News dall' Est Europa

Croatia

►Czech Republic and Sweden: Do not forget EU enlargement towards Western Balkans
On 3 September, it has been announced that during their six months of EU chairmanship ,the Czech Republic and Sweden will set EU enlargement to the Western Balkan countries high on the agenda, with special focus on Croatia, as the country is likely to conclude EU membership talks in 2009. The deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic stated that the Balkans seem to have been “forgotten in the light of the current Georgia crisis” and that “we expect to move talks to the final stage with al least Croatia”. The accession talks between EU and Croatia started in 2005 and are expected to be finalized next year, which will offer Croatia the possibility to enter the EU at the latest in 2011. The independence of the juridical system is one of the main issue that the Croatian government needs to tackle in order to fulfil the required criteria for EU accession.

Macedonia

►Olli Rehn: More reforms necessary to start accession talks with Macedonia
On 4 September, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn announced that Macedonia has to invest significant efforts before it can start the accession talks with the EU. Despite the fact that the country has made progress towards meeting the eight required Copenhagen criteria there is work to be done for example on the ninth criteria — holding free elections. The criteria refer to strengthening democracy, adopting a law on the police, tackling corruption, implementing judicial and administrative reform, as well as reforming the business environment and the labour market. Another important problem Macedonia is facing in its road towards EU membership is the ‘name row’ with Greece which will veto Macedonian access to the EU and NATO if there is no solution found on the name row. Last talks on this issue have not brought the parties closer to a solution. The new meeting between on the ‘name row’ has been set on 11 September in New York and will be again mediated by the UN special envoy Matthew Nimetz. Media in both Greece and Macedonia have been speculating that Nimetz would come up with ideas containing some variations of the names Northern or Upper Macedonia. Meanwhile, Macedonia’s Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on Thursday said his country is committed towards reaching an “acceptable solution” to the dispute. However, Gruevski added that he is not very optimistic about the name talks.

►Zoran Zaev most likely to be elected as leader of Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDUM)
On 1 September, it has been announced that the Macedonia’s President Branko Crvenkovski will be able to run for the leadership of Macedonia’s biggest opposition party after his term in office ends in May 2009. This comes after his former party, the Social Democrats, unanimously decided to wait for their former long-standing leader’s term as President to expire and then to go on elections for the leadership, local media reported. Zoran Zaev, the party vice president will most probably be elected as a temporary leader until then. These decisions will have to be approved at the forthcoming party congress set for mid-September. The current leader of the party, Radmila Sekerinska announced her retirement after the Social Democrats were defeated in the June general polls. Shortly after the staggering defeat that only cemented the ruling centre-right VMRO DPMNE-led alliance in power, Crvenkovski came out with a statement that he is willing to help his former party revive. In August, Crvenkovski, who is strongly opposed to current government policy, announced his return to the Social Democrats.

Turkey

► EU reaction on statement of Turkish PM on media
On 8 September, the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission Co-Chairman Joost Lagendijk stated that the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan should not threaten the media who write negative stories about him, assessing the statements of the prime minister who targeted the Dogan Media Group. The style adopted by the leaders in such problems should not reach the level of threats, Lagendijk told Turkey's Milliyet on Tuesday. Furthermore, Lagendijk added that “media criticism over politicians is a part of political life, especially if you are a Prime Minister, you must become accustomed to this”. Erdogan's fierce criticism of the Dogan Media organs that have been publishing reports about an ongoing government-linked fraud case has heightened tension in Turkey recently. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the Turkish Journalists Association (TGC) and the Confederation of Revolutionary Workers’ Unions (DISK), also backed the Dogan Media Group on Monday, saying Erdogan's remarks brought to the agenda the risks to democracy in the country.

►Implementation of Turkish national program for the EU delayed
On 1 September, it has been announced that it looks like that the Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan does not fully agree with the national program which outlines timetables and the government's commitments to comply with EU standards. During last week's meeting of the Council of Ministers, there has been a disagreement upon the document of the National Program to be given to the EU and its implementation timetable, which contains short and midterm commitments. The PM and some other Ministers criticised Turkish Foreign Minister and Chief EU negotiator Ali Babacan for not discussing the program with other members of the cabinet which has decided to hold debates before finalizing and submitting the programme to the EU.

► Turkey’s historic visit to Armenia
The football diplomacy between Turkey and Armenia during the weekend of 6 and 7 September has set a basic for future direct and frequent contact between the two countries. A delegation of Turkish diplomats, including the Turkish President Abdullah, took the occasion of the World Championship football qualification match between Armenia and Turkey to pay a visit to Yerevan and to try to develop diplomatic ties. During the visit the leaders of the two countries decided to avoid discussing contentious issues, most of all the alleged genocide of Armenians by the Ottoman Turks, which are the main obstacles towards the improvement of diplomatic ties. It was a historic visit as it was the first visit ever by a Turkish President to Armenia. The two countries have not had diplomatic ties since Armenia broke away from the Soviet Union in 1991. The Foreign Ministers of the two countries will taken further steps toward the creation of a climate of peace during the meeting of the UN General Assembly from 23 September to 1 October. The EU hopes that this historic and highly symbolic visit will foster a climate favourable to the normalisation of relations between the two countries, to which it looks forward. EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn called the trip an "important first step" and said he hoped it would "soon be followed by others that lead to a full normalisation of relations between these two countries, which would enhance stability in the region and prepare the ground for strengthened regional cooperation”.

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WESTERN BALKANS

Albania

► Albania Leader Denounces Communist Crimes
On 9 September, the Albanian President Bamir Topi has denounced the crimes committed by Albania's communist regime. In a ceremony held on the 62nd anniversary of the communist uprising the Albanian head of state said that the punishment of crimes committed during communism were not committed for the good of the state. A commission of the Albanian parliament is currently discussing a bill that aims to open the files of the former communist secret service. However former political prisoners doubt that the current ruling class is really committed to opening up Albania’s dark past. Albania is one of the few countries that once stood behind the Iron Curtain that has yet to open the communist-era archives of its security services. Though the majority head by the Democratic Party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha, has expressed willingness to open up the files even without the consensus of the Socialist opposition, those who suffer on the hand of the regime debate its motivations. Berisha himself remains the only former communist leader still in power in Eastern Europe.

►Socialist Party of Albanian calls for reunification of lefties parties
On 1 September, it has been announced that the main opposition party in Albania, The Socialist Party (SP) wants to reunite all left wing parties in order to increase their chances in the next parliamentary elections. Fatmir Xhafa of the SP said that his party remains open for dialogue and cooperation with the other opposition parties in order to reach common position and create a united front.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

► Lajcak: EU must demonstrate leadership in BiH
On 9 September the EU High Representative for BiH Miroslav Lajcak declared that the EU must show leadership in assuring the transition of BiH to a viable state that will be able to join the Union: “The western Balkans are the only region with a clear EU perspective, and that is what makes it different from the EU foreign policy elsewhere. It is the one region where the EU is expected to demonstrate leadership and strategic reasoning. Furthermore, Lajcak added that Western Balkans is the backyard of the EU, “to put it bluntly, Europe cannot expect to be seen as a global player if it's unable to put its own house in order". In other news, the EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn urged authorities and political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to agree on a clear strategy for tackling EU-related reforms, High Representative Miroslav Lajcak said after meeting with Rehn in Brussels on Monday (September 8th). Rehn stressed the need for a strategy to make quick progress on requirements arising from BiH's Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU and reiterated that Brussels is ready to help with that integration process. Rehn and Lajcak also agreed on the need for constitutional reform in BiH and reviewed progress made in meeting conditions for closing the Office of the High Representative. Lajcak again urged BiH party leaders to resolve the future status of Brcko and the issue of state property In its path towards the EU membership, BiH is facing some major problems. As the country is divided into two entities, Republika Srpska and the Bosnjak-Croat Federation— which complicates the decision-making process— it is rather difficult to achieve the necessary political reforms in order to speed up the EU integration process. Another major issue is the nexus between the politics and the organized crime in the country.

► Karadzic refuses to enter a plea
On 29 August, during the course of his second appearance before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the former Bosnian Serb President Radovan Karadzic has refused to enter a plea to the counts of war crimes and genocide. As a result, Ian Bonomy, the judge at The Hague entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Karadzic said that "this is a court of NATO, which made a decision to execute me. For the same reason Karadzic said he did not want the indictment to be read to him. "I waive my right to have the indictment read to me. I am not interested in listening to it. Not only because of the fact that I am awaiting a new one, but also because I have not yet formed a team of my associates. I believe I shall have completed this process by the time I receive the new indictment," Karadzic said. In the meanwhile, on 4 September, NATO forces have searched the house of suspected accomplice of Ratko Mladic, the former commander of the Bosnian Serb army who is also accused of war crimes.

►SPD BIH organizes a pre-election gathering in Bihac
On 9 September, the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina organized a pre-election gathering in the centre of Bihac. In front of a couple of thousand member audience the party presented they candidates for the upcoming local elections on 5 October this year. During the gathering, the President of the SPD BIH, Zlatko Lagumdzija stated that the local elections are very important as “the future of normal citizens of BiH is questioned due to the governance of those who are not able to agree on anything”.

Kosovo

► President Sejdiu: No UNMIK mediation in meeting with Tadic
On 4 September, the President of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu said that UNMIK cannot be a mediator in any potential meeting between him and Serbian counterpart Boris Tadic: "We consider UNMIK as facilitator in the process of closing down its mission. Furthermore, he stressed he is ready to meet Tadic only if the talks are cast as a meeting between the presidents of two independent countries. He ruled out discussion of issues related to Kosovo's status. Furthermore, Sejdiu stated that he is not concerned by the Serbian government initiative to question the legality of Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence before the International Court of Justice as Kosovo has used its rights to be an independent country in compliance with international standards. Furthermore, Sejdiu has appointed first ten Kosovo’s diplomatic envoys in some of the EU countries that have recognized Kosovo and in the US. In other news the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said his country will not support Serbia's initiative to seek the International Court of Justice's opinion of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia in February. "We have already recognized an independent Kosovo. We would not have done that had we believed the decision ran counter to international law," Steinmeier told journalists after meeting with his Serbian counterpart, Vuk Jeremic. "The moment has come for Serbia to look forward to the future, not backward," Steinmeier argued.

Montenegro

► Montenegro government fighting organized crime?
On 30 August, the Montenegrin authorities arrested a notorious organized crime figure in the country Safet Kalic. It was announced by the police that the charges against Kalic involved "property violations" but released no further details because of the ongoing investigation. The leader of the so-called Rozaje Clan, is allegedly one of the biggest drug bosses in the Balkans. Police sources say Kalic has supplied the Zemun Clan with hundreds of kilograms of drugs for years. His name surfaced as police investigated the 2003 assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, but authorities did not file charges against him. In the meanwhile, the deputy president of the Democratic Party of Socialist (DPS) Svetozar Marovic declared that the juridical system in Montenegro is determined to erase the last traces of corruption in Montenegro. Furthermore, he argued that it is difficult for a relatively small country, such as Montenegro, to find traces of corruption and organized crime and that, besides that, other countries like Rumania and Bulgaria have become member of the EU whilst they are having the same problems as Montenegro regarding corruption and organized crime.

►Montenegrin opposition uniting their forces
On 1 September, the newspapers in Montenegro announced that the leaders of the three most powerful opposition parties—Movement for Changes (PzP), Serbian Party and the Socialist Nation Party— have informally agreed not to attack each other on their positions and not to enter a coalition with the ruling Democratic Party of Socialist (DPS). The parties want to regain trust in each other and to cooperate to a certain extent in the future. These three parties will try to engage other small opposition parties, such as the Liberal Party, to join the anti- coalition platform initiated by the leader of PzP Nebojsa Medojevic. The leader of the Liberal Party Miodrag Zivković, has refused his commitment to the platform for now .

►UK urges Montenegro to recognize Kosovo
On 1 September, the British Ambassador to Podgorica Kevin Lyne called on Montenegro to recognise Kosovo, saying "the time is right" for such a move. In an interview with the daily Pobjeda on Saturday (August 30th), Lyne said he is convinced recognition will become a fact ahead of the EU summit in September. "I understand that the Kosovo issue is very sensitive for Montenegro and its relations with Belgrade and Pristina, but we believe that the time is right for Montenegro to recognise Kosovo," the ambassador noted. He also said his country has very good relations with Montenegro, which he believes will help Podgorica move closer to EU and NATO membership. In a reaction the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic, said that "certain sections of the international community" expect Podgorica to recognize Kosovo. "Those expectations are not surprising. If we want to be part of the European and Euro-Atlantic community, then our partners from those communities expect us to follow their main foreign policy paths," However, it is a duty of the Montenegrin authorities to be guided, first and foremost, by state interests.

Serbia

► Tomislav Nikolic resigns as deputy leader of Serbian Radical Party, SAA ratified
On 5 September, during a party meeting of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS), Tomislav Nikolic resigned as the deputy leader of the SRS which is the main opposition party in the Serbian parliament. The resignation of Nikolic— who lost the presidential elections in February of 2008 from the current Serbian President Boris Tadic— came after the SRS decided not to support the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). Earlier, after the government accepted the SRS proposal to amend the draft ratification law, Nikolic announced that his party will support the SAA. The new deputy leader of the SRS, Dragan Todorovic has confirmed that the party has shifted its position on the support of the SAA as a consequence of the pressure from its leader Vojislav Seselj, who is on trial at the Hague Tribunal as he is accused of war crimes. The resignation of Nikolic has resulted in crisis within the radical party as some party members have announced to stay loyal to Nikolic by joining his new political movement, which is yet to be established, an that will go by the name of Naprijed Srbijo (Go Srbija). It seems that a split within the SRS is inevitable. In the meanwhile, on 9 September, the National Assembly of Serbia has ratify the SAA. The European Commission will deliberate on further steps towards EU integration after Serge Brammertz, the Chief Prosecutor of the Hague Tribunal, has reported on cooperation of the Serbian authorities with the Hague Tribunal. On 10 September Brammerts will pay a two day visit to Belgrade. According to the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso it would be possible for Serbia to win the status of an EU candidate country next year, provided that it fulfils the necessary conditions: "If everything goes according to plan and if all the conditions are met, it would be possible for Serbia to have candidate country status in 2009. However, Barroso stressed that his statement did not represent a time commitment, insisting that Serbia's EU integration "cannot be a calendar-driven process, but should be a reform-driven one."

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WIDER EUROPE / NEIGHBOUR COUNTRIES

Armenia
►Bill to prolong ban on independent TV station
On 9 September the Armenian parliament began debating a government bill that would prolong a de facto ban on the country’s main independent TV station, controversially pulled off the air in 2002, for at least two more years. Under government-drafted legal amendments, the National Commission on Television and Radio (NCTR) will be unable to hold tenders for broadcasting licenses until July 2010. The government says the proposed measure is necessary for expediting Armenia’s planned transition to mandatory digital broadcasting by 2012. But critics believe its real purpose is to fend off renewed Western pressure for the reopening of A1+, the only national TV channel that had regularly aired criticism of the government. A1+ lost its broadcasting frequency in a supposedly competitive tender that was won by a pro-government media outlet. Its numerous attempts since then to win another frequency have been blocked by the government-controlled NCTR, reinforcing the widely held belief that the outcome of the 2002 bidding was politically motivated.

►Violence at local elections
On 8 September it was announced that pro-government candidates swept local elections in four administrative districts of Yerevan which were partly boycotted by the opposition and marred by a serious brawl. Official vote results released on Monday gave victory to the incumbent mayors of the northern Kanaker-Zeytun and the southern and Nubarashen districts. There was only one candidate in Nubarashen and the neighboring Erebuni district, making the outcome of the elections there a forgone conclusions. Their mayors are affiliated with the governing Prosperous Armenia (BHK) and Republican (HHK) parties respectively. The race was far more unpredictable in the other district, Arabkir. Its incumbent Republican mayor, Hovannes Shahinian, was defeated by Albert Yeritsian a local businessman effectively backed by the HHK. A candidate from the opposition Zharangutyun (Heritage) party, Zoya Tadevosian, came in third. In Arabkir a violent clash took place in the morning of 7 September between two groups of men supporting the two main Arabkir candidates. One man, identified as Mher Kerobian, was badly beaten and stabbed in the hip before being rushed to Yerevan’s Erebuni hospital with serious injuries. A hospital official told RFE/RL that Kerobian was hospitalized with a fractured skull and broken ribs.

►Parliament speaker to be replaced
On 8 September President Serzh Sarkisian and his Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) officially announced their intention to replace parliament speaker Tigran Torosian by another senior party figure. In a statement issued after a weekend meeting, the HHK’s decision-making Executive Body nominated Hovik Abrahamian, the hitherto chief of Sarkisian’s staff, for the second highest position in the state hierarchy. Neither the statement, nor senior party officials explained reasons for the extraordinary decision. Local analysts are divided on the possible reasons for Abrahamian’s transfer to the National Assembly. Some of them believe that Sarkisian does not trust his chief of staff because of the latter’s close ties with former President Robert Kocharian and may have duped Abrahamian into leaving the presidential administration. On 9 September a leading member of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (HHK) said Parliament speaker Tigran Torosian will face a vote of no confidence by fellow lawmakers if he refuses to bow to government pressure and step down.

►Opposition candidate claims attack
On 5 September candidate from the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) alliance Manuel Gasparian said an unknown assailant shattered an office window to throw in a Molotov cocktail early in the morning causing a fire in the premises.The opposition candidate in a local election in a Yerevan district blamed his pro-government rival on Friday for what he described as an overnight arson attack on his campaign headquarters. He stated: “I can’t make presumptions. But I don’t have other enemies.” Gasparian claimed that earlier this week two government loyalists broke into his main office to tear up placards posted there and intimidate his campaign staff.

►Opposition alliance plans new rally
On 5 September the Armenian National Congress (HAK), an alliance of 16 opposition groups led by Levon Ter-Petrosian, said its next rally in Yerevan is scheduled for 12 September. It was postponed from 5 September to allow for the historic visit of Turkish president Gül during the football match between Turkey and Armenia. According to HAK the rally is linked to the government’s failure to release all “political prisoners” and make other overtures to its opponents. Levon Zurabian, a close Ter-Petrosian associate and a HAK leader, singled out the continuing imprisonment of 75 opposition supporters and politicians whom the HAK regards as political prisoners. The vast majority of them were prosecuted in connection with the March 1 unrest in Yerevan. The Armenian authorities insist that none of these individuals, among them three members of parliament, were jailed for political reasons. Council of Europe officials have warned that failure to release all political prisoners would jeopardize Armenia’s continued membership in the Strasbourg-based organization. Neither Zurabian, nor the HAK statement specified the actions that the opposition plans to take after September 12.

► Dashnak rallies
On 6 September hundreds of Armenians lined the route of president Gül's motorcade from Zvartnots international airport to Yerevan to demand Turkish recognition of the genocide. Most of the protesters were supporters of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun). Several dozen young activists of the nationalist party represented in Armenia’s government held a torch vigil at the Tsisternakabert genocide memorial overlooking Yerevan’s Hrazdan stadium, the venue for the match. Previously, on 2 September the Dashnaks rallied several thousand supporters in Yerevan to mark the 17th anniversary of the establishment of the Republic of Mountainous Karabakh. Key speakers included some high-profile party members. As a result, a declaration concerning concerning NKR in light of the recent Russo-Georgian war. The declaration underlines that: Armenia and NKR shall not relinquish their security guarantees; the Armenian people are unified and united and no internal political issue should threaten the existence and security of their statehood; the best guarantee to consolidate the Armenians and to be defended from external dangers is the irreversibility of internal reforms, the advancement of democracy and the establishment of justice.

Azerbaijan

► Opposition coalition plans to adopt program
On 8 September Arif Hajili, head of the central office of the Musavat party, announced that the opposition coalition that was formed a week before plans to launch mass actions only after a joint program is adopted. “It will include the main principles of cooperation between the parties chairmen in period of the election campaign. It is not ruled out that in the framework of this program we will start holding mass actions", Hajili noted. It should be reminded that a week before the Liberal Party of Azerbaijan, Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, Civil Solidarity party, Public forum "For Azerbaijan" and "Musavat" signed an agreement on cooperation.

►Social Democratic Party member excluded for criticism
On 8 September Elshan Manafov, Social Democratic Party member as well as Central Election Committee member was excluded from his party for harsh comments concerning the party leadership. The party’s central committee decided to exclude him, claiming that he made unethical comments.

►Democratic Union members to boycott the elections
On 5 September the opposition coalition Democratic Union made a statement, expressing regret about the fact that any elections that have been conducted in Azerbaijan so far have fallen short of international standards and international organizations, as confirmed by OSCE, CE and others. Accoring to the statement, despite repeated efforts by the democrats, the authorities have inserted reactionary changes into the Electoral Code and falsified the current format of election commissions. The Azerbaijani opposition drew the attention of international organizations to the lack of democracy in the country marked by a lack of freedom of political activities and assemblies; limits on freedom of information as all television channels are controlled by authorities and independent newspapers are pressured; arrests of political opponents and journalists on invented charges; the use of law enforcement agencies to repress opponents of the authorities with courts and parliaments fully subordinate to executive administration. Considering the above-mentioned, the Union has decided to boycott the elections as it considers holding election campaigns in such conditions impossible. The statement was signed by Lala Shovket Hajiyeva (Liberal party’s chairman), Eldar Namazov (President of Public Forum for The Sake of Azerbaijan), Ali Kerimli (Party of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan), Isa Gambar (Musavat party) and Ali Aliyev (chairman of Vatandash and Inkishaf party).

►Four candidates withdraw their candidacy from presidential elections
By 5 September four presidential candidates had withdrawn their candidacies with the Central Election Committee: adviser of Culture newspaper Teymur Guliyev (because of the deterioration of the situation in the Caucasus), doctor of physico-mathematical science Qudrat Isaqov (in favour of Ilham Aliyev), official of the scientific and methodican magazine of the Education Ministry Fikret Akhadov and Intigam Mammadov (both unable to collect 40,000 signatures).

►Opposition cooperation centre established
On 5 September five opposition parties – Azerbaijan Liberal Party (ALP), Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP), Citizen’s Development Party (VIP), Musavat Party and Public Forum for Azerbaijan signed a document and made joint statement to establish new cooperation center. ALP leader Lale Shovkat noted that it was stressed in the statement that there was not any democratic condition for elections, any political rivalry, free media, boycotting the elections by the most pretentious candidates for presidency. AXCP leader Ali Karimli stated that other parties can also sign the document. To him, they will discuss to hold other joint actions within the format. According to deputy chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular

►Presidential candidates
On 30 September Umid Party’s Chairman Igbal Agazadeh was registered as a presidential candidate by the Central Election Commission (CEC). The CEC has also approved the candidacy of self-nominated former Azerbaijani ambassador to Iran Aliyar Safarli and Mubariz Allahverdiyev. In related news, on 28 August a preliminary agreement was reached for the National Unity Party (NUP) to support the United Popular Front Candidated Qudrat Hasanquliev in the upcoming presidential elections in October.

Belarus

►Candidate not allowed to say the regime is lying
The editor-in-chief of Rechytsa regional newspaper “Dnyaprovets” offered a candidate for deputy Leanid Nevar to rework his election speech prepared for publication in a newspaper.
L. Nevar stated that the editor-in-chief didn’t like the phrases “officials of regional and district levels lie to people” and “corruption has become an integral part of life”. “I can prove my words by documents in the court. It is not a secret for anybody how many corruption crimes are taking place here,” Nevar said. The editor-in-chief of “Dnyaprovets” Ihar Syarheeu noted that issues of legality of such statements of the candidate for deputy should be decided by the CEC, while the editor-in-chief keeps to the Electoral Code and its norms.

►Kazulin’s release does not equal correction of punishment
On September 9 the chairman of the Supreme Court Valyantsin Sukala said that the decree of pardon to Alyaksandr Kazulin signed by Lukashenka, doesn’t’ provide for correction of punishment and cancellation of conviction. Sukala was commenting on a possibility of participation of the former candidate for presidency A. Kazulin in the election,

►Oppositionists Milinkevich and Sevyrynets seized and searched
On 8 September, leader of the “For Freedom” movement, former presidential candidate Alyaksnadr Milinkevich and member of the organising committee on creation of the Belarusian Christian Democracy NGO Paval Sevyarynets were detained at Kamenny Loh border checkpoint on Belarusian-Lithuanian border. As the press service of Alyaksandr Milinkevich reports, the politicians were returning from Vilnius, where they had taken part in international conference European Neighbourhood Policy: If “Parliamentary Election” 2008 in Belarus will be a Democratic Choice? The event was initiated by the European People’s Party. Disks were seized from the detained with Yury Khashchavatski’s film ‘Square’. At the moment, reports on search and seizure of video materials are being drawn up.

►CEC grants 8 appeals out of 51 of denied registration
On 4 September the CEC finished concidering the 51 appeals of contenders denied registration as candidates for deputies in the upcoming Parliamentary elections (28 September), granting 8 appeals. The deputy chairman of the Belarusian Popular Front party Vintsuk Vyachorka, the leader of the Belarusian Social Democratic party (Narodnaya Hramada) Mikalay Statkevich, the head of Minsk regional branch of the BPF party Syarhei Salash haven’t been registered. The CEC decided to register the following 8 contenders: an entrepreneur Iryna Yaskevich, a member of the party of Communists of Belarus Mikhail Syalivonets, an editor of the newspaper “Barisovskiye novosti” Anatol Bukas, non-party Yury Rubtsou, Ivan Shcharbakou, nonparty Volha Shykhantosva, leader of unregistered Party of Freedom and progress Uladzimir Navasyad and one more contender whose name is unknown. In Total, out of 365 persons who applied for registration as candidates, 76 persons failed to be registered, which comes down to 25% of the total number of contenders. The number of opposition activists denied registration is about 50. According to Vice President of the International Human Rights federation Ales Byalatski “there are 2.5 candidates per constituency in Belarus now, it is a ridiculously [low] number. In 12 constituencies there will be non-alternative election as [of] today.”

►Newspaper refuses to publish programmes of oppositionists Lyabedzka and Bahdankevich
On 4 September the official newspaper of the Council of Ministers of Belarus “Respublika”, refused to publish the election programmes of MP candidates representing the United Civil Party. Party leader Anatol Lyabedzka, honorary UCP chairman, former National Bank head Stanislau Bahdankevich, party activist Hanna Yahorava were among the people who were refused. According to UCP head Anatol Lyabedzka, the ground for the refusal was the harsh estimate of the political and economic situation in Belarus contained in the preamble of the programme. Stanislau Bahdankevich stated to have expected the refusal. He added ‘when I signed this message, I supposed that the authorities would reveal their true face in the sphere of “openness” and “justice” of the “election”.

►Activists detained
On 4 September Yakau Perchyk, an activist of the “European Belarus” civil campaign was detained in Hrodna for distributing “Vybor” newspaper. The newspaper was dedicated to boycotting the upcoming parliamentary elections. Perchyk was arrested on article 17.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences (hooliganism. Traditionally, militia uses this article to press the opposition, in particular to hide political motives of arrests of democratic activists). Yakau Perchyk was released some hours after the detention. The activist is likely to have a trial soon. Two more “European Belarus” activists were detained on 8 September for 12 hours. On the same day police detained two activists of the United Civil party for were handing out leaflets with the appeal to citizens not to take part in the “parliamentary elections”.

►Oppositional Political Council postpones decision whether or not to boycott elections
On 31 August, the Political Council of the opposition parties postponed settling of the issue on running or non-running of party candidates in the oncoming “parliamentary election”. This question is to be considered again on September 21, the party members will run in the “election campaign” till this date. According to the leader of the Belarusian Popular Front party Lyavon Barshcheuski the Party of Communists of Belarus, the Party of Labour, the Belarusian Social Democratic Party (Hramada), the Party of Women “Nadzeya” voted for further running in the election. Supporters of Alyaksandr Milinkevich from the “For Freedom” movement didn’t vote, stating they would agree with any decision of the Political Council. Candidates of the Belarusian Christian Democracy and the Belarusian Popular Front party plan to withdraw from the elections before September 23. Head of the Homel regional organisation of the United Civil Party Vasil Palyakou and Homel UCP activist Leanid Sudalenka also refused to run in the parliamentary election

Georgia

►Opposition calling for government’s resignation
On 8 September Shalva Natelashvili, the leader of the opposition Labor Party said that Georgia will only be able to overcome the current crisis if the country’s current leadership resigns. Natelashvili said that a government, “which is neither pro-Russian nor pro-American,” should come to power. “A government that is pro-Georgian and that establishes relations with both countries [Russia and U.S.], profitable for us,” he added. He also said that Georgia was the victim of both Russian aggression and the rivalry between Russia and the United States. On 9 September Davit Gamkrelidze, the leader of the opposition New Rights Party, also called for Saakashvili’s resignation and early presidential and parliamentary elections.

►Ruling party not running in MP by-elections
On 7 September it was announced that the ruling National Movement Party will not run in MP by-elections in the Tbilisi’s two single-mandate constituencies in order to give the opposition parties more opportunity for endorsing their representatives in the 150-seat legislative body in which the ruling party has 119 seats.. MP by-elections are scheduled for November 3 in the Vake and Didube single-mandate constituencies – the opposition’s two strongholds. By-elections became required in the two constituencies after the two majoritarian MPs from those districts - the New Rights Party's Davit Saganelidze and Davit Gamkrelidze, respectively - renounced their MP mandates in protest to what they called fraudulent 21 May parliamentary elections.

►Government-proposed charter fails to unite political Georgia
On 5 September six political parties - the ruling National Movement Party; the Christian-Democratic Party; party On Our Own; the Georgian Troupe party; the National-Democratic Party; Industrialist Party - and two individual lawmakers, Giorgi Tsagareishvili and Gia Tortladze, signed a four-point document named the Charter of Politicians of Georgia. The documents declares agreement on “key strategic” issues for the country’s future development in the face of Russian aggression. The signatories agree that the improvement of “political relations” with Russia will only be possible after Russian occupation forces fully withdraw from Georgia; that Georgia should become a NATO member and should “maximally integrate into the European Union.” and that internal political processes in Georgia “should always remain in the frames of the Constitution”. The fourth and finaly point of the document deals with the establishment of the President Saakashvili-proposed anti-crisis council for “the purpose of tackling problems inflicted as a result of the Russian occupation; for democratization; for continuation of the process of internal reforms and for the creation of a political environment oriented towards dialogue.” However, the document was not signed by many opposition parties, including the opposition coalition. Kakha Kukava, co-leader of the Conservative Party – part of the opposition coalition - said it was yet another “propaganda” move by the authorities. Members of the New Rights Party, also part of the opposition coalition, refused to sign the document too. Even though they fully agree with the first three points of the document, “it is totally incomprehensible to listen to the government, which has Kakha Bendukidze as the head of the government’s administration - speaking about the Russian threat,” Katsitadze said. The same view has been expressed by the Republican Party leader, Davit Usupashvili.

►Georgian civil society: “the time has come to ask tough questions
On 4 September the Georgian daily Rezonansi published an open letter signed by 80 individuals and organisations calling for a public debate about what led to war and to the subsequent grave results for the country. The letter, signed by representatives of human rights groups, academic circles, journalists and some public figures, says that “for a broad public debate on the problem” it is necessary “to set the Georgian Public Broadcaster free of the authorities’ censorship.” The letter blames the Georgian authorities for “the catastrophic consequences” and says that “the authorities, which have in fact prepared the ground for these consequences through its non-professionalism and anti-democracy, are now claiming that what has happened was impossible to prevent.” MP Giorgi Targamadze, the chairman of the Christian-Democratic Party and the leader of the parliamentary minority, said “the time has come to launch a debate and [make] decisions – without hysteria – about what has happened.” Davit Usupashvili, the leader of the opposition Republican Party, concurred with Targamadze, but added that “it should in no way be interpreted as a demand for the immediate resignation of the government. […] It may be even worse to raise the issue of a change in leadership in the near future.”

►Georgia cuts diplomatic ties with Russia
On 29 augustus Grigol Vashadze, the Gerogian deputy foreign minister announced that the decision has been made to cut diplomatic relations with Russia. This, after the 27 August decision to just minimize them. According to Vashadze, “Neither Georgia in Russia nor Russia in Georgia will have a diplomatic representation; only the consulates will remain,” he told journalists. “Georgia will have only a consul, vice consul and technical staff [in Moscow].” A third, yet unspecified, country will represent Georgia’s interests in Russia. The Russian side was notified of the decision on 2 September, after which it closed its embassy and consulate in Tbilisi on 3 September. On 29 August Georgia also decided to tighten visa rules for Russians citizens, but revised that decision on 4 September. Russia announced on 3 September that the visas of Georgian citizens residing in Russia would not be renewed. Previously, on 28 August, both South Ossetia and Abkhazia were officially declared Russian-occupied territories by Georgia.

►Saakashvili working towards political unification
On 29 August president Saakashvili stated that the July decision to revoke funding for six opposition parties that boycotted the elections should be revised “to prevent any funding coming from foreign countries – I mean from one particular country”, meaning, most likely, Russia. The suggestion was welcomed by Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia’s ex-foreign minister and leader of Georgia’s Way Party (part of the opposition coalition). On the same day the president also proposed the creation of an anti-crisis council to monitor foreign aid coming into Georgia as part of post-conflict relief efforts. The council is suggested to include not only the opposition but also representatives of the civil society as well as victims of the recent conflict in the conflict-affected areas. The opposition, while welcoming the initiative seems to believe that it is not enough for national unity. Kakha Kukava, co-leader of the Conservative Party, part of the opposition coalition, called on the authorities to cooperate with the opposition in defining the country’s foreign policy priorities. Salome Zourabichvili stated that “sharing political responsibility should not take place only in respect of the distribution of humanitarian aid; it should also take place in other fields”. Levan Gachechiladze, an opposition politician who was Saakashvili’s main rival in the January 5 presidential election, stated on August 30, that he had proposed to Saakashvili during a meeting to elaborate an anti-crisis plan to help create genuinely “liberal conditions in the country.” According to him this would involve “changing election-related legislation; setting television stations free of propaganda or pressure and preventing economic crisis”.

►Saakashvili: a “Patriot Act” is needed
On 29 August president Saakashvili stated that Georgia needed a “Patriot Act”. The act would to deter possible attempts to overthrow the overnment through foreign intervention, which, according to him, had been Russia’s intent. The president did not go into detail as to what exactly the act would entail, but said that it would not infringe on civil liberties.

Moldova

► CDPP Youth Organisation signs cooperation agreement with Belarusian colleagues
On 9 September the Noua Generatie (New Generation) youth organization of the Christian Democratic Popular Party (Moldova) and the youth organization of the Popular Front of Belarus have signed an agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance for the sake of achieving real independence of both Moldova and Belarus and for their accession to the European Union and NATO. One of the key provisions in the document is the reciprocal backing the two organizations have decided to provide for one another on the international level, and promotion of both within the framework of European youth organizations. The agreement - in Romanian, Belarussian and English - has been concluded for 5 years, and it may be automatically extended for subsequent 5 years, if neither the side decides to quit it.

►Consumer Protection public organisation accuses authorities of wanting to do away with it
On 3 September the Consumer Protection public organization has accused the Moldovan authorities striving to do away with the organization. Consumer Protection Chairman Petr Gutul said at a news conference that on 9 August an attempt on his life was committed on the porch of the block of apartments, where he lives. As a result, he was hospitalised with medullary cone, broken ribs and teeth. Gutul did not see the assaulters, as they attacked him from behind. The Consumer Protection associates this with actions by a certain high-ranking official from the presidency, as on the previous day the organization proposed to President Voronin to depose the said official from his post, as he presents a direct danger to the country's security. In the victim's words, this event was preceded by numerous appeals to the presidential administration to give facts of grand violations of the legislation on the part of economy monopolies - Union Fenosa, Moldovagaz, Apa-canal. The last appeal was sent to the President and to the Government two days before the attack. Activist of the organization Nadejda Trubitsina confirmed that threats were also made by a Communist Parliamentarian Nicolae Gutul (brother). Trubitsina added: “parliamentarian representatives proposed to us an ultimatum to re-elect our leadership or to dissolve the organization, which would be better from their viewpoint". In her opinion, for the time being the organization is the most active one in defending the consumers' rights, but it is not convenient for the incumbent authorities, in particular, for those, who use their powers for their own mercenary purposes.

►LDP leader claims he is under threat of authorities
On 29 August Liberal Democratic Party leader MP Vladimir Filat claimed the Communist authorities of Moldova are using all possible methods to put an end to his political activities. Filat called a news conference to inform the media that on 28 August the Supreme Court of Justice ruled that the magnificent office building in downtown Chisinau belonging to Ipteh company (EuroCreditBank) shall go into the State's exclusive ownership. One of the building's three shareholders is the CapitalInvest company of Romania, in which Vladimir Filat is the majority shareholder. According to Filat the pressure began when he announced his intention to run for the Chisinau mayor’s office in February 2007. Filat’s lawyer Alexandru Tanase, the LDPM First Deputy Chairman, said at the news conference that the European Court of Human Rights had accepted and registered Mr. Filat's application for starting an action against the Government of Moldova over the building dispute in June 2008. However, he would request the ECHR to consider the Filat case urgently, for "we want a verdict to be made while Vladimir Voronin is still President of Moldova".

Russia

► United Russia to rewrite its program
On 9 September it was announced that the ruling United Russia party is planning to rewrite its program on the upcoming party congress in November. The party program, “Strategy 2020” (a.k.a. “Putin’s plan – worthy future for a great country”) has turned out to be difficult to popularise. It is thus the party’s intent to rewrite the program in order to make it more comprehensible for the Russian citizens. On September 10 United Russia will gather together its ideologues nationwide in Moscow to discuss possible changes to the program.

►14 political parties officially registered in Russia
On 9 September the head of the Russian Central Election Commission, Vladimir Churov announced that the number of officially registered in Russia political parties has reduced from 15 to 14. “Starting from [8 September] there are 14 political parties in Russia officially. Russia’s Revival Party has been officially put off the registry,” the CEC chairman said.

►5 regions register party lists for local elections
On 8 September 5 regions concluded the registration process for party lists in the upcoming local elections on 12 October. Among the five regions – Chechnya, Zabaikalsk, Irkutsk, Kemerovsk and Sakhalin – only in the latter two none of the parties not represented in parliament managed to register its candidates. In Chechnya 7 out of 8 parties were registered; in Irkutsk 6 out of the 7 and in Zabaikalsk – 5 out of 7. In all five regions four parties currently represented in parliament managed to register: United Russia, Communist Party, the Liberal Democratic Party and Just Russia. In Chechnya only the Green party did not manage to register and subsequently signed a cooperation agreement with United Russia, thus leaving the following non-parliamentarian parties still in the race: the Patriots of Russia, National Unity and the Party of Peace and Unity. In Irkutsk the Patriots of Russia were the unlucky ones leaving the Greens and the Agrarian Party as the only non-parliamentaries up for election. In Zabaikalsk only the Agrarian Party is left to compete with the parliamentary parties.

►Putin’s waiting rooms to have ombudsman function
On 6 September it was announced that the public waiting rooms of the United Russia party chairman Vladimir Putin would become focal points for complaints from Russian citizens all over Russia. The head of the party’s Central Executive Committee Andrey Vorobyov already compared the initiative to the European ombudsman institute. “Our task is to listen to everyone and discuss the most prominent issues on the party’s political council meetings and, if necessary, on the highest level” he stated. Meetings between the party’s leadership and the waiting-room staff is to become regular. The first of such waiting rooms was opened on 23 July in Nizhni Novgorod and was visited by Putin on the next day. Duma speaker and chairman of the High Council of United Russia Boris Gryzlov said that the waiting rooms would become a real feedback channel between the leader of the party and the Russian citizens in solving their problems as well as with regard to their attitude toward governing structures.

Ukraine

► Representatives of the Presidential Secretariate not allowed at government session
On 10 September Yan Bernazyuk, chief of the service for relations between the parliament and government of Ukraine at the Presidential Secretariat, claimed that representatives of the Presidential Secretariat, including him personally, were not allowed to attend a session of government “for the first time in 17 years of Ukrainian independence”. He stressed that the Secretariat fulfilled all the necessary procedures. However, representatives of the government’s secretariat asked him to leave the building because “the Prime Minister forbade [him] to take part in the session”. Bernazyuk believes he was not allowed to attend because today the government was due to consider 4 issues, which, according to him, have a clear “Kremlin trace”. “The matter concerns giving 85 permits on use of mineral products without any contests, sales, and tenders”, Bernazyuk stated. Member of the Cabinet of Ministers Petro Krupko stated that the reason for the refusal was the fact that the Presidential Secretariat did not inform the government of the replacement of its representative, who, to their knowledge, was Oleksander Shlapak. “[When] another person came instead of him, this person always brought a letter from the Presidential Secretariat with a request [of replacement]”, Krupko said.

►EU-Ukraine Association Agreement
On 9 September as a result of the EU-Ukraine summit held in Paris, Ukraine and the European Union have agreed to sign a “Association Agreement” in 2009 or 2010. The summit declaration will "acknowledge Ukraine's European aspirations" and state that the new treaty "leaves open the question of further, gradual development of EU-Ukraine relations." Ukranian president Victor Yushchenko disclosed that the new enhanced agreement will consist of 4 chapters. According to him, the chapter on policy and security “has almost been completed”. Yushchenko pointed out that attention will be paid to collaboration in different branches as well as the creation of a free trade zone between Ukraine and the European Union. “We are in an optimistic vein”, he said. According to French president Nicolas Sarkozy, an association agreement between Ukraine and the European Union neither opens nor closes the door to Ukrainian membership of the European Union. According to Sarkozy the agreement will recognize Ukraine as a European country that shares common European values, and will start a dialog on introducing a visa-free regime.

►To poll or not to poll?
On 8 September Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko stated that the worst way to solve the political crisis in Ukraine is a snap parliamentary poll. However, she also stated that if forced, Bloc Yulia Timoshenko (BYuT) would take part in such a poll. She stressed that she believes this variant is worse than the variant that implies creating a new format of coalition. Timoshenko also stated she does not rule out the creation of a new format coalition. On the other hand, on 9 September Socialist Party of Ukraine leader Oleksander Moroz stated that he considers it necessary to carry out a snap parliamentary poll in the country to overcome the current political crisis. “We understand there is no stability for work of this parliament… That is why a snap election, in this case, is an objective need”, O.Moroz stressed.

►Agreement on tandem voting between BYT and PR
On 7 September Leonid Kozhara, deputy from the Party of Regions stated that the decisions between the Bloc Yulia Timoshekno and the Party of Regions on the in tandem voting were taken on the highest level. He stated that he himself was on holiday when the agreements were reached.

►BYT proposal for higher elections threshold
On 5 September deputy from Bloc Yulia Timoshenko Sergey Teryokhin handed in a proposal to raise the threshold barrier for elections into the parliament from 3% to 10%. Some speculations have said that this will turn Ukraine into a dual party system.

►Orange coalition collapses
On 3 September Ukraine’s governing pro-western coalition effectively collapsed after a tumultuous parliament session on the previous day. In the first parliament session after the summer break, Bloc Yulia Timoshenko voted in tandem with the opposition Communist and Regional Moscow-leaning parties passing bills that effectively greatly limited presidential power while increasing that of the Prime-Minister. In protest, ministers supporting President Yushchenko walked out of a Cabinet meeting on 3 September, and their Our Ukraine fraction threatened to quit the coalition. The latter decision was supported by President Yushchenko. On 6 September, the ministers from Our Ukraine resumed their offices and the leader of the fraction Kirilenko announced that they would continue their work until either a new coalition is formed or early parliamentary elections are held. Within the next 10 days the decision has to be made whether or not to formally dissolve the coalition. In the event of dissolution another 30 days is given for the formation of a new coalition. In case of failure early elections are to be held. President Yushchenko’s camp has accused Prime-Minister Timoshenko of siding with the Kremlin after she refused to adopt a resolution sharply criticizing Russia’s actions in the recent Georgian war. Ms Timoshenko retorted that her position was in line with that of the EU, and that she had no wish to drag Ukraine into a war. She also stated that the accusations are just a part of Yushchenko’s struggle for a second presidential term in the next presidential elections in 2010, in which she plans to participate as well.

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CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan

► Improvement of legislation and support of Bipartisan Parliament
On 2 September the Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev at the Parliament’s regular sitting, declared that improvement of the legislation on elections and liberalisation of the mass media is put high on the agenda. The Head of the State announced that everyone has the right on freedom of speech and that information related to politics should be free from lies, insults and provocation of internal and international conflicts, which all can have a bad influence on Kazakhstan’s future. In addition, Nazarbaev stated that bills on amendments to the “Laws on Elections”, on “Mass Media” and on “Political Parties” will be submitted to the Parliament for it’s consideration. The adoption of these bills will be of great importance in the political reform and democratisation in Kazakhstan, also pursued within the framework of the upcoming presidency in the OSCE in 2010 . During the same meeting the Head of State declared that the Central Asian country needs to develop a legal mechanism to introduce a two-party system in the parliament by 2012. According to Nursultan the mechanism should be developed in such a way that a Bipartisan Parliament can be created even if one party does not pass the 7 percent threshold. After the 2007 elections al 107 seats in Parliament’s lower house (Majlis) were grasped by the presidential party “Nur-Otan”, a development which was strongly criticised by the opposition as well as the international community. Even though according to pro-presidential party the elections were completely legitimate as it was the choice of the population, the President stated that in order to bring in the democratisation another party should enter into Parliament. Therefore speculations had been going that parliamentary elections would be conducted earlier to introduce some opposition in Parliament, which was announced some time earlier by Yesrtysbayev, the President’s assistant. However, during the Parliament’s sitting on 2 September Nazarbaev stated the elections will take place just as planned in 2012 in compliance with the constitution, also because of the unstable socio-economic situation.

►State program "Way to Europe" is approved in Kazakhstan, aimed at the development of strategic partnership with the EU countries
On 4 September Kazakhstan’s state program "Way to Europe" for 2009 – 2011 was approved by the Presidential decree, which has been published the same day in the media. The main objective of the program is: "to guide the relation with the European Union to the level of strategic partnership, to attract European technologies, investments, experience and to develop the cooperation in the frames of Kazakhstan chairmanship of OSCE in 2010.” The approval of this programme came after on 3 September the Head of State declared during the ceremony of presenting of credentials by Head of European Commission in Kazakhstan, that Kazakhstan was interested in expanding the cooperation with the EU as the EU has become lately the main trading partner of the Central Asian country, as well as the most important investor in the country’s market.

Kyrgyzstan

► Rashid Tagaev: Kyrgyzstan has dangerous religious situation
On 2 September a Kyrgyz Parliament member, Rashi Tagaev, has commented on the research of the Kyrgyzstan religious situation conducted by the Parliament commission, by declaring to the press that “Kyrgyzstan has a really dangerous religious situation." This commission was formed in May, 2008 and cooperates with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Agency on Religious Affairs. After concluding the research, the commission has to propose new legislation to be passed to improve the religious conditions in Kyrgyztan, as well propose amendments on the already existing legislation. The Parliament commission has sent out several groups to different regions in the country to thoroughly explore the religious situation and found, after having examined the already collected data, that “the religious situation is in fact dangerous, because different religious trends do not get weaker, but on the contrary, get stronger," as stated by the lawmaker. According to Rashi Tagaev the situation is so serious, hence the Parliament should toughen the legislation on religion. At the moment the Parliament of Kyrgyztan examines the legislation "On freedom of conscience and religious organizations in Kyrgyzstan", which is supposed to improve the old legislation concerning this matter.

►OSCE Centre supports local elections in Kyrgyzstan
On 4 September the OSCE Centre in Kyrgyz capital Bishkek stated that it is going to provide assistance to the Central Asian country, during the local elections on 5 October. According to the head of the OSCE Centre, Andrew Tesoriere these elections are “not only extremely important to further strengthen the system of local-government in Kyrgyzstan, but also to give the population the opportunity to express its will.” Tesoriere added that the office believes that “these local elections could benefit from the implementation of the recommendations from the OSCE office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which were made after its observation of the Parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan on 16 December 2007. In addition, the Centre in Bishkek will be holding an informative campaign of the Central Elections Commission (CEC) on voter education, via several communication methods such as the television, the radio, diverse public service announcements, leaflets and public billboards. The OSCE Centre will also organise training courses at the CEC and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) for members of Precinct Election Commissions, and assist in the creation of alliances of NGO’s for the purpose of conducting domestic non-partisan observation. ODIHR, however, will not send observers to the local elections on behalf of OSCE.

►Kyrgyz political parties promote women’s interests
On 5 September it was announced that the political parties of Kyrgyzstan intend to promote women’s interests. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office in Kyrgyzstan reported that “most of the parties do not take gender issues into considerations in their organization, which makes this issue of great importance.” Moreover, according to the UNDP office “a growing number of female in politics and the expansion of women’s role in Kyrgyz politics is essential.” Therefore the UNDP and the Kyrgyz governmental administration are jointly participating in a project in Bishkek on democratic management which is called “Promotion of Women in State Service and Politics”, financed by the Swiss International Cooperation Agency.

►Opposition warn about possible protest actions
On 4 September a coordinator of the For Justice movement, Alikbek Jekshenkulov, stated at the news conference that the opposition “will launch protest actions if government does not listen to it”. He declared that “the opposition is acting in compliance with its constitutional rights. In reaction to this Miroslav Niyazov the ex-secretary of the Kyrgyz Security Council stated that the authorities have the power to repress demonstrations, but the more often represses are used the sooner the population will realize that the regime should be dismissed.” “However,” he said, “upheavals against the regime will only destabilise the country and threaten the society so neither of the parties should use force in order to achieve its goal.” According to Emilbek Kaptagaev leader of the Uluu Birimdik opposition party, President Bakiyev's People's Party Ak Jol has no common national idea and the population has since a long-time lost its hope in it, so its ruling period is coming to an end.” In response to this Temir Sariev leader of the Ak-Shumkar opposition party said that while visiting the country regions he sensed that there is a will from the population to renew the regime, which will make place for a renewed strategy for the country.

Tajikistan

► Tajikistan marks 17th anniversary of its independence
On 9 September Tajikistan has celebrated its independence, which was gained in 1991 and afterwards resulted in serious trials and crises, including a five-year civil was and different changes in government between 1992 and 1997. The signing of the General Agreement of the Establishment of Peace and National Accord, through a process of successful negotiations conducted under UN support, put an end to the fighting.

►Tajikistan, Witnesses Highest Inflation in CIS
On 4 September the Intergovernmental Statistics Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has reported that Tajikistan, one of the poorest countries of Central Asia, has the highest inflation growth this year among the ex-Soviet states. The consumer prices have gone up with nearly 30 percent during the past seven months, while the average inflation rate in the CIS has reportedly been 17 percent in 2008.

Turkmenistan

► Liberalization in Turkmenistan is Illusionary – Rights Activists
According to the report of the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights published on 8 September, the freedom of press, freedom of expression and access to information is absolutely restricted. Even though the current President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov portrays the country as a democratised state, the report concludes that the vision of liberalization in Turkmenistan is deceptive. Moreover, human rights activist state that freedom of press does not exist in the country. The Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights, founded in 2004 in Austria to monitor and report on national minorities, freedom of association, child labour, and education in Turkmenistan, actively cooperates with great human rights organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. The Initiative also works as a news agency and tries to position itself as an alternative source of information on one of the most isolated countries in the world.

Uzbekistan

► Russia, Uzbekistan Strike Energy Deal
On 2 September, Russia and Uzbekistan have agreed to construct a new natural gas pipeline across Uzbekistan, a means to strengthen Russia's intention to establish control over Central Asian gas exports to the West as well as secure regional alliances and undermine Western plans to build an independent trans-Caspian route. The planned pipeline will annually pump 26 billion to 30 billion cubic meters Turkmen and Uzbek gas into Russia's pipeline system, which Russia will re-export to Europe. Putin, jointly with Alexei Miller, chief of OAO Gazprom state gas monopoly - held talks with Uzbek President Islam Karimov and other high-ranking officials about maintaining European prices for the transported gas. Putin's visit to Uzbekistan comes just days after British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged the West to reduce its dependence on Russian oil and gas. Britain has been one of the most harsh critics of EU’s dependence of Russian gas. On top of that Prime Minister Putin agreed during his two-day visit to Uzbekistan “to strengthen military ties”, by reaching an agreement with Uzbek President Islam Karimov to supply weapons to Uzbekistan, as he announced to reporters on 2 September.

►Former Uzbek Spy Case Sparks Heated Reactions
On 1 September it was announced that a former major spy in the Uzbek National Security Service (SNB), Ikrom Yakubov, requested for political asylum in London. Yakubov claimed that President Karimov ordered massacres in Uzbekistan and he no longer wanted "to work for the executioner”, after having worked nearly a decade as an intelligence officer. Yakubov accused the president of creating accusations against people; trafficking of women; creating fear among the population and killings, accusations which were also confirmed by activists, dissidents, and critics, including Britain's former ambassador to Tashkent, Craig Murray. On 4 September SNB’s spokesman said to the press that Yakubov’s accusations were false. Moreover, the ex-intelligence agent has been receiving threatening messages against him and his family.