Voice of America, 24 April 1996

Voice of America Directory

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

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: AN EXTRAORDINARILY WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS CAN BE FOUND TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN SOME OF THE NATION'S 15-HUNDRED-48 DAILY NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL COLUMNS: FROM THE ELECTION OF COMMUNISTS IN ITALY, TO THE DEATH OF WINNIE THE POOH'S BUDDY, CHRISTOPHER ROBIN. IN BETWEEN, THE PAPERS DEAL WITH: EFFORTS TO HALT THE FIGHTING BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HEZBOLLAH GUERRILLAS; THE P-L-O'S RENUNCIATION OF ANTI-ISRAEL LANGUAGE IN ITS CHARTER; BORIS YELTIN'S FLAWED DESCRIPTION OF THE WAR IN CHECHNYA; REBUILDING BOSNIA AND RESCUING LIBERIA. NOW HERE IS ___________________ WITH A FEW EXCERPTS IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN ITALY, COMMUNISTS HAVE SWUNG BACK INTO POWER VIA THE BALLOT BOX AS PART OF A COALITION LED BY MODERATE ROMANO PRODHI. TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" SAYS IT IS A SIGN THAT ITALY'S POLITICAL FOCUS IS TURNING ONCE MORE:

VOICE: "THE ELECTION QUALIFIES AS HISTORIC. THE LEFT CAME ON STRONG IN A COUNTRY WHOSE RULING ESTABLISHMENT, WITH MUCH AMERICAN AID UNDER AS WELL AS ON TOP OF THE TABLE, HAD DEDICATED ITSELF FOR 50 YEARS TO KEEPING A STRONG DOMESTIC COMMUNIST PARTY AT BAY. AS THE COLD WAR ENDED, THE CENTER-RIGHT ESTABLISHMENT SPLINTERED, AND THE NATIONAL FOCUS TURNED FROM FIGHTING COMMUNISM TO FIGHTING PERVASIVE CORRUPTION. [OPT] ... IN STYLE AS IN SUBSTANCE, ITALY'S PROBLEMS ARE MORE OR LESS COMMON TO ALL OF THE WESTERN DEMOCRACIES, NOT LEAST THE UNITED STATES. [END OPT] WHETHER ... A 59-YEAR-OLD ECONOMICS PROFESSOR, ROMANO PRODI, MAKING HIS FIRST RUN FOR OFFICE ... CAN HARNESS THE SEVERAL PARTS OF HIS COALITION TO REACH THESE ENDS IS THE QUESTION."

TEXT: "THE BALTIMORE SUN," FOR ITS PART, SAYS MR. PRODI'S SUCCESS WILL DEPEND ON HELP FROM THE FORMER COMMUNISTS:

VOICE: "... THE ELECTION BROUGHT SUCH AN IMPROVEMENT FROM PARALYSIS THAT IT WAS GREETED BY A SOARING STOCK MARKET AND STRONGER LIRA. MR. PRODI SAID THE PEOPLE HAVE CHOSEN GOVERNABILITY... FOR NOW, MR. PRODI HAS THE IDEAS TO LEAD ITALY FORWARD, IF HIS FORMER-COMMUNIST ALLIES LET HIM."

TEXT: SELDOM IS THE MIDDLE EAST NOT MENTIONED IN THE EDITORIAL PAGES, AND THERE ARE TWO ISSUES DEALTH WITH TODAY -- THE ISRAEL-HEZBOLLA FIGHT, AND THE P-L-O'S CHANGING CHARTER. ON THE FIRST MATTER, THIS COMMENT FROM "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR",:

VOICE: "TO THE DISMAY OF ITS FRIENDS, ISRAEL HAS AGAIN FALLEN INTO THE TRAP OF BELIEVING THAT MILITARY ACTION IN LEBANON WILL SECURE ISRAEL'S NORTHERN BORDER... ISRAELI MILITARY OPERATIONS, ON WHATEVER SCALE, HAVE NEVER BROUGHT PERMANENT PEACE IN THE NORTH... HISTORY WOULD SUGGEST ISRAEL TRY AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH. IT COULD HARDLY BE LESS FRUITFUL THAN THE PRESENT ONE."

TEXT: ON THE P-L-O CONSIDERING TAKING ALL ANTI-ISRAEL WORDING OUT OF ITS CHARTER, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" COMMENTS:

VOICE: "AN IMPROBABLE BUT VITALLY IMPORTANT POLITICAL DRAMA IS UNFOLDING IN GAZA THIS WEEK. THE PALESTINE NATIONAL COUNCIL, FOR YEARS A KIND OF PARLIAMENT IN EXILE OF THE PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION, HAS CONVENED ON PALESTINIAN-ADMINISTERED TERRITORY TO DEBATE AND VOTE ON CHANGES IN THE P-L-O CHARTER THAT WOULD REMOVE ALL CALLS FOR ISRAEL'S DESTRUCTION. [OPT] ... MR. ARAFAT COMMITTED HIMSELF TO SECURING THE CHARTER CHANGES AS PART OF LAST YEAR'S INTERIM PEACE AGREEMENT THAT PERMITTED THE TRANSFER OF MAJOR WEST BANK POPULATION CENTERS TO PALESTINIAN CONTROL... MR. ARAFAT'S TASK IS NOT MADE EASIER BY THE CURRENT BATTLES BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HEZBOLLAH IN LEBANON ... BUT THE SUCCESSIVE PEACE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE P-L-O HAVE TAKEN ON A LOGIC OF THEIR OWN, DISTINCT FROM THE WIDER STATE OF ISRAELI-ARAB RELATIONS. [END OPT] ... THE P-L-O MUST NOT TURN AWAY FROM THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A FORMAL BREAK WITH ITS HISTORY OF TERROR AND HOSTILITY TOWARD ISRAEL."

TEXT: "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND ECHOES "THE TIMES," ADDING:

VOICE: TRAGIC AS THE RENEWED BLOODSHED IN LEBANON IS, IT MUSTN'T BE ALLOWED TO INTERFERE WITH THE PALESTINIANS' PEACE PRIORITIES. ARAFAT APPEARS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS TIME; WE'LL SOON KNOW WHETHER THE COUNCIL DOES, TOO."

TEXT: TURNING TO YET ANOTHER WORLD TROUBLE SPOT, CHECHNYA, THE "BOSTON GLOBE" OFFERED SOME THOUGHTS ON RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S HANDLING OF THE REVOLT THERE -- THIS BEFORE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT REBEL LEADER DZHOKHAR DUDAYEV HAD BEEN KILLED DURING A RUSSIAN ROCKET ATTACK.

VOICE: "PERHAPS YESTERDAY'S RUMOR ABOUT THE DEATH OF DZHOKHAR DUDAYEV, THE CHECHEN PRESIDENT, WILL DELIVER A LITTLE JOLT OF REALITY TO BORIS YELTSIN AND HIS LOYAL POLITICAL SUPPORTER, PRESIDENT CLINTON... AS FOR THE CEASEFIRE, IT EXISTS ONLY AS THE LIE [PRESIDENT] YELTSIN REPEATED DURING HIS SUMMIT MEETING WITH [MR.] CLINTON. THE REALITY IS THAT RUSSIAN FORCES IN CHECHNYA ARE CREATING MORE CARNAGE THAN EVER. [OPT] ... [MR.] CLINTON'S REMARKS IN MOSCOW ON THE SUBJECT OF [PRESIDENT] YELTSIN'S WAR AGAINST THE CHECHENS REPRESENTED EITHER INEXCUSABLE IGNORANCE OR AN OVEREAGERNESS TO HELP [MR.] YELTSIN'S ELECTION PROSPECTS. ... WERE [MR.] DUDAYEV TRULY TO BE KILLED, THE CHANCE FOR A NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT ON "CHECHEN AUTONOMY WOULD BE GREATLY DIMINISHED. [PRESIDENT] YELTSIN SHOULD MAKE PEACE WITH THE CHECHENS WHILE THEY HAVE A LEADER WHO CAN DO SO, AND [MR.] CLINTON SHOULD CEASE BESTOWING SOLICITUDE ON [MR.] YELTSIN." [END OPT]

TEXT: TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" TALKS ABOUT THE CHALLENGE OF REBUILDING BOSNIA, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: "BOSNIANS NEED SOME TANGIBLE EVIDENCE THAT THE PEACE AGREEMENT FORGED LAST YEAR IS WORKING. MORE THAN SILENCED GUNS, THEY NEED TO SEE REBUILT ROADS, PUBLIC SERVICES, BUSINESSES, AND FARMS. THE RECOVERY EFFORT NOW GETTING UNDER WAY IN BOSNIA, HEADED BY THE WORLD BANK, WILL ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE JUST SUCH EVIDENCE. IT NOT ONLY DESERVES, BUT WILL REQUIRE, EXTRAORDINARY SUPPORT, SINCE THE OBSTACLES TO ITS SUCCESS ARE DAUNTING."

TEXT: MOVING TO LATIN AMERICA, AND THE COUP THAT ALMOST WAS, "THE MIAMI HERALD" SAYS:

VOICE: "PARAGUAY WAS SAVED FROM THE REGRESSIVE BRUTALITY OF A MILITARY COUP YESTERDAY BY IMMEDIATE AND ENERGETIC HEMISPHERIC EXPRESSIONS OF SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT JUAN CARLOS WASMOSY AND BY THE WIDESPREAD REPUDIATION OF PUTSCHIST GENERAL LINO OVIEDO... THOUGH THEY SUCCEEDED THIS TIME ... THE HEMISPHERE'S DEMOCRACIES -- PARTICULARLY ARGENTINA AND THE UNITED STATES ... MUST STAND READY TO HELP PARAGUAY [AGAIN]. ITS ASPIRING 'CAUDILLOS' [ITALICS FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGE; IN SPANISH "STRONGMAN" OR DICTATOR] STILL WANT TO SNUFF OUT A FLEDGLING DEMOCRACY."

TEXT: AS TO AFRICA'S CURRENT HOTSPOT, LIBERIA, AND THE CHAOS, INTO WHICH IT HAS DESCENDED, "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS CALLING FOR A RESCUE:

VOICE: "... LIBERIANS FACE A CHOICE... THEY MUST DECIDE WHETHER THEIR WOEFULLY RUN-DOWN AND CHAOTIC WEST AFRICAN COUNTRY WILL FUNCTION AS A NATION STATE OR REMAIN A FIELD OF PLUNDER FOR WARLORDS... THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CAN BROKER CEASE-FIRES, BUT ONLY THE LIBERIANS CAN MAKE PEACE AMONG THEMSELVES."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, MORE REMINISCENCES OF CHRISTOPHER ROBIN AND HIS STUFFED BEAR FRIEND, WINNIE-THE-POOH. TODAY'S "DENVER POST" TITLES ITS EDITORIAL: "SORROW IN POOH CORNER."

VOICE: "POOH BEARS, LIKE DRAGONS, LIVE FOREVER -- BUT NOT SO LITTLE BOYS. CHRISTOPHER ROBIN MILNE, THE MODEL FOR WINNIE THE POOH'S DEVOTED COMPANION IN THE STORIES OF HIS FATHER A. A. MILNE, DIED SATURDAY AT ... 75. IT IS AS IMPOSSIBLE TO IMAGINE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN GROWING OLD AS IT IS TO VISUALIZE POOH PUTTING ON A THREE-PIECE SUIT AND LEADING A CORPORATE TAKEOVER... HIS [CHRISTOPHER ROBIN'S] MEMORY WILL LIVE ON IN THAT SPECIAL PART OF EACH OF US THAT REMAINS ALWAYS A CHILD."

TEXT: AND ON THAT SORROWFUL NOTE, WE LEAVE THE AMERICAN EDITORIAL PAGE FOR TODAY.

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24-Apr-96 11:17 AM EDT (1517 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA SITREP (L-O CORRECTED) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAS BANNED ALL GOVERNMENT MILITARY FLIGHTS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THE BAN IS BEING IMPOSED BECAUSE OF UNAUTHORIZED GOVERNMENT FLIGHTS SUNDAY DURING A MILITARY PARADE. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: THE PEACE FORCE APPROVED SEVERAL GOVERNMENT FLIGHTS OF PLANES AND HELICOPTERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE MILITARY PARADE IN BIHAC IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA.

BUT THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN ARMY MADE A NUMBER OF UNAUTHORIZED FLIGHTS AS WELL. A NATO SPOKESMAN IN SARAJEVO SAYS THE FLIGHT BAN HAS BEEN IMPOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

NATO IS STILL ENFORCING A NO-FLY ZONE OVER BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE CONTINUING BAN ON UNAUTHORIZED FLIGHTS AFFECTS THE SERBS AND CROATS AS WELL AS THE BOSNIAN ARMY.

NATO'S STRONG REACTION TO VIOLATIONS OF THE NO-FLY ZONE REFLECTS ITS LARGER CONCERN ABOUT ANYTHING THAT COULD LEAD TO GREATER TENSION IN BOSNIA.

AT THE MOMENT, NATO OFFICIALS FEAR SERIOUS INCIDENTS COULD DEVELOP AS MEMBERS OF ONE ETHNIC GROUP TRY TO ENTER TERRITORY CONTROLLED BY ANOTHER GROUP, TO VISIT THEIR FORMER HOMES.

THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE ESCORTED HUNDREDS OF SERBS (WEDNESDAY) FROM THE TOWN OF BANJA LUKA TO THE CROAT-CONTROLLED TOWN OF GLAMOC IN WESTERN BOSNIA.

THERE ARE NO IMMEDIATE REPORTS OF ANY SERIOUS TROUBLE. APPARENTLY THE SERBS WERE ABLE TO SEE THE HOMES WHERE THEY LIVED BEFORE THE WAR IN BOSNIA.

IN ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT, INTERNATIONAL POLICE OFFICIALS IN SARAJEVO HAVE ACCUSED SERB AUTHORITIES OF DENYING ADEQUATE FOOD AND MEDICAL CARE TO 11 MUSLIM OR CROAT PRISONERS, ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES.

THE PRISONERS ARE BEING HELD IN AN UN-HEATED SPORTS HALL IN THE SERB STRONGHOLD OF PALE. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL POLICEMEN, DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA, SAYS HE EXPECTS SERB LEADERS TO QUICKLY IMPROVE THE DETAINEES' CONDITIONS. MEANWHILE, DESPITE SOME RESERVATIONS, THE STRASBOURG-BASED COUNCIL OF EUROPE HAS GIVEN PRELIMINARY APPROVAL FOR CROATIA TO BECOME ITS 40TH MEMBER.

WHEN IT JOINS THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE, CROATIA WILL HAVE TO RATIFY THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, ALLOW CROATIAN CITIZENS TO PETITION THE EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS COURT AND ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY. (SIGNED)

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24-Apr-96 2:03 PM EDT (1803 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BULGARIA ECONOMY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: BULGARIA'S SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT THIS WEEK IS SAYING FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT WITHOUT FAR REACHING STRUCTURAL REFORMS, THE BULGARIAN ECONOMY COULD FACE A FINANCIAL CRISIS. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS ON THE STATE OF THE BULGARIAN ECONOMY.

TEXT: THE GOVERNMENT'S TOP ECONOMIC ADVISER, IVAN ANGELOV, SAYS MANY LOSS-MAKING STATE ENTERPRISES WILL BE CUT FROM STATE SUBSIDIES IN ORDER TO REDUCE BULGARIA'S BUDGET DEFICIT. MR. ANGELOV SAYS STATE-OPERATED BANKS WILL ALSO BE STREAMLINED. THE PRICE OF INACTION, HE SAYS, WOULD BE VERY HIGH. HE SAYS THE TARGETTED GROUP OF MONEY-LOSING STATE ENTERPRISES WILL HAVE THEIR ACCESS TO CREDIT SEVERED WITHIN JUST A MATTER OF WEEKS.

ON TUESDAY, THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND REPRESENTATIVE IN SOFIA SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ASKED TO CLARIFY THE ECONOMIC PROGRAM IT RECENTLY PRESENTED TO THE I-M-F. BULGARIA HAS A LOW AND DECLINING RESERVE OF HARD CURRENCY AND NEEDS OUTSIDE SUPPORT IF IT IS TO AVOID DEFAULT ON THE ONE BILLION DOLLARS OF DEBT PAYMENTS DUE THIS YEAR. BULGARIA IS SEEKING EMERGENCY LOANS FROM THE I-M-F AND WORLD BANK. BOTH INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN SAYING THE BULGARIANS MUST TAKE QUICK ACTION TO AVOID CALAMITY.

DURING THE RECENT EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK MEETING IN SOFIA, CONCERN WAS EXPRESSED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THE BULGARIAN BANKING SYSTEM, MOST OF WHICH REMAINS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. CHARLES DALLARA HEADS THE WASHINGTON-BASED INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL FINANCE, AN ASSOCIATION OF COMMERCIAL BANKS.

IT SEEMS TO ME THE BULGARIANS REALLY HAVE A MAJOR CHALLENGE TO ADDRESS FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS IN THEIR BANKING SYSTEM THAT REQUIRES NEW CAPITALIZATION. IT REQUIRES SOME PRIVATIZATION IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR. IT REQUIRES MAJOR OVERHAUL AND CONSOLIDATION IN THE BANKING SYSTEM. IT IS A MAJOR CHALLENGE AND IT IS ONE THEY SHOULD ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY.

UNDER THE PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE I-M-F, BULGARIA IS PROMISING TO SHUT DOWN 106 LOSS-MAKING ENTERPRISES WITH 17 THOUSAND EMPLOYEES. NEARLY 60 ADDITIONAL STATE ENTERPRISES EMPLOYING 190 THOUSAND PEOPLE WOULD BE GRADUALLY WEANED FROM STATE SUPPORT. THE LATTER ENTERPRISES INCLUDE THE STATE RAILWAY, POWER PLANTS, COAL MINES AND BALKAN AIRLINES.

AS CONCERN HAS MOUNTED IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, THE BULGARIAN CURRENCY HAS STEADILY LOST VALUE. FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES ARE DOWN TO ABOUT 700 MILLION DOLLARS, AND BULGARIA'S DEBT PAYMENTS EXCEED FOUR BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. BULGARIA IS IN THE MIDST OF A LONG-DELAYED PRIVATIZATION PROGRAM INTENDED TO TRANSFER HUNDREDS OF STATE ENTERPRISES TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR. (SIGNED)

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24-Apr-96 10:57 AM EDT (1457 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CONGRESS/BOSNIA/IRAN (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

INTRO: THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS SETTING UP A SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE THE FLOW OF IRANIAN ARMS INTO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. WE HAVE MORE FROM V-O-A CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT PAULA WOLFSON.

TEXT: HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH SAYS THE WHITE HOUSE, IN ESSENCE, INVITED IRAN INTO EUROPE. HE SAYS THE POLICY DECISION WAS RECKLESS AND COULD HAVE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. HE LEAVES NO DOUBT, HE WANTS THE MATTER TO BECOME AN ISSUE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

THE SPEAKER HAS BLASTED THE DECISION SEVERAL TIMES IN RECENT DAYS MOST NOTABLY DURING A SPEECH LAST WEEK TO A CONVENTION OF NEWSPAPER EDITORS. NOW, HE IS STEPPING UP THE PRESSURE. AFTER MEETING WITH REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE, HE ANNOUNCED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE.

THE PANEL WILL BE LED BY HENRY HYDE -- THE VETERAN REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER FROM THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, AND A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE. HE HAS BEEN A RELENTLESS CRITIC OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S BOSNIA ARMS POLICY.

MR. HYDE SPONSORED LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS LAST YEAR TO LIFT THE BOSNIAN ARMS EMBARGO. HE WAS INCENSED WHEN HE LEARNED THE ADMINISTRATION OPTED TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY WHEN IRAN BEGAN TO SMUGGLE WEAPONS TO BOSNIA.

WE WERE FACILITATING THROUGH INACTION, THE ENTRANCE, THE ENTRY, OF THE RADICAL ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAN IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THEY TOLERATED THE ARMS SMUGGLING BECAUSE THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT DESPERATELY NEEDED HELP, AND THE NEW MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION WAS IN TROUBLE. BUT MR. HYDE SEEMS RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT THAT ARGUMENT.

YES, IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO TO HELP THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, BUT NOT THAT WAY, NOT THROUGH IRAN.

THE SPECIAL PANEL IS LIKELY TO FOCUS A LOT OF ATTENTION ON THE SECRECY SURROUNDING THE ADMINISTRATION'S 1994 DECISION. WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS TOLD CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS, AT THE TIME, IT WOULD BE WRONG TO UNILATERALLY LIFT THE ARMS EMBARGO, AND THE UNITED STATES WOULD NOT ACT WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF ITS EUROPEAN ALLIES.

DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS ACCUSE THE REPUBLICANS OF USING THE ISSUE FOR POLITICAL GAIN. THEY SAY LAWMAKERS LEARNED SOME TIME AGO, THROUGH INTELLIGENCE REPORTS, ARMS FROM IRAN WERE MAKING THEIR WAY INTO BOSNIA. BUT REPUBLICANS SAY THE UNITED STATES MAY HAVE VIOLATED THE ARMS EMBARGO, AND THE PRESIDENT SHOULD NOT MAKE THESE KINDS OF DECISIONS WITHOUT CONSULTING CONGRESS.

THIS NEW SPECIAL COMMITTEE IS NOT THE ONLY CONGRESSIONAL ENTITY THAT WILL LOOK INTO THE MATTER. THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE LAUNCHING THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS. THE HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE HAS SAID IT WILL HOLD MORE HEARINGS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 24-Apr-96 11:58 AM EDT (1558 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] YUGO / WAR CRIMES (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS PROVISIONALLY FREED ITS MOST IMPORTANT PRISONER AWAITING TRIAL, BOSNIAN SERB ARMY GENERAL DJORDJE DJUKIC, FOR HEALTH REASONS. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ORDERED THE PROVISIONAL RELEASE OF GENERAL DJUKIC ON THE GROUNDS THAT HIS MEDICAL CONDITION IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH ANY FORM OF DETENTION. THE 62-YEAR-OLD GENERAL IS BELIEVED DYING FROM PANCREATIC CANCER. FOR THIS REASON, HE CAN NOW LEAVE THE NETHERLANDS AND REJOIN HIS FAMILY IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

WAR CRIMES CHARGES AGAINST HIM HAVE NOT BEEN DROPPED. AS THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY'S SENIOR LOGISTICS OFFICER, HE IS FORMALLY ACCUSED OF AIDING INDISCRIMINATE AND DEADLY SERB SHELLING ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS IN SARAJEVO.

IF HIS HEALTH IMPROVES, THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL SAYS THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COUNTRY WHERE GENERAL DJUKIC LIVES MUST RETURN HIM TO ITS CUSTODY. BUT, HE IS NOT EXPECTED TO EVER FACE A WAR CRIMES TRIAL.

THE GENERAL PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM IN MARCH AFTER HE WAS EXTRADITED TO THE HAGUE FROM SARAJEVO. HIS LAWYERS ARGUED THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO INDICT HIM. (SIGNED)

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24-Apr-96 7:02 AM EDT (1102 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES (L) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS DECIDED TO RELEASE ONE OF ITS PRISONERS -- BOSNIAN-SERB GENERAL DJORDE DJUKIC -- FOR HEALTH REASONS. GILLIAN SHARPE IN THE HAGUE REPORTS THE JUDGE SAID GENERAL DJUKIC'S CONDITION MAKES ANY KIND OF DETENTION IMPOSSIBLE, BUT THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM STILL STAND.

TEXT: THE 62-YEAR-OLD GENERAL WAS TOO ILL TO ATTEND COURT AND HEAR THE ORDER FOR HIS RELEASE.

AN INDEPENDENT DOCTOR HAS CONFIRMED HE HAS CANCER AND IS EXPECTED TO LIVE A MATTER OF ONLY DAYS OR WEEKS. PROSECUTORS SAY THE GENERAL WOULD SOON NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE A MEANINGFUL PART IN HIS OWN DEFENSE AND A TRIAL, UNDER SUCH CONDITIONS WOULD BE INHERENTLY UNFAIR.

THE PROSECUTION HAD WANTED THE INDICTMENT AGAINST GENERAL DJUKIC DROPPED, WITH AN OPTION TO RE-INDICT AT A LATER DATE. THE DEFENSE OPPOSED GENERAL DJUKIC BEING RELEASED ON HEALTH GROUNDS. IT ARGUED THE CHARGES SHOULD BE DROPPED THROUGH LACK OF EVIDENCE.

IN THE END, JUDGE CLAUDE JORDA REFUSED BOTH DEFENSE AND PROSECUTION REQUESTS.

HE SAID THE TRIBUNAL'S RULES DO NOT ALLOW HIM TO DISMISS AN INDICTMENT ON GROUNDS OF EVEN SERIOUS ILL HEALTH. HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN SIMILAR CASES AT BOTH THE NUREMBURG AND TOKYO TRIBUNALS. BUT HE DECIDED NEITHER COULD HE AGREE TO THE DEFENSE MOTION TO DISMISS BECAUSE OF A LACK OF EVIDENCE. HE SAID THAT COULD BE DETERMINED ONLY AT A TRIAL.

TRIBUNAL SPOKESMAN CHRISTIAN CHARTIER REPORTED JUDGE JORDA DECIDED TO PROVISIONALLY RELEASE THE GENERAL ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS, BUT STRESSED THE CHARGES REMAIN IN EFFECT.

THE CASE IS OPEN. THE INDICTMENT HAS NOT BEEN WITHDRAWN. THE INDICTMENT, THE ALLEGATIONS, THE CHARGES ARE STILL STANDING. THE CASE IS NOT CLOSED. THE CASE IS JUST ONGOING.

THE GENERAL IS FREE TO TRAVEL WHEREVER HE WISHES. PART OF HIS FAMILY LIVES IN BOSNIAN-SERB TERRITORY, PART IN BELGRADE. HIS SURGEON -- WHO WAS AT THE HEARING -- SAYS GENERAL DJUKIC WILL BE FLYING TO BELGRADE, PERHAPS AS SOON AS THURSDAY.

THERE ARE CONDITIONS TO HIS RELEASE, THOUGH. HE MUST GIVE THE TRIBUNAL HIS ADDRESS, KEEP THEM INFORMED OF HIS MEDICAL CONDITION, AND RETURN TO THE HAGUE IF HIS HEALTH IMPROVES. THE AUTHORITIES OF YUGOSLAVIA -- IF THAT IS INDEED WHERE HE GOES -- MUST ALSO UNDERTAKE TO COMPLY WITH ANY TRIBUNAL REQUESTS.

GENERAL DJUKIC'S SON ALEXANDER, TOLD REPORTERS HE WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE JUDGMENT AND EFFORTS TO CLEAR HIS FATHER'S NAME WOULD CONTINUE. (SIGNED)

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24-Apr-96 10:52 AM EDT (1452 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America