Voice of America, 11 June 1996

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From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

CONTENTS

[01] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

[02] EASTERN EUROPE / ECONOMY (L-O) BY ANDREW BAIRD (NEW YORK)

[03] EUROPE/WOMEN (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[04] GREECE / TURKEY (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVAS (ATHENS)

[05] PERRY / BOSNIA / NATO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

[06] TURKEY/POLITICS BY LAURIE KASSMAN (ANKARA)

[07] U-N/CYPRUS (S-ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

[08] U-S BOSNIA TROOPS (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[09] YUGO/NATO (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[10] YUGO ARMS TALKS (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

[01] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: YESTERDAY (MONDAY), MORE THAN 50 BLACK MINISTERS WERE IN WASHINGTON, D-C, MEETING WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND ASKING FOR MORE FEDERAL HELP IN THE INVESTIGATION OF THE SUSPICIOUS FIRES THAT HAVE DESTROYED MORE THAN 30 CHURCHES ACROSS THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES. THE APPARENTLY RACIALLY-MOTIVATED VIOLENCE IS THE SUBJECT OF A NUMBER OF EDITORIALS IN SOME OF AMERICA'S LEADING NEWSPAPERS. OTHER TOPICS TODAY INCLUDE A LEGACY FROM THE VIETNAM WAR AND PEACE TALKS IN NORTHERN IRELAND. NOW, HERE WITH SOME QUOTES AND A CLOSER LOOK IS __________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN RESPONSE TO THE CHURCH BURNINGS, WHICH HAVE OCCURRED OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS, PRESIDENT CLINTON DIRECTED THE JUSTICE AND TREASURY DEPARTMENTS TO FORM A JOINT ARSON TASK FORCE TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER. THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR TELLS READERS THAT "WHILE FEDERAL OFFICIALS CALL THE FIRES 'AN EPIDEMIC OF TERROR', THEY ALSO SAY THAT SO FAR THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE OF A CONSPIRACY."

VOICE: "TWO OF THE ATTACKS HAVE BEEN LINKED, BUT AT PRESENT THE BURNINGS APPEAR TO BE ISOLATED ACTS OF HATRED, SOME PERHAPS INSPIRED BY NEWS REPORTS OF PREVIOUS ARSON. MOST OF THE FIRES HAVE OCCURRED IN RURAL AREAS WHERE THERE ARE FEW WITNESSES. THE FIRES ARE PARTICULARLY HURTFUL TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO REMEMBER THE 1950S AND 1960S, WHEN BLACK CHURCHES WERE ATTACKED DURING THE CIVIL RIGHTS STRUGGLE. THE REV. JESSE JACKSON HAS GONE SO FAR AS TO CALL THE FIRES 'A CULTURAL CONSPIRACY' BY A SOCIETY THAT TOLERATES RACISM'."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST, IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL TUESDAY, NOTES THAT A SUSPECT IN ONE OF THE BURNINGS WAS ARRESTED THIS WEEK IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA. THE NEWSPAPER SAYS THE FACT THAT THE SUSPECT IS A 13-YEAR-OLD WHITE GIRL "IS ENOUGH TO STOP EVEN THE MOST INSENSITIVE OBSERVERS IN THEIR TRACKS."

VOICE: "FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ARE QUICK TO SAY THEY HAVE NO EVIDENCE LINKING THESE CASES OF ARSON AND VANDALISM WITH A WIDESPREAD CONSPIRACY, AS THOUGH THE ABSENCE OF A COORDINATED ATTACK STRATEGY AMONG GROUPS SUCH AS SKINHEADS, THE ARYAN FACTION OR THE KU KLUX KLAN LESSENS THE RACIST AND TERRORISTIC NATURE OF THESE CRUEL ACTS. IT DOES NOT. THIS ATTITUDE ON THE PART OF FEDERAL AUTHORITIES MAY HELP EXPLAIN THE FRUSTRATION FELT BY A NUMBER OF CHURCH LEADERS WHO BELIEVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NOT RESPONDED TO THE BURNINGS WITH THE INTENSITY THAT IS WARRANTED. THE PRESIDENT'S INTERVENTION AND SEN. BOB DOLE'S CALL FOR ACTION SHOULD STEP UP THE PACE. A NEW FEDERAL LAW MAKING IT EASIER TO PROSECUTE CHURCH BURNINGS IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS. WHAT'S NEEDED RIGHT NOW, HOWEVER, IS AN ALL-OUT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL EFFORT TO FIND AND PROSECUTE THE PERPETRATORS."

TEXT: AN EDITORIAL IN THE USA TODAY NEWSPAPER NOTES THAT "FOR COMMUNITIES THAT FIND SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL RENEWAL IN THEIR HOUSES OF WORSHIP, CHURCH BURNINGS ARE AS CRUEL AS A KNIFE IN THE HEART. THEY ARE ATROCITIES," SAYS THE NATIONAL DAILY, "THEY ARE ACTS OF TERRORISM."

VOICE: "CRITICS SAY THAT RESPONSE HAS ARRIVED TOO SLOWLY AND THAT IF THE FIRES HAD BURNED CATHOLIC CHURCHES OR JEWISH SYNAGOGUES, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE OUTRAGE SOONER. AND THAT MAY BE TRUE. THE BURNED CHURCHES SERVE POORER, RURAL CONGREGATIONS THAT LACK INFLUENCE... BUT WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG TO GET THIS BANDWAGON ROLLING? APART FROM OLD-TIME LYNCHINGS, THERE IS NO MORE CALCULATED ACT OF RACIAL HATRED THAN BURNING A CHURCH. NO CITIZEN CAN LOOK AT THE RUINS AND BE UNFAZED. VICTIMIZED COMMUNITIES, STUNNED BY WANTON ATTACKS ON THEIR CHURCHES, MAY FIND THE FAITH TO TURN THE OTHER CHEEK. BUT THE REST OF US NEED NOT FEEL BOUND BY ANY SUCH CHARITY. DEMAND THAT AUTHORITIES FIND THE FIRE-STARTERS, AND THEN STAMP THEM OUT."

TEXT: AN EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS NEWLY DECLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS SUGGESTS -- IN THE NEWSPAPERS WORDS -- THAT "THE U-S MILITARY TURNED ITS BACK ON THE HUNDREDS OF MEN RECRUITED TO INFILTRATE NORTH VIETNAM IN COVERT CIA-SPONSORED OPERATIONS DURING THE 1960S."

VOICE: "THE 200-THOUSAND OR SO PAGES OF DOCUMENTS SHOWED THAT THE UNITED STATES DECLARED THEM DEAD EVEN WHEN IT HAD INFORMATION THEY HAD BEEN CAPTURED ALIVE AND SENTENCED TO PRISON. THEIR WIVES WERE PAID A 200-DOLLAR 'DEATH GRATUITY'. THEN THE ENTIRE CASE WAS WRAPPED IN SECRECY. THE RECORDS WERE MADE PUBLIC LAST WEEK IN RESPONSE TO REQUESTS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT FROM THE COMMANDOS' LAWYERS AND THE TIMES. THE FORMER COMMANDOS...HAVE A SUIT PENDING IN U-S CLAIMS COURT FOR 11-MILLION DOLLARS IN PAY THAT THEY CLAIM THE U-S MILITARY GUARANTEED THEIR FAMILIES IF THEY WERE CAPTURED. ATTORNEYS FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, C-I-A AND ARMY, IN REFUSING TO PAY THE COMMANDOS' CLAIMS, CITE AN 1875 SUPREME COURT DECISION ON A CIVIL WAR CASE THAT HELD CONTRACTS WITH SECRET AGENTS ARE UNENFORCEABLE IN COURTS. SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MASS.), HIMSELF A DECORATED VIETNAM VETERAN, HAS SAID THAT THE U-S BREACH OF FAITH WITH THE COMMANDOS IS UNCONSCIONABLE."

TEXT: ON THE SAME SUBJECT, THE NEW YORK TIMES OFFERS THIS COMMENT.

VOICE: "IT INSULTS DECENCY TO ASSERT THE NARROWEST POSSIBLE LEGAL INTERPRETATION OF THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO THESE MEN. THEY RISKED THEIR LIVES FOR THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND ENDURED YEARS OF MISTREATMENT AND INCARCERATION AS A RESULT. THE LEAST THE UNITED STATES CAN DO IS HONOR ITS CONTRACTS WITH THE FORMER COMMANDOS AND PAY THEM THE MODEST SUM THAT IS THEIR DUE... THE UNITED STATES OWES MORE THAN THE CITATION OF AN OBSCURE 1875 LEGAL PRECEDENT TO THESE MEN."

TEXT: NEW YORK'S NEWSDAY, THE SUBURBAN LONG ISLAND DAILY, DISCUSSES THE OPENING, YESTERDAY, OF PEACE TALKS IN NORTHERN IRELAND. THE EDITORIAL SAYS THAT NOT INCLUDED WAS A DELEGATION FROM SINN FEIN, "THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY REPRESENTING THE NATIONALIST FACTION IN THE LONG CIVIL CONFLICT."

VOICE: "BUT SINN FEIN WAS EXCLUDED FOR GOOD REASON: ITS LEADER, GERRY ADAMS HASN'T SUCCEEDED IN CONVINCING THE MILITARY WING OF THE I-R-A TO RESUME ITS INTERRUPTED 17-MONTH CEASE-FIRE. WITHOUT A CEASE-FIRE SINN FINN HAS NO PLACE AT THE PEACE TABLE. BUT, WITHOUT SINN FEIN, NO PEACE AGREEMENT WILL EVER STAND IN ULSTER. NONETHELESS, CIRCUMSTANCES ARE FAVORABLE FOR THE FASHIONING OF A PEACE PACT. A DECISIVE SHIFT OCCURRED LAST YEAR WHEN PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON MADE THE UNITED STATES AN OFFSTAGE BUT ENORMOUSLY INFLUENTIAL PARTNER IN THE PEACE PROCESS. THE AMERICAN ROLE HAS NOW COME TO THE FORE WITH THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND IRELAND TO HAVE FORMER SEN. GEORGE MITCHELL CHAIR THE TALKS DESPITE OBJECTIONS FROM PROTESTANT MILITANTS. NOW IT'S INCUMBENT ON ADAMS, WHO HAS DERIVED ENORMOUS PRESTIGE FROM CLINTON'S SUPPORT OF HIS LEADERSHIP, TO MOVE THE IRA AWAY FROM ITS TERROR CAMPAIGN."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM SOME OF THE NATION'S LEADING NEWSPAPERS THIS TUESDAY, THE 11TH OF JUNE.
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11-Jun-96 10:23 AM EDT (1423 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EASTERN EUROPE / ECONOMY (L-O) BY ANDREW BAIRD (NEW YORK)

INTRO: A TOP ECONOMIST SAYS THE NATIONS OF EASTERN EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION ARE MAKING UNEVEN PROGRESS IN TRANSFORMING THEIR ECONOMIES TO MARKET-BASED SYSTEMS. BUT HE ADDS THAT THE LONG-TERM OUTLOOK FOR ALL THESE NATIONS IS STILL OPTIMISTIC, IF THEY PRODUCE FOR GLOBAL MARKETS. V-O-A'S ANDREW BAIRD HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: OLEH HAVRLYNSYHN, AN ECONOMIST AND U-S ALTERNATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, SAYS THAT ECONOMIC REFORM HAS PROVEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT IN FORMER EAST-BLOC ECONOMIES. STILL, HE SAID THAT SOME NATIONS -- HAVING SWALLOWED THE BITTER, BUT NECESSARY MEDICINE OF REFORM -- ARE SHOWING SUCCESS IN BOOSTING ECONOMIC GROWTH, LIVING STANDARDS, AND TRADE.

SEVERAL EAST EUROPEAN NATIONS, HE NOTED, HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BOOST EXPORTS BY 20 TO 30 PERCENT ANNUALLY, WITH THE CZECH REPUBLIC LEADING THE WAY WITH A 35 PERCENT ANNUAL GROWTH RATE IN EXPORTS.

THIS SUCCESS IN TRADE IS GIVING EAST EUROPEAN ECONOMIES A WINDOW ON THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST ON WORLD MARKETS. EXPORT GROWTH IS TAKING PLACE, HE SAID, DESPITE THE FACT THAT MANY MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE REMAIN RELATIVELY CLOSED TO EAST EUROPEAN GOODS.

ALTHOUGH EAST EUROPEAN NATIONS AND THE NATIONS OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION HAVE DISCUSSED THE IDEA OF AN ECONOMIC UNION ALONG THE LINES OF THE EUROPEAN COMMON MARKET, MR. HAVRYLNSHN SAID SUCH A GROUPING WOULD BE PREMATURE.

THEY ARE ALL COUNTRIES EARLY IN THE TRANSITION PROCESS THAT ARE RELATIVELY BACKWARDS IN TERMS OF THEIR INDUSTRIAL EFFICIENCY. AND THEY WANT TO FIND MECHANISMS TO GET PRODUCTIVITY GAINS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND MAKE THEM COMPETITIVE ON WORLD MARKETS. AND THE BEST WAY TO BECOME COMPETITIVE ON WORLD MARKETS IS TO TURN TO THOSE MARKETS EARLY ON. THERE IS NO ROYAL ROAD TO COMPETITIVENESS.

MR. HAVRYLYSHYN DISCOUNTED THE NOTION THAT FORMER EAST-BLOC ECONOPMIES WOULD DO BETTER BY TARGETING RELATIVELY PROTECTED MARKETS UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF A UNION.

IN FACT, THERE IS A TRAP IN THAT. IF YOU JUST PRODUCE FOR LOW-QUALITY MARKETS IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES, YOU MAY NEVER FIND THE WAYS TO GET THE PRODUCTIVITY GAINS FOR PRODUCING FOR HIGH-QUALITY MARKETS.

MR. HAVRYLYSHYN SAID THAT THE NATIONS OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION HAVE HAD A MUCH HARDER TIME AT ECONOMIC REFORM. HE SAID THAT IN RUSSIA, THE RESURGENCE OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY IS DUE TO A SENSE OF UNFAIRNESS IN LARGE SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION. THEY FEEL THAT THEY HAVE BORNE THE BRUNT OF ECONOMIC REFORMS, WHILE A PRIVILEGED FEW HAVE BENEFITTED. IT COULD BE YEARS, EVEN DECADES, HE SAID, BEFORE RUSSIA AND OTHER FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS SUCCEED IN STRIPPING AWAY REGULATIONS WHICH NOW SHACKLE THE ECONOMY AND THEN INSURING THAT THE RESULTING GROWTH IS SPREAD EVENLY THROUGHOUT SOCIETY. (SIGNED)
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11-Jun-96 6:57 PM EDT (2257 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EUROPE/WOMEN (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S TOP JUSTICE OFFICIAL SAYS WESTERN EUROPE MUST INTENSIFY ITS EFFORTS TO LIMIT TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN FOR USE IN PROSTITUTION AND PORNOGRAPHY. THE OFFICIAL, ANITA GRADIN, SPOKE IN VIENNA AT THE END OF A EUROPEAN COMMISSION CONFERENCE ON THE ISSUE. V-O-A'S WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN JUSTICE COMMISSIONER SAYS THE TRADE IN WOMEN TO BE USED IN THE WESTERN EUROPEAN SEX INDUSTRY HAS TO BE STOPPED.

THE COMMISSIONER SAYS SHE WILL INTRODUCE A PLAN TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TO COMBAT THE TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION. SHE SAYS THIS WILL BE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD EUROPEAN UNION ACTION TO DEAL WITH WHAT SHE CALLS A DISGUSTING, MODERN SLAVE TRADE.

THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION EARLIER REPORTED TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN FOR SEXUAL PURPOSES HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED SINCE THE FALL OF COMMUNISM IN EUROPE.

HUNDREDS-OF-THOUSANDS OF WOMEN FROM EASTERN EUROPE ARE BELIEVED WORKING, MOSTLY AGAINST THEIR WILL, AS PROSTITUTES IN THE WEST.

THE WOMEN ARE USUALLY TOLD THEY ARE GOING TO WESTERN COUNTRIES TO ENGAGE IN OTHER WORK AND THEIR SALARIES WOULD BE MUCH HIGHER THAN IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES.

BUT WHEN THEY REACH THEIR DESTINATIONS, THE TRAFFICKERS CONFISCATE THEIR PASSPORTS AND THEN FORCE THEM TO ENGAGE IN PROSTITUTION, OR TO BE INVOLVED IN PORNOGRAPHIC MOVIES.

THE CONFERENCE ON THE TRAFFICKING IN EASTERN EUROPEAN WOMEN WAS ATTENDED BY WESTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. IT INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES OF EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WHICH WANT TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION. (SIGNED)
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11-Jun-96 1:27 PM EDT (1727 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] GREECE / TURKEY (L ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVAS (ATHENS)

INTRO: GREECE'S SECURITY COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO STRENGTHEN THE COUNTRY'S MILITARY FORCES IN A BID TO FEND OFF WHAT IT CALLS SYSTEMATIC PROVOCATIONS BY TURKEY. ANTHEE CARASSAVAS IN ATHENS REPORTS THE DECISION COMES AMID RENEWED TENSION BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY, FIVE-MONTHS AFTER THE TWO NATO ALLIES CAME CLOSE TO WAR.

TEXT: GREEK PRIME MINISTER COSTAS SIMITIS APPROVED THE DEFENSE PLAN AFTER CHAIRING A MEETING OF GREECE'S NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL (KYSEA).

MR. SIMITIS SAID GREECE IS DETERMINED TO PUT AN END TO WHAT HE CALLED TURKEY'S SYSTEMATIC PROVOCATIONS. HE SAID GREECE WILL USE ALL MEANS AT ITS DISPOSAL TO MEET WHAT HE CALLS THE TURKISH CHALLENGE. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY THE SECURITY COUNCIL WILL MEET AGAIN WITHIN A MONTH TO DECIDE ON THE PURCHASE OF NEW HIGH-TECH DEFENSE SYSTEMS.

GREECE'S DEFENSE PLAN WAS ANNOUNCED AS A NUMBER OF TURKISH NAVY SHIPS MANEUVERED IN THE AEGEAN SEA IN A LARGE-SCALE EXERCISE NAMED DENIZ GURDU, OR IN ENGLISH, SEA WOLF. GREEK MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THE TURKISH SHIPS, READY TO REACT TO ANY SUSPICIOUS MOVE.

TENSION FLARED MOST RECENTLY BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY WHEN ANKARA LAST WEEK QUESTIONED GREEK SOVEREIGNTY OF THE INHABITED ISLAND OF GAVDOS, SOUTHWEST OF CRETE. THE CHARGES CAME FIVE-MONTHS AFTER THE TWO NATO ALLIES CAME CLOSE TO WAR OVER CONFLICTING CLAIMS TO A TINY ISLAND INHABITED ONLY BY GOATS AND SHEEP.

SINCE THAT INCIDENT, SENIOR GREEK MINISTERS HAVE CALLED FOR AN INCREASE IN DEFENSE SPENDING IN A BID TO CHALLENGE -- WHAT THEY CALL -- THE MILITARY MIGHT OF THEIR NEIGHBOR.

RECENT REPORTS SAY GREECE SPENDS THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF ITS BUDGET ON DEFENSE WITHIN NATO, TOPPING BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND TURKEY.

ANALYSTS SAY GREECE'S NEW NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS ARE ROOTED IN FEARS OF A NEW CRISIS WITH TURKEY FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE OF THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT LAST WEEK. THEY SAY AN INCIDENT MAY BE PROVOKED BY TURKEY'S STRONG SECULARIST MILITARY, WHICH IS CONCERNED ABOUT A POSSIBLE ISLAMIST PARTY RISE TO POWER.

IN JANUARY, GREEK PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS CAME UNDER FIRE BY POLITICAL FRIENDS AND FOES FOR HIS HANDLING OF THE NEAR-WAR CRISIS WITH TURKEY.

COMMENTATORS SAY A SECOND ROUND OF SIMILAR CRITICISM WOULD DEAL THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER A FATAL POLITICAL BLOW AHEAD OF A CRUCIAL CONGRESS OF THE RULING SOCIALIST PARTY LATER THIS MONTH. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/JWH/RAE
11-Jun-96 11:53 AM EDT (1553 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] PERRY / BOSNIA / NATO (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY LEAVES WASHINGTON LATE TUESDAY FOR A EUROPEAN TRIP DOMINATED BY A NATO DEFENSE MINISTERIAL MEETING IN BRUSSELS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. THE MEETING COMES AMID GROWING INDICATIONS THAT NATO MAY HAVE A MILITARY ROLE IN BOSNIA BEYOND THE ONE-YEAR MANDATE FOR THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE THAT ENDS IN DECEMBER. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: THE NATO DEFENSE MINISTERIAL SESSION -- WHICH WILL INCLUDE FRANCE AS A FULL PARTICIPANT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE DECADES COMES AT VIRTUALLY THE MID-POINT OF THE ONE-YEAR ALLIANCE TROOP DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA.

AND ALTHOUGH IT WILL NOT BE ON THE FORMAL AGENDA, THE BRUSSELS GATHERING IS EXPECTED TO INCLUDE CONSIDERABLE DISCUSSION OF WHAT ROLE -- IF ANY -- NATO WILL HAVE IN BOSNIA AFTER ITS MANDATE EXPIRES DECEMBER 20TH.

WITH POLITICAL RECONCILIATION AND POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS IN BOSNIA LAGGING, PRESSURE IS GROWING FOR SOME KIND CONTINUED NATO MILITARY ROLE WELL INTO NEXT YEAR.

THE WASHINGTON POST REPORTED TUESDAY THERE IS A GROWING CONSENSUS AMONG SENIOR NATO OFFICIALS THAT A SIZEABLE FOLLOW-ON FORCE WILL BE REQUIRED. AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KORNBLUM THE ADMINSTRATION'S CHIEF DIPLOMAT ON BOSNIA -- TOLD REPORTERS SOME ALLIED MILITARY OPERATIONS BEYOND DECEMBER ARE POSSIBLE, EVEN LIKELY.

HERE AT THE PENTAGON, SPOKESMAN KEN BACON DID NOT DISPUTE MR. KORNBLUM'S ASSESSMENT. HOWEVER HE SAID SECRETARY PERRY BELEIVES DISCUSSION OF A FURTHER NATO ROLE IS PREMATURE, AND SHOULD AT LEAST AWAIT THE OUTCOME OF BOSNIAN ELECTIONS EXPECTED IN MID-SEPTEMBER:

THE SECRETARY HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT THIS IS A TOPIC THAT SHOULD NOT BE DISCUSSED NOW. IT SHOULD BE DISCUSSED LATER. AND I BELEIVE THAT'S WHAT MR. KORNBLUM SAID AS WELL -- THAT THE QUESTION OF A FOLLOW-ON PRESENCE IF ANY IS NOT RIPE FOR DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW. IT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL -- IF IT'S DISCUSSED -- WILL BE DISCUSSED LATER AFTER THE ELECTIONS.

MR. BACON SAID AS OF NOW, THE PLAN IS FOR AMERICAN TROOPS AND OTHERS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE TO LEAVE BOSNIA AS SOON AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THE MANDATE AS FEASIBLE. HIS COMMENTS DID NOT PRECLUDE THEIR REPLACEMENT WITH A SUCCESSOR FORCE, MADE UP OF EUROPEAN NATO MEMBERS -- GROUNDWORK FOR WHICH WAS LAID BY ALLIANCE FOREIGN MINISTERS IN BERLIN LAST WEEK.

SECRETARY PERRY GOES FIRST TO MACEDONIA, FOR MEETINGS WEDNESDAY WITH PRESIDENT KIRO GLIGOROV AND OTHER OFFICIALS ON -- AMONG OTHER THINGS -- THE FUTURE OF THE U-N PEACEKEEPING MISSION THERE. THE 12-HUNDRED U-N TROOPS -- INCLUDING ABOUT 550 AMERICANS -- HAVE BEEN STATIONED ALONG MACEDONIA'S BORDER WITH THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO SINCE 1992 AND ARE CREDITED WITH STABILIZING THE TENSE REGION.

MACEDONIAN LEADERS SUPPORT A CONTINUING U-N MISSION, AND SECRETARY PERRY HAS SAID THE PEACEKEEPERS WILL NOT NECESSARILY GO HOME WHEN THEIR SECURITY COUNCIL MANDATE EXPIRES AT THE END OF NOVEMBER. (SIGNED)
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11-Jun-96 3:17 PM EDT (1917 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKEY/POLITICS BY LAURIE KASSMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKEY'S GOVERNMENT REMAINS IN LIMBO WHILE RIVAL POLITICAL PARTIES ONCE AGAIN TRY TO WORK OUT A COALITION THAT CAN GOVERN. THE ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY -- OR REFAH, AS IT IS KNOWN IN TURKISH -- IS TRYING TO FORM A RULING COALITION, SOMETHING IT FAILED TO DO AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTIONS LAST DECEMBER. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA THAT FAILURE OF THE PARTIES TO FORM A GOVERNMENT THIS TIME COULD RESULT IN ANOTHER COSTLY ROUND OF ELECTIONS.

TEXT: REFAH PARTY LEADER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN IS AT IT AGAIN, CONSULTING OTHER PARTY LEADERS TO SEE IF HE CAN FORM A COALITION WITH REFAH AS THE SENIOR PARTNER.

REFAH WON THE LARGEST NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LAST DECEMBER BUT NO OTHER PARTY WOULD JOIN A COALITION WITH THE ISLAMISTS. THE OTHER PARTIES SAID THEY WERE DETERMINED TO UPHOLD TURKEY'S CONSTITUTIONAL TRADITION OF A SECULAR GOVERNMENT AND KEEP THE ISLAMISTS FAR FROM THE REINS OF POWER. SO, FORMER PRIME MINISTER TANSU CILLER AND HER ARCH RIVAL MESUT YILMAZ PATCHED TOGETHER A FRAGILE COALITION THAT BEGAN TO UNRAVEL THE DAY IT WAS FORMED. THEIR PERSONAL HOSTILITIES AND SEVERAL OTHER FACTORS COMBINED TO DESTROY THE UNION OF THEIR TRUE PATH AND MOTHERLAND PARTIES AND LEAVE TURKEY IN ITS NOW FAMILIAR CARETAKER GOVERNMENT AND YET ANOTHER POLITICAL CRISIS.

REFAH'S NUMBER TWO LEADER, ABDULLAH GUL, SAYS THEIR FAILURE HAS LED THE SECULAR PARTIES TO RECONSIDER A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ISLAMISTS.

EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON THE NEGOTIATIONS. NONE OF THE PARTIES IN FACT SAYS 'WE DON'T WANT TO BE TOGETHER WITH REFAH' SO THIS IS A CHANGE SINCE THE GENERAL ELECTION. BECAUSE AFTER THE GENERAL ELECTION FIVE MONTHS BEFORE THERE WAS ONE PARTY, MRS. CILLER'S PARTY, AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD NEVER COME TOGETHER (WITH REFAH). SHE TRIED THAT (GOVERNING WITHOUT REFAH AND IT DIDN'T WORK) AND NOW I THINK SHE'S WISER NOW.

MR GUL SAYS MR. ERBEKAN WILL TALK WITH TANSU CILLER ON FRIDAY.

IF A COALITION CANNOT BE FORMED, EITHER BY MR ERBEKAN OR ANOTHER PARTY LEADER DESIGNATED BY THE PRESIDENT, THE ALTERNATIVE IS ANOTHER PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION. BUT POLITICIANS AND VOTERS ALIKE SAY THE COUNTRY IS WEARY OF ELECTIONS, ESPECIALLY ANOTHER ELECTION PROMPTED BY POLITICAL LEADERS UNABLE TO WORK TOGETHER. PRIVATELY, REFAH'S OPPONENTS FEAR THE ISLAMISTS COULD WIN MORE SEATS THAN LAST DECEMBER WHEN THEY WON 21 PERCENT OF THE POPULAR VOTE AND ONE-THIRD OF THE PARLIAMENT.

MR. GUL AGREES THE COUNTRY IS NOT PSYCHOLOGICALLY OR FINANCIALLY READY FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF VOTING. BUT IF THAT HAPPENS, HE SAYS HIS PARTY IS CONFIDENT OF VICTORY.

THE GENERAL ELECTION IS GOOD FOR US, EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS. FORGET THE WORDS, ALL ANALYSIS SHOWS THIS IS GOOD FOR US. OF COURSE, NOW WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITY. WE ARE NOT JUST SIMPLY AN OPPOSITION PARTY NOW. WE CANNOT SPEAK AS FREELY AS WE DID BEFORE. SO, THIS IS WHY WE HAVEN'T SPELLED OUT YET EARLY GENERAL ELECTIONS BECAUSE PSYCHOLOGICALLY TURKEY IS NOT READY. BUT WHEN WE SEE THERE IS NO OTHER CHANCE (OF FORMING A COALITION GOVERNMENT), THEN YES, WE WILL PUSH IT (THE IDEA OF ANOTHER ELECTION).

BUSINESS LEADERS ARE INCREASING THEIR PRESSURE TO GET SOME KIND OF GOVERNMENT IN PLACE TO TACKLE THE COUNTRY'S URGENT AND WORSENING FINANCIAL SITUATION. AND, THEY SAY THEY WILL ACCEPT A COALITION GOVERNMENT THAT INCLUDES THE REFAH PARTY, IF THAT IS WHAT IT TAKES TO GET TURKEY'S GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONING AGAIN.

REFAH PARTY LEADER ERBEKAN SAYS HE IS UNDER NO DEADLINE TO ORGANIZE A GOVERNMENT. HE IS CONTINUING CONSULTATIONS WITH OTHER PARTY LEADERS THIS WEEK AND PROBABLY NEXT WEEK AS WELL BUT THE OUTCOME IS STILL FAR FROM CERTAIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/LK/SKH
11-Jun-96 5:12 PM EDT (2112 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-N/CYPRUS (S-ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

INTRO: U-N SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS GHALI MET GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER GLAFCOS CLERIDES IN GENEVA TUESDAY, AS PART OF A NEW U-N EFFORT TO REVIVE DIRECT PEACE TALKS ON THE LONG-DIVIDED ISLAND. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS THERE WAS NO SIGN OF PROGRESS AT THE MEETING, BUT THE SECRETARY GENERAL SAID HE WILL PURSUE THE INITIATIVE.

TEXT: MR. CLERIDES HAS HAD NO DIRECT CONTACT WITH HIS TURKISH CYPRIOT COUNTERPART, RAUF DENKTASH, IN NEARLY TWO YEARS.

MR. BOUTROS GHALI SAID HE IS TRYING TO FIND COMMON GROUND FOR A RESUMPTION OF FACE-TO-FACE NEGOTIATIONS. HE DISCUSSED THE ISSUE WITH MR. DENKTASH EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL DESCRIBED TUESDAY'S HOUR-LONG MEETING HERE WITH THE GREEK CYPRIOT LEADER AS CONSTRUCTIVE. BUT HE PROVIDED NO DETAILS.

MR. CLERIDES TOLD REPORTERS HE WANTS TO RESUME NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER. BUT HE SAID THE TALKS MUST BE WELL PREPARED. OTHERWISE, HE SAID, THE MEETING WOULD END IN FAILURE. AND WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TOO MANY FAILURES, HE ADDED.

AFTER TUESDAY'S MEETING, THE SECRETARY GENERAL FLEW TO ANKARA FOR TALKS WITH TURKEY'S PRESIDENT SULEIMAN DEMERIL THAT WILL INCLUDE THE CYPRUS ISSUE.

A SPECIAL U-N ENVOY, FORMER SOUTH KOREAN FOREIGN MINISTER HAN SUNG-JOO, TRAVELS TO CYPRUS AT THE END OF THE MONTH, FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF PROXIMITY TALKS WITH THE ISLAND'S GREEK AND TURKISH LEADERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/PCF/MMK
11-Jun-96 11:01 AM EDT (1501 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S BOSNIA TROOPS (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS NO FORMAL TALKS HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITHIN THE NATO ALLIANCE ABOUT EXTENDING THE STAY OF AMERICAN TROOPS IN BOSNIA BEYOND THE ONE-YEAR TIME LIMIT SET BY PRESIDENT CLINTON. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: DESPITE SUGGESTIONS IN EUROPE THAT NATO TROOPS IN BOSNIA MAY HAVE TO STAY BEYOND THE ONE YEAR TIME LIMIT SET BY PRESIDENT CLINTON, THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS NO TALKS HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITHIN THE ALLIANCE ABOUT AN EXTENSION.

AMERICAN OFFICIALS DO NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT FURTHER TASKS MAY BE CONSIDERED AFTER ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA NEXT SEPTEMBER. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THERE ARE NO PLANS TO EXTEND THE 2O THOUSAND AMERICAN TROOPS IN BOSNIA PAST NEXT JANUARY.

I CAN NEVER RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND WILL CHANGE BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE UNITED STATES IS NOT NOW CONSIDERING, IN OUR PRIVATE COUNCILS, AN EXTENSION FOR OUR TROOPS THERE AND I HAVE THAT ON VERY HIGH AUTHORITY.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE WILL BE MISSIONS BEYOND A YEAR FOR THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCE BUT DISCUSSIONS WILL HAVE TO START SOON ON A WITHDRAWAL SCHEDULE FOR THE 60 THOUSAND NATO TROOPS. PRESIDENT CLINTON PLEDGED THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS WOULD NOT STAY IN BOSNIA BEYOND ONE YEAR FROM LAST DECEMBER. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/GKT/LWM
11-Jun-96 5:19 PM EDT (2119 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] YUGO/NATO (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: A SENIOR NATO OFFICER IN SARAJEVO SAYS SOME NATO TROOPS WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO REMAIN IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA NEXT YEAR OR SOME OTHER INTERNATIONAL PEACE FORCE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THEM. DESPITE CURRENT PLANS FOR NATO TROOPS TO LEAVE BOSNIA AROUND THE END OF THIS YEAR, THERE ARE GROWING DOUBTS WHETHER THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS COULD SURVIVE THE ALLIANCE PULLOUT. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: THE COMMANDER OF NATO GROUND FORCES IN BOSNIA, BRITISH GENERAL MICHAEL WALKER, SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL HAVE TO SHOW IT IS STILL DETERMINED TO PREVENT THE WAR THERE FROM BREAKING OUT AGAIN.

HE SAYS A PRIVATE DEBATE OVER WHETHER NATO TROOPS SHOULD REMAIN IN BOSNIA WELL INTO NEXT YEAR WILL HAVE TO COME OUT INTO THE OPEN, AND A DECISION WILL THEN HAVE TO BE MADE.

GENERAL WALKER ADDS THE SIZE OF THE MILITARY FORCE TO REMAIN IN BOSNIA BEYOND THE PLANNED PULL-OUT IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN ITS MISSION AND CAPABILITY.

SOME EUROPEAN MEMBERS OF NATO HAVE INDICATED THEIR TROOPS COULD REMAIN IN BOSNIA LONGER THAN PLANNED, AS LONG AS U-S TROOPS REMAIN WITH THEM.

PRESIDENT CLINTON, WHO FACES RE-ELECTION IN NOVEMBER, HAS SAID U-S TROOPS WILL BE IN BOSNIA FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. THIS MEANS THEY SHOULD WITHDRAW NEXT WINTER. BUT, THERE IS A GROWING BELIEF IN SARAJEVO AND ELSEWHERE THAT ONE YEAR IS NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR THE NATO-LED MISSION IN BOSNIA TO ENSURE PEACE AND STABILITY. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/MH/RAE
11-Jun-96 10:07 AM EDT (1407 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] YUGO ARMS TALKS (S) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE FORMER WARRING FORCES IN WHAT USED TO BE YUGOSLAVIA ARE HOLDING LAST-MINUTE NEGOTIATIONS ON AN IMPORTANT ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT FOR THE REGION. IT IS HOPED THE AGREEMENT CAN BE SIGNED TODAY (ON TUESDAY). BUT, AS V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS, THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT STILL OBJECTS TO THE WAY THE AGREEMENT REFERS TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

TEXT: A PLANNED SIGNING CEREMONY IN OSLO TUESDAY MORNING HAS BEEN DELAYED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. OVERNIGHT NEGOTIATIONS FAILED TO BREAK A DEADLOCK OVER AN ISSUE, CONSIDERED CRUCIAL BY THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THE PREAMBLE TO THE ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT SHOULD DESCRIBE THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC AS ONE OF THE TWO ENTITIES WITHIN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, NOT SIMPLY AS ONE OF THE PARTIES TO THE ACCORD.

THE SERBS LIKE THE LANGUAGE AS IT IS. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT ARGUES THAT THE SERBS COULD CLAIM IN THE FUTURE THAT THE WORDING OF THE PREAMBLE IMPLIES THEIR TERRITORY IS NOT PART OF BOSNIA.

THE NORWEGIAN CHAIRMAN OF THE ARMS CONTROL NEGOTIATIONS, VIKLEIK EIDE, HAS SAID FAILURE TO CONCLUDE AND IMPLEMENT THE ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT WOULD BE A SERIOUS SETBACK TO THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS.

HE HAS WARNED THAT THERE WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY BE A NEW ARMS RACE AND PROLONGED INSTABILITY IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/WC/JWH
11-Jun-96 6:59 AM EDT (1059 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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