Voice of America, 31 July 1996

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BILDT/BOSNIA (L ONLY) (CQ) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[03] BOSNIA / ISLAMIC (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

[04] BOSNIA / SARAJEVO (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

[05] BOSNIA/GRAVES (S) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

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

[07] NATO ENLARGEMENT: PART ONE BY FRANCIS RONALDS (WASH)

[08] U-S/BOSNIA FORCE (L ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

[09] YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARP (THE HAGUE)

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

INTRO: A PAIR OF HEROES ARE SINGLED OUT IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS THIS WEDNESDAY -- THE AGEING TRACK STAR CARL LEWIS, WHO LEAVES THE OLYMPICS WITH YET ANOTHER GOLD MEDAL, AND BIRD BOOK SUPER AUTHOR ROGER TORY PETERSON, WHO DIED SUNDAY AT THE AGE OF 87. OTHER COMMENTARIES FOCUS ON: TERRORISM; GETTING BETTER CHILDREN'S TELEVISION, THE WELFARE BILL HEADING FOR FINAL CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL; U-S ARMS SALES TO LATIN AMERICA, AND THE TROUBLED NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY. NOW, HERE IS _____________ WITH A SAMPLING OF TODAY'S COMMENTARY IN OUR U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TERRORISM CONTINUES TO BE MUCH DISCUSSED IN THE PRESS FOLLOWING THE T-W-A EXPLOSION AND THE OLYMPIC BOMBING, BOTH STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. IN TODAY'S BALTIMORE SUN, THE LEAD EDITORIAL TALKS ABOUT HOW BEST TO RESPOND TO THE ATTACKS, AND SUMS UP THIS WAY:

VOICE: "SO THE BATTLE IS GRADUALLY BEING JOINED AGAINST AN ENEMY THAT APPEARS IN MANY FORMS IN RESPONSE TO MOTIVATIONS RANGING FROM IDEOLOGY TO PSYCHOSIS. THE THREAT OF EVERYTHING FROM THE HOMEMADE PIPE BOMB TO THE SOPHISTICATED NUCLEAR/BIOLOGICAL/CHEMICAL WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION WILL BE WITH US, ALAS, ON A SCALE AS POTENTIALLY UNSETTLING OR DESTRUCTIVE AS THE WARS OF YORE. NOTHING BUT AN ALL-OUT INTERNATIONAL CRUSADE TO PRESERVE THIS PLANET AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ITS INHABITANTS WILL SUFFICE."

TEXT: IN BOSTON, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR DEALS WITH THE TERRORISM TOPIC IN A SINGLE, LONG EDITORIAL, NOTING, IN PART:

VOICE: "AS STEPS ARE TAKEN TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY AND BOLSTER POLICE EFFORTS, ... A NOTE OF CAUTION IS NECESSARY. IF TERRORISTS' ACTS LEAD TO A SIGNIFICANT DILUTION OF FREEDOM, THE BOMB-PLANTERS WIN A GRIM VICTORY OF SORTS... THIS IS A TIME TO AFFIRM THE POWER OF GOOD, TO REMEMBER THE DIVINE ASSURANCE IN SUCH WORDS AS THESE FROM [THE BIBLE] PSALMS 91, 'THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID FOR THE TERROR BY NIGHT; NOR FOR THE ARROW THAT FLIETH BY DAY.'"

TEXT: WHILE ACROSS TOWN, THE BOSTON GLOBE, SAYS THE SITUATION CALLS FOR INCREASED PROFESSIONALISM AND PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP.

VOICE: "ABOVE ALL, [PRESIDENT] CLINTON NEEDS TO COORDINATE THE MONITORING, PREVENTION AND INVESTIGATION OF TERRORISM. RIVALRIES BETWEEN COMPETING AGENCIES MUST BE OVERCOME. THE TERRORISTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WORKING FOR STATE SPONSORS, ARE ALL TOO PROFESSIONAL. WITH CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS IN THE HANDS OF A SADDAM HUSSEIN, THE FORCES OF COUNTERTERRORISM CANNOT AFFORD TO ACT LIKE AMATEURS."

TEXT: TURNING TO U-S GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE CHILDREN'S TELEVISION, THE BOSTON GLOBE SUPPORTS THE LATEST INITIATIVE TO REQUIRE THREE HOURS A WEEK OF QUALITY PROGRAMMING.

VOICE: "THE MINDLESS TRASH THAT CAN PASS FOR TELEVISION ENTERTAINMENT MAY FACE SOME MUCH-NEEDED COMPETITION IF TOUGHER REGULATIONS AGREED TO BY CHILDREN'S ADVOCATES AND BROADCASTERS ARE ADOPTED. THEY DESERVE F-C-C [FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION] APPROVAL."

TEXT: TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST IS UPSET OVER THE PROPOSED WELFARE REFORM BILL EXPECTED TO PASS THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY AND HEAD FOR THE PRESIDENT'S DESK, POSSIBLY TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW. SAYS THE POST:

VOICE: "IT REMAINS [DESPITE SOME COSMETIC CHANGES] A TERRIBLE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS ALMOST CERTAINLY WILL PASS BUT THAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULD VETO... HE [MR. CLINTON] NEEDS TO PROTECT THOSE IT WOULD HARM. IT IS A DEFINING MOMENT IN HIS PRESIDENCY."

TEXT: ADDING ITS VOICE TO SEVERAL PAPERS DISTURBED OVER THE PROSPECT OF RENEWED U-S ARMS SALES OF SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS TO LATIN AMERICAN NATIONS, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES NOTES WITH DISAPPROVAL:

VOICE: "TO THINK THAT THE PROCESS OF DEMOCRATIZATION IN LATIN AMERICA IS NOW MATURE AND ABLE TO WITHSTAND ARMS BUILDUPS WOULD BE A GROSS MISCALCULATION. THE FACT THAT THE CHILEAN ARMY -- STILL UNDER THE SHADOW OF FORMER DICTATOR AUGUSTO PINOCHET -- IS SO INTERESTED IN THE PURCHASE SHOULD ALONE MAKE WASHINGTON VERY CAUTIOUS CONCERNING A POLICY CHANGE."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES HAILS CHINA'S DECISION TO SUSPEND, VOLUNTARILY, FURTHER NUCLEAR TESTING, BUT CHIDES THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION FOR ITS ROLE IN THE FINAL TALKS OVER A WORLD-WIDE NUCLEAR TESTING BAN.

VOICE: "AFTER ONE FINAL UNDERGROUND BLAST THIS WEEK, CHINA HAS DECIDED TO SUSPEND FURTHER NUCLEAR WEAPONS TESTING. THIS BELATED BUT WELCOME DECISION MEANS THAT ALL FIVE DECLARED NUCLEAR POWERS ... ARE NOW OBSERVING A VOLUNTARY MORATORIUM. BUT THE CHANCE OF CONVERTING THIS SUSPENSION INTO A BINDING TREATY IS RAPIDLY RECEDING, IN LARGE MEASURE BECAUSE OF UNWISE AND UNNECESSARY BARGAINING CONCESSIONS BY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION."

TEXT: FINALLY, EDITORIAL SALUTES TO A PAIR OF HEROES. OLYMPIC TRACK STAR CARL LEWIS, WHO AT 35 YEARS OF AGE, HAS WON YET ANOTHER GOLD MEDAL, IN THE LONG JUMP, CAUSING THE WASHINGTON POST TO REMARK:

VOICE: "ON SUNDAY, CARL LEWIS STOOD 15TH IN THE EVENT -- NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO MAKE THE FINALS -- AND HAD ONE JUMP LEFT. ASTONISHINGLY, HE LEAPED ALL THE WAY TO FIRST .... THEN, ON MONDAY, ON HIS THIRD JUMP, HE HIT EIGHT-POINT-FIVE METERS AND WON THE GOLD MEDAL."

TEXT: AND THE NEW YORK TIMES, ADDS:

VOICE: "OTHER MEN HAVE RUN FASTER AND JUMPED FARTHER THAN CARL LEWIS, BUT FEW HAVE EVER SUSTAINED SUCH A HIGH LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE FOR SO LONG... THERE IS NOTHING SWEETER IN SPORTS THAN SEEING A GREAT BUT FADING STAR BOW OUT WITH A FAREWELL TRIUMPH. FEW HAVE EVER DONE IT BETTER THAN CARL LEWIS..."

TEXT: AS FOR THE OTHER HERO, OF A FAR DIFFERENT KIND, SUPER BIRD BOOK AUTHOR, PAINTER, AND NATURALIST ROGER TORY PETERSON, WHO INTRODUCED SEVERAL GENERATIONS OF AMERICANS TO THE PLEASURES OF BIRD WATCHING, THE MIAMI HERALD SAYS IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "HEAR THE BIRDS WEEPING," THEN ADDS:

VOICE: "IT CAN HONESTLY BE SAID OF THIS MAN -- HE OF A KEEN EYE, DEFT HAND, AND CONSTANT DEVOTION -- THAT HIS EXISTENCE MADE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, FOR BOTH HUMANKIND AND THE WINGED CREATURES ... HE SO LOVED TO OBSERVE."

TEXT: MR. PETERSON DIED IN CONNECTICUT SUNDAY AT THE AGE OF 87. AND THOSE COMMENTS ON HIS ACHIEVEMENTS CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENTS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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31-Jul-96 10:42 AM EDT (1442 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BILDT/BOSNIA (L ONLY) (CQ) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: CARL BILDT, THE HEAD OF THE CIVILIAN OPERATION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, SAYS BOSNIA CAN BE SAVED FROM ETHNIC DIVISION AND WAR BUT IT WILL TAKE LONGER THAN THE ONE YEAR PRESENCE OF THE NATO-LED FORCE. MR. BILDT BRIEFED MEMBERS OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, GIVING AT BEST A CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC PICTURE OF BOSNIA'S FUTURE. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: MR. BILDT SAYS BOSNIA MIGHT BE BETTER SERVED IF SOME TROOPS REMAIN AFTER ONE YEAR. BUT HE SAYS BOSNIA'S MAIN REQUIREMENT -- AFTER THE SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS -- WILL BE AN INTERNATIONAL POLICE FORCE. THE SWEDISH DIPLOMAT ALSO BELIEVES THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY WILL HAVE TO REMAIN INVOLVED FOR AT LEAST TWO ADDITIONAL YEARS TO HELP SETTLE THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE.

MR. BILDT SAYS THE POINT IS BOSNIA CANNOT MAKE IT ON ITS OWN -- MAYBE NOT FOR MANY YEARS.

ONE OF HIS PRIMARY WORRIES AT THE MOMENT IS THE SURVIVAL OF THE FRAGILE BOSNIAN / CROAT FEDERATION -- A POLITICAL ENTITY OF BOSNIAN MUSLIMS AND CROATS CREATED AS A CONTERWEIGHT TO THE SERBS. MR. BILDT BELIEVES THE COUNTRY WOULD DIVIDE AND SUB-DIVIDE IF THE FEDERATION COLLAPSED. STILL, THE SWEDISH DIPLOMAT SAYS HE TRIES TO PUT THE SITUATION IN PERSPECTIVE WHEN HE FEELS THE NEED FOR A LITTLE HOPE:

SOMETIMES WHEN THINGS ARE DIFFICULT I SWITCH ON THE TELEVISION AND I LOOK AT THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND OR I LOOK AT THE MIDDLE EAST. AND THEN I SAY THAT WELL THE PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA IS NOT IN THAT BAD A SHAPE AFTER ALL.

BOSNIA MAY NOT BE ANYWHERE NEAR NORMALCY. BUT MR. BILDT NOTES THERE ARE SIGNS THE COUNTRY IS MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION:

IF YOU TRAVEL AROUND BOSNIA TODAY, IT IS A DIFFERENT COUNTRY. I REMEMBER A YEAR AGO IN SARAJEVO, I WAS COMING IN ARMORED CARS AND THEY WERE RACING THROUGH EMPTY STREETS BECAUSE WE HAD THE SHELLS FALLING ALL AROUND. I MEAN NOW I HAVE DIFFICULTY IN GETTING ALONG THOSE STREETS BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC JAMS. THAT IS A GOOD SIGN. I'M IN FAVOR OF TRAFFIC JAMS IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE. THE DAILY LIVES OF PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED STAGGERINGLY FOR THE BETTER.

BUT STILL THE POLITICAL TENSIONS ARE THERE AND THE CAUSS OF WAR HAVE NOT GONE AND THE BASIC POLITICAL DIVISIONS ARE AS DEEP AS THEY'VE BEEN AND THAT IS WHY I'M SAYING WE HAVE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE FUTURE TO PREVENT THE OUTBREAK OF WAR AGAIN.

CARL BILDT HOPES THE EUROPEANS, AT LEAST, WILL STAY THE COURSE FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO HELP BUILD BOSNIA'S INSTITUTIONS AND ECONOMY. THE NATO-LED MILITARY OPERATION IS DUE TO END IN DECEMBER. (SIGNED)
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31-Jul-96 2:14 PM EDT (1814 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA / ISLAMIC (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

INTRO: ISLAMIC NATIONS HAVE PLEDGED CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR BOSNIA'S MUSLIM-DOMINATED GOVERNMENT. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM LEADING MEMBERS OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION MET (WEDNESDAY) IN GENEVA WITH BOSNIA'S PRIME MINISTER HASAN MURATOVIC.

TEXT: OFFICIALS FROM A SPECIAL ISLAMIC CONFERENCE CONTACT GROUP ON BOSNIA HELD REGULAR MEETINGS WITH SARAJEVO GOVERNMENT LEADERS THROUGHOUT THE THREE-AND-ONE-HALF YEARS OF WAR. AND THE CONTACTS HAVE CONTINUED SINCE THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT WAS ANNOUNCED LAST NOVEMBER.

AT WEDNESDAY'S SESSION HERE, FOREIGN MINISTERS AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS FROM THE NINE-MEMBER GROUP PLEDGED CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE PEACE PROCESS. AND THEY URGED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO DO ALL POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT SEPTEMBER'S ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA ARE FREE, FAIR, AND DEMOCRATIC.

A COMMUNIQUE SAYS ISLAMIC STATES ARE PREPARED TO DISPATCH EXPERTS TO BOSNIA TO HELP MONITOR THE ELECTIONS

THE COMMUNIQUE ALSO REITERATES DEMANDS FOR THE REMOVAL FROM POWER OF THOSE INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES IN BOSNIA, INCLUDING BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND RATKO MLADIC.

BUT IT WAS SARAJEVO'S GROWING CONFRONTATION WITH BOSNIA'S CROAT LEADERS THAT WAS CLEARLY FOREMOST ON PRIME MINISTER MURATOVIC'S AGENDA AS HE WENT INTO THE TALKS HERE.

AT A CLOSING NEWS CONFERENCE, MR. MURATOVIC CALLED THE CROAT LEADERSHIP GANGSTERS AND WAR CRIMINALS. AND HE URGED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THEY HONOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO DISMANTLE THEIR SELF-STYLED STATE IN BOSNIA.

MR. MURATOVIC SAID THAT MINI-STATE, KNOWN AS HERCEG-BOSNA, IS THE CHIEF OBSTACLE TO THE SUCCESS OF BOSNIA'S MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION.

THE SARAJEVO GOVERNMENT AND WESTERN NATIONS ARE TRYING TO PERSUADE CROATIA TO USE ITS INFLUENCE TO REIN IN THE BOSNIAN CROATS.

IN WEDNESDAY'S COMMUNIQUE, THE ISLAMIC STATES VOICED CONCERN OVER THE SITUATION, AND URGED CROATIA TO INTERVENE. THE COMMUNIQUE SAYS CROATIA'S RESPONSE WILL INEVITABLY AFFECT ITS RELATIONS WITH THE ISLAMIC WORLD.

THE COMMUNIQUE ALSO PLEDGES CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS IN BOSNIA, AND URGES ALL NATIONS TO HONOR THEIR AID COMMITMENTS.

PRIME MINISTER MURATOVIC SAID THAT, SO FAR, ONLY ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF THE ASSISTANCE PLEDGED IN THE WAKE OF THE DAYTON PEACE CONFERENCE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN DISBURSED. (SIGNED)
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31-Jul-96 1:58 PM EDT (1758 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA / SARAJEVO (L ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: TALKS ARE UNDER WAY AIMED AT ENDING A BOYCOTT OF ELECTION RESULTS IN THE BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA CITY OF MOSTAR. BOSNIAN, CROATIAN, EUROPEAN, AND AMERICAN OFFICIALS ARE MEETING IN ZAGREB AND SARAJEVO IN AN EFFORT TO END THE IMPASSE THAT BEGAN WHEN BOSNIAN CROATS IN MOSTAR REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE THE RESULTS OF AN ELECTION THEY LOST TO MUSLIMS. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE STALEMATE OVER THE BOYCOTT OF A JOINT MOSTAR CITY COUNCIL IS CONTINUING.

BOSNIAN VICE PRESIDENT EJUP GANIC HAS TRAVELLED TO ZAGREB FOR TALKS WITH CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN. MR. GANIC IS ACCOMPANIED BY THE DEPUTY HIGH REPRESENTATIVE IN BOSNIA, MICHAEL STEINER.

MEETINGS ARE UNDER WAY HERE IN SARAJEVO AS WELL. THE CHIEF AMERICAN ENVOY ON BOSNIA, JOHN KORNBLUM, MET WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIA IZETBEGOVIC. BUT NO RESULT WAS ANNOUNCED AFTER THEIR MEETING.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS SAY THE CROAT BOYCOTT IN MOSTAR, IF ALLOWED TO STAND, COULD SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR NATION WIDE ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER. SO FAR, THOUGH, THERE IS LITTLE EVIDENCE BOSNIAN CROATS ARE PREPARED TO BACK DOWN, AND CROATIAN OFFICIALS ARE SUPPORTING THE CROAT POSITION OVER THE ELECTIONS. THE CROATIAN PRIME MINISTER ZLATKO MATESA, SAYS THE PROBLEM MUST BE RESOLVED BY NEGOTIATIONS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. HE ALSO SAYS HE IS NOT IMPRESSED WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION DEADLINE, OR THREATS TO WITHDRAW E-U ASSISTANCE TO MOSTAR IF THE DEADLINE IS IGNORED.

ELSEWHERE IN BOSNIA, BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE SAID NO FURTHER WORK WILL BE PERMITTED ON MASS GRAVES AROUND SREBRENICA. THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP ISSUED A STATEMENT WHICH SAID THE DECISION HAD BEEN TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC PRESSURE.

THE U-N SPOKESMAN, ALEX IVANKO, SAYS CROAT AUTHORITIES HAVE GONE BACK ON AGREEMENTS TO ALLOW SERBS ACCESS TO SERB GRAVES IN WESTERN BOSNIA, AND U-N OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

WE BELIEVE IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR ANY SIDE TO OBSTRUCT HUMANITARIAN PROJECTS OF SUCH A NATURE.

LAST FRIDAY, INVESTIGATORS HALTED DIGGING FOR A WEEK FOR TECHNICAL REASONS, AND U-N OFFICIALS HOPE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM BY THE TIME DIGGING IS SCHEDULED TO RESUME.

THE WORK IS PROTECTED BY NATO TROOPS. AND THE NATO SPOKESMAN, BRETT BOUDREAU, WARNS ALL SIDES NOT TO INTERFERE WITH THE INVESTIGATORS.

PEOPLE ARE ILL-ADVISED TO INTERJECT AND TO TRY TO STOP THE WORK OF THOSE PERSONS IN THIS VERY IMPORTANT FIELD.

THE EXPERTS FROM THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF BODIES IN GRAVES AROUND SREBRENICA, MANY WITH THEIR HANDS TIED BEHIND THEIR BACKS. BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE ALWAYS SAID BODIES IN THE GRAVES AROUND SREBRENICA WERE THOSE OF MUSLIM SOLDIERS KILLED WHILE FIGHTING. (SIGNED)
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31-Jul-96 11:11 AM EDT (1511 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA/GRAVES (S) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERBS SAY THEY WILL NO LONGER PERMIT INVESTIGATORS TO SEARCH FOR MASS GRAVES AROUND SREBRENICA. THEY SAY SERB INVESTIGATORS ARE BEING PREVENTED FROM EXAMINING SUSPECTED MASS GRAVES OF SERBS ON CROAT-CONTROLLED TERRITORY. THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS IT IS TRYING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, AS DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP SAID THE DECISION TO PREVENT FURTHER WORK ON MASS GRAVES AROUND SREBRENICA WAS TAKEN IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC PRESSURE. ALEX IVANKO, THE U-N SPOKESMAN, SAYS CROAT AUTHORITIES HAVE GONE BACK ON AGREEMENTS TO ALLOW SERBS ACCESS TO SERB GRAVES IN WESTERN BOSNIA. MR. IVANKO SAYS U-N OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

WE BELIEVE IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR ANY SIDE TO OBSTRUCT HUMANITARIAN PROJECTS OF SUCH A NATURE.

LAST FRIDAY, INVESTIGATORS HALTED WORK AROUND SREBRENICA FOR A WEEK FOR TECHNICAL REASONS. OFFICIALS WANT A SOLUTION TO THE DISPUTE BY THE TIME DIGGING IS SCHEDULED TO RESUME. THE EXPERTS FROM THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF MUSLIM BODIES, MANY WITH THEIR HANDS TIED BEHIND THEIR BACKS. THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE ALWAYS CLAIMED THE BODIES IN THE GRAVES AROUND SREBRENICA WERE THOSE OF MUSLIM SOLDIERS KILLED WHILE FIGHTING, AND THE SERBS HAVE BEEN EMBARRASSED BY THE WELL-PUBLICIZED FINDINGS OF THE INVESTIGATORS. (SIGNED)
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31-Jul-96 7:46 AM EDT (1146 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S TOP TRADE OFFICIAL, LEON BRITTAN, HAS PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO PROTECT COMPANIES THAT COULD BE PUNISHED UNDER U-S LAW BECAUSE THEY HAVE BUSINESS WITH CUBA INVOLVING PROPERTY ORIGINALLY SEIZED FROM AMERICANS. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE AMERICAN LEGISLATION IS KNOWN AS THE HELMS-BURTON ACT, AND HAS ALREADY LED TO EUROPEAN BUSINESSMEN BEING DENIED ENTRY TO AMERICA. IT EVENTUALLY WILL ALLOW EUROPEAN COMPANIES OR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE CONFISCATED U-S PROPERTY IN CUBA TO BE SUED IN AMERICAN COURTS.

COMMISSIONER BRITTAN'S PROPOSAL WOULD ALLOW SUCH FIRMS TO RECOVER AMOUNTS AWARDED AGAINST THEM IN THE AMERICAN COURTS, BY COUNTER-SUING IN EUROPEAN COURTS. HE HAS ALSO PROPOSED SETTING UP WHAT HE CALLED A WATCH LIST OF AMERICAN FIRMS AND INDIVIDUALS WHICH FILE LAW SUITS AGAINST EUROPEAN COMPANIES.

COMMISSIONER BRITTAN SAYS EUROPEANS AND AMERICANS SHARE A CONTINUING DESIRE TO HELP TURN CUBA INTO A RESPONSIBLE MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. BUT HE SAYS THE HELMS-BURTON ACT IS NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL. INSTEAD, HE ARGUES THAT IT OFFENDS AND ATTACKS AMERICA'S TRUSTED ALLIES, DAMAGES BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN THE UNITED STATES AND BEYOND, AND ESTABLISHES A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT THAT THE UNITED STATES ITSELF WILL COME TO REGRET -- IF OTHER COUNTRIES FOLLOW IT IN FUTURE.

COMMISSIONER BRITTAN ALSO WILL PROPOSE THAT THE AMERICAN ADMINISTRATION SHOULD BE TAKEN BEFORE THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION OVER THE HELMS-BURTON ACT. MEANWHILE, E-U GOVERNMENTS ARE DISCUSSING YET ANOTHER RESPONSE -- WHETHER THEY SHOULD APPLY VISA RESTRICTIONS AGAINST AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN.

THE U-S CONGRESS HAS APPROVED ANOTHER PROPOSAL SIMILAR TO THE HELMS-BURTON ACT. IT WILL PUNISH FIRMS WHICH INVEST IN THE OIL SECTOR IN IRAN OR LIBYA. AND, AGAIN, COMMISSIONER BRITTAN SAID HE WILL CONSIDER POSSIBLE E-U RETALIATION.

EUROPEAN UNION GOVERNMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ACT ON THE COMMISSIONER'S PROPOSALS WHEN MINISTERS NEXT MEET IN BRUSSELS, IN SEPTEMBER. (SIGNED)
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31-Jul-96 3:40 PM EDT (1940 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NATO ENLARGEMENT: PART ONE BY FRANCIS RONALDS (WASH)

INTRO: WHAT IS THE OUTLOOK FOR ENLARGEMENT OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION? WHAT ARE THE POSSIBILITIES THAT RUSSIA WILL BECOME RECONCILED TO SUCH AN ENLARGEMENT? AND WHAT ROLE IN THE PROCESS CAN BE PLAYED BY THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE -- AN ORGANIZATION INCLUDING ALL OF THE STATES OF EAST-CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION, AS WELL AS THE SIXTEEN NATO NATIONS? FRANK RONALDS HAS SPOKEN WITH A NUMBER OF SPECIALISTS ON THE SUBJECT, AND WILL PRESENT THE VIEWS OF ONE OF THEM IN A SERIES STARTING TODAY. HOST: THE NEW DEFENSE MINISTER OF RUSSIA, IGOR RODIONOV, HAS CHALLENGED WESTERN ASSURANCES THAT PLANS FOR NATO ENLARGEMENT DO NOT THREATEN RUSSIA. (OPT) SPEAKING ON THE INDEPENDENT RUSSIAN TELEVISION NETWORK NTV LAST SUNDAY, (END OPT) HE STATED THAT "WE MUST DRAW CONCLUSIONS FROM HISTORY." THAT STATEMENT HAS DRAWN A STRONG REACTION FROM CONDOLEEZZA (COND-OH-LEETS'-AH) RICE, PROVOST OF STANFORD UNIVERSITY IN CALIFORNIA AND SPECIALIST ON SOVIET AND EAST EUROPEAN AFFAIRS IN THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL OF FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH. SHE SAYS THAT IT IS INEXCUSABLE TO COMPARE NATO'S ENLARGEMENT PLANS TO HITLER'S ATTACK ON THE SOVIET UNION WHEN HE BROKE HIS TWO-YEAR PACT WITH STALIN IN 1941:

TAPE: CUT ONE -- RICE "THAT WAS REALLY QUITE SOVIET-STYLE LANGUAGE, ABOUT DRAWING CONCLUSIONS FROM HISTORY, ABOUT WHAT THE NAZIS AND THE GERMANS DID TO THE SOVIET UNION. I WOULD ASK GENERAL RODIONOV TO DRAW THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSION FROM HISTORY, WHICH IS THAT NATO NEVER THREATENED ANYONE. NATO, IN FACT, FIRED ITS FIRST SHOTS AFTER THE COLD WAR WAS OVER, IN THE BALKANS, IN DEFENSE OF PEACE AND STABILITY FOR ALL OF EUROPE. NOT AGAINST RUSSIA. AND SO THE CONCLUSION THAT COULD BE DRAWN FROM HISTORY IS THAT THIS IS REALLY A QUITE REMARKABLE MILITARY ALLIANCE WHICH DOES NOT THREATEN THE PEACE BUT IS REALLY A STABILIZING FORCE IN EUROPE." HOST: WHILE SERVING ON THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, PROFESSOR RICE WAS VERY MUCH INVOLVED IN THE 1990 NEGOTIATIONS WHICH LED TO MOSCOW'S ACCEPTANCE OF A UNIFIED GERMANY WITHIN NATO. SHE IS ALSO A CO-AUTHOR OF THE BOOK, "GERMANY UNIFIED AND EUROPE TRANSFORMED":

TAPE: CUT TWO -- RICE "DURING THE PERIOD OF GERMAN UNIFICATION, SOVIET COMMENTATORS -- INDEED, GORBACHEV HIMSELF AND SHEVARDNADZE -- ALL SAID THAT IT WOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE TO HAVE GERMANY FULLY INTEGRATED INTO NATO. THE WEST, LED BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION AND BY THE GERMANS THEMSELVES, SET OUT TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE SOVIET UNION THAT NATO WOULD NOT BE A THREAT. (OPT) WE DID SEVERAL THINGS. THE FIRST WAS TO SET OUT THE TERMS ABOUT NATO THAT DEMONSTRATED THAT NATO WAS FOR THE SECURITY OF ALL EUROPE. THE LIAISON MISSIONS THAT ACCREDITED THE AMBASSADORS OF THE FORMER WARSAW PACT STATES, INCLUDING THE SOVIET UNION, TO NATO, WAS ONE SUCH STEP. THAT EVOLVED INTO THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE, SHOWING THAT NATO COULD BE AN INSTITUTION THAT REACHED ACROSS THE DIVIDE OF EUROPE, TO WELCOME THOSE NEWLY DEMOCRATIZING STATES INTO A UNIFED EUROPE. SECONDLY, THE GERMANS THEMSELVES TOOK SEVERAL STEPS, INCLUDING REAFFIRMING THEIR DESIRE TO LIVE BY THE TERMS OF THE NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY, NOT TO HAVE BIOLOGICAL, CHEMICAL OR NUCLEAR WEAPONS AS A PART OF THEIR ARSENAL. THE GERMANS ALSO AGREED THAT THEY WOULD LIMIT THE SIZE OF THE BUNDESWEHR. (END OPT) AFTER A LOT OF HARD DIPLOMACY AND STEPS THAT THE WEST TOOK, THE SOVIETS WERE ABLE TO ACCEPT THE UNFICATION OF GERMANY IN NATO AND WE WERE ABLE TO SIGN THE FINAL SETTLEMENT ON GERMANY IN MOSCOW." HOST: THERE SHOULD BE NO MISUNDERSTANDING OF NATO'S MISSION, PROFESSOR RICE SAYS:

TAPE: CUT THREE -- RICE "NATO'S MISSION HAS ALWAYS BEEN TWO-FOLD. FIRST OF ALL, TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THERE CAN BE NO AGGRESSORS IN EUROPE, BUT SECONDARILY, TO PROVIDE A SAFE-HAVEN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY. WE HAVE TO REMEMBER, FOR INSTANCE, THAT IN 1949, THE QUESTION OF THE REARMAMENT OF GERMANY AND ITS INTEGRATION INTO THE MILITARY ALLIANCE WAS PERHAPS AS IMPORTANT AS THE QUESTION OF HOW TO KEEP THE SOVIET UNION AT BAY. SO WHEN ONE THINKS ABOUT NATO IN THAT CONTEXT -- THAT IS, TO CREATE AN INSTITUTION IN WHICH STATES THAT WERE ONCE FORMER ENEMIES CAN ARM THEMSELVES AT RELATIVELY LOWER LEVELS AND PROVIDE COLLECTIVE DEFENSE TO ONE ANOTHER, I THINK THAT WE HAVE A MISSION WELL INTO THE FUTURE." HOST: LIKE THE UNITED GERMANY IN 1990, PROFESSOR RICE SAYS, THE FIRST EAST EUROPEAN NATIONS TO BE ACCEPTED INTO NATO CAN TAKE STEPS WHICH SHOULD REASSURE RUSSIA ABOUT THEIR INTENTIONS:

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- RICE "I BELIEVE THAT POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC ARE VERY CLOSE TO MEETING THE CRITERIA FOR INTEGRATION INTO NATO. (BEGIN OPT) THERE ARE CLEARLY SOME ISSUES CONCERNING DEFENSE READINESS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH A VERY ROUGH TIME IN TERMS OF BUDGETS. THERE ARE CLEARLY EVEN SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT CIVILIAN CONTROL (OF THE MILITARY) THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. (END OPT) THE CENTRAL EUROPEANS MAY WISH TO SAY THAT THEY DO NOT WISH TO BASE NUCLEAR WEAPONS ON THEIR TERRITORY. JUST AS WITH GERMAN UNIFICATION, ANYTHING THAT IS DONE UNILATERALLY AND VOLUNTARILY, I THINK, WOULD HELP TO EASE THE TRANSITION AND EXPANSION OF NATO AND TO ALLAY THE FEARS OF THE RUSSIANS. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS, THE CONVERSATION NEEDS TO START WITH THE RUSSIANS AND IT NEEDS TO START VERY SOON." HOST: IMPROVING RELATIONS WITH ALL OF THE NATIONS OF THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE, PROFESSOR RICE SAYS, SHOULD GO HAND IN HAND WITH THE GRADUAL EXPANSION OF NATO:

TAPE: CUT FIVE -- RICE "I DO BELIEVE THAT WHAT NATO COULD DO AS IT CONTINUES TO EXPAND, IT CAN ALSO HAVE VERY GOOD RELATIONS WITH UKRAINE, VERY GOOD RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA, CONTINUE WITH THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE, INCREASE MEANS FOR COOPERATION WITH THE RUSSIANS, WITH THE UKRAINIANS AND OTHERS. THE KIND OF COOPERATION THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING IN THE BALKANS, FOR INSTANCE, CAN REALLY BE A KIND OF HARBINGER FOR THINGS TO COME AFTER NATO EXPANDS." HOST: THE VIEWS OF CONDOLEZZA RICE, PROVOST OF STANFORD UNIVERSITY AND SPECIALIST ON SOVIET AND EAST EUROPEAN AFFAIRS IN THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL OF FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH. OUR NEXT GUEST ON THIS SERIES OF PROGRAMS ABOUT NATO WILL BE KARL KAISER, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT BONN UNIVERSITY AND AUTHOR OF AN ARTICLE ON NATO IN THE CURRENT ISSUE OF THE BONN JOURNAL, "INTERNATIONALE POLITIK" (EEN-TER-NATS-EE-OH-NAL'-AH PO-LEE-TEEK'). (SIGNED)
NEB/FSR/NES
31-Jul-96 10:36 AM EDT (1436 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S/BOSNIA FORCE (L ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS WITHDRAWING ARMORED UNITS FROM BOSNIA IN A RESTRUCTURING OF THE NATO-LED PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE, I-FOR. THE TANK UNITS WILL BE REPLACED BY MILITARY POLICE BUT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE IN I-FOR'S MANDATE. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS MORE FROM THE PENTAGON (DEFENSE DEPARTMENT).

TEXT: THE PENTAGON SAYS SAY THE ARMORED UNITS ARE BEING REPLACED BY MILITARY POLICE FROM FIVE ARMY BASES IN THE UNITED STATES AS PART OF A PROGRAM TO MAKE I-FOR LIGHTER AND MORE MANUVERABLE IN ITS FINAL MONTHS IN BOSNIA.

THE PULLOUT INVOLVES 300 TANKS AND 14-HUNDRED SOLDIERS, WHO WILL BE RETURNING TO BASES IN GERMANY. ABOUT THE SAME NUMBER OF U-S MILITARY POLICE WILL BE GOING INTO BOSNIA, EQUIPPED WITH "HUMVEE" ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES AND LIGHTER ARMAMENTS MORE SUITABLE FOR PATROL DUTIES.

THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE FIRST ENTERED BOSNIA LAST DECEMBER WITH TANKS, ARTILLERY AND OTHER HEAVY INFANTRY GEAR IN ANTICIPATION OF ATTACKS BY BOSNIAN FACTIONS. BUT THERE WAS NO ARMED RESISTANCE AS I-FOR IMPLEMENTED THE MILITARY TERMS OF THE DAYTON ACCORDS.

I-FOR IS NOW TURNING TO LIGHTER WEAPONS AND VEHICLES FOR ITS NEW DUTIES INCLUDING ENFORCEMENT OF CIVILIAN FREEDOM-OF-MOVEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATORS AND THE COMING ELECTIONS.

THE PENTAGON SAYS THE NUMBER OF U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA HAS DECLINED FROM A HIGH OF ABOUT 19-THOUSAND AT THE START OF THE MISSION TO JUST OVER 15-THOUSAND NOW -- WHILE THE CURRENT OVERALL STRENGTH OF I-FOR IS PUT AT 52-THOUSAND.

NATO HAS RULED OUT ANY LARGE-SCALE REDUCTIONS UNTIL AFTER THE MID-SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS AND IT PROMISES TO STILL HAVE A FULLY CAPABLE FORCE PRESENT AT THE TIME THE I-FOR MANDATE EXPIRES DECEMBER 20TH.

WORD OF THE CHANGES IN I-FOR'S STRUCTURE CAME AS THE NATO-LED FORCE OFFICIALLY GOT A NEW COMMANDER. AT CEREMONIES IN NAPLES, U-S ADMIRAL JOSEPH LOPEZ SUCCEEDED RETIRING ADMIRAL LEIGHTON SMITH AS HEAD OF NATO'S SOUTHERN COMMMAND, WHICH INCLUDES THE BOSNIAN OPERATION.

AT THE CEREMONY, THE ADMIRAL SMITH APPEARED TO TAKE A PARTING SHOT AT CRITICS SEEKING MORE AGGRESSIVE ACTION BY I-FOR AGAINST BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND RATKO MLADIC AND OTHERS INDICTED BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE.

THOSE WHO SHOUT LOUDEST FOR THIS OR THAT ACTION -- ADMIRAL SMITH SAID -- ARE THE ONES WHO BEAR NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES.

FOR HIS PART, ADMIRAL LOPEZ SAID HE IS QUITE COMFORTABLE WITH I-FOR'S CURRENT ORDERS -- UNDER WHICH TROOPS ARE TO DETAIN WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS ONLY IF THEY ENCOUNTER THEM ON PATROL, AND IF THE TACTICAL SITUATION PERMITS.

ADMIRAL LOPEZ, A FORMER TOP NAVY PLANNER AT THE PENTAGON, FLEW TO SARAJEVO AFTER THE INSTALLATION EVENT FOR A ROUND OF MILITARY BRIEFINGS AND MEETINGS WITH BOSNIAN LEADERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/GKT/CF
31-Jul-96 2:39 PM EDT (1839 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARP (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: AN OFFICIAL BOSNIAN SERB DELEGATION SAYS IT WILL COOPERATE WITH THE U-N'S YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. BUT GILLIAN SHARPE IN THE HAGUE REPORTS THE BOSNIAN SERBS -- IN A STATEMENT AFTER THREE DAYS OF MEETINGS WITH TRIBUNAL OFFICIALS -- MADE NO COMMITMENT TO SURRENDER OUSTED BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC TO THE TRIBUNAL.

TEXT: THE FINAL COMMUNIQUE FROM THIS UNPRECEDENTED MEETING BETWEEN BOSNIAN SERBS AND THE TRIBUNAL IS AN OBJECT LESSON IN SAYING VERY LITTLE. THE DOCUMENT DESCRIBES THE MEETINGS AS FRANK AND OPEN, BUT TALKS IN ONLY THE MOST GENERAL TERMS.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS SAY THEY ARE AWARE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT ON BOSNIA. AND THEY PROMISE COOPERATION WITH THE TRIBUNAL. BUT THE MOST CRUCIAL ISSUE FOR PROSECUTORS HERE IS WHETHER THAT COOPERATION WOULD EXTEND TO THE SURRENDER OF RADOVAN KARADZIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC. BOTH MEN HAVE BEEN INDICTED TWICE ON GENOCIDE CHARGES, AND EARLIER THIS MONTH THE TRIBUNAL ISSUED INTERNATIONAL ARREST WARRANTS FOR THEM.

THE ISSUE OF HANDING OVER INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS WAS DISCUSSED, BUT NO SPECIFIC NAMES ARE MENTIONED IN THE STATEMENT. THE BOSNIAN SERBS SAY THEY HAVE LEGAL PROBLEMS WITH SURRENDERING ANY OF THEIR CITIZENS TO THE TRIBUNAL.

THE DELEGATION WAS HEADED BY BOSNIAN SERB JUSTICE MINISTER, MARKO ARSOVIC.

PRINCIPALLY, WE DID NOT TALK ABOUT INDIVIDUAL CASES AND PROCEDURES, BUT WERE TRYING TO ESTABLISH GENERAL METHODS OF COOPERATION. AND WE AGREED TO COOPERATE IN TERMS OF GATHERING EVIDENCE AND IN OTHER WAYS, SO THAT THE TRIBUNAL COULD ACT EFFICIENTLY, SO THAT THE JUDICIARY OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA, WHICH IS DETERMINED TO PUNISH ALL WAR CRIMINALS COULD WORK BETTER, WHETHER THE CRIMES THAT THESE CRIMINALS COMMITTED ARE UNDER THE TRIBUNAL'S JURISDICTION OR NOT.

BOTH SIDES SAY WAR CRIMINALS HAVE TO BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE BEFORE THE RULE OF LAW CAN BE RE-ESTABLISHED IN BOSNIA. FOR THE BOSNIAN SERBS, OBSERVERS SAY, THAT SEEMS TO MEAN BRINGING MORE WAR CRIMES CHARGES AGAINST MUSLIMS.

EARLIER IN THE WEEK, MR. ARSOVIC SAID HIS DELEGATION HAD BROUGHT NEW EVIDENCE OF ATROCITIES COMMITTED AGAINST BOSNIAN SERBS AND THAT THEY WOULD BE PRESSING FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC.

THE COMMUNIQUE MENTIONS NO NAMES. BUT IT SAYS THE SERBS HAVE ASKED FOR THE TRIBUNAL TO INTENSIFY THEIR INVESTIGATIONS OF SEVERAL MASS GRAVE SITES WHICH ARE ALLEGED TO CONTAIN BODIES OF BOSNIAN SERBS.

THE FINAL COMMUNIQUE MAY BE BLAND, BUT OFFICIALS SAY THE VERY FACT OF THIS VISIT IS IMPORTANT. AND IT HAS ONE PRACTICAL OUTCOME. THE TRIBUNAL WILL OPEN A LIASON OFFICE IN REPUBLIKA SRBSKA. BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER THE PROMISES OF COOPERATION ARE CARRIED OUT IN PRACTICE. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/JWH/MMK
31-Jul-96 1:40 PM EDT (1740 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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