Voice of America, 96-06-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] U-S SUBSIDIZED ARMS SALES BY ALLAN BURSTYN (WASHINGTON DC)

[02] BOSNIAN-SERB DISINFORMATION

[03] U-S / BOSNIA VOTE (L) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

[04] U-S-BOSNIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[05] BOSNIA CONFERENCE (L) UPDATE BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[06] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

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

[01] U-S SUBSIDIZED ARMS SALES BY ALLAN BURSTYN (WASHINGTON DC)

INTRO: A NEW REPORT FROM THE WORLD POLICY INSTITUTE IN NEW YORK CITY SAYS THAT IN 1995 THE U-S SUBSIDIZED SEVEN-POINT-SIX BILLION DOLLARS IN ARMS SALES TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES. THE U-S-BASED RESEARCH ORGANIZATION SAYS THESE SUBSIDIES ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN ONE-HALF OF U-S ARMS EXPORTS IN 1995. V-O-A'S ALLAN BURSTYN IN WASHINGTON TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE REPORT.

TEXT: THE WORLD POLICY INSTITUTE STUDY SAYS THE UNITED STATES LAST YEAR SPENT ALMOST NINE PERCENT MORE IN SUBSIDIZED ARMS SALES TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES THAN IN 1994. THE UNITED STATES -- NOW THE WORLD'S LARGEST ARMS DEALER -- IS USING FOREIGN ARMS SUBSIDIES TO SUPPORT THE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR DEFENSE INDUSTRY.

FOR EXAMPLE, CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE RECENTLY APPROVED A 15-BILLION DOLLAR ARMS EXPORT LOAN GUARANTEE FUND, AND AN ANNUAL TAX BREAK FOR FOREIGN ARMS CLIENTS.

WILLIAM HARTUNG -- A SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW AT THE WORLD POLICY INSTITUTE -- ATTRIBUTES THE INCREASE IN FOREIGN ARMS SUBSIDIES TO PRESSURE FROM U-S ARMS DEALERS.

I THINK THE BIGGEST REASON IS THAT THE INDUSTRY PUSHED FOR IT. THEY HAD STRONG ALLIES IN THE CONGRESS, AND THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION STOOD WITH THE INDUSTRY'S POINT OF VIEW ON THIS.

THE REPORT SAYS FROM 1990 TO 1994 WEAPONS EXPORTING FIRMS HAVE CONTRIBUTED ALMOST 15-MILLION DOLLARS TO CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES. ALSO, TWO ARMS EXPORTERS HAVE DONATED OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN FUNDS.

DEFENDERS OF THE SUBSIDIES OF ARMS SALES SAY THE DEFENSE CONTRACTS CREATE JOBS FOR U-S WORKERS. BUT, THE REPORT SAYS THAT MANY OF THE JOBS CREATED BY THE DEFENSE CONTRACTS ARE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. FOR EXAMPLE, ALMOST TWICE AS MANY WORKERS ARE EMPLOYED BUILDING F-16'S IN TURKEY THAN IN THE UNITED STATES.

MR. HARTUNG SAYS THE MONEY SPENT ON ARMS SUBSIDIES COULD BE BETTER USED ON DOMESTIC PROGRAMS.

DOMESTICALLY, IF YOU TOOK THAT SAME SEVEN AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS AND SPENT IT ON SERVICE PROGRAMS YOU COULD PROVIDE 100-THOUSAND UNITS OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING, YOU COULD PUT 130-THOUSAND KIDS ON HEAD START, A PRIMARY EDUCATION PROGRAM, AND YOU'D STILL HAVE A FEW BILLION DOLLARS LEFT OVER TO REDUCE THE DEFICIT.

THE WORLD POLICY INSTITUTE REPORT SAYS THE LAST FIVE TIMES U-S TROOPS WERE SENT INTO HOSTILE SITUATIONS THEY CONFRONTED ENEMIES WHO HAD SOMEHOW GAINED ACCESS TO U-S WEAPONS AND TECHNOLOGY. DESPITE THIS, SUPPORTERS OF THE ARMS SUBSIDIES SAY THERE ARE STRICT GUIDELINES ON WEAPONS SALES TO PREVENT U-S WEAPONRY FROM GETTING INTO THE WRONG HANDS.

MR. HARTUNG BELIEVES THE SUBSIDIES WILL END IF U-S TAX-PAYERS VOICE THEIR DISAPPROVAL.

THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO HAVE TO SPEAK OUT MUCH MORE LOUDLY AND MUCH MORE CONSISTENTLY IN SAYING THEY DON'T WANT THEIR TAX-PAYER DOLLARS USED IN THESE AMOUNTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF SPREADING WEAPONS AROUND THE WORLD.

BUT WITH CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REDUCE THE FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT THE ISSUE OF SUBSIDIZED WEAPONS SALES COULD COME UNDER FIRE.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS QUOTES A SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE SPOKESMAN AS DEFENDING THE ARMS SUBSIDIES. THE SPOKESMAN SAYS THE SUBSIDIES ARE A KEY COMPONENT OF U-S FOREIGN POLICY STRATEGY TO MAKE SURE U-S ALLIES ARE WELL ARMED AND CAN DEFEND THEMSELVES. HE SAYS THE UNITED STATES ONLY SELLS WEAPONS TO ITS FRIENDS, AND HAS STRICT STANDARDS ON SELLING WEAPONS TO FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS. (SIGNED)
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14-Jun-96 1:54 PM EDT (1754 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIAN-SERB DISINFORMATION

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:

TEN MILES EAST OF SARAJEVO IN THE BOSNIAN SERB TOWN OF PALE, THE ART OF DISINFORMATION IS ALIVE AND WELL. PALE TELEVISION BROADCASTS PROPAGANDA AIMED AT INCITING PARANOIA AND FEAR AMONG BOSNIAN SERBS. A RECENT EVENING BROADCAST BEGAN WITH A STORY FALSELY CLAIMING THAT NATO HAD USED LOW-INTENSITY NUCLEAR WEAPONS IN AIRSTRIKES ON SERB POSITIONS AROUND SARAJEVO, GORAZDE AND MAJEVICA LAST YEAR. THE REPORT WAS A COMPLETE FABRICATION. ITS ONLY PURPOSE WAS TO DELIBERATELY MISINFORM BOSNIAN SERBS. TO A LESSER DEGREE, BOSNIAN MUSLIMS AND CROATS HAVE ALSO SOUGHT TO DISTORT EVENTS TO SUIT THEIR POLITICAL ENDS.

PALE TELEVISION IS THE ONLY SERB STATION AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT BOSNIA. MICHAEL MACLAY, SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OVERSEEING CIVILIAN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD, SAID, "IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS [PALE TELEVISION] HAS BECOME WORSE, AS STALINIST AS ANY OF THE OLD COMMUNIST REGIMES." ONE THEME REPEATED OVER AND OVER ON BROADCASTS IS THE NEED FOR BOSNIAN SERBS TO SUPPORT THEIR LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL. THE STATION ALSO CALLS ON BOSNIAN SERBS TO DEFEND ANOTHER INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC.

THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE AND THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE ARE RAISING FUNDS FOR AN INDEPENDENT TELEVISION NETWORK. THE SARAJEVO-BASED STATION WOULD PROVIDE UNBIASED NEWS AND INFORMATION TO ALL OF BOSNIA. IT WOULD ALSO GIVE EQUAL AIR-TIME TO ALL POLITICAL PARTIES PRIOR TO THE ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER.

THE UNITED STATES CONDEMNS THE DELIBERATE ATTEMPT BY PALE TELEVISION AND OTHER STATIONS TO MISINFORM THEIR AUDIENCE AND UNDERMINE THE FRAGILE PEACE IN BOSNIA. FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IS AN ESSENTIAL BUILDING BLOCK OF DEMOCRACY. THE PEOPLE OF BOSNIA CANNOT MAKE FAIR JUDGMENTS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THEIR COUNTRY AND THE WORLD WITHOUT FREE, FAIR AND ACCURATE MEDIA.

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.
14-Jun-96 11:11 AM EDT (1511 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] U-S / BOSNIA VOTE (L) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS IT SUPPORTS THE RECOMMENDATION BY A LEADING BOSNIA MEDIATOR TO HOLD NATIONWIDE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ON SEPTEMBER 14TH. A TOP WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL SAYS DELAYING THE VOTE WOULD ONLY REINFORCE DIVISIONS AND EXTREMISM INSIDE THE COUNTRY. V-O-A'S MAXIM KNIAZKOV HAS MORE.

TEXT: THE STATEMENT OF U-S SUPPORT CAME HOURS AFTER ROBERT FROWICK, THE HEAD OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE MISSION IN BOSNIA, ISSUED HIS RECOMMENDATION ON THE BALLOT. SPEAKING AT AN INTERNATIONAL BOSNIA CONFERENCE IN FLORENCE, ITALY, HE URGED THE O-S-C-E TO CERTIFY THAT CONDITIONS WILL BE SUITABLE FOR HOLDING FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA ON SEPTEMBER 14TH. (HERE,) IN WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, ANTHONY LAKE, GAVE THE RECOMMENDATION A STRONG ENDORSEMENT.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION STRONGLY SUPPORTS THAT RECOMMENDATION AS DO THE OTHER GOVERNMENTS AT THAT MEETING. AND WE HOPE AND EXPECT THAT THE O-S-C-E WILL ENDORSE IT SOON.

AMONG THOSE IN FAVOR OF DELAYING THE VOTE IS BOSNIA'S MUSLIM-LED GOVERNMENT. BOSNIAN OFFICIALS SAY THE POLLS CANNOT BE FREE AND FAIR WHILE POLITICIANS INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES CONTINUE TO ROAM SERB-CONTROLLED TERRITORY, INTIMIDATING VOTERS. MR. LAKE TOOK EXCEPTION.

LET ME TELL YOU WHY WE BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE WRONG. IF YOU TOOK A SNAPSHOT OF BOSNIA RIGHT NOW, WOULD IT SHOW THAT THAT CONDITION FOR FAIR ELECTIONS ALREADY EXIST? WELL, THE ANSWER IS NO. THEY WOULDN'T. BUT THAT IS THE WRONG PICTURE TO LOOK AT AND A WRONG QUESTION TO BE ASKING. OUR FOCUS SHOULD BE ON WHETHER THOSE CONDITIONS WILL EXIST BY SEPTEMBER 14TH.

THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER SAYS HE IS CONVINCED THAT IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS, THE PEOPLE OF BOSNIA WILL TAKE STEPS TO BRING ABOUT A MORE ELECTION-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT. HE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THEY WILL CREATE NEW POLITICAL PARTIES, MEDIA OUTLETS AND LOCAL ELECTION COMMITTEES.

ON TOP OF THAT, SAYS MR. LAKE, SOME 32-HUNDRED INTERNATIONAL MONITORS AND SUPERVISORS -- AS WELL AS THE NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE -- WILL MAKE SURE THE ELECTIONS RUN SMOOTHLY AND OPENLY. AND, HE GAVE ASSURANCES SOLDIERS WILL NOT HESITATE TO ARREST WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS, IF PEACEKEEPER PATROLS COME INTO CONTACT WITH THEM. (SIGNED)
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14-Jun-96 12:36 PM EDT (1636 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] U-S-BOSNIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: U-S STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL JOHN KORNBLUM IS RETURNING TO BELGRADE THIS WEEKEND TO SEE IF SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS READY TO TURN OVER ANY SERB OR BOSNIAN SERB WANTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S ACTION TURNING OVER TWO MUSLIMS WANTED BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IS A SIGNAL TO SERBIA TO HAND OVER THE MANY MORE SERBS INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES.

STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL JOHN KORNBLUM IS HOLDING TALKS IN BELGRADE THIS WEEKEND TO SEE IF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC CAN BE MORE FORTHCOMING ON THE ISSUE THAN HE WAS WHEN HE MET SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IN GENEVA NEARLY TWO WEEKS AGO.

SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS BOSNIA'S ACTION PUTS MORE PRESSURE ON SERBIA:

NOW THERE'S NO EXCUSE. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN A VERY MAJOR STEP TODAY IN HANDING THESE TWO PEOPLE OVER TO THE TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE AND THAT MESSAGE OUGHT TO BE HEARD IN BELGRADE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS NOT IMPRESSED BY LEGAL, POLITICAL OR SOCIAL IMPEDIMENTS FOR SERBIA NOT COOPERATING WITH THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, A REQUIREMENT OF THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED.)
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14-Jun-96 2:51 PM EDT (1851 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA CONFERENCE (L) UPDATE BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAS PROPOSED SEPTEMBER 14TH AS THE DATE FOR THE FIRST POSTWAR ELECTIONS THROUGHOUT THAT COUNTRY. AS IT ENDED IN FLORENCE, THE CONFERENCE ALSO REPEATED INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS FOR THE HARDLINE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, TO GIVE UP POWER. VOA'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: IN A FINAL CONFERENCE STATEMENT, SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM ABOUT 40 COUNTRIES ENDORSED THE SEPTEMBER ELECTION DATE, DESPITE DOUBTS ABOUT WHETHER THE VOTING CAN REALLY BE FREE AND FAIR.

AN OFFICIAL OF THE "ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE," ROBERT FROWICK, EARLIER WARNED THAT DELAYING THE ELECTIONS COULD LEAD TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE ENTIRE PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA. MR. FROWICK, WHO IS ORGANIZING THE ELECTIONS, RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONFERENCE STICK TO THE ELECTION DEADLINE, SET BY THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT.

IN ITS FINAL STATEMENT, THE CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA HAS ALSO DEMANDED THAT BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC GIVE UP POWER. HE IS CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES AND IS CONSIDERED THE MAIN OBSTACLE TO FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA.

NO PUBLIC DEADLINE IS SET FOR HIM TO STEP DOWN, THOUGH, AND THERE IS NO PUBLIC THREAT OF ANY DECISIVE ACTION TO CAPTURE HIM AND EXTRADITE HIM TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE.

THE DEFIANT SERBS SAY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO EXTRADITE MR. KARADZIC AND THAT THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE IN BOSNIA DOES NOT DARE TRY TO DETAIN THE WELL-GUARDED SERB LEADER.

THE SERBS SAY HE MAY EVEN BE A CANDIDATE IN THE SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS. IF HE IS, IT WOULD BE IN OPEN DEFIANCE OF THE TERMS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT.

RATHER THAN TRY TO SEIZE HIM, THE NATO COUNTRIES ARE TRYING TO PUT MORE PRESSURE ON SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO DEAL WITH THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER.

BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY MALCOLM RIFKIND SAYS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC CAN ELIMINATE MR. KARADZIC'S INFLUENCE AND POWER, IF HE WANTS TO. AN AMERICAN ENVOY IS EXPECTED TO RAISE THIS ISSUE AGAIN WHEN HE VISITS BELGRADE, AS WELL AS ZAGREB AND SARAJEVO, THIS WEEKEND. MEANWHILE, THE FORMER WARRING FORCES IN WHAT USED TO BE YUGOSLAVIA HAVE FINALLY SIGNED, IN FLORENCE, AN IMPORTANT ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED IN VIENNA. THE LAST OBSTACLE TO THE AGREEMENT, THAT WAS OVERCOME AFTER MORE THAN FIVE MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS, WAS A DISPUTE OVER HOW THE ACCORD WOULD REFER TO SERB-HELD TERRITORY IN BOSNIA. THE AGREEMENT IS INTENDED TO ESTABLISH A BALANCE OF POWER IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA THAT COULD HELP GUARANTEE PEACE AND STABILITY IN THE REGION. (SIGNED)
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14-Jun-96 2:54 PM EDT (1854 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: A CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF A BOSNIAN SERB ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES HAS TOLD THE U-N'S WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL THAT HE SAW HIM MURDER TWO MUSLIM POLICEMEN AFTER THE SERBS TOOK OVER HIS HOME TOWN. NIHAD SESEROVIC -- A BOSNIAN MUSLIM -- WAS TESTIFYING FRIDAY IN THE TRIAL OF DUSAN TADIC, CHARGED WITH CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. FROM THE HAGUE, GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS.

TEXT: NIHAD SESEROVIC WAS A CARPENTER IN THE TOWN OF KOZARAC IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA. HE HAD KNOWN DUSAN TADIC -- WHO OWNED THE LOCAL CAFE -- SINCE CHILDHOOD.

MR. SESEROVIC'S TESTIMONY IS AN IMPORTANT TURNING-POINT IN THE TRIAL. NEARLY SIX WEEKS INTO THE PROCESS, HE IS THE FIRST PERSON TO DIRECTLY ACCUSE MR. TADIC OF KILLING OR CRUELTY.

THIN TO THE POINT OF GAUNTNESS, MR. SESEROVIC TOOK ONE LONG LOOK AT HIS FORMER FRIEND AS HE ENTERED THE COURTROOM. THERE WAS NO LOOK IN RETURN FROM MR. TADIC.

MR. SESEROVIC TOLD THE COURT THAT AFTER THE SERB TAKEOVER OF THE TOWN IN MAY 1992, HE HAD SEEN DUSAN TADIC ARMED AND DRESSED IN CAMOUFLAGE UNIFORM IN A GROUP OF SERB PARAMILITARIES GUARDING SOME MUSLIM POLICEMEN. HIS WORDS ARE SPOKEN BY A TRANSLATOR --

AT A CERTAIN POINT, DUSAN TADIC CAME ... DRAGGED (A MAN) FROM THE GROUP, SHOUTED "FOLLOW ME." GOT HIM BY HIS NECK ... AND CUT HIS THROAT AND THEN STABBED HIM BELOW THE THROAT ... I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES.

A SECOND MAN, HE SAID, WAS KILLED IN THE SAME WAY.

THE DEFENSE SAYS THE STORY IS MADE UP (FABRICATED). BUT THE WITNESS HIMSELF SAYS HE HAS NO DOUBTS THAT THE MAN WHO WIELDED THE KNIFE IS THE MAN SITTING IN THE DOCK.

DUSAN TADIC HAS KEPT HIS HEAD DOWN THROUGHOUT THIS EVIDENCE, WRITING DETAILED NOTES.

MR. SESEROVIC TOLD THE COURT THAT HE HAD LATER BEEN TAKEN TO THE INFAMOUS "OMARSKA" PRISON CAMP. THERE, HE SAID, THERE WERE NIGHTLY BEATINGS, LITTLE OR NO FOOD, AND PRISONERS REGULARLY DISAPPEARED.

DUSAN TADIC IS ACCUSED OF, AMONG OTHER THINGS, MURDERING AND TORTURING AT THAT CAMP.

THE PROSECUTION HOPES TO CALL MORE THAN 60 OTHER WITNESSES TO PROVE ITS CASE, ALTHOUGH SOME HAVE ALREADY SAID THEY WILL NOT TESTIFY. THE TRIAL IS EXPECTED TO LAST FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. (SIGNED)
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14-Jun-96 2:17 PM EDT (1817 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE MAJOR FEDERAL COURT DECISION UPHOLDING THE PRINCIPAL OF FREE SPEECH ON THE INTERNET, THAT GLOBAL LINKAGE OF PERSONAL COMPUTERS, TOPS THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MANY U-S DAILIES THIS FRIDAY. THE DECISION INVALIDATES PART OF THE NEW FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS LAW WHICH HAD SOUGHT TO BAR PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIAL FROM THE COMPUTER HIGHWAY. OTHER TOPICS THIS FRIDAY (NEAR THE MID-POINT OF JUNE) INCLUDE: THE RUSSIAN ELECTION ON SUNDAY; CHILDREN AND POVERTY; PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE'S CITIZEN CAMPAIGN, AND THE TRIBULATIONS OF A CROATIAN HUMOR MAGAZINE. NOW, FOR A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES, HERE IS ________________ WITH TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: A THREE-JUDGE FEDERAL APPEALS COURT IN PHILADELPHIA THIS WEEK STRUCK DOWN A PORTION OF THE NEW FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS LAW DESIGNED TO BAR PORNOGRAPHY FROM THE INTERNET. THE INTERNET IS THE FASTEST GROWING METHODS OF PERSONAL AND GROUP COMMUNICATION ON THE PLANET, AND THAT FACT WAS APPARENTLY VERY MUCH ON THE JUDGE'S MINDS AS THEY RENDERED THEIR DECISION. NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE HAILING THE DECISION. FLORIDA'S MIAMI HERALD IS AMONG THEM, BUT REMINDS READERS:

VOICE: "FOR ALL ... THE RELIEF AND ANGER OVER A FEDERAL APPELLATE COURT'S DECISION TO STOP ENFORCEMENT OF BANS ON INDECENCY ON THE INTERNET, NOT MUCH HAS CHANGED. NO ONE LAWFULLY CAN SEND PORNOGRAPHY ON THE 'NET TO CHILDREN NOW, NOR COULD THEY BEFORE THE COMMUNICATIONS DECENCY ACT WAS APPROVED EARLY THIS YEAR. [OPT] ... THIS LAW HAD THE POTENTIAL OF REQUIRING ONLINE SERVICES TO CENSOR MATERIAL AND OF CHOKING OFF ADULTS' ACCESS TO THE RANGE OF THE INTERNET... THE SUPREME COURT, WHICH MOST LIKELY WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY, SHOULD FOLLOW THE APPELLATE PANEL'S WISDOM." [END OPT]

TEXT: ANOTHER FLORIDA DAILY, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL, ALSO LAUDS THE DECISION:

VOICE: "THE CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEE OF FREE SPEECH DOESN'T APPLY ONLY TO MAINSTREAM THOUGHTS AND VALUES. THE FIRST AMENDMENT WAS CRAFTED TO PROVIDE FOR THE OPEN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND INFORMATION -- NO MATTER HOW UNPOPULAR. IN FACT, IT'S ONLY UNPOPULAR EXPRESSION THAT REQUIRES PROTECTION. THAT'S WHY A DECISION ... TO BAR ENFORCEMENT OF A FEDERAL LAW THAT WOULD RESTRICT FREE SPEECH ON THE INTERNET WAS A PROPER DECISION."

TEXT: IN NEW ENGLAND, THE BOSTON GLOBE IS EQUALLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE RULING.

VOICE: "THE JUDGES CLEARLY APPRECIATED THE INTERNET'S UNPRECEDENTED ABILITY TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND RECOILED FROM THE PROSPECT OF FEDERAL PROSECUTORS RIDING ROUGHSHOD [ARBITRARILY USING] OVER THE VIBRANT DIGITAL LANDSCAPE... THERE ARE MANY ROUNDS REMAINING ... BUT FOR NOW, FREEDOM WINS."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES ALSO LAUDS THE RULING, CALLING IT "AN ELOQUENT DECISION THAT HONORS FREE SPEECH" [OPT] AND TALKS OF THE UNIQUE WAY THE JUDGES PREPARED FOR THEIR RULING.

VOICE: "THE THREE JUDGES ... RECEIVED A VALUABLE CRASH COURSE IN THE NEW COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY. WHAT THEY LEARNED IS CAREFULLY REFLECTED IN DETAILED FINDINGS OF FACT THAT COULD WELL SERVE AS A PRIMER FOR COMPUTER-PHOBIC AMERICANS SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE INTERNET, AND HOW IT DIFFERS FROM EARLIER FORMS OF COMMUNICATION INCLUDING RADIO, TELEVISION, BOOKS AND NEWSPAPERS. THE SHAME IS THAT CONGRESS DID [NOT] SIMILARLY EDUCATE ITSELF BEFORE MAKING IT A FELONY TO KNOWINGLY TRANSMIT INDECENT MATERIAL OVER NETWORKS WHERE CHILDREN MAY SEE IT."

TEXT: A FINAL WORD ON THE SUBJECT FROM USA TODAY, WHICH APPLAUDS THE COURT'S DECISION AS BEING IN KEEPING WITH THE INTENTION OF AMERICA'S FOUNDING FATHERS WHO WROTE THE CONSTITUTION.

VOICE: "BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE CONSTITUTION MEANS WHAT IT SAYS. BUT IT HAD TO BE RESTATED BY A FEDERAL COURT IN PHILADELPHIA WEDNESDAY. WHEN THE FOUNDERS WROTE, 'CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW ... ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH,' THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY MEANT."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE RUSSIAN ELECTION SCHEDULED ON SUNDAY, TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES CONCLUDES THAT A BORIS YELTSIN VICTORY "WOULD NOT ENSURE SMOOTH TIES TO [THE] WEST..." OR EVEN REAL PROGRESS AT HOME, AS THE PAPER SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "THE WORLD'S LARGEST STATE SUFFERS MORE NOW THAN UNDER COMMUNISM FROM CORRUPTION, CRIME, WIDE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DISPARITIES AND DRAMATICALLY LOWER HEALTH STANDARDS. [MR.] YELTSIN'S ABILITY TO DEAL EFFECTIVELY WITH THIS FORMIDABLE AGENDA IS STILL TO BE DEMONSTRATED."

TEXT: HERE IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL, THE WASHINGTON TIMES SAYS THE ELECTION PROVIDES -- IN ITS WORDS -- "DISAPPOINTING CHOICES" FOR RUSSIANS, ADDING:

VOICE: "A YELTSIN-ZYUGANOV RUNOFF IS CERTAINLY NOT THE KIND OF DEMOCRATIC ELECTION MANY OF US HAD HOPED FOR WHEN THE SOVIET UNION CAME CRASHING DOWN IN 1991... THIS ELECTION REPRESENTS THE CHOICE BETWEEN RESTORING A GREAT EMPIRE, SOCIALISM, OR FURTHER BREAKUP OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS FINAL TRANSFORMATION INTO A [WESTERN] COLONY."

TEXT: FRIDAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION DRAWS ATTENTION TO A NEW UNICEF STUDY THAT SAYS "ONE IN FIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN IS POOR, MAKING THE UNITED STATES THE LEADER IN CHILD POVERTY." THE PAPER USES THIS DATA TO ARGUE THAT CURRENT U-S GOVERNMENT POLICY TO REDUCE WELFARE PAYMENTS TO THE POOR WILL ONLY EXACERBATE AN ALREADY SERIOUS PROBLEM:

VOICE: "... THE SOLUTION TO CHILD POVERTY IS NOT TO CONDEMN MORE CHILDREN TO POVERTY BY PULLING OUT FROM UNDER THEM THEIR ONLY SAFETY NET. RATHER, THE SOLUTION IS REAL WELFARE REFORM -- NOT THE KIND THAT ENDS WELFARE BUT RATHER THE KIND THAT CHANGES IT."

TEXT: ON THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN STYLE OF BOB DOLE, NOW THAT HE HAS RETIRED FROM THE SENATE, LONG ISLAND'S NEWSDAY OPINES:

VOICE: "WE DON'T MEAN TO SOUND NAIVE ABOUT THE WAY PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS WORK THESE DAYS, BUT IT'S TOO BAD THAT THE TONE AND SUBSTANCE OF BOB DOLE'S FAREWELL ADDRESS ON THE FLOOR OF THE ... SENATE ... CAN'T ALSO BE THE TONE AND SUBSTANCE OF HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN... THE MAN WHO BADE FAREWELL TO THE SENATE IS A BETTER CANDIDATE THAN THE ONE ON THE STUMP [CAMPAIGN TRAIL.]"

TEXT: AND SPEAKING ABOUT CANDIDATE DOLE'S ATTEMPT TO MODERATE LANGUAGE ABOUT ABORTION IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN PLATFORM, THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH SAYS:

VOICE: "MOST VOTERS FAVOR THE RIGHT TO AN ABORTION, AND IN ANY CASE MOST DO NOT BASE THEIR VOTES [FOR HIGH OFFICE] SOLELY ON THE ABORTION ISSUE. THAT IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR MR. DOLE TO SEPARATE HIMSELF FROM THOSE FOR WHOM UNCOMPROMISING OPPOSITION TO ABORTION IS THE PRIMARY TEST OF SUITABILITY TO HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE."

TEXT: TODAY'S BALTIMORE SUN, COMMENTING ON THE DEEPENING FOOD CRISIS IN NORTH KOREA, SAYS AID MAY BE A WAY TO AVERT VIOLENCE ACROSS THE DEMILITARIZED ZONE:

VOICE: "THE U-S AND SOUTH KOREA PROPOSED FOUR-POWER TALKS WITH NORTH KOREA AND CHINA LAST APRIL. IF MODEST FOOD AID CAN BRING THESE TWO POWERS TO THE TABLE, WAR IN WHAT IS ARGUABLY THE WORLD'S HOTTEST SPOT MAY BE AVERTED."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF A TINY POLITICAL SATIRE MAGAZINE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE IN THE UNLIKELIEST OF PLACES -- CROATIA -- THE BOSTON GLOBE SAYS TODAY:

VOICE: "THE FERAL TRIBUNE IS A PHOENIX ON THE ADRIATIC. WERE IT PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES IT WOULD BE JUST ANOTHER HUMOR RAG, BUT IT PRACTICES THE DEMOCRATIC ART OF POLITICAL SATIRE IN CROATIA, WHERE LAUGHING AT THE GOVERNMENT CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO ONE'S HEALTH, AND WHERE THE STATE-CONTROLLED PRESS DOESN'T DARE TRY. EDITOR VICTOR IVANCIC AND HIS STAFF ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT NURTURING THE NATIONAL FUNNY BONE [SENSE OF HUMOR] IN A REGION THAT HAS BEEN DRENCHED IN TEARS AND BLOOD. FOR THAT THEY DESERVE NEARLY AS MUCH RECOGNITION AS THE DAYTON AGREEMENT... THERE CAN BE NO REAL HEALING WITHOUT LAUGHTER."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS TO BE FOUND IN THE U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/PCH
14-Jun-96 11:31 AM EDT (1531 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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