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Voice of America, 96-12-24

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] BOSNIA/U-S TROOPS (L-ONLY) BY CHRIS O'NEIL (TUZLA)
  • [02] BULGARIAN POL (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)
  • [03] EDITORIAL: KOSOVO AND U.S. POLICY
  • [04] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)
  • [05] FRANCE / TERRORISM (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)
  • [06] SERBIA/DEMOS (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BELGRADE)
  • [07] TUESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)
  • [08] U-N/COPYRIGHT REACT (L ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)
  • [09] U-S/TURKEY/IRAN (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)
  • [10] U-S / SERBIA PROTESTS (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

  • [01] BOSNIA/U-S TROOPS (L-ONLY) BY CHRIS O'NEIL (TUZLA)

    DATE=12/24/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-207887
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    /// POSSIBLE CLOSER ///

    INTRO: THIS PAST WEEK, A NEW DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS FROM COUNTRIES BELONGING TO THE NATO ALLIANCE TOOK POSITION IN BOSNIAN FOR AN 18-MONTH MISSION CALLED THE "STABILIZATION FORCE," OR SIMPLY "S-FOR". FOR THE MOMENT, HOWEVER, THE AMERICAN TROOPS STATIONED THERE, ALONG WITH THE OTHERS, ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS, AS VOA REPORTER CHRIS O'NEIL DISCOVERED AT THE BASE IN TUZLA.

    TEXT: U-S TROOPS ARE GETTING READY TO CELEBRATE THEIR SECOND CHRISTMAS IN BOSNIA THIS CHRISTMAS EVE WITH A SCHEDULED MIDNIGHT MASS ON THE BASE, AFTER THE TRADITIONAL DECORATING OF THE AIRBASE CHRISTMAS TREE.

    ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES WILL NOT, HOWEVER, BE OF THE TRADITIONAL VARIETY. SPECIAL APPEARANCES ARE SCHEDULED BY HOLLYWOOD TEMPTRESS, ACTRESS HALLE BERRY, AND THE LEGENDARY DALLAS COWBOYS FOOTBALL TEAM CHEERLEADERS.

    BUT FOR SOME, LIKE PRIVATE FIRST CLASS MIGUEL LA FLORE FROM THE MIDWEST CITY OF FLINT MICHIGAN, CHRISTMAS DAY IS JUST ANOTHER DAY AT WORK.

    /// LA FLORE ACT ///

    I AM A TRUCK DRIVER, I AM BASICALLY GOING TO BE TRANSPORTING SUPPLIES AROUND TO THE OTHER CAMPS IN BOSNIA ... AS PART OF S-FOR. I FEEL IT'S A DIFFERENT THING COMING OVER TO THIS COUNTRY, BUT I ENJOY DOING MY JOB, THAT'S WHAT I CAME INTO THE MILITARY FOR -- TO SERVE MY COUNTRY.

    /// END ACT ///

    OTHERS, LIKE LIEUTENANT JAY ELSON OF TAMPA FLORIDA, JUST TRY TO KEEP THEIR MIND ON THEIR WORK ... SO THEY DON'T GET TOO HOME SICK.

    /// ELSON ACT ///

    WELL ... IT IS A BUSY TIME FOR US DOWN HERE. THERE IS LOTS GOING ON. IT DOESN'T SLOW DOWN HERE JUST FOR CHRISTMAS SO I AM JUST TRYING TO STAY BUSY AND NOT THINK ABOUT IT. THIS IS MY THIRD CHRISTMAS IN A ROW OVERSEAS, SO IT'S KINDA DIFFERENT IN THE STATES. WE DO (THE) USUAL BIG FAMILY CHRISTMAS THING AND HAVE EVERYBODY OVER AND HAVE TURKEY AND ALL THAT.

    /// END ACT ///

    BUT LIEUTENANT ELSON SAYS WORKING ON CHRISTMAS IS ALL PART OF THE JOB AND SACRIFICE OF BEING A SOLDIER -- BUT A SACRIFICE WHICH HAS BROUGHT A SECOND, PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS IN ROW TO BOSNIA.

    /// SECOND ELSON ACT ///

    OH DEFINITELY, AS MUCH AS IT KINDA STINKS TO BE AWAY FROM HOME AND ALL THAT, SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HERE AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO THIS, AND IT MAY AS WELL BE US.

    /// END ACT ///

    SPECIALIST KRISTEN MC MAHON OF BOSEMAN IN THE NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATE OF MONTANA SAYS IT WOULD NOT BE ENTIRELY TRUTHFUL TO SAY THAT SHE IS ENJOYING HER JOB AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ON THE TUZLA AIRBASE DURING CHRISTMAS. BUT THE END PRODUCT OF HER LABOR, AND THAT OF MORE THAN EIGHT-THOUSAND OTHER AMERICANS SHE SAYS, MAKES IT ALL WORTH IT.

    /// MC MAHON ACT ///

    TO ME, IT MEANS A LOT SEEING THE LOCAL NATIONALS THANKING US FOR BRINGING PEACE TO THEIR COUNTRY, OR, KEEPING THE PEACE IN THEIR COUNTRY. SEEING THE LITTLE KIDS RUNNING AROUND WITH THEIR SPIRITS HAPPY. TO ME IT'S JUST A RELIEF HAVING OR SEEING SOMEONE HAPPY DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

    /// END ACT ///

    AFTER ALL, IT IS THE SEASON FOR GIVING, AND MANY OF AMERICA'S 85-HUNDRED S-FOR TROOPS IN BOSNIA TRY TO LOOK AT DUTY IN THE "TUZLA MUD" AS JUST THAT. WHILE OTHERS IN THE CHRISTIAN WORLD PRAY FOR "PEACE ON EARTH" THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, THE TROOPS IN BOSNIA ARE WORKING TO MAKE PART OF THAT PRAYER COME TRUE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/CON/PCF/LWM
    24-Dec-96 9:37 AM EST (1437 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [02] BULGARIAN POL (L-ONLY) BY STEFAN BOS (BUDAPEST)

    DATE=12/24/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-207898
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: BULGARIA'S RULING SOCIALIST PARTY ELECTED A NEW LEADER TUESDAY, BUT STILL HAS NOT AGREED WHO WILL BE PRIME MINISTER. STEFAN BOS REPORTS FROM BUDAPEST THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF ZHAN VIDENOV, WHO RESIGNED LAST WEEK AS BOTH PARTY LEADER AND PRIME MINISTER, IS STILL UNCLEAR.

    TEXT: DELEGATES ATTENDING THE THREE-DAY CONGRESS OF THE BULGARIAN SOCIALIST PARTY -- THE FORMER COMMUNISTS -- ELECTED GEORGI PARVANOV AS THEIR NEW LEADER.

    MR. PARVANOV WAS SEEN AS A COMPROMISE CHOICE IN A SHOWDOWN BETWEEN PARTY REFORMERS AND HARD LINERS. THE CONGRESS LEFT THE PRIME MINISTER'S POST UNFILLED, AND OBSERVERS EXPECT A FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY AFTER PARLIAMENT HOLDS A SPECIAL SESSION ON DECEMBER 28TH.

    BUT PRIME MINISTER ZHAN VIDENOV, WHO RESIGNED LAST SATURDAY, SURPRISED THE RULING SOCIALIST PARTY BY ANNOUNCING HE AND HIS GOVERNMENT MAY STAY ON. MR. VIDENOV EARLIER SAID HE DID NOT INTEND TO RUN FOR ANY FUTURE POST IN THE SOCIALIST PARTY'S LEADERSHIP OR GOVERNMENT.

    SOME ANALYSTS SAY MR. VIDENOV MAY HAVE BEEN ASKED BY HIS SUPPORTERS TO RE-CONSIDER HIS EARLIER DECISION.

    TRADE UNIONS AND OPPOSITION PARTIES URGED MR. VIDENOV AND HIS SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT TO RESIGN BECAUSE BULGARIA IS SUFFERING ITS WORST ECONOMIC TROUBLES SINCE 1989.

    THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AND THE WORLD BANK HAVE SUSPENDED FUNDING OVER WHAT THEY SEE AS BULGARIA'S FAILURE TO MEET ECONOMIC REFORMS, SUCH AS CLOSING OR RE-STRUCTURING UNPROFITABLE STATE ENTERPRISES.

    ANNUAL INFLATION HAS EXCEEDED 250 PERCENT AND THE MAJORITY OF BULGARIA'S EIGHT-AND-ONE-HALF-MILLION PEOPLE LIVE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL.

    BULGARIA'S CURRENCY HAS FALLEN STEADILY THIS YEAR, AND IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, BULGARIANS WITHDREW THEIR SAVINGS FROM BANKS TO CONVERT IT TO DOLLARS.

    THE ECONOMIC SITUATION ALREADY LED TO DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EARLIER THIS MONTH 400-THOUSAND BULGARIANS JOINED A NATIONAL STRIKE TO DEMAND THE RESIGNATION OF MR. VIDENOVS CABINET.

    MR. VIDENOV, WHO LAST MONTH RECEIVED ONLY NARROW BACKING IN A CONFIDENCE VOTE, HAS ALSO COME UNDER FIRE FOR HIS ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN CORRUPTION.

    OPPOSITION PARTIES SAY MR. VIDENOV HAS STRONG CONNECTIONS WITH A GROUP OF COMPANIES WHICH EXPORTED LARGE QUANTITIES OF GRAIN WHEN WORLD PRICES WERE HIGH, LEADING TO SEVERE SHORTAGES AT HOME.

    PARTY OFFICIALS SAY FORMER BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER MINISTER ANDREI LUKANOV WAS ABOUT TO REVEAL NEWS OF HIGH LEVEL CORRUPTION THIS PAST OCTOBER, BUT WAS THEN SHOT DEAD. (SIGNED)
    NEB/SB/PCF/LWM
    24-Dec-96 12:34 PM EST (1734 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [03] EDITORIAL: KOSOVO AND U.S. POLICY

    DATE= DECEMBER 26, 1996
    TYPE= EDITORIAL
    NUMBER= 0-07092
    CONTENT=THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST
    DECEMBER 26, 1996. PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN FIRST PARAGRAPH OF TEXT AND ACTUALITY.

    ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

    VOICE:

    THIS MONTH, KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADER IBRAHIM RUGOVA MET WITH SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER AND DEPUTY SECRETARY STROBE TALBOTT. THEY REAFFIRMED U.S. SUPPORT FOR THE RESTORATION OF BASIC RIGHTS FOR THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO AND FOR DR. RUGOVA'S COMMITMENT TO PEACEFUL CHANGE. AT A STATE DEPARTMENT BRIEFING, SPOKESMAN NICHOLAS BURNS EMPHASIZED U.S. CONCERN, SAYING THE CURRENT LACK OF THESE RIGHTS IS UNACCEPTABLE:

    ACTUALITY #1 -- BURNS (ACTUALITY IN AUDIO SERVICES) "THE U.S. SUPPORTS DR. RUGOVA'S EFFORTS TO CHANGE THE SITUATION THROUGH PEACEFUL AND DEMOCRATIC MEANS."

    THE CURRENT SITUATION IN KOSOVO MUST BE RESOLVED. THE U.S. DEPLORES THE BRUTAL AND OPPRESSIVE POLICY THAT THE MILOSEVIC GOVERNMENT HAS PURSUED THERE. SPECIFICALLY, THE U.S. CONDEMNS RECENT INCIDENTS OF POLICE BRUTALITY. THE U.S. CALLS FOR DEMOCRATIZATION AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGHOUT SERBIA, INCLUDING KOSOVO, AND FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EDUCATION AGREEMENT. DURING THIS TENSE PERIOD IN SERBIA, THE U.S. URGES ALL SIDES TO SHOW RESTRAINT AND PURSUE CHANGE THROUGH PEACEFUL MEANS. THE U.S. ENCOURAGES DIALOGUE BETWEEN ALBANIANS AND SERBS TO REDUCE TENSIONS AND ENCOURAGES KOSOVARS TO JOIN EFFORTS TO PROMOTE DEMOCRATIC CHANGE THROUGHOUT SERBIA.

    THE U.S. CONTINUES TO SUPPORT AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO, BUT NOT INDEPENDENCE OR A UNITED NATIONS PROTECTORATE. THE OPENING OF A U.S. INFORMATION SERVICE OFFICE IN PRISTINA EARLIER THIS YEAR IS A MEASURE OF U.S. COMMITMENT. SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER REAFFIRMED THIS COMMITMENT IN HIS RECENT MEETING WITH DR. RUGOVA. THE U.S. FULLY SUPPORTS THE EFFORTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC LEAGUE OF KOSOVO TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE IN A PEACEFUL MANNER.

    ANNCR:

    THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, VOICE OF AMERICA, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO SEND US A FAX AT (202) 619-1043. YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE USED ON THE AIR.
    24-Dec-96 10:07 AM EST (1507 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=12/24/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-207897
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: MAJOR STOCK MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE WERE EITHER CLOSED OR HELD ABBREVIATED TRADING SESSIONS TUESDAY. FROM OUR LONDON OFFICE, PAUL FRANCUCH HAS THE FIGURES.

    TEXT: THERE WAS NO CHRISTMAS EVE TRADING IN FRANKFURT AND HERE IN LONDON, THE SESSION ENDED BY MID-DAY. IT WAS A NORMAL DAY IN PARIS, BUT TRADING WAS THIN, AND MOST INVESTORS AND TRADERS WERE BEGINNING THEIR HOLIDAYS, RATHER THAN PLAYING THE MARKETS.

    HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES 100" INDEX OF BRITISH STOCKS SET ANOTHER RECORD HIGH, CLOSING UP JUST OVER FIVE POINTS FOR THE DAY. SOME MARKET ANALYSTS HERE IN LONDON PREDICT THE "FOOTSIE INDEX," AS IT'S CALLED, TO BREAK PAST THE 41-HUNDRED MARK BY THE NEW YEAR. IT'S NOW JUST SEVEN-AND-A-HALF POINTS SHY OF THAT FIGURE. IN PARIS, STOCKS TRACKED BY THE "CAC-40" INDEX ENDED WITH A SLIGHT GAIN OF JUST OVER TWO POINTS FOR THE DAY.

    THE U-S DOLLAR SHOWED LITTLE MOVEMENT IN TRADE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND BRITISH POUND ON MONEY MARKETS HERE IN EUROPE CHRISTMAS EVE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PCF/LWM
    24-Dec-96 11:59 AM EST (1659 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] FRANCE / TERRORISM (L ONLY) BY JULIAN NUNDY (PARIS)

    DATE=12/24/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-207880
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: FRENCH POLICE SAY 10 SUSPECTED ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS DETAINED DURING INVESTIGATIONS INTO A PARIS SUBWAY BOMBING HAVE BEEN GIVING DETAILS OF TRAINING THEY RECEIVED IN AFGHANISTAN AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. JULIAN NUNDY REPORTS FROM PARIS.

    TEXT: POLICE IN PARIS DETAINED 20 SUSPECTED ISLAMIC GUERRILLAS IN THE PARIS REGION AND THE NORTH OF FRANCE LAST WEEK. THEY SAY THEY ARE HOLDING 10 OF THEM.

    THEY SAY THE 10 DO NOT APPEAR TO BE DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE BOMBING OF A PARIS SUBWAY TRAIN THAT KILLED FOUR PEOPLE EARLIER THIS MONTH. BUT POLICE SOURCES SAY SOME OF THE SUSPECTS ARE GIVING DETAILS ABOUT THEIR TRAINING AND ABOUT ALGERIAN EXTREMIST NETWORKS IN FRANCE.

    THE SOURCES SAY THEY TOLD ANTI-TERRORIST MAGISTRATES ABOUT AN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK HELPING THE BANNED ALGERIAN ARMED ISLAMIC GROUP (G-I-A). THE GROUP IS BELIEVED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PARIS BOMB AND AN EARLIER SERIES OF ATTACKS IN FRANCE THAT KILLED EIGHT PEOPLE AND MAIMED MANY MORE LAST YEAR.

    THE SOURCES SAY SOME OF THE SUSPECTS SAY THEY WERE TRAINED IN AFGHANISTAN, OTHERS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. THE SOURCES SAY FRENCH POLICE SEIZED VIDEOCASSETTES SHOWING TRAINING SESSIONS IN THOSE COUNTRIES. THEY SAY SOME OF THE CASSETTES WERE FOUND IN FRENCH MOSQUES.

    THE ALGERIAN TERROR GROUPS, THAT ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR DAILY ATTACKS AND KILLINGS INSIDE ALGERIA, ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE SOUGHT TRAINING ABROAD FOR THEIR MEMBERS AS PART OF THE PREPARATION TO FIGHT ALGERIAN SECURITY FORCES.

    THE POLICE SOURCES SAY SOME OF THE SUSPECTS HELD IN PARIS ALSO SAID THEY HAD LINKS TO FOUR MEN WHO DIED IN THE NORTHERN TOWN OF ROUBAIX LAST MARCH DURING A GUNBATTLE WITH POLICE.

    THOSE FOUR MEN WERE BELIEVED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A SERIES OF VIOLENT BANK RAIDS AND ROBBERIES IN BELGIUM AND NORTHERN FRANCE. IN SOME ATTACKS, THEY USED ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADES AND AUTOMATIC WEAPONS TO ROB ARMORED VEHICLES. THEY WERE BELIEVED TO BE SEEKING FUNDS FOR ALGERIAN REBELS.

    SINCE THE LATEST PARIS BOMBING, THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT HAS ORDERED A HIGH SECURITY ALERT AND HAS DEPLOYED TROOPS INSIDE MAJOR CITIES. THE AUTHORITIES ARE PARTICULARLY WORRIED THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY MIGHT BE A TIME FOR A NEW ATTACK. IT WAS AT CHRISTMAS TWO-YEARS AGO FRENCH POLICE COMMANDOS IN THE CITY OF MARSEILLE KILLED FOUR ALGERIAN GUERRILLAS WHO HIJACKED A FRENCH AIRLINER. (SIGNED)
    NEB/JWN/JWH/RAE
    24-Dec-96 5:58 AM EST (1058 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [06] SERBIA/DEMOS (L) BY DOUGLAS ROBERTS (BELGRADE)

    DATE=12/24/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-207906
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THERE WAS CHAOS AND VIOLENCE IN THE STREETS OF BELGRADE TUESDAY, AS RIVAL GROUPS OF PROTESTERS STAGED MASS DEMONSTRATIONS FOR AND AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF SERBIA'S EMBATTLED PRESIDENT, SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN RUNNING STREET CLASHES. BUT FEARS OF A MAJOR BLOODBATH FAILED TO MATERIALIZE. AND OPPOSITION LEADERS ARE VOWING TO CONTINUE THE PROTEST CAMPAIGN THAT BEGAN MORE THAN A MONTH AGO AFTER THE GOVERNMENT ANNULLED OPPOSITION VICTORIES IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. FROM BELGRADE, VOA'S DOUGLAS ROBERTS REPORTS.

    TEXT: SERBIAN AUTHORITIES MOBILIZED A FLEET OF BUSES AND TRAINS TO BRING GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS TO BELGRADE FOR TUESDAY'S RALLY. AND TENSIONS BEGAN TO RISE AS SOON AS THE FIRST GROUPS CROSSED THE BRIDGES OVER THE SAVA RIVER, ENTERING THE HEART OF THE CAPITAL.

    ///ACT, CROWD NOISE///

    THEY WERE GREETED WITH JEERS, WHISTLES AND FIRE CRACKERS BY OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS LINING THE STREETS. THE CONFRONTATION GREW UGLIER AS THE RIVAL DEMONSTRATORS REACHED A CENTRAL SQUARE.

    ///ACT, CROWD NOISE///

    THEY CHANTED SLOGANS AND SHOUTED INSULTS AND CURSES AT ONE ANOTHER. SCUFFLES AND FISTFIGHTS BROKE OUT. AT THAT POINT, THERE WAS ALMOST NO VISIBLE POLICE PRESENCE. AND RUNNING STREETS BATTLES ERUPTED IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS.

    ONE MAN WAS SHOT AND CRITICALLY WOUNDED. THERE WERE SEVERAL REPORTED STABBINGS AND MANY OTHER INJURIES.

    BY EARLY AFTERNOON, THE MAIN GROUPS OF PROTESTERS WERE FACED OFF AT TERRAZIA SQUARE, WHERE THE PRO-GOVERNMENT RALLY WAS TO BE STAGED. THERE WERE MORE CLASHES. EGGS, STICKS AND FIRECRACKERS WERE THROWN.

    USING LOUDSPEAKERS, OPPOSITION OFFICIALS URGED THEIR SUPPORTERS TO MOVE AWAY. ONE PARTY LEADER, ZORAN DJINDJIC, WADED INTO THE CROWD, PLEADING WITH HIS SUPPORTERS TO AVOID BLOODSHED AND PULL BACK.

    SOME DID. BUT MANY OTHERS REFUSED. AND AT THAT POINT, SERBIAN RIOT POLICE MOVED IN.

    ///ACT, CROWD NOISE///

    THE POLICE USED CLUBS AND VOLLEYS OF TEAR GAS TO PUSH BACK THE OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS. IT TOOK NEARLY AN HOUR. BUT FINALLY, THE PRO-GOVERNMENT RALLY GOT UNDERWAY, WITH A SPEECH FROM PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC.

    ///MILOSEVIC ACT, IN SERBO-CROAT///

    THE SERBIAN LEADER CALLED HIS OPPONENTS TRAITORS, ALLIED WITH FOREIGN POWERS, INTENT ON DESTABILIZING THE COUNTRY. THEY ARE HINDERING SERBIA'S DEVELOPMENT AND THREATENING ITS INTEGRITY, HE DECLARED, AND THEY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SUCCEED.

    SERBIA'S STATE-CONTROLLED TELEVISION CALLED TUESDAY'S RALLY A TRIUMPH FOR MR. MILOSEVIC, ESTIMATING THE SIZE OF THE CROWD AT THE PRO-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATION AT MORE THAN HALF A MILLION.

    INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTS PUT THE FIGURE AT AROUND FORTY THOUSAND. IT WAS CERTAINLY DWARFED BY THE SIZE OF THE OPPOSITION RALLY THAT GOT UNDERWAY SHORTLY AFTER GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS BEGAN LEAVING THE CAPITAL.

    ///ACT, CROWD NOISE///

    OPPOSITION LEADERS CLAIMED VICTORY IN THE WAKE OF TUESDAY'S EVENTS HERE, SAYING THEY HAD FOILED GOVERNMENT PLANS TO PROVOKE MAJOR INCIDENTS IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY A POLICE CRACKDOWN ON THE ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTORS.

    OPPOSITION LEADERS VOWED TO CONTINUE THEIR CAMPAIGN. AND THEY URGED THEIR SUPPORTERS TO COME BACK OUT ONTO THE STREETS ON WEDNESDAY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DBR/KL
    24-Dec-96 3:26 PM EST (2026 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=12/24/96
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-09944
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    EDITOR=PHIL HAYNES
    CONTENT=
    // EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS PERISHABLE MATERIAL AND BECOMES DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-S-T ON TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24TH //

    INTRO: THIS IS THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND MANY NEWSPAPERS ARE COMMENTING ON THE BIRTH OF CHRIST AND THE MEANING OF THE HOLIDAY FOR MOST AMERICANS. BUT AMID THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS, SOME EDITORIALS ARE EXPRESSING DISGUST, AS BOTH THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, NEWT GINGRICH, AND PRESIDENT CLINTON FACE ALLEGATIONS OF ETHICAL MISBEHAVIOR. THAT TOPIC IS UPPERMOST IN MANY PAPERS. OTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDE: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S RETURN TO WORK, AND THE CONTINUING TERRORIST DRAMA IN PERU. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK IS ______________________AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: FROM COAST TO COAST, U-S NEWSPAPERS ARE EXPRESSING REVULSION AT THE ADMISSION BY HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH THAT HE LIED TO A CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF FUND RAISING VIOLATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH HIS ACTIVITIES AT A GEORGIA COLLEGE. BOTH THE BOSTON GLOBE AND THE HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN ARE CALLING FOR MR. GINGRICH TO STEP DOWN AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, WHILE IN MAINE, THE PORTLAND PRESS HERALD SAYS:

    VOICE: "HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH PUT IT ABOUT AS SUCCINCTLY AS IT COULD BE PUT: BY VIOLATING HOUSE ETHICS RULES, HE HAD [QUOTE] 'BROUGHT DOWN ON THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE A CONTROVERSY WHICH COULD WEAKEN THE FAITH PEOPLE HAVE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT.' ... THE CHARGES AGAINST GINGRICH ARE SERIOUS, FAR MORE THAN THE 'PARKING TICKET VIOLATIONS' ONE OF HIS DEFENDERS CLAIMS THEM TO BE... THE UPSHOT [OUTCOME] IS THAT [MR.] GINGRICH MAY NOT BECOME THE FIRST REPUBLICAN REELECTED SPEAKER SINCE 1929, WHICH HE HAD LONGED TO BE. THE ETHICS REVOLUTION HE HELPED LAUNCH MAY BE ABOUT TO EAT ONE OF ITS OWN CHILDREN."

    TEXT: MORE THAN FOUR-THOUSAND KILOMETERS AWAY, IN PORTLAND, ORGEON, THE OREGONIAN SAYS:

    VOICE: "HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH'S ADMISSION THAT HE VIOLATED HOUSE RULES BY NO MEANS PUTS AN END TO HIS ETHICS CASE. NOR DOES IT RESOLVE THE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT HIS RETAINING HIS POST QUITE AS CLEARLY AS OTHER REPUBLICAN LEADERS SEEM TO ASSUME... MEANWHILE, SOME REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBERS MIGHT BEGIN WONDERING WHETHER RETAINING THE POLITICALLY UNPOPULAR SPEAKER IS WORTH THE EMBARRASSMENT HE'S BRINGING THEM."

    TEXT: THE LEAD EDITORIAL IN THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, UNDER THE HEADLINE, "SORRY ALL AROUND," THE PAPER CONTRASTS MR. GINGRICH'S ALLEGED FUNDRAISING MISDEEDS TO SIMILAR CHARGES AGAINST PRESIDENT CLINTON.

    VOICE: "THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE CLINTONS OR THEIR FUND-RAISERS MAY HAVE DONE WORSE, FOR EXAMPLE, IS NO ARGUMENT IN THE SPEAKER'S FAVOR. ON THE CONTRARY, KEEPING MR. GINGRICH IN POWER IS SURE TO 'UNDERCUT' [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR HARD-HITTING CONGRESSIONAL PROBES INTO CLINTON INCORPORATED... WILL CONGRESS BE LED BY AN ETHICS-IMPAIRED SPEAKER AS IT INVESTIGATES SHENANIGANS [ILLEGAL DOINGS] AT THE WHITE HOUSE?"

    [OPT]

    TEXT: THE NATIONAL DAILY, USA TODAY, LAMENTS:

    VOICE: "WHILE POLITICALLY POLES APART, NEWT GINGRICH AND BILL CLINTON SHARE ONE THING: THEY ARE BOTH TAINTED BY POLITICAL MONEY SCANDALS AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEIR LACK OF HONESTY IN RESPONDING TO OFFICIAL INVESTIGATIONS... [MR.] GINGRICH'S UGLY SITUATION POINTS OUT A MUCH LARGER, BIPARTISAN WASHINGTON SCANDAL: THE CORRUPTION THAT POLITICAL MONEY TOO OFTEN BRINGS WITH IT."

    [END OPT]

    TEXT: AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, THE BOSTON GLOBE IS CALLING FOR MR. GINGRICH'S RESIGNATION AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AND JUSTIFIES ITS POSITION BY SAYING:

    VOICE: "IN AN ERA IN WHICH PUBLIC MISTRUST OF GOVERNMENT THREATENS TO UNDERMINE THE VERY FOUNDATION OF DEMOCRACY, NEWT GINGRICH'S OWN LOGIC AND INTEGRITY DEMAND THAT HE STOP DOWN AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE..."

    [OPT]

    TEXT: RISING TO MR. GINGRICH'SDEFENSE IS THE NEW YORK POST, WHICH SAYS THE SPEAKER'S TRANSGRESSIONS PALE BESIDE PRESIDENT CLINTON'S, WHICH THE PAPER ENUMERATES FOR ITS READERS:

    VOICE: "THE RAISING OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CAMPAIGN MONEY FROM FOREIGN CONTRIBUTORS -- A SEEMINGLY PRIMA FACIE [OBVIOUS] VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW; THE APPARENT SALE OF OVERNIGHT STAYS IN THE LINCOLN BEDROOM, RIDES ON AIR FORCE ONE AND OTHER PERKS [PERQUISITES] IN EXCHANGE FOR MASSIVE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS; THE APPOINTMENT TO A PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON U-S-ASIAN TRADE OF A TAIWANESE-AMERICAN BUSINESSMAN WHO CONTRIBUTED HEAVILY TO THE PRESIDENT'S PAUL JONES SEX-DEFENSE FUND ... AND WHO KNOWS WHAT SCANDALS REMAIN TO BE REPORTED? THE MORAL-EQUIVALENCE ROUTE, IN OTHER WORDS, MAY WELL PROVE BUMPY FOR THE DEMOCRATS. AS FOR THE SPEAKER, IT STRIKES US THAT -- CONSIDERING THE INTENSITY OF THE INVESTIGATION IN QUESTION -- HE'S EMERGED ESSENTIALLY UNSCATHED."

    TEXT: IN COMMENTING ON DEVELOPMENTS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD, THE WASHINGTON POST TAKES NOTE OF BORIS YELTSIN'S RETURN TO WORK IN THE KREMLIN ONLY WEEKS AFTER MAJOR CORONARY BYPASS SURGERY:

    VOICE: "RUSSIAN PRESIDENT ... YELTSIN RETURNED TO THE KREMLIN AND TO WORK YESTERDAY, ADDING ANOTHER COMEBACK TO HIS REMARKABLE UP-AND-DOWN CAREER. HE IS ESSENTIALLY ONLY NOW EMBARKING ON HIS SECOND TERM, A HALF-YEAR AFTER WINNING REELECTION AND SEVEN WEEKS AFTER SURVIVING QUINTUPLE-BYPASS HEART SURGERY. POLITICALLY, RUSSIA IS FAR BETTER OFF THAN MOST ANALYSTS WERE PREDICTING ONE YEAR AGO... BUT ECONOMICALLY, RUSSIA HAS PAID A HEAVY PRICE ... FIRST FOR THE EXPENSIVE CAMPAIGN PROMISES HE MADE AND THEN FOR THE ABSENCE OF LEADERSHIP SINCE HE DISAPPEARED, SICK AND EXHAUSTED, FROM PUBLIC VIEW, A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE JULY THIRD VOTE."

    TEXT: TAKING NOTE OF THE HOSTAGE DRAMA AT THE JAPANESE AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE IN LIMA, PERU, NOW ENTERING ITS SECOND WEEK, THE NEW YORK TIMES COUNSELS PATIENCE, WHILE ADDING:

    VOICE: "THE POTENTIAL FOR BLOODSHED REMAINS GREAT. BUT SO FAR, BOTH SIDES HAVE ACTED CAUTIOUSLY... THE TUPAC AMARU GUERRILLAS ... SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT THEY HAVE ACHIEVED IMPORTANT GOALS AND CAN GAIN NOTHING BY KILLING HOSTAGES."

    TEXT: AND FROM THE SUN IN BALTIMORE, THESE THOUGHTS ON THE LIMA SITUATION:

    VOICE: "THE WORLD HAS CONTRADICTORY INTERESTS IN THIS DREADFUL STAND-OFF. THE FIRST IS THAT NO HARM COME TO THE CAPTIVES. THE SECOND IS THAT TERRORISM NOT SUCCEED, LEST IT INSPIRE MORE. TREMENDOUS PATIENCE IS NEEDED, ALONG WITH STEELY JUDGMENT. IN THE END IT IS A BATTLE OF WILLS BETWEEN [GUERRILLA LEADER NESTORE] CERPA AND [PRESIDENT] FUJIMORI"

    TEXT: FINALLY, FROM NEWSDAY ON LONG ISLAND, THESE THOUGHTS ON CHRISTMAS.

    VOICE: "... IN TONIGHT'S QUIET [OF CHRISTMAS EVE], IT'S WORTH REVIEWING WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN THE HOLIDAY BUILDUP. 'STUFF' [IE:MATERIAL POSSESSIONS] IS NOT IMPORTANT. TRADITION IS. IT'S IMPORTANT EVEN IF TRADITIONS DEVELOP THAT YOU COULD DO WITHOUT... EACH OF US GROWS HIS OR HER OWN WAYS OF COPING WITH THE HOLIDAYS, AND AS YEARS PASS, THESE COPING MECHANISMS BECOME TRADITION -- ESPECIALLY IF CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED... WHATEVER TRADITION MAKES THIS SEASON SPECIAL FOR YOU -- WHETHER IT'S STRICTLY SECULAR WINTER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SNOW SPORTS OR ROOTED IN THE BIRTH OF CHRIST -- MAY YOU FIND IT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND SAVOR IT YEAR AFTER YEAR."

    TEXT: WITH THOSE THOUGHTS, WE END THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS ON THE EVE OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.
    NEB/ANG/PCH
    24-Dec-96 10:58 AM EST (1558 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [08] U-N/COPYRIGHT REACT (L ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=12/23/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-207872
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: AFTER THREE WEEKS OF NEGOTIATIONS, DELEGATES REPRESENTING MOST OF THE 160 NATIONS OF THE WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ASSOCIATION HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT ON ACCORDS TO PROTECT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN THE ELECTRONIC AGE. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE ACCORDS, REACHED AT A U-N-SPONSORED CONFERENCE IN GENEVA, SEEK TO PROTECT ARTISTS WHOSE MATERIAL ROUTINELY APPEARS ON THE INTERNET AND OTHER REGIONS OF CYBERSPACE:

    TEXT: ERIC SMITH, WHO ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE AS A DELEGATE REPRESENTING THE INTERNATIONAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ALLIANCE, SAYS THE KEY ACCORD REACHED COVERS INTELLECTUAL, LITERARY AND ARTISTIC PROPERTY RIGHTS -- SUCH AS COMPUTER GAMES OR NOVELS THAT ARE ON THE INTERNET COMPUTER NETWORK.

    MR. SMITH SAYS THE GOAL OF THE GENEVA CONFERENCE WAS TO UPDATE, IN THIS DIGITAL RECORDING AGE, THE 1889 BERN CONVENTION WHICH PROVIDED THE FIRST GLOBAL PROTECTION FOR LITERARY AND ARTISTIC WORKS. HE SAYS THE NEW ACCORDS PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF CREATORS OF ARTISTIC WORKS IN THE ELECTRONIC AGE:

    ///SMITH ACTUALITY///

    THE MOST IMPORTANT CLARIFICATIONS WERE THAT THE RIGHT OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATION OR THE RIGHT OF THE RIGHTHOLDER TO CONTROL THE TRANSMISSION OF HIS OR HER OR ITS WORK OVER DIGITAL NETWORKS LIKE THE INTERNET REMAINS IN THE DIGITAL AGE. THEY HAVE THE FULL RIGHT TO CONTROL THAT TRANSMISSION.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    MR. SMITH SAYS THE DELEGATES AGREED, AFTER MUCH DEBATE, THAT SO-CALLED RIGHTHOLDERS -- THOSE WHO POSSESS THE COPYRIGHT TO ARTISTIC WORKS -- ALSO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CONTROL THE COPYING OF THEIR WORKS ON THE INTERNET AND OTHER COMPUTER-GENERATED FORUMS.

    HE SAYS IT WILL BE UP TO INDIVIDUAL GOVERNMENTS TO ENFORCE THE ACCORDS REACHED IN GENEVA:

    ///SMITH ACTUALITY///

    THE ISSUES OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES WILL OR WILL NOT BE LIABLE IN PARTICULAR INSTANCES WILL BE DETERMINATIONS MADE UNDER NATIONAL LAW.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    IN THE UNITED STATES, FOR EXAMPLE, IT WILL UP TO LAWMAKING BODIES LIKE THE U-S CONGRESS AND THE COURTS TO DETERMINE WHEN COMPUTER SERVICES AND USERS ARE LIABLE FOR PENALTIES FOR USING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL.

    BUT SEVERAL ISSUES REMAIN UNSETTLED, SUCH AS THE QUESTION OF COPYRIGHT PROTECTION FOR COMPUTER AND PRINT DATABASES THAT CURRENTLY ARE UNPROTECTED.

    MR. SMITH SAYS ARTISTS MAY RESORT TO ENCRYPTION -- OR CODING -- THEIR WORK ON THE INTERNET. UNDER THIS SYSTEM, THOSE WHO WANT ACCESS TO AN ARTISTIC WORK WOULD PURCHASE THE RIGHT TO DECRYPT -- OR DECODE -- THE COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL.

    ///REST OPT///

    IN A RELATED DEVELOPMENT, THE U-S TRADE REPRESENTATIVE'S OFFICE SAYS CHINA HAS MADE SOME PROGRESS IN ENFORCING A BILATERAL AGREEMENT AIMED AT CRACKING DOWN ON THE PIRACY OF U-S/MADE COMPACT DISCS. A U-S TEAM INVESTIGATING COPYRIGHT PIRACY IN THE SOUTHERN CHINESE PROVINCE OF GUANGDONG REPORTS THAT FOUR UNDERGROUND CD FACTORIES AND NINE CD PRODUCTION LINES HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN IN RECENT WEEKS. HOWEVER, SEVERAL OTHER COUNTRIES INCLUDING GREECE, RUSSIA, SAUDI ARABIA, ARGENTINA, THE PHILIPPINES AND HONG KONG ARE BEING WATCHED FOR VARIOUS COPYRIGHT VIOLATIONS OF U-S PRODUCTS. THE WASHINGTON-BASED PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION IS CONCERNED ABOUT ARGENTINA'S PIRACY OF U-S MEDICAL PRODUCTS. THE ASSOCIATION'S SPOKESMAN IS MARK GRAYSON:

    ///GRAYSON ACTUALITY///

    ARGENTINA IS THE FLAGSHIP (MAIN COUNTRY) FOR WORLDWIDE PHARMACEUTICAL PATENT PIRACY. THEY HAVE RENEGED REPEATEDLY OVER SEVEN YEARS ON PROMISES TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE PATENT PROTECTION. IN FACT, MANY MEDICINES APPEAR ON THE MARKET IN ARGENTINA BEFORE THEY DO ANYWHERE ELSE JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PATENT PROTECTION FOR OUR PRODUCTS.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    ARGENTINA REMAINS ON A PRIORITY WATCH LIST BY THE U-S TRADE REPRESENTATIVE'S OFFICE. THE OFFICE ALSO SAYS GREECE REMAINS A LARGE PROBLEM IN THE ONGOING PIRACY OF U-S MOTION PICTURES. BUT IT SAYS RUSSIA AND SAUDI ARABIA ARE MAKING SOME PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING U-S CONCERNS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/VB/KL
    23-Dec-96 7:07 PM EST (0007 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [09] U-S/TURKEY/IRAN (S ONLY) BY VICTOR BEATTIE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=12/23/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-207875
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS VOICED ITS CONCERN OVER A NUMBER OF ECONOMIC AGREEMENTS INCREASING TRADE BETWEEN IRAN AND NATO ALLY TURKEY, WHICH NOW HAS AN ISLAMIC-LED GOVERNMENT. V-O-A'S VICTOR BEATTIE REPORTS THE STATEMENT COMES AS A U-S DEFENSE OFFICIAL SAYS A RUSSIAN-BUILT SUBMARINE IS NOW ON ITS WAY TO THE PERSIAN GULF FOR DELIVERY TO THE IRANIAN NAVY:

    TEXT: U-S STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN GLYN DAVIES SAYS THE AGREEMENTS, TOTALING TWO BILLION DOLLARS, WERE SIGNED AS IRANIAN PRESIDENT ALI AKBAR HASHEMI RAFSANJANI ENDED A VISIT TO ANKARA SATURDAY:

    ///DAVIES ACTUALITY///

    WE REMAIN CONCERNED BY ALL EFFORTS TO INTENSIFY COOPERATIVE RELATIONS WITH IRAN UNTIL TEHRAN REFORMS ITS UNACCEPTABLE INTERNATIONAL POLICIES.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    THE UNITED STATES HAS LONG OPPOSED WHAT IT CALLS IRAN'S SUPPORT OF TERRORISM, OPPOSITION TO THE MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS AND PURSUIT OF THE ACQUISITION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION:

    ///DAVIES ACTUALITY///

    THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT KNOWS WELL OUR CONCERNS. WE COMMUNICATE THEM TO THEM FREQUENTLY AND WE WILL MAINTAIN AN ACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH TURKEY.

    ///END ACTUALITY///

    THE STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL DID NOT INDICATE WHETHER A U-S LAW THAT CALLS FOR SANCTIONS AGAINST COMPANIES INVESTING MORE THAN 40-MILLION DOLLARS IN THE IRAN WILL BE ENFORCED.

    MR. DAVIES REPEATED THE U-S POSITION THE BILATERAL AGREEMENTS ARE NOT IN THE U-S INTEREST. LAST WEEK, SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER DENOUNCED TEHRAN AS A DANGEROUS FORCE IN THE WORLD, ONE THE UNITED STATES MUST ACT TO CONTAIN. MEANWHILE, A U-S DEFENSE OFFICIAL SAYS A THIRD RUSSIAN KILO-CLASS DIESEL-POWERED SUBMARINE IS BEING DELIVERED TO IRAN AS PART OF ITS PROGRAM TO MODERNIZE ITS NAVAL FORCES. (SIGNED)
    NEB/VB/KL
    23-Dec-96 9:52 PM EST (0252 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [10] U-S / SERBIA PROTESTS (L) BY DAVID GOLLUST (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=12/24/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-207908
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THERE HAS BEEN HEAVY U-S CRITICISM OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FOR TUESDAY'S STREET VIOLENCE IN BELGRADE. STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS ARE HOLDING OUT THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION. VOA'S DAVID GOLLUST HAS DETAILS.

    TEXT: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS STEPPING UP ITS CRITICISM OF SERBIAN HANDLING OF THE PROTESTS, SAYING IT HOLDS THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT AND ITS PRESIDENT -- MR. MILOSEVIC -- RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIOLENT TURN IN THE SITUATION.

    A STATEMENT ISSUED BY DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT CONDEMNED VIOLENCE BY PRO-MILOSEVIC DEMONSTRATORS IN BELGRADE. IT SAID THE UNITED STATES CALLS ON ALL SIDES TO EXERCISE MAXIMUM RESTRAINT AND TO AVOID FURTHER CONFRONTATION.

    STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JOHN DINGER SAID THE CHIEF U-S DIPLOMAT IN BELGRADE, RICHARD MILES, MET WITH SERBIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MILAN MILUTINOVIC TO EXPRESS U-S CONCERN AND APPEAL FOR CALM.

    HE SAID U-S OFFICIALS HAVE ALSO CAUTIONED OPPOSITION LEADERS, BUT THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN EVEN-HANDED IN APPORTIONING BLAME FOR TUESDAY'S TURN TO VIOLENCE:

    ///DINGER ACTUALITY///

    NOW WE HAVE GIVEN A SIMILAR MESSAGE TO THE OPPOSITION TO AVOID FURTHER VIOLENCE. BUT I WANT TO STRESS THAT WE HOLD THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE RECENT VIOLENT ACTIONS. THEY HAVE FLAGRANTLY AND PROVOCATIVELY CHOSEN TO HEIGHTEN TENSIONS BY BRINGING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE INTO BELGRADE TO CONFRONT WHAT HAD BEEN PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS BY THE OPPOSITION.

    ///END ACT///

    SPOKESMAN DINGER REITERATED THE U-S CALL ON PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO RESPECT THE RESULTS OF THE NOVEMBER 17TH MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS WON BY THE OPPOSITION BUT VOIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT -- AND TO OPEN DIALOGUE WITH THE DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION.

    AND HE AGAIN SAID VIOLENCE AGAINST THE PROTESTERS, WHO HAVE BEEN MARCHING DAILY FOR MORE THAN FIVE WEEKS, WILL "INEVITABLY" LEAD TO SERBIA'S FURTHER ISOLATION FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

    THE UNITED STATES HAS WITHHELD FULL RECOGNITION OF THE BELGRADE GOVERNMENT. AND BECAUSE OF ITS RECORD ON DEMOCRATIZATION AND OTHER ISSUES IT HAS MAINTAINED SO-CALLED "OUTER WALL" SANCTIONS DENYING SERBIA ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

    MR. DINGER SAID ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS BY THE UNITED STATES, ITS ALLIES, AND OTHER COUNTRIES ARE AMONG THE OPTIONS IF THE SITUATION IN BELGRADE CONTINUES TO DETERIORATE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAG/KL
    24-Dec-96 4:04 PM EST (2104 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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