Greek, Turkish Cypriot leaders discuss EU issues
17/03/2010
NICOSIA, Cyprus -- Cypriot President Demetris Christovias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat discussed EU issues on Tuesday (March 16th) at a meeting as part of ongoing intensified talks on the reunification of the divided island. Talks are expected to make a break for elections in the Turkish Cypriot on April 18th. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who spoke to his special adviser for Cyprus Alexander Downer over the phone after the meeting, told journalists in New York that it is "very important" that the two leaders continue talks despite the electoral campaign in the north. "We hope that if the two leaders can issue some joint statement on the agreement they will have made, that is my sincere hope. I have asked Mr. Downer to do his best to facilitate to make progress," Ban said. Downer announced that the next meeting between Talat and Christofias will be on March 30th. (Famagusta Gazette - 17/03/10; UN news centre - 16/03/10))
Turkish prosecution seeks jail terms for suspected army plotters
17/03/2010
ANKARA, Turkey -- A prosecutor has requested 15 years of jail for each of three admirals suspected of plotting a coup to destabilise the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, local media reported Tuesday (March 16th). The admirals are part of a group of 33 suspects mentioned in the indictment, which also includes colonels and other army officers. In January Turkey launched an investigation into an alleged plot code-named "Cage". The operation began after a report in the Taraf newspaper, which said the plot involved provocation of a conflict with Greece in the Aegean Sea and bomb attacks against some of Istanbul's most popular mosques. These actions were allegedly aimed to create an impression that the government cannot guarantee national security and that the army should be engaged to deal with the chaos. The Cage case is expected to be merged with another similar case dubbed Poyrazkoy on Friday by Istanbul's 12th Court of serious crimes. The court previously accepted the two cases separately. Poyrazkoy is directly related to the Ergenekon crime network case, which is investigating an organisation for overthrowing the government. Munitions that belonged to the military were found in Istanbul's Poyrazkoy district last April. Civilian prosecutors asked for merging the cases, which in turn would put both of them in relation with Ergenekon. If the Cage indictment is merged with the Poyrazkoy case on Friday, a new wave of arrests could in the following days, analysts forecast. (Reuters, Sabah - 16/03/10)
Erdogan: Armenian migrants could be deported
17/03/2010
ANKARA, Turkey -- Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday threatened that some 100,000 illegal immigrants from Armenia might be extradited from his country. "There are around 170,000 Armenians living in our country. Of them, 70,000 are Turkish citizens and the rest are illegal immigrants who have been on Turkish territory for over 10 years. If the situation continues to develop like this, we will have to review our attitude towards them," Erdogan said in an interview with the Turkish service of BBC. The statement came after a US committee and Sweden recently approved resolutions to brand the 1915 killing of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide.
On Tuesday, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt issued a statement expressing his regret over the parliament's decision to approve the document. "I informed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday that I regret the decision of the Riksdag [parliament], as it paves the way for a politicisation of historical events. I also expressed my concern that this could be used by forces in Turkey that are trying to put a stop to the process of reconciliation with Armenia and the process of reform in Turkey," Reinfeldt said. Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has also criticised the parliament's move. (Vatan, Hurriyet, Milliyet, Sabah, ITAR-TASS - 17/03/10; AFP - 16/03/10)
No-confidence motion against Romanian minister
17/03/2010
BUCHAREST, Romania -- The Social Democratic Party (PSD), the largest opposition party, on Tuesday filed a vote of no confidence against Labour Minister Mihai Seitan. The arguments are related to the unpopular policies led by the ministry, such as limiting wages in the public sector, and its plans to do the same for pensions. The two measures have created broad public discontent. The motion should be reviewed by parliament, with a debate most probably coming on Friday, while the vote itself is expected early next week. (Evenimentul Zilei - 17/03/10; Realitatea, Adevarul, Hotnews.ro - 16/03/10)
Bomb scare forces plane evacuation
17/03/2010
TIMISOARA, Romania -- An airplane of low-budget air carrier WizzAir that flew to London from the city of Timisoara in the west returned to the airport early on Tuesday after a bomb scare. All 165 passengers onboard have been safely evacuated and security forces were searching the plane. The scare came 15 minutes after the machine flew off, when an anonymous phone call was received threatening of a bomb onboard. (Mediafax, AFP, Independent - 17/03/10)
EU finance ministers ready to help Greece when time is right
17/03/2010
BRUSSELS, Belgium/BUDAPEST, Hungary/ATHENS, Greece -- EU finance ministers don't think the moment has come to provide financial assistance to Greece, Spain's Finance Minister Elena Salgado, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, said on Tuesday (March 16th) after a meeting of the ministers in Brussels. She added that they have agreed on a mechanism to help Greece in the short-term if such help is needed. According to sources in Brussels, the main dispute in the EU right now is when the moment of giving money to Greece would come. The Greek government itself has reiterated on numerous occasions that it does not want money but support for its austerity measures. EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said on Tuesday that Greece should deliver its mid-term budget perspectives plan for the period until 2012 by mid-May. He added that the European Commission will discuss on Wednesday a schedule for the introduction of the anti-crisis measures in Greece in 2010.
Separately, police scuffled with demonstrators in downtown Athens late on Tuesday in a civil servants' rally. Riot police had to use stun grenade to disperse the protestors who threw stones at them near the parliament building. The demonstration was attended by around 2,000 people. A similar rally was held in Thessaloniki. No incidents were reported there. (Canadian Press, ITAR-TASS, AP, Reuters - 16/03/10)
Bulgaria reassures Russia US anti-missile shield is not on agenda
17/03/2010
MOSCOW, Russia -- The possible deployment of elements of the US-missile defence shield has not been discussed by parliament or by the government in Sofia, Bulgarian parliamentary speaker Tsetska Tsacheva said on Tuesday (March 16th) at a meeting in Moscow with State Duma speaker Boris Gryzlov. She added that the possible deployment of such elements is only an idea of NATO that has been shared with the media by US officials. "The State Duma will not ratify a future nuclear disarmament treaty with the US unless it includes links to missile defence issues," Gryzlov warned. (BNR, 24 Chasa, BNT, AFP - 16/03/10)
Albanian opposition leader Rama urges PM Berisha for consensus
17/03/2010
TIRANA, Albania -- Opposition Socialist Party (SP) leader Edi Rama on Tuesday (March 16th) urged Prime Minister Sali Berisha to agree on a consensus in resolving the current political stalemate. In a letter to Berisha, Rama insisted on transparency on the 2009 general elections by allowing an investigation into the process. The reaction came after a similar request by the SP was refused earlier in the day by government representatives. "I would like to find a way out of the problem which separates the past from the European future of Albania," Rama said in his letter. He pointed out that investigating some ballot boxes does not aim to change the final outcome of the vote, but rather set a standard for future elections. (Balkan Web, Shekulli, Ora News, BBC - 16/03/10)
Serbian pop singer found dead
17/03/2010
BELGRADE, Serbia -- Popular Serbian singer Ksenija Pajcin, 32, and her boyfriend -- Montenegrin model Filip Kapisoda, 22, were found shot dead on Tuesday in the singer's apartment in Belgrade. According to unofficial information, Kapisoda killed Pajcin and then committed suicide. The police are investigating the incident. (Tanjug, RTS, Beta, Blic - 16/03/10)
Bosnian police detain several people over sexual abuse
17/03/2010
SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) -- The police detained on Tuesday (March 16th) a dozen of people in Bratunac and Srebrenica on suspicions of inciting prostitution and sexual abuse of a minor. Among those arrested are local officials, teachers, police officers and an imam. The house of Security Minister Sadik Ahmetovic in a village near Srebrenica has also been searched. The operation was carried out after a minor Roma girl, student at a school in Bratunac, told the police that she was sexually abused by several people. Republika Srpska (RS) Interior Minister Stanislav Cadjo refused to comment whether Ahmetovic was involved in the affair but voiced regret that there are police officers among the arrested. Ahmetovic himself was interrogated by the police and said that he has nothing to do with the case. (Fena, RTRS, Srna, BHRT, B92, AP - 16/03/10)
European Court of Human Rights condemns Croatia for discrimination against Roma children
17/03/2010
STRASBOURG, France -- The European Court of Human Rights ruled on Tuesday (March 16th) that Croatia has discriminated against 15 Roma children by denying them the right to attend classes along with other pupils. Discriminatory cases have been reported in primary schools in Orehovica, Podturen and Trnovac where these pupils were put in separate classes. The state was sentenced to pay 4,500 euros per person and 10,000 euros in costs and expenses. The Strasbourg-based court however has acknowledged that Croatia is exerting efforts to guarantee school access for Roma children. (Hina, HRT, Nova TV, Javno, BBC - 16/03/10)
NATO's Fitzgerald visits Macedonia
17/03/2010
SKOPJE, Macedonia -- NATO Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples Admiral Mark Fitzgerald said on Tuesday (March 16th) that Macedonian troops are well trained and prepared to take part in missions abroad. After talks with Defence Minister Zoran Konjanovski and Chief of General Staff of the Macedonian Army, General Miroslav Stojanovski, Fitzgerald predicted a bright future for Macedonia in NATO. The officials discussed reforms in the Macedonian army and further investment in the Krivolak military range. Konjanovski announced that by the end of this month or in early April 79 additional Macedonian troops will be dispatched to Afghanistan. (MIA, A1, Makfax - 16/03/10)
EU's Fuele urges Kosovo to strengthen fight against corruption, organised crime
17/03/2010
PRISTINA, Kosovo – Days before his visit to Pristina, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele made it clear on Tuesday (March 16th) that he will ask Kosovo authorities to strengthen their fight against corruption, organised crime and money laundering and to reform public administration. Fuele stated that Kosovars must be proud of their achievements but warned they have to know that a lot more needs to be done to keep up with their EU integration processes. In a press release issued by the European Commission Liaison Office in Kosovo, Fuele noted that maintaining stability and implementation of the rule of law in the entire Kosovo remain challenges facing Kosovo. (Zeri, Koha Ditore - 17/03/10; KLAN Kosova, KTV - 16/03/10)
Kosovo police to take over protection of Serbian memorial
17/03/2010
PRISTINA, Kosovo -- The Serbian memorial monument of Gazimestan, just outside Pristina, will soon be protected by the Kosovo Police which will replace KFOR troops. Kosovo Police spokesman Baki Kelani said on Tuesday (March 16th) that the competencies still lie with KFOR but the police have started preparations to take over the protection of the monument. In reaction, Serbia's Ministry for Kosovo said that the decision to withdraw KFOR from Gazimestan is not the right one. Taking over the duty to guard the Gazimestan monument will be the first case of Kosovo Police protecting a Serb cultural monument in Kosovo. The monument commemorates the medieval Battle of Kosovo in 1389. (Kohavision, RTK, Telegrafi, RTV 21 - 16/03/10)
Romania reports bird flu outbreak
17/03/2010
BUCHAREST, Romania/BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Commission (EC) announced on Tuesday (March 16th) that Romania has officially reported an outbreak of bird flu in a backyard poultry farm in the commune of Letea in the Tulcea county close to the border with Ukraine. Authorities in Romania have taken steps to control the spread, the statement said. This is the first outbreak of the flu in Europe for the past year. As part of measures to contain a possible spread, all poultry in the farm has been killed and a three-kilometre protection zone has been set up around it. (Mediafax, Reuters, AFP - 16/03/10)