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Voice of America, 96-06-20

Voice of America Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] IRAN / SYRIA (L-ONLY) (CQ) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)
  • [02] BOSNIA / SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)
  • [03] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: SARAJEVO SURVIVAL MAP BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)
  • [04] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)
  • [05] U-S/BOSNIA ARMS (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)
  • [06] G-7/RUBIN (L-ONLY) BY JILL MOSS (WASHINGTON)
  • [07] RUSSIA / YELTSIN FIRINGS (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)
  • [08] BOUTROS CONTROVERSY BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)
  • [09] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

  • [01] IRAN / SYRIA (L-ONLY) (CQ) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

    DATE=6/20/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-199035
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:
    // REISSUE 199031, CORRECTS CAPITAL IN 6TH GRAF OF TEXT, ANKARA STED ISTANBUL //

    INTRO: A PAN-ARAB NEWSPAPER BASED IN LONDON -- "AL-HAYAT" -- IS REPORTING (THURSDAY) A MILITARY AGREEMENT BETWEEN IRAN AND SYRIA. V-O-A'S ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM THE BRITISH CAPITAL.

    TEXT: THE REPORT IN AL-HAYAT QUOTES DIPLOMATIC SOURCES IN DAMASCUS AS SAYING IRAN HAS OFFERED SYRIA A MILITARY AGREEMENT SIMILAR TO THE ONE SIGNED BETWEEN TURKEY AND ISRAEL.

    KAMRAN KARADAGHI IS AL-HAYAT'S SENIOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT. HE SAYS IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT KIND OF ACCORD IRAN AND SYRIA HAVE REACHED -- WHETHER IT IS A BROAD MILITARY AGREEMENT OR A DETAILED MILITARY PACT WHICH WOULD INVOLVE, FOR EXAMPLE, JOINT TRAINING AND MANEUVERS.

    MR. KARADAGHI SAYS WHAT IS CLEAR, IS BOTH COUNTRIES BELIEVE THEY ARE THREATENED BY THE TURKISH-ISRAELI MILITARY PACT.

    // KARADAGHI ACT //

    SYRIA AND IRAN THINK THAT THIS IS PART OF A NEW APPROACH IN THE REGION, TO PUT PRESSURE ON IRAN AND SYRIA -- AND SO THIS IS, I THINK, THE REASON WHY THEY ARE SO CONCERNED ABOUT IT AND THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO STRENGTHEN THEIR POSITIONS.

    // END ACT //

    MR. KARADAGHI SAYS THERE IS ALWAYS THE POSSIBILITY THERE IS NO PACT AND THE IDEA WAS SIMPLY LEAKED TO THE PRESS TO ALARM NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES. BUT IF INDEED THERE IS SUCH AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN TEHRAN AND DAMASCUS, MR. KARADAGHI SAYS THIS WILL CREATE A COMPLETELY NEW SITUATION IN THE REGION.

    THE MIDDLE EAST EXPERT SAYS RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY, SYRIA AND IRAN HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COMPLICATED. HE SAYS RELATIONS BETWEEN SYRIA AND TURKEY HAVE BEEN BAD BECAUSE ANKARA ACCUSES DAMASCUS OF ACTIVELY SUPPORTING THE KURDISTAN WORKERS PARTY -- KNOWN AS P-K-K WHICH IS FIGHTING A GUERRILLA WAR IN SOUTHEASTERN TURKEY.

    // 2ND KARADAGHI ACT //

    THE P-K-K IS BECOMING A THREAT TO TURKEY AND THEY HAVE ESTABLISHED A BASE IN NORTHERN IRAQ. THEY ENJOY THE SUPPORT OF BOTH SYRIA AND IRAN AND THERE ARE EVEN SOME REPORTS AS SAYING THAT THEY HAVE NOW EVEN SOME BASES IN SYRIA NEAR DAMASCUS.

    // END ACT //

    MR. KARADAGHI DOES NOT BELIEVE RELATIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND SYRIA WILL IMPROVE ANYTIME SOON AND THEY MIGHT EVEN BECOME MORE STRAINED IF REPORTS OF THE NEW SYRIAN-IRANIAN MILITARY PACT ARE CONFIRMED. (SIGNED)
    NEB/ADEN/PCF/CF
    20-Jun-96 11:10 AM EDT (1510 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [02] BOSNIA / SARAJEVO (L) BY DAVID FOLEY (SARAJEVO)

    DATE=6/20/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-199041
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS IN BOSNIA SAY THE BOSNIAN SERB PRESIDENT, RADOVAN KARADZIC, IS STILL IN CONTROL OF THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERSHIP AND SAY SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO REMOVE HIM FROM POWER. NATO COMMANDERS ALSO HAVE ANNOUNCED THEIR PLANS TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR ELECTIONS TO BE HELD IN MOSTAR IN 10 DAYS. DAVID FOLEY REPORTS FROM SARAJEVO.

    TEXT: THE LATEST ATTACK ON MR. KARADZIC COMES AFTER HIS PRIME MINISTER, GOJKO KLICKOVIC, FAILED TO ATTEND A KEY MEETING BETWEEN THE PRIME MINISTERS OF BOSNIA, THE MUSLIM / CROAT FEDERATION, AND REPUBLIKA SRPSKA.

    COLUM MURPHY, THE SPOKESMAN FOR CARL BILDT, THE SENIOR INTERNATIONAL MEDIATOR IN BOSNIA, ACCUSED MR. KARADZIC OF CONTINUING TO "WIELD ILLEGITIMATE INFLUENCE."

    // ACT - MURPHY //

    I AM DISAPPOINTED TO HAVE TO SAY IT IS QUITE CLEAR DR. KARADZIC IS PULLING STRINGS (MANIPULATING). THE MAN HAS TO GO, AND SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO BE DONE ABOUT THAT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

    // END ACT //

    MR. MURPHY ALSO WOULD NOT CONFIRM REPORTS NATO COMMANDERS HAD REFUSED A REQUEST FROM MR. BILDT TO CAPTURE MR. KARADZIC. MR. MURPHY DID SAY ANY BOSNIAN SERB PLANS TO OBSTRUCT THE DAYTON AGREEMENT AND SIMPLY OUT-WAIT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WOULD FAIL, AND HE SAID MILITARY AND POLITICAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WOULD BE PRESENT IN BOSNIA FOR "QUITE A WHILE."

    // ACT - MURPHY //

    WE HAVE SEEN FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY STRONG INDICATIONS THAT THERE WILL BE A NEED FOR A PRESENCE NEXT YEAR -- NOT ONLY A SECURITY PRESENCE, BUT POLITICAL AND OTHERWISE.

    // END ACT //

    MEANWHILE NATO OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THEY WILL PROVIDE SECURITY FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS THAT WILL BE HELD 10 DAYS FROM NOW IN THE SOUTHERN BOSNIAN CITY OF MOSTAR. MOSTAR IS STILL DIVIDED BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND CROATS, WHO FOUGHT A BITTER ONE YEAR WAR CENTERED ON THE CITY IN 1993.

    IN ADDITION TO THE VOTING IN MOSTAR, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BOSNIAN REFUGEES ARE EXPECTED TO CAST BALLOTS IN FOUR EUROPEAN COUNTRIES. THE ELECTION, WHICH IS BEING ORGANIZED BY EUROPEAN UNION, IS SEEN AS A PREVIEW OF NATIONAL ELECTIONS EXPECTED IN MID-SEPTEMBER.

    NATO OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL HAVE TROOPS AND MILITARY POLICE ON THE STREETS OF MOSTAR IN AN EFFORT TO PREVENT ANY VIOLENCE. MANY MUSLIMS WILL HAVE TO CROSS TO THE CROAT SIDE OF THE DIVIDED CITY TO VOTE, AND THERE ARE SERIOUS CONCERNS CROAT HARD-LINERS MAY ATTACK MUSLIMS TO PREVENT THEM FROM VOTING. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DF/CF
    20-Jun-96 12:13 PM EDT (1613 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [03] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: SARAJEVO SURVIVAL MAP BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=6/20/96
    TYPE=CURRENT AFFAIRS FEATURE
    NUMBER=3-25322
    TELEPHONE=619-1101
    EDITOR=NANCY SMART
    CONTENT= // TAPE INSERTS AVAILABLE FROM AUDIO SERVICES //

    INTRO: THE CREATOR OF THE 'SARAJEVO SURVIVAL GUIDE' AND THE MOCK 'LIFE' MAGAZINE ABOUT SARAJEVO'S MULTI-ETHNIC ARTISTIC COMMUNITY HAS PRODUCED A THIRD IN WHAT SHE CALLS HER 'SURVIVAL SERIES'. SUADA KAPIC'S LATEST PROJECT IS A 'SARAJEVO SURVIVAL MAP,' A GLOSSY FOLD-UP MAP JUST RELEASED IN SARAJEVO AND SOON BE DISTRIBUTED IN EUROPE AND ELSEWHERE. OPENED UP, IT BECOMES A COLORFUL POSTER SHOWING THE SIZE AND NUMBER OF GUNS THAT RINGED SARAJEVO AND THE ROUTES PEOPLE TOOK TO ESCAPE THEM. A LEGEND ON THE BACK EXPLAINS THE VARIOUS POINTS OF

    INTEREST. SUADA TALKED WITH VOA'S PAMELA TAYLOR, WHO

    WAS RECENTLY IN SARAJEVO, ABOUT THE MOTIVE BEHIND THE VARIOUS 'SURVIVAL' PROJECTS: SK: [OPT] I WAS OBSERVER AND WITNESS AND I WAS IMPRESSED WITH WHAT CULTURAL RESISTANCE WAS IN SARAJEVO. IT WASN'T HIGH CULTURE BUT IT WAS SOME KIND OF PHENOMENON THAT YOU CAN PRESERVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IF YOU'RE DOING A LOT OF WORK. AND ANOTHER LEVEL WAS CULTURAL RESISTANCE. AND PEOPLE FROM ARTS, MEDIA, THEATER, UNIVERSITIES AND MANY DIFFERENT JOBS IN SARAJEVO TRIED TO PRESERVE THEMSELVES ON THREE LEVELS: FIRST, THE BASIC BIOLOGICAL ONE, YOU MUST FIND WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR DAILY LIFE: WATER, FOOD, ELECTRICITY, TRANSPORT AND LIGHT IF YOU HAVE NO ELECTRICITY. AND ANOTHER LEVEL WAS CULTURAL RESISTANCE. THAT MEANS YOU MUST PRESERVE WHAT CIVILIZATION WAS IN YOUR PAST LIFE AND IF YOU MAKE SOME LITTLE CORNERS IN YOUR MIND, IN YOUR DAILY LIFE, YOU CAN STAY NORMAL. AND IF YOU THINK THIS WAY, YOU CAN CONCLUDE THAT WE HAVE WON SOME CIVILIZATION BATTLE. MAYBE WE LOST LIVES BUT WE WILL SEE. [END OPT]

    MY 'SURVIVAL MAP' STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 95. MY PHOTOGRAPHER MADE 600 PHOTOS OF ALL PLACES IN SARAJEVO, HISTORICAL PLACES NOW BECAUSE NOW IS THE END OF WAR AND EVERYTHING HAS BECOME VERY HISTORICAL. ALL PEOPLE CAN VISIT THE MONUMENTS AND RUINS OF WHAT THE SARAJEVO SIEGE WAS. THE SURVIVAL MAP IS A KIND OF EXPLANATION ABOUT HOW MANY ARMS THE CHETNIK OR SERB FORCES HAD AROUND THE CITY. YOU CAN SEE WHY BRIDGES IN SARAJEVO WERE THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES. IF YOU THINK ABOUT OUR INVISIBLE ENEMIES ON THE HILLS, YOU CAN ON OUR MAP RECOGNIZE THE SNIPERS, TANKS AND ALL THE PLACES FROM WHERE THEY CAN SHOOT AT YOU IN EVERY MOMENT FROM EVERY PLACE IN THE CENTER OF THE CITY. ON OUR MAP WE PRESERVED VERY DANGEROUS ZONES, SNIPER ALLEY, MONUMENTS, RUINS, SURVIVAL GARDENS AND LOTS OF DETAILS OF SPECIFIC THINGS ABOUT A BIG CITY LIKE SARAJEVO, A EUROPEAN CITY, UNDER SIEGE FOR ALMOST FOUR YEARS. PT: I UNDERSTAND ONE THING WHICH MADE YOU WANT TO DO THIS WAS THAT YOU HAD TO MAKE THIS TERRIBLY LONG AND INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS TRIP EVERY DAY TO GET WATER, FROM WHERE YOU LIVED TO THE OTHER END OF TOWN WHERE THE WATER WAS. TELL US ABOUT THAT. SK: YES, THE LAST PERIOD OF THE SIEGE FROM APRIL TO SEPTEMBER '95, A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE NATO STRIKES WAS THE WORST PERIOD FOR SARAJEVO BECAUSE THE CHETNIKS STARTED AGAIN WITH SHELLING, THEY CUT OFF ALL ELECTRICITY, WATER, EVERYTHING AND WE FOUND OURSELVES AGAIN IN THE SAME SITUATION AND AGAIN IN THE SAME KIND OF STRUGGLE AGAINST THEM. WHEN I STARTED MY DAILY LIFE I REALIZED I MUST GO OUT BECAUSE I CANNOT STAY IN THE BASEMENT AND EVERYDAY MY CHOICE WAS TO GO TO MY OFFICE OR GO GET SOME WATER FROM THE BEER FACTORY WHICH WAS VERY FAR AWAY FROM MY APARTMENT . PT: (AND) THE BEER FACTORY WAS? SK: THE ONLY PLACE WHERE WE COULD FIND CLEAN WATER. MY OPTIONS WERE THREE ROADS WHERE EVERY 20 METERS THEY SHELLED US. THAT MEANS THAT EVERY PLACE IS VERY DANGEROUS. BUT IN MY MIND I MADE A LITTLE MAP WHICH WAS VERY SAFE EACH DAY AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE VERY GOOD TO SHOW IT TO OTHER PEOPLE HOW DANGEROUS IT WAS. PT: HOW PEOPLE SURVIVED? SK: HOW PEOPLE SURVIVED. THAT'S THE REASON I ALWAYS PACKAGE MY PROJECTS IN VERY BEAUTIFUL PACKAGES. MAYBE IT'S BETTER IF PEOPLE RECOGNIZE IF THEY HAVE SOMETHING SWEET IN THEIR HANDS THAT THEY WILL LOOK AT THE CONTENTS. PT: NOW THIS MAP IS OBVIOUSLY GOING TO BE OF TREMENDOUS INTEREST TO ALL BOSNIANS WHO WERE EITHER IN BOSNIA WHEN THE WAR BROKE OUT OR WHO FLED IF THEY COULD, THEY'RE GOING TO FIND IT FASCINATING I WOULD IMAGINE. BUT YOU'RE DOING IT ALSO I WOULD IMAGINE FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD? SK: THE FIRST REASON WAS TO PRESERVE EXPERIENCE. I'M SURE SARAJEVO WAS A UNIQUE CITY IN HUMAN HISTORY, LIKE BERLIN WAS IN SOME OTHER WAY, OR JERUSALEM OR WHATEVER, WHICH WASN'T THE CASE, THEY DIDN'T MAKE ONE (A MAP). BUT I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN GOOD TO HAVE A MAP OF BERLIN WITH TWO SIDES EAST AND WEST AND IN BETWEEN A WALL. SO I TRIED TO DO IT WITH SARAJEVO AND PRESERVE A HISTORICAL DOCUMENT. PT: SO PEOPLE DON'T FORGET WHAT HAPPENED HERE? SK: YES! PRESERVATION OF EXPERIENCE. PT: (SIGNED)
    NEB/PAM/NES
    20-Jun-96 3:17 PM EDT (1917 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [04] YUGO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

    DATE=6/20/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-199048
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: A BOSNIAN MUSLIM SURVIVOR OF THE OMARSKA PRISON CAMP HAS TOLD THE U-N'S WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL, NOW MEETING AT THE HAGUE, THAT HE SAW BOSNIAN SERB DUSAN TADIC AT THE CAMP ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS. MR. TADIC, WHO IS ACCUSED OF MURDERING AND TORTURING PRISONERS THERE, DENIES EVER HAVING VISITING OMARSKA. THE EVIDENCES COMES AS PART OF THE ONGOING EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY AT THE TRIBUNAL. FROM THE HAGUE, GILLIAN SHARPE HAS DETAILS.

    TEXT: BEFORE THE WAR IN BOSNIA, NIHAD HASKIC OWNED A SMALL RESTAURANT IN THE TOWN OF PRJEDOR. DUSAN TADIC, HE SAYS, WAS A FREQUENT VISITOR, OFTEN SAYING HE ENJOYED THE FOOD. BUT LIKE ALL THE EYEWITNESSES WHO HAVE TESTIFIED SO FAR, MR. HASKIC NOW HAS RATHER DIFFERENT MEMORIES OF THE MAN WHO SITS IN THE DOCK.

    MR. HASKIC WAS TAKEN TO THE OMARSKA PRISON CAMP. LIFE THERE, HE TOLD THE COURT, CONSISTED OF LITTLE FOOD, BEATINGS, AND KILLINGS.

    HE SAYS HE SAW DUSAN TADIC THERE AT LEAST TWICE. MR. TADIC HIMSELF SAYS HE HAS NEVER BEEN THERE.

    FOR MOST OF THIS TRIAL, HE HAS TRIED TO SHOW AS LITTLE EMOTION AS POSSIBLE -- REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS BEING SAID ABOUT HIM IN COURT. BUT HIS SEEMING FRUSTRATION AT THE WHOLE PROCESS FINALLY BURST THROUGH. MR. HASKIC WAS ASKED TO MAKE A FORMAL IDENTIFICATION OF MR. TADIC IN COURT. BUT BEFORE HE COULD ANSWER, DUSAN TADIC HIMSELF JUMPED TO HIS FEET. "I AM DUSAN TADIC," HE SAID.

    THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE IN THIS TRIAL, SO FAR, IN THE WAY OF CONCRETE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST HIM. ONE WITNESS SAYS HE SAW HIM CUT THE THROATS OF TWO MUSLIM POLICEMEN. ANOTHER SAYS HE SAW HIM BEAT PRISONERS AT OMARSKA. THE OTHER EYEWITNESSES ARE THERE PARTLY TO PROVE THAT WHAT DUSAN TADIC IS ALLEGED TO HAVE DONE IS PART OF A PATTERN. UNLESS THE PROSECUTION CAN ESTABLISH THAT, THEN CERTAIN CHARGES AGAINST MR. TADIC MAY HAVE TO BE DROPPED.

    BUT THE EYEWITNESSES ARE ALSO BEING USED TO PUT MR. TADIC IN OR NEAR PLACES WHERE CRIMES ARE SAID TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE. NAMES OF PEOPLE ARE MENTIONED -- PEOPLE DUSAN TADIC IS ALLEGED TO HAVE MURDERED. BUT THE REAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THOSE EVENTS AND HIM HAS YET TO BE MADE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/GS/PCF/KL
    20-Jun-96 1:28 PM EDT (1728 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [05] U-S/BOSNIA ARMS (S) BY DAVID GOLLUST (PENTAGON)

    DATE=6/20/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-199067
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS ARE EXPRESSING GROWING FRUSTRATION OVER THE FAILURE OF BOSNIA'S MUSLIM-CROAT FEDERATION TO MEET TERMS FOR AN AMERICAN-LED PROGRAM TO UPGRADE THEIR ARMED FORCES. THE SO-CALLED "EQUIP AND TRAIN" PROGRAM HAS BEEN DELAYED BY POLITICAL BICKERING BETWEEN THE FEDERATION PARTNERS. V-O-A'S DAVID GOLLUST REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

    TEXT: THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO BRING FEDERATION FORCES UP TO PAR WITH THOSE OF THE BOSNIAN SERBS WHEN NATO PEACEKEEPERS LEAVE AT THE END OF THE YEAR. THE UNITED STATES HAS RAISED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE PROJECT. BUT THE BOSNIAN MUSLIMS AND CROATS -- ACTING MORE LIKE RIVALS THAN PARTNERS-- HAVE FAILED TO PRODUCE THE JOINT DEFENSE LAW THAT IS A CONDITION FOR THE PROGRAM. AND SARAJEVO AUTHORITIES HAVE STILL NOT MET THEIR OBLIGATION TO EXPEL IRANIAN MILITARY ADVISERS.

    DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN KEN BACON SAYS THE DELAYS ARE PUZZLING, SINCE THE FEDERATION PARTIES HAD PRESSED FOR THE MILITARY AID:

    ///BACON ACTUALITY///

    EQUIP AND TRAIN IS A PROGRAM THAT WAS INSISTED UPON BY THE BOSNIANS TO BENEFIT THE BOSNIANS. AND WHEN THEY BELIEVE THAT THE PROGRAM IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR THEM, I ASSUME THAT THEY WILL DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PASS A DEFENSE LAW AND MEET THE OTHER CONDITIONS AND LET THE PROGRAM GO FORWARD.

    ///END ACT ///

    U-S OFFICIALS SAY WITHOUT THE TRAIN AND EQUIP PROGRAM, THE BOSNIAN SERBS WILL RETAIN THE MILITARY ADVANTAGE THAT FUELED THE BALKANS WAR AND COULD DESTABLIZE THE COUNTRY AGAIN AFTER NATO DEPARTS. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAG/PT
    20-Jun-96 4:34 PM EDT (2034 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [06] G-7/RUBIN (L-ONLY) BY JILL MOSS (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=6/20/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-199063
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    /// CORR: 4TH GRAPH; 1ST LINE; READ IT; XX JANUARY 1993 XX //

    INTRO: U-S TREASURY SECRETARY ROBERT RUBIN SAYS THE UNITED STATES HAS PULLED AHEAD OF OTHER DEVELOPED NATIONS AS THE WORLD'S LEADING ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE. HIS COMMENTS COME SEVEN DAYS BEFORE LEADERS OF THE GROUP OF SEVEN INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS MEET IN LYONS, FRANCE. HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH AMERICA'S ECONOMY IS STRONG, V-O-A'S JILL MOSS REPORTS WASHINGTON IS FALLING SHORT ON ITS COMMITMENT TO FOREIGN AID PROGRAMS.

    AMERICA IS BACK AS THE WORLD'S INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC POWERHOUSE. THIS IS THE FIRM BELIEF OF U-S TREASURY SECRETARY ROBERT RUBIN. THE SECRETARY -- SPEAKING TODAY (THURSDAY) AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB IN WASHINGTON -- ATTRIBUTED PRESIDENT CLINTON'S EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE FEDERAL DEFICIT AS THE PROPELLING FACTOR BEHIND AMERICA'S RISE AS AN ECONOMIC LEADER.

    // RUBIN ACT //

    WHILE MANY FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR ECONOMY'S SUCCESS OVER THE PAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS -- INCLUDING INCREASED COMPETITIVENESS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR -- I ALSO THINK THERE IS NO QUESTION BUT THAT THE KEY AND INDISPENSABLE FACTOR WAS THE DEFICIT REDUCTION PROGRAM OF 1993. TODAY, IN CONTRAST TO FIVE YEARS AGO, AMERICA IS BACK AS THE INTERNATIONAL POWER -- HEALTHY AND STRONG.

    // END ACT //

    SINCE PRESIDENT CLINTON TOOK OFFICE IN JANUARY 1993, THE U-S ECONOMY HAS CREATED MORE THAN 10-MILLION NEW JOBS. UNEMPLOYMENT HAS FALLEN TO FIVE-POINT-SIX PERCENT. INFLATION IS NEAR A 30-YEAR LOW, AND INTEREST RATES REMAIN BELOW LEVELS SET BEFORE THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION CAME INTO POWER.

    ALL THESE FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO AMERICA'S ECONOMIC CREDIBILITY. HOWEVER, SECRETARY RUBIN SAYS CONGRESSIONAL CUTS TO INTERNATIONAL AID PROGRAMS -- SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION -- COULD UNDERMINE WASHINGTON'S ABILITY TO LEAD.

    // RUBIN ACT //

    THERE ARE POLLS THAT SHOW THAT SOME AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT WE SPEND 15 PERCENT OF OUR BUDGET ON FOREIGN ASSISTANCE, WHEN IN FACT THAT NUMBER IS WILL UNDER ONE PERCENT. WE SPEND LESS PER CAPITA -- SOMETIMES TWO-THIRDS LESS -- THAN MANY DEVELOPED NATIONS ON FOREIGN ASSISTANCE. WE ARE DEAD LAST AMONG O-E-C-D NATIONS (ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT) IN FOREIGN AID AS A PERCENTAGE OF G-D-P. (GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT) THIS IS NO WAY FOR A GREAT NATION TO BEHAVE.

    // END ACT //

    SECRETARY RUBIN SAID DESPITE A LACK OF CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL FOREIGN AID PROGRAMS, THE WORK OF THE GROUP OF SEVEN INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS HAS MADE AN ENORMOUS DIFFERENCE.

    OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE GROUP OF SEVEN HAS WORKED TO STRENGTHEN FOREIGN BANKING SYSTEMS IN EMERGING MARKETS, THROUGH THE WORLD BANK AND INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN ADOPTED, WHICH IN THE FUTURE COULD WARN INVESTORS AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS OF IMPENDING PROBLEMS. AND INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN MODERNIZED TO REFLECT THE FINANCIAL MARKETS THEY POLICE. AS A RESULT, THE POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE FINANCIAL CRISES AROUND THE WORLD HAS BEEN DIMINISHED. STILL, THE WORK OF THE GROUP OF SEVEN INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS PERSISTS. MR. RUBIN WILL ACCOMPANY PRESIDENT CLINTON AND SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER TO LYONS, FRANCE NEXT WEEK FOR THE ANNUAL G-SEVEN ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SUMMIT. THE MEETINGS ON JUNE 27TH AND 28TH WILL INCLUDE JAPAN, GERMANY, FRANCE, BRITAIN, ITALY AND CANADA. (SIGNED)
    NEB/JAG/KL
    20-Jun-96 4:34 PM EDT (2034 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [07] RUSSIA / YELTSIN FIRINGS (L) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)

    DATE=6/20/96
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-199026
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN HAS PURGED SEVERAL HARDLINERS IN HIS ADMINISTRATION FOLLOWING A KREMLIN INCIDENT DESCRIBED BY LOYALISTS AS AN ATTEMPTED MUTINY. PETER HEINLEIN AT VOA'S MOSCOW BUREAU HAS DETAILS.

    TEXT: MR. YELTSIN THURSDAY FIRED FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OLEG SOSKOVETS, CHIEF BODYGUARD ALEXANDER KORZHAKOV, AND MIKHAIL BARSUKOV, HEAD OF THE FEDERAL SECURITY SERVICE, THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE K-G-B. IN ANNOUNCING THE DISMISSALS, MR. YELTSIN SAID THE SECURITY SERVICES HAD TAKEN TOO MUCH POWER.

    // YELTSIN ACT UP, THEN FADE //

    MR. YELTSIN SAID I AM ALWAYS REPROACHED FOR BARSUKOV, KORZHAKOV AND SOSKOVETS. DOES THE PRESIDENT WORK FOR THEM? HE ADDED, IT'S TIME TO BRING IN FRESH PEOPLE.

    THE DISMISSALS, COUPLED WITH THE FIRING EARLIER THIS WEEK OF DEFENSE MINISTER PAVEL GRACHEV, COMPLETE A PURGE OF KREMLIN HARDLINERS.

    THURSDAY'S FIRINGS CAME AFTER A LONG NIGHT IN WHICH TWO YELTSIN CAMPAIGN AIDES WERE ARRESTED AND QUESTIONED FOR MORE THAN 10 HOURS. MR. KORZHAKOV AND MR. BARSUKOV WERE SAID TO HAVE ORDERED THE ARRESTS.

    THE FIRST INDICATION OF THE EVENT'S SIGNIFICANCE CAME IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, WHEN NEWLY NAMED SECURITY COUNCIL CHIEF ALEXANDER LEBED MADE A SURPRISE APPEARANCE ON STATE-RUN TELEVISION. MR. LEBED SAID THE ARRESTS WERE PART OF AN ATTEMPT TO BLOCK NEXT MONTH'S PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION.

    AT A NEWS CONFERENCE LATER IN THE DAY, YELTSIN CAMPAIGN AIDE AND FORMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ANATOLY CHUBAIS CALLED THE ARRESTS A "CRAZY PROVOCATION." HE TOLD A TALE OF KREMLIN INTRIGUE IN WHICH THE SOSKOVETS, KORZHAKOV, BARSUKOV COMBINE HAD TRIED TO RESIST MR. LEBED'S APPOINTMENT.

    HE CALLED THEIR FIRING AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE MOVE AWAY FROM SOVIET-STYLE RULE.

    // CHUBAIS ACT UP, THEN FADE //

    MR. CHUBAIS SAID PRESIDENT YELTSIN'S SWIFT ACTIONS HAD DRIVEN THE LAST NAIL INTO TWO COFFINS. ONE, HE SAID, WAS THE COFFIN OF RUSSIAN COMMUNISM. THE OTHER HE CALLED THE COFFIN WHICH IS "THE ILLUSION OF MILITARY COUP."

    HE WENT ON TO SAY THERE WOULD BE NO KREMLIN COUP, AND ELECTIONS WOULD GO AHEAD AS SCHEDULED, PROBABLY JULY 3RD. THE 46-YEAR-OLD MR. KORZHAKOV HAD BEEN DUBBED THE "GRAY CARDINAL" IN KREMLIN CIRCLES BECAUSE OF HIS CLOSE FRIENDSHIP WITH PRESIDENT YELTSIN. HE WAS SAID TO HAVE ENORMOUS INFLUENCE ON POLICY ISSUES. BUT HE CREATED A SENSATION LAST MONTH WHEN HE SUGGESTED THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SHOULD BE POSTPONED BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF CIVIL UNREST. THURSDAY, MR. KORZHAKOV WAS QUOTED AS SAYING HE WOULD REMAIN LOYAL TO PRESIDENT YELTSIN DESPITE HIS FIRING. IN COMMENTS TO RUSSIA'S INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY, THE OUSTED OFFICIAL SAID HE WOULD CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THE PRESIDENT'S RE-ELECTION. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PH/CF
    20-Jun-96 8:32 AM EDT (1232 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [08] BOUTROS CONTROVERSY BY ELAINE JOHANSON (UNITED NATIONS)

    DATE=6/20/96
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-33615
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IS UNCERTAIN -- AND NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S SHAKEY FINANCIAL SITUATION. A CONTROVERSY HAS EMERGED OVER ITS TOP LEADERSHIP AFTER THE UNITED STATES THREATENED TO VETO A RE-ELECTION BID BY EGYPTIAN DIPLOMAT, BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI. VOA CORRESPONDENT ELAINE JOHANSON REPORTS:

    TEXT: BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI WILL BE 74-YEARS-OLD WHEN HE FINISHES HIS FIRST FIVE-YEAR TERM DECEMBER 31ST AS UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL. HIS AGE -- BY ITSELF -- DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AN ISSUE. THE EGYPTIAN DIPLOMAT SHOWS AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF ENERGY AND MENTAL AGILITY.

    BUT THE GOVERNMENT IN WASHINGTON WANTS NEW LEADERSHIP. U-S OFFICIALS INDICATE MR. BOUTROS-GHALI HAS NOT CHANNELED HIS DYNAMISM SUFFICIENTLY TOWARD THE REFORMS THE ORGANIZATION NEEDS TO ENTER A NEW CENTURY. AND BOB DOLE -- THE REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER FOR THE WHITE HOUSE IN THIS U-S PRESIDENTIAL YEAR -- HAS BEGUN TARGETING THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AS A SYMBOL OF DIMINISHING AMERICAN CONTROL OVER ITS FOREIGN POLICY.

    U-N SPOKESMAN AHMAD FAWZI HAS DOWNPLAYED THE IMPORTANCE OF A SINGLE COUNTRY DEFEATING THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S RE-ELECTION BID. HE SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL DECIDE WHO IT WANTS:

    // FAWZI ACT //

    HE HAS, IN VIEW OF THE STRONG ENCOURAGEMENT HE HAS RECEIVED FROM A MAJORITY IN THIS ORGANIZATION, SUBMITTED HIS CANDIDACY FOR A SECOND TERM. AND I DON'T THINK BECAUSE ONE MEMBER STATE SAYS ONE THING THAT SHOULD NECESSARILY BE THE RULE OF LAW. THIS IS A DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTION AND A DEMOCRATIC VOTE WILL BE EXERCISED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR. AND MAY THE BEST MAN WIN.

    // END ACT //

    BUT MR. BOUTROS-GHALI NEEDS U-S SUPPORT BEFORE HIS FATE IS TURNED OVER TO THE 185-MEMBER GENERAL ASSEMBLY. THE SECURITY COUNCIL FIRST MUST AGREE ON A CANDIDATE. A U-S VETO WOULD PUT AN END TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S HOPES.

    SOME U-N WATCHERS PORTRAY BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI AS A VICTIM OF THE OVERLY HIGH EXPECTATIONS GOVERNMENTS HAD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE END OF THE COLD WAR. HE PRESSED FOR MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN SOMALIA SOON AFTER TAKING OFFICE IN JANUARY, 1992. THE FAILURE OF THAT MISSION AND THE ONE SUBSEQUENTLY IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA TEMPERED MUCH OF THE ENTHUSIASM.

    BOUTROS BOUTROS-GHALI STARTED RUNNING INTO PROBLEMS WITH THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION EARLY IN HIS FIRST TERM. U-S AMBASSADOR MADELEINE ALBRIGHT HAD BRISTLED PUBLICLY ABOUT HIS "HANDS-ON" APPROACH:

    // ALBRIGHT ACT //

    WE ARE IN A PERIOD WHERE COUNTRIES ARE TRYING TO SORT OUT WHAT IS THEIR SOVEREIGN RIGHT AND WHAT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION. WE'RE ALL TRYING TO WORK OUT OUR ROLES. AND I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED WHEN BOUTROS-GHALI SEEMS TO OVERSTEP AND BELIEVES THAT HE'S IN CHARGE OF EVERYTHING.

    // END ACT //

    SOME OBSERVERS BELIEVE THE U-N'S FINANCIAL CRISIS AND THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S BLUNT CRITICISM OF THE UNITED STATES FOR NOT PAYING ITS U-N DUES MAY HAVE STIFFENED THE DISCONTENT IN THE U-S CONGRESS. MR. BOUTROS-GHALI HEARD WASHINGTON'S CALL FOR REFORM BUT SAID WITHHOLDING PAYMENTS WAS DELAYING PROGRESS.

    NOT SINCE SWEDEN'S DAG HAMMARSKOLD IN THE EARLY 1960'S ARGUED FOR U-N INTERVENTION IN THE BELGIAN CONGO HAS A U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL SO OBVIOUSLY RATTLED A KEY GOVERNMENT. THE CONTEST FOR THE U-N'S TOP POST IS JUST BEGINNING. ONE HAT IS IN THE RING. SO FAR, IT IS THE ONLY ONE. (SIGNED)
    UN/EJ/CF
    20-Jun-96 2:11 PM EDT (1811 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America

    [09] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY DAN NOBLE (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=06/20/96
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-09639
    TELEPHONE=619-1014
    EDITOR=KLEINFELDT
    CONTENT=
    // EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS PERISHABLE MATERIAL AND BECOMES DATED AFTER 10 P-M ON THURSDAY JUNE 20TH //

    INTRO: SEVERAL EDITORIALS IN THURSDAY'S NEWSPAPERS, PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES, DISCUSS A TRANSACTION THAT INVOLVES PRESIDENT AND MRS. CLINTON WHILE MR. CLINTON WAS STILL GOVERNOR OF ARKANSAS, AND HIS WIFE, HILLARY, WAS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY IN LITTLE ROCK. THE SO-CALLED WHITEWATER AFFAIR WAS THE SUBJECT OF A CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION. OTHER TOPICS COMMENTED ON TODAY INCLUDE PEACE PROSPECTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE DEBATE OVER USING ANIMALS TO CONDUCT MEDICAL RESEARCH. NOW, HERE WITH MORE DETAILS IS ____________________ WITH THURSDAY'S U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: THE BOSTON GLOBE, IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL, SAYS THAT "THE SENATE WHITEWATER COMMITTEE HAS PRODUCED A REPORT WHOSE 769-PAGE LENGTH IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY ITS CONCLUSIONS."

    VOICE: "THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY ON THE WHITEWATER COMMITTEE CONCLUDES THAT BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON ABUSED THE POWER OF THE PRESIDENCY TO HIDE INVOLVEMENT IN A FAILED REAL ESTATE DEAL YET MUCH OF THE EVIDENCE INVOLVED WHITE HOUSE MEETINGS THAT COULD JUST AS EASILY BE SEEN AS TYPICAL -- AND PERFECTLY LEGAL -- POLITICAL DAMAGE CONTROL. THE WHITEWATER REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION, HOWEVER QUESTIONABLE IT SEEMS IN HINDSIGHT, WAS AN ARKANSAS AFFAIR THAT HAD LITTLE BEARING ON THE PRESIDENCY.... CONGRESS HAS EVERY RIGHT TO INVESTIGATE THE PRESIDENCY, AND VIGOROUS CRITICISM NO DOUBT HAS KEPT THE CLINTONS FROM COMMITTING MORE OF THE PETTY POWER GRABS THAT DISTURBED THE FIRST MONTHS OF THIS PRESIDENCY."

    TEXT: COMMENTING ON WHITEWATER, THE BALTIMORE SUN CALLS THE PROBE "A STORY SPECTACLE."

    VOICE: "THE CONDUCT OF BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ON THE SENATE WHITEWATER COMMITTEE HAS SEVERELY DAMAGED 'THE POSITION AND PRESTIGE OF THE CONGRESS'. ITS DISMAL RECORD REFLECTS THE DEGREE TO WHICH THE ENTIRE WASHINGTON ESTABLISHMENT AND THE CONGRESS IN PARTICULAR HAVE BEEN SO POLITICIZED THAT ANY OBJECTIVE SEARCH FOR TRUTH FAILS BY THE WAYSIDE.... THE PRIMARY DUTY OF A LEGISLATURE IS TO PASS LAWS, ENACT BUDGETS AND ASSIST THE EXECUTIVE IN DEFENDING NATIONAL SECURITY. BUT SINCE 1792, CONGRESS HAS FULFILLED AN INVESTIGATIVE FUNCTION THAT, AS PRESIDENT TRUMAN OBSERVED, HAS BECOME ONE OF ITS 'MOST IMPORTANT POWERS'. SOME OF THESE INVESTIGATIONS HAVE REFLECTED WELL ON THE CONGRESS, SOME BADLY. THE WHITEWATER PROBE UNQUESTIONABLY BELONGS IN THE LATTER CATEGORY."

    TEXT: SUZANNE FIELDS, A SYNDICATED COLUMNIST WHOSE WORK IS PUBLISHED IN THE WASHINGTON TIMES AND OTHER NEWSPAPERS, HAS SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT HILLARY CLINTON'S ROLE IN WHITEWATER.

    VOICE: "WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A PRE-WHITE HOUSE/POST-WHITE HOUSE SCANDAL IN WHICH HILLARY CLINTON IS ACCUSED OF HIDING OR DESTROYING DOCUMENTS FROM HER LAW FIRM, AND FOR HOLDING ON TO FILES WHEN THEY WERE SUBPOENAED BY KENNETH STARR, THE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL, TWO YEARS EARLIER. AT EVERY IMPORTANT TURN, CRUCIAL FILES AND DOCUMENTS 'DISAPPEARED' OR WERE WITHHELD FROM SCRUTINY WHENEVER QUESTIONS WERE RAISED, (THE) COMMITTEE CHARGES. ONE OF THE MOST DAMAGING BITS OF EVIDENCE ARE HER FINGERPRINTS ON THE LATE-RECOVERED BILLING RECORDS OF THE ROSE LAW FIRM FOUND IN THE WHITE HOUSE RESIDENT LAST AUGUST. ALTHOUGH OTHER FINGERPRINTS WERE FOUND AS WELL, THE OTHERS ARE NOT THOSE OF ANYONE WHO WAS IN THAT PART OF THE WHITE HOUSE THE DAY THE FILES WERE FOUND.... A CHORUS OF FRIENDLY CRITICS HAS FREQUENTLY SUGGESTED THAT IF ONLY HILLARY CLINTON HAD COME CLEAN ABOUT WHITEWATER...SHE COULD HAVE QUICKLY PUT IT ALL BEHIND HER. THIS OVERLOOKS THE POSSIBILITY THAT MAYBE THERE WAS SOMETHING TO HIDE. YOU CAN ONLY COME CLEAN IF YOU ARE CLEAN."

    TEXT: ON THE SUBJECT OF ISRAEL'S NEW PRIME MINISTER, THE NEW YORK TIMES TELLS READERS THAT BENJAMIN NETANYAHU IS -- IN THE NEWSPAPER'S WORDS -- "SENSIBLY REACHING FOR THE CENTER IN ISRAELI POLITICS, DESPITE EFFORTS BY SOME ALLIES TO TUG HIM OFF COURSE."

    VOICE: "AFTER UNVEILING A MODERATE AND PRAGMATIC SET OF POLICY GUIDELINES FOR HIS NEW GOVERNMENT, HE HAS TRIED TO ALLOCATE CABINET SEATS AMONG HIS LIKUD, RELIGIOUS AND IMMIGRANT PARTY COALITION PARTNERS WITH AN EYE TO MINIMIZING THE ROLE OF HAWKISH IDEOLOGUES AND RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISTS. IF HE HOLDS TO THIS COURSE, MR. NETANYAHU COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE RECONCILIATION OF A SHARPLY DIVIDED SOCIETY THAT GAVE HIM ONLY THE SLIMMEST OF ELECTORAL EDGES OVER HIS LABOR PARTY RIVAL, SHIMON PERES.... MR. NETANYAHU'S FIRST DAYS IN OFFICE HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING. APART FROM A FEW QUESTIONABLE APPOINTMENTS, HE HAS MADE A SENSIBLE AND SENSITIVE START."

    TEXT: ACCORDING TO AN EDITORIAL IN THURSDAY'S CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, "IT TAKES A CRISIS TO BRING ARAB LEADERS TOGETHER FOR A SUMMIT."

    VOICE: "SIX YEARS AGO IT WAS IRAQ'S INVASION OF KUWAIT. NOW IT'S THE PROSPECT OF ANOTHER LIKUD GOVERNMENT IN ISRAEL, LED BY BENJAMIN NETANYAHU. FOR PALESTINIAN LEADER YASSER ARAFAT, JORDAN'S KING HUSSEIN, AND EGYPT'S HOSNI MUBARAK, MR. NETANYAHU'S RISE TO POWER THREATENS THE PEACE SCAFFOLDING THEIR GOVERNMENTS LARGELY (OR WHOLLY, IN MR. ARAFAT'S CASE) REST UPON. WHAT CAN THE ARAB SUMMIT SCHEDULED TO RUN JUNE 21-23 ACCOMPLISH? AT THE LEAST, THE NATIONS GATHERED IN CAIRO CAN REAFFIRM THAT THEY STAND READY TO PURSUE PEACE WITH ISRAEL ON THE BASIS CLEARLY SET DOWN IN THE OSLO PEACE PROCESS AND IN EARLIER UNITED NATIONS RESOLUTIONS."

    TEXT: THE EDITORIAL PAGE OF THE USA TODAY NEWSPAPER NOTES THAT THURSDAY MARKS THE DAY FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS TO ATTEND THE WORLD ANIMAL CONGRESS "NEAR THE NATION'S CAPITAL." AMONG THE PROPOSALS IS AN END THE USE OF ANIMALS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH.

    VOICE: "TREATMENTS FOR EVERYTHING FROM POLIO TO MENOPAUSE HAVE REQUIRED ANIMAL-BASED RESEARCH AND PRODUCTS. AND FUTURE TREATMENTS FOR EVERYTHING FROM CANCER TO SPINAL CORD INJURIES TO ALZHEIMER'S WILL, TOO. RESEARCHERS SHOULD PRACTICE THE THREE RS: REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS USED, REFINE TESTS TO LIMIT ANY PAIN, AND REPLACE ANIMALS WHEREVER POSSIBLE. FEDERAL ANIMAL-WELFARE LAWS ENCOURAGE SUCH STEPS, WHICH HAVE CUT IN HALF THE USE OF ANIMALS OVER TWO DECADES. BUT WHAT SCIENTISTS CAN'T DO IS SATISFY THE EXTREME DEMANDS OF SUCH GROUPS AS PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS TO USE NO ANIMALS IN CRITICAL MEDICAL FIELDS. ITS SIMPLE. PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THE TREATMENTS THEY AND THEIR CHILDREN RECEIVE ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE. AND NO COMPUTER MODEL OR PETRI DISH CULTURE CAN FULLY MIMIC THE COMPLEXITY OF A LIVING CREATURE. THE STARK CHOICE IS BETWEEN ANIMAL TESTING FIRST OR MAKING HUMANS THE GUINEA PIGS."

    TEXT: ON THE SAME PAGE, IN USA TODAY, STEVEN I. SIMMONS, A STAFF WRITER WITH PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS, AND AN AIDS ACTIVIST, ARGUES THAT ANIMAL RESEARCH HASN'T DONE A THING FOR AIDS PATIENTS.

    VOICE: "INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS, IN VITRO CELL STUDIES AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS -- ALL OF WHICH CLEARLY SAVE HUMAN LIVES -- ANIMAL EXPERIMENTERS HOPE TO CONTINUE LINING THEIR POCKETS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE LIVES OF AIDS SUFFERERS. PLAYING ON SENSATIONALISM, FEAR AND DESPERATION, GROUPS REPRESENTING THE VESTED FINANCIAL INTERESTS OF ANIMAL EXPERIMENTERS HAVE SOUGHT TO PIT AIDS ACTIVISTS AGAINST ANIMAL-RIGHTS SUPPORTERS. TO THIS END, THEY HAVE CAPITALIZED ON THE MEDIA CIRCUS WHICH SURROUNDS AIDS ISSUES..... AIDS IS A UNIQUELY HUMAN PHENOMENON. IT OCCURS IN A COMPLEX PHYSIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIETAL CONTEXT. THE ONLY WAY TO UNDERSTAND AND RESPOND TO AIDS IS TO STUDY THOSE OF US LIVING WITH THE DISEASE, AND WE ARE IN NO SHORT SUPPLY. AIDS HAS ALREADY CLAIMED SO MANY LIVES. IT IS TRAGIC THAT WE ARE NEEDLESSLY ADDING CHIMPANZEES, BABOONS, CATS AND OTHER ANIMALS TO THE LIST OF CASUALTIES."

    TEXT: AND ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS BRIEF SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE EDITORIALS TO BE FOUND IN TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
    20-Jun-96 10:01 AM EDT (1401 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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