Voice of America, 15 July 1996

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA'S ELECTION TEST BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[03] BRITAIN / U-S / NUKE BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

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

[05] E-U / TRADE (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

[06] HOLBROOKE-BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[07] TARNOFF IN TURKEY

[08] U-S/ALBANIA EXERCISES (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

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

INTRO: A WIDE RANGE OF TOPICS GET ATTENTION ON THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF THE LEADING U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS MONDAY, JULY 15TH. AMONG THE MANY CONCERNS ARE A FEDERAL LAW RESTRICTING TRADE WITH CUBA; DEVELOPMENTS IN CHECHNYA AND PROTECTING AMERICANS AGAINST TERRORISM. NOW, HERE WITH SOME QUOTES IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN SIX WEEKS, THE DIRECTOR AND TOP OFFICERS OF THE SHERRITT INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION, A CANADIAN COMPANY, WILL BE BANNED FROM TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES. THEY, ALONG WITH MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES, WILL BE KEPT OUT UNDER TITLE IV OF THE HELMS-BURTON LAW. THE LEGISLATION, NOTES THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, SAYS THAT "ANY COMPANY THAT COMMITS FURTHER TRAFFICKING IN CONFISCATED PROPERTY IN CUBA AFTER MARCH 12, 1996, IS SUBJECT TO THE U-S TRAVEL BAN." THE JOURNAL ALSO HAS THIS TO SAY:

VOICE: "CRITICS COMPLAIN THAT IN (BARRING THE CANADIANS), THE U-S IS REACHING FOR 'EXTRATERRITORIAL' CONTROL OVER NON-U.S. ENTITIES. IN FACT, THERE'S SOMETHING FAR MORE IMPORTANT AT STAKE HERE THAN TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS. IT'S ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS AND PAYING FOR WHAT YOU GRAB. SOMETHING THAT EVEN CANADIAN MAVERICKS LIKE SHERRITT'S DIRECTOR IAN DELANEY -- WHO DESCRIBES FIDEL CASTRO AS CHARMING -- PATENTLY UNDERSTAND. [OPT] DEFENDING PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS ON PRINCIPLE IS NOT LIKELY TO BE A CORE PLANK IN BILL CLINTON'S PLAYBOOK. STILL, WE MAY SOON BE ENTERTAINED BY THE IRONY OF THIS PRESIDENT UPHOLDING SOMETHING CALLED HELMS-BURTON, ALONG THE WAY DEFENDING PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS, IF ONLY BECAUSE BILL CLINTON NEEDS THE CUBAN VOTE IN THE IMPORTANT STATES OF FLORIDA AND NEW JERSEY. [END OPT]

TEXT: BUT, THE USA TODAY NEWSPAPER, ON ITS EDITORIAL PAGE MONDAY, CALLS HELMS-BURTON A "SILLY ANTI-CUBA LAW" AND SAYS THAT IT WILL BACKFIRE ON THE UNITED STATES.

VOICE: "NOW CANADA AND MEXICO ARE PREPARING TO AUTHORIZE COUNTERSUITS IN THEIR COURTS AGAINST OPERATIONS OF U-S COMPANIES ON THEIR TERRITORY. PROVISIONS OF VARIOUS TRADE AGREEMENTS ARE BEING INVOKED, WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR PENALTIES HURTING U-S EXPORTS AND JOBS. AND LEADING CANADIANS ARE URGING A BOYCOTT OF FLORIDA, WHERE CANADIANS ARE A MAJOR CHUNK OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY. AND ALL OF THIS JUST TO GIVE THOSE WHO OWNED PROPERTY IN CUBA A PRIVILEGE DENIED EVEN TO AMERICANS WHO LOST PROPERTY IN IRAN, CHINA OR ANYWHERE ELSE. IT GRANTS THAT STATUS EVEN TO PROPERTY OWNERS WHO WEREN'T HERE AT THE TIME BUT ARE NOW. THIS IS THE LATEST CASE OF FLORIDA'S POLITICS INTERFERING WITH SENSIBLE U-S POLICY. [OPT] CUBA HAS SETTLED FOREIGN CLAIMS WITH EVERY OTHER COUNTRY. AND THE CUBAN LAWYER WHO NEGOTIATED THOSE SETTLEMENTS REPEATEDLY HAS SHOWN UP AT MEETINGS OF U-S AND CUBAN DIPLOMATS IN NEW YORK AND HAVANA, BUT THE U-S REFUSES TO TALK. INSTEAD, UNTHINKING POLITICS THREATENS DAMAGE TO INNOCENT AMERICANS." [END OPT]

TEXT: REPRESENTATIVE DAN BURTON, A REPUBLICAN FROM INDIANA, SUPPORTS THE HELMA-BURTON LEGISLATION. ARGUING IN USA TODAY, MR. BURTON SAYS THAT -- IN HIS WORDS -- "COLLABORATING WITH CASTRO DOESN'T WORK."

VOICE: "THE LAW WILL PERMIT U-S CITIZENS TO SUE FOR DAMAGES AGAINST FOREIGN COMPANIES THAT BUY STOLEN U-S PROPERTY. BUT, CONTRARY TO MUCH MISREPORTING, THE LAW DOES NOT AND CANNOT PENALIZE FOREIGN COMPANIES FOR SIMPLY DOING BUSINESS IN CUBA. WE HOPE THE ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO ENFORCE THE LAW FULLY AND AGGRESSIVELY. LAST WEEK'S ACTION -- DENYING VISAS TO EXECUTIVES OF A CANADIAN COMPANY WHICH BOUGHT STOLEN U-S PROPERTY -- AN ACTION MANDATED BY OUR LAW, IS A GOOD FIRST STEP. [OPT] MOST IMPORTANT, THE BURTON-HELMS LAW SENDS A MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE: THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEIR STRUGGLE AND THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO SQUEEZE THE TYRANT UNTIL THEY ARE FREE." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST, IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL TODAY, MAINTAINS THAT TO GET REELECTED, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN "PROMISED TO PURSUE PEACE IN CHECHNYA, AND AS SOON AS HE GOT ELECTED HE RENEWED THE WAR." THIS," THE POST EDITORIAL CONTINUES, "IS MORE THAN DISHONEST."

VOICE: "IT IS A WRONGFUL POLICY THAT PROMISES MORE DEATH AND SUFFERING ON BOTH SIDES. THE POLICY LEADS AWAY FROM THE STEP-BY-STEP PROGRESSION THAT WAS BEING UNDERTAKEN TO PROVIDE THE CHECHEN ENCLAVE A BREATHING SPACE AND RUSSIA ITSELF A GRACEFUL ESCAPE FROM A RECKLESS IMPERIAL ADVENTURE. IT RAISES TROUBLESOME QUESTIONS ABOUT PRESIDENT YELTSIN'S GOOD FAITH... [OPT] FORTUNATELY, VICE PRESIDENT GORE IS AT THIS MOMENT IN MOSCOW -- TO CONTINUE WITH A SERIES OF MEETINGS ON COMMON BUSINESS WITH THE RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER. THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO STOP CONVEYING THE IMPRESSION THAT WHATEVER RUSSIA DOES IN CHECHNYA IS OF MINIMAL CONCERN TO WASHINGTON. MR. GORE IS A GOOD PERSON TO INFORM THE RUSSIAN LEADERSHIP THAT ITS POLICY IN CHECHNYA IS EATING INTO THE CONFIDENCE ON WHICH GOOD RELATIONS REST." [END OPT]

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK DAILY NEWS RAISES SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT SECURITY CONCERNS IN SAUDI ARABIA, PARTICUALARLY THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT POSITION THAT IT HAS "FULL CONFIDENCE" IN THE SAUDIS' ABILITY TO PROTECT AMERICANS.

VOICE: "REALLY? AND WHAT EXACTLY HAS INSPIRED THIS CONFIDENCE? COULDN'T BE ALL THOSE FLAG-DRAPED COFFINS SHIPPED HOME FROM THE BOMBED-OUT BARRACKS AT DHAHRAN. COULDN'T BE THE SAUDI REFUSAL TO EXPAND THE SECURITY PERIMETER AT THE BASE... WHEN U-S TROOPS ARE SERVING IN OTHER NATIONS, AMERICA HAS EVERY RIGHT TO DEMAND FULL COOPERATION FROM THOSE NATIONS. AND THOSE TROOPS HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPECT THE SAME FROM UNCLE SAM."

TEXT: THE BALTIMORE SUN EDITORIALIZES ON THE POSSIBILITY OF A TERRORIST ATTACK CLOSER TO HOME:

VOICE: "WILL THE WHITE HOUSE BE NEXT? THAT'S THE FEAR OF TOP SECURITY OFFICIALS SEEKING TO MAKE THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE IN FRONT OF THE WHITE HOUSE PERMANENT. AFTER RUNNING SIMULATIONS, THE DIRECTOR OF THE SECRET SERVICE SAID, 'IF YOU OPEN PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, IT'S NOT A MATTER OF IF (A BOMBING) WILL OCCUR, IT'S A MATTER OF WHEN THIS WILL OCCUR. YOU CAN'T PROTECT THE WHITE HOUSE FROM A CAR BOMB' IF THE ROADWAY IS REOPENED. HAD A BLAST AS POTENT AS THE ONE IN SAUDI ARABIA GONE OFF ALONG THAT ROAD, IT WOULD HAVE DEVASTATED THE 196-YEAR OLD BUILDING. RETURNING TRAFFIC TO THIS ROUTE WOULD BE IMPRUDENT."

TEXT: IN MARCH, JOSE MARIA AZNAR WON ELECTION AS SPAIN'S NEW PRIME MINISTER. AN EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THAT MR. AZNAR WON, IN PART, "BY CONVINCING VOTERS THAT HE HAD THOROUGHLY MODERNIZED HIS RIGHT-OF-CENTER POPULAR PARTY, RIDDING IT OF ALL NOSTALGIA FOR THE ANTI-DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES OF THE FRANCO DICTATORSHIP."

VOICE: "NOW, HE WILL HAVE TO CONVINCE THEM ONCE AGAIN FOLLOWING THE HEAVY-HANDED FIRING OF SPANISH TELEVISION'S NEW YORK BUREAU CHIEF, JOSE MARTINEZ-SOLER, TO SAVE MONEY. BUT IT LOOKS LIKE REPRISAL FOR A CAMPAIGN INTERVIEW LAST FEBRUARY IN WHICH MR. MARTINEZ-SOLER EMBARRASSED MR. AZNAR WITH A POINTED REFERENCE TO THE POPULAR PARTY'S RIGHT-WING OLD GUARD. IF THE IMPRESSION OF RETALIATION IS LEFT TO STAND, IT WILL HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT ON OTHER JOURNALISTS WORKING FOR SPANISH STATE TELEVISION... SPAIN'S DEMOCRATIC FREEDOMS ARE TOO PRECIOUS AND TOO RECENTLY WON TO BE SO CARELESSLY TRAMPLED ON. MR. AZNAR SHOULD MOVE QUICKLY TO UNDO THE DAMAGE."

TEXT: ACCORDING TO THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, STOCK MARKETS IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE -- IN THE NEWSPAPER'S WORDS -- "ACTED AS IF THEY WERE FLYING THROUGH SOME BAD AIR-POCKETS IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS."

VOICE: "PUBLIC CONFIDENCE CAN, OF COURSE, BE SHAKEN BY MARKET PYROTECHNICS. AND WITH MORE AMERICANS INVESTING MORE OF THEIR FUTURES IN THE MARKETS, THIS BECOMES A BIGGER-THAN-USUAL FACTOR. BUT MILLIONS OF THOSE INVESTORS HAVE SHOWN THEMSELVES TO BE NOT EASILY SHAKEN BY MOMENTARY DOWNTURNS. WITH HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT, RISING WAGES, AND GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS, THEY HAVE NO REASON TO BE. NEITHER SKY NOR ECONOMY IS ABOUT TO FALL.

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE U-S ECONOMY AND STOCK MARKET, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE EDITORIALS RUNNING IN TODAY'S U-S PAPERS.
NEB/DN/PCH
15-Jul-96 10:23 AM EDT (1423 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA'S ELECTION TEST BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE JUNE 30TH ELECTIONS IN THE BOSNIAN CITY OF MOSTAR ARE SEEN BY MANY AS HAVING BEEN A TRIAL RUN FOR THE COUNTRY'S GENERAL ELECTIONS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 14TH. THE QUESTION POSED IS WHETHER PEOPLE ETHNICALLY DIVIDED BY BRUTAL SECTARIAN WAR WILL, IN FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS, VOTE FOR DIVISION OR UNIFICATION. TO THE SURPRISE OF ALMOST EVERYONE, ELECTIONS FOR THE MOSTAR CITY COUNCIL SHOWED A NARROW BUT CLEAR MAJORITY BY THE PARTY FAVORING UNIFICATION. THE PARTY FAVORING DIVISION -- THE CROAT NATIONALISTS -- PROTESTED THE VOTE ON THE GROUNDS THEIR PARTY WON A MAJORITY WITHIN THE CITY ITSELF WHILE THE VOTES FOR UNITY CAME FROM REFUGEES

[03] BRITAIN / U-S / NUKE BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN'S ANTI-NUCLEAR ORGANIZATION "CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT" (CND) SAYS THE BRITISH AND AMERICAN GOVERNMENTS HAVE COVERED UP FOR MORE THAN 35 YEARS A NUCLEAR ACCIDENT AT AN AIRBASE SOUTHWEST OF LONDON. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA SPOKE WITH C-N-D'S EDDIE GONCALVES ABOUT HIS ORGANIZATION'S CLAIMS.

TEXT: THE GREENHAM COMMON AIRBASE -- CLOSE TO THE TOWN OF NEWBURY IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND -- IS BEST REMEMBERED AS THE SCENE OF ANTI-NUCLEAR DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE 1960'S AND 1970'S WHEN THE BASE HOUSED AMERICAN FIGHTER BOMBERS AND CRUISE MISSILES. THE BASE WAS USED BY THE U-S AIR FORCE UNTIL 1988 AND IS NOW CLOSED.

BRITAIN'S "CAMPAIGN FOR NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT" SAYS THE GREENHAM COMMON AIR BASE WAS THE SCENE OF A NUCLEAR ACCIDENT ALMOST 40 YEARS AGO INVOLVING TWO AMERICAN B-47 BOMBERS.

C-N-D'S SPOKESMAN EDDIE GONCALVES SAYS THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY, 1958, WHEN ONE OF THE B-47'S DEVELOPED ENGINE TROUBLE FLYING OVER THE BASE.

IT RETURNED TO THE BASE TO DROP THE WING-TIPPED FUEL TANKS IN ORDER TO HELP CORRECT ITS FLIGHT PATTERN. THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY DROP ZONE AT GREENHAM COMMON -- HOWEVER THE FUEL TANKS MISSED. ONE OF THE FUEL TANKS WENT THROUGH THE ROOF OF A HANGER AND DESTROYED THE HANGER. THE OTHER FUEL TANK LANDED RIGHT BEHIND THE PARKED B-47 BOMBER WHICH HAD ITS NUCLEAR WEAPON ON BOARD. THAT IS THE PLANE THAT EXPLODED. THE PLANE AND THE BOMB BOTH HAVE A VERY HIGH MAGNESIUM CONTENT SO THEY BURNED EXTREMELY FIERCELY. SO MUCH WATER WAS USED TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRES THAT THE AREA OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND EXPERIENCED SEVERE WATER SHORTAGES FOR THE WHOLE OF THE DAY AND IN FACT THE FIRE WAS STILL SMOULDERING FIVE DAYS LATER.

MR. GONCALVES SAYS AS A RESULT OF THE EXPLOSION, RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL WAS DISPERSED IN THE REGION -- ABOUT 12 KILOMETERS TO THE EAST AND WEST, EIGHT KILOMETERS TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF GREENHAM COMMON. THAT REGION HAS A HIGHER THAN NORMAL RATE OF LEUKEMIA AND BRAIN TUMORS AMONG YOUNG CHILDREN -- AND MR. GONCALVES SAYS PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED THERE MAY BE A LINK BETWEEN THOSE CANCERS AND THE EXTENSIVE RADIOACTIVE FALLOUT DUE TO THE 1958 EXPLOSION.

MR. GONCALVES SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION IS DRAWING ATTENTION TO THE SITUATION AFTER IT RECEIVED SECRET DOCUMENTS FROM A REPORT BY BRITISH GOVERNMENT NUCLEAR SCIENTISTS BASED AT A WEAPONS RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT NEAR GREENHAM COMMON.

THEY WERE CONDUCTING SOME ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLING NEAR ALDERMASTON AND FOUND HUGE AMOUNTS OF URANIUM IN THE SOIL -- SO THEY LITERALLY DISCOVERED THE ACCIDENT QUITE BY CHANCE. THEY CONCLUDED THEIR REPORT ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF LATER IN 1961 AND SUBMITTED IT TO THE GOVERNMENT -- AND IT WAS COVERED UP EVER SINCE.

THE C-N-D SPOKESMAN SAYS THE SCIENTISTS CONCLUDED THAT SUCH CONTAMINATION -- OF URANIUM 2-3-5 AND PLUTONIUM 2-3-9 -- COULD ONLY HAVE COME FROM A NUCLEAR BOMB AND A POSSIBLE FIRE.

A SPOKESWOMAN FOR BRITAIN'S MINISTRY OF DEFENSE ACKNOWLEDGES GREENHAM COMMON WAS THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT IN 1958 -- BUT SHE SAID IT DID NOT INVOLVE ANY NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

MR. GONCALVES IS NOT SURPRISED BY THE BRITISH DENIAL -- AND HE SAYS LONDON AND WASHINGTON DECIDED TO COVER UP THE INCIDENT.

IN FACT IN 1956, JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED, THE AMERICAN AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS CAME TO AN AGREEMENT WHEREBY ANY NUCLEAR WEAPONS ACCIDENT WOULD BE COVERED UP. THIS WAS AGREED BETWEEN (U-S PRESIDENT DWIGHT) EISENHOWER AND (BRITISH PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY) EDEN JUST AFTER THERE HAD BEEN A SIMILAR ACCIDENT IN BRITAIN AT R-A-F LAKENHEATH. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO RADIATION RESULTING FROM THAT ACCIDENT, BUT THE AGREEMENT TO KEEP NUCLEAR WEAPONS ACCIDENTS OUT OF OFFICIAL REPORTS REMAINS -- AND REMAINS TO THIS DAY.

MR. GONCALVES IS CALLING ON THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO MAKE PUBLIC THE 1961 REPORT BY ITS SCIENTISTS AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE EXPLOSION INVOLVING TWO AMERICAN BOMBERS ALMOST 40 YEARS AGO. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/JWH/CF
15-Jul-96 9:43 AM EDT (1343 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS APPOINTED A NEW "SPECIAL ENVOY" IN THE BOSNIAN CITY OF MOSTAR, TO OVERSEE THE TRANSITION OF THE CITY TO LOCAL RULE. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE NEW E-U REPRESENTATIVE IS A FORMER COMMANDANT OF BRITAIN'S ROYAL MARINES, MARTIN GARROD.

TEXT: THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE EXPRESSED OVERALL SATISFACTION AT THE RECENT ELECTIONS IN MOSTAR, A CITY WHICH HAS SPENT RECENT YEARS UNDER EUROPEAN UNION ADMINISTRATION. NOW, IT IS HOPED A HANDOVER CAN TAKE PLACE TO A LEGITIMATELY ELECTED ADMINISTRATION, WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION FADING FROM THE SCENE. HOWEVER, THERE HAS TO BE A TRANSITION PERIOD, AND DURING THIS PERIOD, THERE WILL BE NOT AN E-U ADMINISTRATOR, BUT AN E-U SPECIAL ENVOY.

THE CHALLENGE FOR THE ENVOY, MARTIN GARROD, WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN A SIX-MONTH MANDATE, IS TO ENSURE THAT THE DIVIDED COMMUNITIES IN MOSTAR, WHICH REMAIN SUSPICIOUS OF ONE ANOTHER, ARE ABLE TO RESUME THE RUNNING OF THEIR OWN CITY IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF CONCILIATION, NOT CONFLICT.

IF ALL GOES WELL, MARTIN GARROD WILL BE ABLE TO LEAVE MOSTAR AT THE END OF THIS YEAR. BUT HIS SIX-MONTH MANDATE COULD BE EXTENDED.

THE EUROPEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE ALSO BEEN DEBATING WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE TWO "MOST WANTED" MEN INDICTED ON WAR CRIMES CHARGES IN BOSNIA -- BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AND HIS MILITARY COMMANDER, RATKO MLADIC.

OFFICIALS SAY THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IN BOSNIA WILL ARREST THE TWO MEN -- BUT ONLY IF IT STUMBLES ACROSS THEM.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THERE NEEDS TO BE A MORE ASSERTIVE POLICY, AND WHETHER THIS WOULD NEED A CHANGE OF THE UNITED NATIONS MANDATE OR OF THE RULES OF NATO, WHICH IS RUNNING THE OPERATION.

EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER HANS VAN DEN BROEK HAS STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF TRYING TO DETAIN THE TWO MEN BEFORE THE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA.

HE SAYS IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT THE TWO MEN HAVE NOT YET BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE. AND HE WARNS THEIR CONTINUED FREEDOM JEOPARDIZES THE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH/MMK
15-Jul-96 1:32 PM EDT (1732 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] E-U / TRADE (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE 15 EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE DECIDED TO RETALIATE AGAINST A NEW AMERICAN TRADE LAW THAT PUNISHES FIRMS WHICH DO BUSINESS WITH CUBA. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: UNDER THE NEW LAW, KNOWN AS THE HELMS BURTON ACT, BRITISH AND CANADIAN BUSINESSMEN HAVE ALREADY BEEN TOLD THEY CANNOT ENTER THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE THEY ARE BOARD MEMBERS OF A CANADIAN COMPANY THAT DOES BUSINESS IN CUBA.

EVEN STRONGER U-S ACTIONS WILL BE POSSIBLE, IF PRESIDENT CLINTON REFUSES TO WAIVE A KEY SECTION OF THE LAW. AND E-U OFFICIALS SAY HE IS NOT EXPECTED TO AGREE TO THE WAIVER.

E-U FOREIGN MINISTERS SAY THE ISSUE GOES TO THE HEART OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING ITS OWN NEIGHBORS IN NORTH AMERICA, AND ITS EUROPEAN ALLIES.

THE FOREIGN MINISTERS NOW AGREED ON A LIST OF RETALIATORY MEASURES WHICH CAN BE TAKEN IN THE EUROPEAN UNION, IN RESPONSE TO THE AMERICAN LAW. SUCH MEASURES WILL BE PUT FORWARD BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ONCE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S STANCE ON THE ISSUE BECOMES CLEAR. THEY COULD BE FORMALLY ADOPTED AT A MEETING OF E-U AMBASSADORS IN BRUSSELS LATER THIS WEEK.

EUROPEAN TRADE COMMISSIONER SIR LEON BRITTAN SAYS IT IS WRONG TO TALK OF A CRISIS, OR A TRADE WAR. BUT HE SAYS THE RIFT WITH THE UNITED STATES IS SERIOUS NONETHELESS.

WE ARE NOT ON A COLLISION COURSE, BUT WE HAVE A STRONG DISAGREEMENT ON THIS ISSUE. AS FAR AS THE ORDINARY CITIZEN IS CONCERNED, THE WAY I WOULD PUT IT IS THIS. WE ALL HAVE OUR VIEWS ABOUT CUBA, AND MANY PEOPLE IN EUROPE WILL SHARE THE VIEWS THE UNITED STATES HAVE ABOUT CUBA. BUT THE BEST WAY TO GET CHANGE IN CUBA IS NOT TO CLOBBER YOUR ALLIES. AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE DONE.

RETALIATORY MEASURES TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION INCLUDE VISA RESTRICTIONS ON AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN VISITING EUROPE, TAKING THE UNITED STATES BEFORE THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION. THERE ALSO WILL BE A SO-CALLED "BLACK LIST" OF U-S FIRMS WHICH TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE AMERICAN LAW. THE MEASURES ALSO MIGHT INCLUDE LAWS TO ENABLE EUROPEAN FIRMS THAT ARE FINED IN THE UNITED STATES FOR DOING BUSINESS WITH CUBA TO RECOVER THE MONEY IN EUROPEAN COURTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/JF/JWH/CF
15-Jul-96 2:20 PM EDT (1820 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] HOLBROOKE-BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: FORMER AMERICAN BOSNIA NEGOTIATOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS HEADED BACK TO THE BALKANS TO SEE WHETHER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC CAN BE REMOVED FROM POWER. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON THE MISSION OF RICHARD HOLBROOKE.

TEXT: WHAT WARREN CHRISTOPHER AND JOHN KORNBLUM HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO, RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS BEEN CALLED BACK FROM PRIVATE LIFE TO TRY HIS LUCK. THE CREATOR OF THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT IS ON HIS WAY BACK TO THE BALKANS TO SEE IF HE CAN GET SERBIA TO REMOVE RADOVAN KARADZIC AS THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER.

AS HE CAME INTO THE STATE DEPARTMENT FOR LAST-MINUTE CONSULTATIONS WITH SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER, MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS HE IS RETURNING TO THE BALKANS AT A CRITICAL MOMENT BECAUSE OF SERIOUS NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT BY AT LEAST ONE OF THE PARTIES.

THAT PARTY IS SERBIA, WHICH HAS REFUSED PREVIOUS DEMANDS BY THE UNITED STATES TO REMOVE MR. KARADZIC FROM ANY REMAINING POLITICAL INFLUENCE. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS MR. HOLBROOKE HAS OLD RELATIONSHIPS THAT COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

I WOULD EXPECT THAT AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE WOULD HAVE VERY DIRECT AND VERY TOUGH DISCUSSIONS WITH THESE LEADERS ON THE WAR CRIMES ISSUE AND, OF COURSE, HE IS IN A POSITION AS SOMEONE WHO WAS A CONSULTANT TO THE ADMINISTRATION BUT SOMEONE WHO WAS PRESENT AT THE CREATION OF THIS PART OF THE BOSNIAN DRAMA. HE'S IN A STRONG POSITION TO REPRESENT THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY KORNBLUM TO SEND THE BASIC MESSAGE THAT IF COMPLIANCE IS NOT IMPROVED, SANCTIONS, THE RE-IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS, OF COURSE, REMAINS AN OPTION AVAILIABLE TO THE UNITED STATES AND OUR PARTNERS.

MR. HOLBROOKE'S FIRST STOP WILL BE IN SARAJEVO TO SEE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC AND INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR CARL BILDT. MR. BILDT WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL IN ANY DECISION TO RE-IMPOSE SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA FOR FAILING TO COOPERATE WITH THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL.

ON WEDNESDAY, MR. HOLBROOKE WILL MEET WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE TO STEP UP THE PRESSURE ON SERBIA TO HELP ARREST MR. KARADZIC AND THE BOSNIAN SERB MILITARY LEADER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, BOTH WANTED BY THE TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE.

MR. KARADZIC HAS TEMPORARILY HANDED OVER HIS JOB AS PRESIDENT OF THE SERB REPUBLIC BUT HAS RETAINED HIS POSITION AS CHAIRMAN OF THE RULING SERBIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY. MR. BURNS SAYS WHILE THE UNITED STATES WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS EXTRADITED TO THE HAGUE FOR TRIAL, IT WILL SETTLE FOR GETTING MR. KARADZIC OUT OF ANY ROLE INTERFERRING WITH ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 14TH.

TO BE PRAGMATIC AND REALISTIC, IT WOULD BE A GOOD START IF KARADZIC, FOR INSTANCE, WOULD BE REMOVED FROM HIS POSITIONS OF INFLUENCE IN THE PARTY. HE HAS JUST BEEN RE-NOMINATED AS HEAD OF HIS POLITICAL PARTY AND HE CURRENTLY SERVES AS THE HEAD OF HIS POLITICAL PARTY. HE OUGHT TO STEP DOWN FROM THAT ROLE OR BE FORCED OUT OF IT.

THE SPOKESMAN DENIES THE HOLBROOKE MISSION REPRESENTS A DESPERATION MOVE BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION, INSISTING THE BOSNIAN SERBS OUGHT TO BE DESPERATE AT THE PROSPECT OF BEING EXCLUDED FROM ELECTIONS IF MR. KARADZIC REMAINS IN POWER.

MR. HOLBROOKE WILL MEET CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN THURSDAY ON THE ADRIATIC ISLAND OF BRIONI BEFORE REPORTING BACK TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE ON FRIDAY. MR. HOLBROOKE KNOWS ALL THREE BALKAN LEADERS INTIMATELY FROM THE DAYTON NEGOTIATIONS. HE RETIRED FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT FEBRUARY 21ST TO RETURN TO INVESTMENT BANKING BUT HAS REMAINED A STATE DEPARTMENT CONSULTANT ON BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/KB/CF
15-Jul-96 2:55 PM EDT (1855 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] TARNOFF IN TURKEY

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:

THIS MONTH, U.S. UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE PETER TARNOFF VISITED TURKEY. HE MET WITH PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN AND OTHER OFFICIALS. AS MR. TARNOFF STRESSED, THE UNITED STATES WISHES TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE NEW TURKISH GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN POLITICAL, SECURITY, ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS RELATIONS. TURKEY HAS LONG BEEN A VALUED FRIEND AND NATO ALLY OF THE U.S. FOR DECADES, THE U.S. AND TURKEY STOOD TOGETHER AGAINST THE THREAT OF SOVIET EXPANSIONISM, AND TODAY TURKEY HELPS DEFEND STABILITY AND PEACE IN SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE. THROUGH OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT, TURKEY IS WORKING WITH THE U.S. AND OTHER COUNTRIES TO PREVENT THE REGIME OF SADDAM HUSSEIN FROM FURTHER BRUTALIZING THE PEOPLE OF NORTHERN IRAQ.

TURKEY HAS A TRADITION OF SECULAR, CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT. IN ELECTIONS LAST DECEMBER, MR. ERBAKAN'S WELFARE PARTY BECAME THE FIRST ISLAMIST PARTY TO WIN A PLURALITY OF SEATS IN THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT. BECAUSE WELFARE'S MARGIN OF VICTORY WAS NARROW, TWO SECULAR PARTIES FORMED A GOVERNMENT AFTER THE ELECTIONS. WHEN THAT GOVERNMENT FELL, MR. ERBAKAN FORMED A COALITION WITH TRUE PATH, ONE OF THE SECULAR PARTIES. THIS MONTH, THE NEW GOVERNMENT WON A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE PARLIAMENT. TURKEY'S CONSTITUTION COMMITS THE GOVERNMENT TO SECULARISM, AND MR. ERBAKAN HAS PLEDGED THAT HIS GOVERNMENT WOULD ABIDE BY THAT COMMITMENT. HE HAS ALSO DECLARED THAT TURKEY WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK FULL MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION.

ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS THREATS FACED BY TURKEY COMES FROM THE KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K, A TERRORIST GROUP THAT SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A KURDISH STATE IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY AND AREAS OF SURROUNDING COUNTRIES. P-K-K TERRORISTS RECEIVE SAFE HAVEN AND AID FROM SYRIA. THE U.S. SUPPORTS THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT IN ITS FIGHT AGAINST P-K-K TERRORISTS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE U.S. HAS EMPHASIZED THE NEED FOR TURKISH AUTHORITIES TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS. THE U.S. WELCOMES THE STEPS TURKEY HAS TAKEN OVER THE PAST YEAR TO STRENGTHEN HUMAN RIGHTS GUARANTEES FOR ALL CITIZENS. THE U.S. URGES THE NEW GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR A STRONGER DEMOCRACY IN TURKEY.

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.
15-Jul-96 2:32 PM EDT (1832 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S/ALBANIA EXERCISES (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: SOLDIERS FROM THE UNITED STATES, ALBANIA, AND SEVEN OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE BEGUN JOINT EXERCISES IN ALBANIA UNDER NATO'S PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE. IT IS THE MOST EXTENSIVE OPERATION OF ITS KIND TO BE HOSTED BY ALBANIA. DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: MORE THAN TWO-THOUSAND TROOPS ARE INVOLVED IN THE JOINT PEACEKEEPING EXERCISE, CALLED "PEACEFUL EAGLE '96", BEING HELD IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA OF NORTHERN ALBANIA NEAR THE TOWN OF BIZA.

U-S AND ALBANIAN SOLDIERS MAKE UP THE BULK OF THOSE REPRESENTED. BUT THERE ARE ALSO CONTINGENTS OF 50 OR MORE TROOPS FROM ITALY, TURKEY, GREECE, BULGARIA, MACEDONIA, AND ROMANIA -- AND AN OBSERVER TEAM FROM SLOVENIA -- TAKING PART IN THE EXERCISE, MODELED ON THE NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING OPERATION IN BOSNIA.

A U-S MILITARY SPOKESMAN IN ALBANIA -- ARMY LIEUTENANT COLONEL TIM THOMAS -- SAYS THE TROOPS ARE CONDUCTING PATROLS, MANNING CHECKPOINTS, AND DEALING WITH TEST SCENARIOS THAT MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED IN IMPLEMENTING AN ACTUAL PEACE ACCORD BETWEEN TWO BELLIGERENT COUNTRIES.

HE TOLD V-O-A MANY OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE ALREADY VETERANS OF EUROPEAN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS:

THE AMERICAN BATTALION PARTICIPATING IN THIS WERE THE FIRST COMBAT TROOPS INTO TUZLA (BOSNIA) RIGHT BEFORE THE FIRST OF THE YEAR. THE ALBANIAN BATTALION -- MEMBERS OF IT HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN GEORGIA. AND THE SAME SITUATION (APPLIES) WITH THE OTHER COUNTRIES. SO THESE ARE EXPERIENCED SOLDIERS. AND PART OF THE IDEA IS THAT WE LEARN FROM EACH OTHER, INCREASING OUR INTER-OPERABILITY.

COLONEL THOMAS SAYS THE TROOPS WILL GET EXPERIENCE FIRING THE STANDARD WEAPONS OF THE VARIOUS COUNTRIES TAKING PART, AND EXCHANGE INFORMATION ON PEACEKEEPING TACTICS AND TECHNIQUES. MANY OF THE SAME COUNTRIES WILL TAKE PART IN A REGIONAL EXERCISE DEALING WITH A SIMULATED NATURAL DISASTER LATER THIS YEAR.

ALBANIAN PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA OBSERVED THE BEGINNING OF THE PEACEKEEPING EXERCISE MONDAY AND CALLED IT A REAL CONTRIBUTION TO COOPERATION AND STABILITY IN THE SOUTH BALKANS.

ALBANIA WAS ONE OF THE FIRST COUNTRIES TO JOIN THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE PROGRAM AND HAS OFFERED THE TRAINING GROUND NEAR BIZA AS A PERMANENT SITE FOR PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES.

THE UNITED STATES HAS GIVEN ALBANIA MORE THAN 100-MILLION DOLLARS IN MILITARY AID SINCE 1992 -- MUCH OF IT DONATIONS OF UNIFORMS, TRUCKS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, AND COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TO HELP REBUILD THE COUNTRY'S ARMED FORCES AFTER YEARS OF STALINIST DICTATORSHIP. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/RAE
15-Jul-96 1:15 PM EDT (1715 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article