Voice of America, 3 April 1996 (1 of 2)

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: TWO CASES INVOLVING CONTROVERSIAL POLICE ACTIONS ARE AT THE TOP OF THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS IN SEVERAL NEWSPAPERS THIS WEDNESDAY. ONE CASE CONCERNS A NEW YORK JUDGE WHO HAS REVERSED HIMSELF IN A DRUG CASE, AND THE OTHER IS THE VIDEOTAPED BEATING OF SEVERAL ILLEGAL ALIENS BY TWO CALIFORNIA SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES. OTHER OPINION TOPICS TODAY INCLUDE A CRACKDOWN IN CUBA; REALINGING THE NEW EUROPE, AND THE REEMERGENCE OF ROSS PEROT. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS COMMENT ON THE REVERSAL OF FEDERAL DISTRICT JUDGE HAROLD BAER IN NEW YORK CITY, WHO AT FIRST TOLD POLICE HE WOULD NOT ALLOW FOUR MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF DRUGS AS EVIDENCE AGAINST A SUSPECT. LAST YEAR, POLICE STOPPED A WOMAN FOR A TRAFFIC VIOLATION AND THEN FOUND MORE THAN 36 KILOGRAMS OF COCAINE AND HEROIN IN THE TRUNK [LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT] OF HER CAR. THE POLICE SAID THEY HAD A GOOD REASON TO STOP THE CAR AND WHEN THE WOMAN FLED, THAT SEALED THEIR CASE AGAINST HER. JUDGE BAER RULED THAT THE DRUGS RULED COULD NOT BE USED AS EVIDENCE AGAINST THE WOMAN BECAUSE THE POLICE HAD NO PROBABLE CAUSE TO SEARCH HER CAR. NOW, AFTER PRESIDENT CLINTON, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER BOB DOLE JOINED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN CONDEMNING THE RULING, JUDGE BAER HAS REVERSED HIMSELF. THAT PROMPTS "THE NEW YORK TIMES" TO NOTE:

VOICE: "FEDERAL DISTRICT JUDGE HAROLD BAER JUNIOR HAS MADE A TERRIBLE MESS. ... IT IS GOOD THAT JUDGE BAER'S RULING WILL NOW ALLOW PROSECUTION OF PEOPLE PLAUSIBLY ACCUSED OF TRANSPORTING FOUR-MILLION DOLLARS IN DRUGS. JUDGE BAER WAS ALSO RIGHT TO APOLOGIZE FOR WHAT HE NOW CALLS HIS HYPERBOLIC COMMENTS CONDEMNING THE POLICE. BUT THE LEGAL SYSTEM WILL NOT BE WELL SERVED BY SUCH A FLAGRANT SACRIFICE OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE."

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" TRIES TO PUT CRITICISM OF THE JUDGE BY PRESIDENT CLINTON, MR. DOLE, AND OTHERS, INTO PERSPECTIVE.

VOICE: "... IT IS IMPORTANT TO REAFFIRM THAT JUDGE BAER WAS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO RECONSIDER HIS ORIGINAL RULING AND UNDER NO REAL THREAT FROM POLITICAL FIGURES WHO PUT ON THE PRESSURE. THEIR RANTINGS ABOUT DEMANDING RESIGNATIONS AND PRESSING FOR IMPEACHMENT WERE BOTH OBNOXIOUS AND EMPTY... THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES FEDERAL JUDGES WITH LIFE TENURE SPECIFICALLY TO PREVENT POLITICAL MEDDLING IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS."

TEXT: "USA TODAY" CONCLUDES THAT AFTER PROSECUTORS IN NEW YORK PRESENTED MORE EVIDENCE ABOUT THE DRUG ARREST, THE JUDGE WAS RIGHT TO REVERSE HIMSELF.

VOICE: "IN FACT, [JUDGE] BAER MAY HAVE BEEN CORRECT BOTH INITIALLY AND IN REVERSING HIMSELF. THE FOUNDING FATHERS KNEW ALL ABOUT ABUSE OF AUTHORITY, HAVING EXPERIENCED IT FIRSTHAND IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE AS DEFINED UNDER THE BRITISH. THAT'S WHY THEY WROTE INTO THE CONSTITUTION A RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS, WHICH BANS SUMMARY PUNISHMENT ... AND A BAN ON ARBITRARY SEARCHES, WHICH WORRIED [JUDGE] BAER IN NEW YORK."

TEXT: AND IN "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," THERE IS THIS LAST WORD ON THE CONTROVERSY.

VOICE: "... WE'D AGREE THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SHORT-LIVED THREAT TO ASK FOR THE RESIGNATION OF JUDGE BAER, WHO WAS HIS APPOINTEE, AND SENATOR DOLE'S TALK ABOUT IMPEACHMENT CROSSED THE LINE TOWARD INTIMIDATION. ... THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE PUBLIC, OR THEIR ELECTED POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES, DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT -- OR EVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY -- TO CRITICIZE JUDGES WHO GO OFF THE RAILS. [MAKE UNORTHODOX AND HARMFUL DECISIONS] SURELY SOCIETY IS JUSTIFIED IN PROTECTING ITSELF FROM THREATS TO ITS OWN COHESION..."

TEXT: AS FOR THE BEATING OF SEVERAL ILLEGAL MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS BY POLICE IN CALIFORNIA AFTER A HIGHSPEED CAR CHASE, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" NOTES A KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS LATEST INCIDENT AND THE INFAMOUS BEATING OF RODNEY KING, A BLACK MAN, BY WHITE LOS ANGELES POLICE OFFICERS.

VOICE: "IN 1991, LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS REPEATEDLY DEFENDED THE CLUBBING OF [MR.] KING, SAYING HE POSED A THREAT TO THE OFFICERS SURROUNDING HIM; AFTER MONDAY'S INCIDENT, THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT PROMPTLY EXPRESSED CHAGRIN AT THIS LATEST OUTRAGE... THAT WAS A PROPER AND CLEARLY HONEST RESPONSE."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE CARIBBEAN, TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" IS UPSET ABOUT A NEW GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN IN CUBA AND SAYS PRESIDENT CASTRO HAS TO BE CHALLENGED.

VOICE: "... CUBA'S DICTATOR IS OBSESSED WITH HOLDING ON TO ABSOLUTE POWER. ... USING THE U-S CONGRESS'S PASSAGE OF THE HELMS-BURTON BILL [TIGHTENING THE EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA] AND THE INTERNATIONAL UPROAR OVER HIS DOWNING OF TWO CIVILIAN AIRPLANES AS PRETEXTS, [MR.] CASTRO IS NOW INTENSIFYING THE REPRESSION THAT HE HAS LONG IMPOSED ON THE CUBAN PEOPLE... THIS IS NO TIME TO PLACATE THE RABID DICTATOR WITH AID AND INVESTMENT: HIS DEEPER CONFLICT IS NOT WITH WASHINGTON BUT WITH CUBANS FAVORING DEMOCRACY."

TEXT: TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" FOCUSES ON EUROPEAN INTEGRATION AND SAYS THE BEST WAY TO INTEGRATE THE FORMER COMMUNIST BLOC NATIONS WITH THE REST OF EUROPE IS NOT THROUGH NATO.

VOICE: "... NATO ISN'T THE CLUB FOR THEM TO JOIN. THE EUROPEAN UNION IS. AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC SHOULD BE FIRST IN LINE AT THE CLUBHOUSE DOOR. THE REASON FOR DROPPING A NATO STRATEGY ARE MANY. THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL ONE IS THAT GIVING THESE FOUR RUSSIAN NEIGHBORS MEMBERSHIP IN THE WEST'S MILITARY ALLIANCE WOULD CREATE THE VERY DANGER SUCH MEMBERSHIP IS MEANT TO AVOID. IT WOULD HELP TO REVIVE AN ANTI-WESTERN, MILITARISTIC, COMMUNIST RUSSIA."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE ISSUE OF PEACE FOR ISRAEL, ON THIS FIRST DAY OF PASSOVER, THE JEWISH HOLIDAY, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" NOTES:

VOICE: "ISRAEL'S PRIME MINISTER, SHIMON PERES, HAS PROMISED TO SUBMIT ANY FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT WITH THE PALESTINIANS TO A REFERENDUM. THIS WAS A DEFT, EVEN NECESSARY MOVE. PUBLIC NERVOUSNESS OVER THE STILL-TO-BE-NEGOTIATED DETAILS OF SUCH AN AGREEMENT THREATENED TO DRAIN SUPPORT FROM MR. PERES'S LABOR PARTY IN NEXT MONTH'S TIGHTLY FOUGHT ISRAELI ELECTIONS."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, SOME COMMENTS FROM "THE BOSTON GLOBE" ON A MOST UNUSUAL TURN OF EVENTS IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS: THE CHOICE OF "RAVENS" AS THE MASCOT FOR BALTIMORE'S NEW PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM, IN HONOR OF THE CITY'S FAMED POET, EDGAR ALLEN POE AND HIS POEM ABOUT THE RAVEN. SAYS THE "GLOBE:"

VOICE: "A LITERARY ALLUSION IN THE HUDDLE AT LAST! NOW, AMID THE FOOTBALL MENAGERIE OF SNORTING, STOMPING BRONCOS, JAGUARS, LIONS, RAMS, COLTS AND BEARS, THERE STANDS AN EERIE AVIAN SYMBOL OF A POET'S LOST LOVE. ... THIS COULD BE THE START OF A WHOLE NEW BALLGAME, [IN THIS CASE"TREND"] AS LITERATI DISCOVER KIELBASA [POLISH SAUSAGE] AND BEER, AND CHEERLEADERS IN RAVEN HATS START RECITING QUATRAINS [A TYPE OF POETRY]."

TEXT: AND ON THAT LITERARY NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF REVIEW OF SOME OF THE DAY'S EDITORIALS FROM AROUND THE NATION. NEB/ANG/PCH 03-Apr-96 11:14 AM EST (1614 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] ALBANIA ECONOMY BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: ALBANIA APPROACHES PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN MAY OR JUNE WITH ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMING ECONOMIES OF THE COUNTRIES OF EAST AND CENTRAL EUROPE. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS ALBANIA THIS YEAR WILL REGISTER ITS FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.

TEXT: CONSIDERING THAT ALBANIA DID NOT HAVE A BANKING SYSTEM UNTIL 1992, THE BALKAN ECONOMY HAS DONE REMARKABLY WELL IN ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION.

THE EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT PLACES ALBANIA AMONG THE FOUR FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIES IN POST-COMMUNIST EUROPE. THE OTHERS -- ALL WITH 1995 GROWTH RATES OF FROM SIX TO SEVEN PERCENT -- ARE POLAND, ROMANIA, AND SLOVAKIA.

IN ADDITION, ALBANIA -- OUT OF 25 REFORMING ECONOMIES -- IS AMONG THE TOP SIX WITH INFLATION RATES OF UNDER TEN PERCENT. THE OTHER LOW INFLATION COUNTRIES ARE CROATIA, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, MACEDONIA, SLOVENIA, AND SLOVAKIA.

THE REFORM MOMENTUM IS CONTINUING AS THE COUNTRY HEADS TOWARDS ITS FIRST PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION SINCE 1992. A STOCK EXCHANGE IS BEING OPENED. PRIVATIZATION IS GOING FORWARD. AND COMPETITION IS BEING INTRODUCED INTO THE BANKING SYSTEM. THE FIRST FOREIGN COMMERCIAL BANK -- FROM GREECE -- HAS BEEN GIVEN A LICENSE TO DO BUSINESS.

RECENT PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS SHOW STRONG APPROVAL FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA. BUT FABIAN SCHMIDT OF TRANSITION MAGAZINE AND THE OPEN MEDIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE SAYS IT DOES NOT FOLLOW THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WILL WIN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE DEMOCRATS THEMSELVES BUILT UP A VERY STRONG POWER STRUCTURE. AND THERE IS A STRONG SUSPICION AMONG THE ELECTORATE THAT THIS HAS BECOME SELF-DEVELOPMENT. LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS. EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PROJECT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN ALBANIA. SO I WOULDN'T PROJECT WHO WILL WIN, BUT IT MAY BE THAT THE SOCIALISTS WILL WIN.

MR. SCHMIDT SAYS THE ECONOMIC REFORM SINCE 1992 HAS BEEN A GREAT SUCCESS.

ALBANIA IS ONE OF 13 TRANSFORMING ECONOMIES IN EUROPE TO BE WORKING WITH THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, WHICH IS PROVIDING LOANS AND POLICY ADVICE.

ALBANIA RECENTLY SIGNED A 33-MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT WITH GERMANY TO UPGRADE THE COUNTRY'S MAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN TIRANA. THAT ACCORD IS REGARDED AS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS PROJECTS IN ALBANIA SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM FIVE YEARS AGO. (SIGNED)

NEB/BDW/JWH
03-Apr-96 11:57 AM EST (1657 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA / WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: A BOSNIAN CROAT GENERAL, TIHOMIR BLASKIC, HAS PLEADED INNOCENT TO CHARGES OF WAR CRIMES DURING A HEARING AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. MEANWHILE, AS GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE, THE TRIBUNAL HAS ISSUED INTERNATIONAL ARREST WARRANTS FOR THREE FORMER YUGOSLAV ARMY OFFICERS ACCUSED OF MASS KILLINGS NEAR VUKOVAR IN CROATIA.

TEXT: GENERAL BLASKIC SAT IMPASSIVELY AS THE INDICTMENT AGAINST HIM WAS READ TO THE COURT.

HE WAS THE COMMANDER OF BOSNIAN CROAT FORCES DURING THE WAR IN BOSNIA. AND IT IS ALLEGED HIS TROOPS COMMITTED VARIOUS ATROCITIES AGAINST MUSLIMS OF THE LASVA VALLEY (IN CENTRAL BOSNIA), KILLING OR EXPELLING ALMOST EVERY MUSLIM IN THE AREA.

THE GENERAL WAS ASKED TO ENTER HIS PLEA TO THOSE CHARGES, AND HE RESPONDED, SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER:

YOUR HONOR, WITH RESPECT TO ALL THE CHARGES OF THE INDICTMENT, I PLEAD NOT GUILTY. I CONSIDER MYSELF COMPLETELY INNOCENT.

GENERAL BLASKIC IS BEING REPRESENTED BY A HIGH-PROFILE TEAM OF CROATIAN LAWYERS, WHO ARE ALSO TAKING THE CASES OF THE OTHER CROATS CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES.

ONE OF THE LAWYERS, ZVONIMIR HODAC, TOLD REPORTERS HE IS CONFIDENT AND OPTIMISTIC AND THAT GENERAL WILL BE FOUND INNOCENT. HE SAID THE GENERAL HIMSELF IS -- AS HE PUT IT -- FEELING STRONG.

GENERAL BLASKIC WILL WAIT FOR TRIAL, NOT AT THE U-N DETENTION CENTER OUTSIDE AT THE HAGUE BUT AT A RESIDENCE CHOSEN BY DUTCH AUTHORITIES, WHERE HE WILL BE GUARDED AROUND THE CLOCK BY POLICE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE TRIBUNAL HAS AGREED TO THIS KIND OF ARRANGEMENT. BUT THERE ARE CONDITIONS. AND IT IS NOT THE HOUSE ARREST THE DEFENSE HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR. HE WILL HAVE NO PHONE CALLS AND CAN RECEIVE VISITORS ONLY AT THE U-N DETENTION CENTER. COSTS ARE BEING PAID BY WHAT HIS LAWYER CALLS BOSNIAN CROAT INTEREST GROUPS. MEANWHILE, A JUDGE AT THE TRIBUNAL HAS ISSUED INTERNATIONAL ARREST WARRANTS FOR THREE FORMER OFFICERS OF THE YUGOSLAV ARMY. THEY ARE ACCUSED OF COMPLICITY IN THE KILLINGS OF 261 PEOPLE TAKEN FROM VUKOVAR HOSPITAL IN 1991.

THE JUDGE SAID THE MURDERS HAD REACHED WHAT HE CALLED THE HEIGHT OF VIOLENCE AND SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN PLANNED IN ADVANCE. HE ASKED THAT THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL BE INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE OF THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT TO HAND THE MEN OVER TO THE TRIBUNAL. (SIGNED)

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03-Apr-96 10:58 AM EST (1558 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA SITREP (L-SUBS 2-195260) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATORS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ARE BEGINNING TO SURVEY AN AREA WHERE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE MASSACRED THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS FROM THE ENCLAVE OF SREBRENICA. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS AN AMERICAN QUICK-REACTION MILITARY FORCE IS PROVIDING SECURITY FOR THE INVESTIGATORS.

TEXT: A TEAM OF EXPERTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL INTENDS TO SURVEY SEVEN SUSPECTED MASS GRAVES IN ADVANCE OF EXCAVATION WORK.

THE SURVEY AREA IS IN SERB-HELD TERRITORY IN EASTERN BOSNIA NEAR SREBRENICA, THE FORMER MUSLIM ENCLAVE CAPTURED BY SERB FORCES LAST YEAR.

IF THERE ARE ANY SERIOUS THREATS TO THE INVESTIGATORS, THEY CAN CALL ON AN AMERICAN QUICK-REACTION FORCE TO PROTECT THEM. THE FORCE INCLUDES NEARLY 100 SOLDIERS, ARMORED VEHICLES, ARTILLERY, AND ATTACK HELICOPTERS.

THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY, COMMANDED BY GENERAL RATKO MLADIC IS BELIEVED TO HAVE MASSACRED THOUSANDS OF MUSLIM CIVILIANS FROM SREBRENICA.

DESPITE SERB DENIALS, SATELLITE PHOTOGRAPHS, VISITS BY JOURNALISTS, AND ACCOUNTS OF SURVIVORS ALREADY PROVIDE COMPELLING EVIDENCE OF THE MASS KILLINGS, THE WORST OF THE WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IS ALSO INVESTIGATING WAR CRIMES AGAINST MUSLIMS BY CROATS AND BY MUSLIM OR CROAT FORCES AGAINST BOSNIAN SERBS.

IN SARAJEVO, AMERICAN ENVOY JOHN KORNBLUM HAS ATTENDED THE FIRST MEETING OF A NEWLY-CREATED FORUM, INTENDED TO STRENGTHEN THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION.

MR. KORNBLUM SAYS THE FORUM WILL PROMOTE A MUSLIM-CROAT DIALOGUE AT ALL LEVELS WITH THE UNITED STATES AS A CATALYST. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/MMK
03-Apr-96 11:27 AM EST (1627 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BROWN/U-N REACT (S ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS DIPLOMATS HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR SYMPATHY FOR THE PRESUMED DEATH OF U-S COMMERCE SECRETARY RON BROWN, WHOSE PLANE CRASHED IN CROATIA WEDNESDAY. AMONG THEM WAS CARL BILDT -- A FORMER SWEDISH OFFICIAL WHO IS HEADING RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. AS VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS, MR. BILDT WAS IN NEW YORK TO BRIEF THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON HIS EFFORTS:

TEXT: CARL BILDT IS ON A MISSION TO RAISE AWARENESS -- AND MONEY -- TO RE-BUILD BOSNIA. FUNDING FOR RECONSTRUCTION IS WELL UNDER THE U-N TARGET.

THE SWEDISH ENVOY SAID COMMERCE SECRETARY BROWN HAD A SIMILAR PLAN AND HE SEEMED TO TAKE A PERSONAL INTEREST IN HIS ASSIGNMENT:

HE WAS DOING WHAT I THINK IS MOST IMPORTANT -- TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE IMAGE YOU GET FROM BOSNIA ON TELEVISION IS NOT ONLY SOLDIERS AND TANKS AND BURNING HOUSES. THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER REALITY -- AND THAT IS A COUNTRY COMING BACK WITH BUSINESS, EMPLOYMENT AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT REQUIRE THE HELP AND ASSISTANCE OF THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

RON BROWN WAS TRAVELING WITH U-S BUSINESS LEADERS IN AN EFFORT TO PROMOTE INVESTMENT IN BOSNIA, WHERE THE FUTURE IS STILL UNCERTAIN AFTER YEARS OF WAR.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS TRYING TO ADVANCE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN BOSNIA BEFORE A NATO-LED FORCE PULLS OUT IN DECEMBER. (SIGNED)

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03-Apr-96 6:57 PM EST (2357 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BROWN PLANE THIRD UPDATE (S ONLY) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS ARE UNDERWAY ALONG THE COAST OF DUBROVNIK, CROATIA, WHERE AN AIR FORCE PLANE CARRYING U-S COMMERCE SECRETARY RON BROWN AND A DELEGATION OF TOP U-S BUSINESS EXECUTIVES HAS CRASHED. WRECKAGE OF THE PLANE HAS BEEN LOCATED, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL WORD ON WHAT CAUSED IT TO CRASH. PRESIDENT CLINTON IS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS CLOSELY, AS WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS.

TEXT: AS THE RESCUE EFFORTS CONTINUE, A SOMBER-LOOKING PRESIDENT CLINTON AND FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON ARRIVED AT THE BROWN FAMILY RESIDENCE IN WASHINGTON D.C. TO VISIT WITH MR. BROWN'S WIFE ALMA. THE PRESIDENT CANCELLED HIS PUBLIC SCHEDULE FOLLOWING WORD OF THE CRASH.

AN UNIDENTIFIED DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL IS REPORTED AS SAYING THERE IS NO DOUBT WRECKAGE SPOTTED BY RESCUERS IN THE ADRIATIC SEA DID IN FACT COME FROM THE COMMERCE SECRETARY'S PLANE. BUT CLINTON SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY IS NOT CONFIRMING THIS YET.

CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN SAYS THE PLANE HIT A HILL OUTSIDE DUBROVNIK. BUT THERE ARE CONFLICTING REPORTS IT CRASHED AT SEA.

NO OFFICIAL CAUSE FOR THE CRASH HAS YET BEEN DETERMINED. BUT BAD WEATHER WAS REPORTED IN THE REGION AT THE TIME THE PLANE WAS SUPPOSED TO LAND. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY. THE PLANE WAS EN ROUTE TO DUBROVNIK FROM TUZLA, BOSNIA.

THE FIFTY-FOUR YEAR RON BROWN IS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO BE COMMERCE SECRETARY. KNOWN AS A TOUGH ATTORNEY AND NEGOTIATOR, HE HAD SERVED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITEEE. (SIGNED)

NEB/BORG/MMK
03-Apr-96 2:56 PM EST (1956 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America