Voice of America, 96-08-30

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA / SERBS BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (TREBINJE, BOSNIA)

[03] BOSNIAN REFUGEES / GERMANY (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[04] DOLE / BOSNIA (S) BY MICHAEL BOWMAN (SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA)

[05] MACEDONIAN PATRIOTS HOLD 75TH CONVENTION BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

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

[07] YUGOSLAVIA MONEY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

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

INTRO: THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH AND A BUDDING SEX SCANDAL INVOLVING THE WHITE HOUSE, ARE ALL PROMINENT EDITORIAL THEMES IN MANY LEADING U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS FRIDAY. OTHER TOPICS INCLUDE: THE RISING TENSION BETWEEN PALESTINIANS AND THE NEW ISRAELI GOVERNMENT; THE GOVERNMENT ASSAULT ON TOBACCO; THE LIBYA-U-S MONEY ISSUE; AND RESCUING U-S FISH STOCKS. NOW, WITH DETAILS, HERE IS ______________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN CHICAGO THURSDAY NIGHT, WHOSE THEME WAS BUILDING BRIDGES TO THE 21ST CENTURY, TOPS THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF SEVERAL FRIDAY PAPERS. SOME MAJOR DAILIES ARE COMBINING THEIR REACTIONS WITH COMMENTS ON REVELATIONS THAT MR. CLINTON'S CHIEF POLITICAL STRATEGIST, DICK MORRIS, WAS HAVING A MONTHS-LONG AFFAIR WITH A PROSTITUTE. THE STORY WAS PUBLISHED THURSDAY IN THE NEW YORK POST. TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION COVERS BOTH ISSUES AS IT NOTES:

VOICE: "AFTER WATCHING PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LEAD IN THE POLLS ERODE FOLLOWING THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION, DEMOCRATS WERE DETERMINED TO PUCK UP A BOUNCE [RESURGENCE IN THE POLLS] OF THEIR OWN IN CHICAGO. BY THEIR CONVENTION'S END ... THEY HAD GOTTEN WHAT THEY WANTED: HIGHER T-V RATINGS THAN REPUBLICANS AND A HEALTHY UPTICK IN THE POLLS... IT MAY BE TOO SOON TO TELL HOW THE MORRIS [SCANDAL] WILL PLAY WITH [INFLUENCE] VOTERS... FEW PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE WASHINGTON BELTWAY KNOW THE MAN OR CARE ABOUT HIS PRIVATE LIFE. BUT EVEN IF IT'S NOT MUCH OF A STORY, HIS RESIGNATION WAS A DISTRACTION ON THE VERY DAY [PRESIDENT] CLINTON WANTED TO CELEBRATE HIS NOMINATION FOR THE PRESIDENCY."

TEXT: IN NEW ENGLAND, THE BOSTON GLOBE, FOCUSED TOTALLY ON THE DEMOCRATRIC PARTY'S PERFORMANCE THIS WEEK, COMMENTING:

VOICE: "THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ON DISPLAY THIS WEEK IS A DISCIPLINED, MODERATE, PRAGMATIC PARTY, DIVERSE IN MEMBERSHIP BUT UNITED IN PURPOSE. THERE ARE DISSENTERS, BUT THE PARTY IS NOT RENT BY GENERATIONAL OR CULTURAL WARS AS DEMOCRATS WERE IN 1968 AND REPUBLICANS ARE TODAY... THE NEW PRAGMATISM IS ... CONSISTENT WITH THE THEME [MR.] CLINTON PUT FORWARD TO THE CONVENTION LAST NIGHT -- THE DEMOCRATS ARE A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES, HOWEVER, CHOSE TO LEAD ITS EDITORIAL COLUMN WITH REACTION TO THE SEX SCANDAL.

VOICE: "SO FAR IN THE CAMPAIGN, PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LUCK HAD SEEMED TOO GOOD TO LAST, AND THAT TURNED OUT TO BE THE CASE... ALLEGATIONS THAT MR. MORRIS FROLICKED WITH A VIRGINIA PROSTITUTE CAME TRAILING CLOUDS OF IRONY. ONE OF HIS SPECIAL GIFTS HAD BEEN CRAFTING ISSUES AFFIRMING FAMILY VALUES AND THE SANCTITY OF THE HOME THAT INVITED VOTERS TO FORGET MR. CLINTON'S CONFESSIONS OF INFIDELITY... THE REPUBLICANS WILL NOT FIND A MORE SHARPLY DELINEATED OPPORTUNITY [IMPLIED: FOR ATTACKING THE PRESIDENT'S MORALITY AND CHARACTER] THAN THAT CREATED BY MR. MORRIS'S APPARENT BLEND OF CUPIDITY AND STUPIDITY."

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON TIMES AGREES WITH ITS NEW YORK NAMESAKE:

VOICE: "THE ESSENTIAL FACT IS THAT DICK MORRIS IS IN THE APPEARANCE BUSINESS, NOT THE REALITY BUSINESS... THAT A MAN ATTEMPTING MERELY TO ASSIST A DEMOCRATIC WHITE HOUSE IN CO-OPTING THE FAMILY VALUES ISSUE, THUS NEUTRALIZING ITS UTILITY FOR REPUBLICANS -- THAT SUCH A MAN SHOULD BE CAUGHT IN SUCH AN AFFAIR IS ABOUT WHAT YOU'D EXPECT."

TEXT: FROM THE SUN IN BALTIMORE, THIS COMMENT ON THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH AND THE MORRIS MATTER:

VOICE: "DESPITE THIS CLOUD OVER AN OTHERWISE EXUBERANT DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION, MR. CLINTON WAS AT HIS ORATORICAL BEST AS HE URGED SUPPORTERS TO 'BUILD A BRIDGE TO THE 21ST CENTURY.'"

TEXT: FOR ITS PART, THE OMAHA WORLD-HERALD DISMISSES MR. MORRIS, HIS ALLEGED INDISCRETIONS, AND HIS POLITICAL THEORIES, BORROWED FROM EARLY GERMAN PHILOSOPHER GEORG HEGEL, WITH THESE THOUGHTS:

VOICE: "THE CLINTON-MORRIS PROJECT [MOVING MR. CLINTON MORE TO THE POLITICAL CENTER] HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MORE SHAMELESS CHAMELEON-LIKE PERFORMANCES IN RECENT POLITICAL HISTORY. ONE OF THE MORE SUCCESSFUL, TO BE SURE. BUT HARDLY A CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT OF THE 20TH CENTURY."

TEXT: LASTLY, FROM THE PAPER THAT BROKE THE MORRIS STORY, THE NEW YORK POST, SOME SOLACE FOR THE FALLEN CONSULTANT:

VOICE: "WHATEVER HIS [MORRIS'] PRIVATE MISCONDUCT, HOWEVER, IT SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN THAT HE MADE BILL CLINTON A BETTER PRESIDENT."

TEXT: INTERNATIONALLY, THE NEW YORK TIMES IS ONE OF SEVERAL PAPERS WORRIED ABOUT THE ESCALATING TENSION BETWEEN YASSER ARAFAT'S PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY AND THE NEWLY-ELECTED ISRAELI GOVERNMENT, BUT IT BREATHES A SIGN OF RELIEF THAT NO VIOLENCE OCCURRED YESTERDAY DURING A GENERAL STRIKE.

VOICE: "YASSER ARAFAT TOOK A CALCULATED GAMBLE BY CALLING PALESTINIANS INTO THE STREETS FOR A GENERAL STRIKE YESTERDAY AND A PRAYER GATHERING AT JERUSALEM'S AL-AQSA MOSQUE TODAY. HE DIRECTLY CONFRONTED AN ISRAELI GOVERNMENT WITH WHICH HE HOPES TO REVIVE STALLED PEACE TALKS. HE WAS ALSO RISKING AN OUTBURST OF VIOLENT PROTEST HE MIGHT NOT EASILY CONTROL... REASON SEEMS TO HAVE PREVAILED... THE GENERAL STRIKE WENT OFF WITHOUT SERIOUS INCIDENT AND ISRAEL RESPONDED TO MR. ARAFAT'S GAMBIT BY ANNOUNCING THAT IT WOULD RESUME REGULAR MEETINGS ON OSLO-RELATED ISSUES NEXT WEEK, THE FIRST SUCH TALKS SINCE PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU TOOK OVER THREE MONTHS AGO... BUT THE DANGER REMAINS ACUTE..."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK POST HAS A HARSHER VIEW OF MR. ARAFAT, NOTING:

VOICE: "OF COURSE, [MR.] ARAFAT IS FRUSTRATED BY SUDDENLY HAVING TO CONTEND WITH AN ISRAELI LEADER WHO BELIEVES THAT SIGNED DIPLOMATIC AGREEMENTS ACTUALLY ARE MEANT TO BE HONORED, AND WHO REFUSES TO IGNORE THE P-L-O'S REPEATED VIOLATIONS."

TEXT: THE U-S GOVERNMENT SAYS BLACK MUSLIM LEADER LOUIS FARRAKHAN CAN NOT ACCEPT A PROPOSED ONE-BILLION-DOLLAR GIFT FROM LIBYA'S MOAMMAR GADHAFI. TODAY'S ATLANTA CONSTITUTION REACTS THIS WAY:

VOICE: "IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TEMPTING TO SEE WHETHER LIBYAN DICTATOR MOAMMAR GADHAFI COULD ACTUALLY SCRAPE UP ONE-BILLION DOLLARS TO GIVE ... PURPORTEDLY FOR THE CURING OF AMERICA'S URBAN AILMENTS. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION COULDN'T SUCCUMB TO THOSE TEMPTATIONS, HOWEVER... THE LESSON OF THE TROJAN HORSE IS AS WELL KNOWN ON THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AS IT IS IN LIBYA."

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR IS WORRIED ABOUT RUMORS OF A POSSIBLE DEAL BETWEEN THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY TO SUBSTITUTE VOLUNTARY REGULATIONS FOR STRICTER GOVERNMENT CONTROLS ON CIGARETTE SALES AND ADVERTISING. THE MONITOR URGES CAUTION:

VOICE: "RESOLVE IS THE BYWORD HERE. IF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE [TOBACCO] COMPANIES COULD MEAN QUICKER IMPLEMENTATION OF ADVERTISING AND SALES RESTRAINTS, IT MAY BE WORTH A TRY. BUT THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY IMPLICATION OF EASING UP ON THE COMPANIES... ANY DEALS TO EASE THEIR LEGAL BURDENS ALL TOO EASILY TAKE ON A BAD ODOR."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, FROM THE BIG NORTHEAST FISHING PORT OF BOSTON, THE GLOBE TALKS ABOUT PENDING CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO HELP SAVE THE TROUBLED, AND BADLY OVERFISHED, U-S COASTAL WATERS.

VOICE: "PRESERVATION OF FISH STOCKS IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE INTRINSIC ECOLOGICAL VALUE OF THE DIFFERENT SPECIES AND FOR THE LONG-TERM PROSPERITY OF THE INDUSTRY. THIS WEEK THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT BEGAN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM OWNERS OF FISHING VESSELS WHO AGREE TO SELL THEM FOR A COMBINATION OF CASH AND A COMMITMENT TO LEAVE THE INDUSTRY... THE PROGRAM IS DE FACTO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE ROLE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN ENCOURAGING OVER-DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY ...[BEGINNING] 20 YEARS AGO."

TEXT: WITH THAT ENVIRONMENTAL NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS TO BE FOUND IN TODAY'S U-S PAPERS.
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30-Aug-96 11:23 AM EDT (1523 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BOSNIA / SERBS BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (TREBINJE, BOSNIA)

INTRO: THE AUTHORS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD FORESAW THE UPCOMING BOSNIAN ELECTIONS AS A FIRST STEP TOWARD RE-UNITING THE WAR-TORN COUNTRY. BUT MANY COMMENTATORS FEAR THE VOTE WILL ONLY CEMENT THE ETHNIC DIVISIONS AMONG THE MUSLIM, SERB, AND CROAT COMMUNITIES. THEY PREDICT VICTORY AT THE POLLS FOR SO-CALLED NATIONALIST PARTIES NO LONGER COMMITTED TO A MULTI-ETHNIC BOSNIA. NOWHERE IS THE DANGER MORE APPARENT THAN IN BOSNIA'S SERB REPUBLIC. V-O-A'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS FILED THIS BACKGROUND REPORT FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN SERB STRONGHOLD OF TREBINJE.

TEXT: TREBINJE'S MAYOR, BODZIDOR VUCUROVIC, IS AN ARDENT SUPPORTER OF THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS. "WE SERBS WANT TO HONOR EVERY DETAIL OF THE DAYTON AGREEMENT," HE TELLS A VISITOR TO HIS OFFICE HERE, "ESPECIALLY THE ELECTIONS, BECAUSE THEY WILL RESOLVE THE DESTINY OF OUR PEOPLE."

BUT THAT DESTINY, IN THE EYES OF MR. VUCUROVIC, IS NOT WHAT WAS ENVISAGED AT THE DAYTON PEACE CONFERENCE.

MR. VUCUROVIC IS THE UNQUESTIONED STRONGMAN OF TREBINJE. A FORMER TRUCKING COMPANY OWNER, HE ROSE QUICKLY THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE RULING SERB DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE S-D-S, LED THROUGHOUT THE WAR BY RADOVAN KARADZIC.

MR. VUCUROVIC FORMED HIS OWN MILITIA AT THE OUTSET OF THE CONFLICT. AND HIS FORCES REPORTEDLY TOOK PART IN THE BRUTAL EXPULSION OF TREBINJE'S NON-SERB RESIDENTS, INCLUDING BETWEEN FIVE-THOUSAND AND SIX-THOUSAND MUSLIMS.

WHILE TREBINJE ESCAPED LARGELY UNSCATHED FROM THE BOSNIAN WAR, ITS SERB GARRISON WAS INVOLVED IN PERIODIC, LONG-RANGE ARTILLERY BATTLES WITH CROATIAN FORCES DEFENDING THE ADRIATIC PORT OF DUBROVNIK, 25 KILOMETERS TO THE SOUTH.

THE TWO TOWNS HAVE LONG BEEN LINKED. TREBINJE CONTROLS DUBROVNIK'S WATER SUPPLY, WHILE THE ADRIATIC PORT SUPPLIES ELECTRICITY TO ITS BOSNIAN NEIGHBOR.

THE TOWNS ARE SEPARATED BY A BROAD, FERTILE PLAIN KNOWN AS THE FIELD OF THE PRIESTS. TREBINJE'S FARMERS TRADITIONALLY SOLD THEIR PRODUCE IN DUBROVNIK'S MARKETS.

BUT THE BORDER IS CLOSED NOW, AND THE FARMLAND IS HEAVILY-MINED. AND WHILE RENEWED TOURISM HAS BEGUN TO REVIVE THE ECONOMY OF DUBROVNIK AND OTHER TOWNS ON CROATIA'S ADRIATIC COAST, THERE HAS BEEN NO PEACE DIVIDEND FOR TREBINJE.

A TOOL FACTORY PROVIDES JOBS FOR SOME OF TOWN'S 40-THOUSAND RESIDENTS. BUT THERE IS LITTLE OTHER EVIDENT ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. THERE ARE FEW CARS ON THE STREETS, AND THE STORES ARE MOSTLY EMPTY.

IT IS A PRETTY TOWN, STRADDLING THE SLOW-MOVING WATERS OF THE TREBISNICA RIVER -- STONE HOUSES WITH RED-TILED ROOVES, TREE-LINED STREETS AND GARDENS DISPLAYING BUSTS AND STATUES OF SERB HEROS AND POETS.

ELECTION POSTERS ARE MUCH IN EVIDENCE. BUT ONLY SERB PARTY CAMPAIGN PLACARDS ADORN THE WALLS.

THE ONLY NON-SERB PARTY CONTESTING THE ELECTIONS HERE IS THE MUSLIM-DOMINATED S-D-A, THE PARTY OF DEMOCRATIC ACTION LED BY BOSNIA'S PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC.

IN AN INTERVIEW, MAYOR VUCUROVIC DESCRIBES THE S-D-A AS A LEGITIMATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MUSLIM PEOPLE.

BROADCAST TIME WAS ALLOCATED TO THE S-D-A TO PRESENT ITS PLATFORM ON THE LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION STATION. BUT THE SCHEDULED APPEARANCE OF A PARTY REPRESENTATIVE PROVOKED A SMALL DEMONSTRATION BY LOCAL SERBS. AND THE S-D-A OFFICIAL FAILED TO SHOW UP.

MAYOR VUCUROVIC IS CLEARLY NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE S-D-A'S ELECTORAL STRENGTH IN TREBINJE. BUT HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT ANOTHER ORGANIZATION.

THE MAYOR WAS REFERRING TO THE BOSNIAN BRANCH OF THE SERB SOCIALIST PARTY LED BY SERBIA'S PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE BOSNIAN BRANCH, BASED IN THE CENTRAL TOWN OF BANJA LUKA, IS THOUGHT TO BE GAINING GROUND IN THE RUN-UP TO THE SEPTEMBER 14TH ELECTIONS.

SOME ANALYSTS, INCLUDING ROBERT FROWICK, THE RETIRED U-S DIPLOMAT IN CHARGE OF ORGANIZING THE VOTE, BELIEVE THE SOCIALISTS COULD POSE A THREAT TO THE DOMINANCE OF THE HARDLINE S-D-S (SERB DEMOCRATIC PARTY).

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

HERE IN TREBINJE, SOCIALIST CANDIDATE GOJSINA RISTO, ACCUSES THE RULING SERB PARTY OF THUGGERY, IN A BID TO QUASH THE GROWING APPEAL OF THE OPPOSITION.

MR. RISTO BELIEVES THE SOCIALIST PARTY WILL DO WELL IN THE ELECTIONS, IF IT IS GIVEN A REAL CHANCE TO PRESENT ITS PLATFORM. MAYOR VUCUROVIC IS EQUALLY CONFIDENT THAT HIS PARTY WILL SCORE A SWEEPING VICTORY AT THE POLLS.

BUT ON THE CORE ISSUE OF BOSNIA'S FUTURE, THERE IS LITTLE APPARENT DIFFERENCE AMONG THE LEADING SERB CONTENDERS. ALL FAVOR CONTINUED SEPARATION FROM THE COUNTRY'S MUSLIMS AND CROATS.

THE SEPTEMBER VOTE IS INTENDED TO LEAD TO THE CREATION OF NEW UNIFIED INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT. BUT THE ATTITUDE OF ALL BUT A HANDFUL OF SERB LEADERS CAN PERHAPS BEST BE SUMMED UP IN A COMMENT ATTRIBUTED TO THE SPEAKER OF THE SERB ASSEMBLY, MOMCILO KRAJISNIK.

THOSE UNIFIED GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS, HE SAID, SHOULD BE LOCATED ON THE LINE OF SEPARATION, WITH SEPARATE ENTRANCES FOR THE SERB, MUSLIM, AND CROAT REPRESENTATIVES. (SIGNED)
NEB/DBR/MMK
30-Aug-96 12:16 PM EDT (1616 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIAN REFUGEES / GERMANY (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: ORGANIZERS OF THE BOSNIAN ELECTIONS SAY SEVERAL THOUSAND REFUGEES IN GERMANY HAVE ALREADY MAILED IN THEIR BALLOTS FOR THE SEPTEMBER 14TH VOTING, IGNORING CALLS FOR AN ELECTION BOYCOTT. V-O-A'S KYLE KING IN BONN REPORTS OFFICIALS OF THE ORGANIZATION OF SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE), SAY THEY EXPECT THE BULK OF THE MAIL IN BALLOTS TO COME IN NEXT WEEK.

TEXT: NEARLY 130 THOUSAND BOSNIAN REFUGEES IN GERMANY HAVE REGISTERED TO VOTE BY MAIL IN BOSNIA'S NATIONAL ELECTION SEPTEMBER 14TH.

O-S-C-E OFFICIALS, WHO ARE ORGANIZING THE VOTE, SAY ABOUT FOUR-THOUSAND BALLOTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MAILED IN AND THEY EXPECT THE MAJORITY TO ARRIVE NEXT WEEK, AS THE SEPTEMBER THIRD DEADLINE FOR WRITE-IN BALLOTS APPROACHES.

ALTHOUGH ABOUT 320-THOUSAND BOSNIAN REFUGEES LIVE IN GERMANY, O-S-C-E SPOKESMAN JENS KHRIM SAYS OFFICIALS ARE GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH THE NUMBER WHO ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE BY MAIL.

ANY PROBLEMS WITH MAIL ORDER REGISTRATION ARE LARGELY ATTRIBUTED TO THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME ORGANIZERS HAD TO COMPLETE THE JOB.

POSTAL ELECTIONS ALWAYS ARE QUITE COMPLICATED. SO IT MIGHT BE IN THE SHORT TIME FRAME WE HAD FOR REGISTRATION, NOT EVERY SINGLE BOSNIAN WILLING TO VOTE WAS ABLE TO SEND IN THE REGISTRATION FORMS IN TIME OR CORRECTLY FILLED IN.

O-S-C-E OFFICIALS SAY THEY DO NOT EXPECT CALLS FOR A BOYCOTT OF THE ELECTIONS TO HAVE ANY MAJOR IMPACT ON THE POSTAL BALLOTING THAT IS NOW UNDER WAY OUTSIDE OF BOSNIA.

OFFICIALS POINT OUT THAT UNLIKE THE VOTER REGISTRATION PROCESS INSIDE BOSNIA, REGISTRATION FOR MAIL-IN BALLOTS REQUIRES VOTERS TO USE THE ADDRESS THEY HAD BEFORE THE WAR. THEREFORE, THE MAIL-IN PORTION OF ELECTION HAS BEEN FREE OF CHARGES THAT THE REGISTRATION PROCESS IS BEING MANIPULATED FOR POLITICAL REASONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JWH/CF
30-Aug-96 11:09 AM EDT (1509 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] DOLE / BOSNIA (S) BY MICHAEL BOWMAN (SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA)

INTRO: WHILE MAKING A CAMPAIGN APPEARANCE IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BOB DOLE ISSUED AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON CALLING ON HIM TO PRESS FOR THE POSTPONEMENT OF PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 14TH. V-O-A'S MICHAEL BOWMAN IS WITH THE DOLE CAMPAIGN IN SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND HAS THIS REPORT.

TEXT: MR. DOLE SAID THE ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, IF HELD UNDER PRESENT CONDITIONS, WOULD BE A FRAUD -- CARRYING THE AMERICAN STAMP OF APPROVAL. HE SAID OPPOSIITON PARTIES THERE HAVE NOT HAD ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO CAMPAIGN. IN ADDITION, MR. DOLE SAID THERE HAS BEEN WIDESPREAD INTIMIDATION OF OPPOSITION LEADERS AND LITTLE PROGRESS TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT MEDIA. HE SAID ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WOULD SERVE TO ENTRENCH ETHNIC DIVISIONS, UNDERMINE U-S LEADERSHIP AND MAKE A MOCKERY OF U-S COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES.

MR. DOLE SAID U-S POLICY TOWARD BOSNIA MUST BE ALTERED, AND THAT POSTPONING THE ELECTIONS IS A FIRST STEP. HE URGED PRESIDENT CLINTON TO MAKE WHAT HE CALLED THE RIGHT DECISION, NOT THE POLITICALLY EXPEDIENT DECISION.

THE LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON COMES AMID A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY IN THE DOLE CAMPAIGN -- INCLUDING REACTION TO THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT CLINTON'S POLITICAL CONSULTANT, DICK MORRIS, AND A SPIRITED ADDRESS TO HUNDREDS OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/MB/KL
29-Aug-96 9:19 PM EDT (0119 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] MACEDONIAN PATRIOTS HOLD 75TH CONVENTION BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE FIRST MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER IS LABOR DAY IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH AMERICANS CELEBRATE WITH FESTIVITIES THAT HONOR ALL WORKING PEOPLE. THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ALSO MARKS THE END OF THE SUMMER VACATION PERIOD. BUT FOR NORTH AMERICANS OF MACEDONIAN DESCENT, THERE IS ANOTHER REASON TO CELEBRATE -- THE 75TH ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE MACEDONIAN PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA. THIS YEAR'S FESTIVITIES TAKE PLACE IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN -- A SUBURB OF DETROIT. FOR BACKGROUND, HERE IS ____________ WITH A REPORT PREPARED

TEXT: THE PRESIDENT OF THE MACEDONIAN PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA IS RETIRED U-S AIR FORCE COLONEL BORIS CHALEFF [CHAY-LEF], A VETERAN OF WORLD WAR II, THE KOREAN WAR, AND VIETNAM WAR. COLONEL CHALEFF LOOKS FORWARD TO WELCOMING THE DESCENDANTS OF MACEDONIAN IMMIGRANTS TO THE CELEBRATION MARKING THEIR ORGANIZATION'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY, WHICH HE TALKS ABOUT WITH CONSIDERABLE PRIDE.

TAPE: CUT ONE -- CHALEFF (0:35) "THE AIM OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROMOTE LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM AMONG IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR DESCENDENTS TOWARD THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES. SECONDLY, THE MISSION THAT WE REALLY ARE ABOUT IS THAT WE STRIVE, IN A LEGAL MANNER, FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MACEDONIA AS AN INDEPENDENT STATE -- AND WITH A CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD GUARANTEE THE ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL, POLITICAL, HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES FOR ALL OF ITS CITIZENS. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR SINCE 1922.

TEXT: COLONEL CHALEFF SAYS WHEN THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA DISENTIGRATED FOUR YEARS AGO IT WAS AN OCCASION FOR HIS ORGANIZATION TO REFOCUS SOME OF ITS EFFORTS AND OBJECTIVES.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- CHALEFF (0:29) "OF COURSE, WHEN THE YUGOSLAV FEDERATION BROKE UP, THIS WAS A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS ORGANIZATION TO REALLY EXPAND ITS EFFORTS AND DO EVERYTHING IT COULD TO SUPPORT RECOGNITION, FIRST OF ALL, OF THIS NEW COUNTRY CALLED THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA. AND, SECONDLY, TO SUPPORT ACTIVITY FROM THE UNITED NATIONS AND FROM THE UNITED STATES TO STATION TROOPS ON THE NORTHERN BORDER TO KEEP THE WAR IN BOSNIA FROM SPILLING OVER INTO MACEDONIA."

TEXT: MACEDONIAN-AMERICANS ARE PROUD, COLONEL CHALEFF SAYS, THAT MACEDONIA IS THE ONLY SUCCESSOR STATE TO THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA IN WHICH INDEPENDENCE WAS ACHIEVED WITHOUT BLOODSHED. AND HE NOTES THAT MACEDONIAN PRESIDENT KIRI GLIGOROV [KEER-EE GLEE-GHOR-OFF] HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR THIS YEAR'S NOBEL PEACE PRIZE.

TAPE: CUT THREE -- CHALEFF (0:22) "I THINK PROBABLY THE REASON THAT THINGS ARE SEEMINGLY GOING BETTER IN MACEDONIA THAN IN SOME OF THE OTHER FORMER REPUBLICS OF YUGOSLAVIA IS THE FACT THAT THE [YUGOSLAV] ARMY LEFT, AND IT LEFT PRETTY MUCH PEACEFULLY. THEY TOOK EVERYTHING, INCLUDING THE ELECTRICAL WIRES AND LIGHTBULBS AND SHEETS AND TOWELS FROM THE ARMY HOSPITALS, BUT THEY LEFT WITHOUT A CONFLICT."

TEXT: COLONEL CHALEFF SAYS, ALTHOUGH THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA IS NOW AN INDEPENDENT STATE, IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO COMPLETE THE PROCESS OF CONVERSION FROM COMMUNISM TO DEMOCRACY.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- CHALEFF (0:59) "WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT MACEDONIA, OF ALL THE REPUBLICS THAT BROKE UP FROM THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, HAS DONE THE BEST JOB IN MAKING THIS CONVERSION. THEY'VE GOT A WONDERFUL CONSTITUTION. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THE PARLIAMENT HAS NOT ACTED SWIFTLY ENOUGH TO PASS ALL THE LAWS TO ENFORCE THE CONSTITUTION. IT JUST TAKES TIME, AND WE'RE THERE TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM. WE ALSO THIS YEAR FEEL THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS OUR EFFORTS TO OTHER PARTS OF THE BALKANS WHERE MACEDONIANS ARE NOT RECEIVING CIVIL RIGHTS, POLITICAL RIGHTS, AND SO FORTH. I'M SPEAKING PRIMARILY OF WHAT WE CALL 'AEGEAN MACEDONIA,' WHICH IS THE ONE-THIRD OF THE TERRITORY OF MACEDONIA THAT WAS GIVEN TO GREECE. THEY'VE BEEN MISTREATED AND DENIED CIVIL RIGHTS SINCE 1913, WHEN ALL THIS DIVISION TOOK PLACE. THE TERRITORY CALLED MACEDONIA WAS DIVIDED PRIMARILY IN THREE PARTS. GREECE GOT THE LARGEST PART, SERBIA GOT THE SECOND LARGEST, AND BULGARIA GOT A SMALL PART."

TEXT: COLONEL CHALEFF ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE RELATIONS AMONG ETHNIC MACEDONIANS, ALBANIANS, TURKS, AND THE ROMA -- OR GYPSIES -- ARE NOT ALWAYS SMOOTH. BUT HE EMPHASIZES THAT THE MACEDONIAN CONSTITUTION EMPHATICALLY CALLS FOR INCLUDING MEMBERS OF ALL NATIONALITIES IN THE GOVERNMENT OF MACEDONIA. AND HE SAYS, THE MACEDONIAN PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATION -- OR M-P-O -- SUPPORTS THE WORK OF A U.S.-BASED NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION CALLED SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND IN BRINGING THE DIFFERENT ETHNIC COMMUNITIES IN MACEDONIA TOGETHER.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- CHALEFF (0:32) "WE FEEL THAT THEY'RE DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB TO EDUCATE THE PEOPLE IN A NUMBER OF AREAS -- NOT ONLY IN MEDIA, BUT IN AREAS WHERE THEY HAVE CONFLICTS, IN EDUCATION. WE BELIEVE THAT THE M-P-O AND THE '[MACEDONIAN] TRIBUNE' HAVE TRIED TO ESTABLISH THE FACT THAT THE SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND PEOPLE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB, AND ARE DOING A GREAT JOB, IN MACEDONIA. FORMER [U.S.] AMBASSADOR [ROBERT] FROWICK, WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN STARTING THAT PROGRAM, WAS ONE OF OUR SPEAKERS AT THE ANNUAL CONVENTIONS A FEW YEARS AGO."

TEXT: THE "MACEDONIAN TRIBUNE," WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA -- THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE MACEDONIAN PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATION -- HAS BEEN SERIALIZING REPORTS ON THE PROJECTS OF SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND. JOURNALIST VIRGINIA NIZAMOFF [NIZ-AH-MOF] SURSO SAYS THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF INTEREST BY READERS OF THE "TRIBUNE" IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN MACEDONIA IN THESE EFFORTS TOWARDS ETHNIC COOPERATION AND PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION. MS. SURSO IS THE DAUGHTER OF A FORMER EDITOR OF THE "MACEDONIAN TRIBUNE," A MAN WHO WORKED FOR THE MACEDONIAN PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATION FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS. HER FATHER, SHE SAYS, EMIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES IN 1921, JUST A YEAR BEFORE THE M-P-O WAS FOUNDED.

TAPE: CUT FIVE -- SURSO (0:26) "IT'S A RICH HISTORY WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PRESERVE FOR OUR PEOPLE. IN THE LATE 1920'S, WHEN THINGS WERE NOT EASY FOR OUR PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM HAD BEEN IN THIS COUNTRY ONLY A FEW YEARS, THEY TOOK ALL THE EXTRA PENNIES THEY HAD IN THEIR POCKETS AND DONATED THEM SO THAT THE NEWSPAPER, THE 'MACEDONIAN TRIBUNE,' COULD BE ESTABLISHED. THE TRIBUNE HAS BEEN IN CONTINUOUS PUBLICATION SINCE FEBRARY 10, 1927."

TEXT: VIRGINIA NIZAMOFF SURSO SAYS THE LARGEST MACEDONIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ARE NOW LOCATED IN THE CITIES OF THE GREAT LAKES REGION OF THE MIDWEST, IN CALIFORNIA, AND NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY. M-P-O MEMBERS COME TOGETHER THIS WEEKEND FOR THEIR ANNUAL CONVENTION OF BANQUETS, PICNICS, MUSIC AND DANCING, WHERE THEY DO THE TRADITIONAL HORO [HOR-OH], OR MUCH-LOVED CIRCLE DANCE OF THE BALKANS.

(OPT) TAPE B: CUT ONE -- MUSIC ("SKOPJE, SKOPJE ") USE AS DESIRED.
NEB/JL/PCH
30-Aug-96 2:10 PM EDT (1810 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: UNREST IN BURUNDI, A NEW DEVELOPMENT BANK FOR THE MIDDLE EAST AND INDIA'S STAND ON THE NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY WERE AMONG THE TOPICS DISCUSSED THIS WEEK AT THE UNITED NATIONS. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE SITUATION IN BURUNDI WAS THE FOCUS OF U-N ACTIVITIES DURING MUCH OF THE WEEK. IN THE FIRST CASE, A SPECIAL U-N COMMISSION RELEASED ITS FINDINGS ON THE 1993 ASSASSINATION OF BURUNDI'S DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT, MELCHIOR NDEDAYE. (MEL'-KEE-OHR N-DA-DYE'-EH). THE REPORT SAYS THE ASSASSINATION WAS CARRIED OUT BY TOP OFFICERS OF THE BURUNDIAN ARMY, AND CITES EVIDENCE OF INDISCRIMINATE KILLING OF MEMBERS OF THE HUTU ETHNIC MINORITY. BUT, IT SAYS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO IDENTIFY THE PERSONS WHO SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

LATER IN THE WEEK, THE SECURITY COUNCIL HELD A DISCUSSION ON MORE RECENT EVENTS; THE SITUATION IN BURUNDI SINCE MAJOR PIERRE BUYOYA SEIZED POWER IN A COUP LAST MONTH. SEVERAL SPEAKERS APPLAUDED ECONOMIC SANCTIONS NEIGHBORING AFRICAN STATES HAVE IMPOSED ON BURUNDI. SOME SAID AN ARMS BLOCKADE AND OTHER MEASURES MAY STILL BE NEEDED TO FORCE THE NEW LEADERSHIP TO REINSTATE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS.

THE SECURITY COUNCIL RELEASED A RESOLUTION OUTLINING CRITICISM OF THE DETERIORATION IN SECURITY CONDITIONS AND THE LACK OF POLITICAL REFORM IN BURUNDI AND FORMALLY WARNED THE MILITARY GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION OR FACE NEW SANCTIONS.

BURUNDI'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NSANZE (NIH-SAHN-ZAY) TERENCE, REJECTED THE CRITICISM. SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER, HE SAID SPEAKERS BASED THEIR COMMENTS ON OUT OF DATE INFORMATION, AND THAT HIS GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR REFORM.

THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT IS FIRMLY RESOLVED TO TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE STEPS TO PREVENT AND TO PUT AN END TO THIS VICIOUS CIRCLE OF VIOLENCE. IT INTENDS IN FACT TO ENSURE RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF ALL HUMAN INDIVIDUALS IN BURUNDI, AND I FELT THAT I SHOULD COMMUNICATE THIS TO YOU.

THE SITUATION IN BURUNDI WAS NOT THE ONLY ISSUE DISCUSSED DURING THE WEEK AT THE UNITED NATIONS. ON THURSDAY, DELEGATES FROM THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA ANNOUNCED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW DEVELOPMENT BANK FOR THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA. THE BANK WILL MAKE LOANS PRIMARILY FOR PROJECTS INVOLVING WATER AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THE GOAL OF THE NEW BANK IS TO BRING THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF PEACE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE MIDDLE EAST.

THE NEW DEVELOPMENT BANK WILL BE HEADQUARTERED IN CAIRO WITH AN INITIAL CAPITALIZATION OF THREE-POINT-THREE-BILLION DOLLARS.

THE WEEK ENDED WITH A NEWS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY INDIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, PRAKASH SHAH. MR. SHAH REITERATED INDIA'S OBJECTIONS TO A DRAFT DOCUMENT CONCERNING THE COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY. HE SAID THE DRAFT WOULD FAIL TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF STOPPING THE DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS. HE SAID INDIA WILL NOT SIGN THE DOCUMENT IN ITS CURRENT FORM BUT WILL CONTINUE TRYING TO HAVE IT CHANGED. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/MPR/BA/KL
30-Aug-96 5:27 PM EDT (2127 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] YUGOSLAVIA MONEY (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: THE YUGOSLAV PARLIAMENT IN BELGRADE THIS WEEK APPROVED TERMS FOR SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO'S RE-ADMISSION TO THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS THAT EVEN THOUGH PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, SERB-LED YUGOSLAVIA IS STILL A LONG WAY FROM OBTAINING CREDITS NEEDED TO REACTIVATE ITS STALLED ECONOMY.

TEXT: THE YUGOSLAV FINANCE MINISTRY SAYS BELGRADE HAS NOW MET ALL THE CONDITIONS FOR RE-ENTRY INTO THE I-M-F, FROM WHICH IT WAS EXPELLED AT THE END OF 1992. EVEN THOUGH MOST ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST BELGRADE WERE LIFTED AT THE TIME OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD LAST NOVEMBER, YUGOSLAVIA IS STILL CUT OFF FROM WORLD FINANCIAL MARKETS BECAUSE IT IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE I-M-F.

THE READMISSION PROBLEM HAS BEEN HOTLY DEBATED IN BELGRADE AND WAS A MAIN REASON WHY POPULAR CENTRAL BANK CHIEF, DRAGOSLAV AVRAMOVIC, WAS OUSTED LAST MAY BY SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODON MILOSEVIC.

MR. AVRAMOVIC, WHO HAD TAMED HYPER-INFLATION IN 1994, INSISTED THAT YUGOSLAVIA MUST COMPLY WITH I-M-F TERMS IN ORDER TO GET BADLY NEEDED INVESTMENT CAPITAL. THE SERBIAN LEADERSHIP OPPOSED THE CONDITIONS, PARTICULARLY THE ONE THAT REQUIRED YUGOSLAVIA TO REAPPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP. MR. MILOSEVIC AND OTHER HARD LINERS SAID THERE WAS NO NEED TO REAPPLY, SINCE AS THE SUCCESSOR STATE TO THE OLD YUGOSLAV FEDERATION BELGRADE SIMPLY NEEDED TO HAVE ITS MEMBERSHIP REACTIVATED. THE PARLIAMENTARY RESOLUTION APPROVED ON THURSDAY ACCEDES TO I-M-F TERMS.

ANOTHER OBSTACLE TO I-M-F MEMBERSHIP IS THE TANGLED FINANCES OF THE OLD YUGOSLAV STATE, PARTICULARLY ITS UNPAID DEBTS TO WESTERN GOVERNMENTS AND COMMERCIAL BANKS. // OPT // THE I-M-F HAS DEVISED A FORMULA ASSIGNING SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO 36 PERCENT OF THE DEBT. THAT FORMULA HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE OTHER REPUBLICS AND SEEMS NOW TO HAVE BEEN INDIRECTLY ACCEPTED BY BELGRADE. // END OPT //

THE OTHER FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLICS HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO THE I-M-F AND WORLD BANK, AND HAVE ACCESS TO FOREIGN CAPITAL. BELGRADE'S PROSPECTIVE MEMBERSHIP IS ALSO COMPLICATED BY LAWSUITS IT HAS FILED CHALLENGING A DEBT RESTRUCTURING AGREEMENT RECENTLY REACHED BETWEEN COMMERCIAL BANKS AND SLOVENIA.

MEANWHILE BELGRADE'S FINANCE MINISTRY SAYS FOREIGN COMMERCIAL BANKS -- MEMBERS OF THE "LONDON CLUB" OF CREDITORS -- WILL COME TO BELGRADE SOON TO DISCUSS DEBT RESCHEDULING. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/PCF/CF
30-Aug-96 12:30 PM EDT (1630 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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