Voice of America, 97-08-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA BOILS OVER BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[02] BOSNIA POLICE (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

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

[04] FRANCE / POPE (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[05] FRANCE HOLOCAUST (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[06] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (NEW YORK)

[08] OAU/OLYMPICS (S ONLY) BY ALEX BELIDA (JOHANNESBURG)

[09] TENSION BUILDING IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[10] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

[11] U-S / BOSNIA AMBASSADOR (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)

[01] BOSNIA BOILS OVER BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE SITUATION IN THE SERBIAN-CONTROLLED AREA OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA APPEARS TO BE BOILING OVER, WITH AN INCREASED NATO RESOLVE TO CAPTURE THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES.

THE U-S PRESS HAS A GOOD DEAL TO SAY ABOUT THIS LATEST TURN OF EVENTS AND WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM _____________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE CURRENT CONFLICT IS PITTING TWO BOSNIAN SERB NATIONALISTS, MR. KARADZIC AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA, BILJANA PLAVSIC.

THE 66 YEAR-OLD FORMER BIOLOGY PROFESSOR HAD BEEN MR. KARADZIC'S VICE PRESIDENT UNTIL HE WAS FORCED TO STEP DOWN BY THE TERMS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. AT FIRST, SHE WAS CONSIDERED HIS PUPPET IN THE JOB, BUT RECENTLY, MRS. PLAVSIC HAS BROKEN WITH MR. KARADZIC AND IS NOW LOCKED IN A BITTER POWER STRUGGLE WITH HIM.

EARLIER IN THE WEEK, FEARING A COUP FROM BOSNIAN SERB POLICE LOYAL TO MR. KARADZIC, BRITISH NATO UNITS SURROUNDED AND THEN CAPTURED SEVERAL POLICE STATIONS IN BANJA LUKA. THE STATIONS TURNED OUT TO BE FILLED WITH HEAVY WEAPONS, NOT ALLOWED UNDER THE DAYTON ACCORD, FOR POLICE WORK, AND WITH A SOPHISTICATED PHONE-TAPPING EQUIPMENT, APPARENTLY USED TO LISTEN TO MRS. PLAVSIC'S PHONE CALLS.

AGAINST THIS BACKGROUND, IT APPEARS THAT NATO MIGHT BE ON THE VERGE OF ATTEMPTING TO ACTUALLY CAPTURE MR. KARADZIC AND SEND HIM TO THE HAGUE TO STAND TRIAL FOR HIS ALLEGED WAR CRIMES.

MOST U-S PAPERS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS NEW, AND MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE STANCE, BUT SOME, LIKE NEWSDAY, STILL QUESTION U-S RESOLVE TO SEE THE SITUATION THROUGH.

VOICE: "REMEMBER HOW BOSNIA WAS DISINTEGRATING BEFORE THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD PATCHED IT TOGETHER PROVISIONALLY? WELL, NOW THE DAYTON ACCORD IS UNRAVELING AND THE UNITED STATES IS TRYING TO MEND IT BEFORE THE NATO PEACEKEEPING MANDATE EXPIRES NEXT YEAR. IT'S A TOUGH TASK MADE MORE DIFFICULT BY THE MUDDLED SIGNALS SENT BY PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON'S FOREIGN POLICY TEAM. ..... IT'S NOT CLEAR HOW FAR WASHINGTON IS WILLING TO GO TO ENFORCE ONE OF DAYTON'S MOST DIFFICULT GOALS; THE ARREST AND TRIAL FOR WAR CRIMES OF THEIR INDICTED LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC. SO FAR, [MR.] CLINTON'S TEAM HAS BEEN HUFFING AND PUFFING, HOPING THAT [MR.] KARADZIC WILL BOW TO PRESSURE. BUT IT'S UNLIKELY THAT ANYTHING SHORT OF OVERWHELMING FORCE WILL BUDGE HIM. .... TALKING TOUGH WITHOUT THE WILL TO BACK UP THREATS WITH FORCE IS A PATHETIC EXERCISE."

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN COMES TO THE SAME CONCLUSION IN ITS DISCUSSION OF THE NATO RAIDS ON THE POLICE STATIONS. TALKING OF STRATEGY IN BOSNIA, THE BALTIMORE PAPER CONCLUDES: "IRRESOLUTION IS SPOTTED; RESOLUTION WORKS."

VOICE: "WHEN 350 HEAVILY ARMED BRITISH AND CZECH SOLDIERS, SUPPORTED BY UNITED STATES HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS, INVADED AND DISARMED SIX BOSNIAN SERB POLICE STATIONS IN BANJA LUKA ON WEDNESDAY, THEY ACCOMPLISHED SEVERAL THINGS. THE MOST DECISIVE WAS DISMEMBERING THE LITTLE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA INTO TWO FIERCELY RIVAL ENCLAVES. IN NORTHERN BOSNIA, BILJANA PLAVSIC IS RECOGNIZED AS PRESIDENT, THOUGH WITHOUT LOYAL FORCES. THE OTHER ENCLAVE IS CENTERED ON PALE IN EASTERN BOSNIA, WHERE THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL, RADOVAN KARADZIC, RULES AS UNDISPUTED BOSS. HAD THE NATO-DIRECTED TROOPS NOT TAKEN OVER THESE POLICE STATIONS, MS. PLAVSIC WOULD HAVE BEEN OVERWHELMED BY MR. KARADZIC'S THUGS. ..... THESE RAIDS AMOUNTED TO MISSION CREEP, IN THE NAME OF ACCOMPLISHING GOALS SO U-S AND OTHER FORCES CAN LEAVE BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR AS PROMISED. THE NEED FOR SUCH RAIDS PUTS THAT DEADLINE IN DOUBT. IT WAS ALSO A HINT THAT DR. KARADZIC MAY NOT BE SAFE FROM ARREST IN PALE - - BUT ONLY A HINT."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS ALSO PLEASED WITH THE LATEST TURN OF EVENTS, AND CREDITS THE NEW LABOR GOVERNMENT IN LONDON FOR SOME OF THE REVERSAL IN AGGRESSION.

VOICE: "CONVINCED THAT MUCH OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT CANNOT TAKE EFFECT WHILE RADOVAN KARADZIC AND HIS ARMED SUPPORTERS DOMINATE THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC, NATO IS STEADILY INCREASING THE PRESSURE ON HIM TO STEP ASIDE. WISELY AVOIDING A RISKY RAID ON DR. KARADZIC'S PALE REDOUBT, NATO TROOPS ....... SIGNIFICANTLY STRENGTHENED HIS CHIEF POLITICAL RIVAL, PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC, BY EVICTING AND DISARMING THE PRO-KARADZIC POLICE FORCE IN BANJA LUKE, THE BOSNIAN SERB REGION'S LARGEST CITY. [OPT] THE ACTION PRODUCED NO NATO CASUALTIES. CAREFULLY CONSIDERED MILITARY ACTIONS LIKE THIS, TOGETHER WITH THE DIPLOMACY OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TWO CHIEF BOSNIAN ENVOYS, RICHARD HOLBROOKE AND ROBERT GELBARD, CAN ISOLATE DR. KARADZIC AND REINFORCE THE DAYTON AGREEMENT IN PREPARATION FOR NATO'S SCHEDULED DEPARTURE NEXT YEAR. [END OPT] ...... MRS. PLAVSIC IS HELPED BY THE FACT THAT THE BRITISH FORCES WHO ARE CHIEFLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SECURITY IN THE AREA HAVE BEEN MORE WILLING TO ENFORCE THE CIVILIAN PROVISIONS OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT SINCE THE NEW LABOR GOVERNMENT TOOK OVER IN LONDON LAST SPRING."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST ALSO SUPPORTS THE NEW EMPHASIS, ALTHOUGH WARNING IT COULD EASILY LEAD TO NEW BLOODSHED.

VOICE: "NATO IS GETTING BOLDER IN ITS ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORDS WORK. IT IS A POLICY FRAUGHT WITH RISK BUT NONETHELESS RATIONAL AND NECESSARY. THE EFFORT COULD YET PRODUCE MORE OF A MILITARY RESPONSE - - FROM THE HOSTILE BOSNIAN SERB NATIONALIST FORCES OF ACCUSED WAR CRIMINAL RADOVAN KARADZIC - - THAN ANY OF THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE KEEPERS IS READY TO TAKE ON. BUT THERE IS REASONABLE CHANCE THAT NATO, EXERCISING AN INTERNATIONAL MANDATE AND MAKING ITS TACTICAL DECISIONS WITH CARE, CAN ALSO ENLIVEN THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE.

[REST OPT]

TEXT: "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD SAYS IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT THE MEN WHO BROUGHT SUCH FEAR TO THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS DURING THE CIVIL WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA BEGIN TO KNOW WHAT BEING HUNTED IS LIKE.

VOICE: "THE POLICE OUTLAWS IN SERBIA WHO WERE REMOVED FROM THE POLICE COMMAND STRUCTURE IN BANJA LUKA BY NATO TROOPS THIS WEEK WERE SAID TO BE WONDERING AFTERWARD WHAT U-S-LED PEACEKEEPERS WOULD DO NEXT. GOOD. THEY SHOULD WONDER. THEY SHOULD NEVER GO TO BED AT NIGHT WITHOUT WONDERING WHETHER THEY WILL BE SAFE UNTIL MORNING. ....... AS LONG AS THEY ALLY THEMSELVES WITH RADOVAN KARADZIC, THE INDICTED WAR CRIMES CRIMINAL AND RUMP LEADER OF BOSNIAN SERBS' WORST ELEMENTS, THEY WILL BE LIVING DANGEROUSLY."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES TRIES TO INJECT A NOTE OF CAUTION INTO WHAT HAS JUST HAPPENED, NOTING THE DUBIOUS DEMOCRATIC CREDENTIALS OF MR. KARADZIC'S MAIN RIVAL, BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC.

VOICE: "[MS.] PLAVSIC IS NO LESS A HARDHEADED NATIONALIST THAN HER RIVAL, THOUGH CLEARLY NOT AS BLOODTHIRSTY. WESTERN OFFICIALS SAY SHE DEMANDED THE NATO INTERVENTION IN BANJA LUKA, FEARING [MR.] KARADZIC'S OPERATIVES WERE PLOTTING TO SEIZE BACK FROM HER THE PRESIDENCY, WHICH HE RELINQUISHED UNDER WESTERN PRESSURE LAST YEAR. ..... IF THE WESTERN LEADERS WANT TO WRAP UP THEIR MILITARY MISSION, THEIR GOAL SHOULD BE TWOFOLD: FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN THE SERBIAN SECTOR AND JUSTICE FOR THE TRANSGRESSORS IN BOSNIA'S BLOODY FOUR-YEAR WAR. THAT MEANS A TICKET TO THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE FOR [MR.] KARADZIC - - IF HE CAN BE BROUGHT TO BAY."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT, WE CLOSE THIS SAMPLING OF U-S PRESS COMMENT ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA.
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22-Aug-97 12:43 PM EDT (1643 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA POLICE (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL TROOPS REMAIN ON GUARD AT POLICE STATIONS IN THE BOSNIAN SERB CITY OF BANJA LUKA, AS UNITED NATIONS FORCES CONTINUE EFFORTS TO REFORM THE LOCAL POLICE FORCE. V-O-A (PRAGUE) CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES HAS BEEN SPEAKING BY PHONE WITH OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA, AND THEY SAY ALL IS QUIET IN BANJA LUKA.

TEXT: IN A SHOW OF CONFIDENCE, SOME TROOPS ARE BEING WITHDRAWN FROM AROUND THE FIVE POLICE STATIONS WHERE TRUCKLOADS OF HEAVY WEAPONS WERE FOUND EARLIER THIS WEEK. UNITED NATIONS EXPERTS CONTINUE TO RETRAIN AND REORGANIZE THE LOCAL POLICE. THE POLICE CONTINUE TO DO THEIR JOBS AS THE RESTRUCTURING CONTINUES.

U-N AUTHORITIES INSPECTED A SIXTH POLICE INSTALLATION FRIDAY. AT TRANSPORTATION POLICE HEADQUARTERS THEY FOUND SEVERAL PROHIBITED LONG-BARREL WEAPONS AND CONFISCATED THEM.

ALL THIS SEEMS TO REPRESENT A VICTORY FOR BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC, WHOSE HARD-LINE RIVAL -- RADOVAN KARADZIC -- HAD CONTROLLED THE POLICE. SERBIAN MEDIA, CONTROLLED BY MR. KARADZIC, HAVE BEEN FIGHTING BACK, RUNNING ONE-SIDED REPORTS AND PERSONAL ATTACKS ON MRS. PLAVSIC. (SIGNED)
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22-Aug-97 9:41 AM EDT (1341 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE TOOK THEIR CUES FROM WALL STREET FRIDAY, CLOSING DOWN SHARPLY IN A WEEK OF ROLLER-COASTER TRADING. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS EUROPE'S CLOSING FIGURES FROM OUT OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: ANALYSTS SUSPECTED THURSDAY'S SHARP DECLINE ON WALL STREET WOULD TRIGGER SELLING WHEN MARKETS OPENED FRIDAY IN EUROPE -- AND THE ANALYSTS WERE RIGHT. IN GERMANY, THE FRANKFURT "DAX 30" STOCK INDEX PLUMMETED 168 POINTS, LOSING FOUR PERCENT IN VALUE AT THE CLOSE. PARIS REGISTERED A LESS DRAMATIC FALL WITH THE "CAC 40," OFF 53 POINTS AT THE CLOSE. HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS WAS DOWN ALMOST 77 POINTS WHEN TRADING ENDED.

THE GERMAN RETREAT WAS DUE IN PART TO THE MARK'S ADVANCE AGAINST THE DOLLAR -- UP FIVE PFENNIG IN EUROPEAN MONEY MARKET TRADING. THE POUND GAINED AGAINST THE DOLLAR AND WAS UP ALMOST THREE CENTS.

GOLD TRADING IN LONDON SAW THE PRICE REMAIN VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED AT THE CLOSE FRIDAY. (SIGNED)
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22-Aug-97 2:01 PM EDT (1801 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE / POPE (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: POPE JOHN PAUL, ON THE SECOND DAY OF A FOUR-DAY VISIT TO PARIS, PRAYED FRIDAY AT THE GRAVE OF AN ANTI-ABORTION MILITANT BEFORE CONSECRATING A NEW CATHEDRAL. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: EARLY FRIDAY, 90 CONIFER TREES IN TUBS WERE DELIVERED TO A SMALL CEMETERY SOUTH OF PARIS. PLACED AROUND THE CEMETERY, THE TREES PROTECTED POPE JOHN PAUL FROM THE CAMERAS AS, AFTER HE ARRIVED THERE BY HELICOPTER, HE PRAYED AT THE GRAVE OF JEROME LEJEUNE.

PROFESSOR LEJEUNE, A GENETICIST WHO DISCOVERED THE CONGENITAL ILLNESS "DOWN'S SYNDROME" IN THE 1950'S, WAS A FERVENT OPPONENT OF FRANCE'S LAW LEGALIZING ABORTION 20 YEARS AGO.

ABORTION-RIGHTS GROUPS IN FRANCE PROTESTED THE POPE'S DECISION TO VISIT THE GRAVE, SAYING IT COULD ENCOURAGE VIOLENCE BY ANTI-ABORTION MILITANTS. THE VATICAN SAYS THAT THE POPE CONSIDERED PROFESSOR LEJEUNE, WHO WAS ONCE ONE OF HIS ADVISERS, A CLOSE PERSONAL FRIEND.

LATER FRIDAY, THE POPE'S PROGRAM INCLUDED THE CONSECRATION OF THE NEW CATHEDRAL OF EVRY -- THE ONLY CATHEDRAL BUILT IN FRANCE THIS CENTURY. HE STARTED THE DAY BY CELEBRATING MASS IN PARIS' NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL. THERE, DRESSED IN A NEW SILK DESIGNER CASSOCK MADE FOR HIM BY THE JEAN-CHARLES DE CASTELBAJAC FASHION HOUSE, THE POPE CONFERRED SAINTHOOD ON FREDERIC OZANAM, A 19TH CENTURY CHARITY WORKER. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME A CANONIZATION CEREMONY HAS EVER BEEN CONDUCTED IN FRANCE.

FOR THE REST OF HIS TRIP, THE POPE WILL BE MEETING YOUNGSTERS TAKING PART IN A CATHOLIC YOUTH FESTIVAL.

HE WILL END HIS VISIT WITH A HUGE OUTDOOR MASS AT THE LONGCHAMP RACECOURSE SUNDAY. HIS FIRST MASS THURSDAY ATTRACTED 500-THOUSAND WORSHIPERS. (SIGNED)
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22-Aug-97 10:54 AM EDT (1454 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] FRANCE HOLOCAUST (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: A FRENCH TOWN KEPT SILENT FOR 50 YEARS ABOUT THE WORLD WAR TWO DEPORTATION OF JEWISH CHILDREN TO NAZI DEATH CAMPS. PREVIOUSLY UNPUBLISHED DOCUMENTS SHOW THAT ALL THE CHILDREN DIED IN THOSE CAMPS. JULIAN NUNDY HAS DETAILS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE MAYOR OF VOIRON, A SMALL TOWN NEAR THE ALPINE CITY OF GRENOBLE, CALLS THE SILENCE "THE SILENCE OF SHAME."

ONE NIGHT IN MARCH 1944, THE NAZI GESTAPO SECRET POLICE RAIDED A HOUSE IN THE TOWN WHERE 16 JEWISH CHILDREN WERE BEING HIDDEN. THEY WERE DEPORTED TO DEATH CAMPS AND NONE OF THEM SURVIVED.

PART OF THE MYSTERY IS HOW THE DEPORTATIONS ESCAPED ATTENTION ALL THESE YEARS. THE REGIONAL NEWSPAPER, "LE DAUPHINE LIBERE," HAS FOUND TWO RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN WHO ARE STILL ALIVE TODAY AND WHO SAW THE CHILDREN BEING LOADED INTO TRUCKS. THE CHILDREN WERE TAKEN TO A TRANSIT CAMP NEAR PARIS. THEY WERE PUT TO DEATH IN CAMPS IN ESTONIA, LITHUANIA AND POLAND.

THE DOCUMENTS CARRYING THE DETAILS OF THE RAID AND THE NAMES OF THOSE ARRESTED HAVE BEEN FREELY AVAILABLE FOR MANY YEARS.

THE DOCUMENTS WERE FINALLY UNEARTHED AND TRANSMITTED TO THE NEWSPAPER BY A RESEARCHER WORKING FOR A MUSEUM IN GRENOBLE. NOW, PHILIPPE VIAL, THE MAYOR OF VOIRON, SAYS THE TOWN WILL UNVEIL A MEMORIAL NEXT MONTH. HIS CITY HALL HAS EVEN TRACED A RELATIVE OF ONE OF THE CHILDREN WHO HAS BEEN INVITED TO THE UNVEILING CEREMONY.

ACCORDING TO THE NEWSPAPER, AN INFORMER BETRAYED THE CHILDREN'S HIDING PLACE TO THE GESTAPO OFFICE IN GRENOBLE.

THE VOIRON DEPORTATIONS CLOSELY RESEMBLE A NOTORIOUS EPISODE AT THE NEARBY TOWN OF IZIEU. THERE, IN APRIL 1944, A TOTAL OF 44 CHILDREN BEING HIDDEN BY AN UNDERCOVER RESCUE ORGANIZATION, WERE ARRESTED AND SENT TO THEIR DEATHS.

THE IZIEU DEPORTATIONS WERE BLAMED ON KLAUS BARBIE, THE NAZI POLICE CHIEF OF THE CITY OF LYONS AT THE END OF THE WAR. BARBIE DIED IN PRISON SIX YEARS AGO AFTER BEING FOUND GUILTY OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN 1987.

THE NEWS OF THE VOIRON DEPORTATION COMES SOME SIX WEEKS BEFORE MAURICE PAPON, A FORMER GOVERNMENT MINISTER IN THE 1970S, GOES ON TRIAL FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. HE IS TO BE TRIED FOR HIS ALLEGED ROLE IN THE DEPORTATION OF JEWS FROM THE CITY OF BORDEAUX. (SIGNED)
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22-Aug-97 9:16 AM EDT (1316 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE DEEPENING CRISIS OVER WHO CONTROLS THE SERBIAN PORTION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS A POPULAR TOPIC IN FRIDAY'S U-S EDITORIAL COLUMNS, ALONG WITH REVULSION FOR YASSER ARAFAT'S KISS OF GREETING TO A RADICAL LEADER OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION HAMAS.

OTHER TOPICS BEING DEALT WITH INCLUDE THE NORTH KOREAN GROUND BREAKING FOR A NUCLEAR PLANT; THE NEW YORK POLICE BRUTALITY CASE; THE POPE'S IMPENDING VISIT TO CUBA; AND THE ON-GOING CRITICISM OF CAMPAIGN FINANCING.

NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE PRESSURE APPEARS TO BE INCREASING AROUND FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, AND AS FAR AS MANY EDITORIAL WRITERS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE CONCERNED, THAT IS A GOOD THING. HERE'S TODAY'S EDITORIAL FROM THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD.

VOICE: "THE POLICE OUTLAWS IN SERBIA WHO WERE REMOVED FROM THE POLICE COMMAND STRUCTURE IN BANJA LUKA BY NATO TROOPS THIS WEEK WERE SAID TO BE WONDERING AFTERWARD WHAT U-S-LED PEACEKEEPERS WOULD DO NEXT. GOOD. THEY SHOULD WONDER. [OPT] THEY SHOULD NEVER GO TO BED AT NIGHT WITHOUT WONDERING WHETHER THEY WILL BE SAFE UNTIL MORNING. THEY ARE LUCKY THEY ESCAPED WITH THEIR HIDES [LIVES] THIS TIME. [END OPT] AS LONG AS THEY ALLY THEMSELVES WITH RADOVAN KARADZIC, THE INDICTED WAR CRIMES CRIMINAL AND RUMP LEADER OF BOSNIAN SERBS' WORST ELEMENTS, THEY WILL BE LIVING DANGEROUSLY. .... [MR.] KARADZIC AND HIS POLITICAL PUPPETS NO LONGER CAN ACT WITH IMPUNITY, AND SOON THERE WILL BE NO PLACE TO HIDE."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST ALSO SUPPORTS THE NEW EMPHASIS, ALTHOUGH WARNING IT MAY LEAD TO NEW BLOODSHED.

VOICE: "NATO IS GETTING BOLDER IN ITS ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORDS WORK. IT IS A POLICY FRAUGHT WITH RISK BUT NONETHELESS RATIONAL AND NECESSARY. THE EFFORT COULD YET PRODUCE MORE OF A MILITARY RESPONSE - - FROM THE HOSTILE BOSNIAN SERB NATIONALIST FORCES OF ACCUSED WAR CRIMINAL RADOVAN KARADZIC - - THAN ANY OF THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE KEEPERS IS READY TO TAKE ON. BUT THERE IS REASONABLE CHANCE THAT NATO, EXERCISING AN INTERNATIONAL MANDATE AND MAKING ITS TACTICAL DECISIONS WITH CARE, CAN ALSO ENLIVEN THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES TRIES TO INJECT A NOTE OF CAUTION INTO WHAT HAS JUST HAPPENED, NOTING THE DUBIOUS DEMOCRATIC CREDENTIALS OF MR. KARADZIC'S MAIN RIVAL, BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC.

VOICE: "THESE DEVELOPMENTS [THE NATO TAKEOVER OF THE POLICE BUILDINGS] ... SHOULD NOT BE SEEN AS A TWINKLE OF DEMOCRACY IN THE SERBIAN SECTOR, KNOWN AS REPUBLIKA SRPSKA. [MS.] PLAVSIC IS NO LESS A HARDHEADED NATIONALIST THAN HER RIVAL, THOUGH CLEARLY NOT AS BLOODTHIRSTY. WESTERN OFFICIALS SAY SHE DEMANDED THE NATO INTERVENTION IN BANJA LUKA, FEARING [MR.] KARADZIC'S OPERATIVES WERE PLOTTING TO SEIZE BACK FROM HER THE PRESIDENCY, WHICH HE RELINQUISHED UNDER WESTERN PRESSURE LAST YEAR. ..... [OPT] IF THE WESTERN LEADERS WANT TO WRAP UP THEIR MILITARY MISSION, THEIR GOAL SHOULD BE TWOFOLD: FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN THE SERBIAN SECTOR AND JUSTICE FOR THE TRANSGRESSORS IN BOSNIA'S BLOODY FOUR-YEAR WAR. THAT MEANS A TICKET TO THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE FOR KARADZIC - - IF HE CAN BE BROUGHT TO BAY." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE DAY'S OTHER INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DRAWING COMMENT IS THE KISS OF GREETING PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT GAVE THIS WEEK TO A LEADER OF THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION HAMAS AT UNITY CONFERENCE OF PALESTINIAN GROUPS IN GAZA. THE [NEW YORK] DAILY NEWS CALLS IT "ARAFAT'S KISS OF DEATH."

VOICE: "IN MEETING WITH TERROR GROUPS HAMAS AND ISLAMIC HOLY WAR, ALSO KNOWN AS ISLAMIC JIHAD, AND HUGGING AND KISSING THEIR LEADERS, [MR.] ARAFAT, THE UNOFFICIAL TERRORIST, MADE COMMON CAUSE WITH THE OFFICIAL ONES. IT SHOULD BE CLEAR TO ALL WHICH SIDE HE IS ON: THE SIDE WITH BLOOD ON ITS HANDS. EVEN THE STATE DEPARTMENT CAN'T DENY THE OBVIOUS THIS TIME. [OPT] ..... HIS OPEN COURTING OF KILLERS IS DIFFERENT FROM [MR.] ARAFAT'S USUAL TWO-FACE ACT, WHERE HE SAYS PEACEFUL THINGS IN ENGLISH TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND ISSUES WARLIKE CRIES IN ARABIC FOR HIS DOMESTIC AUDIENCE. AT LEAST NOW HE'S SAYING THE SAME THING TO EVERYONE. SURELY EVEN WASHINGTON MUST HEAR HIM." [END OPT]

TEXT: NEWSDAY IS ALSO UPSET AT THIS DISPLAY OF UNITY WITH A KNOWN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.

VOICE: "IT'S VINTAGE YASSER ARAFAT: ONE DAY THIS WEEK THE PALESTINIAN LEADER SAT DOWN WITH THE HEAD OF ISRAEL'S SECURITY AGENCY, SHIN BET, BOWING TO ISRAELI AND AMERICAN DEMANDS THAT HE COOPERATE IN CRACKING DOWN ON PALESTINIAN TERROR GROUPS LIKE HAMAS AND THE ISLAMIC JIHAD. THE NEXT DAY ... IN GAZA, HE EMBRACED AND KISSED A HAMAS LEADER IN PUBLIC, PRAISING THE ISLAMIC TERROR FRONT FOR ITS SPIRIT OF RESISTANCE. ..... HE SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HIMSELF. HE CANNOT KEEP UP THIS DANGEROUS ACT AND EXPECT THE MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS TO SURVIVE, OR ISRAEL TO PUT UP WITH HIS DECEPTIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO GUARANTEE A MINIMUM LEVEL OF SECURITY FROM TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS."

TEXT: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD, THIS WEEK'S GROUND BREAKING FOR A NEW NUCLEAR REACTOR IN NORTH KOREA IS HAILED BY TODAY'S ORLANDO SENTINEL.

VOICE: "[OPT] WHY IS THE UNITED STATES HELPING TO BUILD NUCLEAR REACTORS IN NORTH KOREA, WHICH HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN AN ENEMY? BECAUSE THAT GESTURE ENABLES THE UNITED STATES AND ITS PARTNERS IN THE EFFORT TO EASE THAT COUNTRY'S BELLIGERENCE. THE APPARENT CONTRADICTION GOES AWAY UPON CONSIDERING THAT NORTH KOREA HAD BEEN PURSUING ITS OWN NUCLEAR PROGRAM FOR YEARS. WITH THOSE EXPERIMENTS CAME THE FRIGHTENING POTENTIAL TO DEVELOP NUCLEAR WEAPONS - - A A COMPLICATION THE ALREADY-TROUBLED KOREAN PENINSULA DIDN'T NEED. [END OPT] .....TO THE EXTENT THAT NORTH KOREA RESOLVES SOME OF ITS DOMESTIC PROBLEMS, IT SHOULD POSE LESS OF THE THREAT TO THE REGION. THUS, THE NUCLEAR REACTORS BEING BUILT BY THE U-S-LED CONSORTIUM CONTRIBUTE TO STABILITY."

TEXT: BACK HOME, ON THE MATTER OF POLICE BRUTALITY AGAINST A HAITIAN IMMIGRANT IN NEW YORK CITY, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR COMMENTS THAT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE NATIONALLY, AS SEVERAL BIG CITIES GROPE WITH THE PROBLEM.

VOICE: "EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT COMPLETED AN INVESTIGATION OF MISCONDUCT BY PITTSBURGH'S POLICE FORCE. MISUSE OF POLICE POWER ALSO HAS BEEN ALLEGED IN LOS ANGELES, MINNEAPOLIS, PHILADELPHIA, ATLANTA, AND NEW ORLEANS. THE NEXT TASK IS TO FIND SOLUTIONS. JUST AS LEADERS IN NEW YORK HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT CRIME WON'T BE TOLERATED IN THE CITY, LEADERS IN THE PRECINCTS MUST MAKE CLEAR WHAT WON'T BE TOLERATED IN THE DEPARTMENT. ..... HIRING MORE ETHNIC MINORITIES ALSO CAN HELP."

TEXT: THE MIAMI HERALD IS URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO RELAX THE TRAVEL BAN ON TRIPS TO CUBA FOR THE POPE'S FORTHCOMING VISIT THERE IN JANUARY.

VOICE: "IT IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY. THE POPE IS UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO DELIVER A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND FAITH TO PEOPLE LONG DEPRIVED OF BOTH. ..... ALREADY, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE [MIAMI] ARCHDIOCESE ABOUT CUBA VISITS. [OPT] ..... EXEMPTIONS TO THE EMBARGO INCLUDE TRIPS FOR RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL PURPOSES, HUMANITARIAN REASONS, AND SOME VISITS BY JOURNALISTS. SO THE VISITS WOULD REPRESENT NO DEPARTURE FROM EXISTING POLICY. [END OPT] ..... U-S CITIZENS ENJOY THE PRIVILEGE OF TRAVELING WHEREVER THEY PLEASE, EXCEPT TO COUNTRIES WITH WHOM WE ARE AT WAR, OR IN CASES OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY. AT THE MOMENT, NEITHER CONDITION APPLIES TO THE PAPAL VISIT."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE STILL LINGERING SUBJECT OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM, U-S-A TODAY LAMENTS:

VOICE: "THINK THE STILL-UNFOLDING EXPOSE OF MONEY EXCESSES IN LAST YEAR'S CAMPAIGNS IS GIVING POLITICIANS PAUSE THIS TIME AROUND? JUST TALLY THE LOOT [MONEY] RAISED IN WHAT USED TO BE THE 'DOWN TIME' OF POLITICAL FUND-RAISING. IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR - - AN OFF YEAR AFTER A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION - - POLITICAL PARTIES AND INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES HAVE RAISED RECORD AMOUNTS. WORSE, SPECIAL INTERESTS SEEKING TO BEND THE POWER OF GOVERNMENT IN THEIR FAVOR ARE SPENDING MORE ......"

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS PARTICULARLY UPSET AT REVELATIONS FROM JOHNNY CHUNG, A FUND-RAISER FOR THE DEMOCRATS WHO HAS FALLEN INTO DISREPUTE, BUT WHO TOLD MUCH OF HIS STORY ON NBC NEWS THIS WEEK. SUMS UP THE TIMES:

VOICE: "THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT HAS TIGHTENED UP ITS PROCEDURES ON VISITORS. BUT THERE CAN BE NO CLEANING UP THE RECORD OF THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN'S RECKLESS FUND-RAISING FOR THE 1996 CAMPAIGN. NOR CAN THERE BE ANY GUARANTEE IT WILL NOT BE REPEATED UNTIL CONGRESS ENACTS A BAN ON OPEN-ENDED CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND CLEANS UP A SYSTEM THAT CONTINUES TO POISON AMERICAN POLITICS, DEEPEN THE CYNICISM OF AMERICANS AND, IN MR. CHUNG'S CASE, DEMEAN THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INVITATION TO VISIT THE WHITE HOUSE."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RRM
22-Aug-97 10:24 AM EDT (1424 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BARBARA SCHOETZAU (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN SLIGHTLY TODAY (FRIDAY) AFTER A DAY OF FRANTIC TRADING. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BARBARA SCHOETZAU REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 78 HUNDRED 88, DOWN SIX POINTS, ALTHOUGH AT ONE POINT DURING THE DAY THE INDUSTRIALS WERE DOWN MORE THAN 170 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 193 POINTS, MORE THAN TWO AND ONE- HALF PERCENT. THE BROADER STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 924, DOWN ONE AND ONE-HALF POINTS.

ANALYSTS ATTRIBUTE THE VOLATILITY TO A TYPICAL FRIDAY IN AUGUST, AND AN EARLY DROP IN THE PRICE OF TECHNOLOGY STOCKS, FOLLOWING LARGE GAINS EARLY IN THE WEEK. A MARKET ANALYST'S DOWNGRADE OF THE INTEL CORPORATION, A LEADING MAKER OF COMPUTER CHIPS, TRIGGERED THE SLIDE IN TECHNOLOGY STOCKS.

ANALYSTS ALSO SAY THE MARKET VOLATILITY WAS EFFECTED BY FEARS GERMANY WILL RAISE INTEREST RATES AND BY A WEAK U-S BOND MARKET.

M-C-I TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCED THEIR PLANNED MERGER WILL GO AHEAD -- BUT AT RENEGOTIATED TERMS. ANALYSTS SAY M-C-I'S LOSSES ON ITS MOBIL PHONE BUSINESS TRIGGERED THE RENEGOTIATION. B-T WILL NOW PAY ABOUT 18 BILLON DOLLARS FOR M-C-I, 20 PERCENT LESS THAN THE ORIGINALLY NEGOTIATED PRICE. THE NEW COMPANY, TO BE KNOWN AS CONCERT, MARKS THE LARGEST FOREIGN PURCHASE OF A U-S COMPANY EVER AND THE BIGGEST DEAL IN BRITISH CORPORATE HISTORY.

MAJOR CREDIT CARD ISSUERS CALLED ON CONGRESS TO ENACT BANKRUPTCY REFORMS, SAYING TOO MANY AMERICANS ARE WALKING AWAY FROM THEIR DEBTS. A RECORD ONE POINT ONE MILLION AMERICANS -- MANY OVERBURDENED WITH CREDIT CARD DEBTS -- FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY IN 1996 AND THE NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO GO UP THIS YEAR.

TOBACCO STOCKS CONTINUED TO DECLINE. FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE DAY, A MAJOR TOBACCO COMPANY EXECUTIVE SAID HE BELIEVES SMOKING CONTRIBUTES TO LUNG CANCER.

AND NEWLY RELEASED INFORMATION SHOWS DRUGS THAT FIGHT ULCERS AND DEPRESSION ARE THE TOP SELLING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BJS/LSF/PT
22-Aug-97 5:40 PM EDT (2140 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] OAU/OLYMPICS (S ONLY) BY ALEX BELIDA (JOHANNESBURG)

INTRO: CAPE TOWN'S BID TO HOST THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN THE YEAR 2004 HAS RECEIVED ANOTHER STRONG ENDORSEMENT -- THIS TIME FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNITY. MORE ON THAT FROM V-O-A SOUTHERN AFRICA CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA.

TEXT: SALIM AHMED SALIM SAYS "AFRICA'S TURN HAS COME." IN A STATEMENT RELEASED THROUGH CAPE TOWN'S OLYMPIC BID COMMITTEE, THE O-A-U SECRETARY GENERAL SAYS GIVING AFRICA ITS FIRST-EVER OPPORTUNITY TO HOST THE GAMES, IN HIS WORDS, "WILL BE A MANIFESTATION OF THE OLYMPIC TRADITION OF FAIR PLAY."

MR. SALIM CALLS CAPE TOWN'S BID AN "AFRICAN" BID -- A THEME THAT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY SOUNDED BY SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA AND BID COMMITTEE OFFICIALS. THE O-A-U LEADER ALSO SAYS A VOTE FOR CAPE TOWN IS A VOTE FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA. HE SAYS IF THE CITY'S BID IS SUCCESSFUL, IT WILL BRING NEW CONFIDENCE AS WELL AS ECONOMIC GROWTH TO SOUTH AFRICA AND OTHER NEW DEMOCRACIES ON THE CONTINENT.

THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE WILL MEET IN SWITZERLAND TWO WEEKS FROM NOW TO MAKE ITS DECISION. CAPE TOWN IS ONE OF FIVE CITIES VYING FOR THE RIGHT TO HOST THE 2004 GAMES. (SIGNED)
NEB/BEL/PCF/KL
22-Aug-97 10:09 AM EDT (1409 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] TENSION BUILDING IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: WITHIN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, SOME FOREIGN JOURNALISTS SAY, THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN U-S POLICY TOWARD SOME OF THE SERBIAN FORCES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, SPECIFICALLY A TOUGHENING OF ATTITUDE SPECIFICALLY TOWARD RADOVAN KARADZIC.

WE GET A SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT ON THIS PERCEIVED CHANGE NOW FROM __________________ IN THIS WEEK'S WORLD OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: WHETHER OR NOT THE UNITED STATES IS TAKING A TOUGHER LINE TOWARD THE INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL AND FORMER SERBIAN LEADER IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, MR. KARADZIC, THIS WEEK HEAVILY ARMED TROOPS SURROUNDED AND THEN TOOK OVER SEVERAL POLICE STATIONS IN BANJA LUKA. THESE FACILITIES WERE SAID TO HOUSE POLICE WHO ARE SUPPORTING MR. KARADZIC IN HIS POWER STRUGGLE WITH THE CURRENT BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT, BILJANA PLAVSIC.

WHEN TROOPS TOOK OVER THE POLICE BUILDINGS, WHICH THEY STILL HOLD, THEY FOUND A LARGE SUPPLY OF WEAPONS FAR IN EXCESS OF WHAT THE POLICE NEEDED FOR THEIR DUTIES. IT APPEARED TO CONFIRM REPORTS THAT NEW FIGHTING MAY HAVE BEEN ABOUT TO BREAK OUT BETWEEN SUPPORTERS OF MR. KARADZIC AND MRS. PLAVSIC, WHO HAVE BEEN LOCKED IN A POWER STRUGGLE FOR WEEKS.

SOME COMMENTATORS SUGGEST THAT AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF IN WHICH THE U-S DID LITTLE TO IMPLEMENT THE DAYTON ACCORD ON THE GROUND, WASHINGTON HAS BEGUN TO INCREASE THE PRESSURE.

OTHER JOURNALISTS TOOK THE MOVES AS STEPPED-UP 'PSYCHOLOGICAL' PRESSURE ON MR. KARADZIC, WHOM SOME ARE DESCRIBING AS "A STUMBLING BLOCK" TO THE PEACE PROCESS AND THE EVENTUAL U-S WITHDRAWAL FROM BOSNIA.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN SARAJEVO, WITH THE INDEPENDENT DAILY, WHICH PUBLISHED ALL THROUGHOUT THE CIVIL WAR, "OSLOBODJENIE." THE PAPER SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "THERE IS SOMETHING ABSURD IN THE U-S POLICY TOWARD BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA AND THIS IS MOST OBVIOUS DURING SPECTACULAR VISITS LIKE THE ONE LED BY THE ARCHITECT OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS. NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY SUPPORT A DEMOCRATIC AND MULTI-ETHNIC BOSNIA, AFTER EVERY U-S ACTION THE DIVISIONS ARE DEEPER. [MR. RICHARD] HOLBROOKE [THE U-S SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE COUNTRY] CAN ALWAYS SAY THAT THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY ARE TO BE BLAMED BECAUSE THEY ELECTED THE NATIONAL PARTIES AND LEADERS BUT, IN SPITE OF INTENTIONS, U-S POLICY IS STRENGTHENING THEIR POSITIONS."

TEXT: ACROSS THE WAR-SCARRED CITY, IN THE DAILY "VECERNJI LIST" THERE WAS THIS ASSESSMENT.....

VOICE: "IF THE AMERICANS SUCCEED IN IMPOSING THEIR INTERPRETATION OF DAYTON - - AND CONSIDERING THEIR DOMINANCE IN THE WORLD, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THEY WON'T SUCCEED - - BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL HAVE EVERY PROSPECT OF STAYING AND SURVIVING."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, IN WHAT IS NOW YUGOSLAVIA, FORMED BY SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO, BELGRADE'S "BORBA," RAN THIS TANJUG [YUGOSLAV NEWS SERVICE] EDITORIAL THAT SAID IN PART:

VOICE: "IF THE U-S ADMINISTRATION CARED ABOUT BOSNIA'S RECOVERY AND REVIVAL OF JOINT AUTHORITIES AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATION IN THE TWO ENTITIES, THE EMPHASIS WOULD BE LAID ON COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ISSUES. THIS PRIMARILY MEANS AN EQUAL TREATMENT OF ALL SIDES AND ESPECIALLY AN EQUAL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE THAT WOULD STIMULATE A SPEEDIER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS .....WASHINGTON'S UNSUCCESSFUL POLICY, WHICH MOSTLY APPLIES FORCE AND PRESSURE, SHOWS THAT THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO ACHIEVE STABILITY IN THE REGION. MAYBE NOW, AFTER [MR.] HOLDBROOKE'S LATEST MISSION, THIS WILL BECOME CLEAR TO THE U-S ADMINISTRATION WHOSE POLICY IN THE BALKANS HAS ALWAYS BEEN GUIDED BY NARROW NATIONAL INTERESTS INSTEAD OF THE REGION'S WELFARE."

TEXT: IN WESTERN EUROPE, THE OPINION OF A LEADING GERMAN DAILY, "THE FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG" RUNS THIS WAY.

VOICE: "THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS STANDS ON THE BRINK OF ABYSS .... THE CRISIS IN THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS IS REFLECTING ONLY THE DESOLATE STATE OF THE SERBIAN PART OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA .... THE PROPAGANDA CLAIM THAT THE FUTURE OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS LIES ONLY IN THE STATE UNITY OF ALL SERBS HAS NOW SURFACED AS A GREAT LIE. NOT EVEN THE BOSNIAN SERBS AGREE AND NOTHING SEEMS TO UNIFY THE SERBS AS MUCH AS THE ROW OF EVERYBODY AGAINST EVERYBODY. ... NOT TODAY AND NOT TOMORROW, BUT SOME DAY IN THE FUTURE, EVEN THE MAJORITY OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS WILL REALIZE THAT THEIR FUTURE LIES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA - - NOT IN SERBIA OR IN AN IMAGINARY GREATER SERBIAN STATE."

TEXT: IN BRITAIN, "THE OBSERVER" SEES THINGS THIS WAY.

VOICE: "AFTER NEARLY TWO YEARS OF PUSSYFOOTING [INDECISIVE ACTION] BY NATO AND ITS POLITICAL MASTERS, THE NET IS FINALLY CLOSING ON BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND RATKO MLADIC - - PUPPET MASTERS OF BOSNIA'S CARNAGE. PRESIDENT CLINTON SUMMONED SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT AND SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE TO THE WHITE HOUSE FRIDAY NIGHT 8/15) TO TELL THEM IT WAS 'VERY IMPORTANT' THAT [MR] KARADZIC BE ARRESTED."

TEXT: IN PARIS, A SIMILAR VIEW IS HELD BY THE FRENCH DAILY, "LIBERATION."

VOICE: "U-S IMPATIENCE WITH BOSNIA IS GROWING. WHILE THE EUROPEANS, AND ESPECIALLY THE FRENCH, HAVE ALWAYS PLAYED FOR TIME, THE U-S TEAM WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF [MR.] KARADZIC. HIS CONTINUED PRESENCE IS A STUMBLING BLOCK FOR THE PEACE PROCESS AND A U-S WITHDRAWAL FROM BOSNIA. HENCE THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY ASSISTANCE GRANTED TO BILJANA PLAVSIC ... THE QUESTION WHICH REMAINS IS THE REACTION OF THE SERBIAN POLICE SURROUNDING [MR.] KARADZIC IN THE EVENT OF AN ATTACK."

TEXT: IN COPENHAGEN, THE LARGE DANISH DAILY "BERLINGSKE TIDENDE" HAS A SIMILAR OPINION.

VOICE: "TIME IS RUNNING OUT AND IT LOOKS LIKELY THAT NEW CONFLICTS, NEW EXAMPLES OF ETHNIC CLEANSING, ADDITIONAL DEATHS, WOUNDINGS AND RAPES COULD OCCUR. THIS IS WHY THE UNITED STATES HAS CHOSEN TO INITIATE A NEW DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE. ONE WAY OR OTHER, THE UNITED STATES HOPES TO NEUTRALIZE [MR.] KARADZIC. THAT FITS WELL WITH RUMORS THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS OFFERED TO LET [MR.] KARADZIC GO INTO EXILE IN A THIRD COUNTRY WHILE AMERICAN TELEVISION MAINTAINS THAT AN ELITE UNIT IS IN TRAINING TO CARRY OUT A MISSION TO ARREST HIM. THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN WOULD BE THAT [MR.] KARADZIC WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAUGE; HOWEVER, THIS SEEMS TO BE IMPOSSIBLE."

TEXT: AND AGAIN, A LIKE APPRAISAL FROM THE BIG DUTCH DAILY "NRC HANDELSBLAD.

VOICE: "THE ARREST OF [MR.] KARADZIC IS NOW ONLY A MATTER OF TIME ..... THE ARREST OF KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC HAS NOW, AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF OF HESITATION, BECOME A PRIORITY ISSUE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY."

TEXT: IN ASIA THERE IS WORRY ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE NATO TROOPS DO TRY TO ARREST MR. KARADZIC. IN JAPAN, HERE IS HOW THE BIGGEST TOKYO DAILY "YOMIURI" SEES THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.

VOICE: "OUR CONCERN IS THAT IF PRESIDENT PLAVSIC LOSES TO THE HAWKS, WAR CRIME SUSPECT [MR.] KARADZIC IS MORE LIKELY TO REGAIN LEADERSHIP .... HOWEVER, THE ARREST OF [MR.] KARADZIC, WHO IS PROTECTED BY ARMED GUARDS, WILL PROBABLY LEAD TO BLOODSHED AND MASSIVE REPRISALS AGAINST SFOR TROOPS ..... IT IS, THEREFORE, IMPORTANT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO LOOK SQUARELY AT THE WORSENING BOSNIA SITUATION AGAIN AND PROMOTE DISCUSSIONS ON HOW TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO PEACE."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, IN SOUTH ASIA, INDIA'S "HINDU" RAN THIS SOMEWHAT GLUM COMMENTARY, WHICH SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "THE BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA THAT [THE DAYTON AGREEMENT] CREATED IS AN ARTIFICIAL ENTITY, AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONCEIVE OF IT STAYING TOGETHER WITHOUT A CONTINUING INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE. THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HELPED GIVE BIRTH TO THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. NOW THEY FIND THEMSELVES SADDLED WITH LOOKING AFTER AND RAISING AN ORPHAN THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF INTERNATIONAL OPINION ON THE LATEST TURN OF EVENTS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IN THE SEARCH FOR PEACE.
NEB/ANG/KL
22-Aug-97 9:24 AM EDT (1324 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS FOR AN END TO FIGHTING IN CAMBODIA; IT LAYS THE GROUNDWORK FOR NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST ANGOLA'S FORMER REBEL MOVEMENT, UNITA; AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCES MEASURES IN RESPONSE TO A MORE STABLE POLITICAL SITUATION IN LIBERIA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON LOOKS AT THOSE STORIES AND OTHERS IN THIS REVIEW OF THE PAST WEEK'S DEVELOPMENTS AT THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN RESPONDED TO THE LATEST FIGHTING IN CAMBODIA WITH A CALL FOR ALL SIDES TO FOCUS ON PREPARING A BETTER CLIMATE FOR ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR. HIS REMARKS FOLLOWED THE EXODUS OF MORE THAN 20-THOUSAND CAMBODIAN REFUGEES FROM NORTHWESTERN CAMBODIA INTO THAILAND. THE REFUGEES WERE ESCAPING FROM FIGHTING BETWEEN GOVERNMENT TROOPS BACKING CO-PREMIER HUN SEN AND FORCES LOYAL TO OUSTED CO-PREMIER PRINCE NORODOM RANARIDDH. U-N SPOKESMAN JUAN-CARLOS BRANDT VOICED MR. ANNAN'S CONCERNS.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES HIS SYMPATHY FOR THE PLIGHT OF SOME 20-THOUSAND CAMBODIANS WHO HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES BY THE FIGHTING. HE COMMENDS THE THAI GOVERNMENT FOR GRANTING SANCTUARY TO THE REFUGEES AND CALLS UPON THAILAND TO EXTEND HOSPITALITY TO THEM FOR AS LONG AS REQUIRED, IN COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.

THE POLITICAL UNREST IN CAMBODIA ALSO HAD REPERCUSSIONS AT U-N HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK. THE DIPLOMAT WHO HAS BEEN CAMBODIA'S DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE CALLED ON THE UNITED NATIONS TO WITHDRAW ITS RECOGNITION OF THE MAN WHO HAS BEEN THE COUNTRY'S CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE. THE DEPUTY REPRESENTATIVE IS LOYAL TO THE GOVERNMENT HEADED BY HUN SEN, WHILE THE CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE SUPPORTS NORODOM RANARIDDH. THAT ISSUE REMAINS UNRESOLVED, WITH THE TWO MEN WORKING OUT OF SEPARATE OFFICES IN NEW YORK.

-0-

THE SECURITY COUNCIL RESPONDED TO THE SITUATION IN ANGOLA WITH A STEPPED-UP WARNING FOR JONAS SAVIMBI, LEADER OF THE FORMER REBEL MOVEMENT, UNITA. EARLIER IN THE MONTH, THE COUNCIL WARNED OF SANCTIONS AGAINST UNITA IF IT FAILS TO DISARM ITS FORCES AND FULLY COMPLY WITH A 1994 PEACE AGREEMENT.

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHN WESTON -- BRITAIN'S U-N AMBASSADOR -- SAYS THE COUNCIL HAS HELD FOLLOW-UP TALKS TO PREPARE THE SANCTIONS.

WE RESUMED OUR DISCUSSION ON ANGOLA. A DRAFT RESOLUTION IS NOW IN PREPARATION AND IT WILL INVOLVE MEASURES. I AM NOT GOING TO SAY MORE AT THIS POINT. BUT, YES, THERE WILL BE A RESOLUTION AND, YES, IT WILL SPEAK OF MEASURES.

MR. WESTON DID NOT SAY WHEN THE MEASURES WILL BE ANNOUNCED OR IMPOSED.

-0-

TURNING TO ANOTHER AFRICAN COUNTRY, THE SECURITY COUNCIL REPEATED ITS CALL FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED IN ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN BURUNDI TO ADOPT A CONSTRUCTIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD UPCOMING PEACE TALKS. THOSE TALKS ARE SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY (8/25) IN ARUSHA, TANZANIA. THEY ARE AIMED AT EASING TENSION BETWEEN BURUNDI'S TUTSI-DOMINATED ARMY AND HUTU REBELS. FIGHTING BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES HAS LEFT UP TO 150-THOUSAND PEOPLE DEAD SINCE 1993

-0- AND, IN RESPONSE TO DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN LIBERIA, U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN RECOMMENDED THE CREATION OF A SPECIAL U-N OFFICE TO PROMOTE RECONSTRUCTION AND RECONCILIATION IN LIBERIA, FOLLOWING YEARS OF CIVIL WAR. U-N SPOKESMAN JUAN-CARLOS BRANDT SAYS THE NEW BODY -- A PEACE-BUILDING SUPPORT OFFICE -- WOULD REPLACE THE U-N OBSERVER MISSION IN LIBERIA, KNOWN AS UNOMIL.

WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT IN LIBERIA, THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE OF UNOMIL HAS NOW BEEN ACHIEVED.

UNOMIL IS SET TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY ON SEPTEMBER 30TH. ELECTIONS WERE HELD IN LIBERIA IN JULY.

-0-

THE UNITED NATIONS WAS LESS SATISFIED WITH THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN NEIGHBORING SIERRA LEONE. THE SECURITY COUNCIL HELD TALKS ON THE RECENT MILITARY COUP IN THE COUNTRY, AND THE GOVERNMENT'S FAILURE TO PROMISE AN EARLY RETURN TO DEMOCRACY.

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOHN WESTON SAYS THE COUNCIL IS PLANNING MEASURES TO STEP UP PRESSURE ON THE MILITARY LEADERSHIP TO RETURN TO TALKS ON POLITICAL REFORM. MR. WESTON SAYS DETAILS OF THOSE MEASURES WILL NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN COORDINATED WITH THE ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES, ECOWAS, WHICH HAS LED EFFORTS TO HOLD TALKS ON POLITICAL REFORM IN SIERRA LEONE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/RRM
22-Aug-97 2:36 PM EDT (1836 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] U-S / BOSNIA AMBASSADOR (S-ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPT.)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAS SWORN IN THE NEW U-S AMBASSADOR TO BOSNIA-HERZGOVINA, RICHARD KAUZLARICH. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT SAYS THERE ARE ENCOURAGING SIGNS IN BOSNIA. SHE SAYS MORE REFUGEES ARE RETURNING HOME, SOME PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN GETTING WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS TO TRIAL, AND THE UNITED STATES IS USING ITS LEVERAGE TO ENFORCE THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT.

AT THE SWEARING-IN OF THE NEW AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO BOSNIA, SHE SAYS OBSTACLES REMAIN, HOWEVER.

BUT ALTHOUGH WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, THERE REMAIN MANY OBSTACLES TO SUCCESS. TO SUSTAIN OUR MOMENTUM, WE WILL NEED OUR VERY BEST DIPLOMATS DOING THEIR VERY BEST WORK.

AMBASSADOR RICHARD KAUZLARICH ARRIVES IN SARAJEVO NEXT WEEK. HE IS A CAREER FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER WHO IMPRESSED SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT WITH HIS RECENT PERFORMANCE AS U-S AMBASSADOR TO AZERBAJIAN. HE PROMISES TO WORK TOWARD A UNITED BOSNIA WHERE SERBS, CROATS AND MUSLIMS COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/RRM
22-Aug-97 12:47 PM EDT (1647 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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