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Voice of America, 96-11-27Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=11/27/96TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-09901 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES CONTENT= INTRO: EDITORIAL PAGE WRITERS OF SEVERAL U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE RESIGNATION OF ONE OF THE NATION'S TOP DOCTORS -- DAVID KESSLER, HEAD OF THE FEDERAL FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (F-D-A). OTHER EDITORIAL TOPICS DEALT WITH ON THIS DAY BEFORE THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY INCLUDE: THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS IN THE BALKANS; THE MISFORTUNE OF IRAQI CHILDREN; THE ASIA PACIFIC SUMMIT, AND SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT AMERICA'S FIRST THANKSGIVING. NOW, HERE IS ___________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: FOR SIX YEARS, DOCTOR DAVID KESSLER HAS HEADED THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING AND APPROVING THE PRODUCTION AND SALE OF MEDICAL DRUGS. HE HAS ALSO WAGED A RELENTLESS BATTLE AGAINST CIGARETTE SMOKING, FINALLY HAVING TOBACCO OFFICIALLY CATEGORIZED AS A DRUG SO THAT HIS OFFICE COULD BEGIN REGULATING IT. DR. KESSLER WON THE ENMITY OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM TOBACCO-PRODUCING STATES, BUT WAS PRAISED BY PUBLIC HEALTH GROUPS. NOW HE SAYS HE IS RESIGNING, AND TODAY'S PAPERS ARE FILLED WITH PRAISE FOR HIS EFFORTS. ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY CALLS THE F-D-A HEAD "MORE THAN YOUR AVERAGE BUREAUCRAT." VOICE: "... [DOCTOR] KESSLER ... SHOULD LINGER IN OUR MEMORY, AND NOT JUST BECAUSE HE ENERGIZED AN AGENCY BROUGHT LOW BY INADEQUATE FUNDING AND ANTI-REGULATORY BILE... HE'S CERTAINLY NOT YOUR AVERAGE FACELESS BUREAUCRAT. [DOCTOR] KESSLER ... MAY BE REMEMBERED BEST FOR TAKING ON [CHALLENGING] THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY... THE NATION IS IN [DOCTOR] KESSLER'S DEBT." TEXT: IN FLORIDA, THE MIAMI HERALD SAYS DOCTOR KESSLER "USED HIS PULPIT AND HIS POWER TO ADVANCE PUBLIC HEALTH." VOICE: "WITH MEDICAL, LAW, AND ADVANCED BUSINESS DEGREES, DR. KESSLER WAS UNIQUELY QUALIFIED WHEN PRESIDENT BUSH TAPPED [CHOSE] HIM. HE TOOK OVER THE THEN-DEMORALIZED F-D-A IN FEBRUARY 1991. RETAINING HIM WAS ONE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S BEST FIRST-TERM DECISIONS. DR. KESSLER HAS DEMONSTRATED NOT ONLY THAT HE UNDERSTANDS THE SCIENCE UNDERPINNING THE F-D-A'S REGULATORY DECISIONS BUT ALSO HAS AN ABILITY TO USE HIS BULLY PULPIT WELL... HE'LL BE HARD TO REPLACE." TEXT: AND IN THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE EDITORIAL MAKES THESE POINTS: VOICE: "...DOCTOR KESSLER AGGRESSIVELY FOLLOWED CONGRESS'S DIRECTION TO IMPROVE FOOD AND NUTRITION LABELING. HIS INNOVATIONS WERE INCORPORATED IN CONGRESSIONAL PASSAGE OF THE NUTRITION LABELING AND EDUCATION ACT OF 1994, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN UNIFORM LABELING OF THE FAT AND NUTRITION CONTENT OF MANY FOODS PRODUCTS. AT THE SAME TIME, DR. KESSLER IMPOSED MORE RIGOROUS SAFETY STANDARDS ON SEAFOOD... HE ALSO IMPROVED THE AGENCY'S RECORD IN APPROVING NEW DRUGS, ALTHOUGH MANUFACTURERS STILL COMPLAIN THAT THE PROCESS TAKES TOO LONG AND RAISES COSTS... IT IS NOW UP TO THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO STAND BEHIND DR. KESSLER'S STRONG RECORD BY NAMING A SUCCESSOR WHO WILL PRESERVE HIS PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITIES." [ END OPT ] TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL MATTERS, THE BOSTON GLOBE FOCUSES ON THIS WEEK'S ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN SERBIA. IN BELGRADE, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING MANY STUDENTS, ARE CALLING FOR THE OUSTER OF SERBIAN / YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE GLOBE WRITES, IN PART: VOICE: "..AT LAST, SERBS THIRSTING FOR GENUINE SELF-GOVERNMENT HAVE BEGUN TO REBEL AGAINST [MR.] MILOSEVIC. IN BELGRADE ... HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN TO THE STREETS IN THE PAST FEW DAYS TO PROTEST THE NULLIFICATION OF CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS WON BY A COALITION OF FOUR OPPOSITION PARTIES... [OPT] THE DEMONSTRATORS COMPARE THEIR STAND AGAINST [PRESIDENT] MILOSEVIC TO THE PEOPLE POWER THAT TOPPLED COMMUNISM IN PRAGUE SIX YEARS AGO... [END OPT] STUDENTS PARADING PAST THE U-S EMBASSY HABE BEEN CHANTING, 'U-S-A, U-S-A, WE WANT CHANGES.' IT MAY BE UNDERSTANDABLE, BUT IT IS NONETHELESS UNFORTUNATE, THAT WASHINGTON FINDS ITSELF ENTWINED WITH [MR.] MILOSEVIC BECAUSE OF HIS PRESUMED READINESS TO COMPEL THE SERBS OF BOSNIA TO OBSERVE THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT." TEXT: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL IS ALSO TAKING NOTE, WONDERING IF THIS IS -- WHAT IT CALLS -- "SERBIA'S REVOLUTION?": VOICE: "THIS JUST MAY BE THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTION SERBIA'S AUTOCRATS HAVE MANAGED TO POSTPONE FOR SO LONG... MR. MILOSEVIC STILL HAS SOME CARDS TO PLAY [A GOOD DEAL OF POWER LEFT]... BUT IF 1989 HOLDS ANY LESSONS FOR TODAY, IT IS THAT NONE OF THESE FACTORS WILL MATTER MUCH IF SERBIA'S PEOPLE DECIDE, EN MASSE, THAT THEY HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF AUTHORITARIAN RULE, SOARING INFLATION AND EMPTY CUPBOARDS." TEXT: AS AMERICANS PREPARE TO CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING, THE WASHINGTON POST IS VOICING CONCERN ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF IRAQ'S CHILDREN, A CONDITION BROUGHT ON THEM BY THE ACTIONS OF THEIR PRESIDENT, SADDAM HUSSEIN. SAYS THE POST: VOICE: "NOTHING BETTER ILLUSTRATES SADDAM HUSSEIN'S OBSESSION TO ACQUIRE NUCLEAR, CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS THAN THE PRICE HE HAS BEEN WILLING TO PAY FOR THEM... BY UNICEF ESTIMATE, 45-HUNDRED IRAQI CHILDREN ARE DYING EVERY MONTH FOR THEIR LEADER'S REFUSAL TO EXPLOIT THE HUMANITARIAN LOOPHOLE THE UNITED NATIONS OPENED IN THE SANCTIONS IT IMPOSED WHEN IRAQ INVADED KUWAIT... THE IRAQI STRONGMAN HAS NOW ACCEPTED THE PREVIOUSLY REJECTED CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH IRAQ WILL BE PERMITTED TO SELL TWO-BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR FOOD, MEDICINE AND OTHER EMERGENCY SUPPLIES. IRAQ'S CHILDREN ARE THE PRINCIPAL INTENDED BENEFICIARY... THE PRUDENT EXPECTATION HAS TO BE HE WILL TRY TO CHEAT... THAT WILL REQUIRE VIGILANCE AND TOUGHNESS FROM THE (U-S) SECURITY COUNCIL IN INSPECTIONS." TEXT: ANOTHER WASHINGTON POST EDITORIAL TALKS ABOUT THE JUST-CONCLUDED ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC SUMMIT, AND SAYS THE TRADE AGREEMENT ADOPTED REPRESENTS "A SOLID STEP FORWARD." VOICE: "THE 18 NATIONS OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION FORUM, INCLUDING CANADA AND CHILE AND MOST OF EAST AND SOUTHEAST ASIA, AGREED TO 'SUBSTANTIALLY ELIMINATE' WITHIN THREE YEARS TARIFFS ON MOST INFORMATION-TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS ... AND MORE... THE AGREEMENT COULD COVER MORE THAN A TRILLION DOLLARS IN ANNUAL PRODUCTION AND 500-BILLION IN ANNUAL TRADE -- ABOUT ONE-TENTH OF ALL WORD TRADE. FOR THE UNITED STATES, IT COULD SPUR JOB CREATION IN SECTORS THAT COULD SOON ACCOUNT FOR SOME 100-BILLION IN ANNUAL EXPORTS... THE PROCESS OF OPENING BORDERS TO TRADE IS DISRUPTIVE TO EVERY SOCIETY, BUT INCREASINGLY, COUNTRIES OF EVERY INCOME LEVEL ARE REALIZING THAT THEY CAN'T PROSPER ANY OTHER WAY." TEXT: TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 28TH, IS THANKSGIVING DAY IN THE UNITED STATES, WHEN PEOPLE GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR THE SUMMER'S HARVEST, AND, MORE GENERALLY, FOR ALL THE BENEFITS THEY ENJOY. FAMILIES TRADITIONALLY GATHER AND EAT A MEAL CENTERED AROUND TURKEY AND PUMPKIN PIE, IN MEMORY OF THE FIRST THANKSGIVING CELEBRATED BY THE PILGRIMS IN 1621 AFTER THEIR FIRST, VERY DIFFICULT WINTER IN THE NEW LAND. FOR YEARS, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL HAS RUN AN EDITORIAL CHRONICLING SOME OF THE PILGRIMS ADVENTURES, AND ANOTHER COMMENTARY ON THE BOUNTY THAT MODERN DAY AMERICANS ENJOY EVERY DAY. IT SAYS, IN PART: VOICE: "... WE CAN ALL REMIND OURSELVES THAT THE RICHNESS OF THIS COUNTRY WAS NOT BORN IN THE RESOURCES OF THE EARTH, THOUGH THEY BE PLENTIFUL, BUT IN THE MEN [AND WOMEN] THAT TOOK ITS MEASURE. FOR THAT REMINDER IS EVERYWHERE -- IN THE CITIES, TOWNS, FARMS, ROADS, FACTORIES, HOMES, HOSPITALS, SCHOOLS THAT SPREAD EVERYWHERE OVER THAT WILDERNESS. WE CAN REMIND OURSELVES THAT FOR ALL OUR SOCIAL DISCORD WE YET REMAIN THE LONGEST ENDURING SOCIETY OF FREE MEN GOVERNING THEMSELVES WITHOUT BENEFIT OF KINGS OR DICTATORS. BEING SO, WE ARE THE MARVEL AND THE MYSTERY OF THE WORLD, FOR THAT ENDURING LIBERTY IS NO LESS A BLESSING THAN THE ABUNDANCE OF THE EARTH. " TEXT: WITH THOSE THOUGHTS ON THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY AND WHAT
IT MEANS TO BE A BENEFICIARY OF AMERICA'S RICHES, WE
CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF
WEDNESDAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
[02] BOSNIA / BILDT (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)DATE=11/27/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206774 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S REPRESENTATIVE FOR BOSNIA, CARL BILDT, SAYS PROSPECTS FOR LONG-TERM PEACE ARE BEING JEOPARDIZED BY A RELUCTANCE TO SET UP A JOINT GOVERNMENT. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS MR. BILDT MADE THE COMMENT IN GERMANY, WHERE HE HAS BEEN MEETING WITH INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS WAYS OF MOVING THE PEACE PROCESS FORWARD. TEXT: SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER MEETING MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP, MR. BILDT SAID THE PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA IS GENERALLY ON TRACK. HOWEVER, HE SAID THE RELUCTANCE OF OFFICIALS FROM THE THREE FACTIONS (IN BOSNIA) TO SET UP A JOINT COUNCIL OF MINISTERS IS ENDANGERING PROSPECTS FOR LONG-TERM PEACE. /// BILDT ACT ///SETTING UP COMMON INSTITUTIONS IS IMPORTANT. THEY MUST WORK, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL OF THE COUNTRY AND BE ACCEPTED AND RESPECTED BY SERBS, BOSNIANS, AND CROATS ALIKE. THAT'S QUITE A DEMANDING THING. BUT THAT MUST HAPPEN. /// END ACT ///IF THE THREE PARTIES FAIL TO WORK TOGETHER, HE SAID, IT IS EASY TO SEE HOW THE DIVISION OF THE COUNTRY WILL BE MADE PERMANENT. MR. BILDT ALSO EXPRESSED ALARM AT THE RECENT ACTIONS BY THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE TO CLAMP DOWN ON ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS. THE PEACE COORDINATOR SAID THREATS TO THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE MEDIA AND THE ELECTORAL PROCESS IN SERBIA COULD DAMAGE THE PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA. MR. BILDT SAID HE WAS APPALLED THAT SERBIAN TELEVISION HAD AIRED NO REPORTS OF PROTESTS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO ANNUL OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN LOCAL ELECTIONS. HE SAID THE AIM OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS TO SEE
DEMOCRACY GAIN GROUND THROUGHOUT THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. WHAT
HAPPENS IN BOSNIA AND SERBIA, HE SAID, CANNOT BE SEEN IN
ISOLATION. (SIGNED)
[03] BULGARIA / MONEY (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)DATE=11/27/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206782 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BULGARIA'S OUTGOING PRESIDENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SENT A LETTER TO THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, SEEKING MORE DETAILS OF RADICAL I-M-F MEASURES TO DEAL WITH THE COUNTRY'S FINANCIAL CRISIS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS. TEXT: PRESIDENT ZHELYU ZHELEV IS ASKING THE HEAD OF THE I-M-F FOR PARTICULARS ABOUT HOW A PROPOSED CURRENCY BOARD SYSTEM WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED. BULGARIA'S GOVERNMENT EARLIER THIS WEEK ACCEPTED I-M-F RECOMMENDATIONS TO INTRODUCE THE NEW PROCEDURES, WHICH WOULD GREATLY LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN CIRCULATION. THE MAIN OPPOSITION MOVEMENT REJECTS THE CURRENCY BOARD, SAYING BULGARIA'S GOVERNMENT IS INEPT AND NOT ABLE TO PROPERLY IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM. IN HIS LETTER, PRESIDENT ZHELEV ASKED THE I-M-F IF A NATIONAL CONSENSUS IS NEEDED BEFORE THE NEW PROGRAM CAN BE INITIATED. BUSINESS LEADERS AND FOREIGN BANKERS APPLAUD THE NEW PLAN, SAYING IT HOLDS OUT THE CHANCE OF BRINGING DOWN INFLATION -- NOW MORE THAN 100 PERCENT A YEAR -- AND OF RESTORING CONFIDENCE IN THE BULGARIAN CURRENCY, THE LEV. LAST WEEK, THERE WAS PANIC IN SOFIA AS DEPOSITORS WITHDREW THEIR SAVINGS WHEN THE CURRENCY DRAMATICALLY DECLINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE U-S DOLLAR. IN ACCEPTING THE CURRENCY BOARD IDEA, PRIME MINISTER ZHAN VIDENOV SAID HE HOPES THE NEW SYSTEM CAN BE IN EFFECT BY EARLY NEXT YEAR. HE PROMISED A TOUGH NEW BUDGET THAT WOULD COMMIT 60 PERCENT OF ALL EXPENDITURES TO PAYMENTS ON BULGARIA'S LARGE FOREIGN DEBT. HE SUGGESTED THAT AVOIDING DEFAULT WAS A MAJOR PRIORITY. UNDER THE CURRENCY BOARD, BULGARIA'S CENTRAL BANK WOULD HAVE GREATLY REDUCED POWERS. WITHOUT MATCHING FOREIGN RESERVES, IT COULD NOT PRINT MONEY TO FINANCE THE GOVERNMENT'S BUDGET DEFICIT. THE LEV WOULD BE SET AT A FIXED RATE AGAINST A MAJOR FOREIGN CURRENCY, PROBABLY THE DOLLAR OR THE GERMAN MARK. SIMILAR CURRENCY BOARDS OPERATE SUCCESSFULLY IN ARGENTINA AND TWO
OF THREE BALTIC REPUBLICS. (SIGNED)
[04] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)DATE=11/27/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206780 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SHARE PRICES WERE DOWN IN TRADING WEDNESDAY ON ALL MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM OUR BUREAU IN LONDON. TEXT: TRADERS SAID EUROPEAN INVESTORS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE INTEREST RATE INCREASES, BY THE CONTINUING TRUCK DRIVERS STRIKES IN FRANCE AND DENMARK, AND BY A POOR OPENING ON WALL STREET. IN LONDON, SHARE PRICES FELL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE DAYS. THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX CLOSED MORE THAN 19-POINTS LOWER -- ALMOST ONE-HALF PERCENT -- ENDING THE DAY AT JUST OVER FOUR-THOUSAND-49. IN FRANKFURT, PRICES WERE DOWN. THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE DAY OFF ALMOST ONE-HALF PERCENT AFTER SETTING A NEW RECORD HIGH ON TUESDAY. THE PARIS MARKET ALSO FELL. THE CAC-40 INDEX CLOSED DOWN ABOUT TWO-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT. ON THE LONDON CURRENCY MARKET, THE U-S DOLLAR LOST A LITTLE IN
VALUE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. BUT IT GAINED A BIT IN VALUE
AGAINST BOTH THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN. (SIGNED)
[05] MACEDONIA TROOPS VOTE (S-ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)DATE=11/27/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206779 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL VOTED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO WITHDRAW SOME OF THE ONE-THOUSAND U-N TROOPS IN MACEDONIA WHILE EXTENDING THE PEACE-KEEPING MANDATE IN THAT COUNTRY UNTIL MAY 31ST. RUSSIA ABSTAINED ON THE VOTE, SAYING THE COUNCIL FAILED TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THIS SIX-MONTH EXTENSION WOULD BE THE FINAL ONE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS: TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL ACCEPTED A RECOMMENDATION BY SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI TO PULL 300 TROOPS OUT OF MACEDONIA BY APRIL 30TH. THIS WOULD LEAVE 700 SOLDIERS AND ABOUT 50 ENGINEERS IN THE COUNTRY UNTIL THEIR MANDATE RUNS OUT A MONTH LATER. THE PREVENTIVE DEPLOYMENT FORCE IN MACEDONIA IS COMPRISED OF AMERICAN AND SCANDINAVIAN TROOPS. THE SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BALKANS
DURING THE PAST YEAR INDICATE IT WOULD BE SAFE TO MAKE THE
REDUCTIONS. HE NOTES RELATIONS BETWEEN MACEDONIA AND ITS
NEIGHBORS HAVE IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY.
HOWEVER, SECURITY COUNCIL DIPLOMATS ARE NOT TAKING ANYTHING FOR
GRANTED. THEY ASKED U-N OFFICIALS TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS BY
MID-APRIL FOR MAINTAINING SOME SORT OF INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE IN
MACEDONIA. THIS OPENING FOR CONTINUED U-N INVOLVEMENT IS THE
REASON WHY RUSSIA DECIDED TO ABSTAIN. (SIGNED)
[06] PERRY / BOSNIA (S-ONITER) BY DAVID GOLLUST (NAPLES)DATE=11/27/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206773 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY VISITS BOSNIA TODAY (THURSDAY) TO SPEND THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WITH AMERICAN TROOPS AND DISCUSS THE NEXT PHASE OF NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS THERE. AS V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS, THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTRIBUTE 85-HUNDRED TROOPS TO THE NEW, SMALLER SUCCESSOR TO NATO'S PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IN BOSNIA. TEXT: MR. PERRY WILL MEET SENIOR OFFICERS -- INCLUDING NATO COMMANDER GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN -- IN TUZLA TO BE BRIEFED ON FINAL PLANS FOR THE 31-THOUSAND-STRONG STABILIZATION FORCE THAT WILL TAKE OVER FROM THE MUCH LARGER PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE -- I-FOR -- AT YEAR'S END. THE DEFENSE SECRETARY -- WHO MET WITH NATO AND ITALIAN DEFENSE OFFICIALS HERE IN NAPLES -- SAYS THE BULK OF U-S TROOPS COMMITTED TO THE NEW FORCE WILL COME FROM THE UNITS SENT IN SEVERAL WEEKS AGO WITH THE STATED MISSION OF COVERING I-FOR'S WITHDRAWAL. IN A TALK WITH REPORTERS, MR. PERRY SAID I-FOR MET ITS MILITARY OBJECTIVES, BUT THAT THE 18-MONTH STAY BY ITS SUCCESSOR WILL GIVE BOSNIANS AN ADDITIONAL CHANCE TO BUILD A LASTING PEACE: /// PERRY ACTUALITY ///A CHANCE TO DO ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION, A CHANCE TO EFFECT POLITICAL RECONCILIATION, A CHANCE TO RESETTLE REFUGEES. THAT NEEDS TO REALLY GET GOING IN HIGH GEAR IN ORDER TO GIVE PEACE A CHANCE IN BOSNIA TO REALLY TAKE HOLD. /// END ACT ///MR. PERRY TOLD U-S MILITARY PERSONNEL HERE THERE IS A "REAL
DANGER" CIVIL WAR COULD AGAIN BREAK OUT IN BOSNIA, WITH THE
THREAT REACHING WHAT HE CALLED ITS MOST CRITICAL POINT NEXT
SPRING. (SIGNED)
[07] PERRY / BOSNIA / ITALY (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (NAPLES)DATE=11/27/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206762 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY IS IN NAPLES FOR MEETINGS WITH NATO MILITARY COMMANDERS ON THE NEXT PHASE OF THE PEACEKEEPING OPERATION IN BOSNIA. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST IN NAPLES REPORTS THE UNITED STATES WILL PROVIDE NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF THE 31-THOUSAND MEMBER STABILIZATION FORCE THAT WILL BEGIN ITS DUTIES EARLY NEXT YEAR. TEXT: ALTHOUGH NATO WILL NOT MAKE THE FINAL DECISIONS ON THE DEPLOYMENT UNTIL NEXT WEEK, THE UNITED STATES IS ALREADY COMMITTED TO PROVIDING 85-HUNDRED TROOPS TO THE NEW FORCE THAT WILL PATROL BOSNIA THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF 1998. SECRETARY PERRY -- TALKING TO REPORTERS ON THE FLIGHT TO NAPLES SAID HE IS COMFORTABLE WITH THE SIZE OF THE NEW CONTINGENT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS LITTLE MORE THAN ONE-HALF AS LARGE AS THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE (I-FOR) THAT IS DUE TO COMPLETE ITS MISSION AT YEAR'S END. MR. PERRY SAID THE STABILIZATION FORCE IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE A CONTINUING SECURITY ENVIRONMENT THAT WILL ALLOW POLITICAL RECONCILIATION IN BOSNIA TO GO FORWARD. BUT HE SAID WHETHER THAT PROCESS WILL ACTUALLY OCCUR -- AND THE INTER-ETHNIC BOUNDARIES IN BOSNIA BECOME LESS PRONOUNCED -- DEPENDS MUCH MORE ON ECONOMICS AND BOSNIAN GOODWILL THAN ON AN OUTSIDE MILITARY PRESENCE: // PERRY ACTUALITY //NOTHING THAT I-FOR IS DOING, NOTHING THAT S-FOR -- THE STABILIZATION FORCE -- IS DOING WILL FORCE THAT TO HAPPEN. IT WILL JUST PERMIT IT TO HAPPEN -- PROVIDE THE ENNVIRONMENT WHICH ALLOWS THE BOSNIANS TO DO THAT. BUT AS I SAY AGAIN, I THINK THE KEY TO WHETHER THEY WILL WANT TO DO THAT IS SUCCESS IN THE ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING. AND THAT HAS BEEN DISAPPOINTINGLY SLOW. // END ACT //THE DEFENSE SECRETARY WILL THURSDAY MAKE HIS FOURTH AND PROBABLY LAST VISIT TO BOSNIA BEFORE LEAVING OFFICE AT THE END OF THE YEAR. HE WILL SPEND THE U-S THANKSGIVING DAY HOLIDAY WITH AMERICAN TROOPS IN THE FIELD. HE HAS INVITED RUSSIAN OFFICERS AND OTHERS INVOLVED IN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA TO JOIN IN A TRADITIONAL TURKEY DINNER AT THE U-S HEADQUARTERS IN TUZLA. MR. PERRY IS ALSO HOLDING TALKS HERE WITH ITALIAN DEFENSE MINISTER BENIAMINO ANDREATTA ON BROADER NATO ISSUES IN ADVANCE OF THE ALLIANCE DEFENSE MINISTERIAL MEETING IN BRUSSELS NEXT MONTH. EUROPEAN MEMBERS OF NATO, ESPECIALLY FRANCE, ARE PUSHING FOR GREATER POWER IN MILITARY DECISION MAKING. THE UNITED STATES HAS FLATLY REFUSED TO YIELD THE TOP POST IN NATO'S SOUTHERN COMMAND, WHICH IS BASED HERE IN NAPLES AND INCLUDES THE U-S NAVY'S SIXTH FLEET. BUT OFFICIALS TRAVELLING WITH THE SECRETARY SAY THE UNITED STATES
IS WILLING TO MAKE CONCESSIONS IN OTHER REGIONAL COMMANDS, AND IS
READY IN PRINCIPLE FOR A EUROPEAN DEPUTY COMMANDER OF NATO'S
MILITARY STRUCTURE. (SIGNED)
[08] SERBIA PROTEST (L) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)DATE=11/27/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-206778 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THERE HAS BEEN ANOTHER DAY OF STREET DEMONSTRATIONS IN BELGRADE AS THOUSANDS OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTORS KEEP UP THE PRESSURE ON SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM PRAGUE. TEXT: WINDOWS WERE BROKEN AS A CROWD OF UP TO 40-THOUSAND DEMONSTRATORS HURLED ROCKS AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF STATE TELEVISION AND A PRO-GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPER. A 44-YEAR-OLD OPPOSITION POLITICIAN, ZORAN DJINDJIC, MARCHED AT THE HEAD OF THE DEMONSTRATORS. HE APPEALED FOR THE PROTESTORS TO REMAIN PEACEFUL BUT MAINTAIN THE PRESSURE ON MR. MILOSEVIC. WEDNESDAY'S MARCH VIOLATED A PROHIBITION ON DEMONSTRATIONS ON ELECTION DAY. MUNICIPAL COURTS HAD ORDERED A THIRD ROUND OF VOTING IN LOCAL ELECTIONS WHICH TWO WEEKS AGO WERE REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN WON BY THE DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION. THE ANNULMENT OF THE NOVEMBER 17TH ELECTIONS SERVED TO UNIFY THE OPPOSITION AND TRIGGER THE STEADILY MOUNTING PROTESTS. THE OPPOSITION BOYCOTTED WEDNESDAY'S THIRD ROUND OF VOTING, WHICH IT DISMISSED AS A FARCE. TURNOUT IN BELGRADE WAS VERY LIGHT. MR. DJINDJIC SAYS ORDINARY PEOPLE ARE FED UP WITH THE AUTHORITARIAN RULE OF MR. MILOSEVIC, WHO HAS BEEN IN POWER FOR NINE YEARS. STUDENT BOYCOTTS HAVE HALTED MOST CLASSES AT THE UNIVERSITY IN BELGRADE. THERE ALSO WERE LARGE ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS WEDNESDAY IN NIS, AN INDUSTRIAL TOWN SOUTH OF THE CAPITAL. THE ANNULMENT OF THE LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS HAS BEEN CONDEMNED IN WESTERN CAPITALS. THE UNITED STATES SENT A LETTER OF PROTEST, AND THE EUROPEAN UNION REFUSED TO EXTEND PROMISED TRADING PRIVILEGES TO YUGOSLAVIA. THE BELGRADE AUTHORITIES HAVE STEPPED UP THEIR PRESSURE ON THE MEDIA. STATE TELEVISION HAS GIVEN HARDLY ANY COVERAGE TO THE STREET DEMONSTRATIONS. INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS HAVE HAD THEIR PRINT RUNS REDUCED AND HAD DIFFICULTY WITH DISTRIBUTION. THE DEMONSTRATORS ARE CALLING ON WESTERN GOVERNMENTS TO GIVE THEM
INCREASED SUPPORT. THEY ALLEGE THAT MR. MILOSEVIC IS BEING
SUPPORTED BY THE WEST BECAUSE HE IS SEEN AS A GUARANTOR OF THE
DAYTON PEACE ACCORD THAT BROUGHT AN END TO THE FIGHTING IN
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. (SIGNED)
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