Voice of America, 96-08-15

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA/CHRISTOPHER (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (SARAJEVO)

[03] CHRISTOPHER-SARAJEVO (S-RERUN CQ) BY RON PEMSTEIN (SARAJEVO)

[04] CYPRUS CILLER BY JENNIFER GRIFFIN (NICOSIA)

[05] CYPRUS VIOLENCE (L ONLY-RERUN CQ) BY JENNIFER GRIFFIN (NICOSIA)

[06] GERMANY/TURKEY (S ONLY) BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)

[07] THE TURKISH-IRANIAN PIPELINE DEAL BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[08] U-N / LANDMINES / BOSNIA (L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[09] U-S/TURKISH CYPRIOTS (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

[10] UNITED NATIONS / CROATIA (S ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

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

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

INTRO: FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE DAY, THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION IN SAN DIEGO IS THE MAIN FOCUS OF EDITORIALS IN THE U-S PRESS. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE LATEST FIGHTING IN CHECHNYA; A REPORT ON DECREASING JUVENILE CRIME; [OPT] THE GROWING LEGAL BATTLE AGAINST TOBACCO [END OPT], AND CONCERNS ABOUT A MORE MUSLIM-ORIENTED TURKEY. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS __________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: A VARIETY OF VIEWS AND COMMENTS ON THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATING CONVENTION UNDERWAY IN CALIFORNIA ARE FOUND ON TODAY'S EDITORIAL PAGES. IN THE MIDWEST, THE OMAHA [NEBRASKA] WORLD-HERALD COMMENTS ON HOW RETIRED GENERAL COLIN POWELL WAS GREETED BY CONVENTION DELEGATES.

VOICE: "SOME MIDLANDS [MIDWESTERN] DELEGATES SAID THEY WERE DISGUSTED WHEN OTHERS ON THE CONVENTION FLOOR BOOED COLIN POWELL AS HE REFERRED TO HIS PRO-CHOICE (ABORTION) VIEWS DURING HIS MONDAY NIGHT SPEECH... MIKE TEFFT OF LINCOLN [NEBRASKA] SAID, 'COLIN POWELL IS TOO BRILLIANT A MAN NOT TO BE PART OF OUR TEAM. I WAS ON MY FEET GIVING HIM A STANDING OVATION. HE SPEAKS TO OUR VALUES.' [MR.] TEFFT SEEMS TO REPRESENT THE MAJORITY SENTIMENT AT THE CONVENTION."

TEXT: IN NEW ENGLAND, THE BOSTON GLOBE SAYS REPUBLICAN PARTY EFFORTS TO REMAKE ITS IMAGE, AS PROJECTED AT THE CONVENTION, MUST BE FOLLOWED BY REAL CHANGE.

VOICE: "IN A HALL FILLED OVERWHELMINGLY WITH DELEGATES BOTH WHITE AND AGING, THE SPEECHES WERE PART OF A PERSISTENT EFFORT THIS WEEK TO REDRAW THE REPUBLICAN LANDSCAPE. THE G-O-P'S ATTEMPT TO BROADEN ITS HORIZONS SHOULD BE TAKEN NOT AS AN EMPTY RHETORICAL PLOY, BUT AS A POSITIVE SIGN OF RECOGNITION BY PARTY LEADERS THAT THEIR IMAGE IS TOO NARROW AND INTOLERANT... INCLUSIVE RHETORIC IS WELCOME; POLICIES TO BACK IT UP WOULD BE MORE SO."

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES USES A FOOTBALL ANALOGY, AND A PLAY CALLED THE REVERSE, TO DESCRIBE THE CHANGING POLITICAL PHILOSOPHIES OF VICE PRESIDENTEIAL NOMINEE JACK KEMP.

VOICE: "... IN A SERIES OF ... INTERVIEWS, MR. KEMP ANNOUNCED ... HE WAS SUPPORTING [AFTER PREVIOUSLY OPPOSING] A MINDLESS PLAN TO EXPEL THE CHILDREN OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS... IN THE SAME INTERVIEWS, MR. KEMP REVEALED ... HE WAS ENDING HIS OPPOSITION TO ANOTHER CALIFORNIA BALLOT INITIATIVE THAT WOULD ABOLISH AFFIRMATIVE-ACTION PROGRAMS IN THE STATE... WELL, JACK KEMP IS NOT THE FIRST REPUBLICAN TO REVERSE FIELD... [BUT] THE COST TO MR. KEMP'S SUBSTANTIAL EGO MUST HAVE BEEN PAINFULLY HIGH, FOR HIS REPUTATION AS A MAN OF FIRM CIVIL RIGHTS PRINCIPLES HAS BEEN CENTRAL TO HIS ENTIRE CAREER..."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS THE NEW FACES OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF REPUBLICANS IS SHINING THROUGH THE CONSERVATIVE AURA OF THIS CONVENTION.

VOICE: TUESDAY NIGHT'S ... SPEAKERS .. DID SHOW THERE IS MUCH MORE TO THE PARTY THAN THE STRIDENT VOICES THAT HAVE BEEN HEARD IN RECENT YEARS ... FROM THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER, REPRESENTATIVE SUSAN MOLINARI, TO ITS BATCH OF GOVERNORS WITH PROMISING TRACK RECORDS ... THE GOP PRESENTED A GROUP OF ENERGETIC NEW FACES WHO ARE, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT, MAINSTREAM AND ATTRACTIVE."

TEXT: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, NOTED FOR ITS CONSERVATIVE EDITORIAL POLICY, IS TRYING TO DETERMINE THE PHILOSOPHICAL CENTERLINE OF TODAY'S REPUBLICANISM, AT LEAST IN RELATION TO THE AMERICAN POLITICAL MAINSTREAM:

VOICE: "WHILE THE DIFFERENT PARTIES WILL ALWAYS HAVE WINGS AND FACTIONS AND EXTREMES, THE MAINSTREAM DEFINES OUR POLITICS. IT SOMETIMES MOVES, TO THE JOY OF SOME AND CHAGRIN OF OTHERS; THE ISSUE BEFORE US IS WHETHER THAT IS WHAT IS ON DISPLAY IN SAN DIEGO THIS WEEK."

TEXT: MOVING TO OTHER CONCERNS, THE FIGHTING IN THE CAUCUSES IS THE SUBJECT OF A LONG ISLAND NEWSDAY EDITORIAL, WHICH SAYS "[RUSSIAN PRESIDENT] YELTSIN NEEDS [A] PEACE PACT WITH CHECHNYA."

VOICE: "FOLLOWING A DARING MIDNIGHT RUN TO GROZNY UNDER REBEL FIRE TO DISCUSS A TRUCE, ALEXANDER LEBED, THE FORMER GENERAL WHO NOW HEADS RUSSIA'S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, WAS SCATHING IN HIS ASSESSMENT OF THE RUSSIAN TROOPS. [GENERAL] LEBED HAS THE CLOUT TO CONVINCE [PRESIDENT] YELTSIN HE MUST PUT AN END TO THE CHECHEN CONFLICT. NO ONE CAN EXPECT PEACE WITH HONOR IN CHECHNYA, ONLY AN END TO WAR."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS OF THE CHECHEN SITUATION:

VOICE: "MR. LEBED'S CANDOR IS REFRESHING, AND PROBABLY ACCURATE ON MOST COUNTS. BUT IT BETRAYS A DISTURBING DEGREE OF TURMOIL IN THE KREMLIN AT A TIME WHEN MR. YELTSIN IS AILING AND UNABLE TO DIRECT THE GOVERNMENT. KREMLIN INFIGHTING IS NOTHING NEW, BUT IT MAY PROVE PARTICULARLY DESTRUCTIVE WHEN SO MUCH NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ADVANCE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REFORM IN RUSSIA."

TEXT: BOTH THE MIAMI HERALD AND THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER ARE COMMENTING ON A NEW REPORT THAT SAYS VIOLENT JUVENILE CRIME DECLINED LAST YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TEN YEARS. FIRST THE INQUIRER:

VOICE: "EVERYONE -- FROM U-S ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO TO PARENTS TO BEAT COPS -- AGREES SUCH RATES ARE STILL WAY TOO HIGH. BUT THIS TENTATIVE GLIMMER OF HOPE OUGHT TO HAVE SOME IMPACT ON THE PUBLIC DISCOURSE ABOUT TEEN CRIME, WHICH TENDS TOWARD THE SHRILL AND APOCALYPTIC."

TEXT: THE MIAMI HERALD ADDS:

VOICE: "RIGHT NOW, NOT ENOUGH MONEY IS FUNDING THE KINDS OF CRIME-PREVENTION PROGRAMS THAT KEEP KIDS ON THE STRAIGHT PATH. SOME HARSHER MEASURES ARE WORKING, THOUGH THE EFFECTS OFTEN ARE HARDER TO DISCERN. THE KEY, FROM THE STATE HOUSE TO THE COURTHOUSE TO THE HOUSE ON THE CORNER, WILL BE TO FIND THE RIGHT, AND MOST EFFECTIVE, BALANCE."

TEXT: TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION COMMENTS ON THE 750-THOUSAND-DOLLAR DAMAGE SETTLEMENT AWARDED A CANCER-STRIKENED CIGARETTE SMOKER AFTER YEARS OF FAILED CONSUMER ATTEMPTS TO SUE THE U-S TOBACCO INDUSTRY.

VOICE: "FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE FLORIDA JURORS CONSIDERING THE LIABILITY SUIT AGAINST BROWN AND WILLIAMSON TOBACCO CORPORATION WERE SHOWN INTERNAL DOCUMENTS REVEALING HOW MUCH MORE THE COMPANY KNEW ABOUT THE DANGERS OF CIGARETTES THAN IT TOLD THE PUBLIC. SUCH DOCUMENTS PUNCH A HOLE IN WHAT HAS BEEN THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY'S AIRTIGHT ALIBI: THE ARGUMENT THAT SMOKERS ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR OWN ILLNESSES BECAUSE THEY SMOKE KNOWING FULL WELL THE RISKS THEY ARE TAKING."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE NEW YORK POST IS UPSET BY THE HUGE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE DEAL ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK IN TEHERAN BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAN:

VOICE: "TURKEY'S DEAL WITH IRAN, ANNOUNCED ONLY WEEKS AFTER PRESIDENT CLINTON SIGNED ANTI-TERROR LEGISLATION IMPOSING SANCTIONS AGAINST COMPANIES THAT MAKE NEW INVESTMENTS IN IRAN AND LIBYA, CAN'T BE VIEWED AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN A DIRECT SLAP IN AMERICA'S FACE... THIS IS A DANGEROUS PATH: TURKEY CANNOT COZY UP TO [BECOME MORE FRIENDLY TOWARDS] TERROR-SPONSORING STATES AND SIMULTANEOUSLY MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE U-S AND OTHER WESTERN DEMOCRACIES. WASHINGTON SHOULD MAKE THIS PLAIN TO ANKARA WITHOUT MINCING ANY WORDS [CANDIDLY]."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS TO BE FOUND IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/PCH
15-Aug-96 11:25 AM EDT (1525 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA/CHRISTOPHER (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: AT THE CONCLUSION OF HIS BRIEF VISIT TO SARAJEVO THURSDAY, SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER DELIVERED A DIRECT APPEAL TO HE BOSNIAN PEOPLE, URGING THEM TO VOTE IN NEXT MONTH'S ELECTIONS. IN A LIVE TELEVISION BROADCAST FROM THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL, THE SECRETARY SAID THE PLANNED BALLOT IS THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS. BUT THERE ARE GROWING THREATS OF A BOYCOTT BY AT LEAST SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S POLITICAL PARTIES, AS WE HEAR FROM V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN SARAJEVO.

TEXT: MR. CHRISTOPHER'S APPEARANCE ON BOSNIAN TELEVISION WAS THE FINAL EVENT OF HIS SIX HOUR VISIT HERE. SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, THE SECRETARY SAID WHAT HE HEARD IN SARAJEVO GAVE HIM CONFIDENCE THAT HOPE CAN TRIUMPH OVER VIOLENCE, AND TOLERANCE OVER HATE ON SEPTEMBER 14TH -- THE DATE SET FOR BOSNIA'S FIRST POST-WAR ELECTIONS.

THE SECRETARY SAID A SMALL MINORITY STARTED A WAR THAT MOST BOSNIANS DID NOT WANT. AND ON SEPTEMBER 14TH, HE ADDED, THE MAJORITY WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO BE HEARD.

BUT SOME BOSNIANS BELIEVE CONDITIONS ARE NOT YET RIPE FOR ELECTIONS HERE. AND THE U-S OFFICIAL HEARD THAT VIEW FIRST HAND AT A LUNCHEON MEETING WITH LEADING POLITICIANS AT THE AMERICAN EMBASSY.

FORMER PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILADZIC WAS AMONG THE GUESTS. AND AS HE EMERGED FROM THE MEETING, HE TOLD AN AMERICAN REPORTER THAT HOLDING ELECTIONS NOW WILL ONLY VALIDATE THE RESULTS OF GENOCIDE AND ETHNIC CLEANSING.

MR. SILADZIC, NOW IN OPPOSITION AT THE HEAD OF HIS OWN PARTY, SAID HE IS RECOMMENDING A BOYCOTT.

LEADERS OF EIGHT OTHER OPPOSITION GROUPS HAVE ISSUED SIMILAR THREATS. AND ALL SAY THEY ARE NOW CANVASSING THEIR SUPPORTERS BEFORE MAKING A FINAL DECISION.

THEIR CHIEF COMPLAINT REVOLVES AROUND A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM KNOWN AS THE "P-2," DRAFTED BY THE "ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE," WHICH IS OVERSEEING PREPARATIONS FOR NEXT MONTH'S ELECTIONS.

THE FORM IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW BOSNIANS TO VOTE FOR CANDIDATES IN PLACES OTHER THAN THEIR ORIGINAL RESIDENCE. BUT CRITICS CHARGE THAT HARD-LINE SERB AND CROAT LEADERS ARE USING THE PROCEDURE TO ENSURE THEIR CONTROL OVER AREAS CLEANSED OF MUSLIMS DURING THE WAR.

SERB LEADERS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE USED HUMANITARIAN AID AS PRESSURE TO ENSURE THAT SERB REFUGEES VOTE WHERE THEY ARE, RATHER THAN RETURN TO THEIR FORMER HOMES IN THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION. AND THE DOMINANT CROAT POLITICAL PARTY HAS MOVED SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF CROAT REFUGEES TO ITS TRADITIONAL STRONGHOLD IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY TO ENSURE VICTORY ON POLLING DAY.

O-S-C-E OFFICIALS HAVE GIVEN NO INDICATION THEY WILL AGREE TO CHANGE THE VOTING PROCEDURES. THEY SAY THE P-2 FORM WAS ONLY DESIGNED TO BE USED IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. BUT THEY SAY THEY ARE REVIEWING THE COMPLAINTS FROM THE BOSNIAN OPPOSITION GROUP.

ALL NINE OF THE PARTIES THREATENING TO BOYCOTT THE ELECTIONS ARE TRAILING FAR BEHIND THE RULING "DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ACTION," OR "S-D-A," IN OPINION POLLS HERE. BUT SOME OPPOSITION FIGURES BELIEVE THE S-D-A, LED BY PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC, SHARES THEIR CONCERN, AND WILL ALSO DECIDE ON A BOYCOTT, UNLESS THE O-S-C-E RULE IS CHANGED. (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/PCF/MMK
15-Aug-96 1:57 PM EDT (1757 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] CHRISTOPHER-SARAJEVO (S-RERUN CQ) BY RON PEMSTEIN (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS PAID A SIX-HOUR VISIT TO THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL, SARAJEVO, TO URGE BOSNIANS TO VOTE IN THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTION AND FORGET THE FOUR-AND-HALF YEARS OF WARFARE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO ON MR. CHRISTOPHER'S WALK THROUGH THE CITY.

TEXT: LEAVING HIS SUIT JACKET BEHIND IN THE CAR, SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER PLUNGED INTO THE MIDDAY CROWDS IN SARAJEVO'S MARKETPLACE, GREETING GROUPS OF APPLAUDING BOSNIANS. HIS MESSAGE WAS CLEAR -- TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PEACE, VOTE IN THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTION AND BUILD A BETTER FUTURE.

MR. CHRISTOPHER LAID A WREATH OF CARNATIONS AT THE SITE OF A MASSACRE OF CIVILIANS STANDING IN LINE FOR BREAD, AND EXPRESSED REGRET THAT THE UNITED STATES WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE WAR EARLIER. HE FINISHED HIS TOUR AT AN AMERICAN-FINANCED PLAYGROUND, WHERE HE PUSHED CHILDREN ON A SWING AND THEN SPOKE TO REPORTERS.

THERE IS NOTHING MORE UPLIFTING THAN TO SEE NORMALITY RETURNING. IT CERTAINLY MAKES ALL THE EFFORT WORTHWHILE AND MAKES YOU WANT TO RE-DOUBLE YOUR EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DON'T SLIDE BACK INTO WAR.

ON ARRIVAL, THE SECRETARY OF STATE TOOK PART IN A SIGN OF NORMALITY -- THE CEREMONIAL RE-OPENING OF SARAJEVO AIRPORT TO CIVILIAN TRAFFIC. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/PCF/MMK
15-Aug-96 8:35 AM EDT (1235 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] CYPRUS CILLER BY JENNIFER GRIFFIN (NICOSIA)

INTRO: GREEK CYPRIOTS ARE PREPARING TO BURY THE BODY OF A 26-YEAR-OLD MAN KILLED BY TURKISH TROOPS WHILE TRYING TO TEAR DOWN THE TURKISH FLAG IN THE U-N GUARDED BUFFER ZONE OF CYPRUS. FROM NICOSIA, CYPRUS, JENNIFER GRIFFIN REPORTS TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER TANSU CILLER FLEW TO CYPRUS WHERE SHE MET NORTHERN CYPRUS LEADER RAUF DENKTASH AND PROMISED TURKEY'S BACKING IN THE DISPUTE.

TEXT: MS. CILLER ARRIVED A DAY AFTER THE SHOOTING INCIDENT IN WHICH TURKISH SOLDIERS OPENED FIRE ONA GROUP OF STONE THROWING GREEK CYPRUIOT DEMONSTRATORS WHO HAD FORCED THEIR WAY INTO THE BUFFER ZONE.

AFTER MEETING MR. DENKTASH IN NORTHERN CYPRUS SHE APPEALED TO THE GREEK AND GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENTS TO FIND A PEACEFUL SOLUTION TO THE 22-YEAR-OLD CONFLICT. SHE ASLO ASKED THE UNITED NATIONS TO HELP RESTART STALLED NEGOTIATIONS ON THE PROBLEM.

BUT MS. CILLER ALSO SAID THE TROOPS WERE JUSTIFIED IN USING FORCE TP DEFEND THEIR INTERESTS AND THAT SIMILAR FORCE WOULD BE USED IN THE FUTURE TO BREAK THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO DISRESPECT THE TURKISH FLAG. MEANWHILE, U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GLYNN DAVIES CRITICIZED THE TURKISH SOLDIERS FOR OVERREACTING TO THE DEMONSTRATORS. THE SHOOTING LEFT ONE DEAD AND 11 INJURED, INCLUDING TWO TWO UNARMED U-N PEACEKEEPERS.

A FUNERAL FOR SOLOMOS SOLOMOU, THE GREEK CYPRIOT WHO DIED AS A RESULT OF THE SHOOTING WEDNESDAY, IS SET FOR FRIDAY EVENING. THE GOVERNMENT HAS IMPOSED A TWO-DAY BAN ON DEMONSTRATIONS TO AVOID FURTHER CLASHES.

U-S STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS PRAISED THE MOVE AND APPEALD TO THE TURKISH TROOPS TO AVOID LETHAL FORCE IN NON-LIFE THREATENING SITUATIONS.

TURKEY HAS HAD NEARLY 30-THOUSAND TROOPS STATIONED IN NORTHERN CYPRUS SINCE 1974 WHEN IT FIRST SENT ITS ARMY TO OCCUPY THE NORTHERN ONE-THIRD OF THE ISLAND. THE INVASION WAS SPURRED BY A COUP IN NICOSIA BACKED BY THE MILITARY JUNTA IN ATHENS.

THE TURKISH NORTHER DECLARED INDEPENDENCE IN 1983, BUT ONLY TURKEY RECOGNIZES IT AS AN INDEPENDENT STATE. (SIGNED)
NEB/JG/CF
15-Aug-96 4:25 PM EDT (2025 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] CYPRUS VIOLENCE (L ONLY-RERUN CQ) BY JENNIFER GRIFFIN (NICOSIA)

INTRO: TENSION REMAINS HIGH IN CYPRUS, A DAY AFTER TURKISH TROOPS SHOT AT GREEK CYPRIOT DEMONSTRATORS WHO HAD ENTERED THE U-N GUARDED BUFFER ZONE THAT DIVIDES GREEKS FROM TURKS. JENNIFER GRIFFIN IN NICOSIA REPORTS GREEK PRIME MINISTER COSTAS SIMITIS SAYS HE IS PLANNING TO ATTEND A FUNERAL FRIDAY IN CYPRUS FOR THE 26-YEAR-OLD MAN SHOT AND KILLED BY TURKISH SOLDIERS.

TEXT: IT WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS WEEK -- AND THE SECOND TIME SINCE CYPRUS WAS DIVIDED IN 1974 -- THAT CASUALTIES HAVE RESULTED FROM FIGHTING IN THE U-N BUFFER ZONE.

MINUTES AFTER SERVING AS A PALL BEARER TO HIS COUSIN, WHO WAS BEATEN TO DEATH SUNDAY BY TURKISH CIVILIANS WIELDING CLUBS, SOLOMOS SOLOMOU DECIDED TO AVENGE HIS COUSIN'S DEATH.

AFTER LEAVING THE NEARBY CEMETERY, MR. SOLOMOU AND 300 OTHER MOURNERS DROVE TO THE SPOT ON THE DIVIDING GREEN LINE WHERE THE GREEK CYPRIOT PROTESTERS CLASHED SUNDAY WITH TURKS.

SHOVING THEIR WAY PAST A CORDON OF U-N TROOPS, THE MOURNERS BEGAN HURLING ROCKS AT THE TURKISH SIDE, AND MR. SOLOMOU BEGAN CLIMBING A FLAG POLL TO TEAR DOWN THE TURKISH FLAG.

BEFORE HE REACHED THE TOP, TURKISH TROOPS OPENED FIRE. SOON HE WAS LYING IN A POOL OF BLOOD AT THE BASE OF THE POLE. HIS BODY HAD TO BE DRAGGED OUT OF THE BUFFER ZONE BY THE OTHER MOURNERS. TWO BRITISH U-N SOLDIERS WERE ALSO WOUNDED BY THE GUNFIRE.

THE DEATHS OF THE TWO COUSINS HAVE BECOME EMBLEMATIC OF HOW A YOUNG GENERATION OF GREEK CYPRIOTS -- MANY OF THEM TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER THE TURKISH INVASION -- FEEL ABOUT WHAT THEY CONSIDER OCCUPATION BY TURKEY.

MR. SOLOMOU'S FAMILY FLED THE NORTH CYPRUS TOWN OF FAMAGUSTA 22 YEARS AGO WHEN THE TURKS SENT TROOPS TO OCCUPY THE NORTHERN ONE-THIRD OF THE ISLAND. THE INVASION WAS SPURRED BY A BRIEF COUP BACKED BY ATHENS WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO UNITE CYPRUS WITH GREECE.

THIS WEEK'S EVENTS HAVE UNDERLINED THE ONGOING FEUD BETWEEN ETHNIC GREEKS AND TURKS IN CYPRUS. BOTH SIDES WERE GIVEN A STERN REBUKE BY THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL FOR NOT PREVENTING THE CLASHES.

THE INCIDENT HAS ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE LARGER TROUBLES BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY -- TWO NATO ALLIES WHO ARE LONGTIME FOES.

GREEK AND TURKISH LEADERS HAVE BEEN QUICK TO RESPOND TO THE INCIDENT. TURKEY'S FOREIGN MINISTER TANSU CILLER FLEW TO NORTHERN CYPRUS THURSDAY, JUSTIFYING THE TURKISH ARMY'S USE OF FORCE AGAINST THE DEMONSTRATORS WHO HAD ATTACKED THEIR FLAG. THE ARCHBISHOP AND HEAD OF THE CYPRUS ORTHODOX CHURCH PRAISED THE DEAD MAN'S BRAVERY FOR TRYING TO TEAR DOWN THE FLAG OF WHAT HE CALLED THE FOREIGN OCCUPIER.

LIKE HIS COUSIN, MR. SOLOMOU IS LIKELY TO BE GIVEN A STATE FUNERAL FRIDAY, JUST A FEW KILOMETERS FROM THE SPOT WHERE HE AND HIS COUSIN WERE KILLED. (SIGNED)
NEB/JG/JWH/MMK
15-Aug-96 11:02 AM EDT (1502 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] GERMANY/TURKEY (S ONLY) BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)

INTRO: GERMANY'S FOREIGN MINISTER IS WARNING THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ISOLATING TURKEY FOLLOWING A RECENT MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR DEAL IT SIGNED WITH IRAN TO PURCHASE OIL AND NATURAL GAS. FROM BONN, V-O-A'S DAGMAR BREITENBACH REPORTS THE REMARKS COME IN THE WAKE OF THREATENED U-S SANCTIONS OUTLINED IN A NEW AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY LAW.

TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL SAYS THE RECENT STATE VISIT BY TURKEY'S NEW PRIME MINISTER TO IRAN SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS A SIGN THAT TURKEY IS UNDERGOING A POLITICAL RE-ORIENTATION.

IN AN INTERVIEW THURSDAY WITH THE GERMAN DAILY NEWSPAPER "BILD ZEITUNG", MR. KINKEL POINTED OUT THE 23-BILLION DOLLAR OIL AND GAS DEAL WAS PLANNED LONG BEFORE THE NEW TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TOOK OFFICE, AND WAS A MATTER OF NORMAL INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, WITH WHICH OTHER COUNTRIES SHOULD NOT INTERFERE.

THE UNITED STATES HAS REACTED STRONGLY TO THE TURKISH DEAL WITH IRAN, WHICH COMES A WEEK AFTER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON SIGNED A LAW PENALIZING COMPANIES INVESTING IN ENERGY PROJECTS IN IRAN OR LIBYA. WASHINGTON REGARDS BOTH STATES AS SUPPORTERS OF TERRORISM.

GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KINKEL CALLS TURKEY A CLOSE WESTERN ALLY AND AN IMPORTANT BRIDGE AMONG EUROPE, THE ISLAMIC WORLD AND THE ASIA AFTER THE FALL OF THE IRON CURTAIN. EUROPEANS, THE FOREIGN MINISTER SAID, MUST DO THEIR UTMOST TO SHOW TURKEY IT BELONGS TO EUROPE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DB/PCF /MMK
15-Aug-96 8:05 AM EDT (1205 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] THE TURKISH-IRANIAN PIPELINE DEAL BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: EVER SINCE THE WELFARE PARTY OF ISLAMIC NATIONALISTS WON A MAJORITY IN TURKEY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, WESTERN OBSERVERS HAVE WORRIED THAT ONE OF THE STAUNCHEST NATO ALLIES MIGHT BEGIN SLIPPING TOWARD THE ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST ORBIT. NOW, IN HIS FIRST FOREIGN TRIP AS PRIME MINISTER, WELFARE PARTY LEADER NECMETTIN ERBANKAN HAS SIGNED A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR NATURAL GAS AND PIPELINE DEAL WITH IRAN, GIVING CREDENCE TO THOSE WORRIES.

MANY U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORS SEE THE DEAL AS ANOTHER INDICATION THAT TURKEY, LONG A SECULAR DEMOCRACY, MAY BE TURNING EASTWARD TOWARD ITS MORE ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST AND THEOCRATIC NEIGHBORS. WE GET A SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT NOW FROM __________________, WITH TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE AGREEMENT, ANNOUNCED MONDAY, SAYS THAT TURKEY AND IRAN WILL JOIN FORCES TO BUILD A HUGE PIPELINE TO SUPPLY TURKEY ABOUT 23-BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF IRANIAN NATURAL GAS OVER THE NEXT 23 YEARS. THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES ONLY WEEKS AFTER PRESIDENT CLINTON SIGNED INTO LAW A BILL MANDATING PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST U-S AND FOREIGN FIRMS THAT MAKE LARGE INVESTMENTS IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRIES OF IRAN AND LIBYA. THAT MEASURE IS DESIGNED TO KEEP THE TWO NATIONS, LONG ACCUSED OF FOSTERING INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM, ECONOMICALLY ISOLATED.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT IN UTAH, WITH THIS FROM WEDNESDAY'S (8/15) SALT LAKE [CITY] TRIBUNE.

VOICE: "WHAT IT MEANS FOR TURKEY TO BE GOVERNED BY A POLITICAL COALITION BECAME CLEAR TO U-S OFFICIALS THIS WEEK WHEN A TURKISH DELEGATION VISITED THE IRAQI AND IRANIAN CAPITALS ENTERPRISING [CONCLUDING] COMMERCIAL AGREEMENTS. ALTHOUGH THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS EXPRESSED THIS COUNTRY'S DISTRESS AT THESE TRADE INITIATIVES, TURKEY IS NO LONGER THE EASY ALLY IT ONCE WAS FOR THE U-S. THE RESURGENCE OF FUNDAMENTALIST ISLAM IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. GOVERNED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 75 YEARS BY A COALITION INCLUDING MOSLEM RELIGIONISTS, TURKEY HAS CLEARLY MODIFIED ITS PREVIOUS COOLNESS TOWARD BOTH ISLAMIC-CONTROLLED IRAN AND AN IRAQ AT LEAST SUBJECT TO MOSLEM SECTARIANISM. [OPT] ... WHILE TURKEY HAS, IN THE POST-WORLD WAR TWO ERA, BEEN A REASONABLY HELPFUL U-S ALLY, THAT WAS WHEN A THOROUGHLY SECULAR AND PRAGMATIC GOVERNMENT MADE POLICY IN ANKARA. NOW THAT TURKISH FUNDAMENTALISTS HAVE GAINED LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE POWER, THE ANTI-WEST BIAS SO PREVALENT IN SUCH MIDEAST MOVEMENTS WILL DOUBTLESS AFFECT FOREIGN POLICY, TOO. THAT'S A CERTAINTY FOR THE U-S IF THE LATEST INITIATIVES MEAN INCREASING TURKISH-IRAQI AND TURKISH-IRANIAN COZINESS [FRIENDLINESS]." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES ALSO LOOKS ON THE PIPELINE DEAL WITH ANXIETY, WARNING:

VOICE: "THE [CLINTON] ADMINISTRATION SHOULD MOVE WITH CONSIDERABLE CAUTION IN THIS MATTER. THERE MAY BE REASON FOR CONCERN THAT [TURKEY'S NEW MUSLIM PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN] ERBAKAN, IF HE HAD A FREE HAND, WOULD QUICKLY TRY TO SHIFT TURKEY AWAY FROM THE SECULARIST AND PRO-WESTERN POSITIONS IT HAS HELD SINCE THE EARLY 1920S. FOR NOW, THOUGH, HIS COALITION GOVERNMENT IS BEHAVING WITH RESTRAINT... THE IRAN GAS DEAL ... DOES NOT SIGNAL A MAJOR SHIFT IN TURKEY'S ORIENTATION. WASHINGTON SHOULD AVOID OVERREACTION."

TEXT: IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL ON WEDNESDAY [8/14], THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS, WHAT IT CALLS, "TURKEY'S TROUBLING DEAL WITH IRAN," COULD POSE PROBLEMS FOR TURKISH-U-S RELATIONS.

VOICE: "[OPT] THE ... GAS PIPELINE COOPERATION AGREEMENT ... [PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN] ERBAKAN SIGNED WITH IRAN ... DIRECTLY CHALLENGES ONE OF THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S CENTRAL FOREIGN POLICY GOALS. WASHINGTON WANTS TO ISOLATE IRAN AS A DANGEROUS ROGUE STATE THAT SPONSORS INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AND SEEKS NUCLEAR WEAPONS... [END OPT] THE SYMBOLISM OF THE HUGE DEAL, SIGNED DURING A HIGH-PROFILE VISIT TO TEHERAN AND OTHER ISLAMIC CAPITALS, SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. TURKEY NOW SEEMS SET TO EMBARK ON A MORE EASTWARD-LOOKING FOREIGN POLICY... [HOWEVER,] MR. ERBAKAN SHOULD UNDERSTAND ... HE CANNOT PROVIDE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SUPPORT TO ... TEHERAN WITHOUT ULTIMATELY DAMAGING HIS RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES."

TEXT: ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY OFFERS A SIMILAR VIEW, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: "[PRIME MINISTER] ERBAKAN IS MAKING GOOD ON HIS CAMPAIGN PLEDGE TO PUSH TURKEY AWAY FROM THE WEST AND CLOSER TO ISLAMIC POWERS OF THE MIDEAST. HE'S DOING SO AT THE RISK OF CREATING A DANGEROUS SPLIT IN NATO AND STRAINING RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES TO THE BREAKING POINT."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE NEW YORK POST ECHOES THE SENTIMENTS OF THE OTHER PAPERS ABOUT WHAT IT CALLS: "TURKEY'S DANGEROUS DRIFT."

VOICE: "TURKEY'S DEAL WITH IRAN, [OPT] ANNOUNCED ONLY WEEKS AFTER PRESIDENT CLINTON SIGNED ANTI-TERROR LEGISLATION IMPOSING SANCTIONS AGAINST COMPANIES THAT MAKE NEW INVESTMENTS IN IRAN AND LIBYA, [END OPT] CAN'T BE VIEWED AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN A DIRECT SLAP IN AMERICA'S FACE... THIS IS A DANGEROUS PATH: TURKEY CANNOT COZY UP TO [BECOME MORE FRIENDLY TOWARDS] TERROR-SPONSORING STATES AND SIMULTANEOUSLY MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE U-S AND OTHER WESTERN DEMOCRACIES. WASHINGTON SHOULD MAKE THIS PLAIN TO ANKARA WITHOUT MINCING ANY WORDS [CANDIDLY]."

TEXT: AND THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIAL REACTION TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS WEEK OF TURKEY'S HUGE NATURAL GAS CONTRACT WITH IRAN.
NEB/ANG/PCH
15-Aug-96 1:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] U-N / LANDMINES / BOSNIA (L) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HELD A DISCUSSION TODAY (THURSDAY) ON THE WORLDWIDE LANDMINE CRISIS AND PEACEKEEPING. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON IS AT THE UNITED NATIONS AND REPORTS THE PROLIFERATION OF MINES IN BOSNIA WAS ONE OF THE MAIN TOPICS COVERED IN THE LENGTHY DISCUSSION.

TEXT: DELEGATES SPEAKING AT THE SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING SAY THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED 110 MILLION LANDMINES IN ABOUT 64 COUNTRIES. ITALY'S REPRESENTATIVE SAYS THE REMOVAL OF THESE MINES IS CRUCIAL TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY. HE DESCRIBES THEM AS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DANGERS FOR THE DEPLOYMENT OF ANY PEACEKEEPING TROOPS.

COUNTRIES MOST EFFECTED BY LANDMINES INCLUDE AFGHANISTAN, ANGOLA, MOZAMBIQUE, CAMBODIA AND BOSNIA.

U-S AMBASSADOR FOR SPECIAL POLITICAL AFFAIRS TO THE UNITED NATIONS, KARL INDERFURTH, SPOKE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY MINES IN BOSNIA. HE SAYS THEY THREATEN CIVILIAN POPULATIONS LONG AFTER THEY HAVE SERVED THEIR MILITARY PURPOSE.

BOSNIA RANKS WITH THE MOST HEAVILY MINED COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD: AFGHANISTAN, ANGOLA, CAMBODIA AND MOZAMBIQUE. THE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE LOCATION OF THE MINES IN BOSNIA DENIES MUCH OF THE COUNTRY TO CIVILIAN USE. PEACEKEEPERS HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO CLEAR MINES AS PART OF THEIR MISSIONS, THUS DIVERTING SCARCE RESOURCES FROM OTHER MANDATED TASKS.

MR. INDERFURTH SAYS NATO'S IMPLEMENTATON FORCE IN BOSNIA HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN 47 MINE ACCIDENTS, RESULTING IN 55 CASUALITES, INCLUDING 10 DEATHS.

AN ESTIMATED 26-THOUSAND INNOCENT CIVILIANS ARE KILLED OR MAIMED EACH YEAR WORLDWIDE -- ABOUT 500 EACH WEEK -- BY LANDMINES LEFT OVER FROM CONFLICTS.

THE CHINESE DELEGATE CALLED FOR INCREASED TRAINING OF LOCAL POPULATIONS ON HOW REMOVE LANDMINES. KOREA'S REPRESENTATIVE SAYS EFFORTS SHOULD FOCUS ON TWO FRONTS. NOT ONLY SHOULD ACTIVE MINES BE REMOVED, BUT MEASURES SHOULD ALSO BE TAKEN TO PREVENT THE PRODUCTION AND SALE OF NEW LANDMINES. HE SAYS HE DOES NOT EXPECT IT TO BE EASY TO REACH A CONSENSUS ON A PRODUCTION BAN. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/MMK
15-Aug-96 2:42 PM EDT (1842 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S/TURKISH CYPRIOTS (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS ACCUSED TURKISH CYPRIOTS OF USING EXCESSIVE FORCE AGAINST GREEK CYPRIOT PROTESTORS WHO ENTERED THE BUFFER ZONE DIVIDING THE ISLAND WEDNESDAY. TURKISH GUNFIRE KILLED ONE PERSON AND WOUNDED SEVERAL OTHERS IN THE INCIDENT. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE TURKISH RESPONSE TO THE BUFFER ZONE INCURSION WAS DISPROPORTIONATE TO THE THREAT POSED BY THE GREEK CYPRIOT DEMONSTRATORS. AND IT HAS CALLED ON TURKISH CYPRIOT AUTHORITIES TO AVOID USING LETHAL FORCE IN NON LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS.

THE APPEAL BY STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GLYNN DAVIES REFLECTED GROWING U-S CONCERN THAT WEDNESDAY'S SHOOTING -- THE SECOND LETHAL ENCOUNTER SINCE SUNDAY -- COULD TRIGGER A NEW SPIRAL OF VIOLENCE ON THE DIVIDED ISLAND.

MR. DAVIES HAD MADE A NEUTRAL CALL ON BOTH SIDES TO AVOID BUFFER-ZONE INCURSIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WEDNESDAY INCIDENT, IN WHICH TURKISH TROOPS SHOT AND KILLED A GREEK CYPRIOT WHO HAD TRIED TO TEAR DOWN A TURKISH FLAG.

BUT HE SINGLED OUT THE TURKISH CYPRIOT SIDE FOR CRITISCISM THURSDAY, WHILE COMMENDING THE GREEK-CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT FOR IMPOSING A TWO-DAY BAN ON DEMONSTRATIONS AND THUS REDUCING THE CHANCES FOR FURTHER VIOLENCE.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION -- WHICH ONLY LAST MONTH LAUNCHED A NEW EFFORT FOR A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT ON CYPRUS IS STILL DETERMINED TO TRY TO PLAY A USEFUL ROLE. BUT HE SAID THE MAIN QUESTION NOW IS HOW TO DEFUSE THE CURRENT DISCOURAGING SITUATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/MMK
15-Aug-96 3:14 PM EDT (1914 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[10] UNITED NATIONS / CROATIA (S ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IS URGING THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT AN AMNESTY FOR PEOPLE WHO SERVED AUTHORITIES IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY FORMERLY UNDER SERB CONTROL. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON HAS THE DETAILS AT THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: A STATEMENT FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT (THURSDAY) SAID THE CALL FOR A NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE AMNESTY COMES AMID CONCERNS THAT AN EARLIER AMNESTY HAS FAILED TO CREATE CONFIDENCE AMONG SERBS IN EASTERN SLAVONIA.

THE NEW AMNESTY WOULD COVER ALL PEOPLE WHO SERVED IN THE CIVIL ADMINISTRATION, MILITARY OR POLICE FORCES OF LOCAL SERB AUTHORITIES, EXCEPT THOSE WHO COMMITTED WAR CRIMES AS DEFINED IN INTERNATIONAL LAW.

THE STATEMENT SAYS A GENERAL AMNESTY IS AN INDISPENSABLE CONDITION FOR THE SAFE RETURN OF REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS.

IT ALSO SAYS THE U-N TRANSITIONAL ADMINISTRATION FOR EASTERN SLAVONIA, UNTAES, IS PREPARED TO CONSIDER EXTENDING ITS MANDATE IN THE AREA. UNTAES OVERSEAS ABOUT FIVE-THOUSAND PEACE-KEEPERS AND A CIVILIAN CONTINGENT THAT IS HELPING TO DEMILITARIZE THE REGION AND FACILITATE ITS RETURN TO CROATIAN CONTROL. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/MMK
15-Aug-96 12:39 PM EDT (1639 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE PROSECUTION IN THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIAL IN HALF A CENTURY HAS COMPLETED ITS CASE. IN THE FIRST TRIAL AT THE U-N'S YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS, BOSNIAN SERB DUSAN TADIC IS ACCUSED OF CRIMES COMMITTED IN AND AROUND THREE PRISON CAMPS IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA IN 1992. GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE.

TEXT: OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS, THE COURT HAS HEARD MORE THAN 70 WITNESSES AND SEEN MORE THAN 300 PIECES OF EVIDENCE. PROSECUTORS HAD TO PROVE NOT ONLY THAT DUSAN TADIC MURDERED AND TORTURED, AS THEY SAY HE DID, BUT THAT HE DID SO AS PART OF A SYSTEMATIC PATTERN. ANALYSTS SAY THE PATTERN HAS BEEN PROVED BEYOND A DOUBT, BUT MR. TADIC'S PART IN IT IS LESS CLEAR.

MANY OF THE WITNESSES WHO HAVE FACED THE 40-YEAR-OLD DUSAN TADIC IN COURT HAVE BEEN FORMER FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS FROM HIS HOMETOWN OF KOZARAC. EACH STORY HAS BEEN A PERSONAL TRAGEDY. THERE HAS BEEN DETAILED EVIDENCE OF CRUELTY IN THE SERB-RUN PRISON CAMPS. WITNESS AFTER WITNESS HAS PLACED DUSAN TADIC IN ONE OF THE THREE CAMPS WHERE HE IS ACCUSED OF COMMITTING WAR CRIMES. MANY SAY THEY SAW HIM SHORTLY BEFORE OR SHORTLY AFTER ATROCITIES TOOK PLACE, BUT ONLY A HANDFUL OF THEM HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DIRECTLY IMPLICATE HIM.

THROUGHOUT THE MONTHS, MR. TADIC HIMSELF HAS SAT IMPASSIVELY IN THE DOCK, BUSILY WRITING NOTES AND SHOWING LITTLE OR NO EMOTION. HE FACES A MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT IF HE IS FOUND GUILTY. HIS DEFENSE TEAM HAS CONSISTENTLY CLAIMED THAT WITNESSES HAVE DISCUSSED THEIR STORIES BEFORE TAKING THE WITNESS STAND AND THAT THEY ARE BLAMING DUSAN TADIC THROUGH A NEED FOR REVENGE.

DEFENSE LAWYERS SET OFF SHORTLY FOR BOSNIA, WHEN THEY'LL BE LOOKING FOR MORE WITNESSES TO BACK UP THEIR CASE. THEY MUST ALSO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR A VIDEO LINK TO ALLOW SOME OF THEIR WITNESSES TO TESTIFY FROM THE TERRITORY OF REPUBJIKA SRPSKA. SOME DEFENSE WITNESSES SAY THEY FEAR PROSECUTION IF THEY TRAVEL TO THE HAGUE. THE DEFENSE CASE IS DUE TO BEGIN IN MID-SEPTEMBER. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/PCF/MMK
15-Aug-96 1:12 PM EDT (1712 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article