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Voice of America, 98-01-16

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] CAMBODIA / E-U / ELECTIONS (S & L) BY GARY THOMAS (BANGKOK)
  • [02] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: MONTENEGRO'S ALBANIAN MINORITY BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)
  • [03] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)
  • [04] FRANCE POLITICS (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)
  • [05] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)
  • [06] GERMANY / EAVESDROPPING (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)
  • [07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)
  • [08] TURKEY POLITICS (L/S VER) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)
  • [09] YUGO WAR CRIMES/DOKMANOVIC (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)
  • [10] YUGO WAR CRIMES/KUPRESKIC (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

  • [01] CAMBODIA / E-U / ELECTIONS (S & L) BY GARY THOMAS (BANGKOK)

    DATE=1/16/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-225371
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS GIVEN CAMBODIA A GRANT TO HOLD ITS ELECTIONS. BUT V-O-A CORRESPONDENT GARY THOMAS REPORTS FROM OUR SOUTHEAST ASIA BUREAU IN BANGKOK, THE MONEY COMES WITHOUT THE CONDITION THAT OUSTED CO-PRIME MINISTER PRINCE RANARIDDH BE ALLOWED TO RETURN.

    TEXT: IN A BLOW TO CAMBODIA'S OPPOSITION IN EXILE, THE EUROPEAN UNION SAID IT WILL NOT INSIST ON THE SAFE RETURN OF PRINCE RANARIDDH TO CAMBODIA AS A PRECONDITION OF ITS 11 AND ONE-HALF MILLION DOLLAR GRANT OF ELECTORAL AID.

    SPEAKING IN PHNOM PENH, GWYN MORGAN, THE SENIOR E-U OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF RELATIONS WITH SOUTHEAST ASIA, SAID THE E-U SUPPORTS PRINCE RANARIDDH'S SAFE RETURN TO HIS HOMELAND, BUT WILL NOT MAKE THAT A CONDITION OF AID.

    KONG VIBOL, ONE OF PRINCE RANARIDDH'S SENIOR AIDES, EXPRESSED SHOCK AT THE E-U DECISION, CALLING IT "A SETBACK FOR DEMOCRACY IN CAMBODIA."

    PRINCE RANARIDDH WAS TOPPLED BY HIS CO-PRIME MINISTER HUN SEN IN JULY IN A DE FACTO COUP. THE PRINCE WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY AT THE TIME, AND MANY OF HIS FOLLOWERS FLED THE CAMBODIA IN FEAR FORTHEIR LIVES. HUN SEN HAS SAID OTHER EXILED POLITICIANS CAN RETURN, BUT THAT PRINCE RANARIDDH MUST FACE TRIAL FOR ALLEGEDLY CONSPIRING WITH THE KHMER ROUGE.

    // REST OPT FOR LONG //

    SINCE THE COUP, PRINCE RANARIDDH HAS TRAVELLED EXTENSIVELY IN EUROPE, THE UNITED STATES, AND ASIA SEEKING TO DRUM UP SUPPORT FOR HIS CAUSE.

    MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FOREIGN AID TO CAMBODIA WAS SUSPENDED BY THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES, AFTER PRINCE RANARIDDH'S OUSTER. THE UNITED STATES AND SEVERAL OTHER GOVERNMENTS HAVE SAID THERE CAN BE NO FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS UNLESS PRINCE RANARIDDH IS ALLOWED TO RETURN IN SAFETY AND PARTICIPATE.

    THE E-U GRANT REPRESENTS NEARLY HALF OF THE AID SOUGHT BY THE CAMBODIAN GOVERNMENT FOR ELECTIONS, WHICH HAVE NOW BEEN SET FOR JULY 26TH.

    SOME OF THE PRINCE'S BACKERS, SUCH AS SAM RAINSY, HAVE GONE BACK, BUT OTHERS HAVE POSTPONED THEIR RETURN BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY STILL FEAR FOR THEIR SAFETY, DESPITE HUN SEN'S ASSURANCES OF SAFE CONDUCT.

    MR. MORGAN ADDED THAT THERE ARE NO OTHER PRECONDITIONS FOR THE E-U AID, SUCH AS A CEASEFIRE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND PRINCE RANARIDDH'S HOLDOUT FORCES ALONG THE THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER. (SIGNED)
    NEB/GPT/FC/MMK
    16-Jan-98 6:07 AM EST (1107 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [02] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: MONTENEGRO'S ALBANIAN MINORITY BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=1/16/98
    TYPE=WORLDWIDE ENGLISH FEATURE
    NUMBER=7-17878
    TELEPHONE=619-3464
    EDITOR=GARY EDQUIST
    CONTENT= (TAPE CUTS IN AUDIO SERVICES)

    INTRO: IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA, THE ALBANIAN MINORITY REPRESENTS ABOUT 14 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION, [OPT] ALTHOUGH ALBANIANS CONSTITUTE A 90-PERCENT MAJORITY IN SERBIA'S FORMERLY AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. [END OPT] IN MONTENEGRO, SERBIA SISTER REPUBLIC IN THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA, THE ALBANIAN MINORITY COMPRISES ONLY 6 TO 7 PERCENT OF THE

    POPULATION. VOA'S JUDITH LATHAM HAS TALKED WITH LEADERS

    OF HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AND WITH ALBANIAN POLITICIANS IN MONTENEGRO ABOUT THE SITUATION OF THE ALBANIAN MINORITY THERE. HERE'S _______ WITH A REPORT.

    TEXT: ABOUT 50,000 ALBANIANS LIVE IN MONTENEGRO. THEY BELONG TO THREE RELIGIOUS CONFESSIONS -- MUSLIM, CATHOLIC, AND ORTHODOX. SLOBODAN FRANOVIC [SLOH-BOH-DAN FRAHN-OH-VICH], PRESIDENT OF THE MONTENEGRIN HELSINKI COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, SAYS THE SITUATION OF THE ALBANIAN MINORITY IN MONTENEGRO IS PRECARIOUS. TAPE A: CUT ONE -- FRANOVIC (ESTABLISH SERBIAN 5 SECONDS, AND FADE) TAPE B: CUT ONE -- ENGLISH TRANSLATION (0:20) "CONCERNING THE SITUATION OF ALBANIANS IN MONTENEGRO, I CAN SAY THAT THEIR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS ARE DETERIORATING AS TIME GOES BY. THEIR RIGHT TO CHERISH AND DEVELOP THEIR NATIONAL, CULTURAL, LINGUISTIC, AND RELIGIOUS IDENTITY IS BEING CURTAILED EVERY DAY."

    TEXT: MR. FRANOVIC SAYS ALBANIANS FACE DIFFICULTIES GETTING AN EDUCATION IN THEIR OWN LANGUAGE, AND THEY HAVE TROUBLE FINDING JOBS. IN ADDITION, THEIR POLITICAL RIGHTS HAVE DIMINISHED IN RECENT YEARS. TAPE A: CUT TWO -- FRANOVIC (ESTABLISH SERBIAN 5 SECONDS, AND FADE) TAPE B: CUT TWO -- ENGLISH TRANSLATION (0:22) "IN THE REGION OF ULCINJ, THE ALBANIAN COMMUNITY IS IN THE MAJORITY AND THEY ALSO HAVE THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. BUT, AS THE STATE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY CENTRALIZING POWER ON THE LEVEL OF THE WHOLE REPUBLIC, THERE'S NO ACTUAL SELF-GOVERNMENT IN THAT AREA."

    TEXT: ENGLISH TEACHER FERHAT DINOSHA [FAIR-HAT DIH-NOH-SHAH] IS PRESIDENT OF THE DEPUTY CLUB OF THE DEMOCRATIC UNION OF ALBANIANS IN THE MONTENEGRO PARLIAMENT. HE SAYS ALBANIANS IN MONTENEGRO FAVOR MORE CULTURAL AUTONOMY. HE BELIEVES THE LACK OF EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES HAS CAUSED A SERIOUS "BRAIN DRAIN" FROM MONTENEGRO'S ALBANIAN COMMUNITY. TAPE B: CUT THREE -- DINOSHA (1:08) "MORE THAN HALF OF OUR PEOPLE ARE ABROAD, MAINLY IN THE UNITED STATES. THAT FACT SAYS ENOUGH ABOUT THE SITUATION, THE ECONOMIC SITUATION, OF ALBANIANS IN MONTENEGRO. AS FAR AS YOUNG PEOPLE WHO LEFT THE COUNTRY ARE CONCERNED, I THINK THE MAIN REASON THAT MADE THEM LEAVE THE COUNTRY WAS THE POLITICAL SITUATION. THEY DON'T SEE ANY PROSPECTS FOR THEMSELVES. EVEN IF THEY FINISH SCHOOL, THEY CAN'T FIND A WAY TO GET GOOD JOBS AND TO FEEL FULLY FREE IN THE COUNTRY. IF MONTENEGRO SUCCEEDS [MANAGES] TO GET OUT FROM UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF [YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE, THERE WILL BE A MUCH BETTER SITUATION AND ALBANIANS WILL UNDERSTAND THAT CHANGES ARE HAPPENING. AND I THINK MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO NOW LIVE ABROAD WOULD BE READY TO COME BACK AND LIVE IN THEIR NATIVE LAND."

    TEXT: MR. DINOSHA SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS EXTREMELY UNPOPULAR AMONG MANY MONTENEGRIN CITIZENS, BUT ESPECIALLY AMONG MEMBERS OF THE ALBANIAN MINORITY.

    TAPE: CUT FOUR -- DINOSHA (0:13) "ALBANIANS IN MONTENEGRO THINK THAT THERE ARE DEMOCRATIC FORCES IN MONTENEGRO THAT WILL TRY TO GET RID OF MILOSEVIC, AND WE'LL HELP THOSE FORCES."

    TEXT: MR. DINOSHA SAYS HE SEES NO CONFLICT BETWEEN BEING A LOYAL CITIZEN OF MONTENEGRO AND HIS ALBANIAN NATIONALITY.

    TAPE: CUT FIVE -- DINOSHA (0:21) "POLITICALLY, I DO FEEL MYSELF TO BE A MEMBER OF THE MONTENEGRIN COMMUNITY, BUT AS FAR AS NATIONAL VALUES AND ASPIRATIONS ARE CONCERNED, I'M A PURE ALBANIAN -- BUT AN ALBANIAN WHO IS READY TO LIVE TOGETHER WITH NORMAL PEOPLE [OF OTHER ETHNIC GROUPS].

    TEXT: MILO DJUKANOVIC [MEE-LOH JOO-KAHN-OH-VICH], THE NEW PRESIDENT OF MONTENEGRO, CAMPAIGNED ON A PLATFORM OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM. A POLITICIAN WITH NO TIES TO SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, MR. DJUKANOVIC REJECTS THE SERBIAN NATIONALIST RHETORIC OF FORMER MONTENEGRIN PRESIDENT MOMIR BULATOVIC [MOM-EER BOO-LAH-TOH-VICH]. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THE POSITION OF ETHNIC MINORITIES, INCLUDING ALBANIANS, WILL IMPROVE. BUT, MOST POLITICAL ANALYSTS DOUBT WHETHER MONTENEGRO WILL BE ABLE TO PURSUE A PATH INDEPENDENT FROM MR. MILOSEVIC.
    16-Jan-98 3:46 PM EST (2046 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=1/16/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-225393
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: SIGNS OF STABILITY AND HIGHER PRICES ON ASIA MARKETS PROMPTED INVESTORS IN EUROPE TO END THE TRADING WEEK ON A GAIN. PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON HAS THE CLOSING MARKET FIGURES.

    TEXT: INVESTORS HERE IN EUROPE WERE BUYING STOCK ON ALL THE BIG MARKETS, WITH NOTABLE GAINS ON THE KEY INDEXES OF FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS.

    HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX ADDED ABOUT TWO PERCENT IN VALUE FRIDAY WITH A GAIN OF 97 POINTS -- CLOSING JUST SHORT OF THE ALL-TIME RECORD HIGH FOR THE "FOOTSIE." THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX ENDED THE WEEK WITH A 43 POINT ADVANCE, AND THE GERMAN "DAX 30" INDEX IN FRANKFURT CLOSED UP 36 POINTS.

    THE U-S DOLLAR TRADED UP SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND DOWN A FRACTION OF A CENT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.

    GOLD ADVANCED SMARTLY IN LONDON, UP MORE THAN NINE DOLLARS AN OUNCE TO CLOSE AT 291-DOLLARS-55-CENTS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PCF/KL
    16-Jan-98 1:26 PM EST (1826 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [04] FRANCE POLITICS (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

    DATE=1/16/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-225390
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    ///EDS: WILL HOLD THROUGH SATURDAY USE ///

    INTRO: AFTER MAKING A SERIOUS PUBLIC MISSTATEMENT, FRANCE'S SOCIALIST PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN APPEARS WEAKENED AND HIS SEVEN-MONTH POLITICAL HONEYMOON WITH THE FRENCH VOTERS COULD BE COMING TO AN END. JULIAN NUNDY TELLS WHY IN THIS REPORT FROM PARIS.

    TEXT: SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JANUARY, NOTHING HAS GONE RIGHT FOR FRENCH PRIME MINISTER LIONEL JOSPIN. AND MR. JOSPIN HAS MADE THINGS WORSE BY TRYING TO EXPLOIT THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INFAMOUS DREYFUS AFFAIR.

    A CENTURY AGO, THE NOVELIST EMILE ZOLA PUBLISHED HIS FAMOUS OPEN LETTER, CALLED "J'ACCUSE", OR "I ACCUSE", IN SUPPORT OF CAPTAIN ALFRED DREYFUS, THE JEWISH FRENCH ARMY CAPTAIN WRONGLY IMPRISONED FOR ESPIONAGE. ZOLA SAID DREYFUS HAD BEEN SINGLED-OUT SIMPLY BECAUSE HE WAS A JEW.

    IN THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT ON WEDNESDAY, AS THE PARLIAMENT BUILDING'S MAIN FACADE WAS COVERED WITH HUGE BANNER REPRODUCING ZOLA'S TEXT, THE SOCIALIST MR. JOSPIN RECALLED THE DREYFUS AFFAIR.

    IN REPLY TO A COMMUNIST DEPUTY'S QUESTION ABOUT ANOTHER FORTHCOMING ANNIVERSARY -- THAT OF THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN 1848 -- MR. JOSPIN SAID THE FRENCH LEFT HAD SUPPORTED THE END OF SLAVERY WHILE THE FRENCH RIGHT HAD OPPOSED IT. SUDDENLY, HE ADDED THAT THE FRENCH LEFT HAD BACKED DREYFUS WHILE THE FRENCH RIGHT OF THE TIME HAD PERSECUTED THE JEWISH ARMY OFFICER.

    CONSERVATIVE DEPUTIES WALKED OUT OF THE CHAMBER IN PROTEST WHILE SOCIALIST AND COMMUNIST MEMBERS APPLAUDED. QUICKLY, HOWEVER, THE PRIME MINISTER WAS UNDER ATTACK AND EVEN RIDICULED FOR HIS FACTUAL ERRORS.

    MR. JOSPIN NAMED THE 19TH CENTURY POLITICIAN LEON GAMBETTA AS ONE OF THE LEFT-WING FIGURES WHO HAD SUPPORTED DREYFUS. THIS WAS EMBARRASSING SINCE GAMBETTA DIED 12 YEARS BEFORE DREYFUS WAS EVEN ARRESTED.

    IT LATER TRANSPIRED THAT MR. JOSPIN WAS READING FROM A TEXT PREPARED BY ONE OF HIS ADVISORS, PUTTING IN DOUBT A VERSION PUT AROUND BY HIS STAFF THAT HE HAD MADE THE ERROR IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT. IN ADDITION, HISTORIANS IMMEDIATELY PRODUCED EXAMPLES OF BAD BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF THE LEFT IN THE DREYFUS AFFAIR.

    AFTER A MONTH WHEN FRANCE'S SOCIALIST-LED GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN EMBARRASSED BY A GROWING SERIES OF PROTESTS FROM THE COUNTRY'S THREE-MILLION UNEMPLOYED, THE DREYFUS INCIDENT SERIOUSLY HURT THE IMAGE OF A PRIME MINISTER WHO HAS BUILT UP A REPUTATION -- SINCE HIS ELECTION LAST JUNE -- FOR BEING CALM AND MODERATE. NOW, MR. JOSPIN IS PROMISING TO EXPRESS PUBLIC REGRETS TO THE CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION EARLY NEXT WEEK -- AN UNPRECEDENTED GESTURE BY THE SERVING HEAD OF A FRENCH GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/JWN/PCF
    16-Jan-98 11:47 AM EST (1647 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=01/16/98
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-10536
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    CONTENT=

    // RE-RUNNING WITH CORRECT NUMBER //

    //// EDS: PERISHABLE MATERIAL, DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-S-T ! ! ////

    INTRO: ANOTHER STARTLING REVELATION ABOUT THE MARKETING OF TOBACCO TO THE NATION'S YOUTH HAS RIVETED THE ATTENTION OF EDITORIAL WRITERS THIS FRIDAY.

    OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION INCLUDE THE LATEST REBUFF BY IRAQ; ISRAEL DRIFTS AWAY FROM THE OSLO ACCORDS; THE U-S SIGNS A TREATY WITH THE THREE TINY BALTIC NATIONS; THE OPPOSITION GROWS STRONGER IN TAIWAN; AND A HISTORIC MOMENT IN JAZZ REMEMBERED. NOW, JOINING US IN THE STUDIO IS ______________ WITH TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: THE REVELATION OF SOME INTERNAL MARKETING DOCUMENTS FROM THE R-J REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY, MADE PUBLIC BY AN ANTI-SMOKING CONGRESSMAN THIS WEEK, IS DRAWING ANGRY REACTION IN THE PRESS. HERE'S THE LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE IN TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES": "BIG TOBACCO'S BIG LIES."

    VOICE: THERE ISN'T A TOBACCO LEAF BROAD ENOUGH TO COVER THE LATEST REVELATIONS: NOT ONLY DID R-J REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY DELIBERATELY ENTICE YOUNG TEENS -- CHILDREN, REALLY -- TO SMOKE, BUT FOR MOST OF THE PAST QUARTER-CENTURY COMPANY OFFICIALS SWORE UP AND DOWN, [VIGOROUSLY] NO SUCH THING. AT MINIMUM, VENALITY OF THIS MAGNITUDE BY SUCCESSIVE R-J-R EXECUTIVES MERITS SWIFT AND SEVERE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION FOR PERJURY BY THE U-S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. EQUALLY IMPERATIVE IS TOUGH LEGISLATION GIVING THE U-S FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION THE MUSCLE [AUTHORITY] IT WANTS AND NEEDS TO REIN IN AN INDUSTRY THAT SEEMS ENTIRELY COMFORTABLE TRADING PROFITS FOR YOUNG LIVES.

    TEXT: SAYS "THE NEW YORK TIMES" OF THE NEWLY RELEASED DOCUMENTS:

    VOICE: EVEN IN A BUSINESS RENOWNED FOR ITS LACK OF SOCIAL CONSCIENCE, THE CYNICISM IS BREATHTAKING. ..... THE NEW DOCUMENTS INCREASE THE PRESSURE TO CRACK DOWN HARSHLY ON THIS ROGUE INDUSTRY, /// OPT /// EITHER IN THE CONTEST OF AN OVERALL TOBACCO SETTLEMENT OR THROUGH SEPARATE LEGISLATION AIMED AT STRENGTHENING LEGAL AND REGULATORY TOOLS TO COMBAT YOUTH SMOKING.

    /// END OPT ///

    TEXT: TURNING TO OVERSEAS TOPICS, TODAY'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" TALKS ABOUT DEALING WITH SADDAM HUSSEIN, URGING THE WESTERN ALLIES TO PRESENT A UNITED FRONT.

    VOICE: ENTERING THE NEW YEAR WITHOUT SOME POLITICAL DUST BEING KICKED UP BY IRAQ WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE. BUT IT WASN'T MEANT TO BE. AS IF ON CUE, IRAQI DICTATOR SADDAM HUSSEIN IS AT IT AGAIN. NOW HE HAS BLOCKED A UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS-INSPECTION TEAM BECAUSE HE INSISTS ITS AMERICAN LEADER IS A SPY. USING THAT REASONING AS AN EXCUSE, MR. HUSSEIN COULD ATTEMPT TO BLOCK ANY TEAM WITH AN AMERICAN ON IT. THAT'S SIMPLY NOT ACCEPTABLE. ..... ANY RESPONSE TO IRAQ SHOULD BE A COLLECTIVE ONE ..... THAT'S THE FORMULA THAT HAS WORKED WELL SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PERSIAN GULF WAR.

    TEXT: AS FAR AS THE OTHER BIG STORY IN THE REGION, ISRAEL'S STANCE TOWARD THE PALESTINIANS, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" SUGGESTS, BODES ILL FOR NEXT WEEK'S MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU.

    VOICE: ..... EXPECTATIONS ARE ANYTHING BUT HIGH. THE ISRAELI CABINET, AS IT PREPARES AN OFFER TO TRANSFER A BIT MORE LAND TO THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, HAS DRAFTED EXTENSIVE GUIDELINES FOR ANY FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE DISPUTED TERRITORY. THEY ASSERT SWEEPING TERRITORIAL CLAIMS AND ARE HEDGED WITH SCORES OF CONDITIONS. TAKEN AT FACE VALUE, THEY EFFECTIVELY MAKE A DEAD LETTER OF THE OSLO ACCORDS THAT ARE FOUNDATION OF THE PEACE PROCESS. ..... THE TIME MAY BE NEAR WHEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE STEP WASHINGTON CAN TAKE WOULD BE TO SUSPEND ITS PEACEMAKING EFFORTS AND WAIT UNTIL IT AGAIN IS INVITED TO SERVE AS HONEST BROKER.

    TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON TIMES" IS PLEASED PRESIDENT CLINTON IS SIGNING A PACT WITH THE THREE BALTIC STATES, LATVIA, ESTONIA AND LITHUANIA, AT THE WHITE HOUSE, CALLING IT "AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT, BUT ADDING:

    VOICE: WHILE IT FALLS SHORT OF THE NATO MEMBERSHIP FOR WHICH THE THREE SO EAGERLY LOBBIED LAST YEAR, IT REPRESENTS YET ANOTHER IMPORTANT STEP IN THE REINTEGRATION OF THE BALTICS INTO THE WEST. THERE ARE FEW HERE IN WASHINGTON WHO WOULD DISAGREE THAT THEY HAVE EARNED THAT RIGHT.

    //// OPT ///

    .......TODAY, THE BALTICS HAVE A SOLID RECORD OF DEMOCRATIC AND ECONOMIC REFORM, ARE CANDIDATES FOR MEMBERSHIP OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, MEMBERS OF NUMEROUS INTERNATIONAL BODIES, AND HAVE ADMIRABLY CONTRIBUTED THEIR TROOPS FOR PEACEKEEPING IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE. THEY ARE MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN GOOD STANDING.

    /// END OPT ///

    TEXT: TURNING ATTENTION TO ASIA, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE NOTES WITH APPROVAL THE GROWING STRENGTH OF THE POLITICAL OPPOSITION IN TAIWAN. IT SAYS BEIJING AND THE ISLAND'S OLD NATIONALIST PARTY WERE SHOCKED BY THE OPPOSITION DPP'S VICTORY IN LAST NOVEMBER'S ELECTIONS.

    VOICE: IT IS POSSIBLE TO IMAGINE THE [OPPOSITION] DPP [DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE PARTY] WINNING PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS AT THE END OF THIS YEAR AND THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN 2-THOUSAND. THE FAT, THEN, WOULD BE IN THE FIRE. [A COLLOQUIAL EXPRESSING, IN THIS CASE MEANING:THE CENTRAL ISSUE OF TAIWAN'S INDEPENDENCE FROM CHINA WOULD BE IN THE FOREFRONT, FORCING BOTH NATIONS TO DEAL WITH IT.] BEIJING THREATENS MILITARY ACTION SHOULD TAIWAN DECLARE INDEPENDENCE. ..... IT IS TIME FOR TAIWAN'S NATIONALIST PARTY, FOR THE RULERS OF CHINA IN BEIJING AND FOR THE DPP OPPOSITIONISTS TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE DPP TO COME TO POWER AS PART OF THE NATURAL DEMOCRATIC SCHEME OF THINGS, WITHOUT PROVOKING A CRISIS ACROSS THE TAIWAN STRAIT.

    /// OPT ///

    TEXT: ANOTHER IMPORTANT DOMESTIC ISSUE, THE SANITY OF UNABOMBER SUSPECT THEODORE KACZYZNSKI, DRAWS THIS RETORT FROM "THE NEW YORK POST" WHICH SUGGESTS HE IS SANE ENOUGH TO STAND TRIAL.

    VOICE: .... BASED ON AN EXAMINATION OF HIS WRITINGS AND HIS ** MODUS OPERANDI** , [ITALICS FOR LATIN WORDS] WE AGREE WITH HIM. [MR.] KACZYNSKI ISN'T INSANE. HE'S EVIL. THAT VITAL DISTINCTION IS IN DANGER OF BEING MUDDIED BY THE SENTIMENTALITY OF THE THERAPEUTIC CULTURE. ..... HIS BEHAVIOR BEFORE AND AFTER HIS CAPTURE BELIES THE IDEA THAT HE IS INCAPABLE OF UNDERSTANDING THE LOGIC AND CONSEQUENCES OF HIS ACTIONS.

    /// END OPT ///

    TEXT: FOR JAZZ FANS AROUND THE WORLD, TODAY IS AN IMPORTANT ANNIVERSARY AS "NEWSDAY" REMINDS.

    VOICE: IT WAS THE MOMENT WHEN JAZZ JOINED THE MAINSTREAM. ONCE IT WAS JUST THE MOSTLY BLACK MUSIC OF SPEAKEASIES, CATHOUSES [BROTHELS] AND JUKE JOINTS. BUT 60 YEARS AGO TODAY, BENNY GOODMAN TOOK JAZZ TO CARNEGIE HALL. THAT FABLED AUDITORIUM SYMBOLIZED HIGH CULTURE; IT WAS HOME TO THE LEGENDARY ARTURO TOSCANINI, WHO WAS FAR MORE INCLINED TO BRAHMS AND BEETHOVEN THAN BASIE OR BEIDERBECKE. .... GOODMAN BIOGRAPHER ROSS FIRESTONE CALLS THAT NIGHT 'THE ABSOLUTE PINNACLE OF BENNY'S CAREER AND ONE OF THE TRULY IMPORTANT LANDMARKS IN THE WHOLE HISTORY OF JAZZ."

    TEXT: WITH THAT EDITORIAL SALUTE TO A MUSICAL MILESTONE, WE WRAP UP THIS EDITION OF EDITORIAL DIGEST, A SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS.
    NEB/ANG/KL
    16-Jan-98 10:35 AM EST (1535 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [06] GERMANY / EAVESDROPPING (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

    DATE=1/16/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-225389
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE LOWER HOUSE OF THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT HAS APPROVED CONTROVERSIAL NEW LEGISLATION THAT WILL ALLOW POLICE TO PLANT ELECTRONIC LISTENING DEVISES IN THE HOMES OF SUSPECTED CRIMINALS.

    AS VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN, CRITICS SAY THE LAW WILL

    DILUTE GERMANY'S STRONG, POST-WAR GUARANTEES OF PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES.

    TEXT: THE LAW PASSED THE LOWER HOUSE OF THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT BY A TIGHTER THAN EXPECTED MARGIN -- THIS AFTER HOURS OF SOMETIMES LIVELY DEBATE.

    IF IT PASSES THE UPPER HOUSE, THE BILL WILL RESTORE EAVESDROPPING POWERS THAT HAVE BEEN BANNED SINCE THE NAZI ERA.

    HEINER GEISSLER, A MEMBER OF CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL'S PARLIAMENTARY COALITION, ACKNOWLEDGED THE NEED TO PROTECT CIVIL LIBERTIES.

    // GEISSLER ACT, IN GERMAN, FADES //

    "BUT I REPEAT," MR. GEISSLER EMPHATICALLY TOLD THE PARLIAMENT -- "THIS LAW IS NEEDED FOR NOTHING LESS IMPORTANT THAN FIGHTING CRIMINAL ACTIVITY."

    ALTHOUGH THE NEW LAW WILL REQUIRE POLICE TO OBTAIN A JUDGE'S PERMISSION TO PLANT BUGGING DEVISES IN PRIVATE HOMES, CIVIL LIBERTIES GROUPS AND SOME OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS SAY THE BILL WILL DILUTE STRONG CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS ENACTED AFTER WORLD WAR TWO.

    MANFRED SUCH, A LAWMAKER FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL "GREENS" PARTY, IS A LEADING CRITIC OF THE BILL.

    // SUCH ACT IN GERMAN -- ESTABLISH AND FADE OUT //

    THESE SURVEILLANCE MEASURES, HE SAID, ARE AIMED AT SUSPECTS THAT UNDER THE HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED NOT GUILTY.

    GERMAN OFFICIALS SAY ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE OF PRIVATE HOMES WILL ONLY BE USED IN RARE CIRCUMSTANCES. THEY SAY SUCH EXPANDED POLICE POWERS ARE NEEDED TO FIGHT WHAT THEY CONTEND HAS BEEN A EUROPEAN-WIDE SURGE IN ORGANIZED CRIME.

    IF THE BILL BECOMES LAW, CIVIL LIBERTIES ADVOCATES VOW TO TAKE THEIR FIGHT TO THE COUNTRY'S SUPREME COURT BECAUSE. THEY SAY CONVERSATIONS WITH DOCTORS, JOURNALISTS OR LAWYERS NEED TO BE PROTECTED.

    THE CHAIRMAN OF ONE GERMAN CIVIL LIBERTIES GROUP, WOLF DIETER NARR, SAYS HE OBJECTS TO THE BILL BECAUSE IT EXPANDS THE POWERS OF THE STATE OVER THAT OF CITIZENS.

    // NARR ACT //

    THE BIGGEST DANGER WILL BE THE ARBITRARINESS -- THE ROOM OF MANEUVERING OF THE EXECUTIVE IS BECOMING LARGER ON THE ONE SIDE. ON THE OTHER SIDE THE CITIZENS -- ESPECIALLY THE CONCERNED CITIZENS, THE POLITICAL CITIZENS -- WILL BECOME MORE SKEPTICAL IN REGARD TO WHAT THE GERMAN DEMOCRACY AND THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT IS ALL ABOUT.

    // END ACT //

    DESPITE THEIR CONCERNS, EVEN CIVIL LIBERTIES GROUPS REJECT ANY SUGGESTION THAT THE BILL WILL BRING A RETURN OF THE KIND OF WIDESPREAD ABUSES THAT TOOK PLACE IN THE NAZI ERA.

    WHAT THEY ARE HOPING FOR IS THAT THE BILL WILL BE DEFEATED IN THE UPPER HOUSE AND WILL THEN GO TO A SPECIAL COMMITTEE THAT WILL ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS ... AND LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE MEASURE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/KBK/PCF
    16-Jan-98 11:12 AM EST (1612 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [07] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

    DATE=1/16/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-225406
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) REFLECTING THE BELIEF AMONG SOME TRADERS THAT THE WORST OF THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS MAY BE OVER. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

    TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 77 HUNDRED 53, UP 61 POINTS. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 173 POINTS, ALMOST TWO AND ONE-HALF PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 961, UP 10 POINTS.

    ANALYSTS SAY U-S STOCKS SURGED PARTLY IN RESPONSE TO RALLIES IN THE TOKYO AND HONG KONG STOCK MARKETS. THEY SAY SOME WALL STREET TRADERS NOW BELIEVE THE WORST REVELATIONS ABOUT ASIAN FINANCIAL PROBLEMS ARE NOW OVER. U-S INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT ROSE IN DECEMBER WITH STRONG DOMESTIC DEMAND APPARENTLY REDUCING THE EFFECTS OF SLOWER EXPORTS TO ASIA.

    CORPORATE EARNINGS RESULTS ARE EXPECTED TO PLAY AN INCREASINGLY DOMINANT ROLE IN DRIVING STOCK PRICES.

    THE PHELPS DODGE MINING CORPORATION REPORTED A HUGE DROP IN PROFITS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF A DEPRESSION IN COPPER PRICES.

    THE ABBOTT LABORATORIES PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY REPORTED RECORD QUARTERLY PROFITS OF 567 MILLION DOLLARS, AHEAD OF WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS.

    THE SUN MICROSYSTEMS COMPANY ALSO BEAT THE ANALYSTS' FORECASTS. SUN, THE MAKER OF COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, REPORTED A 25 PERCENT PROFIT INCREASE IN THE LATEST QUARTER.

    ///REST OPT FOR LONG///

    THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL INVEST 150 MILLION DOLLARS IN A RUSSIAN AUTO PLANT. FORD SAYS IT HOPES TO ANNOUNCE A JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT LATER THIS YEAR.

    GENERAL MOTORS SAYS IT IS NOW READY TO MAKE NEW INVESTMENTS IN INDONESIA. G-M SAYS IT IS PLEASED BY THE INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO REMOVE TAX ADVANTAGES WHICH HAD BEEN ENJOYED BY THE COUNTRY'S NATIONAL AUTO PROJECT.

    THE HEAD OF THE U-S CENTRAL BANK SAYS RACIAL DISCRIMINATION HAS NEGATIVE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES FOR THE U-S ECONOMY. ALAN GREENSPAN JOINED WITH U-S CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER JESSE JACKSON AT A CONFERENCE ON HOW TO OPEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLACKS AND OTHER MINORITIES IN AMERICAN BUSINESS AND FINANCE.

    MONDAY IS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IN THE UNITED STATES IN MEMORY OF THE LATE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER MARTIN LUTHER KING. FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE STOCK MARKET WILL BE CLOSED IN HONOR OF MR. KING.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
    16-Jan-98 5:03 PM EST (2203 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [08] TURKEY POLITICS (L/S VER) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

    DATE=1/16/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-225387
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: TURKEY'S LARGEST POLITICAL PARTY, THE ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY, WAS BANNED BY THE COUNTRY'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT FRIDAY ON CHARGES OF VIOLATING THE SECULAR PROVISIONS OF THE TURKISH CONSTITUTION. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

    TEXT: AS HUNDREDS OF JOURNALISTS LOOKED ON, ACTING CHIEF PROSECUTOR AHMET NECDET SEZER ANNOUNCED THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT'S DECISION TO BAN "WELFARE" ON CHARGES OF VIOLATING THE SECULAR PROVISIONS OF THE TURKISH CONSTITUTION.

    /// SEZER ACT IN TURKISH - ESTABLISH AND FADE OUT ///

    THE PARTY'S LEADER, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, AND FIVE OTHER WELFARE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT HAVE ALSO LOST THEIR GOVERNMENT SEATS AS A RESULT OF THE COURT RULING. THEY'VE ALSO BEEN BANNED FROM TURKISH POLITICS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

    SPEAKING AT A NEWS CONFERENCE AFTER THE COURT DECISION WAS ANNOUNCED, MR. ERBAKAN APPEARED CALM AND CONFIDENT. THE DECISION, HE SAID, DID NOT AFFECT HIS PARTY'S STRENGTH ONE BIT, AND THAT SUPPORT FOR THE ISLAMISTS WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW.

    ///REST OPT FOR LONG///

    /// ERBAKAN ACT IN TURKISH - ESTABLISH AND FADE ///

    MR. ERBAKAN CAUTIONED HIS FOLLOWERS TO REMAIN CALM AND NOT TO FALL PREY TO WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS "DELIBERATE ACTS OF PROVOCATION." HE ADDED THAT IN THE WAKE THE BAN, HIS PARTY WOULD FILE A SUIT AGAINST THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT WITH THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN STRASBOURG. MR. ERBAKAN PREDICTED THE BANNING OF HIS PARTY WOULD BE, IN HIS WORDS, CONDEMNED BY THE ENTIRE WESTERN WORLD.

    THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT'S DECISION FOLLOWS A SUSTAINED CAMPAIGN BY TURKEY'S MILTARY-LED PRO-SECULAR ELITE TO CURB THE RISING INFLUENCE OF POLITICAL ISLAM IN TURKEY, MARKED BY WELFARE'S VICTORY IN THE 1995 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS.

    TENSIONS BETWEEN MR. ERBAKAN -- WHO BECAME TURKEY'S FIRST ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER IN 1996 -- AND THE COUNTRY'S TOP MILITARY BRASS CONTINUED TO RISE AS HE SOUGHT TO FORGE CLOSER TIES WITH ISLAMIC STATES, LIKE IRAN AND LIBYA, AND TO LIFT CURRENT BANS ON ISLAMIC-STYLE CLOTHING IN STATE INSTITUTIONS.

    FACED WITH MOUNTING PRESSURE FROM THE MILITARY, MR. ERBAKAN WAS FORCED TO RESIGN LAST YEAR. THE NEW PRO-SECULAR COALITION LED BY MESUT YILMAZ HAS KEPT UP PRESSURE ON THE ISLAMISTS SHUTTING DOWN PRO-ISLAMIC CLERICAL TRAINING SCHOOLS AND PRO- ISLAMIC PUBLICATIONS.

    BUT FEW OBSERVERS BELIEVE THAT SUCH MEASURES, INCLUDING FRIDAY'S CLOSURE OF THE PARTY, WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN TERMS OF WEAKENING THE ISLAMIST MOVEMENT. IF ANYTHING, MANY ARGUE THAT THE ISLAMISTS WILL, AS MR. ERBAKAN HIMSELF PREDICTS, EMERGE EVEN STRONGER IN FUTURE ELECTIONS, ALBEIT UNDER A DIFFERENT NAME. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AZ/PCF
    16-Jan-98 10:35 AM EST (1535 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [09] YUGO WAR CRIMES/DOKMANOVIC (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

    DATE=1/16/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-225366
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    ///EDS: SCENESETTER FOR MONDAY TRIAL -- HOLDS THRU WEEKEND///

    INTRO: THE 1991 SIEGE OF THE CROATIAN CITY OF VUKOVAR MARKED AN EARLY TURNING POINT IN THE WAR IN FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. TELEVISION PICTURES OF THE RUINED BUILDINGS AND STORIES OF PEOPLE LIVING IN CELLARS FOR MONTHS, BROUGHT HOME THE HORROR TO A WIDER PUBLIC. ON MONDAY ( EDS: 19 JANUARY -- 0730 GMT ) A FORMER SERBIAN MAYOR OF THE CITY GOES ON TRIAL AT THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE FOR HIS ALLEGED PART IN THE SLAUGHTER WHICH FOLLOWED THE SIEGE. AS GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS, PROSECUTORS SAY SLAVKO DOKMANOVIC TOOK PART IN WHAT AMOUNTED TO WHAT THEY CALL "A BLUEPRINT FOR ETHNIC CLEANSING."

    TEXT: IN NOVEMBER, 1991, ABOUT 300 MAINLY CROATIAN MEN WERE TAKEN FROM VUKOVAR HOSPITAL -- A PLACE THOUGHT SAFE FROM THE INCOMING YUGOSLAV ARMY AND SERB PARAMILITARIES WHO OCCUPIED THE CITY. BUT THE HOSPITAL PROVED TO BE NO SAFE HAVEN. INSTEAD, THEY WERE DRIVEN TO A NEARBY FARM, BEATEN FOR HOURS AND AT LEAST 200 OF THEM SHOT DEAD. THEIR BODIES WERE BULLDOZED INTO A MASS GRAVE. MORE THAN 50 ARE STILL MISSING.

    FORTY-NINE-YEAR-OLD SLAVKO DOKMANOVIC -- AT THE TIME, THE TOWN'S MAYOR -- IS CHARGED WITH AIDING AND ABETTING IN THE KILLINGS. AT PUBLIC HEARINGS INTO THE VUKOVAR CASE, PROSECUTOR GRANT NIEMANN SPOKE OF THE MASSACRE'S GRIM LEGACY.

    ///NIEMANN ACT///

    THERE THEN FOLLOWED A SERIES OF EVENTS THAT WE HAVE SEEN REPEATED AGAIN AND AGAIN IN THE COURSE OF THIS HORRIBLE WAR. SO SIMILAR IN DETAIL THAT THE ONLY CONCLUSION AVAILABLE IS THAT IT WAS PART OF SOME PLAN. THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED IN VUKOVAR WERE THE VERY BEGINNING OF WHAT CAME TO BE KNOWN AS "ETHNIC CLEANSING," THUS PLANTING THE SEEDS OF GENOCIDE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA.

    ///END ACT///

    MR. DOKMANOVIC HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO THE CHARGES. HE WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO FACE A SO-CALLED "SECRET INDICTMENT." IN FACT, HE HAD NO IDEA HE'D BEEN CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES UNTIL U-N PERSONNEL ARRESTED HIM IN EASTERN SLAVONIA LAST JUNE. HIS LAWYER SAYS IT AMOUNTED TO "KIDNAPPING," BUT CHIEF PROSECUTOR, LOUISE ARBOUR, DEFENDS WHAT HAPPENED.

    ///ARBOUR ACT///

    THERE IS NOTHING TRICKY ABOUT ARRESTING PEOPLE WITHOUT GIVING THEM ADVANCE WARNING. THAT IS THE WAY THAT POLICE FORCES OPERATE ALL OVER THE WORLD, AND THIS -- UP TO NOW -- HAS NOT BEEN THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS INSTITUTION HAS OPERATED. IT IS COMING TO THE REALIZATION THAT IT MUST DO SO UNTIL THE STATE AUTHORITIES, WHICH HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SURRENDER PEOPLE TO THE TRIBUNAL, START TAKING ON THESE RESPONSIBILITIES.

    ///END ACT///

    ONE OF THOSE STATES PROSECUTOR ARBOUR HAS IN MIND IS SERBIA. MR. DOKMANOVIC IS CHARGED ALONG WITH THREE FORMER YUGOSLAV ARMY OFFICERS. ONE REMAINS ACTIVE IN THE COUNTRY'S PRESENT DAY ARMY. DESPITE INTERNATIONAL WARRANTS FOR THEIR ARRESTS, THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT HAS REFUSED TO HAND THEM OVER.

    //REST OPT//

    JULIA BOGOEVA, A JOURNALIST FOR THE INDEPENDENT NEWS AGENCY "BETA," CALLS THE DOKMANOVIC CASE HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT.

    ///ACT BOGOEVA///

    SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT THE AUTHORITIES, AND THE ARMY ARE VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT WILL BE GOING ON, IN WHAT KIND OF FACTS WILL BE PRESENTED, AND WHETHER THESE FACTS IMPLY CONNECTIONS OF THE AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE TODAY WITH EVENTS IN VUKOVAR. FOR SURE, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT CASE FOR THE AUTHORITIES IN BELGRADE.

    ///END ACT///

    DESPITE LAST-MINUTE CALLS FROM THE TRIBUNAL, THE FEDERAL YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT STILL SAYS IT WILL NOT EXTRADITE THE THREE OFFICERS. SLAVKO DOKMANOVIC MAY BE THE ONE IN THE DOCK ON MONDAY, BUT THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED IN THE COURSE OF HIS TRIAL COULD BE EMBARRASSING FOR MANY BEYOND THE COURTROOM. (SIGNED)
    NEB/GS/PCF
    16-Jan-98 4:49 AM EST (0949 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=1/16/98
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-225376
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: A BOSNIAN CROAT -- WHO WAS SHOT BY NATO TROOPS WHILE RESISTING ARREST -- PLEADED NOT GUILTY FRIDAY (TODAY) TO WAR CRIMES CHARGES AT THE U-N'S TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. VLATKO KUPRESKIC IS ACCUSED OF TAKING PART IN A MASSACRE IN CENTRAL BOSNIA IN 1993. FROM THE HAGUE, GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS. TENT: ALTHOUGH HE WALKED INTO COURT UNAIDED, IT'S TAKEN VLATKO KUPRESKIC ALMOST A MOUTH TO RECOVER SUFFICIENTLY TO MAKE THIS FIRST APPEARANCE. HE WAS SHOT AND INJURED BY NATO TROOPS IN DECEMBER AT HIS HOME NEAR VITEZ AS HE RESISTED ARREST.

    SHAKING HIS HEAD AND SIGHING DEEPLY, HE TOLD JUDGES THAT HE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOT GUILTY TO ALL THE CHARGES. IT WAS NOT CLEAR TO HIM, HE SAID, WHY HE WAS BEING NAMED.

    ALONG WITH FIVE OTHERS -- INCLUDING HIS TWO COUSINS -- MR. KUPRESKIC IS ACCUSED IN CONNECTION WITH THE 1993 MASSACRE IN THE CENTRAL BOSNIAN VILLAGE OF AHMICI. MORE THAN A HUNDRED MUSLIM CIVILIANS, INCLUDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN -- WERE KILLED; NOT ONE MUSLIM WAS LEFT IN THE VILLAGE. THE 40-YEAR-OLD MR. KUPRESKIC -- WHO LIVED IN AHMICI -- IS INDIVIDUALLY CHARGED WITH SHOOTING AND KILLING A WOMAN WHO WAS TRYING TO ESCAPE TO THE FOREST WITH HER FAMILY. THROUGH A TRANSLATOR, HE TOLD PRESIDING JUDGE, ANTONIO CASESSE, THAT HE JUST WASN'T CAPABLE OF SUCH THINGS:

    /// KUPRESKIC THROUGH TRANSLATOR; CASESSE ACT///

    KUPRESKIC TRANSLATION: I NEITHER HAD THE OCCASION TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, NOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT, NOR THE COURAGE, NOT THE INTEREST. I'M ABSOLUTELY NOT GUILTY.

    CASESSE: ALL RIGHT, YOU PLEAD NOT GUILTY.

    ///END ACT///

    MR. KUPRESKIC IS NOW BACK IN THE TRIBUNAL'S DETENTION CENTER, JUST OUTSIDE THE HAGUE. ALL THOSE CHARGED IN THE AHMICI INDICTMENT ARE LIKELY TO BE TRIED TOGETHER. NO DATE WAS SET. IT COULD BE MANY MONTHS AWAY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/GS/PCF
    16-Jan-98 7:05 AM EST (1205 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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