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OMRI: Daily Digest, Vol. 3, No. 15, 97-01-22
From: Open Media Research Institute <http://www.omri.cz>
Vol. 3, No. 15, 22 January 1997
CONTENTS
[A] TRANSCAUCASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA
[01] GEORGIAN UPDATE.
[02] AZERBAIJANI ECOLOGY COMMITTEE HEAD DETAINED.
[03] AIDS STATISTICS IN ARMENIA.
[04] NEW KYRGYZ MOVEMENT APPLIES FOR REGISTRATION.
[05] CAREFUL, KIND WORDS FOR TURKMENISTAN FROM IMF OFFICIAL.
[06] NIYAZOV ADDRESSES UN FORUM ON AFGHANISTAN.
[B] SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE
[07] IS THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT PLOTTING A NEW STRATEGY?
[08] FRENCH FAR RIGHT TREKS TO BELGRADE.
[09] REHN WARNS OF 'CIVIL WAR' IN KOSOVO.
[10] MORE MUSLIMS EVICTED FROM MOSTAR.
[11] CROATIAN PARTY TO BOYCOTT BOSNIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
[12] WAR CRIMES UPDATE.
[13] TOP CROATIAN OFFICIALS VISIT EASTERN SLAVONIA.
[14] FRANCE WANTS ROMANIA IN NATO 'FIRST WAVE.'
[15] BULGARIAN SOCIALISTS OFFER APOLOGY BUT INSIST ON FORMING NEW
GOVERNMENT.
[16] ADVICE TO NEW BULGARIAN PRESIDENT: FIX ECONOMY FIRST.
[A] TRANSCAUCASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA
[01] GEORGIAN UPDATE.
Georgian air traffic controllers have barred the military cargo planes that
supply Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia from flying in Georgian airspace
because of Russia's $250,000 debt for air traffic services, RFE/RL reported
on 21 January. An unnamed Russian air force official declined to say when
the debt will be repaid. In other news, the Foreign Ministry of the self-
proclaimed Republic of Abkhazia accused Georgia of planning "large-scale
terrorist and sabotage attacks" in Gali, Tkvarcheli, and Ochamchira
districts, according to an Interfax report monitored by the BBC. The
ministry says that the Georgian State Security Ministry wants to prevent
the Russian peacekeeping mandate from being extended by destabilizing the
situation in the region on the eve of the upcoming CIS summit. -- Emil
Danielyan
[02] AZERBAIJANI ECOLOGY COMMITTEE HEAD DETAINED.
Azerbaijani Ecology Committee Chairman Arif Mansurov was dismissed by
presidential decree on 19 January, ITAR-TASS reported on 21 January.
Mansurov was detained by the police the same day while in hospital for
heart problems. There has been no official explanation of his dismissal.
However, several committee employees were arrested some time ago. -- Lowell
Bezanis
[03] AIDS STATISTICS IN ARMENIA.
National Center for AIDS Control and Prevention director Lev Zohrabyan said
that an "AIDS chain reaction" is taking place in Armenia, Noyan Tapan
reported on 21 January. Zohrabyan claimed that in 1996 there were 26
reported HIV-carriers in Armenia (three of whom have died) as opposed to
only three reported HIV cases from 1988 to 1991. Zohrabyan blamed the
situation on a lack of awareness, low living standards, migration, and
prostitution. Also, Zohrabyan said the Armenian Health Ministry is now
developing a program to tackle the problem. -- Emil Danielyan
[04] NEW KYRGYZ MOVEMENT APPLIES FOR REGISTRATION.
The movement For Deliverance from Poverty in Kyrgyzstan on 21 January
applied to become an official opposition bloc, RFE/RL reported. The Justice
Ministry could take months to process the application. The movement argues
that Kyrgyz governmental policies are responsible for wage arrears, a
deterioration of social services, and falling standard of living. The
movement held its founding congress in December 1996, after which one of
its leaders, Jumagazy Usupov, was jailed for 15 days. Another founder of
the new movement, Topchubek Turgunaliyev, was given a 10-year prison
sentence after being found guilty of embezzlement in early January. --
Bruce Pannier and Naryn Idinov
[05] CAREFUL, KIND WORDS FOR TURKMENISTAN FROM IMF OFFICIAL.
IMF official Emine Gurgen has noted that Turkmenistan is making progress
toward a market economy but must continue pushing forward with economic
reform, RFE/RL reported on 21 January. She said that in the last year
Ashgabat has shown an increasing awareness of the need to undertake such
reforms and pointed to progress in several areas, including the
establishment of a two-tier banking system, a reduction of inflation to 10-
12% a month, a slowing production decline, and some liberalization of price
controls. She said GDP declined by 4% last year. While gas production was
said to have exceeded 1995 levels, it was more than offset by a sharp
decline in agriculture due to poor cotton and grain harvests. Turkmenistan
has been a member of the IMF since 1992. -- Lowell Bezanis
[06] NIYAZOV ADDRESSES UN FORUM ON AFGHANISTAN.
Turkmen President Saparmurad Niyazov opened a two-day UN-sponsored forum on
Afghanistan on 21 January, international media reported the same day. Some
300 representatives of donor countries, UN agencies, and private relief
groups are in Ashgabat to discuss how to maintain the flow of aid to
Afghanistan and explore means of synchronizing aid and peace negotiations.
In his address, Niyazov said Turkmenistan's "largest projects" are linked
"to peace and stability in Afghanistan," Reuters reported. He specifically
noted that his country is desperate for an international energy consortium
to build a $2 billion gas pipeline that would run across Afghanistan to the
Indian Ocean, a project he said could also greatly benefit the citizens of
Afghanistan. -- Lowell Bezanis
[B] SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE
[07] IS THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT PLOTTING A NEW STRATEGY?
Serbia's Supreme Court ruled on 21 January that yet another town won by the
opposition in 17 November municipal runoffs -- Smederevska Palanka, some 80
kilometers from Belgrade -- was in fact won by the ruling Socialists. It
was the second such decision by a judicial organ in as many days. Meanwhile,
the Justice Ministry issued a statement on 21 January saying there was no
evidence of fraud or electoral improprieties in eight municipalities where
the opposition Zajedno coalition scored victories but the Socialists
claimed victory, Reuters reported. The eight centers are Kraljevo, Pancevo,
Sabac, Jagodina, Vrsac, Soko Banja, Smederevska Palanka, and Pirot. While
opposition leaders and supporters remain somewhat divided over just what
the latest Justice Ministry statement means, it may represent another
government effort to dishearten opposition demonstrations. Meanwhile,
street demonstrations against the regime of Serbian President Slobodan
Milosevic and calls for recognition of opposition wins in local elections
continued. Nasa Borba reported on 22 January that students remained at
the forefront of the protests and were standing "eye to eye" with a cordon
of police officers who have prevented students from marching on Belgrade's
main streets since 19 January. -- Stan Markotich
[08] FRENCH FAR RIGHT TREKS TO BELGRADE.
Jean-Marie Le Pen, leader of the French far-right National Front, met in
Belgrade on 21 January with Vojislav Seselj, leader of the ultranationalist
Serbian Radical Party, international media reported. Le Pen, who was
invited by Seselj and is on a whirlwind Balkan tour, said Seselj's party
protects and defends "near enough the same things that we defend," AFP
reported. But some reports suggest Le Pen and Seselj may not have had a
complete meeting of the minds. Le Pen expressed sympathy for the ongoing
mass public demonstrations, while Seselj blasted the protesters, dubbing
them dupes of the United States and Germany, Tanjug reported. -- Stan
Markotich
[09] REHN WARNS OF 'CIVIL WAR' IN KOSOVO.
The UN's special reporter for human rights, Elisabeth Rehn, said after a
visit to the former Yugoslavia that Serbian-controlled Kosovo province is
heading for "a real explosion, a fire. We can fear anything, even civil war,
" Reuters reported on 21 January. She said Washington is aware of the
possibilities of "a new conflict," but Europe has been caught napping. Rehn
was referring to the new campaign of assassinations by the shadowy Kosovo
Liberation Army (UCK) against prominent Serbs and Albanians regarded as
collaborators (see Pursuing Balkan Peace, 21 January 1997). Controversy
persists among Albanians, Serbs, and outside observers alike as to what the
UCK actually is and who is behind it, AIM news service added. The Serbian
authorities have tried to link the Serbian opposition to the UCK, while
some opposition leaders have suggested the group is a fictional cover for
regime provocateurs. -- Patrick Moore
[10] MORE MUSLIMS EVICTED FROM MOSTAR.
Croatian gangs evicted two more Muslims from their apartments in west
Mostar on 21 January, bringing the total of such illegal moves to 82, AFP
reported. Muslim and international officials have protested the often
brutal evictions, but threats and cajoling by international representatives
have come to nothing (see Pursuing Balkan Peace, 21 January 1997).
Muslims control east Mostar, which is sandwiched between the traditional
Serbian stronghold of eastern Herzegovina and the long-time Croatian
bastion of western Herzegovina. The internecine war of 1993 generated
bitter animosities between the Muslims and Croats, who had often been
historic allies. The Muslims now charge the Croats with trying to expel
remaining Muslims from western Herzegovina, while the Croats say the
Muslims have destroyed Croatian communities in central Bosnia that date
back to the Middle Ages. -- Patrick Moore
[11] CROATIAN PARTY TO BOYCOTT BOSNIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
The governing body of the Croatian Democratic Community (HDZ) announced
that its officials in the federal legislature and government will not carry
out their functions pending a clarification or renegotiation of power-
sharing arrangements with the governing Muslim Party of Democratic Action
(SDA), Vjesnik reported on 21 January. The HDZ is an extension of the
governing party in Croatia of the same name. It has its base among the more
nationalistic Croats of Herzegovina rather than among the Croats of central
Bosnia, who have traditionally lived integrated with Muslims and Serbs and
are more pluralistic in their outlook. The HDZ claims the right to speak
for all Croats, although the majority of Croats in Sarajevo did not vote
for it. Smaller, non-nationalist parties accuse the SDA and HDZ of
monopolizing power for themselves. In other news, the secretary to Roman
Catholic Cardinal Vinko Puljic said Pope John Paul II plans to make a long-
delayed visit to Sarajevo on 12-13 April. -- Patrick Moore
[12] WAR CRIMES UPDATE.
Republika Srpska Prime Minister Gojko Klickovic on 22 January reaffirmed
that the Serbs will not send indicted war criminals Radovan Karadzic and
Gen. Ratko Mladic to The Hague. He charged that the tribunal there has an
"anti-Serb prejudice," news agencies reported. The court's chief prosecutor,
Louise Arbor, stated after visiting the region that she is "exploring all
options ranging from the mildest to the most severe" to secure the
extradition of dozens of indicted war criminals. She also said that more
indictments will be handed down in addition to the current 74. -- Patrick
Moore
[13] TOP CROATIAN OFFICIALS VISIT EASTERN SLAVONIA.
Defense Minister Gojko Susak, Interior Minister Ivan Penic, and
intelligence chief Miroslav Tudjman held talks in Serb-held eastern
Slavonia with the UN's chief administrator for the region, Jacques Klein,
Reuters wrote on 21 January. Susak is widely regarded as the second-most
powerful man in Croatia, while Miroslav Tudjman is the son of President
Franjo Tudjman. The three Croats made explicitly clear that the region will
fully return to Croatian control by mid-July, as is slated under current
agreements, Vjesnik reported the next day. The Serbs have sought a delay
and have complained about the memorandum Croatia submitted to the UN on its
policies for the region's future. Klein, however, praised the Croatian
document, saying it goes farther than might have been hoped for. The
Croatian delegation did not meet with local Serbs. Susak warned the Serbs
there will be no new talks and said they should concentrate on becoming
full-fledged Croatian citizens. In his annual state-of-the-nation address
on 22 January, President Tudjman urged the Serbs to vote in the local
elections scheduled for 16 March, Reuters wrote. -- Patrick Moore
[14] FRANCE WANTS ROMANIA IN NATO 'FIRST WAVE.'
French European Affairs Minister Michel Barnier said on 21 January that
France supports Romania's bid to join NATO in the first wave of enlargement,
Reuters reported. The French official was in Bucharest preparing for French
President Jacques Chirac's visit to Romania next month. Chirac will be the
first Western leader to visit Romania after the change of power last
November. Barnier said he was impressed by the determined and responsible
attitude of the new Romanian government toward the issue of NATO and EU
integration. He expressed his belief that Romania "will be prepared to meet
NATO requirements" for prospective members, expected to be nominated at
NATO's July summit. -- Zsolt Mato
[15] BULGARIAN SOCIALISTS OFFER APOLOGY BUT INSIST ON FORMING NEW
GOVERNMENT.
Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Georgy Parvanov was elected chairman
of the party's parliamentary faction on 21 January, Duma and Trud
reported. He surprised many by apologizing to the nation for the current
economic situation caused by the previous BSP government. When former
premier Zhan Videnov took the BSP's leadership in 1991 he also apologized
for the 45 years of communist rule, Trud noted. Union of Democratic
Forces Chairman Ivan Kostov described Parvanov's move as a "step in the
right direction," but said BSP's real apology would be to refrain from
forming a new government. The BSP continues to insist on forming the next
government, saying that postponement for 6 months of the urgent measures
they plan to introduce would lead to a moratorium on payments on foreign
debts. Vasil Kalinov, member of the BSP's Executive Bureau, said BSP local
leaders urged the party to take a tougher approach toward the opposition
and organize counter-rallies against the anti-Socialist protests, Reuters
reported. -- Maria Koinova
[16] ADVICE TO NEW BULGARIAN PRESIDENT: FIX ECONOMY FIRST.
Whatever the solution is to the current political crisis, priority should
be given to solving economic problems, IMF representative Franek
Rozwadowski said after meeting with newly sworn-in President Petar Stoyanov
on 21 January. Both Rozwadowski and Bulgarian economic experts meeting
Stoyanov the same day said Bulgaria's economic situation is extremely grave,
Pari and Demokratsiya reported. Rozwadowsky said that, for the IMF to
aid in the establishment of a currency board, there must be a national
consensus on the issue, a functioning parliament, and a constitutionally
established government for the IMF to negotiate with. Opposition deputy and
economic expert Alexander Bozhkov commented that a caretaker government
with a two-month mandate from the president could negotiate with the IMF,
but said the actual agreement should be signed by the government
established by the parliament established after early elections. -- Maria
Koinova
This material was reprinted with permission of the Open Media
Research Institute, a nonprofit organization with research offices in
Prague, Czech Republic.
For more information on OMRI publications please write to info@omri.cz.
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