Voice of America, 96-11-20

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] E-U / WOMEN (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[03] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[04] GERMANY / BOSNIA REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[05] THE E-U, HELMS-BURTON AND THE W-T-O BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

[06] TURKEY/KURDS BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[07] U.S. / BOSNIA ARMS (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

[08] U.S. / CROATIA RADIO (S ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

[09] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

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

INTRO: THE ARREST OF A SUSPECTED MOLE -- THAT IS, A RUSSIAN DOUBLE AGENT -- AT THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY ATTRACTS A GREAD DEAL OF EDITORIAL ATTENTION IN TODAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS. OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER SCRUTINY INCLUDE: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ASIA TRIP; THE CHANGING REFUGEE AID MISSION IN ZAIRE AND RWANDA; THE POPE'S ANTICIPATED VISIT TO CUBA, AND A QUESTIONABLE PHILOSOPHY AT THE WHITE HOUSE. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A QUOTE OR TWO IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE LEADING THEIR EDITORIAL COLUMNS WITH REACTIONS TO THE ARREST LAST WEEK OF HAROLD ... NICHOLSON, A TRAINER OF C-I-A AGENTS HEADED FOR ASSIGNMENT IN RUSSIA. HE IS CHARGED WITH SELLING THEIR NAMES AND OTHER SENSITIVE INFORMATION TO RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS. IN NEW ENGLAND, THE BOSTON GLOBE IS MUCH MORE CONCERNED WITH THE IMPLICATION OF THE ESPIONAGE -- THAT THIS COUNTRY IS STILL TRAINING C-I-A AGENTS TO SPY ON RUSSIA -- THAN BY THIS PARTCULAR INCIDENT.

VOICE: "TEMPTING AS IT MIGHT BE TO SEE THE LATEST C-I-A SPY SCANDAL AS THE STORY OF A TRAITOR WHO NEEDED MONEY FOR A GIRLFRIEND OR AS AN EXAMPLE OF COOPERATION BETWEEN THE F-B-I AND THE C-I-A, THE LARGER SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CHARGES ... IS THE REVELATION THAT THE SECURITY OPERATIONS OF RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES CAN'T STOP FIGHTING THE LAST WAR... THE GREAT HIDDEN QUESTION IS WHY WASHINGTON IS STILL TASKING U-S AGENTS TO TURN RUSSIAN SPIES INTO DOUBLE AGENTS."

TEXT: FOR A POSSIBLE ANSWER TO THE BOSTON GLOBE, THE WASHINGTON POST OFFERS THIS RATIONALE:

VOICE: "DO NOT BE SHOCKED ... THAT, ALTHOUGH THE COLD WAR IS OVER, AMERICANS AND RUSSIANS STILL SPY ON EACH OTHER. NO DOUBT SOME PART OF THE AMERICAN SPYING MAY BE DUBIOUS. BUT ANOTHER ... PART ARISES FROM A GREAT POWER'S NEED TO AVOID BEING SURPRISED BY A COUNTRY WHOSE NUCLEAR ARSENAL AND FOREIGN-POLICY REACH GIVE IT A MAJOR CAPACITY FOR SURPRISE."

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES COMMENTS ON THE AMOUNT TIME IT TOOK U-S INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES TO UNCOVER THIS LATEST "MOLE."

VOICE: "COMPARED WITH THE YEARS THEY SPENT FUMBLING THE ALDRICH AMES CASE, THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY AND FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION PURSUED SUSPICIONS ABOUT HAROLD NICHOLSON WITH ALACRITY AND ADMIRABLE COORDINATION... BUT ... IT STILL TOOK TOO LONG ......"

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ASIA TRIP, AND HIS PLANNED MEETING IN MANILA WITH CHINESE LEADER JIANG ZEMIN, DRAWS THIS COMMENTARY FROM TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR.

VOICE: "THE MEETING WITH MR. JIANG OVERSHADOWS ALL OTHERS, SINCE CHINA REPRESENTS TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL FOR BOTH COLLABORATION AND CONFLICT. AS ALWAYS, U-S CRITICISM OF CHINA'S DISMAL HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD WILL GRATE AGAINST THE DESIRE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT COUNTRY'S EMERGENCE AS AN ECONOMIC POWER. BUT ... BEIJING'S AUTOCRATS HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THEY HAVE SOME REFORMING TO DO BEFORE FULL EMBRACE BY THE WORLD'S PROGRESSIVE, DEMOCRATICALLY-ORIENTED NATIONS."

TEXT: FOCUSING ON AFRICA, THE CHANGING SITUATION WITH RWANDAN REFUGEES IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY AND EASTERN ZAIRE DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM NEWSDAY, THE LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK, DAILY:

VOICE: "THE RAPID SHIFTING OF THE REFUGEE CRISIS IN CENTRAL AFRICA CALLS FOR A RETHINKING OF PLANS TO DEPLOY MILITARY FORCE TO AID DISPLACED HUTUS IN EASTERN ZAIRE... THE NEW SITUATION IS IMMENSELY MORE COMPLICATED AND FRAUGHT WITH POLITICAL UNCERTAINTIES. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS NOW UNDERSTANDABLY RELUCTANT TO GET U-S TROOPS INVOLVED... BUT FRANCE AND BRITAIN, ALONG WITH REFUGEE AND AID AGENCIES, INSIST THAT THE NEED FOR URGENT MILITARY INTERVENTION TO HELP THE REMAINING REFUGEES IS AS GREAT AS EVER."

TEXT: CUBAN PREMIER FIDEL CASTRO MET WITH POPE JOHN PAUL AT THE VATICAN ON TUESDAY, AND IT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED THAT THE PONTIFF WILL VISIT CUBA NEXT YEAR. THE NEW YORK TIMES SEES ADVANTAGES FOR BOTH MEN IN THE VISIT.

VOICE: "IN COMMUNIST CUBA ... THE CHURCH REPRESENTS THE ONLY MAJOR SOCIAL INSTITUTION NOT CONTROLLED BY THE (CASTRO) GOVERNMENT. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, THE POPE WILL TRY TO GIVE THE CHURCH A WIDER ROLE IN WHATEVER POLITICAL TRANSITION TAKES PLACE AFTER MR. CASTRO LEAVES THE SCENE. FOR MR. CASTRO, A PAPAL VISIT CAN GIVE BROADER LEGITIMACY TO HIS REGIME. HE MAY ESPECIALLY HOPE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE VATICAN'S OPPOSITION TO ALL FORMS OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS TO MAXIMIZE WASHINGTON'S ISOLATION OVER THE RECKLESS HELMS-BURTON LAW, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE PUNISHMENT NOT ONLY OF AMERICANS BUT OF FOREIGNERS WHO DO BUSINESS WITH CUBA."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTED TUESDAY THAT WHITE HOUSE LAWYERS HAD URGED THE ADMINISTRATION TO REVEAL THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON AND INDONESIAN BILLIONAIRE AND CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTOR JAMES RIADY HAD SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSIONS, AND NOT A SOCIAL VISIT, DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, AS THE WHITE HOUSE HAD INSISTED. TODAY, THE PAPER IS HIGHLY CRITICAL OF WHAT IT SAYS IS THE PERVASIVE ATTITUDE IN THE CLINTON WHITE HOUSE TO DECEIVE THE MEDIA WHENEVER IT IS ACCUSED OF SOME WRONG-DOING.

VOICE: "WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO PERSUADE THIS WHITE HOUSE TO TELL THE TRUTH SIMPLY AND PROMPTLY ONCE A SCANDAL IS BREWING? APPARENTLY NOT EVEN THE ADVICE OF TWO LAWYERS OF UNCONTESTED LOYALTY TO PRESIDENT CLINTON CAN OVERCOME THE COVER-UP INSTINCT THAT HAS MADE A QUAGMIRE OF WHITEWATER AND IS TURNING THE INDONESIAN FUND-RAISING AFFAIR INTO A MATTER THAT NEITHER CONGRESS NOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN IGNORE. "

TEXT: WITH THOSE COMMENTS FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SURVEY OF TOPICS COVERED IN U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS THIS WEDNESDAY.
NEB/ANG/PCH
20-Nov-96 10:57 AM EST (1557 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] E-U / WOMEN (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS APPROVED A PLAN TO COMBAT THE TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN FOR SEXUAL PURPOSES. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYS IT FEARS THAT ONE-HALF-MILLION WOMEN A YEAR ARE BEING LURED TO E-U COUNTRIES IN A MODERN-DAY FORM OF SEXUAL SLAVERY.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S JUDICIAL AFFAIRS COMMISSIONER, ANITA GRADIN, WARNS THAT A COHERENT EUROPEAN APPROACH IS NEEDED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN, WHICH SHE CLAIMS MANY POLITICIANS ARE CONTENT TO IGNORE.

SHE SAYS ALL 15 E-U GOVERNMENTS MUST WORK TOGETHER TO STOP WHAT SHE TERMS THIS DISGUSTING AND HUMILIATING TRADE IN WOMEN. SHE CLAIMS THE PROBLEM IS GROWING, WITH WOMEN BEING SMUGGLED INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION ON FALSE PROMISES OF GOOD JOBS AS ACTRESSES, WAITRESSES, OR BAR GIRLS.

THE E-U ESTIMATES THAT AS MANY AS ONE-HALF-MILLION WOMEN ARRIVE IN THE 15-NATION EUROPEAN UNION EACH YEAR, WITH PROMISES OF RESPECTABLE WORK.

ONLY WHEN THEY HAVE ARRIVED DO THEY REALIZE THEY ARE DESTINED FOR WORK AS PROSTITUTES. AND IF THEY REFUSE, THEY ARE THREATENED THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO RETURN TO THE POVERTY OF THEIR HOME COUNTRIES.

MRS. GRADIN CALLS THIS IS A FORM OF WHITE SLAVERY.

MRS. GRADIN ALSO SAYS THAT IN THE PAST, MOST FOREIGN PROSTITUTES IN EUROPE HAVE COME FROM AFRICA, ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA. NOW, SHE SAYS, TRAFFICKERS HAVE FOUND IT IS CHEAPER AND SAFER TO GET WOMEN FROM CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE.

SHE WARNS THAT THIS IS A VERY PROFITABLE BUSINESS FOR ORGANIZED CRIME, AND IT IS LESS RISKY THAN DRUGS SMUGGLING, AS THE JAIL SENTENCES ARE SMALLER, AND THE RISK OF THE WOMEN TESTIFYING AGAINST THOSE WHO EXPLOIT THEM IS LOW.

SHE BELIEVES THAT THE ABUSED AND DECEIVED WOMEN NEED HELP AND SUPPORT, AND SHE HAS PROPOSED A LONG LIST OF MEASURES WHICH SHE SAYS E-U GOVERNMENTS SHOULD ADOPT.

THESE INCLUDE INCREASED AID TO COUNTRIES FROM WHICH THE WOMEN COME, TO MAKE THEM LESS DESPERATE TO SEEK WORK IN THE E-U. SHE ALSO PROPOSED EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO WARN WOMEN OF THE FALSE PROMISES TRAFFICKERS MAKE TO LURE VICTIMS TO WESTERN EUROPE.

MRS. GRADIN IS ALSO SEEKING TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR THE CRIMINALS WHO PREY ON VULNERABLE WOMEN, PUTTING THE CRIME ON A PAR WITH DRUGS TRAFFICKING. AND SHE IS SEEKING MORE RESEARCH TO IDENTIFY WHICH COUNTRIES ARE MOST INVOLVED IN SUPPLYING WOMEN FOR THE RED-LIGHT DISTRICTS OF EUROPE -- AND WHICH COUNTRIES THEY TEND TO HEAD FOR. HOWEVER, SHE ADMITTED THAT THE TRADE IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE FOR AS LONG AS MEN FEEL THE NEED TO VISIT PROSTITUTES. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH
20-Nov-96 11:01 AM EST (1601 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: IT WAS A MIXED DAY FOR STOCKS ON MAJOR WEST EUROPEAN EXCHANGES WEDNESDAY AND ANOTHER MOSTLY-DOWN DAY FOR THE U-S DOLLAR. FOR A WRAP-UP ON ACTIVITY IN THOSE MARKETS, HERE'S V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON.

TEXT: TUESDAY'S RECORD-BREAKING BUYING ACTIVITY ON WALL STREET DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE MUCH OF A SPILL-OVER EFFECT HERE IN EUROPE WEDNESDAY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GERMANY'S "DAX-30" INDEX. THAT MARKET GAINED ALMOST 10-AND-A-HALF POINTS. BUT DIMINISHED HOPES OF AN INTEREST RATE CUT IN GERMANY KEPT FRANKFURT INVESTORS FROM BUYING EVEN MORE SHARES WEDNESDAY.

SHARES TRACKED BY THE PARIS "CAC-40" INDEX WERE UP AND DOWN WEDNESDAY BUT CLOSED THE DAY DOWN ALMOST SEVEN POINTS. HERE IN LONDON, JITTERS OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF HIGHER INTEREST RATES AND THE STRENGTH OF STERLING WERE CITED BY ANALYSTS AS KEY FACTORS IN PUSHING THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" INDEX OF 100 STOCKS DOWN MORE THAN 15 POINTS.

BOTH THE GERMAN MARK AND THE BRITISH POUND CONTINUED TO GAIN STRENGTH OVER THE U-S DOLLAR. (SIGNED)
NEB / PCF / WOD
20-Nov-96 1:47 PM EST (1847 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GERMANY / BOSNIA REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMANY AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT THAT CALLS FOR THE RETURN OF MORE THAN 300-THOUSAND REFUGEES NOW LIVING IN GERMANY. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE AGREEMENT, SIGNED IN BONN BY THE GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER AND BOSNIA'S MINISTER FOR REFUGEES, FORMALIZES A DECISION THAT GERMANY'S 16 INDIVIDUAL STATES HAD ALREADY MADE IN SEPTEMBER.

THE AGREEMENT CALLS FOR THE PHASED REPATRIATION OF BOSNIAN REFUGEES THAT WERE GIVEN PERMISSION TO COME TO GERMANY UNTIL THE WAR IN BOSNIA WAS OVER.

UNDER THE PLAN, THE FIRST REFUGEES TO GO WILL BE SINGLE ADULTS. FOLLOWING THAT ARE ADULTS WITH CHILDREN IN BOSNIA OR COUPLES WITHOUT CHILDREN.

ALTHOUGH THE AGREEMENT SETS NO TIMETABLE, SOME INDIVIDUAL GERMAN STATES SAY THEY WANT THE REFUGEES TO GO HOME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

A FEW REFUGEES CONVICTED OF CRIMES IN GERMANY HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEPORTED, BUT MOST GERMAN STATES APPEAR TO BE WAITING UNTIL THE END OF WINTER BEFORE THEY FORCE LARGE NUMBERS OF REFUGEES TO GO HOME.

HAVING TAKEN MORE BOSNIAN REFUGEES IN THAN ALL OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES COMBINED, FINANCIALLY PRESSED GERMAN STATES SAY THEY CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO PAY FOR THEM, NOW THAT THE WAR IN BOSNIA IS OVER.

GERMAN FEDERAL INTERIOR MINISTER MANFRED KANTHER, WHO HAS PUSHED FOR THE EARLY RETURN OF THE REFUGEES, SAYS GERMANY HAS FULFILLED ITS HUMANITARIAN DUTY.

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS HAVE BEEN SHARPLY CRITICAL OF GERMAN PLANS TO SEND THE REFUGEES BACK. THEY SAY MOST OF THE REFUGEES IN GERMANY ARE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS WHOSE HOMES ARE NOW IN SERB-CONTROLLED AREAS. THEY SAY FORCING THE REFUGEES BACK BEFORE THERE IS ADEQUATE HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT WILL FURTHER DESTABILIZE THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA.

BOSNIAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY WANT PEOPLE TO RETURN HOME VOLUNTARILY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO HELP WITH THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE COUNTRY. IF THEY DO NOT, OFFICIALS SAY OTHER MEANS WILL BE FOUND. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/KL
20-Nov-96 2:14 PM EST (1914 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] THE E-U, HELMS-BURTON AND THE W-T-O BY LINDA CASHDAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION HAS AGREED (11/20) TO A EUROPEAN UNION REQUEST TO SET UP A PANEL TO DECIDE WHETHER THE UNITED STATES' HELMS-BURTON LAW ON CUBA VIOLATES W-T-O RULES. THE EUROPEANS SAY HELMS-BURTON VIOLATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAWS BECAUSE IT CALLS FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT USE PROPERTY CONFISCATED FROM AMERICANS BY THE FIDEL CASTRO

TEXT: THE U-S LEGISLATORS WHO OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED THE HELMS-BURTON LAW EARLIER THIS YEAR DID SO IN ANGER AFTER CUBA SHOT DOWN TWO U-S CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT LAST FEBRUARY, KILLING THE TWO PILOTS. HOWEVER, U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON LEE MCCLENNY SAYS THE HELMS-BURTON LAW IS A LOGICAL OUTGROWTH OF PRIOR U-S POLICY, WHICH HAS BEEN TO ESTABLISH AN ECONOMIC EMBARGO TO DENY CUBA HARD CURRENCY.

TAPE: CUT #1 -- MCCLENNY "HELMS-BURTON IS A VARIATION OF A THEME ON THE EMBARGO, TRYING TO PREVENT, IN ITS SIMPLEST FORM, TRYING TO PREVENT COMPANIES THAT ARE DOING BUSINESS WITH STOLEN U-S PROPERTY -- PROPERTY EXPROPRIATED FROM U-S COMPANIES OR INDIVIDUALS FOR WHICH THEY'VE RECEIVED NO COMPENSATION FROM THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT. THESE FOREIGN COMPANIES ARE DOING BUSINESS WITH THIS PROPERTY INSIDE CUBA, MAKING MONEY THEMSELVES AND PROVIDING MONEY TO THE REGIME IN HAVANA. WE THINK THAT'S WRONG, AND WE'RE DEAD SET AGAINST IT."

TEXT: QUITE A DIFFERENT ARGUMENT IS MADE BY ELLA KRUKOFF, WASHINGTON SPOKESPERSON FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION. SHE SAYS IT IS ONE THING FOR THE UNITED STATES TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST CUBA, AND YET ANOTHER TO FORCE COMPANIES IN OTHER NATIONS TO TAKE SIMILAR ACTION.

TAPE: CUT #2 -- KRUKOFF "IT'S THE EXTRATERRITORIAL NATURE OF HELMS-BURTON THAT SAYS WHAT FOREIGN COMPANIES AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS, OTHER THAN U-S CITIZENS, CAN OR CANNOT DO THAT IS EXTREMELY OBJECTIONABLE. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW A U-S CITIZEN OR COMPANY WOULD REACT IF FRANCE OR BRITAIN SAID: 'YOU CAN'T DO THIS OR YOU CAN'T DO THAT IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY.' THE UNILATERAL EXTRATERRITORIAL ASPECTS OF HELMS-BURTON ARE WHAT HAS REALLY POISONED THE ATMOSPHERE."

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S LEE MCCLENNY AGREES THE UNITED STATES HAS NO RIGHT TO TELL COMPANIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES THEY CAN OR CAN NOT DO BUSINESS WITH CUBA. BUT HELMS-BURTON DOES NOT DO THAT, HE SAYS. HELMS-BURTON MERELY STATES: 'YOU CANNOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STOLEN U-S PROPERTY TO DO BUSINESS IN CUBA.'

TAPE: CUT #3 -- MCCLENNY "AN ANALOGY WOULD BE FOR ME TO HAVE AN AUTOMOBILE THAT I'M DRIVING AROUND. IT'S TAKEN BY SOMEONE, ANOTHER ENTITY, AND A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE -- MY NEIGHBOR -- GOES TO THIS PERSON WHO'S STOLEN MY CAR AND SAYS, 'GEE, THAT LOOKS LIKE A NICE CAR. I BET I COULD GET IT CHEAP, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU GOT IT FOR FREE. THEN MY NEIGHBOR BUYS THIS CAR AND PAYS (MONEY TO) THE PERSON WHO STOLE IT FROM ME. THAT'S WRONG. AND MY NEIGHBOR KNOWS IT'S WRONG. THE COMPANIES THAT WE HAVE SANCTIONED ALREADY UNDER THE HELMS -BURTON LEGISLATION KNOW THAT THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING WRONG, BUT THEY FRANKLY DON'T CARE."

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE NOT THE ONLY PARTICIPANTS IN THIS DISPUTE. THE UNITED STATES' TWO NEIGHBORS -- CANADA AND MEXICO -- HAVE CLOSE BUSINESS TIES TO CUBA AND HAVE ALSO BEEN OUTSPOKEN IN THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT HELMS-BURTON. BOTH SAY THEY WILL PARTICIPATE AS THIRD PARTIES IN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION REVIEW. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/PCH
20-Nov-96 5:37 PM EST (2237 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKEY/KURDS BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS ARE CONTINUING TO TAKE PLACE IN THE MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEAST REGION OF TURKEY, WHERE THE ARMY HAS BEEN BATTLING SEPARATIST KURDISH REBELS FOR MORE THAN 12 YEARS. HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS ROUTINELY ACCUSE BOTH SIDES OF EXCESSES IN THE CONFLICT. BUT AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM THE TOWN OF HAKKARI, TURKEY, FOR THE FIRST TIME A MAINSTREAM TURKISH POLITICAL PARTY IS BACKING CLAIMS THAT SECURITY FORCES WERE INVOLVED IN THE MURDER OF A PROMINENT KURDISH BUSINESSMAN IN THIS REMOTE PROVINCE NEAR THE IRAQI BORDER.

TEXT: WHEN ABDULLAH CANAN, A LEADING MEMBER OF THE DOSKI TRIBE, LEFT HOME ONE MORNING TO RENEW HIS DRIVING LICENSE, HE PROMISED HIS FAMILY HE WOULD RETURN BEFORE NIGHTFALL.

A MONTH LATER, MR. CANAN'S MUTILATED CORPSE WAS FOUND BY A GROUP OF SOLDIERS ALONG THE ROAD TO HAKKARI TOWN, THE CAPITAL OF THIS HARSHLY BEAUTIFUL BUT DESPERATELY POOR MAINLY KURDISH PROVINCE.

MR. CANAN'S FAMILY BELIEVES HE WAS KILLED BY MEMBERS OF TURKEY'S SECURITY FORCES. VAHAP CANAN IS THE VICTIM'S SON. HE SAYS HIS FATHER WAS KILLED BECAUSE HE RESISTED PRESSURE FROM A MAJOR NAMED AS MEHMET EMIN YURDAKUL TO DROP A COMPLAINT HE HAD LODGED AGAINST THE MAJOR WITH THE LOCAL PROSECUTOR. VAHAP SAID WHAT UPSETS HIM MOST IS THAT HIS FATHER WAS SEVERELY TORTURED BEFORE HIS DEATH.

SPEAKING IN KURDISH, VAHAP SAID HIS FATHER FILED THE COMPLAINT AFTER THE MAJOR AND A GROUP OF MEN ATTACHED TO THE SECURITY FORCES DESTROYED SEVERAL HOUSES IN HIS VILLAGES. THEY HAD DONE SO, HE SAID, AFTER VILLAGERS THERE REFUSED TO JOIN A LOCAL KURDISH FORCE KNOWN AS "THE VILLAGE GUARDS." THE GUARDS, DRAWN FROM TRIBES LOYAL TO THE GOVERNMENT, ARE PAID AND ARMED BY THE STATE TO HELP IN ITS BATTLE AGAINST REBELS OF THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K.

REVILED AS TRAITORS, THE VILLAGE GUARDS HAVE BECOME PRIME TARGETS FOR THE REBELS, WHO ROUTINELY MURDER THE GUARDS AND THEIR ENTIRE FAMILIES. FOR THAT REASON, MANY KURDS ARE AFRAID TO BECOME BECOME VILLAGE GUARDS. SUCH ATROCITIES -- NEITHER WOMEN OR CHILDREN ARE SPARED BY THE REBELS -- HAVE MADE THE P-K-K INCREASINGLY UNPOPULAR WITH MOST KURDS IN THE REGION.

A RECENT REPORT PREPARED BY THREE LAWMAKERS FROM THE "SOCIAL DEMOCRAT REPUBLICAN PEOPLE'S PARTY" OR "C-H-P" OPENLY SUGGESTS THAT MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY FORCES WERE INVOLVED IN ABDULLAH CANAN'S MURDER AND A STRING OF OTHER CRIMES IN THE REGION. THE REPORT QUOTES EYEWITNESSES DESCRIBING HOW THEY SAW MAJOR YURDAKUL DRAGGING MR. CANAN AWAY ON THE DAY HE DISAPPEARED.

THE C-H-P REPORT WAS GIVEN AN UNEXPECTED BOOST LAST MONTH AFTER A GANG, MADE UP OF VILLAGE GUARDS AND MEMBERS OF SPECIAL COUNTER-INSURGENCY UNITS PASSING THEMSELVES OFF AS P-K-K REBELS, KIDNAPPED A WEALTHY YOUNG KURDISH MAN IN HAKKARI.

NECIP BASKIN, WHO WAS RELEASED UNHARMED, SAID THE GROUP HAD DEMANDED OVER 100 THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR HIS RETURN.

AN INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED BY SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS IN HAKKARI REVEALED THE TRUE IDENTITIES OF THE KIDNAPPERS. ALL ARE NOW IN JAIL AWAITING TRIAL BEFORE A SPECIAL STATE SECURITY COURT.

YILMAZ ATES, AN ETHNIC KURDISH PARLIAMENTARIAN FROM THE C-H-P WHO RECENTLY TRAVELED TO HAKKARI, SAYS MOST OF THE CRIMES COMMITTED IN THE REGION ARE DRUG-RELATED. SQUEEZED BETWEEN THE RUGGED MOUNTAINS SEPARATING TURKEY FROM IRAN AND IRAQ, HAKKARI IS THE MAIN TRANSIT ROUTE FOR BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF HEROIN BEING SMUGGLED FROM AFGHANISTAN AND IRAN.

ACCORDING TO WESTERN DRUGS EXPERTS, NEARLY 80 PERCENT OF ALL HEROIN ENTERING EUROPE NOW COMES FROM TURKEY AND MAINLY THROUGH HAKKARI. THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT SAYS THE DRUG TRADE IS CONTROLLED BY THE P-K-K AND A NUMBER OF KURDISH FAMILIES WITH MAFIA LINKS. WESTERN DRUG EXPERTS CONFIRM THIS.

C-H-P LAWMAKERS SAY IT IS INEVITABLE THAT SOME MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY FORCES STATIONED IN HAKKARI SUCCUMB TO THE TEMPTATION TO MAKE LOTS OF MONEY VERY QUICKLY BY TAKING PART IN THE DRUGS TRADE. TOGETHER WITH THE P-K-K AND THE DRUG MAFIA, SUCH ELEMENTS WITHIN THE SECURITY FORCES, THE LAWMAKERS SAY, FORM WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS A WAR LOBBY, WHICH IS OPPOSED TO ENDING THE CONFLICT IN THE SOUTHEAST.

BUT MR. ATES MAKES IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE SECURITY FORCES ARE HONEST, HARDWORKING AND, IN HIS WORDS, EXTREMELY BRAVE PEOPLE WHO ONLY HAVE ONE OBJECTIVE IN MIND -- TO PROTECT THEIR COUNTRY AGAINST THE P-K-K. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/PCF/KL
20-Nov-96 12:59 PM EST (1759 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U.S. / BOSNIA ARMS (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD FOR THE DELIVERY OF A SHIPLOAD OF WEAPONS TO BOSNIA'S MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION FOLLOWING THE OUSTER OF TWO FEDERATION DEFENSE OFFICIALS. THE WEAPONS -- PART OF THE U-S TRAIN AND EQUIP PROGRAM FOR FEDERATION FORCES -- HAD BEEN HELD OFF THE COAST OF CROATIA PENDING THE DEFENSE SHAKEUP. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: OFFICIALS HERE SAY THE SHIP -- CARRYING SURPLUS U-S TANKS, HELICOPTERS AND OTHER HARDWARE -- WILL BEGIN UNLOADING THURSDAY IN THE CROATIAN PORT OF PLOCE AFTER BEING HELD OFFSHORE FOR A MONTH.

THE SHIPMENT CONSTITUTES THE BULK OF MORE THAN 100 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF EQUIPMENT BEING SUPPLIED UNDER THE U-S ORGANIZED TRAIN AND EQUIP PROGRAM -- AIMED AT BRINGING THE FEDERATION ARMED FORCES INTO ROUGH BALANCE WITH THOSE OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAD WITHHELD DELIVERY PENDING THE REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF HASAN CENGIC, THE FEDERATION'S MUSLIM DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER, WHOM U-S OFFICIALS SAID HAD CLOSE TIES WITH IRAN AND HAD TRIED TO BLOCK CREATION OF THE JOINT MUSLIM-CROAT DEFENSE STRUCTURE.

MR. CENGIC WAS DISMISSED TUESDAY ON ORDER OF FEDERATION PRESIDENT KRESIMIR ZUBAK, AS PART OF A SHAKE-UP THAT ALSO INCLUDED THE OUSTER OF THE FEDERATION'S CROAT DEFENSE MINISTER VLADIMIR SOLJIC.

THE WEAPONS SHIPMENT INCLUDES MORE THAN 45-THOUSAND RIFLES, AMMUNITION, AND COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT. U-S OFFICIALS SAY MILITARY PARITY BETWEEN THE FEDERATION AND THE SERBS IS ESSENTIAL IF PEACE IS TO BE PRESERVED IN BOSNIA AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF NATO FORCES. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/CF
20-Nov-96 5:38 PM EST (2238 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U.S. / CROATIA RADIO (S ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS CRITICIZING THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO CLOSE DOWN THE INDEPENDENT RADIO 1-0-1 IN ZAGREB. A STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAYS THE MOVE SETS BACK THE CAUSE OF DEMOCRATIZATION IN CROATIA. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS APPEALING TO CROATIAN LEADERS TO REVERSE THE DECISION TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT-FINANCED TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL TO CLOSE DOWN RADIO 1-O-1.

THE INDEPENDENT RADIO, WHICH HAS BEEN IN OPERATING FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, HAS A ONE-THIRD SHARE OF THE LISTENING AUDIENCE IN ZAGREB. AND THE DECISION TO REVOKE ITS LICENSE PROMPTED A DEMONSTRATION BY THOUSANDS OF PROTESTERS IN THE CAPITAL.

AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, SPOKESMAN GLYN DAVIES SAID THE ACTION MEANS THE LOSS OF A PRINCIPAL VOICE OF INDEPENDENT NEWS AND OPINION IN CROATIA -- AND IS A SIGNIFICANT SETBACK FOR DEMOCRATIZATION AND FREE EXPRESSION THERE.

HE SAID U-S OFFICIALS HAVE REPEATEDLY EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT RESTRICTIONS ON THE PRIVATE MEDIA WITH TOP CROATIAN LEADERS AND THAT THE STATUS OF RADIO 1-0-1 WILL NOW BE A HIGH PRIORITY ON THE BILATERAL AGENDA.

HE ALSO SAID THE UNITED STATES WILL RAISE THE ISSUE WITH THE O-S-C-E AND THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE WHICH ADMITTED CROATIA AS A MEMBER TWO WEEKS AGO -- AFTER PLEDGES BY THE ZAGREB GOVERNMENT TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, RESPECT PRESS FREEDOM. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/CF
20-Nov-96 3:36 PM EST (2036 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: PROSECUTORS AT THE U-N'S YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAVE CALLED FOR A SENTENCE OF NO MORE THAN 10 YEARS FOR A MAN WHO ADMITS TO KILLING BOSNIAN MUSLIMS LIVING IN THE TOWN OF SREBRENICA. DRAZEN ERDEMOVIC -- A CROAT -- IS THE ONLY PERSON CHARGED BY THE TRIBUNAL TO HAVE PLEADED GUILTY. AS GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE, THE COURT ALSO HEARD A PLEA FROM ERDEMOVIC'S DEFENSE LAWYER THAT HIS CLIENT BE ACQUITTED.

TEXT: IT WAS A HIGHLY CHARGED AND, AT TIMES, EMOTIONAL DAY IN COURT. TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD DRAZEN ERDEMOVIC, HIS HEAD BOWED THROUGH MUCH OF THE HEARING, ADMITS TO BEING PART OF A BOSNIAN SERB EXECUTION SQUAD WHICH SHOT IN THE BACK, 12-HUNDRED MUSLIM MEN AND BOYS IN ONE DAY. PROSECUTORS SAY HIS CLEAR REMORSE AND HIS SUBSTANTIAL CO-OPERATION WITH THE TRIBUNAL SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN HIS SENTENCE. PROSECUTOR MARK HARMON TOLD THE COURT THAT ERDEMOVIC COULD HAVE REMAINED AS, WHAT HE CALLED, "ONE OF THE NAMELESS AND FACELESS EXECUTIONERS," BUT INSTEAD HAD CHOSEN TO COME FORWARD.

THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE THAT THIS HONORABLE COURT CAN IMPOSE IS LIFE IMPRISONMENT. JUSTICE WOULD NOT BE SERVED BY IMPOSING THIS SENTENCE ON MR. ERDEMOVIC AND WE STRONGLY URGE THE COURT NOT TO DO SO. BECAUSE OF THE CONSIDERABLE FACTORS IN MITIGATION WHICH I HAVE DISCUSSED, THE PROSECUTOR RECOMMENDS LENIENCY IN THE CASE OF MR ERDEMOVIC. IF IT IS THE DECISION OF THIS HONORABLE COURT TO IMPOSE A TERM OF IMPRISONMENT, WE RESPECTFULLY RECOMMEND THAT IT NOT EXCEED TEN YEARS.

ERDEMOVIC'S LAWYER, JOVAN BABIC, WENT A STEP FURTHER ASKING THAT HIS CLIENT BE ACQUITTED BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN ACTING UNDER DURESS. IN A WELL-RESEARCHED AND ELOQUENT SPEECH, THE LAWYER POINTED TO ERDEMOVIC'S IMMATURITY, HIS FEAR AT THE TIME OF THE CRIME AND THE REALITY OF A WAR WHERE ALL TRADITIONAL IDEAS OF JUSTICE AND MORALITY HAD DISAPPEARED. HE ASKED THE JUDGES TO POINT ERDEMOVIC TOWARDS A LIFE OF LOVE, NOT HATRED.

I BELIEVE IT IS NOT MORAL TO EXPECT THAT HE SHOULD HAVE SACRIFICED HIS OWN LIFE FIRST AND THEN QUITE CERTAINLY THE LIFE OF HIS FAMILY TOO. FINALLY, EVEN IF HE HAD DONE THAT, IT WOULD NOT HAVE HELPED THE INNOCENT VICTIMS AND HE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOT WITH THEM.

ERDEMOVIC HIMSELF WAS CALLED THREE TIMES TO THE STAND IN THE COURSE OF THE DAY. JUDGES SEEMED DISSATISFIED WITH SOME OF THE ANSWERS HE HAD GIVEN TO THEM ON TUESDAY. AGAIN, THERE WERE BAD-TEMPERED EXCHANGES AS ERDEMOVIC TOLD THE JUDGES THAT REPEATING HIS STORY SO MANY TIMES MADE HIM ILL. HIS BRIEF CLOSING STATEMENT THROUGH A TRANSLATOR THOUGH WAS BOTH SIMPLE AND DIGNIFIED.

BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED, I FEEL TERRIBLY SORRY, BUT I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. WHEN I COULD DO SOMETHING, I DID IT. THANK YOU, I HAVE NOTHING MORE TO SAY.

ERDEMOVIC WILL BE SENTENCED IN TWO WEEKS, THE FIRST PERSON TO FACE SUCH A JUDGMENT BEFORE AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL SINCE NAZI LEADERS STOOD IN THE DOCK AT NUREMBERG, 50 YEARS AGO. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/PCF
20-Nov-96 1:52 PM EST (1852 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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