Voice of America, 96-12-23

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] EDITORIAL: KOSOVO AND U.S. POLICY

[03] EDITORIAL: PROTESTS PERSIST IN BELGRADE

[04] BELGRADE/DEMOS (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BELGRADE)

[05] CYPRUS / MANDATE RENEWED (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[06] GERMANY/BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY CHRIS O'NEIL (SARAJEVO)

[07] SERBIA REACT (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

[08] SERBIA/CITY BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (NIS, SERBIA)

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

INTRO: THE WEEKEND REVELATIONS BY HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH THAT HE VIOLATED FEDERAL FINANCE LAWS AND -- HE SAYS -- INTENTIONALLY GAVE WRONG INFORMATION TO THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING THE CHARGES, IS AMONG MONDAY'S LEADING NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL TOPICS. OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE: THE GLOBAL REACH OF DEMOCRACY; SERBIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE; RUSSIAN WORRIES OVER NATO EXPANSION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION ON THE ASIAN SUB-CONTINENT. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ____________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR IS CONCERNED OVER WHAT IT FEELS IS A LACK OF CANDOR IN THE CORRIDORS OF POWER, BOTH FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

VOICE: "MAYBE NO ONE WOULD EXPECT SO MUCH IF THE MEN WERE NOT THE PRESIDENT AND THE SECOND PERSON IN LINE TO REPLACE HIM IN AN EMERGENCY. BUT EVEN PRESIDENT CLINTON'S AND HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH'S WEEKEND STEPS TOWARD CANDOR AND APOLOGY LEFT SOMETHING TO BE DESIRED. MR. CLINTON SAID IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE FOR A CHINESE ARMS DEALER TO BE AT A WHITE HOUSE MEETING OF POLITICAL FUND-RAISERS. MR. GINGRICH ACKNOWLEDGED HE GAVE FALSE INFORMATION TO THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE. BUT BOTH MEN EDGED AWAY FROM RESPONSIBILITY... WE AWAIT THE PEOPLE'S PERFORMANCE REVIEW ON THESE TWO."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES FOCUSES SOLELY ON MR. GINGRICH, FOR WHOM IT DOESN'T HAVE MUCH SYMPATHY.

VOICE: "REPRESENTATIVE ... GINGRICH'S DEFENDERS DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE MUCH WIND IN THEIR SAILS [CONVICTION] YESTERDAY, AND IT IS EASY TO SEE WHY. THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT WITH A VERY WEAK CASE FOR HIS RE-ELECTION AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. AS LAID OUT [EXPLAINED] ... THAT CASE IS THAT MR. GINGRICH WAS SO BUSY FOLLOWING THE 1994 ELECTIONS THAT HE FAILED TO CHECK WITH TAX ATTORNEYS TO SEE THAT HIS POLITICAL AND EDUCATIONAL EXPENDITURES WERE LEGAL. THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IS VERY TOUGH ON CITIZENS WHO TRY THIS 'I-FORGOT' DEFENSE, AND IT SEEMS NAIVE OF THE REPUBLICANS TO EXPECT THAT THEIR ... LEADER CAN GET BY SAYING 'WHOOPS' [SLANG FOR I FORGOT]."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS MR. GINGRICH'S ALLEGED POLITICAL FUNDRAISING SYSTEM WAS SO COMPLEX AND SO TOTALLY INTERTWINED WITH HIS TEACHING ACTIVITIES THAT IT WAS A "MAZE" OF CONFUSION. SO THE PAPER GOES ON:

VOICE: "IN THE WORLD OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE, WHERE THERE ARE NO ILLUSIONS, DEFENDERS AND CRITICS ALIKE MARVEL AT ITS SOPHISTICATION. IT'S AWFULLY HARD TO ACCEPT 'NAVIETE' AS A DEFENSE IN THE CREATION OF IT. THE SPEAKER SAYS HE SHOULD HAVE CONSULTED A TAX LAWYER; OTHERS VIEW THE ENTIRE 'PURPOSE' [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] OF THE SYSTEM AS BEING PRECISELY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A FUZZY SPOT IN THE TAX LAW. IS IT BELIEVABLE THAT NEITHER MR. GINGRICH NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAD A ROLE IN ESTABLISHING THE STRUCTURE UNDERSTOOD THE LAW THAT IT WAS SO SKILLFULLY CIRCUMVENTING?"

TEXT: IN DEFENSE OF THE SPEAKER, THE WASHINGTON TIMES SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO READ THE ETHICS COMMITTEE REPORT.

VOICE: "IF YOU ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT MR. GINGRICH HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY (BY HIS OWN ADMISSION) OF CHEATING THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND TRANSFERRING MONEY AROUND FRAUDULENTLY, YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO NEWT ARCH-ENEMY (MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN) DAVID BONIOR TOO MUCH. TRY READING THE REPORT INSTEAD. MR. BONIOR AND FRIENDS HAVE FILED 75 COMPLAINTS IN ALL, 74 OF WHICH THE COMMITTEE FOUND TO BE WITHOUT SUBSTANTIAL MERIT, ONE OF WHICH IT DETERMINED WARRANTED FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY AN OUTSIDE COUNSEL... ALTHOUGH PARTISAN DEMOCRATS LOST NO TIME IN JUMPING UP AND DOWN DECRYING THE SPEAKER'S PERFIDY, THE FACT IS THAT THE VIOLATIONS STATEMENT IS REMARKABLE FOR HOW UNDAMAGING IT IS TO MR. GINGRICH."

TEXT: TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES TAKES HOPE FROM A RECENT STUDY BY FREEDOM HOUSE ON THE SPREAD OF DEMOCRACY AROUND THE WORLD, BUT ALSO NOTES THAT A MAJORITY OF THE GLOBAL POPULATION ARE STILL RULED BY OPPRESSIVE GOVERNMENT.

VOICE: "MORE PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN FREEDOM THAN EVER BEFORE AND MORE OF THE WORLD'S NATIONS NOW QUALIFY AS ELECTORAL DEMOCRACIES, REPORTS FREEDOM HOUSE IN ITS ANNUAL SURVEY OF POLITICAL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES. IN 1996, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN FREE SOCIETIES GREW BY 135-MILLION, BRINGING TO ONE-POINT-25 BILLION THOSE PROTECTED BY BASIC RIGHTS. THIS IS ENCOURAGING PROGRESS, CERTAINLY. WHAT MUST NOT BE LOST SIGHT OF IS THAT EVEN TODAY LITTLE MORE THAN ONE PERSON OUT OF FIVE ENJOYS FULL FREEDOM. THIRTY-NINE PERCENT ARE RANKED AS ONLY PARTLY FREE, WHILE A SIMILAR PERCENTAGE LIVE IN SOCIETIES WHERE FREEDOM IS LARGELY UNKNOWN. SEVENTEEN COUNTRIES, COMPRISING ONE FOURTH OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION, ARE HELD TO BE 'THE WORST OF THE WORST.' [OPT] AMONG THEM: AFGHANISTAN, BURMA CHINA, CUBA, IRAQ, LIBYA, NORTH KOREA SAUDI ARABIA, SYRIA AND VIETNAM... AMONG THE GREAT GAINS FOR FREEDOM IN 1996 ... WERE THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN TAIWAN, THE TRIUMPH OF ELECTORAL POLITICS IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE AND NICARAGUA..." [END OPT]

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES SPEAKS OUT ABOUT A SOMETIMES OVERLOOKED AREA OF SERBIA WHERE THERE IS MUCH SUFFERING: KOSOVO PROVINCE, HOME TO MORE THAN A MILLION ETHNIC ALBANIANS.

VOICE: "[OPT] THE POLITICAL CRISIS THAT HAS FILLED SERBIA'S STREETS WITH PROTESTERS FOR MORE THAN A MONTH PROVIDES SOME HOPE FOR THE FORGOTTEN VICTIMS OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC -- THE ONE-POINT-EIGHT MILLION ALBANIANS WHO LIVE IN THE SOUTHWESTERN REGION OF KOSOVO. [END OPT] ALTHOUGH 90 PERCENT OF THE (KOSOVO) POPULATION, THE ALBANIANS ARE RULED IN BRUTAL APARTHEID-STYLE BY THE ETHNIC SERBS. ... THE KOSOVO ALBANIANS NEED CONTINUED RESOLVE FROM WASHINGTON... NO MATTER WHO ENDS UP RUNNING BELGRADE, WASHINGTON MUST CONTINUE TO EMPHASIZE THAT SANCTIONS WILL BE LIFTED ONLY IF ITS CONDITIONS ARE MET, INCLUDING FULL RIGHTS FOR KOSOVO."

TEXT: THE OREGONIAN IN PORTLAND, OREGON, IS SPEAKING OUT ABOUT RUSSIA'S CONCERN OVER AN EXPANDING NATO, AND SAYS THE RECENT WARNING BY THE RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER ABOUT POSSIBLE COUNTERMEASURES ARE UNCALLED FOR.

VOICE: "RUSSIA'S FEARS OUGHT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, UP TO A POINT... SENSIBILITIES ARE ONE THING: REALITY IS ANOTHER. MILITARILY, RUSSIA HAS NOTHING TO FEAR FROM THE WESTERN ALLIANCE, AND IT REMAINS FOR SOME OF RUSSIA'S POLITICIANS TO REALIZE THAT THEIR COUNTRY'S BEST FUTURE LIES IN INTEGRATION, NOT CONFRONTATION."

TEXT: FINALLY, THE WASHINGTON POST IS HAILING THE COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND BANGLADESH OVER SHARING WATERS OF THE GANGES RIVER.

VOICE: "INDIA HAS JUST MADE A DEMONSTRATION OF THE SORT OF WIDE-VIEW LEADERSHIP THAT THE SOUTH ASIAN SUBCONTINENT BADLY NEEDS. IT HAS RESOLVED A GENERATION-OLD DISPUTE OVER THE SHARING OF THE WATERS OF THE GREAT GANGES RIVER WITH BANGLADESH, WHICH IS NOT ONLY A FAR WEAKER COUNTRY BUT LIES DOWNSTREAM. [OPT] ... INDIA'S INTERNATIONAL NOTICES IN RECENT MONTHS HAVE CENTERED ON ITS OBSTINATE REFUSAL TO ACCEPT THE TERMS OF THE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION TREATY AND ITS HEAVY-HANDED TACTICS IN THE HIMALAYAN STATE OF KASHMIR. IT DESERVES ENCOURAGEMENT AND APPLAUSE WHEN IT TEMPERS ITS NATIONALISM... [END OPT] PRIME MINISTER GOWDA IS NOT WIDELY KNOWN IN THE WEST, BUT IF THE GANGES AGREEMENT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE LEADERSHIP HE CAN PROVIDE, LET US SEE MORE OF IT AND HIM."

TEXT: ON THAT POSITIVE NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT EDITORIALS FROM MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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23-Dec-96 11:04 AM EST (1604 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EDITORIAL: KOSOVO AND U.S. POLICY

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

THIS MONTH, KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA MET WITH SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER AND DEPUTY SECRETARY STROBE TALBOTT. THEY REAFFIRMED U.S. SUPPORT FOR THE RESTORATION OF BASIC RIGHTS FOR THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO AND FOR DR. RUGOVA'S COMMITMENT TO PEACEFUL CHANGE. AT A STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING, SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS EMPHASIZED U.S. CONCERN:

ACTUALITY #1 -- BURNS (ACTUALITY IN AUDIO SERVICES) "THE CURRENT LACK OF THESE RIGHTS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THE U.S. SUPPORTS DR. RUGOVA'S EFFORTS TO CHANGE THE SITUATION THROUGH PEACEFUL AND DEMOCRATIC MEANS."

THE CURRENT SITUATION IN KOSOVO MUST BE RESOLVED. THE U.S. DEPLORES THE BRUTAL AND OPPRESSIVE POLICY THAT THE MILOSEVIC GOVERNMENT HAS PURSUED THERE. SPECIFICALLY, THE U.S. CONDEMNS RECENT INCIDENTS OF POLICE BRUTALITY. THE U.S. CALLS FOR DEMOCRATIZATION AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGHOUT SERBIA, INCLUDING KOSOVO, AND FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EDUCATION AGREEMENT. DURING THIS TENSE PERIOD IN SERBIA, THE U.S. URGES ALL SIDES TO SHOW RESTRAINT AND PURSUE CHANGE THROUGH PEACEFUL MEANS. THE U.S. ENCOURAGES DIALOGUE BETWEEN ALBANIANS AND SERBS TO REDUCE TENSIONS AND ENCOURAGES KOSOVARS TO JOIN EFFORTS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRATIC CHANGE THROUGHOUT SERBIA.

THE U.S. CONTINUES TO SUPPORT AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO, BUT NOT INDEPENDENCE OR A UNITED NATIONS PROTECTORATE. THE OPENING OF A U.S. INFORMATION SERVICE OFFICE IN PRISTINA EARLIER THIS YEAR IS A MEASURE OF U.S. COMMITMENT. SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER REAFFIRMED THIS COMMITMENT IN HIS RECENT MEETING WITH DR. RUGOVA. THE U.S. FULLY SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE OF KOSOVO TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE IN A PEACEFUL MANNER.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
23-Dec-96 1:12 PM EST (1812 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EDITORIAL: PROTESTS PERSIST IN BELGRADE

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

LARGE PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS IN SERBIA CONTINUE IN PROTEST OVER THE CANCELLATION OF OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN LOCAL ELECTIONS. SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC RECENTLY ATTEMPTED TO ANSWER CHARGES OF ELECTION FRAUD IN A LETTER TO U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER. IN THE LETTER, HE SUGGESTED THAT THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, OR O-S-C-E, SEND A DELEGATION TO MAKE AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF THE ELECTION RESULTS. THE DELEGATION ARRIVED IN SERBIA LAST WEEK. IT IS HEADED BY FORMER SPANISH PRIME MINISTER FELIPE GONZALEZ. AMBASSADOR MAX KAMPELMAN WILL REPRESENT THE U.S., ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM FIVE OTHER COUNTRIES. THE U.S. EXPECTS THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT TO TAKE THE O-S-C-E'S RECOMMENDATIONS SERIOUSLY.

THE U.S. BELIEVES THAT THE O-S-C-E MISSION SHOULD ALSO LOOK AT THE ISSUE OF MEDIA FREEDOM IN SERBIA. RADIO B-92, WHICH CAN ONLY BE HEARD IN PARTS OF BELGRADE, IS BACK ON THE AIR. BUT MEDIA FREEDOM IN SERBIA FAILS TO COME CLOSE TO EVEN MINIMAL STANDARDS. RADIO BOOM 93 REMAINS CLOSED. THE U.S. CALLS ON THE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW BOOM 93 TO OPERATE FREELY.

THE U.S. HAS ALSO CALLED FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE OPPOSITION AND THE GOVERNMENT. AS STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAID ABOUT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC:

ACTUALITY #1 -- BURNS [ACTUALITIES IN AUDIO SERVICES] "HE DOESN'T APPEAR TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE HOLE THAT HE IS DIGGING FOR HIMSELF GETS DEEPER AND DEEPER EVERY DAY. HE'S ISOLATING HIMSELF."

REFUSING TO DEAL WITH THE OPPOSITION WILL ONLY PROLONG THE STALEMATE. UNLESS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC CHANGES COURSE, HE WILL ONLY WIDEN THE GAP BETWEEN SERBIA AND THE DEMOCRATIC WEST.

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
23-Dec-96 1:11 PM EST (1811 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BELGRADE/DEMOS (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BELGRADE)

INTRO: SERBIA'S RULING SOCIALIST PARTY IS PREPARING A MASS DEMONSTRATION IN BELGRADE TUESDAY, TO RALLY SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN THE FACE OF NEARLY FIVE WEEKS OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS BY OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. OPPOSITION LEADERS CHARGE THE AUTHORITIES INTEND TO USE THE PRO-GOVERNMENT RALLY TO PROVOKE CLASHES IN THE CAPITAL, TO JUSTIFY A CRACKDOWN AGAINST THE PROTEST MOVEMENT. FROM BELGRADE, VOA'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS.

TEXT: ACCORDING TO THE STATE-RUN "TANJUG" NEWS AGENCY, TUESDAY'S PRO-GOVERNMENT RALLY HAS BEEN SET FOR THE SAME TIME AND IN THE SAME CENTRAL BELGRADE SQUARE WHERE OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS HAVE STAGED THEIR DAILY DEMONSTRATIONS EVER SINCE THE GOVERNMENT ANNULLED THE RESULTS OF LAST MONTH'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. IN A STATEMENT MONDAY, THE THREE-PARTY OPPOSITION ALLIANCE, KNOWN AS "ZAJEDNO", SAID SERBIAN POLICEMEN IN PLAIN CLOTHES WILL BE AMONG THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE PRO-GOVERNMENT RALLY, WITH ORDERS TO PROVOKE CLASHES WITH OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY SPOKESMAN SLOBODAN VUKSANOVIC SAYS THE OPPOSITION WILL DO EVERYTHING IN ITS POWER TO AVOID VIOLENCE, INCLUDING A POSSIBLE CHANGE OF VENUE FOR TUESDAY'S ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTEST.

MR. VUKSANOVIC SAYS THE OPPOSITION IS URGING ITS SUPPORTERS TO REMAIN CALM AND PEACEFUL. BUT HE SAYS HE STILL EXPECTS TROUBLE.

IF (THE) STATE MAKES (A) DECISION TO PROVOKE VIOLENCE, THERE IS NO ONE WHO CAN STOP THEM.

SERBIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE ORGANIZED A SERIES OF PRO-GOVERNMENT RALLIES IN PROVINCIAL TOWNS OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS. TUESDAY'S DEMONSTRATION IN BELGRADE IS BEING PORTRAYED AS THE GRAND FINALE IN THE CAMPAIGN.

LOCAL NEWSPAPER REPORTS, QUOTING SOCIALIST PARTY SOURCES, SAY THE AIM IS TO DEMONSTRATE THE BREADTH AND POWER OF SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AND TO CONDEMN WHAT ARE DESCRIBED AS THE TREASONOUS ACTS OF THE OPPOSITION.

LOCAL NEWSPAPERS SAY THE AUTHORITIES HAVE MOBILIZED A FLEET OF BUSES AND TRAINS TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE TO THE CAPITAL FROM OUTLYING AREAS.

OPPOSITION LEADERS CHARGE THE GOVERNMENT IS OFFERING CASH PAYMENTS TO ANYONE WILLING TO CARRY PRO-GOVERNMENT POSTERS OR PICTURES OF THE SERBIAN LEADER. THEY ALSO ALLEGE WORKERS AT SOME STATE-OWNED FACTORIES HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY COULD LOSE THEIR JOBS IF THEY FAIL TO SHOW UP FOR THE DEMONSTRATION.

AT MONDAY'S ANTI-GOVERNMENT RALLY HERE, OPPOSITION LEADERS URGED THEIR SUPPORTERS TO WELCOME THOSE ATTENDING TUESDAY'S COUNTER-DEMONSTRATION. "TREAT THEM AS BROTHERS AND COMPATRIOTS," SAID DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER ZORAN DJINDJIC, "BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TO BLAME FOR THE SITUATION."

THE OPPOSITION LEADERSHIP CHARGED THAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC HAS LOST PATIENCE WITH THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS, AND IS DETERMINED TO PUT AN END TO THE PROTEST MOVEMENT, EVEN AT THE RISK OF CIVIL WAR. (SIGNED)
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23-Dec-96 2:31 PM EST (1931 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] CYPRUS / MANDATE RENEWED (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS TODAY (MONDAY) RENEWED THE MANDATE OF ITS 12-HUNDRED MEMBER FORCE ON CYPRUS AND CALLED FOR NEW EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE ISLAND'S LONG-RUNNING CONFLICT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON HAS MORE FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: THE SECURITY COUNCIL'S DECISION TO RENEW ITS MANDATE ON CYPRUS IS THE LATEST IN A LONG-RUNNING SERIES OF MEASURES AIMED AT MAINTAINING STABILITY ON THE DIVIDED ISLAND. THE UNITED NATION'S LATEST ACTION COMES AMID CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY THE U-N SECRETARY GENERAL THAT BOTH SIDES IN THE DISPUTE HAVE BECOME DANGEROUSLY MILITARIZED.

THE RESOLUTION EXTENDS THE MANDATE OF THE UNITED NATIONS' 12-HUNDRED MEMBER FORCE ON THE ISLAND. THE RESOLUTION ALSO EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT THE LACK OF PROGRESS TOWARD A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF FOREIGN TROOPS ON CYPRUS -- A REFERENCE TO THE ESTIMATED 30-THOUSAND TURKISH TROOPS ON THE ISLAND.

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT FRANCESCO FULCI OF ITALY ANNOUNCED THE PASSAGE OF THE DRAFT RESOLUTION.

THE RESULT OF THE VOTING IS AS FOLLOWS: THE DRAFT RESOLUTION RECEIVED 15 VOTES IN FAVOR. THE DRAFT RESOLUTION HAS BEEN ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY AS RESOLUTION 10-92-1996.

CYPRUS HAS BEEN DIVIDED INTO THE TURKISH CYPRIOT NORTH AND THE GREEK CYPRIOT SOUTH SINCE TURKEY SENT TROOPS INTO THE NORTHERN ONE-THIRD OF THE COUNTRY IN 1974, IN RESPONSE TO A COUP IN NICOSIA BACKED BY GREECE.

THE U-N RESOLUTION IS REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECT OF DISPUTE IN THE SECURITY COUNCIL, WITH SOME MEMBER STATES CALLING FOR IT TO SPECIFICALLY REFER TO THE CYPRUS GOVERNMENT'S PURCHASE OF RUSSIAN-MADE TANKS AND MISSILES. RUSSIA IS REPORTED TO HAVE OBJECTED TO THAT WORDING, BUT AGREED TO ALLOW A REFERENCE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF SOPHISTICATED WEAPONRY.

THE CYPRUS DELEGATION TO THE UNITED NATIONS -- REPRESENTING THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT IN NICOSIA -- IS ALSO REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN UNHAPPY WITH PORTIONS OF THE RESOLUTION. THOSE PORTIONS INCLUDE REFERENCES TO THE MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND ORDER WHICH THE CYPRUS DELEGATION TO THE UNITED NATIONS IS REPORTED TO HAVE FELT SHOULD BE A MATTER ONLY FOR THE STATE GOVERNMENT, AND NOT THE TURKISH CYPRIOT COMMUNITY. (SIGNED)
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23-Dec-96 3:42 PM EST (2042 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] GERMANY/BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY CHRIS O'NEIL (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR, GERMAN COMBAT TROOPS ARE BEING DEPLOYED OUTSIDE OF GERMANY. THEY'RE PART OF THE NEW NATO-LED "STABILIZATION FORCE" IN BOSNIA KNOWN AS "S-FOR." FROM SARAJEVO, REPORTER CHRIS O'NEIL WAS THERE FOR THE GERMAN TROOP ARRIVAL.

TEXT: PASSING BY THE REMAINS OF 60-YEAR-OLD CEMENT FORTIFIED GUARD-HOUSES CALLED "PILLBOXES", WHICH WERE USED BY THEIR NAZI PREDECESSORS DEEP WITHIN THE ROCKY HILLS DIVIDING CROATIA AND SOUTHERN BOSNIA, ADVANCE TROOPS OF THE GERMAN ARMY ROLLED INTO THE COUNTRY EARLY MONDAY, TO BE GREETED BY THEIR DEFENSE MINISTER.

THIS SMALL GROUP OF "BUNDES-WEHR" SOLDIERS ARE ALSO ENTERING A NEW AND CONTROVERSIAL PAGE IN THEIR HISTORY, AS PART OF THE THREE-THOUSAND-STRONG GERMAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATO "S-FOR" MISSION. UP UNTIL MONDAY, GERMAN TROOPS IN BOSNIA HAVE BEEN BASED IN NEIGHBORING CROATIA AND HAVE HAD THEIR DUTIES RESTRICTED TO RUNNING A FIELD HOSPITAL AND REPAIRING ROADS AND BRIDGES.

GREETING HIS TROOPS IN THIS HISTORIC MISSION WAS GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER VOLKER RUEHE (EDS: PRONOUNCED "REAR"). HE TOLD REPORTERS IN SARAJEVO THIS WAS A GREAT DAY FOR THE GERMAN ARMY, WHICH WAS NOW WORKING FOR PEACE AND SECURITY IN EUROPE, FOR THE NEW, 18-MONTH NATO MISSION MARKS THE FIRST TIME THAT BUNDES-WEHR "COMBAT" TROOPS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED ON FOREIGN SOIL SINCE WORLD WAR TWO.

THIS ADVANCE GROUP OF 200 SOLDIERS AND OFFICERS WILL BEGIN SETTING-UP BASE ACCOMMODATIONS AND LOGISTICS FOR THE BULK OF GERMAN TROOPS, WHO WILL START ARRIVING ON OR ABOUT THE THIRD OF JANUARY, ACCORDING TO MR. RUEHE. THE DEPLOYMENT PROCESS COULD TAKE UP TO 45 DAYS, BUT ONCE IN THE FIELD, GERMANY WILL BE THE FOURTH LARGEST TROOP CONTRIBUTING NATION TO THE "STABILIZATION FORCE", AFTER THE UNITED STATES, GREAT BRITAIN, AND FRANCE.

BASED IN SARAJEVO, AND WITH A SECONDARY BASE ALONGSIDE THE FRENCH IN THE TOWN OF MOSTAR, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE GERMANS WILL MOSTLY BE ASSIGNED TO AREAS WITHIN THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION, CONSIDERING THE TURBULENT HISTORY BETWEEN GERMANY AND THE SERB PEOPLE. THE SERBS HAVE LONG MEMORIES, STRETCHING BACK TO WORLD WAR ONE, WHEN GERMANY ALLIED ITSELF WITH AUSTRIA AGAINST SERBIA, AND MORE RECENTLY WITH THE NAZI OCCUPATION OF THE EX-YUGOSLAVIA DURING WORLD WAR TWO. THESE TWO FACTS ALONE MAKE IT A VIRTUAL CERTAINTY THAT THE GERMAN ARMY WILL SEE MOST OF ITS DUTIES TAKE PLACE IN THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION AND NOT THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA. (SIGNED)
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23-Dec-96 11:22 AM EST (1622 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] SERBIA REACT (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AN EAST EUROPEAN ANALYST EXPECTS A COMMISSION SPONSORED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE TO CONDEMN IRREGULARITIES IN LAST MONTH'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN SERBIA. THE GOVERMENT'S NULLIFICATION OF THE ELECTIONS HAS PROMPTED DAILY DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE STREETS OF BELGRADE. HOWEVER, V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY'S DAN NELSON SAYS THE ULTIMATE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF DAILY ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS HINGES ON WHAT SERBIAN WORKERS DO:

TEXT: MR. NELSON SAYS THERE IS NO DOUBT IN HIS MIND THAT THE COMMISSION HEADED BY FORMER SPANISH PRIME MINISTER FELIPE GONZALES WILL CONDEMN IRREGULARITIES IN LAST MONTH'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. THE RESULTS SUGGESTED A STRONG OPPOSITION SHOWING THAT WAS LATER ANNULED BY THE GOVERNMENT:

FELIPE GONZALES AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THE DELEGATION ARE CONVINCED DEMOCRATS, ARE ASTUTE OBSERVERS OF ELECTORAL IRREGULARITIES FROM O-S-C-E MISSIONS ELSEWHERE AND I SUSPECT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO COME DOWN QUITE HARD ON WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN SERBIA.

MR. NELSON SAYS THE KEY TO OPPOSITION SUCCESS IS THE WORKERS OF SERBIA AND WITH WHOM THEY ULTIMATELY SIDE:

WHO PARTICIPATES IN THESE DEMONSTRATIONS, HOW WIDE IT SPREADS BEYOND THE INTELLECTUAL STRATA.

HE SAYS IF THE WORKERS SIDE WITH THE DEMONSTRATORS, AND, HE ADDS, THERE ARE HINTS THEY MAY, THAN THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS VERY MUCH IN DOUBT.

THE ANALYST SAYS HE IS NOT SURPRISED BY THE PERSISTENCE OF THE DEMONSTRATORS. HE SAYS MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THE MARCHES ARE HURTING ECONOMICALLY BECAUSE OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES. HOWEVER, THE PROFESSOR ALSO EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS ABOUT SOME MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION. THOUGH THEY HAVE RECEIVED STRONG INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT, MR. NELSON SAYS MANY OF THE OPPOSITION LEADERS ARE NOT TRUE DEMOCRATS. (SIGNED)
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22-Dec-96 7:18 PM EST (0018 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] SERBIA/CITY BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (NIS, SERBIA)

INTRO: DURING THE PAST FIVE WEEKS OF MASS ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN SERBIA, MOST OF THE MEDIA ATTENTION HAS BEEN FOCUSSED ON THE CAPITAL, BELGRADE, WHERE SEPARATE DAILY PROTESTS BY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE DRAWN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE INTO THE STREETS. BUT THE PROTEST MOVEMENT HAS ALSO BEEN ACTIVE IN OTHER SERBIAN CITIES; NONE MORE PROMINENT THAN THE SOUTHERN INDUSTRIAL CENTER OF NIS ("NEECH"). VOA'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS FILED THIS BACKGROUND REPORT.

TEXT: ///VUCKOVIC ACT, IN SERBO-CROAT///

JOVAN VUCKOVIC HAS BEEN COMING TO THE DAILY PROTEST RALLIES IN THE MAIN SQUARE OF NIS EVER SINCE THE MOVEMENT BEGAN FOLLOWING LAST MONTH'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. AND THE 33-YEAR-OLD BUS DRIVER SAYS HE WILL KEEP ON COMING UNTIL THERE ARE REAL CHANGES HERE.

THIS INDUSTRIAL CITY OF MORE THAN HALF A MILLION PEOPLE HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED A STRONGHOLD OF SERBIA'S RULING SOCIALIST PARTY. BUT SUPPORT FOR THE SOCIALISTS IS CLEARLY ON THE WANE.

SERBIA'S LONG-RUNNING ECONOMIC CRISIS HAS HAD A MAJOR IMPACT HERE. THE METAL INDUSTRY -- THE MAIN SOURCE OF JOBS IN NIS -- IS LARGELY DORMANT NOW. MANY WORKERS ARE ON MANDATORY LEAVE. MOST ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET ON THE EQUIVALENT OF LESS THAN 50 DOLLARS PER MONTH.

IN THE PAST, SAYS A NIS UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR, THE GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO RALLY ITS SUPPORTERS BY BLAMING THE CRISIS ON THE U-N SANCTIONS, IMPOSED ON SERBIA FOR ITS ROLE IN THE WAR IN NEIGHBORING BOSNIA. BUT THE SANCTIONS WERE LIFTED FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. AND BELGRADE, SAYS THE PROFESSOR, CAN NO LONGER POINT TO EXTERNAL FACTORS FOR THE CONTINUED HARD TIMES HERE. STILL, NO ONE IN NIS WAS PREDICTING AN OPPOSITION VICTORY IN LAST MONTH'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. THE RULING SOCIALISTS HAD SCORED AN EASY TRIUMPH IN A PARLIAMENTARY BALLOT JUST TWO WEEKS EARLIER.

A LOCAL INDEPENDENT RADIO STATION, "RADIO BEL AMIE," BROADCAST LIVE REPORTS OF THE VOTE COUNT FOLLOWING THE NOVEMBER 17TH MUNICIPAL ELECTION. AND BY THREE AYEM THE FOLLOWING MORNING, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE OPPOSITION "ZAJEDNO" (ZIE-'ED-NO) COALITION HAD EMERGED THE WINNER, WITH A THREE-TO-ONE MARGIN OF VOTES FOR THE NIS MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

LOCAL AUTHORITIES SUDDENLY ORDERED RADIO BEL AMIE TO CEASE ITS BROADCASTS FROM THE COUNTING CENTERS. BUT OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS HAD ALREADY TAKEN TO THE STREETS IN A MASS VICTORY CELEBRATION.

TWO DAYS LATER, THEY WERE BACK ON THE STREETS AS PART OF A FULL-FLEDGED PROTEST MOVEMENT AFTER LOCAL AUTHORITIES OVERTURNED THE RESULTS OF THE VOTING.

THE AUTHORITIES SAID MISTAKES HAD BEEN MADE IN THE COUNTING PROCEDURE. THEY ALSO CHARGED THAT OPPOSITION PARTIES VIOLATED THE ELECTORAL CODE BY PUTTING UP POSTERS AND OTHER PARAPHERNALIA TOO CLOSE TO THE POLLING BOOTHS.

THE LOCAL ELECTORAL COUNCIL DECLARED SOME OF THE RESULTS NULL AND VOID, EFFECTIVELY HANDING VICTORY TO SOCIALIST PARTY CANDIDATES.

THE RESPONSE ON THE STREETS OF NIS WAS OUTRAGE.

A GROUP OF NIS UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WALKED THE MORE THAN 200 KILOMETERS TO BELGRADE TO HIGHLIGHT THEIR DEMANDS, AND WERE RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME THE SERBIAN LEADER HAS MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PROTEST MOVEMENT.

THE OPPOSITION HAS ALSO HAD SOME SUCCESS WITH THE JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES IN NIS. EARLIER THIS MONTH, A LOCAL COURT VALIDATED SOME OF THE OPPOSITION'S ELECTION DAY TRIUMPHS AND ORDERED THE ELECTORAL COUNCIL TO PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE RESULTS. BUT THE ORDER IS STILL SUBJECT TO APPEAL. AND SOME OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS BELIEVE LOCAL AUTHORITIES ARE JUST PLAYING FOR TIME, WHILE THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT TRIES TO FEND OFF PROTESTS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OVER ITS HANDLING OF THE VOTE.

SOME OPPOSITION LEADERS FEAR THE AUTHORITIES MAY TRY TO PROVOKE VIOLENCE IN NIS, TO JUSTIFY A POLICE CRACKDOWN ON THE DEMONSTRATIONS. SO FAR, THERE HAVE BEEN NO INCIDENTS. THE PROTESTERS APPEAR RESOLUTE BUT PEACEFUL. AND VIRTUALLY ALL SAY THE MOVEMENT WILL CONTINUE UNTIL ITS DEMANDS ARE MET.

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