Voice of America, 96-09-11

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] BOSNIA / GENERAL (S) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

[03] BOSNIA / GENERAL (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

[04] BOSNIA / SERB RALLY (L ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BANJA LUKA)

[05] BOSNIA ELECTIONS BY KING (SARAJEVO)

[06] BOSNIA MUSLIMS (L) BY DOUG ROBERTS (TRAVNIK)

[07] U-S-TURKEY REFUGEES (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

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

INTRO: U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL WRITERS ARE CONCERNING THEMSELVES WITH SEVERAL TOPICS THIS WEDNESDAY, INCLUDING THE UPCOMING BOSNIAN ELECTIONS ON SATURDAY. OTHER COMMENTARIES DEAL WITH NEW AIRLINE SECURITY MEASURES ANNOUNCED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON; THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ; A NEW SURVEY ON AMERICAN TEENAGE DRUG USE, AND THE TREATY BANNING CHEMICAL WEAPONS. NOW, HERE IS _____________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN TODAY'S LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS WHILE SATURDAY'S GENERAL ELECTION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA MAY BE QUITE FLAWED, IT DOES AT LEAST GIVE THE PEOPLE THERE SOMETHING TO BUILD ON.

VOICE: "ARGUMENTS AGAINST HOLDING ELECTIONS AT THIS POINT ARE SOUND, AND HAVE RANGED FROM THE EMOTIONAL TO THE PRACTICAL. WHY, ASK HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES, ARE THERE ELECTIONS WHILE INDICTED WAR CRIME SUSPECTS REMAIN FREE? ... HOW, ASKS CIVIL RIGHTS SUPPORTERS, CAN THE VOTING BE FAIR WHEN THE MEDIA ARE UNBALANCED, WHEN CITIZENS ARE PHYSICALLY BARRED FROM THEIR HOME DISTRICTS? ... [HOWEVER] BOSNIANS, IF THEY VIEW WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THEIR COUNTRY THROUGH THE LENS OF GOOD SENSE, WILL STRIVE TO BUILD STRONGER INSTITUTIONS AND A BODY OF LAW THAT WILL SUPPORT A MULTIETHNIC CULTURE. "

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, THE SUN IS NOT SURE WHAT, IF ANYTHING, THE ELECTIONS WILL ACCOMPLISH, BUT FEELS, HOWEVER RELUCTANTLY, THEY SHOULD BE HELD ON SCHEDULE:

VOICE: "DISMAL EXPECTATIONS ARE JUST ABOUT THE ONLY THING GOING FOR THE U-S-BROKERED ELECTIONS IN BOSNIA ON SATURDAY... IT MAY HAVE BEEN UNWISE FOR THE U-S TO GET ENTANGLED IN A BALKAN CIVIL WAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. BUT HAVING DONE SO, WASHINGTON HAS LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO PERSEVERE AT THIS JUNCTURE."

TEXT: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S NEW PROGRAM TO INCREASE SECURITY AGAINST AIRPORT AND AIRLINE TERRORISM GETS PLENTY OF EDITORIAL ATTENTION THIS WEDNESDAY. NEWSDAY, ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND, WHERE THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH OF TWA FLIGHT 800 CONTINUES, SAYS:

VOICE: "... PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HAS ACTED WITH COMMENDABLE SWIFTNESS IN MAKING AIRLINE SECURITY A MAJOR TARGET OF A ONE-POINT-ONE-BILLION DOLLAR ANTI-TERRORISM PROPOSAL HE SENT TO CONGRESS THIS WEEK. WHATEVER ITS EXACT CAUSE, THE CRASH REVEALED JUST HOW THREADBARE THIS NATION'S SYSTEM OF AIRPORT SECURITY TRULY IS. [MR.] CLINTON'S PROPOSALS, IF ADOPTED, WOULD PATCH SOME OF ITS MOST EGREGIOUS HOLES."

TEXT: FOR ITS PART, THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON AIRLINE SECURITY HAS MADE "SOME SENSIBLE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BEEFING UP [STRENGTHENING] SECURITY MEASURES" BUT THE PAPER WORRIES ABOUT ONE OF THE PROPOSALS.

VOICE: "NO SENSIBLE TRAVELER WILL OBJECT TO IMPROVING THE TECHNOLOGY FOR DETECTING BOMBS IN LUGGAGE, ON BOARD THE PLANE AND IN CARGO HOLDS. ... BUT IT'S QUITE ANOTHER THING TO SUGGEST, AS THE COMMISSION HAS, THAT COMPUTERIZED PROFILES OF ALL PASSENGERS BE CREATED AND USED BY AIRLINES TO IDENTIFY THOSE TRAVELERS WHO MIGHT BE CONSIDERED SUSPICIOUS ON THE BASIS, FOR EXAMPLE, OF THEIR CREDIT RATING, FLYING HABITS OR FREQUENT CHANGES OF RESIDENCE... THESE ARE MATTERS THAT MUST BE DISCUSSED AND SETTLED BEFORE THE DECISION IS MADE TO CREATE A DATABASE, NOT AFTER IT IS IN OPERATION."

TEXT: TODAY'S NEW YORK POST ENTERS A PLEA FOR THE ANTI-SADDAM HUSSEIN IRAQIS AND KURDS NOW UNDER RETREAT IN NORTHERN IRAQ, COMMENTING:

VOICE: "ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ... HAVE MADE IT CLEAR (FOR REASONS WE CAN'T FATHOM [UNDERSTAND]) THAT 'MILITARY MEANS' WILL NOT BE EMPLOYED TO HELP THESE IRAQIS -- WHO ARE NOW SURROUNDED BY PRO-SADDAM KURDS -- REACH SAFETY... THIS CALLOUS DISREGARD FOR THE WELLBEING OF INDIGENOUS ALLIES -- REMINISCENT OF THE HELICOPTERS LEAVING SAIGON IN 1975, TAKING U-S PERSONNEL AND STRANDING SOUTH VIETNAMESE ALLIES -- DOES NOT SERVE WASHINGTON'S LONG-TERM INTERESTS. INDEED, SUCH CONDUCT CONVEYS AN INSIDIOUS IMPRESSION OF AMERICAN UNRELIABILITY."

TEXT: ON THE DOMESTIC FRONT, THERE IS CONSIDERABLE ANGST EXPRESSED IN EDITORIALS ABOUT A NEW TEENAGE DRUG SURVEY THAT SAYS MANY YOUNGER PARENTS, WHO MAY HAVE EXPERIMENTED WITH ILLEGAL DRUGS THEMSELVES DURING THE 1970S, HAVE A RATHER BENEVOLENT ATTITUDE TOWARD THEIR CHILDRENS' SIMILAR EXPERIMENTATIONS TODAY. SAYS THE MIAMI HERALD:

VOICE: "CASUAL ATTITUDES TOWARD KIDS AND DRUGS ARE PARTICULARLY WORRISOME BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF KIDS JUST NOW ENTERING THEIR TEEN YEARS. DOES AMERICA REALLY WANT TO WAIT TO REACT UNTIL THE ISSUE IS HUGE -- PARTICULARLY IF ONE'S OWN KIDS ARE IN DANGER? HARDLY. WISE PARENTS WILL EXAMINE NOW THEIR ATTITUDES AND THE POSTURE OF THEIR SCHOOLS, [BOY AND GIRL] SCOUT TROOPS, CHURCHES, AND TEMPLES. SOME DRUG USE MAY BE INEVITABLE, BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO
NEVITABLE, BUT IT

[02] BOSNIA / GENERAL (S) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S MILITARY JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF SAYS DISCUSSIONS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN ON WHETHER A NATO FORCE WILL BE NEEDED IN BOSNIA PAST THE END OF THE YEAR. GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI SAID IN SARAJEVO THAT FEARS ABOUT A RETURN TO WAR IN BOSNIA HAVE PROMPTED THE DISCUSSION. BUT HE SAYS IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY WHETHER NATO TROOPS WILL HAVE TO STAY IN BOSNIA. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: ON A ONE-DAY VISIT TO BOSNIA TO CHECK ON PREPARATIONS FOR ELECTIONS ON SATURDAY, GENERAL SHALIKASHVILI SAYS THAT BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF RENEWED FIGHTING IN BOSNIA, WESTERN LEADERS ARE ALREADY CONSIDERING WHETHER NATO TROOPS WILL NEED TO REMAIN HERE BEYOND THE END OF THIS YEAR.

IN MANY CAPITALS, THERE IS IN FACT A DISCUSSION WHETHER FOLLOWING I-FOR THERE WOULD NOT BE A NEED FOR SOME OTHER MILITARY FORCE, AND THAT'S WHY I THINK PROBABLY HERE IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE, SUCH DISCUSSIONS WILL START IN NATO.

THE U-S GENERAL EXPECTS NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS TO DISCUSS SUCH AN OPTION AT A MEETING LATER THIS MONTH. BUT HE SAYS IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO KNOWN WHAT KIND OF FORCE, IF ANY, WOULD BE REQUIRED.

HE SAID THE OUTCOME OF BOSNIA'S ELECTIONS SATURDAY AND THE SUCCESS OF SETTING UP POWER-SHARING INSTITUTIONS IN BOSNIA MUST BE KNOWN BEFORE ANY DECISIONS CAN BE MADE. (SIGNED)
NEB/DF/JWH/MMK
11-Sep-96 9:07 AM EDT (1307 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[03] BOSNIA / GENERAL (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE U-S MILITARY JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF SAYS DISCUSSIONS HAVE ALREADY BEGUN ABOUT WHETHER A NATO FORCE WILL BE NEEDED IN BOSNIA PAST THE END OF THE YEAR. GENERAL JOHN SHALIKASHVILI SAID IN SARAJEVO FEAR ABOUT A RETURN TO WAR IN BOSNIA HAS PROMPTED THE DISCUSSION. BUT AS DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM THE BOSNIAN CAPITAL, GENERAL SHALIKASHVILI SAYS IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY IF NATO TROOPS WILL HAVE TO STAY IN BOSNIA.

TEXT: GENERAL SHALIKASHVILI IS ON A ONE-DAY VISIT TO BOSNIA TO CHECK ON PREPARATIONS FOR ELECTIONS ON SATURDAY.

THE GENERAL SAYS BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF RENEWED FIGHTING IN BOSNIA, WESTERN LEADERS ARE ALREADY CONSIDERING WHETHER THE NATO FORCE IN BOSNIA, KNOWN AS I-FOR, WILL NEED TO REMAIN HERE BEYOND DECEMBER 20TH, WHEN ITS ONE-YEAR MANDATE ENDS.

IN MANY CAPITALS, THERE IS IN FACT A DISCUSSION WHETHER FOLLOWING I-FOR THERE WOULD NOT BE A NEED FOR SOME OTHER MILITARY FORCE, AND THAT IS WHY I THINK PROBABLY HERE IN THE NOT TO DISTANT FUTURE, SUCH DISCUSSIONS WILL START IN NATO.

THE GENERAL SAID HE EXPECTS NATO DEFENSE MINISTERS TO DISCUSS SUCH AN OPTION AT A MEETING LATER THIS MONTH. BUT HE SAYS IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO TELL WHAT KIND OF FORCE, IF ANY, WOULD BE REQUIRED. HE SAYS THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTIONS AND THE SUCCESS OF SETTING-UP POWER SHARING INSTITUTIONS IN BOSNIA MUST BE KNOWN BEFORE ANY DECISIONS CAN BE MADE.

YOU HAVE TO THEN ASK YOURSELF WHAT IS IT YOU WOULD WANT THE FOLLOW-ON FORCE TO DO OTHER THAN JUST BE HERE. THERE MUST BE SPECIFIC MILITARY MISSIONS, SPECIFIC MILITARY TASKS THAT YOU WOULD WANT IT TO DO.

WHEN U-S TROOPS WERE FIRST SENT TO BOSNIA LAST YEAR, PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID THE DEPLOYMENT WOULD LAST ONLY A YEAR. BUT GENERAL SHALIKASHVILI SAYS THE HESITANCE OF U-S OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS A CONTINUING NATO PRESENCE IN BOSNIA, INCLUDING AMERICAN TROOPS, IS NOT CONNECTED TO U-S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

ON HIS FIRST STOP IN SARAJEVO, GENERAL SHALIKASHVILI WAS BRIEFED BY NATO COMMANDERS ABOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTIONS SATURDAY. MOST NATO SOLDIERS WILL BE PROVIDING SECURITY FOR THE POLLING. TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF VOTERS WILL BE CROSSING ETHNIC LINES, USUALLY FOR THE FIRST TIME, TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

THE U-S GENERAL IS SHARPLY CRITICAL OF THE PARTIES IN BOSNIA FOR THEIR FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT THE DAYTON PEACE AGREEMENT WHICH CALLS FOR REFUGEES TO BE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

NOT JUST BECAUSE I AM AN AMERICAN SOLDIER, BUT AS A HUMAN BEING I'M VERY SADDENED THAT THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT, THE PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT, HAVE NOT ALLOWED FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT.

OBSERVERS SAY THERE SEEMS LITTLE DOUBT A SIGNIFICANT NATO PRESENCE WILL BE REQUIRED IN BOSNIA BEYOND DECEMBER IN ORDER TO KEEP THE PEACE. AMERICA'S ALLIES IN NATO HAVE SAID REPEATEDLY THE CONTINUED PRESENCE OF U-S GROUND TROOPS WILL BE ESSENTIAL TO THAT MISSION. (SIGNED)
NEB/DF/JWH/RAE
11-Sep-96 2:50 PM EDT (1850 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[04] BOSNIA / SERB RALLY (L ONLY) BY PAMELA TAYLOR (BANJA LUKA)

INTRO: THE RULING S-D-S PARTY IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC HAS HELD A MASS RALLY IN THE WESTERN BOSNIAN TOWN OF BANJA LUKA. HUNDREDS OF SERBS FROM TOWNS AND VILLAGES AROUND THE BOSNIAN SERB STRONGHOLD OF PALE WERE BUSED IN TO JOIN LOCAL PEOPLE IN A SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR THE PARTY OF FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC. V-O-A'S PAMELA TAYLOR FILED THIS REPORT FROM THE RALLY.

TEXT:

IT WAS THE LARGEST POLITICAL RALLY SO FAR IN BANJA LUKA THIS ELECTION WEEK. THE CROWD RESPONDED ENTHUSIASTICALLY AS SPEAKER AFTER SPEAKER REPEATED THE FAVORITE SERB PLEDGE -- ABOUT FINALLY HAVING A SEPARATE BOSNIAN SERB STATE.

THE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS WERE THE SERB CANDIDATE FOR THE MULTI-ETHNIC PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA -- MOMCILO KRAIJSNIK -- AND MR. KARADZIC'S CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT OF THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC, BILJANA PLAVSIC.

POSTERS OF RADOVAN KARADZIC CIRCULATED THROUGHOUT THE CROWD -- PROVIDING A REMINDER OF WHO THE REAL POWER IS IN THE S-D-S PARTY.

UNDER A COLOR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE FAMILIAR FACE WAS THE SLOGAN, "WE WILL CONTINUE." IT WAS THE FIRST TIME POSTERS OF MR. KARADZIC WERE NOTED IN PUBLIC IN BANJA LUKA, UNLIKE IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC WHERE THEY APPEAR ALMOST EVERYWHERE. GLOSSY, WELL-PRODUCED POSTERS OF ALL THE SERB CANDIDATES COVERED WALLS AND TREES THROUGHOUT BANJA LUKA. THE POSTERS WERE PAID FOR FROM ELECTION CAMPAIGN FUNDS PROVIDED TO ALL PARTIES BY THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE.

S-D-S SUPPORTERS ALSO PASSED OUT RED, WHITE AND BLUE FLAGS WITH THE SERB SEAL ON THEM, PROMISING THAT THEY WILL BECOME THE FLAG OF THE NEW SERB STATE.

THE WELL-ORGANIZED RALLY INCLUDED SPEAKERS FROM A LARGE DELEGATION OF FRIENDS OF SERBS FROM ABROAD, INCLUDING FRANCE AND RUSSIA.

THERE WAS A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE WHO WERE KILLED IN THE BOSNIAN CONFLICT BEFORE THE CROWD SANG THEIR NATIONAL ANTHEM.

THE BUSING OPERATION WAS ONE REASON FOR THE LARGE TURNOUT AT THE RALLY. BUT PERHAPS ANOTHER WAS THAT, LIKE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE, THE CROWD SIMPLY WANTED TO SEE IN PERSON THEIR LOCAL CELEBRITIES.

IT ALSO MAY HAVE BEEN A MESSAGE DIRECTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA THAT FLOODED BANJA LUKA THIS WEEK THAT SERBS WILL NOT BE TOLD BY ANYONE HOW TO VOTE. (SIGNED) NEB/PT/JWH/RRM/
11-Sep-96 3:35 PM EDT (1935 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[05] BOSNIA ELECTIONS BY KING (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: VOTERS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA WILL SOON BE CASTING BALLOTS IN THEIR COUNTRY'S FIRST POST-WAR ELECTION. IT IS AN EXTREMELY COMPLEX UNDERTAKING, AND V-O-A'S KYLE KING TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT'S INVOLVED.

TEXT: JUST NINE MONTHS AFTER SIGNING A PEACE AGREEMENT THAT ENDED EUROPE'S WORST WAR IN A HALF-CENTURY, BOSNIA'S MUSLIMS, CROATS AND SERBS ARE GOING TO THE POLLS THIS SATURDAY.

NEARLY THREE-MILLION PEOPLE WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THE ELECTION, INCLUDING MORE THAN 640-THOUSAND REFUGEES THAT ARE SCATTERED IN 55 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.

ORGANIZERS CALL IT THE MOST COMPLICATED ELECTION IN THE CENTURY. INDEED, A BRIEF LOOK AT THE NUMBERS SHOW WHY -- NEARLY 28-THOUSAND CANDIDATES AND 50 POLITICAL PARTIES TRYING TO GET VOTES ... MORE THAN FOUR-THOUSAND POLLING STATIONS STAFFED BY 35-THOUSAND ELECTION WORKERS AND SUPERVISORS ... HUNDREDS OF INDEPENDENT MONITORS WILL BE WATCHING THE PROCESS, AND MORE THAN 54-THOUSAND NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING TROOPS AND POLICE MONITORS WILL BE ON HAND TO ASSIST THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LOCAL POLICE PROVIDING SECURITY.

JEFF FISCHER, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF ELECTIONS FOR THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE, EXPLAINS WHAT VOTERS WILL ENCOUNTER WHEN THEY SEE THEIR BALLOTS.

THERE WILL BE FOUR COLOR-CODED BALLOTS. YOU HAVE THE THREE-PERSON PRESIDENCY OF THE NATION OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, YOU HAVE THE NATIONAL PARLIAMENT, YOU HAVE IN THE REPUBLICA SERBSKA A PRESIDENCY OF REPUBLICA SERBSKA. THAT BALLOT WILL NOT BE PRESENT IN THE FEDERATION. //OPT// YOU HAVE, IN THE FEDERATION, CANTONAL ASSEMBLIES, WHICH ARE SORT OF LIKE COUNTIES -- LARGER UNITS THAN MUNICIPALITIES. THERE ARE NO CANTONS IN REPUBLICA SERBSKA. AND IN BOTH ENTITIES, THERE ARE ENTITY ASSEMBLIES OF WHICH (TO WHICH VOTERS) WILL BE ELECTING DELEGATES. //END OPT//

CRITICS CHARGE THE ELECTION IS SO COMPLEX, AND THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZING IT SO FLAWED, THAT THE ENTIRE THING SHOULD BE PUT OFF UNTIL THE SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY IS MORE STABLE.

O-S-C-E SPOKESWOMAN AGGIE KUPERMAN ADMITS THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE WAY THE ELECTIONS WERE ORGANIZED.

WELL, I'M SURE SOME CRITICISM IS JUSTIFIED. EVERY ORGANIZATION HAS FLAWS IN IT. AND EVERY ORGANIZATION, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT REPRESENTS 55 COUNTRIES, IS GOING TO HAVE MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS, ORGANIZATIONAL PROBLEMS. ON THE WHOLE, I REALLY FEEL THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE UNDERTAKING, NOT JUST (FOR) O-S-C-E, BUT TOGETHER (FOR) THE WHOLE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ... I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A SEAMLESS OPERATION WHERE THE MILITARY AND THE CIVILIAN COMMUNITIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WORK SO CLOSELY TOGETHER, HAND IN GLOVE, TO MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

O-S-C-E OFFICIALS SAY IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THE ELECTION ARE KNOWN, AS BALLOTS ARE COUNTED AT LOCAL ELECTION COMMISSIONS AND SENT TO O-S-C-E REGIONAL CENTERS. FROM THERE, THE RESULTS WILL BE SENT TO THE PROVISIONAL ELECTION COMMISSION IN SARAJEVO.

ASSUMING THE ELECTION ITSELF GOES SMOOTHLY -- SOMETHING THAT IS FAR FROM CERTAIN -- BOSNIA'S NEW GOVERNMENT IS TO FORMED BY OCTOBER 14TH. ANALYSTS SAY IT WILL ONLY BE THEN THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL KNOW IF THE ELECTION WAS A SUCCESS. (SIGNED) NEB/KBK/PCF/RRM/
11-Sep-96 11:37 AM EDT (1537 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[06] BOSNIA MUSLIMS (L) BY DOUG ROBERTS (TRAVNIK)

INTRO: BOSNIA'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN IS NEARING AN END WITH A HOST OF RALLIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. LEADERS OF THE MUSLIM-BASED DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF ACTION OR S-D-A WERE IN THE CENTRAL TOWN OF TRAVNIK WEDNESDAY. THEY ATTACKED THEIR MAIN RIVALS AND WARNED VOTERS NOT TO DIVIDE THE MUSLIM VOTE. FROM TRAVNIK DOUG ROBERTS REPORTS.

TEXT:

THE RALLY BEGAN WITH BOSNIA'S NATIONAL ANTHEM. SOME TEN THOUSAND RESIDENTS OF TRAVNIK AND SURROUNDING MUSLIM VILLAGES GATHERED IN A HOTEL PARKING LOT TO HEAR SPEECHES FROM S-D-A LEADERS INCLUDING BOSNIA'S VICE PRESIDENT EJUP GANIC AND PRIME MINISTER HASSAN MURATOVIC. BOTH WERE WARMLY WELCOMED BY THE FLAG WAVING CROWD BUT THE LOUDEST CHEERS WERE RESERVED FOR THE ABSENT PARTY LEADER BOSNIA'S PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC. PARTY SUPPORTERS JOINED IN A CAMPAIGN SONG THAT PRAISES THE PRESIDENTS.

THE MAIN THEME OF THE RALLY HERE WAS THE NEED FOR UNITY AMONG MUSLIM VOTERS AND PRIME MINISTER MURATOVIC DELIVERED A SCATHING ATTACK ON A NUMBER OF SMALL OPPOSITION PARTIES THAT ARE ALSO SEEKING MUSLIM SUPPORT. HE SAID THE RIVAL GROUPS REPRESENT A GREATER THREAT THAN THE COUNTRY'S SERB AND CROAT BASED POLITICAL PARTIES. THE OPPOSITION LEAD BY FORMER PRIME MINISTER HARIS SILADZIC ALLEGES THAT THE S-D-A HAS ABANDONED ITS COMMITMENT TO A MULTI-ETHNIC BOSNIA AND TURNED TO ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM. PRIME MINISTER MURATOVIC DISMISSED BOTH CHARGES AND DECLARED THAT THE S-D-A'S GOAL IS TO GAIN MORE VOTES THAN ALL THE OPPOSITION PARTIES COMBINED. HE WARNED THE CROWD THAT BY VOTING FOR THE OPPOSITION THEY WILL ONLY WEAKEN THE POLITICAL POWER OF BOSNIA'S MUSLIM MAJORITY.

IT HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT BEAM AT S-D-A RALLIES OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS AND THERE ARE SIGNS THAT THE MESSAGE IS GETTING THROUGH TO MUSLIM VOTERS. I AM NOT AN S-D-A SUPPORTER SAID ONE TRAVNIK RESIDENT BUT IF I CAST A VOTE FOR THE OPPOSITION HE ADDED IT WILL ONLY STRENGTHEN OUR ENEMIES.

VIRTUALLY ALL ANALYSTS AGREE THAT THE S-D-A WILL GARNER MOST OF THE MUSLIM VOTE. THEY SAY MR. SILADZIC AND OTHER OPPOSITION FIGURES CAN COUNT ON CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT IN THE MAIN TOWNS AND CITIES BUT THEY SAY RURAL VOTERS AND BOSNIA'S HUGE REFUGEE COMMUNITY REMAINS SOLIDLY BEHIND THE RULING PARTY. OPPOSITION LEADERS SAY THEY HOPE TO GET ENOUGH SUPPORT AT THE POLLS TO CHALLENGE THE S-D-A'S DOMINANCE. WHETHER OR NOT THEY ACHIEVE THAT OBJECTIVE IS ONE OF THE KEY QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED ON ELECTION DAY. (SIGNED) NEB/DR/GKT/T/LWM
11-Sep-96 4:49 PM EDT (2049 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S-TURKEY REFUGEES (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: AS THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ DETERIORATES, THE UNITED STATES IS TRYING TO SAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ASSISTED THE HUMANITARIAN OPERATION KNOWN AS PROVIDE COMFORT FOR THE IRAQI KURDS. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES IS CALLING ON TURKEY FOR QUICK ACTION.

TEXT: THE APPROXIMATELY 25 HUNDRED REFUGEES ARE GATHERED BETWEEN ZAKHO AND DOHUK AWAITING PERMISSION FROM TURKEY TO CROSS THE BORDER. THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS PREDICTING ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE SHORTLY TO ADMIT THE IRAQI KURDS WHO FACE RETRIBUTION FROM SADDAM HUSSEIN BECAUSE OF THEIR WORK WITH THE UNITED STATES AND AMERICAN ALLIES IN THE PROVIDE COMFORT OPERATION.

THE UNITED STATES SAYS TURKEY HAS A MORAL OBLIGATION TO HELP THE KURDS WHO ARE NOT ECONOMIC MIGRANTS BUT INSTEAD FEAR A THREAT TO THEIR LIVES. TURKEY AND THE UNITED STATES JOINED BRITAIN AND FRANCE IN SETTING UP PROVIDE COMFORT IN 1991 TO PROTECT THE KURDS FROM SADDAM HUSSEIN.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS URGES TURKEY TO ACT QUICKLY TO PROTECT THESE REFUGEES.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO TALK TO THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT'S A MAJOR PROBLEM BECAUSE IT REQUIRES QUICK ACTION AND QUICK DECISION MAKING AND A SENSE OF DECISIVENESS. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE BRINGING TO THESE DISCUSSIONS, WE THE UNITED STATES, AND WE HOPE VERY MUCH THAT THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT WILL AGREE WITH US THAT WE NEED TO COMPLETE THIS OPERATION QUICKLY.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT ADMITS THE HUMANITARIAN OPERATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ HAS BEEN SUSPENDED IN THE WAKE OF THE IRAQI BACKED OFFENSIVE OF MASSOUD BARZANI'S FORCES AND ALL AMERICAN AID OFFICIALS LEFT NORTHERN IRAQ LAST WEEK. MR. BURNS SAYS THE KURDS WHO COOPERATED IN DELIVERING HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES NEED TO BE PROTECTED.

IT MAKES SENSE FOR THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES TO TRY TO BRING THIS PARTICULAR GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO PROVIDED THE WORK FORCE FOR PROVIDE COMFORT, TO GET THEM OUT OF IRAQ, BECAUSE IF WE DON'T WE CANNOT BE AT ALL SURE THAT THEIR LIVES WOULD BE PROTECTED AGAINST THE SECURITY GOONS OF SADDAM HUSSEIN.

WHAT IS LEFT FOR THE AMERICAN BACKED COALITION IN NORTHERN IRAQ IS THE MILITARY ASPECT OF PROVIDE COMFORT, THE NO FLY ZONE, WHICH THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS IS STILL SUPPORTED BY ALL FOUR COUNTRIES INCLUDING TURKEY. FOR ITS PART, TURKEY FEARS A MASS INFLUX OF KURDS THAT MIGHT INCLUDE THE KURDISH WORKERS PARTY, THE P-K-K, AN ORGANIZATION THAT USES VIOLENCE AGAINST TURKEY. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/GKT/PT
11-Sep-96 5:40 PM EDT (2140 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article