Daily news online of 5 November 2009:

 November 5, 2009 | 17:13

Russia Grants Refugee Status to Former Georgian Serviceman

Former coast guard serviceman requested asylum in Russia in May.

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=21644

 November 5, 2009 | 14:49

Russia’s Military Intelligence Chief Warns of New War

Alexander Shliakhturov did not rule out that Georgia might use force against breakaway regions.

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=21643

 November 5, 2009 | 13:44

Tskhinvali Detains Four Georgian Teens

Breakaway region’s authorities claim teenagers were armed with hand-grenades.

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=21642

 November 5, 2009 | 11:39

Labor Party Leader Visits U.S.

Natelashvili will hold meetings at U.S. Congress and Senate.

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=21641

 November 4, 2009 | 18:07

5 Contenders for Presidency in Breakaway Abkhazia

Incumbent Abkhaz leader Bagapsh and ex-VP Khajimba will compete again.

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=21640

 November 4, 2009 | 16:13

Saakashvili Visits Qatar

Officials said attracting investments was the major goal of the visit.

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=21639

 November 4, 2009 | 14:33

Georgian FM Renounces Russian Citizenship

“I put my Russian passport in envelope” and sent it to President Medvedev, Vashadze said.

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=21638

 November 4, 2009 | 02:24

Mukhrovani Trial: Commander of Land Forces Questioned

The commander testified before the court as a prosecution witness.

http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=21637

NEWSLETTER No. 14 November 2009

 European Commission presents the 2009 Enlargement Strategy to civil society organisations in Kosovo

Following the adoption of the 2009 Enlargement Strategy on 14 October, the European Commission Liaison Office discussed the findings and recommendations of the 2009 Progress Report for Kosovo and the Kosovo study with civil society organisations representatives in Pristina on 28 October 2009. Renzo Daviddi, Head of the EC Liaison Office and Khaldoun Sinno, Head of Political, Economic and EU Integration Section, took questions and engaged in a discussion with around 60 representatives of civil society organisations working in all spheres, including human rights, children and women rights, as well as political and social policy areas. Civil Society organisations were consulted also during the drafting process of the Progress Report.

 European Commission signed €103m assistance deal for Kosovo

European Commission is helping Kosovo to take one step closer towards economic and social development through a € 103.6 million financing agreement, part of the Commission’s Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance 2009 annual programme.

With the signing of the agreement the European Commission has fulfilled 80 percent of its pledge to the Kosovo people at the Donors’ Conference in July 2008. The remaining funds will be provided through the IPA 2010 financing programme. The selection of the programme priorities will start soon and will be based also on the findings of the Progress Report 2009.

 European Commission launches two projects aiming to improve the rule of law in Kosovo

The EC Liaison Office in October began two twinning projects aiming to improve the rule of law in Kosovo by improving the capacities of the training institutions for legal practitioners in Kosovo, as well as of the Ministry of Justice through support for the reduction of court backlogs and improvement of the alternative dispute resolution.

The €3.6 million twinning project that will last until February 2012, will improve the organisation and quality of training provided by the Kosovo Judicial Institute, the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates, the Law Faculty of the University of Pristina, and the Kosovo Law Centre.

 Around 1000 pupils rejoice learning in new EU-funded school-buildings

Two primary school-buildings in Ferizaj/Uroševac and Gjilan/Gnjilane constructed with EU funds hosted around 1000 pupils in the new school year. The schools were inaugurated in October 2009 by the EC Liaison Office, city mayors, and representatives of ministries and municipal institutions. The schools will significantly shorten the travel time for pupils, provide larger classrooms, as well as provide significantly better infrastructure for teaching.

Warm, bright and attractive buildings were built according to both European and UNICEF standards, with many classrooms, multipurpose areas, multipurpose laboratories, cabinets, libraries, rooms for the director, secretary and teachers, and other facilities

 Vibrant Autumn Sunday Happening on Two Wheels

Around 200 cyclists gathered in Junik on 27 September for the second edition of the Tour de Culture, a non-competitive, 50 km long recreational tour. The goals of this tour were to promote beauties of natural and cultural heritage in Kosovo, to promote efficient and environment friendly mobility, as well as healthy life, to raise awareness on importance of safer roads for alternative means of transport and to discover potentials for sustainable development and tourism.

 EC International Drawing Competition Kosovo finalists enjoy a day of juggling, dancing and face painting with classmates

The Germia Park in Pristina was unusually full with children one September day. Professionals taught children to juggle toys, try dancing styles and paint each other’s faces. These activities were part of an event organized by the EC Liaison Office in Pristina, aiming at awarding the ten children finalists of the EC world-wide drawing competition on gender equality.

Ten year old Lorik Kelmendi from Peja/Pec is one of the fourteen worldwide winners of the competition. Lorik was awarded an equivalent of € 1000 prize, a computer and English courses for a year. The other nine finalists also received prizes.

 Pristina Archives become functional

In mid October, the refurbished Archives building that formerly housed thousands of documents in inadequate conditions was officially inaugurated by the EC Liaison Office, Ministry of Local Government officials, and the Pristina mayor.

With the EU-funded renovation work of the archives building, the city will for the first time have proper facilities for archiving important legal and technical documentation and other materials in a secure environment. Until present, these documents were kept in inappropriate conditions in the basement of the building.

PLEASE, CHECK ATTACHED FILE

Newsletter, July – September 09

In this edition:

1. EU takes steps towards visa-free travel and encourages reform on the benchmarks

 High Representative Solana came on a regular visit to the country in July, followed by the visit of Commissioner Rehn aimed to review the progress on the benchmarks and to underline the major step achieved with the proposal of the European Commission on visa free travel. In September, the Commissioner for Education and Culture, Jan Figel’ came to Skopje to open the XIVth edition of the Bienalle of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean.

2. Financing agreement of the regional development component signed

 On 14 September 2009, EU Special Representative and Head of the Delegation of the European Commission, Erwan Fouéré, and the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Affairs, Vasko Naumovski, signed the Financing Agreement of the Regional Development component of the pre-accession assistance (IPA).

3. Twinning project: Development of capacities to combat money laundering (phase II) completed

 The twinning project Development of Capacities to Combat Money Laundering (Phase II) marked its completion on 9 September at a closing conference. This project was part of the efforts of the European Commission to help strengthen the capacities for preventing and combating organized crime.

EurasiaNet Weekly Update Wednesday, November 4, 2009

 Caucasus

Playing the Slots: Georgia’s Hidden Addiction?

Amid a Tbilisi slot-parlor boom, experts believe that problem gambling is on the rise in Georgia . The gaming industry may be pouring millions each year into state coffers, but the social costs of gambling are going unmeasured.

 Central Asia

Mongolia: Ethnic Kazakhs Eye Land of Opportunity to the West BY JOANNA LILLIS

 Near East

Turkey: Ankara Pressing Ahead with Diplomatic Make-Over BY YIGAL SCHLEIFER

 Central Asia

Tajikistan: Cotton Harvest Relies Heavily on Child Labor

 Central Asia

Eurasian Energy: Circumstances Pushing Iran and Pakistan to Link Up A EURASIANET COMMENTARY BY STEPHEN BLANK

 Central Asia

Afghanistan: Karzai Declared President, But Is Abdullah the Real Winner? BY AUNOHITA MOJUMDAR

 Caucasus

Georgia: Free-Speech Debate Swirls in Tbilisi over Patriarch Parody BY MOLLY CORSO

 Central Asia

Turkmenistan: Is Berdymukhamedov Spinning a Web Fantasy?

PLEASE, CHECK ATTACHED FILE

Invito alle nostre prossime iniziative culturali, organizzate da The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs in collaborazione con l´Accademia d´Ungheria, l´Ambasciata di Polonia, l´Ambasciata della Repubblica Slovacca e l´Istituto Culturale Ceco.

 Lunedì/ 9 Novembre 2009/ore 20.15

Proiezione del film “Ode to Joy and Freedom” John Cabot University – Aula Magna Regina

 Martedì/ 10 Novembre 2009/ ore 21.15

Proiezione del film “The Power of the Powerless” John Cabot University – Aula Magna Regina

 Mercoledì/ 11 Novembre 2009/ ore 17.00 – 21.00

Conferenza “20 ANNI DOPO LA CADUTA DEL MURO DI BERLINO” John Cabot University – Aula Magna Regina

Al via il MittelCinemaFest 2009 a Budapest con Fort Apache di Marco Risi. Ospite della serata sarà Ernesto Mahieux

Il Festival, organizzato in collaborazione con Cinecittà Luce- FILMITALIA, con il Cinema Puskin, con la Budapest Film e con altri Istituti Italiani di Cultura dell’Europa centrale, presenterà 11 film dell’ultima produzione cinematografica italiana, nonché una serie di cortometraggi forniti dal RIFF – Roma Indipendent Film Festival, che avranno luogo prima di ogni proiezione.

Fortapàsc è un film su Giancarlo Siani, giornalista ucciso dalla camorra nel 1985. Si tratta di un film ben costruito che, nonostante la tematica delicata, non si lascia trasportare dalla retorica. Un film ben diretto da Marco Risi e ben supportato da bravissimi attori.

Ad inaugurare la serata, oltre al Direttore dell’Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Budapest, Salvatore Ettorre, ci sarà proprio uno degli attori di Fortapàsc, Ernesto Mahieux, di cui si ricordano, tra le tante interpretazioni, quella del film L’imbalsamatore di Matteo Garrone. Al termine della proiezione l’attore sarà disponibile a rispondere alle eventuali domande del pubblico.

Tra le pellicole in programma a Budapest: La casa sulle nuvole di Claudio Giovannesi, Diverso da chi? di Umberto Cartemi, Due partite di Enzo Monteleone, Ex di Fausto Brizzi, Fortapàsc di Marco Risi, Giulia non esce la sera di Giuseppe Piccioni, La matassa di Giovan Battista Avellino, Salvatore Ficarra, Valentino Picone, Il papà di Giovanna di Pupi Avati, Questione di cuore di Francesca Archibugi, Si può fare di Giulio Manfredonia, Il caso dell’infedele Klara di Roberto Faenza.

 Inaugurazione della mostra delle fotografie di Stanislaw Ignacy WITKIEWICZ

sabato 7 novembre 2009 ore 17.00 Auditorium Parco della Musica (foyer) Viale Pietro de Coubertin, Roma ingresso libero

Nell’ambito del Festival Corso Polonia 2009, l’Istituto Polacco di Roma presenta 83 fotografie di Stanislaw Ignacy Witkiewicz, detto Witkacy, noto in Italia soprattutto agli studiosi e appassionati di teatro, anche grazie ai lavori di Tadeusz Kantor. La sua personalità poliedrica (Witkacy fu allo stesso momento pittore, disegnatore, fotografo, filosofo, critico letterario, drammaturgo e romanziere) gli vale il posto tra i “pazzi geniali” più affascinanti nel panorama culturale europeo nel periodo compreso tra le due guerre.

La mostra a cura di Maria Anna Potocka e Stefan Okolowicz è stata prodotta dalla Galleria d’Arte Contemporanea Bunkier Sztuki di Cracovia.

Info: Istituto Polacco di Roma tel.06 36 00 07 23 - www.istitutopolacco.it

sabato 7 novembre 2009 ore 18.00 Stabat mater di Karol SZYMANOWSKI contemporaneo e amico di Witkacy

 Concerto dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia

Auditorium Parco della Musica (Sala Santa Cecilia) Viale Pietro de Coubertin, Roma ingresso a pagamento

Info: Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia tel. 06 80 82 058 - www.santacecilia.it

PLEASE CHECK ATTACHED FILE

In allegato il programma per il corrente mese di novembre.

Newsletter of 5 November 2009:

 Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs Janis Jurkans: in reality Latvian politicians do nothing for integration of society

Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs Janis Jurkans in an interview to Telegraf states that in reality Latvian politicians do nothing for integration of society because for them it is better to live in two-community state using method “divide and rule.” Mr. Jurkans also believes that the Concord Centre will not form the governing coalition despite that it most probably will win the Saeima’s elections because ethnic Latvian parties will not be ready to share the power.

 Special operation in Ingushetia

On October 16, 2009 after 4 p.m. in the village of Ordzhonikidzevskaya (Ingushetia)officers of the Federal Security Service and Ministry of Internal Affairs killed four people during a special operation.

According to official information in the press-release of the Ingush Department of FSS, "upon checking information received from local residents of the village of Ordzhonikidzevskaya which involved moving of suspicious people in the night near Kirov street investigation, search operations were held; consequently, whereabouts of the members of the group were ascertained <…> When officers of special units of Ingush FSS and MIA tried to enter the house, criminals started shooting at them with automatic guns resulting in four death bandits. There were no deaths or injuries among officers of law enforcement authorities. During the survey of the place where the incident occurred, 2 submachine guns AK-47, ammunition to them (the number is being specified), Makarov pistol and grenades were found". Those killed were "members of the so-called "flat country" part of the band and provided functioning of other bandits being in the forest. They supplied them with products, clothes, arms, ammunition, collected information about the objects of future crimes". The deceased were named in the press-release: Sulumbek Machukaev, Aslan Machukaev, Roza Hayauri and Nazir Gaydarov (http://www.ingushetia.ru/m-news/archives/012035.shtml#more, http://www.ingushetia.ru/m-news/archives/012024.shtml).

The counter-terrorist operation was held in the part of Sunjensky district of Ingushetia from 9 a.m. on October 15 until 11:30 on October 17.

On October 20, members of HRC Memorial went to the place of the special operation, questioned witnesses and specified the circumstances of the operation. As our members learned the special operation was held in house 1 in Kirov street. In the house Roza Hayauri, born 1964, worked as a nurse, and her two sons – Salambek Machukayev and Aslanbek Machukayev (we clarified the names from the relatives) lived.

Roza Hayauri is a native of the village of Chemulga (Ingushetia). While married she lived in the village of Bamut (Chechnya). She and her sons have been renting the house in the village of Ordzhonikidzevskaya for 3 years.

On October 16, after 4 p.m. the house was blocked by more than 80 members of law enforcement authorities. To hold the operation 2 BTRs, 2 Ural cars, some micro-buses and other cars were used. At the moment Roza Hayauri was at work in a district hospital. Her son Aslanbek informed her by phone that a special operation was being held at their house. Neighbors saw that Rosa reached the house talking to someone by phone (obviously, to her son). They heard her saying: "I’m already here". The guards let the woman go through the cordon. After that syloviks started shooting at the house with grenade launchers and automatic weapons.

When the operation started Aslanbek Machukayev was in the house. We don’t know if someone else was there. Salambek had recently left for the mosque.

The fight continued not more than an hour. The neighbors heard one of the syloviks shouting to his colleague: "One of them wants to yield". Another answered: "Screw it, kill him". Some people heard this talk. No one saw what happened next. However, a neighbor teenager who happened to appear in the fire zone was taken to a safe place.

Everyone who was at the house and grounds was killed. Roza’s body lay on the porch. Syloviks say that a grenade was in her hands. Those who knew the woman well, strongly suspect the factuality of the information. Aslanbek was killed near the door leading to a neighboring court. He was lying flat on his back, with his hands up. A rusty pistol was found near Aslanbek’s body.

Two more people were killed in the garden. Both of them were residents of the village of Ordzhonikidzevskaya.

One of them, Nazir Gandarov, born 1984, lived at Narodnaya st., 6 (in the official release he is called Gaydarov). Witnesses say that a new automatic gun lied near his body. Another killed man, Alikhan Machukayev, born 1989, lived at Kavkazskaya st., 20. His body was torn at waist and both hands were torn away.

Law enforcement authorities first took notice of Nazir Gandarov in 2004 after bands of boyeviks had attacked power structures of Ingushetia. They suspected him of being involved in the attack. Nazir’s elder brother, Isa Gandarov, born 1977, was killed by law enforcement authorities on April 17, 2004 during a special operation in the village of Ordzhonikidzhevskaya.

On July 16, 2004 the officers of unknown law enforcement authorities abducted Nazir Gandarov from his own house, and for some days his relatives didn’t know where he was. On July 23 or 24, Nazir was released. The young man says that he was beaten up and tortured with electricity, they wanted him to confess to being involved in the events of June 21-22 in Ingushetia. Nazir was probably taken to the city of Vladikavkaz (North Ossetia-Alania). Some time later Nazir was officially detained and sentenced to 3/5 years of prison for being involved in illegal armed bands (the fact of his participation in the attack at power structures in Ingushetia was never proved during the court sessions). In May of 2008 Nazir was released, but some time later he was declared as wanted again as a boyevik. In September of 2009 officers of law enforcement authorities searched Gandarov’s house. After that Nazir’s sister obtained the meeting with Ingush president Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and asked him to protect Nazir from groundless persecution. She was sure that Nazir was paying for the sins of his elder brother. Gandarova promised to Yevkurov that Nazir would come to him on the first call. Alikhan Machikayev was not related to the Machukayevs nor Roza Hayauri. Maybe together with Nazir Gandarov he was hiding from law enforcement authorities.

Aslanbek and Salambek lived openly. Aslanbek was in his 2nd year of studying economics at the technical college in Nazran. Many local residents knew Roza Hayauri and respected her. Roza’s relatives are indignant at the fact that Roza and her sons were considered to be boyeviks.

The same case occurred in the city of Karabulak (Ingushetia) on June 11, 2008 when during the special operationm officers of law enforcement authorities killed five people. The deceased were declared terrorists. The owner of the house, pensioner Lidia Albakova, born 1954, and her son Adam Hadzhaev, born 1982, were among the "terrorists" that time. Lidia was a former teacher, and worked up as a private tutor.

For more information (in Russian) visit Memorial’s site: http://www.memo.ru/2009/10/29/2910093.html

 Arbi Hachukayev is being forcibly taken to Chechnya

On November 5, 2009 in Moscow representatives of Chechen law enforcement authorities detained the head of Russian public organization "Pravo" (Grozny) Arbi Hachukayev.

At this moment, they are trying to take Hachukayev from Moscow to Chechen Republic. He and people accompanying him are at the airport "Vnukovo" waiting for a flight to Grozny.

Member of the Board of HRC Memorial, head of the Committee "Civic Assistance" Svetlana Gannushkina sent a request to a transport line department of internal affairs of the airport. She demands to confirm that the people who are taking Hachukayev away have all the proper paperwork. If they don’t have it, they have to be stopped from engaging in these illegal actions.

 Pressure on human rights activists in the Krasnodar region. Appeal

The International Human Rights Youth Movement (MPD), the Human Rights Center "Memorial" and the Movement of Civil Action "GROZA" ("Thunderstorm" trans.) have decided to "Appeal to the human rights community in light of the increasing pressure on human rights activists in the Krasnodar region" (see appendix).

The appeal was made in relation to the situation that has recently arisen in the Krasnodar region. In its systematic disorders and in the severity of the pressure on human rights and civil activists, the region is close in resembling the North Caucasus. Particularly of concern is the pressure being placed on Anastasia Denisova - head of the Krasnodar Regional NGO Youth Group for Tolerance "ETnIKA" as well as a member of Memorial, the Coordinating Council of the International Human Rights Youth Movement and the Movement of Civil Action “GROZA”. Since August 2009, various law enforcement agencies of the Krasnodar region have impeded the normal functioning of both Anastasia as well as the organization that she works for, "ETnIKA”.

The authors of the appeal call for members of the Russian and international human rights community to pay special attention to the Krasnodar region and to organize more human rights and civil action in the region in so as to create favorable conditions for human rights organizations.

La grave crisi dei cantieri navali di Fiume in Croazia. Estovest, la rubrica settimanale della Tgr realizzata dalla sede Rai per il Friuli Venezia Giulia, apre la puntata di sabato 7 novembre con un’inchiesta di Walter Skerk che ha raccolto le testimonianze tra gli operai e il sindacato. A rischio 60 mila posti di lavoro tra i dipendenti e l’indotto.

Sulla Bosnia Erzegovina aleggiano nuove tensioni. Il fallimento del vertice di Butmir tra i rappresentanti diplomatici degli Stati uniti ed Unione Europea è solo l’ultimo segnale di una crisi annunciata. L’ambasciatore americano è stato chiarissimo: "Questa o è la fine dell’accordo di Dayton, o è la fine della Bosnia, in entrambi i casi si rischia la guerra". E del pericolo di un nuovo conflitto si parla anche nel centro più importante dell’Erzegovina. Enzo Ragone è stato a Mostar, la città letteralmante spaccata in 2, perchè nella parte est vivono i musulmani, in quella ovest i cattolici, che sono prevalentemente croati.

Le telecamere di Estovest si spostano a Vienna, dove l’associazione Neustart organizza lavori socialmente utili per chi ha subito lievi condanne. Il lavoro è un’occasione di reinserimento sociale. Le statistiche dicono che su cento persone che escono dal carcere, 80 tornano a commettere reati. Lucio Giudiceandrea è andato nelle officine dell’associazione dove lavorano i detenuti. Secondo i dati solo il 40% degli occupati torna a delinquere. In certi casi è meglio l’officina della guerra.

Chiude la puntata un servizio di Biserka Simoneta: in tutto l’arco alpino una volta si usava festeggiare il ritorno in pianura delle mandrie dopo il pascolo estivo in montagna. Oggi questa tradizione è stata quasi abbandonata, ma sotto forma di manifestazione etnografica e turistica sopravvive ancora in riva al bellissimo lago di Bohinj in Slovenia. L’evento che quest’anno è giunto alla sua 54-esima edizione porta il nome di Ballo delle mucche.

Estovest è a cura di Giovanni Marzini e Gian Paolo Girelli.

Nuovo appuntamento con "Levante", la rubrica nazionale della TGR realizzata dalla redazione Rai di Bari a cura di Giancarlo Spadoni e Pino Bruno, in onda sabato 7 novembre alle 11.30 su Raitre. In questa puntata:

 VENT’ANNI FA A TIMISOARA di Pino Bruno. Sono passati vent’anni dalla rivolta popolare contro il regime di Ceausescu. Tutto cominciò a Timisoara. Non fu solo la scintilla della rivoluzione, ma anche l’atto fondatore della Romania di oggi, paese dell’Unione Europea e della Nato. Parla un testimone, il giornalista Franco Guarino.

 GLI ARMENI DI ARMIN di Sergio De Nicola. Il genocidio degli armeni, nelle fotografie di un ufficiale tedesco di stanza in Turchia durante la prima guerra mondiale. Armin Wegner descrisse stragi, deportazioni e campi di concentramento, ma anche l’accoglienza al popolo della diaspora. A Bari, ad esempio, dove nacque un piccolo villaggio armeno, Nor Arax.

 CODICE TURCO di Costantino Foschini. Pochi sanno che la giurisprudenza penale turca è ispirata al codice Zanardelli. Oggi il paese si confronta con la riforma della giustizia e, ancora una volta, guarda all’Italia.

 AL DI LA’ DEL MARE di Nando Nunziante. Amori, partenze, mostri, sirene, guerrieri, città, naufragi, animali parlanti, poeti migranti ed eroi. E’ il Mediterraneo raccontato e cantato dai Radiodervish nell’ultimo disco, Beyond the Sea, creato e realizzato tra la Puglia e Gerusalemme.

Free Newsletter - November 5, 2009 - In this issue:

1. New Kyrgyz goverment to revamp economy

2. Norway, Kyrgyzstan cooperate in small-scale mountain tourism

3. Grain markets and Russian roulette

4. Central Asia’s power knot: Has Kazakhstan withdrawn from Central Asian Integrated Power System?