Voice of America, 96-08-14

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA / FEDERATION BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BUGOJNO, BOSNIA)

[03] BOSNIA / MOSTAR (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

[04] BOSNIA ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[05] CHRISTOPHER / BOSNIA TALKS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (GENEVA)

[06] CYPRUS SHOOTING (L ONLY) BY JENNIFER GRIFFIN (NICOSIA)

[07] TURKEY / ISLAM BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

[08] U-S/CYPRUS CLASH (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[09] U-S STRATEGY IN THE BALKANS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[10] U-S TROOPS/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

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

INTRO: THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATING CONVENTION IN SAN DIEGO CONTINUES TO DOMINATE BOTH THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS AND THE FRONT PAGES OF U-S NEWSPAPERS. VARIOUS EDITORIAL SUBTOPICS ABOUT THE CONVENTION AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ABOUND. OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST TODAY INCLUDE THE RELENTLESS WAR IN CHECHNYA; THE MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR NATURAL GAS DEAL BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAN, AND AN UNPREDICTABLY PEACEFUL WEEKEND IN NORTHERN IRELAND, DESPITE THE ONGOING TENSIONS. WE TURN TO ____________ FOR A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS IT IS HEARING "A CONTRADICTORY MESSAGE" FROM THE REPUBLICANS CONVENED IN SAN DIEGO.

VOICE: "... WHAT COLIN POWELL REPRESENTED IN HIS STELLAR SPEECH AT THE REPUBLICAN ... CONVENTION ... SHOULD BE THE FUTURE OF THE G-O-P. HIS MANTRA OF INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY AS STRENGTHS FOR THE NATION, HIS EMPHASIS ON COMMON VALUES WERE WILDLY APPLAUDED. BUT HIS WORDS WERE ODDLY OUT OF SYNC [SYNCOPATION OR "OUT OF STEP"] WITH THE LACK OF TOLERANCE IN THE G-O-P'S APPROVED PLATFORM, AND WITH THE HOMOGENEITY OF ITS DELEGATES GATHERED IN SAN DIEGO... MINORITY REPRESENTATION AT THE CONVENTION IS DOWN SHARPLY FROM 1992, AND EVEN THEN THE NUMBERS WERE WEAK... NONE OF THIS MATCHES THE BRIGHT, MULTICOLORED PICTURE PAINTED BY POWELL (AN AFRICAN AMERICAN)."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST ALSO MAKES THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN HOW THE CONVENTION APPEARS, AND THE LANGUAGE OF THE PLATFORM (SET OF POLITICAL PRINCIPALS FOR THE CAMPAIGN) ADOPTED ON MONDAY.

VOICE: "THE LINEUP OF SPEAKERS AT THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION MONDAY NIGHT DEMONSTRATED THAT THE PARTY IS NOT EXCLUSIVELY THE PARTY OF THIS YEAR'S PLATFORM. BY THE SAME TOKEN, THIS YEAR'S PLATFORM DEMONSTRATES THAT THE PARTY IS NOT EXCLUSIVELY THAT OF THE EMINENT SPEAKERS WHO HELD FORTH SO ELOQUENTLY ... MONDAY NIGHT... THE PLATFORM ... WHILE NO ONE REGARDS IT AS DESCENDED FROM ON HIGH, IS HARDLY AN ACCIDENT, EITHER. IT CANNOT BE DISMISSED OUT OF HAND... THE DOCUMENT MAY IN FACT BE LITTLE MORE THAN AN INCONVENIENCE AND AN ANNOYANCE TO MR. DOLE, BUT IT EXISTS, IT IS HIS -- AND THE GAP BETWEEN ITS STRICTURES AND THE TONE OF THE CONVENTION REMAINS HIS TO BRIDGE."

TEXT: TODAY'S BALTIMORE SUN, RECALLING EARLIER CONVENTIONS WHEN DELEGATES ACTUALLY "CHOSE" THE PARTY'S NOMINEE, SAYS THIS REPUBLICAN CONVENTION IS TAILORED TO LOOK GOOD ON TELEVISION, WITHOUT A HINT OF DISSENT, AND EVERYTHING IN PERFECT ORDER.

VOICE: "NOW ALL PRETENSE IS AT AN END. THE REPUBLICAN EXTRAVAGANZA IN SAN DIEGO IS UNAPOLOGETICALLY CONTROLLED, CENSORED, SCRIPTED, TIMED, STAGE-DESIGNED AND CHOREOGRAPHED FOR WHAT IT IS: A T-V SHOW FOR AN AMERICAN AUDIENCE CONDITIONED AND COUCH-POTATOED [RENDERED VIRTUALLY IMMOBILE] BY THE TUBE."

TEXT: AMONG TODAY INTERNATIONAL EDITORIAL TOPICS, THE RENEWED BLOODSHED IN CHECHNYA IS VERY MUCH IN EVIDENCE. SAYS THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, RUSSIAN SECURITY OFFICIAL ALEXANDER LEBED COULD "SHOOT TO THE TOP BY ENDING THE CHECHNYA CONFLICT.

VOICE: "THE FORMER GENERAL, NOW PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S CHIEF SECURITY ADVISOR, THIS WEEK ARRANGED A NEW CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN REBEL CHECHEN FORCES FIGHTING FOR NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE AND THE RUSSIAN ARMY THAT HAS BEEN TRYING FOR 20 MONTHS TO SUPPRESS THEM... IF [MR.] LEBED PROVES TO BE THE ARCHITECT OF PEACE IN CHECHNYA, HE WILL CLEARLY HAVE TAKEN A BIG STEP FORWARD IN THE POLITICAL SCRAMBLE."

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR CALLS FOR A SPEEDY END TO THE FIGHTING, PRAISING MR. LEBED'S CANDOR IN DESCRIBING THE SITUATION, AND OFFERING THIS ADVICE.

VOICE: "THE WAY OUT IS CLEAR. FIRST A HARD AND FAST CEASEFIRE. THEN NEGOTIATION OVER A PULLOUT OF TROOPS. THEN NEGOTIATION TOWARD A FULLY AUTONOMOUS CHECHEN STATE WITH NECESSARY ECONOMIC AND TRANSPORT LINKS TO RUSSIA."

TEXT: IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, THE NEW YORK TIMES DISCUSSES WHAT IT CALLS "TURKEY'S TROUBLING DEAL WITH IRAN," THE 23-BILLION-DOLLAR, 23-YEAR NATURAL GAS CONTRACT THE TWO NATION'S SIGNED THIS WEEK.

VOICE: "THE ... GAS PIPELINE COOPERATION AGREEMENT ... [PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN] ERBAKAN SIGNED WITH IRAN ... DIRECTLY CHALLENGES ONE OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S CENTRAL FOREIGN POLICY GOALS. WASHINGTON WANTS TO ISOLATE IRAN AS A DANGEROUS ROGUE STATE THAT SPONSORS INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AND SEEKS NUCLEAR WEAPONS... THE SYMBOLISM OF THE HUGE DEAL, SIGNED DURING A HIGH-PROFILE VISIT TO TEHERAN AND OTHER ISLAMIC CAPITALS, SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. [OPT] TURKEY NOW SEEMS SET TO EMBARK ON A MORE EASTWARD-LOOKING FOREIGN POLICY... [HOWEVER,] MR. ERBAKAN SHOULD UNDERSTAND ... HE CANNOT PROVIDE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SUPPORT TO ... TEHERAN WITHOUT ULTIMATELY DAMAGING HIS RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES." [END OPT]

TEXT: ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY OFFERS A SIMILAR VIEW, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: "[PRIME MINISTER] ERBAKAN IS MAKING GOOD ON HIS CAMPAIGN PLEDGE TO PUSH TURKEY AWAY FROM THE WEST AND CLOSER TO ISLAMIC POWERS OF THE MIDEAST. HE'S DOING SO AT THE RISK OF CREATING A DANGEROUS SPLIT IN NATO AND STRAINING RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES TO THE BREAKING POINT."

TEXT: ON ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL FLASHPOINT, NORTHERN IRELAND, TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE IS BREATHING A SIGH OF EDITORIAL RELIEF, AFTER A RELATIVELY PEACEFUL WEEKEND OF PARADING BY BOTH CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS.

VOICE: "THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRELAND PULLED THEMSELVES FROM THE BRINK OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE OVER THE WEEKEND. BUT THEIR POLITICAL LEADERS STILL HAVE NOT SHOWN THE WILLINGNESS TO COMPROMISE THAT IS THE PREREQUISITE FOR A LASTING PEACE... IN THIS ATMOSPHERE OF MISTRUST, FORMER U-S SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL FACES A FORMIDABLE TASK TO BRING BOTH SIDES TOGETHER FOR TALKS NEXT MONTH."

TEXT: ON THE GROWING SPATE OF KIDNAPPINGS IN MEXICO, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES NOTES SADLY:

VOICE: "PART OF THE PROBLEM LIES IN MEXICO'S JUDICIARY SYSTEM. COPS SACKED FOR CORRUPTION OFTEN TURN INTO CRIMINAL RINGLEADERS WHO PLY TRADES OF ROBBERY, KIDNAPPING AND MURDER. ONLY AN OVERHAUL OF MEXICO'S JUSTICE SYSTEMS WILL TURN THIS TIDE OF CRIMINALITY AND MAKE PUBLIC SAFETY A TOP PRIORITY... THE ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM HAS TO COME FROM THE VERY TOP."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, FROM TODAY'S BALTIMORE SUN, A FOND FAREWELL TO SIR FRANK WHITTLE, A MAN WHO'S CO-INVENTION DRAMATICALLY CHANGED THE LATTER HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY.

VOICE: "MR. WHITTLE, A BRITAIN-BORN ENGINEER WHO DIED THURSDAY AT ... 89, SHARES CREDIT WITH GERMAN HANS J-P VON OHAIN FOR INVENTING THE JET ENGINE AT A TIME WHEN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT DOUBTED HIS MECHANISM WOULD FLY AND FOUGHT HIS EFFORTS TO DEVELOP IT... HE NEVER GOT FILTHY [EXCEEDINGLY] RICH FROM AN INVENTION THAT IS CENTRAL TO A MULTIBILION DOLLAR INDUSTRY ... BUT HISTORY HAS PROVED HIS WORTH."

TEXT: ON THAT HISTORICAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/PCH
14-Aug-96 11:03 AM EDT (1503 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / FEDERATION BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BUGOJNO, BOSNIA)

INTRO: THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA APPEAR TO BE SPARKING NEW TENSIONS IN THE FRAGILE ALLIANCE BETWEEN THE COUNTRY'S MUSLIMS AND CROATS. THERE HAS BEEN A RASH OF BOMBINGS AND OTHER INCIDENTS IN THE FEDERATION DURING THE PAST FEW WEEKS. LONGSTANDING EFFORTS BY THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER WESTERN NATIONS TO STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COMMUNITIES APPEAR TO BE GAINING NO GROUND. DOUGLAS ROBERTS FILED THIS BACKGROUND REPORT FROM BUGOJNO, A LARGELY-MUSLIM TOWN IN CENTRAL BOSNIA.

TEXT:

THE BOMB WAS PLACED AT THE FOOT OF THE BELL TOWER OF SAINT ANTHONY'S CHURCH IN THE HEART OF BUGOJNO.

THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS ABOVE THE PULPIT WERE SHATTERED. BUT IT WAS THE ADJOINING RECTORY THAT BORE THE FULL BRUNT OF THE EXPLOSION. NO ONE WAS KILLED. BUT A CATHOLIC NUN NARROWLY ESCAPED INJURY WHEN SHRAPNEL AND GLASS SHARDS SLAMMED INTO THE WALL ABOVE THE COT WHERE SHE SLEPT.

THE INCIDENT HERE LATE LAST MONTH WAS NOT THE FIRST DIRECTED AGAINST BUGOJNO'S DWINDLING CROAT COMMUNITY. THEIR PLIGHT IS TYPICAL OF THE PROBLEMS FACING MINORITY GROUPS THROUGHOUT BOSNIA'S FEDERATION.

THE BOMBING OF SAINT ANTHONY'S WAS PRECEDED BY AN ATTEMPT TO BURN DOWN A MOSQUE IN THE CROAT-CONTROLLED TOWN OF PROZOR TO THE SOUTH. MUSLIM-OWNED HOMES IN ANOTHER CROAT TOWN WERE FIRE-BOMBED. GRENADES WERE TOSSED INTO CROAT-OWNED BUSINESSES IN BUGOJNO.

LATE LAST WEEK, AN ATTEMPT TO ARRANGE RECIPROCAL VISITS TO MUSLIM AND CROAT GRAVESITES ENDED IN A MELEE, AND ROADBLOCKS WERE ERECTED BETWEEN THE FEUDING VILLAGES.

NATO PEACEKEEPING TROOPS QUICKLY RESTORED ORDER. BUT THE TENSIONS REMAIN.

THE FEDERATION IS LIKE A TINDERBOX NOW, SAID ONE WESTERN AID WORKER WITH LONG EXPERIENCE IN THE REGION. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO REAL ATTEMPT TO INTEGRATE THE TWO COMMUNITIES, SHE ADDED, AND THE LINES BETWEEN THEM ARE HARDENING.

WESTERN AND LOCAL OBSERVERS SAY THE GROWING TENSIONS ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO NEXT MONTH'S BOSNIAN ELECTIONS. THEY SEE THE BOMBINGS AND OTHER ATTACKS AS PART OF A CAMPAIGN OF INTIMIDATION, AIMED AT ENSURING REFUGEES DO NOT RETURN TO THEIR FORMER HOMES TO CHALLENGE THOSE WHO EXPELLED THEM DURING THE BLOODY CROAT-MUSLIM FIGHTING OF THREE-YEARS AGO.

THAT CONFLICT ENDED WITH THE CROATS IN CONTROL OF MOST OF SOUTHWESTERN BOSNIA AND THE MUSLIMS HOLDING MUCH OF THE CENTRAL PART OF THE COUNTRY.

THE WINNERS OF THAT TERRIBLE WAR, SAID ONE CROAT HERE IN BUGOJNO, ARE THE ONES WHO DO NOT WANT THE FEDERATION TO SUCCEED.

SUNDAY MASS BRINGS ONLY A FEW-HUNDRED CROATS TO SAINT ANTHONY'S. MOST OF THE CROAT POPULATION FLED DURING THE WAR. AND THE CITY'S MUSLIM MAYOR HAS ALLOWED FEW TO RETURN.

AS A RESULT, BUGOJNO IS ONE OF FOUR TOWNS IN THE FEDERATION -- BOTH CROAT AND MUSLIM -- THAT ARE BEING DENIED INTERNATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION AID BECAUSE OF THE ON-GOING HARASSMENT AND INTIMIDATION OF MINORITY GROUPS.

BUT THERE IS LITTLE INDICATION TO DATE THE SANCTIONS ARE HAVING ANY REAL AFFECT.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, UNDER SUSTAINED PRESSURE FROM THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER WESTERN POWERS, CROAT LEADERS AGAIN PLEDGED TO DISMANTLE THEIR SEPARATIST GOVERNMENT. BUT MUSLIM OBSERVERS AND WESTERN ANALYSTS REMAIN SKEPTICAL.

A PROMINENT CROAT LEADER, MILE PULJIC, INSISTED IN AN INTERVIEW THE CROATS WILL DISSOLVE THEIR SELF-STYLED REPUBLIC OF HERCEG-BOSNA AFTER NEXT MONTH'S ELECTIONS.

BUT HE DISPLAYED LITTLE ENTHUSIASM FOR THE FEDERATION, CALLING IT THE BEST OF THE BAD SOLUTIONS. HE LEFT NO DOUBT HE WOULD PREFER AN INDEPENDENT CROAT STATE. ( SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/JWH/RAE
14-Aug-96 2:45 PM EDT (1845 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA / MOSTAR (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: CROAT AND MUSLIM OFFICIALS IN MOSTAR HAVE HELD THEIR FIRST JOINT CITY COUNCIL MEETING, SINCE ELECTIONS WERE HELD IN LATE JUNE. DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS SAY THE MEETING IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARD ETHNIC RECONCILIATION IN THE BITTERLY DIVIDED BOSNIAN CITY.

TEXT: THE MEETING OF THE JOINT CITY COUNCIL MARKS THE FIRST TIME NEWLY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES FROM DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUPS HAVE SAT DOWN TOGETHER SINCE WAR BEGAN IN BOSNIA MORE THAN FOUR YEARS AGO.

THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED A CROAT MAYOR AND A MUSLIM DEPUTY MAYOR, WHO UNDER AN AGREEMENT BROKERED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION, WILL RULE ON THE BASIS OF CONSENSUS. THE 16 CROAT MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ALSO VOTED TO CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENT OF A MUSLIM SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY WHO WAS ELECTED TWO WEEKS AGO DURING A COUNCIL SESSION BOYCOTTED BY THE CROATS.

THE COUNCIL SESSION BEGAN AT NOON ON WEDNESDAY, AN HOUR LATER THAN SCHEDULED, IN A HOTEL THAT SERVES AS THE EUROPEAN UNION'S HEADQUARTERS IN MOSTAR. AN E-U SPOKESMAN SAID THE HOTEL WAS USED BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY PLACE COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM BOTH ETHNIC GROUPS WERE PREPARED TO COME.

OFFICIALS SAY THE WILLINGNESS OF THE TWO SIDES TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND REACH UNANIMOUS AGREEMENT IS AN ENCOURAGING SIGN THAT SOME SORT OF RECONCILIATION AND POWER-SHARING MIGHT BE POSSIBLE BETWEEN THE TWO WARY ETHNIC GROUPS.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS ALSO DESCRIBE THE MEETING AS A GOOD OMEN FOR NATIONWIDE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER.

THE COUNCIL MEETING SHOULD ALSO END WEEKS OF CONTROVERSY IN MOSTAR OVER THE JUNE ELECTIONS. THE CROATS HAD EXPECTED TO WIN THE POLL, AND WERE SURPRISED WHEN MUSLIMS, ALONG WITH LOCAL SERB ALLIES, WON A MAJORITY OF SEATS ON THE COUNCIL. THE CROATS, IN A MOVE THAT THREATENED TO DESTROY THE FRAGILE ALLIANCE BETWEEN CROATS AND MUSLIMS IN BOSNIA, REFUSED TO ACCEPT THE ELECTION RESULTS.

AFTER STRONG INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BOSNIAN CROATS AND THE LEADERSHIP OF NEIGHBORING CROATIA, THE CROATS AGREED TO TEMPORARILY RECOGNIZE THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTIONS. THE CROATS HAVE APPEALED THE ELECTION RESULT TO THE SUPREME COURT OF THE MUSLIM CROAT FEDERATION. AND THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL SESSION IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE HELD UNTIL THE YET TO BE APPOINTED COURT ISSUES ITS RULING.

UNDER THE AGREEMENT SIGNED BY BOTH SIDES, THAT SHOULD HAPPEN WITHIN 60 DAYS. BUT WITH NATIONAL ELECTIONS ONLY A MONTH AWAY, THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN BOSNIA COULD BE RADICALLY DIFFERENT BEFORE THAT TIME LIMIT IS UP. (SIGNED)
NEB/DF/JWH/MMK
14-Aug-96 2:50 PM EDT (1850 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: A LONDON-BASED PRIVATE ORGANIZATION CALLED THE "INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP" ISSUED A STINGING REPORT WEDNESDAY, CALLING FOR A POSTPONEMENT OF NEXT MONTH'S SCHEDULED ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA. V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS THE GROUP SAYS PUTTING OFF THE VOTE MAY SALVAGE THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE BALKAN STATE.

TEXT: WITH ITS REPORT ISSUED ONE MONTH TO THE DAY BEFORE THE DATE SET FOR VOTING IN BOSNIA, THE "I-C-G," AS THE CRISIS GROUP CALLS ITSELF, JOINS A GROWING INTERNATIONAL CHORUS OF OBSERVERS CALLING FOR A NEW ELECTION DATE.

AFTER A RECENT SURVEY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, THE I-C-G SAYS CONDITIONS THERE HAVE GOTTEN WORSE SINCE THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTION DATE WAS SET A FEW MONTHS BACK.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTION THE I-C-G BELIEVES SHOULD BE TAKEN IS THE QUICK ARREST OF 75 PEOPLE ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES BY THE U-N TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE -- NOTABLY FORMER BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC. THE I-C-G SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SHOULD NOT, IN ITS WORDS, BE PARALYZED BY THE THOUGHT OF ARRESTING THESE PEOPLE, ADDING IT BELIEVES POPULAR SUPPORT FOR MEN LIKE DR. KARADZIC AND OTHERS MAY BE MUCH LESS THAN BELIEVED.

I-C-G CHAIRMAN NICHOLAS HINTON, A FORMER DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY "SAVE THE CHILDREN," TOLD REPORTERS IN LONDON HIS GROUP THINKS KEY PROVISIONS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS SIGNED LAST DECEMBER WILL BE PUT IN JEOPARDY, IF BOSNIAN ELECTIONS GO FORTH ON SEPTEMBER 14TH.

I WOULD SAY THAT IF THE ELECTIONS GO AHEAD, IT HEIGHTENS THE CHANCE OF A RENEWAL OF CONFLICT -- I'M NOT SAYING IT WILL BE A RENEWAL OF CONFLICT -- IT HEIGHTENS THE CHANCE, PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE WEAKENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. I WOULD SAY THAT IT IS DEATH TO A REINTEGRATED SOCIETY, THAT IT WILL ACTUALLY STRENGTHEN ETHNIC CLEANSING AND ALL THE ETHNIC CLEANSING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON IN THE LAST THREE OR FOUR YEARS. AND THIRD, I THINK IT WILL MAKE IT EVEN MORE IMPOSSIBLE -- FAR MORE IMPOSSIBLE -- THAN IT IS NOW TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REPATRIATING TWO-POINT-WHATEVER MILLION IT IS REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS.

MR. HINTON SAYS WHILE IT IS CLEAR THAT POLITICAL PRESSURE FROM THE UNITED STATES IS A KEY REASON FOR STICKING TO THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTION DATE, OTHER COUNTRIES TAKING PART IN THE PEACEKEEPING EFFORT WANT TO STAY WITH THE SCHEDULED VOTE, FOLLOWED BY TROOP WITHDRAWAL LATER THIS YEAR. THE COUNTRIES WANT TO AVOID GETTING TRAPPED IN WHAT HAS COME TO BE CALLED "MISSION CREEP" -- THE KEEPING OF TROOPS IN A TROUBLE SPOT BEYOND THE ORIGINAL MISSION AND THE GRADUAL EXPANSION OF THEIR DUTIES. BUT THE "INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP" BELIEVES FOREIGN TROOPS ARE LIKELY TO STAY IN BOSNIA BEYOND DECEMBER'S SCHEDULED WITHDRAWAL DATE IN ANY EVENT, AND THAT HOLDING ELECTIONS SEPTEMBER 14TH RATHER THAN A FEW MONTHS LATER WHEN CONDITIONS MAY IMPROVE COULD AGGRAVATE THE SITUATION, CAUSING ONGOING STRESS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/JWH/MMK
14-Aug-96 1:04 PM EDT (1704 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] CHRISTOPHER / BOSNIA TALKS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS MET THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA, AND SERBIA, DEMANDING THEY CARRY OUT THEIR COMMITMENTS FOR THE ELECTION IN BOSNIA ON SEPTEMBER 14TH. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS ISSUES REGARDING FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND A FREE PRESS WERE RAISED WITH ALL THREE LEADERS.

TEXT: AT A LUNCHEON MEETING WITH ALL THREE PRESIDENTS, SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER DISPENSED WITH THE DIPLOMATIC COURTESIES AND TOLD THE BALKAN LEADERS IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA ARE CARRIED OUT PROPERLY.

IN SEPARATE MEETINGS WITH THE BOSNIAN AND CROATIAN PRESIDENTS, MR. CHRISTOPHER DETAILED THE PROBLEMS THE UNITED STATES SEES WITH THE WAY BOSNIAN MUSLIMS AND CROATS HAVE APPROACHED THE ELECTIONS THAT ARE NOW JUST ONE MONTH AWAY.

WITH PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC, MR. CHRISTOPHER RAISED THE CASE OF THE INTERNATIONALLY FINANCED OPEN BROADCAST NETWORK THAT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS NOT ALLOWED TO FUNCTION. PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC TOLD REPORTERS HIS MUSLIM-LED GOVERNMENT DOES NOT OBJECT TO POLITICAL STATEMENTS ON THE NETWORK. BUT HE SAID HE DOES NOT WANT POLITICAL COMMERCIALS.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES WANTS NO CONTROLS ON A FREE MEDIA IN THE PRE-ELECTION PERIOD.

THE POSITION OF THE UNITED STATES IS THAT, IF THE OPEN BROADCAST NETWORK IS TO SUCCEED, IT MUST BE FULLY FREE AND IT MUST BE FREE AS A PRIVATE ENTITY TO DETERMINE WHAT IT WANTS TO DO ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS AS WELL AS ON A POLITICAL BASIS.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS SAY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT'S OBJECTIONS ARE IDEOLOGICAL. THEY SAY THAT JUST LIKE ITS COMMUNIST PREDECESSORS, THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WANT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MEDIA.

WITH PRESIDENT TUDJMAN, SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR BOSNIAN CROATS TO DISSOLVE THEIR SEPARATE INSTITUTIONS INTO THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION. THE PROMISES HAVE BEEN MADE MANY TIMES, BUT MR. BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS LOOKING FOR ACTION.

SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER ALSO RAISED WITH PRESIDENT TUDJMAN THE RECENT PRESENCE OF INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS IN CROATIA. MR. BURNS SAYS MR. CHRISTOPHER RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE WANTED FOR PROSECUTION IN THE HAGUE BY JUSTICE GOLDSTONE, AND I CANNOT SAY THAT WE RECEIVED FULL SATISFACTION IN THE MEETING ABOUT THESE INDIVIDUALS. BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER RAISED THESE ISSUES WITH A GREAT DEAL OF DETERMINATION AND A GREAT DEAL OF AGGRESSIVENESS.

WAR CRIMES ISSUES ALSO FIGURE PROMINENTLY IN MR. CHRISTOPHER'S LATER MEETING WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. IN HIS LUNCHEON SPEECH, MR. CHRISTOPHER CRITICIZED THE INTIMIDATION OF VOTERS IN THE BOSNIAN SERB-CONTROLLED REGION AND LACK OF FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT IN ALL THREE AREAS.

DESPITE ALL THE PROBLEMS CITED IN THE MEETING, THERE IS CLEARLY NO ALTERNATIVE TO GOING AHEAD WITH THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTION WITH ALL ITS WELL KNOWN FLAWS. AS CARL BILDT, THE EUROPEAN NEGOTIATOR PUT IT, "WE HAVE AN AVALANCHE OF AGREEMENTS AND DEADLINES WITH VERY LITTLE PROGRESS." THE REAL QUESTION, MR. BILDT SAYS, COMES AFTER THE ELECTIONS -- WHEN THE MORE DIFFICULT ISSUES OF POWER SHARING WILL HAVE TO BE FACED. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/JWH/MMK
14-Aug-96 10:31 AM EDT (1431 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] CYPRUS SHOOTING (L ONLY) BY JENNIFER GRIFFIN (NICOSIA)

INTRO: TROOPS IN THE TURKISH SIDE OF CYPRUS HAS KILLED A GREEK CYPRIOT DEMONSTRATOR DURING A DEMONSTRATION IN THE BUFFER ZONE DIVIDING THE ISLAND NATION. JENNIFER GRIFFIN IN NICOSIA REPORTS THE DEMONSTRATORS ENTERED THE BUFFER AREA TO PLACE A WREATH HONORING A GREEK DEMONSTRATOR WHO WAS KILLED IN CLASHES SUNDAY.

TEXT: DOZENS OF GREEK CYPRIOT MOTORCYCLISTS WEARING BLACK AND WAVING THE NATIONAL FLAG BURST THROUGH BARRICADES AT DHERINIA, A TOWN ABOUT 60-KILOMETERS SOUTHEAST OF NICOSIA ALONG THE U-N GUARDED GREEN LINE WHICH SEPARATES GREEKS FROM TURKS ON THIS DIVIDED ISLAND.

THE BIKERS WERE RETURNING FROM A FUNERAL FOR TASSOS ISAAC, THE 24-YEAR-OLD GREEK CYPRIOT KILLED IN THE BUFFER ZONE BY A TURKISH MOB WIELDING WOODEN CLUBS AND THROWING STONES DURING A DEMONSTRATION SUNDAY BY GREEK CYPRIOTS.

TODAY'S SHOOTING RESULTED WHEN A TURKISH SOLDIER OPENED FIRE AT A GREEK CYPRIOT WHO HAD CLIMBED A FLAGPOLE AND WAS TRYING TO RIP DOWN THE TURKISH FLAG AT THE BORDER. DEMONSTRATORS PELTED THE TURKISH SIDE WITH ROCKS, AND U-N TROOPS WERE CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE.

THE INCIDENT FOLLOWED AN EMOTIONAL BURIAL FOR MR. ISAAC, WHO WAS CALLED A NATIONAL HERO BY THE HEAD OF THE CYPRUS ORTHODOX CHURCH WHO OFFICIATED AT THE FUNERAL.

MR. ISAAC'S ELDERLY MOTHER AND WIFE FLAILED THEIR BODIES AT THE COFFIN DRAPED IN A BLUE AND WHITE GREEK FLAG, AS HUNDREDS OF CYPRIOTS JAMMED THE AISLES OF THE CATHEDRAL, FOUR-KILOMETERS EAST OF DHERINIA WHERE THE CLASHES TOOK PLACE.

MR. ISAAC'S WIFE, WHO IS SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT, COLLAPSED DURING THE CEREMONY AND WAS CARRIED OUT BY DISTRAUGHT MOURNERS.

MR. ISAAC IS THE FIRST GREEK CYPRIOT TO BE KILLED IN THE BUFFER ZONE SINCE THE TURKS INVADED AND OCCUPIED THE NORTHERN ONE-THIRD OF THE ISLAND IN 1971. THE TURKISH ARMY INVASION WAS A RESPONSE TO A SHORT-LIVED COUP BY CYPRIOTS WANTING TO UNITE WITH GREECE.

THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL HAS CONDEMNED BOTH SIDES FOR NOT PREVENTING THE CLASHES WHICH TOOK PLACE SUNDAY. (SIGNED)
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14-Aug-96 9:09 AM EDT (1309 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] TURKEY / ISLAM BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

INTRO: TURKEY'S 20-BILLION-DOLLAR GAS DEAL WITH IRAN HAS CREATED A FUROR IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH ACCUSES IRAN OF SPONSORING TERRORISM. V-O-A MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE NEW ISLAMIST LEADER IN TURKEY IS LOOKING TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH THE MUSLIM WORLD, DESPITE WESTERN JITTERS.

TEXT: THE NEW TURKISH PRIME MINISTER, NECMETTIN ERBEKAN, HAS NEVER HIDDEN HIS HOSTILITY TOWARD THE WEST, TOWARD NATO, OR TOWARD THE EUROPEAN UNION. MR. ERBEKAN'S ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY HAS ARGUED THE PREDOMINANTLY CHRISTIAN EUROPEAN UNION HAS KEPT TURKEY WAITING FOR 30-YEARS ON ITS DOORSTEP BECAUSE IT DOES NOT WANT TO ADMIT A MUSLIM COUNTRY INTO ITS FOLD.

MR. ERBEKAN HAS CHALLENGED TURKEY'S 70-YEAR TRADITION OF SEPARATION OF MOSQUE AND STATE BY LEADING THE GOVERNMENT'S FIRST ISLAMIST COALITION. NOW HE IS TAKING THE INITIATIVE IN PROMOTING CLOSER TIES WITH THE MUSLIM WORLD. HIS FIRST FOREIGN TRIP TO ISLAMIC NEIGHBORS TO THE EAST UNDERLINES THAT INTENTION.

POLITICAL ANALYST NILFAR NARLI -- WHO MONITORS THE ISLAMIC MOVEMENT IN TURKEY -- SEES MR ERBEKAN'S FOREIGN POLICY NOT A REJECTION OF THE WEST AS MUCH AS A NATURAL SHIFT TOWARD ISLAM.

WHEN I POSE QUESTIONS TO ISLAMIC STUDENTS, VERY OFTEN THEY EMPHASIZE THAT TURKEY IS LOOKING TOWARD THE WEST. AND THEN THEY SAY THAT TURKEY SHOULD DEVELOP CLOSER TIES WITH THE ISLAMIC COUNTRIES. AND ALSO FOR THEM, PAN ISLAMISM IS IMPORTANT. THIS MEANS ALL MUSLIM NATIONS ARE BROTHERS AND FRIENDS.

MR. ERBEKAN'S RIGHT-WING, SECULAR COALITION PARTNER TANSU CILLER POINTS OUT NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE NOW-CONTROVERSIAL GAS DEAL WITH IRAN BEGAN A YEAR AGO WHEN SHE WAS PRIME MINISTER. SHE INSISTS THE AGREEMENT DOES NOT VIOLATE THE NEW U-S LAW BECAUSE IT PREDATES IT.

SOME OBSERVERS SAY PRIME MINISTER ERBEKAN'S ATTEMPT TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH OTHER MUSLIM STATES, LIKE SYRIA AND EGYPT, AIMS AT CALMING ARAB UNEASE OVER TURKEY'S RECENT MILITARY AGREEMENT WITH ISRAEL. AS FOR TURKEY'S TALKS ABOUT SELLING FOODSTUFFS TO IRAQ, THEY SAY THAT AIMS AT RECOVERING SOME OF THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF REVENUE LOST SINCE U-N SANCTIONS CLOSED OFF TRADE WITH IRAQ SIX-YEARS AGO.

ANALYST NILUFAR NARLI SAYS MR ERBEKAN'S POLITICAL MANEUVERS FOR NOW ARE LIMITED BY HIS RIGHT-WING PARTNER IN THE RULING COALITION AND BY TURKEY'S MILITARY. BOTH ARE COMMITTED TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL SECULAR STATE AND TO STRONG LINKS WITH THE WEST.

WE SHOULD SAY THIS IS NOT TURNING AWAY FROM THE WEST BUT DEVELOPING CLOSER TIES WITH THE EASTERN COUNTRIES. BUT IN THE FUTURE, WE WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT TYPE OF CHANGES WILL HAPPEN. BUT I AM SURE IN TURKEY, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE SUPPORT CLOSER TIES WITH WESTERN COUNTRIES.

TURKEY HAS ALWAYS PROMOTED ITSELF AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST. PREVIOUS RIGHT-WING SECULAR COALITIONS HAVE LOOKED TO EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES. WHILE SOME IN THE WEST WONDER IF TURKEY'S ISLAMIST LEADER IS CHANGING DIRECTION, OTHERS SUGGEST TURKEY IS SIMPLY PLAYING BOTH SIDES TO ITS OWN ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ADVANTAGES. (SIGNED)
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14-Aug-96 11:06 AM EDT (1506 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S/CYPRUS CLASH (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS APPEALED FOR RESTRAINT BY BOTH SIDES IN THE CYPRUS DISPUTE FOLLOWING ANOTHER FATAL CLASH ALONG THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN THE GREEK AND TURKISH SECTORS. TWO GREEK CYPRIOTS HAVE BEEN KILLED IN INCIDENTS AT THE BUFFER ZONE SINCE SUNDAY. DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS URGING BOTH CYPRIOT PARTIES TO TAKE RESOLUTE STEPS TO PREVENT UN-AUTHORIZED INCURSIONS INTO THE BUFFER ZONE FOLLOWING THE CLASHES WHICH HAVE LEFT TWO GREEK PROTESTORS DEAD AND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE -- INCLUDING U-N PEACEKEEPERS -- WOUNDED.

DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GLYNN DAVIES REFUSED TO LAY BLAME FOR THE INCIDENTS IN ADVANCE OF WHAT HE SAID SHOULD BE A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION BY U-N AND CYPRIOT AUTHORITIES. IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAID U-S AMBASSADOR ON CYPRUS KENNETH BRILL IS APPEALING TO BOTH SIDES FOR RESTRAINT -- OUT OF CONCERN THAT WHAT HE CALLED A TRAGIC SITUATION COULD SPIN OUT OF CONTROL:

WE CERTAINLY HOPE IT DOES NOT. AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE SENDING THIS VERY VIGOROUS MESSAGE TO THE PARTIES THAT PROVOCATIVE ACTS REALLY HAVE TO STOP. THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO END THE VIOLENCE AND THE BLOODSHED THAT HAS OCCURRED IN RECENT DAYS.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS RECENTLY MOUNTED NEW EFFORTS FOR A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT ON CYPRUS THAT INCLUDED A VISIT TO THE ISLAND BY U-N AMBASSADOR MADELIENE ALBRIGHT THREE-WEEKS AGO. (SIGNED)
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14-Aug-96 2:37 PM EDT (1837 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S STRATEGY IN THE BALKANS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS THE UNITED STATES HELPS IMPLEMENT THE DAYTON ACCORD IN BOSNIA, IT HAS ALSO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE BALKANS. V-O-A'S ED WARNER REPORTS TWO ANALYSTS PRESENT CONTRASTING VIEWS OF THIS GROWING COMMITMENT.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES IS PURSUING AN AMBITIOUS POLICY BY STEALTH IN THE BALKANS, SAYS TED CARPENTER, VICE PRESIDENT FOR DEFENSE AND FOREIGN POLICY STUDIES AT THE CATO INSTITUTE. HE WARNS BEFORE WE KNOW IT, WE COULD BE IN DEEP TROUBLE:

WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO PRESERVE BOSNIA AS A MULTI-ETHNIC STATE DESPITE MOUNTING EVIDENCE THAT THAT IS NOT A FEASIBLE OBJECTIVE. WE FORMED VERY EXTENSIVE INTELLIGENCE AND MILITARY TIES WITH ALBANIA. WE HAVE A MILITARY PRESENCE IN MACEDONIA. WE ARE EXPANDING SECURITY TIES AT A RAPID RATE WITH HUNGARY. SO THIS ADDS UP TO AN ANTI-SERB CONTAINMENT POLICY. BUT I AM NOT SURE THAT ANYONE IN THE ADMINISTRATION HAS REALLY THOUGHT IT THROUGH AS A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY.

IN AN ARTICLE IN "THE NATIONAL INTEREST" MAGAZINE, CO-AUTHORED BY COLUMNIST AMOS PERLMUTTER, MR. CARPENTER SAYS THERE IS NO PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR SUCH WIDENING COMMITMENTS, ESPECIALLY IF AMERICAN LIVES ARE LOST. THE BALKAN POLICY COULD COLLAPSE WITH UNFORESEEN CONSEQUENCES:

I THINK THE UNITED STATES IS MAKING A GRAVE ERROR IF IT TRIES TO BECOME THE PROTECTORATE OF THE BALKANS. AND THAT IS WHERE WE ARE HEADED. WE OUGHT TO BE GREATLY REDUCING OUR TIES IN THAT REGION AND PUTTING IT TO THE MEMBER STATES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO DO WHATEVER THEY THINK IS NECESSARY IN THE BALKANS. THAT REGION IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT TO THE E-U THAN IT EVER SHOULD BE TO THE UNITED STATES.

WRITING IN "FOREIGN POLICY" MAGAZINE, MARTEN VAN HEUVEN SAYS CURRENT U-S POLICY IN THE BALKANS IS CLEAR ENOUGH:

WE DO HAVE A COHERENT POLICY IN TRYING TO IMPLEMENT DAYTON. THAT HAS BEEN IN VERY SHARP FOCUS EVER SINCE DICK HOLBROOKE AND SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER MANAGED TO PUT THAT TOGETHER LAST FALL. AND EVERYONE'S EYE HAS BEEN ON THAT, AND I HAVE A FEELING THAT HAS BEEN PRETTY WELL ORCHESTRATED IF NOT YET BEEN FULLY CONSUMMATED. BUT I DO NOT SEE ANY EVIDENCE OF BROAD STRATEGIC THINKING ABOUT THE ENTIRE BALKANS. I THINK THE FOCUS IS ENTIRELY AT THE MOMENT ON BOSNIA AND THE ELECTIONS.

MR. VAN HEUVEN, A SENIOR CONSULTANT AT THE RAND RESEARCH ORGANIZATION WITH LONG EXPERIENCE IN EUROPE, SAYS EUROPEANS MUST TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND THINK MORE SERIOUSLY ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE BALKANS. THEY SHOULD ENCOURAGE A NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE REGION THAT IS NOT COMPROMISED BY ITS ASSOCIATION WITH BREAKDOWN AND VIOLENCE:

I SEE THE NEED FOR A FAIRLY LONG-TERM ENGAGEMENT OF THE WEST IN PUTTING THE BALKANS BACK TOGETHER AGAIN. BUT I DO NOT SEE AN APPETITE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR AMERICA TO PLAY THE LEADING ROLE IN THAT EFFORT OVER A LONG TIME. MY CONCLUSION IS, THEREFORE, THAT A MUCH GREATER ROLE WILL HAVE TO BE ASSUMED IN DUE COURSE BY THE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES IN COPING WITH THE BALKANS. I THINK NATO IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE TO BE INVOLVED, IF NOT IN A MILITARY WAY, THE WAY IT IS NOW, THEN CERTAINLY IN A POLITICAL STRATEGIC WAY.

MARTIN VAN HEUVEN SAYS NATO IS TOO INVOLVED IN THE BALKANS TO DISENGAGE WITHOUT JEOPARDIZING EUROPEAN SECURITY. (SIGNED)
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14-Aug-96 1:34 PM EDT (1734 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S TROOPS/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE HIGHEST STATE OF ALERT AND ARE FACING WHAT THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CALLS POSSIBLE ATTACKS AGAINST THEIR BASE CAMPS. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS U-S MILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN MONITORING CAMERA CARRYING PEOPLE NEAR U-S CAMPS:

TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS U-S OFFICIALS ARE TAKING THE THREAT SERIOUSLY BY BOOSTING THE ALERT STATUS OF EACH U-S PEACEKEEPING CAMP IN BOSNIA:

WE'VE SEEN STEPPED-UP SURVEILLANCE, PEOPLE TRYING TO PHOTOGRAPH U-S INSTALLATIONS WITH VIDEO CAMERAS. THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO BE T-V CREWS, THEY WEREN'T REGISTERED PRESS PERSONNEL. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER THREATS THROUGH INTELLIGENCE CHANNELS.

MR. BACON DECLINED TO SPECIFY WHAT INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS HAVE BEEN SEEN CLOSE TO THE CAMPS, BUT HE NOTED THAT SIMILAR SURVEILLANCE HAS OCCURRED NEAR THE U-S MILITARY HOUSING COMPLEX NEAR DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA, WHICH WAS SHATTERED JUNE 25TH BY A TERROR BOMB. NINETEEN U-S AIRMEN DIED IN THAT TRUCK BOMBING.

THE PENTAGON SPOKESMAN SAYS U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA ARE WELL-PROTECTED AT THEIR BASE CAMPS. THEY ARE HOUSED IN THE CENTER OF THE CAMP AWAY FROM THE CAMP'S PERIMETER. THE CAMPS ARE PROTECTED BY CONSTANT ARMED PATROLS.

ALL NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCES WERE PLACED ON A LOWER LEVEL OF ALERT MONDAY AFTER THE BOSNIAN SERBS INITIALLY REFUSED TO ALLOW NATO INSPECTION OF A WEAPONS SITE. THEY LATER RELENTED. (SIGNED)
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13-Aug-96 9:31 PM EDT (0131 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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