Voice of America, 97-02-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] EDITORIAL: MORE UNREST IN ALBANIA

[02] ALBANIA / AMBASSADOR (L) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

[03] BELGRADE ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

[04] EDITORIAL: SERBIA RECOGNIZES OPPOSITION VICTORIES

[05] BRCKO RULING (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[06] U-S-BRCKO UPDATE (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[07] WHY BRCKO? BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

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

[09] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

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

[01] EDITORIAL: MORE UNREST IN ALBANIA

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:

PROTESTS IN ALBANIA CONTINUE. EARLIER, POLICE AND DEMONSTRATORS CLASHED IN THE SOUTHERN PORT TOWN OF VLORE ['VLOR-UH]. MORE THAN SEVENTY PEOPLE WERE INJURED, AT LEAST ELEVEN SERIOUSLY. AND AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE DIED. MOST OF THE DEMONSTRATORS LOST THEIR SAVINGS IN A FRAUDULENT INVESTMENT COMPANY THAT RECENTLY DECLARED ITSELF BANKRUPT. DEMONSTRATORS ARE DEMANDING THE RETURN OF THEIR MONEY.

IN ALBANIA'S CAPITAL, TIRANA, AND OTHER TOWNS, SEVERAL THOUSAND INVESTORS ARE RECEIVING PARTIAL COMPENSATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF ASSETS SEIZED FROM TWO FAILED INVESTMENT COMPANIES. SO MUCH MONEY WAS PUT INTO THE FRAUDULENT INVESTMENTS THAT THEIR COLLAPSE IS BEGINNING TO AFFECT THE ALBANIAN ECONOMY. INFLATION IS RISING AND THE LOCAL CURRENCY HAS BEEN LOSING VALUE AGAINST THE U.S. DOLLAR.

THE CRISIS STEMS FROM THE RAPID GROWTH OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS OF UNREGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANIES ATTRACTING HUGE DEPOSITS ON THE PROMISE OF QUICK PROFITS. ACCORDING TO SOME ESTIMATES, ONE-BILLION DOLLARS OR MORE WERE DRAWN IN BY THE FIRMS. MANY PEOPLE SOLD THEIR NEWLY ACQUIRED HOMES AND APARTMENTS AND INVESTED THE PROCEEDS WITH THESE FRAUDULENT COMPANIES, WHICH PROMISED TO PAY RETURNS AS HIGH AS FIFTY PERCENT PER MONTH. SINCE THE COMPANIES BEGAN TO COLLAPSE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE LOST NEARLY EVERYTHING.

THE UNITED STATES RECOGNIZES THAT THE UNREGULATED INVESTMENT SCHEMES HAVE CREATED ANXIETY AND HARDSHIP THROUGHOUT ALBANIA -- A POOR COUNTRY TRYING TO OVERCOME FIFTY YEARS OF COMMUNIST ISOLATION AND MISMANAGEMENT. BUT VIOLENCE IS NOT THE ANSWER. THE U.S. URGES THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT AND ALL ALBANIAN POLITICAL LEADERS TO CALL FOR RESTRAINT. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS MUST NOT ABUSE THEIR AUTHORITY IN PUTTING DOWN DEMONSTRATIONS. THE U.S. URGES ALL SIDES TO ENGAGE IN A DIALOGUE TO ADDRESS ALBANIA'S POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.

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.
14-Feb-97 2:14 PM EST (1914 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] ALBANIA / AMBASSADOR (L) BY MAXIM KNIAZKOV (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: ALBANIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES SAYS THE PRESIDENT OF HIS COUNTRY HAS OPTED FOR A NON-CONFRONTATIONAL APPROACH TO DEALING WITH POPULAR UNREST. BUT HE ALSO HINTED AT EMERGING DIVISIONS WITHIN ALBANIA'S RULING PARTY AMID PROTESTS SPARKED BY A MASSIVE LOSS OF PEOPLE'S SAVINGS IN BAD INVESTMENT SCHEMES. V-O-A'S MAXIM KNIAZKOV REPORTS.

TEXT: AMBASSADOR LUBLIN DILJA'S REMARKS FOLLOWED AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT BY ALBANIA'S GOVERNMENT TO GET PARLIAMENT TO APPROVE A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE STRIFE-TORN SOUTHERN CITY OF VLORE.

SPEAKING IN WASHINGTON FRIDAY, MR. DILJA SAID FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO SECURE PASSAGE OF EMERGENCY LEGISLATION ARE UNLIKELY.

I AGAIN REITERATE THE COMMITMENT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC NOT TO MAKE USE OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY, NOT TO ACCEPT A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THIS SITUATION.

THE AMBASSADOR STRESSED IT WAS PRESIDENT SALI BERISHA WHO DECIDED AGAINST RESORTING TO FORCE. HE ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED WHAT HE CALLED A DIFFERENCE IN APPROACH TO THE SITUATION BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER ALEXANDER MEKSI, WHO INTRODUCED THE NOW-DEFUNCT STATE OF EMERGENCY LEGISLATION.

U-S OFFICIALS WHO FOLLOW DEVELOPMENTS IN ALBANIA SAY ATTEMPTS BY PRESIDENT BERISHA TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM THE PRIME MINISTER INDICATE THAT MR. MEKSI MAY BECOME THE FIRST POLITICAL CASUALTY OF ALBANIA'S INVESTMENT CRISIS.

THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT HAS NO OFFICIAL FIGURES ON HOW MUCH MONEY ALBANIANS LOST IN THE INVESTMENT SCHEMES THAT STARTED COLLAPSING LAST MONTH, BUT ECONOMISTS ESTIMATE THE FIGURE MAY BE AS HIGH AS TWO BILLION DOLLARS. AMBASSADOR DILJA SAID THE GOVERNMENT SEIZED ABOUT 300 MILLION DOLLARS FROM TWO OF THEM, AND THESE FUNDS ARE NOW BEING USED TO PARTIALLY REIMBURSE INVESTORS. BUT HE RULED OUT USE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE.

THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT GOING TO GIVE MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE. THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO MONEY TO GIVE TO THE PEOPLE. THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDERTAKING THE PROCESS OF DISTRIBUTING THE MONEY FROZEN BY THE FOUNDATIONS TO THE PEOPLE. AND THIS IS CLEAR.

MR. DILJA BLAMED WHAT HE CALLED ALBANIA'S LEFT-WING GROUPS AND FORMER COMMUNISTS FOR TRYING TO EXPLOIT THE INVESTMENT CRISIS FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES AND FANNING THE FLAMES OF VIOLENCE. (SIGNED)
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14-Feb-97 12:46 PM EST (1746 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BELGRADE ELECTIONS (L-ONLY) BY JULIA GLYN-PICKETT (BELGRADE)

INTRO: ON FRIDAY, THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT WAS STICKING TO ITS PROMISE TO REINSTATE OPPOSITION WINS IN LOCAL ELECTIONS HELD LAST NOVEMBER. JULIA GLYN-PICKETT REPORTS FROM BELGRADE THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIAL LEGISLATION TO RESPECT THE NOVEMBER RESULTS MARKS A NEW CHAPTER IN THE SERBIAN OPPOSITION'S STRUGGLE FOR POWER.

TEXT: ON FRIDAY, LOCAL ELECTORAL COMMISSIONS WERE BUSY IMPLEMENTING SPECIAL GOVERNMENT LEGISLATION TO RECOGNIZE LAST NOVEMBER'S OPPOSITION ELECTION VICTORIES IN 14 SERBIAN TOWNS. THE NATIONAL PARLIAMENT PASSED THAT LEGISLATION TUESDAY IN THE HOPE THAT IT WOULD PUT AN END TO MONTHS OF DEMONSTRATIONS. THAT SPECIAL LEGISLATION WAS TAILORED TO SATISFY INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS IN PARTICULAR, A SET OF EARLIER RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE "ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE."

IN SPITE OF QUESTIONS SURROUNDING ONE OF THOSE 14 TOWNS, THE OPPOSITION WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE LEGISLATION WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED IN FULL. THE SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT ALSO APPEARED READY TO RESPECT THAT LEGISLATION, AND ON FRIDAY SERBIAN PARLIAMENTARY SPEAKER, DRAGON TOMAC, SET THE DATE FOR THE OPENING OF BELGRADE CITY ASSEMBLY FOR FEBRUARY 21ST.

BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS OPPONENTS AGREE THAT THE LONG-OVERDUE RECOGNITION OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTION RESULTS SIGNALS A NEW ERA IN SERBIAN POLITICS. BUT WHILE THE RULING SOCIALISTS SAY FURTHER STREET PROTESTS ARE NOW UNJUSTIFIED, THE OPPOSITION SAYS THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE MUST CONTINUE.

A TOP OFFICIAL OF THE OPPOSITION COALITION "ZAJEDNO," MIODRAG PERISIC, TOLD VOA THAT THEY WERE PLANNING TO TRANSFORM DAILY DEMONSTRATIONS IN AN ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS MANY OF THE SPECIFIC CONCERNS OF THEIR SUPPORTERS.

IT WILL BE A TARGETED PROTEST FOR THE FREEDOM OF MEDIA. AND I DO HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE JUST A FEW DAYS DURING THE WEEK -- ONE OR TWO DAYS -- TO CONTINUE THE PROTESTS. BUT (IT WILL BE) TARGETED PROTEST CONCERNING THE FREEDOM OF MEDIA.

BUT EVEN THE MOST CREATIVE OF OPPOSITION PROTEST PLANS WILL NOT SOLVE THE TOUGHEST PROBLEM FACING THE INCOMING OPPOSITION -- BANKRUPT LOCAL GOVERNMENT. MR. PERISIC DESCRIBED THE CURRENT STATE OF MUNICIPAL BANK ACCOUNTS:

EMPTY. EMPTY. DEBTS -- ALL AROUND, DEBTS.

WITH GENERAL ELECTIONS DUE THIS NOVEMBER, THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT AND ITS OPPONENTS ARE GEARING THEMSELVES UP FOR A LONG AND GRUELING PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN. (SIGNED)
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14-Feb-97 1:03 PM EST (1803 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EDITORIAL: SERBIA RECOGNIZES OPPOSITION VICTORIES

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:

AFTER MONTHS OF STREET PROTESTS, THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN STEPS TO RECOGNIZE THE OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN LAST NOVEMBER'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. WHILE OTHER NATIONS HAD A ROLE IN CONVINCING THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THIS DECISION, THE PRIMARY ROLE WAS PLAYED BY THE SERBIAN PEOPLE. THROUGH THEIR COURAGEOUS AND RESPONSIBLE ACTIONS, THE SERBIAN PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY TOOK CONTROL OF THEIR OWN DESTINY AND DEMANDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT RESPECT THEIR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS.

WHILE THE UNITED STATES WELCOMES THE POSITIVE STEP TAKEN BY THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT, MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE. FOR TOO LONG, THE POLICIES OF THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT HAVE KEPT SERBIA ISOLATED. THE U.S. URGES SERBIA TO REFORM ITS POLITICAL SYSTEM ON THE BASIS OF ACCEPTED INTERNATIONAL NORMS OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS.

A FIRST STEP WOULD BE THE FULL AND FAIR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECENTLY PASSED SPECIAL LAW. MUNICIPAL ASSETS, INCLUDING LOCAL BROADCAST MEDIA, SHOULD BE FAIRLY TRANSFERRED AND THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD WORK CONSTRUCTIVELY WITH THE NEW MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.

ONCE THE LEGISLATION IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED, IT IS VITAL THAT THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT INITIATE A MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE WITH THE OPPOSITION TO BEGIN A PROCESS OF DEMOCRATIZATION IN SERBIA. DEMOCRACY REQUIRES ACTIVE AND UNFETTERED INDEPENDENT MEDIA, AS WELL AS RELIABLE AND TRANSPARENT ELECTORAL PROCEDURES. GENUINE PROGRESS IN ESTABLISHING A DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL SYSTEM WILL BE AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARD SERBIA'S REINTEGRATION INTO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. THE UNITED STATES AND OTHERS STAND READY TO HELP SERBIA IN THIS EFFORT.

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.
14-Feb-97 11:58 AM EST (1658 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BRCKO RULING (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: AN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION BOARD HAS DELAYED FOR ONE YEAR A FINAL DECISION ON THE STATUS OF THE CONTESTED NORTHERN BOSNIAN TOWN OF BRCKO (EDS: 'BIRCH-KO). AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS, THE BOARD DECIDED TO PLACE IT UNDER INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION.

TEXT: STRATEGICALLY LOCATED, BRCKO STRADDLES THE POSAVINA CORRIDOR WHICH LINKS THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF THE BOSNIAN-SERB REPUBLIC. BRCKO IS ALSO LOCATED ON THE SAVA RIVER WHICH FLOWS INTO THE DANUBE -- AND IT ALSO PROVIDES A GATEWAY TO NEARBY CROATIA.

BEFORE THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT, BRCKO WAS AN ETHNICALLY-MIXED TOWN WITH A MUSLIM-CROAT MAJORITY. BUT IN MAY 1992 -- AFTER FIERCE FIGHTING -- THE BOSNIAN SERBS SEIZED THE TOWN AND IT HAS BEEN UNDER THEIR CONTROL EVER SINCE.

WHEN THE DAYTON ACCORDS WERE SIGNED IN 1995, NEGOTIATORS WERE UNABLE TO DECIDE THE FATE OF BRCKO -- ILLUSTRATING THE DIFFICULTY OF REACHING ANY FINAL DECISION. AN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION PANEL WAS NAMED TO DECIDE ON THE TOWN'S FUTURE. AFTER A YEAR OF DELIBERATIONS, THE PANEL ANNOUNCED FRIDAY THAT A FINAL DECISION ON BRCKO'S STATUS WOULD NOT BE MADE FOR YET ANOTHER YEAR.

SPEAKING TO REPORTERS IN ROME, THE HEAD OF THE ARBITRATION BOARD, ROBERTS (EDS: CORRECT) OWEN, SAID PANEL MEMBERS COULD NOT AGREE ON WHO SHOULD CONTROL THE TOWN -- THE BOSNIAN SERBS, THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION OR THE JOINT GOVERNMENT OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

DOES TODAY'S DECISION MAKE THE FINAL CHOICE BETWEEN THOSE THREE CANDIDATES? THE ANSWER IS NOT YET, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT YET CONVINCED THAT ANY OF THE THREE CANDIDATES HAS BEEN SUFFICIENTLY STABILIZED TO TAKE ON THE BRCKO SITUATION. WE WANT INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION OF BRCKO FOR NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR TO LET THE THREE CANDIDATES FURTHER DEVELOP THEIR GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS AND TO ALLOW TIME FOR THE REDUCTION OF TENSIONS.

MR. OWEN SAYS AN INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISOR -- TO BE NAMED SHORTLY WILL HAVE POWERS TO SET UP A MULTI-ETHNIC POLICE FORCE AND WILL OVERSEE THE RETURN OF MUSLIM REFUGEES EXPELLED FROM THE TOWN.

NO-ONE SHOULD UNDERESTIMATE THE DIFFICULTIES. THE BRCKO PROBLEM ... DIFFICULTY ... IS "THE MOTHER OF ALL DIFFICULTIES" (EDS: THE MOST SERIOUS DIFFICULTY) THAT WE HAVE IN THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS. DO NOT EXPECT IT TO BE SOLVED, EVERY SINGLE DETAIL, TODAY -- THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

THE BRCKO ARBITRATION PANEL NOW HAS ANOTHER YEAR TO RESOLVE THE THORNY ISSUE. HOWEVER EXPERTS SAY THE CURRENT DECISION TO PLACE BRCKO UNDER INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION DOES NOT CHANGE THE STATUS QUO AND EFFECTIVELY KEEPS THE TOWN UNDER BOSNIAN-SERB CONTROL. (SIGNED)
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14-Feb-97 10:12 AM EST (1512 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] U-S-BRCKO UPDATE (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE DECISION BY ARBITRATOR ROBERTS OWEN ON THE FUTURE OF BRCKO IS NOT TOTALLY ACCEPTED BY BOSNIA'S SERBS OR MUSLIMS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES IT IS FAIR.

TEXT: THE ARBITRATION DECISION DOES NOT GIVE BRCKO TO THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT BUT REQUIRES THE SERB AUTHORITIES TO HAND OVER CONTROL OF THE TOWN TO AN INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISOR AND TO ALLOW THE RETURN OF MAINLY MUSLIM AND CROAT REFUGEES.

THE DECISION DELAYS PERMANENT CONTROL OF BRCKO FOR ANOTHER YEAR. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES CONSIDERS THE JUDGMENT AS A FAIR DECISION THAT PLACES A HIGH PRIORITY ON REDUCING THE UNDERLYING TENSION IN THE AREA.

MR. BURNS SAYS UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT, ALL SIDES MUST RESPECT THE ARBITRATION DECISION.

WE THINK THIS IS A RATIONAL WAY TO PROCEED IN A PARTICULAR PART OF BOSNIA WHICH IS NOT YET READY WE BELIEVE FOR A FINAL DECISION BY THE ARBITRATION TRIBUNAL.

THE INTERIM DECISION CALLS FOR INCREASED RECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE FOR THE WAR-BATTERED TOWN IN NORTHEAST BOSNIA, THE ORGANIZED RETURN OF REFUGEES AND ENHANCED SECURITY BY INTERNATIONAL POLICE. (SIGNED)
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14-Feb-97 3:28 PM EST (2028 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] WHY BRCKO? BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE DECISION BY AN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION BOARD TO PLACE THE DISPUTED BOSNIAN CITY OF BRCKO UNDER INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISION FOR ONE MORE YEAR SIMPLY POSTPONES FINAL ACTION ON A POTENTIALLY VOLATILE TERRITORIAL DISPUTE. BUT, AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE COMPROMISE IS THE ONLY WAY TO AVERT A RESUMPTION OF VIOLENCE IN THE REGION. VOA'S PAMELA TAYLOR LOOKS AT HOW BRCKO BECAME SUCH A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE .

TEXT: AT THE DAYTON PEACE TALKS ON ENDING THE WAR IN BOSNIA , THE STATUS OF BRCKO WAS SUCH A HOT TOPIC THAT IT WAS SEPARATED OUT OF THE OVERALL 1995 AGREEMENT. AN INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION PANEL WAS SET UP TO DECIDE THE TOWN'S FUTURE WITH AN AMERICAN DIPLOMAT, ROBERTS OWEN, AS ITS CHIEF.

DUSKO DODER, A FORMER REPORTER IN BELGRADE AND NOW A FELLOW AT THE INSTITUTE OF PEACE IN WASHINGTON EXPLAINS WHY:

IF THE CORRIDOR IS DENIED TO THE SERBS THEN THE MUSLIMS HAVE WON THE WAR AND FIGHTING WILL START. IF ON THE OTHER HAND, THIS PIECE OF REAL ESTATE WAS GIVEN TO THE SERBS, THEN THE SERBS WOULD HAVE WON AND THE MUSLIMS WOULD START THE WAR. BY SPLITTING THESE TWO CHUNKS OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA YOU WOULD IN EFFECT DESTROY THAT SERB ENTITY. ON THE OTHER HAND, BY ALLOWING THE SERBS TO TAKE SOMETHING BY SHEER CONQUEST WOULD BE A VICTORY FOR THE SERBS. SO THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO KEEP THIS PLACE INTERNATIONALIZED, TO HAVE TIME WORK AND PERHAPS DOWN THE ROAD YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT IT IN A REASONABLE WAY.

BEFORE THE FIGHTING AND ETHNIC CLEANSING OF THE BOSNIAN WAR, BRCKO WAS AN ETHNICALLY MIXED CITY WITH MUSLIMS AND CROATS MAKING UP THE MAJORITY. NOW, UNDER SERB CONTROL, SERBS FEAR IF MUSLIM AND CROAT REFUGEES ARE ALLOWED TO RETURN, THE SERBS WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THIS NARROW CORRIDOR. THE BRCKO CORRIDOR IS A VITAL LINK BETWEEN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN PARTS OF THE BOSNIAN SERB ENTITY.

BUT THE MUSLIM-LED GOVERNMENT IN SARAJEVO SAYS BRCKO BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE BEFORE THE WAR AND IT FEARS IF BRCKO REMAINS IN SERB HANDS THE FATE OF BOSNIA AS AN ETHNICALLY DIVIDED COUNTRY WILL BE SEALED.

DUSKO DODER SAYS THIS IS NOT SIMPLY AN ACADEMIC DISCUSSION AMONG POLITICIANS. HE SAYS IN REALITY THE FATE OF THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED PERSONS AND REFUGEES HANGS IN THE BALANCE:

I'VE BEEN IN BRCKO MANY TIMES THROUGH THAT CORRIDOR AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THINGS ARE WORKING NOW. WHAT YOU HAVE TO ALLOW IS THE GRADUAL RETURN OF THE RESIDENTS OF BRCKO TO THEIR HOMES.

WHAT MR. DODER MEANT BY "THINGS WORKING " IN THE BRCKO CORRIDOR IS THAT UNDER THE U-S TROOPS OF THE NATO FORCE, ECONOMIC TRADING HAS BEGUN IN A WIDE SWATHE OF LAND BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES. ON ANY GIVEN DAY SERBS, CROATS AND MUSLIMS COME BY THE THOUSANDS, BY CAR AND BY BUS TO BUY AND SELL OR SIMPLY EXCHANGE NEWS OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY. HOWEVER, MARSHALL HARRIS OF THE WASHINGTON-BASED BALKAN INSTITUTE IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHICH INTERNATIONAL MODEL THE BRCKO COMPROMISE WILL FOLLOW:

IS THIS GOING TO BE MOSTAR OR IS THIS GOING TO BE EASTERN SLAVONIA? IN EASTERN SLAVONIA YOU HAD A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL, THUS FAR, INTERVENTION. BUT ONE REASON FOR THAT IS THAT THE SERBS THERE SEEM TO BE RESIGNED TO GIVING CONTROL OF THAT REGION BACK TO WHOM IT BELONGS -- WHICH IS CROATIA. IN MOSTAR, THERE'S BEEN AN INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION THAT HAS COMPLETELY FAILED TO WREST CONTROL OF THE CITY FROM THE WARLORDS WHO ARE OCCUPYING IT.

MR. MARSHALL SAYS THE KEY TO SUCCESS OF THE NEW BRCKO AGREEMENT IS HOW RIGOROUSLY INTERNATIONAL ENFORCERS WORK TO INSURE THAT REFUGEES ARE ALLOWED TO RETURN HOME AND HOW STRENUOUSLY THEY PUSH FOR THE ULTIMATE INTEGRATION OF THE NOW DIVIDED BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
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14-Feb-97 5:43 PM EST (2243 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: LOWER PRICES ON WALL STREET FRIDAY FAILED TO HAVE MUCH EFFECT ON STOCK TRADING IN WESTERN EUROPE. PAUL FRANCUCH IN OUR LONDON OFFICE HAS CLOSING FIGURES.

TEXT: SOARING PRICES ON WALL STREET WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY PROMPTED INVESTORS IN FRANKFURT, LONDON AND PARIS TO CONTINUE BUYING SHARES ON FRIDAY. LONDON AND FRANKFURT SET NEW RECORD HIGHS. PARIS RETREATED SLIGHTLY. THE "CAC 40" INDEX OF FRENCH STOCKS LOST JUST UNDER ONE-POINT IN FRIDAY'S TRADING. HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS GAINED 14 POINTS, AND THE GERMAN "DAX 30" INDEX IN FRANKFURT ADDED ALMOST 19 POINTS IN VALUE.

IN CURRENCY TRADING, THE DOLLAR HERE IN LONDON REMAINED STEADY AGAINST THE MARK AND WAS UP ABOUT A QUARTER-CENT AGAINST THE POUND. GOLD CONTINUED ITS SLOW RECOVERY, ADDING ONE-DOLLAR-20 CENTS IN THE LONDON FIX TO CLOSE AT 343-DOLLARS-FIVE-CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
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14-Feb-97 12:50 PM EST (1750 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: A UNITED NATIONS INVESTIGATION FINDS GROSS MISMANAGEMENT IN THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR RWANDA; U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN DEFENDS HIS STRATEGY FOR OVERALL U-N REFORM. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REVIEWS THE MAIN DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST WEEK:

TEXT: A TWO-MONTH INVESTIGATION LAST YEAR HAS REVEALED CRITICAL DEFICIENCIES IN THE FUNCTIONING OF THE TRIBUNAL SET UP TO PUNISH THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 1994 GENOCIDE IN RWANDA. IT FOUND GENERAL INCOMPETENCE -- INCLUDING UNFIT LAWYERS HANDLING THE CASELOAD -- INTER-OFFICE SQUABBLING AND JEALOUSIES, AND A VIRTUAL COLLAPSE OF ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS.

SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS PROMISED TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, SAYING THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS DESERVE BETTER IF JUSTICE IS TO BE SERVED. MR. ANNAN INVITED TO NEW YORK THIS COMING WEEK THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TRIBUNAL, ANDRONICO ADEDE OF KENYA, HIS BOSS IN THE HAGUE -- JUDGE LOUISE ARBOR, WHO IS ALSO THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR FOR WAR CRIMES IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA -- AND HER DEPUTY IN KIGALI.

IT IS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER ANYONE FROM THE AFRICAN END OF THE OPERATION WILL BE FIRED. SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN SAYS HE IS STILL REVIEWING THE REPORT:

BUT I CANNOT PREJUDGE THE ISSUE. AS I SAID I'VE NOT RULED OUT ANYTHING, NOR HAVE I RULED IN ANYTHING. AND IF IT IS NECESSARY TO DISCIPLINE PEOPLE ONCE WE'VE REVIEWED THE REPORT, IT WILL BE DONE AND THERE WILL BE NO HESITATION ON MY PART.

THE GERMAN DIPLOMAT WHO LED THE INVESTIGATION -- KARL PASCHKE -- HAS URGED CRITICS TO LOOK BEYOND THE CONDEMNATIONS. HE SAYS THE MAIN POINT IS TO MAKE THE RWANDA COURT FUNCTION AS IT WAS MEANT TO:

OUR CONCLUSION IS THAT MANY THINGS HAVE TO BE CHANGED...BUT I WOULD REALLY URGE YOU NOT TO SEE THE REPORT AS DEVASTATING BECAUSE IT IS MEANT TO BE A BLUEPRINT FOR ACTION TO MAKE THIS TRIBUNAL WORK CORRECTLY.

MR. PASCHKE HEADS THE OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT THAT WAS CREATED TO FERRET OUT WASTE AND CORRUPTION IN THE U-N SYSTEM. IN THIS CASE, HE HAS ALSO FAULTED OFFICIALS IN NEW YORK FOR NOT PROVIDING ADEQUATE SUPPORT FOR THE RWANDA TRIBUNAL.

-0-

SECRETARY-GENERAL ANNAN THIS PAST WEEK -- IN A WIDE-RANGING NEWS CONFERENCE -- SPELLED OUT HIS APPROACH TO U-N REFORM. HE SAYS HE WILL PERSIST WITH CHANGING THE WAY THE U-N DOES BUSINESS, BUT AT A PACE THAT IS WORKABLE AND LOGICAL.

MR. ANNAN MADE THAT ARGUMENT IN A RECENT LUNCH MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL -- NOTING, WITH SOME HUMOR, THAT HE HAS BEEN IN OFFICE LESS THAN TWO MONTHS:

I APOLOGIZED TO THEM FOR NOT COMPLETING THE REFORM IN FIVE WEEKS. AND...THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR WAS QUICK TO POINT OUT THAT I HAD HAD MORE TIME THAN GOD DID. BUT I ALSO POINTED OUT TO HIM THAT HE (GOD) HAD A GREAT ADVANTAGE OF WORKING ALONE, WITHOUT COMMITTEES AND WITHOUT 185 MEMBERS.

SOME OF THE U-N'S HARSHEST CRITICS ARE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, WHICH IS WITHHOLDING PAYMENT OF OVER ONE BILLION DOLLARS IN PAST DUES. A CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IS EXPECTED IN NEW YORK SHORTLY TO DISCUSS WITH MR. ANNAN HIS PROGRAM FOR REFORM AND HIS TIMETABLE FOR ACHIEVING IT.

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS HE WELCOMES THE VISIT AND WILL BE HAPPY TO CLARIFY HIS AGENDA. (SIGNED)
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14-Feb-97 1:37 PM EST (1837 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: ONE OF THE MOST RESCLUSIVE NATIONS ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH, NORTH KOREA, IS LOSING A TOP OFFICIAL, AND HIS DEFECTION HAS THE ATTENTION OF SEVERAL EDITORIALS PAGE WRITERS THIS FRIDAY - - VALENTINE'S DAY - - IN THE UNITED STATES.

OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: A PENDING STRIKE OF AMERICAN AIRLINES PILOTS; POSSIBLE CHINESE INFLUENCE IN U-S PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS; THE DIPLOMATIC CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR THE U-S, INCLUDING GETTING ISRAEL AND SYRIA BACK TOGETHER AND PRESSURING BURMA FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORMS; AND LASTLY A NEW STUDY ON THE DANGERS OF TELEPHONING FROM YOUR CAR. NOW, HERE IS _____________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: TODAY'S LEAD EDITORIAL IN THE SUN FROM BALTIMORE, RUNS UNDER A HEADLINE READING: "WELCOME DEFECTOR FROM NORTH KOREA."

VOICE: "HWANG JANG YOP CAN SHED LIGHT ON THE MYSTERIES OF NORTH KOREA IF HE REACHES SOUTH KOREA, AND IF HE IS CANDID IN TELLING ALL RATHER THAN CANNY IN TELLING WHAT DEBRIEFERS WANT TO HEAR. ..... HWANG JANG YOP CANNOT BRING PEACE, BUT HE CAN REVEAL THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE REGIME NO ONE ELSE UNDERSTANDS."

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES IS ALSO INTRIGUED BY THE DEFECTION.

VOICE: "[MR.] HWANG, 73, HAS FOUR DECADES BEEN A CORE FIGURE IN PYONGYANG. HE IS AN ARCHITECT OF THE LATE KIM IL SUNG'S NATIONALIST JUCHE [ITALICS FOR FOREIGN WORD] PHILOSOPHY ....... AND IS ONE OF THE LEADING LIGHTS OF THE RULING WORKERS' (COMMUNITY) PARTY. HE ....... KNOWS MORE ABOUT HOW THE REGIME WORKS THAN ANY PREVIOUS DEFECTOR. ..... WHAT [MR.] HWANG KNOWS COULD YIELD UNPARALLELED INSIGHTS INTO HOW PYONGYANG'S LEADERS THINK AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COUNTRY."

TEXT: THE BIG DOMESTIC TOPIC IS A PENDING STRIKE BY PILOTS OF AMERICAN AIRLINES THAT THREATENS TO TURN DOMESTIC AIR TRAVEL INTO CHAOS. THE MIAMI HERALD SAYS THE STRIKE WILL COST MUCH MORE THAN JUST THE PILOTS' LOST WAGES AND THE AIRLINE'S PROFITS.

VOICE: "THE PLANS OF UNTOLD THOUSANDS OF TRAVELERS, THE FATE OF HUNDREDS OF BUSINESSES, THE FINANCIAL WELL BEING OF REGIONAL ECONOMIES - - INCLUDING THE CARIBBEAN, DALLAS/FORTH WORTH, AND OUR OWN IN SOUTH FLORIDA - - ALL HANG ON THE UNLIKELY POSSIBILITY THAT AMERICAN'S PILOTS AND MANAGEMENT SUDDENLY WILL FIND BY MIDNIGHT TONIGHT THE ANSWERS THAT HAVE ELUDED THEM FOR TWO YEARS. IT LIKELY WON'T HAPPEN."

TEXT: THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION SUGGESTS ARBITRATION IF THE TWO SIDES CAN'T AGREE ON A CONTRACT.

VOICE: "BINDING ARBITRATION IS THE FAIR, PRUDENT PATH WHEN NORMAL NEGOTIATIONS FAIL TO SETTLE AN AIRLINE CONTRACT DISPUTE. IT'S EXACTLY WHAT SOLVED ANOTHER LABOR CONFLICT AT AMERICAN IN 1993 WHEN THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WALKED OUT AFTER THE COMPANY REFUSED BINDING ARBITRATION. PRESIDENT CLINTON PRESSURED THE COMPANY INTO ARBITRATION AND THE DISPUTE WAS RESOLVED. THE WHITE HOUSE SHOULD PUSH FOR ARBITRATION THIS TIME. BUT IF THE PILOTS STILL REFUSE, [MR.] CLINTON OUGHT TO APPOINT A PRESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY BOARD AND FORCE THE PILOTS BACK TO WORK."

TEXT: STILL WITH U-S CIVIL AVIATION, NEWSDAY ON LONG ISLAND (NEW YORK), HAS THIS TO SAY ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS ON IMPROVING AIR TRAVEL SAFETY, RELEASED THIS WEEK.

VOICE: "AIRCRAFT DESIGN AND UPKEEP, PERSONNEL TRAINING AND OPERATION OF THE NATION'S AIR-TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM SHOULD BE THE FOCUS OF FOLLOW-UP ACTION, RATHER THAN HERCULEAN ANTI-TERRORISM EFFORTS. THEY ARE FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO THE DAY-TO-DAY SAFETY OF TRAVELERS. ON THAT SCORE, THE REPORT STRIKES A REASONABLE BALANCE."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES WANTS TO SEE ISRAEL AND SYRIA BACK AT THE MIDDLE EAST BARGAINING TABLE. IN SPEAKING OF PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU'S VISIT TO THE WHITE HOUSE THURSDAY, THE TIMES NOTES:

VOICE: "MR. CLINTON TRIED TO NUDGE MATTERS AHEAD BY ENCOURAGING ISRAEL AND SYRIA TO RETURN TO THE BARGAINING TABLE TO DISCUSS THE GOLAN HEIGHTS, DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS, SECURITY AND LEBANON. NO NEW TALKS WERE ANNOUNCED, BUT BOTH MR. NETANYAHU AND SYRIA'S PRESIDENT, HAFEZ AL-ASSAD, APPEAR INTERESTED IN RESUMING DISCUSSIONS. ..... MR. NETANYAHU, WHO PROPOSES RETURNING ONLY PART OF THE GOLAN HEIGHTS, HAS OFFERED TO TALK ABOUT ALL ISSUES WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS. THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR DAMASCUS. IF SYRIA IS MORE FORTHCOMING ON SECURITY GUARANTEES, IT CAN REASONABLY EXPECT ISRAEL TO SOFTEN ITS STAND ON RETURNING LAND."

TEXT: IN AN ACCOMPANYING COMMENTARY, THE PAPER URGES TOUGHER ACTION AGAINST THE MILITARY DICTATORSHIP IN BURMA.

VOICE: "WHEN PRESIDENT CLINTON'S TOP FOREIGN POLICY ADVISERS TAKE UP THE ISSUE [OF BURMA] TODAY, THEY SHOULD RECOMMEND ACTIVATING A BAN ON NEW AMERICAN INVESTMENT IN MYANMAR ..... IT WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT START FOR MR. CLINTON'S NEW TEAM, AND GIVE SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT EVIDENCE OF AMERICAN RESOLVE THAT WILL BE USEFUL IN HER VISIT TO CHINA IN TEN DAYS."

TEXT: AND SPEAKING OF CHINA, THE WASHINGTON POST REPORT THURSDAY THAT THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN GIVING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE, DRAWS THIS RETORT FROM TODAY'S WASHINGTON TIMES.

VOICE: "... WITH THE BOMBSHELL [IMPORTANT NEWS] DROPPED YESTERDAY ..... IMPLICATING THE EMBASSY OF CHINA - - AND THEREFORE, IT SEEMS FAIR TO SAY, THE GOVERNMENT OF CHINA - - IN 'PLANNING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DNC' WE HAVE ENTERED SOME PREVIOUSLY UNCHARTED WATERS. ..... THIS FUNDRAISING SCANDAL IS NO LONGER MERELY A MATTER OF MONEY, INFLUENCE AND POLITICS. WHEN FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS ENTER THE MIX - - ESPECIALLY A GOVERNMENT AS ODIOUS AS ..... BEIJING - - THE MORE BASIC ISSUE OF WHO IS WORKING FOR WHOM, AND FOR HOW MUCH, COMES TO THE FORE."

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE IS EQUALLY UPSET, ABOUT QUESTIONABLE LINKS TO CHINA FROM FORMER DNC FUNDRAISER JOHN HUANG WHO LATER WORKED AS A

COMMERCE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL.

VOICE: "IF THE BEIJING BOSSES WERE ABLE TO ACQUIRE CLASSIFIED INFORMATION ABOUT U-S CHINA POLICY THROUGH DEMOCRATIC FUND-RAISERS INDIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THEM, OR IF THEY USED [MR.] CLINTON'S FUND-RAISERS TO INFLUENCE AMERICAN POLICY IN CHINA'S FAVOR, THEN THE SELLING OF THE PRESIDENT AMOUNTED TO A SELLING OUT OF THE COUNTRY."

TEXT: THE CANADIAN MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT IS OUT WITH A NEW STUDY LINKING CAR TELEPHONE USE TO INCREASED ACCIDENTS. RESPONDS THE NEW YORK TIMES:

VOICE: "INTUITION ALONE, OF COURSE, WOULD SUGGEST THAT DRIVING WITH ONE EAR GLUED TO A CAR PHONE CAN DISTRACT ONE'S ATTENTION FROM THE ROAD. BUT IT IS NICE TO HAVE SCHOLARLY CONFIRMATION ANYWAY. INTERESTINGLY, THE DATA, THOUGH LIMITED, SUGGEST THAT HANDS-FREE CAR PHONES MAY NOT BE ANY SAFER. IT IS THE MENTAL DISTRACTION THAT LARGELY ACCOUNTS FOR THE INCREASED RISK."

TEXT: AND THAT CONCLUDES THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/NL
14-Feb-97 11:11 AM EST (1611 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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