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION -- THE KILLING OF AN UNARMED PERSON BY POLICE.

VOICE: "SHORTLY AFTER ATLANTA POLICE OFFICERS WERE INVOLVED IN THE FATAL SHOOTING OF AN UNARMED MAN AT A MOTORCYCLE SHOP, CRITICS HAMMERED AWAY WITH CHARGES OF A POLICE COVERUP. NOW THAT FULTON COUNTY PROSECUTORS HAVE DECIDED TO SEEK MURDER CHARGES AGAINST TWO OFFICERS, CRITICS ONCE AGAIN ARE HAVING A FIELD DAY [BUSILY ENGAGED IN DISCUSSING THE EVENT]... THOSE WHO PREDICTED IT [THE INVESTIGATION] WOULD GO NOWHERE AND THOSE WHO NOW SAY IT IS GOING TOO FAR SHOULD WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS."

[ END OPT ]

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON TONIGHT WILL DELIVER HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS TO A JOINT SESSION OF THE CONGRESS AND THE NATIONAL TELEVISION AUDIENCE. TODAY'S "SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE", REMEMBERING MR. CLINTION'S 81-MINUTE ORATION LAST YEAR, THAT LEFT SOME PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN ATTENTION, SUGGESTS A MORE BRIEF MESSAGE THIS TIME:

VOICE: "... HE WILL DO THE NATION AND HIMSELF A BIG FAVOR IF HE REMEMBERS SHAKESPEAR'S WORDS OF WISDOM: 'BREVITY IS THE SOUL OF WIT.' ..... KEEP IT SHORT, MR. PRESIDENT.'

TEXT: "THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS" WONDERS ABOUT THE DECORUM OF THIS YEAR'S ARCH-CONSERVATIVE, AND OFTEN COMBATIVE, FRESHMEN REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE:

VOICE: "BRIDGING DIFFERENCES ACROSS PARTY LINES HAS HARDLY BEEN THEIR STRONG SUIT [MAIN INTEREST]. HOW WILL THE 70-ODD [APROXIMATELY 70] CONSERVATIVE PURISTS RESPOND TO THE PRESIDENT? WILL THEY JEER, AS SOME SENIOR REPUBLICANS FEAR? IMPUDENCE WOULD MAKE REPUBLICANS APPEAR UNSTATESMANLIKE. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THEIR APPEARANCE. IT COULD SIGNAL THE ROLE THEY WILL PLAY IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION."

TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" SUGGESTS THE TIME HAS COME FOR MEXICO TO TAKE A TOUGH STAND AGAINST INTERNATIONAL DRUG DEALERS:

VOICE: "THE RECENT ARREST AND EXPULSION TO THE UNITED STATES OF JUAN GARCIA ABREGO BRINGS TO JUSTICE A MAN WHO FOR YEARS SYMBOLIZED THE UNTOUCHABILITY OF MEXICO'S TOP DRUG LORDS... BUT IN THE RAPIDLY SHIFTING WORLD OF DRUG TRAFFICKING, MR. GARCIA ABREGO WAS ALREADY A MAN OF THE PAST. HIS ARREST ALONE WILL BARELY SLOW THE TORRENT OF DRUGS FLOWING OVER THE MEXICAN BORDER. ONLY A SYSTEMATIC DRIVE BY MEXICO TO END OFFICIAL COMPLICITY WITH DRUG LORDS CAN BRING MEANINGFUL RESULTS."

TEXT: TURNING TO RUSSIA, AND THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN, "USA TODAY" WRITES:

VOICE: "ON THE PLUS SIDE, [MR.] YELTSIN REMAINS WITHOUT QUESTION THE MOST VIABLE HOPE FOR CONTINUED DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION... THE TROUBLE WITH A YELTSIN CANDIDACY IS TWOFOLD. [IT] EFFECTIVELY SHUTS OUT OTHER MODERATE CANDIDATES...THE SECOND MENACING PROSPECT IS THAT [MR.] YELTSIN MAY HAVE TO SELL SO MUCH OF HIS SOUL TO WIN THAT DEMOCRATIC REFORMERS WILL BECOME AN AFTERTHOUGHT. FOR EVIDENCE, JUST CONSIDER HIS ACTIONS OF THE PAST FEW WEEKS."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, ON THE FLOODING ALONG THE U-S EAST COAST IN THE WAKE OF THE BLIZZARD TWO WEEKS AGO, "THE BALTIMORE SUN" SAYS WITH RELIEF:

VOICE: "ALL THAT JANUARY SNOW AND ICE HAD TO GO SOMEWHERE, AND SO IT DID, GORGING THE SUSQUEHANNA, OHIO AND POTOMAC RIVERS, SURGING OVER THE BANKS AND FLOODING THOUSANDS OF HOMES IN THEIR PATHS. ..... FORTUNATELY, THE REGAINING WATERS DID NOT BRING DEATH TO MARYLANDERS. ... DESPITE MORE THAN A FOUR-AND-ONE QUARTER METER CRESTING OF THE POTOMAC, RESIDENTS WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE RIVER'S LETHAL WRATH. "

TEXT: AND ON THAT SOMEWHAT POSITIVE NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE ISSUES AND CONCERNS ADDRESSED TODAY ON THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF LEADING NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

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23-Jan-96 11:23 AM EST (1623 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / PRISONERS (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE TOP AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL HAS PUT STRONG PRESSURE ON THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IN SARAJEVO TO FREE ITS REMAINING WAR PRISONERS. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS ENVOY JOHN SHATTUCK SAYS HE TOLD BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC THE UNITED STATES IS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED THAT ALL WAR PRISONERS IN BOSNIA HAVE NOT BEEN FREED.

MR. SHATTUCK SAYS PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC ASSURED HIM THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO RELEASE WAR PRISONERS. THE U-S OFFICIAL SAYS HE HOPES THESE RELEASES WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OTHER FORMER WARRING FORCES IN BOSNIA HOLD HUNDREDS OF PRISONERS AFTER A DEADLINE, SET BY THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT, FOR THEIR FREEDOM.

FINAL PRISONER EXCHANGES HAVE BEEN DELAYED BY GOVERNMENT DEMANDS FOR AN ACCOUNTING OF THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS, MISSING IN SERB-HELD TERRITORY.

MANY OF THESE PEOPLE MAY HAVE BEEN MASSACRED AND BURIED IN MASS GRAVES. THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL EXPECTS TO START INVESTIGATING SUSPECTED GRAVE SITES VERY SOON. (SIGNED)

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23-Jan-96 8:51 AM EST (1351 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA RECONSTRUCTION (L-ONLY) BY ANDREW BAIRD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S COMPANIES HOPING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE RECEIVED DETAILED BRIEFINGS TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTRY, AS WELL AS THE COMPLEX SECURITY SITUATION WHICH EXISTS THERE. V-O-A'S ANDREW BAIRD HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: AT A CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, REPRESENTATIVES FROM MORE THAN 100 U-S COMPANIES WHICH WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA GOT FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON SOME OF THE HURDLES THEY FACE. MORE THAN FIVE BILLION DOLLARS IN RECONSTRUCTION FUNDS FROM INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES AND MULTILATERAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE WORLD BANK AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND ARE EXPECTED TO POUR INTO THE COUNTRY OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. BUT FOR U-S FIRMS, OPERATING PROFITABLY AND SAFELY IN BOSNIA MAY BE A BIG CHALLENGE.

CLAYTON VICKERS IS AN EXECUTIVE OF INTERTEC, A DALLAS-BASED DISASTER-RELIEF FIRM WHICH BUILT A WATER-SUPPLY SYSTEM IN SARAJEVO WHICH HE SAID PROVED IMPERVIOUS TO SERB SHELLING DURING THE SIEGE. HE TOLD PARTICIPANTS THAT THE CRITICAL FIRST STEP IN BOSNIA IS HIRING AN HONEST, EFFICIENT LOCAL BUSINESS PARTNER -- A TASK NOT ALWAYS EASY TO ACCOMPLISH. HIRING ENOUGH SKILLED LABOR, HE ADDED, MAY ALSO BE A PROBLEM.

THE COUNTRY HAS EXCELLENT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS, AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF. ALSO, EXCELLENT LABOR GROUPS. BUT THAT MUCH MONEY COMING IN THAT QUICKLY IS GOING TO CREATE NOT ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS, NOT ONLY IN TERMS OF FRAUD, BUT ALSO THE FACT THAT THERE MIGHT NOT BE SUFFICIENT MANPOWER. ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE BIDDING AGAINST THEMSELVES FOR LIMITED AVAILABLE RESOURCES.

MR. VICKERS SAID THAT AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN A SUCCESSFUL RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT WAS WORKING WITH THE BOSNIAN SERBS. BUT A U-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OFFICIAL STOOD UP TO NOTE THAT INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS ARE STILL IN EFFECT ON THE BOSNIA SERBS. U-S FIRMS ARE CURRENTLY PROHIBITED FROM WORKING WITH BOSINA SERBS OR THEIR FIRMS UNTIL THE COMMANDER OF THE NATO-LED IMPLEMENTATION FORCE, OR IFOR, CERTIFIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS THAT BOSNIA SERB FORCES HAVE MOVED BACK TO AREAS DEFINED BY THE DAYTON ACCORDS, AND UNTIL CERTAIN REGULATORY CHANGES ARE MADE.

MR. VICKERS SUGGESTED IN REPLY THAT THIS MIGHT BE A CRITICAL FLAW IN THE RECONSTRUCTION PROCESS. BOSNIA'S NEEDS ARE VAST, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COUNTRY'S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PASSED OUT A LIST OF 50 MAJOR PROJECTS FOR U-S FIRMS TO CONSIDER.

IN TERMS OF BOSNIA'S SECURITY, JAMES KEAGLE, AN AIR FORCE COLONEL AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE PENTAGON'S BOSNIA TASK FORCE, SAID THAT THE U-S NOW HAS 12-THOUSAND TROOPS IN THE COUNTRY AS PART OF THE NATO-LED IMPLEMENTATION FORCE EIGHT-THOUSAND MORE ARE DUE TO COME BY FEBRUARY TENTH. THE SECURITY SITUATION, HE SAID, IS STABLE. BUT HE NOTED THAT IFOR TROOOPS WERE FOCUSSING THEIR EFFORTS ON KEEPING THE WARRING PARTIES SEPARATED. U-S BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES, HE ADDED, SHOULD NOT EXPECT THE IFOR FORCE TO TAKE MEASURES OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF THEIR PRIMARY MISSION TO PROTECT THEM OR GIVE THEM SAFE PASSAGE THROUGH THE COUNTRY. (SIGNED)

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23-Jan-96 5:31 PM EST (2231 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA SITREP (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: UNDER STRONG AMERICAN PRESSURE, BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC HAS GIVEN ASSURANCES HIS GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO FREE SERB WAR PRISONERS. AS V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS, A DELAY IN THE RELEASE OF GOVERNMENT-HELD PRISONERS HAS HELD UP A FINAL EXCHANGE OF ALL WAR PRISONERS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

TEXT: THE TOP U-S HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL, JOHN SHATTUCK, SAYS PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC ASSURED HIM DURING A MEETING IN SARAJEVO THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO FREE SERB WAR PRISONERS.

MR. SHATTUCK SAYS THE ASSURANCE WAS GIVEN AFTER HE TOLD PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC THE UNITED STATES IS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED THE GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED TO FREE ALL ITS PRISONERS. THE U-S OFFICIAL SAID HE HOPES ALL WAR PRISONERS IN BOSNIA WILL BE FREED IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.

THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS LINKED RELEASE OF PRISONERS IT HOLDS TO AN ACCOUNTING OF MISSING MUSLIMS IN SERB-HELD TERRITORY OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. BUT, THE UNITED STATES IS DEMANDING THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE OTHER FORMER WARRING FORCES UNCONDITIONALLY FREE THEIR PRISONERS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEW BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. A DEADLINE FOR FINAL PRISONER EXCHANGES HAS BEEN MISSED.

U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS WARNED THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT MIGHT NOT RECEIVE ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION AID, AND THE BOSNIAN ARMY MIGHT NOT RECEIVE MILITARY TRAINING UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTS THE PEACE TREATY.

THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT MAY FEEL IT HAS SUCCESSFULLY FORCED INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION ON THE THOUSANDS OF MISSING MUSLIMS. THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL EXPECTS TO SOON BEGIN TO INVESTIGATE SUSPECTED MUSLIM MASS GRAVES AROUND THE EASTERN ENCLAVE OF SREBRENICA, CAPTURED BY THE SERBS LAST JULY.

THE COMMANDER OF THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE IN BOSNIA HAS PROMISED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THESE AND OTHER WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATIONS. NATO WILL NOT POST GUARDS AT SUSPECTED GRAVE SITES. BUT, NATO PLANES ARE FLYING SURVEILLANCE MISSIONS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION AND TO DISCOURAGE TAMPERING WITH MASS GRAVES. (SIGNED)

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23-Jan-96 10:06 AM EST (1506 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA / U-S TROOPS (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: AMERICAN TROOPS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE COME UNDER FIRE FOR THE FIRST TIME. BUT, AS V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS, NO AMERICANS WERE HURT AND THEY DID NOT SHOOT BACK.

TEXT: AN AMERICAN MILITARY VEHICLE WAS HIT BY SEVERAL BULLETS FROM AN AK-47 RIFLE, FIRED AT U-S FORCES ON A ROUTINE PATROL IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA.

THE ATTACK IS SAID TO HAVE OCCURRED EARLIER THIS WEEK, WHEN AMERICAN SOLDIERS WERE GOING THROUGH A CROAT VILLAGE.

IT IS BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST TIME ANYONE HAS FIRED AT AMERICAN TROOPS OF THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. NO U-S TROOPS WERE HURT AND IT IS BELIEVED TO BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

IN A REPORT TO THEIR HEADQUARTERS, THE SOLDIERS SAID AN ELDERLY AND APPARENTLY-DRUNK MAN EMERGED FROM A HOUSE AND BEGAN TO SHOOT HIS RIFLE WILDLY.

FAMILY MEMBERS AND A NEIGHBOR ARE SAID TO HAVE WRESTLED THE MAN TO THE GROUND BEFORE THE U-S TROOPS COULD DECIDE WHETHER TO RETURN THE FIRE.

AMERICAN AND OTHER NATO TROOPS IN BOSNIA ARE HEAVILY ARMED AND HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE WHATEVER FORCE MAY BE NECESSARY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES. (SIGNED)

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23-Jan-96 4:33 AM EST (0933 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] EUROPE HAVEL (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE FRENCH DAILY LE FIGARO, CZECH PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL SAYS THE ELECTION OF FORMER COMMUNISTS IN FORMER SOVIET BLOC COUNTRIES DOES NOT MEAN THE REVIVAL OF COMMUNIST REGIMES. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: CZECH PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL SAYS HIS GREATEST FEAR IS INSPIRED BY WHAT HE CALLS THE HESITANCY OF THE WEST. THE WEST, HE SAYS, HAS FAILED TO OPEN ITS INSTITUTIONS TO THE EMERGING DEMOCRACIES IN EASTERN EUROPE.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CONSERVATIVE FRENCH DAILY LE FIGARO, MR. HAVEL SAYS THE WEST IS OFTEN TOO CAUTIOUS. AND THIS, HE SAYS, OFTEN MAKES IT SHORT-SIGHTED. HE SAYS THIS CAUTION STOPPED THE WEST OPENING UP THE NATO MILITARY ALLIANCE TO THE FORMER COMMUNIST STATES OF EASTERN EUROPE. IN ADDITION, THE EUROPEAN UNION DID NOT GIVE CLEAR CRITERIA OR TIMETABLES FOR THE ADMISSION OF THE NEW DEMOCRACIES.

MR. HAVEL SAYS THAT NOW, SIX YEARS AFTER THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL, THE WEST IS RELUCTANT TO ACT FOR FEAR OF PROVOKING THE ANGER OR RUSSIA.

BUT HE ADDS THAT IT IS BECAUSE OF ITS OWN HESITATIONS THAT THE WEST HAS PROMPTED MOSCOW'S NEW INTEREST IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE. HE SAYS IT IS AS IF THE WEST STILL RESPECTS SOME SORT OF DEMARCATION ON THE CONTINENT. NONETHELESS, MR. HAVEL HAS SOME PRAISE FOR RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN. HE SAYS THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, DESPITE WHAT HE CALLS HIS TENDANCY TO RULE IN A VERY AUTHORITARIAN WAY, IS REALLY SEEKING TO REFORM RUSSIA AND PUT IT ON THE ROAD TO DEMOCRACY.

DISCUSSING THE RECENT ELECTIONS IN EASTERN EUROPE THAT HAVE BROUGHT FORMER COMMUNISTS BACK TO POWER, AS IN POLAND, MR. HAVEL SAYS HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THIS REPRESENTS A DESIRE TO RETURN TO THE PAST. HE SAYS MANY PEOPLE WANT BOTH LIBERTY AND ALL THE SECURITY OF THE PATERNALIST STATE. BUT THESE TWO OBJECTIVES, HE SAYS, ARE INCOMPATIBLE.

PRESIDENT HAVEL ADDS HOWEVER THAT THE WEST SHOULD BE MORE ACTIVE IN EASTERN EUROPE TO BUILD UP DEMOCRACY AND ENSURE STABILITY. HE SAYS THE WEST EXPECTED COMMUNISM TO LAST FOR CENTURIES AND WAS SURPRISED BY ITS FALL. IT WAS NOT THEREFORE PREPARED FOR THE CHANGES THAT FOLLOWED. MR. HAVEL SAYS THAT IF THE WEST DOES NOT TAKE THE INITIATIVE, HOWEVER, EUROPE CAN EXPECT MUCH MORE TURMOIL. (SIGNED)

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23-Jan-96 11:48 AM EST (1648 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] TURKEY / POLITICS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH PRIME MINISTER, TANSU CILLER, HAS OFFERED TO TAKE PART IN A REVOLVING PREMIERSHIP WITH MESUT YILMAZ, LEADER OF THE CONSERVATIVE MOTHERLAND PARTY. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS.

INTRO: MRS. CILLER MET WITH MR. YILMAZ FOR TWO-HOURS TO DISCUSS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COALITION GOVERNMENT. SHE SAID SHE WANTED TO BURY PAST DIFFERENCES AND CREATE WHAT SHE TERMED A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT BETWEEN THE TWO RIGHT-WING PARTIES, WHICH VIRTUALLY TIED BEHIND THE ISLAMISTS IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS HELD LAST DECEMBER.

NEWS OF THE PROPOSED ALLIANCE WAS GREETED WITH OVERWHELMING RELIEF AMONG FOREIGN DIPLOMATS, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND ABOVE ALL BY THE TURKISH MILITARY, WHICH IS WIDELY KNOWN TO OPPOSE THE ISLAMISTS' TAKING PART IN THE GOVERNMENT.

BUT ANALYSTS SAY THEIR OPTIMISM MAY WELL PROVE PREMATURE. MRS. CILLER SAID SHE SHOULD SERVE AS PRIME MINISTER FIRST. MR. YILMAZ MADE CLEAR HE WAS NOT ABOUT TO ACCEPT HER CONDITIONS -- SAYING HE HAD ADVISED HER TO RECONSIDER THE ORDER OF WHO SHOULD BECOME PRIME MINISTER FIRST.

THE IDEA OF A ROTATING PREMIERSHIP WAS FIRST PROPOSED BY THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT, WHICH OBSERVERS SAY HAS MORE TO LOSE THAN ANY OF TURKEY'S OTHER ALLIES IF THE PRO-ISLAMIC REFAH PARTY, WHICH SCORED ITS FIRST NATIONAL VICTORY, WERE TO TAKE POWER.

A SIMILAR DEAL WAS STRUCK IN ISRAEL BETWEEN THE LIKUD AND LABOR PARTIES IN 1984, WITH YITZHAK SHAMIR SERVING AS THE PRIME MINISTER FOR TWO-AND-ONE-HALF YEARS AND SHIMON PERES SERVING OUT ANOTHER TWO-AND-ONE-HALF YEAR TERM.

MRS. CILLER AND MR. YILMAZ ARE EXPECTED TO MEET AGAIN BY FRIDAY TO RESUME TALKS ON THEIR PARTNERSHIP. WITH 268 SEATS BETWEEN THEM IN THE 550-MEMBER TURKISH PARLIAMENT, THEY WILL NEED THE SUPPORT OF ONE OF THE LEFT-WING FACTIONS IN ORDER TO SUSTAIN A MAJORITY. (SIGNED)

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23-Jan-96 11:02 AM EST (1602 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America