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Voice of America, 96-08-13

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)
  • [02] BOSNIA / NATO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)
  • [03] CHRISTOPHER / IRAN / TURKEY (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (GENEVA)
  • [04] CHRISTOPHER-BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (GENEVA)
  • [05] CHRISTOPHER-BOSNIA OVERNIGHTER (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)
  • [06] CYPRUS / U-UN REACT (S ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)
  • [07] MOSTAR POLITICS BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (MOSTAR, BOSNIA)
  • [08] TURKEY PAKISTAN (L-ONLY) BY DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN (ISLAMABAD)
  • [09] TURKEY'S GAS DEAL WITH IRAN BY FRANCIS RONALDS (WASHINGTON)
  • [10] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-O) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

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

    DATE=08/13/96
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-09726
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES
    // EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS PERISHABLE MATERIAL AND BECOMES DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-D-S-T ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 13TH//

    INTRO: THE REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM, OR SET OF GOVERNING PRINCIPALS FOR THIS YEAR'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN, IS WIDELY DISCUSSED ON THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF THE NATION'S LEADING PAPERS THIS TUESDAY. [OPT] OTHER POLITICAL TOPICS CONCERN BOB DOLE'S SELECTION OF JACK KEMP AS HIS RUNNING MATE, AND THE ROSS PEROT REFORM PARTY CONVENTION. [END OPT] BEYOND POLITICS, THERE IS DISCUSSION OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S HEALTH, A HUGE GAS DEAL BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAN, AND THE SHIFTING OF A PROPOSED GOLD MINE NEAR YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. NOW, HERE WITH A QUOTE OR TWO IS _____________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES, NOTING HOW THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM WAS QUIETLY ADOPTED BY THE CONVENTION, WITH LITTLE MEDIA ATTENTION TO ITS CONTROVERSIAL POINTS, CALLS IT "THE STEALTH PLATFORM."

    VOICE: "THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION LAST NIGHT APPROVED A PLATFORM ... THE PARTY'S CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT SAYS HE NEVER READ AND IS NOT BOUND TO FOLLOW. IT WAS DISPENSED WITH QUICKLY, IN ORDER TO MAKE WAY FOR A PARADE OF PRIME-TIME SPEAKERS, MOST OF WHOM REPRESENTED EXACTLY THE KIND OF MODERATE REPUBLICANISM THE PLATFORM WAS DESIGNED NOT TO REPRESENT. THE ONLY QUESTION FOR THE REST OF THE NATION IS WHETHER TO TAKE SERIOUSLY A DOCUMENT THE PARTY LEADERS THEMSELVES SEEM DETERMINED TO IGNORE."

    [OPT]

    TEXT: USA TODAY IS ALSO FASCINATED BY MR. DOLE'S APPARENT DISREGARD FOR THE PLATFORM, NOTING:

    VOICE: "PLATFORMS ARE SCREEDS OF FINE PRINT ON TOPICS GREAT AND SMALL, READ BY FEW BEYOND THE AUTHORS AND LARGELY WRITTEN TO BE FILED [IN THIS CASE "IGNORED"]. ... IS IT ALL A GAME? YES AND NO. A PLATFORM, AND THE INFIGHTING THAT SURROUNDS IT, SENDS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE BOTH INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY ABOUT WHERE THE IDEOLOGICAL BASES OF A PARTY ARE."

    [END OPT]

    TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE, MEANWHILE, IS UPSET AT THE WAY SEVERAL LEADING REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN ESSENTIALLY LEFT OUT OF THE CONVENTION.

    VOICE: "NOT ONLY PAT BUCHANAN ON THE RIGHT, BUT ALSO [MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR] WILLIAM ... WELD, GOVERNOR GEORGE PATAKI OF NEW YORK AND -- APPALLINGLY -- THE HOST GOVERNOR, PETE WILSON, ON THE LEFT EITHER JUMPED OR WERE PUSHED FROM THE SPEAKER LIST AS THE PARTY SOUGHT PURITY AND A LACK OF CONTROVERSY. ..... WITH ITS UNREPRESENTATIVE DELEGATE DEMOGRAPHICS -- TWO-THIRDS MALE, 91 PERCENT WHITE ... AND THE EAGERNESS OF OTHERS, INCLUDING THE REFORM PARTY, TO NIP AT THEIR FLANKS, REPUBLICANS MIGHT DO BETTER TO DEEMPHASIZE THE WEED KILLER AND TRY TO FERTILIZE GROWTH."

    [OPT]

    TEXT: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, HOWEVER, SEES THE DOLE CAMPAIGN COALESCING INTO A POWERFUL FORCE, DRAWING STRENGTH FROM THE CONVENTION.

    VOICE: "WITH EVERY PASSING DAY ON BOB DOLE'S MARCH TO THE NOMINATION HERE AT THE G-O-P CONVENTION ... THE SENSE GROWS THAT A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF REAL -- AND SIGNIFICANT -- SUBSTANCE LIES AHEAD. BOB DOLE IS ORGANIZING HIMSELF AND HIS CAMPAIGN IN A WAY THAT ENSURES THIS ELECTION WILL BE ABOUT RECOGNIZABLE AND COMPETING POLITICAL VISIONS."

    TEXT: ON THE SUBJECT OF BOB DOLE'S RUNNING MATE, JACK KEMP, THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION TAKES ISSUE WITH HIS STRONG BELIEF THAT CUTTING TAXES WILL NOT INCREASE THE FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT:

    VOICE: "ON THIS POINT, HE IS SIMPLY WRONG. SLASHING TAXES BEFORE CUTTING SPENDING WOULD IGNITE THE DEFICIT AND THEREBY INJURE THE MIDDLE-CLASS BY SENDING INTEREST RATES AND INFLATION SOARING AGAIN."

    [END OPT]

    TEXT: LASTLY, ON THE POLITICAL CONVENTIONS, THE BALTIMORE SUN HAILS ROSS PEROT'S NEW REFORM PARTY, EXPLAINING ITS VALUE THIS WAY:

    VOICE: "IF THE REFORM PARTY DOES NOTHING MORE THAN FORCE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TO FACE THE HARSH ECONOMIC TRUTHS OF SOARING NATIONAL DEBT, AGING POPULATION, UNDER-FUNDED PENSIONS AND OVER-AMBITIOUS HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS, IT WILL MORE THAN JUSTIFY ITS EXISTENCE."

    TEXT: TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL ISSUES, THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN:

    VOICE: "... THESE DAYS, U-S OFFICIALS WOULD FEEL MUCH SAFER IF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN WERE HEALTHY. THEY WORRY ABOUT RUSSIA'S FUTURE SHOULD THE SICKLY MR. YELTSIN DIE IN OFFICE, AND ABOUT WHO WILL SAFEGUARD RUSSIA'S NUCLEAR ARSENAL AND STORES OF FISSILE [FISSIONABLE] MATERIAL... THE U-S ADMINISTRATION MUST CONTINUE TO HELP MOSCOW, IN WHATEVER WAYS POSSIBLE, TO CONTINUE ITS ROCKY PASSAGE TOWARD A MODERN ECONOMY."

    TEXT: AND OF RUSSIA'S WAR AGAINST CHECHEN REBELS, THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS:

    VOICE: "... IT SHOULD BE CLEAR NOW EVEN TO RUSSIA'S GENERALS THAT THEY CANNOT WIN THIS WAR, DESPITE HAVING MORE MEN IN UNIFORM THAN CHECHNYA'S ENTIRE PRE-WAR POPULATION... SADLY, THOUGH, IT IS NOT CLEAR WHETHER EITHER SIDE HAS THE STRENGTH TO STRIKE A POLITICAL DEAL [TO END IT]."

    TEXT: TURNING TO A CONTROVERSIAL, MULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR NATURAL GAS DEAL BETWEEN TURKEY AND IRAN, ANNOUNCED MONDAY, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES CAUTIONS:

    VOICE: "THE [CLINTON] ADMINISTRATION SHOULD MOVE WITH CONSIDERABLE CAUTION IN THIS MATTER. THERE MAY BE REASON FOR CONCERN THAT [TURKEY'S NEW, PRO MUSLIM PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN] ERBAKAN, IF HE HAD A FREE HAND, WOULD QUICKLY TRY TO SHIFT TURKEY AWAY FROM THE SECULARIST AND PRO-WESTERN POSITIONS IT HAS HELD SINCE THE EARLY 1920S. FOR NOW, THOUGH, HIS COALITION GOVERNMENT IS BEHAVING WITH RESTRAINT... THE IRAN GAS DEAL ... DOES NOT SIGNAL A MAJOR SHIFT IN TURKEY'S ORIENTATION. WASHINGTON SHOULD AVOID OVERREACTION."

    [OPT]

    TEXT: AND LASTLY, DOMESTICALLY, THE NEW YORK TIMES CHEERS NEWS FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON OF A COMPROMISE THAT ENDS A CANADIAN COMPANY'S PLAN TO BUILD A HUGE GOLD MINE ON THE BORDER OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK IN WYOMING, A PLAN ENVIRONMENTALISTS SAY WOULD HAVE PARTIALLY DESTROYED THE PARK. SAYS THE TIMES:

    VOICE: "THE NARROW ESCAPE AT YELLOWSTONE UNDERSCORES THE URGENCY OF REFORMING THE ANTIQUATED 1872 MINING ACT, WHICH WAS SIGNED INTO LAW BY ULYSSES ... GRANT TO ENCOURAGE WESTERN DEVELOPMENT... THE PERFECT ENDING TO THE SAGA OF THE YELLOWSTONE MINE WOULD BE TO GET THIS LAW REFORMED."

    [END OPT]

    TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF U-S EDITORIALS FROM TUESDAY'S PRESS.
    NEB/ANG/PCH
    13-Aug-96 11:08 AM EDT (1508 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

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

    DATE=8/13/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201646
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: A SENIOR NATO COMMANDER IN BOSNIA HAS INSPECTED A BOSNIAN-SERB BUNKER, AVERTING A POSSIBLE MILITARY CONFRONTATION. AS DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO, THE EARLIER SERB REFUSAL TO ALLOW THE INSPECTION, IN VIOLATION OF THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT, HAD PROMPTED A MAJOR CRISIS FOR NATO IN BOSNIA.

    TEXT: AFTER THREE DAYS OF TENSION, THE COMMANDER OF NATO GROUND FORCES IN BOSNIA, MICHAEL WALKER, PERSONALLY CARRIED OUT THE INSPECTION OF THE BUNKER AT THE BOSNIAN-SERB'S MILITARY HEADQUARTERS AT HANS PIJESAK. THE BOSNIAN SERBS AGREED TO ALLOW THE INSPECTION AFTER THE NATO SECRETARY GENERAL MET WITH SERB LEADERS TO SEEK THEIR COOPERATION MONDAY IN PALE.

    ON HIS WAY TO HANS PIJESAK, GENERAL WALKER STOPPED IN PALE, OUTSIDE SARAJEVO, TO PICK UP ACTING BOSNIAN-SERB PRESIDENT, BILJIANA PLAVSIC.

    BEFORE THE TWO LEFT TO CONDUCT THE INSPECTION, THE GENERAL CRITICIZED BOSNIAN-SERB LEADERS FOR WHAT HE SAID WAS AN UNNECESSARY CRISIS. HE WARNED AGAINST FUTURE VIOLATIONS.

    /// ACT - WALKER ///

    WE ARE HERE TO ROBUSTLY ENFORCE THE MILITARY ANNEX OF DAYTON. IT GIVES US A ROBUST MANDATE, AND IF THERE IS A REQUIREMENT TO USE FORCE TO DO THAT WE WILL DO SO.

    /// END ACT ///

    NATO HAS NOT YET ANNOUNCED THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION. BUT IT APPEARS TO HAVE ENDED WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SERIOUS CONFRONTATION BETWEEN NATO AND THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

    NATO OFFICERS SAY THEY WERE READY TO LAUNCH A RAID ON THE BUNKER IF THE SERBS DID NOT PERMIT AN INSPECTION. MONDAY, NATO COMMANDERS ORDERED THEIR TROOPS ON BOSNIAN-SERB TERRITORY TO PULL BACK TO MORE DEFENSIBLE POSITIONS. NATO ALSO WARNED INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO WITHDRAW THEIR STAFF FROM SERB AREAS.

    HANS PIJESAK IS A SENSITIVE AREA FOR THE BOSNIAN SERBS. IT IS THEIR MILITARY HEADQUARTERS, AND THE HOME OF BOSNIAN-SERB ARMY COMMANDER RATKO MLADIC, WHO IS WANTED ON WAR CRIMES CHARGES. THE SERBS ARE WORRIED NATO MAY TRY TO CAPTURE HIM, AND ALSO FORMER BOSNIAN-SERB PRESIDENT RADOVAN KARADZIC.

    NATO SPOKESMAN BRETT BOUDREAU SAID BOSNIAN SERBS WERE WARNED IN ADVANCE OF THE FIRST ATTEMPT TO INSPECT THE BUNKER SATURDAY.

    /// ACT - BOUDREAU ///

    WE GAVE ADVANCE NOTICE ABOUT THAT SITE INSPECTION SO AS TO NOT CREATE THE IMPRESSION AMONGST SOLDIERS IN AND AROUND THAT AREA THAT THERE IS AN IMMINENT OPERATION UNDERWAY TO SNATCH MLADIC.

    /// END ACT ///

    UNDER THE DAYTON AGREEMENT NATO CAN INSPECT ANY MILITARY FACILITY AT ANY TIME, AND THE ADVANCE NOTICE GIVEN TO THE SERBS HIGHLIGHTS HOW CAREFUL NATO COMMANDERS ARE TO AVOID BECOMING INVOLVED IN THE ARREST OF PERSONS INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DF/JWH/RAE
    13-Aug-96 11:11 AM EDT (1511 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [03] CHRISTOPHER / IRAN / TURKEY (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (GENEVA)

    DATE=8/13/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201660
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS CRITICIZED TURKEY'S ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH IRAN. V-O-A'S RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS MR. CHRISTOPHER MADE THE COMMENT IN BRUSSELS WHERE HE MET WITH NATO OFFICIALS ABOUT THE SITUATION IN BOSNIA.

    TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS IN BRUSSELS, SAYS THERE IS A RISK TURKEY'S ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH IRAN WILL LEAD TO ECONOMIC SANCTIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES.

    MR. CHRISTOPHER ACKNOWLEDGES TURKEY'S ARGUMENT THE 20-BILLION-DOLLAR COMMERCIAL RELATIONSHIP IS A TRADE DEAL, NOT AN INVESTMENT THAT WOULD TRIGGER PUNITIVE U-S SANCTIONS AGAINST TURKEY, A NATO ALLY.

    THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTINUE MAKING THE ARGUMENT WITH TURKEY ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DEALING WITH IRAN.

    /// CHRISTOPHER ACT ///

    WE HOPE WE CAN PERSUADE THEM AS WE ARE HOPING WE CAN PERSUADE OTHERS, THAT IT IS SIMPLY NOT GOOD BUSINESS, IT IS NOT GOOD INTERNATIONAL CITIZENSHIP AT THIS POINT TO DEAL WITH IRAN.

    /// END ACT ///

    U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY DOUBT IRAN WILL BE ABLE TO FULFILL ITS SIDE OF THE DEAL WITH TURKEY AND U-S SANCTIONS ARE NOT LIKELY TO BE IMPLEMENTED. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RP/JWH/RAE
    13-Aug-96 2:25 PM EDT (1825 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [04] CHRISTOPHER-BOSNIA (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (GENEVA)

    DATE=8/13/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201653
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IS IN GENEVA WHERE HE MEETS WEDNESDAY WITH THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA, SERBIA AND CROATIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM GENEVA, THE BATTLE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT GOES ON.

    TEXT: THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS YEAR SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER IS MEETING THE BALKAN LEADERS HERE IN GENEVA TO REMIND THEM OF THE NEED TO LIVE UP TO THEIR COMMITMENTS IN THE BOSNIA PEACE TREATY. THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE THIS TIME IS THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTION IN BOSNIA.

    THE UNITED STATES SAYS ALL SIDES IN BOSNIA ARE FALLING SHORT OF PROMISES TO PERMIT FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR VOTERS AND A FREE MEDIA TO ALLOW ALL CANDIDATES TO CAMPAIGN. IN THIS MEETING WITH SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, MR. CHRISTOPHER WILL AGAIN EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR SERBIA TO PRODUCE WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS FOR TRIAL IN THE HAGUE.

    IN BRUSSELS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE HEARD REPORTS FROM NATO SECRETARY GENERAL JAVIER SOLANA AND NATO COMMANDER, GENERAL GEORGE JOULWAN ABOUT THE BOSNIAN SERB EFFORT TO HIDE WEAPONS FROM INSPECTION BY BOSNIA PEACE TROOPS. ON MONDAY IN PALE, THE TWO MEN GAVE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS AN ULTIMATUM TO ALLOW THE INSPECTION OF AN UNDECLARED ARMS DEPOT.

    MR. SOLANA TOLD REPORTERS IN BRUSSELS THEIR EFFORT WAS SUCCESSFUL.

    /// SOLANA ACT ///

    I WOULD LIKE TO SAY PUBLICLY THAT IFOR WILL DO THE BEST SO THAT NO VIOLATIONS ARE PERMITTED TO THE DAYTON AGREEMENTS. THE DAYTON AGREEMENTS ARE THE ONES THAT MUST BE RESPECTED BY EVERYBODY. WE WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE DAYTON AGREEMENTS.

    ///END ACT///

    SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER TOLD REPORTERS HE IS ENCOURAGED BY NATO'S STAND AGAINST THE BOSNIAN SERB EFFORT TO HIDE WEAPONS.

    ///CHRISTOPHER ACT///

    I THINK THE WAY THAT IFOR HAS HANDLED THAT, WITH THE DISPATCH WITH WHICH THEY HAVE HANDLED IT, IS AN INDICATION THAT THERE WILL BE NO DEVIATION FROM THE COMPLIANCE THAT IS BEING REQUIRED. I THINK THE MESSAGE THAT THE SECRETARY GENERAL AND GENERAL JOULWAN GAVE YESTERDAY SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE, A STRONG LESSON TO ANY OF THOSE WHO MIGHT CONSIDER NOT BEING IN FULL COMPLIANCE.

    ///END ACT///

    MR. CHRISTOPHER SAYS HE HAS NO ILLUSIONS ABOUT THE DIFFICULTIES IN GETTING THE THREE BALKAN PRESIDENTS TO COMPLY WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT, OR THAT THE ELECTIONS PLANNED NEXT MONTH IN BOSNIA WILL BE ANY KIND OF DEMOCRATIC MODEL.

    IN BRUSSELS, HE MET WITH ROBERT FROWICK, THE MAN CHARGED WITH OVERSEEING THE ELECTION PROCESS. MR. FROWICK TOLD THE SECRETARY OF STATE THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF EFFECTIVE, DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IF THE BOSNIA PEACE FORCE WORKS WITH THE ELECTION ORGANIZERS TO ENABLE BOSNIANS TO CAST THEIR VOTES.

    MR. FROWICK REPORTS THAT THE BOSNIAN SERBS APPEAR TO BE COMPLYING WITH THE JULY 19TH AGREEMENT THAT BARS RADOVAN KARADZIC FROM ANY ROLE IN THE ELECTION. THAT MEANS EXCEPT FOR SOME REMAINING ELECTION POSTERS, THE WARTIME BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT HAS NOT BEEN VISIBLE TO THE PUBLIC IN THE SERB AREAS IN NEARLY ONE MONTH. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RP/MMK/MMK
    13-Aug-96 1:40 PM EDT (1740 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [05] CHRISTOPHER-BOSNIA OVERNIGHTER (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)

    DATE=8/12/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201618
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER IS IN BRUSSELS WHERE HE MEETS NATO OFFICIALS THIS MORNING TO DISCUSS PREPARATIONS FOR HIS MEETING WEDNESDAY IN GENEVA WITH BALKAN LEADERS. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM BRUSSELS, THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTION IN BOSNIA IS THE CENTERPIECE OF HIS TRIP.

    TEXT: SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER CONCEDES ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA WILL NOT REACH THE MODEL NORTHERN EUROPE HAS BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO THE IN THE LAST CENTURY. HOWEVER, ON HIS THIRD TRIP TO PRESS THE BALKAN LEADERS TO COMPLY WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT, MR. CHRISTOPHER IS MAKING THE SEPTEMBER ELECTION THE FOCUS OF HIS THREE DAYS OF TALKS.

    HERE IN BRUSSELS, 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. MR. CHRISTOPHER TOLD REPORTERS TRAVELING ON HIS AIRPLANE FROM WASHINGTON TO BRUSSELS, HE'S NOT SURE HOW MANY REFUGEES WILL ACTUALLY RETURN HOME TO VOTE.

    /// FIRST CHRISTOPHER ACT///

    THE CONFIDENCE THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO RETURN TO THE AREAS FROM WHICH THEY CAME IS A PLACE WHERE WE PROBABLY WON'T ACHIEVE THE LEVEL OF PERFECTION THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE THERE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES. SOME OF THEM MAY NOT FEEL THE LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM TO FEEL TO RETURN TO THEIR HOME AREAS BUT NEVERTHELESS, THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL BE WORKING ON.

    ///END ACT///

    THE SECRETARY OF STATE MEETS THE PRESIDENTS OF BOSNIA, SERBIA AND CROATIA ON WEDNESDAY IN GENEVA BEFORE FLYING TO SARAJEVO ON THURSDAY, WHERE HE WILL STROLL THE STREETS OF THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL AND URGE BOSNIANS TO VOTE IN WHAT HE FEELS IS A CRUCIAL ELECTION.

    ///SECOND CHRISTOPHER ACT///

    IT'S THE GENERALIZED SENSE OF THIS BEING THE FIRST ELECTION AFTER A LONG AND VERY BITTER WAR AGAINST THE HISTORY OF HATRED AND DIVISION WITHIN THE COUNTRY. I THINK THAT ENVIRONMENT MEANS THESE ELECTIONS WILL NOT REACH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PERFECTION THAT THEY MIGHT IN A COUNTRY WHERE ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR DECADES OR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

    ///END ACT///

    MR. CHRISTOPHER SAYS HE WILL PRESS SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC TO LIVE UP TO THE AGREEMENT HE WITNESSED LAST MONTH IN WHICH RADOVAN KARADZIC AGREED TO WITHDRAW FROM ALL HIS FUNCTIONS IN THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP. THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS MR. KARADZIC IS VANISHING FROM TELEVISION AND IS NO LONGER SEEN AROUND THE BOSNIAN SERB CAPITAL OF PALE.

    IN HIS REMARKS HE WILL DELIVER TO BOSNIAN RADIO AND TELEVISION THURSDAY, MR. CHRISTOPHER HOPES TO REACH THE BOSNIAN SERB AUDIENCE TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO END WHAT AMERICAN OFFICIALS CALL THE "CENSORSHIP" OF THE MEDIA AND TO PERMIT FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT. AS MR. CHRISTOPHER PUTS IT, COMPLIANCE WITH THE BOSNIA PEACE AGREEMENT IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/RP/GKT/KL
    12-Aug-96 7:28 PM EDT (2328 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [06] CYPRUS / U-UN REACT (S ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

    DATE=8/13/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201664
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: MEMBERS OF THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) CALLED FOR AN END TO VIOLENT CLASHES BETWEEN GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS. FROM NEW YORK, V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS THE CALL FOLLOWS INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE OVER THE WEEKEND, WHICH SPILLED OVER INTO A U-N POLICED BUFFER ZONE, RESULTING IN THE DEATH OF A CIVILIAN AND INJURIES TO ABOUT A DOZEN U-N PEACE-KEEPERS.

    TEXT: U-N SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT TONO EITEL STRONGLY DEPLORED THE WEEKEND CLASHES BETWEEN GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS. HE MADE THE REMARKS AFTER A COUNCIL MEETING ON THE LATEST EVENTS IN CYPRUS.

    U-N SPOKESMAN SYLVANA FOA SAYS THE CLASHES WERE TRIGGERED WHEN HUNDREDS OF GREEK CYPRIOT MOTORCYCLISTS PUSHED ACROSS A UNITED NATIONS BUFFER ZONE ON THE ISLAND.

    /// FOA ACT ///

    AT ONE POINT AN 80 KILOMETER STRETCH OF THE BUFFER ZONE WAS BREACHED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN THREE OR FOUR PLACES BY MAJOR GROUPS OF BIKERS, AND THEN SMALLER GROUPS HIT OTHER AREAS.

    /// END ACT ///

    THE UNITED NATIONS HAS BEEN TRYING TO REUNITE CYPRUS UNDER A FEDERAL SYSTEM SINCE 1974, WHEN TURKISH TROOPS LANDED IN THE NORTH AND THE ISLAND WAS EFFECTIVELY PARTITIONED. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/PT
    13-Aug-96 3:29 PM EDT (1929 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [07] MOSTAR POLITICS BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (MOSTAR, BOSNIA)

    DATE=8/13/96
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-34057
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: A DISPUTE BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND CROATS IN THE DIVIDED BOSNIAN TOWN OF MOSTAR HAS BEEN DEFUSED. CROAT LEADERS AGREED LAST WEEK TO A COMPROMISE PLAN TO TAKE PART IN A NEW CITY COUNCIL CONTROLLED BY MUSLIMS. BUT V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS PROSPECTS FOR RE-UNITING MOSTAR REMAIN UNCERTAIN.

    TEXT:

    /// ACT -- CALL TO PRAYER, CROWD NOISE ///

    WITH THE CALL TO PRAYER AT SUNDOWN, AS THE BAKING SUMMER HEAT BEGINS TO FADE, THE STREETS OF MOSTAR'S HISTORIC TURKISH QUARTER COME ALIVE. THE 500-YEAR-OLD DISTRICT OF STONE BUILDINGS AND NARROW STREETS STRADDLES THE NERETVA RIVER THAT CUTS THROUGH THE HEART OF MOSTAR.

    IT WAS HEAVILY SHELLED BY CROAT FORCES A FEW BLOCKS TO THE WEST DURING THE 1993 CONFLICT HERE. AND IT IS ONLY WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, WITH RECONSTRUCTION AID FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION, THAT MOSTAR'S TURKISH QUARTER HAS REGAINED A SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY.

    THERE ARE SOUVENIR SHOPS AND ART GALLERIES FOR THE TOURISTS WHO USED TO FLOCK HERE FROM THE DALMATIAN COAST TO THE SOUTH. FEW COME NOW, BUT THE OPEN-AIR CAFES AND RESTAURANTS PERCHED ATOP EITHER SIDE OF THE DEEP RIVER GORGE ARE DOING A BRISK BUSINESS.

    AMONG THE CUSTOMERS, LOCAL MUSLIMS MINGLE WITH OFF-DUTY NATO SOLDIERS AND INTERNATIONAL AID WORKERS. BUT FEW CROATS COME HERE EVEN DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, AND NO MOSTAR RESIDENT CROSSES THE FORMER FRONT LINES AT NIGHT.

    DESPITE THIS MONTH'S AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE LEADERS OF THE TWO COMMUNITIES, MOSTAR REMAINS VERY MUCH DIVIDED.

    THE SYMBOLS OF THAT SEPARATION HAVE LONG BEEN OBVIOUS -- DIFFERENT FLAGS, DIFFERENT CURRENCIES, DIFFERENT (AUTOMOBILE) LICENSE PLATES AND IDENTITY DOCUMENTS.

    MOSTAR NOW HAS A SINGLE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, AT LEAST ON PAPER. BUT NO ONE HERE IS UNDER ANY ILLUSION THAT THE CITY'S REUNIFICATION IS AT HAND.

    LAST WEEK'S AGREEMENT HAS CLEARLY BROUGHT RELIEF TO ORDINARY PEOPLE IN MOSTAR, MUSLIM AND CROAT ALIKE.

    BEFORE THE ACCORD, THERE WAS GENUINE PANIC HERE, SAID ONE EUROPEAN UNION OFFICIAL, WITH MANY PEOPLE FEARING A FRESH ROUND OF FIGHTING IF THE EUROPEAN ADMINISTRATION HAD CARRIED OUT ITS THREAT TO PULL OUT OF THE CITY. "WE MANAGED TO STAVE OFF DISASTER," SAID THE OFFICIAL, BUT HE QUICKLY ADDED THAT NOTHING HAS REALLY CHANGED.

    THE MUSLIMS AND CROATS WILL LIVE TOGETHER AS LONG AS THE E-U IS HERE, HE SAID, BUT THE WILL TO UNIFY THE CITY DOES NOT EXIST AMONG MOSTAR'S CROAT LEADERS.

    CROAT WEST MOSTAR IS TIGHTLY CONTROLLED BY THE CROATIAN DEMOCRATIC UNION, THE H-D-Z, THE BOSNIAN BRANCH OF THE PARTY LED BY CROATIA'S PRESIDENT FRANJO TUDJMAN.

    THE PARTY FACES LITTLE REAL OPPOSITION IN ANY OF BOSNIA'S CROAT COMMUNITIES. THE FEW CANDIDATES IN WEST MOSTAR WHO STOOD AGAINST THE H-D-Z IN JUNE'S CITY ELECTIONS WERE THREATENED, HARASSED AND, IN AT LEAST ONE CASE, BEATEN.

    THE PARTY IS FIERCELY DEVOTED TO A SEPARATE IDENTITY FOR THE CROATS OF MOSTAR AND THROUGHOUT BOSNIA.

    WE DO NOT WANT A BERLIN WALL IN THE CITY, SAID MILE PULJIC, THE LOCAL H-D-Z LEADER. BUT, HE ADDED, WE DO WANT OUR OWN INSTITUTIONS, OUR OWN SCHOOLS, AND WE WANT TO PRESERVE OUR LANGUAGE AND CULTURE.

    /// OPT // PULJIC ACT - IN SERBO-CROAT ///

    /// OPT ///

    MR. PULJIC SAID THE H-D-Z WOULD PREFER AN INDEPENDENT CROAT STATE IN BOSNIA. "WE WILL ABIDE BY OUR COMMITMENT TO A FEDERATION WITH THE MUSLIMS," HE ADDED, "BUT IT IS A COMMITMENT TO THE UNION OF TWO NATIONS ON THE BASIS OF MUTUAL INTERESTS, AND NOT," HE SAID, "A UNITARY STATE DOMINATED BY THE MUSLIM MAJORITY." /// END OPT ///

    WESTERN OBSERVERS HERE SAY THE ATTITUDE OF THE CROAT LEADERSHIP APPEARS TO BE HARDENING, AMID EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY'S PRESENCE AND HOLD OVER ITS TRADITIONAL STRONGHOLD IN THE ROCKY HILLS OF HERZEGOVINA.

    AGAINST THAT BACKDROP, E-U OFFICIALS SEE LITTLE CHANCE THAT THEIR TWO YEAR OLD EFFORT TO REUNITE MOSTAR WILL BE CROWNED WITH SUCCESS ANY TIME SOON.

    FURTHER ATTEMPTS ARE TO BE MADE IN COMING WEEKS TO UNITE THE CROAT AND MUSLIM POLICE FORCES. BUT E-U OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ALREADY ENCOUNTERING FRESH CROAT RESISTENCE.

    OF EVEN GREATER CONCERN FOR THESE OFFICIALS IS THE GROWING NUMBER OF EXPULSIONS OF MUSLIM RESIDENTS FROM CROAT WEST MOSTAR. HOWARD FOX IS THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE EUROPEAN POLICE CONTINGENT.

    /// FOX ACT ///

    I THINK THE THING WHICH IS ALARMING US MOST AT THE MOMENT IS THE REGULARITY OF EXPELLING CASES -- OF RESIDENTS IN WEST MOSTAR, USUALLY MUSLIMS, WHO HAVE BEEN EXPELLED FROM THEIR APARTMENTS AND LEFT HOMELESS. WE HAVE HAD 35 CASES OF THAT IN 1996. WE FEEL THAT THE FREQUENCY IS INCREASING, AND IT IS A REAL CAUSE FOR CONCERN FOR US.

    /// END ACT ///

    SENAD EVICA, A RESPECTED MUSLIM BROADCASTER IN EAST MOSTAR, SAID LAST WEEK'S ACCORD HELPED EASE CROAT-MUSLIM TENSIONS FOR THE TIME BEING, BUT HE HAS NO DOUBT IT WILL BE ONLY A BRIEF RESPITE.

    /// EVICA ACT - IN SERBO-CROAT ///

    MR. EVICA BELIEVES ONLY SUSTAINED PRESSURE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE UNITED STATES, CAN RESOLVE THE IMPASSE HERE, AND EVENTUALLY PERSUADE CROAT LEADERS TO ACCEPT MOSTAR'S REUNIFICATION. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DR/JWH/MMK
    13-Aug-96 2:02 PM EDT (1802 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [08] TURKEY PAKISTAN (L-ONLY) BY DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN (ISLAMABAD)

    DATE=8/13/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201642
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: IN PAKISTAN, THE VISITING TURKISH PRIME MINISTER HAS HELD TALKS WITH HIS PAKISTANI COUNTERPART ON MATTERS INCLUDING KASHMIR AND TRADE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ISLAMABAD DOUGLAS BAKSHIAN IS FOLLOWING DEVELOPMENTS.

    TEXT: PAKISTAN'S NEWS AGENCY SAYS PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN (NEJ'METTIN AIR'BAKAN) HELD EXTENSIVE TALKS WITH PRIME MINISTER BENAZIR BHUTTO IN THE PAKISTANI CAPITAL.

    ECONOMIC ISSUES WERE HIGH ON THE AGENDA AND THE AGENCY REPORTS BOTH LEADERS DECIDED TO FORM A JOINT INVESTMENT COUNCIL AND TO EXCHANGE BUSINESS DELEGATIONS. IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR, PAKISTAN AND TURKEY HAD OVER 200-MILLION DOLLARS IN BILATERAL TRADE.

    THE PRIME MINISTERS ALSO REVIEWED THE KASHMIR DISPUTE BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN, AND THEN TOOK PART IN A MEETING BY A SPECIAL KASHMIR PANEL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE, OR O-I-C.

    PAKISTAN'S NEWS AGENCY REPORTS MR. ERBAKAN TOLD THE PANEL THAT ELECTIONS IN INDIAN KASHMIR ARE NOT AN ALTERNATIVE TO A U-N MANDATED PLEBISCITE. PRIME MINISTER BHUTTO, FOR HER PART, CONDEMNED WHAT SHE CALLED THE DASTARDLY DEEDS OF INDIAN SECURITY FORCES IN KASHMIR.

    INDIA RECENTLY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO HOLD STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS NEXT MONTH IN ITS SIDE OF KASHMIR. PAKISTAN HAS SAID OBJECTIVE BALLOTING CAN NOT TAKE PLACE WHILE INDIAN SECURITY FOCES ARE HEAVILY DEPLOYED IN THE AREA.

    INDIA AND PAKISTAN HAVE FOUGHT TWO WARS OVER KASHMIR, A DISPUTED TERRITORY THAT IS DIVIDED BETWEEN THEM. INDIA ACCUSES PAKISTAN OF ARMING KASHMIRI MILITANTS--ISLAMABAD DENIES THIS.

    THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER IS SCHEDULED TO FINISH HIS PAKISTANI VISIT WEDNESDAY AFTER TAKING PART IN THE COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAB/MMK
    13-Aug-96 10:42 AM EDT (1442 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [09] TURKEY'S GAS DEAL WITH IRAN BY FRANCIS RONALDS (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=8/13/96
    TYPE=CLOSEUP
    NUMBER=4-09344
    TELEPHONE=619-3937
    EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES
    CONTENT= // INSERTS AVAILABLE IN AUDIO SERVICES //

    INTRO: THE U-S STATE DEPARTMENT HAS REACTED SHARPLY TO NEWS THAT THE NEW PRIME MINISTER OF TURKEY, ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY LEADER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN, HAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO BUY 23-BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF NATURAL GAS FROM IRAN, STARTING IN 1999. THE DEAL COULD BRING AMERICAN SANCTIONS UNDER A LAW SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON JUST LAST WEEK, AIMED AT DISCOURAGING FOREIGN COMPANIES FROM INVESTING IN IRAN OR LIBYA. THE UNITED STATES ACCUSES BOTH COUNTRIES OF FOSTERING TERRORISM IN THE NEAR EAST AND AROUND THE WORLD. WITH BACKGROUND, HERE IS FRANK RONALDS. HOST: ANKARA CLAIMS THAT THE GAS DEAL DOES NOT VIOLATE THE SANCTIONS LAW, SINCE NO INVESTMENTS IN IRAN ARE INVOLVED. TURKEY WOULD BUILD A PIPELINE TO TRANSPORT THE GAS ON ITS OWN TERRITORY, AT THE COST OF ABOUT ONE-POINT-TWO BILLION DOLLARS, AND IRAN WOULD BUILD A SHORTER PIPELINE ON ITS OWN TERRITORY. BUT ROBERT EBEL IS NOT CONVINCED BY THAT REASONING. MR. EBEL IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE ENERGY AND NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAM AT THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN WASHINGTON, D-C.

    TAPE: CUT ONE -- EBEL "THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT OPPOSES ANY ACTIONS WHICH COULD BRING MATERIAL AID AND COMFORT TO IRAN, WHICH WOULD IMPROVE THEIR FINANCIAL CAPABILITY TO SUPPORT TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, AND CERTAINLY A LONG-TERM CONTRACT TO SELL NATURAL GAS TO TURKEY WOULD FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY." HOST: MR. EBEL NOTES THAT THE SANCTIONS BILL WAS PASSED BY AN OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN VOTE IN CONGRESS. EMOTIONS RUN HIGH IN THE UNITED STATES RIGHT NOW, DUE TO THE RECENT TERRORIST ATTACK ON AMERICAN SERVICEMEN IN SAUDI ARABIA AND THE EXPLOSION AND CRASH LAST MONTH OF A T-W-A 747 PASSENGER AIRLINER, POSSIBLY THE RESULT OF A TERRORIST BOMB. TURKEY IS ENERGY-SHORT, MR. EBEL SAYS, AND THERE ARE GOOD REASONS WHY IT WOULD LIKE AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF NATURAL GAS. BUT THE SIGNING OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH IRAN COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A WORSE TIME:

    TAPE: CUT TWO -- EBEL "TURKEY NEEDS TO IMPORT NATURAL GAS TO MEET ITS CURRENT AND FUTURE REQUIREMENTS AND DOES NOT WANT TO DEPEND UPON GAS COMING FROM ONE SOURCE, SAY RUSSIA. BUT I THINK THAT THE TIMING OF THIS AGREEMENT IS ATROCIOUS, PARTICULARLY WHEN THERE IS SOME CONCERN IN THE UNITED STATES ABOUT THE INTERNAL POLITICS IN TURKEY WHERE WE ARE QUESTIONING WHETHER THE TURKEY OF TODAY AND TOMORROW WILL BE THE VALUED NATO ALLY THAT IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST." HOST: IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS LAST DECEMBER, THE ISLAMIC WELFARE PARTY OF NECMETTIN ERBAKAN WON MORE THAN 21-POINT-THREE PERCENT OF THE VOTES, COMPARED TO 19-POINT-SIX PERCENT AND 19-POINT-TWO PERCENT FOR THE MAJOR SECULAR PARTIES, THE TRUE PATH PARTY AND THE MOTHERLAND PARTY. A COALITION FORMED BY THE LATTER TWO PARTIES COLLAPSED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND A NEW COALITION WAS FORMED BETWEEN THE WELFARE PARTY AND THE TRUE PATH PARTY JUST LAST MONTH. SO, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE 73-YEAR HISTORY OF THE TURKISH REPUBLIC, TURKEY HAS AN ISLAMIST PRIME MINISTER, ALTHOUGH HIS NEW COALITION IS A SHAKY ONE.

    ASIDE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL REPERCUSSIONS OF THE GAS DEAL, ROBERT EBEL DOUBTS THAT TURKEY AND IRAN CAN RAISE THE MONEY TO FINANCE THE NEW PIPELINES:

    TAPE: CUT THREE -- EBEL "IT'S HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE, WHEN I LOOK AT THE PRESENT ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES IN TURKEY AND IRAN, THAT THEY COULD FINANCE IT USING THEIR OWN CAPABILITIES. THEY WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO GO TO INTERNATIONAL LENDING INSTITUTIONS, AND GIVEN THE U-S ATTITUDE TOWARD IRAN THESE DAYS, I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT IN STATING THAT THE U-S GOVERNMENT PROBABLY WOULD INTERVENE TO MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE TO SECURE OUTSIDE FINANCING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THAT PIPELINE." HOST: A STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN, GLYN DAVIES, SAYS THAT THE DETAILS OF THE NATURAL GAS CONTRACT WOULD HAVE TO BE STUDIED BEFORE THE UNITED STATES CAN DECIDE IF SANCTIONS SHOULD BE APPLIED. (SIGNED)
    NEB/FSR/PCH
    13-Aug-96 10:30 AM EDT (1430 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [10] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-O) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

    DATE=8/13/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-201650
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE U-N YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HEARD FURTHER TESTIMONY TUESDAY IN THE CASE AGAINST BOSNIAN-SERB DUSAN TADIC, PLACING HIM AT THE OMARSKA PRISON CAMP IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA. MR. TADIC IS ACCUSED OF COMMITTING MURDER AND TORTURE AT BOSNIAN PRISON CAMPS, INCLUDING OMARSKA -- CHARGES HE DENIES. AS GILLIAN SHARPE REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE, THE COURT HAS GONE INTO PRIVATE SESSION.

    TEXT: TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR OLD EMSUD VELIC WAS ONE OF MANY PROSECUTION WITNESSES WHO KNEW DUSAN TADIC BEFORE THE WAR. AS A FREQUENT VISITOR TO MR. TADIC'S CAFE IN THE TOWN OF KOZARAC, MR. VELIC SAYS HE KNEW HIM WELL ENOUGH TO IDENTITY HIM WHEN HE SAW HIM AT THE OMARSKA PRISON CAMP.

    THE WITNESS TOLD THE COURT HE SAW MR. TADIC STANDING IN THE DOORWAY AT OMARSKA AS PRISONERS WERE CALLED OUT OF THE ROOM. HE SAID HE HEARD SCREAMING SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. BUT LIKE SO MANY OTHER PROSECUTION WITNESSES, MR. VELIC CAN ONLY PUT MR. TADIC AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME AND CANNOT GIVE DIRECT EVIDENCE ABOUT WHAT HE ACTUALLY DID.

    DEFENSE LAWYER STEPHEN KAYE WANTED TO KNOW WHY THERE WERE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN WHAT THE WITNESS HAD SAID IN MARCH TO TRIBUNAL INVESTIGATORS, AND WHAT HE WAS SAYING NOW.

    /// ACT OF KAYE AND VELIC ///

    VELIC: I ALREADY TOLD YOU (OF) MY CIRCUMSTANCES BEFORE THAT STATEMENT. I HAD NO TIME TO PREPARE MYSELF FOR THAT STATEMENT. I WAS TIRED AND I HAD TO GIVE THAT STATEMENT IN VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. MAYBE I PUT SOME THINGS I DID NOT MEAN TO SAY, BUT JUST WENT OUT.

    KAYE: DO YOU OFTEN DO THAT -- SAY THINGS YOU DO NOT MEAN TO SAY?

    VELIC: NO, NO.

    KAY: SAY THINGS THAT WERE TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THEY WERE?

    WITNESS: NO.

    /// END ACT ///

    THE COURT HAS NOW BEGUN HEARING EVIDENCE IN PRIVATE FROM A WITNESS WHO -- TO PROTECT HIS IDENTITY -- IS KNOWN ONLY BY THE INITIAL "L". THE MAN WAS A GUARD AT THE TRNOPOLJE PRISON CAMP IN NORTHWEST BOSNIA -- ONE OF THE CAMPS WHERE DUSAN TADIC IS ACCUSED OF COMMITTING WAR CRIMES. WITNESS "L" HAS ALREADY BEEN CONVICTED IN A BOSNIAN COURT FOR WHAT ARE TERMED "SERIOUS CRIMES" COMMITTED AT THE CAMP, AND SAYS HE IS AFRAID HARM MIGHT COME TO HIS FAMILY IF HIS IDENTITY IS KNOWN.

    THE TEXT OF WHAT WITNESS "L" HAD TO SAY WILL ONLY BE RELEASED AFTER IT IS EDITED TO REMOVE ANY REFERENCES WHICH MIGHT IDENTIFY THE WITNESS. SOURCES CLOSE TO THE DEFENSE SAY AFTER WITNESS "L," THERE ARE ONLY TWO MORE WITNESSES TO BE HEARD BEFORE THE PROSECUTION'S CASE DRAWS TO A CLOSE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/GS/PCF/RAE
    13-Aug-96 11:54 AM EDT (1554 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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