Voice of America, 96-11-26

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA DEMO (L-ONLY) BY LAURA ROZEN (SARAJEVO)

[03] CZECH STOCK OWNERSHIP BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[04] PERRY / BOSNIA (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

[05] SERBIA PROTESTS (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[06] SERBIAN OPPOSITION LEADER SPEAKS BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[07] THE BALKANS' MEDIA WOES BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

[08] TURKEY / KURDS BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

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

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

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VISIT TO ASIA GETS CONSIDERABLE ATTENTION ON THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS THIS TUESDAY AS THE PRESIDENT VISITS THAILAND, THE LAST STOP ON HIS JOURNEY. OTHER TOPICS OF INTEREST INCLUDE: MOVEMENT TOWARD A TRUCE IN NORTHERN IRELAND; PROTESTS IN BELGRADE; AIRLINE SAFETY IN THE WAKE OF THE VALUJET CRASH, AND THE VALIDITY OF POLITICAL POLLS. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TO BEGIN, THE ORLANDO SENTINEL SALUTES THE ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC SUMMIT AS MORE OF A SUCCESS THAN IT MAY HAVE APPEARED TO SOME OBSERVERS.

VOICE: "THAT 18 TOP LEADERS -- INCLUDING PRESIDENT CLINTON -- WITH VERY DIVERSE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ORIENTATIONS GATHERED TO COORDINATE THEIR ECONOMIC DESTINIES WAS IMPRESSIVE. THE ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION FORUM HOLDS PARTICULAR MEANING FOR AMERICAN BUSINESSES AND WORKERS... BECAUSE MANY OF THE JOBS THAT WILL BE CREATED IN THE COMING YEARS WILL COME FROM THE INTERNATIONAL REALM, WITH A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THOSE ORIGINATING IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION."

TEXT: THE SUN IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, SEES PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ASIA VISIT AS AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS, NOTING:

VOICE: "PRESIDENT CLINTON, HIS STATURE ENHANCED AT THE ASIAN SUMMIT BY HIS RE-ELECTION, WAS VERY MUCH THE LEADER OF AN ASCENDANT SUPERPOWER AS HE MOVED TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH CHINA, SCORED A BREAKTHROUGH IN THE U-S DRIVE TO LOWER TARIFFS AND EVEN PROVIDED CLIMB-DOWN ROOM FOR A NORTH KOREA THAT WASN'T ON THE INVITE LIST... AS HE ATTENDED THE MANILA MEETING OF THE ASIAN-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION GROUP, MR. CLINTON HAD NOT ONLY HIS PERSONAL POLITICAL TRIUMPH BUT A RESURGENT U-S ECONOMY TO INCREASE HIS DIPLOMATIC LEVERAGE."

TEXT: LESS ENTHUSIASTIC IS THE WASHINGTON POST, WHICH IS CRITICAL OF THE WAY HUMAN RIGHTS WERE SHUNTED TO ONE SIDE IN THE MEETING BETWEEN PRESIDENT CLINTON AND CHINESE PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN.

VOICE: "IN AN 85-MINUTE MEETING THIS WEEKEND IN THE PHILIPPINES, PRESIDENT CLINTON AND CHINESE PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN MADE NO APPARENT HEADWAY ON ANY OF THE ISSUES DIVIDING THE TWO COUNTRIES. YET MR. CLINTON SAID THE SESSION 'WENT VERY WELL,' AND HE AGREED TO THE EXCHANGE OF STATE VISITS THAT CHINA HAS EAGERLY SOUGHT ... ON MOST MATTERS OF CONTENTION, NOTHING HAS MOVED. IF ANYTHING, BEIJING HAS BECOME MORE REPRESSIVE OF ITS OWN PEOPLE... THE U-S DECISION TO ... REPORT PROGRESS IN THE RELATIONSHIP SEEMS BASED ON MISGUIDED AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ASSUMPTIONS."

TEXT: TURNING TO ANOTHER TROUBLE SPOT, NORTHERN IRELAND, THE NEW YORK TIMES SEES SOME SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT THERE.

VOICE: "THERE ARE CREDIBLE REPORTS ... THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY IS NOW PREPARED TO RESTORE THE CEASEFIRE IT BROKE LAST JANUARY, PROVIDED BRITAIN AGREES TO ADMIT THE I-R-A'S POLITICAL WING, SINN FEIN, TO THE NORTHERN IRELAND PEACE TALKS. THE I-R-A HAS GIVEN THE BRITISH, AND EVERYONE ELSE, REASON TO DISTRUST ITS WORD AND DESPISE ITS CONDUCT. NEVERTHELESS, ITS NEW OFFER SHOULD BE CAREFULLY TESTED. IF GENUINE, IT REPRESENTS THE BEST CHANCE IN ALMOST A YEAR TO HALT THE VIOLENCE AND PROMOTE PRODUCTIVE NEGOTIATIONS ON NORTHERN IRELAND'S FUTURE."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST SEES THE ON-GOING ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN THE BALKANS AS A NEW THREAT TO PEACE IN THE REGION, AND COUNSELS THE WEST TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.

VOICE: "THE DEMONSTRATORS IN CROATIA AND ESPECIALLY IN SERBIA SIGNAL A DEEP FLAW AT THE HEART OF WESTERN POLICY. THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES HAVE BEEN COUNTING ON THE SERBIAN AND CROATIAN GOVERNMENTS TO DELIVER BOSNIA[-HERZEGOVINA] TO THE FEDERATION FORESEEN IN THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. BUT THE AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES RUNNING THOSE COUNTRIES HAVE CONVERTED SUPPORT FOR DAYTON INTO SUSTENANCE FOR THEMSELVES. NOW LARGE NUMBERS OF CITIZENS ARE PROTESTING THE REGIMES' ANTI-DEMOCRATIC PRACTICES... THE DILEMMA IS REAL, BUT IT CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO PARALYZE WESTERN POLICY. WESTERN COUNTRIES MUST DEAL WITH MR. MILOSEVIC AND MR. TUDJMAN BECAUSE THEY WIELD POWER. BUT WASHINGTON AND THE REST HAVE PAID TOO LITTLE HEED TO THE LOATHSOME IRONY OF COOPERATING WITH, AND THEREFORE STRENGTHENING, UNDEMOCRATIC REGIMES IN SERBIA AND CROATIA..."

TEXT: AMONG DOMESTIC CONCERNS, USA TODAY CONTINUES TO DRAW ON WHAT IT FEELS ARE VALUABLE LESSONS ON AIR SAFETY FROM THE MAY 11TH CRASH OF A VALUJET AIRLINER INTO THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES.

VOICE: THOUGH THE EXACT CAUSE HAS YET TO BE OFFICIALLY DECLARED, A FIVE-DAY SAFETY HEARING LAST WEEK IN MIAMI PROVED ALL TOO GRAPHICALLY THAT THE SYSTEM DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE FLYING PUBLIC ULTIMATELY DOOMED THE 110 PASSENGERS AND CREW OF FLIGHT 592. RULES WERE BROKEN, SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS IGNORED, AND OVERSIGHT MISMANAGED... BUT AS LAURA SAWYER, WHO LOST HER GRANDPARENTS, SAID SO WELL: THEIR LEGACY WILL BE GUARANTEED 'IF' [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] WE IMPROVE AVIATION SAFETY AS A RESULT. THAT SHOULD BE THE GOAL."

TEXT: THE VALIDITY OF U-S POLITICAL POLLS COMES UP FOR DISCUSSION IN TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, IN THE WAKE OF SOME FAULTY ASSESSMENTS OF THE AMERICAN ELECTORATE IN THE RECENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

VOICE: "SINCE 1936, WHEN GEORGE GALLUP FIRST APPLIED SCIENTIFIC POLLING METHODS TO AN AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, OPINION SURVEYS HAVE BEEN A PROMINENT PART OF OUR POLITICAL LIFE... POLLS HAVE PERSISTED DESPITE SETBACKS AND CRITICS, BECOMING AN EVER LARGER FACTOR IN MEDIA COVERAGE OF ELECTIONS. AND THEY'RE NOT LIKELY TO FADE FROM THE SCENE NOW, EVEN AFTER A 1996 PERFORMANCE THAT AGAIN RAISES DOUBTS ABOUT HOW POLLS ARE CONDUCTED AND USED... IT'S TIME, CLEARLY, FOR ANOTHER LOOK INWARD BY POLLSTERS. SOME SERIOUS SOUL-SEARCHING WILL BE NEEDED TO REBURNISH GEORGE GALLUP'S ARTICLE OF FAITH -- THAT PUBLIC OPINION POLLING, WISELY USED, SHOULD ENHANCE DEMOCRACY, NOT HARM IT."

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF LOOK AT EDITORIALS IN SOME OF TODAY'S MAJOR U-S NEWSPAPERS.
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26-Nov-96 10:45 AM EST (1545 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA DEMO (L-ONLY) BY LAURA ROZEN (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: HUNDREDS OF BOSNIANS, INCLUDING MANY MUSLIM WOMEN WHO SURVIVED THE FALL OF SREBRENICA, ATTACKED THE CAR OF INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR CARL BILDT'S TOP AIDE TUESDAY IN DEMONSTRATIONS IN SARAJEVO. LAURA ROZEN HAS THE DETAILS.

TEXT: THE AIDE, MICHAEL STEINER, WAS NOT INJURED IN THE ATTACK, BUT HIS CAR WAS BADLY DAMAGED AS BOSNIANS POUNDED ON IT WHILE HE WAS INSIDE.

A COALITION OF BOSNIAN ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING FAMILIES OF MISSING PEOPLE AND WAR VETERANS ORGANIZED THE DEMONSTRATION. PROTESTERS ARE DEMANDING THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ENSURE FULL FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT (FOR CITIZENS), ENABLE REFUGEES TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES, EXTRADITE THOSE ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES TO THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE, AND DISCLOSE THE TRUTH ABOUT MISSING PERSONS.

MR. STEINER'S OFFICE ISSUED A STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE VIOLENCE, BUT SAID HE IS IN FULL SYMPATHY WITH ALL VICTIMS OF BOSNIA'S WAR, INCLUDING THE FAMILIES OF MISSING PERSONS.

MR. STEINER SAID THE PROTESTERS SHOULD BE CONDEMNING THEIR OWN LEADERS WHO HAVE FAILED TO COME TO AGREEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS OF WAR -- AND THE SERB AUTHORITIES WHO HAVE REFUSED TO ALLOW REFUGEES TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES, AND TO TURN OVER THOSE INDICTED OF WAR CRIMES.

WESTERN SOURCES SAY THE ATTACK WAS TIMED TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE OF MISSING PEOPLE AND WAR CRIMINALS BEFORE BOSNIAN LEADERS AND INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS MEET IN LONDON NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF THE BOSNIA PEACE PROCESS.

THE PROTEST BLOCKED TRAFFIC IN SARAJEVO FOR HOURS AND CAUSED BOSNIA'S THREE NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENTS TO CANCEL A MEETING OUT OF SECURITY CONCERNS. THE PROTESTERS WERE MOVING TOWARD THE BUILDING WHERE THE PRESIDENTS WERE TO MEET.

BOSNIA'S THREE PRESIDENTS HAVE NOT YET COME TO AGREEMENT ON A COUNCIL OF MINISTERS, WHICH HAS STALLED EFFORTS TO REPATRIATE REFUGEES AND TURN OVER INFORMATION ON MISSING PERSONS AND PRISONERS OF WAR. (SIGNED)
NEB/LR/PCF/RRM
26-Nov-96 2:06 PM EST (1906 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CZECH STOCK OWNERSHIP BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- LIKE OTHER FORMER COMMUNIST COUNTRIES -- IS IN THE MIDST OF RAPID TRANSFORMATION TO A MARKET ECONOMY. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD IN PRAGUE REPORTS ON HOW CZECH CITIZENS HAVE EMBRACED THE CONCEPT OF INVESTING IN STOCKS, THE OWNERSHIP SHARES OF NOW PRIVATIZED CORPORATIONS.

TEXT: PICK UP ANY PRAGUE NEWSPAPER -- INCLUDING THE OLD COMMUNIST DAILY PRAVO -- AND YOU WILL FIND AT LEAST TWO PAGES OF STOCK PRICES.

IN MOST OF THE CAPITAL'S FIVE MAJOR DAILIES, MORE THAN ONE-THOUSAND COMPANIES AND INVESTMENT FUNDS ARE LISTED. THERE ARE GRAPHS OF MARKET TRENDS AND ARROWS AND INDEXES SHOWING WHETHER THE MARKET IS UP OR DOWN. RIDE A TRAM OR BUS IN PRAGUE AND WHILE MOST PEOPLE WITH NEWSPAPERS HAVE TURNED TO THE SPORTS PAGES AT LEAST SOME ARE STUDYING THE STOCK TABLES.

ZDENEK TUMA IS AN ANALYST WITH PATRIA FINANCE, ONE OF LARGEST OF PRAGUE'S NUMEROUS STOCK BROKERS. MR. TUMA SAYS ONLY SEVEN YEARS AFTER COMMUNISM COLLAPSED, CZECHS HAVE LEARNED QUICKLY THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF CAPITALISM.

ANYWAY, YOU ARE RIGHT, PEOPLE HAVE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT CAPITAL MARKETS. THEY KNOW WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT WORKS. FROM THIS POINT OF VIEW THE TRANSFORMATION IS A GREAT SUCCESS.

THE CZECH REPUBLIC -- EVEN WHEN IT WAS STILL CZECHOSLOVAKIA -- MOVED QUICKLY TO GET ASSETS INTO THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE.

UNDER COMMUNISM THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. EVEN THE SMALLEST GROCERY STORE OR FLOWER STALL WAS STATE-OWNED. IN 1992, THEN FINANCE MINISTER -- NOW CZECH PRIME MINISTER -- VACLAV KLAUS UNVEILED A MASS PRIVATIZATION PROGRAM UNDER WHICH CITIZENS COULD BUY VOUCHER BOOKS FOR A NOMINAL FEE. AS HUNDREDS OF BIG AND SMALL ENTERPRISES WERE PRIVATIZED, CITIZENS COULD CHOOSE THE COMPANIES IN WHICH THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OWNERS, AND THEN EXCHANGE THE VOUCHERS FOR OWNERSHIP SHARES.

MORE THAN SIX-MILLION CZECHS TOOK PART IN THE VOUCHER PRIVATIZATION. STOCK BROKER ZDENEK TUMA SAYS IT IS DIFFICULT TO GENERALIZE ABOUT THE BEHAVIOR OF THESE NEW SHAREHOLDERS.

ON THE ONE HAND, IF YOU LOOK AT THE VOUCHER PRIVATIZATION, ALMOST OVER-NIGHT A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAME PARTNERS OR OWNERS OF THOUSANDS OF COMPANIES. MOST OF THEM WERE VERY UNCERTAIN ABOUT HOW TO BEHAVE OR HOW TO INVEST. THEY GAVE THEIR CLAIMS OR THEIR VOUCHER BOOKS TO INVESTMENT PRIVATIZATION FUNDS. THIS SUGGESTS THAT PEOPLE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO BEHAVE IN THE CAPITAL MARKETS. IT MEANS THEY WOULD RELY ON DECISIONS OF PROFESSIONALS, WHICH SUPPOSEDLY SHOULD BE MANAGING THE FUNDS. THAT IS ONE GROUP OF INVESTORS. THE SECOND GROUP PARTICIPATED DIRECTLY. THEY DECIDED WHICH COMPANIES TO BUY. SOME TRIED TO SPECULATE. I TEND TO THINK THAT THIS GROUP IS RELATIVELY SMALL. PEOPLE EITHER ARE IN INVESTMENT FUNDS OR THEY ARE PASSIVE INVESTORS.

THERE WERE TWO WAVES OF VOUCHER PRIVATIZATION, EACH REQUIRING AN INVESTMENT OF ABOUT 35-DOLLARS. BY CONSERVATIVE MEASURES, THOSE INITIAL INVESTMENTS THREE OR FOUR YEARS LATER HAVE YIELDED GAINS OF ABOUT ONE-THOUSAND PERCENT. AS ONE SMALL INVESTOR OBSERVES, YOU COULD NOT LOSE. BUT IN 1996, SHARE PRICES ON THE PRAGUE STOCK EXCHANGE ARE DOWN. MANY SMALL INVESTORS ARE WISHING THEY HAD SOLD BACK IN 1995 WHEN THE MARKET WAS AT ITS PEAK. BUT CZECHS ARE CONSERVATIVE, AS A GROUP THEY TEND TO BUY AND HOLD. MOST CZECHS, NOW RANKED NEAR THE TOP OF GLOBAL SHARE OWNERSHIP TABLES, ARE STILL IN THE MARKET. ON THE TRAMS AND BUSES, IT IS APPARENT EACH MORNING THEY ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THEIR INVESTMENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/JWH/RAE
26-Nov-96 9:45 AM EST (1445 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] PERRY / BOSNIA (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY LEAVES WASHINGTON SHORTLY (EDS: 8 P-M E-S-T) ON A TRIP TO ITALY, BOSNIA, THE MIDDLE EAST AND JAPAN. AS V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON, MR. PERRY WILL MEET NATO OFFICERS IN NAPLES WEDNESDAY TO DISCUSS PLANNING FOR A FOLLOW-ON PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA.

TEXT: MR. PERRY WILL MEET U-S COMMANDERS AT THE NATO NAVAL BASE IN NAPLES TO DISCUSS THE NEW BOSNIAN FORCE, WHICH WILL INCLUDE ABOUT 85-HUNDRED AMERICANS AND REPLACE THE PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE WHOSE U-N MANDATE EXPIRES AT YEAR'S END.

WITH MORE THAN 30-THOUSAND TROOPS ALTOGETHER, THE STABILIZATION FORCE -- AS IT IS CALLED -- WILL PATROL BOSNIA FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF TO GIVE MORE TIME FOR POLITICAL RECONCILIATION.

THE NEW FORCE WILL HAVE MORE OF A POLICE-LIKE FUNCTION THAN ITS PREDECESSOR. BUT PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THAT LIKE THE OUTGOING NATO-LED FORCE, IT WILL NOT PURSUE AND TRY TO ARREST INDICTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS:

IT WILL, IF IT ENCOUNTERS WAR CRIMINALS, DETAIN THEM AND TURN THEM OVER TO THE PROPER POLICE AUTHORITIES. THAT'S IS THE RULE UNDER WHICH I-FOR HAS BEEN OPERATING. AND ITS ALSO THE RULE UNDER WHICH THE STABILIZATION FORCE WILL OPERATE.

SECRETARY PERRY WILL SPEND THURSDAY -- THE U-S THANKSGIVING DAY HOLIDAY -- IN THE FIELD WITH U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA, AND MEET SENIOR RUSSIAN OFFICERS THERE ON THAT COUNTRY'S ROLE IN THE NEXT PHASE OF BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING. (SIGNED)
NEB / DAG / BD/MMK
26-Nov-96 3:41 PM EST (2041 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] SERBIA PROTESTS (L ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THERE HAS BEEN ANOTHER DAY OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS IN BELGRADE. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS STUDENTS AND OTHERS CONTINUE TO INSIST THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC REVERSE ITS DECISION ANNULLING OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN LOCAL ELECTIONS.

TEXT: OPPOSITION LEADERS SAY THE PROTESTS ARE GAINING MOMENTUM. TUESDAY, AN ESTIMATED 30-THOUSAND STUDENTS MARCHED THROUGH THE CITY CENTER, DEMANDING DEMOCRACY AND AN END TO AUTHORITARIAN RULE. WHEN THEY PASSED THE U-S EMBASSY, THE PROTESTERS SHOUTED U-S-A, U-S-A WE WANT CHANGE. IN A DRIVING RAIN, THE PROTESTERS HURLED STONES AT THE STATE TELEVISION STUDIOS, A SYMBOL OF THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT'S TIGHT GRIP ON THE MEDIA.

ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE TOGETHER OPPOSITION MOVEMENT, ZORAN DJINDJIC, SAYS THE PROTESTS WOULD SOON TURN INTO A CAMPAIGN OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE. HE SAID THE OPPOSITION WILL CALL FOR STRIKES AND SCHOOL BOYCOTTS.

THE TOGETHER MOVEMENT ALSO APPEALED TO THE SUPREME COURT TO OVERTURN THE LOWER COURT RULING ANNULLING THE OPPOSITION'S VICTORIES IN NOVEMBER 17TH LOCAL ELECTIONS. THE RULING SOCIALISTS SAID THERE WERE IRREGULARITIES IN THE VOTING.

ANOTHER OPPOSITION LEADER, VUK DRASKOVIC, SAID THE OPPOSITION IS ONLY ONE-HALF STEP AWAY FROM VICTORY. THE USUALLY FRAGMENTED SERBIAN OPPOSITION HAS BEEN UNIFIED BY THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO ANNUL THE LOCAL ELECTIONS.

THE TOGETHER MOVEMENT IS BOYCOTTING THE COURT ORDERED THIRD-ROUND OF ELECTIONS DUE FOR WEDNESDAY. CALLING THE ELECTION A FARCE, THE OPPOSITION HAS APPEALED FOR SUPPORT FROM WESTERN COUNTRIES.

THE EUROPEAN UNION MONDAY RESPONDED TO THE PROTESTS BY REFUSING TO GRANT TRADE PRIVILEGES TO SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA. THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT STRONGLY CONDEMNED THE SUNDAY ANNULMENT OF THE OPPOSITION'S VICTORY IN ELECTIONS TO THE BELGRADE CITY COUNCIL. MONDAY, AS MANY AS 150-THOUSAND PEOPLE MARCHED IN BELGRADE TO PROTEST THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT'S ACTION. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/JWH/RAE
26-Nov-96 12:19 PM EST (1719 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] SERBIAN OPPOSITION LEADER SPEAKS BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PROTESTERS HAVE TAKEN PART IN MASSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS IN BELGRADE AND OTHER SERBIAN CITIES THIS WEEK TO PROTEST THE GOVERNMENT'S CANCELLATION OF OPPOSITION ELECTION VICTORIES. THE PROTESTS HAVE BEEN ORGANIZED BY A LOOSE COALITION OF PARTIES WITH LITTLE IN COMMON EXCEPT OPPOSITION TO SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. VOA'S PAMELA TAYLOR TALKED TO ONE OPPOSITION LEADER ABOUT THE CHALLENGE TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC.

TEXT: ON SUNDAY A BELGRADE COURT ANNULLED THE RESULTS OF THE THE NOVEMBER 17 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN BELGRADE AND OTHER DISTRICTS WHERE THE OPPOSITION HAD DEFEATED THE RULING PARTY. THE COURT THEN RULED THAT A THIRD ROUND OF BALLOTING WOULD BE HELD IN THOSE MUNICIPALITIES. THE ACTION SPARKED PROTESTS THROUGHOUT SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO AND THE THREAT OF A VOTER BOYCOTT BY THE OPPOSITION COALITION KNOWN AS ZAYEDNO, OR 'TOGETHER'.

VUK DRASKOVIC OF THE SERBIAN RENEWAL MOVEMENT IS ONE OF THE COALITION'S LEADERS. IN 1991 HE AND HIS WIFE, DANICA, WERE IMPRISONED BY MR. MILOSEVIC FOR THEIR PART IN THE MASS DEMONSTRATIONS WHICH ULTIMATELY LED TO AN ARMED CRACKDOWN AND TANKS ON THE STREETS OF BELGRADE. MRS. DRASKOVIC WAS AGAIN BRIEFLY DETAINED LAST WEEK BY SECRET SERVICE FORCES FOLLOWING REMARKS SHE MADE SUGGESTING THERE SHOULD BE RESISTANCE TO THE MILOSEVIC GOVERNMENT. BUT MR. DRASKOVIC SAYS THE 'TOGETHER MOVEMENT' IS NOT CALLING FOR VIOLENCE BUT RATHER FOR THE PEOPLE TO OVERTHROW MR. MILOSEVIC BY PEACEFUL MEANS:

WE ARE ATTACKING (WITH) EGGS, THE STATE T-V, STATE MEDIA AND THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF MILOSEVIC. I'M EXPECTING HIS (MILOSEVIC'S) DEFEAT AND HE MUST BE DEFEATED BY A PEACEFUL UPRISING. WE WILL DEFEAT HIM WITH EGGS, STONES AND SLOGANS.

UP TO NOW THE POLICE ARE STANDING ASIDE. I PHONED THE POLICE, THE ARMY TO JOIN US, NOT WITH ARMS BUT AS VOTERS BECAUSE THEY VOTED TOO AGAINST MILOSEVIC.

MR. DRASKOVIC CALLED THIS WEEK'S DEMONSTRATIONS THE MOST IMPORTANT EVENT SINCE THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. IF THE MOVEMENT SUCEEDS, HE SAYS, SERBIA WILL NOT ONLY RE-JOIN THE WORLD BUT HE SAYS IT WILL EVENTUALLY UNITE WITH DEMOCRATIC FORCES IN THE NEIGHBORING REPUBLICS OF CROATIA AND BOSNIA:

IT SHOULD BE VERY EASY FOR US TO RECONCILIATE, WE DIDN'T WANT THIS WAR AND WE ARE READY TO RECONCILIATE. WE RECOGNIZE THE BORDERS OF CROATIA AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AS INDEPENDENT STATES. WE ARE COMPLETELY DEDICATED TO THE DAYTON AGREEMENT. ALL REFUGEES MUST COME BACK, ALL WAR CRIMINALS MUST PAY.

A LEADING BELGRADE JOURNALIST, MILOS VASIC OF THE INDEPENDENT WEEKLY 'VREME', AGREES THAT THE MASSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS ARE A TURNING POINT FOR SERBIA BUT HE WORRIES THAT THE OPPOSITION WILL NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ONCE THE PROTESTS ARE OVER:

IT'S UP TO THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION, HOW THEY USE THE MORAL CAPITAL, THE MORAL CREDIT THEY GOT BY SUCH WIDE POPULAR SUPPORT. THE PROBLEM WITH THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION, AS USUAL, IS THAT THEY DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO. [OPT] THERE HAVE BEEN IDEAS NOT TO ATTEND THE THIRD ROUND OF ELECTIONS AT ALL, WHICH I THINK IS A GRAVE ERROR BECAUSE THE THIRD ROUND MIGHT BRING THEM AN EVEN GREATER MARGIN [END OPT].

BECAUSE OF THE OPPOSITION'S DISORGANIZATION, MR. VASIC FEARS THAT PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MAY YET SUCCEED IN REASSERTING CONTROL. BUT UNLIKE IN 1991, MR. VASIC DOESN'T BELIEVE THE SERBIAN LEADER WILL RISK TOTAL INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNATION BY USING ARMED FORCE TO QUELL THE REVOLT. (SIGNED)
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26-Nov-96 6:36 PM EST (2336 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] THE BALKANS' MEDIA WOES BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTE FOR THE MEDIA (EIM) SAYS MORE AND MORE MEDIA IN THE REPUBLICS OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA HAVE BECOME A HINDRANCE TO THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. IN A REPORT RELEASED IN DUSSELDORF, GERMANY (IN NOVEMBER), E-I-M SAYS THE SITUATION IS MOST SERIOUS IN CROATIA AND SERBIA. [OPT] CROATIA'S INDEPENDENT RADIO 101 HAD ITS LICENSE SUSPENDED (11/20) AND THEN RESTORED AFTER THOUSANDS OF SUPPORTERS TURNED OUT TO PROTEST. SERBIA'S STATE-CONTROLLED MEDIA HAVE BEEN CRITICIZED FOR DOWNPLAYING PRESIDENT (SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC'S REFUSAL TO ACCEPT RECENT MUNICIPAL ELECTION RESULTS (11/21). [END OPT] IN BOSNIA, E-I-M REPORTS A SOMEWHAT BRIGHTER MEDIA PICTURE IN THE CROAT-MUSLIM FEDERATION THAN IN THE SERB

TEXT: ZLATKO BERBIC IS THE DIRECTOR OF RADIO CAMELEON, ONE OF BOSNIA'S SMALL, INDEPENDENT F-M RADIO STATIONS. IT BROADCASTS OUT OF THE NORTHERN CITY OF TUZLA. DURING THE SEPTEMBER GENERAL ELECTIONS, RADIO CAMELEON HELD A WESTERN-STYLE DEBATE AMONG THE MAIN PARTY CANDIDATES, WHICH WAS HEARD ONLY IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF TUZLA.

IN AN INTERVIEW AT RADIO CAMELEON'S BRIGHT NEW OFFICES, MR. BERBIC SAID HE BECAME A JOURNALIST DURING THE WAR BECAUSE HE QUICKLY REALIZED THE POWER OF THE MEDIA. THE WAR WAS STARTED IN BELGRADE, HE SAYS, BY INTELLECTUALS WHO CONTROLLED AND MANIPULATED THE MEDIA:

TAPE: CUT 1 BERBIC RUNS [:19] "THEY USED THE MEDIA. AND WHEN YOU ARE SAYING EVERY DAY THAT SOMEONE IS A KILLER BECAUSE 'TURKS KILLED OUR PEOPLE 400 YEARS OR 500 YEARS AGO AT (THE BATTLE OF) KOSOVO POLJE', AFTER FIVE YEARS OF THAT, EVERYONE FEELS STRONGER (INVINCIBLE). THIS IS GOEBBELS' THEORY."

TEXT: MR. BERBIC REFERS TO THE THEORY OF GERMAN NAZI PROPAGANDIST HERMAN GOEBBELS, THAT CEASELESS PROPAGANDA DULLS RATIONAL THOUGHT.

IN BANJA LUKA, IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC, A HUSBAND AND WIFE EXPLAINED HOW THEY TOO DECIDED TO BECOME JOURNALISTS AFTER THE WAR BROKE OUT. GORDANA KATANA IS A SERB AND FORMER ARCHITECT; HER MUSLIM HUSBAND EDO WAS A CIVIL ENGINEER. THROUGH THE HELP OF INTERPRETER, MR. KATANA EXPLAINS THAT THE COUPLE DEDIDED TO TAKE UP JOURNALISM A FEW DAYS AFTER HEARING A COMMENT BY LEADING BELGRADE JOURNALIST MILOS VASIC:

TAPE: CUT # 2 EDO KATANA RUNS [:] "HE SAID, MILOS VASIC SAID, 'YOU GIVE ME ONE YEAR OF CONTROL OF THE AMERICAN MEDIA AND I'LL PRODUCE A WAR THERE, TOO.' THIS HIGHLIGHTS THE TREMENDOUS IMPORTANCE OF THE MEDIA AND HOW MUCH YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH WITH THE MEDIA. AND THE ROLE IT HAD IN (STARTING) THIS WAR IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE ROLE WILL HAVE IN ENDING THE WAR."

TEXT: GORDANA AND EDO KATANA ARE CONVINCED THAT WITH A HEALTHY AND NORMAL MEDIA, PEOPLE IN BOSNIA AND THE REST OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WOULD RETURN TO A HEALTHY AND NORMAL LIFE. MARK WHEELER, WHO ACTED AS THE KATANA'S INTERPRETER, IS A DIRECTOR FOR MEDIA PLAN, A SARAJEVO-BASED ORGANIZATION WHICH TRAINS JOURNALISTS AND MONITORS THE PROGRESS OF THE PRESS. MR. WHEELER SAYS THE KATANAS TYPIFY A NEW STYLE OF JOURNALIST THAT IS EMERGING THROUGHOUT CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE BALKANS. FREED FROM THE RESTRICTIONS OF THEIR COMMUNIST PAST, THEY ARE ASKING PROBING QUESTIONS AND CHALLENGING PREVAILING THOUGHT. PART OF THE PROPAGANDA THEY ARE FINDING MOST DIFFICULT TO CHALLENGE, MR. WHEELER EXPLAINS, IS THE DETERMINATION ON BOTH SIDES NOT TO HEAR POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT THE OTHER SIDE:

TAPE: CUT # 3 WHEELER RUNS [:47] "(AS) GORDANA SAYS, YOU HAVE A CHOICE EVERY DAY WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE GOING TO WRITE ABOUT THE OPENING OF A NEW BUS SERVICE CONNECTING GLAMOC AND DRVAR, OR YOU'RE GOING TO WRITE ABOUT YET ANOTHER EXHUMATION OF BODIES FROM SOME MASS KILLING SITE. (AND) THERE WAS A BIG SCANDAL BECAUSE T-V HAYAT -- THIS IS MY STORY NOT HERS -- GOT HUGELY ANGRY AND TRIED TO CUT OFF A POSITIVE STORY ABOUT THE BANJA LUKA BOOK FAIR. T-V HAYAT IN SARAJEVO DIDN'T WANT ANY NEWS COMING OVER ITS AIRWAVES THAT GAVE A POSITIVE, OR AT LEAST A NORMAL, VISION OF LIFE IN A PLACE LIKE BANJA LUKA BEING POSSIBLE. PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT NORMALITY. EVERYONE IN REPUBLIKA SRPSKA HAS TO HAVE HORNS ON AND VICE-VERSA."

TEXT: MARK WHEELER BELIEVES THE MEDIA IN BOSNIA WILL CONTINUE TO NEED THE SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR YEARS TO COME. HE AGREES WITH THE CONCLUSION REACHED IN THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTE FOR THE MEDIA REPORT, THAT A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK IS URGENTLY NEEDED IN BOSNIA AS WELL AS THE OTHER REPUBLICS OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. BUT TO BE TRULY EFFECTIVE AND DEMOCRATIC, SAYS MR. WHEELER, PRESS LAWS MUST BE APPLICABLE IN BOTH POLITICAL ENTITIES (CROAT-MUSLIM FEDERATION AND REPUBLIKA SRPSKA) AND MUST MEAN (ADHERE TO OR FOLLOW???) EUROPEAN AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS. (SIGNED)
NEB/PAM/PCH
26-Nov-96 3:56 PM EST (2056 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] TURKEY / KURDS BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: FOR MORE THAN 12 YEARS, REBELS OF THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, THE P-K-K, HAVE BEEN WAGING AN ARMED CAMPAIGN FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE. THE CONFLICT IN THE MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCES OF TURKEY HAS COST MORE THAN 20-THOUSAND LIVES. HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS SAY NEARLY THREE-MILLION KURDISH CIVILIANS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY THE FIGHTING -- AND THAT THEY OFTEN HAVE NOWHERE TO GO AND NO MEANS TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES. AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM HAKKARI IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY.

TEXT:

THE SOUND OF WOOL BEING WOVEN INTO A BRIGHTLY COLORED KILIMS (FLAT WEAVE CARPETS) IS THE SOUND OF HOPE IN THIS DRAB TOWN SQUEEZED BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS OF IRAQ AND IRAN. HERE, HUNDREDS OF YOUNG KURDISH GIRLS SIT AT WOODEN LOOMS PROVIDED BY THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNOR AND EARN THE EQUIVALENT OF 30-DOLLARS FOR EVERY SQUARE METER THEY WEAVE.

THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S ATTEMPTS TO HELP HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED KURDISH VILLAGERS MAKE A LIVING.

RUHSHAN PALA IS ONE OF THE GIRLS WORKING AT THE LOOMS.

RUHSHAN SAYS KILIM WEAVING IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME FOR HER AND HER ENTIRE FAMILY.

MANY KURDS HERE SAY THEY APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR'S EFFORTS TO HELP THEM. THESE INCLUDE PROVIDING HOT MEALS FOR MORE THAN 15-HUNDRED DISPLACED PEOPLE EVERY DAY.

BUT THOSE WHO IGNORE THE MILITARY'S ORDERS AND STAY IN THEIR VILLAGES COMPLAIN THEY ARE MISTREATED BY THE SECURITY FORCES, WHO ACCUSE THEM OF SUPPORTING THE P-K-K.

GULISTAN OZEKEN IS A HALF-BLIND SHEPHERDESS FROM AGACLI VILLAGE NEAR HAKKARI TOWN.

GULISTAN SAYS HER 20-YEAR-OLD SON, MIKDAT, WAS TAKEN AWAY BY MEMBERS OF THE SECURITY FORCES WHO RAIDED THE VILLAGE LAST WINTER. SHE HAS NOT HEARD FROM HIM SINCE. HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS FAMILIAR WITH HER CASE BELIEVE THE VILLAGE WAS TARGETED BECAUSE ITS INHABITANTS REFUSED TO JOIN THE VILLAGE GUARDS -- A KURDISH MILITIA PAID BY THE STATE TO HELP IN ITS BATTLE AGAINST THE P-K-K.

VILLAGERS WHO REFUSE TO COOPERATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT ARE OFTEN ACCUSED OF HELPING THE REBELS. KURDS WHO DO JOIN THE VILLAGE GUARDS THEN FACE DEATH AT THE HANDS OF THE P-K-K, WHOSE TACTICS INCLUDE MASSACRING THEIR VICTIMS' FAMILIES AS WELL.

ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR OF HAKKARI, ABDURRAHMAN KESKIN, THE POPULATION OF HIS TOWN HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED IN THE PAST TWO YEARS BECAUSE OF IMMIGRATION FROM NEARBY VILLAGES. MOST OF THE DISPLACED LIVE IN DESPERATE CONDITIONS WITHOUT DECENT SHELTER, EMPLOYMENT OR EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILDREN. TELEVISION FOOTAGE OF CHILDREN FEEDING OFF GARBAGE DUMPS IN THE TOWN SENT SHOCKWAVES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.

MR. KESKIN COMPLAINS HE IS NOT RECEIVING ENOUGH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IN ANKARA SO THAT HE REMAINS UNABLE TO COPE WITH THE NEEDS OF HIS TOWN'S EVER-INCREASING POPULATION. IF THE GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO IGNORE HIS PLEAS FOR ASSISTANCE, MR. KESKINS SAYS, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A FRESH HUMANITARIAN CRISIS STRIKES HIS PROVINCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/RRM
26-Nov-96 11:23 AM EST (1623 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AT THE UNITED NATIONS' YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE (NETHERLANDS), DEFENSE LAWYERS FOR BOSNIAN SERB WAR CRIMES SUSPECT DUSAN TADIC HAVE ACCUSED PROSECUTORS OF PRESENTING UNRELIABLE EVIDENCE. THE DEFENSE WAS SUMMING UP ITS CASE TUESDAY IN THE TRIBUNAL'S FIRST TRIAL. MR. TADIC IS ACCUSED OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IN 1992 -- CHARGES HE DENIES. FROM THE HAGUE, GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS.

TEXT: LEAD DEFENSE LAWYER, MIKHAIL WLADLINIROFF, WENT STRAIGHT TO THE MOST VULNERABLE PART OF THE PROSECUTION'S CASE -- A WITNESS WHO ADMITS TO LYING IN COURT. THE MAN -- DRAGAN OPAGIC HAD GIVEN SOME OF THE STRONGEST TESTIMONY OF THE PROSECUTION'S CASE. AS A GUARD AT THE TRNOPOLJE PRISON CAMP, HE SAID, HE HAD SEEN DUSAN TADIC RAPE AND MURDER. A LATER DEFENSE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE WITNESS HAD LIED. HE HAD NEVER BEEN A CAMP GUARD AND HAD ONLY SEEN MR. TADIC ON VIDEO. THIS WITNESS, MR WLADIMIROFF TOLD JUDGES, CAST DOUBT ON THE WHOLE OF THE PROSECUTION'S CASE.

DIDN'T THE TESTIMONY OF DRAGAN OPACIC SOUND VERY CONVINCING, DIDN'T HIS STATEMENT FIT NEATLY INTO THE PROSECUTION'S PICTURE, WASN'T HIS STATEMENT EFFECTIVELY CORROBORATED BY THE PROSECUTION WITH ALL SORTS OF EXHIBITS AND WASN'T THIS THE PERFECT FINAL WITNESS IN THE PROSECUTION CASE? ... THAT IS THE PICTURE, YOUR HONORS. THE PROSECUTION BELIEVES ALL ITS WITNESSES WITHOUT QUERY, THAT'S WHAT THE PROSECUTION CASE IS -- NO CLEAR INVESTIGATION BUT THE GATHERING OF ACCUSATIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE OTHER ETHNIC GROUP IN THE CONFLICT.

THESE FACTORS, HE TOLD THE JUDGES, MADE THE WHOLE CASE DUBIOUS BECAUSE IT DEPENDED SOLELY ON THE TESTIMONY OF PEOPLE WHO HAD AN AX TO GRIND (DISLIKED THE DEFENDANT OR BOSNIAN SERBS IN GENERAL). EARLIER IN THE DAY, PROSECUTOR BRENDA HOLLIS COMPLETED HER SUMMING UP OF THE CASE AGAINST MR. TADIC. THERE WAS, SHE SAID, ONLY ONE POSSIBLE VERDICT.

THE PROSECUTION HAS MET ITS BURDEN IN THIS CASE. IN SOME INSTANCES, SUCH AS PROOF OF WIDESPREAD OR SYSTEMATIC ATTACK, IT HAS GONE BEYOND ITS BURDEN IN THIS CASE. JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED IN THIS CASE BY FINDING THE ACCUSED GUILTY, AS CHARGED.

THE DEFENSE IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE ITS SUBMISSION ON WEDNESDAY. THE THREE JUDGES WILL THEN RETIRE TO CONSIDER THEIR VERDICT. THAT PROCESS IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS. (SIGNED)
NEB/GS/PCF/RRM
26-Nov-96 1:19 PM EST (1819 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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