Voice of America, 27 March 1996

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: THE PASSING OF ONE OF THE UNITED STATES' ELDER STATESMEN, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE EDMUND MUSKIE, RECEIVES ATTENTION IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MANY LEADING NEWSPAPERS THIS WEDNESDAY AT THE END OF MARCH. OTHER SUBJECTS UNDER ANALYSIS INCLUDE THE EASING OF TENSION IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT; THE ABSENCE OF A FEDERAL BUDGET HALF WAY THROUGH THE FISCAL YEAR, CRITICISM OF U-S POLITY TOWARD RUSSIA, AND A SPECTACULAR VISITOR FROM DEEP SPACE. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ____________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE LONG-TIME DEMOCRATIC SENATOR FROM MAINE, AND SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE CARTER ADMINISTRATION, EDMUND MUSKIE, DIED IN WASHINGTON EARLY TUESDAY AT THE AGE OF 81. THE SON OF A POLISH IMMIGRANT TAILOR IS FONDLY REMEMBERED IN DOZENS OF EDITORIALS, INCLUDING THIS ONE FROM "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER", WHICH CALLS HIM "A DECENT PUBLIC SERVANT."

VOICE: "LOOKING BACK, ONE CAN STILL WONDER IF FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE EDMUND ... MUSKIE, A MODERATE, LINCOLNESQUE DEMOCRAT WITH SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS, WOULD HAVE MADE A BETTER RUN AT PRESIDENT NIXON THAN GEORGE MCGOVERN IN THE MISMATCHED 1972 PRESIDENTIAL RACE... HE ... SHOULD BE REMEMBERED AS A STRAIGHT-TALKING [CANDID], DECENT POLITICAL LEADER WHO WORKED ON THE CRITICAL ISSUES OF HIS DAY, INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION... THIS NATION STILL PRODUCES EXEMPLARY PUBLIC SERVANTS, AS ILLUSTRATED BY ED MUSKIE."

TEXT: "THE ORLANDO SENTINEL" SAYS EDMUND MUSKIE LEAVES A POLITICAL LEGACY THAT WILL NOT BE SOON FORGOTTEN:

VOICE: "A GENERATION AND A HALF HAS PASSED SINCE THE TUMULTUOUS 1960S, AND THE POLITICAL LEGENDS OF THAT TIME, ONE BY ONE, ARE BECOMING MEMORIES. THE LATEST TO JOIN THEM WAS EDMUND MUSKIE... HE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS EFFORTS TO PROMOTE CLEANER AIR AND WATER. MR. MUSKIE LEFT AN ENDURING IMPRINT ON AMERICAN POLITICS."

TEXT: THERE IS A KIND OF POETRY IN "THE WASHINGTON POST'S" REMEMBRANCE OF THE SENATOR AND STATESMAN, WHICH BEGINS:

VOICE: "IT'S AS IF ONE OF OUR MOUNTAINS HAS DISAPPEARED,' SAID MAINE'S GOVERNOR ANGUS KING UPON LEARNING OF THE DEATH OF EDMUND MUSKIE. ... FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER SAID ... HE HAD 'NEVER KNOWN ANY AMERICAN LEADER WHO WAS MORE HIGHLY QUALIFIED TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.'"

TEXT: AND FINALLY, "USA TODAY" WRITES OF MR. MUSKIE:

VOICE: "IT'S CHIC [FASHIONABLE] TODAY TO BASH [CRITICIZE] CAREER POLITICIANS. BUT THE LIFE OF EDMUND ... MUSKIE ... IS A REMINDER THAT THE CLICHED VIEW IS OFTEN WRONG: MANY WHO DEVOTE THEIR LIVES TO MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK ARE DEDICATED, HONEST AND HARD-WORKING PEOPLE; SOME, LIKE [ED] MUSKIE, TRULY DESERVE THE TITLE OF STATESMAN."

TEXT: THE EASING OF TENSION IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT FOLLOWING THE ISLAND'S FIRST DIRECT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION LAST WEEKEND DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM "THE WASHINGTON POST:"

VOICE: "IT TOOK NO TIME AT ALL FOR CHINA TO CHANGE ITS COURSE AFTER TAIWAN DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED LEE TENG-HUI PRESIDENT. SUDDENLY, HE BECAME NO LONGER A DANGEROUS 'SPLITTER' BUT A FELLOW PATRON OF REUNIFICATION, WITH BEIJING CLAIMING CREDIT FOR PUTTING HIM IN THAT ROLE. CHINA'S INTIMIDATING MILITARY EXERCISES AND MISSILE FIRINGS HALTED. MOVES WERE BEGUN TO OPEN UP SOME NEW LINES TO TAIPEI... AS CHINA BACKED OFF, WASHINGTON WITHDREW THE TWO AIRCRAFT CARRIER GROUPS IT HAD SENT INTO INTERNATIONAL WATERS OFF TAIWAN... THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, AFTER SOME INITIAL CONFUSION, PLAYED ITS CARDS WELL."

TEXT: IN NEW ENGLAND, "THE BOSTON GLOBE" SAYS CHINA'S RECENT WAR GAMES NEAR TAIWAN TO INTIMIDATE THE VOTERS HAS DRAWN ATTENTION AWAY FROM ANOTHER OF BEIJING'S SERIOUS FAILINGS.

VOICE: "LESS DRAMATIC THAN THE ... ATTEMPT TO INTIMIDATE TAIWAN, BUT NO LESS REVELATORY OF THEIR GANGSTER ESSENCE, IS THE REGIME'S CEASELESS STRUGGLE AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SUCH AS AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL. TO JUSTIFY THEIR DEFIANCE OF UNIVERSAL STANDARDS ON HUMAN RIGHTS, THE HEIRS OF MAO ZEDONG RESORT TO A DECEPTIVE DOCTRINE THEY CALL THE PRINCIPLE OF NON-INTERFERENCE IN CHINA'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS... THE NEW AMNESTY BOOKLET, 'NO ONE IS SAFE', DOCUMENTS THE MANIFOLD HORRORS OF A POLITICAL SYSTEM THAT CONFERS ON THE COMMUNIST AUTHORITIES UNCHECKED POWER AND ALLOWS THEM TO EXERCISE THAT POWER ARBITRARILY."

TEXT: IN TEXAS, TODAY'S "DALLAS MORNING NEWS" TAKES ISSUE WITH U-S POLICY SUPPORTING EXPANSION OF NATO TO RUSSIA'S BORDERS, CALLING IT A "CLUMSY MOVE" THAT COULD STIR NATIONALISM.

VOICE: "AS THE JUNE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN RUSSIA APPROACH, THE SIGNS ARE BECOMING MORE EVIDENT THAT THE GREAT RUSSIAN BEAR DIDN'T DIE WHEN THE SOVIET UNION COLLAPSED IN 1991. IT SIMPLY WENT INTO HIBERNATION. EITHER THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THAT OR IT DOESN'T KNOW THE DANGERS OF AWAKING A HIBERNATING BEAR. HOW ELSE CAN THE ADMINISTRATION EXPLAIN ITS IN-YOUR-FACE [CONFRONTERY] ADVOCACY OF EXPANDING THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION TO RUSSIA'S DOORSTEP SO CLOSE TO THE RUSSIAN ELECTIONS?"

TEXT: TODAY'S "MIAMI HERALD" ADDS IT VOICE TO THE EVER LARGER CHORUS ASKING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL BAN ON THE USE OF LAND MINES, NOTING:

VOICE: "LONG AFTER THE GUNS OF WAR ARE SILENCED, LAND MINES KEEP KILLING. THEY KILL PEACEKEEPERS. THEY KILL SHEPHERDS AND THEIR FLOCKS. THEY KILL CHILDREN AT PLAY... THE U-S SHOULD PROVIDE LEADERSHIP FOR A WORLD BAN ON THESE CRUEL DEVICES."

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" NOTES WITH SOME DISGUST THAT THE FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR WILL SOON BE HALF OVER AND STILL NO U-S GOVERNMENT BUDGET.

VOICE: "NEXT MONDAY THE FISCAL YEAR WILL BE HALF OVER, AND MOST OF THE MAJOR DOMESTIC AGENCIES ARE STILL WITHOUT A BUDGET. PART OF THE PROBLEM IS MONEY; THE PRESIDENT CONTINUES TO SEEK MORE IN SUCH AREAS AS EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION THAN THE CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN WILLING TO APPROPRIATE. BUT PART ALSO HAS TO DO WITH A LIST OF RIDERS [PIECES OF LEGISLATION ON WIDELY DIFFERENT SUBJECTS THAN THE MAIN BILL, ATTACHED TO THAT BILL TO TRY TO FORCE PASSAGE OF THE UNRELATED LEGISLATION] THAT THE REPUBLICANS KEEP TRYING TO USE THE APPROPRIATIONS BILL TO PASS. "

TEXT: FINALLY, ON THE MAGNIFICENT COMET HYAKUTAKE CURRENTLY VISIBLE IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SKIES, TODAY'S "ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" EXCLAIMS:

VOICE: "IN ANCIENT TIMES, THE APPEARANCE OF A COMET WAS BELIEVED TO PORTEND CATASTROPHIC EVENTS. TODAY, IT'S A SURE SIGN THAT SALES OF TELESCOPES AND BINOCULARS WILL SOAR... JUST GET AWAY FROM THE INTERFERING LIGHTS AND SMOGGY AIR OF THE BIG CITY. TAKE THE KIDS AND LET THEM SEE SOMETHING THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER. LOOK UP AND BEHOLD HYAKUTAKE, ONE OF THE UNIVERSE'S WANDERING WONDERS."

TEXT: AND ON THAT CELESTIAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.

NEB/ANG/PCH
27-Mar-96 10:37 AM EST (1537 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA / I-FOR MANDATE BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (SIPOVO, BOSNIA)

INTRO: THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA, KNOWN AS I-FOR, IS MOVING AHEAD WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN. BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE I-FOR MANDATE EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS YEAR? THERE IS ALREADY TALK OF ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL FORCE, TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO RETURN TO WAR IN BOSNIA. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS FILED THIS BACKGROUND FROM THE CENTRAL TOWN OF SIPOVO.

TEXT: THERE HAVE BEEN REAL CHANGES IN THIS SMALL MARKET TOWN SINCE NATO FORCES DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA LAST DECEMBER.

THOUSANDS OF SERB REFUGEES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES IN A REGION, PREVIOUSLY HELD BY CROAT FORCES. AND ALTHOUGH THE CROATS LOOTED AND BURNED MUCH OF THE AREA BEFORE THEY WITHDREW, THE RETURNING SERBS ARE CLEARLY GLAD TO BE BACK. THEY ALSO APPEAR GRATEFUL FOR THE SENSE OF SECURITY NOW PROVIDED BY BRITISH TROOPS OF THE I-FOR PEACEKEEPING FORCE. "I ASK NOTHING OF I-FOR," SAYS NOVICE SEROVIC AS HE STACKS WOOD OUTSIDE HIS LOOTED AND WINDOW-LESS APARTMENT. "I AM JUST TRYING TO REBUILD MY LIFE." BUT THE SITUATION WOULD BE DIFFERENT, HE ADDS, IF THE I-FOR TROOPS WERE NOT HERE. AND HE FEARS THERE COULD BE TROUBLE WHEN THEY LEAVE.

THAT SENTIMENT ECHOES THROUGHOUT BOSNIA NOW, AMONG MUSLIMS, CROATS AND SERBS ALIKE, FEARFUL OF A NEW ROUND OF FIGHTING WHEN THE I-FOR MANDATE EXPIRES AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

THERE COULD BE REAL DANGER IF I-FOR LEAVES, SAYS JOZO MARIC, A SENIOR CROAT OFFICIAL IN THE SOUTHERN TOWN OF MOSTAR. NATO'S DEPARTURE, HE ADDS, COULD OPEN UP A NEW PANDORA'S BOX.

ON THE MUSLIM SIDE OF A STILL-DIVIDED MOSTAR, SENAD EVICA, A TELEVISION EXECUTIVE, OFFERS A SIMILAR ASSESSMENT. IF I-FOR GOES, HE SAYS, THE FUTURE WILL NOT BE BRIGHT.

BRIGADIER RICHARD DANNATT, WHO COMMANDS BRITISH TROOPS IN THE SIPOVO REGION, ACKNOWLEDGES THAT MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE TO ENSURE PEACE IN BOSNIA. BUT HE SAYS MUCH HAS ALREADY BEEN ACCOMPLISHED ON THE MILITARY SIDE OF THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN, AND FURTHER MAJOR STEPS ARE IMMINENT.

THE BRIGADIER NOTES THAT BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT MONTH, ON THE 120TH DAY OF THE I-FOR MANDATE IN BOSNIA, MUSLIM, CROAT AND SERB TROOPS ARE TO RETURN TO THEIR BARRACKS, AND ALL HEAVY WEAPONS ARE TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE FIELD AND STORED IN SPECIFIC LOCATIONS MONITORED BY I-FOR.

AND I THINK THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT DATE, BECAUSE IF THAT IS ACHIEVED, THEN THAT IS WHEN THE WAR IS REALLY OVER. BECAUSE IF AN ARMY IS IN BARRACKS PER SE, IT CANNOT FIGHT. WHAT WE THEN HAVE TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RECONSTRUCTION OF THE COUNTRY IS SUCH THAT WAR IS NOT ONLY IMPRACTICAL AND UNNECESSARY, BUT IS ACTUALLY UNTHINKABLE.

BUT IT IS ALREADY CLEAR THAT THE CIVILIAN ASPECTS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE PLAN ARE LAGGING FAR BEHIND THE MILITARY STEPS AGREED AT THE DAYTON CONFERENCE.

THE REPATRIATION OF THE BOSNIAN REFUGEES WILL TAKE AT LEAST TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE. RECONSTRUCTION AND THE REHABILITATION OF THE COUNTRY'S SHATTERED ECONOMY WILL TAKE MUCH LONGER. AND FEW ANALYSTS HERE ARE EVEN WILLING TO VENTURE A GUESS AS TO HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO CEMENT A POLITICAL RECONCILIATION AMONG THE FORMER COMBATANTS.

DURING THE PAST FEW WEEKS, SENIOR U-S AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS HAVE PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS A REAL RISK THAT BOSNIA COULD SLIDE BACK INTO WAR WHEN THE NATO FORCES WITHDRAW.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION INSISTS U-S TROOPS WILL DEPART WHEN THE MANDATE EXPIRES IN DECEMBER. THE BRITISH AND FRENCH GOVERNMENTS -- THE OTHER TWO MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS TO I-FOR -- SAY THEIR TROOPS WILL ALSO LEAVE WHEN THE AMERICANS PULL OUT.

IF THEY DO, SAYS ONE EUROPEAN OFFICIAL IN MOSTAR, BOSNIA WILL EXPLODE AGAIN. THE REMAINING NINE MONTHS OF THE I-FOR MANDATE, HE ADDS, ARE NOT EVEN SUFFICIENT TO SOLVE PART OF THE PROBLEM.

THIS OFFICIAL BELIEVES BRITAIN AND FRANCE WILL EVENTUALLY AGREE TO MAINTAIN SOME TROOPS IN BOSNIA. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN ONE EUROPEAN FAILURE HERE, HE SAYS, AND LONDON AND PARIS CANNOT ALLOW ANOTHER.

BRITISH OFFICERS IN SIPOVO ALSO BELIEVE SOME SORT OF INTERNATIONAL MILITARY PRESENCE WILL BE NEEDED IN BOSNIA AFTER THE I-FOR MANDATE EXPIRES. BUT BRIGADIER DANNATT SAYS IT IS A DECISION FOR WESTERN POLITICAL LEADERS, AND NOT THEIR COMMANDERS ON THE GROUND.

IT IS ONE REALLY FOR THE POLITICIANS TO CONSIDER. I-FOR WILL HAVE DONE A LOT IN THE 12-MONTH PERIOD. IT HAS THEN GOT TO BE CONSIDERED WHETHER IN FACT THE FRAMEWORK FOR SECURITY IS SUFFICIENT FOR ALL INTERNATIONAL MILITARY TO LEAVE, OR WHETHER THE VIEW IS THAT A CONTINUING PRESENCE IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO BUTTRESS THE ONGOING CIVILIAN WORK. I CANNOT MAKE A JUDGMENT ON THAT, AND I CERTAINLY CANNOT MAKE A DECISION ON IT.

ONE SENIOR EUROPEAN OFFICIAL IN BOSNIA HAS SUGGESTED THAT WESTERN TROOPS SHOULD REMAIN FOR AN ADDITIONAL TWO YEARS.

THE LEGEND OF BISCE POLJE SUGGESTS THAT MIGHT NOT BE QUITE LONG ENOUGH.

A GENERATIONS-OLD TALE PASSED DOWN FROM MOTHER TO DAUGHTER IN THE ROCKY HILLS OF SOUTHERN BOSNIA SAYS PEACE WILL NOT COME TO THIS REGION UNTIL THE YEAR TWO-THOUSAND. AND WHEN THE WARS ARE FINALLY OVER, GOES THE STORY, YOUR NEAREST NEIGHBOR WILL BE A DAY'S WALK AWAY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DBR/JWH/CF
27-Mar-96 7:43 AM EST (1243 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] E-U / FRANCE (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FRANCE, ARGUING THAT EUROPE SHOULD BE SOCIALLY FAIR AND HAVE A STRONG DEFENSE AND SECURITY POLICY, IS TAKING A MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD LINE AS IT APPROACHES A MEETING OF EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS FRIDAY IN TURIN, ITALY. .JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: FRANCE HAS SENT THE OTHER 14 MEMBERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ITS PROPOSALS FOR WHAT IT CALLS "A SOCIAL EUROPE." CHIEF AMONG THEM IS A CALL FOR A CONCERTED EFFORT TO REDUCE UNEMPLOYMENT.

FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC, IN A LENGTHY STATEMENT ON EUROPE, SAID THIS WEEK THAT EUROPE WOULD BE MEANINGLESS IF IT DID NOT HAVE A HUMAN DIMENSION.

WITH THESE WORDS PUBLISHED IN THE DAILY LIBERATION, HE WAS CLEARLY TRYING TO COUNTER THE POSITION OF BRITAIN WHICH CONSIDERS THAT EUROPE SHOULD ABOVE ALL BE A TRADING AREA. AT THE SAME TIME, MR. CHIRAC INSISTS THAT POLITICAL POWER IN EUROPE SHOULD STILL BE HELD BY INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENTS AND NOT BY SUPRANATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, A VIEW THAT IS CLOSE TO BRITAIN'S.

THIS RUNS COUNTER TO THE GERMAN VIEW THAT MORE POWER SHOULD BE GIVEN TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN STRASBOURG WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN BRUSSELS KEEPING A STRONG EXECUTIVE ROLE. IN ADDITION, MR. CHIRAC IS ADVOCATING THE CREATION OF A POST FOR A SENIOR EUROPEAN STATESMAN TO REPRESENT EUROPE ABROAD FOR BETWEEN THREE AND FIVE YEARS AT A TIME. AT THE MOMENT, THE E-U'S PRESIDENCY ROTATES BETWEEN MEMBER COUNTRIES EVERY SIX MONTHS.

FRANCE WANTS THE EUROPEAN UNION TO HAVE A STRONGER DEFENSE AND SECURITY ROLE. THIS AROUSES SUSPICIONS IN BRITAIN, THE NETHERLANDS, AND ITALY WHERE THERE ARE FEARS THAT THIS MIGHT PROMPT THE UNITED STATES TO TAKE LESS OF AN INTEREST IN EUROPE. THE FRENCH SAY THE WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA SHOWS THAT EUROPE NEEDS A MORE COHERENT AND ACTIVE DEFENSE POLICY. THE OTHERS ARGUE THAT THE WAR HAS SHOWN WHY AMERICA MUST REMAIN INVOLVED IN EUROPEAN DEFENSE. TO SUM UP, PRESIDENT CHIRAC WANTS A EUROPE WITH A STRONG SOCIAL ROLE, GUARANTEEING MINIMUM LIVING STANDARDS TO ALL ITS CITIZENS, WITH A STRONGER DEFENSE POLICY AND WITH REAL POWER KEPT IN THE HANDS OF INDIVIDUAL SOVEREIGN STATES.

FRENCH OFFICIALS SAY THEIR MAIN FEAR FOR THE TURIN MEETING IS THAT SOME MEMBERS MAY DEMONSTRATE THEIR APATHY AND A LACK OF INTEREST IN THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF EUROPE. FOR THIS REASON, THEY SAY FRANCE WANTS TO LAY DOWN AN OUTLINE OF WHERE IT THINKS EUROPE SHOULD GO.

MR. CHIRAC, WHO WAS ELECTED TO THE FRENCH PRESIDENCY LAST MAY FOR A SEVEN-YEAR MANDATE, IS THE ONLY EUROPEAN LEADER WHO IS ASSURED OF BEING IN OFFICE IN THE YEAR 2000. THE DAILY LE MONDE, WHICH HAS NOT TRADITIONALLY BEEN A CHIRAC SUPPORTER, SAID THAT THIS GIVES HIM A UNIQUE ROLE IN EUROPE. IF HE MANAGES TO IMPOSE HIS VIEWS, THE NEWSPAPER SAID, MR. CHIRAC COULD BECOME WHAT IT CALLS "THE PROPHET OF EUROPE." (SIGNED)

NEB/JN/JWH/CF
27-Mar-96 9:10 AM EST (1410 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] E.U. / MAD COW (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS )

INTRO: BRITAIN HAS WON A PROMISE THAT THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL PAY UP TO HALF THE BILL FOR RESTORING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN BRITISH BEEF. HOWEVER, THE E-U'S BAN ON THE EXPORT OF BEEF FROM BRITAIN TO EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD WILL NOW COME INTO FORCE, AFTER BEING FORMALLY APPROVED BY EUROPEAN COMMISSIONERS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FOR VOA NEWS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: BRITAIN'S TWO E-U COMMISSIONERS, LEON BRITTAN AND NEIL KINNOCK, DEMANDED COMPENSATION FOR THEIR GOVERNMENT, AS A CONDITION FOR THEIR GOING ALONG WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION'S BAN ON BRITISH BEEF EXPORTS.

THEN IT WAS AGREED THAT THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL HELP FINANCE WHATEVER MEASURES ARE AGREED TO RESTORE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE. THE BAN WAS VOTED THROUGH UNANAMOUSLY BY ALL 28 E-U COMMISSIONERS.

THERE WAS ALSO AN AGREEMENT, AT THE INSISTENCE OF THE TWO BRITISH COMMISSIONERS, THAT THE BAN MUST BE REVIEWED WITHIN SIX WEEKS, WHEN IT MIGHT BE LIFTED.

THE BAN WAS ANNOUNCED TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT BY E-U AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER FRANZ FISCHLER, WHO SAID THAT THERE IS A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE AFFECTING BRITISH BEEF.

HE WAS SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, AS HE PLEDGED HELP TO RESTORE THIS CONFIDENCE.

CONSUMERS HAVE LOST FAITH IN THE SAFETY OF MEAT, BEEF IN PARTICULAR. AND E-U CITIZENS ARE CHALLENGING THE CREDIBILITY OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, TOO, NOW. CITIZENS ARE BEGINING TO DOUBT POLITICIANS. THEY ARE NOT CONVINCED THAT THE MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN -- SO NOW THE MEASURES MUST BE TAKEN, EVEN IF THERE ARE FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS. SO THEY HAVE TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE. WE HAVE TO RESTABILIZE OUR MARKETS, AND THAT SHOULD BE OUR PARAMOUNT CONCERN AT THIS MOMENT.

COMMISSIONER FISCHLER PROMISED THAT THE EUROPEAN UNION WILL DEMONSTRATE SOLIDARITY WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCING THE COSTS OF THE NECESSARY MEASURES, AND STRESSED HIS DETERMINATION TO HELP TO RESTORE CONSUMER CONFIDENCE.

HE CONFIRMED THAT EUROPE IS NOT TALKING ABOUT A MEASURE WHICH IS SET IN STONE (PERMANENT) FOR ETERNITY, THUS CONFIRMING THAT HE IS WORKING FOR THE DAY WHEN BRITISH BEEF CAN BE EXPORTED AGAIN.

LEON BRITTAN SAYS THAT THROUGH ITS DECISION, THE EUROPEAN UNION IS SHOWING SOLIDARITY WITH BRITIAN IN A TIME OF CRISIS.

HE ARGUES THAT WITHOUT EUROPE-WIDE MEASURES, E-U COUNTRIES WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE LAW INTO THEIR OWN HANDS, AND BANNED BRITISH BEEF ANYWAY.

THE E-U BAN WILL APPLY TO ALL BEEF, CATTLE AND PRODUCTS MADE FROM BEEF. THUS AS WELL AS AFFECTING MEAT ITSELF, IT WILL COVER FOODS SUCH AS JELLY BABIES, SOME COOKIES, AND ALSO SOME COSMETICS AND MEDICINES. (SIGNED)

NEB/JF/MH/CF
27-Mar-96 11:48 AM EST (1648 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] GERMANY / FRANCE / CURRENCY (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMAN AND FRENCH OFFICIALS HAVE DRAFTED A NEW PLAN AIMED AT DEALING WITH E-U MEMBERS THAT WILL NOT BE AMONG THE FIRST TO JOIN THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY. AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN, OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO EASE THE TRANSITION TO THE SINGLE CURRENCY. BUT SOME ECONOMISTS ARE NOT SO SURE THE PLAN WILL WORK.

TEXT: BECAUSE THE CRITERIA FOR JOINING THE SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY IS SO STRICT, FEW OF THE 15 E-U NATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE PART BY THE PLANNED 1999 INTRODUCTION DATE.

IN AN EFFORT TO EASE DOUBTS THE CURRENCY WILL BE INTRODUCED ON TIME, FRANCE AND GERMANY HAVE BEEN FOCUSING ON WAYS TO DEAL WITH E-U MEMBERS THAT WILL INITIALLY BE LEFT OUT.

THE NEW GERMAN-FRENCH PLAN WOULD REQUIRE NON-PARTICIPATING E-U MEMBERS TO TIE THE VALUE OF THEIR CURRENCIES TO THE NEWLY-INTRODUCED CURRENCY, THE EURO. THEY WOULD HAVE TO AVOID CURRENCY DEVALUATIONS THAT COULD LEAD TO MAJOR CROSS-BORDER PRICE DIFFERENCES.

BUT SOME ANALYSTS, LIKE PHILIP WALDERDORF OF THE GERMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ARE NOT SURE COUNTRIES WITH WEAK ECONOMIES WILL BE ABLE TO STABILIZE THEIR CURRENCIES AS CALLED FOR BY THE PLAN.

WE KNOW ITS VERY DIFFICULT TO BRING THEM TO THE POINT THAT THEY STABILIZE THEIR MONEY AND TO BRING IT TOGETHER WITH CURRENCIES THAT ARE ALREADY IN THE UNION. SO I DO NOT THINK THAT IS A VERY GOOD PLAN AND THAT IT HAS A CHANCE TO BE REALIZED.

LIKE MOST BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS IN GERMANY, MR. WALDERDORF SUPPORTS PLANS FOR A SINGLE CURRENCY. BUT FOR HIM, THE DATE OF INTRODUCTION IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THE NATIONS THAT JOIN.

FOR US, I THINK ITS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE EURO, BUT TO HAVE ONLY AN EURO THAT IS AS STRONG AS THE MARK.

THE QUESTION NOW IS WHETHER EUROPEAN LEADERS WILL BE ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON PLANS TO BRING STABILITY TO THE COUNTRIES THAT JOIN THE COMMON CURRENCY, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE INITIALLY LEFT OUT. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/JWH/RAE
27-Mar-96 11:13 AM EST (1613 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] GERMANY / BOSNIA (S) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: GERMAN OFFICIALS HAVE ABRUPTLY CALLED OFF A PLANNED MEETING OF THE BOSNIAN MUSLIM CROAT FEDERATION AFTER THE TWO SIDES REFUSED TO COMPROMISE ON ANY OF THE KEY ISSUES DIVIDING THEM. V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN.

TEXT: GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTRY OFFICIALS SAY FURTHER INTENSIVE TALKS WILL BE NEEDED BEFORE THE FEDERATION MEETING WILL BE ABLE TO GO AHEAD IN BONN.

A MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAID THURSDAY'S PLANNED SESSION WAS CALLED OFF BECAUSE THE TWO SIDES HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT EVEN ON SMALL ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.

GERMAN OFFICIALS HAD OFFERED TO HOST THE MEETING TO MARK THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF BOSNIA'S MUSLIM CROAT FEDERATION AND TO SEEK WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE SHAKY ALLIANCE.

THE FEDERATION, WHICH CONTROLS 51 PERCENT OF THE TERRITORY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, WAS FORMED AFTER INTENSE U-S EFFORTS AIMED AT ENDING THE FIGHTING BETWEEN THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS AND CREATING AN EFFECTIVE COUNTERWEIGHT TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

GERMAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO OFFER THEIR ASSISTANCE IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS WITHIN THE ALLIANCE. BUT HE SAID THE PARTIES TO THE CONFLICT WILL HAVE TO WANT PEACE. (SIGNED)

NEB/KBK/JWH/CF
27-Mar-96 8:35 AM EST (1335 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] RUSSIA / NATO (L) BY ELIZABETH ARROTT (MOSCOW)

INTRO: RUSSIA IS SEEKING SUPPORT FROM FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS IN ITS OPPOSITION TO NATO EXPANSION. V-O-A'S ELIZABETH ARROTT IN MOSCOW REPORTS RUSSIA'S DEFENSE MINISTER ISSUED A DIRE WARNING TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES ABOUT THE WESTERN ALLIANCE.

TEXT: DEFENSE MINISTER PAVEL GRACHEV URGED C-I-S MEMBERS TO UNITE AGAINST NATO. HE DESCRIBED THE PROPOSED ENLARGEMENT OF THE WESTERN ALLIANCE AS THE BIGGEST THREAT FACING THE COMMONWEALTH.

SPEAKING TO A MEETING OF C-I-S DEFENSE MINISTERS IN MOSCOW WEDNESDAY, GENERAL GRACHEV ASKED MEMBER STATES TO COORDINATE THEIR POSITIONS ON NATO EXPANSION. HOWEVER, NO DETAILS OF A POSSIBLE JOINT POLICY WERE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE.

RUSSIA HAS STRENUOUSLY OPPOSED THE ADMISSION OF ITS EUROPEAN NEIGHBORS TO THE COLD WAR ALLIANCE AND HAS TRIED TO WIN REGIONAL SUPPORT FOR ITS POSITION.

AS A MEASURE OF THE SCOPE OF OPPOSITION TO NATO ACROSS RUSSIA'S POLITICAL SPECTRUM, THE KREMLIN'S OBJECTIONS WERE ECHOED WEDNESDAY IN THE COMMUNIST NEWSPAPER PRAVDA. PRAVDA SAYS WESTERN POLITICIANS ARE TRYING TO DIVIDE C-I-S STATES WITH THE NATO EXPANSION ISSUE IN ORDER TO WEAKEN RUSSIA.

DURING WEDNESDAY'S MEETING, THE C-I-S DEFENSE MINISTERS TOOK STEPS TO BOOST REGIONAL COOPERATION AND MILITARY READINESS. PARTICIPANTS SAID THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS ARE WORKING OUT DETAILS OF A MUTUAL AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM.

VLADIMIR KOSTENKO, COMMANDER OF THE AIR-BORNE FORCES OF BYELARUS, SAID HIS FORMER SOVIET REPUBLIC AND MOSCOW HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO JOINT PATROL OF THEIR AIRSPACE.

SPEAKING ON RUSSIAN TELEVISION AFTER THE C-I-S MEETING, MR. KOSTENKO SAID THE PATROLS WOULD BEGIN APRIL FIRST. HE SAID A JOINT AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM IS LIKELY SOON.

BYELARUS AND RUSSIA ARE SEEKING CLOSER INTEGRATION ON SEVERAL FRONTS AND ARE EXPECTED TO SIGN A UNION TREATY NEXT WEEK.

THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO FORGE CLOSER LINKS WITH FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS COINCIDES WITH CALLS BY RUSSIAN LAWMAKERS TO RESTORE THE SOVIET UNION. HOWEVER, VIRTUALLY EVERY EX-SOVIET REPUBLIC HAS DENOUNCED THE COMMUNIST-BACKED MEASURE. (SIGNED)

NEB/EA/JWH/MMK
27-Mar-96 10:40 AM EST (1540 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] U-S / BOSNIA TROOPS (L-UPDATE) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: SENIOR PENTAGON OFFICIALS ARE EXPRESSING CONCERN ABOUT THE SURVIVAL OF THE SHAKY FEDERATION OF MUSLIMS AND CROATS IN BOSNIA. THE ISSUE IS EXPECTED TO BE THE MAIN THRUST OF DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY'S VISIT TO CROATIA AND BOSNIA THIS COMING WEEKEND. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE "REAL CONCERNS" ABOUT THE DURABILITY OF THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION -- AND SAY ITS SURVIVAL MAY BE THE KEY TO WHETHER PEACE PREVAILS IN BOSNIA ONCE NATO FORCES LEAVE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

THE COMMENTS CAME AMID NEWS REPORTS OF INCREASING FRICTION BETWEEN THE FEDERATION PARTNERS, INCLUDING THE ERECTION OF CHECKPOINTS BETWEEN ETHNIC ZONES AND SMALL-SCALE INCIDENTS OF ETHNIC CLEANSING.

AT A PENTAGON NEWS CONFERENCE ON THE 100TH DAY OF THE NATO PRESENCE IN BOSNIA, THE ALLIANCE MILITARY COMMANDER -- U-S GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN -- CALLED FOR INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ON BOSNIAN AND CROATIAN LEADERS TO MAINTAIN THE ALLIANCE:

PRIMARILY, IT'S A POLITICAL ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BETWEEN BOTH FACTIONS. AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THE POLITICAL PRESSURE WOULD BE PUT TO BARE AND TO ASSIST AND TO HELP TO INSURE THAT THE FEDERATION CONTINUES TO OPERATE. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN VERY FRAGILE. IT IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST WORRIES. AND THAT ENTITY IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE LONG-TERM DURABILITY OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAID A CROAT REBEL STATE CONTINUES TO FUNCTION IN BOSNIA THOUGH IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN DISBANDED IN JANUARY -- WHILE THE MUSLIM GOVERNMENT PERSISTS IN MAINTAINING A SECRET POLICE ORGANIZATION OPERATING BEYOND FEDERATION CONTROL.

THEY SAID THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE FEDERATION WILL BE THE MAIN THRUST OF DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY'S BALKANS VISIT BEGINNING SATURDAY. HE WILL SEE CROATIAN OFFICIALS INCLUDING PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN IN ZAGREB SATURDAY AND SPEND SUNDAY IN BOSNIA, MEETING WITH AMONG OTHERS ACTING PRESIDENT EJUP GANIC.

MR. PERRY GOES ON FROM BOSNIA TO TIRANA MONDAY TO JOIN IN A CONFERENCE OF DEFENSE MINISTERS FROM THE SOUTHERN BALKANS REGION INCLUDING HIS COUNTERPARTS FROM ALBANIA, MACEDONIA, BULGARIA, TURKEY AND ITALY.

GREECE HAS DECLINED TO TAKE PART IN THE UNUSUAL MEETING, WHICH IS AIMED AT PROMOTING REGIONAL DEFENSE COOPERATION AND JOINT UNDERTAKINGS SUCH AS DISASTER RELIEF. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/BD/LWM
27-Mar-96 4:46 PM EST (2146 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] U.S. / EUROPE DEFENSE BY SCOTT MEYER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S AND EUROPEAN DEFENSE INDUSTRY CORPORATIONS HAVE STARTED LOOKING TOWARD COOPERATION IN ORDER TO CUT COSTS AND SHARE TECHNOLOGY. THE WASHINGTON-BASED CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES HAS MADE SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO HELP CORPORATIONS WORK TOGETHER INTERNATIONALLY. VOA'S SCOTT MEYER REPORTS:

TEXT: WITH NATIONAL DEFENSE BUDGETS SHRINKING ACROSS EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES, INDUSTRY LEADERS ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO CUT THE COST OF DEVELOPING AND MAKING WEAPONS.

THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN WASHINGTON SAYS INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION IS NOT ONLY POSSIBLE, BUT ALSO PROFITABLE.

THE CENTER SAYS SPIRALING DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND DWINDLING NATIONAL DEFENSE BUDGETS ARE MAKING IT TOO EXPENSIVE FOR COUNTRIES TO SATISFY MILITARY REQUIREMENTS BY THEMSELVES. DAN GOURE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF POLITICAL-MILITARY STUDIES FOR C-S-I-S SAYS FISCAL REALITIES ARE FORCING NATIONS TO LOOK TOWARD COOPERATION.

THE COST OF TECHNOLOGY FOR MODERN WEAPONS INCREASES, IT DOESN'T STAY FLAT. AT SOME POINT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO OFFSET THAT BY SIMPLY BUYING FEWER AND FEWER UNITS BECAUSE THE COST PER UNIT BECOMES PROHIBITIVE.

THE C-S-I-S SAYS INDUSTRY COLLABORATION REDUCES DUPLICATION AND ENABLES COMPANIES TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE. IT SAYS THOSE SAVINGS, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR PROFIT, SHOULD MAKE THE CONCEPT ATTRACTIVE TO GOVERNMENT LEADERS.

MR. GOURE IS OPTIMISTIC THE UNITED STATES WILL SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, DESPITE CURRENT BUDGET RESTRAINTS.

WHAT WE INTEND TO DO IS, IN FACT, MAKE CLEAR TO THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SO THEY CAN MAKE IT CLEAR TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS WHAT'S INVOLVED, WHAT'S THE BENEFIT FOR THE UNITED STATES. THERE ARE REAL BENEFITS -- IN THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS POTENTIALLY FOR COLLABORATION.

THE WASHINGTON CENTER WANTS GOVERNMENTS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO MAKE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION EASIER. IT SAYS IF STEPS ARE NOT TAKEN NOW, AN INTEGRATED EUROPE MAY BECOME A MAJOR COMPETITOR TO THE U-S DEFENSE INDUSTRY.

THE CENTER WARNS UNDER CURRENT REGULATORY AND MARKET CONDITIONS, EUROPEAN AND U-S DEFENSE CONSOLIDATION WILL LIKELY MOVE ALONG SEPARATE, AND ULTIMATELY, ADVERSARIAL TRACKS. (SIGNED)

NEB/SFM/CF
27-Mar-96 11:25 AM EST (1625 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] YUGO MONEY (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: YUGOSLAVIA HAS BEGUN PRELIMINARY TALKS IN PARIS WITH OFFICIALS OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF). V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO REACTIVATE ITS MEMBERSHIP IN THE WORLD FINANCIAL BODY AND OBTAIN NEW CREDITS.

TEXT: THE MEETING WILL GO ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND REPRESENTS A FIRST STEP TOWARDS SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO BEING REINTEGRATED IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.

OBSERVERS SAY THE TALKS WILL NOT BE EASY AS THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM ABOUT HOW THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS WILL PARCEL OUT THE LARGE DEBTS OF THE OLD YUGOSLAVIA, WHICH ESSENTIALLY DEFAULTED ON LOANS INCURRED DURING THE 1980S.

IN ADDITION, BELGRADE, ON PRINCIPAL, IS OBJECTING TO RE-APPLYING FOR I-M-F MEMBERSHIP, INSISTING THAT AS THE SUCCESSOR STATE TO THE OLD YUGOSLAVIA IT ALREADY IS A MEMBER OF THE MONETARY FUND. THE NEW STATES THAT SECEDED FROM YUGOSLAVIA ALREADY HAVE GAINED MEMBERSHIP IN THE I-M-F AND WORLD BANK.

ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THE CONTINUING FREEZE ON YUGOSLAV ASSETS ABROAD. SERBIAN AUTHORITIES SAY BELGRADE IS ENTITLED TO MORE THAN ONE-BILLION DOLLARS OF THOSE ASSETS, WHICH CONSIST OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND GOLD.

ON THE EVE OF THE PARIS TALKS, YUGOSLAV CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR DRAGOSLAV AVRAMOVIC SAID HIS PRIORITY IS GETTING MONEY TO REBUILD THE SANCTIONS-BATTERED SERBIAN ECONOMY. THE ECONOMIST SPENT MOST OF HIS CAREER AT THE WORLD BANK, BEFORE RETURNING TO BELGRADE IN 1994 AND IMPLEMENTING TOUGH MEASURES THAT ENDED A DRASTIC BOUT OF HYPER-INFLATION. MR. AVRAMOVIC SAYS HE IS PARTICULARLY KEEN TO GET DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE FROM THE WORLD BANK. HOWEVER, THE UNITED STATES, THE LARGEST SHAREHOLDER IN THE WORLD BANK, IS TAKING A GO SLOW APPROACH TOWARDS RESTORING BELGRADE'S FINANCIAL LINKS TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD. WHILE UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS WERE LIFTED IN NOVEMBER, THE AMERICANS OPPOSE BELGRADE GAINING ACCESS TO LOW INTEREST LOANS FROM THE WORLD BANK UNTIL THE RIGHTS OF THE ALBANIAN MINORITY IN YUGOSLAVIA ARE GUARANTEED.

BELGRADE AUTHORITIES ARE PRESENTING TO I-M-F ECONOMISTS THEIR PLANS FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY. UNLIKE CROATIA AND SLOVENIA, THE SERBIAN ECONOMY HAS STILL NOT BEGUN TO RECOVER. LITTLE IF ANY ECONOMIC GROWTH IS EXPECTED THIS YEAR.

THE CENTRAL BANK WANTS THE I-M-F MEMBERSHIP ISSUE QUICKLY RESOLVED SO THAT BELGRADE CAN GAIN ACCESS TO MONEY THAT WOULD HELP IT MAINTAIN THE EXCHANGE RATE OF THE DINAR. SINCE BEING DEVALUED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, THE DINAR HAS HELD STEADY AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK. HOWEVER, EXPERTS SAY FOREIGN EXCHANGE IS IN SHORT SUPPLY AND THAT WITHOUT A LINE OF CREDIT FROM THE I-M-F, THE DINAR MAY AGAIN RESUME ITS DECLINE. (SIGNED)

NEB/BDW/JWH/CF
27-Mar-96 11:37 AM EST (1637 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America