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RFE/RL Newsline, Vol. 5, No. 176, 01-09-17

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: Newsline Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty <http://www.rferl.org>

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


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