Voice of America, 96-08-12

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA / NATO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

[03] CHRISTOPHER-BOSNIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

[04] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: BOSNIA REFORESTATION BY KATE PORTEUS (WASHINGTON)

[05] TURKEY / IRAN (S ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

[06] TURKEY PAKISTAN (L-UPDATE) BY DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN (ISLAMABAD)

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

[08] U-S-TURKEY-IRAN BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

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

INTRO: THE OVERWHELMING CHOICE OF TOPIC IN THE NATION'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS IS REPUBLICAN BOB DOLE'S CHOICE OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN AND CABINET OFFICER JACK KEMP AS HIS VICE PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING MATE. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE MISUSE OF F-B-I BY THE WHITE HOUSE; A POSSIBLE LEADERSHIP CRISIS IN RUSSIA, AND CONCERN OVER THE INTEGRATION OF MOSTAR IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. NOW, FOR A QUOTE OR TWO AND A CLOSER LOOK WE TURN TO _____________________ WITH TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SOME PAPERS SCRAMBLED TO PLACE EDITORIALS IN SUNDAY EDITIONS ABOUT THE SELECTION OF JACK KEMP AS BOB DOLE'S RUNNING MATE, BUT MANY DAILIES RESERVED JUDGMENT UNTIL TODAY. AMONG THEM IS THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, WHICH NOTES:

VOICE: "IN PICKING [MR.] KEMP AS HIS RUNNING MATE, BOB DOLE SEEKS TO PROVE THAT HIS GROWTH-PROMOTING 15 PERCENT TAX CUT IS NO CAMPAIGN GIMMICK. NOW THE TWO HAVE TO CONVINCE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT THE PLAN WILL REALLY WORK TO SPEED GROWTH INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, NOT JUST ESCALATE DEFICITS AND DEBT... THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD FEEL PLEASED. THEY NOW FACE A CHOICE BETWEEN TWO TEAMS WITH SERIOUS IDEAS ABOUT THE MAJOR NEEDS FACING THE NATION."

TEXT: ASSUMING A SCALE OF DESIRABILITY NUMBERING ONE TO TEN, BOB DOLE DECLARED MR. KEMP "A 15." HOWEVER, NEWSDAY ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND ONLY RATES HIM AS AN "EIGHT."

VOICE: "ALLOWING FOR POLITICAL HYPERBOLE ... THE CHOICE DOES MERIT AN EIGHT. AND CONSIDERING ALL THE FUMBLES OF THE DOLE CAMPAIGN THUS FAR, THAT'S PRETTY GOOD... JACK KEMP HAS SOME FLAKY [UNCONVENTIONAL] IDEAS, BUT HE ALSO HAS PRINCIPLES AND POLITICAL KNOW-HOW."

TEXT: THE MIAMI HERALD SAYS DESPITE MR. KEMP'S ASSETS, THE CAMPAIGN STILL FACES AN UPHILL FIGHT.

VOICE: "THE G-O-P'S CURRENT IDEOLOGICAL WAR RAGES ON IN THE BACKGROUND DESPITE A PUBLIC SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR BOB DOLE'S CHOICE OF FORMER HOUSING SECRETARY JACK KEMP AS HIS RUNNING MATE. IF VISION AND INCLUSIVENESS WERE THE DECIDING ELEMENTS, MR. KEMP MIGHT BE THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MR. DOLE HIS NUMBER TWO. MR. KEMP'S SELECTION, IF ANYTHING, HIGHLIGHTS THE FUNDAMENTAL SCHISM UNDERLYING THE GOP'S INTERNAL WARFARE. [OPT] IT'S ON FULL DISPLAY IN A PLATFORM DICTATED NOT BY MR. DOLE, AND CERTAINLY NOT BY MR. KEMP'S LONG-HELD POSITIONS, BUT BY THE PARTY'S RIGHT WING."

TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES REMINDS READERS THIS IS STILL, BASICALLY, A PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST.

VOICE: "ULTIMATELY, THOUGH, EVEN A CLEVER VICE PRESIDENTIAL CHOICE TAKES A PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL ONLY SO FAR: VOTERS WILL MAKE THEIR CHOICE BASED ON HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT [MR.] DOLE OR [PRESIDENT] CLINTON, NOT JACK KEMP OR AL GORE."

TEXT: A FINAL THOUGHT ON MR. KEMP FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, WHICH SAYS IN PICKING A FORMER ADVERSARY FOR HIS RUNNING MATE, MR. DOLE HAS SHOWN CRITICS THAT HE CAN DISPENSE PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP.

VOICE: "... IN PUTTING MR. KEMP ON THE TICKET, MR. DOLE HAS CHOSEN A MAN WITH WHOM HE HAS SOMETIMES DISAGREED AND WHO EVEN ENDORSED HIS PRIMARY OPPONENT, STEVE FORBES. THESE ARE THE DECISIONS OF SOMEONE WHO IS WILLING TO BREAK OUT OF THE LEGISLATIVE BOX [MIND-SET] IN ORDER TO CAPTURE THE PRESIDENCY."

TEXT: TODAY'S OMAHA WORLD-HERALD OFFERS SOME THOUGHTS ON THE ALLEGED MISUSE OF THE F-B-I BY THE WHITE HOUSE IN OBTAINING PERSONAL FILES OF MANY FORMER PRESIDENTIAL EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING SOME HIGH-RANKING REPUBLICANS. HOWEVER, THE NEBRDASKA DAILY NOTES WITH SOME SATISFACTION:

VOICE: "... THAT MAY BE ABOUT TO CHANGE. A REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN, BOB LIVINGSTON OF LOUISIANA, IS CALLING ON CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE THE ACTIONS OF AN F-B-I OFFICIAL WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN IMPROVER CONTACTS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE. AN INVESTIGATION IS IN ORDER. [OPT] ... IT WAS [F-B-I GENERAL COUNSEL HOWARD] SHAPIRO WHO GAVE THE WHITE HOUSE ADVANCE WARNING THAT THE F-B-I WAS ABOUT TO TURN OVER TO CONGRESS AN AGENT'S REPORT OF A 1993 INTERVIEW THAT CAST MORE DOUBT ON THE CREDIBILITY OF HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON." [END OPT]

TEXT: MOVING TO INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS, BORIS YELTSIN'S HEALTH AND THE ON-GOING FIGHTING IN CHECHNYA WORRIES THE MIAMI HERALD.

VOICE: "IF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN IS AS ILL AS HE APPEARS TO BE (TO JUDGE FROM THE QUANTITY AND THE QUALITY OF HIS RECENT PUBLIC APPEARANCES), HE SOON MAY HAVE TO GOVERN RUSSIA FROM A SANATORIUM ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF MOSCOW. THAT IS A DISQUIETING PROSPECT FOR HIS COUNTRY, WHICH LAST FRIDAY INAUGURATED MR. YELTSIN TO A NEW FOUR-YEAR PRESIDENTIAL TERM. IT'S EQUALLY DISQUIETING FOR WASHINGTON."

TEXT: NEWSDAY ON LONG ISLAND ALSO HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE RUSSIAN LEADERSHIP:

VOICE: "ONLY STRONG LEADERSHIP CAN KEEP ECONOMIC REFORM ON TRACK AND DEAL WITH CIVIL CHAOS. BUT WITH [MR.] YELTSIN AILING, WHO IS GOING TO PROVIDE THAT LEADERSHIP? [MR.] YELTSIN LOOKED PALE AND INSTEAD FRIDAY AND WAS ABOUT TO GO ON ANOTHER EXTENDED VACATION. WE HOPE HE HAD TIME TO SAVOR HIS TRULY REMARKABLE RE-ELECTION. WHAT FOLLOWS WILL NOT BE AS PLEASANT."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THERE MAY BE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA -- IF THE MOSTAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION WAS ANY INDICATION.

VOICE: "THE LESSON TO BE LEARNED FROM THE FUROR OVER RECENT ELECTIONS IN MOSTAR IS THAT THE MAJOR POWERS SUPERVISING NEXT MONTH'S NATIONAL VOTING IN BOSNIA MUST DO MORE THAN MONITOR CAMPAIGN AND VOTING ARRANGEMENTS. THEY MUST BE PREPARED TO LEAN ON [PRESSURE] THE REGION'S POWER BROKERS WITH AGGRESSIVE DIPLOMACY AND THE THREAT OF ECONOMIC PUNISHMENTS TO INSURE THAT ALL PARTIES COMPLY WITH ELECTION RESULTS."

TEXT: WITH THAT CONCERN FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME EDITORIALS TO BE FOUND IN MONDAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/PCH
12-Aug-96 10:43 AM EDT (1443 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / NATO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: NATO FORCES IN BOSNIA SAY BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE VIOLATED THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT BY BLOCKING A NATO INSPECTION OF A COMMAND BUNKER. NATO SOURCES SAY A MILITARY RESPONSE TO THE VIOLATION IS POSSIBLE, AND NATO FORCES ON BOSNIAN SERB TERRITORY HAVE BEEN TOLD TO TAKE EXTRA SECURITY PRECAUTIONS. DAVID FOLEY IN SARAJEVO REPORTS THE NATO SECRETARY GENERAL SAYS NATO FORCES WILL REACT RAPIDLY TO ANY VIOLATIONS OF THE PEACE ACCORD.

TEXT: THIS LATEST CONFRONTATION BETWEEN NATO AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS BEGAN SATURDAY WHEN NATO SOLDIERS TRIED TO CONDUCT A ROUTINE INSPECTION OF A BUNKER AT THE BOSNIAN SERB'S MILITARY HEADQUARTERS AT HANS PIJESAK IN EASTERN BOSNIA.

UNDER THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT, NATO HAS THE RIGHT TO MAKE SUCH INSPECTIONS AT ANY TIME AND WITHOUT INTERFERENCE. THE BOSNIAN SERBS PREVENTED THE INSPECTION FROM TAKING PLACE. ON SUNDAY, AFTER THE BOSNIAN SERBS CONTINUED TO BLOCK THE INSPECTION, NATO LIAISON OFFICERS WERE WITHDRAWN FROM THE BOSNIAN SERB'S CIVILIAN HEADQUARTERS AT PALE, OUTSIDE SARAJEVO.

THE NATO SPOKESMAN, BRETT BOUDREAU, SAYS THIS IS A SERIOUS VIOLATION OF THE PEACE AGREEMENT BY THE BOSNIAN SERB ARMY, KNOWN AS THE V-R-S.

WE ARE THE JUDGE AND THE JURY, AND WE HAVE FOUND THE V-R-S IN NON-COMPLIANCE. THEY ARE GUILTY, AND WE WILL TAKE WHATEVER STEPS IT TAKES IN ORDER TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE. WE HAVE NOT RULED OUT ANY OPTIONS TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE.

NATO SOURCES SAY NATO COMMANDERS ARE CONSIDERING A RANGE OF POSSIBLE RESPONSES, MOST OF WHICH INCLUDE MILITARY ACTION. NATO COMMANDERS HAVE ALREADY BANNED ALL BOSNIAN SERB AIRCRAFT FLIGHTS, AND HAVE CANCELLED SCHEDULED MEETINGS WITH BOSNIAN SERB GENERALS.

MAJOR BOUDREAU SAYS NATO SOLDIERS ACROSS BOSNIA ARE NOW ON A HIGHER STATE OF ALERT.

WE INCREASED OUR GENERAL SECURITY LEVEL LATE LAST WEEK, AND IN RESPONSE TO THE HANS PIJESAK INCIDENT, ONCE AGAIN INFORMED SOLDIERS WORKING IN THAT AREA AND THROUGHOUT REPUBLIKA SRPSKA TO BEEF UP THEIR SECURITY MEASURES AS WELL.

BUT THIS IS A DIFFICULT TIME FOR NATO TO SUDDENLY MAKE A VIGOROUS RESPONSE TO BOSNIAN SERB OBSTRUCTION OF THE DAYTON ACCORD. NATION-WIDE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA ARE ONLY FIVE WEEKS AWAY, AND NATO OFFICIALS SAY THEY DO NOT WANT TO PUT THE ELECTIONS AT RISK.

THE MILITARY HEADQUARTERS AT HANS PIJESAK IS ALSO A SENSITIVE LOCATION FOR THE BOSNIAN SERBS. IT IS THEIR OVERALL MILITARY HEADQUARTERS AND ALSO THE HOME OF BOSNIAN SERB ARMY COMMANDER RATKO MLADIC, WHO HAS BEEN INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. NATO OFFICERS SAY ANY MILITARY ACTION THAT MIGHT TAKE PLACE MUST NOT BE SEEN BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS AS AN ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE GENERAL MLADIC. (SIGNED)
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12-Aug-96 10:16 AM EDT (1416 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CHRISTOPHER-BOSNIA (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IS IN BRUSSELS WHERE HE MEETS NATO OFFICIALS (TUESDAY) TO DISCUSS PREPARATIONS FOR HIS MEETING WEDNESDAY IN GENEVA WITH BALKAN LEADERS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS.

TEXT: THE CENTERPIECE OF MR. CHRISTOPHER'S TRIP IS THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTION IN BOSNIA. HE IS DISCUSSING WITH NATO COMMANDER, GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN, AND SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA THE ROLE NATO TROOPS WILL PLAY IN EASING FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT TO ALLOW VOTING IN BOSNIA TO TAKE PLACE.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE MEETS THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA, SERBIA AND CROATIA ON WEDNESDAY IN GENEVA FOR HIS THIRD MEETING OF THE YEAR WITH THE BALKAN LEADERS ABOUT CARRYING OUT THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT. HE TOLD REPORTERS TRAVELING WITH HIM FROM WASHINGTON TO BRUSSELS, THIS MEETING WILL FOCUS ON THE ELECTION AND ITS AFTERMATH.

THIS TRIP WILL BE PRIMARILY FOCUSSED ON THE ELECTIONS BUT I WANT TO ALSO EMPHASIZE TO THE PARTIES THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING READY TO PUT THE GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS IN PLACE FOLLOWING THE ELECTION.

MR. CHRISTOPHER SAYS NO ONE SHOULD EXPECT THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS TO REACH NORTHERN EUROPEAN STANDARDS BECAUSE OF THE INTENSITY OF THE HATRED LEFT FROM THE WAR. HE CONCEDES THE CONFIDENCE OF REFUGEES TO RETURN HOME TO VOTE IS NOT LIKELY TO BE ACHIEVED. (SIGNED)
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12-Aug-96 4:32 PM EDT (2032 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: BOSNIA REFORESTATION BY KATE PORTEUS (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: USUALLY, WHEN ONE ASSESSES THE DAMAGES OF WAR, IT IS IN TERMS OF LIVES LOST, FAMILIES SEPERATED, HOMES AND CITIES DESTROYED. BUT THE ENVIRONMENT IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED. IT IS NOT CONSIDERED A VICTIM. THE TERRIAN OF BOSNIA-HEREZEGOVINA, LIKE MANY NATIONS RAVAGED BY YEARS OF FIGHTING, IS COVERED WITH IT'S OWN BATTLE SCARS. FIELDS ARE POCKMARKED BY EXPLOSIVE SHELLS, FORESTS HAVE BEEN DENUNED BY DESPERATE CITIZENS IN SEARCH OF FUEL, RIVERS ARE POLLUTED BY THE DEBRIS OF WAR AND STRIPPED LAND IS BADLY ERODED. BUT KATE PORTEUS TELLS US THAT IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, SOMETHING IS BEING DONE TO HEAL SOME OF THOSE "WOUNDS OF WAR." SHE SAYS ONE U-S AID ORGANIZATION AND A LOCAL FORESTRY COMPANY ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO BRING THE FORESTS BACK TO THAT SCARRED BALKAN COUNTRYSIDE.

TEXT: FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE AID GROUP INTERNATIONAL ACTION AGAINST HUNGER HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE BOSNIAN PEOPLE TO REPAIR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE INCURRED DURING THE FOUR AND A HALF YEARS OF FIGHTING. ONE MAJOR PROJECT BEGAN WHEN THE KORPRIVNICA [KOH- PREE-KNEE-TZUH] FORESTRY COMPANY FROM BUGOJNO IN CENTRAL BOSNIA SHARED ITS CONCERNS ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF TIMBERLAND WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THIS GROUP, ALSO KNOWN AS A-I-C-F. STACY SCHRAM WAS PART OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS AS THE BOSNIA REPRESENTATIVE FOR A-I-C-F.

TAPE: CUT #1 SCHRAM RUNS [0:13] "FOR THREE YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN CUTTING DOWN TREES; THEY HAD NEVER BEEN RE-PLANTING TREES. THEY HAD NO WAY OF GROWING NEW SAPLINGS; THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY NEW SAPLINGS FROM ANOTHER AREA, AND HOW COULD WE HELP?"

TEXT: A-C-I-F DESIGNED A PROGRAM WITH THE BOSNIAN FORESTRY COMPANY TO REPLANT SOME OF THE DENUDED WOODLANDS AROUND BUGONJO. STACY SHRAM SAYS THE FIRST PROJECT IN 1995 ENCOMPASSED 60 HECTARES IN THE AREA AROUND THE TOWNS OF BUGOJNO, GORNJI VAKUF AND NOVI TRAVNIK, WITH FUNDING FROM THE U-S AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

TAPE: CUT #2 SCHRAM RUNS [0:19] "WHEN AN ENTIRE MOUNTAINSIDE HAS BEEN CLEAR-CUT AND IT RAINS, THAT RAIN DRIPS DOWN AUTOMATICALLY AND VERY QUICKLY INTO SOME OF THE NATURAL SPRINGS THAT PROVIDE THE WATER SOURCE FOR A CERTAIN MUNICIPALITY. THOSE OFTEN WILL BECOME POLLUTED WITH PHOSPHORUS FROM SHELLS THAT HAVE LANDED AND/OR MOVE LANDMINES IN THE AREA FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER."

TEXT: WITH SO MUCH TIMBERLAND STRIPPED, ANOTHER IMPORTANT RESOURCE, WILDLIFE, HAS ALSO DECLINED DRAMATICALLY. MS. SCHRAM SAYS MANY PEOPLE USED TO HUNT IN THE WOODS FOR GAME, BUT BECAUSE OF WAR DAMAGE, MUCH OF THE FORESTS NOW CANNOT PROVIDE EITHER GAME OR RECREATION.

BESIDES REFORESTATION, A-I-C-F AND KOPRIVNICA [KOH- PREE- KNEE- TZUH] FORESTRY COMPANY ADDED ANOTHER DIMENSION TO THE LAST RESTORATION PROGRAM -- ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENSS FOR YOUTH. THESE ORGANIZATIONS LED ABOUT 300 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM BUGOJNO ON AN OUTING TO SEE FIRSTHAND THE WASTELAND LEFT AFTER ALL THE TREES WERE CUT FROM A MOUNTAINSIDE NEAR THEIR TOWN. A MONTH LATER, THE STUDENTS RETURNED TO THE SAME SITE TO PLANT DONATED SEEDLINGS -- MOSTLY PINE AND SPRUCE -- UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF BOSNIAN FORESTERY EXPERTS.

A-I-C-F REPRESENTATIVE STACY SCHRAM SAYS THIS FIRST REFORESTATION PROJECT HAS LED TO WIDER RECOGNITION OF THE PROBLEM THROUGHOUT BOSNIA- HERZEGOVINA.

TAPE: CUT #3 SCHRAM RUNS [0:22] "A NUMBER OF THE DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES FROM ALL THREE SIDES GOT TOGETHER AND MET AND HAD A CONSORTIUM AND SAID THAT 55-THOUSAND HECTARES IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA NEED EMERGENCY REPLANTING. THEY HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY CLEAR-CUT AND WITHOUT IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION THERE ARE GOING TO BE SERIOUS PROBLEMS BOTH ENVIRONMENTALLY AND ECONOMICALLY IN THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS."

TEXT: MS. SCHRAM APPLAUDES BOSNIANS FOR BANDING TOGETHER TO RESTORE THEIR WOODLANDS, BUT SHE ALSO WARNS THAT WARTIME DEFORESTATION WILL CAUSE RECURRING ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE LONG AFTER THE WAR ITSELF HAS FADED INTO MEMORY. ON AVERAGE, SHE SAYS, A WHITE PINE OR SPRUCE TREE NEEDS 60 YEARS TO REACH MATURITY AND BE READY FOR HARVESTING. NEB/KJP/[CJ
12-Aug-96 3:33 PM EDT (1933 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] TURKEY / IRAN (S ONLY) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

INTRO: TURKEY SIGNED A 20 BILLION DOLLAR DEAL WITH IRAN TO BUY NATURAL GAS OVER THE NEXT 22 YEARS. THE AGREEMENT WAS CONCLUDED DURING PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBEKAN'S FIRST VISIT TO TEHRAN AS TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER. CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS FROM OUR MIDDLE EAST BUREAU IRAN'S OIL MINISTER AND TURKEY'S ENERGY MINISTER SIGNED THE AGREEMENT IN TEHRAN MONDAY MORNING.

TEXT: UNDER THE CONTRACT, IRAN WILL BUILD A PIPELINE TO THE TURKISH BORDER WITH A CAPACITY OF AS MUCH AS TEN BILLION CUBIC METERS OF NATURAL GAS A YEAR. THE 20-BILLION DOLLAR AGREEMENT GUARANTEES TURKEY WITH A SUPPLY OF GAS FOR 22 YEARS, STARTING IN 1998.

TURKISH OFFICIALS INSIST THE DEAL DOES NOT VIOLATE NEW U-S SANCTIONS AGAINST AMERICAN AND FOREIGN COMPANIES DOING BUSINESS WITH IRAN, WHICH WASHINGTON ACCUSES OF SPONSORING TERRORISM.

THE HEAD OF TURKEY'S STATE-RUN OIL AND GAS COMPANY TOLD REPORTERS IN TEHRAN HIS GOVERNMENT WILL HELP FINANCE THE IRANIAN PIPELINE IN WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A BARTER DEAL THAT DID NOT CONTRADICT THE U-S LAW.

TURKEY'S NEW PRIME MINISTER, NECMETTIN ERBEKAN, SAYS HE WANTS TO INCREASE COOPERATION WITH NEIGHBORING IRAN. MR. ERBEKAN HEADS THE SECULAR STATE'S FIRST ISLAMIST COALITION. HE IS USING HIS FIRST TRIP OUTSIDE TURKEY TO SIGNAL HIS INTEREST IN CLOSER TIES WITH THE MUSLIM WORLD. (SIGNED)
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12-Aug-96 6:44 AM EDT (1044 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] TURKEY PAKISTAN (L-UPDATE) BY DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN (ISLAMABAD)

INTRO: TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER HAS BEGUN A THREE-DAY VISIT TO PAKISTAN FOCUSING ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. V-O-A ISLAMABAD CORRESPONDENT DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN REPORTS THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS PARTIES IN GOVERNMENT IS AMONG THE TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED.

TEXT: IN BRIEF REMARKS AT ISLAMABAD'S MILITARY AIRPORT, PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN (NEJ'METTIN AIR'BAKAN) SAID TURKEY AND PAKISTAN HAVE CLOSE RELATIONS AND HE LOOKS FORWARD TO FRUITFUL TALKS ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES. HE GAVE NO DETAILS.

PRIME MINISTER BENAZIR BHUTTO, FOR HER PART, SAID TURKEY IS ONE OF PAKISTAN'S CLOSEST FRIENDS. SHE ALSO MENTIONED THE ROLE THAT RELIGIOUS PARTIES PLAY IN BOTH THE ISLAMIC NATIONS.

THE PRIME MINISTER OF TURKEY HAS VERY GOOD RELATIONS WITH ALL OUR RELIGIOUS PARTIES, SO I'M HOPING THAT HE WILL ADVISE THEM THAT-HOW IN TURKEY, WHICH SHARES SO MUCH WITH US -- WHEN WE HAD DICTATORSHIPS THEY HAD DICTATORSHIPS, WHEN WE HAD DEMOCRACY THEY HAD DEMOCRACY -- SO NOW I HOPE THAT HE WILL ALSO ENCOURAGE THEM TO COME INTO THE MAINSTREAM LIKE RIFAH HAS COME INTO THE MAINSTREAM.

THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER'S ISLAMIST WELFARE PARTY, KNOWN AS RIFAH, HAS CLOSE LINKS WITH PAKISTAN'S RIGHT-WING JAMAT-I ISLAMI RELIGIOUS PARTY. PRIME MINISTER ERBAKAN IS EXPECTED TO MEET WITH JAMATTI ISLAMI OFFICIALS DURING HIS STAY.

THE TURKISH LEADER'S FORMAL TALKS WITH PAKISTANI OFFICIALS INCLUDING PRIME MINISTER BENAZIR BHUTTO WILL BE HELD TUESDAY. TOPICS RANGING FROM INCREASED TRADE TO THE KASHMIR DISPUTE BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN ARE EXPECTED TO COME UP.

MR. ERBAKAN'S VISIT COMES AS A SPECIAL FIVE-NATION KASHMIR PANEL OF ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE IS GATHERING IN ISLAMABAD. TURKEY IS A KEY MEMBER OF THAT PANEL (WHICH ALSO INCLUDES PAKISTAN, SAUDI ARABIA, MOROCCO AND NIGER).

MR. ERBAKAN ENDS HIS VISIT TO PAKISTAN WEDNESDAY AFTER TAKING PART IN PAKISTANI INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS. PAKISTAN IS THE SECOND FOREIGN COUNTRY MR. ERBAKAN HAS VISITED SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN JULY. HE WENT TO ISLAMABAD FROM IRAN. (SIGNED)
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12-Aug-96 11:20 AM EDT (1520 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: AS U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER PREPARES TO EMBARK FOR GENEVA AND A SUMMIT WITH BALKAN LEADERS, THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAVE DENIED ACCESS TO NATO INSPECTORS OF AN ARMS STORAGE SITE NORTHEAST OF SARAJEVO. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE INCIDENT COMES ON THE HEELS OF TALKS LAST WEEK BETWEEN A SENIOR U-S DIPLOMAT AND NATO'S ALLIED COMMANDER WITH BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS:

TEXT: AFTER ALLOWING NATO INSPECTORS TO VISIT ONE SITE NEAR HAN PIJESAK, THE BOSNIAN SERBS DENIED ACCESS TO A SECOND SITE, BELIEVED TO BE THE HEADQUARTERS OF INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL GENERAL RATKO MLADIC. THE INCIDENT COMES ON THE EVE OF A PLANNED VISIT TO BOSNIAN SERB HEADQUARTERS BY NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA AND NATO SUPREME COMMANDER, GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN.

IT ALSO FOLLOWS FRIDAY'S MEETING IN BELGRADE BETWEEN BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS AND SERB PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND ASSISTANT U-S SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KORNBLUM AND GENERAL JOULWAN. U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE BOSNIAN SERBS ARE LACKING IN THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS:

GENERAL JOULWAN IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE MILITARY COMPLIANCE IN MANY ASPECTS OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS WITH THE ACCORDS AND JOHN KORNBLUM MENTIONED SEVERAL ASPECTS OF THE ACCORDS WHERE WE BELIEVE THEY HAVE FALLEN SHORT.

MR. BURNS SAYS THOSE INCLUDE FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT AND PRESS, HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE HANDING OVER OF INDICTED WAR CRIMINALS. HE CALLS A BOSNIAN SERB AND SERB RECOMMITMENT TO HONOR THE ACCORDS ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF NEXT MONTH'S BOSNIAN ELECTIONS, A KEY ASPECT OF THIS WEEK'S GENEVA TALKS. (SIGNED)
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11-Aug-96 7:35 PM EDT (2335 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S-TURKEY-IRAN BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

INTRO: THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS DISPLEASED AT THE ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAN EVEN IF THE 20 BILLION DOLLAR GAS DEAL BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES DOES NOT TRIGGER AMERICAN ECONOMIC SANCTIONS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS WHERE SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IS MEETING NATO OFFICIALS.

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS EXTREMELY DISPLEASED WITH THE GROWING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IRAN AND TURKEY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE SPOKESMAN SAYS TURKEY MAY NOT BE IN VIOLATION OF THE IRAN-LIBYA SANCTIONS LAW SIGNED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON LAST WEEK.

MR. BURNS SAYS TURKEY IS TELLING THE UNITED STATES THE 20 BILLION DOLLAR GAS DEAL ANNOUNCED BY PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN ON A VISIT TO IRAN IS A TRADE DEAL AND THEREFORE MAY NOT BE A VIOLATION OF THE U-S LAW. MR. BURNS MADE HIS COMMENTS TO REPORTERS TRAVELING WITH SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER TO EUROPE. AMERICAN SANCTIONS ARE IMPOSED AGAINST COMPANIES OR GOVERNMENTS THAT INVEST MORE THAN 40 MILLION DOLLARS IN IRAN OR LIBYA.

PRIME MINISTER ERBAKAN SAYS TURKEY WANTS TO EXPAND POLITICAL, CULTURAL AND TRADE RELATIONS WITH IRAN. MR. BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS DISPLEASED WITH THE TRADE DEAL AS WELL AS TURKEY'S EFFORT TO BUILD RELATIONS WITH A GOVERNMENT THAT THE UNITED STATES ACCUSES OF SUPPORTING INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM AND WANTING TO BUILD NUCLEAR WEAPONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/GKT/KL
12-Aug-96 4:36 PM EDT (2036 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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