Voice of America, 96-10-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] AMERICAN MUSLIMS AS A NEW CONSTITUENCY BY AKMAL ALEEMI (WASHINGTON)

[02] BULGARIA ELEX BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[03] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[04] FRANCE AIRLINES (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

[05] GERMANY / STRIKES (L) (CQ) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[06] IRAQ / KURDS (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

[07] PEDOPHILE FUROR IN BELGIUM BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[08] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[09] U-S-KURDS (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[10] U-S / BOSNIA ARMS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[11] US / BOSNIA ARMS (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[01] AMERICAN MUSLIMS AS A NEW CONSTITUENCY BY AKMAL ALEEMI (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AN ESTIMATED SIX-MILLION AMERICAN MUSLIMS WHO REMAINED OUTSIDE THE POLITICAL PROCESS FOR DECADES ARE SHOWING KEEN INTEREST IN THE NOVEMBER FIFTH ELECTIONS. MOSQUES HAVE BEEN USED FOR VOTER REGISTRATION -- THE AMERICAN MUSLIM COUNCIL (AMC), A WASHINGTON-BASED LOBBY GROUP, SET UP HOSPITALITY TENTS OUTSIDE THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTIONS IN SAN DIEGO AND CHICAGO IN A BID TO ESTABLISH TIES WITH THE DOLE AND CLINTON CAMPAIGNS -- AND OTHER MUSLIM GROUPS HAVE BEEN MEETING ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR NATIONAL OFFICE. V-O-A'S AKMAL ALEEMI REPORTS THE AMERICAN MUSLIM COUNCIL EARLY THIS WEEK INVITED WASHINGTON AREA POLITICIANS TO ITS PRE-ELECTION SEMINAR TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF PARTICULAR MUSLIM CONCERN.

TEXT: PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND AFRICAN STUDIES WITH THE NEW YORK STATE UNIVERSITY AT BINGHAMTON, ALI MAZRUI, CALLS THE U-S MUSLIM POPULACE A NEW CULTURE CONSTITUENCY:

AS YOU KNOW THIS IS A COMMUNITY THAT IS NOW NECK IN NECK IN SIZE WITH JEWISH COMMUNITY. THERE ARE SIX-MILLION MUSLIMS. THEY COME IN WITH NEW VALUES AND NEW DISCIPLINES TO THE AMERICAN ARENA. BUT UNTIL NOW THEY HAVE NOT BEEN REALLY POLITICAL. SO THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THEIR POLITICIZATION, AND THEY ARE HAVING A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE AND A CRISIS OF LEGITIMACY AS TO WHETHER TO PARTICIPATE FULLY WITHIN A SOCIETY WHICH IS LARGELY NON-MUSLIM. I THINK MOST OF US BELIEVE WE SHOULD PARTICIPATE, BUT THERE IS A MINORITY OF MUSLIMS WHO NEED TO BE REASSURED THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO. AND WE ARE TRYING TO TEACH THAT MINORITY IT IS NOT SINFUL TO BE POLITICALLY ACTIVE IN THE UNITED STATES IF YOU ARE A MUSLIM.

A POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY, MUMTAZ AHMAD, GIVES REASONS THAT PREVIOUSLY PREVENTED AMERICAN MUSLIMS FROM PARTICIPATING IN POLITICS. HE SAYS THE IMMIGRANTS HAD LITTLE OR NO EXPERIENCE OF OPEN AND FREE ELECTIONS IN THEIR NATIVE LANDS.

THEY REMAINED UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF WHAT HAS COME TO BE KNOWN AS A MYTH OF RETURN -- THAT HAS BEEN SHATTERED OVER THE YEARS. MANY MUSLIMS SUFFERED FROM EMBARRASSMENT CAUSED BY THE SEIZURE OF 62 AMERICANS IN TEHERAN ON THE EVE OF U-S NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN 1979. RELIGIOUS MUSLIMS THOUGHT THEY COULD NOT FUNCTION POLITICALLY IN A PREDOMINANTLY NON-MUSLIM SOCIETY. BUT ACCORDING TO PROFESSOR AHMAD, THINGS HAVE CHANGED:

I BELIEVE, HOWEVER, THAT MUSLIM COMMUNITY HAS NOW GAINED SUFFICIENT FOOTHOLD IN THE AMERICAN SOCIETY AND IS READY TO PLAY AN EFFECTIVE ROLE IN THE AMERICAN POLITICAL PROCESS. IT HAS NECESSARY ECONOMIC WHEREWITHAL, IT HAS MAN POWER AND IT HAS IDEOLOGICAL STRENGTH - PROBABLY THE THREE MOST IMPORTANT PREREQUISITES FOR EFFECTIVE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION BY THE MUSLIMS OR BY ANY OTHER GROUP IN THE AMERICAN SOCIETY.

LIKE MANY EUROPEAN ETHNIC GROUPS, MOST JEWISH CITIZENS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO INTEGRATE WITH THE MAINSTREAM U-S SOCIETY AND ARE WIDELY PERCEIVED AS MAKING TREMENDOUS IMPACT OVER POLICY-MAKING, WORKING THROUGH THE COUNTRY'S POLITICAL SYSTEM.

VIRGINIA CONGRESSMAN JAMES MORAN, TOLD THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HE HAD EARLIER IN THE DAY ADDRESSED TWO DIFFERENT GROUPS OF JEWISH VOTERS WHO SURPRISED HIM BY NOT ASKING A SINGLE QUESTION ABOUT THE TENSIONS IN JERUSALEM. HE SAID THEY WERE WORRIED MORE ABOUT THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS HERE THAN THE EVENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. BUT, PROFESSOR MAZRUI SAYS MUSLIM VOTERS CAN NOT YET MAKE THEIR MARK ON THE COMING ELECTIONS.

I THINK, THIS YEAR, THE INFLUENCE WILL BE IN THE REVERSE DIRECTION. THE ELECTIONS WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON MUSLIMS BECAUSE THEY WILL BE IN A LEARNING PROCESS ON HOW TO BEGIN TO ENTER INTO THE MAINSTREAM POLITICAL ARENA AND HOW TO LEARN A FEW THINGS ABOUT CANDIDATES AND HOW TO INFLUENCE POLICY. SO I DO NOT EXPECT MAJOR CHANGES IN TERMS OF IMPACT FROM THE MUSLIMS UPON THE POLITICAL PROCESS THIS YEAR, BUT AS A POTENTIAL FORCE IN FUTURE ELECTIONS, I SEE THIS AS A SIGNIFICANT NEW CONSTITUENCY IN THE AMERICAN ARENA.

THE POINT MADE BY CONGRESSMAN MORAN WAS ALSO EMPHASIZED BY PROFESSOR MUMTAZ AHMAD IN HIS PRESENTATION:

THE MOST IMPORTANT TASK FOR OUR POLITICAL STRATEGY, I BELIEVE, SHOULD BE TO DEVELOP POLITICAL ALLIANCES AND POLITICAL COOPERATION WITH NON-MUSLIM ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS. WE HAVE NOT ONLY TO SEEK THEIR SUPPORT FOR OUR CONCERNS, BUT WE HAVE TO EXTEND OUR SUPPORT TO THEM FOR THEIR CONCERNS, AND WE HAVE TO LEARN FROM THEM. HOW MANY OF US IN THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY RAISE A VOICE OF PROTEST WHEN A SYNAGOGUE IS ATTACKED? HOW MANY OF US IN THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY RAISE THE VOICE OF PROTEST WHEN BLACK CHURCHES ARE SET ON FIRE? IF WE DO NOT SHOW EMPATHY AND INTEREST IN THE AFFAIRS OF OTHERS, WE SHOULD NOT EXPECT A RECIPROCAL SYMPATHY AND INTEREST IN OUR AFFAIRS FROM OTHERS.

CONGRESSMAN THOMAS DAVIS SPOKE ABOUT HIS PERFORMANCE IN THE HOUSE, AND TOLD MUSLIMS WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE UNITED STATES.

ONE THING ABOUT AMERICA: YOU CAN MOVE TO PARIS, FRANCE, YOU CAN LIVE THERE THREE GENERATIONS, AND YOU WILL NEVER BE A FRENCHMAN. YOU CAN MOVE TO BERLIN, LIVE IN GERMANY ALL YOUR LIFE AND NEVER WILL BE CONSIDERED A GERMAN. BUT ANYBODY CAN MOVE TO UNITED STATES AND BECOME AN AMERICAN. AND THAT IS WHAT MADE THIS COUNTRY GREAT IN OUR DIVERSITY -- RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY. IT IS ONE NATION UNDER GOD. THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT WAYS WE RESPECT TO WORSHIP THAT GOD. AND VALUES YOU REPRESENT ARE HELPING OUR COUNTRY AND OUR COMMUNITY TO FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS, ALCOHOLISM...HOLDING OUR FAMILIES TOGETHER.

THE AMERICAN MUSLIM COUNCIL DATA SAYS MORE THAN A DOZEN MUSLIMS ARE RUNNING OR RE-RUNNING FOR LOCAL POLITICAL OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. IN THE 1992 ELECTIONS, TWO PROMINENT MUSLIM BUSINESSMEN RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' SEATS FROM CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK ON THE REPUBLICAN TICKETS. (SIGNED) NEB/RAE*
24-Oct-96 9:49 AM EDT (1349 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] BULGARIA ELEX BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: BULGARIA'S SIX-AND-ONE-HALF-MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO CAST BALLOTS THIS SUNDAY IN THE FORMER COMMUNIST COUNTRY'S SECOND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. BUT AS BARRY WOOD REPORTS, THERE IS LITTLE EXCITEMENT ABOUT EITHER OF THE TWO MAIN CANDIDATES FOR THE LARGELY CEREMONIAL POST OF PRESIDENT.

TEXT: THE TWO MAIN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ARE THE ANTI-COMMUNIST PETAR STOYANOV OF THE UNION OF DEMOCRATIC FORCES AND IVAN MARAZOV, THE CULTURE MINISTER AND CANDIDATE OF THE FORMER COMMUNISTS NOW CALLED SOCIALISTS. THE CURRENT PRESIDENT, ZHELYU ZHELEV, LOST TO MR. STOYANOV IN A U-S-STYLE PRIMARY ELECTION IN JUNE.

OPINION SURVEYS SUGGEST MR. STOYANOV HAS THE SUPPORT OF ALMOST HALF THE VOTERS, WHILE SOCIALIST CANDIDATE MARAZOV HAS 23-PERCENT SUPPORT.

SUNDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL POLL IS SEEN AS A REFERENDUM ON THE GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC POLICIES. THE LEFTIST ADMINISTRATION OF PRIME MINISTER ZHAN VIDENOV IS UNDER PRESSURE AS THE COUNTRY HOVERS ON THE BRINK OF DEFAULTING ON ITS FOREIGN DEBT. MAJOR BANKS WERE PLACED UNDER STATE SUPERVISION EARLIER THIS YEAR AND A CURRENCY COLLAPSE LED TO BOTH SHARPLY ACCELERATING INFLATION AND A DEEP COMPRESSION IN LIVING STANDARDS.

EXPRESSED IN DOLLAR TERMS, AVERAGE SALARIES IN BULGARIA HAVE PLUMMETED TO UNDER 100 DOLLARS A MONTH. THE CENTRAL BANK IS WARNING WITHOUT EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, IT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MEET ITS PAYMENT SCHEDULE ON FOREIGN DEBT. THERE HAVE BEEN SHORTAGES OF BREAD AND GASOLINE IN BULGARIA.

BULGARIA IS IN RECESSION AND IN DESPERATE NEED OF FOREIGN CURRENCY. THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND HAS OFFERED TO HELP, BUT HAS WITHHELD LOAN INSTALLMENTS UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT MAKES GOOD ON ITS PROMISES TO CLOSE MONEY-LOSING ENTERPRISES AND SELL STATE-OWNED CORPORATIONS.

ANALYSTS EXPECT VOTER TURNOUT SUNDAY WILL BE LOW. SOME INFLUENTIAL BULGARIANS ARE CALLING FOR A BOYCOTT, SAYING NEITHER MAJOR CANDIDATE IS ADDRESSING BULGARIA'S ECONOMIC CRISIS. IN ADDITION, THERE IS AN GROWING MOVEMENT TO RESTORE THE ONCE-DISCREDITED BULGARIAN MONARCHY.

EXILED KING SIMEON THE SECOND FLED BULGARIA AS A CHILD IN 1946 WITH THE ADVENT OF COMMUNISM. NOW AGE 59, AND A BUSINESS CONSULTANT IN SPAIN, KING SIMEON WAS ALLOWED TO VISIT BULGARIA IN MAY AND RECEIVED AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME FROM SUPPORTERS.

THE BULGARIAN PRESIDENT SERVES A FIVE-YEAR TERM. IF, AS EXPECTED, NO CANDIDATE RECEIVES A MAJORITY ON SUNDAY, A SECOND ROUND OF VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE NOVEMBER THIRD. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/PCF/RAE
24-Oct-96 10:51 AM EDT (1451 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MIXED IN TRADING ON MAJOR EUROPEAN MARKETS. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING FIGURES FROM OUR BUREAU IN LONDON.

TEXT: LEADING SHARE PRICES WERE DOWN IN BOTH LONDON AND FRANKFURT. ONLY THE PARIS EXCHANGE MANAGED TO FINISH UP, BUT ONLY JUST. TRADERS SAY A MARKET CORRECTION MAY BE UNDER WAY, AFTER RECENT STRONG GAINS. BUT THEY SAY THEY DO NOT SEE ANYTHING -- AS THEY PUT IT -- PARTICULARLY PANICKY GOING ON. IN LONDON, THE FINANCIAL TIMES FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS DOWN 29 POINTS. SINCE MONDAY, WHEN IT CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH, THE LONDON MARKET HAS LOST ALMOST 74 POINTS -- MORE THAN ONE-AND-THREE-QUARTERS PERCENT OF ITS VALUE.

IN FRANKFURT, THE GERMAN MARKET'S DAX-30 INDEX WAS DOWN ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF ONE PERCENT. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ENDED THE DAY UP, JUST A FRACTION.

THE GERMAN MARK CONTINUED TO GAIN IN VALUE AGAINST BOTH THE U-S DOLLAR AND THE JAPANESE YEN. BUT THE DOLLAR ROSE IN VALUE AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND. (SIGNED)
LON/JWH/CF
24-Oct-96 1:45 PM EDT (1745 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRANCE AIRLINES (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

INTRO: BRITISH AIRWAYS STANDS TO CONTROL ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF FRANCE'S DOMESTIC AIR ROUTES IF, AS EXPECTED, ITS OFFER TO BUY A TROUBLED INDEPENDENT FRENCH AIRLINE SUCCEEDS. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: FOR FRANCE'S STATE-OWNED AIRLINE "AIR FRANCE," THE NEWS THAT BRITISH AIRWAYS IS ABOUT TO STRENGTHEN ITS HOLD ON THE FRENCH MARKET WAS THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO COMING TO LIFE.

FOR THE PAST WEEK, FRENCH TRANSPORT OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN STRESSING THE NEED TO KEEP "AIR LIBERTE," A PRIVATELY-OWNED AIRLINE, IN FRENCH HANDS. AIR LIBERTE WAS PUT UNDER COURT PROTECTION LAST MONTH BECAUSE IT COULD NO LONGER PAY ITS DEBTS.

THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT SAID FRENCH BUSINESS SHOULD SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY AIR LIBERTE AND TURN IT INTO WHAT THEY CALL "A SECOND POLE" ALONGSIDE AIR FRANCE. THIS, THEY ARGUED, WOULD STRENGTHEN FRANCE'S POSITION AS THE EUROPEAN UNION PLANS TO DEREGULATE EUROPEAN AIR TRAFFIC NEXT YEAR.

THE SOLUTION SEEMED TO BE AT HAND WHEN THE TRAVEL GROUP NOUVELLES FRONTIERES SAID IT WAS LEADING A CONSORTIUM WITH THE RIVAUD BANKING GROUP TO TAKE OVER AIR LIBERTE.

NOW THAT OFFER HAS COLLAPSED BECAUSE THE RIVAUD GROUP SUDDENLY SAID IT WAS DESERTING THE FRENCH CONSORTIUM TO BACK THE BRITISH AIRWAYS BID. NOUVELLES FRONTIERES IMMEDIATELY WITHDREW FROM THE BATTLE, LEAVING BRITISH AIRWAYS ALONE

BRITISH AIRWAYS ALREADY OWNS THE "T-A-T" FRENCH REGIONAL AIRLINE AND, WITH AIR LIBERTE, WILL CONTROL ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF FRENCH DOMESTIC FLIGHTS. THE BRITISH AIRLINE ORIGINALLY OFFERED SOME FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FOR AIR LIBERTE BUT HAS SINCE INCREASED THAT BID SUBSTANTIALLY TO WIPE OUT THE FRENCH AIRLINE'S DEBTS.

THE CONSERVATIVE DAILY NEWSPAPER "LE FIGARO" BLAMED SUCCESSIVE FRENCH GOVERNMENT'S FOR AIR FRANCE'S PROBLEMS. IT SAID THE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD HAVE PRIVATIZED AIR FRANCE SOME YEARS AGO. THEN, IT SAID, THE AIRLINE COULD HAVE BEEN IN A POSITION TO COMPETE WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS AND TAKE FRANCE'S SHARE OF THE EUROPEAN SKIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/JN/PCF/CF
24-Oct-96 12:31 PM EDT (1631 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] GERMANY / STRIKES (L) (CQ) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: STEELWORKERS HAVE WALKED OFF THE JOB IN GERMANY TO PROTEST THE PROSPECTS OF REDUCED SICK PAY BENEFITS. V-O-A'S KYLE KING IN BONN REPORTS METAL WORKERS AT GERMAN AUTOMOTIVE PLANTS ALSO ARE TAKING PART IN NATIONWIDE PROTESTS. NEW LEGISLATION HAS ENABLED GERMAN INDUSTRY TO CURB SICK PAY BENEFITS.

TEXT: THE LATEST STRIKES IN GERMANY FOLLOW THE COLLAPSE OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST UNION, I-G METALL.

OFFICIALS OF THE METALWORKERS UNION SAY THEIR MEMBERS ARE ANGRY AND DISAPPOINTED AT THE LACK OF PROGRESS IN SETTLING THE DISPUTE, WHICH FOCUSES ON EFFORTS TO REDUCE SICK PAY BENEFITS TO 80-PERCENT OF FULL PAY.

EMPLOYERS SAY THE CUTS ARE NEEDED TO TRIM COSTS IN AN INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY. ANALYSTS SAY THE SICK PAY CUT ALONE WOULD SAVE GERMAN EMPLOYERS EIGHT-BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.

UNION LEADERS SAY THE BENEFIT CUTS WOULD BE A BREACH OF CONTRACTS THAT DO NOT EXPIRE UNTIL THE END OF 1998. THEY ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT PLANS FOR CUTS IN VACATION AND CHRISTMAS BONUSES.

MORE THAN 10-THOUSAND STEELWORKERS IN THE INDUSTRIAL NORTHWEST WALKED OFF THE JOB IN THE LATEST ROUND OF PROTESTS. TENS OF THOUSANDS OF WORKERS ALSO HELD RALLIES OUTSIDE AUTO AND ELECTRONICS PLANTS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SIMILAR PROTESTS EARLIER THIS MONTH FORCED DAIMLER-BENZ AND SEVERAL OTHER LARGE GERMAN FIRMS TO SUSPEND THE CUTS THEY HAD PLANNED TO IMPLEMENT OCTOBER FIRST.

EMPLOYERS SAY THE PROTESTS HAVE COST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PRODUCTION LOSES. CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL HAS URGED THE TWO SIDES TO KEEP TALKING.

BUT UNION LEADERS ARE NOT LIKELY TO GIVE UP WITHOUT A FIGHT. THEY SAY THE NUMBER OF NEW MEMBERS HAS INCREASED IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, WITH AS MANY AS 10 PEOPLE A DAY SIGNING UP AT SOME FACTORIES. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/JWH/RAE
24-Oct-96 11:21 AM EDT (1521 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] IRAQ / KURDS (L) BY LAURIE KASSMAN (CAIRO)

INTRO: A CEASE-FIRE APPEARS TO BE HOLDING BETWEEN FEUDING KURDISH FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SKIRMISHES AND REPORTS OF FIRING BY THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN FORCES. THE TWO SIDES AGREED TO THE TRUCE AFTER THEIR LEADERS MET SEPARATELY EARLIER THIS WEEK WITH U-S ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE ROBERT PELLETREAU. V-O-A MIDDLE EAST CORRESPONDENT LAURIE KASSMAN REPORTS THE PEACE TALKS FOR A LONG-TERM SOLUTION ARE TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK IN TURKEY.

TEXT: A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN (PUK) IN ANKARA SAYS HE HAS NO REPORTS OF HEAVY FIGHTING IN NORTHERN IRAQ. SHAZAD SAYEEB SAYS THE TRUCE WILL CREATE THE PROPER CONDITIONS FOR PEACE TALKS, WHICH ARE DUE TO START NEXT WEEK.

IN GENERAL, REPORTS WE ARE RECEIVING FROM THE FIELD, THE CEASE-FIRE SINCE LAST NIGHT IS GOING ON AND IS IMPLEMENTED BY P-U-K UNITS IN THE FIELD, AND WE ALSO HEAR THE OTHER SIDE IS HOLDING IT FORTUNATELY. SO WE HOPE IT WILL ENCOURAGE THE PEACE TALKS NEXT WEEK IN ANKARA.

THERE WERE REPORTS FROM NORTHERN IRAQ OF SKIRMISHES NEAR THE TOWN OF DEGALA THURSDAY MORNING. BUT BOTH FACTIONS SAY THEY WILL RESPECT THE CEASE-FIRE.

A STATEMENT FROM THE KURDISTAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY (KDP) SAYS IT WILL HONOR THE CEASE-FIRE AND REFRAIN FROM ANY MILITARY ACTION, EXCEPT IN SELF-DEFENSE. BUT THE STATEMENT ADDED THAT A DURABLE CEASE-FIRE DEPENDS ON IRAN ENDING ANY INTERVENTION. IN AUGUST, THE K-D-P ACCUSED ITS RIVAL OF RELYING ON IRANIAN MILITARY SUPPORT INSIDE NORTHERN IRAQ. K-D-P LEADER MASSOUD BARZANI CALLED ON IRAQ FOR HELP TO PUSH THE P-U-K FORCES OUT OF THEIR STRONGHOLDS IN THE REGION. THIS MONTH, THE P-U-K FOUGHT ITS WAY BACK IN AND REGAINED MUCH OF THE GROUND IT HAD LOST.

THE U-S SPONSORED PEACE TALKS NOW AIM TO GET THE TWO SIDES TO RESOLVE THE FACTIONAL FEUDING AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE INSTEAD OF THE BATTLEFIELD. (SIGNED)
NEB/LK/JWH/CF
24-Oct-96 11:38 AM EDT (1538 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] PEDOPHILE FUROR IN BELGIUM BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: MORE THAN 300-THOUSAND PEOPLE JAMMED A CENTRAL SQUARE IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, THIS PAST SUNDAY TO PROTEST A HIGH COURT'S DECISION TO FIRE A JUDGE INVESTIGATING THAT NATION'S HISTORIC PEDOPHILE SCANDAL.

U-S PAPERS ARE REACTING TO THE DEMONSTRATION AND THE EVENTS BEHIND IT, AND WE GET A SAMPLING NOW FROM __________________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: FOR MORE THAN TWO MONTHS, BELGIUM HAS BEEN GRIPPED IN A NATIONAL HORROR OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND MURDER. THIS PAST WEEKEND, PEOPLE'S TEMPERS REACHED THE BOILING POINT. BELGIAN POLICE ARRESTED A FORMER CONVICT AND CHARGED HIM WITH KIDNAPPING AND MURDERING FOUR YOUNG GIRLS WHO WERE ALSO SEXUALLY MOLESTED.

IN ADDITION, TWO OTHER GIRLS WHO HAD BEEN KIDNAPPED WERE RESCUED BY AUTHORITIES. BUT TEN CHILDREN REMAIN MISSING AND THERE ARE GROWING FEARS FOR THEIR LIVES.

AT THE HEART OF SUNDAY'S PROTEST WAS THE GOVERNMENT'S REMOVAL OF THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGE WHO HAD BEEN WORKING WITH THE POLICE ON THE CASE. BELGIUM'S HIGH COURT REMOVED HIM BECAUSE IT SAID HE HAD SHOWN FAVORITISM TOWARD THE YOUNG VICTIMS BY ATTENDING A FUNDRAISING DINNER ON THEIR BEHALF.

BEYOND THE SACKING OF THE JUDGE, MANY OBSERVERS SAY, IS A LONG-HELD BELIEF BY BELGIANS THAT THEIR JUSTICE SYSTEM IS CORRUPT.

SOME U-S PAPERS HAVE PICKED UP THAT THEME, AND ARE SUGGESTING THE REASON SO MANY BELGIANS ARE ANGRY IS THE BELIEF THE JUDGE WAS ABOUT TO IMPLICATE POLICE OFFICERS AND POSSIBLY OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN A COVERUP OF THE PEDOPHILE RING.

WE BEGIN OUR SAMPLING IN HONOLULU, WHERE THE STAR-BULLETIN PICKS UP THAT THEME.

VOICE: "WHAT INFURIATED MANY CITIZENS EVEN MORE WAS THE SUSPICION OF GOVERNMENT INCOMPETENCE AND EVEN COMPLICITY IN THE AFFAIR. THE PORNOGRAPHY RING WAS ALLEGEDLY HEADED BY MARC DUTROUX, A CONVICTED CHILD RAPIST, WHO HAD BEEN GRANTED EARLY RELEASE FROM PRISON. THE REMOVAL OF A RESPECTED STATE INVESTIGATOR [AND JUDGE] FROM THE CASE BY BELGIUM'S HIGHEST COURT WAS THE LAST STRAW. ..... CHANGE WILL NOT BE EASY TO ACHIEVE IN A JUDICIAL SYSTEM RIDDLED WITH POLITICAL PATRONAGE. THE OFFICIALS CALLED UPON TO INSTITUTE REFORMS HAVE THEMSELVES COME UP THROUGH THE PATRONAGE SYSTEM. BUT THE SCANDALS HAVE AROUSED THE PUBLIC LIKE NOTHING ELSE IN POSTWAR BELGIAN HISTORY. LIKE PARENTS EVERYWHERE, THE BELGIANS PLACE THEIR CHILDREN'S WELFARE AND PROTECTION ABOVE ALL ELSE. THEY ARE DEMANDING THAT GOVERNMENT FULFILL ITS RESPONSIBILITIES, AND OFFICIALS WILL IGNORE THEM AT THEIR PERIL."

TEXT: IN CALIFORNIA, THE SACRAMENTO BEE HAS ALSO BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY AND BELIEVES THE INVESTIGATIVE JUDGE'S REMOVAL FROM THE CASE WAS CRITICAL.

VOICE: "DEEPENING PUBLIC OUTRAGE WAS LAST WEEK'S DISMISSAL ..... OF A POPULAR INVESTIGATING MAGISTRATE - - WHO ALSO HAD BEEN DISMISSED FROM AN EARLIER INVESTIGATION OF THE STILL-UNSOLVED MURDER OF A POLITICIAN - - ON THE GROUND THAT HE HAD COMPROMISED HIMSELF BY MEETING WITH FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS. MANY BELGIANS BELIEVE THAT IN BOTH CASES HE WAS GETTING CLOSE TO IMPLICATING OFFICIALS. BELGIUM HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY CORRUPTION SCANDALS IN RECENT HEARS. IN PART THAT MAY REFLECT AN INSENSITIVITY TO PUBLIC OPINION, IN PART THE FACT THAT JUDGES, WHO PLAY BOTH INVESTIGATIVE AND JUDICIAL ROLES, ARE APPOINTED BY PARLIAMENT, SOME WITH MORE POLITICAL THAN JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS."

TEXT: THE NATIONAL DAILY USA TODAY, RAN THIS COLUMN BY LINDA CHAVEZ IN WHICH SHE PONDERS THE DIFFERENT REACTIONS TO CHILD RAPE, KIDNAPPING AND TORTURE IN BELGIUM AS COMPARED TO THE UNITED STATES.

VOICE: "WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN THIS COUNTRY IF THE NEXT TIME A CHILD WAS STARVED TO DEATH OR RAPED OR MURDERED, WE DECIDED WE WEREN'T EVER AGAIN GOING TO ALLOW SUCH A THING TO OCCUR WITHOUT PUNISHING EVERY PERSON WHO BORE SOME RESPONSIBILITY? WHAT IF WE WERE TO STOP WORKING AND TAKE TO THE STREETS THE NEXT TIME A REPEAT OFFENDER SNUFFED OUT SOME INNOCENT LIFE? ...... CAN WE AMERICANS IMAGINE ANY CRIME SO HEINOUS THAT WE WOULD RESPOND SIMILARLY, WITH GENUINE MORAL INDIGNATION AT THE FAILURE OF THE U-S JUSTICE SYSTEM TO PUNISH CRIMINALS AND PROTECT THE INNOCENT? ..... IF TINY BELGIUM CAN TURN OUT 300-THOUSAND PEOPLE TO MOURN THE DEATHS OF A DOZEN INNOCENT CHILDREN, WHY AREN'T THERE AN EQUIVALENT SIX MILLION AMERICANS WHO WOULD DO THE SAME FOR THE HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN WHO DIE IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES HERE?"

TEXT: AND LASTLY, FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, THIS SUMMING UP OF WHAT THE PAPER AND MANY PEOPLE IN BELGIUM BELIEVE, IS THE CLUMSY WAY THE GOVERNMENT HAS HANDLED THE EXPANDING INVESTIGATION.

VOICE: "PRIME MINISTER JEAN-LUC DEHAENE HAS PROMISED THERE WILL BE REFORM IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. HE ALSO PROMISED THAT THE DUTROUX INVESTIGATION WILL BE PURSUED TO THE END. THAT'S FINE, BUT HIS WORDS HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE DAMAGE DONE TO FAITH IN GOVERNMENT. [MR.] DEHAENE AND HIS OFFICIALS HAVE HANDLED THE INVESTIGATION POORLY, AND BELGIANS ARE ASKING WHY."

TEXT: WITH THOSE THOUGHTS FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM AROUND THE UNITED STATES ON THE CURRENT PEDOPHILE SCANDAL IN BELGIUM.
NEB/ANG/NL
24-Oct-96 11:54 AM EDT (1554 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: A PAIR OF FOREIGN ELECTIONS, ONE IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE OTHER IN JAPAN, CONTINUE TO HOLD THE FOCUS OF MANY EDITORIAL WRITERS IN THE UNITED STATES. OTHER TOPICS FOUND IN THURSDAY'S EDITORIAL COLUMNS INCLUDE: PRESIDENT CLINTON'S OUTLINE FOR NATO EXPANSION; EMERGENCY AID TO CUBA'S HURRICANE VICTIMS; EUROPE'S EMERGING FAR RIGHT, AND TRADE WITH CHINA. NOW, HERE WITH A QUOTE OR TWO IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: AT LEAST ONE PAPER IS LEADING ITS EDITORIAL COLUMN WITH COMMENTS ON NICARAGUA'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION HELD SUNDAY. THE WASHINGTON TIMES DEVOTES ITS ATTENTION TO THE LOSING CANDIDATE, FORMER SANDINISTA LEADER DANIEL ORTEGA, AND HIS DIFFICULTY RECOGNIZING HIS UNPOPULARITY.

VOICE: "...MR. ORTEGA IS OBVIOUSLY IN A STATE OF DENIAL ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE NICARAGUAN PEOPLE HAVE NOW REJECTED HIM TWO ELECTIONS IN A ROW. THIS SUNDAY, THEY HANDED HIM A VERY CONVINCING ELECTION DEFEAT ON A PLATTER, AND HE IS REFUSING TO ACCEPT IT -- WHICH COME TO THINK OF IT -- IS JUST THE KIND OF REACTION ONE MIGHT EXPECT FROM THE MAN WHO BROUGHT NICARAGUA TEN YEARS OF MARXIST DICTATORSHIP. ... [OPT] UNFORTUNATELY, MR. ORETGA'S OLD FRIENDS AND SPONSORS, THE SOVIET AND THE CUBANS, HAVE EITHER GONE OUT OF BUSINESS OR RUN OUT OF MONEY. SO INSTEAD OF USING BRUTE FORCE, HE'S RESOLVED TO DISPUTE THE ELECTION RESULTS. WHAT'S MORE, HE IS WORKING TO FOMENT TENSIONS IN THIS POOR AND WARTORN LAND." [END OPT]

TEXT: THE BALTIMORE SUN IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT FOR NICARAGUA UNLESS MR. ORTEGA ACCEPTS THE ELECTION RESULTS.

VOICE: "UNTIL SANDINISTA LEADER DANIEL ORTEGA ACCEPTS THE ELECTION VERDICT, WHICH SO FAR HE HAS REFUSED TO DO, NICARAGUA IS FACED WITH THE THREAT OF PROTESTS AND RENEWED VIOLENCE. NICARAGUAN PASSIONS RUN DEEP. WHAT PROVIDES MR. ORTEGA WITH A FOLLOWING HE ILL-DESERVES IS A FEAR AMONG THE POOR MASSES THAT MR. ALEMAN WILL SCRAP THE LAND REFORMS THAT REPRESENT THE ONE ADMIRABLE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SANDINISTA ERA. THE PRESIDENT-ELECT HAS PROMISED HE WILL NOT TAKE PLOTS OF LAND AWAY FROM PEASANTS RELEASED AT LAST FROM THE SERFDOM THAT HAS LONG BEEN A PART OF THE VAST CHASM BETWEEN RICH AND POOR IN NICARAGUAN SOCIETY."

TEXT: NICARAGUA'S DESPERATE ECONOMIC SITUATION PROMPTS THIS REACTION FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, WHICH SAYS IN PART:

VOICE: "...NICARAGUA'S ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL RUIN DID NOT TAKE PLACE OVERNIGHT. EVERY GOVERNMENT IN MEMORY -- FROM THE LONG DICTATORSHIP OF ANASTASIO SOMOZA TO THE DARK DECADE OF THE SANDINISTAS TO THE INEPT SIX-YEAR RULE OF VIOLETA CHAMORRO -- EACH DID ITS UNFORTUNATE PART TO DRAG THE COUNTRY FARTHER DOWN. NOW ALL NICARAGUANS SHOULD LOOK INTO THE RUINS, GATHER THEIR PRIDE AND COME TOGETHER TO SALVAGE THEIR NATION."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE WEEK'S OTHER ELECTION, IN JAPAN, WHICH SAW THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS REGAIN POWER AFTER THREE YEARS OF A REFORM-MINDED, BUT WEAK COALITION GOVERNMENT, TODAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR OFFERS THIS ASSESSMENT:

VOICE: "WITH ITS NARROW VICTORY, THE L-D-P-LED GOVERNMENT NOW HAS SEVERAL TASKS AHEAD: FIRST, IT MUST FULFILL ITS PROMISE TO STREAMLINE THE LARGE AND POWERFUL BUREAUCRACY, AN UNDERTAKING THAT MAY BE DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE L-D-P'S CLOSE TIES WITH LONG-SERVING BUREAUCRATS. SECOND, IT WILL HAVE TO STEADY AN ECONOMY THAT HAS NOT FULLY RECOVERED FROM ITS RECESSION... THIRD, THE NEW GOVERNMENT MUST CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE U-S TO HAMMER OUT JOINT GEOSTRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC AGREEMENTS... WITHOUT CONTINUED POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM, THOUGH, THE 'NEW POLITICS OF JAPAN' COULD EASILY SLIP BACK INTO THE OLD, FAMILIAR WAYS."

TEXT: THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER CALLS THE JAPANESE VOTE "A CAUTIOUS REVOLUTION," ADDING:

VOICE: "[OPT] JAPAN'S NATIONAL ELECTIONS LAST WEEKEND HAVE CONFIRMED A LESSON THAT AMERICA'S REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS ALREADY LEARNED: PEACEFUL REVOLUTIONS ARE HARD TO MAKE. [END OPT] ... AMERICA HOPED THE L-D-P DEFEAT ... THREE YEARS AGO ... WOULD HELP OPEN JAPAN'S ECONOMY TO FOREIGN COMPETITION AND PRODUCE A TWO-PARTY SYSTEM THAT GAVE VOTERS CLEAR CHOICES. THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. THEN LAST WEEKEND, THE L-D-P WON 239 SEATS OUT OF 500, AND A MANDATE TO GOVERN... IT MAY BE THAT JAPAN'S VOTERS STILL WANT LESS CORRUPTION AND LESS BUREAUCRACY -- SO THEY DENIED THE L-D-P A LANDSLIDE -- BUT THEY WEREN'T COMFORTABLE WITH THOSE WHO PLEDGED REFORM BUT DIDN'T IMPLEMENT IT."

TEXT: AMONG EDITORIAL COMMENT ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S SPEECH ABOUT PLANS FOR NATO EXPANSION BEGINNING IN 1999, THE BOSTON GLOBE CALLS IT "UNWISE HASTE..."

VOICE: "THE NATO ALLIES, THE GOVERNMENT OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND (RUSSIA) HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN INTENSE CONSULTATIONS ABOUT THE ENLARGEMENT OF NATO FOR SEVERAL YEARS. ONLY [MR.] CLINTON'S DATE CERTAIN CAN BE SEEN AS A NOVELTY. BUT IN THIS MATTER, THE SETTING OF A DEADLINE COULD PROVE TO BE IMPRUDENT... THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF RUSSIA APPEARS LESS PREDICTABLE THAN EVER, AND THIS UNCERTAINTY SHOULD BE A REASON FOR CAUTION..."

TEXT: TODAY'S MIAMI HERALD AGREES WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ORDER THAT ALLOWS DIRECT U-S FLIGHTS OF HURRICANE RELIEF SUPPLIES TO CUBA, CALLING IT A "PRAISEWORTHY GESTURE."

VOICE: "OPPONENTS ARGUE THAT [MR.] CASTRO SOMEHOW WILL TURN THIS HUMANITARIAN EFFORT TO HIS OWN ADVANTAGE. THAT'S ALWAYS POSSIBLE, OF COURSE; [MR.] CASTRO PERSONIFIES DEVIOUSNESS. BUT THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MIAMI AND THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES HAVE WELL-ESTABLISHED LINKS WITH THE CUBAN BRANCH OF CARITAS, THE CHURCH'S RELIEF AGENCY. CARITAS ASSURES THAT THE AID WILL GET TO WHERE IT'S NEEDED."

TEXT: THE NEW YORK TIMES IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISING TIDE OF FAR RIGHT-WING POLITICS IN EUROPE, AS EXEMPLIFIED BY AUSTRIA'S FREEDOM PARTY SHOWING IN MUNICIPAL AND EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS EARLIER THIS MONTH.

VOICE: "THE FAR RIGHT'S RESURGENCE IS SCARCELY LIMITED TO AUSTRIA, THOUGH NOWHERE ELSE HAS IT COME QUITE SO FAR. IN FRANCE, JEAN-MARIE LE PEN'S ANTI-IMMIGRANT NATIONAL FRONT HAS BEEN A MAJOR POLITICAL FACTOR FOR WELL OVER A DECADE AND ... IN ITALY A LEADER OF THE OLD NEO-FASCIST MOVEMENT, GIANFRANCO FINI, HAS BECOME A MAJOR NATIONAL FIGURE... FAR-RIGHT PARTIES, AS LONG AS THEY PLAY BY THE DEMOCRATIC RULES, SHOULD BE FREE TO CONTEST FOR VOTES AND POWER. [HOWEVER] MAINSTREAM PARTIES NEED TO MEET THEIR GROWING CHALLENGE BY ADDRESSING THE VOTERS' ANXIETIES THAT ARE FUELING THE RIGHTIST SURGE."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, ON THE ISSUE OF TRADE, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL SAYS NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO GRANT A WAIVER FOR CHINA TO JOIN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION.

VOICE: "INCLUDING CHINA IN THE W-T-O IS A WORTHY ULTIMATE GOAL, BUT THE MERIT OF ANY DEAL WILL DEPEND ON GETTING THE DETAILS RIGHT. CERTAINLY THERE IS SOME LEEWAY FOR ALLOWING A PHASING-IN PERIOD FOR BEIJING'S COMPLIANCE WITH TARIFF LEVELS. BUT IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE EXPECTATIONS OF EVENTUAL COMPLIANCE BE SPELLED OUT EXPLICITLY. AND ON ISSUES LIKE TRANSPARENCY OF LAWS AND REGULATIONS, IMMEDIATE COMPLIANCE MUST BE DEMANDED SO THAT THE CHINESE LEADERSHIP UNDERSTANDS CLEARLY THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD EXPECTS TO ENJOY RECIPROCAL BENEFITS."

TEXT: ON THAT TRADE NOTE WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
NEB/ANG/PCH
24-Oct-96 11:03 AM EDT (1503 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] U-S-KURDS (S ONLY) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES SAYS THE CEASEFIRE BETWEEN THE KURDISH FACTIONS IN IRAQ APPEARS TO BE TAKING HOLD AND AMERICAN OFFICIALS EXPECT TO CONDUCT DIRECT PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE FACTIONS NEXT WEEK. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

TEXT: ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE ROBERT PELLETREAU, NOW VISITING THE GULF, WILL RETURN TO TURKEY THIS WEEKEND TO HOLD DIRECT TALKS BETWEEN THE KURDISH DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE PATRIOTIC UNION OF KURDISTAN. MR. PELLETREAU HELPED TO ARRANGE THE CEASEFIRE BETWEEN THE TWO WARRING FACTIONS IN NORTHERN IRAQ IN SEPARATE MEETINGS HELD IN TURKEY EARLIER THIS WEEK.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS THE CEASEFIRE APPEARS TO BE TAKING HOLD AND THE UNITED STATES HOPES THE DIRECT TALKS WILL LEAD TO A MORE PERMAMENT TRUCE BETWEEN THE FACTIONS.

WHAT WE'D LIKE TO DO IN GENERAL IS TO SEE THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRAQ RETURN TO SOME SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY AND THAT WOULD MEAN RELATIVE PEACE, NO FIGHTING, A CEASEFIRE. IT WOULD MEAN STABILITY,POLITICALLY THAT THE KURDISH PARTIES WORK OUT SOME KIND OF ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THEM.

MR. BURNS SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS NO INFORMATION THAT IRAN IS SIGNIFICANTLY INVOLVED IN THE PATRIOTIC UNION'S LATEST MILITARY MOVES IN NORTHERN IRAQ. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
24-Oct-96 5:17 PM EDT (2117 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S / BOSNIA ARMS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE BULK OF AMERICAN MILITARY EQUIPMENT FOR THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION ARMY HAS ARRIVED IN THE CROATIAN PORT OF PLOCE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE DELIVERY OF THOSE WEAPONS IS BEING HELD UP BY THE UNITED STATES.

TEXT: CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN TOLD TO DISMISS A DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER WITH CLOSE TIES TO IRAN IF THE FEDERATION WANTS TO HAVE DELIVERY OF THE AMERICAN ARMS SHIPMENT THAT HAS ARRIVED IN THE REGION. THE MINISTER IS IDENTIFIED AS HASSAN CENGIC.

THE OFFICIALS SAY JAMES PARDEW, THE U-S OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF THE ARMS PROGRAM, MADE THE DEMAND TO PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC IN SARAJEVO. BOSNIAN OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE RESISTING THE SUGGESTION, BUT AMERICAN OFFICIALS HERE SAY THEY EXPECT MR. CENGIC'S RESIGNATION WITHIN DAYS.

THE EQUIPMENT THAT ARRIVED IN CROATIA INCLUDES 45 M-60 MAIN BATTLE TANKS, 15 HELICOPTERS, 840 LIGHT ANTI-TANK WEAPONS, 800 MACHINE GUNS, 80 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS AND 45 THOUSAND RIFLES. THERE IS ALSO AMMUNITION FOR ALL THE WEAPONS. THIS IS THE BULK OF THE AMERICAN EQUIP AND TRAIN PROGRAM FOR THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION ARMY. THE FIRST SMALLER SHIPMENT TOOK PLACE IN AUGUST AFTER THE FEDERATION PASSED A DEFENSE LAW COMBINING MUSLIM AND CROAT ARMIES.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS BOSNIA NEEDS TO TAKE CERTAIN STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE LAW. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAYS UNITED STATES WILL DELIVER THE ARMS TO BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT STORAGE SITES ONLY WHEN IT IS SATISFIED THESE CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET.

THIS EQUIPMENT WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO IFOR-APPROVED FEDERATION MILITARY STORAGE SITES IN BOSNIA BUT IT WILL ONLY BE SHIPPED TO THOSE STORAGE SITES WHEN SOME REMAINING ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THE UNITED STATES ARE RESOLVED ON A SATISFACTORY BASIS BY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT IN SARAJEVO. THESE ISSUES RELATE TO KEY COMPONENTS OF THE FEDERATION DEFENSE LAW AND SOME ADDITIONAL STEPS ARE NEEDED TO PROMOTE COOPERATION IN FORMING THE JOINT ARMED FORCES IN THE FEDERATION.

THE UNITED STATES UNDERTOOK THE EQUIP AND TRAIN PROGRAM TO GIVE MUSLIM AND CROAT FORCES PARITY WITH THE BETTER ARMED SERBS. THE THOUGHT WAS TO DISCOURAGE THE BOSNIAN SERBS FROM RESUMING THE WAR AFTER INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING TROOPS LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

MR. BURNS WOULD NOT DISCUSS THE REQUEST FOR MR. CENGIC'S RESIGNATION BUT THE AMERICAN DEMAND WAS CONFIRMED BY THE BOSNIAN EMBASSY HERE. U-S OFFICIALS EXPRESS CONFIDENCE THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WILL DISMISS THE MINISTRY OFFICIAL AND TAKE OTHER STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION. THIS WILL PERMIT THE MILITARY EQUIPMENT, NOW ON THE CROATIAN COAST, TO BE LOADED ON TO TRUCKS AND BE DELIVERED IN BOSNIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/KL
24-Oct-96 4:31 PM EDT (2031 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] US / BOSNIA ARMS (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE BULK OF AMERICAN MILITARY EQUIPMENT FOR THE BOSNIAN FEDERATION ARMY HAS ARRIVED IN THE CROATIAN PORT OF PLOCE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT THE DELIVERY OF THOSE WEAPONS IS BEING HELD UP.

TEXT: CLINTON ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN TOLD TO DISMISS A DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER WITH CLOSE TIES TO IRAN IF THE FEDERATION WANTS TO HAVE DELIVERY OF THE AMERICAN ARMS SHIPMENT THAT HAS ARRIVED IN THE REGION.

THE OFFICIALS SAY JAMES PARDEW, THE U-S OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF THE ARMS PROGRAM, MADE THE DEMAND TO PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC IN SARAJEVO.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS WOULD ONLY SAY THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO TAKE STEPS BEFORE THE UNITED STATES WILL DELIVER THE ARMS TO STORAGE SITES.

THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO UPGRADE THE CAPABILITIES OF THE FEDERATION DEFENSE FORCES SO THAT THEY'LL BE A RELATIVE BALANCE OF POWER AND THAT WAR CAN BE DETERRED IN THE FUTURE BUT THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT HAS SOME RESPONSIBILITIES TO US BEFORE WE CAN UNDERTAKE THIS.

U-S OFFICIALS EXPRESS CONFIDENCE THE BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT WILL DISMISS THE MINISTRY OFFICIAL AND TAKE OTHER STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION TO PERMIT THE EQUIPMENT TO BE DELIVERED. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/BD/CF
24-Oct-96 3:24 PM EDT (1924 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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