Voice of America, 28 February 1996

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: MORE REACTION IN THE U-S PRESS TO THE TERRORIST BOMBINGS IN ISRAEL IS AMONG THE TOPICS COVERED IN WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS. OTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDE: THE KILLING OF CAMBODIAN ACTOR HAING NGOR IN LOS ANGELES; THE FAMILY FEUDS IN IRAQ; THE ARGUMENT FOR EXTENDING THE SENATE WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION, AND THE CONTROVERSIAL TRAVELS OF NATION OF ISLAM LEADER LOUIS FARRAKHAN. NOW, HERE IS _________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE TO THE PEACE PROCESS CAUSED BY THE MOST RECENT TERRORIST BOMBINGS IN ISRAEL. IN FLORIDA, "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" ADVISES ALL SIDES TO "PRESS AHEAD WITH PEACE TALKS", BUT SAYS IT IS HARD TO DO IN A CLIMATE OF FEAR.

VOICE: "TERROR AND TRAGEDY. THAT'S THE LEGACY OF TWO DESPICABLE BOMBINGS IN ISRAEL SUNDAY THAT KILLED 25, INCLUDING TWO AMERICANS. THOSE WERE THE WORST SINGLE DAY ATTACKS IN NEARLY TWO DECADES... IN LIGHT OF SUCH HORRORS, IT IS UNDERSTANDABLE FOR ISRAELIS TO ASK HOW MUCH MORE THEY MUST ENDURE, AS THEY FEEL ANGER, FEAR, DISILLUSIONMENT AND VENGEANCE. "

TEXT: THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" MAKES THESE POINTS.

VOICE: "THE PURPOSE OF THESE TERRORIST ACTS IS NOT JUST TO KILL PEOPLE BUT TO DESTROY THE PEACE AGREEMENT. IT IS A CREDIT TO THE FORTITUDE OF THE MAJORITY OF ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS THAT THE PEACE PLAN REMAINS INTACT. [OPT] ... IT IS ALWAYS EASY TO INVENT EXCUSES FOR VIOLENCE. WHAT IS MUCH TOUGHER IS TO PERSEVERE IN DELIVERING THE PEACE THE MAJORITY OF ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS WANT. THAT WILL REQUIRE CONTINUED STEADINESS FROM POLITICAL LEADERS ON BOTH SIDES AND AN UNFLINCHING RESOLVE TO FIND AND ARREST THE TERRORIST LEADERS." [END OPT]

TEXT: STILL IN THE MIDDLE EAST, THE MOST RECENT FRATERNAL VIOLENCE IN IRAQ DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE BOSTON GLOBE."

VOICE: "THE RUSES SADDAM HUSSEIN USED TO LURE HIS TWO DEFECTOR SONS-IN-LAW BACK TO BAGHDAD AND TAKE HIS REVENGE ON THEM EXCEED, FOR SHEER MACHIAVELLIAN FLAMBOYANCE, ANYTHING FOUND IN "THE GODFATHER," THE TYRANT'S FAVORITE MOVIE. BUT SINCE SADDAM CONSIDERS HIMSELF STILL AT WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES, AND SINCE HE STILL HAS THE CAPABILITY TO WREAK VENGEANCE ON UNSUSPECTING AMERICANS, THE EXECUTION OF THE FATHERS OF HIS GRANDCHILDREN SHOULD BE TAKEN BY WASHINGTON AS A WARNING OF WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE SUCH AN ENEMY."

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" ALSO WRITES ON THE SUBJECT, NOTING:

VOICE: "QUITE WHY LT. GENERAL HUSSEIN KAMEL HASSAN FLED IRAQ FOR JORDAN LAST AUGUST 5REMAINS A MYSTERY... WHAT IS CLEAR IS THAT THE PARANOID GANGLAND OF SADDAM HUSSEIN IS REDUCING ITSELF IN THE QUEST FOR PURITY. SIMILAR PURGES BY ADOLF HITLER AND JOSEF STALIN DID NOT SHORTEN THE LIVES OF THOSE REGIMES."

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, THERE IS SADNESS IN THIS "LOS ANGELES TIMES" EDITORIAL ABOUT THE KILLING OF CAMBODIAN ACTOR HAING NGOR, WHO SURVIVED THE "KILLING FIELDS" OF HIS COUNTRY, ONLY TO BE SHOT TO DEATH AT HIS HOME IN LOS ANGELES.

VOICE: "HAS THERE EVER BEEN A MORE ARTICULATE AND GRIEVING WITNESS TO THE DEATH OF A PEOPLE THAN HAING NGOR? ... NOTHING IN HIS LATER LIFE TURNED [MR.] NGOR'S THOUGHTS FROM CAMBODIA, NOT HIS ACTING CAREER NOR HIS SUCCESSFUL BOOK. HE STAYED WITH HIS PEOPLE, TRAVELING TO THE DUSTY CAMPS AND AIMLESS LIVES OF REFUGEES ON THE THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER, GIVING MONEY, DISTRIBUTING SUPPLIES... HE SURVIVED LONG ENOUGH TO DESCRIBE THE MADNESS FOR US AND DO ALL THAT ONE MAN COULD TO HELP HIS FELLOW CAMBODIANS."

TEXT: ON A DOMESTIC TOPIC, THE DEBATE OVER WHETHER TO EXTEND THE SENATE'S SO-CALLED WHITEWATER INVESTIGATION DRAWS THIS COMMENT FROM "THE NEW YORK TIMES", WHICH FAVORS A CONTINUATION OF THE HEARINGS.

VOICE: "NO ARGUMENTS ABOUT POLITICS ON EITHER SIDE CAN OUTWEIGH THE FACT THAT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS YET TO REVEAL THE FULL FACTS ABOUT THE (ARKANSAS) LAND VENTURE, THE CLINTONS' RELATIONSHIP TO MR. MCDOUGAL'S BANKING ACTIVITIES, HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON'S WORK AS A LAWYER ON WHITEWATER MATTERS AND THE MYSTERIOUS MOVEMENTS OF DOCUMENTS BETWEEN THE ROSE LAW FIRM, VARIOUS BASEMENTS AND CLOSETS AND THE EXECUTIVE MANSION."

TEXT: CONTROVERSIAL MUSLIM MINISTER LOUIS FARRAKHAN'S RECENT SO-CALLED 'FRIENDSHIP TOUR' TO AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST, IN WHICH HE MET WITH SEVERAL DICTATORS UNFRIENDLY TO THE UNITED STATES, AND MADE ANTI-AMERICAN COMMENTS, DRAWS THIS FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST."

VOICE: " [OPT] MR. FARRAKHAN'S SUPPORTERS AND BACKERS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES ... EXPLAINED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE TRIP WAS 'ATONEMENT AND RECONCILIATION' AND 'EXPANDING THE SPIRIT OF THE MILLION MAN MARCH GLOBALLY'... [END OPT] MR. FARRAKHAN REACTED TO SUGGESTIONS OF A CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY INTO HIS TRIP BY REVERTING TO HIS HABIT OF BAITING JEWS AND ISRAEL... MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT: THIS IS FILTHY TALK... HIS WORDS ARE AVAILABLE TO BE JUDGED BY ANYONE AND TO DRAW FROM ANYONE THEIR JUST PORTION OF ANGER AND DISGUST."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, ON THE SHOOTING DOWN OF TWO U-S CIVILIAN AIRCRAFT BY CUBAN AIR FORCE MIGS OVER THE WEEKEND, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "FOR THOSE WITH A REALISTIC UNDERSTANDING OF WHO FIDEL CASTRO IS AND WHAT HE REPRESENTS, THE SHOOTDOWN IS DISTURBING, BUT NOT SURPRISING. THE CUBAN EXILES' FLIGHTS WERE UNWISE. BUT ... CUBA'S ACTION IS COMPLETELY OUTSIDE THE NORMS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL WAS RIGHT TO DEPLORE IT."

TEXT: AND WITH THAT WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIALS OPINION FROM SOME OF THE DAYS PAPERS.

NEB/ANG/PCH
28-Feb-96 11:16 AM EST (1616 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] ASIA-EUROPE SCENESETTER BY DAN ROBINSON (BANGKOK)

INTRO: EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ARE TRYING TO BUILD NEW BRIDGES WITH PROSPEROUS ASIA IN A SUMMIT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY IN BANGKOK, THAILAND. V-O-A'S DAN ROBINSON REPORTS WHILE THE MAIN ISSUE IS TRADE, EUROPE ALSO WANTS TO OVERCOME WHAT OFFICIALS CALL MISCONCEPTIONS THAT HAVE HARMED ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO REGIONS.

TEXT: THIS WEEK'S ASIA-EUROPE SUMMIT -- KNOWN AS ASEM -- ADDS YET ANOTHER ACRONYM TO A LIST OF GROUPINGS THAT HAVE SPRUNG UP IN RECENT YEARS AMID THE DIZZYING ECONOMIC BOOM IN ASIA.

THE SUMMIT GREW OUT OF EUROPEAN RECOGNITION ITS ECONOMIC PRESENCE IN ASIA WAS LAGGING. THERE WAS A WIDELY-HELD PERCEPTION TWO OF THE WORLD'S MOST IMPORTANT REGIONS WERE LOSING TOUCH.

EUROPE WATCHED IN RECENT YEARS AS ASIAN TRADE ACROSS THE PACIFIC, PARTICULARLY WITH THE UNITED STATES, EXPANDED AND U-S AND JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN ASIA GREW.

ASIA BECAME EUROPE'S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, ACCOUNTING FOR 23-PERCENT OF TOTAL E-U EXPORTS IN 1994. BUT, EUROPE'S SHARE OF DIRECT INVESTMENT IN ASIAN ECONOMIES DECLINED.

ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN IS INTERNATIONAL TRADE POLICY. EUROPE WANTS A COMMON POSITION WITH ASIA IN ADVANCE OF NEXT DECEMBER'S FIRST MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE IN SINGAPORE OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. E-U OFFICIALS ALSO STRESS WHAT THEY CALL A NEED TO OVERCOME MISCONCEPTIONS CAUSED BY DISAGREEMENTS OVER SUCH ISSUES AS LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN RIGHTS.

WHILE SOME LABOR AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES MAY BE RAISED BY SOME EUROPEAN LEADERS IN CLOSED-DOOR SESSIONS AND INFORMAL CONTACTS, BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED NOT TO ALLOW SUMMIT OBJECTIVES TO BE HARMED.

EUROPEAN NATIONS ALSO WANT TO PLAY A GREATER ROLE IN POLITICAL AND SECURITY ISSUES THEY BELIEVE COULD AFFECT FUTURE ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS WITH ASIA.

SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD IN ENCOURAGING REGIONAL SECURITY DIALOGUES. EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHINA-TAIWAN PROBLEM, THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, AND THE TENSE KOREAN PENINSULA.

HOST COUNTRY THAILAND WILL SEEK EUROPEAN ENDORSEMENT OF A SOUTHEAST ASIAN NUCLEAR-WEAPONS-FREE ZONE. SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES ARE EXPECTED TO PUSH FOR A PERMANENT SEAT ON THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL.

A FINAL DECLARATION IS ALSO EXPECTED TO INCLUDE A JOINT PLEDGE TO SUPPORT EFFECTIVE REFORM OF THE UNITED NATIONS, WHICH IS EXPERIENCING A FINANCIAL CRISIS.

THE ASIA-EUROPE SUMMIT TAKES PLACE WITH A NUMBER OF TRADE-RELATED ISSUES STILL UNRESOLVED. CHINA ACCUSES THE EUROPEAN UNION OF DISCRIMINATING AGAINST CHINESE EXPORTS. JAPAN AND EUROPE HAVE A DISAGREEMENT OVER COPYRIGHTS FOR RECORDINGS. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 28-Feb-96 7:53 AM EST (1253 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] ASIA/EUROPE HUMAN RIGHTS (L-O) BY VIKASH JAIN (BANGKOK)

INTRO: IN THAILAND (WEDNESDAY), LABOR, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS HELD A SECOND DAY OF A CONFERENCE AIMED AT INFLUENCING ASIAN AND EUROPEAN LEADERS HOLDING A SEPARATE SUMMIT THIS WEEK. AS WE HEAR FROM VIKASH JAIN, TWO GROUPS STAGED A DEMONSTRATION IN AN EFFORT TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE ASIA-EUROPE SUMMIT IN BANGKOK:

TEXT: FIRST, A GROUP OF ABOUT 20 WOMEN TEXTILE WORKERS TRIED TO ENTER THE BANGKOK HOTEL WHERE THE N-G-O/HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE IS TAKING PLACE. THEY WERE STOPPED BY POLICE WHO SAID THE WOMEN HAD NO PLACE AT THE MEETING OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS DISCUSSING LABOR ISSUES.

THE WOMEN WERE EVENTUALLY ALLOWED IN, ESCORTED BY SOME N-G-O WORKERS. THEN, A SECOND GROUP OF ABOUT 80 PEOPLE WEARING RED HEAD BANDS MARCHED INTO THE BUILDING.

THEY WERE MEMBERS OF "ASSEMBLY FOR THE POOR," A GROUP OF FARMERS FROM CENTRAL THAILAND. SPEAKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GROUP CRITICIZED THAILAND'S DEVELOPMENT POLICIES AND THE ASIA-EUROPE SUMMIT:

THE POOR PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SUFFERING. THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, THE FARMERS, ARE GOING TO SUFFER IN THE NAME OF DEVELOPMENT FROM THE NORTH COUNTRIES. ON BEHALF OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE POOR, WE WOULD LIKE TO CONDEMN THE AGREEMENTS OF THE TRADE AND ANY KIND OF SECURITY REASON TO AVOID THE PROBLEM OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE IN ANY COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY IN ASIA AND EUROPE.

ASIAN AND EUROPEAN LEADERS HAVE AGREED NOT TO ALLOW DISAGREEMENTS OVER LABOR STANDARDS AND HUMAN RIGHTS TO UPSET THE INAUGURAL ASIA-EUROPE SUMMIT.

ANOTHER ISSUE DISCUSSED DURING THE N-G-O CONFERENCE WAS THE SITUATION IN EAST TIMOR. AMONG E-U COUNTRIES, ONLY PORTUGAL -- THE FORMER COLONIAL RULER OF EAST TIMOR -- HAS SAID IT WILL RAISE THE ISSUE. INDONESIA SAYS EAST TIMOR IS IRRELEVANT AND SHOULD NOT BE RAISED DURING THE SUMMIT.

CARMEL BUDIARDJO, A HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST FROM BRITAIN, SAYS INDONESIA SHOULD UNDERSTAND EAST TIMOR AS AN ISSUE IS STILL ALIVE FOR MANY EUROPEANS:

THE INDONESIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALI ALATAS HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME RECENTLY HOLDING FORTH ABOUT THE WEEKEND'S SUMMIT. ONE THING ABOVE ALL ELSE HAS WORRIED HIM. THE PROSPECT THAT HUMAN RIGHTS AND IN PARTICULAR, EAST TIMOR, WOULD BE RAISED BY SOME OF THE EUROPEAN UNION PARTICIPANTS. BY INSISTING AS HE HAS DONE REPEATEDLY, THAT EAST TIMOR IS A QUESTION OF IRRELEVANCE FOR THE SUMMIT, HE HAS ONLY SUCCEEDED IN PROVING THE CONTRARY.

PORTUGAL'S PRIME MINISTER, ANTONIO GUTERRES, HAS SAID WHEN HE ATTENDS THE ASEM SUMMIT, HE WILL NOT BE PREVENTED FROM RAISING THE ISSUE OF RIGHTS FOR EAST TIMORESE PEOPLE. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 28-Feb-96 8:09 AM EST (1309 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] ASIA/EUROPE ONITER (S-O) BY DAN ROBINSON (BANGKOK)

INTRO: HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT FROM 15 EUROPEAN AND 10 EAST ASIAN NATIONS ARRIVE THURSDAY IN BANGKOK FOR A SUMMIT AIMED AT STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL RELATIONS. FROM THAILAND'S CAPITAL, DAN ROBINSON REPORTS A NUMBER OF BILATERAL MEETINGS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE ON THE SIDELINES OF THE SUMMIT.

TEXT: MOST ATTENTION IS FOCUSED ON A MEETING THURSDAY BETWEEN BRITISH PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR AND CHINESE PREMIER LI PENG DEALING WITH HONG KONG. BUT, EUROPEAN AND ASIAN LEADERS WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOLD BILATERAL DISCUSSIONS ON A RANGE OF TOPICS.

REPORTS FROM SEOUL AND TOKYO SAY SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT KIM YOUNG SAM AND JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER RYUTARO HASHIMOTO WILL MEET IN BANGKOK AFTER THE SUMMIT. EARLIER IT APPEARED THE TWO WOULD NOT MEET AMID THE RE-SURFACING OF A LONGSTANDING TERRITORIAL DISPUTE.

MR. HASHIMOTO IS QUOTED BY JAPAN'S KYODO NEWS AGENCY AS SAYING HE WILL ASK CHINA TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT WITH TAIWAN, IF HE IS ABLE TO MEET CHINESE PREMIER LI PENG.

THAILAND'S PRIME MINISTER WILL HOLD A NUMBER OF BILATERAL MEETINGS WITH EUROPEAN AND ASIAN LEADERS. SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES ARE SEEKING EUROPEAN SUPPORT FOR A REGIONAL NUCLEAR WEAPONS FREE ZONE.

BEFORE HE FLIES TO BANGKOK, FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC WILL USE A SPEECH IN SINGAPORE TO UNVEIL A NEW FRENCH INITIATIVE TOWARD ASIA. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE 28-Feb-96 7:23 AM EST (1223 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA/SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (ILIJAS)

INTRO: BOSNIAN SERBS ARE CONTINUING TO FLEE FROM THE SERB-HELD SUBURBS OF SARAJEVO, DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS TO CONVINCE THEM TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES. EARLY THURSDAY THE SECOND OF FIVE SERB SUBURBS IS TO COME UNDER THE CONTROL OF MUSLIM AND CROAT POLICE. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SERB-HELD SARAJEVO.

TEXT: ABOUT 100 BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE GATHERED IN THE MOVIE THEATER IN ILIJAS, ONE OF THE SERB SUBURBS, TO HEAR INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS WHO ARE TRYING TO CONVINCE THE SERBS TO STAY. IT IS ONLY HOURS BEFORE MUSLIM AND CROAT POLICE WILL TAKE OVER AND THE LAST FEW SERBS LEFT IN ILIJAS ARE FRIGHTENED, ANGRY, AND CONFUSED.

THE MAIN SPEAKER IS THE SPECIAL ENVOY FROM THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY, SOREN JENSEN-PETERSSEN. THROUGH HIS TRANSLATOR HE TELLS THE SERBS THEY SHOULD STAY IN THEIR HOMES.

WE BELIEVE THOSE WHO HAVE TOLD YOU YOU SHOULD LEAVE, WE BELIEVE THEY ARE WRONG. (LEAVE IN VOICE OF TRANSLATOR IN BOSNIAN)

THE THEATER IS COLD AND BLEAK. THE ALMOST NEW SEATS HAVE BEEN REMOVED AND ARE STACKED IN THE LOBBY, WAITING FOR A TRUCK TO HAUL THEM AWAY. THE SERBS, SITTING ON THE NOW BARE CONCRETE STEPS, WAIT PATIENTLY AS SPEAKERS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE, NATO, AND OTHERS EACH TAKE THEIR TURN.

FINALLY A FEW QUESTIONS ARE ASKED, EACH ONE BETRAYING THE DISTRUST AND SUSPICION THESE PEOPLE HAVE FOR THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, OR THEIR ANGER AT THEIR OWN LEADERS FOR LEAVING THEM STRANDED HERE. ONE OLDER WOMAN, TEARS STREAMING DOWN HER FACE, SIMPLY DOES NOT KNOW WHAT SHE IS SUPPOSED TO DO.

BY THE END OF THE MEETING, IT IS CLEAR THE SERBS BELIEVE THERE WILL BE NO SAFETY FOR THEM IF THEY REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES. OUTSIDE THE THEATER MR. PETERSSEN SPEAKS FRANKLY OF HIS DISAPPOINTMENT.

I THINK THAT IT IS OBVIOUS THAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE TOTALLY RESIGNED TO THEIR FATE, WHICH IS DEEPLY SAD AND REGRETTABLE. I MUST SAY GIVEN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, I THINK WE WERE MEETING WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE LISTENING. SO I AM NOT TOTALLY SORT OF ... I HAVE NOT LOST HOPE TOTALLY.

BUT IT IS ONLY THE VERY OLD OR THE VERY POOR WHO ARE LEFT IN ILIJAS, AND THERE IS PANIC IN THE AIR. MR. PETERSSEN SAYS ALMOST ALL THE SERBS WHO COULD AFFORD TO HAVE TAKEN THEIR BELONGINGS TO SAFETY.

I DO NOT HAVE THE EXACT FIGURES, BUT I WOULD SAY PROBABLY 95-PERCENT HAVE LEFT, AND THOSE REMAINING, YES, ARE THE VULNERABLE WHOM WE CAN HELP HERE. WHO DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS, AND WHO MAY NOT NECESSARILY WANT TO LEAVE IF WE CAN REASSURE THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN LIVING HERE ALL THEIR LIVES, WHY SHOULD THEY MOVE IF THEY CAN STAY.

DOWN THE STREET FROM THE THEATER A SMALL CROWD OF PEOPLE WAITS FOR THE ARRIVAL OF LONG-PROMISED BUSSES TO TAKE THEM AWAY. WHEN SUDDENLY SEVEN BUSSES DO RUMBLE INTO ILIJAS, MANY SERBS SIMPLY STARE AS IF IN DISBELIEF. QUICKLY THOUGH THEY SCRAMBLE TO CARRY THEIR HEAVY BAGS, OR PUSH WHEELBARROWS FULL OF THEIR POSSESSIONS TOWARD THE BUSSES. ONE OF THE DRIVERS SAYS HE IS TAKING PEOPLE TO SREBRENICA.

A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY, OUTSIDE THE U-N OFFICE, ANOTHER CROWD GATHERS AROUND A TABLE IN THE STREET.

EVERYONE WHO STILL NEEDS A TRUCK TO CARRY THEIR POSSESSIONS OUT IS PUTTING THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS ON A LIST THAT WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP. ONE SENIOR U-N OFFICIAL SAYS THE SERB TRUCKS ARE ALREADY BUSY STRIPPING FACTORIES, SCHOOLS, AND HOSPITALS OF ANYTHING OF VALUE, A PROCESS HE CALLS OUTRAGEOUS. BUT IT MAY VERY WELL BE THE NEW SEATS FROM THE MOVIE THEATER WILL BE TAKEN TO SAFETY, LONG BEFORE THESE LAST FEW SERBS ARE ABLE TO LEAVE. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/MH/RAE
28-Feb-96 2:34 PM EST (1934 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA/SITREP (L UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY ( VIENNA )

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS REFUSED TO FREE A BOSNIAN SERB ARMY GENERAL AND TO ALLOW HIM TO RETURN TO SERB-HELD TERRITORY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE TRIBUNAL WILL DECIDE ON FRIDAY WHETHER TO CONTINUE TO HOLD HIM PENDING POSSIBLE WAR CRIMES CHARGES OR TO RETURN HIM TO BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CUSTODY. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: LAWYERS FOR SERB GENERAL DJORDJE DJUKIC TOLD THE TRIBUNAL THE GENERAL HAS NOT YET BEEN FORMALLY CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES SO HE SHOULD BE FREED, AND HIS MOVEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE RESTRICTED. BUT A TRIBUNAL JUDGE SAYS A DECISION WILL BE MADE ON FRIDAY ON WHETHER THE TRIBUNAL SHOULD HOLD THE GENERAL FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS OR WHETHER HE SHOULD BE RETURNED TO BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CUSTODY. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS IT HAS EVIDENCE THAT GENERAL DJUKIC AND A SERB ARMY COLONEL, ALSO HELD BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, WERE INVOLVED IN THE KILLING OF MUSLIM CIVILIANS. TRIBUNAL INVESTIGATORS ALSO BELIEVE HE HAS INFORMATION ABOUT WAR CRIMES ALLEGEDLY COMMITTED BY THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, AND POSSIBLY BY OTHER SENIOR SERB OFFICERS. HOWEVER,,GENERAL DJUKIC IS REFUSING TO ANSWER INVESTIGATORS' QUESTIONS. GENERAL MLADIC AND THE BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, WERE INDICTED BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL LAST YEAR. THEY REMAIN AT LARGE IN SERB-HELD TERRITORY. BRITISH TROOPS OF THE NATO-LED INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SAW MR. KARADZIC IN THE SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA ON TUESDAY. BUT, THEY MADE NO ATTEMPT TO DETAIN HIM. MR. KARADZIC WAS SURROUNDED BY BODYGUARDS AND CIVILIANS. THE NATO SOLDIERS FEARED A SHOOTOUT WOULD RESULT IN MANY CASUALTIES. NATO OFFICIALS IN BRUSSELS SAY NATO SOLDIERS IN BOSNIA ARE NOT GOING TO BE SENT ON SUICIDE MISSIONS. NATO HAS PREVIOUSLY SAID THAT ITS FORCES WOULD NOT HUNT FOR SUSPECTED OR INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS. BUT IF ITS SOLDIERS HAPPENED TO ENCOUNTER THEM, NATO HAS SAID THE ALLEGED WAR CRIMINALS WOULD BE ARRESTED. MEANWHILE, MUSLIM AND CROAT POLICE ARE ABOUT TO MOVE INTO ANOTHER SERB-HELD DISTRICT OF SARAJEVO THAT WILL REVERT TO THE CONTROL OF THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION. BUSES HAVE EVACUATED MORE SERB CIVILIANS FROM THE SUBURB OF ILIJAS IN ADVANCE OF THE MUSLIM-CROAT TAKEOVER, LEAVING RELATIVELY FEW RESIDENTS STILL THERE. SERB AUTHORITIES HAVE ALREADY CLOSED DOWN VITAL FACILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES IN ILIJAS AND HAVE DISMANTLED THE SUBURB'S INFRASTRUCTURE. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/MH/GPT
28-Feb-96 3:11 PM EST (2011 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] BOSNIA / SERBS (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE WELCOMED THE SUSPENSION OF INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST THEM. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC SAYS THE SUSPENSION OF THE SANCTIONS MEANS THE SERB REPUBLIC WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE.

HIS DEPUTY, NIKOLA KOLJEVIC, SAYS THE END OF UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS AND THE EARLIER LIFTING OF YUGOSLAV SANCTIONS AGAINST THE SERBS ARE IMPORTANT MOVES TO STRENGTHEN PEACE IN THE BALKANS.

THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL SUSPENDED THE INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS AFTER NATO CONFIRMED THE SERBS ARE COMPLYING WITH MILITARY PROVISIONS OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

IF SERB COMPLIANCE STOPS, THE SECURITY COUNCIL COULD REIMPOSE THE SANCTIONS AT NATO'S REQUEST AND WITHOUT A FORMAL VOTE.

THE REMOVAL OF THE SANCTIONS WAS NOT LINKED TO SERB COOPERATION OR THE LACK OF IT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE.

THE SERB POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS HAVE BOTH BEEN INDICTED AS WAR CRIMINALS. BOTH OF THEM HAVE SAID THEY WILL NOT TURN THEMSELVES IN AND FACE TRIAL ON GENOCIDE AND OTHER WAR CRIMES CHARGES. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH
28-Feb-96 5:49 AM EST (1049 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] PERRY / RUSSIA / NATO (L-O) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAYS NATO PLANS TO PRESS AHEAD WITH ITS EASTWARD EXPANSION DESPITE RUSSIAN OBJECTIONS. HE INSISTS THE PROCESS WILL ENHANCE THE SECURITY OF ALL OF EUROPE INCLUDING RUSSIA. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: IN WHAT AIDES DESCRIBED AS A MAJOR POLICY STATEMENT, MR. PERRY SAID NATO EXPANSION IS INEVITABLE AND THAT RUSSIA MUST BE ENCOURAGED TO REMAIN ON A COURSE TOWARD GREATER INTEGRATION WITH THE REST OF EUROPE.

ADDRESSING WASHINGTON'S NATIONAL PRESS CLUB, MR. PERRY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MOST MEMBERS OF RUSSIA'S POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT DO NOT WELCOME OR EVEN ACCEPT NATO'S PLANS FOR ENLARGEMENT. BUT HE SAID THE ALLIANCE MUST GO FORWARD, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE PROCESS OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM ACROSS EUROPE.

NATO ENLARGEMENT IS INEVITABLE. AND IF NATO ENLARGEMENT IS A CARROT ENCOURAGING REFORMS, THEN NATO CAN NOT KEEP THAT CARROT OUT OF REACH FOREVER. AND EVEN AS SOME COUNTRIES JOIN NATO, IT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE DOOR OPEN FOR OTHERS DOWN THE ROAD. NATO MUST MAKE SURE THAT THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE CONTINUES TO PROVIDE A PLACE FOR ALL IN THE SECURITY ARCHITECTURE OF EUROPE.

MR. PERRY SAID THAT DESPITE MOSCOW'S HOSTILITY TO THE CONCEPT, NATO AND ITS PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENT MEET A CRITICAL NEED FOR RUSSIA BY PROVIDING A COMMON SECURITY FRAMEWORK INVOLVING RUSSIA, THE UNITED STATES, AND GERMANY. HE PREDICTED THAT AS RUSSIA BEGINS TO WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH THE ALLIANCE THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM, ITS MISGIVINGS WILL BE OVERCOME.

RUSSIA IS ALREADY DEVELOPING A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH NATO. AND IS BEGINNING TO PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE. AND THROUGH THAT REAL-WORLD EXPOSURE, RUSSIA WILL COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT NATO ENLARGEMENT MEANS ENLARGING A ZONE OF SECURITY AND STABILITY THAT IS VERY MUCH IN RUSSIA'S INTEREST, NOT A THREAT TO RUSSIA.

MR. PERRY SAID HE STILL EXPECTS NATO TO SELECT NEW MEMBERS FROM THE RANKS OF THE PARTNERSHIP COUNTRIES AT ITS MINISTERIAL LATE THIS YEAR, WITH THE ACTUAL EXPANSION TO OCCUR IN 1997. HE ALSO SAID THE UNITED STATES IS PREPARED TO WORK WITH ANY RUSSIAN LEADER DEMOCRATICALLY CHOSEN IN THE JUNE ELECTIONS, AND HOPES TO CONTINUE HELPING UNDERWRITE RUSSIAN ARMS REDUCTIONS UNDER THE NUNN-LUGAR PROGRAM. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/BD/JM
28-Feb-96 5:09 PM EST (2209 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] U-S/YUGO/SOROS (S-ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON )

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS CONDEMNED WHAT IT SAYS IS A CAMPAIGN TO RESTRICT FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND EXPRESSION IN SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS A U-S SPOKESMAN SAYS THE DECISION TO BAN THE PRO-DEMOCRACY SOROS FOUNDATION IS ANOTHER MEASURE BY SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO STIFLE PRE-ELECTION OPPOSITION:

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GLYNN DAVIES SAYS THE YUGOSLAV SUPREME COURT'S RULING AGAINST THE SOROS FOUNDATION IS UNJUSTIFIED. THE COURT UPHELD AN EARLIER DECISION BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REVOKE THE FOUNDATION'S PERMISSION TO OPERATE IN THE COUNTRY. THE SPOKESMAN SAYS IT FOLLOWS THE RECENT CLOSURE OF THE INDEPENDENT MEDIA OUTLET, STUDIO B IN BELGRADE:

THIS ACTION, COMBINED WITH THE TAKEOVER OF INDEPENDENT BROADCASTER STUDIO B JUST RECENTLY, APPEARS TO BE PART OF AN ORCHESTRATED CAMPAIGN BY (PRESIDENT SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC AND HIS RULING PARTY TO HAMPER OPPOSITION PARTIES IN ADVANCE OF THE ELECTIONS THAT ARE COMING UP THIS YEAR.

MR. DAVIES SAYS BELGRADE IS FULLY AWARE OF THE U-S POSITION. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SAYS BELGRADE'S ACTION COULD BLOCK YUGOSLAVIA FROM RECEIVING MUCH-NEEDED FOREIGN FINANCIAL AID.

THE SOROS FOUNDATION HAS BEEN DOING WHAT MR. DAVIES CALLED GOOD WORK IN TRYING TO PROMOTE THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. HE SAYS THE INSTITUTE, WHICH HAS BEEN WORKING IN YUGOSLAVIA FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, HAS COME UNDER HEAVY CRITICISM BY BELGRADE. (SIGNED)

NEB/VB/SKH
27-Feb-96 10:29 PM EST (0329 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] YUGO / WAR CRIMES (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS REJECTED DEMANDS FOR THE PROMPT RELEASE OF A BOSNIAN-SERB ARMY GENERAL LINKED TO WAR CRIMES. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: A WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL JUDGE, CLAUDE JORDA OF FRANCE, SAYS A DECISION WILL MADE FRIDAY WHETHER SERB GENERAL DJORDGE DJUKIC SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE HELD IN THE TRIBUNAL'S CUSTODY.

DEFENSE LAWYERS ARGUED THE GENERAL HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED, SO HE SHOULD BE FREED AND HIS MOVEMENTS SHOULD NOT BE RESTRICTED. BUT, CHIEF TRIBUNAL PROSECUTOR RICHARD GOLDSTONE WANTS HIM TO BE HELD IN THE HAGUE FOR ANOTHER MONTH.

GENERAL DJUKIC IS MENTIONED IN DOCUMENTS THAT DEAL WITH THE TRIBUNAL' INDICTMENT LAST YEAR OF THE BOSNIAN-SERB ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC.

JUDGE JORDA SAYS IF THE TRIBUNAL DECIDES TO FREE GENERAL DJUKIC, THE SENIOR SERB OFFICER WOULD BE RETURNED TO BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT CUSTODY.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT HAS EVIDENCE THE GENERAL AND A SERB-ARMY COLONEL, ALSO HELD IN THE HAGUE, WERE INVOLVED IN WAR CRIMES AGAINST BOSNIAN MUSLIMS. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH
28-Feb-96 12:11 PM EST (1711 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America