Voice of America, 21 February 1996

From: "Ioannis V. Bousnakis" <ivb19@nfi.com>

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: THIS IS ASH WEDNESDAY, WHEN MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD MARK THE BEGINNING OF LENT, A TIME OF FASTING AND INTROSPECTION. AND IN THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPERS, THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF INTROSPECTION ON A NUMBER OF DOMESTIC TOPICS, INCLUDING THE RISE OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PAT BUCHANAN, WHO WON YESTERDAY'S NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY ELECTION. OTHER CONCERNS INCLUDE THE AFTERMATH OF LAST WEEK'S SUBURBAN WASHINGTON TRAIN WRECK; THE I-R-A'S LATEST BOMBING CAMPAIGN INBRITAIN, AND THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA. NOW, HERE IS _____________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TELEVISION COMMENTATOR PAT BUCHANAN WON THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY IN A NARROW UPSET OF SUPPOSED FRONT-RUNNER BOB DOLE. FORMER TENNESSEE GOVERNOR LAMAR ALEXANDER WAS THIRD. THE RESULTS WERE KNOWN TOO LATE TUESDAY NIGHT TO BE COMMENTED ON IN MOST OF TODAY'S EASTERN U-S PAPERS, BUT THE "LOS ANGELES TIMES" FINDS THE RESULTS DISTURBING, AND CALLS MR. BUCHANAN "AN EXTREMIST IN MODERATE CLOTHING."

VOICE: "PART OF [MR.] BUCHANAN'S APPEAL IS THAT HE RIGHTLY PINPOINTS AMERICANS' ANXIETIES ABOUT JOB SECURITY AND UNEASE ABOUT WHERE THE COUNTRY IS GOING. THE DANGER IS THAT ALL TOO OFTEN HE WINDS UP ASSIGNING BLAME TO THOSE HE CONSIDERS 'THE OTHER': THE IMMIGRANTS, THE HOMOSEXUALS, THE FEMINISTS, THE MEDIA, THE NON-CHRISTIANS, THE LIBERALS, THE INTELLECTUALS, WALL STREET. ALL THESE OTHERS ADD UP TO A LOT OF AMERICANS... NO ONE KNOWS HOW FAR [MR.] BUCHANAN WILL GO IN THE RACE FOR HIS PARTY'S NOMINATION. BUT HE'S RUNNING STRONG RIGHT NOW, AND THAT'S MAKING A LOT OF PEOPLE, PERHAPS REPUBLICANS ESPECIALLY, NERVOUS FOR GOOD REASON."

TEXT: IN THE EAST, THESE COMMENTS ON THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CONTEST FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES."

VOICE: "NEW HAMPSHIRE ... SHOWED THAT WHOEVER EVENTUALLY GETS THE NOMINATION, THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES HAVE NOT YET FOUND A WAY TO UPDATE THE ECONOMIC MESSAGE THAT BROUGHT SO MANY VOTERS TO THEIR PARTY IN RECENT ELECTIONS... THE VOTERS ARE SAYING THEY ARE READY FOR FISCAL DISCIPLINE, BUT THEY WANT AN ECONOMY THAT LIFTS ALL BOATS, NOT JUST THE YACHTS."

TEXT: THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF COMMENT ABOUT THE FATAL TRAIN WRECK LAST FRIDAY INVOLVING A MARYLAND COMMUTER TRAIN AND AN AMTRACK TRAIN BOUND FOR CHICAGO. ELEVEN PEOPLE WERE KILLED. TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" COMMENTS ON WHAT IT CONSIDERS "LESSONS FROM THE TRAIN DISASTER":

VOICE: "THE HORRIFYING DETAILS OF DEATH BY FIRE AND SMOKE -- OF PEOPLE FRANTICALLY SEEKING ESCAPE FROM A MANGLED COMMUTER-TRAIN-TURNED-FURNACE FRIDAY NIGHT -- CONTINUE TO PROMPT QUESTIONS ABOUT RAIL SAFETY POLICIES IN GENERAL AND ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN SILVER SPRING SPECIFICALLY. SOME ANSWERS MUST AWAIT THE FINDINGS OF INVESTIGATORS... BUT THERE ARE SAFETY PROCEDURES, POLICIES AND EQUIPMENT THAT HAVE BEEN THE SUBJECTS OF DEBATE IN THE INDUSTRY FOR YEARS, AND THAT HAUNT EVERY AUTOPSY OF A TRAIN WRECK. "

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK TIMES" NOTES THE MARYLAND ACCIDENT WAS THE SECOND TRAIN MISHAP WITHIN A WEEK, AND OFFERS THIS COMMENT:

VOICE: "TWO TRAIN COLLISIONS SEVEN DAYS APART HAVE BROUGHT CALAMITY TO THE ORDINARILY QUIET AND SAFE COMMUTER SYSTEMS OF NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON D-C... THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT RESPONDED YESTERDAY WITH BELATED BUT SENSIBLE STOPGAP RULES. WHEN A TRAIN LEAVES A STATION, ENGINEERS MUST PROCEED NO FASTER THAN 48-KILOMETERS-AN-HOUR. THEY MUST CALL OUT TO OTHER CREW MEMBERS ANY WARNING SIGNAL THEY SEE... CLEARLY, MANY SAFETY HAZARDS NEED EXAMINATION AND CORRECTION AS THE RESULT OF THESE TWO TRAGEDIES."

TEXT: ABOUT THE RESUMED I-R-A BOMBING CAMPAIGN IN BRITAIN, TODAY'S "CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" NOTES:

VOICE: "THE BOMB-THROWERS IN THE OUTLAWED IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY MAY THINK THEY ARE ACCOMPLISHING SOMETHING THROUGH THEIR REPUDIATION OF THE CEASE-FIRE AND RENEWED BOMBING CAMPAIGN IN LONDON. INSTEAD, HOWEVER, THEY ARE BOTH ALIENATING THOSE IN BRITAIN, IRELAND, AND THE UNITED STATES WHO HAVE ADVOCATED TRYING TO DEAL WITH THEM AND THROWING AWAY THE ONLY CHANCE THEY MAY EVER GET OF ACHIEVING ANY OF THEIR AIMS."

TEXT: ON THE SAME SUBJECT, "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE SAYS PERHAPS IT IS TIME TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE ULSTER PEACE TALKS WITHOUT THE I-R-A'S POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN.

VOICE: "THE THIRD BOMB IN LONDON SINCE THE I-R-A RESUMED ITS CAMPAIGN OF TERROR REMOVES ANY PRETEXT THAT GERRY ADAMS AS PRESIDENT OF SINN FEIN ... BELONGS IN PEACE TALKS. EITHER HE IS COMPLICIT, OR HE NO LONGER SPEAKS FOR THE 'MILITARY' ARM OF THE REPUBLICAN MOVEMENT. IN EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE, HE COULD BRING NOTHING TO THE TABLE."

TEXT: TURNING TO ANOTHER WORLD TROUBLE SPOT, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, "NEWSDAY" ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND ASKS: "WHO SPEAKS FOR BOSNIAN SERBS?

VOICE: "A BASIC FLAW IN THE BOSNIA PEACE ACCORD HAS NOW SURFACED AS THE MAJOR OBSTACLE TO ITS IMPLEMENTATION. UNLESS NATO PUTS SEVERE PRESSURE ON SERBIA TO FORCE ITS BOSNIAN SERB ALLIES TO COOPERATE, THE PEACE PROCESS ... WILL COME TO A DEAD HALT... THERE'S NO TIME TO LOSE. THE BIGGEST TEST OF THE PEACE ACCORD WILL COME IN THE SPRING, WHEN THE SNOWS MELT IN BOSNIA AND CONDITIONS ARE RIPE AGAIN FOR GUERRILLA FIGHTING AND SNIPERS. [OPT] UNLESS THIS IMPASSE IS RESOLVED SOON, THE MORE BRUTAL DYNAMICS OF WAR MAY TAKE OVER." [END OPT]

TEXT: SOME EDITORIAL WRITERS ARE REJOICING OVER A FEDERAL PLAN TO RECLAIM PART OF THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES THAT BIG BUSINESS CONVERTED TO GROW SUGARCANE CROPS. THE SO-CALLED "GLADES" IS A HUGE "SEA" OF MARSH GRASS AND SWAMP IN EXTREME SOUTHERN FLORIDA THAT IS CONSIDERED A NATURAL TREASURE. TODAY'S "ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" COMMENTS:

VOICE: "THE SLOW STRANGLING OF THE EVERGLADES HAS BEEN A LONG-IGNORED ENVIRONMENTAL DISGRACE. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S DECISION THIS WEEK TO SPEED RESTORATION OF THIS PRECIOUS NATIONAL PARK IS EXACTLY RIGHT."

TEXT: THE NATIONAL DAILY, "USA TODAY", OFFERS LITTLE SYMPATHY FOR THE FLORIDA SUGARCANE GROWERS WHO USURPED THE LAND IN THE FIRST PLACE AND ARE NOW BEING ASKED TO HELP PAY FOR THE EVERGLADES RESTORATION.

VOICE: "GOVERNMENT POLICIES INFLATE PRICES BY GUARANTEEING SUGAR WILL SELL FOR AT LEAST 18 CENTS A POUND, RAW. THEN IT LIMITS IMPORTS TO MAKE SURE DOMESTIC SUGAR BRINGS MORE. SUCH A SWEET DEAL MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO FARM FLORIDA LAND THAT OTHERWISE WOULDN'T BE PROFITABLE... THE EVERGLADES ARE A NATIONAL TREASURE WORTH PRESERVING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. BUT RESTORATION SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY THOSE WHO BENEFITED MOST FROM DESTROYING IT: FLORIDA'S SUGAR GROWERS AND PROCESSORS."

TEXT: TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" IS CONCERNED ABOUT VENEZUELA'S DECLINING ECONOMY AND ENCOURAGES THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND TO HELP.

VOICE: "VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT RAFAEL CALDERA, WHO TURNED 80 IN JANUARY, IS LIVING THROUGH A 'PATRIARCH'S WINTER.' OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, MR. CALDERA HAS PRESIDED OVER HIS COUNTRY'S STEADY DETERIORATION, WHICH HE APPEARS HELPLESS TO ARREST... A BANKING COLLAPSE, HUGE GOVERNMENT DEFICITS, AND A GARGANTUAN PUBLIC SECTOR WEIGH DOWN UPON VENEZUELA'S EFFORTS TO TURN ITSELF AROUND... AT THE MOMENT, THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND IS THE ONLY INSTITUTION THAT CAN HELP VENEZUELA TRAVERSE ITS ECONOMIC MINE FIELDS... LAMENTABLY, THE IMF APPEARS TO HAVE SHOWN AS LITTLE FLEXIBILITY TOWARD VENEZUELA AS PRESIDENT CALDERA SEEMS TO BE SHOWING TOWARD HIS MORE LUCID CRITICS."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, "THE NEW YORK POST" APPLAUDS THE SWEARING-IN YESTERDAY OF FORMER MARYLAND CONGRESSMAN KWEISI MFUME TO LEAD THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE.

VOICE: "THE ARRIVAL OF FORMER REPRESENTATIVE KWEISI MFUME AT THE HELD OF THE NAACP WOULD SEEM TO BODE WELL FOR THE LONG-TROUBLED CIVIL-RIGHTS ORGANIZATION... WE WISH HIM WELL."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.

NEB/ANG/PCH
21-Feb-96 10:56 AM EST (1556 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA/REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY ( VOGOSCA, BOSNIA )

INTRO: THE LONG-AWAITED EXODUS OF BOSNIAN SERBS FROM THE SERB-HELD SUBURBS OF SARAJEVO IS BEGINNING TO GATHER PACE, THOUGH HEAVY SNOW HINDERED THE OPERATION WEDNESDAY FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW. THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY HAS ATTACKED THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP FOR TRYING TO SCARE ITS PEOPLE INTO LEAVING THEIR HOMES. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SERB-HELD SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE CONFUSED AND AFRAID. THEY KNOW MUSLIM AND CROAT POLICE ARE COMING TO THEIR SUBURBS SOON, AND THEY KNOW BOSNIAN SERB TELEVISION AND RADIO, BASED AT THE SERB HEADQUARTERS AT PALE, IS TELLING THEM THEY WILL NOT BE SAFE.

THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY, KRIS JANOWSKI, ACCUSES SERB LEADERS OF INCITING FEAR TO SERVE THEIR OWN POLITICAL ENDS, AND CREATING A PRESSURE COOKER TYPE ATMOSPHERE. HE SAYS THE SERB PEOPLE ARE IGNORING EFFORTS TO CONVINCE THEM THEY'LL BE SAFE.

HERE PEOPLE SEEM TO LISTEN TO PALE RADIO AND PALE TV AND SEEM TO BELIEVE A LOT OF WHAT'S BEING SAID TO THEM.

MR. JANOWSKI SAYS THERE'S NO DOUBT PEOPLE ARE LEAVING, BUT HE SAYS IT IS CLEAR THE MOVEMENT OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SERBS WILL TAKE SOME TIME.

THERE IS INCREASED MOVEMENT. WE HAVE SIGNALS BOTH FROM VOGOSCA AND ILIDZA AND OTHER SUBURBS THAT THE MOVEMENT IS PICKING UP. YOU REALIZE THE ROAD CONDITIONS ARE ATROCIOUS.

SERBS READY TO FLEE CROWD THE VOGOSCA MUNICIPAL BUILDING, WAITING TO GET AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT LISTING THE SIZE OF THEIR CURRENT APARTMENT. THEY WILL NEED IT TO GET AN APARTMENT OF SIMILAR SIZE WHEN THEY FINALLY ARRIVE IN SOME OTHER PART OF SERB TERRITORY. THIS FRIDAY VOGOSCA WILL BE THE FIRST SERB SUBURB TO HAVE MUSLIM AND CROAT POLICE, AND MOST PEOPLE HERE ARE ANXIOUS TO LEAVE. UPSTAIRS THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY IS SETTING UP ITS NEW OFFICE IN THE MOSTLY ABANDONED BUILDING.

THE UNITED NATIONS IS BUSY TODAY TRYING TO OPEN A ROAD THAT WILL ALLOW THE SERB REFUGEES FROM VOGOSCA TO LEAVE ALONG A GOOD HIGHWAY, BUT THE ROAD PASSES THROUGH BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TERRITORY, AND THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE NOT GOING WELL.

OUTSIDE IN THE SNOW PEOPLE ARE LOADING THEIR POSSESSIONS ONTO THE FEW TRUCKS AVAILABLE. AS ONE SERB MAN CARRIES FURNITURE DOWN THE STAIRS, HE MAKES IT CLEAR WHO HE BLAMES FOR HIS PROBLEMS.

FINALLY THESE NEW REFUGEES IN THEIR OVERLOADED CARS, TRUCKS, TRACTORS TOWING TRAILERS, AND EVEN HORSE-DRAWN CARTS START OFF DOWN A BITTER ROAD THAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF BOSNIAN MUSLIMS AND CROATS HAVE TRAVELED BEFORE THEM. MOST OF THE SERBS DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING, BUT THEY WILL ONLY STOP, THEY SAY, WHEN THEY ARE SAFE FROM THEIR MUSLIM AND CROAT ENEMIES. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/MH/GPT
21-Feb-96 1:44 PM EST (1844 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] CHRISTOPHER-BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IS APPEALING TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS TO REMAIN IN SARAJEVO, DESPITE THE BEGINNING OF AN EXODUS FROM THE CITY'S SUBURBS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS APPALLED BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS FLEEING THE SUBURBS OF SARAJEVO. AMERICAN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO REASSURE THE SERBS THEY WILL BE SAFE WHEN MUSLIM AND CROAT POLICE TAKE CONTROL OF THE RE-UNIFIED CITY. THE UNITED STATES ALSO ENCOURAGED THE BOSNIAN PARLIAMENT TO PASS AN AMNESTY LAW.

SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER, MEETING THE BELGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER HERE, SAYS THERE IS NO REASON FOR MORE SERBS TO BE ADDED TO THE THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES FROM THE BOSNIAN WAR.

I HOPE THAT MANY OF THE SERBS WILL REMAIN IN SARAJEVO, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAD LONG STANDING RESIDENCES IN SARAJEVO. OF COURSE, THERE ARE MANY REFUGEES THERE AND ONE WOULD EXPECT SOME TO LEAVE BUT WE CERTAINLY HOPE THAT MANY OF THE SERBS, ESPECIALLY WITH LONG STANDING RESIDENCES, WILL STAY THERE AND THEY'LL NOT SUCCUMB TO SUGGESTIONS OR PRESSURE THAT THEY LEAVE.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS HE STANDS BY HIS POSITION A GOOD START HAS BEEN MADE TO FULFILL THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT AFTER THE MEETING IN ROME THIS WEEKEND BETWEEN THE BALKAN PRESIDENTS AND THE BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP.

THE SERBS LEAVING SARAJEVO IS ONE SETBACK TO THE AGREEMENT. THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS EXPRESSED DOUBT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS REALLY DISPOSED OF THE ISLAMIC FIGHTERS THAT HELPED THE MUSLIMS DURING THE WAR. ALTHOUGH THE STATE DEPARTMENT INSISTS THE SOUTHERN CITY OF MOSTAR HAS BEEN REUNIFIED, A SPOKESMAN ACKNOWLEDGES REPORTS CROAT YOUTHS ATTACKED MUSLIMS WHO TRIED TO CROSS THE DIVIDING LINES AFTER BARRICADES WERE REMOVED.

MR. CHRISTOPHER SAYS THESE CIVILIAN PROBLEMS WILL BE WORKED THROUGH.

THERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY HERE FOR US TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN THAT TRAGIC COUNTRY AND WE WILL NOT BE DETERRED BY MOMENTARY SETBACKS OR UPS AND DOWNS.

MR. CHRISTOPHER AND BELGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ERICK DERYCKE ALSO DISCUSSED THE SITUATION IN EASTERN SLAVONIA ON THE BORDER BETWEEN SERBIA AND CROATIA. BELGIAN TROOPS ARE IN THE TRANSITION FORCE THAT IS SUPPOSED TO RETURN THE REGION FROM SERBIAN TO CROAT CONTROL. AN AMERICAN MILITARY OFFICER LEADS THE FORCE.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS ALSO CONFERRING AN AWARD ON ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE TO HONOR HIM ON HIS FINAL DAY OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE. MR. CHRISTOPHER IS GIVING MR. HOLBROOKE AND HIS ENTIRE BOSNIA PEACE TEAM DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDALS.

MR. HOLBROOKE IS RETIRING TO NEW YORK TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS WIFE. HIS BOSNIA DUTIES ARE BEING ASSUMED BY HIS DEPUTY, JOHN KORNBLUM AND SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ROBERT GALLUCCI. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 21-Feb-96 12:03 PM EST (1703 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] CLINTON / BOSNIA - NATO (S&L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS CALLING ON BALKAN LEADERS TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR COMMITMENTS MADE OVER THE WEEKEND IN ROME TO KEEP PEACE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA ON TRACK. MR. CLINTON IS ALSO EXPRESSING SATISFACTION WITH THE PROGRESS OF THE NATO PEACE-KEEPING OPERATION IN BOSNIA. THE PRESIDENT DISCUSSED THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA IN SEPARATE MEETINGS TUESDAY WITH HIS FOREIGN POLICY ADVISORS AND WITH NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON ISSUED A WRITTEN STATEMENT SAYING HE IS INSTRUCTING HIS FOREIGN POLICY ADVISORS TO CONTINUE TO PRESS BALKAN LEADERS TO IMPLEMENT THE TERMS OF THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT, IN HIS WORDS, WITHOUT DELAY. MR. CLINTON ALSO ANNOUNCED HE IS ASKING CONGRESS TO APPROPRIATE 820 MILLION DOLLARS TO PAY FOR THE U-S PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA, AND HELP RECONSTRUCT CIVIL SOCIETY THERE.

THE PRESIDENT ADMITTED THAT PEACE IN BOSNIA WILL NOT TAKE HOLD OVERNIGHT, BUT HE EXPRESSED SATISFACTION WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN BOSNIA SINCE THE PEACE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED IN DECEMBER. HE NOTED THAT THE CEASE-FIRE IS HOLDING, AND THAT PEOPLE ARE BACK ON THE STREETS OF THE CAPITAL, SARAJEVO. LATER, MR. CLINTON REVIEWED THE STATUS OF THE NATO PEACEKEEPING OPERATION IN BOSNIA WITH THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE ALLIANCE, JAVIER SOLANA.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY BOTH LEADERS AGREED THE PEACEKEEPING MISSION IS GOING BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

A WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT SAYS MR. CLINTON AND MR. SOLANA ALSO DISCUSSED PLANS FOR NATO EXPANSION, AND EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT FOR CONTINUED, STEADY, DELIBERATE PROGRESS TOWARD ENLARGEMENT. THE PRESIDENT -- MINDFUL OF RUSSIAN OPPOSITION TOWARD NATO'S EXPANSION EASTWARD -- STRESSED THAT THE ALLIANCE'S ENLARGEMENT WAS NOT AIMED AT RUSSIA, BUT DESIGNED TO END THE COLD WAR DIVISION OF EUROPE AND HELP LOCK IN POLITICAL AND MARKET ECONOMIC REFORMS IN THE EMERGING NEW DEMOCRACIES.

IN ADDITION, THE STATEMENT SAYS THE TWO LEADERS DISCUSSED INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS IN NATO. THEY WELCOMED FRANCE'S DECISION TO SEEK A GREATER ROLE IN THE ALLIANCE. THEY ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE RECENT INCREASE IN TENSIONS BETWEEN NATO ALLIES GREECE AND TURKEY, AND VOWED TO CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE THE TWO SIDES TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES PEACEFULLY. (SIGNED) NEB/DAT/SKH 20-Feb-96 9:09 PM EST (0209 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] GERMANY/SHIPYARDS (S ONLY) BY KYLE KING ( BONN )

INTRO: GERMANY'S LARGEST SHIPBUILDER, THE FINANCIALLY TROUBLED BREMER VULKAN A-G, SAYS IT PLANS TO FILE FOR PROTECTION FROM ITS CREDITORS. THE ANNOUNCEMENT TOUCHED OFF PROTESTS BY THOUSANDS OF WORKERS WHO FEAR THE LOSS OF THEIR JOBS. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: OFFICIALS AT BREMER VULKAN SAY THE SHIPBUILDER LOST 684-MILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR AND DID NOT EXPECT ANY NEW FUNDS TO HELP IT OUT OF ITS PRESENT PROBLEMS. THE COMPANY, WHICH EMPLOYS ABOUT 23-THOUSAND WORKERS, SUFFERED LOSES IN NEARLY EVERY ONE OF ITS DIVISIONS. VULKAN RAN INTO TROUBLE AFTER AN AMBITIOUS EXPANSION PROGRAM THAT INCLUDED THE PURCHASE OF FORMER COMMUNIST EAST GERMAN SHIPYARDS IN THE EARLY 1990'S AFTER GERMAN UNIFICATION. THE ACQUISITION CAME AT A TIME THE COMPANY WAS FACING INCREASING COMPETITION FROM SHIPBUILDERS IN ASIA AND SCANDINAVIA.

ADDING TO ITS PROBLEMS, THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS RECENTLY ACCUSED THE COMPANY OF IMPROPERLY DIVERTING PART OF A 500-MILLION-DOLLAR AID PACKAGE AWAY FROM THE EAST GERMAN WHARFS IT WAS INTENDED TO BENEFIT. SOME ANALYSTS SAY THE COMPANY MAY TRY TO KEEP ITS EAST GERMAN OPERATIONS, AND LET GO OF THE SHIPYARDS IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY. ANALYSTS SAY UN-EMPLOYMENT IN THE COMPANY'S HOMETOWN OF BREMEN COULD SHOOT UP TO 20-PERCENT IF THE SHIPYARD IS CLOSED. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/MH/RAE
21-Feb-96 8:10 AM EST (1310 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] HOLBROOKE BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS RETIRING FROM GOVERNMENT SERVICE TO WORK FOR A BANKING FIRM AND TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS FAMILY. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATEDEPARTMENT, MR. HOLBROOKE DID NOT LEAVE QUIETLY.

TEXT: RICHARD HOLBROOKE'S ENORMOUS EGO WAS ALMOST SWALLOWED UP AS THE STATE DEPARTMENT HONORED THE FATHER OF THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT WITH ITS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD. SECRETARY OF STATEWARREN CHRISTOPHER JOKED IT WAS HIS OWN ADVICE THAT CHANGED MR.HOLBROOKE'S STYLE.

DICK, YOUR LAID BACK, SELF-EFFACING STYLE SIMPLY ISN'T SUITED TO THE DEMANDS OF THE 1990S. SO GET WITH IT. COME OUT OF YOUR SHELL. DON'T BE AFRAID TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT YOU THINK AND WHERE THE UNITED STATES STANDS. WELL, DICK HAS CERTAINLY FOLLOWED MY ADVICE AND TRANSFORMATION HAS BEEN QUITE EXTRAORDINARY. NOW WE'RE AWAITING THE BOOK THAT DICK IS ABOUT TO WRITE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SCOPE OF THE BOOK WILL BE, BUT I CAN TELL YOU ONE THING FOR SURE, THE AUTHOR WILLNOT BE ANOMYMOUS (LAUGHTER).

MR. CHRISTOPHER THEN SWITCHED TO A MORE SERIOUS VEIN TO HONOR MR.HOLBROOKE ON HIS LAST DAY OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE.

DICK, THE REAL MONUMENT TO YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT IS NOT THE DISTINGUISHED AWARD THAT I'LL PRESENT YOU TODAY, AS WELL DESERVED AS IT IS. IT IS REALLY THE TRANSFORMATION OF BOSNIA. EVERY BULLET NOT FIRED, EVERY GRAVE NOT DUG IS A TESTIMONY TO THE SERVICE RENDERED BY YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

FOR HIS PART, MR. HOLBROOKE ACCEPTED CREDIT FOR ENDING THE WAR BUT TOOK EXCEPTION TO THE WORDING ON HIS AWARD.

IT TALKS ABOUT ACHIEVING PEACE IN BOSNIA AND THAT'S VERY GENEROUS BUT WE HAVEN'T QUITE DONE THAT YET, WE'VE ENDED THE WAR. WE STILL HAVE TO WIN THE PEACE.

IN AN APPEARENCE BEFORE REPORTERS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT, MR.HOLBROOKE SAYS HE IS REALISTIC ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES IN CARRYING OUT THE AGREEMENT HIS TEAM ACHIEVED IN DAYTON, OHIO. HOWEVER, HE SAYS THE SERBIAN EXODUS FROM SARAJEVO'S SUBURBS IS NOT TOTALLY UNJUSTIFIED.

THE SERBS IN THESE AREAS ARE TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF PEOPLE. PEOPLE WHO CAME IN, OFTEN MILITARY PEOPLE FROM THE RUMANIJA CORPS, WHO CAME IN WITH THEIR FAMILIES, OCCUPIED THE HOUSES OF MOSLEMS AND FROM THOSE HOUSES SHELLED THE DOWNTOWN AREA. BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE AREAS ARE WHERE THE SHELLING CAME FROM. AND REAL LONG-TERM RESIDENTS OF SARAJEVO. THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE. THEY KNOW HOW TO SORT THEMSELVES OUT.

MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL NOT ADVISE WHICH SERBS SHOULD LEAVE SARAJEVO'S SUBURBS AND WHICH SHOULD STAY, HE SAYS THEY'LL KNOW. MR. HOLBROOKE'S SOMETIMES ABRASIVE STYLE WILL BE MISSED FROM THE BOSNIA NEGOTIATIONS. HE SAYS HE WILL BE AVAILIABLE IN NEW YORK CITY IF HIS ADVICE IS ASKED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT BUT HE WILL NOT SECOND GUESS HIS SUCCESSORS, JOHN KORNBLUM HERE AT THE STATEDEPARTMENT AND ROBERT GALLUCCI IN THE BOSNIA NEGOTIATIONS. (SIGNED) NEB/PT 21-Feb-96 5:20 PM EST (2220 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America