Voice of America, 96-07-30

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

CONTENTS

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

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

[03] E-U / TRADE (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[04] GERMANY / TURKS (S ONLY) BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)

[05] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

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

INTRO: HOW THE UNITED STATES IS REACTING TO THE LATEST TERRORISM INCIDENTS LEADS THE TOPICS IN MANY OF THE NATION'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS THIS TUESDAY MORNING AT THE END OF JULY. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE CONTINUING SAGA OF HUMAN AND POLITICAL RIGHTS IN BURMA; MEXICO PAYING BACK ITS DEBT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AS THE ECONOMY HEALS; AND THE BATTLE OVER QUALITY CHILDREN'S TELEVISION. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ____________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HELD A TERRORISM SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON YESTERDAY (MONDAY) WITH LEADERS OF CONGRESS AND HIS CABINET TO DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE THE NATION'S DEFENSES AGAINST TERRORISTS. IT CAME IN THE WAKE OF WHAT IS NOW WIDELY BELIEVED TO BE THE BOMBING OF TWA FLIGHT 800 OFF LONG ISLAND, AND THE PIPE BOMB THAT KILLED TWO AND INJURED MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE AT THE CENTENIAL OLYMPIC PARK IN ATLANTA EARLY SATURDAY. NOW SEVERAL PAPERS ARE DISCUSSING SOME OF THE PLANS TO IMPROVE ANTI-TERRORISM EFFORTS HERE IN THE U-S. TODAY'S NEW YORK DAILY NEWS AGREES WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CALL FOR MORE WIRETAPPING AUTHORITY AND IDENTIFICATION MARKS IN EXPLOSIVES, BUT THE MIAMI HERALD CALLS THOSE SAME SUGGESTIONS "MR. CLINTON'S OVERREACTION". FIRST, THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, WHICH SAYS THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IN CONGRESS SHOULD SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

VOICE: "THEIR WORKING TOGETHER WOULD DEMONSTRATE TO ALL AMERICANS THAT THIS COUNTRY, THE ENTIRE SANE WORLD, IS IN A WAR. IT IS WAR WITHOUT UNIFORMS, WITHOUT BATTLE LINES AND, SOMETIMES, WITHOUT POLITICAL PURPOSE. ..... IN THE FACE OF TERRORISM, A FREE PEOPLE CANNOT HIDE AND THEY CANNOT RUN. THEY MUST FIGHT BACK. WITH EVERY WEAPON THEY CAN DEVISE AND EVERY OUNCE OF COMMITMENT THEY CAN SUMMON."

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, HOWEVER, THE MIAMI HERALD FEELS THE PRESSURES OF AN ELECTION YEAR ARE PUSHING POLITICIANS INTO UNWISE POSITIONS.

VOICE: "WHAT IS ONE NEARLY FOOLPROOF WAY OF TELLING THAT WE ARE IN AN ELECTION YEAR? BY THE OVER REACTIONS OF POLITICIANS, INCLUDING PRESIDENTS, TO ILL-DEFINED THREATS TO THE NATION. TAKE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S OVERREACTION AFTER A .... PIPE-BOMB EXPLODED IN ATLANTA'S CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK ..... MR. CLINTON, WHILE RIGHTLY DECRYING THE COWARDLY ACT AND VOWING TO FIND THE CULPRITS, THEN WENT TOO FAR ..... [RENEWING] HIS HEEDLESS CALL FOR SWEEPING WIRETAPPING AUTHORITY. ... TO GRANT THE FBI AUTHORITY TO TAP TELEPHONES WILLY-NILLY [AT WILL] , WITHOUT A JUDGE'S APPROVAL IN EACH INSTANCE, WOULD BE TO REMOVE A CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION THAT AMERICANS ILL CAN AFFORD TO LOSE."

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES ALSO CALLS FOR SLOW AND CAREFUL EVALUATION OF ANY NEW MOVES WHICH WOULD INFRINGE ON INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES.

VOICE: "TERRORIST ATTACKS ..... GENERATE PRESSURE TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ENHANCED INVESTIGATIVE POWERS. THE MEASURE OF WISE LEADERSHIP IN WASHINGTON IS WHETHER THE WHITE HOUSE AND CONGRESS CAN RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO LUNGE FOR SUPERFICIALLY ATTRACTIVE PROPOSALS THAT WOULD UNDERMINE THE LIBERTIES AND PRIVACY OF AMERICANS. PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS URGED CONGRESS TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT SEVERAL PROPOSALS ..... ONE OF THESE, A PLAN TO MAKE IT EASIER TO TRACE EXPLOSIVES, SHOULD HAVE BEEN APPROVED LONG AGO. BUT THE PROPOSAL TO EXPAND THE GOVERNMENT'S WIRETAPPING AUTHORITY IS EXCESSIVE ......"

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES ALSO CALLS FOR MODERATION, SAYINGG IT IS TROUBLED BY THE PROPOSAL TO EXTEND WIRETAPPING AUTHORITY.

VOICE: "WHAT IS THE ACTUAL PROSECUTION RATE OF THOSE CASES [WHERE ALREADY LEGAL, COURT ORDERED TELEPHONE TAPS HAVE BEEN USED]? WHY ARE CURRENT EFFORTS NOT CONSIDERED SUFFICIENT? WHY SHOULDN'T COURT ORDERS BE REQUIRED FOR EVERY REQUESTED TAP? THE DISCUSSION SHOULD NOT PROCEED WITHOUT THE ANSWERS. AMERICANS WANT TO FEEL BETTER PROTECTED AGAINST DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN-INSPIRED TERRORISM, BUT THEY WILL NOT GO BLINDLY DOWN THAT PATH."

TEXT: AND IN THE MIDWEST, THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, ECHOES THOSE CONCERNS, NOTING:

VOICE: "TWO EXPLOSIONS WITHIN ELEVEN DAYS DO NOTHING TO MAKE EXPANDED WIRETAP AUTHORITY ANY MORE NECESSARY THAN IT WAS WHEN CONGRESS REJECTED IT AFTER THE TRAGEDY IN OKLAHOMA CITY. .... CONGRESS SHOULD NOT JOIN MR. CLINTON IN ACTING RASHLY IN THE NAME OF GETTING TOUGH ON TERRORISTS."

TEXT: IN A RELATED SUBJECT, IMPROVING THE WAY FAMILIES OF TERRORIST VICTIMS ARE TREATED AFTER THE INCIDENT, USA TODAY SUPPORTS A NEW BILL HEADING FOR CONGRESS.

VOICE: "THE AVIATION DISASTER FAMILY ASSISTANCE ACT EMPOWERS THE NTSB TO APPOINT A FAMILY ADVOCATE TO FLY QUICKLY TO CRASH SITES .....[AND] DESIGNATION OF A GROUP SUCH AS THE RED CROSS TO SERVE AS A BUFFER BETWEEN FAMILIES AND THE AIRLINES. BOTH IDEAS MAKE SENSE AND COST LITTLE."

TEXT: INTERNATIONALLY, THE WASHINGTON POST TODAY SUPPORTS THE SENATE IN VOTING FOR ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST THE MILITARY DICTATORSHIP IN BURMA, ADDING:

VOICE: "THE MEASURE, WHILE NOT PERFECT, WOULD PUT CONGRESS CLEARLY ON THE SIDE OF BURMA'S LONG-SUFFERING DEMOCRATS; THE HOUSE SHOULD SUPPORT THE SANCTIONS IN CONFERENCE THIS WEEK AND SEND THEM TO PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR HIS SIGNATURE. THE SITUATION IN BURMA ENJOYS THE UNFORTUNATE DISTINCTION OF BEING FREE OF ANY MORAL AMBIGUITY: THERE IS NO MISTAKING THE GOOD GUYS FROM THE BAD."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES CRITICIZES THE ASEAN ORGANIZATION FOR GRANTING BURMA OBSERVER STATUS AT THE MEETING LAST WEEK, AND HAS A WARNING FOR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION.

VOICE: "THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, WHICH HAD BEEN SHOWING PROMISING RHETORICAL GUMPTION TOWARD MYANMAR, MUST INSURE THAT THE SENATE VOTE IS NOT A DODGE [SUBTERFUGE: IE. WITHOUT MEANING] AS WELL. SANCTIONS ARE NOT AN ALL-PURPOSE WEAPON, BUT PRESIDENT CLINTON MUST USE THEM FORCEFULLY HERE."

TEXT: CLOSER TO HOME, THE BOSTON GLOBE LAUDS MEXICO FOR ANNOUNCING A REPAYMENT, AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, OF ABOUT SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS BORROWED FROM THE UNITED STATES WHEN THE PESO COLLAPSED. SAYS THE GLOBE:

VOICE: "MOST IMPRESSIVE HAS BEEN MEXICO'S UNEXPECTED SUCCESS IN ATTRACTING PRIVATE LENDERS IN THE REFINANCING PLAN THAT ALLOWED A DOUBLING OF THE AMOUNT BEING REPAID TO THE UNITED STATES. ..... THE WILLING LENDERS, ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 200 INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, WERE NOT ACTING ON ANY PARTISAN POLITICAL CONSIDERATION BUT IN FULL CONFIDENCE THAT MEXICO HAD OFFERED A SOUND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY."

TEXT: AND IN CALIFORNIA, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES PRAISES OUR SOUTHERN NEIGHBOR ON YET ANOTHER FRONT.

VOICE: "LAST WEEK'S AGREEMENT AMONG MEXICAN POLITICAL PARTIES ON ELECTORAL REFORM IS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD. MORE, OF COURSE, WILL BE NEEDED, FOR THE PROBLEMS WITH MEXICO'S ELECTIONS HAS NOT BEEN THE LAWS BUT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THEM. THE TEST WILL COME WITH THE FIRST ELECTION UNDER THE NEW RULES."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, NOTING THE AGREEMENT ANNOUNCED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON MONDAY ON IMPROVING CHILDREN'S TELEVISION WITH A MINIMUM OF THREE HOURS OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING EACH WEEK, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES ADDS:

VOICE: "DEVOTING THREE HOURS A WEEK - ABOUT TWO-POINT-FIVE PERCENT OF THE AVERAGE STATION'S SCHEDULE - - TO QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IS NOT MUCH, COMPARED TO THE 12 HOURS A WEEK THAT PREVAILED BEFORE THE FCC [FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION] SCRUBBED [ELIMINATED] PUBLIC-INTEREST GUIDELINES IN THE 1980S. BUT IT BEATS NOTHING, WHICH IS WHAT TOO MANY STATIONS SERVE UP TODAY. OUR KIDS DESERVE BETTER FROM SO PERVASIVE A PRESENCE IN THEIR LIVES."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE TOPICS TO BE FOUND ON THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
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30-Jul-96 11:44 AM EDT (1544 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: SENIOR INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS WILL GO TO ZAGREB WEDNESDAY TO SEEK HELP FROM CROATIA'S PRESIDENT TO END A BITTER DEADLOCK BETWEEN CROATS AND MUSLIMS IN MOSTAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS SAY THE STAND-OFF HAS LED TO INCREASED TENSIONS AND VIOLENCE BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND CROATS, AND THEY HAVE CALLED FOR THE DISMISSAL OF SENIOR POL ICE OFFICERS ON BOTH SIDES.

TEXT: CROAT OFFICIALS IN MOSTAR INSIST THEY WILL NEVER GIVE IN TO DEMANDS THEY RECOGNIZE THE ELECTION VICTORY OF THE MAIN MUSLIM PARTY IN ELECTIONS HELD AT THE END OF JUNE.

CROATS IN THE BITTERLY DIVIDED CITY HAVE REJECTED A EUROPEAN UNION ULTIMATUM TO END THEIR BOYCOTT OF THE JOINT CITY COUNCIL BY AUGUST FOURTH .

BOSNIAN VICE PRESIDENT EJUP GANIC, AND THE DEPUTY HIGH REPRESENTATIVE IN BOSNIA, MICHAEL STEINER, WILL GO TO ZAGREB ON WEDNESDAY TO PRESSURE CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN TO HELP END THE BOYCOTT.

AMBASSADOR STEINER HAS ACCUSED WHAT HE CALLS A CROAT MAFIA OF RUNNING CROAT-CONTROLLED WEST MOSTAR. MR. GANIC AND MR. STEINER WILL BE ACCOMPANIED TO ZAGREB BY THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR TO BOSNIA. THE SENIOR AMERICAN ENVOY ON BOSNIA, JOHN KORNBLUM, IS ALSO IN THE REGION FOR TALKS. INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS SAY THE CROAT BOYCOTT IN MOSTAR, IF ALLOWED TO STAND, COULD SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR NATION WIDE ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER.

THE BOYCOTT HAS LED TO SHARPLY INCREASED TENSIONS BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND CROATS IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL BOSNIA. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS BOMBING AND ARSON ATTACKS, AND THREATS HAVE BEEN MADE AGAINST UNITED NATIONS POLICE MONITORS

U-N OFFICIALS SAY IT IS TIME TO GET AGGRESSIVE WITH THE LOCAL POLICE IN BOSNIA. ALEX IVANKO, THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE U-N INTERNATIONAL POLICE, KNOWN AS THE I-P-T-F, SAYS MUSLIM POLICE IN BUGOJNO IN CENTRAL BOSNIA TRIED TO EVICT A CROAT FAMILY FROM THEIR HOME, DESPITE A COURT RULING THAT THE CROATS COULD REMAIN.

I-P-T-F INTERFERED AND AS A RESULT THE DEPUTY COMMANDER OF THE POLICE THREATENED TO ARREST, KIDNAP AND SHOOT I-P-T-F OFFICERS.

THE U-N WANTS TWO SENIOR OFFICERS IN BUGOJNO FIRED.

U-N OFFICIALS ARE ALSO CALLING FOR THE DISMISSAL OF THE POLICE CHIEF OF CROAT WEST MOSTAR FOR KIDNAPPING A MUSLIM POLICE CHIEF FROM A NEARBY TOWN AFTER HE WAS BROUGHT TO A MEETING BY U-N POLICE. THE MUSLIM POLICE CHIEF WAS HELD FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE HEAVY INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE FORCED HIS RELEASE.

MR. IVANKO SAYS THE U-N EXPECTS THE MUSLIM AND CROAT AUTHORITIES TO COMPLY WITH THE DEMANDS.

WE BELIEVE WE CAN PUT ENOUGH PRESSURE ON THE BOSNIAN AND BOSNIAN CROAT AUTHORITIES TO ENSURE THAT THESE OFFICIALS ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR POSITIONS.

AS INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ON THE CROATS MOUNTS, SO TOO DO THE ETHNIC TENSIONS. WITH THE CROATS ADAMANTLY REJECTING THE ELECTION RESULTS, INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS MUST ONCE AGAIN SCRAMBLE TO GET THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS BACK ON TRACK. (SIGNED)
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30-Jul-96 11:16 AM EDT (1516 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] E-U / TRADE (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S TOP TRADE OFFICIAL, LEON BRITTAN, HAS PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO PROTECT COMPANIES THAT COULD BE PUNISHED UNDER U-S LAW BECAUSE THEY HAVE BUSINESS WITH CUBA INVOLVING PROPERTY ORIGINALLY SEIZED FROM AMERICANS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE AMERICAN LEGISLATION IS KNOWN AS THE HELMS-BURTON ACT, AND HAS ALREADY LED TO EUROPEAN BUSINESSMEN BEING DENIED ENTRY TO AMERICA. IT EVENTUALLY WILL ALLOW EUROPEAN COMPANIES OR INDIVIDUALS WHICH HAVE BUSINESS WITH CUBA TO BE SUED IN AMERICAN COURTS.

COMMISSIONER BRITTAN'S PROPOSAL WOULD ALLOW SUCH FIRMS TO RECOVER AMOUNTS AWARDED AGAINST THEM IN THE AMERICAN COURTS, BY COUNTER-SUING IN EUROPEAN COURTS. HE HAS ALSO PROPOSED SETTING UP WHAT HE CALLED A WATCH LIST OF AMERICAN FIRMS AND INDIVIDUALS WHICH FILE LAW SUITS AGAINST EUROPEAN COMPANIES.

COMMISSIONER BRITTAN SAYS EUROPEANS AND AMERICANS SHARE A CONTINUING DESIRE TO HELP TURN CUBA INTO A RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. BUT HE SAYS THE HELMS-BURTON ACT IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. INSTEAD, HE ARGUES THAT IT OFFENDS AND ATTACKS AMERICA'S TRUSTED ALLIES, DAMAGES BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES AND BEYOND, AND ESTABLISHES A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT THAT THE UNITED STATES ITSELF WILL COME TO REGRET -- IF OTHER COUNTRIES FOLLOW IT IN FUTURE.

COMMISSIONER BRITTAN ALSO WILL PROPOSE THAT THE AMERICAN ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE TAKEN BEFORE THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION OVER THE HELMS-BURTON ACT. MEANWHILE, E-U GOVERNMENTS ARE DISCUSSING YET ANOTHER RESPONSE -- WHETHER THEY SHOULD APPLY VISA RESTRICTIONS AGAINST AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN.

THE U-S CONGRESS HAS APPROVED ANOTHER PROPOSAL SIMILAR TO THE HELMS-BURTON ACT. IT WILL PUNISH FIRMS WHICH INVEST IN THE OIL SECTOR IN IRAN OR LIBYA. AND, AGAIN, COMMISSIONER BRITTAN SAID HE WILL CONSIDER POSSIBLE E-U RETALIATION.

EUROPEAN UNION GOVERNMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ACT ON THE COMMISSIONER'S PROPOSALS WHEN MINISTERS NEXT MEET IN BRUSSELS, IN SEPTEMBER. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH/MMK
30-Jul-96 10:01 AM EDT (1401 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GERMANY / TURKS (S ONLY) BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)

INTRO: THE RASH OF ATTACKS ON TURKISH PROPERTIES IN GERMANY CONTINUED TUESDAY WITH THE FIREBOMBING OF A MOSQUE. WHILE POLICE SAY NO ONE WAS INJURED, AND DAMAGE WAS SLIGHT, VOA'S DAGMAR BREITENBACH REPORTS AUTHORITIES THINK THE ATTACK MAY HAVE BEEN POLITICALLY-MOTIVATED.

TEXT: POLICE SAY ARSONISTS HURLED A FIREBOMB AT A MOSQUE IN THE WESTERN GERMAN CITY OF LEVERKUSEN, BUT RESIDENTS LIVING NEARBY MANAGED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES BEFORE FIRETRUCKS ARRIVED.

TUESDAY'S ATTACK IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF FIREBOMBINGS AGAINST TURKISH BUSINESSES AND PROPERTIES IN GERMANY WHICH INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE ARE LINKED TO A RECENT HUNGER STRIKE BY INMATES IN TURKISH PRISONS. THE STRIKE FOR BETTER LIVING CONDITIONS IN TURKISH JAILS ENDED SATURDAY, AFTER 12 PEOPLE DIED.

GERMAN SECURITY EXPERTS WARNED THERE COULD BE MORE ATTACKS ON TURKISH BUSINESSES IN GERMANY IF MORE TURKISH PRISONERS DIE OF THE AFFECTS OF THEIR HUNGER STRIKE. AUTHORITIES SUSPECT THAT LEFT-WING TURKISH SUPPORTERS OF THE PRISONERS MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ARSON SPREE.

GERMAN SECURITY EXPERTS HAVE RECORDED 49 ARSON ATTACKS SO FAR THIS MONTH ON TURKISH BUSINESSES AND PROPERTIES IN GERMANY, INCLUDING GROCERY STORES, CULTURAL CENTERS, AND CLUBS. WITH A POPULATION OF MORE THAN TWO-MILLION, TURKS ARE THE LARGEST FOREIGN COMMUNITY IN GERMANY. (SIGNED)
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30-Jul-96 5:19 AM EDT (0919 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY'S PARLIAMENT HAS APPROVED A FIVE-MONTH EXTENSION OF THE MANDATE OF THE U-S-LED FORCE BASED IN SOUTHERN TURKEY TO PROTECT IRAQI KURDS FROM POSSIBLE ATTACK BY IRAQ'S GOVERNMENT. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE PRO-ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE FORCE, KNOWN AS "OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT."

TEXT: THE DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT ON "PROVIDE COMFORT: WAS LIVELY AND OFTEN HEATED. IN A SERIES OF IMPASSIONED SPEECHES, MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION ACCUSED PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN'S PRO-ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY OF BETRAYING ITS SUPPORTERS BY VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE CONTINUED PRESENCE OF THE FORCE.

IN THE PAST, AS THE MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER, MR. ERBAKAN HAD FREQUENTLY CALLED FOR THE IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE OF WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS THE CHRISTIAN FORCE, SAYING IT UNDERMINED TURKEY'S SOVEREIGNTY AS WELL AS ITS RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBORING IRAQ.

BUT IN TUESDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE, PRIME MINISTER ERBAKAN VIGOROUSLY DEFENDED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE FORCE, SAYING THE GOVERNMENT HAD EXTRACTED MAJOR CONCESSIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES, FRANCE, AND BRITAIN, THE COUNTRIES WHICH TOGETHER WITH TURKEY MAKE UP THE FORCE.

HE SAID THESE INCLUDE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TURKISH OFFICERS IN THE FORCE'S MILITARY COORDINATION CENTER.

MR. ERBAKAN ALSO REFERRED TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RE-AFFIRMATION OF AMERICA'S SUPPORT FOR THE TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF IRAQ. ANALYSTS SAY PRESIDENT CLINTON'S WORDS WERE AIMED AT EASING WIDESPREAD FEARS AMONG MANY TURKS THAT UNDER WESTERN MILITARY PROTECTION, THE KURDS OF NORTHERN IRAQ ARE SLOWLY MOVING TOWARDS FULL INDEPENDENCE.

TWO SMALL LEFT WING PARTIES AND A SMALL RIGHT WING PARTY FAILED TO BE SWAYED BY THE PRIME MINISTER'S ARGUMENTS AND VOTED AGAINST THE EXTENSION. THE MAIN OPPOSITION CONSERVATIVE MOTHERLAND PARTY DID NOT TAKE PART IN THE VOTE.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS SAY THEY CONSIDER THE WELFARE PARTY'S SHIFT IN POLICY AN ENCOURAGING SIGN THAT IN POWER, THE ISLAMISTS WILL ADOPT A MORE MODERATE AND PRAGMATIST STANCE AND ADHERE TO TURKEY'S PRO-WESTERN TRADITIONS. (SIGNED)
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30-Jul-96 2:04 PM EDT (1804 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE U-N'S WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS BEGUN ITS 10TH WEEK OF HEARING TESTIMONY IN THE TRIAL OF BOSNIAN SERB, DUSAN TADIC. GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE MR TADIC IS ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND OTHER WAR CRIMES, INCLUDING MURDER AND TORTURE AT THE OMARSKA PRISON CAMP.

TEXT: THE COURT HEARD FROM THREE BOSNIAN MUSLIM SURVIVORS OF THE OMARSKA PRISON CAMP.

PERHAPS THE MOST MOVING WAS 56-YEAR-OLD HAKIJA ELEZOVIC, FROM A SMALL TOWN NEAR KOZARAC IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA. HE SAID THAT AFTER BOSNIAN SERBS TOOK OVER THE AREA, LIKE THE OTHER MUSLIM MEN, HE WAS ROUNDED UP FOR TRANSPORT TO PRISON CAMPS.

MR. ELEZOVIS SAID ONE OF HIS SONS WAS SHOT. PROSECUTORS SAY HIS OTHER SON WAS BEATEN TO DEATH BY DUSAN TADIC AT THE OMARSKA PRISON CAMP.

THROUGH A TRANSLATOR, MR ELEZOVIC TOLD THE COURT THAT AFTER HIS SECOND INTERROGATION AT OMARSKA, HE HAD BEEN TAKEN OUTSIDE TO BE BEATEN. HE SAID HIS SON WAS ALREADY THERE.

DULE (DUSAN TADIC) WAS THE FIRST TO MEET ME. HE STARTED WITH HIS FOOT AND SAID, "NOW YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE," AND BEGAN TO BEAT ME. AND MY SON WAS CRYING, "LET MY OLD MAN GO," AND THEN HE GOT AFTER MY SON. AND WHEN I STARTED STANDING UP, SOMEONE STRUCK ME ON THE NECK AND FELL AGAIN. I RECEIVED A VERY SEVERE BLOW, AND I LOST CONSCIOUSNESS FOR QUITE SOME TIME. AND WHEN I CAME TO, THEY WERE ALREADY LOADING THE DEAD. I MUST HAVE BEEN UNCONSCIOUS FOR AN HOUR OR TWO. THERE WERE VERY MANY DEAD AND THERE WAS MY SON.

THE WITNESS HAD ALSO BEEN HELD IN THE KERATERM PRISON CAMP AND SAID THERE HE WAS BRUTALLY KICKED BY DUSAN TADIC, CAUSING HEALTH PROBLEMS WHICH STILL TROUBLE HIM TODAY. HE IS THE FIRST WITNESS TO SAY HE SAW MR. TADIC IN KERATERM.

AS HIS TRIAL ENTERS ITS 10TH WEEK, MR. TADIC HIMSELF SEEMS TO BE SHOWING THE STRAIN. UNTIL NOW, HE HAS TAKEN CAREFUL NOTES. BUT ON TUESDAY, HE APPEARED IN COURT, UNSHAVEN, AND AT TIMES HE APPEARED NOT EVEN TO BE LISTENING.

MEANWHILE AN OFFICIAL BOSNIAN SERB DELEGATION IS CONTINUING TALKS AT THE TRIBUNAL. MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION SAY THEY HAVE BROUGHT NEW EVIDENCE OF ATROCITIES COMMITTED AGAINST BOSNIAN SERBS AND WANT THE TRIBUNAL TO ACT A JOINT TRIBUNAL-BOSNIAN SERB STATEMENT IS EXPECTED WHEN THE VISIT ENDS ON WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY. (SIGNED)
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30-Jul-96 1:14 PM EDT (1714 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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