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OMRI: Daily Digest, Vol. 3, No. 31, 97-02-13
From: Open Media Research Institute <http://www.omri.cz>
Vol. 3, No. 31, 13 February 1997
CONTENTS
[A] TRANSCAUCASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA
[01] SOLANA MEETS WITH ARMENIAN LEADERSHIP.
[02] RUSSIAN BORDER GUARDS OUST TURKISH VESSELS FROM GEORGIAN WATERS.
[03] NIYAZOV SACKS SOLTANOV. . .
[04] . . . AND HEADS FOR TEHRAN.
[05] HOSTAGE EXCHANGE DELAYED IN TAJIKISTAN.
[06] DENUNCIATION, DOUBT IN TAJIK HOSTAGE CRISIS.
[B] SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE
[07] ALBANIAN POLICEMAN SHOT DEAD IN VLORA.
[08] ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER RULES OUT GOVERNMENT CHANGES.
[09] BELGRADE DEMONSTRATIONS CONTINUE.
[10] SERBIAN GOVERNMENT ON THE OFFENSIVE?
[11] CROATS, MUSLIMS REACH DEAL ON MOSTAR.
[12] SFOR BRACES FOR BRCKO DEADLINE.
[13] CROATIAN ELECTIONS POSTPONED.
[14] ROMANIA TO RESTORE CITIZENSHIP TO EXILED KING.
[15] RUSSIAN CONTINGENT IN MOLDOVA TO BE DOWN-SIZED.
[16] NEW BULGARIAN PREMIER, CABINET SWORN IN.
[A] TRANSCAUCASIA AND CENTRAL ASIA
[01] SOLANA MEETS WITH ARMENIAN LEADERSHIP.
Armenian President Levon Ter- Petrossyan told visiting NATO
Secretary-General Javier Solana on 12 February that maintaining "normal
relationships" with neighboring countries is the most reliable guarantee of
Armenia's national security, ITAR-TASS reported. Both Ter-Petrossyan and
Defense Minister Vazgen Sarkisyan assured Solana that cooperation with NATO
under the Partnership for Peace Program is important for
Armenia. Acknowledging "some progress" in his country's relations with
NATO, Sarkisyan said that Armenia will get more actively involved in the
program in 1997, adding that the Armenian armed forces may take part in
military exercises. Sarkisyan added that Armenia is pursuing a "balanced
policy" between the CIS collective security treaty and the Partnership for
Peace program. Earlier, during his visit to Georgia, Solana argued that a
European security system would be incomplete without the Transcaucasian
states. -- Emil Danielyan
[02] RUSSIAN BORDER GUARDS OUST TURKISH VESSELS FROM GEORGIAN WATERS.
Russian border guards patrolling Georgia's territorial waters on 11
February spotted and ousted 16 Turkish vessels engaged in illegal fishing,
Russian media reported. A spokesman for the Russian Federal Border Service
claimed that the Turkish boats ignored orders to stop and one of them
rammed a Russian boat as the latter tried to approach it. In response, the
border guards "had to open fire" on the Turkish vessels. No casualties
were reported. Meanwhile, Turkey has informed the Russian border officials
that all of the poachers have been arrested. -- Emil Danielyan
[03] NIYAZOV SACKS SOLTANOV. . .
Turkmen President Saparmurad Niyazov appointed Akmurad Mulkamanov to the
post of first deputy defense minister and chief of the Armed Forces General
Staff on 12 February, RFE/RL reported the same day. Mulkamanov, who earlier
headed an unnamed body that coordinated the country's national security
agencies, replaced Annamurad Soltanov in both positions. The same day,
Niyazov issued a decree effectively abolishing what was described as the
government Press Committee and created a state-run publishing house called
Turkmenpishit that will be subordinated to the cabinet. No explanation for
the changes was given. -- Lowell Bezanis
[04] . . . AND HEADS FOR TEHRAN.
Also on 12 February, Niyazov arrived in Tehran for two days of official
talks focusing on regional problems, specifically Afghanistan and
Tajikistan, as well as enhancing cooperation in several areas, notably in
the transport, oil, and gas sectors as well as in trade, RFE/RL reported
the same day. Over the past six years, Niyazov has visited Tehran some 16
times; 116 bilateral agreements have been reached since 1992 and bilateral
trade stands at an estimated $100 million, according to AFP. Turkmen
sources note that Iran has invested $250 million in Turkmenistan. -- Lowell
Bezanis
[05] HOSTAGE EXCHANGE DELAYED IN TAJIKISTAN.
The scheduled exchange of hostages held by the Bahrom and Rezvon Sadirov
for members of the brothers' gang was delayed for technical reasons on 12
February, according to international media. The 40 members of the Sadirov
gang were picked up in Afghanistan and flown by helicopter to the Kulyab
area of southern Tajikistan, but the helicopters which were to take them to
the exchange site were unable to leave. The Sadirovs have extended the
deadline after which they had threatened to start executing their 14
hostages, who include UN workers, Russian journalists, and the Tajik
security minister. As a sign of their good faith, they plan to release the
five Russian journalists they hold and one of the UN observers. They also
say that if there are more delays, they will ask that an additional 95
members of their gang be brought from Afghanistan. -- Bruce Pannier
[06] DENUNCIATION, DOUBT IN TAJIK HOSTAGE CRISIS.
The hostage crisis in Tajikistan has prompted Tajik President Imomali
Rakhmonov and United Tajik Opposition leader Said Abdullo Nuri to draft a
joint statement condemning terrorism in Tajikistan, ITAR-TASS reported on
12 February. The current crisis was threatening to derail the peace
process in Tajikistan. The commander of the Russian border guards in
Tajikistan, Lt.-Gen. Pavel Tarasenko, absolutely ruled out creating a
corridor to allow more of the Sadirov gang into Tajikistan--the key demand
of the hostage takers. They were brought by helicopter instead. Russian
Minister for the CIS Aman Tuleev, who is in Tajikistan on a previously
scheduled visit, commented: "A civilized exchange is beginning. The bandits
come here (to Tajikistan)--some hostages are released. The bandits are
brought to the mountains--more hostages are released." -- Bruce Pannier
[As of 12:00 CET]
Compiled by Victor Gomez
[B] SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE
[07] ALBANIAN POLICEMAN SHOT DEAD IN VLORA.
A policeman, identified as Shezai Zani, was killed by automatic gunfire on
12 February near his home in Vlora, Reuters reported. Police said Zani was
guarding "places of special importance" and had not taken part in this
week's clashes between police and rioters. It remains unclear if he was
killed in revenge for the death of three anti-government protesters last
weekend. Earlier the same day, some 5,000 people staged peaceful protests
and set up barricades in all the main streets. Police have kept away from
the city, and the local police station has reportedly been abandoned. More
than 20 speedboats confiscated on charges of smuggling last year were
reclaimed by their owners, with no resistance from the police. Meanwhile,
international criticism of the government's handling of the crisis has
intensified. The OSCE has said it is "deeply worried" about the on-going
violence. -- Fabian Schmidt
[08] ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER RULES OUT GOVERNMENT CHANGES.
Democratic Party leader and Foreign Minister Tritan Shehu, following a
day-long meeting with senior party officials, again blamed the current
violence on "leftist extremists," Reuters reported. He also ruled out the
possibility of any cabinet changes. Some news agencies, however, quoted
party sources as saying the possible resignation of the government was high
on the agenda of the meeting. Meanwhile, riot police in Tirana prevented
the opposition from holding a protest rally and also broke up small
gatherings of people. The Socialist Party said police have arrested a
member of its presidency and many of its supporters. The Forum for
Democracy pledged more protests and demanded the resignation of the
government. It also called on all members of the armed forces, policemen,
soldiers, and officers, "to join with the people." -- Fabian Schmidt
[09] BELGRADE DEMONSTRATIONS CONTINUE.
An estimated 20,000 students turned out on the Serbian capital's streets on
12 February to press their demands for political reform. A group of
teachers who have not received wages in months formed a ring around the
legislature, international media reported. Nasa Borba on 13 February
carries a statement by Ivan Kovacevic of the Serbian Renewal Movement
pointing out that the 11 February passage of special legislation
recognizing opposition wins in the November elections is only a first step
toward securing electoral victories. Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic
ought not to be trusted to allow the opposition to take office until at
least local councils are convened and municipal governments formed,
Kovacevic commented. -- Stan Markotich
[10] SERBIAN GOVERNMENT ON THE OFFENSIVE?
Only days after the passage of the legislation recognizing opposition
elections wins, the ruling Socialists appear to be waging a new media
campaign against the Zajedno coalition. An editorial in the 12 February
issue of Politika Ekspres, which was also read out during state television
newscasts the same evening, suggested that Zajedno leaders were "conniving"
and deliberately reneging on promises. "From the moment...that a favorable
solution for Zajedno was absolutely certain, it became clear that the
promise made by [Zajedno leader] Vuk Draskovic...that mass demonstrations
would stop as soon as parliament recognized the election results would come
to nothing," the editorial claimed. Meanwhile, parliamentary speaker Dragan
Tomic told state radio that the protests were "horrible...[and] a threat to
citizens who don't think the same way" as the protesters. -- Stan Markotich
[11] CROATS, MUSLIMS REACH DEAL ON MOSTAR.
SFOR stepped up its patrols in the divided Herzegovinian city on 12
February in an effort to put a stop to a fresh outbreak of violence that
threatens the future of the Croatian- Muslim federation, international news
agencies reported. They dismantled illegal checkpoints and confiscated
weapons. Overnight, there were nonetheless three explosions--one in
Muslim-dominated east Mostar and two in the Croat-controlled western half
of the town. International mediator Michael Steiner and the UN police
(IPTF) met late into the night with Croatian leader Kresimir Zubak and with
Muslim leaders Alija Izetbegovic and Haris Silajdzic. They agreed on a
12-point program that gives the IPTF increased powers to control the town
and detain those responsible for the shooting earlier this week in which
Croats killed one Muslim and wounded 22 (see OMRI Daily Digest, 11 February
1997). Telephone contacts between the two parts of the town will be
restored and SFOR's presence strengthened. The curfew will stay in effect
and persons evicted from their flats will be allowed to go home. -- Patrick
Moore
[12] SFOR BRACES FOR BRCKO DEADLINE.
Peacekeepers have ordered Muslim and Serbian soldiers near the strategic
northern Bosnian town to return to their barracks as the 14 February
deadline approaches for the U.S. arbitrator's decision on Brcko's
fate. SFOR troops on 12 February confiscated and intend to destroy a
Serbian T-55 tank that was spotted outside its authorized storage place,
Oslobodjenje wrote. Brcko was the one territorial issue that it proved
impossible to resolve in the Dayton peace accord. The Serbs need it to
connect the eastern and western halves of their territory, while the
Muslims and Croats demand that the "ethnic cleansing" there be
reversed. Both sides have threatened war if the other is assigned the
town. The most likely outcome is probably a complicated scheme of shared
authority and international supervision, which, as demonstrated by Mostar,
is unlikely to work. -- Patrick Moore
[13] CROATIAN ELECTIONS POSTPONED.
President Franjo Tudjman on 12 February announced that the vote for the
upper house of the parliament and local government offices has been
postponed until 13 April, Hina reported (see OMRI Daily Digest, 12 February
1997). Voting had been slated for 16 March, but the UN administrator for
Serb-held eastern Slavonia, Jacques Klein, said conditions there would not
be ready for the March deadline. He urged the Croats to speed up the
distribution of citizenship papers, and the Serbs to respect the April
election date, Novi List wrote. The Croatian government wants eastern
Slavonia to vote at the same time as the rest of the country to underscore
that it is again part of Croatia. -- Patrick Moore
[14] ROMANIA TO RESTORE CITIZENSHIP TO EXILED KING.
The Romanian government on 12 February announced it will take immediate
measures to restore citizenship to exiled King Michael, Romanian media
reported. The move is in response to a letter, signed by 21 leading
intellectuals, appealing to Prime Minister Victor Ciorbea to redress the
injustice done to Michael in 1948 by the Communists. Seventy-five-year-old
Michael, who was dethroned and forced into exile in late December 1947, now
lives in Versoix, Switzerland. He welcomed Ciorbea's decision as "an act of
justice" and also responded positively to an invitation from the mayor of
Iasi to visit the city in the near future. According to Adevarul, Michael
wants to re-settle in Romania. -- Zsolt Mato
[15] RUSSIAN CONTINGENT IN MOLDOVA TO BE DOWN-SIZED.
Russian Defense Council Secretary Yurii Baturin on 12 February said Russian
troops in eastern Moldova will be considerably reduced in number by the
fall, BASA-press reported. Baturin promised that Russia will act in the
spirit of the October 1994 Russian-Moldovan agreement on the withdrawal of
Russian troops from the Dniester region. That accord has never gone into
effect owing to the Russian State Duma's refusal to ratify it. Baturin also
said he believed that "historical ties between Moldova and Russia are
strong enough to prevent the former from moving closer to NATO." His
comments came one day after he had rejected NATO Secretary-General Javier
Solana's appeal for the complete withdrawal of the 6,500-strong Russian
contingent in Moldova. -- Dan Ionescu
[16] NEW BULGARIAN PREMIER, CABINET SWORN IN.
Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov on 12 February swore in a caretaker
cabinet headed by Sofia Mayor Stefan Sofiyanski, international media
reported. There are no Socialist ministers in the reduced, interim
government. Sofiyanski is an economist who was elected mayor of Sofia in
October 1995. Stoyanov urged him to make one of his government's top
priorities fighting crime and "purging the administration of corrupt
officials." The parliamentary parties have agreed to dissolve the
legislature today, and the new government has been granted the authority to
tackle the country's ongoing economic crisis. Also, the date for new
parliamentary elections has been set for 19 April, Demokratsiya reported on
13 February. -- Stan Markotich
[As of 12:00 CET]
Compiled by Jan Cleave
This material was reprinted with permission of the Open Media
Research Institute, a nonprofit organization with research offices in
Prague, Czech Republic.
For more information on OMRI publications please write to info@omri.cz.
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