Voice of America, 96-10-28

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA/U-S FORCE BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

[03] BULGARIA ELECTION (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[04] CROATIA / BURIAL (L ONLY) BY JENNIFER GLASSE (OMIS, CROATIA)

[05] E-U/U-S/CUBA UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)

[06] E-U / BURMA (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)

[07] E-U / U-S / CUBA (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

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

[09] GERMANY / REFUGEE (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

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

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

INTRO: LAST WEEK'S SURPRISE APPEAL BY THE DOLE CAMPAIGN TO ROSS PEROT TO DROP OUT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE AND THROW HIS SUPPORT TO MR. DOLE IS THE FOCUS OF SEVERAL EDITORIALS THIS MONDAY. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: U-S POLICY TOWARD BURMA; QUESTIONS ABOUT PEACEKEEPING IN BOSNIA; THE FUTURE FOR GUATEMALA, AND THE FATE OF JEWISH WEALTH HELD BY SWISS BANKS. NOW, ________________ TAKES A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: LAST WEEK, A HIGH-RANKING MEMBER OF BOB DOLE'S CAMPAIGN FLEW TO TEXAS TO PLEAD WITH ROSS PEROT TO THROW HIS SUPPORT TO MR. DOLE, BUT THE ATTEMPT FAILED. NOW IT IS PROVIDING FODDER FOR EDITORIAL WRITERS, AS IN THIS LEAD COMMENT IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, WHICH TRIES TO RANTIONALIZE WHY THE DOLE CAMPAIGN THOUGHT MR. PEROT MIGHT BE WILLING TO WITHDRAW HIS CANDIDACY.

VOICE: "JUST PERHAPS ... THE DOLE PEOPLE WERE LISTENING TO WHAT MR. PEROT HAS BEEN SAYING. IN HIS NATIONAL PRESS CLUB SPEECH DISMISSING THE PROPOSAL, HE REPEATED THE THEME. 'WE ARE HEADED TOWARD A SECOND WATERGATE WITH ALL THIS STUFF GOING ON AND CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS IN 1997, JUST REMEMBER WHERE YOU HEARD IT AND PUT IT IN THE BANK,' HE SAID. IF YOU LOVE THIS COUNTRY AND YOUR CHILDREN, HOW COULD YOU EVEN CONSIDER VOTING FOR A CANDIDATE THAT HAS HUGE MORAL, ETHICAL AND CRIMINAL PROBLEMS FACING HIM.' PERHAPS THE DOLE CAMPAIGN TOOK THESE WORDS SERIOUSLY ... AND DREW THE LOGICAL CONCLUSION... IF HE BELIEVES WHAT HE KEEPS SAYING ABOUT ANOTHER WATERGATE AND A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS, IT FOLLOWS THAT HE HAS A PATRIOTIC DUTY TO WITHDRAW AND SUPPORT THE CANDIDATE WITH THE BEST SHOT [CHANCE OF] AT WINNING."

TEXT: THE SUN IN BALTIMORE SAYS EVEN THROUGH ROSS PEROT WILL HAVE TO SCRAMBLE TO WIN EVEN FIVE PERCENT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE, HE IS RIGHT TO STAY IN THE RACE:

VOICE: "... THE TEXAS BILLIONAIRE (PEROT) WAS ACCURATE IN DISMISSING BOB DOLE'S PLEA THAT HE PULL OUT AS 'WEIRD AND INCONSEQUENTIAL.' IT WAS ALSO A LATE-CAMPAIGN BLUNDER THAT DEPRESSED THE REPUBLICAN CONTENDER'S ALREADY DISMAL POLL RATINGS AND GAVE MR. PEROT A MUCH-DESIRED EXTRA DOSE OF PUBLICITY."

TEXT: IN BOSTON, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SUGGESTS BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS CAN LEARN FROM THE PEROT CAMPAIGN:

VOICE: "BOB DOLE MAY HAVE FAILED TO WIN THE WHOLE PRIZE WHEN IT COMES TO ROSS PEROT AND HIS REFORM PARTY... BUT THE REPUBLICAN HAD ALREADY TRIED TO EXPROPRIATE PARTS OF THE PEROT PERSONA, CASTING HIMSELF AS THE CHAMPION OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM... WE ENCOURAGE [MR.] DOLE -- AND BILL CLINTON FOR THAT MATTER -- TO CONTINUE GIVING SOME PEROT ISSUES THE SPOTLIGHT THEY DESERVE."

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE, SPEAKING OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN GENERAL, DEPLORES WHAT IT CALLS "A CORROSION OF DEMOCRACY" IN THE UNRESTRAINED FLOOD OF SPECIAL INTEREST MONEY INTO THE TWO MAIN CAMPS.

VOICE: "POST-WATERGATE REFORMS IN FINANCING PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNS HAVE LEAKED [WEAKENED] INCREASINGLY OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES. THIS YEAR THEY ARE BEING SWEPT AWAY BY A FLOOD OF SUPPOSEDLY 'INDEPENDENT' EXPENDITURES THAT MAKE A MOCKERY OF THE VERY IDEA THAT CITIZEN CANDIDATES MIGHT ATTEMPT TO WIN OFFICE THROUGH THE BACKING OF INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS... ALL TOLD, ONE-POINT-SIX BILLION DOLLARS WILL BE POURED INTO THE PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL RACES THIS YEAR, BY ESTIMATE OF THE CENTER FOR RESPONSIVE POLITICS. IT IS A DISGRACE."

TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL MATTERS, THE WASHINGTON POST TODAY FAULTS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S POLICY TOWARD BURMA AS NOT FORCEFUL ENOUGH, THEN POINTS TO THE LATEST REPRESSION THERE.

VOICE: "ABOUT 500 BURMESE STUDENTS DEMONSTRATED AGAINST THEIR GOVERNMENT THIS WEEK, THE BIGGEST SUCH PROTEST IN YEARS. IN A DICTATORSHIP AS STIFLING AS BURMA'S, SUCH AN ACTION TOOK GREAT COURAGE. AND THOSE STUDENTS ... ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES RISKING THEIR LIVES AND FUTURES FOR DEMOCRACY. IN RECENT WEEKS, THE REGIME HAS TURNED UP THE HEAT ON [RESUMED THE PRESSURE AGAINST] ... AUNG SAN SUU KYI, DAUGHTER OF BURMA'S INDEPENDENCE HERO AND THE RIGHTFUL LEADER OF BURMA ... AGAIN, CUTTING OFF TELEPHONES AND PREVENTING FOLLOWERS FROM GATHERING AT HER GATE... THE UNITED STATES SHOULD MAKE CLEAR THAT IT IS PREPARED TO STAND WITH BURMA'S FREEDOM FIGHTERS, IN DEED AS WELL AS WORD."

TEXT: TODAY'S NEWSDAY FAULTS THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS LACK OF CANDOR DURING THE CAMPAIGN ON THE ISSUE OF BOSNIA, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR KEEPING U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS THERE WELL BEYOND THE DECEMBER 20TH DEADLINE.

VOICE: "BOSNIA HAS BEEN NOTABLE FOR ITS ABSENCE AS AN ISSUE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE, BUT THE U-S ROLE THERE IS NOT OVER, NOR WILL IT BE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE... PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HAS MANAGED TO AVOID COMMENTING ON THE DISCREPANCIES IN HIS ADMINISTRATION'S VARIOUS STATEMENTS ABOUT FUTURE U-S TROOP COMMITMENTS TO BOSNIA... THIS DISINGENUOUSNESS IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE UNTIL AFTER ELECTION DAY, AS THE EXIGENCIES OF POLITICS TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER INFORMING THE ELECTORATE ABOUT A SIGNIFICANT FOREIGN-POLICY MOVE."

TEXT: IN CENTRAL AMERICA, THE ISSUE OF A TOTAL AMNESTY FOR BOTH SIDES IN THE 36-YEAR-OLD GUATEMALAN CIVIL WAR HAS THE ATTENTION OF THE MIAMI HERALD, WHICH SAYS IT WOULD BE A BAD IDEA.

VOICE: "... AMONG THE RANKS OF GUATEMALA'S NOTORIOUS MILITARY, TALK OF AMNESTY FOR THE GUERRILLAS HAS RAISED EXPECTATIONS -- DEMANDS, EVEN -- OF A GENERAL AMNESTY FOR THE MILITARY, TOO... A BLANKET AMNESTY -- WIPING CLEAN THE SLATE OF GROSS HUMAN-RIGHTS VIOLATIONS -- WOULD BE A VERY HIGH PRICE TO PAY FOR PEACE... A COMPROMISE NEEDS TO BE FOUND."

TEXT: FINALLY, WITH REGARD TO THE LATEST REVELATIONS THAT SWISS BANKS MAY HAVE MISHANDLED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN GOLD, ART WORKS AND OTHER PROPERTY THAT BELONGED TO JEWS KILLED IN THE HOLOCAUST, TODAY'S BALTIMORE SUN SAYS:

VOICE: "SWITZERLAND AGREES THAT SOME ACCOUNTS STILL EXIST, POSSIBLY TOTALING 32-MILLION DOLLARS. SOME JEWISH GROUPS BELIEVE SEVEN-BILLION DOLLARS IS MORE LIKE IT... THE SWISS PARLIAMENT SHOULD EMPOWER EXPERTS CREDIBLE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES TO LIFT THE SECRECY ON SWISS WARTIME BANKING, BOTH WITH RESPECT TO TRUE OWNERSHIP OF ACCOUNTS AND TO INSTITUTIONAL DEALINGS WITH THE NAZI GERMAN WAR MACHINE."

TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF TODAY'S EDITORIALS FROM THE U-S PRESS.
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28-Oct-96 10:56 AM EST (1556 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA/U-S FORCE BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: IT APPEARS INCREASINGLY LIKELY THAT NATO WILL DEPLOY A SMALLER BUT STILL SIZEABLE PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA NEXT YEAR TO REPLACE THE CURRENT NEARLY-60-THOUSAND MEMBER PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE, I-FOR. THE UNITED STATES HAS SIGNALED ITS SUPPORT FOR THE OPERATION THOUGH A FINAL DECISION ON THE POLITICALLY-VOLATILE ISSUE WILL NOT BE MADE UNTIL AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS MORE IN THIS BACKGROUND REPORT FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S SELF-IMPOSED DEADLINE OF HAVING U-S TROOPS OUT OF BOSNIA BY THE END OF THE YEAR HAS ALREADY BEEN SET ASIDE -- WITH OFFICIALS CONCEDING THAT A LARGE U-S CONTINGENT WILL BE THERE AT LEAST UNTIL MID-MARCH.

AND A SIGNIFICANT AMERICAN ROLE IN A FOLLOW-ON PEACEKEEPING FORCE IS CONSIDERED A VIRTUAL CERTAINTY -- IF NATO DECIDES THAT A SUCCESSOR PRESENCE IS NECESSARY TO PRESERVE PEACE IN THE BALKANS.

THE ISSUE IS POLITICALLY SENSITIVE FOR PRESIDENT CLINTON, WHO -- WHEN HE FIRST COMMITTED U-S TROOPS TO BOSNIA LATE LAST YEAR -- SAID THEY WOULD COME HOME ONCE I-FOR'S ONE-YEAR PEACEKEEPING MANDATE ENDED DECEMBER 20TH.

IN CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT A YEAR WOULD BE ENOUGH TIME FOR THE NATO-LED FORCE TO IMPLEMENT A SEPARATION OF FORCES AND OTHER TERMS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS:

IT'S MY JUDGEMENT THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE THESE GOALS IN ONE YEAR -- INCLUDING THE STABILIZATION GOALS -- AND PULL THE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE OUT OF THERE. IT'S ALSO MY JUDGEMENT THAT A MILITARY OPERATION OF THIS SORT WILL GO MUCH BETTER IF THERE ARE VERY SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES SET AND ADHERED TO. MY RECOMMENDATION WILL BE TO SET AND MAINTAIN, SUSTAIN THIS ONE-YEAR GOAL.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS INSIST THAT I-FOR, WITH ITS CURRENT U-S COMPLEMENT OF ABOUT 15-THOUSAND SOLDIERS, HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED ALL MILITARY TASKS, AND WITH A SUPRISINGLY LOW CASUALTY TOLL.

AT THE SAME TIME THEY CONCEDE THAT THE CIVIL ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS INCLUDING POLITICAN RECONCILIATION AMONG THE BOSNIA FACTIONS AND ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION HAVE LAGGED FAR BEHIND THE MILITARY SIDE.

THE LATEST SETBACK WAS THE POSTPONEMENT UNTIL SOMETIME NEXT YEAR OF BOSNIAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER. MANY EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT A STRONG FOREIGN MILITARY PRESENCE WILL BE NEEDED TO ENABLE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES TO CROSS INTER-ETHNIC BOUNDARIES AND VOTE IN THEIR PRE-WAR PLACES OF RESIDENCE.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THE POSTPONEMENT IS A FACTOR IN THEIR CONSIDERATION OF A FOLLOW-ON FORCE. THE ISSUE WAS DISCUSSED FORMALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME AT A NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS' MEETING IN NORWAY IN LATE SEPTEMBER.

IN A CONGRESSIONAL APPEARANCE EARLIER THIS MONTH, SECRETARY PERRY SAID THERE WAS STRONG SUPPORT IN NORWAY FOR THE SUCCESSOR FORCE BUT THAT THE UNITED STATES WILL WITHHOLD A DECISION PENDING COMPLETION OF A NATO STUDY OF FORCE OPTIONS:

WHILE MANY NATO MEMBERS AND MANY OF THE OTHER NATIONS IN I-FOR ARE LEANING FORWARD TOWARDS PARTICIPATION IN A FOLLOW-ON FORCE, I MADE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR TO MY COLLEAGUES THAT THE U-S WILL WAIT FOR THE NATO STUDY AND THEN DECIDE THE APPROPRIATE U-S ROLE BASED ON THAT STUDY. WHAT I SAID TO THEM IS THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO CONSIDER U-S PARTICIPATION, IF THE STUDY SHOWS IT IS APPROPRIATE AND NECESSARY.

NATO IS EXAMINING FOUR OPTIONS RANGING FROM ESSENTIALLY RENEWING I-FOR AT ITS CURRENT STRENGTH TO A COMPLETE PULLOUT. BUT ANALYSTS SAY THE TWO EXTREME OPTIONS HAVE ALL BUT BEEN RULED OUT. THEY SAY ATTENTION IS FOCUSSED ON A SLIMMED DOWN PEACE FORCE OF PERHAPS 25-THOUSAND TROOPS, OR A CONTINGENCY FORCE -- BASED IN NEARBY COUNTRIES SUCH AS HUNGARY AND ITALY -- THAT COULD RESPOND QUICKLY IF BOSNIAN FIGHTING RE-IGNITES.

SEVERAL NATO MEMBER STATES AND OTHER I-FOR PARTICIPANTS INCLUDING RUSSIA HAVE ALREADY PLEDGED TO CONTRIBUTE TROOPS. AND THE UNITED STATES WILL HAVE SOME SOLDIERS ON THE GROUND IN BOSNIA UNTIL AT LEAST MID-MARCH -- MEMBERS OF THE SO-CALLED "COVERING FORCE" WHICH IS NOW BEING DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA TO FACILITATE THE PULLOUT OF THE LARGER U-S I-FOR CONTINGENT.

NATO'S DECISION-MAKING NORTH ATLANTIC COUNCIL IS TO MEET AT THE AMBASSADORIAL LEVEL IN BRUSSELS NOVEMBER 6TH -- ONE DAY AFTER THE U-S ELECTION -- TO CONSIDER THE OPTIONS DRAWN UP BY ALLIANCE MILITARY PLANNERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/PT
28-Oct-96 6:06 PM EST (2306 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BULGARIA ELECTION (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE RULING SOCIALIST PARTY OF FORMER COMMUNISTS IN BULGARIA SUFFERED A STINGING DEFEAT SUNDAY, WHEN ONLY 27 PERCENT OF VOTERS CAST BALLOTS FOR THE PARTY'S CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS OBSERVERS SAY THE SOCIALISTS ARE NOT LIKELY TO WIN THE RUNOFF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION NEXT SUNDAY.

TEXT: A POLITICAL SHIFT SEEMS TO BE UNDERWAY IN BULGARIA. IN SUNDAY'S FIRST ROUND OF VOTING FOR PRESIDENT, THE CANDIDATE OF THE ANTI-COMMUNIST OPPOSITION, PETAR STOYANOV, GOT 44 PERCENT OF THE VOTE. THE SOCIALIST IVAN MARAZOV GOT 27 PERCENT. AND A THIRD PARTY PROTEST CANDIDATE, BUSINESSMAN GEORGE GANCHEV, GOT A BIGGER THAN EXPECTED 22 PERCENT.

SINCE NO CANDIDATE GOT AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY, A RUN-OFF BETWEEN THE TOP TWO VOTE GETTERS WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT SUNDAY. WHILE THE THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE REFUSES TO ENDORSE EITHER OF HIS OPPONENTS, ANALYSTS SAY MOST OF HIS SUPPORT WILL GO TO THE CONSERVATIVE MR. STOYANOV.

OFFICIAL FINAL RESULTS FROM THE FIRST ROUND ARE EXPECTED WEDNESDAY. VOTER TURNOUT IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN 61 PERCENT OF THOSE ELIGIBLE, COMPARED TO 75 PERCENT IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS TWO YEARS AGO.

WHILE ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE AT LARGE INSTEAD OF BY PARLIAMENT, THE POST OF PRESIDENT IN BULGARIA IS LARGELY CEREMONIAL. THE PRESIDENT SERVES A FIVE-YEAR TERM. THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT, ZHELYU ZHELEV, LOST A U-S STYLE PRIMARY CONTEST TO MR. STOYANOV IN JUNE.

POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY THE REBUFF TO THE RULING PARTY MAY LEAD TO THE CALLING OF EARLY ELECTIONS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT DUE FOR TWO MORE YEARS AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT.

MONDAY NEWSPAPERS IN SOFIA CALL THE ELECTION A STINGING DEFEAT FOR PRIME MINISTER ZHAN VIDENOV, WHOSE LACK OF A CLEAR ECONOMIC POLICY AND UNWILLINGNESS TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS IS SEEN AS HAVING CONTRIBUTED TO THE COUNTRY'S DESPERATE ECONOMIC SITUATION. SINCE MAY, THE BULGARIAN CURRENCY HAS BEEN DEVALUED BY MORE THAN 60 PERCENT, INFLATION HAS ACCELERATED TO MORE THAN 100 PERCENT ANNUALLY, AND MONTHLY WAGES ON AVERAGE ARE WELL BELOW 100 DOLLARS. THERE IS TALK OF DEFAULT ON FOREIGN DEBTS AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND HAS BEEN HOLDING BACK ON PROMISED LOANS BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT PRIVATIZED OR CLOSED STATE COMPANIES AS IT SAID IT WOULD DO. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/JWH/MMK
28-Oct-96 11:32 AM EST (1632 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CROATIA / BURIAL (L ONLY) BY JENNIFER GLASSE (OMIS, CROATIA)

INTRO: CROATIA HAS RE-BURIED THE BODIES OF SEVERAL WORLD WAR TWO PRO-FASCIST USTASHI SOLDIERS ALONGSIDE ANTI-NAZI PARTISAN FIGHTERS -- A SO-CALLED "RECONCILIATION" BITTERLY OPPOSED BY CRITICS OF CROATIA'S GOVERNMENT. JENNIFER GLASSE WATCHED THE CEREMONY IN OMIS, CROATIA.

TEXT:

THOUSANDS TOOK PART IN THE SOLEMN MARCH IN THE SEASIDE TOWN OF OMIS, AS MEMBERS OF THE CROATIA ARMY AND NAVY CARRIED THE REMAINS OF 112 WORLD WAR TWO ENEMIES TO A CEMETERY TO BE BURIED TOGETHER.

MLADIN ROGOSIC ORGANIZED THE CEREMONY.

IT DOES NOT MATTER THAT THEY WERE FROM DIFFERENT ARMIES, HE SAYS. WHAT MATTERS, THEY ARE ALL CROATS. THERE ARE NO JEWS, SERBS, MONTENEGRINS, OR ITALIANS. THIS IS, LIKE OUR PRESIDENT HAS SAID, A WAY TO BUILD PEACE AMONG ALL SIDES WHO FOUGHT IN THE HISTORY OF THE CROATIAN PEOPLE.

CRITICS SAY CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN APPEARS TO BE TRYING TO RE-CAST HISTORY. SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE IN 1990, HUNDREDS OF MONUMENTS TO THE ANTI-FASCIST PARTISANS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. BUT STREETS AND A PART OF THE CROATIAN MILITARY HAVE BEEN NAMED IN HONOR OF USTASHI OFFICIALS.

ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL OF MR. TUDJMAN'S PROPOSALS IS TO BURY USTASHI SOLDIERS ALONGSIDE THEIR VICTIMS AT THE SITE OF CROATIA'S MOST NOTORIOUS WORLD WAR TWO CONCENTRATION CAMP. HIS PLAN IS PART OF WHAT HE CALLS THE POSTHUMOUS RECONCILIATION OF THE CROAT PEOPLE.

CRITICS CALL IT AN OUTRAGE, INCLUDING LEO NIKOLIC, ONE OF THE EDITOR'S OF A CROATIAN NEWSPAPER THAT WAS SUED BY THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT WHEN IT CRITICIZED MR. TUDJMAN'S IDEA.

MR. NIKOLIC SAYS BURYING THE USTASHI IN SUNDAY'S CEREMONY GLORIFIED THEM, AND THAT IS NOT AN ACCURATE WAY, HE SAYS, TO REFLECT WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE HISTORY IN CORRECT WAYS.

CRITICS SAY MR. TUDJMAN AND HIS SUPPORTERS APPEAR TO BE TRYING TO RESHAPE HISTORY TO MUDDLE THE LINES OF DIVISIONS OF THE PAST IN AN ATTEMPT TO UNIFY PRESENT-DAY CROATIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/JG/JWH/RRM
28-Oct-96 7:20 AM EST (1220 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] E-U/U-S/CUBA UPDATE (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)

INTRO: FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION MEMBER COUNTRIES REACHED AGREEMENT (MONDAY) ON A NEW LAW TO SUPPORT COMPANIES WHICH VIOLATE AMERICAN ANTI-CUBA LEGISLATION. DENMARK HAD THREATENED TO BLOCK A DECISION, BUT A COMPROMISE WAS FOUND WHICH ENABLED THE DANES TO SIGN UP. FROM THE MINISTERS' MEETING IN LUXEMBOURG, JOHN FRASER REPORTS.

TEXT: ALL 15 EUROPEAN UNION GOVERNMENTS WERE UNITED IN THEIR HOSTILITY TO THE AMERICAN LAW, KNOWN AS THE "HELMS BURTON ACT." THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS HOW BEST TO RESPOND.

HELMS-BURTON WILL ENABLE FIRMS AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVES WHO TRADE WITH CUBA TO BE PUNISHED BY THE AMERICAN COURTS, WITH FINES AND OTHER SANCTIONS. THE LAW WILL APPLY NOT JUST TO FIRMS BASED IN THE UNITED STATES BUT, AMONG OTHERS, TO EUROPEAN FIRMS AS WELL.

EUROPEAN UNION TRADE COMMISSIONER, LEON BRITTAN, DEVISED A PROPOSAL TO NEUTRALIZE THE EFFECT OF THE HELMS-BURTON LAW BY ENABLING FIRMS WHICH ARE FINED IN THE AMERICAN COURTS, TO RECLAIM THE CASH IN EUROPEAN COURTS.

FOURTEEN OUT OF THE 15 E-U GOVERNMENTS WERE PREPARED TO SIGN UP TO THIS PROPOSAL, WHEN IT WAS FIRST DISCUSSED BY EUROPEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS. HOWEVER, DANISH FOREIGN MINISTER, NIELS HELVEG PETERSEN, SAID HIS GOVERNMENT COULD NOT ACCEPT THE PLAN BECAUSE IT WOULD INVOLVE A NEW TRANSFER OF POWERS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION, ERODING DANISH NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY.

TEAMS OF LAWYERS WORKED TIRELESSLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY MONDAY TO SORT OUT THE PROBLEM, AND EVENTUALLY A DEAL WAS STRUCK WHICH PRESERVES THE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE E-U PLAN, BUT ALSO SATISFIES DANISH DOUBTS OVER SOVEREIGNTY.

THE DANES HAD A VETO OVER THE PROPOSAL AND COULD HAVE EFFECTIVELY BLOCKED AGREEMENT, SO THERE WAS UNANIMOUS RELIEF WHEN A SOLUTION WAS FOUND.

COMMISSIONER BRITTAN HAILED THE DEAL, SAYING IT REPRESENTS A HISTORIC BREAKTHROUGH, SIGNALING AN ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE E-U.

HE SAYS THAT THE DEAL WITH THE DANES WILL NOT AFFECT THE SUBSTANCE OF THE NEW EUROPEAN LAW, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A WEAPON OF SELF DEFENSE. MR. BRITTAN SAYS THAT EQUIPPED WITH THIS LAW, EUROPE WILL FIND IT EASIER TO NEGOTIATE A SETTLEMENT WITH WASHINGTON TO OVERTURN THE IMPACT OF THE HELMS-BURTON LAW ON EUROPEAN COMPANIES. BUT THIS WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER NOVEMBER'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. (SIGNED)
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28-Oct-96 2:37 PM EST (1937 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] E-U / BURMA (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (LUXEMBOURG)

INTRO: EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE APPROVED A PACKAGE OF NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST BURMA, TO PROTEST WHAT THEY SAY ARE BURMA'S VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM LUXEMBOURG.

TEXT: A STATEMENT BY THE 15 E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS EXPRESSES CONCERN AT CONTINUING VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN BURMA, AND AT DELAYS IN ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DEMOCRACY.

IN PARTICULAR, THE FOREIGN MINISTERS DEPLORE WHAT THEY CALL THE PRACTICE OF TORTURE ... SUMMARY AND ARBITRARY EXECUTIONS ... FORCED LABOR ... THE ABUSE OF WOMEN ... POLITICAL ARRESTS ... THE FORCED DEPLACEMENT OF THE POPULATION ... AND RESTRICTIONS ON FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH, MOVEMENT AND ASSEMBLY.

THEY CONDEMN THE DETENTION OF MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR DEMOCRACY, AND THEY CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN BURMA AND AN END TO MILITARY RULE.

THE E-U ALREADY HAS ENDED THE EXCHANGE OF MILITARY ATTACHES WITH BURMA, HAS ENFORCED AN ARMS EMBARGO, AND HAS SUSPENDED NON-HUMANITARIAN AID.

THE LATEST SANCTIONS ADOPTED BY THE 15 FOREIGN MINISTERS INCLUDE A BAN ON ENTRY VISAS FOR SENIOR MEMBERS OF BURMA'S RULING ELITE AND MILITARY FORCES, AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES. THERE ALSO WILL BE A BAN ON VISITS TO BURMA BY EUROPEAN UNION MINISTERS OR SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS.

THE EUROPEAN MINISTERS WARN THAT IF THERE IS NO IMPROVEMENT IN THE SITUATION IN BURMA, FURTHER SANCTIONS MAY BE INVOKED.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IF THE BURMESE AUTHORITIES SHOW A WILLINGNESS TO IMPLEMENT WHAT THE E-U CALLS BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATIC REFORMS, THE EUROPEAN UNION SAYS IT WILL BE WILLING TO CONSIDER A RESTORATION OF NORMAL RELATIONS. (SIGNED)
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28-Oct-96 6:06 AM EST (1106 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] E-U / U-S / CUBA (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: DENMARK TODAY (MONDAY) BLOCKED SPEEDY EUROPEAN UNION AGREEMENT ON A MOVE TO SUPPORT COMPANIES THAT RUN AFOUL OF A U-S ANTI-CUBA LAW. JOHN FRASER IN LUXEMBOURG REPORTS EUROPEAN OFFICIALS WILL SPEND THE DAY TRYING TO FIND A NEW FORMULA.

TEXT: THERE IS UNANIMITY AMONG ALL 15 EUROPEAN UNION GOVERNMENTS IN THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE U-S LAW, KNOWN AS THE HELMS-BURTON ACT.

UNDER THE U-S LAW, SOME FIRMS AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVES WHO TRADE WITH CUBA CAN BE PUNISHED, WITH FINES AND OTHER SANCTIONS.

WHAT THE EUROPEANS SAY IS SO OBJECTIONABLE IS THAT THE LAW WILL APPLY NOT JUST TO FIRMS BASED IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT TO EUROPEAN BUSINESSES AS WELL, THROUGH WHAT IS TERMED EXTRA-TERRITORIALITY.

EUROPEAN UNION TRADE COMMISSIONER LEON BRITTAN HAS OFFERED A PROPOSAL THAT HE BELIEVES WOULD NEUTRALIZE THE EFFECT OF THE HELMS-BURTON LAW -- BY ENABLING FIRMS THAT ARE FINED IN AMERICAN COURTS TO RECLAIM THE CASH IN EUROPEAN COURTS.

FOURTEEN OF THE 15 E-U GOVERNMENTS WERE PREPARED TO SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL, WHEN IT WAS DISCUSSED BY EUROPEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS. HOWEVER, DANISH FOREIGN MINISTER NIELS HELVEG PETERSEN SAID HIS GOVERNMENT CAN NOT ACCEPT THE PLAN BECAUSE IT WOULD INVOLVE A NEW TRANSFER OF POWERS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION, ERODING DANISH NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY.

FRANTIC EFFORTS ARE NOW UNDERWAY BEHIND THE SCENES TO FIND A COMPROMISE FORMULA, POSSIBLY BY ALTERING THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK UNDER WHICH THE PROPOSAL COULD BE ADOPTED. OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE A DEAL CAN BE REACHED QUICKLY. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH/RRM
28-Oct-96 5:59 AM EST (1059 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THERE WAS NO CLEAR TREND TO THE KEY STOCK MARKETS IN EUROPE MONDAY. BUT THERE WAS HOPE FOR EUROPEAN TRADE WITH SOUTH KOREA. PAUL FRANCUCH HAS OUR EURO-MARKET SUMMARY FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION ANNOUNCED MONDAY IT HAS SIGNED A FIVE-YEAR TRADE ACCORD WITH SOUTH KOREA. THE EUROPEANS HOPE THE AGREEMENT WILL ENCOURAGE THE KOREANS TO OPEN THEIR MARKETS WIDER, ESPECIALLY IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS.

ON THE STOCK EXCHANGES HERE IN EUROPE MONDAY, THERE WERE NO PARTICULAR FACTORS DRIVING INVESTORS TO BUY OR SELL. IN PARIS, THE "CAC-40" INDEX FELL JUST OVER 12 POINTS IN MODERATE TRADING. GERMANY'S "DAX-100" INDEX IN FRANKFURT ENDED TRADING UP ALMOST 30 POINTS. HERE IN LONDON, THE FINANCIAL TIMES "FOOTSIE 100" INDEX SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE FROM FRIDAY'S TRADING, CLOSING UP JUST UNDER THREE POINTS.

WHILE THE DOLLAR HIT A 42-MONTH HIGH EARLIER IN THE DAY AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN, IT CLOSED MIXED AGAINST KEY EUROPEAN CURRENCIES, GAINING FRACTIONALLY AGAINST THE MARK, BUT LOSING VALUE AGAINST THE POUND, WHICH NOW STANDS AT A 16-MONTH HIGH AGAINST THE AMERICAN CURRENCY. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF/CF
28-Oct-96 12:50 PM EST (1750 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] GERMANY / REFUGEE (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: AUTHORITIES IN GERMANY ARE MOVING AHEAD WITH THE CONTROVERSIAL POLICY OF FORCIBLY REPATRIATING BOSNIAN REFUGEES. AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS, A 29-YEAR-OLD MAN HAS BECOME THE SECOND BOSNIAN TO BE DEPORTED BACK TO SARAJEVO.

TEXT: AUTHORITIES IN THE SOUTHERN GERMAN STATE OF BAVARIA SAY THEY WILL HOLD FAST (ADHERE) TO THEIR POLICY OF EXPELLING BOSNIAN REFUGEES WHO HAVE MISUSED THEIR RIGHTS AS GUESTS.

THE SOUTHERN GERMAN STATE BEGAN THE DEPORTATION PROGRAM EARLIER THIS MONTH, WHEN OFFICIALS SENT A CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER BACK TO BOSNIA.

NOW OFFICIALS SAY A SECOND FORMER REFUGEE, IDENTIFIED ONLY AS "GAMAL H," WAS DEPORTED TO SARAJEVO ON FRIDAY.

HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS AND BOSNIAN OFFICIALS HAVE CRITICIZED THE POLICY, BUT GERMAN STATE INTERIOR MINISTER SAY THEY CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO FEED AND HOUSE THE 320-THOUSAND REFUGEES.

MOST GERMAN STATES HAVE SAID THEY WILL NOT BEGIN DEPORTING THE REFUGEES UNTIL SPRING, BUT BAVARIA HAS PUSHED AHEAD WITH ITS PLAN TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN SENDING BACK THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF CRIMES.

OFFICIALS SAY THE MAN EXPELLED FRIDAY HAD BEEN SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN A YOUTH DETENTION FACILITY FOR COERCION AND CAUSING PHYSICAL HARM.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL BEGIN DEPORTING SINGLE PEOPLE OF WORKING AGE AFTER CONVICTS HAVE BEEN EXPELLED. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/MMK
28-Oct-96 12:56 PM EST (1756 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY HAS REFUTED A PUBLISHED REPORT THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTRIBUTE TROOPS TO A NEW INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE STATEMENT CAME AS A U-S SHIP LOADED WITH MILITARY EQUIPMENT FOR BOSNIA MOVED OFF-SHORE AMID A U-S DEMAND THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT REMOVE A DEFENSE OFFICIAL FOR HIS ALLEGED TIES TO IRAN:

TEXT: SECRETARY PERRY, THROUGH HIS SPOKESMAN, DENIED A NEW YORK TIMES STORY WHICH, QUOTING CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS, SAID THE UNITED STATES PLANS TO CONTRIBUTE AT LEAST FIVE-THOUSAND TROOPS TO A NEW INTERNATIONAL FORCE. THE REPORT SAYS THAT FORCE WOULD CONSIST OF UP TO 30-THOUSAND TROOPS STATIONED IN BOSNIA AT LEAST THROUGH 1997.

SECRETARY PERRY'S SPOKESMAN IS LT. COLONEL PAT SIVIGNY:

THE NEW YORK TIMES STORY WAS AN INACCURATE STORY. NO DECISION HAS YET BEEN MADE ABOUT U-S FORCES THERE IN BOSNIA. NATO IS LOOKING AT VARIOUS OPTIONS.

SECRETARY PERRY SAYS NATO IS LOOKING AT FOUR OPTIONS IN BOSNIA, INCLUDING A DETERRENCE FORCE TO PREVENT FIGHTING, A SUSTAINING FORCE TO MAINTAIN SECURITY, KEEPING THE CURRENT MISSION IN PLACE OR A COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL. MEANWHILE, A U-S VESSEL LOADED WITH 100-MILLION DOLLARS IN MILITARY EQUIPMENT MOVED OFF THE CROATIAN SHORE AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION. THE SHIPMENT IS BEING HELD UP OVER A U-S DEMAND THAT BOSNIA'S VICE DEFENSE MINISTER RESIGN FROM THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE OF HIS TIES TO IRAN. HASAN CENGIC, AN ISLAMIC CLERIC, SPENT MUCH OF THE BOSNIAN WAR IN TEHRAN ARRANGING ARMS DELIVERIES DURING THE U-N ARMS EMBARGO. (SIGNED).
NEB/VB/KL
26-Oct-96 6:57 PM EDT (2257 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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