Browse through our Interesting Nodes of the Cyprus Government Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Friday, 29 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Voice of America, 97-12-18

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

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] BOSNIA DETAILS (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)
  • [02] BOSNIA WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)
  • [03] CLINTON / BOSNIA (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)
  • [04] CLINTON / TURKEY ONITER (S&L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)
  • [05] CONGRESS / BOSNIA (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)
  • [06] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)
  • [07] GREECE / CRASH (L) BY ANTHEE CARASAVA (ATHENS)
  • [08] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)
  • [09] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)
  • [10] TURKISH P-M / A-D-L AWARD (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)
  • [11] YEARENDER: BOSNIA & WAR CRIMES '97 / CQ BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

  • [01] BOSNIA DETAILS (L) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

    DATE=12/18/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224318
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS AMERICAN TROOPS WILL HAVE TO STAY IN BOSNIA PAST A PROMISED WITHDRAWAL DATE IN JUNE. MANY OF THE DETAILS OF THE "FOLLOW ON FORCE" ARE STILL TO BE WORKED OUT, BUT A STRONGER POLICE FORCE AND MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR REWARDS FOR WAR CRIMIE SUSPECTS ARE UNDER DISCUSSION. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM THE PENTAGON.

    TEXT: CURRENTLY THERE ARE ABOUT 31-THOUSAND TROOPS IN THE NATO-LED FORCE IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, INCLUDING ABOUT 8-THOUSAND AMERICANS. THEY HAVE BEEN KEEPING THE ARMED FACTIONS SEPARATED IN THE HOPE THAT PEACE, OR AT LEAST THE ABSENCE OF ACTIVE WAR, WOULD ALLOW FOR THE PHYSICAL AND POLITICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF CIVIL SOCIETY. EXPERTS AND POLICY MAKERS SAY THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO, AND SAY IT WON'T GET DONE UNLESS SOME TROOPS STAY PAST NEXT JUNE.

    PRESIDENT CLINTON PROMISED THE CONGRESS THE TROOPS WOULD LEAVE BY JUNE 1998, BUT NOW SAYS SOME KIND OF ARMED PRESENCE, WITH SOME KIND OF U-S PARTICIPATION MUST CONTINUE. THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE WILL WORK THE DETAILS OUT WITH NATO ALLIES AND CONSULT CLOSELY WITH CONGRESS.

    THOSE DISCUSSIONS ARE ALREADY UNDER WAY, AS SENATOR JOHN WARNER, A FORMER NAVY SECRETARY AND A HIGH RANKING MEMBER OF THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, CAME TO THE PENTAGON FOR TALKS THURSDAY.

    SENATOR WARNER SAYS THE CURRENT NATO-LED FORCE HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR DOING TOO LITTLE TO ARREST PEOPLE ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES. HE IS URGING PENTAGON OFFICIALS TO OFFER A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR REWARD FOR THE ARREST OF WAR CRIME SUSPECTS.

    /// WARNER ACT ///

    LETS PUT A PRICE ON THEIR HEADS. SAY ALL RIGHT, YOU CITIZENS OF BOSNIA, OR REPUBLICA SERBSKA, YOU BRING THEM IN AND YOU GET A COUPLE OF MILLION DOLLARS.

    /// END ACT ///

    SENATOR WARNER AND OTHER OFFICIALS HERE SAY MUCH OF THE WORK REMAINING IN BOSNIA, LIKE ARRESTING WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS, OR ESCORTING REFUGES BACK TO THEIR PRE-WAR HOMES, IS BETTER PREFORMED BY POLICE THAN SOLDIERS.

    PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON TOLD REPORTERS THAT THE UNITED STATES IS LOOKING FOR A STRONGER POLICE FORCE AND A BIGGER EUROPEAN CONTRIBUTION IN BOSNIA.

    HE SAYS THE FUTURE AMERICAN TROOP CONTINGENT IS LIKELY TO BE SMALLER, BUT STILL BIG ENOUGH TO GET THE JOB DONE AND DEFEND ITSELF.

    /// BACON ACT ///

    IT WILL HAVE TO HAVE A NUMBER OF COMBAT SOLDIERS, THE WILL BE WELL ARMED, WELL TRAINED AND WELL LED. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO "DRESS FOR DANGER" AS THEY DO NOW. AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE ALERT THROUGH THEIR OWN PATROLS AND ALSO THROUGH THE INTELLIGENCE THEY GET ON THE LOCAL SITUATIONS AND TO RESPOND TO THEM AS NECESSARY.

    /// END ACT ///

    SENATOR WARNER IS ONE OF NINE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE CONSULTED BY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN. PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY THE GROUP IS "GENERALLY SUPPORTIVE" OF THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN. BUT OTHERS ON CAPITOL HILL HAVE BEEN SHARPLY CRITICAL OF THE MISSED DEADLINE AND THE COSTS AND RISKS OF THE MISSION IN BOSNIA. (SIGNED).
    NEB/PT
    18-Dec-97 3:48 PM EST (2048 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [02] BOSNIA WAR CRIMES (L ONLY) BY GILLIAN SHARPE (THE HAGUE)

    DATE=12/18/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224298
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: TWO BOSNIAN CROAT WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS -- ARRESTED BY NATO TROOPS EARLY THURSDAY -- HAVE ARRIVED IN THE NETHERLANDS WHERE THEY WILL APPEAR AT THE U-N'S WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. GILLIAN SHARPE IN THE HAGUE REPORTS ONE OF THE MEN WAS INJURED DURING THE OPERATION IN BOSNIA, THE SECOND OF ITS KIND IN WHICH NATO HAS BEEN INVOLVED. TENT: THE TWO BOSNIAN CROATS -- ANTO FURUNDZIJA AND VLATKO KUPRESKIC -- WERE DELIVERED INTO U-N CUSTODY IN THE HAGUE JUST HOURS AFTER THEIR DETENTION BY NATO TROOPS.

    MR KUPRESKIC WAS SHOT AND INJURED BY NATO TROOPS WHEN HE RESISTED ARREST. HE AND SEVEN OTHERS -- INCLUDING TWO OF HIS COUSINS -- ARE CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH A 1993 MASSACRE IN A CENTRAL BOSNIAN VILLAGE, AHMICI. MORE THAN 100 MUSLIM CIVILIANS, INCLUDING WOMEN AND CHILDREN, WERE KILLED. NOT ONE MUSLIM WAS LEFT IN THE VILLAGE.

    MR FURUNDZIJA IS ACCUSED OF BEING COMMANDER OF A SPECIAL FORCES GROUP WITHIN THE BOSNIAN CROAT ARMY. THE SPECIFIC CHARGE AGAINST HIM IS THAT HE WAS PRESENT AND FAILED TO STOP THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF A PRISONER. HE WILL ANSWER THAT CHARGE WHEN HE MAKES AN INITIAL COURT APPEARANCE ON FRIDAY, ALTHOUGH IT IS LIKELY TO BE MONTHS BEFORE HIS CASE COMES TO TRIAL.

    THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME THAT NATO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN ARRESTING WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS. THE ACTION WAS WELCOMED BY THE TRIBUNAL'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR, LOUISE ARBOUR. SHE SAYS SHE IS CONLIDENT THAT SIMILAR OPERATIONS CAN BE CARRIED OUT IN THE FUTURE, AND SHE HAS CALLED ON THOSE CHARGED WITH WAR CRIMES TO SURRENDER.

    FIFTY SIX SUSPECTS -- MOST OF THEM SERBS OR BOSNIAN SERBS -- ARE STILL FREE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/GS/JWH
    18-Dec-97 12:08 PM EST (1708 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [03] CLINTON / BOSNIA (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

    DATE=12/18/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224299
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ANNOUNCED HIS DECISION IN PRINCIPLE TO KEEP U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA AFTER THE CURRENT NATO PEACEKEEPING MISSION THERE ENDS NEXT JUNE. AND HE REFUSED TO SET A NEW DEADLINE FOR ENDING THE U-S PRESENCE IN BOSNIA. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

    TEXT: IN MAKING HIS ANNOUNCEMENT THURSDAY, MR. CLINTON SAID THE PROGRESS TOWARD PEACE AND SECURITY IN BOSNIA IN THE TWO YEARS SINCE THE DAYTON ACCORDS WERE SIGNED IS UNMISTAKABLE BUT NOT YET IRREVERSIBLE.

    // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

    IF WE PULL OUT BEFORE THE JOB IS DONE, BOSNIA ALMOST CERTAINLY WILL FALL BACK INTO VIOLENCE, CHAOS, AND ULTIMATELY A WAR EVERY BIT AS BLOODY AS THE ONE THAT WAS STOPPED.

    // END ACT //

    MR. CLINTON SAID THE (NEW) MISSION MUST HAVE BENCHMARKS TO CREATE A SELF-SUSTAINING SECURE ENVIRONMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW FOREIGN TROOPS TO WITHDRAW.

    NATO IS TO DETERMINE WHAT THOSE BENCHMARKS SHOULD BE, AS WELL AS THE SIZE OF THE FORCE NEEDED.

    MR. CLINTON -- WHO IS TO VISIT TROOPS IN BOSNIA EARLY NEXT WEEK WILL FACE SOME RESISTANCE TO EXTENDING THE U-S MISSION THERE FROM MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO WANT THE PRESIDENT TO SPECIFY THE GOALS AND EXIT STRATEGY OF A FOLLOW-ON FORCE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAT/RRM
    18-Dec-97 12:20 PM EST (1720 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [04] CLINTON / TURKEY ONITER (S&L) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)

    DATE=12/18/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224323
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON MEETS WITH TURKEY'S PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ AT THE WHITE HOUSE LATER TODAY (FRIDAY) IN AN EFFORT TO BOOST TIES WITH A KEY NATO ALLY. V-O-A'S WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.

    TEXT: THE MEETING COMES ONE WEEK AFTER THE EUROPEAN UNION REJECTED TURKEY'S BID FOR MEMBERSHIP, CITING ANKARA'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD -- AND PROMPTING TURKEY TO FREEZE ITS POLITICAL TIES WITH THE E-U.

    DURING TALKS WITH MR. YILMAZ, MR. CLINTON IS EXPECTED TO URGE THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT TO RECONSIDER ITS DECISION. ON TUESDAY, THE PRESIDENT CALLED ON EUROPEAN ALLIES TO MEND THEIR TIES WITH ANKARA, CITING TURKEY'S STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE.

    THE UNITED STATES HAD HOPED THE E-U WOULD BACK TURKISH MEMBERSHIP IN THE ORGANIZATION -- A MOVE IT BELIEVED WOULD FACILITATE ITS EFFORTS TO BROKER A POLITICAL SETTLEMENT IN CYPRUS.

    // OPT //

    THE ISLAND IS DIVIDED BETWEEN THE GREEK CYPRIOTS IN THE SOUTH AND TURKISH CYPRIOTS IN THE NORTH, A SECTOR OCCUPIED BY TURKISH TROOPS SINCE 1974. // END OPT //

    CYPRUS IS JUST ONE ISSUE THAT IS A SOURCE OF TENSIONS BETWEEN TURKEY AND GREECE, ANOTHER NATO ALLY. THERE ARE ALSO LONG-STANDING DISPUTES OVER TERRITORIAL WATERS AND AIRSPACE OVER THE AEGEAN SEA.

    MR. CLINTON IS EXPECTED TO REPEAT HIS CALL FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE DISPUTES.

    // REST OPT FOR LONG //

    DURING THEIR VISIT, THE PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER ARE TO ANNOUNCE THAT TURKEY HAS AGREED TO PURCHASE 49 BOEING AIRPLANES, WORTH TWO-AND-A-HALF BILLION DOLLARS.

    ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, DEMONSTRATORS ARE EXPECTED TO PROTEST AGAINST TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD AND ITS TREATMENT OF ITS KURDISH MINORITY. (SIGNED)
    NEB/DAT/PT
    18-Dec-97 6:14 PM EST (2314 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [05] CONGRESS / BOSNIA (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

    DATE=12/18/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224317
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: NOW THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS DECIDED TO KEEP U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA, HE MUST SELL THE EXTENDED MISSION TO THE REPUBLICAN (PARTY)-CONTROLLED CONGRESS. LAWMAKERS CANNOT ORDER THE SOLDIERS TO COME HOME. BUT, AS V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, THEY CAN REFUSE TO FUND THE MISSION.

    TEXT: THERE IS SKEPTICISM AND CONCERN ON CAPITOL HILL.

    PENNSYLVANIA REPUBLICAN ARLEN SPECTER SITS ON THE SENATE COMMITTEE THAT CONTROLS THE PENTAGON BUDGET. HE QUESTIONS THE WISDOM OF POURING MORE MONEY INTO THE BOSNIA MISSION.

    ///SPECTER ACT///

    WE HAVE MORE INTERESTS (IN) OTHER PLACES AND OUGHT TO BE EXPECTING THE EUROPEAN POWERS TO DO MORE THERE (IN BOSNIA) THAN THEY ARE DOING TO GIVE JUSTIFICATION FOR OUR TROOP DEPLOYMENT THERE BEYOND JUNE OF 1998.

    ///END ACT///

    SENATOR SPECTER SAYS CONGRESS WILL DEMAND AN EXPLANATION FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. HE SAYS LAWMAKERS WILL NEED PROOF AN EXTENDED STAY IN BOSNIA IS IN AMERICA'S BEST INTEREST.

    ///SPECTER ACT///

    WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT OUR INVESTMENT TO DATE HAS DONE. WHAT IS THE PROGRESS? WHAT IS THE REASONABLE PROSPECT THAT IF WE STAY LONGER TO SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, THAT THERE WILL BE PEACE WHEN WE EXIT? AND SO FAR, THERE HAS BEEN NO REAL INDICATION OF THAT.

    ///END ACT///

    BUT THERE ARE OTHER KEY REPUBLICANS WHO SAY AN EXTENDED U-S PRESENCE IN BOSNIA IS ESSENTIAL. JOHN WARNER OF VIRGINIA IS ONE OF THE TOP MEMBERS OF THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE. HE ORIGINALLY VOTED AGAINST THE BOSNIA DEPLOYMENT BUT NOW ARGUES THE MISSION MUST CONTINUE.

    ///WARNER ACT///

    THE PRIMARY REASON IN MY JUDGMENT IS THAT THE FUTURE OF NATO IS TIED DIRECTLY TO THE SUCCESS OR THE FAILURE -- AS THE CASE MAY BE -- OF THE COMMITMENT THIS COUNTRY AND OUR ALLIES HAVE MADE IN THAT THEATER.

    ///END ACT///

    ONLY A FEW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS STEPPED FORWARD TO CRITICIZE OR EMBRACE THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION. THAT'S BECAUSE THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME IN THE MIDST OF A CONGRESSIONAL RECESS WHEN MOST LAWMAKERS WERE BACK IN THEIR HOME DISTRICTS.

    // OPT //

    WHAT THEY HEAR FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS OVER THE COMING DAYS MAY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE WAY THE LEGISLATURE HANDLES THE ISSUE IN THE NEW YEAR. REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN BOB NEY HAS BEEN TALKING TO VOTERS BACK IN HIS DISTRICT IN THE STATE OF OHIO. IT IS A PART OF THE COUNTRY WHERE MANY PEOPLE TRACE THEIR ANCESTRY BACK TO THE VILLAGES AND TOWNS OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE. AND WHILE THEY ARE PROUD OF THE JOB AMERICAN FORCES HAVE DONE IN BOSNIA, THERE ARE FEARS OF AN OPEN-ENDED MILITARY COMMITMENT.

    ///NEY ACT///

    I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DOWN HERE ARE FEELING THIS IS GOING TO BE A 10-YEAR EPISODE IF IT DOESN'T END PRETTY FAST, AND WE HAVE DONE JUST ABOUT ALL WE CAN DO TO BOLSTER THEM (THE U-S FORCES). SO, THEY (HIS CONSTITUENTS) ARE PRETTY UP (PRETTY KNOWLEDGEABLE) ON THE ISSUE. THEY BELIEVE WE HAVE CARRIED OUT A GOOD MISSION, BUT IT IS JUST TIME TO COME HOME.

    ///END ACT// //END OPT//

    PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL TAKE SEVERAL SKEPTICAL CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS WITH HIM SUNDAY WHEN HE TRAVELS TO BOSNIA FOR A BRIEF VISIT. THEY INCLUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE (OF REPRESENTATIVES) BUDGET COMMITTEE, JOHN KASICH (KAY'-SICK) OF OHIO AND CONGRESSMAN STEVEN BUYER (BOO'-YER) OF INDIANA -- A GULF WAR VETERAN WHO HAS BEEN LEADING AN EFFORT IN CONGRESS TO FORCE AN END TO THE BOSNIA MISSION. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PW/RRM
    18-Dec-97 3:39 PM EST (2039 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=12/18/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224303
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE MIXED IN TRADING THURSDAY ON EUROPEAN MARKETS. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

    TEXT: THE MARKETS IN EUROPE DRIFTED IN A DAY OF SLOW TRADING, WITH LITTLE MOVEMENT IN ANY DIRECTION. AT THE CLOSE, BOTH PARIS AND FRANKFURT WERE UP A LITTLE. LONDON WAS DOWN.

    IN FRANKFURT, THE DAX-30 INDEX ENDED THE FLOOR TRADING DAY WITH A GAIN OF MORE THAN SEVEN POINTS, ABOUT TWO-TENTHS PERCENT OF THE MARKET'S TOTAL VALUE. IT ROSE ANOTHER TWO-TENTHS PERCENT IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX ROSE FRACTIONALLY, JUST OVER ONE POINT.

    AND IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS OFF MORE THAN 22 POINTS, ABOUT FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT.

    ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR ROSE AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK AND THE JAPANESE YEN. BUT THE DOLLAR WAS DOWN AGAINST THE BRITISH POUND.
    NEB/JWH
    18-Dec-97 12:48 PM EST (1748 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [07] GREECE / CRASH (L) BY ANTHEE CARASAVA (ATHENS)

    DATE=12/18/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224282
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: IN NORTHERN GREECE, HUNDREDS OF SOLDIERS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE SEARCHING FOR A MISSING UKRAINIAN AIRLINER WITH ABOUT 70 PASSENGERS AND CREWMEMBERS. BUT, AS ANTHEE CARASSAVA REPORTS FROM ATHENS, THE 12-HOUR OPERATION HAS YET TO FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF A CRASH.

    TEXT: TWO GREEK MILITARY PLANES, SIX HELICOPTERS, AND MORE THAN 500 TROOPS ARE SCANNING AND COMBING RUGGED TERRAIN IN NORTHERN GREECE IN SEARCH OF THE MISSING UKRAINIAN PLANE.

    THE JET WAS CARRYING 70 PASSENGERS AND CREWMEMBERS FROM ODESSA. IT VANISHED FROM RADAR SCREENS ABOUT THREE MINUTES BEFORE IT WAS TO LAND AT SALONIKA AIRPORT IN NORTHERN GREECE.

    SEARCH CREWS ARE FOCUSING THEIR EFFORTS IN RUGGED TERRAIN WEST OF SALONIKA AND RAVINES NEAR MOUNT OLYMPUS. THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN RANGE IN GREECE.

    FRUITLESS GROUND SEARCHES HOWEVER HAVE PROMPTED MILITARY OFFICIALS TO SUSPECT THAT THE PLANE MAY HAVE HIT A MOUNTAIN PEAK. HEAVY SNOWFALL AND THICK FOG ARE PREVENTING MILITARY PLANES AND HELICOPTERS FROM APPROACHING THE SUSPECTED SITE.

    CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITIES SUSPECT WHAT THEY CALL A NAVIGATIONAL ERROR BY THE UKRAINIAN PILOT. THEY SAY THE PILOT HAD TROUBLE COMMUNICATING IN ENGLISH AND APPARENTLY WAS NOT ABLE TO CARRY OUT LANDING DIRECTIONS FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS. THE PLANE WAS TRYING TO LAND IN BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, CRITICS BLAME THE AIRPORT'S INADEQUATE LANDING TECHNOLOGY AND FAILURE TO BE EQUIPPED WITH ADVANCED RADAR SYSTEMS CAPABLE OF TRACING THE COURSE OF INCOMING PLANES.

    AVIATION OFFICIALS SAY THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS DURING THE FLIGHT. (SIGNED)
    NEB/AC/JWH
    18-Dec-97 7:04 AM EST (1204 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [08] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)

    DATE=12/18/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224320
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE DOWN SHARPLY TODAY (THURSDAY) AS WORRIES ABOUT ASIAN ECONOMIES INTENSIFIED ON WALL STREET. V-O-A'S CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

    TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 78 HUNDRED 46, DOWN 110 POINTS OR MORE THAN ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 955, DOWN 10 POINTS.

    ANALYSTS SAY TRADERS CONTINUED TO WORRY ABOUT THE IMPACT OF ECONOMIC TURMOIL IN ASIA ON THE PROFITS OF U-S-BASED MULTI-NATIONAL CORPORATIONS. SOME ALSO WONDERED IF THE NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM IN JAPAN WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO REVIVE THE JAPANESE ECONOMY.

    THE WORRIES ON WALL STREET WERE FUELED BY A STATEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS. IT EXPECTS THE SITUATION IN ASIA WILL SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE U-S EXPORTS NEXT YEAR.

    BUT THE LATEST U-S TRADE FIGURES SHOW EXPORTS STILL STRONG. IN FACT, THE U-S TRADE DEFICIT DROPPED BY ALMOST 14 PERCENT. U-S EXPORTS TO CHINA IN OCTOBER SET A RECORD.

    /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///

    EASTMAN KODAK, THE HUGE PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, SAYS IT WILL ELIMINATE AN ADDITIONAL 66 HUNDRED JOBS ON TOP OF THE 10 THOUSAND JOB CUTS IT ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH. KODAK HAS SUFFERED FROM SOFT DEMAND FOR ITS PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM AND STEEP LOSSES IN ITS DIGITAL IMAGING BUSINESS. CITIBANK, THE LARGEST U-S BANKING COMPANY, IS EXPANDING ITS CREDIT CARD OPERATIONS WITH A THREE AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLAR ACQUISITION. CITIBANK WILL BUY THE CREDIT CARD OPERATIONS FROM A-T AND T WHICH IS TRYING TO RE-FOCUS ITS ATTENTION ON ITS CORE BUSINESS, LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE SERVICE.

    TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ SAYS HIS NATION WILL BUY 49 JETLINERS FROM THE BOEING AIRCRAFT COMPANY OF THE UNITED STATES. THE DEAL WILL BE FORMALLY SIGNED IN A CEREMONY IN WASHINGTON ON FRIDAY.

    J-P MORGAN, THE U-S INVESTMENT BANK, HAS BEEN FINED ALMOST 600 MILLION DOLLARS AFTER ADMITTING IT BROKE TRADING RULES AT THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE. THE COMPANY ALSO SAYS IT HAS FIRED TWO EMPLOYEES WHO WERE ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN A SCHEME TO MANIPULATE STOCK INDEX LEVELS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
    18-Dec-97 4:41 PM EST (2141 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


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

    DATE=12/18/97
    TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-10494
    TELEPHONE=619-3335
    EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS
    CONTENT=

    ///// ED'S: DATED AFTER 10 P-M E-S-T. /////

    INTRO: A NEW FEDERAL STUDY THAT SUGGESTS MEN AND WOMEN SHOULD BE SEGREGATED DURING BASIC MILITARY TRAINING IS DRAWING A GOOD DEAL OF COMMENT IN THE NATION'S NEWSPAPERS THIS THURSDAY.

    OTHER TOPICS OF INTEREST INCLUDE THE SITUATION IN THE CONGO AND U-S POLICY TOWARD THE NEW GOVERNMENT THERE; BOSNIA; TURKEY'S REJECTION BY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND ANKARA'S REACTION; THE POTENTIAL THAW IN U-S IRANIAN RELATIONS; AND PRESIDENT CLINTON'S LONG, YEAR-END NEWS CONFERENCE GETS CRITIQUED. NOW, HERE WITH SOME EXCERPTS AND A CLOSER LOOK IS _________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

    TEXT: IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, COLORADANS ARE READING THESE COMMENTS IN THURSDAY'S "DENVER POST" ABOUT THE REPORT OF A STUDY PANEL THAT RECOMMENDS MEN AND WOMEN TAKE BASIC TRAINING IN SEGREGATED UNITS, INSTEAD OF IN MIXED GENDER PLATOONS.

    VOICE: IF [SECRETARY] COHEN AND PRESIDENT CLINTON WILL ACCEPT THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS, THEY CAN IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TRAINING AND REDUCE THE SEXUAL ABUSE AND HARASSMENT THAT HAVE MARRED THE SERVICES' EXPERIMENT WITH GENDER-INTEGRATED TRAINING. ... WOMEN NOW MAKE UP ABOUT 14-PERCENT OF U-S MILITARY PERSONNEL, UP FROM TWO-PERCENT A QUARTER-CENTURY AGO. SEPARATING MEN AND WOMEN IN TRAINING SHOULD NOT -- AND MUST NOT -- BE USED AS AN EXCUSE TO ROLL BACK THAT PROGRESS. ...IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT BOTH MEN AND WOMEN CAN BOTH DO BETTER IN ALL-MALE OR ALL-FEMALE PLATOONS DURING BASIC TRAINING -- WHERE STRESSFUL AND EXHAUSTING PHYSICAL TRAINING COMPRISES SO LARGE A PART.

    TEXT: "USA TODAY", THE NATIONAL DAILY SAYS -- INTEGRATING [THE] SEXES [IS] ONLY PART OF [THE] PENTAGON'S PROBLEM, ADDING:

    VOICE: THE BIG PROBLEM EXPOSED BY THE PANEL HAS LESS TO DO WITH GENDER THAN WITH A FAILURE OF TRAINING OVERALL. FRONT-LINE COMMANDERS TOLD THE PANEL THAT ALL RECRUITS ARE ARRIVING FROM TRAINING WITH 'LESS DISCIPLINE, LESS RESPECT, LESS MILITARY BEARING AND LESS TECHNICAL SKILL' THAN EVER BEFORE. ...TO MAKE ALL THE TRAINING WORK, THE PANEL SAYS OTHER REFORMS ARE NEEDED AS WELL. RECRUITING NEEDS MORE HONESTY. PHYSICAL TRAINING NEEDS MORE RIGOR. ADVANCED TRAINING NEEDS A MORE DISCIPLINED ATMOSPHERE. ...THE MILITARY MUST CONTINUE TO INTEGRATE WOMEN INTO THE SERVICES. AND IT MUST MAKE TRAINING A TOP PRIORITY, FOR THE SAKE OF ITS MEN AND WOMEN AND FOR NATIONAL SECURITY.

    /// OPT ///

    TEXT: "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" WONDERS WHETHER REPORT WILL ALSO HAVE A MORE GENERAL GOOD EFFECT:

    VOICE: PERHAPS THIS WILL KICK OFF [INITIATE] A MORE GENERAL DEBATE ON HOW FAR AND HOW FAST WE SHOULD GO WITH REGARD TO WOMEN IN UNIFORM. ...ONE NEED HARDLY BELABOR THE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE COME UP, FROM SEXUAL HARASSMENT TO SKY-HIGH PREGNANCY RATES. ...THIS RECOMMENDATION IS, AT A MINIMUM, A TIME TO PAUSE AND LOOK AT THE COMPELLING EVIDENCE THAT THE MILITARY HAS CHANGED TOO MUCH.

    /// END OPT ///

    TEXT: REGARDING SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT'S TRIP TO AFRICA, "THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR" NOTES:

    VOICE: ETHNIC STRIFE REMAINS THE ENEMY OF PROGRESS IN RWANDA, CONGO, AND OTHER PARTS OF CENTRAL AFRICA. IRONICALLY, OR PERHAPS BY PERVERSE DESIGN, MS. ALBRIGHT'S ARRIVAL IN RWANDA COINCIDED WITH A VICIOUS ATTACK ON A TUTSI REFUGEE CAMP ...OFFICIALS IN RWANDA ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO HASTEN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE ...[BUT] CONSTANT, SHARPLY FOCUSED INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION IS REQUIRED TO MOVE THIS PROCESS ALONG. ...LET US HOPE [MS. ALBRIGHT'S] TRIP ...MARKS A LASTING COMMITMENT.

    TEXT: "THE SUN" IN BALTIMORE, WATCHING SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT'S CURRENT AFRICAN TOUR, SAYS THERE IS -- UNFINISHED BUSINESS IN [THE] CONGO.

    VOICE: LAURENT KABILA, THE CONGO DISSIDENT WHO FRONTED FOR THE RWANDAN-LED FORCES THAT TOPPLED THE CRUMBLING MOBUTU DICTATORSHIP LAST YEAR, HAS YET TO SHOW HE CAN HOLD HIS COUNTRY TOGETHER AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF 45-MILLION SUFFERING COMPATRIOTS. SECRETARY OF STATE ... ALBRIGHT'S VISIT EMPHASIZED U-S SUPPORT FOR HIS ROLE AS TRANSITIONAL PRESIDENT, BUT ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THE ABSENCE OF CHOICE. HE IS THE ONLY GAME [THE ONLY VIABLE POWER] IN KINSHASA.

    TEXT: TODAY'S "NEW YORK TIMES" SAYS THE EUROPEAN UNION ERRED THIS WEEK BY REBUFFING TURKEY'S LONGSTANDING DESIRE TO JOIN THE GROUP, SUGGESTING IT'S MOTIVES WERE:

    VOICE: ... POORLY DISGUISED REASONS OF ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS PREJUDICE. TURKS ARE RIGHT TO BE ANGERED BY A DECISION THAT HAD AS MUCH TO DO WITH HISTORIC GREEK ANTIPATHY, GERMAN OBJECTIONS TO TURKISH IMMIGRANTS AND A PAROCHIAL VISION OF EUROPE AS IT DID WITH TURKEY'S REAL BUT SOLVABLE HUMAN-RIGHTS PROBLEMS. ANKARA'S RESPONSE HAS BEEN TO SHIFT ITS HOPES AND ATTENTION TO WASHINGTON. PRESIDENT CLINTON SHOULD WELCOME THE INITIATIVE DURING A MEETING TOMORROW WITH MESUT YILMAZ, THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER. // OPT // BUT MR. CLINTON MUST REMIND MR. YILMAZ THAT BEING PART OF THE WEST REQUIRES HONORING WESTERN VALUES ... [INCLUDING] RESPECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE KURDISH MINORITY AND ENDING THE IMPRISONMENT OF PARLIAMENTARIANS, JOURNALISTS ... AND ORDINARY CITIZENS FOR FREE SPEECH AND POLITICAL ADVOCACY. // END OPT //

    TEXT: THE NEW OVERTURES FROM IRAN TOWARD THE UNITED STATES DRAW THIS APPROVING COMMENT FROM "NEWSDAY."

    VOICE: THE DIPLOMATIC GLACIER THAT HAS DIVIDED THE UNITED STATES FROM IRAN FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES IS FINALLY SHOWING SIGNS OF CRACKING. IT IS FAR TOO SOON TO HOPE FOR A THAW, BUT IRANIAN PRESIDENT MOHAMMAD KHATAMI'S OFFER TO OPEN A DIALOGUE WITH WASHINGTON WAS GREETED WITH JUST THE RIGHT TONE OF HOPEFUL CAUTION BY PRESIDENT ... CLINTON THIS WEEK.

    TEXT: TURNING TO THE EVER-PRESENT SUBJECT OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, AND THE PEACEKEEPING EFFORT WHICH PRESIDENT CLINTON PLANS TO EXTEND BEYOND THE JUNE DEADLINE, DRAWS THESE COMMENTS FROM "THE BOSTON GLOBE."

    VOICE: IT IS ALMOST UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED BY THOSE WITH EXPERIENCE IN BOSNIA [-HERZEGOVINA] THAT THE THREE-SIDED CIVIL WAR, WHICH FORMALLY ENDED WITH THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORD IN 1995, WOULD BREAK OUT AGAIN WITH RENEWED SAVAGERY IF NATO FORCES LEFT. PRESIDENT CLINTON KNOWS THIS AND IS WORKING OUT A NEW ARRANGEMENT FOR U-S FORCES DUE TO COME HOME IN JUNE. AMERICANS ... ARE RIGHTLY SUSPICIOUS OF ANYTHING THAT SMELLS OF AN OPEN-ENDED QUAGMIRE AND CASUALTIES. BUT EXIT DATES ARE SELDOM PRACTICAL AND CAN OFTEN BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.

    TEXT: TO WHICH TODAY'S "LOS ANGELES TIMES" ADDS:

    VOICE: ONCE AGAIN IT IS INCUMBENT UPON THE PRESIDENT TO MAKE HIS CASE TO THE CONGRESS AND THE PUBLIC WHY AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN TROOPS MUST EXTEND THEIR STAY IN THIS PIT OF ANTIPATHY. WHAT IS TO SAY BEYOND THE OBVIOUS? IF NATO DOES NOT STAY ON AS A UNIFIED PEACEKEEPING FORCE IT MAY HAVE TO RETURN IN AN OFFENSIVE MODE.

    // OPT //

    TEXT: IN COMMENTING ON PRESIDENT CLINTON'S EXTRA-LONG, YEAR-END NEWS CONFERENCE TUESDAY, "NEWSDAY" SAYS:

    VOICE: PRESIDENT ... CLINTON'S PRESS CONFERENCES WILL NEAR EARN HIM HISTORY'S ACCOLADE AS A GREAT COMMUNICATOR. ... HE DOES NOT HOLD ENOUGH OF [THEM] ... AND WHEN HE DOES ... AS HE DID THIS WEEK FOR 94-MINUTES, HE DOES NOT ALWAYS KNOW WHEN TO STOP. ...[AND] WHY BE THE PRESIDENT IF YOU DO NOT TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE BULLY PULPIT TO SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE DIRECTLY, FORCEFULLY AND SUCCINCTLY?

    TEXT: AND LASTLY, A BRIEF COMMENT FROM "THE HARTFORD COURANT" ABOUT ANOTHER POPULAR WASHINGTON TOPIC, THE PRESIDENT'S NEW DOG, A CHOCOLATE-BROWN LABRADOR RETRIEVER, WHOSE NAME WAS ANNOUNCED AT THE TUESDAY NEWS CONFERENCE.

    VOICE: IT IS A SAFE GUESS THAT EVERY NEWSPAPER AND BROADCAST OUTLET IN THE WORLD RELAYED MR. CLINTON'S DECISION ... TO NAME HIS NEW FAMILY MEMBER IN HONOR OF HIS ARKANSAS UNCLE BUDDY. ... ON SUCH OCCASIONS, THE DEBATE HEATS UP OVER WHO REALLY SAID, 'IF YOU WANT A FRIEND IN WASHINGTON ... GET A DOG.' THE WORDS ARE ATTRIBUTED TO HARRY TRUMAN, BUT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF HIS COINING THEM. ... BUT LEST ANYONE ACCUSE US OF CLINTON-BUDDY BASHING, LET US END ON A POSITIVE NOTE BY QUOTING A PORTUGUESE PROVERB: A HOUSE WITHOUT EITHER A DOG OR A CAT IS A HOUSE OF A SCOUNDREL.

    /// END OPT ///

    TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIALS FROM TODAY'S U-S PRESS.
    NEB/ANG/RAE
    18-Dec-97 10:29 AM EST (1529 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [10] TURKISH P-M / A-D-L AWARD (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (NEW YORK)

    DATE=12/18/97
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-224271
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: TURKISH PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ (ME-SOOT YEEL-MAZ) BEGAN A FOUR DAY VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY ACCEPTING AN AWARD IN NEW YORK FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO SECULARISM AND TOLERANCE. V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

    TEXT: SHORTLY AFTER HIS ARRIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES, MR. YILMAZ WAS HONORED BY THE NEW YORK-BASED ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE,THE A-D-L, WITH IT DISTINGUISHED STATESMAN AWARD. ABRAHAM FOXMAN IS PRESIDENT OF THE A-D-L, WHICH FIGHTS DISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-SEMITISM.

    /// FOXMAN ACT ///

    SINCE BECOMING PRIME MINISTER SIX MONTHS AGO, PRIME MINISTER MESUT YILMAZ, A WESTERN-EDUCATED CHAMPION OF DEMOCRACY, HAS PROVED HIMSELF A STAUNCH AND VIGOROUS DEFENDER OF THE SECULAR STATE AND HAS SHOWN THAT HE IS STRONGLY OPPOSED TO RADICAL FUNDAMENTALISM.

    /// END ACT ///

    ACCEPTING THE AWARD, MR. YILMAZ STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF TURKEY'S ROLE OVER THE LAST FIVE CENTURIES AS A PLACE OF REFUGE FOR JEWISH PEOPLE WHO FACED PERSECUTION IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. HE BRIEFLY MENTIONED ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES NOW FACING HIS COUNTRY -- ITS FAILED EFFORTS TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN UNION.

    /// YILMAZ ACT ///

    WE ARE ALSO GRATEFUL FOR THE UNITED STATES' STAUNCH SUPPORT FOR TURKEY'S FULL MEMBERSHIP IN THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND WE WELCOME CONTINUED U-S INVESTMENT IN TURKEY, AND INCREASED TRADE BETWEEN OUR TWO NATIONS.

    /// END ACT ///

    THE EUROPEAN UNION REJECTED TURKEY'S LATEST BID TO JOIN THE TRADE GROUP OVER THE WEEKEND. IT CITED TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD AND ITS REFUSAL TO ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION IN ITS DISPUTE WITH GREECE OVER CYPRUS AS THE MAJOR OBSTACLES TO MEMBERSHIP.

    THE ISSUE OF E-U MEMBERSHIP HAS BEEN A KEY FACTOR IN TURKEY IN THE BALANCE OF POWER BETWEEN SECULARISTS AND ISLAMISTS. TURKEY'S ISLAMISTS HAVE LABELED THE E-U A CHRISTIAN CLUB, SAYING TURKEY WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED TO JOIN SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS A MUSLIM STATE.

    MR. YILMAZ WILL HOLD TALKS ON FRIDAY WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON. THOSE TALKS ARE EXPECTED TO FOCUS ON HUMAN RIGHTS, CYPRUS AND E-U MEMBERSHIP. WHILE MR. YILMAZ HAS GENERALLY BEEN PRAISED FOR HIS PRO-DEMOCRACY POLICIES SINCE TAKING OFFICE EARIER THIS YEAR, HE REMAINS UNDER PRESSURE TO MOVE QUICKLY IN IMPROVING HUMAN RIGHTS AND PRESS FREEDOM CONDITIONS.

    ACCORDING TO THE U-S-BASED COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS, AT LEAST 40 JOURNALISTS ARE NOW JAILED IN TURKEY, MORE THAN IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY. MR. YILMAZ IS REPORTED TO HAVE PROMISED TO WORK FOR AN AMNESTY FOR ALL JAILED JOURNALISTS AND REFORM OF LAWS THAT PERMITTED THEIR PROSECUTION. (SIGNED)
    NEB/NY/MPR/KL
    18-Dec-97 12:57 AM EST (0557 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    [11] YEARENDER: BOSNIA & WAR CRIMES '97 / CQ BY PAMELA TAYLOR (WASHINGTON)

    DATE=12/18/97
    TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
    NUMBER=5-38468
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:
    // THIS CORRECTS AND SUBS FOR 5-38459; CORRECTS TYPO IN JOHNSTON'S LAST NAME IN GRAF 5 OF TEXT ... AND CORRECTS FORMER TITLE OF RICHARD PERLE IN GRAF 7 OF TEXT) //

    INTRO: PRESIDENT CLINTON SAYS (THURSDAY) HE IS COMMITTED IN PRINCIPLE TO KEEPING U-S TROOPS IN BOSNIA AFTER A JUNE WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE, SAYING CHALLENGES REMAIN TO ESTABLISH A LASTING PEACE. HE SAID MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE, INCLUDING BRINGING WAR CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE. PAMELA TAYLOR EXAMINES THE DEBATE OVER WHO SHOULD ARREST WAR-CRIMES SUSPECTS -- NATO OR LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

    TEXT: NEARLY EVERY PROMINENT WESTERN DIPLOMAT INVOLVED IN BOSNIA HAS STATED THERE WILL BE NO LASTING PEACE IN BOSNIA UNTIL THE PRINCIPAL WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. BUT, THERE IS DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN CIVILIAN DIPLOMATS AND MILITARY OFFICIALS WITHIN NATO OVER WHO SHOULD DO THE ARRESTING. ACCORDING TO THE DAYTON ACCORDS, IT IS THE JOB OF THE THREE WARRING FACTIONS WHO SIGNED THE AGREEMENT -- THE CROATS, SERBS, AND MUSLIMS.

    BUT A HUMAN RIGHTS SPECIALIST WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP IN SARAJEVO, SANDRA COLLIVER, SAYS LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVE PROBABLY DONE AS MUCH AS THEY ARE GOING TO:

    // ACT ONE //

    THE BOSNIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE ARRESTED ALL OF THE WAR CRIMINALS ON THEIR TERRITORY. THE CROATS HAVE NEGOTIATED THE SURRENDER OF 14 OF THE 17 INDICTED PEOPLE IN THEIR AREA. THE SERB AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT ARRESTED A SINGLE ONE OF THE INDICTED SERBS -- 51 REMAIN AT LARGE, THREE OF THEM HAVE BEEN ARRESTED BY OTHER AUTHORITIES. THIS YEAR, THE NATO-LED TROOPS DID ARREST ONE WAR CRIMINAL.

    // END ACT //

    MEANWHILE, IN NIGHT-TIME RAIDS (THURSDAY) IN THE BOSNIAN TOWN OF VITEZ, DUTCH-LED NATO TROOPS ARRESTED TWO BOSNIAN CROATS INDICTED BY THE HAGUE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL. ONE SUSPECT (-- VLATKO KUPRESKIC --) WAS WOUNDED IN A GUNBATTLE WITH NATO TROOPS; THE OTHER WAS TAKEN DIRECTLY TO THE HAGUE.

    NATO OFFICIALS HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THEIR POLICY IS THAT PEACEKEEPING TROOPS WILL ARREST SUSPECTED WAR CRIMINALS ONLY IF THEY RUN ACROSS THEM. OTHERS HAVE DEFENDED THE NATO POSITION, SAYING ANY ARRESTS RISK PROVOKING RETALIATION.

    RETIRED GENERAL WILLIAM JOHNSTON, OF THE U-S ARMY WAR COLLEGE, SAYS THERE ARE IMPORTANT NON-MILITARY REASONS WHY ARRESTING WAR CRIMINALS SHOULD BE LEFT TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

    // ACT TWO //

    THIS PART OF THE WORLD HAS SUFFERED FROM A CONTINUOUS SERIOUS OF VENDETTAS OVER THE YEARS AND USUALLY THOSE DIFFICULTIES HAVE BEEN SETTLED BECAUSE AN OUTSIDE PARTY CAME AND INTERVENED. AS A RESULT, I BELIEVE, THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN FORCED TO OWN UP TO WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. IT IS IMPORTANT THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS BECAUSE ONE, THEY CAN NOT BLAME IT ON SOMEONE ELSE; TWO, THERE WILL BE A GREATER SENSE OF JUSTICE AMONG THE AGGRIEVED PARTIES; AND THREE, IT FORCES THE WARRING FACTIONS TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND THE RULES OF LAW.

    // END ACT //

    GENERAL JOHNSTON SAYS INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE ON CROATIA HAS WORKED IN CONVINCING THEM TO HAND OVER WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS. HE PREDICTS THE RECENT STRENGTHENING OF MODERATES IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC WILL ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO THE SAME. AS PART OF THIS EFFORT, PRESIDENT CLINTON IS SOON EXPECTED TO GIVE HIS APPROVAL FOR A 40-MILLION-DOLLAR AID PACKAGE DESTINED FOR MODERATE FACTIONS IN THE BOSNIAN SERB REPUBLIC.

    IN THE LAST ANALYSIS, ACCORDING TO A FORMER ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, THE DECISION WHETHER TO ARREST WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS IS UP TO PRESIDENT CLINTON. RICHARD PERLE, WHO IS NOW WITH THE CONSERVATIVE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE IN WASHINGTON, EXPLAINS.

    // ACT THREE //

    IF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES WE SHOULD ASSIST IN THE APPREHENSION OF WAR CRIMINALS, THEN THAT SHOULD BE TRANSMITTED TO THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE IN A DIRECT ORDER. THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF (CLINTON) HAS INDICATED THAT WE TAKE SERIOUSLY THE APPREHENSION OF WAR CRIMINALS. THERE IS A HUGE GAP BETWEEN WHAT HE IS SAYING AND WHAT HIS TROOPS ARE DOING. IF HE WANTS WAR CRIMINALS APPREHENDED, HE IS GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE A DIRECT ORDER TO THAT EFFECT.

    // END ACT //

    MR. PERLE BELIEVES PRESIDENT CLINTON WOULD RECEIVE THE SUPPORT OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, BECAUSE HE SAYS THEY UNDERSTAND LEAVING WAR CRIMINALS AT LARGE SUGGESTS AN EMBARRASSING WEAKNESS AND IMPOTENCE. (SIGNED)
    NEB/PAM/RAE/RRM
    18-Dec-97 4:23 PM EST (2123 UTC)
    NNNN
    Source: Voice of America


    Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    voa2html v2.03a run on Friday, 19 December 1997 - 2:16:12 UTC