Voice of America, 96-09-05

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA / SERBS / NATO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

[03] CHRISTOPHER / EUROPE (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[04] DOLE / BOSNIA (L) BY ERIN BRUMMETT (DAYTON, OHIO)

[05] U-S / TURKEY / KURDS (L-O) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

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

INTRO: A WIDE ARRAY OF INTERNATIONAL TOPICS CAN BE FOUND IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF THURSDAYS U-S PRESS, SEVERAL OF THEM COMMENTING ON THE BUDDING PEACE IN CHECHNYA. OTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDE: THE UPCOMING BOSNIAN ELECTIONS; HEAVY- HANDED GOVERNMENT IN BURMA; THE FATE OF THE KURDS, AND ANOTHER SMALL STEP IN THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS. NOW, HERE WITH SOME QUOTES AND A CLOSER LOOK IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE END OF FIGHTING IN CHECHNYA IS UPPERMOST IN THE MINDS OF SEVERAL EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS WHO ARE LEADING THEIR COLUMNS WITH THOUGHTS ON THAT SITUATION. TYPICAL IS THE BOSTON GLOBE.

VOICE: "RUSSIA'S SECURITY CHIEF, ALEXANDER LEBED, HAS BEEN CONDUCTING TWO PERILOUS CAMPAIGNS SIMULTANEOUSLY. TO THE RELIEF OF VIRTUALLY ALL CHECHENS, MOST RUSSIANS AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, HE HAS WON THE BATTLE FOR AN ARMISTICE AND A PEACE ACCORD IN CHECHNYA. WHATEVER COMES OF IT, THE PEACE AGREEMENT REPRESENTS A LIFE-SAVING ACHIEVEMENT... NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE SIGNS THAT [MR.] LEBED MAY FIND IT MUCH HARDER TO ACHIEVE VICTORY IN HIS SECOND CAMPAIGN -- A VEILED STRUGGLE FOR POWER IN THE ... KREMLIN."

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SALUTES THE CHECHNYA TRUCE, BUT FAULTS PRESIDENT YELTSIN FOR HIS RELUCTANCE TO ACCEPT THE AGREEMENT, AND CASTS A WEARY EYE TOWARD THE FUTURE.

VOICE: "THE CHECHENS' FUTURE NONETHELESS REMAINS UNCERTAIN. ALREADY OLD CLAN RIVALRIES THREATEN TO ERUPT INTO A RENEWED FIGHT FOR POWER. THE AFGHAN RESISTANCE MOVEMENT, AFTER FIGHTING THE SOVIET UNION TO A STANDSTILL, FELL APART AND GAVE WAY TO A CHAOTIC CIVIL WAR. IF THAT HAPPENS IN CHECHNYA, MOSCOW MIGHT WELL BE TEMPTED TO TRY TO REASSERT CONTROL. BUT IT SHOULD THINK TWICE..."

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES CALLS THE CHECHNYA PACT "A WELCOME PEACE," AND GOES ON TO SUGGEST:

VOICE: "[OPT] SOME OF MR. LEBED'S CRITICS CONSIDER THE SETTLEMENT A CAPITULATION, AND COMPLAIN THAT MOSCOW HAS NOTHING BUT LOST LIVES AND DESTRUCTION TO SHOW FOR THE MILITARY CAMPAIGN MR. YELTSIN LAUNCHED 21 MONTHS AGO. [END OPT] MOSCOW'S AUTHORITY OVER CHECHNYA LOOKS PURELY THEORETICAL AT THIS POINT, AND THE PRESERVATION OF RUSSIA'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, THE JUSTIFICATION FOR MOSCOW'S ATTACK, WAS DISHONORED BY THE BRUTALITY OF THE RUSSIAN ASSAULT."

TEXT: MOVING TO THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS, SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 14TH, TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR WRITES:

VOICE: "IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER THE VOTE WILL LAY A FOUNDATION FOR UNIFIED GOVERNMENT, AS HOPED, OR SIMPLY DRIVE HOSTILE ETHNIC COMMUNITIES EVEN DEEPER INTO THEIR SEGREGATED ENCLAVES. RIGHT NOW, THE LATTER SEEMS ALL TOO PROBABLE."

TEXT: PORTLAND [MAINE'S] PRESS HERALD EXPRESSES CONCERN THAT BURMA'S MILITARY-BACKED GOVERNMENT MAY CLAMP DOWN FURTHER ON FAMED PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI AND HER SUPPORTERS.

VOICE: "THE MILITARY DESPOTS IN BURMA SHOULD KNOW THW WORLD IS WATCHING AS THEY PONDER WHAT TO DO ABOUT DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI. THE ... LEADER OF THE BURMESE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT WAS ACCUSED THIS WEEK OF HAVING ILLEGAL CONTACTS WITH GROUPS ABROAD SEEKING THE REGIME'S OVERTHROW, AND COLLABORATING WITH THEM... NOW THE GENERALS ARE REDUCED TO ISSUING DARK THREATS AGAINST THEIR WIDELY ADMIRED ADVERSARY, AND ARRESTING HER SUPPORTERS -- MORE THAN 300 SINCE MAY -- THOUGH THEY DON'T YET DARE TOUCH HER. IF THEY'RE SMART, THEY WON'T TOUCH HER, EITHER, LEST INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION TURN FROM WORDS TO ACTION."

TEXT: USA TODAY SAYS THE LATEST CONFRONTATION IN IRAQ POINTS AGAIN TO THE PROBLEMS THAT PURSUE THE KURDS, WHO ALWAYS SEEM TO BE THE VICTIMS WHEN HOSTILITIES ERUPT IN THEIR AREA OF THE WORLD.

VOICE: "THEY ARE THE WORLD'S LARGEST STATELESS MINORITY, A PROUD BUT DIVIDED PEOPLE SURROUNDED BY MORE STRATEGICALLY LOCATED NEIGHBORS. FOR CENTURIES THEY'VE BEEN MANIPULATED, OPPRESSED, USED AND ABUSED BY IRAQIS, TURKS, IRANIANS, RUSSIANS, SYRIANS AND ARMENIANS. AND, GIVEN THE CHANCE, THEY'VE RETURNED THE FAVOR, OFTEN VIOLENTLY. IN RECENT HISTORY, EVERY PLAN TO END THEIR STRIFE HAS TURNED OUT TO BE A TEASE."

TEXT: ON THAT SAME THEME, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS SAYS THE UNITED STATES "MUST EXPLAIN ITS POSITION ON THE KURDS".

VOICE: "WILL AMERICA'S CRUISE MISSILE ATTACKS AND AIR MISSIONS AGAINST IRAQ ... REIN IN SADDAM HUSSEIN'S AGGRESSIVE TENDENCIES? OR HAS THE U-S ASSAULT ALREADY BEEN EXCESSIVE... ATTACKING IN THE SOUTH IS RAISING SOME UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTIONS. AND NOT JUST BY IRAQ, EITHER. SOME U-S ALLIES ARE WONDERING WHETHER MILITARY RETALIATION IN THE SOUTH HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN'S THREAT TO THE KURDS IN THE NORTH. IS THE U-S SENDING A SIGNAL TO MR. HUSSEIN TO KEEP HIS HANDS OFF THE KUWAIT? OR IS SOMETHING ELSE AT WORK HERE? PRESIDENT CLINTON HAD BETTER BE CRAFTING ADEQUATE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS."

TEXT: MOVING TO ANOTHER MIDDLE EAST MATTER, TODAY'S MIAMI HERALD IS UPBEAT ABOUT WHAT IT CALLS "A NEW STEP TOWARD PEACE" BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS.

VOICE: "FINALLY, AFTER MUCH ANIMOSITY AND HARD-LINE ONE-UPMANSHIP, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AND HIS PALESTINIAN COUNTERPART, YASSER ARAFAT, SAT DOWN YESTERDAY AND RECOGNIZED EACH OTHER AS PARTNERS FOR PEACE. THEIR MEETING ... SET YET ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST -- THE FIRST OFFICIAL RECOGNITION OF MR. ARAFAT BY A LIKUD PARTY PREMIER... BY ALL ACCOUNTS, BOTH LEADERS WERE CONCILIATORY... TO THEIR CREDIT, WISDOM PREVAILED."

TEXT: HERE AT HOME, THE SENATE IS ABOUT TO DEBATE THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT, WHICH THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER SUGGESTS HAS AN ORWELLIAN TITLE, BUT A SIMPLER PURPOSE. THE LEGISLATION WOULD BAR FEDERAL RECOGNITION OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGES, AND MAKE RECIPROCITY OF SUCH UNIONS BY THE STATES OPTIONAL. SAYS THE INQUIRER:

VOICE: "TODAY'S DEBATE IN THE SENATE INVOLVES A POWERFUL CLASH BETWEEN THE DEMAND OF MILLIONS OF GAYS AND LESBIANS TO BE FULLY ACCEPTED IN AMERICAN SOCIETY AND THE RESISTANCE OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT HOMOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR IS WRONG. A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS BELIEVE IN PROTECTION AGAINST JOB DISCRIMINATION, BUT NOT IN LEGALIZING MARRIAGE BETWEEN TWO MEN OR TWO WOMEN -- WHICH IS CONTRARY TO CENTURIES OF LAWS, TRADITION AND RELIGION."

TEXT: USA TODAY SAYS EMPHATICALLY THIS DEBATE HAS NO PLACE IN POLITICS.

VOICE: "SAY WHAT YOU WILL ABOUT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE -- AND MOST PEOPLE SAY 'NO' -- CONGRESS IS THE LAST PLACE WHERE THE MATTER SHOULD BE DECIDED."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, MORE CONCERN ABOUT THE DECLINING FISH STOCKS OFF ALL U-S COASTS, DUE TO OVERFISHING BY U-S FLEETS. THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS IT IS TIME FOR THE SENATE TO FOLLOW THE HOUSE AND STRENGTHEN THE NATION'S FISHING LAWS.

VOICE: "THE HOUSE PASSED STRENGTHENING LEGISLATION NEARLY A YEAR AGO... THE SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE FINALLY GOT AROUND TO APPROVING A SIMILAR BILL THIS SPRING... THIS IS ONE OF THE FEW WORTHY BILLS ... LEFT IN THIS CONGRESS. IF IS MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION OF THE SORT THAT THE LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES NOW CLAIM TO WANT TO PASS... IT WILL BE A TERRIBLE RESULT IF, FOR A LACK OF LEADERSHIP, THIS ONE DIES."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL OPINIONS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/PCH
05-Sep-96 11:29 AM EDT (1529 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / SERBS / NATO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE NATO COMMANDER IN BOSNIA HAS WARNED BOSNIAN SERBS NOT TO INTERFERE IN NATO OPERATIONS. DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS THE WARNING COMES AFTER NATO TROOPS WERE FORCED TO FIRE A WARNING SHOT TO ESCAPE FROM AN ANGRY SERB CROWD THAT HAD SURROUNDED A NATO PATROL.

TEXT: THE INCIDENT THAT PROVOKED THE WARNING BEGAN WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON WHEN A TEN-MAN BRITISH MILITARY POLICE PATROL IN BANJA LUKA, IN NORTHERN BOSNIA, INSPECTED A SMALL CONVOY OF SERB INTERIOR MINISTRY POLICE VEHICLES.

THE SERBS HAD RECEIVED PERMISSION TO MOVE TWO ARMORED VEHICLES TO A NATO AUTHORIZED STORAGE SITE. BUT THE BRITISH SOLDIERS FOUND AN EXTRA ARMORED CAR, A SELF-PROPELLED ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN, AND A TRUCK TOWING A GUN CARRIAGE IN THE CONVOY. THE NATO SOLDIERS INSPECTED THE VEHICLES AND ALSO FOUND A MULTI-BARRELED ROCKET LAUNCHER AND TEN 20-MILLIMETER CANNONS.

A NATO SPOKESMAN, BRETT BOUDREAU, SAYS TROUBLE BROKE OUT WHEN THE NATO PATROL MOVED TO CONFISCATE THE UNAUTHORIZED WEAPONS.

A CROWD OF ABOUT 200 CIVILIANS GATHERED AND BECAME ANGRY. AT ONE STAGE THE CROWD ATTEMPTED TO OVERTURN ONE OF THE R-M-P LANDROVERS. THE I-FOR COMMANDER ON THE GROUND, A SERGEANT, JUDGING THAT THE SITUATION WAS PUTTING HIS TROOPS AT RISK, FIRED A SINGLE WARNING SHOT IN THE AIR.

THE CROWD WITHDREW, AND THE CONVOY THEN MOVED TOWARDS A NATO BASE. A FEW KILOMETERS AWAY IT WAS STOPPED OUTSIDE A BOSNIAN-SERB ARMY BASE AND SURROUNDED BY SERB VEHICLES. ANOTHER ANGRY CROWD ASSEMBLED AND THE NATO TROOPS HAD TO SEEK SHELTER INSIDE THE SERB ARMY BASE. EVENTUALLY DURING THE NIGHT, THE SERB POLICE CHIEF OF BANJA LUKA INTERVENED, AND THE NATO PATROL, ALONG WITH THE CONFISCATED WEAPONS, WAS ABLE TO REACH THE NATO BASE.

THE NATO COMMANDER IN BOSNIA, U-S ADMIRAL JOSEPH LOPEZ, WARNED BOSNIAN-SERB LEADERS AND SERB CIVILIANS SUCH CONFRONTATIONS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. IN A STATEMENT READ BY THE SENIOR NATO SPOKESMAN, MARK VAN DYKE, THE ADMIRAL SAID HIS TROOPS HAD ACTED WITH EXTREME RESTRAINT.

OUR SOLDIERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO FIRE WARNING SHOTS. THEY DO NOT HAVE TO FIRE OVER ANYONE'S HEAD OR INTO THE GROUND. THEY ARE TRAINED AND ARE AUTHORIZED TO SHOOT TO KILL IN ORDER TO DEFEND THEMSELVES AND OTHERS. IT IS NOT OUR INTENT TO HARM ANYONE. BUT WHEN THREATENED WE WILL RESPOND. YESTERDAY THE SOLDIERS CHOSE TO FIRE A WARNING SHOT. NEXT TIME THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE FATAL.

WITH NATIONWIDE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA JUST MORE THAN ONE-WEEK AWAY, NATO OFFICIALS ARE WORRIED ANGRY SERB MOBS WILL TRY TO PREVENT MUSLIMS FROM RETURNING TO SERB-HELD AREAS TO VOTE. NATO COMMANDERS ARE CONCERNED THEIR SOLDIERS WILL BE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF VIOLENT CONFRONTATIONS, AND ARE CLEARLY WARNING SERB LEADERS AND CIVILIANS NATO TROOPS, UNTRAINED AND UNEQUIPPED FOR RIOT CONTROL, WILL HAVE FEW OPTIONS OTHER THAN THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE IF LIVES ARE PUT AT RISK. (SIGNED)
NEB/DF/JWH/RAE
05-Sep-96 11:19 AM EDT (1519 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CHRISTOPHER / EUROPE (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS THANKED BRITAIN FOR ITS STAUNCH SUPPORT OF AMERICAN AIR STRIKES AGAINST MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IN IRAQ. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, MR. CHRISTOPHER HELD TALKS WITH BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY MALCOLM RIFKIND -- TALKS WHICH FOCUSED ON THE SITUATION IN IRAQ.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER BEGAN HIS FIVE-DAY EUROPEAN TRIP WITH A STOPOVER (THURSDAY) IN LONDON WHERE HE PRAISED THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FOR ITS UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT OF U-S CRUISE MISSILE ATTACKS ON SADDAM HUSSEIN'S FORCES IN SOUTHERN IRAQ.

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT NOT ONLY VOICED STRONG SUPPORT, IT PROVIDED LOGISTICAL HELP AS WELL -- REFUELING FACILITIES FOR U-S B-52 BOMBERS AT THE BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY OF DIEGO GARCIA. MR. CHRISTOPHER TOLD REPORTERS THE BRITISH ACTIONS AND WORDS DEMONSTRATE WHAT HE CALLED THE EXTRAORDINARY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND LONDON.

MR. CHRISTOPHER'S BRIEF STAY IN LONDON WAS SEEN AS ESSENTIALLY A COURTESY CALL. HIS REAL WORK WILL BE CONVINCING THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT THE MILITARY ACTION AGAINST SADDAM HUSSEIN WAS NEEDED AND LEGAL. FRENCH OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN LESS THAN ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE AMERICAN MOVES.

TO SHOW THEIR DISPLEASURE, THE FRENCH HAVE REFUSED TO JOIN U-S AND BRITISH FLYERS IN PATROLLING THE NEWLY EXPANDED NO-FLY ZONE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ WHICH NOW STRETCHES TO BAGHDAD'S SOUTHERN SUBURBS. FRENCH MIRAGE JETS WILL ONLY FLY OVER THE ORIGINAL NO-FLY ZONE WHICH ENDS AT THE 32ND PARALLEL.

FOLLOWING HIS MEETING WITH SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY MALCOLM RIFKIND SAID DESPITE THEIR REFUSAL, THE FRENCH REMAIN PART OF THE COALITION IMPLEMENTING THE NO-FLY ZONES.

I BELIEVE THE NO-FLY ZONE (IN SOUTHERN IRAQ) CAN BE ENTIRELY EFFECTIVE ON THE BASIS OF THE CURRENT LEVELS OF PARTICIPATION. THE CRUCIAL REQUIREMENT IS THAT CAN WE EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENT THE NO-FLY ZONE? THE FRENCH REMAIN PART OF THE COALITION -- THE NO-FLY ZONE WILL BE EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENTED AND THAT, THEREFORE, IS A SATISFACTORY SITUATION.

MANY DEFENSE ANALYSTS HERE QUESTION WHETHER SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER WILL BE ABLE TO PERSUADE THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN PATROLLING ALL OF SOUTHERN IRAQ'S NO-FLY ZONE.

A SENIOR ANALYST WITH THE BRITISH PUBLICATION JANE'S DEFENSE WEEKLY -- PAUL BEAVER -- SAYS FRANCE HAS A HISTORY OF STRONG MILITARY AND BUSINESS TIES WITH IRAQ.

MR. BEAVER DOES NOT BELIEVE THE FRENCH WILL CHANGE THEIR MINDS ABOUT PATROLLING THE EXPANDED NO-FLY ZONE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ. HE SAYS THE NO-FLY ZONE CAN OPERATE PERFECTLY WELL WITH THE FRENCH PATROLLING SOUTH OF THE 32ND PARALLEL AND THE BRITISH AND AMERICANS ALL THE WAY TO THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS OF BAGHDAD -- THAT IS, THE 33RD PARALLEL. IN THAT WAY, SAYS MR. BEAVER, THE MILITARY COALITION REMAINS INTACT. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/JWH/RAE
05-Sep-96 10:10 AM EDT (1410 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] DOLE / BOSNIA (L) BY ERIN BRUMMETT (DAYTON, OHIO)

INTRO: REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE BOB DOLE HAS CRITICIZED PLANS TO GO FORWARD WITH ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA NEXT WEEK. V-O-A'S ERIN BRUMMETT REPORTS, MR. DOLE SPOKE ON THE ISSUE DURING A CAMPAIGN APPEARANCE IN DAYTON, OHIO (TODAY / THURSDAY).

TEXT: AFTER THANKING THE CITY OF DAYTON FOR HOSTING THE TALKS THAT LED TO THE ACCORD PROVIDING FOR BOSNIA ELECTIONS, MR. DOLE SAID THE AGREEMENT IS FLAWED AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION HAS BEEN EVEN MORE FLAWED. MR. DOLE SAID CONDITIONS FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS DO NOT EXIST, ACCORDING TO HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS AND MONITORS ON THE GROUND.

MR. DOLE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT BOSNIA WAR CRIMINALS ROAMING FREE AND SOME BEING ON THE BALLOT. HE REFERRED TO A NEWS REPORT SAYING THE GROUP SPONSORING THE VOTE ALLOWED CAMPAIGN AID TO AN ACCUSED WAR CRIMINAL KNOWN AS ARKAN (ZELJKO RAZNATOVC). MR. DOLE SAID THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS WILL BE A FRAUD, WITH THE AMERICAN STAMP OF APPROVAL.

I RECENTLY WROTE TO PRESIDENT CLINTON AND URGED HIM NOT TO GO FORWARD WITH SUCH SHAMEFUL ELECTIONS. I ASKED HIM TO RECALL HIS OWN WORDS -- THAT IN BOSNIA, AMERICAN LEADERSHIP, INTERESTS AND VALUES WERE AT STAKE. I ASK NOW, WHERE IS AMERICAN LEADERSHIP? WHERE ARE THE AMERICAN VALUES? WHERE ARE AMERICAN INTERESTS?/

MR. DOLE SAID THE ELECTIONS MAKE A MOCKERY OF AMERICAN PRINCIPLES AND COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY. HE SAYS THE RESULTS WILL LEAD TO THE ENTRENCHMENT OF ETHNIC DIVISIONS, LEGITIMIZING OF EXTREME NATIONALISM AND ULTIMATELY THE PARTITION OF BOSNIA. HE SAYS THERE IS STILL TIME FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON TO POSTPONE THE ELECTIONS.

MR. DOLE HAS REFRAINED FROM CRITICIZING AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY SINCE BEFORE THE U-S MILITARY MISSION IN IRAQ EARLIER IN THE WEEK. AT THAT TIME, MR. DOLE QUESTIONED THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION FOR FAILING TO ACT EARLIER TO DETER IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN.

SINCE THE FIRST U-S MISSILE STRIKES IN IRAQ, MR. DOLE HAS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR AMERICAN TROOPS, SAYING HE TRUSTS THE MILITARY ACTION WILL HUMBLE SADDAM HUSSEIN. MR. DOLE SAID AGRESSION MULTIPLIES IF IT IS TOLERATED.

IN AN UNRELATED DEVELOPMENT IN THE DOLE CAMPAIGN, TWO MEDIA STAFFERS HAVE BEEN DISMISSED. MR. DOLE'S SPOKESMAN (NELSON WARFIELD) SAYS THE THE TWO, DON SIPPLE AND MIKE MURPHY, CHOSE TO GO THEIR OWN WAY, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN A MOVE TO COMBINE THE MEDIA ADVISORY STAFF WITH THE CAMPAIGN.

THE SHAKE-UP COMES AT A CRUCIAL TIME FOR THE DOLE CAMPAIGN, ONLY TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. THE DOLE SPOKESMAN PLAYED DOWN THE CHANGE IN RELATION TO NEW OPINION POLLS SHOWING MR. DOLE MOVING FURTHER BEHIND PRESIDENT CLINTON. (SIGNED)
NEB/EKB/MMK/MMK
05-Sep-96 2:39 PM EDT (1839 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] U-S / TURKEY / KURDS (L-O) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS EXPRESSED UNDERSTANDING FOR TURKEY'S ANNOUNCED INTENTION TO SET UP A BUFFER ZONE IN NORTHERN IRAQ TO PROTECT AGAINST ATTACKS BY KURDISH SEPARATISTS. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT HAS TOLD U-S OFFICIALS THE ACTION DOES NOT MEAN AN INVASION OF NORTHERN IRAQ. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS TURKEY HAS A RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST TERROR ATTACKS BY THE KURDISH SEPARATIST GROUP P-K-K. AND IT IS RAISING NO PUBLIC OBJECTION TO TURKEY'S PLAN TO SET UP A SECURITY ZONE WITHIN NORTHERN IRAQ TO TRY TO BLOCK P-K-K RAIDS.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAID TURKEY HAS TOLD U-S OFFICIALS THE BUFFER STRIP -- REPORTEDLY TO BE FIVE TO TEN KILOMETERS WIDE -- WILL NOT MEAN A PERMANENT TURKISH PRESENCE ON IRAQI SOIL.

THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN SYMPATHETIC IN THE PAST TO TURKISH EFFORTS TO CURB THE P-K-K, OR KURDISH WORKERS PARTY, WHICH HAS WAGED A 12-YEAR GUERRILLA WAR TO ESTABLISH A KURDISH STATE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GLYNN DAVIES SAID THE UNITED STATES VIEWS THE P-K-K AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST VICIOUS TERRORIST GROUPS AND UNDERSTANDS THE MOTIVES FOR TURKEY'S LATEST ACTION:

WE'VE TAKEN NOTE OF WHAT THE TURKS HAVE INDICATED TO US. AND WE UNDERSTAND AND ARE WITH THEM IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST P-K-K TERRORISM. AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSCORE SOME OF THE ASSURANCES THAT THE TURKS HAVE PUT OUT PUBLICLY: ONE, THAT NO TROOPS WILL BE STATIONED IN IRAQ AND TWO, THAT THE ZONE WILL ONLY BE TEMPORARY.

MR. DAVIES DECLINED TO CHARACTERIZE THE U-S STAND AS A GREEN LIGHT FOR MAJOR TURKISH INTERVENTION IN IRAQ, AND SAID ANKARA HAS SAID IT IS NOT PREPARING AN INVASION.

IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR, TURKEY SENT MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND TROOPS INTO NORTHERN IRAQ IN AN EFFORT TO SHUT DOWN BASES USED FOR P-K-K FORAYS INTO TURKEY.

THE TURKISH MOVE COMES AMID THE CRISIS IN IRAQ SPAWNED BY IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN'S INTERVENTION IN FIGHTING BETWEEN KURDISH GROUPS IN THE NORTHERN SAFE-HAVEN ZONE. BUT SPOKESMAN DAVIES SAID "THERE IS NO GREAT CONCERN" IN WASHINGTON THAT THE TURKISH BUFFER STRIP WILL FURTHER DESTABILIZE THE AREA. (SIGNED)
NEB / DAG / BD / MMK
05-Sep-96 3:10 PM EDT (1910 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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