Voice of America, 16 November 1995

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] E-U NIGERIA (L) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS )

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT HAS CALLED ON E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS TO CONSIDER AN OIL BOYCOTT AGAINST NIGERIA. THE ASSEMBLY CONDEMNED NIGERIA'S EXECUTIONS LAST WEEK OF NINE OPPOSITION ACTIVISTS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VOTE FOLLOWED A DEBATE IN WHICH THERE WAS UNIVERSAL CONDEMNATION OF THE NIGERIAN MILITARY GOVERNMENT.

THE ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION IS NOT BINDING ON E-U MINISTERS. BUT IT DEMANDS ALL POSSIBLE ACTION TO SECURE THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE AFRICAN NATION.

AS WELL AS CALLING ON E-U GOVERNMENTS TO CONSIDER AN OIL BOYCOTT AGAINST NIGERIA, THE ASSEMBLY CALLED FOR A FREEZE ON ASSETS OF NIGERIA'S RULERS WHICH ARE HELD IN BANK ACCOUNTS IN BRITAIN AND ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE.

IT ALSO DEMANDED A SPORTS BOYCOTT AGAINST THE COUNTRY, AND WELCOMED THE COMMONWEATH'S ULTIMATUM ON THE POSSIBLE EXPULSION OF NIGERIA. AROUND 40 PERCENT OF NIGERIA'S OIL PRODUCTION IS EXPORTED TO EUROPE, WITH A SIMILAR AMOUNT GOING TO THE UNITED STATES.

E-U OFFICIALS ARE HESITANT ABOUT ENDORSING THE CALL FOR AN OIL BOYCOTT AGAINST NIGERIA, FOR FEAR OF THE HARM IT WOULD DO TO THE PEOPLE OF THAT COUNTRY. THEY SAY THAT INSTEAD, THE E-U SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON MEASURES WHICH HAVE A DIRECT AFFECT ON THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT. THEREFORE, E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO AGREE TO THE OIL BOYCOTT, WHEN THEY DISCUSS NIGERIA AT TALKS IN BRUSSELS NEXT WEEK. INSTEAD, THEY ARE EXPECTED TO APPROVE THREE OTHER PROPOSALS. THESE ARE CONFIRMATION OF A FREEZE OF E-U AID TO NIGERIA, VISA RESTRICTIONS ON MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THEIR FAMILIES WISHING TO VISIT EUROPE, AND A BAN ON ARMS SALES. (SIGNED)

NEB/JF/JWH/CF
16-Nov-95 8:08 AM EST (1308 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] U-S-BOSNIA WAR CRIMES (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IS RETURNING DIRECTLY FROM JAPAN TO THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS NEAR DAYTON, OHIO IN AN ATTEMPT TO WRAP UP THE TWO-WEEK OLD NEGOTIATIONS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE ISSUE OF WAR CRIMES HAS BEEN ON THE AGENDA THERE.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES IS INSISTING THAT BOSNIA, CROATIA AND SERBIA AGREE TO COOPERATE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AS PART OF ANY BOSNIAN PEACE TREATY THAT MIGHT BE NEGOTIATED. THE PROSECUTOR OF THE TRIBUNAL HAS MET WITH AMERICAN OFFICIALS HERE IN WASHINGTON TO TRY TO ELIMINATE DELAYS IN THE COURT RECEIVING EVIDENCE, ESPECIALLY MATERIAL GATHERED BY U-S INTELLIGENCE.

THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR, RICHARD GOLDSTONE , EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE THAT ANY PEACE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED IN DAYTON WILL LEAD TO THE PROSECUTION OF BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC. BOTH MEN HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR A SECOND TIME BY THE TRIBUNAL, THIS TIME FOR THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED AGAINST MUSLIMS IN THE EASTERN ENCLAVE OF SREBRENICA LAST JULY.

THE PROSECUTOR SAYS THEY WILL NOT BE PROTECTED FOR LONG.

IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE, IF THEY ARE NOT SURRENDERED, WE WILL HAVE FURTHER PROCEEDINGS, THERE WILL BE AN INTERNATIONAL WARRANT OF ARREST ISSUED AGAINST BOTH OF THOSE PEOPLE AND I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE INTEREST OF THE POLITICAL MATERS OF WHEREVER THEY ARE LIVING TO BE GIVEN A SAFE HAVEN. I'M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT THEY'LL STAND TRIAL SOONER OR LATER.

JUDGE GOLDSTONE TOLD REPORTERS HERE AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, HIS OFFICE IS PREPARING AN INDICTMENT AGAINST A BOSNIAN MUSLIM FORCRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST BOSNIAN SERBS IN HERZEGOVINA, IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE REPUBLIC. IT WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME A MUSLIM WILL BE INDICTED BY THE TRIBUNALTHE UNNAMED MAN WORKED FOR THE BOSNIAN-CROAT ARMY AND HAS BEEN DETAINED IN THE NETHERLANDS. JUDGE GOLDSTONE SAYS THE TRIBUNAL NEEDS HELP FROM VICTIMS AND WITNESSES IN SERBIA AS WELL AS SERB-HELD AREAS OF BOSNIA. THOSE AREAS HAVE NOT RECOGNIZED THE AUTHORITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL BUT MR. GOLDSTONE SAYS HE WILL CONTINUE TO REQUEST HELP ANYWAY. THE PROSECUTOR MET WITH CENTRAL U-S INTELLIGENCE DIRECTOR JOHN DEUTCH AS WELL AS DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER ANTHONY LAKE AND ACTING SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT.

AS FOR MR. CHRISTOPHER, HE IS CUTTING SHORT HIS TALKS IN JAPAN TO RETURN DIRECTLY TO THE DAYTON TALKS FRIDAY EVENING. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS TOLD REPORTERS THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL REMAIN AT WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE UNTIL SUCCESS OR FAILUREIS DETERMINED.

THIS IS AN INTENSIVE AND CRITICAL STAGE IN THESE PEACE TALKS. THE CORE ISSUES ARE ON THE TABLE AND ARE BEING DISCUSSED. THE SECRETARY DECIDED THAT HIS PRESENCE AND HIS FULL PARTICIPATION IN THE TALKS WAS NECESSARY AT THIS TIME. THE UNITED STATES IS COMMITTED TO HELP BOSNIA, CROATIA AND SERBIA TO RESOLVE THEIR REMAINING DIFFERENCES AND TO ACHIEVE A FINAL AND JUST PEACE. WE'RE DETERMINED TO GIVE THEM EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT DAYTON.

[03] U-S/EURO ARMS (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: LAST-MINUTE NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONTINUING IN EUROPE TO MEET FRIDAY'S DEADLINE FOR FINAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TREATY REDUCING CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS IN EUROPE. RUSSIA, AMONG OTHERS, APPARENTLY WILL NOT MEET ALL ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE ACCORD. BUT U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS THE TREATY HAS ENHANCED SECURITY IN POST-COLD WAR EUROPE. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: MR. PERRY SAYS HE REMAINS HOPEFUL A FINAL RESOLUTION OF OUTSTANDING TREATY ISSUES CAN BE REACHED BY THE DEADLINE OR WITHIN A FEW DAYS THEREAFTER.

BUT HE INSISTS ALSO THAT THE MASSIVE ARMS REDUCTIONS ALREADY CARRIED OUT UNDER TERMS OF THE TREATY ON CONVENTIONAL FORCES IN EUROPE HAVE MADE IT A MAJOR SUCCESS.

MR. PERRY SPOKE HERE AT THE PENTAGON AS DIPLOMATS FROM THE 30 SIGNATORY COUNTRIES, INCLUDING MOST OF EUROPE PLUS THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA, CONTINUED MARATHON TALKS IN VIENNA TO OVERCOME RUSSIAN OBJECTIONS TO SOME TREATY RESTRICTIONS.

THE TREATY WAS CONCLUDED IN 1990 BEFORE THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION. AND MOSCOW CONTENDS THAT FORCE LEVELS IT WOULD BE ALLOWED TO MAINTAIN ALONG ITS NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN FLANKS UNDER TREATY TERMS ARE INADEQUATE GIVEN THE CHANGED MAP OF EUROPE.

MR. PERRY -- WHO HAS SPEARHEADED TALKS WITH RUSSIA ON TREATY ADJUSTMENTS -- SAYS CHANGES TO REFLECT THE CURRENT SITUATION ARE ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE. AND HE SAID ANY ADJUSTMENTS WILL AFFECT ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF EUROPEAN FORCES:

THE POINT ON WHICH THERE IS A DISCUSSION NOW -- WHICH HAS TO DO WITH THE DEPLOYMENT OF EQUIPMENT IN CERTAIN OF THE FLANKS -- AFFECTS ONLY A FEW PERCENT OF THE TOTAL EQUIPMENT, TOTAL WEAPONS, THAT ARE COVERED BY THE TREATY. AND IT WOULD BE REALLY A SHAME IF DISAGREEMENT OVER A VERY SMALL PART OF THE TREATY WOULD AFFECT THE WHOLE TREATY. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT TREATY AND WE HAVE VERY HIGH HOPES THAT IT WILL PROCEED FORWARD SATISFACTORILY AFTER THE AGREEMENTS OF THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

U-S OFFICIALS SAY COMPROMISE PROPOSALS WOULD ALLOW RUSSIA TO KEEP ADDITIONAL HEAVY WEAPONS ALONG ITS SOUTHWESTERN FRONTIER NEAR THE TROUBLED CAUCASUS REGIONS, BUT WITH INCREASED FORCE LEVEL MONITORING REQUIREMENTS.

THE SUGGESTIONS HAVE RAISED CONCERN IN TURKEY, WHERE THERE IS APPREHENSION ABOUT RUSSIAN FORCE LEVELS NEAR ITS NORTHERN BORDER. DIPLOMATS FROM BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA WERE REPORTED MAKING LAST MINUTE EFFORTS TO PERSUADE THE ANKARA GOVERNMENT TO ACCEPT THE REVISED TREATY LIMITS.

SECRETARY PERRY ALSO INDICATED THAT BELARUS AND UKRAINE HAD LAGGED BEHIND THE TREATY TIMETABLE FOR RETIRING AFFECTED WEAPONS -- BUT THAT SIGNATORIES FROM ACROSS EUROPE HAVE MADE SOME OF THE BIGGEST REDUCTIONS IN ARMS CONTROL HISTORY.

DIPLOMATS SAY THE TREATY HAS LED TO THE DESTRUCTION OF NEARLY 50-THOUSAND PIECES OF MAJOR MILITARY HARDWARE -- INCLUDING TANKS, ARTILLERY, ARMORED VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/MMK
16-Nov-95 4:13 PM EST (2113 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS ISSUED MORE CHARGES AGAINST THE BOSNIAN-SERB POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS. THEY ARE CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES, GENOCIDE, AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY BECAUSE OF THE SERB MASSACRE OF MUSLIMS IN SREBRENICA. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL SAYS BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND THE SERB-ARMY COMMANDER GENERAL RATKO MLADIC ARE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR A TERRIBLE MASSACRE OF THE MUSLIM POPULATION OF SREBRENICA.

AFTER THE ENCLAVE FELL TO SERB FORCES IN JULY, THE TRIBUNAL'S DRAMATICALLY-WORDED INDICTMENT SAYS THERE IS EVIDENCE THE SERBS CARRIED OUT ACTS OF UNIMAGINABLE SAVAGERY AGAINST THE MUSLIMS THERE.

THE TRIBUNAL SAYS THOUSANDS OF MEN WERE EXECUTED AND BURIED IN MASS GRAVES, HUNDREDS OF MEN WERE BURIED ALIVE, MEN AND WOMEN WERE MUTILATED AND SLAUGHTERED, CHILDREN WERE KILLED IN FRONT OF THEIR MOTHERS, AND A GRANDFATHER WAS FORCED TO EAT HIS GRANDSON'S LIVER.

THE INDICTMENT DESCRIBES THESE EVENTS AS SCENES FROM HELL. IT SAYS THEY ARE AMONG THE BLOODIEST ACTS OF THE WAR IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AND THEY INVOLVE CRIMES OF UNPRECEDENTED CRUELTY.

THE INDICTMENT SAYS THE WAR CRIMES, GENOCIDE AND CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY WERE COMMITTED BY BOSNIAN-SERB FORCES CONTROLLED BY RADOVAN KARADZIC. IT SAYS THE SERB FORCES WERE COMMANDED BY GENERAL MLADIC AND HE WAS SEEN SEVERAL TIMES IN OR NEAR SREBRENICA WHERE THE SYSTEMATIC MASS KILLINGS TOOK PLACE.

THIS IS THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL'S SECOND INDICTMENT OF MR. KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC. THEY WERE INITIALLY CHARGED, EARLIER THIS YEAR, WITH WAR CRIMES AGAINST BOSNIAN MUSLIMS AND CROATS, INCLUDING INDISCRIMINATE SERB SHELLING ATTACKS ON SARAJEVO.

THE UNITED STATES HAS PROVIDED SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE TO THE TRIBUNAL OF WHAT HAPPENED IN SREBRENICA. SURVIVORS HAVE PROVIDED WHAT IS DESCRIBED AS CONSISTENTLY RELIABLE INFORMATION. BUT, MR. KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE PROSECUTED. THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE SAID THEY WILL NOT TURN OVER ANY SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/RAE
16-Nov-95 10:33 AM EST (1533 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America