Voice of America, 28 August 1995

From: yanni@ix.netcom.com (Ioannis Bousnakis)

DATE=8/28/95 TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
NUMBER=6-09141
TELEPHONE=619-1014
EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES
CONTENT=

INTRO: THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH NUCLEAR SECURITY CONTINUE TO DRAW A LARGE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION ON THE NATION'S EDITORIAL PAGES. OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION THIS MONDAY INCLUDE: AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY AND THOUGHTS ON IRAQ'S LEADER, SADDAM HUSSEIN. NOW, HERE IS ________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: LAST WEEK, IN WASHINGTON, THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE HELD HEARINGS TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY THAT NUCLEAR WEAPONS -- SOME FROM THE FORMER SOVIET UNION -- POSE A SEVERE DANGER TO AMERICAN SECURITY. ON ITS EDITORIAL PAGE, "THE WASHINGTON POST" COMMENTS THAT, "THEFTS OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, AND ITS RESALE TO THE WRONG PEOPLE, IS NOW ARGUABLY THE GREATEST PHYSICAL THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES."

VOICE: "A SERIES OF SMUGGLING OPERATIONS HAS BEEN INTERCEPTED BY EUROPEAN POLICE, MOST INVOLVING SMALL AMOUNTS. BUT LAST DECEMBER CZECH POLICE SEIZED A SHIPMENT OF HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM APPROACHING THE VOLUME THAT COULD HAVE PRODUCED A BOMB... AS SEVERAL SCIENTISTS TESTIFIED, THE TECHNOLOGY OF BUILDING NUCLEAR WEAPONS IS NO LONGER A SECRET. THE ONLY REAL BARRIER TO NUCLEAR ARMS IS MANUFACTURING THE PLUTONIUM OR ENRICHED URANIUM. IF A GOVERNMENT CAN CIRCUMVENT THAT BARRIER BY ACQUIRING THOSE MATERIALS ON THE BLACK MARKET, EVEN A COUNTRY WITH NO MORE TECHNICAL RESOURCES THAN IRAQ'S COULD HAVE A WEAPON WITHIN MONTHS. POLITICAL TURMOIL IN RUSSIA, AND THE DETERIORATION IN THE ARMED FORCES' MORALE, AGGRAVATE THE DIFFICULTIES OF SECURING THE ENORMOUS SOVIET ACCUMULATION OF THIS MATERIAL."

TEXT: IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL TODAY, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" NOTES THAT THE UNITED STATES "HAS DEVOTED ABOUT 100 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR TO HELP THE RUSSIANS SECURE AND KEEP TRACK OF THEIR NUCLEAR ASSETS." THAT, SAYS THE NEWSPAPER, IS "JUST PART OF A LARGER INVESTMENT" IN THE UNITED STATES' OWN WELL-BEING THAT ALSO INCLUDES A 371-MILLION-DOLLAR INSTALLMENT THIS YEAR TO PAY FOR THE DISMANTLING OF RUSSIAN WARHEADS."

VOICE: "SCIENTISTS TESTIFYING LAST WEEK GENERALLY AGREED THAT WASHINGTON WAS SPENDING TOO LITTLE ON IMPROVING RUSSIAN NUCLEAR SECURITY, BUT MONEY IS JUST PART OF THE PROBLEM. THE U-S GOVERNMENT IS WILLING TO PROVIDE EXPERTS TO ADVISE MOSCOW ON HOW TO TIGHTEN SECURITY, BUT THOSE EXPERTS NEED BETTER ACCESS TO RUSSIA'S MOST SENSITIVE INSTALLATIONS IF THEY ARE TO PROVIDE COGENT ADVICE. RUSSIA IS UNWILLING TO ALLOW THAT ACCESS, HOWEVER, UNLESS THE UNITED STATES OFFERS SIMILAR ACCESS TO RUSSIAN SCIENTISTS. IT IS A PRIORITY MATTER FOR PRESIDENTS CLINTON AND YELTSIN TO TAKE UP IN THEIR OCTOBER SUMMIT. [OPT] IT IS IMPERATIVE, TOO, THAT CONGRESS GET ITS PRIORITIES STRAIGHT. AS THIS HEARING UNDERLINED, THIS REAL THREAT TO U-S SECURITY IS NOT NUCLEAR-TIPPED MISSILES FIRED FROM RUSSIA OR ELSEWHERE, BUT A TERRORIST'S MINI-DEVICE IN A SUITCASE. WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD AN ENEMY GO TO THE TIME AND EXPENSE OF BUILDING A MISSILE DELIVERY SYSTEM AND RISK LEAVING A TRAIL THAT OUR MISSILE TARGETERS COULD FOLLOW, WHEN INSTEAD IT COULD SIMPLY HAND-CARRY BOMBS TO OUR CITIES AND LEAVE NO FINGERPRINTS?" [END OPT]

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" EDITORIALIZES THAT SENATOR JESSE HELMS, CHARIMAN OF THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, APPARENTLY DOES NOT YET RECOGNIZE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN NARROW PARTISAN SQUABBLES AND HIGHER NATIONAL INTERESTS."

VOICE: "IN A DISTURBING DISPLAY OF PETTINESS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE THREATENS TO BLOCK ACTION ON ALL PENDING TREATIES, CONVENTIONS AND AMBASSADORIAL NOMINATIONS UNLESS HE GETS HIS WAY ON A PET PROJECT TO REORGANIZE THE STATE DEPARTMENT BUREAUCRACY. THE PRIME VICTIMS OF THIS THREAT WOULD BE TWO INTERNATIONAL ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENTS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO AMERICAN SECURITY -- THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION RESTRICTING CHEMICAL WEAPONS AND THE SECOND STRATEGIC ARMS AGREEMENT WITH RUSSIA, WHICH LOCKS IN STEEP WARHEAD CUTS ON BOTH SIDES. [OPT] BOTH AGREEMENTS WERE ORIGINALLY NEGOTIATED BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. BOTH ENJOY BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.... [END OPT] THE REORGANIZATION BILL PRESSED BY MR, HELMS, WHICH HAS BEEN BLOCKED BY SENATE DEMOCRATS, WOULD FOLD THE AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE UNITED STATES INFORMATION AGENCY AND THE ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT AGENCY INTO THE STATE DEPARTMENT, PROBABLY SAVING A FEW MILLION DOLLARS IN OPERATING COSTS. THERE MAY BE SOME MERIT TO ASPECTS OF THIS PROPOSAL, ALTHOUGH THE INFORMATION AGENCY SHOULD RETAIN ITS INDEPENDENCE. BUT SUCH MICROMANAGING OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH IS BETTER DONE THROUGH NEGOTIATION THAN BY CONGRESSIONAL FIAT. IF MR. HELMS IS DETERMINED TO HOLD OUT FOR HIS BILL, HE SHOULD CHOOSE A MORE SUITABLE FORM OF LEVERAGE THAN THE TWO TREATIES. THEY ARE TOO IMPORTANT TO BE USED AS BARGAINING CHIPS."

TEXT: FOREIGN POLICY IS THE TOPIC OF AN EDITORIAL IN MONDAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES". THE NEWSPAPER OFFERS THESE THOUGHTS ON SOME OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ADVISORS.

VOICE: "PERSONALITIES AND POLICIES MESH IN THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION. INDEED WASHINGTON HAS RARELY BEFORE SEEN SUCH A PARADOXICALLY LOW-PROFILE OF TOP FOREIGN POLICY OFFICIALS: THE SWEETLY PROFESSORIAL SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM PERRY, THE SELF-EFFACINGLY COURTEOUS SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER, AND THE POSITIVELY ANONYMOUS NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER ANTHONY LAKE.... YET APART FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE VICE PRESIDENT, LAKE MAY ALSO BE THE MOST POWERFUL INFLUENCE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS.... THAT COULD EXPLAIN A LOT. IT MAY WELL BE THAT MR. LAKE ENJOYS HIS 'POTTED PLANT' IMITATIONS (HE SAYS HE DOES), WHICH ALLOW HIM TO MOVE IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS BEHIND THE SCENES (THOUGH PRECISELY WHAT GOOD HE IS DOING THERE REMAINS, IN THE NATURE OF THINGS, UNCLEAR), BUT IT IS ALSO A REFLECTION OF A PROFOUND UNEASE WITH QUESTIONS OF POWER AND PRINCIPLE IN U-S FOREIGN POLICY."

TEXT: EARLIER THIS MONTH, AFTER THE DEFECTION OF TWO OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S SONS-IN-LAW, INCLUDING HUSSEIN KAMEL AL-MAJID, WHO RAN IRAQ 'S INDUSTRIAL WEAPONS COMPLEX, BAGHDAD ADMITTED THAT IT HAD BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL WEAPONS DURING AND AFTER THE PERSIAN GULF WAR. THE IRAQI LEADER SAYS THAT HE DESTROYED THE WEAPONS FOUR MONTHS AFTER THE WAR. DESPITE THE ADMISSION, THE "USA TODAY" NEWSPAPER URGES THE U-N TO "HANG TOUGH ON SADDAM."

VOICE: "SADDAM APPARENTLY CONCLUDED HE'D HAVE AN EASIER TIME GETTING THE UNITED NATIONS' ECONOMIC SANCTIONS LIFTED IF HE ADMITTED THE FACTS HIMSELF. BUT THERE'S NO REASON TO BELIEVE THE WHOLE TRUTH IS OUT. THE U-S AND U-N BOTH SUSPECT THAT OTHER CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL AGENTS STILL MAY BE HIDDEN AND THAT IRAQ MAINTAINS NUCLEAR AMBITIONS. SADDAM'S LATEST CLAIM ONLY REINFORCES THOSE WORRIES. ALL THIS MAKES PLEAS TO LIFT U-N SANCTIONS LOOK FOOLISH. JUST FOUR MONTHS AGO, SOME NATIONS, NOTABLY FRANCE AND RUSSIA, MADE IMPASSIONED PLEAS TO EASE THOSE RESTRICTIONS ON IRAQ'S EXPORTS, INCLUDING ITS OIL. THESE COUNTRIES, WHICH STAND TO BENEFIT IMMENSELY FROM LOOMING BUSINESS DEALS WITH BAGHDAD, ARGUED IRAQ HAD PAID ITS DUES FOR THE 1990 INVASION OF KUWAIT. AS EVIDENCE, THEY NOTED THAT INTERNATIONAL ARMS MONITORS HAD GIVEN IRAQ HIGH MARKS ON ITS WEAPONS DISCLOSURE LAST YEAR. FORTUNATELY, U-S SKEPTICISM PREVAILED AND ITS VETO THREAT IN THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL KEPT THE SANCTIONS INTACT."

TEXT: "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" SAYS THAT MUCH CREDIT FOR THE AMERICAN POSITION ON IRAQ SHOULD BE GIVEN TO MADELEINE ALBRIGHT:

VOICE: "THE U-S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS HAS CARRIED THE BALL FOR THE ADMINISTRATION IN BI-MONTHLY SECURITY COUNCIL FIGHTS WITH THE CHINESE, RUSSIANS AND FRENCH IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL OVER LIFTING IRAQI SANCTIONS. (SHE'S SO INFAMOUS IN IRAQ THAT THE NATION'S MOST PROMINENT POET WROTE A POEM ABOUT HER WITCHERY IN THE NATION'S BIGGEST NEWSPAPER. [OPT] NOW THE DEFECTION TO JORDAN BY SADDAM'S SONS-IN-LAW HAS FORCED IRAQ'S HAND AND YIELDED THE INFORMATION THAT IRAQ PLANNED TO DEPLOY A NUCLEAR DEVICE BY APRIL 1991.... MORE DATA WILL EMERGE THIS WEEK FROM THE 130 FOOTLOCKERS BAGHDAD HAS HANDED OVER TO THE UNITED NATIONS' ROLF EKEUS. WE CAN ALL BE SURE THE LOCKERS WILL YIELD YET MORE REASONS TO GO SLOW ON THE SANCTIONS ISSUE." [END OPT]

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK POST" COMMENTS ON ACTIVITIES ELSEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

VOICE: "AMID ALL THE ATTENTION OVER THE CAPTURE BY ISRAELI SECURITY SECURITY AGENTS OF A 32-MEMBER HAMAS TERROR GANG, ONE SIGNIFICANT DETAIL HAS BEEN ALL BUT IGNORED: THE TERRORISTS REPORTEDLY DISCLOSED THAT AUTHORIZATION FOR THE TWO MOST RECENT SUICIDE BOMBINGS IN ISRAEL CAME NOT FROM GAZA OR THE WEST BANK -- BUT FROM DAMASCUS. THIS, SAY ISRAELI OFFICIALS, CONSTITUTES STRONG NEW EVIDENCE THAT HAMAS CONTINUES TO ENJOY TACIT SUPPORT -- IF NOT THE OUTRIGHT COLLABORATION -- OF SYRIAN DICTATOR HAFES ASSAD. IN OTHER WORDS, THE PLO'S YASSER ARAFAT IS NOT THE ONLY ONE PLAYING A CAT-AND-MOUSE GAME WITH PALESTINIAN TERROR FACTIONS... [OPT] ASSAD REPORTEDLY BELIEVES THAT MAINTAINING AN ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN HAMAS' AFFAIRS GIVES HIM NEGOTIATING LEVERAGE WITH ISRAEL. BUT SYRIA HASN'T SHOWN ANY INTEREST IN REAL NEGOTIATIONS -- TALKS HAVE REMAINED STALEMATED SINCE DAMASCUS' WALKOUT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO." [END OPT]

TEXT: AND WITH THAT VIEW EXPRESSED BY "THE NEW YORK POST", WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME TOPICS EXAMINED IN THE NATION'S NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL COLUMNS.

NEB/DN/PCH

28-Aug-95 11:22 AM EDT (1522 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] MONDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

THE FOLLOWING IS A SYNOPSIS OF SIGNIFICANT REPORTING ON BOSNIA BY THE VOICE OF AMERICA THAT HAD BEEN BROADCAST OR FIRMLY SCHEDULED AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. THIS SELECTION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE EXHAUSTIVE, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE LATE-BREAKING NEWS OR THE MANY REPORTS IN ALL VOA LANGUAGES THAT ARE BASED ON COMMERCIAL WIRE SERVICES OR OTHER SECONDARY SOURCES. WE REGRET THAT WE CANNOT RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR TRANSCRIPTS OF SPECIFIC BROADCASTS OR PROGRAM SEGMENTS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT VOA, OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. TELEPHONE: +1-202-619-2538. ELECTRONIC MAIL: LETTERS@VOA.GOV (FOR CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES); LETTERS-USA@VOA.GOV (FOR CORRESPONDENCE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES).

US DELEGATION / BOSNIA -- AN AMERICAN DELEGATION HAS RETURNED TO EUROPE FOR WHAT ITS LEADER CALLS POTENTIALLY DECISIVE TALKS ON ENDING THE WAR IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THE BOSNIAN ARMY COMMANDER HAS CRITICIZED US PEACE PROPOSALS AND SAYS HIS ARMY WILL HAVE TO FIGHT ON. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS FROM VIENNA. (8/28)

HOLBROOKE / BOSNIA -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS TRAVELLING TO PARIS FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF PEACE TALKS AIMED AT ENDING THE WAR IN THE BALKANS. HE SAYS THESE UPCOMING NEGOTIATIONS MAY TURN OUT TO BE THE MOST CRITICAL ROUND OF DIPLOMACY YET. BEFORE BOARDING A FLIGHT FOR PARIS SUNDAY, MR. HOLBROOKE HAD STRONG WORDS FOR BOSNIA'S SERBS, WHICH HAVE REFUSED TO SIGN ON TO A PEACE PLAN NOW ON THE TABLE. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE HAS DETAILS. (8/27) SARAJEVO / MARKET -- A SHELL HIT THE CROWDED MARKETPLACE IN DOWNTOWN SARAJEVO, KILLING AT LEAST 33 PEOPLE. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS THAT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT BLAMES SERB FORCES SURROUNDING SAERAJEVO FOR THE SHELLING. (CROATIAN 8/28) BOSNIA / SHELLING -- THE UN SAYS THE SHELL THAT HIT THE MARKET IN SARAJEVO WAS FIRED FROM SERBIAN POSITIONS SOUTH OF THE CITY, DEBELO BRDO. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS THAT BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC COMPLAINED THAT BOSNIA SUFFERS BECAUSE OF THE INTERNATIONAL INDIFFERENCE. (CROATIAN 8/28)

SILAJDZIC / SARAJEVO ATTACK -- IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER DZEILANA PECANIN, BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC CALLS FOR A WESTERN MILITARY RESPONSE TO ATTACK ON SARAJEVO CIVILIANS. IF NOT, SAYS MR. SILAJDZIC, THE ARMS EMBARGO SHOULD BE LIFTED, SO THAT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CAN PUT A STOP TO SUCH ATTACKS. (CROATIAN 8/28) UN / SARAJEVO / MARKET ATTACK -- LEA MELNICK, SPOKESPERSON FOR UN IN ZAGREB SAYS UN HAS A NUMBER OF OPTIONS TO PROTECT THE SAFE HAVEN OF SARAJEVO, INCLUDING NATO AIR STRIKES AND REACTION BY THE NEWLY FORMED UN RAPID REACTION FORCE. SHE CLAIMS THE UN COMMAND IN ZAGREB HAD NOT YET RECEIVED A REPORT FROM SARAJEVO, INDICATING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SHELLING. (CROATIAN 8/28) CROATIA / OCCUPIED TERRITORIES -- STRINGER LINDA MILISA REPORTS ON CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN'S TRIP TO SPLIT ON THE NEWLY OPENED RAILWAY THROUGH THE KRAJINA REGION. PRESIDENT TUDJMAN SAID THAT CROATIA WILL REINTEGRATE THE REST OF SERB OCCUPIED REGIONS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS BY ANY MEANS, DIPLOMATICALLY OR MILITARILY. (CROATIAN 8/26) CROATIA / EASTERN SLAVONIA -- ON A TRIP PROMOTING THE NEW TRAIN LINE ZAGREB-SPLIT-KNIN, PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN OF CROATIA SAID THAT ZAGREB WILL TAKE OVER EASTERN SLAVONIA BY WILL OR BY FORCE. IN THE MEANTIME, FOREIGN MINISTER MATE GRANIC REPLIED TO GERMAN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL'S INQUIRY ABOUT ALLEGED ATROCITIES BY THE CROATIAN ARMY, CALLING THOSE REPORTS FABRICATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 8/26) CROATIA / SERBIAN POWS -- IVAN CERMAK, CROATIAN MILITARY COMMANDER OF KNIN SAYS NOBODY WILL LEAVE THE UNCRO CAMP IN KNIN UNTIL THE UN HANDS OVER 62 SERBIAN POWS ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES BY THE CROATIAN AUTHORITIES. THE UN REFUSES TO HAND OVER THE PRISONERS WITHOUT COMPLETE RECORD OF INDICTMENTS. STRINGER LINDA MILISA IN ZAGREB EXPLAINS THE COURSE OF THE ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS. (CROATIAN 8/26) CROATIA / US SENATORS -- STRINGER LINDA MILISA REPORTS ON SENATORS BOB KERRY AND JOHN WARNER'S VISIT TO KNIN, IN THE RECENTLY LIBERATED KRAJINA REGION OF CROATIA. THE SENATORS VISITED THE UN COMPOUND AND TALKED TO SERB REFUGEES. (CROATIAN 8/26) BOSNIA / FEDERATION -- STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO ON THE MEETING BETWEEN LEADING MUSLIM AND CROAT OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA THEY DISCUSSED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FEDERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE MUSLIM AND CROAT REGIONS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA. (CROATIAN 8/27)

BOSNIA BOMB / TURKISH JOURNALIST -- NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST CENGIZ CANDAR WAS AMONG A GROUP OF TURKISH JOURNALISTS WHO VISITED SARAJEVO LAST WEEK UNDER VERY DIFFICULT CONDITIONS AND MET WITH BOSNIAN LEADERS, INCLUDING PRESIDENT ALIA IZETBEGOVIC. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH STAFFER HAKKI OCAL, MR CANDAR SAID EVEN THOUGH THEY AGREED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PEACE TALKS, THE BOSNIAN LEADERS DID NOT LIKE THE LATEST PEACE PLAN BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT MAY LEAD TO ULTIMATE DISAPPEARANCE OF A MULTIETHNIC, CULTURALLY AND RELIGIOUSLY DIVERSE BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE TURKISH JOURNALIST ALSO SAID THAT MONDAY'S BOMBING OF CIVILIANS IN SARAJEVO WAS ANOTHER PROOF OF THE NEED TO LIFT ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT. (TURKISH 8/28) TURKEY / BOSNIAN REFUGEES -- THE ANATOLIAN FOUNDATION FOR DEVELOPMENT, A NON-PROFIT AID ORGANIZATION IN TURKEY, SERVES AS LIAISON TO CHANNEL HUMANITARIAN AID BY EUROPEAN ORGANIZATIONS TO BOSNIAN REFUGEES IN TURKEY. STAFFER HULYA POLAT INTERVIEWED MUHITTIN GOKSEL, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE FOUNDATION. (TURKISH 8/28) 28-Aug-95 6:56 PM EDT (2256 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT !!!

INTRO: EUROPEAN OFFICIALS HAVE CONDEMNED THE LATEST ARTILLERY ASSAULT ON SARAJEVO. BUT U-S SPECIAL ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE SAYS THE DEADLY ATTACK WILL NOT STOP THE PEACE PROCESS. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: A STATEMENT FROM GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL SAID THE AUTHORS OF THE BARBARIC ATTACK MUST BE BROUGHT TO ACCOUNT FOR THEIR ACTIONS. MR. KINKEL, WHO CALLED THE ATTACK INCOMPREHENSIBLE, SAID HE HAD EXTENDED HIS GOVERNMENT'S SYMPATHY TO BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC. BRITISH OFFICIALS ALSO CONDEMNED THE ATTACK, CALLING IT SENSELESS AND DEPRAVED. THE HEAD OF THE GOVERNMENT'S OVERSEAS AID AGENCY SAID THERE CAN NEVER BE ANY JUSTIFICATION FOR ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS. BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILADJDZIC PROPOSED THE SUSPENSION OF THE LATEST U-S PEACE INITIATIVE IN BOSNIA. BUT U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE VOWED THE ARTILLERY ATTACK WOULD NOT DELAY THE PEACE PROCESS. SPEAKING IN PARIS AFTER CONSULTATIONS WITH THE FRENCH FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER, MR. HOLBBROOKE SAID THE DEADLY INCIDENT WOULD ONLY MAKE MAKE HIS TEAM REDOUBLE ITS EFFORTS. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTACT GROUP, DUE TO MEET IN PARIS TUESDAY, ARE EXPECTED TO DISCUSS THE LATEST INITIATIVE TO BRING PEACE TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/JWH/SP
28-Aug-95 11:39 AM EDT (1539 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA / REACTION (S) ONLY BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: A SHELL THAT HIT NEAR SARAJEVO'S MAIN MARKET HAS KILLED AT LEAST 30 PEOPLE AND INJURED MORE THAN 60 OTHERS. BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT U-N PEACEKEEPERS WILL NOT ATTACK BOSNIAN SERB GUNS THAT SHELL CIVILIAN AREAS, BUT THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE DENIED ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATTACK. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE LARGE SHELL LANDED JUST OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE OF THE CITY'S MAIN MERKALE INDOOR MARKET JUST AFTER 11 A-M HERE, THE BUSIEST TIME OF DAY WHEN THE STREET NEAR THE MARKET WAS VERY CROWDED WITH SHOPPERS. BODIES AND BODY PARTS LITTERED THE STREET AROUND THE SMALL CRATER MADE BY THE SHELL. THE ATTACK WAS SIMILAR TO THE FEBRUARY, 1994, SHELLING OF THE CITY'S OUTDOOR MARKET, NOW CLOSED, WHERE 68 PEOPLE WERE KILLED.

CARS CARRIED SCORES OF WOUNDED TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL, WHERE CROWDS OF ANXIOUS PEOPLE ARRIVED SEEKING NEWS OF AN INJURED FAMILY MEMBER OR SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE WHO COULD NOT BE FOUND. ISMETA TUNOVIC WAS CRYING AS SHE EXPLAINED WHY SHE WAS WAITING.

FUAD AGANOVIC, AN OLD MAN WHO WITNESSED THE ATTACK, WAS LOOKING FOR HIS NEIGHBOR'S DAUGHTER, AND DESCRIBED THE SCENE OUTSIDE THE MARKET.

MANY PEOPLE DIED, AND BREAKED (WERE WOUNDED), WITHOUT LEGS AND WITHOUT ARMS.

FINALLY THE LIST OF WOUNDED AND WHICH WARD THEY WERE IN WAS POSTED NEXT TO THE YELLOWING PAGES OF PREVIOUS LISTS. AS THE CROWD STRUGGLED TO SEE THE NAME OF A LOVED ONE, A NURSE FINALLY READ THE LIST ALOUD.

THE MAYOR OF SARAJEVO, TARIK KUPUSOVIC, VISITED THE HOSPITAL, AND AFTERWARDS HE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS FAILURE TO PROTECT CIVILIANS IN THE U-N DECLARED SAFE AREA.

BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE BLAMED THE ATTACK ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS. BUT BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIALS HAVE DENIED ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SHELLING. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/JWH/MMK
28-Aug-95 11:09 AM EDT (1509 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA / MARKET (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO END THE BOSNIAN WAR ARE RESUMING IN PARIS. BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC IS EXPECTED IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL TO MEET SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM THE EIGHT COUNTRIES OF THE CONTACT GROUP ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: FRENCH OFFICIALS ARE PAINTING THIS ROUND OF DIPLOMATIC TALKS ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AS SOMETHING RESEMBLING A LAST CHANCE FOR A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF THE CONFLICT.

FRANCE THREATENED LAST MONTH TO WITHDRAW ITS TROOPS FROM THE U-N FORCES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA UNLESS STEPS WERE TAKEN TO PROTECT INTERNATIONALLY-DESIGNATED SAFE AREAS.

ALTHOUGH FRANCE HAS NOT REPEATED THIS THREAT SINCE CROATIA RETOOK THE SERB ENCLAVE OF KRAJINA ON CROATIA'S BORDER WITH BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA EARLY THIS MONTH, FOREIGN MINISTER HERVE DE CHARETTE SAYS HE AGREES WITH PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC'S ASSESSMENT THE NEXT TWO MONTHS WILL BE CRUCIAL FOR THE PEACE EFFORT.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DAILY LIBERATION, MR. DE CHARETTE SAID FRANCE INVITED MR. IZETBEGOVIC TO PARIS TO GIVE WHAT HE CALLED -- A POLITICAL SIGNAL -- TO SHOW FRANCE'S DETERMINATION BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SHOULD REMAIN A MULTI-ETHNIC STATE WITHIN ITS CURRENT BORDERS. THIS IS AN IMPLICIT CRITICISM OF AN AMERICAN PEACE PLAN THAT ENVISIONS GIVING UP SOME BOSNIAN TERRITORY TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS

THE CONTACT GROUP, ORIGINALLY COMPRISING THE UNITED STATES, RUSSIA, BRITAIN, FRANCE, AND GERMANY, HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE CANADA, ITALY, AND SPAIN. THE UNITED STATES IS REPRESENTED AT THE PARIS TALKS BY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE.

MR. HOLBROOKE IS MEETING FRENCH POLITICIANS AND MR. IZETBEGOVIC BEFORE THE CONTACT GROUP'S FULL SESSION ON TUESDAY. ALREADY BEFORE MONDAY'S ARTILLERY ATTACK ON SARAJEVO, MR. IZETBEGOVIC WAS ADOPTING A TOUGH LINE, REJECTING ALL TALK OF SWAPPING TERRITORY.

IN SARAJEVO JUST BEFORE THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT WAS DUE TO START TALKS WITH MR. HOLBROOKE, THE CHIEF BOSNIAN MILITARY COMMANDER DISMISSED THE AMERICAN PLAN AS INCOHERENT. THE COMMANDER, GENERAL RASIM DELIC, DESCRIBED THE PLAN AS HAVING NEITHER A HEAD NOR A TAIL. THE ONLY WAY FORWARD, GENERAL DELIC TOLD HIS TROOPS, WAS WAR. (SIGNED)

NEB/JN/JWH/RAE
28-Aug-95 11:08 AM EDT (1508 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA DIPLOMATIC (L ONLY) CORRECT BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: LEADERS OF SEVERAL TURKIC-SPEAKING FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS HAVE WRAPPED UP A ONE-DAY SUMMIT IN KYRGYSTAN. AS V-O-A'S PETER COLLINS REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, THE SUMMIT PRODUCED MUCH DISCUSSION OF BINDING THE COUNTRIES TOGETHER, BUT TOOK LITTLE IN THE WAY OF CONCRETE STEPS.

TEXT: THE COUNTRIES REPRESENTED IN KYRGYZTAN'S CAPITAL, BISHKEK, ALL HAVE CLOSE ETHNIC, LINGUISTIC AND RELIGIOUS TIES WITH TURKEY.

THOSE ATTENDING WERE PRESIDENT ASKAR AKAYEV OF KYRGYSTAN; PRESIDENT NURSULTAN NAZARBAYEV OF KAZAKHSTAN; PRESIDENT SAPARMURAD NIYAZOV OF TURKMENISTAN; PRESIDENT ISLAM KERIMOV OF UZBEKISTAN; AZERBAIJAN'S LEADER, GAIDAR ALIYEV; AND PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL OF TURKEY.

THEIR SUMMIT IS THE THIRD SINCE THE BREAKUP OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, BUT THE FIRST TO TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE OF TURKEY. PRESSURE FROM MOSCOW PREVENTED IT FROM BEING HELD IN AZERBAIJAN TWO YEARS AGO, AND RUSSIA STILL DISLIKES THE IDEA OF THE FIVE REPUBLICS DRAWING CLOSER TO TURKEY. THE 50 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE TURKIC REPUBLICS SHARE NOT ONLY THE RELIGION OF ISLAM, BUT ALSO RICH NATURAL RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY OIL AND GAS.

IN A DECLARATION, THE COUNTRIES CALLED FOR CLOSER TIES, BUT SPECIFIED NO CONCRETE STEPS TOWARD THAT GOAL.

THE DECLARATION URGED AN END TO THE LONG-RUNNING WAR BETWEEN AZERBAIJAN AND ARMENIA, ON THE BASIS OF UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTIONS.

IT ALSO CALLED FOR AN END TO INTERNAL CONFLICTS IN AFGHANISTAN AND TAJIKISTAN -- BOTH SEEN AS A THREAT TO STABILITY IN CENTRAL ASIA.

REFLECTING THEIR SHARED INTEREST IN OIL, THE SUMMIT LEADERS CALLED FOR FINDING NEW ROUTES TO EXPORT OIL FROM LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL ASIA VIA TURKEY TO THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA.

KAZAKHSTAN AND TURKMENISTAN HAVE HUGE RESERVES OF OIL AND GAS, BUT CURRENTLY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO EXPORT THEM ACROSS RUSSIA.

IN WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN EFFORT TO ALLAY RUSSIA'S CONCERNS, PRESIDENT DEMIREL SAID THE SUMMIT'S GOAL OF FOSTERING COOPERATION WAS NOT MEANT TO DISTURB ANYONE ELSE. (SIGNED) NEB / PC / WOD/MMK 28-Aug-95 12:19 PM EDT (1619 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKIC SUMMIT / L BY PETER COLLINS (MOSCOW)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS BLAMING THE BOSNIAN SERBS FOR THE SHELLING AT THE SARAJEVO MARKETPLACE THAT KILLED AT LEAST 33 PEOPLE AND WOUNDED AT LEAST 88. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES IS HOPING FOR A FIRM RESPONSE.

TEXT: WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING NATO AND THE UNITED NATIONS MAY DECIDE TO DO NOTHING IN RESPONSE TO THE SARAJEVO MARKET SHELLING, THE UNITED STATES IS MAKING CLEAR IT BELIEVES MILITARY ACTION IS REQUIRED TO PROTECT CIVILIANS AND THE GOVERNMENT IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL.

STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS SAY THE USE OF NATO AIR POWER OR OF THE UNITED NATIONS RAPID REACTION FORCE IS UNDER DISCUSSION AS THE POSSIBLE WAY OF PUNISHING THE BOSNIAN SERBS. THE UNITED NATIONS IN SARAJEVO HAS HESITATED ABOUT ASSIGNING BLAME FOR THE DEADLIEST SHELLING IN SARAJEVO SINCE FEBRUARY, 1994 BUT STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS NO DOUBT ABOUT ASSIGNING RESPONSIBILITY.

I THINK THE UNITED NATIONS HAS A PROCESS WHEREBY THEY ANALYSE THE CRATER OR LEAST SOME OF THE CRATERS THAT WERE PRODUCED BY THE SHELLINGS THIS MORNING AND THEY ARE GOING THROUGH A RATHER THOROUGH MILITARY ANALYSIS AND INVESTIGATION OF THE SHELLING ITSELF BUT FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND, WE HAVE NO DOUBT AND WE ARE VERY SURE ABOUT OUR JUDGEMENT THAT THIS WAS AN ATTACK BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS ON INNOCENT PEOPLE IN SARAJEVO.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS WARNING THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO COOPERATE WITH THE CURRENT DIPLOMATIC PROCESS OR FACE SUSTAINED NATO ACTION FOLLOWING THE WITHDRAWAL OF UNITED NATIONS TROOPS. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS MET WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC IN PARIS AND TRAVELS TO BELGRADE TUESDAY FOR A MEETING WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE DIPLOMATIC EFFORT WILL CONTINUE EVEN IF NATO DECIDES TO RESPOND FORCEFULLY TO THE SARAJEVO MARKET SHELLING.

THE BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER THREATENED TO ABANDON THE PEACE TALKS BUT THE STATE DEPARTMENT URGES THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO STAY INVOLVED.

WE OBVIOUSLY UNDERSTAND THE GREAT FEELING OF ANGER AND FRUSTRATION ON THE PART OF THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT BUT WE CONCLUDE THAT WE ALL TOGETHER HAVE TO GO FORWARD WITH DISCUSSIONS TOWARDS PEACE AND THAT IS A POINT THAT ASSISTANT SECRETARY HOLBROOKE WILL BE MAKING TONIGHT TO THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT.

THE UNITED STATES HAS URGED THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO JOIN THE PEACE INITIATIVE OR THEY WILL FACE THE LIFTING OF THE UNITED NATIONS ARMS EMBARGO AND SUSTAINED AIR STRIKES TO PREVENT THE BOSNIAN SERBS FROM TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A UNITED NATIONS TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM BOSNIA.(SIGNED) NEB/PT 28-Aug-95 3:41 PM EDT (1941 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S-SARAJEVO (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SARAJEVO HAS EXPERIENCED ITS DEADLIEST SHELLING ATTACK IN MORE THAN A YEAR. MORE THAN 30 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED. BUT A SENIOR AMERICAN OFFICIAL SAYS THE ATTACK IS _NOT_ GOING TO STOP THE U-S DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE TO BRING PEACE TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: AT LEAST FIVE MORTAR OR ARTILLERY ROUNDS SLAMMED INTO THE CENTER OF SARAJEVO. ONE OF THEM EXPLODED NEAR A MARKETPLACE WHICH WAS CROWDED WITH SHOPPERS.

MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED OR INJURED. MANY PEOPLE WITH TERRIBLE INJURIES WERE HASTILY PUT INTO CARS AND TAKEN TO SARAJEVO'S MAIN HOSPITAL. DOCTORS AND OTHER MEDICAL WORKERS STRUGGLED TO COPE WITH THE CASUALTIES.

IT IS THE DEADLIEST SHELLING OF SARAJEVO SINCE FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR WHEN 68 PEOPLE WERE KILLED BY A MORTAR ROUND THAT EXPLODED IN THE SAME AREA.

THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IMMEDIATELY BLAMED THE SERBS FOR THE LATEST ATTACK. THE SERBS DENY ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT.

BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILADJIC SAYS THE PEACE PROCESS FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SHOULD BE SUSPENDED WHILE IT IS DECIDED WHETHER NATO WILL PROTECT SARAJEVO RESIDENTS.

BUT IN PARIS, ASSISTANT U-S SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE SAYS THE SHELLING WILL _NOT_ STOP HIS ATTEMPTS TO END THE CONFLICT IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

MR. HOLBROOKE WAS TO MEET IN THE FRENCH CAPITAL WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC. THE U-S OFFICIAL WILL GO TO BELGRADE TUESDAY TO MEET WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC.

BEFORE HE LEFT WASHINGTON, MR. HOLBROOKE SAID PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WOULD HAVE TO MAKE UP HIS MIND WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO HOW TO GET THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.

THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES THE SERBS ARE THE MAIN OBSTACLE TO PEACE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THEY STILL REJECT THE BIG POWER CONTACT GROUP'S PROPOSED PEACE PLAN.

THAT PLAN IS STILL THE BASIS OF THE PROPOSALS MR. HOLBROOKE BELIEVES HAVE AT LEAST A SMALL CHANCE OF BEING ACCEPTED BY ALL OF THE WARRING FORCES.

IN ADVANCE OF FRESH TALKS BETWEEN MR. HOLBROOKE AND THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, THE BOSNIAN ARMY COMMANDER -- GENERAL RASIN DELIC -- HAS CRITICIZED THE AMERICAN PROPOSALS.

HE SAYS THEY ARE _NOT_ COHERENT. HE SAYS THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WILL _NOT_ GET A FAIR DEAL FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SO THE BOSNIAN ARMY WILL HAVE TO FIGHT ON. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/WOD/ART
28-Aug-95 11:31 AM EDT (1531 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America