Lajcak acknowledges concept of multi-ethnic state difficult to achieve in BiH
15/10/2008
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) -- High Representative Miroslav Lajcak admitted on Tuesday (October 14th) the concept of a multi-ethnic BiH state is difficult to achieve, although it has not yet failed. In an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel, Lajcak said the international community would not allow secession or an independence referendum in Republika Srpska (RS), as this "would cross the international community's red line". Nor, he said, could RS survive economically as an independent state.
Asked whether he could use his powers to remove RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik, Lajcak replied dismissal wouldn't help improve the situation. Still, he admitted that Dodik is threatening to destroy BiH in an easier and legal way by withdrawing his ministers and lawmakers from central state institutions. (Spiegel, RTRS, Beta - 14/10/08)
Turkey to create new co-ordination body to fight PKK
15/10/2008
ANKARA, Turkey -- The Higher Counterterrorism Board (TMYK) on Tuesday (October 14th) proposed establishing a new body, working under the umbrella of the interior ministry, to co-ordinate activities against the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). At a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the TMYK evaluated "all dimensions of the struggle against terror, including its socioeconomic, diplomatic and legal aspects", according to an official statement. At its next meeting, the TMYK is expected to prepare a comprehensive road map for the fight that will include measures ranging from military to political.
Also Tuesday, PKK militants attacked an army convoy in the eastern province of Tunceli, wounding five Turkish soldiers, military sources said. Fighting continues, with the army sending reinforcements to the area. Army helicopters bombed PKK members responsible for the attack, the sources said. (Zaman, Hurriyet, Anadolu news agency, Dogan news agency, NTV, AFP - 14/10/08)
Four war crimes suspects arrested in BiH
15/10/2008
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) -- Police in BiH arrested on Tuesday (October 14th) four Bosnian Serbs suspected of committing crimes against humanity in 1992. Officers of the Agency for Investigation and Protection arrested Milorad Skrbic, Milorad Radakovic, Gordan Djuric and Ljubisa Cetic in the municipalities of Prijedor and Sanski Most in a co-ordinated operation. The four allegedly executed more than 200 Bosnian Muslims and Croats on Vlasic Mountain in August 1992.
In other news, two mass graves containing the remains of murdered Roma from Skelane and Srebrenica have turned up in a Catholic cemetery in the village of Bosanski Dubocac, local media reported. Nijaz Causevic Medo, a former high-ranking Croatian Army officer, says a number of Croatian generals ordered the killings. He has offered to testify before a BiH court in exchange for protection. (Beta, B92, Glas Srpske, RTRS, Reuters - 14/10/08)
Skopje protests detention of Macedonian journalists in Greece
15/10/2008
SKOPJE, Macedonia -- The foreign ministry on Tuesday (October 14th) delivered a note of protest to the head of the Greek Liaison Office in Skopje, Alexandra Papadopoulou, following the detention of four Macedonian journalists in Greece earlier in the day. "Macedonia considers [the journalists' detention] an inhumane act," the note read, calling on Greek authorities to take appropriate measures and prevent such incidents in the future. Police detained the journalists -- two reporters and a cameraman from the A1 and A2 TV stations and a correspondent from the Nova Makedonija daily -- in the village of Zabrdani, near the northern town of Florina. They underwent questioning for over one hour at a police station and had to present special permits issued by Greece for taking photographs. Later, police released them but barred them from talking to local residents. Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski described the episode as "outrageous".
The Greek government responded, describing Skopje's statements as yet another "provocative attempt at the utter distortion of reality" and "an unacceptable attempt to interfere with Greece's internal affairs". (Vecer, Dnevnik, Utrinski Vesnik, Eleftherotypia, Kathimerini - 15/10/08; MIA, Makfax, A1, Sitel, ANA-MPA, ERT, Naftemporiki - 14/10/08)
Serbian government marks first 100 days in office
15/10/2008
BELGRADE, Serbia -- The government marked its first 100 days in office Tuesday (October 14th) with a news conference by Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic. His list of biggest accomplishments included the ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, the signing of a gas deal with Russia and acquisition of funds for the construction of Corridor 10, as well as Belgrade's recent success in bringing the issue of Kosovo's independence before the International Court of Justice. Cvetkovic acknowledged, however, that the first 100 days served mostly to "consolidate work" and shore up relations within the ruling coalition. He promised the real results still lie ahead. The opposition painted a very different picture, giving the government a 1.5 on a scale of 20 points. (Politika, Danas - 15/10/08; B92, FoNet, RTS, Tanjug - 14/10/08)
United States to participate in EULEX mission in Kosovo
15/10/2008
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The EU Council of Ministers approved a proposal Tuesday (October 14th) for US participation in the EU's EULEX mission in Kosovo. Washington has assured that its officials will "participate in the mission in accordance with the EULEX joint action and operational plan". Under the agreement, EULEX Commander Yves de Kermabon will command and control all teams and units, which now include 500 international members and around 200 local staff. Kosovo officials say deployment is considered an "immediate need".
In other news Tuesday, Finance Minister Ahmet Shala said Kosovo is likely to become a member of the IMF and the World Bank shortly, probably next year. During an official visit to Washington, Shala told the BBC that the majority of IMF member states support Kosovo's membership. Serbia and Russia would be unable to block the move, he added.
Also Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates recognised Kosovo's independence, the first Arab country to do so. Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg announced they are recognising Kosovo's newly issued passports.
Meanwhile, the strike by healthcare workers in Kosovo ended on Tuesday after their trade union and the government agreed on a pay raise, starting in January. (Kosova Sot, Express, Koha Ditore, Zeri - 15/10/08; TV21, Kohavision - 14/10/08)
Bulgaria to investigate ruling party's campaign financing
15/10/2008
SOFIA, Bulgaria -- The chief prosecutor's office announced on Tuesday (October 14th) it told the National Security Agency (NSA) to investigate the ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party's (BSP) campaign financing in 2005: specifically, contributions made by three companies owned by businessman Mario Nikolov. Tsvetan Tsvetanov, leader of the Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria, submitted documents last week, suggesting the BSP received donations worth 77,000 euros from the companies. The funds went to 15 individuals who later donated them, under their own names, to the BSP. Nikolov also appears in a July report by the European Anti-Fraud Office that revealed abuses of 32m euros in funds allocated to Bulgaria under the SAPARD programme. (Darik, novinite.com, Mediapool, BNR, BTA - 14/10/08)
EU pledges to help implement its rules in Turkish part of Cyprus
15/10/2008
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Tuesday (October 14th) the EU would offer its expertise to help implement Union rules in the Turkish part of Cyprus, once the ongoing reunification talks progress. Barroso and Cypriot President Demetris Christofias reached agreement on the initiative at their meeting in Brussels. Protocol 10 of the EU Accession Treaty for Cyprus offers the basis for implementing the EU's legal provisions in the Turkish part within a future federation. (Simerini - 15/10/08; CNA, Philelefteros - 14/10/08)
EU urges Albanian officials to respect laws
15/10/2008
TIRANA, Albania -- Ambassadors from EU countries expressed concern Tuesday (October 14th) over the Albanian government's decision to probe the legality of a prosecutor's investigation of Bosnian businessman Damir Fazlic. The move represents serious interference with the judiciary's work, they warned. Fazlic allegedly conducted illegal financial activity and improper business relations with government officials, including Prime Minister Sali Berisha. (VOA, BBC, Alsat, Klan - 14/10/08)
