DATE=5/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232292
TITLE=NATO / WARGAMES (L ONLY)
BYLINE=STEFAN BOS
DATELINE=BALATON MENESE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  MILITARY FORCES FROM NATO AND SEVERAL FORMER WARSAW PACT 
NATIONS ARE TAKING PART IN JOINT TRAINING NEAR LAKE BALATON IN 
HUNGARY.  THE FORCES WERE LEARNING TO WORK TOGETHER, WITH THE 
EMPHASIS ON TROOPS FROM THE THREE FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS THAT
HOPE TO JOIN NATO -- THE CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY, AND POLAND.  
STEFAN BOS REPORTS FROM THE TRAINING AREA.

TEXT:

            ///  HELICOPTER SOUNDS - FADE UNDER  ///

FORCES FROM THE 19 COUNTRIES TOOK PART IN SEVERAL SIMULATED 
INCIDENTS.  IN THIS ONE, HELICOPTERS CARRY RELIEF SUPPLIES TO A 
MAKE-BELIEVE REFUGEE CAMP.  MILITARY FORCES ACCOMPANY THE 
SHIPMENT TO MAKE SURE THE SUPPLIES ARRIVE SAFELY.

BUT THEN, PROBLEMS ARISE

               ///  CROWD CROWD - FADE UNDER  ///

AN ANGRY CROWD MADE UP OF HUNGRY CIVILIANS ATTACK THE CONVOY, 
DEMANDING FOOD FROM THE SOLDIERS.  TROOPS SCRAMBLE TO PROTECT THE
SHIPMENTS, AND ADDITIONAL FORCES ARE QUICKLY SENT TO THE SCENE. 

THIS WAS ONE OF SEVERAL SIMULATED EVENTS IN THE MILITARY 
TRAINING.  TROOPS FROM THE 19 COUNTRIES ARE HOPING THE PRACTICE 
WILL HELP PREPARE THEM FOR ANY FUTURE COOPERATIVE PEACEKEEPING 
OPERATIONS -- SIMILAR TO THE PRESENT PEACEKEEPING OPERATION IN 
BOSNIA.

DURING THE EXERCISE, AMERICAN AND OTHER NATO OFFICERS CLOSELY 
MONITORED THE PERFORMANCE OF TROOPS FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC, 
HUNGARY, AND POLAND, THE THREE FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS WHO 
WANT TO JOIN NATO NEXT YEAR.

ONE HUNGARIAN OFFICER, LIEUTENANT COLONEL LASZLO KISFALVI, SAYS 
THERE IS SOMETHING AMERICANS CAN LEARN FROM THE MORE 
POORLY-EQUIPPED HUNGARIAN ARMY -- IMPROVISATION.

                     ///  KISFALVI ACT  ///

         A VERY SIMPLE EXAMPLE -- AMERICAN DRIVERS ARE VERY GOOD 
         DRIVERS, BUT (THEY)  CANNOT  REPAIR THEIR CARS. AND THE 
         HUNGARIAN GUYS, THEY HAVE TO REPAIR THE CAR, BECAUSE OF 
         THE ARMY BUDGET.  WE HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH OUR 
         CARS AND IF WE WANT TO GO SOMEWHERE, WE HAVE TO BE READY
         TO REPAIR THE CAR. 

                        ///  END ACT  ///

SOME ANTI-NATO GROUPS IN HUNGARY SAY THE EXERCISE IS A WASTE OF 
TAXPAYERS MONEY, AND ONLY A HOBBY OF A FEW ADULT MEN AND WOMEN 
WHO LIKE TO PLAY WITH MILITARY EQUIPMENT. 

BUT THE U-S AMBASSADOR TO HUNGARY, PETER TUFO, WHO ATTENDED THE 
EXERCISE, STRONGLY DISAGREES. 

                       ///  TUFO ACT  ///

         A COUPLE OF HUNDRED-THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN 
         BOSNIA.  WE ARE SPENDING CLOSE TO TWO-BILLION DOLLARS TO
         KEEP PEACE THERE.  YOU  CANNOT  MAKE PEACE WITHOUT 
         PRACTICE.  IT IS  NOT  SILLY AT ALL 

                        ///  END ACT  ///

HUNGARIAN PRESIDENT ARPAD GONCZ ALSO PRAISED THE JOINT TRAINING 
PROGRAM.  AND HE URGED ALL THE 19 PARTICIPATING NATIONS TO WORK 
TOGETHER TOWARDS A MORE PEACEFUL, LESS DIVIDED EUROPE.  (SIGNED)

NEB/SB/JWH

15-May-98 12:09 PM EDT (1609 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.