Today news:

* Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (Bosnia and Balkans)

Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Balkan Insight Daily No. 489, March 19, 2010

> For further information: www.birn.eu.com

* Balkans.com (Balkans)

Week in Review - Update of March 19, 2010 - Balkans.com Business News

> For further information: www.balkans.com

* Belarus News and Analysis (Belarus and Cis)

15 new articles posted on March 19, 2010

> For further information: www.data.minsk.by/belarusnews

* Camera di Commercio Italiana per l’Ungheria (Hungary and Italy)

Desideriamo invitarLa al prossimo Happy Hour, organizzato in collaborazione con il Luxury Club in programma per venerdì 26 marzo p.v. dalle ore 19:30 presso il Láncíd Palota (1010 Budapest, Fő utca 1.).

Cliccando qui si visualizza l’invito

Cliccando qui si puó effettuare la registrazione

> For further information: www.cciu.com

* Central Asian News Service (Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia)

Daily news report of March 19, 2010

> For further information: www.ca-news.org

* Civil Georgia (Georgia)

Daily news online of March 18, 2010

> For further information: www.civil.ge

* Council of the European Union (Belgium)

 Herman VAN ROMPUY, President of the European Council, on the Western Balkans conference to be held in Brdo, Slovenia on 20 March Herman VAN ROMPUY, President of the European Council, made the following statement:

“I welcome all initiatives promoting regional cooperation in the Western Balkans including the conference to be held in Brdo, Slovenia tomorrow.

This cooperation is of the highest importance for the whole of Europe. In this context, I plan to visit the region as soon as possible.”

Western Balkans conference

 Middle East Quartet Statement, Moscow (original version)

> For further information: www.consilium.europa.eu

* Ebrd (England, Eastern Europe, Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia)

 Press releases / Press releases: week ending 19 March 2010:

EBRD helps improve quality of electricity supply in South Caucasus

New railway bypass in Tbilisi

New local currency financing for micro and small businesses in Armenia

 Feature stories:

EBRD launches second sustainable energy credit line in Slovakia

> For further information: www.ebrd.com

* Ec Delegation BiH (Bosnia/Herzegovina and Belgium)

 Paola Pampaloni, Head of Unit for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the European Commission Directorate General for Enlargement visited Banja Luka - Paola Pampaloni, sef Odjela za Bosnu i Hercegovinu u Direkciji Evropske komisij za proširenje, posjetila Banja Luku

> For further information: www.europa.ba

* Economia.hu (Hungary)

 L’azienda farmaceutica italiana Kedrion investe in Ungheria

Posted: 19 Mar 2010 05:35 AM PDT

Kedrion, azienda biofarmaceutica italiana specializzata in farmaci plasmaderivati, annuncia una forte espansione della sua capacità nell’impianto ungherese di Gödöllő, nei pressi di Budapest. In un comunicato l’azienda ha fatto sapere di voler attuare un piano di riorganizzazione per adattarsi alla sua crescita nei mercati globali. Nell’impianto ungherese lavorano

 MOTO: no al Gp di Ungheria 2010, fermi i lavori del Balatonring

Posted: 19 Mar 2010 03:06 AM PDT

Il Motogp di Ungheria, già annullato nel 2009, non si farà nemmeno nel 2010. La tappa del 19 settembre stavolta non sarà annullata come è avvenuto la scorsa stagione, quando il Motondiale ha avuto una gara in meno, ma sarà corsa in Aragona,

 Laser: progetto ELI in primo piano per Ungheria

Posted: 19 Mar 2010 02:16 AM PDT

Il governo e il Primo Ministro ungherese hanno passato le due risoluzioni sulle misure e le attività necessarie per implementare la fase uno della Extreme Light Infrastructure dell’Unione europea (ELI) il progetto da 100 miliardi di fiorini – 376,25 milioni di euro – riguardante il super laser

 Lavoro: Elcoteq assume in Ungheria

Posted: 19 Mar 2010 12:23 AM PDT

L’unità ungherese dell’ azienda finlandese di elettronica Elcoteq, Elcoteq Magyarország, comunica che aumenterà il proprio personale a causa della crescente domanda di prodotti che richiedono una forza lavoro altamente qualificata. Elcoteq

> For further information: www.economia.hu

* Eurasianet (Usa, Caucasus and Central Asia)

 CENTRAL ASIA

Uzbekistan: Nazarbayev Makes Diplomatic Trade-Off with Karimov BY JOANNA LILLIS

Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev got what he wanted out of Uzbekistan. During talks in Tashkent on March 17, Nazarbayev secured Uzbek support for his cherished aim of hosting a summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) later this year. In return, he offered unqualified backing for Uzbekistan’s stance on hydropower development in Central Asia.
 CAUCASUS

Georgia: Tbilisi Trying New Way to Woo Abkhazia, South Ossetia BY JOSHUA KUCERA

 CASPIAN BASIN

Azerbaijan: Outrage at US Drug Report Builds on Irritation with Washington BY SHAHIN ABBASOV

 CAUCASUS

Armenia: Slander Case against Copper Mine Protestor Dropped BY MARIANNA GRIGORYAN

 CENTRAL ASIA

Kazakhstan: Ex-Nuclear Boss Sentenced Amid Claims of Political Reprisals BY JOANNA LILLIS

 NEAR EAST

Turkey: Obama Administration Official Cautions Against Armenian Genocide Resolution BY JOSHUA KUCERA

 CENTRAL ASIA

Tajikistan: World Bank Offer Energizes Rogun Hydropower Project BY KONSTANTIN PARSHIN

 CAUCASUS

Georgia: Alleged Telephone Tapes Stir Controversy over Fake Russian Invasion Report BY MOLLY CORSO

> For further information: www.eurasianet.org

* Ice sede centrale di Roma (Italy)

 VATTANI: L’ICE, INSIEME ALL’ ASSOCIAZIONE RONDINE, PER SVILUPPARE UN INTERSCAMBIO CULTURALE OLTRE CHE COMMERCIALE NELLE AREE GEOGRAFICHE IN CONFLITTO (CAUCASO, BALCANI, MEDIO ORIENTE, AFRICA)

Roma, 19 marzo 2010 – “L’ICE - dichiara il Presidente Umberto Vattani - con l’ Accordo firmato con l’Associazione Rondine Cittadella della Pace e l’Associazione Imprenditori per la Pace, si impegna tramite la propria Rete in Italia e all’estero a far coincidere l’attività tipica dell’Istituto di promozione dell’internazionalizzazione delle PMI italiane, di informazione e formazione, con una finalità più alta e umanamente significativa, ovvero quella della cultura del dialogo e della pace”.

I presidenti delle tre Istituzioni, rispettivamente Umberto Vattani, Franco Vaccari e Valentino Mercati si sono riuniti nel primo pomeriggio presso la Sede romana dell’ICE per firmare l’Accordo che prevede la collaborazione delle Parti per favorire lo sviluppo dei rapporti economici tra l’Italia, le aree geografiche da cui provengono gli studenti di Rondine e le Aree di interesse delle aziende dell’Associazione Imprenditori, nella convinzione che tali rapporti siano presupposto per il consolidarsi di una cultura condivisa del dialogo e della pace.

“L’ICE – ha aggiunto il Presidente dell’ICE - fornirà un supporto sia sul versante dei servizi di informazione e assistenza, attraverso alcune agevolazioni alle imprese italiane dell’Associazione Imprenditori sia sul piano dell’attività di formazione, dando accesso agli studenti selezionati dall’Associazione Rondine agli stage formativi presso gli Uffici ICE in Italia e all’estero”

L’Associazione Rondine Cittadella della Pace, con sede in provincia di Arezzo, promuove la cultura del dialogo e della pace. Tramite lo Studentato Internazionale offre ai propri allievi provenienti da aree geografiche in conflitto (Caucaso, Balcani, Medio Oriente, Africa) un percorso formativo a livello universitario che si conclude con l’inserimento in posizioni chiave nei rispettivi Paesi d’origine.

L’Associazione Imprenditori per la Pace, invece, raggruppa le principali imprese della produzione tipica toscana creando sinergie con i giovani formati dall’Associazione Rondine, realizzando un circolo di scambi economici e culturali con i loro Paesi d’origine.

Nelle parole del Presidente dell’Associazione Rondine, Franco Vaccari: ”Cresce Rondine, crescono le imprese amiche di Rondine. E’ una nuova scommessa vinta: un impegno serio nell’educazione e nella formazione culturale porta inevitabilmente sviluppo economico. Con questo Accordo tra ICE, Rondine e Imprenditori per la Pace, - prosegue Vaccari - si rende evidente a tutti il prezioso e unico sistema di "ambasciatori" rappresentato dai giovani leaders, usciti dal percorso formativo dello Studentato Internazionale, che rappresentano concrete opportunità di sviluppo nelle relazioni tra Arezzo, la Toscana, l’Italia e i tanti paesi di provenienza in cui da anni Rondine sviluppa relazioni ai vari livelli”.

“Con l’accordo odierno – afferma Valentino Mercati, Presidente dell’Associazione Imprenditori per la Pace - si è attivata una collaborazione fra tre Enti che, avendo gli stessi valori etici, potranno sviluppare in sinergia fra di loro forti iniziative in tutte le aree di conflitto internazionali a cui si dedica lo studentato di Rondine. Non sarà solo l’impegno formativo dei ragazzi, su cui eccelle Rondine, ma anche i supporti per l’inserimento di questi dirigenti nel tessuto economico dei rispettivi paesi, che potranno contare su un rapporto privilegiato con le imprese Italiane. Ci aspetta un lavoro importante che non potrà non dare frutti sia nel breve che nel lungo termine.”

> For further information: www.ice.it

* Interfax (Russia and Cis)

 Interfax Russia & CIS Diplomatic Panorama March 19, 2010

 Russia & CIS Banking and Finance Weekly March 19, 2010

 Russia & CIS Business and Investment Weekly March 19, 2010

> For further information: www.interfax.com

* Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Mosca (Russia and Italy)

 Invito al Premio Lerici Pea - Приглашение на вручение премии Леричи Пея

 Invito al reading Ponte Di Poesia presso l’Istituto Italiano di Cultura - Приглашение на поэтический вечер Понтэ Ди Поэзия в Итальянском Институте Культуры

> For further information: cultura.iicmosca@esteri.it

* Latvian Centre for Human Rights (Latvia)

Newsletter of March 19, 2010

> For further information: www.humanrights.org.lv

* Memorial (Russia and Cis)

 Special operation in Ekazhevo. March 2-3. Details, testimonies, photos

Human rights center Memorial has already reported about special operation in the village of Ekazhevo (Ingushetia) on March 2-3, 2010 (http://www.memo.ru/eng/news/2010/03/19/1903101.htm).

On March 10, members of HRC Memorial visited Ekazhevo and met the relatives of Kartoev brothers who are accused of the involvement in illegal armed groups and harbouring in their house an ideologist of armed North Caucasian underground Said Buriatsky (Alexander Tikhomirov).

Umatgiri Kartoev, head of the family, tells that around 6am on March 6 he was returning home from a mosque. Suddenly many officers of federal law enforcement authorities appeared on Kartoev street. They blocked Kartoev’s house and the houses of his sons living nearly. Kartoevs did not understand anything. Suddenly the shooting started. The density of fire was very high, shooting did not stop till night.

Siloviks fired at the house of an elder son, Tukhan Kartoev, DOB 1970. Movlatkhan Kartoeva, his mothers, tells that Tukhan was killed almost at once when left the house after had heard sounds of shooting and a neighbor’s cry for help. His brother Nazir, DOB 1978, was supposedly killed on the street when he was trying to enter his brother Beslan’s courtyard. During the firing at the Kartoevs’ houses another brother – Akhmed, DOB 1981 – was killed.

Some houses were gravely damaged. On the first day Tukhan’s house suffered damages most.

Three more brothers Kartoev were detained – Tarkhan, DOB 1972, Tatarkhan, DOB 1973, and Beslan, DOB 1977. Parents thought that also their son Magomed, DOB 1979, had been detained because they could not find him anywhere.

The bodies of killed were taken to Nazran morgue. The district where the special operation was being held remained under control of siloviks.

On March 3, members of law enforcement authorities started searching Kartoevs’ houses. Suddenly the shooting began. It continued the whole day. Later it was officially announced that one of the boeviks who had survived the day before and was hiding in the basement of the house started shooting at the members of the investigation group. One of them was killed. Also one OMON officer was severly wounded. Magomed Kartoev hiding in the basement was also killed.

In the evening of March 3 the bodies of the killed were taken from the morgue in an unknown direction. The bodies of the Kartoev brothers were not given to the relatives. On March 16 the relatives submitted an application to the Ingush public prosecutor but so far the bodies of the killed have not been given to them.

Since 4 till 6 March siloviks stayed at the territory of the special operation. Umatgiri Kartoev says that they robbed seven houses that belonged to his family, then ruined them and set on fire.

On March 7 Umatgiri with relatives was invited to visit Ingush president Unus-Bek Yevkurov. He said that the ideologist of boeviks Said Buriatskii was hiding in the brothers’ house and that Umatgiri’s sons were involved in some crimes committed at the territory of Ingushetia including firing at police officers and killing them. Umatgiri stated that did not know who Said Buriatskii was. He said that his sons earned an honest livelihood and that the authorities never laid claims to any of them.

Kartoevs’ relatives and neighbors also doubt that Tikhomirov was hiding exactly at Kartoev street. They suppose that he could have been killed together with two other boeviks in the house of Dobrievs, at Albogachieva street. There was also a fight on March 2 at that street. This house is situated more than in a half a kilometer from Kartoevs’ houses, at the end of the street, it is not enclosed with a fence. Local residents say that the owners of the house have not been living there for already a long time. They used to rent this house out, in recent months there were no lodgers. On March 2 at 6am Dobrievs’ house was blocked by the siloviks. They shot at it by different types of armors for almost a whole day. As a result, the house was totally ruined. It was impossible to leave even the neighboring houses so there are no witnesses who would confirm that someone fired from the house.

Three bodies were pulled out of the ruins.

At the Albogachiev street some people with the surname Kartoev were detained. Witnesses say that the young men were detained only in the heat of the moment. Siloviks illegally searched the houses neighboring to the Dobrievs’ one, they intentionally damaged furniture and cars. The owners say that after the searches some their valuables were missing.

According to the official version, seven boeviks were killed during the special operation in Ekazhevo among them Said Buriatskii, four brothers Kartoevs, a certain B. Dalgiev and a still not unidentified person. Another member of this armed group, Adam Kodzoev, DOB 1979, a member of Federal Treasury in Ingushetua, was killed on March 4 at the village of Srednie Archaluki. Federal Security Service (FSS) reports that he was a financier of the group. FSS also says that since November 2009 till February 2010 this group committed 15 terrorist acts in relation to representatives of authorities and civil population.

During the special operation ten residents of Ekazhevo were detained. All of them were taken to a Moscow investigation isolation ward Lefortovo. Among the detained there are three survived Umatgiri Kartoev’s sons, six people with surname Kartoev more and Zelimkhan Aushev. These detained are indicted of involvement in the explosion of the train Nevsky express on November 27, 2009.

For the testimonies of the witness’ (in Russian) see the Memorial’s site http://www.memo.ru/2010/03/18/1803102.htm

> For further information: www.memo.ru

* Ministero degli Esteri (Italy)

 Telefonata Frattini Clinton

Roma, 19 marzo 2010

Di rientro da Damasco, dove ha accompagnato il Presidente della Repubblica Napolitano in visita di Stato, e nel quadro dello stretto raccordo bilaterale con gli Stati Uniti , il Ministro Frattini ha avuto oggi un cordiale colloquio telefonico con il Segretario di Stato statunitense Hillary Clinton, nel corso del quale sono stati discussi alcuni temi di rilevante attualità nei rapporti tra i due Paesi e nel più ampio quadro transatlantico.

Il Ministro Frattini ha voluto esprimere al Segretario di Stato Clinton le più sentite congratulazioni per i risultati della riunione ministeriale del Quartetto sul Medio Oriente svoltasi a Mosca, e ha assicurato che il Presidente del Consiglio Berlusconi sosterrà, anche in occasione del prossimo Vertice della Lega Araba cui è stato invitato, le posizioni espresse dal Quartetto quale importante punto di riferimento per il rilancio delle prospettive di pace nella regione.

I due Ministri hanno avuto uno scambio di vedute anche sulle tematiche della sicurezza, in vista della prossima riunione dei Ministri degli Esteri della NATO che si svolgerà a Tallinn il 22 aprile, e sulla cooperazione tra Italia e Stati Uniti nel campo della sicurezza energetica, che ha ricevuto ulteriore impulso a seguito della recente visita in Italia dell’ Inviato del Sottosegretario di Stato per l’energia, Ambasciatore Morningstar. Sono stati, su tutti questi temi, ribaditi gli eccellenti rapporti di collaborazione e di alleanza strategica tra Italia e Stati Uniti.

> For further information: www.esteri.it

* The Moscow Times (Russia and Cis)

 Conference update of March 19, 2010

 News summary update of March 19, 2010

> For further information: www.themoscowtimes.com

* Nato (Belgium)

 VISIT TO NATO OF ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

The Romanian Foreign Minister, Mr. Tehodor Baconschi, will visit NATO Headquarters on Monday 22 March 2010. He will meet the Secretary General, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

There is no media opportunity. Still photographs will be available on the NATO website after the event.

> For further information: www.nato.int

* Osce (Austria, Eastern Europe, Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia)

 Georgian Vice Prime Minister presents engagement strategy to OSCE Permanent Council, affirms Georgia’s support for OSCE presence on the ground

VIENNA, 19 March 2010 - Georgian Vice Prime Minister Temur Yakobashvili addressed a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council today to present Georgia’s strategy for engagement through co-operation following the conflict in August 2008.

Yakobashvili, who also serves as the State Minister for Reintegration of Georgia, said that the strategy was the result of wide consultations with local as well as international experts and stakeholders, and aimed to be a roadmap for engagement and co-operation, addressing issues including healthcare, education, trade, environment and infrastructure.

"Because all these areas are of a humanitarian nature we call this a ’humano-centric’ strategy, focusing on the needs of people, not politicians," he said. "While developing the strategy we tried to take into account the practical needs of the population and those who were affected by the war."

Yakobashvili said the Georgian government was working on an action plan for the strategy, entitled "State Strategy on Occupied Territories: Engagement through Co-operation", and aimed to organize a conference with all stakeholders to discuss its implementation.

"The implementation conference is a concrete forum where the OSCE can contribute greatly," he said in his report submitted to the Permanent Council.

"The OSCE has unique instruments and capabilities aimed at promoting confidence-building activities on the ground. We have seen and experienced this while the OSCE Mission to Georgia was working on the ground, promoting interaction between the war-torn societies and households."

He affirmed Georgia’s support for the Geneva Discussions co-chaired by the OSCE, European Union and United Nations, and said the government was committed to restoring an OSCE presence on the ground. The OSCE Mission to Georgia closed in June 2009.

"It is the intention of the Government of Georgia to bring the OSCE back to Georgia," he said.

The next round of the Geneva Discussions - which have taken place in two parallel working groups addressing security and stability in the region and humanitarian questions - will be held on 30 March.

Read

 European human rights bodies call for decisive action against racism and xenophobia

WARSAW, STRASBOURG, VIENNA, 19 March 2010 - In a joint statement ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) strongly condemn manifestations of racism and xenophobia, with a particular focus on the Internet:

"We must remain vigilant in the face of racist behaviour and incidents, including hate crimes and malicious expressions of hate and racist sentiments on the Internet.

"Our organizations are alarmed by patterns and manifestations of racism such as the ever-increasing use of the Internet by racist groups for recruitment, radicalisation, command and control, as well as for the intimidation and harassment of opponents. The Internet has become an important communications channel that links people in ’cyberspace’, who then meet and take action in the physical world.

"Social networking sites are now prime locations for the spread of racist and xenophobic views, especially among young people. We must challenge such views, while being careful not to undermine freedom of expression.

"The danger emanating from hate spread through the Internet has long been recognized by the international community and our organizations dedicate serious attention to this issue. Prominent examples include ECRI’s General Policy Recommendation N° 6 on Combating the Dissemination of Racist, Xenophobic and Antisemitic Material via the Internet and the upcoming 22 March ODIHR expert meeting on challenges of combating crimes motivated by hate on the Internet.

"At the same time, we strongly believe in the Internet’s huge potential to overcome bias and prejudices based on characteristics including race, colour, language, nationality or national origin or religion. This potential should be fully utilized.

"We, the signatories of this statement, believe that:

 governments should investigate and prosecute criminal threats of violence based on racial, ethnic, religious or other bias and fully use existing domestic and international legal instruments and co-operation channels in this regard;

 governments should provide training to law enforcement officers and prosecutors on addressing hate crimes motivated by racist, xenophobic, anti-Semitic or other related bias on the Internet;

 governments should reflect on whether national legislation provides an adequate basis to respond to crimes motivated by racist, xenophobic, anti-Semitic or other related bias on the Internet;

 governments should establish or expand educational programmes for children and young people about expressions motivated by racist, xenophobic, anti-Semitic or other related bias they may encounter on the Internet and include media literacy training in school curricula;

 effective measures addressing hate on the Internet that do not endanger freedom of speech and expression should be identified and disseminated;

 civil society should explore ways of utilizing the popularity of social networking sites to combat racism;

 civil society’s efforts to monitor the Internet for manifestations of hate, and efforts to share and publicise the findings should be encouraged and supported;

 the Internet industry should take an active role in addressing the issue of hate on the Internet and develop and implement effective complaints response mechanisms while respecting freedom of expression."

Ambassador Janez Lenarcic

Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)

Morten Kjaerum

Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)

Nils Muiznieks

Chair of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI)

Read

> For further information: www.osce.org

* Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso (Italy, Balkans and Caucasus)

Newsletter settimanale Nr. 11/2010

 Primo Piano

Fuga

La crisi spinge alla fuga dai Balcani? La liberalizzazione del regime dei visti arma a doppio taglio? Polemiche sul presunto esodo di massa da Serbia e Macedonia verso l’Ue. Di certo sinora c’è solo una truffa in grande stile: false agenzie di viaggio trasportavano migranti verso Bruxelles per poche centinaia di euro.

Senza dubbio, però, per molti un passaporto Ue significa una possibilità in più. Per questo in tanti aspirano a quello bulgaro. Ora nuove norme dovrebbero rendere più trasparenti le procedure per la richiesta di cittadinanza. Evitando che a goderne siano soprattutto intermediari e gruppi criminali.

Fughe invocate anche in Romania, ma da modelli anticrisi neoliberisti. Anche il 2010 per Bucarest sarà un anno difficile. E i 20 miliardi di dollari in arrivo da FMI, Banca Mondiale e Ue serviranno probabilmente ad ammortizzare la caduta ma non a stimolare la ripresa. Un approfondimento del nostro corrispondente Cornel Ban.

 Notizie

Crisi, corsa ad ostacoli

L’economia romena probabilmente rimarrà in recessione per buona parte del 2010. Un pacchetto di aiuti del valore di 20 miliardi di dollari da FMI, Banca Mondiale e Ue servirà più da stabilizzatore macroeconomico che da stimolo per l’economia della Romania. Un’analisi

In prigione

Corruzione e minacce. Srečko Prijatelj, uomo di punta del Partito nazionale è il primo parlamentare sloveno a finire in prigione. La vicenda coinvolge anche il ministro (ora ex) per l’Agricoltura Milan Pogačnik e il leader del partito nazionale Zmago Jelinčič

Risoluzione Srebrenica

Il presidente serbo Tadić spinge per l’adozione in parlamento di una risoluzione su Srebrenica: una condanna del massacro del luglio 1995. Perché proprio ora? Quale l’impatto sull’opinione pubblica? Ne parliamo con Vojin Dimitrijević, direttore del Belgrade Center for Human Rights

L’incubatore

Sviluppo economico? Cooperazione allo sviluppo? Nei Balcani i due ambiti s’intersecano sempre più. In Macedonia per promuovere le giovani aziende si tenta per la prima volta la strada degli incubatori d’impresa. Una sfida assunta da realtà no-profit. Un’intervista

L’ombra del genocidio

Il voto del Congresso americano sul genocidio e il futuro dei protocolli d’intesa firmati da Ankara e Yerevan in ottobre. Il dibattito in Armenia

Passaporti bulgari

Nei Balcani il passaporto bulgaro è uno dei più richiesti, soprattutto dai criminali. Sui quotidiani di Sofia si parla apertamente di "mafia dei passaporti". Ora in Bulgaria una nuova legge vuole rendere più trasparenti le procedure di rilascio del documento, a scapito di intermediari e pratiche corruttive

Tra tradizionalismo e tolleranza

Un tradizionalista del Nord dell’Albania? Nient’affatto, piuttosto un leader pragmatico che molto si ispira all’omologo italiano. Il rapporto tra Silvio Berlusconi e Sali Berisha, premier albanese. Le relazioni e gli stereotipi che legano i due paesi. Un commento

Bruxelles, mon amour

Quello che sembrava un esodo di massa da Serbia e Macedonia verso l’Unione europea, grazie alla liberalizzazione del regime dei visti, si è rivelata una truffa in grande stile. False agenzie di viaggio trasportavano migranti verso Bruxelles in cambio di poche centinaia di euro

Sempre on-line

Sono passati 10 anni. E Osservatorio continua nella sua attività di informazione e approfondimento su Balcani e Caucaso. Per il decennale rilancia: con un nuovo portale

 Appuntamenti

L’amore, la guerra, la pace

Incontro con l’artista e regista Emir Kusturica, intervistato da Luka Zanoni caporedattore di Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso BOLZANO, 22 marzo

I romeni in Italia tra rifiuto e accoglienza

Presentazione del libro bilingue di Caritas Romania e Caritas Italiana ROMA, 25 marzo

Trenutek reke / Il tempo del fiume

Proiezione in prima visione del documentario di Nadja Velušček e Anja Medved. In occasione della Giornata mondiale dell’acqua GORIZIA, 22 marzo

 Opportunità

RTM cerca Volontario Internazionale Reggio Terzo Mondo, nell’ambito del Volontario internazionale, cerca un responsabile per il progetto di Educazione alla Pace da realizzare nella Municipalità di Klina, in Kosovo. Il contratto proposto, rinnovabile, ha durata di un anno ad iniziare dal 1° luglio 2010. Le mansioni riguardano la supervisione del personale e delle attività di una scuola d’infanzia in area rurale; l’organizzazione di percorsi formativi rivolti al personale docente; l’organizzazione di percorsi di animazione giovanile in contesti multietnici. Sono richieste: laurea e/o studi in ambito educativo; comprovata esperienza professionale nel settore; forte propensione al lavoro in team; conoscenza di base della lingua inglese; disponibilità ad apprendere le lingue locali; disponibilità a effettuare un periodo di formazione nel periodo maggio-giugno 2010. È prevista la copertura delle spese di vit to, alloggio, assicurazione e trasporto in loco, nonché un piccolo rimborso mensile per spese personali. Gli interessati devono inviare entro il 30 aprile 2010 il loro CV accompagnato da una lettera di motivazione a: simone.lusuardi@reggioterzomondo.org. Info: RTM, Via Mogadiscio 1, Reggio Emilia - telefono: 0522 514205 - web: www.reggioterzomondo.org

> For further information: www.balcanicaucaso.org

* Polish Institute of International Affairs (Poland)

 Please find enclosed next issue of the Bulletin: Issue of Iceland’s Membership of the European Union by Adam Szymański.

In an opinion issued in February the European Commission recommended commencing accession talks with Iceland. Although Iceland is to a great extent integrated with the EU through its membership of the EEA, a successful outcome will depend on finding a solution to problems arising due to the economic crisis and adoption of EU legislation outside of the areas covered by the EEA. Iceland’s membership of the EU, which Poland should support, is possible three years from now at the earliest.

> For further information: www.pism.pl

* The Presidency of Russian Federation (Russia and Cis)

Daily news report of March 19, 2010

> For further information: http://president.kremlin.ru/eng

* Seenews (Bulgaria and Balkans)

 Daily news report of Albania (March 19, 2010)

Read and click ALBANIA on menu bar

 Daily news report of Bosnia-Herzegovina (March 19, 2010)

Read and click BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA on menu bar

 Daily news report of Bulgaria (March 19, 2010)

Read and click BULGARIA on menu bar

 Daily news report of Croatia (March 19, 2010)

Read and click CROATIA on menu bar

 Daily news report of Macedonia (March 19, 2010)

Read and click MACEDONIA on menu bar

 Daily news report of Moldova (March 19, 2010)

Read and click MOLDOVA on menu bar

 Daily news report of Montenegro (March 19, 2010)

Read and click MONTENEGRO on menu bar

 Daily news report of Romania (March 19, 2010)

Read and click ROMANIA on menu bar

 Daily news report of Serbia (March 19, 2010)

Read and click SERBIA on menu bar

 Daily news report of Slovenia (March 19, 2010)

Read and click SLOVENIA on menu bar

> For further information: www.seenews.com

* The Times of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia)

Free Newsletter - March 19, 2010 - In this issue:

1. UN expands development assistance to Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyzstan, March 19, 2010-issue 608) BY LIDIA SAVINA TCA CONTRIBUTOR

BISHKEK (TCA) — The launch of the One UN Program in Kyrgyzstan was announced at a press conference held at the UN House in Bishkek last week. UN Resident Coordinator Neal Walker and UNICEF Representative Tim Shaffter took part in the event.

Over the past two years, Kyrgyzstan has been experiencing a convergence of food and energy insecurity that has had effects on the livelihoods of vulnerable groups in the country, Walker noted. “A harsh winter, followed by low precipitation during spring and summer of 2008 led to depletion of the country’s hydroelectric resources and compromised the energy resilience of Kyrgyzstan; soaring food and fuel prices, adverse weather conditions and declining compensation further limited the purchasing power of the most vulnerable and contributed to a precarious food security situation for some,” said Walker. In response to the world economic crisis in 2008, the United Nations, in consultation with the Government of Kyrgyzstan and other humanitarian partners, issued a Humanitarian Flash Appeal for around $14.8 million to ensure backup power systems for critical facilities and to meet the basic needs of the 800,000 most vulnerable people in the country, Walker added. Since the launch of the Flash Appeal, the global recession has had a serious impact on the Kyrgyz Republic. The United Nations Country Team and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic have agreed that coherent collaboration will be a key requirement to expand current development assistance to address the new emerging challenges stemming from the convergence of the global economic crisis and inherent country vulnerabilities, said the UN Resident Coordinator. One UN Program offers new ways of enhancing UN coherence at the country level in Kyrgyzstan, continued Walker. All projects will work to reduce the impact of energy and food insecurity and the global economic crisis on the most vulnerable in the country. Specific funding allocations will be assigned to the proposed projects in six thematic areas: social services, food security, agriculture, energy, environment, and risk management. Funding of a total $3.626 million was committed for the implementation of the One UN Program in Kyrgyzstan in 2010, Walker explained. This sum represents core UN funding granted to the UN system in Kyrgyzstan to be allocated to projects determined jointly between the United Nations and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic through the Joint Steering Committee (JSC). The JSC will provide overall strategic guidance for the One UN Program. The JSC will consist of two representatives of the United Nations in Kyrgyzstan and two representatives of the Government. The UN Resident Coordinator will co-chair the JSC on behalf of the UN with the First Vice-Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic. The JSC will monitor the overall progress of One UN Program and results achieved by the executing partners; review and jointly approve criteria for resource allocation; review and approve allocations of One Fund resources to projects and joint program, Walker continued. The UN continues to pay special attention to the situation of maternal mortality in Kyrgyzstan, said Tim Schaffter, Representative of UNICEF in Kyrgyzstan. One of the priorities of the new initiative will be assistance to Kyrgyzstan in developing the health care system. Some activities will be aimed specifically at reducing maternal mortality. At present, UNICEF has selected six major maternity homes throughout the country. They plan to update the material and technical base of maternity wards, and establish a system of recording births, medical observation of pregnancy, as well as improve the skills of doctors and nurses. These measures will reduce the maternal mortality ratio. The UN’s One Program will ensure more efficient assistance for a greater impact, Walker concluded.

2. LETTER FROM THE STEPPE: Their heads have been saved (Kazakhstan, March 19, 2010-issue 608) By Charles van der Leeuw special to TCA

ALMATY — "Governors are required to support business development, [allowing their provinces to] generate taxable income, rather than beg the government for money. In practice, land, infrastructure and zones with subsoil resources are inaccessible to modest-sized enterprise. Many resources are in the hands of those either unable or unwilling to commercialize them. This must be put an end to!"

And: "No one is checking the viability and productivity of projects [funded by the state]. [Local officials] just cut the ribbon and leave it at that. Who needs this mere display, this sham?!?" Finally: "Local authorities must show true efficiency and viability, creating favorable living conditions for the population. The governors must be closer to the people and well aware of their needs and problems. [...] A local governor ought to give the right example in terms of abiding by the law before demanding it from those under his authority. You are appointed to serve the people!" Dixit Princeps (The First Citizen Spoke). Not in the brand-new glamorous halls of Astana, but at a trade and finance conference in Ak-Orda, deep in the heartland of Kazakhstan, President Nursultan Nazarbayev exploded in a manner veteran Soviet officials should remember all too well. The only difference is that Nazarbayev did it in the public eye whereas the "red czars" of the Soviet empire did it behind closed doors, leaving it to the public and the media to guess why certain figureheads failed on the balcony of the Kremlin during the October parade. The only thing cabinet ministers (most of whom had been summoned last weekend to Ak-Orda) could do is look down in shame as several of them heard their dismissal announced while others had to swallow a severe warning: "One day in this very room I received solemn vows from Prime Minister Karim Masimov and Minister of Industry and Trade Aset Isekeshev that their heads were on the executioner’s block. Their heads have been saved. Let me remind you that you all have heads!" Isekeshev has been moved to the post of Minister of Industry and New Technologies — a key post in the context of Nazarbayev’s urge to speed ahead with Kazakhstan’s development into a modern industrial state. The trade department is being moved from Isekeshev’s former Ministry of Industry and Trade to the newly-established Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. The Natural Resources Department will instead be put under the Industry Ministry’s umbrella with the exception of oil and gas which will be put under the authority of a separate new Ministry of Oil and Gas. The Information Department will be moved from under the Ministry of Culture and Information to the Ministry of Communication. What that means for Kazakhstan’s controversial media policy is yet to be determined. A cabinet reshuffle in Kazakhstan is nothing new. The previous government under Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov was dismissed almost as swiftly and smoothly as it had been installed a couple of years earlier. At the time, the main reason for the government’s dismissal seemed to be the overall incompetence of a large number of its members. This time, it appears there is a more structural goal: reducing the power of state companies such as Kazmunaygaz, Kazatomprom, the national power grid KEGOC and as it appears, the Samruk Kazyna state property management fund, in order to bring control over state assets back where it belongs — i.e. within the government. The creation of a new Oil and Gas Ministry outside the realm of the other ministries is a clear signal to top executives of state companies: no more wild adventures, but instead, public control. The dilemma should be clear. The state does not have enough control over the way billions of dollars are taken from the state treasury. The projects which funds have been allocated to are spread all over the country. The country is divided into provinces each of which is headed by a governor or akim in Kazakh. Each province is divided into districts and micro-districts, the heads and mayors of which are also called akim. Geo-political reforms are thought to include more responsibility for the governors – but it also brings the need to exercise more control over them. Close to the end of his first term and with his re-election campaign already in preparation, Vladimir Putin made millions of friends among common folks in Russia’s federal republics by appropriating to the head of state the exclusive right to hire and fire governors. Since, in Russia governors and heads of autonomous federal republics make up the upper chamber of parliament, this automatically established presidential control over the Senate. Taking over this formula in Kazakhstan, though, tends to raise fears among the Kazakhs, who make up a very narrow ethnic majority in the country. In the north, Russians prevail, as do Tartars and Bashkirs in the northwest. Kazakhs tend to fear the spectre of breakaway regions after the example of Nagorno-Karabakh, South-Ossetia, Abkhazia and Moldova’s maverick Trans-Dnyestr Republic. This amply illustrates that Nazarbayev’s outburst is about a lot more than just spending subsidies and marginalizing executives of state corporations. It touched upon the deepest feelings within Kazakhstan’s multi-ethnic nation.

3. World Bank to conduct feasibility study of Rogun project (Tajikistan, March 12, 2010-issue 608) By Rakhim Nazarov

DUSHANBE (TCA) — According to Motu Konishi, Regional Director of the World Bank (WB) for Central Asia, the WB and Tajik government have reached the final stage in the issue to conduct a feasibility study and environmental assessment of the Rogun hydropower plant (HPP) project. Earlier, the government suggested we conduct a feasibility study and environmental assessment of the project. We were searching for funding to conduct the study, and finally, the time has come, said Konishi.

According to Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, the examination should be conducted at a high level, and its results should be available to countries located in the lower reaches of the Vakhsh river, on which the Rogun HPP is being built. “President Rakhmon insisted that after the examination of the Rogun HPP project, we are to provide a report to countries located in the lower reaches of the Vakhsh river, and the WB will surely do so,” noted Konishi. “The WB will thoroughly evaluate the project, involving specialists from many countries. If the Rogun HPP project proves its financial and environmental sustainability, the WB will assist the Tajik government to create an international consortium to build the HPP. The Tajik government and the WB will sign a memorandum regarding this issue. It will take about three months to hold a bid for selecting a contractor to conduct the study and environmental assessment of the project. The feasibility study and environmental assessment will take from 12 to 18 months,” Konishi added. The WB representative noted that the World Bank will finance the study. The construction of the Rogun HPP will continue together with the feasibility study, and the construction standards will be monitored simultaneously. Tajik experts believe that it is necessary to continue the construction of Rogun along with the international examination. The government made the right decision involving the WB in conducting the study and environmental assessment. After examination, the World Bank may assist Tajikistan in completing the construction of Rogun. However, it is necessary to conduct our own study for the effective use of the facility, experts noted. According to Khomid Arifov, expert on energy issues, it concerns the use of advanced technologies, new types of building materials and technology. It is necessary to install two units with 600 megawatt capacity each, and the remaining four units should have a capacity of 700 megawatts each. Arifov noted that none of the countries can dictate to Tajikistan the conditions for conducting the international study of the Rogun HPP, which passed all possible examinations in the Soviet era. None of the Central Asian countries conducts international examinations, nor consults with other countries when building a reservoir on its own territory. Since Tajikistan conducts these studies, it is necessary to raise the question of holding such studies in other Central Asian countries on rational and equitable water consumption. The environmental component is important in this issue, said Arifov. Meanwhile, the sale of shares and share certificates of the Rogun HPP continues in Tajikistan. According to the Ministry of Finance, the total sum of shares and share certificates sold through February 20 totaled 732.4 million somoni (about $168 million). These funds went for the construction of the Rogun HPP through public and private banks.

4. Despite cash injections, Uzbek entrepreneurs struggling (Uzbekistan, March 19, 2010-issue 608) By Dilshod Ashurmatov

TASHKENT (TCA) — In spite of the financial crisis, Uzbekistan will increase bank loans to small and medium size businesses (SMBs). Approximately $1.7 billion will be directed to support SMBs in 2010, 1.4 times more than last year. However, businessmen believe the survival of SMBs is not dependent on loans.

At a government meeting last month regarding the 2009 figures, President Islam Karimov talked about expanding loans to SMBs. Karimov mentioned efforts to prevent illegal interference in the private sector and removing barriers to market activity. Officially, SMBs role in the Uzbek economy continues to grow. Last year, the total compared to GDP was 50.1 percent, up from 48.2 percent in 2008. Small enterprises employ about 8.5 million people, which accounts for about 75 percent of the total working population in Uzbekistan. Nearly 450,000 small businesses are registered in the country, of which 65 percent are within the agricultural sector. Under the program to overcome consequences of the global crisis, the government has put in place a number of measures to improve access to small business loans. Loan terms have been increased up to eighteen months in order to replenish the circulating capital. Uzbekistan’s Reconstruction and Development Fund issued loans worth $12 million to Uzbek banks for equipment purchase at about five percent annually. Also, international financial institutions have allocated about $100 million in loans. The government allocates essential funds for supporting the private sector through subsidies to commercial banks with nearly $1.2 billion spent to finance SMBs in 2009. According to Saidullo Abdullayev, Director General of Uzbekistan’s Banking Association, state financial support for SMBs is essential. Last year, about $250 million was used to support SMBs, which is quite a good result. About 5,000 projects were financed or re-financed, and more than 390,000 jobs were created. Abdullayev believes that the government has established a sufficiently effective mechanism to deliver funding to SMBs, which allows them to take affordable short term loans. However, other experts, especially those directly involved in the market, believe that the issue of small business survival has nothing to do with loans. The Uzbek government has been implementing measures to support small and medium businesses for few years. Among the recent measures is a reduction in tax rates for small businesses from 8% to 7%. Nevertheless, out of 181 countries represented in the Doing Business rating by the World Bank, Uzbekistan ranks 158th. (In comparison, Kyrgyzstan is ranked 80th, Kazakhstan 82nd, and Russia 143rd.) Last April, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) presented a report on the business environment for the private sector in Uzbekistan in 2009. The report’s findings, obtained after interview with entrepreneurs, were disappointing. Businesses are still suffering from arbitrary rules by officials and regulatory bodies, legal insecurity, difficulties in obtaining loans and high taxes. According to one entrepreneur, who wished to remain anonymous, “Some businesses are re-orienting their production. They do not know how they will pay back their loans. Now, all the entrepreneurs think about whether they can afford paying off a loan once they obtain one.” Commercial banks are not willing to operate with subsidized loans and try to compensate through higher amount of collateral. Today the average collateral is 122.4 percent of the loan amount. Thus, not every small business can afford to take the risk. “Instead of allocating money to support small businesses, the government should better encourage consumer loans,” said Alisher Khashimov, an entrepreneur. “If the population had the money, it would give impetus to develop entrepreneurship,” Khashimov added. The adoption of a new Tax Code on January 1, 2008 didn’t solve the main problem with the tax system — high fiscal burden on entrepreneurs. The total tax burden on enterprises remains high. For every $1,000 net profit, a company spends $170 for various taxes. Small businesses have to pay seven different taxes. Moreover, most businessmen are not aware of all the changes. “The new Tax Code had to be directly applicable, and was meant to simplify understanding of laws. But in reality it does just the opposite,” believes Anvar Jumayev, an economist. “Most instructions and explanations, written in simple language, were abolished. The situation is as follows: the laws have been changed, but authorities failed to make them clear,” said Jumayev. Another problem – the Uzbek currency conversion into hard currency – remains unresolved. The latest IFC study showed that the average conversion period in 2007 was 37 working days. There are no recent figures, but most market participants believe that this procedure actually takes up to 90 days. However, the government has taken some measures to improve the situation. In 2007, President Karimov reduced the tax on manufacturing equipment purchased by small businesses by 25 percent for five years. Since 2008, companies importing equipment were exempted from VAT. However, these benefits are valid only after commissioning the purchased equipment. It is then no wonder that, according to polls, only 11 percent of small businesses purchase new equipment. The structure of SMBs is influenced by their technological backwardness as well. Only seven percent of small businesses work in the industry and produce 17 percent of the total industrial production. Thus, in the current situation, financial injections into SMBs are not the only answer.

> For further information: www.timesca.com

* Transitions Online (Czech Republic, Eastern Europe, Russia, Caucasus and Central Asia)

New at Transitions Online - March 19, 2010

 Top Stories:

1: Russian Unorthodox: Precious Medals

2: Education: When Bullies Become Heroes

3: The New EU: Making (Non)Sense of a Word

4: Education: Home Fires

5: Education: Cultivating a Martial Spirit

6: Conflict & Diplomacy: Grozny: Rebuilt on Fear

 From the Archive:

Five years ago: Girls Just Want to Go to School Ten years ago: Running on Empty

 Announcement:

NEW Special Report - Education in Post-Conflict Societies

Available in PDF format, this report examines the state of education in post-conflict societies

 education after the Georgia-Russia war

 violence in Serbia’s schools

 Skopje’s approach to its Albanian minority

 schools for refugees from the Nagorno-Karabakh war

Available now for only $36 from the TOL Store

> For further information: www.tol.cz

* Uzreport (Uzbekistan and Central Asia)

Daily report of March 19, 2010

> For further information: www.uzreport.com

* Vanjskotrgovinska Komora Bosne i Hercegovine (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

 SI-109-12/10 / Sarajevo, 19.03.2010. godine

SAOPĆENJE ZA JAVNOST / ODRŽAN SEMINAR „NOVOSTI U ŠUMARSTVU I DRVNOJ INDUSTRIJI”

U okviru sajma INTERIO ’10, a u organizaciji Grupacije drvne industrije i ECOS Instituta za edukaciju Vanjskotrgovinske komore Bosne i Hercegovine i u suradnji sa Sarajevskim sajmom Centra Skenderija, održan je seminar „Novosti u šumarstvu i drvnoj industriji“.

Učesnicima seminara su se obratili predsjednik Vanjskotrgovinske komore BiH Mahir Hadžiahmetović i generalni direktor Sarajevskog sajma-Centra Skenderija Suad Džindo.

Prema riječima predsjednika Vanjskotrgovinske komore BiH Mahira Hadžiahmetovića sajam INTERIO 2010, Međunarodni sajam šumarstva, drvne industrije, namještaja, uređenja i pratećih djelatnosti, je bitan sajam za privredu Bosne i Hercegovine. Vanjskotrgovinska komora Bosne i Hercegovine svoj doprinos daje kroz prezentaciju i edukaciju, jer kvalitet, certifikacija, dizajn i marketing omogućavaju izlazak na druga tržišta. Drvna industrija je perspektivna grana privrede što dokazuje i podatak pokrivenosti uvoza izvozom iz prošle godine. U 2009. godini je Bosna i Hercegovine izvezla namještaja u vrijednosti od otprilike 660 milijuna KM, a uvoz namještaja je iznosio oko 255 milijuna KM. Vanjskotrgovinska komora Bosne i Hercegovine će kroz ovaj seminar, a u suradnji s drvnom industrijom, šumarijama i akademskim ekspertima, učesnicima prenijeti znanje i novine, jer bez CE znaka i standardizacije izlazak na svjetska tržišta nije moguć.

Učesnici seminara su imali priliku slušati izlaganja o karakteristikama međunarodnog tržišta certificiranih proizvoda šumarstva i drvne industrije sa osvrtom na stanje u Bosni i Hercegovini, pojednostavljenim postupcima carinjenja u praksi, kako do CE znaka u drvnoj industriji, upravljanju procesom sušenja drveta, novim materijalima u drvnoj industriji, savremenim trendovima u dizajnu namještaja i aplikacije na Bosnu i Hercegovinu te o stanju i perspektivama firme „STANDARD“ Sarajevo.

> For further information: www.komorabih.ba

* Vest (Slovenia)

Daily update of March 19, 2010

> For further information: www.vest.si