Voice of America, 24 August 1995

From: yanni@ix.netcom.com (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] !!! VOA DIGEST - 8/24/95 !!!

CHINA EXPELS WU -- CHINA SAYS IT HAS EXPELLED CHINESE-AMERICAN HARRY WU AFTER ANNOUNCING HIS CONVICTION ON SPYING CHARGES. MR WU HAD BEEN HELD IN CHINA SINCE BEING DETAINED LAST JUNE AT THE CHINESE BORDER WITH KAZAKHSTAN. THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SAID MR WU HAS NOW BEEN PUT ON A CHINESE AIRLINER IN SHANGAI EN ROUTE TO SAN FRANCISCO. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM BEIJING. (8/24)

US REACTION / HARRY WU -- WASHINGTON OFFICIALS ARE REACTING CAUTIOUSLY TO WORD FROM CHINA THAT HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST HARRY WU HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO BOTH A PRISON TERM AND EXPULSION FROM THAT COUNTRY. THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS REITERATED ITS CALL FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF MR WU. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST HAD DETAILS. (8/24)

CLINTON / HARRY WU -- THE WHITE HOUSE IS URGING CHINA TO EXPEL AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE HARRY WU IMMEDIATELY RATHER THAN MAKE HIM SERVE A 15-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOLLOWING HIS CONVICTION ON SPYING CHARGES. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM THE WESTERN STATE OF WYOMING, WHERE PRESIDENT CLINTON IS VACATIONING. (8/24)

CHINA / HARRY WU -- HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST HARRY WU WAS CONVICTED THURSDAY IN WUHAN, CHINA AFTER A ONE-DAY TRIAL ON SPY CHARGES. MR. WU FACES 15 YEARS IN PRISON AND EXPULSION FROM CHINA. CORRESPONDENT GIL BUTLER REPORTS FROM BEIJING, THE AMBIGUOUS VERDICT LEAVES UNANSWERED, THE QUESTION OF WHETHER MR. WU WILL GO TO PRISON. (8/24)

HONG KONG / HARRY WU / REACTION -- CHINA'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT IT HAS SENTENCED AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST HARRY WU TO FIFTEEN YEARS IN PRISON AND WILL EXPEL HIM HAS MET WITH MIXED REACTION IN HONG KONG. CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON IN THE BRITISH COLONY REPORTS BUSINESS LEADERS SAY SINO-US TIES WOULD IMPROVE IF BEIJING EXPELS THE PROMINENT ACTIVIST IMMEDIATELY. (8/24)

STATE DEPARTMENT REACT -- THE STATE DEPARTMENT REACTS TO THE SENTENCING OF HARRY WU, A CHINESE-AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST ARRESTED IN CHINA IN JUNE. REPORTERS JIM TEDDER, MERCEDES SPROUSE, AND STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORT. (8/24)

US / CHINA CONFERENCE -- WHILE THE RELEASE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST HARRY WU EASES ONE PROBLEM IN US CHINESE RELATIONS, ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ARE CRITICIZING CHINA'S HANDLING OF VISAS FOR WOULD-BE PARTICIPANTS IN THE UPCOMING UN CONFERENCE ON WOMEN IN BEIJING. THE LACK OF VISAS APPARENTLY WILL FORCE THOUSANDS OF WOMEN FROM ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE AND RELATED EVENTS. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT. (8/24)

SALLY FIELD / WU -- US TELEVISION AND FILM STAR SALLY FIELD IS DOWNPLAYING THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT US PARTICIPATION AT THE UPCOMING UN WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IN BEIJING, FOLLOWING THE CONVICTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST HARRY WU. STAFFER IMANI CROSBY REPORTS MS FIELD TOLD REPORTERS IN WASHINGTON THE FOCUS OF THE CONFERENCE SHOULD REMAIN ON MORE THAN ONE PERSON. (8/24)

WU / FAMILY FRIEND -- REPORTER JIM TEDDER CONDUCTED AN INTERVIEW WITH IGNATIUS DING, A CHINESE-AMERICAN ACTIVIST WHO WAS AMONG THOSE WITH MRS WU AT HER HOUSE OUTSIDE SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA. MR DING TALKED ABOUT MRS. WU'S REACTION TO HER HUSBAND'S SENTENCING. (8/24)

UN / ZAIRE / RWANDA -- UN OFFICIALS IN GENEVA SAY THE ZAIRIAN GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO HALT THE FORCED REPATRIATION OF RWANDAN AND BURUNDIAN REFUGEES FROM CAMPS IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN GENEVA REPORTS AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT IS EXPECTED SHORTLY FROM THE ZAIRIAN GOVERNMENT. (8/24)

RWANDA / REFUGEES -- ZAIRE APPARENTLY HAS SUSPENDED ITS CONTROVERSIAL FORCED MILITARY EXPULSIONS OF RWANDAN REFUGEES FROM CAMPS IN EASTERN ZAIRE, AFTER ABOUT FIFTEEN THOUSAND WERE SENT BACK HOME. UN OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE DELIGHTED, BUT WANT FORMAL ASSURANCES BEFORE RESUMING THEIR OWN VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAM. CORRESPONDENT ALEX BELIDA REPORTED FROM GOMA, ZAIRE, SITE OF THE LARGEST REFUGEE CAMPS. (8/24)

US / ZAIRE REFUGEES -- THE UNITED STATES APPEALED WEDNESDAY FOR AN IMMEDIATE HALT TO ZAIRE'S FORCED REPATRIATION OF RWANDAN REFUGEES. OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON SAY THE EXPULSIONS COULD IGNITE REGIONAL CONFLICT. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS. (8/23)

JORDAN / IRAQ -- JORDAN'S KING HUSSEIN HAS PUBLICLY DISTANCED HIMSELF FROM IRAQI RULER SADDAM HUSSEIN AND IS TAKING THE POSITION THAT SANCTIONS SHOULD REMAIN UNTIL IRAQ COMPLIES WITH ALL UN CEASE-FIRE RESOLUTIONS. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN SUMMARIZED THE REACTION TO THE STATEMENTS MADE BY KING HUSSEIN IN A FORCEFUL SPEECH. (8/24)

EGYPT / IRAQ -- EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK WARNS GETTING RID OF SADDAM HUSSEIN IS A MATTER FOR IRAQIS TO DECIDE, NOT FOR FOREIGN POWERS. IN A HASTILY ARRANGED NEWS CONFERENCE, MR MUBARAK ALSO DESCRIBED IRAQ'S NEW OPENNESS WITH UN INSPECTORS AS A POLITICAL TACTIC. THESE ARE MR MUBARAK'S FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT THE IRAQI SITUATION AND THE DEFECTION OF A HIGH-RANKING IRAQI MILITARY OFFICER. THEY COME A DAY AFTER JORDAN'S KING HUSSEIN PUBLICLY DISTANCED HIMSELF FROM THE SADDAM HUSSEIN. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM THE EGYPTIAN CAPITAL. (8/24)

UN TROOPS / CROATIA -- THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS IS PROPOSING WITHDRAWING MOST OF THE UN TROOPS DEPLOYED IN CROATIA. CORRESPONDENT LAURI NEFF SAYS UN OFFICIALS BELIEVE CROATIA'S RECENT SUCCESSFUL OFFENSIVE AGAINST REBEL SERBS HAVE MADE THE GROUND TROOPS UNNECESSARY. (8/24)

UN EXITS GORAZDE -- A UKRAINIAN CONTINGENT OF UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPERS HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE MUSLIM ENCLAVE, GORAZDE, A UN DECLARED SAFE AREA IN EASTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. A PROMINENT INTERNATIONAL AID ORGANIZATION IS COMPLAINING THE PEOPLE OF GORAZDE ARE BEING LEFT UNDEFENDED. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (8/24)

BOSNIA / US -- BOSNIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MUHAMED SACIRBEY SAYS THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA COULD SUFFER UNLESS THE US CONGRESS ACTS TO LIFT THE ARMS EMBARGO ON BOSNIA. CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS. (8/24)

GERMANY / INTEREST RATES -- THE GERMAN CENTRAL BANK HAS ANNOUNCED A ONE-HALF-PERCENTAGE POINT CUT IN ITS TWO KEY INTEREST RATES. CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN THE GOVERNMENT WELCOMED THE BUNDESBANK'S LONG-AWAITED ANNOUNCEMENT, WHICH IMMEDIATELY TRIGGERED AN INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF THE US DOLLAR. (8/24)

PLO / ISRAEL -- PLO AND ISRAELI NEGOTIATORS ARE TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT SUNDAY IN CAIRO TO TRANSFER POWER IN EIGHT AREAS OF CIVILIAN AUTHORITY IN THE WEST BANK. IT IS PART OF THE SECOND PHASE OF THE PLO-ISRAELI DEAL ON AUTONOMY THAT EXPANDS SELF-RULE IN THE WEST BANK. BUT CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN IN CAIRO REPORTED AN OVERALL INTERIM AGREEMENT IS STILL AT LEAST A MONTH AWAY. (8/24)

BBC ATTACK -- MEN APPEARING TO BE ISLAMIC MILITANTS HAVE ATTACKED THE BBC OFFICE IN ISLAMABAD AND ASSAULTED TWO REPORTERS. ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTED THAT MEN WITH CLUBS SMASHED WINDOWS AND SET A FIRE, BUT THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES. (8/24)

SUU KYI / WOMEN'S CONFERENCE -- A KEY ORGANIZER OF THE NON-GOVERNMENT WOMEN'S FORUM SAYS A VIDEOTAPE BY BURMA'S DEMOCRACY LEADER, AUNG SAN SUU KYI, HAS ARRIVED FOR PRESENTATION TO THE CONFERENCE LATER THIS MONTH NEAR BEIJING. CORRESPONDENT DAN ROBINSON REPORTS, THE 1991 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE AGREED TO ADDRESS THE CONFERENCE IN ABSENTIA BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT WANT TO LEAVE BURMA. (8/24)

KHMER ROUGE TRIAL -- AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE LOOKING AT LEGAL OPTIONS TO BRING CAMBODIA'S KHMER ROUGE LEADERS TO TRIAL FINISHES IN PHNOM PENH THIS WEEK. THE CONFERENCE, ORGANIZED BY THE US STATE DEPARTMENT'S CAMBODIAN GENOCIDE PROJECT, HAS COMMISSIONED A SPECIAL RESEARCH TEAM AND LEGAL ADVISORS TO DOCUMENT KHMER ROUGE ATROCITIES. BUT, AS STRINGER TRICIA FITZGERALD REPORTS FROM PHNOM PENH, IT REMAINS UNCERTAIN WHETHER THOSE WHO COMMITTED MASS CRIMES IN THE 1970'S WILL EVER FACE TRIAL. (8/24)

AFRICA DEV BANK / ELECTION -- AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK DIRECTORS ARE MAKING A SECOND ATTEMPT AT ELECTING A NEW PRESIDENT TO LEAD THE TROUBLED FINANCIAL INSTITUTION. WEST AFRICA CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS THE ELECTIONS ARE BEING VIEWED AS A CRUCIAL TEST OF THE BANK'S CREDIBILITY AFTER IT FAILED TO CHOSE A LEADER DURING THE BANK'S ANNUAL MEETING LAST MAY. (8/24)

IVORY COAST / POLITICS -- THOUSANDS OF OFFICIALS AND DELEGATES FROM IVORY COAST'S RULING POLITICAL PARTY ARE GATHERING IN THE CAPITAL, YAMOUSOUKRO, TO PICK A CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. CORRESPONDENT PURNELL MURDOCK REPORTS FROM ABIDJAN. (8/24)

WINDOWS '95 -- COMPUTER USERS ON EVERY CONTINENT HAVE BEEN ANTICIPATING THE OFFICIAL RELEASE THURSDAY OF THE NEWEST OPERATING SYSTEM SOFTWARE FROM MICROSOFT, THE AMERICAN COMPANY WHOSE PROGRAMS RUN ON 90 PERCENT OF THE WORLD'S PERSONAL COMPUTERS. CORRESPONDENT ALAN SILVERMAN WAS IN MICROSOFT'S HOMETOWN NEAR SEATTLE FOR THE RELEASE OF WINDOWS '95. (8/24)

WINDOWS '95 / BUSINESS EFFECTS -- WINDOWS '95 THE MOST HEAVILY PROMOTED PERSONAL COMPUTER SOFTWARE PROGRAM IN HISTORY, IS EXPECTED TO GENERATE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN REVENUE, NOT ONLY FOR ITS PRODUCER MICROSOFT, BUT ALSO FOR THE PERSONAL COMPUTER INDUSTRY IN GENERAL. CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK ON THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF THE NEW OPERATING SYSTEM THAT WAS FORMALLY INTRODUCED THURSDAY. (8/24)

INDIA / MICROSOFT MAP -- MICROSOFT'S WINDOWS '95 SOFTWARE ALMOST MISSED ITS DEBUT IN INDIA WHEN CUSTOMS OFFICIALS BLOCKED IT BECAUSE A MAP SHOWED PARTS OF DISPUTED KASHMIR WITHIN PAKISTAN'S BORDERS. MICROSOFT IS BUT THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF FOREIGN COMPANIES WHO HAVE RUN AFOUL OF INDIAN SENSIBILITIES OVER HOW THE SUBCONTINENT'S MAP SHOULD BE DRAWN. CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL DRUDGE REPORTS FROM NEW DELHI. (8/24)

IRAN / HERAT -- IRAN IS PLAYING A GROWING ROLE IN THE ECONOMY OF THE WESTERN AFGHAN CITY OF HERAT. WHILE IRAN HAS SENT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AFGHAN REFUGEES THROUGH THE CITY, IT IS ALSO THE SOURCE OF VITAL TRADE THAT IS PUMPING MONEY AND GOODS INTO THE REGION. CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN RECENTLY RETURNED FROM HERAT AND EXAMINED THE IRANIAN ROLE IN THE CITY'S RECOVERY AND THE REASONS BEHIND IT. (8/24)

ECUADOR / CORRUPTION -- ECUADOR'S THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT ARE ENGAGED IN A POWER STRUGGLE INVOLVING CHARGES AND COUNTERCHARGES OF CORRUPTION. THE SUPREME COURT HAS BEGUN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST VICE-PRESIDENT EDUARDO DAHIK ON SUSPICION OF BRIBERY, EMBEZZLEMENT, AND ILLEGAL ENRICHMENT, BUT HE HAS REFUSED TO TESTIFY. THE DETAILS FROM CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK. (8/24)

GUATEMALA / CEASE-FIRE -- GUATEMALA HAS WELCOMED THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY LEFTIST GUERRILLAS PROCLAIMING A TWO-WEEK CEASE-FIRE TIMED TO COINCIDE WITH NEXT NOVEMBER'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. CORRESPONDENT BILL RODGERS REPORTS THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE LATE TUESDAY IN PANAMA. (8/23)

MONTSERRAT VOLCANO -- ON THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT, SCIENTISTS WARNED THAT THE VOLCANO KNOWN AS SOUFRIERE HILLS COULD ERUPT AT ANY TIME. CORRESPONDENT JIM TEEPLE REPORTS THE VOLCANO RESEMBLES OTHER EXTREMELY DANGEROUS VOLCANOES WITH DEADLY ERUPTIONS IN THE PAST. (8/23)

TROPICAL STORMS -- TWO HURRICANES IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN ARE CONTINUING THEIR SLOW PROGRESS WESTWARD THURSDAY. CORRESPONDENT JIM TEEPLE REPORTS FROM OUR MIAMI BUREAU, HEAVY RAINS ARE ALSO CAUSING WIDESPREAD FLOODING IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. (8/24)

CHILE / TRADE -- CHILE HAS EXPERIENCED SEVEN PERCENT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR, THANKS TO A BETTER THAN EXPECTED TRADE BALANCE. DETAILS FROM CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK. (8/23)

NAZI / ARGENTINA -- AN ARGENTINE APPEALS COURT HAS RULED AGAINST EXTRADITING A FORMER SS CAPTAIN ACCUSED OF GENOCIDE IN ITALY DURING WORLD WAR II. THE SUSPECT, 81-YEAR-OLD ERICH PRIEBKE FACES ONE MORE LEGAL TEST IN THE CASE. CORRESPONDENT GEORGE MEEK REPORTS. (8/23)

ROMANIA / ECONOMY -- THE ROMANIAN GOVERNMENT HAS RELEASED A 670-PAGE BOOK LISTING ABOUT 4,000 STATE ENTERPRISES THAT ARE DUE TO BE PRIVATIZED TO THE PUBLIC DURING THE NEXT SEVEN MONTHS. CORRESPONDENT BARRY WOOD REPORTS. (8/24)

PIONEER PHOTOGRAPHER / OBIT -- ALFRED EISENSTAEDT, THE VETERAN AMERICAN PHOTOJOURNALIST, IS DEAD. HE WAS 96 YEARS OLD. HE DIED WEDNESDAY WHILE VACATIONING AT MARTHA'S VINEYARD, A RESORT ISLAND OFF THE NORTHEASTERN COAST. CORRESPONDENT MARTIN BUSH REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (8/24)

WOMEN / FERTILITY -- WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD ARE HAVING FEWER CHILDREN AND ARE ENDING MORE THAN ONE QUARTER OF ALL THEIR PREGNANCIES BY ABORTION, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY RELEASED IN NEW YORK. STAFFER MONA GHUNEIM HAS THE STORY. (8/23)

KELLOG CUTS -- THE LARGEST PRODUCER OF COLD BREAKFAST CEREALS, THE KELLOGG COMPANY BASED IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, SAYS A SLOWDOWN IN THE GROWTH OF DEMAND FOR ITS BREAKFAST FOOD HERE IN THE UNITED STATES MAY FORCE IT TO ELIMINATE ABOUT ONE-THOUSAND JOBS. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE COMPANY'S OPERATIONS ARE GROWING STEADILY ABROAD, AS CORRESPONDENT PAUL FRANCUCH REPORTS. (8/23)

INSIDE USA:

WINDOWS '95 -- ON THE DAY OF THE RELEASE OF MICROSOFT WINDOWS '95, STAFFER AHMAD BAHARLOO SILICON VALLEY-BASED IRANIAN-AMERICAN COMPUTER SCIENTIST DR SAEED BOZORG NESBAT. (FARSI 8/24)

WINDOWS '95 -- REPORTER SUSAN CLARK TALKED TO ADAM MYERSON, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR FOR P C COMPUTING MAGAZINE. MR MYERSON SAYS THE SYSTEM MAKES IT EASIER FOR MOST PEOPLE TO USE PC'S AND GETS RID OF CHRONIC WINDOWS PROBLEM. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 8/23)

WW II / 50TH / TALK TO AMERICA -- AS THE WORLD OBSERVES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD WAR II, 'TALK TO AMERICA' GUEST UNCOVERS REAMS OF LONG SECRET DOCUMENTS REVEALING PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN DETAILS ABOUT THE FINAL, CRITICAL MONTHS OF HISTORY'S GREATEST CONFLICT. BRUCE LEE, AUTHOR OF 'MARCHING ORDERS: THE UNTOLD STORY OF WORLD WAR II' HAS STUDIED MORE THAN A MILLION PAGES OF US MILITARY DOCUMENTS DETAILING ALLIED INTELLIGENCE OF ENEMY SECRETS THAT HELPED WIN THE WAR AND HE JOINS US TO DISCUSS THESE INSIGHTS. (ENGLISH 8/24)

WOMEN / MILITARY COLLEGE -- REPORTER SUSAN CLARK TALKED TO CYNTHIA TYSON, PRESIDENT OF MARY BALDWIN COLLEGE IN STAUNTON VIRGINIA, ABOUT THEIR WOMEN'S MILITARY PROGRAM WHICH HAS HELPED VMI ESCAPE ASSAULT BY WOMEN SEEKING A MILITARY EDUCATION. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 8/23)

VIETNAM TRIAL / PROTEST -- STAFFER HOAN DZUONG REPORTS THAT THE ECUMENICAL VIETNAMESE COUNCIL OF RELIGIONS IN AMERICA HAS JOINED THE PROTESTS AGAINST PRISON SENTENCES HANDED DOWN IN SAIGON TO DISSIDENT BUDDHIST LEADER TICH QUANG DO AND FIVE FOLLOWERS. (VIETNAMESE 8/24)

LA / THAI SWEATSHOPS -- FROM LOS ANGELES, STAFFER NITTAYA MAPHUNGPHONG REPORTS THAT FEDERAL AGENTS RAIDED THREE MORE SUSPECTED SWEATSHOPS AND ARRESTED ABOUT 20 THAI AND LAO NATIONALS. SHE ALSO INTERVIEWED ONE OF THE 72 VICTIMS OF THE GARMENT FACTORY RAIDED LAST WEEK WHO WARNED FAMILY MEMBERS BACK HOME NOT TO BE TAKEN IN BY THAI AMBULANCE CHASERS PROMISING BIG BUCKS FROM LITIGATION. (THAI 8/23)

VIETNAMESE / WRITER -- IN ORANGE COUNTY, STRINGER NAM ANH INTERVIEWED DISTINGUISHED WRITER NGUYEN BA TRAC. (VIETNAMESE 8/24)

CHANDRASHEKHAR / OBIT -- STAFFER RASHMI SHUKLA PREPARED AN OBITUARY OF THE NOBEL PRIZE WINNING ASTROPHYSICIST S CHANDRASHEKHAR INCLUDING A PREVIOUS HINDI INTERVIEW WITH THE INDIAN-AMERICAN SCIENTIST. DR CHANDRASHEKHAR PASSED AWAY IN A CHICAGO HOSPITAL. (HINDI 8/23)

UN / 50TH ANNIVERSARY -- THE NEW YORK BRANCH OF BHARTIYA VIDYA BHAWAN IS SPONSORING A SPECIAL PROGRAM OF MUSIC TO COMMEMORATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED NATIONS. STRINGER AMBALIKA MISRA REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (HINDI 8/23)

INDIAN-AMERICAN YOUTH -- A FLORIDA PROFESSOR, SATYASHEEL PACHORI DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF INCULCATING PRIDE OF THEIR CULTURE IN THE ETHNIC INDIAN YOUTH WHO ARE BORN AND GROW UP IN AMERICA. STAFFER KEDAR SHARMA INTERVIEWED MR PACHORI AT A CONFERENCE IN ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, ORGANIZED BY THE BRAHMAN SAMAJ OF NORTH AMERICA. (HINDI 8/23)

SEATTLE / AMERICAN CITIES -- SEATTLE HAS BEEN NAMED THE FOURTH BEST CITY IN THE US, ACCORDING TO MONEY MAGAZINE. GEORGE ZORIN REPORTS FROM SEATTLE, NOTING THE ENORMOUS ROLE PLAYED BY WOMEN IN THE FOUNDING OF THE CITY. (RUSSIAN 8/23)

RUSSIAN AMERICANS -- ELENA ALEXEYEVA, THE CHIEF EDITOR OF THE 'RUSSIAN AMERICAN MAGAZINE' TALKED TO AVIVA LEKUCH ABOUT HER PUBLICATION. (RUSSIAN 8/23)

CONSPIRACY CHARGE / DENIAL -- A SUSPECT IN THE CONSPIRACY TO BOMB SEVERAL LANDMARKS IN NEW YORK DENIED KNOWLEDGE OF THE PLAN. STAFFER MOHAMED ATTIA REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (ARABIC 8/23)

INSIDE AFRICA:

ZAIRE / REFUGEES -- AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL HAS JOINED OTHERS, INCLUDING THE US AND THE UN, IN CONDEMNING ZAIRE'S FORCED REPATRIATION OF RWANDAN REFUGEES. A SMALLER NUMBER OF BURUNDIAN REFUGEES ARE ALSO BEING TRUCKED TO THE BORDER WITH BURUNDI. STAFFER IDRISSA FALL SPOKE TO FRANCIS PERRIN AT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IN PARIS WHO SAID THIS ZAIREAN OPERATION VIOLATES REFUGEE RIGHTS GUARANTEED UNDER UN CONVENTIONS. (FRENCH 8/23)

ZAIRE / REFUGEES / RWANDA -- ZAIRE CONTINUES TO FORCIBLY REPATRIATE RWANDAN REFUGEES THAT HAVE BEEN STAYING IN CAMPS WITHIN ITS BORDERS. FRENCH TO AFRICA INTERN PIERRE MVEMBA DIZOLELE ASKED PHILIPPE LAZARINI, REPRESENTATIVE IN KIGALI OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS WHAT CONDITIONS ARE AWAITING THE REFUGEES IN RWANDA. (FRENCH 8/23)

RWANDA / ANALYSIS -- RWANDA FACES MANY PROBLEMS AS IT TRIES TO RECOVER FROM LAST YEAR'S CIVIL WAR, SUCH AS REFUGEES AND A POOR JUDICIAL SYSTEM. FOR AN ANALYSIS, REPORTER JOE DECAPUA SPOKE WITH CATHERINE NEWBURY, A PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE IN AFRICAN STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/23)

ZAIRE / PRESS -- THE ZAIREAN PRESS HAS BEEN AMONG THE BIGGEST SUPPORTERS OF THE DRIVE TO EXPEL RWANDAN REFUGEES. REPORTER WILLIAM EAGLE SPOKE WITH KILOSHO AMISI OF LA SEMAINE DU REPORTER ("THE WEEKLY REPORTER"); POLYDOR MUBOYAUI OF LE FAR ("SEARCHLIGHT"); MODESTE MUTINGA OF LE POTENTIAL; AND ABEIYE MOBIKO IPAKALA OF LA REFERENCE PLUS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/24)

US / SAF -- STAFFER MAIMOUNA MILLS REPORTS ON THE OFFICIAL VISIT OF US SECRETARY OF ENERGY HAZEL O'LEARY TO SOUTH AFRICA. MS. O'LEARY TOLD MS. MILLS THAT SHE HAD BEEN INVITED BY PRESIDENT MANDELA AND WILL USE HER STAY TO SHOW US SUPPORT FOR A COUNTRY THAT FOUGHT TO ESTABLISH DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM FOR ALL. MS. O'LEARY WILL ALSO MEET WITH ENERGY SECTOR LEADERS TO STUDY US-SOUTH AFRICAN COOPERATION AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES AS SHE WILL INAUGURATE A SOLAR POWER PLANT AROUND JOHANNESBURG AND KIMBERLY. (FRENCH 8/23)

SAO TOME / COUP -- SAO TOME'S FORMER PRESIDENT, MANUEL PINTO DA COSTA, DENIED IN A STATEMENT RELEASED WEDNESDAY AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN SAO TOME, THAT HE IS BEHIND THE COUP STAGED BY THE MILITARY. HE MADE THE STATEMENT IN AN APPARENT RESPONSE TO CHARGES MADE BY PRESIDENT MIGUEL TROVOADA. PINTO DA COSTA ALSO SAID THAT HE IS WILLING TO RECONSIDER NOT RUNNING FOR THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IF THIS CONTRIBUTES TO THE STABILITY OF THE COUNTRY. STAFFER OVIDIO PEQUENO AND SAN TOMEAN JOURNALIST DIOGENES CRAVID REPORT. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 8/24)

BOUTROS-GHALI / LISBON -- UN SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI IS VISITING PORTUGAL. DURING HIS VISIT MR. BOUTROS-GHALI WILL DISCUSS WITH PORTUGUESE AUTHORITIES THE PEACE PROCESS IN ANGOLA AND THE SITUATION IN MOZAMBIQUE AND EAST TIMOR. STAFFER ANA GUEDES REPORTS. (PORTUGUESE TO AFRICA 8/24)

KENYA / CRIME -- SWAHILI STRINGER M G JOEL REPORTS ON REACTION TO THE ESCALATING CRIME SITUATION IN KENYA AS WELL AS THE REWARD OFFERED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR ANY INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST OF THREE GANGSTERS IN NAIROBI. (SWAHILI 8/23)

TANZANIA / NAMIBIA -- TANZANIA'S PRESIDENT ALI HASSAN MWINYI WILL VISIT NAMIBIA NEXT WEEK TO OFFICIATE AT THE TRADE FAIR. SWAHILI STRINGER WILLIAM NYOKA REPORTS FROM WINDHOEK. (SWAHILI 8/23)

NYERERE / ZIMBABWE -- SWAHILI STAFFER AIKA ELINEWINGA AND STRINGER ACADOGA CHILEDI IN HARARE REPORT ON JULIUS NYERERE'S VISIT TO ZIMBABWE. MR. NYERERE IS IN ZIMBABWE TO SECURE FUNDS FOR HIS SOUTH COMMISSION WHICH IS EXPECTED TO MOVE ITS HEADQUARTERS FROM GENEVA TO DAR ES SALAAM NEXT YEAR. (SWAHILI 8/23)

NIGERIA / STATE CREATION THREAT -- HAUSA STRINGER SANI ABDULLAHI REPORTS THAT PEOPLE IN THE FORMER SARDAUNA PROVINCE HAVE THREATENED TO SECEDE FROM NIGERIA AND RETURN TO CAMEROON IF THEIR REQUEST FOR A NEW STATE IS NOT CONSIDERED. THE OLD SARDAUNA PROVINCE ENCOMPASSES LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS FROM TARABA AND YOBE STATES AND WAS PART OF CAMEROON UNTIL A REFERENDUM MERGED THEM WITH NIGERIA IN 1961. THEY HAVE BEEN AGITATING FOR A NEW STATE SINCE 1976. (HAUSA 8/24)

NIGERIA / EASTERN DISCONTENT -- ETHNIC GROUPS FROM EASTERN NIGERIA HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR DISSATISFACTION OVER HOW THE PRESENT MILITARY ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT INVOLVED THEM IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS. HAUSA STRINGER AHMED MOHAMMAD WALAM HAS MORE FROM LAGOS. (HAUSA 8/24)

NIGERIA / ABIOLA BIRTHDAY -- NIGERIAN BUSINESSMAN AND POLITICIAN CHIEF MOSHOOD ABIOLA OBSERVED HIS 58TH BIRTHDAY IN PRISON. THOUSANDS CONGREGATED AROUND HIS RESIDENCE IN LAGOS. REPORTER ASHENAFI ABEDJE SPEAKS WITH REPORTER CHINEDU OFFOR IN LAGOS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/24)

NIGERIA / OPPOSITION -- A NIGERIAN PRO-DEMOCRACY GROUP SAYS IT IS PLANNING MASS PROTESTS AGAINST THE COUNTRY'S MILITARY GOVERNMENT. REPORTER CHINEDU OFFOR HAS DETAILS FROM LAGOS. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/23)

NIGERIA CONSTITUTION / OPPOSITION -- CITIZENS OF RIVERS STATE UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE ALL RIVERS FORUM HAVE SAID THEY SEE NO REASON TO DEBATE OR AMEND THE CONSTITUTION WHICH HAS BEEN SENT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY FOR DEBATE. MEANWHILE, SOME TRADITIONAL RULERS IN NIGER STATE HAVE EXPRESSED OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE ON THE CONSTITUTION. CRITICS OF THE MEETING CONTEND THAT IT IS A DELIBERATE ATTEMPT BY THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT TO DELAY TRANSITION TO A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. HAUSA STRINGER BABANGIDA JIBIRIN REPORTS. (HAUSA 8/23)

NIGERIA / COUP PLOTTERS SENTENCE DELAY -- DEFENSE HEADQUARTERS ISSUED A STATEMENT EXPLAINING WHY NIGERIAN MILITARY RULER GENERAL SANI ABACHA IS DELAYING TAKING A FINAL DECISION ON THE SENTENCES HANDED DOWN TO OVER 40 PEOPLE FOR THEIR ROLES IN AN ALLEGED COUP PLOT. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH HAUSA STRINGER AHMED MOHAMMED KWALAM, MILITARY SPOKESMAN, BRIGADIER GENERAL FRED CHIJUKA EXPLAINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS STILL REVIEWING THE CASE. (HAUSA 8/23)

GHANA / WELTERWEIGHT CROWN -- THE WBA WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION, IKE QUARTEY OF GHANA, SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS HIS TITLE BY A FOURTH ROUND TECHNICAL KNOCKOUT OF ANDREW MURRAY OF BRITISH GUYANA. STAFFER RICHARD KOTEY IN WASHINGTON REPORTS AND STAFFER GEORGE OLA-DAVIS HAS FURTHER DETAILS FROM LE CANNET ROCHEVILLE IN FRANCE. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/24)

SIERRA LEONE / JOURNALISTS DETAINED -- THE SIERRA LEONE GOVERNMENT DETAINS TWO JOURNALISTS FOR ALLEGEDLY PUBLISHING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION. REPORTER KELVIN LEWIS HAS DETAILS FROM FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/24)

ETHIOPIA / PRIME MINISTER -- ETHIOPIA'S NEW PRIME MINISTER, MELES ZENAWI, LAID OUT HIS PLANS FOR THE COUNTRY IN AN ADDRESS TO THE NATION WEDNESDAY. REPORTER LAEKE MARIAM DEMESSIE HAS DETAILS FROM ADDIS ABABA. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/23)

ZAMBIA / RWANDA REFUGEES -- A RWANDAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL HAS ASKED REFUGEES LIVING IN ZAMBIA TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. REPORTER KELLYS KAUNDA HAS THE STORY FROM LUSAKA. (ENGLISH TO AFRICA 8/23)

NIGER / BLOOD SHORTAGES -- AT LEAST 14 PREGNANT WOMEN HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED DEAD AND SEVERAL OTHERS NEAR DEATH AS HOSPITALS AND BLOOD BANKS FACE SEVERE BLOOD SHORTAGES IN NIGER REPUBLIC. HAUSA STRINGER LAWAL BOUCAR REPORTS. (HAUSA 8/23)

NIGER / PARTY CRISES -- ANDP-ZAMAN LAFIYA, WHICH IS THE FOURTH LARGEST POLITICAL PARTY IN NIGER REPUBLIC IS FACING A SERIOUS INTRA-PARTY SPLIT. DURING THE PARTY'S ANNUAL MEETING IN NIAMEY ON WEDNESDAY, SOME MEMBERS OF THE PARTY EXPRESSED THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE PARTY'S CONTINUED MEMBERSHIP IN IFC, A LARGE UMBRELLA POLITICAL GROUPING WHICH SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT. EVEN THOUGH THIS FACTION EXPRESSED ITS CONTINUED LOYALTY TO THE PARTY LEADER MOUMOUNI DJERMAKOYE, THEY SAID HE CAN NO LONGER CONTINUE TO TIE THE PARTY TO THE IFC. HAUSA STRINGER LAWAL BOUKAR REPORTS FROM NIAMEY. (HAUSA 8/24)

RWANDA / REFUGEES -- REPORTER TERRY WING SPOKE WITH HIRAM RUIZ, POLICY ANALYST WITH THE US COMMITTEE ON REFUGEES IN WASHINGTON. HE SAYS THERE MAY BE A POSITIVE SIDE TO THE RWANDAN REPATRIATION. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 8/23)

INSIDE MIDEAST:

IRAQ / DEFECTORS -- THE IRAQI GOVERNMENT HAS DENIED FORMER IRAQI MINISTER OF INDUSTRIES, HUSSEIN KAMEL'S ALLEGATIONS THAT IRAQ WAS PLANNING TO INVADE KUWAIT AND SAUDI ARABIA. CORRESPONDENT MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 8/23)

HUSSEIN / IRAQ -- IN A NATIONWIDE TELEVISED SPEECH, KING HUSSEIN OF JORDAN STRESSED HIS SUPPORT FOR IRAQI DEFECTOR GENERAL HUSSEIN KAMEL WHO TOOK REFUGE IN JORDAN. CORRESPONDENT MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 8/23)

IRAQ / EKEUS -- UN CHIEF INSPECTOR ROLF EKEUS SAYS IRAQ NO LONGER HAS CHEMICAL WEAPONS OR LONG RANGE BALLISTIC WEAPONS WHICH THREATEN THE REGION. REPORTER JUMANA TAMIMI HAS DETAILS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 8/23)

IRAQ / DEFECTORS -- IRAQ DENIED ALLEGATIONS BY FORMER MINISTER OF INDUSTRIALIZATION GENERAL HUSSEIN KAMEL THAT IRAQ WAS PLANNING TO INVADE KUWAIT AND SAUDI ARABIA. REPORTER MOHAMED SETOUHI AND CORRESPONDENT MAHMOUD ZAWAWI DISCUSS THE ISSUE. (ARABIC 8/23)

IRAQ / SANCTIONS COMMITTEE -- THE UN SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON IRAQ SAID IT WOULD FOLLOW NEW PROCEDURES ON THE IRAQI SITUATION. STAFFER MOHAMED ATTIA REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (ARABIC 8/23)

IRAQ / SANCTIONS -- STAFFER JEAN-CLAUDE ANDRE ASKED BASWA KODMANI DARWICH AT THE FRENCH INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS WHETHER THE RECENT DECLARATIONS BY ROLF EKEUS, THE UN WEAPONS INSPECTOR FOR IRAQ MIGHT HASTEN THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS AGAINST THAT COUNTRY. MS. KODMANI DARWICH POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT, AS ROLF EKEUS HAD MADE CLEAR, THAT ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY IRAQ BE INDEPENDENTLY VERIFIED. (FRENCH 8/23)

IRAN / PLO -- IRAN REJECTED CHAIRMAN ARAFAT'S ACCUSATIONS THAT TEHRAN SUPPORTS BOMBINGS IN ISRAEL BY ISLAMIC MOVEMENTS. CORRESPONDENT MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 8/23)

LEBANON / ISRAEL -- ISRAELI WARPLANES HAVE RAIDED LEBANESE RESISTANCE BASES IN SOUTH LEBANON AS CLASHES TOOK PLACE BETWEEN RESISTANCE AND SOUTH LEBANON MILITIA. CORRESPONDENT MAHMOUD ZAWAWI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 8/23)

PALESTINIAN SELF-RULE / FINAL STAGE -- WALEED SADEQ, A MEMBER OF THE ISRAELI KNESSET COMMENTS, IN AN INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY REPORTER HAYAT ALKHATEEB, ON PRESIDENT WEISMAN'S CALL FOR ABANDONING THE STEP-BY-STEP NEGOTIATIONS AND GOING TO THE FINAL STAGE FOR PALESTINIAN SELF RULE. (ARABIC 8/23)

EGYPT / ISRAEL / POW'S -- SAAD MORTADA, A FORMER EGYPTIAN AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL COMMENTS ON PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK'S CALL ON ISRAEL TO INVESTIGATE DISCLOSURES THAT EGYPTIAN WAR PRISONERS WERE KILLED BY ISRAELI SOLDIERS. REPORTER MOHAMED EL SETOUHI INTERVIEWED THE FORMER AMBASSADOR. (ARABIC 8/23)

EGYPTIAN POW'S / REACTION -- THE EGYPTIAN PUBLIC HAVE REACTED ANGRILY TO NEWS THAT ISRAELI SOLDIERS KILLED EGYPTIAN WAR PRISONERS AND CALLED ON PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK TO RECONSIDER RELATIONS WITH ISRAEL. MOHAMED SETOUHI REPORTS. (ARABIC 8/23)

ALGERIA / VIOLENCE -- ALGERIA TOLD THE UN THAT VIOLENCE IN THE COUNTRY DOES NOT TARGET FOREIGNERS. MOHAMED ATTIA REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. (ARABIC 8/23)

OIL / UAE -- INDUSTRIAL SOURCES IN UAE SAY ABU DHABI IS PLANNING TO INCREASE ITS OIL PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES IN THE NEAR FUTURE. JUMANA TAMIMI REPORTS FROM AMMAN. (ARABIC 8/23)

CAIRO / THEATER FESTIVAL -- FORTY ARAB AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES ARE PLANNING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SEVENTH FESTIVAL OF THE EXPERIMENTAL THEATER IN CAIRO NEXT MONTH. REPORTER HASSAN SHAMS HAS DETAILS FROM CAIRO. (ARABIC 8/23)

PAKISTAN / AFGHAN / AIRSPACE -- PAKISTAN HAS PROTESTED TO AFGHANISTAN OVER WHAT IT TERMED VIOLATION OF ITS AIR SPACE BY AFGHAN JET FIGHTERS. DARI STRINGER ABDUL HAI WARSHAN REPORTS THAT AFGHAN CHARGE ABDUL RAHIM WAS SUMMONED TO THE FOREIGN MINISTRY AND WARNED ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES IF THE VIOLATION IS REPEATED. ISLAMABAD CLAIMS THAT AFGHAN PLANES DROPPED BOMBS YESTERDAY ON RESIDENTIAL AREAS IN THE BORDER TOWN OF PARACHINAR AS THEY WERE ATTACKING POSITIONS OF A RIVAL FORCE NEAR THE PAKISTANI BORDER. (DARI, PASHTO 8/24)

INSIDE CENTRAL ASIA:

AZERBAIJAN / EDUCATION -- SINCE INDEPENDENCE IN 1991, PRIVATE EDUCATION IN AZERBAIJAN HAS EXPANDED QUICKLY, AND 135 PRIVATE EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS NOW OPERATE THROUGHOUT AZERBAIJAN. AZERI STRINGER RAFAEL HUSAINOV INTERVIEWED THE HEAD OF THE COMMITTEE FOR PRIVATE EDUCATION IN THE AZERI PARLIAMENT, PROFESSOR RAUF ISMAILOV. (AZERI 8/24)

INSIDE SOUTH ASIA:

INDIA / CHINA -- INDIA'S MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, RL BHATIA SAYS THE LATEST ROUND OF TALKS IN NEW DELHI BETWEEN INDIA AND CHINA, WHICH RESULTED IN AGREEMENT ON TROOP PULL BACK AT FOUR FRONTIER POSTS, WAS A BIG STEP TOWARD RESOLVING THE BORDER DISPUTE. STAFFER BHAGWAN PRAKASH INTERVIEWED THE INDIAN OFFICIAL. (HINDI 8/23)

INSIDE EAST ASIA:

DISSIDENT DING ZILIN DETAINED -- WELL KNOWN DISSIDENT DING ZILIN, A PROFESSOR AT PEOPLE'S UNIVERSITY IN BEIJING, TOGETHER WITH HER HUSBAND JIANG PEIKUN, ALSO A PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY HAVE DISAPPEARED IN SOUTHERN CHINA'S WUXI CITY, JIANGSU PROVINCE. SOURCES CLOSE TO THE COUPLE SAY THAT IT IS HIGHLY POSSIBLE THAT THE PROFESSORS WERE TAKEN AWAY BY AUTHORITIES WHO ARE SO UPSET BY THE REPEATED APPEALS BY THE COUPLE TO INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR HELP CRITICIZING THE GOVERNMENT FOR ITS SUPPRESSION IN TIANANMEN SIX YEARS AGO IN WHICH THE COUPLE LOST THEIR ONLY SON, 17-YEAR-OLD JIANG JIELIAN. (MANDARIN 8/24)

HARRY WU SENTENCE / REACT -- HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST HARRY WU, WHO WAS DETAINED IN JUNE BY CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON CHARGES OF ESPIONAGE AND STEALING STATE SECRETS, WAS SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON. WU'S WIFE SAID IN A NEWS CONFERENCE THAT SHE WILL CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE FOR HIS RELEASE. CHINESE DEMOCRATIC GROUPS IN THE LA AREA HAVE VOICED THEIR SUPPORT. INTERVIEW WITH DING YUAN, SPOKESPERSON, SILICON VALLEY FOR DEMOCRACY IN CHINA; MA DAWEI, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERATION FOR A DEMOCRATIC CHINA AND PREVIOUS INTERVIEW WITH WU'S W

[02] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NO SINGLE TOPIC DOMINATES THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS THURSDAY, SO THE NATION'S READERS HAVE A WIDE FIELD OF COMMENTARIES TO PONDER AS AUGUST BEGINS DRAWING TO A CLOSE. AMONG TODAY'S TOPICS ARE: THE LINGERING CLOUD OF WHITEWATER OVER THE CLINTONS; THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA; THE COUNTER-TERRORIST SCANDAL IN SPAIN; EVENTS IN LIBERIA, MALI AND SENEGAL; THE UPCOMING U-N WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IN CHINA, AND THE MUCH HERALDED INTRODUCTION OF WINDOWS 95 SOFTWARE FOR PERSONAL COMPUTERS. FOR SOME DETAILS, HERE IS _________________

TEXT: TODAY'S "DENVER POST" LEADS ITS EDITORIAL COLUMN WITH THE HEADLINE: "WHITEWATER SHADOW TRAILS BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON", NOTING:

VOICE: "THERE'S STILL NO SMOKING GUN [SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE] LYING AT THE FEET OF BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON, BECAUSE NO ONE YET CAN PROVE THEY KNEW ABOUT PURPORTED WRONGDOING IN THE WHITEWATER MESS. YET IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE FIRST FAMILY TO SHAKE THE GUILT BY ASSOCIATION THAT COMES WITH HAVING THEIR BUSINESS PARTNERS INDICTED OVER AN INVESTMENT IN WHICH THEY ALSO HAD AN INTEREST. ..... [OPT] THE S&L [SAVINGS AND LOAN] SCANDALS, OF WHICH THE WHITEWATER AFFAIR AND MADISON GUARANTEE'S FAILURE WERE A PART, REALLY FORM INDICTMENTS OF THE INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MODERN POLITICS AND BIG MONEY." [END OPT]

TEXT: "NEWSDAY" ON LONG ISLAND ECHOES THOSE SENTIMENTS, SUGGESTING:

VOICE: "WHEN THE WHITEWATER GRAND JURY HANDED UP A NEW BATCH OF INDICTMENTS LAST WEEK, THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR IN THE CASE WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT TWO PEOPLE 'WEREN'T' [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] AMONG THE ACCUSED: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND HIS WIFE, HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON. GOOD NEWS FOR THE FIRST COUPLE? NOT VERY. ... THE PROSECUTOR [KENNETH STARR] WON'T HAVE THE LAST WORD ON THE CLINTONS' CULPABILITY IN THE WHITEWATER CASE. THAT WILL BE UP TO THE VOTERS AND PERHAPS TO A JURY."

TEXT: SPEAKING OF THE FUNERAL FOR THE THREE HIGH-LEVEL AMERICAN OFFICIALS KILLED IN BOSNIA WHILE ON A PEACE MISSION, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" QUESTIONS U-S POLICY IN THE BALKANS WITH THESE REMARKS:

VOICE: "AT THE FUNERAL SERVICE ... SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER READ A MEMO FROM ROBERT FRASURE, WHO ... WAS VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN BOSNIA DURING THE 13 MONTHS HE SPENT CARTING (PEACE) PROPOSALS BACK AND FORTH. MR. FRASURE LIKENED THE EXPERIENCE TO NEGOTIATING A WILD RIVER IN A RAFT: 'WE NEED TO DECIDE WHAT WATERFALL WE WANT TO GO OVER,' HE WROTE TO HIS SUPERIORS. WELL, THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS NEVER BEEN PREPARED TO MAKE THE DECISION TO TAKE A PLUNGE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, AND THREE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS HAVE NOW PAID THE PRICE."

TEXT: "THE BALTIMORE SUN" SEES U-S ACTIONS, AND INTENTIONS, IN BOSNIA IN A MORE POSITIVE LIGHT:

VOICE: "THE FINEST TRIBUTE TO THE THREE AMERICAN OFFICIALS KILLED LAST WEEKEND AS THEY SOUGHT TO NEGOTIATE A SETTLEMENT AMONG SERBS, CROATS AND MUSLIMS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WOULD BE A RAPID AND SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION TO THEIR MISSION. PRESIDENT CLINTON'S DETERMINATION TO PURSUE SUCH A COURSE AFTER ATTENDING THEIR FUNERAL YESTERDAY REFLECTS A NEW SPIRIT OF LEADERSHIP AND OPTIMISM IN U-S CIRCLES."

TEXT: THE SCANDAL THREATENING THE REGIME OF SPANISH PRIME MINISTER FELIPE GONZALEZ OVER ALLEGATIONS HE KNEW OF A SPANISH DEATH SQUAD TASKED TO KILL BASQUE TERRORISTS IN FRANCE DURING THE 1980S, DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE.

VOICE: "AS A SPANISH MAGISTRATE'S PROBE INTO STATE-SPONSORED DEATH SQUADS CREEPS EVER CLOSER TO PRIME MINISTER ... GONZALEZ, THE DANGERS OF FIGHTING FIRE WITH FIRE BECOME MORE APPARENT... THE TRAGIC UPSHOT [CONSEQUENCE; IN THIS CASE, OF THE REVELATIONS] IS THAT POPULAR SUPPORT FOR ETA [INITIALS OF THE BASQUE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION] IS REPORTEDLY GROWING AS EVIDENCE MOUNTS THAT THE HIGHEST MEMBERS OF GOVERNMENT WERE WILLING TO EMPLOY TERRORIST TACTICS THEMSELVES. "

TEXT: DEVELOPMENTS IN THREE AFRICAN NATIONS ARE DRAWING EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM SEVERAL PAPERS. "THE WASHINGTON POST" RAISES AN EDITORIAL QUESTION WITH THIS HEADLINE: "IS THERE HOPE FOR LIBERIA?" THE PAPER ANSWERS BY CITING THE RECENT AGREEMENT OF AN ARMISTACE.

VOICE: "... OVER THE WEEKEND, ALL THE LEADERS OF WARRING FACTIONS IN LIBERIA AGREED TO END FIVE YEARS OF BLOODY CIVIL WAR AND TO INSTALL A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN MONROVIA. GIVEN LIBERIA'S IMPRESSIVE TRACK RECORD OF SOLEMN PLEDGES AND BROKEN PROMISES, IT WOULD BE GREAT NEWS -- BUT SOMETHING OF A WONDER -- IF [THE] VENTURE COMES TO PASS. [OPT] ... THE MAN LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIVE-YEAR CONFLAGRATION, WARLORD CHARLES TAYLOR, HAS AGREED TO STOP FIGHTING AND ADD HIS SIGNATURE TO THE ACCORD. IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER A DEAL BEARING MR. TAYLOR'S NAME IS WORTH THE PAPER IT IS WRITTEN ON, ESPECIALLY SINCE HE HAS HELPED RUIN MORE THAN TEN EARLIER SIGNED AGREEMENTS. THIS TIME, HOWEVER, WITH A GUARANTEED SPOT ON THE INTERIM RULING NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE, MR. TAYLOR SEEMS WILLING TO HOLD HIS FIRE."

TEXT: "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SEES A CRIMINAL PROCEEDING AGAINST MALAWI'S PRESIDENT BANDA AS A POSSIBLE LESSON FOR SOME OTHER LONG-TERM NATIONAL LEADERS:

VOICE: "THE TRIAL OF MALAWI'S FORMER PRESIDENT-FOR-LIFE HASTINGS BANDA FOR CRIMES DURING 30 YEARS IN POWER SHOULD BE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL FOR OTHER LEADERS AND PARTIES TOO LONG IN THE SADDLE [POWER]. THAT INCLUDES FIDEL CASTRO (36 YEARS), BURMA'S SLORC MILITARY JUNTA (33) MEXICO'S P-R-I RULING PARTY (66) ZAIRE'S MOBUTU SESE SEKO ... (30) AND ... NORTH KOREA'S COMMUNIST [PARTY] ... IT'S A GOOD SAMPLING OF REGIMES THAT REMIND US OF ONE OF THE GREAT VALUES OF DEMOCRACY: GOVERNMENT THAT REJUVENATES ITSELF BY CHANGING HANDS AT THE BEHEST OF THE GOVERNED."

TEXT: ANOTHER NEW ENGLAND DAILY, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD "IN MAINE, COMMENTS ON POLITICS IN SENEGAL FOLLOWING A VISIT TO PORTLAND BY SOME HIGH SENEGALESE OFFICIALS THIS WEEK.

VOICE: "THE HARMATTAN, THE WESTERLY WIND OFF THE SAHARA THAT BLOWS BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND MARCH, DRAWS A DUSTY VEIL OVER DAKAR, THE WESTERNMOST POINT IN AFRICA. IT IS A METAPHOR FOR POLITICS IN THE SENEGALESE CAPITAL. MARCEL BASSENE, SENIOR MEMBER OF A GROUP OF FIVE SENEGALESE PARLIAMENTARIANS WHO VISITED PORTLAND THIS WEEK, SAID SENEGAL'S DEMOCRACY WAS SECURE. [BUT] NO ONE REALLY KNOWS. THE VISITING PARLIAMENTARIANS SAID THE NEW COALITION GOVERNMENT IS WORKING WELL. IN SENEGAL, THE HARMATTAN IS PAST. THE VEIL OVER SENEGALESE POLITICS, HOWEVER, REMAINS."

TEXT: A CONTROVERSY WITH BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS IS CENTERS ON WHETHER FIRST LADY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON WILL ATTEND THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON WOMEN OPENING IN BEIJING EARLY NEXT MONTH. "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" THINKS IT'S A BAD IDEA AND SAYS SHE SHOULD "UNPACK HER BAGS FOR BEIJING": VOICE; "WERE THE CONFERENCE BEING HELD, SAY, IN NEW ZEALAND, HER PRESENCE WOULD BE A SPLENDID PLUS. ... BUT IN BEIJING, THE FIRST LADY'S PRESENCE IS MORE LIKELY TO DETRACT FROM THE SUBJECT AT HAND. ...... THE PRESENCE AT THE WOMEN'S CONFERENCE OF A FIRST LADY WHO IS VIEWED AS HER HUSBAND'S PARTNER IS ANOTHER MATTER. IT COULD NOT BE DIVORCED FROM THE LARGER ISSUES. ..... FAR BETTER FOR HER TO STAY HOME, MAKING IT CLEAR THAT THE UNITED STATES FINDS CHINA'S BEHAVIOR DEPLORABLE."

TEXT: "USA TODAY" ON THE OTHER HAND, SAYS THOSE OPPOSED TO MRS. CLINTON'S PARTICIPATION IN THE WOMEN'S CONFERENCE ARE MISSING THE POINT:

VOICE: "LETS TALK REALITY. CHINA IS NOT GOING TO STOP ITS ABUSES SIMPLY BECAUSE THE FIRST LADY BOYCOTTS THIS CONFERENCE. [OPT] AS A MATTER OF FACT, SUCH AN AFFRONT MIGHT MAKE BEIJING EVEN LESS INCLINED TO REVERSE THE LATEST OUTRAGE, THE ARREST AND JAILING OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST HARRY WU, A NATURALIZED AMERICAN CITIZEN. [END OPT] THAT DOES NOT MEAN CHINA'S ABUSES SHOULD BE IGNORED. BUT IN TRADE AND POLITICS, THE U-S HAS OPTED FOR 'CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT' ON THE THEORY THAT THE ONLY WAY TO REFORM THIS COMMUNIST RELIC IS TO DO BUSINESS WITH IT. THE SAME LOGIC SHOULD APPLY TO THE WOMEN'S CONFERENCE."

TEXT: IN THE MIDWEST, "THE ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH" SAYS OF JAPAN'S RECENT APOLOGY FOR ITS AGGRESSIONS IN WORLD WAR TWO:

VOICE: "TRUE, THE APOLOGY DOESN'T CHANGE THE PAST, AND IT WON'T LEAD TO REPARATIONS, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT EVEN SO. TO APOLOGIZE IS TO ADMIT WRONGDOING, WHICH IS THE ONLY WAY JAPAN COULD SET THE HISTORICAL RECORD STRAIGHT AND OWN UP TO ITS OWN PAST."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, ABOUT THE MUCH-HERALDED INTRODUCTION OF A NEW SOFTWARE PACKAGE CALLED WINDOWS 95 WHICH WILL ALLOW PERSONAL COMPUTERS TO DO MANY MORE CHORES MUCH EASIER, "THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD" EXCLAIMS:

VOICE: "MICROSOFT CORPORATION ... IS SPENDING 200-MILLION DOLLARS TO PROMOTE IT WORLDWIDE, WITH PARTIES, COMMERCIALS AND SHEER HYPE. WHY? WINDOWS 95 REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF COMPUTING POWER, AND MAY HAVE OTHER PROBLEMS, BUT IT ALSO HAS CONSIDERABLE PROMISE. IF IT LIVES UP TO THAT PROMISE, MILLIONS WILL FIND PERSONAL COMPUTERS MORE ACCESSIBLE -- AND WILL BOOST THEIR PRODUCTIVITY BY DOING MORE WORK WITH LESS EFFORT THAN EVER BEFORE. THAT'S THE KIND OF LEAP AMERICANS WILL NEED TO COMPETE IN THE COMING CENTURY."

TEXT: AND ON THAT HISTORIC, YET TECHNOLOGICAL, NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE EDITORIALS RUNNING IN SOME OF TODAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.

NEB/ANG/PCH

24-Aug-95 11:44 AM EDT (1544 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT !!!

UN TROOPS / CROATIA -- THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS IS PROPOSING WITHDRAWING MOST OF THE UN TROOPS DEPLOYED IN CROATIA. CORRESPONDENT LAURI NEFF SAYS UN OFFICIALS BELIEVE CROATIA'S RECENT SUCCESSFUL OFFENSIVE AGAINST REBEL SERBS HAVE MADE THE GROUND TROOPS UNNECESSARY. (8/24)

UN EXITS GORAZDE -- A UKRAINIAN CONTINGENT OF UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPERS HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE MUSLIM ENCLAVE, GORAZDE, A UN DECLARED SAFE AREA IN EASTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. A PROMINENT INTERNATIONAL AID ORGANIZATION IS COMPLAINING THE PEOPLE OF GORAZDE ARE BEING LEFT UNDEFENDED. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (8/24)

BOSNIA / US -- BOSNIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MUHAMED SACIRBEY SAYS THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA COULD SUFFER UNLESS THE US CONGRESS ACTS TO LIFT THE ARMS EMBARGO ON BOSNIA. CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS. (8/24)

CLINTON / BOSNIA -- PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS MOVED TO RESTART THE US DIPLOMATIC INITIATIVE ON BOSNIA, NAMING NEW MEMBERS TO A NEGOTIATING TEAM DEPLETED BY A FATAL ROAD ACCIDENT LAST WEEKEND. SENIOR US OFFICIALS WILL RETURN TO EUROPE FOR TALKS EARLY NEXT WEEK. CORRESPONDENT DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS. (8/23)

CROATIA / KRAJINA REFUGEES -- WHILE THE EVACUATION OF REMAINING KRAJINA SERBS CONTINUES, CROATIAN OFFICIALS DENY CHARGES OF SYSTEMATIC DESTRUCTION OF SERBIAN PROPERTY AND THE KILLING OF SERBIAN CIVILIANS BY CROATIAN ARMY. HOWEVER, THEY ADMIT THAT THERE ARE ISOLATED CASES OF BURNING OF SERBIAN HOMES BY, WHAT CROATIAN OFFICIALS CALL, UNCONTROLLABLE ELEMENTS. STRINGER S SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 8/23)

SERB REFUGEES / REACT -- THE RESETTLEMENT OF LIMITED NUMBER OF SERBIAN REFUGEES FROM KRAJINA IN KOSOVO HAS TRIGGERED NEGATIVE REACTION BY SOME COUNTRIES, INCLUDING ALBANIA. BUT SERBIAN OPPOSITION PARTIES CLAIM THAT SERBIA HAS LEGAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO SETTLE REFUGEES WHEREVER IT WISHES ON ITS TERRITORY. STRINGER D BISENIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 8/23)

MONTENEGRO / KRAJINA -- MONTENEGRIN PRESIDENT M BULATOVIC SAYS THAT THE REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA (SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO) WILL NOT ALLOW ITSELF TO BE DRAWN IN THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT. HE ALSO ACCUSED THE LEADERSHIP OF SERBIAN KRAJINA FOR THE FALL OF THE AREA TO THE CROATIAN FORCES. STRINGER B DJUKIC REPORTS FROM PODGORICA. (SERBIAN 8/23)

SARAJEVO / SERB GENERAL -- THE UNOFFICIAL BOSNIAN SERB NEWS AGENCY HAS ACCUSED THE DEPUTY COMMANDER OF BOSNIAN SERBS FORCES, GENERAL MILAN GVERO OF CREATING THE SPLIT BETWEEN POLITICAL LEADER R KARADZIC AND MILITARY COMMANDER R MLADIC. GENERAL GVERO IS ACCUSED FOR TRYING TO DEEPEN THE RIFT BETWEEN THE TWO BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY OF SERBIA, LED BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. STRINGER B KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 8/23)

SARAJEVO / FIGHTING -- NEW CLASHES BETWEEN BOSNIAN AND SERBIAN FORCES NORTH-EAST OF SARAJEVO CLAIM SEVERAL CIVILIAN CASUALTIES ON BOTH SIDES. AT THE SAME TIME, SIX EGYPTIAN SOLDIERS OF THE UN PROTECTION FORCE WERE WOUNDED IN THE EXPLOSION OF ONE SHELL FIRED FROM BOSNIAN SERB POSITIONS. STRINGER B KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 8/22)

HELSINKI COMMITTEE / KRAJINA -- REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INTERNATIONAL HELSINKI COMMITTEE WHO SPENT SEVERAL DAYS IN KNIN HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE IN ZAGREB. A SPOKESMAN CLAIMED THAT AROUND 80% OF SERBIAN HOMES IN THE AREA WERE LOOTED AND BURNT AND OVER A HUNDRED OF CIVILIANS WERE FOUND DEAD. STRINGER S SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 8/22)

EU / SERB REFUGEES -- THE EU COMMISSIONER FOR HUMANITARIAN AID, EMMA BONINO SAID EU WILL PROVIDE AID TO SERBIAN REFUGEES AND THE CONVOY OF REFUGEES FROM KRAJINA THAT DISAPPEARED ON THE WAY FROM ZAGREB TO BELGRADE. MS BONINO SAID THAT A PART OF THAT CONVOY, ABOUT FOUR THOUSAND REFUGEES, HAS BEEN LOCATED IN THE VILLAGE OF LIPOVAC. STRINGER M KUBUROVIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 8/22)

SERECI / SKOPJE -- ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALFRED SERECI ENDED HIS OFFICIAL VISIT TO MACEDONIA. AT THE END OF HIS TALKS WITH HIS COUNTERPART STEVO CRVENKOVSKI, THE TWO SIDES SAID THEY DO NOT RECOGNIZE ANY CHANGES OF REGIONAL BORDERS BY FORCE OR SO-CALLED ETHNIC CLEANSING. STRINGER Z BAJIC REPORTS FROM SKOPJE. (SERBIAN 8/22)

SACIRBEY / EU -- BOSNIA FOREIGN MINISTER M SACIRBEY SAID THE US PEACE INITIATIVE CONTAINS A VERY IMPORTANT ELEMENT, NAMELY THE MECHANISM OF THREAT TO ANY SIDE THAT WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL. HE ALSO CALLED FOR A PLAN OF RECONSTRUCTION OF BOSNIA WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF EUROPE, THE UNITED STATES, AND JAPAN. STRINGER D BLAGOJEVIC REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. (SERBIAN 8/22)

BOSNIA / DIPLOMACY -- REPORTER TERRY WING SPEAKS TO STEVEN BERG, A POLITICAL SCIENTIST AT BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY IN WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS. HE SAYS IT'S HARD TO TELL WHAT KIND OF SET-BACK THE DEATHS OF THE AMERICAN DIPLOMATS HAS OR WILL HAVE ON THE PEACE PROCESS. HE SAYS THERE WILL BE NO PEACE WITHOUT PARTITION OF BOSNIA. HE SAYS THE FACT THAT NATO IS NOT TARGETING THE SERBS ATTACKING THE UN SAFE HAVENS IS A SIGN THAT WE'RE ON THE VERGE OF A POSSIBLE AGREEMENT. (ENGLISH NEWS PROGRAMS 8/23)

BOSNIA / UNPROFOR -- STAFFER MAHAMAT AHMAT ADAMOU ASKED UNPROFOR SPOKESPERSON MAJOR MYRIAM SOCHAKI ABOUT THE DECISION TO USE THE RAPID REACTION FORCE AGAINST SERB FORCES TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR UN PERSONNEL AROUND SARAJEVO. MAJOR SOCHAKI ALSO SPOKE OF THE REPORT RELEASED BY THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA THAT INDICATES EVIDENCE MASS EXECUTIONS TOOK PLACE AFTER THE FALL OF SREBRENICA BUT SHE ADDED THAT THE UN HAS NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO INVESTIGATE THE ALLEGED GRAVE SITES. (FRENCH 8/23) 24-Aug-95 5:27 PM EDT (2127 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA - U.S. (L) BY ART CHIMES (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, MUHAMED SACIRBEY (PRON. SHA'-KIR-BAY), SAYS ACTION BY CONGRESS TO LIFT THE ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST BOSNIA IS KEY TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PEACE PROCESS IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS.

TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTER SACIRBEY SAYS HE HOPES THE U-S CONGRESS OVERTURNS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VETO AND THUS LIFT THE ARMS EMBARGO ON BOSNIA. HE SAYS LIFTING THE EMBARGO COULD GIVE NEW IMPETUS TO THE PEACE PROCESS. AND MR. SACIRBEY SAYS THAT U/N/L/E/S/S CONGRESS OVERRIDES THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO BY PASSING THE DOLE-LIEBERMAN BILL, THE U-S PEACE INITIATIVE COULD SUFFER.

MAYBE THIS IS NOT A VIEW THAT WOULD BE SHARED BY SOME IN THE U-S ADMINISTRATION, BUT FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE IT IS THE DOLE-LIEBERMAN BILL THAT GIVES LEVERAGE AND GIVES US COURAGE TO PROCEED AND MAKE THE VERY PAINFUL DECISIONS IN FAVOR OF PEACE.

MR. SACIRBEY SAYS THE PROSPECT OF OVERRIDING THE VETO AND ENDING THE EMBARGO GIVES BOSNIA LEVERAGE AND THE COURAGE TO PROCEED TO MAKE WHAT HE CALLS THE "VERY PAINFUL DECISIONS" IN FAVOR OF PEACE.

IT'S AS IF WE HAVE BEEN HIT BY A DRUNK DRIVER AND NOW EVERYONE IS TELLING US THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BEAR THE ENTIRE CONSEQUENCES OF THE FACT THAT THE DRUNK DRIVER IS UNINSURED AND OF THE FACT THAT THE DRUNK DRIVER DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR INJURIES. IT SEEMS EVERYONE IS HAPPY TO LEAVE US IN A WHEELCHAIR AND NOT TRY TO REHABILITATE OUR COUNTRY SO IT CAN GET UP ON ITS OWN FEET.

MR. SACIRBEY ALSO SPOKE ABOUT THE THREE AMERICAN DIPLOMATS WHO DIED SATURDAY IN A ROAD ACCIDENT NEAR SARAJEVO WHILE ON A PEACE MISSION. HE DESCRIBED THEM AS VICTIMS OF THE SERBIAN BLOCKADE OF THE CITY.

NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE A BLOCKADE OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE, BUT WE ALSO HAVE AN INTELLECTUAL BLOCKADE. THE SERBIANS ARE EFFECTIVELY TRYING TO FORCE ANYONE WHO WISHES TO INTRODUCE IDEAS OR PEACE INTO THE CITY FROM COMING IN. (PREVENT THEM FROM COMING IN)

BOSNIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SACIRBEY DESCRIBED THE NEW MEMBERS OF THE U-S PEACE MISSION AS "EXPERIENCED AND CAPABLE." PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMED THE NEW NEGOTIATORS TO REPLACE (SIGNED)

NEB/ART/PT
24-Aug-95 3:41 PM EDT (1941 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] U-N TROOPS / CROATIA (S O) BY LAURI NEFF (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS IS PROPOSING WITHDRAWING MOST OF THE U-N INFANTRY TROOPS DEPLOYED IN CROATIA. FROM VOA'S LAURI NEFF REPORTS U-N OFFICIALS BELIEVE CROATIA'S RECENT SUCCESSFUL OFFENSIVE AGAINST REBEL SERBS HAVE MADE THE GROUND TROOPS UNNECESSARY.

TEXT: U-N SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI IS CALLING FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF MOST OF THE ESTIMATED 12-THOUSAND GROUND TROOPS FROM CROATIA.

IN A REPORT TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL, MR. BOUTROS-GHALI RECOMMENDS PULLING OUT SOME NINE-THOUSAND U-N INFANTRY TROOPS BY MID-NOVEMBER. THE REMAINDER, NO MORE THAN 25-HUNDRED GROUND TROOPS, WOULD BE STATIONED IN EASTERN SLAVONIA, THE LAST SERB-HELD AREA OF CROATIA, WHICH SITS ALONG THE BORDER WITH SERBIA.

MR. BOUTROS-GHALI HAS LEFT OPEN HOW MANY MILITARY OBSERVERS AND CIVILIAN POLICE WILL REMAIN IN CROATIA, SAYING THAT NEGOTIATIONS WITH ZAGREB CONTINUE.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAD ALREADY VOTED TO WITHDRAW SOME FORCES FROM CROATIA. A MORE DRASTIC REDUCTION CAME UNDER CONSIDERATION AFTER CROATIA RETOOK SERB-HELD AREAS IN A MILITARY OFFENSIVE EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE REPORT SAYS CROATIA'S REINTEGRATION OF THE SERB-HELD TERRITORY HAS ELIMINATED THE NEED FOR MOST OF THE U-N GROUND TROOPS, WHICH HAD BEEN MONITORING A CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN CROAT AND SERB FORCES. THE REPORT SAYS MOST OF THE HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES OF THE U-N INFANTRY TROOPS ARE NOW THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT. (SIGNED)

UN/LN/CF
24-Aug-95 12:57 PM EDT (1657 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] YUGO SITREP / L-RERUN BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: A UKRAINIAN CONTINGENT OF UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPERS HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE MUSLIM ENCLAVE, GORAZDE -- A U-N / DECLARED SAFE AREA, IN EASTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. A PROMINENT INTERNATIONAL AID ORGANIZATION IS COMPLAINING THE PEOPLE OF GORAZDE ARE BEING LEFT UNDEFENDED. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: THE UKRAINIAN WITHDRAWAL IS TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE DEPARTURE OF AT LEAST 170 BRITISH SOLDIERS FROM GORAZDE BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

THE PEACEKEEPERS' WITHDRAWAL FROM THE ENCLAVE IS BEING HINDERED, THOUGH, BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT. ONE PROBLEM FACING THE UNITED NATIONS IS A BOSNIAN DEMAND FOR MONEY.

SOME U-N PERSONNEL ARE SUPPOSED TO REMAIN IN GORAZDE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION AND TO CALL FOR NATO AIR STRIKES AGAINST THE SERBS, IF THE SERBS TRY TO CAPTURE THE AREA. BUT, THE INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL AID ORGANIZATION, DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS, HAS CONDEMNED THE U-N PULLOUT FROM GORAZDE. IT SAYS THERE IS NO CREDIBLE U-N PLAN TO EFFECTIVELY PROTECT THE 60 THOUSAND PEOPLE THERE.

THE ORGANIZATION SAYS THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN THE ENCLAVE REMAINS DESPERATE. IT ADDS THAT -- WITHOUT A U-N DETERRENT FORCE ON THE GROUND -- A SAFE EVACUATION OF THE PEOPLE THERE WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. IN VIENNA, CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MATE GRANIC CONFIRMS A CROATIAN ARMY OFFENSIVE TO STOP BOSNIAN SERB SHELLING OF THE DUBROVNIK REGION ON THE ADRIATIC COAST IS ON HOLD. MR. GRANIC SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT IS WAITING TO SEE IF THE AMERICAN PEACE INITIATIVE IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA CAN RESULT IN THE PROTECTION OF DUBROVNIK.

THE FOREIGN MINISTER ALSO DENIES THAT THE CROATIAN ARMY WAS INVOLVED IN MASS KILLINGS OF ETHNIC SERBS DURING ITS RECENT TAKEOVER OF MOST SERB-HELD TERRITORY IN CROATIA. HE SAYS INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THAT THERE ARE NO MASS GRAVES. (SIGNED) NEB/WC/WOD/CF/MMK 24-Aug-95 12:50 PM EDT (1650 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America