Voice of America, 6 June 1996 (1 of 2)

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] ASSESSING THE BALKANS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[03] BOSNIA / SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

[04] BOSNIA/ADMIRAL (S-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

[05] BOSNIA/ARMS CONTROL (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[06] CONGRESS / FOREIGN AID (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

[07] CONGRESS / TURKEY (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

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

INTRO: PATIENCE IS WEARING THIN AMONG THE NATION'S NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL WRITERS REGARDING THE GROUP ANTI-GOVERNMENT ZEALOTS BESIEGED BY THE F-B-I ON A MONTANA RANCH. SEVERAL PAPERS ARE EDITORIALIZING ABOUT THE GROUP, WHO CALL THEMSELVES "FREEMEN", ALONG WITH SUCH TOPICS AS: THE NUCLEAR TEST BAN CONFERENCE; THE ANTI-MISSILE DEBATE IN THE U-S CONGRESS; ISRAEL'S PRIME MINISTER-ELECT; HUNGER IN NORTH KOREA, AND SHADES OF HYPOCRISY IN SINGAPORE. NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN TEN WEEKS SINCE A GROUP OF 18 ARMED MEN AND WOMEN, WITH THREE YOUNG CHILDREN, BARRICADED THEMSELVES IN A MONTANA RANCH AND DARED FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO COME AND GET THEM. SEVERAL OF THE MEN ARE WANTED ON A VARIETY OF FEDERAL AND LOCAL CHARGES, INCLUDING WRITING FRAUDULENT CHECKS AND THREATENING TO KILL A FEDERAL JUDGE. THE GROUP BOASTS ABOUT ITS "PATRIOTIC" RIGHTS AND REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE ANY LAWS ITS OWN. IT HAS ALSO REFUSED ALL MEDIATION ATTEMPTS. NOW, MORE AND MORE PAPERS ARE CALLING ON THE F-B-I, WHICH SURROUNDED THE RANCH ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE STANDOFF, TO TAKE A MORE AGGRESSIVE POSTURE TO END THE SIEGE. TAKE TODAY'S MIAMI HERALD WRITES:

VOICE: "RIGHTLY THE F-B-I ... HAS NEGOTIATED PATIENTLY AND AVERTED A SHOOTOUT, WHICH MANY EXPECT BUT WHICH COULD COST INNOCENT LIVES... [HOWEVER,] JUST AS THE FREEMEN EXHAUSTED THE GOODWILL OF THOSE AROUND THEM, THEY ARE -- DAY BY DAY -- EXHAUSTING THE PATIENCE OF AMERICA AS WELL. ... THE FREEMEN HAVE DONE NOTHING TO EARN THE DEFERENCE THEY'VE BEEN ACCORDED TO DATE."

TEXT: TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES AGREES, SUGGESTING THE SELF-STYLED EXTREMISTS HAVE LOST THE SUPPORT OF EVEN THEIR MOST MILITANT RIGHT-WING COLLEAGUES IN OTHER STATES.

VOICE: "AT SOME POINT THE COMPELLING NEED TO ASSERT THE RULE OF LAW -- ALONG WITH THE MOUNTING COSTS TO THE GOVERNMENT OF MAINTAINING THE STANDOFF -- COULD FORCE AN ARMED MOVE BY THE F-B-I. MEANWHILE ... THEIR OWN DUPLICITOUS AND IRRATIONAL BEHAVIOR HAS NOW REPELLED MOST OF THOSE WHO ONCE MIGHT HAVE BEEN MOVED TO CELEBRATE THEIR SACRIFICE OR INSPIRED TO TRY TO AVENGE IT."

TEXT: AND IN GEORGIA, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SAYS WHATEVER HAPPENS IN MONTANA, IT WILL BE HARD TO BLAME THE F-B-I.

VOICE: "THE ... SIEGE OF THE FREEMEN RANCH ... MAY BE MOVING TOWARD A LESS-THAN-PEACEFUL CONCLUSION... HOWEVER THE SIEGE ENDS, ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY WILL LIE WITH THE COWARDLY AND CRIMINAL FREEMEN..."

TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS, THE BOSTON GLOBE LOOKS, HOPEFULLY, TOWARD GENEVA WHERE THE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY CONFERENCE WORKS ITS AWAY TOWARD A FINAL DOCUMENT.

VOICE: "AFTER FOUR DECADES OF HERCULEAN LABORS, A TEST BAN TREATY IS ON THE VERGE OF COMPLETION. A PROMISING TEXT DRAWN UP BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE TO NEGOTIATE A TREATY, DUTCH AMBASSADOR JAAP RAMAKER, EFFACES BEIJING'S DISINGENUOUS EFFORTS TO PRESERVE THE POSSIBILITY OF 'PEACEFUL' NUCLEAR TESTS. [OPT] THE RAMAKER DRAFT ALSO DISCARDS INDIA'S EQUALLY DISINGENUOUS ATTEMPT TO MAKE A TEST BAN CONDITIONAL ON THE PRIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF COMPLETE NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT BY A GIVEN DATE. BOTH THESE LOOPHOLES WOULD HAVE HAD THE EFFECT OF SABOTAGING A COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN. [END OPT] ... PRESIDENT CLINTON, WHO HAS FOUGHT ADMIRABLY FOR A TEST BAN SHOULD MAKE AN ALL-OUT EFFORT TO PERSUADE THE NUCLEAR POWERS TO CLEAR THE FINAL HURDLE."

TEXT: IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, TODAY'S DENVER POST PRAISES THE SENATE FOR KILLING A PROPOSAL TO BEGIN DEVELOPING AN ANTI-MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM FOR THE NATION, ONE THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID WAS TOO EXPENSIVE AND NOT NECESSARY TO THE NATION'S SECURITY. SAYS THE POST:

VOICE: "WE STRONGLY SUSPECT ... THE MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM SIDELINED IN THE ... SENATE ... WAS DESIGNED MORE TO SHOOT DOWN BILL CLINTON'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN THAN TO PARRY A NUCLEAR ASSAULT FROM MUAMMAR GADDAFI. ... ON THIS ISSUE ... [PRESIDENT] CLINTON IS RIGHT."

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL IS PLEADING WITH EVERYBODY TO GIVE THE NEW PRIME MINISTER-ELECT OF ISRAEL, BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, A CHANCE TO FORMULATE HIS POLICIES BEFORE CHARACTERIZING HIM AS OF ANY PARTICULAR IDEOLOGY.

VOICE: "MR. NETANYAHU WILL NEED TIME TO PUT TOGETHER HIS GOVERNMENT ... AND OUTLINE A SENSE OF DIRECTION. THE BETTER APPROACH BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER GOVERNMENTS INTERESTED IN ISRAEL'S FUTURE COURSE WOULD BE TO GIVE MR. NETANYAHU SOME BREATHING ROOM. THAT COULD BE ACCOMPLISHED WHILE CONTINUING TO HOLD UP PEACE AS THE TOP PRIORITY... THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF TIME TO MAKE INFORMED EVALUATIONS DURING THE COMING MONTHS."

TEXT: TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST IS CONCERNED WITH THE DEEPENING FOOD CRISIS IN NORTH KOREA AND LEADS ITS EDITORIAL COLUMN WITH A PLEA FOR MORE ASSISTANCE. BUT FIRST, A QUESTION:

VOICE: "WHY SHOULD THE WEST DO ANYTHING TO PROLONG WHAT MANY EXPERTS TAKE TO BE ITS [NORTH KOREA'S] DEATH THROES? THE REASON, ACCORDING TO MANY SPECIALISTS .... IS THAT A SUDDEN COLLAPSE COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, PROVOKING CIVIL STRIFE, WAVES OF REFUGEES HEADING SOUTH AND POSSIBLY EVEN A SECOND KOREAN WAR. [OPT] EVEN SHORT OF SUCH A CALAMITY, THE SOUTH COULD END UP DESTABILIZING ITSELF IF IT TRIED TO ABSORB THE POORER NORTH AT ITS CURRENT LEVEL OF DESTITUTION. [END OPT] .... IN SUCH A SITUATION, IT WOULD BE FOOLISH AS WELL AS HARDHEARTED TO LET NORTH KOREA'S PEASANTS STARVE."

TEXT: HYPOCRISY IN SINGAPORE BY THAT THRIVING ASIAN CITY-STATE'S ALL-POWERFUL LEADER, SENIOR MINISTER (AND FORMER LONG-TIME PRIME MINISTER) LEE KUAN YEW, DRAWS SHARP COMMENT FROM TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES.

VOICE: "...LAST MONTH FOREIGN NEWSPAPERS REVEALED THAT [MR. LEE] AND HIS SON HAD ACCEPTED MORE THAN 700-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DISCOUNTS ON ... LUXURY CONDOMINIUMS ... BUT RATHER THAN EXPRESSING REMORSE, ... [MR.] YEW BOASTED OF HIS ABILITY TO RECEIVE VIRTUALLY ANY PERK HE WANTED FROM LOCAL BUSINESS.... TELLING HIS CRITICS TO 'GROW UP,' MR. LEE SNAPS, 'IF YOU WANT AN EQUAL WORLD YOU END UP WITH A COMMUNIST WORLD WITH MAO'S SALARIES.' ... THOSE WHO ... DO BUSINESS IN SINGAPORE THOUGHT THEY WERE PROMISED A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD ... [AND] EQUAL TREATMENT IN THE MARKETPLACE AND BEFORE THE LAW. THAT IS A STANDARD THAT ALLOWS NO EXCEPTIONS, NOT EVEN FOR LEW KUAN YEW..."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, REGARDING NORTHERN IRELAND, AND THE PROSPECT OF PEACE TALKS BEGINNING NEXT WEEK WITHOUT THE I-R-A, WHICH REFUSES TO CALL ANOTHER CEASEFIRE, TODAY'S NEW YORK POST LAMENTS:

VOICE: "THIS NEWS IS OBVIOUSLY UNWELCOME -- BUT IT SHOULDN'T SURPRISE. ..... THE I-R-A, IT SEEMS PLAIN, WILL NOT BE SATISFIED BY ANYTHING SHORT OF A FULL BRITISH WITHDRAWAL FROM ULSTER AND A FORCED INCORPORATION OF THE PROVINCE INTO THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS FROM THE U-S PRESS.
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06-Jun-96 11:59 AM EDT (1559 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ASSESSING THE BALKANS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: IN AN INTERVIEW WITH VOA'S SOUTH EUROPEAN DIVISION, U-S CONGRESSMAN DAVID FUNDERBURK GAVE HIS APPRAISAL OF THE BALKANS AND U-S POLICY TOWARD THAT REGION. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS.

TEXT: A FORMER U-S AMBASSADOR TO ROMANIA, CONGRESSMAN DAVID FUNDERBURK TOLD VOA THAT CONSIDERABLE PATIENCE IS NEEDED IN DEALING WITH THE BALKAN COUNTRIES THAT HAVE EMERGED FROM COMMUNISM:

WE WANT INSTANT SOLUTIONS. SO WE JUST ASSUME THAT COMMUNISM FALLS, AND YOU HAVE DEMOCRACY THE NEXT DAY. AND THIS IS THE ATTITUDE THAT I HEAR WHEREVER I GO AROUND THE COUNTRY. THEN WHEN YOU HEAR THERE IS A BUMP ON THE ROAD, THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED: "WE THOUGHT IT WAS ALL SMOOTH, THAT THE OLD WENT DOWN, AND THE NEW CAME IN." BUT IT REALLY DOES NOT HAPPEN THAT WAY, AND YOU ALMOST NEED A WHOLE NEW GENERATION THAT IS TRAINED IN THE WAY WE OPERATE ECONOMICALLY AS WELL AS POLITICALLY.

TO COAX ROMANIA TO MAKE MORE DEMOCRATIC PROGRESS, MR. FUNDERBURK WANTS TO WITHHOLD MOST FAVORED NATION STATUS IN ITS TRADE RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES:

IN MOST CASES, THE FORMER BLOC COUNTRIES IN EASTERN EUROPE OR FORMER PARTS OF THE SOVIET UNION HAVE HAD ELECTIONS IN WHICH THEY HAVE ELECTED NON-COMMUNISTS TO OFFICE. AND THEN IN MANY CASES, THEY HAVE RETURNED BACK TO ELECT THE OLD COMMUNISTS AGAIN, WHO NOW ARE CALLED "SOCIAL DEMOCRATS" OR WHATEVER. IN ROMANIA'S CASE, THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO HAVE AN ELECTION IN WHICH THEY GOT RID OF THE OLD REGIME OR A CONTINUATION OF THE OLD REGIME.

BECAUSE OF ROMANIA'S SLOW PROGRESS, MR. FUNDERBURK SAYS AMERICANS HAVE TROUBLE DOING BUSINESS THERE:

OFTEN, THEIR PROBLEM IS WITH THE SANCTITY OF A CONTRACT, FOR EXAMPLE. AND CAN THEY MAKE A DEAL THAT WILL BE A DEAL TOMORROW AFTER THEY HAVE INVESTED THE MONEY? THE ROMANIANS IN MANY CASES SAY, "WELL, LET US GRAB THE MONEY TODAY AND GET THE DEAL, AND THEN BOOM! WE ARE GONE." WHEREAS IF THEY ONLY COULD SEE AND WE COULD HELP EXPLAIN TO THEM IF YOU WORK OVER A SIX TO TEN YEAR PERIOD, YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET GREATER PROFITS DOWN THE ROAD. SO WHY NOT LOOK AT THE LONG TERM?

MR. FUNDERBURK ADDS THAT ROMANIANS AND OTHER BALKANS PEOPLE HAVE SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE UNITED STATES. ONE EXAMPLE IS THE PURSUIT OF ALLEGED WAR CRIMINALS:

THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS DISPARITY BETWEEN THE FOCUS AND THE INVESTMENT OF THE AMERICAN ESTABLISHMENT IN WAR CRIMES WITH REGARD TO NAZI CRIMINALS AND FASCIST CRIMINALS BUT ALMOST NO INTEREST IN COMMUNIST CRIMINALS AND COMMUNIST CRIMES, WHICH I THINK IN EASTERN EUROPE WERE EQUAL OR EVEN GREATER. BECAUSE OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS OR CONVENTIONAL WISDOM, THIS HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETELY IGNORED.

CONGRESSMAN DAVID FUNDERBURK SAYS PEOPLE IN THE BALKANS ARE CONFUSED BY THE UNITED STATES SINGLING OUT SOME WAR CRIMINALS WHILE LETTING OTHERS GO FREE AND EVEN RETURN TO OFFICE. (SIGNED)
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06-Jun-96 10:20 AM EDT (1420 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA / SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE HEAD OF THE UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA SAYS HE WILL CALL FOR THE RE-IMPOSITION OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS BECAUSE OF THEIR FAILURE TO COOPERATE WITH THE TRIBUNAL. HOWEVER THE SENIOR INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR IN BOSNIA HAS INDICATED HE DOES NOT EXPECT TO RECOMMEND SUCH A MOVE. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: ON A VISIT TO SARAJEVO THE HEAD OF THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, JUDGE ANTONIO CASSESE, HAS SAID HE WILL CALL FOR THE IMPOSITION OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERBS AT THE BOSNIAN SUMMIT MEETING TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK IN FLORENCE, ITALY.

THE SUMMIT MEETING IS BEING HELD SIX MONTHS AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN TO REVIEW IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT. JUDGE CASSESE ALSO SUGGESTED SANCTIONS SHOULD BE RE-IMPOSED AGAINST SERBIA. SO FAR SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS NOT KEPT HIS PROMISE TO DELIVER SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS, INCLUDING BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC, TO THE TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE.

THE SENIOR INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR IN BOSNIA, CARL BILDT, HAS REACTED CAUTIOUSLY TO JUDGE CASSESE'S REMARKS. MR. BILDT SAID HE WOULD NOT GIVE ADVICE TO THE JUDGE, BUT HE POINTED OUT THERE ARE MANY ELEMENTS TO THE DAYTON AGREEMENT, NOT JUST THE ISSUE OF WAR CRIMINALS.

WHAT I MUST ASSESS IS WHETHER THINGS ARE, BROADLY SPEAKING, MOVING TOWARD SOMETHING THAT COULD GRADUALLY IMPROVE.

MR. BILDT WARNED OF THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY IMPOSITION OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, SOMETHING HIS AIDES HAVE DESCRIBED AS A THERMONUCLEAR WEAPON, AND AS A LAST RESORT.

IF I SEE THAT WE ARE FACED WITH SOMETHING THAT COULD BE THE MORE OR LESS IMMINENT BREAKDOWN OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS, DUE TO MASSIVE, MASSIVE AND DELIBERATE NON-COMPLIANCE, AND IN THOSE CASES WE HAVE MASSIVE INSTRUMENTS AVAILABLE TO USE.

ELECTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE HELD IN BOSNIA IN SEPTEMBER UNLESS THERE IS A MAJOR CATASTROPHE SUCH AS A NEW OUTBREAK OF FIGHTING, AND MR. BILDT SAID WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE ELECTIONS WOULD BE THE KEY TEST FOR THE DAYTON AGREEMENT.

THE TEST IS GOING TO COME AFTER ELECTIONS. A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING NOW IS REALLY PREPARING FOR THE REAL THING, AND THE REAL THING COMES THEN.

BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS HAVE SO FAR SHOWN NO WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT THAT THEY ARE PART OF AN OVERALL BOSNIAN STATE. ONLY AFTER ELECTIONS WERE HELD, SAID MR. BILDT, WOULD IT BECOME CLEAR IF THE PARTIES IN BOSNIA, PARTICULARLY THE BOSNIAN SERBS, WOULD AGREE TO SET-UP AND PARTICIPATE IN BOSNIA-WIDE GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS CALLED FOR IN THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
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06-Jun-96 1:20 PM EDT (1720 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA/ADMIRAL (S-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S NAVY ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH -- COMMANDER OF THE NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA -- IS LEAVING HIS POST IN A MATTER OF WEEKS AND WILL RETIRE FROM THE MILITARY. HOWEVER, DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THE MOVE DOES NOT REFLECT ANY UNHAPPINESS HIS HANDLING OF THE BOSNIA ASSIGNMENT. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: THE PENTAGON SAYS NAVY VICE ADMIRAL JOSEPH LOPEZ HAS BEEN NAMED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON TO REPLACE ADMIRAL SMITH, WHO HAS COMMANDED THE 60-THOUSAND MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE SINCE IT BEGAN ITS MISSION LAST DECEMBER.

ADMIRAL SMITH IS EXPECTED TO RETIRE AFTER SENATE CONFIRMATION OF HIS SUCCESSOR, WHO WILL BE PROMOTED TO FULL ADMIRAL AND ASSUME ADMIRAL SMITH'S OTHER ROLE AS NATO COMMANDER IN SOUTHERN EUROPE.

ADMIRAL SMITH HAD ALREADY SERVED BEYOND THE NORMAL TWO-YEAR TOUR AS REGIONAL NATO CHIEF. AND PENTAGON SPOKESMAN -- NAVY CAPTAIN MIKE DOUBLEDAY -- SAID HIS DEPARTURE IS NOT DUE TO ANY DISSATISFACTION ON THE PART OF DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY OVER HIS HANDLING OF THE BOSNIA MISSION:

SECRETARY PERRY FEELS THAT ADMIRAL SMITH HAS IN THE PAST AND IS CURRENTLY DOING AN ABSOLUTELY FIRST-RATE JOB. HE IS PERFORMING NOT ONLY IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE I-FOR (IMPLEMENTATION FORCE) COMMANDER THE MILITARY ASPECTS, BUT HE'S ALSO A SOLDIER DIPLOMAT.

VICE ADMIRAL LOPEZ, A FORMER COMMANDER OF THE NAVY'S SIXTH FLEET IN THE MEDITERRANEAN, IS EXPECTED TO ASSUME THE BOSNIA POST IN AUGUST. (SIGNED)
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06-Jun-96 5:14 PM EDT (2114 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA/ARMS CONTROL (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: NEGOTIATORS HAVE BEEN MAKING PROGRESS IN TRYING TO CONCLUDE AN ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA BY A THURSDAY NIGHT DEADLINE. BUT, IT IS STILL NOT CLEAR WHETHER THE AGREEMENT WILL BE COMPLETED ON TIME. V-O-A'S WAYNE COREY REPORTS FROM VIENNA.

TEXT: SOME SUBSTANTIVE DIFFERENCES HAVE BEEN NARROWED OR RESOLVED IN THE NEGOTIATIONS ON AN AGREEMENT TO ACHIEVE A BALANCE OF POWER AMONG THE MILITARY FORCES IN WHAT USED TO BE YUGOSLAVIA.

AN IMPORTANT STICKING POINT IS ACTUALLY A PROCEDURAL ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN OTHER NEGOTIATIONS CONCERNING THE SITUATION IN THE BALKANS. THE ISSUE IS HOW THE ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT BEING NEGOTIATED, HERE IN VIENNA, REFERS TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS. THE SERBS WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED AS A PARTY TO THE AGREEMENT BECAUSE THAT WOULD IMPLY A SEPARATE STATUS.

THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WANTS THE SERB REPUBLIC TO BE DESCRIBED AS AN ENTITY AS IT IS IN THE OVERALL PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

DESPITE THE LATE PROGRESS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS, NO ONE IS PREDICTING THAT THE ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT WILL BE COMPLETED AND INITIALLED BY THE THURSDAY NIGHT DEADLINE. THE AGREEMENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE SIGNED IN OSLO, NORWAY, NEXT TUESDAY.

IF THE ACCORD CANNOT BE COMPLETED BECAUSE OF IRRECONCILIABLE DIFFERENCES, THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT PROVIDES A BASIC FORMULA FOR ACHIEVING A BALANCE OF POWER AMONG YUGOSLAVIA, CROATIA, THE SERB REPUBLIC AND THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION IN BOSNIA. BUT, THE BOSNIAN PEACE TREATY DOES NOT, BY ITSELF, PROVIDE FOR EFFECTIVE ARMS CONTROL VERIFICATION. ONE SIDE OR ANOTHER WOULD FIND IT RELATIVELY EASY TO CHEAT AND TO GET AWAY WITH IT.

THIS IS WHY THE ARMS TALKS HERE ARE IMPORTANT. IF THEY SUCCEED AT THE LAST MINUTE AND AN EFFECTIVELY VERIFIABLE AGREEMENT IS REACHED, MORE DURABLE PEACE AND STABILITY ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE ACHIEVED IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
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06-Jun-96 10:36 AM EDT (1436 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] CONGRESS / FOREIGN AID (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

INTRO: THE U-S FOREIGN AID BUDGET FOR 1997 IS NOW BEFORE CONGRESS. AND AS V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS FOREIGN ASSISTANCE SPENDING IS HEADED DOWN AGAIN.

TEXT: IT MAY REPRESENT ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET. BUT FOREIGN AID IS FEELING THE SPENDING CRUNCH.

THE BILL NOW BEFORE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SETS ASIDE 11-POINT-NINE BILLION DOLLARS FOR FOREIGN ASSISTANCE IN 1997. THAT IS ABOUT 500 MILLION DOLLARS LESS THAN THE AMOUNT APPROVED FOR 1996.

REPUBLICAN SONNY CALLAHAN OF ALABAMA CHAIRS THE SUBCOMMITTEE THAT DRAFTED THE BILL. HE MAINTAINS THE AUTHORS OF THE LEGISLATION DID THE BEST THEY COULD AT A TIME OF DWINDLING FEDERAL RESOURCES.

THIS YEAR, IF THIS BILL BECOMES LAW, IT WILL BE LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF OUR OVERALL BUDGET. AND THAT ONE PERCENT CONCENTRATES ON THINGS THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SUPPORT.

THERE IS LESS MONEY FOR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE WORLD BANK...FOR DEVELOPMENT FUNDS...AND DIRECT GRANTS. BUT THERE IS MUCH MORE FOR PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE FOOD AND MEDICINE TO NEEDY CHILDREN.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DON'T LIKE US TO GIVE MONEY GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT. BUT WHEN THEY SEE STARVING CHILDREN, THEY WANT THOSE CHILDREN FED. WHEN THEY SEE CHILDREN DYING OF DISEASES THEY WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT KIND OF PROGRAM. WE CONCENTRATE ON THAT KIND OF ACTIVITY IN THIS BILL.

BUT AS DEBATE ON THE LEGISLATION BEGAN, THERE WERE WARNINGS IN THE HOUSE. VIRGINIA DEMOCRAT JAMES MORAN SAID THE CUTS ARE DANGEROUS AND BOLSTER THE PERCEPTION ABROAD THAT AMERICA IS TURNING INWARD AND ADOPTING AN ISOLATIONIST ATTITUDE

THE REST OF THE WORLD IS LOOKING TO US FOR LEADERSHIP. THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO LEAD.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE SPENDING LEVELS IN THE BILL. BUT IF THERE IS A VETO, IT IS MORE LIKELY IT WILL BE BASED ON LANGUAGE CONTAINED IN THE LEGISLATION DEALING WITH FAMILY PLANNING ASSISTANCE.

THE BILL PUTS RESTRICTIONS ON GRANTS TO FAMILY PLANNING PROGRAMS PARTICULARLY THOSE RUN BY ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS INTERNATIONAL PLANNED PARENTHOOD, THAT SUPPORT ABORTION RIGHTS. PRESIDENT CLINTON OPPOSED A SIMILAR PROVISION LAST YEAR.

THE BILL ALSO TAKES AIM AT ADMINISTRATION POLICY ON HAITI. IT PUTS CONDITIONS ON FURTHER ASSISTANCE -- REQUIRING THE WHITE HOUSE TO CERTIFY THE HAITIAN GOVERNMENT IS FULLY INVESTIGATING A SERIES OF POLITICAL MURDERS. THE REPUBLICAN CHAIR OF THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS -- DAN BURTON OF INDIANA -- SAYS SOME OF THOSE IMPLICATED IN THE CRIMES HAVE TIES TO FORMER HAITIAN PRESIDENT JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS TAKING PLACE IN HAITI AND NONE OF THESE PEOPLE CONNECTED WITH THE GOVERNMENT HAS EVER BEEN BROUGHT TO JUSTICE

TURKEY ALSO COMES IN FOR CRITICISM IN THE BILL. CURRENTLY, IT IS AGAINST U-S LAW TO PROVIDE FOREIGN AID TO ANY COUNTRY THAT BLOCKS THE SHIPMENT OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO OTHERS. HOWEVER, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES CAN ISSUE A WAVER ON NATIONAL SECURITY GROUNDS. PRESIDENT CLINTON RECENTLY DID JUST THAT FOR TURKEY -- WHICH REFUSES TO ACT AS A CORRIDOR FOR AID TO ARMENIA. CONGRESS RESPONDED ANGRILY. LAWMAKERS VOTED TO LIMIT THE WAVER AUTHORITY. WAVERS WILL STILL BE PERMITTED FOR HUMANITARIAN AND MILITARY ASSISTANCE. BUT IF MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE HAVE THEIR WAY, THERE WILL BE NO WAVERS FOR ECONOMIC AID.(SIGNED)
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05-Jun-96 9:56 PM EDT (0156 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] CONGRESS / TURKEY (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

INTRO: AID TO TURKEY IS A HOT TOPIC IN THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS THE ISSUE DOMINATED DEBATE WEDNESDAY ON THE 1997 FOREIGN AID BUDGET.

TEXT: MANY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WANT STRONG LINKAGE BETWEEN AID TO TURKEY AND THAT COUNTRY'S TROUBLED RELATIONSHIP WITH ARMENIA.

DURING CONSIDERATION OF THE 1997 FOREIGN AID BILL, THEY PRESSED THEIR CASE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THEY SAID TURKEY MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE EARLY IN THIS CENTURY AND IT MUST AGREE TO ACT AS A CORRIDOR FOR AID TO MODERN-DAY ARMENIA.

NEW JERSEY DEMOCRAT FRANK PALLONE WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE MOVEMENT TO PUT PRESSURE ON TURKEY. HE SAYS THE BRUTAL MURDERS OF MORE THAN A MILLION ARMENIANS BY THE OTTOMAN TURKS SET THE EXAMPLE FOR THE PERPETRATORS OF THE HOLOCAUST OF WORLD WAR TWO.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS -- IF WE DON'T RECOGNIZE THAT GENOCIDE TAKES PLACE -- IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. AND WE KNOW THAT IT HAPPENS OVER AND OVER AGAIN. HISTORICALLY.

HE SAYS THE TRAGEDY IS COMPOUNDED BY TURKEY'S RELUCTANCE TO HELP ARMENIA AS IT STRUGGLES FOR SURVIVAL. REPUBLICAN PETER VISCLOSKY OF INDIANA AGREES.

IT IS UP TO THE CONGRESS TO MAKE A CLEAR DECISIVE STATEMENT TO TURKEY THAT ITS HOSTILE AND AGGRESSIVE POLICIES AGAINST OTHER COUNTRIES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED OR REWARDED.

BUT OTHER MEMBERS QUESTIONS THE WISDOM OF TARGETING TURKEY FOR CUTS IN AID. REPUBLICAN BOB LIVINGSTON OF LOUISIANA SAYS, SIMPLY, "THIS IS NO WAY TO TREAT A FRIEND."

IT IS A DESTRUCTIVE MEASURE THAT WILL DO NOTHING BUT OFFEND A GREAT ALLY OF THE UNITED STATES AND JEOPARDIZE OUR NATION'S SECURITY.

THE DEBATE ON TURKEY WAS UNIQUELY BIPARTISAN. POSITIONS SEEMED TO CROSS PARTY LINES. BUT REPUBLICAN GREG LAUGHLIN OF TEXAS SAYS POLITICS WAS AT PLAY IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER -- THAT MEMBERS WHO FOUGHT TO PUNISH TURKEY WERE THOSE WITH LARGE NUMBERS OF ARMENIAN AND GREEK AMERICANS IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

WE HAVE A COMMITMENT TO A FRIEND AND IF WE DON'T STAND UP FOR THIS COUNTRY THAT HAS STOOD WITH US EVERY TIME SINCE THE END OF WORLD WAR TWO -- NOT ONE TIME HAVE THEY FAILED TO STAND UP IN THE FIGHT TO PRESERVE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD AND WE ARE GOING TO STICK A KNIFE IN THEIR BACK SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE IS NOT AN EQUAL NUMBER OF TURKISH-AMERICANS IN THIS COUNTRY!

THE DEBATE WAS LOUD AND PASSIONATE. IN THE END, LAWMAKERS APPROVED A SMALL CUT IN ECONOMIC AID TO TURKEY UNTIL IT ACKNOWLEDGES THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE. THEY ALSO VOTED TO TOUGHEN THE HUMANITARIAN-AID CORRIDORS ACT.

THAT BILL WAS PASSED LAST YEAR. IT BANS AID TO COUNTRIES THAT BLOCK SHIPMENTS OF HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES TO OTHERS. BUT THE LEGISLATION ALSO GIVES THE PRESIDENT THE RIGHT TO ISSUE A WAIVER ON NATIONAL SECURITY GROUNDS. AND LAST MONTH, THE PRESIDENT DID JUST THAT FOR TURKEY.

IRATE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SAY THEY LEARNED OF THE WAIVER FROM THE TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER. THEY RESPONDED BY VOTING IN LARGE NUMBERS TO LIMIT ITS USE IN THE FUTURE. THEY SAY, AS OF NOW, A WAIVER CAN ONLY BE ISSUED TO PERMIT HUMANITARIAN AND MILITARY AID THERE WILL BE NO WAIVERS FOR ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE. (SIGNED)
NEB / PW / AC / WOD
06-Jun-96 12:35 AM EDT (0435 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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