Voice of America, 96-08-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] MONDAY'S HEADLINES BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[02] BOSNIA / ELECTIONS (L ONLY) BY COLIN SOLOWAY (SARAJEVO)

[03] BOSNIAN ELECTION NEARS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[04] CYPRUS HIJACKING (L) BY JENNIFER GRIFFIN (NICOSIA)

[05] U-S/ KURD APPEAL (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

[06] U-S/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[07] U.S. MUSLIMS AND POLITICS BY DON HENRY (WASHINGTON)

[01] MONDAY'S HEADLINES BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION OPENS TODAY IN CHICAGO AND SEVERAL NEWSPAPERS ARE DEVOTING EDITORIAL SPACE TO COMMENT ON IT. OTHER TOPICS THIS MONDAY: THE KREMLIN POWER STRUGGLE OVER CHECHNYA; THE FORTHCOMING BOSNIAN ELECTION; OPPOSITION TO U-S GOVERNMENT RADIO AND TV BROADCASTS TO CUBA; THE MYSTERIOUS GULF WAR SYNDROME AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT CYPRUS. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: FOR SEVERAL DAYS, NEWSPAPERS HAVE BEEN RECALLING THE LAST DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION HELD IN CHICAGO, IN 1968, WHEN ANTI-VIETNAM WAR PROTESTERS CLASHED WITH POLICE IN WHAT WAS LATER DESCRIBED AS A POLICE RIOT. THE CONVENTION RESULTED IN THE NOMINATION OF HUBERT HUMPHREY TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT, DESPITE THE CLAMOR OF SOME DELEGATES FOR THE ANTI-WAR CANDIDATE, EUGENE MCCARTHY. THERE WAS ALSO SIGNIFICANT RACIAL DIVISIONS IN SOME SOUTHERN DELEGATIONS. BUT THIS CONVENTION PROMISES TO BE MUCH MORE ORDERLY. SOME PAPERS SUGGEST IT WILL BE LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION TWO WEEKS AGO IN SAN DIEGO. SAYS THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR:

VOICE: "THE GOALS ARE TO SHOW THE PRESIDENT IN A POSITIVE LIGHT, CONVINCE VOTERS HE DESERVES FOUR MORE YEARS, AND EMERGE WITH A POST-CONVENTION 'BOUNCE' THAT ESTABLISHES A SOLID LEAD OVER BOB DOLE IN THE POLLS ....."

TEXT: IN MIAMI, THE HERALD IS CONCERNED ABOUT HOW MR. CLINTON WILL EXPLAIN HIS VISION FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

VOICE: "MR. CLINTON NATURALLY WILL WISH TO INSPIRE THE PARTY FAITHFUL TO WORK HARD TO RE-ELECT THE TICKET AND RECLAIM CONGRESS. HIS MOST USEFUL SERVICE, THOUGH, WOULD BE TO DELINEATE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIS PRIORITIES AND THE (REPUBLICANS)."

TEXT: USA TODAY SAYS THAT MOVING TOWARD THE POLITICAL CENTER IS THE BEST WAY FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON TO BE VICTORIOUS AGAIN.

VOICE: "NOW, AS THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION CONVENES, THE QUESTION IS ONE OF CREDIBILITY: IF [MR.] CLINTON HAS REDISCOVERED THE MIDDLE, WILL HE STAY THERE? AND, IF HE WINS, CAN HE BRING HIS PARTY WITH HIM? ... FOR TRUE BELIEVERS OF THE RIGHT OR LEFT, MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD IS A TERM OF DERISION. BUT FOR [MR.] CLINTON AND A SHAKEN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, IT MUST BE A BELIEVABLE MANDATE."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES, WHICH TENDS TO BE PRO-REPUBLICAN, SAYS CHICAGO'S REPUTATION FOR POLITICAL CORRUPTION MAKES IT THE PERFECT PLACE FOR A CLINTON NOMINATING CONVENTION.

VOICE: "HOW APPROPRIATE. THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENES TODAY IN THE DEMOCRATIC STRONGHOLD OF CHICAGO, OVERSEEN BY ARGUABLY THE MOST CORRUPT CITY GOVERNMENT IN THE NATION, TO RENOMINATE THE PRESIDENT OF A DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATION ENVELOPED IN SLEAZE [SCANDAL/CORRUPTION]. INDEED, THE CLINTON REGIME EPITOMIZES SLEAZE -- FROM THE WHITEWATER, TRAVELGATE AND FILEGATE SCANDALS DIRECTLY INVOLVING THE PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY TO A SLEW OF CORRUPTION PROBES INVESTIGATING AN INORDINATE NUMBER OF PRESENT AND FORMER CABINET SECRETARIES AND OTHER HIGH OFFICIALS..."

TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS, THE BALTIMORE SUN SAYS THE RUSSIAN POWER STRUGGLE OVER THE CHECHNYA CRISIS IS ROOTED IN FEARS WITHIN THE KREMLIN THAT SECURITY CHIEF ALEXANDER LEBED MAY BECOME TOO POWERFUL.

VOICE: "SO MANY PEOPLE -- PARTICULARLY IN RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S INNER CIRCLE -- WANT RETIRED GENERAL ALEXANDER LEBED TO FAIL THAT THE SECURITY CHIEF'S EARLY SUCCESS IN BRINGING HOSTILITIES TO AN END IN CHECHNYA IS NOTHING SHORT OF STUNNING. MR. LEBED'S MISSION MAY ULTIMATELY FAIL BECAUSE HIS RIVALS DON'T WANT HIM TO ACQUIRE MORE POWER AND PRESTIGE... THIS POWER CONFLICT IS SO FUNDAMENTAL THAT ONE OF THE RIVALS HAS TO FAILL. MR. YELTSIN'S HEALTH IS SO PRECARIOUS THAT THE KREMLIN POWER STRUGGLE CONCERNS WHO CAN SPEAK IN HIS NAME IN HIS ABSENCE... CHECHNYA IS LIKELY TO PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THAT DRAMA."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES SAYS TRENDS LEADING UP TO THE SCHEDULED ELECTION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA DO NOT LOOK GOOD.

VOICE: "THE PROCESS THAT WAS ENVISIONED IN THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD AS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD A NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT AND A MULTI-ETHNIC STATE IS BECOMING A STUDY IN CORRUPTION AND MANIPULATION BY THE VARIOUS ETHNIC PARTIES. PRIMARILY THE BOSNIAN SERBS, BUT THE CROATS AND MUSLIMS AS WELL, ARE WRITING THE BOOK ON ELECTION FRAUD IN THE UPCOMING SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTIONS..."

TEXT: THE CUBAN BROADCASTING ARM OF THE VOICE OF AMERICA, RADIO AND TV MARTI, IS CRITICIZED AS IRRELEVANT BY TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES, WHICH SAYS THE ANTI-CASTRO OUTLETS HAVE "OUTLIVED THEIR VALUE."

VOICE: "WHATEVER THE INITIAL INTENTIONS, MARTI HAS BECOME LARGELY IRRELEVANT IN THE PROPAGANDA GAME. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD SHUT DOWN THE POWER. IT'S TIME TO CAN [END] THIS FAILED PROJECT."

TEXT: NEWSDAY ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND IS DEMANDING THAT THE PENTAGON GIVE SOME CREDIBLE ANSWERS TO THOUSANDS OF U-S MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO HAVE SUFFERED MYSTERIOUS ILLNESSES TRACED TO THE GULF WAR.

VOICE: "MORE THAN 60-THOUSAND AMERICAS HAVE ASKED FOR HEALTH SCREENINGS TO FIND OUT WHETHER THEY'RE SICK AS A RESULT OF THEIR SERVICE IN THE 1991 PERSIAN GULF WAR. HOW MANY OF THEM WERE EXPOSED TO IRAQI CHEMICAL WEAPONS? NONE, THE PENTAGON USED TO SAY. BUT NOW IT ADMITS THAT ABOUT 11-HUNDRED SOLDIERS 'MIGHT' [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] HAVE RECEIVED LOW DOSES OF SARIN NERVE GAS WHEN ARMY ENGINEERS BLEW UP AN IRAQI BUNKER AT THE END OF THE WAR... THE PENTAGON ... SHOULD MOVE QUICKLY TO NOTIFY THOSE WHOSE SYMPTOMS MIGHT BE EXPLAINED BY EXPOSURE TO LOW-LEVEL DOSES."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE RECENT VIOLENCE BETWEEN GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS ON THE MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND, TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST SUGGESTS A NEW APPROACH:

VOICE: "... RECAST THE CYPRUS PROBLEM BY TREATING IT NOT AS SOURCE BUT SYMPTOM OF A DISPUTE WHOSE ORIGINS [LIE] ELSEWHERE -- IN FUNDAMENTAL GREEK AND TURKISH DIFFERENCES OVER THE AEGEAN SEA. THE TWO COUNTRIES NEARLY WENT TO WAR LAST JANUARY OVER RIVAL CLAIMS TO OWNERSHIP OF AN UNINHABITED ISLET THERE. AN AMERICAN SPECIALIST WRITING IN THIS NEWSPAPER ... SUGGESTS A NEGOTIATION AIMED AT GAINING FOR GREECE TURKISH RESPECT FOR ITS SOVEREIGNTY IN THE AEGEAN AND FOR TURKEY UNHINDERED ACCESS THROUGH THE SEA TO ITS MAIN PORTS. FROM AN AEGEAN PROCESS A CYPRUS NEGOTIATION MIGHT MORE EASILY FLOW. WHY NOT TRY EVERYTHING."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FOUND MONDAY IN SOME OF THE LEADING U-S NEWSPAPERS.
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26-Aug-96 11:43 AM EDT (1543 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / ELECTIONS (L ONLY) BY COLIN SOLOWAY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS WILL DECIDE TUESDAY WHETHER TO POSTPONE BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE FACE OF GROWING PROTESTS OVER CHARGES OF SERB VOTE-RIGGING. COLIN SOLOWAY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS IRREGULARITIES IN VOTER REGISTRATION ARE ONLY ONE OF MANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS FACING THE ELECTION ORGANIZERS, THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, O-S-C-E.

TEXT: THE TALK OF POSTPONEMENT STEMS FROM THE RELEASE OF VOTER REGISTRATION DATA FROM YUGOSLAVIA LAST WEEK.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS SAY THEY BELIEVE SERBS WERE CHANNELING MORE THAN 120-THOUSAND VOTERS INTO TOWNS THAT BEFORE THE WAR HAD MUSLIM MAJORITIES. THEIR VOTES WOULD ENSURE THAT EVEN IF ETHNICALLY CLEANSED MUSLIMS MAKE IT HOME TO VOTE, THEY WILL NEVER REGAIN POLITICAL CONTROL.

SERB REFUGEES IN SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO COMPLAINED TO JOURNALISTS AND O-S-C-E MONITORS THAT THEY WERE DISCOURAGED FROM REGISTERING TO VOTE IN THEIR OLD HOMES IN THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION. INSTEAD, THEY WERE OBLIGED TO REGISTER IN SERB-CONTROLLED TOWNS LIKE ZVORNIK, BRCKO, AND SREBRENICA.

THE RULING BOSNIAN MUSLIM PARTY, THE S-D-A, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT IT MAY BOYCOTT THE VOTE IF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ARE NOT POSTPONED. BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT, BIUANA PLAVSIC ANNOUNCED ON SUNDAY THAT IF THE O-S-C-E CANCELS MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, THE SERBS WOULD GO AHEAD WITH THE VOTE ON THEIR OWN.

UNDER THE DAYTON AGREEMENT, WHICH MANDATES INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION ONLY OF CANTONAL AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS, THIS IS LEGALLY POSSIBLE. AND OFFICIALS SAY IT WOULD CEMENT EVEN MORE FIRMLY THE RESULTS OF ETHNIC CLEANSING.

THE CRISIS OVER VOTER REGISTRATION IS ONLY ONE OF CHALLENGES THE O-S-C-E FACES IN THE COUNTDOWN TO WHAT MANY DIPLOMATS ARE CALLING THE MOST COMPLEX ELECTIONS IN HISTORY. ALREADY, IT HAS RUN INTO SERIOUS TECHNICAL PROBLEMS. THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE O-S-C-E ANNOUNCED THAT AS MANY AS EIGHT-THOUSAND OF THE 28-THOUSAND CANDIDATES MAY BE INELIGIBLE TO RUN IN THE ELECTIONS, SINCE THEIR NAMES CANNOT BE FOUND IN THE 1991 CENSUS LIST.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT HAS PROVOKED OUTRAGE FROM A NUMBER OF CANDIDATES. MANY OF THOSE MISSING FROM THE LIST ARE PROMINENT CITIZENS, FORMER MEMBERS OF THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, AND EVEN BOSNIA'S LAST REPRESENTATIVE ON YUGOSLAVIA'S FEDERAL PRESIDENCY. THE O-S-C-E SAYS IT SHOULD BE ABLE TO CLEAR UP MANY OF THE CLERICAL ERRORS THIS WEEK.

BUT EVEN THE DATE FOR THE START OF REFUGEE VOTING HAS BECOME MIRED IN CONFUSION. THE VOTE ABROAD IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN WEDNESDAY. BUT TURKISH ORGANIZERS ALLOWED VOTING TO BEGIN ON SUNDAY.

OFFICIALS SAY THESE ARE MINOR TECHNICAL HITCHES, BUT THEY ILLUSTRATE THE PROBLEMS INHERENT IN SUCH A LARGE AND RAPIDLY ORGANIZED ELECTIONS OPERATION. (SIGNED)
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26-Aug-96 2:37 PM EDT (1837 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIAN ELECTION NEARS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS THE DATE APPROACHES FOR THE NATIONWIDE ELECTION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, THERE IS GROWING CONCERN ABOUT THE VOTING. FOR A SAMPLING OF WHAT U-S PAPERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE VOTE, WE CALL ON __________________FOR TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: U-S EDITORIAL WRITERS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED THAT IF THE ELECTION IS HELD AS SCHEDULED ON SEPTEMBER 14TH, IT WILL BE NEITHER FREE NOR FAIR. [BEGIN OPT] OTHERS IN BOSNIA AGREE. A SENIOR U-N OFFICIAL IN BOSNIA SAYS IRREGULARITIES IN VOTER REGISTRATION ARE UNDERMINING NOT ONLY THE PROSPECTS FOR A FAIR ELECTION NEXT MONTH -- BUT THE CHANCES FOR PEACE ITSELF. AS THE WEEK BEGAN, SOREN JESSEN-PETERSEN, THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY'S ENVOY FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SAYS EXTREMIST NATIONALIST LEADERS ARE PREVENTING REFUGEES FROM REGISTERING TO VOTE IN THEIR PRE-WAR HOMES. MR. JESSEN-PETERSEN SAYS THIS BLOCKS EFFORTS TO GUARANTEE A FREE VOTE SEPTEMBER 14TH, AND WILL HELP MAINTAIN THE DE FACTO DIVISION OF THE COUNTRY, WHILE RAISING THE DANGER OF RENEWED CONFLICT. [END OPT]

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT IN CONNECTICUT, WHERE THE HARTFORD COURANT CALLS FOR THE ARREST OF THE TWO BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS, WHO LED THE FIGHTING, BOSNIA SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC.

VOICE: "PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC OF SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA OUGHT TO BE TOLD CLEARLY THAT MR. KARADZIC'S RETIREMENT IS NOT ENOUGH. [BEGIN OPT] MR. MILOSEVIC MUST HELP IN MR. KARADZIC'S ARREST OR FACE A NEW ROUND OF INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS THAT COULD AGAIN ISOLATE YUGOSLAVIA. ...... NOW THAT HE HAS RESIGNED AS PARTY LEADER, MR. KARADZIC MAY SEEM POWERLESS - - BUT ONLY ON PAPER. SO LONG AS HE AND HIS COHORT REMAIN AT LIBERTY, THEY CAN BE COUNTED ON TO INTERFERE IN THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN. [END OPT] ..... THE FUTURE OF PEACE IN BOSNIA DEPENDS ON HAULING TO THE HAGUE TRIBUNAL ALL OF THE INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS, STARTING WITH MR. KARADZIC AND GENERAL MLADIC."

TEXT: IN THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS SAYS THAT IF HONEST ELECTIONS ARE TO BE HELD, THE UNITED STATES MUST APPLY A GOOD DEAL MORE PRESSURE THAN IT HAS BEEN UP TILL NOW, OR AGREE TO A POSTPONEMENT.

VOICE: "UNLESS THE SITUATION IMPROVES DRAMATICALLY, THE ORGANIZATION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, WHICH IS IN CHARGE OF OVERSEEING THE ELECTIONS, MUST BE BRAVE ENOUGH TO RECOMMEND TO WASHINGTON AND OTHER WESTERN CAPITALS THAT THE ELECTIONS BE POSTPONED. SUCH A RECOMMENDATION WOULD JEOPARDIZE MR. CLINTON'S DECEMBER 20TH DEADLINE FOR PULLING U-S TROOPS OUT OF BOSNIA. [BEGIN OPT] BUT WITHOUT SOME MODICUM OF FAIRNESS IN THE ELECTIONS, THE RESULTS ARE CERTAIN TO BE CONTESTED, WHICH COULD MEAN A FRESH OUTBREAK OF FIGHTING. AND THAT WOULD MEAN THE LAST YEAR OF PEACEKEEPING IN BOSNIA, THE BILLIONS SPENT AND THE LIVES LOST, WILL HAVE BEEN FOR NAUGHT." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN THE MIDWEST, THERE IS ALSO GRAVE SKEPTICISM ABOUT PRESIDENT CLINTON'S POSITIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION AS THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD EXPLAINS:

VOICE: "IT'S TOO SOON FOR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO DECLARE BOSNIA A FOREIGN POLICY TRIUMPH. DESPITE THE PRESENCE OF U-S TROOPS, THE PEACE ..... REMAINS FRAGILE. THE SITUATION MAY GET WORSE AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 14 .... ELECTIONS. HOPES ARE DWINDLING THAT THOSE ELECTIONS WILL BE OPEN OR FAIR. .......THE PRESIDENT HAS EXPRESSED CONTINUED HOPE THAT THE ELECTIONS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. HE HAS PROCLAIMED THE WORK OF THE 60-THOUSAND-MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE "A TERRIFIC SUCCESS. THERE'S STILL THE QUESTION OF WHETHER STABILITY WILL RETURN TO BOSNIA AFTER THE ELECTION. JUDGING FROM THE RESENTMENTS THAT STILL SEETHE IN BOSNIA, THAT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN. ..... TO PROCLAIM A 'TERRIFIC SUCCESS' HAS LESS TO DO WITH REALITY THAN WITH THE FACT THAT AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN IS PROCEEDING BACK HOME IN AMERICA."

TEXT: IN GEORGIA, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION HAS ALREADY MADE UP ITS MIND ABOUT THE BALLOTING, AND DECLARES:

VOICE: "THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS ..... OUGHT TO BE POSTPONED. CONDITIONS THERE FALL FAR SHORT OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS. ..... BUT WASHINGTON AND ITS EUROPEAN ALLIES ARE DETERMINED TO GO AHEAD WITH THIS DEEPLY FLAWED ELECTION PROCESS ANYWAY. APPARENTLY, THEY ARE IN A HURRY TO WIND UP THEIR BOSNIAN MISSION."

TEXT: THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH IS ALSO CALLING FOR THE BALLOTING TO BE PUT OFF, SINCE THE PAPER FEELS THAT A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION IN THREE WEEKS CANNOT BE DONE.

VOICE: "..... AS THE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP, HEADED BY FORMER SENATOR GEORGE MITCHELL, CONCLUDED, THERE IS 'NO WAY THE ELECTIONS CAN BE CONSIDERED TO BE EVEN REMOTELY FREE AND FAIR.' [BEGIN OPT] BECAUSE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT HASN'T BEEN ASSURED, REFUGEES HAVEN'T RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. THAT MEANS, AS SWISS FOREIGN MINISTER FLAVIO COTTI PUT IT, THAT 'ATTEMPTS TO CREATE ETHNICALLY PURE STATES CONTINUE.' [END OPT] ELECTIONS ARE LIKELY TO RATIFY ETHNIC CLEANSING INSTEAD OF BUILDING A MULTI-ETHNIC STATE. UNTIL THE PRECONDITIONS FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS ARE PRESENT, THEY SHOULD BE POSTPONED."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF SOME MAJOR U-S PAPERS ON THE PROSPECTS FOR THE SEPTEMBER 14 ELECTION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.
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26-Aug-96 1:14 PM EDT (1714 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CYPRUS HIJACKING (L) BY JENNIFER GRIFFIN (NICOSIA)

INTRO: A SUDANESE AIRBUS EN ROUTE TO AMMAN, JORDAN FROM KHARTOUM HAS BEEN HIJACKED TO THE MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND OF CYPRUS FROM THE CAPITAL NICOSIA, JENNIFER GRIFFEN REPORTS THE PLANE HAS LANDED IN LARNACA IN ORDER TO REFUEL.

TEXT: THE HIJACKERS ORDERED THE SUDANESE AIRLINER'S PILOTS TO FLY TO CYPRUS SHORTLY AFTER ENTERING EGYPTIAN AIR SPACE. IT HAD BEEN FLYING FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES. ON BOARD ARE 186 PASSENGERS, IN ADDITION TO 13 CREW MEMBERS.

AVIATION OFFICIALS IN CAIRO SAID THE HIJACKERS FIRST WANTED TO GO TO ROME BUT THEN DECIDED ON THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS. AIRPORT OFFICIALS IN CYPRUS SAY THE HIJACKERS WANT TO REFUEL BEFORE HEADING TO LONDON.

AS SOON AS THE PLANE LANDED, CYPRIOT POLICE RUSHED ONTO THE TARMAC AND SURROUNDED THE PLANE.

IT IS UNCLEAR HOW MANY HIJACKERS ARE ON THE PLANE AND WHETHER THEY ARE ARMED NOR HAVE THEY ISSUED A LIST OF DEMANDS. BUT AN UNIDENTIFIED HIJACKER TOLD ISRAELI RADIO THEY WOULD RELEASE THE PASSENGERS AND CREW UNHARMED.

THIS HIJACKING IS THE LATEST IN A STRING OF AIRLINE AMBUSHES STEMMING FROM THE CIVIL WAR-WRECKED AFRICAN NATION. FOR 13 YEARS SUDAN'S MUSLIM GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN FIGHTING A BRUTAL WAR WITH MOSTLY CHRISTIAN REBELS IN THE SOUTH SEEKING AUTONOMY. AN ESTIMATED ONE-POINT-THREE MILLION PEOPLE HAVE DIED DUE TO THE FIGHTING AND RESULTING FAMINES IN SUDAN. (SIGNED)
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26-Aug-96 5:40 PM EDT (2140 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] U-S/ KURD APPEAL (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES MONDAY APPEALED TO RIVAL KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ TO RE-INSTATE THE CEASEFIRE THEY REACHED WITH U-S HELP LAST WEEK. U-S OFFICIALS WARN THE CONTINUED CONFLICT AMONG KURDS ONLY INVITES INTERVENTION FROM IRAN AND BAGHDAD. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS URGING NORTHERN IRAQ'S TWO BIGGEST KURDISH GROUPS TO RESTORE THEIR CEASEFIRE AND JOIN IN U-S MEDIATED PEACE TALKS IN LONDON NEXT MONTH.

THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN AGREED TO AN AMERICAN-BROKERED TRUCE LAST FRIDAY, AFTER A WEEK OF FIGHTING THAT PRODUCED HUNDREDS OF CASUALTIES. BUT THE CEASE-FIRE COLLAPSED SUNDAY NIGHT AMID REPORTS OF HEAVY CLASHES NEAR THE BORDER WITH IRAN.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GLYN DAVIES WARNED THAT CONTINUED INTER-KURDISH FIGHTING WOULD ONLY ENCOURAGE IRANIAN MEDDLING IN THE AREA, AND PERHAPS TEMPT THE REGIME OF SADDAM HUSSEIN TO TRY TO RESTORE CONTROL:

CONTINUED FIGHTING BETWEEN THE KURDS WOULD ONLY SET BACK THEIR INTERESTS AND WOULD SET BACK THE INTERESTS OF OTHER INHABITANTS OF NORTHERN IRAQ, AND ENCOURAGE OUTSIDE FORCES TO PURSUE THEIR OWN AGENDAS. NOT TO MENTION, OF COURSE, INSIDE FORCES SUCH AS SADDAM HUSSEIN.

[06] U-S/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A U-S SPOKESMAN HAS EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS MONITORING THE ELECTORAL PROCESS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL ADDRESS ALLEGATIONS OF VOTER-REGISTRATION MANIPULATION BY BOSNIAN SERBS. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS WASHINGTON HAS ALSO WELCOMED AS A POSITIVE STEP IN THE PEACE PROCESS THE DECISION BY CROATIA AND SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA TO NORMALIZE RELATIONS:

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GLYN DAVIES EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, WHICH IS SUPERVISING THE ELECTORAL PROCESS, WILL ADDRESS PROBLEMS BEING ENCOUNTERED:

THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THERE ARE IRREGULARITIES SUCH AS HAVE BEEN REPORTED, SOME OF THEM QUITE GLARING IN PLACES LIKE BRCKO AND SREBRENICA. IT'S NO SECRET TO ANYBODY. THE QUESTION IS, 'HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT?' AND, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THE O-S-C-E IS ENGAGED IN.

CARL BILDT, THE INTERNATIONAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR BOSNIA, SAYS HE IS "DEEPLY DISQUIETED" OVER ALLEGATIONS OF BOSNIAN SERB MANIPULATION LEADING UP TO THE SEPTEMBER 14 BALLOT. THE O-S-C-E'S PROVISIONAL ELECTION COMMISSION HAS BEEN MEETING TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO POSTPONE SOME MUNICIPAL VOTING IN RESPONSE TO THE ALLEGATIONS.

THE ELECTIONS, SAYS MR. DAVIES, ARE A PRE-REQUISITE TO CREATING A MULTI-ETHNIC GOVERNMENT THAT WILL PUT BOSNIA ON THE ROAD TO A LASTING PEACE.

HE ALSO WELCOMED THE TREATY NORMALIZING RELATIONS BETWEEN BELGRADE AND ZAGREB, CALLING IT AN IMPORTANT AND POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN IMPLEMENTING THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. HE SAYS IT WILL ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO STABILITY IN THE BALKANS. (SIGNED).
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23-Aug-96 8:36 PM EDT (0036 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U.S. MUSLIMS AND POLITICS BY DON HENRY (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A MUSLIM EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH ORGANIZATION IS LAUNCHING EFFORTS TO GET OUT THE MUSLIM VOTE IN THE U-S GENERAL ELECTION THIS YEAR. VOA'S DON HENRY REPORTS THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS IS HOPING TO ORGANIZE THE FRAGMENTED MUSLIM POPULATION IN THE UNITED STATES INTO A CONSTITUENCY WHOSE VIEWS COULD INFLUENCE ELECTION OUTCOMES.

TEXT: THE COUNCIL SAYS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN TRYING TO ASSESS AMERICAN MUSLIM POLITICAL CLOUT IS THE LACK OF HARD DATA ABOUT HOW MANY MUSLIMS LIVE HERE -- SOME EXPERTS SAY FIVE OR SIX MILLION -- AND WHAT THEIR POLITICAL LEANINGS ARE.

TO LAY DOWN SOME BENCH MARKS, THE COUNCIL COMMISSIONED A SURVEY A FEW WEEKS AGO TO DRAW UP A DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA. THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY IS ONE OF THE FOUR LARGEST MUSLIM ORGANIZATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, WITH A MEMBERSHIP OF MORE THAN 13-THOUSAND.

RESEARCH DIRECTOR MOHAMED NIMER SAYS THE SURVEY REPLIES INDICATED THAT MOST OF THE MEMBERS ARE UNDER 49, ARE COLLEGE GRADUATES, HAVE MIDDLE CLASS INCOMES, ARE MARRIED WITH CHILDREN, AND ATTEND WORSHIP AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. HE SAID TWO THIRDS OF THEM ALREADY ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE.

IN TERMS OF PARTY AFFILIATION, MUSLIMS ARE ALMOST EVENLY DIVIDED BETWEEN DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENT OR NON-PARTY PREFERENCE.

MR. NIMER SAYS HOWEVER THAT THE SURVEY RESPONDENTS INDICATED A STRONG LEANING TOWARD THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR ITS OUTREACH TO MINORITIES.

FORTY-TWO PER CENT SAID THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS MORE RESPONSIVE THAN OTHER PARTIES ON THE ISSUE OF MINORITY RELIGIONS. IN CONTRAST, ONLY 11 PER CENT SAID THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS MORE INCLUSIVE.

MR. NIMER TOLD A WASHINGTON NEWS CONFERENCE THE SURVEY IS THE FIRST EFFORT AT DOCUMENTING THE VIEWS OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS AND THEREBY TRYING TO INCREASE THEIR POLITICAL INFLUENCE.

TO STRENGTHEN THE MUSLIM VOTE, COUNCIL DIRECTOR NIHAD AWAD URGED ALL MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN AMERICA TO FORM LOCAL VOTER REGISTRATION COMMITTEES WITH THE GOAL OF GETTING 100 PER CENT REGISTRATION AND 100 PER CENT TURNOUT ON ELECTION DAY.

ON SEPTEMBER 13TH, WE ASK THAT VOTER REGISTRATION TABLES BE SET UP IN LOCAL MOSQUES, ISLAMIC CENTERS AND MUSLIM-OWNED STORES AND BUSINESSES. AND WE ARE ALSO ASKING LOCAL COMMITTEES TO INVITE COMPETING CANDIDATES TO SPEAK AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FOLLOWING THE FRIDAY PRAYER THAT MUSLIMS HAVE EVERY WEEK.

ANOTHER ORGANIZATION, THE MUSLIM WOMEN OF AMERICA, IS LIKEWISE MOUNTING AN ELECTION PARTICIPATION CAMPAIGN. DIRECTOR ANISA ABD-EL-FATTAH SAYS THE WOMEN WILL OPERATE INFORMATION BOOTHS AT UPCOMING MUSLIM GROUP CONVENTIONS AND SEEK OUT THE MUSLIM FEMALE VIEWPOINT.

WE ARE CIRCULATING A SURVEY WHERE WE ARE WILL POLLING MUSLIM WOMEN TO FIND OUT WHAT ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM, AND WHAT POSITIONS THEY TAKE ON THOSE ISSUES. AND BASED ON THAT AND OUR ANALYSIS OF THE PLATFORMS OF THE VARIOUS CANDIDATES, WE HOPE TO MAKE AN ENDORSEMENT SOMETIME PRIOR TO THE ELECTION.

MS. ABD-EL-FATTAH SAYS IT IS TOO EARLY TO DECLARE THAT AMERICAN MUSLIMS ARE GOING TO VOTE DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN OR OTHERWISE IN NOVEMBER.

BOTH THE MUSLIM WOMEN AND AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS COUNCIL PLAN TO CONDUCT VOTING BOOTH EXIT POLLS IN NOVEMBER TO FURTHER EXPLORE AND PUBLICIZE AMERICAN MUSLIM POLITICAL VIEWPOINTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DOH/CF
26-Aug-96 2:46 PM EDT (1846 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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