Voice of America, 21 May 1996

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA SITREP (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[03] BRITAIN / BEEF / E-U (S ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[04] SENATE-BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID SWAN (SENATE)

[05] TURKEY-ISRAEL (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (WASHINGTON)

[06] U-S-BOSNIA SERBS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

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

INTRO: TOPICS DEALT WITH ON THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF SELECTED U-S DAILY NEWSPAPERS THIS TUESDAY RANGE FROM SLAVERY TO DINOSAURS. IN BETWEEN, THE COLUMNS REFLECT ON EASING OF THE U-N OIL EMBARGO AGAINST IRAQ; THE EFFICIENCY OF THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION; SOME ENCOURAGING SIGNS ABOUT THE RUSSIAN ELECTION AND A MUCH-HERALDED SUPREME COURT DECISION AFFIRMING THE RIGHTS OF HOMOSEXUALS. NOW, HERE IS _________________ WITH SOME QUOTES AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE MOST COMMON TOPIC AMONG TODAY'S EDITORIALS APPEARS TO BE THE DECISION BY THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TO TEMPORARYILY LIFT THE OIL EMBARGO AGAINST IRAQ SO IT CAN GET MONEY TO BUY URGENTLY NEEDED FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES. ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY LOOKS FOR REASON BEHIND BAGADAD'S DECISION:

VOICE: "IRAQ'S ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY THAT IT WOULD ACCEPT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL'S CONDITIONS FOR SELLING OIL TO BUY FOOD AND MEDICINE FOR ITS PEOPLE IS A WELCOME, IF STARTLING DEVELOPMENT. THE SUDDENNESS OF BAGHDAD'S DECISION MAY BE A SIGN OF THE INCREASING ECONOMIC DESPERATION GRIPPING PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S REGIME... THE DEAL IS GOOD NEWS FOR ORDINARY IRAQIS, WHO HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WHILE THEIR REGIME HAS KEPT ITSELF INSULATED FROM THEIR MISERIES."

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES CALLS IT "A GOOD OIL DEAL WITH IRAQ", AND ADDS:

VOICE: "TOUGH-MINDED AMERICAN BARGAINING, UNACCUSTOMED REALISM BY SADDAM HUSSEIN AND SIX YEARS OF STEADFASTNESS BY THE UNITED NATIONS HAVE PRODUCED THE FIRST POSITIVE DIPLOMATIC AGREEMENT WITH IRAQ SINCE THE END OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR. THE FINAL AGREEMENT ... BRINGS DIPLOMATIC CREDIT TO THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION..."

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SUGGESTS THE OIL DEAL WILL BRING "A LITTLE LESS SUFFERING IN IRAQ," ADDING THAT THE AGREEMENT "IS A VICTORY FOR [A] TENACIOUS U-N POLICY."

TURNING TO ANOTHER TOPIC OF INTERNATIONAL CONCERN -- SLAVERY -- TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE IS HORRIFIED THAT THE PRACTICE CONTINUES IN PARTS OF AFRICA:

VOICE: "SLAVERY, THE ULTIMATE VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, HAS NOT BEEN ABOLISHED. IN SUDAN AND MAURITANIA, BLACK AFRICANS ARE BEING CAPTURED, SOLD AS CHATTEL PROPERTY, BRANDED, TRADED, INHERITED, PUNISHED SADISTICALLY BY THEIR MASTERS, RAPED, FORCIBLY CONVERTED TO THEIR MASTERS' RELIGION AND ROBBED OF THEIR OFFSPRING... IF THE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN SOLD IN THE SLAVE MARKETS OF KHARTOUM ARE TO BE EMANCIPATED, FREE MEN AND WOMEN IN THE WORLD OUTSIDE MUST LEARN ABOUT THE SUFFERING OF THE SLAVES AND HEED THEIR APPEAL TO CONSCIENCE."

TEXT: MORE THAN A WEEK AFTER THE CASH OF A VALUEJET AIRLINER IN THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES, DEBATE CONTINUES ABOUT THE SAFETY AIRLINE TRAVEL AND THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION REGULATION OF THE INDUSTRY IN THIS COUNTRY. THIS CONTROVERSY IS ADDRESSED BY THIS LEAD EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, WHICH BEGINS:

VOICE: "TEN DAYS AFTER VALUJET FLIGHT 592 PLUNGED INTO THE DEPTHS OF THE EVERGLADES, MORE THAN A PLANE LIES IN THAT SWAMPY GRAVE; BURIED ALONG WITH IT AND 110 HUMAN BEINGS IS THE CREDIBILITY OF AMERICA'S ENTIRE AVIATION-SAFETY SYSTEM. WITH EACH PASSING DAY, MORE, NOT FEWER QUESTIONS ARE BEING RAISED. ANSWERS -- AT LEAST BELIEVABLE ONES -- ARE NOT FORTHCOMING... IT'S UP TO THE GOVERNMENT TO ANSWER PUBLIC FEARS. IT'S TIME TO STOP OFFERING EXCUSES, OR EVEN EXPLANATIONS, AND TO START REBUILDING CONFIDENCE. IF, INDEED, THAT IS STILL POSSIBLE."

TEXT: TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES VOICES SUPPORT FOR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S DECISION TO EXTEND CHINA'S MOST FAVORED NATION (M-F-N) TRADE STATUS FOR ANOTHER YEAR, WHILE A TRADE WAR OVER PIRATED INTELLECTUAL GOODS IS IMMINEN. THE TIMES CALLS THE TWO-EDGED MOVE "THE CONTRADICTION THAT ISN'T," SAYING THE "TRADE WAR THREAT SHOULD NOT BAR FAVORED-NATIONS STATUS FOR CHINA:"

VOICE: "BY CONTINUING M-F-N FOR CHINA, WASHINGTON IS DOING THE RIGHT THING, MAINTAINING THE U-S ENGAGEMENT WITH CHINA DESPITE -- AND BECAUSE OF -- AMERICAN ECONOMIC AND SECURITY CONCERNS... IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT CONTRARY TO ITS NAME, MOST-FAVORED-NATION STATUS DOES NOT CONFER SPECIAL TREATMENT. IT IS A NORMAL TRADING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ORDINARY TARIFF TREATMENT THAT WASHINGTON AFFORDS NEARLY ALL ITS TRADING PARTNERS."

TEXT: TODAY'S ORLANDO SENTINEL SEES "ENCOURAGING SIGNS IN RUSSIA" WITH THE APPROACH OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS NEXT MONTH:

VOICE: "AMERICANS WHO HAVE BEEN WATCHING RUSSIA'S PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN SOMEWHAT FEARFULLY HAVE REASON TO BE ENCOURAGED. PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN -- THE STANDARD BEARER OF REFORMS -- IS LEADING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A RESPECTED NATIONAL POLL. MAYBE THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO REALIZE HOW DANGEROUS THE COMMUNISTS' RETURNING TO POWER WOULD BE."

TEXT: THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES EXAMINES A SUPREME COURT DECISION MONDAY OVERTURNING A COLORADO CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT NULLIFIED LOCAL LAWS PROTECTING HOMOSEXUALS FROM HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION. CALLING IT A "VICTORY FOR FAIRNESS," THE TIMES SAYS:

VOICE: "THE [MAJORITY] OPINION WAS WRITTEN BY JUSTICE ANTHONY KENNEDY, [WHO] GRASPED THE BIGOTRY BEHIND THE AMENDMENT AND GAVE SHORT SHRIFT [LITTLE CREDENCE] TO WHAT HE CALLED THE 'IMPLAUSIBLE' ATTEMPTS BY ITS DEFENDERS TO MINIMIZE ITS IMPACT... THIS MESSAGE OF BASIC DECENCY AND FAIRNESS FOUND A SAD COUNTERPOINT IN JUSTICE ANTONIN SCALIA'S BITTER DISSENT, IN WHICH ... [HE] SAID THE MAJORITY HAD NOT DECIDED THE CASE ON ITS LEGAL MERITS BUT HAD CHOSEN INSTEAD TO ENLIST IN A 'CULTURAL WAR,' SIDING WITH AMERICA'S 'ELITE CLASS' TO ACHIEVE A POLITICAL RESULT. ... JUSTICE SCALIA WAS AS BLIND TO THE PROMISE OF THE CONSTITUTION AS THE MAJORITY WAS OPEN TO IT."

TEXT: THE MIAMI HERALD ALSO ENDORSES THE SUPREME COURT DECISION, ADDING:

VOICE: "LEAVE ASIDE THE DEBATE OVER HOMOSEXUALITY AND EVEN OVER THE SO-CALLED GAY RIGHTS ORDINANCES: THE SUPREME COURT HAS SAID ONCE AGAIN THAT A MAJORITY CAN'T TAKE AWAY THE RIGHTS OF A MINORITY. HEAVEN HELP US IF THE COURT EVER RULES TO THE CONTRARY... HAD THE DISSENTERS IN THIS CASE PREVAILED, A MAJORITY WOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE TO DEPRIVE ANY MINORITY OF A CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEE... ONE SHUDDERS TO THINK OF WHAT AMERICAN JUSTICE WOULD LOOK LIKE IF SUCH A CONSTRAINT HAD BEEN PLACED AGAINST PEOPLE OF COLOR."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE SUBJECT OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, THE WASHINGTON POST PONDERS THE INTERNATIONAL DILEMMA OVER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC:

VOICE: "NOTHING WILL TELL MORE OF THE FUTURE OF BOSNIA THAN THE SHOWDOWN NOW TAKING SHAPE OVER THE FATE OF RADOVAN KARADZIC. FOR TERRIBLE ACTS OF 'ETHNIC CLEANSING,' HE WITH HIS MILITARY COMMANDER RATKO MLADIC WAS INDICTED AS A WAR CRIMINAL AND, IN THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS, DENIED ANY FURTHER ROLE IN BOSNIAN SERB PUBLIC LIFE. YET HE HAS DEFIED INTERNATIONAL STRICTURES, USING THEM TO ADVANCE HIS ROLE AS A BOSNIAN SERB NATIONALIST... THE IMMINENCE OF THE ELECTORAL CYCLE ... DUE TO TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER ... MAKES IT URGENT FOR HIM TO BE BROUGHT FOR A WAR-CRIMES TRIAL IN THE HAGUE... THE PROBLEM OF DEALING WITH MR. KARADZIC IS NOW AT THE CENTER OF BALKAN POLITICS."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SALUTES THE DISCOVERY OF THE FOSSOLIZED REMAINS OF THE LARGEST KNOWN DINOSAURS, DEMONSTRATING ITS REMARKS AN EYE-CATCHING PICTURE OF A HUGE DINOSAUR HEAD WITH RAZOR-SHARP TEETH AGAPE. UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SCIENTISTS UNEARTHED FROM THE SAHARA DESERT BONES OF A HUGE, MEAT-EATING REPTILE THAT WAS EVEN LARGER THAN THE SO-CALLED KING OF THE DINOSAURS, TYRANNOSAURUS REX. SAYS THE CONSTITUTION:

VOICE: "THESE TWO ADD TO WHAT ALREADY SEEMED AN INFINITE VARIETY OF DINOSAURS, THE DOMINANT ANIMAL ON EARTH FOR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF YEARS. THEIR REIGN MAKES THE ERA OF HOMO SPAIENS LOOK LIKE THE BLINK OF AN EYE. [OPT] ... MAYBE WE HUMANS -- WHO ARE RAPIDLY SHORTENING THE TIME THAT MANY SPECIES HAVE LEFT, INCLUDING, PERHAPS, OUR OWN - - LOOK AT EACH NEW PROOF OF THE ADAPTABILITY AND LONGEVITY OF THESE PREHISTORIC CREATURES NOT JUST WITH AWE BUT ALSO WITH ENVY." [END OPT]

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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21-May-96 11:30 AM EDT (1530 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA SITREP (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE MODERATE BOSNIAN SERB OFFICIAL WHO WAS DISMISSED BY HARDLINE SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, NOW SAYS HIS DISMISSAL WAS LEGAL. DROPPING EARLIER DEFIANT REMARKS, OUSTED PRIME MINISTER RAJKO KASAGIC DENIES THERE IS ANY SPLIT WITHIN THE SERB LEADERSHIP. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: THE MAN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HOPED WOULD REPLACE RADOVAN KARADZIC HAS ACCEPTED HIS OUSTER.

RAJKO KASAGIC NOW SAYS HE WAS LEGALLY SACKED (DISMISSED) AS THE BOSNIAN SERB PRIME MINISTER.

HE ALSO SAYS HE NEVER INTENDED TO STAGE A COUP AGAINST THE SERB POLITICAL LEADER AND THAT ANYONE WHO THINKS THE SERBS CAN BE DIVIDED IS WRONG. MEANWHILE, BOSNIA'S MUSLIM PRESIDENT, ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC, HAS WARNED THAT POST-WAR DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN THE COUNTRY ARE IMPOSSIBLE AS LONG AS RADOVAN KARADZIC, WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES, REMAINS THE SERB LEADER.

MR. IZETBEGOVIC MADE THE COMMENT AFTER MEETING IN SARAJEVO WITH SWISS FOREIGN MINISTER FLAVIO COTTI. MR. COTTI IS THE CURRENT HEAD OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE.

THE O-S-C-E IS IN CHARGE OF ORGANIZING THE ELECTIONS DUE TO BE HELD IN BOSNIA NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER. MR. COTTI IS VISITING BOSNIA TO DETERMINE IF THE ELECTIONS SHOULD BE HELD AS PLANNED OR IF THEY SHOULD BE DELAYED. (SIGNED)
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21-May-96 12:23 PM EDT (1623 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BRITAIN / BEEF / E-U (S ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS THREATENED LEGAL AND POLITICAL ACTION AGAINST THE EUROPEAN UNION IF THE E-U DOES NOT LIFT THE BAN ON EXPORTS OF BRITISH BEEF. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR ANOUNCED THE INTENDED MEASURES DURING A SPEECH TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

TEXT: BRITISH PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR TOLD LAWMAKERS THE TOP PRIORITY OF HIS EUROPEAN POLICY IS TO GET THE EUROPEAN UNION TO LIFT ITS BAN ON THE EXPORTS OF BRITISH BEEF.

MR. MAJOR SAID IMPORTANT BRITISH NATIONAL INTERESTS ARE AT STAKE. HE SAID HE CANNOT TOLERATE THOSE INTERESTS BEING BRUSHED ASIDE BY SOME OF BRITAIN'S EUROPEAN PARTNERS WITH NO REASONABLE GROUNDS TO DO SO.

THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER SAYS HE WILL GO TO THE EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE THIS WEEK URGING IT TO LIFT THE BAN. BUT HE SAYS THESE LEGAL MEANS ARE NOT ENOUGH.

MR. MAJOR ALSO THREATENED POLITICAL ACTION -- NOT TO COOPERATE WITH THE E-U ON ANY MATTER INVOLVING EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

THIS IS NOT HOW I WISH TO DO BUSINESS IN EUROPE, BUT I SEE NO ALTERNATIVE. WE CANNOT CONTINUE BUSINESS AS USUAL WITHIN EUROPE WHEN WE ARE FACED WITH A CLEAR DISREGARD BY SOME OF OUR PARTNERS OF REASON, COMMON SENSE, AND BRITAIN'S NATIONAL INTERESTS.

MR. MAJOR SAID THERE IS NO CONCEIVABLE JUSTIFICATION FOR THE BAN ON THE EXPORTS OF BRITISH BEEF. (SIGNED)
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21-May-96 12:35 PM EDT (1635 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] SENATE-BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID SWAN (SENATE)

INTRO: THE MAN WHO BROKERED THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORDS HAS STAUNCHLY DEFENDED THE U-S DECISION TO GIVE SECRET, TACIT APPROVAL FOR A WEAPONS PIPELINE FROM IRAN TO BOSNIAN MUSLIMS. THE POLICY IS NOW UNDER FIRE FROM REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS. SENATE CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE WAS CALLED BEFORE THE SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE TO LAUNCH WHAT COULD BECOME A LENGTHY ROUND OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND INQUIRIES. THE CONTROVERSY STARTED EARLIER THIS YEAR, WHEN IT WAS LEARNED THE WHITE HOUSE DECIDED NOT TO OBJECT TO THE FLOW OF IRANIAN WEAPONS THROUGH CROATIA TO THE MUSLIMS.

IN A SOMETIMES COMBATIVE APPEARANCE, MR. HOLBROOKE ARGUED THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT WOULD NEVER HAVE COME TO PASS IF THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO SURVIVE ON THE BATTLEFIELD FIRST.

ITS THE LEAST BAD OF A LOT OF LOUSY CHOICES. WHEN THE PATIENT IS ON LIFE-SUPPORT SYSTEMS, YOU MAKE SURE THAT THE OXYGEN GETS THROUGH TO THE PATIENT FIRST, THEN YOU WORRY ABOUT THE SOURCE OF THE OXYGEN.

MANY LAWMAKERS CHARGE THE PLAN ALLOWED IRAN TO GAIN A FOOTHOLD IN THE BALKANS, WHICH NOW THREATENS THE U-S AND ALLIED PEACEKEEPING FORCE. MR. HOLBROOKE SOUGHT TO ASSURE THE SENATORS THAT THE IRANIANS ARE LEAVING, AS THE DAYTON ACCORDS DEMAND.

THE BEST INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATES ARE THAT THE NUMBER OF IRANIANS LEFT IN THE COUNTRY IS IN THE VERY LOW DOUBLE DIGITS. THEY ARE NOT CONSEQUENTIAL AT THIS POINT. AND ON THE OTHER HAND WE ARE PURSUING THIS AS AN ENORMOUSLY CRITICAL ISSUE.

THE FORMER AMBASSADOR ALSO SAYS THE POLICY WAS NOT A COVERT OPERATION, WHICH WOULD HAVE REQUIRED THE WHITE HOUSE TO INFORM CONGRESS WHEN IT STARTED. BUT MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES DEMANDED TO KNOW WHY THEY WERE NOT TOLD MORE EXPLICITLY THE SHIPMENTS WERE GOING THROUGH.

AT ONE POINT, REPUBLICAN SENATOR JOHN KYL DREW A COMPARISON TO THE IRAN-CONTRA AFFAIR AS HE QUESTIONED WHETHER THE OUTCOME IN BOSNIA JUSTIFIED THE DECISION.

THE INTELLIGENCE PANEL IS EXPECTED TO FINISH ITS WORK IN JUNE. BUT OTHER COMMITTEES COULD KEEP THE INVESTIGATION GOING THROUGHOUT THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, AND PERHAPS DURING THE FALL ELECTION CAMPAIGN. (SIGNED)
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21-May-96 2:35 PM EDT (1835 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] TURKEY-ISRAEL (L-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER EMRE GONENSAY SAYS A RECENTLY-CONCLUDED MILITARY AGREEMENT BETWEEN HIS COUNTRY AND ISRAEL SHOULD NOT CAUSE CONTINUING ALARM TO NEIGHBORING ARAB GOVERNMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THE TURKISH MINISTER TOLD REPORTERS AT A BRIEFING IN WASHINGTON TUESDAY THE AGREEMENT WITH ISRAEL FOCUSES ON "MILITARY TRAINING." VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: IN RESPONSE TO A QUESTION, FOREIGN MINISTER GONENSAY TOLD REPORTERS AT A NATIONAL PRESS CLUB BRIEFING THAT HIS GOVERNMENT'S AGREEMENT WITH ISRAEL IS NOT AN "OFFENSIVE" AGREEMENT, TO USE HIS WORD, BUT "SIMPLY A TRAINING AGREEMENT." THE TURKISH MINISTER SAYS REACTION TO THE AGREEMENT BY SOME ARAB GOVERNMENTS WAS BASED PARTLY ON WHAT HE TERMED "MISUNDERSTANDING, MISINFORMATION OR DISINFORMATION" --MEANING OUTRIGHT DISTORTIONS SAID TO BE FACT.

MR. GONENSAY SAYS HE MET PERSONALLY WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF EGYPT AND IRAN, AND BY TELEPHONE WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF LEBANON, TO REASSURE THEM ON THE NATURE OF THE AGREEMENT WITH ISRAEL. HE SAYS IT IS HIS OPINION THEY WERE SATISFIED WITH HIS EXPLANATIONS.

THE NATURE OF THE AGREEMENT IS THAT IT IS A "BLUEPRINT" AGREEMENT FOR MILITARY TRAINING WHICH INCREASES THE DEFENSE CAPACITY OF THE TURKISH MILITARY FORCES. IT IS NOT A DEFENSE AGREEMENT -- IT IS A TRAINING AGREEMENT

THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER DID NOT MENTION SYRIA AMONG THE LIST OF FOREIGN MINISTERS HE BRIEFED REGARDING THE RECENT AGREEMENT WITH ISRAEL. SYRIA IS CLEARLY ANNOYED BY THE PACT. SYRIA'S GOVERNMENT DAILY NEWSPAPER "TISHREEN" ON TUESDAY CARRIED A PAGE-ONE COMMENTARY CALLING THE TURKISH-ISRAELI AGREEMENT "AN UNCORDIAL ACTION BY THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT TOWARD ARABS" WHICH IS ESCALATING TENSION IN THE REGION. ANOTHER OFFICIAL SYRIAN DAILY NEWSPAPER, "AL-BAATH", CARRIED A REPORT SAYING THAT WHILE SYRIA WOULD NOT ALLOW ITS TERRITORY TO BE USED FOR LAUNCHING ATTACKS AGAINST TURKEY, SYRIA REITERATES ITS RIGHT TO CONFRONT ANY MILITARY ALLIANCE THREATENING ITS SECURITY.

[06] U-S-BOSNIA SERBS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING A SENIOR DIPLOMAT TO BOSNIA, SERBIA AND CROATIA IN AN EFFORT TO LIMIT THE INFLUENCE OF BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED ON WAR CRIMES. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES IS DISMISSING MR. KARADZIC'S THREAT OF HOLDING A REFERENDUM TO CONFIRM HIS POWER.

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS ADMIT MR. KARADZIC HAS WON THE FIRST ROUND OF A POWER STRUGGLE BY REPLACING HIS PRIME MINISTER, WHO WANTED TO COMPLY WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. HOWEVER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT ALLOW MR. KARADZIC TO DEMONSTRATE HIS POWER BY HOLDING A REFERENDUM AHEAD OF ELECTIONS PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER.

THE ELECTIONS WILL CHOOSE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS, BOSNIAN SERB POPULATION. THOSE PEOPLE WILL BE THE PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH THE LIFELINE OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS, WHICH IS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, CARL BILDT, THE RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT. THEY ARE NOT GOING GET MONEY FROM THAT EFFORT UNLESS AND UNTIL THEY MAKE A COMMITMENT TO COMPLY WITH ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THE DAYTON (PEACE) ACCORD SO, KARADZIC, SEE, HE CAN SAY HE WANTS A REFERENDUM. IT WON'T BE HELD. IT WON'T BE HELD BECAUSE WE HAVE SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY TO DENY IT BEING HELD, NUMBER ONE. AND NUMBER TWO, HE CAN'T DELIVER ANYTHING FOR HIS POPULATION BECAUSE HE'S NOT PART OF THE DAYTON PROCESS.

STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL JOHN KORNBLUM IS MAKING A TWO-DAY TRIP TO THE BALKANS TO TURN UP (INCREASE) THE PRESSURE ON THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER. MR. KORNBLUM WILL BE MEETING THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA, CROATIA AND SERBIA THIS WEEK TO WORK ON STRATEGY. MR. KORNBLUM PLANS TO PREPARE FOR SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER'S NEXT MEETING WITH THE BALKAN PRESIDENTS, WHICH IS SCHEDULED BEFORE THE NATO SPRING MEETING IN BERLIN IN EARLY JUNE.

MR. BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL INSIST THAT THOSE PEOPLE INDICTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, LIKE MR. KARADZIC, MUST STEP ASIDE -- AND NO REFERENDUM CAN CHANGE THAT.

WE THINK HE IS A PARIAH (OUTCAST). WE THINK HE, AS AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL, SHOULD BE APPREHENDED AND BROUGHT TO JUSTICE AND WE REFUSE TO DEAL WITH HIM. AS YOU KNOW, HE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RUN IN THE ELECTIONS. I KNOW THAT HE PROPOSED LAST EVENING THE IDEA OF HOLDING A REFERENDUM ON HIS LEADERSHIP. THAT'S AN EMPTY GESTURE. IT'S NOT GOING TO WORK, AND IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

BEFORE THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT LAST NOVEMBER, MR. KARADZIC OFTEN USED A REFERENDUM TO DEFY PRESSURE BY SERBIA AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. (SIGNED)
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21-May-96 3:30 PM EDT (1930 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IS TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS OF ITS EVIDENCE AGAINST BOSNIAN-SERB LEADERS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC. THE TWO HAVE BEEN INDICTED ON CHARGES OF GENOCIDE. A TRIBUNAL SPOKESMAN MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TUESDAY IN THE HAGUE, BUT REFUSED TO GIVE A DATE. AS GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS, HEARINGS OF THIS KIND ARE NOT A TRIAL IN ABSENTIA, BUT ARE HELD WHEN THE TRIBUNAL IS UNABLE TO GAIN CUSTODY OF THE ACCUSED.

TEXT: BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS' MILITARY COMMANDER GENERAL RATKO MLADIC ARE CHARGED WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ALLEGED MASSACRE OF THOUSANDS OF BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, WHEN BOSNIAN-SERB FORCES OVERRAN THE U-N SAFE AREA OF SREBRENICA IN JULY 1995.

A JUDGE AT THE U-N'S INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS ALREADY CALLED WHAT HAPPENED THERE UN-IMAGINABLE SAVAGERY. THE INDICTMENT TALKS OF SUMMARY EXECUTIONS, MASS MURDER, AND OF CHILDREN KILLED BEFORE THEIR MOTHERS' EYES.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF PUBLIC HEARINGS INTO THIS EVIDENCE IS BOTH AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD FOR THE TRIBUNAL AND A RECOGNITION OF ITS FRUSTRATIONS. ITS FIRST TRIAL, OF BOSNIAN-SERB DUSAN TADIC, IS UNDERWAY BUT THE TRIBUNAL IS FREQUENTLY CRITICIZED FOR NOT HAVING DETAINED THE MAJOR FIGUES IN THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT, MEN LIKE MR. KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THESE HEARINGS OF EVIDENCE AGAINST THE TWO MAY WELL BE CONNECTED WITH THE FACT THE TRIBUNAL HAS IN CUSTODY A BOSNIAN-SERB SOLDIER WHO IS REPORTED TO HAVE SAID HE TOOK PART IN THE KILLINGS AT SREBRENICA. HE HAS NOT YET BEEN INDICTED AND THE TRIBUNAL'S RULES ALLOW PROSECUTORS TO OFFER SOMEONE A PLEA BARGAIN IN EXCHANGE FOR GIVING EVIDENCE AGAINST THEIR SUPERIORS.

THE HEARINGS, WHICH WOULD PROBABLY LAST 10-DAYS, MAY ALSO HEAR FROM DUTCH U-N PEACEKEEPERS WHO WERE GUARDING THE ENCLAVE AS IT FELL. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY THERE WILL BE EVIDENCE FROM SURVIVORS OF THE ALLEGED MASSACRE. PART OF THE PURPOSE IS TO GIVE THESE VICTIMS A VOICE AND TO PUT ON PUBLIC RECORD WHAT HAPPENED.

BUT THE HEARINGS ON MR. KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC ARE ALSO AN ADMISSION ANY TRIAL OF THE TWO MEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE IS UNLIKELY. TRIBUNAL SPOKESMAN, CHRISTIAN CHARTIER CALLED THE HEARINGS A REMINDER TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO KEEP ITS WORD AND HAVE MR. KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC ARRESTED.

AT THE END OF THE HEARINGS, A JUDGE AT THE TRIBUNAL WILL PROBABLY CONFIRM THE INDICTMENTS AGAINST THE TWO AND ISSUE AN INTERNATIONAL ARREST WARRANT FOR THEM.

IF THE JUDGE FEELS A STATE HAS BEEN OBSTRUCTIVE IN BRINGING THEM TO JUSTICE HE CAN CHOOSE TO REPORT THAT NATION TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.

IN SIGNING THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS, THE STATES OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA AGREED THOSE INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES WOULD NOT HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE AND WOULD BE ARRESTED. THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT SIGNED AT THE PEACE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR HANDING OVER MR. KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL.

A TRIBUNAL JUDGE IS ALSO FREE TO CRITICIZE INSTITUTIONS WHO FAILED TO COOPERATE WITH THE TRIBUNAL IF HE FEELS IT IS APPROPRIATE. THIS OPENS UP POTENTIALLY ESMBARASSING POSSIBILITIES IF THE TRIBUNAL CHOOSES TO START APPORTIONING BLAME FOR THE FAILURE TO GAIN CUSTODY OF MR. KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC. (SIGNED)
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21-May-96 10:05 AM EDT (1405 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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