Voice of America, 96-12-13

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] 96: U.S. / BOSNIA FORCE BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

[03] EDITORIAL: E-U PROMOTES DEMOCRACY IN CUBA

[04] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[05] GERMANY/BOSNIA TROOPS (S ONLY) BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)

[06] MILOSEVIC LETTER (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (BELGRADE)

[07] NATO'S EASTWARD EXPANSION BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[08] SERBIA PROTESTS (L) BY BARRY WOOD (BELGRADE)

[09] TURKEY / KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

[10] U-N / BOSNIA FORCE APPROVAL (S-ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

[11] U-S / SERBIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

INTRO: THE EASTWARD EXPANSION OF NATO IS THE PREDOMINANT EDITORIAL TOPIC IN FRIDAY'S AMERICAN PRESS. THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT HOW THE EXPANSION, TO TAKE PLACE IN THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS, WILL AFFECT RUSSIA, AND NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: THE SITUATION IN SERBIA; THE MAN WHO WILL GOVERN HONG KONG UNDER CHINESE RULE; THE GULF WAR SYNDROME CONTROVERSY, AND SOUTH AFRICA'S NEW CONSTITUTION. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _______________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: NATO EXPANSION IS VERY MUCH ON THE MIND OF THE U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL WRITERS AS THEY BEGIN TO QUESTION WHY THERE HAS SO FAR BEEN NO NATIONAL DEBATE ON THE ISSUE, AND ITS POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES. THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES ASKS IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE: "ENLARGEMENT OF NATO: WHERE'S THE DEBATE?" AND IN THE BODY OF THE COMMENTARY, THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS.

VOICE: "... THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED ABOUT NATO NEARLY A HALF-CENTURY AGO CONTINUE TO BE RELEVANT TODAY. THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION ORIGINATED AS A COUNTERWEIGHT TO THE SOVIET UNION'S MILITARY CONTROL OVER EASTERN EUROPE. GIVEN THE ENORMOUS POLITICAL REALIGNMENT THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE, WHAT PURPOSE IS THE ALLIANCE NOW EXPECTED TO SERVE? HOW MUCH WILL IT COST THE UNITED STATES TO RAISE THE MILITARY STANDARDS OF NEW EASTERN EUROPEAN MEMBERS AND BRING THEM INTO CONFORMITY WITH THE REST OF NATO? MOST NOTABLY, WHAT AMERICAN STRATEGIC INTERESTS ARE SERVED BY EXTENDING U-S SECURITY GUARANTEES EASTWARD? ... AMERICANS HAVE YET TO HEAR THE CASE FOR NATO ENLARGEMENT ARGUED IN THE PRACTICAL AND SPECIFIC DETAIL IT DESERVES."

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, THE MIAMI HERALD SUPPORTS THE ALLIANCE'S EXPANSION WITHOUT RESERVATION, SAYING, IN PART:

VOICE: "THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF NATO IS A NEEDED AND WELCOMED DEVELOPMENT. IT WILL RESULT IN AN ORGANIZATION THAT MORE FAITHFULLY REFLECTS THE PRESENT FACE OF EUROPE AND ITS SECURITY NEEDS... THE NEED FOR STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND MULTILATERAL COOPERATION IN SOLVING REGIONAL CONFLICTS IS AS GREAT TODAY AS IT EVER WAS, IF FOR DIFFERENT REASONS. THE WORK OF NATO IN BOSNIA IS BUT ONE EXAMPLE OF THIS."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST ALSO AGREES THE EASTWARD ENLARGEMENT SHOULD TAKE PLACE.

VOICE: "THE BOTTOM LINE? [FINAL CONCLUSION] ENLARGING NATO'S MEMBERSHIP ROSTER MAKES SENSE. IT'S TIME TO DECIDE WHICH EAST EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS MERIT INVITATIONS. BUT THE LARGER FUTURE OF NATO IS AN EVEN MORE PRESSING CONCERN -- ONE TO WHICH PRESIDENT CLINTON WOULD DO WELL TO ADDRESS HIMSELF AS HIS SECOND ADMINISTRATION GETS UNDER WAY."

TEXT: IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL, THE WASHINGTON POST ALSO FAVORS THE EXPANSION:

VOICE: "NATO IS CASUALLY DISMISSED IN SOME QUARTERS AS A COLD WAR RELIC. IN FACT, IT IS WORKING ITS WAY TO A NEW MISSION: FROM CONTAINING SOVIET POWER TO COLLECTING THE ENERGIES OF EUROPE'S DEMOCRACIES. IF NATO IS TO BE A TRUE CLUB OF DEMOCRACIES, HOWEVER, IT MUST OPEN ITS RANKS AFTER THOROUGH REVIEW TO QUALIFIED NEW APPLICANTS. THE CANDIDATES INCLUDE STATES WITH CENTURIES OF EXPERIENCE WITH THE IDEAS AND POLITICAL FORMS OF THE WEST -- EUROPEANS TO THE CORE."

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN IS CONCERNED ABOUT A CRITICAL, PARALLEL POLICY -- NUCLEAR ARMS REDUCTION.

VOICE: "THE BIGGER QUESTION [THAN EXPANSION] IS WHETHER THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS GRASPING THE INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN NUCLEAR POLICY AND NATO POLICY. THE ALLIANCE'S EASTWARD EXPANSION FEEDS NATIONALIST ELEMENTS IN RUSSIA, PROMPTING THEM TO BLOCK RATIFICATION OF START TWO, THE PENDING STRATEGIC ARMS REDUCTION TREATY, AND NEGOTIATIONS ON A FOLLOW-UP START THREE. YET WITHOUT THESE TREATIES BY THE NUCLEAR SUPERPOWERS, THERE IS LITTLE PROSPECT FOR FORWARD MOVEMENT ON NUCLEAR RESTRAINT WORLDWIDE."

TEXT: TURNING TO ANOTHER, YET RELATED TOPIC, THE UNREST IN SERBIA, NEWSDAY ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND RAISES A KEY QUESTION ABOUT U-S POLICY TOWARD PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC:

VOICE: "WHAT IS WASHINGTON TO DO WHEN A REPUGNANT TYRANT IS PERCEIVED AS USEFUL TO AMERICAN AIMS? THAT'S THE QUANDARY FACING PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND HIS NEW FOREIGN POLICY TEAM AS THEY TRY TO DEAL WITH SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, THE SELF-PROCLAIMED PRESIDENT OF SERBIA WHO HAS SUBVERTED THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS BY ANNULLING THE RESULTS OF RECENT ELECTIONS. BUT HE IS ALSO SEEN AS THE KEYSTONE TO THE DAYTON ACCORD ... WITHOUT HIS COOPERATION, THE CONSENSUS IN NATO GOES, BOSNIA'S RESTIVE SERBS WOULD NO LONGER FEEL BOUND BY THE RESTRICTIONS IN THE DAYTON ACCORD THAT KEEP THEM FROM RENEWED FIGHTING WITH CROATS AND MUSLIMS. THIS DICHOTOMY MAKES FOR A PRECARIOUS BALANCING ACT IN FORMULATING U-S POLICY."

TEXT: TURNING TO EAST ASIA, TO HONG KONG, WHERE A GROUP OF CHINESE-DESIGNATED BUSINESS LEADERS HAS CHOSEN THE COLONY'S FIRST LEADER RESPONSIBLE TO BEIJING, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL COMMENTS:

VOICE: "NEWSPAPERS AROUND THE GLOBE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT TUNG CHEE-HWA HAS WON THE 'RACE' TO BECOME HONG KONG'S FIRST CHIEF EXECUTIVE UNDER THE NEW RULES OF THE CHINA HANDOVER. BUT RATHER THAN 'ELECTED,' MR. TUNG WAS SELECTED BY A SMALL, HARDLY REPRESENTATIVE GROUP APPOINTED BY CHINA'S GOVERNMENT... AS SOMEONE WHO STUDIED IN BRITAIN AND LIVED IN THE U-S FOR A DECADE, MR. TUNG COULD BE EXPECTED TO HAVE THE BROADER WORLDVIEW THAT HEADING THE GOVERNMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL AND TRADE CENTER REQUIRES. BUT BECAUSE OF THE MANNER OF HIS SELECTION, SOME OF HONG KONG'S LEADING DEMOCRATS NEED TO BE CONVINCED."

TEXT: USA TODAY COMMENTS ON THE MYSTERIOUS GULF WAR SYNDROME AFFECTING SOME VETERANS OF THAT CONFLICT, AND THE U-S MILITARY'S FAILURE TO CANDIDLY DISCLOSE ITS RECORDS ON THE ISSUE.

VOICE: "FOR FIVE YEARS, GULF WAR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES COMPLAINED ABOUT ILLNESSES AND HEALTH PROBLEMS. THEY ASKED THE MILITARY FOR ANSWERS. NOW, IT'S INCREASINGLY CLEAR THAT THE MILITARY DELIVERED A STONEWALL [TOTAL DENIAL OF INFORMATION] INSTEAD. WHETHER IT WAS THEIR CHILDREN'S BIRTH DEFECTS OR THEIR OWN FATIGUE, MOST VETERANS WERE TOLD THEIR HEALTH PROBLEMS WEREN'T CONNECTED TO THEIR SERVICE. IT WAS IN THEIR GENES [THE ILLNESSES WERE HEREDITARY] OR IN THEIR HEADS [PSYCHOLOGICAL]... THE MEDICAL EVIDENCE IS STILL IN DOUBT, BUT THE 'FACTS' THE PENTAGON RELIED ON ARE MELTING AWAY WEEKLY, AND ALONG WITH THEM THE PENTAGON'S CREDIBILITY.

TEXT: FINALLY, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR IS HAILING SOUTH AFRICA'S NEW CONSTITUTION AS A "BIG STEP" FOR THE NEWLY DEMOCRATIC NATION. IT WRITES:

VOICE: "SOUTH AFRICA'S CLIMB TOWARD FULL DEMOCRACY AND SOCIAL EQUITY GOT FIRMER FOOTING THIS WEEK WITH ENACTMENT OF A NEW CONSTITUTION. PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA SIGNED THE DOCUMENT IN A CEREMONY AT SHARPEVILLE, THE SCENE OF ONE OF APARTHEID'S WORST TRAGEDIES IN 1960, WHEN 69 BLACK PROTESTERS WERE MASSACRED... THE CONSTITUTION BOLSTERS THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA BEING ERECTED BY MR. MANDELA AND HIS PARTNERS IN GOVERNMENT... SOUTH AFRICA'S DEMOCRATIC EXPERIMENT IS STILL YOUNG, BUT STURDY."

TEXT: ON THAT HOPEFUL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS IN FRIDAY'S U-S NEWSPAPERS.
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13-Dec-96 11:10 AM EST (1610 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] 96: U.S. / BOSNIA FORCE BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

INTRO: THE YEAR IS ENDING IN BOSNIA WITH NATO'S PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE (I-FOR) PULLING OUT AS SCHEDULED -- BUT WITH A SMALLER NATO-LED STABILIZATION FORCE MOVING IN FOR A STAY OF AT LEAST 18 MORE MONTHS. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON THE MILITARY ASPECTS OF BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING WERE AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS. BUT EFFORTS AT POLITICAL RECONCILIATION, DISAPPOINTING.

TEXT: THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE ROLLED INTO BOSNIA A YEAR AGO EXPECTING AND PREPARED FOR RESISTANCE FROM AT LEAST RENEGADE FACTIONS OF THE SERB, MUSLIM AND CROAT ARMIES THAT HAD BEEN FIGHTING OVER THE BALKANS COUNTRY FOR NEARLY FOUR YEARS.

BUT TO THE IMMENSE SURPRISE OF NATO COMMANDERS, THE PROCESS OF SEPARATING AND DEMOBILIZING THE OPPOSING FORCES WAS CARRIED OUT WITHOUT A SINGLE CASE OF ORGANIZED ATTACK AGAINST THE MORE THAN 50-THOUSAND I-FOR SOLDIERS.

CASUALTIES AMONG THE PEACEKEEPERS HAVE BEEN FEW AND ATTRIBUTED MAINLY TO ROAD ACCIDENTS AND MINE DETONATIONS. AND WHILE THE FACTIONAL ARMIES AND THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS ARE NOW RESTRICTED TO NATO-SUPERVISED CANTONMENTS, MOST OBSERVERS BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE EASING OF THE ANIMOSITIES THAT FUELED THE MOST SERIOUS CONFLICT IN EUROPE SINCE WORLD WAR TWO.

NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER PRODUCED A COLLECTIVE PRESIDENCY AND PARLIAMENT, BUT THE ENVISAGED NEW GOVERNMENT OF THE THREE MAIN PARTIES HAS BEEN SLOW IN TAKING SHAPE. THE RETURN OF THE COUNTRY'S MORE THAN TWO MILLION REFUGEES TO THEIR HOMES, PROMISED IN THE DAYTON ACCORDS, HAS HARDLY BEGUN AND SPAWNED SERIOUS TENSIONS ALONG THE INTER-ETHNIC BOUNDARIES.

THE PROBLEMS FORCED THE INDEFINITE POSTPONMENT OF LOCAL ELECTIONS THAT WERE ALSO TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN SEPTEMBER, BUT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED LARGE-SCALE CROSSINGS OF THE DE FACTO BORDERS BY DISPLACED BOSNIANS.

AT THAT TIME, IT WAS BECOMING CLEAR TO NATO PLANNERS THAT A FOLLOW-ON PEACEKEEPING PRESENCE WOULD BE NECESSARY AFTER I-FOR. BUT THE DECISION BY NATO TO CREATE THE 31-THOUSAND MEMBER STABILIZATION FORCE DID NOT COME UNTIL AFTER THE U-S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

AN APOLOGETIC U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY SAID NATO HAD BEEN CORRECT IN ASSESSING, A YEAR AGO, WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO END THE FIGHTING -- BUT NOT HOW TO MAKE REAL PEACE:

WE ESTIMATED THE SIZE OF THE FORCE WE WOULD NEED. WE ESTIMATED THE KIND OF RESISTANCE WE WOULD COME UP WITH. WE ESTIMATED WE WOULD BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE FORCE PROTECTION IN A WAY THAT MINIMIZED THE CASUALTIES. ALL OF THOSE ESTIMATES WERE RIGHT. WE ALSO ESTIMATED THAT WE'D GET THIS MISSION DONE IN 12 MONTHS. AND THAT WAS RIGHT IN THE SENSE THAT ALL OF THE TASKS THAT WERE SPELLED OUT FOR I-FOR, WE DID IN THE 12 MONTHS. IT WAS WRONG IN THE SENSE -- I WAS WRONG, IN PARTICULAR -- IN MY BELIEF THAT HAVING DONE THOSE TASKS, WE WOULD HAVE ESTABLISHED THE CONDITIONS WHICH WOULD ALLOW US TO LEAVE BOSNIA. THAT WAS AN ERROR IN JUDGMENT. IT'S MY ERROR IN JUDGMENT.

THE STABILIZATION FORCE, WHICH INCLUDES 85-HUNDRED AMERICANS, IS TO REMAIN IN BOSNIA THROUGH MID-1998. BUT EVEN MR. PERRY ADMITS A DEPARTURE AT THAT TIME WILL BE TOO SOON, IF INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE IS UNABLE TO PRODUCE AN ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN BOSNIA THAT SPANS THE ETHNIC DIVISIONS AND PROVIDES ADEQUATE EMPLOYMENT. (SIGNED)
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13-Dec-96 2:41 PM EST (1941 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EDITORIAL: E-U PROMOTES DEMOCRACY IN CUBA

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:

THIS MONTH, THE EUROPEAN UNION ADOPTED AN INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE DEMOCRACY IN CUBA. THE RESOLUTION MAKES ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH THE COMMUNIST DICTATORSHIP OF FIDEL CASTRO CONTINGENT ON CUBA'S MAKING PROGRESS TOWARD DEMOCRACY AND THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. THE DOCUMENT CALLS FOR THE RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS AND AN END TO THE HARASSMENT OF DISSIDENTS. IT COMMITS THE FIFTEEN MEMBER STATES OF THE E-U TO ENCOURAGING "A PROCESS OF TRANSITION TO PLURALIST DEMOCRACY AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS" IN CUBA.

THE UNITED STATES WELCOMES THIS ACTION BY THE EUROPEAN UNION. THE U.S. HOPES THAT THE NEW E-U APPROACH WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMON GOAL OF PROMOTING DEMOCRACY, FREEDOM, AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN CUBA.

CUBA IS RULED BY A REGIME THAT CLINGS TO THE DISCREDITED, DICTATORIAL HABITS OF THE PAST. ITS LEADERSHIP IGNORES THE HOPES OF THE CUBAN PEOPLE, THE COURSE OF HISTORY AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STANDARDS OF HUMAN RIGHTS. THE CASTRO REGIME DENIES FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS TO THE PEOPLE OF CUBA -- AND HAS BEEN CONDEMNED TIME AND AGAIN FOR THESE VIOLATIONS. THE EUROPEAN UNION'S ACTION SHOWS THAT THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN CUBA IS A PRIORITY NOT JUST OF THE UNITED STATES BUT OF DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES EVERYWHERE.

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, DC, 20547, USA. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
13-Dec-96 12:57 PM EST (1757 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: THE BIG DECLINE ON WALL STREET THURSDAY WAS FELT ON KEY WEST EUROPEAN BOURSES FRIDAY, AS SHARE PRICES IN FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS ALL DECLINED. VOA'S PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE NUMBERS FROM OUR OFFICES IN LONDON.

TEXT: THE MARKETS ALL OPENED WITH STOCKS TAKING A DIVE FRIDAY, BUT AS TRADING PROGRESSED, PRICES RECOVERED SOMEWHAT.

THE BIGGEST DECLINE WAS REGISTERED IN FRANKFURT'S KEY "DAX 30" INDEX OF PRIME GERMAN STOCKS. THAT INDEX LOST MORE THAN 47 POINTS WHEN TRADING CLOSED FRIDAY. HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" INDEX OF 100 MAJOR BRITISH SHARES LOST GROUND AS WELL, BUT THE DECLINES WERE NOT AS PRONOUNCED AS IN FRANKFURT. THE "FOOTSIE" LOST JUST OVER 18 POINTS FOR THE DAY. IN PARIS, THE "CAC 40" INDEX DECLINED, LOSING JUST SHORT OF NINE POINTS.

ON THE CURRENCY MARKET HERE IN LONDON FRIDAY, THE DOLLAR GAINED A FRACTION OF A CENT AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, BUT LOST A FRACTION OF A CENT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. GOLD GAINED MORE THAN A DOLLAR OVER THURSDAY'S CLOSING FIX, SELLING AT 369-DOLLARS-55 CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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13-Dec-96 1:54 PM EST (1854 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] GERMANY/BOSNIA TROOPS (S ONLY) BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)

INTRO: GERMANY'S PARLIAMENT FRIDAY GAVE THE FINAL GO-AHEAD FOR TROOPS TO JOIN A NEW PEACE-KEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA. AS V-O-A'S DAGMAR BREITENBACH REPORTS FROM BONN, THIS MARKS THE FIRST TIME GERMAN COMBAT TROOPS WILL PARTICIPATE IN A NATO GROUND MISSION.

TEXT: THE GERMAN LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT HAS VOTED BY A LARGE MAJORITY TO PROVIDE ABOUT THREE-THOUSAND INFANTRY TROOPS TO HELP SECURE THE PEACE IN BOSNIA.

DEFENSE MINISTER VOLKER RUEHE CALLED THE DECISION AN IMPORTANT POLITICAL SIGNAL. SUPPORTERS AGREE THAT GERMANY HAS A DUTY TO HELP ENFORCE LAST YEAR'S DAYTON AGREEMENT BECAUSE BOSNIA'S PEACE REMAINS FRAGILE.

THE NEW DEPLOYMENT, WHICH WILL REMAIN IN BOSNIA FOR, AT MOST, 18 MONTHS, WILL BECOME PART OF THE NATO-LED MULTINATIONAL FORCE OF PEACEKEEPERS. GERMANY HAD ALREADY PROVIDED TROOPS TO THE FIRST MULTINATIONAL DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA, BUT THESE WERE MAINLY SUPPLY, LOGISTICS AND MEDICAL UNITS, BASED IN CROATIA,, TO AVOID REVIVING MEMORIES OF THE WORLD WAR TWO NAZI OCCUPATION OF THE BALKANS.

GERMANY'S NEW CONTINGENT IN BOSNIA WILL, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE WAR, INCLUDE INFANTRY TROOPS READY AND EQUIPPED TO FACE COMBAT SITUATIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DB/PCF/KL
13-Dec-96 8:26 AM EST (1326 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] MILOSEVIC LETTER (S ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (BELGRADE)

INTRO: SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS REJECTED CHARGES THAT HE INTERFERED WITH LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS LAST MONTH. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD IN BELGRADE REPORTS THIS WAS THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT FROM MR. MILOSEVIC IN MORE THAN THREE-WEEKS OF PRO-DEMOCRACY DEMONSTRATIONS.

TEXT: MR. MILOSEVIC ANSWERED THE CHARGES OF ELECTION FRAUD IN A LETTER TO U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER THAT WAS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN FRIDAY'S PRO-GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPERS.

THE SERBIAN LEADER SAID THE COURTS HAD FOUND LEGITIMATE IRREGULARITIES IN THE NOVEMBER 17TH ELECTION. HE SAID IT WAS FAIR FOR THE COURT TO ORDER REPEAT ELECTIONS, WHICH THE OPPOSITION THEN BOYCOTTED.

MR. MILOSEVIC SAID IT IS NOT TRUE THAT SERBIAN AUTHORITIES ANNULLED THE LOCAL ELECTIONS. HE SAID THE OPPOSITION IS NOT ABLE TO ACCEPT DEFEAT.

IN HIS LETTER, MR. MILOSEVIC INVITED A DELEGATION FROM THE VIENNA-BASED ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE TO COME TO SERBIA TO ASSESS THE FAIRNESS OF THE ELECTIONS.

THE CANCELLATION OF THE NOVEMBER 17TH OPPOSITION VICTORY IN BELGRADE AND OTHER CITIES TRIGGERED THE DAILY PROTESTS THAT HAVE SHOWN NO SIGN OF DIMINISHING. MR. MILOSEVIC SAID IT IS NOT TRUE THAT POLICE BEAT A DEMONSTRATOR LAST WEEKEND. HE ACCUSED THE OPPOSITION OF THREATENING TERRORISM AND SAID THE POLICE WOULD REACT TO PUBLIC DISTURBANCES. (SIGNED)
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13-Dec-96 7:35 AM EST (1235 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NATO'S EASTWARD EXPANSION BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION AGREED THIS WEEK TO INVITE AT LEAST ONE ADDITIONAL EUROPEAN NATION TO BECOME A NEW MEMBER OF THE MILITARY ALLIANCE BEFORE THE END OF THE DECADE. THE CONJECTURE AMONG EXPERTS IS THAT THE LEADING CANDIDATES ARE POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC. THERE IS GROWING CONCERN IN THE U-S PRESS THAT THIS DECISION IS BEING MADE WITHOUT THE ACCOMPANYING DEEP AND SOUL-SEARCHING DEBATE THAT MANY PAPERS FEEL IS NECESSARY FOR SUCH A WATERSHED EVENT. WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM ________________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: NATO EXPANSION IS AN ISSUE ON WHICH THE AMERICAN PRESS IS DIVIDED. MANY PAPERS APPLAUD PLANNED ENLARGEMENT, NOTING THAT THE NATIONS MOST MENTIONED FOR NEW MEMBERSHIP HAVE A LONG HISTORY, BEFORE COMMUNISM, OF WESTERN EUROPEAN TRADITIONS, INCLUDING CAPITALISM. THESE PAPERS ARGUE THAT AN EASTWARD EXPANSION OF THE MILITARY ALLIANCE WOULD SAFEGUARD THESE FLEDGLING DEMOCRACIES AGAINST ANY RESURGENT NATIONALISM OR COMMUNISM THAT COULD ERUPT IN RUSSIA.

THOSE OPPOSED SAY SUCH A MOMENTOUS DECISION NEEDS TO BE CAREFULLY DEBATED IN THIS COUNTRY, WHICH, THEY SAY, HAS NOT YET HAPPENED. THEY ADD THAT NATO ENLARGEMENT MAY HAVE THE EXACT OPPOSITE EFFECT IN RUSSIA, FUELING THE FIRES OF NATIONALISM AND RAISING FEARS OF A U-S DOMINATED ALLIANCE SITTING ON RUSSIA'S WESTERN BORDER. OUR SURVEY BEGINS IN CALIFORNIA'S STATE CAPITAL WITH THE SACRAMENTO BEE, WHICH CALLS THE EXPANSION "DUBIOUS," ASKING:

VOICE: "IF RUSSIA IS NO LONGER A THREAT, THEN WHY MOVE NATO'S EASTERN BOUNDARY CLOSER TO ITS BORDER? IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, THE REAL BUT UNSTATED REASON IS TO DETER A FUTURE EXPANSIONIST RUSSIA, THEN WHY ARE POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC, WHICH DO NOT BORDER RUSSIA, AT THE TOP OF THE ELIGIBILITY LIST? THEY WOULD BE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO BE THREATENED BY A NEO-IMPERIALIST RUSSIA THAN THE THREE BALTIC REPUBLICS -- LATVIA, LITHUANIA AND ESTONIA -- AND UKRAINE, ALL OF WHICH BORDER RUSSIA AND NONE OF WHICH HAVE BEEN GIVEN ENCOURAGEMENT TO BELIEVE THEY WILL EVER BECOME NATO MEMBERS. IT MAKES SENSE TO DEEPEN EXISTING SECURITY TIES BETWEEN NATO AND RUSSIA THROUGH THE LOOSELY-KNIT, EUROPE-WIDE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE, AS NATO LEADERS ... AGREED IN BRUSSELS TO DO... BUT EXPANDING NATO EASTWARD NOW WITHOUT A CLEAR MISSION, ALSO AT GREAT COST AND WITH ITS UNCERTAIN IMPACT ON EAST-WEST RELATIONS, IS PREMATURE."

TEXT: WRITING IN THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, BENJAMIN SCHWARZ, THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF WORLD POLICY JOURNAL, CALLS THE EXPANSION OF NATO TO THE EAST A "DANGEROUS GAME." AS A WAY OF MAKING HIS POINT, MR. SCHWARZ TRIES TO LOOK AT EVENTS FROM THE RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE:

VOICE: "IMAGINE THE U-S RESPONSE IF A RUSSIAN-LED PACT EXPLOITED A WEAKENED U-S BY INCORPORATING WESTERN EUROPE AND CANADA... NATO EXPANSION COULD PROVOKE A NEW COLD WAR. THE COLD WAR ENDED WITH THE DISSOLUTION OF THE WARSAW PACT AND THE BREAKUP OF THE SOVIET UNION. MOSCOW AGREED TO QUIT EASTERN EUROPE AND TO ALLOW GERMAN UNIFICATION -- A DEVELOPMENT WHICH, GIVEN THE HISTORY OF GERMAN-RUSSIAN RELATIONS IN THE 20TH CENTURY, MOSCOW REGARDED WITH TREPIDATION. MOREOVER, RUSSIA ACCEDED TO THE CONTINUED EXISTENCE OF AN ALLIANCE THAT HAD BEEN HOSTILE TO IT AND EVEN AGREED TO THE INCLUSION OF THE NEWLY UNIFIED GERMANY IN THAT ALLIANCE. IN RETURN MOSCOW RECEIVED ASSURANCES FROM THE U-S AND ITS ALLIES THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SITUATION TO TIP THE GEOPOLITICAL BALANCE, THUS POTENTIALLY THREATENING RUSSIA'S SECURITY. FROM MOSCOW'S PERSPECTIVE, THE UNITED STATES, BY PUSHING TO BRING ITS POWERFUL MILITARY ALLIANCE TO RUSSIA'S BORDERS, HAS RENEGED ON THIS BARGAIN."

TEXT: TAKING A VERY DIFFERENT VIEW FROM MR. SCHWARZ, THE OREGONIAN IN PORTLAND EDITORIALIZES:

VOICE: "IF IT'S ALL CAREFULLY MANAGED, NATO'S GROWTH IS A LOGICAL, HISTORICALLY INEVITABLE DEVELOPMENT. THERE'S NO REASON WHY THE ORGANIZATION, PERHAPS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ALLIANCE IN HISTORY, SHOULD REMAIN TAILORED TO A COLD WAR EUROPE THAT NO LONGER EXISTS."

TEXT: THE FINAL ARGUMENT IN TODAY'S DEBATE COMES FROM THE WASHINGTON POST, WHICH SAYS NATO EXPANSION MAKES SENSE BOTH IN TODAY'S TERMS, AND FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE.

VOICE: "NATO IS CASUALLY DISMISSED IN SOME QUARTERS AS A COLD WAR RELIC. IN FACT, IT IS WORKING ITS WAY TO A NEW MISSION: FROM CONTAINING SOVIET POWER TO COLLECTING THE ENERGIES OF EUROPE'S DEMOCRACIES. IF NATO IS TO BE A TRUE CLUB OF DEMOCRACIES, HOWEVER, IT MUST OPEN ITS RANKS AFTER THOROUGH REVIEW TO QUALIFIED NEW APPLICANTS. THE CANDIDATES INCLUDE STATES WITH CENTURIES OF EXPERIENCE WITH THE IDEAS AND POLITICAL FORMS OF THE WEST -- EUROPEANS TO THE CORE."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT ON THE PLANNED EASTWARD EXPANSION OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION.
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13-Dec-96 3:42 PM EST (2042 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] SERBIA PROTESTS (L) BY BARRY WOOD (BELGRADE)

INTRO: ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS CONTINUED IN BELGRADE FRIDAY AS DEMONSTRATORS -- STUDENTS AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE POLITICAL OPPOSITION -- KEPT UP THE PRESSURE AGAINST BESIEGED SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM BELGRADE.

TEXT:

THE SUN HAD ALREADY SET AS THE PROCESSION OF 30-THOUSAND STUDENTS CROSSED THE MAIN BRIDGE OVER THE SAVA RIVER, BACK INTO CENTRAL BELGRADE. THEY HAD MARCHED FOR THREE AND A HALF HOURS. MANY WAVED THEIR RED ENROLLMENT BOOKS IN THE AIR. THE STUDENTS HAD WALKED 10 KILOMETERS TO THE SUBURB OF ZEMUN, WHERE THEY DEMANDED THAT THE FACULTY OF THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE JOIN THE UNIVERSITY-WIDE STRIKE. NINETEEN YEAR OLD NINA, MARCHING WITH HER BOYFRIEND, IS A STUDENT AT THE PHILOLOGICAL FACULTY.

WE'VE MADE THE LONGEST WALK IN THE WHOLE COURSE OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS. WE'VE BEEN TO THE SPECIAL FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, WHOSE DEAN REFUSED TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROTEST. SO WE'VE BEEN THERE TO WELCOME THE STUDENTS AND ASK THAT THEY COME WITH US.

BELGRADE TRAFFIC POLICE ESCORTED THE MARCHERS AND DIRECTED CARS AND BUSES AWAY FROM THE ROUTE OF PROTEST. MANY ONLOOKERS WAVED GREETINGS AT THE MARCHERS, MOST OF WHOM WERE UNDER THE AGE OF 21.

ANOTHER GROUP OF MARCHERS -- AT LEAST 200 PEOPLE -- LEFT THE CITY OF NOVI SAD FRIDAY TO MARCH 80 KILOMETERS SOUTH TO BELGRADE. THE NOVI SAD MARCHERS ARE TO JOIN THE BELGRADE PROTESTS SATURDAY. MEANWHILE, THE MAIN OPPOSITION MOVEMENT HELD WHAT HAS BECOME ITS USUAL DAILY RALLY IN THE REPUBLIC SQUARE.

EARLIER FRIDAY, PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MADE HIS FIRST COMMENTS ABOUT THE UNREST. IN A LETTER TO U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER -- WHICH WAS PRINTED ON THE FRONT PAGE OF PRO-GOVERNMENT NEWSPAPERS -- MR. MILOSEVIC REJECTED CHARGES OF FRAUD IN RECENT MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. HE, IN TURN, INVITED EXPERTS FROM THE "ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE" TO COME TO SERBIA TO ASSESS THE FAIRNESS OF THE NOVEMBER 17TH MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. THE CANCELLATION OF OPPOSITION VICTORIES TRIGGERED THE DAILY STREET PROTESTS THAT HAVE GONE ON FOR MORE THAN THREE WEEKS NOW. MR. MILOSEVIC SAID SERBIA HAD A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY, AND HE ACCUSED THE OPPOSITION OF POLITICAL TERRORISM. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/PCF/KL
13-Dec-96 1:49 PM EST (1849 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] TURKEY / KURDS (L-ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)

INTRO: TURKISH PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN SAYS THE U-S-LED ALLIED OPERATION TO PROTECT IRAQI KURDS FROM POSSIBLE ATTACK BY IRAQI TROOPS IS -- IN HIS WORDS -- OVER. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS THE PRIME MINISTER'S ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWS WEEKS OF NEGOTIATIONS INVOLVING TURKEY, THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, AND FRANCE WHICH TOGETHER MAKE UP THE OPERATION KNOWN AS "PROVIDE COMFORT."

TEXT: MR. ERBAKAN SAID ALLIED FLIGHTS WOULD CONTINUE OVER NORTHERN IRAQ IN COMPLIANCE WITH A UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTION. BUT HE SAID THE REST OF OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT -- WHICH ALSO INCLUDED GROUND TROOPS IN NORTHERN IRAQ ALONGSIDE A HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM -- IS NO LONGER NECESSARY.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS CLOSE TO THE TALKS TO REDEFINE THE OPERATION CONFIRMED THAT THE GROUND OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ WILL BE DISCONTINUED. ALLIED TROOPS BASED IN THE KURDISH-CONTROLLED ENCLAVE WERE PULLED OUT LAST AUGUST AFTER ONE OF THE MAIN IRAQI KURDISH FACTIONS -- THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE K-D-P -- INVITED IRAQI GOVERNMENT TROOPS TO HELP DEFEAT ITS RIVAL, THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN, THE P-U-K.

K-D-P LEADER MASSOUD BARZANI'S ALLIANCE WITH IRAQI LEADER SADDAM HUSSEIN IS CITED BY WESTERN DIPLOMATS AS ONE OF THE CHIEF REASONS FOR THE U-S DECISION TO END ITS HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN NORTHERN IRAQ.

DIPLOMATS CLOSE TO THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH TURKEY OVER THE NEW STRUCTURE OF THE ALLIED PRESENCE DESCRIBE IT AS PUTTING LESS EMPHASIS ON DEFENDING THE KURDS AND MORE ON ENHANCING THE WESTERN STRATEGIC DETERRENT -- NOT ONLY TO IRAQ BUT TO OTHER NATIONS, INCLUDING IRAN.

UNDER EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS, THE MANDATE OF THE FORCE NEEDS TO BE RENEWED EVERY THREE MONTHS BY THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT. PRIME MINISTER ERBAKAN IS UNDER MOUNTING PRESSURE FROM HIS ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY TO STICK TO HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISE TO EXPEL WHAT HE USED TO DESCRIBE AS THE INFIDEL FORCE.

THERE HAS BEEN SUSTAINED PUBLIC HOSTILITY TO THE WESTERN MILITARY PRESENCE. MOST TURKS BELIEVE THAT ITS HIDDEN AGENDA IS TO OVERSEE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE IN NORTHERN IRAQ -- A FEELING THAT HAS BEEN WIDELY EXPLOITED BY MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITION IN ORDER TO EMBARRASS THE GOVERNMENT.

WESTERN DIPLOMATS HOPE THAT THE FORCE'S PRESENCE WILL BECOME LESS CONTROVERSIAL. THAT HOPE IS SHARED BY THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND MILITARY WHO FEAR THAT THE DEPARTURE OF WESTERN TROOPS WOULD ENCOURAGE PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN TO AGAIN STRIKE AGAINST HIS KURDISH POPULATION, TRIGGERING A MASS EXODUS OF REFUGEES. SUCH ATTACKS IN 1991 PROMPTED MILLIONS OF KURDS TO FLEE TO THE TURKISH AND IRANIAN BORDERS. (SIGNED)
NEB/AZ/JWH/KL
13-Dec-96 10:48 AM EST (1548 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-N / BOSNIA FORCE APPROVAL (S-ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL LATE THURSDAY AUTHORIZED A REDUCED NATO-LED FORCE TO REMAIN IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA FOR ANOTHER 18 MONTHS. IT ALSO EXTENDED A U-N CIVILIAN OPERATION IN THE COUNTRY UNTIL NEXT DECEMBER. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS.

TEXT: NATO HAS ALREADY WORKED OUT ITS NEW DEPLOYMENT IN BOSNIA. IT NOW HAS THE BLESSING OF THE UNITED NATIONS.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL -- IN A DETAILED RESOLUTION -- ALSO RENEWED A U-N CIVILIAN OPERATION, WHICH INCLUDES A SIZEABLE POLICE CONTINGENT. THE AIM, IT SAID, IS TO HELP BOSNIA STABILIZE PEACE THROUGH INSTITUTIONS OF LAW AND ORDER. HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORING IS A KEY ELEMENT OF THAT EFFORT.

DIPLOMATS NOTED BOSNIA STILL NEEDS A STRONG INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE COUNCIL POINTED OUT THAT THE BOSNIANS THEMSELVES DURING THE NEXT TWO YEARS MUST ASSUME MANY OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES NOW BEING SHOULDERED BY OTHERS. IT SAID THE BOSNIANS ULTIMATELY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESS OF LAST YEAR'S DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. THAT AGREEMENT LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR ENDING THE BOSNIAN WAR. FINALLY, THE SECURITY COUNCIL URGED ALL THE SUCCESSOR STATES OF THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA TO ESTABLISH FULL DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH EACH OTHER TO SOLIDIFY REGIONAL PEACE. (SIGNED)
NEB/EJ/RRM
12-Dec-96 9:02 PM EST (0202 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] U-S / SERBIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS REACTED WITH SKEPTICISM TO AN OFFER BY SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO INVITE THE "ORGANIZATION OF SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE" TO ASSESS LAST MONTH'S LOCAL ELECTIONS IN SERBIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES WANTS TO SEE ACTIONS BEHIND THE WORDS.

TEXT: THE INVITATION WAS CONTAINED IN A LETTER TO SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER FROM PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT HAS REACTED TO A SUGGESTION BY MR. CHRISTOPHER THAT INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS COME TO SERBIA TO STUDY THE LOCAL ELECTIONS HELD NOVEMBER 17TH.

THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION WON IN 15 OF 18 MUNICIPALITIES -- BUT THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT ANNULLED THOSE VICTORIES. THERE HAVE BEEN DAILY STREET PROTESTS IN BELGRADE EVER SINCE.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT, IN ITS FIRST REACTION TO MR. MILOSEVIC'S LETTER, COMPLAINS THE SERBIAN LEADER DID NOT ADDRESS THE PRINCIPAL AMERICAN CONCERNS ABOUT THE CANCELLED ELECTIONS.

SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL STUDY THE INVITATION TO THE O-S-C-E TO SEND OBSERVERS -- BUT NOTES THERE IS NO PROMISE BY PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO RESTORE THE ANNULLED ELECTIONS.

PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, IN HIS LETTER, FAILS TO ADDRESS IN ANY SERIOUS AND COMMITTED WAY THE SUBSTANTIVE CONCERNS THE UNITED STATES HAS RAISED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS CONCERNING THE ANNULMENT OF THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS AND THE SUBSEQUENT ABUSE BY THE SERBIAN POLICE OF MANY OF THE DEMONSTRATORS. THE UNITED STATES REJECTS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S LEGALISTIC ARGUMENTS IN THIS LETTER THAT TRY TO WHITEWASH THE SIMPLE TRUTH: THERE HAS BEEN A BLATANT DISREGARD OF THE DEMOCRATIC WILL OF THE SERBIAN PEOPLE AND THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT HAS ANNULLED ELECTIONS WHICH NOW SHOULD BE RESTORED.

MR. BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS SKEPTICAL OF THE SERBIAN OFFER TO LET O-S-C-E OBSERVERS STUDY THE ELECTION.

IN THE LETTER TODAY, IT APPEARS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC MAY BE WILLING TO AGREE TO OUR PROPOSAL -- BUT WE ARE GOING TO JUDGE HIM BY HIS ACTIONS AND BY THE DEGREE OF COOPERATION THAT HE SHOWS THE O-S-C-E WHEN THE O-S-C-E DELEGATION ARRIVES IN BELGRADE AT THE INVITATION OF THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE TERMS MUST BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE O-S-C-E IN VIENNA -- AND THEN THE NEXT STEP WILL BE TO EXAMINE THE CONDITIONS FOR THE VISIT. THE UNITED STATES HOPES A PROMINENT INTERNATIONAL FIGURE WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO BELGRADE QUICKLY.

SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER ALSO RECEIVED A BRIEFING FROM ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAMBERTO DINI, WHO MET WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THURSDAY. MR. BURNS SAYS THE ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DELIVERED A TOUGH MESSAGE, TELLING MR. MILOSEVIC THAT HE RISKS COMPLETE ISOLATION FROM EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA IF HE DOES NOT REVERSE HIS ANNULMENT OF THE ELECTIONS.

THE UNITED STATES DID COMMEND THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT FOR ALLOWING RADIO STATION B-92 TO SIGN A MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH STATE TELEVISION FOR BROADCASTING AUTHORITY. THE STATION WAS BRIEFLY BANNED BY THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT -- BUT WAS ALLOWED TO RESUME BROADCASTING WHEN V-O-A AND OTHER FOREIGN RADIO STATIONS RELAYED B-92'S PROGRAMMING. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/RRM
13-Dec-96 4:43 PM EST (2143 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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