Compact version |
|
Friday, 22 November 2024 | ||
|
Voice of America, 96-10-29Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=10/29/96TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-09853 TELEPHONE=619-3335 EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES CONTENT=_ INTRO: FROM PORTLAND, MAINE, TO PORTLAND, OREGON, THE NATION'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS ARE ALIVE THIS TUESDAY MORNING WITH COMMENT ON THE UNHAPPY STORY OF THE SECURITY GUARD WHO WAS FIRST A HERO AND THEN A SUSPECTED VILLAIN IN THE ATLANTA OLYMPIC BOMBING. HE HAS NOW BEEN CLEARED BY THE F-B-I. IN OTHER COLUMNS, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE PICKS UP ANOTHER ENDORSEMENT, BUT GET HARSH CRITICISM FOR HIS CAMPAIGN ATTACKS ON BILL CLINTON. OTHER EDITORAL TOPICS INCLUDE THE DELAY ON THE ISRAELI TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM HEBRON; THE BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING FORCE AND PLANS TO EXPAND NATO. NOW, HERE IS __________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: FOR ALMOST THREE MONTHS, THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION EXAMINED THE LIFE OF PRIVATE SECURITY GUARD RICHARD JEWELL, THE MAN WHO DISCOVERED THE BOMB AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN ATLANTA AND WAS MOVING PEOPLE AWAY FROM THE DEVICE WHEN IT EXPLODED. ONE PERSON WAS KILLED DIRECTLY BY THE BLAST, ANOTHER DIED OF A HEART ATTACK, AND MORE THAN 100 WERE INJURED. FIRST CONSIDERED A HERO, MR. JEWELL WAS QUICKLY VILIFIED BY THE NEWS MEDIA AFTER HE WAS REPORTED TO BE A PRIME SUSPECT BY THE F-B-I. ALTHOUGH NEVER CHARGED WITH ANY CRIME, HIS APARTMENT AND VEHICLE WERE SEARCHED, AND HE WAS FOLLOWED EVERYWHERE BY F-B-I AGENTS -- AND THE MEDIA -- FOR MONTHS. NOW THE FEDERAL AGENCY HAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED HE IS NO LONGER A SUSPECT. IN AN EMOTIONAL NEWS CONFERENCE MONDAY, MR. JEWELL RESPONDED. HIS STORY HAS DRAWN A VARIETY OF EDITORIAL RESPONSES. IN PORTLAND, THE OREGONIAN SAYS: VOICE: "... THERE'S NO HAPPY ENDING FOR [MR.] JEWELL. HIS REPUTATION HAS BEEN RUINED BY THE LEAKS LAW-ENFORCEMENT FOLKS PUT OUT AND THE PRESS PUBLISHED... IT LOOKS LIKE A TERRIBLE WRONG WAS DONE HERE, AND [MR.] JEWELL HAS NOWHERE TO GO TO GET HIS REPUTATION BACK. [OPT] REGRETTABLY, THE MAN DIDN'T GET SO MUCH AS A APOLOGY FROM THE GOVERNMENT IN SATURDAY'S LETTER. [TELLING HIM HE WAS NO LONGER A SUSPECT.]" [END OPT] TEXT: ACROSS THE NATION, IN MAINE, THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD IS ALSO UPSET WITH THE FEDERAL POLICE AGENCY, NOTING: VOICE: "NOW COMES THIS QUESTION: WHO IN THE F-B-I -- OR THE MEDIA THAT MADE [MR.] JEWELL'S NAME A HOUSEHOLD WORD WITHIN HOURS -- CAN PUT HIS REPUTATION TOGETHER AGAIN? ULTIMATELY, THAT TASK FALLS TO ALL OF US, WHO BELIEVE A PERSON IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY." TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS SUFFICIENTLY UPSET TO LEAD ITS EDITORIALS WITH THIS COMMENTARY, CALLING MR. JEWELL'S HOUNDING "THE F-B-I'S LATEST LAPSE." VOICE: "... THE MORE IMPORTANT STORY HERE IS THE CONDUCT OF THE F-B-I. ... [WHICH] LOOKS VERY MUCH LIKE AN AGENCY THAT HAS NOT LEARNED FROM THE EXCESSES OF THE 60S AND 70S. THOSE WERE YEARS WHEN [F-B-I CHIEF] J. EDGAR HOOVER ROUTINELY ORDERED ILLEGAL SURVEILLANCE OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND ANTI-WAR PROTESTERS OR USED PRIVILEGED INFORMATION TO CRIPPLE THE CAREERS OF PEOPLE WHOSE POLITICS OR PERSONALITIES DISPLEASED HIM... MR. JEWELL WOUND UP IN THE NEWSPAPERS AND ON TELEVISION BECAUSE THE F-B-I ... PUT HIS IDENTITY IN PLAY. [OPT] THE ATLANTA JOURNAL, CONFRONTED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT A MAN BEING PRESENTED AS A HERO WAS AN F-B-I SUSPECT, SHARED ITS KNOWLEDGE WITH ITS READERS... IN OUR VIEW THE JOURNAL WAS NOT IRRESPONSIBLE IN ITS HANDLING OF THE JEWELL STORY. ... THE REAL ABUSE IN THE CASE LAY ... IN THE CONDUCT OF THAT [F-B-I] INVESTIGATION." TEXT: [OPT] TUESDAY'S WASHINGTON POST SAYS THE BEHAVIOR OF THE MEDIA IN THE JEWELL CASE, IN ITS WORDS, "LEFT MUCH TO BE DESIRED," WHILE THE MIAMI HERALD ASKS: VOICE: "WITH [MR.] JEWELL CLEARED, THE OLYMPIC PARK BOMBING STILL POSES GNAWING QUESTIONS: WHO? WHY? [BOTH IN ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] WE MAY NEVER KNOW." TEXT: REPUBLICAN BOB DOLE HAS PICKED UP ANOTHER ENDORSEMENT FROM A MAJOR NEWSPAPER, FLORIDA'S ORLANDO SENTINEL. IN TUESDAY'S EDITIONS, THE SENTINEL SAYS A KEY REASON FOR ITS CHOICE "IS THAT BOB DOLE SEES MORE CLEARLY THAT GOVERNMENT'S ROLE SHOULD DIMINISH, NOT EXPAND." VOICE: "WITH MR. DOLE, RESPONSIBILITY RESTS MORE WITH INDIVIDUALS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS. THAT'S AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION BECAUSE, IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TO BE REINED IN, INDIVIDUALS MUST SHOULDER MORE OF THE BURDEN... MR. DOLE ... IS A MONUMENT TO SELF-RELIANCE... HE HAS DEVOTED HIMSELF TO PUBLIC SERVICE, RISING TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THE U-S SENATE. THROUGHOUT HIS 35 YEARS IN CONGRESS, HE HAS FOUGHT TO RESTRICT GOVERNMENT INTRUSION, ENCOURAGING PRIVATE, INDIVIDUAL ACTION WHEREVER POSSIBLE." TEXT: ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY IS SHARPLY CRITICAL OF THE ATTACKS MR. DOLE HAS VOICED AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON IN THE CLOSING DAYS OF THE CAMPAIGN. VOICE: "[MR.] DOLE HAS POUNDED ON THE MEDIA -- WITH WHOM HE HAD WARM RELATIONS DURING HIS SENATE YEARS -- FOR SUPPOSEDLY TRYING TO 'STEAL' THE ELECTION FOR [PRESIDENT] CLINTON. HIS RED-MEAT [VICIOUS] ATTACKS HAVE MOVED SOME IN HIS CROWDS TO MENACE JOURNALISTS TRAVELING WITH THE CAMPAIGN. MORE UNSEEMLY IS [MR.] DOLE'S INSISTENCE ON TAKING THE VOTERS TO TASK [CRITICIZING THEM] FOR NOT SEEING THINGS HIS WAY, AS IF CITIZENS ARE IGNORANT OR NEED TO BE SHAKEN FROM A DELUSION... [OPT] [MR. DOLE ... OWES IT TO HIMSELF TO SUMMON UP HIS BETTER SIDE TO SHOW THE NATION DURING THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS." [END OPT] TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES IS CONCERNED BY WHAT IT CALLS THE "DANGEROUS DELAY" ON WITHDRAWING ISRAELI TROOPS FROM HEBRON IN THE WEST BANK. VOICE: "JUST A FEW DAYS AGO ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN NEGOTIATORS SEEMED CLOSE TO AGREEMENT ON WITHDRAWING ISRAELI TROOPS FROM MOST OF THE WEST BANK CITY OF HEBRON, AS CALLED FOR IN THE OSLO PEACE AGREEMENTS. BUT NOW THE TALKS HAVE STALLED... AN AGREEMENT STILL SEEMS WITHIN REACH. BUT GIVEN THE HIGH POTENTIAL FOR VIOLENCE IN THE REGION, FURTHER DELAY IS DANGEROUS. [OPT] ... A SUCCESSFUL REDEPLOYMENT OF ISRAELI TROOPS IN HEBRON CAN CREATE THE CONFIDENCE AND GOOD WILL NEEDED TO ALLOW RESUMED NEGOTIATING PROGRESS IN OTHER AREAS." [END OPT] TEXT: ABOUT THE INCREASING CONCEPT THAT U-S AND OTHER PEACEKEEPING TROOPS WILL BE NEEDED IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA LONG AFTER THE PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED DECEMBER WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE, TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST SAYS: VOICE: "GOOD. FROM THE BEGINNING, IT WAS A BAD IDEA TO SET AN ARBITRARY AND UNREAL DEADLINE ON THIS IMPORTANT BUT UNCERTAIN PROJECT... ANOTHER TERM [OF INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING] WILL GIVE BOSNIANS A BIT MORE OF A CHANCE TO PUT THEIR LIVES BACK TOGETHER. IT IS TOO SOON TO LET GO." TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE ISSUE OF INVITING FORMER WARSAW PACT STATES TO JOIN NATO AND THAT ISSUE'S RELEVANCE TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER SAYS: VOICE: "IT'S ALL VERY WELL FOR MESSERS CLINTON AND DOLE TO COURT ETHNIC VOTERS WITH PLEDGES TO EXPAND NATO. BUT AFTER THE ELECTION, SOMEONE OWES AMERICANS A CLEARER EXPLANATION OF WHAT EXPANDING NATO REALLY MEANS. TEXT: WITH THAT, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME
EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
[02] BOSNIA / U-S / GERMANY (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)DATE=10/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-205270 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: GERMANY'S DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS HE EXPECTS EUROPEAN NATIONS TO TAKE A BIGGER SHARE OF THE PEACEKEEPING DUTIES IN BOSNIA WHEN THE CURRENT NATO FORCE WITHDRAWS. V-O-A'S KYLE KING IN BONN REPORTS THE GERMAN OFFICIAL ALSO SAID HE IS OPTIMISTIC AMERICAN TROOPS ALSO WILL TAKE PART. TEXT: GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER VOLKER RUEHE WAS IN AUSTRALIA WHEN HE SAID HE IS VERY OPTIMISTIC THE UNITED STATES WILL TAKE PART IN A NEW NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE. THE MANDATE OF THE CURRENT NATO-LED IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IN BOSNIA RUNS OUT DECEMBER 20TH, AND MILITARY PLANNERS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT A NEW FORCE MIGHT LOOK LIKE. PRESIDENT CLINTON, WHO IS IN THE MIDST OF AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN, HAS REFUSED TO SAY IF U-S GROUND TROOPS WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A ROLE IN BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING DUTIES. BUT THE GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER'S COMMENTS ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF MOST ANALYSTS WHO EXPECT U-S TROOPS TO PLAY AN ACTIVE PART IN ANY NEW FORCE. DEFENSE MINISTER RUEHE SAYS RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING DUTIES SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED A REQUIREMENT. MR. RUEHE SAYS HE EXPECTS EUROPEAN NATIONS TO PLAY A LARGER ROLE IN THE FUTURE, AND HE SAYS A JOINT GERMAN-FRENCH TASK FORCE WILL PROBABLY HAVE A MAJOR ROLE. THE GERMAN DEFENSE MINISTER SAID HE EXPECTED GERMAN TROOPS WOULD BE WELL ARMED AND BE ORGANIZED UNDER A FRENCH-LED DIVISION. ALTHOUGH GERMANY HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO DEPLOY TROOPS OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY, MR. RUEHE SAYS THERE IS A GROWING CONSENSUS THAT IT WOULD BE IMMORAL NOT TO HELP PREVENT NEW MASSACRES. U-S ANALYSTS SAY THEY DO NOT EXPECT ANY DECISION ABOUT FUTURE
AMERICAN PARTICIPATION IN BOSNIA UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION.
HOWEVER, MOST ANALYSTS SAY WITH GERMANY, FRANCE AND OTHER NATIONS
ALREADY COMMITTED TO THE NEW MISSION, IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR
THE UNITED STATES TO REFUSE. (SIGNED)
[03] BOSNIA: THE KARADZIC MANDATE BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)DATE=10/29/96TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-34824 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: IT HAS BEEN NEARLY ONE YEAR SINCE A NATO FORCE WAS SENT TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. YET, THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING NATO'S FAILURE TO ARREST INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS SURFACED AGAIN THIS WEEK. AN AMERICAN PROFESSOR WHO RECENTLY RETURNED FROM BOSNIA SAYS HE SAW INTERNATIONAL POLICE IGNORE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ARREST INDICTED BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR REPORTS: TEXT: CHARLES INGRAO (IN-GRAY-OH) IS A PROFESSOR OF HISTORY AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY IN INDIANA, WHO SPECIALIZES IN CENTRAL EUROPE. HE WAS IN SARAJEVO EARLIER THIS MONTH TO DELIVER A LECTURE AT THE NATO IFOR (INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPERS) HEADQUARTERS, WHEN HE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO THE NEARBY BOSNIAN SERB TOWN OF PALE. ON THE WAY, PROFESSOR INGRAO SAYS, THE HOME OF MR. KARADZIC WAS POINTED OUT TO HIM NOT FAR FROM THEIR DESTINATION, THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL POLICE TASK FORCE OR I-P-T-F. MR. INGRAO ASKED ONE OF INTERNATIONAL POLICE OFFICERS IF MR. KARADZIC HAPPENED TO PASS BY, WOULD THEY ARREST HIM? // INGRAO ACT # 1 //HE SAID, "THAT IS NOT IN OUR MANDATE AND WE DON'T HAVE THE WEAPONS TO DO IT." ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES, LATER I SAW A YUGOSLAV PEOPLE'S ARMY JEEP DRIVING DOWN THE STREET FROM KARADZIC'S HEADQUARTERS TOWARDS PALE. I WALKED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, ABOUT 20 FEET FROM THE I-P-T-F BUILDING AND I LOOKED IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE JEEP AS IT WENT ABOUT AT ABOUT 40 KILOMETERS AN HOUR, AND IN THE BACK WERE TWO YOUNG SOLDIERS WITH NO HEAVY WEAPONS. AND IN THE FRONT WAS RADOVAN KARADZIC, THE CLASSIC HAIRDO -- THERE CAN'T BE TWO PEOPLE IN BOSNIA WHO LOOK LIKE THAT. // END ACK //PROFESSOR INGRAO DISMISSED ARGUMENTS THAT THERE WAS RISK OF VIOLENT SERB RETALIATION IF INTERNATIONAL FORCES ATTEMPTED TO TAKE KARADZIC. // INGRAO ACK # 2 //I SAW TWO BOSNIAN SERBS POLICE OFFICERS WITH PISTOLS ONLY. SO IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN ONLY A FEW PEOPLE, NO HEAVY WEAPONS -- AND AGAIN, THERE WERE OPEN FIELDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE I-P-T-F HEADQUARTERS THAT COULD EASILY ACCOMMODATE SEVERAL HELICOPTERS. // END ACK //PROFESSOR INGRAO SAYS EVERY SOLDIER AND POLICE OFFICER HE TALKED TO TOLD HIM IT WAS A POLITICAL DECISION TAKEN IN WASHINGTON -- THAT THE U-S PRESIDENT DOES NOT WANT TO RISK TAKING AMERICAN CASUALTIES IN AN ELECTION YEAR. ASKED WHAT THOSE SAME PEOPLE THOUGHT ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY THE ARREST MIGHT OCCUR AFTER THE U-S ELECTION IN NOVEMBER, THIS IS WHAT HE SAID: // INGRAO ACT # 3 //I WOULD BET MONEY ON IT AT THIS POINT... I WOULD HATE TO SAY THAT I PREDICT, BUT I THINK KNOWING THAT IN OUR STATE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER ORGANS OF INTERNATIONAL AND IN OUR GOVERNMENT, THERE IS SO MUCH FEELING FOR GETTING THESE WAR CRIMINALS, I DON'T THINK PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL IGNORE ALL THESE FEELINGS. // END ACT //PROFESSOR INGRAO'S COMMENTS ALSO APPEARED IN AN EDITORIAL IN THE NEW YORK TIMES AND REPORTERS RAISED THE MATTER AT THE DAILY STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING ON MONDAY. SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS DENIED THAT NATO HAS ANY ORDERS NOT TO ARREST MR. KARADZIC: // BURNS ACT # 4 //THERE ARE NO RULES OF ENGAGEMENT THAT I AM AWARE OF -- AND I THINK THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE HAS SPOKEN TO THIS, AS HAS THE SECRETARY OF STATE CONSISTENTLY OVER THE PAST 10 MONTHS -- NO RULES OF ENGAGEMENT THAT WOULD TELL SOLDIERS NOT TO ARREST INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS. THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT WITH WHICH I AM FAMILIAR TELL SOLDIERS THEY OUGHT TO ARREST INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS WHEN THEY ENCOUNTER THEM, AND THAT'S THE POSITION THE UNITED STATES HAS SUPPORTED AND ALL IFOR COUNTRIES HAVE SUPPORTED. // END ACT //U-S OFFICIALS AND OTHERS HAVE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE BOSNIAN
SERB LEADERSHIP HAS BECOME MORE COOPERATIVE RECENTLY, FINALLY
TAKING PART IN THE JOINT PRESIDENCY AND AGREEING TO INTERNATIONAL
SUPERVISION OF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, FOR EXAMPLE. (SIGNED)
[04] EURO STOCKS (S- ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)DATE=10/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-205280 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: JITTERS ON WALL STREET MONDAY HAD A RIPPLE EFFECT ON EUROPEAN STOCK MARKETS ON TUESDAY. FROM LONDON, VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS A WRAP-UP OF KEY EUROPEAN MARKET ACTIVITY. TEXT: MARKETS ALL CLOSED DOWN IN PARIS, FRANKFURT AND LONDON TUESDAY IN THE WAKE OF WALL STREET'S SHARP REVERSE MONDAY AND INCREASED CONCERNS ABOUT HIGHER INTEREST RATES. DECLINES WERE SUBSTANTIAL. THE "CAC 40" IN PARIS LOST ALMOST 25 POINTS. GERMANY'S KEY "DAX 100" INDEX SHED JUST OVER 30 POINTS. AND HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" "FOOTSIE 100" INDEX OF STOCKS CLOSED DOWN ALMOST 32 POINTS AT THE END OF TRADING. WHILE THE U-S DOLLAR CONTINUED TO HOLD ITS GROUND AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN, IT FELL MORE THAN ONE CENT AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, BUT GAINED FRACTIONALLY AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. GOLD HERE IN LONDON ENDED THE DAY ONE-DOLLAR-85 CENTS AN OUNCE
LOWER. (SIGNED)
[05] ROMANIA ELECTIONS PREVIEW BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)DATE=10/29/96TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-34819 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: ROMANIA IS HOLDING PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SUNDAY (NOVEMBER THIRD). V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THAT THE FORMER COMMUNISTS WHO HAVE RULED SINCE THE 1989 REVOLUTION FACE MORE FORMIDABLE OPPOSITION THAN THEY DID IN THE LAST ELECTIONS IN 1992. TEXT: ROMANIANS WILL BE VOTING FOR PRESIDENT AND A NEW PARLIAMENT. A 66-YEAR-OLD FORMER TOP COMMUNIST, ION ILIESCU, LEADS HIS TWO PRINCIPAL RIVALS IN HIS BID FOR A THIRD TERM AS PRESIDENT. A WEEKEND SURVEY GIVES PRESIDENT ILIESCU 36 PERCENT OF THE VOTE. EMIL CONSTANTINESCU OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IS SEEN AS GETTING 25 PERCENT. AND PETRE ROMAN OF THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC UNION WAS SUPPOPRTED BY 22 PERCENT. THERE WILL BE A RUNOFF BETWEEN THE TOP TWO CANDIDATES IF NO ONE GETS AN ABSOLUTE MAJORITY IN THE FIRST ROUND. BUT WHILE MR. ILIESCU IS AHEAD IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE, HIS PARTY OF SOCIAL DEMOCRACY IS TRAILING IN THE PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION. MR. CONSTANTINESCU'S DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION REGISTERED 25 PERCENT POPULARITY COMPARED TO 24 PERCENT FOR MR. ILIESCU'S PARTY AND 14 PERCENT FOR THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC UNION OF MR. ROMAN. THE TWO MAIN OPPOSITION PARTIES SAY THEY WILL COOPERATE IN BUILDING A CENTER-RIGHT COALITION GOVERNMENT. MANY OTHER PARTIES ARE CONTESTING THE ELECTION. BUT FEW ARE LIKELY TO OBTAIN THE THREE PERCENT OF THE VOTE NEEDED TO GET INTO PARLIAMENT. THE OPPOSITION NARROWLY LOST ROMANIA'S LAST PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION IN 1992. SINCE THEN, OPPOSITION PARTIES HAVE BECOME BETTER ORGANIZED AND FOCUSED THEIR ATTACKS ON GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION AND ITS FAILURE TO SWIFTLY BUILD A MARKET ECONOMY. THE OPPOSITION WON LOCAL ELECTIONS IN JUNE. ALL OF THE MAJOR PARTIES IN ROMANIA FAVOR ENTRY INTO NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. THEY ALL SPEAK IN FAVOR OF RAPID PRIVATIZATION AND A NORMAL MARKET ECONOMY. PRESIDENT ILIESCU, A SKILLED CAMPAIGNER WHO IS PARTICULARLY POPULAR IN RURAL AREAS, HAS RECENTLY BEEN SPEAKING OF THE NEED TO CRACK DOWN ON CORRUPTION. MR. ILIESCU THIS YEAR BROKE WITH THE EXTREME NATIONALISTS AND PUSHED HARD FOR THE FRIENDSHIP TREATY WITH HUNGARY WHICH WAS SIGNED LAST MONTH. /// OPT ///ROMANIA HAS LAGGED BEHIND OTHER FORMER COMMUNIST COUNTRIES IN
ECONOMIC REFORM. WHILE THE ECONOMY IS GROWING, INFLATION REMAINS
ABOVE 30 PERCENT ANNUALLY AND WAGES AVERAGE LESS THAN 100 DOLLARS
A MONTH. ROMANIA'S CURRENCY HAS BEEN STEADILY DECLINING IN VALUE
AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND HALTED ITS LENDING TO ROMANIA
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. (SIGNED)
[06] TURKEY / BLAST (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=10/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-205259 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: THREE POLICE OFFICERS AND TWO CIVILIANS WERE KILLED IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE OF SIVAS ON TUESDAY AFTER A BOMB STRAPPED TO A WOMAN EXPLODED IN FRONT OF A POLICE STATION. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS IT WAS THE SECOND SUICIDE BOMB ATTACK IN TURKEY IN THE PAST WEEK. TEXT: AT LEAST NINE OTHER PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ATTACK WHICH IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN PLANNED BY THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K. TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THE BOMB EXPLODED IN THE CAR CARRYING THE THREE OFFICERS AND THE WOMAN WHOM THEY HAD DETAINED AND WERE TAKING TO THE POLICE STATION FOR QUESTIONING. THE ATTACK CAME AS MILLIONS OF TURKS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HUNG UP THE RED TURKISH FLAG IN THE WINDOWS AND BALCONIES OF THEIR HOMES TO CELEBRATE THE 73RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE MODERN TURKISH REPUBLIC BY KEMAL ATATURK. TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THE P-K-K WHICH HAS BEEN WAGING A 12-YEAR LONG ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE HAD PLANNED A SIMILAR ATTACK IN THE MAINLY KURDISH CITY OF DIYARBAKIR IN SOUTHEAST TURKEY. POLICE SAY THEY HAVE ARRESTED THE RINGLEADER FOR THE BOMBING OPERATION WHICH WAS TO HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT DURING THE REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS. POLICE SAID AT LEAST 100 PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD THE ATTACK NOT BEEN PREVENTED. LAST WEEK, A P-K-K SUICIDE BOMBER KILLED HERSELF AND FOUR OTHER PEOPLE IN AN ATTACK ON A POLICE STATION IN THE SOUTHERN CITY OF ADANA. THE P-K-K LEADER, ABDULLAH OCALAN, HAD EARLIER THREATENED TO
UNLEASH A WAVE OF SUICIDE BOMBINGS FOR WHAT HE TERMED THE TURKISH
GOVERNMENT'S FAILURE TO RESPOND TO HIS CALLS FOR PEACE. (SIGNED)
[07] TURKEY / KURDS (L) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=10/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-205276 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S-BROKERED PEACE TALKS BETWEEN RIVAL KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ ARE SCHEDULED TO RESUME WEDNESDAY IN TURKEY'S CAPITAL, ANKARA. THE U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NEAR EAST AND GULF AFFAIRS -- ROBERT PELLETREAU -- WILL CHAIR THE TALKS. FROM ANKARA, REPORTER AMBERIN ZAMAN HAS THE DETAILS. TEXT: OFFICIALS FROM MASSOUD BARZANI'S KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE K-D-P, AND JALAL TALABANI'S PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN, THE P-U-K, HAVE ARRIVED IN ANKARA TO RESUME TALKS WHICH BEGAN LAST WEEK WITH ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE PELLETREAU, WHICH WERE ALSO ATTENDED BY TURKISH AND BRITISH OFFICIALS. OFFICIALS CLOSE TO THE TALKS SAY THEIR MAIN OBJECTIVE WILL BE, FIRST, TO MAINTAIN THE CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN THE P-U-K AND THE K-D-P, AND THEN TO RENDER IT PERMANENT. FOR THIS, THE OFFICIALS SAY THE SIDES WILL NEED TO REMAIN IN DEFENSIVE POSITIONS, TO RELEASE PRISONERS OF WAR, AND RESTORE CIVILIAN SERVICES TO ONE ANOTHER, AS WELL AS ALLOW THE FREE PASSAGE OF HUMANITARIAN AID CONVOYS. ONCE THE CEASE-FIRE IS SECURED, OFFICIALS SAY THE PROCESS OF RECONCILING THE TWO SIDES CAN START IN EARNEST. // OPT //// OPT //// OPT //// OPT //U-S OFFICIALS SAY NOW THAT BOTH SIDES HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT
NEITHER ONE CAN GAIN A DECISIVE VICTORY IN THE BATTLEFIELD, THEY
HAVE A STRONGER INCENTIVE TO MAKE PEACE. (SIGNED)
[08] U-N/E-U/ZAIRE (S ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)DATE=10/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-205305 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIALS HELD EMERGENCY TALKS WITH U-N AND RELIEF AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES IN GENEVA LATE TUESDAY TO DISCUSS THE DEEPENING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN EASTERN ZAIRE. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN GENEVA REPORTS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RWANDAN AND BURUNDIAN REFUGEES HAVE BEEN UPROOTED BY FIGHTING BETWEEN ZAIREAN GOVERNMENT TROOPS AND ETHNIC TUTSI REBELS. TEXT: THE MEETING AT THE FRENCH DIPLOMATIC MISSION HERE LATE TUESDAY WAS CONVENED AT THE INITIATIVE OF THE FRENCH AND BELGIAN GOVERNMENTS. NO DETAILS WERE REVEALED. FRENCH GOVERNMENT SPOKESMEN WOULD SAY ONLY THAT THE TALKS FOCUSSED ON THE HUMANITARIAN CONSEQUENCES OF THE ZAIREAN CRISIS. OFFICIALS OF THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES TOLD REPORTERS HERE TUESDAY THE REGION IS ON THE BRINK OF A FULL-SCALE HUMANITARIAN DISASTER. THE OFFICIALS SAY RELIEF AGENCY WORKERS NOW HAVE ACCESS TO FEWER THAN HALF OF THE MORE THAN ONE MILLION REFUGEES IN EASTERN ZAIRE. SOME 400-THOUSAND RWANDAN EXILES ARE CRAMMED INTO TWO CAMPS NEAR THE TOWN OF GOMA, AMID DWINDLING FOOD SUPPLIES AND A LOOMING THREAT OF EPIDEMICS. MANY MORE REFUGEES HAVE FLED INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE TO ESCAPE THE FIGHTING, WITH NO ACCESS TO HUMANITARIAN AID. SPOKESWOMAN RUTH MARSHALL TOLD REPORTERS HERE TUESDAY ONLY A
POLITICAL SOLUTION CAN AVERT CATASTROPHE IN THE REGION. AND
U-N-H-C-R APPEALED TO THE WORLD COMMUNITY TO TAKE STEPS TO
RESOLVE THE CRISIS. (SIGNED)
[09] U-S / E-U / CUBA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)DATE=10/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-205249 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: // RE-RUNNING FROM FILE OF 10/28. NO CHANGES //INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS CRITICIZED AS INAPPROPRIATE A EUROPEAN UNION DECISION TO GO AHEAD WITH A LAW PROTECTING EUROPEAN COMPANIES AND CITIZENS FROM U-S LEGISLATION TIGHTENING THE EMBARGO ON CUBA. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE E-U LEGISLATION PROHIBITS EUROPEAN INDIVIDUALS AND FIRMS FROM COMPLYING WITH THE SO-CALLED HELMS-BURTON LAW: TEXT: U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES HELMS-BURTON CAN BE IMPLEMENTED IN A WAY WHICH SATISFIES U-S INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS. THE EUROPEAN UNION BITTERLY OPPOSES THE NEW U-S LAW SAYING IT VIOLATES WORLD TRADE RULES BY EXTENDING JURISDICTION OVER FOREIGN COMPANIES. MR. BURNS SAYS IT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE EUROPEANS TO RETALIATE AND ALSO SAYS THEY SHOULD PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE PLIGHT OF THE CUBAN PEOPLE: ///BURNS ACTUALITY///AND WE WISH THE EUROPEANS ALSO HAD AN INTEREST, AN EXPRESSED PUBLIC INTEREST, AND PRIORITY IN THE SITUATION OF THE MANY, MANY PEOPLE IN CUBA WHOSE RIGHTS ARE BEING DENIED NOW BY THE CASTRO GOVERNMENT ABOUT DEMOCRACY IN CUBA. WE'D LIKE TO SEE MORE TALKS FROM THE EUROPEANS ABOUT DEMOCRACY IN CUBA. ///END ACTUALITY///THE HELMS-BURTON LAW, WHICH BEARS THE NAMES OF ITS REPUBLICAN CO-SPONSORS, ALLOWS LAWSUITS TO BE FILED IN U-S COURTS AGAINST FOREIGN FIRMS WHICH OWN OR OPERATE PROPERTIES SEIZED BY CUBA FROM AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO WERE CUBAN NATIONALS BEFORE THE 1959 COMMUNIST REVOLUTION. THE LAW DENIES VISAS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND OFFICIALS OF FOREIGN
COMPANIES OPERATING ON THOSE PROPERTIES IN CUBA. THE LAW, WHICH
CAME INTO FORCE IN JULY, HAS ALREADY BEEN USED TO PUNISH A
CANADIAN MINING FIRM AND A MEXICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY.
(SIGNED).
[10] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)DATE=10/29/96TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-205285 CONTENT=_ VOICED AT: INTRO: BOSNIAN SERB WAR CRIMES SUSPECT, DUSAN TADIC HAS TOLD A UNITED NATIONS TRIBUNAL THAT HE IS INNOCENT OF THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM. IN THE FIRST TRIAL AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, MR. TADIC IS ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND OTHER WAR CRIMES CARRIED OUT IN AND AROUND TWO PRISON CAMPS IN NORTH-WEST BOSNIA IN 1992. FROM THE HAGUE, GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS. TEXT: AFTER SIX MONTHS IN THE DOCK LISTENING TO OTHER PEOPLE TESTIFY ABOUT HIM, DUSAN TADIC SEEMED TO RELISH THE CHANCE TO SPEAK FOR HIMSELF. SOBERLY DRESSED IN A BLUE JACKET AND TIE, MR. TADIC HAD TO BE ASKED SEVERAL TIMES TO SLOW DOWN WHILE GIVING HIS EVIDENCE. TIME AND TIME, PROSECUTOR ALAN TIEGER ASKED MR. TADIC IF HE HAD EVER BEEN IN THE OMARSKA OR KERATERM PRISON CAMPS, WHERE HE IS CHARGED WITH MURDERING AND TORTURING. TIME AFTER TIME, MR. TADIC DENIED IT. ///TIEGER/TADIC ACT///TIEGER: BUT THE COOK AND THE CARPENTER AND THE FLORIST AND THE BUSINESSMAN AND THE SCHOOLTEACHER AND DOZENS AND DOZENS OF OTHERS FROM KOZARAC, FRO KEBALJANI, FROM PRIJEDOR, FROM JAVCICI -- THEY'RE ALL WRONG? TADIC: I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE IN MIND. I DON'T THINK ANYONE'S GUILTY. MANY WHO CAME HERE SUFFERED BUT I DID, TOO -- THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE THERE BECAUSE I WAS A SERB AND THEY WERE MUSLIMS OR CROATS. ///END ACT///MR. TADIC HAD NOT BEEN EXPECTED TO GIVE EVIDENCE AT ALL DURING THE TRIAL, BUT THE DECISION TO PUT HIM ON THE STAND MUST HAVE BEEN CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH FRIDAY'S DRAMATIC ANNOUNCEMENT THAT A CHIEF PROSECUTION WITNESS HAD LIED. EXPOSING MR. TADIC TO CROSS EXAMINATION MAY HAVE SEEMED LESS RISKY. DEFENSE LAWYERS USE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE MR. TADIC READ FROM A LETTER WHICH HE HAD SENT TO THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC. HIS WORDS ARE SPOKEN BY A TRANSLATOR. ///TADIC TRANSLATOR ACT///I NEVER TOOK PART ON THE ATTACK ON KOZARAC BECAUSE DESPITE EVERYTHING, AFTER I HAD BEEN LIVING AMONG THOSE PEOPLE FOR THIRTY FIVE YEARS I STILL DID NOT SEE WHY I WOULD HAVE TO SHOOT AT MY FORMER NEIGHBORS, BECAUSE SURELY THING CHANGE WITH TIME AND THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT. I DIDN'T SEE THAT EVERYTHING HAD TO END IN DESTRUCTION AND DEVASTATION. ///END ACT///WHILE MR. TADIC'S TESTIMONY WAS AT TIME RAMBLING, OBSERVERS SAY
THE MERE FACT THAT HE TOOK THE STAND AT ALL IS A BOOST FOR THE
DEFENSE. (SIGNED)
Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |