[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 118 (Tuesday, September 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9028-S9029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        MEDIA COVERAGE IN BOSNIA

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to talk about media 
coverage in Bosnia and the importance of a fair, free, and independent 
media to the safety of United States and allied forces, the 
implementation of the Dayton peace accords, and peace for the Bosnian 
people.
  Recent events in the Serb area of Bosnia have served to highlight the 
disruptive role that the media, particularly television, can play as we 
have witnessed what Gen. Wesley Clark, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, 
characterized as ``organized disorder.''
  It was the potential for television-incited violence that led me to 
propose in my floor speech of July 30 the deployment of the EC-130E 
Commando Solo aircraft to jam Bosnian Serb television and to broadcast 
television and radio programming directly to the Bosnian people. I also 
made that proposal in writing to National Security Adviser Sandy Berger 
and Secretary of Defense Bill Cohen. I understand that the deployment 
of Commando Solo is under serious consideration at the Pentagon at the 
present time.
  In making my proposal, I specifically cited a provision of the 
Agreement on the Military Aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement that 
gives NATO's Stabilization Force Commander the authority to do all that 
he deems necessary and proper to protect the SFOR and to carry out its 
responsibilities.
  I should note at this point that the High Representative, Mr. Carlos 
Westendorp, a position that was created by the Dayton peace accords to 
oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the accords, has 
been invested with similar authority. The Peace Implementation Council, 
in its May 30, 1997 Sintra Declaration, declared as follows:

       The authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Entities and 
     the common institutions will be expected to give every 
     possible form of practical assistance with respect to 
     licenses, frequencies, free access by the High Representative 
     to news media and the ability of the OBN (Open Broadcast 
     Network) and other independent media to broadcast.
       The Steering Board is concerned that the media has not done 
     enough to promote freedom of expression and reconciliation. 
     It declared that the High Representative has the right to 
     curtail or suspend any media network or programme whose 
     output is in persistent and blatent contravention of either 
     the spirit or letter of the Peace Agreement.

  So there is ample authority in both the senior military and civilian 
authorities representing the international community in Bosnia to take 
action to address the misuse of Bosnian Serb television and other media 
outlets.
  I was pleased to note that the North Atlantic Council, on August 30, 
acting pursuant to a request from the High Representative authorized 
SFOR ``to provide the necessary support to suspend or curtail any media 
network or programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina whose output is in 
persistent and blatant contradiction of either the spirit or letter of 
the Peace Agreement, in accordance with the Sintra Declaration.''
  The North Atlantic Council further reaffirmed that ``SFOR will not 
hesitate to take the necessary measures including the use of force 
against media inciting attacks on SFOR or other international 
organizations.'' I ask unanimous consent that a North Atlantic Council 
press release that contains these decisions be printed in the Record at 
the conclusion of my remarks.
  Mr. President, there have been a number of media reports and 
commentaries concerning the agreement that was reached on September 2 
concerning the release of the Udrigovo television tower northeast of 
Tuzla. Several commentaries have criticized the agreement, under which 
the tower was returned to Pale's control, as being a capitulation to 
Karadzic. I believe this is a misreading of the situation.

  Under the agreement, SFOR turned over the Udrigovo tower in return 
for four commitments from Pale. Those commitments are as follows:
  First, all media will refrain from making inflammatory reporting 
against SFOR and international organizations supporting the execution 
of the Dayton accord. This includes television, radio, and the print 
media.
  Second, television will regularly provide 1 hour of programming 
during prime time each day without exception, during which our 
political views will be aired.
  Third, television will provide Ambassador Westendorp, the new High 
Representative, one-half-hour programming during prime time in the next 
few

[[Page S9029]]

days to introduce himself and explain the events which took place in 
Brcko, Bijelina, and Banja Luka. Such time will be unedited and not 
commented on in advance or after airing by TV commentators.
  Fourth, Republika Srpska will participate in a full and consistent 
manner in a Media Support Advisory Group conducted by the Office of the 
High Representative to discuss and regulate the work of the media in 
accordance with the spirit and the letter of the General Framework 
Agreement for Peace, the formal name of the Dayton accord.
  I ask that a copy of the Memorandum of Agreement that contains these 
conditions be printed in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks.
  If fulfilled, these commitments should reduce the threat to United 
States, allied forces, and the personnel of the various international 
organizations in Bosnia. They will also ensure that the views of 
Karadjic's opponents will be heard, which is very important, 
particularly in the run-up to the municipal elections.
   Mr. President, I am skeptical that Karadjic and his henchmen will 
live up to the terms of this agreement. It is most important to note, 
however, that Pale has for the first time formally acknowledged its 
media obligations and cannot complain if NATO uses force if it doesn't 
meet them. The ball is in Pale's court and I, for one, will strongly 
support decisive action by NATO, such as the use of Commando Solo, if 
Pale continues to misuse the media.
  The material follows:

        Statement by the North Atlantic Council, 30 August 1997

       The North Atlantic Council met today to continue its 
     consideration of the developing situation in the Republic 
     Srpska. It reaffirmed yesterday's statement by the Secretary 
     General condemning recent violence and confirming that SFOR 
     will continue to carry out its mission firmly but fairly and 
     will not tolerate the use of force or intimidation.
       Council responded positively to a request by the High 
     Representative to authorize SFOR to provide the necessary 
     support to suspend or curtail any media network or programme 
     in Bosnia and Herzegovina whose output is in persistent and 
     blatant contradiction of either the spirit or the letter of 
     the Peace Agreement, in accordance with the Sintra 
     Declaration.
       In addition, Council reaffirmed that SFOR will not hesitate 
     to take the necessary measures including the use of force 
     against media inciting attacks on SFOR or other international 
     organizations.
                                                                    ____

                                           Department of the Army,


                           Headquarters 1st Infantry Division,

                              Bosnia Herzegovina, 02 September 97.

    memorandum of Agreement for Release of Udrigovo Tower (CQ334489)

       As per coordination between Ambassador Klein and Mr. 
     Krajisnik, the turn over of the tower will occur with 
     agreement of the following points:
       1. RS media, TV, radio, print media, refrain from making 
     inflammatory reporting against SFOR and international 
     organizations supporting the execution of the Dayton Accord.
       2. RS TV will regularly provide one hour of programming 
     during prime time each day without exception, during which 
     other political views will be aired.
       3. RS TV will provide Ambassador Westendorp \1/2\ hour 
     during prime time in the next few days to introduce himself 
     and explain the events which took place in Breko, Bijelina 
     and Banja Luka. Such time will be unedited and not commented 
     on in advance or after airing by RS TV commentators.
       4. RS agrees to participate in a full and consistent manner 
     in a Media Support Advisory Group conducted by OHR to discuss 
     and regulate the work of the media in accordance with the 
     spirit and the letter of the GFAP.
       The signing of this document by the signatures below will 
     release SFOR from the Udrigovo tower as soon as they can 
     safely depart the morning of 2 September. The crowds at the 
     tower will depart tonight, and 10 RS police and technicians 
     may remain.
     David Grange.
     Drago Vukovic.
     Gen. Kansik.

                          ____________________