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Voice of America, 97-09-01

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] BULGARIA / MINE (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)
  • [02] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)
  • [03] MONDAY - LABOR DAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)
  • [04] TURKEY / KURDS (L ONLY) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)
  • [05] U-S/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

  • [01] BULGARIA / MINE (S ONLY) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

    DATE=9/1/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-219229
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: AT LEAST THREE COAL MINERS HAVE DIED IN A METHANE GAS EXPLOSION AT A BULGARIAN COAL MINE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS MANY OTHER WORKERS WERE INJURED OR TRAPPED IN THE (MONDAY) ACCIDENT.

    TEXT: RESCUE WORKERS ARE TRYING TO FREE TRAPPED MINERS AFTER A GAS EXPLOSION AT THE BOBOVDOL MINE ABOUT 65 KILOMETERS FROM SOFIA.

    REPORTS FROM THE SCENE HAVE BEEN SKETCHY, BUT IT APPEARS THAT TENS OF MINERS WERE TRAPPED BY TONS OF DEBRIS AFTER PARTS OF THE MINE COLLAPSED IN THE BLAST. PRIME MINISTER IVAN KOSTOV AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS WENT TO THE MINE AS THE RESCUE OPERATION CONTINUED.

    THE BULGARIAN MINE IS REPORTED TO HAVE A POOR SAFETY RECORD, AND SEVERAL MINERS HAVE DIED IN RECENT ACCIDENTS THERE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/ART/JWH
    01-Sep-97 10:52 AM EDT (1452 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=9/1/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-219238
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: WESTERN EUROPE'S BIGGEST STOCK MARKETS ALL CLOSED HIGHER MONDAY. PAUL FRANCUCH IN OUR LONDON OFFICES HAS THE FINAL FIGURES.

    TEXT: REPORTS OF LIMITED ECONOMIC GROWTH, ALONG WITH THE STRENGTH OF THE DOLLAR, COMBINED TO DRIVE UP PRICES ON STOCK MARKETS IN FRANKFURT AND LONDON. GERMANY'S "DAX 30" STOCK INDEX ADDED MORE THAN TWO PERCENT IN VALUE MONDAY, CLOSING UP ALMOST 84 POINTS. HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX OF STOCKS GAINED JUST UNDER 53 POINTS WHEN TRADING CLOSED -- A GAIN OF MORE THAN ONE PERCENT IN VALUE FOR THE DAY. THE FRENCH "CAC 40" INDEX POSTED A COMPARABLE VALUE GAIN, ADDING 35 POINTS WHEN TRADING CLOSED IN PARIS.

    ON EUROPEAN MONEY MARKETS, THE AMERICAN DOLLAR GAINED A PFENNIG AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND A CENT AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.

    GOLD PRICES HERE IN LONDON REMAIN AROUND THE 325-DOLLAR AN OUNCE MARK, VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED SINCE FRIDAY'S TRADING. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PCF/WFR
    01-Sep-97 1:50 PM EDT (1750 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [03] MONDAY - LABOR DAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=09/01/97
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-10323
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS
    CONTENT=
    // EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS PERISHABLE MATERIAL AND BECOMES DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-D-S-T ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER FIRST //

    INTRO: THE SHOCKING AND TRAGIC DEATH OF PRINCESS DIANA OF GREAT BRITAIN OVER THE WEEKEND DOMINATES THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF THE U-S PRESS ON THIS LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.

    ALTHOUGH AMERICANS ARE NORMALLY FESTIVE OVER THIS THREE-DAY, END OF SUMMER HOLIDAY, CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COUNTRY'S TRADE UNIONS, THE DEATH OF THE PRINCESS HAS CAST A PALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

    OTHER EDITORIAL TOPICS DEAL WITH THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE SENATE OVER FOREIGN POLICY; THE POSSIBILITY OF A STAMP HONORING A YOUNG CHAMPION OF WORLD PEACE FROM MAINE; AND THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY.

    NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ___________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: THE DEATH OF THE PRINCESS OF WALES, DIANA HAS TOUCHED A CHORD IN THE U-S PRESS THAT MIRRORS THE FEELING OF THE NATION, WHICH IS CELEBRATING A RATHER SUBDUED LABOR DAY MONDAY HOLIDAY. THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, DEALS WITH THE SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUCH CELEBRITY FIGURES AS THE PRINCESS AND THE TYPE OF FRENZIED NEWS PHOTOGRAPHERS, CALLED "PAPARAZZI" WHO FOLLOW THEM EVERYWHERE.

    VOICE: "THE ACCUSATORY FINGERS ARE OUT, AND THE BLUNTEST CRITICISM WAS ARTICULATED BY PRINCESS DIANA'S BROTHER, EARL CHARLES SPENCER: 'I ALWAYS BELIEVED THE PRESS WOULD KILL HER IN THE END'; EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS WHO PAID FOR INTRUSIVE PICTURES HAVE 'BLOOD ON [THEIR] HANDS.' YES. BUT IT'S NOT QUITE THAT SIMPLE. .... THE TRAGEDY IS A NIGHTMARE FOR MANY OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS WHO ALSO HAVE BEEN AGGRESSIVELY PURSUED BY CELEBRITY PHOTOGRAPHERS. [OPT] ..... OBVIOUSLY NO ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO TRESPASS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY OR CONDUCT DANGEROUS AUTOMOTIVE PURSUITS. THERE ARE ALREADY LAWS AGAINST THAT. BEYOND THE LEGALITIES, THE ENTERTAINMENT PRESS SHOULD REJECT THE ANYTHING-GOES TACTICS THAT ARE EMPLOYED BY SOME PAPARAZZI. [END OPT] BUT THE CELEBRITY INDUSTRY MACHINE - - THE ONE THAT RELENTLESSLY PROMOTES STARS AND IS ALL TOO HAPPY TO BASK IN FREE PUBLICITY TO MAKE MEGA-BUCKS [EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF MONEY] FOR THEIR LATEST PROJECT - - ALSO NEEDS TO CONSIDER HOW IT CAN HELP REIN IN A MONSTER IT HELPED CREATE. [OPT] FINALLY, THOSE OF US [IMPLIED: IN JOURNALISM] WHO SHELL OUT [PAY] THE MONEY TO BUY THE TABLOID NEWSPAPERS, OR WHO WATCH THE TELEVISION PEEKABOO SHOWS ALSO MUST ASK WHAT SMALL PART WE ALL PLAY IN CONTRIBUTING TO AN OUT-OF-WHACK PREOCCUPATION WITH CELEBRITIES." [END OPT]

    TEXT: TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION CALLS DIANA "A PRINCESS LOVED TO DEATH" IN ITS EDITORIAL HEADLINE.

    VOICE: "[OPT] PRINCESS DIANA, PERHAPS THE MOST RECOGNIZABLE WOMAN IN THE WORLD, WAS SO BEAUTIFUL AND COMPASSIONATE THAT PEOPLE EVERYWHERE FELL IN LOVE WITH HER. AND THEN THEY LOVED HER TO DEATH. THE INSATIABLE DEMAND FOR GOSSIP AND PICTURES INVOLVING DIANA SET THE STAGE FOR HER TRAGIC END. [END OPT] ..... DIANA'S TRAGIC DEATH HAS STIRRED CALLS FOR MORE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CELEBRITIES FROM THE STALKERS WHO USE CAMERAS AS WEAPONS TO STEAL PRIVATE MOMENTS AND FENCE [SELL] THEM FOR CASH. BUT IN A WORLD FILLED WITH POWERFUL LENSES, HELICOPTERS, MOTORCYCLES AND OTHER TOOLS OF THEIR TWISTED TRADE, PAPARAZZI COULD NEVER BE STOPPED FROM CAPTURING IMAGES OF THEIR PREY. ..... THE WAY TO STOP THE STALKING IS TO QUIT BUYING THE TRASHY PUBLICATIONS THAT PAY FOR PAPARAZZI PICTURES. THIS WEEK, MANY OF DIANA'S LOYAL FANS WILL BE WEEPING FOR THEIR TRAGIC HEROINE, BUT IF THEY HAD NOT PURCHASED THE PAPERS THAT EXPLOITED HER IN THE FIRST PLACE, SHE MIGHT NOT BE DEAD."

    TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES FEELS THE DEATH, HOWEVER TRAGIC, COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO SOME HEALING OF THE RIFTS WITHIN THE RULING HOUSE OF WINDSOR.

    VOICE: "[OPT] THE WORLD WILL NOW BE PLUNGED INTO A NEW SERIES OF DRAMAS UNFOLDING IN BRITAIN. [END OPT] AS THE ROYAL FAMILY TAKES UP THE RITUALS OF MOURNING AND TRANSITION, PRINCE CHARLES MAY WELL BE ABLE TO SEIZE THE OCCASION FOR SOME HEALING, HOWEVER AWKWARD IT MIGHT BE, OF THE ACRIMONY THAT VISITED ALL SIDES OF THE FAMILY AFTER THE COLLAPSE OF HIS MARRIAGE.

    [OPT]

    THE SPOTLIGHT WILL NOW TURN ALSO TO HIS YOUNG SONS, WILLIAM AND HARRY, FOR WHOM SO MUCH SYMPATHY HAS BEEN POURED FORTH. THE PEOPLE OF BRITAIN HAVE HAD THEIR HEARTS BROKEN, AND NOW THEY MUST TURN AGAIN TO THE TASK OF ADJUSTING THEIR MONARCHY TO MODERN PRESSURES."

    TEXT: LASTLY, THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS THE GRIEVING THAT IS GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD, INDICATES THAT PRINCESS DIANA WAS CLEARLY MORE THAN JUST A BRITISH FIGURE.

    VOICE: "[OPT] THE YOUNG WOMAN WHO DIED IN A PARIS HOSPITAL AT THE END OF THE SUMMER OF 1997, HAD BEEN, FROM THE DAY ALMOST TWO DECADES AGO WHEN SHE ENTERED THE PUBLIC'S CONSCIOUSNESS AS THE WIFE-TO-BE OF THE HEIR TO THE BRITISH THRONE, THE CENTRAL FIGURE IN A GRIPPING AND CONTINUOUSLY UNFOLDING DRAMA. IT WAS PART 'FAIRY TALE' AND ROMANCE, AS NO ONE EVER TIRED OF SAYING, BUT IN A LARGER PART WE THINK, CONTEMPORARY MORALITY PLAY, AS WELL - - AND NOTHING IF NOT SEARINGLY UP TO DATE. [END OPT] DIANA, AS ONE COMMENTATOR OBSERVED SATURDAY NIGHT, GREW INTO AN IDENTIFIABLE HUMAN BEING IN THE COURSE OF HER MISERABLE MARRIAGE AND ITS AFTERMATH, AS DISTINCT FROM THE INNOCENT, HAPPY, ALMOST FICTIONAL ABSTRACTION SHE HAD SEEMED TO BE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PUBLIC'S FASCINATION WITH HER. ..... SHE WAS BREATHTAKINGLY UNCONVENTIONAL BY TRADITIONAL STANDARDS OF PROPRIETY AND ROLE-MODELSHIP. AT THE SAME TIME SHE WAS DEEPLY ENGAGED IN GOOD WORKS AND PROVED IT BY TAKING REAL PERSONAL RISKS IN THE PURSUIT OF HER DIFFERENT CAUSES."

    [END OPT]

    TEXT: TURNING BRIEFLY TO OTHER NEWS, THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE, IS COMMENTING ON THE BATTLE OVER FOREIGN POLICY BY THE CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE, SUCH AS FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JESSE HELMS AND THE WHITE HOUSE.

    VOICE: "IN THE MATTER OF WILLIAM WELD, SOMETHING MORE IMPORTANT IS AT ISSUE THAN WHO WILL SERVE AS U-S AMBASSADOR TO MEXICO. THE FIGHT OVER [MR.] WELD'S NOMINATION IS A SMALL SKIRMISH IN A LARGER STRUGGLE - - TO DEFINE THE DIRECTION OF AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY, AND TO PRESERVE THE CONSTITUTION'S CLEAR PRESCRIPTION OF FOREIGN-POLICY ROLES FOR THE WHITE HOUSE AND U-S SENATE. IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S RIGHT WIN THAT NOW CONTROLS SENATE FOREIGN-POLICY MACHINERY, A WORRISOME PHILOSOPHY DUBBED 'HAWKISH ISOLATIONISM' HAS CONVERGED WITH A CAVALIER DISREGARD FOR THE FOREIGN-POLICY PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION. ....[SENATOR] HELMS' REFUSAL TO HOLD A HEARING ON [MR.] WELD'S NOMINATION MAKES A MOCKERY OF THE SENATE'S CONSTITUTIONAL 'ADVISE AND CONSENT' FUNCTION. WITHOUT A HEARING AND A VOTE, THERE CAN BE NO ADVICE AND NO DECISION ON WHETHER TO CONSENT."

    TEXT: TODAY'S PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD TALKS OF THE INTEREST IN RUSSIA FOR MAINE SCHOOLGIRL SAMANTHA SMITH WHO WENT TO THE FORMER SOVIET UNION IN 1983 IN A PERSONAL QUEST FOR PEACE THAT STIRRED THE WORLD. NOW, THE PAPER NOTES, THERE IS A MOVE TO HONOR HER MEMORY WITH A POSTAGE STAMP.

    VOICE: "NO OTHER AMERICAN CHILD IS AS BELOVED AS THIS MANCHESTER [MAINE] SCHOOLGIRL .... 'SAMANTHA SMITH EMBODIED AMERICAN VALUES, SHE SHOWED US ANOTHER WAY TO APPROACH FOREIGN LANDS ... AND SHE REMINDED EACH OF US THAT WE, TOO, WERE CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING GREATNESS,' SAYS REPRESENTATIVE JOHN BALDACCI. "

    TEXT: THE PAPER URGES ITS READERS TO WRITE TO THE POSTAL SERVICE'S STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE ADVOCATING A STAMP THAT COME OUT ON THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF HER EPIC TRIP NEXT JULY.

    LASTLY, ON THE SUBJECT OF TRADE UNIONS, WHICH ARE CELEBRATED ON THIS LABOR DAY MONDAY HOLIDAY, THE SUN IN BALTIMORE TAKES STOCK OF THE ORGANIZED LABOR SITUATION, NOTING SOME DISQUIETING TRENDS.

    VOICE: "THE FACT THAT WAL-MART [A NATIONWIDE CHAIN OF DISCOUNT-PRICED GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORES THAT PAYS EMPLOYEES RELATIVELY LOW WAGES] BECAME THE NATION'S LARGEST CORPORATE EMPLOYER OVER THE PAST YEAR SYMBOLIZES MUCH ABOUT THE NATION'S WORK FORCE THIS LABOR DAY. YES, THE NATION'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HOVERS AROUND FIVE PERCENT, A FIGURE THAT APPROACHES FULL EMPLOYMENT; THE ECONOMY CONTINUES TO SURGE; WELFARE ROLLS ARE PLUMMETING LIKE NEVER BEFORE, AND THE SETTLEMENT OF THE UNITED PARCEL SERVICE STRIKE SUGGESTED THAT A COMPANY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL WHILE PROVIDING REASONABLE WAGES AND BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES. WHILE WORKERS HAVE REASON TO FEEL ENCOURAGED ABOUT THE STATE OF THE WORKPLACE, UNREST LINGERS. MANY EMPLOYEES ARE NOT SHARING IN THE NATION'S PROSPERITY ..... IN ADDITION, JOB SECURITY IS ELUSIVE, AS WORKERS TRY TO ADAPT TO - - OR RESIST - - TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES AND CORPORATE DOWNSIZING [REDUCTIONS IN STAFF]. EMPLOYEES WORRY THAT THE JOBS OF TODAY ARE INFERIOR TO THE JOBS OF YESTERYEAR. ..... ORGANIZED LABOR, EMBOLDENED BY THE TEAMSTERS' SUCCESS IN THE UPS STRIKE HOPES TO CAPITALIZE ON WORKER UNEASINESS. [HOWEVER] LABOR ORGANIZERS HAVE A LOT OF CONVINCING TO DO BEFORE THEY WIN OVER WORKERS, EVEN THOSE WHO FEEL FORGOTTEN IN THIS BOOMING ECONOMY."

    TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF U-S PRESS EDITORIALS FOR THIS LABOR DAY MONDAY HOLIDAY.
    NEB/ANG/EH
    01-Sep-97 11:30 AM EDT (1530 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=9/1/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-219228
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: TURKISH SECURITY OFFICIALS ON MONDAY BLOCKED A RALLY IN SUPPORT OF ENDING THE 13-YEAR KURDISH CONFLICT IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY. AMBERIN ZAMAN IN ANKARA REPORTS POLICE DETAINED AT LEAST 16 KURDISH ACTIVISTS AND POLITICIANS IN THE MAINLY KURDISH SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN ORGANIZING THE RALLY.

    TEXT: POLICE IN DIYARBAKIR DETAINED MEMBERS OF THE PRO-KURDISH PEOPLE'S DEMOCRACY PARTY AS WELL AS OFFICIALS FROM THE HEALTH AND EDUCATION WORKERS' LABOR UNIONS. THE RALLY WOULD HAVE COINCIDED WITH WORLD PEACE DAY AND WAS MEANT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE 13 YEAR CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TURKISH MILITARY AND THE OUTLAWED KURDISTAN WORKERS' PARTY, OR P-K-K.

    A CONVOY OF 70 BUSES CARRYING PEACE ACTIVISTS WHO WANTED TO TRAVEL TO DIYARBAKIR TO TAKE PART IN THE DEMONSTRATION WERE DENIED ACCESS TO THE PROVINCE.

    SIX EUROPEAN MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHO SAID THEY CAME TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEACE MOVEMENT WERE ALSO BARRED FROM DIYARBAKIR CITY. THE LEGISLATORS COMPLAINED THEY HAD -- IN THEIR WORDS -- BEEN TREATED LIKE CRIMINALS BY THE TURKISH AUTHORITIES. THEY SAID POLICE HAD SEIZED AND BURNED FILM FROM THEIR CAMERAS BEFORE FORCING THEM TO FLY BACK TO ISTANBUL.

    TURKISH OFFICIALS SAY THE PROPOSED PEACE RALLY IS JUST ANOTHER PROPAGANDA PLOY ORCHESTRATED BY THE P-K-K. THEY SAY THE REBEL GROUP FINANCED TRAVEL OF THE FOREIGN PEACE ACTIVISTS TO TURKEY, A CLAIM THE EUROPEAN GROUP NUMBERING AROUND 50 HAS VIGOROUSLY DENIED.

    MANY OF THE PEACE ACTIVISTS -- BOTH TURKISH AND FOREIGN -- ADVOCATE DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND THE P-K-K.

    BUT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL NEVER TALK TO WHAT IT TERMS A BAND OF RAGTAG TERRORISTS WITH BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS. THE P-K-K, WHICH IS BACKED BY NEIGHBORING SYRIA AND IRAN, FREQUENTLY TARGETS CIVILIANS. THE GROUP'S VICTIMS INCLUDE THE FAMILIES OF KURDS WHO HAVE TAKEN UP ARMS AGAINST THE REBELS AND SIDED WITH THE TURKISH STATE AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES SERVING IN THE SOUTHEAST REGION. NEARLY 30-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE P-K-K'S FIGHT FOR AN INDEPENDENT KURDISH STATE. BY THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT'S OWN ADMISSION NEARLY THREE-THOUSAND KURDISH VILLAGES HAVE BEEN FORCIBLY EVACUATED BY THE SECURITY FORCES SINCE THE START OF THE INSURGENCY.

    MILLIONS OF KURDS HAVE SINCE SOUGHT REFUGE IN THE MAIN SOUTHEASTERN CITIES AS WELL AS IN WESTERN PROVINCES SUCH AS ISTANBUL AND IZMIR. MOST DO NOT HAVE JOBS AND ARE UNABLE TO EITHER FEED, EDUCATE OR PROVIDE PROPER HEALTH CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AZ/JWH
    01-Sep-97 10:45 AM EDT (1445 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] U-S/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=8/31/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-219206***
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    /// RE-RUNNING WITH CHANGE OF WORDING IN FIRST GRAF OF TEXT ///

    INTRO: AN AMERICAN DIPLOMAT SAYS LAST WEEK'S VIOLENCE IN THE NORTHEAST BOSNIAN SERB TOWN OF BRCKO AGAINST AMERICAN NATO PEACEKEEPERS WAS ORGANIZED FROM OUTSIDE BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. VOA'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE STATEMENT FOLLOWS A SCATHING DENUNCIATION BY SPECIAL U-S BALKANS ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD OF THE HARDLINE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP FOR INSTIGATING THE VIOLENCE:

    TEXT: ROBERT FARRAND, BRCKO'S INTERNATIONAL SUPERVISOR, SAYS HE IS CERTAIN THOSE WHO ORGANIZED THE VIOLENCE AND TOOK PART IN IT WERE OUTSIDERS. WHEN ASKED IF HE MEANT YUGOSLAVIA, MR. FARRAND SAID -- QUOTE -- YOU CAN DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS.

    TWO U-S SOLDIERS AND SEVERAL BOSNIAN SERB CIVILIANS WERE INJURED THURSDAY WHEN NATO FORCES TRIED TO PUT THE BRCKO POLICE FORCE IN THE HANDS OF COMMANDERS LOYAL TO PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC. MS. PLAVSIC IS LOCKED IN A POWER STRUGGLE WITH HER PREDECESSOR, RADOVAN KARADZIC. SATURDAY, ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD WARNED THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP IN PALE OF SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES IF THEY CONTINUE TO BLOCK IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS:

    ///GELBARD ACTUALITY///

    THEY SHOW NO INTEREST IN IMPLEMENTING THE DAYTON AGREEMENT AT ALL. THEY SHOW ACTIONS ONLY ASSOCIATED WITH TOTALITARIAN BEHAVIOR.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    THE UNITED STATES AND NATO WARN ATTACKS ON STABILIZATION FORCE SOLDIERS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

    MR. FARRAND MET IN BANJA LUKA SUNDAY WITH MS. PLAVSIC AND SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL ONLY WORK WITH MINISTERS SHE APPOINTS. HE INSISTS THE PEACE PROCESS REMAINS ON TRACK. (SIGNED)
    NEB/SD
    31-Aug-97 7:47 PM EDT (2347 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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