Voice of America, 8 May 1996

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] CONGRESS-BOSNIA-IRAN (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

[03] U-S/SLOVENIA DEFENSE (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

[04] YUGO / WAR CRIMES (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[05] YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES (L UPDATE) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

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

INTRO: A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS, RANGING FROM THE INDIAN ELECTION TO A TRIO OF SUCCESS STORIES IN LATIN AMERICA, GET ATTENTION FROM U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL WRITERS THIS WEDNESDAY IN EARLY MAY. MIXED IN WITH THOSE CONCERNS ARE EDITORIALS DEALING WITH SUCH OTHER SUBJECTS AS: THE BOSNIAN WAR CRIMES TRIAL; U-S NON-INTERVENTION IN LIBERIA; RUSSIA'S UPCOMING ELECTION, THE GLOBAL PLAGUE OF LAND MINES; [AND] SPAIN'S NEW GOVERNMENT, [OPT] AND THE EVER-CONTROVERSIAL OWNER OF CINCINNATI'S MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM. [END OPT] NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: UNDER THE HEADLINE "DEMOCRACY WRIT LARGE," TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" MARVELS AT THE SCALE OF INDIA'S RECENT NATIONAL ELECTION, AND PONDERS THE POSSIBLE OUTCOME, AS THE POLITICAL DYNASTY OF THE NEHRU-GANDHI CONGRESS PARTY FADES TO A MEMORY.

VOICE: "THE WORLD'S LARGEST DEMOCRACY ... IS STRUGGLING TO FIND A MORE INFLUENTIAL ROLE FOR ITSELF IN ITS REGION AND THE WORLD. THE QUESTION OF NUCLEAR CAPABILITY LOOMS... INTO THIS TURBULENT TRANSITIONAL PERIOD STEP A POLITICAL CAST OF CHARACTERS BEREFT OF THE CHARISMATIC NATION-BUILDERS THAT GUIDED THE COUNTRY'S FIRST DECADES OF FREEDOM... BUT INDIAN DEMOCRACY HAS WEATHERED OTHER CRISES. PREDICTIONS OF ITS DEMISE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS. YET IT PERSEVERES -- LARGELY, PERHAPS, BECAUSE A MAJORITY OF THOSE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF VOTERS KNOW THEIR FUTURES DEPEND ON IT."

TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD," MEANWHILE, POINTS TO RECENT EVENTS THAT HAVE STRENGTHENED DEMOCRACY IN THREE LATIN AMERICAN NATIONS: PARAGUAY, WHERE A MILITARY COUP WAS THWARTED; MEXICO; WHERE POLITICAL REFORMS ARE STRENGTHENING THE POLITICAL OPPOSITION, AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, WHICH IS, IN "THE HERALD'S" OPINION, EDGING CLOSER TO FULL DEMOCRATIC STATUS.

VOICE: "... LAST MONTH, DOMINICAN PRESIDENT JOAQUIN BALAGUER APPEARED TO ACCEPT THE LEGITIMACY OF THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL OBSERVERS WHO WILL OVERSEE HIS COUNTRY'S MAY 16 [TH] PRESIDENTIAL VOTE. THIS NETWORK OF ELECTION WATCHDOGS HAS BACKING FROM THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE OPENING OF THE BOSNIA WAR CRIMES TRIALS IN THE HAGUE, THE FIRST SUCH INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL SINCE THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO. "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "THE TRIBUNAL'S WORK IS ESSENTIAL TO THE CIVILIZED WORLD'S COLLECTIVE SENSE OF JUSTICE AND HUMANITY. BUT ITS DENOUEMENT HAS AN AIR OF UNSATISFYING THEATRICALITY: BARRING UNFORESEEABLE DEVELOPMENTS IN BOSNIA, THE TRIALS ARE LIKELY TO RESULT IN NOTHING MORE CONCRETE [USEFUL] THAN THE PUNISHMENT OF A HANDFUL OF LOW-LEVEL CRIMINALS."

TEXT: ON THAT SAME TOPIC, TODAY'S "THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH" REMARKS:

VOICE: "... THIS WAR-CTRIMES TRIBUNAL IS INTRINSICALLY FLAWED, LARGELY FOR REASONS BEYOND THE TRIBUNAL'S POWER OR CONTROL. IT LACKS THE AUTHORITY AND RESOURCES TO ARREST SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS... THAT MEANS THAT THOSE WHO ACTUALLY STAND TRIAL WILL BE, FOR THE MOST PART, UNDERLINGS. BUT THE TRUE HORROR OF THE BOSNIAN WAR WAS ... THAT THE SYSTEMATIC ABUSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS -- TORTURE, CONCENTRATION CAMPS, MASS MURDER -- ... WAS AN INTENTIONAL STRATEGY..."

TEXT: CONCERNING THE CIVIL WAR IN LIBERIA, "THE NEW YORK POST" IS URGING THE U-S GOVERNMENT TO REJECT ANY SUGGESTION OF AMERICAN MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN THAT WEST AFRICAN COUNTRY:

VOICE: "NEWS THAT THE CHAOS HAS PROMPTED SOME LIBERIANS TO ASK FOR U-S INTERVENTION SHOULDN'T SURPRISE. AMERICA'S NATIONAL INTERESTS, HOWEVER, REQUIRE THAT WASHINGTON REPLY IN THE NEGATIVE. BEYOND THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S EFFORTS TO MEDIATE BETWEEN THE CONTENDING TRIBES, THERE IS LITTLE THE U-S CAN DO TO ASSIST THIS WAR-RAVAGED LAND... THE COLONIAL ERA IS OVER."

TEXT: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS TRIED TO CALM CONCERN IN THE WEST THAT HE MIGHT PROSPONE NEXT MONTH'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, IN WHICH HE FACES A STRONG COMMUNIST CHALLENGE. TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" SAYS REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME, THE ELECTION MUST NOT BE PUT OFF:

VOICE: "RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S PROMISE THAT ELECTIONS IN HIS COUNTRY WILL TAKE PLACE ON SCHEDULE WAS REASSURING. BUT THE FACT THAT HE HAD TO ISSUE SUCH A STATEMENT THIS WEEK -- AND THE LANGUAGE HE CHOSE IN DOING SO -- SHOWED HOW SHALLOW DEMOCRACY'S ROOTS REMAIN IN RUSSIA. THAT IS WHY RUSSIA'S FRIENDS IN THE WORLD MUST MAKE CLEAR, AGAIN AND AGAIN, THAT THEY VIEW A FREE ELECTION, NO MATTER WHO WINS, AS FAR PREFERABLE TO NO ELECTION AT ALL."

TEXT: GROWING SUPPORT FOR AN INTERNATIONAL BAN ON LANDMINES, NOW VIEWED AS A GLOBAL THREAT, GETS A STRONG ENDORSEMENT FROM "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" -- AND IT URGES THE UNITED STATES TO DO LIKEWISE:

VOICE: "[OPT] YESTERDAY, IF IT WAS AN AVERAGE DAY, 13 PEOPLE DIED WHEN THEY STEPPED ON LAND MINES SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD. THIRTY MORE WERE WOUNDED, MANY LOSING A FOOT OR A LEG. [END OPT] ... OF THE MORE THAN 400 MILLION LAND MINES THAT HAVE BEEN LAID SINCE WORLD WAR TWO, UP TO 110 MILLION ARE STILL ACTIVE IN THE SOIL OF 64 COUNTRIES. MOST VICTIMS ARE CIVILIANS. THAT'S WHY MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES ... WANT TO OUTLAW THESE INDISCRIMINATE WEAPONS. AT A RECENT U-N CONFERENCE IN GENEVA, MANY ARGUED FOR SUCH A BAN. THEY LOST... CLEARLY THE ENORMOUS LONG-TERM DANGER POSED BY MINES ... VASTLY OUTWEIGHS THEIR SHORT-TERM BATTLEFIELD BENEFITS. IT'S TIME FOR WASHINGTON TO MOVE CLOSER TO SUPPORTING A TOTAL BAN."

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" COMMENTS ON THE CHALLENGE FACED BY SPAIN'S NEW CENTER-RIGHT PRIME MINISTER JOSE MARIA AZNAR, WHO HAS HAD TO COBBLE TOGETHER A COALITION WITH BASQUE AND CATALAN MINORITIES IN ORDER TO GOVERN.

VOICE: "SO THE NEW GOVERNMENT, WHICH CAMPAIGNED AGAINST CATALAN ASPIRATIONS, PROMISED MORE CONTROL OVER REVENUES TO CATALONIA, THE MOST PROSPEROUS, LEAST SPANISH AND MOST EUROPEAN PROVINCE OF SPAIN, ... MR. AZNAR, LIKE CENTER-RIGHTISTS ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE, MUST STRUGGLE WITH A STAGNANT ECONOMY, HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AND RISING DEFICITS. BUT HIS REAL MANDATE IS TO COMPLETE SPAIN'S TRANSITION TO A DEMOCRATIC EUROPEAN NORMALITY. JUST BY TAKING OFFICE, HE LARGELY HAS."

TEXT: FOR MIDEAST WATCHERS, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" HAS THIS ADVICE, NOTING THAT NEW PEACE TALKS BETWEEN ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS DID NOT GET OFF TO "A ROUSING START" THIS WEEK.

VOICE: "IN LIGHT OF RECENT TRENSIONS IN THE REGION, IT'S AMAZING ... THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE OCCURRING ON SCHEDULE. BESIDES, THIS STAGE OF DISCUSSIONS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT. IT INVOLVES, FOR EXAMPLE, DETERMINING A FINAL STATUS FOR PALESTINIAN AND DEALING WITH THE ISSUE OF JERUSALEM."

TEXT: IN GEORGIA, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" BEGINS AN EDITORIAL SERIES TO BETTER INFORM METROPOLITAN RESIDENTS ABOUT THEIR SCHOOLS, WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING EDUCATION THROUGHOUT GEORGIA. THE PAPER STATES:

VOICE: "THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN PREPARING TODAY'S CHILDREN FOR THE 21ST CENTURY IS EDUCATION. IN THIS RAPIDLY CHANGING ECONOMY, IT IS THE KEY TO THEIR SURVIVAL, WHICH IS WHY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE THE LARGEST INVESTMENT WE, AS TAXPAYERS, MAKE. BUT WHAT DOES OUR MONEY BUY? FOR TOO LONG, PARENTS AND THE PUBLIC HAVE HAD LITTLE IDEA. ..... WE ENTRUST TO EDUCATORS THE CRITICAL TASK OF TEACHING AND MOLDING OUR CHILDREN. YET FOR MANY PARENTS, SCHOOLS SEEM AN UNWELCOMING FORTRESS WHOSE WALLS ARE HIGH."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, RESPONDING TO REMARKS COMPLIMENTING ADOLF HITLER'S EARLY EFFORTS AT GOVERNING, MADE BY MARGE SCHOTT, THE CONTROVERSIAL AND OFTEN OUTSPOKEN OWNER OF THE CINCINNATI REDS BASEBALL TEAM, TODAY'S "USA TODAY" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "MARGE SCHOTT [IS] AT IT AGAIN, FLAUNTING IN A T-V INTERVIEW HER ADMIRATION FOR -- AND IGNORANCE OF -- ADOLF HITLER: [QUOTE] 'HE WAS GOOD AT THE BEGINNING, BUT HE JUST WENT TOO FAR.' [UNQUOTE] GOOD AT THE BEGINNING? YES, IF YOUR IDEA OF POLITICS IS THE USE OF STRONG-ARM SQUADS TO ATTACKS OPPONENTS AND THE CREATION OF A PRIVATE ARMY... YES, IF YOUR IDEA OF A POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY IS UNALLOYED RACISM AND DICTATORSHIP ... THAT WERE EXTREME EVEN BY THE CHAUVINISTIC STANDARDS OF THE AUSTRIA IN WHICH HE GREW UP... AND THAT INDEED WAS JUST THE BEGINNING. "

TEXT: WHILE "THE WASHINGTON POST" ASKS SIMPLY, "WHY IS MARGE SCHOTT IN BASEBALL?":

VOICE: "WHY DOES BASEBALL PUT UP WITH SUCH A CRUDE AND THOUGHTLESS AND APPARENTLY INCORRIGIBLE FIGURE?"

TEXT: AND THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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08-May-96 11:15 AM EDT (1515 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CONGRESS-BOSNIA-IRAN (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

INTRO: THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS APPROVED THE CREATION OF A SPECIAL, TEMPORARY SUBCOMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S BOSNIA POLICY. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS THE PANEL WILL FOCUS ON THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO IGNORE IRANIAN ARMS SHIPMENTS TO REPUBLICS OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

TEXT: THE RHETORIC WAS HOT IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER FROM THE MOMENT DEBATE BEGAN AS FOREIGN POLICY AND ELECTION YEAR POLITICS COMBINED TO CREATE AN EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE.

THE REPUBLICANS ARGUED THEY NEED A SPECIAL PANEL TO LOOK INTO A FAILED FOREIGN POLICY. CONGRESSMAN GERALD SOLOMON OF NEW YORK SAID A DISTURBING SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES MUST BE INVESTIGATED.

ONLY THIS ADMINISTRATION, WHICH HAS PROVED ITSELF SO TOTALLY INCOMPETENT IN THE FIELD OF FOREIGN POLICY COULD CONCLUDE THAT IT WAS BETTER FOR IRAN TO GIVE ARMS TO BOSNIA, THAN FOR THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT OR THE AMERICAN PRIVATE SECTOR TO GIVE ARMS TO BOSNIA.

BUT DEMOCRATS SAID THE REPUBLICANS HAVE ONLY ONE GOAL. THEY STRESSED THE PRESIDENT DID NOTHING ILLEGAL, AND CLAIM THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IS ACTING WITH THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IN MIND.

THIS SELECT COMMITTEE IS NOT ONLY COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY, BUT ALSO COMPLETELY POLITICAL.

MARTIN FROST OF TEXAS SAID IT IS NO MERE COINCIDENCE THE PANEL HAS BEEN GIVEN SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE ITS WORK.

FRANKLY, I DON'T SEE HOW ANYONE CAN STAND HERE AND TELL ME THIS RIDICULOUS, TRUMPED-UP CHARADE WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO END THE WEEK BEFORE ELECTION DAY IS ANYTHING MORE THAN A CHEAP POLITICAL STUNT.

TECHNICALLY, THIS SPECIAL INVESTIGATORY PANEL WILL OPERATE AS A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE. REPUBLICAN HENRY HYDE OF ILLINOIS WILL LEAD THE INQUIRY.

POLITICS? LISTEN. I CAN'T HELP IT IF IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR. WE ARE NOT GOING TO ABANDON OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND OUT WHO DREAMED UP THIS POLICY, WHAT IS OUR ROLE, WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS, AND MOST SIGNIFICANTLY, WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR TROOPS THERE!

THE HYDE PANEL WILL BE GIVEN ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO DO ITS WORK. SEVERAL REGULAR STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE ALREADY LAUNCHED SEPARATE INVESTIGATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/LTJ/GPT
08-May-96 1:24 PM EDT (1724 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] U-S/SLOVENIA DEFENSE (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE PRIME MINISTER OF SLOVENIA -- JANEZ DRNOVSEK -- IS HOLDING TALKS WITH SENIOR CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS TO ADVANCE HIS COUNTRY'S CASE FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP. THE PRIME MINISTER SAYS RUSSIAN OPPOSITION TO NATO EXPANSION SHOULD NOT AFFECT THE CANDIDACY OF HIS COUNTRY, A FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER DRNOVSEK AND DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SIGNED AN INFORMATION-SHARING AGREEMENT AIMED AT LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR CLOSER BILATERAL MILITARY COOPERATION.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE HERE, THE SLOVENIAN LEADER STRESSED HIS COUNTRY'S CASE FOR EARLY ACCEPTANCE AS A FULL NATO MEMBER. THE PRIME MINISTER SAID SLOVENIA IS WIDELY CONSIDERED AS THE "BEST CASE" EXAMPLE AMONG CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES IN TERMS OF ITS ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL TRANSITION, AND THAT ITS PARLIAMENT SOLIDLY FAVORS ALLIANCE MEMBERSHIP.

UNDER QUESTIONING, HE SAID POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN RUSSIA MIGHT AFFECT THE TIMETABLE FOR NATO EXPANSION. BUT HE SAID RUSSIAN OPPOSITION TO EXPANSION SHOULD HAVE NO BEARING ON THE CANDIDACY OF SLOVENIA, WHICH AS A FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC WAS NEVER UNDER RUSSIAN OR SOVIET INFLUENCE:

I'M QUITE SURE THAT THESE DEVELOPMENTS WILL NOT PREVENT OR STOP THE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO. SO IT CAN ONLY INFLUENCE THE TIMETABLE, THE SCHEDULE FOR FURTHER ENLARGMENT. BUT THESE DEVELOPMENTS CAN'T INFLUENCE THE SLOVENIAN POSITION REGARDING NATO. SLOVENIA IS ONE OF THE COUNTRIES THAT HAS NEVER BEEN UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF RUSSIA OR THE SOVIET UNION. AND IT'S NOW ONE OF THE CANDIDATES THAT ARE NOT BURDENED WITH THIS QUESTION. SO OUR APPROACH TO NATO IS VERY CLEAR AND WE THINK SHOULD BE VERY SMOOTH.

SECRETARY PERRY, FOR HIS PART, SAID THE PROCESS IS MOVING AHEAD ON SCHEDULE. HE PREDICTED THAT ALLIANCE FOREIGN MINISTERS WILL DECIDE IN DECEMBER TO PROCEED WITH EXPANSION -- WITH THE FIRST GROUP OF NEW MEMBERS AND THE TIMETABLE FOR THEIR INCLUSION TO BE ANNOUNCED NEXT YEAR. POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC ARE WIDELY SEEN AS THE LEADING CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERSHIP. PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEFENSE TIES BETWEEN ALLIANCE MEMBERS AND SLOVENIA HAS BEEN SLOWED BY THE U-N ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS, WHICH IS BEING LIFTED IN STAGES UNDER THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/GPT
08-May-96 12:22 PM EDT (1622 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] YUGO / WAR CRIMES (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIAL OF A BOSNIAN SERB IS IN ITS SECOND DAY. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS A BRITISH HISTORIAN IS TESTIFYING ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS THAT LED TO THE VIOLENT BREAKUP OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

TEXT: THE WAR CRIMES TRIAL RESUMED IN THE HAGUE WITH TESTIMONY BY A BRITISH HISTORIAN, JAMES GOW, ABOUT HOW THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT TITO AFFECTED SERB THINKING IN WHAT WAS THEN YUGOSLAVIA.

THE WITNESS, CALLED BY THE PROSECUTION, IS LAYING THE HISTORICAL FOUNDATION FOR ITS CASE AGAINST DUSAN TADIC. THE BOSNIAN SERB IS CHARGED WITH KILLING OR TORTURING MUSLIMS AND CROATS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IN 1992 AS PART OF THE SERBS' ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN.

ON TUESDAY, PROSECUTOR GRANT NIEMANN OF AUSTRALIA SAID HIS WITNESSES WILL SHOW BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT MR. TADIC IS GUILTY OF THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM.

A DEFENSE LAWYER (MICHAIL WLADIMIROFF) SAID HIS WITNESSES WILL DEMONSTRATE BEYOND ANY REASONABLE DOUBT THAT THE CASE AGAINST DUSAN TADIC IS BASED ON MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

THREE JUDGES ARE HEARING THE CASE. IT IS THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIAL SINCE THE TRIALS IN NUREMBERG AND TOKYO SOON AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/JWH/CF
08-May-96 7:46 AM EDT (1146 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES (L UPDATE) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS BEGUN HEARING THE PROSECUTION EVIDENCE IN THE CASE AGAINST BOSNIA SERB, DUSAN TADIC ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. MEANWHILE, THE TRIBUNAL HAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT A BOSNIAN MUSLIM, ARRESTED IN GERMANY ON SUSPICION OF WAR CRIMES, HAS ARRIVED AT THE U-N DETENTION CENTER IN THE HAGUE. FROM THERE, GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS.

TEXT: AFTER THE INTENSE PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE FIRST DAY OF THE TRIAL, THE PROSECUTION HAS NOW BEGUN THE PAINSTAKING TASK OF TRYING TO PROVE THAT DUSAN TADIC IS GUILTY OF WAR CRIMES.

HE IS ACCUSED OF MURDER AND TORTURE -- BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE PRISON CAMPS IN BOSNIA. ALTHOUGH THE INDICTMENT AGAINST HIM DOES NOT USE THE PHRASE, HE IS ESSENTIALLY CHARGED WITH COMPLICITY IN ETHNIC CLEANSING.

THE PROSECUTION SAYS THAT DUSAN TADIC'S PART IN THIS CASE CAN ONLY BE UNDERSTOOD IN A WIDER CONTEXT -- A POLITICAL CLIMATE THAT ALLOWED AND EVEN ENCOURAGED THE HORRORS OF THE BOSNIAN WAR.

THE FIRST PROSECUTION WITNESS, BRITISH POLITICAL SCIENTIST JAMES GOW, HAS, IN FACT, TESTIFIED TO THE TRIBUNAL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AT VARIOUS PUBLIC HEARINGS.

HIS TASK WAS TO GIVE HISTORICAL CONTEXT TO THE PROCESS THAT ENDED IN ETHNIC CLEANSING, A PROCESS THAT BEGAN TO BECOME CLEAR, HE SAID, IN THE YUGOSLAV ARMY -- THE J-N-A.

AFTER THE OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES IN 1991, THE GRADUAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE J-N-A, WHICH HAD ALREADY BEGUN, WAS INCREASED GREATLY AND FOR THE MOST PART, NON-SERBS LEFT THE J-N-A. AND CERTAINLY BY THE BEGINNING OF 1992, THE J-N-A HAD BEEN TRANSFORMED FROM A LARGELY MULTI-ETHNIC ARMED FORCE INTO A LARGELY SERBIAN FORCE, BOTH IN THE OFFICER CORPS AND THE RANK AND FILE.

DEFENSE ATTORNEY MIKHAIL WLADIMIROFF SAT QUIETLY THROUGHOUT THE HEARING, ONLY RISING BRIEFLY FROM TIME TO TIME TO OFFER NO OBJECTION TO THE PROSECUTION'S EXHIBITS. MR, WLADIMIROFF HAS WARNED THAT THERE IS A DANGER OF HIS CLIENT BECOMING A SYMBOL OF WHAT HAPPENED IN BOSNIA, RATHER THAN AN INDIVIDUAL ON TRIAL.

THE NAME DUSAN TADIC WAS NOT EVEN MENTIONED ON THIS SECOND DAY OF HIS TRIAL. MR. TADIC HIMSELF WATCHED FROM THE DOCK, FLANKED BY TWO UNITED NATIONS GUARDS. AT TIMES HE SEEMED ALMOST BORED.

THE PROSECUTION IS EXPECTED TO CALL A NUMBER OF OTHER EXPERT WITNESSES OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR SO. THEY WILL INCLUDE A BRITISH JOURNALIST WHO WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE TO ENTER THE NOTORIOUS OMARKSA PRISON CAMP, WHERE SOME OF THE ALLEGED WAR CRIMES ARE SAID TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE. MEANWHILE, THE TRIBUNAL HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A BOSNIAN MUSLIM, ARRESTED IN GERMANY IN MARCH, HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE U-N DETENTION CENTER OUTSIDE THE HAGUE. ZEJNIL DELALIC IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN IN CHARGE OF THE JOINTLY MUSLIM/CROAT-RUN CELEBICI PRISON CAMP.

HE IS ACCUSED OF A CATALOGUE OF CRIMES THAT SOUND DEPRESSINGLY FAMILIAR -- COMPLICITY IN MURDER, RAPE AND TORTURE. HE IS THE SECOND PERSON IN TRIBUNAL CUSTODY INDICTED FOR CRIMES ALLEGEDLY COMMITTED AGAINST BOSNIAN SERBS. HIS FIRST COURT APPEARANCE IS ON THURSDAY, WHEN HE MUST PLEAD GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY. (SIGNED)
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08-May-96 2:35 PM EDT (1835 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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