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Voice of America, 5 June 1996

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)
  • [02] BOSNIA SITREP (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (PALE)
  • [03] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: BOSNIA - THE RIGHT OF RETURN BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)
  • [04] E-U BEEF (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)
  • [05] EURO SMOKING (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)
  • [06] GERMANY / BRITISH BEEF (L ONLY) BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)
  • [07] U-N/CYPRUS (S ONLY) BY JOE CHAPMAN (UNITED NATIONS)
  • [08] U-S/KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)
  • [09] YUGO ARMS TALKS (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)
  • [10] YUGO WAR CRIMES BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

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

    DATE=06/05/96
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-09612
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES
    CONTENT=
    // EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS PERISHABLE MATERIAL AND BECOMES DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-D-S-T ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5TH //
    (TOPICS INCLUDE: IRA PEACE TALKS / FUTURE OF NATO / CLINTON-DOLE TAX CUT BATTLE / BOSNIA / ANTI-ENVIRONMENT GOP CONGRESSMEN)

    INTRO: AMERICA'S DAILY NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS THIS WEDNESDAY. AMONG THOSE GETTING THE MOST ATTENTION: THE STATUS OF PEACE TALKS IN NORTHERN IRELAND; WHAT THE FUTURE NATO WILL LOOK LIKE; THE INCREASING U-S CAMPAIGN BATTLE OVER TAX CUTS; LINGERING PROBLEMS IN BOSNIA, AND REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE CRITICIZED FOR THEIR VIEWS ON THE ENVIRONMENT. NOW, HERE IS _________________WITH SOME QUOTES, AND A CLOSER LOOK, IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS TAKE ISSUE WITH THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY'S POSITION ON THE PEACE TALKS WITH BRITAIN AFTER THE RECENT ELECTION TO CHOSE REPRESENTATIVES TO THOSE TALKS. THE BOSTON GLOBE CALLS THE I-R-A'S CURRENT POSITION ON THE TALKS "FOLLY":

    VOICE: "EVEN THOUGH A PEACEFUL ELECTION HAS GIVEN ITS ALLIED POLITICAL PARTY A STRONG SHOWING, THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY REFUSES TO RESTORE THE CEASE-FIRE THAT WOULD ALLOW THAT PARTY TO ENTER PEACE TALKS. THIS IS A LOSS FOR THE SINN FEIN PARTY AND FOR ALL THOSE IN NORTHERN IRELAND WHO WANT TO BANISH VIOLENCE FROM THE POLITICAL LIFE OF THE PROVINCE... WITHOUT A CEASE-FIRE, BUILDING A BRIDGE ACROSS IT IS MUCH, MUCH HARDER."

    TEXT: ANOTHER BOSTON DAILY, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, SAYS THE I-R-A "MUST DECLARE A CEASEFIRE" AND THE UNIONISTS "MUST ACCEPT THAT THE STATUS QUO IS NOT VIABLE."

    VOICE: "THE NORTHERN IRELAND VOTE TO ELECT REPRESENTATIVES TO ALL-PARTY PEACE TALKS AFTER JUNE 10TH HAS SHIFTED THE GROUND UNDER HARDENED POSITIONS MORE THAN ANYONE FORESAW. THE BIG SURPRISE WAS THE STRENGTH OF THE VOTE FOR SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. IT GOT A RECORD 15-POINT-FIVE PERCENT... THE QUESTION NOW IS WHETHER SINN FEIN AND THE I-R-A CAN MANEUVER THEIR WAY TO THE PEACE TABLE WITHOUT A NEW I-R-A CEASEFIRE, OR WHETHER THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS WILL HOLD TO THEIR POSITIONS THAT WITHOUT A CEASEFIRE, SINN FEIN WILL NOT GET IN THE DOOR... PEACE IS WITHIN REACH. WHAT'S NEEDED NOW IS THE COURAGE TO TRY."

    TEXT: AND THE NATION'S LARGEST TABLOID, THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, SAYS BRITAIN HAS CONCEDED ENOUGH IN ITS DEALINGS WITH THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, AND PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR IS CORRECT IN INSISTING ON A NEW I-R-A CEASEFIRE:

    VOICE: "[JOHN] MAJOR IS RIGHTLY STANDING FIRM IN HIS INSISTENCE THAT SINN FEIN NOT BE ALLOWED TO JOIN THE TALKS UNLESS THERE IS A NEW CEASEFIRE. BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE I-R-A MUST DISARM. ... IF IT IS TO ASSUME ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE AT THE TABLE, THERE FIRST MUST BE A CEASEFIRE. WITHOUT IT, THE VIOLENCE THAT HAS BATHED NORTHERN IRELAND AND BRITAIN IN BLOOD FOR A QUARTER CENTURY WILL ONLY CONTINUE."

    TEXT: TURNING TO A BROADER EUROPEAN ISSUE, THE FUTURE OF NATO, TODAY'S ORLANDO SENTINEL LOOKS AT NATO'S RESTRUCTURING AS IT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE ORGANIZATION'S MEETING THIS WEEK IN BERLIN.

    VOICE: "PEOPLE WHO VIEW NATO AS AN ANACHRONISM ARE THINKING TOO NARROWLY. NATO IS NEEDED TO HELP ENSURE SECURITY AND STABILITY IN THE FACE OF ONGOING CHALLENGES TO THE TRANS-ATLANTIC REGION. DISBANDING IT AND BRINGING ALL AMERICAN TROOPS HOME WOULD LEAVE A VOID. WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS TO REFINE NATO'S MISSION SO THAT IT IS MORE RELEVANT TO TODAY'S WORLD. IT MAKES SENSE, AS AN EXAMPLE, FOR EUROPEANS TO TAKE ON GREATER RESPONSIBILITIES. [OPT] SMALL FORCES CONSISTING OF EUROPEANS TO DEAL WITH TROUBLE SPOTS IN THAT REGION WILL BE APPROPRIATE BECAUSE IT IS THEIR BACK YEAR. THAT CHANGE WAS APPROVED MONDAY. ANOTHER POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT IS A PLAN FOR NATO .... RESTRUCTURING ITS OPERATION AND BECOMING MORE EFFICIENT." [END OPT]

    TEXT: THERE IS CONTINUING PRESS CRITICISM OF BOTH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND REPBULICAN PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER BOB DOLE OVER OFFERING TAX CUTS TO THE ELECTORATE TO WIN FAVOR, AT THE EXPENSE OF BALANCING THE BUDGET. TODAY'S BALTIMORE SUN COMMENTS:

    VOICE: "THERE THEY GO AGAIN. AFTER QUADRUPLING THE NATIONAL DEBT IN THE REAGAN-BUSH YEARS ... THE SUPPLY-SIDER CROWD [ECONOMIC THEORISTS] IS NOW TRYING TO CAPTURE THEIR OLD NEMESIS, SENATOR BOB DOLE. ... ALL THEY WANT IS THAT HE RESURRECT REAGANOMICS BY EMBRACING A 15 PERCENT, ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUT IN TAX RATES THAT WOULD ADD 90-BILLION A YEAR TO THE DEFICIT. ... THE DANGER IS THAT MR. DOLE MAY FIGURE HIS CAMPAIGN IS IN SUCH DEEP TROUBLE IT CAN BE SAVED ONLY THROUGH WHAT [FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE STEVE] MR. FORBES CALLS 'A DRAMATIC TAX CHANGE AND TAX CUT.' THE DOUBLE DANGER IS THAT MR. CLINTON WILL PILE ON [AGREE AND OFFER A PLAN OF HIS OWN] WITNESS HIS NEW TAX BREAK OFFER FOR COLLEGE TUITION."

    TEXT: AND SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY OF THAT CLINTON PLAN, THE NEW YORK TIMES LAYS WASTE TO THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSAL UNVEILED AT A PRINCETON UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS.

    VOICE: "MR. CLINTON'S PLAN IS SHREWD POLITICS BUT DISAGREEABLE PUBLIC POLICY. THE PRESIDENT WOULD GIVE A 15-HUNDRED-A-YEAR TAX CREDIT FOR TWO YEARS TO FAMILIES EARNING UP TO 100-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR AND PAYING COLLEGE TUITION. FAMILIES TOO POOR TO OWE TAXES WOULD RECEIVE THE SUBSIDY IN CASH... THE IDEA ... IS BETTER THAN ANYTHING MR. DOLE HAS OFFERED. [BUT IT] ... WOULD SHOWER MONEY ON FAMILIES WHO CAN AFFORD COLLEGE WITHOUT FEDERAL HELP. WORSE, BY CUTTING TAX REVENUES, HE WOULD PUT THAT MUCH EXTRA PRESSURE ON CONGRESS TO CUT DISCRETIONARY SPENDING, INCLUDING FEDERAL TUITION GRANTS. [OPT] THE LARGER DANGER IS THAT MR. CLINTON'S TAX CREDIT IDEA IS BUT THE FIRST BLOW IN A LONG BOUT WITH MR. DOLE [OVER CUTTING TAXES]." [END OPT]

    TEXT: REGARDING THE PLANNED SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA [HERZEGOVINA], AND THE TROUBLED PATH TOWARD THAT GOAL, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SAYS CHIEF AMONG THOSE DIFFICULTIES IS BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC:"

    VOICE: "... HIS CONTINUED EXERCISE OF AUTHORITY THWARTS THE EMERGENCE OF ALTERNATIVE POLITICAL VOICES. ... THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS THAT [MR.] KARADZIC MUST GO IF PEACE IS TO HAVE A CHANCE. HE AND [BOSNIAN-SERB MILITIA COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO] MLADIC SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HAGUE. SHORT OF THAT, EVERYTHING POSSIBLE MUST BE DONE TO SO MARGINALIZE HIM [KARADZIC] THAT HE CAN'T DISTORT THE ELECTORAL PROCESS."

    TEXT: FINALLY, IN GEORGIA, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION LEVELS A STRONG ATTACK AGAINST SEVERAL REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMEN, WHOM THE PAPER ACCUSES OF BEING THE CONGRESS "ANTI-ENVIRONMENT SQUAD":

    VOICE: "U-S REPRESENTATIVE DON YOUNG OF ALASKA, FORMER FUR TRAPPER AND TUGBOAT CAPTAIN, [WHO] SEEKS TO OPEN A WILDLIFE REFUGE TO OIL COMPANIES; REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD POMBO OF CALIFORNIA, [A] CATTLE RANCHER, [AND] AN ARDENT FOE OF THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT; REPRESENTATIVE JAMES HANSEN OF UTAH, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE PARKS SUBCOMMITTEE, [WHO] WANTS TO SELL PORTIONS OF THE NATIONAL PARK ... SYSTEM; AND REPRESENTATIVE TOM DELAY OF TEXAS, [A] FORMER PEST EXTERMINATOR, [WHO] WANTS TO LEGALIZE OZONE-DESTROYING CHEMICALS."

    TEXT: THE ATLANTA DAILY IMPLIES THE NATION WOULD BE BETTER OFF IF ALL FOUR MEN WERE NOT REELECTED. AND ON THAT POLITICAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
    NEB/ANG/PCH
    05-Jun-96 12:05 PM EDT (1605 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

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

    DATE=6/5/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-198230
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: NATO OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA APPEAR UNCERTAIN WHETHER NATO TROOPS WILL INCREASE THEIR PRESENCE IN THE BOSNIAN SERB HEADQUARTERS AT PALE OUTSIDE SARAJEVO. NATO IS EXPECTED TO LIMIT THE MOVEMENT OF BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC, WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES, BUT NATO OFFICIALS HAVE ISSUED CONFLICTING STATEMENTS ABOUT ANY NEW POLICY. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM PALE.

    TEXT: THIS SMALL RESORT VILLAGE OUTSIDE SARAJEVO IS THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE BOSNIAN SERB GOVERNMENT, AND HOME TO PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC, WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES.

    ONE KILOMETER FROM THE CENTER OF PALE HEAVILY ARMED GUARDS SIT IN THE SHADE OUTSIDE MR. KARADZIC'S HOUSE.

    THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER HAS NOT BEEN SEEN PUBLICLY FOR MANY DAYS, BUT HE IS ABLE TO DRIVE TO GOVERNMENT OFFICES -- HIDDEN BEHIND THE DARKENED WINDOWS OF HIS MERCEDES SEDAN. AND THERE IS NO SIGN OF ANY NATO SOLDIERS OR VEHICLES ON THE STREETS OF PALE.

    THE ABSENCE OF NATO TROOPS HERE CONTRADICTS STATEMENTS MADE ON WEDNESDAY BY THE DEPUTY COMMANDER OF NATO TROOPS IN BOSNIA, FRENCH GENERAL JEAN HEINRICH. HE SAID NATO TROOPS WOULD INCREASE THEIR PRESENCE IN PALE AND WOULD PATROL EVERY NIGHT AND EVERY DAY HERE.

    AMERICAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID IN RECENT DAYS THAT NATO SOLDIERS WOULD SPECIFICALLY INCREASE THEIR PRESENCE IN PALE IN AN EFFORT TO PUT PRESSURE ON MR. KARADZIC. BUT THE NATO SPOKESMAN IN SARAJEVO, MAJOR SIMON HASELOCK, SAYS THE AMERICAN OFFICIALS DO NOT SPEAK FOR NATO AND HE SAYS NATO IS NOT TARGETING ANY INCREASED PATROLS ON PALE.

    // ACT - HASELOCK //

    WE HAVE RECEIVED NO NEW GUIDANCE AND OUR SITUATION AND POLICY REMAINS AS I HAVE STATED HERE ON THE LAST THREE DAYS CATEGORICALLY AND WITHOUT ANY CHANGE.

    // END ACT //

    NATO OFFICIALS ON THE GROUND HERE ARE ANXIOUS TO AVOID A POTENTIALLY VIOLENT RESPONSE FROM BOSNIAN SERBS IF NATO SOLDIERS TRIED TO FIND AND ARREST MR. KARADZIC. MAJOR HASELOCK SAYS NATO SOLDIERS WILL CONTINUE TO PATROL ACROSS BOSNIA, AND PALE IS NOT SPECIAL.

    // ACT - HASELOCK //

    WE MOUNT PATROLS IN PALE NOW, AND WE HAVE MOUNTED PATROLS THERE VIRTUALLY SINCE OUR ARRIVAL IN THEATER, AS WE DO IN MANY TOWNS AND CITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

    // END ACT //

    DESPITE THESE REMARKS IT SEEMS NATO COMMANDERS ARE GETTING THE MESSAGE FROM THEIR POLITICAL MASTERS THAT MR. KARADZIC'S CONTINUED GRIP ON POWER IN BOSNIA MUST END, AND DESPITE FOOT-DRAGGING BY NATO MAY, AT LAST, BE PREPARING TO ACT MORE AGGRESSIVELY TO LIMIT MR. KARADZIC'S MOVEMENT AROUND BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DF/MH/CF
    05-Jun-96 1:18 PM EDT (1718 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [03] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: BOSNIA - THE RIGHT OF RETURN BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=6/5/96
    TYPE=CURRENT AFFAIRS FEATURE
    NUMBER=3-25208
    TELEPHONE=619-1101
    EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES
    CONTENT= // TAPE INSERTS AVAILABLE FROM AUDIO SERVICES //

    INTRO: ONE OF THE KEY PROVISIONS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS THE RIGHT OF REFUGEES TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. IT HAS ALSO PROVEN TO BE ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT TO IMPLEMENT AFTER FOUR YEARS OF ETHNIC CONFLICT. SERBS IN THE BOSNIAN ENTITY KNOWN AS THE SERB REPUBLIC (REPUBLIKA SRPSKA) HAVE STONED BUSLOADS OF MUSLIM AND CROAT REFUGEES TRYING TO VISIT THEIR FORMER HOMES, AND MUSLIMS HAVE RECENTLY BEEN SETTLED INTO

    FORMER SERB HOMES IN THE SUBURBS OF SARAJEVO. VOA'S

    PAMELA TAYLOR DISCUSSED THE RESETTLEMENT ISSUE WITH BOSNIAN REFUGEES AND HUMANITARIAN WORKERS ASSISTING THEM ON A RECENT VISIT TO BOSNIAN REFUGEE CAMP IN CROATIA.

    TAPE: CUT # 1 DR. ERCEGOVIC RUNS [:] "IN THIS CAMP THERE ARE NOW 29 PEOPLE. BEFORE A FEW MONTHS AGO THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 100 PEOPLE..... (FADE REST UNDER)"

    TEXT: SASA ERCEGOVIC (SASHA AIR-TSAY-GO-VITCH) IS A YOUNG DOCTOR FROM SPLIT WHO WORKS FOR THE HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION 'SAVE THE CHILDREN'. HE RECENTLY TOOK SOME REPORTERS THROUGH THE KASTEL KAMBELOVCI [KAH-SHTEL KAMBEL-OV-TSI] REFUGEE CAMP OUTSIDE SPLIT, ONE OF MANY THAT HE VISITS REGULARLY.

    TAPE: CUT # 2 DR ERCEGOVIC RUNS [:32] "I'M A DOCTOR AND I TRAVEL WITH MY OWN CAR WITH A BAG WITH SOME BASIC DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT, LIKE STETHOSCOPE AND BLOOD PRESSURE METER AND THERMOMETER. THE BASIC THINGS (TAYLOR) SO YOU GO FROM CAMP TO CAMP? (ERCEGOVIC) FROM CAMP TO CAMP, TRYING TO TELL THEM TO GO TO THE DOCTOR. THERE IS A SPECIAL DOCTOR FOR REFUGEES."

    TEXT: DR. ERCEGOVIC EXPLAINED THAT NOW THAT PEACE HAS COME TO BOSNIA, THE NEXT BEST MOVE FOR EVERYONE IS TO GET REFUGEES BACK TO THEIR HOMES -- SOMETHING THAT IS EASIER SAID THAN DONE. HE SAID THOSE REMAINING IN THE KASTEL KAMBELOVCI CAMP ARE ALL BOSNIAN CROATS, WHO'S VILLAGES ARE NOW UNDER MUSLIM CONTROL:

    TAPE: CUT # 3 DR ERCEGOVIC RUNS [:39] "MOST ARE FROM BOGOJNO; ALL ARE CROATS AND THEY CAN'T GO BACK HOME. ONE WOMAN IS FROM KUPRES. THERE IS ONE FAMILY FROM EAST MOSTAR, WHICH IS UNDER THE MUSLIMS. (BEFORE) THEY WERE LIVING IN SMALL COTTAGES, FOUR IN ONE COTTAGE. IT'S VERY BAD LIVING CONDITIONS, AND NOW THEY ARE STILL NOT IDEAL BUT THEY'RE BETTER THAN BEFORE BECAUSE NOW THERE ARE TWO PEOPLE ARE NOW LIVING IN ONE COTTAGE."

    TEXT: AN OLD MAN, ONE OF THE FEW MEN IN THE CAMP THAT DAY, WANTED TO TALK TO THE GROUP OF REPORTERS. DR. ERCEGOVIC TRANSLATED THE OLD MAN'S RAMBLINGS:

    TAPE: CUT # 4 MAN IN SERBO-CROATIAN (ESTABLISH & UNDER) RUNS [:23]

    TAPE: CUT # 5 DR ERCEGOVIC RUNS [:32] "MOST OF THE POPULATION IN THESE CAMPS ARE OLD. A LOT OF OLD WOMEN AND MEN WITH NO FAMILY. THEY JUST SIT HERE AND WAIT. THE MEN WERE IN THE ARMY DURING THE WAR AND AFTERWARDS MOST WERE PRISONERS OF WAR AND THEY ARE (NOW) WORKING ON THE BLACK MARKET -- MOONLIGHTING (UNOFFICIALLY), IS THAT THE ENGLISH WORD? ONE A BAKER, ANOTHER AS A STONE MASON, ANOTHER AS A BUTCHER."

    TEXT: [OPT] AT THAT POINT TWO WOMEN REFUGEES INVITED THE REPORTERS INSIDE THEIR TINY, ONE-ROOM PRE-FAB UNIT. THE PLACE WAS SPOTLESSLY CLEAN, TWO BEDS ON EITHER SIDE OF A MAKESHIFT TABLE WHICH WAS SPREAD WITH AN INVITING ARRAY OF LITTLE CAKES. AS THEY PREPARED COFFEE, THE TURKISH WAY, AND DUG TINY PORCELAIN CUPS OUT OF THEIR NEATLY STACKED BELONGINGS, DR. ERCEGOVIC EXPLAINED THAT FOOD HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE CAMPS. THE REAL PROBLEM IS BOREDOM, HE SAID, AND WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE. ONE OF THE WOMEN TOLD US HOW HER DAUGHTER HAD ARRIVED THE DAY BEFORE FROM SERBIA, WHERE HER SERBIAN HUSBAND HAD SENT HER TO LIVE WITH HIS FAMILY WHEN THE WAR BROKE OUT. SHE REVEALED THAT ALTHOUGH HER INLAWS HAD TREATED HER VERY KINDLY, SHE MISSED HER OWN FAMILY TOO MUCH AND WANTED TO SEE HER HOME AGAIN. SOMEHOW SHE HAD CROSSED UNDETECTED FROM SERBIA INTO CROATIA.

    TAPE: CUT # 6 DR ERCEGOVIC RUNS [:51] "PRACTICALLY ALL THESE REFUGEES WERE RICH FARMERS. DURING THE WAR THEY WORKED IN BOGOJNO FACTORIESAROUND BOGOJNO. PRACTICALLY ARE ALL HAD BIG HOUSES. I SAW THE PHOTOS; MOST OF THEM HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. MOST OF THE YOUNG COUPLES WITH CHILDREN, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN WORKING, ARE TRYING TO FIND A NEW LIFE SOMEWHERE IN BOSNIA. (TAYLOR) NEAR WHERE THEY LIVED BEFORE? (ERCEGOVIC) YES, CLOSE, JUST TO BE CLOSE. MOST ARE GOING TO LIVNO AND FROM TIME TO TIME THEY GO BY BUS TO SEE THEIR LAND BUT THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE ENOUGH TO STAY THE NIGHT." [END OPT]

    TEXT: DR. ERCEGOVIC BELIEVES MOST OF THE REFUGEES WILL RETURN TO BOSNIA BUT NOT TO THE VILLAGES THEY ORIGINALLY CAM FROM. HE QUOTED A RECENT UNITED NATIONS REPORT WHICH ESTIMATES THAT 70 PERCENT OF THE TWO-MILLION DISPLACED BOSNIANS COME FROM AREAS IN WHICH THEY WOULD NOW BE A MINORITY -- ANOTHER TELLING SIGN OF HOW ETHNIC LINES HAVE HARDENED SINCE THE WAR'S BRUTAL ETHNIC CLEANSING. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PAM/PCH
    05-Jun-96 4:10 PM EDT (2010 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [04] E-U BEEF (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

    DATE=6/5/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-198233
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION -- THE EUROPEAN UNION'S CIVIL SERVICE -- HAS DECIDED TO EASE THE EXPORT BAN ON BRITISH BEEF BY PERMITTING TRADE IN THREE BEEF RELATED PRODUCTS. THESE ARE GELATINE, TALLOW AND BULL SEMEN. HOWEVER, BRITAIN HAS BEEN WARNED THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER HELP FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION UNTIL IT DROPS ITS POLICY OF NON-COPERATION WITH ITS EUROPEAN PARTNERS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM VOA NEWS FROM BRUSSELS.

    TEXT: THE POLITICAL DECISON TO EASE THE BEEF BAN WAS TAKEN BY EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSIONERS RATHER THAN MINISTERS BECAUSE SIX GOVERNMENTS BLOCKED AN AGREEMENT WHEN E-U AGRICULTURE MINISTERS MET ON MONDAY.

    THE COUNTRIES CONCERNED ARE GERMANY, HOLLAND, LUXEMBOURG, AUSTRIA, BELGIUM AND PORTUGAL.

    NOW THAT THIS PART OF THE BEEF TRADE CAN BE RESUMED, BRITAIN IS SEEKING AGREEMENT FROM ITS EUROPEAN PARTNERS ON A FRAMEWORK FOR THE STEP-BY-STEP DISMANTLING OF THE REMAINDER OF THE BEEF BAN.

    THE EUROPEAN UNION IMPOSED THE BAN AFTER IT WAS ALLEGED THAT SOME BRITISH CATTLE WERE INFECTED WITH A DISEASE THAT COULD CAUSE FATAL ILLNESS IN HUMANS.

    ONE EARLY STEP WOULD BE THE LIFTING OF THE BAN ON BEEF EXPORTS OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN UNION, SO THAT COUNTRIES LIKE SOUTH AFRICA WHICH HAS INDICATED IT WANTS TO RESUME IMPORTS -- CAN RE-START PURCHASES OF BEEF FROM BRITAIN.

    PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR HAS WARNED THAT UNTIL THERE IS SUCH A DEAL, BRITAIN WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD UP THE BUSINESS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, BY VETOING THOSE DECISIONS WHICH REQUITE UNANIMITY FROM THE 15 E-U GOVERNMENTS.

    EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER HAS CONDENMED THIS BRITISH STANCE, AND WARNED THAT IT WILL PROVE COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE. HE, IN TURN, HAS WARNED BRITAIN THAT THERE WILL BE NO AGREEMENT ON A FRAMEWORK FOR THE LIFTING OF THE REST OF THE BEEF BAN UNTIL THE BRITISH HAVE ABANDONED THEIR POLICY OF NON-COOPERATION IN EUROPE.

    MR. SANTER HAS INTENSIFIED THE PRESSURE BY ADDING THAT THE BRITISH TACTICS RUN COUNTER TO BOTH THE LETTER AND THE SPIRIT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TREATY. HIS AIDS SAY THAT IF THE BRITISH REFUSE TO RETURN TO BUSINESS AS USUAL, THEY MAY FIND THEMSELVES DRAGGED BEFORE THE EUROPEAN COURT IN LUXEMBOURG.

    MR. SANTER HAS DENIED THAT HE WANTS TO BE AT WAR WITH BRITAIN, AND HE POINTS OUT THAT THE BRITISH ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR FAIR PLAY. BUT HE SAYS THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS SHOWN SOLIDARITY WITH BRITAIN -- AND SOLIDARITY IS A TWO-WAY STREET. HE CLAIMS, TOO, THAT THE BRITISH STANCE HAS ALREADY BACKFIRED. HE ARGUES THAT BRITAIN WOULD HAVE WON MORE SUPPORT FROM ITS EUROPEAN PARTNERS AT MONDAY'S MEETING OF EUROPEAN FARM MINISTRERS, IF BRITISH MINISTERS HAD NOT BEEN ACTIVE IN BLOCKING DECISIONS AT OTHER MEETINGS.

    HE SAYS IT IS LUDICROUS THAT SOME OF THE MEASURES BEING BLOCKED ARE CLEARLY IN BRITAIN'S OWN INTERESTS, SUCH AS THE FIGHT AGAINST FRAUD, AND ANTI-RACISM. THE PRESSURE ON BRITAIN IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE THURSDAY, WHEN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IS EXPECTED TO CONDEMN THE BRITISH STANCE, AND TO CALL FOR THE BRITISH TO BE STRIPPED OF THEIR VETO POWERS IN EUROPE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/JF/MH/CF
    05-Jun-96 1:39 PM EDT (1739 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [05] EURO SMOKING (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

    DATE=6/5/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-198231
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: AMERICA'S PHILLIP MORRIS, THE WORLD'S BIGGEST CIGARETTE MAKER, HAS LAUNCHED A CONTINENT WIDE CAMPAIGN AIMED AT DISSUADING EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS FROM IMPLEMENTING U-S STYLE REGULATIONS ON WHERE PEOPLE CAN SMOKE. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM PRAGUE.

    TEXT: THE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN INITIALLY AIMS AT THE PRINT MEDIA IN THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER STATES. ENTITLED SECOND-HAND TOBACCO SMOKE IN PERSPECTIVE, PHILLIP MORRIS ATTACKS THE LEGITIMACY OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WHICH HOLDS THAT PASSIVE SMOKE POSES A HEALTH RISK.

    THE COMPANY CLAIMS THERE IS NO STATISTICAL EVIDENCE THAT CIGARETTE SMOKE CAN CAUSE CANCER IN NON-SMOKERS.

    THE CAMPAIGN FEATURES FULL PAGE ADS IN THE WEDNESDAY EDITIONS OF THE WALL STREET JOURNAL EUROPE AND THE FINANCIAL TIMES. THE AD SUGGESTS THAT ANTI-SMOKING LEGISLATION IS BASED MORE ON PERCEIVED POLITICAL CORRECTNESS THAN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. IT SAYS THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT EATING PEPPER, DRINKING CHLORINATED WATER, OR EATING COOKIES CAN POSE A HIGHER HEALTH RISK THAN SECONDARY SMOKE.

    ANALYSTS SAY PHILLIP MORRIS HAS LAUNCHED ITS EUROPEAN OFFENSIVE BECAUSE THE CONTINENT REPRESENTS A RICH MARKET FOR THE COMPANY. THERE ARE 97 MILLION SMOKERS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION COMPARED TO ONLY 50 MILLION IN THE UNITED STATES. THE CAMPAIGN IS EXPECTED TO EXTEND LATER TO EASTERN EUROPE, WHICH IS A BIG AND GROWING PHILLIP MORRIS MARKET.

    IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC PHILLIP MORRIS HAS TWO THIRDS OF THE CIGARETTE MARKET. IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION 700 BILLION CIGARETTES ARE SOLD PER YEAR COMPARED TO 500 BILLION IN NORTH AMERICA. PHILLIP MORRIS IS IN THE MIDST OF INVESTING ONE-POINT-FIVE BILLION DOLLARS IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION.

    THE AD CAMPAIGN WILL GO ON FOR SIX WEEKS. EUROPEAN UNION REGULATORS DISAPPROVE AND CALL ATTENTION TO ABOUT 40 LAWS ALREADY IN EFFECT REGULATING WHEN AND WHERE PEOPLE CAN SMOKE. PHILLIP MORRIS SPEAKS OF SMOKERS RIGHTS AND BOGUS SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

    THE ADS CONCEDE THAT SMOKING ITSELF IS A RISK BUT THAT THE ASSAULT ON SECOND HAND SMOKE GOES TOO FAR AND DEFIES COMMON SENSE.

    THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION SAYS THE PHILLIP MORRIS FOCUS IGNORES THE WIDER IMPACT OF PASSIVE SMOKE. IT SAYS THAT SINCE SMOKERS ONLY INHALE 15 PERCENT OF THEIR CIGARETTE'S SMOKE THE TOXIC REMAINDER IS IN THE AIR AND INHALED BY PEOPLE NEARBY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/BDW/MH/CF
    05-Jun-96 1:05 PM EDT (1705 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [06] GERMANY / BRITISH BEEF (L ONLY) BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)

    DATE=6/5/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-198216
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY MALCOLM RIFKIND AND AGRICULTURE SECRETARY DOUGLAS HOGG HAVE BEGUN A WHIRLWIND TOUR OF EUROPEAN CAPITALS IN A BID TO WIN EUROPEAN UNION SUPPORT FOR FURTHER EASING A BAN ON BRITISH BEEF EXPORTS. // OPT // THE UNION'S EXECUTIVE COMMISSION HAS VOTED TO ALLOW THE SALE OF THREE BEEF BY-PRODUCTS, BUT NOT THE MEAT. // END OPT // V-O-A'S DAGMAR BREITENBACH IN BONN REPORTS GERMANY IS ONE OF THE E-U COUNTRIES OPPOSED TO A RELAXATION OF THE BAN.

    TEXT: IN TALKS WITH THEIR GERMAN COUNTERPARTS, THE BRITISH FOREIGN AND AGRICULTURAL SECRETARIES MADE IT CLEAR THAT BRITAIN WANTS GERMANY TO AGREE TO A PARTIAL LIFTING OF THE BAN ON BRITISH BEEF.

    BUT THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAS SAID IT WILL NOT AGREE TO EASING THE BAN UNTIL IT IS CLEAR THAT BRITAIN IS RIGOROUSLY FIGHTING MAD COW DISEASE. THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SAID IN A STATEMENT AFTER THE TALKS THAT THERE STILL IS CONSIDERABLE DOUBT ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF THESE MEASURES IN BRITAIN. THE BONN GOVERNMENT HAS DEMANDED THAT ANY LIFTING OF THE BAN ON BEEF EXPORTS MUST BE SCIENTIFICALLY JUSTIFIED.

    THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN A TOUGH STANCE IN THE MAD COW DISPUTE. IN MARCH -- AFTER A POSSIBLE LINK BECAME KNOWN BETWEEN MAD COW DISEASE, OR B-S-E, AND A FATAL HUMAN BRAIN CONDITION, CREUTZFELD-JAKOB DISEASE -- BONN IMPOSED A UNILATERAL BAN ON BRITISH BEEF SHORTLY BEFORE THE EUROPEAN UNION DECIDED TO IMPOSE A BAN OF ITS OWN.

    IN GERMANY, IMPORT OF BRITISH BEEF AND ALL BY-PRODUCTS IS FORBIDDEN UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER, WHEN POLITICIANS HOPE TO HAVE FOUND A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.

    IN THE MEANTIME, BRITAIN IS OBSTRUCTING EUROPEAN UNION BUSINESS BY BLOCKING ALL INITIATIVES REQUIRING UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. BRITAIN WANTS OTHER E-U GOVERNMENTS TO AGREE ON A PLAN FOR THE STEP-BY-STEP REMOVAL OF THE BAN ON BEEF EXPORTS, WHICH ARE WORTH SEVERAL HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

    THE TWO BRITISH MINISTERS ALSO WILL VISIT ROME, PARIS, MADRID, AND LISBON DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DB/JWH/MMK
    05-Jun-96 9:38 AM EDT (1338 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [07] U-N/CYPRUS (S ONLY) BY JOE CHAPMAN (UNITED NATIONS)

    DATE=6/5/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-198246
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: OFFICIALS AT THE UNITED NATIONS SAID WEDNESDAY THEY ARE INVESTIGATING THE KILLING OF A GREEK CYPRIOT NATIONAL GUARDSMAN IN A NEUTRAL BUFFER ZONE. V-O-A'S JOE CHAPMAN REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

    TEXT: CYPRUS LODGED A STRONG PROTEST WITH THE UNITED NATIONS ABOUT THE KILLING OF A GREEK CYPRIOT NATIONAL GUARDSMAN BY A TURKISH CYPRIOT SOLDIER.

    CYPRUS SAID THE DEAD SOLDIER WAS UNARMED AND KILLED IN COLD BLOOD IN THE BUFFER ZONE OF NICOSIA THAT HAS SEPARATED GREEK AND TURKISH GROUPS FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

    THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT, NABIL ELARABY OF EGYPT, CALLS THE KILLING "A TRAGIC INCIDENT." HE SAYS IT IS A REMINDER OF THE NEED FOR PROGRESS TOWARD A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF CYPRUS AND THE NEED TO REMOVE WEAPONS FROM THE AREA.

    THE CYPRIOT LETTER TO U-N SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI SAYS THE LOCAL U-N COMMANDER COULD NOT APPROACH THE DEAD SOLDIER IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE OF GUNFIRE FROM TURKISH-CYPRIOTS.

    MR. ELARABY SAYS THE SECURITY COUNCIL WILL WAIT ON THE RESULTS OF A U-N INVESTIGATION INTO THE SHOOTING. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/JMC/LSF/PT
    05-Jun-96 6:18 PM EDT (2218 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [08] U-S/KOSOVO (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

    DATE=6/5/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-198228
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS OPENED AN OFFICE IN THE TROUBLED YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. THE PURPOSE OF THE OFFICE IS TO HELP EASE TENSION BETWEEN KOSOVO'S ETHNIC SERBS AND THE MAJORITY ETHNIC ALBANIANS. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

    TEXT: THE U-S INFORMATION SERVICE OFFICE IN THE KOSOVO PROVINCIAL CAPITAL, PRISTINA, WAS OPENED BY THE AMERICAN SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE BALKANS, JOHN KORNBLUM.

    AT A CEREMONY, KOSOVO'S ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER, IBRAHIM RUGOVA AND SERBIAN REPRESENTATIVE ALEKSA JOKIC, SHOOK HANDS.

    REFERRING TO THE PRESENCE OF THE SERBS AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS, MR. KORNBLUM SAID THE UNITED STATES MAY HAVE ALREADY MADE A SMALL CONTRIBUTION TOWARD A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE PEOPLES OF KOSOVO. BUT, HE SAID THE UNITED STATES CANNOT SOLVE THE PROVINCE'S PROBLEMS AND WILL LAUNCH NO MAJOR INITIATIVE TO TRY TO DO SO. HE SAID THE PEOPLE OF THE REGION MUST SOLVE THEIR OWN PROBLEMS.

    THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY WANTS INDEPENDENCE ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT IS BEING SUPPRESSED BY THE SERBIANS. THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER MAJOR POWERS FAVOR THE RESTORATION OF KOSOVO'S AUTONOMY.

    SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC STRIPPED THE PROVINCE OF ITS AUTONOMY IN 1989. (SIGNED)
    NEB/WC/MH/MMK
    05-Jun-96 12:14 PM EDT (1614 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [09] YUGO ARMS TALKS (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

    DATE=6/5/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-198223
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE FORMER WARRING FORCES IN WHAT USED TO BE YUGOSLAVIA ARE APPROACHING A DEADLINE FOR AN AGREEMENT TO ACHIEVE A BALANCE OF MILITARY POWER IN THE REGION. V-O-A'S WAYNE COREY IN VIENNA REPORTS IT IS NOT YET CLEAR IF NEGOTIATORS WILL MEET THE THURSDAY DEADLINE, SET BY THE PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

    TEXT: DIPLOMATIC SOURCES HERE SAY THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE SERIOUS AND INTENSE BUT A NUMBER OF SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL ISSUES STILL NEED TO BE RESOLVED.

    ONE OUTSTANDING PROCEDURAL ISSUE IS HOW THE PROJECTED ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT WOULD REFER TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS. THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WANTS THE AGREEMENT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THE SERB REPUBLIC IS PART OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

    IT IS UNDERSTOOD THE UNRESOLVED SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES INCLUDE THE TIME FRAME FOR DESTROYING WEAPONS THAT EXCEED THE PROPOSED AGREEMENT'S LIMITS.

    THERE ARE ALSO STILL DIFFERENCES OVER JUST HOW TO ACHIEVE A BALANCE OF POWER AMONG YUGOSLAVIA, THE BOSNIAN SERBS, MUSLIMS AND CROATS, AND CROATIA, HOW TO VERIFY AN AGREEMENT AND WHO SHOULD VERIFY IT.

    UNDER THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT, VERIFICATION IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE. BUT, YUGOSLAVIA BELIEVES IT SHOULD BE READMITTED TO THE O-S-C-E BEFORE THAT ORGANIZATION PLAYS ITS VERIFICATION ROLE.

    DIPLOMATIC SOURCES DO NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT COULD STILL BE COMPLETED AND INITIALED ON THURSDAY. BUT, THE SOURCES ARE NOT WILLING TO PREDICT THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN.

    IT WOULD NOT MATTER MUCH IF THE ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT COULD NOT BE INITIALED FOR SEVERAL MORE DAYS. BUT THE NEGOTIATING TIME IS LIMITED. THE AGREEMENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE SIGNED IN OSLO, NORWAY, NEXT TUESDAY.

    THE NEGOTIATIONS BEGAN, HERE IN VIENNA, SIX MONTHS AGO. DIPLOMATIC SOURCES SAY THE KEY QUESTION IS WHETHER BALKAN LEADERS HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL NOW TO COMPLETE AND THEN IMPLEMENT AN IMPORTANT AGREEMENT THAT WOULD HELP ENSURE REGIONAL PEACE AND STABILITY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/WC/JWH/JM
    05-Jun-96 10:30 AM EDT (1430 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

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

    DATE=6/5/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-198225
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE PRESIDENT OF THE U-N'S YUGOSLAVIA WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS ACCUSED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF ISSUING A "LICENSE TO KILL" FOR FUTURE TYRANTS BY ITS FAILURE TO ARREST WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS. IN THE TEXT OF A SPEECH TO BE DELIVERED NEXT WEEK, ANTONIO CASSESE ALSO SAYS THAT FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA ARE THREATENED. FROM THE HAGUE, GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS.

    TEXT: WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL PRESIDENT, ANTONIO CASSESE SAYS THERE CAN BE NO COMPROMISE ON THE QUESTION OF ARRESTING WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS AND THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEEDS TO -- AS HE PUTS IT -- KEEP ITS BACK STRAIGHT ON THE ISSUE. IF WAR CRIMES ARE IGNORED, HE SAYS, THEN THE VICTIMS ARE IN EFFECT BURIED TWICE.

    HIS INDICTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL INACTION WILL BE MADE AT A CONFERENCE IN FLORENCE NEXT WEEK TO REVIEW THE WORKING OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. THE CREDIBILITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, MR. CASSESE ARGUES, CAN ONLY BE PRESERVED IF IT ALLOWS THE TRIBUNAL TO DO WHAT IT WAS SET UP TO DO.

    HIS CRITICISM IS THE HARSHEST SO FAR MADE BY A TRIBUNAL OFFICIAL AND HIGHLIGHTS WHAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ITS BIGGEST PROBLEM. OF THE 58 PEOPLE SO FAR CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES, ONLY SIX ARE IN CUSTODY AND MOST OF THEM ARE LOW DOWN THE CHAIN OF COMMAND. MEN LIKE THE BOSNIAN POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS -- RADOVAN KARADZIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC -- INDICTED TWICE ON CHARGES OF GENOCIDE, REMAIN FREE. THE TRIBUNAL'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR, RICHARD GOLDSTONE, HAS ADMITTED THAT UNTIL THEY ARE PUT ON TRIAL, THE CREDIBILITY OF THE WHOLE INSTITUTION IS IN DOUBT.

    PRESIDENT CASSESE WILL APPEAL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO LIVE UP TO IT OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE DAYTON ACCORDS AND NOT, IN HIS WORDS, SEPARATE PEACE FROM JUSTICE.

    THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR ARRESTING WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS LIES WITH THE NATIONS OF THE FORMER YUGOSIAVIA BUT THE NATO-LED PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE -- I-FOR -- HAS ALSO SAID IT WILL ARREST ANY SUSPECTS IT COMES ACROSS. SO FAR THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED.

    THE TEXT OF MR. CASSESE'S SPEECH WAS RELEASED AS HE HELD TALKS IN BELGRADE WITH OFFICIALS REPRESENTING THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. HE IS SEEN AS KEY TO ANY INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO FORCE MEN LIKE MR KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC OUT OF OFFICE.

    BUT THERE MAY ALSO BE HARSH WORDS ABOUT THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT'S OWN INACTION ON THE QUESTION OF WAR CRIMES. NOT ONE OF THE MEN INDICTED BY THE TRIBUNAL NOW LIVING IN SERBIA HAS BEEN SENT TO THE HAGUE AS REQUIRED UNDER DAYTON. THE FAIRNESS OF ELECTIONS -- PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER -- IS ALSO IN DOUBT ACCORDING TO PRESIDENT CASSESE. HOW, HE ASKS, CAN THEY BE HELD FREELY IN AN ATMOSPHERE POLLUTED BY ALLEGED WAR CRIMINALS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/GS/CF
    NEB/GS/MH
    05-Jun-96 11:15 AM EDT (1515 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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