Voice of America, 22 October 1995

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] BALKAN HIGHWAY (S-ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE PRESIDENTS OF TURKEY, BULGARIA, ALBANIA AND THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF MACEDONIA MET IN NEW YORK SUNDAY TO FIRM UP PLANS FOR A SUPERHIGHWAY IN THE BALKANS. THE LEADERS ARE IN THE UNITED STATES TO ATTEND THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: THE PLAN IS TO BUILD A SUPERHIGHWAY LINKING TURKEY, BULGARIA, ALBANIA AND MACEDONIA. THE IDEA HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE. BUT THE FOUR LEADERS DECIDED IT IS TIME TO MOVE ON THE PROJECT AND RAISE THE MONEY. THEY SAY IT WILL TAKE ABOUT FOUR YEARS AND COST AROUND ONE BILLION DOLLARS.

TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL TOLD REPORTERS THE UNITED STATES, THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE WORLD BANK HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN CONTRIBUTING. HE SAID THE HIGHWAY WOULD BE SYMBOLIC OF A UNITED EUROPE AND ALSO SERVE THE PRINCIPLES ENSHRINED IN THE UNITED NATIONS CHARTER:

THAT'S WAY WE COME TOGETHER HERE. WE ARE SHOWING THAT IN OUR REGION, WE ARE SERVING THE PURPOSES OF THE UNITED NATIONS -- LIVING TOGETHER AND WORKING TOGETHER, COOPERATING AND TOLERATING AND PREPARING SOMETHING WHICH WILL SERVE THE WELFARE OF OUR PEOPLE.

THE TURKISH PRESIDENT SAID GREECE AND ROMANIA WOULD BE WELCOME TO JOIN THE ROAD LINK. BUT NEITHER COUNTRY IS PART OF THE PRESENT PLAN. (SIGNED)

NEB/EJ/SKH
22-Oct-95 7:32 PM EDT (2332 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] RUSSIA-BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: IN REMARKS TO THE U-N 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS CRITICIZED NATO FOR BY-PASSING THE SECURITY COUNCIL IN USING MILITARY FORCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: PRESIDENT YELTSIN CHARGES THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED BY NATO'S USE OF MILITARY FORCE IN BOSNIA.

SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY, PRESIDENT YELTSIN SAYS THE SECURITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN BY-PASSED.

RUSSIA IS CONCERNED AT THE SITUATION WHEREBY AS HAS RECENTLY BEEN THE CASE IN BOSNIA -- THE SECURITY COUNCIL WAS RELEGATED TO THE SIDELINES OF EVENTS. IT REPRESENTS AN OBVIOUS AND CLEAR CUT VIOLATION OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD ORGANIZATION.

THE RUSSIAN LEADER SAYS IT IS INADMISSIBLE FOR A REGIONAL ORGANIZATION -- LIKE NATO -- TO TAKE DECISIONS BY-PASSING THE SECURITY COUNCIL. HE SAYS RUSSIA IS READY TO USE ITS FORCES TO IMPLEMENT A PEACE AGREEMENT IN BOSNIA, BUT ONLY UNDER THE STRICT MANDATE OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

THE UNITED STATES SAYS U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA WILL SERVE UNDER NATO COMMAND. THESE DIFFERENCES WILL BE DISCUSSED WHEN PRESIDENT YELTSIN MEETS PRESIDENT CLINTON MONDAY IN HYDE PARK, NEW YORK. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 22-Oct-95 1:00 PM EDT (1700 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] U-N ANNIVERSARY OPENS (L) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS OPENED A THREE-DAY SESSION SUNDAY TO OBSERVE ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY -- WITH MORE THAN 180 HEADS OF STATE, KINGS, PRIME MINISTERS, AND FOREIGN MINISTERS PRESENT. THE CELEBRATION COMES AMID GRAVE CONCERN AMONG U-N ADMINISTRATORS THE ORGANIZATION FOUNDED AMID HIGH HOPES IN 1945 IS NEAR BANKRUPTCY TODAY. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: GOVERNMENT LEADERS -- INCLUDING PRESIDENT CLINTON -- ARE APPLAUDING U-N ACHIEVEMENTS, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR ANOTHER 50-YEARS. BUT THE THREE-BILLION DOLLARS OWED THE U-N -- MUCH OF IT BY THE UNITED STATES -- IS STRIKING A DIFFERENT CHORD AMONG U-N OFFICIALS.

SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI CALLED FOR AN EMERGENCY SESSION ABOUT THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR. HE WORRIED THE FAILURE TO MAKE TIMELY PAYMENTS MAY INDICATE DIMINISHING INTEREST IN THE UNITED NATIONS AT A TIME WHEN THE WORLD MAY NEED IT MOST:

THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IS A SYMPTOM OF A DEEPER PROBLEM: MEMBER STATES SIMPLY DO NOT REGARD THE U-N AS A PRIORITY. THIS IS SAD NEWS TO REPORT TO THIS SESSION. I APPEAL TO YOU TO GIVE THE U-N A FIRM FINANCIAL BASE.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY -- DIOGO FREITAS DO AMARAL OF PORTUGAL -- ISSUED HIS OWN APPEAL AGAINST A RISING TIDE OF OUTSIDE CRITICISM AND STRESSED THE NEED FOR REFORM:

WE MUST NOT ALLOW THIS ORGANIZATION TO DIE AT THE HANDS OF ITS CRITICS, NOR TO PERISH FOR LACK OF COMMITMENT BY ITS SUPPORTERS. PLEASE TELL YOUR PEOPLE THAT WE MUST ALL HELP EACH OTHER FOR THE SURVIVAL AND BENEFIT OF HUMANITY.

DURING THREE DAYS -- THE U-N EXPECTS TO HEAR DISSATISFACTION AS WELL AS PRAISE. ONE THORNY ISSUE IS THE COMPOSITION OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL. ZAMBIA'S PRESIDENT FREDERICK CHILUBA, FOR ONE, CALLED FOR EXPANDING WHAT DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CONSIDER AN ELITE CLUB OF 15 MEMBERS -- WHICH MAKES ALL THE IMPORTANT DECISIONS ABOUT PEACE AND SECURITY:

THE SECURITY COUNCIL CAN NO LONGER BE MAINTAINED LIKE THE SANCTUARY OF THE HOLY OF HOLIES WITH ONLY THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS ACTING AS HIGH PRIESTS, DECIDING ON ISSUES FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD -- WHO CANNOT BE ADMITTED.

THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WILL CONCLUDE WITH A DECLARATION ON BEHALF OF THE WORLD'S GOVERNMENTS RE-COMMITTING THEM TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE U-N CHARTER. REFORM IS IN THE AIR. VIRTUALLY EVERYONE SEEMS TO BELIEVE THE UNITED NATIONS MUST REFORM TO FACE NEW CHALLENGES.

SOME THINK THE BASIC PROBLEM IS GOVERNMENTS THEMSELVES. NAMIBIA'S PRESIDENT SAM NUJOMA -- WHOSE COUNTRY WAS FREED FROM SOUTH AFRICAN RULE THROUGH A MASSIVE U-N OPERATION -- RECOMMENDED NATIONS LOOK INTO THEIR OWN ACTIONS TO REALIZE WHY INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IS FALTERING. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 22-Oct-95 2:17 PM EDT (1817 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] U-S BOSNIA (S) CORRECTED BY JANE BERGER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER SAYS IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO RESOLVE THE QUESTION OF RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN A BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING OPERATION. CORRESPONDENT JANE BERGER REPORTS MR. CHRISTOPHER'S COMMENTS CAME (SUNDAY) IN A U-S TELEVISION INTERVIEW.

TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER SAID RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING OPERATION IS ON THE AGENDA AT A MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN MONDAY NEAR NEW YORK CITY. BUT THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAID HE DOES NOT EXPECT THE TWO LEADERS TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OF RUSSIA'S REFUSAL TO PUT ITS TROOPS UNDER NATO COMMAND.

I THINK IT IS DESIRABLE FOR RUSSIA TO HAVE A DIGNIFIED SUBSTANTIAL ROLE, BUT NOT ONE THAT WOULD IN ANY WAY IMPAIR THE NATO COMMAND AND CONTROL. WE HAVE NOT RESOLVED THAT PROBLEM YET, AND ALTHOUGH THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRESIDENT YELTSIN WHEN THEY MEET AT HYDE PARK MONDAY, I WOULD NOT EXPECT AN OUTCOME THERE ON THAT QUESTION.

MR. CHRISTOPHER SAID A BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT MUST FIRST BE CONCLUDED BEFORE DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT A PEACEKEEPING OPERATION CAN BE RESOLVED. THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAID THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE TO SETTLE THE CONFLICT AT TALKS BEGINNING NEXT WEEK IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT HE SAID IT MAY TAKE MANY TOUGH DAYS OF NEGOTIATIONS BEFORE A FINAL AGREEMENT IS REACHED. (SIGNED)

NEB/JB/RAE
22-Oct-95 12:52 PM EDT (1652 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] U-S RUSSIA-BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: IN ADVANCE OF MONDAY'S MEETING IN HYDE PARK, NEW YORK, PRESIDENT CLINTON AND RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAVE PRESENTED DIFFERING VIEWS ABOUT NATO'S ROLE IN BOSNIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE U-N 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ABOUT THE ISSUE DOMINATING U-S/RUSSIA RELATIONS.

TEXT: THE PROSPECT OF A PEACE AGREEMENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA HAS BROUGHT OUT THE DIFFERING VIEWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA ABOUT THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS.

AS THE UNITED NATIONS CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY, THOSE DIFFERENCES COULD NOT BE HIDDEN. BOTH PRESIDENT CLINTON AND PRESIDENT YELTSIN EXPRESSED HOPE THE PEACE TALKS NEXT WEEK IN DAYTON, OHIO WILL BRING PEACE TO BOSNIA. BUT, THEY SHARPLY DISAGREED ABOUT HOW PROMINENT THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS SHOULD BE IN IMPLEMENTING THAT PEACE.

PRESIDENT CLINTON MADE CLEAR THE UNITED STATES IS READY TO LEAD NATO IN CARRYING OUT THE PEACE, JUST AS IT LED NATO'S MILITARY ROLE IN BRINGING ABOUT THE CURRENT CEASEFIRE.

MANY FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES REMAIN, BUT I URGE THE PARTIES TO SEIZE THIS CHANCE FOR A SETTLEMENT. IF THEY ACHIEVE PEACE, THE UNITED STATES WILL BE THERE WITH OUR FRIENDS AND ALLIES TO HELP SECURE IT.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN ASSURING A SKEPTICAL CONGRESS U-S TROOPS WILL BE UNDER NATO COMMAND, NOT UNDER THE UNITED NATIONS. THE EARLIER U-N RELUCTANCE TO EMPLOY MILITARY FORCE IN BOSNIA IS WIDELY BELIEVED IN THE UNITED STATES TO HAVE PROLONGED THE WAR. BUT, SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT YELTSIN BLAMED NATO FOR BY-PASSING THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IN USING FORCE IN BOSNIA.

RUSSIA IS CONCERNED AT THE SITUATION WHEREBY, AS HAS RECENTLY BEEN THE CASE IN BOSNIA, THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS RELEGATED TO THE SIDELINES OF EVENTS. IT REPRESENTS AN OBVIOUS AND CLEAR CUT VIOLATION OF THE WORLD ORGANIZATION LAID DOWN BY ITS FOUNDERS. IT IS INADMISSIBLE FOR A REGIONAL ORGANIZATION TO TAKE DECISIONS ON THE MASS USE OF FORCE BY-PASSING THE SECURITY COUNCIL.

PRESIDENT YELTSIN SAYS RUSSIA IS READY TO IMPLEMENT A PEACE AGREEMENT IN BOSNIA, BUT ONLY UNDER A STRICT MANDATE OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL. HE INSISTS MILITARY FORCE SHOULD NEVER BE USED WHEN DIPLOMACY HAS NOT MANAGED TO SUCCEED.

IN A CONTRARY VIEW, CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN TOLD THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CROATIA STANDS READY TO, AS HE PUTS IT, TAKE STEPS TO RECOVER SERBIAN-OCCUPIED EASTERN SLAVONIA IF DIPLOMACY FAILS TO RE-INTEGRATE THE AREA UNDER CROATIAN SOVEREIGNTY. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS.

MONDAY AT HYDE PARK, PRESIDENTS YELTSIN AND CLINTON ARE EXPECTED TO SPEND A LARGE PORTION OF THEIR TIME TRYING TO RESOLVE WIDE DIFFERENCES ABOUT USING MILITARY FORCE TO IMPLEMENT A PEACE AGREEMENT AND WHO SHOULD TAKE CHARGE OF THAT FORCE. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 22-Oct-95 2:37 PM EDT (1837 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America