(Written and posted 11 March 2003)
(Music plays)
<Announcer> From
Vienna, it’s the evening news, with Johann von Schroeder.
<Johann> As the nation mourns the tragic death of the
Archduke, tension grows with Serbia as the government decides, what, if any,
action to take in response. We start
off our coverage on the Crisis with Serbia tonight with Hans Gruber in
Sarajevo.
<Hans> Thanks, Johann. The city is still in shock tonight, a day after the deadly
assassination. Thousands of people have
taken to the streets in a show of support for the government demanding some
sort of response.
(Video of thousands of
people marching through the streets.)
Others have held numerous
memorial services for the fallen Archduke.
(Video of grief-stricken
people in a church)
The question going through the minds of many here is, “Why?” Back to you, Johann.
<Johann> In response to the attack, the government
has called up all members of the military services, and has made plans to
mobilize forces along the Serbian border.
With more, let’s go to our war correspondent in Vienna.
<War
correspondent> Thanks, Johann. The government today demanded that Serbia
turn over all suspected terrorists operating from Serb soil. So far, the Serbs have refused to
comply. In a news briefing, the
Emperor’s Press Secretary expressed His Majesty’s position on this crisis.
(Video of news
conference.)<Press Secretary> We
demand that that Serbian government extradite all known Serbian terrorists
acting against His Majesty’s government into the custody of His Majesty for
trial. These Serbs are murderers and a
threat to our national security. If the
Serbian government refuses to assist us in this matter of national security, we
will be forced to send our troops into Serbia to accomplish this
objective. The choice is up to the
Serbs – cooperate willingly or be taken down by superior forces.
<War
Correspondent> In response to the
initial Serb refusal to extradite suspected terrorists to His Majesty, His
Majesty’s government has begun to call up all military personnel and mobilize
along the Serbian frontier. According
to the government, quote, it is just a precaution in case Serbia does not comply. Back to you, Johann.
<Johann> Reaction around the world to the growing
crisis is decidedly mixed. In Saint
Petersburg, the Russian government denounced the Austrian mobilization, and
vowed to protect Serbia against Austrian aggression. In London and Paris, the British and French governments also
denounced the Austrian mobilization.
When asked about the Russian, British, and French responses, the press
secretary said, quote, we must do what is in the best interest of our national
security and will not be beholden to the opinions of other nations.
(pause)
Meanwhile, in Berlin, the
Kaiser expressed his support.
(Tape of German
spokesman.) The German people have
always had a special relationship with our Austrian brethren, and will continue
to maintain that relationship, even if that means that we must send military
personnel to assist the Austrians to rid the world of terrorists. We can think of no nobler cause, and will
not abandon our friends in their time of need.
<Johann> In Istanbul,
the Turkish government also expressed support for His Majesty’s government, and
pledged military assistance if needed. , and Istanbul also expressed support
for Austrian action.
In Washington, the American
government declined to comment on the mobilization, calling it an internal
affair and hoping for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
What do Austrians think
about the Serbians crisis? An evening
news poll shows that the overwhelming majority of Austrians think that we must
invade Serbia if the Serbian government refuses to comply. Most Austrians also believe that any Serbian
war will be over quickly, and that it will be good for the long-term security
of the country.
That’s the news for this
hour. Stay tuned to this network for
late-breaking news on the Serbian Crisis.
Good night.
(fade out, and music and
credits)