NBC "TODAY" REQUEST TO INTERVIEW CHARGE

UNCLASSIFIED ZAGREB 02856

SIPDIS

LIMITED OFFICIAL USE
FOR PA, HA, AND EUR

FOR DELIVERY AT OOB, 12/31/92

E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: OPRC HR BK
SUBJECT: NBC "TODAY" REQUEST TO INTERVIEW CHARGE


ACTION REQUESTED ASAP DECEMBER 31.


1. NBC "TODAY" SHOW REPORTER/PRODUCER MURIEL RUBINE
IS IN CROATIA PREPARING A PIECE ON ATROCITIES IN
BOSNIA-HERCEGOVINA, FOCUSSED HEAVILY ON THE WIDELY-
PUBLICIZED REPORTS OF MASS RAPE. SHE HAS BEEN
INTERVIEWING VICTIMS, WITNESSES, AND CROATIAN AND
BOSNIAN ACTIVISTS ON THIS ISSUE. SHE HAS ASKED TO
INTERVIEW THE CHARGE ON CAMERA TO OBTAIN TWO OR THREE
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PAGE 02 ZAGREB 02856 311049Z
20-SECOND "BITES" FOR INCLUSION IN AN OVERALL
7-8-MINUTE PIECE.


2. HAVING DISCUSSED WITH RUBINE THE QUESTIONS TO BE
ASKED, CHARGE, WITH THE DEPARTMENT'S CONCURRENCE, IS
WILLING TO DO THE INTERVIEW. IN OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH
RUBINE, SHE HAS VOLUNTEERED THAT SHE IS IMPRESSED
WITH THE USG'S AND THE DEPARTMENT'S RECORD ON THE
ATROCITIES/WAR CRIMES ANGLE OF THE EX-YUGO TRAGEDY.
SHE WOULD ASK THE CHARGE HOW ONE PERSONALLY ARRIVES
AT THE CONCLUSION THAT THE ALLEGATIONS OF MASS
ATROCITIES AND RAPES ARE CREDIBLE AND ABOUT THE
DEGREE TO WHICH THE ATROCITIES THUS FAR REPORTED
APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN SYSTEMATIC, AS OPPOSED TO THE
RANDOM ACTS OF UNDISCIPLINED SOLDIERS AT WAR. AT
CHARGE'S INSISTENCE, THE QUESTIONS WOULD HAVE TO BE
FOCUSSED ON HIS PERSONAL IMPRESSIONS OF THE ATROCITY
PHENOMENON, NOT/NOT ON LEGAL OPINIONS REGARDING WAR
CRIMES, OR CURRENT, BROADER USG EX-YUGO POLICY.


3. RUBINE WOULD LIKE TO DO THE INTERVIEW IN THE NEXT
TWO DAYS. THEREFORE, WE WOULD APPRECIATE CONCURRENCE
ASAP DECEMBER 31.

NEITZKE


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