Voice of America, 96-06-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREECE/TORTURE (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVAS (ATHENS)

[02] EU/BEEF (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[03] FRANCE / MADCOW (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[04] CONGRESS-BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

[05] BOSNIA/SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

[06] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: ONE MUSLIM'S VIEW OF BOSNIA BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[07] CLINTON / G-7 BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

[08] U-S / G-7 SUMMIT (L) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

[09] U.S. / UZBEKISTAN BUSINESS BY ALI JALALI (TASHKENT)

[10] NEW SHAKEUP IN THE KREMLIN BY FRANCIS RONALDS (WASHINGTON)

[11] BOUTROS CHALLENGE - O'NITE (L- ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[12] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[13] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY PHIL HAYNES (WASHINGTON)

[01] GREECE/TORTURE (L-ONLY) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVAS (ATHENS)

INTRO: HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS MEETINGS IN ATHENS THROUGH THIS SUNDAY (EDS: STARTED FRIDAY) SAY THEY WILL URGE THEIR GOVERNMENTS TO CUT OFF AID TO THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, IN A BID TO WIN THE RELEASE OF AN OUTSPOKEN PALESTINIAN ACTIVIST. FROM ANTHENS, ANTHEE CARASSAVAS REPORTS ON THE FIRST-EVER CONFERENCE AIMED AT STOPPING TORTURE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA.

TEXT: THE CONFERENCE COMES AHEAD OF A VISIT TO GAZA BY A TEAM OF U-S AND EUROPEAN ACTIVISTS, WHO SAY THEY WILL PRESSURE PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT TO RELEASE CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST EYAD EL-SARRAJ.

DELEGATES SAY PRESIDENT ARAFAT'S REFUSAL COULD SIGNAL STIFF REPERCUSSIONS FROM THE WEST, INCLUDING SUSPENSION OF MULTI--BILLION DOLLAR AID TO THE PALESTINIAN AREAS OF GAZA AND THE WEST BANK.

DR. SARRAJ WAS ARRESTED EARLIER THIS MONTH ON GROUNDS OF ASSAULTING A PALESTINIAN OFFICER. ACTIVISTS, HOWEVER, SAY HE WAS FRAMED BECAUSE OF HIS HARSH CRITICISM ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN GAZA AND THE WEST BANK.

CONFERENCE DELEGATES SAY DR. SARRAJ IS AMONG THE ONE-THOUSAND PEOPLE ALLEGEDLY PERSECUTED BY PALESTINIAN AUTHORITIES THIS PAST YEAR. THEY SAY CASES OF ABUSE HAVE INCREASED IN THE WEST BANK AND GAZA SINCE THE PALESTINIANS TOOK CHARGE OF THE AREAS IN 1994.

CONFERENCE ACTIVISTS NOTED SIMILAR INCREASES IN SYRIA AND IN EGYPT, WHICH THEY SAY HOLDS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF POLITICAL PRISONERS IN THE REGION.

DELEGATES SAY AMONG THE MOST FREQUENT METHODS OF TORTURE INCLUDE BEATING, PROLONGED STANDING IN PAINFUL POSITIONS, SUSPENSION FROM CELL CEILINGS AND INFLICTION OF BURNS FROM LIT CIGARETTES. MORE SOPHISTICATED METHODS ARE ALLEGEDLY USED BY TURKISH AND ISRAELI SECURITY FORCES.

CONFERENCE DELEGATES PLAN TO DRAFT AN ACTION PLAN DURING THE THREE-DAY ATHENS MEETING IN A BID TO PRESSURE GOVERNMENTS TO ABIDE BY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS BANNING TORTURE TACTICS. (SIGNED)
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21-Jun-96 1:37 PM EDT (1737 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EU/BEEF (L-ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S BEEF WAR WITH EUROPE IS OVER. THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION HEADS OF GOVERNMENT AGREED AT SUMMIT TALKS IN FLORENCE ITALY ON AN ACCORD, UNDER WHICH BRITAIN WILL END ITS POLICY OF NON-COOPERATION IN EUROPE. IN EXCHANGE, THE OTHER 14 GOVERNMENTS HAVE SIGNED ON TO A FRAMEWORK FOR THE STEP-BY-STEP LIFTING OF THE E-U'S GLOBAL BAN ON BRITISH BEEF EXPORTS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM EUROPEAN UNION HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE BEEF "ROW" (DISPUTE) BETWEEN BRITAIN AND ITS EUROPEAN UNION PARTNERS HAS SOURED RELATIONS INSIDE THE 15-NATION BLOC, AND IT THREATENED TO OVERSHADOW THIS WEEKEND'S SUMMIT. HOWEVER, INTENSIVE DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS APPEAR TO HAVE PAID OFF.

ON TUESDAY, EUROPEAN COMMISSIONERS AGREED ON A BLUEPRINT (PLAN) FOR ENDING THE BEEF CRISIS, AND THIS HAS NOW BEEN ENDORSED BY THE 15 EUROPEAN LEADERS. IT WILL INVOLVE BRITAIN ENDING ITS POLICY OF NON-COOPERATION IN EUROPE, DURING WHICH AROUND 100 DECISIONS HAVE BEEN BLOCKED.

BRITAIN WILL ALSO IMPLEMENT AN ERADICATION PROGRAM TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF "B-S-E," OR "MAD COW DISEASE." THIS WILL INVOLVE THE SLAUGHTER OF MILLIONS OF CATTLE, WITH ANIMALS BELIEVED TO BE MOST AT RISK FROM B-S-E HEADING THE QUEUES (LINES) FOR THE ABBATOIRS (BUTCHERS OR SLAUGHTER HOUSES). MEANWHILE, THE OTHER EUROPEAN UNION GOVERNMENTS HAVE AGREED TO THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH EACH SEPARATE STAGE OF THE BEEF EXPORT BAN CAN BE LIFTED. STAGES WILL COVER VERY YOUNG CALVES, ANIMALS FROM HERDS WHICH HAVE BEEN FREE OF B-S-E, BEEF EMBRYOS AND SO ON.

COUNTRIES OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN UNION WHICH WISH TO RESUME IMPORTS OF BEEF FROM BRITAIN CAN APPLY TO THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN BRUSSELS, WHICH CAN GIVE PERMISSION ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. SOUTH AFRICA IS EXPECTED TO BE ONE OF THE FIRST COUNTRIES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.

THE QUESTION NOW IS HOW EUROPEAN POLITICIANS WILL SELL THIS ACCORD TO THEIR OWN PARLIAMENTARY COLLEAGUES?

THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, JOHN MAJOR, IS LIKELY TO COME UNDER FIRE FOR STAGING A CLIMB-DOWN (DEPARTURE), BY AGREEING TO THE SLAUGHTER OF FAR MORE CATTLE THAN WERE AT FIRST EXPECTED TO BE CULLED.

AND TO WHATEVER GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL MAY HAVE AGREED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS IN GERMANY ARE LIKELY TO BE WILLING ALLOW IMPORTS OF BEEF FROM BRITAIN TO RESUME.

THE MAIN CRISIS MAY BE OVER, BUT IT IS LIKELY TO BE A LONG TIME BEFORE BRITISH BEEF EXPORTS TO EUROPE ARE FLOWING FREELY ONCE MORE. (SIGNED)
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21-Jun-96 9:49 AM EDT (1349 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] FRANCE / MADCOW (L-ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FARMERS ARE HOLDING DEMONSTRATIONS ACROSS FRANCE TO COINCIDE WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION SUMMIT IN FLORENCE, ITALY. JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS THE FARMERS ARE PRESSING DEMANDS FOR COMPENSATION FOR CATTLE FARMERS HURT BY THE RECENT "MAD COW" CRISIS.

TEXT: THE MAIN FRENCH FARMING UNIONS HAVE ORGANIZED SOME 70 DEMONSTRATIONS TO COINCIDE WITH THE FLORENCE SUMMIT. IN SOME PLACES, THE PROTESTS HAVE ALREADY TURNED VIOLENT.

IN THE TOWN OF LE MANS WEST OF PARIS, FIVE RIOT POLICEMEN AND ONE FARMER WERE HURT. THE FARMER WAS INJURED WHEN HE PICKED UP A TEAR-GAS GRENADE THAT LANDED AT HIS FEET. IT THEN EXPLODED IN HIS HANDS.

IN STRASBOURG, FARMERS BURNED AN EFFIGY OF BRITISH PRIME MINISTER JOHN MAJOR. AROUND ITS NECK THEY HUNG A NOTICE SAYING: "MAD COW, THANK YOU BRITAIN." IT WAS THE EUROPEAN UNION'S BAN ON BRITISH BEEF PRODUCTS THAT STARTED A FALL IN BEEF CONSUMPTION THAT IS HURTING THE FARMERS.

THE BAN WAS INTRODUCED BECAUSE OF A BRITISH SCIENTISTS' REPORT WARNING THAT MAD COW DISEASE MIGHT BE TRANSMISSIBLE TO HUMANS. BRITAIN'S CATTLE ARE PARTICULARLY SEVERELY AFFECTED BY THE DISEASE THAT IS BLAMED ON INDUSTRIAL FEED USED IN BRITAIN UNTIL 1989.

IN THE TOWN OF TULLE, SOUTH OF PARIS, FARMERS BACKED A TRUCK LOADED WITH CATTLE THROUGH THE GATES OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES. IN PARIS, OTHERS BROUGHT 10 COWS UP THE SEINE RIVER BY BARGE AND MOORED IT JUST BY THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT.

AT THE CHANNEL PORT OF CAEN, SOME 400 FRENCH FARMERS PREVENTED A FERRY THAT ARRIVED FROM BRITAIN FROM DISEMBARKING ITS ONE-THOUSAND PASSENGERS AND THEIR VEHICLES. THE FERRY LEFT PORT AND WAITED OFFSHORE FOR FOUR HOURS. THEN RIOT POLICE DROVE THE FARMERS OUT OF THE PORT AND THE SHIP FINALLY DOCKED NORMALLY.

FARMERS BLOCKED ROADS AND SLOWED TRAFFIC. ON THE MAIN HIGHWAYS. BETWEEN PARIS AND THE SOUTH, THE APPROACH WAS DIFFERENT. PROTESTERS IN BURGUNDY OCCUPIED THE TOLL BOOTHS AND LET MOTORISTS USE THE ROADS WITHOUT PAYING.

FRENCH AGRICULTURE MINISTER PHILIPPE VASSEUR HAS ANNOUNCED A SERIES OF MEASURES TO HELP CATTLE FARMERS INCLUDING EARLY RETIREMENT FOR ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF FRANCE'S 120-THOSAND BEEF PRODUCERS. THE MINISTER HAS PROMISED NOT TO LET A EUROPEAN UNION AGRICULTURE MINISTERS' MEETING IN LUXEMBOURG NEXT WEEK END, UNTIL IT WORKS OUT A COMPENSATION PACKAGE FOR FRENCH FARMERS.

FRANCE IS PUSHING FOR EXTRA MONEY FOR FARMERS AT THE FLORENCE SUMMIT. FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC HAS SAID THE FIRST PRIORITY IN THE MAD COW CRISIS IS TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH. THEN, HE SAYS, INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES AND ALL OF EUROPE HAVE A DUTY TO HELP THE BEEF PRODUCERS WHOSE LIVELIHOOD IS NOW AT RISK. (SIGNED)
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21-Jun-96 11:03 AM EDT (1503 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CONGRESS-BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CONGRESS)

INTRO: REPUBLICANS IN THE U-S CONGRESS ARE RAISING NEW CONCERNS ABOUT THE PEACEKEEPING MISSION IN BOSNIA. AND AS V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, THEY ARE DEMANDING ANSWERS FROM THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION.

TEXT: THE REPUBLICANS SAY THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE ESCALATING COST OF THE MISSION....AND THE POSSIBILITY THE OPERATION MIGHT BE EXTENDED.

LAST DECEMBER, PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID AMERICAN TROOPS WOULD BE HOME IN ONE YEAR. AT THE TIME, THE ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATED THE EXPENSE AT ABOUT ONE-AND-A-HALF BILLION DOLLARS.

BUT REPUBLICANS SAY THE COST OF THE MISSION HAS ALREADY DOUBLED. AND THEY SAY THERE ARE HINTS THE DURATION OF THE OPERATION COULD ALSO EXPAND. SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH SAYS IT IS TIME FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO DECLARE ITS INTENTIONS.

WHAT YOU SEE HAPPENING IS CERTAINLY MISSION CREEP IN TERMS OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR NATION BUILDING. AND YOU SEE CLEARLY AN INDICATION, AN EARLY WARNING SIGNAL FROM THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE THAT OUR AMERICAN FORCES WILL BE IN BOSNIA A LOT LONGER THAN PRESIDENT CLINTON ORIGINALLY INDICATED.

SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY'S REMARKS THAT HE MIGHT RESPOND FAVORABLY IF NATO WANTED TO EXTEND THE MISSION WERE QUICKLY DOWNPLAYED BY THE WHITE HOUSE. BUT THEY SET OFF ALARMS ON CAPITOL HILL, WHERE MANY LAWMAKERS HAVE LONG HAD SOME MISGIVINGS ABOUT THE BOSNIA MISSION.

IN A LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON -- SENT AS THE MILITARY OPERATION PASSED THE SIX MONTH MARK -- MR. GINGRICH AND OTHER TOP REPUBLICANS LAY OUT THEIR CONCERNS. THEY CALL ON MR. CLINTON TO SEND THREE TOP OFFICIALS TO CAPITOL HILL TO MEET WITH LAWMAKERS -- SECRETARY PERRY,SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER, AND THE NATION'S TOP MILITARY OFFICER, GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI.

MR. CHRISTOPHER MOST LIKELY WILL APPEAR BEFORE THE HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE. BENJAMIN GILMAN OF NEW YORK IS THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN. HE SEES SOME DISTURBING SIGNS IN BOSNIA.

WE ARE NOW CONFRONTED WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. FIRST OF ALL, THE ELECTION PROCESS IS MOVING ALONG VERY SLOWLY. IT IS FEARED IT MAY NOT BE A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION. THE INFRASTRUCTURE BUILD-UP HAS BEEN EXTREMELY SLOW AND WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MEET SOME OF THE CRITERIA WE WANT TO MEET. AND NOW WE HAVE DELAYED THE MOVING OUT OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT WHICH TAKES QUITE A BIT OF TIME BEFORE THE TROOPS ARE READY TO LEAVE.

THIS WEEKEND, SIX CONGRESSMEN WILL GET A FIRST HAND LOOK AT CONDITIONS IN THE REGION. THEY WILL BE IN THE BALKANS AT THE REQUEST OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TO TALK TO AMERICAN SOLDIERS AND THEIR MILITARY COMMANDERS. THE DELEGATION -- WHICH INCLUDES FOUR REPUBLICANS AND TWO DEMOCRATS -- WILL GO TO TUZLA, ZAGREB AND SARAJEVO. THE CONGRESSMEN WILL ALSO VISIT MILITARY STAGING FACILITIES IN HUNGARY. (SIGNED)
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20-Jun-96 7:06 PM EDT (2306 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA/SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE HEAD OF THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY IN BOSNIA HAS ATTACKED NATO AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR FAILING TO DO MORE TO SUPPORT THE CIVILIAN ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. THE SENIOR U-N OFFICIAL SAYS WITHOUT MUCH MORE INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT, MOST REFUGEES WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: MR. SOREN JENSEN-PETERSSEN, THE HEAD IN BOSNIA OF THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY -- THE U-N-H-C-R -- LAUNCHED A STINGING ATTACK ON THE FAILURE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT HIS AGENCY'S WORK. HE SAID THERE WAS A DISMAL RECORD OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CIVILIAN ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT.

WE SEE A LACK OF RESOLVE ON THE PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR REFUGEES, DISPLACED PERSONS, TO GO BACK. MUCH MORE EFFORT, MUCH MORE SUPPORT TO UNHCR AND TO OUR WORK IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR RETURN -- SINCE THOSE CONDITIONS DO NOT EXIST.

MR. PETERSSEN CALLED FOR MUCH GREATER PRESSURE TO BE APPLIED TO THE PARTIES IN BOSNIA TO LIVE UP TO THEIR COMMITMENTS UNDER THE DAYTON ACCORD, AND HE ALSO SAID WITHOUT A RADICAL CHANGE OF POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN BOSNIA, WHICH WOULD REMOVE THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WAR, REFUGEES WOULD NOT CROSS ETHNIC LINES. MR. PETERSSEN ALSO CALLED ON THE NATO FORCE IN BOSNIA, KNOWN AS "IFOR," (IMPLEMENTATION FORCE) TO PROVIDE STRONGER SUPPORT FOR THE MOVEMENT OF CIVILIANS

WE WANT TO URGE IFOR TO BE AROUND AND SEND A VERY SERIOUS SIGNAL THAT THEY ARE THERE IN SUPPORT OF THIS FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

PETERSSEN ALSO SAID HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF BOSNIAN REFUGEES LIVING IN EUROPE SHOULD NOT YET BE FORCED TO RETURN TO BOSNIA.

WE BELIEVE THAT PREMATURE, RUSHED RETURN MIGHT DESTABILIZE THIS VERY FRAGILE PEACE, AND WOULD ALSO -- AT THIS STAGE WHERE RETURNS TO MINORITY AREAS ARE NOT POSSIBLE -- WOULD CONSOLIDATE ETHNIC DIVISIONS.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A SENIOR INTERNATIONAL OFFICIAL IN BOSNIA HAS SHARPLY CRITICIZED NATO AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR NOT PUSHING HARDER FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL ASPECTS OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. (SIGNED)
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21-Jun-96 9:09 AM EDT (1309 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: ONE MUSLIM'S VIEW OF BOSNIA BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS DECIDED TO HOLD ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA THIS SEPTEMBER EVEN THOUGH WAR CRIMINALS REMAIN AT LARGE AND OTHER BASIC PRECONDITIONS FOR A FAIR VOTE HAVE NOT BEEN MET. THE CONSENSUS IS THAT DELAY WILL INCREASE THE RISK OF PARTITION. BUT ON THE GROUND IN BOSNIA MOST BELIEVE THAT ELECTION RESULTS WILL MEAN ETHNIC PARTITION TO SOME EXTENT ANYWAY SINCE MOST BOSNIANS ARE LIKELY TO VOTE ALONG ETHNIC PARTY LINES, WHETHER THE ELECTION IS HELD IN SEPTEMBER OR

PT DOES THAT MEAN YOU WILL HAVE TO VOTE FOR THE SDA (MUSLIM NATIONALIST PARTY)? EK: YOU TELL ME. WE SARAJEVANS, NOW WE HAVE HARIS SILAJDZIC. HE IS REALLY VERY GOOD AND PUBLIC OPINION IS THAT HE IS NOT AN ULTRA NATIONALIST OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. BUT NOW PEOPLE FEAR THAT SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN, THAT THE MUSLIM POPULATION WILL BE DIVIDED AGAIN BETWEEN TWO PARTIES AND THAT THEY WILL LOSE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED BEFORE THE WAR STARTED. PT: (BUT) MAYBE THIS IS A TRANSITION THAT BOSNIANS HAVE TO GO THROUGH. AS PEOPLE START COMING TOGETHER AGAIN AND MORE PARTIES DEVELOP, MAYBE YOU CAN HAVE NON-ETHNIC PARTIES IN THE FUTURE BUT MAYBE IT'S TOO SOON RIGHT NOW? EK: YES IT US TOO SOON, UNFORTUNATELY. PERSONALLY I WOULD LIKE A LEADERSHIP OF THIS COUNTRY THAT WOULD BE LIBERAL, REPUBLICAN, A CITIZEN'S PARTY. BUT THE VILLAGE POPULATION, YOU CAN'T EXPECT THEM TO VOTE FOR THAT. ESPECIALLY NOW AFTER THE WAR. THERE ARE A LOT OF NATIONALISTS. EVERY BOSNIAN IN THIS WAR IS VERY, VERY CONNECTED TO THIS COUNTRY, EVERYONE OF THEM LIKE THIS COUNTRY VERY MUCH. THAT IS TO SAY, WHEN THE TRAGEDY IN SARAJEVO WAS HAPPENING FOR FOUR AND A HALF YEARS, SOME SARAJEVANS LEFT THE CITY. BUT THEY WERE NOT HAPPY, DEFINITELY, INCLUDING ME. DEFINITELY. ALTHOUGH I HAD GOOD WORK AND GOOD LIVING CONDITIONS, I WASN'T HAPPY AT ALL. AND NOW I CAN SEE AS THERE ARE MORE OF MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES COMING (RETURNING) AND I CAN SEE THAT. IT'S UNBELIEVABLE. YOU CAN SEE THERE ARE SCARS ALL OVER US IN BOSNIA, SCARS OF WAR. BUT STILL YOU LIKE THIS COUNTRY, YOU JUST LOVE IT. I FEEL THE DIFFERENT TASTE OF WATER, DIFFERENT TASTE OF FOOD, THE AIR, THE PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE ARE REALLY OUTSTANDING. WHEN YOU ARE SPEAKING WITH ORDINARY PEOPLE, A TAXI DRIVER, WITH PEOPLE ON THE STREET. JUST POINT TO SOMEONE WITH YOUR FINGER, ANYONE IN SARAJEVO AND I WILL GO TO HIM AND ASK HIM, ALTHOUGH PEOPLE ARE VERY POOR NOW, (I WOULD) ASK HIM TO GIVE ME ONE GERMAN MARK WHICH IS SOMETHING HE DOESN'T HAVE. AT LEAST HE WILL TRY AND FIND SOME WAY TO HELP ME, TO HAVE A WARM WORD FOR ME AS I WOULD FOR HIM AND HE WILL NOT EVEN ASK MY NAME. PT: HE WON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR ETHNIC ORIGIN? EK: NO. THAT'S THE BIGGEST VALUE OF THIS COUNTRY. MAYBE I'M EMOTIONAL NOW. MAYBE I'M GETTING OLD. I THINK I'M A TYPICAL BOSNIAN.
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21-Jun-96 5:02 PM EDT (2102 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] CLINTON / G-7 BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON LEAVES WASHINGTON THIS WEEK (WEDNESDAY) FOR THE SUMMIT OF THE GROUP OF SEVEN INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS IN LYON, FRANCE. HE HEADS TO EUROPE CONFIDENT HE CAN MAKE HIS CASE THAT HE HAS PUT AMERICA'S ECONOMIC HOUSE IN ORDER, AND ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT WORKING WITH NOW-FAMILIAR LEADERS TO TACKLE THE NEW CHALLENGES OF THE POST COLD WAR WORLD. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA WILL BE TRAVELING WITH THE PRESIDENT.

TEXT: THINK BACK TO THE TOKYO GROUP OF SEVEN SUMMIT IN 1993. PRESIDENT CLINTON WAS NEW IN HIS JOB. U-S ALLIES WANTED THE NEW PRESIDENT TO TRIM HIS NATION'S DEFICIT.

AT THAT TIME, THE UNITED STATES HAD A VERY HIGH BUDGET DEFICIT AS A SHARE OF G-D-P (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT), HIGHER THAN THAT OF JAPAN, HIGHER THAT THAT OF GERMANY, HIGHER THAN THAT OF FRANCE.

U-S OFFICIALS SUCH AS DANIEL TARULLO, DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR ECONOMIC POLICY, RECALL ALL THIS AND NOW POINT WITH PRIDE TO WHAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ACCOMPLISHED AS HE PREPARES TO ATTEND HIS FOURTH G-7 SUMMIT.

TODAY THE UNITED STATES BUDGET DEFICIT HAS COME DOWN BY OVER HALF AS YOU KNOW. IT IS NOW THE LOWEST IN THE INDUSTRIALIZED WORLD AS A SHARE OF G-D-P.

CLINTON SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS THE PRESIDENT GOES TO LYON NOT THE LEAST BIT BASHFUL ABOUT HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE ECONOMIC FRONT:

QUITE FRANKLY, HE GOES TO THESE MEETINGS NOW WITH BRAGGING RIGHTS, BECAUSE OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY. ONE THING THAT IS MANIFESTLY CLEAR IS THAT OUR ECONOMY HAS MANAGED TO WEATHER SOME OF THE TRANSITIONS OCCURRING IN THE POST COLD-WAR ERA, IN THE NEW GLOBAL ECONOMY THAT WE'RE IN, WITH STEADIER GROWTH, LOWER RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND INFLATION, LOWER INTEREST RATES THAN SOME OF THE OTHER NATIONS.

AND PRESIDENT CLINTON GOES TO LYON CONFIDENT NOT JUST ABOUT U-S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE BUT ABOUT HIS OWN ROLE. HAVING ATTENDED THE TOKYO SUMMIT, THEN SUMMITS IN NAPLES AND HALIFAX AFTER THAT, PRESIDENT CLINTON IS NOW USED TO THE WORLD STAGE. HE LIKED THE MORE INFORMAL ATMOSPHERE AT THE HALIFAX SUMMIT, AND SPOKESMAN MCCURRY SAYS THE PRESIDENT ACTUALLY ENJOYS ATTENDING THEM.

HE APPRECIATES THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES ON THE GLOBAL AGENDA WITH HIS COUNTERPARTS. THIS HAS NOW BECOME FOR HIM SOMETHING HE'S VERY FAMILIAR WITH. HE'S CERTAINLY FAMILIAR WITH MANY OF THE LEADERS THAT HE ENCOUNTERS AT THESE SESSIONS. HE ENJOYS THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS HE HAS WITH MANY OF THESE LEADERS AND THE DIALOGUE THEY HAVE ABOUT VARIOUS ISSUES.

BUT HE WILL NOT HAVE ANY DIRECT DIALOGUE WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN IN LYON. HE IS CAMPAIGNING FOR RE-ELECTION IN ADVANCE OF RUSSIA'S SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS. PRIME MINISTER VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN WILL TAKE PART IN POLITICAL TALKS WITH G-7 LEADERS IN HIS PLACE.

U-S OFFICIALS EXPECT THE PRIME MINISTER TO HOLD A ONE-ON-ONE MEETING WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON, WHO HAS OTHER BILATERAL TALKS WITH LEADERS IN LYON BEFORE A ONE-DAY VISIT TO PARIS.

THERE WILL BE MORE THAN JUST ECONOMIC ISSUES ON THEIR AGENDA. U-S OFFICIALS SAY NEW GLOBAL CHALLENGES WILL BE ADDRESSED. THEY INCLUDE ILLICIT TRAFFICKING IN DRUGS AND NUCLEAR MATERIAL, TERRORISM, ORGANIZED CRIME, EVEN THE SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

FOREIGN POLICY IS TO BE DISCUSSED, TOO, WITH BOSNIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST HIGH ON THE AGENDA.

AT LEAST ONE ISSUE COULD INJECT SOME TENSION INTO THIS SUMMIT. A U-S ANTI-CUBA TRADE LAW IS OPPOSED BY CANADA AND EUROPEAN NATIONS BUT U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE PRESIDENT WILL CHALLENGE HIS G-7 PARTNERS TO BACK UP EXPRESSIONS OF CONCERN WITH ACTION. (SIGNED)
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21-Jun-96 12:25 PM EDT (1625 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S / G-7 SUMMIT (L) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING A MESSAGE OF CONFIDENCE AND OPTIMISM AS IT MOVES TOWARD NEXT WEEK'S SUMMIT OF THE WORLD'S SEVEN INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACIES. A TOP WHITE HOUSE ECONOMIST SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL GO TO LYONS, FRANCE, BACKED BY A REINVIGORATED U-S ECONOMY AND REAL EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE BUDGET DEFICIT. V-O-A'S MAXIM KNIAZKOV HAS THE DETAILS.

TEXT: THE DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE U-S PRESIDENT ON ECONOMIC POLICY, DANIEL TARULLO, SAYS MR. CLINTON IS NOW IN A MUCH STRONGER NEGOTIATING POSITION THAN THREE YEARS AGO, WHEN THE GROUP OF SEVEN INDUSTRIAL NATIONS HELD ITS MEETING IN TOKYO, JAPAN. THEN, THE UNITED STATES CAME UNDER STRONG CRITICISM FOR RUNAWAY GOVERNMENT SPENDING -- AND WHAT WAS SEEN AS A LACK OF EFFECTIVE POLICIES TO CONTAIN IT.

MR. TARULLO DESCRIBED TODAY'S SITUATION AS RADICALLY CHANGED AS HE PROCEEDED TO READ FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ECONOMIC REPORT CARD.

TODAY, AS WE PREPARE TO GO TO LYONS, THE UNITED STATES HAS REDUCED ITS BUDGET DEFICIT BY OVER ONE HALF. WE HAVE THE SMALLEST BUDGET DEFICIT AS A PROPORTION OF G-D-P (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) OF ANY OF THE G-7 MEMBER-COUNTRIES. UNEMPLOYMENT HAS BEEN UNDER SIX PERCENT FOR 20 MONTHS IN A ROW. WE HAVE CREATED NINE-POINT-SEVEN MILLION JOBS. INVESTMENT HAS BEEN INCREASING AT A RATE OF ABOUT 13 PERCENT PER YEAR. AND, WITH AN INVESTMENT-LED RECOVERY, THE UNITED STATES COMES INTO THE SUMMIT IN A VERY STRONG POSITION, HAVING MOVED TO PUT ITS OWN HOUSE IN ORDER.

THE LEADERS OF THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY AND JAPAN WILL GATHER FOR THEIR THREE-DAY SUMMIT IN LYONS NEXT THURSDAY. THEY WILL DISCUSS ISSUES RANGING FROM WORLD ECONOMY TO TERRORISM TO TENSION SPOTS SUCH AS THE MIDDLE EAST AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

BUT ANALYSTS SAY THE MOST CONTROVERSY IS EXPECTED TO BE GENERATED BY THE SO CALLED HELMS-BURTON ACT ADOPTED IN THE UNITED STATES EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE LAW PROVIDES FOR PUNISHMENT OF FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT ENGAGE IN BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS IN CUBA INVOLVING PROPERTY SEIZED BY THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT.

EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND CANADA HAVE CRITICIZED THE LAW AS AN ATTEMPT TO IMPOSE U-S FOREIGN POLICY ON THEM. U-S TRADE PARTNERS ARE ALSO SAID TO BE CONCERNED BY A U-S BILL PENALIZING COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS WITH IRAN, WHICH IS RAPIDLY MOVING THROUGH CONGRESS AND IS EXPECTED TO BE SIGNED BY THE U-S PRESIDENT.

BUT MR. TARULLO RETURNED CRITICISM, SAYING THAT EACH YEAR, MANY G-7 MEMBERS ENGAGE IN RHETORIC ABOUT THE NEED TO COME DOWN HARD AGAINST ROGUE NATIONS SUPPRESSING DEMOCRACY AND ENGAGING IN TERRORISM BUT DO LITTLE IN PRACTICE. HE SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS JUST TAKING THE LEAD ON THE ISSUE THAT MUST BE DEALT WITH.

TO THIS POINT AT LEAST, THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN THE LEADER IN TAKING ACTION. WHAT WE BELIEVE IS IMPORTANT IS FOR COUNTRIES IN THE REST OF THE WORLD TO DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO TAKING ACTION AS WELL. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO COOPERATE WITH THEM IN DECIDING UPON EFFECTIVE MEASURES TO ISOLATE THESE COUNTRIES TO CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIORS. THAT I THINK IS THE REAL ISSUE.

THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL DECLINED TO PREDICT HOW MUCH PROGRESS HE EXPECTS TO ACHIEVE ON ANY OF THE ISSUES ON THE SUMMIT AGENDA. BUT HE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE IN OBTAINING SPECIFIC RESULTS, WHEN THE G-7 LEADERS END THEIR DISCUSSION A WEEK FROM NOW. (SIGNED)
NEB/MAX/KL
21-Jun-96 2:53 PM EDT (1853 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U.S. / UZBEKISTAN BUSINESS BY ALI JALALI (TASHKENT)

INTRO: UZBEKISTAN IS SEEKING MORE U-S INVESTMENT IN DEVELOPING ITS OIL, GAS AND MINERAL DEPOSITS. VOA'S ALI JALALI IN TASHKENT REPORTS THE MATTER OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN UZBEKISTAN ARE EXPECTED TO FIGURE PROMINENTLY WHEN PRESIDENT ISLAM KARIMOV VISITS THE UNITED STATES NEXT WEEK (JUNE 23-28).

TEXT: THE UZBEK LEADER IS EXPECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN TWO BUSINESS PROMOTION CONFERENCES IN THE UNITED STATES.

A SEMINAR IN HOUSTON (TEXAS) WILL FOCUS ON INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN UZBEKISTAN'S OIL AND GAS SECTOR. ANOTHER CONFERENCE IS PLANNED IN DENVER (COLORADO) TO EXPLORE THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE COUNTRY'S RICH MINERAL RESOURCES. ABOUT 50 MAJOR U-S COMPANIES OPERATE IN UZBEKISTAN THROUGH JOINT VENTURES OR FRANCHISE RELATIONSHIP WITH UZBEK COMPANIES.

AMERICAN BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES IN TASHKENT SAY THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR MUCH GREATER INVESTMENT IN UZBEKISTAN'S NATURAL RESOURCES. THE CENTRAL ASIAN STATE HAS LARGE DEPOSITS OF GOLD AND URANIUM AND THE COUNTRY IS EXPECTED TO BECOME ENERGY INDEPENDENT THIS YEAR.

ONE OF THE LEADING U-S COMPANIES WITH A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN UZBEKISTAN IS THE DENVER-BASED NEWMONT MINING COMPANY. THE COMPANY IS PRODUCING GOLD AT MURINTAU MINES NEAR ZARAFSHAN -- IN THE SOUTHWESTERN NAVOI REGION. THE INVESTMENT IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE ABOUT FIVE MILLION OUNCES OF GOLD OVER A 17-YEAR PERIOD.

NEWMONT OFFICIALS SAY UZBEKISTAN'S GEOLOGY IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND HIGHLY TRAINED WORKERS ARE LOCALLY AVAILABLE. THEY SAY DISPITE SOME INITIAL DIFFICULTIES, THE COMPANY'S PRODUCTION IS MOVING TO FULL CAPACITY WITH CASH COSTS CONTINUOUSLY FALLING.

WILLIAM GIFFORD, NEWMONT-ZARAFSHAN'S ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR IN TASHKENT, SAYS THE UZBEK GOVERNMENT IS MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO IMPROVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTMENT. HE MENTIONS RECENT CHANGES IN THE TAX CODE AND LABOR RELATIONS.

LABOR CODES HAVE RECENTLY, AS OF APRIL THIS YEAR, BEEN REISSUED IN A NEW FORM AND THOSE ALLOW A MORE AIMIABLE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN EMPLOYER AND AN EMPLOYE AND ALOWS MORE LATITUDE IN THE KINDS OF BENEFITS THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE AND THE KIND OF SERVICES THAT CAN BE PROVIDED. THIS IS A MAJJOR STRIDE.

MR. GIFFORD SAYS THERE ARE STILL OBSTACLES IN MOVING THE COUNTRY TO A MARKET ECONOMY. HE SAYS THE OBSTACLES INCLUDE THE SURGE OF INTEREST, WHICH, HE SAYS, HAS LED TO WHAT HE CALLS A "GOLD RUSH IN A POSITIVE CONNOTATION." HE SAYS THE COUNTRY HAS TO COPE WITH THE FAST EXPANDING BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, HE SAYS MOST OF THE OBSTACLES ARE FORESEEABLE AND MANAGABLE.

HAL METTES, THE REPRESENTATIVE OF AMERICAN RADIAN INTERNATIONAL, SAYS GOVERNMENT SUPPORT, AVAILABLE TRAINED WORKERS AND A LARGE INTERNAL MARKET, MAKE UZBEKISTAN ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE PLACES FOR HIS COMPANY WHICH PROVIDES OIL AND GAS SERVICES IN UZBEKISTAN.

MR. METTES SAYS THAT CONSTRUCTION OF A PLANNED SOUTHERN PIPELINE THROUGH TURKMENISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN TO SOUTH ASIA WILL FURTHER INCREASE OPPORTUNITES. UZBEKISTAN, TURKMENISTAN, AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN AGREED LAST MONTH TO BUILD THE PIPELINE.

AMERICAN INVESTMENT IN UZBEKISTAN OIL AND GAS RESOURCES HAS BEEN FAR SMALLER IN SCALE THAN IN KAZAKSTAN AND AZERBAIJAN. BUSINESS ANALYSTS IN TASHKENT EXPECT THAT THE CONFERENCE IN HOUSTON NEXT WEEK WILL ENCOURAGE GREATER INVOLEMENT OF BIG COMPANEIS IN UZBEKISTAN. THE ENRON OIL AND GAS COMPANY, WHICH DEVELOPS GAS AND OIL FIELDS IN THE UZBEK PROVINCES OF BUKHARA AND QASHQA DARYA, IS AMONG THE HOSTS OF THE CONFERENCE.

MOST U-S COMPANIES IN UZBEKISTAN BELIEVE THAT BUSINESS OPORTUNITIES IN THE COUNTRY ARE VERY ATTRACTIVE. BUT TTHEY SAY THE INVESTORS SHOULD BE PATIENT AND FLEXIBLE IN PURSUIT OF LONG-TERM GOALS. (SIGNED)
CENA/AJ/CF
21-Jun-96 9:54 AM EDT (1354 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] NEW SHAKEUP IN THE KREMLIN BY FRANCIS RONALDS (WASHINGTON)

TAPE: CUT ONE -- KNIGHT "THE RECENT SHAKE-UP IN THE KREMLIN FIRST OF ALL SHOWS THAT A LOT OF THE POWER STRUGGLE THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON HAS CENTERED AROUND THESE SECURITY SERVICES. AND CLEARLY, KORZHAKOV HAD BECOME SO POWERFUL AND INFLUENTIAL WITH YELTSIN THAT WHEN YELTSIN MADE AN ALLIANCE WITH LEBED, THE TWO COULDN'T REALLY COEXIST TOGETHER. I DON'T THINK IT NECESSARILY MEANS THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE VAST CHANGES IN THE SECURITY SERVICES." HOST: SEEKING TO WIN OVER THE 15 PERCENT OF THE ELECTORATE WHICH VOTED FOR GENERAL LEBED ON SUNDAY, PRESIDENT YELTSIN ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY THAT THE GENERAL WOULD BE PUT IN CHARGE OF THE SECURITY AGENCIES, AS WELL AS REFORM OF THE MILITARY. JAMES SHERR, A SPECIALIST ON INTELLIGENCE MATTERS WHO TEACHES AT ENGLAND'S OXFORD UNIVERSITY, SAYS THAT THE REMOVAL OF MESSERS KORZHAKOV AND BARSUKOV WAS NO DOUBT DEMANDED BY GENERAL LEBED, IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SUPPORT:

TAPE: CUT TWO -- SHERR "YELTSIN IS AT A POINT WHERE THE SUPPORT OF GENERAL LEBED IS VASTLY MORE IMPORTANT TO HIM THAN THE SUPPORT OF GENERAL BARSUKOV AND GENERAL KORZHAKOV. IT'S OVERWHELMINGLY OBVIOUS THAT LEBED MADE IT CLEAR FROM THE BEGINNING THAT HE WOULD ONLY SUPPORT YELTSIN IF HE WERE GIVEN REAL POWER AND COMPLETE AUTHORITY IN THE SECURITY AREA. AND BY DEFINITION THAT HAS TO MEAN THE REMOVAL OF KORZHAKOV AND BARSUKOV. SOSKOVETS WAS THE MOST FORMIDABLE ALLY OF KORZHAKOV AND BARSUKOV IN REPRESENTING CIVIL BUREAUCRATIC STRUCTURES AND WAS PROBABLY SEEN BY LEBED AS THE MAN MOST CAPABLE OF OBSTRUCTING HIM." HOST: THE FIRING OF THESE THREE MEN HAS BEEN WIDELY INTERPRETED AS A REMOVAL OF THE MAJOR HARDLINERS IN PRESIDENT YELTSIN'S TEAM. JAMES SHERR BELIEVES THAT SUCH AN INTERPRETATION IS OPEN TO SERIOUS QUESTION:

TAPE: CUT THREE -- SHERR "WE SHOULD BE VERY SKEPTICAL WHEN THE WESTERN PRESS PORTRAYS THESE EVENTS AS THE REMOVAL BY YELTSIN OF THE WORST HARDLINERS IN HIS TEAM. LET US BEAR IN MIND THAT THE VERY WESTERN COMMENTATORS THAT ARE NOW TELLING US THIS WERE THEMSELVES ONLY SIX MONTHS AGO REPRESENTING GENERAL LEBED AS THE MOST DANGEROUS HARDLINER IN RUSSIA. YELTSIN AND THOSE SUPPORTING HIM ARE CLEARLY PAINTING A PICTURE FOR THE WESTERN NEWS MEDIA WHICH MANY ARE ACCEPTING UNCRITICALLY. AND I THINK NOW WE WILL FIND THAT IF, AS I SUSPECT, YELTSIN IS SUCCESSFUL IN THE SECOND ROUND, THAT RUSSIA'S OWN CONDUCT, THE GOVERNMENT'S OWN CONDUCT INTERNALLY AND TOWARDS ITS NEIGHBORS, WILL STEADILY TOUGHEN." HOST: BOTH AMY KNIGHT AND JAMES SHERR BELIEVE THAT PRESIDENT YELTSIN HAS DONE WHAT HE CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO WIN THE PRESIDENCY IN THE SECOND ROUND OF VOTING ON JULY 3RD. BUT IN THEIR JOINT VIEW, THAT DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN POLICIES WILL BE LIBERALIZED. (SIGNED)
NEB/FSR/PCH
21-Jun-96 2:29 PM EDT (1829 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] BOUTROS CHALLENGE - O'NITE (L- ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES DENIES THAT PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS HAS ANYTHING SUBSTANTIAL TO DO WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S OPPOSITION TO A SECOND TERM FOR UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI. A U-S OFFICIAL ASSOCIATED WITH U-N AMBASSADOR MADELEINE ALBRIGHT SAYS THE ADMINISTRATION'S DISCONTENT WITH THE EGYPTIAN DIPLOMAT IS LONG-STANDING. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: THE U-S OFFICIAL -- WHO ASKED THAT HIS NAME BE WITHHELD -- SAYS AMBASSADOR ALBRIGHT COMPLAINED TO THE WHITE HOUSE LATE LAST YEAR THAT MR. BOUTROS-GHALI DID NOT HAVE A STRONG COMMITMENT TO U-N REFORM. THE U-S MISSION AT THE U-N HAD OBJECTED TO HIS FREQUENT TRAVELS, SAYING THE REFORM PROCESS REQUIRES MORE ATTENTION THAN THE SECRETARY-GENERAL SEEMED WILLING TO GIVE.

MR. BOUTROS-GHALI ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY HE WILL SEEK ANOTHER FIVE-YEAR TERM WHEN HIS PRESENT ONE EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. HIS SPOKESMAN ADMITS HE WENT PUBLIC WITH HIS INTENTION AFTER HE LEARNED THE UNITED STATES WAS PREPARING TO ANNOUNCE PUBLICLY IT WOULD NOT SUPPORT HIS CANDIDACY.

ACCORDING TO THE U-S OFFICIAL IN NEW YORK -- THE UNITED STATES DECIDED TO EXPRESS ITS OPPOSITION AFTER MR. BOUTROS-GHALI HAD REFUSED A FACE-SAVING OFFER BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO EXTEND HIS PRESENT TERM FOR ONE YEAR.

THE UNITED NATIONS' IMAGE IN WASHINGTON HAS BECOME PROGRESIVELY TARNISHED UNDER MR. BOUTROS-GHALI'S TENURE, BEGINNING WITH THE FAILURE OF THE U-N MILITARY OPERATION IN SOMALIA. LATER, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL SIDED WITH THE BRITISH AND THE FRENCH IN OPPOSING AMERICAN PRESSURE TO INCREASE NATO AIR STRIKES IN BOSNIA.

BUT U-S OFFICIALS STRESS U-N REFORM -- NOT REPUBLICAN DISCONTENT IN A U-S ELECTION YEAR -- IS THE KEY TO THEIR POSITION. THEY ALSO SAY IT WOULD BE EASIER TO GET THE CONGRESS TO PAY U-N DUES IF IT SEES SOMEONE WORKING HARDER TO CUT DEEPLY INTO THE U-N BUREAUCRACY. MEANWHILE, U-N SOURCES SAY AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS MAY FIGHT THE U-S POSITION . THEY STRUGGLED HARD THE LAST TIME TO GET AN AFRICAN INTO THE U-N POST FOR THE FIRST TIME IN U-N HISTORY. THEY MAY NOT WANT TO GIVE UP A SECOND TERM FOR THEIR CANDIDATE SO EASILY.

BUT IN THE POWER POLITICS OF INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMACY -- THE UNITED STATES HAS A VETO OVER WHO HOLDS THE TOP U-N POST AND SAYS IT WILL NOT HESITATE TO USE IT. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
20-Jun-96 7:49 PM EDT (2349 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI MAKES A BID FOR RE-ELECTION TO THE U-N'S TOP POST; THE SECURITY COUNCIL LIFTS ITS ARMS EMBARGO ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS; U-N EXPERTS DESTROY A GERM WARFARE PLANT IN IRAQ; AND, THE U-N LAUNCHES A MASS IMMUNIZATION CAMPAIGN IN AFGHANISTAN. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: THE STAGE HAS BEEN SET FOR A MAJOR CLASH OVER WHO WILL LEAD THE UNITED NATIONS INTO THE 21ST CENTURY. SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS-GHALI SAID THIS PAST WEEK THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO BE THAT PERSON AND WILL SEEK A SECOND FIVE-YEAR TERM. HIS SPOKESMAN, AHMAD FAWZI, MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL -- WHO IS ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS IN EUROPE:

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS DECIDED TO RUN FOR A SECOND TERM AS SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS. DR. BOUTROS-GHALI HAS TAKEN THIS DECISION IN VIEW OF THE STRONG ENCOURAGEMENT THAT HE HAS RECEIVED FROM MEMBER STATES.

PRESIDENT CLINTON'S REPUBLICAN OPPONENTS IN THIS U-S ELECTION YEAR HAVE STEPPED UP CRITICISM OF THE UNITED NATIONS. MEANWHILE, THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED U-S CONGRESS IS NOT PAYING ALL IT OWES TO THE U-N BUDGET.

MR. BOUTROS-GHALI'S SUPPORTERS MAINTAIN THE SECRETARY-GENERAL IS DOING MORE TO CHANGE THE UNITED NATIONS THAN ANY OF HIS PREDECESSORS. U-S DIPLOMATS AGREE HE HAS MADE SOME REFORMS, BUT THEY SAY ONLY GRUDGINGLY.

ELECTIONS FOR THE U-N POST WILL BE HELD TOWARD THE END OF THE YEAR. NO STRONG CHALLENGER TO MR. BOUTROS-GHALI HAS YET EMERGED.

-0-

THE SECURITY COUNCIL -- WITHOUT FANFARE -- HAS LIFTED ITS NEARLY FIVE-YEAR OLD ARMS EMBARGO ON THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS IN LINE WITH COMMITMENTS MADE UNDER LAST YEAR'S PEACE ACCORDS. THE COUNCIL ACTUALLY AGREED LAST NOVEMBER THAT THE EMBARGO WOULD BE ENDED EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF HEAVY WEAPONS SPECIFIED IN THE DAYTON AGREEMENT.

SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS-GHALI REPORTED TO THE COUNCIL THIS PAST WEEK THAT THE TIME HAD COME FOR RESCINDING THE BAN, FOLLOWING AN ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT THE BALKAN PARTIES SIGNED RECENTLY IN FLORENCE, ITALY.

-0-

UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS EXPERTS HAVE DEMOLISHED A MAJOR GERM WARFARE FACILITY IN IRAQ USED TO FILL BOMBS WITH SUCH AGENTS AS ANTHRAX AND BOTULISM. THE PLANT -- BUILT IN 1988 -- TOOK A FULL MONTH TO DESTROY. IRAQ AT FIRST HAD DENIED THE PLANT EXISTED. HOWEVER, U-N EXPERTS WARN THEY STILL HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL THE TOXIC MATERIAL THAT HAD BEEN PRODUCED THERE.

IN A RELATED DEVELOPMENT, THE HEAD OF THE SPECIAL U-N COMMISSION OVERSEEING WEAPONS DESTRUCTION IN IRAQ WAS IN BAGHDAD TO TRY TO RESOLVE A STAND-OFF OVER INSPECTIONS. ROLF EKEUS WAS SENT TO IRAQ BY THE SECURITY COUNCIL AFTER IRAQI AUTHORITIES BARRED U-N INSPECTORS FROM ENTERING MILITARY BASES. IRAQ HAS CHARGED THAT THE U-N IS DELIBERATELY CHOOSING SITES CONSIDERED CRUCIAL TO IRAQ'S NATIONAL SECURITY.

DESTRUCTION OF IRAQ'S WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IS REQUIRED UNDER A U-N RESOLUTION RELATED TO IRAQ'S INVASION OF KUWAIT IN 1990.

-0-

THE U-N CHILDREN'S FUND AND THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HAVE LAUNCHED A MAJOR IMMUNIZATION CAMPAIGN IN AFGHANISTAN AFTER NEGOTIATING A TEMPORARY TRUCE IN THE AFGHAN WAR. U-N OFFICIALS SAY THE TRUCE SEEMS TO BE HOLDING SO FAR.

THE EVENT IS PART OF A SERIES OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP CHILDREN IN WAR ZONES. SOME 15-THOUSAND CHILDREN UNDER AGE FIVE AND OVER 100-THOUSAND WOMEN ARE SAID TO HAVE TURNED OUT FOR THEIR VACCINATIONS. THE U-N HOPES TO IMMUNIZE AT LEAST THREE MILLION AFGHAN YOUNGSTERS AND ONE MILLION WOMEN BEFORE THE PROGRAM ENDS JULY 25TH. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
21-Jun-96 3:26 PM EDT (1926 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[13] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY PHIL HAYNES (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: BORIS YELTSIN'S SHAKEUP OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT AS HE PREPARES FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RUN-OFF VOTE ON JULY 3RD IS A FAVORITE EDITORIAL TOPIC IN THE FRIDAY EDITIONS OF SEVERAL LEADING U-S NEWSPAPERS. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S DECISION TO OPPOSE A SECOND TERM FRO U-N SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI DECISION DRAWS MIXED EDITORIAL REACTION, AS DOES THE MAKEUP OF THE NEW ISRAELI GOVERNMENT. FOR A REVIEW OF COMMENTS ON THESE AND OTHER ISSUES, HERE IS ____________________ WITH FRIDAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S FIRING OF THREE AIDES WHO OPPOSED THE SCHEDULED JULY 3RD RUNOFF ELECTION HAS STIRRED CONSIDERABLE EDITORIAL COMMENT. SOME NEWSPAPERS THINK THE ACTION REFLECTS THE CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE OF MR. YELTSIN'S NEW SECURITY CHIEF, GEN. ALEXANDER LEBED. AMONG THEM IS THE SUBURBAN NEW YORK DAILY, NEWSDAY, WHICH SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "...BORIS YELTSIN'S SUMMARY FIRING OF THREE POWERFUL MEMBERS OF HIS INNER CIRCLE WHO HAD ADVISED HIM TO CANCEL THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RUNOFF IS THE STRONGEST SIGN THE RUSSIAN LEADER HAS SENT HIS NATION AND THE WORLD THAT HE IS COMMITTED TO SEEING THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS THROUGH TO ITS CONCLUSION. BUT IT SPEAKS AS STRONGLY -- AND PERHAPS DISTURBINGLY -- OF THE GROWING INFLUENCE IN THE KREMLIN OF GEN. ALEXANDER LEBED... ONE DAY INTO HIS JOB AS CHIEF OF SECURITY, LEBED SAID HE WOULD GO TO ANY LENGTHS TO PREVENT A COUP AIMED AT SUBVERTING THE ELECTION PROCESS... BUT LEBED, A STRONG, CHARISMATIC MILITARY LEADER ... IS A SOURCE OF WORRY. HIS RHETORIC IS GEARED TO DEMOCRACY, BUT HE IS AN AUTHORITARIAN BY NATURAL BENT AND TRAINING. HE COULD BE TROUBLE IN THE FUTURE, UNLESS YELTSIN KEEPS HIM UNDER TIGHT CONTROL."

TEXT: TODAY'S WASHINGTON TIMES SUMS UP ITS THOUGHTS ON THE NEW RUSSIAN SECURITY CHIEF IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE, WHICH POSES THE QUESTION: "CZAR ALEXANDER LEBED?"

VOICE: "...THINGS ARE DEFINITELY GETTING INTERESTING IN MOSCOW ... IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE FIRST ROUND OF RUSSIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION... IT WAS PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN WHO WON THE DAY WITH 35 PERCENT OF THE VOTE OVER ARCHRIVAL AND COMMUNIST LEADER GENNADY ZYUGANOV'S 32 PERCENT. THE REAL WINNER, HOWEVER, HAS TURNED OUT TO BE PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER AND RETIRED GEN. ALEXANDER LEBED... MR. LEBED, WHO REJECTED OVERTURES FROM THE COMMUNISTS, TOLD THE WASHINGTON TIMES (IN AN INTERVIEW) 'THERE WILL BE NO MORE RED COMMISSARS IN RUSSIA.' COLOR SCHEMES ASIDE, RUSSIA PLAINLY JUST GOT ITSELF A NEW COMMISSAR, AND A POWERFUL ONE INDEED."

TEXT: THE AMERICAN MEDIA ARE STILL ASSESSING THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, WHICH REFLECTS A MIXTURE OF LIKUD MODERATES AS WELL AS HARDLINERS, ALONG WITH SEVERAL MINOR PARTIES. THE BALTIMORE SUN SAYS THE CABINET MAKEUP SHOWS MR. NETHAYAHU'S "TAKE CHARGE" DETERMINATION:

VOICE: "READING ELECTION RETURNS AS MORE A PERSONAL THAN PARTY MANDATE, BENJAMIN NETANYAHU FORMED A CABINET THAT OVER-REPRESENTS MINOR PARTIES IN HIS COALITION, RAISES MODERATES IN HIS LIKUD PARTY AND HOLDS ITS HAWKS IN CHECK. AS ISRAEL'S FIRST PRIME MINISTER TO BE DIRECTLY ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE, HE HAS BEHAVED MORE PRESIDENTIALLY THAN HIS PREDECESSORS FROM DAY ONE."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES SPEAKS APPROVINGLY OF MR. NETANYAHU'S NEW CABINET, BUT HAS SOME SHARP WORDS FOR THE COVERAGE OF THE ISRAELI ELECTIONS BY FOREIGN MEDIA.

VOICE: "AS MUCH AS SOME OBSERVERS ARE HOPING THAT MR. NETANYAHU'S PRIME MINISTERSHIP WILL BE THE UNMITIGATED DISASTER THEY PREDICTED, NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. MR. NETANYAHU IS DEALING WITH THE INTENSE PRESSURES AND DIFFICULTIES OF FORMING A GOVERNMENT CANNILY AND HAS, FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, ACHIEVED WHAT HE SET OUT TO ACCOMPLISH. THIS IS NO STATUS-QUO LEADER. MR NETAHYAHU IS A DIFFERENT ISRAELI POLITICIAN, WITH A DIFFERENT VISION OF GOVERNANCE. . . .(HE) HAS SAID FOR MANY MONTHS THAT HE INTENDS TO TAKE ISRAEL IN A NEW AND BETTER DIRECTION..."

TEXT: THE UNITED STATES HAS MADE CLEAR IT WILL OPPOSE U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI'S BID FOR A SECOND FIVE-YEAR TERM. TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES AGREES ENTIRELY:

VOICE: "THE U-S DECISION ON BOUTROS-GHALI IS THE RIGHT ONE. HE INSPIRES LITTLE CONFIDENCE AS AN ADMINISTRATOR ABLE TO PUSH THROUGH LONG-OVERDUE REFORMS, AMONG THEM REDUCING A 16-THOUSAND EMPLOYEE U-N SECRETARIAT WHILE IMPROVING ITS ORGANIZATION AND EFFICIENCY. THE U-N BUREAUCRACY IS FAR TOO LARGE AND ITS EXPENSES ... ARE FAR TOO HIGH... THE U-S DEBT TO THE UNITED NATIONS -- MORE THAN ONE BILLION DOLLARS, MOST OF IT FOR PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS -- HAS BUILT UP NO SMALL MEASURE BECAUSE OF CONGRESSIONAL UNHAPPINESS WITH HOW THE U-N HAS BEEN RUN. A CHANGE AT THE TOP SHOULD BECOME THE OCCASION FOR CONGRESS TO BEGIN RAPIDLY PAYING DOWN THAT DEBT..."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST TAKES A DIFFERENT VIEW, CALLING THE U-S THREAT TO VETO MR. BOUTROS-GHALI'S REELECTION "A DECISION FULL OF SOUND AND FURY THAT SIGNIFIES NOTHING."

VOICE: "WE'VE MADE NO SECRET OF OUR OWN DISPLEASURE BOTH WITH BOUTROS-GHALI AND -- MORE IMPORTANTLY -- WITH THE U-N AS A WHOLE... BUT WE'RE NOT PERSUADED THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S PROFESSED ANTIPATHY TOWARD BOUTROS-GHALI INDICATES A DISPOSITION TO CONFRONT THE LARGER QUESTIONS: DO WE STILL NEED A U-N? WHAT ARE ITS RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS? ... OPPOSING BOUTROS-GHALI ISN'T THE SAME THING AS ADDRESSING THE UNDERLYING ISSUES... JOINING THE ANTI-BOUTROS-GHALI ENTERPRISE STRIKES US AS TOO EASY -- A WAY TO DODGE THE HARD QUESTIONS."

TEXT: EDITORIAL WRITERS HAVE ESCALATED THE PUBLIC DEBATE OVER AIR SAFETY AMONG U-S AIRLINES IN THE WAKE OF THE VALUJET CRASH IN FLORIDA THAT KILLED 110 PEOPLE. THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION -- OR F-A-A -- WHICH THIS WEEK ORDERED VALUJET TO SHUT DOWN ITS OPERATIONS, IS BEING CRITICIZED FOR NOT ACTING MUCH SOONER. THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS IS AMONG THE CRITICS:

VOICE: "SUPPOSEDLY, HAVING FINALLY SEEN THE ERRORS OF ITS WAYS, THE (F-A-A) WILL NOW BE SUPERVIGILENT. AIRLINES AND THEIR OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS WILL BE MONITORED MORE CLOSELY. INSPECTIONS WILL BE MORE FREQUENT. ETC. IN OTHER WORDS, THE F-A-A NOW WILL ACTUALLY BE DOING WHAT THE PUBLIC HAD EXPECTED IT WAS DOING ALL ALONG."

TEXT: TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS REFORM AT THE F-A-A IS OVERDUE, AND THE VALUJET CRASH ONLY UNDERSCORES THAT NEED:

VOICE: "WHEN ANY MAJOR PROBLEM WITH AMERICA'S AIRLINES IS BROUGHT TO LIGHT, THE PUBLIC DESERVES TO HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION IS ON TOP OF THE MATTER. THERE'S LITTLE EVIDENCE OF SUCH FEDERAL COMMAND IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE VALUJET CRASH ... IN WHICH THE EXACT CAUSE IS YET TO BE DETERMINED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY FEDERICO PENA AND F-A-A ADMINISTRATOR DAVID HINSON DECLARED VALUJET SAFE. HOWEVER, IT TURNS OUT THAT F-A-A INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED MONTHS BEFORE ... HAD UNCOVERED AMPLE CAUSE FOR CONCERN. AFTER THE MAY 11TH TRAGEDY... FIVE WEEKS PASSED BEFORE THE F-A-A GOUNDED THE AIRLINE... THE F-A-A CLEARLY NEEDS LEADERSHIP THAT WILL RESPOND PROMPTLY TO INDUSTRY CHANGES... IT DOES NOT NOW APPEAR TO HAVE THAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP."

TEXT: AND ON THAT CRITICAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS TO BE FOUND IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/PCH/NES
21-Jun-96 12:55 PM EDT (1655 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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