Voice of America, 15 September 1995

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: A WIDELY DIVERSIFIED GROUP OF EDITORIALS OCCUPIES THE ATTENTION OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPER READERS THIS FRIDAY. AMONG THE TOPICS OF INTEREST UNDER DISCUSSION ARE: BUDGET BATTLES IN CONGRESS INVOLVING MEDICARE, THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM FOR THE ELDERLY; THE SHOOTING DOWN OF A U-S SPORTS BALLOON BY THE BELARUSSIANS; THE ARREST OF SEVERAL PEOPLE USING PERSONAL COMPUTERS TO ENTICE CHILDREN INTO SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS; AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S QUIET MEETING WITH THE DALAI LAMA. NOW ____________ HAS A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: A VARIETY OF CONGRESSIONAL ACTIONS RELATED TO CUTTING THE U-S NATIONAL BUDGET ARE DRAWING THE ATTENTION OF EDITORIAL WRITERS THIS FRIDAY. IN "THE WASHINGTON POST" FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS A SPIRITED CRITICISM OF THE DEMOCRATS FOR BLOCKING WHAT "THE POST" BELIEVES ARE SOME LEGITIMATE CUTS THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO MAKE IN MEDICARE, THE GOVERNMENT HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM FOR THE ELDERLY.

VOICE: "NEWT GINGRICH AND BOB DOLE ACCUSED THE DEMOCRATS AND THEIR ALLIES YESTERDAY OF CONDUCTING A CAMPAIGN BASED ON DISTORTION AND FEAR TO BLOCK THE CUTS IN PROJECTED MEDICARE SPENDING THAT ARE THE CORE OF THE REPUBLICAN EFFORT TO BALANCE THE BUDGET IN THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS. THEY'RE RIGHT; THAT'S PRECISELY WHAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE DOING ..... AND IT'S CRUMMY STUFF [A DISSERVICE TO THE PEOPLE].

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" MEANWHILE IS WORRIED ABOUT GOVERNMENT-FINANCED LEGAL SERVICES FOR THE POOR, ANOTHER TARGET OF REPUBLICAN BUDGET CUTTERS.

VOICE: "EQUAL JUSTICE FOR ALL MAY BE AN AMERICAN IDEAL BUT NOT TO THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS, WHERE MEASURES ADVANCED OMINOUSLY THIS WEEK TO ABOLISH THE LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION, THE FEDERALLY FINANCED PROGRAM TO HELP POOR PEOPLE WITH LEGAL PROBLEMS. ..... AT A MOVING NEWS CONFERENCE, LEADERS OF THE BAR WERE JOINED BY RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND LEGAL SERVICES CLIENTS IN CALLING FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE ... CORPORATION. .... IF EFFORTS AT MODERATION DO NOT SUCCEED, PRESIDENT CLINTON MUST STAND READY WITH HIS VETO PEN."

TEXT: MEANWHILE, THE BALTIMORE "SUN" IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE. SENATOR WILLIAM ROTH (R-DELAWARE) WILL INHERIT THE CHAIRMANSHIP FROM SENATOR BOB PACKWOOD, WHO RESIGNED OVER CHARGES OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT. "THE SUN" CALLS SENATOR ROTH:

VOICE: "... A BIRD OF A DIFFERENT FEATHER. [A MAN WITH AN EXTREMELY DIFFERENT OUTLOOK THAN HIS PREDECESSOR.] ..... THE PACKWOOD-TO-ROTH SWITCH IS A MICROCOSM OF THE HUGE INTELLECTUAL DIVIDE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BETWEEN BALANCED-BUDGET TRADITIONALISTS AND THOSE WHO PIN THEIR FAITH ON ECONOMIC GROWTH BY CUTTING TAXES. ..... THE ONLY TROUBLE IS ... IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN THE 1980S AND IT ISN'T LIKELY TO HAPPEN IN THE 1990S."

TEXT: AND "THE WASHINGTON POST" AGAIN IS CRITICIZING SENATOR PHIL GRAMM FOR WHAT THE PAPER FEELS IS SOME UNFAIR COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

VOICE: "SENATOR PHIL GRAMM DERIDES THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S SUPPOSED FONDNESS FOR 'MARBLE PALACES.' BUT THE MOST CONSPICUOUS MARBLE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT LISTS THE 200 DIPLOMATS KILLED ON DUTY. A GRAMM AIDE ADVISED DIPLOMATS TO 'TRADE IN SOME OF THEIR CADILLACS FOR FORDS.' .... CADILLACS ARE HEAVY ENOUGH TO CARRY THE REQUISITE ARMOR PLATE. THESE CHEAP SHOTS [UNFAIR CRITICISM] MARK A KNOW-NOTHING ASSAULT ON THE ADMINISTRATION'S FOREIGN POLICY BUDGET. [BEGIN OPT] .... WASTING THE ARMS CONTROL AGENCY MOCKS THE SURPASSING STRATEGIC INTEREST IN WEAPONS NONPROLIFERATION. INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT, PEACEKEEPING, DEVELOPMENT, INFORMATION:THESE ARE SINEWS OF AMERICAN POLICY. PHIL GRAMM'S ASSAULT IS MINDLESS SLASH-AND-BURN POLICY. HE IS DETERMINED TO TAKE HUGE RISKS FOR TINY SAVINGS." [END OPT]

TEXT: AND IN CALIFORNIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" TAKES ON SENATOR GRAMM ON STILL ANOTHER TOPIC, CRIME.

VOICE: "LIKE ANY SERIOUS PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER, SENATOR ... GRAMM... WANTS TO BE CONSIDERED TOUGH ON CRIME. BUT VOTERS AREN'T LIKELY TO SEE HIM THAT WAY WHEN THEY LEARN HE IS TRYING TO TAMPER WITH THE LAW THAT IS PUTTING MORE POLICE OFFICERS ON THE STREETS. ...... THE RESULT COULD BE A 200-MILLION-DOLLAR CUT IN POLICE FUNDING IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR ALONE."

TEXT: COMMENTING ON THE FATAL SHOOT-DOWN BY BELARUSSIAN HELICOPTERS OF A U-S SPORT BALLOON IN THAT COUNTRY, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS:

VOICE: "THE UNPROVOKED BELARUSSIAN ATTACK ON A SPORTS BALLOON THIS WEEK, WHICH KILLED THE TWO AMERICAN CREW MEMBERS, RECALLS THE SOVIET DOWNING OF KOREAN AIRLINES FLIGHT 007 IN 1983. IN BOTH CASES, SKITTISH [HIGH-STRUNG] AIR DEFENSE FORCES RECKLESSLY KILLED CIVILIANS BY FIRING ON AN INTRUDING AIRCRAFT WITHOUT DETERMINING WHETHER IT POSED A THREAT. ..... THE ATTACK ON THE BALLOON LACKED EVEN THE VENEER OF JUSTIFICATION THE KREMLIN CLAIMED IN THE KOREAN CASE. [OPT] ..... UNLIKE THE KOREAN PLANE, THE BALLOON WAS NOT OBSCURED BY NIGHT, IT DID NOT LOOK OR ACT REMOTELY SIMILAR TO A FOREIGN SPY PLANE AND THE UNCONVENTIONAL NATURE OF ITS FLIGHT PATH HAD BEEN DECLARED IN ADVANCE AS PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL BALLOON RACE. [END OPT]

TEXT: BACK AT HOME, TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" IS PLEASED THAT F-B-I AGENTS AND LOCAL POLICE HAVE TAKEN TO THE COMPUTER KEYBOARD TO FIND AND THEN ARREST SEVERAL ADULTS USING THE INTERNET COMPUTER NETWORK TO SEDUCE CHILDREN INTO SEX.

VOICE: "IN CASE THERE WAS ANY DOUBT (AND APPARENTLY THERE WAS): CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ON THE INTERNET IS ALREADY ILLEGAL. ... THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ABLY PROVED THAT POINT ON WEDNESDAY BY ARRESTING 12 PEOPLE - - THREE IN SOUTH FLORIDA - - FOR ALLEGEDLY TRADING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ONLINE. .... EVEN IN CYBERSPACE, THE DOWDY OLD ANTI-PORNOGRAPHY LAWS WORKED JUST FINE. ILLEGAL ACTIVITY WAS DETECTED AND, IF PROVEN, WILL BE PUNISHED. NO TRENDY, SPACE-AGE LAWS NEEDED, NO TECHNO-JARGON REQUIRED. ISN'T IT A RELIEF THAT CONGRESS CAN RETURN TO THE SIMPLE WORK OF BALANCING THE FEDERAL BUDGET AND LEAVE THE COMPLEXITIES OF CYBERSPACE TO THOSE ALREADY EMPOWERED TO POLICE IT?"

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" COMMENTS UPON THE VERY QUIET, LOW KEY MEETING THIS WEEK WHICH INCLUDED THE DALAI LAMA, TIBET'S EXILED SPIRITUAL LEADER, PRESIDENT CLINTON, AND VICE PRESIDENT GORE.

VOICE: "IN THIS CASE, AS IN A 1994 MEETING WITH THE DALAI LAMA, [MR.] CLINTON WANTED TO KEEP THINGS AS INVISIBLE AS POSSIBLE LEST CHINA, WHICH CLAIMS SOVEREIGNTY OVER TIBET, TAKE OFFENSE. [OPT] NO ONE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SURPRISED WHEN THINGS DIDN'T WORK OUT AS HOPED. CHINA LET FLY, ACCUSING THE UNITED STATES OF SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE FOR TIBET AND PRONOUNCING THE MEETING 'GROSS INTERFERENCE IN CHINA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS.' ...... THE UNITED STATES HAS ITS OWN INTERESTS AND PRINCIPLES TO UPHOLD, AND THAT RIGHTFULLY INCLUDES SUPPORT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND A FREER AND BETTER LIFE FOR TIBETANS. [END OPT] .... THE DALAI LAMA DESERVES A MORE CORDIAL AND OPEN WELCOME AT THE WHITE HOUSE THE NEXT TIME HE COMES TO PLEAD HIS PEOPLE'S CASE."

TEXT: AND THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS APPEARING IN THE U-S PRESS.

ANG/NL 15-Sep-95 11:23 AM EDT (1523 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA/AGREEMENT (L-UPDATE) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: U-N OFFICIALS IN SARAJEVO SAY THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE BEGUN TO ASSEMBLE SOME OF THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS IN PREPARATION FOR A POSSIBLE WITHDRAWAL FROM THE 20 KILOMETER EXCLUSION ZONE AROUND THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL, BUT NONE OF THE HEAVY WEAPONS HAVE BEEN MOVED OUT OF THE ZONE YET. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. TEX: ONCE AGAIN, THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE BEGUN TO GATHER SOME OF THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS TOGETHER, BUT U-N OFFICIALS SAY NONE OF THE WEAPONS HAVE BEEN MOVED OUT OF THE EXCLUSION ZONE YET.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE SHOWN REPORTERS THREE TANKS AND THREE ARTILLERY GUNS LEAVING THE LUKAVICA BARRACKS COMPOUND WEST OF SARAJEVO, BUT JOURNALISTS WERE NOT ABLE TO SEE WHERE THE WEAPONS WERE TAKEN. U-N OFFICIALS, RECALLING SIMILAR EVENTS TEN DAYS AGO WHEN THE SERB WEAPONS WERE ASSEMBLED BUT NOT REMOVED, SAY UNLESS THEY SEE SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF GUNS MOVED OUT BY SUNDAY NIGHT, NATO AIR STRIKES WILL BEGIN AGAIN. ALL THE GUNS MUST BE GONE WITHIN SIX DAYS.

IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT CONCESSION TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS, ONLY THEIR BIGGEST GUNS MUST BE REMOVED. SMALL MORTARS AND ANTI-AIRCAFT GUNS MAY REMAIN IN PLACE AROUND SARAJEVO. BOTH TYPES OF WEAPONS HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AND KILLED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE DURING THE WAR HERE. HOWEVER, U-N OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THEY STILL WANT THE SMALLER WEAPONS REMOVED AS WELL. THE U-N COMMANDER IN BOSNIA, BRITISH GENERAL RUPERT SMITH, HAS SENT A LETTER TO SERB GENERAL MLADIC INSISTING ALL GUNS OVER 12-POINT-SEVEN MILLIMETERS MUST ALSO BE REMOVED, BUT THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE SO FAR IGNORED GENERAL SMITH'S LETTER.

U-N MILITARY OFFICIALS DESCRIBE THE AGREEMENT AS A "PRAGMATIC COMPROMISE," AND THEY WARN THAT U-N ARTILLERY REMAINS READY TO USE "OVERWHELMING FORCE" AGAINST ANY SERB GUNS THAT FIRE ON THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE THIS LOCAL CEASE-FIRE WILL BE THE PRELUDE TO A BOSNIA-WIDE CEASE-FIRE.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE VERBALLY AGREED NOT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION BY LAUNCHING AN ATTACK ON SERB AREAS OF THE CAPITAL, BUT THE OFFICIALS INSIST THIS IS NOT PART OF THE DEAL WITH THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

THE AGREEMENT WITH THE BOSNIAN SERBS ALSO CALLS FOR THE OPENING OF AID ROUTES INTO SARAJEVO, INCLUDING OPENING THE CITY'S AIRPORT FOR U-N AND HUMANITARIAN AID AGENCIES. TWO CARGO PLANES HAVE ALREADY LANDED AT THE AIRPORT, AND AN AID CONVOY HAS ENTERED SARAJEVO THROUGH SERB CONTROLLED AREAS. THOUGH U-N OFFICIALS WARN THERE ARE STILL MANY OBSTACLES TO BE OVERCOME BEFORE THE WAR ENDS, THEY SAY IF THE SERBS REMOVE THEIR HEAVY GUNS, PEACE WILL BE AT LEAST ONE STEP NEARER. (SIGNED) NEB/MMK 15-Sep-95 3:25 PM EDT (1925 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA/FIGHTING (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: IF THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE NOW LIFTING THEIR SIEGE OF SARAJEVO TO STOP THE NATO AIR ATTACKS ON THEM, ONE REASON MAY BE THE CONTINUING AND SURPRISINGLY SUCCESSFUL MUSLIM AND CROAT OFFENSIVE, IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL BOSNIA. THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS ARE BACKED BY REGULAR CROATIAN ARMY TROOPS. AS V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS, THE BOSNIAN ARMY APPEARS TO HAVE CAPTURED ANOTHER SERB-HELD TOWN.

TEXT: MUSLIM-LED GOVERNMENT FORCES HAVE, EVIDENTLY, TAKEN THE TOWN OF BOSANSKI PETROVAC. RADIO BELGRADE REPORTS TWO OTHER SERB TOWNS (MRKONJIC GRAD AND KLJUC) ARE IN DANGER OF FALLING AND THAT THE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN EVACUATED. THE RADIO SAYS DIFFICULT AND BLOODY BATTLES ARE UNDERWAY. AT LEAST 70-THOUSAND CIVILIANS ARE SAID TO HAVE FLED TO THE SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WHILE SERB COMMANDERS TRY TO STABILIZE THE NEW FRONT LINES. THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF, GENERAL MANOJLO MILOVANOVIC, HAS TRIED TO CALM PUBLIC FEARS IN BANJA LUKA ABOUT THE SITUATION. IN A SERB RADIO BROADCAST, HE SAYS, IN THESE WORDS, I ASSURE YOU ONCE MORE THAT THE FRONT IS BEING STABILIZED. BUT, HE ADDS, THE STABILITY OF THE FRONT IS ALSO IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE OF BANJA LUKA AND SURROUNDING TOWNS. WITH BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES NOW 45 KILOMETERS AWAY, GENERAL MILOVANOVIC PLEDGES THAT THE SERB ARMY WILL NOT ABANDON BANKA LUKA. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/SKH
15-Sep-95 3:20 PM EDT (1920 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA/HEAVY WEAPONS (S-UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERBS SAY THEY HAVE BEGUN TO WITHDRAW THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS FROM AROUND SARAJEVO. NATO'S SUPREME COMMANDER SAYS THE WEAPONS ARE MOVING. BUT HE SAYS IT IS TOO EARLY TO KNOW IF THEY ARE BEING PULLED OUT OF THE HEAVY WEAPONS EXCLUSION ZONE AROUND THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: SERB MILITARY OFFICERS SAY SERB FORCES ARE COMPLYING WITH THE UNITED NATIONS AND NATO DEMAND FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS FROM SARAJEVO. NATO'S SUPREME COMMANDER, GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN, SAYS HE IS ENCOURAGED THAT THERE IS SOME MOVEMENT OF SERB HEAVY WEAPONS. BUT, HE SAYS, WE HAVE TO SEE THEM ACTUALLY MOVE OUT OF THE HEAVY WEAPONS EXCLUSION ZONE AROUND SARAJEVO. HE WARNS THAT NATO WILL RESUME ITS AIR ATTACKS ON THE SERBS IF THEY ARE NOT COMPLYING WITH THE U-N AND NATO DEADLINE FOR THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS WITHDRAWAL. THE DEADLINE EXPIRES SUNDAY NIGHT. UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS IN ZAGREB ARE ALSO CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHAT THE SERBS ARE DOING WITH THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS BROKEN SERB PROMISES. THE OFFICIALS CANNOT YET CONFIRM THAT ANY OF THE WEAPONS HAVE LEFT THE EXCLUSION ZONE. THE SERBS EARLIER PERMITTED A UNITED NATIONS TEST FLIGHT TO LAND IN SARAJEVO. U-N HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FLIGHTS INTO THE CITY ARE TO RESUME ON SATURDAY. A U-N OVERLAND RELIEF CONVOY HAS ALSO ARRIVED IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL AFTER GOING THROUGH SERB-HELD TERRITORY. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/SKH
15-Sep-95 3:20 PM EDT (1920 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA/PLANE (S ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: HUMANITARIAN AID HAS BEGUN FLOWING INTO SARAJEVO IN THE WAKE OF THE AGREEMENT BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO WITHDRAW MOST OF THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS FROM AROUND SARAJEVO. A CARGO PLANE CARRYING AID HAS LANDED AT THE CITY'S AIRPORT AND A CONVOY OF TRUCKS HAS PASSED THROUGH BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY INTO THE CITY. DIVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVON

TEXT: AS THE FRENCH MILITARY CARGO PLANE SWOOPED IN TO LAND AT SARAJEVO'S AIRPORT, NEARBY RESIDENTS LEANED OUT OF THEIR WINDOWS TO WATCH. IT WAS THE FIRST AID FLIGHT SINCE APRIL AND ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE OF THE CHANGES THAT HAVE COME TO THE CITY SINCE NATO AIRSTRIKES BEGAN TWO WEEKS AGO.

ALTHOUGH THE PLANE ONLY CARRIED WHAT U-N OFFICIALS CALLED A "SYMBOLIC" THREE TONS OF FLOUR, A STEADY STREAM OF AIRCRAFT IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

WHILE THE PLANE WAS LANDING A CONVOY OF U-N REFUGEE AGENCY TRUCKS WAS UNLOADING 250 TONS OF FLOUR IN THE CITY, AFTER PASSING THROUGH BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY ON THE SO-CALLED "BLUE ROUTE."

U-N OFFICIALS SAY IT IS MUCH MORE EFFICIENT TO BRING AID INTO THE CITY BY TRUCK, AND U-N MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THE SERBS WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO HOLD UP CONVOYS OR REFUSE PERMISSION TO PASS, AS THEY HAVE DONE SO OFTEN IN THE PAST.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL NOW BRING IN WHAT THEY WANT, WHEN THEY WANT, WITHOUT DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BOSNIAN SERBS. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/DW/GPT
15-Sep-95 1:12 PM EDT (1712 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA / EURO REACT (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN )

INTRO: EUROPEAN LEADERS HAVE WELCOMED THE U-S BROKERED AGREEMENT THAT WOULD SUSPEND NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN EXCHANGE FOR A WITHDRAWAL OF HEAVY WEAPONS FROM AROUND SARAJEVO. FROM BONN, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: A STATEMENT FROM FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER HERVE DE CHARETTE CALLED THE ACCORD A VERY IMPORTANT EVENT THAT COULD LEAD TO THE END OF HOSTILITIES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

A STATEMENT FROM GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL WELCOMED THE PROSPECT THAT A CEASE-FIRE MIGHT HOLD AROUND SARAJEVO. MR. KINKEL URGED THE WARRING FACTIONS TO REFRAIN FROM ANY STEPS THAT COULD JEOPARDIZE THE CURRENT PEACE PROCESS. IN MOSCOW, RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANDREI KOZYREV SAID THE AGREEMENT SHOULD INCREASE THE PROSPECTS FOR PEACE. SPEAKING AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, MR. KOZYREV SAID HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A REAL CHANCE OF UNBLOCKING THE SITUATION AROUND SARAJEVO.

HE ALSO SAID HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A GOOD CHANCE THAT ALL SIDES WOULD USE THEIR INFLUENCE TO END NATO AIR STRIKES AS WELL AS TO END THE BLOODSHED IN THE REGION.

RUSSIA HAS BEEN A FIERCE CRITIC OF NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS, WHO HAD UNTIL NOW REFUSED TO PULL THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS BACK FROM AROUND SARAJEVO. NATO AIR STRIKES BEGAN IN RESPONSE TO A DEADLY SERB MORTAR ATTACK ON THE CITY LAST MONTH. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/DW/MMK
15-Sep-95 9:29 AM EDT (1329 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] CLINTON - BOSNIA (L-REVISED) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS WELCOMING THE BOSNIAN SERB DECISION TO WITHDRAW HEAVY WEAPONS FROM AROUND SARAJEVO, PROMPTING A PAUSE IN NATO'S TWO-WEEK-OLD BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST THEM. BUT AT THE SAME TIME HE IS WARNING THAT IF THEY FAIL TO KEEP THEIR COMMITMENTS, THE STRIKES WILL RESUME. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: CAREFUL _NOT_ TO LET HIS WORDS GO BEYOND WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND IN BOSNIA AND ON THE DIPLOMATIC FRONT, A CAUTIOUS PRESIDENT CLINTON FRIDAY CALLED THE BOSNIAN SERB DECISION AN IMPORTANT STEP THAT COULD PAVE THE WAY TO A COMPREHENSIVE PEACE SETTLEMENT.

I THINK THERE'S A GOOD POSSIBILITY IF THE PARTIES THEMSELVES WISH TO DO IT. AND AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE AND HIS TEAM ARE WORKING HARD. WE'RE GETTING GOOD SUPPORT FROM EUROPE AND FROM RUSSIA. I THINK WE HAVE A CHANCE.

THEY SHOULD HAVE _NO_ DOUBT THAT NATO WILL RESUME THE AIRSTRIKES IF THEY FAIL TO KEEP THEIR COMMITMENTS, IF THEY STRIKE AGAIN AT SARAJEVO OR THE OTHER SAFE AREAS.

A SENIOR U-S OFFICIAL TOLD REPORTERS SO FAR _NO_ BOSNIAN SERB WITHDRAWALS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED.

BUT PRESIDENT CLINTON PLEDGED THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT IT CAN TO FIND A LASTING PEACE SETTLEMENT.

A LOT OF WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE IN BOSNIA, BUT WE ARE ABSOLUTELY DETERMINED TO PRESS FORWARD TO REACH A SETTLEMENT TO THIS CONFLICT, _NOT_ ON THE BATTLEFIELD, BUT AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. WE CAN AND WE MUST END BOSNIA'S LONG NIGHTMARE.

FROM A DOMESTIC POLITICAL POINT OF VIEW, BOSNIA HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT OF A NIGHTMARE FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON, TOO. AFTER MONTHS AND MONTHS OF U-S DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS, HIS AIDES ARE EAGER TO SEE A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT THERE SO HE CAN FOCUS WITHOUT DISTRACTION ON HIS RE-ELECTION BID. FRIDAY HE WAS ASKED WHY HE HAS _NOT_ BEEN MORE PUBLICLY FORTHCOMING IN REACTING TO RECENT POSITIVE NEWS. UNDERSTANDING HOW LONG IT HAS TAKEN TO GET THIS FAR, AND THE DIFFICULT DIPLOMATIC ROAD STILL AHEAD, THE PRESIDENT SAID HE WAS JUST LETTING THE ACTIONS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. (SIGNED)

NEB/BORG/LTJ
15-Sep-95 12:18 PM EDT (1618 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] NATO / BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID SWAN (PENTAGON)

INTRO: ALMOST EXACTLY TEN YEARS AFTER MEXICO'S EARTHQUAKE OF 1985, MEXICO CITY WAS AGAIN SHAKEN BY A STRONG EARTHQUAKE THURSDAY MORNING. MORE FROM ELLEN CALMUS IN MEXICO CITY.

TEXT: AN EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 7.3 ON THE RICHTER SCALE CAUSED MEXICO CITY RESIDENTS TO EVACUATE SCHOOLS, OFFICES AND APARTMENT BUILDINGS A FEW MINUTES AFTER EIGHT O'CLOCK DURING RUSH HOUR THURSDAY MORNING. THERE HAVE BEEN NO CASUALTIES AND ONLY MINOR DAMAGE REPORTED IN THE CITY SUCH AS CRACKS IN BUILDINGS AND BROKEN WINDOWS, WITH ELECTRICITY AND PHONE SERVICE CUT OFF TO SOME PARTS OF THE CITY.

THE EARTHQUAKE'S EPICENTER WAS LOCATED NEAR THE COAST OF THE STATE OF GUERRERO, WHERE RURAL VILLAGES HAVE REPORTED DOZENS OF INJURIES WIDESPREAD DAMAGE TO FRAGILE ADOBE (CLAY/BRICK) HOUSING. THE MUNICIPALITY OF IGUALAPA WAS THE HARDEST HIT IN THIS AREA, WITH MINOR DAMAGE REPORTED IN GUERRO'S TOURIST CITY OF ACAPULCO. THE QUAKE WAS ALSO FELT IN THE STATE OF QAZACA, MICHOACAN, PUEBLA AND VERACRUZ.

IN MEXICO CITY THE MAIN IMPACT OF THE EARTHQUAKE WAS PSYCHOLOGICAL, NEXT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH, WILL BE THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EARTHQUAKE WHICH DEVASTATED MEXICO CITY IN 1985, LEAVING A TOLL OF NEARLY TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE DEAD. THURSDAY'S QUAKE HAPPENED ON A DAY WHEN CITY NEWSPAPERS FEATURED SPECIAL REPORTS ON THE 1985 EARTHQUAKE AS THE CITY PREPARES MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR THOSE KILLED AND THEIR SURVIVORS, WHO ARE STILL DEEPLY AFFECTED BY THE SCENES OF TRAGEDY THEY WITNESSED AND THE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES THEY LOST TEN YEARS AGO.

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS SAID THERE WERE SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED FOR TRAUMATIC SHOCK. TRAFFIC JAMS WERE CREATED BY PANICKED CROWDS RUSHING OUT OF THE CITIES TALL BUILDINGS AND CLOGGING STREETS WHERE THEY WAITED OUTSIDE IN FEAR OF AFTERSHOCKS. SINCE 1985 MEXICO CITY OFFICIALS HAVE TRIED TO IMPROVE BUILDING STANDARDS AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE, SUCH AS THE ELECTRICITY AND TELEPHONE SYSTEMS, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY OF THE CITY'S PUBLIC HEALTH AND RESCUE SERVICES TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES. HOWEVER, THE DENSE POPULATION OF MEXICO CITY, THE LARGEST CITY IN THE WORLD, AND THE FACT THAT IT IS BUILT ON THE SHAKY SOIL OF AN OLD LAKE BED, MAKE THIS CAPITAL CITY PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO SEISMIC SHOCKS. (SIGNED) NEB/EC/CB-T/LWM 14-Sep-95 9:02 PM EDT (0102 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] SARAJEVO/AIRPORT (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE FIRST UNITED NATIONS FLIGHT SINCE APRIL HAS ARRIVED SAFELY IN SARAJEVO. THE INTERNATIONAL AIRLIFT OF RELIEF SUPPLIES TO THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL COULD RESUME SOON. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: A FRENCH MILITARY PLANE LANDED AT THE SARAJEVO AIRPORT WITH THREE TONS OF RELIEF SUPPLIES AND THE FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTER, CHARLES MILLON.

IT WAS A TEST FLIGHT. IF THE PLANE ENCOUNTERS NO PROBLEMS IN LEAVING SARAJEVO, A UNITED NATIONS SPOKESWOMAN SAYS U-N RELIEF FLIGHTS INTO THE CITY COULD RESUME VERY, VERY QUICKLY.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS EFFECTIVELY SHUT DOWN THE SARAJEVO AIRPORT LAST APRIL, WHEN THEY WITHDREW PROMISES THAT THEY WOULD NOT SHOOT AT RELIEF FLIGHTS.

THE SERBS NOW SAY THEY WILL ALLOW THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL'S AIRPORT TO REOPEN TO U-N FLIGHTS AS PART OF AN AGREEMENT TO END NATO AIR ATTACKS ON SERB MILITARY TARGETS.

AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT, THE SERBS MUST ALSO ALLOW U-N OVERLAND RELIEF CONVOYS TO GO THROUGH THEIR TERRITORY TO SARAJEVO. IT IS MUCH CHEAPER FOR THE UNITED NATIONS TO GET AID INTO THE CITY BY LAND RATHER THAN BY AIR.

THE UNITED NATIONS WANTS TO BUILD UP STOCKPILES OF RELIEF SUPPLIES IN SARAJEVO. IF THE SERBS DO NOT BLOCK AIR AND ROAD ACCESS TO THE CITY, THE NUMBER OF U-N RELIEF FLIGHTS COULD BE GRADUALLY REDUCED. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/DW/MMK
15-Sep-95 11:01 AM EDT (1501 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] U-N / BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN WITHDRAWING THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS FROM SARAJEVO WITHIN HOURS FOLLOWING THE SUSPENSION OF NATO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST SERB MILITARY TARGETS. THE UNITED NATIONS IS PLANNING TO SEND AN OVERLAND AID CONVOY TO SARAJEVO AND TO RESUME THE SARAJEVO AIRLIFT. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: THE SERBS HAVE GIVEN ASSURANCES THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS WITHDRAWAL WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE UNITED NATIONS HAS ANNOUNCED A U-N AID CONVOY WILL GO THROUGH SERB-HELD TERRITORY TO SARAJEVO AND THAT THE SARAJEVO AIRLIFT MAY RESUME LATER IN THE DAY. THE UNITED NATIONS IS MOVING QUICKLY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW AGREEMENT WITH THE SERBS FOR THEM TO EFFECTIVELY LIFT THEIR SIEGE OF THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL. NATO HAS SUSPENDED ITS AIR ATTACKS ON THE SERBS TO GIVE THEM TIME TO COMPLY WITH U-N AND NATO DEMANDS. IN ZAGREB, U-N ENVOY YASUSHI AKASHI SAYS THE AIR ATTACKS WILL RESUME IF THE DEMANDS ARE NOT MET. THE UNITED NATIONS IN ZAGREB HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT IN ZAGREB, OUTLINING WHAT THE SERBS MUST DO. THE STATEMENT ALSO SAYS THE BOSNIAN ARMY MUST _NOT_ ATTACK SERB POSITIONS IN THE SARAJEVO AREA. AMERICAN OFFICIALS WERE STILL HOLDING TALKS WITH THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT. BUT THERE IS _NO_ INDICATION THAT THE BOSNIANS WOULD REJECT THE AGREEMENT THAT COULD BRING PEACE TO SARAJEVO. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/DW/ART
15-Sep-95 7:51 AM EDT (1151 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[11] U-S / BOSNIA (S-O) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS WARNING THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO REMOVE ALL HEAVY WEAPONS FROM THE EXCLUSION ZONE AROUND SARAJEVO OR FACE RENEWED NATO AIR STRIKES. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE SERBIAN UNDERSTANDING THAT THE BOSNIAN SERBS CAN MAINTAIN ALL ARTILLERY 82-MILLIMETERS OR SMALLER WITHIN THE 25-KILOMETER EXCLUSION ZONE AROUND SARAJEVO.

THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THE 82-MILLIMETER WEAPONS HAVE CAUSED THE MOST DANGER TO CIVILIANS IN SARAJEVO. THESE WEAPONS WERE BANNED BY THE FEBRUARY 1994 AGREEMENT THAT WAS LATER VIOLATED BY THE SERBS.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS MAINTAINS AMERICAN DIPLOMAT RICHARD HOLBROOKE DID NOT AGREE WITH THE SERBIAN POSITION ON THE SIZE OF THE WEAPONS WHEN HE CONVEYED THE AGREEMENT THAT PAUSED THE AIR STRIKES IN EXCHANGE FOR THE BOSNIAN SERBS WITHDRAWING THEIR HEAVY GUNS.

WE BELIEVE THAT THE WEAPONS WHICH POSE THE GREATEST THREAT TO THE PEOPLE IN SARAJEVO SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE WITHDRAWN AND THAT FURTHERMORE THERE CAN BE NO CONSIDERATION OF ANY USE OF ANY WEAPONS WITHIN THE ZONE, ANY WEAPONS WHATSOEVER, ANY TYPE OF MILITARY ACTIVITY FOR THAT MATTER.

U-S OFFICIALS ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE RAPID REACTION FORCE IN SARAJEVO CAN RESPOND IF THE BOSNIAN SERBS FIRE ANY WEAPONS REMAINING IN THE ZONE. (SIGNED)

NEB / RP / BD / SKH
15-Sep-95 4:39 PM EDT (2039 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[12] THE U.S. AND THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS BY ED WARNER ( WASHINGTON)

INTRO: IN THE CONFUSED AND COMPLEX BOSNIA SITUATION, RUSSIA HAS ATTRIBUTED VARIOUS MOTIVES TO THE DECISIONBY GTHE UNITED STATES AND ITS NATO ALLIES TO LAUNCH AIR ATTACKS ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND THEREBY HELP THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS. V-O-A'S ED WARNER SPOKE WITH A COUPLE OF U-S ANALYSTS ABOUT DIFFERENT WAYS THE U-S POSITION COULD BE VIEWED, AND HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: RUSSIA'S LEADING TELEVISION NEWS PROGRAM "VREMYA" OBJECTED TO THE BOMBING OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS, BLAMING THE INFLUENCE OF MUSLIMS IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE NATO ACTION. WITH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS COMING UP, SAID THE NEWSCAST, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CAN NOT IGNORE THIS PRESSURE.

THAT IS NEWS TO IBRAHIM HOOPER, NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS, WHO NOTES THE MUSLIM POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES IS ONLY FIVE MILLION (OUT OF A TOTAL POPULATION OF MORE THAN 255-MILLION):

I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN AMERICA HAD SIMILAR STRENGTH TO OTHER INTEREST GROUPS IN THE POLITCAL PROCESS. WE'RE MAKING GREAT STRIDES, AND WE'RE EDUCATING OUR OWN COMMUNITIES IN HOW TO TAKE PART IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS - VOTING DRIVES AND MEETING WITH THEIR ELECTIVE OFFICIALS AND ALL OF THESE TRADITIONAL KINDS OF POLITICAL ACTION TECHNIQUES. BUT WE'RE STILL IN THE INFANCY OF THIS PROCESS.

WILLIAM LYND IS A MILITARY ANALYST FOR THE FREE CONGRESS RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND CO-AUTHOR WITH FORMER SENATOR GARY HART OF THE BOOK, "AMERICA CAN WIN: THE CASE FOR MILITARY REFORM." HE AGREES THAT THE RUSSIAN NEWSCAST EXAGGERATES, THOUGH HE SHARES RUSSIAN FEARS:

THOUGH ISLAM IS CURRENTLY THE FASTEST GROWING RELIGION IN THE UNITED STATES, IT IS NOT YET WELL ENOUGH ORGANIZED TO BE A POWERFUL POLITICAL LOBBY. THE REASON THE UNITED STATES IS BOMBING ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS ON BEHALF OF MUSLIMS IS THAT THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT HAS NO UNDERSTANDING AT ALL THAT IT IS PART OF A LARGER WESTERN CHRISTIAN CULTURE, AND THAT WESTERN CULTURE IS ONCE AGAIN THREATENED BY A RAPIDLY EXPANDING ISLAM.

MR. HOOPER SAYS CULTURE AND RELIGION ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THE U-S DECISION FINALLY TO HELP THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS:

IT IS A MORAL BIAS. THE MUSLIMS IN BOSNIA ARE THE VICTIMS. LET'S NOT FORGET THAT. THE SERBS ARE THE AGGRESSORS, AND THE MUSLIMS ARE THEIR VICTIMS. SO YOU SHOULD HAVE A NATURAL BIAS TOWARD THE VICTIMS.

MR. LYND SAYS THE PRESS AND GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED STATES FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON, WHOSE FOREIGN POLICY WAS OFTEN CRITICIZED FOR BEING TOO MORALISTIC:

IN THIS STRANGE WILSONIAN WORLD, WHERE SOME PEOPLE WEAR BLACK HATS AND SOME PEOPLE WEAR WHITE HATS - SOME ARE CONSIDERED EVIL AND SOME ARE CONSIDERED GOOD - THEY VERY EARLY DECIDED THAT THE MUSLIMS IN THE BALKANS WERE GOOD GUYS AND THE SERBS WERE BAD GUYS. IT'S THINKING ABOUT THE WORLD AS IF THIS WERE A 1950'S WESTERN.

MR. HOOPER AND MR. LYND AGREE, HOWEVER, THAT EVENTUALLY THE RUSSIAN NEWSCAST WILL BE PROVED CORRECT AND THAT MUSLIMS IN AMERICA WILL ENJOY POLITICAL POWER. (SIGNED)

NEB/EW/GPT
15-Sep-95 3:10 PM EDT (1910 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[13] YUGO/REFUGEES (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BELGRADE)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS IS PLANNING TO EVACUATE MORE THAN A THOUSAND SERBS IN CROATIA, WHO HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN THE FORMER SERB STRONGHOLD OF KRAJINA SINCE CROATIAN TROOPS RECAPTURED THE AREA IN AN OFFENSIVE AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST MONTH. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN BELGRADE REPORTS THE EVACUEES WILL JOIN THE MORE THAN 160-THOUSAND KRAJINA SERBS WHO HAVE TAKEN REFUGE IN NEIGHBORING YUGOSLAVIA.

TEXT: MOST OF THOSE TO BE EVACUATED TOOK REFUGE AT THE U-N COMPOUND IN THE KRAJINAN CAPITAL, KNIN, AT THE OUTSET OF THE CROATIAN OFFENSIVE.

CROATIAN AUTHORITIES INITIALLY REFUSED TO LET THEM LEAVE UNTIL U-N OFFICIALS HANDED OVER SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS AMONG THE GROUP. BUT THE U-N REFUSED TO COMPLY UNLESS CROATIA SUBMITTED DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT ITS ALLEGATIONS.

IKA TODOROVIC OF THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES TOLD V-O-A THAT EVIDENCE HAS NOW BEEN PRESENTED AND ANALYZED BY U-N LEGAL EXPERTS. AND AS A RESULT, HE SAID, 34 OF THE SERBS WILL BE HANDED OVER FOR TRIAL IN CROATIA, ON CONDITION THAT THEIR CASES ARE CLOSELY MONITORED BY RED CROSS AND U-N OFFICIALS.

MR. TODOROVIC SAID A TOTAL OF ONE-THOUSAND-THIRTY SERBS FROM THE KNIN REGION WILL BE EVACUATED EARLY SATURDAY IN A CONVOY OF BUSES. THEY ARE TO TRAVEL THROUGH CROATIAN TERRITORY TO THE YUGOSLAV BORDER.

EARLIER GROUPS OF SERBS FLEEING CROATIA WERE ATTACKED AND STONED AS THEY TRAVELLED ALONG THE MAIN HIGHWAY FROM ZAGREB TO THE BORDER. BUT MR. TODOROVIC SAID CROATIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE GIVEN GUARANTEES OF SAFETY FOR SATURDAY'S CONVOY.

IT WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY CROATIAN MILITIARY AND CIVILIAN POLICE, AS WELL AS BY PERSONNEL OF THE U-N PEACEKEEPING FORCE.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY ONLY ABOUT TWO THOUSAND SERBS WILL BE LEFT IN THE KRAJINA REGION ONCE SATURDAY'S EVACUATION IS COMPLETED. AND THEY SAY MOST OF THEM NOW ALSO WANT TO LEAVE.

U-N OFFICIALS REPORT SYSTEMATIC LOOTING AND DESTRUCTION OF SERB-OWNED PROPERTY IN KRAJINA SINCE THE AREA WAS RECAPTURED BY CROATIAN TROOPS.

MORE THAN 160-THOUSAND KRAJINA SERBS ARE NOW IN YUGOSLAVIA, AT REFUGEE CENTERS OR LIVING WITH HOST FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY IT IS NOT LIKELY THAT THEY WILL EVER BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

THE ZAGREB GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN THE SERB REFUGEES UNTIL EARLY NEXT MONTH TO RETURN, AND MORE THAN FIVE THOUSAND HAVE REGISTERED AT CROATIA'S DIPLOMATIC MISSION HERE. BUT U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE ZAGREB GOVERNMENT HAS YET TO ISSUE DOCUMENTS THAT WOULD ALLOW THE SERBS TO ENTER CROATIA.

ONE U-N ENVOY HERE SAID ALL THE SIGNS INDICATE THAT CROATIA DOES NOT WANT THE SERBS BACK. AND HE SAID THAT IS NOT LIKELY TO CHANGE UNLESS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY PUTS ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE ZAGREB GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)

NEB/DR/DW/MMK
15-Sep-95 11:56 AM EDT (1556 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[14] YUGO SANCTIONS RELIEF (S & L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: OVER THE OBJECTIONS OF THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL FRIDAY UNANIMOUSLY DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE SUSPENSION OF SOME SANCTIONS ON YUGOSLAVIA FOR A RECORD SIX MONTHS -- BELGRADE'S REWARD FOR COOPERATING IN PEACE EFFORTS . UNTIL NOW, THE SANCTIONS HAVE BEEN EASED FOR NO MORE THAN 100-DAY PERIODS. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: THE SUSPENDED SANCTIONS ARE MINOR. THEY INCLUDE TRAVEL, SPORTS AND CULTURAL CURBS IMPOSED ON BELGRADE IN 1992 BECAUSE OF ITS SUPPORT FOR THE BOSNIAN SERBS. A WIDER ECONOMIC EMBARGO REMAINS IN PLACE.

BUT THE EXTENSION OF SANCTIONS RELIEF UNTIL NEXT MARCH IS SEEN AS A SIGNAL BY THE WESTERN POWERS THAT MORE COULD COME IF BELGRADE CONTINUES TO COOPERATE.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS WERE ENCOURAGED BY SERBIA'S CONTRIBUTION TO TALKS IN GENEVA LAST WEEK -- WHERE KEY MINISTERS AGREED ON PRINCIPLES FOR A SETTLEMENT IN BOSNIA.

THE RESOLUTION WAS CO-SPONSORED BY SEVEN GOVERNMENTS -- INCLUDING THE FIVE-NATION CONTACT GROUP TRYING TO BROKER A BALKAN PEACE. RUSSIA, AN ALLY OF SERBIA, GAVE ITS SUPPORT FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT HAD ARGUED IN THE PAST THAT THE COUNCIL WAS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO ENCOURAGE BELGRADE. HOWEVER, THE UNITED STATES MADE CLEAR ITS SUPPORT ON THE SANCTIONS WAS MOTIVATED MORE BY ITS CONCERN OVER THE NEW PEACE EFFORTS THAN BY BELGRADE'S OVERALL RECORD.

THE SANCTIONS WERE FIRST EASED LAST SEPTEMBER AFTER SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AGREED TO INTERNATIONAL MONITORS ON SERBIA'S BORDER WITH BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. U-S AMBASSADOR MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAID THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES SUPPLIES TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE STILL GETTING THROUGH:

WE ARE UNDER NO ILLUSION THAT CONTINUED SUSPENSION OF THESE SANCTIONS IS THE KEY TO PEACE. NOR ARE WE UNDER ANY ILLUSION THAT THE BORDER BETWEEN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS FULLY CLOSED. BUT WE ARE DETERMINED DURING THIS CRITICAL PERIOD OF INTENSIVE NEGOTIATIONS TO DO EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN TO ACHIEVE A LASTING PEACE AND RESTORE JUSTICE TO THE REGION.

AMBASSADOR ALBRIGHT ALSO NOTED THE SUSPENSION WILL BE TERMINATED IMMEDIATELY IF U-N OFFICIALS REPORT MAJOR VIOLATIONS OF THE BORDER AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)

NEB/EJ/SKH
15-Sep-95 5:35 PM EDT (2135 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America