Voice of America, 97-09-23

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] MAD COW DISEASE (L-ONLY) BY JESSICA BERMAN (WASHINGTON)

[03] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

[04] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[05] SERBIA ELECTION (L) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BELGRADE)

[06] SERBIA ELECTION (S) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BELGRADE)

[07] SREBRENICA WOMEN BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

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

[09] U-S/BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MIXED IN TRADING TUESDAY IN EUROPEAN EXCHANGES. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: STOCK PRICES ENDED DOWN SHARPLY IN A VOLATILE DAY OF TRADING IN LONDON AND PARIS, BUT THEY WERE UP IN FRANKFURT. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX ROSE TO NEAR RECORD LEVELS. BUT IT THEN FELL SHARPLY, AND ENDED OFF MORE THAN 48-POINTS

PRICES IN PARIS FELL SHARPLY, BUT THEN STRUGGLED BACK, WITH THE CAC-40 INDEX ENDING THE DAY DOWN ABOUT 21-POINTS.

IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE FLOOR TRADING DAY UP NINE POINTS. FRANKFURT PRICES ALSO ROSE A LITTLE IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE U-S DOLLAR GAINED IN VALUE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK. BUT IT WAS DOWN SLIGHTLY AGAINST THE JAPANESE YEN AND THE BRITISH POUND.
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23-Sep-97 1:44 PM EDT (1744 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] MAD COW DISEASE (L-ONLY) BY JESSICA BERMAN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: EXPERTS SAY IT WILL PROBABLY BE ANOTHER TWO OR THREE YEARS BEFORE THEY CAN POSITIVELY DETERMINE IF THERE IS A LINK BETWEEN INFECTED BEEF AND SO-CALLED "MAD COW DISEASE." BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO PREVENT FURTHER OUTBREAKS OF THE ILLNESS. V-O-A'S JESSICA BERMAN REPORTS.

TEXT: JAKOB-CREUTZFELDT ('YAH-KOOB, CROYTZ-FELT) DISEASE, OR C-J-D, IS A RARE ILLNESS, USUALLY OCCURING IN ABOUT ONE IN ONE-MILLION PEOPLE. BUT WITHIN THE LAST FEW YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN 21 CONFIRMED CASES OF THE DEADLY NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER IN BRITAIN AND ONE CASE IN FRANCE.

SYMPTOMS BEGIN WITH MEMORY LOSS OR CONFUSION, FOLLOWED BY STRANGE BEHAVIOR OR PROBLEMS WALKING. EVENTUALLY, PATIENTS FALL INTO A COMA AND DIE WITHIN A FEW MONTHS.

THE OUTBREAK IS BELIEVED TO BE OF A NEW STRAIN OF C-J-D THAT THE VICTIMS CONTRACTED BY EATING INFECTED BEEF. THE MEAT CAME FROM COWS THAT WERE SICK WITH THE SAME DISEASE BUT, IN COWS, THE ILLNESS IS CALLED BOVINE ('BOH-VINE) SPONGIFORM ('SPONGE-EH-FORM) ENCEPHALOPATHY (EN-SEF-AH-'LAH-PATH-EE). THE ILLNESS EATS AWAY AT THE ANIMALS' BRAINS. AND AS THE COWS' HEALTH DECLINES, THEY SWING THEIR HEADS FROM SIDE TO SIDE, HENCE THE TERM "MAD COW DISEASE." THE COWS APPEARED TO HAVE CONTRACTED THE ILLNESS FROM SHEEP. IN SHEEP, THE DISEASE IS CALLED "SCRAPIE," BECAUSE THE ANIMALS SCRAPE OR RUB THEMSELVES RAW.

PAUL BROWN, OF THE U-S NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLGOICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE, IS CONSIDERED THE COUNTRY'S LEADING EXPERT ON JAKOB-CREUTZFELDT DISEASE IN HUMANS.

IT'S POSSIBLE EXPERIMENTALLY TO GRIND UP A PIECE OF BRAIN FROM, LET'S SAY, A SHEEP THAT HAS THIS DISEASE CALLED SCRAPIE, INOCULATE IT INTO THE BRAIN OF A HEALTHY SHEEP AND PRODUCE THE DISEASE. IT'S ALSO BEEN POSSIBLE TO DO THE SAME THING EXPERIMENTALLY WITH OTHER SPECIES. THAT IS TO SAY, GRIND UP THE BRAIN OF A SHEEP AND INOCULATE A MOUSE OR A MONKEY.

IN BRITAIN, IT APPEARS THAT COWS BECAME INFECTED WITH THE BRAIN DISORDER BY EATING FEED SUPPLEMENTED WITH A PROTEIN MIXTURE PRODUCED BY GRINDING UP THE CARCUSES OF SHEEP. /// OPT /// WHILE HUMANS APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN INFECTED FROM CONTAMINATED BEEF PRODUCTS, THERE ARE NO KNOWN CASES OF HUMANS CONTRACTING JAKOB-CREUTZFELDT DISEASE DIRECTLY AS A RESULT OF EATING SHEEP MUSCLE OR ORGAN MEAT. /// END OPT ///

SINCE THE BRITISH OUTBREAK, BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO PREVENT THE FURTHER SPREAD OF C-J-D. BOTH COUNTRIES BAN THE RECYCLING OF SLAUGHTERHOUSE WASTE. THIS MEANS THAT PROTEIN MEAL DERIVED FROM MAMMALS OF ANY KIND MAY NOT BE FED TO RUMINANTS, SUCH AS COWS. AND THE U-S CONTINUES TO BAR THE IMPORTATION OF BEEF FROM BRITAIN AND OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE COWS MIGHT BE INFECTED WITH BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY.

IN THE CURRENT (9/23) ISSUE OF THE "JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION," DOCTOR BROWN ASSESSES THE RISKS TO HUMANS. HE BELIEVES THE NEW SAFEGUARDS SHOULD CONTAIN MAD COW DISEASE.

I WOULD ... CATAGORICALLY SAY THAT AMERICAN BEEF DOESN'T WORRY ME IN THE LEAST AND, QUITE FRANKLY, BRITISH BEEF -- AT THE MOMENT, DOES NOT WORRY ME EITHER.

THAT'S ALSO GOOD NEWS FOR COUNTRIES THAT IMPORT AMERICAN OR BRITISH BEEF. /// OPT /// THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH'S PAUL BROWN ADDS THAT COUNTRIES THAT RAISE RANGE-FED CATTLE -- SUCH AS ARGENTINA -- DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MAD COW DISEASE.

BUT NOT EVERYONE IS AS CONVINCED AS DR. BROWN THAT MAD COW DISEASE HAS BEEN CONTAINED. RICHARD RHODES IS THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK, "DEADLY FEASTS: TRACKING THE SECRETS OF A TERRIFYING NEW PLAGUE." IT RELATES THE EMERGENCE OF THE NEW STRAIN OF JAKCOB-CREUTZFELDT.

IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT HAVE COME BY WAY OF SOME OTHER FOOD ANIMAL, SUCH AS THE PIG, WHICH IS KNOWN TO BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO MAD COW DISEASE, OR EVEN CHICKENS, WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN SHOWN TO CARRY THE DISEASE BUT HAVE NOT BEEN SHOWN NOT TO CARRY THE DISEASE EITHER.

MR. RHODES NOTES THAT U-S REGULATIONS DO NOT PREVENT THE FEEDING OF SHEEP MEAL TO PIGS AND CHICKENS. HE ALSO WORRIES THAT THE WESTERN, MEAT-EATING WORLD IS POISED FOR AN EPIDEMIC OF C-J-D.

REMEMBER IN 1985, THERE WAS ONLY ONE COW IN ENGLAND THAT HAD BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY. BUT BY THE TIME THAT EPIDEMIC REACHED IT'S HEIGHT IN THE LATE 1980'S, THE BRITISH WERE LOSING A THOUSAND COWS A WEEK. SO IT ISN'T CLEAR HOW FAR THIS EPIDEMIC HAS ALREADY SPREAD IN THE POPULATION. IT WILL DEPEND UPON HOW LONG THE INCUBATION PERIOD IS FOR THIS DISEASE.

THE AVERAGE PERIOD OF INCUBATION -- OR TIME BETWEEN INFECTION AND ILLNESS -- FOR CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE IS BETWEEN 10 AND 15 YEARS.

PAUL BROWN OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH THINKS MR. RHODES IS BEING A LITTLE MELODRAMATIC...

..BUT THAT'S EXCUSABLE, AND HIS CASE IS ARGUABLE AND HE ARGUES IT... THERE ARE A FEW LITTLE CLUES THAT MAD COW DISEASE OR BOVINE SPONGIFORM -- B-S-E -- COULD EXIST IN THIS COUNTRY AND ELSEWHERE IN A SILENT, UNPERCEIVED INFECTION. I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE CASE.

ONE REASON: DR. BROWN SAYS U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INSPECTORS HAVE EXAMINED THOUSANDS OF CATTLE WITH NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES DURING THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS -- AND NOT ONCE HAVE THEY FOUND A COW WITH BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY. (SIGNED)
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23-Sep-97 4:58 PM EDT (2058 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN TODAY (TUESDAY) IN SOME APPARENT PROFIT-TAKING. CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 79 HUNDRED 70, DOWN 26 POINTS. THE MORE INCLUSIVE STANDARD AND POOR'S INDEX OF 500 STOCKS CLOSED AT 952, DOWN THREE POINTS.

ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS SOME PROFIT-TAKING AFTER MONDAY'S ALMOST 80 POINT RISE IN THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE.

SUSAN PHILLIPS, A GOVERNOR OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, THE U-S CENTRAL BANK, SAYS THERE IS A RISK OF HIGHER INFLATION IN THE U-S ECONOMY. MS. PHILLIPS SAYS IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO THINK THAT THE BATTLE AGAINST INFLATION IN THE UNITED STATES IS OVER.

DELTA AIRLINES TOUCHED OFF SELLING IN MANY TRANSPORTATION STOCKS. DELTA SAYS ITS FIRST QUARTER PROFITS WILL LIKELY BE BELOW WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS. DELTA, WHICH CITES A SLOWDOWN IN DOMESTIC AIR TRAVEL, ALSO SAYS IT WILL JOIN UNITED AIRLINES IN CUTTING THE COMMISSIONS IT PAYS TO TRAVEL AGENTS.

THE STOCK OF THE MICRON TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, A COMPUTER CHIP MAKER, FELL MORE THAN 10 PERCENT AFTER REPORTING ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS MORE THAN TRIPLED. THE PROFIT INCREASE, BIG AS IT WAS, FELL FAR BELOW ANALYSTS' OPTIMISTIC FORECASTS.

THE MCKESSON CORPORATION WILL PAY ONE POINT SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS TO ACQUIRE THE AMERISOURCE HEALTH COMPANY. BOTH FIRMS DISTRIBUTE PHARMACEUTICAL AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS AND THE ANNUAL SALES OF THE COMBINED COMPANY WOULD BE MORE THAN 26 BILLION DOLLARS.

GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL, THE FINANCING SUBSIDIARY OF GENERAL ELECTRIC, WILL PAY 862 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE WOODCHESTER INVESTMENT COMPANY OF IRELAND. IT IS THE LARGEST CORPORATE TAKEOVER IN IRISH HISTORY.

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY SAYS IT IS AIMING TO INCREASE ITS MARKET SHARE IN ARAB NATIONS. COKE WAS ON THE ARAB LEAGUE'S BOYCOTT LIST FROM 1967 UNTIL 1990 WHEN THE BOYCOTT FORMALLY ENDED. COKE CURRENTLY HAS FIVE BOTTLING PLANTS IN FOUR ARAB NATIONS. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/LWM
23-Sep-97 5:37 PM EDT (2137 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] NORTHERN IRELAND (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 75 YEARS, LEADERS OF NORTHERN IRELAND'S MAJOR PRO-BRITISH PARTY MET REPRESENTATIVES OF SINN FEIN, THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. BUT AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM LONDON, THE MEETING WAS ESSENTIALLY CONFRONTATIONAL.

TEXT: THIS WAS SEEN AS ANOTHER HISTORIC STEP IN THE SEARCH FOR A LASTING PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND, AS THE LARGEST PRO-BRITISH PARTY -- THE ULSTER UNIONISTS -- SAT AT THE SAME NEGOTIATING TABLE AS SINN FEIN. THE LAST TIME SENIOR UNIONIST MEMBERS MET SINN FEIN REPRESENTATIVES FACE-TO-FACE WAS IN 1922. THIS TIME, THE VENUE WAS STORMONT CASTLE OUTSIDE BELFAST, WHERE TALKS ARE BEING HELD ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. BUT THE ULSTER UNIONISTS DID NOT COME TO NEGOTIATE. THEY CAME TO DEMAND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT EXPEL SINN FEIN ON THE GROUNDS THE I-R-A'S POLITICAL WING HAS NOT RENOUNCED VIOLENCE AND IS STILL VERY CLOSELY LINKED TO THE EXTREME SEPARATIST GROUP.

THE CASE WAS MADE BY THE ULSTER UNIONIST SECURITY SPOKESMAN, KEN MAGINNIS, WHO DESCRIBED SINN FEIN AS "THE GODFATHERS OF TERRORISM." //OPT// DURING THE 30-MINUTE SESSION, HE DID NOT TALK DIRECTLY TO SINN FEIN PRESIDENT GERRY ADAMS, BUT ADDRESSED HIS REMARKS TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, FORMER FINNISH PRIME MINISTER HARRI HOLKERI. //END OPT//

AFTER THE MEETING, MR. MAGINNIS TOLD REPORTERS IT IS UP TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO EXPEL SINN FEIN.

IF THIS GOVERNMENT HAS GOT COURAGE, IF THIS GOVERNMENT NOW IS PREPARED TO EXAMINE ITS OWN ACTIONS OBJECTIVELY, THEN WE BELIEVE THAT THE DECISION HANDED DOWN SHOULD BE INEVITABLE -- NOT AS PEOPLE SAY THAT SINN FEIN WILL BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN THE TALKS, BUT THAT SINN FEIN SHOULD BE BANISHED FROM THE TABLE OF DEMOCRACY.

THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE ITS DECISION WEDNESDAY, AFTER CONSULTING IRISH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

FEW PEOPLE EXPECT SINN FEIN WILL BE BANNED. MANY EXPERTS BELIEVE THE TOUGH LINE TAKEN BY ULSTER UNIONIST LEADER DAVID TRIMBLE IS MEANT TO APPEASE THOSE HARD-LINERS WITHIN HIS PARTY WHO SAY HE SHOULD NEVER BE NEGOTIATING WITH SINN FEIN.

MR. TRIMBLE INDICATED TO REPORTERS HE WOULD NOT WALK OUT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS -- EVEN IF THE DECISION GOES AGAINST HIS PARTY.

WHAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO IS THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO SHIRK OUR RESPONSIBILITIES. WE ARE NOT GOING TO LEAVE THESE TERRORISTS IN THE BOXSEAT WITH UNIONISM MARGINALIZED AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO RUN AWAY FROM THE CHALLENGES.

ONE SENIOR ULSTER UNIONIST LEADER WAS FAR MORE DEFINITE. HE SAID HIS PARTY WILL BE AT THE TALKS AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN TO CONFRONT WHAT HE CALLED "THE EVIL" OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. (SIGNED)
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23-Sep-97 1:07 PM EDT (1707 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] SERBIA ELECTION (L) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BELGRADE)

INTRO: SERBIA'S ELECTION COMMISSION SAYS NO PARTY WON A MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SUNDAY. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR IN BELGRADE REPORTS THE COMMISSION ALSO SAYS NO CANDIDATE WON A MAJORITY IN SERBIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WHICH MEANS A RUNOFF VOTE WILL BE HELD OCTOBER FIFTH.

TEXT: THE ELECTION COMMISSION SAYS THE RULING SOCIALISTS WON 98-SEATS IN THE 250-MEMBER PARLIAMENT. THE ULTRA NATIONALIST RADICAL PARTY WON 80, AND THE MONARCHISTS WON 45. WITH NO CLEAR MAJORITY IN THE PARLIAMENT, SOME COALITIONS WILL HAVE TO BE FORMED.

BUT THE BIG QUESTION IN SERBIA IS WHETHER THERE WILL BE A LARGE ENOUGH TURNOUT IN THE SECOND-ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS TO GIVE THE COUNTRY A NEW PRESIDENT.

VUK DRASKOVIC, OF THE MONARCHIST SERBIAN RENEWAL MOVEMENT, SAYS HIS SUPPORTERS WILL BOYCOTT A SECOND ROUND SO A COMPLETE NEW ELECTION WILL HAVE TO BE HELD IN TWO MONTHS. HE PREDICTS A BACKLASH AGAINST HIS MORE NATIONALIST RIVALS, SOCIALIST CANDIDATE ZORAN LILIC AND VOIJSLAV SESLJ OF THE RADICAL PARTY:

ALL DEMOCRATIC FORCES IN SERBIA MUST NOW SUPPORT ME IN THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, NOT BECAUSE I WANT POWER, BUT BECAUSE I MUST BE PRESIDENT TO SAVE SERBIA.

MR. DRASKOVIC SAID HE BLAMES HIS FORMER OPPOSITION COLLEAGUE, ZORAN DJINDJIC, FOR DIVIDING THE DEMOCRATIC COALITION. HE SAYS HE IS CALLING FOR MR. DJINDJIC TO RESIGN AS MAYOR OF BELGRADE.

MR. DJINDJIC DENIES A CLASH OF EGOS DESTROYED THE SO-CALLED -- TOGETHER COALITION. HE SAYS HIS DECISION TO CALL FOR A BOYCOTT OF SUNDAY'S ELECTION WAS BASED ON THE BELIEF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS WAS FRAUDULENT FROM THE START.

MR. DJINDJIC SAYS THERE WAS NO WAY TO INFORM THE PEOPLE OF SERBIA ABOUT THE ISSUES IN THIS ELECTION BECAUSE OPPOSITION PARTIES WERE DENIED FREE ACCESS TO THE MEDIA.

SERBIA'S MINISTER OF INFORMATION, RADMILA MILENTIJEVIC, SAYS THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDED AS MUCH ACCESS TO MEDIA CHANNELS AS IT COULD, ACCORDING TO SERBIAN LAWS. IN ANY CASE, SHE SAID SHE BELIEVES THE MAJORITY OF SERBS VOTED FOR THE MORE NATIONALIST RADICAL PARTY THIS TIME BECAUSE OF OUTSIDE PRESSURE ON SERBIA AND THE WHOLE OF YUGOSLAVIA.

I HOPE THE UNITED STATES REALIZES THE MORE PRESSURE THEY EXERT ON PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, THE MORE THEY ARE GOING TO BE STRENGTHENING THE MORE NATIONALISTIC POSITION WHICH IS THE ORIENTATION OF THE RADICAL PARTY OF MR. SESEJL.

MS. MILENTIJEVIC NOTED THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE -- THE O-S-C-E -- CONCLUDED SERBIA'S ELECTIONS WERE FREE OF SERIOUS IRREGULARITIES.

IN ITS POST-ELECTION REPORT, THE O-S-C-E ALSO ADMONISHED THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT FOR NOT FULLY IMPLEMENTING THE O-S-C-E'S PRE-ELECTION RECOMMENDATIONS -- WHICH INCLUDED EQUAL ACCESS BY ALL PARTIES TO THE MEDIA. (SIGNED)
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23-Sep-97 2:22 PM EDT (1822 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] SERBIA ELECTION (S) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BELGRADE)

INTRO: SERBIA'S ELECTION COMMISSION SAYS NO PARTY WON A MAJORITY IN SUNDAY'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS SUNDAY. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR IN BELGRADE REPORTS THE COMMISSION ALSO SAYS THERE WAS NO WINNER IN SERBIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, WHICH MEANS A SECOND ROUND PRESIDENTIAL VOTE WILL TAKE PLACE ON OCTOBER FIFTH.

TEXT: THE BIG QUESTION IN SERBIA IS WHETHER THERE WILL BE A LARGE ENOUGH TURNOUT IN THE SECOND ROUND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TO GIVE THE COUNTRY A NEW PRESIDENT.

MONARCHIST CANDIDATE VUK DRASKOVIC OF THE SERBIAN RENEWAL PARTY (S-R-O) HAS CALLED ON HIS SUPPORTERS TO BOYCOTT THE SECOND ROUND SO THAT A COMPLETE NEW ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WILL HAVE TO BE HELD IN TWO MONTHS.

MR. DRASKOVIC PREDICTS THAT BY THAT TIME THERE WILL BE A DEMOCRATIC BACKLASH AGAINST THE TWO MAIN NATIONALIST CANDIDATES (ZORAN LILIC OF S-D-S AND VOIJSLAV SESELJ OF THE RADICAL PARTY) WHICH WILL BE IN HIS FAVOR:

ALL DEMOCRATIC FORCES IN SERBIA NOW MUST SUPPORT ME IN THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION NOT BECAUSE I WANT POWER BUT BECAUSE I MUST BE PRESIDENT TO SAVE SERBIA.

BUT OTHER DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION LEADERS SAY MOST VOTERS ARE BY NOW TOO CONFUSED AND EXHAUSTED TO PLAY ANY MORE ELECTION GAMES. THEY SAY A TOTALLY NEW ROUND OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WOULD RESULT ONLY IN THE LARGEST BOYCOTT OF ALL. (SIGNED)
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23-Sep-97 12:53 PM EDT (1653 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] SREBRENICA WOMEN BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: IT IS NOW MORE THAN TWO-YEARS SINCE THE U-N SAFE AREA OF SREBRENICA FELL TO ADVANCING BOSNIAN-SERB FORCES. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT IS SEEN AS THE WORST SINGLE ATROCITY OF THE WAR. THOUSANDS OF MEN AND BOYS STILL ARE MISSING, MANY ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED AND BURIED IN MASS GRAVES. THE AREA WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN PROTECTED BY DUTCH U-N SOLDIERS, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THEY DID ENOUGH OR SIMPLY ABANDONED THE MUSLIMS TO THEIR FATE. THIS WEEK, A GROUP OF WOMEN FROM SREBRENICA -- ALL OF THEM WITH MALE RELATIVES MISSING -- HAS COME TO THE NETHERLANDS TO LOOK FOR SOME ANSWERS FROM SOLDIERS, POLITICIANS, AND OTHERS. GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE.

TEXT: AS MOTHERS, WIVES, AND SISTERS, THE WOMEN SAY THEY HAVE ONLY ONE QUESTION. WHERE ARE THEIR MEN? SOME HAD HOPED A MEETING WITH DUTCH U-N SOLDIERS WHO SERVED IN SREBRENICA WOULD PROVIDE AT LEAST SOME OF THE ANSWERS.

THE FORMER HEAD OF THE SREBRENICA SCHOOL MUINCA HADJIC, HAS NOT SEEN HER 17-YEAR-OLD NEPHEW AND TWO BROTHERS-IN-LAW SINCE THE TOWN FELL. SIX-HUNDRED PUPILS FROM HER SCHOOL ALSO ARE MISSING. SHE SAYS AS LONG AS THEIR FATE IS NOT KNOWN, AS LONG AS SHE FEELS THE TRUTH IS BEING COVERED UP, SHE HOLDS THE DUTCH SOLDIERS AT LEAST PARTLY RESPONSIBLE. SHE SAID HER MEETING THEM WAS PAINFUL AND DISAPPOINTING.

VERY BAD. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WITH 10-THOUSAND PEOPLE IN SREBRENICA, AND WE DO NOT HAVE ANY ANSWERS. THAT IS A VERY BAD MEETING. SHARPE: BUT WAS IT EMOTIONAL TO MEET THE DUTCH SOLDIERS WHO WERE THERE? HADJIC: IT WAS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT FOR US, BUT THEY ARE MEN, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS IT IS TRUE WE DO NOT HAVE INFORMATION, WE NEED ANSWERS FROM OUR QUESTIONS, YOU KNOW THAT.

THE SOLDIERS HAD NOTHING NEW TO TELL THEM. BUT ALTHOUGH THE WOMEN SAY THEY WERE ANGRY, THEY FEEL THE FACT THE MEETING TOOK PLACE AT ALL WAS IMPORTANT.

THEIR VISIT WAS ORGANIZED BY THE DUTCH-SREBRENICA WORKGROUP WHICH WAS FORMED AMID THE PUBLIC SHOCK IN THE NETHERLANDS AFTER THE TOWN FELL. WORKGROUP MEMBER ABEL HERZBERGER SAYS IT IS VITAL TO KEEP THE EVENTS AT SREBRENICA IN THE FOREFRONT OF PEOPLE'S MINDS.

WE INVITED THE WOMEN BECAUSE WE FELT RESPONSIBLE AS DUTCH CITIZENS THAT THE PEOPLE IN HOLLAND WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE FATE OF THE MEN, WANT TO KNOW THE REALITY, AND DO NOT ACT AS THOUGH IT IS LONG AGO. WE SAY THAT DUTCH MILITARY WERE THERE, DUTCH POLITICIANS WERE INVOLVED, THE WHOLE DUTCH SOCIETY WAS SHOCKED IN THOSE DAYS WITH WHAT HAPPENED, AND IT MEANS THAT WE WERE INVOLVED, AND THUS WE WERE ARE AT LEAST MORALLY RESPONSIBLE.

THE WOMEN ALSO WILL MEET DUTCH POLITICIANS AND ARE TO VISIT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL.

THE TRIBUNAL HAS ISSUED GENOCIDE CHARGES AGAINST BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND RATKO MLADIC FOR WHAT HAPPENED AT SREBRENICA. NO ONE EXPECTS THIS VISIT TO PRODUCE NEW INFORMATION ABOUT THAT. ITS PURPOSE IS MORE OF A FIRST STEP IN A PROCESS OF RECONCILIATION. (SIGNED)
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23-Sep-97 8:36 AM EDT (1236 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE SCANDAL, WHICH NOW HAS COME TO DIRECTLY AFFECT PRESIDENT CLINTON AND CALLS HE MAY HAVE MADE FOR MONEY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE CONTINUES TO RIVET ATTENTION IN THE NATION'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS.

OTHER TOPICS UNDER SCRUTINY INCLUDE: THE MOVE AGAINST OTHER RELIGIONS IN RUSSIA; POLAND'S ELECTION; PRESIDENT CLINTON AT THE U-N AND THE BIG GIFT TO THAT BODY FROM CABLE TV MAGNATE TED TURNER.

NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IS ____________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIALS DIGEST.

TEXT: THE NEWS LATE LAST WEEK THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO HAS LAUNCHED A FORMAL INVESTIGATION OF TELEPHONE CALLS MADE BY PRESIDENT CLINTON FROM THE WHITE HOUSE ON BEHALF OF CAMPAIGN FUND RAISING FOR LAST YEAR'S ELECTION IS GETTING EVER MORE ATTENTION IN THE EDITORIALS.

MANY PAPERS HAVE INCREASED THEIR CALL FOR A SPECIAL INVESTIGATION, INDEPENDENT FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO LOOK INTO BOTH THE PRESIDENT'S AND VICE PRESIDENT'S FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES. ON LONG ISLAND, NEWSDAY SAYS IN ITS HEADLINE: "AT LAST, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MOVES TO START A PROBE OF PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN PRACTICES."

VOICE: "ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO HAS MOVED SLOWLY, TOO SLOWLY, TO APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S 1996 FUND-RAISING PRACTICES. BUT AT LEAST SHE IS MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION, WHICH IS NECESSARY IF FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN CREDIBILITY."

TEXT: IN MAINE, THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD SAYS OF THE SITUATION:

VOICE: "THE U-S ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS LEGITIMATE REASON TO ASK IF THE PRESIDENT .... HAS VIOLATED THE LAW IN CONNECTION WITH THE CAMPAIGN FUND-RAISING MESS .... THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT AND SOBERING DEVELOPMENT IN THE ON GOING STORY OF MONEY AND POLITICS COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON. ....[MS.] RENO HAD PREVIOUSLY RESISTED THE IDEA OF APPOINTING A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR .... [BUT] NOW, WITH THE ALLEGATIONS MAKING THEIR WAY DIRECTLY TO THE PRESIDENT, SHE CANNOT SIDESTEP THE ISSUE. [OPT] ....THE ONLY WAY TO GET CREDIBLE ANSWERS REGARDING THESE SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE LEADER OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IS THROUGH THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR. [MS.] RENO SHOULD GET TO IT AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT."

TEXT: WAIT A MINUTE, SEEMS TO BE WHAT THE LOS ANGELES TIMES IS SAYING TO ALL THIS, WITH A LEAD EDITORIAL HEADLINE READING:"JUSTICE AND BULLYING ARE NOT NATURAL PARTNERS ....[MS.] RENO SHOULD NOT BE THREATENED IN HER PROBE OF 1996 CAMPAIGN..."

VOICE: "EARLY ON, WE ENDORSED THE IDEA OF APPOINTING AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL AS A MEANS OF PROVIDING AN IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGED WRONGDOING BY THE DEMOCRATS. TODAY, HOWEVER, CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS APPEAR MORE INTERESTED IN BULLYING [ATTORNEY GENERAL] RENO ON THE COUNSEL ISSUE IN A MOVE TO [MARK OR UNMASK] TAR PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE AS LAWBREAKERS. [OPT] SOME HAVE GONE SO FAR AS TO THREATEN TO IMPEACH [MS.] RENO UNLESS SHE ACCEDES TO THEIR WISHES. [END OPT] ..... HER INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PROCEED IN THE SPIRIT OF IMPARTIALITY, FAIRNESS AND SOUND REASON. JUSTICE, THAT IS."

TEXT: OVERSEAS, RUSSIA'S LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT HAS JUST PASSED A LAW GIVING RELIGIONS OTHER THAN THE OFFICIAL RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, A SET OF RESTRICTIONS THAT, CRITICS SAY, IS DESIGNED TO CURB FREEDOM OF RELIGION IF IT BECOMES LAW. THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD LAMENTS THE MOVE.

VOICE: "[OPT] THIS PROPOSAL WAS APPROVED LAST WEEK BY A NEAR-UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE NATIONALIST-CONTROLLED DUMA, RUSSIA'S LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT. IT GRANTS APPROVED STATUS ONLY TO RELIGIONS RECOGNIZED AS HAVING BEEN FORMALLY PRACTICED IN RUSSIA FOR AT LEAST 15 YEARS. .... [END OPT] THE U-S SENATE HAS THREATENED TO CUT OFF 200-MILLION [DOLLARS] IN AID IF THE BILL PASSES [INTO LAW]. ... OTHER NATIONS SHOULD JOIN IN THE PROTEST, SHOWING [PRESIDENT] YELTSIN AND THE PARLIAMENT THAT FREEDOM OF WORSHIP IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT. [MR.] YELTSIN MAKES A TERRIBLE MISTAKE BY RETURNING TO ONE OF THE WORST ASPECTS OF ... COMMUNIST ... RULE."

TEXT: IN POLAND, WHERE AN ELECTION LAST WEEK RETURNED THE POLITICAL MOVEMENT TO POWER THAT GREW OUT OF THE "SOLIDARITY" TRADE UNION MOVEMENT THAT LED TO THE OVERTHROW OF COMMUNISM, DRAWING THIS RESPONSE FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE.

VOICE: "[OPT] THE MORE UNTIDY AND PROSAIC QUALITIES OF LIFE IN A POST-COMMUNIST DEMOCRACY WERE ON DISPLAY IN POLAND SUNDAY, WHERE VOTERS IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS VOTED INTO POWER AN ALLIANCE OF SOLIDARITY OFFSHOOTS. [END OPT] ..... THE POLISH VOTE IS GOOD NEWS. FOR ALL THE NORMAL DIFFERENCES IT REVEALED ON THE ISSUES OF TAXES, HEALTH CARE, AND CRIME, THE VOTE ALSO AFFIRMED NATIONAL CONSENSUS ON MEMBERSHIP IN NATO AND THE EUROPEAN UNION AS WELL AS A HEALTHY, DEMOCRATIC TALENT FOR QUARRELING AND MUDDLING THROUGH."

TEXT: THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER IS EQUALLY PLEASED, NOTING:

VOICE: "IF YOU WANT TO REMIND YOURSELF HOW MUCH THE WORLD HAS CHANGED IN A FEW YEARS, LOOK AT THIS PAST WEEKEND'S ELECTION IN POLAND. THE PARTY THAT DID THE BEST WAS SOLIDARITY ELECTORAL ACTION, A DESCENDANT OF THE FAMOUS TRADE UNION MOVEMENT LED BY .... LECH WALESA THAT UNDERMINED COMMUNIST RULE A LITTLE OVER A DECADE AGO. BUT THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY ... WAS ROOTING FOR ... A GROUP OF EX-COMMUNISTS TURNED SOCIAL DEMOCRATS CALLED THE DEMOCRATIC LEFT ALLIANCE. .... BUT FEAR NOT. THE VOTE SEEMS LESS A REJECTION OF POLAND'S CURRENT DIRECTION THAN AN EXPRESSION OF PUBLIC FRUSTRATION WITH SOME OF THE SOCIAL COSTS. ..... POLAND SEEMS TO HAVE SUNK SUFFICIENTLY DEEP DEMOCRATIC ROOTS OVER THE LAST DECADE THAT A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT."

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON ADDRESSED THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY MONDAY, AT THE BEGINNING OF ITS NEW SESSION, AND THE SUN IN BALTIMORE WAS AMONG THOSE LISTENING. THE PAPER NOTES THE AGREEMENT, OR "GRAND BARGAIN" BETWEEN THE U-N WHICH PROMISES REFORM, AND CONGRESS, WHICH MAY AGREE TO PAY PART OF THE NATION'S ONE-AND-ONE-HALF BILLION DUES ARREARS, DID NOT PREVENT HIM FROM SPEAKING.

VOICE: "MR. CLINTON BRAVELY PROMISED ACTION TO 'PUT THE QUESTION OF DEBTS AND DUES BEHIND US ONCE AND FOR ALL.' NO CHANCE. HIS BUDGET DEAL WITH CONGRESS ALLOWS ONLY 819-MILLION IN PAST DUES AND ASSESSMENTS TO BE PAID, PROVIDING SENATOR HELMS' TESTS [FOR U-N EFFICIENCY] HAVE BEEN MET. U-N MEMBERS WANT UP TO ONE-POINT-FIVE BILLION DOLLARS THEY CLAIM IS OWED, WITH NO CONDITIONS. ... PAYING UP SOMEWHAT MORE THAN HALF THE PAST DUES WOULD NOT COMPLETE THE BARGAIN, BUT WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION."

TEXT: SPEAKING OF THE U-N AND DEBT, THE SUN GOES ON TO COMMENT ON THE ONE BILLION DOLLAR GIFT TO THE WORLD BODY ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK BY U-S CABLE TV MAGNATE TED TURNER.

VOICE: "MR. TURNER'S GIFT WON'T CHANGE THE WORLD, OR EVEN SOLVE THE U-N'S MONEY PROBLEMS. BUT PERHAPS IT WILL HELP TO PERSUADE OTHERS THAT THERE IS AT LEAST AS MUCH REWARD IN GIVING AWAY A FORTUNE AS IN BUILDING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE QUEST FOR PEACE IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND ELSEWHERE, THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THE PEACE TALKS ARE AT A CRITICAL STAGE.

VOICE: "THIS IS A BEWILDERING MOMENT FOR THE CAUSE OF PEACE. IN NORTHERN IRELAND, ALL-PARTY TALKS ARE STARTING FOR THE FIRST TIME. BUT THE CURRENT STATE OF THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE PROCESS, NOW BREATHING ONLY WITH THE DIPLOMATIC EQUIVALENT OF A HEART-LUNG MACHINE, SHOWS HOW HARD NEGOTIATIONS CAN BE. OTHER THAN SURRENDER, TALK MAY BE THE ONLY WAY THE WORLD KNOWS TO END A WAR. BUT SOME CONFLICTS SEEM MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO NEGOTIATION THAN OTHERS -- AND SOME CAN BE PUSHED IN THAT DIRECTION."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, IN THE PHILIPPINES, THE MIAMI HERALD NOTES THAT "PEOPLE POWER" HAS WON AGAIN, BECAUSE, "FACING MASSIVE PROTESTS, PRESIDENT FIDEL RAMOS SAYS HE WON'T RUN AGAIN." THE HERALD EXPLAINS:

VOICE: "THE PROTESTS, SUPPORTED BY FORMER PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, WERE ORGANIZED AFTER MR. RAMOS'S SUPPORTERS BEGAN TRYING TO AMEND THE PHILIPPINES'S CONSTITUTION, WHICH LIMITS PRESIDENTS TO A SINGLE SIX-YEAR TERM. ... THIS DISPLAY OF 'PEOPLE POWER' ... IS A WELCOME SIGN THAT HUMAN RIGHTS AND POLITICAL FREEDOMS MAY YET HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE ROOT."

TEXT: ON THAT HOPEFUL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/RAE
23-Sep-97 10:37 AM EDT (1437 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S/BOSNIA (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, SAMUEL BERGER, SAID TUESDAY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL NOT ABANDON BOSNIA NEXT YEAR WHEN THE MANDATE FOR THE CURRENT PEACEKEEPING FORCE EXPIRES. HE ALSO HAD HARSH WORDS FOR THE SERB MILITANTS OPPOSING BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

TEXT: IN SOME OF THE TOUGHEST U-S RHETORIC TO DATE ON THE INTER-SERB DISPUTE IN BOSNIA, MR. BERGER CALLED THE RIVALS OF PRESIDENT PLAVSIC "DIE-HARD SECESSIONISTS AND ETHNIC CLEANSERS" WHO LED THE SERB PEOPLE INTO WAR AND HAVE NOW CHOSEN A PATH OF SELF-ISOLATION.

IN A POLICY ADDRESS AT WASHINGTON'S GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, MR. BERGER SAID THE EVENTUAL OUTCOME OF THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE SERBSKA PRESIDENT AND FOLLOWERS OF FORMER LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL -- IS UNCERTAIN.

BUT HE SAID THERE IS A "GROWING MOVEMENT" OF SERBS IN THE PLAVSIC CAMP, WHO WHILE STILL ESPOUSING SERB NATIONALISM ARE FED UP WITH RAMPANT CORRUPTION AND REALIZE THAT THE ONLY WAY FORWARD IS THROUGH THE DAYTON FRAMEWORK.

MR. BERGER ALSO TOLD THE UNIVERSITY AUDIENCE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL REMAIN ENGAGED IN BOSNIA AFTER THE CURRENT NATO PEACEKEEPING MISSION ENDS -- AND WHETHER THAT INVOLVES A SECURITY PRESENCE WITH U-S TROOPS REMAINS TO BE DECIDED.

HIS REMARKS PROMPTED IMMEDIATE SPECULATION OF A SOFTENING IN THE ADMINISTRATION POSITION WITH REGARD TO A BOSNIA PULLOUT NEXT YEAR. BUT WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY INSISTED THE POLICY HAD NOT CHANGED:

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IS GOING TO HAVE SOME KIND OF PRESENCE IN BOSNIA BEYOND JUNE OF 1998. WE'VE SAID THAT WHAT THAT PRESENCE WILL BE, AND WHAT THE U-S ROLE IN IT MIGHT BE WILL NOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL WE ASSESS WHAT THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND IS.

MR. MCCURRY SAID THE BERGER REMARKS WERE A RESPONSE TO THOSE WHO SAY THE UNITED STATES SHOULD WALK AWAY FROM WHAT HE CALLED THE "INTERNATIONAL TRAGEDY" IN BOSNIA, AND LEAVE IT TO OTHERS TO HELP REBUILD CIVIL SOCIETY THERE.

IN HIS SPEECH, MR. BERGER ALSO REJECTED CALLS BY SOME IN CONGRESS TO ACCEPT THE DE-FACTO PARTITION OF BOSNIA -- SAYING THAT WOULD BE TO REWARD ETHNIC CLEANSING AND SEND A MESSAGE TO FANATICS WORLDWIDE THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL ALLOW THE RE-DRAWING OF BORDERS BY FORCE.

HE SAID THE FAILURE OF THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS COULD LEAD TO A RENEWED AND WIDER BALKANS CONFLICT, AND UNDERMINE NATO'S CREDIBILITY AT A CRITICAL MOMENT WHEN IT IS PREPARING FOR NEW MEMBERS AND NEW MISSIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAG/PT
23-Sep-97 5:21 PM EDT (2121 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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