Voice of America, 96-11-13

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

CONTENTS

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

[02] =CHRISTOPHER/BOSNIA ONITER (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PARIS)

[03] CHRISTOPHER/BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PARIS)

[04] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[05] MUSLIMS MASSED AT SERB BORDER (L-WRAP) BY LAURA ROZEN (SARAJEVO)

[06] ROMANIA ELECTION (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

[07] U-S/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

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

INTRO: A WIDE ARRAY OF TOPICS ARE EXAMINED BY THE NATION'S NEWSPAPER EDITORIAL WRITERS THIS WEDNESDAY, INCLUDING THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT SCANDAL IN THE ARMY; THE SLOW PACE OF THE TWA 800 CRASH INVESTIGATION, AND THE REFUGEE CRISIS IN ZAIRE. THERE IS ALSO DISCUSSION OF THE IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT IN CHILE AND THE WORLD FOOD SUMMIT. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND A QUOTE OR TWO IS __________________ AND TODAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: MANY PAPERS CONTINUE TO COMMENT ON ALLEGATIONS THAT A NUMBER U-S ARMY OFFICERS AND SERGEANTS HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY HARASSING FEMALE RECRUITS AT TWO, AND POSSIBLY MORE, ARMY TRAINING CENTERS. CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST INSTRUCTORS AT BASES IN MARYLAND AND MISSOURI. THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN THE OREGONIAN, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, IS TYPICAL OF WHAT MANY PAPERS ARE SAYING:

VOICE: "THE ALLEGED CRIMES ARE ESPECIALLY APPALLING BECAUSE THE TRAINING SCHOOL IS A TEXTBOOK SETTING FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT -- SUPERIORS ARE OLDER, THEIR AUTHORITY IS ABSOLUTE, INTIMIDATION AND FEAR ARE THE NORMS. THE POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE IS TREMENDOUS... IN ROOTING OUT ABUSE, THE ARMY MUST TRY TO AVOID A WITCH HUNT AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED WHILE ENCOURAGING VICTIMS TO STEP FORWARD. IT'S TOUGH DUTY -- BUT THE SERVICE OWES IT TO ITS SOLDIERS AND TO THE COUNTRY TO DISCHARGE IT QUICKLY AND HONORABLY."

TEXT: IN NEW YORK, NEWSDAY OF LONG ISLAND DRAWS PARALLELS BETWEEN THE ARMY SCANDAL AND AN EARLIER SEXUAL HARASSMENT INCIDENT IN THE U-S NAVY:

VOICE: "THE U-S NAVY STILL HASN'T FULLY RECOVERED FROM THE SEXUAL-HARASSMENT SCANDAL THAT SPREAD LIKE AN OIL SLICK FROM A DRUNKEN TAILHOOK PILOTS' CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS FIVE YEARS AGO. NOW THE ARMY HAS A HARASSMENT CASE ON ITS HAND THAT COULD TURN OUT TO BE EVEN MORE SERIOUS THAN TAILHOOK. THE PENTAGON MUSTN'T BOTCH [FAIL] THIS INVESTIGATION, AS IT DID THE EARLIER ONE. THE NATION'S ARMED SERVICES SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD SUCH A DEVASTATING BLOW TO THEIR HONOR OR THEIR CREDIBILITY."

TEXT: SEVERAL U-S DAILIES ARE COMMENTING ON A CASE OF ALLEGED RACIAL DISCRIMINATION THAT OCCURRED AT THE TEXACO CORPORATION, THE HUGE OIL COMPANY. SOME HIGH TEXACO OFFICIALS ARE ACCUSED OF REFERRING TO BLACK WORKERS IN DISPARAGING REMARKS WHICH WERE SECRETLY TAPE RECORDED. BUT THE COMPANY SAYS THE REMARKS WERE MISINTERPRETED. TODAY'S SUN IN BALTIMORE WRITES:

VOICE: "EVEN IF TEXACO EXECUTIVES DID NOT USE A RACIAL SLUR IN TALKING ABOUT BLACK EMPLOYEES OF THE OIL COMPANY, A TAPE RECORDING OF THE CONVERSATION PROVIDES CLEAR EVIDENCE OF THEIR BIAS NOT ONLY TOWARD AFRICAN AMERICANS BUT JEWS AS WELL... THE TEXACO EXECUTIVES' DEMONSTRATION OF WHAT OCCURS WHEN GOOD OLD BOYS [THE PRESUMPTION IS THE "GOOD OLD BOYS" ARE WHITE, BUT THAT IS UNDERSTOOD, NOT WRITTEN] GET TOGETHER BEHIND CLOSED DOORS IS JUST THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF HOW FAR THIS NATION HAS TO GO BEFORE IT CAN DECLARE THE EXISTENCE OF A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD [A FAIR BUSINESS ARENA] WHERE ALL ARE JUDGED ON THE CONTENT OF THEIR CHARACTER AND NOT THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE CRISIS IN EASTERN ZAIRE, WHERE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HUTU REFUGEES ARE CAUGHT UP IN A CONFLICT BETWEEN ZAIRE AND TUTSI REBELS, TODAY'S BOSTON GLOBE SAYS:

VOICE: "CANADA ACTED WITH GREAT COMPASSION WHEN IT OFFERED TO LEAD A MILITARY FORCE THAT WILL COME TO THE AID OF THE HUTU REFUGEES FLEEING THE FIGHTING IN EASTERN ZAIRE. THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL WILL BE DOING A DISSERVICE TO BOTH THE MILITARY PEACEMAKERS AND THE REFUGEES IF IT LIMITS THE MANDATE OF THE FORCE TO RELIEF IN ZAIRE. THE U-N NEEDS TO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO BREAK UP THE REFUGEE CAMPS AND RETURN THE OCCUPANTS TO RWANDA, THEIR HOME COUNTRY WHERE A FEW OF THEM OUGHT TO BE TRIED FOR GENOCIDE."

TEXT: IN TEXAS, THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS IS ALSO DISTRESSED ABOUT ZAIRE, AND URGES THE UNITED NATIONS TO STEP IN WITH A MULTINATIONAL FORCE AND PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN RELIEF:

VOICE: "...IF EVER THE DEVIL WERE IN THE DETAILS, HE REPOSES IN THE CURRENT GRIM SCENARIO. WHILE INTERVENTION BY A MULTINATIONAL FORCE IS IMPERATIVE, DISPATCHING OUTSIDE TROOPS TO ZAIRE WITHOUT FORGING A PRIOR UNDERSTANDING WITH THE REGION'S COMBATANTS MAY END UP COMPOUNDING THE DISASTER, RATHER THAN ALLEVIATING IT... THE TUTSI REBELS ARE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHO AMONG THE REFUGEES GETS WHAT. THEY ARE UNDERSTANDABLY CAUTIOUS BECAUSE THOUSANDS OF ARMED HUTU REBELS ARE KNOWN TO BE IN THE RANKS OF THE REFUGEES..."

TEXT: TURNING TO THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE, THERE IS AN IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT UNDERWAY IN CHILE, WITH ALMOST ALL THE SPANISH AND PORTUGESE NATIONS IN ATTENDANCE. TODAY'S MIAMI HERALD SAYS THE EVENT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT ONE FOR CUBAN LEADER FIDEL CASTRO.

VOICE: "AS HIS PRESENCE AT THE IBERO-AMERICAN SUMMIT IN CHILE THIS WEEKEND DEMONSTRATED, [FIDEL] CASTRO HAS TURNED INTO A FOLKLORIC FIGURE THAT HEMISPHERIC LEADERS FEEL COMPELLED AT ONCE TO HUMOR AND TO SCOLD. IT WOULD BE PATHETIC EXCEPT THAT, AS HE HAS SINCE 1959, HE HOLDS CUBA UNDER HIS ABSOLUTE CONTROL... THERE IS A PROTOCOL IN WORLD SUMMITS THAT PRECLUDES PARTICIPANTS FROM GANGING UP, OFFICIALLY, ON ONE OF THE INVITED GUESTS. BUT UNOFFICIALLY -- AND INDIRECTLY -- THE 23 LEADERS GATHERED IN CHILE GAVE FIDEL CASTRO AN EARFUL. THEY LET HIM KNOW THAT HIS STYLE OF GOVERNMENT IS UNACCEPTABLE [AND] HIS IDEAS TIRED..."

TEXT: TODAY'S WASHINGTON POST ISSUES WHAT IT CALLS A "MESSAGE TO THE KOREAS" CONCERNING THE LINGERING AFTER EFFECTS OF THE NORTH KOREAN SPY SUBMARINE INCIDENT A FEW WEEKS AGO.

VOICE: "SOUTH KOREA HAS NOTCHED UP [INCREASED] ITS REACTION TO THE NORTH KOREAN SUBMARINE INCIDENT. FROM A SLOWDOWN IN CONTACTS, IT HAS DECLARED A BOYCOTT UNTIL THE ROGUE NORTH PROPERLY APOLOGIZES. THE SOUTH SURELY HAS A POINT. ITS TERRITORY WAS INVADED, AND ITS SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS WERE KILLED. THE SOUTH'S GOVERNMENT, IN TOUGHENING ITS LINE, IS NOT SIMPLY RESPONDING TO PUBLIC OUTRAGE. THIS DEED WAS DONE BY A COMMUNIST REGIME THAT HAS NEVER CEASED ITS THREATS -- AND ACTORS -- OF AGGRESSION."

TEXT: AND LASTLY, FROM THE PORTLAND [MAINE] PRESS HERALD, SOME THOUGHTS ON THE WORLD FOOD CONGRESS UNDERWAY IN ROME.

VOICE: "FOOD IS ONLY ONE-HALF OF THE EQUATION, HOWEVER. THE OTHER HALF IS POPULATION STABILIZATION. THE PROBLEM IS APPARENT WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THAT GRAIN PRODUCTION HAS BEEN INCREASING TWO-POINT-THREE PERCENT SINCE 1990 WHILE WORLD POPULATION HAS BEEN GROWING TEN PERCENT. NOW 'WE MAY BE RUNNING OUT OF TIME TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF WORLD OVER-POPULATION, ARGUABLY THE MOST SOLVABLE OF ALL MAJOR GLOBAL PROBLEMS,' SAYS WERNER FORNOS OF THE POPULATION INSTITUTE. A HUNGRY WORLD LOOKS HOPEFULLY TO THE WORLD FOOD SUMMIT FOR A WAY TO STOP THE CLOCK, AND DECLARE WITHOUT RESERVATION THAT HUNGER IS UNCONSCIONABLE."

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL OPINIONS FOUND IN WEDNESDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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13-Nov-96 11:28 AM EST (1628 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] =CHRISTOPHER/BOSNIA ONITER (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PARIS)

INTRO: THE MEMBERS OF BOSNIA'S COLLECTIVE PRESIDENCY AND OFFICIALS OF 14 OTHER COUNTRIES CONVENE IN PARIS TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR A CONFERENCE ON HOW TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE BOSNIAN PEACE PROCESS. OUTGOING U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HAS APPEALED TO BOSNIAN LEADERS TO FULFILL THEIR COMMITMENTS UNDER THE DAYTON ACCORD TO ALLOW WAR REFUGEES TO RETURN HOME. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM THE FRENCH CAPITAL.

TEXT: THE MEETING OF THE BOSNIAN PEACE IMPLEMENTATION COUNCIL COMES ONLY TWO DAYS AFTER THE WORST OUTBREAK OF VIOLENCE SINCE THE BALKANS WAR ENDED A YEAR AGO. AND MR. CHRISTOPHER -- ATTENDING HIS LAST BOSNIA CONFERENCE AS SECRETARY -- WARNED THE THREE MEMBERS OF THE JOINT PRESIDENCY THAT THE PEACE PROCESS IS AT A CRITICAL STAGE.

THE SECRETARY, IN AN HOUR-LONG MEETING WITH THE COMMUNAL LEADERS (WEDNESDAY), URGED AN END TO DELAYS IN FORMING A CABINET AND OTHER STRUCTURES OF A NEW GOVERNMENT.

SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAID THE SECRETARY WAS ADAMANT ABOUT THE NEED FOR THE PARTIES TO RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS, AND FOR THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN PARTICULAR TO AVOID FURTHER ATTACKS ON MUSLIM REFUGEES LIKE THAT WHICH OCCURRED TUESDAY:

THERE CAN BE NO EXCUSE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN FIRING ON THESE PEOPLE AND SEEKING TO INTIMIDATE THEM. UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS A PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR BY THE BOSNIAN SERB POLICE AND OTHER OFFICIALS TO TRY TO INTIMIDATE MOSLEM REFUGEES RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES, WHICH IS REPREHENSIBLE.

THE FRENCH-SPONSORED MEETING HERE, TO BE FOLLOWED BY A BIGGER GATHERING NEXT MONTH IN LONDON, IS AIMED AT PRODUCING A TWO YEAR PLAN OF ACTION TO REINFORCE BOSNIA'S STRUGGLING ECONOMY AND DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS. (SIGNED)
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13-Nov-96 6:18 PM EST (2318 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CHRISTOPHER/BOSNIA (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PARIS)

INTRO: U-S SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER HELD TALKS IN PARIS WEDNESDAY WITH THE THREE MEMBERS OF BOSNIA'S COLLECTIVE PRESIDENCY -- URGING THEM TO WORK TOGETHER AND FULLY LIVE UP TO TERMS OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS. THE MEETING CAME ON THE EVE OF A FRENCH-SPONSORED CONFERENCE ON BOSNIA'S FUTURE. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS FROM PARIS.

TEXT: THE PARIS TALKS AMOUNT TO A FAREWELL TO BOSNIAN DIPLOMACY FOR MR. CHRISTOPHER, WHO IS DUE LEAVE OFFICE SOON AS SECRETARY OF STATE. AND HE IS MAKING A FINAL EFFORT AS SECRETARY TO GET COMPLIANCE BY THE BOSNIAN PARTIES WITH THE DAYTON ACCORDS AT WHAT HE SAYS IS A CRITICAL MOMENT IN THE PEACE PROCESS.

THE SECRETARY SPENT AN HOUR WITH THE THREE MEMBERS OF THE COLLECTIVE PRESIDENCY, WHO WERE ELECTED IN SEPTEMBER BUT HAVE STILL NOT SET UP A CABINET OR OTHER ELEMENTS OF A NEW GOVERNMENT.

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS SAID MR. CHRISTOPHER APPEALED FOR ACTION BY THE PARTIES TO GUARANTEE HUMAN RIGHTS, HAND OVER WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS, AND ALLOW FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT FOR DISPLACED BOSNIANS.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SECRETARY SINGLED OUT THE BOSNIAN SERBS FOR CRITICISM FOR THEIR MISTREATMENT OF MUSLIM REFUGEES -- UNDERSCORED BY TUESDAY'S LETHAL ATTACK BY BOSNIAN SERB POLICE AGAINST REFUGEES AT THE NORTHEASTERN BOSNIAN VILLAGE OF KORAJ:

THERE CAN BE NO EXCUSE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS IN FIRING ON THESE PEOPLE AND SEEKING TO INTIMIDATE THEM. UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS A PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR BY THE BOSNIAN SERB POLICE AND OTHER OFFICIALS TO TRY TO INTIMIDATE MOSLEM REFUGEES RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES, WHICH IS REPREHENSIBLE.

MR. BURNS ALSO SAID THE SECRETARY COMPLAINED TO BOSNIAN SERB LEADER MOMCILO KRAJISNIK ABOUT SERB FOOT-DRAGGING ON THE ORGANIZATION OF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS -- AND FAULTED BOTH THE SERB AND CROAT COMMUNITIES ON THE ISSUE OF HANDING OVER WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS:

THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL LACK OF COMMITMENT BY THE BOSNIAN SERBS, THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT AND IN MANY CASES BY THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT. THE CROATIANS AS YOU KNOW, HAVE ON CROATIAN SOIL, A MR. (IBICA) RAJIC WHO IS AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL. AND HE'S LIVING FREELY IN CROATIA. HE OUGHT TO BE APPREHENDED BY THE CROATIAN GOVERNMENT AND SENT TO THE HAGUE FOR PROSECUTION.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER TOLD THE BOSNIAN LEADERS THE EVENTUAL SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF THE DAYTON PROCESS DEPENDS ON WHAT THEY DO NOW TO ADDRESS THE SHORTCOMINGS.

THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT THURSDAY CONVENES A MEETING OF THE FIVE-NATION CONTACT GROUP ON BOSNIA, ALONG WITH THE THREE COMMUNAL LEADERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ON A LONG-TERM STRATEGY TO MAINTAIN PEACE IN THE BALKANS. (SIGNED)
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13-Nov-96 2:14 PM EST (1914 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: GERMANY'S KEY STOCK MARKET IN FRANKFURT HITS NEW HIGHS WEDNESDAY -- WHILE IN LONDON AND PARIS, SELLING WAS THE ORDER OF THE DAY. PAUL FRANCUCH WRAPS UP WEST EUROPEAN MARKET DEVELOPMENTS IN THIS REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: INVESTORS IN THE FRANKFURT "DAX" INDEX OF 30 LEADING SHARES SAW THEIR MARKET REACH AN ALL-TIME HIGH WEDNESDAY -- UP MORE THAN 39 POINTS AT THE CLOSE -- THANKS LARGELY TO STRENGTH IN THE U-S DOLLAR. A WEAKER DEUTSCHE MARK MEANS A MORE COMPETITIVE POSITION FOR GERMAN INDUSTRIES, SUCH AS AUTOMOBILES AND CHEMICALS, AND THAT HELPED DRIVE STOCKS IN FRANKFURT INTO RECORD TERRITORY.

BUT IN PARIS, TRADING WAS LACKLUSTER WITH THE "CAC-40" CLOSING DOWN ALMOST 12 POINTS FOR THE DAY. HERE IN LONDON, THE "FOOTSIE 100" INDEX SHED SEVEN-AND-A-HALF POINTS AT THE END OF TRADING. CONCERNS OVER HIGHER INTEREST RATES AND BETTER THAN EXPECTED UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS IN BRITAIN WERE READ BY INVESTORS AS POTENTIALLY INFLATIONARY -- SO THE MARKET CLOSED DOWN. (SIGNED)
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13-Nov-96 1:56 PM EST (1856 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] MUSLIMS MASSED AT SERB BORDER (L-WRAP) BY LAURA ROZEN (SARAJEVO)

INTRO: NATO IS REPORTING THAT IT HAS STABILIZED THE MOST SERIOUS CONFRONTATION BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND SERBS SINCE THE WAR ENDED IN BOSNIA. A CROWD OF SOME 500 MUSLIM MEN HAS DISPERSED IN NORTHEASTERN BOSNIA, AFTER THE REFUGEES HAD EARLIER THREATENED TO REENTER A SERB-HELD VILLAGE BY FORCE. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED ALL REFUGEE RETURNS IN BOSNIA IN RESPONSE TO THREE DAYS OF VIOLENCE IN THE AREA, IN WHICH ONE MUSLIM MAN WAS KILLED. LAURA ROZEN REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

TEXT: NATO FORCES HAVE BLOCKED THE CROWD OF ANGRY MUSLIM REFUGEES FROM RE-ENTERING THE SERB-HELD VILLAGE OF GAJEVI. THE MUSLIM REFUGEES WERE DEMANDING THE RIGHT TO RETURN TO THE VILLAGE, WHICH THEY FLED DURING THE WAR, IN ORDER TO REBUILD THEIR HOMES BEFORE WINTER. THE REFUGEES WERE DRIVEN FROM THE VILLAGE ON TUESDAY, WHEN SERB POLICE CARRYING MACHINE GUNS AND GRENADES EXCHANGED FIRE WITH THEM, KILLING ONE MUSLIM MAN.

NATO OFFICIALS ACCUSE THE BOSNIAN MUSLIM GOVERNMENT OF SENDING THE REFUGEES TO THE VILLAGE IN ORDER TO PROVOKE VIOLENCE, THE DAY BEFORE DIPLOMATS ARE TO MEET IN PARIS TO DISCUSS PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR'S PEACEKEEPING MISSION TO BOSNIA.

BUT THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS THE MUSLIMS ARE FRUSTRATED THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR FORMER VILLAGE, ALREADY A YEAR INTO THE PEACE.

COLUM MURPHY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOP CIVILIAN DIPLOMAT IN BOSNIA, CARL BILDT, SAYS BILDT HAS TEMPORARILY CALLED OFF ALL REFUGEE RETURNS IN BOSNIA UNTIL A SOLUTION TO THE VIOLENCE IS FOUND.

WE ARE TEMPORARILY, WITH OUR COLLEAGUES, SUSPENDING THIS PARTICULAR PROCEDURE FOR RESETTLEMENT. ON A BROADER LEVEL, WHAT WE PERCEIVE IS A RACE BETWEEN THE NEED TO FORM COMMON INSTITUTIONS AND TO FORM A GOVERNMENT, AND ON THE OTHER HAND THIS KIND OF DISORDER ON THE GROUND...THE GOVERNMENT, THIS NEW GOVERNMENT, HAS TO MAKE THESE PROBLEMS ITS OWN AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM.

THE VIOLENCE AT GAJEVI HAS HIGHLIGHTED THE FACT THAT ONE YEAR INTO THE DAYTON PEACE PROCESS IN BOSNIA, ONLY A FEW REFUGEES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES, HOMES NOW CONTROLLED BY ANOTHER ETHNIC GROUP.

THE ISSUE OF BLOCKED REFUGEE RETURNS WILL CERTAINLY BE RAISED WHEN BOSNIA'S LEADERS AND INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS MEET IN PARIS ON THURSDAY, TO DISCUSS WHAT WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE OVER THE NEXT YEAR TO SECURE THE BOSNIA PEACE. (SIGNED)
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13-Nov-96 1:19 PM EST (1819 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] ROMANIA ELECTION (L-ONLY) BY BARRY WOOD (PRAGUE)

INTRO: ION ILIESCU, THE FORMER COMMUNIST AND LONG-SERVING PRESIDENT OF ROMANIA, IS FIGHTING FOR HIS POLITICAL SURVIVAL IN A RUN-OFF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THIS SUNDAY. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS MR. ILIESCU HAS GROWN DEFENSIVE SINCE THE NOVEMBER SECOND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION, WHICH SAW HIS PARTY OF SOCIAL DEMOCRACY IN ROMANIA LOSE TO A CENTER-RIGHT COALITION.

TEXT: ROMANIA IS ON THE VERGE OF ITS FIRST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT -- BY ELECTORAL MEANS -- SINCE BEFORE THE SECOND WORLD WAR. IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION GOT 30 PERCENT OF THE VOTE, COMPARED TO 22 PERCENT FOR MR. ILIESCU'S PARTY. THE CONVENTION IS SET TO FORM A GOVERNMENT WITH THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS OF FORMER PRIME MINISTER PETRE ROMAN.

OPINION SURVEYS SHOW THAT MR. ILIESCU IS NOW TRAILING IN HIS BID TO HOLD ON TO PRESIDENTIAL POWER. DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION LEADER EMIL CONSTANTINESCU IS LEADING IN ONE SURVEY WITH 53 PERCENT POPULARITY, COMPARED TO 47 PERCENT FOR MR. ILIESCU.

MICHAEL SHAFIR, A RESEARCHER AT PRAGUE'S OPEN MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER, SAYS THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN TURNED VERY NASTY THIS WEEK WITH MR. ILIESCU ASSUMING THE TACTICS OF A DESPERATE MAN.

THIS IS NO LONGER THE CAMPAIGN OF A RATIONAL MAN. THIS IS A CAMPAIGNER WHO IS OBVIOUSLY NOW SO SCARED OF LOSING HIS OFFICE THAT HE IS READY TO DO ALMOST ANYTHING TO STAY IN IT, INCLUDING THE USE OF TACTICS THAT UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO HE HAD BEEN CONDEMNING.

MR. ILIESCU HAS ACCUSED HIS OPPONENT OF FAVORING A RETURN OF ROMANIA'S MONARCHY AND THE RESTITUTION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND TO FORMER NOBILITY. DURING A TENSE TELEVISED DEBATE TUESDAY NIGHT, MR. CONSTANTISCU ACCUSED THE PRESIDENT OF PROVOKING A CIVIL WAR BY CALLING THE MINERS TO BUCHAREST IN THE EARLY 1990S TO BRUTALIZE AND INTIMIDATE THE OPPOSITION. MR. ILIESCU DENIED THE CHARGE.

RESEARCHER SHAFIR BELIEVES MR. ILIESCU AND HIS PARTY ARE BEING BLAMED FOR THE POOR STATE OF THE ROMANIAN ECONOMY AND RAMPANT CORRUPTION.

IT LOST THE (PARLIAMENTARY) ELECTION BECAUSE BECAUSE IT WAS DISCREDITED. SCANDAL AFTER SCANDAL CONCERNING CORRUPTION. NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT. THE ECONOMY HAD STAGNATED AT BEST. AND WITH THE ELECTION APPROACHING, ACTUALLY, THE LITTLE CHANGE THAT HAD BEEN STARTED WAS STOPPED, WITH AN EYE TO THE FORTHCOMING BALLOT.

MR. ILIESCU STILL HAS CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT IN ROMANIA'S RURAL AREAS WHERE A LARGE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION RESIDES. THE NEW PARLIAMENT IS SET TO CONVENE ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THIS SUNDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. (SIGNED)
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13-Nov-96 1:24 PM EST (1824 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] U-S/BOSNIA (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES CALLS LAST WEEKEND'S DISMISSAL OF BOSNIAN SERB MILITARY COMMANDER, GENERAL RATKO MLADIC, A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS WASHINGTON EXPRESSES FRUSTRATION OVER SARAJEVO'S DELAY IN REMOVING A DEFENSE MINISTRY OFFICIAL HOLDING UP A SHIPMENT OF U-S MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION FORCES:

TEXT: U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GLYN DAVIES SAYS THE UNITED STATES WELCOMES THE REMOVAL OF GENERAL MLADIC -- AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL:

WE EXPECT THAT ALL OF THE BOSNIAN SERB MILITARY WILL COMPLY WITH THE ORDERS OF THEIR CIVILIAN SUPERIORS. AND, OF COURSE, THIS WAS AN ORDER THAT CAME DOWN FROM THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP.

MR. DAVIES SAYS THE FORMER BOSNIAN SERB COMMANDER SHOULD BE SENT TO THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE. THE U-S SPOKESMAN SAYS HIS REMOVAL IS -- IN HIS WORDS -- ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL SEPARATING GENERAL MLADIC FROM ANY ASPIRATIONS HE HAD.

MR. DAVIES SAYS BOSNIAN DEFENSE OFFICIAL HASAN CENGIC REMAINS AT HIS POST DESPITE A PLEDGE BY PRESIDENT ALIJA IZETBEGOVIC TO REMOVE HIM. HIS PRESENCE CONTINUES TO HOLD UP DELIVERY OF U-S MILITARY EQUIPMENT ON BOARD A SHIP ANCHORED OFF THE CROATIAN COAST:

OUR EXPECTATION IS THAT SARAJEVO WILL COME THROUGH ON THIS ONE AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO PUT THAT SHIP IN PORT AND OFF-LOAD THE EQUIPMENT.

MR. DAVIES SAYS KEEPING THE VESSEL OFF-SHORE IS COSTING UP TO 50 THOUSAND DOLLARS A DAY. THE UNITED STATES ACCUSES MR. CENGIC OF HAVING CLOSE TIES WITH IRAN. (SIGNED).
NEB / WOD
12-Nov-96 9:55 PM EST (0255 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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