Compact version |
|
Saturday, 23 November 2024 | ||
|
Voice of America, 17 July 1996Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)DATE=07/17/96TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-06984 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=NEAL LAVON CONTENT=_ INTRO: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S HEALTH, AMERICAN PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S DECISION TO DELAY IMPLEMENTATION OF A LAW AFFECTING TRADE WITH CUBA, AND DEVELOPMENTS IN BOSNIA, ARE AMONG THE SUBJECTS DISCUSSED TODAY ON THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF SOME OF AMERICA'S LEADING NEWSPAPERS. NOW, HERE IS ___________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: VICE-PRESIDENT AL GORE IS ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO RUSSIA. YESTERDAY, MR. GORE MET WITH BORIS YELTSIN, A DAY AFTER THEIR ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED MEETING. THE 45-MINUTE TALK WAS HELD AT THE BARVIKHA SANITARIUM OUTSIDE MOSCOW. AFTERWARDS, MR. GORE SAID THAT THE RUSSIAN LEADER APPEARED IN GOOD HEALTH. THE WASHINGTON POST ISN'T CONVINCED. VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE MAY FIND IT POLITIC TO DOWNPLAY BORIS YELTSIN'S LATEST PHYSICAL SETBACK, BUT THAT IS NO REASON FOR THE REST OF US TO IGNORE WHAT IS HAPPENING. THE FRESHLY RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA IS ONCE AGAIN IN PRECARIOUS HEALTH. SHOULD HE BECOME INCAPACITATED, THE ABILITY OF RUSSIA'S FLEDGLING DEMOCRACY TO EFFECT AN ORDERLY TRANSFER OF POWER WILL BE PUT TO A SEVERE TEST. MR. YELTSIN'S WITHDRAWAL TO A SANITARIUM...MAY INDEED MERELY BE PROMPTED BY EXTREME FATIGUE AFTER AN EXHAUSTING ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN, AS MR. CLINTON, MR. GORE, AND KREMLIN AIDES HOPEFULLY SUGGEST. BUT IT COULD ALSO SIGNAL A RECURRENCE OF THE SERIOUS HEART PROBLEMS THAT SENT HIM TO THE SAME PLACE TWICE BEFORE OR THE DRINKING BOUTS THAT HAVE PERIODICALLY IMMOBILIZED HIM.... THE HAPPIEST OUTCOME FOR RUSSIAN DEMOCRACY AND AMERICAN INTERESTS WOULD BE FOR MR. YELTSIN TO RETURN SPEEDILY TO FULL STRENGTH AND SERVE OUT HIS NEW FOUR-YEAR TERM." TEXT: ON TUESDAY, PRESIDENT CLINTON DELAYED, BY AT LEAST SIX MONTHS, A LAW IMPOSING SANCTIONS ON SOME INTERNATIONAL FIRMS OPERATING IN CUBA. SPECIFICALLY, TITLE III (THREE) OF THE HELMS-BURTON LAW -- NAMED FOR THE BILL'S SPONSORS -- WOULD GRANT AMERICAN CITIZENS THE RIGHT TO SUE COMPANIES, HEADQUARTERED OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, THAT ARE USING AMERICAN PROPERTY SEIZED BY CUBA AFTER THE CASTRO TAKEOVER. THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS THAT "POPULAR AS IT IS WITH MANY CUBAN AMERICANS, THIS WAS BAD, AND POSSIBLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL, LEGISLATION, AND THE ADMINISTRATION OPPOSED IT UNTIL FIDEL CASTRO'S CUBA SHOT DOWN TWO UNARMED AIRPLANES OVER ITS AIRSPACE IN FEBRUARY." VOICE: "THE REAL QUESTION BENEATH ALL THIS MANEUVERING IS WHAT BEST WILL HASTEN DEMOCRATIZATION IN CUBA. HELMS-BURTON PROPONENTS SAY THAT ISOLATION IS THE WAY. OPPONENTS ARGUE THAT FOREIGN INVESTMENT CAN PROMOTE CAPITALISM AND SPACE FOR POLITICAL OPPOSITION INSIDE THE CUBAN POLICE STATE. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION NOW SAYS IT WILL USE THE THREAT OF TITLE III TO PERSUADE OTHER NATIONS TO HELP PRESSURE CASTRO OR, AT LEAST, TO INVEST IN THE RIGHT WAY -- FOLLOWING A CODE OF CONDUCT THAT HELPS ORDINARY CUBANS MORE THAN IT BOLSTERS THEIR DICTATOR. THIS INDEED IS A WORTHY AIM, AND PERHAPS THE BEST THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SALVAGED FROM A BAD BILL. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW EAGER U.S. ALLIES WILL BE TO COOPERATE WITH A LOADED GUN HELD TO THEIR HEADS." TEXT: THE HARTFORD COURANT TELLS READERS THAT "VIRTUALLY EVERY LATIN AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN GOVERNMENT HAS CONDEMNED THE LAW." AND, CONTINUES THE CONNECTICUT PAPER, "MANY HAVE THREATENED RETALIATION." VOICE: "CANADA HAS ALREADY PASSED A LAW FORBIDDING ITS COMPANIES TO ANSWER SUMMONS IN U.S. COURTS ON INVESTMENTS IN CUBA. MEXICO IS EXPECTED TO DO THE SAME. (///OPT///) THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE UNITED STATES LED THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORT AGAINST ARAB COUNTRIES' TRADE BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL, CALLING IT IMMORAL AND ILLEGAL. NOW, THE REPUBLICAN-LED CONGRESS AND MR. CLINTON ARE FIGHTING FOR A TRADE BOYCOTT AGAINST AN INCONSEQUENTIAL NEIGHBOR. (///END OPT///) FIDEL CASTRO'S GOVERNMENT HAS EXPRESSED WILLINGNESS TO COMPENSATE THE AMERICAN OWNERS OF PROPERTY CONFISCATED BY CUBA.... BUT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS NO ACCOMMODATION IS POSSIBLE IN THE ABSENCE OF SWEEPING POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM IN CUBA. AMERICANS WHO LOST ASSETS IN CUBA HAVE A LEGITIMATE GRIEVANCE AGAINST THE CASTRO REGIME, NOT THE FOREIGN COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS IN CUBA. SINCE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, SCORES OF COUNTRIES HAVE NATIONALIZED PROPERTY AND KICKED OUT FOREIGN INVESTORS, AS CUBA DID. IF THE UNITED STATES WERE TO IMPOSE SIMILAR PUNITIVE CONDITIONS ON THOSE COUNTRIES, IT WOULD BE REDUCED TO A MINOR PLAYER IN FOREIGN TRADE." TEXT: RICHARD HOLBROOKE, AN EXPERIENCED AMERICAN DIPLOMAT, IS CREDITED WITH ACHIEVING THE BREAKTHROUGH IN THE BOSNIAN CRISIS WHICH LED TO THE SIGNING OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS. THE BOSTON GLOBE COMMENTS ON THE FACT THAT MR. HOLBROOKE "HAS BEEN BROUGHT OUT OF RETIREMENT -- HE IS NOW A WALL STREET INVESTMENT BANKER -- TO BE A SPECIAL ENVOY TO GET THE PEACE BACK ON TRACK." VOICE: "HE IS TO MEET WITH SERBIA'S LEADER, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, TODAY IN BELGRADE, AND HIS MESSAGE WILL BE: COUGH UP BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND RADKO MLADIC, WHO HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR GENOCIDAL CRIMES BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE, OR FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF REIMPOSED SANCTIONS ON SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO. WITH THE BONES OF THEIR VICTIMS EMERGING FROM SHALLOW GRAVES, ESPECIALLY IN SREBRENICA, WHERE THOUSANDS WERE MASSACRED IN A SO-CALLED UN SAFE HAVEN JUST OVER A YEAR AGO, THERE IS RENEWED CALL FOR KARADZIC AND MLADIC TO FACE JUSTICE. IT IS FELT THAT THE ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER AND THE PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION CANNOT GO FORWARD WITH KARADZIC AND MLADIC IN POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY.... THE HARD TRUTH -- DIFFICULT TO CONTEMPLATE IN AN ELECTION YEAR -- IS THAT THE ONLY PART OF DAYTON THAT HAS TRULY SUCCEEDED IS THE SEPARATION OF FORCES, AND IF IT TAKES LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED FOR POLITICAL RESOLUTION, NATO'S TROOPS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO STAY LONGER. IF THEY ARE NOT, WAR WILL QUICKLY RESUME." TEXT: LAST WEEK, THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CANCELLED COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT ERNESTO SAMPER'S U.S. VISA HE WAS ACCUSED OF ACCEPTING MONEY FROM THE CALI DRUG CARTEL. THE MIAMI HERALD, ON ITS EDITORIAL PAGE, SAYS THAT "DENYING A VISA TO THE SITTING PRESIDENT OF A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY NORMALLY FRIENDLY TO THE UNITED STATES IS NO WAY TO CONDUCT A SANE FOREIGN POLICY." VOICE: "IT IS HARD TO FATHOM HOW WASHINGTON'S DECISION...CAN HOPE TO FURTHER THE CAUSE OF BILATERAL COOPERATION BETWEEN ONE OF THE WORLD'S BIGGEST DRUG PRODUCERS AND THE PLANET'S BIGGEST CONSUMER OF NARCOTICS. IF ANYTHING, TREATING MR. SAMPER AS AN INTERNATIONAL OUTCAST WILL CREATE GREATER UNCERTAINTY IN THE COLOMBIAN ECONOMY. IT COULD DIMINISH HIS AUTHORITY TO LEAD THE STRUGGLE AGAINST NARCOTICS TRAFFICKERS AND GUERRILLA TERROR. IT CERTAINLY WILL NOT INDUCE THE COLOMBIAN CONGRESS TO PASS TOUGH ANTI-DRUG LEGISLATION -- OR TO AMEND THE COLOMBIAN CONSTITUTION'S BAN ON EXTRADITION -- THAT WASHINGTON HAS URGED COLOMBIA TO ADOPT. OF COURSE THE WHITE HOUSE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DENY ADMISSION TO FOREIGN NATIONALS. BUT IN MR. SAMPER'S CASE, ONE MUST WONDER WHY WASHINGTON WAITED UNTIL AFTER THE LOWER HOUSE OF THE COLOMBIAN CONGRESS HAD CLEARED MR. SAMPER OF THE CHARGE THAT HE HAD KNOWINGLY ACCEPTED MORE THAN $6 MILLION FROM THE CALI DRUG CARTEL." TEXT: THE VOLATILITY OF THE STOCK MARKET IN THE UNITED STATES IS THE SUBJECT OF AN EDITORIAL IN WEDNESDAY'S USA TODAY NEWSPAPER. VOICE: "WHAT A RIDE. DOWN 161 DOW POINTS MONDAY. THEN DOWN ANOTHER 167 BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE REBOUNDING TO END UP 9 POINTS AT THE CLOSE. THE WEEK'S STOCK MARKET SWINGS HAVE MADE MORE THAN A FEW INVESTORS QUEASY. BY HISTORICAL STANDARDS, IT HASN'T AMOUNTED TO MUCH -- A 7.3% DROP SINCE THE SLIDE BEGAN MAY 22, A COMMON OCCURRENCE UNTIL RECENTLY. SO WHY IS ANXIETY RIDING SO HIGH? MAYBE BECAUSE EVERYONE'S DOING SO WELL. AND MAYBE BECAUSE SO MANY HOUSEHOLDS ARE NOW IN THE MARKET.... BUT FOR RELIEF, CONSIDER THIS: EVEN IF THE MARKET DROPS 25%, AS HAS OCCURRED SIX TIMES IN THE PAST 50 YEARS, IT WOULD STILL BE ABOVE ITS MAY 1 LEVEL A YEAR AGO. INVESTORS WOULD FEEL MISERABLE. BUT THEY'D BE IN ABOUT THE SAME SHAPE AS IF THEY'D FOLLOWED THE PATTERN OF THEIR GRANDPARENTS AND STUCK THEIR MONEY INTO PASSBOOK SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. NO BIG EARNINGS, BUT NO CRISIS, EITHER." TEXT: ACCORDING TO NEWS REPORTS, FORMER SENATOR BOB DOLE, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S APPARENT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, IS LOOKING FOR A RUNNING MATE. SEVERAL STATE GOVERNORS ARE AMONG THOSE UNDER CONSIDERATION. BUT, SYNDICATED COLUMNIST WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY, JUNIOR, OFFERS HIS OWN SUGGESTION: MISTER DOLE'S WIFE, ELIZABETH DOLE. VOICE: "THERE IS SIMPLY ZERO QUESTION ABOUT HER QUALIFICATION TO SERVE. SHE IS A LAWYER -- HARVARD LAW SCHOOL NO LESS. SHE HAS SERVED TWO PRESIDENTS IN THE CABINET, AS SECURITY OF TRANSPORTATION AND OF LABOR. SHE WAS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, WHICH IS VERY FAR REMOVED FROM THE SINECURE CLASS. SHE HAS APPEARED EVERYWHERE IN AMERICA, ALWAYS LEAVING THE IMPRESSION OF A SUPERBLY COMPETENT HUMAN BEING WITH A COMPREHENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS. (///OPT///) AND... YES, SHE IS A WOMAN. GERALDINE FERRARO IS A WOMAN. WHAT DID THAT DO FOR WALTER MONDALE? NOTHING. BUT THAT TENDS TO HAPPEN THE FIRST TIME AROUND. AL SMITH, THE FIRST CATHOLIC TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT, WAS SLAUGHTERED. JOHN KENNEDY MADE IT. FERRARO SUFFERED FROM SOME OF HER HUSBAND'S DIFFICULTIES... ELIZABETH DOLE HAS NO SUCH PROBLEMS.... (///END OPT///) THE ONLY PROBLEM ONE CAN SEE IS THAT THE SECRET SERVICE, IF EXISTING RULES WERE APPLIED, WOULD FORBID MR. AND MRS. DOLE TO FLY IN THE SAME AIRPLANE. A TOLERABLE PRIVATION." TEXT: THAT COMMENT FROM SYNDICATED COLUMNIST WILLIAM F.
BUCKLEY JUNIOR, CONCLUDES OUR SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS
FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
[02] BOSNIA / HOLBROOKE (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)DATE=7/17/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-200310 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: AMERICAN DIPLOMAT RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS HELD TALKS IN BELGRADE WITH THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT. DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS MR HOLBROOKE IS TOURING BALKAN CAPITALS IN AN EFFORT TO END THE ONGOING CRISIS CAUSED BY BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC'S CONTINUED GRIP ON POWER. TEXT: AFTER A FOUR-HOUR MEETING IN BELGRADE WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, MR. HOLBROOKE TOLD REPORTERS HE COULD NOT SAY ANY PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE. AND HE DESCRIBED THE TALKS AS "INCONCLUSIVE." AMERICAN OFFICIALS SAY MR. HOLBROOKE WILL RETURN TO BELGRADE ON THURSDAY AFTER MEETING WITH CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN IN ZAGREB AND AFTER CONSULTING WITH U-S OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON. MR. HOLBROOKE, THE ARCHITECT OF THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN, WAS CALLED OUT OF PRIVATE LIFE BY PRESIDENT CLINTON, IN AN EFFORT TO REVIVE THE STALLED PEACE PROCESS. THE KEY PROBLEM IS THE CONTINUED ROLE OF BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC AS LEADER OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS. MR. KARADZIC, WHO IS UNDER INDICTMENT FOR WAR CRIMES, HAS TURNED OVER HIS POWERS AS PRESIDENT TO A LOYAL DEPUTY. BUT HE IS STILL LEADER OF HIS NATIONALIST POLITICAL PARTY, THE S-D-S, AND HE RETAINS A FIRM GRIP ON POWER. INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANIZING NATIONWIDE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA HAVE, WITH STRONG AMERICAN BACKING, SAID MR. KARADZIC MUST RESIGN HIS POST AS PARTY LEADER BY THIS FRIDAY, OR THE PARTY WILL BE BANNED FROM THE ELECTIONS. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO SAID IT WILL BOYCOTT THE ELECTIONS IF MR. KARADZIC REMAINS IN POWER. SO FAR SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS NOT BEEN ABLE, OR NOT WILLING, TO LIVE UP TO HIS COMMITMENT UNDER THE DAYTON AGREEMENT TO SEND PERSONS CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES -- INCLUDING MR. KARADZIC TO THE TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. OBSERVERS SAY SUCH A MOVE, EVEN IF IT WERE POSSIBLE, WOULD CAUSE POLITICAL PROBLEMS IN SERBIA FOR MR. MILOSEVIC, AND RADOVAN KARADZIC MIGHT WELL GIVE DAMAGING TESTIMONY REGARDING MR. MILOSEVIC'S ROLE IN THE BOSNIAN WAR. IN A LAST-DITCH ATTEMPT TO FORCE COMPLIANCE, DIPLOMATIC SOURCES SAY MR. HOLBROOKE IS THREATENING TO IMPOSE A PHASED SERIES OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND SERBIA IF MR. KARADZIC IS NOT COMPLETELY REMOVED FROM POWER. BUT SANCTIONS TAKE TIME TO WORK, AND THE ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD IN 60 DAYS. DESPITE THIS THE UNITED NATIONS SPOKESMAN IN SARAJEVO, ALEX IVANKO, SAYS SANCTIONS WOULD SEND AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS. // ACT - IVANKO //REPUBLIKA SRPSKA FEELS THAT IT IS TRYING TO JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, AND I THINK IT'S THE MORAL IMPACT THAT IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA THAN THE FINANCIAL OR MATERIAL IMPACT. // END ACT //OBSERVERS SAY THAT WITH FRIDAY'S DEADLINE FOR MR. KARADZIC TO
QUIT HIS PARTY LEADERSHIP POST ALMOST HERE, IT SEEMS THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS WILL ONCE AGAIN GO
RIGHT TO THE BRINK. (SIGNED)
[03] BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER (L) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)DATE=7/17/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-200313 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: BOSNIA'S PRIME MINISTER SAYS HE EXPECTS RETIRED AMERICAN DIPLOMAT RICHARD HOLBROOKE TO SUCCESSFULLY ARRANGE THE DEPARTURE OF BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC BEFORE SEPTEMBER'S POST-WAR ELECTIONS. AS V-O-A'S NICK SIMEONE REPORTS, HASAN MURATOVIC SAYS IT IS TIME SOMEONE FINDS AND BRINGS TO JUSTICE MR. KARADZIC -- WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED ON CHARGES OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. TEXT: THE BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER BELIEVES IF THE NATO-LED PEACE KEEPING FORCE WANTED TO, IT COULD HAVE MR. KARADZIC ARRESTED AND OUT OF BOSNIA WITHIN HOURS. HE SAYS SHORT OF THAT, MR. KARADZIC'S SERB DEMOCRATIC PARTY MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO TAKE PART IN THE ELECTIONS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 14TH. // MURATOVIC ACT //IF HE STAYS THE PRESIDENT OF THE S-D-S PARTY, THEN I AM SURE THAT NO BOSNIAN CITIZEN IN THE FEDERATION WILL VOTE. // END ACT //HE SUGGESTS TWO WAYS OF REMOVING HIM. // SECOND ACT //EITHER BY IMPOSING SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA AGAIN AND ASKING THEM TO ARREST HIM AND EXTRADITE HIM TO THE HAGUE, OR I-FOR (THE INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE) MUST BE GIVEN A CLEAR TASK TO ARREST HIM. BOTH SOLUTIONS CAN WORK VERY SIMPLY AND WE THINK VERY QUICKLY. // END ACT //RETIRED AMERICAN DIPLOMAT RICHARD HOLBROOKE MET WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC WEDNESDAY IN ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO USE HIS INFLUENCE TO FORCE THE INDICTED BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER TO STEP DOWN. // THIRD ACT //THIS WAS THE LAST MINUTE TO SEND HIM THERE BECAUSE HE IS THE MAN WHO CAN CHANGE THE SITUATION THERE, AND I EXPECT HIM TO CHANGE IT. // END ACT //THE BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER SAYS THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT OTHER OUTSTANDING VIOLATIONS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD -- INCLUDING INTIMIDATION AND A LACK OF A FREE MEDIA AND AN OPEN CAMPAIGN -- ARE CLEARLY NOT GOING TO PRODUCE TO A CLEAN VOTE. // FOURTH ACT //NOBODY HAS SAID THAT THESE ELECTIONS ARE GOING TO BE FREE AND FAIR. // END ACT //THE PRIME MINISTER IS EXPRESSING HIS CONCERNS ABOUT THE SITUATION
IN BOSNIA LEADING UP TO ELECTIONS, DURING HIS MEETINGS HERE WITH
ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. (SIGNED)
[04] CHRISTOPHER / ROMANIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=7/17/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-200302 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: ///// RE-PRINTING WITH CORRECT CR-NUMBER. /////INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS MET WITH ROMANIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER, TEODOR MELESCANU, TO DISCUSS ROMANIA'S ASPIRATIONS TO JOIN AN EXPANDED NATO ALLIANCE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. TEXT: ROMANIA IS NOT GENERALLY REFERRED TO AS BEING IN THE FIRST RANK OF CENTRAL EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HOPING TO BECOME NEW MEMBERS OF NATO. BUT, STANDING BESIDE THE ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER SAYS ROMANIA WILL GET CONSIDERATION. /// CHRISTOPHER ACT ///CLEARLY, ROMANIA HAS DONE A GREAT DEAL TO QUALIFY ITSELF FOR EARLY CONSIDERATION FOR MEMBERSHIP. THEY WERE THE FIRST TO ASK TO JOIN THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE, THEY HAD VERY ACTIVE CONSULTATION WITH NATO AUTHORITIES THROUGH THIS PERIOD AND THEY HAVE MADE A NUMBER OF REFORM STEPS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY. /// END ACT ///THE SECRETARY OF STATE EMPHASIZES NATO HAS MADE NO DECISIONS YET ON WHICH COUNTRIES WILL BE THE FIRST TO JOIN AN EXPANDED WESTERN ALLIANCE. U-S OFFICIALS HAVE IDENTIFIED POLAND, HUNGARY, AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC AS THE MOST LIKELY COUNTRIES TO BE ACCEPTED IN THE FIRST ROUND OF NEW NATO MEMBERS. FOREIGN MINISTER MELESCANU SAYS ROMANIA'S OBJECTIVE IS TO BE
AMONG THE FIRST TO JOIN WHAT HE CALLS, THIS VERY IMPORTANT CLUB.
(SIGNED)
[05] CONGRESS-ROMANIA (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)DATE=7/17/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-200328 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS APPROVED A CHANGE IN AMERICA'S TRADE RELATIONSHIP WITH ROMANIA. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, HOUSE MEMBERS OVERWHELMINGLY VOTED (334-86) TO ADD ROMANIA TO THE LIST OF COUNTRIES ELIGIBLE FOR PERMANENT MOST FAVORED NATION TRADE STATUS. TEXT: IF THIS BILL BECOMES LAW, ROMANIA WILL BE ON A PAR WITH MOST OF AMERICA'S TRADING PARTNERS. THE TERM MOST-FAVORED NATION TRADE STATUS IS A MISNOMER. IT DOES NOT MEAN SPECIAL TREATMENT, BUT RATHER REFERS TO THE NORMAL TARIFF SCHEDULE. COUNTRIES WITH M-F-N STATUS KNOW THEY WILL GET THE LOWEST TARIFFS AVAILABLE ON THEIR GOODS. RESTRICTIONS WERE PLACED ON M-F-N FOR SOVIET BLOC COUNTRIES DURING THE COLD WAR. BUT EVEN THOUGH ITS TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY IS FAR FROM TOTAL, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SAID IT IS TIME TO REMOVE CONDITIONS ON ROMANIA. IT WAS A BIPARTISAN VOTE. SENIOR MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES THAT DEAL WITH TRADE AND FOREIGN POLICY URGED SUPPORT. AMONG THEM WAS SAM GIBBONS OF FLORIDA -- THE TOP DEMOCRAT ON THE PANEL RESPONSIBLE FOR TAX LAW. ////GIBBONS ACT///ROMANIA IS NOT A PERFECT COUNTRY. BUT THERE ARE NOT MANY PERFECT COUNTRIES AT ALL ON THIS GLOBE. AND I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO DO THE BEST THEY CAN TO GET BACK INTO WHAT IS THE NORMAL WESTERNIZED WAY OF DOING BUSINESS AND OF TREATING THEIR PEOPLE. I KNOW OF NO COUNTRY IN EUROPE THAT HAS BEEN MORE ABUSED BY ITS LEADERS IN THE LAST 50 OR 60 YEARS THAN ROMANIA. BUT IT IS MAKING PROGRESS. ///END ACT///NOT ENOUGH PROGRESS FOR REPUBLICAN DAVID FUNDERBURK, WHO SERVED AS U-S AMBASSADOR TO ROMANIA IN THE 1980'S (1981-85). THE CONGRESSMAN FROM NORTH CAROLINA SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE BILL. HE SAID FOR THE TIME BEING, ROMANIA SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE GRANTED M-F-N STATUS ON A YEAR-TO-YEAR BASIS. ///FUNDERBURK ACT///WITHOUT ANNUAL M-F-N (M-F-N AWARDED ON AN ANNUAL BASIS BY PRESIDENTIAL WAVER), THE UNITED STATES WILL SURELY LOSE WHAT LITTLE LEVERAGE IT HAS IN ENCOURAGING IMPROVEMENT IN THE AREAS OF HUMAN RIGHTS, PRIVATIZATION, ECONOMIC FREEDOM, PRESS AND MEDIA FREEDOM AND POLITICAL DEMOCRATIZATION. //END ACT///HE URGED CONGRESS TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER ROMANIA HOLDS NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER. HE SAID THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT IN BUCHAREST BELIEVES PERMANENT M-F-N WOULD BE A CAMPAIGN ASSET. ///FUNDERBURK ACT///ROMANIA HAS M-F-N ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND IS TRYING TO RAM THROUGH PERMANENT M-F-N SO THE CRYPTO-COMMUNIST (SECRETLY COMMUNIST) GOVERNMENT OF ION ILIESCU CAN GET AN EXTRA ADVANTAGE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. ////END ACT////BUT THE MAIN SPONSORS OF THE BILL ARGUED IT MERELY AUTHORIZES
PRESIDENT CLINTON TO GRANT PERMANENT MOST FAVORED NATION STATUS
TO ROMANIA. THEY SAID MR. CLINTON COULD SIGN THE BILL BUT HOLD
OFF ON MAKING ANY CHANGES IN THE TRADE RELATIONSHIP UNTIL AFTER
ROMANIAN VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS. (SIGNED)
[06] CYPRUS/EU MEMBERSHIP (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=7/17/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-200330 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS ENVOY FOR CYPRUS -- HAN SUNG-JOO OF SOUTH KOREA -- SAYS COMING TALKS ON CYPRIOT MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION PRESENT A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESS NOW FOR A POLITICAL SOLUTION TO THE ISLAND-NATION'S LONG-STANDING ETHNIC DISPUTE. MR. HAN BRIEFED THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY ON HIS RECENT CONSULTATIONS WITH THE GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS: TEXT: THE U-N ENVOY HAD NO BREAKTHROUGHS TO REPORT IN THE CYPRIOT DISPUTE. BUT HE ANTICIPATES INDIRECT TALKS BETWEEN THE TWO FEUDING COMMUNITIES THAT COULD LEAD TO THE RESUMPTION OF FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS BETWEEN GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADERS. MR. HAN BELIEVES THE ARDENT HOPE OF THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT TO PUT THE ENTIRE NATION INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION COULD WORK TO THE ADVANTAGE OF U-N MEDIATION. THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS AND THEIR PROTECTOR, TURKEY, REFUSE TO ALLOW THE GREEK SIDE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF ALL CYPRIOTS. YET BOTH COMMUNITIES APPARENTLY WANT E-U ADVANTAGES . THE EUROPEAN UNION -- WHICH MAY OPEN NEGOTIATIONS ON CYPRIOT MEMBERSHIP EARLY NEXT YEAR -- HAS BEEN HESITANT TO ADMIT A POLITICALLY DIVIDED COUNTRY. THE U-N ENVOY SAYS HE SEES A SMALL OPENING -- LARGER CERTAINLY THAN ANY IN RECENT YEARS -- TO PRESS FOR A SOLUTION TO THE DOMESTIC DISPUTE: //HAN ACT//AS FAR AS TIMING IS CONCERNED, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE FIND A SOLUTION BEFORE THE START OF THE ACCESSION NEGOTIATIONS. ONCE NEGOTIATIONS START, IT WILL COMPLICATE THE MATTER. AND THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL WANT TO SEE WHAT KIND OF SOLUTION THERE IS. IT'S NOT ONLY A NECESSITY BUT AN OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE AND WE WANT TO MAXIMIZE THAT OPPORTUNITY. //END ACT//THE UNITED STATES HAS ALSO REDOUBLED ITS ENERGIES TOWARD THE CYPRUS DISPUTE. U-N AMBASSADOR MADELEINE ALBRIGHT IS VISITING THE COUNTRY -- AS WELL AS GREECE AND TURKEY -- THIS WEEK. MS. ALBRIGHT IS CONSIDERED A SENIOR MEMBER OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FOREIGN POLICY TEAM. //OPT//CYPRUS HAS BEEN DIVIDED SINCE TURKEY SENT TROOPS INTO THE
NORTHERN ONE-THIRD OF THE COUNTRY IN 1974, IN RESPONSE TO A COUP
IN NICOSIA BACKED BY GREECE. (SIGNED)
[07] E-U / CUBA (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=7/17/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-200285 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION IS CONTINUING TO PREPARE RETALIATORY TRADE SANCTIONS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES TO PROTEST A NEW U-S LAW ON CUBA. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE EUROPEAN UNION IS TAKING THE ACTION DESPITE A DECISION BY PRESIDENT CLINTON TO SUSPEND THE APPLICATION OF PART OF THE NEW LAW. TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS WELCOMED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S GESTURE, IN WHICH HE DECIDED TO SUSPEND THAT SECTION OF THE HELMS-BURTON LAW WHICH WOULD ALLOW EUROPEAN FIRMS WHO DO BUSINESS WITH CUBA TO BE TAKEN TO COURT IN THE UNITED STATES. BUT, E-U OFFICIALS SAY THIS SUSPENSION MIGHT NOT BE RENEWED, AND ONCE THE LAW IS IMPOSED IN FULL, IT CAN BE BACK-DATED TO COVER THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER FIRST OF THIS YEAR. THEREFORE, EUROPEAN TRADE COMMISSIONER LEON BRITTAN SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS MADE A VERY LIMITED RESPONSE TO APPEALS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, AND ADDS EUROPE IS STILL NOT SATISFIED. MR. BRITTAN HAS INSTRUCTED HIS OFFICIALS TO CONTINUE PREPARATIONS FOR RETALIATORY MEASURES AGAINST THE UNITED STATES. THESE COULD BE APPROVED WHEN THE 15 E-U AMBASSADORS MEET TO DISCUSS THE HELMS-BURTON LAW THURSDAY IN BRUSSELS. THE E-U RESPONSE MAY BE MODIFIED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S FLEXIBILITY. BUT OFFICIALS SAY THERE STILL IS EXPECTED TO BE A RESPONSE OF SOME KIND. MEASURES UNDER CONSIDERATION INCLUDE TAKING THE UNITED STATES BEFORE THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION, AND PLACING VISA RESTRICTIONS ON AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN WISHING TO VISIT EUROPE. THERE IS ALSO A PROPOSED, SO-CALLED BLACKLIST OF U-S FIRMS WHICH TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW LAW AND PURSUE EUROPEAN COMPANIES THROUGH THE COURTS. IN ADDITION, THE EUROPEAN UNION MAY ADVISE MEMBER GOVERNMENTS TO CONSIDER ADOPTING LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD ENABLE FINES IMPOSED BY U-S COURTS TO BE RECOVERED THROUGH ACTIONS IN EUROPEAN COURTS. /// REST OPT ///THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS ALSO RESPONDED TO THE NEWS PRESIDENT CLINTON MAY SEND AN ENVOY AROUND THE WORLD TO DISCUSS POLICY TOWARDS CUBA. E-U TRADE SPOKESMAN PETER GUILFORD SAYS THE AMERICAN
REPRESENTATIVE WILL COVER A LOT OF AIR MILES, BUT IS NOT LIKELY
TO CHANGE EUROPEAN POLICY TOWARDS CUBA. HE DESCRIBES THIS AS
CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT, BUT ADDS MATTERS ARE ON HOLD BECAUSE OF
EUROPEAN CONCERN ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN CUBA.
MEANWHILE, EUROPE REMAINS EQUALLY WORRIED ABOUT PENDING U-S
LEGISLATION WHICH COULD PUNISH EUROPEAN FIRMS WHO INVEST IN THE
PETROLEUM INDUSTRIES IN IRAN AND LIBYA.
[08] GERMANY / U-S / CUBA (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)DATE=7/17/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-200298 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: GERMANY HAS WELCOMED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECISION TO DELAY THE IMPACT OF A U-S LAW DESIGNED TO PUNISH FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT DO BUSINESS WITH CUBA. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN. TEXT: A STATEMENT FROM GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL SAID THE U-S MOVE WAS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND WILL -- FOR THE TIME BEING -- AVERT A SERIOUS DISRUPTION OF EUROPEAN UNION TIES WITH THE UNITED STATES. THE GERMAN STATEMENT CAME ONE DAY AFTER PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID HE WOULD SIGN THE NEW LAW, BUT WOULD DELAY ITS IMPLEMENTATION FOR SIX MONTHS. THE NEW LAW ALLOWS LAWSUITS AGAINST FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT OWN OR OPERATE BUSINESSES THAT WERE SEIZED FROM U-S CITIZENS FOLLOWING CUBA'S COMMUNIST REVOLUTION. CONGRESS PASSED THE LAW IN MARCH AFTER CUBA SHOT DOWN TWO CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT. EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS HAVE EXPRESSED RELIEF THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON DELAYED U-S SANCTIONS ON CUBA. MOST EUROPEAN NATIONS HAD EXPRESSED STRONG OPPOSITION TO U-S ATTEMPTS TO USE UNILATERAL TRADE ACTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL AND POLITICAL ENDS. ANALYSTS SAY EUROPEAN RELIEF AT THE SIX MONTH DELAY IN
IMPLEMENTING THE LEGISLATION IS TEMPERED BY THE FACT THAT IT MAY
STILL GO INTO EFFECT NEXT YEAR. (SIGNED)
[09] NATO / BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=7/17/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-200316 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO LEADERS SAY THEY HAVE NOT RULED OUT AN OPERATION TO DETAIN THE TWO MOST WANTED MEN IN BOSNIA -- BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND HIS MILITARY COMMANDER RATKO MLADIC. AS JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, BOTH MEN HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. TEXT: THERE IS VIRTUAL CONSENSUS IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY RADOVAN KARADZIC AND RATKO MLADIC MUST BE REMOVED FROM THE SCENE IN BOSNIA, IF ELECTIONS THIS YEAR ARE TO BE CREDIBLE AND SUCCESSFUL, AND THE PEACE PROCESS IS TO SUCCEED. BUT, THERE HAS BEEN NO SIGN UNTIL NOW THAT NATO, WHICH IS IN CHARGE OF THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE, I-FOR, IS PREPARED TO MOUNT AN OPERATION TO CAPTURE EITHER OF THE MEN. THE NATO STANCE HAS BEEN THAT IF I-FOR PATROLS STUMBLE ACROSS THE MEN, THEY WILL BE DETAINED -- BUT THERE WILL BE NO ACTIVE SEARCH FOR MR. KARADZIC OR GENERAL MLADIC. OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE BELIEVED TO ROUTINELY SURROUND THEMSELVES WITH DOZENS OF WELL-ARMED BODYGUARDS, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW AN ARREST OPERATION COULD SUCCEED WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF LIFE. BUT, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA STRESSED (AT A NEWS CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY) NATO IS NOT RULING OUT THE POSSIBILITY IT MIGHT CONDUCT SUCH A MISSION. HE WAS SPEAKING IN BRUSSELS, IN RESPONSE TO WARNINGS FROM THE BOSNIAN SERBS THEY WOULD RETALIATE IF ATTEMPTS ARE MADE BY I-FOR TO ARREST ALLEGED WAR CRIMINALS. HE SAID I-FOR WILL NOT TOLERATE ATTACKS ON ITS PERSONNEL, OR INTERFERENCE WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES, AND HE WENT ON TO STRESS THAT I-FOR WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED OR DETERRED FROM ITS MISSION. NATO'S COMMANDER IN BOSNIA, U-S ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH, SAID A MISSION TO ARREST EITHER OF THE TWO BOSNIAN-SERB LEADERS WOULD BE A HIGH-RISK VENTURE. BUT HE ADDED SUCH A MISSION IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE. HE STRESSED ALL OPTIONS REMAIN OPEN, AND ADDED THE ROAD FROM THE BOSNIAN-SERB HEADQUARTERS IN PALE TO THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE IS GETTING SHORTER EVERY DAY. MR SOLANA NOTED DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE HAS INCREASED IN THE BALKANS. A EUROPEAN UNION MISSION WAS IN THE REGION LAST WEEK, AND THIS WEEK THERE IS AN INITIATIVE BY U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOK. EFFORTS ARE FOCUSING ON PRESSURING SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO, IN TURN, PRESSURE THE BOSNIAN SERBS FOR THE REMOVAL OF MR. KARADZIC FROM THE POLITICAL SCENE. THE NATO-LED MISSION IN BOSNIA IS DUE TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END
OF THE YEAR. BUT OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS A POSSIBILITY IT MAY
HAVE TO BE EXTENDED INTO 1997, IN SOME SHAPE OR FORM. (SIGNED)
[10] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)DATE=7/17/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-200312 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS HEARD FROM A SURVIVOR OF THE OMARSKA PRISON CAMP WHO SAYS HE WAS ONE OF THOSE BEATEN BY DUSAN TADIC. MR. TADIC -- A BOSNIAN SERB -- IS THE FIRST PERSON TO STAND TRIAL AT THE TRIBUNAL FOR WAR CRIMES. HE ACCUSED OF TORTURING AND MURDERING PRISONERS AT BOSNIAN-SERB RUN PRISON CAMPS IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA. GILLIAN SHARPE IN THE HAGUE REPORTS THIS EVIDENCE IS CONSIDERED TO BE SOME OF THE MOST DAMAGING YET AGAINST THE DEFENDANT. TEXT: FORTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD MEHMEDALIJA HUSKIC WAS THE 18TH EYEWITNESS TO TAKE THE STAND AGAINST DUSAN TADIC. HE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE FEW SO FAR WHO HAVE HAD CONCRETE ALLEGATIONS TO MAKE AGAINST HIM. MR. HUSKIC WAS A TRUCK DRIVER BEFORE THE WAR AND HIS WORK OFTEN TOOK HIM TO KOZARAC, MR TADIC'S HOMETOWN. HE SAID THEY HAD KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR 20 YEARS, OFTEN MEETING IN BARS OR CAFES. BUT HE SAID THEIR FIRST MEETING AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR WAS IN RATHER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. MR. HUSKIC SAID HE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE OMARSKA PRISON CAMP AND WAS BEING HELD IN AN OLD ELECTRICAL STOREROOM. INTO THAT ROOM, HE TOLD THE COURT, WALKED DUSAN TADIC. AND HE SAID THE PRISONERS WERE MADE TO STAND AT ATTENTION. /// ACT - HUSKIC IN SERBO CROAT - FADE UNDER ///MR. HUSKIC SAYS MR. TADIC SAT DOWN ON A BENCH AT THE END OF THE ROOM. HE CURSED US AND VERBALLY ABUSED US, HE SAID, AND THEN HE STOOD UP AND WALKED UP TO US. HE HAD A PISTOL IN HIS HAND AND HE HIT ROUGHLY EVERY SECOND PERSON WITH IT. MR. HUSKIC SAYS AT SOME POINTS HE WAS ONLY ONE-HALF METER AWAY FROM MR TADIC. THROUGHOUT THE TESTIMONY, DUSAN TADIC WAS, AS USUAL, STONY-FACED.
BUT OBSERVERS SAY THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MORE DAMAGING PIECES
OF EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM -- A WITNESS WHO KNEW HIM WELL AND WHO
SAYS HE SAW HIM CLEARLY, COMMITTING A CRIME. (SIGNED)
Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |