|
|
|
RFE/RL Newsline, Vol. 5, No. 176, 01-09-17
RFE/RL NEWSLINE
Vol. 5, No. 176, 17 September 2001
CONTENTS
[A] TRANSCAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA
[01] ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN SUMMIT FOCUSES ON ECONOMIC INTEGRATION...
[02] ...AS DEFENSE MINISTERS SET TO EXPAND COOPERATION
[03] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT POSTPONES VISIT TO IRAN
[04] PACE CHAIRMAN VISITS AZERBAIJAN
[05] AZERBAIJAN'S SENIOR MUSLIM CLERGYMAN REJECTS ARMENIAN INVITATION
[06] GEORGIA WARNS MOSCOW AGAINST ATTACKING CHECHENS ON ITS TERRITORY
[07] TWO KILLED IN FIGHTING IN SOUTHERN GEORGIA
[08] GEORGIA BANS CONSTRUCTION OF SIX MOSQUES
[09] RANSOM PAID FOR SPANIARDS ABDUCTED IN GEORGIA?
[10] KAZAKHSTAN, TURKMENISTAN READY TO SUPPORT U.S. REPRISALS...
[11] ...WHILE TAJIKISTAN EQUIVOCATES
[12] NEW POLITICAL MOVEMENT FOUNDED IN KAZAKHSTAN
[13] TAJIK PRESIDENT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES OVER MASSOUD'S DEATH
[B] SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE
[14] ALBANIA MOURNS AMERICAN VICTIMS
[15] ALBANIAN POLICE CHECK IDENTITY OF ARABS
[16] NEW BUGGING SCANDAL IN MACEDONIA...
[17] ...WHILE MINISTER DENIES INVOLVEMENT...
[18] ...REVEALS OPPOSITION TO REFERENDUM ON PEACE ACCORD
[19] MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENT OPENS DEBATE
[20] MACEDONIA AGREES TO NATO PRESENCE
[21] MACEDONIAN REFUGEES, DISPLACED PERSONS TO GO HOME
[22] NATO: MACEDONIAN SIDE BROKE CEASE-FIRE
[23] MACEDONIAN MINISTER REJECTS CONFERENCE
[24] HAEKKERUP ISSUES 'RULES' FOR KOSOVA
[25] RESULTS OF MASS GRAVE EXHUMATION IN SERBIA
[26] ROMANIAN PRESIDENT ASKS PARLIAMENT TO OFFER AIRSPACE TO NATO
[27] ROMANIAN ARMY TO REORGANIZE TO FACE TERRORIST THREAT
[28] GUARD SERVICE DENIES HAVING TRAINED HAMAS MEMBERS
[29] ROMANIAN OFFICIALS SLAM HUNGARIAN STATUS LAW ONCE AGAIN
[30] VORONIN MEETS SMIRNOV'S OPPONENT FOR TRANSDNIESTER PRESIDENCY
[31] U.S. WITHDRAWS FROM NATO MANEUVERS IN BULGARIA
[32] BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS FOR SPEEDIER NATO EXPANSION AND
INCREASED ROLE
[C] END NOTE
[33] There is no End Note today
[A] TRANSCAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA
[01] ARMENIAN-RUSSIAN SUMMIT FOCUSES ON ECONOMIC INTEGRATION...
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Armenia on 14-15 September for
talks with his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian that focussed
primarily on expanding economic ties to complement the close military
cooperation that has developed between the two states, RFE/RL's Yerevan
bureau reported. To that end, the two presidents signed a 10-year economic
cooperation program that could lead to closer integration of the two
countries' economies. They did not, however, reach any concrete agreement
on which specific state-owned Armenian enterprises from the military-
industrial complex will be transferred to Russian ownership in partial
repayment of Yerevan's $100 million debt, but Putin said it is hoped such
an agreement will be signed by the end of this year. Kocharian told
journalists that that it was Yerevan that proposed the assets-for-debts
deal, and that it will not make Armenia more dependent on Russia. In a
joint communique, the two presidents stressed that their talks proceeded in
"an atmosphere of full mutual understanding and agreement," and were marked
by a "convergence of views" on international security issues. Addressing
the Armenian parliament on 15 September, Putin said Moscow will support any
agreement on ending the Karabakh conflict that is acceptable to both Baku
and Yerevan, and could act as guarantor of such an agreement, Noyan Tapan
and ITAR-TASS reported. LF
[02] ...AS DEFENSE MINISTERS SET TO EXPAND COOPERATION
Parallel to President Putin's visit, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov
also visited Yerevan on 13-14 September. On 14 September, Ivanov and
Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian signed an agreement regulating
the status of Russian military consultants to the Armenian armed forces
that is intended to complement the over 40 bilateral accords on military
cooperation already signed. Visiting the Russian military base in northern
Armenia on 14 September, Ivanov said its personnel will remain in Armenia
"for a long time," RFE/RL's Yerevan bureau reported. LF
[03] AZERBAIJANI PRESIDENT POSTPONES VISIT TO IRAN
Heidar Aliev's long awaited visit to Tehran, scheduled to begin on 17
September, has been postponed with the agreement of both sides, according
to Turan on 15 September and Reuters on 16 September. No official
explanation was given for the postponement. A new date will be agreed on
through diplomatic channels. LF
[04] PACE CHAIRMAN VISITS AZERBAIJAN
Visiting Baku on 13-15 September, the chairman of the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe, Lord Russell-Johnston, met with
President Aliev and Foreign Minister Vilayat Quliev to discuss human rights
issues, noting that unspecified amendments are still needed to Azerbaijan's
legislation on human rights, ANS reported. Russell-Johnston also discussed
with both officials the prospects for a solution to the Karabakh conflict.
Deploring the lack of progress in negotiations, he said that while the
Council of Europe does not intend to become actively involved in
international mediation, it will support efforts by the OSCE Minsk Group to
broker a settlement. He warned that such a settlement depends largely on
the readiness of both sides to compromise. President Aliev for his part
stressed that public opinion in Azerbaijan rejects the idea of compromise,
according to ITAR-TASS. LF
[05] AZERBAIJAN'S SENIOR MUSLIM CLERGYMAN REJECTS ARMENIAN INVITATION
The head of Azerbaijan's Muslim Religious Board, Sheikh-ul-Islam
Allakhshukur Pashazade, has decided not to accept an invitation from
Armenian Catholicos Garegin II to attend the celebrations to mark the 1,
700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity as Armenia's state
religion (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 5 September 2001), according to
Azerbaijan's Trend News Agency on 15 September, as cited by Groong. LF
[06] GEORGIA WARNS MOSCOW AGAINST ATTACKING CHECHENS ON ITS TERRITORY
In an official statement released on 14 September, the Georgian Foreign
Ministry warned that Tbilisi will not tolerate any military action launched
by Russia against Chechens on Georgian territory, Interfax and Caucasus
Press reported. In an interview with NTV, Union of Rightist Forces leader
Boris Nemtsov had argued that Moscow should take such action if the
Georgian authorities are unwilling or unable to neutralize Chechen fighters
he claimed are operating with impunity from bases inside Georgia. LF
[07] TWO KILLED IN FIGHTING IN SOUTHERN GEORGIA
Two people died on 16 September and one was injured in fighting in a
village in Tsalka, southern Georgia, between an ethnic Greek family and a
family of highland Svans resettled in the district following a natural
catastrophe in their native northwestern Georgia in 1987, Caucasus Press
reported. Police were deployed in the region to prevent further clashes and
are patrolling access roads. Tensions between the Greek population in
Tsalka and the local Armenian minority were reported last year (see "RFE/RL
Caucasus Report," Vol. 3, No. 25, 23 June 2000). LF
[08] GEORGIA BANS CONSTRUCTION OF SIX MOSQUES
Local authorities in districts of southern-eastern Georgia where the
population is overwhelmingly Azerbaijani have ordered that work on
construction of six mosques in the region be suspended, according to
Interfax on 15 September and Caucasus Press on 17 September. Georgian
parliament subcommittee for national minorities Chairman Vakhtang
Shamiladze said that neither the Georgian authorities nor the religious
leaders of the Azerbaijani community in Georgia have given official
permission for the construction, which, he added, was being financed by
representatives of unnamed Middle Eastern states posing as officials for
international Muslim charities. The ban is likely to fuel latent tensions
between the Azerbaijani population of the region and the Georgian
authorities. In recent weeks the Azerbaijani media have repeatedly reported
that Azerbaijanis in Georgia are subject to systematic discrimination. LF
[09] RANSOM PAID FOR SPANIARDS ABDUCTED IN GEORGIA?
Relatives of the two Spanish businessmen abducted last November in eastern
Georgia (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 1 December 2000) have paid the ransom
demanded by their kidnappers and anticipate that the two men will soon be
released, Caucasus Press reported on 15 September, citing Spanish media
sources. The size of the ransom was not disclosed; Georgian media reported
earlier that the kidnappers had originally demanded $5 million but reduced
their demand to $500,000. Spain's consul general in Moscow visited Tbilisi
last month to discuss with Georgian police their efforts to locate and free
the hostages (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 13 August 2001). LF
[10] KAZAKHSTAN, TURKMENISTAN READY TO SUPPORT U.S. REPRISALS...
Speaking at the U.S. Embassy in Almaty on 15 September, Kazakh President
Nursultan Nazarbaev said his country "is ready to support the measures the
U.S. will carry out against terrorists. Kazakhstan can be relied on,"
RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported. In Washington the previous day,
Nazarbaev's security adviser, Altynbek Sarsenbaev, told Reuters that the
only way to neutralize Saudi terrorist Osama bin Laden is through a
coordinated effort spearheaded by the U.S. to end the civil war in
Afghanistan. Also on 14 September, Turkmenistan's president, Saparmurat
Niyazov, assured U.S. charge d'affaires Eric Schultz of his support for
international countermeasures against terrorism, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service
reported. LF
[11] ...WHILE TAJIKISTAN EQUIVOCATES
Tajik Foreign Ministry spokesman Igor Sattarov told journalists in Dushanbe
on 16 September that Western media reports that Tajikistan has agreed to
make its territory available to the U.S. to launch strikes against
Afghanistan are without any foundation, Western agencies reported. Two days
earlier, Tajik Premier Oqil Oqilov had said that the Tajik leadership would
discuss any such U.S. request for the use of its territory or airspace with
Moscow before responding, Interfax and dpa reported. LF
[12] NEW POLITICAL MOVEMENT FOUNDED IN KAZAKHSTAN
The founding congress of a new political movement named "My Kazakhstan" was
held in Astana on 14 September, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported. Its
leader is Qayrat Satybaldy, a nephew of President Nazarbaev. LF
[13] TAJIK PRESIDENT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES OVER MASSOUD'S DEATH
In a telegram to Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani, Imomali Rakhmonov
expressed condolences over the 14 September death of Northern Alliance
military commander Ahmed Shah Massoud, Interfax reported on 16 September.
Rakhmonov described Massoud as "a true national patriot and hero" whose
death is "an irrecoverable loss for the fraternal Afghan people and for all
friends of Afghanistan." LF
[B] SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE
[14] ALBANIA MOURNS AMERICAN VICTIMS
Albania's newly inaugurated Council of Ministers started its work on 13
September by declaring the following day a day of national mourning for the
victims of 11 September's terrorist attacks on the U.S., "Albanian Daily
News" reported. Prime Minister Ilir Meta said that "the Albanian government
expresses its human solidarity and sides with the American people and
government." He added that "this attack is directed not only against the
U.S. but also against peace, security, and human and democratic values,
worldwide." President Rexhep Meidani said on 13 September in Tirana: "We
are here to back the U.S. in fighting terrorism head-on in order to win the
fight of this century for the sake of our children." Thousands of mourners
joined Tirana Mayor Edi Rama in a silent march on 14 September in central
Tirana. Mosques and churches held special services for the victims. FS
[15] ALBANIAN POLICE CHECK IDENTITY OF ARABS
Meta stressed on 13 September in Tirana that Albania "is ready to put
everything at the disposal" of the U.S. and Western allies to assist them
in their "fight against international terrorism." On 15 September, Public
Order Minister Ilir Gjoni ordered police to check and investigate the
identities of all Arabs living in the country, dpa reported. A special
group of investigators will gather information and look into the
possibility that Islamic extremists have infiltrated the country. Police
also stepped up border checks. Investigators believe that there are
currently no more Islamic extremists in Albania and said that they are
closely working with U.S. experts to identify possible suspects. In 1999,
Albania extradited to Egypt 10 terrorist suspects, who had used Albania as
a refuge. The country has a large Muslim population and no visa regime for
many Arab countries. Many businesses and aid projects in Albania are Middle
Eastern in origin. FS
[16] NEW BUGGING SCANDAL IN MACEDONIA...
The Skopje dailies "Dnevnik" and "Utrinski vesnik" on 15 September
published the transcript of a telephone conversation between the leaders of
the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) and the Democratic Party of
the Albanians (PDSH), Branko Crvenkovski and Arben Xhaferi, respectively.
The transcript had been sent by fax to the newspapers by an anonymous
source, "to expose the high treason" of the two leaders. Earlier this year,
the Macedonian government under Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski of the
Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization -- Democratic Party for
Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) was accused of having bugged the
telephone lines of leading opposition politicians, journalists, and foreign
diplomats (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 19 February and 23 April 2001). UB
[17] ...WHILE MINISTER DENIES INVOLVEMENT...
In response to the newspaper reports, both Xhaferi and Crvenkovski charged
that Interior Minister Ljube Boskovski is behind the bugging, "Dnevnik"
reported on 15 September. "It is obvious that the illegal bugging [of
telephones] is still going on in Macedonia," he said. Xhaferi commented:
"Behind all this stands 'Big Brother' Ljube Boskovski. That shows that
there is something wrong with the state institutions." Boskovski denied to
comment on the issue, saying he "lacked information." UB
[18] ...REVEALS OPPOSITION TO REFERENDUM ON PEACE ACCORD
In the telephone conversation reported by "Dnevnik" and "Utrinski vesnik"
on 15 September, Crvenkovski and Xhaferi agreed to try to delay the next
session of the parliament, which is scheduled to discuss the proposal of
the New Democracy Party, a minor opposition party, to hold a referendum on
the peace accord (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 13 and 14 September 2001).
According to Macedonian law, the parliament can call for a referendum with
a simple majority, or 61 out of 120 votes. As Crvenkovski told Xhaferi in
the telephone conversation, a large part of Georgievski's party is likely
to vote in favor of such a referendum. The ethnic Albanian political
parties, the SDSM, and the international community fear that a referendum
will block the whole peace process. As Crvenkovski said in the telephone
call, the two parties "should buy time," presumably in order to ask the
international community to urge VMRO-DPMNE deputies to refrain from such a
move. The international community fears that the political settlement will
come undone unless the parliament passes the constitutional amendments soon
(see "RFE/RL Newsline," 14 September 2001). UB
[19] MACEDONIAN PARLIAMENT OPENS DEBATE
Crvenkovski said in Skopje on 15 September that the SDSM might leave the
broad-based governing coalition if parliament decides to hold a referendum,
AP reported. The debate on the referendum is scheduled to resume on 17
September (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 14 September 2001). Elections are
scheduled for January 2002, and many Macedonian politicians may be tempted
to support a referendum in order to woo nationalist voters opposed to the
constitutional changes. PM
[20] MACEDONIA AGREES TO NATO PRESENCE
The Macedonian authorities informed NATO on 15 September that they agree
with the Atlantic alliance retaining a greatly reduced number of troops in
that country to guard unarmed OSCE monitors after Operation Essential
Harvest ends on 26 September, RFE/RL's South Slavic Service reported (see
"RFE/RL Newsline," 11, 12, and 14 September 2001). Unnamed Western
diplomats in Skopje welcomed the move, telling Reuters that "this idea was
very much in accord with what we had wanted, and surprising given the mood
music here recently." AP suggested that the new force might number about
350. PM
[21] MACEDONIAN REFUGEES, DISPLACED PERSONS TO GO HOME
Defense Minister Vlado Buckovski said in Skopje on 16 September that the
first groups of Macedonians who fled their homes in recent fighting or were
driven out will return to Tearce in the Tetovo area on 18 September, AP
reported. Returns to Lesok and Neprosteno will follow. PM
[22] NATO: MACEDONIAN SIDE BROKE CEASE-FIRE
NATO spokesman Peter Altmannsperger told dpa in Skopje on 17 September that
Macedonian forces opened fire on ethnic Albanian guerrillas of the National
Liberation Army (UCK) the previous day in the Tetovo area. He said that
NATO forces were present and witnessed the entire incident. Macedonian
police claimed that the Albanians had attacked them. It was the second
incident within 24 hours in the area. PM
[23] MACEDONIAN MINISTER REJECTS CONFERENCE
Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva said in Skopje on 14 September that the
government rejects any idea of an international political conference for
Macedonia or any new regional political groupings, Deutsche Welle's
"Monitor" reported. She said that Macedonia is able to manage its own
affairs. Moscow, Belgrade, and Athens have, at various times, suggested
holding an international Balkan conference to deal with Macedonia and
related issues. Some observers have suggested that those supporting a
conference hope to use it to expand their influence in the region or to
preclude independence for Kosova or Montenegro (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 6
September 2001). PM
[24] HAEKKERUP ISSUES 'RULES' FOR KOSOVA
Hans Haekkerup, who heads the UN's civilian administration in Kosova,
approved on 15 September a "Rule Book" for the province's government after
the 17 November election, Hina reported. The parliament will have 120 seats,
10 of which are reserved for the Serbs and an additional 10 for other
minorities. The government will consist of a president, a prime minister,
and nine ministers. The ministries will not include foreign affairs or
defense. One minister must be a Serb and one other minister a member of
another minority. Kosova's population is about 90 percent ethnic Albanian.
PM
[25] RESULTS OF MASS GRAVE EXHUMATION IN SERBIA
The district court in Uzice said in a statement on 15 September that a
recently exhumed mass grave contained the bodies of 48 persons in civilian
clothing, RFE/RL's South Slavic Service reported (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 10
September 2001). The bodies were in the grave for about two years, prior to
which they had been in water. The victims were 17 years of age and older
and had been killed by gunfire. They are assumed to be ethnic Albanians
from Kosova killed by the security forces or paramilitaries. PM
[26] ROMANIAN PRESIDENT ASKS PARLIAMENT TO OFFER AIRSPACE TO NATO
In a letter addressed to Romanian parliament's two chambers, Ion Iliescu on
14 September called on parliament to approve the use of national airspace
for NATO in the event of retaliatory military strikes for the 11 September
terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C., Romanian media reported.
The Romanian Supreme Defense Council (CSAT) headed by Iliescu decided that
Romania should act as a "NATO ally" in the fight against worldwide
terrorism. Premier Adrian Nastase added on 15 September that Romania
considers itself a de facto NATO member and his country would fully
cooperate in a common action with NATO. The same day, Iliescu said a
military conflict is not probable. Chamber of Deputies Chairman Valer
Dorneanu said parliament will convene on 19 September to discuss the CSAT
proposal. ZsM
[27] ROMANIAN ARMY TO REORGANIZE TO FACE TERRORIST THREAT
Romanian Army Chief of Staff General Mihail Popescu on 15 September said
the military doctrine and the army's structures need to be modified to
successfully face future terrorist threats, Mediafax reported. He said
military strategy will not be modified, but new issues will be added in
regard to the threat of terrorism. He added that modifying the army's
structure takes time, but it should not take too long to prepare for such
threats. ZsM
[28] GUARD SERVICE DENIES HAVING TRAINED HAMAS MEMBERS
The Protection and Guard Service (SPP) in charge of protecting Romanian
dignitaries on 14 September denied having trained members of the
Palestinian Hamas terrorist organization, Mediafax reported. The SPP's
press release denied Greater Romania Party Chairman Corneliu Vadim Tudor's
charges that the SPP trained Hamas members in 1995. The SPP acknowledged
having trained between 1994-96 several Palestinians who were to protect
Palestinian Authority leaders, but added they only received antiterrorist
training. The SPP considers Tudor's allegations libel. In response to
Tudor's allegations, Bucharest-based "Evenimentul zilei" on 17 September
referred to the senator as "Vadim bin Laden" and a "political terrorist."
ZsM
[29] ROMANIAN OFFICIALS SLAM HUNGARIAN STATUS LAW ONCE AGAIN
On the five-year anniversary of the signing of the Romanian-Hungarian Basic
Treaty, Romanian President Iliescu and Premier Nastase on 15 September
condemned the Status Law recently approved by the Hungarian parliament,
Mediafax reported. Iliescu said Romania has fulfilled all its commitments
to the Hungarian minority "without hesitations," and that this minority
enjoys "large prerogatives provided for in the law on local public
administration." He added that he is surprised, however, that Hungary
adopted the Status Law providing special rights to ethnic Hungarians living
in neighboring countries without first consulting Bucharest. Nastase said
Romania will continue to act as "a good neighbor and a trustful partner,"
and expressed hope that the Status Law will not affect "the active
partnership" between the two countries. ZsM
[30] VORONIN MEETS SMIRNOV'S OPPONENT FOR TRANSDNIESTER PRESIDENCY
Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin on 14 September met in Chisinau with
Aleksandr Radcenko, a candidate for the 9 December presidential elections
in the breakaway Transdniester region, Flux reported. The two discussed the
situation of Transdniester companies that are "in a difficult situation"
due to the introduction of new customs seals. Voronin said the country
should only have a single customs office, through which Chisinau could
"normalize" export-import activities in the region. He added that Chisinau
guarantees the completion of customs procedures for all companies in the
Transdniester. Radcenko, who is supported by civic organizations from the
"The Power of the People! For Social Equity!" opposition bloc, was proposed
on 13 September as Tiraspol leader Igor Smirnov's only opponent thus far.
According to Flux, Radcenko supported Voronin's election campaign and was
the only deputy from the Tiraspol Supreme Soviet to protest suspending
negotiations with Chisinau. ZsM
[31] U.S. WITHDRAWS FROM NATO MANEUVERS IN BULGARIA
A U.S. military official said it has suspended the participation of
American personnel and aircraft in the "Cooperative Key 2001" NATO military
exercises in Bulgaria, Reuters reported on 14 September. The decision to
suspend U.S. activities in the maneuvers is a result of the terrorist
attacks in New York and Washington D.C. on 11 September. Four A-10 attack
aircraft and some 40-60 military personnel returned to Germany. The
exercises will continue until 20 September and involve some 1,300 military
personnel from 22 countries (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 12 September 2001). PB
[32] BULGARIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CALLS FOR SPEEDIER NATO EXPANSION AND
INCREASED ROLE
Solomon Pasi called on NATO to increase the pace of expanding the alliance
in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the U.S., dpa reported. Pasi said
in an interview with the newspaper "24 Chasa" on 17 September that "NATO
expansion is a necessity and the organization will have to focus on global
questions." Pasi, the president of Bulgaria's Atlantic Club, a think tank
that advocates the country joining NATO, said the events in the U.S.
require the alliance to reevaluate its future role and its security
concept. Defense Minister Nikolai Svinarov said the same day that "Bulgaria
is not in a state of war but is ready to help the democratic community,
including the United States," in any way it can. Pasi had commented earlier
that "civilization is at war with terror" and "Bulgaria is part of
civilization." PB
[C] END NOTE
[33] There is no End Note today
17-09-01
Reprinted with permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
URL: http://www.rferl.org
|
