Voice of America, 96-06-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON-GREECE-TURKEY (S ONLY) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

[02] TURKEY/N. IRAQ (CORRECTED) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (ANKARA)

[03] PERRY / MACEDONIA (S & L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (SKOPJE)

[04] ISRAEL / TURKEY BY AL PESSIN (JERUSALEM)

[05] ALBANIA/COMMUNISTS (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[06] BOSNIA CONFERENCE BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[07] YUGO ARMS TALKS (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[08] PERRY BOSNIA FORCE (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (SKOPJE)

[09] BOSNIA FORCE (S) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

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

[11] NATO/ BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (BRUSSELS)

[12] CLINTON-BOSNIA FORCE UPDATE (S &L) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

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

[01] CLINTON-GREECE-TURKEY (S ONLY) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT CONTINUING TENSIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA HAS THE LATEST.

TEXT: CONTINUING TENSION BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY WAS NOT A SUBJECT OF CONVERSATION BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VISITING EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT JACQUES SANTER AND THE VISITING EUROPEAN UNION PRESIDENT, NOW ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER ROMANO RODI WEDNESDAY.

BUT ASKED ABOUT IT AT A POST-MEETING NEWS CONFERENCE, PRESIDENT CLINTON HAD A LOT TO SAY:

I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT-- BOTH THOSE NATIONS ARE OUR ALLIES AND EUROPE'S ALLIES THROUGH NATO, AND I BELIEVE THE FUTURE OF THE REGION WHICH THEY BOTH OCCUPY WILL BE IMMEASURABLY BRIGHTER IF THEY RESOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS AND IMMEASURABLY DARKER IF THEY CANNOT. AND SO IT'S A SOURCE OF GREAT CONCERN TO ME, AND WE'VE INVESTED QUITE A BIT OF TIME ON IT IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND I EXPECT TO INVEST EVEN MORE TIME ON IT.

IN THE MOST RECENT ESCALATION OF TENSION, GREECE HAS CHARGED TURKEY WITH VIOLATING ITS TERRITORIAL WATERS. LAST JANUARY, U-S MEDIATION HELPED AVERT A CLASH BETWEEN THE TWO OVER AN UNINHABITED ISLAND. (SIGNED)
NEB/BORG/GKT/LWM
12-Jun-96 6:37 PM EDT (2237 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] TURKEY/N. IRAQ (CORRECTED) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: IN THE MIDST OF TURKEY'S GOVERNMENT CRISIS, THE PARLIAMENT MUST TAKE UP THE ISSUE OF EXTENDING "OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT" FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS. THE MANDATE EXPIRES AT THE END OF JUNE. THE MULTI-NATIONAL SECURITY UMBRELLA FOR NORTHERN IRAQ WAS SET UP AFTER THE 1991 GULF WAR TO DELIVER FOOD AND OTHER HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES TO KURDISH COMMUNITIES OF NORTHERN IRAQ AND TO DETER IRAQI AGGRESSION AGAINST THE AUTONOMOUS AREAS. BUT, AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN ANKARA, OPPOSITION TO THE HUMANITARIAN PROJECT IS MOUNTING IN TURKEY'S PARLIAMENT.

TEXT: MANY TURKISH PARLIAMENTARIANS NOW SAY "OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT" HAS OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS. THEY WANT TO SEE IT ENDED, OR AT LEAST AMENDED.

SOME EVEN CHARGE THAT THE HUMANITARIAN PROJECT FOR IRAQI KURDS HAS BECOME A SECURITY SHIELD FOR TURKEY'S KURDISH REBELS, THE P-K-K. THEY SAY THE P-K-K HIT CIVILIAN AND MILITARY TARGETS IN TURKEY AND SEEK REFUGE ACROSS THE BORDER IN NORTHERN IRAQ.

KAMRAN INAN IS FOREIGN AFFAIRS SPOKESMAN FOR THE MOTHERLAND PARTY AND A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

THE PART THAT CREATES (THE) MOST REACTION IN THIS COUNTRY IS . . . BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF THIS FORCE, AND BECAUSE OF ELIMINATING SOVEREIGNTY AND AUTHORITY OF IRAQ'S CENTRAL GOVERNMENT ON THE NORTHERN PART, THE NORTHERN PART BECAME A NO-MAN'S LAND -- A HAVEN FOR INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM. AND THIS TERRORISM IS BASICALLY USED AGAINST THIS COUNTRY.

MR. INAN SAYS IT IS TIME TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT SOLUTION FOR THE KURDS IN NORTHERN IRAQ AND PRESS THEM TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR BORDER SECURITY.

URFAN DEMIRALP OF THE "TRUE PATH PARTY" IS BLUNT ABOUT THE REASONS HE OPPOSES OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT.

AT THE VERY BEGINNING WE THOUGHT THAT THE OPERATION, JUST LIKE ITS NAME, WOULD PROVIDE AN UMBRELLA FOR THE REGION. BUT THAT FORCE PROVIDED UMBRELLA NOT FOR THE REGION, BUT FOR TERRORISTS.

FIVE YEARS LATER, /// END OPT ///

THE MULTI-NATIONAL COALITION OF U-S, BRITISH, FRENCH AND TURKISH SOLDIERS CONTINUE TO PATROL NORTHERN IRAQ. STILL, TURKEY COMPLAINS OF A POWER VACUUM IN NORTHERN IRAQ BECAUSE OF POLITICAL INFIGHTING BETWEEN RIVAL IRAQI KURDISH GROUPS THERE. AND THAT, THE TURKISH POLITICIANS ARGUE, GIVES THE P-K-K A PLACE TO HIDE.

SAFEEN DIZAYEE OF THE IRAQI "KURDISH DEMOCRATIC PARTY" INSISTS THIS IS A MISPERCEPTION OF THE ROLE OF OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT THAT COULD BE JUST POLITICAL POSTURING FOR DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION.

THERE ARE ACCUSATIONS THAT IT IS HELPING TO ESTABLISH A KURDISH ENTITY IN IRAQI KURDISTAN OR IT IS HELPING THE P-K-K IN THE REGION. THESE ACCUSATIONS ARE TOTALLY BASELESS SINCE ON EVERY MISSION, OR FLIGHTS, . . . THE OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT (HAS) TURKISH OFFICERS AS OBSERVERS. AND EVEN AT THE OFFICE IN ZAHKO (NORTHERN IRAQ) THERE IS A SENIOR TURKISH OFFICER PRESENT, ALONG WITH BRITISH FRENCH AND AND AMERICANS. SO I DON'T THINK THE ACCUSATIONS (ARE) VALID.

ANALYSTS SUGGEST THAT TURKEY'S MILITARY USES "PROVIDE COMFORT" AS A SHIELD TO MONITOR ANY SEPARATIST MOVEMENTS ALONG THE BORDER.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS DESCRIBE THE UPCOMING PARLIAMENTARY VOTE ON EXTENDING OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT AS TOUCH AND GO (TENUOUS), ESPECIALLY DURING THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT CRISIS SPARKED BY THE COLLAPSE OF THE THE FOUR-MONTH-OLD RIGHT-WING COALITION.

SOME TURKISH POLITICIANS TALK OF MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PROJECT TO SATISFY CIVILIAN OBJECTIONS. BUT SEVERAL PARLIAMENTARIANS NOW SAY THEY ARE OUTRAGED BY A U-S CONGRESSIONAL ATTEMPT TO PUT CONDITIONS ON A ROUTINE 25-MILLION DOLLAR ECONOMIC AID PACKAGE FOR TURKEY. THEY SAY THEY MAY SCRAP PROVIDE COMFORT ON PRINCIPAL.

[03] PERRY / MACEDONIA (S & L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (SKOPJE)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY -- ON A VISIT TO THE BALKANS -- SAYS NATO IS CONSIDERING A CONTINUING MILITARY PRESENCE IN BOSNIA, AFTER THE CURRENT PEACEKEEPING MISSION ENDS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS MR. PERRY DISCUSSED THE ISSUE IN SKOPJE WITH MACEDONIA'S PRESIDENT, KIRO GLIGOROV.

TEXT: MR. PERRY SAYS NO DECISIONS HAVE YET BEEN MADE. BUT HE SAYS A FOLLOW-ON NATO PRESENCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA MIGHT INCLUDE ALLIED AIR OPERATIONS STAGED FROM NORTHERN ITALY, PERHAPS SUPPLEMENTED BY A RAPID DEPLOYMENT FORCE BASED IN BOSNIA OR IN A NEIGHBORING COUNTRY.

THE SECRETARY'S REMARKS (TO REPORTERS TRAVELING WITH HIM TO MACEDONIA) WERE THE MOST EXTENSIVE BY A SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL ABOUT A NATO PRESENCE IN BOSNIA AFTER THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE COMPLETES ITS MISSION AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

THE DEFENSE SECRETARY SAID A RENEWAL OF FULL-SCALE HOSTILITIES IN 1997 APPEARS UNLIKELY, BUT NATO WILL NOT WANT TO GIVE UP ON AN INVESTMENT IT HAS ALREADY MADE IN PEACE IN BOSNIA. HE SAID THE ALLIES MAY DECIDE ON A CONTINUED PRESENCE THAT INCLUDES GROUND TROOPS.

MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT KIRO GLIGOROV SAID HE TOLD MR. PERRY, IN THEIR MEETING IN SKOPJE, A RENEWAL OF BALKANS WARFARE IS A REAL DANGER -- IF NATO WITHDRAWS COMPLETELY AT YEAR'S END.

MR. PERRY AND OTHER NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS WILL DISCUSS INFORMALLY THE ISSUE OF A SUCCESSOR FORCE AT THEIR MEETING BEGINNING THURSDAY IN BRUSSELS.

IN AN INTERVIEW WITH AMERICAN REPORTERS, PRESIDENT GLIGOROV SAID HIS COUNTRY'S PROSPECTS HAVE IMPROVED SINCE GREECE'S SUSPENSION OF ITS ECONOMIC BLOCKADE AGAINST MACEDONIA, AND THE EASING OF U-N ECONOMIC SANCTIONS THAT CURTAILED TRADE WITH NEIGHBORING SERBIA.

BUT HE SAID THE RE-OPENING OF THE COUNTRY'S NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN BORDERS HAS YET TO PRODUCE A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN THE ECONOMY.

THE MACEDONIAN LEADER SAID THE 12-HUNDRED-MEMBER U-N PEACEKEEPING FORCE PATROLLING HIS COUNTRY'S BORDER WITH SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE SHOULD REMAIN UNTIL DISPUTES WITH SERBIA ABOUT KOSOVO ARE RESOLVED AND PEACE IN BOSNIA IS CONSOLIDATED.

U-S TROOPS MAKE UP NEARLY ONE-HALF THE U-N FORCE IN MACEDONIA, WHICH MR. PERRY SAID HAS BEEN A GREAT SUCCESS AND MAY BE EXTENDED BEYOND ITS CURRENT SECURITY COUNCIL MANDATE THAT EXPIRES AT THE END OF NOVEMBER.

THE DEFENSE SECRETARY HELPED DEDICATE A MACEDONIAN ARMY TRAINING CENTER NAMED IN HONOR OF THE LATE PENTAGON OFFICIAL JOSEPH KRUZEL, WHO DIED IN A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA LAST YEAR WHILE HELPING NEGOTIATE THE DAYTON ACCORDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/JWH/RAE
12-Jun-96 9:12 AM EDT (1312 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] ISRAEL / TURKEY BY AL PESSIN (JERUSALEM)

INTRO: ISRAEL'S PRESIDENT, EZER WEIZMAN, IS IN TURKEY FOR THE U-N HABITAT CONFERENCE, AND FOR MEETINGS WITH TURKISH OFFICIALS ABOUT THE CONTROVERSIAL ISRAEL-TURKEY RELATIONSHIP -- PARTICULARLY THEIR NEW DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT. V-O-A'S AL PESSIN IN JERUSALEM REPORTS ON ISRAEL-TURKEY RELATIONS, THE CRITICISM THE RELATIONSHIP HAS COME UNDER IN RECENT WEEKS, AND POLITICAL CHANGES THAT THREATEN ITS FUTURE.

TEXT: TURKEY IS ISRAEL'S CLOSEST FRIEND AMONG ISLAMIC COUNTRIES, BUT THE RELATIONSHIP WAS HELD BACK FOR YEARS BY ISRAEL'S CONFLICT WITH ITS ISLAMIC ARAB NEIGHBORS. THAT CHANGED WITH THE ACCELERATION OF THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS IN 1991. AND TODAY THE TWO COUNTRIES HAVE A THRIVING RELATIONSHIP.

TURKISH AIRLINES IS THE LARGEST FOREIGN CARRIER SERVING TEL AVIV'S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT -- MAINLY FERRYING ISRAELI TOURISTS TO AND FROM ISTANBUL AND TURKEY'S MEDITERRANEAN BEACHES. WHEN AN IRANIAN AIRLINER WAS HIJACKED TO ISRAEL LAST YEAR, THE ONLY WAY IT COULD FLY HOME FROM ISRAEL WAS THROUGH TURKISH AIRSPACE.

BUT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN ISRAEL-TURKEY RELATIONS HAS ANGERED OTHER ISLAMIC COUNTRIES. IT IS A DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT, WHICH INVOLVES POSSIBLE HIGH-TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES BOTH WAYS, AND TRAINING FLIGHTS BY ISRAELI AND TURKISH FIGHTER PILOTS IN EACH OTHER'S AIRSPACE. SUCH A VISIT TO ISRAEL LAST WEEK BY TURKISH AIR FORCE PILOTS SPARKED CRITICISM FROM IRAN AND SYRIA.

BUT TURKEY'S AMBASSADOR IN ISRAEL, BARLAS OZENER, SAYS THE CRITICS HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT AND HE BELIEVES THE CRITICISM WILL NOT HAVE ANY LONG-TERM IMPACT.

THIS REACTION IS OFF THE CUFF, A SUDDEN ERUPTION, AND WILL IN TIME, AS PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON, IT WILL GO DOWN. WE SEE NO REASON WHY THIS THING SHOULD BE BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION. IT IS A PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE AGREEMENT BETWEEN TURKEY AND ISRAEL, WHICH IS TO THE GOOD OF THE SECURITY ESTABLISHMENTS OF BOTH SIDES. WE HAVE LOTS TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.

AMBASSADOR OZENER SAYS TURKEY IS VERY INTERESTED ISRAELI DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY, AND IS TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT HE CALLS THE "FAVORABLE ATMOSPHERE" IN THE MIDDLE EAST TO DEVELOP ITS RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL.

BUT TWO DEVELOPMENTS, ASIDE FROM THE ARAB CRITICISM, THREATEN TO CHANGE THAT. ONE IS THE ELECTION OF CONSERVATIVE BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AS ISRAEL'S NEXT PRIME MINISTER. MR. NETANYAHU WILL NOT TAKE OFFICE UNTIL NEXT WEEK AT THE EARLIEST. BUT ARAB COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE PEACE AGREEMENTS OR ONGOING TALKS WITH ISRAEL ARE CONCERNED THAT HIS HARD-LINE CAMPAIGN RHETORIC WILL DESTROY THE PEACE PROCESS IF IT BECOMES POLICY.

AMBASSADOR OZENER URGES A WAIT-AND-SEE APPROACH ON THAT.

BUT POLITICAL CHANGE IN TURKEY ALSO THREATENS THE ISRAEL-TURKEY RELATIONSHIP. THAT IS THE EMERGENCE ONCE AGAIN OF THE ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY AS A PLAYER IN THE EFFORT TO FORM TURKEY'S NEXT GOVERNMENT. THE PARTY IS OPPOSED TO TURKEY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL, AND HAS THREATENED TO CANCEL THE DEFENSE PACT IF IT COMES TO POWER. THAT IS A PROSPECT WHICH HAS ISRAEL CONCERNED.

MIKI BAVLI IS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL OF ISRAEL'S FOREIGN MINISTRY FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.

IF CHANGES COME, I ASSUME THEY WILL BE DUE MORE TO INTERNAL TURKISH POLITICS THAN TO EXTERNAL PRESSURES. I CAN SEE THAT PEOPLE WOULD HAVE DOUBTS AND RAISE QUESTIONS WHEN A PARTY WHICH CLAIMS THAT IT WILL CANCEL ALL AGREEMENTS WITH ISRAEL ONCE IT COMES TO POWER, APPROACHES POWER, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU LOOK AT WITHOUT CONCERN AND WITHOUT WORRYING.

MR. BAVLI SAYS THE ISRAELI PRESIDENT IMMEDIATELY ACCEPTED THE INVITATION TO VISIT TURKEY THIS WEEK, TO SEE HIS FRIEND TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEIMAN DEMERIEL AND TO SPEAK AT THE HABITAT CONFERENCE.

BOTH PRESIDENTS HAVE LARGELY CEREMONIAL JOBS. BUT THE VISIT BY THE FORMER AIR FORCE PILOT, PRESIDENT WEIZMAN, TAKES ON ADDED SIGNIFICANCE, COMING AT A TIME OF CRITICISM OF THE NEW ISRAEL-TURKEY DEFENSE RELATIONSHIP, AND WITH THE GOVERNMENTS OF BOTH COUNTRIES IN A STATE OF TRANSITION. (SIGNED)
NEB/AWP/JWH/CF
12-Jun-96 10:50 AM EDT (1450 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] ALBANIA/COMMUNISTS (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: IN ALBANIA, A COURT HAS SENTENCED THREE FORMER SENIOR COMMUNIST OFFICIALS TO LONG PRISON TERMS FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. THEY ARE THE LATEST SENTENCES OF FORMER COMMUNISTS FOLLOWING THE END OF DECADES OF RIGID COMMUNIST RULE IN ALBANIA. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: THE THREE MEN, EACH SENTENCED TO PRISON TERMS OF AT LEAST 15 YEARS, WERE COMMUNIST PARTY SECRETARIES IN ALBANIA'S LARGEST CITIES -- THE CAPITAL, TIRANA, ALONG WITH DURRES AND SHKODRA.

THEY WERE CONVICTED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY FOR ORDERING DISSIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO BE SENT TO PRISONS AND LABOR CAMPS WHEN ALBANIA WAS RULED BY ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST REPRESSIVE COMMUNIST REGIMES. THE JUDGE, WHO ANNOUNCED THE SENTENCES AT THE COURT IN TIRANA, SAYS THE FORMER COMMUNIST PARTY OFFICIALS CARRIED OUT WHAT THEY CALLED "CLASS STRUGGLE." BUT HE SAYS THEY ACTUALLY COMMITTED CRIMES WITHOUT JUDICIAL APPROVAL AT THE TIME AND VIOLATED INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTIONS.

LAST MONTH, AN ALBANIAN COURT HANDED DOWN DEATH SENTENCES AGAINST THREE OTHER PROMINENT COMMUNISTS. THEY INCLUDE A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE SUPREME COURT, A FORMER PROSECUTOR-GENERAL AND A FORMER DEPUTY INTERIOR MINISTER WHO HEADED THE SECRET POLICE. THEY HAVE APPEALED THEIR SENTENCES.

THE WIFE OF THE LATE COMMUNIST LEADER, ENVER HOXA, WHO RULED ALBANIA FOR 40 YEARS, IS CURRENTLY IN PRISON. SO IS MR. HOXA'S SUCCESSOR, RAMIZ ALIA, WHO FACES A NEW TRIAL ON CHARGES THAT HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.

ALBANIA'S ANTI-COMMUNIST PRESIDENT, SALI BERISHA, HAS SAID THE COUNTRY'S DISPUTED GENERAL ELECTION LAST MONTH WAS A DECISIVE REJECTION OF COMMUNISM. BUT, OPPOSITION PARTIES HAVE ACCUSED MR. BERISHA AND HIS DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF RIGGING THE ELECTION AND OF ESTABLISHING A NEW DICTATORSHIP.

IN RESPONSE TO INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE, THE ALBANIAN PRESIDENT HAS OFFERED TO REPEAT THE VOTING IN 17 PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES WHERE SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES OCCURRED. THE OPPOSITION PARTIES WANT THE ENTIRE ELECTION REPEATED. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/PCF/CF
12-Jun-96 1:54 PM EDT (1754 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] BOSNIA CONFERENCE BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS OR SENIOR OFFICIALS OF ABOUT 40 COUNTRIES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS WILL ATTEND A TWO-DAY CONFERENCE THAT BEGINS TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN FLORENCE ON THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. AS V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS, THE WAR IN BOSNIA ENDED LAST YEAR, WITH THE PEACE AGREEMENT SIGNED IN PARIS IN DECEMBER. BUT, THE PEACE PROCESS, BACKED BY THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL FORCE IN BOSNIA, IS FALTERING.

TEXT: IT IS NOW SIX-MONTHS SINCE NEARLY 60-THOUSAND NATO-LED TROOPS WERE SENT TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, DURING ONE OF THE MOST SEVERE WINTERS IN THE BALKANS IN DECADES.

REPRESENTATIVES OF ABOUT 40 COUNTRIES ARE GATHERING IN FLORENCE TO REVIEW HOW THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED SO FAR AND TO DISCUSS THE SERIOUS PROBLEMS THAT LIE AHEAD.

ON THE MILITARY SIDE, THE OVERWHELMING POWER OF THE INTERNATIONAL FORCE IN BOSNIA HAS EFFECTIVELY KEPT THE PEACE THERE SO FAR. MUSLIM, CROAT, AND SERB TROOPS AND THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS HAVE BEEN PULLED BACK FROM THE FRONT LINES, AND THE TROOPS HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR BARRACKS, AS REQUIRED.

AN AGREEMENT ON CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES, INCLUDING AN EXCHANGE OF CERTAIN MILITARY INFORMATION AMONG THE FORMER WARRING FORCES, WAS ALSO CONCLUDED IN VIENNA EARLIER THIS YEAR. BUT, A SEPARATE AGREEMENT, INTENDED TO ASSURE A BALANCE OF POWER IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED AND SIGNED.

WHILE THERE IS AN ABSENCE OF WAR IN BOSNIA NOW, THERE ARE SERIOUS OBSTACLES TO A STABLE PEACE. THERE IS A REAL THREAT OF PERMANENT ETHNIC PARTITION.

EVERY FACTION IS BEING BLAMED FOR THIS, BUT DELIBERATE SERB OBSTRUCTION IS CONSIDERED THE MOST CRITICAL FACTOR.

THE SERBS REFUSE TO HAND OVER THEIR POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS, RADOVAN KARADZIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, TO BE PROSECUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS REFUSING TO USE HIS CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE OVER THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO COMPEL THEM TO COOPERATE WITH THE TRIBUNAL.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS CONTINUE TO DENY MUSLIMS OR CROATS THE RIGHT OF FREE MOVEMENT BY PREVENTING THEM FROM VISITING THEIR FORMER HOMES OR FAMILY GRAVES IN SERB TERRITORY.

ONLY ABOUT 100-THOUSAND OF THE MORE THAN TWO-MILLION BOSNIAN REFUGEES OR DISPLACED PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR FORMER HOMES OR TO NEW HOMES IN BOSNIA.

A SENIOR INTERNATIONAL OFFICIAL IN SARAJEVO, MICHAEL STEINER, SAYS VIRTUALLY NO REFUGEES ARE RETURNING TO HOMES IN AREAS IN WHICH THEY WOULD BE PART OF AN ETHNIC MINORITY.

HE SAYS RADICAL STEPS ARE NEEDED TO IMPROVE THIS SITUATION. THE REFUGEE ISSUE WILL BE AMONG THE CIVIL ASPECTS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED IN FLORENCE.

ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN ACCOUNTING FOR THE ESTIMATED 12-THOUSAND MISSING PEOPLE IN BOSNIA. MANY OF THEM ARE FROM THE FORMER MUSLIM ENCLAVE OF SREBRENICA AND MAY HAVE BEEN MASSACRED BY THE SERBS.

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS WILL RAISE THE ISSUE OF THE MISSING PEOPLE AT THE CONFERENCE IN FLORENCE.

THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING CIVIL ASPECTS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT HAS RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER ELECTIONS CAN BE HELD IN BOSNIA IN SEPTEMBER AS INTENDED. BUT, THE CONFERENCE IN FLORENCE IS EXPECTED TO CALL FOR THE ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON TIME EVEN IF HARDLINE SERB LEADERS CONTROL THE NEWS MEDIA -- AND CAN INFLUENCE THE VOTING -- IN SERB TERRITORY.

THE ELECTION DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED, PROBABLY SEPTEMBER 14TH, WILL STILL HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE.

THE FIRST POSTWAR ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL BE HELD IN THE FORMERLY DIVIDED SOUTHWESTERN TOWN OF MOSTAR AT THE END OF JUNE, A MONTH LATER THAN ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED.

THE LOCAL ELECTIONS BETWEEN MUSLIM AND CROAT CANDIDATES COULD INDICATE WHETHER REASONABLY FREE AND FAIR NATIONAL ELECTIONS ARE REALLY POSSIBLE IN A FEW MONTHS. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/JWH/RAE
12-Jun-96 11:42 AM EDT (1542 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] YUGO ARMS TALKS (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: PROTRACTED NEGOTIATIONS ON AN ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA ARE BEING EXTENDED FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER WEEK. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE STILL DEADLOCKED OVER THE ISSUE OF HOW THE AGREEMENT SHOULD REFER TO SERB-HELD TERRITORY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

TEXT: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, VIGLEIK EIDE OF NORWAY, DECIDED TO CONTINUE THEM AT DIFFERENT LEVELS IN THE HOPE THAT THE ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT CAN BE SIGNED LATER THIS MONTH.

THE NEGOTIATIONS MADE NO PROGRESS OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS IN OSLO. THE AGREEMENT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN SIGNED ON TUESDAY UNDER THE TERMS OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

ONLY ONE ISSUE IS UNRESOLVED -- HOW THE AGREEMENT SHOULD REFER TO THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC. THE CURRENT LANGUAGE CALLS THE SERB REPUBLIC ONE OF THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT.

THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE SERBS COULD INTERPRET THAT LANGUAGE TO IMPLY THEY HAVE A SEPARATE STATUS.

THE GOVERNMENT IS INSISTING THAT THE AGREEMENT REFER TO THE SERBS AS ONE OF THE TWO ENTITIES THAT MAKE UP BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE OTHER ENTITY IS THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION.

THE ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT BEING NEGOTIATED IS INTENDED TO ACHIEVE A BALANCE OF POWER AMONG THE FORMER WARRING FORCES IN WHAT USED TO BE YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/JWH
12-Jun-96 6:14 AM EDT (1014 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] PERRY BOSNIA FORCE (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (SKOPJE)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY, BEGINNING A EUROPEAN TRIP IN MACEDONIA, SAYS NATO IS CONSIDERING A SECURITY PRESENCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AFTER ITS CURRENT PEACEKEEPING MANDATE EXPIRES IN LATE DECEMBER. ALLIANCE DEFENSE MINISTERS WILL DISCUSS THE ISSUE INFORMALLY AT THEIR MEETING BEGINNING THURSDAY IN BRUSSELS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAD DETAILS FROM SKOPJE.

TEXT: MR. PERRY SAYS HE EXPECTS NATO'S PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IN BOSNIA TO BE OUT OF THE COUNTRY, AS PLANNED, WITHIN WEEKS AFTER THE DECEMBER 20TH EXPIRATION OF ITS MANDATE. BUT HE SAYS THE ALLIES ARE DETERMINED TO PREVENT WAR FROM ERUPTING THERE AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

MR. PERRY SAID NATO MIGHT DO SO WITH ITALIAN BASED AIR POWER, A RAPID REACTION FORCE BASED IN BOSNIA OR A NEIGHBORING COUNTRY, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH.

THE SECRETARY'S COMMENTS (TO REPORTERS ACCOMPANYING HIM TO MACEDONIA) WERE THE MOST EXTENSIVE TO DATE BY A SENIOR CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL ON THE SENSITIVE ISSUE OF A CONTINUING NATO PRESENCE IN BOSNIA. MR. PERRY SAID NATO WILL NOT WANT TO SIMPLY GIVE UP ON THE INVESTMENT IT HAS MADE IN PEACE IN BOSNIA, AND THE ALLIANCE MIGHT DECIDE TO MAINTAIN A MILITARY FORCE TO ENSURE ITS STAKE.

WHILE STRESSING CONSIDERATION IS AT A PRELIMINARY STAGE, HE SAID HIS RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE FOR THE UNITED STATES TAKE PART IN SUCH AN OPERATION EVEN IF IT INCLUDED GROUND TROOPS. ACCORDING TO MR. PERRY NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS WILL DISCUSS THE ISSUE ON THE SIDELINE OF THEIR MEETINGS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY IN BRUSSELS. BUT SERIOUS DISCUSSION AND DECISIONS WILL NOT COME UNTIL AFTER BOSNIA'S ELECTIONS IN MID-SEPTEMBER.

THE DEFENSE SECRETARY SAID HE BELIEVES A MAJOR FLARE UP IN BOSNIAN HOSTILITIES AFTER THE CURRENT PEACE FORCE IS WITHDRAWN IS UNLIKELY BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ARE SICK OF WAR. BUT HE SAID IT WOULD ONLY BE LOGICAL FOR NATO TO PROVIDE A DETERRENT FORCE OF SOME KIND TO MINIMIZE RISK OF RENEWED WARFARE.

MR. PERRY HELD TALKS IN SKPOJE WITH PRESIDENT KIRO GLIGOROV AND OTHER SENIOR MACEDONIANS OFFICIALS. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THEY DISCUSSED THE FUTURE OF THE U-N PEACE FORCE THAT HAS PATROLLED MACEDONIA'S BORDER WITH SERBIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE SINCE 1992.

U-S TROOPS MAKEUP ABOUT HALF THE 12-HUNDRED MEMBER FORCE WHICH IS CREDITED WITH STABILIZING THE VOLATILE REGION AND PREVENTING THE SPILL OVER OF FIGHTING INTO MACEDONIA OR BEYOND. U-S DIPLOMATS LED A SUCCESSFUL EFFORT IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL LAST MONTH TO EXTEND THE MANDATE FOR THE FORCE THROUGH NOVEMBER. MR. PERRY SAID AN ADDITIONAL SIX-MONTH EXTENSION IS A POSSIBILITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/DG/AC/RAE
12-Jun-96 8:52 AM EDT (1252 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] BOSNIA FORCE (S) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: HERE IN WASHINGTON, WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS SAY PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS NO PLANS TO EXTEND THE MISSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA BEYOND THE END OF THIS YEAR. THEY SAY DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY -- IN COMMENTS TO REPORTERS WAS ONLY SPECULATING WHEN HE SAID AMERICANS SOLDIERS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF THE FORCE IF NATO ULTIMATELY DECIDED AN EXTENSION WOULD BE NECESSARY. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS.

TEXT: CLINTON SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY IS INSISTING THE PRESIDENT IS NOT PLANNING TO EXTEND THE MISSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FORCE BEYOND ITS MANDATE OF ONE YEAR. WITHDRAWAL IS PLANNED FOR DECEMBER OR JANUARY. 18-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS SERVE WITH THE FORCE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. THEIR CONTINUED DEPLOYMENT WOULD REPRESENT A SENSITIVE POLITICAL ISSUE FOR THE PRESIDENT IN HIS RE-ELECTION BID AGAINST PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE.

A WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL TELLS V-O-A DEFENSE SECRETARY PERRY WAS SIMPLY SPECULATING ABOUT HOW NATO MIGHT PROCEED AS THE END OF THE INTERNATIONAL MISSION APPROACHED. THE OFFICIAL SAYS THE DEFENSE SECRETARY NEVER SAID THE CURRENT MISSION SHOULD BE EXTENDED, AND WAS NOT INTENDING TO SEND ANY SIGNAL THAT IT WOULD BE EXTENDED. HE INSISTS MR. PERRY WAS ONLY SUGGESTING THAT IF NATO DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE FORCE PRESENCE, HE WOULD RECOMMEND U-S TROOPS CONTINUE TO BE A PART OF THE FORCE.

BOSNIA IS ON THE AGENDA HERE AS PRESIDENT CLINTON MEETS WITH THE PRESIDENTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND EUROPEAN COMMISSION AS WELL AS WITH ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER ROMANO PRODI. (SIGNED)
NEB/BORG/MMK
12-Jun-96 2:46 PM EDT (1846 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE UNITED NATION'S YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS FINISHED ITS FIRST DAY OF PUBLIC EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY IN THE TRIAL OF A BOSNIAN SERB ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. DEFENDANT DUSAN TADIC IS ACCUSED OF COMPLICITY IN THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF A VILLAGE IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA, AS WELL AS MURDER AND TORTURE AT THREE SEPARATE PRISON CAMPS. AS GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE, WEDNESDAY'S WITNESS WAS THE FIRST TO IDENTIFY THE ACCUSED IN COURT.

TEXT: AZRA BLAZEVIC IS THE FIRST PERSON TO TELL THE COURT THAT SHE KNOWS THE ACCUSED. THE 36-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS A VETERINARIAN IN THE VILLAGE OF KOZARAC IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA. DUSAN TADIC, WHO SAT CALMLY IN THE COURTROOM ONLY A METER OR SO AWAY FROM HER, OWNED THE LOCAL CAFE IN HER VILLAGE.

ACCORDING TO THE PROSECUTION, MR TADIC WAS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE ETHNIC CLEANSING OF HIS OWN VILLAGE IN MAY, 1992, LIGHTING FLARES FOR ARTILLERY POSITIONS AT NIGHT AND TAKING PART IN THE KILLING AND BEATING OF SOME OF HIS NEIGHBORS.

AFTER THE TOWN HAD BEEN CLEARED OF ITS NON-SERB INHABITANTS, MANY WERE TAKEN TO PRISON CAMPS, INCLUDING THE INFAMOUS OMMKA. MR. TADIC IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN A FREQUENT VISITOR TO THOSE CAMPS, WHERE IS IS ACCUSED OF TAKING PART IN MURDERS AND TORTURE.

MRS. BLAZEVIC HAS NOT YET MADE ANY DIRECT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MR TADIC. BUT HE IS WATCHING HER CLOSELY AND TAKING CAREFUL NOTES IN COURT.

MRS. BLAZEVIC HAS BEEN TELLING THE COURT HOW THE BOSNIAN SERBS TIGHTENED THEIR GRIP ON THE VILLAGE, CUT OFF ITS PHONES AND FINALLY STAGED AN ATTACK. SHELLS, SHE SAID, FELL IN WHAT SEEMED BY THE THOUSANDS. SHE TOLD THE COURT SHE AND SOME COLLEAGUES AMPUTATED LIMBS FROM THE WORST OF THE WOUNDED WITHOUT ANESTHETIC.

MRS. BLAZEVIC HAS ALREADY BRIEFLY MENTIONED THE TRNPOLJE PRISON CAMP -- ONE OF THE PLACES WHERE DUSAN TADIC IS SAID TO HAVE COMMITTED HIS CRIMES. SHE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE WORKED IN THE CLINIC THERE. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/PCF/MMK
12-Jun-96 3:09 PM EDT (1909 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] NATO/ BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS CONVENE IN BRUSSELS TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR A MEETING THAT WILL INCLUDE AT LEAST SOME DISCUSSION OF A FOLLOW-ON ALLIED PRESENCE IN BOSNIA AFTER ITS PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IS WITHDRAWN. U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS THIS MIGHT INCLUDE THE USE OF NATO AIR POWER, A RAPID REACTION FORCE, OR BOTH. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS MORE FROM THE BELGIAN CAPITAL.

TEXT: THE BRUSSELS MEETING COMES AT ONLY THE HALFWAY MARK IN THE YEAR-LONG DEPLOYMENT OF THE NATO-LED PEACE FORCE. BUT ALLIED LEADERS ARE ALREADY LOOKING AHEAD WITH ANXIETY TO DECEMBER 20TH, WHEN THE MANDATE EXPIRES AND LARGE-SCALE WITHDRAWALS ARE TO BE UNDERWAY.

WHILE MILITARY ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS HAVE GONE WELL, POLITICAL RECONCILIATION AND ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION IN BOSNIA HAVE LAGGED.

IN A TALK WITH REPORTERS ACCOMPANYING HIM TO MACEDONIA WEDNESDAY, SECRETARY PERRY SAID THE BOSNIAN PEOPLE ARE SICK OF WAR, AND HE DOES NOT EXPECT SERIOUS NEW FIGHTING TO BREAK OUT NEXT YEAR. BUT HE SAID IT WOULD BE LOGICAL FOR NATO TO PROVIDE A DETERRENCE FORCE TO MINIMIZE WHATEVER RISK OF RENEWED WARFARE THERE MIGHT BE.

WHILE STRESSING THE THINKING ON THE ISSUE IS AT AN EARLY STAGE, HE SAID THE NATO ROLE MIGHT INCLUDE CONTINUED AIR POWER FROM NORTHERN ITALY, RAPID REACTION FORCE EITHER BASED IN BOSNIA OR NEARBY, OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO.

HE SAID IF NATO DECIDED ON A FOLLOW-ON ROLE, HE WOULD RECOMMEND THE UNITED STATES PARTICIPATE EVEN IF GROUND TROOPS ARE INVOLVED.

MR. PERRY SAID HE EXPECTS THE ISSUE TO BE DISCUSSED ON THE MARGINS OF THE NATO MINISTERIAL (MEETING), BUT THAT SERIOUS CONSIDERATION WOULD NOT COME UNTIL AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS IN MID-SEPTEMBER. FRANCE, WHICH RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A (FAYIST) RETURN TO NATO'S MILITARY STRUCTURES, WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE DEFENSE MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE DECADES.

IN ADDITION TO DISCUSSING BOSNIA, THE ALLIES WILL TAKE UP A RESTRUCTURING PLAN APPROVED BY NATO FOREIGN MINISTERS IN BERLIN LAST WEEK THAT WILL GIVE THE EUROPEAN MEMBERS OF THE ALLIANCE THE ABILITY TO LAUNCH SECURITY MISSIONS WITHOUT U-S LEADERSHIP.

THERE WILL ALSO BE MORE DISCUSSION ON FRIDAY OF NATO EXPANSION WITH MEETINGS INVOLVING RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER PAVLO GRACHEV AND REPRESENTATIVES OF MORE THAT 20 PARTERNSHIP-FOR-PEACE COUNTRIES.

U-S OFFICIALS INSIST THAT NATO REMAINS ON TRACK TO SELECT NEW MEMBERS NEXT YEAR DESPITE CONTINUED RUSSIAN OPPOSITION. (SIGNED)
NEB/DG/BD-T/LWM
12-Jun-96 6:00 PM EDT (2200 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] CLINTON-BOSNIA FORCE UPDATE (S &L) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS HE PLANS TO BEGIN THE WITHDRAWAL OF U-S FORCES IN THE INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA ON SCHEDULE, BEGINNING IN LATE DECEMBER, AFTER ELECTIONS TAKE PLACE THERE IN SEPTEMBER. EARLIER COMMENTS BY DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY FUELED SPECULATION THE PRESIDENT WAS PLANNING TO EXTEND THE U-S TROOP PRESENCE BEYOND THE FORCE'S ONE-YEAR MANDATE. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON WEDNESDAY REAFFIRMED HIS COMMITMENT TO A ONE-YEAR MISSION FOR THE U-S TROOPS IN THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE IN BOSNIA.

HIS COMMENTS FOLLOWED WHAT WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS CALLED SECRETARY PERRY'S "SPECULATION" ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE FORCE. MR. PERRY SAID IF NATO DECIDED TO REQUIRE THE FORCE TO EXTEND ITS STAY, HE WOULD RECOMMEND THE U-S TROOPS CONTINUE AS PART OF THE FORCE.

WITH THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE 18,000 U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA A SENSITIVE ISSUE IN THE PRESIDENT'S RE-ELECTION BID, OFFICIALS HERE MOVED QUICKLY TO END ANY CONFUSION OVER THE PRESIDENT'S POLICY.

LATER THE PRESIDENT SPOKE FOR HIMSELF. . .

I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD STICK WITH OUR TIMETABLE. WE BELIEVE THAT I-F-O-R CAN COMPLETE ITS MISSION IN ABOUT A YEAR. WE BELIEVE THAT IT HAS TO BE IN FULL FORCE DURING THE TIME OF THE ELECTIONS. WE BELIEVE THAT IT HAS TO BE AN EFFECTIVE MILITARY FORCE CERTAINLY UNTIL DECEMBER TWENTIETH AND THEN SOME DRAWDOWN CAN BEGIN AFTER THAT,

HIS COMMENTS FOLLOWED TALKS WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, JACQUES SANTER, AND ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER ROMANO PRODI, NOW PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.

BOSNIA'S RECONSTRUCTION WAS A MAIN TOPIC OF CONVERSATION.

WORKING WITH OUR NATO ALLIES, WE HAVE HELPED TO END THE CARNAGE IN BOSNIA. FRIDAY MARKS THE SIXTH MONTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS. MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE, BUT MUCH HAS BEEN DONE. THERE IS PEACE, BUSINESSES ARE SLOWLY STARTING AGAIN, AND SOME REFUGEES ARE RETURNING HOME.

THE VISITING EUROPEAN LEADERS HAILED PROGRESS IN U-S EUROPEAN UNION COOPERATION, WITH MR. SANTER TELLING REPORTERS THAT SINCE THE NEW TRANSATLANTIC AGENDA WAS AGREED TO U-S AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS NOW UNDERSTAND THERE IS MORE THAT BINDS THE TWO SIDES THAN DIVIDES THEM. (SIGNED)
NEB/BORG/GKT/LWM
12-Jun-96 6:12 PM EDT (2212 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE HISTORIC AND EMOTIONAL FAREWELL OF KANSAS SENATOR BOB DOLE FROM THE U-S SENATE IS A PROMINENT EDITORIAL TOPIC IN NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THIS WEDNESDAY. OTHER SUBJECTS OF NOTE ARE: ANOTHER REPUBLICAN ISSUE WITH THE CLINTON WHITE HOUSE; THE BURNING OF BLACK CHURCHES IN THE U-S SOUTH; ELECTIONS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND RUSSIA, AND A NEW DISCOVERY ABOUT OUR SOLAR SYSTEM. NOW, WITH QUOTES FROM THOSE AND OTHER EDITORIALS, HERE IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN GEORGIA, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION OFFERS SOME KIND WORDS FOR OUTGOING KANSAS SENATOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE, WHO SAID FAREWELL TO HIS SENATE COLLEAGUES YESTERDAY, AFTER 27 YEARS IN THE SENIOR LEGISLATIVE BODY. THE CONSTITUTION SAYS IT WAS A "CIVIL" GOODBYE.

VOICE: "BOB DOLE'S GRACEFUL, HEARTFELT DEPARTURE SPEECH ... FROM THE ... U-S SENATE WAS A MOMENT OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE... IT ENDED ONE OF THE MORE REMARKABLE CONGRESSIONAL CAREERS IN THIS CENTURY. WHATEVER THE OUTCOME OF HIS PRESIDENTIAL BID, [MR.] DOLE HAS THE COMFORT OF KNOWING THAT IN HIS 27-YEAR SENATE CAREER HE LEFT HIS CONSIDERABLE MARK ON THE NATION. [OPT] [MR.] DOLE'S RESIGNATION ALSO WILL BE REMEMBERED AS THE FINAL STEP IN THE CHANGING OF THE REPUBLICAN OLD GUARD IN CONGRESS, AS A CROP OF SEASONED CONCILIATORS MAKE WAY FOR THE ASCENDANCE OF THE NEW, MORE COMBATIVE BREED OF REPUBLICANS." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST CALLS MR. DOLE'S FAREWELL A "FITTING SPEECH -- PLAIN-SPOKEN, WARM, GRACIOUS", ADDING:

VOICE: "HIS NOSTALGIA WAS AFFECTING. REVERTING TO OUR WORST-CASE EXPECTATIONS FOR THE CAMPAIGN AHEAD, WE EXPECT WE WILL HAVE REASON TO BE NOSTALGIC FOR IT AS THE SEASON WEARS ON."

TEXT: AND IN THE NEW YORK TIMES, THIS OBSERVATION ABOUT ONE OF THE MOST SOCIALLY CHARGED ISSUES OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN -- ABORTION.

VOICE: "IF THERE WAS ANY CENTRAL THEME IN BOB DOLE'S AFFECTIONATE FAREWELL ... IT WAS THAT GOOD THINGS SIMPLY DO NOT HAPPEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE ARENA UNLESS PEOPLE OF DIFFERING DOCTRINES AGREE TO SPLIT THEIR DIFFERENCES. THAT IS PRECISELY WHAT CITIZEN DOLE IS NOW TELLING HIS PARTY'S RIGHT WING. GOOD THINGS WILL NOT HAPPEN IN NOVEMBER UNLESS THEY ARE PREPARED TO COMPROMISE ON ABORTION ... HE KNOWS HE CANNOT WIN THE ELECTION ... UNLESS HE ENDS A DECADE OF NON-STOP REAGAN-BUSH PANDERING TO THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT AND MAKES SOME OVERTURE TO THE G-O-P'S MAINSTREAM MAJORITY..."

TEXT: THE LATEST CONTROVERSY INVOLVING THE CLINTON WHITE HOUSE, THE APPARENTLY UNAUTHORIZED USE OF HUNDREDS OF F-B-I PERSONNEL FILES ON MAINLY FORMER REPUBLICAN STAFFERS, DRAWS THIS RETORT FROM TODAY'S WALL STREET JOURNAL, WHICH CALLS THE MATTER "HONEST MISTAKE NUMBER 99."

VOICE: "AFICIONADOS OF CLINTON ADMINISTRATION 'MISTAKES' KNOW THEY'VE BEEN AROUND THIS PARTICULAR TRACK AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE. IN 1993, THE CLINTON STATE DEPARTMENT PULLED AND READ THE PERSONNEL FILES OF 160 FORMER BUSH ADMINISTRATION EMPLOYEES... WE HAVE ARRIVED AT A FAMILIAR PLACE -- THE CREDIBILITY GAP... IF THE WHITE HOUSE CONTINUES TO WITHHOLD DOCUMENTS NOW, CONGRESS SHOULD IMMEDIATELY MOVE TO CITE THE WHITE HOUSE FOR CONTEMPT..."

TEXT: MEANWHILE, THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER GIVES THIS LESS JUDGMENTAL ASSESSMENT:

VOICE: "IT SURE LOOKS AWFUL... YET AS REPUBLICANS TEST-MARKET THE SITUATION AS A SCANDAL AND CLINTONITES CONTRITELY CALL IT A BUREAUCRATIC MIXUP, IT WILL TAKE TIME TO BE SURE WHO'S RIGHT... AND AMERICANS ARE LEFT WONDERING WHETHER THIS AFFAIR IS ABOUT TRULY NIXONIAN ABUSES, OR SIMPLY SOME MORE BUMBLING THAT MR. CLINTON'S SPINNERS [PUBLIC RELATIONS STAFF] HAVE MAGNIFIED IN A WAY THAT MAY COME TO BE KNOWN AS CLINTONESQUE."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES, RECALLING DEMOCRATIC OUTRAGE DURING THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WHEN THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION PROBED MR. CLINTON'S PASSPORT FILES, SUGGESTS THAT:

VOICE: "TODAY [THE DEMOCRATS] ... REAP THE WHIRLWIND THAT THEY, NOT REPUBLICANS, SET IN MOTION."

TEXT: IN COMMENTING ON THE RASH OF ARSON ATTACKS AGAINST BLACK CHURCHES IN THE U-S SOUTH, TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE CALLS THEM "VILE ACTS" BUT SUGGESTS THEY MAY ULTIMATELY LEAD TO SOME GOOD:

VOICE: "IRONICALLY, THE ARSONISTS MAY ACTUALLY ADVANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN BLACK PASTORS AND POLICY MAKERS. THE CURRENT FOCUS IS ON ADEQUATE FEDERAL RESOURCES FOR THE INVESTIGATION. BUT CONTACTS MADE NOW WILL BE USEFUL IN LATER DISCUSSIONS ON APPROPRIATE WAYS TO UTILIZE PUBLIC FUNDS FOR PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE ... AND OTHER SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS THAT MANY BLACK CHURCHES HOPE TO CREATE OR EXPAND."

TEXT: THE MIAMI HERALD CALLS THE ARSONISTS "COWARDLY HATERS" AND SAYS WHEN CAUGHT, THEY DESERVE SEVERE PENALTIES:

VOICE: "THE PRESIDENT HAS ASSIGNED 200 ... AGENTS TO HUNT DOWN THE CHURCH ARSONISTS AND TO TEACH PASTORS AND CONGREGATIONS ABOUT SECURITY MESURES. A COMMENDABLE RESPONSE, THAT, BUT CATCHING THESE COWARDS IS AS DIFFICULT AS PREVENTING THEIR REVOLTING ACTS. THOSE CAUGHT SHOULD BE SENTENCED TO THE MAXIMUM TERMS ALLOWABLE IF CONVICTED."

TEXT: TURNING TO CENTRAL AMERICA, TODAY'S BALTIMORE SUN, WHICH DID A MAJOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN HONDURAS DURING THE CIVIL WAR OF THE 1980S, WANTS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE STILL CLASSIFIED INFORMATION ABOUT POSSIBLE U-S INVOLVEMENT IN THE CRIMES.

VOICE: "DOES THIS INFORMATION, HIDDEN UNDER GOVERNMENT DECLASSIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, IMPLICATE ANY U-S CITIZENS THEN IN CONTACT WITH HONDURAN MILITARY OFFICERS? ... IT IS UP TO THE U-S TO COME CLEAN [PROVIDE ALL INFORMATION] ABOUT WHAT IT WAS DOING DURING A PERIOD WHEN RIGHT-LEFT STRUGGLES IN LATIN AMERICAN WERE CONSIDERED PART OF THE LARGER COLD WAR."

TEXT: STILL IN THE REGION, THE NEW YORK TIMES, COMMENTING ON THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC'S FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RUNOFF JUNE 30TH, SAYS:

VOICE: "... THE OUTCOME MAY BE INFLUENCED BY A GROUCHY OLD MAN CAPABLE OF CAUSING RUIN IF HE CANNOT RULE. JAOQUIN BALAGUER, HAVING SERVED SEVEN TERMS AS PRESIDENT SINCE 1960, AGREED UNDER PRESSURE NOT TO RUN AGAIN. BUT MR. BALAGUER HAS FORMED A PACT WITH A LONGTIME ARCH-RIVAL TO PREVENT A RUNOFF VICTORY BY JOSE FRANCISCO PENA GOMEZ, WHO WON THE MOST VOTES IN THE FIRST ROUND. AN UNDERCURRENT OF RACISM IS REGRETTABLY EVIDENT IN MR. BALAGUER'S MANEUVER."

TEXT: TURNING TO SUNDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN RUSSIA, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SAYS OF CURRENT CAMPAIGN BY INCUMBENT BORIS YELTSIN:

VOICE: "HE HAS MANAGED A REMARKABLE POLITICAL COMEBACK SINCE LAST DECEMBER... THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER FOR MANY RUSSIANS. TO THROW IT ALL AWAY AT THIS CRUCIAL MOMENT WOULD BE TRAGIC."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, USA TODAY HAS SOME FUN WITH A MOMENTOUS SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY IN OUTER SPACE. ASTRONOMERS HAVE FOUND VINEGAR -- YES VINEGAR -- PRESENT IN A HUGE STELLAR CLOUD 25-THOUSAND-LIGHT YEARS FROM EARTH. THE NATIONAL PAPER NOTES THAT THE CLOUD RESEMBLES THE ONE FROM WHICH EARTH IS THOUGHT TO HAVE EMERGED:

VOICE: "THERE'S NO WORD YET ON OLIVE OIL, BUT PERHAPS ASTRONOMERS SHOULD START LOOKING... WE NOW KNOW THAT IN ADDITION TO THE PRIMORDIAL SOUP, WE HAVE HALF THE MAKINGS OF A FIRST-CLASS PRIMORDIAL SALAD DRESSING. THIS IN TURN OFFERS UP THE SOMEWHAT METAPHORICAL, SOMEWHAT EXISTENTIAL PROSPECT THAT HUMANITY IS MERELY ONE MORE CONDIMENT AT SOME VAST, INTERGALACTIC SALAD BAR..."

TEXT: ON THAT INTERSTELLAR -- AND GASTRONOMICAL -- NOTE, WHICH DEFIES ADDITIONAL COMMENT, WE CONCLUDE THIS REVIEW OF SOME EDITORIALS TO BE FOUND IN TODAY'S U-S PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/PCH
12-Jun-96 11:21 AM EDT (1521 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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