Voice of America, 18 October 1995

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

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

[01] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY TED LANDPHAIR (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: MANY EDITORIAL WRITERS AT LEADING U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE TAKING A BREAK FROM THEIR EXTENSIVE COMMENTARIES ON THE MEANING OF THE GIANT RALLY OF BLACK MEN IN WASHINGTON ON MONDAY TO FOCUS ON A WIDE RANGE OF OTHER ISSUES. TOPICS TODAY RANGE FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON'S PLAN TO SEND U-S PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TO BOSNIA, TO THE DEBATE OVER CUTS IN MEDICARE PAYMENTS TO SENIOR CITIZENS. HERE IS _________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: "THE BOSTON GLOBE" AND "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" TAKE OPPOSITE STANDS ON THE PRESIDENT'S IDEA OF PROVIDING ONE-THIRD OF THE 60-THOUSAND SOLDIERS PROPOSED IN THE LATEST BOSNIAN PEACEKEEPING PLAN. THE "GLOBE" SUPPORTS THE PRESIDENT.

VOICE: "IF THIS NATION'S VITAL SECURITY INTERESTS WERE RIGOROUSLY DEFINED, THEY WOULD NOT INCLUDE INTERVENTION IN BOSNIA. YET A BROADER DEFINITION INCLUDES KEEPING TO AGREEMENTS MADE WITH OUR CLOSEST ALLIES, HOLDING NATO TOGETHER AND BRINGING ABOUT A PEACE THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS TAKEN THE LEAD ROLE IN BROKERING. HAVING TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR PEACE-KEEPING IN BOSNIA, IT IS INCUMBENT UPON THIS NATION TO SEE IT THROUGH. [OPT] SENATORS (WHO WILL VOTE ON THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN) SHOULD NOT LET A MODISH ISOLATIONISM OR PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS PREVENT THEM FROM APPROVING A MISSION THAT IS WORTH THE RISKS IT WILL ENTAIL." [END OPT]

TEXT: TAKING AN OPPOSING STAND, "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" WRITES THAT THE UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES HAVE BETTER OPTIONS.

VOICE: "THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS CREATING UNNECESSARY TROUBLE FOR ITSELF -- AND FOR THE BALKANS. . . . [OPT] THE BOSNIAN SERBS SEEM FINALLY READY TO STOP FIGHTING; THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS DON'T, BUT THE WEST HAS THE LEVERAGE TO GET THEM TO TALK RATHER THAN SHOOT. SO WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THESE 60-THOUSAND TROOPS? [END OPT] THE MOST POWERFUL LEVERAGE THE ALLIES CAN NOW EXERT IS ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL. WHAT ALL SIDES NEED MOST IS AID FOR RECONSTRUCTION, ADMISSION TO EUROPEAN ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS AND -- ON THE SERB SIDE -- THE LIFTING OF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. GRANTING OR WITHHOLDING THESE VITALLY-NEEDED BENEFITS IS THE BEST WAY FOR THE WET TO ENFORCE A BOSNIAN PEACE."

TEXT: "USA TODAY", THE NATIONAL WEEKDAY PAPER, IS DEVOTING ITS ENTIRE EDITORIAL PAGE TO THE THORNY ISSUE OF MEDICARE REFORM. MEDICARE IS THE GOVERNMENT-SUPPORTED PROGRAM THAT HELPS ELDERLY AND DISABLED AMERICANS PAY THEIR MEDICAL BILLS. THE PROGRAM COST TAXPAYERS 182 (B)BILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR, AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY BEGINS DEBATE ON HOLDING DOWN MEDICARE COSTS THROUGH A SERIES OF REFORMS THAT COULD CUT BENEFITS TO OLDER AMERICANS. THAT'S PAINFUL, WRITES "USA TODAY," BUT IT'S NECESSARY.

VOICE: "MEDICARE'S HOSPITALIZATION FUND GOES BANKRUPT IN SEVEN YEARS. THAT'S NOT MUCH TIME TO ENACT A REAL FIX. MOREOVER, ATTACHING REFORM TO URGENT BUDGET DEADLINES [AS IS NOW HAPPENING] PROVIDES AN IMPETUS FOR ACTION. WITHOUT IT, REFORMS WOULD BE DEBATED TO DEATH, AS HAPPENED TO THE CLINTON HEALTH PLAN LAST YEAR. . . . REFORM IS GOING TO HURT. AND IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE EXTENSIVE TINKERING. BUT UNTIL WE TAKE THIS FIRST STEP, THE FUTURE IS NOT ABOUT HIGHER COSTS AND LESS CARE. IT'S ABOUT UNBEARABLE COSTS AND NO CARE AT ALL.

TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON POST" REVISITS AN ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN DISCUSSED MUCH OF LATE -- THE PANAMA CANAL AND AMERICAN MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE CANAL ZONE. "THE POST" FINDS IT INTERESTING THAT STRONGLY NATIONALISTIC PANAMA, WHICH 20 YEARS AGO PAINTED THE UNITED STATES AS A COLONIAL FOSSIL, NOW IS URGING THE AMERICAN MILITARY TO STAY ON, LONG PAST THE TURNOVER OF THE CANAL TO PANAMA ON DECEMBER 31ST, 1999.

VOICE: "TO KEEP SOME AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN THE COUNTRY IS NOW REGARDED AS USEFUL TO PROVIDE JOBS AND TO REASSURE FOREIGN INVESTORS, WHOSE COOPERATION WILL BE ESSENTIAL IN EMBOLDENING PANAMA FINALLY TO LET GO (OF ITS TIES TO THE UNITED STATES. . . . BUT) THE SITUATION CALLS FOR A SHORTER RATHER THAN A LONGER AMERICAN MILITARY TENURE AFTER THE CANAL IS HANDED OVER. . . . THE CANAL LONG ENSURED PANAMA SPECIAL AMERICAN POLITICAL INDULGENCE AS WELL AS STRATEGIC FAVOR. THAT ERA IS GONE. IN ITS PLACE LIES A HEMISPHERE DEVELOPING USEFUL BUT MODEST MILITARY TIES AND EVER DEEPER RELATIONS BASED ON A COMMON PURSUIT OF DEMOCRACY AND ECONOMIC INTEGRATION. THIS IS THE WORLD THE UNITED STATES MUST ENCOURAGE A HESITATING PANAMA TO JOIN."

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS ALSO LOOKING SOUTHWARD, AT ITS TROUBLESOME BORDER WITH MEXICO, WHERE THE INFLUX OF ILLEGAL ALIENS HAS STIRRED SEVERAL ANTI-IMMIGRATION PROPOSALS. "THE L-A TIMES" HAS SCRUTINIZED THE RECORD OF ALAN BERSIN, WHO WAS JUST APPOINTED TO THE NEWLY-CREATED JOB OF "BORDER CZAR." AND THE PAPER LIKES WHAT IT SEES IN THE MAN WHO WILL MANAGE THE NATION'S 32-THOUSAND-KILOMETER BORDER WITH MEXICO.

VOICE: "(AS A U-S ATTORNEY IN SAN DIEGO, MR.) BERSIN HAS BEEN CREDITED WITH PLANNING AND EXECUTING SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS THAT HAVE SLOWED ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND CRACKED DOWN ON THE SMUGGLING OF DRUGS AND HUMAN BEINGS. . . . OF COURSE, U.S.-MEXICAN BORDER ISSUES . . . ARE COMPLEX AND GENERATIONS OLD, SO NO MIRACLES SHOULD BE EXPECTED FROM [MR.] BERSIN. EXPECTATIONS MUST ALSO BE TEMPERED BY THE KNOWLEDGE THAT SOME PAST FEDERAL 'CZARS' HAVE BEEN LESS THAN SUCCESSFUL IN TRYING TO SOLVE LONGSTANDING PROBLEMS, LIKE DRUG ABUSE. STILL, THIS APPOINTMENT IS ENCOURAGING. (MR.) BERSIN LOOKS TO BE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB. HE WILL HAVE PLENTY OF WORK TO KEEP HIM BUSY."

TEXT: FINALLY, "THE BALTIMORE SUN" CASTS AN EYE TOWARD PARIS AND YESTERDAY'S BOMBING THAT KILLED FIVE AND INJURED 29 TRAIN COMMUTERS. THERE'S NO DOUBT IN "THE SUN'S" MIND THAT THE BOMBING IS RELATED TO WHAT IT SEES AS GOVERNMENT REPRESSION OF ALL OPPOSITION IN THE CIVIL WAR IN FRANCE'S FORMER COLONY OF ALGERIA.

VOICE: "HOWEVER DISTURBING TO THE FRENCH, [THE EIGHT BOMB ATTACKS IN FRANCE SINCE JULY 25TH] PALE BESIDE THE CARNAGE IN ALGERIA, WHERE JOURNALISTS, WESTERNIZED WOMEN, SECULAR THINKERS, FRENCH, FOREIGNERS, AND JUST ABOUT ANYONE STRAYING INTO THE FRONT LINE OF FIRE IS CALLOUSLY MURDERED IN THE NAME OF OVERTHROWING THE SECULAR, SOCIALIST, ARMY-MAINTAINED, FRENCH-SUPPORTED GOVERNMENT. CLEARLY THE TERRORISTS ARE BUILDING TO A CLIMAX IN BOTH COUNTRIES COINCIDING WITH THE NOVEMBER 16TH ELECTION IN ALGERIA. . . . THE FRENCH SHOULD MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO HALT TERROR IN FRANCE, WITHOUT PANIC OR PERSECUTION. BUT THEY ALSO KNOW -- AND [FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES] CHIRAC TO HIS CREDIT IS SAYING -- THAT FRANCE WILL HAVE A PROBLEM AS LONG AS ALGERIA SUPPRESSES THE WILL OF ITS OWN PEOPLE."

TEXT: WITH THIS LOOK ACROSS THE ATLANTIC, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIAL COMMENT FOR THIS WEDNESDAY. NEB/TL/PCH 18-Oct-95 12:00 PM EDT (1600 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[02] !!! VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- OCTOBER 18, 1995 !!!

VOA DAILY BOSNIA REPORT -- 10/18/95 THE FOLLOWING IS A SYNOPSIS OF SIGNIFICANT REPORTING ON BOSNIA BY THE VOICE OF AMERICA THAT HAD BEEN BROADCAST OR FIRMLY SCHEDULED AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. THIS SELECTION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE EXHAUSTIVE, AND DOES NOT INCLUDE LATE-BREAKING NEWS OR THE MANY REPORTS IN ALL VOA LANGUAGES THAT ARE BASED ON COMMERCIAL WIRE SERVICES OR OTHER SECONDARY SOURCES. WE REGRET THAT WE CANNOT RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR TRANSCRIPTS OF SPECIFIC BROADCASTS OR PROGRAM SEGMENTS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT VOA, OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. TELEPHONE: +1-202-619-2538. ELECTRONIC MAIL: LETTERS@VOA.GOV (FOR CORRESPONDENCE FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES); LETTERS-USA@VOA.GOV (FOR CORRESPONDENCE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES).

CHRISTOPHER / AIR BASE -- THE BOSNIA PEACE TALKS ON OCTOBER 31ST WILL BE HELD AT THE WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE IN SOUTHWEST OHIO. CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT ON THE SELECTION OF THE SITE. (10/18)

BOSNIA / SERBS -- A MAJOR NEW SPLIT APPEARED BETWEEN THE BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERSHIP. THE ARMY IS REFUSING TO ACCEPT THE FORCED RETIREMENT OF FOUR SENIOR OFFICERS. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (10/18)

BOSNIA / CEASE-FIRE -- UN OFFICIALS HAVE SHARPLY CRITICIZED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND BOSNIAN CROAT OFFICIALS, SAYING THEY ARE NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH BY OBSTRUCTING UN OBSERVERS AND PEACEKEEPERS IN BOSNIA. MEANWHILE, AS STRINGER DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO, THE SENIOR US NEGOTIATOR, RICHARD HOLBROOKE IS MEETING WITH BOSNIAN OFFICIALS TO PREPARE FOR ALL-PARTY MEETINGS LATER THIS MONTH. (10/18)

YUGO / NEGOTIATIONS -- AMERICAN, RUSSIAN AND WESTERN EUROPEAN PEACE ENVOYS ARE IN BELGRADE FOR TALKS WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. AFTER THEY AND MR MILOSEVIC DISCUSS EFFORTS TO BRING PEACE TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, THE ENVOYS WILL TRAVEL ON TO SARAJEVO. CORRESPONDENT WAYNE COREY REPORTS. (10/17)

SENATE / BOSNIA / US TROOPS -- SPECIAL REPORT ON THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE HEARING ON THE DEPLOYMENT OF UNITED STATES TROOPS TO BOSNIA, WITH SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM PERRY AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UST JOINT CHIEF OF STAFF, GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI. (CROATIAN 10/17)

BOSNIA / CEASE-FIRE -- UNPROFOR REPRESENTATIVES IN SARAJEVO ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT THE LATEST CEASE-FIRE WILL HOLD IN SPITE OF SPORADIC FIGHTING IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA. THE BOSNIAN SERB MEDIA CLAIM THAT THE SITUATION WITH REFUGEES AROUND BANJALUKA IS REACHING ALARMING PROPORTIONS. STRINGER BORO KONTIC REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO. (SERBIAN 10/17)

BOSNIA / SHATTUCK VISIT -- STRINGER FROM SARAJEVO VLADIMIR BILIC REPORT ON THE UNITED STATES ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS JOHN SHATTUCK VISIT TO WESTERN BOSNIA. MR SHATTUCK VISITED SEVERAL MASS GRAVE SITES NEAR TOWN OF KLJUC. (CROATIAN 10/17)

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT / HELP FOR BOSNIA AND CROATIA -- STRINGER LADA STIPIC NISETEO REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS THAT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLANS TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO REBUILD BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND CROATIA. (CROATIAN 10/17)

EU / BOSNIA -- EU COMMISSIONER HANS VAN DER BROOK SAID THAT THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY WOULD PROVIDE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WITH AID WORTH BETWEEN FOUR AND FIVE BILLION DOLLARS. HE ALSO SAID THAT THERE IS STILL NO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT TO LIFT ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO. STRINGER DRAGAN BLAGOJEVIC REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS. (SERBIAN 10/17)

CROATIA / ELECTIONS -- STAFFER BOJAN KLIMA INTERVIEWS LES CAMPBELL, OFFICIAL OF THE WASHINGTON-BASED NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE WHO IS MONITORING THE CROATIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS. HE ASSESSED THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN AND CRITICIZED THE RULING PARTY FOR ITS CONTROL OF THE MEDIA. (CROATIAN 10/17)

CROATIA / EASTERN SLAVONIA -- TALKS BETWEEN CROATIAN GOVERNMENT AND SERBS FROM EASTERN SLAVONIA HAVE BEEN DELAYED FOR THE SECOND TIME. EU NEGOTIATOR T STOLTENBERG SAID THAT MORE TIME IS SPENT ON PROCEDURAL THAN ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS. STRINGER STEVICA SUSA REPORTS FROM ZAGREB. (SERBIAN 10/17)

SERB REFUGEES -- WHILE THE FIGHTING IN NORTHWESTERN PART OF BOSNIA IS SLOWING DOWN, THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN THE AREA OF BANJALUKA IS BECOMING CRITICAL. ACCORDING TO UNPROFOR, LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE SHELTER FOR ALMOST 300 THOUSAND SERB REFUGEES. STRINGER MILICA KUBUROVIC REPORTS FROM BELGRADE. (SERBIAN 10/17)

CPJ / BOSNIA / TURKISH JOURNALISTS -- THE NEW YORK BASED COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS HAS CONDEMNED THE DETENTION OF TWO TURKISH JOURNALISTS BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS. AND THE CPJ DENOUNCED THE SERBS' OFFER TO RELEASE TURKISH JOURNALISTS IF TWO SERBIAN TV REPORTERS ALLEGEDLY HELD BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT ARE ALSO RELEASED. STAFFER TANJU AKERSON INTERVIEWS AVNER GIDRON, RESEARCH DIRECTOR OF THE CPJ. (TURKISH 10/18)

MOSCOW / CONTACT GROUP -- THE CONTACT GROUP HELD ITS LAST MEETING IN MOSCOW BEFORE THE LEADERS OF YUGOSLAVIA, BOSNIA, AND CROATIA BEGIN THEIR NEGOTIATIONS NEAR WASHINGTON AT THE END OF THE MONTH. BUT, THE GROUP DID NOT RESOLVE THE QUESTION OF RUSSIA'S PARTICIPATION IN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS IN BOSNIA. STRINGER RISTO BAJALSKI REPORTS FROM MOSCOW. (SERBIAN 10/17)

RUSSIA / BOSNIA -- PROFESSOR CARMAN KARADAGHI, RUSSIAN EXPERT WITH AL-HAYAT NEWSPAPER IN LONDON, IS INTERVIEWED BY STAFFER MOHAMED EL-SETOUHI ABOUT RUSSIA'S ROLE IN THE BOSNIAN PEACE TALKS. (ARABIC 10/17) 18-Oct-95 5:01 PM EDT (2101 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[03] ALBANIA PRIVATIZATION BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: ALBANIA, LIKE AT LEAST THREE OTHER POST-COMMUNIST ECONOMIES (BULGARIA, ROMANIA, LATVIA), IS IN THE MIDST OF TRANSFERRING STATE-OWNED COMPANIES TO CITIZENS AT LARGE. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD IS IN TIRANA AND VISITED THE HEAD OF ALBANIA'S PRIVATIZATION AGENCY.

TEXT: NIKO GLOZENY IS A MINING SURVEYOR WHO SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM HAS FOUND HIMSELF SERVING AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT. OPERATING FROM A CRAMPED THIRD FLOOR OFFICE IN A DRAB BUILDING IN THE CENTER OF TIRANA, MR. GLOZENY ADMINISTERS ALBANIA'S PRIVATIZATION PROGRAM.

THE ALBANIANS DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF ASSETS THAT FOREIGNERS ARE EAGER TO BUY. NONETHELESS, LIKE IN OTHER POST-COMMUNIST COUNTRIES, THE ALBANIANS ARE DETERMINED THAT THE PEOPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN SOMETHING BACK FROM THE STATE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE 45 YEARS OF HARDSHIP UNDER COMMUNISM.

MR. GLOZENY CREDITS THE CZECH GOVERNMENT WITH PROVIDING A MODEL FOR DISTRIBUTING VOUCHERS TO THE PEOPLE AND THEN LETTING CITIZENS CHOOSE THE FORMER STATE ENTERPRISES IN WHICH THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OWNERS.

WE KNOW THE FINANCIAL MEANS OF THE POPULATION IS VERY LOW TO FACE THE PRIVATIZATION PROGRAM. SO THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO DISTRIBUTE COUPONS (VOUCHERS) FREE TO THE POPULATION. AND THE GOVERNMENT COMPENSATED FOR ONLY A SMALL PART OF WHAT THE CITIZENS DESERVED. BUT, THE COMPANIES WE'RE DISTRIBUTING, THEY ARE STILL ALIVE. THERE IS VALUE IN THESE COMPANIES.

THE VOUCHERS WERE DISTRIBUTED BEGINNING LAST JUNE. THEY COULD BE BOUGHT FOR A NOMINAL FEE EQUIVALENT TO HALF A U-S DOLLAR. EACH VOUCHER CERTIFICATE HAS A DECLARED VALUE OF AT LEAST 105 DOLLARS. THE LIST OF THE FIRST 20 COMPANIES AVAILABLE IN EXCHANGE FOR VOUCHERS WAS PUBLISHED LAST MONTH. RIGHT NOW, CITIZENS ARE CHOOSING WHERE TO INVEST THEIR VOUCHERS.

MR. GLOZENY SAYS HE IS NOT DISTRESSED THAT THE VOUCHERS ARE TRADING AT A 75 PERCENT DISCOUNT TO THEIR FACE VALUE. THE PRIVATIZATION DIRECTOR FREQUENTLY APPEARS ON TELEVISION IN AN EDUCATIONAL ROLE, URGING CITIZENS TO REGARD THE VOUCHER AS CASH AND EXCHANGE IT FOR OWNERSHIP SHARES IN ALBANIAN COMPANIES.

I SAID (ON TV), NO PERSON CAN TELL YOU (THE PEOPLE) WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR VOUCHER. THE VOUCHER IS YOUR PROPERTY. YOU CAN BURN IT, TEAR IT, EXCHANGE IT, GIVE IT TO SOMEONE. OR YOU CAN ORDER SHARES (IN COMPANIES). BUT I SUGGEST ONE THING. BECAUSE THE STATE IS NOT A GOOD PREDICTOR OF THE FUTURE, IT IS BETTER TO SELL YOUR SHARES AFTER PRIVATIZATION THAN TO SELL YOUR VOUCHERS BEFORE.

ALBANIA'S PRIVATIZATION PROGRAM WILL BE SPEEDED UP IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY JUNE OF NEXT YEAR. LIKE IN NEARBY ROMANIA, THE ALBANIAN PRIVATIZATION COULD BE AFFECTED BY PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS, WHICH IN ALBANIA WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1996. (SIGNED)

NEB/BDW/JWH/MMK
18-Oct-95 2:13 PM EDT (1813 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[04] ALBANIA AGRICULTURE BY BARRY WOOD (TIRANA)

INTRO: ALBANIA'S AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION IS REGARDED AS PERHAPS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL IN ALL OF POST-COMMUNIST EUROPE. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM TIRANA THAT ABOUT 95 PERCENT OF ALL LAND HAS BEEN PRIVATIZED AND FARM OUTPUT IS RISING.

TEXT: LAND PRIVATIZATION WAS CRUCIAL TO ALBANIA AS TWO THIRDS OF THE COUNTRY'S THREE AND A HALF MILLION PEOPLE RESIDE IN RURAL AREAS. THE GOVERNMENT'S MEANS OF PRIVATIZATION WAS TO PUT THE FARM COOPERATIVES IN CHARGE OF DISTRIBUTION. THE RESULT IS THAT CULTIVATED LAND WAS PRIVATIZED IN A VERY SHORT TIME AND BY 1993 OUTPUT BEGAN TO EXPAND. TODAY, 95 PERCENT OF AGRICULTURAL OUTPUT COMES FROM PRIVATE FARMS.

THE SIZE OF FARM UNITS IN ALBANIA IS SMALL, LESS THAN ONE HECTARE ON AVERAGE. LAND OWNERSHIP IS NOW BEING REGISTERED AND PEASANTS GIVEN DEEDS.

ALBANIA IS EUROPE'S POOREST COUNTRY AND EVEN TODAY FARM INCOMES AVERAGE ABOUT 20 DOLLARS PER MONTH. MORE THAN HALF OF NATIONAL OUTPUT COMES FROM THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR.

FORREST WALTERS IS AN AGRICULTURAL CONSULTANT EMPLOYED BY THE U-S AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. MR. WALTERS SAYS THERE HAS BEEN REMARKABLE PROGRESS DURING THE THREE YEARS HE HAS BEEN IN ALBANIA.

THERE HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONDITION OF THE ANIMALS, WHICH I CAN SEE. THERE HAS SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONDITION OF THE LAND, WHICH I CAN SEE. THERE HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE CROPS THEMSELVES, WHICH I CAN SEE.

MR. WALTERS ATTRIBUTES THE SUCCESS BOTH TO PRIVATIZATION AND THE FREEING OF AGRICULTURAL PRICES. BECAUSE PRICE CONTROLS HAVE ENDED, THERE HAS BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL SHIFT AWAY FROM WHEAT AND CORN INTO HIGHER VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS LIKE FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND PORK. MR. WALTERS BELIEVES THAT SHIFT IS POSITIVE.

IT IS A SHIFT THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. IT IS A SHIFT THAT WOULD OCCUR AS INCOMES RISE AND FARMERS CAN SEE FROM ONE CROP TO ANOTHER WHICH IS THE MOST PROFITABLE. THEY TEND TO TRY TO PLANT THE CROP THAT IS MOST PROFITABLE OR THE CROP THEY ARE GOING TO USE FOR THEIR DIRECT CONSUMPTION.

THERE ARE STILL IMMENSE PROBLEMS IN THE ALBANIAN FARM SECTOR. THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS UNDEVELOPED. THE 45 YEARS OF NEGLECT UNDER COMMUNISM HAVE LEFT RURAL AREAS WITHOUT ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, WATER, AND ELECTRICITY. AND YET THE PROGRESS IS VISIBLE. THE WORLD BANK IS OFFERING LOW INTEREST LOANS TO FARMERS. SEEDS AND FERTILIZERS ARE AVAILABLE. AND THE ALBANIAN RURAL SECTOR SEES HOPE OF A BETTER LIFE. (SIGNED)

NEB/BDW/MH/CF
18-Oct-95 11:40 AM EDT (1540 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[05] BOSNIA / FRENCH PILOTS (S-O) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADER, RADOVAN KARADZIC, SAYS TWO FRENCH PILOTS WHO WERE BEING HELD BY THE SERBS HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED. HE SAYS HE DOES NOT KNOW WHO KIDNAPPED THEM OR WHY. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: SPEAKING IN THE SERB STRONGHOLD OF BANJA LUKA, MR. KARADZIC SAYS HE HAS ORDERED AN INVESTIGATION TO FIND OUT WHO KIDNAPPED THE FRENCH PILOTS.

THE PILOTS WERE HELD BY THE SERBS AFTER THEY EJECTED FROM THEIR PLANE, WHICH WAS SHOT DOWN ON AUGUST 30TH DURING THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE SERBS.

MR. KARADZIC HAS NOT ADMITTED BEFORE THAT THEY WERE IN SERB CUSTODY. NOW, HE SAYS THEY WERE KIDNAPPED FROM A SERB HOSPITAL BY SOME GROUP THAT MIGHT WANT MONEY FOR THEIR RELEASE OR BY BOSNIAN MUSLIMS.

THE PILOTS' FATE WAS DISCUSSED IN BELGRADE DURING TALKS INVOLVING FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER HERVE DE CHARETTE, SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, AND THE YUGOSLAV FOREIGN MINISTER, MILAN MILUTINOVIC.

MR. MILUTINOVIC SAYS NEITHER HE NOR MR. MILOSEVIC KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THE PILOTS. REFERRING TO SERB-HELD TERRITORY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, MR. MILUTINOVIC SAYS IT IS A JUNGLE OUT THERE. (SIGNED)

NEB / WC / BD/BG
18-Oct-95 6:24 PM EDT (2224 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[06] BOSNIA CEASE-FIRE (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: U-N OFFICIALS HAVE SHARPLY CRITICIZED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND BOSNIAN CROAT OFFICIALS, SAYING THEY ARE NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH IN FAILING TO ALLOW FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR U-N OBSERVERS AND PEACEKEEPERS IN BOSNIA. MEANWHILE, AS DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO, THE SENIOR U-S NEGOTIATOR, RICHARD HOLBROOKE, IS MEETING WITH BOSNIAN OFFICIALS TO PREPARE FOR ALL-PARTY MEETINGS LATER THIS MONTH.

TEXT: THE CEASEFIRE IN BOSNIA IS NOW INTO ITS SEVENTH DAY, AND U-N OFFICIALS COMPLAIN THEIR OBSERVERS AND PEACEKEEPERS ARE NOT BEING ALLOWED ACCESS TO FRONTLINE AREAS UNDER THE CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT AND CROAT FORCES.

THE U-N MILITARY SPOKESMAN, LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHRIS VERNON, SAYS OFFICIALS OF THE MUSLIM-CROAT ALLIANCE ARE NOT ACTING IN GOOD FAITH, AND HE SAID THERE IS NO VALID EXCUSE FOR THE RESTRICTIONS.

PERHAPS THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO KEEP FROM US IN THAT AREA, WHETHER IT BE ON THE CONFRONTATION LINE, BECAUSE WE CANNOT THEN VALIDATE THAT THEY ARE NOT MAINTAINING OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS IN THAT AREA. WE ARE BEGINNING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT ON THE SERB SIDE.

U-N OFFICIALS SAY DESPITE REPEATED PROMISES BY SENIOR BOSNIAN OFFICIALS TO LIFT THE RESTRICTIONS, CHECK-POINTS ARE STILL CLOSED TO U-N MONITORS. THEY SAY THAT WHILE THE CEASEFIRE DOES APPEAR TO BE TAKING HOLD IN ALL OF BOSNIA, THE MONITORING FUNCTION OF THE UN IS CRUCIAL TO THE LONG-TERM SUCCESS OF THE TRUCE. MEANWHILE, THE SENIOR U-S NEGOTIATOR ON BOSNIA, RICHARD HOLBROOKE, IS MEETING IN SARAJEVO WITH BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN PREPARATION FOR PEACE TALKS TO BE HELD WITH ALL SIDES LATER THIS MONTH IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS COMPLAINED THAT SOME KEY ELEMENTS OF THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT HAVE NOT YET BEEN IMPLEMENTED. WATER SUPPLIES TO SARAJEVO HAVE NOT BEEN RESTORED BECAUSE OF WHAT U-N OFFICIALS CALL POLITICAL PROBLEMS. THE MAIN WATER PUMPING STATION FOR THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL IS IN BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY, AND U-N OFFICIALS WILL SAY ONLY THEY HOPE TO HAVE WATER RESTORED BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT ALSO CALLS FOR FREE U-N ACCESS TO THE EASTERN ENCLAVE OF GORAZDE. AND ON MONDAY A U-N RECONNAISSANCE CONVOY WAS ABLE TO GET THROUGH TO GORAZDE WITHOUT BEING STOPPED BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE THREE-AND-ONE-HALF YEAR WAR. BUT U-N OFFICIALS SAY A HUMANITARIAN AID CONVOY IS NOT EXPECTED TO TEST THE ROUTE UNTIL SUNDAY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/JWH/JM
18-Oct-95 10:51 AM EDT (1451 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[07] BOSNIA / SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE U-S NEGOTIATOR IN BOSNIA, RICHARD HOLBROOKE, HAS ANNOUNCED THE GOVERNMENTS OF BOSNIA AND THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA WILL ESTABLISH AN OFFICIAL PRESENCE IN EACH OTHERS CAPITALS. BUT, AS DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO, MR. HOLBROOKE SAID THIS DOES NOT MEAN DIPLOMATIC RECOGNITION BY THE TWO COUNTRIES.

TEXT: THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE BREAKTHROUGH CAME AFTER MR. HOLBROOKE, ALONG WITH THE NEGOTIATORS FOR RUSSIA AND THE EUROPEAN UNION, MET IN SARAJEVO WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIA IZETBEGOVIC.

MR HOLBROOKE SAID THE OPENING OF THE OFFICIAL OFFICES DOES NOT MEAN DIPLOMATIC RECOGNITION OF BOSNIA BY THE GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE. BUT HE SAID IT IS MORE EVIDENCE THE PEACE PROCESS IS SHOWING RESULTS.

WE ALL RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS ONLY A SMALL STEP ON A DIFFICULT AND LONG ROAD. BUT EACH STEP HELPS, AND THIS IS THE ONE FOR TODAY.

HE SAID AS LONG AS ALL SIDES CONTINUED TO RESPECT THE CEASEFIRE THE OFFICES WOULD OPEN AS SOON AS LOGISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS ALLOW.

THE BOSNIAN PRESIDENT COMPLAINED SOME ELEMENTS OF THE CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT ARE STILL NOT IN FORCE, PARTICULARLY FREE ACCESS TO THE EASTERN ENCLAVE OF GORAZDE AND THE RESUMPTION OF WATER SUPPLIES TO SARAJEVO. BUT PRESIDENT IZETBEGOVIC SAID HE IS PREPARED TO STAY AT PEACE TALKS SCHEDULED FOR THE END OF THE MONTH IN THE UNITED STATES UNTIL A PEACE DEAL IS MADE OR UNTIL ALL TALKING STOPPED.

THE NEGOTIATORS ALSO DISCUSSED THE PROPOSED ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN BOSNIA WITHIN A YEAR AFTER A PEACE AGREEMENT IS REACHED. THE EUROPEAN UNION NEGOTIATOR, CARL BILDT, SAID THIS IS AN UNRESOLVED PROBLEM.

WE DO NOT WANT TO HAVE ELECTIONS THAT EFFECTIVELY RATIFY ETHNIC CLEANSING, AND WE WANT TO BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT ELECTION ARE HELD WHEN THERE ARE THE POLITICAL CONDITIONS FOR IT. THERE MUST BE THE POLITICAL FREEDOMS ESTABLISHED.

THE U-N'S MILITARY SPOKESMAN, LIEUTENANT COLONEL CHRIS VERNON, SUGGESTED THE MUSLIM-CROAT ALLIANCE MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE.

PERHAPS THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO KEEP FROM US IN THAT AREA, WHETHER IT BE ON THE CONFRONTATION LINE, BECAUSE WE CANNOT THEN VALIDATE THAT THEY ARE NOT MAINTAINING OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS IN THAT AREA. WE ARE BEGINNING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT ON THE SERB SIDE.

SENIOR OFFICIALS IN THE U-N HERE SAY THE U-N COMMANDER, GENERAL RUPERT SMITH, IS WORRIED THE U-N COULD BE BLAMED IF THE CEASEFIRE DOES NOT HOLD UP. THEY SAY MR. HOLBROOKE MADE THE CEASEFIRE DEAL AND NOW THE U-N HAS BEEN TASKED WITH IMPLEMENTING AND SUPERVISING THE TRUCE. AND IF IT DOES COLLAPSE, THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE KNOWS WHY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/JWH/GPT
18-Oct-95 2:04 PM EDT (1804 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[08] BOSNIA / SERBS (L) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA)

INTRO: A MAJOR NEW SPLIT HAS BEEN REVEALED BETWEEN THE BOSNIAN SERB POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERSHIP. THE ARMY IS REFUSING TO ACCEPT THE FORCED RETIREMENT OF FOUR SENIOR OFFICERS. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY GENERAL STAFF SAYS IT DOES NOT ACCEPT THE SERB ASSEMBLY'S DECISION TO RETIRE THE DEPUTY ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL MILAN GVERO, THE ARMY INTELLIGENCE CHIEF AND TWO OTHER SENIOR OFFICERS.

IN A STATEMENT, THE GENERAL STAFF SAYS THE FOUR OFFICERS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECENT LOSS OF SERB-HELD TERRITORY IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA TO MUSLIM AND CROAT FORCES.

THE MILITARY STATEMENT ACCUSES SERB POLITICAL LEADERS OF TRYING TO BLAME THE ARMY FOR THEIR OWN LEADERSHIP FAILURES.

MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SERB POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERSHIP EMERGED EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC TRIED TO SACK THE ARMY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC.

GENERAL MLADIC REFUSED TO STEP DOWN. HE WAS BACKED BY THE ENTIRE GENERAL STAFF, AND MR. KARADZIC EVENTUALLY WITHDREW A PLAN TO REORGANIZE THE SERB ARMY.

MORE RECENTLY, SENIOR SERB ARMY OFFICERS HAVE SUSPECTED THE POLITICIANS WERE INVOLVED IN A SECRET DEAL TO ABANDON SERB TERRITORY THAT WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE MUSLIMS OR CROATS AS PART OF A PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA.

OPERATING FROM BELGRADE, SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IS A KEY ELEMENT IN THE INTERNAL BOSNIAN SERB POWER STRUGGLE. HE WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE RADOVAN KARADZIC, BUT HE APPEARS RELUCTANT TO DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD SERIOUSLY HARM THE SERB CAUSE. IT IS, PROBABLY, NO COINCIDENCE THAT, JUST AS THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SERB POLITICAL AND MILITARY LEADERS RE-EMERGE, A MYSTERIOUS NEW SERB PATRIOTIC FRONT HAS APPEARED ON THE SCENE.

THE FRONT IS SAID TO CONSIST OF OPPOSITION PARTIES OR FACTIONS THAT WANT A NEW SERB GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL SALVATION. THE FRONT IS BELIEVED TO HAVE THE BACKING OF AT LEAST SOME SERB ARMY OFFICERS.

WHAT ALL THIS MEANS FOR PEACE PROSPECTS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA IS NOT CLEAR. BUT, IF THE SERBS ARE DIVIDED, THAT COULD COMPLICATE THE PEACE TALKS DUE TO BEGIN IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE END OF THE MONTH. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/JWH/JM
18-Oct-95 10:20 AM EDT (1420 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[09] CLINTON / BOSNIA O'NITER (S-ONLY) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON AND TOP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS WERE BRIEFED LATE WEDNESDAY BY THE TOP NATO MILITARY COMMANDER IN EUROPE ON PLANS FOR A PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA. THE BRIEFING CAME AS ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS CONTINUED MAKING THEIR CASE FOR A U-S PRESENCE IN THAT FORCE. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA REPORTS.

TEXT: GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN BRIEFED THE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR OFFICIALS, INCLUDING MILITARY JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN, GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI, AND DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY, ON NATO PLANS FOR THE 60-THOUSAND-MEMBER PEACEKEEPING FORCE THAT WOULD ENFORCE ANY BOSNIA PEACE SETTLEMENT.

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO CONVINCE A SKEPTICAL CONGRESS TO APPROVE FUNDS FOR AN ESTIMATED 20-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS FOR THAT NATO FORCE.

CLINTON SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY MAKES THE PRESIDENT'S CASE:

I THINK EVERY AMERICAN REMEMBERS THAT THIS CENTURY STARTED WITH A HORRIBLE WAR THAT BEGAN IN A PLACE CALLED SARAJEVO AND THE PRESIDENT IS DETERMINED THAT THIS CENTURY WILL NOT END WITH A HORRIBLE WAR IN EUROPE THAT BEGINS IN A PLACE CALLED SARAJEVO. WE ARE TRYING TO BRING THAT WAR TO AN END, AND U-S TROOPS CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE, THE CRITICAL DIFFERENCE IN HELPING THOSE PARTIES MAINTAIN A PEACE.

HE TELLS REPORTERS THE PRESIDENT HAS NOT RULED OUT DELIVERING AN ADDRESS TO THE NATION ON THE ISSUE. (SIGNED)

NEB / BORG / BD/BG
18-Oct-95 5:11 PM EDT (2111 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[10] GERMANY / SPY (S ONLY) BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH (BONN)

INTRO: GERMANY'S FEDERAL COURT OF JUSTICE HAS ORDERED A NEW TRIAL FOR FORMER EAST GERMAN SPYMASTER MARKUS WOLF, WHO IN 1993 WAS SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN JAIL FOR TREASON. V-O-A'S DAGMAR BREITENBACH IN BONN REPORTS THE NEW TRIAL WAS ORDERED BECAUSE OF A RULING EARLIER THIS YEAR BY THE GERMAN SUPREME COURT THAT RESTRICTS PROSECUTION OF FORMER EAST GERMAN SPIES.

TEXT: THE KARLSRUHE FEDERAL COURT OF JUSTICE HAS OVERTURNED MARKUS WOLF'S 1993 CONVICTION ON TREASON, AND HAS ORDERED A NEW TRIAL.

MR. WOLF WAS THE HEAD OF THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL EAST GERMAN INTELLIGENCE SERVICE FOR THREE DECADES. HIS SPIES INFILTRATED THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF POWER IN BONN. FOLLOWING THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL IN 1989, MR. WOLF GAVE HIMSELF UP TO WEST GERMAN AUTHORITIES. IN 1993, HE WAS SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS OF JAIL, BUT HAS BEEN FREE ON BAIL PENDING A DECISION BY THE SUPREME COURT ON WHETHER HE COULD BE LEGALLY TRIED FOR TREASON AGAINST A COUNTRY HE WAS NOT A CITIZEN OF -- WEST GERMANY -- WHILE SERVING A STATE THAT NO LONGER EXISTS -- EAST GERMANY. FROM THE START, MR. WOLF HAD ARGUED THE COURT HAD NO RIGHT TO PUT HIM ON TRIAL AT ALL.

IN MAY OF THIS YEAR, THE SUPREME COURT FINALLY RULED THAT THOSE WHO RAN EAST GERMANY'S SPY NETWORK COULD NOT BE JAILED, AS THEIR WORK WAS CONSIDERED LEGAL UNDER EAST GERMAN LAW. THE COURT SAID, HOWEVER, THIS APPLIED ONLY TO SPIES BASED IN EAST GERMANY AND THE REST OF THE SOVIET BLOC, AND NOT TO THOSE WHO OPERATED FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING WHAT WAS THEN WEST GERMANY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DB/JWH/MMK
18-Oct-95 8:50 AM EDT (1250 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[11] NATO/CLAES (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER ( BRUSSELS )

INTRO: A BELGIAN PARLIAMENTARY REPORT SAYS THERE ARE INDICATIONS OF GUILT -- BUT NO FIRM PROOF -- AGAINST THE NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL WILLY CLAES. HE IS TO APPEAR THURSDAY BEFORE A CLOSED SESSION OF THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT. THE LAWMAKERS ARE TO VOTE WHETHER HE SHOULD BE PUT ON TRIAL FOR CORRUPTION. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FOR V-O-A NEWS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: IN THE LATE 1980'S WILLY CLAES WAS A BELGIAN POLITICIAN, HIS COUNTRY'S ECONOMICS MINISTER, AND A LEADING MEMBER OF THE FLEMISH SOCIALIST PARTY. MR CLAES PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN APPROVING DEFENSE CONTRACTS WITH FRENCH AND ITALIAN COMPANIES, FOR WHICH HIS POLITICAL PARTY IS SAID TO HAVE RECEIVED BRIBES WORTH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

A BELGIAN PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE VOTED DURING THE WEEKEND MR. CLAES SHOULD BE PUT ON TRIAL FOR CORRUPTION, AND THE FULL PARLIAMENT MEETS THURSDAY TO MAKE A FINAL DECISION. A REPORT, CIRCULATED TO LAWMAKERS FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE WHICH INVESTIGATED THE AFFAIR, SAYS THERE ARE ONLY INDICATIONS OF GUILT AGAINST MR CLAES.

IN OTHER WORDS, THERE IS NO FIRM PROOF HE KNEW ABOUT THE BRIBES, AND ACTED ACCORDINGLY. BUT, THE BELGIAN MEDIA BELIEVES THERE IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY MR CLAES WILL FAIL TO WIN THE SUPPORT OF THE BELGIAN PARLIAMENT, AND WILL BE PUT ON TRIAL.

IN THAT CASE, HE IS EXPECTED TO RESIGN AS NATO SECRETARY GENERAL. THERE IS SPECULATION INSIDE NATO OVER WHO MIGHT SUCCEED MR CLAES. THE CURRENT FAVORITE IS FORMER DANISH FOREIGN MINISTER UFFE ELLEMANN-JENSEN -- ALTHOUGH THERE HAS ALSO BEEN TALK OF CANDIDATES FROM BRITAIN, HOLLAND, NORWAY, GERMANY, AND PORTUGAL.

THIS SCANDAL COMES AT A BAD TIME FOR NATO. IT IS PREPARING ITS MOST AMBITIOUS OPERATION TO DATE -- POLICING THE PEACE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, IF A PERMANENT SETTLEMENT IS REACHED.

NATO IS ALSO TRYING TO WORK OUT HOW TO BRING IN NEW MEMBERS FROM EASTERN EUROPE, WITHOUT ISOLATING MOSCOW. THIS WEEK MARKS THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF MR. CLAES' ARRIVAL AT NATO, SOME OBSERVERS IN BELGIUM SAY IT COULD ALSO SEE HIS DEPARTURE. (SIGNED)

NEB/JF/MH/RAE
18-Oct-95 11:48 AM EDT (1548 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[12] NATO EXPANSION (L-ONLY) BY MICHELE KELEMEN (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER ZBIGNIEW BRZEZINSKI SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS NOT MOVING FORCEFULLY ENOUGH TO PERSUADE NATO TO EXPAND EASTWARD. HE MADE THE COMMENTS ON CAPITOL HILL AT AN INTERNATIONAL FORUM ORGANIZED BY INDIANA UNIVERSITY. AS V-O-A'S MICHELE KELEMEN REPORTS, ANOTHER PROFESSOR TOOK ISSUE WITH THIS ASSESSMENT. HE URGED U-S POLICY MAKERS TO MOVE SLOWLY.

TEXT: MR. BRZEZINSKI, NOW A PROFESSOR OF U-S FOREIGN POLICY, SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS COMMITTED ITSELF TO THE PRINCIPLE OF NATO EXPANSION, BUT NOT THE DETAILS. THIS AMBIGUITY, IN HIS WORDS, IMPEDES THE MOMENTUM OF NATO EXPANSION.

THE RECENT NATO DOCUMENT ON NATO EXPANSION IS ARTISTIC IN ITS EVASIVENESS. IT LEAVES MOST ISSUES OPEN PAST 1997, WHICH MEANS THAT THE SERIOUS ADDRESSING OF THAT ISSUE WOULD ONLY OCCUR ROUGHLY 10 YEARS AFTER THE FALL OF THE (BERLIN) WALL, AFTER THE FALL OF COMMUNISM. THAT IS NOT FAST ENOUGH.

MR. BRZEZINSKI IS CALLING FOR U-S LEADERSHIP AND SAYS WASHINGTON SHOULD NOT WASTE WHAT HE CALLS AN HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND. HE SAYS NATO SHOULD ALSO CONTINUE ITS COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA TO SHOW THAT NATO'S EXPANSION IS NOT DIRECTED AGAINST MOSCOW.

THIS VIEW WAS ECHOED BY A MEMBER OF POLAND'S PARLIAMENT, FORMER DEFENSE MINISTER JANUSZ ONYSZKIEWICZ. HE DISMISSES ARGUMENTS THAT NATO EXPANSION WOULD BE A THREAT TO RUSSIA.

THIS IS THE ARGUMENT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND. ACTUALLY, NATO DOES NOT WANT TO BE RUSSIA'S ENEMY AND IF NATO WILL INCLUDE POLAND, HOW ON EARTH COULD THIS NATO SUDDENLY BECOME HOSTILE TO RUSSIA? IS POLAND A COUNTRY STRONG ENOUGH TO FORCE THE UNITED STATES, FRANCE, GERMANY, BRITAIN TO CHANGE THEIR POLICIES? AFTER ALL, IT IS NOT IN OUR INTEREST. WE ARE MUCH MORE INTERESTED IN HAVING GOOD RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA THAN PORTUGAL OR ICELAND.

MR. ONYSZKIEWICZ REPEATED POLAND'S STRONG DESIRE TO JOIN NATO SOON.

PROFESSOR DINA SPECHLER OF INDIANA UNIVERSITY, HOWEVER, TAKES ISSUE WITH THESE ARGUMENTS. SHE OPPOSES NATO EXPANSION, ALTHOUGH SHE CONCEDES HER STRONG OPINIONS ARE NOT SHARED BY MANY POLICY MAKERS. STILL, SHE SAYS THE UNITED STATES SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS.

ALTHOUGH IT SOUNDS SILLY TO POLES TO THINK OF POLAND POSING A MILITARY THREAT, THAT ISN'T THE WAY IT IS VIEWED IN RUSSIA WHERE POLAND IS SEEN AS A KIND OF ACCESS WAY FOR THOSE WHO WOULD POSE A MILITARY THREAT. THE IDEA OF A MILITARY BUILD-UP -- AND BOTH POLES AND CZECHS HAVE GONE ON RECORD RECENTLY SAYING THEY WOULD BE WILLING EVEN TO PUT NUCLEAR WEAPONS ON THEIR SOIL, NOT TO MENTION CONVENTION OR SEMI-CONVENTIONAL TROOPS ON THEIR SOIL --- TO THE RUSSIANS, THIS DOES NOT LOOK BENIGN. ON THE CONTRARY, IT IS EVIDENCE OF REVIVED, OR PERHAPS ENDURING, HOSTILITY FROM THE WEST AND CENTRAL EUROPE.

PROFESSOR SPECHLER SAYS SHE BELIEVES NATO EXPANSION EASTWARD ONLY COMPROMISES THE U-S COMMITMENT TO COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA.

IN AN INTERVIEW WEDNESDAY, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN BLASTED NATO EXPANSION PLANS AS MADNESS. HE SAID THEY WOULD CREATE A NEW POST-COLD WAR DIVISION IN EUROPE. PRESIDENT YELTSIN ADDED HIS COUNTRY WOULD NEVER ALLOW NUCLEAR WEAPONS TO BE BASED IN CENTRAL OR EASTERN EUROPE AS PART OF NATO'S EXPANSION. (SIGNED)

NEB/MK/TLS
18-Oct-95 7:00 PM EDT (2300 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[13] POPE / YUGOSLAVIA (L ONLY) BY PEGGY POLK (ROME)

INTRO: POPE JOHN PAUL THE SECOND WILL DONATE PROCEEDS FROM HIS BESTSELLING BOOK TO REBUILD PLACES OF WORSHIP IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. AS PEGGY POLK REPORTS FROM ROME, THE VATICAN ANNOUNCED THE PLAN AFTER A MEETING BETWEEN THE POPE AND 22 ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS FROM YUGOSLAVIA, CROATIA, BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, MACEDONIA, AND SLOVENIA.

TEXT: THE POPE MET WITH THE BISHOPS AT THE VATICAN TO CONSIDER HOW THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH CAN ENCOURAGE PEACE IN A REGION WITH A LONG HISTORY OF RELIGIOUS STRIFE. THE DECISION TO SET UP A SPECIAL FUND TO REBUILD PLACES OF WORSHIP IS PART OF A 10-POINT PLAN THAT EMERGED FROM THE MEETING.

THE PLAN OF ACTION (ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY) URGES THE PEOPLE OF FORMER YUGOSLAVIA TO REJECT NATIONALISM AND PRACTICE PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE.

IT CALLS FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN ROMAN CATHOLICS, ORTHODOX, AND MUSLIMS AND -- IN THE WORDS OF A VATICAN STATEMENT -- FOR "TEACHING EVERYONE TO PRACTICE CHRISTIAN FORGIVENESS IN ORDER TO HEAL THE WOUNDS CAUSED BY HATE, OLD AND RECENT."

IT ALSO PROVIDES FOR INCREASING CATHOLIC AID AND HELPING REFUGEES "WITHOUT REGARD FOR ETHNICITY OR RELIGION."

THE VATICAN SAID THAT THE POPE WILL SET UP A SPECIAL FUND TO HELP REBUILD PLACES OF WORSHIP AS A SIGN OF HOPE AND WILL CONTRIBUTE ROYALTIES FROM HIS BOOK OF REFLECTIONS ON MORAL ISSUES, "CROSSING THE THRESHOLD OF HOPE," TO THE FUND.

THE VATICAN HAS NOT SAID HOW MUCH THE POPE'S BOOK -- A WORLDWIDE BEST SELLER -- HAS MADE SINCE IT CAME OUT LAST YEAR. BUT THE ITALIAN PUBLISHER MONDADORI HAS ESTIMATED SALES WILL REACH 20-MILLION COPIES.

THE VATICAN SAID IT WILL BE UP TO LOCAL BISHOPS TO DECIDE WHETHER TO AID MOSQUES AND SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCHES AS WELL AS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN THEIR DIOCESES. (SIGNED)

NEB/PP/JWH/GPT
18-Oct-95 1:33 PM EDT (1733 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[14] SWEDEN / POLITICS (L) BY FENELA CHILDS (STOCKHOLM)

INTRO: SWEDEN'S PUBLIC PROSECUTOR IS TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER THE COUNTRY'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, MUNA SAHLIN (SAH LEEN'), BROKE THE LAW BY USING HER OFFICIAL CREDIT CARD FOR PRIVATE PURCHASES. FENELA CHILDS IN STOCKHOLM REPORTS THE DECISION FURTHER REDUCES MS. SAHLIN'S CHANCES OF BECOMING SWEDEN'S FIRST WOMAN PRIME MINISTER.

TEXT: MS. SAHLIN ADMITS USING HER OFFICIAL CREDIT CARD, WHOSE BILLS ARE PAID BY THE GOVERNMENT, TO RENT CARS AND BUY PERSONAL ITEMS FOR HERSELF AND HER FAMILY. SHE CONTINUED DOING SO EVEN AFTER BEING TOLD IT WAS AGAINST GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS. BUT SHE SAYS SHE ALWAYS PAID THE MONEY BACK AND HAD NO INTENT TO DEFRAUD. AT ISSUE IS WHETHER HER ACTIONS WERE ALSO AGAINST THE LAW.

THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SAYS THERE ARE GROUNDS TO SUSPECT MS. SAHLIN OF FRAUD AND BREACH OF TRUST. THE INVESTIGATION TO DECIDE WHETHER SHE WILL BE CHARGED WILL TAKE AT LEAST A MONTH. CONVICTION COULD LEAD TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON.

IN THE MEANTIME, MS. SAHLIN HAS WITHDRAWN HER CANDIDACY TO REPLACE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PRIME MINISTER INGVAR CARLSSON WHEN HE RETIRES NEXT MARCH, ALTHOUGH SHE REMAINS AS DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER SHE SAID SHE WELCOMES THE INVESTIGATION AS A CHANCE TO PROVE HER INNOCENCE. AND PRIME MINISTER CARLSSON SAYS SHE STILL HAS HIS FULL SUPPORT.

NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME, THE SCANDAL HAS ALREADY HAD A LARGE IMPACT ON MS. SAHLIN'S POLITICAL FUTURE. OBSERVERS SAY SHE SHOWEDLACK OF JUDGEMENT. SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO MANAGE HER OWN FINANCES. SHE LET HERSELF BE CAUGHT, DESPITE KNOWING THAT THE RECORDS OF HER GOVERNMENT CREDIT CARD WOULD BE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE. SHE TRIED TO COVER UP AFTERWARDS, AND EVEN ADMITS SHE HAS LIED. BUT THEY SAY THAT TO THE AVERAGE VOTER, HER UNFORGIVABLE SIN IS THAT SHE TRIED TO CHEAT THE SYSTEM, WHICH HER OWN PARTY HAS ALWAYS PROCLAIMED IS HOLY.

MS. SAHLIN'S TROUBLES ALSO LEAVE SWEDEN'S RULING SOCIAL DEMOCRATS IN A TRICKY SITUATION. A MINORITY GOVERNMENT, THEIR SUPPORT IS FLAGGING BECAUSE OF SPENDING CUTS. THEY HAD CAREFULLY ARRANGED FOR THE POPULAR AND CHARISMATIC MS. SAHLIN TO BE THE ONLY CANDIDATE AS NEW PRIME MINISTER. NOW THEY HAVE NO ONE. THEY CANNOT EVEN START SEEKING A REPLACEMENT UNTIL THEY KNOW DEFINITELY WHETHER MS. SAHLIN IS RUNNING -- AND THAT WILL TAKE ANOTHER MONTH.

MS. SAHLIN'S PERSONAL TRAGEDY IS HOW QUICKLY SHE HAS FALLEN FROM GRACE. AS THE FIRST WOMAN VYING TO LEAD THE COUNTRY, SHE WAS UNDER EXTRA SCRUTINY. THERE IS SPECULATION HERE THAT HER MISDEEDS WERE LEAKED TO A HOSTILE NEWSPAPER BY A POLITICAL ENEMY. (SIGNED)

NEB/FC/JWH/JM
18-Oct-95 11:42 AM EDT (1542 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[15] U-S/BOSNIA HEARINGS (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S TOP NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISERS WERE BACK IN CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS WEDNESDAY, DEFENDING PLANS TO HAVE MORE THAN 20-THOUSAND U-S TROOPS JOIN IN A BOSNIA PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE. CONGRESSIONAL OPPOSITION TO THE U-S ROLE IS WIDESPREAD. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: ANY NATO-LED IMPLEMENTATION FORCE WOULD NOT GO INTO BOSNIA UNTIL A PEACE AGREEMENT EMERGES FROM NEGOTIATIONS THAT BEGIN AT A U-S AIR FORCE BASE IN OHIO AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

AND THE PROSPECT OF A LONG DELAY WILL AT LEAST GIVE THE ADMINISTRATION MORE TIME TO WAGE WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN UPHILL BATTLE TO PERSUADE CONGRESS TO SUPPORT THE U-S TROOP COMMITMENT.

SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER AND DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY WERE WARNED BY REPUBLICANS AT HOUSE COMMITTEE HEARINGS THAT CONGRESS WILL LIKELY REFUSE TO PAY THE ONE AND A HALF BILLION DOLLARS IT WILL COST TO KEEP THE U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA FOR THE EXPECTED-12 MONTH PEACEKEEPING OPERATION.

HOUSE BUDGET COMMITEE CHAIRMAN, JOHN KASICH, SAID THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD USE THE TIME IT HAS LEFT TO COME UP WITH A SCALED BACK PLAN THAT CONGRESS CAN SUPPORT.

THE CASE HASN'T BEEN MADE. AND YOU CAN SEE FROM THE REACTION YOU'RE GETTING HERE, YOU DON'T HAVE THE VOTES. SO RATHER THAN MOVING FORWARD THINKING YOU CAN JAM THIS THING THROUGH, IN MY JUDGEMENT YOU NEED TO COME BACK UP HERE AND SAY WHAT IN FACT CAN WE DO. YOU'D PROBABLY GET SUPPORT FOR CONTINUED AIR COVER. YOU MAY GET SUPPORT FOR TRAINING. BUT I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO GET THIS THROUGH. AND YOU'RE GOING TO GET A FIGHT GOING BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS. AND YOU'RE MOVING TOO FAST.

SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER OFFERED UP A WARNING OF HIS OWN -- THAT THERE WILL BE NO END TO THE MOST SERIOUS EUROPEAN CONFLICT SINCE WORLD WAR TWO IF THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT TAKE THE LEAD ROLE IN ENFORCING THE PEACE:

THERE WILL NOT BE ANY PEACE AGREEMENT UNLESS THE UNITED STATES AGREES TO IMPLEMENT IT. THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT SIMPLY WILL NOT SIGN A PEACE AGREEMENT UNLESS NATO AND THE UNITED STATES ARE COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENT IT. THEY'VE TOLD US THAT FROM THE VERY TIME THAT I CAME INTO THIS OFFICE AND AS RECENTLY AS LAST WEEK. SO WE SHOULDN'T FOOL OURSELVES THAT SOMEWHOW THERE'S GOING TO BE A PEACE AGREEMENT HERE AND SOMEBODY ELSE WILL IMPLEMENT IT. IT WON'T HAPPEN.

DEFENSE SECRETARY PERRY TOLD THE HOUSE NATIONAL SECURITY COMMITTEE THAT INTRODUCING U-S TROOPS INTO BOSNIA -- EVEN AFTER A PEACE AGREEMENT -- ENTAILS RISK. BUT HE SAID THE RISK OF THE WAR CONTINUING, AND PERHAPS SPREADING BEYOND THE BALKANS, IS EVEN GREATER.

PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS THE AUTHORITY, AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF, TO DISPATCH U-S TROOPS TO BOSNIA. BUT CONGRESS, WHICH MUST AUTHORIZE FUNDING FOR THE OPERATION, COULD, IN EFFECT, FORCE THEIR RECALL AFTER 60-DAYS. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/JM
18-Oct-95 2:00 PM EDT (1800 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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[16] YUGO TALKS (S UPDATE) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA )

INTRO: INTERNATIONAL PEACE ENVOYS HAVE MET WITH THE SERBIAN PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, IN BELGRADE. THE ENVOYS HAVE FLOWN TO SARAJEVO TO CONTINUE AN UNPRECEDENTED JOINT ROUND OF SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY IN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA. V-O-A'S CENTRAL EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT, WAYNE COREY, REPORTS.

TEXT: AMERICAN PEACE ENVOY RICHARD HOLBROOKE, RUSSIAN ENVOY IGOR IVANOV AND EUROPEAN UNION MEDIATOR CARL BILDT HELD JOINT TALKS WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. AFTERWARD, MR. HOLBROOKE SAID THE UNPRECEDENTED MEETING WAS PART OF THE INTENSIVE PREPARATIONS FOR YUGOSLAV PEACE TALKS. THEY WILL BEGIN IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. MR. HOLBROOKE, WHO HAD A SEPARATE MEETING WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TUESDAY NIGHT, ALSO CALLED ON THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, SERBS AND CROATS TO RESPECT THE NEW CEASE-FIRE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE AMERICAN, RUSSIAN AND EUROPEAN UNION ENVOYS HAVE NOW FLOWN FROM BELGRADE TO SARAJEVO TO MEET WITH BOSNIAN PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC. IT IS THE FIRST TIME THE ENVOYS ARE ENGAGING IN A ROUND OF SHUTTLE DIPLOMACY TOGETHER. MEANWHILE, FIGHTING IN NORTHWESTERN BOSNIA APPEARS TO BE GRADUALLY DYING DOWN. THERE IS RENEWED CONCERN, THOUGH, ABOUT A CROATIAN GOVERNMENT THREAT TO RECAPTURE THE LAST REBEL SERB-HELD REGION IN CROATIA. (SIGNED)

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18-Oct-95 7:53 AM EDT (1153 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America