News from eastern Europe

Croatia

► Croatia and EU open talks on energy and transport chapters of negotiation package
On 21 April, Croatia and the EU started negotiations on energy and transport, chapters 17 and 18 of the 35-chapter negotiations package which has to be concluded before the country can become a member of the EU. Croatia is pushing to conclude membership talks with Brussels by 2009 so that it can become a member of the union by 2011. Croatia’s chief negotiator with the EU Vladimir Drobnjak said after the opening of the negotiations on the new chapters that “[t]his is a good and strong statement which gives us more courage and optimism for the months ahead of us.” However, so far only two chapters have been closed yet since accession talks formally started in 2005, and 17 still have to be opened. Meanwhile, Brussels has said it is looking for more progress by Croatia in certain key areas, particularly judicial reform, public administration and the fight against corruption.

► Croatia starts NATO accession talks
On 21 April, Croatia has started the first round of NATO accession talks. The country was invited to start accession talks during the NATO Bucharest summer earlier this month, and expects to become a member of the alliance in a year. During the first round, political and military issues will be discussed, along with Croatia’s progress in meeting NATO membership criteria. The second round will focus on technical issues and funds the country is to contribute to the alliance’s budget.

► Amnesty International urges EU to make Croatia boost its prosecution of war criminals
On 15 April, the human rights group Amnesty International urged the EU to press Croatia to boost its prosecution of war criminals. According to the organisation, Croatian courts continue to show ethnic bias, with their attention primarily geared to crimes committed by ethnic Serbs, while crimes committed by ethnic Croats remain unaddressed. Head of Amnesty International Irene Khan insisted Brussels should act to ensure that all war criminals are tried, regardless of ethnicity.

Macedonia

► NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visits Macedonia
On 21 April, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visited Macedonia to lobby for a settlement of the long-standing name dispute between Macedonia and Greece. Earlier this month, Macedonia was rejected an invitation to start membership negotiations with the alliance, due to Greece’s unwillingness to recognize the country’s name. Jaap de Hoop Scheffer stressed that, while NATO is not involved in the matter, it would like to see the ongoing name dispute solved by mid-June, which would help Macedonia catch up with Albania and Croatia on the road to NATO membership. These countries were offered invitations to join NATO during the alliance’s Bucharest Summit 2-4 April.

► UN envoy Matthew Nimetz again urges for compromise in Macedonian-Greek name dispute
On 18 April, UN envoy in the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece Matthew Nimetz said an urgent compromise is necessary to settle the issue as soon as possible. After a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis in Athens, Nimetz said that “[w]e are not ready to offer a solution, but I think that events in the past month have put a different cast on the whole situation and have underlined the importance and urgency of the continuation of talks to reach a final compromise.” Before arriving in Athens, Nimetz had been in Skopje, where he met with senior Macedonian officials to talk about the name dispute. Upon his visit to Skopje, Nimetz had already announced that “I have been assured at both meetings [with President Branko Crvenkovski and Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski] that the state leadership is committed to resuming the negotiations.” Dora Bakoyannis, meanwhile, said talks will be stepped up after Macedonia’s 1 June elections, which were called after Skopje failed to receive a NATO invitation. Bakoyannis furthermore told that Athens is willing to boost its financial aid to Macedonia and to gradually ease visa requirements if Skopje agrees to change the country’s name.

Turkey

► Pro-Kurdish politician convicted for inciting hatred
On 22 April a court convicted Hilmi Aydoğdu, the leader of a local branch of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), to 15 months in prison for threatening public safety after he warned Turkey against taking any action in the oil-rich Iraqi city of Kirkuk. The court in Diyarbakir in southeast Turkey also barred Aydoğdu from holding public office for an undisclosed amount of time. Aydoğdu is expected to appeal the verdict. In February, the Turkish military staged a ground incursion to hit bases of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, and it has periodically bombed and shelled suspected PKK positions across the border in past months.

► Deniz Baykal likely to lead Republican People’s Party again
On 22 April the main oppositional Republican People's Party (CHP) announced its intention to hold its general assembly meeting the weekend of 26-27 April. Deniz Baykal, the party's current leader, is yet again most likely to be the winner in the leadership elections. Baykal has led the party since 1992, except for a brief interlude from 1999-2001. According to Sedat Bozkurt, the Ankara representative of Fox News: “candidates against Baykal are from merely third-class cadres, as Baykal systematically removed any potential leaders.” There are, in fact, only two other candidates with even the slimmest chance of winning: Haluk Koç and Umut Oran. However, this is not judged very likely due to Baykal’s purge tactics.

► Court case against ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)
On 15 April Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated he does not believe his Justice and Development Party (AKP) will be closed down following a prosecutor's attempt to ban the party for Islamist activities. The Constitutional Court agreed to take up the case against the ruling party last month. The prosecutor accuses the AKP, whose roots are in political Islam, of anti-secular activities – i.e. activities directed against the secular character of the Turkish Kemalist Republic - and wants 71 party officials, including Erdoğan, banned from politics for five years. The case could take six to seven months to conclude, according to the chairman of the court. The EU – which Turkey is hoping to join - has criticised the case calling on the court to apply European standards.

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WESTERN BALKANS

Albania

► Victims of 15 March blasts protest failing compensation
On 20 April, workers at a munitions depot near the village of Gerdec and residents of Vlora staged a protest demanding compensation promised to them by the government shortly after a series of blasts occurred at the factory on 15 March, killing 29 people. A further 300 people were injured, and hundreds of buildings in the region were destroyed. According to the demonstrators, Prime Minister Sali Berisha lied to them about promised compensation, as nobody had received any yet. Police prevented the crowd from approaching the site of the blasts.

► Albanian MP to sue Carla del Ponte over allegations of trafficking of human organs
On 17 April, MP from Albania’s main opposition Socialist Party Qemal Minxhozi announced his intention to sue former chief prosecutor of the UN war crimes tribunal Carla del Ponte over her allegations involving the trafficking of human organs in Kosovo and Albania. In her recently published book ‘The Hunt’, del Ponte claims that some Albanian and Kosovo Albanian leaders, including current Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, were involved in removing organs from the bodies of around 300 Serb prisoners in the summer of 1999. The village Gure, which Minxhozi represents in parliament, is specifically mentioned in the book as a human organ trafficking point. The allegations by del Ponte had already sparked the Serbian government on 14 April to announce its plans to ask the war crimes tribunal to reopen a probe into these charges. However, on 16 April spokeswoman for the prosecutors at The Hague Olga Kavran said that UN investigators has found “no reliable evidence” of human organ trafficking in Kosovo, and explained that any continuation of this matter will be left to UNMIK and other authorities to decide.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

► Assassination threats to RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik
On 18 April, Bjelina Chief Prosecutor Novak Kovacevic confirmed ongoing investigations of Republika Srpska (RS) media claims that former Zemun Clan members are planning to kill several prominent BiH politicians. The Zemun Clan is one of the three major Serbian mafia clans, which has a network in RS. The clan is allegedly responsible for the murder of late Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic. According to local media, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik is the most probable target of the organisation. Speaking on 19 April, however, Dodik downplayed the possible assassination threats against him, saying “I have full trust in the RS Ministry of Interior, Police and other RS security services.”

► BiH parliament adopts police reform laws
On 16 April, the upper house of the BiH parliament adopted the police reform laws, which were a key condition to the signing of a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union. Up until now, earlier draft police reform laws had been rejected by parliament, leading to annoyance with the EU. Following the adoption of the police reform laws, German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he is “convinced that we will be able to sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement without delay.” European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said he is “very pleased by the fact that politicians in Bosnia-Herzegovina have listened to the voices of their citizens, who support European integration, prosperity and progress, and this has been demonstrated by the majority vote required in both parliaments for the adoption of the police reform laws.” High Representative Miroslav Lajcak announced that with the adoption of the laws “a road has been opened for signing the SAA with the EU”, and noted that “having set off on this road, no country has ever failed to become an EU member.” The SAA is furthermore expected to bring practical benefits in the field of trade.

► Youth organisation ‘Revolt’ campaigns to downsize federal payroll
Since the beginning of April, youth organisation ‘Revolt’ is campaigning to downsize the payroll of the federal government of BiH. The organisation, which charter says it is “ready to oppose any damaging actions committed by the ruling politicians”, has composed a “Let’s cut the administration” petition, and is currently protesting throughout the country in order to collect signatures. Revolt plans to send the signatures to the authorities of both entities, as well as to all of the cantons. According to the federal news agency Fena, the BiH government is expected to disburse 113m euros in salaries this year, compared to 82m euros last year. Salaries in the parliament’s House of Peoples have increased by 37%. Moreover, government wages are 2.5 times higher than the average national income. Revolt has said in a statement that it “want[s] people to send demands to authority representatives who sometimes behave like untouchables (…) Through this symbolic action… we want to repeat our demand to shrink the public payroll in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” Several other NGOs in the country have shown support for the campaign.

Kosovo

► Thaci prepared to discuss reconciliation with Serbia after the 11 May elections
On 16 April, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said that he is prepared to discuss reconciliation with Belgrade after the elections of 11 May. According to Thaci, as he is “aware that the Kosovo question has become part of the Serbian election campaign”, this is not the moment to enter negotiations with Serbia. However “after the elections talks can begin on the possibility of recognizing Kosovo independence.” He furthermore rejected the Serbian demand that the reconciliation process be started with a Kosovar apology to the Serbs for committing war crimes, as “[t]he whole world knows who was responsible for the conflict in Kosovo”, and claimed that “none of the Kosovo Liberation Army’s fighters committed any war crimes.” Moreover, he talked about the current problems in the newly independent country which, according to the prime minister was “united”, although the northern part of the province was still “problematic.” According to Thaci, “[t]t is important that minorities, above all the Serbs, are integrated into state institutions and society.

Montenegro

► Montenegro kicks off application procedure for EU membership
On 17 April, Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of EU Integration Gordana Djurovic announced that the country has launched the procedure to become an EU member. According to Djurovic, a draft application for EU membership has been prepared, and now the next step in the process is to receive candidate status. She furthermore added that consultations of Montenegro with EU partners are underway, in the hope of securing enough support for its membership bid.

► Montenegrin President not ready to make “rash” statement on Kosovo independence
On 16 April, Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic said that Podgorica believes it should not make any “hasty” statements concerning Kosovo’s unilateral secession. According to Vujanovic, Montenegro “believed the best solution was an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina. When such a solution was not coming, we were confident that the best thing would be that a solution is found within the United Nations. Since that failed to happen as well, we consider it most appropriate that we should not make any rash declarations on Kosovo’s decision to proclaim independence.” Vujanovic furthermore stated that “a rash declaration on this issue would be contrary to our interest to preserve the harmony in the ethnic relations that are the foundation of the internal stability of Montenegro.” Montenegro, which split from Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 after a referendum instigated by Vujanovic, has large Serb and Albanian minorities.

Serbia

► Pristina and international community oppose Serbia’s plans to stage elections in Kosovo
On 18 April, Kosovar President Fatmir Sejdiu said that Belgrade has to accept the time has passed in which Kosovo was a venue for Serbian elections, as “Kosovo is an independent and sovereign country, which is recognised internationally.” However, Sejdiu also said that “[a]ccording to the principle of dual citizenship, all Serbs willing to be citizens of Serbia as well, can vote in the [11 May] Serbian [parliamentary] elections.” With this statement, the Kosovar president reacted to the 17 April Serbian parliament decision to go ahead with elections in 23 municipalities in Kosovo where Serbs live, despite opposition from the international community. UNMIK chief Joachim Ruecker subsequently warned Belgrade that organising Serbian local elections in Kosovo would violate UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which sparked a reaction from Serbian Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardzic, who suggested that Ruecker “close his eyes (…) as he had done on 17 February” when Kosovo declared independence. The six members of the Contact group, including Russia, had already stated on 16 April that they are against the holding of Serbian municipal elections in Kosovo.

► Vojislav Kostunica asks EU to mention Kosovo as part of Serbia in SAA
On 16 April, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica (Democratic Party of Serbia, DSS) in an interview reiterated his request to the EU to mention Kosovo as part of Serbia in the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA). According to Kostunica. “[t]here is a good and correct solution for Serbia’s relations with the EU. It is necessary to add just one more sentence to the agreements that will prove that Kosovo is an inalienable part of Serbian territory. He furthermore claimed that at the moment, no one can sign the SAA, as there is no solution acceptable to everyone in Serbia. However, Justice Minister Dušan Petrović (Democratic Party, DS) has said that Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić is ready to sign the SAA as soon as it is offered to Serbia. Petrović furthermore maintained that according to the Vienna Convention, the President, Foreign Minister, and Prime Minister would also all be able to sign the agreement, as this decision had already been taken by the government, and alleged that Kostunica’s remarks were “just a campaign tactic.”

► Russia warns EU not to deploy EULEX mission in Kosovo by force
Speaking on 15 April, Russian Ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov warned the EU not to deploy its EULEX police mission in Kosovo by force, emphasizing that Russia would only agree to a UN Security Council resolution legalizing EULEX if Serbia accepted such a document, and if the document clearly defined Kosovo as a part of Serbia. According to Chizhov, a legal mandate for EULEX to replace UNMIK in Kosovo would require Serbia’s approval. He furthermore asserted that “I’m using this opportunity to send a public warning against any attempt to send the EULEX mission to Kosovo, or to re-establish and international presence. (…) The only way to move forward is through dialogue with the Kosovo Serb community, and through a resumption of the negotiating process between Belgrade and Pristina, which will be difficult but would constitute the only possible way”, and warned the EU “as a friend and partner not to pursue this wrong policy.”

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WIDER EUROPE / NEIGHBOUR COUNTRIES

Armenia

► Armenian Cabinet formed
On 21 April the formation of the new Armenian coalition government was concluded. President Serzh Sarkissian appointed six new ministers (of Economics, Finance, Transportation and Communication, Emergency Situations – a new ministry altogether - and a Deputy Prime Minister) while 11 positions remained unchanged. The government formation thus occurred within the constitutionally appointed 20 day period after the presidential elections. The newly appointed government now has another 20 days to present the parliament with its political program, which must be approved by the majority within a five day period. This vote of confidence is believed to be a mere formality as the parliament is overwhelmingly controlled by Sarkissian’s Republican Party (HHK).

► Armenian authorities accept demands to stop crackdown on opposition
On 21 April the Armenian authorities accepted the Council of Europe’s demands to stop the crackdown on opposition. In a resolution adopted last week, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe threatened to suspend the voting rights of Armenian delegates unless the authorities allow an independent investigation into the post-election violent unrest in Yerevan. It also demanded the “urgent release” of individuals arrested for their political activities and the scrapping of severe restrictions on freedom of assembly imposed after the March 1 violence. Aram Safarian, a senior parliamentarian from the governing Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), said official Yerevan has the “political will” to comply with these demands before the PACE’s next session due in June. “After the formation of the new government is over, the authorities will draw up a timetable regarding all issues on which the Council of Europe has made decisions and proposals,” he told reporters. “In accordance with that timetable, steps will be taken to settle and stabilize the situation before June.” So far only one prominent opposition leader - out of more than hundred currently in custody - Suren Sureniants has been released pending trial.

► Independent TV station to be closed down indefinitely
On 17 April an appeals court upheld the decision of a Gyumri court, refusing the independent TV station GALA access to its tower – the only means of its transmission. The TV station that had provided the opposition with broadcasting during the elections, has been allowed use of its tower for ten more days before being closed down. It had earlier been raided and subsequently fined by tax officials for tax evasion and other alleged violations. So far no alternative ways of broadcasting have been found.

► State of Emergency aftermath
On 14 April the death toll of the post-election clashes in Yerevan rose to 10 after two more victims of the violence died from wounds and injuries obtained during the March protests. Although the state of emergency – announced on 2 March - was meant to be lifted after 20 days, the main site of the March protests, Liberty Square, remains closed to the public. In the meantime, most supporters of opposition leader Levon ter-Petrosyan arrested as a result of the rallies remain in custody despite protests and petitions by their relatives in front of the Council of Europe’s Yerevan office on 14 April. The same demands of the release of political prisoners were also voiced during the first sanctioned protest after the March rallies that took place in Yerevan on 19-20 April. The rally, attended by thousands of people, was not allowed to gather at Liberty Square and was furthermore told to disperse after the requested two hours had passed. A request for another 30 minutes resulted in the electricity lines of the loudspeakers being cut off.

Azerbaijan

► Political parties’ doubt over participation in elections
Several political parties in Azerbaijan are still undecided about their participation in the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for October. According to Communist Party chair Rauf Gurbanov: “Azerbaijan’s Communist Party will only make a decision concerning its participation in the elections after the beginning of election campaigns”. He believes that the process should not be rushed. One of the main reasons for the doubts is the uncertainty of the pre-electoral climate concerning possible upcoming changes in the electoral code. Other parties uncertain of their participation in the elections are the National Independence Party, the Democratic Party and the Open Society party. All the above parties are oppositional.

► Opposition party Musavat plans to stage demonstration
On 14 April, the opposition Musavat political party decided to hold a mass demonstration on May 4th, during which a number of demands will be brought forward. In particular, the party is calling on an end to the artificial price increases, to bring about reforms towards democratic elections and to provide the press with independence. “We chose three possible locations for our rally (…) We are hoping that one of those will be approved by the government in Baku”, stated head of the central party apparatus, A.Gadjily.

► Azerbaijan’s Democratic Party calls for adherence with Venice Commission’s recommendations
On 14 April, during an oppositional Democratic Party meeting the overall political situation in Azerbaijan on the eve of the elections was discussed. During the session, the statements by Miklos Haraszti (OSCE special representative) concerning freedom of press were looked into. The party believes that the situation in the country concerning human rights and freedom of press has reached a critical point. It calls on the consideration of the changes proposed by the Venice Commission concerning the electoral code, and the inclusion of adequate additions as soon as possible. On 16 April a visit from the Venice Commission Secretary Gianni Buquicchio was announced to take place in June. Buquicchio will discuss the electoral situation in Azerbaijan with the country’s leadership and representatives of public organisations.

Belarus

► Opposition politician Alyaksandr Milinkevich detained before meeting in Minsk
On 24 April, leader of the steering committee of the opposition movement “For Freedom” and former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Milinkevich was detained in Malinauka District Minsk as he was planning to stage a meeting with inhabitants of the neighbourhood. About a hundred people came to the venue, where according to witnesses some 40 police officers were visibly present, and possibly more plain cloth cops. Milinkevich was detained before he could start his speech. At the moment, the politician is held in the Maskouski District Department of the Interior for questions.

► Constitutional Court of Belarus and the Venice Commission organise joint seminar
On 24 April, the Constitutional Court of Belarus and the European Commission for Democracy through Law, better known as the Venice Commission, held a joint seminar in Minsk. The Venice commission offers assistance to its member states in constitution engineering; provides international analyses of national legislation by legal experts; conducts international seminars; and cooperates with constitutional courts. Belarus has been an associate member of the organisation since 1994, as one of the elements of Belarusian cooperation in the framework of the Council of Europe. The topic of the seminar was “the use international legal acts in exercising the rights, freedoms and legal interests of citizens in the national legislation and exercising constitutional rights of citizens for legal protection in the Republic of Belarus: problems and prospects.” Secretary of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio co-chaired the seminar. He expressed hope that the conference would help develop a fruitful and constructive dialogue between the Council of Europe and Belarus, and noted that his ongoing visit to Minsk was evidence of the commitment of the Council of Europe to integrating Belarus into the European family.

► Anatol Lyabedzka re-elected Chairman of the opposition United Civic Party
In a secret ballot during the opposition United Civic Party (UCP) congress in Minsk on 20 April, Anatol Lyabedzka was re-elected chairman of the party. Lyabedzka received 127 votes, while his rival, Mikalay Hawrylenka, gained 22 votes. Explaining his decision to stand for re-election, Lyabedzka told the delegates that he remained “a political activist even under present-day difficult conditions.” Economist Yaraslaw Ramanchuk was re-elected deputy chairman of the party. Lew Marholin, a former leader of the UCP Minsk regional chapter, was elected another deputy chairman.

► PACE Rapporteur on Media Freedom releases statement on media situation in Belarus
On 17 April, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Rapporteur on Media Freedon Andrew McIntosh released a statement on the media situation in Belarus, saying: “In view of recent police brutality against journalists reporting about a peaceful demonstration in Minsk on 25 March 2008 and the subsequent harassment of many journalists by security forces of Belarus, I call on the authorities in the Republic of Belarus to return seized material to the journalists, launch investigations into such abuse, and train law enforcement authorities in respecting the fundamental right to freedom of expression of everybody in Belarus, including especially journalists.” McIntosh furthermore states that he “support[s] the constructive criticism by the Belarusian Association of Journalists of the new draft law on information”, and notes the importance of freedom of expression in light of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Belarus, scheduled for the autumn of 2008. McIntosh furthermore points out to the members of PACE that “respect of freedom of expression must be a necessary requirement for any change in the relations of the Belarusian government with the assembly, in addition to ensuring the independence of the courts, granting parliamentary powers to a democratically elected National Assembly and abolishing the deat penalty in Belarus.”

► Belarusian opposition urges UN to speak up against politically motivated persecutions
On 16 April, a group of the Belarusian opposition though an open letter called on the United Nations and other international organizations to demand the Belarusian authorities end the politically motivated persecution of opponents. The letter has been sent to the UN Secretary General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Human Rights Council, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and several international human rights organizations. The petition, which has been signed by human rights activists, entrepreneurs, and several opposition politicians, says that “[i]n connection with continuing persecutions we urge the international community to display true solidarity: demand that the Belarusian authorities and courts under their control stop raising the number of political prisoners. (…) We also call on you to demand that the Belarusian authorities release the main Belarusian prisoner – former presidential candidate Alyaksandr Kazulin.” The petition furthermore refers to those arrested in connection with the January demonstrations of entrepreneurs. According to the signatories “all the mentioned trials [in the letter] have obvious political motives, involve violations of both national and international laws and are aimed exclusively at punishing pro-democracy activists for opposing authorities in Belarus.”

Georgia

► Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze not to run in elections
On 21 Parliamentary Chairperson Nino Burjanadze created a political shock wave when she released a statement declaring her intention not to run in the May 21 parliamentary elections under the ruling party banner. She made no secret of the fact that her decision was linked to a failure to agree with other National Movement leaders over the party-list. President Saakashvili expressed his disappointment at her decision in a statement released later on the same day. “Despite her decision to temporarily quit politics she will continue performing [the] duties of parliamentary chairperson in this transition period before the election of [the] new parliament. I hope she will return to active politics and I am sure she will remain one of the most important [political] figures for a long time” he said. In her statement Burjanadze stressed that her decision did not mean she would join the opposition ranks: “everyone should know that – this is my firm position – a difference of opinion does not mean a weakening of the authorities and it does not mean a crack in the unity of the authorities.”

► Georgian spy plane shot down over Abkhazia
On 20 April the Abkhaz authorities claimed its air defence system had shot down an unmanned Georgian reconnaissance plane over the Gali district. Georgian authorities initially denied this, but retracted the denial on 21 April and admitted that one of its unmanned spy planes was shot down over Abkhazia on 20 April. Col. Nairashvili said that Georgia’s radar records showed the MIG-29 had taken off from a base in Abkhazia and had flown to Russia after downing the Georgian drone. President Saakashvili stated that the downing of a Georgian drone by Russia’s fighter jet, combined with Russia’s recent decision to establish legal links with Abkhazia and South Ossetia are acts of “unprovoked aggression against the sovereign territory of Georgia.” Russia has denied the allegations. According to a spokesman for the Russian air force, Alexander Drobishevsky “it was Sunday and [the] pilots [were resting]. Hence, not a single jet had taken off in that region”. Furthermore, in a phone conversation with his Georgian counterpart on 21 April, Russian President Vladimir Putin “expressed bewilderment” about “Georgia conducting flights for military purposes over the [Abkhaz] conflict zone.”

► Georgia requests international community protection from Russia
On 17 April the Georgian Ministry of Foreign affairs requested protection from Russia with the UN, NATO, the EU and CIS. The request results from Putin’s recent assignment to his government granting material support to Russians living in Abkhazia and S.Osetia. To fulfil the task, the Russian government has been charged with cooperation with the governing institutions of Abkhazia and S. Osetia. Tbilisi considers the act as a significant step towards a recognition of independence of the disputed regions, and thus an infringement upon Georgia’s territorial sovereignty. According to Georgian Minister of European Integration Georgy Baramidze: “any actions from the Russian side poised towards infringement of Georgian territorial sovereignty and the de facto annexation of Abkhazia and S. Osetia will receive an adequate response”. As a result, on 23 April president Saakashvili offered opposition leaders regular meetings to, as he put it, keep them informed about national security-related issues amid tensions with Russia. In a live televised address the president again called for unity amid “external threats” after a “series of aggressive and provocative [Russian] steps” by which, the president said, Moscow “for the first time openly declared” it was no longer recognizing Georgia’s sovereignty over Abkhazia. He then suggested that “recent provocations” were linked with the upcoming Georgian parliamentary elections. The president said the Georgian response to Russian “provocations” would be a greater focus on diplomatic efforts.

► Georgian Labour Party accuses national Opposition Council of conspiracy with government
On 14 April political secretary of the Georgian Labour Party Georgy Gugava released a statement saying that in Dusheti region the government authorities have united with the Georgian National Opposition Council to defeat Labour Party leader Shalva Natelashvili. Labour Party members believe to have proof of the said conspiracy in the Dusheti Regional Election Committee, where the representative of the National Opposition Council is actively participating in the election campaign of the governing party.

Moldova

► Social Democratic Party of Moldova holds congress and decides on election platform
On 19 April, the Social Democratic Party of Moldova (SDPM) held its 11th congress in Chisinau. It was the first joint congress of the Social Democratic Party and the Party of Social Democracy, which united under the former’s name in late 2007. During the congress, which was attended by 1.400 delegates, the SDPM adopted its election platform for the 2009 parliamentary elections, called “Welfare. Stability. Justice.” According to the document, the Social Democrats pledge to create 80.000 jobs a year, ensure fair access to medical services, invest in youth, support domestic producers, and raise the average monthly salary to EUR 450. SDPM Chairman and MP Dumitru Braghis called the congress “a manifestation of political maturity that demonstrates the possibility of consolidation of the left pro-European democratic ranks”, and said the platform is deliberately published almost a year before the elections, to give the public enough time to study it.

► President Vladimir Voronin sets priorities for 2008
During a special consultative meeting with the government, Parliament Chairman and MPs of the majority parliamentary Communist Party faction on 18 April, Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin set out the leadership’s priorities for 2008. According to Voronin, European integration remains one of the chief priorities of Chisinau, including the successful implementation of the EU-Moldova European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan and the continued negotiation on a new legal frame of cooperation between Moldova and the EU. Other priorities include the resumption of a dialogue between Moldova proper and the breakaway republic of Transdniester; nation-wide projects of centralized gas and water supply and road construction repair; the speedy mechanization of Moldova’s farm industry; the improvement of Moldova’s health care; and the adoption of a law on social assistance to vulnerable households.

► Moldovan and Transnistrian working groups stage first meeting
On 18 April, Moldovan and Transnistrian working groups on confidence-biulding measures gathered in the Transnistrian-controlled town of Bender for their first working sessions together. The accord to arrange such meetings was reached on 15 April at the Odessa seminar on confidence-building measures (CBMs) in economy and environment spheres, shortly after Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin and Transnistrian leader Igor Smirnov met each other in person for the first time after 7 years. The meetings were due to start one day earlier, but failed to be held on 17 April. According to the Moldovan Ministry of Reintegration, this was because Tiraspol had, apparently, failed to complete all organizational steps to form the working groups. The Moldovan ministry, however, did not regard this failure to start in a timely fashion upsetting, and immediately expressed its “believe that in the nearest days 5 groups will embark on regular work in the spheres of economy and commerce, infrastructure development, health and social issues, humanitarian assistance, and agriculture and environment protection.” The work sessions are scheduled to be held in turn in Chisinau, Tiraspol, and Bender.

Russia

► Putin visits Berlusconi on Sardinia
On 18 April, Russian president Vladimir Putin held talks with Silvio Berlusconi, elected on 14 April to serve as Italy’s prime minister for the third time. Berlusconi and Putin have been close allies since Berlusconi's second term as prime minister in 2001-06. This has caused several European leaders to worry the relationship will hurt the EU’s chances of forging a common policy when its comes to Russia. Meeting on Sardinia, the two men discussed energy and business ties. In a press conference after the meeting, Berlusconi mentioned that Putin’s visit was the sign of “a close relationship that has never been interrupted. The Russian Federation is very important for us. We get 30 percent of our oil and gas from them.” Regarding Moscow’s sometimes thorny relations with Brussels, Berlusconi offered himself as a would-be peace ambassador, saying Europe’s relations with Russia should be “much warmer”, and suggesting he could use his friendship with Putin to improve ties.

► Russia boosts ties with Georgian breakaway provinces
On 16 April outgoing Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government to recognize documents issued by the separatist governments of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and to boost ties with these Georgian breakaway provinces. He furthermore assigned his government to grant material support to Russians living in these regions. To fulfil the task, the Russian government has been charged with cooperation with the governing institutions of Abkhazia and S. Osetia. Tbilisi considers the act as a significant step towards a recognition of independence of the disputed regions, and thus an infringement upon Georgia’s territorial sovereignty, and on 17 April has requested the UN, NATO, EU and CIS to provide protection of the country’s territorial integrity, stating that "we are not asking for military support but the support of the whole international community by condemning the action of Russia that is undermining the sovereignty of the country." According to Georgian Minister of European Integration Georgy Baramidze: “any actions from the Russian side poised towards infringement of Georgian territorial sovereignty and the de facto annexation of Abkhazia and S. Osetia will receive an adequate response”. On 18 April, US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said the United States are “very concerned” about the Russian decree boosting Moscow’s cooperation with the two regions.

► Putin elected leader of United Russia
During United Russia’s party congress in Moscow on 15 April, the almost 600 delegates present unanimously elected outgoing Russian President Vladimir Putin as the biggest political party’s new leader. During the congress, Putin told the delegates that he is “ready to undertake [the] additional responsibility and become the head of United Russia.” Putin’s second term as president ends on 7 May, when his chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev will be inaugurated. Putin himself prepares to become the country’s prime minister from this moment. Medvedev will not become a member of United Russia, to underline his alleged independence from the party.

Ukraine

► Our Ukraine demands Tymoshenko to stop attacks on president after strong clashes in coalition
On 17 April, the pro-presidential Our Ukraine party demanded that coalition party BYuTy of prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko stops its “vitriolic attack on the head of state.” As, according to the party presidium, the “confrontation between the president and the government has turned into an open hostile stage, and the information war is in progress for destruction”, something which allegedly “weakens the country’s position at the international level: at talks with Russia on gas and at talks with the EU and NATO.” The statement, in which the Our Ukraine leadership furthermore promised to “take every effort to ensure the unity of the democratic coalition”, came a day after the Tymoshenko block and the head of the presidential office had both charged each other with serious miscalculations in work and non-observance of the coalition agreement.

► Ukraine to formally join WTO next month
According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), it has received a formal notification on 16 April confirming Ukraine’s ratification of its accession, which occurred on 10 April. According to a spokesperson of the WTO, Ukraine, which is together with Russia and Iran one of the largest countries still outside the WTO, will be a member in 30 days from 16 April. The country secured a membership invitation in February after a 15-year long negotiation process. Analysts say membership will give Ukraine a say in the ongoing entry talks of giant neighbour Russia. The two have frequently been embroiled in disputes over their energy trade. In January, President Viktor Yushchenko said he intended to use Ukraine`s membership to reinforce Kyiv`s position in economic disputes with Moscow, although being careful to note Ukraine would do everything in its power to support Russia’s eventual accession to the organization as well.

► Socialist Party of Ukraine holds party congress
On 12 April, the Socialist Party of Ukraine (SPU) held its congress in Kyiv. During the congress, the powers of the SPU were significantly strengthened. The new statutes empower the party leader to unilaterally form the party list for the elections, and to dismiss the party organisation. The SPU furthermore decided to affiliate to the “Justice” political party, which is led by Ivan Chizh, a former SPU member who split from the party in 1998. Moreover, the party congress adopted a new program, and Valentyna Semenyuk-Samsonenko was elected to be the SPU presidential candidate in the 2009 elections. She is currently the Head of the State Property Fund and Head of the SPU Central Commission. The decision of the congress to expand the powers of the SPU leadership is not uncontested within the party, with several members arguing against this move.

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CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan

► Kazakhstan’s and Kyrgyzstan’s presidents meet for cooperation negotiations
According to a statement released by Kazakhstan’s president Nursultan Nazarbaev and his Kyrgyz counterpart Kurmanbek Bakiev following the 7th session of the Supreme Interstate Council on 17 April,, the two countries “stand for advancement of further cooperation in all spheres and [the] strengthening of amicable and allied relations between the states.” The presidents further stressed the necessity to develop regional integration in Central Asia to “safeguard the stability and safety of the region.” In particularly, the two countries seek to enhance regional cooperation in the sphere of water and energy resources, while other topics on the agenda included the development of trade and economic cooperation, cooperation in the cultural sphere, and migration issues. On 18 April, Kazakhstan’s government released a further statement saying that, according to the negotiations between the presidents, it is about the grant Kyrgyzstan comprehensive aid.

► Kazakhstan announces four-month ban on wheat exports
On 16 April, Kazakh officials announced a four-month ban on wheat exports aimed at protecting internal consumers from the effects of global grain shortages. The ban is supposed to ensure stable bread prices in Kazakhstan. However, it might provoke the opposite effect in the countries of the region, which consume considerable amounts of Kazakh wheat. During the bilateral negotiations between the Kyrgyz and Kazakh presidents, Kyrgyzstan was ensured a continuous wheat supply. But such a deal was not made with Tajikistan, which relies on wheat imports from Kazakhstan for 15 percent of its total consumption. Moreover, news of the ban by Kazakhstan, the world's fifth-largest wheat exporter, sent wheat prices higher on international markets. Kazakhstan produces about 20 million tons of wheat a year, with more than half of that exported to overseas markets. About 1.4 million tons is annually exported to Russia.

► Former son-in-law releases compromising material on president Nazarbaev
In the ongoing public fight between Kazakhstan’s ruling elite and former presidential son-in-law Rakhat Aliev, the latter has posted several compromising telephone conversations that allegedly took place among top Kazakh officials on internet site kaztoday.ru. Aliev, who was married to Kazakhstan’s president Nursultan Nazarbaev’s daughter Darigha Nazarbaeva and held several high-ranking posts in Kazakhstan’s government before falling from grace last year, in January 2008 was sentenced in absentia by a Kazakh court to 20 years in prison for robbery and kidnapping, and then again sentenced in absentia in March to another 20 years by a military court which found him guilty of a series of new charges, including conspiring to overthrow the government. Already after the first conviction, Aliev released several compromising recordings. However, this material did not directly involve the president. The newly released material reveals Nazarbaev talking with some high officials on the embezzlement of several hundreds of millions of state funds. Meanwhile, Aliev has already announced the forthcoming publication of his book, titled “Godfather-in-Law”, which is scheduled to come out in June and will allegedly reveal yet more details on the corruption of Kazakhstan’s elites.

Kyrgyzstan

► Diplomatic row between Kyrgyzstan and Russia over shooting Russian soldier
On 20 April, Maksim Zotov, a Russian soldier stationed at Kyrgyzstan’s Kant military base, used for CIS counterterrorism operations, was shot by Kyrgyz policeforces. According to the Kyrgyz authorities, the incident took place after a car carrying two Russian soldiers and a Kyrgyz citizen ran a red light. Traffic police subsequently tried to halt the car, which they only managed after several kilometres as the drivers, which allegedly drove in a car without a rear license plate, neglected several warning signs. Police officers then stopped the car and asked for the driver’s documents, which he refused to give. During a subsequent fight, which appeared after Zotov started to attack an inspector, the police shot six warning shots, one of which accidentally hit Zotov. The Russian Embassy in Bishkek, however, maintains that the Russian serviceman and his companions were the victims of an unprovoked attack by the Kyrgyz police forces, and have announced Moscow will lodge a complaint with Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Ministry over the incident. The two sides also disagree over the issue of whether Zotov was wearing his uniform or not. According to the Kyrgyz story, only after Zotov was rushed to the hospital did they discover he was a Russian servicemen. The Russian Embassy, on the contrary, maintains that both he and his colleague were easily distinguishable as Russian soldiers. This is important as Russian soldiers serving at the Kant military base enjoy immunity from prosecution under Kyrgyz law. Russia has several hundred soldiers stationed at Kant Air Base. The Kyrgyz Prosecutor-General's Office has launched an investigation into the case and said it might allow investigators from the Russian Interior Ministry to participate. A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered a bottle of alcohol, and Kyrgyz police said the occupants appeared to be inebriated at the time of the incident. Zotov underwent surgery and is reportedly in a “serious but stable” condition.

► Sovetbek Jamaldinov new chairman Asaba political party
On 19 April, Azimbek Beknazarov announced at a meeting of the opposition political party Asaba that he resigned from the post of Asaba chairman after 6 years. According to Beknazarov there was “no need to comment [his] retirement. My term of office has expired.” He will be succeeded as party leader by Sovetbek Jamaldinov.

► Kyrgyz opposition activists banned from state channel
On 16 April, the Kyrgyz state channel took the program ‘Uncomfortable Questions’ from the air. ‘Uncomfortable Questions’, a joint television program of the Kyrgyz Service of Radio Free Europe, Azattyk radio station, and the Kyrgyz Naitonal Broadcasting Corporation, was denied air time by the head of the channel. According to Azattyk, the “obvious reason” for taking the program off the air was the participation of Omurbek Tekebaev, leader of opposition party Ata-Meken, which won a considerable amount of votes during the December 2007 elections but was denied representation due to the two-tiered election barrier system. In the program Marat Kaiypov, the Minister of Justice, discussed with Tekebaev the opposition kurultai (meeting) held on 12 April and the resolution adopted during that event.

► New border crossings to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan opened
On 15 April, the European Union reported that the Ak-Jol border crossing facility between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan was opened. One day earlier, a border crossing was established at Karasuu. Over the past three years, the EU made considerable efforts in upgrading the border facilities and facilitating cross-border trade in Central Asia through its Border Management in Central Asia (BOMCA) and Central Asia Drug Action (CADAP) programmes, funded by the EU and implemented by the United Nations Development Plan (UNDP). Both border crossing points play a vital role along trade and transit corridors connecting Kyrgyzstan with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

► Central Election Commission rejects opposition challenges to conduct December 2007 elections
In an official statement issued on 15 April, the Kyrgyz Central Election Commission rejected a challenge from the opposition Ar-Namys (Dignity) party accusing the authorities of several violations of electoral laws during the December 2007 parliamentary elections. The commission ruled that “the requirements [of publishing the results of the election] have been fulfilled”, mentioning the general resolution on the election results published on 20 December as sufficient. The parliamentary elections, which were marred by opposition allegations of serious voting fraud, resulted in a sweeping win by the ruling Ak-Jol Eldik (Best Path Popular) Party, which won 79 out of 90 seats.

Tajikistan

► Tajik authorities shut down independent radio station
On 8 April, Tajik authorities took independent radio station Imruz (Today) of the air, allegedly because of “technical problems.” Imruz had become the most popular FM station in Dushanbe and its surroundings since it started broadcasting last summer, and was known among its listeners as a “serious radio station” focussing on news and reports on Tajikistan’s politics and social sphere, as well as music. The radio was also known for its open criticism of the Tajik regime. According to Rustami Joni, the head of radio Imruz, speaking on 16 April, “the motives [to shut down the station] are still unclear.” He furthermore said he did “not think the decision has anything to do with the Tajik government”, however adding that a few days before the radio’s closure “officials” were checking the content of the radio station’s reports from early April. It is not the first time that Imruz has been taken off the air. It was shut down in February by the authorities but was then back on the air in less than three days. Radio Imruz’s bosses and editors have been reluctant to talk to the media ever since the latest closing down of the station.

Turkmenistan

► Turkmen calendar names changed
On 24 January, Turkmen newspaper Neutralny reported that Turkmenistan’s president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had told the government to return to the original Turkmen and Russian names for months and days. This decision reverses state policy enacted by his predecessor Saparmurat Niyazov, who in 2002 renamed the months of the year, which were subsequently called after himself and his mother, along with several poets, mythical figures and state symbols. Since the start of his presidency, Berdimuhamedov has tried on several occasions to reduce the state-sponsored adulation of his predecessor, reversing some of Niyazov’s most eccentric policies. Parliament speaker Akja Nurveyeva said on television about the decision that “[t]housands of citizens have written to ask to return to the Western month names and call the days of the week the way our ancestors did.”

► Turkmen president signs resolution to start process of drafting new Constitution
On 18 April, Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers endorsing the provision on the Constitutional Commission and its schedule. According to Berdimuhamedov, “[a] new Constitution of Turkmenistan is necessitated by life itself and the changes reaching into all spheres of life of the Turkmen state and society.” Suggestions from special working groups, ministries, and departments are to be processed and summarised by the national parliament, after which the final draft of the document will be forwarded to the Constitutional Commission. The acting Constitution of Turkmenistan, which defines the country as a “democratic secular state” and a presidential republic, was adopted on 18 May 1992 and amended on 27 December 1995.

► Turkmen President sacks officials involved in country’s financial sector
On 14 April, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov fired several top officials involved in the country’s financial sector. According to observers, the move may be intended to show he is serious about economic reforms. Since the beginning of his presidency, Berdimuhamedov has called on economic and financial officials to facilitate foreign investment and keep domestic prices stable. Much of that work remains unfinished, however. At a cabinet session, the president expressed his dissatisfaction with the Central Bank’s work and stated that “the leadership of [Geldymurat] Abilov in the Central Bank is not adequate. It has now become quite clear that the work of the Central Bank is not up to current demands.” Berdimuhamedov subsequently announced that Abilov was sacked for his “grave shortcomings and the fact that he cannot understand the job we gave him.” During the same cabinet session, the Turkmen president furthermore dismissed the Minister of Transportation and Communications, as well as several lower level financial officials, and appointed a new Deputy Prime Minister, Hojamyrat Geldimyradov, who shares this title with seven other officials. Geldimyradov will be in charge of issues related to financial recovery, developing the banking system, and strengthening the manat, Turkmenistan’s national currency.

► Turkmenistan makes gas-export offer to EU
On 15 April, European Commission spokeswoman Christiane Hohmann announced Turkmenistan had made a serious gas-export offer to the EU during the visit of a high-level EU delegation to Ashgabat last week. Hohmann told the delegation was told that “as of 2009, 10 billion cubic meters of gas will be available for transport towards Europe.” Moreover, this was the first time that Turkmen president Berdimuhamedov stated in clear terms that he wants to supply gas to Europe directly without transiting it via Russia, which, according to Hohmann, should be seen as a “breakthrough.” Hohmann mentioned “there are three [supply route] options on the table”, namely “the trans-Caspian pipeline linking Turkmenistan with Azerbaijan; (…) going through Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan; or to transport [liquefied gas] on ships.” The Turkmen bid is a boost for EU-backed plans to build the Nabucco gas pipeline, which would link the EU to Central Asian gas, circumventing Russian territory. Russia tries to undercut the economic viability of the Nabucco pipeline by developing a competing pipeline through the Black Sea to Bulgaria, known as South Stream. In such way, Russia hopes to preserve its lucrative transit monopoly and to retains its political grip over Central Asia, as all gas coming from the region is currently exported through the Russian Federation. Russian ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov commented dismissively after the news of the EU’s deal with Turkmenistan became known, questioning the validity of the project. “There have been some euphoric comments about Turkmenistan. [However,] the only way to fill the Nabucco pipeline is to rely on Iranian gas.”

Uzbekistan

► Uzbekistan’s president squashes hopes for Central Asian union
During a press conference on the first day of his official visit to Kazakhstan on 22 April, Uzbek president Islam Karimov rejected the idea of a Central Asian union. Recounting the failures of several previous attempt to create such a union, Karimov said: “If we look back at the last 10 years, there were a lot of meetings, many aspirations were expressed about how to invigorate this union of commonwealth”, suggesting that nonetheless, nothing was achieved. Recently, Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbaev revived the idea, which has been floated several times since the five Central Asian states became independent upon the disintegration of the Soviet Union, but which nevertheless never took off. Earlier this month, during his visit to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiev had spoken out in favour of such a union, which would be designed to address cross-border and regional cooperation, most specifically in the fields of energy resources and water management. However, a Central Asian union without Uzbekistan, the region’s most populous country, joining, will not be viable. Analysts suggest that Karimov’s rejection of the plan might have more to do with the relationship between the two presidents than the need of cooperation between the two countries. Karimov and Nazarbaev have been competing for regional pre-eminence since independence, and Uzbekistan is therefore unlikely to join a Kazakh initiative.

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Edited by: Marina Ohanjanyan en Amieke Bouma
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