Voice of America, 3 May 1996

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

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

[02] ALBRIGHT ON NATO & BOSNIA

[03] BOSNIA/SERBS (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[04] BOSNIA / SERBS (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[05] BOSNIA / SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

[06] E-U/EXTERNAL RELATIONS (L-ONLY) BY RACHAEL BAIL (WASHINGTON)

[07] EU BOSNIA (L) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[08] GERMAN/NUCLEAR (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[09] NATO EXPANSION (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[10] POLAND PRIVATIZATION (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[11] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

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

INTRO: THE METAMORPHOSIS OF YASSER ARAFAT, FROM TERRORIST TO PEACEMAKER, IS A POPULAR TOPIC IN U-S PRESS EDITORIALS THIS FRIDAY. OTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDE A MIXED U-S MESSAGE ON TRADE; THE FAILURE OF THIS COUNTRY TO PAY ITS U-N DEBT; THE CLAMOR OVER RISING GASOLINE PRICES; [OPT] A RUSH OF YOUNG PLAYERS LEAVING HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE TO PLAY PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL, [END OPT] AND A TRIBUTE TO THE WORLD'S FREE PRESS. NOW, HERE WITH SOME QUOTES AND A CLOSER LOOK IS _____________________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT, WHO WAS ENTERTAINED AT THE WHITE HOUSE THIS WEEK, DRAWS CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION IN MANY PAPERS. THE LEAD "NEW YORK TIMES" EDITORIAL HEADLINE CALLS IT: "THE EVOLUTION OF MR. ARAFAT," ADDING:

VOICE: "THE TRANSFORMATION OF YASSER ARAFAT FROM SPONSOR OF TERRORISM TO PROPONENT OF PEACE STILL SEEMS IMPLAUSIBLE. BUT THERE HE WAS ON WEDNESDAY, WELCOMED WARMLY TO THE WHITE HOUSE BY PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR THE KIND OF OVAL OFFICE TETE-A-TETE RESERVED FOR WASHINGTON'S MOST HONORED GUESTS. EARLIER, ISRAEL'S LABOR PARTY DROPPED ITS LONGSTANDING OPPOSITION TO A PALESTINIAN STATE FROM ITS ELECTION PLATFORM... THESE DEVELOPMENTS REFLECT A RECOGNITION IN THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL THAT MR. ARAFAT HAS THUS FAR LIVED UP TO HIS COMMITMENT TO TURN AWAY FROM IMPLACABLE OPPOSITION TO ISRAEL AND MOVE TOWARD RECONCILIATION AND PEACE. [OPT] ... MR. ARAFAT AND HIS PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, THOUGH FAR FROM PERFECT, REPRESENT ONE OF THE BEST AVAILABLE INVESTMENTS IN MIDEAST PEACE. ASSUMING THEY MAINTAIN THEIR PRESENT COURSE, THEY DESERVE CONTINUED AMERICAN SUPPORT." [END OPT]

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" ALSO LEADS ITS EDITORIAL COLUMN WITH A COMMENT ON THE MEETING, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: "THIS WEEK, IN A MEETING THAT BOTH HOST AND GUEST AT ONE TIME WOULD HAVE CONSIDERED SCARCELY IMAGINABLE, IT WAS YASSER ARAFAT'S TURN TO BE GREETED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON. THE INVITATION ... WAS BLUNTLY A POLITICAL REWARD FOR [MR.] ARAFAT'S ACHIEVEMENT IN GETTING THE PALESTINE NATIONAL COUNCIL TO SCRAP THE CLAUSES IN ITS COVENANT THAT DENY ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO EXIST AND CALL FOR ITS DESTRUCTION."

TEXT: "THE BALTIMORE SUN," WHILE PLEASED WITH THE CLINTON-ARAFAT MEETING, REMINDS ITS READERS:

VOICE: "THIS IS THE ROGUE TERRORIST WHO PACKED [CARRIED] A GUN AT THE UNITED NATIONS, THE WORLD REVOLUTIONARY AND WOULD-BE DESTROYER OF ISRAEL. BUT THERE HE WAS, WEDNESDAY, NEATLY GROOMED BENEATH HIS TRADEMARK HEAD SCARF, POLITE AND SMILING, GREETED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON WITH THE MOST DECOROUS COURTESY. AND MR. CLINTON WAS RIGHT... THIS WAS THE CARROT OF CARROT-AND-STICK FAME. ACT AS A TERRORIST, GET TREATED AS ONE; ACT AS A STATESMAN, BE TREATED ACCORDINGLY."

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK POST," HOWEVER, HAS BARELY CHANGED ITS VIEW OF THE PALESTINIAN LEADER, AND WANTS THE PALESTINE AUTHORITY TO TURN OVER MOHAMMED (ABU) ABBAS, THE ACHILLE LAURO HIJACKER WHO HELPED MURDER CRIPPLED PASSENGER LEON KLINGHOFFER.

VOICE: "TO THIS DAY, [MR.] ARAFAT DENIES A P-L-O ROLE IN THE ACHILLE LAURO AFFAIR. IF [MR.] ARAFAT IS TO BE TAKEN AT HIS WORD ... THERE'S NO REASON WHY THE GROUP SHOULD HESITATE TO TURN THE CONFESSED TERRORIST OVER TO WASHINGTON."

TEXT: AMONG OTHER TOPICS GETTING EDITORIAL ATTENTION TODAY, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS UPSET ABOUT WHAT IT CONSIDERS A MIXED MESSAGE ON FREE TRADE WASHINGTON IS SENDING THE WORLD.

VOICE: "TWO DISTURBING TRENDS ARE EMERGING IN THE UNITED STATES' TRADE POLICY. ONE IS THE ATTEMPT TO EXTEND THE REACH OF U-S LAWS TO LIMIT THE ABILITY OF OTHER COUNTRIES TO CONDUCT LEGITIMATE BUSINESS WITH ONE ANOTHER. THE OTHER IS A RELUCTANCE TO HONOR THE RULINGS ISSUED BY THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION WHEN THEY RUN CONTRARY TO PERCEIVED U-S INTERESTS. AS A RESULT, THE NATION COULD SOON FIND ITSELF FIGHTING U-S ALLIES IN INTERNATIONAL COURTS AND UNDERMINING THE W-T-O, THE GLOBAL TRADE ORGANIZATION CREATED AT WASHINGTON'S INITIATIVE TO REFORM AND REGULATE THE WORLD TRADING SYSTEM... U-S NATIONAL INTERESTS ARE BETTER SERVED CHAMPIONING FREE TRADE, BECAUSE TIT FOR TAT RESPONSES DON'T WORK."

TEXT: SPEAKING TO THE THEORETICAL BANKRUPTCY THIS WEEK OF THE UNITED NATIONS, IN PART BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES HAS FAILED TO PAY ITS ONE- BILLION-DOLLAR ASSESSMENT TO THE WORLD BODY, "THE WASHINGTON POST" SAYS:

VOICE: "U-N AMBASSADOR MADELEINE ALBRIGHT YESTERDAY ASKED CONGRESS TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENT OF THE U-S DEBT OVER A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD IN RETURN FOR CLOSER CONSULTATION ON FUTURE PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS AND CONTINUING U-N REFORM. IT'S A REASONABLE PROPOSAL THAT TREATS SERIOUSLY THE REPUBLICANS' REASONABLE CONCERNS, AND CONGRESS SHOULD AGREE. AT THE MOMENT, THE UNITED STATES ISN'T SETTING MUCH OF AN EXAMPLE."

TEXT: CONCERNING THE PUBLIC CLAMOR OVER THE RAPIDLY RISING PRICE OF GASOLINE, "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" TAKES ISSUE WITH THE POLITICIANS PROPENSITY TO TAX THE FUEL SO READILY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY DO NOT IMPROVE THE ROAD SYSTEM WITH THE MONEY.

VOICE: "THE FACT IS, GASOLINE IS FAR AND AWAY THE POLITICIANS' FAVORITE COMMODITY. BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS TO USE IT CONSTANTLY, THEY'VE LONG DONE WHAT COMES NATURALLY: SLAP [PLACE] TAXES ON GASOLINE. ONE OUT OF THREE CENTS PEOPLE PAY AT THE PUMP GOES TO TAXES. IT GETS WORSE. MANY PEOPLE THINK THOSE TAXES PAY FOR THE UPKEEP OF THE NATION'S HIGHWAYS AND INFRASTRUCTURE. DREAM ON. [DO NOT BE FOOLED]. PRESIDENT CLINTON IN 1993 RAISED THE FEDERAL GAS TAX BY 30-PERCENT TO 18 CENTS A GALLON. UNLIKE PREVIOUS INCREASES, NO PRETENSE WAS MADE THAT THE EXTRA TAX WOULD BE FUNNELED INTO SPENDING FOR BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS. THE MONEY WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE U-S TREASURY."

TEXT: SEVERAL HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE BASKETBALL STARS HAVE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THEIR INTENTION TO LEAVE SCHOOL IN FAVOR OF PLAYING FOR A PROFESSIONAL TEAMS, ELICITING THIS COMMENT FROM THE NATIONAL DAILY, "USA TODAY."

VOICE: "THE RUSH OF YOUNG BASKETBALL PLAYERS LEAVING OR PASSING UP COLLEGE TO TURN PROFESSIONAL SHOULDN'T SURPRISE ANYONE. PROFESSIONALIZED BIG-TIME UNIVERSITY SPORTS PROGRAMS ARE JUST REAPING WHAT THEY'VE SOWN... IT WOULD BE HYPOCRITICAL TO EXPECT THE OUTSTANDING ATHLETES WHO PACK THE STADIUMS TO CONTINUE ENRICHING THEIR SCHOOLS, THEIR COACHES -- EVERYONE BUT THEMSELVES... THE FLIGHT OF ATHLETES REMINDS US WHAT BIG-TIME COLLEGE SPORTS REALLY ARE: SEMI-PRO LEAGUES. AND WHAT COLLEGES SHOULD BE ABOUT: EDUCATION."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THIS INTERNATIONAL PRESS FREEDOM DAY, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" PRINTS THE TEN-POINT-CHARTER ADOPTED AT A 1987 PRESS, ANTI-CENSORSHIP CONFERENCE IN LONDON. IT BEGINS:

VOICE: "CENSORSHIP, DIRECT OR INDIRECT, IS UNACCEPTABLE; THUS LAWS AND PRACTICES RESTRICTING THE RIGHT OF THE NEWS MEDIA FREELY TO GATHER AND DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION MUST BE ABOLISHED AND GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES, NATIONAL OR LOCAL, MUST NOT INTERFERE WITH THE CONTENT OF PRINT OR BROADCAST NEWS, OR RESTRICT ACCESS TO ANY NEWS SOURCE. INDEPENDENT NEWS MEDIA, BOTH PRINT AND BROADCAST, JUST BE ALLOWED TO EMERGE AND OPERATE FREELY IN ALL COUNTRIES."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE TOPICS COVERED IN THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF THE NATION'S PAPERS THIS FIRST FRIDAY OF MAY.
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03-May-96 11:00 AM EDT (1500 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBRIGHT ON NATO & BOSNIA

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

NATO IS CURRENTLY ATTEMPTING TO RESTORE PEACE AND ORDER IN BOSNIA. AS THE UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, SAID, THE STAKES ARE HIGH. EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT TERRIBLE MASSACRES OCCURRED IN BOSNIA AS RECENTLY AS LAST SUMMER. IF EUROPE IS TO REMAIN STABLE, THE EXPLOITATION OF NATIONALISM THAT HAS PROVED SO DEVASTATING IN BOSNIA MUST BE PREVENTED.

TO PUT BOSNIA ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY, A LARGE INFUSION OF CAPITAL WILL BE NECESSARY. AT A RECENT DONORS' CONFERENCE, MORE THAN ONE-BILLION DOLLARS WAS PLEDGED. TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE, THIS AID SHOULD BE PROVIDED IN A WAY THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THE INTEGRATION OF BOSNIA WITH ITS NEIGHBORS. ANOTHER IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD STABILITY WILL BE THE HOLDING OF FREE ELECTIONS.

AMBASSADOR ALBRIGHT STRESSED THAT IF PEACE IS TO ENDURE, EACH PARTY MUST MEET ITS OBLIGATION TO COOPERATE WITH THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. ACCESS TO WITNESSES, INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE MUST BE GRANTED. AND THOSE INDICTED MUST BE TURNED OVER FOR TRIAL.

ULTIMATELY, IF BOSNIA IS TO SURVIVE, A MAJOR CHANGE MUST OCCUR IN BOSNIAN ATTITUDES. NATO TROOPS HAVE COMMITTED THEMSELVES TO HELPING TO BRING PEACE AND STABILITY BACK TO BOSNIA. THE U.S. URGES ALL THE PEOPLE OF BOSNIA TO SEIZE THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR LASTING PEACE. ONLY BY PUTTING THE PAST BEHIND THEM CAN THEY HOPE TO RECLAIM THEIR LIVES, FAMILIES AND COUNTRY.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
03-May-96 4:16 PM EDT (2016 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA/SERBS (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: A BOSNIAN SERB LEADER, MOMCILI KRAJISNIK, SAYS THE SERB LEADERSHIP IS PREPARED TO STEP DOWN IF IT IS DEFEATED IN ELECTIONS, DUE TO BE HELD IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER. BUT, MR. KRAJISNIK DENIES SAYING SERB LEADERS WILL RESIGN IF THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WANTS THEM TO. HE ALSO REAFFIRMS THE SERBS WILL NOT EXTRADITE THEIR INDICTED POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. KRAJISNIK SAYS REMARKS HE MADE ABOUT THE SERB LEADERSHIP BEING READY TO BE REPLACED HAVE BEEN MISINTERPRETED.

HE DENIES SAYING OR IMPLYING IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE INDEPENDENT YUGOSLAV NEWS AGENCY, BETA, THAT SERB LEADERS WILL STEP DOWN IF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WANTS THEM TO.

MR. KRAJISNIK SAYS THE LEADERSHIP'S READINESS TO RESIGN WILL DEPEND ON THE RESULTS OF POST-WAR ELECTIONS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HELD THROUGHOUT BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA LATER THIS YEAR.

IN HIS BETA INTERVIEW, THE SERB PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER SAYS THE BOSNIAN SERBS WANT TO MAINTAIN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE LEADERS OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO. HE ADDS, IN THESE WORDS, IF NECESSARY, ALL OF US IN LEADING POSTS IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC WILL AGREE TO BE REPLACED, PROVIDED THAT THE SERB REPUBLIC IS MAINTAINED.

ELSEWHERE IN THE INTERVIEW, MR. KRAJISNIK DENIES THAT THERE ARE STILL MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BELGRADE AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

AT THE SAME TIME, THOUGH, BETA SAYS HE REFUSED TO GIVE A DIRECT ANSWER WHEN ASKED IF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS DEMANDED THE RESIGNATION OF HARD-LINE SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND THE SERB ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC.

MR. KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC ARE INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS. THE MAJOR POWERS ARE TRYING TO PUT GROWING PRESSURE ON THEM TO STEP DOWN. MR. KARADZIC, ESPECIALLY, IS REGARDED AS A SERIOUS OBSTACLE TO THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT.

IN THE FACE OF THE SERB LEADERS' DEFIANCE, THE MAJOR POWERS ARE LIKELY TO INTENSIFY THEIR PRESSURE ON PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO GET RID OF THEM. BUT, THERE IS NO CLEAR INDICATION THAT HE IS WILLING OR ABLE TO DO THAT. MEANWHILE, MR. KRAJISNIK, WHO IS CLOSE TO RADOVAN KARADZIC, SAYS THE SERBS WILL NOT EXTRADITE ANY ACCUSED BOSNIAN SERB WAR CRIMINALS TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT, IT IS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE INDICTED SERB LEADERS ARE PROSECUTED FOR WAR CRIMES. (SIGNED)
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03-May-96 11:28 AM EDT (1528 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA / SERBS (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: A BOSNIAN SERB LEADER DENIES THAT HE AND OTHER SERB LEADERS WOULD GIVE UP POWER IF SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WANTS THEM TO. HE ALSO SAYS THE BOSNIAN SERBS WILL _NOT_ EXTRADITE THEIR POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS WHO ARE ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER MOMCILO KRAJISNIK SAYS REMARKS HE MADE ABOUT THE SERB LEADERSHIP'S READINESS TO BE REPLACED HAVE BEEN MISINTERPRETED.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE INDEPENDENT YUGOSLAV NEWS AGENCY, "BETA," MR. KRAJISNIK SAYS HE DID NOT MEAN TO IMPLY THAT SERB LEADERS WOULD RESIGN IF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WANTS THEM TO.

THE BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIAL SAYS HE WAS ONLY STATING THAT THE LEADERS ARE PREPARED TO STEP DOWN, IN CONNECTION WITH ELECTIONS DUE TO BE HELD IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER.

IN HIS INTERVIEW WITH BETA, MR. KRAJISNIK IS ACTUALLY QUOTED AS SAYING THE BOSNIAN SERBS WANT TO MAINTAIN CLOSE COOPERATION WITH THE YUGOSLAV LEADERSHIP.

HE ADDED THAT, IF NECESSARY, ALL OF US IN THE LEADING POSTS IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC WILL AGREE TO BE REPLACED AS LONG AS THE SERB REPUBLIC IS MAINTAINED.

SEPARATELY, THE SERB OFFICIAL HAS REAFFIRMED THAT THE SERBS WILL _NOT_ EXTRADITE THEIR INDICTED POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. (SIGNED)
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03-May-96 10:31 AM EDT (1431 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA / SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: NATO OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA SAY THEY EXPECT A SENIOR AMERICAN DIPLOMAT, WHO WILL ARRIVE IN THE REGION ON SUNDAY, TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE CURRENT CRISIS OVER THE RETURN OF REFUGEES ACROSS ETHNIC LINES. THERE HAVE BEEN NO LARGE CROSSINGS OF REFUGEES SINCE DEADLY VIOLENCE ERUPTED BETWEEN SERBS AND MUSLIMS ON MONDAY. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: JOHN KORNBLUM, THE ACTING U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS, WILL FLY INTO THE REGION ON SUNDAY. HE IS EXPECTED TO MEET WITH THE LEADERS OF CROATIA, BOSNIA, AND SERBIA IN AN EFFORT TO ONCE AGAIN GET THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT BACK ON TRACK. MR. KORNBLUM IS THE REPLACEMENT FOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE, THE ARCHITECT OF THE DAYTON PLAN, WHO LEFT THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT EARLY THIS YEAR.

EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE CURRENT CRISIS IN BOSNIA HAVE SO FAR MADE LITTLE PROGRESS, AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE CONTINUING TO REFUSE TO SIGN UNITED NATIONS PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR VISITS BY REFUGEES ACROSS THE INTER-ETHNIC BOUNDARY LINE, KNOWN AS THE I-E-B-L.

THE NATO SPOKESMAN IN SARAJEVO, MAJOR SIMON HASELOCK, SAYS HE EXPECTS MR. KORNBLUM WILL PUT STRONG PRESSURE ON THE PARTIES TO REACH AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL ALLOW CROSSINGS TO TAKE PLACE SAFELY.

HE IS HERE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE HAD OVER THE I-E-B-L, NOT IN TERMS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, BUT IN TERMS OF THE CONFRONTATIONS THAT WE'VE SEEN, AND TO TRY AND KNOCK SOME HEADS TOGETHER.

THERE IS A PRECEDENCE FOR SUCH A MISSION. MR. HOLBROOKE RETURNED TO BOSNIA IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR TO SORT OUT A MAJOR CRISIS OVER WAR CRIMINALS AFTER THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT ARRESTED TWO SENIOR BOSNIAN SERB ARMY OFFICERS. THAT VISIT LED TO AN AGREEMENT KNOWN AS THE "RULES OF THE ROAD," AND ANOTHER SUCH AGREEMENT OVER THE REFUGEE ISSUE COULD NOW BE REACHED BY MR. KORNBLUM.

NATO COMMANDERS ARE LOOKING FOR A QUICK SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEIR TROOPS ARE USUALLY STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF FLAREUPS BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND SERBS ALONG THE FORMER CONFRONTATION LINE.

NATO TROOPS HAVE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS OFTEN PREVENTED LARGE GROUPS OF MUSLIMS FROM CROSSING INTO SERB AREAS IN WHAT NATO COMMANDERS SAY IS AN EFFORT TO PREVENT VIOLENCE FROM SERB CROWDS WAITING NEARBY.

THE ACTION HAS LED TO CHARGES THE NATO TROOPS ARE ALLOWING AND EVEN PROMOTING SERB AGGRESSION, A CHARGE OFTEN LEVELED AT THE UNITED NATIONS FORCE THAT SERVED IN BOSNIA DURING THE FOUR YEAR LONG WAR. (SIGNED)
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03-May-96 7:56 AM EDT (1156 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] E-U/EXTERNAL RELATIONS (L-ONLY) BY RACHAEL BAIL (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A TOP EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIAL, IN WASHINGTON TO CONFER ON U-S/E-U RELATIONS WITH BOSNIA, RUSSIA, GREECE AND TURKEY HAS DISCUSSED THESE ISSUES AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB IN WASHINGTON. V-O-A'S RACHAEL BAIL HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER HANS VAN DEN BROEK (EDS:PRONOUNCED HAANS VON DEN BROOK), SAID THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE HE DISCUSSED WITH U-S AND WORLD BANK OFFICIALS WAS BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

MR. VAN DEN BROEK IS RESPONSIBLE FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS WITH EASTERN EUROPE AND THE E-U'S COMMON FOREIGN AND SECURITY POLICY. HE EXPECTS BRINGING PEACE TO THE BALKANS WILL BE A LONG, SLOW PROCESS. HE SAYS HE WILL BE HAPPY IF IT IS ACHIEVED BY THE END OF THE CENTURY -- AND IT MUST BE SECURED BY THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS.

I MUST SAY I WOULD BE ALREADY EXTREMELY HAPPY AND I THINK THE WORLD CAN REJOICE IN CASE THE BALKANS END THIS CENTURY IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN THEY STARTED IT. AND IN OTHER WORDS, WE ALL KNOW THAT THE PEACE PROCESS AS SUCH AND THE PEACE AT THE MOMENT IN BOSNIA IS A FRAGILE ONE AND THAT IT HAS TO BE SAFEGUARDED AND SECURED. AND WHICH MEANS THAT ONLY A VERY STRICT AND SCRUPULOUS COMPLIANCE OF DAYTON CAN ENSURE THIS.

THE E-U OFFICIAL SAID THE LEADERS IN BOSNIA SHOULD KNOW THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS MAKING A TREMENDOUS EFFORT AND HAS SHOWN WHAT HE CALLED A GREAT ENGAGEMENT. HE SAID THEY ARE PREPARED TO CONTINUE THIS, BUT ONLY UNDER THE CONDITION THERE IS THE POLITICAL WILL IN BOSNIA TO FOLLOW THE ACCORDS-- WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

MR. VAN DEN BROEK SAID THE TALKS ALSO TOOK STOCK OF RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION, RETURNING REFUGEES, FREE MOVEMENT AND ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA.

ON FUNDS FOR REBUILDING BOSNIA, THE COMMISSIONER SAID HE IS EXTREMELY HAPPY ABOUT HIS DISCUSSIONS WITH THE WORLD BANK. HE SAID TWO INTERNATIONAL DONOR CONFERENCES HAD BROUGHT ONE POINT EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS FOR RECONSTRUCTION THERE.

ON THE GREEK-TURKISH DISPUTES, HE SAID THE TWO COUNTRIES HAVE MADE A GOOD START IN SETTLING THEIR ARGUMENTS ABOUT SOME ISLETS IN THE AEGEAN SEA. HE MENTIONED THE LONG-STANDING PROBLEM OF THE GREEK-TURKISH DIVISION OF CYPRUS AND CALLED FOR ITS RE-UNIFICATION. NOTING THAT CYPRUS IS A POSSIBLE EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER, HE CALLED FOR U-N, U-S AND E-U COOPERATION ON THE PROBLEM. HE SAID KEEPING 35 THOUSAND TROOPS ON THE TURKISH PART OF THE ISLAND PLUS HEAVILY SUBSIDIZING THE ECONOMY THERE IS A FINANCIAL DRAIN FOR TURKEY. BUT HE SAID HE IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT A SOLUTION.

IN VIEW OF THE PROSPECTIVE MEMBERSHIP OF CYPRUS IT IS CLEAR TO EVERYBODY THAT A UNITED CYPRUS, BE IT IN A FEDERAL FORM BI-ZONAL, BI-COMMUNAL, THAT A FEDERAL CYPRUS IN EUROPE IS MUCH MORE OF A CONSTRUCTIVE AND STABLE FORCE THAN A DIVIDED CYPRUS.

MR. VAN DEN BROOK'S TALKS IN WASHINGTON ALSO INCLUDED RUSSIA, ESPECIALLY IN VIEW OF THE JUNE ELECTIONS. HE SAID THE DISCUSSIONS CENTERED ON HOW THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION CAN WORK TOGETHER IN UNDERPINNING THE TRANSFORMATION PROCESSES, ECONOMICALLY AND POLITICALLY. (SIGNED)
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02-May-96 7:03 PM EDT (2303 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] EU BOSNIA (L) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR FOREIGN POLICY HAS CALLED FOR A EUROPEAN MILITARY FORCE TO TAKE OVER FROM NATO IN BOSNIA AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, TO SAVE THE WAR-RAVAGED STAE FROM COLLAPSING BACK INTO BLOODY CIVIL WAR. THE PLAN WAS UNVEILED BY HANS VAN DEN BROEK AT PRIVATE TALKS WITH SENIOR US OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FOR V-O-A FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: HANS VAN DEN BROEK, WHO IS A FORMER DUTCH FOREIGN MINISTER, THERE WILL BE A VACUUM IN BOSNIA FROM THE END OF THIS YEAR, WHEN THE NATO-LED PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IS DUE TO WITHDRAW.

PRESIDENT CLINTON -- AND MOST EUROPEAN LEADERS -- HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY DO NOT FORESEE THE NATO-LED MISSION LASTING BEYOND DECEMBER. HOWEVER, MR. VAN DEN BROEK SAYS THAT, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, THERE WILL NEED TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL MILITARY PRESENCE IN BOSNIA, TO BACK UP THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD.

AND HE BELIEVES THAT EUROPE SHOULD TAKE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS.

EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS HAVE REFUSED TO BE DRAWN OUT ON THE PRECISE NATURE OF SUCH AN OPERATION, BUT THEY CONFIRMED THAT ONE OPTION MIGHT BE FOR THE WESTERN EUROPEAN UNION -- THE W-E-U -- TO TAKE OVER PEACEKEEPING CONTROL IN BOSNIA.

THEY ADD THAT WESTERN POLITICIANS CAN NOT JUST WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS -- THEY MUST ANTICIPATE AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE, OR THE WHOLE PEACE WILL UNRAVEL AND BOSNIA WILL BURN AGAIN. HOWEVER, BRITISH OFFICIALS ARE SKEPTICAL TOWARDS MR. VAN DEN BROEK'S IDEAS.

THEY SAY THE WESTERN EUROPEAN UNION IS NOT YET CAPABLE OF RUNNING A MILITARY OPERATION ON THE SCALE OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE IMPLEMENTATION, AND THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE MILITARY STRUCTURE OUTSIDE NATO WHICH COULD DO THE TASK.

SO IF AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE MUST REMAIN IN BOSNIA AFTER DECEMBER, IT WILL HAVE BE LED BY NATO.

MR VAN DEN BROEK ALSO EXPRESSED ANGER IN WASHINGTON THAT INDICTED BOSNIAN WAR CRIMINALS -- FORMER PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC AND HIS MILITARY COMMANDER GENERAL RATKO MLADIC -- ARE STILL FREE. HE COMPLAINED THAT THEY ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO SEEM TO BE ABLE TO ROAM FREELY AROUND BOSNIA, GUARDED BY THEIR SUPPORTERS.

E-U OFFICIALS SAY THE TWO MEN ARE ACTING BEHIND THE SCENES TO DISRUPT EVERY EFFORT TO BRING THE BOSNIAN SERBS FULLY INTO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEACE PROCESS.

THEY CLAIM THAT IT WAS MR. KARADZIC AND GENERAL MILADIC WHO PREVENTED A DELEGATION OF BOSNIAN SERBS FROM ATTENDING A RECENT DONORS' CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS.

AS A RESULT OF THIS BEHAVIOR, HARDLY ANY INTERNATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION AID IS GOING TO BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY. (SIGNED)
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03-May-96 10:41 AM EDT (1441 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] GERMAN/NUCLEAR (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMAN AUTHORITIES HAVE STEPPED UP SECURITY ALONG RAILWAY LINES FOLLOWING A SERIES OF THREATS AND PROTESTS AGAINST THE PLANNED DELIVERY OF FRENCH NUCLEAR WASTE TO A STORAGE FACILITY NEAR HANOVER. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: POLICE SAY PART OF A RAILWAY LINE IN NORTHERN GERMANY WAS SHUT DOWN EARLY FRIDAY AFTER AN UNIDENTIFIED PHONE CALLER SAID BOMBS WOULD BE SET OFF THERE EVERY 15 MINUTES.

AUTHORITIES SAY SEVERAL CANISTERS FOUND ALONG THE TRACK (NEAR THE TOWN OF HELMSTEDT) WERE BEING EXAMINED BY EXPLOSIVES EXPERTS.

TRAFFIC ON ANOTHER RAIL LINE FROM BERLIN TO HANOVER ALSO HAD TO BE DIVERTED FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER A TRAIN SNAGGED A HOOK THAT HAD BEEN ATTACHED TO OVERHEAD POWER LINES. ELSEWHERE, LEAFLETS WITH ANTI-NUCLEAR SLOGANS WERE FOUND NEXT TO SEVERAL SIGNAL BOXES THAT HAD BEEN SET ON FIRE.

AUTHORITIES SUSPECT THE INCIDENTS ARE RELATED TO NEXT WEEK'S PLANNED DELIVERY OF FRENCH NUCLEAR WASTE TO THE GERMAN STORAGE UNIT AT GORLEBEN.

SINCE THE FIRST DELIVERY TO THE FACILITY LAST YEAR THERE HAVE BEEN DOZENS OF SOMETIMES VIOLENT PROTESTS BY ANTI-NUCLEAR ACTIVISTS, WHO CONSIDER THE OPERATION UNSAFE. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/MH/ART
03-May-96 11:41 AM EDT (1541 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] NATO EXPANSION (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA HAS ENDED VISITS TO FORMER COMMUNIST COUNTRIES IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE WHICH WANT TO JOIN THE NORTH ATLANTIC ALLIANCE. HE SAYS HE HAS ESTABLISHED GOOD DIALOGUES WITH THEM. BUT, HE STILL REFUSES TO SAY WHEN NATO WILL EXPAND OR WHICH COUNTRIES MAY JOIN THE ALLIANCE FIRST. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: MR. SOLANA LEFT ROMANIA AT THE END OF WHAT MUST HAVE BEEN AN EXHAUSTING TRIP THAT REQUIRED PATIENCE AND DIPLOMATIC SKILL.

HE ASSURED THE ROMANIAN GOVERNMENT IN BUCHAREST THAT ROMANIA IS NOT EXCLUDED FROM POSSIBLE NATO MEMBERSHIP. HE SAID NATO WILL NOT FORGET THAT ROMANIA WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY TO JOIN ITS PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE PROGRAM.

ROMANIA'S EAGERNESS TO BECOME A FULL NATO MEMBER CONTRASTS WITH INTERNAL DIVISIONS IN BULGARIA ABOUT THAT COUNTRY'S ADMISSION.

THERE WAS A SMALL PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION AGAINST NATO MEMBERSHIP IN THE HEART OF SOFIA WHILE MR. SOLANA WAS MEETING WITH GOVERNMENT LEADERS THERE.

PRESIDENT ZHELYU ZHELEV, A FORMER ANTI-COMMUNIST DISSIDENT, WANTS BULGARIA TO JOIN NATO AS PART OF HIS CAMPAIGN TO LINK BULGARIA MORE WITH THE WEST. BUT, THE SOCIALIST PARTY, WHICH CONTROLS PARLIAMENT, OPPOSES NATO MEMBERSHIP BECAUSE IT WOULD ANGER RUSSIA. RUSSIA STRONGLY OBJECTS TO NATO ENLARGEMENT.

DURING HIS TRIP, MR. SOLANA PUBLICLY REVEALED NO TIMETABLE FOR NATO ENLARGEMENT. HE ALSO REFUSED TO SAY WHICH COUNTRIES MAY BE ADMITTED TO THE ALLIANCE FIRST.

THE LEADING CANDIDATES ARE WIDELY CONSIDERED TO BE HUNGARY, POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND SLOVENIA.

UNLIKE THE OTHER THREE COUNTRIES, SLOVENIA, A FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC, WAS NEVER PART OF THE WARSAW PACT, AND ITS ARMY WAS NOT TRAINED BY SOVIET FORCES.

WHEN THE NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL WAS IN LJUBLJANA, SLOVENE LEADERS SAID THAT IS JUST ONE REASON WHY SLOVENIA DESERVES EARLY NATO MEMBERSHIP.

HUNGARY HAS STRENGTHENED ITS BID TO JOIN THE WESTERN ALLIANCE BY PROVIDING SUPPORT BASES FOR THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. AND, IN ITS STRONG MEMBERSHIP BID, THE POLISH GOVERNMENT IS KEEPING OPEN THE POSSIBILITY THAT NATO NUCLEAR WEAPONS COULD BE DEPLOYED IN POLAND. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/MH/MMK
03-May-96 12:38 PM EDT (1638 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] POLAND PRIVATIZATION (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE POLISH GOVERNMENT THIS WEEK ANGERED THE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMMUNITY WHEN IT DISMISSED TWO OF THE OUTSIDE EXPERTS BROUGHT IN TO MANAGE ONE OF THE INVESTMENT FUNDS SET UP TO ADMINISTER POLAND'S MASS PRIVATIZATION PROGRAM. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THAT 514 BIG POLISH ENTERPRISES ARE BEING PRIVATIZED.

TEXT: THE PRIVATIZATION MINISTRY DISMISSED THE U-S BASED WASSERSTEIN PERELLA COMPANY AND NEW ENGLAND INVESTMENTS WHICH HAD BEEN MANAGING ONE OF POLAND'S 15 NATIONAL INVESTMENT FUNDS.

UNDER THE COMPLICATED POLISH MASS PRIVATIZATION EACH OF THE 15 FUNDS HAS POLISH AND FOREIGN MANAGEMENT. EACH FUND HAS A CONTROLLING SHARE IN 33 OF THE COMPANIES BEING PRIVATIZED. THE FOREIGN FUND MANAGERS WERE LURED TO POLAND BY LARGE ANNUAL MANAGEMENT FEES AND 15 PERCENT OF THE SHARES OF THE COMPANIES THEY MANAGE.

THE POLISH GOVERNMENT SAYS THE AMERICAN FINANCIERS PERFORMED BADLY AND THUS HAD TO BE DISMISSED. THE AMERICANS DENY THIS AND ACCUSE THEIR POLISH PARTNER OF WANTING TO TAKE ALL OF THE PROCEEDS FROM WHAT COULD BE LUCRATIVE INVESTMENTS. THE AMERICANS SAY THEY ARE OWED ONE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS.

ANALYSTS SAY THE DISPUTE REVEALS JUST HOW POLITICALLY CHARGED THE POLISH PRIVATIZATION IS. CONCEIVED BY THE SOLIDARITY LED GOVERNMENT IN 1990, THE PRIVATIZATION PROGRAM WAS NOT IMLEMENTED UNTIL FIVE YEARS LATER, BY WHICH TIME IT HAD BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY MODIFIED.

THE GOVERNMENT LED BY EX-COMMUNISTS LAUNCHED THE PROGRAM NINE MONTHS AGO. BUT CRITICS SAY THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT COMMITTED TO PRIVATIZATION. THE LONG DELAYED POLISH PRIVATIZATION IS BEING CLOSELY OBSERVED BY FOREIGN INVESTORS AS ARE SIMILAR PROGRAMS IN ROMANIA AND BULGARIA.

THE MASS PRIVATIZATION IS THE CENTERPIECE OF POLAND'S DRIVE TO MAKE ALL CITIZENS SHARE HOLDERS IN A MARKET ECONOMY. TWENTY-SEVEN MILLION POLES ARE ENTITLED TO BUY AT A NOMINAL PRICE INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES THAT CAN BE CONVERTED INTO SHARES IN EACH OF THE 15 INVESTMENT FUNDS. THOSE SHARES ARE EXPECTED TO BE DISTRIBUTED BEGINNING LATER THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/MH/CF
03-May-96 11:50 AM EDT (1550 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: PALESTINIAN LEADER YASIR ARAFAT VISITS THE UNITED NATIONS FOLLOWING MEETINGS IN WASHINGTON AND CALLS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST; THE UNITED NATIONS ONCE AGAIN DIPS INTO PEACEKEEPING FUNDS FOR DAILY OPERATING EXPENSES AS THE U-N TREASURY REGISTERS ZERO; AND, A DE-COLONIZATION MEETING AWAY FROM NEW YORK RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT EXPENDITURES DURING THE U-N'S BUDGET CRISIS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT YASIR ARAFAT ARRIVED IN NEW YORK FOLLOWING WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A VERY SUCCESSFUL VISIT IN WASHINGTON. IT WAS HIS FIRST ONE-ON-ONE MEETING WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON, WHO PRAISED THE PALESTINIAN LEADER AS A FORCE FOR PEACE.

AT THE UNITED NATIONS, MR. ARAFAT BUILT ON THAT GROWING IMAGE. HE DISMISSED BRUSQUELY QUESTIONS FROM ARAB REPORTERS THAT MIGHT IN ANY WAY MAR THE ATMOSPHERE AS HE PREPARED FOR A TOUGH NEW PHASE OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ISRAELIS. MR. ARAFAT STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF A COMPREHENSIVE, LASTING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND CALLED ON LEBANON AND SYRIA TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT THE PEACE PROCESS.

THE ARABS WENT AS A GROUP TO MADRID IN 1991 -- ALONG WITH AMERICAN AND RUSSIAN ENVOYS -- TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR LAUNCHING TALKS WITH ISRAEL. THE EVENT PROVED HISTORIC FOR THE PALESTINIANS, WHO HAVE SINCE NEGOTIATED THE DEPARTURE OF THE ISRAELI ARMY FROM THE GAZA STRIP AND PALESTINIAN TOWNS IN THE WEST BANK.

MR. ARAFAT MET WITH SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI AND DISCUSSED THE LIKELIHOOD OF GETTING THE U-N MORE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE PEACE PROCESS. NO PROMISES WERE MADE. THE U-N HAS BEEN SIDE-LINED IN THE TALKS. ISRAEL HAD ARGUED AT THE OUTSET THAT THE U-N HAS TOO MANY CONFLICTING INTERESTS TO BE A NEUTRAL PARTNER.

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THE UNITED NATIONS ONCE AGAIN HAS HAD TO DIVERT FUNDS FROM PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS JUST TO KEEP ITSELF OPEN FOR ROUTINE BUSINESS. IT BORROWED FROM ITS PEACEKEEPING DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR TOO -- BUT NOT AS EARLY IN THE YEAR. THE U-N'S TOP FINANCIAL OFFICER ALSO ANTICIPATES HAVING TO DIP INTO FIELD OPERATION MONEY AT LEAST TWICE MORE IN 1996.

COUNTRIES THAT PROVIDE TROOPS FOR EXTENDED PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS HAVE COMPLAINED REPEATEDLY ABOUT DELAYED REIMBURSEMENT. MANY OF THEM ARE DEVELOPING NATIONS THAT CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT.

THE U-S CONGRESS HAS LEGISLATED FUNDS FOR THE U-N -- IN FACT MORE THAN U-N OFFICIALS HAD DARED HOPE FOR. BUT THE MONEY IS NOT EXPECTED BEFORE NEXT MONTH AT THE EARLIEST. EVEN WITH THE U-S CONTRIBUTION, THE UNITED STATES WILL STILL BE OVER ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN DEBT TO THE ORGANIZATION.

-0- MEANWHILE, HOW THE U-N SPENDS THE LITTLE MONEY IT HAS RE-EMERGED THIS PAST WEEK AS A CONTENTIOUS PROBLEM. WITH THE ORGANIZATION HOVERING NEAR THE EDGE OF BANKRUPTCY -- A 24-MEMBER U-N DE-COLONIZATION COMMITTEE IS CLAIMING 150-THOUSAND DOLLARS OF THE U-N BUDGET TO HOLD ITS ANNUAL MEETING IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA NEXT MONTH.

WESTERN NATIONS WONDER WHY THE COMMITTEE NEEDS TO GO SO FAR AWAY WHEN IT COULD JUST AS WELL MEET AT U-N HEADQUARTERS. THE U-N STAFF AND DIPLOMATS BEING FLOWN OVER FOR THE MEETING ARE GENERALLY BASED IN NEW YORK.

FOR THEIR PART -- MEMBERS OF THE U-N COMMITTEE QUESTIONED WHETHER ANYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO SUGGEST THEY NOT CARRY OUT SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES BECAUSE OF A FINANCIAL CRISIS THEY DID NOT CAUSE. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AUTHORIZES THE DE-COLONIZATION MEETINGS. LAST YEAR, THE GROUP MET IN THE CARIBBEAN.

THE COMMITTEE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE DURING THE FLURRY OF DECOLONIZING IN THE 1960'S AND '70'S. IN RECENT YEARS IT HAS HAD LITTLE TO DO. MOST OF THE TERRITORIES STILL ON ITS LIST OF NON- SELF-GOVERNING AREAS HAVE CHOSEN TO STAY NON-SELF-GOVERNING. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/MMK
03-May-96 2:55 PM EDT (1855 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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