Voice of America, 98-02-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

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

[03] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[04] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

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

[01] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES CLOSED SHARPLY HIGHER (TUESDAY) IN TRADING IN EUROPE. EDITOR JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: PRICES ROSE TO RECORD CLOSING HIGHS ON ALL THREE MAJOR EUROPEAN EXCHANGES -- LONDON, FRANKFURT, AND PARIS. SOME OF THE SMALLER MARKETS -- BRUSSELS, MADRID, AND ZURICH -- ALSO REACHED NEW HIGHS

AMONG THE BIG MARKETS, IN FRANKFURT THE "DAX" INDEX CLOSED UP TWO-PERCENT AFTER FLOOR TRADING. IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING, THE DAX ROSE ALMOST 92-POINTS, MORE THAN TWO-PERCENT. IN PARIS, THE "CAC-40" INDEX ENDED UP MORE THAN 55 POINTS, ONE-AND-SEVEN-TENTHS PERCENT. IN LONDON, THE "FOOTSIE-100" INDEX ROSE ALMOST 90 POINTS, ONE-AND-SIX-TENTHS PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND, THE JAPANESE YEN, AND THE GERMAN MARK.
NEB/JWH/RAE
17-Feb-98 1:20 PM EST (1820 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSING AT A RECORD HIGH FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE SESSION. VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 83 HUNDRED 98, UP 28 POINTS. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT ONE THOUSAND 22, UP TWO POINTS BUT SHORT OF ITS RECORD HIGH.

ANALYSTS SAY BUYING PRESSURE CONTINUED, ALTHOUGH MOST OF IT WAS CONCENTRATED IN THE STOCKS OF RELATIVELY LARGE COMPANIES. STOCK TRADERS SEEM UNCONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE U-S AIR STRIKES AGAINST IRAQ, POINTING TO THE APPARENT LACK OF INTEREST IN THAT SUBJECT BY THE WORLD OIL MARKET.

TOTAL INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT IN THE UNITED STATES WAS UNCHANGED IN JANUARY, THE FIRST TIME IN 14 MONTHS THAT OUTPUT DID NOT RISE. THE U-S CENTRAL BANK, WHICH COMPILES INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS, SAYS AN UNUSUALLY MILD WINTER IN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY HAS CAUSED A BIG DROP IN DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GAS.

THE BENEFICIAL CORPORATION, THE LARGEST CONSUMER FINANCE COMPANY IN THE UNITED STATES, SAYS IT IS UP FOR SALE. THE COMPANY SAYS THE MOVE IS AN EFFORT TO INCREASE SHAREHOLDER VALUE. THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAUSED THE VALUE OF BENEFICIAL'S STOCK TO JUMP ALMOST 25 PERCENT.

THE COMPUTER ASSOCIATES COMPANY SAYS IT WILL PROCEED WITH A HOSTILE TAKEOVER ATTEMPT AGAINST THE COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION. COMPUTER ASSOCIATES SAYS IT WILL START LEGAL ACTION TO FORCE COMPUTER SCIENCES TO LET STOCKHOLDERS DECIDE WHETHER TO ACCEPT THE NINE POINT ONE BILLION DOLLAR OFFER.

A DEAL TO CREATE THE WORLD'S LARGEST MOVIE THEATER CHAIN HAS BEEN COMPLETED WITH A PLANNED MERGER OF LOEWS AND THE CINEPLEX ODEON COMPANIES. THE COMBINED COMPANY WOULD HAVE MORE THAN 27 HUNDRED SCREENS IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. THE DEAL HAS BEEN APPROVED BY CANADIAN OFFICIALS BUT IS STILL AWAITING CONSENT FROM U-S REGULATORS.

A COALITION OF U-S PUBLIC HEALTH GROUPS IS CALLING ON CONGRESS NOT TO GRANT THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY IMMUNITY FROM MOST LAWSUITS. THE INDUSTRY HAS AGREED TO PAY 368 BILLION DOLLARS TO PAY FOR THE COST OF SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESSES BUT ONLY IF THE COMPANIES RECEIVE IMMUNITY FROM HEALTH-RELATED LAWSUITS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PLM
17-Feb-98 4:51 PM EST (2151 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: NORTHERN IRELAND'S POLITICAL PARTIES ARE STILL DEBATING WHETHER TO EXPEL -- AT LEAST TEMPORARILY -- SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, FROM TALKS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON.

TEXT: THE MOVE TO EXPEL SINN FEIN IS SPEARHEADED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. LONDON IS ACTING ON EVIDENCE IT RECEIVED FROM SENIOR POLICE OFFICIALS IN NORTHERN IRELAND WHO HAVE LINKED THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY WITH TWO RECENT KILLINGS IN BELFAST.

ACCORDING TO RULES GOVERNING THE TALKS ON NORTHERN IRELAND, ANY PARTY ASSOCIATED WITH TERRORIST GROUPS ENGAGED IN VIOLENCE IS SUBJECT TO EXPULSION FROM THE NEGOTIATIONS. THAT HAPPENED LAST MONTH TO A SMALL PRO-BRITISH POLITICAL PARTY WHEN IT WAS PROVEN ITS TERRORIST WING KILLED SEVERAL PEOPLE. SINN FEIN IS NOW FACING EXPULSION FOR THE SAME REASON.

SINN FEIN PRESIDENT GERRY ADAMS REACTED ANGRILY, SAYING HIS PARTY IS BEING PURSUED BY A LYNCH-MOB LED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE LARGEST PARTY IN NORTHERN IRELAND -- THE PRO-BRITISH ULSTER UNIONISTS.

BUT THE SENIOR BRITISH MINISTER IN CHARGE OF NORTHERN IRELAND -- MO MOWLAM -- REJECTED THAT ASSESSMENT.

THIS IS NOT A LEGAL SITUATION. IT IS A POLITICAL PROCESS. IT IS NOT A KANGAROO COURT. WE WILL MAKE THE DECISION ALONG WITH THE OTHER PARTIES AND WITH THE IRISH GOVERNMENT. IT IS ABOUT THE PROCESS AND ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROCESS.

IF THE POLITICAL PARTIES -- ALONG WITH THE BRITISH AND IRISH GOVERNMENTS -- DECIDE TO EXPEL SINN FEIN, IT PROBABLY WILL BE ONLY FOR A TEMPORARY PERIOD. THE PRO-BRITISH POLITICAL PARTY OUSTED AT THE END OF JANUARY IS EXPECTED TO RESUME ITS SEAT AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH -- PROVIDED THE PARAMILITARY GROUP IT REPRESENTS REFRAINS FROM VIOLENCE.

JOHN ALDERDICE -- THE LEADER OF THE SMALL NON-SECTARIAN "ALLIANCE" PARTY AND A PARTICIPANT IN THE TALKS -- SAYS THERE IS NO PLACE AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE FOR TERRORISTS, EITHER LOYALIST OR REPUBLICAN.

WE SHOULD BE QUITE CLEAR. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT ACTUALLY HAVE A HISTORY -- ON BOTH SIDES -- OF BEING INVOLVED IN DEMOCRACY. THEY HAVE A HISTORY OF THREATENING AND USING VIOLENCE. THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND THEY HAVE GOT TO LEARN THERE IS NO PLACE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS FOR THE THREAT OR USE OF VIOLENCE. THIS IS A LEARNING PROCESS FOR THEM, AND THAT IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE STICK TO OUR PRINCIPLES.

SEVERAL OBSERVERS HAVE SAID IF SINN FEIN IS EXPELLED FROM THE TALKS -- EVEN TEMPORARILY -- THERE IS A CHANCE THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY MIGHT ABANDON ITS CEASEFIRE AND RETURN TO FULL-SCALE VIOLENCE. OTHERS SAY THAT WOULD MARGINALIZE SINN FEIN AND PLACE IT PERMANENTLY OUT OF THE TALKS PROCESS -- SOMETHING ITS LEADERSHIP APPARENTLY DOES NOT WANT TO HAPPEN. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/JWH/JO
17-Feb-98 1:38 PM EST (1838 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE POSSIBLE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE U-S LED WESTERN ALLIES AND SADDAM HUSSEIN'S IRAQ CONTINUES TO BE A POPULAR EDITORIAL TOPIC IN THE AMERICAN PRESS AS DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO END THE CONFRONTATION CONTINUE.

OTHER TOPICS UNDER CONSIDERATION THIS TUESDAY INCLUDE THE EXPANSION OF NATO; THE CHANGING SCENE IN CUBA; THE FEDERAL COURT DECISION ON THE LINE-ITEM VETO; AND THE POWER OF THE WHITEWATER SPECIAL COUNSEL, KENNETH STARR. IS HE USING IT WISELY? NOW, IN OUR STUDIO, HERE IS ____________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THERE ARE SEVERAL EDITORIALS IN SOME OF THE NATION'S MAJOR PAPERS ABOUT THE ON-GOING CONFRONTATION WITH IRAQ, BROUGHT ABOUT BY THAT NATION'S REFUSAL TO ALLOW U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS FREE ACCESS TO THE NATION'S PRESUMED WEAPONS STORES. "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE TALKS OF THE LATEST DIPLOMATIC MOVE AS A "LAST CHANCE TO AVERT TRAGEDY."

VOICE: ALL COUNTRIES SHOULD SUPPORT A MISSION TO BAGHDAD BY UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN TO PERSUADE THE DICTATOR SADDAM HUSSEIN TO COMPLY WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS ON INSPECTIONS FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. THE UNITED STATES, POISED TO BOMB STRATEGIC LOCATIONS IN IRAQ WITH TOKEN ASSISTANCE FROM A HANDFUL OF ALLIES AND THE USE OF BASES IN A FEW ARAB COUNTRIES, SHOULD WAIT UNTIL DIPLOMACY IS EXHAUSTED IN THE EYES OF ITS ADVOCATES BEFORE LAUNCHING VIOLENCE. ..... GREATER PATIENCE ON WASHINGTON'S PART WOULD ALLOW SUPPORT TO GROW. THE UNITED STATES MUST NOT LET THIS DICTATOR DESTROY ITS FRIENDSHIPS AND ALLIANCES. WASHINGTON SHOULD BE ABLE TO OUTLAST BAGHDAD IN A WAR OF NERVES BEFORE ANY SHOT IS FIRED.

TEXT: ACROSS THE CONTINENT, "THE OREGONIAN" IN PORTLAND SAYS, IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE, "NO ACCESS, NO PEACE IN BAGHDAD."

VOICE: IF [MR.] SADDAM SUCCEEDS IN BASICALLY REWRITING THE POSTWAR WEAPONS-INSPECTION AGREEMENTS, [AFTER THE GULF WAR] THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED NATIONS WILL BOTH SUFFER A DRAMATIC LOSS IN THEIR INTERNATIONAL CREDIBILITY. BUT THAT MIGHT NOT BE THE ONLY LOSS. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY COULD LOSE ITS ONE CHANCE TO STOP SADDAM HUSSEIN'S WELL-DOCUMENTED CAMPAIGN TO DEVELOP WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. THAT'S WHY THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED NATIONS CANNOT RETREAT NOW. IF [MR.] SADDAM DOES NOT GRANT U-N WEAPONS INSPECTORS FULL ACCESS - - AND NOW - - THE UNITED STATES AND ANY ALLIES THAT ARE INTERESTED NEED TO BOMB IRAQ BACK INTO COMPLIANCE. AND SOON.

TEXT: ASIDE FROM THE ISSUE OF WHEN TO MOVE ON THE ATTACK, THERE IS THE ISSUE OF WHAT ANY ACTION WILL ACHIEVE. HERE ARE SOME THOUGHTS FROM TODAY'S "ORLANDO [FLORIDA] SENTINEL."

VOICE: .... NO PERMANENT SOLUTION TO MR. HUSSEIN'S EXCESSES HAS PRESENTED ITSELF. NOR CAN ONE BE GAINED BY MERELY BOMBARDING IRAQ WITH MISSILES AND PLANES. MR. HUSSEIN HAS DEMONSTRATED HIS ABILITY TO SURVIVE AN ATTACK. SO THE CAT-AND-MOUSE GAME OF TRYING TO FIND IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION MOST LIKELY WILL CONTINUE. ..... SO, IF DIPLOMACY FAILS, MILITARY ACTION WILL BE THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE. AT THE VERY LEAST, IT SHOULD CURTAIL MR. HUSSEIN'S WEAPONS MANIA AND SET BACK HIS NEFARIOUS INTENTIONS. DIPLOMACY HASN'T FAILED, THOUGH. IT'S IMPORTANT TO AVOID SUCCUMBING TO THE WAR FEVER SWEEPING THE NATION AND REALIZE THAT A POLITICAL SOLUTION IS POSSIBLE. LAST-DITCH DIPLOMATIC MEETINGS MAY WELL SUCCEED.

TEXT: TURNING TO ANOTHER MILITARY AND POLITICAL DEBATE, THE EXPANSION OF NATO, THE IDEA OF MOVING AHEAD WITH THE ADDITION OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, GETS SUPPORT FROM "THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD."

VOICE: A WIDER NATO HAS BEEN INTERPRETED BY SOME IN RUSSIA AS A THREAT TO THAT NATION, BUT THAT IS EMPHATICALLY NOT THE CASE. SOME NATIONS ARE USING RUSSIA'S CONCERNS AS A REASON TO HALT NATO'S GROWTH WITH THESE THREE CANDIDATES, BUT THAT IS ALSO NOT APPROPRIATE. OTHER NATIONS OF CENTRAL EUROPE ARE VIABLE EXPANSION CANDIDATES, AMONG THEM SLOVENIA, ROMANIA AND THE BALTIC STATES. THEIR AFFILIATION WOULD GREATLY LESSEN ANY CHANCE THAT NATIONS KEPT OUTSIDE THE ALLIANCE WOULD BECOME INVOLVED IN CONFLICTS ..... THIS EXPANSION, AND THE ADDITION OF MORE NATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WILL PROVE THE PROOF OF NATO'S SUCCESS.

TEXT: TURNING TO THIS HEMISPHERE, "NEWSDAY" IS PLEADED ABOUT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN CUBA, FOLLOWING THE POPE'S VISIT.

VOICE: THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HAVANA WILL FREE MORE THAN 200 CUBAN PRISONERS IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO POPE JOHN PAUL['] .... APPEAL SHOULD BE WELCOMED AS A HARBINGER OF CHANGE IN CUBA'S RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED STATES. THE PRISONERS' RELEASE IS THE FIRST SOLID EVIDENCE THAT THE POPE'S VISIT TO CUBA LAST MONTH MAY HAVE RESULTS THAT WILL VALIDATE THE GREAT EXPECTATIONS THAT PRECEDED IT. HAVANA'S CONCESSION WAS LONG SOUGHT BY THE CUBAN EMIGRE COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES. AN APPROPRIATE GESTURE FROM WASHINGTON RECIPROCATING ITS SPIRIT WOULD BE EQUALLY WELCOME.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS ALSO WATCHING, HOPEFULLY, AND ADDS:

VOICE: CONGRESS SHOULD WATCH CLOSELY WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS THE STRAITS. ISOLATION IS A POOR LONG-TERM POLICY. [MR.] CASTRO MAY GO AWAY BUT CUBA AND THE CUBANS WILL NOT. OPPORTUNITIES MAY BE IN THE WIND.

TEXT: TURNING TO DOMESTIC ISSUES, TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" TALKS ABOUT THE RECENT FEDERAL COURT DECISION, DECLARING THE LINE-ITEM VETO, PASSED BY CONGRESS LAST YEAR, AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

VOICE: /// OPT /// U-S DISTRICT JUDGE THOMAS ... HOGAN RULED THAT CONGRESS IMPROPERLY SURRENDERED TO THE PRESIDENT ITS AUTHORITY TO MAKE LAWS BECAUSE IT COULDN'T 'CONTROL ITS VORACIOUS APPETITE FOR 'PORK.' [UNNECESSARY, FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECTS IN A CONGRESSMAN'S DISTRICT THAT BRING HIM/HER LOCAL PRAISE AND SUPPORT, BUT ADD TO THE FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT] PRESIDENT CLINTON, WITH A POWER THAT MANY PREDECESSORS FUTILELY SOUGHT, HAS, HE CLAIMS, SAVED 'MORE THAN ONE BILLION' SO FAR. /// END OPT /// .... THE PRESIDENT IS APPEALING THE DECISION TO THE SUPREME COURT. HE SEEKS AN EXPEDITED RULING CALLED FOR IN THE LAW, SO THE COURT COULD RULE BY JULY. ..... PERHAPS THE HIGH COURT WILL SEE IT LIKE-WISE, [LIKE JUDGE HOGAN] PERHAPS NOT. IF CONGRESS THINKS THAT THE LINE-ITEM VETO IS DESIRABLE, THEN IT SHOULD PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO MAKE IT PART OF THE CONSTITUTION.

TEXT: IN YET ANOTHER CONTROVERSY, THE POWER OF KENNETH STARR, THE WHITEWATER SPECIAL COUNSEL, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" HAS SOME THOUGHTS. MR. STARR HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO BROADEN HIS INVESTIGATION OF THE CLINTON'S ARKANSAS REAL ESTATE DEALINGS ["WHITEWATER"] TO MANY ISSUES, INCLUDING THE ALLEGED SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND A WHITE HOUSE INTERN. THE ATLANTA PAPER SAYS:

VOICE: THE FESTERING SCANDAL IN WASHINGTON IS CONFUSING FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, MOST NOTABLY THE BLIZZARD OF CHARGES AND COUNTERCHARGES FLYING BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DEFENDERS AND ENEMIES. WHO'S RIGHT AND WHO'S WRONG? ..... IT COULD ALSO BE TRUE .... THAT KENNETH STARR HAS USED HIS APPOINTMENT AS SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO BECOME 'SPECIAL PERSECUTOR' INSTEAD. /// OPT /// IT'S CERTAINLY TRUE THAT BEFORE THIS LATEST INCIDENT, [MR.] STARR HAD SPENT MORE THAN THREE YEARS AND MORE THAN 30-MILLION DOLLARS, TRYING UNSUCCESSFULLY TO PROVE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST [MR.] CLINTON DATING BACK MORE THAN 10 YEARS. /// END OPT /// ..... TODAY, MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES HONEST KNOW THAT IF TARGETED BY A PROSECUTOR WHOSE IS PREPARED TO INVESTIGATE EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR LIVES AND WHO IS ARMED WITH AN UNLIMITED BUDGET, UNLIMITED TIME AND 200 F-B-I AGENTS, HE COULD PROBABLY COME UP WITH AT LEAST SOMETHING AGAINST THEM. THAT MAY EXPLAIN SOME OF THE SYMPATHY FOR [PRESIDENT] CLINTON THAT IS BEING REFLECTED IN THE POLLS.

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENT FROM SOME OF TUESDAY'S U-S PAPERS.
NEB/ANG/PLM
17-Feb-98 10:47 AM EST (1547 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE FIRST BOSNIAN SERBS TO SURRENDER TO THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAVE PLEADED NOT GUILTY DURING A COURT APPEARANCE IN THE HAGUE. AS GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS, THE TWO -- MIROSLAV TADIC AND MILAN SIMIC -- ARE ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY FOR THEIR PART IN THE SERB TAKEOVER OF BOSANSKI SAMAC [PRONOUNCED SHAH' - MATS] IN NORTHERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

TEXT: MIROSLAV TADIC AND MILAN SIMIC ARE ACCUSED OF TAKING PART IN WHAT PROSECUTORS CALL A CAMPAIGN OF TERROR. BEFORE THE SERBS TOOK OVER BOSANSKI SAMAC IN APRIL 1992, THERE WERE 17-THOUSAND MUSLIMS AND CROATS IN THE AREA. AFTERWARDS, FEWER THAN 300 REMAINED.

MR. TADIC IS SPECIFICALLY CHARGED WITH ORGANIZING THE EXPULSION OF MUSLIMS AND CROATS. MR SIMIC IS SAID TO HAVE SEVERELY BEATEN A MAN WITH IRON BARS. BOTH MEN PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO THE CHARGES.

THROUGH A TRANSLATOR, MR. TADIC SAID HE WANTED TO THANK AMERICAN DIPLOMATS FOR THEIR HELP IN HIS SURRENDER.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE THE THANK THE STAFF AT THE DETENTION UNIT BECAUSE THEY PROVIDED VERY GOOD CONDITIONS, AND ALSO TO THE GENTLEMEN WHO ESCORTED US TO THIS COURTROOM. THEY ENABLED US TO VIEW THIS NICE TOWN. AND AFTER I'M RELEASED, I WILL SEEK ASYLUM HERE BECAUSE I LIKE IT VERY MUCH.

IT TOOK NEARLY TWO YEARS OF NEGOTIATION BEFORE THE TWO MEN SURRENDERED ON SATURDAY -- THE FIRST BOSNIAN SERBS TO DO SO.

IN THE PAST, THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC HAS ACCUSED THE TRIBUNAL OF BEING BIASED AGAINST SERBS. BUT LAST WEEK, THE NEW BOSNIAN SERB PRIME MINISTER -- MILORAD DODIK -- PROMISED HE WOULD DO EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO ENCOURAGE SUSPECTS TO GIVE THEMSELVES UP.

ALTHOUGH MR. TADIC AND MR. SIMIC ARE OF RELATIVELY LOW RANK, THEIR SURRENDER COULD MARK A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT. MORE THAN 50 WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS -- MOST OF THEM SERBS -- ARE STILL FREE. THE TRIBUNAL HOPES SOME OF THEM MAY FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY MR. TADIC AND MR. SIMIC. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/JWH/JO
17-Feb-98 11:57 AM EST (1657 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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