Voice of America, 12 October 1995

From: yanni@ix.netcom.com (Ioannis Bousnakis)

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: MORE THAN A WEEK AFTER THE CONTROVERSIAL VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY IN THE O-J SIMPSON DOUBLE MURDER TRIAL, AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS ARE STILL EDITORIALIZING ON THE AFTER-EFFECTS OF THAT VERDICT. IN ADDITION, A NEW CONTROVERSY HAS ARISEN OVER MR. SIMPSON'S SCHEDULING, THEN BACKING OUT OF, A LIVE TELEVISION INTERVIEW SET FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT. OTHER TOPICS UNDER DISCUSSION IN THURSDAY'S PAPERS INCLUDE THE MEDICARE REFORM DEBATE IN CONGRESS; CONTROVERSY IN BRITAIN OVER HONG KONG; SAM NUNN'S PLANE TO QUIT THE U-S SENATE, AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE DECLINE OF FISH STOCKS IN THE ATLANTIC. NOW HERE IS _____________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL LEAD EDITORIALS DEAL IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER WITH O-J SIMPSON AND THE YEAR-LONG TRIAL THAT WAS WATCHED BY A MAJOR SEGMENT OF THE U-S POPULATION. ALTHOUGH THE NOT-GUILTY VERDICT WAS ANNOUNCED TEN DAYS AGO, THE AFTERMATH CONTINUES TO BE THE SUBJECT OF CONSIDERABLE EDITORIAL COMMENT, INCLUDING TODAY'S "WALL STREET JOURNAL."

VOICE: "THE SIMPSON TRIAL AND ACQUITTAL CONTINUES TO SPREAD ACRIMONY IN NEARLY ALL DIRECTIONS, BUT ESPECIALLY BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE. THE RACIALLY POLARIZED REACTION TO THE JURY'S VERDICT IS OBVIOUSLY ABOUT SOMETHING WAY BEYOND THE GUILT OR INNOCENCE OF ONE DEFENDANT. IN HANDLING THE RACIAL ISSUE, OUR SOCIETY HAS SOMEHOW BEEN ON THE WRONG TRACK. [OPT] NEARLY EVERYONE IS ASTOUNDED AT THE DEPTH OF THE RACIAL DIVISION NOW EVIDENT, AND AT THE DEGREE OF ALIENATION BLACKS FEEL AFTER 30 YEARS OF ACTIVELY PROMOTING AND EXPANDING MINORITY RIGHTS." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN ANOTHER NATIONALLY-AVAILABLE NEWSPAPER, "USA TODAY", THE ENTIRE EDITORIAL COLUMN IS TAKEN UP WITH COMMENTARIES DEVOTED TO MR. SIMPSON. "USA TODAY" CRITICIZES THE WAY JURIES ARE SELECTED IN IMPORTANT TRIALS, OFTEN WITH THE USE OF JURY CONSULTANTS, AND 20 CHALLENGES EACH BY THE PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE:

VOICE: "SO BEFORE THE TRIAL WAS EVEN UNDERWAY, THE PUBLIC HAD REASON TO SUSPECT THAT NO MATTER WHICH WAY THE VERDICT WENT, IT WOULD BE BASED ON CLEVERNESS AND MANIPULATION, NOT JUSTICE... OF ALL THE FLAWS IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT THE SIMPSON TRIAL EXPOSED, THAT IS PERHAPS THE EASIEST TO FIX. JUST SEAT THE FIRST 12 RANDOMLY SELECTED, QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHOSE MINDS ARE OPEN TO A SERIOUS EVALUATION OF THE FACTS. THAT'S HOW THE BRITISH DO IT."

TEXT: "THE NEW YORK POST" IS COMMENTING ON MR. SIMPSON'S DECISION TO FIRST ACCEPT, AND THEN,AT THE LAST MINUTE CANCEL, A LIVE TELEVISION INTERVIEW WITH N-B-C NEWS, SCHEDULED FOR BROADCAST LAST (WEDNESDAY) NIGHT. "THE POST" SAYS OF THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT:

VOICE: "NEWS THAT NBC'S INTERVIEW WITH O-J SIMPSON WAS CANCELED -- AT THE REQUEST OF [MR.] SIMPSON HIMSELF -- IS WELCOME, BUT NOT SURPRISING... THE SURPRISE, IN SHORT, ISN'T THAT [MR.] SIMPSON WITHDREW FROM HIS AGREEMENT WITH N-B-C; IT'S THAT HE CONSIDERED IT IN THE FIRST PLACE."

TEXT: THE OTHER MAIN TOPIC OF COMMENTARY TODAY IS THE DEBATE IN CONGRESS OVER REDUCING THE MEDICARE PROGRAM, THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR THE ELDERLY. QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FINE POINTS OF THE REPUBLICAN PLAN PROMPTS TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" TO ASK: "WHAT THE DEVIL ARE THE DETAILS?"

VOICE: "[OPT] WITH THEIR REPUBLICAN MAJORITIES REJECTING VIRTUALLY EVERY AMENDMENT AND MODIFICATION OFFERED BY DEMOCRATS, HOUSE COMMITTEES HAVE WRAPPED UP WORK ON 400 OR SO PAGES OF PROPOSED MEDICARE REFORMS. COMING WEEKS WILL GIVE A CHANCE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT JUST WHAT HAS BEEN WROUGHT. [END OPT] FOR NOW, IT'S FAIR TO SAY, MOST PEOPLE REMAIN UNCERTAIN, CONFUSED AND IN SOME CASES PLAINLY SCARED ABOUT HOW THE EFFORT TO TRIM 270-BILLION FROM PROJECTED MEDICARE COSTS OVER THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS WILL AFFECT THEIR LIVES... THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT MEDICARE COSTS MUST BE MORE RIGOROUSLY CONTROLLED, OR THAT THE BURDEN SHOULD FALL FAIRLY ON HEALTH-CARE CONSUMERS AND PROVIDERS ALIKE. BUT THERE IS A LOT OF SCOPE FOR DECIDING HOW TO IMPOSE THOSE COST CONTROLS, AND OVER HOW LONG A PERIOD OF TIME."

TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD" SAYS THE PROJECTED REPUBLICAN PLANS TO CUT MEDICAL CARE "MAY END MEDICAID ACCESS FOR 423-THOUSAND FLORIDA CHILDREN", AND CALLS IT "UNACCEPTABLE":

VOICE: "PITTED AGAINST THE ELDERLY FOR FEDERAL DOLLARS, CHILDREN HAVE NO CHANCE, DONNA SHALALA, U-S SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, TOLD THE HERALD'S EDITORIAL BOARD ON TUESDAY. SADLY, THE RECORD BEARS HER OUT... WORSE, THE COMPETITION FOR DOLLARS IS INTENSIFYING AS THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED CONGRESS SHIFTS TO BLOCK GRANTS, CUTS 182-BILLION FROM THE MEDICAID PROGRAM, AND STRIPS MEDICAID BENEFICIARIES OF THEIR 'ENTITLEMENT' STATUS."

TEXT: "THE BOSTON GLOBE" SUPPORTS HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH'S PLEDGE TO THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION THAT THE HEALTH CARE REFORMS WILL NOT UNDULY RESTRICT MEDICARE FEES PAID TO THE NATIONS'S DOCTORS, BUT SAYS THE CONGRESS SHOULD BE EQUALLY HONEST WITH ALL SIDES:

VOICE: "SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH'S CONCESSION TO THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION WAS WELL DESERVED. PHYSICIANS' FEES WOULD HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY RESTRICTED UNDER THE MEDICARE PLAN OFFERED BY THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP. CONGRESS OUGHT TO BE JUST AS FORTHCOMING WITH OTHER GROUPS OF DESERVING AMERICANS AFFECTED BY THE MASSIVE MEDICARE-MEDICAID LEGISLATION... AT THE SAME TIME, CONGRESS WOULD DO WELL TO REJECT MANY OF THE SIDE DEALS THAT [SPEAKER] GINGRICH IS MAKING TO KEEP INTEREST GROUPS IN LINE. WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALLOTTING HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO MEDICAL CARE, IT [CONGRESS] HAS AN OBLIGATION TO ENSURE ... THIS MONEY IS SPENT WISELY."

TEXT: TURNING OVERSEAS, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" IS UPSET ABOUT THE LATEST BRITISH CONTROVERSY IN HONG KONG.

VOICE: "THE OLD HOUSE OF COMMONS CRY OF REPROACH 'FOR SHAME!' IS WARRANTED BY THE UPROAR IN BRITAIN OVER GRANTING RIGHT OF ABODE TO BRITISH SUBJECTS IN HONG KONG. THE ISSUE WAS REIGNITED BY CHRIS PATTEN, THE COLONY'S GOVERNOR, WHEN HE SAID RECENTLY THAT THREE-POINT-THREE MILLION HOLDERS OF BRITISH PASSPORTS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT ... TO LIVE IN BRITAIN AFTER HONG KONG REVERTS TO CHINA IN 1997. THAT IS NOT THE VIEW IN BRITAIN... HONG KONG CHINESE HOLDING BRITISH PASSPORTS WERE TOLD THEY ... CANNOT LIVE IN BRITAIN... LEFT ABANDONED ARE HONG KONG'S MINORITY GROUPS, CHIEFLY EAST INDIAN, WHO ARE ENTITLED TO NEITHER CHINESE NOR BRITISH NATIONALITY... RESTORING REAL CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS TO BRITISH SUBJECTS IN THIS LAST IMPORTANT COLONY IS VIRTUALLY THE ONLY MEANINGFUL GIFT HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT CAN BESTOW UNILATERALLY ON HONG KONG, WITHOUT BEIJING'S APPROVAL. OTHERWISE, MORE THAN A FLAG WILL BE LOWERED COME 1997."

TEXT: IN OTHER INTERNATIONAL NEWS, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" COMMENTS ON THE U-S DECISION TO GRANT CUBAN PREMIER FIDEL CASTRO A VISA TO ATTEND THE UNITED NATIONS' 50TH ANNIVERSARY SESSION IN NEW YORK.

VOICE: "SHOULD THE UNITED STATES GRANT HIM THE VISA HE NEEDS TO COME TO NEW YORK? MANY REPUBLICANS SAY NO, BUT GIVEN THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN HANDING OUT VISAS WITH ABANDON TO PEOPLE LIKE P-L-O LEADER YASSER ARAFAT, BOSNIAN SERB CHIEF RADOVAN KARADZIC AND SINN FEIN HEAD GERRY ADAMS, IT WILL ADMITTEDLY BE SOMEWHAT HARD FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO FIND SUFFICIENT GROUNDS TO EXCLUDE THE CUBAN DICTATOR."

TEXT: REACTING TO GEORGIA SENATOR SAM NUNN'S DECISION NOT TO SEEK RE-ELECTION, LONG ISLAND'S "NEWSDAY" CALLS HIM "ALL TOO RARE A BREED OF LAWMAKER," ADDING:

VOICE: "THERE OUGHT TO BE A PLACE FOR [MR.] NUNN TO CONTINUE TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY. HE COULD EASILY BE A SECRETARY OF DEFENSE OR STATE IN THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION, WHETHER IT IS DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN."

TEXT: AND ABOUT THE ALARMING DECLINE OF OCEAN FISH OFF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES, TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" RETORTS:

VOICE: "CONGRESS HAS AN OPPORTUNITY IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO MOVE AHEAD WITH MORE REALISTIC MANAGEMENT OF THIS COUNTRY'S DWINDLING STOCKS OF FISH. THE HOUSE WILL TAKE UP LEGISLATION SETTING REASONABLE HARVESTING SCHEDULES TO ALLOW RESTORATION OF DEPLETED SPECIES. ANYTHING LESS RISKS EXTERMINATION OF THIS VALUABLE RESOURCE... FAILURE TO CURB OVERFISHING THREATENS PERMANENT LOSSES THAT IN THE LONG RUN WOULD BE A FAR HEAVIER BURDEN ON FISHERMAN AND CONSUMERS ALIKE [THAN THE PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS]."

TEXT: AND ON THAT CONSERVATION NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL OPINION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES THIS THURSDAY.

NEB/ANG/PCH

12-Oct-95 11:41 AM EDT (1541 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] BOSNIA/COUNCIL (S ONLY) BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER POSSIBLE ETHNIC CLEANSING IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA -- AS THE WARRING PARTIES THURSDAY OBSERVED THEIR FIRST FULL DAY OF A CEASEFIRE. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

TEXT: DIPLOMATS ARE RELIEVED THAT A CEASEFIRE HAS FINALLY TAKEN EFFECT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. BUT THEY ALSO FEAR CONTINUING MILITARY ACTIVITY COULD UNRAVEL THIS LATEST EFFORT TO MOVE THE PEACE PROCESS FORWARD.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL ISSUED A FORMAL STATEMENT CALLING ON ALL PARTIES TO HONOR THE TRUCE. IT STRONGLY CONDEMNED ALL ETHNIC CLEANSING, WHEREVER IT MAY OCCUR, AND CALLED ON EVERYONE TO RESPECT THE RIGHT OF COMMUNITIES TO STAY WHERE THEY ARE OR RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND REBEL SERBS HAVE ACCUSED EACH OTHER OF MOUNTING LARGE-SCALE ATTACKS IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA. THE SERBS FEAR MUSLIM/CROAT TROOPS HAVE THEIR SIGHTS ON BANJA LUKA -- A SERB-HELD STRONGHOLD WHERE SOME 700-HUNDRED THOUSAND SERBS RESIDE.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT REPORTS THAT BOSNIAN SERB AND OTHER PARAMILITARY GROUPS ARE TAKING NON-SERB MEN AND BOYS OF DRAFT AGE AS HOSTAGES. (SIGNED)

NEB/EJ/LWM
12-Oct-95 7:16 PM EDT (2316 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] BOSNIA / FRANCE (L) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: FRANCE SAYS IT IS WILLING TO SEND MORE TROOPS TO BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TO ENFORCE FORTHCOMING PEACE ACCORDS. JULIAN NUNDY IN PARIS REPORTS DEFENSE MINISTER CHARLES MILLON ALSO SAYS FRANCE WANTS PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN BOSNIA TO BE UNDER THE COMMAND OF A SENIOR U-N REPRESENTATIVE.

TEXT: FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTER CHARLES MILLON SAYS FRANCE IS WILLING TO ADD TO THE 74-HUNDRED TROOPS IT ALREADY HAS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND CROATIA. BUT HE TOLD THE DAILY NEWSPAPER "LIBERATION", HE HOPES THE EXTRA TROOPS WILL NOT BE NECESSARY.

NATO HAS DECIDED TO SEND A FORCE OF UP TO 60-THOUSAND TROOPS TO POLICE PEACE ACCORDS. MR. MILLON SAID THE FINAL SIZE OF THE FORCE, AND OF FRANCE'S CONTRIBUTION, WILL DEPEND ON CONDITIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. MR. MILLON SAID FRANCE CAN SEND MORE TROOPS IF THE FORCE HAS TO IMPOSE PEACE BY MILITARY STRENGTH. HE SAID EXISTING TROOP LEVELS SHOULD BE ENOUGH IF THE FORCE JUST HAS TO POLICE THE TRUCE AGREEMENTS.

THE FRENCH MINISTER SAID THE ABILITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO BE FIRM WILL BE CRUCIAL TO MAINTAIN PEACE. HE SAID HE WANTS TO SEE A HIGH-LEVEL U-N REPRESENTATIVE TAKE CHARGE OF THE OPERATION. HE DID NOT EXPLAIN WHAT SORT OF PERSONALITY SHOULD BE GIVEN THE TASK.

MR. MILLON SAID ONE OF THE PROBLEMS FACING THE NEW PEACE FORCE WILL BE TO RECONCILE THE USE OF TROOPS FROM RUSSIA AND MUSLIM COUNTRIES UNDER A UNIFIED NATO COMMAND. HE SAID FRANCE HAS PROPOSED WAYS OF ALLOWING OTHER COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE IN A NATO FORCE WHILE STILL REMAINING UNDER THE CONTROL OF THEIR NATIONAL COMMANDS.

HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE U-S ROLE IN CURRENT PEACE EFFORTS. BUT THE FRENCH MINISTER SAID THE YUGOSLAV CIVIL WAR SHOULD PROMPT EUROPE TO TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS OWN DEFENSE. HE SAID THAT IF EUROPE DOES NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS OWN SECURITY, NATO WILL EFFECTIVELY BE UNDER THE SINGLE COMMAND OF THE UNITED STATES. (SIGNED)

NEB/JN/JWH/RAE
12-Oct-95 10:53 AM EDT (1453 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] BOSNIA / FIGHTING (S ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE NEW CEASEFIRE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA APPEARS TO BE TAKING HOLD IN MOST OF THE COUNTRY. BUT, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE SERBS SAY CONTINUED FIGHTING IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA IS ENDANGERING THE TRUCE. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS FROM VIENNA.

TEXT: BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC SAYS THE SERBS ARE TRYING TO RECAPTURE SANSKI MOST, A TOWN ONLY 40-KILOMETERS FROM BANJA LUKA, THE BIGGEST SERB TOWN IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

SPEAKING IN VIENNA, MR. IZETBEGOVIC SAYS THE SERB ATTACKS ARE ENDANGERING THE NEW CEASEFIRE. IF THEY DO NOT STOP, HE SAYS THE BOSNIAN ARMY WILL HAVE TO RESPOND.

THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS SANSKI MOST WAS CAPTURED FROM THE SERBS TWO-DAYS AGO. THE YUGOSLAV NEWS AGENCY, TANJUG, REPORTED THE SERBS RECAPTURED THE TOWN SHORTLY BEFORE THE NEW CEASEFIRE IN BOSNIA WENT INTO EFFECT.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS ACCUSE GOVERNMENT TROOPS OF LAUNCHING FRESH ATTACKS THURSDAY TO TRY TO RETAKE THE TOWN. THE SERBS WARN THESE ATTACKS VIOLATE THE CEASEFIRE AND RAISE SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TRUCE ACCORD.

THE UNITED NATIONS CANNOT CONFIRM WHO CONTROLS SANSKI MOST OR WHETHER FIGHTING FOR THE TOWN CONTINUES. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/RAE
12-Oct-95 1:05 PM EDT (1705 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA CEASE-FIRE (L) BY DAVID FOLEY ( SARAJEVO )

INTRO: U-N OFFICIALS SAY FIGHTING HAS DIMINISHED ACROSS BOSNIA SINCE A CEASE-FIRE WENT INTO EFFECT EARLY THURSDAY MORNING, BUT THE BOSNIAN ARMY CLAIMS ITS FORCES ARE STILL UNDER ATTACK AROUND A RECENTLY CAPTURED TOWN IN NORTHERN BOSNIA. MEANWHILE OFFICIALS FROM THE WARRING SIDES HAVE MET TO DISCUSS FURTHER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: U-N OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL LIKELY TAKE SEVERAL DAYS FOR ALL FIGHTING TO STOP IN BOSNIA, BUT THEY SAY THERE HAS BEEN A CONSIDERABLE DECREASE IN FIGHTING IN MANY PLACES. THERE ARE NO U-N OBSERVERS IN AREAS OF BOSNIA THAT HAVE SEEN THE HEAVIEST RECENT FIGHTING, PARTICULARLY IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA, AND OFFICIALS SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE.

THE BOSNIAN ARMY HAS CLAIMED THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE LAUNCHED A FULL-SCALE ATTACK TO RECOVER THE TOWN OF SANSKI MOST, WHICH FELL TO GOVERNMENT FORCES IN THE LAST TWO DAYS. THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE ALSO CLAIMED CEASE-FIRE VIOLATIONS HAVE BEEN COMMITTED BY THE BOSNIAN ARMY.

U-N OFFICIALS REPORT A HANDFUL OF MINOR CEASE-FIRE VIOLATIONS BY BOTH SIDES AROUND THE COUNTRY, BUT THEY SAY THEY HAVE SO FAR BEEN UNABLE TO GAIN BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT PERMISSION TO SEND U-N OBSERVERS INTO MANY AREAS. SHORTLY AFTER THE CEASE-FIRE WENT INTO EFFECT A ROCKET GRENADE HIT THE SIDE OF AN APARTMENT BUILDING IN SARAJEVO, BUT CAUSED LITTLE DAMAGE AND NO INJURIES.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY CIVILIAN AND MILITARY OFFICIALS FROM THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE MET AT SARAJEVO'S U-N CONTROLLED AIRPORT TO WORK OUT FURTHER DETAILS OF THE TRUCE. THOSE TALKS, CHAIRED BY THE U-N'S COMMANDER IN BOSNIA, LIEUTENANT GENERAL RUPERT SMITH, WERE ATTEMPTING TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ON EXACTLY WHERE THE CONFRONTATION LINE BETWEEN THE ARMIES WILL BE, BUT NO RESULT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED.

THE EXISTING CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE OPENING OF AID ROUTES TO THE GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED ENCLAVE OF GORAZDE IN EASTERN BOSNIA, BUT A U-N AID CONVOY THAT ATTEMPTED TO REACH GORAZDE FROM SARAJEVO TURNED BACK AFTER ONLY THREE KILOMETERS WHEN THE ROAD WAS BLOCKED BY BOSNIAN SERB MINES. AID OFFICIALS SAY FRENCH PEACE KEEPERS ARE REMOVING THE MINES AND THE CONVOY WILL TRY TO REACH GORAZDE ON FRIDAY.

U-N AND RED CROSS OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO EXPRESS GREAT CONCERN OVER THE ESTIMATED 40 THOUSAND SERB REFUGEES THAT HAVE FLED THE RECENT FIGHTING IN NORTHERN BOSNIA, AND THEY ALSO SAY THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE CONTINUING A PROGRAM OF BRUTAL EXPULSIONS OF MINORITY MUSLIMS AND CROATS FROM SERB HELD TERRITORY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/MH/CF
12-Oct-95 10:56 AM EDT (1456 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA DIPLOMACY (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: U-S BOSNIA NEGOTIATOR RICHARD HOLBROOKE WILL BE RESUMING HIS PEACE MISSION NEXT WEEK IN THE BALKANS IN PREPARATION FOR TALKS INTHE UNITED STATES THAT BEGIN ON OCTOBER 31ST. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON THE PLANNING FOR THOSE TALKS.

TEXT: A DECISION IS EXPECTED TO BE MADE THIS WEEKEND ON THE SO-CALLED SITE "X", THE SECLUDED PLACE WHERE THE PRESIDENTS OF SERBIA,CROATIA AND BOSNIA CAN MEET WITH AMERICAN AND CONTACT GROUP NEGOTIATORS, AWAY FROM THE INTERNATIONAL AND AMERICAN MEDIA.

THE CHIEF AMERICAN NEGOTIATOR, RICHARD HOLBROOKE, SAYS THE TALKS WILL BEGIN SOMEWHERE ON THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES ON OCTOBER 31ST AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL, IN HIS WORDS, "WE GET RESULTS." MR. HOLBROOKE WILL BE TRAVELING TO BELGRADE, SARAJEVO AND ZAGREB NEXT WEEK TO PREPARE THOSE RESULTS. BEFORE THAT, HE WILL ATTEND A CONTACT GROUP MEETING IN MOSCOW AND TAKE PART IN TALKS WITH RUSSIAN OFFICIALS ABOUT RUSSIAN PARTICIPATION IN THE FORCE THAT WILL SUPERVISE PEACE IN BOSNIA.

MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS THAT FORCE WILL CERTAINLY REQUIRE AMERICAN TROOPS AND A PEACE AGREEMENT.

THERE WILL NOT BE A PEACE WITHOUT AMERICAN PARTICIPATION IN A NATO FORCE AND THERE WILL NOT BE AMERICAN PARTICIPATION IN A NATO FORCE WITHOUT A FULL PEACE SETTLEMENT.

MR. HOLBROOKE SAYS THE PROSPECT OF GETTING AN AGREEMENT AMONG THE BALKAN LEADERS IS DAUNTING. HE SAYS HE HAS A COMMITMENT FROM ALL THREE MEN NOT TO LEAVE THE PEACE TALKS PREMATURELY OR TO GIVE TIME ULTIMATUMS FOR AN AGREEMENT. THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS CROATIAN PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN WHO MAY HAVE TO SHUTTLE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN ZAGREB AND THE UNITED STATES. THE DELEGATIONS WILL BE HOUSED SEPARATELY, PROBABLY AT AN AMERICAN MILITARY BASE. THE MEDIATORS WILL MOVE AMONG DELEGATIONS BUT MR. HOLBROOKE RAISES THE POSSIBILITY TWO OF THE PRESIDENTS MIGHT WANT TO MEET TOGETHER OR A FOREIGN MINISTER FROM ONE DELEGATION MAY WANT TO VISIT ANOTHER PRESIDENT.

THE CEASEFIRE MR. HOLBROOKE NEGOTIATED, APPEARS TO BE HOLDING BUT HE EXPECTS CHALLENGES IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

IF THE BOSNIAN SERBS, WHO ARE THE OPPOSING ARMY ON THE GROUND DECIDE NOT TO IMPLEMENT THIS, OR QUIBBLE WITH IT, WHICH I THINK IS VERY POSSIBLE. I THINK THEY'LL BE TESTING IN THE NEXT 19 DAYS AS WE DO THE RUN-UP TO THE TALKS. IF THAT HAPPENS, WE'LL DEAL WITH IT AND I SUSPECT WE'LL HAVE SEVERAL TESTINGS OVER THE NEXT THREE WEEKS AND I SUSPECT YOU ALL WILL BE REPORTING CHALLENGES TO THE PAPER AND THE UNITED STATES IS PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THOSE.

SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER WILL OPEN THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS ON OCTOBER 31ST AFTER HE RETURNS FROM A MIDDLE EAST ECONOMIC CONFERENCE IN AMMAN, JORDAN. MR. CHRISTOPHER HAS CANCELED PLANS TO DO A MIDDLE EAST SHUTTLE MISSION BECAUSE OF THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS AND BECAUSE THERE IS LITTLE PROSPECT OF PROGRESS IN THE ISRAEL-SYRIA NEGOTIATIONS. (SIGNED) NEB/PT 12-Oct-95 5:07 PM EDT (2107 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] BOSNIA / REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE CEASE-FIRE IN BOSNIA CAME TOO LATE FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE -- BOTH SERBS AND MUSLIMS -- FORCED TO FLEE THEIR HOMES, IN SOME CASES, JUST HOURS BEFORE THE TRUCE WENT INTO EFFECT. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN GENEVA REPORTS THESE NEW REFUGEES ARE VICTIMS BOTH OF THE LATEST GROUND FIGHTING AND ANOTHER WAVE OF ETHNIC CLEANSING BY BOSNIAN SERB FORCES.

TEXT: THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) REPORTS THAT ABOUT SIX-THOUSAND BOSNIAN MUSLIMS HAVE NOW CROSSED INTO GOVERNMENT-HELD TERRITORY DURING THE PAST WEEK, AFTER BEING EXPELLED FROM THEIR HOMES IN TOWNS AND VILLAGES NEAR THE NORTHERN SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA.

U-N-H-C-R OFFICIALS SAY THE NUMBERS ARE CONTINUING TO RISE IN WHAT COULD WELL MARK THE FINAL CHAPTER IN A THREE YEAR OLD SERB CAMPAIGN TO RID THE NORTH OF ALL MUSLIMS AND CROATS.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN RON REDMOND SAYS THERE ARE FEW MEN AMONG THESE LATEST MUSLIM REFUGEES. HE SAID DRAFT AGE MALES ARE BEING KEPT BEHIND BY LOCAL SERB AUTHORITIES AND FOLLOWERS OF A NOTORIOUS PARAMILITARY LEADER KNOWN AS ARKAN (ZELJKO RAZNATOVIC).

SOME OF THE DISPLACED PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME ACROSS TO GOVERNMENT-HELD TERRITORY HAVE TOLD U-N-H-C-R INTERVIEWERS THAT DRAFT-AGE MEN AND PROFESSIONALS HAD BEEN TAKEN AWAY BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND THE ARKAN GROUP TO KERATERM, WHICH IS CLOSE TO PRIEJDOR AND IS A RATHER NOTORIOUS PLACE BECAUSE IT WAS ALSO USED IN THE SUMMER OF 1992 AS ONE OF THE SO-CALLED CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

AS THE MUSLIMS WERE PUSHED OUT OF NORTHERN BOSNIA, UPWARDS OF 40-THOUSAND SERBS WERE ALSO FLEEING HOMES IN THE AREA AS SARAJEVO GOVERNMENT FORCES OVER-RAN TWO TOWNS JUST HOURS BEFORE THE CEASE-FIRE WENT INTO EFFECT.

IRONICALLY, ONE OF THOSE TOWNS -- SANSKI MOST -- WAS A FOCAL POINT IN THE LATEST ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN BY THE SERBS.

FOR U-N-H-C-R AND OTHER RELIEF AGENCIES, THAT IRONY WAS DOUBLY ACUTE.

SERB LEADERS HAVE CONSISTENTLY DENIED U-N AND RED CROSS OFFICIALS ACCESS TO AREAS WHERE ETHNIC CLEANSING OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT. BUT NOW, THE RELIEF AGENCIES ARE PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR SERB REFUGEES FROM THOSE SAME AREAS. MR. REDMOND SAYS THE CONTRADICTION IS OBVIOUS, BUT ADDS THAT U-N-H-C-R HAS A MANDATE TO ASSIST REFUGEES REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES, AND WILL NOT USE HUMANITARIAN AID AS LEVERAGE WITH ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

WE OFTEN TRY TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO TRY TO PROTECT THESE VICTIMS OF ETHNIC CLEANSING. BUT REALLY ALL WE CAN DO IS TELL THE WORLD WHAT IS HAPPENING. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE ARE INNOCENT BOSNIAN SERB CIVILIANS -- WOMEN, CHILDREN, ELDERLY PEOPLE -- WHO NEED HELP, AND WE HAVE GOT TO PROVIDE IT.

DURING THE PAST MONTH, THE REFUGEE POPULATION IN BOSNIA HAS SWELLED BY NEARLY 200-THOUSAND, MOST OF THEM SERBS WHO HAVE FLED ADVANCES BY BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND CROATIAN FORCES. (SIGNED)

NEB/DBR/JWH/CF
12-Oct-95 11:17 AM EDT (1517 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] BOSNIA / REFUGEES (L ONLY) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE CEASE-FIRE IN BOSNIA CAME TOO LATE FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE -- BOTH SERBS AND MUSLIMS -- FORCED TO FLEE THEIR HOMES, IN SOME CASES, JUST HOURS BEFORE THE TRUCE WENT INTO EFFECT. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS IN GENEVA REPORTS THESE NEW REFUGEES ARE VICTIMS BOTH OF THE LATEST GROUND FIGHTING AND ANOTHER WAVE OF ETHNIC CLEANSING BY BOSNIAN SERB FORCES.

TEXT: THE U-N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) REPORTS THAT ABOUT SIX-THOUSAND BOSNIAN MUSLIMS HAVE NOW CROSSED INTO GOVERNMENT-HELD TERRITORY DURING THE PAST WEEK, AFTER BEING EXPELLED FROM THEIR HOMES IN TOWNS AND VILLAGES NEAR THE NORTHERN SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA.

U-N-H-C-R OFFICIALS SAY THE NUMBERS ARE CONTINUING TO RISE IN WHAT COULD WELL MARK THE FINAL CHAPTER IN A THREE YEAR OLD SERB CAMPAIGN TO RID THE NORTH OF ALL MUSLIMS AND CROATS.

U-N-H-C-R SPOKESMAN RON REDMOND SAYS THERE ARE FEW MEN AMONG THESE LATEST MUSLIM REFUGEES. HE SAID DRAFT AGE MALES ARE BEING KEPT BEHIND BY LOCAL SERB AUTHORITIES AND FOLLOWERS OF A NOTORIOUS PARAMILITARY LEADER KNOWN AS ARKAN (ZELJKO RAZNATOVIC).

SOME OF THE DISPLACED PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME ACROSS TO GOVERNMENT-HELD TERRITORY HAVE TOLD U-N-H-C-R INTERVIEWERS THAT DRAFT-AGE MEN AND PROFESSIONALS HAD BEEN TAKEN AWAY BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND THE ARKAN GROUP TO KERATERM, WHICH IS CLOSE TO PRIEJDOR AND IS A RATHER NOTORIOUS PLACE BECAUSE IT WAS ALSO USED IN THE SUMMER OF 1992 AS ONE OF THE SO-CALLED CONCENTRATION CAMPS.

AS THE MUSLIMS WERE PUSHED OUT OF NORTHERN BOSNIA, UPWARDS OF 40-THOUSAND SERBS WERE ALSO FLEEING HOMES IN THE AREA AS SARAJEVO GOVERNMENT FORCES OVER-RAN TWO TOWNS JUST HOURS BEFORE THE CEASE-FIRE WENT INTO EFFECT.

IRONICALLY, ONE OF THOSE TOWNS -- SANSKI MOST -- WAS A FOCAL POINT IN THE LATEST ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN BY THE SERBS.

FOR U-N-H-C-R AND OTHER RELIEF AGENCIES, THAT IRONY WAS DOUBLY ACUTE.

SERB LEADERS HAVE CONSISTENTLY DENIED U-N AND RED CROSS OFFICIALS ACCESS TO AREAS WHERE ETHNIC CLEANSING OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT. BUT NOW, THE RELIEF AGENCIES ARE PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR SERB REFUGEES FROM THOSE SAME AREAS. MR. REDMOND SAYS THE CONTRADICTION IS OBVIOUS, BUT ADDS THAT U-N-H-C-R HAS A MANDATE TO ASSIST REFUGEES REGARDLESS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES, AND WILL NOT USE HUMANITARIAN AID AS LEVERAGE WITH ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

WE OFTEN TRY TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO TRY TO PROTECT THESE VICTIMS OF ETHNIC CLEANSING. BUT REALLY ALL WE CAN DO IS TELL THE WORLD WHAT IS HAPPENING. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THERE ARE INNOCENT BOSNIAN SERB CIVILIANS -- WOMEN, CHILDREN, ELDERLY PEOPLE -- WHO NEED HELP, AND WE HAVE GOT TO PROVIDE IT.

DURING THE PAST MONTH, THE REFUGEE POPULATION IN BOSNIA HAS SWELLED BY NEARLY 200-THOUSAND, MOST OF THEM SERBS WHO HAVE FLED ADVANCES BY BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND CROATIAN FORCES. (SIGNED)

NEB/DBR/JWH/CF
12-Oct-95 11:17 AM EDT (1517 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] BOSNIA SITREP (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: FIGHTING HAS STOPPED IN MOST OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. ASSUMING THE CEASEFIRE GRADUALLY TAKES HOLD EVERYWHERE, THE UNITED NATIONS FACES ENORMOUS CHALLENGES IN TRYING TO ENSURE PEACE IS REALLY AT HAND IN BOSNIA. V-O-A CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS.

TEXT: A FEW DAYS AGO, A U-N SPOKESMAN IN SARAJEVO SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS TOO EARLY TO START OPENING CHAMPAGNE BOTTLES. HE SAID PERHAPS IT IS TIME TO PUT CHAMPAGNE IN THE REFRIGERATOR.

WHETHER IT IS THE RIGHT TIME TO CELEBRATE PEACE BY DRINKING CHILLED CHAMPAGNE REMAINS TO BE SEEN. FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS NOT CLEAR IF THE BOSNIAN ARMY AND THE SERBS CONTINUE FIGHTING OVER ONE TOWN IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA (SANSKI MOST).

THE UNITED NATIONS MUST DECIDE HOW TO MONITOR THE CEASEFIRE. A KEY QUESTION IS WHETHER TO SEND U-N PERSONNEL INTO SERB-HELD TERRITORY WHERE THEY COULD BECOME SERB HOSTAGES AGAIN.

ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE TO GRADUALLY SEPARATE THE WARRING FORCES. THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS WILL BE INVOLVED IN THE EXCHANGE OF WAR PRISONERS. MEANWHILE, SOME FAMILIAR PROBLEMS, SUCH AS RESTRICTIONS ON THE DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN AID, ARE ALREADY REAPPEARING.

THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET AN OVERLAND RELIEF CONVOY TO THE MUSLIM ENCLAVE OF GORAZDE. THE ROAD IS MINED AND BLOCKED BY A SERB CHECKPOINT.

THE CEASEFIRE IS EXPECTED TO HAVE LITTLE, IF ANY, EFFECT ON THE SERBS' ETHNIC-CLEANSING CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN BOSNIA. THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS AND ETHNIC CROATS ARE LIKELY TO BE BRUTALLY FORCED OUT OF SERB TERRITORY UNTIL THE ETHNIC CLEANSING IS COMPLETED.

THE GREATEST SUFFERING FROM THE WAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS OVER IF THE CEASEFIRE HOLDS AND IF PEACE TALKS, BEGINNING AT THE END OF THE MONTH, LEAD TO A FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT.

THE DANGER IS THE TRUCE IS SUPPOSED TO LAST FOR ONLY 60-DAYS. IT MUST IMMEDIATELY BE FOLLOWED BY A PEACE AGREEMENT. IF THE PEACE TALKS BOG DOWN, THE WAR IN BOSNIA COULD RESUME, WITH RESTED AND RE-SUPPLIED WARRING FORCES READY FOR ACTION. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/RAE
12-Oct-95 11:16 AM EDT (1516 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] CLAES / CHARGES (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL WILLY CLAES HAS AGAIN PROTESTED HIS INNOCENCE, AS HE PREPARES TO APPEAR BEFORE A BELGIAN CORRUPTION INQUIRY. AS JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, A BELGIAN PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE WILL BE QUESTIONING THE NATO CHIEF (FRIDAY) TO DECIDE IF HE SHOULD BE PUT ON TRIAL.

TEXT: IN 1988, THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT PLACED AN ORDER FOR 45 HELICOPTERS FROM AN ITALIAN FIRM, AUGUSTA. AS WELL AS SUPPLYING THE HELICOPTERS, THE COMPANY PAID A BRIBE OF MORE THAN ONE-AND-ONE-HALF-MILLION DOLLARS TO THE BELGIAN SOCIALIST PARTY TO SECURE THE DEAL.

WILLY CLAES WAS THE BELGIAN ECONOMICS MINISTER AT THE TIME, AND HE HAD A KEY ROLE IN AWARDING THE DEFENSE CONTRACT TO AUGUSTA. HE WAS ALSO A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE SOCIALIST PARTY.

THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR IN BELGIUM'S HIGHEST COURT BELIEVES MR. CLAES KNEW ABOUT THE BRIBE, AND SAYS HE SHOULD BE PUT ON TRIAL FOR FORGERY AND CORRUPTION. BUT, MR. CLAES ONCE AGAIN SAID THURSDAY HE IS TOTALLY INNOCENT, AND HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE AUGUSTA BRIBE -- OR ABOUT A SIMILAR, EVEN LARGER BRIBE PAID BY THE FRENCH FIRM, DASSAULT, TO SECURE ANOTHER DEFENSE CONTRACT IN BELGIUM.

THE NATO SECRETARY GENERAL CLAIMS HE IS BEING TRIED BY THE MEDIA, AND SAYS HE WANTS A FACE-TO-FACE MEETING WITH THOSE WHO ARE ACCUSING HIM SO HE CAN ANSWER THE CHARGES.

HE WILL HAVE THE TASK FRIDAY OF CONVINCING A SPECIAL 11-MEMBER BELGIAN PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE HE IS INNOCENT. IF HE FAILS, THE COMMITTEE WILL RECOMMEND TO THE FULL PARLIAMENT MR. CLAES BE PUT ON TRIAL.

IF THE PARLIAMENT -- WHICH IS THE BODY WHICH DECIDES IF BELGIAN POLITICIANS CAN BE PUT ON TRIAL -- AGREES, WILLY CLAES WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE FORCED TO RESIGN FROM NATO. BEHIND THE SCENES, NATO GOVERNMENTS ARE DISCUSSING WHOM MR. CLAES' SUCCESSOR MIGHT BE -- JUST IN CASE. (SIGNED)

NEB/JF/JWH/RAE
12-Oct-95 12:52 PM EDT (1652 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[11] E-U / BOSNIA (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION'S PEACE NEGOTIATOR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, CARL BILDT, SAYS HE HOPES THE CEASEFIRE WHICH STARTED EARLY TODAY (THURSDAY) MEANS THE END OF THE WAR. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS MR. BILDT SPOKE AFTER TALKS WITH BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILADJIC.

TEXT: E-U NEGOTIATOR CARL BILDT TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE HE HOPES THE CEASEFIRE WILL HOLD, AND IT WILL LEAD TO PERMANENT PEACE IN BOSNIA.

I WOULD VERY MUCH HOPE, AND I ALSO BELIEVE THAT TO BE THE CASE, THIS TO BE THE FIRST DAY AFTER THE WAR. IT IS NOT YET PEACE -- CERTAINLY NOT -- A LOT OF WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE, TO BUILD THE PEACE THAT BRINGS THE RECONCILIATION, THE REINTEGRATION OF BOSNIA, AND IN THE LONG TERM, OF COURSE, THE REINTEGRATION OF BOSNIA INTO THE STRUCTURES OF EUROPE.

BOSNIAN PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILADJIC ALSO EXPRESSED HOPE THE CEASEFIRE WILL TAKE HOLD. HE CLAIMED IF IT FAILS, THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE THE ONES WHO SHOULD TAKE THE BLAME.

I THINK THERE ARE GOOD REASONS TO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE APPROACHING PEACE IN BOSNIA. THERE IS ONE CONDITION, THOUGH, THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY REMAINS FIRM, FIRM, IN OPPOSING ANY OBSTRUCTION ON THE PART OF THE SERB TERRORISTS IN BOSNIA. BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD MANY CEASEFIRES. WE HAVE HAD MANY ATTEMPTS TO TRY AND END THIS TRAGEDY AS YOU KNOW, THE CONTACT GROUP'S PLAN WAS MADE MORE THAN ONE YEAR AGO -- THAT HAS BEEN LYING ON THE TABLE FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR. AND WE, THE LEGAL GOVERNMENT OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINIA, OUR PARLIAMENT, ACCEPTED THE PEACE PLAN, ALTHOUGH IT IS AN UNJUST PEACE PLAN, LET ME TELL YOU. BUT WE HAVE ACCEPTED IT IN THE NAME OF PEACE. THEY NEVER DID.

MR. SILADJIC SAID EVEN IF IT TAKES FURTHER AIR STRIKES OR ECONOMIC SANCTIONS, MORE PRESSURE MUST BE PUT ON BOSNIAN SERBS TO ACCEPT THE PEACE PLAN. MR SILADJIC CLAIMED THERE IS A MOMENTUM THAT SHOULD NOT BE LOST.

A BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT DELEGATION HAS CALLED ON THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR ECONOMIC AID TO SUPPORT THE RECONSTRUCTION OF ITS COUNTRY, AND TO HELP WITH EVENTUAL ELECTIONS. IT HAS ALSO EXPRESSED THE DESIRE THAT BOSNIA SHOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME A MEMBER OF THE E-U.

WHEN ASKED WHETHER THERE COULD BE AMNESTY FOR BOSNIAN SERBS BEING SOUGHT BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE, BOTH THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE EUROPEAN UNION SAID THIS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE, BECAUSE THE TRIBUNAL IS INDEPENDENT OF POLITICAL INFLUENCE. (SIGNOFF)

NEB/JF/JWH/RAE
12-Oct-95 9:56 AM EDT (1356 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[12] NATO / BOSNIA (L) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: NATO AMBASSADORS HAVE GIVEN THEIR APPROVAL TO A BLUEPRINT FOR POLICING THE PEACE IN BOSNIA -- ASSUMING THE LATEST CEASE-FIRE WILL BE OBSERVED . ALLIANCE MILITARY COMMANDERS NOW HAVE THE TASK OF DRAWING UP MORE DETAILED PLANS FOR WHAT WILL BE NATO'S MOST AMBITIOUS-EVER OPERATION. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FOR FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE NATO PLAN IS EXPECTED TO INVOLVE AS MANY AS 60-THOUSAND TROOPS. ONCE ALL SIDES HAVE AGREED ON A PEACE SETTLEMENT, IT WILL BE THE TASK OF NATO TROOPS TO MOVE INTO BOSNIA, AND ENSURE THAT VIOLENCE DOES NOT FLARE UP AGAIN.

SOME TROOPS IN THE NATO OPERATION WILL COME FROM UNITS ALREADY IN BOSNIA. OTHERS, SUCH AS THE TWENTY TO TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND AMERICAN TROOPS, WILL HAVE TO BE MOVED IN.

THE PLANNING IS BEING MASTERMINDED BY NATO'S SUPREME COMMANDER IN EUROPE GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN.

HAVING SECURED PROVISIONAL BACKING FROM THE 16 ALLIANCE AMBASSADORS, HE WILL NOW COORDINATE WITH EACH AND EVERY NATION WHICH WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE OPERATION, TO OBTAIN PLEDGES AND SPECIFIC TROOP COMMITMENTS. MEANWHILE, NATO AMBASSADORS ARE PLANNING TO MEET THE RUSSIANS VERY SOON, TO DISCUSS THEIR POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT IN THE BOSNIAN OPERATION.

FURTHER MEETINGS WITH OTHER NON-NATO NATIONS ARE ALSO ENVISAGED. ONE PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED IS HOW TO WIN OVER THE RUSSIANS TO AN OPERATION WHICH WILL BE NATO-LED AND NATO-COMMANDED.

IT IS HOPED THAT MOST OF THE ALLIANCE FORCES COULD BE BROUGHT INTO BOSNIA IN THREE OR FOUR DAYS, OCCUPYING KEY POINTS WHERE TROUBLE COULD FLARE UP. MEANWHILE, SOME UNITED NATIONS FORCES, WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN BOSNIA, MAY NEED TO BE WITHDRAWN.

THE OPERATION COULD LAST AROUND ONE YEAR, ALLOWING TIME FOR THE AUTHORITIES IN THE NEW TWO-PART FEDERAL BOSNIAN STATE TIME TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATIONS.

IF IT SUCCEEDS, THE BOSNIAN OPERATION WILL PROVIDE NATO WITH INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE -- IN CASE THE ALLIANCE IS CALLED ON TO DEAL WITH SIMILAR OPERATIONS IN THE FUTURE. (SIGNED) NEB / JF / BD-T/PT 11-Oct-95 8:13 PM EDT (0013 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[13] TURKEY TRIAL (S) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ISTANBUL)

INTRO: THE TRIAL OF AN AMERICAN JOURNALIST ACCUSED OF VIOLATING TURKISH LAWS AGAINST PROVOKING RACIAL HATRED BEGAN THURSDAY IN ISTANBUL. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ISTANBUL, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A FOREIGN JOURNALIST IS BEING PROSECUTED IN TURKEY BECAUSE OF WHAT SHE WROTE.

TEXT: THE NEWS REPORTER, ALISA MARCUS OF THE LONDON-BASED REUTERS NEWS AGENCY, IS BEING PROSECUTED IN A SPECIAL STATE SECURITY COURT ON CHARGES OF PROVOKING ENMITY AND HATRED BETWEEN TURKS AND KURDS.

SHE IS BEING ACCUSED OF DOING SO IN A REPORT WHICH REFERRED TO THE FORCIBLE EVACUATION OF KURDISH VILLAGES BY TURKISH FORCES FIGHTING REBELS OF THE SEPARATIST KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY, OR P-K-K.

THE REPORT WAS DISTRIBUTED BY REUTERS AND ALSO PUBLISHED SEPARATELY IN A TURKISH NEWSPAPER.

THE REPORTER'S LAWYERS ARGUE THE CASE SHOULD BE DROPPED ON PROCEDURAL GROUNDS BECAUSE THE REPORT IN QUESTION APPEARED IN NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR. THE DEFENSE SAID THE CHARGE WAS THEREFORE INVALID UNDER A SIX-MONTH STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.

OBSERVERS AT THE TRIAL SAID THEY BELIEVE THE CHARGES ARE MOTIVATED BY WHAT THEY TERM PURELY POLITICAL REASONS. THEY SAID THEY BELIEVE THE CASE IS AIMED IN PART AT INTIMIDATING OTHER FOREIGN JOURNALISTS WHO REPORT ON THE KURDISH ISSUE.

FOREIGN REPORTERS WHO WRITE REPORTS DEEMED OFFENSIVE BY THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT ARE USUALLY ASKED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY. MISS MARCUS' TRIAL WILL RESUME NEXT MONTH. (SIGNED)

NEB/AZ/JWH/JM
12-Oct-95 10:14 AM EDT (1414 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[14] U-S BOSNIA (S 0NLY) BY DAVE BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CEASEFIRE IN BOSNIA, HOPING IT WILL LEAD TO A LASTING PEACE SETTLEMENT AND AN END TO THE THREE-AND-ONE- HALF-YEAR BOSNIAN CIVIL WAR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS.

TEXT: CLINTON SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS U-S OFFICIALS ARE IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH U-N OFFICIALS MONITORING THE CEASEFIRE. HE SAYS WHAT IS CLEAR IN WASHINGTON SO FAR IS THINGS SEEM TO BE QUIETER, ESPECIALLY IN SARAJEVO. BUT HE QUICKLY ADDS HE IS IN NO POSITION TO SAY THE CEASEFIRE IS, IN HIS WORDS, A 100-PERCENT SUCCESS UNTIL IT IS KNOWN IN COMING DAYS HOW THE PARTIES HONOR THEIR OBLIGATIONS.

WE NEED TO USE THIS MOMENT IN WHICH WE HAVE GOTTEN A CEASEFIRE, HOWEVER TENUOUS, TO CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE DIPLOMATIC EFFORT THE UNITED STATES IS LEADING TO BRING THESE PARTIES TO AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL END THE WAR ONCE AND FOR ALL.

PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ENVOY TO THE REGION -- ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE -- RETURNS THERE AFTER A STOP IN MOSCOW THIS WEEKEND FOR TALKS WITH OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FIVE-NATION BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE PRESIDENT DISCUSSED THE BOSNIA SITUATION WITH GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL. SPOKESMAN MCCURRY SAYS THEY DISCUSSED THE IMPORTANCE OF BOTH COUNTRIES TAKING PART IN A NATO ACTION TO ENFORCE AN EVENTUAL PEACE SETTLEMENT IN BOSNIA. (SIGNED)

NEB/BORG/RAE
12-Oct-95 2:40 PM EDT (1840 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[15] U-S BOSNIA (S 0NLY) BY DAVE BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON IS KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CEASEFIRE IN BOSNIA, HOPING IT WILL LEAD TO A LASTING PEACE SETTLEMENT AND AN END TO THE THREE-AND-ONE- HALF-YEAR BOSNIAN CIVIL WAR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS.

TEXT: CLINTON SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS U-S OFFICIALS ARE IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH U-N OFFICIALS MONITORING THE CEASEFIRE. HE SAYS WHAT IS CLEAR IN WASHINGTON SO FAR IS THINGS SEEM TO BE QUIETER, ESPECIALLY IN SARAJEVO. BUT HE QUICKLY ADDS HE IS IN NO POSITION TO SAY THE CEASEFIRE IS, IN HIS WORDS, A 100-PERCENT SUCCESS UNTIL IT IS KNOWN IN COMING DAYS HOW THE PARTIES HONOR THEIR OBLIGATIONS.

WE NEED TO USE THIS MOMENT IN WHICH WE HAVE GOTTEN A CEASEFIRE, HOWEVER TENUOUS, TO CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THE DIPLOMATIC EFFORT THE UNITED STATES IS LEADING TO BRING THESE PARTIES TO AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL END THE WAR ONCE AND FOR ALL.

PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ENVOY TO THE REGION -- ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE RICHARD HOLBROOKE -- RETURNS THERE AFTER A STOP IN MOSCOW THIS WEEKEND FOR TALKS WITH OTHER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FIVE-NATION BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE PRESIDENT DISCUSSED THE BOSNIA SITUATION WITH GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL. SPOKESMAN MCCURRY SAYS THEY DISCUSSED THE IMPORTANCE OF BOTH COUNTRIES TAKING PART IN A NATO ACTION TO ENFORCE AN EVENTUAL PEACE SETTLEMENT IN BOSNIA. (SIGNED)

NEB/BORG/RAE
12-Oct-95 2:40 PM EDT (1840 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America