Voice of America, 96-10-30

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] EDITORIAL: CRACKDOWN ON CROATIAN PRESS

[03] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[04] SLAVONIA TROOPS (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[05] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

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

INTRO: POLITICS REMAINS IN THE EDITORIAL SPOTLIGHT WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION JUST ONE WEEK AWAY. MORE AND MORE NEWSPAPERS ARE MAKING ENDORSEMENTS FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, STATE LEGISLATORS AND MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS. TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST JOINS THE RANKS OF THOSE ENDORSING PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR A SECOND TERM. THERE IS ALSO MORE COMMENT ABOUT THE FUND RAISING PRACTICES OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. OTHER EDITORIAL SUBJECTS INCLUDE: ISREAL'S DELAYED TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM HEBRON; THE LATEST SETBACK IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, AND THE F-B-I TREATMENT OF OLYMPIC SECURITY GUARD AND FORMER BOMBING SUSPECT RICHARD JEWELL. NOW, HERE IS ________________WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE MOST TALKED-ABOUT ASPECT OF THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN IS THE CONTROVERSY OVER DEMOCRATIC FUND-RAISING, ESPECIALLY FROM ASIAN SOURCES, AND THE KEY FUND-RAISER -- COMMERCE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE JOHN HUANG. TODAY'S NEW YORK TIMES SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "IN DEFENDING ITS FUND-RAISING, THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SAID THAT JOHN HUANG, WHO COLLECTED CAMPAIGN MONEY FROM INDONESIAN TYCOONS, WAS NOT INVOLVED IN COMMERCE DEPARTMENT MEETINGS ON INDONESIA. THOSE ASSURANCES TURNED OUT TO BE FALSE... MR. HUANG, AN EMPLOYEE OF THE WEALTHY RIADY FAMILY BEFORE HE WORKED AT COMMERCE, ATTENDED TWO MEETINGS ON INDONESIAN TRADE ISSUES... MR. HUANG ... IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW MID-LEVEL FUNCTIONARIES PLAY THE REVOLVING-DOOR GAME TO ENRICH THEIR POLITICAL BOSSES, THEIR BUSINESS ASSOCIATES AND THEMSELVES."

TEXT: USA TODAY IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IT CALLS "EVASION ON QUESTIONABLE CONTRIBUTIONS" THE PAPER SAYS TAINTS THE DEMOCRATS.

VOICE: "IN A DISPLAY OF EITHER POLITICAL STUPIDITY OR ARROGANCE, THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE REFUSED TO FILE THE USUAL FINAL PRE-ELECTION REPORT OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES. THE EXPLANATION: BECAUSE THE COMMITTEE DIDN'T ACTUALLY SPEND ANY MONEY DIRECTLY ON BEHALF OF [MR.] CLINTON OR OTHER CANDIDATES DURING THE 15 DAYS THE REPORT WOULD COVER, IT WASN'T REQUIRED... A PARTY UNDER TWO WEEKS OF FIRE [CRITICISM] FOR QUESTIONABLE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES -- AND HAVING HAD TO GIVE BACK SOME DONATIONS AS ILLEGAL OR EMBARRASSING -- SHOULD BE GOING BEYOND THE LETTER OF THE INADEQUATE REPORTING RULES, NOT HIDING BEHIND THEM."

TEXT: MEANWHILE, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE GROANS:

VOICE: "CREDIT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE, LATELY A REPOSITORY FOR CAMPAIGN SLEAZE, [DISHONESTY] FOR SHOWING SUCH CONTEMPT FOR LAWS PERTAINING TO POLITICAL CONDUCT THAT IT HAS ENLIVENED THE LAST DAYS OF A DULL PRESIDENTIAL RACE... THE LATEST FOIBLES OF THE DEMOCRATS DO NOT MEAN THE REPUBLICANS HAVE CLEAN HANDS. IT'S JUST THAT, THIS TIME, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SO HAM-HANDED [CLUMSY OR OBVIOUS]." ... A DEFINITIVE, DRASTIC OVERHAUL OF CAMPAIGN FINANCING IS NEEDED."

TEXT: TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST OFFERS A RATHER MILD ENDORSEMENT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR A SECOND TERM, STATING IN PART:

VOICE: "THE CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT THIS YEAR IS PRETTY BLEAK. BOTH (BILL CLINTON AND BOB DOLE) HAVE MORE WORTHY ACTIONS AND POSITIONS IN THEIR PAST THAN EITHER CAN BOAST IN HIS PRESENT. IN FACT, BOTH HAVE BLITHELY AND EXPEDIENTLY JUNKED [THROWN AWAY] MANY OF THE BETTER ELEMENTS OF THEIR RECORD IN THIS I'LL-SAY-OR-DO-ANYTHING CAMPAIGN... [OPT] THERE ARE DAYS ... WHEN THE STRONGEST SINGLE ARGUMENT THAT CAN BE MADE FOR EITHER CANDIDATE IS THAT HE'S NOT THE OTHER. [END OPT] IN THE END, WE LEAN TOWARD MR. CLINTON." ... MR. DOLE ... TURNS OUT, DESPITE A THIRD OF A CENTURY IN NATIONAL POLITICS AND CONGRESS, WHERE HE COMPILED A GENERALLY DISTINGUISHED RECORD, TO HAVE LITTLE OR NOTHING TO SAY TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. HE GIVES NO AFFIRMATIVE REASON WHY HE SHOULD BE PRESIDENT..."

TEXT: TURNING TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SEVERAL PAPERS CONTINUE TO VOICE CONCERN OVER THE STALEMATE OVER THE WITHDRAWL OF ISRAELI FORCES FROM HEBRON, ON THE WEST BANK. THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SAYS OF THE LATEST SNAG:

VOICE: "[YASSER] ARAFAT ... HAS PUT THE AGREEMENT ON HOLD FOR AT LEAST A WEEK, OPTING INSTEAD FOR A DIPLOMATIC SWING THROUGH EUROPE. THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT SUSPECTS THAT [MR.] ARAFAT'S TRIP HAS LESS TO DO WITH DRUMMING UP [ENLISTING] EUROPEAN SUPPORT THAN MANIPULATING WASHINGTON. IT BELIEVES [MR.] ARAFAT IS TRYING TO DELAY AN AGREEMENT UNTIL PRESIDENT CLINTON IS RE-ELECTED, HOPING ... THE PRESIDENT WILL THEN INTERVENE MORE FORCEFULLY ON THE PALESTINIANS' BEHALF. "

TEXT: TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR IS VOICING DISAPPOINTMENT OVER YET ANOTHER ELECTION POSTPONEMENT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

VOICE: "MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA HAVE BEEN POSTPONED AGAIN, REFLECTING THE DEEP PROBLEMS THAT HINDER NORMAL POLITICAL PROCESSES IN THAT LAND. A MAJOR STICKING POINT [PROBLEM], NOT SURPRISINGLY, IS BOSNIAN-SERB DETERMINATION TO HOLD TIGHT TO THE CITIES, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES SEIZED DURING THE WAR... BEYOND THAT, THE DIFFICULTIES OF TRANSPORTING PEOPLE TO POLLS LOCATED IN THEIR FORMER HOMES REMAIN UNRESOLVED... THUS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY HAS YET ANOTHER REASON TO KEEP SOME FORCES POSTED IN BOSNIA TO PRESERVE ORDER -- INCLUDING, PRESUMABLY, SOME FRESH U-S TROOPS."

TEXT: TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE PONDERS WHAT WAS ON THE MINDS OF JAPANESE VOTERS DURING THE NATION'S RECENT PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS.

VOICE: "IN THE AFTERMATH OF JAPAN'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, IT IS AN OPEN QUESTION WHETHER THE VOTER'S DESIRE FOR REFORM -- A DESIRE THAT PRODUCED THE 1993 DEFEAT OF THE LONG-RULING LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY -- HAS BEEN STIFLED OR MERELY CHANNELED INTO A CONTRADICTORY ELECTORAL RESULT... DESPITE THE RECENT RENEWAL OF ECONOMIC GROWTH, JAPAN CONFRONTS A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE IN ITS POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST COMMENTS ON THE F-B-I'S TREATMENT OF OLYMPIC SECURITY GUARD RICHARD JEWELL, FIRST A HERO IN THE OLYMPIC PARK BOMBING INCIDENT, THEN A PRIME SUSPECT FOR ALMOST THREE MONTHS.

VOICE: "[MR.] JEWELL'S LIFE HAS BEEN ONE LONG STAKEOUT [ROUND-THE-CLOCK POLICE OR NEWSMEDIA SURVEILLANCE] EVER SINCE LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS LEAKED HIS NAME TO THE ATLANTA JOURNAL [NEWSPAPER]... MANY SEEM TO FEEL THE NEWS MEDIA BEHAVED IMPROPERLY IN THE COURSE OF THIS EPISODE... REGULAR READERS KNOW ... WE AREN'T REFLEXIVE DEFENDERS OF THE MEDIA ... IN THIS CASE, HOWEVER, IT'S HARD TO SEE WHERE THE MEDIA ERRED."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, FROM THE WASHINGTON TIMES, A REACTION TO THE F-B-I'S FAILURE TO APOLOGIZE TO MR. JEWELL IN A GOVERNMENT LETTER TELLING HIM HE WAS NO LONGER A SUSPECT.

VOICE: "BEING THE F-B-I APPARENTLY MEANS NEVER HAVING TO SAY YOU'RE SORRY."

TEXT: AND ON THAT CRITICAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FOUND IN WEDNESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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30-Oct-96 10:37 AM EST (1537 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EDITORIAL: CRACKDOWN ON CROATIAN PRESS

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:

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IS UNDER ATTACK IN CROATIA AS THE GOVERNMENT SYSTEMATICALLY HINDERS THE WORK OF VARIOUS INDEPENDENT MEDIA.

RADIO 101 MAY NOW LOSE ITS LICENSE TO INDIVIDUALS CLOSELY IDENTIFIED WITH THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT. RADIO 101 HAS A LARGE LISTENERSHIP, WITH ABOUT THIRTY PERCENT OF ZAGREB'S NEARLY ONE MILLION PEOPLE TUNING IN. IT IS THE LEADING INDEPENDENT RADIO STATION DEVOTED TO NEWS AND POLITICAL DISCUSSION. AND IT HAS A PROVEN RECORD OF PROMOTING FREE EXPRESSION.

RADIO 101 OFTEN GAVE PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN AIR TIME WHEN HE WAS A DISSIDENT CHALLENGING THE COMMUNIST AUTHORITIES. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE ALL OF CROATIA'S TELEVISION STATIONS ARE NOW CONTROLLED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND MANY CROATIANS CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES ON A REGULAR BASIS. ELIMINATING RADIO 101 WOULD SET A CHILLING PRECEDENT FOR THE FUTURE OF INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM IN CROATIA.

SINCE 1992, PRESIDENT TUDJMAN'S GOVERNMENT HAS REPLACED COMMUNIST-ERA PRESS LEGISLATION WITH EQUALLY RESTRICTIVE LAWS. MOST DISTURBING IS THE STATUTE THAT MAKES IT A CRIME TO IMPUGN THE INTEGRITY OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE REPUBLIC, PARLIAMENT, OR THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT. A LAW PASSED IN JULY CONTAINS EQUALLY TROUBLING PROVISIONS. THE LAW SPECIFIES HOW EDITORS-IN CHIEF ARE TO BE CHOSEN. IT ALSO REQUIRES PUBLISHERS TO REGISTER THEIR PUBLICATIONS AND PAY SPECIAL FINES FOR PUBLISHING INFORMATION ALLEGEDLY DAMAGING TO OTHERS.

THE GOVERNMENT OF CROATIA HAS NOT LIMITED ITSELF TO USING THE MEDIA LAW TO IMPEDE PRESS FREEDOM. INDEPENDENT MEDIA FIND THEMSELVES SUBJECT TO FREQUENT TAX AUDITS, SO-CALLED ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTIONS, AND OTHER FORMS OF GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE WITH DAILY BUSINESS.

THE PEOPLE OF CROATIA HAVE THE RIGHT TO HEAR THE TRUTH ABOUT THEIR GOVERNMENT AND THE WORLD. THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD LIFT ITS RESTRICTIONS ON THE PRESS, CEASE USING REGULATORY POWERS TO HARASS INDEPENDENT MEDIA, AND PERMIT A FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION AND IDEAS. NO STATE CAN JOIN THE COMMUNITY OF FREE NATIONS WHILE DENYING FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.

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.
30-Oct-96 12:32 PM EST (1732 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: BRITAIN SURPRISED FINANCIAL MARKETS WEDNESDAY WITH AN INCREASE IN INTEREST RATES. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING STOCK MARKET FIGURES FROM OUR BUREAU IN LONDON.

TEXT: LEADING SHARE PRICES DROPPED SHARPLY ON THE LONDON MARKET WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE BANK OF ENGLAND BOOSTED INTEREST RATES BY ONE-QUARTER PERCENTAGE POINT. MARKET EXPERTS HAD BEEN SAYING THERE WOULD BE NO INCREASE.

THE FINANCIAL TIMES FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ENDED THE DAY DOWN ALMOST 30 POINTS -- ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF ONE PERCENT OF ITS TOTAL VALUE -- AT JUST UNDER THREE-THOUSAND-63. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX DROPPED -- BARELY. AND IN FRANKFURT, THE GERMAN MARKET'S DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE DAY UP A LITTLE FROM YESTERDAY'S CLOSE.

ON EUROPEAN CURRENCY MARKETS, THE U-S DOLLAR WAS DOWN SHARPLY IN VALUE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. BUT THE DOLLAR GAINED A LITTLE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN. (SIGNED)
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30-Oct-96 1:35 PM EST (1835 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] SLAVONIA TROOPS (L ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS OFFICIALS ARE RECOMMENDING AN EXTENSION OF A U-N FORCE IN EASTERN SLAVONIA -- A SERB-HELD ENCLAVE IN CROATIA SEVERAL MONTHS BEYOND ITS EXPIRATION IN JANUARY. SECRETARY-GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI HAS TOLD THE SECURITY COUNCIL A PREMATURE PULL-OUT COULD UNRAVEL THE GAINS OF THE PAST YEAR. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: THE SECRETARY-GENERAL HAS PROPOSED EXTENDING THE MANDATE OF THE FIVE-THOUSAND STRONG U-N TRANSITIONAL ADMINISTRATION IN EASTERN SLAVONIA UNTIL NEXT JULY. HE ALSO RECOMMENDS KEEPING U-N OBSERVERS IN THE AREA BORDERING SERBIA UNTIL THE END OF NEXT YEAR.

MR. BOUTROS-GHALI WOULD LIKE THE SECURITY COUNCIL TO RENEW THE U-N MANDATE IN EASTERN SLAVONIA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE -- BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE. HE SAYS THIS WOULD RELIEVE THE OPERATION OF PRESSURE FROM EXTREMISTS ON BOTH SIDES -- THE LOCAL SERBS AND CROATIAN AUTHORITIES -- WHO ARE TRYING TO OBSTRUCT U-N ACTIVITIES.

IN HIS REPORT TO THE COUNCIL, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL NOTES UNCERTAINTY ABOUT WHETHER THE U-N WILL PULL OUT IN JANUARY IS DIMINISHING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE OPERATION. HE SAYS IT IS ALSO CAUSING POLITICAL FERMENT IN THE REGION.

THE U-N IS PREPARING EASTERN SLAVONIA FOR A RETURN TO CROATIAN GOVERNMENT CONTROL. IT IS PART OF THE TERRITORY SEIZED BY LOCAL SERBS AFTER CROATIA DECLARED ITS INDEPENDENCE IN 1991.

SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN DISCUSSING THE ISSUE. DIPLOMATS DO NOT ANTICIPATE ANY STRONG OPPOSITION TO EXTENDING THE U-N OPERATION. THE U-N IS SEEN TO BE DOING A REASONABLY GOOD JOB IN EASTERN SLAVONIA -- WITH NO MAJOR MILITARY ACTIVITY BEING REPORTED. HOWEVER, ZAGREB HAS NOT YET AGREED. CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN IS SAID TO BE UNDER PRESSURE FROM HARD-LINERS IN HIS GOVERNMENT TO GET THE TROOPS OUT. (SIGNED)
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30-Oct-96 1:48 PM EST (1848 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: BOSNIA'S UNITED NATIONS AMBASSADOR HAS PROMISED FULL COOPERATION WITH A YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS FROM A WITNESS THAT HE WAS FORCED BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT TO LIE. MOHAMMED SACIRBEY WAS SPEAKING ON A VISIT TO THE TRIBUNAL ONLY DAYS AFTER PROSECUTORS WERE FORCED TO WITHDRAW A WHOLE SECTION OF CHARGES AGAINST WAR CRIMES SUSPECT, DUSAN TADIC. FROM THE HAGUE, GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS.

TEXT: MOHAMMED SACIRBEY MET WITH SENIOR TRIBUNAL OFFICIALS WEDNESDAY TO ASSURE THEM THAT THE SARAJEVO GOVERNMENT WOULD HELP THEM IN EVERY WAY TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS. PROSECUTION WITNESS DRAGAN OPACIC CLAIMS HE WAS TRAINED TO LIE BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT, AND THAT THE FIRST TIME HE HAD ACTUALLY SEEN DUSAN TADIC WAS IN A VIDEO.

MR. TADIC IS ACCUSED OF KILLINGS AND TORTURE AT THREE PRISON CAMPS IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA. MR. SACRIBEY ADMITTED THAT THE TRIBUNAL HAD BEEN DAMAGED BY THE OPACIC INCIDENT, BUT SAID THE INVESTIGATION TEAM WOULD BE ALLOWED FULL ACCESS TO ANY FILES AND DOCUMENTS. BUT COULD MR. SACIRBEY PROVIDE A REAL ASSURANCE THAT HIS GOVERNMENT HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN ANY WAY?

I'M NOT GOING TO RULE THAT OUT, BUT EVERY INDICATION I HAVE IS THAT IT WAS NOT. AND EVERY INDICATION OF COMMON SENSE WOULD INDICATE THAT THIS PERSON IS A LIAR IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD, SINCE HE MUST HAVE BEEN LYING SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY. HIS STORY IS EITHER A LIE NOW, OR IT WAS BEFORE. I'M A LAWYER, AND LET'S RESPECT DUE PROCESS AND NOT REACH ANY ABSOLUTE CONCLUSIONS.

THE PROSECUTION IS DUE TO CALL ITS FIRST REBUTTAL WITNESS NEXT WEEK. CLOSING ARGUMENTS ARE PLANNED FOR THE END OF NOVEMBER AND A VERDICT SOMETIME IN THE NEW YEAR. (SIGNED)
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30-Oct-96 12:28 PM EST (1728 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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