Voice of America, 4 January 1996

From: "Ioannis V. Bousnakis" <ivb19@nfi.com>

Voice of America Directory

CONTENTS

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

INTRO: THE ON-GOING FEDERAL BUDGET IMPASSE THAT HAS FORCED THE PARTIAL SHUTDOWN OF THE U-S GOVERNMENT IS THE DOMINANT EDITORAL TOPIC IN MANY MAJOR PAPERS THIS FIRST THURSDAY OF THE NEW YEAR. OTHER CONCERNS INCLUDE: THE MAJOR LAYOFF ANNOUNCED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS GIANT A-T-&-T; THE GOVERNMENT CHANGES IN SAUDI ARABIA; THE EUROPEAN CURRENCY DEBATE, AND THE MOVE TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING AMONG U-S CHILDREN. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT THE COMMENTS ON THOSE TOPICS IS _________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE RHETORIC IN U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS IS BECOMING A LITTLE MORE POINTED AS THE PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN NEARS ITS THIRD WEEK, AND EFFECTS OF THE WORK STOPPAGE BEGIN TO STIR CONCERN ACROSS THE NATION. THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S "ORLANDO SENTINEL" SHOUTS IN ITS HEADLINE: "END THIS EMBARRASSMENT," ADDING:

VOICE: "THE SORRY SPECTACLE OF A PARTIAL FEDERAL-GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN ENTERS ITS 20TH DAY, PROVIDING AMPLE MATERIAL FOR MOCKERY AT HOME AND ABROAD. HOW MUCH MORE MUST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ENDURE? ... THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS BOTH SHARE BLAME IN THE TUG-OF-WAR OVER BALANCING THE BUDGET. COMPROMISE IS THE ONLY WAY."

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" MAKES LITTLE EFFORT TO HIDE ITS DISGUST:

VOICE: "IF ENOUGH AMERICANS ARE INCONVENIENCED OR DAMAGED ECONOMICALLY, CONGRESS MAY BE LOATH TO INDULGE AGAIN IN A GROWING PATTERN OF TRYING TO USE FEDERAL WORKERS, AND THE SERVICES THEY PERFORM, AS LEVERAGE FOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF PARTISAN GOALS... BEHIND THE PROTRACTED DRAMA IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL IS A CHRONIC FAILURE OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET PROCESS."

TEXT: THE FACT THAT ALL CONGRESSMEN AND THE PRESIDENT ARE BEING PAID WHILE THOUSANDS OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ARE NOT, HAS NOT ESCAPED THE ATTENTION OF "THE WASHINGTON POST."

VOICE: "WE'RE LEARNING A LOT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. FOR EXAMPLE, HOUSE MAJORITY WHIP TOM DELAY, REPUBLICAN OF TEXAS, INSTRUCTS US THAT THERE IS GOOD REASON TO KEEP PAYING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHILE A COUPLE OF HUNDRED THOUSAND FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ARE BEING FURLOUGHED. IT'S NOT THAT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WANT THE MONEY. IT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL MATTER. 'I AM NOT A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE,' HE EXPLAINED. 'I'M A CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER. MY JOB IS IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.' THANKS TO CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER DELAY, WE NOW KNOW TO BLAME JAMES MADISON FIRST."

TEXT: HOWEVER, THE BUDGET STALEMATE AND THE HARD-LINE POSITION TAKEN BY MANY FRESHMEN REPUBLICANS IS WINNING THE SUPPORT OF AT LEAST ONE PAPER -- "THE NEW YORK POST."

VOICE: "OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS, HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE REPEATEDLY SHOWN THEMSELVES READY TO GO TO THE MAT [FIGHT TO THE DEATH] IN THE FIGHT TO BALANCE THE FEDERAL BUDGET; THAT COMMITMENT WAS REAFFIRMED YESTERDAY WHEN THE HOUSE VOTED DOWN A DEMOCRATIC MEASURE TO REOPEN FEDERAL AGENCIES WHILE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE CONTINUE... FOR THIS, AMERICANS HAVE REASON TO BE GRATEFUL... WE HOPE THEY CONTINUE TO DO SO [VOTE DOWN BUDGET COMPROMISES]."

TEXT: ACROSS TOWN, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SEES THINGS DIFFERENTLY:

VOICE: "SAY THIS FOR THE FRESHMEN REPUBLICANS. IN THEORY THEY ARE JUST THE KIND OF PEOPLE THE PUBLIC SAYS IT WANTS IN POLITICS -- MEN AND WOMEN OF PRINCIPLE WHO HAVE A LOT MORE ON THEIR MINDS THAN RE-ELECTION. BUT ZEAL NEEDS TO BE HARNESSED TO A CARING PRACTICALITY. IN THE CURRENT IMPASSE, MR. CLINTON AND MR. DOLE HAVE IT RIGHT. THE TURMOIL AND UNCERTAINTY CREATED BY VAST NUMBERS OF FEDERAL WORKERS NOT GOING TO WORK OR NOT BEING PAID IS POISONING THE ATMOSPHERE FOR PROGRESS ON THE BUDGET... BUT IT IS ALSO TIME FOR THE WHITE HOUSE TO HELP RESOLVE THE BUDGET IMPASSE BY SKETCHING MORE DETAILS OF THE PRESIDENT'S OWN THINKING ON HOW TO ACHIEVE A BALANCED BUDGET....."

TEXT: AND "THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" ECHOES THAT LAST SENTIMENT, WITH THIS HEADLINE IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMN: "YOUR TURN, BILL," ADDING: "[PRESIDENT] CLINTON MUST OFFER THE SERIOUS BUDGET HE PROMISED. [END OPT]TURNING TO THE NATION'S BIG ECONOMIC NEWS -- A MASSIVE JOB CUT AT THE ATLANTIC TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY -- A-T-&-T, "THE MIAMI HERALD'S" LEAD EDITORIAL ASKS:

VOICE: "IS IT GOOD OR BAD NEWS THAT A-T-&-T, AS IT SPLITS INTO THREE CORPORATIONS, WILL JETTISON 40-THOUSAND OF ITS 300-THOUSAND JOBS? ... WALL STREET THOUGHT TUESDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT GOOD NEWS. A-T-&-T STOCK JUMPED TWO-DOLLARS 62-AND-ONE-HALF CENTS TO CLOSE AT 167-DOLLARS-THREE-AND THREE-QUARTER-CENTS... WHY? BECAUSE THE COMPANY IS GETTING 'LEANER AND MEANER' AND WILL BE 'BETTER POSITIONED' TO MEET COMPETITION ON THE 'INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY'... THE BAD NEWS IS THAT PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS -- AND 'NOT' [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] BECAUSE THEY PERFORMED POORLY BUT BECAUSE THIS IS ALSO AN ERA OF 'DOWNSIZING,' 'RESTRUCTURING,' AND 'RE-INVENTION'... WHAT OF THE VALUES OF WORK, RELIABILITY, TRUST, AND QUALITY? DOES CORPORATE AMERICA HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO NUTURE THOSE VALUES?"

TEXT: TURNING TO AN INTERNATIONAL MATTER -- THE TRANSITION OF POWER IN SAUDIA ARABIA, FROM KING FAHD TO CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH, "THE NEW YORK TIMES" SUGGESTS:

VOICE: "CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH WILL LIKELY HEW TO THE SAME GENERAL POLICY LINES FOLLOWED BY KING FAHD -- KEEPING UP OIL EXPORTS, BUILDING ALLIANCES TO CONTAIN POTENTIAL THREATS FROM IRAN AND MAINTAINING CLOSE MILITARY COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES. BUT WHILE KING FAHD WAS UNABASHEDLY PRO-AMERICAN, CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH MAY GIVE THESE POLICIES A CONSERVATIVE FLAVOR, SHOWING MORE SYMPATHY FOR ARAB BRETHREN LIKE SYRIA AND EVEN IRAQ..."

TEXT: ABOUT THE DIFFICULT MOVE OF EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES TOWARD A SINGLE CURRENCY, THE EURO, "THE BALTIMORE SUN" NOTES:

VOICE: "EVEN AS THE EUROPEAN HEADS OF GOVERNMENT EMBRACED THE EURO RECENTLY IN MADRID, ITS BASIS WAS BEING DESTROYED IN PARIS. THE FRENCH GENERAL STRIKE WAS AN ERUPTION AGAINST ECONOMIC STRICTURES REQUIRED BY GERMANY TO GET THE FRENCH CURRENCY IN TRIM FOR MONETARY INTEGRATION... IT WOULD BE A RASH SPECULATOR WHO BOUGHT EUROPEAN SINGLE CURRENCY FUTURES ON THE BASIS OF PROMISES MADE NOW."

TEXT: AND REGARDING THE U-S GOVERNMENT'S INITIATIVE TO DISCOURAGE TEENAGE SMOKING, WHICH INCLUDES SHIFTING REGULATION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" COMMENTS:

VOICE: "THE NEW F-D-A RULES, DESIGNED TO ENSURE THE RIGHTS OF SMOKING ADULTS BUT CURB UNFETTERED ACCESS TO CHILDREN AND TEENS, WOULD BAN CIGARETTE SALES FROM VENDING MACHINES AND BAN TOBACCO GIVEAWAYS. THE PROPOSAL WOULD ALSO TAME AGGRESSIVE MARKETING EFFORTS THE F-D-A DEEMS AIMED AT CHILDREN BY PROHIBITING BILLBOARD TOBACCO ADS WITHIN ONE-THOUSAND FEET OF A SCHOOL OR PLAYGROUND... ULTIMATELY, THE PUBLIC BATTLE OF WORDS WILL BE SETTLED IN THE COURTS AND PROBABLY WITH FEDERAL LEGISLATION."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON LONG ISLAND, "NEWSDAY" CALLS THE RECENT STRONG SHOWING OF ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISTS IN TURKEY'S ELECTIONS "WORRISOME", ADDING:

VOICE: "DISCONTENT WITH WESTERN CIVILIZATION IS AT THE HEART OF THE PLURALITY WON RECENTLY IN TURKEY BY AN ISLAMIC PARTY SEEKING TO SEVER TIES WITH NATO AND IMPOSE THE RULE OF THE KORAN... TURKEY, THE ONLY NATO ALLY THAT STRADDLES EUROPE AND THE MIDEAST GEOGRAPHICALLY AND CULTURALLY, IS A BELLWETHER OF RADICAL ISLAM'S INFLUENCE. HOW ANKARA MANAGES TO HANDLE THE CHALLENGE... IS OF CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE TO WASHINGTON AND ITS EUROPEAN PARTNERS."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM A FEW OF THE NATION'S LARGEST DAILY PAPERS.

NEB/ANG/PCH
04-Jan-96 11:41 AM EST (1641 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA/E-U (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION HAS ISSUED A WARNING TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS THAT AID TO THEM MAY BE FROZEN UNTIL ALL MUSLIMN HOSTAGES THEY ARE HOLDING HAVE BEEN RELEASED. THE WARNING CAME AS THE SERBS RELEASED THE FIRST THREE OF 16 HOSTAGES WHO THEY ARE BELIEVED TO BE HOLDING. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FOR VOA FRON BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION IS LEADING THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO RESTORE BOSNIA TO NORMALITY, AND IS PREPARING TO IMPLEMENT THE FIRST URGENT PROJECTS WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. AROUND 60 MILLION DOLLARS OF AID IS BEING GIVEN BY THE UNION, IN THE FIRST STAGE OF A THREE MONTH INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM, WHICH WILL COST 500 MILLION DOLLARS.

THE FIRST PROJECTS INCLUDE THE REPAIR OF WAR-DAMAGED BUILDINGS, REPAIRS TO TRANSPORT LINKS AND THE RESTORATION OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES. HOWEVER, THE UNION IS ALARMED AT THE SEIZURE OF HOSTAGES BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS, AND IS NOT PREPARED TO PROCEED AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. EUROPEAN COMMISSION SPOKESMAN NICO WEGTER SAYS THAT THERE WILL BE POLITICAL CONDITIONS ATTACHED TO THE AID.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE EUROPEAN UNION IS LIKELY TO BLOCK AID TO SOME PROJECTS IN BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY IF THERE ARE STILL HOSTAGES BEING HELD.

THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL IS ALSO REPORTED TO HAVE ATTACHED CONDITIONS TO THE HANDING OVER OF EUROPEAN UNION AID IN BOSNIA.

HE HAS SUGGESTED THAT IT WILL BE LINKED TO THE SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF THOSE ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES.

NATO IS ALSO WORRIED ABOUT THE DETENTION OF HOSTAGES BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS, AND ALLIANCE OFFICIALS WELCOMED THE FIRST RELEASE OF THREE DETAINEES THURSDAY, WHILE INSISTING THAT ALL HOSTAGES MUST BE SPEEDILY RELEASED.

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL PROTESTS THAT THE CONTINUED DETENTION OF THE HOSTAGES IS IN BREACH OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD, WHICH WAS SIGNED IN PARIS LAST MONTH.

THE HOSTAGE TAKING HAS BEEN THE FIRST SETBACK IN BOSNIA SINCE THE SIGNING OF THE PEACE ACCORD, AND ANALYSTS SAY THERE IS CONCERN THAT THE PROBLEM MUST BE SORTED OUT SPEEDILY IF THE CREDIBILITY OF THE PEACE SETTLEMENT IS TO BE MAINTAINED. (SIGNED)

NEB/JF/MH/GPT
04-Jan-96 9:17 AM EST (1417 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA/GERMANY (S ONLY) BY DAGMAR BREITENBACH ( BONN )

INTRO: A GERMAN MILITARY CARGO PLANE ON THURSDAY FLEW TO SARAJEVO FOR THE LAST TIME AS PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL AIRLIFT THAT HAS ASSURED SURVIVAL THERE FOR HUNDREDS-OF-THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SINCE MID-1992. FROM BONN, V-O-A'S DAGMAR BREITENBACH REPORTS.

TEXT: THE GERMAN TRANSALL CARGO PLANE LIFTED OFF FROM THE SMALL AIRPORT IN THE ITALIAN CITY OF ANCONA, AND HEADED FOR SARAJEVO FOR THE ONE-THOUSAND, 412TH (1,412TH) AND LAST TIME.

FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS, THE GERMAN AIR FORCE PARTICIPATED IN THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF MISSION, FLYING ALMOST 11-THOUSAND TONS OF GOODS -- MOSTLY FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES -- TO THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL. AT TIMES, SARAJEVO WAS ALMOST TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL RELIEF AID. TWENTY NATIONS WERE INVOLVED. AMONG THEM (WERE) -- THE UNITED STATES, FRANCE, BRITAIN, CANADA AND GERMANY.

A BONN DEFENSE MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAYS THE HUMANITARIAN OPERATION IS EXPECTED TO END NEXT WEEK. NOW THAT THE SIEGE OF SARAJEVO IS OVER, AN AIRLIFT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY, AND TRUCKS WILL INSTEAD AND MORE EFFICIENTLY TRANSPORT SUPPLIES THERE. (SIGNED)

NEB/DB/MH
04-Jan-96 8:59 AM EST (1359 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA/HOSTAGES (L) BY DAVID FOLEY ( SARAJEVO )

INTRO: THE BOSNIAN SERBS, UNDER STRONG INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE, HAVE RELEASED ALL 16 PEOPLE WHO WERE CAPTURED NEAR SARAJEVO. NATO OFFICIALS ALSO SAY ALL SIDES HAVE TURNED OVER COMPLETE LISTS OF THEIR PRISONERS, COMPLYING WITH A DEADLINE IN THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: THE FINAL GROUP OF DETAINEES WALKED OUT OF THE BOSNIAN SERB JAIL WITH SMILES ON THEIR FACES. THREE MEN WERE RELEASED EARLIER IN THE DAY AND THE LAST 13 WERE LET GO AFTER MEETINGS BETWEEN SENIOR NATO COMMANDERS AND LOCAL SERB OFFICIALS.

THE SERBS DESCRIBED THE RELEASE AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE, BUT IT CAME IN RESPONSE TO HEAVY AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN PRESSURE ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS AND ON SERBIAN PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. U-S STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS HAD CALLED FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE DETAINEES AND THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAD THREATENED TO SUSPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RECONSTRUCTION AID TO THE BOSNIAN SERBS IF ALL WERE NOT SET FREE.

ONE OF THE RELEASED MEN HAD A BROKEN NOSE, WHICH HE SAID HAPPENED WHEN HE WAS ROUGHED UP BY LOCAL SERBS AS HE WAS CAPTURED. BUT MOST OF THE DETAINEES SAID THEY HAD BEEN WELL TREATED.

THE SERBS SAID SIX OF THE MEN ADMITTED THEY WERE BOSNIAN SOLDIERS, AND THE SERBS ACCUSED THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT OF STAGING A DELIBERATE PROVOCATION.

THE SERBS SAY WHILE SOME DETAINEES WERE SIMPLY FOUND WANDERING AROUND SERB AREAS OR WERE CAUGHT SELLING BLACK MARKET GASOLINE, OTHERS HAD GONE TO THEIR OLD HOMES TO TAUNT AND THREATEN THE SERB RESIDENTS NOW LIVING THERE. MOST SERBS ARE EXPECTED TO FLEE THE AREAS, WHICH MUST SOON BE HANDED OVER TO GOVERNMENT CONTROL. SERB OFFICIALS SAID THE INCIDENTS WERE ANOTHER SIGN SERBS WOULD NOT BE SAFE LIVING IN BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HANDS.

ONE OF THE MEN RELEASED WAS SHARPLY CRITICAL OF NATO, SAYING HIS TRUCK WAS PASSING THROUGH THE SERB SUBURB BEHIND A NATO VEHICLE, BUT IT SPED OFF WHEN HE WAS STOPPED BY LOCAL SERBS.

ALTHOUGH NATO HAS NOW STATIONED ADDITIONAL FORCES ALONG THE ROADS IN AND OUT OF SARAJEVO, THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS WARNED ITS CITIZENS NOT TO USE THE ROUTES UNTIL THE AREAS ARE IN GOVERNMENT HANDS.

WHILE CONFIDENCE IN THE DAYTON PEACE PLAN HAS CERTAINLY BEEN DENTED BY THIS CRISIS THE PEACE PROCESS IS CONTINUING. UNDER THE PEACE AGREEMENT ALL SIDES WERE BY THURSDAY REQUIRED TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE LISTS OF THE PRISONERS THEY ARE HOLDING , AND NATO OFFICIALS SAY ALL SIDES HAVE MET THE DEADLINE.

THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS WILL NOW SUPERVISE THE RELEASE OF THOSE PRISONERS, WHICH MUST BE COMPLETED IN THE NEXT 15 DAYS.

AS THE STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS OF BUILDING PEACE CONTINUES THE CONSIDERABLE DOUBTS IN THE MINDS OF PEOPLE ON ALL SIDES IN BOSNIA ARE BEGINNING TO FADE, TO BE REPLACED WITH A FEELING THAT PEACE MAY BE HERE TO STAY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DF/MH/GPT
04-Jan-96 2:35 PM EST (1935 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA/O-S-C-E (L ONLY) BY WAYNE COREY (VIENNA )

INTRO: THE FORMER WARRING FORCES IN THE BALKANS ARE BEGINNING CRUCIAL TALKS ON CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES AND ON MILITARY DISARMAMENT. V-O-A'S WAYNE COREY REPORTS FROM VIENNA.

TEXT: REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS, CROATS AND SERBS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF CROATIA AND YUGOSLAVIA BEGAN TALKS HERE THAT ARE VITAL TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT FOR BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. SEPARATE DISCUSSIONS ON ARMS CONTROL MEASURES AND ON WAYS TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AMONG THE FORMER WARRING FORCES ARE BEING SPONSORED BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE. AN AGREEMENT ON CONFIDENCE-BUILDING MEASURES IS SUPPOSED TO BE REACHED BY JANUARY 26TH. AN ARMS REDUCTION AGREEMENT IS TO BE CONCLUDED BY JUNE 6TH UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE AGREEMENT. IN THE SENSITIVE CONFIDENCE-BUILDING TALKS, THE FORMER WARRING FORCES ARE TO REVEAL HOW MANY HEAVY WEAPONS THEY HAVE AND WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED, THE LOCATIONS OF THEIR ARMS FACTORIES AND THEIR MILITARY TRAINING PLANS. THE IDEA IS TO LIMIT BOSNIAN MUSLIM, SERB AND CROAT MILITARY EXERCISES AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, TO GET A FIRM COMMITMENT TO RETURN TO THEIR BARRACKS. HUNGARIAN DIPLOMAT ISTVAN GYARMATI IS PRESIDING OVER THESE TALKS. HE SAYS HE HOPES AN AGREEMENT WILL BE REACHED WITHIN A FEW DAYS FOR THE FORMER WARRING FORCES TO SEND LIAISON OFFICERS TO EACH OTHER'S MILITARY HEADQUARTERS. BUT, HE SAYS IT WILL BE PSYCHOLOGICALLY DIFFICULT FOR THE MUSLIMS, SERBS AND CROATS TO EXCHANGE SENSITIVE MILITARY INFORMATION. JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, HE SAYS, ANYONE WHO REVEALED THAT INFORMATION WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOT. CROATIA AND YUGOSLAVIA ARE JOINING THE THREE DELEGATIONS FROM BOSNIA IN THE OTHER TALKS ON REDUCING THE NUMBER OF THEIR WARPLANES, ATTACK HELICOPTERS, TANKS, HEAVY ARTILLERY AND ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS. THE MUSLIM-LED BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS FAR FEWER HEAVY WEAPONS THAN THE SERBS DO. IF THE SERBS DO NOT GET RID OF MANY OF THEIR HEAVY ARTILLERY PIECES, THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WILL CERTAINLY DEMAND HEAVY WEAPONS FROM THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER WESTERN NATIONS TO ACHIEVE A BALANCE OF POWER. THE UNITED STATES HAS PROMISED TO COORDINATE ANY MOVES TO BUILD UP BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT FORCES IF THE SERBS FAIL TO ADEQUATELY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF THEIR HEAVY WEAPONS. (SIGNED)

NEB/WC/MH/JM
04-Jan-96 11:02 AM EST (1602 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] BOSNIA / E.U. (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE EUROPEAN UNION USED THE BOSNIAN SERB SEIZURE OF 16 CIVILIANS TO TELL THE SERB LEADERSHIP BADLY NEEDED ECONOMIC AID WOULD BE LINKED TO COMPLIANCE WITH THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM E-U HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE EUROPEAN UNION IS LEADING THE INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO RESTORE BOSNIA TO NORMALITY, AND IS PREPARING TO IMPLEMENT THE FIRST URGENT PROJECTS WITHIN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. AROUND 60 MILLION DOLLARS OF AID IS BEING GIVEN BY THE UNION, IN THE FIRST STAGE OF A THREE MONTH INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM, WHICH WILL TOTAL 500 MILLION DOLLARS.

THE FIRST PROJECTS INCLUDE THE REPAIR OF WAR-DAMAGED BUILDINGS, REPAIRS TO TRANSPORT LINKS AND THE RESTORATION OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES. HOWEVER, THE UNION WAS ALARMED AT THE SEIZURE OF HOSTAGES BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS, AND SAID IT WAS NOT PREPARED TO PROCEED AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. EUROPEAN COMMISSION SPOKESMAN NICO WEGTER SAYS THAT THERE WILL BE POLITICAL CONDITIONS ATTACHED TO THE AID.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE EUROPEAN UNION IS LIKELY TO BLOCK AID TO SOME PROJECTS IN BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY IF BOSNIAN SERBS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD, INCLUDING THE RIGHT OF FREE TRAVEL.

THE GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER KLAUS KINKEL IS ALSO REPORTED TO HAVE ATTACHED CONDITIONS TO EUROPEAN UNION AID IN BOSNIA.

HE HAS SUGGESTED IT WILL BE LINKED TO THE SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF THOSE ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES. BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC ARE AMONG THOSE CHARGED BY A U-N TRIBUNAL WITH SUCH CRIMES.

NATO FORCES IN BOSNIA ARE ORDERED TO DETAIN SUSPECTED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS WHO HAVE BEEN NAMED, BUT ONLY IF NATO TROOPS COME IN CONTACT WITH THEM. NATO IS NOT REQUIRED TO SEEK OUT THE SUSPECTS.

NEB/JF/MH
04-Jan-96 11:18 AM EST (1618 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] CLINTON / BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID BORGIDA (WHITE HOUSE)

INTRO: THE WHITE HOUSE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL MAKE A BRIEF VISIT TO BOSNIA IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO. SUCH A TRIP HAD BEEN CONSIDERED DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY PERIOD, BUT U-S MILITARY COMMANDERS RECOMMENDED AGAINST IT AT THAT TIME. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DAVID BORGIDA HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: THIS IS A TRIP THE PRESIDENT HAS WANTED TO MAKE. IN EARLY DECEMBER, HE MET WITH AMERICAN SOLIDERS GOING TO BOSNIA AT A MILITARY BASE AT BAUMHOLDER, GERMANY. SINCE THEN, HE HAS REPEATEDLY SAID HE WANTED TO GO TO BOSNIA, BUT U-S MILITARY COMMANDERS -- FOR SECURITY AND LOGISTICAL REASONS RELATED TO THE DIFFICULT DEPLOYMENT -- WARNED AGAINST IT. NOW, CLINTON SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS AFTER THE VISIT TO BOSNIA BY DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM PERRY, U-S MILITARY COMMANDERS ARE ENDORSING THE VISIT, EXPECTED SOMETIME AFTER THIS WEEKEND, BUT BEFORE THE PRESIDENT DELIVERS HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS JANUARY 23RD.

THIS WILL BE AN UNUSUAL EFFORT ON BEHALF OF THE WHITE HOUSE BECAUSE OF THE LOGISTICS INVOLVED. WE'RE GOING IN THE MIDST OF A COMPLICATED DEPLOYMENT INTO A PLACE IN THE WORLD THAT IS NOT EXACTLY ENTIRELY SAFE. AND FOR THAT, PRINCIPALLY SECURITY REASONS BUT OTHER REASONS AS WELL, WE WILL BE VERY OBLIQUE ABOUT THE EXACT SCHEDULE THAT WE WILL FOLLOW.

FURTHERMORE, MR. MCCURRY SAYS THERE ARE NO DETAILS YET AVAILABLE ON ANY MEETINGS THE PRESIDENT MAY HAVE WITH KEY POLITICAL FIGURES IN THE REGION.

THE PRESIDENT IS ANXIOUS TO MEET WITH U-S TROOPS, SEE FOR HIMSELF UNDER HARSH WINTER CONDITIONS WHAT THE ACTUAL DEPLOYMENT LOOKS LIKE, AND ALSO MEET WITH NATO MILITARY COMMANDERS TO DISCUSS COMPLIANCE WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT, REACHED BY THE WARRING PARTIES IN DAYTON, OHIO, AND FORMALLY SIGNED IN PARIS DECEMBER 14TH.

HIS SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS ON THAT MATTER -- ALL IS GOING WELL.

THE ADMINISTRATION IS VERY SATISFIED WITH THE LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE, WITH WHAT THE PARTIES THEMSELVES ARE DOING NOW TO HONOR THE COMMITMENTS THAT THEY HAVE MADE, AND THAT PROGRESS CONTINUES. BUT THE PRESIDENT WILL WANT A MORE THOROUGH BRIEFING ON THAT TO SEE JUST WHERE WE STAND IN TERMS OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE DAYTON-PARIS ACCORD.

THERE IS A DOMESTIC POLITICAL DIMENSION TO THIS TRIP. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER BOB DOLE -- THE FRONT RUNNER FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION -- HAD WANTED TO GO TO BOSNIA FOR CHRISTMAS BUT WAS ALSO WARNED NOT TO BY U-S MILITARY COMMANDERS. CLINTON SPOKESMAN MCCURRY SAYS HE WOULD NOT RULE OUT BRINGING SENATOR DOLE OR HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH ALONG IN THE OFFICIAL DELEGATION.

TWENTY THOUSAND U-S TROOPS ARE TO BE DEPLOYED IN BOSNIA AS PART OF THE 60 THOUSAND NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE THERE. (SIGNED)

NEB/BORG/CF
04-Jan-96 3:04 PM EST (2004 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] COMBAT CAMERA / BOSNIA BY BILL EAMES (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: NEARLY TWO DOZEN U-S ARMY UNITS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT TO BOSNIA. MOST WILL BE ASSIGNED TO PATROL BETWEEN THE LINES OF THE FORMERLY WARRING SIDES -- BUT ONE UNIT HAS A DIFFERENT MISSION. THESE SOLDIERS SPENT A WEEK IN "BASIC

TEXT: EVER SINCE THE INVENTION OF THE CAMERA, ITS USE AS A RECORD-KEEPER AND A TEACHER HAS BEEN A VITAL PART OF MILITARY ACTIVITIES.... AND, "COMBAT CAMERA" IS ONE OF THE U-S ARMY UNITS READYING ITSELF FOR POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT IN THE BALKANS. FORMALLY, THE GROUP IS CALLED THE 55TH SIGNAL COMPANY, AND IT IS STATIONED AT FORT MEADE IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND. THE "55TH" IS THE ARMY'S ONLY ACTIVE-DUTY COMBAT CAMERA UNIT, AND STAFF SERGEANT KELLI ALLARD SAYS SHE IS PROUD OF ITS LONG HISTORY, AND THE ROLE WOMEN HAVE PLAYED IN IT:

TAPE: CUT #1 - ALLARD (:18) "COMBAT CAMERA HAS BEEN IN THE ARMY SINCE WORLD WAR ONE. WOMEN DID THIS AS FAR BACK AS 'DESERT STORM', AND PROBABLY PRIOR TO THAT, BECAUSE WE HAVE COMBAT DOCUMENTATION IN DESERT STORM, SOMALIA, KUWAIT AND HAITI AND ANY NUMBER OF OTHER PLACES, JUST IN REGULAR EXERCISES."

TEXT: THE 55TH HAS A REPUTATION FOR DANGEROUS DUTY CLOSE TO THE ACTION -- WHERE THE SOLIDERS MAY EXPERIENCE SHOOTING DONE BY FIREARMS NOT CAMERAS. BUT SERGEANT ALLARD HAS A MORE RESTRAINED DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HER UNIT DOES:

TAPE: CUT #2 - ALLARD (:39)

"AS COMBAT CAMERA, YOU'RE IN THE FIELD, YOU'RE WITH THE SOLDIERS AS THEY DO THEIR JOB, AND YOU DOCUMENT EVERYTHING AND EVERY POSSIBLE ANGLE OF WHAT THEY'RE DOING, AND THE COMMANDERS SEE THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY OR THE END OF THE MONTH, AND THEY EVALUATE EITHER IF THEY ARE TRAINING OR IF IT'S 'REAL WORLD'; THEY MAKE EVALUATIONS AND THEY ADJUST BASED ON WHAT THEY'VE DOCUMENTED, AND THAT CAN SAVE LIVES. HAD THE SOLDIERS BEEN TRAINED PROPERLY, IF THE MISSION WAS SUCCESSFUL, OBVIOUSLY YOU'VE DONE SOMETHING RIGHT, AND THEN YOU CAN GO FROM THERE.AND CONTINUE ON IN THAT SAME VEIN, OR YOU NEED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU SEE. IT'S A DIRECT LINE TO THE COMMANDER AND WHAT HE SEES IS EXACTLY WHAT THE SOLDIER IS DOING."

TEXT: THESE DAYS, THE CAMERAS USED BY "COMBAT CAMERA" ARE VERY OFTEN VIDEO CAMERAS, CAPABLE OF BEAMING LIVE PICTURES OF FRONT-LINE ACTIVITY DIRECTLY TO COMMANDERS:

TAPE: CUT #3 - ALLARD (:09)

"THE EASIEST TWO WAYS WE'RE USING IS DIGITAL THROUGH PHONE LINES AND SATELLITE. THAT'S HOW WE GET THE NEAR-REALTIME. IT'S UP AND DOWN AND THE COMMANDER HAS IT."

TEXT: WHEN ASKED TO COMPARE HER UNIT'S ACTIVITIES WITH THE WORK OF NEWS CAMERA-PEOPLE, SGT. ALLARD CHUCKLES AND SAYS, "WE SHOW IT LIKE IT REALLY IS." THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT SHE HOPES THE "55TH" WILL BE ASKED TO DO IN THE BALKANS. (SIGNED)

NEB/BE/PCH
04-Jan-96 5:11 PM EST (2211 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America