Voice of America, 96-08-23

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA ELECTIONS (S-ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

[03] BOSNIA/AGREEMENT (L-ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

[04] GREECE ELECTION (L-ONLY) (CQ) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVAS (ATHENS)

[05] TURKEY / KURDS BY DAUD MAJLIS (WASHINGTON)

[06] U-N WEEK IN REVIEW BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

[07] U-S/KURDISH CEASFIRE (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

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

INTRO: THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT'S RELUCTANCE TO SIGN A GLOBAL TREATY BANNING NUCLEAR TESTING LEADS A WIDE ARRAY OF EDITORIAL SUBJECTS EXAMINED IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: THE LEADERSHIP SITUATION IN RUSSIA; THE WELFARE REFORM BILL PRESIDENT CLINTON SIGNED INTO LAW ON THURSDAY; INCREASING AMERICAN TEENAGE DRUG USE; CURBING TEENAGE TOBACCO USE; U-S WARPLANE SALES TO INDONESIA, AND THE ROSS PEROT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY. NOW, HERE IS __________________ WITH SOME SELECTED QUOTES IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN EXAMINING INDIA'S REFUSAL TO SIGN A GLOBAL TREATY BANNING NUCLEAR TESTING, THE BOSTON GLOBE LOOKS BACK IN HISTORY TO FIND A MAJOR CONTRADICTION IN NEW DELHI POLICY ON THE ISSUE.

VOICE: "FORTY YEARS AGO, INDIA WAS ONE OF THE FIRST NATIONS TO PROPOSE A WORLDWIDE BAN ON THE TESTING OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS. ON TUESDAY, IT DID ITS BEST TO SCUTTLE [DEFEAT] THAT VERY NOTION. THE SOUTH ASIAN NATION'S UNFORTUNATE VETO OF A PROPOSED COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY -- AND THE DISINGENUOUS RATIONALE NEW DELHI PROFFERED FOR ITS ACTION -- REVEALED INDIA'S SUPPOSED DESIRE TO MAKE THE WORLD A SAFER PLACE FOR WHAT IT IS: A SHAM. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS THE RIGHT IDEA IN TRYING TO CIRCUMVENT THE INDIAN ROADBLOCK AND GET THE TREATY DIRECTLY TO THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY."

TEXT: ANOTHER LEADING EAST COAST DAILY, THE BALTIMORE SUN, IS EQUALLY CONCERNING, SAYING THE INDIAN VETO THREATENS NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROLIFERATION:

VOICE: "THE LEFTIST NEW GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MUST FEAR BEING BRANDED AS INSUFFICIENTLY NATIONALIST BY THE HINDU OPPOSITION. SO IT VETOED THE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY... THIS NEED NOT KEEP THE OTHER NATIONS FROM ADOPTING THE TREATY AT THE U-N GENERAL ASSEMBLY. BUT IT KEEPS THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ASIAN NUCLEAR RACE ALIVE, AND IT HOBBLES THE ARMS CONTROL MOVEMENT... THE DANGER FROM NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION IS TOO MENACING FOR ARMS CONTROL TO BE DERAILED BY INDIA'S AMBITIONS."

TEXT: TURNING TO RUSSIA, AND THE GROWING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE KREMLIN LEADERSHIP, ESPECIALLY AS CONCERNS THE CHECHNYA CRISIS, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES REMARKS:

VOICE: "THE CLEAR CHAOS OVER POLICY IN CHECHNYA MUST BE ASSUMED TO STEM FROM [PRESIDENT] YELTSIN'S INABILITY TO CARRY ON WITH HIS WORK BECAUSE OF FAILING HEALTH. WITH [MR.] YELTSIN UNABLE TO EXERCISE LEADERSHIP, RIVALRIES AMONG THOSE WHO HOPE TO INHERIT HIS OFFICE HAVE COME TO THE FORE, AND DISSENSION IN THE UPPER RANKS OF THE MILITARY HAS NOW COME CLOSE TO OPEN MUTINY... THE PRESIDENT'S CONDITION AND THE BREAKDOWN IN CONTROL IT HAS LED TO ARE NOW A CAUSE FOR CONCERN WELL BEYOND THE BORDERS OF THE SHAKEN RUSSIAN FEDERATION."

TEXT: TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST FOCUSES ON A KEY DOMESTIC ISSUE -- THE SWEEPING WELFARE REFORM BILL SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT CLINTON IN A ROSE GARDEN CEREMONY ON THURSDAY.

VOICE: "THE PRESIDENT SAID THE BILL 'RESTORES AMERICA'S BASIC BARGAIN OF PROVIDING OPPORTUNITY AND DEMANDING, IN RETURN, RESPONSIBILITY.' HE PORTRAYS IT AS A BALANCED BILL, BUT IN FACT IT IS NOT. WELFARE RECIPIENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK, BUT WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT JOBS WILL BE AVAILABLE, NOR AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE, NOR THAT THE JOBS WILL BE ONES THE RECIPIENTS CAN REASONABLY BE EXPECTED TO DO; THE LIST [OF WHAT THE POST FEELS ARE INADEQUACIES IN THE BILL] GOES ON."

TEXT: THE MIAMI HERALD IS JUST ONE OF MANY PAPERS UPSET WITH A JUST-RELEASED STUDY REPORTING THAT USE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS AMONG U-S TEENS HAS INCREASED SHARPLY DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS. SAYS THE HERALD:

VOICE: "THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S 'WAR ON DRUGS' CAN'T BE WON IN THE HILLS AND JUNGLES ABROAD IF IT'S LOST IN THE STREETS AND SCHOOLYARDS OF AMERICA. INTERDICTION OF SUPPLIES MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY SUPPRESSION OF DEMAND... EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT ARE THE KEYS TO REVERSING THIS TREND. WILL THE POLITICIANS NOW LOUDLY LAMENTING THIS SURVEY'S OUTCOME SUPPORT FUNDING SUCH PROGRAMS AFTER ELECTION DAY?"

TEXT: SMOKING AMONG AMERICAN TEENAGERS IS ANOTHER MAJOR CONCERN AND PRESIDENT CLINTON IS SCHEDULED TO ANNOUNCE TODAY NEW RESTRICTIONS ON THE ADVERTISING AND SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS. THE PRESIDENT SAYS TOBACCO WILL BE PLACED UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, BECAUSE NICOTINE IS REGARDED AS AN ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCE. THE STATE OF GEORGIA IS A MAJOR TOBACCO PRODUCER, BUT ITS LEADING NEWSPAPER, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, ENDORSES THE CLINTON MOVE.

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON'S APPROVAL OF SWEEPING FEDERAL ... RESTRICTIONS ON TOBACCO WILL MOVE THE NATION CLOSER TO TREATING THIS DANGEROUS PRODUCT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE -- AS CLOSE, [SHOULD BE CLOSELY] PROBABLY, AS POLITICS AND ECONOMICS WILL ALLOW... THE F-D-A HAS MADE THE CASE FOR THIS STRIKE AGAINST TOBACCO. [PRESIDENT] CLINTON SHOULD STAND BY THE AGENCY WHETHER IT'S GOOD POLITICS OR NOT, BECAUSE IT IS GOOD FOR THE HEALTH OF AMERICA'S CHILDREN."

TEXT: INDONESIA HAS SEEN RECURRING PRO-DEMOCRACY PROTESTS IN RECENT WEEKS, PROMPTING A SHARP CRACKDOWN BY GOVERNMENT SECURITY FORCES. THE NEW YORK TIMES TODAY TAKES NOTE OF THE JAKARTA GOVERNMENT'S ACTIONS IN URGING THE UNITED STATES TO PUT OFF SELLING NEW F-16 JET FIGHTERS TO INDONESIA.

VOICE: "THIS IS NO TIME TO BE SELLING HIGH-PERFORMANCE WARPLANES TO INDONESIA... SELLING FIGHTER JETS TO INDONESIA BEFORE (PRESIDENT) SUHARTO INSTITUTES SERIOUS POLITICAL REFORMS WOULD SEEM A BLANKET AMERICAN ENDORSEMENT OF AN AUTOCRATIC AND CORRUPT GOVERNMENT. IT WOULD THROW AWAY ONE OF WASHINGTON'S FEW CLEAR OPPORTUNITIES TO PRESS INDONESIA'S LEADERS FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE."

TEXT: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL IS WORRIED ABOUT THE INCREASE IN VIGILANTE JUSTICE IN SOUTH AFRICA AS RESIDENTS OF CAPE TOWN ATTACK ALLEGED DRUG DEALERS. SAYS THE JOURNAL:

VOICE: "THE VIGILANTE VIOLENCE ... SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SIMPLY PURGE THE EVILS OF APARTHEID-ERA RULE IN SOUTH AFRICA. CIVIL SOCIETY, AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, MUST BE GROUNDED IN RESPECT FOR THE RULE OF LAW."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE REEMERGENCE OF THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE ROSS PEROT IN THE U-S PRESIDENTIAL RACE, TODAY'S ORLANDO SENTINEL SUGGESTS HIS TIME HAS PASSED. THE PAPER SAYS THE TEXAS BILLIONAIRE "RISKS BECOMING A PARODY OF HIMSELF, BECAUSE HE CONTINUES TO RAIL [PROTEST] AGAINST PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN FIXED OR ARE BEING ADDRESSED." COUNSELS THE SENTINEL:

VOICE: "MR. PEROT SHOULD ACCEPT THAT HE HELPED MOVE THE NATIONAL DEBATE IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION AND RETIRE GRACEFULLY FROM THE SCENE..."

TEXT: AND ON THAT POLITICAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/PCH
23-Aug-96 11:35 AM EDT (1535 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA ELECTIONS (S-ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA ARE CONSIDERING CANCELLING ELECTIONS FOR MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES, IN RESPONSE TO MANIPULATION OF VOTER REGISTRATION BY SERBIA AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS. THE RULING MUSLIM PARTY IN BOSNIA HAS CALLED FOR THE SCHEDULED MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS TO BE SCRAPPED AND HAS DEMANDED SWEEPING CHANGES TO VOTER REGISTRATION RULES ONLY THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE ELECTION. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: IN WHAT OFFICIALS DESCRIBE AS A CAREFULLY CALCULATED MANEUVER, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SERB REFUGEES NOW LIVING IN SERBIA HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN TOWNS IN SERB TERRITORY THAT HAD A PRE-WAR MUSLIM MAJORITY. THE MOVE SHOULD PREVENT MUSLIMS FROM WINNING CONTROL OF ANY OF THOSE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.

THE SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ELECTION ORGANIZERS, AGGIE KUPERMAN, SAYS WHILE ELECTIONS FOR NATIONAL OFFICES WILL STILL GO AHEAD, OFFICIALS ARE URGENTLY CONSIDERING CANCELLING ELECTIONS FOR MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.

THE PROVISIONAL ELECTION COMMISSION IS MEETING AS OF NOW TO DETERMINE WHAT THEY MIGHT DECIDE ABOUT THOSE STATISTICS.

THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE RULING MUSLIM PARTY, THE S-D-A, SAYS MUNICIPAL VOTING MUST BE CANCELLED. IT IS INSISTING NO ONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE IN PLACES EXCEPT WHERE THEY LIVED BEFORE THE WAR. S-D-A OFFICIALS ARE THREATENING AN ELECTION BOYCOTT IF THE DEMANDS ARE NOT MET. ELECTION ORGANIZERS SAY THEY EXPECT A DECISION ON CANCELLING THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS TO BE ANNOUNCED ON SATURDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/DF/PCF/CF
23-Aug-96 8:38 AM EDT (1238 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA/AGREEMENT (L-ONLY) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: OFFICIALS FROM CROATIA AND SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA HAVE SIGNED A MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO FORMER ENEMIES. THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED IN BELGRADE BY THE FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM BOTH SIDES, AND ENDS FIVE YEARS OF HOSTILITY SINCE CROATIA DECLARED INDEPENDENCE FROM THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA IN 1991. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE ACCORD BETWEEN THE TWO FORMERLY BITTER ENEMIES IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARD REGIONAL STABILIZATION IN THE WAR-TORN BALKANS.

THE AGREEMENT ON MUTUAL RECOGNITION BY BOTH STATES WAS FIRST REVEALED AT A MEETING IN GREECE LAST MONTH BETWEEN CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN AND SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE TWO LONG-TIME RIVALS AGREED TO END THEIR DISPUTE AND ACCELERATE THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT LED TO FRIDAY'S SIGNING OF THE DEAL IN BELGRADE.

BUT THE AGREEMENT APPARENTLY LEAVES SEVERAL KEY PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE TWO STATES UNRESOLVED. THE STATUS OF THE PREVLAKA PENINSULA ON THE ADRIATIC HAS IN THE PAST CAUSED ENORMOUS TENSION BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. THE PENINSULA CONTROLS ACCESS TO THE KEY NAVY PORT ON THE COAST. USING VAGUE DIPLOMATIC LANGUAGE THE SERB-LED YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT SAYS THE NEW AGREEMENT "OPENS POSSIBILITIES FOR ACHIEVING MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE SOLUTIONS REGARDING TERRITORIAL ISSUES IN FURTHER TALKS."

OTHER PROBLEMS CONCERN LEGAL SUCCESSION -- THAT IS PRIMARILY A DEBATE OVER WHO GETS WHICH ASSETS OF THE OLD YUGOSLAVIA, AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WHICH DEBTS. ALSO AT ISSUE ARE QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF SERBS STILL LIVING IN CROATIA AND THE RIGHT OF SERBS WHO FLED LAST YEAR TO RETURN.

[04] GREECE ELECTION (L-ONLY) (CQ) BY ANTHEE CARASSAVAS (ATHENS)

INTRO: A MONTH-LONG ELECTION CAMPAIGN HAS BEGUN IN GREECE AFTER A DECISION BY PRIME MINISTER COSTAS SIMITIS TO TAKE VOTERS ON A TRIP TO THE POLLS SEPTEMBER 22ND. ANTHEE CARASSAVAS REPORTS FROM ATHENS THAT THE SOCIALIST LEADER WANTS TO WIN A POPULAR MANDATE TO PRESS AHEAD WITH HIS PLANS FOR MUCH-NEEDED REFORMS.

TEXT: PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS CALLED FOR A SNAP VOTE TO CONFRONT WHAT HE CALLED VITAL ECONOMIC AND FOREIGN POLICY CHALLENGES FACING THE NATION.

COINING THE PHRASE "VOTE FOR A STRONGER GREECE," MR. SIMITIS TOLD VOTERS IN TELEVISED ANNOUNCEMENTS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY THAT HE NEEDS A PUBLIC MANDATE TO PRESS FULL-STEAM AHEAD WITH REFORMS IN THE NATION'S WEAK ECONOMY. THE 60-YEAR-OLD SOCIALIST REFORMER WARNED OF, WHAT HE CALLED, "EUROPEAN ISOLATION" IF GREECE DID NOT MEET UP TO THE STRICT CRITERIA SET BY THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR A UNIFIED ECONOMY AND SINGLE CURRENCY BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.

ON THE FOREIGN POLICY FRONT, MR. SIMITIS ARGUED THAT A STRONGER GREECE MEANT A STRONGER DEFENSE SHIELD AND DIPLOMACY AGAINST ITS ARCH-RIVAL, TURKEY. GREECE AND TURKEY CAME CLOSE TO WAR EARLIER THIS YEAR AFTER CONFLICTING CLAIMS TO A BARREN ISLE IN THE SOUTHEAST AEGEAN SEA. SINCE THEN, BOTH NATO ALLIES HAVE EXCHANGED SCATHING DIATRIBES AND SIMMERING TENSION BREWED TO A BOIL LAST WEEK WHEN TWO GREEK CYPRIOTS WERE KILLED BY TURKISH FORCES ON THE WAR-DIVIDED ISLAND OF CYPRUS.

BRANDING TURKEY AS "THE GREATEST DESTABILIZING FORCE IN SOUTHEAST EUROPE", PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS HINTED THAT HE WAS DETERMINED TO PRESS AHEAD WITH AN AMBITIOUS ARMAMENT PLAN. HE SAID A DEFENSE STRATEGY WOULD BE COUPLED WITH AN OFFENSIVE DIPLOMATIC CAMPAIGN AGAINST, WHAT HE CALLED, TURKISH PROVOCATIVENESS AND BARBARISM.

MR. SIMITIS IS A MILD-MANNERED LAWYER AND ECONOMIST, WAS ELECTED PRIME MINISTER IN JANUARY BY SOCIALIST PARLIAMENTARIANS WHO VOTED TO REPLACE MR. PAPANDREOU. SINCE THEN, MR. SIMITIS HAS BEEN RULING THE NATION WITHOUT A POPULAR MANDATE.

WITH HIS POPULARITY RIDING AT 70 PERCENT AND THE CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION PARTY IN COMPLETE DISARRAY, SOCIALISTS PREDICT A LANDSLIDE VICTORY. ANALYSTS, HOWEVER, ARE WARY OF RECENT POLLS SHOWING MORE THAN 60 PERCENT OF THE GREEK VOTERS OPPOSED TO AN EARLY TRIP TO THE BALLOT BOX. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/PCF/MMK
23-Aug-96 12:42 PM EDT (1642 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] TURKEY / KURDS BY DAUD MAJLIS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A FORMER U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SAYS THE KURDISH ISSUE IS A PROBLEM FOR TURKEY AND AGGRAVATED BY A POPULATION OF KURDISH ORIGIN THAT IS GROWING FASTER THAN THE POPULATION OF THE TURKISH ETHNIC GROUP. VOA'S DAUD MAJLIS EXAMINES HOW TURKEY IS TACKLING THE PROBLEM.

TEXT: GEORGE HARRIS ESTIMATES TURKEY'S KURDISH POPULATION AT ABOUT 20 PERCENT AND HE SAYS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE KURDS IN TURKEY ARE INTEGRATED INTO THE POLITICAL SYSTEM.

MR. HARRIS SAYS AMONG THE KURDS THERE IS A SENSE OF KURDISH SOLIDARITY AND MANY VOTE FOR KURDISH PARTY CANDIDATES BUT THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY ENTIRELY DISTINCTIVE IN THEIR POLITICAL BEHAVIOR.

MR. HARRIS WAS DIRECTOR OF ANALYSIS FOR NEAR EAST AND SOUTH ASIA BEFORE HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT. HE DID GRADUATE WORK IN TURKEY, WORKED IN ANKARA AS A DIPLOMAT AND HAS WRITTEN A NUMBER OF BOOKS ON TURKEY. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH VOA HE DESCRIBED TURKEY'S KURDISH POPULATION, INCLUDING A GROUP THAT IS MORE EXTREME.

THERE IS A TERRORIST GROUP -- THE P-K-K -- WHICH IS TRYING TO OVERTURN THE SYSTEM. WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT P-K-K'S ULTIMATE AIM IS. PROBABLY IT IS TO CREATE A SEPARATE KURDISH STATE ALTHOUGH ABDULLAH OCALAN, THE LEADER OF THE P-K-K, DOES NOT OPENLY ADVOCATE A COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE. HE SAYS HE WANTS A FEDERAL STATE WHERE THE KURDS AND TURKS WILL ENTER INTO THE STATE WITH EQUAL POLITICAL RIGHTS.

MR. HARRIS SAYS THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT RESISTS ANY SUCH ANTI-NATIONAL PROGRAM AND THE GOVERNMENT CARRIES OUT MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST GUERRILLA BANDS OPERATED BY THE P-K-K IN PARTS OF EASTERN TURKEY.

MR. HARRIS SAID THE MAJORITY OF THE KURDISH POPULATION LIVES IN WESTERN TURKEY AND IS NOT PART OF THE TERRORIST OR GUERRILLA CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.

MR. HARRIS SAID ALTHOUGH TURKEY OPPOSES AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE THE GOVERNMENT IN ANKARA ENDORSES THE U-S POLICY TO PROTECT KURDS IN NORTHERN IRAQ -- AN AREA THAT MAY BECOME THE NUCLEUS OF A KURDISH STATE, INSPIRING KURDS IN TURKEY, IRAN AND SYRIA.

HE SAID TRADITIONALLY TURKEY HAS ALWAYS OPPOSED KURDISH AUTONOMY IN NORTHERN IRAQ BECAUSE ANKARA THOUGHT THAT, IN HIS WORDS, "IT MIGHT BECOME A BEACON FOR SIMILAR MOVEMENT AMONG THEIR OWN KURDS."

BUT I THINK THAT FIRST OF ALL (THE TURKS) RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS A STRONG U-S INTEREST TO PREVENT SADDAM HUSSEIN'S BAGHDAD REGIME FROM CONTROLLING THE KURDISH AREA IN THE NORTH OF IRAQ BECAUSE OF HIS SAVAGE REPRESSIVE POLICIES AGAINST THAT. SO FROM A HUMAN RIGHTS PERSPECTIVE THE UNITED STATES WISHES TO SEE THAT POPULATION PRESERVED. SO TURKEY, I THINK, TAKES IT VERY SERIOUSLY THAT IT'S THE UNITED STATES AND OTHERS OF ITS WESTERN ALLIES, THE FRENCH AND THE BRITISH WHO BELIEVE THAT NORTHERN IRAQ MUST HAVE INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION.

FORMER STATE DEPARTMENT ANALYST GEORGE HARRIS SAID THE TURKS HAVE ALSO SEEN THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO WORK WITH SOME OF THE KURDISH PARTIES IN NORTHERN IRAQ. HE SAID TURKEY PERHAPS BELIEVES THAT IF IT DEALS WITH ONE KURDISH GROUP AGAINST ANOTHER IT WILL EVENTUALLY WEAKEN THE WHOLE KURDISH MOVEMENT. (SIGNED)
NEA/DM/CF
23-Aug-96 11:35 AM EDT (1535 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] U-N WEEK IN REVIEW BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: ISSUES CONCERNING BURUNDI, CAMBODIA AND IRAQ DOMINATED DISCUSSIONS AT THE UNITED NATIONS OVER THE PAST WEEK. FROM NEW YORK, V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON FILES A REVIEW OF THE WEEK'S EVENTS AT THE UNITED NATIONS.

TEXT: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE SUMMER CALM TO BRING UP AN ISSUE IT HAS NOT DISCUSSED FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS: THE SITUATION IN CAMBODIA. U-N SPOKESMAN AHMED FAWZI TOLD REPORTERS THE UNITED NATIONS HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO ASSIST THE COUNTRY IN COORDINATING ITS DISTRICT ELECTIONS IN 1997 AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN 1998. MR. FAWZI SAYS IN RESPONSE THE U-N DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS, D-P-A, HAS SENT A SPECIAL TEAM TO CAMBODIA.

SO IN RESPONSE TO THIS WE HAVE SENT A MISSION WHICH IS CALLED A "NEED ASSESSMENT MISSION," THEY GO TO ASSESS THE NEED ON THE GROUND, FROM D-P-A'S ELECTORAL DIVISION. SO, WE HAVE A TEAM CURRENTLY IN CAMBODIA FOR CONSULTATION WITH THE CAMBODIAN AUTHORITIES AND ELECTORAL EXPERTS FROM DONOR COUNTRIES.

THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZED CAMBODIA'S LAST ELECTIONS IN 1993, WHICH RESULTED IN THE COALITION GOVERNMENT NOW IN POWER. MORE THAN 20-THOUSAND U-N PEACEKEEPERS AND OTHER STAFF WERE MOBILIZED TO MAINTAIN ORDER. EXPERTS SAY U-N INVOLVEMENT IS ESSENTIAL FOR PREVENTING THE KHMER ROUGE GUERRILLA GROUP FROM DISRUPTING THE POLLS.

THE SITUATION IN BURUNDI WAS ALSO HIGHLIGHTED DURING THE WEEK WITH THE RELEASE OF A SPECIAL REPORT BY U-N SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI. HE DOCUMENTED THE CONTINUING TENSION BETWEEN HUTU AND TUTSI ETHNIC GROUPS, FOLLOWING LAST MONTH'S COUP, WHICH BROUGHT TUTSI LEADER MAJOR PIERRE BUYOYA TO POWER. MR. BOUTROS-GHALI WARNED THAT MILITARY INTERVENTION MAY BE NECESSARY TO PREVENT GENOCIDE AS THOUSANDS OF HUTU REFUGEES PREPARE TO RETURN TO THE COUNTRY.

THE UNITED NATIONS HAS BEEN TRYING TO GATHER SUPPORT TO ESTABLISH A MILITARY INTERVENTION FORCE FOR BURUNDI, BUT HAS SO FAR FAILED TO MEET ITS OBJECTIVES.

AND THE WEEK ENDED WITH THE REVIVAL OF ONE OF THE LONGEST-RUNNING ISSUES AT THE UNITED NATIONS: THE SEARCH FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN IRAQ. ON FRIDAY, THE SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDED IRAQ COMPLY WITH U-N RESOLUTIONS ALLOWING A SPECIAL COMMISSION TO INSPECT THE COUNTRY'S MILITARY AND OTHER FACILITIES.

SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT TONO EITEL WARNED THAT IF IRAQ FAILS TO COMPLY, IT RISKS SETTING BACK ANY PROGRESS MADE TOWARDS THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS IMPOSED AFTER ITS 1990 INVASION OF KUWAIT.

THE COUNCIL REMINDS THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAQ THAT ONLY FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE RELEVANT RESOLUTIONS WILL ENABLE THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION TO PRESENT HIS REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION "C" OF RESOLUTION SIX-EIGHT-SEVEN OF 1991. THE COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO CONSIDER HOW BEST TO ENSURE IRAQ'S FULL COMPLIANCE.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL STATEMENT FOLLOWS CHARGES THAT IRAQ HAS BEEN CONCEALING WEAPONS AND MATERIALS BY MOVING THEM JUST BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF INSPECTORS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/KL
23-Aug-96 3:58 PM EDT (1958 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S/KURDISH CEASFIRE (S-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE TWO MAIN KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ HAVE AGREED TO A CEASEFIRE AFTER A WEEK OF BITTER FIGHTING THAT IS SAID TO HAVE LEFT SEVERAL HUNDRED COMBATANTS ON EACH SIDE DEAD OR WOUNDED. LEADERS OF THE TWO GROUPS WILL HOLD U-S MEDIATED RECONCILIATION TALKS NEXT MONTH. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE LEADERS OF THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN HAVE AGREED TO END HOSTILITIES, AND RETURN THEIR FORCES TO POSITIONS HELD BEFORE THE VIOLENCE BEGAN LAST SATURDAY.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT SAID THE FACTIONAL CHIEFS WILL MEET NEXT MONTH WITH U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE ROBERT PELLETREAU TO SOLIDIFY THE CEASE-FIRE AND PURSUE RECONCILIATION.

THE OUTBREAK OF FIGHTING LAST WEEK SHATTERED A 17-MONTH REGIONAL TRUCE BROKERED BY THE UNITED STATES AND RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT A POSSIBLE BROADER CONFLICT.

THE KURDISH DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAD ACCUSED ITS RIVAL -- THE PATRIOTIC UNION -- OF GETTING IRANIAN SUPPORT IN THE FIGHTING. IN AN APPARENT REFERENCE TO IRAN, THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAID OUTSIDE INTERVENTION TO INFLAME AND MANIPULATE THE CONFLICT MUST END.

THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN AND FRANCE HAVE CONDUCTED AIR PATROLS OVER NORTHERN IRAQ SINCE THE END OF THE GULF WAR TO PREVENT THE SADDAM HUSSEIN REGIME IN BAGHDAD FROM MOVING AGAINST THE KURDISH POPULATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/DG/KL
NEB/DAG
23-Aug-96 6:17 PM EDT (2217 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article