Voice of America, 96-08-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY GARY EDQUIST (WASHINGTON)

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

[03] CYPRUS / FUNERAL BY JENNIFER GRIFFIN (PARALIMNI, CYPRUS)

[04] CYPRUS UNREST (L ONLY) BY JENNIFER GRIFFIN (NICOSIA)

[05] THE SERBS & THE MEDIA BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[06] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

[07] U-S / BOSNIA ELECTIONS (S-O) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

[08] US / CYPRUS VIOLENCE (S-O) BY DAVID GOLLUST (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[01] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY GARY EDQUIST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATING CONVENTION IS NOW HISTORY. MEETING THIS WEEK IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, THE REPUBLICANS CONFIRMED BOB DOLE AND JACK KEMP AS THEIR CANDIDATES TO OPPOSE PRESIDENT CLINTON AND VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE IN THE NOVEMBER 5TH NATIONAL ELECTION. THE SAN DIEGO GATHERING AND MR. DOLE'S THURSDAY EVENING ACCEPTANCE SPEECH LEAD MOST OF THE EDITORIAL PAGES OF THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS __________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE ATLANTA [GEORGIA] CONSTITUTION REPEATS WHAT MANY POLITICAL OBSERVERS HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR SOME TIME: THAT BOB DOLE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO DELIVER "THE BEST SPEECH OF HIS LIFE THURSDAY AT THE 36TH REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION. HE DID," SAYS THE NEWSPAPER. IT GOES ON TO OBSERVE:

VOICE: "THE THEME OF CHARACTER PLAYED WELL WITH THE GOP DELEGATES. [MR.] DOLE'S SPEECH ADVANCED THE CONVENTIONS'S TWO MAIN OBJECTIVES: TO SHOW AMERICANS A PARTY THAT LOOKED UNIFIED -- EVEN IF ONLY ON T-V -- AND TO GIVE THE G-O-P A FIGHTING CHANCE IN NOVEMBER."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES HAS A DIFFERENT VIEW, WRITING THAT MR. DOLE'S SPEECH -- IN THE PAPER'S WORDS -- "READ MORE LIKE A STUMP MEDLEY [I.E. ORDINARY POLITICAL SPEECH] THAN A VISIONARY ADDRESS." THEY ADD:

VOICE: "MR. DOLE OFFERED UP AN ASSORTMENT OF BITS AND PIECES, INCLUDING A DISHONEST ANALYSIS OF DEFENSE SPENDING, A CHURLISH ATTACK ON TEACHERS' UNIONS AND STANDARD SLASHES AT LIBERAL JUDGES, VIOLENT CRIMINALS AND GOVERNMENT BUREAUCRACIES. THE MORE LOFTY PORTIONS ABOUT THE PARTY'S LINCOLN HERITAGE SEEMED OBILATORY, RATHER THAN CENTRAL."

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR NOTES THAT BOB DOLE HAS A "LONG ROAD AHEAD" IN HIS BATTLE TO WIN THE WHITE HOUSE. THE MONITOR WRITES:

VOICE: "IN ORDER TO WIN THE ELECTION, THE DOLE CAMPAIGN WILL HAVE TO CONVINCE VOTERS THAT THE KANSAN [DOLE] IS AN ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE TO PRESIDENT CLINTON. [OPT] ... [MR.] DOLE AND HIS ADVISERS MUST LET THE PUBLIC GET TO KNOW THE 'REAL' BOB DOLE -- NOT THE ANGRY WISCREACKER PEOPLE HAVE COME TO KNOW FROM T-V NEWS SOUND BITES, BUT THE MAN FROM SMALL TOWN AMERICA, THE MAN WHO OVERCAME GREAT ADVERSITY, THE WARM MAN KNOWN TO THOSE CLOSE TO HIM, THE MAN OF INTEGRITY." [END OPT]

TEXT: IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, THE NATIONALLY-DISTRIBUTED USA TODAY HEADLINES: [MR.] "DOLE REACHES FOR [POLITICAL] CENTER; NOW THE ISSUE IS TRUST." AND IT ADDS:

VOICE: "BOB DOLE HEADS OUT TODAY ON THE FIRST LEG OF A GENERAL-ELECTION CAMPAIGN THAT ONCE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A REPUBLICAN WALTZ [I.E. EASY FIGHT]. INSTEAD, DESPITE A CONVENTION BOOST [IN THE PUBLIC OPINION POLLS], IT'S AN UPHILL BATTLE -- [MR.] DOLE'S TOUGHEST SINCE HIS COMBACK FROM BEING LEFT FOR DEAD ON A WORLD WAR TWO BATTLEFIELD."

TEXT: IT HAS BEEN NEARLY A MONTH SINCE TWA FLIGHT 800 EXPLODED AND FELL FROM THE SKY SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING NEW YORK CITY'S KENNEDY AIRPORT, BOUND FOR PARIS. THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE JULY 17TH CRASH REMAINS A MYSTERY, ALTHOUGH MANY SUSPECT A BOMB. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER WRITES THAT, "AFTER FLIGHT 800, THE U-S SHOULD ACT FORCEFULLY TO BREAK ITS HABIT OF SCRIMPING ON AIRPORT SECURITY." THE EDITORIAL GOES ON TO SAY:

VOICE: "INCREDIBLY, THE BEST BOMB DETECTION EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE, NOW IN USE AT MANY EUROPEAN AIRPORTS AND IN JAPAN, IS NOT BEING USED BY MOST MAJOR U-S AIRPORTS. ... THIS MUST CHANGE QUICKLY. ... IT'S TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BECOME A FULL PARTNER IN TRYING TO PREVENT TERROR IN THE SKIES."

TEXT: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL IN ITS FRIDAY LEAD EDITORIAL ADVISES, "GET SERIOUS ABOUT TURKEY." ON MONDAY [8/12], TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER NECMETTIN ERBAKAN SIGNED A 23-BILLION-DOLLAR DEAL TO PURCHASE NATURAL GAS FROM IRAN. THE JOURNAL WRITES:

VOICE: "WITH THE STROKE OF A PEN, HE AT ONCE DELIVERED A SLAP IN THE FACE TO THE U-S AND ITS NEW ANTI-TERRORISM LAWS, AND RELIEVED EUROPE OF A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY BY SAYING OPENLY WHAT MANY EUROPEAN POLITICIANS SAY IN PRIVATE: THAT TURKEY'S FUTURE IS IN THE EAST, NOT WITHIN THE EUROPEAN UNION."

TEXT: AND THAT COMMENT FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF AMERICAN EDITORIAL COMMENT FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 16TH.
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16-Aug-96 10:30 AM EDT (1430 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE OFFICIAL RESPONSIBLE FOR NATION-WIDE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA HAS REJECTED CALLS TO DELAY THE VOTING. THE DIPLOMAT, ROBERT FROWICK, SAYS HE BELIEVES MORE PEOPLE THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT WILL CROSS ETHNIC LINES TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS ON SEPTEMBER 14TH, AND HE SAYS THE RULING BOSNIAN SERB PARTY COULD LOSE THE ELECTION TO MORE MODERATE PARTIES. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: AMBASSADOR FROWICK ADMITS NONE OF THE MAIN REQUIREMENTS THAT WERE SET OUT EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR THE HOLDING OF FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA HAS YET BEEN MET. BUT, DESPITE SUCH PROBLEMS, HE REJECTS CALLS FROM INTERNATIONAL MONITORING GROUPS TO DELAY NEXT MONTH'S ELECTIONS.

I THINK WE HAD TO BITE THE BULLET AND MAKE THAT DECISION IN JUNE, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING BE REVISITED, UNLESS THERE IS A MAJOR OUTBREAK OF VIOLENCE OR WAR.

AMBASSADOR FROWICK SAYS HIS GOAL NOW IS ONLY TO HOLD "REASONABLY DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS" WHICH WILL SERVE AS A STARTING POINT FOR BUILDING COUNTRY-WIDE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN BOSNIA.

OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO ENFORCE RULES THAT ALLOW OPEN CAMPAIGNING AND THEY ARE WORKING TO PREVENT VIOLENCE ON ELECTION DAY AS REFUGEES RETURN TO THEIR FORMER TOWNS TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

ON THURSDAY INTERIOR MINISTERS FROM ALL THREE ETHNIC GROUPS SIGNED A UNITED NATIONS SPONSORED AGREEMENT PROMISING THAT POLICE WILL ARREST ANYONE TRYING TO DISRUPT POLITICAL MEETINGS OR TRYING TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM VOTING ON ELECTION DAY.

VIOLENT INCIDENTS PERSIST HOWEVER, AND THE UNITED NATIONS SPOKESMAN, ALEX IVANKO, SAYS SUCH PROMISES HAVE BEEN MADE BEFORE.

OF COURSE, IN BOSNIA, ANY PAPER THAT IS SIGNED DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT WILL MATERIALIZE ON THE GROUND, AND IT WILL FILTER DOWN TO THE LOCAL LEVEL, BUT ONE HAS TO TRY TO DO THEIR BEST TO TRY TO ENSURE FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

IT SEEMS IT WILL BE UP TO NATO TROOPS ON THE GROUND HERE IN BOSNIA TO KEEP THE PEACE ON ELECTION DAY, AND AMBASSADOR FROWICK SAYS THERE IS GROWING PRESSURE FROM NATO POLITICAL LEADERS IN BRUSSELS FOR NATO TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE SECURITY ROLE.

FROM BRUSSELS, CERTAINLY, THE EFFORT IS TO BUILD UP THE EFFORT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. ON THE GROUND HERE, THOSE THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT WILL HAVE TO WORK OUT THE ACTUAL APPROACH TO THE MATTER AND IT'LL TAKE SOME DOING.

SENIOR ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY NATO COMMANDERS HERE ARE RESISTING SUCH INVOLVEMENT, INSISTING THEIR TROOPS ARE NOT A POLICE FORCE, AND WILL NOT PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL SECURITY FOR VOTERS CROSSING ETHNIC LINES.

THERE MAY BE MORE OF A CONTEST THAN PEOPLE REALIZE, WITH THE BANJA LUKA OPPOSITION GROUPS PERHAPS GATHERING CONSIDERABLE MOMENTUM BEFORE LONG, AND IT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE TO SAY AT THE MOMENT WHO'S GOING TO WIN THIS CONTEST.

OFFICIALS SAY THAT BY EXERCISING ITS CONTROL OVER THE POLICE AND THE MEDIA, THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP IS MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO INTIMIDATE OPPOSITION POLITICIANS AND DISRUPT OPPOSITION CAMPAIGNING. WHILE SERB LEADERS ARE CLEARLY NERVOUS ABOUT THE ELECTION, FOR THE MOMENT AT LEAST, THEY ARE KEEPING A FIRM GRIP ON POWER. (SIGNED)
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16-Aug-96 9:02 AM EDT (1302 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CYPRUS / FUNERAL BY JENNIFER GRIFFIN (PARALIMNI, CYPRUS)

INTRO: IN CYPRUS, THOUSANDS OF MOURNERS TURNED OUT FOR A STATE FUNERAL FRIDAY TO BURY SOLOMOS SOLOMOU, THE 26-YEAR-OLD GREEK CYPRIOT KILLED EARLIER THIS WEEK WHEN TURKISH TROOPS OPENED FIRE ON A GROUP OF DEMONSTRATORS INSIDE THE U-N GUARDED BUFFER ZONE. FROM PARALIMNI, CYPRUS, JENNIFER GRIFFIN REPORTS IT WAS THE SECOND FATAL INCIDENT THIS WEEK ALONG THE GREEN LINE THAT DIVIDES ETHNIC GREEKS FROM TURKS.

TEXT: OUTSIDE THE HOME OF MR. SOLOMOU, MOURNERS GATHERED TO PAY THEIR LAST RESPECTS. MANY FILED THROUGH THE LIVING ROOM OF THE FAMILY'S MODEST HOME IN THE REFUGEE TOWNSHIP ATTACHED TO PARALIMNI, A TOWN BORDERING THE COUNTRY'S GREEN LINE ABOUT 60 KILOMETERS SOUTHEAST OF NICOSIA. THE GREEK AND CYPRIOT FLAGS STOOD OUTSIDE THE FAMILY'S HOUSE.

A YOUNG MAN WEARING A BLACK T-SHIRT AND SHORTS BEGAN SHOUTING IN ANGER -- AS IF TO MR. SOLOMOU WHOSE LIFELESS BODY LAY BENEATH A GLASS-COVERED CASKET IN THE FAMILY'S LIVING ROOM. MR. SOLOMOU DIED TRYING TO TEAR DOWN THE TURKISH FLAG AT A POST INSIDE THE BUFFER ZONE.

THE YOUNG MAN IS SHOUTING, "I WILL PULL DOWN THE FLAG THAT YOU COULDN'T PULL DOWN," AND THE WOMEN ARE SHOUTING "NO, NO, NO."

MARIOS APOSTELIDES WAS FRIENDS WITH MR. SOLOMOU. THE TWO MEN SERVED IN THE ARMY TOGETHER. BOTH ARE REFUGEES FROM NORTHERN CYPRUS. THEIR FAMILIES WERE FORCED TO FLEE WHEN TURKISH TROOPS INVADED AND OCCUPIED THE NORTHERN ONE-THIRD OF THE ISLAND IN 1974. THE INVASION FOLLOWED A BRIEF COUP BACKED BY A MILITARY JUNTA IN ATHENS AND DESIGNED TO UNITE CYPRUS WITH GREECE.

MR. APOSTELIDES CRIES OUT IN FRUSTRATION THAT HE WANTS TO RETURN TO HIS FAMILY'S LAND IN THE NORTH.

HE SAYS THEY WON'T ALLOW US TO GO AGAIN BUT WE ARE DETERMINED TO DO IT (MAN IN GREEK). IT HAS BEEN 22 YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN WAITING TO GO BACK.

SOLOMOU'S FATHER STERNLY TELLS THE YOUNG MAN NOT TO VISIT TO THE GREEN LINE WHERE HIS SON WAS KILLED AND NOT TO TRY TO RETURN TO HIS FAMILY'S LAND IN THE NORTH WHICH IS NOW UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE TURKS.

TURKISH TROOPS GUARDING THE GREEN LINE SHOT MR. SOLOMOU WEDNESDAY. HE AND SEVERAL HUNDRED MOURNERS FORCED THEIR WAY PAST UNARMED U-N PEACEKEEPERS INTO THE BUFFER ZONE, AND BEGAN PELTING THE TURKISH SIDE WITH STONES. THE MOURNERS WERE RETURNING FROM A FUNERAL FOR MR. SOLOMOU'S COUSIN, WHO WAS KILLED BY A TURKISH MOB INSIDE THE BUFFER ZONE SUNDAY.

AS NEIGHBORS AND RELATIVES LEANED OVER THE CASKET TO SEE MR. SOLOMOU FOR THE LAST TIME, DISTRAUGHT WOMEN WAILED IN ANGUISH AS YOUNG MEN SHOUTED THEIR REVENGE. A HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE AND A LATE CEREMONY WERE DESIGNED TO DISCOURAGE ANY MORE DEMONSTRATIONS.

SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE PACKED THE SQUARE AROUND ST. GEORGE CATHEDRAL IN PARALIMNI WHERE THE STATE FUNERAL FOR MR. SOLOMOU TOOK PLACE. THE MOURNERS WAVED CYPRIOT FLAGS AND THOSE OF THEIR ALLY GREECE.

THEY CHEERED THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO ARRIVED TO TAKE PART IN THE CEREMONY, WHICH WAS LED BY THE ARCHBISHOP CHRYSOSTOMOS, WHO HEADS THE CYPRUS ORTHODOX CHURCH.

WHILE GREEK CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFCOS CLERIDES HAS CALLED ON PROTESTERS TO RESPECT THE U-N BUFFER ZONE AND ISSUED A TWO-DAY BAN ON DEMONSTRATIONS, THE ARCHBISHOP HAS CALLED MR. SOLOMOU AND HIS COUSIN HEROES AND ENCOURAGED OTHER CYPRIOTS TO FOLLOW THEIR LEAD.

BUT ANOTHER COUSIN OF MR. SOLOMOU, COSTAS PISHIAS, SAYS THE FAMILY IS ANGRY THAT MR. SOLOMOU HAD TO LOSE HIS LIFE IN ORDER TO HIGHLIGHT THE UNRESOLVED DISPUTE.

THE FAMILY FEEL PROUD AND BITTER AT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE SOLOMOU DID THE RIGHT THING TO PUT THE FLAG OF SHAME DOWN. BUT HE PAID WITH HIS LIFE.

[04] CYPRUS UNREST (L ONLY) BY JENNIFER GRIFFIN (NICOSIA)

INTRO: THE FUNERAL FOR THE GREEK CYPRIOT KILLED WEDNESDAY BY TURKISH TROOPS WILL BE HELD LATE FRIDAY, IN A CATHEDRAL NEAR THE COUNTRY'S DIVIDING GREEN LINE WHERE THE 26-YEAR-OLD DEMONSTRATOR WAS SHOT TRYING TO TEAR DOWN THE TURKISH FLAG. JENNIFER GRIFFIN IN NICOSIA REPORTS THE FUNERAL WAS SCHEDULED LATE IN THE DAY, IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID MORE DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE GREEN LINE.

TEXT: THE GREEK CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT BANNED ALL DEMONSTRATIONS FOR TWO DAYS IN ORDER TO PREVENT A REPEAT OF WEDNESDAY'S PROTEST, WHICH LED TO CLASHES IN THE BUFFER ZONE THAT HAS SEPARATED GREEKS FROM TURKS SINCE 1974. THE VICTIM WEDNESDAY WAS THE SECOND MAN KILLED IN THE BUFFER ZONE THIS WEEK.

WEDNESDAY'S SHOOTING HAPPENED WHEN MOURNERS FORCED THEIR WAY INTO THE U-N GUARDED BUFFER ZONE FOLLOWING THE FUNERAL FOR TASSOS ISAAC, A 24-YEAR-OLD GREEK CYPRIOT WHO WAS KILLED SUNDAY BY A TURKISH MOB.

THE LATEST FLARE-UP IN THE ONGOING CONFLICT BETWEEN ETHNIC GREEKS AND TURKS IN CYPRUS BEGAN WHEN SEVERAL HUNDRED EUROPEAN MOTORCYCLISTS JOINED A GROUP OF GREEK CYPRIOT BIKERS SUNDAY TO DEMONSTRATE AGAINST THE ISLAND'S DIVISION. THE PROTESTERS ENTERED THE BUFFER ZONE, THROWING STONES ACROSS A BARBED WIRE BARRICADE AT TURKISH TROOPS AND CIVILIANS.

MR. ISAAC WAS KILLED BY TURKISH CIVILIANS THROWING STONES AND WIELDING BATS. HIS COUSIN, SOLOMOS SOLOMOU WAS SHOT BY TURKISH TROOPS IN THE BUFFER ZONE WEDNESDAY.

THE U-N AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE CRITICIZED THE TURKS FOR USING WHAT THEY CALL EXCESSIVE FORCE IN RESPONSE TO THE DEMONSTRATORS. GREEK CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFCOS CLERIDES HAS ASKED THE DEMONSTRATORS NOT TO ENTER THE BUFFER ZONE. BUT TEMPERS ARE SOARING, AND THE TWO COUSINS ARE BEING CALLED NATIONAL HEROES.

MR. SOLOMOU'S FAMILY FLED THE NORTHERN TOWN OF FAMAGUSTA WHEN THE TURKISH ARMY INVADED THE NORTHERN PART OF THE ISLAND IN 1974. THE INVASION FOLLOWED A SHORT-LIVED COUP BACKED BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT, DESIGNED TO UNITE CYPRUS WITH GREECE. (SIGNED) NEB/JG/JWH/TMS/MMK
16-Aug-96 6:38 AM EDT (1038 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] THE SERBS & THE MEDIA BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A LEADING AMERICAN REPORTER ON BOSNIA SAYS PRESS COVERAGE IS TOO SLANTED AGAINST THE SERBS. OTHERS DISAGREE. V-O-A'S ED WARNER REPORTS ON THE DISAGREEMENT OVER WESTERN REPORTING ABOUT THE CONFLICT IN BOSNIA.

TEXT: THE MEDIA HAS BEEN UNFAIR TO THE SERBS, SAYS DAVID BINDER, A CORRESPONDENT FOR "THE NEW YORK TIMES." THROUGHOUT THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT, HE SAYS, SERBS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY PORTRAYED AS THE VILLAINS, WHILE CROATIAN AND MUSLIM ATROCITIES ARE LITTLE NOTED.

IN AN ARTICLE IN THE "MEDITERRANEAN QUARTERLY," MR. BINDER CITES TWO INCIDENTS, IN PARTICULAR, WHERE THE PRESS HAS BLAMED THE SERBS WITHOUT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE: THE MASSACRE OF CIVILIANS AT SREBRENICA IN JULY, 1995, AND THE SUBSEQUENT SHELLING OF THE SARAJEVO MARKETPLACE THAT LED TO THE NATO AIR ATTACK ON THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

MR. BINDER SAYS THE PRESS HAS "REGURGITATED HORROR STORIES AND NUMBERS OF VICTIMS SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF ALLEGATIONS FROM THE MUSLIM SIDE, WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST INDEPENDENT EFFORT TO SOLICIT THE SERBIAN VERSION OF THE EVENTS."

MR. BINDER ADDS THE MEDIA ARE QUICK TO ACCUSE BOSNIAN SERBS OF WAR CRIMES, BUT OVERLOOK SIMILAR ACTS BY CROATS AND MUSLIMS, WHO ALSO REMAIN AT LARGE.

GEORGE ZARYCKY, A SPECIALIST FOR EAST CENTRAL EUROPE AT FREEDOM HOUSE IN NEW YORK, SAYS THERE IS SOME TRUTH TO DAVID BINDER'S ACCUSATIONS. HE NOTES THE CASE OF MOSTAR, WHERE SERBS HAVE BEEN FORCIBLY EXPELLED WITHOUT MUCH MEDIA ATTENTION. HE SAYS CROATIAN WAR CRIMINALS HAVE BEEN LARGELY IGNORED BY THE PRESS. BUT HE THINKS SREBRENICA WAS CLEARLY A SERBIAN ATROCITY.

IF THERE IS AN IMBALANCE IN PRESS COVERAGE, SAYS MR. ZARYCKY, IT HAS SOME JUSTIFICATION:

THE SERBS, BACKED BY THE BELGRADE REGIME, WERE THE AGGRESSORS IN THIS CONFLICT. THEY STILL STAND TO BENEFIT FROM WHAT WILL ESSENTIALLY BE, I FEAR, A PARTITION OF BOSNIA. I THINK THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS ABOUT THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS, AND I THINK THEY ARE STACKED IN FAVOR OF THE SERBS. THE SERBS WERE THE FIRST TO IMPLEMENT ETHNIC CLEANSING. THE SERBS HAD PARAMILITARY AND CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS RUNNING AROUND TORCHING VILLAGES AND KILLING CIVILIANS.

BUT OBSERVERS NOTE THAT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD, THE WESTERN PRESS IS LESS CONCERNED WITH MUSLIM SUFFERING. THE IMPOVERISHMENT CAUSED BY THE EMBARGO ON IRAQ, FOR INSTANCE, GOES LARGELY UNREPORTED.

MR. ZARYCKY SAYS THE PRESS MAKES A DISTINCTION BETWEEN MUSLIMS:

WE HAVE NEVER BEEN REALLY TOO UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE QUOTE UNQUOTE SECULAR MUSLIMS, ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN SOME RADICALIZATION IN SOME ELEMENTS. THEY ARE SLAVS WHO HAVE CONVERTED. SO WE MAY BE A LITTLE EASIER ON THEM. WE ARE ALSO FAIRLY POSITIVE ABOUT THE TURKS BECAUSE THEY WERE PURELY A SECULAR SOCIETY. WE MAKE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN SECULAR MUSLIMS AND FUNDAMENTALIST MUSLIMS, AND THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS FALL INTO THE SECULAR CATEGORY.

GEORGE ZARYCKY AND OTHERS POINT OUT THE WEST WANTS TO PREVENT A FUNDAMENTALIST TAKEOVER IN BOSNIA, AND THEREFORE TAKES A MORE TOLERANT VIEW OF THE PRESENT MUSLIM LEADERSHIP. (SIGNED)
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16-Aug-96 1:17 PM EDT (1717 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] U-N WEEK-IN-REVIEW BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

INTRO: MEETINGS AT THE UNITED NATIONS THIS WEEK WERE DOMINATED BY VIOLENCE IN CYPRUS, THE EMBARGO ON IRAQI OIL SALES AND A DISCUSSION ON LANDMINES. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON HAS THE DETAILS FROM OUR NEW YORK BUREAU.

TEXT: FOR IRAQ THE NEWS WAS PROBABLY UNWELCOME. FOLLOWING EARLIER UNITED NATIONS APPROVAL FOR BAGHDAD TO EXPORT TWO BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF OIL, A SENIOR U-N OFFICIAL DISMISSED HOPES FOR AN EARLY START TO THE PLAN. THE OFFICIAL SAID PRELIMINARY WORK ON THE PROJECT HAS STARTED. BUT, HE SAID IT COULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS FOR ACTUAL EXPORTS TO BEGIN.

UNDER THE AGREEMENT IRAQ WILL BE ALLOWED TO EXPORT THE OIL WITHIN A SIX MONTH PERIOD. THE UNITED NATIONS WILL STRICTLY MONITOR THE PROGRAM TO ENSURE THE PROCEEDS ARE USED ONLY FOR THE PURCHASE OF FOOD, MEDICINE AND OTHER HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES.

CYPRUS WAS ON THE U-N AGENDA ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY. U-N SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT TONO EITEL STRONGLY DEPLORED WEEKEND CLASHES BETWEEN GREEK AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS. SEVERAL U-S LAWMAKERS LATER PARTICIPATED IN A NEWS CONFERENCE AT THE UNITED NATIONS AND CRITICIZED TURKEY FOR ITS ROLE IN THE INCIDENT. THEY ALSO CALLED FOR U-S SANCTIONS AGAINST TURKEY TO PUNISH IT FOR TRADING WITH IRAN.

THE COMMENTS REFERRED TO CLASHES THAT WERE TRIGGERED WHEN HUNDREDS OF GREEK CYPRIOT MOTORCYCLISTS PUSHED ACROSS A UNITED NATIONS BUFFER ZONE ON THE ISLAND. THE UNITED NATIONS HAS BEEN TRYING TO REUNITE CYPRUS SINCE 1974, WHEN TURKISH TROOPS LANDED IN THE NORTH AND THE ISLAND WAS EFFECTIVELY PARTITIONED.

A LONG-AWAITED SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING ON LANDMINES RESULTED IN REPEATED CALLS FOR BANS ON PRODUCTION AND EXPORT OF THE WEAPONS AND NEW MEASURES TO REMOVE LANDMINES FROM COUNTRIES WHERE THEY ARE MOST COMMON. REPRESENTATIVES FROM MORE THAN A DOZEN NATIONS DENOUNCED THE PROLIFERATION OF LANDMINES, WHICH NOW TOTAL ABOUT 100 MILLION IN MORE THAN 60 COUNTRIES.

ANGOLA. BOSNIA AND CAMBODIA ARE AMONG THOSE MOST SEVERELY AFFECTED BY THE WEAPONS. SPEAKERS SAID IN COUNTRIES SUCH AS THESE, LANDMINES HAVE A DESTRUCTIVE EFFECT ON CIVILIAN POPULATIONS AND ECONOMIES LONG AFTER CONFLICTS HAVE ENDED.

U-N SPOKESMAN AHMAD FAWZI COMMENTED ON U-S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS, IN THE SECOND SUCH STATEMENT BY A U-N SPOKESMAN DURING THE WEEK. HE RESPONDED TO THE CRITICISM OF U-N SECRETARY GENERAL BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI VOICED BY LEADING REPUBLICANS -- INCLUDING PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE -- AT THE JUST-COMPLETED REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION.

THE SECRETARY GENERAL HAS THE HIGHEST REGARD FOR SENATOR DOLE, THE HIGHEST REGARD AND ADMIRATION FOR SENATOR DOLE, AND CONGRATULATES HIM ON HIS CANDIDACY. IT IS NOT FOR THE SECRETARY GENERAL OR FOR THIS ORGANIZATION TO COMMENT ON ANY POSITION THE CANDIDATE OR HIS PARTY MAY CHOOSE TO TAKE.

EARLIER IN THE WEEK, U-N SPOKESMAN SYLVANA FOA SUGGESTED THE REPUBLICAN POSITION WAS ILL-INFORMED AND INTENDED TO APPEAL TO PEOPLE ALREADY PREJUDICED AGAINST THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, MR. BOUTROS-GHALI HAS BEEN FACING CALLS FROM BOTH DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PARTY LEADERS IN THE UNITED STATES TO STEP DOWN AS SECRETARY GENERAL WHEN HIS TERM EXPIRES AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

THE WEEK AT THE UNITED NATIONS ENDED WITH A NEWS CONFERENCE BY THE ORGANIZATION'S BUDGET-KEEPER, UNDERSECRETARY JOSEPH CONNOR. MR. CONNOR PLEDGED TO REDUCE U-N ADMINISTRATIVE SPENDING BY ALMOST SEVEN PERCENT OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS. CUTS INCLUDE A 15 PERCENT REDUCTION IN PERSONNEL. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/LSF/PT
16-Aug-96 4:28 PM EDT (2028 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S / BOSNIA ELECTIONS (S-O) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS ACKNOWLEDGING THAT NEXT MONTH'S BOSNIAN ELECTIONS WILL FALL SHORT OF MODEL DEMOCRATIC STANDARDS. BUT IT SAYS THE CONDUCT OF THE VOTING WILL -- NONE-THE-LESS -- BE CRUCIAL IF PEACE IN BOSNIA IS TO BE MAINTAINED. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST DETAILS.

TEXT: THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE SEPTEMBER 14TH VOTING IN BOSNIA WILL NOT BE "PRISTINE." BUT IT SAYS THE POLLING MUST GO FORWARD IF A NEW POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IS TO BE FOUND TO LEAD THE COUNTRY AWAY FROM ITS YEARS OF BITTER CONFLICT.

THE COMMENTS WERE IN RESPONSE TO THE STANCE OF BOSNIAN OPPOSITION FIGURE HARIS SILAJDZIC, WHO TOLD SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER THURSDAY IN SARAJEVO HE WAS CONSIDERING AN ELECTION BOYCOTT BECAUSE THE VOTE WOULD ONLY RATIFY BOSNIAN SERB CONTROL OF AREAS FROM WHICH MUSLIMS HAD BEEN DRIVEN OUT.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAID THE VOTE CAN NOT BE CANCELLED OR POSTPONED BECAUSE IT IS CRITICAL TO THE COUNTRY'S POLITICAL FUTURE:

THE ELECTIONS ON SEPTEMBER 14TH ARE THE CENTRAL EVENT IN THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1995 TO DECEMBER 1996. WITHOUT THE ELECTIONS THERE IS NO HOPE -- NO HOPE, WHAT-SO-EVER -- FOR A PEACEFUL AND STABLE BOSNIA.

MR. BURNS SAID NATO-LED PEACEKEEPERS IN BOSNIA WILL HELP CONSTRUCT POLLING PLACES AND PROVIDE SECURITY FOR THE VOTING -- ESPECIALLY IN TOWNS WITH MIXED ETHNIC POPULATIONS. (SIGNED)
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16-Aug-96 5:31 PM EDT (2131 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] US / CYPRUS VIOLENCE (S-O) BY DAVID GOLLUST (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS CALLING ON TURKISH CYPRIOT AUTHORITIES TO PUNISH THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING TWO GREEK CYPRIOT DEMONSTRATORS IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS BUFFER ZONE SUNDAY AND WEDNESDAY. U-S DIPLOMATS ARE TRYING TO DEFUSE TENSIONS ON THE DIVIDED MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: CALLING THE CYPRUS SITUATION VERY WORRISOME, THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS APPEALING FOR RESTRAINT BY THE PARTIES AND IMMEDIATE STEPS TO RESTORE CALM AND PREVENT FURTHER INCURSIONS INTO THE BUFFER ZONE.

SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAID THE UNITED STATES DEPLORES THE DISPROPORTIONATE USE OF FORCE BY TURKISH CYPRIOT TROOPS IN THE TWO INCIDENTS, AND URGED THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FATALITIES BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THE SUNDAY BEATING DEATH OF A GREEK CYPRIOT AND WEDNESDAY'S FATAL SHOOTING OF A PROTESTER WHO TRIED TO TEAR DOWN A TURKISH FLAG HAVE RAISED CYPRUS TENSIONS TO THEIR HIGHEST POINT IN YEARS.

MR. BURNS SAID THE SITUATION WAS NOT HELPED BY TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER TANSU CILLER'S PROMISE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST ANYONE WHO WOULD HARM THE TURKISH FLAG:

FRANKLY, PROTECTION OF A FLAG CANNOT EXCUSE THE HORRIBLE EVENTS OF AUGUST 14TH. HUMAN LIFE AND THE SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE ARE ULTIMATELY MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROTECTING A PIECE OF CLOTH.

THE U-S AMBASSADOR IN CYPRUS KENNETH BRILL MET SEPARATELY FRIDAY WITH GREEK CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES AND TURKISH CYPRIOT LEADER RAUF DENKTASH TO TRY TO DEFUSE TENSIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB / DAG / BD/PT
16-Aug-96 4:38 PM EDT (2038 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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