Voice of America, 97-09-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] TERESA FUNERAL (L WRAP) BY DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN (CALCUTTA)

[02] BOSNIA VOTE (S) BY ART CHIMES (KAKANJ, BOSNIA)

[03] BOSNIA VOTE ALT (S) BY ART CHIMES (VARES, BOSNIA)

[04] BOSNIA VOTE UPDATE (S) BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

[05] BOSNIA / VOTE UPDATE (L) BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

[06] BOSNIA ELECTION (L) BY PAM TAYLOR (BANJA LUKA)

[07] BOSNIA VOTE OVERNITE BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

[01] TERESA FUNERAL (L WRAP) BY DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN (CALCUTTA)

INTRO: QUEENS, LEPERS, PRESIDENTS AND THOUSANDS OF POOR PEOPLE PAID THEIR LAST RESPECTS TO MOTHER TERESA SATURDAY IN A MASS OUTPOURING OF LOVE. VOA CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS FROM CALCUTTA.

TEXT: THE DAY BEGAN AS MOTHER TERESA'S CASKET WAS TAKEN BY MILITARY ESCORT FROM ST. THOMAS CHURCH WHERE HER BODY WAS ON PUBLIC VIEW FOR A WEEK.

THOUSANDS OF THE FAITHFUL FOLLOWED THE CASKET AS IT MOVED SLOWLY THROUGH THE STREETS ON A GUN CARRIAGE -- THE SAME ONE THAT TOOK THE BODY OF INDIA'S SPIRITUAL LEADER, MOHANDAS GHANDI, TO ITS CREMATION A HALF-CENTURY AGO.

FUNERAL SERVICES WERE HELD AT A LARGE INDOOR STADIUM AND HUNDREDS OF DIGNITARIES FROM MORE THAN TWO DOZEN COUNTRIES TOOK PART. THEY INCLUDED THE PRESIDENTS OF INDIA, GHANA, AND ITALY AND THE QUEENS OF SPAIN AND JORDAN. U-S FIRST LADY HILLARY CLINTON WAS ON HAND ALONG WITH FORMER PHILIPPINE LEADER CORAZON AQUINO.

MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE CEREMONY, INCLUDING CHARITY WORKERS AND MANY OF THE POOR THAT MOTHER TERESA SERVED.

DURING THE THREE-HOUR SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES OF MANY RELIGIONS INCLUDING HINDUISM, ISLAM AND BUDDHISM -- SPOKE. VATICAN ENVOY ANGELO SODANO CELBRATED THE MASS AND DELIVERED A MESSAGE FROM THE POPE:

MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA LIT THE FLAME OF LOVE WHICH HER SPIRITUAL DAUGHTERS AND SONS MUST NOW CARRY FORWARD. THE WORLD BADLY NEEDS THE LIGHT OF THAT FLAME. THE HOMAGE WE ARE PAYING TO THE MEMORY OF THIS HUMBLE SISTER WILL BE IN VAIN IF WE BELIEVERS AND MEN AND WOMEN OF GOOD WILL EVERYWHERE DO NOT TAKE UP WHERE SHE LEFT OFF.

SISTER NIRMALA, MOTHER TERESA'S SUCCESSOR, ALSO RECALLED HER MENTOR'S COMMITMENT TO THE POOR. SHE SAID MOTHER TERESA HELPED THOSE WITH BROKEN MINDS AND HEARTS.

AFTER THE MASS, MOTHER TERESA'S CASKET WAS TAKEN TO MOTHER HOUSE THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE CHARITABLE ORDER (MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY) SHE FOUNDED. SHE WAS BURIED THERE IN A PRIVATE CEREMONY. (TRUMPET SOUND) A MILITARY BAND PLAYED A FINAL FAREWELL TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC NUN AND A RIFLE CORPS FIRED A SALUTE. CALCUTTA ENDED THE DAY WITH A TEAR IN ITS EYE AS THE SAINT OF THE GUTTERS WENT TO HER FINAL RESTING PLACE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DB/KL
13-Sep-97 1:48 PM EDT (1748 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA VOTE (S) BY ART CHIMES (KAKANJ, BOSNIA)

INTRO: BOSNIAN VOTERS ARE CASTING BALLOTS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS SUPERVISED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. VOA CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES HAS BEEN VISITING POLLING STATIONS AND HE FILED THIS REPORT.

TEXT: VOTERS CROWDED IN TO THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL IN KAKANJ TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS. AN ELECTION OFFICIAL SAID SOME TWO-THOUSAND VOTERS ARE REGISTERED HERE, BUT THE SINGLE SMALL ROOM IS CLEARLY NOT ADEQUATE AS PEOPLE JAMMED THE CORRIDOR OUTSIDE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE SPECIAL VOTING STATIONS FOR REFUGEES NOW LIVING IN THIS MUSLIM AREA NORTH OF SARAJEVO. STACKS OF BALLOTS FROM MORE THAN ONE-HUNDRED MUNICIPALITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY GIVE MUTE TESTIMONY TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH BOSNIA'S POPULATION SHIFTED AFTER THE WAR BEGAN IN 1992.

AT OTHER VOTING STATIONS, THE BALLOTING WAS GOING MUCH MORE SMOOTHLY. THERE ARE MULTIPLE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST FRAUD AND BY ALL ACCOUNTS THE PROCEDURES ARE MUCH BETTER THAN IN LAST YEAR'S VOTE. ONE ELECTION OFFICIAL DESCRIBED THE PROCEDURE AS "FOOLPROOF." (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/KL
13-Sep-97 7:57 AM EDT (1157 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA VOTE ALT (S) BY ART CHIMES (VARES, BOSNIA)

INTRO: BOSNIAN VOTERS ARE LINING UP AT POLLING PLACES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY FOR TWO DAYS OF VOTING FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS. VOA CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES HAS BEEN VISITING POLLING STATIONS AND TALKING TO VOTERS IN TOWNS AND VILLAGES NORTH OF SARAJEVO.

TEXT: VOTING GOT UNDER WAY AT 7 O'CLOCK LOCAL TIME. TO PREVENT FRAUD, VOTERS HAVE TO PRESENT AN IDENTITY DOCUMENT, AND ELECTION OFFICIALS CHECK THEIR NAMES AGAINST REGISTRATION ROLLS. AS THEY ARE HANDED THE BALLOT, THE VOTERS' HANDS ARE SPRAYED WITH INK TO SHOW THEY HAVE VOTED.

LOCAL PARTY REPRESENTATIVES OBSERVE THE PROCESS, WHICH IS SUPERVISED AT EACH POLLING PLACE BY AN OFFICIAL OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE.

IN THE MINING TOWN OF VARES, POLLING STATION 95-A-1 IS BUSY. I ASKED HABIBA DRAGOVIC, AN OLDER MUSLIM WOMAN, WHY SHE VOTED.

[04] BOSNIA VOTE UPDATE (S) BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: VOTERS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ARE GOING TO THE POLLS TODAY AND TOMORROW (SATURDAY AND SUNDAY) IN THE FIRST POST-WAR ELECTION FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICES. DESPITE SOME MINOR INCIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS OVERSEEING THE VOTING SAY IT'S GOING BETTER THAN EXPECTED. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES HAS OUR REPORT.

TEXT: THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE IS OVERSEEING THE ELECTION, AND A SPOKESMAN SAYS IT'S GOING BETTER THAN THEY'D HOPED. SOME POLLING STATIONS OPENED LATE, BUT VOTING AT MOST PROCEEDED SMOOTHLY.

TURN-OUT IS REPORTED TO BE VERY HIGH. IN SOME CASES, VOTERS JAMMED POLLING PLACES THAT WERE NOT PREPARED FOR THE CROWDS. INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED IN SOME AREAS WHERE DISPLACED PERSONS ATTEMPTED TO VOTE IN HOME TOWNS NOW CONTROLLED BY ANOTHER ETHNIC GROUP.

BUT OFFICIALS STRESSED THERE WAS NO VIOLENCE. MOST DISPLACED PERSONS ARE VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOTS, AND IN THE SERB CONTROLLED TOWN OF BRCKO, THERE WAS AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO CAST AS MANY AS SEVERAL HUNDREDS FRAUDULENT ABSENTEE VOTES.

VOTING CONTINUES SUNDAY IN THE SECOND DAY OF THE BOSNIAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/TMD/KL
13-Sep-97 2:19 PM EDT (1819 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA / VOTE UPDATE (L) BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: VOTERS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ARE VOTING TODAY AND TOMORROW (SATURDAY AND SUNDAY) IN THE FIRST POST-WAR ELECTION FOR MUNICIPAL OFFICES. DESPITE SOME MINOR INCIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS OVERSEEING THE VOTING SAY IT'S GOING BETTER THAN EXPECTED. ART CHIMES HAS OUR REPORT.

TEXT: THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, THE 0-S-C-E, IS OVERSEEING THE ELECTION, AND A SPOKESMAN SAYS IT'S GOING BETTER THAN THE ORGANIZATION HAD HOPED. SOME POLLING STATIONS OPENED LATE, BUT VOTING AT MOST, PROCEEDED SMOOTHLY.

TURN-OUT IS REPORTED TO BE VERY HIGH. AND IN SOME PLACES, VOTERS JAMMED POLLING PLACES THAT WERE NOT PREPARED FOR THE CROWDS. INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISORS ARE ON DUTY AT EVERY POLLING PLACE IN THE COUNTRY. AND THEY SAY THEY WILL BE SLEEPING WITH THE BALLOTS OVERNIGHT TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE VOTE. INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED IN SOME PLACES WHERE DISPLACED PERSONS ATTEMPTED TO VOTE IN HOMETOWNS NOW CONTROLLED BY ANOTHER ETHNIC GROUP.

BUT MOST DISPLACED PERSONS ARE VOTING BY ABSENTEE BALLOTS, AND IN THE SERB-CONTROLLED TOWN OF BRCKO, THERE WAS AN APPARENT ATTEMPT TO CAST SEVERAL HUNDRED FRAUDULENT ABSENTEE VOTES.

ROBERT FROWICK, THE HEAD OF THE O-S-C-E MISSION IN BOSNIA, WARNS THAT OFFICIALS IN BRCKO BETTER PROCEED CAREFULLY.

BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONE CITY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY THAT IS STILL UNDER ARBITRATION. AND I'M SURE THE ARBITRATOR IS WATCHING VERY CLOSELY EVERY STEP OF THE WAY WHAT'S HAPPENING.

IN THE DIVIDED CITY OF MOSTAR, NEW RULES WERE ADOPTED TO ALLOW THE VOTING TO GO AHEAD IN THE CONTROVERSIAL CENTRAL DISTRICT. AND AMBASSADOR FROWICK STRESSED THE AGREEMENT WOULD HELP MOVE THE CITY TOWARD A UNIFIED REALITY INSTEAD OF A BERLIN-TYPE DIVIDE.

VOTING CONTINUES SUNDAY IN THE SECOND DAY OF THE BOSNIAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/TMD/KL
13-Sep-97 2:33 PM EDT (1833 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] BOSNIA ELECTION (L) BY PAM TAYLOR (BANJA LUKA)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL ELECTION OFFICIALS IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE BOSNIAN-SERB REPUBLIC SAY ONLY ONE SERIOUS INCIDENT HAS MARRED AN OTHERWISE PEACEFUL AND ORDERLY FIRST DAY OF BOSNIA'S TWO DAY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE SOUTH OF BANJA LUKA WHEN CROAT LEADERS STOPPED BUSLOADS OF REFUGEES WHO HAD COME FROM SERBIA TO VOTE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS FROM BANJA LUKA.

TEXT: THE U-S ENVOY FOR BOSNIA-HERZYKOVENIA, ROBERT GELBARD, WAS TURNED BACK FROM A SCHEDULED TOUR OF SEVERAL VOTING PLACES AROUND BANJA LUKA AND FLOWN BY HELICOPTER TO THE TOWN OF DVRAR IN A CROAT-HELD PART OF THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION.

ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY LOCAL CROAT LEADERS THERE ORGANIZED A VOTING SLOWDOWN AND REFUSED TO ALLOW SERB REFUGEES TO PROCEED TO POLLING STATIONS.

THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, THE O-S-C-E, SAID IT IS PLANNING TO MOVE MOBILE POLLING STATIONS INTO THE AREA TO ENSURE THAT THE REFUGEES WILL BE ABLE TO EXERCISE THEIR LEGAL RIGHT TO VOTE BY TOMORROW. OTHERWISE, THE O-S-C-E CHARACTERIZED THE FIRST DAY OF VOTING, IN THE WESTERN PART OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AS EVEN MORE ORDERLY AND PEACEFUL THAN EXPECTED. SPOKESMAN JOHAN VERHEGEN GAVE THIS UPBEAT ASSESSMENT:

I THINK TOMORROW WE WILL POP THE CHAMPAGNE CORKS BECAUSE THIS SEEMS TO BE THE ELECTION WE HAVE PROMISED THE PEOPLE OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

INTERNATIONAL POLICE AND NATO OFFICIALS GAVE SIMILAR UPBEAT ASSESSMENTS OF THE ELECTIONS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA. SOME POINTED OUT THAT THE FEW ELECTION VIOLATIONS REPORTED SO FAR HAVE COME FROM CROATS AND MUSLIMS RATHER THAN FROM SERBS.

THE OFFICIALS REPORTED A 50 PERCENT VOTER TURN-OUT IN THE REGION AROUND BANJA LUKA AND, THEY PREDICT, WHEN THE FINAL RESULTS ARE ANNOUNCED SOMETIME NEXT WEEK, THE TURN-OUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WILL BE EVEN HIGHER THAN THAT. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT/TMD/KL
13-Sep-97 3:23 PM EDT (1923 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] BOSNIA VOTE OVERNITE BY ART CHIMES (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: BOSNIAN VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS AGAIN SUNDAY IN A SECOND DAY OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA'S FIRST POST-WAR MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. VOA CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS OFFICIALS SAY THERE HAS BEEN NO VIOLENCE SINCE THE POLLS OPENED BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SCATTERED PROBLEMS.

TEXT: OFFICIALS HOPE THE SECOND AND FINAL DAY OF VOTING WILL BE AS RELATIVELY TROUBLE-FREE AS SATURDAY'S BALLOTING WHICH THEY DESCRIBED AS "REMARKABLE" -- WITH A VERY HIGH TURNOUT AND FEW INCIDENTS OF ANY KIND.

A BOYCOTT BY BOSNIAN CROATS OF THE TOWN OF ZEPCE KEPT SEVERAL POLLING STATIONS CLOSED ALL DAY WHEN SYMPATHETIC OFFICIALS REFUSED TO OPEN THE DOORS.

AND IN DRVAR, CROAT OFFICIALS PROCESSED SERB VOTERS AS SLOWLY AS POSSIBLE -- FORCING ELECTION OFFICIALS TO ESTABLISH A SPECIAL POLLING PLACE WITH EXTENDED HOURS. AN ELECTION SPOKESMAN CONDEMNED IT AS A BLATANT ATTEMPT TO MANIPULATE THE VOTING PROCESS AND HE SAID THERE WOULD BE UNSPECIFIED CONSEQUENCES.

IN ANOTHER INCIDENT, SERB REPUBLIC POLICE VERBALLY HARASSED MUSLIM VOTERS TRAVELING IN A BUS. ELCTION OFFICIALS ALSO UNCOVERED AN ATTEMPT TO ABUSE ABSENTEE BALLOTS IN BRCKO. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/SD
13-Sep-97 4:26 PM EDT (2026 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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