Voice of America, 11 April 1996 (1 of 2)

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: AMERICA'S DAILY PAPERS DISCUSS A LARGE VARIETY OF TOPICS IN THURSDAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS. TODAY'S CONCERNS INCLUDE: THE FELONY CONVICTION OF FORMER CONGRESSIONAL LEADER DAN ROSTENKOWSKI; THE VIOLENCE IN LIBERIA; THE SLOWING U-S ECONOMY AND SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS; A PRESIDENTIAL ABORTION BILL VETO, AND THE PROBE OF THE RON BROWN PLANE CRASH. NOW, HERE WITH SOME QUOTES AND A CLOSER LOOK IS ___________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS HAVE NOTED THE CASE OF FORMER ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN DAN ROSTENKOWSKI, WHO PLEADED TUILTY THIS WEEK TO A PAIR OF FELONY CHARGES. HE WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE, ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL MEN IN THE CONGRESS, UNTIL HE WAS DEFEATED FOR RE-ELECTION AND INDICTED ON MORE THAN A DOZEN COUNTS OF STEALING. TODAY'S "DENVER POST" LEADS ITS EDITORIALS WITH THIS REACTION:

VOICE: "DAN ROSTENKOWSKI DID WORSE THAN ENGAGE IN MAIL FRAUD, FOR WHICH HE WILL SPEND 17 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON AND PAY A 100-THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE... [HE] BETRAYED THE TRUST HIS CONSTITUENTS AND COLLEAGUES HAD PLACED IN HIM AND, WORSE, POTENTIALLY ERODED VOTERS' FAITH IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. BUT THE MOST UNSEEMLY ASPECT TO THE SORRY SAGA ... HAS BEEN HIS UNWILLINGNESS TO TRULY ACCEPT THE IMMORALITY OF HIS ACTIONS."

TEXT: "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE ADDRESS THE ROSTENKOWSKI MATTER USING SOME INTENTIONALLY COLLOQUIAL LANGUAGE:

VOICE: "[MR.] ROSTENKOWSKI'S DOWNFALL HAS DEPRIVED CONGRESS OF A MOVER AND SHAKER [SOMEONE WHO GOT THINGS DONE]. HE WAS A DRIVING FORCE IN 1986 TAX REFORM LEGISLATION, THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S 1993 DEFICIT-REDUCTION PACKAGE... THIS TOUGH OLD CHICAGOAN CANNOT BRING HIMSELF TO ADMIT HE DONE WRONG. BUT WRONG HE DONE, AND HIS DISGRACE STANDS AS AN OBJECT LESSON TO ALL PUBLIC OFFICIALS..."

TEXT: HERE IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL, "THE WASHINGTON POST" OFFERS THIS CRITICAL OBSERVATION:

VOICE: "THE LAST THING MR. ROSTENKOWSKI CAN PLEAD IS IGNORANCE. HE KNEW THE LAW AND WAS DISMISSIVE OF IT AS A SUNDAY SCHOOL STANDARD [WEAK] THAT DIDN'T APPLY TO HIM."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE HURRIED EVACUATION OF FOREIGNERS FROM CIVIL-WAR TORN LIBERIA, TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" SAYS:

VOICE: "LIBERIA'S FRAGILE PEACE HAS SHATTERED, LOOSING AGAIN ONE OF AFRICA'S MOST FRIGHTFUL CONFLICTS AND FORCING AN EXODUS OF AMERICANS, PRIMARILY MISSIONARIES, EDUCATORS AND RELIEF WORKERS WHO WERE REBUILDING THE NATION AFTER ITS CIVIL WAR... THE NEW FIGHTING IS A REMINDER OF THE INSTABILITY THAT EXISTS THROUGHOUT WEST AFRICA."

TEXT: IN THE SECOND OF A TWO-PART EDITORIAL, THE "BOSTON GLOBE" ADDRESSES SOME POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO THE SLOWING U-S ECONOMY AND THE PUBLIC'S FEAR OF JOB LOSS.

VOICE: "GOVERNMENT MAY NOT HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS ON REIGNITING GROWTH, BUT SURELY IT IS CAPABLE OF HELPING THE VICTIMS OF THESE TROUBLING ECONOMIC TRENDS. THAT MEANS A COMPREHENSIVE PUSH TO MAKE MORE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THOSE IN THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE ECONOMY. FOR A START: RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE TO FIVE-DOLLARS-15-CENTS-AN-HOUR... KEEP THE EARNED-INCOME TAX CREDIT [WHICH GIVES LOW INCOME EARNERS A CREDIT BACK INSTEAD OF HAVING TO PAY ANY FEDERAL INCOME TAX.] ... PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE... IMPROVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING... POLITICAL LEADERS ... HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO GIVE A HAND TO THE TENS OF MILLIONS [OF PEOPLE] ... WHO ARE BEING LEFT BEHIND."

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON YESTERDAY VETOED A BILL SENT TO HIM BY CONGRESS THAT WOULD HAVE BANNED A PARTICULAR LATE-TERM ABORTION METHOD CALLED THE "PARTIAL BIRTH". "THE NEW YORK TIMES" COMMENTS:

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VETO ... NOT ONLY PRESERVES A WOMAN'S CONSITITUTIONAL RIGHT TO USE THE PROCEDURE, BUT PROTECTS DOCTORS WHO PERFORM IT FROM SEVERAL CRIMINAL PENALTIES... AT A TIME WHEN ANTI-ABORTION FORCES ARE SUCCESSFULLY PUSHING NEW AND RESTRICTIVE LAWS IN STATE LEGISLATURES, THE PRESIDENT HAS TAKEN A PRINCIPLED STAND."

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS DRAWN CRITICISM FROM AT LEAST TWO NEWSPAPERS FOR ANOTHER MATTER -- HIS THREAT, LATER WITHDRAWN, TO ASK NEW YORK FEDERAL JUDGE HAROLD BAER TO RESIGN WHEN HE MADE AN UNPOPULAR DECISION IN AN ILLEGAL DRUG CASE. THAT THREAT MAY HAVE PROMPTED SOME REMARKS FROM SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE WILLIAM REHNQUIST THIS WEEK ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY. IN COMMENTING ON JUSTICE REHNQUIST'S SPEECH, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" SAYS:

VOICE: "GOOD FOR CHIEF JUSTICE ... REHNQUIST... HE SAID WHAT NEEDED SAYING THIS CAMPAIGN YEAR ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INDEPENDENT FEDERAL JUDICIARY IN MAINTAINING AMERICA'S FREEDOM... [MR.] REHNQUIST DIDN'T MENTION THE BAER CASE IN HIS SPEECH, BUT CLEARLY IT WAS ON HIS MIND."

TEXT: TO WHICH "THE NEW YORK TIMES" ADDS:

VOICE: "[CHIEF JUSTICE REHNQUIST'S] WORDS SHOULD SERVE AS A WARNING SHOT TO THE POLITICIANS AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT WHO HAVE TAKEN TO BERATING JUDGES WITH WHOSE DECISIONS OR PHILOSOPHIES THEY DISAGREE."

TEXT: A PAIR OF AVIATION ISSUES COME IN FOR CRITICISM FROM TWO OF FLORIDA'S BIGGEST DAILIES THIS THURSDAY. "THE MIAMI HERALD'S" LEAD EDITORIAL IS CASTIGATING THE U-S AIR FORCE FOR NOT INSTALLING VOICE AND DATA RECORDERS, THE SO-CALLED BLACK BOXES, IN THE MILITARY TRANSPORT THAT CRASHED IN CROATIA, KILLING COMMERCE SECRETARY RON BROWN AND MORE THAN 30 OTHERS. THE LACK, SUGGESTS "THE HERALD," IS HAMPERING INVESTIGATORS SEEKING THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH, AND IT ADDS:

VOICE: "CONGRESS HAS GOOD REASON TO INQUIRE WHY ... ALL MILITARY AIRCRAFT CARRYING PASSENGERS DON'T YET HAVE RECORDERS."

TEXT: "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" IS UPSET THAT A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL IS BEING ALLOWED TO FLY AN AIRPLANE ACROSS NORTH AMERICA, EVEN THOUGH HER FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR IS FLYING AT HER SIDE. "THE SENTINEL" CALLS THE TRIP, WHICH BEGAN WEDNESDAY, "EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND IRRESPONSIBLE." THE PAPER SAYS THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION SHOULD LOOK INTO THE MATTER, SINCE, THE PAPER CONTENDS, THE GIRL OBVIOUSLY LACKS THE JUDGMENT TO FLY A PLANE AT THAT AGE. "

TEXT: AND WITH THAT, WE BRING TO A CLOSE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS PUBLISHED IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.

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11-Apr-96 10:45 AM EDT (1445 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA/WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE ( THE HAGUE )

INTRO: THE FIRST PERSON TO APPEAR BEFORE THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ON YUGOSLAVIA CHARGED WITH CRIMES AGAINST SERBS HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY. ZDRAVKO MACIC WAS ARRESTED BY AUSTRIAN POLICE IN MARCH AND HANDED OVER TO THE TRIBUNAL TUESDAY. FROM THE HAGUE, GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FOR V-O-A NEWS HE IS BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIMES ALLEGEDLY COMMITTED BY THOSE UNDER HIS AUTHORITY WHEN HE COMMANDED A PRISON CAMP IN CENTRAL BOSNIA.

TEXT: ZDRAVKO MUCIC SEEMED ALMOST BEMUSED BY HIS APPEARANCE IN COURT. DRESSED IN A TRACK-SUIT TOP AND CASUAL TROUSERS, MR. MUCIC WAIVED HIS RIGHT FOR THE FULL CHARGES AGAINST HIM TO BE READ TO THE COURT.

THE INDICTMENT SAYS AS COMMANDER OF THE CELEBICI PRISON CAMP IN CENTRAL BOSNIA BETWEEN MAY AND NOVEMBER OF 1992, HE KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT HIS SUBORDINATES WERE DOING.

THEY ARE SAID TO HAVE SUBJECTED PRISONERS AT THE CAMP TO AN INHUMANE AND DEGRADING REGIME, MURDERING AT LEAST 14 OF THEM -- IN ONE CASE BY NAILING A BADGE TO A MAN'S FOREHEAD. THEY TORTURED, RAPED AND SEXUALLY ABUSED PRISONERS.

MR. MUCIC WAS ADDRESSED BY PRESIDING JUDGE GABRIEFLE MACDONALD.

MR. MUCIC, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND, WOULD YOU PLEASE STAND SIR. HOW DO YOU PLEAD, GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY TO COUNT 13 OF THE INDICTMENT?

I PLEAD NOT GUILTY.

IN FACT MR. MUCIC PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO ALL OF THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM. HE WAS REPRESENTED IN COURT BY HIS NEWLY-APPOINTED LAWYER, BRITISH ATTORNEY ROBERT RHODES.

MR. RHODES SAID IT IS PRECISELY PEOPLE ACCUSED OF SUCH AWFUL DEEDS AS WARTIME ATROCITIES WHO NEED THE BEST REPRESENTATION.

NO DATE FOR A TRIAL WAS SET FOR MR. MUCIC. THE PROSECUTOR ASKED THE JUDGE WAIT UNTIL ANOTHER MAN CHARGED IN THE INDICTMENT IS SENT FROM GERMANY WHERE HE IS BEING HELD BY POLICE. HE SAID IT IS IMPORTANT THEY BOTH BE TRIED TOGETHER.

THERE WAS NO WORD ON TWO OTHER MEN SUSPECTED OF COMMITTING CRIMES AGAINST BOSNIA SERBS AND WHO ARE BELIEVED TO BE IN BOSNIA. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DELIVERED INTO TRIBUNAL CUSTODY. (SIGNED)

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11-Apr-96 12:18 PM EDT (1618 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA / AID (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYS BOSNIAN SERBS WILL BE THE LOSERS IF THEY BOYCOTT A CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND IN BRUSSELS TO RAISE AID FOR THEIR WAR-RAVAGED COUNTRY. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE CONFERENCE FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IS BEING HOSTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE WORLD BANK.

TEXT: AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS WEEK, THE BOSNIAN SERBS WERE WARNED THEY WERE NOT BEING INVITED TO THIS DONORS' CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS, BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT RELEASED ALL THEIR PRISONERS OF WAR. TUESDAY, THREE PRISONERS WERE RELEASED, AND DETAILS OF THE REMAINING 16 CAPTIVES WERE HANDED OVER TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. THE 16 HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES. WEDNESDAY, THE U-N HIGH REPRESENTATIVE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA CARL BILDT ANNOUNCED HE WAS SATISFIED WITH THE BEHAVIOR OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND THEY COULD BE INVITED.

IT BECAME CLEAR THURSDAY THE BOSNIAN SERBS PLANNED TO BOYCOTT THE CONFERENCE, BECAUSE THEY DID NOT WANT TO BE PART OF THE SAME DELEGATION AS THE CROAT-MUSLIM FEDERATION AND THE BOSNIAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.

EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS SAY THEY DO NOT PLAN TO PUNISH THE SERBS, BY EXCLUDING THEM FROM FUTURE INTERNATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION AID. BUT, THEY POINT OUT THE BRUSSELS CONFERENCE WILL BE DISCUSSING AID PRIORITIES, AND IF THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE NOT PRESENT THEIR VOICE CANNOT BE HEARD.

THE AIM OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO OBTAIN PLEDGES FOR ONE-POINT-TWO-BILLION DOLLARS IN AID FOR BOSNIA FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR. BUT, THERE WILL ALSO BE MORE POLITICAL DEBATE ON THE CONDITIONS FOR RECEIVING LONG-TERM AID.

TO QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE, BOSNIAN FACTIONS WOULD HAVE TO GUARANTEE FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA, AND THE RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS WOULD ALSO HAVE TO ENSURE INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS SUCH AS BOSNIAN-SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND MILITARY COMMANDER GENERAL RADKO MLADIC ARE STRIPPED OF ALL PUBLIC OFFICE.

THE BRUSSELS DONORS' CONFERENCE BEGINS WITH A MEETING OF OFFICIALS FRIDAY, WITH MINISTERS DUE TO ATTEND THE FINAL SESSION SATURDAY.

MORE THAN 50 GOVERNMENTS AND 30 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND -- AND TO BRING ALONG THEIR CHECK BOOKS. (SIGNED)

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11-Apr-96 9:41 AM EDT (1341 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA CONFERENCE PREVIEW BY ANDREW BAIRD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A TOP U-S STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL HAS GIVEN A PREVIEW OF A CONFERENCE ON THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WHICH BEGINS APRIL 12TH IN BRUSSELS. V-O-A'S ANDREW BAIRD HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: IN A NEWS CONFERENCE IN WASHINGTON, JIM HOLMES, THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT'S COORDINATOR FOR ASSISTANCE TO CENTRAL AND AND EASTERN EUROPE, SAYS THAT THE BOSNIA RECONSTRUCTION DONORS CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS WILL ATTEMPT TO RAISE ONE-POINT-TWO BILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDS FOR PRIORITY CONSTRUCTION NEEDS IN THE THE RAVAGED COUNTRY. THE MONEY WILL BE USED FOR RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS FOR THE REST OF 1996. THE ONE-POINT-TWO BILLION DOLLARS COMES ON TOP OF 600 MILLION DOLLARS PLEDGED IN DECEMBER BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE YEAR.

HAVING RECENTLY BEEN AUTHORIZED FUNDS BY CONGRESS, THE UNITED STATES WILL PLEDGE AN ADDITIONAL 145 MILLION DOLLARS AT THE CONFERENCE. THAT IS IN ADDITION TO MORE THAN SIXTY BILLION DOLLARS PLEDGED FOR THE FIRST QUARTER. JIM HOLMES SAID THAT THE U-S EFFORT WILL FOCUS ON PRIVATE ENTERPRISES WHICH CAN HELP REBUILD THE COUNTRY. BUT HE ADDED THAT SOME MONEY COULD GO TOWARD ANY WORTHWHILE PROJECT WHICH CAN PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR DEMOBILIZED SOLDIERS.

WE SEE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THE DE-MOBILIZATION OF UPWARDS OF 200-THOUSAND TROOPS FROM ALL OF THE PARTIES, AND WE ATTACH HIGH PRIORITY TO GIVING AS MANY OF THEM AS POSSIBLE EMPLOYMENT. I THEREFORE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE AN IMPRESSION WITH YOU THAT WE WILL LOOK EXCLUSIVELY AT THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THEY MAY BE PROPOSALS AND PROJECTS WHICH WE FIND ECONOMICALLY VIABLE WHICH WILL COME OUT OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S JIM HOLMES SAYS THAT THE TOTAL COST OF BOSNIA RECONSTRUCTION COULD RUN SIX BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS. U-S EFFORTS, HE SAID, ARE ALREADY UNDER WAY. THEY INCLUDE A 25 MILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM TO REPAIR MORE THAN 2300 HOMES DAMAGED BY THE WAR. HE ADDED THAT THE UNITED STATES IS ALSO FOCUSSING ON THE CREATION OF AN EFFECTIVE CIVILIAN POLICE FORCE, WHICH WILL INHERIT THE TASK OF KEEPING ORDER ONCE IFOR TROOPS LEAVE THE COUNTRY. MR. HOLMES SAID THAT THE UNITED STATES ALSO WANTS TO HELP CREATE A STABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR NATIONAL ELECTIONS, TO BE HELD SOMETIME BETWEEN JUNE AND SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR. (SIGNED)

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11-Apr-96 7:38 PM EDT (2338 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERBS APPARENTLY WILL NOT BE ATTENDING A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POST-WAR ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION AID TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE TOP INTERNATIONAL CIVILIAN OFFICIAL IN SARAJEVO, CARL BILDT, REJECTED THE SERBS' DEMAND THAT THEY PARTICIPATE AS A SEPARATE DELEGATION. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: AFTER HE RECEIVED THE SERBS' DEMAND, MR. BILDT PROMPTLY REPLIED THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS NOT EXCLUDING THEM FROM THE AID CONFERENCE. HE SAID THE SERBS ARE EXCLUDING THEMSELVES. MR. BILDT ACCUSED SERB LEADERS OF PLAYING POLITICAL GAMES AT THE EXPENSE OF ORDINARY SERB PEOPLE WHO, HE SAID, MAY NOT GET THE POST-WAR AID THEY NEED. BY DEMANDING THE RIGHT TO HAVE A SEPARATE DELEGATION, SERB HARD-LINERS APPEAR TO BE TRYING TO FORCE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THE SERB REPUBLIC AS AN INDEPENDENT STATE. THE SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, HAS MADE NO SECRET OF HIS CONTINUING INTEREST IN ESTABLISHING AN INDEPENDENT SERB NATION OR IN LINKING SERB TERRITORY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO YUGOSLAVIA. HE HAS REAFFIRMED THIS GOAL EVEN THOUGH THE SERBS SIGNED THE PEACE AGREEMENT UNDER WHICH THE SERB REPUBLIC IS ONE OF TWO ENTITIES IN BOSNIA. THE OTHER ENTITY IS THE MUSLIM/CROAT FEDERATION. THE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE THAT BEGINS IN BRUSSELS ON FRIDAY IS INTENDED TO RAISE MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS IN AID TO BOSNIA FOR THIS YEAR. IT IS QUESTIONABLE WHETHER THAT TARGET WILL BE MET. IRAN HAS ALREADY OFFERED 100-MILLION DOLLARS TO THE MUSLIM/LED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT. BUT, THE UNITED STATES IS PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO ACCEPT IT. A STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN IN WASHINGTON SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK IRAN'S ONLY INTEREST IN BOSNIA IS TO ESTABLISH A PRESENCE THERE TO FOMENT AND SUPPORT TERRORISM IN EUROPE. MEANWHILE, IN THE HAGUE, A BOSNIAN CROAT, ZDRAVKO MUCIC, HAS FORMALLY DENIED HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR WAR CRIMES ALLEGEDLY COMMITTED AGAINST SERB INMATES OF A PRISON CAMP HE COMMANDED. THE INDICTED CROAT ENTERED HIS NOT GUILTY PLEA IN AN APPEARANCE BEFORE THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. HE WAS EXTRADITED TO THE HAGUE FROM AUSTRIA AT THE TRIBUNAL'S REQUEST. (SIGNED)

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11-Apr-96 10:26 AM EDT (1426 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] CROATIAN LEADER OPTIMISTIC (L-ONLY BY DON HENRY (WASHINGTON))

INTRO: CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER ZLATKO MATESA IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT SUSTAINED PEACE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S DON HENRY REPORTS HE ALSO PAINTED A ROSY PICTURE ABOUT THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IN CROATIA DURING A WASHINGTON NEWS CONFERENCE (THURSDAY).

TEXT: THE PRIME MINISTER SAID HE IS NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF WAR BREAKING OUT AGAIN IF THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCES LEAVE BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA IN DECEMBER AS SCHEDULED.

NO I DO NOT THINK SO, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THEY HAVE ALREADY DONE THEIR JOB, AND WE ARE TOO FAR IN THE PEACE PROCESS. AND SO I DO NOT THINK IT IS REALLY A POSSIBILITY TO GO BACK TO THE STARTING POSITION, LET US SAY.

THE PRIME MINISTER PREDICTED IF THE INTERNATIONAL FORCE DOES REMAIN IN BOSNIA BEYOND DECEMBER, IT WOULD BE AT A REDUCED LEVEL.

MR. MATUSA ALSO IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT A PEACEFUL OUTCOME IN EASTERN SLAVONIA, THE LAST SERB-HELD AREA OF CROATIA. NOW UNDER U-N ADMINISTRATION, IT IS TO BE RETURNED TO CROATIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

WE ARE SATISFIED WITH THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA. WE THINK THAT GENERAL (JACQUES) KLEIN IS DOING HIS BEST AND WE ARE NOW MUCH MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FINAL RESULTS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA THAN WE WERE IN THE BEGINNING. I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT.

REGARDING THE PRESENCE OF ISLAMIC FORCES IN MUSLIM-CONTROLLED PARTS OF BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA, HE SAID THAT IS BOSNIA'S PROBLEM, BUT CROATIA IS OPPOSED TO THEIR PRESENCE IN THE REGION.

WE HAVE A VERY CLEAR POLICY IN THAT SENSE. WE ARE SURE THAT THEY HAVE TO LEAVE BOSNIA. AND IT IS ONE OF (THE), I WOULD SAY, PRIORITY ACTIONS. WE DO NOT THINK THE FUTURE OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL BE IN ANY KIND OF CLOSE RELATION TO A FUNDAMENTALIST COUNTRY LIKE IRAN OR SOME OTHERS.

THE CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER SAID HIS GOVERNMENT "ABSOLUTELY" WOULD ACT TO PREVENT IRAN FROM SHIPPING ARMS INTO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA THROUGH CROATIA.

MR. MATESA CAME TO WASHINGTON IN PART FOR THE FUNERAL OF FORMER COMMERCE SECRETARY RON BROWN, WHO DIED IN THE PLANE CRASH THAT ALSO KILLED 34 OTHERS LAST WEEK DURING A U-S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MISSION TO CROATIA.

HE SAID CROATIA WOULD ERECT A MONUMENT TO THOSE 35, PLUS THREE AMERICAN DIPLOMATS KILLED LAST YEAR WHILE MAKING THEIR WAY INTO SARAJEVO.

MR. MATESA SAYS THE EFFORTS OF SECRETARY BROWN TO ENCOURAGE AMERICAN INVESTMENT IN CROATIA AND BOSNIA WERE INVALUABLE TO THE ECONOMIC FUTURE OF THE REGION. HE SAID MANY AMERICAN INVESTMENT PROJECTS ARE UNDER WAY AND THE PLANE CRASH WILL NOT SET BACK THE EFFORT BECAUSE BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND CROATIA ARE DETERMINED TO CARRY ON.

HE SPOKE OPTIMISTICALLY ABOUT INVESTMENTS FROM EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AS WELL, AND SAID HE LOOKED FORWARD TO A MEETING LATER IN THE DAY WITH A TOP WORLD BANK OFFICIAL ON INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. (SIGNED)

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11-Apr-96 12:47 PM EDT (1647 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U.S.-TURKEY CUSTOMS PACT

VOICE: THE RECENT VISIT OF TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL TO WASHINGTON REAFFIRMED THE CLOSE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TURKEY. THOSE RELATIONS WILL BE EVEN CLOSER AS A RESULT OF TWO AGREEMENTS SIGNED LAST MONTH.

THE BILATERAL TAX TREATY IS THE FIRST INCOME-TAX CONVENTION BETWEEN THE U.S. AND TURKEY. IT WILL BE AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN EXPANDING TRADE AND INVESTMENT. IT SETS MAXIMUM TAX RATES FOR MANY ACTIVITIES AND SIMPLIFIES THE RULES WHICH COMPANIES HAVE TO FOLLOW.

THE CUSTOMS MUTUAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR COOPERATION IN THE AREAS OF COMMERCIAL FRAUD, NARCOTICS SMUGGLING, AND EXPORT CONTROL. THE LAWS OF MOST NATIONS DO NOT PERMIT DISCLOSURE OF MUCH FINANCIAL INFORMATION WITHOUT A FORMAL TREATY OR OR OTHER ACCORD. THE CUSTOMS AGREEMENT WILL PERMIT THE U.S. TO EXCHANGE INTELLIGENCE AND OTHER INFORMATION WITH TURKEY. THE U.S. HAS SIGNED SIMILIAR AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.

AS U.S. CUSTOMS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER DOUGLAS BROWNING SAID, "INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY ARE INCREASING SO RAPIDLY, IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR US TO ESTABLISH A NETWORK OF AGREEMENTS BETWEEN CUSTOMS AGENCIES TO SHARE INFORMATION FOR FACILITATING TRADE AND LAW-ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES. EVERYONE WINS WHEN WE ESTABLISH MECHANISMS FOR MUTUAL COOPERATION TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND THWART CRIMINAL ACTIVITY."

ANOTHER CONCERN FOR BOTH THE U.S. AND TURKEY IS THE SADDAM HUSSEIN REGIME IN IRAQ. THE U.S. WELCOMES THE RECENT DECISION OF THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT TO EXTEND THE MANDATE FOR OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT. THAT OPERATION WAS STARTED BY THE U.S., FRANCE, BRITAIN, AND TURKEY TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND SECURITY FOR THE OPPRESSED PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRAQ. TURKEY'S WILLINGNESS TO HOST OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT DEMONSTRATES ITS GREAT VALUE AS AN ALLY AND THE CENTRAL ROLE IT PLAYS IN EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST. ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.

11-Apr-96 3:02 PM EDT (1902 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America