Voice of America, 96-10-18

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] ALBANIA ELECTIONS BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[02] AZERBAIJAN'S REVIVAL BY ED WARNER (BAKU, AZERBAIJAAN)

[03] IRAQ / KURDS (S-UPDATE) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

[04] TURKEY/POLICE TRIAL (L) BY ED DEMARCO (ISTANBUL)

[05] CLINTON-NATO (S ONLY) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

[06] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[07] FRANCE / PHONES (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[08] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[09] BANJA LIKA / RELIGIOUS SITES (L) BY JENNIFER GLASS (SARAJEVO)

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

[11] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[01] ALBANIA ELECTIONS BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: ALBANIA'S EFFORTS TO REGAIN INTERNATIONAL CREDIBILITY FOR ITS DEMOCRATIC CREDENTIALS HAVE RUN INTO TROUBLE. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS AN INTERNATIONAL OBSERVER TEAM THAT HAD PLANNED TO MONITOR LOCAL ELECTIONS ON SUNDAY HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM ALBANIA.

TEXT: THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (THIS WEEK) WITHDREW ITS TEAM OF ELECTION OBSERVERS AFTER A DISPUTE WITH THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT.

THE O-S-C-E IS THE MAIN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING ELECTIONS IN POST-COMMUNIST EUROPE. THE ORGANIZATION HAD INSISTED THAT IT HAVE A FULL TEAM OF 37 MONITORS IN ALBANIA, WHILE THE GOVERNMENT SAID NO MORE THAN 15 WOULD BE ALLOWED.

AS A RESULT, THE O-S-C-E WITHDREW ENTIRELY, SAYING THE CONDITIONS WERE NOT ACCEPTABLE. ON FRIDAY, ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL BODY, THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE, SAID IT DEPLORED THE ABSENCE OF THE O-S-C-E OBSERVERS. HOWEVER, THE HEAD OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE DELEGATION SAID THE PRESENCE OF ABOUT 500 OTHER INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS SHOULD HELP SECURE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

THE SUNDAY ELECTIONS ARE FOR TOWN, DISTRICT, AND COMMUNAL REPRESENTATIVES THROUGHOUT ALBANIA. MORE THAN TWO-MILLION PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE. ALBANIA'S RULING DEMOCRATIC PARTY, IN POWER FOR FOUR YEARS, NEEDS TO HAVE THE ELECTIONS JUDGED TO BE FAIR TO REGAIN ITS INTERNATIONAL CREDIBILITY. LAST MAY, ALBANIA HELD PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS WHICH MANY OUTSIDE OBSERVERS CALLED DEEPLY FLAWED. THE RULING DEMOCRATIC PARTY WON THAT ELECTION WITH A LARGE MAJORITY. SEVERAL OPPOSITION PARTIES, ALARMED AT IRREGULARITIES, WITHDRAW HOURS BEFORE VOTING ENDED. THE MAY ELECTION TOOK PLACE AMID CONSIDERABLE TENSION AND OCCASIONAL VIOLENCE. THIS WEEK, ALBANIAN POLICE ROUNDED UP MEMBERS OF AN ALLEGED TERRORIST GROUP. ONE OF THOSE ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH A FATAL CAR BOMBING EARLIER THIS YEAR WAS A SON-IN-LAW OF ALBANIA'S FORMER COMMUNIST LEADER ENVER HOXHA.

ALBANIA'S FORMER COMMUNISTS, NOW GROUPED IN THE OPPOSITION SOCIALIST PARTY, ALLEGE IRREGULARITIES IN REGISTRATION FOR THE LOCAL ELECTIONS. HOWEVER THE PARTY SAYS IT IS CONFIDENT OF WINNING AND WILL NOT WITHDRAW.

THE UNITED STATES AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE TOLD THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT THAT THEY WILL BE WATCHING THE VOTING CLOSELY AND REGARD THE LOCAL ELECTIONS AS A TEST OF ALBANIAN DEMOCRACY. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/JWH/MMK
18-Oct-96 11:41 AM EDT (1541 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] AZERBAIJAN'S REVIVAL BY ED WARNER (BAKU, AZERBAIJAAN)

INTRO: AFTER YEARS OF SOVIET RULE FOLLOWED BY POST-SOVIET CIVIL STRIFE, AZERBAIJAN IN THE CAUCASUSUS IS UNDERGOING A STRIKING ECONOMIC REVIVAL, FUELED MAINLY BY THE PROSPECT OF VAST AMOUNTS OF OIL BENEATH THE CASPIAN SEA. PLENTY OF PROBLEMS LIE AHEAD, BUT AZERBAIJANIS APPEAR TO HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE TO FACE THEM. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS.

TEXT: IN CONTRAST TO EARLIER TRIPS TO BAKU, CAPITAL OF AZERBAIJAN, THERE IS NO SHOOTING IN THE STREETS, NO ARMED REBELLION, NOT EVEN THE THREAT OF ONE. BAKU APPEARS AT PEACE.

NOW IT IS DEMONSTRATING ANOTHER KIND OF ENERGY: AN EXPLOSION OF ENTERPRISE. LOOK DOWN ALMOST ANY STREET IN THE MANY BLOCKS NEAR THE WATERFRONT. STORES, CAFES, RESTAURANTS ARE OPENING UP TOO FAST FOR AZERIS TO KEEP TRACK OF THEM ALL. STREET VENDERS OFFER A RANGE OF GOODS NOT SEEN IN BAKU FOR DECADES. WORKMEN ARE BRISKLY RESTORING STATELY IF CRUMBLING BUILDINGS OF A BYGONE, MORE OPULENT ERA.

IN OTHER WORDS, SAY AZERIS, THEIR CITY IS COMING TO LIFE AGAIN AFTER THE LONG SOVIET SLUMBER. WHAT HAS INSPIRED ALL THE ACTIVITY? LARGELY THE VISION OF BLACK GOLD, THE EXPECTATION THAT IN A YEAR OR SO OIL WILL BEGIN TO FLOW FROM THE VAST RESERVES BENEATH THE CASPIAN SEA TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD. AZERIS SAY THEY WILL GET RICH ALONG WTH THE MANY FOREIGN OIL COMPANIES. SO LET US GET STARTED NOW. OIL, HOWEVER COPIOUS, WILL HARDLY SOLVE ALL OF AZERBAIJAN'S INDUSTRIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. THE DEPLETED COUNTRYSIDE IS NOT SHARING IN THE BAKU BOOM. OPPOSITION GROUPS GRUMBLE THAT THE FOREIGN COMPANIES ARE GETTING TOO GOOD A DEAL AT THE EXPENSE OF AZERBAIJAN. STILL THE GROWING CONFIDENCE IS HARD TO SUPPRESS.

THAT GOES FOR OUTSIDERS, TOO. "CONSIDER THIS THE NEW CASABLANCA," SAY SOME ADVENTUROUS EXPATRIATES LURED TO BAKU BY THE GLAMOUR, INTRIGUE AND NO END OF GET RICH QUICK SCHEMES. "BAKU? THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT," SAYS STEVE REMP, THE OUTSPOKEN CHAIRMAN OF REMCO OIL COMPANY WHO HAS VISITED THE CITY 85 TIMES.

BUT CAN RUSSIA SPOIL THIS HAPPY VISION WITH ITS TRADITIONAL MEDDLING IN THE CAUCASUS? AZERIS ARE WARY BUT NOTE SOME EASING OF PRESSURE FROM THE GREAT POWER TO THE NORTH. IT IS NOT SO INSISTENT ON STATIONING TROOPS IN AZERBAIJAN, DISTRACTED AS IT IS BY MOSCOW'S TURBULENT POLITICS AND THE MISADVENTURE IN CHECHNYA. MOSCOW, MOREOVER, IS PARTICIPATING IN THE BAKU OIL PROJECT AND WILL BENEFIT FURTHER FROM THE PIPELINE RUNNING THROUGH RUSSIA TO THE BLACK SEA. A SECOND PIPELINE THROUGH GEORGIA WILL ASSURE A FLOW OF OIL OUTSIDE RUSSIA. A BRITISH OIL COMPANY EXECUTIVE SAYS THE LONGER THE PROCESS CONTINUES, THE HARDER IT WILL BE FOR RUSSIA TO MAKE TROUBLE.

PRESIDING OVER THE BAKU BOOM IS THE MUCH ADMIRED PRESIDENT HEYDAR ALIYEV, WHO HAS MADE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FROM POLITBURO MEMBER TO AZERI NATIONALIST. AZERIS SAY HE HAS KEPT MOSCOW AT BAY WHILE CULTIVATING GOOD RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES -- ARMENIA APART -- WHERE THE IMPASSE OVER THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH ENCLAVE CONTINUES.

FOR A POST-SOVIET STRONG MAN, PRESIDENT ALIYEV IS NOT OVERLY ROUGH ON OPPONENTS AND DISCOURAGES IDOLATRY. HIS PORTRAITS ARE SPARINGLY PLACED IN AZERBAIJAN, AND HE REJECTED A STATUE OF HIMSELF RATHER PRESUPTUOUSLY OFFERED BY SOME OIL COMPANIES. AZERIS SAY HIS BEST MEMORIAL WILL BE THEIR COUNTRY'S PROSPERITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/EW/CF
18-Oct-96 3:12 PM EDT (1912 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] IRAQ / KURDS (S-UPDATE) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

INTRO: FIGHTING CONTINUES IN NORTHERN IRAQ BETWEEN RIVAL KURDISH FACTIONS, AND A TOP U-S STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL PLANS TO MEET ONE OF THE KURDISH LEADERS EARLY NEXT WEEK IN TURKEY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN HAS THE LATEST FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU.

TEXT: THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS RETAKEN THE TOWN OF KUYSANJAQ, BUT THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN CONTINUES ITS PUSH TOWARD THE TOWN OF IRBIL. THE TWO FACTIONS ARE REPORTED TO BE BATTLING ON THREE FRONTS TO THE EAST OF THE CITY, WITH SMALLER TOWNS CHANGING HANDS FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT.

K-D-P LEADER MASSOUD BARZANI HAS WARNED HE MAY CALL ON IRAQ'S HELP AGAIN TO PUSH THE P-U-K FORCES BACK, A REPEAT OF HIS CONTROVERSIAL ACTIONS LAST MONTH. THE K-D-P HAS JUSTIFIED ITS MOVE BY ACCUSING THE P-U-K FACTION OF USING IRANIAN MILITARY AID.

THE UNITED STATES HAS WARNED BOTH FACTIONS AGAINST RELYING ON OUTSIDE HELP. THE TOP U-S MIDEAST OFFICIAL ROBERT PELLETREAU IS DUE TO MEET MR BARZANI IN TURKEY IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. HE WILL TRY TO PERSUADE THE FACTIONS TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES AT THE BARGAINING TABLE INSTEAD OF THE BATTLEFIELD. (SIGNED) NEB/LK/JWH/PCF/MMK
18-Oct-96 1:43 PM EDT (1743 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] TURKEY/POLICE TRIAL (L) BY ED DEMARCO (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: THE HIGH-PROFILE TRIAL OF TURKISH POLICE OFFICERS ACCUSED OF MURDERING A JOURNALIST EARLIER THIS YEAR GOT UNDERWAY FRIDAY IN THE TOWN OF AYDIN IN SOUTHWESTERN TURKEY. AS EDWARD DE MARCO REPORTS, WESTERN OBSERVERS VIEW THE TRIAL AS A TEST OF TURKEY'S COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS.

TEXT: METIN GOKTEPE, A PHOTOGRAPHER FOR AN ISTANBUL NEWSPAPER, WAS DETAINED BY POLICE IN JANUARY WHILE COVERING THE FUNERAL OF TWO INMATES KILLED IN PRISON RIOTS. A DAY LATER, MR. GOKTEPE'S BODY WAS FOUND IN A NEARBY PARK. HIS FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES CHARGED THAT POLICE BEAT HIM TO DEATH.

A JOURNALIST TESTIFIED AT THE OPENING OF THE MURDER TRIAL FRIDAY THAT POLICE BEAT OTHER DETAINEES UNTIL THEIR WOODEN BATONS BROKE.

THOUSANDS OF OUTRAGED TURKS MARCHED AT MR. GOKTEPE'S FUNERAL IN JANUARY, AND TURKISH NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED A MORGUE PHOTOGRAPH OF HIS BATTERED BODY. WITNESSES CAME FORWARD TO IDENTIFY POLICE OFFICERS THEY SAID HAD BEATEN THE JOURNALIST. BOWING TO MOUNTING PUBLIC PRESSURE, THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION AND PRESSED MURDER CHARGES AGAINST THE POLICE OFFICERS.

IT WAS A RARE MOVE BY THE GOVERNMENT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, WHOM HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS CHARGE ARE USUALLY SHIELDED FROM PUNISHMENT FOR ALLEGED ABUSES. EIGHTEEN OTHER JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN KILLED IN TURKEY SINCE 1992. AND WHILE SECURITY FORCES HAVE BEEN BLAMED FOR SOME OF THE DEATHS, NO OFFICERS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED UNTIL NOW. THE OFFICERS CHARGED IN THE GOKTEPE CASE COULD FACE UP TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED.

IN A REPORT ISSUED EARLIER THIS MONTH, "AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL" CHARGED THAT TORTURE AND EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS WERE WIDESPREAD POLICE PRACTICES IN TURKEY. THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT, IN ITS LATEST HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ON TURKEY, SAID THE CLIMATE OF IMPUNITY WAS PROBABLY THE SINGLE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO CURBING ABUSES.

PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE GOKTEPE CASE IS RUNNING SO HIGH THAT AUTHORITIES MOVED THE TRIAL 800 KILOMETERS FROM ISTANBUL FOR SECURITY REASONS. EVEN SO, THE TRIAL JUDGE WAS FORCED TO SHIFT THE PROCEEDINGS TO A SPORTS HALL FRIDAY AFTER HUNDREDS OF SPECTATORS SHOWED UP.

AMONG THOSE WATCHING WAS A MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, WHICH HAS THREATENED TO HALT FINANCIAL AID TO TURKEY AS PUNISHMENT FOR ALLEGED HUMAN RIGHTS FAILINGS.

TURKEY HAS DENIED THAT ITS HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD IS AS BAD AS INTERNATIONAL MONITORS ALLEGE. EVEN SO, THE GOVERNMENT SAID THIS WEEK THAT IT WOULD MOVE TO CURB THE LENGTH OF POLICE DETENTIONS TO PREVENT ABUSES. (SIGNED)
NEB/EDM/PCF/MMK
18-Oct-96 2:52 PM EDT (1852 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] CLINTON-NATO (S ONLY) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS IMMERSED IN HIS RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN BUT NEXT WEEK, ACCORDING TO HIS SPOKESMAN, HE PLANS TO MAKE A KEY ANNOUNCEMENT THAT DEALS WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS.

TEXT: DURING HIS DAILY BRIEFING WITH REPORTERS FRIDAY, CLINTON SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SPENT MOST OF HIS TIME DISCUSSING CAMPAIGN ISSUES, BUT HE TOOK TIME OUT TO ALERT REPORTERS TO A SPEECH THIS TUESDAY BY THE PRESIDENT IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

A LITTLE HINT- - NOT LONG AGO, THE PRESIDENT SUGGESTED THAT SOMETIME EARLY IN 1997 THERE SHOULD BE A SUMMIT, A NATO SUMMIT, TO DISCUSS THE VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION OF NATO EXPANSION-ENLARGEMENT AND I THINK HE MIGHT HAVE SOME MORE SPECIFICS TO TALK ABOUT ON TUESDAY WHEN HE ADDRESSES THAT SUBJECT IN DETROIT.

MR. MCCURRY PROVIDED NO OTHER DETAILS ON THE PRESIDENT'S REMARKS.

IN SEPTEMBER, SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER SAID NATO LEADERS WOULD HOLD A SUMMIT NEXT YEAR TO DECIDE FORMALLY ON NEW MEMBERS AND TO APPROVE A CHARTER DEFINING NATO'S RELATIONSHIP WITH RUSSIA. A PREPARATORY FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING IS EXPECTED TO BE HELD IN BRUSSELS IN DECEMBER. POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC ARE WIDELY REGARDED AS LIKELY CANDIDATES TO JOIN THE ALLIANCE ON SOME BASIS. (SIGNED)
NEB/BORG/PT
18-Oct-96 5:02 PM EDT (2102 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK MARKETS IN EUROPE TOOK A CUE FROM WALL STREET FRIDAY AND ADVANCED ACROSS THE BOARD. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE MARKET WRAPUP FROM LONDON.

TEXT: AS FEARS OVER INSTABILITY IN RUSSIA'S GOVERNMENT APPEARED TO SUBSIDE FRIDAY, STOCKS ON EUROPE'S MARKETS IN FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS POSTED HEALTHY GAINS.

THE GERMAN "DAX" INDEX OF 30 LEADING SHARES CLOSED AT A NEW RECORD HIGH, GAINING ALMOST 19 POINTS. THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX GAINED ALMOST 20 POINTS, CLOSING AT ITS BEST LEVEL IN MORE THAN TWO YEARS. HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" INDEX OF 100 LEADING SHARES GAINED 11 POINTS WHEN TRADING CLOSED.

THE U-S DOLLAR, THOUGH, CLOSED MIXED IN EUROPEAN TRADING FRIDAY, FALLING AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND FRENCH FRANC, BUT GAINING SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/MMK
18-Oct-96 2:13 PM EDT (1813 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] FRANCE / PHONES (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: ALL FRENCH TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE BEING INCREASED TO 10 FIGURES (FRIDAY). JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS THE STATE TELEPHONE COMPANY, FRANCE TELECOM, SAYS THE CHANGE IS NEEDED BECAUSE OF SOARING DEMAND FOR ADDITIONAL MOBILE PHONES AND FAX MACHINE TELEPHONE NUMBERS.

TEXT: IF FRANCE TELECOM HAS ITS CALCULATIONS RIGHT, A BABY BORN TODAY WILL BE 54-YEARS OLD BEFORE FRANCE NEEDS TO CHANGE ITS TELEPHONE NUMBERING SYSTEM AGAIN.

THE LAST CHANGE WAS IN 1985 WHEN ALL FRENCH TELEPHONE NUMBERS TOOK EIGHT DIGITS. IN NEIGHBORING BRITAIN, THE LAST NUMBERING CHANGE WAS MADE AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR, BUT IS ALREADY REACHING CAPACITY.

PARIS TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBERS WILL NOW HAVE TO ADD A "0-1" TO THEIR EXISTING EIGHT-FIGURE NUMBERS. THE OTHER CODES GO FROM "0-2" IN THE NORTHWEST TO "0-5" IN THE SOUTHWEST OF FRANCE, AND ALL MOBILE SERVICES WILL ADD "0-6". CALLERS WHO FORGET WILL HEAR A RECORDED MESSAGE EXPLAINING THE NEW SYSTEM AND GIVING TOLL-FREE NUMBERS FOR EXTRA INFORMATION

FRANCE'S LATEST MODIFICATION, NEEDED AS THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES AND FAXES HAS CREATED A DEMAND FOR TWO-MILLION NEW NUMBERS EACH YEAR, HAS BEEN PRECEDED BY AN EXTENSIVE CAMPAIGN INCLUDING TELEVISION COMMERCIALS.

MANY BUSINESSES ARE ANGRY. THE CHANGES MEAN THEY HAVE TO UPGRADE THEIR SWITCHBOARDS, SOMETIMES AT A COST OF 10-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

THE FRENCH CHANGES COME JUST MORE THAN A YEAR BEFORE ALL TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL BE DEREGULATED. AT THE MOMENT, THE STATE-OWNED FRANCE TELECOM HAS THE MONOPOLY OF TRADITIONAL PHONE SERVICES. IN THE MOBILE PHONE MARKET, IT HAS TWO PRIVATE COMPETITORS. FRANCE TELECOM IS DUE TO BE PRIVATIZED NEXT APRIL TO PUT IT ON AN EQUAL FOOTING WITH OTHER OPERATORS.

THE FRANCE TELECOM CHANGES ALSO INCLUDE A NEW INTERNATIONAL DIALING CODE, AND THAT STRANGE BEEPING NOISE THAT WAS UNIQUE TO DIALERS IN FRANCE WILL DISAPPEAR.

FROM NOW ON THERE BE JUST BE A BRIEF SILENCE -- UNTIL A COMFORTING RINGING TONE BEGINS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JWN/JWH/RAE
18-Oct-96 5:26 AM EDT (0926 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: DIPLOMATS AT THE UNITED NATIONS URGE FEUDING FACTIONS IN AFGHANISTAN TO LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS AND NEGOTIATE A BROAD-BASED GOVERNMENT; A SENIOR U-N OFFICIAL HEADS FOR BAGHDAD IN HIS PERSISTENT SEARCH FOR BANNED WEAPONS MATERIAL; THE HEAD OF THE U-N'S LARGEST DEVELOPMENT AGENCY WARNS U-N REFORMS ARE CRIPPLING THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPACITY TO ASSIST THE WORLD'S POOREST NATIONS. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL -- PRODDED BY RUSSIA AND CENTRAL ASIAN STATES -- HELD A DAY-LONG SESSION THIS PAST WEEK ABOUT THE CONTINUING BLOODY FEUD IN AFGHANISTAN. DIPLOMATS OVERWHELMINGLY CALLED FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE AND TALKS AMONG THE FACTIONS TO FORM A GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY.

U-S AMBASSADOR MADELEINE ALBRIGHT REITERATED WASHINGTON'S POSITION THAT A SOLUTION LIES AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE, NOT ON THE BATTLEFIELD:

WE RENEW OUR CALL TO THE LEADERS OF EACH PARTY TO CEASE PURSUING THE FOOL'S GOLD (FALSE HOPE) OF A MILITARY VICTORY AND TO TURN THEIR EFFORTS TOWARD THE REAL REWARD OF A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT THAT WILL LAST.

NO FORMAL ACTION WAS TAKEN. BUT THE COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING A DRAFT RESOLUTION THAT WILL LIKELY BE VOTED ON NEXT WEEK.

AFGHANISTAN'S DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER FROM THE OUSTED GOVERNMENT PROPOSED AN END TO THE FIGHTING WITH THE TALEBAN -- WHICH SEIZED KABUL SOME THREE WEEKS -- CALLING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCE TO ENSURE KABUL'S SECURITY. THE TALEBAN, OF COURSE, WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAPITAL -- WITH THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS IN TOW.

THERE WAS NO INDICATION FROM THE TALEBAN THAT THE CEASE-FIRE PROPOSAL WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE.

-0-

SWEDISH DIPLOMAT ROLF EKEUS IS IN BAGHDAD AGAIN IN ANOTHER EFFORT TO PERSUADE THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT TO DIVULGE INFORMATION ON ITS CAPACITY TO LAUNCH DEADLY MISSILE ATTACKS. MR. EKEUS HEADS THE SPECIAL U-N COMMISSION CHARGED WITH DISMANTLING IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.

FULL DISCLOSURE IS REQUIRED UNDER SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS BEFORE THE U-N WOULD EVEN CONSIDER ENDING THE EMBARGO ON IRAQI OIL SALES IMPOSED AFTER IRAQ INVADED KUWAIT IN 1990.

MR. EKEUS SAYS IRAQ MAY BE HIDING A SMALL NUMBER OF ARMS CAPABLE OF CARRYING CHEMICAL AND BIOLGICAL WARFARE AGENTS THAT COULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE REGION:

SO IT IS NOT THEORETICAL OR AN ACCOUNTING PROBLEM. IT IS A REAL MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH FOR THE STATES IN THE REGION. THEREFORE WE CANNOT REST UNTIL THEY ARE ACCOUNTED FOR.

MR. EKEUS BRIEFED THE SECURITY COUNCIL BEFORE SETTING OUT ON HIS MISSION.

-0-

THE UNITED STATES THIS PAST WEEK GAVE THE UNITED NATIONS A CHECK FOR 43 MILLION DOLLARS -- PARTIAL PAYMENT ON ITS MANDATORY DUES. THIS BRINGS THE U-S DEBT DOWN TO ONE-POINT-FOUR BILLION DOLLARS.

THE U-S CONGRESS IS STAGGERING PAYMENTS TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE U-N TO REFORM. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE TACTIC IS CAUSING RESENTMENT AMONG GOVERNMENTS AND U-N STAFF, AND ACTUALLY SLOWING THE PROCESS OF REFORM.

AT LEAST ONE U-N OFFICIAL COMPLAINS THAT REFORMS HAVE ALREADY CUT TOO DEEPLY INTO HIS DEPARTMENT. AMERICAN JAMES SPETH -- WHO HEADS THE U-N DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM --SAYS PROGRAMS TO ASSIST THE WORLD'S POOREST COUNTRIES ARE AT STAKE:

WE HAVE LOST GOOD STAFF PEOPLE, WHICH IS MAYBE THE MAIN RESOURCE THAT WE HAVE, IN A WAY. AND WE KNOW THAT WE SHOULD BE MORE LEAN. WE KNOW THE U-N HAS TO BE REFORMED. BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAVE SUFFERED CUTS BEYOND ELIMINATING FAT AND WE HAVE SUFFERED CUTS WHICH GET TO THE BONE, TO THE MUSCLE OF OUR ORGANIZATIONS.

MR. SPETH SPOKE ON THURSDAY -- THE DAY THE U-N SET ASIDE TO APPEAL FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY. THE U-N SAYS OVER ONE BILLION PEOPLE IN THE WORLD LIVE ON LESS THAN ONE DOLLAR A DAY. (SIGNED)
UN/EJ/CF
18-Oct-96 2:59 PM EDT (1859 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[09] BANJA LIKA / RELIGIOUS SITES (L) BY JENNIFER GLASS (SARAJEVO)

IN BOSNIA TODAY, MUSLIM RELIGIOUS SITES ARE BEING DESTROYED IN THE BOSNIAN SERB CITY OF BANJA LUKA. THE SITE OF AN HISTORIC MOSQUE -- WHICH WAS BLOWN UP BY THE SERBS THREE YEARS AGO --HAS NOW BEEN SEALED AND THE BULLDOZERS ARE MOVING IN. INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS ARE CALLING THE INCIDENT A DELIBERATE ACT TO PROVOKE TENSIONS TWO DAYS BEFORE THE BOSNIAN SERB ASSEMBLY IS TO MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME. THEY SAY THE MEASURE MAY BE DESIGNED TO DISCOURAGE MUSLIM MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY FROM ATTENDING SATURDAY'S GATHERING. JENNIFER GLASS HAS THE STORY FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: IN THE SERB-CONTROLLED CITY OF BANJA LUKA, BULLDOZERS HAVE APPEARED AT THE SITE WHERE THE FERHADIJA MOSQUE ONCE STOOD. THE MOSQUE ITSELF WAS DESTROYED DURING THE FOUR-YEAR LONG BOSNIAN CIVIL WAR. THE SURROUNDING BUILDINGS AND THE CEMETERY REMAIN THE PROPERTY OF THE ISLAMIC COMMUNITY, EVEN THOUGH MOST MUSLIMS WERE DRIVEN OUT OF BANJA LUKA DURING THE WAR. THE BULLDOZERS HAVE LEVELLED AT LEAST ONE BUILDING AND HAVE STARTED CLEARING THE CEMETERY.

COLUM MURPHY IS A SPOKESMAN FOR THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE TO BOSNIA.

THIS NEW ACT OF BARBARISM IS SINISTER, ABHORRENT AND OUTRAGEOUS. WE HAVE DEMANDED, FIRSTLY, THAT ALL SUCH WORK OF DESTRUCTION STOP INSTANTLY. AND WE ARE SEEKING CONTACT WITH THE HIGHEST AUTHORITIES OF REPUBLIKA SERBSKA.

THE SITE IS A SENSITIVE ONE. SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE MOSQUE WAS DYNAMITED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE RUBBLE CARTED AWAY WITHIN A FEW DAYS, AS IF TO ERASE ANY EVIDENCE THAT THE MOSQUE HAD ONCE STOOD THERE. BUT, MR. MURPHY SAID, THE SPOT IS LIKE AN OPEN WOUND.

IT WAS A FAMOUS ACT OF BARARISM, THE LEVELLING OF THIS MOSQUE. IT SEEMS NOT ONLY STRANGE BUT EXTRAORDINARY, AND ESPECIALLY AT THIS TIME, AND INDEED AT ANY TIME THAT THEY (BOSNIAN SERBS) WOULD DO SOMETHING SO SINISTER AND BIZARRE.

THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCE THAT MONITORS THE ACTIONS OF POLICE IN BOSNIA WERE CALLED TO THE SITE THURSDAY, ALTHOUGH THEIR HEADQUARTERS COULD NOT ELABORATE ON WHAT ACTION, IF ANY, THEY UNDERTOOK. IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT LEGAL AUTHORITY THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE'S OFFICE, OR ANY OTHER INTERNATIONAL AUTHORITY, HAS IN THE MATTER. THE SERBS SAY THAT THE BUILDING THEY DEMOLISHED WAS UNSAFE AND THAT OLD TREES ON THE SITE WERE THREATENING TO A NEARBY RESTAURANT.

AMBASSADOR STEINER FROM THE HIGH REPRESENTAIVE'S OFFICE HAS REQUESTED A MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIKA SERBSKA, BILJANA PLAVSIC, MR. MURPHY SEEMED DETERMINED TO THINK THAT THE SERBS HAVE AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE.

WE THINK THAT HISTORY IS NOT SO EASILY OBLITERATED. PERHAPS IT IS A DELIBERATE PROVOCATION. FOR THAT REASON, AMBASSADOR STEINER WILL ASK, DEMAND, OF BILJANA PLAVSIC, THIS BE STOPPED AND INDEED REVERSED, BUT HE WILL ALSO ASK AUTHORITIES ON THIS SIDE THAT THEY NOT ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE PROVOKED. BEAR IN MIND THAT THE ASSEMBLY IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY IN THE REPUBLIKA SERBSKA. AND IT IS JUST POSSIBLE, ALTHOUGH WE DON'T WANT TO SPECULATE AT THIS POINT, IT IS JUST POSSIBLE THAT THE IDEA IS TO PROVOKE PEOPLE INTO NOT ATTENDING THAT ASSEMBLY, AND THAT WOULD NOT BE A GOOD THING.

MR. MURPHY SAYS IT IS A MYSTERY WHY THE SERBS ARE CARRYING OUT THE DESTRUCTION. AMBASSADOR STEINER TRAVELS TO BANJA LUKA FRIDAY TO TRY TO SHED SOME LIGHT ON THAT QUESTION.

BUT THE INCIDENT HIGHLIGHTS THE TENUOUS NATURE OF THE AUTHORITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL BODIES ENFORCING THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. ONE BUILDING HAS ALREADY BEEN DESTROYED AND A CEMETERY DESECRATED, DESPITE THE OBJECTIONS OF THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE AND THE PRESENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE. THE DECISION TO CARRY OUT THE ACTS, LIKE MANY ACTIONS IN RECENT DAYS, SEEMS TO HIGHLIGHT A GROWING DISREGARD FOR THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT AND THE IDEALS IT STROVE TO INSTILL ON THE LEADERS OF BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/JG/KL
17-Oct-96 7:19 PM EDT (2319 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AT THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE, THE SIX-WEEK-OLD TRIAL OF DUSAN TADIC WAS ADJOURNED EARLY FRIDAY BECAUSE THE DEFENSE HAD NO MORE WITNESSES READY TO CALL. MR. TADIC -- A BOSNIAN SERB -- IS ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND OTHER WAR CRIMES CARRIED OUT IN AND AROUND THREE PRISON CAMPS IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA -- CHARGES HE DENIES. MORE FROM REPORTER GILLIAN SHARPE.

TEXT: THIS IS JUST THE LATEST IN A LONG LINE OF HITCHES FOR THE DEFENSE. LACK OF COOPERATION FROM THE BOSNIAN SERB AUTHORITIES AND DIFFICULTIES IN FINDING WITNESSES HAVE LED TO THE TRIAL BEING ADJOURNED TWICE ALREADY.

ALTHOUGH DEFENSE LAWYERS HOPE TO RESUME THEIR CASE TUESDAY, THEY ARE HIGHLIGHTING THEIR DIFFICULTIES. THEY MAKE THE POINT THAT WHILE ALL THE PROSECUTION'S WITNESSES LIVE OUTSIDE BOSNIA, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEIR WITNESSES STILL LIVE IN THE COUNTRY.

MANY DEFENSE WITNESSES HAVE REFUSED TO TRAVEL TO THE HAGUE, SAYING THEY FEAR ARREST. SOME OF THOSE WITNESSES BEGAN TESTIFYING THIS WEEK VIA A SATELLITE LINK FROM AN OFFICE IN BANJA LUKA (BOSNIA).

MANY OF THE WITNESSES WHO APPEARED THIS WEEK WERE POLICEMEN WHO SAID THEY WORKED WITH MR. TADIC DURING THE EIGHT MONTHS WHEN THE CRIMES OCCURRED. DUTY ROSTERS SHOWING THE TIMES THAT MR. TADIC WORKED HAD BEEN PRESENTED IN COURT.

THE IMPLICATION IS THAT MR. TADIC WAS BUSY WITH HIS DUTIES AS A POLICEMAN AND COULD NOT HAVE BEEN KILLING AND TORTURING PEOPLE IN THE NEARBY PRISON CAMPS, AS THE PROSECUTION CONTENDS.

THE DEFENSE ARGUES THAT IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR ANYONE -- HOWEVER INNOCENT -- TO HAVE AN ALIBI THAT COVERS EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY. THE PROSECUTION, FOR ITS PART, HAS BEEN POINTING TO THE FACT THAT MR. TADIC DID HAVE DAYS OFF FROM WORK AND COULD EASILY HAVE DRIVEN TO THE PRISON CAMPS.

DEFENSE LAWYERS SAYS THEY HOPE TO COMPLETE THEIR CASE BY LATE NOVEMBER. A JUDGMENT ON THE GUILT OR INNOCENCE OF MR. TADIC IS NOT EXPECTED UNTIL NEXT YEAR, HOWEVER. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/PCF/RRM
18-Oct-96 11:07 AM EDT (1507 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[11] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A PAIR OF TOPICS, ONE DOMESTIC AND ONE INTERNATIONAL, DOMINATE THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS IN FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS. ONE IS THE FINAL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND BOB DOLE; THE OTHER, THE UNEXPECTED FIRING OF ALEXANDER LEBED BY BORIS YELTSIN, WHO ROSE UP FROM HIS SICK BED TO DO IT. THERE ARE OTHER TOPICS AS WELL, INCLUDING A LAGGING ASPECT OF U-S AIR SAFETY AND A QUESTIONABLE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE BY A WEALTHY INDONESIAN FAMILY. NOW, HERE WITH SOME QUOTES IS ____________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TURNING FIRST TO THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN SAN DIEGO, HERE'S A CAPSULE SUMMATION FROM NEWSDAY. "THE QUESTIONERS WERE THE WINNERS; [MR.] DOLE WAS THE LOSER AND [PRESIDENT] CLINTON WAS AT HIS BEST." NOW TO THE FAR NORTHWEST AND PORTLAND'S THE OREGONIAN, WHICH SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "JUDGING BY COMMENTS ..... NEITHER OF THE TWO DEBATES MUCH CHANGED VOTERS' MINDS. ..... WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE IN ONE OR ANOTHER OF THE .... DEBATES MORE OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CANDIDATES TO MIX IT UP [CHALLENGE] WITH EACH OTHER - - TO RAISE ISSUES ON THEIR OWN, DRAW RESPONSES AND OTHERWISE SET PART OF THE AGENDA FOR THE EVENING."

TEXT: FROM PORTLAND, OREGON, TO PORTLAND, MAINE, WHERE THE PRESS HERALD NOTES:

VOICE: "THE ... DEBATE ... KEPT TO THE HIGH GROUND, LARGELY THANKS TO THE TOWN-HALL AUDIENCE OF ... VOTERS. NOT ONE OF THE AUDIENCE'S ...QUESTIONS BORE DIRECTLY ON THE PRESIDENT'S CHARACTER OR THE ETHICS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION. EVEN IF [MR.] DOLE HAD BEEN INCLINED TO ATTACK [MR.] CLINTON PERSONALLY, HE WASN'T GIVEN THE CHANCE. ... THE CIVIL NATURE OF THIS YEAR'S DEBATES MAY HAVE SET A STANDARD THAT FUTURE DEBATES WILL BE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW."

TEXT: SAYS THE WASHINGTON POST, THE PRESIDENT STILL OWES THE COUNTRY A MORE DIRECT AND COMPLETE RESPONSE TO THE ETHICAL CONDUCT QUESTION THAN HE HAS SO FAR GIVEN.

VOICE: "WE HAD THOUGHT .... SOMEONE MIGHT PUT THE QUESTIONS TO HIM DURING WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S DEBATE. FOR ALL OF BOB DOLE'S ASIDES ABOUT SUPPOSED ETHICAL LAPSES IN THE WHITE HOUSE, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. THE PRESIDENT FOUND IT EASY TO AVOID ANSWERING QUESTIONS HE WAS NEVER DIRECTLY ASKED."

TEXT: AS FOR HOW THE DEBATE PLAYED [APPEARED] TO VOTERS IN NEBRASKA, TODAY'S OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, SAYS IN ITS EDITORIAL:

VOICE: "THAT WAS HARDLY A PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE .... IT WASN'T EVEN THE ADVERTISED TOWN-HALL MEETING. IT WAS MORE LIKE A TALK SHOW IN THE ROUND. GOOD THEATER, PERHAPS, BUT THIN ON POLITICAL SUBSTANCE. THE MAIN FLAW WAS THAT THERE WAS NO FOLLOW-UP. .... ON THE MATTER OF CHARACTER, [MR.] CLINTON SIMPLY DANCED AWAY FROM CITIZENS' QUESTIONS OR REPOSTES BY [MR.] DOLE. .... WELL-INTENTIONED THOUGH THE SPONSORS MAY BE, THESE EVENTS MAY ACTUALLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE PUBLIC'S EXASPERATION WITH POLITICS."

TEXT: AND IN SOUTH FLORIDA, THE MIAMI HERALD, ADDS:

VOICE: "THESE DEBATES COULD HAVE BEEN ILLUMINATING HAD THERE BEEN SOME PROPELLANT TO LIFT THEM INTO THE LIGHT OF CLOSE INSPECTION. AS IT WAS, WEDNESDAY'S ENCOUNTER GENERATED ONLY A LITTLE MORE HEAT, AND NOT A LUMEN MORE LIGHT, THAN DID THE CANDIDATES' EARLIER ENCOUNTER. VIEWERS HEARD AND SAW WHAT THEY ALREADY KNEW."

TEXT: AND NOW THE MORNING'S OTHER TOPIC OF PRIME CONSIDERATION, THURSDAY'S FIRING RUSSIAN NATIONAL SECURITY CHIEF, GENERAL ALEXANDER LEBED BY BORIS YELTSIN, WHO ROSE UP OUT OF A SICK BED TO GO ON NATIONAL TELEVISION AND DO IT. THE MIAMI HERALD TAKES NOTE OF THE LATEST KREMLIN EVENT:

VOICE: "THE OUSTER WAS THE AILING PRESIDENT'S EFFORT TO PROVE THAT HE'S STILL IN CONTROL OF RUSSIA'S GOVERNMENT AND CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING ORDER IN THE KREMLIN. IT PUT AN END, AT LEAST TEMPORARILY TO THE RAGING STRUGGLE BETWEEN MR. LEBED AND PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, WHO WILL NOW BE ON FIRMER GROUND TO PROCEED WITH THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT WHILE MR. YELTSIN UNDERGOES A HEART OPERATION IN THE NEXT WEEKS."

TEXT: FAR UP THE COAST, THE BOSTON GLOBE SAYS:

VOICE: [GENERAL] LEBED WAS REMOVED FROM POWER AFTER HIS PRINCIPAL RIVAL WITHIN THE KREMLIN, INTERIOR MINISTER ANATOLY KULIKOV, ACCUSED HIM OF PREPARING A COUP D'ETAT AND AFTER [MR.] LEBED HIMSELF EVOKED THE POSSIBILITY OF A 'MUTINY' IN THE RUSSIAN ARMY. NEITHER ALLEGATION CORRESPONDED TO REALITY. [OPT] THE RHETORIC USED IN THIS STRUGGLE FOR POWER WAS QUALITATIVELY DIFFERENT FROM EVEN THE MOST BARBED INSULTS HEARD IN THE BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS OR IN AMERICAN ELECTORAL CAMPAIGNS. IT IS THE DIALECT OF A NATION STEEPED IN AN AUTOCRATIC HISTORY. NEVERTHELESS .... THE COUNTRY'S CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER, FOR ALL ITS MANIFEST FLAWS, REMAINS INTACT." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, THE SUN, IN BALTIMORE, SAYS OF [MR.] LEBED'S OUSTER: "MR.] YELTSIN'S INFIRMITY IS TOO BIG AN INVITATION TO OTHERS' AMBITIONS," BUT ADDS THERE IS AT LEAST ONE BENEFIT.

VOICE: "FOR THE UNITED STATES, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT RESULT IS THAT RUSSIA'S MOST ARDENT OPPONENT OF NATO EXPANSION IS OUT OF THE KREMLIN. THAT IS A SHORT-LIVED BLESSING. WHAT THE U-S REALLY REQUIRES IS STABILITY IN RUSSIA. AND THAT RESTS ON THE UNCERTAIN HEALTH OF THE PRESIDENT, BORIS YELTSIN. HAD HE BEEN SEEN TO HAVE BEEN IN HIS PRIME, NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED."

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES PICKS UP THE BALTIMORE SUN'S THEME IN THE OPENING LINE OF ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, WHICH READS:

VOICE: "A HEALTHIER BORIS YELTSIN MIGHT HAVE PREVENTED THE TURMOIL IN HIS CABINET AND PUT ALEKSANDR LEBED'S ABRASIVE LEADERSHIP STYLE TO GOOD USE. BUT PRESIDENT YELTSIN IS NOW TOO WEAK TO QUELL THE RUINOUS DISCORD IN THE KREMLIN THROUGH SUBTLER FORMS OF PERSUASION, SO YESTERDAY HE TOOK A SHORTCUT TO UNITY AND FIRED MR. LEBED. IF MR. LEBED GOES QUIETLY, WHICH IS NOT ASSURED DESPITE HIS INITIAL ACQUIESCENCE, THE MOVE MAY BUY RUSSIA A BADLY NEEDED PERIOD OF STABILITY IN THE KREMLIN. EVEN THEN, IT WILL NOT BE COST-FREE. ... BUT MR. LEBED'S BULLDOZER STYLE HAD ITS ADVANTAGES. ....HE CANDIDLY DESCRIBED THE IMPOVERISHED, POTENTIALLY UNSTABLE STATE OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY. RUSSIA'S MILITARY FORCES DO NOT HAVE A TRADITION OF INTERVENING IN POLITICS, AND IT WOULD BE A TERRIBLE SETBACK FOR DEMOCRACY IS MR. LEBED WERE TO USE HIS HIGH STANDING WITH THE ARMY TO DRAW THEM INTO THIS FIGHT." [END OPT]

TEXT: TURNING TO OTHER TOPICS, USA TODAY RAISES THE ISSUE OF AIR SAFETY AND THE SLOW PACE OF AMERICA'S AIRLINES IN UPGRADING THE SO-CALLED BLACK BOXES THAT MONITOR THE PLANE'S ACTIVITIES FOR POTENTIAL CRASH INVESTIGATIONS.

VOICE: "DETECTIVES WORKING ON LIFE-OR-DEATH CASES DESERVE THE BEST INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS MONEY CAN BUY. BUT IN U-S AVIATION, THEY DON'T ALWAYS GET THEM. EVER SINCE THE MYSTERIOUS 1991 CRASH OF UNITED [AIRLINES] FLIGHT 585 NEAR COLORADO SPRINGS, AVIATION INVESTIGATORS HAVE BEEN LAMENTING THE SPARSENESS OF CLUES PROVIDED BY THE BOEING 737'S FLIGHT DATA RECORDER. THAT CASE BECAME MORE COMPELLING AFTER THE EQUALLY BEWILDERING CRASH OF ANOTHER 737 ... HEADED FOR PITTSBURGH IN 1994. IN BOTH CRASHES, OLDER 'BLACK BOXES' [FLIGHT DATA RECORDERS] FAILED TO PROVIDE AS MUCH DATA AS MODERNIZED DATA RECORDERS ..... NEW RECORDERS WOULDN'T HAVE STOPPED TRAGEDIES SUCH AS THOSE THAT KILLED 157 PASSENGERS AND CREW IN COLORADO AND PENNSYLVANIA. BUT THEY COULD PREVENT REPEATS. THAT'S AN INVESTMENT WORK MAKING NOW.

TEXT: BACK TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR IS CONCERNED ABOUT ALLEGATIONS OF FOREIGN MONEY FINDING ITS WAY INTO THE CLINTON RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN.

VOICE: "IT IS BY NO MEANS CLEAR THAT THE DEMOCRATS WENT OVER THE LINE TOWARD ILLEGALITY IN ACCEPTING THESE FUNDS. BUT THE APPEARANCE OF INFLUENCE-PURCHASING BY OVERSEAS FINANCIERS WITH BANKING AND OTHER INTERESTS IN THE U-S RAISES QUESTIONS TOO SERIOUS TO BE PUT DOWN [ASCRIBED] BY PAT DENIALS OF WRONGDOING FROM DEMOCRATIC OFFICIALS."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF REVIEW OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/NES
18-Oct-96 11:40 AM EDT (1540 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article