Voice of America, 96-08-27

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA / REFUGEES BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZIVINICE, BOSNIA)

[03] BOSNIA ELECTIONS (L ONLY) BY COLIN SOLOWAY (SARAJEVO)

[04] BOSNIA REFUGEES / GERMANY (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[05] BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (L-ONLY) BY SONNY YOUNG (WASHINGTON)

[06] CYPRUS-PLANE (L-ONLY) BY JENNIFER GRIFFEN (CYPRUS)

[07] U-S/BOSNIA ELECTIONS (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[08] U-S/BOSNIA MISSION (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

[09] U.S. / BOSNIA FORCE (S ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

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

INTRO: WITH THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION UNDERWAY IN CHICAGO, THE SUBJECT OF PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS IS A DOMINANT THEME IN TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY IN SOUTH KOREA; AN EMERGING YOUNG AMERICAN GOLF CHAMPION AND THE ILLNESS OF MOTHER TERESA. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THERE ARE SEVERAL SUB-THEMES IN TODAY'S EDITORIALS ON THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. THEY INCLUDE THE PARTY PLATFORM, WHICH DELEGATES WILL VOTE ON TUESDAY NIGHT; HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON'S ROLE IN THE PARTY GATHERING, AND SOME OF THE IDEAS ALREADY PRESENTED AT THE CONVENTION. IN PHILADELPHIA, THE INQUIRER TALKS ABOUT THE PLATFORM.

VOICE: "TONIGHT, THE DEMOCRATS WILL OK A PLATFORM CRIBBED [TAKEN] FROM A WINNING FORMULA: THE ONE [ADOPTED] FOUR YEARS AGO. THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THIS TIME, BILL CLINTON HAS A RECORD AROUND WHICH TO WEAVE HIS FAMILIAR THEMES OF OPPORTUNITY, RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMUNITY (SANS BIG SPENDING)... THIS PLATFORM RESTS ON A REASONABLY SOLID FOUNDATION OF ACCOMPLISHMENT. BUT IT WOULD BE MORE IMPRESSIVE IF IT AVOIDED HYPERBOLE, AND WAS MORE WILLING TO FACE UP TO SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THE NATION'S NEXT PRESIDENT WON'T BE ABLE TO AVOID."

TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE REMEMBERS THE BITTER, ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATIONS OUTSIDE THE 1968 CONVENTION, AND THE FIGHT AGAINST RACISM INSIDE THE CONVENTION, AND HAILS THE EVOLUTION OF THE PROTESTERS.

VOICE: "THE GREENING OF THE ANTIWAR MOVEMENT BEGAN DECADES AGO. ITS GRADUATES ARE EVERYWHERE EVIDENT AT THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. WORKING AS COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS, LOW-INCOME HOUSING DEVELOPERS, POLICY ADVISERS, ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS AND CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVES, THOUSANDS OF VETERANS OF THE COUNTERCULTURE HAVE STOPPED FIGHTING CITY HALL [HERE MEANING "THE POLITICAL POWER STRUCTURE"] AND JOINED IT."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST IS SIDING WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON IN OPPOSING BOB DOLE'S PROPOSED TAX CUT, A SUBJECT AT THE HEART OF THE POLITICAL CAMPAIGN.

VOICE: "PART OF HIS MESSAGE IS THAT THE TAX CUT BOB DOLE HAS PROPOSED WOULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD, WHILE THE TAX INCREASE THAT HE, MR. CLINTON, FORCED THROUGH CONGRESS IN 1993 OVER REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION HELPED LAY THE PREDICATE FOR THE CONTINUING ECONOMIC EXPANSION... WE THINK THE PRESIDENT'S RIGHT ON THIS ONE."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES SAYS THAT, DESPITE EFFORTS BY THE DEMOCRATS TO PRESENT A UNIFIED FRONT IN CHICAGO, THERE IS ONE VERY CONTENTIOUS ISSUE.

VOICE: "... ON ONE ISSUE, WELFARE REFORM, THE PROMISES CANNOT HIDE THE DEEP DISAPPOINTMENT AMONG MANY DEMOCRATS -- RANK-AND-FILERS AS WELL AS SENIOR PARTY MEMBERS ... AT MR. CLINTON'S DECISION TO SIGN THE REPUBLICAN WELFARE REFORM BILL... MANY DEMOCRATS BELIEVE HE HAS BETRAYED DECADES OF PARTY PRINCIPLE IN ORDER TO SATISFY [CHIEF CAMPAIGN STRATEGIST DICK] MR. MORRIS'S STRATEGY OF EXPROPRIATING THE G-O-P'S MOST POTENT ISSUES."

TEXT: THE WALL STREET JOURNAL SAYS THE REAL STAR OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IS REPUBLICAN NEWT GINGRICH, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, WHO, ACCORDING TO THE JOURNAL, HAS FORCED THE DEMOCRATS FAR TO THE POLITICAL RIGHT OF THEIR NORMAL PATH.

VOICE: "...NO ONE HAS HAD A BIGGER HAND IN SHAPING THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION THAN ... NEWT GINGRICH, WHO PERSONIFIES THE REPUBLICAN 'REVOLUTION'... MR. CLINTON IS WAGING THE MOST RIGHT-WING DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN SINCE ABOUT GROVER CLEVELAND, AND WHILE THE ASSEMBLED DELEGATES MAY NOT LIKE IT, THEY WILL LINK THEIR FORTUNES TO IT."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE DISCUSSING MRS. CLINTON'S ROLE IN THE CONVENTION AND THE CAMPAIGN. THE OREGONIAN IN PORTLAND FACTIOUSLY SUGGESTS THE FIRST LADY HOLD A BAKE-OFF [CONTEST] WITH ELIZABETH DOLE, THEN CRITICIZES THE PROSPECT OF COMPETITION BETWEEN THE TWO WOMEN. IN BOSTON, THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR SAYS OF MRS. CLINTON: "HER IMAGE HAS BEEN TARNISHED, BUT SHE REMAINS AN ADMIRED FIGURE AND A KEY ADVISER."

IN ANOTHER EDITORIAL, THE OREGONIAN CHIDES REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE BOB DOLE FOR GIVING WHAT THE PAPER CALLS JUST THE "STANDARD STUMP SPEECH" AT AN APPEARANCE IN OREGON SUNDAY, WHEN HE COULD HAVE TALKED ABOUT HIS FOREST AND HYDROELECTRIC POLICIES, BOTH KEY LOCAL ISSUES THERE.

TURNING TO INTERNATIONAL CONCERNS, MANY NEWSPAPERS COMMENT ON THE RESULT OF WHAT SOME SOUTH KOREANS ARE CALLING "THE TRIAL OF THE CENTURY," AND THE SENTENCING OF TWO FORMER PRESIDENTS FOR THEIR ROLES IN VARIOUS REPRESSIONS AND CORRUPTIONS. THE NEWS DRAWS THIS RESPONSE FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES.

VOICE: "SOUTH KOREA'S LONG YEARS OF MILITARY RULE ENDED JUST FOUR YEARS AGO, AND NOW THE SEAL OF JUSTICE HAS BEEN PUT ON THAT REPRESSIVE ERA. TWO FORMER GENERALS WHO BETWEEN THEM HELD THE PRESIDENCY FOR A DOZEN YEARS HAVE BEEN CONVICTED IN SEOUL OF CRIMES INCLUDING MUTINY, TREASON AND CORRUPTION. CHUN DOO HWAN, WHO RULED UNTIL 1988 ... WAS SENTENCED TO DEATH... CHUN'S SUCCESSOR, ROH TAE WOO, WAS SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR 22 AND ONE HALF YEARS. BOTH SENTENCES ARE LIKELY TO BE EASED BY PRESIDENT KIM YOUNG SAM, TO THE DISTRESS OF MANY ... WHO SUFFERED BECAUSE OF THE ABUSES OF HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS ORDERED BY THE TWO FORMER LEADERS. [HOWEVER] THE CONVICTIONS ... DESERVEDLY BOOST CONFIDENCE IN THE INTEGRITY OF SOUTH KOREA'S JUSTICE SYSTEM."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES VOICES SIMILAR SENTIMENTS, NOTING:

VOICE: "THE VERDICTS ARE WELCOME, THOUGH THE DEATH SENTENCE ON MR. CHUN IS UNREASONABLE. KOREA'S DEMOCRACY IS STRONGER FOR BEGINNING TO DEAL HONESTLY WITH A DIFFICULT PAST."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST SUGGESTS THAT NOT ALL SOUTH KOREANS VIEWED THE TRIALS AS ENTIRELY IDEALISTIC.

VOICE: "MOST SOUTH KOREANS APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE VERDICTS AS A MESSAGE THAT THEY WILL NO LONGER TOLERATE ANY ATTEMPTS TO REVOKE THEIR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS. BUT SOME HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN ... THE TRIALS WERE DESIGNED MORE TO IMPROVE THE POLITICAL STANDING OF THE CURRENT PRESIDENT KIM YOUNG SAM, THAN TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH ABOUT PAST ABUSES."

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE HAILING THIS NATION'S NEWEST GOLFING HERO, 20-YEAR-OLD TIGER WOODS, WHO SUNDAY CAME FROM FAR BEHIND TO WIN THE U-S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE TIME -- A RECORD. SAYS THE NEW YORK TIMES OF MR. WOODS, WHO IS OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN, THAI AND NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE:

VOICE: "... [TIGER WOODS] IS ALREADY IN A CLASS BY HIMSELF... HE SHOWS EVERY SIGN OF BEING THE BEST GOLFER IN A GENERATION."

TEXT: AND THE BOSTON GLOBE OBSERVES:

VOICE: "... HE NOT ONLY SOLIDIFIED HIS PLACE AS A GREAT AMATEUR GOLFER, HE ALSO REALIZED PART OF HIS ENORMOUS POTENTIAL TO BE A GREAT DEMOCRATIZER OF GOLF... IF WOODS' INEVITABLE PROFESSIONAL CAREER AT ALL RESEMBLES HIS SPECTACULAR AMATEUR RUN, HE COULD BE FOR GOLF ... A CHARISMATIC AMBASSADOR WHO ELEVATES HIS ENTIRE SPORT TO NEW LEVELS OF ACCEPTANCE AND POPULARITY."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD SAYS OF THE CRITICALLY ILL MOTHER TERESA, WHOSE MISSIONARIES OF CHARITY IS WORLD RENOWN:

VOICE: "THE WORLD IS SITTING AT [HER] BEDSIDE TODAY, WISHING HER WELL AFTER HER RECENT SICKNESS, AND HOPING SHE HAS A VERY HAPPY 86TH BIRTHDAY. ... MOTHER TERESA, IN HER LOVE, HAS CHANGED THE WORLD. ITS SUFFERING LEGIONS -- AND IN SOME FASHION, THAT INCLUDES US ALL -- NOW RETURN THAT LOVE TO HER."

TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
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27-Aug-96 11:04 AM EDT (1504 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / REFUGEES BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (ZIVINICE, BOSNIA)

INTRO: THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA HAVE SPARKED HOPE AMONG THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, MOSTLY MUSLIMS, FORCED FROM THEIR HOMES DURING NEARLY FOUR YEARS OF WARFARE. SOME OF THE REFUGEES PLAN TO CROSS ETHNIC DIVIDING LINES TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS ON ELECTION DAY. OTHERS WILL VOTE WHERE THEY ARE, HOPING THE RESULTS WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO RETURN PERMANENTLY TO THEIR HOME TOWNS AND VILLAGES. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS ON ONE GROUP OF REFUGEES LIVING IN THE MUSLIM TOWN OF ZIVINICE.

TEXT: THEY LIVE IN A FACTORY WORKERS' DORMITORY, A DRAB COMPLEX OF ONE ROOM APARTMENTS AT THE END OF A DIRT ROAD ON THE EDGE OF TOWN.

A HUGE BANNER HANGING FROM THE MAIN BUILDING URGES THE WORLD TO 'REMEMBER SREBRENICA,' THE EASTERN ENCLAVE WHERE THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS WERE MASSACRED BY SERB FORCES JUST OVER A YEAR AGO.

THE REFUGEES HERE ARE ALSO FROM EASTERN BOSNIA, FROM THE REGION AROUND THE TOWN OF ZVORNIK. THEIR HOMES ARE BARELY 40 KILOMETERS AWAY, BUT NOW ON THE OTHER SIDE OF AN ETHNIC DIVIDING LINE IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC THAT EMERGED FROM THE DAYTON PEACE CONFERENCE.

BEFORE THE WAR, MUSLIMS WERE IN THE MAJORITY IN THE ZVORNIK AREA. FEW REMAIN NOW. MOST WERE EVICTED FROM THEIR HOMES AND FORCED TO FLEE IN THE FIRST MONTHS OF THE CONFLICT.

ZENAD MUMIC WAS AMONG THOSE WHO FLED. HER HUSBAND WAS TAKEN PRISONER BY SERB MILITIAMEN, AND SHE HAS NOT SEEN HIM SINCE. COUNTLESS MESSAGES SENT VIA THE RED CROSS HAVE GONE UNANSWERED.

ZENAD IS AN ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WOMAN, WITH BROWN HAIR, PALE BLUE EYES, AND A CLEAR COMPLEXION. SHE GREETS A VISITING REPORTER WITH A WARM SMILE AND READILY AGREES TO TALK ABOUT THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS.

SHE SHARES HER SPARTAN QUARTERS WITH HER SISTER-IN-LAW AND THEIR FOUR CHILDREN. THERE ARE BUNK BEDS, A STOVE, AND A SMALL REFRIGERATOR. A TRANSISTOR RADIO IS TUNED TO A CURIOUS MIX OF ISLAMIC PRAYER, POP MUSIC, AND CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING FROM THE PLETHORA OF PARTIES CONTESTING THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS.

ZENAD HAS ALREADY DECIDED WHICH PARTY WILL GET HER VOTE. SHE WILL NOT REVEAL HER CHOICE, SAYING THAT IS A PRIVATE MATTER. BUT SHE LEAVES NO DOUBT ABOUT THE REASONS FOR HER DECISION.

I CHOSE THE PARTY THAT WILL GIVE ME A BETTER LIFE, SHE SAYS, AND HELP ME GO BACK TO MY HOME.

ZENAD AND THE OTHER REFUGEES HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE HERE IN ZIVINICE. THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO RETURN TO ZVORNIK TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS, BUT MOST HAVE DECIDED THAT WOULD BE TOO DANGEROUS.

IT IS A BIG RISK, SAYS ZENAD, BECAUSE THE CHETNIKS (SERBS) ARE STILL THERE, AND I MUST THINK OF MY CHILDREN.

RANDOM INTERVIEWS AT THIS REFUGEE SETTLEMENT SUGGEST THAT MOST, PERHAPS ALL OF THE PEOPLE HERE WILL BE CASTING THEIR BALLOTS FOR THE S-D-A, THE PARTY FOR DEMOCRATIC ACTION, LED BY BOSNIA'S MUSLIM PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC.

SEJO OSMANOVIC, ANOTHER ZVORNIK REFUGEE AND A PARTY ACTIVIST, SAYS ONLY THE S-D-A IS STRONG ENOUGH TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO FLED THEIR HOMES WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN.

WE MUST GO BACK, HE SAYS, NO ONE CAN DENY US THIS RIGHT. AND IF WE FAIL TO ACHIEVE IT BY POLITICAL MEANS, WE ARE READY TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAIN.

HUSSO ZVALJ, A SENIOR S-D-A OFFICIAL AND BOSNIA'S AMBASSADOR TO AUSTRIA, IS WELL AWARE OF THE EXPECTATIONS OF HIS PARTY'S SUPPORTERS.

WE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER, HE SAYS, TO ENSURE THAT THE REFUGEES RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. BUT WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE, HE ADDS, WE MUST HAVE HELP FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

MANY INDEPENDENT OBSERVERS SEE LITTLE PROSPECT FOR THE EARLY RETURN OF THE REFUGEES. EVEN IF MUSLIM CANDIDATES WIN CONTROL IN EASTERN BOSNIA, SAYS ONE EUROPEAN ANALYST, THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO CHANCE THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO GOVERN THE REGION. THE SAD TRUTH OF THE MATTER, HE ADDS, IS THAT THE ELECTION RESULTS WILL NEVER BE IMPLEMENTED.

BORIS TIHI, A SARAJEVO UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AND MEMBER OF THE SMALL OPPOSITION REPUBLICAN PARTY, BELIEVES ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL LINKS MAY EVENTUALLY HELP ERASE BOSNIA'S ETHNIC BOUNDARIES, AND ALLOW THE REFUGEES TO RETURN. BUT HE DOES NOT SEE THAT HAPPENING ANY TIME SOON.

UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT THINK SO, NO(T) IN (THE) IMMEDIATE FUTURE. MAYBE AFTER FIVE OR MORE YEARS, IF (THE) SITUATION WILL BE CHANGED, IF (THE) ECONOMY WILL DO THE JOB, YOU KNOW, AND PUT (THINGS) TOGETHER, AND IF PEOPLE IN POWER NOW WILL BE CHANGED. MAYBE THEN. BUT NOT IN (THE) IMMEDIATE FUTURE.

HERE IN ZIVINICE, ZENAD MUMIC READILY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HER FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN. NOTHING SHE HAS HEARD DURING THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN HAS GIVEN HER A CLEAR IDEA OF WHEN SHE WILL BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO HER VILLAGE IN THE EAST.

A FEW WEEKS, A FEW MONTHS, A YEAR? WHO KNOWS, SHE SAYS. BUT ZENAD SAYS SHE HAS GIVEN NO THOUGHT TO SETTLING SOMEWHERE ELSE, ADDING, "I JUST WANT TO GO HOME." (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/JWH/DAR
27-Aug-96 9:37 AM EDT (1337 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA ELECTIONS (L ONLY) BY COLIN SOLOWAY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF NEXT MONTH'S ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA HAS DECIDED TO CANCEL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE FACE OF WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS WIDESPREAD ABUSE OF ELECTION RULES BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS. COLIN SOLOWAY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: ROBERT FROWICK, THE CHIEF OF MISSION FOR THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, OR O-S-C-E, ANNOUNCED THAT BOSNIA'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS WOULD BE DELAYED UNTIL NEXT SPRING.

THE ELECTORAL GUIDELINES DRAWN FROM THE GENERAL FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT FOR PEACE WERE MEANT TO ENABLE INDIVIDUAL VOTERS TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHERE THEY WISH TO RESIDE AND VOTE. BUT THEY HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY DISTORTED AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL. AND I HAVE MADE A CHAIRMAN'S DECISION THEREFORE THAT IT IS NOT FEASIBLE TO HOLD THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ON 14 SEPTEMBER.

I// END ACT ///

AMBASSADOR FROWICK POINTED TO TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS IN SETTING UP THE ELECTIONS. BUT HE ADMITTED THAT WHAT HE CALLED THE >TRIGGER" FOR CANCELLING THE MUNICIPAL VOTE WAS THE APPEARANCE OF LARGE SCALE MANIPULATION OF REFUGEE VOTER REGISTRATION IN SERB-CONTROLLED AREAS OF BOSNIA AND YUGOSLAVIA.

HE SAID THE FIGURES SHOWED THE SERBS ARE PLANNING TO CHANNEL TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VOTERS INTO TOWNS THAT BEFORE THE WAR HAD MUSLIM MAJORITIES. THEIR VOTES WOULD ENSURE THAT EVEN IF ETHNICALLY CLEANSED MUSLIMS MAKE IT HOME TO VOTE, THEY WOULD NEVER REGAIN POLITICAL CONTROL. HE SAID THE RESULT WOULD GIVE THE SERBS A LOCK ON MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND CEMENT THEIR WARTIME GOAL OF AN ETHNICALLY PURE STATE.

OBSERVERS SAY THAT WHILE THE O-S-C-E'S DECISION TEMPORARILY SOLVES ONE PROBLEM, IT FAILS TO ADDRESS OTHERS, AND IT CREATES STILL MORE.

ACCEPTING THE RESULTS OF SERB VOTE-RIGGING ALLOWS THEM TO EFFECTIVELY KEEP MUSLIMS OUT OF THE REPUBLIKA SRPSKA CANTONAL (REGIONAL) AND NATIONAL ASSEMBLIES, WHICH ARE NOW SOLIDLY IN FAVOR OF PERMANENT ETHNIC PARTITION. BUT TO SCRAP THE HIGHER LEVEL VOTES WOULD MEAN DELAYING THE ENTIRE ELECTION PROCESS.

AMBASSADOR FROWICK SAID THE O-S-C-E WILL NEED A NEW MANDATE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IF IT IS TO SUPERVISE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS NEXT APRIL OR MAY. AND HE SAID HE HOPED THERE WOULD BE SOME SORT OF INTERNATIONAL MILITARY FORCE REMAINING TO ASSIST IN THE VOTE. AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS HAVE UNTIL NOW DESCRIBED THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTIONS AS THE POINT AT WHICH THEY BEGIN TO WITHDRAW THEIR TROOPS FROM BOSNIA.

THE BOSNIAN SERBS SAID THIS WEEKEND THAT IF THE O-S-C-E CANCELLED MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, THEY WOULD HOLD THEM THEMSELVES. THEY WILL HAVE THAT RIGHT AFTER OCTOBER 14TH, WHEN THEIR NEWLY ELECTED ASSEMBLIES AND PRESIDENCY TAKE POWER.

AMBASSADOR FROWICK SAID ALL OF THESE ISSUES WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN UP BY THE INTERNATIONAL LEADERS, AND SOON.

I WOULD JUST SAY THAT THERE MUST BE IMPORTANT DECISION-MAKING BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN THE MEANTIME.

AMBASSADOR FROWICK SAID THE INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP WOULD BE MEETING NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF BOSNIA'S ELECTIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/CS/JWH/MMK
27-Aug-96 12:30 PM EDT (1630 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA REFUGEES / GERMANY (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: IN GERMANY, BOSNIAN REFUGEES WHO ALREADY HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE BY MAIL CAN START SENDING IN THEIR BALLOTS ON WEDNESDAY (TOMORROW) -- THE BEGINNING OF A WEEK-LONG ABSENTEE VOTING PERIOD THAT ENDS ON SEPTEMBER 3RD. VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS FROM BONN ORGANIZERS OF THE ELECTION ARE HOPING FOR A HIGH TURNOUT.

TEXT: JUST OVER 128-THOUSAND BOSNIAN REFUGEES LIVING IN GERMANY HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE BY MAIL IN THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTION. THAT'S ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE 300-TO 350-THOUSAND BOSNIAN REFUGEES IN GERMANY.

JENS KHRIM, AN OFFICIAL OF THE ORGANIZATION OF SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (O-S-C-E), WHICH HAS BEEN ORGANIZING THE ELECTION, SAYS OFFICIALS ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT THOSE REGISTERED TO VOTE BY MAIL WILL TAKE PART IN THE ELECTION.

WE HOPE SO, SINCE ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO GET THE BALLOTS HAVE HAD KIND OF HARD WORK TO REGISTER BECAUSE THE PROCESS WAS PRETTY COMPLICATED. SO I THINK EVERYONE WHO CAME TO THE REGISTRATION PROCESS SHOWED ENOUGH EFFORT THAT HE IS REALLY WILLING TO VOTE.

OFFICIALS POINT OUT THAT IN ADDITION TO FILLING OUT THE SOMETIMES COMPLICATED PAPERWORK NECESSARY TO VOTE BY MAIL, VOTERS WILL ALSO HAVE TO FILL-OUT SEPARATE BALLOTS FOR PARLIAMENTARY, PRESIDENTIAL AND CANTONAL ELECTIONS.

O-S-C-E OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE NUMBER OF THOSE REGISTERED TO VOTE BY MAIL FROM ABROAD IS FAR LOWER THAN IT COULD HAVE BEEN. BUT THEY SAY THOSE WHO WISH TO TRAVEL TO BOSNIA AND VOTE THERE WILL STILL HAVE THAT RIGHT. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF/CF
27-Aug-96 11:14 AM EDT (1514 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (L-ONLY) BY SONNY YOUNG (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER, GEORGI PIRINSKI, HAS STRESSED HIS COUNTRY'S COMMITMENT TO SEEK INTEGRATION IN EUROPEAN ORGANIZATIONS. V-O-A'S SONNY YOUNG REPORTS, THE FOREIGN MINISTER MADE HIS COMMENTS AT A WASHINGTON NEWS CONFERENCE IN WHICH HE ALSO FOCUSED ON BULGARIA'S ECONOMY AND HIS CONTROVERSIAL ASPIRATIONS FOR THE COUNTRY'S PRESIDENCY.

TEXT: MR. PIRINKSI STOPPED IN WASHINGTON ON HIS WAY TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN CHICAGO.

I HAVE RECEIVED AN INVITATION, TOGETHER WITH MANY OTHER POLITICAL FIGURES IN BULGARIA, TO BE GUESTS AT THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. IT WAS OFFERED BY THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE. IT'S A GENEROUS OFFER WHICH I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE.

THE DEMOCRATS IN CHICAGO WILL AGAIN NOMINATE BILL CLINTON AS THEIR CANDIDATE IN THE U-S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

MR. PIRINSKI, THE NOMINEE OF BULGARIA'S SOCIALIST PARTY, HAS HIS OWN PRESIDENTIAL HOPES. HE WANTS TO RUN IN BULGARIA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN OCTOBER. BUT FIRST HE MUST WIN A LEGAL BATTLE.

BULGARIA'S CENTRAL ELECTION COMMISSION HAS REFUSED TO REGISTER MR. PIRINSKI FOR THE ELECTION -- CHALLENGING THE CITIZENSHIP OF THE FOREIGN MINISTER. HE WAS BORN IN NEW YORK TO A BULGARIAN FATHER AND A NATURALIZED AMERICAN MOTHER.

MR. PIRINSKI, WHO MOVED TO BULGARIA IN 1951 AND LATER BECAME A BULGARIAN CITIZEN, SAYS HE WILL APPEAL TO BULGARIA'S SUPREME COURT.

THE FOREIGN MINISTER ALSO DISCUSSED BULGARIA'S MOVES TOWARD JOINING THE EUROPEAN UNION AND NATO. WHILE BULGARIA IS ACTIVELY SEEKING MEMBERSHIP IN THE E-U, IT HAS YET TO DECIDE WHETHER IT WANTS TO JOIN NATO.

OFFICIALS IN SOFIA ARE SAID TO BE DIVIDED OVER NATO MEMBERSHIP BECAUSE OF BULGARIA'S CLOSE TRADITIONAL TIES WITH RUSSIA, WHICH STRONGLY OPPOSES EXPANSION OF THE ALLIANCE. MR. PIRINSKI MENTIONED THIS DIVISION, BUT MADE CLEAR BULGARIA WANTS TO BE PART OF EUROPEAN SECURITY STRUCTURES.

THERE IS A DEBATE IN BULGARIA AS TO MEMBERSHIP OR NON-MEMBERSHIP IN NATO. IT IS OFTEN PRESENTED THAT THIS DEBATE MEANS A DIVERGENCE OF PUBLIC OPINION AS TO WHICH WAY SHOULD BULGARIA TURN, ROUGHLY SPEAKING, EAST OR WEST. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN OVERSIMPLIFICATION OF THE DEBATE LEADING TO MISUNDERSTANDING. THERE IS A VERY CLEAR NATIONAL CONSENSUS AND RESOLVE TO BE PART OF EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SECURITY STRUCTURES.

MR. PIRINSKI GRADUATED FROM THE HIGHER INSTITUTE OF ECONOMICS IN SOFIA, WHERE HE MAJORED IN FOREIGN TRADE. HE BEGAN HIS GOVERNMENT CAREER AS AN ECONOMIST. WHILE IN WASHINGTON, HE MET WITH INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS LOANS FOR BULGARIA.

THE I-M-F GRANTED A 580-MILLION DOLLAR LOAN TO SOFIA LAST MONTH AFTER THE GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED AN AUSTERITY PACKAGE. MR. PIRINSKI DESCRIBED THE MEASURES AS PAINFUL FOR BULGARIANS, BUT NECESSARY FOR THE FUTURE GROWTH OF THE COUNTRY. (SIGNED)
NEB/SY/KES/DAR
27-Aug-96 2:28 PM EDT (1828 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] CYPRUS-PLANE (L-ONLY) BY JENNIFER GRIFFEN (CYPRUS)

INTRO: A SUDANESE AIRLINER HIJACKED EN ROUTE TO JORDAN HAS REFUELED IN CYPRUS AND IS CONTINUING TO LONDON, WHERE THE PLANE'S CAPTORS ARE EXPECTED TO ASK FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM. FROM NICOSA, CYPRUS JENNIFER GRIFFEN REPORTS THE HIJACKERS DID NOT RELEASE ANY HOSTAGES BEFORE CONTINUING THEIR JOURNEY.

TEXT: INITIALLY CYPRIOT AUTHORITIES REFUSED TO LET THE HIJACKED PLANE LAND IN CYPRUS, BUT WHEN THE OFFICIALS LEARNED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL THEY RECONSIDERED. AS SOON AS THE PLANE LANDED, CYPRIOT POLICE RUSHED ONTO THE TARMAC AND SURROUNDED IT. AFTER TWO HOURS OF NEGOTIATING, CYPRIOT OFFICIALS DECIDED TO LET THE PLANE REFUEL.

ON BOARD ARE ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SIX PASSENGERS AND 13 CREW MEMBERS.

AUTHORITIES ARE UNSURE WHETHER THERE IS MORE THAN ONE HIJACKER ON THE PLANE.

THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEIZED ABOUT 25 MINUTES AFTER IT HAD TAKEN OFF FROM SUDAN'S CAPITAL KHARTOUM.

ONE HIJACKER TOLD AUTHORITIES AT LARNACA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WHERE THE PLANE REFUELED THAT HE HAD A GRENADE AND DYNAMITE. HE SAID HE SIMPLY WANTED TO FLY TO LONDON. HE THREATENED TO BLOW UP THE PLANE IF ANYONE TRIED TO STOP HIM. THE HIJACKER REFUSED TO RELEASE ANY WOMEN OR CHILDREN ON BOARD. BUT SAID HE WOULD RELEASE EVERYONE ONCE THEY HAD ARRIVED SAFELY IN ENGLAND.

THIS HIJACKING IS THE LATEST IN A STRING OF AIRLINE AMBUSHES STEMMING FROM THE CIVIL WAR-WRECKED AFRICAN NATION.

IT IS THE SECOND HIJACKING THIS YEAR ON BOARD A SUDANESE JET. IN MARCH A SUDANESE AIRBUS CARRYING 49 PEOPLE WAS DIVERTED TO ERITREA WHERE THE TWO SUDANESE HIJACKERS ASKED FOR ASYLUM. FOR 13 YEARS SUDAN'S MUSLIM GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN FIGHTING A BRUTAL WAR WITH MOSTLY CHRISTIAN REBELS IN THE SOUTH SEEKING AUTONOMY. AN ESTIMATED ONE-POINT-THREE MILLION PEOPLE HAVE DIED DUE TO THE FIGHTING AND RESULTING FAMINES IN SUDAN. (SIGNED)
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26-Aug-96 7:42 PM EDT (2342 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S/BOSNIA ELECTIONS (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE O-S-C-E DECISION TO POSTPONE THE BOSNIAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS HAS BEEN WELCOMED IN WASHINGTON. THE ADMINISTRATION'S CHIEF DIPLOMATIC TROUBLE-SHOOTER FOR BOSNIA -- JOHN KORNBLUM -- SAYS THE DECISION DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN A LONGER STAY IN BOSNIA FOR NATO PEACEKEEPERS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: MR. KORNBLUM -- WHO LEAVES ON ANOTHER MISSION TO THE BALKANS WEDNESDAY -- DISMISSED SUGGESTIONS THAT THE POSTPONMENT OF THE LOCAL VOTING IS A SETBACK TO THE BALKANS PEACE PROCESS, AND SAID IT SHOULD NOT AFFECT THE CONDUCT OF BOSNIA'S SEPTEMBER 14TH NATIONAL ELECTIONS.

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE TOLD REPORTERS HERE THE O-S-C-E ACTED IN THE FACE OF "MASSIVE" VOTER REGISTRATION FRAUD BY BOSNIAN SERBS AIMED AT SWINGING THE VOTE IN KEY MUNICIPALITIES INCLUDING BRCKO AND SREBRENICA.

RATHER THAN A SETBACK, HE SAID THE MOVE STRENGTHENS THE ELECTION PROCESS -- BY SHOWING THAT THE O-S-C-E IS READY AND WILLING TO TAKE DECISIVE ACTION AGAINST VOTE-RIGGING:

THE UNITED STATES SUPPORTS THIS DECISION. WE THINK, IN FACT, IT'S A VERY CLEAR AND A VERY DECISIVE STEP BY THE O-S-C-E AND BY AMBASSADOR (ROBERT) FROWICK TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THERE ARE CLEAR RULES FOR HOLDING THESE ELECTIONS, AND THAT VIOLATION OF THEM IN THEIR LETTER OR IN THIS CASE IN THEIR SPIRIT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. AND THAT THE ELECTIONS MUST BE HELD UNDER THE APPROPRIATE CONDITIONS.

MR. KORNBLUM ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS MIGHT HAVE TO BE PUSHED BACK UNTIL SOMETIME NEXT YEAR. BUT HE SAID THAT SHOULD HAVE NO DIRECT BEARING ON WITHDRAWAL OF THE NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN BOSNIA, IFOR (INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION FORCE), WHOSE MANDATE EXPIRES DECEMBER 20TH.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL ALSO INSISTED THERE HAS BEEN NO DECISION ON A FOLLOW-ON MILITARY FORCE -- DESPITE AN A-B-C TELEVISION NETWORK REPORT MONDAY THAT U-S ARMY TROOPS, NOW UNDERGOING TRAINING IN GERMANY, HAVE BEEN TOLD TO EXPECT A YEAR-LONG ASSIGNMENT IN BOSNIA.

THE PENTAGON SAYS ABOUT FIVE THOUSAND TROOPS ARE BEING PREPARED FOR DUTY AS A "COVERING FORCE" TO PROVIDE EXTRA SECURITY FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF IFOR, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN STAGES AFTER THE SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS AND EXTEND SEVERAL WEEKS INTO 1997.

NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS ARE TO HAVE THEIR FIRST FORMAL DISCUSSION OF A SUCCESSOR FORCE IN BOSNIA -- IF ONE IS NEEDED -- WHEN THEY MEET IN BERGEN, NORWAY AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH. (SIGNED)
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27-Aug-96 2:35 PM EDT (1835 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] U-S/BOSNIA MISSION (L-ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE CHIEF U-S MEDIATOR FOR THE BALKANS -- JOHN KORNBLUM BEGINS A DIPLOMATIC MISSION TO THE AREA TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN ADVANCE OF BOSNIA'S SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTIONS. THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE WILL HOLD TALKS WITH LEADERS IN BELGRADE, ZAGREB AND SARAJEVO. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: U-S OFFICIALS SEE THE SUCCESSFUL CONDUCT OF THE ELECTIONS AS CRUCIAL TO THE PRESERVATION OF PEACE IN BOSNIA AFTER NATO-LED PEACEKEEPERS DEPART. AND MR. KORNBLUM SAYS HE WILL PRESS REGIONAL LEADERS TO USE THEIR INFLUENCE TO ASSURE THAT THE VOTING FOR A NEW BOSNIAN NATIONAL PRESIDENCY AND PARLIAMENT WILL BE FAIR AND CREDIBLE.

THE ENVOY'S DEPARTURE COMES ONLY A DAY AFTER THE O-S-C-E (ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE) DECISION TO POSTPONE BOSNIAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS -- WHICH HAD ALSO BEEN SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 14TH -- BECAUSE OF MASSIVE VOTER REGISTRATION FRAUD, MAINLY BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, MR. KORNBLUM SAID THE UNITED STATES SUPPORTS THE DECISION TO PUT OFF THE LOCAL VOTING -- BUT BELIEVES THE NATIONAL CONTESTS CAN STILL BE CONDUCTED AS PLANNED:

NOBODY EXPECTS THIS TO BE AN ABSOLUTELY PERFECT ELECTION. AMBASSADOR (ROBERT) FROWICK HAS SAID THAT HIMSELF. OUR GOAL HERE IS TO CONDUCT CREDIBLE ELECTIONS, EFFECTIVE ELECTIONS, WHICH ARE AS FREE AND FAIR AS POSSIBLE. THE STANDARD OF FREE AND FAIR, I THINK, WILL BE A LOT HIGHER THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPECT IT TO BE.

MR. KORNBLUM SAID HE WILL GO TO BANJA LUKA LATER THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS ELECTION ISSUES WITH THE BOSNIAN-SERB ACTING PRESIDENT BILJANA PLAVSIC. HE SAID PALE -- THE SERB ENTITY'S NOMINAL CAPITAL -- WOULD BE AN INAPPROPRIATE VENUE FOR DISCUSSIONS. PALE IS A STRONGHOLD OF BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, WHO IS UNDER INDICTMENT BY THE BOSNIAN WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN HAGUE.

THE U-S ENVOY SAID ANOTHER KEY OBJECTIVE OF HIS MISSION WILL BE TO ASSURE THAT ETHNIC CROATS DISMANTLE THEIR BOSNIAN MINI-STATE AS PROMISED BY THIS COMING SATURDAY, AND JOIN THE MUSLIM-LED SARAJEVO GOVERNMENT IN A FULLY-OPERATING FEDERATION. (SIGNED)
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27-Aug-96 6:02 PM EDT (2202 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U.S. / BOSNIA FORCE (S ONLY) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: SEVERAL THOUSAND U-S TROOPS ARE TRAINING IN GERMANY FOR POSSIBLE DEPLOYMENT TO BOSNIA LATER THIS YEAR. THE PENTAGON SAYS THE TROOPS WOULD PROVIDE EXTRA SECURITY FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE NATO-LED PEACE IMPLEMENTATION FORCE IN BOSNIA, I-FOR. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY ABOUT FIVE THOUSAND TROOPS FROM THE U-S ARMY'S FIRST INFANTRY DIVISION IN GERMANY ARE BEING PREPARED FOR POSSIBLE DUTY IN BOSNIA AS WHAT IS BEING TERMED A "COVERING FORCE" FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF I-FOR.

THE NATO-LED PEACEKEEPERS ARE TO BEGIN A PHASED PULLOUT FROM BOSNIA AFTER THE ELECTIONS IN MID-SEPTEMBER, THOUGH A SIZABLE NUMBER WILL REMAIN UNTIL THE END OF THE I-FOR MANDATE DECEMBER 20TH.

PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE "COVERING FORCE" IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE EXTRA SECURITY FOR THE WITHDRAWAL PROCESS THAT WILL CONTINUE AT LEAST SEVERAL WEEKS INTO 1997.

THEY SAY NO FINAL DECISION HAS BEEN MADE ON ACTUALLY DEPLOYING THE COVERING FORCE -- AND NEITHER HAS THERE BEEN A DECISION ON WHETHER SOME FORM OF RE-STRUCTURED INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING UNIT MIGHT BE SET UP TO REPLACE I-FOR NEXT YEAR. NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS ARE TO HAVE THEIR FIRST DISCUSSION OF THAT SENSITIVE ISSUE IN A MEETING AT BERGEN, NORWAY, AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH. (SIGNED)
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27-Aug-96 12:36 PM EDT (1636 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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