Voice of America, 28 June 1996

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA / KARADZIC (L) BY KYLE KING (SARAJEVO)

[03] BOSNIA: THE KARADZIC QUESTION BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[04] E-U / EXTRADITION (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[05] PERINA ON NATO EXPANSION

[06] SUMMIT / BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (LYON)

[07] TURKEY / GOVERNMENT (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

INTRO: THIS WEEK'S TERRORIST ATTACK IN SAUDI ARABIA, WHICH LED TO THE DEATH OF 19 AMERICAN MILTARY PERSONNEL, IS A CONTINUING EDITORIAL TOPIC IN A NUMBER OF NEWSPAPERS IN THE UNITED STATES. OTHER SUBJECTS TODAY INCLUDE THE THIRD WORLD DEBT CRISIS, AND THE UPCOMING SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES TO BE HELD IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. NOW, HERE IS ____________________ WITH SOME QUOTES AND A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: YESTERDAY (FYI - THURSDAY, JUNE 27), PRESIDENT CLINTON AND OTHER WORLD LEADERS SAID THAT THEY WERE DETERMINED TO MAKE TERRORISM THEIR "ABSOLUTE PRIORITY." F-B-I AGENTS ARE IN SAUDI ARABIA, SEARCHING THE SITE OF THE TRUCK BOMBING, LOOKING FOR CLUES. TRUDY RUBIN, WHOSE WORLDVIEW COLUMN APPEARS IN THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, WRITES THAT: "WHEN TERRORISTS TARGET U-S SOLDIERS OVERSEAS, THE FIRST TEMPTATION IS TO ASK WHETHER AMERICANS SHOULD BE THERE."

VOICE: "DON'T KID YOURSELVES. THE ROUGHLY FIVE-THOUSAND U-S FORCES IN SAUDI ARABIA -- AND 15THOUSAND MORE ON SHIPS AND LAND IN THE GULF AREA -- ARE REALLY THERE TO PROTECT CHEAP OIL FOR AMERICAN CARS, HOMES AND FACTORIES. U-S OIL IMPORTS, WHICH DECLINED AFTER THE SHOCKS OF THE 1970S, HAVE RISEN AGAIN TO 51 PERCENT SINCE 1985. IT'S TRUE THAT MORE OF THAT OIL NOW ORIGINATES OUTSIDE THE MIDDLE EAST, BUT 21 PERCENT OF U-S IMPORTS STILL FLOW FROM THAT VOLATILE REGION. AMONG THE OPEC OIL PRODUCERS, SAUDI ARABIA HAS BEEN AMERICA'S BEST ALLY, RAISING PRODUCTION TO KEEP PRICES DOWN. SO LONG AS AMERICANS KEEP GUZZLING OIL WITH NO SANE ENERGY POLICY, THE FATE OF THE SAUDI MONARCHY MUST CONCERN US."

TEXT: [OPT] MICHAEL FIELD, AUTHOR OF "INSIDE THE ARAB WORLD," OFFERS HIS VIEW IN FRIDAY'S EDITION OF THE NEW YORK TIMES. MR. FIELD SAYS "THE SIMPLEST EXPLANATION FOR TUESDAY NIGHT'S BOMBING...MAY TURN OUT TO BE THE CORRECT ONE."

VOICE: [OPT] "WE SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THE ATTACK WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE PEOPLE FROM THE SAME INDIGENOUS GROUP OF MILITANTS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BOMBING OF A NATIONAL GUARD BUILDING IN RIYADH LAST NOVEMBER. THREE OF THE FOUR BOMBERS IN THAT ATTACK STATED IN THEIR TELEVISED CONFESSIONS THAT THEY HAD FOUGHT FOR ISLAMIC MILITANT GROUPS IN AFGHANISTAN, WHERE THEY HAD BEEN TRAINED IN THE USE OF EXPLOSIVES. MANY MEN LIKE THEM HAVE RETURNED HOME VIOLENT, UNEMPLOYABLE AND IMBUED WITH ANTI-WESTERN IDEAS THAT MAKE THEM WANT TO PURGE THEIR NATION OF WHAT THEY SEE AS AMERICA'S CORRUPTING INFLUENCE." [END OPT]

TEXT: AND, THE STAR TRIBUNE, PUBLISHED IN MINNESOTA, TELLS READERS THAT "WHAT MAKES THE FATAL TRUCK BOMBING OF THE AMERICAN MILITARY HOUSING COMPOUND IN SAUDI ARABIA ESPECIALLY DISTURBING IS THAT IT HAPPENED DESPITE HEAVY AND ALERT SECURITY."

VOICE: "ALL OF WHICH POINTS UP THE DIFFICULTY OF DEFENDING AGAINST ACTS OF TERRORISM. EVEN WITH WARNINGS, EVEN WITH PRECAUTIONS, EVEN THOUGH THE BOMB WENT OFF 35 FEET FROM THE NEAREST BUILDING, 19 U-S AIR FORCE PERSONNEL WERE KILLED AND UP TO 386 PEOPLE WERE INJURED BY THE EXPLOSION. FUTHERMORE, IT CAN, AND PROBABLY WILL, HAPPEN AGAIN... WHAT HAPPENED IN DHAHRAN, IN NEW YORK CITY'S WORLD TRADE CENTER, IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND THE SUBWAYS OF PARIS AND LONDON CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE."

TEXT: THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN FRIDAY'S EDITION OF THE OREGONIAN TAKES A LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITIES FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

VOICE: "OF ALL THE CLASHING VISIONS AND VIEWS...HARDLY ANY CAN MATCH THE IMAGE OF SYRIA'S HAFEZ ASSAD AND LIBYA'S MOAMMAR GADDAFI SOULFULLY QUESTIONING WHETHER ISRAEL WAS REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT PEACE. IT'S AN UNCHALLENGING QUESTION, COMING FROM LEADERS WHO'VE SHOWN NO SIGN THAT THEY ARE. BUT IN THE WAKE OF THE RECENT CAIRO MEETING OF ARAB LEADERS, CALLED TO RESPOND TO THE ELECTION OF A HARDER-LINE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT, MANY OTHER QUESTIONS ARE UNCOMFORTABLY CHALLENGING. ISRAEL AND ITS ARAB NEIGHBORS NEED TO DECIDE NOT ONLY WHERE THEY GO NEXT BUT WHERE THEY ARE AT THE MOMENT. IN OTHER WORDS: HOW MUCH OF THE OSLO AGREEMENT, THE ENGINE BEHIND THE THREE-YEAR MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS, IS STILL IN EFFECT?"

TEXT: THE SO-CALLED G-7 -- THE GROUP OF SEVEN INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACIES AND RUSSIA -- IS MEETING FOR ITS ANNUAL SUMMIT IN LYON, FRANCE. AMONG THE ISSUES DISCUSSED IS THE PROBLEM OF THIRD-WORLD DEBT. THE NEW YORK TIMES NOTES THAT "AS MANY AS 20 COUNTRIES HAVE REACHED DEBT LEVELS SO HIGH THAT THEY ARE SHUT OUT OF INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL MARKETS AND CANNOT CLIMB OUT FROM UNDER REPAYMENT BURDENS."

VOICE: "THE SEVEN LEADERS AGREE DEBT RELIEF IS NEEDED SOON, BUT THEY DISAGREE OVER HOW TO PROVIDE IT. THE WORLD BANK AND INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND HAVE PROPOSED A PLAN, BACKED BY THE UNITED STATES, THAT WOULD KNOCK DOWN THE DEBT BURDENS OF THE POOREST COUNTRIES TO SUSTAINABLE LEVELS. THAT WOULD ALLOW THE COUNTRIES TO REPAY LENDERS WITHOUT IMPOSING PUNISHING TAXES ON THEIR CITIZENS. [OPT] UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE BANK WOULD REDUCE DEBT REPAYMENT ON ITS LOANS. THE I-M-F WOULD SELL A SMALL PORTION OF ITS GOLD STOCK, INVEST THE PROCEEDS AND USE THE INCOME FROM THE INVESTMENTS TO REDUCE THE DEBT PAYMENTS OF SOME THIRD-WORLD BORROWERS. THE BANK AND THE FUND WOULD ALSO PRESSURE DONOR COUNTRIES TO WRITE OFF BETWEEN 67 AND 90 PERCENT OF THEIR LOANS TO THESE HEAVILY INDEBTED COUNTRIES. FOR THEIR PART, THE BORROWING COUNTRIES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ADOPT A STRICT PROGRAM OF MARKET REFORMS THAT WOULD BE MONITORED BY THE BANK AND THE FUND. [END OPT] THE PROPOSAL MAKES SENSE."

TEXT: [OPT] TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE COMMENTS ON WHAT THE NEWSPAPER CALLS PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TASK OF "MAKING AMENDS" TO THE GROUP OF 7.

VOICE: [OPT] "AT ISSUE IS MONEY PLEDGED TO A WORLD BANK AFFILIATE, THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, WHICH MAKES HIGHLY CONCESSIONARY LOANS TO THE NEEDIEST COUNTRIES. FOUR YEARS AGO THE UNITED STATES COMMITTED ITSELF TO THREE ANNUAL PAYMENTS OF ONE AND A QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS EACH AS ITS SHARE OF THE LATEST ROUND OF ASSISTANCE FOR THE I-D-A. LAST YEAR CONGRESS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY PART OF THE THIRD INSTALLMENT. THE ADMINISTRATION NEGOTIATED A REDUCTION IN THAT PAYMENT AND COUPLED IT WITH THE FIRST INSTALLMENT IN THE NEXT ROUND OF OBLIGATIONS, FOR A TOTAL PAYMENT OF 935 MILLION DOLLARS, AND AGREED TO PAY 800 MILLION DOLLARS IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING TWO YEARS -- ALL THIS SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION BY CONGRESS... THE SENATE AND EVENTUALLY THE HOUSE, WILL HAVE TO RESTORE THE COUNTRY'S REPUTATION FOR GOOD FAITH." [END OPT]

TEXT: A JOINT MULTINATIONAL ANTI-NARCOTICS OPERATION INVOLVING THE UNITED STATES AND LATIN AMERICAN ARMED FORCES IS THE SUBJECT OF AN EDITORIAL IN THE MIAMI HERALD, WHICH SUGGESTS IT IS ALL A FUTILE EXERCISE.

VOICE: "THE PRESENT DISPLAY OF MULTINATIONAL FIREPOWER AGAINST LABORATORIES AND OTHER PARTS OF THE DRUG TRADE'S INFRASTRUCTURE IN PERU AND PANAMA LOOKS IMPRESSIVE -- UNTIL ONE DISCOVERS THAT WASHINGTON IS USING ITS 'LASER' TO REMOVE SKIN CANCER FROM A 'PATIENT' WHOSE BODY IS BESIEGED BY MORE SERIOUS VARIANTS OF THE DISEASE... EVEN THOUGH THE DRUG WAR HAS ESCALATED IN LATIN AMERICA, THE AMOUNT OF ILLEGAL NARCOTICS ENTERING THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT DIMINISHED. NEITHER HAVE THE NUMBERS OF ACRES UNDER CULTIVATION. DEPLOYING SOLDIERS TO FIGHT THE DRUG WAR MAY BE POLITICALLY SEXY, BUT IN LATIN AMERICA IT INCREASES THE CHANCES FOR CORRUPTING SOLDIERS."

TEXT: THE OLYMPIC GAMES OPEN NEXT MONTH IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. THE ATLANTA COMMITTEE FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES CALLS IT "THE LARGEST PEACETIME GATHERING EVER", AND WILL INVOLVE 10-THOUSAND ATHLETES FROM 197 COUNTRIES AND BE WATCHED BY THREE AND A HALF BILLION PEOPLE." BARBARA REYNOLDS, A USA TODAY COLUMNIST, OFFERS THESE THOUGHTS:

VOICE: "ATLANTA, THE BIRTHPLACE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., WON'T JUST SHOWCASE THE WORLD'S MOST GIFTED ATHLETES -- MANY OF WHOM ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR -- BUT ALSO WILL BE A TRIBUTE TO THE TEAMWORK OF THREE BLACK MEN WHO SINCE 1970 HAVE LED THE CITY AS MAYORS: MAYNARD JACKSON, THE REV. ANDREW YOUNG, AND THE CURRENT MAYOR, BILL CAMPBELL. THEY ARE MAJOR PLAYERS IN PULLING OFF THE 'MIRACLE IN ATLANTA', AND LANDING AND COMMANDING THE FOURTH-EVER SUMMER OLYMPICS IN THE U-S-A. THESE GAMES REDEFINE ' GOING FOR THE GOLD'. FOR ONCE, BLACKS WILL WIN MORE THAN MEDALS. WHEN THE GAMES WERE HELD IN LOS ANGELES IN 1984, CITY LEADERS WERE CRITICIZED FOR FAILING TO UTILIZE MINORITY BUSINESSES. BUT IN ATLANTA, BLACKS AND WOMEN ARE RECEIVING A SHARE OF THE CASH, BUSINESS CONTRACTS, AND 33-THOUSAND JOBS CREATED FOR THE GAMES... ATLANTA'S WINDFALL COMES FROM THE ABILITY TO DEMONSTRATE THAT RACIAL HARMONY AND DIVERSITY ARE STRONG SELLING POINTS IN THE GLOBAL MARKET."

TEXT: [OPT] AND, JOHN HEAD, AN EDITORIAL WRITER FOR THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, SAYS THAT THE OLYMPICS WILL TRANSFORM HIS CITY "FOR THE BETTER."

VOICE: [OPT] "THE PROOF THAT ATLANTA IS DOING WELL BY THE GAMES AND THAT THE GAMES WILL DO WELL BY ATLANTA HAS BEEN IN THE MAKING FROM THE DAY THE CITY WAS ANNOUNCED AS THE OLYMPIC HOST. THESE THINGS CONSTITUTE THE LASTING LEGACY OF THE OLYMPICS IN ATLANTA. LOOK AT THE NEW SIDEWALKS, NEW STREET LIGHTS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS DOWNTOWN... AND PONDER HOW HOSTING THE OLYMPICS HAS BECOME A METROWIDE ENDEAVOR, WITH VARIOUS JURISDICTIONS WORKING TOGETHER, LINKED LIKE THE RINGS THAT SYMBOLIZE THE GAMES. THINK, ESPECIALLY, OF ATLANTA'S PLACE AT THE CENTER OF THIS EVENT, AND THE MESSAGE IT CONVEYS ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT A HEALTHY, VIBRANT URBAN CORE IS TO THE HEALTH OF THE ENTIRE REGION." [END OPT]

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON RECENTLY PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF VICTIMS OF CRIMES. NEW YORK'S NEWSDAY OFFERS THIS VIEW:

VOICE: "THE GRAVITY OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD NOT BE LOST ON THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, TO HIS CREDIT, HAS UP TO NOW WISELY RESISTED POLITICALLY POPULAR IDEAS FOR AMENDMENTS, FROM THE GIMMICKY ONE TO PROTECT THE FLAG TO A MORE SERIOUS BALANCED-BUDGET AMENDMENT, WHICH WOULD REWRITE THE CONSTITUTION TO COMPENSATE FOR A FAILURE OF POLITICAL WILL. CLINTON'S BACKBONE HAS BEEN SO UNCHARACTERISTICALLY AND ADMIRABLY STRONG ON THIS SCORE THAT IT'S DISHEARTENING NOW TO SEE HIM PROPOSE A 'VICTIMS' RIGHTS' AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION, TO EXTEND GREATER LEGAL PROTECTIONS TO CRIME VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THIS IS A CAUSE THAT IS WORTHY, BUT IT'S A REMEDY THAT IS NOT... COURTS, PROSECUTORS AND POLICE HAVE A DUTY TO TREAT CRIME VICTIMS WITH COMPASSION AND RESPECT. THE CONSTITUTION CANNOT BE USED TO ENFORCE COMMON DECENCY."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF REVIEW OF SOME EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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28-Jun-96 11:07 AM EDT (1507 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / KARADZIC (L) BY KYLE KING (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE PARTY OF BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC IS SCHEDULED TO MEET TODAY (FRIDAY) IN THE MOUNTAIN VILLAGE OF PALE TO DETERMINE WHO WILL BE THE PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS. SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND LEADERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAVE DEMANDED MR. KARADZIC STEP DOWN FROM POWER. BUT AS V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO, MR. KARADZIC SHOWS NO IMMEDIATE SIGNS OF DOING SO.

TEXT: THE ASSEMBLY OF THE SERB DEMOCRATIC PARTY, HEADED BY RADOVAN KARADZIC, COMES JUST ONE DAY AFTER THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY REJECTED HIS LATEST CONDITIONS FOR STEPPING DOWN FROM POWER.

ALTHOUGH MR. KARADZIC SHOWS NO SIGNS OF A WILLINGNESS TO DO SO, COLUM MURPHY, A SPOKESMAN FOR CARL BILDT, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S HIGHEST REPRESENTATIVE IN BOSNIA, SAYS A DECISION IS EXPECTED IN THE COMING DAYS.

THE TOUGH DIPLOMACY OF MR. BILDT HAS TURNED THE SITUATION AROUND AGAIN. SO WE EXPECT FIRM RESULTS ON THIS PROBLEM THIS WEEKEND.

DESPITE THE OPTIMISM, MR. KARADZIC HAS BEEN A MASTER OF RAISING EXPECTATIONS ONLY TO DASH THEM AT THE LAST MINUTE.

IN A POSSIBLE SIGN OF WHAT MAY COME OUT OF THE BOSNIAN SERB ASSEMBLY, PALE TELEVISION HAS BEEN REPORTING THAT MR. KARADZIC HAS BEEN RECEIVING TELEGRAMS OF SUPPORT, URGING HIM TO STAY IN POWER.

IRONICALLY, THE BOSNIAN SERB ASSEMBLY COMES ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF KOSOVO IN 1389. THE SYMBOLISM OF THE DATE, WHICH IS USED BY SERBS TO HONOR THEIR BATTLEFIELD HEROES, WAS NOT LOST ON MR. MURPHY, WHO URGED A COURSE OF SENSIBILITY.

YOU CANNOT EAT THE BATTLE OF KOSOVO (IT IS NOT SOMETHING SOLID YOU CAN EAT). YOU CANNOT DO ANYTHING WITH IT, EXCEPT AS A CALL TO ARMS, A CALL TO FURTHER CONFLICT AT A TIME WHEN THE FRUITS OF PEACE ARE AT HAND FOR SERB, MUSLIM, AND CROAT -- IF ONLY THEY SEIZE IT.

ALTHOUGH THE DAYTON ACCORDS ALSO CALL FOR MR. KARADZIC TO FACE WAR CRIMES CHARGES IN THE HAGUE, MR. BILDT'S SPOKESMAN SAYS THE FOCUS NOW IS SIMPLY GETTING HIM OUT OF PUBLIC OFFICE. HE SAID FAILING THAT WOULD MEAN DISASTER FOR THE INTERNATIONAL PEACE EFFORT.

MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, THE PLANS OF RESURGENT INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS INCLUDE RESURGENT FASCISM.

ACCORDING TO MR. BILDT'S SPOKESMAN, THE PROBLEM FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS BEEN FINDING WAYS TO BYPASS HARDLINE NATIONALIST LEADERS AND OFFER HELP TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

THE PROBLEM HERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN HOW TO STRETCH PAST LEADERS INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES IN ORDER TO REACH THE BOSNIAN SERB PEOPLE, WITH AN EXTENDED HAND OF FRIENDSHIP AND WITH REAL AND SUBSTANTIAL AID. WE THINK IT IS UNFAIR THE AMOUNT OF AID THAT HAS BEEN REACHING THE BOSNIAN SERBS, AND WE WOULD PREFER IT WOULD BE GREATER.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IF MR. KARADZIC REFUSES TO GIVE UP POWER, MR. BILDT HAS ONE FINAL WEAPON IN HIS ARSENAL -- THE RE-IMPOSITION OF CRIPPLING ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. A WEAPON THAT WOULD PROBABLY HAVE THE MOST IMPACT ON THOSE MR. BILDT SAYS HE WANTS TO HELP THE MOST. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JWH/MMK
28-Jun-96 10:16 AM EDT (1416 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA: THE KARADZIC QUESTION BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE PLANS TO RUN IN UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN DEFIANCE OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS HAS SENT INTERNATIONAL ELECTIONS OFFICIALS SCRAMBLING. JUST THIS PAST TUESDAY, IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE ELECTIONS WOULD GO FORWARD EVEN THOUGH THE DAYTON ACCORDS PROHIBIT PERSONS INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES FROM HOLDING OFFICE. U-S AND INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THEY WILL NOT ALLOW THE NAME OF MR. KARADZIC TO BE ON THE BALLOT AND HAVE ASKED HIM TO VOLUNTARILY STEP ASIDE. THE DECISION TO PUSH AHEAD WITH THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS ON SEPTEMBER 14TH WHILE MR. KARADZIC REMAINS AT LARGE WAS NOT WELL RECEIVED BY U-S CONGRESSMEN AT A RECENT HEARING BY THE HELSINKI

TEXT: ALL OF THE CONGRESSMEN PRESENT, WHETHER REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, ASKED VARIATIONS OF THE SAME QUESTION: HOW CAN BOSNIA'S ELECTIONS BE FREE AND FAIR AS LONG AS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC REMAIN AT LARGE AND CONTINUE TO WIELD ENORMOUS INFLUENCE? HELSINKI COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN CHRISTOPHER SMITH, A REPUBLICAN FROM NEW JERSEY, FIRED THE OPENING SALVO:

TAPE: CUT # 1 SMITH RUNS [:13] "FIRST AND FOREMOST, WAR CRIMINALS CLEARLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EARLIER AGGRESSION AND INDICTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR THEIR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY CONTINUE TO BRAZENLY RUN FREE IN BOSNIA AND TO INFLUENCE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS."

TEXT: HE WAS FOLLOWED BY CONGRESSMAN STENEY HOYER, A DEMOCRAT FROM MARYLAND:

TAPE: CUT # 2 HOYER RUNS [:43] "APPREHENDING WAR CROMINALS IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE. IT IS A MATTER OF REALITY. THE ELECTIONS CANNOT BE A SUCCESS WITH INDICTED PERSONS CONTINUING FOR LONG TO ROAM FREELY, MOCKING THE DAYTON ACCORDS, MOCKING THE QUEST FOR DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE, MOCKING THE QUEST FOR FREEDOM AND THE INSTALLATION OF JUSTICE. VICTIMS OF AGGRESSION AND GENOCIDE MUST HAVE THE SATISFACTION AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE DETERRING EXAMPLE OF JUSTICE IF RECONCILIATION AND REINTEGRATION ARE TO BE MORE THAN WORDS WRITTEN ON PAPER."

TEXT: AND FINALLY, ALFONSE D'AMATO, THE OUTSPOKEN REPUBLICAN SENATOR FROM NEW YORK AND THE CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE HELSINKI COMMITTEE:

TAPE: CUT # 3 D'AMATO RUNS [:24] "INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS ARE THE EASIEST THING FOR US TO UNDERSTAND SO I GO BACK TO THAT. THEY ARE THERE. THEY ARE IN POWER. THEY ARE IN CONTROL. AND IT MAKES LITTLE SENSE TO ALLOW THEM TO MANIPULATE THE PROCESS AND PUT THEIR STOOGES IN (POWER). AND YOU HAVE THAT GENERAL WHO STILL HOLDS HUGE POWER, (HE) MAY NOT HOLD AN OFFICIAL OFFICE BUT IS STILL CALLING THE SHOTS."

TEXT: EVEN WITHOUT MR. KARADZIC ON THE BOSNIAN BALLOT, SENATOR D'AMATO WARNED, THE SAME PARTY AND THE SAME PEOPLE WILL REMAIN IN POWER. [OPT] WILLIAM MONTGOMERY, THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S ENVOY FOR IMPLEMENTING THE DAYTON AGREEMENT, INDICATED, HOWEVER, THAT GENERAL MLADIC MAY NOT BE AS BIG A PROBLEM FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AS MR. KARADZIC:

TAPE: CUT # 4 MONTGOMERY RUNS [:26] "ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS THERE IS A RADICAL DIFFERENCE IN THAT MLADIC IN THE MILITARY HAS KEPT A VERY LOW PROFILE OTHER THAN GOING SKIING EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE TO SHOW THAT HE CAN. HE'S KEPT A LOW PROFILE AND THE BOSNIAN SERB MILITARY HAS COOPERATED WITH IFOR IN EVERY WAY AND THE RECENT ARMS CONTROL AGREEMENT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT. KARADZIC ON THE OTHER HAND HAS DIRECTLY CHALLENGED DAYTON." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN THE END, ROBERT FROWICK, THE EUROPEAN DIPLOMAT IN CHARGE OF OVERSEEING BOSNIA'S ELECTIONS FOR THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE -- OR O-S-C-E -- FOUND HIMSELF DEFENDING A DECISION HE INITIALLY OPPOSED. HE TOLD THE HEARING THAT ALTHOUGH HE WAS UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE FROM THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES TO RECOMMEND GOING FORWARD -- IN THE END HE ALSO CAME TO BELIEVE IT WAS THE BEST THING TO DO:

TAPE: CUT # 5 FROWICK RUNS [:39] "WE ARE TROUBLED BY CONDITIONS IN THE COUNTRY. THEY ARE NOT WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FOR ELECTIONS IN THREE MONTHS TIME. REALISTICALLY, HOWEVER, I THINK THEY ARE SOMEWHAT BETTER THAN THE IMAGE THEY HAVE IN THE U-S PRESS, WHICH HAS BEEN DOMINATED BY ATTENTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF WHICH THERE IS NO END. BUT THERE HAS BEEN A BIT OF A START TOWARD CREATING FREER MOVEMENT, FREER ASSOCIATION, FREER EXPRESSION."

TEXT: AS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY'S RELUCTANCE TO EITHER DETAIN MR. KARADZIC OR POSTPONE THE ELECTIONS, MR. FROWICK HAD THIS TO SAY:

TAPE: CUT # 6 FROWICK RUNS [:17] "I THINK THERE IS NOT A CONSENSUS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH KARADZIC. THERE ARE SOME AMONGST OUR KEY ALLIES WHO MORE OR LESS AQUIESCE TO THE (SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC VIEW THAT YOU MARGINATE MR. KARADZIC THROUGH THE ELECTORAL PROCESS."

TEXT: MR. FROWICK AND MR. MONTGOMERY BOTH BELIEVE IT SHOULD NOT BE AUTOMATICALLY ASSUMED THAT THE ELECTIONS WILL RETURN MR. KARADZIC TO POWER. IN EXPLAINING WHAT CHANGED HIS MIND ABOUT GOING FORWARD WITH ELECTIONS -- MR. FROWICK SAID THAT EVERYONE HE TALKED TO ON THE GROUND -- ON ALL SIDES -- WANT ELECTIONS TO PROCEED -- NO MATTER WHAT. (SIGNED)
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28-Jun-96 11:40 AM EDT (1540 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] E-U / EXTRADITION (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATIONS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION ARE MOVING TO WIPE OUT ANY SAFE HAVENS IN EUROPE FOR TERRORISTS. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE UNION THIS WEEK APPROVED A NEW EXTRADITION AGREEMENT.

TEXT: THE NEW CONVENTION CLOSES A NUMBER OF LOOPHOLES, UNDER WHICH TERRORISTS AND OTHER CRIMINALS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ESCAPE PROSECUTION IN ONE E-U NATION BY TAKING REFUGE IN ANOTHER COUNTRY.

IT REMOVES A NUMBER OF LEGAL OBSTACLES TO EXTRADITION, AND TIGHTENS EXISTING RULES.

THE CONVENTION WILL PREVENT COUNTRIES FROM REFUSING TO EXTRADITE A SUSPECT ON THE GROUNDS THAT HIS OR HER OFFENSE WAS POLITICAL.

SO IT WILL BECOME IMPOSSIBLE FOR I-R-A SUSPECTS OR MEMBERS OF THE SPANISH BASQUE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION TO DEFY EXTRADITION, BY CLAIMING THEY ARE INVOLVED IN A POLITICAL STRUGGLE.

THE NEW TREATY ALSO ENCOURAGES COUNTRIES LIKE FRANCE, WHICH DO NOT CURRENTLY EXTRADITE THEIR OWN NATIONALS, TO DO SO.

THE CONVENTION WILL ALSO ENSURE THAT ALL E-U STATES DEFINE TERRORISM CAREFULLY, SO THERE ARE NO GAPS IN THE LAW WHICH CAN BE EXPLOITED BY CRAFTY LAWYERS, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR OFFENDERS TO BE SUCCESSFULLY EXTRADITED.

THE CONVENTION FOLLOWS A BRITISH INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN 1992.

BRITAIN'S HOME SECRETARY MICHAEL HOWARD CLAIMS IT WILL SWEEP AWAY OUTDATED OBSTACLES TO THE EXTRADITION OF VERY SERIOUS OFFENDERS, AND THEREFORE REPRESENTS A STEP FORWARD IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM.

THE LONG-AWAITED AGREEMENT BY THE 15 E-U NATIONS ON THE EXTRADITION CONVENTION WAS WELL TIMED, FALLING IN THE SAME WEEK THAT THE LEADERS OF THE G-7 INDUSTRIAL NATIONS HAVE BEEN MEETING IN LYON, FRANCE TO DISCUSS THE SAME ISSUE.

OFFICIALS SAY THE CHALLENGE NOW WILL BE TO BUILD ON THE NEW EUROPEAN UNION STRUCTURE, AND TO MAKE EXTRADITION MORE EFFICIENT WORLDWIDE.

THE CONVENTION IS EXPECTED TO BE RATIFIED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

EUROPEAN UNION COMMISSIONER ANITA GRADIN SAYS IT WILL NOT ONLY MAKE THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM EASIER, BUT IT WILL ALSO BOOST THE BATTLE AGAINST OTHER SERIOUS CRIMES, SUCH AS DRUGS TRAFFICKING. HOWEVER, SHE POINTS OUT THAT EXTRADITION WILL NOT BE AUTOMATIC. A COUNTRY SEEKING THE EXTRADITION OF A SUSPECT STILL WILL HAVE TO SUBMIT A WELL-REASONED CASE TO SECURE THE EXTRADITION. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH/MMK
28-Jun-96 8:16 AM EDT (1216 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] PERINA ON NATO EXPANSION

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

THE FOUNDATION OF AMERICAN POLICY IN EUROPE IS NATO. IT IS THE ESSENTIAL SECURITY ORGANIZATION, WHICH HAS PRESERVED THE PEACE ON THE CONTINENT FOR HALF A CENTURY. TODAY, NATO IS ASSUMING A NEW ROLE AS IT REACHES OUT TO FLEDGLING DEMOCRACIES IN EASTERN EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION.

AS RUDOLF PERINA, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EUROPEAN AND CANADIAN AFFAIRS, SAID, AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT FOR NATO WILL BE THE ADMISSION OF MEMBERS FROM AMONG EUROPE'S NEW DEMOCRACIES. JOINING THE ALLIANCE WILL HELP THESE STATES LOCK IN THE FUNDAMENTAL ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REFORMS THEY HAVE MADE SINCE THROWING OFF COMMUNISM. NATO'S ENLARGEMENT WILL HELP TO ERASE THE LINES THAT DIVIDED EUROPE DURING THE COLD WAR. IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR A GROWING, UNDIVIDED TRANSATLANTIC COMMUNITY.

THE PROCESS OF NATO ENLARGEMENT STARTED IN JANUARY 1994 AT THE NATO SUMMIT WHEN LEADERS ENDORSED THE CONCEPT OF ADMITTING NEW MEMBERS. THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE CAN HELP PREPARE COUNTRIES FOR POSSIBLE NATO MEMBERSHIP, WHILE CREATING A LONG-TERM MECHANISM FOR LINKING THE ALLIANCE TO THOSE STATES THAT MIGHT NOT JOIN NATO. BUT NO NON-MEMBER COUNTRY, INCLUDING RUSSIA, WILL HAVE A VETO OVER THE ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS TO NATO. SO FAR, FIFTEEN POTENTIAL MEMBER COUNTRIES HAVE ENTERED INTO INTENSIFIED DIALOGUES WITH NATO TO DISCUSS THE POLITICAL, MILITARY AND OTHER IMPLICATIONS OF JOINING THE ALLIANCE.

THE U.S. BELIEVES RUSSIA HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THE NEW EUROPE. RUSSIAN TROOPS ARE CURRENTLY SERVING ALONGSIDE NATO TROOPS IN BOSNIA. AS SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS SAID, THE DOOR TO EUROPEAN INTEGRATION IS OPEN, BUT IT IS UP TO RUSSIA TO STEP THROUGH IT. UKRAINE'S DEVELOPMENT AS A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO EUROPEAN SECURITY. THE U.S. VALUES UKRAINE'S PARTICIPATION IN THE NATO IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IN BOSNIA AND IN THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE.

AS SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER SAID IN A RECENT VISIT TO PRAGUE, "WE ARE DETERMINED TO KEEP FAITH WITH THE NATIONS OF THIS REGION, TO OPEN THE DOOR THAT STALIN SHUT WHEN HE SAID 'NO' TO THE MARSHALL PLAN. NO NATION IN EUROPE SHOULD EVER AGAIN BE CONSIGNED TO A BUFFER ZONE BETWEEN GREAT POWERS, OR RELEGATED TO ANOTHER NATION'S SPHERE OF INFLUENCE."

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
28-Jun-96 12:37 PM EDT (1637 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] SUMMIT / BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (LYON)

INTRO: LEADERS OF SEVEN MAJOR INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACIES MEETING IN LYON, FRANCE, ARE MOVING TO IMPLEMENT A PLAN TO SECURE PEACE IN BOSNIA. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM LYON.

TEXT: U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER SAYS SECURING THE PEACE IN BOSNIA IS ONE OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES HERE AT THE GROUP OF SEVEN SUMMIT.

AT A NEWS BRIEFING, MR. CHRISTOPHER COMMENDED THE WORK OF CARL BILDT, THE FORMER SWEDISH PRIME MINISTER WHO IS COORDINATING THE CIVILIAN RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT IN BOSNIA. MR. CHRISTOPHER SAID CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN IMPLEMENTING THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD.

THE GUNS HAVE FALLEN SILENT IN BOSNIA. OPPOSING MILITARY FORCES HAVE BEEN SEPARATED AND NOW DEMOBILIZING. THE PARTIES HAVE AGREED ONLY A FEW DAYS AGO TO FAR REACHING CONVENTIONAL ARMS REDUCTIONS. VIRTUALLY ALL THE PRISONERS OF WAR HAVE BEEN RELEASED, AFTER A MAJOR EFFORT ON OUR PART. AND FOREIGN FORCES HAVE DEPARTED.

MR. CHRISTOPHER SAID WORK ON THE ROAD LINKING SARAJEVO WITH THE EASTERN TOWN OF GORAZDE HAS BEGUN, SOMETHING HE SAID IS IMPORTANT BOTH SUBSTANTIVELY AND SYMBOLICALLY.

THE WORLD BANK, WHOSE PRESIDENT IS ATTENDING THE LYON MEETING, IS THE LEAD INTERNATIONAL AGENCY IN RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE. BANK OFFICIALS SAY THE FIVE-BILLION-DOLLAR AID PROGRAM IS ON TRACK AND THAT 200-MILLION DOLLARS HAS ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED. THE BANK SAYS AID IS CHEAP COMPARED EITHER TO THE FIVE-BILLION DOLLAR ANNUAL COST OF MAINTAINING (INTERNATIONAL) I-FOR TROOPS IN BOSNIA, OR THE EVEN GREATER COST OF RENEWED WARFARE.

MR. CHRISTOPHER SAID FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT IN BOSNIA HAS BEEN IMPROVED. HE SAID WORK IS NOW CONCENTRATED ON ASSURING THAT ELECTIONS TAKE PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 14TH.

ELECTIONS ARE VITAL TO PUT IN PLACE THE KEY POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS CALLED FOR IN DAYTON, INCLUDING A NATIONAL PRESIDENCY, A NATIONAL LEGISLATURE, AND NATIONAL COURTS. THESE INSTITUTIONS ARE ESSENTIAL IF WE'RE GOING TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF DAYTON, OF A MULTI-ETHNIC SOCIETY AND IF WE'RE TO CONTINUE THE WORK ON RECONSTRUCTION WHICH IS SO VITAL.

MR. CHRISTOPHER SAID THE GROUP OF SEVEN IS DETERMINED TO DEMONSTRATE THE BENEFITS OF PEACE TO THE BOSNIAN PEOPLE AND ASSURE THAT MONEY IS AVAILABLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PRIORITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. (SIGNED)
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28-Jun-96 1:49 PM EDT (1749 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] TURKEY / GOVERNMENT (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: THE FIRST ISLAMIC-LED GOVERNMENT IN TURKEY'S 73-HISTORY AS A SECULAR REPUBLIC WON APPROVAL FRIDAY AFTER TURKISH PRESIDENT SULEYMAN DEMIREL APPROVED THE PREMIERSHIP OF LEADER OF THE PRO-ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY, NECMETTIN ERBAKAN. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA.

TEXT: NEARLY SIX MONTHS OF POLITICAL INSTABILITY ENDED AFTER MR ERBAKAN AND HIS REFAH PARTY FINALIZED A COALITION AGREEMENT WITH TANSU CILLER AND HER CONSERVATIVE TRUE PATH PARTY, OR D-Y-P.

UNDER THE DEAL, WHICH FORESEES A ROTATING PREMIERSHIP, MR ERBAKAN WILL BECOME THE PRIME MINISTER FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS. MRS CILLER WILL SERVE AS HIS DEPUTY AND FOREIGN MINISTER. SHE IS TO BECOME PRIME MINISTER AFTER MR ERBAKAN'S TWO-YEAR TERM ENDS.

NEWS OF THE ISLAMIST-LED GOVERNMENT WAS GREETED WITH CALM BY WESTERN DIPLOMATS. MANY STRESSED THAT THE NEW PRIME MINISTER IS NOT A NEWCOMER TO POLITICS AND IS NOT LIKELY TO RISK ALTERING TURKEY'S PRO-SECULAR AND PRO-WESTERN COURSE. TO DO SO, THEY SAY, WOULD PROVOKE AN INTERVENTION OF THE FIERCELY PRO-SECULAR TURKISH MILITARY.

THE ISTANBUL STOCK EXCHANGE ROSE BY THREE PERCENTAGE POINTS FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE COALITION -- A SURE SIGN ANALYSTS SAY THAT INVESTOR CONFIDENCE HAS NOT BEEN SHAKEN BY THE DEAL.

THE MAIN OBSTACLE FACING THE REFAH / D-Y-P ALLIANCE IS A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE 550-MEMBER TURKISH PARLIAMENT. A GROUP OF D-Y-P PARLIAMENTARIANS WHO OPPOSE THE COALITION WITH THE ISLAMISTS HAVE SAID THEY WILL VOTE AGAINST THE NEW GOVERNMENT.

THROUGHOUT HER POLITICAL CAREER, MRS. CILLER HAS SOUGHT TO PORTRAY HERSELF AND HER PARTY AS THE ONLY FORCE ABLE TO CHECK THE RISE OF THE ISLAMISTS WHO CAME FIRST IN LAST YEAR'S GENERAL ELECTIONS.

IT WAS TO BLOCK REFAH FROM POWER THAT SHE JOINED FORCES WITH OUTGOING PRIME MINISTER, MESUT YILMAZ, AND HIS CENTRE-RIGHT MOTHERLAND PARTY. BUT THE RIGHT WING COALITION RAPIDLY SUCCUMBED TO THE BITTER PERSONAL RIVALRIES BETWEEN THE TWO RIGHT-WING LEADERS, CULMINATING IN ITS COLLAPSE EARLIER THIS MONTH.

MRS. CILLER'S OPPONENTS HAVE ACCUSED HER OF TEAMING UP WITH THE ISLAMISTS IN A BID TO QUASH THREE CORRUPTION PROBES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT AGAINST HER IN THE PARLIAMENT, WHICH WERE PARTLY PUSHED BY REFAH. BUT REFAH LAST WEEK VOTED AGAINST A FURTHER PROBE AGAINST HER OVER HER ALLEGED MISUSE OF A GOVERNMENT SLUSH FUND, SIGNALING THE FORTHCOMING COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.

HOPES AMONG PRO-SECULAR CIRCLES ARE THAT REFAH WILL PEFORM SO POORLY THAT IT WILL DISCREDIT ITSELF FOR GOOD. BUT ANALYSTS POINT OUT THAT THE PARTY'S PERFORMANCE AT THE MUNCIPAL LEVEL INDICATES OTHERWISE. THEY SAY CORRUPTION HAS ALL BUT DISAPPEARED AND SERVICES HAVE DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED IN ABOUT 400 MUNICIPALITIES UNDER REFAH CONTROL. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/CF
28-Jun-96 2:29 PM EDT (1829 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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