Voice of America, 96-08-29

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA / CAMPAIGN BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (SARAJEVO)

[03] BOSNIA / SERB POLICE (S ONLY) BY COLIN SOLOWAY (SARAJEVO)

[04] BOSNIA: THE CANDIDATES BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[05] CYPRUS SIMMERS BY EMMANUEL DUPARCQ (WASHINGTON)

[06] U.S. / BOSNIA ELECTIONS (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

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

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS BECOME THE FIRST DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT SINCE FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT TO BE NOMINATED BY HIS PARTY TO SEEK A SECOND TERM. MOST OF THE NATION'S EDITORIAL WRITERS TODAY EXAMINE SOME ASPECT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION IN CHICAGO. OTHER TOPICS DEALT WITH INCLUDE: THE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, WHICH THE NEW YORK TIMES FEELS MUST NOW BE POSTPONED; THE LEADERSHIP VACUUM IN RUSSIA, AND PROPOSALS TO MODERNIZE THE BRITISH MONARCHY. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IS _______________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ARRIVED IN CHICAGO TO DELIVER HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH TO THE PARTY CONVENTION TONIGHT [THURSDAY NIGHT]. THE PRESIDENT RODE A TRAIN TO THE CONVENTION, AND MADE A SERIES OF SPEECHES ALONG THE WAY, OUTLINING IMPORTANT IDEAS FOR HIS NEXT FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE, SHOULD HE BE RE-ELECTED. MR. CLINTON'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH, HOWEVER, IS CLEARLY THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CONVENTION, AND THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS SAYS IT IS CRITICAL FOR HIM TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT.

VOICE: "... PRESIDENT CLINTON ... MUST SKIP THE INTRODUCTIONS AND GET RIGHT DOWN TO BRASS TACKS [CORE ISSUES]... HE MUST FIRST AND FOREMOST DEAL WITH THE FUNDAMENTAL DUTY OF GOVERNMENT, SPENDING THE PEOPLE'S MONEY RESPONSIBLY. AND THAT MEANS PRESENTING A PLAN FOR BALANCING THE BUDGET, A CAUSE HE EMBRACED LATE AND ONLY WITH THE PRODDING OF THE G-O-P (REPUBLICAN) CONGRESS... HE MUST ADDRESS, POINT BY POINT, HIS VISION FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. IF HE FAILS TO DO THAT, HE RISKS HAVING A WEEK OF NOTHING END IN NOTHING FOR BILL CLINTON."

TEXT: THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER FOCUSES ON THE NOTICEABLE ABSENCE OF SEVERAL KEY DEMOCRATS FROM THE CONVENTION. INCLUDING FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES JERRY BROWN AND PAUL TSONGAS, AND, MOST NOTABLE, FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER.

VOICE: "ANOTHER NO-SHOW -- THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS -- WAS THE ONLY LIVING DEMOCRAT EX-PRESIDENT, JIMMY CARTER, WHO WAS TENDERED ONLY A LATE, TEPID INVITATION. WHILE BOTH SIDES TRIED TO PUT THE BEST FACE ON HIS ABSENCE, THE SUSPICION ARISES THAT TEAM CLINTON PREFERRED TO LET MR. CARTER, WHO WAS VOTED OUT IN '80, REMAIN A MEMORY."

TEXT: USA TODAY IS UPSET AT WHAT IT SAYS IS THE OVERSTATED DEBATE ABOUT FAMILY VALUES THAT HAS BEEN MUCH-DISCUSSED AT BOTH THE DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN CONVENTIONS.

VOICE: "EACH PARTY IMPLIES THE OTHER IS SOMEHOW TO BLAME FOR EVERYTHING THAT UNDERMINES FAMILY STABILITY. THAT'S A LOT MORE CREDIT FOR SOCIETAL IMPACT THAN ANY GROUP OF FUMBLING POLITICIANS DESERVES. IT'S SAFE TO ASSUME BOTH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND THEIR SPOUSES, BASED ON THE UPS AND DOWNS OF THEIR OWN LIVES, ARE WELL AWARE OF THE VALUE OF FAMILY."

TEXT: TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE SALUTES THE PROMINENT ROLE OF WOMEN AT THIS DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, AND OF THEIR INCREASING SUCCESS IN POLITICS.

VOICE: "THERE IS TOO MUCH AT STAKE FOR WOMEN OF EITHER PARTY TO CEDE THE FIELD NOW. POLLS GENERALLY INDICATE THAT WOMEN'S TOP PRIORITIES ARE EDUCATION AND MEDICARE, SURE TO BE DOMINANT CONCERNS IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. AND AT A TIME WHEN ESTABLISHMENT POLITICS IS UNPOPULAR, WOMEN APPEAL AS CANDIDATES BECAUSE THEY ARE OUTSIDERS... THE PICTURE OF MR. CLINTON ADDRESSING THE DEMOCRATS TUESDAY NIGHT WHILE CHELSEA LOOKED ON WAS MORE THAN JUST A POWERFUL SALVO IN THE IMAGE WAR. THIS YEAR, WOMEN NEED TO GET INFORMED, GET INVOLVED AND GET OUT TO VOTE -- FOR THEIR OWN SAKE, AND FOR THE DAUGHTERS OF US ALL."

TEXT: SOME JOURNALISTS SUGGEST THIS YEAR'S HIGHLY SCRIPTED CONVENTIONS, DESIGNED FOR TELEVISION VIEWING AND ESSENTIALLY VOID OF BOTH DISSENT AND HARD NEWS, MAY HAVE OUTLIVED THEIR USEFULNESS. BUT THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THEY DESERVE A REPRIEVE.

VOICE: "ON MANY LEVELS -- EVEN THE LEVEL OF CHOREOGRAPHY -- THESE (CONVENTIONS) HAVE BEEN REVEALING EXERCISES. THEY COULD BE SHORTER... THIS YEAR'S SPEECHES BY SUSAN MOLINARI IN SAN DIEGO AND EVAN BAYH IN CHICAGO ALSO SUGGEST THAT IT WOULD BE WISE TO HOLD AUDITIONS BEFORE DESIGNATING THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS. BUT IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO ABANDON THE RICH TRADITION REPRESENTED BY THE AMERICAN POLITICAL CONVENTION."

TEXT: MOVING TO INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS, TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THE NATIONAL ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SHOULD BE CALLED OFF. THE PAPER NOTES THE SIMULTANEOUS MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN POSTPONED, AND OFFERS THIS RATIONAL FOR ITS SUGGESTION.

VOICE: "CAMPAIGN INTIMIDATION AND FRAUDULENT VOTER REGISTRATION IN BOSNIA HAVE REACHED THE POINT WHERE MINIMALLY ACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS FOR NATIONAL ELECTIONS ON SEPTEMBER 14TH NO LONGER EXIST. THE VOTING SHOULD BE POSTPONED 30 DAYS AND MORE ACTIVE STEPS TAKEN BY NATO FORCES AND CIVILIAN ELECTION SUPERVISORS TO REMEDY THE WORST ABUSES BY MID-OCTOBER... IT WILL TAKE UNTIL MID-OCTOBER TO CREATE THE MINIMAL CONDITIONS FOR AN INTERNATIONALLY CREDIBLE ELECTION TO PROCEED."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST APPLAUDS THE CEASE-FIRE IN CHECHNYA, ORCHESTRATED BY RUSSIAN NATIONAL SECURITY CHIEF ALEXANDER LEBED. THE POST SAYS WHILE THE TRUCE APPEARS TO BE WORKING, ONLY BORIS YELTSIN CAN PROVIDE THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP TO CONTINUE THE PROCESS AND PROTECT MR. LEBED FROM HIS MANY KREMLIN ENEMIES. BUT THE PAPER WONDERS ABOUT PRESIDENT YELTSIN'S SILENCE.

VOICE: "SEVERAL THEORIES OFFER EXPLANATIONS AS TO WHY MR. YELTSIN STAYS SILENT. SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE HE IS TOO SICK. OTHERS THINK HE IS HOLDING BACK TO SEE WHETHER MR. LEBED'S EFFORTS SUCCEED, SO AS NOT TO ASSOCIATE HIMSELF WITH FAILURE. MOST DISTURBING, MR. YELTSIN SIMPLY MAY NOT WANT TO GIVE THE AMBITIOUS MR. LEBED A CAREER BOOST; HE MAY BE VALUING PALACE POLITICS ABOVE THE CHANCE TO SECURE A PEACE."

TEXT: REGARDING THE BUCKINGHAM PALACE PROPOSALS TO STREAMLINE THE BRITISH MONARCHY, WHICH INCLUDE LIMITING THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD TO THE KING OR QUEEN'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY, AND ENDING THE MONARCH'S ROLE AS HEAD OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE REMINDS READERS:

VOICE: "...NONE OF THE REPORTED PROPOSALS IS FOR THE HOUSE OF WINDSOR TO DECIDE. IN BRITAIN, THE ELECTED HOUSE OF COMMONS IS REALLY SOVEREIGN. THE POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT DECIDED THE PLACE AND ROLE OF THE MONARCHY, NOT VICE VERSA... THESE IDEAS ARE BETTER CALCULATED TO START THAN TO END CONTROVERSY, WHICH MAY NOT BE WHAT THE ROYAL FAMILY HAS IN MIND."

TEXT: WITH THAT ADVICE FROM THE BALTIMORE SUN, WE END THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT TO BE FOUND IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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29-Aug-96 11:19 AM EDT (1519 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / CAMPAIGN BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS ARE TWO WEEKS AWAY, AND THE CAMPAIGN IS IN FULL SWING BUT THE PUBLIC RESPONSE HAS BEEN LESS THAN ENTHUSIASTIC, AND MANY RESIDENTS OF SARAJEVO SAY THEY BELIEVE THE VOTE WILL MAKE NO REAL DIFFERENCE. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS FILED THIS BACKGROUND REPORT ON THE CAMPAIGN AND THE MOOD IN THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL.

TEXT: // ACT, FREE SOUND, SARAJEVO MARKET //

IN SARAJEVO'S MAIN MARKET, THE FRUITS OF THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN ARE, QUITE LITERALLY, ON DISPLAY.

EIGHT-AND-ONE-HALF MONTHS AFTER THE ACCORD WAS SIGNED AND SARAJEVO'S LONG SIEGE FINALLY ENDED, THE OPEN-AIR STALLS ARE STACKED HIGH WITH MOUNDS OF PRODUCE AND CONSUMER GOODS.

PRICES HAVE TUMBLED, WITH SUGAR AND OTHER STAPLES SELLING FOR A FRACTION OF THEIR WAR-TIME COST.

BUT THE IMPACT OF THE CONFLICT IS STILL READILY APPARENT HERE, AND IS LIKELY TO REMAIN SO FOR SOME TIME TO COME. FEW PEOPLE HAVE REGULAR JOBS OR A STEADY INCOME, AND THE CONTINUED HARDSHIP SEEMS TO HAVE COLORED SARAJEVO'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS.

IN A CITY PLASTERED WITH CAMPAIGN POSTERS, FEW PEOPLE SEEM TO BE PAYING MUCH ATTENTION.

HAJRO SUBASIC, A MIDDLE-AGED CONSTRUCTION COMPANY MANAGER, EXPLAINS THAT MOST PEOPLE IN SARAJEVO ARE TOO WORRIED ABOUT JOBS AND THEIR FUTURE TO FOCUS ON THE CAMPAIGN. AND WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM THE CANDIDATES, HE SAYS, THAT HAS GIVEN US A FEELING OF SECURITY, OR PERSUADED US THAT SOMEONE IS HOLDING A WORKING COMPASS THAT WILL SHOW US THE WAY FORWARD.

SOME SARAJEVANS ARE OPENLY DISDAINFUL OF THE UPCOMING VOTE. DO NOT ASK ME ABOUT THE ELECTIONS, SHOUTS A FLOWER SELLER IN THE MARKETPLACE, ADDING A STRING OF EXPLETIVES. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN THEM, HE SAYS, AND THE RESULTS WILL NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

A YOUNG MUSLIM WAR VETERAN WHO NOW WORKS PART TIME IN A NEARBY SOUVENIR STORE SHARES THAT VIEW.

I THINK THESE ELECTIONS ARE NOT REAL ELECTIONS. IT IS ONLY FOR STOP THE WAR, FOR STOPPING THE WAR. IT IS NOT REAL. ELECTIONS. ELECTIONS CANNOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.

BUT IT IS A STRANGE KIND OF VOTER APATHY THAT SEEMS TO GRIP SARAJEVO NOW. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ELECTIONS ELICIT SCORN AND SKEPTICISM. AND YET RANDOM INTERVIEWS IN THE STREETS OF THE CAPITAL SHOW THAT PRACTICALLY EVERYONE PLANS TO VOTE.

A UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AND A MEMBER OF THE SMALL OPPOSITION REPUBLICAN PARTY, BORIS TIHI, BELIEVES VOTER TURN-OUT IN THE CAPITAL COULD REACH 80 PERCENT.

IN SOME WAYS, I ALSO FEEL A KIND OF APATHY. AND I WANT TO SAY DO NOT THINK ABOUT POLITICS, DO NOT THINK ABOUT ANYTHING. THINK ONLY ABOUT YOUR PROFESSION. BUT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. I REALIZE THAT YOU HAVE TO BE INVOLVED IN POLITICAL LIFE BECAUSE OTHERWISE, OTHER PEOPLE WILL DECIDE ABOUT YOUR DESTINY AND (THE) FUTURE OF YOUR CHILDREN, AND THAT IS NOT O-K.

THE CAMPAIGN THEME ON BOSNIAN STATE TELEVISION INTRODUCES A NIGHTLY PROGRAM PRESENTING THE VIEWS OF THE PARTIES AND CANDIDATES CONTESTING THE ELECTIONS.

THE BROADCAST EXECUTIVES HAVE INVITED ALL PARTIES TO APPEAR ON THE PROGRAM. BUT NONE OF THOSE IN BOSNIA'S SERB REPUBLIC HAS ACCEPTED THE OFFER. SOME CANDIDATES REPRESENTING SARAJEVO-BASED PARTIES HAVE APPEARED ON SERB TELEVISION IN NEARBY PALE, WHERE THEY HAVE FACED HOSTILE AND AGGRESSIVE QUESTIONING FROM SERB BROADCASTERS WHO VIRULENTLY OPPOSE THE NOTION OF A REUNITED BOSNIA.

HERE IN SARAJEVO, THE CAMPAIGN LOOKS LIKE A BATTLE FOR THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE OLD BOSNIA -- THE MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETY WHERE MUSLIMS, SERBS, CROATS, AND JEWS LIVED SIDE-BY-SIDE.

TODAY'S REALITY IS A FAR CRY FROM THAT. THE OLD ETHNIC MIX EXISTS ONLY IN A HANDFUL OF PLACES. BUT FOR THE EDUCATED ELITE OF THE CAPITAL, PEOPLE LIKE PROFESSOR TIHI, RESTORING BOSNIA'S MULTI-ETHNIC CHARACTER IS THE COUNTRY'S ONLY SALVATION.

IT IS RIDICULOUS TO TALK ABOUT (A) SERBIAN PART OF BOSNIA, ABOUT (A) CROAT PART OF BOSNIA, ABOUT (A) MUSLIM PART OF BOSNIA, BECAUSE WE ARE A MELTING POT HERE, LIKE IN THE UNITED STATES. IN SARAJEVO, YOU HAD BEFORE THE WAR 40 PERCENT OF MIXED MARRIAGES. HOW CAN YOU DIVIDE A COUNTRY IN THAT WAY. THAT WILL BE A TRAGEDY, AND WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER WAR IN A FEW YEARS.

THE LARGELY MUSLIM PARTY OF DEMOCRATIC ACTION, THE S-D-A, LED BY BOSNIA'S PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC, IS THE DOMINANT POLITICAL FORCE HERE. BUT LOCAL AND FOREIGN ANALYSTS SAY OPPOSITION PARTIES IN SARAJEVO ARE DRAWING CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT AMONG VOTERS WHO BELIEVE THE S-D-A HAS ABANDONED ITS COMMITMENT TO A MULTI-ETHNIC BOSNIA.

OPPOSITION LEADERS CHARGE THAT THE S-D-A IS NOW NO DIFFERENT THAN THE CROAT AND SERB NATIONALIST PARTIES THAT ADVOCATE THE SEPARATION OF BOSNIA'S ETHNIC COMMUNITIES.

AT AN OUTDOOR CAFE IN THE HEART OF SARAJEVO'S OLD QUARTER, AN ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN NAMED AMELA SAYS SHE WILL CAST HER VOTE FOR THE PARTY LED BY FORMER PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILADZIC. ONLY HE CAN BRING BACK THE OLD BOSNIA, SHE SAYS, AND IF HE LOSES, I WILL LEAVE HERE WITHOUT EVEN LOCKING MY DOOR.

THOUGH THE GUNS ARE SILENT AND THE LONG SEIGE IS OVER, THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENT OPTIMISM AMONG SARAJEVANS NOW. FEW SEE ANY REAL SIGNIFICANCE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS, AND MOST ARE CONCENTRATING ONLY ON REBUILDING THEIR LIVES. (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/JWH/CF
29-Aug-96 10:46 AM EDT (1446 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA / SERB POLICE (S ONLY) BY COLIN SOLOWAY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: AMERICAN TROOPS FROM THE NATO PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE (I-FOR) HAVE DETAINED BETWEEN 35 AND 40 SERB POLICE AFTER THE SERBS OPENED FIRE AT MUSLIM REFUGEES RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES IN SERB-CONTROLLED TERRITORY IN BOSNIA. COLIN SOLOWAY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: WHAT UNITED NATIONS POLICE DESCRIBED AS SERIOUS GUNFIRE STARTED AT ABOUT 10:30 LOCAL TIME THURSDAY MORNING, AFTER 50 SERB INTERIOR MINISTRY POLICE ENTERED THE VILLAGE OF MAHALA, NEAR ZVORNIK, FIRING THEIR GUNS IN THE AIR.

U-S ARMY MAJOR TOM MOYER SAID THAT AFTER ONE-HALF HOUR, THREE AMERICAN HELICOPTERS FLEW LOW OVER THE VILLAGE, WHILE AMERICAN TROOPS MOVED IN AND DETAINED THE SERBS WITHOUT A FIGHT. THE U-S TROOPS CONFISCATED SEVERAL WEAPONS, INCLUDING THREE ASSAULT RIFLES AND A TEAR GAS GRENADE.

MAJOR MOYER SAID THE AMERICANS (FROM THE FIRST BATTALION, FOURTH CAVALRY) FOUND TEN PEOPLE INJURED, BUT NOT FROM GUNSHOTS. EARLIER U-N REPORTS SAID THAT AT LEAST TWO MUSLIMS HAD BEEN BEATEN BY THE SERBS.

THE VILLAGE, WHICH WAS DESTROYED AND LARGELY ABANDONED DURING THE WAR, IS LOCATED IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC. EARLIER THIS WEEK, TWO DOZEN OF ITS FORMER MUSLIM INHABITANTS RETURNED, AND BEGAN REPAIRING THEIR HOMES.

U-N POLICE TOLD REPORTERS THE MUSLIMS IN MAHALA WERE NOT ARMED, AND THAT THE SERBS WERE INTENT ON DRIVING THEM OUT OF THEIR HOMES A SECOND TIME.

U-N POLICE FORCES REMAIN ON THE SCENE, AND U-N POLICE COMMISSIONER PETER FITZGERALD HAS TRAVELLED TO THE BOSNIAN SERB CAPITAL, PALE, TO PROTEST THIS INCIDENT TO THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC INTERIOR MINISTER, DRAGAN KIJAC. (SIGNED)
NEB/CS/JWH/MMK
29-Aug-96 11:30 AM EDT (1530 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA: THE CANDIDATES BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ALTHOUGH MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAVE BEEN POSTPONED, NATIONAL ELECTIONS ARE STILL SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 14TH. VOTERS AT HOME AND ABROAD FACE A CRITICAL CHOICE BETWEEN CANDIDATES REPRESENTING THEIR OWN ETHNIC GROUP OR THOSE REPRESENTING MULTI-ETHNICITY. IT IS A CHOICE, MANY SAY, BETWEEN REUNIFICATION AND STRONGER TIES TO THE WEST OR FURTHER PARTITION, ISOLATION AND POSSIBLY RENEWED

TEXT: UNDER THE TERMS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS, BOSNIA- HERZEGOVINA IS TO HAVE A CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, BUT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO LARGELY INDEPENDENT ENTITIES: THE MUSLIM CROAT FEDERATION AND THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC. CONSEQUENTLY THERE ARE BALLOTS FOR THE ROTATING PRESIDENCY OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AS WELL AS SEPARATE BALLOTS FOR LEADERS OF THE TWO ENTITIES.

THE SERB, CROAT AND MUSLIM CANDIDATES WINNING THE MOST VOTES OVERALL WILL BECOME MEMBERS OF THE NEW ROTATING PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. [OPT] THE RULING MUSLIM PARTY -- THE S-D-A -- HAS NOMINATED PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC FOR RE-ELECTION. HE WILL BE RUNNING AGAINST FORMER PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILAJDZIC AND 10 OTHER CANDIDATES WITHIN HIS OWN ETHNIC GROUP. THE RULING SERB PARTY, S-D-S, HAS NAMED MOMCILO KRAJISNIK AS ITS CANDIDATE, FOLLOWING THE WITHDRAWAL FROM POLITICAL LIFE OF RADOVAN KARADZIC. MR. KARADZIC CANNOT RUN BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. MR. KRAJISNIK IS BEING CHALLENGED BY MLADEN IVANIC WHO IS SUPPORTED BY A JOINT SERB OPPOSITION COALITION. THE PARTY REPRESENTING BOSNIA'S CROAT NATIONALISTS -- THE H-D-Z -- HAS NOMINATED BOZO RAJIC, A FORMER COMMUNIST LEADER FROM THE TOWN OF KUPRES. [END OPT]

CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS ELECTION, THERE IS A SEPARATE BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT OF THE SERB ENTITY, THE POSITION FOR WHICH THE RULING SERB PARTY (SDS) NAMED (MRS.) BILJANA PLAVSIC TO SUCCEED RADOVAN KARADZIC [OPT] WHO CANNOT RUN BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. [END OPT]. MS. PLAVSIC IS RUNNING AGAINST A FORMIDABLE BLOC OF OPPOSITION SERB CANDIDATES.

SINCE THERE IS NO CORRESPONDING BALLOT FOR PRESIDENT FOR THE CROAT-MUSLIM FEDERATION, MANY SERBS INTERPRET THIS SEPARATE BALLOT FOR A SERB PRESIDENT AS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THEIR SEPARATE STATE. IN CONTRAST, THE FEDERATION PRESIDENT WILL BE ELECTED BY THE BOSNIAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, NOT BY DIRECT VOTE. ALTHOUGH THIS MAY CAUSE SOME CONFUSION AMONG VOTERS, ALL PARTIES TO THE DAYTON ACCORD DID AGREE TO IT. THE SERBS WANTED THE APPEARANCE OF INDEPENDENCE WHILE FEDERATION OFFICIALS WANTED THE APPEARANCE OF A UNIFIED CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.

APART FROM THE MANY ETHNIC NATIONALIST PARTIES, THERE ARE SEVERAL WITH MULTI-ETHNIC PLATFORMS. THE MAIN ONE KNOWN OUTSIDE THE BALKANS IS THE PARTY FORMED BY HARIS SILAJDZIC (THE FORMER BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER). IN AN INTERVIEW AT HIS PARTY HEADQUARTERS IN SARAJEVO EARLIER THIS YEAR, MR. SILAJDZIC SAID THE MAIN PURPOSE OF HIS PARTY IS TO OFFER VOTERS A CHOICE OTHER THAN ETHNIC DIVISION: TAPE; CUT # 1 SILAJDZIC RUNS [:] "WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS BROADEN THE BASE OF DECISION-MAKING, INTRODUCE DEMOCRACY, COMING FROM THE PEOPLE, A STRONG PARLIAMENT, DECISION-MAKING BY THE INSTITUTIONS, NOT INDIVIDUALS, NOT GOVERNMENT GROUPS. WHAT I WANT TO SEE IS A BOSNIA THAT PEOPLE WANT. THAT'S ALL. THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO SAY WHAT THEY WANT. THAT'S ALL. I JUST WANT FREE, FAIR ELECTIONS."

TEXT: BUT RECENT POLLS SHOW A DROP IN SUPPORT FOR MR. SILAJDZIC AND HIS PARTY AND HE HAS REFUSED TO JOIN OTHER OPPOSITION CANDIDATES WHO FAVOR MULTI-ETHNICITY IN WHAT THEY CALL A 'JOINT LIST'. THE CROATIAN PEASANT PARTY HAS PUT ITS CANDIDATE, IVO KOMSIC, ON THIS LIST. HE IS A FORMER SARAJEVO UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AND IS CURRENTLY A CROAT MEMBER OF BOSNIA'S MULTI-ETHNIC PRESIDENCY.

TAPE: CUT # 2 KOMSIC IN SERBO-CROATIAN (IN FULL BRIEFLY AND UNDER) RUNS [:]

TEXT: MR. KOMSIC SAYS PARTY INTERESTS MUST BE PUT ASIDE TO INSURE DEMOCRACY. TO HELP HIS CHANCES, MR. KOMSIC HAS FORMED AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE WITH FORMER COMMUNISTS BELONGING TO THE SOCIAL-DEMOCRATIC PARTY. THE JOINT LIST ALSO INCLUDES THE UNION OF SOCIAL DEMOCRATS, BOSNIA'S REPUBLICAN PARTY AND SEVERAL MINOR MUSLIM CANDIDATES.

IN THE SERB ENTITY, APART FROM THE RULING S-D-S PARTY, TWO MAIN SERB OPPOSITION PARTIES, BOTH SOMEWHAT MORE MODERATE, ARE THREATENING THE S-D-S HOLD ON POWER. FIRST, THERE'S THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF THE SERBIAN REPUBLIC, HEADED BY THE FORMER MAYOR OF BANJA LUKA, ZHIVKO RADISIC. MR. RADISIC SAYS HIS PARTY IS NOT ALL THAT DIFFERENT FROM THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODON MILOSEVIC:

TAPE: CUT # 3 RADISIC IN SERBO-CROAT RUNS

TEXT: MR. RADISIC HAS FORMED A COALITION WITH THE ALLIANCE FOR PEACE AND PROGRESS AND THE DEMOCRATIC PATRIOTIC BLOC, THE OTHER MAIN SERB OPPOSITION PARTY. THAT PARTY IS LED BY THE CURRENT MAYOR OF BANJA LUKA, PEDRAG RADIC. HE, IN TURN, HAS FORMED YET ANOTHER COALITION WITH FORMER BOSNIAN SERB PARLIAMENTARIANS WHO SPLIT FROM THE KARADZIC LEADERSHIP IN PALE. THE LAST TO JOIN THIS ENLARGED OPPOSITION COALITION IS THE MAIN SERB CANDIDATE FAVORING REUNIFICATION: LIBERAL PARTY CANDIDATE MIODRAG ZIVANOVIC.

TAPE: CUT # 6 ZIVANOVIC IN SERBO CROAT RUNS [:]

TEXT: MR. ZIVANOVIC, A PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BANJA LUKA, BELIEVES THE OPPOSITION BLOC NOW HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF DEFEATING THE RULING SERB S-D-S PARTY IN THE SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS.

THE 640-THOUSAND REFUGEES WHO HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT ARE EXPECTED BY MANY TO DECIDE THE SEPTEMBER ELECTION. IN JULY'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE DIVIDED TOWN OF MOSTAR, VOTERS LIVING OUTSIDE BOSNIA SWUNG THE RESULTS IN FAVOR OF UNIFICATION -- A RESULT YET TO BE FULLY HONORED. [SIGNED]
NEB/PAM/PCH
29-Aug-96 4:12 PM EDT (2012 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] CYPRUS SIMMERS BY EMMANUEL DUPARCQ (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AFTER YEARS IN THE SHADOW OF WORLD AFFAIRS, THE PARTIONED MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND OF CYPRUS HAS SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY MOVED BACK INTO THE HEADLINES. WITHIN THE PAST MONTH, TWO GREEK CYPRIOTS HAVE BEEN KILLED IN A PAIR OF INCIDENTS INSIDE THE SO-CALLED GREEN LINE. THAT IS THE U-N-PROTECTED DEMARCATION LINE BETWEEN THE GREEK-CYPRIOT PORTION OF THE ISLAND, AND THE NORTHEASTERN THIRD, HELD BY TURKISH-CYPRIOTS.

THE INCIDENTS, AND THE TROUBLE SURROUNDING THEM, REPRESENTS THE WORST INTERCOMMUNAL VIOLENCE SINCE TURKEY INVADED THE ISLAND IN 1974 AND ESTABLISHED A SEPARATE TURKISH-CYPRIOT REPUBLIC WHICH IS RECOGNIZED ONLY BY ANKARA. AFTER 22 YEARS OF AN ENDURING CYPRIOT COLD WAR, THE TWO SIDES, EACH ALLIED WITH AN UNEASY NATO MEMBER, REPRESENT ONE OF EUROPE'S MOST DANGEROUS POLITICAL MINEFIELDS. TH?E LATEST VIOLENCE AND HEIGHTENED TENSION HAS DRAWN CONSIDERABLE EDITORIAL ATTENTION IN THE U-S PRESS, AS WE HEAR NOW FROM __________________ WITH TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE ENDURING TENSIONS HAVE MADE CYPRUS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST VOLATILE HOT-SPOTS, AN INTERNATIONAL "GORDIAN KNOT," BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF CONFRONTATION BETWEEN TWO IMPORTANT NATO MEMBERS, GREECE AND TURKEY. THE SITUATION HAS NOT ONLY ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF THE WORLD'S MAJOR POWERS, BUT THE U-S PRESS AS WELL. WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT WITH THE BOSTON GLOBE, WHICH THINKS U-S DIPLOMATS SHOULD LEARN FROM OTHER RECENT ETHNIC CONFLICTS IN DEALING WITH CYPRUS.

VOICE: "THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAD HOPES OF SOLVING THE 'CYPRUS QUESTION.' BUT AS RECENT EVENTS IN BOSNIA -- AS WELL AS [NORTHERN] IRELAND OR THE MIDDLE EAST -- HAVE SHOWN, CENTURIES OF ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS TENSION, HELD IN THE GRIP OF HISTORY, DO NOT EASILY BEND TO AMERICAN OPTIMISM. WHAT THE U-S CAN AND SHOULD DO IS TO USE ITS INFLUENCE TO RESTORE CALM, ADMONISH THE RABBLE ROUSERS, KEEP TURKEY AND GREECE FROM MAKING THINGS WORSE AND WORK TOWARD THE DAY WHEN BOTH SIDES CAN BEGIN BUILDING BRIDGES TO EACH OTHER."

TEXT: LEST ANYONE FORGET WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT, THE SAINT LOUIS POST-DISPATCH POINTS OUT THE STRATEGIC POSITION OF CYPRUS.

VOICE: "BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE DANGER OF MORE VIOLENCE, THE CRISIS COULD TRIGGER OTHER SERIOUS PROBLEMS. FIRST, CYPRUS IS A FLASHPOINT BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY, AND THE PROSPECT OF CONFLICT BETWEEN THESE TWO NATO ALLIES IS WORRISOME. SECOND, THE CRISIS ON CYPRUS MAY HAVE INDIRECT CONSEQUENCES FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. SINCE CYPRUS' DIVISION IN 1974, ATTITUDES AND HATREDS HAVE ONLY HARDENED. IF PARTITION COULDN'T BRING PEACE TO CYPRUS, HOW COULD IT DO SO FOR BOSNIA?

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS THE CONFLICT IS NOT REALLY ABOUT CYPRUS AT ALL, BUT RATHER ABOUT GREEK AND TURKISH CONFLICT OVER USE OF THE AEGEAN SEA THEY SHARE. THE PAPER ASKS WHAT MIGHT BE DONE TO EASE THE PROBLEM, THEN OFFERS A SUGGESTION:

VOICE: "...RECAST THE CYPRUS PROBLEM BY TREATING IT NOT AS A SOURCE BUT SYMPTOM OF A DISPUTE WHOSE ORIGINS LIES 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."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES POINTS OUT THAT THE RECENT ARRIVAL OF A TURKISH MUSLIM GOVERNMENT, LED BY PRIME MINISTER ERBAKAN, IS PROBABLY GOING TO MAKE THINGS EVEN MORE DELICATE.

VOICE: "ONLY A NEGOTIATED POLITICAL SETTLEMENT CAN ASSURE PEACE IN CYPRUS AND REMOVE THE DANGER OF A MILITARY CONFLICT BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S MEDIATION EFFORTS ARE NOW MORE URGENTLY NEEDED THAN EVER. ONLY THE UNITED STATES HAS A REALISTIC CHANCE OF NUDGING [GENTLY PUSHING] THE MAIN PARTIES TOWARD AGREEMENT. UNFORTUNATELY, WITH TURKISH FOREIGN POLICY NOW STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY NATIONALIST POLITICIANS AND GENERALS, THE ODDS AGAINST A BREAKTHROUGH ARE DAUNTING."

TEXT: RHODE ISLAND'S LARGEST DAILY, THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL-BULLETIN, ADVISES BOTH CYPRIOT PARTIES TO LOOK AT THEMSELVES IN THE MIRROR, AND START NEGOTIATING ON THE BASIS OF THEIR SHARED ECONOMIC VIABILITY.

VOICE: "PERHAPS GREEK CYPRIOTS WOULD BE BETTER OFF IF THEY PLACED LESS EMPHASIS ON THE POLITICAL REUNIFICATION OF THE ISLAND, AND PUT GRATER FOCUS ON THE ECONOMIC ADVANCES. THE TURKISH ENCLAVE ... IS LARGELY BANKRUPT ECONOMICALLY AND ISOLATED POLITICALLY. IN TIME, THIS GAP MIGHT CAUSE THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS IN THEIR BEST INTERESTS TO COME TO AN ACCOMMODATION WITH THE GREEK CYPRIOTS. BUT THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN IF SO MANY OF THE LATTER CONTINUE TO VIEW THE ISLAND AS ESSENTIALLY GREEK AND TO CONSIDER THE ETHNIC TURKS AS ALIEN AND UNWANTED INTERLOPERS."

TEXT: GEORGIA'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION URGES THE UNITED STATES TO TAKE MORE DEFINITIVE ACTION TO HELP FIND A CYPRUS SOLUTION.

VOICE: "THE KILLING OF TWO GREEK CIVILIANS THERE WERE AN OUTRAGE, AND THE UNITED STATES WAS RIGHT TO DEPLORE THEM. BUT WASHINGTON MUST DO MORE THAN SCOLD AND THEN TELL ITS AMBASSADOR IN NICOSIA TO CALM THE GREEKS AND THE TURKS OF CYPRUS. IT MUST TAKE UP THIS DEVELOPING CRISIS DIRECTLY WITH TURKEY. DEALING WITH THE ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALIST LEADERS OF TURKEY WILL REQUIRE FIRMNESS AND FINESSE. WASHINGTON SHOULDN'T GIVE THE TURKS AN EXCUSE TO TURN RADICAL, BUT CAN'T LET THE POSSIBILITY BE PARALYZING. CYPRUS MATTERS TO THE WESTERN WORLD -- AS A MIDDLE EAST LISTENING POST, AS AN ECONOMIC GATEWAY, AS A SOON-TO-BE MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. TURKEY MUST UNDERSTAND THAT IT CAN'T WIN THE WORLD'S RESPECT OR BENEFIT FROM THE ECONOMIC ADVANCES OF JOINING THE UNION UNLESS IT COMPROMISES OVER CYPRUS."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIAL OPINION ON THE RENEWED GREEK-TURKISH TENSION AND VIOLENCE ON CYPRUS.
NEB/ED/ANG/PCH
29-Aug-96 1:11 PM EDT (1711 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] U.S. / BOSNIA ELECTIONS (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: HERE IN WASHINGTON, THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA CAN STILL BE SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTED DESPITE THE LATEST INCIDENTS OF ETHNIC VIOLENCE. A SENIOR U-S DIPLOMAT SAYS NATO PEACEKEEPERS AND POLICE IN BOSNIA ARE PREPARING TO CONFRONT THOSE WHO WOULD TRY TO INTIMIDATE VOTERS. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S CHIEF OFFICIAL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SAYS NATO-LED PEACEKEEPERS, THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE IN BOSNIA AND OFFICIALS OF THE COUNTRY'S ETHNIC COMMUNITIES WILL WORK TOGETHER IN A JOINT COMMAND CENTER TO DEAL WITH ELECTION-RELATED VIOLENCE.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE ROBERT GELBARD -- JUST BACK AFTER ELECTION MEETINGS WITH BOSNIAN MUSLIM, SERB AND CROAT OFFICIALS SAID HE HAD RECEIVED ASSURANCES FROM THE SERBS IN PARTICULAR THAT THERE WOULD BE STRONG MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST VIOLATORS OF BOSNIAN ELECTION LAW.

MR. GELBARD SAID THE UNITED STATES STRONGLY CONDEMNS THURSDAY'S INCIDENT IN MAHALA IN NORTHEAST BOSNIA, IN WHICH A SERB CROWD INCLUDING SOME LOCAL POLICE BEAT MUSLIM REFUGEES WHO TRIED TO RETURN TO THEIR PRE-WAR HOMES.

THE INCIDENT HAS RAISED NEW CONCERN ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF SIMILAR ATTACKS AGAINST THOSE SEEKING TO CROSS ETNIC BOUNDARIES IN THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTION.

VOTER REGISTRATION IRREGULARITIES IN SERB AREAS HAVE ALREADY PROMPTED THE O-S-C-E TO POSTPONE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. BUT MR. GELBARD -- WHILE CONCEDING THAT SOME TROUBLE IS INEVITABLE -- SAYS A CREDIBLE ELECTION PROCESS FOR A NEW NATIONAL GOVERNMENT IN BOSNIA IS STILL POSSIBLE:

WE THINK THAT THE ATMOSPHERE DOES EXIST TO HOLD NATIONAL ELECTIONS. THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS FOR NATIONAL AUTHORITIES IN BOTH THE FEDERATION, THE R-S (SERB REPUBLIC) AND MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. AND WE FEEL THAT THE ATMOSPHERE IS APPROPRIATE. THAT SUCH ELECTIONS CAN BE HELD IN A FREE AND FAIR ENVIRONMENT. AND THEY WILL BE HELD IN THAT WAY.

MR. GELBARD SAID THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE, I-FOR, WILL CONCENTRATE ON SECURING ROUTES INTO MAJOR TOWNS -- ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH MIXED ETHNIC VOTER ROLLS -- WHILE INTERNATIONAL AND LOCAL POLICE WILL CONCENTRATE ON SECURITY NEAR POLLING STATIONS.

HE SAID I-FOR WILL HAVE HELICOPTER-BORNE TROOPS READY TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY -- AND THAT U-S OFFICIALS ARE "VERY CONFIDENT" THAT BOSNIANS WILL BE ABLE CROSS INTER-ETHNIC BOUNDARIES AND VOTE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/CF
29-Aug-96 2:42 PM EDT (1842 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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