OMRI DAILY DIGEST
No. 2, 3 January 1996

PERRY AND SHALIKASHVILI VISIT HUNGARY'S TASZAR AIRBASE. U.S. Defense
Secretary William Perry and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen.
John Shalikashvili visited the U.S. IFOR forces headquarters in southern
Hungary's Taszar logistics base on 2 January, Hungarian and
international media reported. Perry expressed optimism about the Bosnian
peace effort and Shalikashvili noted that Hungarians had thus far shown
efficiency in the Partnership for Peace project and their current
cooperation shows that they can rise to a challenge quickly. Perry's
visit is part of a seven-day tour of Europe and the Middle East to size
up the U.S. contribution towards the peace process in Bosnia and between
Israelis and Palestinians. -- Zsofia Szilagyi

[As of 12:00 CET]

Compiled by Steve Kettle



Elnezest az esetleges kisbetukert, de az eredeti szoveg csupa
nagybetuvel volt irva, amit at kellett cserelnem.

Buchwald Amy

*****************************************************************

date=1/2/96
type=correspondent report
number=2-190700
title=Perry/Hungary (s-only)
byline=David Gollust
dateline=Taszar, Hungary
content=
voiced at:

Intro:  U-S defense secretary William Perry is in Hungary touring
the staging areas for U-S forces being deployed in
Bosnia-Herzegovina.  The defense chief says the peacekeeping
operation is on track despite poor weather and logistical
problems.  V-o-A's David Gollust reports from the Taszar airbase
in Southern Hungary.

Text:  Mr. Perry toured NATO airbases in Italy and then flew to
Hungary, where thousands of U-S ground troops are assembling at
two staging areas for the move south into Bosnia.

He is warning U-S personnel against complacency and says a
difficult year lies ahead.  He says the strict compliance with
the Dayton accords by the parties thus far -- and their
cooperation with NATO forces -- has answered the question of
whether the Bosnians want peace.

The defense secretary -- who Wednesday becomes the first senior
administration official to visit U-S troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina
-- says the outcome of the peace implementation process is
uncertain.  In a direct warning to the parties, the defense
secretary said -- this is your chance for peace, do not blow
(destroy) it.

Mr. Perry held talks here with Hungarian defense minister Gyorgy
Keleti and publicly thanked Hungary for making its facilities
available to U-S forces.  He said this support by Hungary, an
aspiring member of NATO, without question demonstrates what he
called its rapid qualification for membership in the alliance.
(Signed)

neb/dag/rae

02-Jan-96 11:01 am est (1601 utc)
nnnn

source: Voice of America


Elnezest az esetleges kisbetukert, de az eredeti szoveg csupa
nagybetuvel volt irva, amit at kellett cserelnem.

Buchwald Amy

*****************************************************************

date=1/2/96
type=correspondent report
number=2-190684
title=U-S / Hungary / Bosnia / S-O
byline=David Gollust
dateline=Aviano air base , Italy
content=
voiced at:

Intro:  U-S defense secretary William Perry and military joint
chiefs chairman general John Shalikashvili today are touring the
staging areas in Hungary for U-S troop deployments in Bosnia.
Hungary's willingness to open its bases for peacekeeping
operations has enhanced the candidacy of the former Warsaw Pact
country for NATO membership.  V-o-A's David Gollust reports from
Aviano airbase in Italy.

Text:  Secretary Perry and general Shalikashvili meet with
Hungarian defense minister Gyorgi Keleti and other senior
officials.  Such military cooperation would have been
unthinkable, just a few years ago.

The Hungarian government -- in a decision endorsed
nearly-unanimously by the country's parliament -- is allowing U-S
forces to use bases at Taszar and Kaposvar as staging areas for
their move into Bosnia.

In a talk with reporters en route to Europe, both Mr. Perry and
general Shalikashvili had high praise for the Hungarian role.
They strongly indicated it would advance the drive by Budapest
for NATO membership.

The chairman of the joint chiefs says the Hungarian government
has been very supportive of NATO efforts in Bosnia -- even at
times when it was politically difficult. The general said -- in
his words --  they have been very forthcoming and NATO owes them
a great debt of gratitude.

Hungary is already considered to be in the front rank of
candidates for membership when NATO goes ahead with its promised
eastward expansion -- perhaps as early as next year. (Signed)

neb / dag / wod / wod

02-Jan-96 4:50 am est (0950 utc)
nnnn

source: Voice of America