Voice of America, 30 October 1995

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: SITUATIONS BOTH ABOVE AND BELOW THE U-S BORDER RECEIVE TOP ATTENTION IN THE EDITORIALS COLUMNS OF LEADING NEWSPAPERS THIS FINAL MONDAY IN OCTOBER. THE QUEBEC REFERENDUM ON SECEDING FROM CANADA DRAWS COMMENT IN SEVERAL PAPERS, WHILE "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS CONCERNED WITH THE LATEST ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN MEXICO. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: THE U-S BUDGET BATTLE BETWEEN CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT; THE BOSNIAN PEACE TALKS AND RETIRED GENERAL COLIN POWELL'S POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL AMBITIONS. NOW, HERE IS ______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE CRITICAL ELECTION TAKING PLACE TODAY IN QUEBEC IS LEAD TOPIC OF "THE NEW YORK TIMES," WHICH COMMENTS IN PART:

VOICE: "A NEW COUNTRY COULD BE BORN ON NEW YORK'S NORTHERN BORDER IF QUEBEC'S VOTERS DECIDE TODAY TO SEPARATE FROM CANADA. POLLS SUGGEST AT LEAST AN EVEN CHANCE THAT THE SEPARATIST SIDE COULD WIN A NARROW MAJORITY ... AMERICANS AND THEIR GOVERNMENT ARE DUTY BOUND TO RESPECT WHATEVER QUEBECERS DEMOCRATICALLY DECIDE AND TRY TO MAKE IT WORK FOR THE BEST. BUT THERE IS NO MISTAKING WASHINGTON'S STRONG PREFERENCE FOR CONTINUED CANADIAN UNITY... HOWEVER LEGITIMATE QUEBEC'S CONSTITUTIONAL GRIEVANCE, INDEPENDENCE IS A RISKY PATH."

TEXT: IN BOSTON, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" NO MATTER HOW QUEBECERS VOTE, THEY DESERVE THE QUICK SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS:

VOICE: "IT WOULD BE A TRAGEDY FOR CANADA, FOR THE PEOPLE OF QUEBEC, AND FOR GENERAL WORLD MORALE IF QUEBECKERS MOVE TOWARD SECEDING... IF TODAY'S REFERENDUM VOTE GOES AGAINST SEPARATISM ONCE MORE, BOTH MR. CLINTON AND GOP LEADERS SHOULD QUICKLY SHOW THEY BACK THE RESULT. IF QUEBEC VOTERS SAY YES TO SEPARATISM, IT WOULD HELP TO HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ON THREE POINTS: 1) HONEST RESPECT FOR FRENCH CANADIAN CULTURE. 2) ABSOLUTE CLARITY ON THE COST TO QUEBEC OF RENEGOTIATING TRADE TERMS AND ACCESS TO U-S MARKETS, 3) SUPPORT FOR PRIME MINISTER CHRETIEN'S NEXT MOVES TO HOLD CANADA TOGETHER."

TEXT: IN THE U-S CAPITAL, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" OFFERS THIS NOTE OF SKEPTICISM ABOUT THE QUEBEC REFERENDUM:

VOICE: "IT IS HARD TO SEE WHAT FRENCH-CANADIANS CAN GAIN THAT THEY DON'T ALREADY HAVE. SEPARATION MIGHT LOOK LIKE A NICE FANTASY TO SOME, BUT MORE THAN LIKELY IT WILL TURN OUT A NIGHTMARE TO MANY."

TEXT: IN TEXAS, THE "DALLAS MORNING NEWS" IS FIRM IN ITS OPPOSITION, SAYING "IT WOULD BE FOOLISH OF QUEBEC TO DIVORCE ITSELF FROM CANADA":

VOICE: "... CANADA STANDS AS A MODEL OF HOW PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT CULTURES CAN LIVE AND WORK TOGETHER IN PEACE, PROSPERITY AND MUTUAL RESPECT. WHY WOULD QUEBECERS WANT TO RISK THIS ON INDEPENDENCE? ... THE DISINTEGRATION OF CANADA WOULD BE A TRIBUTE TO THE SAME SENSELESS NATIONALISM THAT DIVIDES THE BALKANS. QUEBECERS, WE RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT, SHOUD VOTE, 'NON'."

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" LOOKS TOWARD THE UNITED STATES' SOUTHERN NEIGHBOR, WITH COMMENT ON HOW WELL MEXICO IS DEALING WITH IT ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES:

VOICE: "WHEN THE PESO LURCHED DOWNWARD AGAIN, IT ILLUSTRATED MEXICO'S DILEMMA. MEXICO IS MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES TO REACH EVENTUAL PROSPERITY AND DEMOCRACY, BUT AT PRESENT THESE CHOICES ARE GENERATING DISTRESS AND INSTABILITY. MEXICO'S GOVERNMENT IS ENGAGED IN A DESPERATE STRUGGLE TO HOLD ITS COURSE THROUGH A SEVERE RECESSION. ... MEXICO IS ... ATTEMPTING TO JOIN THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD BY SIMULTANEOUSLY BUILDING AN OPEN ECONOMY AND A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT BASED ON A STRONG COMMERCIAL MIDDLE CLASS. ITS SUCCESS, OR LACK OF IT, WILL HAVE INCALCULABLE INFLUENCE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD."

TEXT: TURNING TO DOMESTIC POLITICS, TODAY'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" VOICES SOME RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE FEDERAL BUDGET LEGISLATION PASSED LAST WEEK BY THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS:

VOICE: "REPUBLICANS ARE DELIVERING [ON THEIR BUDGET-BALANCING PROMISES FROM THE LAST ELECTION] IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING MASSIVE CHANGES. A SURPRISE TO MANY, THOUGH, WAS THAT THEY WOULD TRY TO RAM THROUGH LEGISLATION THAT COULD CRIPPLE USEFUL PROGRAMS AND HURT MANY AMERICANS IN THE NAME OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY... A KEY QUESTION, THOUGH, IS WHY CHANGES HAVE TO BE SO DRACONIAN AND SO FAST, REVERSING YEARS OF PROBLEMS IN A FEW HURRIED VOTES... BETTER TO BALANCE THE BUDGET IN A MORE REASONABLE FASHION."

TEXT: "USA TODAY", THE NATIONAL WEEKDAY PAPER, ALSO VOICES CONCERN ABOUT SOME ASPECTS OF THE BUDGET LEGISLATION:

VOICE: "TO REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, THE MASSIVE SEVEN-YEAR- BALANCED-BUDGET BILLS THEY JUST PASSED ARE THE ONSET OF THE NEW JERUSALEM: SHRINKING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, CUTTING TAXES AND RETURNING POWER TO THE STATES. TO DEMOCRATS, THEY MARK ARRIVAL AT THE ABYSS OF HADES: DESCENT INTO POVERTY, MALNUTRITION AND UNTREATED ILLNESS FOR MILLIONS... THIS IS THE MOST SERIOUS EFFORT TO DATE... THAT'S PROGRESS. HOWEVER, SOME OF THE CHANGES IN THIS LEGISLATION ARE DOWNRIGHT ILL-CONSIDERED. OTHERS ARE RISKY. AND BEHIND THE FACADE OF CHANGE IS TOO MUCH OF THE WASHINGTON INSIDER POLITICS THAT HAS SO AROUSED VOTERS IN RECENT YEARS -- PARTICULARLY IN THOSE PARTS OF THE BUDGET THAT WERE LEFT UNSCATHED."

TEXT: TODAY'S "BALTIMORE SUN" IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S ILLNESS ON THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS BEGINNING THIS WEEK IN THE UNITED STATES:

VOICE: "PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S SECOND BOUT OF HEART TROUBLE IN FOUR MONTHS IS A SETBACK FOR THE BALKAN PEACE PROCESS... THE TIMING IS PARTICULARLY UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE OF THE APPROACH OF RUSSIAN ELECTIONS. IF MR. YELTSIN SHOULD DIE OR BE TOO INFIRM TO RUN FOR ANOTHER TERM, HIS LIKELY REPLACEMENT WOULD BE PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN. WHILE MR. CHERNOMYRDIN IS MUCH ADMIRED IN WASHINGTON, THERE ARE BOUND TO BE DOUBTS WHETHER RUSSIA'S POLITICAL CENTER CAN HOLD... IF ILLNESS WEAKENS MR. YELTSIN'S POSITION, CRITICS LIKE GENERAL ALEXANDER LEBED, A POLITICAL RIVAL, MIGHT DEMAND A LARGER RUSSIAN ROLE IN THE BALKANS."

TEXT: OF THE RECENT CONGRESSIONAL VOTE ON MOVING THE U-S EMBASSY IN ISRAEL FROM TEL AVIV TO JERUSALEM, TODAY'S "NEW YORK POST" SAYS:

VOICE: "IN VOTING OVERWHELMINGLY ... TO MOVE THE ... EMBASSY..., CONGRESS HAS FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED -- AS A MATTER OF LAW -- A LONGSTANDING AND UNCOMPLICATED POLITICAL REALITY: JERUSALEM IS THE CAPITAL OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL... SADLY, THE ARAB WORLD ... STILL REFUSES TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT JERUSALEM WILL NEVER AGAIN BE DIVIDED, LET ALONE RETURNED TO ALIEN RULE, ... A CIRCUMSTANCE WORTH CELEBRATING."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, BACK WITH DOMESTIC POLITICS, THESE WORDS OF WISDOM FOR POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE COLIN POWELL, THIS MONDAY, FROM "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL:"

VOICE: "AS MR. POWELL PONDERS A POSSIBLE BID IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES, ... HE SHOULD FULLY RECOGNIZE WHAT HE WOULD BE PUTTING ON THE LINE. THE UPSIDE [POSITIVE] IS THAT HIS STATURE WILL REACH TRULY HISTORIC PROPORTIONS IF HE BECOMES PRESIDENT AND WE ALL LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. THE DOWNSIDE [NEGATIVE] IS THAT POLITICS CAN ALSO DIMINISH PEOPLE, AND IN RECENT YEARS TYPICALLY HAS. EVEN AFTER WINNING OFFICE, THE ESSENTIAL DILEMMAS OF GOVERNING SELDOM LEAVE THE OPTION OF PLEASING EVERYONE."

TEXT: AND ON THAT PHILOSOPHICAL BUT OF ADVICE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE TOPICS UNDER CONSIDERATION IN TODAY'S DAILY PAPERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

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30-Oct-95 10:49 AM EST (1549 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- OCTOBER 30, 1995

VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- 10/30/95 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 / BOSNIA / HOLBROOKE -- UNITED STATES ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE WARNS THERE WILL BE NO PEACE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IF THE BOSNIAN SERBS INSIST THEY BE ALLOWED TO SECEDE. STAFFER VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS MR. HOLBROOKE DOWNPLAYED A POSSIBLE BREAKTHROUGH IN TALKS, BEGINNING WEDNESDAY, AT WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE IN DAYTON, OHIO. (10/28)

US / BOSNIA -- THE UNITED STATES HAS EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT ABOUT THE CANCELLATION OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S MEETING WITH THE THREE BALKAN LEADERS. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE AMERICAN PLANS FOR BOSNIA PEACE TALKS NEAR DAYTON, OHIO. (10/27)

BILDT / BOSNIA -- THE EUROPEAN UNION'S CHIEF BOSNIAN NEGOTIATOR, CARL BILDT, SAYS THE WARRING PARTIES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA ARE HARDENING THEIR POSITIONS AHEAD OF WEDNESDAY'S PEACE TALKS IN DAYTON, OHIO. STAFFER VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS MR BILDT, A FORMER SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER, SAYS HE WILL STAY AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ENDING FOUR YEARS OF WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. (10/29)

US / RUSSIA / BOSNIA -- THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA HAVE REACHED A PARTIAL AGREEMENT ON HOW RUSSIAN TROOPS WILL TAKE PART IN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA ONCE A SETTLEMENT IS REACHED THERE. US DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY AND RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER PAVEL GRACHEV ANNOUNCED THE ACCORD IN THE MIDWESTERN STATE OF KANSAS, WHERE THEY ATTENDED JOINT MILITARY EXERCISES. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS. (10/27)

CROATIA / ELECT -- CROATIAN VOTERS ARE GOING TO THE POLLS SUNDAY IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS THAT ARE WIDELY EXPECTED TO ENHANCE THE STRENGTH OF THE RULING DEMOCRATIC UNION, LED BY PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN. THE PRESIDENT CALLED THE ELECTIONS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE TO CAPITALIZE ON A WAVE OF NATIONALIST EUPHORIA FOLLOWING THE CROATIAN ARMY'S VICTORY'S OVER REBEL SERB FORCES EARLIER THIS YEAR. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN ZAGREB REPORTS THE RULING PARTY IS HOPING TO ACHIEVE A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY IN THE ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN SEAT LEGISLATURE. (10/29)

CROATIA / ELECTIONS -- CROATIAN VOTERS WENT TO THE POLLS SUNDAY TO ELECT A NEW PARLIAMENT. THE RULING DEMOCRATIC UNION, LED BY PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN, IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO GARNER THE MOST VOTES. ANALYSTS SAY IT COULD REACH ITS GOAL OF A TWO-THIRDS' MAJORITY IN THE 127-SEAT LEGISLATURE. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS. (10/29)

CROATIA / ELECTIONS -- PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN CROATIA GIVE THE RULING DEMOCRATIC UNION A SOLID LEAD. BUT THE PARTY, HEADED BY PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN, APPEARS TO BE FALLING SHORT OF ITS OBJECTIVE OF A TWO-THIRDS' MAJORITY IN THE LOWER HOUSE OF THE LEGISLATURE, KNOWN AS THE SABOR. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN ZAGREB HAS DETAILS OF THE EARLY VOTE COUNTS. (10/29)

CROATIA / SERBS -- CROATIAN OFFICIALS AND REBEL SERB LEADERS HAVE POSTPONED A PLANNED SESSION OF TALKS SATURDAY ON THE DISPUTED REGION OF EASTERN SLAVONIA, THE LAST STRIP OF CROATIAN TERRITORY STILL HELD BY SERB FORCES. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN ZAGREB REPORTS IT IS NOT YET CLEAR WHEN THE TALKS WILL RESUME. (10/28)

RUSSIA / YELTSIN -- HOSPITALIZED RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS BEEN FORCED TO CANCEL HIS PLANNED SUMMIT WITH BALKAN LEADERS NEXT WEEK. MR. YELTSIN'S ILLNESS HAS CAST DOUBT ON HIS POLITICAL FUTURE. STRINGER PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS THAT AIDES SAY THE PRESIDENT REMAINS IN FULL CONTROL. (10/27)

BOSNIAN PEACE DELEGATION -- THE SARAJEVO GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THE NAMES OF OFFICIALS WHO WILL BE PART OF THE BOSNIAN DELEGATION ON PEACE TALKS TO BE HELD IN DAYTON, OHIO. SARAJEVO STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVI?C WILL BE HEADING THE SEVEN MEMBER NEGOTIATING TEAM. (CROATIAN 10/29)

UN GENERAL SECRETARY SPECIAL ENVOY / BOSNIA -- BEFORE TAKING HIS POST MR. KOFI ANAN MET WITH BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT MINISTER HASAN MURATOVIC. IF A PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED, ONLY THE CIVILIAN ELEMENT OF UNPROFOR IS TO STAY IN BOSNIA DEALING WITH HUMANITARIAN PROBLEMS. IF NOT, THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WOULD SUPPORT EXTENSION OF UNPROFOR MANDATE IN BOSNIA. STRINGER IVICA PULJIC REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (CROATIAN 10/28)

CROATIAN ELECTIONS / PRELIMINARY RESULTS -- ZAGREB STRINGER ZELJKO MATIC REPORTS ON THE PRELIMINARY COUNT OF THE VOTES AT CROATIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. THE RULING CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION WON AROUND 48 PERCENT OF THE VOTES ON THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, WHILE THE COALITION OF FIVE OPPOSITION PARTIES SEIZED AROUND 19 PERCENT OF VOTES. (CROATIAN 10/30)

CROATIAN ELECTIONS -- UNDER SUPERVISION OF MONITORS FROM 28 COUNTRIES, ELECTIONS ARE HELD IN CROATIA FOR THE LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT. ACCORDING TO STRINGER FROM ZAGREB ?ZELJKO MATIC, THE VOTING WAS BEING CONDUCTED WITHOUT BIGGER PROBLEMS, EXCEPT IN CASES OF VOTING FOR CANDIDATES OF SERB NATIONALITY. (CROATIAN OCT. 29)

BOSNIA / CROATIAN ELECTIONS -- STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC LOOKS FROM SARAJEVO AT THE IMPACT OF THE FORTHCOMING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN CROATIA ON GENERAL SITUATION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED ABOUT WHERE TO STATION AMERICAN TROOPS ONCE THEY BECOME PART OF THE PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA. (CROATIAN 10/27)

CROATIA / ELECTIONS -- POLLING STATIONS OPENED AT 7:00 AM SUNDAY IN CROATIA. THE FIRST UNOFFICIAL RESULTS ARE EXPECTED HALF AN HOUR AFTER MIDNIGHT. MORE THAN 40 PERCENT OF THE ELECTORAL BODY CAST THEIR BALLOT BEFORE NOON. STRINGER DUSAN MASIC REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 10/29)

CROATIA / ELECTIONS -- THE PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN IN CROATIA IS OVER. THE POLLING STATIONS WILL OPEN SUNDAY AT 7 AM. THE FIRST UNOFFICIAL RESULTS WILL BE PUBLISHED AFTER MIDNIGHT. AFTER A VERY AGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION IS THE BIGGEST FAVORITE. STRINGER DUSAN MASIC REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 10/28)

BOSNIA / SARAJEVO BRIDGE -- THE MAIN BRIDGE LINKING THE SERB HELD PART OF SARAJEVO WITH THE PART OF THE CITY UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL WAS OPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1992. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS. (CROATIAN 10/28)

CROATIA / EASTERN SLAVONIA -- CROATS AND THE SLAVONIAN SERBS ARE ACCUSING EACH OTHER FOR THE FAILURE TO REACH AGREEMENT ABOUT EASTERN SLAVONIA. INTERNATIONAL MEDIATORS PETER GALBRAITH AND THORVALD STOLTENBERG REVEALED THE PLAN WHICH IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR THE SERBS. THE PLAN IS CALLING FOR REINTEGRATION OF THE EASTERN SLAVONIA INTO CROATIA AND THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE CROATIAN FORCES ALONG THE BORDER WITH YUGOSLAVIA. STRINGER MILICA KUBUROVIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 10/29)

CROATIA / EASTERN SLAVONIA TALKS -- PLANNED TALKS BETWEEN CROATIAN GOVERNMENT AND SERBS FROM EASTERN SLAVONIA, TO,HAVE BEEN HELD IN OSJEK, WERE CANCELLED. MEANWHILE, THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT PROTESTED TO THE UNITED STATES OVER THE COMMENTS OF THE CONGRESSMAN FRANK WOLF ABOUT THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT AND PRESIDENT TUDJMAN. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 10/28)

INTERNATIONAL MEDIATORS / SLAVONIA -- AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO CROATIA PETER GALBRAITH AND THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR THORVALD STOLTENBERG SAID THAT AN AGREEMENT ON EASTERN SLAVONIA HAS NOT BEEN REACHED. THAT QUESTION, THEY SAID, IS GOING TO BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT WEEK'S NEGOTIATIONS IN DAYTON, OHIO. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 10/29)

EUROPEAN UNION / AID FOR FORMER YUGOSLAVIA -- STRINGER LADA STIPIC NISETEO REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS ON THE EUROPEAN UNION DECISION REGARDING ECONOMIC AID TO STATES OF FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THE AID IS GOING TO BE DELIVERED ONLY IF THE PEACE PROCESS IS SUCCESSFUL, AND COUNTRIES IMPROVE THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD. (CROATIAN 10/29)

EUROPEAN UNION / FORMER YUGOSLAVIA -- FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE TO MEET MONDAY IN LUXEMBOURG. IT IS EXPECTED THAT THEY WILL ENDORSE THE POLITICAL PLATFORM FOR HELP AND COOPERATION WITH THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS. THE MAIN GOAL IS THE RETURN OF ALL REFUGEES. STRINGER DRAGAN BLAGOJEVIC REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. (SERBIAN 10/29)

MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENT / NEW LAW -- MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENT PASSED THE BILL ON THE LOCAL SELF-MANAGEMENT. THAT LAW IS CONSIDERED THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE FOR THE INTER-ETHNIC RELATIONS IN THE REPUBLIC. THE SAME LAW IS LAYING THE GROUND FOR THE FIRST LOCAL ELECTIONS WHICH COULD NOT TAKE PLACE BEFORE SPRING. STRINGER ZELJKO BAJIC REPORTS FROM SKOPJE. (SERBIAN 10/28) 30-Oct-95 6:26 PM EST (2326 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BILDT / BOSNIA (S-ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S CHIEF BOSNIAN NEGOTIATOR, CARL BILDT, SAYS THE WARRING PARTIES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA ARE HARDENING THEIR POSITIONS AHEAD OF WEDNESDAY'S PEACE TALKS IN DAYTON, OHIO. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS MR. BILDT, A FORMER SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER, SAYS HE WILL STAY AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ENDING FOUR YEARS OF WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA:

TEXT: MR. BILDT -- SPEAKING WITH REPORTERS IN WASHINGTON -- SAYS THE TOUGH ISSUES BETWEEN THE BOSNIAN SERBS, THE MUSLIM-LED GOVERNMENT AND CROATIA REMAIN UNRESOLVED. HE SAYS HE IS NOT SURPRISED THERE IS TOUGH TALK BY CROATIA ON THE SERB-HELD SLAVONIA REGION AND BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS ABOUT SECESSION AHEAD OF THE TALKS IN OHIO.

MR. BILDT SAYS THE TALKS ARE LIKELY TO BE LONG AND DIFFICULT:

WE WILL STAY AS LONG AS IT TAKES. EITHER WE SUCCEED OR WE DON'T. I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE VERY MANY IN-BETWEENS.

THE E-U DIPLOMAT SAYS THE DAYTON TALKS REPRESENT THE BEST CHANCE FOR PEACE IN BOSNIA SINCE 1993 WHEN HE CONCEDES A LACK OF COORDINATION BETWEEN EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES UNDERMINED PEACE EFFORTS. HE SAYS THAT HAS NOW CHANGED.

EXCEPT FOR THE OPENING SESSION, MR. BILDT SAYS THERE WILL BE A VIRTUAL NEWS BLACKOUT ON THE TALKS WITH REPORTERS GAINING INFORMATION ONLY THROUGH A DAILY BRIEFING.

TO EASE THE TENSION, THE NEGOTIATORS, AS WELL AS THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA AND SERBIA, WILL HAVE ACCESS TO A GOLF COURSE ON WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE AND MR. BILDT SAYS HE IS EVEN TRYING TO MAKE FRENCH WINES AVAILABLE. (SIGNED)

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29-Oct-95 7:54 PM EST (0054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA ON THE INTERNET (REISSUED) BY JOHN PITMAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: BOSNIA. THE NAME ITSELF EVOKES AN IMMENSE AND COMPLEX COLLAGE OF NAMES, PLACES, EVENTS AND HORRORS. THE WAR IN BOSNIA HAS PRODUCED AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF INFORMATION, AND EVEN EXPERTS ADMIT THEY SOMETIMES HAVE DIFFICULTY KEEPING TRACK OF IT ALL. FOR NON-SPECIALISTS, STAYING INFORMED IS EVEN HARDER. BUT NOW A GROUP OF AMERICAN PROFESSORS ARE USING THE INTERNET TO BRING A HISTORY OF THE CONFLICT TO COMPUTER SCREENS EVERYWHERE. V-O-A'S JOHN PITMAN SPENT THE AFTERNOON WITH THE CREATORS OF "THE BOSNIAN VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP," AND HAS THE STORY.

TEXT: JEREMY CRAMPTON TEACHES GEOGRAPHY AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. SITTING IN HIS SMALL OFFICE WITH HIS MACINTOSH COMPUTER, HE NAVIGATES THROUGH THE WORLD-WIDE-WEB, POINTING-AND-CLICKING WITH HIS MOUSE AS HE GOES.

SO I JUST CLICK ON THAT, AND WE JUST END UP GOING TO FIRST PAGE OF THAT. AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS, ACROSS THE TOP, IT'S GOT 'THE BOSNIAN VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP,' AND A PHOTOGRAPH OF A COUPLE OF TOWERS IN DOWNTOWN SARAJEVO. ... ANYWAY, AS WE SCROLL DOWN THE PAGE, WE GET SOME INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE FIELD TRIP. PERHAPS I SHOULD JUST READ WHAT THIS SAYS HERE, 'THE BOSNIAN VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP IS A PROJECT TO 'TAKE' YOU TO BOSNIA. THE PURPOSE IS TO SEE BOSNIA WITHOUT GOING THERE. WE CANNOT GO THERE BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE, TIME AND SAFETY. AND YET, THIS IS A TERRIBLE WAR IN EUROPE THAT WE REALLY DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT.'

THE BOSNIAN VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP WAS CONCEIVED AS A TEACHING TOOL FOR GEORGE MASON STUDENTS IN POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY COURSES. PROFESSOR BETH RUNDSTROM WROTE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS STUDENTS ENCOUNTER AS THEY WORK THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

WHAT WE'RE PRESENTING IS A VIEW OF THE ETHNICITY, THE TOPOGRAPHY, THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND IN THIS REGION AND TRYING TO BRING IT ALL TOGETHER. SO THERE'S A LOT TO LOOK AT. WHEN STUDENTS START TO ASK QUESTIONS WHY THERE IS A CONFLICT THERE, WE WANT THEM TO KNOW FIRST OF ALL THERE IS A CONFLICT, AND THEN GIVE THEM SOME BACKGROUND ON WHY IT'S THERE.

STUDENTS AREN'T ALLOWED TO GET OUT OF THE PROGRAM WITHOUT A TEST. THE END OF THE FIELD TRIP INCLUDES AN ESSAY QUESTION WHICH STUDENTS MUST ANSWER FROM THE POINT-OF-VIEW OF A BOSNIAN REFUGEE, A UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPER, OR A BOSNIAN SERB SOLDIER.

PITMAN: CAN WE READ SOME OF THE ANSWERS YOU'VE GOTTEN? THE FIRST QUESTION IS: 'YOU'RE A REFUGEE FROM ZEPA. WHAT IS YOUR LIKELY ETHNICITY? WHY ARE YOU LEAVING ZEPA? WHAT IS YOUR LIKELY DESTINATION? WHAT IS YOUR LIKELY TRAVEL EXPERIENCE?' WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY TO THAT?

CRAMPTON: WE JUST DID THIS IN CLASS. JUST LAST WEEK. AND IT WAS AMAZING TO ME BECAUSE A LOT OF STUDENTS WROTE VERY, VERY EVOCATIVE PIECES. THEY BEGAN BY SAYING, FOR EXAMPLE, 'MY NAME IS SLAVIC. I AM A YOUNG WOMAN IN ZEPA AND MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE. IT'S THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. I'M WRITING THIS FROM SOME REFUGEE CAMP IN TUZLA. ' AND THIS WAS THE BEST PART FOR ME AS I GRADED THESE QUESTIONS, THEY WERE VERY GOOD, VERY IMAGINATIVE. THE STUDENTS WHO DID THIS REALLY GOT THEMSELVES INTO THE ROLES.

BUT THE BOSNIAN FIELD TRIP IS NOT JUST FOR STUDENTS. THE CREATORS SAY MORE THAN 20-THOUSAND PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD HAVE PLUGGED INTO PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES SECTIONS ON BALKAN HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY, AS WELL AS A GLOSSARY OF OFTEN USED TERMS, LIKE "ETHNIC CLEANSING."

ALL OF THE MATERIAL WAS COLLECTED FROM MEDIA REPORTS AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH BY THE CREATORS.

PROFESSOR CRAMPTON SAYS THE BOSNIA FIELDTRIP WAS DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO EDUCATE, BUT ALSO TO STIMULATE DEBATE. THE PROGRAM INCLUDES A BULLETIN BOARD WHERE USERS CAN POST THEIR OPINIONS.

ONE OF THE GOALS WE HAD WAS TO BEGIN DEBATE IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THIS AND FOR PEOPLE TO FEEL THAT THEY COULD RESPOND. I DON'T EDIT WHAT PEOPLE SAY. IF WE GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS LIST THERE'S ON THAT'S, IN FACT, VERY ANGRY WITH US. HE'S TITLED HIS PIECE, 'LIES, LIES, LIES.' AND HE TOOK GREAT EXCEPTION TO WHAT WE WROTE AND THAT'S GREAT BECAUSE I WANT THAT KIND OF DEBATE TO BE OUT THERE. I DON'T WANT TO CENSOR PEOPLE OR ANYTHING. I WANT THEM TO FEEL THEY CAN SUBMIT SUGGESTIONS OR THEIR PERSPECTIVES.

EACH SECTION CONTAINS HIGHLIGHTED WORDS, OR LINKS, THROUGH WHICH USERS CAN JUMP TO OTHER PARTS OF THE PROGRAM OR OTHER, RELATED, SECTIONS OF THE INTERNET. WITH A POWERFUL COMPUTER, USERS CAN VIEW FULL COLOR PRESS PHOTOS OF THE FIGHTING, AND LISTEN TO SOUNDBITES /// BEGIN OPT /// --- LIKE THIS ONE FROM THE BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER, HARIS SILADZIC.

TO FIND THE BOSNIA VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB, USE A WEB BROWSER, AND TYPE IN LOWERCASE LETTERS: H-T-T-P - COLON - SLASH - SLASH - G-E-O-G - DOT - G-M-U - DOT - E-D-U - SLASH - G-E-S-S - SLASH - J-W-C - SLASH - B-O-S-N-I-A - DOT - H-T-M-L.

NEB/JP/MMK
30-Oct-95 10:35 AM EST (1535 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] CROATIA/ELECTIONS (L UPDATE) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS ( ZAGREB )

INTRO: WITH NEARLY THREE QUARTERS OF THE VOTES COUNTED FROM SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN CROATIA, THE RULING DEMOCRATIC UNION HAS EMERGED AS THE CLEAR VICTOR. BUT THE PARTY LED BY PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN WILL APPARENTLY FALL SHORT OF ITS GOAL OF A TWO THIRDS MAJORITY IN THE LOWER HOUSE OF THE LEGISLATURE, KNOWN AS THE SABOR. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS FROM ZAGREB.

TEXT: PRELIMINARY RETURNS GIVE THE DEMOCRATIC UNION JUST UNDER 44 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, COMPARED TO LESS THAN 20 PERCENT FOR ITS NEAREST RIVAL, AN ALLIANCE OF FIVE OPPOSITION PARTIES.

MORE THAN 20 POLITICAL PARTIES FIELDED CANDIDATES IN THE ELECTIONS. BUT IT NOW APPEARS THAT ONLY THE DEMOCRATIC UNION AND THREE OPPOSITION GROUPS WILL WIN ENOUGH VOTES TO SECURE SEATS IN THE NEW LEGISLATURE.

CROATIA'S COMPLEX ELECTORAL SYSTEM, WHICH COMBINES PROPORTIONAL AND MAJORITY REPRESENTATION, MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TRANSLATE THE VOTING PERCENTAGES INTO PARLIAMENTARY SEATS UNTIL ALL THE RETURNS ARE IN.

BUT INDEPENDENT ANALYSTS HERE ARE FORECASTING THAT THE DEMOCRATIC UNION WILL HOLD MORE THAN 70 OF THE 127 SEATS IN THE LOWER HOUSE. THAT WOULD BE A DOMINANT POSITION FOR PRESIDENT TUDJMAN'S SUPPORTERS, BUT LESS THAN THE TWO THIRDS MAJORITY MR. TUDJMAN HAD SOUGHT TO PUSH THROUGH CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AIMED, IN PART, AT ENHANCING HIS GRIP ON POWER.

THE PRESIDENT CALLED THE ELECTIONS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, CLEARLY HOPING TO CAPITALIZE ON A WAVE OF NATIONALIST EUPHORIA AND HIS GOVERNMENT'S SOARING POPULARITY FOLLOWING THE CROATIAN ARMY'S VICTORIES OVER REBEL SERB FORCES EARLIER THIS YEAR.

OPPOSITION LEADERS SOUGHT TO SHIFT THE FOCUS OF THE CAMPAIGN TO CROATIA'S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS, AND CHARGES OF CORRUPTION WITHIN THE RANKS OF THE RULING PARTY.

THE TACTIC APPEARS TO HAVE PAID OFF IN AT LEAST SOME CONSTITUENCIES. SEVERAL LEADING FIGURES IN THE DEMOCRATIC UNION LOOK SET TO LOSE THEIR SEATS IN PARLIAMENT; AMONG THEM AT LEAST TWO CABINET MINISTERS AND PRESIDENTIAL CHIEF OF STAFF, HROVOJE SARINIC, WHO HAS LED THE GOVERNMENT'S NEGOTIATING TEAM WITH REBEL SERB LEADERS.

BUT TWO OTHER DEMOCRATIC UNION LEADERS, FOREIGN MINISTER MATE GRANIC AND THE MAYOR OF ZAGREB, WHO WERE TRAILING IN THE EARLY RETURNS, NOW APPEAR TO HAVE RETAINED THEIR SEATS IN PARLIAMENT.

INDEPENDENT MONITORING GROUPS SAY THAT IN GENERAL SUNDAY'S ELECTION WAS FREE. BUT THEY SAY THE GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVELY LIMITED OPPOSITION ACCESS TO THE STATE CONTROLLED TELEVISION NETWORK. THEY ALSO SAY THE OUTGOING PARLIAMENT, DOMINATED BY THE RULING PARTY, PUSHED THROUGH A NUMBER OF QUESTIONABLE CHANGES TO THE ELECTORAL LAW PRIOR THAT TIPPED THE BALANCE IN ITS FAVOR.

ONE OF THOSE AMENDMENTS GAVE VOTING RIGHTS TO NEARLY HALF A MILLION CROATS LIVING OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY -- MOST OF THEM IN BOSNIA, WHERE THERE IS NEAR UNIVERSAL SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT TUDJMAN AND HIS GOVERNMENT WITHIN THE CROAT COMMUNITY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DBR/MH/MMK
30-Oct-95 3:04 PM EST (2004 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] DUTCH / SREBRENICA (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: A DUTCH GOVERNMENT REPORT HAS DEFENDED THE CONDUCT OF DUTCH SOLDIERS IN THE FALL OF THE U-N SAFE AREA OF SREBRENICA TO BOSNIAN SERBS THREE-MONTHS AGO. THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS STILL ARE MISSING FROM THE AREA. GILLIAN SHARPE IN THE HAGUE REPORTS INVESTIGATORS QUESTIONED ABOUT 460 SOLDIERS IN THE DUTCH U-N PEACEKEEPING FORCE, KNOWN AS DUTCHBAT.

TEXT: DEFENSE MINISTER JORIS VOORHOEVE TOLD A CROWDED NEWS CONFERENCE DUTCH SOLDIERS HAD DONE ALL THEY COULD HAVE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES. HE SAID THERE IS ONLY ONE PARTY THAT COULD BE BLAMED.

THE FALL OF SREBRENICA WAS CAUSED BY BOSNIAN-SERB AGGRESSION, NOT BY THE WAY DUTCHBAT OPERATED. THE OPPOSING FORCES WERE FAR SUPERIOR IN NUMBER OF FIREPOWER. THE SMALL DUTCH U-N UNIT FACED THEM ALONE. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND MILITIA LEFT THE ENCLAVE ON THE EVE OF THE FINAL ASSAULT, AFTER WHICH THE SERBS ATTACKED. AIR SUPPORT WAS PROVIDED BY THE U-N TOO LATE AND ON TOO SMALL A SCALE. DUTCHBAT CARRIED OUT ITS U-N TASKS UNDER INORDINATELY DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT CONDITIONS.

DUTCH U-N SOLDIERS, OF WHOM ABOUT 55 WERE TAKEN HOSTAGE BY THE SERBS, SAW INDICATIONS OF WAR CRIMES COMMITTED BY BOSNIAN SERBS OUTSIDE THE ENCLAVE. THEY SAW BODIES ALONGSIDE ROADS AND MEN HUDDLED TOGETHER. DUTCHBAT'S MAIN FORCE WAS IN POTACARI, SURROUNDED BY THE SERB FORCES AND THEY SAW A SMALLER NUMBER OF WAR CRIMES.

THE MINISTER SAID CRITICISMS OF DUTCH SOLDIERS COULD BE COMPARED TO A MAN WHO RESCUES TWO DROWNING PEOPLE FROM A RIVER BUT FAILS TO RESCUE THREE OTHERS. THE MINISTER SAID IT IS AS IF SOMEONE ON THE BANK THEN ASKED WHY HE HAD NOT SAVED EVERYBODY. HE SAID NOW IS THE TIME TO MOVE TO OTHER MATTERS.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE BOOK ON THE TERRIBLE FALL OF SREBRENICA CAN ONLY BE CLOSED WHEN WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MISSING MEN AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR WAR CRIMES ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE HERE AT THE TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. THAT IS WHAT WE SHOULD BE CONCENTRATING ON -- BRINGING THOU PEOPLE TO JUSTICE.

A COPY OF THE REPORT, WHICH WAS COMPILED BY THE DUTCH DEFENSE MINISTRY HAS BEEN SENT TO PARLIAMENT, WHICH HAS THE OPTION OF DEMANDING AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY IF IT IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE ANSWERS IT HAS BEEN GIVEN.

NEB/GS/JWH/RAE
30-Oct-95 9:37 AM EST (1437 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] HOLBROOKE - BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ASSISTANT U-S SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE SAYS PEACE TALKS ON BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE _NO_ GUARANTEE OF SUCCESS. THE TALKS ARE DUE TO BEGIN THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT AN AIR FORCE BASE IN DAYTON, OHIO. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS.

TEXT: THE U-S OFFICIAL SAYS THE PEACE TALKS ARE "A GAMBLE." THE DAYTON TALKS WILL BRING TOGETHER LEADERS REPRESENTING THE KEY FACTIONS IN THE BALKANS FIGHTING IN AN ATTEMPT TO HAMMER OUT A PEACE AGREEMENT.

BUT MR. HOLBROOKE TOLD REPORTERS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT THE TALKS WILL _NOT_ BE EASY.

WE ARE _NOT_ HERE TO GUARANTEE SUCCESS. AND WE'RE _NOT_ HERE TO PREDICT SUCCESS. AND INDEED I'M _NOT_ SURE I'M READY TO DEFINE SUCCESS IN A PRECISE OR NARROW WAY.

MR. HOLBROOKE DECLINED TO DISCLOSE DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT DRAFTED BY THE UNITED STATES, WHICH HE SAID WOULD CERTAINLY BE MODIFIED IN THE TALKS ANYWAY.

THE DAYTON NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN COMPARED WITH THE CAMP DAVID TALKS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND EGYPT, BUT MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS THE DAYTON TALKS WOULD BE MORE DIFFICULT, WITH MORE PARTIES INVOLVED, AND WITH SOME FIGHTING STILL GOING ON, DESPITE A CEASE-FIRE. (SIGNED)

NEB/ART/MMK
30-Oct-95 12:49 PM EST (1749 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] U.S. / MILOSEVIC (L ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: TWO DAYS BEFORE BALKAN PEACE TALKS BEGIN IN DAYTON, OHIO, U-S OFFICIALS SAY BOSNIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS GETTING AN "OFFICIAL"-CLASS VISA ALTHOUGH THERE ARE REPORTS OF HIS INVOLVEMENT IN WAR CRIMES. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS.

TEXT: LENGTHY NEWS ACCOUNTS OF BOSNIAN SERB ATTROCITIES HAVE BEEN SPLASHED OVER THE FRONT PAGES OF SOME OF AMERICA'S LEADING NEWSPAPERS IN RECENT DAYS. THE REPORTS HAVE FOCUSED FRESH ATTENTION ON THE WAR CRIMES ISSUE AND THE POSSIBLE ROLE OF THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT IN THE ACTIONS OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS SAID TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATROCITIES.

THE ISSUE DOMINATED THE DAILY STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING IN WASHINGTON. REPORTERS WANTED TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF VISA MR. MILOSEVIC IS GETTING, AND BY GIVING HIM A VISA ISN'T THE UNITED STATES CERTIFYING HE HAS NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN WAR CRIMES.

SPOKESMAN NICK BURNS SAYS THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS NOT INDICTED MR. MILOSEVIC, AND ANYWAY HE IS ESSENTIAL TO THE DAYTON NEGOTIATIONS.

THE FACT IS THAT MR. MILOSEVIC IS COMING HERE TO NEGOTIATE AN END TO THE WAR AND FOR A BEGINNING TO THE PEACE. YOU CANNOT MAKE PEACE IN BOSNIA WITHOUT THE SERBS AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS. IT IS ENTIRELY RATIONAL, REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE FOR THE UNITED STATES TO GIVE A VISA TO MILOSEVIC FOR THIS PURPOSE.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE SUREST WAY TO STOP FUTURE ATROCITIES, SUCH AS THOSE REPORTEDLY COMMITTED BY BOSNIAN SERBS, IS FOR A SUCCESSFUL PEACE AGREEMENT TO EMERGE FROM THE DAYTON NEGOTIATIONS.

THE TALKS WILL INCLUDE PRESIDENTS FRANJO TUDJMAN OF CROATIA AND ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC BOSNIA, AS WELL AS MR. MILOSEVIC OF SERBIA.

SPOKESMAN BURNS SAYS THAT IF THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL WASHINGTON WOULD SUPPORT THE SUSPENDING OF MOST SANCTIONS AGAINST THE COMBATANTS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, WITH A FULL LIFTING OF THE SANCTIONS RESERVED UNTIL AFTER THE AGREEMENT ACTUALLY GOES INTO EFFECT. (SIGNED)

NEB/ART/CF
30-Oct-95 3:28 PM EST (2028 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America