Voice of America, 11 December 1995

From: "Ioannis V. Bousnakis" <ivb19@nfi.com>

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: A SERIES OF DOMESTIC TOPICS DOMINATES THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MANY OF THE NATION'S LARGER NEWSPAPERS THIS MONDAY MORNING. THEY INCLUDE THE BUDGET IMPASSE AND THE ESCALATING CRITICISM OF HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH. ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCENE, PAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE BOSNIAN PEACE EFFORT; FIDEL CASTRO'S VISIT TO CHINA AND THE FRENCH STRIKE. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ______________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" DISCUSSES THE CONTINUING DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS OVER THE FEDERAL BUDGET, NOTING IN PART:

VOICE: "THE REPUBLICANS SAY THEIR PLAN TO BALANCE THE BUDGET IN SEVEN YEARS WOULD ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULT, AND THE PRESIDENT'S WOULD NOT. THEY'RE RIGHT ABOUT HIS; IT WOULDN'T DO THE JOB. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THEIRS RESTS ON A KIND OF OPTICAL ILLUSION AS WELL. THE IMPLICATION IS THAT THE BALANCE IT WOULD ACHIEVE WOULD LAST. ... BUT IN FACT THE BALANCE TOWARD WHICH THEY POINT WOULD BE TENUOUS AT BEST. IF ALL WENT ACCORDING TO PLAN, IT MIGHT BRIEFLY BE ACHIEVED IN THE SEVENTH YEAR, BUT AFTER THAT IT IS DOUBTFUL IT COULD BE SUSTAINED."

TEXT: "USA TODAY" IS CRITICAL OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ROLE IN THE TALKS, AS IT SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON IS CALLING ON CONGRESS TO COOPERATE TO AVOID ANOTHER GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. BUT IT'S BECOMING INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS THAT [MR.] CLINTON WILL COOPERATE WITH CONGRESS ON PRODUCING A TRULY BALANCED BUDGET ONLY IF HE HAS NO OTHER CHOICE. THE MUCH AWAITED SEVEN-YEAR BALANCED BUDGET PLAN OFFERED BELATEDLY BY [MR.] CLINTON LAST WEEK IS NOTHING MORE THAN A WARMED-OVER VERSION OF HIS 10-YEAR-BALANCED-BUDGET PROPOSAL OF LAST JUNE. [OPT] ....... EVEN AFTER VOTERS TURNED CONGRESS OVER TO REPUBLICANS LAST FALL, ADMINISTRATION ECONOMISTS WERE SAYING BALANCING THE BUDGET WASN'T NEEDED. ONLY WHEN REPUBLICANS GAINED PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR A MORE EASILY GRASPED SEVEN YEAR PLAN TO BALANCE THE BUDGET DID [PRESIDENT] CLINTON FINALLY OFFER ONE OF HIS OWN." [END OPT]

TEXT: TURNING TO THE GROWING CONTROVERSY OVER HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH, TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" COMMENTS ON HIS SELF-IMPOSED SILENCE TO THE PRESS AFTER SEVERAL COMMENTS THAT LED TO POLITICAL PROBLEMS.

VOICE: "..... NEWT GINGRICH ... HAD A RIGHT TO BE SHAKEN BY THE ENTHUSIASM WITH WHICH THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBERS HAVE NOW EMBRACED THE IDEA OF A LESS NEWTONIAN UNIVERSE. WHILE HE IS RESTING, MR. GINGRICH HAS TIME TO THINK ABOUT A POTENTIALLY EXQUISITE DILEMMA. SHOULD HE BLESS A BUDGET DEAL BETWEEN REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC MODERATES, EVEN IF IT RISKS A RUPTURE WITH THE FLAME-THROWING [EXTREMELY VOLATILE AND CONSERVATIVE] FRESHMEN REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE? .... WE MAY SOON SEE WHETHER MR. GINGRICH IS NOT JUST BEING MUZZLED BUT PONDERING THE RIGHT MOMENT TO FORGE AN ACCORD THAT FALLS SHORT OF THE DEMANDS OF HIS RIGHT FLANK. IN SHORT, THE MOMENT THAT HE IS A LEADER OF HIS ZEALOTS AND NOT MERELY A CAPTIVE OF THEM."

TEXT: MEANWHILE, DISCUSSING THE UPCOMING ETHICS INVESTIGATION INTO THE ACTIVITIES OF A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE WHICH MR. GINGRICH FORMERLY HEADED, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" NOTES:

VOICE: "HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE GREETED THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE'S DECISION TO APPOINT A SPECIAL COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE SPEAKER ... GINGRICH WITH A LEVEL AND TYPE OF GLEE THAT REVEALS THE SPITE AND BILE BEHIND THE ENTERPRISE. 'HE WHO LIVES BY THE SWORD, DIES BY THE SWORD,' REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES STENHOLM PIOUSLY DECLARED, ALLUDING OF COURSE TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS MR. GINGRICH WHO FILED THE ETHICS COMPLAINTS THAT BROUGHT DOWN HOUSE SPEAKER JIM WRIGHT IN 1988. ...... THE PROCESS THE ETHICS COMMITTEE HAS STARTED IS UGLY, STUPID AND UNJUSTIFIED. RATHER THAN BEING MOVED BY ANY CONCERN FOR GOOD GOVERNMENT, THE DEMOCRATS ARE JUST TAKING THEIR CHANCES [TO HURT MR. GINGRICH] WHERE THEY CAN."

TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL TOPICS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" LAMENTS THAT DISAGREEMENTS OVER U.S. POLICY TOWARDS BOSNIA ARE HAMPERING THE AMERICAN EFFORT:

VOICE: "WITH ONLY DAYS TO GO BEFORE THE FORMAL SIGNING OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT, CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FOR THE DISPATCH OF AMERICAN TROOPS TO SUPERVISE THE PEACE IS NEEDLESSLY SNAGGGED OVER TWO ISSUES. CRITICS OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S TROOPS PROPOSAL, MAINLY CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS, QUESTION WHETHER THE ADMINISTRATION HAS A REASONABLE STRATEGY FOR ENDING THE MISSION AND WITHDRAWING FORCES. BEYOND THAT, THEY ASK WHETHER WASHINGTON SHOULD SUPPLEMENT THE PEACEKEEPING OPERATION, OR EVEN REPLACE IT, WITH A MAJOR AMERICAN EFFORT TO ARM AND TRAIN THE BOSNIAN ARMY. THE BEST WAY TO ASSURE THAT THE PEACEKEEPING MISSION ENDS SUCCESSFULLY AND ON TIME IS TO KEEP IT SIMPLE, JUST AS THE ADMINISTRATION HAS PROPOSED. .... IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CONGRESS TO ACT BEFORE THE NATO MISSION BEGINS IN EARNEST NEXT WEEK."

TEXT: TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL" TALKS ABOUT CUBAN PRESIDENT FIDEL CASTRO'S RECENT VISIT TO CHINA, WHERE HE COMPARED CUBAN STYLE OF COMMUNISM TO THAT OF THE CHINESE.

VOICE: "CHINA ... HAS FOUND A MUCH BETTER WAY [THAN MR. CASTRO] TO FAKE OUT ITS IDEOLOGICAL OPPONENTS: IT'S GETTING RICH. [MR.] CASTRO WANTS SOME OF THAT TOO. FIRST IN CHINA AND THEN IN VIETNAM, HE IS SEEKING TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE MONEY WITHOUT RELINQUISHING CONTROL IN A ONE-PARTY STATE. LOTS OF LUCK, FIDEL...."

TEXT: WRITING ABOUT THE NOW TWO-WEEK OLD SERIES OF STRIKES IN FRANCE, TODAY'S "NEW YORK POST" NOTES:

VOICE: "... IN THIS INSTANCE, AMERICANS SHOULD UNDERSTAND QUITE WELL THE CONCERNS THAT ANIMATE THE FRENCH CRISIS; THEY BEAR CONSIDERABLE LIKENESS TO THE BUDGET BATTLES NOW TAKING PLACE IN WASHINGTON...... ACCORDING TO POLLSTERS, MOST FRENCHMEN SEEM TO BELIEVE THAT WORKERS HAVE A RIGHT TO SOCIAL BENEFITS EVEN IF THE COUNTRY CAN NO LONGER AFFORD THEM. ....... THE OUTCOME OF THE CURRENT SHOWDOWN IS LIKELY TO BE VIEWED THROUGHOUT THE WESTERN WORLD AS AN INDICATION OF WHETHER OR NOT A DEMOCRATIC NATION CAN REDUCE ITS DEFICIT AND BRING ITS EXPENDITURES IN LINE WITH ITS TAX BASE."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF TODAY'S OPINIONS FROM THE U-S PRESS.

NEB/ANG/NL

TEXT:

11-Dec-95 11:49 AM EST (1649 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.

[02] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT

VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- 12/11/95 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).

CLINTON / BOSNIA -- PRESIDENT CLINTON IS VOWING THAT US TROOPS ON A NATO PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL CONCLUDE THEIR WORK IN A YEAR'S TIME. HIS COMMENTS, IN A US TELEVISION NEWS PROGRAM BROADCAST SUNDAY, ARE AIMED AT EASING THE CONCERNS OF A SKEPTICAL AMERICAN PUBLIC AND CONGRESS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A LONG-TERM US MISSION IN BOSNIA. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS. (12/10)

BOSNIA / FRANCE -- THE DEADLINE SET BY FRANCE FOR NEWS OF TWO FRENCH PILOTS SHOT DOWN OVER BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAS EXPIRED. WITH NO WORD ON THE PILOTS' FATE, IT IS NOT CLEAR WHAT ACTION FRANCE PLANS NEXT. STRINGER JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS. (12/10)

US / FRANCE / PILOTS -- PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE DOES NOT FORESEE ANY HOSTAGE-TAKING OF US TROOPS DURING THEIR PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. STAFFER VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS MR CLINTON'S COMMENTS RECORDED FOR BROADCAST ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK COME AS HE VOICED SUPPORT FOR FRENCH EFFORTS TO SECURE THE FREEDOM OF TWO FRENCH PILOTS MISSING IN BOSNIA FOR MORE THAN THREE MONTHS. (12/9)

US / YUGO -- AMERICAN PEACE ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS URGED THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, TO HELP FREE TWO FRENCH PILOTS CAPTURED BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS LAST AUGUST. FRANCE HAS WARNED OF WIDE-RANGING CONSEQUENCES AGAINST THE SERBS IF THE PILOTS ARE NOT RELEASED BY ITS SUNDAY DEADLINE. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS FROM VIENNA. (12/9)

US / MILITARY TECHNOLOGY FOR BOSNIA -- CURRENT AFFAIRS' ERICA BENIS AND HER GUEST RETIRED US ARMY GENERAL EDWARD ATKINSON LOOK AT THE ARRAY OF SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS AND LARGE NETWORKS OF SUPPLY, INTELLIGENCE, AND COMMUNICATIONS THAT WILL LINK THE 20 THOUSAND US TROOPS WITH THE OTHER NATO FORCES AND WILL GIVE I-FOR A DOMINANT AWARENESS OF POTENTIAL DANGERS. (12/11)

SARAJEVO / CONGRESSMEN -- A US CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION DISCUSSED AMERICAN TROOP DEPLOYMENT AND AID FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA WITH BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC. STRINGER VLADIMIR BILIC REPORTS THAT ANOTHER CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION MET WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BOSNIAN-CROAT FEDERATION, EJUP GANIC. (CROATIAN 12/11)

US / BELGRADE -- A TWENTY-MEMBER AMERICAN CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION MET WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE AND DISCUSSED THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. EARLIER, MR. MILOSEVIC MET WITH THORVALD STOLTENBERG TO DISCUSS EASTERN SLAVONIA. THE SAME ISSUE WAS THE TOPIC OF THE TALKS BETWEEN THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT AND UN MEDIATOR KOFI ANAN. (CROATIAN 12/11)

CONGRESS / CROATIA -- CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION CONFERRED WITH CROATIAN PRESIDENT TUDJMAN. THEY DISCUSSED THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CROATIA AND BOSNIA, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND THE MILITARY CAPACITY OF THE BOSNIAN-CROAT FEDERATION. STRINGER LINDA MILISA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (CROATIAN 12/10)

DAYTON AGREEMENT / CROATIA -- STRINGER SLAVICA LUKIC REPORTS ON THE DEBATE OVER THE DAYTON AGREEMENT IN THE CROATIAN PARLIAMENT. OPPOSITION REPRESENTATIVES CONSIDER THE DAYTON AGREEMENT NOT A VICTORY FOR THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT, BUT RATHER A POOR COMPROMISE. (CROATIAN 12/11)

UN / BOSNIA -- STRINGER IVICA PULJIC REPORTS ON THE PREPARATIONS FOR VOTING ON THE MANDATE OF THE I-FOR FORCES. THE RESOLUTION IS EXPECTED TO INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR THE RETURN OF THE REFUGEES, FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR THE SOLDIERS, AND FORM OF RESPONSE IN A CASE OF AN ATTACK. THE VOTE IN THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED A DAY AFTER THE PEACE ACCORD IS SIGNED IN PARIS. (CROATIAN 12/10)

US TROOPS / BOSNIA -- US TROOPS ARE STEPPING UP THEIR PREPARATIONS FOR THE BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING MISSION THAT WILL BEGIN IN EARNEST LATER THIS MONTH. AS CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS, MILITARY EQUIPMENT FOR THE MISSION IS NOW BEING SHIPPED BY AIR AND RAIL. (12/9)

US / HUNGARY / TROOPS -- TWO AMERICAN MILITARY PLANES HAVE LANDED IN SOUTHERN HUNGARY WITH PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT FOR AN IMPORTANT SUPPORT BASE FOR US TROOPS WHO WILL BE SENT TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS FROM VIENNA. (12/9)

BOSNIA / LONDON CONFERENCE -- THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA CONTINUES IN LONDON. BUT AS CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS, ITS WORK HAS BEEN OVERSHADOWED BY FRENCH DEMANDS FOR THE RETURN OF TWO OF THEIR PILOTS DOWNED OVER BOSNIA IN LATE AUGUST. (12/9)

BRUSSELS / ULTIMATUM -- FRANCE GAVE AN ULTIMATUM TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND THE GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE TO RELEASE THE TWO MISSING FRENCH PILOTS, OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES. THE PILOTS WERE SHOT DOWN IN A MISSION ABOVE BOSNIA ON AUGUST 30. STRINGER DRAGAN BLAGOJEVIC REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. (SERBIAN 12/10)

LONDON CONFERENCE / BOSNIAN SERB REACTION -- BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS DENOUNCED THE RESULTS OF THE LONDON CONFERENCE, SAYING IT DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO IMPROVE THE POSITION OF SERB INHABITANTS OF SARAJEVO OR TO OFFER ADDITIONAL SAFETY GUARANTEES FOR THEM. STRINGER DUSAN MASIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 12/10)

BOSNIA CONFERENCE -- THE THIRD LONDON CONFERENCE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORD DEBATED THE ISSUES OF DIVIDING THE ARMED FORCES OF WARRING SIDES, THE RETURN OF REFUGEES, HUMAN RIGHTS, FREE ELECTIONS AND THE RECONSTRUCTION OF WAR-TORN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. STRINGER RIALDA SEBEK REPORTS FROM LONDON. (SERBIAN 12/9)

BOSNIA CONFERENCE -- THE START OF LONDON CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA WAS MARKED BY THREE THINGS: A WISH, A NOMINATION AND AN ULTIMATUM. FIRST REACTIONS OF BRITISH COMMENTATORS ARE FULL OF SKEPTICISM THAT THE PEACE WILL TAKE HOLD AS FAST AS IT CALLED BY DAYTON AGREEMENTS. STRINGER RIALDA SEBEK REPORTS FROM LONDON. (SERBIAN 12/8)

RUSSIA / YUGOSLAVIA -- RUSSIA SUPPORTS YUGOSLAVIA'S ADMISSION INTO THE ORGANIZATION OF EUROPEAN SECURITY AND COOPERATION, AND CONSIDERS THAT YUGOSLAVIA DESERVES THE STATUS OF A FULL MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. MOSCOW ALSO WELCOMES SUSPENSION OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA AND PLANS TO SEND PRIME MINISTER CHERNOMYRDIN TO THE BOSNIAN PEACE SIGNING CEREMONY IN PARIS. STRINGER RISTO BAJALSKI REPORTS FROM MOSCOW. (SERBIAN 12/9)

MONTENEGRO / WAR CRIMES -- A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT FOR WAR CRIMES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WARNED SERBIAN AUTHORITIES THAT THE LACK OF COOPERATION WITH THE COURT WOULD LEAD TO THE RENEWAL OF THE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. THE YUGOSLAV SUPREME DEFENSE COUNCIL SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT YUGOSLAVIA WOULD FULFILL ALL ITS OBLIGATIONS REGARDING WAR CRIMINALS AS STIPULATED BY THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. STRINGER BOSKO DJUKIC REPORTS FROM PODGORICA. (SERBIAN 12/8)

MONTENEGRO / MEDIA -- THE INDEPENDENT MEDIA IN MONTENEGRO DEMAND THAT LAWSUITS AGAINST NON-GOVERNMENT JOURNALISTS BE CONDUCTED ON THE BASIS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS. STRINGER BOSKO DJUKIC REPORTS. (SERBIAN 12/9)

CROATIA / SLAVONIA -- US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE SPOKE WITH CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN ABOUT THE TRANSITIONAL ADMINISTRATION OF EASTERN SLAVONIA. MR HOLBROOKE SAID THE US RECOMMENDS THAT A RETIRED AMERICAN GENERAL BE NAMED TO HEAD THE TRANSITIONAL ADMINISTRATION IN EASTERN SLAVONIA. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 12/9)

US DELEGATION / MILOSEVIC -- A DELEGATION OF THE US COUNCIL FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS MET WITH PRESIDENT S MILOSEVIC OF SERBIA. INDEPENDENT MEDIA REPORT THAT THE TALKS COVERED IMPORTANT ISSUES, INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF THE PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. STRINGER MILICA KUBUROVIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 12/8)

PODGORICA / INTERVIEW -- STRINGER BOSKO DJUKIC IN PODGORICA, MONTENEGRO, INTERVIEWS NENAD CANAK, THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEAGUE OF SOCIAL DEMOCRATS OF VOJVODINA. THEY DISCUSS THE EFFECTS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD, SUSPENSION OF THE UN SANCTIONS, AND THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL. (SERBIAN 12/10)

SKOPJE / ALBANIANS -- THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN MACEDONIA EXPECT THAT A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ISSUE OF KOSOVO, AND GENERALLY THE POSITION OF ALBANIANS IN THE BALKANS, WILL BE DECIDED NOW THAT THE PEACE AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED IN DAYTON. THEY BELIEVE THAT THE VISIT OF THE LEADER OF KOSOVO ALBANIANS, IBRAHIM RUGOVA TO WASHINGTON, DC, HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THESE ISSUES. SKOPJE STRINGER ZELJKO BAJIC REPORTS. (SERBIAN 12/10)

ZAGREB / CHURCH -- THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CROATIA HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING THAT IT IS WORRIED THAT THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR A JUST PEACE AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN, RELIGIOUS, AND ETHNIC RIGHTS OF THE CROATS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. ZAGREB STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS. (SERBIAN 12/10)

MACEDONIA / ALBANIANS -- NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR MACEDONIAN NATIONAL UNITY, AND THE PARTY OF DEMOCRATIC PROSPERITY, WHICH CONSISTS MOSTLY OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN MEMBERS, ENDED ON MUTUALLY EXPRESSED POSITION THAT POLITICAL COALITIONS CAN BE ESTABLISHED WHENEVER POSSIBLE IN NEXT YEAR'S LOCAL ELECTIONS. STRINGER ZELJKO BAJIC REPORTS FROM SKOPJE. (SERBIAN 12/9) A

ALBANIA / BERISHA INTERVIEW -- ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA SAYS THAT HIS COUNTRY HAS MADE BIG STRIDES TOWARDS BUILDING A STRONG DEMOCRACY AND MARKET ECONOMY. THE ALBANIAN LEADER LISTED FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PRESS, THE FAST ECONOMIC GROWTH, LOW INFLATION, LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, PRIVATIZATION, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LAW AND ORDER. HE RESPONDED TO THE CRITICISM HIS GOVERNMENT'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD, BY SAYING THAT WHILE THERE IS STILL LOT OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT, THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN ALBANIA HAS IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY. AS TO FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, THE ALBANIAN PRESIDENT INSISTED THAT UNLESS THE ISSUE OF KOSOVO IS SOLVED, A LASTING AND COMPREHENSIVE PEACE CAN NOT BE ACHIEVED IN BALKANS. PRESIDENT BERISHA SPOKE IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH STRINGER MERO BAZE. (ALBANIAN 12/11) 11-Dec-95 4:29 PM EST (2129 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.

[03] BOSNIA BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AMERICAN TROOPS ARE BEGINNING TO ARRIVE IN BOSNIA. THEY ARE PART OF A NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE. YESTERDAY (FYI - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10), PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON REAFFIRMED THAT THE 20,000 AMERICANS THAT WILL SERVE IN BOSNIA WILL BE OUT WITHIN A YEAR'S TIME. HERE IS _________________ WITH A SAMPLING OF OPINION PUBLISHED TODAY IN SOME PROMINENT AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS.

TEXT: THIS WEEK, MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS WILL DEBATE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DECISION TO SEND AMERICAN GROUND TROOPS TO BOSNIA. ON THE EVE OF THAT DISCUSSION, SENATOR ROBERT DOLE, THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, AND A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, WROTE A COLUMN THAT APPEARS IN TODAY'S (MONDAY'S) EDITION OF "USA TODAY." MR. DOLE WRITES: "SINCE 1993, I HAVE CONSISTENTLY AND STRONGLY DISAGREED WITH THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION POLICIES THAT HAVE NOW PLACED AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN POTENTIAL DANGER. WERE I THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, WE WOULD HAVE LIFTED THE ARMS EMBARGO ON BOSNIA, A COURSE WHICH WOULD HAVE LET THE BOSNIANS DEFEND THEMSELVES AND AVOIDED THE NEED FOR 60,000 TROOPS TO IMPLEMENT A FLAWED AND UNFAIR PEACE AGREEMENT. BUT AMERICA HAS ONLY ONE COMMANDER IN CHIEF AT A TIME. PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS THE AUTHORITY TO PLACE OUR ARMED FORCES IN HARM'S WAY, AND HE HAS DECIDED TO DO SO. THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION. I HOPE THAT THE CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE THIS WEEK WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME CLEAR ANSWERS...."

IN A COLUMN HEADLINED "AFTER THE DOUBTS, SALUTE AND OBEY," HARRY G. SUMMERS DISCUSSES WHAT HE CALLS "THE ISSUE OF MILITARY CASUALTIES." MR. SUMMERS, A RETIRED U.S. ARMY COLONEL IS NOW A DISTINGUISHED FELLOW OF THE ARMY WAR COLLEGE AND A NATIONALLY SYNDICATED COLUMNIST. HE TELLS HIS READERS THAT THAT AMERICAN GOVERNMENT LEADERS ACKNOWLEDGE THAT "THE BOSNIAN OPERATION IS NOT RISK FREE, AND THAT CASUALTIES WILL OCCUR. BUT," CONTINUES COLONEL SUMMERS, "CASUALTIES PER SE ARE NOT THE LIMITING FACTOR. IT IS WHETHER THOSE CASUALTIES ARE DISPROPORTIONATE TO THE VALUE OF THE MISSION. IN WORLD WAR II, THE VALUE WAS NATIONAL SURVIVAL, AND WE WILLINGLY PAID MORE THAN A MILLION CASUALTIES IN ITS PURSUIT. IN SOMALIA, THE VALUE WAS NEVER ESTABLISHED AND 16 BECAME TOO MANY. THE TASK FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON IS TO ESTABLISH THE VALUE OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IN BOSNIA AS THE BASIS FOR THE COSTS IN BOTH LIVES AND TREASURE THAT SUCH AN OPERATION WILL ENTAIL."

COLONEL SUMMERS COMMENTS APPEARED TODAY (MONDAY) IN "THE WASHINGTON TIMES."

MARK NELSON, REPORTING FOR "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL" FROM SARAJEVO, BOSNIA, SAYS THAT THE REGION'S SNOW AND BAD ROADS MAKE LOGISTICS DIFFICULT. THE REPORTER HAS TRAVELED EXTENSIVELY. ACCORDING TO MR. NELSON: "THE DESTROYED AND DAMAGED BRIDGES ARE PERHAPS THE BIGGEST WORRY. IN THE NERETVA RIVER VALLEY, FOR EXAMPLE, A BRIDGE DESTROYED BY SHELLING HAS BEEN REPLACED BY A DIRT ROAD ALONG THE EDGE OF A MOUNTAIN, REQUIRING A FORBIDDING CLIMB AND HEADLONG DESCENT ACROSS A TEMPORARY DIRT BRIDGE. OTHER BRIDGES HIT BY SHELLS HAVE BEEN PATCHED WITH RICKETY WOOD OR METAL RAMPS. THE TRIP ACROSS BOSNIA ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE COUNTRY'S DEARTH OF SHELTER. NEAR SARAJEVO, A LARGE FRENCH BASE HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN A BOMBED-OUT CEMENT FACTORY. THE 30 BRITISH GUARDS AT THE FRIGID TOP OF MOUNT IGMAN OUTSIDE SARAJEVO LIVE IN A HALF-DESTROYED SKI-LIFT STATION. AND THE RAPID-REACTION CORPS HAS TAKEN OVER A DECREPIT HOTEL IN KISELJAK, ABOUT (19-KILOMETERS) AWAY, UNTIL IT CAN TAKE MORE-PERMANENT QUARTERS IN A FORMER ICE RINK." AND, CONTINUES MARK NELSON OF "THE WALL STREET JOURNAL," "SHELTER AND SERVICES IN SARAJEVO, THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION OF NEARLY EVERYONE, MAY BE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM. ALREADY THE SITE OF MORE THAN A DOZEN HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS, IT WILL BECOME A HEADQUARTERS FOR NATO AND THE RAPID-REACTION GROUP AND WILL HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR A STRENGTHENED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LEGIONS OF BUSINESSMEN SEEKING RECONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AND MANY JOURNALISTS."

AND FINALLY, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" COLUMNIST ANTHONY LEWIS NOTES WHAT HE CALLS SOME "WORRYING PORTENTS." WRITES MR. LEWIS: "NATO FORCES ARE GOING TO BOSNIA FOR A YEAR TO GIVE PEACE A BREATHING SPACE. THE HOPE IS THAT, IN A YEAR OF ORDINARY LIFE, THE DIVIDED PEOPLE OF BOSNIA WILL BEGIN TO VALUE PEACE MORE THAN HATRED OR REVENGE. IF THAT HOPE IS TO HAVE A CHANCE, A CRUCIAL NECESSITY IS THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF RESPECT FOR LAW AND HUMANITY. AND THERE THE EARLY SIGNS ARE NOT ENCOURAGING. THE WEEKS SINCE THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT HAVE SEEN WORRYING SYMPTOMS OF DISREGARD FOR ITS PROMISES OF JUSTICE. BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE CONTINUED TO CARRY OUT 'ETHNIC CLEANSING' AROUND BANJA LUKA, THE PRINCIPAL CITY THEY HOLD IN NORTHERN BOSNIA. THE REGION WAS THE SITE OF SOME OF THE MOST BRUTAL SERBIAN PRACTICES OF MURDER AND INTIMIDATION DURING THE WAR. MOST OF THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS WHO SURVIVED HAVE FLED THE BANJA LUKA AREA. NOW THE 12,000 WHO REMAIN ARE BEING DRIVEN OUT OF THEIR HOMES, A FEW FAMILIES EVERY DAY, AND THEIR HOUSES BURNED OR TURNED OVER TO SERBIAN REFUGEES. BOSNIAN CROATS LAST WEEK RELEASED A CROATIAN MILITARY OFFICER WHO HAD BEEN INDICTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, IVICA RAJIC. IT WAS A BRAZEN VIOLATION OF A PROMISE MADE IN DAYTON."

THOSE THOUGHTS IN A COLUMN BY ANTHONY LEWIS OF "THE NEW YORK TIMES" CONCLUDE ANOTHER ROUND-UP OF U-S PRESS OPINION ON AMERICA'S ROLE IN BOSNIA. DN/GE 11-Dec-95 10:18 AM EST (1518 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.

[04] BOSNIA SITREP (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA )

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE A STATEMENT TODAY (MONDAY) ABOUT THE TWO FRENCH PILOTS THEY CAPTURED LAST AUGUST. FRANCE HAS WARNED OF WIDESPREAD CONSEQUENCES AGAINST THE SERBS UNLESS THEY FREE THE PILOTS. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: YUGOSLAV DEFENSE MINISTER PAVLE BULATOVIC HAS APPARENTLY TOLD A NATO DELEGATION VISITING BELGRADE THAT THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE ABOUT TO MAKE A POSITIVE STATEMENT ON THE FATE OF THE TWO FRENCH PILOTS.

ACCORDING TO NATO SOURCES, THE DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS THE BOSNIAN SERB STATEMENT WILL SATISFY THE FAMILIES OF THE PILOTS WHO DO _NOT_ KNOW IF THE AIRMEN ARE DEAD OR ALIVE.

THE PILOTS ARE BELIEVED STILL ALIVE AND IN THE CUSTODY OF TROOPS LOYAL TO THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC. IN RETURN FOR THEIR FREEDOM, HE WAS REPORTED LAST WEEK TO BE DEMANDING THE DROPPING OF INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES CHARGES AGAINST HIM. IT IS _NOT_ AT ALL CLEAR WHETHER THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT OR THE PILOTS' FAMILIES WILL BE SATISFIED SIMPLY TO KNOW THAT THE DETAINED AIRMEN ARE DEFINITELY ALIVE.

FRANCE HAD SET A SUNDAY NIGHT DEADLINE FOR THEIR RELEASE. IF THAT DEADLINE WAS _NOT_ MET, THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT WARNED THE SERBS AND SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC OF WIDESPREAD CONSEQUENCES.

THE DEADLINE QUIETLY PASSED WITH _NO_ ACTION BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS OR BY FRANCE. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT NOW DENIES THAT IT ISSUED AN ULTIMATUM FOR THE PILOTS' RELEASE. MEANWHILE, SERBS IN SERB-HELD DISTRICTS OF SARAJEVO ARE PREPARING TO HOLD A REFERENDUM ON THE NEW PEACE PLAN FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ON TUESDAY.

MOST SERBS ARE EXPECTED TO REJECT THE PLAN BECAUSE IT CALLS FOR THEIR DISTRICTS TO BE RULED BY THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION.

A GROWING EXODUS OF SERBS FROM SARAJEVO IS REPORTED. SERB POLICE ARE _NO_ LONGER SAID TO BE PREVENTING SERBS FROM LEAVING THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL TO RESETTLE IN OTHER SERB-HELD TERRITORY.

A UNITED NATIONS SPOKESMAN IN SARAJEVO SAYS THE RESULTS OF THE SERB REFERENDUM WILL _NOT_ AFFECT THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. THE AGREEMENT IS TO BE SIGNED IN PARIS ON THURSDAY. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/MH/ART
11-Dec-95 10:16 AM EST (1516 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.

[05] BOSNIA / FRANCE (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: AS A FRENCH DEADLINE FOR NEWS OF TWO PILOTS SHOT DOWN OVER BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA PASSED WITHOUT ANY DEVELOPMENT, FRANCE APPEARED TO BACK DOWN ON EARLIER THREATS OF RETALIATION. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC HELD AN INNER CABINET MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER ALAIN JUPPE AND THE DEFENSE AND FOREIGN MINISTERS TO DISCUSS THE FATE OF THE TWO MISSING FRENCH PILOTS. THERE WAS NO STATEMENT AFTER THE MEETING (MONDAY). LAST WEEK, FRANCE SAID IT WOULD RETALIATE UNLESS THERE WAS NEWS BY SUNDAY MIDNIGHT.

BUT AT THE REGULAR DAILY FOREIGN MINISTRY BRIEFING 12-HOURS AFTER THE DEADLINE PASSED, THE OFFICIAL SPOKESMAN SOFTENED FRANCE'S POSITION. THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE HAD NEVER BEEN ANY ULTIMATUM OR ANY DEADLINE TO THE SERBS, EITHER IN BELGRADE OR IN THE BOSNIAN-SERB CAPITAL OF PALE. BUT, GOVERNMENT MINISTERS USED BOTH TERMS LAST WEEK.

FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER HERVE DE CHARETTE INSISTED FRANCE EXPECTED SOME REACTION FROM THE SERBS WHEN HE SPOKE LAST WEEK DURING THE LONDON CONFERENCE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT.

THE TWO PILOTS WERE SHOT DOWN OVER THE BOSNIAN-SERB CAPITAL AUGUST 30TH, THE FIRST DAY OF A CONCENTRATED WAVE OF NATO AIR ATTACKS ON BOSNIAN-SERB POSITIONS. THE ATTACKS ARE CREDITED WITH FINALLY PUSHING THE BOSNIAN SERBS INTO ATTENDING PEACE TALKS.

ALTHOUGH THEY WERE FILMED PARACHUTING TO EARTH AND WERE LATER PHOTOGRAPHED IN CAPTIVITY, THERE HAS BEEN NO NEWS OF THE PILOTS IN MORE THAN TWO MONTHS. BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC HAS SAID THEY WERE KIDNAPPED FROM A HOSPITAL. YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC PROMISED PRESIDENT CHIRAC A FEW-WEEKS AGO HE WOULD GIVE HIM NEWS OF THE PILOTS, BUT HAS SO FAR GIVEN HIM NONE.

WITH FRANCE ABOUT TO BE THE HOST FOR THE SIGNING OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT THURSDAY, THERE HAS BEEN SPECULATION MR. CHIRAC MIGHT BOYCOTT THE CEREMONY UNLESS THERE IS NEWS OF THE PILOTS. SOME DIPLOMATIC SOURCES SAY THEY BELIEVE THE PILOTS WERE KILLED IN CAPTIVITY.

FRANCE IS A CRUCIAL PLAYER IN THE BOSNIAN-PEACE PROCESS. IT PLANS TO SEND A TOTAL OF 13-THOUSAND TROOPS TO THE NATO FORCE THAT WILL ENFORCE THE PEACE ACCORDS.

THE FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTRY SAID THE ISSUE OF THE PILOTS WILL NOT AFFECT THE SIGNING OF THE PEACE ACCORD. THE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAID FRANCE HAD ONLY MADE A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION, BUT,HE SAID THE CONTINUING UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THEIR FATE COULD PUT THE PEACE PROCESS IN QUESTION. (SIGNED)

NEB/JN/JWH/RAE
11-Dec-95 10:24 AM EST (1524 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.

[06] BOSNIA / NATO BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS ( TUZLA )

INTRO: IN BOSNIA, TEAMS OF NATO LOGISTICS EXPERTS ARE CONTINUING PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE. THE COMMANDER OF BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TROOPS IN THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY, WHERE AMERICAN FORCES WILL BE DEPLOYED, HAS PLEDGED FULL COOPERATION WITH THE WESTERN ALLIANCE. BUT AT A NEWS CONFERENCE IN TUZLA, GENERAL SEAD DELIC SAID HE IS NOT OPTIMISTIC THAT THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AS PLANNED. FROM TUZLA, V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS.

TEXT: U-S ARMY RECONNAISSANCE TEAMS HAVE BEEN TRAVELING IN AND AROUND TUZLA FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS AND GENERAL DELIC SAID PREPARATIONS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF NATO COMBAT FORCES NEXT WEEK ARE GOING WELL.

THE U-S CONTINGENT WILL HAVE ITS HEADQUARTERS AT A HUGE AIR BASE ON THE EDGE OF THIS INDUSTRIAL CITY. GENERAL DELIC SAID THE BOSNIAN ARMY HAS ALREADY PROVIDED THE ADVANCE TEAMS WITH A VARIETY OF INFORMATION AIMED AT FACILITATING DEPLOYMENT. HE SAID THAT INFORMATION INCLUDES DETAILED MAPS OF THE CONFRONTATION LINES AS WELL AS BOSNIAN ARMY POSITIONS AND THE COORDINATES OF THE MINEFIELDS THAT LITTER THE REGION.

THE GENERAL SAID NATO HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN INFORMATION ON ROAD CONDITIONS IN THE AREA. THE FIRST WINTER SNOW HAS ALREADY MELTED NOW, BUT MANY OF THE ROADS HAVE HOLES IN THEM AND ARE TREACHEROUS. TEMPERATURES ARE HOVERING AROUND THE FREEZING POINT.

THE PEACE AGREEMENT IS TO BE SIGNED IN PARIS ON THURSDAY. GENERAL DELIC EXPECTS THE FIRST NATO COMBAT TROOPS TO ARRIVE IN TUZLA FOUR DAYS LATER.

THE BOSNIAN ARMY COMMANDER SAID HE BELIEVES THAT THE NATO FORCE WILL HAVE BOTH THE POWER AND THE MANDATE TO CARRY OUT THE PEACE PLAN. BUT HE SAID IT WILL BE DIFFICULT. HE ADDED THAT HE IS NOT OPTIMISTIC THAT THE PEACE PLAN CAN BE IMPLEMENTED AS SCHEDULED. (SIGNED)

NEB/DR/MH/BG
11-Dec-95 1:09 PM EST (1809 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.

[07] BOSNIA / RESERVISTS (S ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT HAS BEGUN CALLING UP MILITARY RESERVISTS WHO WILL JOIN IN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN THE BALKANS. IN ALL, ABOUT 32-THOUSAND U-S MILITARY PERSONNEL WILL BE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ITSELF OR INVOLVED IN SUPPORT OPERATIONS IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. DETAILS FROM V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST AT THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: THE PENTAGON IS SUMMONING ALMOST FOUR THOUSAND RESERVISTS, MOSTLY FROM THE ARMY, TO JOIN OR SUPPORT U-S REGULAR FORCES HEADING FOR BOSNIA. ABOUT 500 ARMY RESERVISTS IN MORE THAN 20 UNITS AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE ON AN INITIAL CALL-UP LIST -- WITH MORE NOTIFICATIONS TO COME IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (FOR RESERVE AFFAIRS) DEBORAH LEE SAYS IT IS THE THIRD TIME IN FIVE YEARS THAT RESERVISTS ARE BEING MOBILIZED FOR OVERSEAS DUTY:

THE FIRST TIME, OF COURSE, WAS OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM IN WHICH WE CALLED APPROXIMATELY A QUARTER-MILLION RESERVISTS TO ACTIVE DUTY. THE SECOND TIME WAS HAITI WHEN WE CALLED APPROXIMATELY THREE THOUSAND TO ACTIVE DUTY, AND NOW OF COURSE FOR THE BOSNIA OPERATION WHERE WE ARE PROJECTING ABOUT 38-HUNDRED.

MOST OF THE RESERVISTS BEING CALLED UP HAVE SPECIALIZED SKILLS IN SUCH AREAS AS WATER PURIFICATION, PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS, AND MILITARY GOVERNMENT AND POLICE. IN ALL ABOUT 20-THOUSAND U-S SERVICE PERSONNEL WILL BE IN BOSNIA ITSELF, WITH ANOTHER 12-THOUSAND IN SUPPORT OPERATIONS IN CROATIA, HUNGARY AND ITALY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/ART
11-Dec-95 3:40 PM EST (2040 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.

[08] BOSNIA / SARAJEVO (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE DEMONSTRATED IN THE CENTER OF SARAJEVO, CALLING FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SERB-HELD PARTS OF THE CITY TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES WHEN THE CAPITAL IS UNIFIED UNDER BOSNIAN-GOVERNMENT CONTROL. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT:

THE CHANTS OF "BOSNIA, BOSNIA" ECHOED AROUND THE CITY AS SEVERAL-THOUSAND PEOPLE JAMMED INTO SARAJEVO'S MAIN STREET IN THE LARGEST DEMONSTRATION SINCE THE WAR BEGAN THREE-AND-ONE-HALF-YEARS AGO.

FROM A BALCONY OVERLOOKING THE CROWD, LEADERS OF BOSNIA'S REFUGEE ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF A MULTI-ETHNIC SARAJEVO, AND CALLED ON THE RESIDENTS OF SERB-HELD PARTS OF THE CITY TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES. UNDER THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN, SERB-HELD SARAJEVO MUST BE TURNED OVER TO GOVERNMENT CONTROL, AND MOST SERBS ARE PLANNING TO LEAVE BEFORE THAT HAPPENS.

A YOUNG MUSLIM MAN AT THE RALLY TOLD ME WHAT MESSAGE HE WANTED TO PASS ON TO THE SERBS.

THE MESSAGE IS, THEY MUST STAY. WE USED TO LIVE TOGETHER AND WE WANT TO LIVE TOGETHER, AND REGARDLESS OF SOME IDIOTS WHO STARTED THIS WAR, WE MUST CONTINUE WITH OUR LIVES, AND THAT IS THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR BOSNIA, AND FOR A UNIFIED SARAJEVO. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.

THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS PROMISED TO MAKE A STRONG EFFORT TO CONVINCE THE SERBS TO STAY. DESPITE THIS RALLY AND SIMILAR MESSAGES BROADCAST ON GOVERNMENT TELEVISION, THERE IS LITTLE SIGN MANY OF THE SERBS WILL CHOOSE TO REMAIN IN SARAJEVO. THEIR HATRED AND FEAR ARE VERY STRONG, AND THEY SAY THEY WILL NEVER LIVE UNDER WHAT THEY CALL MUSLIM DOMINATION.

A REFERENDUM ON THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN WILL BE HELD TUESDAY IN SERB AREAS OF THE CAPITAL, AND AN OVERWHELMING VOTE AGAINST THE PLAN IS EXPECTED. BUT U-N AND BOSNIAN-GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE ALREADY REJECTED THE VOTE AS MEANINGLESS, INSISTING THE PEACE PLAN WILL GO AHEAD WITHOUT CHANGES. EACH DAY, PEOPLE IN THE SERB AREA OF SARAJEVO APPEAR LESS DEFIANT AND MORE RESIGNED TO THE INEVITABILITY OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. SOME HAVE ALREADY BEGUN TO PACK THEIR BELONGINGS, BUT A FEW INSIST THEY WILL STAY AND FIGHT, OR AT THE VERY LEAST, THEY SAY THEY WILL BURN EVERYTHING BEFORE LEAVING.

U-N AND NATO OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THEY ARE MAKING PLANS TO PROTECT THE WATER, ELECTRICITY, AND GAS SUPPLY NETWORKS INTO THE CITY AFTER SOME SERBS SAID THEY MIGHT SABOTAGE THEM. U-N OFFICIALS ARE HOPEFUL THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL CAN BE UNIFIED WITHOUT VIOLENCE OR DESTRUCTION. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/JWH/RAE
11-Dec-95 10:15 AM EST (1515 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.

[09] CLINTON / BOSNIA (L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS AGAIN PLEDGING THAT U-S TROOPS WHO WILL TAKE PART IN A NATO PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL RETURN HOME AFTER ONE YEAR. HIS COMMENTS, IN A U-S TELEVISION NEWS PROGRAM BROADCAST SUNDAY, ARE AIMED AT EASING THE CONCERNS OF A SKEPTICAL AMERICAN PUBLIC AND CONGRESS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A LONG-TERM U-S MISSION IN BOSNIA. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE C-B-S TELEVISION NEWS PROGRAM "SIXTY MINUTES", PRESIDENT CLINTON REAFFIRMED PLANS TO CONCLUDE THE U-S MISSION IN BOSNIA IN A YEAR, SAYING THE UNITED STATES -- IN HIS WORDS -- "DARE NOT BECOME AN OCCUPYING FORCE". MR. CLINTON SAID THE NATO MISSION COULD NOT GUARANTEE PEACE. HE SAID THE GOAL OF THE MISSION IS TO ASSIST THE BOSNIANS IN IMPLEMENTING THEIR OWN PEACE AGREEMENT.

IF WE LEAVE AFTER A YEAR, AND THEY DECIDE THEY DON'T LIKE THE BENEFITS OF PEACE AND THEY ARE GOING TO START FIGHTING AGAIN, THAT DOES NOT MEAN NATO FAILED, IT MEANS WE GAVE THEM A CHANCE TO MAKE PEACE, AND THEY BLEW IT.

THE PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS COME AS LAWMAKERS ARE PREPARING TO VOTE LATER THIS WEEK, RELUCTANTLY GIVING SUPPORT TO THE PEACEKEEPING MISSION. SOME IN THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN CONGRESS WANT THE PRESIDENT TO PLEDGE TO ARM AND TRAIN THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE DEPLOYMENT OF U-S TROOPS.

BUT IN HIS INTERVIEW, MR. CLINTON SAID THE UNITED STATES WOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN SUCH A PROJECT.

WHAT WE HAVE SAID, QUITE OPENLY, IS THAT OUR MILITARY WOULD NOT BE INVOLVED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, NOT ANY PART OF OUR MILITARY, IN EQUIPPING OR TRAINING (THE MUSLIMS). BUT THAT WE WOULD ATTEMPT TO COORDINATE AN EFFORT GET OTHER COUNTRIES TO DO IT BECAUSE WE ANTICIPATE THAT NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY AGREE TO REDUCE THE ARMS, THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS WILL BE AT A DISADVANTAGE. AND WHEN WE LEAVE, IF WE DON'T WANT THE WAR TO RESUME, EVERYBODY HAS TO HAVE SOME CAPACITY FOR SELF-DEFENSE.

THE INTERVIEW WAS TAPED FRIDAY FOR BROADCAST SUNDAY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DT/SKH
10-Dec-95 9:02 PM EST (0202 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.

[10] EUROPE / LATIN AMERICA (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS.)

INTRO: A SENIOR EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIAL SAYS NATIONS OF THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE COULD SOON HAVE THEIR OWN SEATS ON THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE PREDICTION CAME FROM EUROPEAN COMMISSION VICE PRESIDENT MANUEL MARIN.

TEXT: EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSIONER MANUEL MARIN WAS ANNOUNCING THE PLANNED SIGNING AT THE E-U SUMMIT IN MADRID THIS WEEKEND OF A NEW PACT WITH THE SOUTH-AMERICAN GROUPING -- MERCOSUR.

MR MARIN SAID THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL HAVE SIGNED SUCH AN ACCORD WITH ANOTHER REGION. BUT HE PREDICTED THIS IS JUST THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF SUCH PARTNERSHIP ACCORDS. HE NOTED THE IMPORTANCE OF MERCOSUR, WHICH IS THE FOURTH LARGEST ECONOMIC POWER IN THE WORLD, BEHIND THE EUROPEAN UNION, THE UNITED STATES, AND JAPAN. BUT, COMMISSIONER MARIN SAID THE EUROPEAN UNION ALSO MUST TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE OTHER EMERGING REGIONS, SUCH AS THE MEDITERRANEAN, SOUTHEAST ASIA, AND SOUTHERN AFRICA. HE PREDICTED THE INTERNATIONAL AGENDA FOR THE NEXT CENTURY WILL INCLUDE THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.

MR. MARIN SUGGESTED SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE REGIONS MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE REFORM OF THE UNITED NATIONS, AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL. HE SAID THE WORLD NEEDS A NEW POLITICAL ORDER AND A NEW TRADE ORDER.

HE SAID THE UNITED STATES, THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND JAPAN CANNOT CLAIM TO BE THE ONLY ONES INVOLVED IN WORLD TRADE. THE CHALLENGE IS TO BRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD WHICH ARE BECOMING MORE IMPORTANT ECONOMICALLY AND POLITICALLY.

THE NEW E-U AGREEMENT WITH MERCOSUR WILL ALLOW FOR THE NEGOTIATION OF A FREE-TRADE AREA WITH THE LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES WHICH ARE CURRENTLY ITS MEMBERS -- ARGENTINA, BRAZIL, PARAGUAY, AND URUGUAY. CHILE AND BOLIVIA MAY SOON ALSO BECOME MEMBERS OF MERCOSUR.

MR MARIN PREDICTED THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF E-U NEGOTIATIONS WITH MERCOSUR WILL BE ABOUT AGRICULTURE. (SIGNED)

NEB/JF/JWH/RAE
11-Dec-95 8:09 AM EST (1309 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.

[11] PERRY / BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (CHICAGO)

INTRO: AS PREPARATIONS CONTINUE FOR DEPLOYING NATO TROOPS IN BOSNIA TO IMPLEMENT THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES EFFORTS TO BOOST AMERICAN PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE MISSION. PART OF THAT EFFORT ON MONDAY INCLUDED REMARKS BY DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY BEFORE BUSINESS AND CIVIC LEADERS IN CHICAGO. VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH WAS THERE.

TEXT: THE DEFENSE SECRETARY ADDRESSED A LUNCHEON MEETING OF TWO CHICAGO BUSINESS AND CIVIC GROUPS AND THE CITY'S COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS.

AFTER RECALLING THE TROUBLED HISTORY OF THE BALKANS AND SPELLING OUT THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION MISSION AS HE DEFINED IT TO AMERICAN TROOPS, SECRETARY PERRY TOLD HIS CHICAGO AUDIENCE THAT THE AMERICAN COMMITMENT WAS CRUCIAL TO PREVENT A NEW OUTBREAK OF WAR.

THINK OF THE RISKS INVOLVED TO THE UNITED STATES OF NOT GOING IN. I TRY TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO PEOPLE THAT THE ALTERNATIVE TO THE UNITED STATES' NOT SUPPORTING THIS PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IS THAT IT WILL FAIL, AND THE WAR WILL RESTART -- AND THAT'S NOT ACADEMIC AND THAT'S NOT A LONG TIME IN THE DISTANCE FUTURE. THAT'S WEEKS FROM NOW WE WOULD SEE A RESUMPTION OF THE WAR, THE ATROCITIES, THE KILLINGS.

WILLIAM PERRY REPEATED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S COMMITMENT TO KEEP U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA FOR ONE YEAR, GIVE OR TAKE A FEW WEEKS. ASKED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WAR BROKE OUT AGAIN AFTER AMERICAN TROOPS ARE WITHDRAWN AT THAT TIME, THE DEFENSE SECRETARY SAID THAT WOULD BE THE PROBLEM OF THE WARRING PARTIES. (SIGNED)

NEB/PCF/CF
11-Dec-95 2:32 PM EST (1932 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.

[12] SENATE-BOSNIA ONITER (S-ONLY) BY DAVID SWAN (SENATE)

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE STARTS DEBATE TUESDAY ON WHETHER TO SUPPORT THE USE OF AMERICAN TROOPS IN THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE LAWMAKERS ARE NOT LIKELY TO HOLD UP THE DEPLOYMENT BUT COULD GIVE PRESIDENT CLINTON AN IMPORTANT POLITICAL VICTORY OR SETBACK. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS.

TEXT: THE SENATE WILL CONSIDER AND VOTE ON MORE THAN ONE MEASURE. A RESOLUTION PUT FORTH BY MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE IS EXPECTED TO OFFER AT LEAST GRUDGING SUPPORT FOR THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO SEND TROOPS, AND STRONG BACKING FOR THE SOLDIERS THEMSELVES. DEMOCRATIC LEADER TOM DASCHLE SAYS MR. DOLE'S REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES SHOULD GO ALONG.

THE KEY RESOLUTION OUGHT TO SAY WITH SOME CLARITY THAT WE SUPPORT THE EFFORT MADE BY THIS COUNTRY IN ESTABLISHING, MAINTAINING THE PEACE EFFORT THAT IS NOW UNDERWAY. IF 31 -- IF 30 OTHER COUNTRIES CAN DO IT, THIS COUNTRY OUGHT TO BE A PART OF IT.

BUT MANY REPUBLICANS FLATLY REFUSE TO SUPPORT THE MISSION. SOME ARE OFFERING THEIR OWN RESOLUTION OF DISAPPROVAL. THE SENATE MAY ALSO TAKE UP A BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WHICH WOULD BLOCK FUNDING FOR THE DEPLOYMENT. BOTH SIDES PREDICT THAT PROPOSAL WILL FAIL -- AND IF IT PASSES, IT IS SURE TO BE VETOED BY THE PRESIDENT. (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/CB/SKH
11-Dec-95 5:00 PM EST (2200 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
Yanni Boston, MA