Voice of America, 97-09-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] U-S / BOSNIA (L-O) By PAULA WOLFSON/WASHINGTON

[02] TURKEY / TORTURE (L ONLY) By AMBERIN ZAMAN/ANKARA

[03] TURKEY / MIDDLE EAST (L ONLY) By AMBERIN ZAMAN/ANKARA

[04] ROBINSON/HUMAN RIGHTS (L-ONLY) By LISA SCHLEIN

[05] NORTHERN IRELAND (S) By ANDRE DE NESNERA/BELFAST

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) By ANDRE DE NESNERA/BELFAST

[07] BOSNIAN ELECTION WRAP By PAMELA TAYLOR/BANJA LUKA

[08] BOSNIA VOTE (S) By ART CHIMES/SARAJEVO

[09] BOSNIA VOTE (L) By ART CHIMES/SARAJEVO

[10] BOSNIA VOTE (L) O'NITER By ART CHIMES/SARAJEVO

[01] U-S / BOSNIA (L-O) By PAULA WOLFSON/WASHINGTON

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT IS PLEASED WITH THE CONDUCT OF THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS. BUT AS V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, OFFICIALS STRESS THE BIG TEST LIES AHEAD.

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY JOINED THE CHORUS OF PRAISE FOR THE WEEKEND OF BALLOTING IN BOSNIA.

THE OVERALL CONDUCT OF THE ELECTIONS EXCEEDED THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. THIS WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY AND A BENCHMARK ON THE ROAD TO DAYTON IMPLEMENTATION.

BUT THE PRAISE WAS COUPLED WITH A REMINDER: FULL IMPLEMENTATION WILL TAKE TIME AND EFFORT.

THIS WILL NOT GOING BE AN EASY PROCESS. IT IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT. IT IS ALSO CRITICAL. (OPT) AND WE ARE NOT WITHOUT TOOLS AT OUR DISPOSAL. AND WE ARE NOT LACKING IN IDEAS AND, CERTAINLY, IN FORTITUDE TO SEE THIS THROUGH. (END OPT)

MR. FOLEY WAS ASKED ONCE AGAIN BY REPORTERS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THE JUNE 1998 DEADLINE FOR AN AMERICAN TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM BOSNIA MIGHT SLIP. HE SAID THE PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL SECURITY TEAM IS IN AGREEMENT ON THE NEED TO END THE MISSION ON TIME.

WE SEE THAT OUR EFFORTS TO ACCELERATE IMPLEMENTATION IN A MORE ROBUST AND CONCERTED WAY ACROSS THE BOARD, APPLYING CARROTS AND STICKS -- INCENTIVES AND SANCTIONS -- IS STARTING TO PAY OFF. AND WE ARE ACHIEVING PROGRESS AND THE GOING IS GOING TO GET TOUGHER IN SOME RESPECTS, BUT WE SEE A LOT OF EVIDENCE THAT THE TRENDS IN FAVOR OF DAYTON IMPLEMENTATION ARE ON THE RISE AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO CONCENTRATE ON.

SOME MEMBERS OF THE U-S CONGRESS ARE SKEPTICAL. THEY HAVE ADDED LANGUAGE TO PENDING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD CUT OFF FUNDS FOR THE BOSNIA MISSION NEXT JUNE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/RRM
15-Sep-97 4:40 PM EDT (2040 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] TURKEY / TORTURE (L ONLY) By AMBERIN ZAMAN/ANKARA

INTRO: NINE TURKISH POLICEMEN CHARGED WITH THE TORTURE AND BEATING DEATH OF A TURKISH NEWS REPORTER SAY THEY TOO WERE TORTURED DURING INTERROGATION BY SECURITY OFFICIALS. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THE OFFICERS TESTIFIED DURING A COURT HEARING MONDAY IN THE WESTERN PROVINCE OF AFYON.

TEXT: THE CASE AGAINST THE OFFICERS TOOK A BIZARRE TWIST MONDAY WHEN THEY SAID THEY TOO HAD BEEN BEATEN DURING QUESTIONING BY AUTHORITIES. WESTERN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS OBSERVING THE TRIAL SAID IF THE CLAIMS PROVE TRUE, THIS WOULD SHOW HOW DEEPLY ENTRENCHED TORTURE IS IN THE TURKISH SECURITY ESTABLISHMENT.

FOUR OF THE OFFICERS ACCUSED OF BEATING JOURNALIST METIN GOKTEPE TO DEATH LAST YEAR WERE RELEASED ON CONDITION THEY APPEAR AT FUTURE HEARINGS. THE MOVE PROVOKED WIDESPREAD ANGER AMONG HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS.

MANY SAY THE TRIAL IS A TEST OF TURKEY'S PLEDGE TO IMPROVE WHAT MANY WESTERN DIPLOMATS DESCRIBE AS ITS APPALLING HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. WIDESPREAD ABUSES ARE FREQUENTLEY CITED AMONG THE CHIEF REASONS WHY THE EUROPEAN UNION CONTINUES TO IGNORE TURKEY'S DEMANDS FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP.

TURKEY'S NEW CONSERVATIVE PRIME MINISTER, MESUT YILMAZ, HAS PROMISED TO TAKE CONCRETE MEASURES TO CURB ABUSES.

THE OFFICERS CHARGED IN THE JOURNALIST'S DEATH WERE DETAINED ONLY AFTER MR. YILMAZ PERSONALLY INTERVENED WITH THE CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THEIR ARRESTS. ISTANBUL POLICE EARLIER SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE OFFICERS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE THEY LIVED.

THE TRIAL WILL RESUME EARLY NEXT MONTH. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/RAE
15-Sep-97 11:43 AM EDT (1543 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] TURKEY / MIDDLE EAST (L ONLY) By AMBERIN ZAMAN/ANKARA

INTRO: TURKEY'S PRESIDENT, SULEYMAN DEMIREL, TRAVELS TUESDAY TO EGYPT, WHERE HE IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO TRY TO CALM MOUNTING ARAB CONCERNS ABOUT TURKEY'S MILITARY RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: OFFICIALS CLOSE TO THE TALKS SAY EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK WILL TRY TO PERSUADE MR. DEMIREL TO CALL OFF PLANNED NAVAL MANEUVERS BY TURKEY, ISRAEL AND UNITED STATES THAT ARE SCHEDULED OFF THE ISRAELI COAST IN NOVEMBER.

EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AMR MOUSA SAID EARLIER THAT THE EXERCISES -- IN HIS WORDS -- SEND A NEGATIVE MESSAGE AND ARE A NEGATIVE STEP IN THE MIDDLE EAST PROCESS.

THE EXERCISES ARE PART OF EXPANDING MILITARY TIES BETWEEN TURKEY AND ISRAEL. LAST YEAR, THE TWO COUNTRIES SIGNED A MILITARY COOPERATION AGREEMENT THAT ALLOWS ISRAELI AIR FORCE PILOTS TO TRAIN OVER TURKISH TERRITORY.

TURKEY'S ARAB NEIGHBORS LED BY SYRIA HAVE DESCRIBED THE AGREEMENT AS A THREAT TO PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. BUT TURKEY SAYS THE DEAL DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A THREAT TO ITS REGIONAL NEIGHBORS. IN FACT, MR. DEMIREL IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO RENEW AN INVITATION TO EGYPT TO JOIN THE EXERCISES. BUT MR MUBARAK IS EXPECTED TO DECLINE.

OTHER ISSUES THAT ARE EXPECTED TO COME UP DURING THE TALKS ARE THE SALE OF EGYPTIAN NATURAL GAS TO TURKEY AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT VENTURES IN THE BALKANS AND CENTRAL ASIA.

OFFICIALS OF BOTH COUNTRIES SAY THEY ARE ANXIOUS TO EXPAND TIES. EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS SAY THAT BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY CALL EGYPT'S TRADITIONAL ROLE AS THE LEADER OF THE ARAB WORLD, IT CAN SERVE AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN TURKEY AND THE REST OF THE MIDDLE EAST.

BUT TURKEY'S RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL AND ITS ROLE IN THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS ARE EXPECTED TO DOMINATE TALKS.

IN PRIVATE, SOME TURKISH OFFICIALS DESCRIBE CLOSER TIES WITH ISRAEL AS TURKEY'S BEST FOREIGN POLICY MOVE SINCE TURKEY JOINED NATO IN THE 1950'S. ANKARA HAS LONG COMPLAINED THAT DESPITE CLOSE HISTORICAL AND RELIGIOUS TIES WITH THE ARAB WORLD, TURKEY HAS RARELY RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM ARAB LEADERS ON IMPORTANT DIPLOMATIC ISSUES. AND COUNTRIES LIKE SYRIA AND IRAQ ARE WIDELY BELIEVED TO BE ARMING TURKISH KURD REBELS WHO HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE IN TURKEY FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS.

ANALYSTS SAY THAT ISRAEL, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS CAMPAIGNING FOR TURKEY'S INCLUSION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION. THEY SAY IT IS TRANSFERRING MILITARY AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY TO TURKEY. AND THEY SAY IT ALSO HAS HELPED MOVE THE POWERFUL JEWISH LOBBY IN THE UNITED STATES TO SUPPORT TURKEY. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/RRM
15-Sep-97 12:25 PM EDT (1625 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] ROBINSON/HUMAN RIGHTS (L-ONLY) By LISA SCHLEIN

INTRO: THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF IRELAND, MARY ROBINSON, ASSUMED THE POST OF U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS MONDAY, PROMISING TO CHAMPION THE CAUSE OF VICTIMS OF ABUSE AROUND THE WORLD. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS MS. ROBINSON WILL BE AN EFFECTIVE LEADER IN THE FIGHT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.

TEXT: BEFORE BEGINNING HER FIRST DAY OF WORK, MARY ROBINSON TOLD JOURNALISTS SHE WAS VERY HONORED TO HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE POST. SHE SAID SHE WAS DETERMINED TO FULFILL HER MANDATE, WHICH IS TO MAKE SURE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AROUND THE WORLD ARE CONFRONTED OPENLY AND HONESTLY. MS. ROBINSON VOWED TO MAKE HUMAN RIGHTS THE CORNERSTONE OF THE WORK OF THE UNITED NATIONS.

...AND ALSO TO BE A VOICE TO THOSE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF INJUSTICE, OF CRUELTY, OF ISSUES OF HUMAN RIGHTS AROUND THE WORLD. AND, I WILL TRY TO COMBINE THE NEED TO BE AN EFFECTIVE LEADER OF A TEAM THAT IS CENTRAL TO THE U-N PRESENCE AND ROLE IN HUMAN RIGHTS, AND ALSO TO BE VERY CLOSE TO THOSE FOR WHOM WE WORK.

MS. ROBINSON SAYS A PRIORITY OF HERS IS TO RAISE THE PROFILE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES AROUND THE WORLD. SHE SAYS SHE INTENDS TO FULFILL THE GOAL OF U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO MAKE HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES CENTRAL TO THE WORK OF THE UNITED NATIONS.

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS FOR MS. ROBINSON. THEY HAVE PRAISED HER ENERGETIC AND FORTHRIGHT STYLE AS PRESIDENT OF IRELAND. THEY HOPE SHE WILL REVITALIZE A POST WHICH THEY CONTEND HAS BEEN LARGELY INEFFECTIVE IN MONITORING AND DENOUNCING HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AROUND THE WORLD.

MS. ROBINSON REPLACES ECUADORIAN DIPLOMAT, JOSE AYALA LASSO. DURING HIS TENURE AS THE FIRST U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER, HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS CRITICIZED MR. AYALA LASSO FOR NOT SPEAKING OUT FORCEFULLY ON BEHALF OF THE VICTIMS OF ABUSE. THESE SAME GROUPS EXPECT MS. ROBINSON, WHO IS A LAWYER AND HUMAN RIGHTS LEGAL EXPERT, TO PUT IN A MORE VIGOROUS PERFORMANCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/RAE
15-Sep-97 8:04 AM EDT (1204 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] NORTHERN IRELAND (S) By ANDRE DE NESNERA/BELFAST

INTRO: POLITICAL TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND HAVE OPENED (MONDAY) WITHOUT THE PARTICIPATION OF THE LARGEST PRO-BRITISH PARTY, THE ULSTER UNIONISTS. BUT AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM BELFAST, THEIR PARTICIPATION IS EXPECTED VERY SOON.

TEXT: FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, SINN FEIN -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- WAS ADMITTED TO TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. SINN FEIN REPRESENTATIVES TOOK THEIR PLACES AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AT CASTLE GROUNDS OUTSIDE BELFAST.

HOWEVER THE LARGEST PRO-BRITISH PARTY -- THE ULSTER UNIONISTS -- DID NOT ATTEND MONDAY'S OPENING SESSION. THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SINN FEIN'S COMMITMENT TO THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

MEANWHILE THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS ISSUED A JOINT STATEMENT IN AN EFFORT TO REASSURE UNIONISTS ON SUCH ISSUES AS DISARMING PARAMILITARY GROUPS.

THERE WAS A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY AT UNIONIST PARTY HEADQUARTERS AS BRITISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND OTHER POLITICIANS MET ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE -- WHO TOLD REPORTERS DISCUSSIONS WILL CONTINUE.

DEPENDING ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN THESE DISCUSSIONS, WE INTEND TO BE PRESENT AT CASTLE GROUNDS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

[06] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) By ANDRE DE NESNERA/BELFAST

INTRO: POLITICAL TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND OPENED MONDAY OUTSIDE BELFAST WITHOUT THE PARTICIPATION OF THE LARGEST PRO-BRITISH PARTY THE ULSTER UNIONISTS. BUT AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM BELFAST, THE ULSTER UNIONISTS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PART, IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

TEXT: THE ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES OF SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, SINN FEIN REPRESENTATIVES TOOK THEIR SEATS AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AT "CASTLE GROUNDS", OUTSIDE BELFAST.

SINN FEIN WAS ADMITTED TO THE TALKS AFTER THE I-R-A ANNOUNCED A CEASEFIRE IN JULY AND AFTER ITS POLITICAL WING SIGNED UP TO PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY AND NON-VIOLENCE. BUT THE ULSTER UNIONISTS DESCRIBED THAT COMMITMENT AS A CHARADE -- AND THEY ARE ALSO CONCERNED NOT ENOUGH HAS BEEN DONE TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION OF DISARMING PARAMILITARY GROUPS.

IN AN EFFORT TO ALLEVIATE THE PARTY'S APPREHENSIONS, THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS ISSUED A STATEMENT, SAYING SOME HANDING IN OF WEAPONS MUST TAKE PLACE DURING THE ONGOING TALKS.

ULSTER UNIONIST HEADQUARTERS IN BELFAST SAW A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY AS BRITISH OFFICIALS AND NORTHERN IRELAND POLITICIANS MET PARTY LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE. HE TOLD REPORTERS DISCUSSIONS WILL CONTINUE.

WE HAVE OPENED DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING THE PRECISE PROCEDURAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR OUR INVOLVEMENT IN MULTI-PARTY TALKS. THESE DISCUSSIONS ARE FOCUSING ON THE FORMAT OF ANY SUBSTANTIVE TALKS AND THE HANDLING OF THE OUTSTANDING PROCEDURAL MATTERS OF WHICH THE MOST IMPORTANT CONCERNS THE AGENDA FOR SUBSTANTIVE TALKS. DEPENDING ON THE PROGRESS MADE IN THESE DISCUSSIONS, WE INTEND TO BE PRESENT AT CASTLE GROUNDS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

BUT MR. TRIMBLE DID NOT SAY WHEN HIS PARTY WILL TAKE PART IN THE TALKS.

SINN FEIN LEADER GERRY ADAMS URGED THE ULSTER UNIONISTS TO COME AND NEGOTIATE.

ON THE UNIONISTS, IF THEY ARE NOT HERE TODAY, THEY WILL BE HERE TOMORROW OR THE DAY AFTER OR THE DAY AFTER -- AND THE SOONER THEY ARE HERE, THE BETTER FOR EVERYONE.

A RECENT PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY INDICATES MORE THAN 90-PERCENT OF THOSE QUERIED IN NORTHERN IRELAND WANT THE ULSTER UNIONISTS TO PARTICIPATE IN TALKS WHICH WILL DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH PROVINCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/PCF/RAE
15-Sep-97 12:39 PM EDT (1639 UTC)
Source: Voice of America

[07] BOSNIAN ELECTION WRAP By PAMELA TAYLOR/BANJA LUKA

INTRO: MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE BEEN CALLED BY SOME THE MOST COMPLEX ELECTIONS UNDERTAKEN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. THE ORGANIZATION WHICH CONDUCTED THEM POINTS WITH PRIDE AT THE PEACEFUL MANNER IN WHICH THEY TOOK PLACE AND PREDICTS THE FINAL RESULTS WILL FAVOR UNION OVER PARTITION. BUT NOT EVERYONE SHARES THIS OPTIMISTIC VISION AS WE HEAR FROM PAMELA TAYLOR IN BANJA LUKA.

TEXT:

FOLLOWING TWO-DAYS OF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, PEOPLE ACROSS THE BOSNIAN-SERB REPUBLIC GATHER IN SMALL CAFES TO DRINK SEEMINGLY ENDLESS CUPS OF COFFEE, AND JUST AS ENDLESSLY DEBATE HOW MUCH THE ELECTIONS WILL CHANGE THINGS FOR THEM.

PERO VUCINIC AND HIS FRIENDS LAUGH AS HE EXPLAINS HIS WIFE WENT TO THE CROAT AREA OF THE TOWN OF JAJCE TO VOTE SUNDAY. SINCE HE FEARED SHE WOULD NOT RETURN, HE SAID HE BEGAN LOOKING FOR ANOTHER WIFE.

MANY SERBS, CROATS, AND MUSLIMS CROSSED ETHNIC BOUNDARIES TO VOTE, BUT THEIR REASONS FOR DOING SO MIGHT SURPRISE MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

OFFICIALS WHO OVERSAW THE ELECTIONS AT THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE -- THE O-S-C-E -- SAY AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF BOSNIANS REGISTERED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVED BEFORE THE WAR. THIS APPLIES TO MUSLIMS, CROATS, AND SERBS. DEPUTY O-S-C-E SPOKESMAN JOHAN VERHEGEN SAYS SERBS REGISTERED IN THIS WAY, AS DID MUSLIMS AND CROATS.

TO THOSE WHO SAY THERE IS NO PROGRESS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, TO THOSE WHO SAY ETHNIC DIVIDES ARE AS DEEP AS EVER, TODAY THE PEOPLE OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE GIVEN THEIR ANSWER -- AND THEY SAY -- THINK AGAIN.

MR. VERHEGEN SAID THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS ELECTION IS THAT IT INDICATES A MAJORITY OF BOSNIANS, WHATEVER THEIR ETHNIC ORIGIN, WANT BOSNIA TO RETURN TO ITS PRE-WAR STATUS. IN OTHER WORDS, HE SAYS FINAL ELECTION RESULTS WILL SHOW MOST BOSNIANS FAVOR UNION OVER SEPARATION.

BUT NOT EVERYONE IS CONVINCED OF THIS INTERPRETATION OF THE WAY VOTERS REGISTERED. BRANKO PERIC IS THE HEAD OF A GROUP CALLED "ALTERNATIVE MEDIA" WHICH REPRESENTS INDEPENDENT JOURNALISTS IN BANJA LUKA. HE SAYS YET ANOTHER DIVISION HAS EMERGED IN BOSNIA, THIS ONE BETWEEN SERBS IN THE WEST AROUND BANJA LUKA AND THOSE IN THE EAST WHO FAVOR THE POLICIES OF RADOVAN KARADZIC WHO IS UNDER INDICTMENT FOR WAR CRIMES. MR. PERIC FEARS ONLY THE WESTERN SERBS VOTED FOR MODERATE LEADERS WHO MIGHT FAVOR UNION.

UNFORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED ONLY IN BANJA LUKA, IN OTHER MUNICIPALITIES RESULTS ARE CATASTROPHIC.

MR. PERIC SAYS FOR NATIONALIST SERBS, LIKE THEIR CROAT AND MUSLIM COUNTERPARTS, THE REASON THEY VOTED WHERE THEY RESIDED BEFORE THE WAR WAS TO TRY TO INSURE THOSE AREAS FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THEIR OWN ETHNIC GROUP.

ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY FINAL RESULTS WILL NOT BE KNOWN FOR SEVERAL DAYS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PAM/PCF/RAE
15-Sep-97 1:58 PM EDT (1758 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] BOSNIA VOTE (S) By ART CHIMES/SARAJEVO

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS ARE HAILING TWO DAYS OF VOTING FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS IN BOZNIA-HERZEGOVINA. MORE THAN 70-PERCENT OF BOSNIA'S VOTERS CAST BALLOTS IN AN ELECTION MARKED BY VIRTUALLY NO VIOLENCE AND FEW INCIDENTS OF ANY KIND. NOW THE FOCUS TURNS TO THE NEXT CHALLENGE -- IMPLEMENTING THE RESULTS OF SATURDAY AND SUNDAY'S ELECTION. ART CHIMES HAS MORE FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: MOST BOSNIANS VOTED FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS WHERE THEY LIVED IN 1991 -- BEFORE THE WAR RADICALLY CHANGED THE ETHNIC MAKEUP OF MANY CITIES AND TOWNS. VOTERS OF ONE GROUP COULD ELECT A COUNCIL WHERE ANOTHER GROUP IS CURRENTLY IN THE MAJORITY.

U-N SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS IF THESE RESULTS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED, IT WOULD ADVANCE THE NORMALIZATION PROCESS.

ESSENTIALLY, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTION RESULTS IS POSSIBLY THE LAST AND THE BIGGEST CHANCE TO PIECE THE COUNTRY TOGETHER AS ONE IN A MULTI-ETHNIC SENSE, AND TO REALLY INSURE THE RETURN OF REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLE.

CRITICS SAY THE ELECTION WAS MARRED BY SECRET DEALS WITH NATIONALIST PARTIES IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION. BUT THE CRITICS AGREE THE CHALLENGE AHEAD IS FOR THE NEW MUNICIPAL COUNCIL TO TAKE OFFICE AND GOVERN EFFECTIVELY. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/RAE
15-Sep-97 8:08 AM EDT (1208 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] BOSNIA VOTE (L) By ART CHIMES/SARAJEVO

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS ARE HAILING TWO-DAYS OF VOTING FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA. MORE THAN 70-PERCENT OF BOSNIA'S VOTERS CAST BALLOTS IN AN ELECTION MARKED BY VIRTUALLY NO VIOLENCE AND FEW INCIDENTS OF ANY KIND. NOW, THE FOCUS TURNS TO THE NEXT CHALLENGE -- IMPLEMENTING THE RESULTS OF SATURDAY AND SUNDAY'S ELECTION. CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: MOST BOSNIANS VOTED FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS WHERE THEY LIVED IN 1991 BEFORE THE WAR RADICALLY CHANGED THE ETHNIC MAKEUP OF MANY CITIES AND TOWNS. VOTERS OF ONE GROUP COULD ELECT A COUNCIL WHERE AN OTHER GROUP IS CURRENTLY IN THE MAJORITY. U-N SPOKESMAN KRIS JANOWSKI SAYS, IF THESE RESULTS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED, IT WOULD ADVANCE THE NORMALIZATION PROCESS.

ESSENTIALLY, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ELECTION RESULTS IS POSSIBLY THE LAST AND THE BIGGEST CHANCE TO PIECE THE COUNTRY TOGETHER AS ONE IN A MULTI-ETHINIC SENSE, AND TO REALLY ENSURE THE RETURN OF REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PEOPLE.

CRITICS SAYS THE ELECTION WAS MARRED BY SECRET DEALS WITH NATIONALIST PARTIES IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION. BUT THE CRITICS AGREE THE CHALLENGE AHEAD IS FOR THE NEW MUNICIPAL COUNCILS TO TAKE OFFICE AND GOVERN EFFECTIVELY. THE "INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP" IS ONE ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF THE WAY THESE ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED. THE GROUPS BOSNIAN DIRECTOR, HRAIR BALIAN, ACCUSED ELECTION SUPERVISORS OF MAKING SECRET DEALS THAT, HE SAYS, CAST A SHADOW (DOUBT) ON THE INTEGRITY OF THE VOTE. HE URGED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO BACK OUT OF THOSE DEALS. AT THE SAME TIME, HE IDENTIFIED THE REAL TEST OF THE PROCESS.

THE SUCCESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S EFFORT IN ADDITION OF CLARIFYING, REVERSING AND CORRECTING SOME OF THE DEALS MADE OVER THE WEEKEND TO PUSH THE PROCESS FORWARD. IN ADDITION TO THOSE, THE SUCCESS WILL BE MEASURED WHEN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OUTCOME OF THIS MUNICIPAL ELECTION COMES DURING THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.

RESULTS OF THE ELECTION WILL BE KNOWN IN ABOUT A WEEK AND THE NEW MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ARE SCHEDULED TO TAKE OFFICE LATER THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF/RAE
15-Sep-97 8:13 AM EDT (1213 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] BOSNIA VOTE (L) O'NITER By ART CHIMES/SARAJEVO

INTRO: THE TWO MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAS COME TO AN END AND THE INTERNATIONAL TEAM THAT SUPERVISED THE VOTE SAYS THAT DESPITE RELATIVELY MINOR PROBLEMS IT WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: OFFICIALS SAY THE TURNOUT WAS VERY HIGH, THOUGH THE EXACT NUMBER WONT BE KNOW UNTIL LATER, AND IT WILL BE ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE FINAL TALLY IS AVAILABLE BUT THE MAN IN CHARGE ROBERT FROWRICK CREDITS THE SUCCESSFUL VOTE TO THE CONCEPTS OUTLINE IN THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT.

IN POLITICES IS THE WILL TO DRIVE THE PROCESS FORWARDLY, HAPPILY DEMONSTRATED THAT IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

DESPITE SCATTERED INCIDENTS MOST OF THE COUNTRY'S TWO AND A HALF MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOTS WITHOUT DIFFICULTY. ELECTIONS SPOKESMAN DAVID FOLEY SAYS THERE WAS NO ELECTIONS RELATIVE VIOLENCE AGAINST ANYONE WHICH HE DESCRIBE AS "SIMPLY IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE."

THE FOCUS IS NOW ON IMPLEMENTING THE RESULTS OF THE TWO DAY BALLOTING. IN MANY MUNICIPALIZES MEMBERS OF ONE ETHNIC GROUP WILL HAVE THE MAJORITY EVEN THOUGH CURRENT POPULATION IS DOMINATED BY ANOTHER GROUP. THAT'S BECAUSE VOTERS WERE ABLE TO VOTE IN THEIR PREWAR HOME AND ETHNIC CLEANSING HAS DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THE ETHNIC MAKE-UP OF MANY MUNICIPALIZES. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW THESE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WILL BE ABLE TO GOVERN.

AMBASSADOR FROWRICK IS PERHAPS UNDER STATING THE DIFFICULTIES WHEN HE SAYS A "FORMABLE CHALLENGE" LIES AHEAD. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/LWM
14-Sep-97 8:08 PM EDT (0008 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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