Voice of America, 22 March 1996

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTES (VOTED) FRIDAY ON REPEALING A BAN PLACED TWO YEARS AGO ON MANY TYPES OF ASSAULT WEAPONS, SIMILAR TO THE STANDARD U-S ARMY RIFLE, THE M-16. IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS, THERE ARE LOTS OF EDITORIALS CALLING ON LAWMAKERS TO KEEP THE BAN ON. OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE: THE TAIWANESE ELECTION AND CHINA'S WAR GAMES; GLIMMERS OF HOPE FOR PEACE IN GUATEMALA'S DECADES-OLD INSURGENCY; PROSPECTS FOR THE BOSNIAN PEACE MISSION, AND FERRETING OUT [FINDING] WEAPONS IN IRAQ AND IRAN. NOW, _________________GIVES US SOME SELECTED QUOTES IN TODAY'S "EDITORIAL DIGEST."

TEXT: ALMOST WITHOUT EXCEPTION, AMERICA'S EDITORIALS WRITERS CALL ON THE LOWER HOUSE OF CONGRESS TO RETAIN THE BAN ON MOST ASSAULT WEAPONS. [OPT] THE APPEALS CAME AS YET ANOTHER INCIDENT OF VIOLENCE INVOLVING SUCH GUNS WAS BEING REPORTED FROM SUBURBAN NEW YORK. A YOUNG MAN ARMED WITH ASSAULT RIFLES, BARRICADED HIMSELF IN HIS HOME IN EASTCHESTER, KILLING ONE POLICE OFFICER AND WOUNDING ANOTHER WITH SHOTS FROM A SECOND FLOOR WINDOW.

TODAY'S "ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" CRITICIZES THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION, THE NATION'S PREMIER GUN LOBBY, FOR THE ROLE IT HAS PLAYED IN BRINGING THE LEGISLATION UP FOR REPEAL.

VOICE: "WITH NO REGARD FOR CRUCIAL LEGISLATIVE WORK PILING UP, HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERS WANT A QUICK VOTE ON ONE OF THE G-O-P'S MOST DIVISIVE PRIORITIES: LIFTING THE 1994 BAN ON ASSAULT-TYPE WEAPONS. THEY ARE CONSIDERING IT ONLY BECAUSE THE N-R-A WANTS IT. [OPT] ... WHAT IS THE COMPELLING REASON TO LIFT THE PROHIBITION ON THE 19 TARGETED ASSAULT-TYPE WEAPONS? NONE, EXCEPT THE N-R-A WANTS ITS MEMBERS TO GET THEIR HANDS ON THESE RAPIDFIRE INSTRUMENTS. BETTER TO KEEP THEM OUTLAWED." [END OPT]

TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD" WONDERS WHOSE INTEREST THE CONGRESS IS REPRESENTING, ASKING: "IS IT THE N-R-A'S CONGRESS? OR THE PUBLIC'S?" THEN IT ADDS: "WE'LL FIND OUT TODAY, WHEN THE HOUSE VOTES ON WHETHER TO REPEAL THE ASSAULT-WEAPONS BAN." WHILE IN CALIFORNIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES," CALLING THE BAN "NECESSARY", NOTES WITH DISGUST, REASONS WHY THE REPEAL EFFORT SHOULD FAIL:

VOICE: "[OPT] NEVER MIND THAT THE FEDERAL BAN IS A COMPROMISE, AFFECTING ONLY 19 SPECIFIC STYLES OF WEAPONS AND SIMILAR GENERIC MODELS WHILE EXEMPTING THOSE ASSAULT GUNS ALREADY IN PRIVATE HANDS. [END OPT] NEVER MIND THAT THESE WEAPONS HAVE NO LEGITIMATE HUNTING OR SPORTING USE ... [AND] HAVE BECOME THE WEAPONS OF CHOICE FOR MANY CRIMINALS. AND NEVER MIND THAT, FOR THESE GOOD REASONS, AMERICANS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORT THE BAN."

TEXT: TURNING TO TAIWAN'S FIRST DIRECT VOTE FOR PRESIDENT, WHICH TAKES PLACE SATURDAY, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" COMMENTS:

VOICE: "NOT OFTEN ARE THE RITES OF DEMOCRACY EXERCISED UNDER SUCH PERILOUS CIRCUMSTANCES. DURING THE COURSE OF TAIWAN'S FIRST-EVER DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN, THE ISLAND NATION HAS FACED A BARRAGE OF INCREASINGLY INTIMIDATING BULLYING TACTICS FROM ITS GIANT COMMUNIST NEIGHBOR, THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ... HOW WOULD AMERICANS FEEL ABOUT GOING TO THE POLLS WITH THE U-S MILITARY ON HIGH ALERT AGAINST AN ENEMY INVASION? ... IN ALL OF THIS, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS BELATEDLY TAKEN ACTION, AFTER SERIOUSLY UNDERESTIMATING MAINLAND CHINA'S RESOLVE TO GO TO THE BRINK."

TEXT: HOWEVER, "USA TODAY" FEELS THE U-S GOAL IN THE PRESENT SITUATION SHOULD BE TO PREVENT, NOT PROVOKE [CHINA] OVER TAIWAN." THE PAPER AGREES WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S POLICY SO FAR, BUT WORRIES THAT DOMESTIC POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS MAY FORCE HIM TO CHANGE IT.

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON, SO FAR, IS PREACHING RESTRAINT. BUT THIS IS A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR. AND WITH SENATOR BOB DOLE, A DECORATED WAR VETERAN, AS THE G-O-P'S ALMOST-NOMINEE, [MR.] CLINTON KNOWS HE CAN'T RISK A TOO-SOFT STANCE ON CHINA. THEREIN LIES THE DANGEROUS TEMPTATION ... THE IDEA THAT THE U-S HAS A VITAL INTEREST IN TAIWAN, WORTH A BLOODY WAR WITH A DUBIOUS OUTCOME, MAKES NO SENSE."

TEXT: BACK IN OUR OWN HEMISPHERE, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS PLEASED ABOUT SOME PROGRESS IN EFFORTS TO END THE LONG GUERRILLA WAR IN GUATEMALA.

VOICE: "THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY GUATEMALAN GUERRILLAS THAT THEY WILL HONOR AN OPEN-ENDED CEASE-FIRE HAS BROUGHT UNEXPECTED HOPE FOR PEACE IN THE TROUBLED COUNTRY. THE SUBSEQUENT ORDER BY PRESIDENT ALVARO ARZU THAT THE ARMY END COUNTERINSURGENCY OPERATIONS FURTHERS THAT HOPE. NOW, AFTER 35 BLOODY YEARS, THE ARMED CONFLICT THAT HAS TAKEN MORE THAN 100-THOUSAND LIVES AND LEFT 40-THOUSAND "DISAPPEARED" AND PRESUMED DEAD [OPT] MANY OF THEM POOR INDIAN FARMERS CAUGHT IN THE CROSS-FIRE, [END OPT] MAY BE ENDING... CREDIT GOES TO ALL SIDES."

TEXT: TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" TALKS OF THE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF ACTION AND REACTION BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS, AS THE RESULT OF HAMAS TERROR.

VOICE: "THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT, YASSER ARAFAT'S PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY AND THE TWO PEOPLES HAVE BECOME ENTRAMMELED IN AN INFERNAL CIRCLE OF VIOLENCE AND RETRIBUTION. IF THE CIRCLE IS NOT BROKEN SOON, THEY COULD FIND IT IMPOSSIBLE TO RESUME THEIR COMMON PURSUIT OF PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE."

TEXT: COMMENTING ON ANOTHER WORLD TROUBLE SPOT, TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" QUESTIONS THE WISDOM OF SUGGESTIONS THE UNITED STATES EXTEND ITS MILITARY PRESENCE IN BOSNIA WHEN THE ONE-YEAR NATO MISSION EXPIRES.

VOICE: "AMERICAN TROOPS ARE ONLY THREE MONTHS INTO THEIR PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA AND EUROPEANS ARE ALREADY URGING THEM TO STAY BEYOND THE DECEMBER WITHDRAWAL DATE SET BY PRESIDENT CLINTON. MUCH CIVILIAN RECONSTRUCTION WORK WILL REMAIN TO BE DONE AFTER DECEMBER IF THERE IS TO BE A LASTING PEACE IN BOSNIA, BUT THAT WAS KNOWN FROM THE START. IT IS FAR FROM CLEAR AT THIS POINT THAT AN EXTENDED AMERICAN MILITARY PRESENCE IS WARRANTED."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, "THE WASHINGTON POST" HAILS THE UNITED NATIONS FOR ITS DETERMINED EFFORTS TO SEEK OUT ANY REMAINING WEAPONS OF MASS DESRUCTION IN IRAQ AND FOR STRIVING TO CONTAIN IRAN.

VOICE: "CREDIT SWEDISH DIPLOMAT ROLF EKEUS, WHO RUNS THE UNITED NATIONS' ARMS SEARCH IN IRAQ, WITH WORLD-CLSSS DILIGENCE IN PURSUIT OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S LETHAL WAYS. AMBASSADOR EKEUS HAS PRESIDED OVER A LARGELY EFFECTIVE MULTI-YEAR DISARMAMENT EFFORT, ONE RESISTED EVERY STEP OF THE WAY BY THE IRAQI DICTATOR... FOR THE UNITED STATES, THE INTERNATIONAL ISOLATION OF IRAQ IS ONE PART OF A GULF CONTAINMENT POLICY WHOSE OTHER PART IS DIRECTED AT CONTAINING IRAN... CONTAINMENT HAS ITS CONTINUING LOGIC IN IRAQ. THE NET BENEFITS OF TRYING TO CONTAIN IRAN UNILATERALLY MAY BE WEARING THIN, BUT A VICIOUS REGIME [IRAQ] THAT MAY HAVE A QUIVER FULL OF SCUDS CAPABLE OF SPREADING ANTHRAX HAS NOT EARNED ITS WAY BACK INTO THE COMPANY OF NATIONS."

TEXT: AND THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS IN FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS.

NEB/ANG/PCH
22-Mar-96 10:42 AM EST (1542 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA/SARAJEVO (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY ( SARAJEVO )

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM ALL OF THEIR FORMER DISTRICTS AROUND THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL AS REQUIRED BY THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN. THERE ARE STILL TENSIONS, HOWEVER, IN ONE DISTRICT OF SARAJEVO WHERE NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONTINUING OVER THE EXACT PLACEMENT OF THE LINE BETWEEN THE SIDES. AS THE NEGOTIATIONS DRAG ON, THE TENSIONS ARE GROWING AND THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF VIOLENT INCIDENTS. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: JUST NEXT TO SARAJEVO'S AIRPORT SITS DOBRINJA, A HOUSING AREA WITH SCORES OF LARGE APARTMENT BUILDINGS, BUILT FOR THE WINTER OLYMPICS IN 1984. IT IS NOW THE LAST MAJOR FLASH POINT BETWEEN THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND THE MUSLIM CROAT FEDERATION, BECAUSE THE BOUNDARY LINE, LAID DOWN IN THE DAYTON AGREEMENT DIVIDES THE AREA, AND IN SOME CASES PASSES THROUGH BUILDINGS AND EVEN APARTMENTS.

ONE SUCH BUILDING IS NUMBER 10, FOCANSKI PROPISI. DURING THE WAR THESE APARTMENTS WERE ON THE SERB SIDE, NOW THE LINE GOES THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE BUILDING.

THIRTY-THREE YEAR OLD MOMCILO VUKOVIC MOVED HERE TWO WEEKS AGO, WITH HIS PARENTS AND HIS YOUNGER BROTHER AND HIS WIFE. IT TOOK TWO WEEKS TO REPAIR THE ALMOST DESTROYED APARTMENT BEFORE THEY COULD MOVE IN.

PEOPLE HERE ARE ANGRY ABOUT, THEY THINK FEDERATION SIDE HAVE TOO MANY FLATS, TOO MANY HOUSES. AND THEY WILL MORE AND MORE AND MORE.

HE SAYS IF FEDERATION AUTHORITIES TRY TO TAKE OVER HERE THERE WILL BE FIGHTING. AT THE MOMENT THE SERBS AND THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT ARE TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A SOLUTION. ALL OF THIS AREA KNOWN AS DOBRINJA ONE WILL GO TO THE FEDERATION, AND DOBRINJA FOUR, NEARBY WILL GO TO THE SERBS IF THE DEAL IS APPROVED.

OUTSIDE IT IS A WARM SPRING DAY, AND THE SERB CHILDREN ARE PLAYING IN THE STREET , BUT THEIR PARENTS HAVE HEARD NOTHING ABOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS, AND A CROWD GATHERS AROUND WHEN I SHOW THEM THE PROPOSED MAP.

THIRTY-EIGHT YEAR OLD DRAGAN SAVIC IS A VETERAN OF THE WAR, AND HE HAS A CRIPPLED LEG. HE CAN'T BELIEVE THE SERB AUTHORITIES ARE EVEN TALKING ABOUT EXCHANGING THIS AREA.

IF IT'S TRUE WE WILL FIGHT WITH REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, WITH MUSLIMS, WITH INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. WE HAVE TO KILL US ALL IF IT WILL BE TRUE. YOU KNOW IF IT WILL BE TRUE WE HAVE TO KILL ME.

THE NEXT MEETING BETWEEN THE SIDES IS ON SUNDAY, AND NATO AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ARE PRESSURING BOTH SIDES TO FIND A SOLUTION. THERE HAVE BEEN SHOOTINGS, AND ANGRY CONFRONTATIONS BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND SERBS HERE, AND TENSIONS ARE GROWING.

FOR DRAGAN SAVIC THOUGH, IT SEEMS THIS IS JUST MORE OF THE SAME. HE, LIKE MANY OTHER SERBS, THINKS THE SERBS ALWAYS WIN THE WAR, BUT LOSE THE PEACE.

EVERYTHING WE LOSE IN TALK FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. SERBIAN PEOPLE JUST GET DOWN, EVERY TIME, EVERY TIME, EVERY TIME, WE LOSE IN TALK. I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

NEB/DF/MH/JM
22-Mar-96 11:53 AM EST (1653 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA / ELECTION MONITORS BY JOLYON NAEGELE (BANJA LUKA)

INTRO: THE ORGANIZATION OF SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, OR O-S-C-E, IS ONE OF THE MAIN IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT, HOLDING EXCLUSIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPERVISING THE PROCESS OF FREE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA LATER THIS YEAR. JOLYON NAEGELE REPORTS FROM BANJA LUKA IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA ON O-S-C-E'S PREPARATIONS FOR THE ELECTIONS.

TEXT: THE O-S-C-E, IS SETTING UP A PROVISIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION IN SARAJEVO TO CONDUCT MUNICIPAL, PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS BETWEEN JUNE 14TH AND SEPTEMBER 14TH OF THIS YEAR THROUGHOUT BOSNIA-HERZIEGOVINA. IN ADDITION, IN THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION, WHICH HAS A DIFFERENT POLITICAL STRUCTURE THAN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, ELECTIONS WILL ALSO BE HELD FOR CANTONAL (REGIONAL) LEADERS AS WELL AS FOR PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERATION.

PARLIAMENTARY DEPUTIES ELECTED TO THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AND FEDERATION ASSEMBLIES WILL ALSO SERVE AS DEPUTIES IN THE SENATE AND LOWER HOUSE OF THE PARLIAMENT OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. VOTERS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR A PRESIDENT OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA AND ONE OF THE THREE MEMBERS OF THE COLLECTIVE PRESIDENCY OF BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA.

IN THE ABSENCE OF A VALID ELECTION LAW, THE PROVISIONAL COMMISSION IS ISSUING BINDING RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE ELECTORAL PROCESS, RANGING FROM REGISTRATION OF VOTERS AND CANDIDATES TO COUNTING OF BALLOTS.

IN ADDITION TO ESTABLISHING THE PROVISIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION, SEPARATE COMMISSIONS ARE BEING SET UP IN SARAJEVO FOR THE FEDERATION AND IN BANJA LUKA FOR REPUBLIKA SRPSKA. EACH OF SIX REGIONAL COMMISSIONS, BASED IN SARAJEVO, BANJA LUKA, SOKOLAC, TUZLA, MOSTAR, AND BIHAC, WILL HAVE SIX FIELD OFFICES, LOCAL CONDITIONS PERMITTING. (EDS: FOR EXAMPLE, THE REGIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION IN BANJA LUKA WILL HAVE FIELD OFFICES IN BANJA LUKA, MRKONJIC GRAD, PRIJEDOR, DERVENTA, DOBOJ, AND BRCKO). O-S-C-E, AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FAMED FOR HAVING A MINUSCULE PERMANENT STAFF, IS DEPLOYING A STAFF OF 250 EXPERTS THROUGHOUT BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO MONITOR NOT ONLY THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN, BUT ALSO RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN MILITARY ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS.

THE CHIEF OF THE O-S-C-E MISSION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, AMBASSADOR ROBERT FROWICK, A U-S CAREER DIPLOMAT, HEADS THE PROVISIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION. HE MUST CERTIFY THAT HUMAN RIGHTS ARE BEING RESPECTED BEFORE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR ELECTIONS CAN BE SET.

NEARLY HALF THE POPULATION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAS BEEN DISPLACED BY THE WAR AND ABOUT HALF OF THESE REFUGEES ARE NOT EVEN LIVING IN BOSNIA AT THE MOMENT. THE DAYTON AGREEMENT ALLOWS ALL THOSE WHO WERE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN 1991 TO VOTE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS, PROVIDED THEY CONFIRM THEIR INTENTION TO RETURN. BUT AS O-S-C-E MONITOR RONALD DREIER PUTS IT, THE ABILITY OF REFUGEES TO VOTE MUST BE POLITICALLY ACCEPTABLE TO ALL SIDES BEFORE AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED. HE SAYS THE PROVISIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION MUST STILL SET RULES ON PARTICIPATION BY REFUGEES BEYOND BOSNIA'S BORDERS AND DISPLACED PERSONS WITHIN THE COUNTRY.

MR. DREIER, A SWISS CITIZEN WITH A DOCTORATE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE HAS PREVIOUSLY MONITORED IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, MODERATION IN POLITICS IS STILL A RELATIVE THING. A POLITICAL RALLY IN DOBOJ EARUER THIS MONTH IN SUPPORT OF WAR CRIMINAL SUSPECTS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC WAS A FEAST OF NATIONALIST RHETORIC. SPEECHES AT THE RALLY WERE PUNCTUATED BY SLOGANS SUCH AS "WE DID NOT FIGHT FOR FOUR YEARS FOR BROTHERHOOD AND UNITY" AND "WE HAVE MANY MORE KARADZIC'S AND MLADIC'S.'' BOSNIAN MUSLIMS WERE REPEATEDLY REFERRED TO AS FUNDAMENTALISTS.

THE MAYOR OF BIJELJINA IN THE NORTHEAST OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, DRAGOMIR LJUBOJEVIC, SAYS ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN BIJELJINA WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS, INCLUDING SERB REFUGEES WHO MAKE UP NEARLY 50 PERCENT OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE SMALL REMAINDER OF WHAT WAS A MUSLIM MAJORITY IN THE TOWN JUST FOUR YEARS AGO. HE SAYS THE COMMUNITY'S RESIDENTS WILL PUT FORWARD THEIR OWN CANDIDATES IN NORMAL DEMOCRATIC PROCEDURES.

NIKOVO VOLICE NECE BIT POSTOVANI ABSOLJUTNO...

ABSOLUTELY NO ONE IS GOING TO PREVENT VOTERS FROM CASTING THEIR BALLOTS, THE MAYOR OF BIJELJINA SAYS, NOTING THE ELECTIONS WILL BE UNDER INTERNATIONAL CONTROL. HE SAYS EVERYTHING IS BEING UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE ELECTIONS' SUCCESS AND THAT CANDIDATES WILL BE CHOSEN WHO ENJOY THE GREATEST TRUST OF THE NATION.

MR. LJUBOJEVIC LIKE OTHER POLITICIANS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, LACKS ACCESS TO RELIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN THE MUSLIM CROAT FEDERATION. HE IS DISMISSIVE OF MODERATE, NON-NATIONAL PARTIES IN THE FEDERATION AS BEING NOTHING MORE THAN A COLLECTION OF EX-COMMUNISTS, A CHARGE, THEY VIGOROUSLY DENY. (SIGNED)

NEB/JN/JM
22-Mar-96 10:06 AM EST (1506 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA ELECTIONS BY JOLYON NAEGELE (TUZLA)

INTRO: THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS PROVIDE FOR LOCAL, CANTONAL (REGIONAL), PARLIAMENTARY, AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO BE HELD THROUGHOUT BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SOMETIME BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER OF THIS YEAR. JOLYON NAEGELE HAS RECENTLY TRAVELED ACROSS NORTHERN BOSNIA SPEAKING TO POLITICANS AND INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE LINE OF SEPARATION. HE SENDS THIS REPORT FROM TUZLA.

TEXT: FREE ELECTIONS IN 1990 WERE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE DISINTEGRATION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SINCE MOST VOTERS VOTED ALONG ETHNIC LINES. THAT SET THE STAGE FOR THE BREAKUP OF THE BOSNIAN ASSEMBLY THE FOLLOWING YEAR AND THE OUTBREAK OF WAR IN 1992.

SOME OBSERVERS ARE CONCERNED THAT BOSNIAN VOTERS, THOUGH TIRED OF WAR, WILL ONCE AGAIN VOTE LARGELY FOR NATIONALIST PARTIES. MOREOVER, SOME QUESTION THE WISDOM OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT IN STIPULATING THAT ELECTIONS BE HELD JUST SIX TO NINE MONTHS AFTER THE ACCORDS CAME INTO EFFECT. MODERATE, TRANSNATIONAL OR MULTI-ETHNIC POLITICAL PARTIES ARE HOPING TO PREVENT HISTORY FROM REPEATING ITSELF. THE DEPUTY MAYOR OF TUZLA (SEKRETAR SKUPSTINE OPSTINE), JASMIN IMAMOVIC, IS THE GENERAL SECRETARY OF ONE SUCH MULTI-ETHNIC PARTY THE OPPOSITION UNION OF BOSNIAN SOCIAL DEMOCRATS.

HE EXPRESSES CONCERN THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS GIVING PREFERENCE TO THE RULING PARTIES, ALL THREE OF WHICH ARE MONO-ETHNIC PARTIES -- THE MUSLIM "PARTY FOR DEMOCRATIC ACTION AND THE "CROAT DEMOCRATIC UNION" IN THE MUSLIM AND CROAT FEDERATION AND THE "SERBIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY' IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA. IN MR. IMAMOVIC'S WORDS, THESE PARTIES ARE LIKE MAGNETS WITH IDENTICAL POLES -- THEY CAN NEVER BOND, CAN NEVER AGREE ON THE FUTURE OF BOSNIA OR EVEN CARRY OUT THE DAYTON ACCORDS.

U NASIM MULTINACIONALNIM PARTIMAMA ZAJEDNO RADII BOSNJACI, I HRVATI, I SRBI I DOGOVORILO BISMO SI ZA PET MINUTA..

IN OUR MULTI ETHNIC PARTIES, BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, CROATS AND SERBS ARE WORKING TOGETHER, MR. IMAMOVIC SAYS, PREDICTING THAT THE PARTY'S DIVERSE MEMBERS COULD REACH AGREEMENT IN JUST FIVE-MINUTES. THE TUZLA POLITICIAN SAYS HIS BOSNIAN SOCIAL DEMOCRATS ARE ASKING THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR ASSURANCES THAT ALL REGISTERED PARTIES WILL HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO THE NEWS MEDIA AND THAT VOTERS WILL BE ABLE TO CAST BALLOTS FOR INDIVIDUAL CANDIDATES BY CIRCLING THEIR NAMES ON PARTY LISTS.

TUZLA SECRETARY IMAMOVIC SAYS THIS SHOULD HELP ENSURE THAT CANDIDATES WILL BE ELECTED ON THE BASIS OF THEIR QUALIFICATIONS RATHER THAN THEIR NATIONAL IDENTITY. HE SUGGESTS THIS SHOULD ALSO HELP RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF DISPLACED PERSONS, SINCE PEOPLE WILL BE MORE LIKELY TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMETOWNS IF THEY KNOW THEY CAN TRUST THE LOCAL POLITICIANS IN POWER, REGARDLESS OF THEIR NATIONALITY.

IN THE ABSENCE OF A NEW ELECTION LAW, THE ORGANIZATION OF SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE IS ENTRUSTED BY THE DAYTON ACCORDS WITH SETTING UP A NETWORK OF ELECTORAL COMMISSIONS THAT WILL ESTABLISH RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE ELECTIONS. CANDIDATES WILL BE ELECTED ON THE BASIS OF PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION.

MR. IMAMOVIC PREDICTS THE VARIOUS MODERATE OPPOSITION PARTIES WILL RUN JOINTLY AS A DEMOCRATIC BLOC FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, FIELDING CANDIDATES WHOSE POPULARITY AND DEGREE OF PUBLIC TRUST, HE SAYS, TRANSCEND ETHNIC LINES. IN BIHAC, IN THE FAR WEST OF THE FEDERATION, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UNA SANA CANTON, MIRSAD VELADZIC, LIKENS THE ELECTIONS TO A LOTTERY AND SAYS IT IS FAR TOO EARLY TO PREDICT THE OUTCOME. MR. VELADVIC IS CLOSELY LINKED WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC'S PARTY OF DEMOCRATIC ACTION IN SARAJEVO.

NEXT TO HIS TELEPHONES ARE SAUDI ARABIAN AND BOSNIAN FLAGS AND BEHIND HIS DESK IS A LARGE PHOTOGRAPH OF THE HAJJ IN MECCA. BUT HE ALSO SPORTS A LAPEL PIN WITH THE BOSNIAN AND U-S FLAGS.

IZBORI SU SLICNO KAO LOTRIJA. NIKAD SE U NEPRED NEMOZE NESTO PROGNOZIRATI...

ELECTIONS ARE JUST LIKE A LOTTERY, YOU CAN NEVER PREDICT THE OUTCOME, UNA-SANA LEADER VELADZIC SAYS, NOTING THAT HE IS AN OPTIMIST. AS HE PUTS IT, AS THE PARTY OF DEMOCRATIC ACTION AND AS THE NUMBER ONE MAN IN THE REGION, "I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE KEPT OUR PROMISES TO OUR MEMBERS AND VOTERS AND THERE ARE NO DIFFERENCES THAT WOULD DISSUADE THEM FROM ENTRUSTING US WITH ANOTHER TERM IN OFFICE."

NAS NAROD DOBRO ZNA KOLIKO IAKO SM URADIO...

OUR PEOPLE KNOW VERY WELL WHAT WE DID FOR THE SURVIVAL OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND FOR THE SURVIVAL OF BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, MR. VELADZIC SAYS, ADDING THAT HE BELIEVES THIS WILL BE THE DECISIVE ISSUE IN THE NATIONAL ELECTIONS.

IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, MODERATION IN POLITICS IS STILL A RELATIVE THING. A POLITICAL RALLY IN DOBOJ EARLIER THIS MONTH IN SUPPORT OF WAR CRIMINAL SUSPECTS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC WAS A FEAST OF NATIONALIST RHETORIC. SPEECHES AT THE RALLY WERE PUNCTUATED BY SLOGANS SUCH AS >WE DID NOT FIGHT FOR FOUR YEARS FOR BROTHERHOOD AND UNITY" AND "WE HAVE MANY MORE KARADZIS AND MLADL" BOSNIAN MUSLIMS WERE REPEATEDLY REFERRED TO AS FUNDAMENTALISTS.

THE MAYOR OF BIJELJINA IN THE NORTHEAST OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, DRAGOMIR LJUBOJEVIC, SAYS ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN BIJELJINA WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS, INCLUDING SERB REFUGEES WHO MAKE UP NEARLY 50 PERCENT OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE SMALL REMAINDER OF WHAT WAS A MUSLIM MAJORITY IN THE TOWN JUST FOUR YEARS AGO. HE SAYS THE COMMUNITY'S RESIDENTS WILL PUT FORWARD THEIR OWN CANDIDATES IN NORMAL DEMOCRATIC PROCEDURES.

NIKOVO VOLICE NECE BIT POSTOVANI ABSOUUTNO...

ABSOLUTELY NO ONE IS GOING TO PREVENT VOTERS FROM CASTING THEIR BALLOTS, THE MAYOR OF BLJELJINA SAYS, NOTLNG THAT THE ELECTIONS WILL BE UNDER INTERNATIONAL CONTROL HE SAYS EVERYTHING IS BEING UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE ELECTIONS' SUCCESS AND THAT CANDIDATES WILL BE CHOSEN WHO ENJOY THE GREATEST TRUST OF THE NATION. MR. LUBOJEVIC, LLKE OTHER POLITICIANS IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, LACKS ACCESS TO RELIABLE INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN THE MUSLIM CROAT FEDERATION. HE IS DISMISSIVE OF MODERATE NON-NATIONAL PARTIES IN THE FEDERATION AS BEING NOTHING MORE THAN A COLLECTION OF EX-COMMUNISTS, A CHARGE THEY VIGOROUSLY DENY.

NEB/JN/CF
22-Mar-96 9:16 AM EST (1416 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] E-U / MAD COW UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: A COMMITTEE OF INDEPENDENT VETERINARY EXPERTS FROM THE 15 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAS CALLED FOR TOUGHER CONTROLS ON BRITISH BEEF. THIS CAME IN A STATEMENT FRIDAY, IN THE WAKE OF THE RECENT EVIDENCE FROM BRITAIN SUGGESTING A LINK BETWEEN MAD COW DISEASE IN CATTLE (ALSO CALLED B-S-E FOR THE INITIALS OF ITS LATIN NAME) AND A HUMAN AILMENT, CREUTZFELD JACOB DISEASE. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM E-U HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE BRITISH RESEARCH WAS PUBLISHED WEDNESDAY, AND SUGGESTS THERE MAY BE A LINK BETWEEN B-S-E, OR MAD COW DISEASE, AND ITS HUMAN EQUIVALENT, C-J-D.

THE EUROPEAN UNION SCIENTISTS ARE MORE CAUTIOUS, SAYING THEY CAN FIND NO EVIDENCE AT PRESENT THAT B-S-E IS TRANSMISSABLE TO MAN. HOWEVER, THEY DO AGREE WITH THE BRITISH THAT A NEW, AND PREVIOUSLY UNRECOGNIZED, TYPE OF C-J-D HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED IN TEN PEOPLE IN BRITAIN.

THE SCIENTISTS HAVE REVIEWED EXISTING EUROPEAN UNION CONTROLS ON BRITISH BEEF, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION OF MAD COW DISEASE TO HUMANS, JUST IN CASE THIS CAN HAPPEN. THEY MAINLY INVOLVE ENSURING THAT THE BRAIN AND OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY WHICH COULD HARBOR INFECTION ARE REMOVED WHEN THE ANIMALS ARE SLAUGHTERED, AND NOT FED INTO THE FOOD CHAIN.

THE SCIENTISTS SAY THEY HAVE RECOMMENDED A SHORT LIST OF ADDITIONAL MEASURES, BUT THEY DO NOT GIVE ANY DETAILS. THESE WILL BE DISCUSSED FURTHER BY A MEETING ON MONDAY OF SENIOR VETERINARY OFFICERS FROM THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION NATIONS.

BRITAIN ARGUES THAT NO FURTHER MEASURES ARE NECESSARY, AND IS ANGRY AT BANS ON BRITISH BEEF WHICH HAVE BEEN IMPOSED BY A NUMBER OF OTHER NATIONS, INCLUDING ITS EUROPEAN UNION PARTNERS FRANCE, GERMANY AND BELGIUM. THESE COUNTRIES COULD OUTVOTE THE BRITISH WHEN DECISIONS ARE TAKEN ON E-U WIDE MEASURES.

EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS SAY THAT WHILE THE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE EUROPE-WIDE BAN ON BRITISH BEEF, THE SENTIMENT IN MANY E-U STATES IS SO STRONG THAT POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS MAY OUTWEIGH THE ADVICE OF THE SCIENTISTS.

A FINAL DECISION IS EXPECTED NEXT WEEK. (SIGNED) NEB/JF/MMK-T 22-Mar-96 3:20 PM EST (2020 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATION SECURITY COUNCIL WARNS IRAQ AGAINST BLOCKING U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS, AS A SENIOR U-N OFFICIAL REPORTS FIVE STAND-OFFS IN 10 DAYS; THE U-N SENDS A SPECIAL MISSION TO NIGERIA TO INVESTIGATE THE JUDICIAL PROCESS THAT LED TO LAST YEAR'S EXECUTION OF NINE DISSIDENTS; AND U-N MEDIATORS PREPARE FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF PEACE TALKS TO END 35 YEARS OF WAR IN GUATEMALA. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS DEMANDED THAT IRAQ ALLOW IMMEDIATE, UNRESTRICTED AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCESS TO ALL FACILITIES U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS WANT TO SEARCH. IT NOTED THAT ANY ATTEMPT TO DELAY AN INVESTIGATION IS A CLEAR VIOLATION OF U-N RESOLUTIONS.

THE HEAD OF THE U-N COMMISSION CHARGED WITH MONITORING WEAPONS IN IRAQ -- ROLF EKEUS -- TOLD THE SECURITY COUNCIL THAT HIS INSPECTORS WERE BLOCKED FIVE TIMES IN 10 DAYS. ONE OF THE STAND-OFFS -- ALL OF WHICH WERE EVENTUALLY RESOLVED -- LASTED ABOUT 12 HOURS. THE INSPECTORS BELIEVE SUCH LONG DELAYS GIVE IRAQ THE OPPORTUNITY TO DESTROY DOCUMENTS THAT COULD PROVE TO BE EMBARRASSING.

THE INSPECTORS ARE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAST WEAPONS PROGRAMS. THE COMMISSION SAYS IRAQ HAS STILL NOT FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR ALL ITS MISSILES, AS WELL AS CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS MATERIAL. MEANWHILE, THE U-N AND IRAQ HAVE ENDED A SECOND ROUND OF TALKS ON A DEAL THAT WOULD ALLOW IRAQ TO SELL LIMITED AMOUNTS OF ITS OIL TO PAY FOR ESSENTIAL HUMANITARIAN IMPORTS. IRAQ REMAINS UNDER AN ECONOMIC EMBARGO SINCE IT INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990. THE SO-CALLED OIL-FOR-FOOD COMPROMISE WOULD BE AN EXCEPTION TO THE SANCTIONS.

BOTH SIDES ARE UPBEAT ABOUT THEIR PROGRESS, THOUGH A MAJOR ISSUE INVOLVING SUPPLIES FOR IRAQ'S NORTHERN KURDISH PROVINCES REMAINS A STICKING-POINT. THE U-N WANTS TO PUT ITS AGENCIES IN CHARGE OF DISTRIBUTION TO THE KURDS, WHO REBELLED AGAINST BAGHDAD IN 1991 AND REMAIN SUSPICIOUS OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT. IRAQ SAYS THE U-N IS IMPINGING ON ITS SOVEREIGNTY.

MORE TALKS ARE SCHEDULED FOR APRIL EIGHTH.

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A FOUR-MAN U-N MISSION LEAVES FOR NIGERIA MARCH 27TH TO LOOK INTO THE EXECUTION OF NINE NIGERIAN ACTIVISTS LAST YEAR WHO WERE CHARGED WITH THE MURDER OF SEVERAL TRIBAL CHIEFS. AMONG THOSE HANGED -- DESPITE INTERNATIONAL PROTESTS -- WAS WRITER KEN SARO-WIWA.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN DECEMBER DECLARED THE JUDICIAL PROCESS THAT TRIED THE DEFENDANTS DEEPLY FLAWED AND CONTRARY TO INTERNATIONAL NORMS.

THE U-N MISSION WILL ALSO EVALUATE HOW NIGERIA'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT IS LIVING UP TO ITS COMMITMENT TO RESTORE DEMOCRACY.

THE MISSION WAS FORMED AT THE REQUEST OF NIGERIA. ITS GOVERNMENT SAYS IT HAS NOTHING TO HIDE AND WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY.

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THE UNITED NATIONS SEES HOPE FOR ENDING THE WAR IN GUATEMALA -- THE LAST REMAINING AND LONGEST CONFLICT IN CENTRAL AMERICA. OVER 100-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED DURING 35 YEARS OF FIGHTING. ANOTHER 40-THOUSAND GUATEMALANS HAVE DISAPPEARED.

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE REBELS HAVE ANNOUNCED A TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE TO GIVE THEIR PEACE TALKS A BETTER CHANCE. NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN ON-GOING FOR FIVE YEARS UNDER U-N MEDIATION. U-N OFFICIALS SAY NOW IS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY EVER FOR ENDING THE WAR. THE U-N'S SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE IN GUATEMALA HAS EVEN SUGGESTED THE PARTIES COULD REACH A COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT BEFORE THE YEAR IS OUT.

PEACE TALKS RESUME IN MEXICO CITY NEXT WEEK.

THE U-N HAS SOME 280 HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS AND CIVILIAN POLICE IN GUATEMALA. THE U-N BUDGET COMMITTEE IS PRESENTLY JUGGLING LIMITED FUNDS TO ALLOW THE MISSION TO CONTINUE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS POISED TO EXTEND THE GUATEMALA OPERATION ONCE THE MONEY IS ALLOCATED. (SIGNED)

NEB/EJ/MMK
22-Mar-96 3:36 PM EST (2036 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America