European Forum

Newsflash #12

Covering the period: 24 June 2010 – 8 July 2010

In this issue:
►Croatia opens final chapters in EU talks
►Macedonian PM Gruevski: “No snap polls”
►Turkish Court annuls parts of Constitutional reform package
►SPA threatens with boycott and protest
►EU seems ready to discuss special status for North Kosovo
►Hillary Clinton urges Turkey to honor deal with Armenia during her visit to Yerevan
►Opposition parties want to ban Saakashvili from running for PM
►Constitutional referendum to be held on 5 September
►U.S. judge orders three accused Russian spies held
►Other Russia coalition leader Limonov to form new political party
►Hillary Clinton: “Door to NATO still open for Ukraine”
►Ukrainian opposition draws attention of international community to authoritarianism in country
►Russian-Kazakh-Belarusian customs union comes into effect
►Kyrgyzstan to become first parliamentary democracy in Central Asia
And much more news from:

ACCESSION / CANDIDATE COUNTRIES: Croatia, Macedonia, and Turkey

WESTERN BALKANS: Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia

WIDER EUROPE / NEIGHBOUR COUNTRIES: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine

CENTRAL ASIA: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan


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The Newsflash of the European Forum of Democracy and Solidarity is a bi-monthly news bulletin covering relevant political developments in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe, and the South Caucasus. We put main accent on political party news, while at the same time attention is being given to gender issues, minority and human rights, and the process of accession to the European Union. It is sponsored by the British Labour Party through the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and is spread by e-mail to more than 500 recipients. The Newsflash is based on mass media and internal sources. Contributions and comments are highly appreciated.

ACCESSION / CANDIDATE COUNTRIES
Croatia

►Croatia opens final chapters in EU talks
On 30 June Croatia has made a major step towards EU membership by opening the remaining chapters in its accession talks. The most significant and challenging of these is Chapter 23, which covers the judiciary and fundamental rights. Brussels agreed to the opening of this chapter only after Croatia was given a positive evaluation by Serge Brammertz, the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). For EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele, Chapter 23 is “the chapter of all chapters”. He emphasized that this is the first time Brussels has opened this chapter with a candidate country. “This chapter lies at the very core of relations between member states and its citizens,” Fuele said. “Once this chapter is closed I am sure Croatian citizens will be served by transparent and efficient institutions and the fundamental rights of citizens will be respected and EU citizens should be convinced that the rule of law rules in Croatia,” he added. Croatia’s Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic, who took part in the opening of the final chapters, welcomed the decision in Brussels to move ahead with his country’s accession process. “It is not numbers that indicate Croatia’s success but that European standards are embedded in our society,” Jandrokovic said. Zagreb started accession negotiations with the European Union in October 2005. It has since closed 20 chapters out of 33 in total.

►Croatian unions collect enough signatures for referendum
On 24 June trade unions in Croatia managed to gather well over the 450,000 signatures required to call a referendum on proposed amendments to the labour law. Ozren Matijasevic, chairman of the trade unions association, said that they have collected over 720,000 signatures, with more on the way. He called the moment a historic one for Croatia. The proposed labour law would set a six-month deadline for hammering out a new collective agreement after the existing one expires. After that, the workers' rights would be subject to separate agreements with individual employers. The unions started collecting signatures on June 9th. Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said that the government will respect the views of those who signed the petition, though the referendum -- costing about 23m euros -- would be a significant budget expense.


Macedonia

►Radical Islam "threatens Macedonia"
On 2 July the Skopje branch of the Islamic Religious Community (IVZ) in Macedonia has warned that radical Islamist groups following Wahhabi teachings are trying to take control of the central mosques in Skopje.
Skopje Mufti Ibrahim Shabani, who is the head of the IVZ branch in the capital, made the remarks after a fist fight broke out on 2 July in one of the main Skopje mosques when the dismissed leadership of the Isa-Bey mosque refused to let in the newly appointed imam from IVZ to lead the prayer. “This was a coup prepared by radicals who operate in Skopje,” Shabani said. “This criminal Wahhabi gang is known for its radical practices and misuse of Muslim believers

►Macedonian PM Gruevski: “No snap polls”
On 29 June Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said in response to opposition calls for early elections that there will not be any snap polls. Gruevski is currently in his second term in office after winning the 2008 elections. At a protest rally on 28 June the opposition Social Democrats (SDSM) called for the parliament to be dissolved directly following the NATO summit scheduled for November. They said that elections before that date could harm the country’s chances of joining the alliance and making progress in its EU bid if there is a breakthrough in the name talks with Greece. Speaking about the Athens-Skopje name row, Gruevski kept an optimistic tone, saying that a solution to the long standing spat is “probably possible, if there is will, understanding and respect by the other side for what is considered Macedonia's state and national interest”. Meanwhile Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas praised Gruevski’s latest remarks about the possibility of a solution. “The latest statements by Mr. Gruevski, providing that such statements were sincere, have made us more optimistic. Our policy in the past few months, which aimed at improving the bilateral relations, was clear and persistent. Let's see if Mr. Gruevski can deliver the final reply,” Droutsas said. SDSM has accused the current government for not doing enough to solve the spat. They have been urging for a more pragmatic approach and less national sentiment.


Turkey

►Turkish Court annuls parts of Constitutional reform package
On 7 July the Turkish Constitutional Court annulled parts of a government-sponsored package of constitutional reforms. The package limits the jurisdiction of military courts and allows civilian courts to try military personnel in peace time for coup attempts and offenses related to national security and organised crime. The AKP government criticised the court for exceeding its authority with the verdict, but nevertheless said the amendments were still a major reform despite the changes and would go to a referendum on 12 September as planned. In its verdict, the court rejected a demand to scrap the whole of the amendment package, but amendments dealing with the court itself and a key judicial body that appoints judges and prosecutors, the court's president Haşim Kılıç told reporters in Ankara. The ruling gives top courts a wider choice in determining candidates to sit on the Court and restricts the pool of those eligible to serve on the Supreme Board of Prosecutors and Judges, a body that has often clashed with the ruling AKP, Kılıç said. AKP says the changes to the Constitution will boost Ankara's bid to join the EU. The opposition claims AKP designed the package to tighten its grip on power by extending government control over key judicial bodies and undermining the system of checks and balances.

►AKP MPs call for ousting of Rize Mayor over remarks about ‘solving’ the Kurdish issue
On 7 July a report by two MPs from the ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) said Rize Mayor Halil Bakırcı should be expelled from the party for his remarks about ‘solving’ the Kurdish issue through encouraging polygamous marriages with Kurdish women. AKP launched a probe against the mayor last week, resulting in said conclusion ‘for remarks that do not comply with the principles of the party and for violating women’s rights’. Bakırcı reportedly said the Kurdish issue could be solved if ‘Turks had second wives from the Kurdish community,’ claiming: ‘by increasing marriages and kinship […] and with the encouragement of the state, I believe problems will be minimized and solved within the next 30 years.’ He later said the remarks were taken out of context. AKP MPs Metin Kaşıkoğlu and Mehmet Sekmen said in their report that those kinds of statements would adversely affect the government’s democratic initiative to solve the Kurdish issue. Bakırcı has not made any decisions about resigning from office and is ‘waiting for developments’.

►CHP leader denies controversial headscarf remarks
On 1 July main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu denied making remarks that implied support for allowing female students to attend university wearing headscarves. A local newspaper ran a front-page interview with Kılıçdaroğlu headlined ‘Girls will go to university with headscarves,’ implying he had indicated it. Kılıçdaroğlu denied saying that and claimed he had said his party would solve both the headscarf issue and the Kurdish issue if voted into power. Asked if women with headscarves will be able to attend university, Kılıçdaroğlu said: “We will make sure everyone can get an education. […] We will solve that issue, and the terror problem, too.’ CHP had previously turned to the Constitutional Court to annul a bill supported by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to allow covered women to attend state-run universities.

►CHP proposes buffer zone to fight PKK
On 30 June main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said creating a buffer zone on the Iraqi side of the border would decrease casualties by helping to keep terrorists out of Turkey, adding that the idea should receive U.S. support. ‘We do not want this land; we will withdraw as soon as the terror is over,’ Kılıçdaroğlu, said. ‘We would convince the United States on this matter if the CHP is voted into power,’ he said, noting that former CHP leader Deniz Baykal had suggested the idea of a buffer zone before the US entered Iraq. New anti-terror measures are being considered in the wake of increased attacks by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the US and the EU. Noting this, Kılıçdaroğlu said: ‘If [the PKK] is being called an enemy to Turkey and the United States, then we say the United States should not deny a reasonable and sensible suggestion to prevent terror?’.

►Movement for Change (TDH) party dissolves, members join AKP and CHP
On 28 June it was announced that while Movement for Change (TDH) leader Mustafa Sarıgül's decision to cancel his plans for a new political party in order to support the new leadership of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) led many of his followers to register with CHP, 300 members from Bursa joined the ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) instead. State Minister Faruk Çelik personally welcomed the newcomers. ‘There has been a facelift for the main opposition,’ Çelik said, adding that the ‘core’ of the CHP remains the same and accusing the opposition of lacking projects to address the country’s problems.

►Intellectuals work on Kurdish initiative
On 23 June escalating acts of terror prompted a group of Kurdish and Turkish intellectuals to gather to craft their own 'Kurdish initiative' to resolve the crisis, saying the government has failed to do so. Former leader of defunct pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party Ahmet Türk is seen as a 'Mandela-like' candidate to bring the nation together to work toward peace. ‘We’re at the last exit before the bridge. At this point, we have to do something,’ Istanbul independent MP Ufuk Uras stated. Türk will also attend and is expected to play a key role in efforts to solve the crisis. Uras said the group must take the initiative immediately to revive stalled attempts to end the bloodshed, adding that responsibility falls on the shoulders of NGOs, writers and intellectuals. On the same day Parliament Justice Commission passed a bill on punishments for ‘stone-throwing children’ in an attempt to show that the government has not given up on its Kurdish initiative. If passed, cases dealing with minors who attend protests and are charged with membership in or making propaganda for a terrorist organisation will be handled by juvenile courts instead of criminal courts will receive reduced sentences, as long as they are first-time offenders. The bill has faced harsh criticism from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Republican People’s Party (CHP).

WESTERN BALKANS

►Enlargement among priorities of Belgium's EU presidency
On 1 July it was announced that EU enlargement will be among the priorities of Belgium's presidency of the 27-nation bloc. Prime Minister Yves Leterme and Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere presented the programme of the six-month presidency noting that Belgium is a fervent supporter of the EU integration process, while Vanackere stressed that each country must meet necessary criteria and implement required reforms before being invited to join the Union. While acknowledging that Croatia is close to achieving its EU membership goal, they did not commit to an actual time frame. As for visa liberalisation for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania, Vanackere said the issue could be discussed in September. He predicted that the EU will probably review Serbia's EU membership application around that same time.

►Freedom House: "Quiet Progress" in Balkans
On 30 June the 2010 Nations in Transit report from U.S.-based watchdog Freedom House noted a general positive trend in democratic development over the past decade in the Balkans, in contrast to significant declines in Russia and other former USSR states. The report noted that over the past decade Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia have made "steady gains" in civil society and electoral process". In 2009, Serbia, Kosovo and Macedonia saw "modest improvements", while in Albania the report noted a slight decline in independent media and in Bosnia a decline in electoral process. Croatia and Montenegro, meanwhile, "held steady overall". The report warned, however, that progress made over the past decade should not be taken for granted, especially in Bosnia, where it expressed concern over rising nationalism, and in Kosovo, where many challenges lie ahead for the country as it emerges from an international protectorate.

►Croatia and Serbia sign extradition agreement
On 29 June Croatian Minister of Justice Ivan Simonovic and his Serbian counterpart Snezana Malovic signed an agreement on the mutual extradition of persons suspected or convicted of crimes related to organised crime and corruption. Speaking at a press conference today, the two dubbed the agreement a historic one for both countries. They said that no other countries in the region nor in the world had signed such an agreement.


Albania

►SPA threatens with boycott and protest
On 31 June the Members of the Parliament of the opposition Socialist Party of Albania (SPA) said they plan to withdraw consensus on all votes in parliament that require more than a simple majority, and they have threatened to hold new street protests in September. The decision by SPA, which holds 65 out of the 140 seats in parliament, comes after the party ended its nine month boycott of the parliament on May 24 following the initiation of EU-sponsored talks to resolve the country's political crisis. The talks have not yet yielded any concrete results, but the parliament had largely returned to normal following the nomination by the SPA of a deputy speaker and committee members. Albania has faced political deadlock since the country's June 2009 parliamentary elections. Prime Minister Sali Berisha from the ruling Democratic Party and SPA leader Edi Rama have been locked in a stalemate over the results of the elections, which Berisha's party narrowly won. Berisha and Rama have so far failed to agree on the powers of a parliamentary commission set to investigate alleged irregularities during 2009 parliamentary elections.

►International concern over Albania's court ruling
On 29 June international media organisations criticised the ruling of an Albanian court against a local TV station and in favour of a former minister who had been exposed by a journalistic investigation. An undercover reporter revealed what appeared to be sexual harassment by the politician, but the court declared the investigation illegal. The International Federation of Journalists, Journalists without Borders, and the South East Europe Media Organisation are among the critics of the court's decision. The court found that Top Channel TV is liable for damages, because the video and audio recording that were used as evidence had been obtained illegally. The broadcaster was ordered to pay damages of €400,000. This is the biggest fine ever to be imposed for such a case in Albania. International media organisations expressed concern that the fine will undermine the right of journalists to challenge the work of politicians and to investigate abuse of power.

►Albania's Meta calls for electoral reform
On 29 June Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI) leader Ilir Meta urged political leaders to start strengthening electoral legislation, to ensure small parties get more representation. "Discussions need to be wide and all inclusive," he said. Meta's SMI only managed to win a handful of seats in parliament in the June 2009 elections. They joined a coalition with the Democratic Party-led government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha.


Bosnia-Herzegovina

►Dodik: High Representative is a nuisance-factor
On 7 July, in an interview Prime Minister of Republika Srpska (RS) Milorad Dodik said among others that High Representative Mr. Inzko will return home to Vienna very soon. He added that Inzko is a good person, but a bad High Representative as he does not respect the essence of the Dayton Peace Agreements. Furthermore, Dodik said that RS can not be dissolved. But if we are asking hypothetical questions it would be the best to dissolve Bosnia as we will have two stable elements, Dodik said. In the same interview Dodik said that the killing of over 8,000 Bosniak men and boys in Srebrenica in July 1995 was a “cruel crime….but not genocide, because women and children were not killed”.

►SDP ready for the elections
On 6 July it was announced after the meeting of the main electoral board of the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina (SDP BiH) that the party is more than ever prepared for the election campaign for the general election on 3 October. SDP is leading the polls in the BiH Federation and the electoral board is very optimistic about the results. It was emphasised that the biggest enemy of BiH is the current situation in the country and that SDP has the right people and knows how to solve these challenges. In addition the party presented its list of candidates.

►Dodik to run for RS president
On 3 July Alliance of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) confirmed that Republika Srpska (RS) Prime Minister Milorad Dodik will run for entity president in the October 3rd elections. The party also confirmed that Nebojsa Radmanovic, the incumbent Serb representative in BiH's tripartite presidency, will seek re-election. Dodik told participants he will not allow any significant changes to the Dayton Accord. The strongest opposition parties in RS have already formed a coalition and will back the nomination of Ognjen Tadic of the Serb Democratic Party, while Party of Democratic Progress leader Mladen Ivanic will run against Radmanovic.

►PIC Steering Board concerned over lack of progress in BiH
On 30 June political directors of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC) Steering Board concluded that conditions have not been met to close down the Office of High Representative (OHR). Wrapping up a two-day meeting, they urged leaders to resolve the issue of defence property allocation and to begin destroying surplus weapons and ammunition immediately. The PIC Steering Board also voiced concern over the delay in amending BiH's Constitution, in light of a December ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, which concluded that the constitution discriminates against minorities. The Board also urged authorities to adopt a law on conducting a census. They praised BiH's progress in meeting criteria for EU visa liberalisation and encouraged authorities to fulfil remaining requirements for visa-free travel. “Some local politicians think that the international community will grow tired if they wait long enough doing nothing, but that is not going to happen. There are no shortcuts and the conditions for the closure of the OHR will not change,” High Representative Valentin Inzko said. The PIC welcomed the appointment of US diplomat Roderick Moore, who will soon take over the post of deputy high representative from Raffi Gregorian.

►Son of late Bosnia President Izetbegovic to run for Presidency
On 28 June Bosnia's largest Bosniak party announced it has picked Bakir Izetbegovic, the son of its late founder and undisputed Bosniak leader Alija Izetbegovic, as its presidential candidate for the October general elections. Bakir Izetbegovic will represent the Party of Democratic Action (SDA) in the race for Bosniak seat in the country's tripartite presidency. “Bakir Izetbegovic is a man who has political experience and who will respect the policy of the party and its founder Alija Izetbegovic,” SDA president Sulejman Tihic said. “We are convinced that he will win the elections because that would be the best for the country,” he added. Izetbegovic lost a bid in May last year to become the SDA president and was widely critical of Tihic for a period. However, the two men appeared to have buried the hatchet shortly after the elections for the SDA president to avoid weakening the party. Izetbegovic said that being the son of Alija Izetbegovic has always been a burden for him but that “this burden has not gotten heavier with his candidacy for the state presidency”. “My chances of wining are the same as the SDA’s chances of winning…the SDA and its presidential candidate will win the October elections,” he said. Although a spitting image of his father, Bakir Izetbegovic has so far failed to win much popular support, in part due to allegations of corruption and possible links with Sarajevo criminals.


Kosovo

►MEPs 'Would Welcome' Kosovo recognition by all EU states
On 8 July the European deputies in Strasbourg adopted a resolution on Kosovo which calls on all EU member states to recognize Kosovo's independence. The resolution was adopted with 455 votes in favour and 155 votes against. MEPs "would welcome the recognition by all Member States of the independence of Kosovo", the resolution says. In addition, the text recalls that Kosovo's declaration of independence, made on February 18, 2008, has been recognized by 66 countries, and emphasizes: "22 EU Member States have recognized Kosovo as an independent country and 5 have not". The resolution also calls all EU member states to have a common approach towards Kosovo. It tackles as well the question of Belgrade’s behavior towards its former province. “Whilst acknowledging that officially recognizing Kosovo is not currently a feasible political option for the Belgrade government, MEPs nonetheless call on Serbia to be pragmatic on the status issue and to refrain from blocking Kosovo's membership of international organizations,” the resolution says.

►EU seems ready to discuss special status for North Kosovo
On 7 July several diplomats claim that EU member states would be prepared to discuss a special solution for Kosovo’s northern part in order to broker a final compromise between Belgrade and Pristina. The talks would have to take place after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issues its advisory opinion on the legality of Kosovo's independence. Meanwhile tensions have been raised in Mitrovica as on 2 July an explosion killed one man and injured 11 others during a Serb protest and on 5 July Kosovo Serb parliamentarian Petar Miletic was shot and wounded outside his home. Diplomat sources claim that any potential dialogue on a special solution for North Kosovo categorically excludes reopening negotiations on Kosovo's status or partition. Furthermore, the authorities in Belgrade would have to show a more constructive behaviour towards Kosovo, albeit with no obligation to recognise its independence. EU diplomats believe that if Serbia keeps a low profile, avoiding inflammatory campaigns and aggressive lobbying, and if the language of its resolution is acceptable for EU member states, the big trio - Berlin, Paris and London - will be ready to open the procedure for Serbia's candidate status in October. As a consequence of recent incidents in the divided town of Mitrovica, Serbian President Boris Tadic addressed the UN Security Council on 6 July. Tadic said that the EU Special Representative for Kosovo, Piter Feith, is partly to blame for the recent riots as he has supported the opening of an office of Kosovar government in North-Mitrovica, with a Serb majority who, just as the Serbian government, do not recognize the authorities in Pristina.

►EC urges Pristina to implement more reforms
On 6 July Kosovo government officials met with representatives of the European Commission (EC) in Pristina, at the first plenary meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) Dialogue. Discussions focused on Kosovo's EU ambitions and achievements since the last EC progress report in October. Prime Minister Hashim Thaci reaffirmed his government's commitment to fighting organised crime and corruption. He also said he expects that the number of countries recognising Kosovo's independence will rise after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivers its opinion on the legality of Pristina's declaration of independence. EC representatives urged Kosovo to step up efforts against corruption, implement judicial and public administration reforms and improve public procurement procedures.

►EU pushes Pristina-Belgrade talks on practical issues
On 31 June Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, on the eve of his country's handover of the rotating EU presidency to Belgium, has reiterated Brussels’ stance that Pristina and Belgrade should start a dialogue and discuss practical issues. “Apart from recognition and non-recognition, the Spanish rotating EU presidency has encouraged Serbs and Albanians to work on practical matters and issues to make the life of people much better and that will be our continuous effort apart from our legal and recognition situation,” Moratinos said. Many international circles insist that Kosovo and Serbia should launch a dialogue and discuss practicalities that concern citizens’ daily lives without tackling the issue of status. Many expect these discussions to begin sometime this autumn.

►New EULEX plan for fighting corruption in Kosovo
On 30 June Johannes van Vreejswik, acting chief prosecutor for the EU rule-of-law mission (EULEX) said that the mission has an operational plan to clean up corruption in Kosovo by September 2011. Vreejswik said that EULEX has a long list of people suspected of corruption and organised crime, but he did not mention the exact number nor the position of those under suspicion. He added that not only one political party will be affected. “Corruption is not only in Pristina. It’s in municipalities, businesses, individuals, and it’s not only related to the government,” Vreejswik told journalists. He said that the plan foresees results starting from July to September 2011 with the aim to free the government and private sector from corruption and that the plan would soon be handed over to Kosovo’s justice system.


Montenegro

►Montenegro ready to negotiate extradition deals
On 30 June Justice Minister Miras Radovic said that Montenegro is willing to negotiate and sign extradition agreements regarding people suspected of organised crime and corruption with countries in the region. The constitution bans the extradition of Montenegrin citizens to other countries, except in cases covered by international agreements.

►Son of Montenegrin opposition leader assaulted
On 25 June the teenage son of the main opposition Movement for Change (PzP) leader Nebojsa Medojevic was slightly injured after he was physically attacked by three youths on a basketball court. Podgorica police arrested the suspected assailants immediately. Medojevic said he suspects the attack on his 16-year old may have been politically motivated, although police disagree. The PzP leader himself was attacked in February by a man who warned him to stop offending his family. The assailant warned the politician "to stop mentioning the name of Branislav Micunovic", a wealthy businessman that the PzP leader has described as "the most powerful person" in Montenegro.

►Djurovic says Montenegro ready for EU membership by 2014
On 24 June European Integration Minister Gordana Djurovic said Montenegro will be prepared to join the EU by 2014. She announced that the government adopted a new four-year communication strategy for EU membership, targetting groups that will be subject to the information strategy during integration preparations. Djurovic noted that both NGOs and the European Commission provided suggestions.


Serbia

►Tadic travels to Montenegro
On 8 July Serbian President Boris Tadić will pay his first official visit to Montenegro. Reports from Podgorica said that the visit was considered "very important". Tadić is due to meet with Montenegro's President Filip Vujanović, and PM Milo Đukanović. He will then go to the seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) in Montenegro, and will tour Montenegro's telephone operator M-tel, which is owned by Serbia's Telekom Srbija. Ahead of his visit to the neighboring country, Tadić said that he was making another attempt to disperse any doubt that Serbia has either any interest, or desire, to deny Montenegro's statehood.

►Serbian officials disappointed with EU
On 3 July Serbian officials and diplomats voiced strong disappointment in their colleagues from important European Union countries and institutions, over what they say is lack of adequate recognition of Belgrade's achievements in the fight against organised crime and its contribution to regional co-operation. "Belgrade's officials also expressed disappointment for a lack of explicit solidarity with president Boris Tadic, who has received death threats from criminal circles. In addition, the union hasn't rewarded Serbia's constructive role in improving regional co-operation with the opening of the procedure for granting candidate status," said a government source from an influential EU country. He referred to the EU's not having acted on Serbia's application for membership, handed in last December. Serbian President Boris Tadic recently pressed the EU to say openly whether it is ready to accept Western Balkan countries and to help them meet the criteria for membership. The plea came as a result of frustration with the union's perceived indifference to Serbia's achievements. Tadic also asked for more understanding from the EU for Serbia's rhetoric on Kosovo. The president said he is fully aware it is in Belgrade's interest, in terms of EU integration, to solve the Kosovo issue before Serbia starts negotiations on EU membership.

►Serbia MPs adopt controversial law on electronic communications
On 29 June a controversial Law on Electronic Communications which prompted an acrimonious row in Serbia over the state's right to monitor citizens' communications has been adopted in the country's parliament. Since the EU established a new unified legal framework for electronic communications in 2003, Serbia has had to realign its legislation to comply with it. While opposition parties, the media and NGOs say the new communications law makes it too easy for the security services to tap into people’s electronic conversations, the government accuses them of scaremongering. A statement from the Serbian Ombudsman's cabinet stated on the occasion: "Solutions such as the ones the new law includes are not sustainable in a society that is committed to respecting human rights. Meanwhile Marija Laganin, spokesperson for the minister of telecommunications, said that the main purpose of the law was to create the basic preconditions for increased investment in the sector, by liberalising the services market. She added that the law was regulated in accordance with EU practice and expressed regret that “the public has focused on aspects that do not fall under the direct jurisdiction of the law”.

►Serbia investigates possible plot against Nikolic
On 29 June the Security and Information Agency (BIA) received information that Serbian Progressive Party (SPS) leader Tomislav Nikolic has been targeted for assassination. BIA Director Sasa Vukadinovic said that an investigation is under way. According to some media reports, Serbian Radical Party leader Vojislav Seselj, who is on trial at The Hague, ordered Nikolic's assassination and sought the services of criminal Luka Bojovic. Earlier, on 28 June SPS and two other opposition parties held a big rally in the town of Krusevac. Earlier this year, the three parties collected one million signatures in support of their initiative and forwarded them to the government in a symbolic show of dissatisfaction. The three lack enough votes in parliament to topple the cabinet.

►Serbia, UN sign new partnership strategy
On 25 June Serbia’s Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and UN Resident Co-ordinator to Serbia William Infante signed a new, five-year partnership strategy. Worth 0m, it will support Serbia's EU accession efforts. After the ceremony, Jeremic described the strategy as marking a new era in co-operation between Serbia and the UN. "The UN is proud that Serbia sees it as a reliable partner," Infante said in response. The strategy focuses on three main areas -- responsible governance, sustainable development and social inclusion, and regional stability and co-operation.

WIDER EUROPE / NEIGHBOUR COUNTRIES

Armenia

►Ombudsman concerned over media freedom in Armenia
On 7 July Armen Harutiunian, the state human rights ombudsman, in a special report described as ‘worrisome’ the situation regarding media freedom in Armenia. The report deplores physical attacks on local journalists, restrictions on news reporting and strong government influence on broadcast media. ‘[…], The course of reforms must be accelerated,’ Harutiunian said, presenting it at a news conference. ‘Journalists are subjected to violence for performing their professional duties and, as a rule, the guilty are not brought to justice.’ He noted that such and other incidents usually occur in the run-up to elections and on polling days. Harutiunian added that his office looked into Armenian media legislation and found serious ‘contradictions and flaws’ in it. The report points, among other things, to the recently enacted amendments to a law on broadcasting criticised by domestic media watchdogs, the U.S. and the EU. The ombudsman deplored a lack of pluralism in the news coverage of local TV and radio stations.

►Hillary Clinton urges Turkey to honour deal with Armenia during her visit to Yerevan
On 4 July U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a strong endorsement to Armenia’s policy toward Turkey and urged Ankara to honour its U.S.-backed normalisation agreement with Yerevan. Clinton made clear that the onus is on the Turkish side to kick-start the historic rapprochement. She praised Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian for not walking away from the protocols despite Turkey’s refusal to ratify them before a resolution of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict acceptable to Azerbaijan. ‘We applauded your President’s decision because that was a decision to continue, despite the obstacles, to work toward peace, stability and reconciliation […]’ she said, reaffirming US support for unconditional normalization of relations. Sarkisian suspended the process of ratification of the protocols (signed in October 2009) in April because of Ankara’s linking their implementation to a Karabakh settlement. He indicated that he decided not to scrap the deal altogether at the request of foreign powers, the U.S. in particular.

►Ruling parties criticise Freedom House
On 30 June governing Republican (HHK) and Prosperous Armenia parties criticised Freedom House for again branding Armenia ‘semi-consolidated authoritarian’ in a 2009 report on democratic developments in 29 former Soviet Union nations. The report found no changes in areas like election conduct, democratic governance, press freedom and corruption. Deputy parliament speaker and HHK senior member Samvel Nikoyan rejected the ‘authoritarian’ label, while acknowledging problems with democracy and human rights, saying those ‘are gradually and slowly finding solutions.’ Nikoyan also said Freedom House failed to acknowledge print media pluralism in Armenia, dominated by pro-opposition newspapers harshly attacking the government on a virtually daily basis. Prosperous Armenia MP Naira Zohrabian called the criticism exaggerated, insisting the authorities are committed to democratisation. The report was also dismissed by opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) and Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF Dashnaktsutyun). The only positive reaction to the report came from opposition Zharangutyun (Heritage) party.

►PACE questions Armenia’s reform plan
On 25 June senior representatives of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) expressed concern about a plan of political reforms which the Armenian authorities say will address the lingering political fallout from the March 2008 post-election unrest in Yerevan. On 22 June the Monitoring Committee discussed a ‘roadmap’ of measures envisaging changes in electoral, judicial and law-enforcement legislation, submitted by parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamian. While expressing their overall satisfaction with planned reforms of police and judiciary, the committee’s co-rapporteurs on Armenia said the authorities have so far failed to cooperate with the opposition on a new electoral code. They also echoed international concerns about a recently passed bill which Armenian media associations say will enable government to maintain a strong influence on domestic TV and radio stations.


Azerbaijan

►President’s press secretary confirms loan to Lukashenko
On 29 June Azerbaijan President's Press Secretary Azer Gasimov commented on the money loan Azerbaijan made to Belarus following the latter’s gas dispute with Russia. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus appealed to Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev for assistance in paying off Belarus's gas debt to Russia and an agreement was reached. In his comment Mr Gasimov stated that on 21 June Belarusian PM Sergei Sidorsky appealed to Azerbaijani PM Artur Rasizadeh for a short-term loan. This was reported to President Aliyev, who agreed to allocate the loan, given the friendship between the countries. The loan totals 200 million USD and was provided within 12 calendar days.


Belarus

►Film about Lukashenko on Russian TV causes a stir
On 4 July the Russian NTV channel broadcasted a short film of a highly critical nature, ‘Godbatka’ on Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenko; focussing on disappearances and repressions of Belarus opposition. On 6 July members of pro-government Belarus Republic Youth Union (BRSM) demonstrated against the film and NTV as a whole. On the same day leader of the opposition United Civil Party (UCP) Anatol Lyabedzka prepared a request for the Belarus general Prosecutor’s Office to open a criminal case over the facts shown in Godbatka. He said it ‘is a natural and normal reaction of the party to the facts mentioned in the film, which unequivocally say about political abductions and killings of leaders of the UCP […]. The movie gives the names of the people who organised and performed the crimes [...] the Prosecutor’s Office must initiate a criminal case and conduct an objective investigation of all facts in the film’.

►Lukashenko signs into force a customs union with Russia and Kazakhstan
On 5 July Russian president Dmitry Medvedev stated that Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan signed a declaration putting the Customs Code into force. Minsk was delaying ratification of the Customs Code trying to persuade Russia to lift duties on oil products supplied to Belarus after it joins the Customs Union.

►Controversial media bill comes into force; opposition media feel the pressure
On 1 July President Lukashenka’s decree on the National Segment of the Internet came into force. The decree is criticised by the Belarusian media community and international human rights groups, including the OSCE. Independent experts say the decree is aimed at blocking opposition web resources for the upcoming presidential election campaign under the claim of ‘extremism’. On 30 June Natalya Radzina, a journalist for opposition news service Charter97.org, was summoned to the prosecutor’s office the next day, for ‘some questions in respect to information that you administer to the website charter97.org.’ Ms Radzina stated: ‘prosecutors are ordered to struggle against independent journalists from the first day of Lukashenka’s decree […] Whatever the authorities do, they cannot force us to stop our activity. We have written the truth and continue to write it’. Other journalists were also summoned.

►Lukashenko complains about Putin and Medvedev in open letter
On 29 June Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenko wrote an open letter to the Russian newspaper “Pravda” on ‘the real situation’ of ‘the so-called gas conflict’ between Belarus and Russia. Lukashenko underlines that negotiations were ‘thwarted’ by the Russian side, adding: ‘we had been taking a flexible and constructive stance all the time, offered different variants of mutually beneficial solutions … were ready for mutually acceptable compromises’ but ‘were ignored, and our representatives [...] were made to sit in Gazprom reception rooms for hours’. Lukashenko believes Gazprom acts are not out of financial gain, but as a ‘part of that unfriendly policy which is carried out calculatingly against Belarus for the last several years. One should just recall the recent “milk”, “meat”, “sugar”, “oil” and other wars; to say nothing of the line intentionally followed by the majority of Russian mass media, which has turned into real informational aggression’. To him the objective is obvious: to pressurize Belarus’s leadership, to make them yield in national interests, to get lucrative Belarusian assets.

►Presidential campaign to start no later than 6 November 2010
On 29 June Central Election Commission (CEC) chairwoman Lidziya Yarmoshyna stated that the presidential campaign in Belarus will start no later than 6 November 2010, and the ‘elections must be held before 6 February’. Yarmoshyna noted that a Presidential candidate must collect over 100,000 signatures to get nominated. On 30 June parliament held its last meeting before a vacation of two months, without appointing the date of the Presidential elections. ‘No preparatory work has been carried out […]. Nothing at all has been agreed upon,’ Yarmoshina said.

►Belarus pays debt, Russia resumes gas supplies
On 24 June Russian Gazprom confirmed Belarus paid for gas and resumed full supplies. EU Commissioner for energy Gunther Oettinger said reduction of gas supplies to Europe through Belarus was an ‘attack against the whole EU’ and called on Belarus ‘not to try to involve Europe in its problems’. The next day Gazprom chief Alexey Miller noted progress in negotiations on a supplement to the 2010 contract. However, a different signal was sent from Minsk, where President Lukashenko stated: ‘I warn the [Russian] government again: Gazprom’s failure to pay for [transfer] service in full within 24 hours must lead to a suspension of any services for the Russian Federation, including transportation of […] oil and gas’. In response Gazprom spokesperson Sergei Kupriyanov stated that gas transit via Belarus territory has been paid in compliance with the contract, and Gazprom does not have a debt to Belarus. On 28 June Lukashenko revealed the mysterious ‘friend’ who had given him the necessary funds to close the debt: Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.


Georgia

►Clinton reiterates U.S. support for Georgia’s territorial integrity during her visit
On 5 July U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reassured support for Georgia’s territorial integrity, saying the U.S. is ‘steadfast in its commitment to Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity,’ and called on Russia to end its ‘occupation’ of breakaway South Ossetia and Abkhazia. She also urged Moscow to stick to a ceasefire agreement that says its forces must return to positions held before the 2008 Georgia-Russia war. Responding to Clinton's statements, Russian PM Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying Georgia must negotiate with its rebel republics without the involvement of a third party. Clinton said the U.S. would continue to denounce Russia's military presence in Georgian territory despite Washington’s ‘reset’ in relations with Moscow, which raised concerns in Tbilisi. She also urged further reforms in Georgia, calling them a key to regain control of the territories. Clinton also met with opposition leaders, who have accused President Mikheil Saakashvili of stepping back from democratic reforms.

►Opposition parties want to ban Saakashvili from running for PM
On 3 July Irakli Alasania’s Our Georgia-Free Democrats (OGFD) joined Labor Party’s call to constitutionally ban President Mikheil Saakashvili from a nomination for PM after his second and final Presidential term expires in 2013. The new constitution draft, yet to be discussed in parliament, envisages an increase of the PM’s authority at the expense of Presidential power. The party with the most votes in parliamentary elections will have the right to nominate a PM candidate. OGFD asked the state commission on constitutional reform to include a provision that will ban the incumbent president from being nominated as PM for at least five years after his term ends. When last month Labor Party asked the state commission to impose a ban on President Saakashvili to ever be named PM, the response was that an outright ban would violate his rights. OGFD’s Tea Tsulukiani said on 2 July that she agreed, and so OGFD was offering to impose a five-year ban instead. OGFD senior official and member of Tbilisi City Council Zurab Abashidze, said such a provision would help ‘to prevent power usurpation.’

►Abkhazia temporarily pulls out of Geneva talks
On 23 June Nadir Bitiev, senior aide to Abkhaz leader Sergey Bagapsh, announced that Sokhumi is ‘temporarily withdrawing’ from the Geneva talks, as the negotiations launched after the August 2008 war ‘have not produced tangible progress’. ‘[…] We have done so because the co-moderators have consistently failed to facilitate the talks in a constructive and impartial manner,’ Bitiev's statement reads. He also said the Abkhaz side would ‘return to the proceedings when the co-moderators present a concrete document that includes propositions from all parties and enables open discussion and debate’. The most recent, eleventh round of Geneva talks, with negotiators from the U.S., Georgia, Russia, Sokhumi and Tskhinvali, was held on 8 June and the only concrete agreement reached was on the date of the next round of talks - July 27.


Moldova

►Constitutional referendum to be held on 5 September
On 7 July the Constitutional Court approved the ruling Alliance for European Integration’s (AEI) project of amending Constitution Article 78 on presidential elections. The draft decision fixes the date of a referendum on 5 September. Parliament still has to adopt a final decision on the issue. On the same day opposition Communist Party (MCP) challenged AEI’s amendments on the referendum procedure. MCP lawyer Sergiu Sirbu stated that ‘the constitutional referendum goes contrary to the Main Law: according to Article 143, the Constitution may only be amended by two-thirds of parliamentarians. Besides, recognition of a referendum by one-third of registered voters [previously - 60%] can hardly be called rightful. According to this new rule, the Constitution may be changed by as few as 16-17% citizens [i.e. if half of the 33.3% citizens, who have come to polling stations, vote for the amendment]. Such a low norm is jeopardising the republic's sovereignty and independence’.

►Communist faction briefly reappears in parliament to demand Mihai Ghimpu’s resignation
On 30 June the Communist Party (MCP) faction reappeared in Parliament, after a 17-month boycott, to demand the dismissal of Liberal Party leader Mihai Ghimpu from the post of Parliament Speaker and acting President. Communist MP Iurie Muntean called on other MPs, in particular the Democratic Party (DPM) faction, to vote against Ghimpu. ‘We ask you respectfully to think about the voters. The Alliance [for European Integration] wasn't delegated in Parliament to elect Mihai Ghimpu as Speaker’, he said, adding that DPM’s biggest mistake as a leftist party was to support ‘extreme’ right-wing parties within the governing alliance. DPM leader Marian Lupu retorted that Ghimpu's appointment was possible because the MCP faction twice refused to elect a President. With 43 MCP votes and 3 from United Moldova the proposal to oust Mihai Ghimpu did not muster enough votes to be included in the order of the day. The Communist faction walked out again for an indefinite period.


Russia

►U.S. judge orders three accused Russian spies held
On 3 July a U.S. judge ordered three suspects accused of being spies for Russia in the U.S. to be held pending trial, in a case that has renewed political tensions between Moscow and Washington. Only one of the 10 suspects in U.S. custody has been granted release pending trial. But Vicky Pelaez, a columnist for the New York Spanish-language daily "El Diario," was placed under house arrest and court monitoring in New York. A U.S. District Judge issued the order after the three suspects agreed to waive their right to a hearing to consider release pending trial. The judge set a preliminary hearing on the charges for 7 July. After being arrested two of the suspects, known as Michael Zottoli and Patricia Mills, revealed their real names as Mikhail Kutzik and Natalia Pereverzeva and said they were from Russia, according to a letter prosecutors filed with the court. A third suspect, Mikhail Semenko, also waived a detention hearing. Prosecutors said he was in the U.S. using his real name. Prosecutors argued the suspects were too much of a flight risk to be released on bail, pointing to the vast resources Russia could expend to help them flee and to the disappearance of an 11th suspect who is believed to have fled Cyprus after being released from custody on bail. FBI agents, who tracked the spy ring for at least a decade, swooped in to arrest 10 of the 11 suspects on 27 June after realising that one was about to flee the country. Prosecutors said the accused spies spent years in the U.S. quietly collecting information and trying to meet Americans with political ties. Washington and Moscow have nevertheless said that the arrests will not damage ties.

►Russian activists continue protests against bill enhancing FSB powers
On 2 July opposition activists gathered for the second time outside Russia's State Duma to collect signatures in protest against a bill that would increase the powers of the FSB. Some 50 people -including two Duma members- have signed the petition, which is being organised by the opposition Yabloko party. Police made no attempt to disrupt the action, unlike the last attempt to collect signatures on 30 June, when police arrested two protesters at the same location. Under the proposed new bill that is currently in the Duma, the FSB would be able to fine or detain people for "obstructing FSB investigations." Sergei Mitrokhin, the chairman of Yabloko's Moscow branch, explained that under the new law, “all citizens of Russia suddenly become suspects, or even an 'extremist' that can be treated quite cruelly. They can be called in for questioning, or [an FSB agent] can simply go up to them on the street and give them a 'warning.' If the citizen doesn't heed the warning they can spend 15 days in prison or pay a really big fine." Duma deputies have approved the first reading of the legislation.

►Other Russia coalition leader Limonov to form new political party
On 29 June the leader of the Other Russia coalition, Eduard Limonov, announced he is forming a new party of the same name to run in the 2011 parliamentary elections. Aleksandr Averin, member of the executive committee of the coalition, said that a founding congress of the new party will be held on 10 July. " Here, the participants will adopt a charter and party program, he said. “After the congress […] we will turn in [the registration documents]," Other Russia cofounder and head of the banned National Bolshevik Party Limonov stated. He added the coalition had enough members to qualify as a party. The law requires a party to have no fewer than 45,000 members. “We are going to demand the abolition of registration for political parties, and also participation in elections for all those who wish to,” Limonov said. He added his new party will take part in "all possible" elections […]”. The Other Russia coalition, which no longer exists, was formed by the National Bolshevik Party, outlawed in 2007, former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov's People's Democratic Union and ex-chess champion Garry Kasparov's United Civil Front. The requirement for the federal registration of political parties is widely criticised by Russian opposition groups as a tool used by the Kremlin to keep political competition out of the electoral system. While some opposition parties are banned outright in Russia, many are simply never able to register.

►Medvedev calls for 20 percent cut to Russia's bureaucracy
On 29 June Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the number of state officials should be cut by 20 percent in order to increase government efficiency. In his annual budget address to the government, Medvedev said the funds saved should be used to "stimulate" the rest of the workforce. Russia's bureaucracy grew to more than 1.5 million people under the 2000-08 presidency of Vladimir Putin. Analysts say the system is bloated and corrupt. Medvedev said that although Russia's economy has stabilised after struggling with the global economic crisis, relatively high oil prices make complacency a major risk for development in the coming years. Russia, which is heavily dependent on energy sector revenues, was hit hard when the global crisis spread and oil prices tumbled in 2008.

►Protest against Moscow mayor ends with arrests
On 28 June fifteen people were arrested in Moscow during a protest against Mayor Yury Luzhkov. Organisers of the "Day of Wrath" protest said a police warning before the demonstration that they would be arrested if they protested, is an "absurd and illegal" prohibition that would not stop them from gathering. Tens of protesters gathered on the central Tverskaya Square. They held banners reading "Take Back Our City" and "Moscow Minus Luzhkov" in front of Luzkhov's residence before police moved in and made the arrests. The protest was the continuation of a "Day of Wrath" protest held on 20 March that police forcibly broke up. Demonstrators demanded Luzhkov's dismissal, the dissolution of the central government, and reform of the Moscow Oblast government. Among those arrested were Left Front party leader Sergei Udaltsov and For Human Rights movement leader Lev Ponomarev.


Ukraine

►Hillary Clinton: “Door to NATO still open for Ukraine”
On 2 July U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said “NATO’s door remains open to Ukraine,” despite the country’s retreat from pursuing membership in the bloc under President Viktor Yanukoych. “But it's up to Ukraine to decide whether or not you wish to pursue that […]," said Clinton in Kyiv to her Ukrainian counterpart Kostyantyn Hryshchenko. Clinton also met with Yanukovych. Since his election Ukraine has sought to repair strained ties with Russia. Yanukovych’s predecessor, Viktor Yushchenko, had infuriated Moscow by pushing for NATO membership. But in April, the new government scrapped a state body set up to oversee the country’s eventual accession to the U.S.-led military alliance. On 1 July Ukraine's parliament passed in the final reading a law formally establishing a non-aligned status for the country. Speaking alongside Yanukovych, Clinton argued against the idea of eastern and western spheres of influence. She expressed hope that Ukraine would continue pursuing constructive relations with the EU and the U.S. Yanukovych pledged to “make every effort to strengthen the U.S.-Ukraine partnership." Analysts said that one of the goals for Clinton’s visit – the first by a senior U.S. official to Kyiv since Yanukovych was elected – was to help ensure that Ukraine’s interests do remained balanced.

►New political party registered in Ukraine
On 30 June a new political party was registered in Ukraine under the name of the Veducha Syla (Leading Force). Justice Minister Oleksandr Lavrynovych signed a relevant decree. The Leading Force party was established at a constituent congress of the party on 16 November 2009. The party intends to promote harmonious democratic system in Ukraine as a precondition for self-realisation of the Ukrainian society. According to the information provided by the Ministry of Justice, Director of Progress-7 Investment and Development Center of Inventors Ltd. Anatoliy Korniyenko, b. 1938, was elected the party’s chairman.

►Ukrainian opposition draws attention of international community to authoritarianism in country
On 30 June the leaders of parliamentary committees representing the opposition asked the international community to pay attention to the revival of authoritarianism in Ukraine. This was stipulated in a letter addressed to the presidents and Prime Ministers of EU countries, and the president’s of the EU Council, Commission, Parliament and the Council of Europe. The letter was signed by mostly MPs from the Bloc of Yulia Tymoshenko. It said the issue concerns Ukraine's top-ranking officials facilitating the return of non-transparent company RosUkrEnergo to the Ukrainian economy and politics. The authors of the letter believe that this process "is accompanied by the policy of pressure, intimidation and persecution of the opposition, as well as a large-scale redistribution of property in favour of the owners and political sponsors of RosUkrEnergo."

►Progressive Socialists re-elect Vitrenko as party leader
On 26 June the Progressive Social Party re-elected Natalia Vitrenko as party leader on its party congress. The congress approved a number of resolutions and asked president Viktor Yanukovych to provide access to the Progressive Socialist Party to television and radio broadcasting. As Ukrainian media reported, the Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine supported Party of Regions leader Yanukovych in the presidential election run-off.

►U.S. 'troubled' by reports of media pressure in Ukraine
On 24 June the U.S. expressed concern over reports of pressure on journalists in Ukraine. Speaking at the Institute of World Policy in Kyiv, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Tefft said there have been “troubling reports of pressure on journalists" in the country. He also said that some media companies in the country practice self-censorship, which, he said, "is equally destructive to the principle of press freedom." Although Ukraine experienced some gains in liberties after the 2004 Orange Revolution, Ukrainian media freedom groups have complained about growing censorship since president Yanukovych came to power in February. Tefft said the U.S. hopes that Ukraine's government "will take action when freedom of the press is threatened," adding, “there should be no going back to the old system of government pressure on journalists and media companies.”

CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan

►Russian-Kazakh-Belarusian customs union comes into effect
On 5 July during an Eurasec summit in the Kazakh capital Astana, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced that the Russian-Kazakh-Belarus customs union came into effect. The final documents to activate the union were signed that day by the presidents. Eurasec is an economic community uniting Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Ukraine. The leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan announced their interest in joining the customs union. Other important issues being discussed at the summit are the approval of the 2011 budget and the formation of a Eurasec court to replace the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Customs Court.

►Opposition leader sentenced to four years in jail
On 24 June opposition leader of the Arman movement, Yermek Narymbaev, was sentenced to four years in prison. He was found guilty for violently resisting police and offending a judge. Narymbaev was arrested for illegally organising a demonstration and a hunger strike against Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. During his arrest he was charged for resisting and insulting the authorities.


Kyrgyzstan

►Inauguration of Roza Otunbayeva as president of Kyrgyzstan
On 3 July Roza Otunbayeva was inaugurated as president of Kyrgyzstan. She is the first female president in Central Asia. The inauguration took place in a concert hall in Bishkek where all important Kyrgyz politicians, diplomats and officials were present. In her speech she said that "The new government is ready for constructive cooperation with all political forces for pluralism and freedom of speech and to protect human rights, competition of ideas, and honest dialogue. We call on all progressive forces to work together to develop and modernise the country." Otunbayeva will be the Kyrgyz president until 2011. In October 2010 a new parliament will be chosen by the Kyrgyz people.

►Kyrgyzstan to become first parliamentary democracy in Central Asia
On 27 June the Kyrgyz citizens voted in a referendum in favour of the introduction of a parliamentary democracy. 70 % of the population casted its vote and 90% agreed with the proposal. Kyrgyzstan will become the first parliamentary democracy in Central Asia. The voters were also asked to legitimise the interim government and Roza Otunbayeva as their caretaker President. In October the Kyrgyz people will elect their new parliament. According to the OSCE the referendum was "largely transparent" but noted that improvements are necessary for the upcoming elections. In the south some ethnic Uzbeks were afraid to leave their neighbourhood to vote or their passports were destroyed during the ethnic conflict that ravaged the southern region of Kyrgyzstan in mid-June. Therefore the turn-out was lower in the south compared to the north.


Tajikistan

►Tajikistan prepared to support Kyrgyz security and law enforcement
On 2 July the head of the CIS security organisation, Nikolai Bordyuzha, had a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon in which Rahmon signed a CSTO agreement to provide emergency aid to Kyrgyz law-enforcement. Tajikistan is willing to send weapons and technical and special equipment to Kyrgyz security forces to help restore order in the southern cities Osh and Jalalabad. The Tajik ambassador of the OSCE declared Tajikistan is willing to deploy an OSCE "police task force" in Kyrgyzstan. On 6 July acting Kyrgyz Defence Minister Ismail Isakov told the media that he did not see how a foreign police force could help stabilise the region if they are not familiar with the Kyrgyz culture.


Turkmenistan

►Turkmen-Russian citizens can no longer travel with two passports
On 5 July it was reported that residents with dual Turkmen-Russian citizenship can no longer leave the country. To leave the country, people have to reject one of their passports. When people give up on their Turkmen nationality, they probably cannot enter Turkmenistan anymore after their departure. Turkmenistan banned dual citizenship in 2003, but this law was not actively applied before.


Uzbekistan

►Wounded refugees return to Kyrgyzstan
On 29 and 30 June around 180 wounded Kyrgyz refugees were transported from Uzbekistan back to Kyrgyzstan. During the ethnic conflict with Kyrgyzstan an estimated total of 100.000 ethnic Uzbeks escaped the violence in Kyrgyzstan and stayed in refugee camps in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan received humanitarian aid worth 3.926.600 USD from the international community, mostly from the UN and Russia. The remaining humanitarian aid is distributed to Kyrgyzstan.

►New law on advertisement
On 22 June The Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of Uzbekistan approved a law on advertisement prohibiting the use of foreign words or phrases "which may lead to distortion of meaning". The law also prohibits advertising of tobacco, alcohol and lotteries. The deputies told that these changes are necessary to protect the health of the population, mainly the youth.

Edited by: Marina Ohanjanyan, Danijel Tadić, Marianna Tsirelson and Ingeborg Visscher
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