Voice of America, 19 September 1995

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES THIS TUESDAY ARE COMMENTING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ON THE RECENT ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG, AS WELL AS THE NEW SHAPE OF THE BOSNIAN WAR. OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION ARE THE SITUATION IN HAITI; LIMITS ON CONGRESSIONAL LOBBYING AND A WELCOME RAIN IN THE NORTHEAST THAT EASED THE REGION'S DROUGHT. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _______________ WITH TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: BOTH "THE NEW YORK TIMES" AND "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" AS WELL AS "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" ARE COMMENTING ON THE VICTORY OF DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES IN HONG KONG'S RECENT ELECTION. HERE'S SOME OF WHAT "THE L-A TIMES" HAS TO SAY:

VOICE: "WITH 1997 AND CHINA'S NEGOTIATED TAKEOVER OF HONG KONG MARCHING ACROSS THE HORIZON, THE BRITISH COLONY'S INHABITANTS HAVE SENT AN ELECTORAL MESSAGE TO BEIJING. IT'S ONE THE CHINESE LEADERS SHOULD LISTEN TO, BUT HAVE ALREADY SIGNALED THEY WON'T. IN 650 DAYS, BEIJING'S APPARATCHIKS WILL TAKE HOLD OF POLITICAL POWER IN HONG KONG AND TOSS OUT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT WAS VOTED IN LAST SUNDAY. IN THAT POPULAR ELECTION, PRO-DEMOCRACY ELEMENTS SCORED HEAVILY. ..... THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS A RECENT, AND BELATED, CREATION OF THE BRITISH GOVERNORS, WHO WILL BE LEAVING THE BUSTLING TERRITORY WITH A MODICUM OF WESTERN-STYLE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT."

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHINESE REACTION, AND HAD SOME ADVICE FOR BEIJING.

VOICE: "OMINOUSLY, CHINA QUICKLY THREATENED TO DISSOLVE THE NEWLY-ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. PERHAPS EVEN MORE OMINOUSLY, GARY CHENG KAI-NAM, AN OFFICIAL OF THE PRO-CHINESE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF HONG KONG, SAID THE COLONY'S SIX MILLION PEOPLE WOULD 'HAVE TO PAY FOR' THEIR CHOICE. IT IS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF EITHER HONG KONG OR CHINA FOR BEIJING TO CRUSH HONG KONG'S VIBRANT ECONOMY AND DEVELOPING DEMOCRACY IN 1997. ..... BEIJING NEEDS TO TAKE A LONGER VIEW..... IT MUST FIND WAYS TO ACCOMODATE ITS LIVELY, INDIVIDUALISTIC CULTURE, FLAVORED BY ITS LONGTERM AND INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH WESTERN CAPITALISM."

TEXT: AND IN THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL," THERE IS A CALL FOR A REVIEW OF THEIR BASIC CHINA POLICY BY THE U-S AND THE OTHER INDUSTRIALIZED DEMOCRACIES/.

VOICE: "THE U-S SHOULD BE TELLING THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES SOMETHING LIKE THIS: THAT THE U-S INTENDS TO MAINTAIN ITS HISTORIC 'ONE CHINA' POLICY, WISHING THE HAN PEOPLE WELL IN EFFORTS TO FORGE ONE NATION, BUT STEADFASTLY OPPOSING THE USE OF FORCE. THAT IT'S UNTHINKABLE THAT THE U-S WOULD TRY TO COERCE A DEMOCRATIC TAIWAN INTO AN UNWILLING UNION, AND SEEKING SUCH AN AMERICAN COMMITMENT WILL BE DISRUPTIVE AND COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. THAT WITH THE INCORPORATION OF HONG KONG IN 1997... BRINGING HONG KONG TO HEEL, DESTROYING ITS INSTITUTIONS, IS THE LAST POLICY LIKELY TO RESULT IN A ONE CHINA."

TEXT: THE ONGOING CIVIL WAR AND THE PEACE EFFORTS UNDERWAY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ARE NEVER FAR FROM THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF SOME U-S PAPERS AND TODAY IS NO EXCEPTION. IN THE LEAD EDITORIAL, "THE WASHINGTON POST" NOTED "THE NEW SHAPE OF THE BOSNIAN WAR."

VOICE: "THE SHAPE OF THE WAR IN BOSNIA IS CHANGING FAST, AND THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE HINGE ON WHETHER ALL THE PARTIES UNDERSTAND IT. [OPT] UNTIL NOW THE BOSNIAN SERBS WERE FORCING THE PACE BY THEIR CONQUESTS, AND PEACE DEPENDED ON CHECKING THEIR GAINS. BUT WITH CROATIA'S EMERGENCE AS A BATTLEFIELD FORCE AND WITH NATO'S NEW BOMBING, THE REELING SERBS ARE BEING COMPELLED TO YIELD THEIR CHOKE HOLD ON SARAJEVO AND TO SEEK ALLIED SUPPORT TO LIMIT CROAT-MUSLIM TERRITORIAL GAINS ELSEWHERE. [END OPT] ..... DIPLOMATIC MOMENTUM IS UP. THE CRUCIAL REQUIREMENTS ARE FULFILLMENT OF THEIR PROMISES BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND DUE RESTRAINT BY THE CROATS AND MUSLIMS."

TEXT: MEANWHILE, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" SEES A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL OF WAR.

VOICE: "THE ENDGAME FOR THE BOSNIAN CIVIL WAR MAY BE IN SIGHT. THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE IN FULL RETREAT, AND WHILE ONLY WEEKS AGO THEY HELD 70 PERCENT OF THE LAND, THEY WILL NOW BE LUCKY TO HOLD ONTO THE 49 PERCENT ALLOTTED TO THEM IN GENEVA EARLIER THIS MONTH, WHEN THE WARRING PARTIES AGREED TO A FRAMEWORK FOR PEACE. HAVING TILTED THE CIVIL WAR AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS ..... THE UNITED STATES NOW FINDS ITSELF IN THE IRONIC POSITION OF NEEDING TO RESTRAIN THE CROAT AND MUSLIM FORCES FROM THE ETHNIC CLEANSING IN WHICH THEY ARE CURRENTLY ENGAGED."

TEXT: THE "ORLANDO SENTINEL" IS WARNING THE U-S PUBLIC NOT TO FORGET ABOUT HAITI.

VOICE: "FORGETTING HAITI WOULD BE EASY. WITH DICTATORSHIP DEAD AND DEMOCRACY RESTORED, THERE'S LITTLE ABOUT THE COUNTRY THAT POSES CONCERN TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD. ..... NOT ALL IS WELL, THOUGH. WITHOUT ACCELERATED FOREIGN ASSISTANCE, HAITI EASILY COULD REMAIN IN AN ABYSS OF ECONOMIC DESPAIR. FOR EXAMPLE, UNEMPLOYMENT STANDS AT 65 PERCENT. ..... OUTSIDE HELP IS CRITICAL TO HELP BOLSTER HAITI'S DEMOCRACY, WHICH HAS HAD A FITFUL START. .... OF COURSE, THE FINAL RESULT WILL BE UP TO HAITIANS, WHO WILL HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE AN ENDURING COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY. THEY WOULD HAVE MORE FAITH, THOUGH, IF THE ECONOMIC FUTURE HELD LESS-BARREN PROSPECTS."

TEXT: IN "THE WASHINGTON TIMES," THE LATEST CONGRESSIONAL EFFORT TO LIMIT THE POWER OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDS TO ENGAGE IN PARTISAN POLITICS AND LOBBY LAWMAKERS, DRAWS THIS RESPONSE:

VOICE: "GETTING POLITICAL ADVOCATES OFF THE DOLE [SUPPORT OF LOBBYISTS] WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THOSE GOOD IDEAS WHOSE TIME HAD NOT YET COME. ..... IN THE END, THE OLD BULLS [VERY POWERFUL, LONG-TIME MEMBERS] IN CONGRESS WOULD CUT A DEAL WITHOUT IT AND MOVE ON. ... TROUBLE IS, SOMEBODY FORGOT TO EXPLAIN TO HOUSE FRESHMEN THAT THE PROVISION WAS JUST FOR SHOW. .....15 LAWMAKERS, PREDOMINANTLY FRESHMEN ... SAY THEY WILL OPPOSE THE BILL IF IT COMES BACK FROM CONFERENCE WITHOUT THE LOBBYING RESTRICTIONS. AND THAT COULD KILL IT. ..... THE CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP HAS TWO OPTIONS NOW. IT CAN CALL THE FRESHMEN'S BLUFF AND SEND THEM A BILL WITHOUT THE LOBBYING RESTRICTIONS. OR IT CAN TAKE THEIR CONCERNS SERIOUSLY. GIVEN THE 1994 ELECTION RESULTS, IT BETTER TAKE THEM VERY SERIOUSLY."

TEXT: "THE BALTIMORE SUN" IS CONGRATULATING A YOUNG RUSSIAN IMMIGRANT, DANIEL KOKOTOV, WHO HAS JUST SCORED A PERFECT 16-HUNDRED-POINT SCORE ON THE SCHOLASTIC ASSESSMENT TEST, THE ALL-IMPORTANT EXAMS WHICH ARE USED AS PART OF THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS.

VOICE: ".... WHAT MAKES DANIEL'S ACHIEVEMENT EVEN MORE REMARKABLE IS THE FACE THAT HE AND HIS FAMILY MIGRATED TO THE BALTIMORE AREA FROM MOSCOW FOUR YEARS AGO. THE 16-YEAR-OLD HAS SPOKEN ENGLISH FOR LESS THAN HALF HIS LIFE, AND YET, AS HE RECENTLY LEARNED, HE ACED [CONQUERED] THE SAT WHEN HE TOOK THE EXAM LAST SPRING. ..... HIS PARENTS OBVIOUSLY DESERVE CREDIT FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO THEIR SON'S EDUCATION. WHEN THEY WERE STILL LIVING IN RUSSIA BUT KNEW THEY WOULD BE MOVING TO THE UNITED STATES, THEY HIRED TUTORS TO TEACH ENGLISH TO DANIEL."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, SOME THOUGHTS FROM "THE BOSTON GLOBE" ON THE BEAUTY OF RAIN, WHEN IT FALLS OUT OF A SKY THAT HAS PRODUCED ONLY BRIGHT, SUNNY, CLOUDLESS WEATHER FOR ALMOST SIX WEEKS LEADING TO DROUGHT IN NEW ENGLAND.

VOICE: "NOT A MIRAGE, BUT ACTUAL WATER DROPPING FROM THE SKY INTO THE DUST THAT WAS ONCE LAWN. SUNDAY'S SOAKER [ALL-DAY RAIN] FELT LIKE A MIRACLE OF SORTS AND WAS GREETED WITH HALLELUJAHS FROM THE DEVOUT AND NON-BELIEVER. WHETHER A PERSON REJOICED IN THE ROOFTOP DRUMMING AS IT ACCOMPANIED A CHURCH CHOIR, OR MUTED THE SNORES OF A SPOUSE SLEEPING ON THE NEXT PILLOW, OR SIMPLY MADE THE KITCHEN SEEM COZIER AND THE SECOND CUP OF COFFEE TASTE BETTER, THE WET WORLD WAS CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION. [OPT] ..... WE MAY HAVE DESK JOBS, BUT WE ARE ONE WITH THE FARMERS WHO PRAY FOR RAIN AND THE NATIVE AMERICANS WHO DANCE FOR IT."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS AMERICANS ARE READING THIS TUESDAY IN MIDDLE SEPTEMBER.

ANG/NL

19-Sep-95 11:22 AM EDT (1522 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA: BIG STICK DIPLOMACY BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: WHILE WORLD ATTENTION FOCUSES ON THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL SARAJEVO AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS PULL OUT OF THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS FROM THE HILLS, CROAT AND MUSLIM-LED TROOPS APPARENTLY HAVE TAKEN BACK AS MUCH GROUND AS WOULD BE GRANTED THEM IN A U-S SPONSORED PEACE PLAN. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION NOW CONTROLS AT LEAST HALF THE TERRITORY OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

TEXT: EVENTS ARE MOVING TOO FAST ON THE GROUND IN BOSNIA FOR BALKAN EXPERTS TO BE ABLE TO ANALYZE WITH ACCURACY THE REASONS FOR THE SUDDEN REVERSAL OF FORTUNES THERE, LET ALONE WHAT THE END RESULT MAY BE. BUT SEVERAL THINK THE CONCENTRATED NATO BOMBING OF SERB POSITIONS AROUND SARAJEVO PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART AND MAY HAVE EMBOLDENED THE ALLIANCE OF CROATS AND BOSNIANS. THE FORMER NATO COMMANDER IN EUROPE, GENERAL JOHN GALVIN IS ONE OF THEM:

TAPE: CUT # 1 GALVIN RUNS [:32] "THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN WESTERN BOSNIA HAVE LOST A GREAT AMOUNT OF LAND TO THE FIGHTING THAT'S GONE ON IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. I THINK SOME OF THAT HAS COME ABOUT BECAUSE THE AIRSTRIKES HAVE CUT COMMUNICATION AND THE SERBS WITHIN BOSNIA ARE NOT ABLE TO OPERATE AS WELL AS THEY COULD BEFORE. COMMUNICATIONS AND LOGISTICS ARE DEFINITELY IN A MESS."

TEXT: GENERAL GALVIN CALLS IT 'TRULY ASTOUNDING' HOW MUCH GROUND THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE LOST IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. GENERAL GALVIN THINKS THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE STRETCHED TOO THIN AND MAY BE ANXIOUS TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT BEFORE THEY LOSE MORE GROUND.

THE QUESTION IS, ARE THE BOSNIAN AND CROAT ALLIES EQUALLY ANXIOUS? U-S AND U-N OFFICIALS ARE INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A RENEWED CYCLE OF WAR, THIS TIME WITH THE BOSNIANS ON THE OFFENSIVE AND THE SERBS ON THE RUN. DIPLOMATS HAVE CALLED ON THE FEDERATION TO HALT MILITARY OPERATIONS, FEARING A CONTINUED PUSH AGAINST THE SERBS WILL DOOM DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE A SETTLEMENT WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, WHO IS REPRESENTING THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN PEACE TALKS.

OTHER ANALYSTS BELIEVE THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SEES NO REASON TO TRUST ANY AGREEMENT SIGNED BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AND THAT MAY BE WHY IT HAS SECURED BY FORCE THE 51 PERCENT OF TERRITORY ALREADY PROMISED IN THE U-S BROKERED PEACE AGREEMENT. PROFESSOR EMERITUS ALBERT WOHLSTETTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SAYS THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE BROKEN PROMISES BEFORE, INCLUDING A PREVIOUS PLEDGE TO PULL THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS BACK FROM AROUND SARAJEVO:

TAPE: CUT # 2 WOHLSTETTER RUNS [29:] "THE SERBS IN THE PAST HAVE WITHDRAWN BEYOND THAT AND HAVE RETURNED, THEY'VE SAID THEY'RE WITHDRAWING AND HAVEN'T, THEY'VE FIRED, AFTER SUCH AN AGREEMENT, FROM WITHIN THE ZONE. THIS (NEW PLAN) SAYS NOTHING ABOUT LIGHT WEAPONS SUCH AS ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADES, SNIPER GUNS WHICH MAKE NORMAL LIFE IN SARAJEVO IMPOSSIBLE."

TEXT: BUT ANOTHER BALKAN ANALYST, PROFESSOR GALE STOKES OF RICE UNIVERSITY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS THINKS BOSNIAN SERB GENERAL RATKO MLADIC IS NOW MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE OFFENSIVE IN WESTERN BOSNIA THAN HE IS ABOUT RENEWED NATO AIRSTRIKES:

TAPE: CUT # 3 STOKES RUNS [:50] "IN A SENSE THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE CONTROL OVER THE NATO AIRSTRIKES. THEY CAN STOP THEM BY TAKING THEIR WEAPONS OUT FROM AROUND SARAJEVO AND THAT APPEARS FOR THE MOMENT TO BE WHAT THEY'RE DOING. THE CROAT-BOSNIAN OFFENSIVE IN WESTERN BOSNIA THOUGH, HE (GEN. MLADIC) DOESN'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER THAT AND IF I WERE HE, THAT WOULD BE MUCH MORE WORRISOME BECAUSE HIS FORCES APPEAR TO BE ON THE DEFENSIVE NOW AND NOT REALLY DEFENDING THAT AREA PARTICULARLY WELL. THERE'S BEEN SOME SPECULATION THAT THIS IS A PURPOSEFUL POLICY ON THE PART OF THE SERBS TO CONSOLIDATE AND GIVE UP TERRITORY THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD IN THE LONG RUN ANYWAY."

TEXT: IN FACT PROFESSOR STOKES SAYS, THE SERBS MAY FEEL IT'S MORE HONORABLE TO LOSE TERRITORY IN WAR THAN GIVE IT UP IN AN EVENTUAL PEACE SETTLEMENT. BUT HE DISAGREES WITH GENERAL GALVIN THAT AIRSTRIKES ARE WHAT HAS TRANSFORMED THE STATUS QUO IN BOSNIA. HE SAYS THE CHANGES ARE THE RESULT OF A WHOLE SERIES OF UNFORESEEN EVENTS PLUS A NEW CAST OF CHARACTERS:

TAPE: CUT # 4 STOKES RUNS [:59] "FOR EXAMPLE, TAKE THE NATO COMMANDER IN BOSNIA NOW, GENERAL RUPERT SMITH. HE'S MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE THAN GENERAL MICHAEL ROSE WAS. HE'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT TYPE OF COMMANDER. HE INTERPRETS THE (U-N) MANDATE MUCH MORE DIFFERENTLY. YOU HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT OF FRANCE (JACQUES CHIRAC) WHO IS MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE, MUCH MORE WILLING TO TRY TO USE FORCE. YOU HAD THE FALL OF SREBRENICA WHICH BROUGHT ABOUT THE LONDON CONFERENCE AND GALVANIZED AMERICAN PARTICIPATION. SO NOW YOU HAVE A UNITED STATES WHICH IS TAKING A LEADERSHIP ROLE AND AT THE SAME TIME YOU HAVE SOME EUROPEANS WHO ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT THIS ROLE IN A WAY THAT THEY WEREN'T IN 1992. AND OF COURSE YOU HAVE THE CROATIAN OCCUPATION OF KRAJINA WHICH CHANGED THE STRATEGIC SITUATION ABSOLUTELY DRAMATICALLY."

TEXT: AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, PROFESSOR STOKES SAYS, WAS THE REALIZATION BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION THAT WITH AN ELECTION COMING UP SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE ABOUT BOSNIA. HE SAYS THE FALL OF SREBRENICA CAUSED THE PRESIDENT TO MAKE WHAT PROFESSOR STOKES CALLS THE VERY WISE DECISION OF APPOINTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE TO HEAD THE U-S NEGOTIATING TEAM. THE END RESULT, PROFESSOR STOKES PREDICTS, WILL BE A DIPLOMATIC SETTLEMENT SECURED BY MILITARY FORCE. UNLESS, HE SAYS, THE CYCLE OF REVENGE AND COUNTER-REVENGE SPINS OUT OF CONTROL AGAIN AS IT HAS THROUGHOUT BALKAN HISTORY. (SIGNED)

NEB/PAM/NES
19-Sep-95 4:45 PM EDT (2045 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA/SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE MOVING MORE HEAVY WEAPONS OUT THE 20-KILOMETER EXCLUSION ZONE AROUND SARAJEVO, AND THE OFFICIALS ARE OPTIMISTIC ALL THE WEAPONS WILL BE MOVED BEFORE THE WEDNESDAY NATO AND U-N DEADLINE. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO U-N OFFICIALS SAY THERE HAS BEEN NO PROGRESS ABOUT ARRANGING A CEASE-FIRE AROUND SARAJEVO, BECAUSE THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WANTS UTILITIES RESTORED TO THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL FIRST.

TEXT: U-N OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THE BOSNIAN SERBS WILL HAVE COMPLETELY WITHDRAWN THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS FROM AROUND SARAJEVO BEFORE THE WEDNESDAY DEADLINE. IF THE WEAPONS ARE NOT WITHDRAWN BY THEN, NATO AIRSTRIKES AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE SET TO RESUME. U-N SPOKESMAN CHRIS GUNNESS SAID THE OPERATION IS PROCEEDING SMOOTHLY.

A LARGE NUMBER OF WEAPONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO COLLECTION POINTS IN THE ZONE ITSELF, AND THEY SHOULD BE MOVED OUT BY 2200 TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) EVENING. I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF IT WILL GO TODAY.

U-N MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE CONFIDENT THEY KNOW HOW MANY BOSNIAN-SERB WEAPONS MUST BE REMOVED, AND U-N PEACE KEEPERS ARE PROVIDING FUEL FOR SOME OF THE BOSNIAN-SERB VEHICLES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE OUT OF THE ZONE IN TIME. THE CONVOYS OF HEAVY WEAPONS ARE BEING ESCORTED BY U-N PEACEKEEPERS TO THE EDGE OF THE ZONE, WHERE U-N TROOPS HAVE SET UP NEW OBSERVATION POSTS TO KEEP TRACK OF THE WITHDRAWAL.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY HUMANITARIAN AID IS FLOWING FREELY INTO SARAJEVO AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE NO LONGER STOPPING VEHICLES. HUMANITARIAN AID CONVOYS AND AID FLIGHTS HAVE DELIVERED HUNDREDS-OF-TONS OF FOOD AND OTHER MATERIALS TO SARAJEVO IN THE PAST FEW DAYS. U-N AID OFFICIALS SAY LARGE AMOUNTS OF AID MUST BE BROUGHT INTO SARAJEVO BEFORE WINTER MAKES THE DELIVERY OF AID MORE DIFFICULT.

U-N OFFICIALS REPORT NO PROGRESS IN EFFORTS TO ARRANGE A LOCAL CEASE-FIRE FOR THE SARAJEVO AREA. THE U-N COMMANDER IN BOSNIA, GENERAL RUPERT SMITH, MET WITH SENIOR BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS AN END TO HOSTILITIES, BUT THE BOSNIAN OFFICIALS WANT THE RESTORATION OF UTILITIES TO SARAJEVO IN ANY DEAL. ELECTRICITY, GAS, AND WATER SUPPLIES TO THE CITY HAVE BEEN CUT BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS FOR MONTHS, AND BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THE BOSNIAN SERBS WILL ONLY RESPOND TO MILITARY PRESSURE. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/MH/RAE
19-Sep-95 10:53 AM EDT (1453 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA/TALKS (L) BY KYLE KING ( ZAGREB )

INTRO: U-S PEACE ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS STEPPING UP HIS EFFORTS TO END THE CONFLICT IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, AMID RISING CONCERN RECENT BATTLEFIELD GAINS BY THE BOSNIAN ARMY AND THEIR CROAT ALLIES COULD DERAIL U-S EFFORTS. DURING A STOP IN ZAGREB, MR. HOLBROOKE HELD TALKS WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ILIJA IZETBEGOVIC AND CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM CROATIA'S CAPITAL.

TEXT: MR. HOLBROOKE EMERGED FROM HIS TALKS WITH THE BOSNIAN AND CROATIAN PRESIDENTS, TO ANNOUNCE A SLIGHT CHANGE OF PLANS. HE SAID HE WOULD BE TRAVELING TO BELGRADE TO BRIEF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSOVIC.

AS FOR THE PEACE PROCESS, WE WILL CONTINUE ACTIVE NEGOTIATIONS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. WE WILL BE IN CONSTANT TOUCH WITH ALL THREE CAPITALS FROM WASHINGTON. WE WILL BE BACK IN BELGRADE AND NEGOTIATING IN NEW YORK SIMULTANEOUSLY BY THE END OF THE WEEK. I SAY NEW YORK BECAUSE AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE THREE FOREIGN MINISTERS WILL ALL BE AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND ALL THREE FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE AGREED TO MEET TOGETHER UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE AMERICAN PEACE INITIATIVE NEXT WEEK IN NEW YORK.

THE INCREASING PACE OF THE DIPLOMATIC EFFORT TO END THE CONFLICT COMES AMID WORD CROAT FORCES WOULD HALT THEIR OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS IN ZAGREB, CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MATE GRANIC SAID THE LATEST SUCCESS OF THE CROATIAN ARMY AND THE BOSNIAN-GOVERNMENT FORCES HAD CREATED A NEW REALITY, AND HE SAID THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR AN END TO THE WAR AND A JUST PEACE.

IT IS NOT CLEAR IF BOSNIAN FORCES WILL CONTINUE THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE SERBS, WHO HAVE LOST CONTROL OF A MAJOR PORTION OF THE TERRITORY THEY CAPTURED EARLY IN THE WAR.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE OFFENSIVE HAS SUCCEEDED IN REDUCING SERB-HELD TERRITORY TO LESS THAN HALF THE COUNTRY. MEANWHILE, THEY EXPRESS CONCERN FURTHER LOSSES COULD DRAG THE POWERFUL SERB-DOMINATED YUGOSLAV ARMY INTO THE CONFLICT.

THE FLOOD OF REFUGEES LEFT IN THE WAKE OF THE FIGHTING AND THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER SERB LOSSES HAVE ALARMED SERBIA'S PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSOVIC, THE MAN NEGOTIATING ON BEHALF OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

AFTER BRIEFING MR. MILOSOVIC ON HIS LATEST TALKS IN ZAGREB, MR. HOLBROOKE WILL BRIEF PRESIDENT CLINTON IN WASHINGTON, BEFORE TRAVELING TO NEW YORK FOR FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS. (SIGNED)NEB/KBK/MH/RAE 19-Sep-95 11:40 AM EDT (1540 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA/U-N (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS ( GENEVA )

INTRO: RELIEF AGENCIES IN BOSNIA ARE STRUGGLING TO COPE WITH THE FLOW OF SERB REFUGEES, FLEEING MUSLIM AND CROAT FORCES IN THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. VOA'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN GENEVA REPORTS U-N OFFICIALS SAY MANY OF THE SERB REFUGEES ARE FACING APPALLING CONDITIONS AS THEY TRY TO ESCAPE THE WARZONE.

TEXT: U-N OFFICIALS NOW ESTIMATE THAT AROUND 87-THOUSAND SERBS HAVE FLED THEIR HOMES DURING THE PAST TWO WEEKS.

THEY WENT INITIALLY TO THE NORTHERN SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA. BUT MUSLIM AND CROAT FORCES ARE NOW REPORTED TO BE LESS THAN 40 KILOMETERS FROM THE TOWN. AND BOSNIAN SERB AUTHORITIES HAVE ESTABLISHED A STRING OF REFUGEE CENTERS IN AREAS FARTHER AWAY FROM THE WARZONE.

U-N-H-C-R (U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES) SPOKESMAN RON REDMOND SAID ONLY ABOUT 15-THOUSAND OF THE REFUGEES REMAIN IN BANJA LUKA. SOME ARE ENCAMPED AT A LOCAL SCHOOL, SLEEPING IN THE HALLS AND EVEN ON THE PLAYING FIELD.

A U-N-H-C-R TEAM VISITED THE FACILITY MONDAY AND DESCRIBED CONDITIONS AS VERY BAD; WITH FOOD, WATER AND MEDICINE ALL IN SHORT SUPPLY.

THERE WERE MANY SICK, AS WELL AS ELDERLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN. THERE HAVE BEEN TORRENTIAL RAINS AND COLD WEATHER WHICH IS MAKING CONDITIONS EVEN WORSE. WE FEAR THAT IF THE SANITARY CONDITIONS ARE NOT IMPROVED, WE COULD BE SEEING AN OUTBREAK OF DISEASE. EVERYONE LOOKED EXHAUSTED DUE TO THEIR LONG AND TIRING FLIGHT OUT OF THE CONFLICT AREAS.

THE U-N-H-C-R ON TUESDAY DISPATCHED AN 11 TRUCK CONVOY TO THE AREA FROM BELGRADE, CARRYING MORE THAN 200 TONS OF EMERGENCY SUPPLIES, INCLUDING FOOD, TENTS AND PLASTIC SHEETING.

BANJA LUKA HAS LONG BEEN THE MAJOR SUPPLY BASE IN NORTHERN BOSNIA FOR U-N-H-C-R AND OTHER RELIEF AGENCIES. BUT STOCKS WERE SEVERELY DEPLETED IN AUGUST WHEN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CROATIAN SERB REFUGEES PASSED THROUGH THE AREA AFTER FLEEING THE CROATIAN ARMY'S OFFENSIVE IN THE KRAJINA REGION. RE-SUPPLY EFFORTS BY U-N-H-C-R AND OTHER AGENCIES WERE HALTED WHEN NATO BEGAN ITS AIR CAMPAIGN AGAINST BOSNIAN SERB TARGETS EARLIER THIS MONTH.

AS HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS FOR BOSNIA'S SERBS GROW INCREASINGLY DESPERATE, U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE SITUATION FOR THE LARGELY MUSLIM POPULATION OF SARAJEVO IS STEADILY IMPROVING.

MR. REDMOND SAID AN AVERAGE OF 10 RELIEF FLIGHTS ARE LANDING IN THE CAPITAL EACH DAY. AND GROUND CONVOYS ARE TRAVELLING INTO THE CITY ON ROUTES PREVIOUSLY BLOCKED BY SERB FORCES. (SIGNED)

NEB/DBR/MH/CF
19-Sep-95 9:37 AM EDT (1337 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA / BOUTROS (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL, BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI, HAS SAID UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPERS IN BOSNIA SHOULD BE REPLACED BY A MULTINATIONAL COALITION WHETHER OR NOT A PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. U-N OFFICIALS ON THE GROUND IN BOSNIA HAVE REACTED CAUTIOUSLY TO THE REPORT, AND U-N MILITARY OFFICIALS HAVE WARNED ANY CHANGE SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE RECOMMENDATION TO REPLACE U-N PEACE KEEPERS IN BOSNIA CAME IN A LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL. MR. BOUTROS-GHALI SAID THE U-N HAD A LIMITED CAPACITY TO MANAGE LARGE-SCALE OPERATIONS, PARTICULARLY OPERATIONS WHICH REQUIRED THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE.

HE COMPLAINED OF THE FAILURE OF MANY NATIONS TO PAY FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN A TIMELY WAY, AND HE MADE REFERENCE TO DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED WHEN THERE WERE DIFFERENT CHAINS OF COMMAND, A CLEAR REFERENCE TO PAST SQUABBLES BETWEEN U-N AND NATO OVER OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL SAID IF A PEACE PLAN WAS AGREED IN BOSNIA, A COALITION OF MEMBER STATES SHOULD IMPLEMENT IT, AND IF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS FAILED AND MORE "ENFORCEMENT ACTION" WAS REQUIRED, TROOPS FROM A MULTINATIONAL COALITION SHOULD TAKE UP THE JOB -- A CLEAR REFERENCE TO NATO.

U-N OFFICIALS IN SARAJEVO REACTED CAUTIOUSLY TO THE PLAN. U-N SPOKESMAN CHRIS GUNNESS SAID THE LETTER WAS A RESULT OF AN ONGOING EVALUATION PROCESS THAT BEGAN SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, BUT HE MADE IT CLEAR THERE WOULD BE NO IMMEDIATE CHANGE.

IT'S THE SECURITY COUNCIL THAT PASSES US DOWN OUR MANDATE. IT IS THE SECURITY COUNCIL THAT HAS GIVEN US A MANDATE 'TIL THE END OF NOVEMBER, AND UNTIL THE SECURITY COUNCIL DECIDES THAT THERE WILL BE A CHANGE IN THAT THEN WE WILL CARRY ON IMPLEMENTING THE MANDATE THAT WE HAVE.

BUT WITH A POTENTIAL RESUMPTION OF NATO AIRSTRIKES IN BOSNIA ONLY HOURS AWAY, AND THE BIG GUNS OF THE U-N'S RAPID REACTION FORCE READY TO FIRE AT ANY TIME ON BOSNIAN SERB POSITIONS FROM THE HILLS AROUND SARAJEVO, U-N MILITARY SPOKESMAN LT. COL. CHRIS VERNON WARNED OF THE CONFUSION SUCH A SHIFT MIGHT BRING.

I WOULD SAY THAT MILITARILY THE TIMING OF ANY SUCH CHANGE OF TROOPS WOULD HAVE TO TAKE VERY MUCH INTO ACCOUNT THE MILITARY FACTORS OF THE REALITY ON THE GROUND.

IF NATO WERE TO TAKE OVER THE MISSION IN BOSNIA, MANY TROOPS WOULD SIMPLY CHANGE THE COLOR OF THEIR HELMETS. BUT THOUSANDS OF NON-NATO TROOPS MIGHT HAVE TO BE WITHDRAWN AT A TIME WHEN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE WAS EITHER ATTEMPTING TO IMPLEMENT A NEW PEACE PLAN, OR WAS MORE ACTIVELY TRYING TO ENFORCE PEACE THROUGH MILITARY POWER. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/MH/BG
19-Sep-95 12:23 PM EDT (1623 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] BOSNIA / FIGHTING (L-UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: MUSLIM AND CROAT FORCES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE MADE MORE GAINS DURING THEIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE SERBS IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL BOSNIA. BUT, THE BOSNIAN AND CROATIAN PRESIDENTS HAVE INDICATED THEIR FORCES WILL NOT TRY TO CAPTURE THE LARGEST SERB-HELD TOWN, BANJA LUKA. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: AS THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN ARMY AND THE SERBS ISSUE CONFLICTING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE FIGHTING, MUSLIM OR CROAT FORCES WERE SAID TO HAVE APPARENTLY TAKEN THE KEY SERB-HELD TOWN OF PRIJEDOR. EUROPEAN UNION PEACE ENVOY CARL BILDT SAYS HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TOWN MAY HAVE FALLEN. BUT, SERB POLICE OFFICIALS IN PRIJEDOR DENY IT. PRIJEDOR IS ON A MAIN ROAD ONLY 50 KILOMETERS NORTHWEST OF THE BIGGEST SERB TOWN, BANJA LUKA. TO THE WEST OF BANJA LUKA, THE BOSNIAN ARMY COMMANDER IN THE REGION SAYS HIS FORCES HAVE SURROUNDED THE SERB TOWN OF SANSKI MOST. HE INDICATES, THOUGH, THAT THE SERBS ARE PUTTING UP STRONG RESISTANCE. UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS SAY BOSNIAN ARMY ARTILLERY MAY ALREADY BE WITHIN SHELLING RANGE OF BANJA LUKA. BUT, THE BOSNIAN AND CROATIAN PRESIDENTS HAVE INDICATED TO AMERICAN PEACE ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE THEIR FORCES WILL NOT ATTACK THAT TOWN. THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS ITS ARMY WILL NO LONGER SUPPORT THE MUSLIM AND CROAT OFFENSIVE IN BOSNIA. THERE IS NO INDICATION YET, THOUGH, WHETHER CROATIAN HEAVY ARTILLERY HAS STOPPED SHELLING THE SERBS. THE SERBS SAY THEY WILL DEFEND BANJA LUKA, WHERE THEY HAVE IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES AND AN AIR BASE. THE SERBS ALSO SAY THEY WILL NOT ALLOW THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS TO KEEP THE TERRITORY ALREADY SEIZED DURING THEIR COMBINED OFFENSIVE. THERE HAS BEEN SPECULATION THAT THE SERBS HAVE OFFERED LITTLE RESISTANCE AND HAVE WILLINGLY ABANDONED TERRITORY THAT WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE MUSLIMS OR CROATS ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT PEACE PLAN. BUT, THE SERB ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF, GENERAL MANOJLO MILOVANOVIC, SAYS HE IS AWARE OF NO POLITICAL DEAL TO GIVE UP THAT LAND. HE SAYS THE SERBS WILL GET IT BACK, EITHER THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS OR BY MILITARY FORCE. MEANWHILE, THE BOSNIAN ARMY APPEARS TO HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL GAINS IN FIGHTING ON STRATEGIC MOUNT OZREN IN CENTRAL BOSNIA. A U-N SPOKESMAN IN SARAJEVO SAYS GOVERNMENT FORCES ARE ALSO BELIEVED STILL ADVANCING IN THE DIRECTION OF DOBOJ, THE THIRD LARGEST SERB-HELD TOWN IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE SERBS DENY LOSING ANY MORE GROUND IN THE DOBOJ AREA. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/SKH
19-Sep-95 4:20 PM EDT (2020 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] CHRISTOPHER-BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS RECEIVED ASSURANCES FROM BOSNIA AND CROATIA THAT THEIR FORCES WILL HALT THEIR OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THERE ARE HOPES A MORE GENERAL CEASE-FIRE CAN TAKE HOLD.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN APPEALING WITHOUT SUCCESS FOR BOSNIA AND CROATIA TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT IN THEIR OFFENSIVE IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA BUT NOW THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS SOME INDICATION THOSE CALLS MAY BE HAVING AN EFFECT. SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE PRESIDENTS OF CROATIA AND BOSNIA GAVE ASSURANCES TO AMBASSADOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE IN ZAGREB THAT THEIR FORCES WILL HALT OPERATIONS THREATENING THE BOSNIAN SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA.

"///BURNS ACT///

SPECIFICALLY ON THE QUESTION OF BANJA LUKA, DICK AND THE TWO AMBASSADORS WERE LED TO BELIEVE IN FAIRLY CLEAR TERMS THAT THE CROATIANS AND BOSNIANS WERE NOT INCLINED TO CONTINUE THE OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS UP TO AN ATTACK ON BANJA LUKA, WHICH IS GOOD NEWS FOR US. WE HAVE ALSO SEEN MANY REPORTS FROM DIVERSE SOURCES THIS MORNING THAT, IN FACT, THE MILITARY OFFENSIVE THAT SPED SO RAPIDLY THROUGH CENTRAL BOSNIA OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS APPEARS TO BE GROWING TOA HALT.

THE SPOKESMAN SAYS THERE WAS NO CATEGORICAL STATEMENT FROM BOSNIA OR CROATIA THAT ALL OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS WILL HALT. SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER SAID AFTER SPEAKING TO AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE THERE IS HOPE FOR AN END TO ALL HOSTILITIES IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA. THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE WENT TO BELGRADE TO URGE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO KEEP HIS ARMY OUT OF THE FIGHTING AROUND BANJA LUKA AND TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO EMPHASIZE WITH HIM IS NOT ONLY THE BROADENING OF THE WAR, THEY SHOULD NOT BROADEN THE WAR BY ANY MOVES WITH RESPECT TO BANJA LUKA BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THEY COMPLY WITH THEIR COMMITMENT TO MOVE HEAVY WEAPONS OUT OF SARAJEVO.

MR. CHRISTOPHER SAYS IT IS NATURAL FOR THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO WANT TO REGAIN SOME OF THEIR TERRITORY CAPTURED BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS. STILL, HE SAYS IT IS TIME TO WIN THAT TERRITORY AT THE PEACE-TABLE, NOT ON THE BATTLE-GROUND. (SIGNED) NEB/PT 19-Sep-95 4:20 PM EDT (2020 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] CROATIA / BOSNIA (L) BY KYLE KING (ZAGREB)

INTRO: THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS IT IS HALTING MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST SERB-HELD TERRITORY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, AND U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN SIMILAR ASSURANCES TO U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE. THE PLEDGES CAME AMID STEPPED UP DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS AIMED AT ENDING THE CONFLICT, AND FEARS THAT FURTHER LOSSES BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS COULD TRIGGER INTERVENTION BY THE POWERFUL SERB-DOMINATED YUGOSLAV ARMY. FROM ZAGREB, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MATE GRANIC SAYS ADVANCES BY THE BOSNIAN ARMY AND ITS CROAT ALLIES HAD ESTABLISHED A NEW REALITY IN BOSNIA AND THE TIME IS NOW RIGHT FOR THE END OF THE WAR. HE SAYS CROATIA HAS NOW HALTED MILITARY OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA. THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S STATEMENT CAME AS U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE HELD TALKS IN ZAGREB WITH THE CROATIAN AND BOSNIAN PRESIDENTS. A STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN IN WASHINGTON LATER SAID MR. HOLBROOKE HAD BEEN GIVEN ASSURANCES BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE CROATS THAT OPERATIONS AGAINST THE SERBS HAD BEEN HALTED. THE COMBINED OFFENSIVE HAS ALREADY DRIVEN THE SERBS FROM A STRING OF TOWNS IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL BOSNIA, LEAVING THEM IN CONTROL OF ABOUT HALF OF THE COUNTRY, FAR LESS THAN THE 70-PERCENT THEY HAD HELD. THE SERB LOSSES HAVE CREATED A FLOOD OF REFUGEES. MANY OF THEM ARE NOW PACKED INTO BANJA LUKA, THE LARGEST SERB-HELD TOWN IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. BOSNIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MUHAMED SACIRBEY, WHO WAS IN ZAGREB FOR TALKS WITH MR. HOLBROOKE TUESDAY, SAYS BOSNIAN TROOPS WANT A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.

IT IS NOT OUR DESIRE TO CAUSE ANY SORT OF MILITARY ACTION (OR) TO CREATE ANY SORT OF PANIC IN THE TOWN. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE OF BANJA LUKA, IN FACT, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES. THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE THREATENED ARE THE WAR CRIMINALS.

DESPITE THE ASSURANCES GIVEN TO MR. HOLBROOKE, THE BOSNIAN SERBS SAY THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF ALLOWING THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS TO CONSOLIDATE THEIR HOLD ON NEWLY-CAPTURED TERRITORY. BUT THERE MAY BE LITTLE THE SERBS CAN DO NOW. CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN AND BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC ISSUED A STATEMENT LATE TUESDAY, SAYING THEY SUPPORTED THE U-S BACKED PEACE INITIATIVE AND THEY CALLED FOR A POLITICAL DIALOGUE ON WHAT TO DO WITH LIBERATED AREAS. MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS HE EXPECTS DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS WOULD CONTINUE IN THE COMING DAYS. AND HE HAS ANNOUNCED THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA AND SERB-DOMINATED YUGOSLAVIA WILL HOLD TALKS IN NEW YORK NEXT WEEK. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/SKH
19-Sep-95 4:02 PM EDT (2002 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] E-U/STATS (L) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS PRODUCED A FASCINATING REPORT ON THE LIVES OF ITS 371 MILLION CITIZENS, WITH DATA ON BIRTHS AND DEATHS, MARRIAGES AND DIVORCES, AND OTHER POPULATION STATISTICS. IT REVEALS THAT THE CITIZENS IN THE DIFFERENT E-U COUNTRIES HAVE AS MANY DIFFERENCES AS THEY HAVE THINGS IN COMMON. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FOR V-O-A NEWS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: IN GENERAL, THE CITIZENS OF EUROPE ARE GETTING MARRIED LESS FREQUENTLY, ARE GETTING DIVORCED MORE OFTEN, AND MORE AND MORE BABIES ARE BEING BORN OUT OF WEDLOCK. HOWEVER, THERE ARE STRIKING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE 15 E-U NATIONS. IN BRITAIN, FOR INSTANCE, THE DIVORCE RATE HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER. LAST YEAR IT REACHED THREE POINT SEVEN DIVORCES PER THOUSAND INHABITANTS. HOWEVER, IN NEIGHBORING IRELAND, THE DIVORCE RATE IS NIL - AS DIVORCE IS ILLEGAL IN THAT CATHOLIC COUNTRY. THE DIVORCE RATE IS ALSO LOW IN ITALY, PROBABLY ALSO BECAUSE OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

THE STUDY SHOWS THAT DENMARK IS THE E-U COUNTRY WHERE COUPLES MOST OFTEN WALK DOWN THE AISLE, WITH PORTUGAL IN SECOND PLACE.

THE SWEDES TEND TO MARRY THE LEAST, FOLLOWED BY THE FRENCH. THIS PARTLY EXPLAINS WHY SWEDEN HAS THE HIGHEST RATE FOR ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN - WITH ONE CHILD IN EVERY TWO BORN OUTSIDE WEDLOCK.

DENMARK COMES A CLOSE SECOND IN THE ILLEGITIMATE BIRTHS TABLE. GREECE LIES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE, WITH ONLY THREE PERCENT OF BABIES BORN OUTSIDE WEDLOCK.

THE STATISTICS REVEAL THAT SWEDISH WOMEN HAVE THE MOST CHILDREN - WHILE THE ITALIANS HAVE THE FEWEST. PORTUGAL HAS EUROPE'S HIGHEST INFANT MORTALITY RATE, WHILE FINLAND HAS THE LOWEST.

WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE BORN IN WEDLOCK, EUROPEANS ARE LIVING LONGER. THE HIGHEST AVERAGE FOR MEN IS IN SWEDEN, WHERE LIFE EXPECTANCY IS OVER 76, AND THE HIGHEST FOR WOMEN IS IN FRANCE, WHERE FEMALES CAN EXPECT TO LIVE TO ALMOST 82. THE SHORTEST LIFE EXPECTANCIES ARE IN PORTUGAL FOR MEN, AND IN DENMARK FOR WOMEN. OVERALL, THE EUROPEAN STUDY SHOWS THAT THE RATE OF GROWTH IN THE E-U'S POPULATION IS SLOWING DOWN. MOST OF LAST YEAR'S INCREASE WAS DUE TO IMMIGRATION, RATHER THAN REPRODUCTION. INDEED, BOTH GERMANY AND ITALY REGISTERED MORE DEATHS THAN BIRTHS. (SIGNED)

NEB/JF/MH
19-Sep-95 6:20 AM EDT (1020 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[11] PERRY/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY ( VIENNA )

INTRO: AMERICAN DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT SEND TROOPS TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA UNTIL THERE IS A PEACE AGREEMENT FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY PERRY SAYS THE UNITED STATES REMAINS PREPARED TO PARTICIPATE IN A MULTI-NATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE UNDER NATO COMMAND IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. BUT, HE SAYS THERE HAS TO BE A BOSNIAN PEACE SETTLEMENT FIRST. HE SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS FOCUSING ALL OF ITS ENERGY ON GETTING A PEACE AGREEMENT. MR. PERRY CLEARLY REJECTED A PROPOSAL BY UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI TO HAVE OTHER FORCES REPLACE U-N PEACEKEEPERS IN BOSNIA EVEN BEFORE A PEACE ACCORD IS REACHED. THE U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY COMMENTED DURING A VISIT TO A MILITARY BASE IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC WHERE AMERICAN, GERMAN AND CZECH SOLDIERS HELD JOINT EXERCISES. MR. PERRY SAYS THE CZECH REPUBLIC HAS MADE REMARKABLE PROGRESS TOWARD DEMOCRACY AND SHOULD BE FULLY INTEGRATED INTO A UNITED EUROPE. THE CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY, POLAND AND SLOVENIA ARE CONSIDERED LEADING CANDIDATES FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP IF RUSSIAN OBJECTIONS TO NATO'S EASTWARD EXPANSION ARE OVERCOME. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/MH/GPT
19-Sep-95 11:33 AM EDT (1533 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[12] PRESIDENT OF ALBANIA COMES TO WASHINGTON

VOICE:

PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON WELCOMED ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA TO THE WHITE HOUSE THIS MONTH. MR. CLINTON PRAISED THE GOVERNMENT OF ALBANIA FOR TAKING DIFFICULT STEPS TO BRING ABOUT ECONOMIC REFORMS. TODAY, THE ALBANIAN ECONOMY IS GROWING RAPIDLY. INDEED, ACCORDING TO PRESIDENT BERISHA, ALBANIA HAS ALMOST TRIPLED ITS PER CAPITA INCOME SINCE 1989. THE ALBANIAN-AMERICAN ENTERPRISE FUND CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE REFORM EFFORTS. PRESIDENT CLINTON ANNOUNCED THAT THE U.S. WILL PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A NEW AGRICULTURAL AND REFORESTATION PROJECT. IN ADDITION, THE U.S. WILL GIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR AN IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE SOUTH BALKANS.

PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRESIDENT BERISHA DISCUSSED SECURITY ISSUES, INCLUDING ALBANIA'S PARTICIPATION IN THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE. THE UNITED STATES HAS PLEDGED TO EQUIP ALBANIAN SOLDIERS TAKING PART IN THE PARTNERSHIP PEACEKEEPING CONTINGENT. FOR THE FIRST TIME, U.S. AND ALBANIAN TROOPS HELD JOINT EXERCISES IN ALBANIA LAST YEAR.

PRESIDENT CLINTON ALSO ADDRESSED THE ISSUE OF ETHNIC MINORITIES IN ALBANIA. HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF ADDRESSING THE GREEK MINORITY'S CONCERNS REGARDING EDUCATION, RELIGION AND EMPLOYMENT.

PRESIDENT CLINTON ENCOURAGED ALBANIA TO TAKE FURTHER STEPS TO ENSURE THE RULE OF LAW. IN PARTICULAR, MR. CLINTON STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING TO CONSOLIDATE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE ALBANIAN JUDICIARY. TO ASSIST IN THIS EFFORT, THE U.S. HAS OFFERED TO HELP ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO TRAIN ALBANIAN JUDGES, PROSECUTORS AND POLICE. THE U.S. BELIEVES THAT BY CONTINUING ON THE PATH OF REFORM, ALBANIA CAN OVERCOME ITS YEARS OF ISOLATION AND TAKE ITS PLACE AMONG THE DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES OF EUROPE. ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR. 19-Sep-95 2:15 PM EDT (1815 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[13] U-S/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS LESS THAN HAPPY ABOUT THE JOINT BOSNIAN-CROATIAN OFFENSE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVANIA. U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT SAYS THE ACTION COULD HURT U-S ATTEMPTS TO ADVANCE ITS PEACE PROPOSALS. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE REPUBLICAN SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DISAGREES, SAYING THE FIGHTING MIGHT IMPROVE PROSPECTS FOR PEACE:

TEXT: MR. TALBOTT SAYS ALL THE PARTIES IN THE BOSNIAN WAR HAVE TO REALIZE A MILITARY SOLUTION TO THE FOUR-YEAR CONFLICT IS NOT POSSIBLE. HE URGES THEM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CURRENT PEACE EFFORT UNDERWAY TO REACH A NEGOTIATED SOLUTION.

THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE -- REFERRING TO THE SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA OF U-S ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE -- HAS A MESSAGE TO ALL THE WARRING PARTIES:

STOP THE FIGHTING. GO BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. THAT IS VERY MUCH ON THE AGENDA OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE (RICHARD) HOLBROOKE'S MISSION IN THE REGION RIGHT NOW. WE WILL BE USING ALL OF OUR CONTACTS WITH ALL OF THE PARTIES TO GET THEM TO STOP THE VIOLENCE, STOP THE WAR-MAKING AND GO BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. THERE IS A LOT OF DANGER IF THIS OFFENSIVE CONTINUES.

MR. TALBOTT SAYS ONE OF THE DANGERS HE REFERS TO IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SERBIAN INTERVENTION IN THE FIGHTING. HE SAYS THAT COULD SPREAD THE WAR IN SEVERAL DIRECTIONS. HE SAYS THAT MESSAGE IS BEING DELIVERED IN ZAGREB, BELGRADE AND SARAJEVO BY MR. HOLBROOKE. HOWEVER, SENATOR DOLE -- A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL -- BACKS THE OFFENSIVE. HE SAYS THE MILITARY ACTION HAS MORE OF AN IMPACT ON PROSPECTS FOR A SETTLEMENT THAN THE SKILLS OF WESTERN DIPLOMATS. (SIGNED).

NEB / VB / WOD
19-Sep-95 12:13 AM EDT (0413 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[14] U-S/TURKEY RELATIONS (L-ONLY) BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON )

INTRO: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN TURKEY ARE THREATENING TO OVERSHADOW THE COUNTRY'S TRADITIONALLY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNITED STATES. THAT IS THE WORD FROM BOTH THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS WHICH ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT TURKISH MILITARY ATTEMPTS TO SUPPRESS KURDISH SEPARATISTS. AS V-O-A'S NICK SIMEONE, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN U-S AID TO TURKEY COULD BE AT STAKE.

TEXT: TURKEY HAS LONG BEEN ONE OF THE LARGEST RECIPIENTS OF U-S AID. MORE THAN TWO BILLION DOLLARS FLOWS TO THE ANKARA GOVERNMENT EVERY YEAR, MOST OF IT IN NATO-RELATED MILITARY ASSISTANCE.

BUT AID -- AS WELL AS WASHINGTON'S TIES TO A COUNTRY VIEWED AS ONE OF THE FEW DEMOCRATIC NATIONS IN AN UNSTABLE REGION BRIDGING EUROPE, THE MIDDLE EAST AND ASIA -- APPEARS HEADED FOR UNCERTAIN TIMES. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL DESCRIBES THE SITUATION AS DETERIORATING RAPIDLY.

MUCH OF THE ALLEGED ABUSES ARE FOCUSED ON THE TURKISH MILITARY'S SUPPRESSION OF KURDISH SEPARATISTS IN THE SOUTHEAST WHERE A FIGHT FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISTAN IS UNDERWAY.

AT A HEARING ON THE ISSUE TUESDAY, REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, EFFECTIVELY PLACED TURKEY ON NOTICE.

ONLY WHEN TURKEY RESOLVES ITS INTERNAL CRISIS CAN WE BE ASSURED OF A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL, LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP BASED ON SHARED DEMOCRATIC VALUES AS WELL AS SHARED POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC INTERESTS.

THE COMMISSION CALLED ON ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS JOHN SHATTUCK TO PROVIDE DETAILS OF THE SITUATION. HE LABELED TERRORISM BY TURKS AGAINST TURKS AS THE COUNTRY'S CHIEF PROBLEM, FOLLOWED CLOSELY BY THE MILITARY PUSH AGAINST TURKEY'S KURDISH POPULATION.

THE GOVERNMENT'S RELIANCE ON A MILITARY STRATEGY HAS RESULTED IN MAJOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND RISKS ALIENATING THE LOCAL POPULATION. FOR THESE REASONS WE BELIEVE A MILITARY SOLUTION ALONE CAN NOT SOLVE THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THE SOUTHEAST. A CIVIL APPROACH IS IMPERATIVE.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN FORCED TO ADMIT THAT SOME OF ITS OWN MILITARY EQUIPMENT -- INCLUDING ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS, BLACKHAWK HELICOPTERS AND F-16 FIGHTER JETS -- MAY HAVE BEEN USED BY THE TURKISH MILITARY TO ATTACK ITS OWN PEOPLE.

WE DO NOT HAVE INFORMATION REGARDING THE EXTENT TO WHICH U-S EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN VILLAGE EVACUATIONS AND OR DESTRUCTION MORE GENERALLY. SINCE MOST BUT NOT ALL OF TURKEY'S MAJOR MILITARY EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY THE U-S, HOWEVER, IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT U-S EQUIPMENT AND ORDINANCE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN SUCH OPERATIONS.

TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL WILL VISIT WASHINGTON NEXT MONTH, AND U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEIR GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE COMMUNICATED. BUT ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES MAY HAVE ALREADY COST TURKEY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN U-S AID. IN JUNE, THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPROVED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD CUT ECONOMIC AID TO TURKEY BY MORE THAN HALF, CITING ITS HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. (SIGNED)

NEB/NJS/MM
19-Sep-95 2:20 PM EDT (1820 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America