Voice of America, 17 May 1996

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA / POLITICS (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (PALE)

[03] BOSNIA / GORAZDE BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GORAZDE, BOSNIA)

[04] GERMANY / ALBANIA (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[05] ROMANIA ECONOMY (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[06] TURKEY/GERMANY (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[07] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[08] U-S-BOSNIA SERBS (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[09] YUGO ECON CRISIS BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[10] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

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

INTRO: THE POLITICAL DIRECTION IN INDIA AND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE'S RESIGNATION FROM THE SENATE ARE FAVORITE TOPICS OF THE NATION'S EDITORIAL WRITERS THIS FRIDAY IN MID-MAY. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE THE THREATENED U-S TRADE WAR WITH CHINA, PROBLEMS WITH THE U-S- BACKED WAR ON BOLIVIAN DRUG FARMERS; A CHALLENGE TO THE IMPORTANT PALESTINIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL VOTE ON CHARTER REVISIONS, AND THE SUICIDE OF THE U-S NAVY'S TOP ADMIRAL. NOW, HERE WITH SOME EXCERPTS IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN THE NEW YORK TIMES IS ENTITLED "A SAFFRON FLAG OVER INDIA" AND IT TALKS ABOUT THE EMERGENCE OF THE HINDU NATIONALIST B-J-P PARTY AS A TROUBLESOME OMEN IN THE SUBCONTINENT.

VOICE: "WITH THE SELECTION OF ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE AS PRIME MINISTER, INDIA ENTERS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS NEW PERIOD IN ITS TUMULTUOUS HISTORY. MR. VAJPAYEE, PRESIDENT OF THE MAIN HINDU NATIONALIST PARTY, PORTRAYS HIMSELF AS A CONCILIATOR AND PLAYS DOWN HIS PARTY'S PLEDGE TO DISMANTLE LONGSTANDING PROTECTIONS FOR THE COUNTRY'S MUSLIM MINORITY. BUT THE PARTY HAS NOT REPUDIATED ITS PLATFORM, AND IF ENACTED IT WOULD TEAR INDIA APART... MR. VAJPAYEE'S BIGGEST TEST WILL BE TO TAME THE HARD-LINE ELEMENTS OF HIS OWN PARTY. "

TEXT: SPEAKING TO THE SAME ISSUE, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES VOICES CONCERNS ABOUT THE HINDU PARTY'S INTENTIONS:

VOICE: "[MR.] VAJPAYEE REPRESENTS THE MODERATE FACE OF THE B-J-P [BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY], WHOSE MORE FERVID MEMBERS, WITH THEIR STRIDENT PROCLAMATIONS OF HINDU SUPERIORITY, HAVE HEIGHTENED THE FEARS OF INDIA'S RELIGIOUS MINORITIES. THE B-J-P HAS ALSO PROCLAIMED THE NEED FOR A NUCLEAR-ARMED INDIA, WHICH TESTED A NUCLEAR DEVICE IN 1974. SUCH A DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE A DISASTER, FOR SURELY IT WOULD PROVOKE INDIA'S NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR, PAKISTAN, TO MAKE NUCLEAR WEAPONS."

TEXT: PAPERS ARE STILL REACTING TO WEDNESDAY'S NEWS THAT SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE WILL RESIGN FROM THE SENATE IN ORDER TO FOCUS TOTALLY ON HIS CAMPAIGN FOR THE PRESIDENCY. TODAY'S PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER NOTES, IN PART:

VOICE: "BY LEAVING THE U-S SENATE, BOB DOLE HAS UNCLUTTERED HIS QUEST FOR THE PRESIDENCY. HE PROBABLY WILL BENEFIT BY DISTANCING HIMSELF FROM THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS... THE DEPARTURE OF SENATOR DOLE, THE CONSUMMATE LEGISLATOR, MAY LESSEN THE ELECTION-YEAR GAMESMANSHIP THAT HAS MADE LEGISLATING IMPOSSIBLE THE LAST FEW MONTHS... BUT ... THE ONE CERTAINTY IS THIS: LOSING THE LONGEST-SERVING REPUBLICAN LEADER IN ... SENATE ... HISTORY WILL MAKE THAT CHAMBER A POORER PLACE."

TEXT: IN NEW ENGLAND, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR CALLS MR. DOLE'S RESIGNATION A "BOLD MOVE", ADDING:

VOICE: "ANY DOUBT THAT BOB DOLE HAS THE FIRE IN THE BELLY [INTENSE DESIRE] TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE DISPELLED BY HIS SURPRISE RESIGNATION FROM HIS BELOVED SENATE SEAT TO CONCENTRATE FULLY ON THE CAMPAIGN... WHAT THE MOVE DOES NOT DO, AND WHAT [MR.] DOLE STILL MUST, IS ARTICULATE A COHESIVE ELECTORAL PROGRAM THAT BRINGS BACK WANDERING G-O-P AND INDEPENDENT VOTERS AND GIVES THEM A REASON TO SUPPORT HIM."

TEXT: TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION IS SKEPTICAL OF EFFORTS BY CHINA TO STOP THE PIRACY OF U-S AND OTHER WESTERN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. UNDER THE HEADLINE: "THEFT MAY FORCE U-S - CHINA TRADE WAR," THE PAPER'S EDITORAL SAYS:

VOICE: "THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT CAN TRACK DOWN DISSIDENTS FOR SPEAKING THE WRONG WORDS, YET IT CAN'T STOP WELL-KNOWN FACTORY OWNERS FROM STEALING MADONNA'S MUSIC... THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SHOULD CONTINUE TO NEGOTIATE WITH CHINA TO TRY TO AVOID A DAMAGING TRADE WAR. BUT THE UNITED STATES MUST STAND FIRM TO DEFEND ITS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY."

TEXT: IN A SCATHING EDITORIAL, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL IS HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S CHINA POLICY, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: "NOWHERE IS THE DISARRAY IN THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S FOREIGN POLICY MORE IN EVIDENCE THAN IN CHINA. LACKING A CONTROLLING VISION, IT LURCHES IN ONE DIRECTION ONLY TO CHANGE COURSE LATER AND HOBBLE OFF IN ANOTHER. EXAMPLES: FIRST TAIWAN PRESIDENT ... TENG-HUI CAN'T VISIT CORNELL, THEN HE CAN. ONE DAY SANCTIONS ARE THREATENED OVER BEIJING'S SALES OF NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY TO PAKISTAN, THE NEXT DAY THE THREAT EVAPORATES... THE LATEST INCARNATION OF THE CLINTON CHINA POLICY IS DUE TODAY AS SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER DELIVERS WHAT'S BILLED [ADVERTISED] AS A MAJOR ADDRESS IN NEW YORK. THE PITY IS, THAT WHATEVER HE SAYS, IT WON'T MATTER MUCH NOW. THE U-S HAS LOST SO MUCH CREDIBILITY IN CHINA, AND ... ASIA, THAT THE MOST USEFUL THING MR. CHRISTOPHER COULD DO IS STATE A POLICY, ANY POLICY, AND STICK TO IT... THE MESSAGE OUGHT TO BE: YES, CHINA IS A GREAT PACIFIC POWER, BUT JUST AS CLEARLY THE U-S HAS VITAL INTERESTS THERE AS WELL."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES SEES THIS LATEST TRADE DISPUTE AS THE REEMERGENCE OF A DANGEROUS TREND TOWARD PROTECTIONISM:

VOICE: "MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT. PROTECTIONISTS SEE AN OPENING, AND HAVE UNSHEATHED THEIR SWORDS... PROTECTIONISM DOESN'T SOLVE PROBLEMS. IT WORSENS THEM."

TEXT: TODAY'S MIAMI HERALD TAKES A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO A LATIN AMERICAN DRUG ISSUE AND ACCUSES ANTI-DRUG POLICE IN BOLIVIA -- WHO ARE FINANCED IN PART BY THE UNITED STATES -- OF "ABUSING COCA GROWERS' HUMAN RIGHTS." THE PAPER SAYS THE UNITED STATES MUST STOP FINANCING THE ANTI-NARCOTICS POLICE WHO HAVE VIRTUALLY UNLIMITED POWERS IN WAGING WHAT THE PAPER CALLS "A SCORCHED-EARTH ERADICATION POLICY AGAINST A LARGE GROUP OF COCA FARMERS IN THE CHAPIRO REGION.

A WASHINGTON TIMES EDITORIAL IS CHALLENGING REPORTS, WIDELY CIRUCLATED LAST MONTH, THAT THE PALESTINE NATIONAL COUNCIL HAD REMOVED PROVISIONS FROM ITS CHARTER CALLING FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL. THE PAPER INTERPRETS THE ACTION THIS WAY:

VOICE: "IN FACT, THE P-N-C [PALESTINIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL] DID NO SUCH THING, INSTEAD MERELY DELEGATING THE TASK OF REVISION TO A COMMISSION AND PUTTING OFF FINAL ACTION TO SOME UNSPECIFIED LATER DATE. NOW 17 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE EQUALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONFUSION OVER THE P-N-C VOTE."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST IS UPSET THAT RUSSIA HAS TAKEN WHAT THE PAPER CALLS "A STEP BACK" IN REVOKING "THE ACCREDITATION OF THE ... QUASI-OFFICIAL ISRAELI BODY... [CALLED THE] JEWISH AGENCY ON ITS SOIL," WITHOUT MAKING WHAT THE POST CONSIDERS A "SATISFACTORY " EXPLANATION. THE PAPER EXPRESSES HOPE THAT "THE PROBLEMS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE JEWISH AGENCY ARE INDEED TECHNICAL AND EASILY REPAIRED."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE WASHINGTON TIMES COMMENTS ON THE SHOCKING SUICIDE OF ADMIRAL JEREMY BOORDA, AT HIS RESIDENCE IN WASHINGTON, APPARENTLY DUE TO PRESS INQUIRIES ABOUT SOME COMBAT MEDALS HE WAS ALLEGEDLY WEARING WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION.

VOICE: "WHILE ADMIRAL BOORDA WAS AT THE CENTER OF MANY OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS THE NAVY HAS TAKEN IN RECENT YEARS, HE HAD A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN THE SERVICE: HE WAS THE FIRST ENLISTED MAN TO RISE THROUGH THE RANKS TO BECOME CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS. THE FACT IS ... THIS COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A WORSE TIME FOR THE U-S NAVY... IT'S TIME FOR A SEARCHING INQUIRY INTO WHAT AILS THE NAVY."

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE COMPLETE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION IN THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF THE U-S PRESS THIS FRIDAY.
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17-May-96 11:12 AM EDT (1512 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / POLITICS (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (PALE)

INTRO: THERE ARE SIGNS OF GROWING POLITICAL SUPPORT FOR THE BOSNIAN SERB PRIME MINISTER WHO IS ENGAGED IN A POLITICAL BATTLE FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS. THE LEADERSHIP CRISIS WAS TRIGGERED ON WEDNESDAY WHEN THE PRIME MINISTER WAS FIRED BY PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM THE BOSNIAN SERB HEADQUARTERS IN PALE, NEAR SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE DECISION BY THE HARD-LINE PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC TO FIRE THE MORE MODERATE BOSNIAN SERB PRIME MINISTER, RAJKO KASAGIC, HAS UNLEASHED A FULL SCALE POLITICAL BATTLE FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

MR. KASAGIC SAYS HE WILL NOT STEP DOWN UNTIL A REPLACEMENT IS APPROVED BY THE BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENT AND BOTH MR. KASAGIC AND PRESIDENT KARADZIC ARE NOW FURIOUSLY SEEKING PARLIAMENTARY ALLIES.

IT IS NOT AT ALL CLEAR WHO WILL WIN SUCH A VOTE IN THE BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENT, IF IT EVER COMES. THE PRIME MINISTER HAS CALLED FOR A MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENT IN HIS STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA IN NORTHERN BOSNIA.

BANJA LUKA IS THE LARGEST CITY IN BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY AND MANY SERBS FEEL IT SHOULD NOW BECOME THE HOME OF THE GOVERNMENT. MR. KARADZIC WANTS ANY MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENT TO TAKE PLACE HERE IN THE SMALL VILLAGE OF PALE, HIS HEADQUARTERS NEAR SARAJEVO. PRIME MINISTER KASAGIC ACCUSES THE PRESIDENT OF TRYING TO PREVENT HIM FROM ADDRESSING ANY MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY IF IT IS HELD HERE.

MEANWHILE THERE IS GROWING SUPPORT FOR PRIME MINISTER KASAGIC. ON THURSDAY A PARADE OF INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE NATO SECRETARY GENERAL AND THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR IN BOSNIA, MET WITH AND ENDORSED MR. KASAGIC IN BANJA LUKA.

NOW THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT, LED BY PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT CALLING THE FIRING OF MR. KASAGIC ILLEGAL AND UNACCEPTABLE. THE STATEMENT SAYS THE DISMISSAL WAS AIMED DIRECTLY AGAINST THE INTERESTS OF THE BOSNIAN SERB PEOPLE. IN BOSNIA, THE DEPUTY SPEAKER OF THE BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENT, MILOVAN MILANOVIC, CALLED THE DISMISSAL OF MR. KASAGIC UNNECESSARY, AND SAID MR. KASAGIC, WORKING IN A DIFFICULT TIME HAD SUCCEEDED IN LIFTING WHAT HE CALLED THE ODIUM AGAINST THE SERB PEOPLE .

THE INFLUENTIAL MAYOR OF BANJA LUKA, PREDRAG RADIC, ALSO ANNOUNCED HIS SUPPORT FOR MR. KASAGIC, AND SEVERAL OPPOSITION POLITICIANS AND PARTIES BASED IN BANJA LUKA HAVE ALSO ENDORSED THE PRIME MINISTER.

THE BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENT TECHNICALLY IS COMPOSED OF 80 MEMBERS, BUT SOME MEMBERS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE DIED OR NO LONGER SERVING IN THE ASSEMBLY. PRIME MINISTER KASAGIC SAYS HE HAS THE SUPPORT OF AT LEAST 28 MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, AND PRESIDENT KARADZIC IS UNLIKELY TO PROPOSE A REPLACEMENT FOR MR. KASAGIC UNLESS HE IS SURE HE CAN MUSTER A PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY.

THERE IS CONSIDERABLE CONFUSION AS BOTH SIDES CLAIM THEY ARE ACTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTION, AND SAY THE OTHER SIDE IS ACTING IN VIOLATION OF THE LAW.

AS THE CRISIS UNFOLDS THE BOSNIAN SERB PEOPLE CAN ONLY WATCH AND WONDER. MOST MEDIA, PARTICULARLY BOSNIAN SERB TELEVISION, IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF PRESIDENT KARADZIC, BUT BOSNIAN SERB ARMY RADIO IN BANJA LUKA IS SUPPORTING MR. KASAGIC.

WHAT IS CLEAR IS THE PRIME MINISTER IS CLEARLY COMMITTED TO THIS CONFRONTATION WITH RADOVAN KARADZIC, AND NOW EVERYONE IS WAITING TO SEE IF MR. KARADZIC WILL SOMEHOW TRY TO DEFUSE THE CRISIS, OR SEEK A TEST OF HIS SUPPORT IN PARLIAMENT. (SIGNED)
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17-May-96 1:21 PM EDT (1721 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA / GORAZDE BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GORAZDE, BOSNIA)

INTRO: FOR MOST OF THE BOSNIAN WAR, THE AREA AROUND THE EASTERN TOWN OF GORAZDE WAS ALL BUT TOTALLY CUT OFF FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD, ITS MUSLIM RESIDENTS UNDER FIRE AND SIEGE BY SERB FORCES. GORAZDE WAS THE ONLY ONE OF THE THREE MUSLIM ENCLAVES IN EASTERN BOSNIA THAT SURVIVED THE CONFLICT. AND, AS V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS, GORAZDE, IN SOME WAYS, REMAINS AN ENCLAVE.

TEXT: // ACT - SOUND, THUNDERCLAP //

A SUDDEN THUNDERSTORM SENDS PEDESTRIANS SCURRYING FOR SHELTER ON A SPRING AFTERNOON. BUT THE DOWNPOUR IS BRIEF, AND THE STREETS OF GORAZDE SOON FILL UP AGAIN AS A RAINBOW ARCHES OVER THE FAST FLOWING WATERS OF THE DRINA RIVER THAT CUTS THROUGH THE CENTER OF TOWN.

A FEW MONTHS AGO, IT WAS THE THUNDER OF ARTILLERY FIRE AND THE EVER-PRESENT THREAT OF SNIPERS' BULLETS THAT KEPT THE STREETS OF GORAZDE EMPTY.

SERB FORCES COMPLETELY SURROUNDED THE TOWN AND OUTLYING VILLAGES FOR VIRTUALLY THE ENTIRE THREE-AND-ONE-HALF YEARS OF THE BOSNIAN WAR.

THE LEVEL OF DESTRUCTION IS EXTRAORDINARY, EVEN ON BOSNIAN STANDARDS. IN MOST PARTS OF GORAZDE, AND IN ALL THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES, HARDLY A BUILDING ESCAPED DAMAGE FROM THE CONSTANT BARRAGE OF SHELLS AND ROCKETS.

BUT MOST PEOPLE HERE SAY THE SIEGE WAS WORSE THAN THE SHELLING. SERB COMMANDERS DENIED ACCESS TO HUMANITARIAN AID CONVOYS FOR MONTHS AT A TIME. AND THE ONLY SUPPLIES THAT REACHED GORAZDE'S DEFENDERS WERE BROUGHT IN BY FOOT -- MEN, AND EVEN SOME WOMEN AND CHILDREN PICKING THEIR WAY THROUGH SERB LINES BY NIGHT OVER MOUNT GREBAK ON A THREE DAY TREK TO GOVERNMENT-HELD TERRITORY TO THE NORTHWEST.

IT WAS TERRIBLE, SAID HAJRA, A YOUNG MUSLIM WOMAN, AS SHE SERVED CUSTOMERS AT A SMALL GROCERY STORE ON ONE OF GORAZDE'S BACK STREETS. TO MAKE BREAD, SHE ADDED, WE MIXED A TINY AMOUNT OF FLOUR WITH GRASS, AND THEN BAKED IT IN THE OVEN. WE CALLED IT ZELIANICA, SPINACH PIE, SAID HAJRA, BUT IT TASTED AWFUL.

CHILDREN WERE A TERRIBLE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GET ENOUGH CALORIES, AND WHATEVER THEY GAVE THEM, THEY WERE STILL HUNGRY.

THE CHILDREN OF GORAZDE ARE BACK IN SCHOOL AGAIN. AND THERE ARE SMILES ON MANY OF THE YOUNG FACES AS THEY REHEARSE FOR AN ANNUAL PAGEANT UNDER THE CRITICAL GAZE OF ONE OF THEIR TEACHERS.

BUT THE AIR OF NORMALCY THAT SEEMS TO HAVE DESCENDED OVER THIS TOWN IS DECEPTIVE.

THERE IS STILL NO RUNNING WATER. THE PUMPING STATION IS IN SERB TERRITORY, AND AUTHORIZATION TO RESTORE THE FLOW TO GORAZDE HAS NOT YET BEEN ISSUED. EFFORTS TO REPAIR THE ELECTRICITY NETWORK ARE UNDER WAY, BUT THE CURRENT IS AVAILABLE ONLY A FEW HOURS PER DAY.

GORAZDE'S ONCE THRIVING FACTORIES STAND IDLE FOR WANT OF SPARE PARTS.

FOR THE TIME BEING, POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION PROJECTS EXIST ONLY ON PAPER. AND WITH VIRTUALLY THE ENTIRE WORKFORCE UNEMPLOYED, BILL TALL OF THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS IT IS HARDLY SURPRISING THAT MOST OF GORAZDE'S 40-THOUSAND RESIDENTS REMAIN DEPENDENT ON HUMANITARIAN AID.

THINK ABOUT IT. PEOPLE HERE STILL HAVE NO...THEY CANNOT GET SALT. THEY CANNOT GET CERTAIN SUGAR ITEMS. THERE ARE CERTAIN ITEMS THAT THEY CANNOT GROW THEMSELVES. SO I THINK IN THAT REGARD, I THINK IT IS TYING THEM OVER. OF COURSE, WE ARE GOING TO PHASE OUT OUR FOOD AFTER AWHILE, W-F-P (WORLD FOOD PROGRAM) FOOD AFTER AWHILE. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THEY STILL NEED THESE BASIC STAPLE ITEMS.

MR. TALL SAYS GORAZDE'S CHIEF PROBLEM IS ITS CONTINUED ISOLATION.

THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN ESTABLISHED A NARROW CORRIDOR LINKING THE TOWN WITH SARAJEVO, 50 KILOMETERS AWAY. A NEW HIGHWAY THROUGH THE CORRIDOR IS IN THE PLANNING STAGES. BUT FOR NOW, IT IS A SIX HOUR DRIVE THROUGH ROUGH MOUNTAIN TERRAIN.

FOR THE TIME BEING, THE ONLY VIABLE SUPPLY ROUTE FOR GORAZDE RUNS THROUGH SERB TERRITORY. AND WHILE AID CONVOYS AND U-N STAFF PASS UNHINDERED, THE ROUTE IS NOT DEEMED SAFE FOR GORAZDE'S MUSLIM RESIDENTS.

FOUR TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, BOSNIAN VEHICLES HEADING TO OR FROM GORAZDE HAVE COME UNDER FIRE IN SERB-CONTROLLED AREAS. THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE NOW PROVIDES ESCORTS FOR GORAZDE RESIDENTS IN CONVOYS THREE DAYS A WEEK.

THE SITUATION IS PROMPTING SOME PEOPLE HERE TO LEAVE GORAZDE PERMANENTLY. BUT MOST SAY THEY INTEND TO STAY

THE REGIONAL GOVERNOR, RIJAD RASCIC, LAUGHS AT THE SUGGESTION THAT GORAZDE IS STILL AN ENCLAVE. DURING THE WAR, HE SAYS, WE COULD MOVE AROUND ONLY AT NIGHT, AND ALMOST NO ONE COULD GET IN OR OUT OF THE TOWN.

WE WERE TOTAL ORPHANS, SAYS THE GOVERNOR, BUT THE SITUATION IS MUCH BETTER NOW.

EMIR KULOVIC, A 28-YEAR OLD BOSNIAN ARMY VETERAN, AGREES. WOUNDED HERE LAST YEAR, MR. KULOVIC HAS ONLY JUST RETURNED TO GORAZDE AFTER HOSPITAL TREATMENT IN GERMANY. HE IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE. THE WORLD WILL HELP US, HE SAYS, AND I THINK BETTER TIMES ARE COMING. (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/JWH/CF
17-May-96 12:13 PM EDT (1613 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GERMANY / ALBANIA (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS ARE DEMANDING THAT THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT STOP ITS PLANS TO DEPORT THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS TO THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL HAS ACKNOWLEDGED CONDITIONS ARE NOT GOOD IN THE PREDOMINATELY ETHNIC-ALBANIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO.

BUT AN AGREEMENT HE HAMMERED OUT WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ON THURSDAY CALLS FOR THE RETURN OF ABOUT 120-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIANS NOW LIVING IN GERMANY.

THE HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS, PRO-ASYL, AND THE SOCIETY FOR THREATENED PEOPLES, SAY SENDING THOUSANDS OF KOSOVO ALBANIANS HOME BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR COULD EXPOSE THEM TO DANGER.

THEY SAY ETHNIC TENSIONS COULD EXPLODE IN THE SERB-RUN PROVINCE, WHICH IS HOME TO ABOUT TWO-MILLION ETHNIC ALBANIANS, WHO MAKE UP MORE THAN 90 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION.

FOREIGN MINISTER KINKEL HAS DEFENDED THE AGREEMENT TO SEND HOME ETHNIC ALBANIANS SAYING HE MADE IT CLEAR IN HIS TALKS WITH MR. MILOSEVIC THAT GERMANY EXPECTED FAR REACHING AUTONOMY FOR THE POPULATION IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JWH/MMK
17-May-96 11:52 AM EDT (1552 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] ROMANIA ECONOMY (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, WHICH HAS BEEN WITHHOLDING CASH ASSISTANCE TO ROMANIA, HAS ADVISED THE BUCHAREST GOVERNMENT TO SPEED AND DEEPEN REFORMS IN ITS ECONOMY. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE ROMANIAN ECONOMY IS GROWING, AND INFLATION COMING DOWN.

TEXT: AT AN INVESTMENT CONFERENCE IN BUCHAREST, PRESIDENT ION ILIESCU APPEALED FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS TO TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT ROMANIA, THE SECOND BIGGEST MARKET IN EASTERN EUROPE.

THE ROMANIAN PRESIDENT SAID PREJUDICE AND IGNORANCE HAD HELD FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT TO A LEVEL OF ONLY ONE-POINT-EIGHT-BILLION DOLLARS. BY CONTRAST, NEIGHBORING HUNGARY -- WITH A MUCH SMALLER POPULATION -- HAS ATTRACTED TEN-BILLION DOLLARS.

AT THE SAME CONFERENCE, THE I-M-F REPRESENTATIVE IN BUCHAREST SAID ROMANIA MUST PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS OF STATE ENTERPRISES. MOST OF THE ROMANIAN INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IS STILL GOVERNMENT-OWNED, AND LARGE CORPORATE DEBTS POSE A THREAT TO FINANCIAL STABILITY. ROMANIA IS IN THE MIDST OF A PRIVATIZATION PROGRAM THAT WILL TRANSFER OWNERSHIP SHARES IN FOUR-THOUSAND COMPANIES TO PRIVATE CITIZENS.

AT A PRIVATIZATION CONFERENCE HERE IN PRAGUE, THE ROMANIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IN CHARGE OF PRIVATIZATION, MIRCEA COSEA, SAID THE ROMANIAN ECONOMY IS GROWING AT A NEARLY SIX PERCENT RATE.

I DON'T WANT TO CONTINUE PROMOTING ROMANIA AS AN EMERGING ECONOMY. BECAUSE THE FACTS ARE THE FACTS. ROMANIA HAS SUCCEEDED -- HAVING NO OUTSIDE SUPPORT, NO CREDITS -- TO STABILIZE THE ECONOMY AT THE BEGINNING OF 1994 AND HAVE A VERY SHARP INCREASE IN GROWTH IN 1995. THE PROGNOSIS FOR THIS YEAR IS VERY OPTIMISTIC, ACCORDING TO THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE.

MR. COSEA SAID ROMANIA SHOULD BE ABLE TO GROW FAST ENOUGH SO THAT IN TEN YEARS IT WILL ACHIEVE INCOME PARITY WITH POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, AND HUNGARY.

THE ROMANIAN INFLATION RATE IS EXPECTED TO FALL SLIGHTLY THIS YEAR TO 25 PERCENT WHILE UNEMPLOYMENT RISES TO ABOUT 13 PERCENT. (SIGNED)
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17-May-96 12:09 PM EDT (1609 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKEY/GERMANY (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ, WHOSE MINORITY GOVERNMENT IS FACING A POLITICAL CRISIS AT HOME, HAS MET IN BONN WITH GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL AND OTHER TOP GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS. AS VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS, THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER IS USING HIS STATE VISIT TO PUSH FOR CLOSER RELATIONS WITH WESTERN EUROPE.

TEXT: A SMALL GROUP OF KURDISH DEMONSTRATORS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE CHANCELLOR'S OFFICE AS MR. KOHL AND THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER BEGAN THEIR TALKS.

SOME OF THE PROTESTERS CALLED ON GERMANY TO HALT MILITARY SALES TO TURKEY, WHICH HAS BEEN WAGING A LONG-RUNNING BATTLE WITH REBEL KURDISH MILITANTS.

THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER, WHO WAS GREETED WITH FULL MILITARY HONORS, LATER TOLD REPORTERS THAT HIS SESSION WITH MR. KOHL FOCUSED MAINLY ON TURKEY'S DESIRE FOR CLOSER TIES WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION.

MR. YILMAZ SAID HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT TURKEY HOPED FOR GERMAN HELP IN EVENTUALLY GAINING FULL E-U MEMBERSHIP.

THE PRIME MINISTER WAS ALSO EXPECTED TO USE HIS VISIT TO UNDERSCORE HIS GOVERNMENT'S CONCERNS ABOUT KURDISH MILITANTS, WHO HAVE TAKEN REFUGE IN GERMANY.

DURING HIS MEETING WITH REPORTERS, THE PRIME MINISTER SAID THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THE KURDISH PROBLEM IN TURKEY WAS THROUGH INCREASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

BUT HE SAID TURKISH SECURITY FORCES WOULD NEVER GIVE UP THEIR BATTLE AGAINST THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, WHICH HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR AN AUTONOMOUS HOMELAND IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE COUNTRY.

GERMAN PRESIDENT ROMAN HERZOG ALSO DISCUSSED THE KURDISH ISSUE WITH THE PRIME MINISTER DURING AN EARLIER SESSION.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PRESIDENT SAID MR. YILMAZ SHOWED SOME UNDERSTANDING OF THE FOREIGN CRITICISM THAT HAS BEEN DIRECTED AT TURKISH SECURITY OPERATIONS AGAINST THE KURDS.

THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN TO TURKEY ON ON SATURDAY. AT HOME HE WILL BE FACED WITH THE FALLOUT FROM A CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RULING THAT SAID THE MARCH VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN HIS GOVERNMENT WAS ILLEGAL.

JUST TWO MONTHS OLD, HIS CONSERVATIVE MINORITY GOVERNMENT IS ALSO EMBROILED IN A CONTROVERSY FOCUSING ON HIS COALITION PARTNER AND LONGTIME POLITICAL FOE TANSU CILLER.

A SCANDAL INVOLVING THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER'S ALLEGED MISUSE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS IS THREATENING TO BREAK UP THE SHAKY COALITION. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/MH/GPT
17-May-96 10:30 AM EDT (1430 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: TALKS BETWEEN THE UNITED NATIONS AND IRAQ ON LIMITED OIL SALES ARE PUT ON HOLD, PENDING KEY DECISIONS BY HIGHER AUTHORITIES IN BAGHDAD; THE SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN BURUNDI AND CALLS FOR CONTINGENCY PLANNING FOR MILITARY INTERVENTION; AND SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI VISITS RUSSIA. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: WORLD OIL PRICES HAVE STARTED SLUMPING AGAIN, PROMPTED BY REPORTS THAT IRAQ AND THE U-N ARE NEAR A DEAL ON THE LIMITED EXPORT OF IRAQI OIL. IRAQ WAS ONE OF THE WORLD'S BIGGEST PRODUCERS BEFORE U-N SANCTIONS SHUT IT DOWN IN RESPONSE TO BAGHDAD'S INVASION OF KUWAIT IN 1990.

DESPITE A NERVOUS MARKET -- U-N OFFICIALS IN NEW YORK CAUTION THAT THE DEAL IS NOT QUITE DONE YET. NEGOTIATIONS WERE SUSPENDED THIS PAST WEEK WHILE SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS-GHALI WAS TRAVELING ABROAD. THE IRAQI NEGOTIATOR REFERRED TO BAGHDAD WHAT SOME HAVE CALLED A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT. HOWEVER, HE HAS CONCEDED SOME DETAILS ARE STILL NOT RESOLVED.

THE U-N TALKS ARE RELATED TO A SECURITY COUNCIL OFFER LAST YEAR TO ALLOW BAGHDAD TO SELL TWO BILLION DOLLARS OF OIL EVERY SIX MONTHS TO RAISE MONEY FOR HUMANITARIAN PURCHASES. U-N AGENCIES REPORT HUNGER AND DECLINING HEALTH AMONG THE IRAQI POPULATION AFTER SIX YEARS OF SANCTIONS.

THE DEAL WOULD BE CLOSELY SUPERVISED BY THE UNITED NATIONS, WHICH WILL CONTROL THE OIL PROFITS THROUGH AN ESCROW ACCOUNT. IT WOULD ALSO TAKE CHARGE OF DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD AND MEDICINE TO THE REBELLIOUS KURDISH PROVINCES, WHERE BAGHDAD HAS NO EFFECTIVE CONTROL. THE KURDISH ISSUE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MAJOR STICKING-POINTS IN THE TALKS.

-0-

THE SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSED CONCERN THIS PAST WEEK THAT ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN BURUNDI IS FAST SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL -- AS REPORTS REACHED NEW YORK ABOUT NEW KILLINGS BY BOTH THE TUTSI-DOMINATED ARMY AND HUTU EXTREMISTS. THE COUNCIL ISSUED A FORMAL STATEMENT CALLING FOR A POLITICAL SOLUTION. IT ALSO URGED U-N OFFICIALS TO SPEED UP PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE MILITARY INTERVENTION.

THE U-N WOULD LIKE TO PREVENT BURUNDI FROM EVOLVING INTO ANOTHER RWANDA -- WHERE ETHNIC UNREST TWO YEARS AGO LED TO GENOCIDAL MASSACRES. HOWEVER, A U-N PROPOSAL FOR ORGANIZING AN INTERNATIONAL FORCE HAS MET WITH A TEPID RESPONSE. THE SECRETARY-GENERAL RECOMMENDED THAT ONE COUNTRY STEP FORWARD AND TAKE THE LEAD IN ESTABLISHING A FORCE. NO ONE HAS VOLUNTEERED SO FAR. THE UNITED STATES HAS PRODDED THE U-N PEACEKEEPING DEPARTMENT TO DO ITS OWN CONTINGENCY PLANNING. MEANWHILE, THE U-N'S SPECIAL ENVOY FOR LIBERIA -- JAMES JONAH -- ADMITTED TO REPORTERS THAT THE U-N'S RECENT FAILURE IN SOMALIA HAD MADE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SKEPTICAL ABOUT GETTING DEEPLY INVOLVED IN AFRICAN CONFLICTS. HE SAID HE FEELS THIS RELUCTANCE IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL -- WHETHER IT IS DEALING WITH BURUNDI OR LIBERIA.

-0-

SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS-GHALI SPENT THE WEEK IN RUSSIA -- WHERE HE ATTENDED FOR THE FIRST TIME A SUMMIT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES. MR. BOUTROS-GHALI REVIEWED WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN MAJOR CONFLICT AREAS -- INCLUDING THE WARS IN CHECHNYA AND TAJIKISTAN.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS BILLED THE VISIT AS FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON STRENGTHENING RELATIONS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE U-N.

MR. BOUTROS-GHALI HAS NOT ANNOUNCED YET, BUT HE IS EXPECTED TO SEEK ANOTHER FIVE-YEAR TERM AS SECRETARY-GENERAL WHEN HIS CURRENT TERM RUNS OUT AT THE END OF THE YEAR. IF THAT IS INDEED HIS INTENTION -- MR. BOUTROS-GHALI WILL NEED KEY SUPPORT IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL. ANY ONE OF THE FIVE PERMANENT MEMBERS, WHICH INCLUDES RUSSIA, CAN BLOCK HIS CANDIDACY.

ELECTIONS FOR THE U-N POST WILL BE HELD THIS FALL -- SOMEWHERE BETWEEN OCTOBER AND DECEMBER. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
17-May-96 3:23 PM EDT (1923 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S-BOSNIA SERBS (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS HOPING ECONOMIC AID MAY BE THE LEVER TO FORCE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC OUT OF POWER. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES IS HOPING TO USE THE SPLIT BETWEEN MR. KARADZIC AND AN OPPOSITION GROUP OF BOSNIAN SERBS BASED IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING MR. KARADZIC FROM BLOCKING FREE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA NEXT SEPTEMBER.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES HOPES TO PUSH MR. KARADZIC TO THE MARGINS BY FUNNELING ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION AID TO HIS OPPONENTS BASED IN THE CITY OF BANJA LUKA.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS THAT A SIGNIFICANT GROUP OF BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS HAVE STOOD UP AGAINST MR. KARADZIC IN A VERY DRAMATIC WAY. THEY HAVE SOME POWER. THEIR POWER DERIVES FROM THE FACT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE THE CONDUITS OF INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE, MATERIAL ASSISTANCE AND OF ATTENTION FROM PEOPLE LIKE (U-N MEDIATOR) CARL BILDT AND (U-S SPECIAL ENVOY TO BOSNIA) JOHN KORNBLUM AND (SECRETARY OF STATE) WARREN CHRISTOPHER.

THE UNITED STATES WANTS MR. KARADZIC TO BE SENT TO THE HAGUE FOR TRIAL AS AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL. IN ANY CASE, U-S OFFICIALS SAY HE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BLOCK THE ELECTIONS CALLED FOR IN THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/SKH
17-May-96 5:08 PM EDT (2108 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] YUGO ECON CRISIS BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: EARLIER THIS WEEK (5/15), THE YUGOSLAV PARLIAMENT VOTED TO DISMISS THE POPULAR CHIEF OF THE YUGOSLAV CENTRAL BANK, DRAGOSLAV AVRAMOVIC [DRAGO-SLAV AHVRAM-OH-VITCH], IN A CONFLICT OVER MONETARY POLICY. THE MOVE HAD BEEN PREDICTED BY OPPOSITION LEADERS IN BELGRADE, AS PART OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S POLICY OF

TEXT: THE 78-YEAR-OLD FORMER WORLD BANK OFFICIAL IS WIDELY CREDITED AT HOME AND ABROAD FOR HALTING THE HYPER-INFLATION THAT ROCKED THE COUNTRY AFTER IT CAME UNDER INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC SANCTIONS FOR ITS PART IN THE BOSNIAN WAR. MR. AVRAMOVIC WAS HAILED AS A HERO WHEN HE INTRODUCED THE SO-CALLED 'SUPER-DINAR' IN 1994, WHICH BROUGHT BELGRADE'S CURRENCY INTO CLOSE PARITY WITH THE GERMAN MARK. SINCE THEN MR. AVRAMOVIC'S PLANS FOR FISCAL RESTRAINT AND PRIVATIZATION HAVE PUT HIM AT ODDS WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S DESIRE TO RETAIN A HIGHLY CENTRALIZED STATE.

IN AN INTERVIEW IN HIS OFFICES AT THE CENTRAL BANK LAST MONTH, MR. AVRAMOVIC SAID HE THOUGHT HIS PROBLEMS WITH THE GOVERNMENT ARE MORE POLITICAL THAN ECONOMIC AND THAT THIS BECAME CLEAR AT AN APRIL MEETING WITH THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND:

TAPE: CUT # 1 AVRAMOVIC RUNS [1:04] "WHEN WE WENT TO PARIS TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE IMF, THE WORLD BANK, TWO KEY TOPICS WERE OUR ECONOMIC REQUIREMENTS AND SECOND NORMALIZING OF RELATIONS. HOW DO WE ADJUST THE SITUATION IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT YUGOSLAVIA DOESN'T EXIST ANY MORE? IT'S AT LEAST 5 SMALLER COUNTRIES. IT IS THE FUND'S POSITION THAT YUGOSLAVIA HAS CEASED TO EXIST BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE FORMER YUGOSLAV QUOTA IS BEING SPLIT INTO CONSTITUENT PARTS AND WE CAN HAVE ONE OF THESE CONSTITUENT PARTS. THE POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT IS THAT PRESENT DAY YUGOSLAVIA IS A CONTINUATION OF THE OLD YUGOSLAVIA AND THAT THEREFORE THIS FACT HAS TO BE RECOGNIZED AND THEREFORE WE DON'T NEED NEW LEGISLATION TO BECOME A NEW MEMBER BECAUSE WE ARE A MEMBER ON THE BASIS OF THE OLD RIGHTS."

TEXT: ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS, MR. AVRAMOVIC POINTED OUT, IS THAT IT MAKES YUGOSLAVIA RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE DEBTS OF THE OTHER PARTS OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WHICH ARE NOW INDEPENDENT REPUBLICS. BUT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC CONSIDERS RECOGNITION AS THE SUCCESSOR STATE TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA TO BE A CRITICAL ISSUE ON WHICH HE HAS REFUSED TO YIELD, WHETHER AT THE UNITED NATIONS, THE I-M-F OR THE WORLD BANK.

TAPE: CUT # 2 AVRAMOVIC RUNS [:33] "THAT'S OUR GENERAL POSITION IN THE U-N. HERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE. GETTING BUSINESS GOING. WE NEED RESOURCES. WE NEED AN IMF SEAL OF APPROVAL, IF YOU WISH, ON OUR POLICY IN ORDER TO ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTMENT, FOREIGN INVOLVEMENT. MY ARGUMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT IS OVER THAT. I AM SAYING FORGET ABOUT THIS, I'M SURE SOME FORMULA CAN BE FOUND WHICH PROTECTS EVERYONE'S POLITICAL INTERESTS, BUT LET'S GET ON WITH BUSINESS."

TEXT: EARLIER THIS MONTH THE GOVERNMENT BLOCKED MR. AVRAMOVIC'S ATTEMPT TO GO BACK TO THE I-M-F FOR HARD CURRENCY LOANS TO COVER THE COST OF VARIOUS AGRICULTURAL, INDUSTRIAL AND TRADE OBLIGATIONS. THE GOVERNMENT WANTS THE CENTRAL BANK TO PRINT MORE MONEY, SOMETHING MR. AVRAMOVIC INSISTS WILL ONLY LEAD TO A RENEWED OUTBREAK OF INFLATION. ASKED IF HE WAS WORRIED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD EVENTUALLY FORCE HIM OUT, THE BANK CHIEF SAID THAT WITH OR WITHOUT HIM, HE WAS CONFIDENT HIS ECONOMIC REFORMS WILL SURVIVE:

TAPE: CUT # 3 AVRAMOVIC RUNS [:37] "IN PUBLIC LIFE YOU HAVE A PROGRAM YOU FIGHT FOR YOUR PROGRAM, PEOPLE BELIEVE YOU, YOU WIN, PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE YOU, YOU LOSE AND YOU TAKE YOUR HAT AND GO FISHING. I AM SURE THE PROGRAM WILL SURVIVE BECAUSE IT HAS TO SURVIVE. WHETHER I WILL SURVIVE IN THIS POSITION THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY. IT WON'T BE THE FIRST TIME THAT SOMEBODY WHO STARTED SOMETHING DOESN'T FINISH IT. WE HAVEN'T GOT ANY OTHER ALTERNATIVE. WE'VE GONE THROUGH EVERYTHING ELSE. WE MUST OPEN UP THE COUNTRY. WE MUST UNDERTAKE EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO REBUILD THE COUNTRY AND WE NEED EXTERNAL SUPPORT FOR THIS. WITHOUT IT IT CANNOT BE DONE"

TEXT: HOURS AFTER HIS DISMISSAL, MR. AVRAMOVIC PREDICTED INFLATION WOULD START TO GROW WITHIN 45 DAYS. AND AS IF ON CUE, THE YUGOSLAV DINAR DROPPED SHORTLY AFTERWARDS AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK ON BELGRADE'S BLACK MARKET. MR. AVRAMOVIC LATER WARNED THAT HE NOW EXPECTS HIS PRIVATIZATION PLAN, WHICH HAD ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNMENT, TO BE PUT ON HOLD FOR ONE YEAR.

INITIAL REPORTS CIRCULATING IN BELGRADE SPECULATED THAT THE FRAGMENTED OPPOSITION PARTIES HAD ASKED MR. AVRAMOVIC TO LEAD A UNITED BLOC IN THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS TO OPPOSE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. BUT MR. AVRAMOVIC DENIED THIS AND ANNOUNCED INSTEAD THAT HE HAS ACCEPTED AN OFFER TO LEAD A NEW TRADE UNION MOVEMENT CALLED THE 'MOVEMENT FOR ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REFORMS'. (SIGNED)
NEB/PAM/PCH
17-May-96 3:38 PM EDT (1938 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: A MAN ACCUSED OF TORTURING AND KILLING PRISONERS AT A SERB-RUN CAMP IN BOSNIA HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY AT A HEARING AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS THAT THE SUSPECT, GORAN LAJIC, WHO WAS HANDED OVER TO THE TRIBUNAL ON MONDAY BY GERMAN AUTHORITIES, SAYS HE IS A VICTIM OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

TEXT: OF ALL THE ALLEGED WAR CRIMINALS WHO HAVE STOOD IN THE DOCK AT THE UNITED NATIONS TRIBUNAL, GORAN LAJIC SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN MOST DISTURBED BY THE EXPERIENCE. TWENTY-EIGHT YEAR OLD MR. LAJIC APPEARED AT TIMES TO BE ABOUT TO LOSE HIS COMPOSURE ALTOGETHER.

HE IS ALLEGED TO HAVE BEEN AN INTERROGATOR AT THE NOTORIOUS KERATERM PRISON CAMP IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA, WHERE THE INDICTMENT AGAINST HIM SAYS HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE BRUTAL BEATING TO DEATH OF FIVE PRISONERS.

MR LAJIC WAS PICKED UP IN GERMANY IN MARCH AFTER LOCAL POLICE NOTICED HIS NAME ON AN INTERPOL LIST. CHECKS WERE MADE ON HIS IDENTITY, BUT MR LAJIC SAYS THEY HAVE GOT IT WRONG. HIS WORDS ARE SPOKEN BY THE COURTROOM TRANSLATOR.

I AM NOT THE GORAN LAJIC MENTIONED IN THE INDICTMENT. IN THE INDICTMENT RECEIVED BY ME, THERE ARE NO PARTICULARS, NO DATE OF BIRTH, NO PLACE OF BIRTH. I AM NOT THAT MAN. THERE MAY BE VERY MANY GORAN LAJICS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THIS IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT MAN. I REPEAT ONCE AGAIN THAT I HAVE NEVER VISITED THE KERATERM CAMP IN MY LIFE.

BUT PROSECUTORS SAY THEY ARE IN NO DOUBT THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT MAN. THE LEADER PROSECUTOR, GRANT NIEMANN, SAID MR. LAJIC'S PHOTO, ALONG WITH OTHERS, WILL BE CIRCULATED AMONG WITNESSES TO THE EVENT AT KERATERM, TO PUT THE ISSUE BEYOND DOUBT.

I// ACT NIEMANN ///

THERE WILL BE FURTHER INQUIRES MADE IN RELATION TO THIS, AND THE ISSUE WILL EITHER BE RESOLVED PRIOR TO TRIAL OR IT MIGHT BE THAT THE ISSUE OF IDENTITY HAS TO BE RESOLVED AT TRIAL. THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE IN HAND SATISFIES US AT THIS STAGE OF PROCEEDINGS THAT HE IS INDEED THE SAME MAN.

MR. NIEMANN ALSO TOLD THE COURT THAT HE WOULD BE LOOKING FOR GUIDANCE FROM THE COURT ON EXACTLY WHAT HE HAS TO DO TO PROVE THIS CASE. IT WAS AN OBVIOUS REFERENCE TO THE TRIAL OF ANOTHER SUSPECT, DUSAN TADIC -- THE FIRST AT THE TRIBUNAL.

THE PROSECUTION IN THE TADIC TRIAL BEGINS ITS EIGHTH DAY OF EVIDENCE ON MONDAY, BUT HAS NOT EVEN STARTED ON THE DIRECT CHARGES AGAINST MR. TADIC. INSTEAD, WITNESSES ARE BEING BROUGHT IN AN EFFORT TO PROVE THAT HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BOSNIA WERE WIDESPREAD AND THAT THE CONFLICT WAS INTERNATIONAL.

THE PROSECUTION HAS TO CONVINCE THE JUDGES OF THOSE FACTS TO MAKE CERTAIN CHARGES AGAINST MR. TADIC STICK. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/JWH/MMK
17-May-96 8:56 AM EDT (1256 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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