Chronologies General Chronology of the Mediterranean

January 2005 ernment without mentioning an even- unanimously condemns for vio- tual ceasefire. On the 18th of January lating the rights of the terrorist Ilich Ra- The creation of the EU makes a step for- ETA claims responsibility for a car bomb mirez Sanchez, who was sentenced to Appendices ward with the European Parliament’s attack which injures a policeman and life imprisonment in 1997. The prisoner adoption of the Treaty establishing a on the 30th of January, following a tele- was kept in isolate confinement from European Constitution. In Algeria, the phone warning, a bomb explodes in De- 1994 to 2002 and again from March Minister of Home Affairs confirms that nia, a holiday resort in Southern . 2004 onwards. The accusations, ac- the GIA has been disbanded. In Croa- • On the 17th of January 8 people are cording to which the prisoner was trea- tia, the President Stipe Mesiv wins a sentenced for having given logistic as- ted in an inhuman and degrading way are 2006 second term of office. From the first of sistance and false documents to some dismissed by a vote of 4 to 3. January Turkey introduces a new cu- suspects in the attacks of September the • On the 31st of January the trial which Med. rrency. Spanish-Moroccan relations im- 11th 2001 in the United States. will establish who was responsible for the prove with the visit of the King of Spain, fire in the tunnel of the Mont Blanc in whilst Turkish-Greek relations deterio- France 1999 starts. There are 4 companies and rate following accusations against Tur- 12 people in the dock over involuntary key for violating Greek territorial wa- • On the 3rd of January the trial of 4 homicide and negligence. ters. At the same time Turkey reopens people starts, including the Franco-Al- 241 relations with Israel. The Republic of gerians Djamel Beghal and Kamel Daou- Sprska in Bosnia-Herzegovina decides di, accused of being members of the to reinforce its cooperation with the Al-Qaida cell in Paris responsible for • On the 10th of January a ban on ICTY and simultaneously Serbia and organising attacks against American tar- smoking in public places comes into Montenegro attracts European and Amer- gets in France. Beghal has supposedly force throughout the country, causing ican criticism for not collaborating with confessed these facts in the United Arab some protests as it involves fines for the ICTY. Emirates before being extradited to Fran- the establishments and the smokers ce, where, he affirms he was forced to who do not abide by the law. Spain confess under torture. • On the 25th of January the judge • On the 13th of January, the Minis- Clementina Forleo from the court of Mi- • On the 3rd of January, the Prime Min- ter of Justice Dominique Perben calls lan dismisses the accusations of terro- ister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero op- for a criminal investigation to be held rism against 4 Tunisians and a Moroccan poses the “Ibarretxe Plan” describing it against the arguments advanced by the provoking criticisms from the Minister of as secessionist and anti-constitutional as leader of the National Front (extreme- Foreign Affairs, the Vice Prime Minister it suggested a “free association” be- right party), Jean-Marie Le Pen. Ac- and the European Com- tween Spain and the Basque country. cording to these the German occupa- missioner responsible for Justice and On the 13th of January, Juan José Iba- tion in France during the Second World Freedom, . She declares rretxe, the Basque autonomous Presi- War was benevolent. Such declara- that it is necessary to make a distinction dent, contests Zapatero’s request to tions, according to the French press between the defendant’s engagement withdraw the plan. The Esquerra Repu- laws, could lead to a prison sentence in guerrilla activities for recruiting militants blicana de Catalunya (ERC) threatens to of up to 5 years. to fight against the American forces in withdraw its support to Zapatero if he • Between the 25th and the 29th of Iraq and terrorism. On the 28th of January, opposes the plan, since the minority go- January, 12 people are arrested on sus- the Court of Cassation (the Italian Su- vernment needs backing from regional picion of recruiting Muslims to lead the preme Court) decrees that travelling to and left-wing groups. “holy war” against the American forces Iraq to take part to the insurrections is an • On the 16th of January the Basque in the United States. act of international terrorism. terrorist organisation (ETA) declares to • On the 27th of January, the Euro- • On the 27th of January the trial of 47 be in favour of negotiating with the gov- pean Court of Human Rights (ECHR) people starts, including policemen, doc- tors, nurses and prison warders, accu- bombing of the city of Dubrovnik in ternational Crisis Group declares that the sed of verbally and physically mistreating 1991. situation in Kosovo is increasingly dan- anti-globalisation protesters during the gerous and could lead to severe riots or 2001 G8 Summit in Genoa which left Bosnia-Herzegovina even to a new war. hundreds injured and caused the de- • On the 14th of January the American ath of a demonstrator. • On the 8th of January, the President ambassador, Michael Polt, announces • On the 28th of January, the Italian of the Srpska Republic (the Serbian that the United States decided to cut aid Court of Cassation blocks the extradi- entity in Bosnia), Dragan Cavic, nomi- to the country and withdraw technical tion of the Moroccan imam Mohammed nates Pero Bukejlovic as Prime Minis- advisers in the Serbian Ministries. They Rafik to his country, which suspects him ter. The former Prime Minister resigned threaten to take other punitive measu- of being involved in the Casablanca at- at the end of December to protest res if the government continues to chal- tacks of May 2003. The judge bases against the dismissal of Bosnian Serb lenge the ICTY. his decision on the risk of Rafik being tor- officials accused of not cooperating • On the 18th of January, the UN Se- tured or killed if extradited to Morocco. with the International Criminal Tribunal curity Council adopts resolution 1581 for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). A few (2005) allowing judges from the ICTY Malta days following Bukejlovic’s nomination, to finalise some active cases. Appendices the authorities announce a certain num- • On the 21st of January, the EU High • On the 14th of January, Amnesty In- ber of measures in order to reinforce co- Representative for the Common Foreign ternational requests to open an inquiry operation with the ICTY. These include and Security Policy (CFSP), Javier So- over information received according to the creation of a team of 8 people on Jan- lana, postpones his trip to Serbia and which, members of the Maltese armed uary the 13th with responsibility for Montenegro to discuss the reforms nec- forces would have inflicted physical abu- verifying whether anyone involved in the essary to join the EU, as this country

2006 se on some asylum seekers and illegal murder of over 7,000 civilian Muslims in does not cooperate with the ICTY. immigrants. This happened at the im- Srebrenica in 1995, still has an official Med. migration detention centre of the army position or is connected with the insti- Macedonia barracks in Safi as they were peace- tutions of Srpska or Bosnian Republic. fully protesting against the length of their On the 15th of January, for the first time, • On the 18th of January, the Europe- detention, the lack of information con- the authorities of the Sprska Republic an enlargement commissioner, Olli Rehn, cerning the development of their de- hand a war crimes suspect over to the declares in front of the European Par- mands for refugee status and humani- ICTY, the Serbo-Croatian Savo Todovic. liament Foreign Affairs Commission that

242 tarian protection. Those who were The latter is accused of taking part in the there could be a new candidate country refused asylum already were complaining management of the Kazneno-Popravni to join the EU between now and the about the absence of information re- Dom camp, where 300 prisoners were end of the year if the commission con- garding their future. killed during the 1992-1995 war. siders Macedonia’s arrangements suf- • On the 17th of January, the ICTY ficient. Macedonia is still just a “poten- Slovenia condemns two Serbo-Croatians to 18 tial candidate country” at this stage. and 9 years in prison for their involvement Rehn announces that starting negotia- • On the first of January Slovenia takes in the Srebrenica massacre. tions with Macedonia is one of his ob- over the presidency of the OSCE for • On the 17th of January, 300 agents jectives during his term of office ending 2005. of the Secret Service are dismissed in in 2009. He stresses that progression order to fulfil one of the conditions for to candidate country status will depend Croatia joining the NATO and the EU. on the type of answers Macedonia gi- ves to a questionnaire it is filling in, on • On the 2nd and 16th of January two Serbia and Montenegro the quality of its technical measures, on rounds of Presidential elections take the country’s positive and constant po- place. The current President of the So- • On the 10th of January, following the litical evolution and on political reforms cial (SPH), Stipe Me- assassination of a 16 year old Albanian especially in the judicial field. siv, wins a second 5 year term of office. by customs officers as he attempted to • On the 4th of January, the Minister of cross the Macedonian border, thousands Albania Foreign Affairs, Miomir Zuzul, is accused of people of Albanian origins protest in of being involved in a corruption scan- the streets of Presova. They request • On the 10th of January, the Albanian dal and resigns. that the Serbian military and police units Parliament adopts a new election law by • On the 31st of January, the Interna- are replaced by international troops in 99 votes to 140, the first of a series of tional Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yu- Albanian majority areas. reforms scheduled to anticipate this goslavia (ICTY), sentences Lieutenant • On the 13th of January, a Nigerian summer’s elections. The new law, elab- General Pavle Strugar, former com- police officer from the In- orated with the assistance of experts mander of the Yugoslavian navy, to 8 terim Administration Mission in Kosovo from the OSCE, intends to resolve prob- years of prison for not attempting to (UNMIK), is killed in Kosovo as his car lems encountered in the past concerning prevent the attacks on civilians during the explodes. On the 23rd of January, the In- electoral rolls, constituencies and vote count. Those in favour of the new law (Kongra-Gel), who entered the country solution refers to year 2000 UN report, say that it will help to avoid a deadlock via Iraq. In January, Turkey, the United which states that Shabaa lands are part such as the one in Ukraine after the sec- States and Iraq meet in Ankara and of Syria and not of , undermi- ond set of Presidential elections which agree on a mechanism for sharing in- ning Hezbollah’s activities, which the was characterised by frauds, on top of formation as well as discussing ways to Lebanese government considers to be silencing Western Countries’ critics who cooperate in order to protect Turkey a resistance movement for national li- denounced the irregularities of previous from potential terrorist threats coming beration. ballots. from the north of Iraq. • On the 2nd of January, the President Jordan Greece of the islamist party Virtue, Recai Kutan, criticises the strict conditions imposed • On the 4th of January, the Jordan • On the 10th and 14th of January, the by the EU for Turkey’s entry and re- State Security Court, announces the Greek High Command denounce that quests a Turkish referendum on joining accusation of four islamists for their im- Turkish coast guard patrol boats invaded the EU. plication in a plot intended to attack Greek territorial waters by the islet of Imia • On the 3rd of January, the Vice Pri- Western tourists and Israelis as well as (Kardak in Turkish), over which Turkey me Minister and Minister of Foreign af- some secret services members. disputes Greek sovereignty. However, fairs, Abdullah Gül, pays a visit to Israel • On the 12th of January, NATO Se- Appendices Ankara dismisses these accusations. to discuss the re-launch of Middle East cretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Over the last months, Greek High com- peace negotiations and to restore Is- travels to Jordan to conduct the first vis- mand has regularly accused Ankara of raeli-Turkish relations, damaged after it in Jordan from a high-ranking official violating its national air-space and ter- Recep Tayyip Erdogan described an Is- of the Atlantic Alliance. This trip is in line ritorial waters. raeli raid on the Palestinian occupied with the Alliance’s efforts to increase

• On the 20th of January, the Greek territories as a political blunder. Gül is the levels of “Mediterranean dialogue”. 2006 Parliament introduces a law preventing the highest member of the government This is a cooperation program that has media directors from entering into pub- to have paid a visit to Israel since the Jus- been in place for ten years and that Med. lic contracts. This, according to the tice and Development party (AKP) came NATO was committed to revitalise dur- government is supposed to fight against to power in 2002. ing its Summit at the end of June in Is- the influence played over public life, • On the 12th of January, The Guardian tanbul. NATO’s intention is to match this behind the scenes, by businessmen announces that Turkey has sent over cooperation program to that of the Part- who are also press executives. The so- 1,000 moderate imams to Europe to nership for Peace (PFP, offered to Eu- cialist party (PASOK) votes against it, promote a peaceful interpretation of is- ropean countries and to ex-soviet re- 243 accusing the government of wishing to lam. publics in central Asia). distance media directors in favour of the opposition so that conservative Syria business circles can profit from it. Most Greek media, traditionally very partisan, • From the 24th to the 27th of January, • On the 5th of January, diplomats clo- is controlled by half a dozen success- the President Bashar al-Assad goes to se to the International Atomic Energy ful business men otherwise engaged Russia to meet President Putin and Agency declare that the UN Nuclear in contracts within the public sector. some senior officials. Both leaders sign Watchdog has proof that secret nuclear a declaration about strengthening their experiments have been carried out in Cyprus future relations which will be based on Egypt, mostly during the 80s and 90s but friendship and cooperation. According also last year. These could be used in • On the 24th of January, the Greek- to Israel, Russia sold some advanced armament programs. Inspectors do not Cypriot President, Tassos Papadopou- missiles to Syria that could be employed deem these conclusions alarming los, nominates Andreas Gavrielides as to reinforce Hezbollah’s military capacity, enough to require a report from the IAEA Minister for Health, after the forced res- a group that Syria supports in Lebanon. Board of Governors. ignation of Constantina Akkelidou, found On the 25th of January, a spokesman guilty of interfering with justice by the from the Russian Ministry of Defence Court of Nicosia. declares to the news agency ITAR-TASS that Russia will not sell offensive wea- • On the 23rd of January, a team of Turkey pons to Syria. French lawyers from the NGO Lawyers without Borders, goes to Libya to sup- • On the first of January, Turkey intro- Lebanon port the defence of five Bulgarian nur- duces a new currency eliminating 6 ze- ses sentenced to death for having in- ros off the previous one. • On the 28th of January, the Security fected Libyan children with the AIDS • On the 2nd of January, Turkish se- Council adopts resolution 1583 (2005), virus. curity forces, repel an attack by peo- prolonging the mandate of the UN Inte- • On the 29th of January, the French ple suspected of being militants from rim Force in Lebanon up to the 31st of Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin de- the People’s Congress of Kurdistan July 2006. It is the first time that this re- clares in an interview with the Tunisian daily paper Ach-Chourouq that Libya is wing the death or imprisonment of its which is adopted by 500 votes in favour an “essential contact”, that it should find leaders by security forces. to 137 votes against with 40 abstentions. its place in “le concert des Nations” as • On the 8th of January, the Algerian The majority of opponents are members well as on the regional map and adds President and the of parliament from the United Kingdom, that France encourages the country’s Prime Minister of Pedro San- Poland and the Czech Republic and reinsertion programme. tana Lopes, sign a “treaty of good neigh- come from Euro-sceptical political par- bourhood and friendly cooperation” in Al- ties. Amongst the arguments against ger. The treaty envisages in particular, the Constitution, there is the socialist crit- an annual summit between the Algerian icism which describes the constitution • On the 18th of January, Manuel Ma- and Portuguese leaders and high-level as being anti-social and the catholic rín, President of the Spanish Congress consultations between the Ministers of criticism which refers to the Christian of deputies, pays a visit to Tunisia, in Foreign Affairs from both countries. It origins of European civilisation. order to strengthen parliamentary rela- also supports cooperation in economic, • On the 14th of January, the Euro- tions between the two countries by ac- political, military, cultural and scientific pean Commission announces that it will tivating the role of parliamentary friend- fields. The visit concludes by signing a take Portugal, Greece and Spain to the ship groups and organising periodical certain number of cooperation agree- European Court of Justice for breaching Appendices meetings. During a press conference, ments between Algerian firms and their Community provisions on the environ- before leaving Tunisia, Marín confirms the equivalents from Portugal in the fields of ment. Portugal is put on the spot for not creation of a friendship group with Tu- construction, public works and railway having created enough natural reserves nisia within the Spanish Parliament. industry. Lopes and the Algerian Prime for wild birds, for having reduced na- • On the 30th and 31st of January, the Minister, Ahmed Ouyahia, also agree to ture reserve surface areas for protected French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raf- consolidate cooperation in the fishing species and for not having implemented

2006 farin pays an official visit to Tunisia. Du- sector and that of manufactured pro- European rules on water resources pro- ring his talks with the Tunisian Presi- ducts. Finally, Lopes opposed to the tection. Moreover, the EC urges Med. dent and his creation of a transit zone in the Magh- to suspend the building of the Alqueva counterpart Mohamed Ghannouchi, he reb countries for emigrants waiting for dam, as it considers it to be detrimen- pleads for a collaborative immigration their files to be dealt with in European tal to the environment. If the European policy, with the aim of an immigration pol- countries. Court of Justice agrees with the Euro- icy that will simultaneously take into ac- pean Commission, the EU will be enti- count the needs of the host country and Morocco tled to fine its three Member Countries.

244 those of the country of origin. He de- • On the 14th of January, Eurodeputies clares to be against a unilateral policy ba- • From the 17th to the 19th of January, gathered in a plenary session in Stras- sed on quotas. In an interview published the King Juan Carlos of Spain pays an bourg, re-elect Nikiforos Diamandouros on the 30th of January in the Tunisian official visit to Morocco, an indication as European Mediator. During his five- newspaper Le Temps, Raffarin states of an improvement in relations between year term of office, the mediator particu- that France will remain opposed to “the the two countries after years of tensions larly intends to set up a single telepho- establishment of transit centres outside caused by territorial disputes and by ne number covering all of the European the EU, notably in Maghreb, to filter can- the problem of illegal immigration. Union territory to have access to the didates for immigration”. Tunisia is also mediators’ network. against it. Both countries have approa- European Union • On the 17th and 18th of January, the ched the terrorism issue in a similar way Economic and Financial Affairs Council and Raffarin declares to be “very satis- • On the first of January, Luxembourg (EcoFin), fails once again to agree on fied” to re-establish the former cooper- takes on the rotating presidency for the SGP reforms. ’s proposal is to ation between Tunisia and France on next six months. Re-launching the “Lis- loosen the public deficit rule (3% of GDP) this matter. He was also pleased with the bon Strategy”, with the objective of mak- in order to allow for an excess of the def- exchange of information and the quality ing the EU the most competitive area in icit during stagnation of economic growth of relations between various services the world, coming to an agreement on or during expensive structural reforms. related to both countries. Finally, Raffa- the budget for 2007-2013 and reforming The proposal causes contentions be- rin declares that France will continue to the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) tween France and Italy on one side, which support Tunisia’s economic and social are amongst its priorities. are in favour, and on the other the re- modernisation. • On the first of January, the Prime maining European countries which fulfil Minister of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude the SGP criteria. Moreover, Germany re- Algeria Juncker, also becomes the President of quests that its contribution transfer to Euro Group for two years, the group the ex-communist Eastern region and the • On the 4th of January, the Minister of that brings together the 12 member country’s participation to the European Internal Affairs announces that the Ar- countries that have adopted the Euro. budget are taken into consideration when med Islamic Group (GIA), the second • On the 12th of January, the Parlia- calculating its public deficit. The com- biggest islamist rebel group active in ment approves the Treaty instituting a missioner for Economic and Monetary the country, has been disbanded follo- Constitution for the European Union affairs, Joaquin Almunia, describes the German proposal as “constructive” whi- South Iraq as part of a stabilisation for- bruary, 20 alleged ETA members are le the EU President, Jean-Claude Junc- ce since November 2003, leave the arrested. ker, opposes to the exclusion of certain country. • On the 20th of February 77% of categories of expenses from the SGP • On the 20th of February, the Social- Spanish people taking part in the Refe- calculation and reminds Germany that it ist Party (PS) wins the anticipated le- rendum on the European Constitution is not the only country responsible for gislative elections against the Social say “yes” (44% of Spanish people). This European economy. Democrat Party coalition (PSD) and the is the first referendum on the European • On the 18th of January Airbus A380 People’s Party (PP), currently in power. Constitution taking place. The Spanish is unveiled; the model was designed by The PS wins an absolute majority, the Socialist party in power, the PSOE, as France, Germany, Spain and the United first one the party achieved since the res- well as the main opposition party, the PP, Kingdom and will come into service in toration of democracy in 1974. These were in favour of the “yes” campaign. The 2006. With its 800 people capacity, it elections are all the more important as “no” campaign was conducted by the will be the world’s largest passenger the electoral participation is the highest Republican Left of Catalonia (ERC) and aircraft. in the last ten years (62%). the United Left (IU). • On the 27th of January, Amnesty In- ternational (AI), sends an open letter Spain France to the Council and to the Commission to Appendices denounce “the alarming situation of asy- • On the first of February, the Deputies • On the 11th of February, an alleged lum seekers within the EU’s own bor- Congress (Lower House) opposes the member of the Moroccan Islamic Com- ders”, the police suppression of an asy- proposal of the autonomist Basque Pre- batant Group (GICM) is arrested, sus- lum seekers’ peaceful demonstration in sident, Juan José Ibarretxe, describing it pected of being involved in the Casa- Malta and a case of torture of both adult as unconstitutional. This is to organise blanca attacks of May 2003 and the and minor afghans in Greece. AI said to a referendum in the Basque Country attacks of March 2004. 2006 be “very concerned” that these viola- on a statute of “free association” with • On the 11th of February, two Corsi- tions “have not been addressed by the Spain. Ibarretxe declares that if he wins can nationalists, Gérard Cianelli and Med. Council and the Commission”. the regional elections anticipated to be Hervé Santelli, are sentenced to 10 in April, he will go against the Congress’ and 8 years in prison for the bomb at- decision and will organise the referen- tack aimed at Emile Zuccarelli, the February 2005 dum. “The plan Ibarretxe ” intends to in- Mayor of Bastia in March 2002. crease the region’s autonomy, to set up • On the 24th of February, the Paris

On the 14th of February, the former Le- the Basque country’s own representa- Court of Appeal orders Jean-Marie Le 245 banese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri tion in the EU and to create a union with Pen, leader of the National Front Party is assassinated and an unknown group the Southern French Basque region. (FN), to pay a fine of 10,000 euros for claims responsibility for the attack. Sus- • On the first of February, 4 members encouraging racial hatred against Mus- picions are immediately drawn to Syria of a Moroccan family as well as a Spa- lims in an interview given to Le Monde and the United Nations set up an in- nish citizen are arrested for the attacks in 2003. vestigation commission. The pro-Syrian of the 11th of March 2004 in Madrid. • On the 25th of February, three isla- Lebanese government is ousted under • At the beginning of February, the go- mist militants, amongst which one Pa- popular pressure. As for the rest of the vernment announces that illegal immi- kistani, Ghulam Mustafa, and two French, Middle East, Jordan and Syria sign an grants who are able to present a work Hakim Mokhfi and Hassan al-Gheguer, agreement putting an end to their bor- contract and can justify at least six are taken to court on suspicion of having der disputes. For the first time since the months of residence in Spain, will be eli- helped Richard Reid, who attempted to end of the conflicts, a Serb President vi- gible for a residence and work permit of explode shoe bombs on a Paris-Miami sits Kosovo. In Portugal and Cyprus le- up to one year starting from the 7th of flight in December 2001. A fourth per- gislative elections are anticipated. Cro- February. According to the Prime Mi- son, described as the Imam of the Mos- atia appoints a new Prime Minister and nister, these measures will allow Spain que in Paris, is accused for breaching Karolos Papoulias becomes Greece’s to meet the demand for unqualified wor- the Foreigners’ Law by taking in Reid. new President. As regards to the EU, kers in the country. The opposition party, • On the 25th of February, the Minis- both the growth and Employment stra- the Popular Party (PP), as well as Fran- ter of the Economy, Finance and In- tegy and the European Commission’s ce and Germany criticize this decision dustry, Hervé Gaymard, resigns after President Social and Environmental as it will encourage immigration in Spain the newspaper Le Canard Enchaîné re- Agenda receive sharp criticism. Finally, and Europe. veals the exorbitant price of his luxury Spain and Slovenia approve the Euro- • On the 9th of February, a bomb ex- apartment in Paris (14,000 euros per pean constitution by referendum. plodes near a conference centre in Ma- month) paid using public funds. drid where King Juan Carlos is expect- • On the 28th of February, the Natio- Portugal ed a few hours later; 40 people are nal Assembly and the Senate approve slightly injured. The Basque terrorist modifications to the French Constitu- • On the 10th of February, the 127 group ETA claims responsibility for this tion, making it compatible with the Eu- Portuguese policemen deployed in attack. On the 11th and 17th of Fe- ropean Constitution and also allowing the possibility of organising a referendum new cabinet, presided by Pero Bukejlo- Albania on the above mentioned European Cons- vic, member of the Serb Democratic Party. titution. • On the 24th of February, the Inter- • On the 15th of February, the Turkish national Criminal Tribunal for the former Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Italy Yugoslavia (ICTY) accuses two gene- whilst on tour in the Balkans, declares rals from the Bosnian Serb Army (VRS), to Tirana that his country is firmly deci- • On the first of February, the former le- Milan Gvero and Radivoje Miletic, of ded on supporting Albania’s entry in ader of the Sicilian regional government being involved in the Srebrenica and NATO’s structures. and political ally of , goes Zepa war crimes in 1995. Both men • On the 23rd of February, the Alba- to court accused of having passed on in- submit themselves to the ICTY respec- nese justice clears the Prime Minister Fa- formation to the Mafia regarding some of- tively on the 24th and 25th of February tos Nano of accusations of arms dealing ficial inquiries. On the 18th of February, On the 28th, Ramsim Delic, also mem- between Albania and Kosovo in 1998. Morio Mori, Leader of the Italian Republic ber of the VRS, submits himself to the These allegations were made in No- Civilian Secret Service and Segio di Ca- ICTY as he is suspected of having bre- vember 2003 by a deputy from the op- prio, a high ranking police detective, find ached laws and customs of war. During position who could now be charged themselves summoned to court accused the war he was responsible for foreign with defamation. Appendices of having helped and supported the Ma- voluntary Muslims found guilty of tortu- fia during the arrest of Salvatore Riina, a ring assassinating and raping Bosnian- Greece Sicilian Mafia leader, in 1993. Croat civil prisoners • On the 14th of February, the Euro- • On the 8th of February, the socia- pean Commission asks Italy for some as- Serbia and Montenegro list Karolos Papoulias, elected by the surances concerning its intention to au- Vouli (unicameral legislative parlia-

2006 thorise foreign buyouts of Italian banks, • On the 2nd of February, Greece ex- ment), becomes the new President of as the country is suspected of protec- tradites Dejan Milenkovic to Serbia, a Greece. Med. tionism in the banking sector. The Pre- member of Serbia’s main criminal group, • On the 9th of February, the Euro- sident of the Italian central bank, the the Zemun Gang, and the key suspect pean Commission suggests giving Gre- Bank of Italy, is accused of hindering in the assassination of the Serbian Pri- ece an extra year (until the end of 2006) foreign companies’ attempts of buying me Minister in March 2003. to comply with the budget deficit cri- out Italian banks. • On the 3rd of February, general Vla- teria of the Stability and Growth Pact dimir Lazarevic, accused of war crimes (3% of GDP), before imposing sanc-

246 Slovenia for his actions during the war in Koso- tions. vo, submits himself to the. Criminal Tri- • On the first of February, the State bunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Cyprus House of Assembly (Lower House) ra- This is after meeting the Serbian Prime tifies the European Constitution. Minister, Vojislav Kostunica, who is put • On the 20th of February, during the under increasing pressure by the Inter- anticipated legislative elections in the Croatia national community to hand over fugiti- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, ve war criminals. the Turkish Republican Party led by the • On the 17th of February, the House • On the 13th and 14th of February, the pro-European Prime Minister Mehmet of Representatives (Lower House), ap- Serbian President Boris Tadic, sets out Ali Talat returns to power, increasing its proves of a cabinet reorganisation follo- on an historical visit to Kosovo, the first seats to 24 out of 50 in the Republican wing the resignation of the Minister of one by a Serbian President since the Assembly (unicameral). Foreign Affairs in January. The current NATO bombings in 1999. Tadic affirms Minister for Integration, Kolinda Grabar Ki- once again that Kosovo is Serbian and Turkey tarovic, becomes the new Minister of Fo- that its independence is unacceptable. reign Affairs. On the 27th of February, Ki- • On the 22nd of February, the Prime • On the 2nd of February, experts de- tarovic reproaches the EU for having lead Minister of Montenegro, Miodrag Vla- fuse an explosive packet found in a club the opening of Croatia’s entry negotiations hovic, proposes a virtual independence in Incirlik, generally frequented by Ame- to a deadlock by requesting, as a pre- between Serbia and Montenegro. The ricans. condition, the arrest of general Ante Go- day after, the Serbian Prime Minister • On the 5th of February demonstra- tovina, who is pursued for war crimes by Kostunica rejects the proposal saying tions take place in the capital Ankara to the International Criminal Tribunal for the that it violates the Belgrade Agreement protest against American foreign policy, former Yugoslavia (ICTY). She insists on (March 2002) on the establishment of as its presence in Iraq, while the Ame- the fact that Gotovina is not in Croatia. the union of Serbia and Montenegro. rican Secretary of State Condoleezza On the 28th of February, the Minister for Rice starts a two-day visit to Turkey. Bosnia-Herzegovina Foreign Affairs for Montenegro declares • On the 7th of February, the President that Montenegro wishes to join NATO of the Human Rights Consultancy Coun- • On the 15th of February, the Sprska and the EU as an independent member cil, Ibrahim Kaboglu, and some of his col- Republic legislative power approves the and not as part of the confederation. leagues resign accusing legislative, ju- dicial and executive powers of hindering relations with Saudi Arabia. Even though Syria their work. Syria immediately condemns the attack, • On the 14th of February, Istanbul the Lebanese opposition parties indicate • On the 16th of February, the Syrian Tenth Criminal Court acquits 8 of the 71 the Pro-Syrian administration and the Prime Minister Mohammed Naji al-Itri, people charged for the suicide attacks ta- Syrian government as responsible for meets the First Vice-President of Iran ken place in Istanbul in November 2003. Hahiri’s death. Since his resignation in Mohammed Reza Aref. The two decide • On the 15th of February, the Euro- October 2004, the Prime Minister be- to stand together against the threat of pean Commission against Racism and came increasingly more critical against Americans who see them as the main Intolerance (ECRI) within the Europe- the Syrian military presence in Leba- obstacles to the establishment of an Council, publishes its report re- non. On the 15th of February, the Uni- peace and democracy in the Middle questing the reduction of the role reli- ted States withdraw their ambassador East. The Minister of Foreign Affairs gion has in Turkey. Amongst other things from Syria. On the 16th of February, Assistant, Walid al-Mu’allim, while ex- it proposes to eliminate religion as a during Hahiri’s funeral, thousands of plaining the nature of Syria’s relationship compulsory course in schools as well as people gather together, holding up anti- with Iran, declares to the London based removing the religious reference from ID Syrian slogans and insulting the Pro- newspaper Al-Hayat, that this is a strat- cards. On the 16th of February, Sevket Syrian President, Emile Lahoud. On the egic bond and not an alliance against Kazan, vice-President of the Islamist 18th of February, the opposition groups a third state. Appendices Welfare Party, criticises the Justice and call for an “independence uprising” and • On the 19th of February, the Presi- Development party currently in power for requests for Lahoud Pro-Syrian regi- dent Bashar al-Assad appoints his bro- not seeing the “stratagem against our me to step down in order to set up a ther in law, general Asef Shawkat, as the country”. Kazan declares that this report new government which will organise a head of the military intelligence service. intends “to separate a nation from its Syrian military pullout. Following this moral values and to extend the crusa- declaration, thousands of people in fa- Jordan 2006 des to Turkey”. vour of the opposition group together • On the 22nd of February, during a mi- in the centre of Beirut, where they stay • On the 22nd of February, the King of Med. nistry reorganisation, the Prime Minister throughout the month of February. On Jordan Abdallah II, begins a European Recep Tayyip Erdogan appoints Atilla the 21st of February, during a visit to tour in Spain centred on Near East de- Koc as the new Minister for Culture and Brussels, the American President G. velopments. Tourism, as a replacement of Erkan Mun- W. Bush requests that Syria withdraws • On the 28th of February, Jordan and cu, a secular liberal from AKP who cri- its troops from Lebanon. On the 24th Syria sign an agreement resolving a long ticised Erdogan’s attempt to criminalize of February, the Lebanese Minister of frontier dispute by exchanging lands on 247 adultery. Defence, Abed Al-Rahim Murad, an- their communal borders. Moreover, Syria • On the 23rd of February, the Grand nounces that he reached an agreement and Jordan sign an agreement on fight- National Assembly (GNA-unicameral) with Syria for the withdrawal of all of its ing against drugs traffic and organised grants an amnesty to 677,000 students troops to the valley of Bekaa, in line crime as well as another 19 treaties in who were expelled from universities af- with the 1989 Taif Agreement which the fields of culture, agriculture, com- ter the 29th of June 2000, some for ha- put an end to the . On merce and transport. ving refused to remove the Islamic head- the 25th of February, the assistant of scarf at university. They will be able to Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wa- Egypt enrol at university again but the ban on lid al-Mu’allim, declares that the Syrian wearing the headscarf remains in full government is ready to cooperate with • On the first of February, Moham- force. the UN in order to apply resolution 1559 med Abdel Rahman Badawi, a key • On the 23rd of February, two sol- (2004) which requests the withdrawal suspect in the October 2004 attack diers are injured during clashes betwe- of Syrian forces from Lebanon. He adds, on Sinai, is killed during a confrontation en the Turkish Army and the People’s however, that it will be the Lebanese between the police and islamists in the Defence Force (HPG) in the south-east government and Security Services’ res- mountains near Ain Sudr. On the 22nd of the country. ponsibility to ensure that internal secu- of February, a Human Rights Watch rity is maintained. On the same day, a report declares that the estimated Lebanon UN team, presided by the Irish Peter 2,400 people arrested without charge Fitzgerald, starts an investigation com- following the October 2004 attack, • On the 14th of February, the former mission on Hahiri’s assassination. On were victims of torture and inhumane Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri is assas- the 27th of February, the Lebanese go- treatment. sinated in Beirut in a car explosion as vernment of Prime Minister Umar Kara- • On the 27th of February, President his convoy passes by, also causing the mi steps down under popular pressure. Hosni Mubarak announces important death of 16 people and injuring 135. An On the same day, during a heated par- democratic reforms. While up to now the unknown islamist Group (Victory and liamentary session, some deputies from President was not elected directly but Jihad in Greater Syria) claims respon- the opposition accuse the Karami go- selected by legislative power and sub- sibility for the attack against Hahiri, vernment of having organised Hariri’s as- mitted to a referendum, the reform mo- which was carried out because of his sassination. difying article 76 of the constitution will allow more candidates to come forward reb countries have to work together to which Germany and France oppose, for the Presidential elections taking pla- guarantee the survival of their textile- concerns the liberalisation of services ce at the end of 2005. Once approved, clothing sector and to preserve their providing that anyone or any company the amendment of article 76 will be sub- market shares. can offer its services in another European ject to a referendum. • On the 22nd of February, the “Inter- country as long as they respect the ru- national Freedom of Expression Ex- les of their country of origin (with the Libya change” (IFEX), a large network of as- exception of public services). On the sociations campaigning for the freedom 9th of February, Durao Barroso presents • On the 5th of February, the French of the press, accuses Tunisia of banning a Social and Environmental Agenda to Minister of Defence Michèle Alliot-Ma- newspapers, closing internet sites, im- complement the Strategy. This envis- rie, goes to Libya to re-launch a military prisoning people because of their opi- ages the promotion of collective nego- cooperation which used to be produc- nions or press activities and of resorting tiation, a greater role given to trade tive but was spoilt by the years of em- to torture. unions in companies’ decisions and bargo. Alliot-Marie and her Libyan equi- greater environmental responsibilities valent, Abou Bakar Younes Jaber, sign Algeria for big enterprises. This agenda is cri- a master agreement establishing their fu- ticised for having an “anti-business” Appendices ture relations with regards to strategic • At the beginning of February, the Al- orientation. communication, military cooperation and gerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika • On the 16th of February, the EC de- weaponry issues. was appointed honorary President of cides to allocate 8 million euros to fi- • On the 6th of February, the Italian the main pro-governmental party, the nance information campaigns on the Minister of Internal Affairs Giuseppe Pi- National Liberation Front (FLN), put- Constitution in those member countries sanu, during a business trip to discuss ting an end to almost two years of in- that are least informed. Eurosceptic par-

2006 immigration issues, reasserts the Italian ternal disputes within the party betwe- liamentarians condemn this decision government intention of assisting Tri- en those in favour of Bouteflika and describing it as propaganda. Med. poli to find solutions geared towards those supporting the former President • On the 16th of February, the Party of promoting legal immigration as well as Ali Benflis. European Socialists (PSE) accuses the stopping clandestine immigration from • At the beginning of February, the EC President Barroso of compromising its origins. This includes a firm sup- President appoints former President Ah- the EC’s independence by turning up pression against clandestine organisa- med Ben Bella as leader of the Natio- in the Portuguese elections supporting tions responsible for it. nal Commission for a General Amnesty his former Party, the Social Democratic

248 • On the 10th of February, the Ameri- (CNAG), which is responsible for the Party (PSD). can Assistant Secretary of State for amnesty of islamist rebels. • On the 17th of February, disagree- Near Eastern Affairs, William Burns, at ments continue within the Economic the end of his visit to Tripoli, reaffirms the Morocco and Financial Affairs Council (EcoFin) on United States objective to totally resto- the Stability and Growth Pact and par- re normal diplomatic relations with Lib- • On the 14th of February, for the first ticularly on the criteria fixing the public ya. On the 11th of February, the United time King Mohammed VI appoints a ci- deficit threshold to 3% of the GDP. Lu- States and Libya lift restrictions pre- vilian, Yassine Mansouri, as head of the xembourg presidency will have to draw venting each other’s diplomats’ from vi- General Directorate of Studies and Do- up one last reform proposal between siting their soil. cumentation (DGED), the Moroccan now and March. counter-espionage service. Tunisia • On the 17th of February, the Minis- ters for Foreign Affairs of the Arab Magh- March 2005 • On the 8th of February, Tunisia and reb Union (UMA) get together in Ra- Algeria inaugurate a “collective memory” bat. This meeting, which coincides with Anti-Syrian demonstrations continue in museum in the bordering city of Ghar- the 16th anniversary of UMA’s creation Lebanon while the United Nations fact- dimaou (North Eastern Tunisia). in 1989, is dedicated to analysing the re- finding inquiry report makes Syria indi- • On the 13th of February, the first pri- gional group’s renewal prospects. rectly responsible for the death of the for- vate Tunisian television channel starts mer Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. In broadcasting. European Union France, the National Liberation Front of • On the 14th and 15th of February, a Corsica – The Fighter’s Union (FNLC- seminar takes place in Tunis regarding • On the 2nd of February, the President UC) suspends its ceasefire. In Italy, the the “dismantlement of the Multifiber of the European Commission (EC) José Senate approves a controversial cons- Agreement and its repercussions on the Manuel Durao Barroso, reveals the titutional reform that reinforces the Pri- economies of the countries in the Arab European Union Growth and Employ- me Minister’s powers and increases re- Maghreb Union”; this was organised by ment Strategy up to 2010. This strategy gions’ autonomy. In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Arab Maghreb Union and the Afri- is described as being neoliberal and the Croatian-born President is dismis- can Economic Commission. Tunis se- excessively “pro-market”. One of the sed from presidency and the Prime Mi- minar participants are unanimous: Magh- strategy’s most controversial proposals, nister in Kosovo resigns to submit him- self to the ICTY. The EU postpones ope- France • On the 29th of March, the senate ning entry negotiations with Croatia and introduces a law that raises the mini- accuses Turkey of human rights viola- • On the first of March, President Jac- mum legal age for marriage from 15 to tion. In Algeria, the fact-finding inquiry ques Chirac promulgates an environ- 18 years in an attempt to fight against on disappearance cases during the ci- mental charter which gives constitutio- forced marriages within the muslim vil war excludes any State responsibi- nal force to rights and obligations arising community and other immigrant com- lity. from the need of protecting the envi- munities. ronment. Portugal • On the 10th of March, the National Italy Liberation Front in Corsica – The Figh- • On the 4th of March, the Prime Mi- ter’s Union (FNLC-UC), the main sepa- • On the first of March, official statis- nister José Socrates (Socialist Party PS) ratist movement on the island, suspends tics show that the public deficit has announces the composition of his ca- the ceasefire observed since Novem- reached 3% of the GDP, the maximum binet which will be approved on the ber 2003 after the opening of the trial threshold authorised by the EU Stability 12th of March. Two independents are of 22 nationalists from Corsica. Amongst and Growth Pact. appointed to two vital roles: Diego Frei- these was the suspected commander • On the 3rd of March, the govern- tas do Amaral, who was Minister of De- of FNLC-UC, Charles Pieri accused of ment majority within the Chamber of Appendices fence and President of the UN General extortion, embezzlement, of financing te- Deputies (Lower House) stops a pro- Assembly and who is very critical of the rrorism and associating with criminals portion of legislative reforms on financial American foreign policy, is appointed in a terrorist plot. On the 11th of March, regulation which intends to prevent any as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Luis Cam- a bomb explodes outside a govern- enterprise fraud, following the Parmalat pose Cunha, former vice governor of ment building in Ajaccio, injuring 5 peo- scandal in 2004. The government rejects the Portuguese Central Bank and re- ple. the amendments to the law on false ac- 2006 nowned for his fiscal conservatism, be- • On the 10th of March, the son of counts, introduced not long after Ber- comes Minister of Finance. former President François Mitterrand, lusconi came to power. The opposition Med. • On the 22nd of March, the Assembly Jean-Christophe Mitterrand, is the ob- parties believe that the amendment sup- of the Republic introduce reforms which ject of a judicial investigation for having pression supports Berlusconi’s econo- intend to modernise the economy, bring profited from embezzlement in Angola’s mic interests. back the 150,000 jobs lost under the arms trade case. • On the 4th of March a diplomatic previous government, achieve a 3% • On the 15th of March, a court of Pa- crisis erupts between the United States increase in the annual GDP, raise inter- ris sentences two French men of Alge- and Italy after American troops shoot 249 nal investments and improve infras- rian origin, Djamel Baghal et Kamel Nicola Calipari, an Italian Secret Servi- tructure. Daoudi, to 10 and 9 years of prison res- ces agent, just after he rescued the hos- pectively for being members of an Al- tage Giuliana Sgrena in Iraq. On the Spain Qaida cell that was planning an attack same day, the American President G. W. against American targets in France. Ano- Bush expresses his regrets in a tele- • On the 8th of March, the Moroccan ther 4 people have been condemned phone call to the Italian Prime Minister Jaouad el Bourouti, suspected of ha- to prison sentences going from 1 to 6 Silvio Berlusconi promising to conduct ving collaborated with the perpetrators years. During the trial, the court finds out an inquiry to establish the exact cir- of the Madrid attacks on the 11th of that the person in charge of carrying cumstances of Calipari’s death. The in- March 2004, is arrested. On the 18th out the suicide attack against the Ame- cident relaunches requests to withdraw and 19th of March, two brothers of Spa- rican embassy was the Tunisian pro- the Italian troops from Iraq. On the 15th nish nationality, suspected of having hid- fessional footballer, Nizar Trabelsi, who of March Berlusconi announces that Ita- kamikazes in safe locations, are was sentenced to 10 years in prison for lian soldiers will leave in September arrested. similar offences in Belgium. 2005, then retracts his statement two • On the 11th of March, following the • On the 21st of March in Paris the trial days later. inquiry on the Madrid attacks which of 47 businessmen and politicians starts, • On the 13th of March, a bomb pla- brought to light the faults within the co- amongst which are the former ministers ced by the “Unabomber”, a serial bomb ordination of security forces, the go- Michel Giraud, Miche Roussin and Guy planter, explodes in a church in Treviso vernment introduces a series of mea- Drut, accused of fraudulent party finan- injuring a young child. sures in order to reinforce the security cing under the mandate of Jacques Chi- • On the 15th of March, Cinzia Ba- of the country against terrorist threats. rac (1977-1995), who at the time was nell, a member of the Red Brigades is The Civil Guard, the Police and the Na- the mayor of the city of Paris. sentenced to 16 years in prison for being tional Intelligence Centre will be linked • On the 29th of March in Paris, the trial involved in the murder of a government together by a single command and will of three French of Maghrebin origins councillor in 2002. have to share their information.1,000 and an Algerian starts, accused of ha- • On the 17th of March, an Advocate supplementary officers and 130 trans- ving helped the assassins of Ahmed General from the Court of Justice for lators from Arab countries will be em- Shah Masud, the Northern Afghan Allian- the European Communities declares ployed. ce commander. that the enterprise tax known under the name of Irap is illegal because of its si- • On the 11th of March, the former Mi- September 1999 in Kosovo. He pleads milarity to VAT. The Finance Minister an- nister of Internal Affairs of the Sprska not guilty. On the 23rd of March, the nounces the tax abolition. Republic (Bosnian Serb entity), Mico Assembly elects Bajram Kosume to re- • On the 23rd of March, the Senate Stanisic, submits himself to the ICTY, place him. (Higher House) approves a controver- as suspected of being involved in the • On the 15th of March, Kosovo’s Pre- sial constitutional reform which reinfor- permanent relocation and ethnic cle- sident, Ibrahim Rukova survives an as- ces the Prime Minister’s executive po- ansing of non-Serbians between April sassination attempt. wer, leads to the senate’s federalisation and December in 1992 on what was and increases the autonomy of the 20 to become the “Serbian State” terri- Macedonia Italian regions. On the same day, the tory. Minister of Administration Reform and of • On the 14th of March, Gojko Jan- • On the 15th of March, the Criminal Decentralisation, , a kovic, the leader of a paramilitary group Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia member of the Northern League, re- responsible for invading the city of Foca (ICTY), in its first conviction in Mace- tracts his threat of withdrawing from the in Bosnia in 1992, who contributed to donia, takes to court Ljube Boskovski, governmental coalition, which he made the realisation of “rape camps”, gives the former Minister of Internal Affairs because of the time taken to introduce himself in to the ICTY after taking re- and Johan Tarculovski, a former Mace- Appendices the above mentioned reform. The op- fuge in Moscow for 4 years. He was ac- donian policeman and the bodyguard of position parties criticise this reform which cused of crimes against humanity and the past President Boris Trajkovski. The allows the Prime Minister to disband violations of the laws and customs of two men are accused of violating the the legislative authority and to dismiss war. laws and customs of war during con- Ministers. • On the 23rd of March, former Bos- frontations between Macedonian se- nian Serb general, Vinko Pandurevic, is curity forces and Albanian rebels in Lju-

2006 Croatia transferred to the ICTY, accused of ge- botno near at the beginning of nocide, crimes against humanity, viola- August which cost 10 Albanian lives. Med. • On the 16th of March, the European tions of the laws and customs of war and Ljube Boskovski and Johan Tarculovs- Union Ministers of Foreign Affairs de- of being involved in the Srebrenica mas- ki are transferred to the detention unit cide to postpone entry negotiations with sacre of 1995. of the ICTY respectively on the 24th Croatia which were due to start on • On the 29th of March, the High Re- and 16th of March. the following day. This is because of the presentative of the International Com- • On the 13th and 28th of March the country’s lack of cooperation with munity, Lord Paddy Ashdown, dismisses local elections take place for mayors

250 the Criminal Tribunal for the former Yu- the Croatian-born President Dragan Co- and district council members. This is goslavia (ICTY) General Ante Gotovina’s vic, from the tripartite presidency esta- the first test for the reforms established arrest. No new date is proposed for the blished in October 2002. The day after, in the Ohrid Agreement, which put an beginning of negotiations. While Croa- Covic is sentenced for corruption acti- end to the Albanian insurrection re- tia reaffirms that Gotovina is not in the vities committed before being appointed questing more autonomy for the Slavs country, the ICTY declares that it can- as President. in the country. The OSCE elections ob- not rely on Croatia’s full cooperation servation mission denounced nume- for as long as Gotovina is not submit- Serbia and Montenegro rous irregularities during both rounds of ted to the ICTY. Austria, Hungary and voting. Slovenia favour the opening of nego- • On the 7th of March, general Mom- tiations to congratulate Zagreb on re- cilo Perisic, the Yugoslav Army former Greece forms made. However the majority of High Command Leader from August states are opposed to it, amongst 1993 to November 1998, submits him- • On the 18th of March, the budget these are France, The Netherlands, The self to the Criminal Tribunal for the for- deficit official figures indicate a short- United Kingdom and Germany. mer Yugoslavia (ICTY), as he is accu- fall of 6.1% of the GDP, well over the sed of crimes against humanity and government predictions (5.3%) and Bosnia-Herzegovina violations of the laws and customs of the maximum threshold provided in the war because of crimes committed by his EU Stability and Growth Pact (3%). • On the 9th of March, there is the of- troops in Bosnia and Croatia, amongst The difference from the predictions is ficial inauguration of a special court in which the Srebrenica attacks on civi- due to excessive expenses incurred Sarajevo, to which the Criminal Tribu- lians. during the organisation of the 2004 nal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) • On the 8th of March, Ramush Hara- Olympic Games in Athens. This is the will transfer a certain number of trials. dinaj, the Prime Minister of the disputed highest deficit in the Euro-zone since Croatia is the first country in the re- Serbian province of Kosovo, resigns to the introduction of the Euro in 1999. gion to be entrusted independent jud- submit himself to the ICTY that accuse On the 29th of March, in order to re- gement in these affairs. Little by little this him of crimes against humanity, violations duce its external deficit, Greece in- court’s international judges and attor- of the laws and customs of war for ac- creases its indirect taxes on cigarettes neys will be replaced by Bosnian pro- tions committed against Serbian, Alba- and alcohol and rises VAT from 18 to fessionals. nians and Roma between March and 19%. Cyprus Greek Cypriot government until the with the Lebanese President Emile La- division of Cyprus Island is settled. houd, the Syrian leader agrees that the • On the 4th of March, following the pullout in the Valley will be carried out February legislative elections, the Pre- Syria at the end of March and that a military sident of the Turkish Republic of Nor- committee will be put in place to ad- thern Cyprus (TRNC), Rauf Denktash, • On the 9th of March, thousands of minister operations. While for many in brings Mehmet Ali Talat (Republican Syrians demonstrate in the streets of the Lebanese opposition the pullout Turkish Party CTP-pro-European) back Damas in support of their President Bas- of Syrian secret services (mukhaba- to his Prime Minister role. On the 8th of har al-Assad, who is increasingly pres- rat) is more important than the pullout March, the President accepts Talat’s surised by the international community of troops. decision on maintaining the coalition to withdraw his troops from Lebanon, • Al-Assad does not mention Syrian with the Democrat Party (DP-anti-Eu- since the assassination of the former military secret agents in his withdrawal ropean). On the 16th of March the new Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hari- plan. Throughout the month of March, government receives the vote of confi- ri, on the 14th of February. anti-Syrian demonstrators maintain their dence of the Republican Assembly by • On the 10th of March, violent con- presence in Martyres square in the cen- 29 votes to 19. frontations erupt while hundreds of stu- tre of Beirut. The Lebanese opposition dents and members of pro-governmen- political class multiplies its requests to Appendices Turkey tal youth groups attack demonstrators Hezbollah to join the “Intifada for Inde- asking for a reduction of the state of pendence” ranks (also called Cedar • On the 4th of March, security for- emergency which has been in place for Revolution), which unites Christians, ces kill 2 members of the People’s Con- the last 42 years. Druzes and Sunnite Muslims. The Hez- gress of Kurdistan (Kongra-Gel) and bollah refuse, organising a pro-Syrian arrest 3 others in the cities of Sirnak Lebanon demonstration on the 8th of March, 2006 and Mardin. On the same day, Kurdish which will make history as one of the People’s Defence Forces (HPG) kills • Throughout the month of March, greatest gatherings the country has Med. four soldiers in the Gabar mountains. the international community pressure ever had. On the 14th of March, the On the 5th of March, the HPG kills a po- demanding the withdrawal of all Syrian opposition organises a rally to mark the liceman in the Mardin district. troops and security agents intensifies. first month gone by since Hariri’s as- • On the 7th of March, the EU offi- On the first of March, the American sassination. On the 16th of March, the cially condemns Turkey for the dispro- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice International Herald Tribune reports portionate use of force by the anti-riot and the French Minister of Foreign af- that Syrian secret agents are starting to 251 police, who employed truncheons and fairs, Michel Barnier, during a meeting evacuate their headquarters located in tear gas to disperse a group of women in London supporting Palestinian Au- the Ramlet al-Baida district in the cen- and young people during a non-autho- thority, demand an immediate with- tre of Beirut. On the 24th of March, the rised demonstration in Istanbul on In- drawal of Syrian troops from Lebanon. UN report regarding Hariri’s assassi- ternational Women’s Day. The Enlarge- The following day, the American Pre- nation makes Syria responsible for the ment commissioner, Olli Rhen, visiting sident makes a similar declaration and politically tense situation preceding Ha- Turkey during these events, raises doubts adds that all countries in the world riri’s murder, without saying, however, on Turkey’s intention to implement the re- speak unanimously and demand the that the country is responsible for the forms before going into the negotiation Syrian troops pullout. He then says attack itself. The report mentions the phase for joining the EU. that Syria has to withdraw before the threats made by President al-Assad • On the 13th of March, 3,000 people, Lebanese elections in May. On the 3rd against Hariri if he opposed to prolon- amongst which representatives of Eu- of May, the heir prince of Saudi Arabia, ging the Lebanese President mandate. ropean Youth Organisations, get toge- Abdullah ibn Abdul Aziz, warns Syria It also criticises the Lebanese govern- ther for the Turkish Communist Party in- that generally benefits from Saudi sup- ment for its lack of effort in establis- itiative to protest against the EU and port, that if the country does not with- hing the truth on Hariri’s assassination the United States. draw from Lebanon it will suffer the and requests that an independent bo- • On the 26th of March, according to consequences in its relationship with ard of enquiry is put in place. The report The Guardian, Erdogan takes the sati- Saudi Arabia. On the 5th of March, later adds that the board will not be rical magazine Penguen to court for the whilst talking to the Syrian People’s able to function efficiently if the current caricatures depicting him. Assembly (unicameral legislative), al- Lebanese Security Service leadership • On the 29th of March, Rhen an- Assad announces that Syrian troops remains in force. The Lebanese Minis- nounces that Turkey consents to sign will pull back in the Bekaa Valley, in ter of Foreign Affairs criticises the re- a protocol which extends the customs the East of Lebanon, before moving to port, while President Lahoud asks the agreement with the EU to the ten new the border. This is in compliance with UN to do what is necessary to establish members including the Greek part of the Taif Accord, the 1989 agreement the truth. Outside the Arab League Cyprus. The Turkish Minister of Fo- on national reconciliation which is in line Summit, the Libyan leader, Colonel reign Affairs, Abdullah Gül, however, with the 2004 UN Security Council Muammar Al Gaddafi, defends the role specifies that he will not recognise the 1559 Resolution. On the 7th of March, played by Syria in Lebanon and accu- ses the UN of showing double stan- Egypt amongst which are human rights de- dards. fenders, during a demonstration called • On the 10th of March, President La- • On the 12th of March, the leader of by political parties and independent non- houd reappoints Prime Minister Umar the opposition party Al Ghad, Ayman governmental organisations who wis- Karami to his position, as the opposition Nur, who was accused of counterfei- hed to protest against the authorities’ re- was not capable of agreeing on a com- ting signatures necessary for the official fusal to grant them authorisation to hold mon candidate to replace him. Karami recognition of his party in January, is re- their meeting. On the 7th of March, the suggests to the opposition to form a leased on bail. On his way out of prison police forcefully break into Tunis Tribu- unity government, which the opposition he declares that he will stand in the Pre- nal, where around fifty lawyers defend refuses until all Syrian troops leave the sidential elections. However, on the Abbou. On the 9th of March, at request country and an international enquiry is 22nd of March, the prosecutor an- of the National Bar, the majority of 1,400 put in place to investigate Hariri’s as- nounces that Ayman Nur will be taken Tunisian lawyers go on strike in order to sassination and the Lebanese high ran- to court accused of counterfeiting. denounce the police’s forceful entry in king security service officials are repla- • On the 27th of March, the Muslim their offices. At the beginning of March, ced. On the 30th of March Karami Brotherhood organises a demonstra- during various demonstrations protesting announces to the President that he has tion in front of the legislative buildings against the invitation made to Sharon, the Appendices failed to create a new cabinet. in , to request political reforms. police injure six people amongst which • On the 18th, 23rd and 26th of March The police arrests 230 members and is Radhia Nasraoui, lawyer and human three bombs explode in some Christian supporters. rights campaigner, who openly criticised districts of Beirut killing three people and Abbou’s arrest. On the 10th of March, injuring another 17. On the 20th of March, Libya students go on general strike, which le- the Druze opposition leader accuses Pro- ads to clashes with the forces of law and

2006 Syrian groups of bringing disorder. • On the 22nd and 23rd of March, du- order especially in some university ins- ring the Arab League meeting, the Lib- titutions in the capital. In a communica- Med. Jordan yan leader, Colonel Muammar Al Gad- tion brief, the Democratic progressist dafi, declares that he will not succumb Party (PDP/ opposition) denounces the • On the 8th of March, some Jordanian, to Western pressure and that he will repression caused by the student insu- Palestinian and Israeli officials decide not forgive the Bulgarian nurses who rrection and demand the release of stu- to renew their joint efforts to fight against are accused, together with a Palesti- dents arrested. Authorities point out that the ecological disaster present in the nian doctor, of having deliberately in- the invitation addressed to the Israeli

252 river Jordan. No agreement is reached fected 426 children with the AIDS virus. Prime Minister is not of a bilateral natu- on key elements of restoration of the On the 29th of March the 5 Bulgarian re, specifying that he was invited just as water supply, which in the past 50 ye- nurses and the Palestinian doctor appeal all the United Nations member coun- ars decreased from 1.3 billion cubic against their death sentence in front of tries’ leaders were. metres to less than 100 million, of which a Libyan court. • On the 4th of March, the General over 20 million is untreated sewage. Director of the International Monetary • On the 20th of March, the State Se- Tunisia Fund (IMF), Rodrigo Rato, says good- curity Court condemns in absence the bye to the “success story” of Tunisian Jordanian Abu Misab Zarqawi, the Al- • At the beginning of March, in the fra- economy which has to prepare itself, Qaeda leader responsible for the holy mework of the organisation of the World according to him, to confront new cha- war in Iraq, to 15 years of prison for te- Summit on the Information Society llenges, especially in the textile sector. rrorist conspiracy. (WSIS) by the United Nations in Tunis, • On the 19th of March, the repre- • On the 22nd of March relations bet- the violations of human rights increase. sentatives of eight parties (4 Tunisian ween Jordan and Iraq deteriorate when On the first of March, Mohammed Ab- parties of which two are legal and two Jordan withdraws its ambassador from bou, lawyer and member of the Natio- are unrecognised, three Moroccan par- Iraq, after Iraqi Shiite Muslims accused nal Council for Liberties in Tunisia ties and one Algerian) get together in Tu- the country of letting Sunni militants en- (CNLT), is arrested. In an Internet arti- nis to discuss the theme “For an Arab ter Iraq. These criticisms follow an attack cle Mohammed Abbou criticised the in- Maghreb Union freed of political priso- committed by a Jordanian on the 28th vitation to attend the WSIS made by ners”. They demand that Arab prisons are of February in the Shiite city of Hilla, the government to the Israeli Prime Mi- emptied of detainees in this category, which caused 125 deaths. Shiite Iraqi nister Ariel Sharon at the end of Fe- that the latter’s individual and public fre- politicians demand the Jordanian Mo- bruary as well as the persistent torture edom is respected and that their go- narchy, which in the 80’s was close to of Tunisian political prisoners. On the vernments respond to the Arab mas- Saddam Hussein’s regime dominated 2nd of March, plain-clothes policemen ses’ hopes for democracy, whose by Sunnis, apologise for the attack, com- physically assault several lawyers ga- absence, according to them, represents pensate the victims’ families, arrest and thered outside the Tunis Palace of Jus- the main obstacle to the region’s deve- extradite the Iraqi officials from Sad- tice, for protesting against the arrest of lopment and to the realisation of com- dam’s former regime who are taking re- Mohammed Abbou. On the 4th of March plementarity and union. Nevertheless, fuge in Jordan. police forces assault numerous people, they record the progresses made by Morocco with regards to establishing Sahrawis refugee camps. Encouraged the poorer new member states and re- truth and equity. by Moroccan authorities, Watanouna sult in “social dumping in richer European • On the 29th of March, on the occa- addresses a petition to the UN signed States”. Finally, the European Council in- sion of the official visit to Tunis of the Tur- by over 500,000 Moroccans reques- troduces the Growth and Employment kish Prime Minister M. Recep Tayyip Er- ting the prisoners’ liberation. Strategy by the EC President, Jose Ma- dogan, both countries express their nuel Durao Barroso, to re-launch the determination to develop their com- European Union Lisbon Strategy which intends to make mercial relations. Tunisian Prime Minis- Europe the most competitive economic ter, M. Ghannouchi, asks Tunis and An- • On the first of March, a regulation area in the world by 2010. kara to join their efforts to promote the providing a common judicial area in • On the 23rd of March, President textile industry so to protect their mar- terms of family law, comes into force. All Chirac declares that the budget redu- ket share from external markets, espe- the EU members except for Denmark ce (4.6 billion euros per year), which cially the European one. take part to it. the United Kingdom benefits from sin- • On the 8th of March, International ce 1984, is no longer necessary. The Mi- Algeria Women’s Day, Vladimir Spidla, Com- nister of Foreign and Commonwealth missioner for Employment, Social Af- Affairs, Jack Straw, replies that he will • On the 21st of March, President fairs and Equal Opportunities, announ- exercise his veto against any attempt to Appendices Bouteflika meets the King of Morocco ces the creation of the European Institute erase the British rebate. The EC Presi- Mohamed VI outside the Arab summit for Gender Equality. dent, Durao Barroso, proposed that the in Alger, in order to prepare the AMU • On the 22nd and 23rd of March, the British rebate is replaced by a “general- summit. The presence of King Moham- Brussels European Council makes two ised corrective mechanism”, through med VI in Alger is a major diplomatic decisions marking the victory of the which other net contributor countries event for Maghreb as no Moroccan so- Franco-German axis. Firstly, the Euro- are equally eligible to reimbursements, 2006 vereign has visited Algeria in the past pean Council sanctions the Finance Mi- this would lead to a decrease of the 14 years. nister’s decision of softening rules of British rebate. According to Durao Bar- Med. • On the 26th of March, islamist rebels the European Stability and Growth Pact roso, these measures are justified by from the Salafist Group for Preaching (SGB), just as France and Germany the fact that the United Kingdom, which and Combat (GSPC), kill two soldiers in wished. Consequently, no sanction can in 1989 had the third lowest GDP, to- an ambush set up in the East of Alger. be taken towards a state that violates the day has a higher GDP in comparison to • On the 31st of March, an inquiry 3% deficit criteria, whether it is con- other net contributors to the European commission appointed by the govern- fronting economic recession or a pe- budget (Germany, The Netherlands, 253 ment regarding cases of disappearan- riod of persistent slow growth. Moreo- Sweden) and that the extended Euro- ce, concludes that members of the Al- ver, as per certain expenses financing pean Union includes much poorer coun- gerian secret forces are responsible for education, research, defence, external tries than the United Kingdom. the disappearing of 6,146 civilians du- aid, and every expense contributing to ring the civil war in the 90s. It also spe- “Europe’s unification” (a German re- Arab League cifies that the agents in question acted quest for its unification), they will be ex- on their own initiative and not under the cluded from the calculation of public • On the 22nd and 23rd of March, the state orders. The inquiry, conducted deficit. Finally, the period admitted to Arab League holds a summit in Alger, in over 12 months, draws on the State’s le- remedy excessive deficit, changes from Algeria. Only 13 out of 22 leaders are ader national reconciliation policy. 1 to 2 years and can be extended to 2 present and few resolutions are intro- supplementary years if the economic si- duced. Even though the crisis in Leba- Morocco tuation during excessive deficit proce- non is not mentioned in the final text, edings has negative effects on the bud- Syria finds itself supported in its policy • On the 6th of March, Watanouna get. These reforms are criticised by against “foreign intervention”. Sove- (Our Nation), a network of non govern- countries respecting the SGP rules and reigns and State leaders insist on the mental organisations, organises a de- the European Central Bank which fears need to pursue the development and monstration in Morocco bringing toge- that these reforms would not lead to an modernisation procedure in order to ther 30,000 people (artists, NGO, inflation and would make necessary to concentrate on democratic practice, the opposition members...). This is to claim raise the euro zone interest rates. The enlargement of political participation, for international support for the efforts European Council’s second decision the promotion of human rights and the shown to obtain the liberation of Mo- regards the refusal of the European role of women in society. They also call roccan prisoners of war from the inde- Commission (EC) directive project for for the revitalization of common mecha- pendentist movement sahraoui, in Tin- the liberalisation of the services sector nisms of action as well as the re-launch douf, Western Algeria, at the border (Bolkenstein directive). France and of economic partnership projects. As with Western Sahara. Demonstrators Germany oppose it as it would weaken per the Israeli-Palestinian peace pro- urge Algeria to release militaries and the European Social Model. According cess, General Secretary Amr Moham- denounce the human rights violations to the States opposed to the directive, med Musa declares that “commitments and acts of torture committed in the the “country of origin criteria” will favour have to be made in return for disenga- gements” and that Arabs will not nor- Spain Council. These nominations intend to malize their relations with Israel without modernise the UMP and to open it to all commitment on its part. Sovereigns and • On the first of April, Belgium extra- communities. State leaders also discuss the oppor- dites Youssef Belhadj, an Al-Qaeda spo- • On the 8th of April, an alleged mem- tunity to re-launch the peace proposal kesman who claimed responsibility for ber of the terrorist “Chechen cell” based resulting from the 2002 Summit in Bei- the Madrid attacks of 11th of March in France, is put under judicial investi- rut. The original text, known in the Arab 2004, to Spain. On the same day 12 pe- gation. On the 24th of April, the Mo- world under the name of “Beirut Initia- ople are arrested in the country, sus- roccan Said al-Maghrebi is arrested, tive” proposed to offer Israel a normali- pected of being connected with Isla- suspected of recruiting French Muslims zation of its relations with over 21 Arab mic activism and of being involved in to join the insurrection against American countries in return for a pull-out from the Madrid attacks. Four of the suspects forces in Iraq. On the 29th of April, the Palestinian territories confiscated in are linked to Belhadj, while the others are Nouari Khiari confirms the judicial ques- 1967, the creation of a Palestinian sta- suspected of being associated with Sar- tioning of Zoubeir Harabaoui and Farez te with Eastern Jerusalem as capital and hane ben Abdelmajid Fakhet, the Madrid Massaoudi, suspected of financing Is- the recognition of Palestinian refugees’ attacks’ leader who exploded himself in lamic terrorism by borrowing funds with rights. an apartment in the suburbs of Madrid the pretence of creating an IT firm and Appendices in April 2004. then declaring it bankrupt. • On the 21st of April, the Cortes (Lo- • On the 14th of April, President Jac- April 2005 wer House) introduces a bill allowing ques Chirac affirms that he will not re- marriage between partners of the same sign in the eventuality of a negative vote While the Egyptian government faces sex. This makes Spain the fourth country in the European Constitution referen- increasing pressures for political re- in the world to introduce such law. This dum. On the other hand, the Minister of

2006 forms, Egypt is shaken up by a terro- law was a PSOE electoral promise. On Internal Affairs , rist attack in Cairo, which causes 21 the 22nd of April, the Vatican condemns declares that whatever the result of the Med. deaths. In the Near-East, Syria leaves this decision, which was also strongly cri- referendum, some political changes are Lebanon definitely; where a new go- ticised by the conservative opposition. required. On the 26th of April, the Ger- vernment is set up under Najib Mika- • On the 22nd of April, the trial of 24 man chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder vi- ti’s leadership and in a Christian dis- men accused of being members of the sits Paris in order to give his support to trict of the capital four bombs explode Al-Qaeda network starts. Three of the the “yes” campaign of his French count- in two weeks. In Italy, the Prime Mi- accused are suspected of being directly erpart.

254 nister Berlusconi forms a new go- involved with the September 11th at- vernment after resigning, following his tacks in the United States, amongst the- Italy governmental coalition defeat in the se Imad Eddin Barakat Yarkas, Al-Qae- regional elections. In Maghreb, for the da’s leader in Spain. This trial represents • On the 3rd and 4th of April, regional first time in 14 years, Tunisia accepts the culmination of an 8 year investiga- legislative elections take place in 20 re- to authorise Human Right Watch to vi- tion conducted by the judge Baltasar gions, marking the defeat of the go- sit its prisons, suspected of keeping pri- Garzon. vernmental coalition of Prime Minister Sil- soners in prolonged isolation. In Tur- vio Berlusconi, against the centre-left key, 40 soldiers die in the most violent France coalition which wins in 11 regions confrontations with Kurdish rebels sin- against 2 for Berlusconi. On the 14th of ce the PKK announced its ceasefire • On the 6th of April, Amnesty Inter- April, negotiations within the govern- in 2003. Again in Turkey, the govern- national (AI) presents its report entitled mental coalition to confront the defeat ment accepts to put in place a Tur- “France: The Search for Justice” in which conclude with the withdrawal of the kish-Armenian commission of histo- AI accuses French police of using ex- Union of Christian and Centre Demo- rians which will discuss the issue of cessive force, acts of bad treatment and crats, because of Berlusconi’s refusal to Armenian genocide. Finally, in the torture, of carrying out illegal homicides revise the coalition programme or call for TRNC, Mehmet Ali Talat becomes the especially against Arabs and blacks and anticipated elections. On the 19th of new President. of being guilty of racial abuses. AI high- April, the leader of National Alliance lights the impunity resulting from these threatens to withdraw its party from the Portugal acts in the French system. coalition. On the 20th of April, Berlus- • On the 7th of April, Nicolas Sarkozy, coni resigns. The following day, howe- • On the 24th of April, the opposition President of the Union for a Popular ver, the President Carlo Azeglio Ciam- party, the Democratic and Social Cen- Movement (UMP), announces the pi asks him to form a new government tre/People’s Party (CDS/PP), elects Al- French Council for the Muslim Religion which goes into power on the 23rd of meida Ribeiro e Castro as its new Pre- President’s nominations: Abderrahma- April. The new government, which retains sident and successor to , ne Dahmane, as national secretary res- 19 of the 23 ministers in their posts, who resigned following the party’s de- ponsible for relations with immigration sets as its priority to support the ex- feat at the legislative elections in Fe- communities and Ahmed Guenad, Mus- pansion of businesses, encourages eco- bruary. lim businessman, at the UMP Executive nomic growth and improves Southern Italians’ living standards. It also creates the laws and customs of war for his in- manity and violations of the laws and a Development and Cohesion Ministry, volvement in the Srebrenica massacre customs of war. responsible for encouraging relations in 1995, is transferred to the detention • On the 5th of April, the Minister of Fo- between the North and the South of the unit of the Criminal Tribunal for the for- reign Affairs, Vuk Draskovic, declares country. mer Yugoslavia (ICTY). On the 7th and to the Financial Times that general Rat- • On the 26th of April, Fininvest, Ber- 14th of April respectively, two Serbo- ko Mladic, former commander of the lusconi’s company, announces a 51% to Bosnians involved in the Srebrenica Serb forces in Bosnia is hiding thanks 34% reduction of its holdings in the massacre, Milorad Tribic, a commander to the help of Serbian secret services. multimedia company Mediaset, which of the Zvornic Brigade and Vujadin Po- Miroslav D. Petrovic, a former Serb of- owns 3 television channels and consi- povic, member of the Drina corps from ficer who deserted, on the 11th of April dering that Berlusconi is the head of the Serbian Army in Bosnia, submit declares to the Serb independent news- government, and can control the public themselves to the ICTY. paper Danas, that Mladic is hidden by channels (RAI), this allows Berlusconi to • On the 14th of April, the Internatio- the Serbia-Montenegro army. have an influence on 90% of the Italian nal Commission on the Balkans pre- • On the 12th of April, the European television market. Romano Prodi, the sents its report entitled “The Balkans in Commission (EC) declares that the fe- opposition leader, states that even Europe’s Future” in Belgrade. The report deration has improved its cooperation though he has sold part of his shares, recommends a radical revision of inter- with the ICTY and that it will recom- Appendices Berlusconi retains his control over Me- national politics within the Balkans and mend open negotiations on a Stabilisa- diaset as Fininvest remains its main in- the transferral of the High Representa- tion and Association Agreement with vestor and his son, Piersilvio, is Media- tive’s responsibilities in Bosnia to a Eu- the EU, which represents the first step set vice-President and is responsible ropean official in charge of enlargement. towards joining. for the company’s broadcasting. The High Representative, Lord Ashdown

• On the 26th of April, an American in- declares to the Financial Times that ac- Macedonia 2006 vestigation on the death in Iraq of the Ita- cording to him his role is still useful in lian Secret Services Agent, Nicola Ca- some respects even though he admits • On the 9th of April, in an attempt to Med. lipari, drops all charges against American that his mandate will have to come to an put an end to the dispute with Greece soldiers who shot him just as he freed end in the near future. The report also regarding Macedonia’s name, which an Italian hostage. criticises the UN administration of the persists since the independence of this Kosovo Province affirming that the region former Yugoslavian Republic, the UN Croatia should benefit from some form of inde- special correspondent Matthew Nimitz

pendence. Finally, the report declares suggests “Republika Makedonija-Skop- 255 • On the 19th of April, the Prime Mi- that the European Policy has not been je” as a new name, which the translation nister Ivo Sanader dismisses the crimi- able to convey a convincing political would not be recognised. While Gree- nal police leader, Dragutin Cestar, for perspective to the people in the Bal- ce declares to be satisfied with the pro- withholding information in the search kans and that a radical change in Euro- posal, the Macedonian Minister of Fo- for Ante Gotovina, sentenced by the pean thought is necessary, all taking reign Affairs Ilinka Mitreva declares that Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugos- into consideration “the enlargement fa- she will not accept any other name at in- lavia (ICTY). Sanader declares that other tigue” present in certain European ca- ternational level, but the one registered dismissals will follow. On the 26th of pitals. in the constitution (Republic of Mace- April, the ICTY General Prosecutor Car- donia) and that Macedonia will conti- la del Ponte, states that Croatia does not Serbia and Montenegro nue to negotiate to find a suitable com- always fully cooperate with the ICTY in promised name which will be employed Gotovina’s arrest and adds that the tri- • On the 4th of April, the former Vice- only in bilateral relations with Greece. bunal benefits from supporting networks President of Internal Affairs, general • On the 10th of April, electors are re- within the Croatian state apparatus itself. Sreten Lukic, accused since 2003 of called to the polls to vote for district • On the 30th of April, a new party is crimes against humanity and violations councils and for the second ballot of recorded under the name of Democra- of the laws and customs of war during mayoral elections in 19 out of 84 admi- tic Alliance Medjimurje. Its leader, Zelj- the 1998-1999 Kosovo conflict, is nistrative districts present in the country, ko Pavlinic, is a former member of the transferred to the Criminal Tribunal for as well as in the capital Skopje. Accor- Party of Liberal Democrats (LIBRA) the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) deten- ding to the press agency , local which merged with the Croatian People’s tion centre in The Hague. According to elections took place without major irre- party. the government’s version of events, he gularities or severe violations of the elec- voluntarily surrendered to the authori- toral system, as opposed to the elections Bosnia-Herzegovina ties. On the 25th of April, General Ne- last March. bosja Pavkovic, former leader of the • On the 22nd of April, a court in Skop- • On the first of April, Ljubomir Bo- High Command Rank of the Yugosla- je acquits 4 people, amongst which 3 rovcanin, a member of the Serbian mi- vian Army, who lead the Serb cam- former policemen who were accused litary and police forces, accused of cri- paign in Kosovo, surrenders to the ICTY of having killed 7 immigrants coming mes against humanity and violations of that accuse him of crimes against hu- from South Western Asia in March 2002. This is under orders of the former Mi- Turkey Syria nister of Internal Affairs Ljube Boskovs- ki, who intended to show the authorities • During the month of April, 40 Turkish • During the course of April, the In- determination in fighting against terro- soldiers and 41 Kurdish are killed in the ternational Community continues to rism in order to obtain support from the most clashes between the army and vio- pressurise Syria to withdraw from Le- West. The Criminal Tribunal for the for- lent Kurdish rebels since the end of the banon. mer Yugoslavia (ICTY) accused Bos- Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK – ille- • On the 15th of April, the Human kovski of crimes of war in March. gal) ceasefire in September 2003,. To- Rights Association in Syria which is ba- wards the end of the month, military sed in Damascus, announces that it will Albania operations against the PKK and the Kur- sue the Syrian government for the first dish People’s Defence Forces (HPG) in- time on the grounds of torture. • On the 24th of April, former Albanian tensify and the Turkish Army assembles President Sali Berisha is re-elected as at the Iraqi border. Several bombs ex- Lebanon leader of the democratic party (the op- plode in Istanbul during the course of the position), which held its congress in Ti- month (on the 6th, the 17th and the • On the first of April, a bomb explo- rana before the legislative elections next 30th of April) causing the death of a des in a shopping centre in a predomi- Appendices July. policeman. On the 17th and 18th of nantly Catholic district of Beirut, causing April, the police defuses two other 6 injuries. It is the fourth bomb in the last Greece bombs in Istanbul. two weeks that explodes in Christian • On the first of April, the Assyrian districts. • On the 6th of April, the European Christian minority celebrates its New • On the 7th of April, the United Na- Commission congratulates Greece on Year (Akito), which for the first time was tions Security Council introduces reso-

2006 the efforts undertaken to reduce its pu- officially authorised by Turkish authori- lution 1595 (2005) where it declares blic deficit to 3% of its GNP as the ties. being concerned about the UN fact-fin- Med. EU Stability and Growth Pact requi- • On the 4th of April, the PKK an- ding enquiry’s results on the assassi- res. nounces an organisational restructuring nation of the former Prime Minister Ra- • On the 19th of April, the Vouli (uni- which will no longer intend to create a fiq al-Hariri. The Council sets up an cameral legislative parliament) appro- Kurdish State through the use of vio- independent investigation commission in ves the European Constitution by 269 lence, but will aim to promote a “con- Lebanon, conducted by Mark Quaterman votes to 17, becoming the 6th Europe- federal democracy” and to employ vio- from the UN Department of Political

256 an country to ratify it. lence only as self defence. The new Affairs, which will be responsible for PKK will not replace the People’s Con- helping Lebanese authorities to find the Cyprus gress of Kurdistan (Kongra-Gel), which culprits, organisers, sponsors and ac- succeeds PKK, but will collaborate complices of his assassination. • On the 17th of April, the Prime Mi- with it. • On the 13th of April, after 5 weeks nister in power and leader of the pro- • On the 7th of April, President Ahmet of negotiations, the Lebanese Prime Mi- European Republican Turkish Party Necdet Sezer declares that Turkey will nister Umar Karami (Pro-Syrian) an- (CTP), Mehmet Ali Talat, is elected not submit to European pressures de- nounces that he abandons all efforts to President of the Turkish Republic of manding to recognise as genocide and form a new government. On the 15th of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the first not as war deaths the massacre of one April, President Emile Lahoud appoints round with 55.59% of the votes. After million and a half Armenians under the Najib Mikati as Prime Minister. Mikati, handing in his resignation from his gov- Ottoman Empire between 1915 and who has some relations with Syria and ernment, Talat takes up his post as 1923. He also criticises some EU mem- is a friend of President Assad, received President on the 24th of April. On the bers States for turning this recognition unexpected support from the members 25th of April, Talat asks the new CTP into a condition for Turkey’s entry into the of the opposition. On the 27th of April, leader, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, to form a EU. On the 13th of April, the Prime Mi- the new government is approved by the government. On the 28th of April, the nister Recep Tayyip Erdogan proposes National Assembly. Republican Assembly approves Soyer’s to the Armenian President Robert Ko- • On the 26th of April, the remaining cabinet, which was previously agreed charian to set up a common commission Syrian troops and the last members of with the Democratic Party leader, Ser- of historians to investigate the Arme- the Syrian intelligence service leave Le- dar Denktash, in order to maintain the nian allegations of genocide, proposal banon, following pressures exerted by existing governmental coalition. welcomed by the European Council. On the International Community after the • On the 28th of April, the Minister of the 17th of April Poland joins the 9 Eu- death of the Lebanese former Prime Mi- Justice in the Greek part of the island, ropean countries who have officially re- nister Rafiq al-Hariri on the 14th of Fe- Solon Nikitas, resigns following the Su- cognised the Armenian massacre as bruary in Beirut. The leader of the Syrian preme Court’s acquittal of the former genocide. On the 24th of April, Arme- High Command, Ali Habib declares that Minister of Health Constantina Akkelidou, nians commemorate the 90th anniversary Syria withdraws from Lebanon as the found guilty of interference in judicial of the beginning of the Turkish Otto- country is now capable to assume its affairs by an inferior jurisdiction. man massacre. own responsibilities. Jordan became an extremist after his father’s de- legal receipt, as required by the law. On ath and who, according to many spe- the 29th of April, the founders of a new • On the 5th of April, King Abdullah II cialists, would have acted alone. left-wing party, the Patriotic and Demo- accepts the resignation of Prime Minis- cratic Working Party (PTPD), deplore the ter Faysal Akif al-Fayiz and appoints Ad- Libya authority’s refusal to legalise their for- nan Badra, who held the portfolio of mation. Agriculture and Education in the 80s • On the 14th of April, the EU Minis- • On the 27th of April, several oppo- and was UNESCO’s Assistant General ters of Internal Affairs get together to dis- sition parties grouped within a “Demo- Director. According to the Middle East cuss the establishment of cooperation cratic Alliance for Citizenship” denoun- International, Fayiz’s government was with Libya as well as technical assis- ce the invalidation of their lists for the unpopular and attracted the king’s dis- tance to supervise its borders and co- local elections planned for the 8th of satisfaction because of its campaign asts. The European Commission pre- May in Tunisia, describing it as “irregu- against professional associations and sents a report to the Ministers where it lar”. The authorities explain that the lists’ their political activities. On the 7th of declares that Libyan authorities are in- invalidation is due to “breaches of elec- April Badra forms a new government. capable of managing the migration flux toral law”. • On the 17th of April, the Israeli go- into the country’s territory. • On the 29th of April, Mohamed Ab- vernment announces that it intends to bou, Tunisian lawyer and human rights Appendices free 9 Jordanian prisoners in an effort to Tunisia defender, is sentenced to three and a half strengthen and improve bilateral rela- years in prison for “inducement to infringe tions. • On the first of April, during the fifth the law”, “spreading false information” li- meeting of the Mixed Committee for In- kely to disturb the peace and “assault Egypt dustrial Cooperation in Tunis, Tunisia and battery” against a lawyer colleague,

and Morocco agree to intensify their co- a charge added the day before. 2006 • During the course of April, judges, operation on the prospects of develop- journalists and students demonstrate to ment of the textile sector. This is a vital Algeria Med. protest against the lack of political re- sector for both economies which, forms and attempt to increase the pres- amongst others on the European mar- • Throughout the month of April, Algeria sure on the government. On the 6th of kets where the greatest part of Tunisian is shaken by a series of attacks which April, the Judges Club organises a sit- and Moroccan exportation is sold, finds cause the death of civilians. Even though in during their meeting in Alexandria to itself threatened by Chinese exporta- these attacks are unclaimed, the au- protest against the interference of the tions since the dismantling of the Mul- thorities suspect the Armed Islamic 257 executive in judicial affairs. They threa- ti-Fiber agreements. They agree to adopt Group (GIA) and the Salafist Group for ten to not supervise the next Presiden- a “common and united attitude” to stand Preaching and Combat (GSPC), who- tial and legislative elections if a law gua- against the challenges of international se aim would be to cause the failure of ranteeing the independence of judicial competition. the government’s amnesty project. On power is not introduced. On the 12th of • On the 20th of April, during a press the 17th of April, Boulenouar Oukil, le- April thousands of students demons- conference in Tunis with 3 Tunisian ader of a GIA unit, thought responsible trate in the country’s different campuses NGO’s, Human Rights Watch (HRW) for the death of 14 civilians on the 7th (of which 2,000 in Assiut), to express present a report denouncing tortures, of April at a fake roadblock near Larbaa their support to the Kifaya movement, re- rape and the isolation, sometimes of 10 and also responsible for the death of quest Mubarak’s resignation and oppo- years, of over 500 political prisoners, another 16 civilians in Medea last Oc- se the succession of his son Gamal Mu- enforced to suppress the islamist op- tober, is captured. Mohamed Chama, barak. position. On the same day, the Tunisian also a GIA member and suspected of the • On the 7th of April, a bomb explodes government agrees to no longer place 82 civilians’ massacre in Larbaa in 1997, in the touristic souks of Khan al-Khalili prisoners in prolonged isolation cells is also arrested. in Cairo, causing 21 deaths amongst for over ten days and authorises HRW, • On the 2nd of April, Algerian autho- which 10 are foreign. On the 8th of for the first time since 1991, to visit the rities announce the removal of the need April, a group named “Islamic Brigades prisons suspected of practicing pro- for visas for Moroccan nationals wish- of Pride in Egypt” claims responsibility longed isolation. ing to visit Algeria, an initiative welcomed for the attack. This was carried out to • On the 25th of April, the Tunisian as a step further towards the “warming” show President Mohammed Hosni Mu- ecological party, “Green Tunisia”, which between the two countries. barak that there are some active Muja- has been waiting for a year to be lega- • On the 3rd of April, Algerian groups hideen and that the movement is not lised by the authorities, denounces the defenders of Human Rights, call for an only made of lethargic cells as Mubarak political freeze of which it has been the independent investigation on the arrest previously declared. On the 11th of April, object and affirms its right to “organise (carried out by security forces) and con- the Minister of Internal Affairs declares itself freely”. The party’s coordinator, sequent disappearance of over 6,000 ci- that the person responsible for the sui- Abdelkader Zitouni, asserts to have ac- vilians during the 90’s. These groups cide attack is a minor from the suburbs complished, in vain, all the administra- refuse the report of the 31st of March of Cairo, Rifaat Ahmed Bashandi, who tive and judicial formalities to obtain the 2005, established by the Enquiry Com- mission. On the 14th of April, 5 inter- roccan representative of the NGO Trans- May 2005 national human rights defence organi- parency welcomes this decision. sations, amongst which the Internatio- The French referendum rejection of the nal Federation of Human Rights (IFHR), European Union European Constitution causes a serious (AI) and Human political crisis in the EU. The Egyptian Rights Watch (HRW), denounce the • On the 13th of April, two thirds of EP multi-party system in the Presidential general amnesty project in a joint sta- votes oppose a series of proposals to re- elections, is definitely recorded in the tement, stating that it “could perma- gulate European parliamentary expenses. constitution. In the Near East, general nently deprive the victims or their fami- The EP majority group, the European Michel Aoun returns to Lebanon after lies of their right to truth, justice and People’s Party, justifies its opposition being in exile for over 25 years, while a compensations”. The amnesty project by stating its wish for a global reform of fifth attack targets the Christian com- was planned by the Algerian President the system which would entail a uni- munity. In Turkey, Kurdistan Freedom Abdelaziz Bouteflika to put an end to form salary for all parliamentarians (cu- Falcons set off a bomb in Kusadasi, 13 years of violence. rrently salaries vary for each nationality while in Algeria, 12 soldiers die in an at- • On the 7th of April, the day before his reflecting those paid to parliamentarians tack organised by islamist rebels. Re- first re-election anniversary, the Alge- in their nation of origin). lations between Syria and the United Appendices rian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika spe- • On the 14th of April, EU Ministers of States deteriorate because of the issue aks to the nation and announces a five Justice and Internal Affairs, because of concerning the access of rebels in Iraq. year programme (2005-2009) for the insurmountable legal and technical obs- In Spain, the Batasuna leader is arres- support of economic growth with a bud- tacles, decide to postpone their plans to ted following the explosion of several get of over 4,200 billion dinars (55 bi- create a register containing information bombs and the government accepts wi- llion dollars). The President specifies about EU citizens’ sentences, which is llingness to negotiate with ETA if it de-

2006 that above all this intends to “improve the in line with The Hague’s Programme for clares a ceasefire. Finally, both the go- population’s living conditions”. Freedom, Security and Justice introdu- vernmental coalition of the Italian Prime Med. • On the 10th and 11th of April, the se- ced in November 2004. Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the Cro- cond conference of the (AU) African • On the 14th of April, the EC decla- atian conservative party in power, face Union’s Ministers of Education, takes res that it will take several European a political defeat in regional elections. place in Alger in the presence of the countries to the Court of Justice of UNESCO general director, Koïchiro Mat- the European Communities (CJEC). Portugal sura. This conference has the aim to Amongst these are Italy, Malta and Por-

258 sum up the objectives concerning Afri- tugal which are accused of not having • On the 23rd of May, an indepen- can education established for the de- implemented European Directives com- dent commission lead by the Bank of cade1997-2006. pelling telecommunications monopo- Portugal concludes that the public de- lies to open up to competition. ficit risks reaching 6.83% of the GDP Morocco • On the 18th of April, Die Welt reports in 2005, which corresponds to twice the that the President of the European Com- 3% of GDP limit imposed by the Growth • On the 12th of April, a Rabat tribu- mission (EC), José Manuel Durao Ba- and Stability Pact in the Euro zone. On nal bans the Moroccan journalist Ali rroso spent his holidays on Spiros Lat- the 25th of May, the Portuguese go- Lmrabet, well-known for being critical to- sis’s yacht, a Greek billionaire banker. vernment announces a plan to fight wards the monarchy, from practising Following this, the EC agreed to support against the public deficit soar, amongst journalism for ten years as well as fi- one of Latsis’s companies with a grant other things this includes an increase ning him. The Association of families of that goes up to 10 million Euros. Ac- on VAT and taxes, as well as freezing Sahrawis, victims of repression in the Tin- cording to the same newspaper, as for the wages of officials, whose retiring douf camps, filed a libel suit against Ali the commerce commissioner Peter Man- age will be in line with that of the pri- Lmrabet at the beginning of the month delson, he spent his holidays in the Ca- vate sector. because of an article he wrote where he ribbean during which he went to a party • On the 24th of May, the Portuguese challenged the official argument on Tin- on Paul Allen’s yacht. Paul Allen is the former Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, douf according to which Tindouf refu- cofounder of Microsoft, who is currently is appointed as head of the United Na- gees are kept prisoners by the Polisa- in a legal dispute with the European tions High Commissioner for Refugees rio Front. Lmrabet believes that this Commission because of antitrust laws. (UNHCR), by the United Nations Se- sentence intends to stop him from pu- Both commissioners deny any conflict of cretary-General . blishing his new magazine “Demain Li- interests. While the European Parlia- béré”. ment (EP) requests an explanation, on Spain • On the 21st of April, the Moroccan the 25th of April Durao Barroso revives government presents a new plan which the 1999 proposal suggesting the cre- • On the 6th of May, two members of intends to fight against corruption within ation of an independent authority res- the Basque terrorist group, ETA, are the kingdom, in which cost would go ponsible for supervising eventual con- sentenced to 2,775 years imprisonment up to 2% of the Gross Domestic Pro- flicts of interest deriving from the each for having planned a bomb attack duct (GDP). Azzedine Akesbi, the Mo- behaviour of EU officials and politicians. on a train directed to Madrid on Christ- mas Eve in 2003. The bomb was de- their involvement in the assassination in llowing several informants’ detailed plan fused in time. On the 17th of May, the 2001 of Ahmed Shah, commander of the reports to the government on the Milan Cortes (Lower House) approve a motion Northern Afghan Alliance. On the same and Cremona bomb attacks. On the consenting to open peace negotiations day, two French of Algerian origins are 20th of May, three Algerians are arres- with the terrorist group ETA, as long as sentenced to 2 and 5 years of prison for ted in Naples accused of supporting it declares a ceasefire. On the 16th, the employing Islamic fighters in order to the Algerian organisation, the Salafist 22nd and the 25th of May three bombs send them to Afghanistan. Group for Preaching and Combat explode in Madrid, the last one slightly • On the 20th of May, Charles Pieri, (GSPC), suspected of having connec- injuring 52 people. A few hours after alleged leader of the National Front for tions with Al-Qaeda. the explosion of the last bomb, Arnaldo the Liberation of Corsica – Fighters Otegi, the leader of Batasuna, the poli- Union (FNLC-UC), is condemned to ten Malta tical party linked to the terrorist organi- years of prison as he is found guilty of sation ETA, is arrested. financing terrorism. Nineteen other pe- • On the 30th of May, 60 illegal immi- • On the 7th of May, the government ople, amongst which Pieri’s “lieutenants”, grants originating from Eritrea and Sud- announces that 700,000 immigrant Charles-Philippe Paoli and Jacques Mos- an, divided on two drifting ships are workers benefited from the amnesty coni are also sentenced. brought back to Malta. law for illegal workers. The number of • On the 29th of May, the French re- Appendices registered workers rises by 4% and al- ject the European Constitution project Croatia most 90% of jobs on the black market by 54.68% of the votes in the national have therefore been legalised. The op- referendum. 69.3% of the population • On the 15th of May, the conservati- position party, the People’s Party (PP), participates in it. This result marks the ve party in power in Croatia since 2003 criticises this initiative. According to defeat of President who (HDZ), is weakened by the local and the Minister for Labour, Jesus Calde- actively conducted the “yes” campaign. regional elections after the left-wing op- 2006 ra, this initiative contributed to reducing On the 30th of May, the Prime Minister position wins over the main cities, Za- criminality and to promoting economi- Jean-Pierre Raffarin hands in his resig- greb included, and leading nine of 21 re- Med. cal growth. nation. On the 31st of May he is repla- gional assemblies. These results can be ced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Do- explained by mixed economic results France mestic Security and Local Liberty, and the government’s failure to open Dominique de Villepin. negotiations regarding the country’s • On the 11th of May, in Paris, the trial entry into the European Union. of three people starts, amongst which Italy • On the 18th of May, Carla del Pon- 259 two French, accused of having assisted te, chief prosecutor of the International Richard Reid in his attempt to make his • On the 2nd of May, the government Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugos- shoes explode in a Paris-Miami flight in makes public the report on the death of lavia (ICTY), declares to journalists pre- December 2001. the secret services agent Nicola Calipa- sent at the headquarters of the Organi- • On the 13th of May, the Algerian Na- ri, killed by American troops in Iraq just af- sation for Security and Cooperation in cer Eddin Mettai is taken to court sus- ter freeing the Italian journalist taken hos- Europe (OSCE), that Croatia’s current pected of having provided false identity tage by Iraqi rebels. According to the efforts will allow the rapid arrest of Ge- documents to Muslims wishing to join the report there is no proof that the death of neral Ante Gotovina, who has escaped insurrection in Iraq. Calipari was deliberate, but the American since he was charged with war crimes • On the 16th of May, the Pentecost troops’ “inexperience and stress” are to in 2001. The Croatian prime Minister, Ivo national day of holiday becomes a “so- blame for their disproportionate reaction. Sanader, commints to research for the lidarity day” for the elderly and disabled As per the American report, it states that fugitive more actively hoping to open people with the aim of avoiding a heat- the American soldiers are not responsi- negotiations for Croatia’s entry into the wave tragedy similar to that which oc- ble and accuses Italy for not coordinating European Union, suspended because curred in August 2003. The govern- the rescue operation with the Americans. of the Gotovina affair, next June. ment’s objective is to raise a special tax Moreover, it highlights that the car in on the assets gained from the additio- which Calipari was, travelled at an ex- Bosnia-Herzegovina nal work carried out on that day in or- cessive speed and would not have res- der to finance extra care for these par- ponded to the American soldiers alerts. • On the 4th of May, Ivo Miro Jovic, ticularly vulnerable people. While this • On the 8th of May, Berlusconi’s cen- elected by the Chamber of Represen- initiative is supported by the majority of tre-right coalition experiences another tatives (Lower House), becomes the trade unions, almost half of the emplo- defeat with the elections in Sardinia and new Croatian member of the tripartite yees do not go to work. in the Northern Regions of Valle d’Aos- presidency, following Dragan Crovic, • On the 17th of May, A Parisian Court ta and Trentino Alto Adige. The centre- relieved from his duties by the High Re- condemns the Algerian Abderahmane left opposition parties ask the Prime Mi- presentative Lord Paddy Ashdown. On Ameroud and two French, Adel Te- nister to resign. the 9th of May, the Higher House ap- bourski and Youssef el-Aouni, to prison • On the 19th of May, 26 arrest wa- proves his election and on the 18th of sentences of up to 7 years because of rrants are issued in the North of Italy, fo- May he takes up his post. • On the 12th of May the trial against picture, as he is also absent. On the ces new violations of Greek air-space by The Netherlands government in The Ha- 25th and 26th of May, troops from the Turkish military planes and describes gue starts. This was set up by the sur- European Stabilisation Forces, EUFOR, them as “provocative”. vivors of the July 2005 Sebrenica mas- search the house of Karadzic’s partner, • On the 12th of May, the Greek Par- sacre who hold Dutch Blue Helmets as well as those of his two children. liament rejects a motion by the opposi- responsible for the tragedy and believe • In Mid-May, UN expert forensic sur- tion of 151 votes to 300. This reques- that The Netherlands have to compen- geons find a communal grave in Koso- ted the organisation of a referendum on sate the victims’ families for not kno- vo, probably containing corpses of Ser- the European Constitution which had wing how to protect the people of Se- bians killed by Albanian guerrillas. already been ratified in parliament on brenica, which at the time of the events • In mid-May, Germany starts to deport the 19th of April. The opposition re- was considered to be a safe place by the approximately 50,000 refugees from Ko- quested a referendum as it believed that United Nations. sovo, mainly members of the Roma com- this procedure would increase Greek • On the 17th of May, the Internatio- munity, who found refuge in Germany du- interest in the treaty. nal Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yu- ring the war. In this respect, Germany is goslavia (ICTY), transmits a case to the criticised by the Roma community be- Cyprus country’s judicial authorities for the first cause many people of Albanian ethnic Appendices time. This is the Serb-Bosnian Rado- origins, who also escaped from Kosovo, • On the 6th of May, the Greek-Cypriot van Stankovic affair, accused of violating have received permanent residence in President, Tassos Papadopoulos, ap- the laws and customs of war and of cri- Germany. points Petros Clerides as Minister of mes against humanity in the “rape • On the 18th of May, the American Justice following Solon Nikitas, who re- camps” near Foca between 1992-1993. Undersecretary of State for political af- signed in April following the acquittal of • On the 19th of May, the European fairs R. Nicholas Burns, declares that the former Health Minister Constantina

2006 Commission (EC) announces that Bos- from now to the end of the year he ho- Akkelidou, accused of interfering in ju- nia-Herzegovina does not fulfil the ne- pes to launch, together with the Contact dicial affairs. Med. cessary conditions (amongst which were Group (France, Germany, Italy, Russia, • On the 16th of May, the envoy of the the police and media reforms) to esta- the United Kingdom, the United States Greek/Cypriot President Tassos Tzio- blish the Stabilisation and Association and the European Union), a process to nis, meets the UN Undersecretary for Po- Agreement, the first step towards joining. establish the future status of the dispu- litical Affairs, Sir Kieran Prendergast, at A few days earlier, negotiations betwe- ted Serbian province of Kosovo. Burns the UN headquarters in New York to en Bosnian politicians on the police re- specifies that this will depend on Ko- discuss the new efforts invested in unif-

260 form failed as Serb Bosnians rejected sovo’s capability of fulfilling the United ying the island. changes in line with the formation of a Nations standards which protect mul- national multiethnic police. tiethnicity and ensure democracy and a Turkey • In Sarajevo on the 20th of May, a free market economy. He adds that the meeting inaugurating a new political final solution must include effective me- • On the first of May, a bomb explodes party, the Democrat Party, takes place. chanisms to address organised crime in the seaside city of Kusadasi, killing a During this meeting the party’s President and terrorism and must exclude any par- policeman. Kurdistan Freedom Falcons Sead Avdic announces that the party’s tition or change of border. (TAK) connected to the Kurdistan Wor- objective is to bring the Bosnian cons- ker’s Party (PKK), claim responsibility titution in line with the EU Charter of Macedonia for the attack. During the course of the Fundamental Rights and to promote a month of May, several clashes between free market economy. • On the 25th of May, the new centrist the Turkish Army and the PKK rebels • On the 24th of May, the Bosnian Pri- party Macedonian Future, holds its in- cause the death of 69 soldiers and 8 me Minister, Adnan Terzic, accepts the augurating congress in Skopje and Kurdish rebels. resignation of the Minister of Transport elects Zlatko Dimcovski as its leader. • On the 11th of May, the IMF appro- and Telecommunications, Branko Do- ves a confirmation agreement (stand- kic, who is pursued by the law. Greece by agreement) which goes up to 6.66 SDR (Special Drawing Rights), to sup- Serbia-Montenegro • On the 5th of May, following Gree- port the Turkish financial and economic ce’s invitation, experts from the Interna- programme up to year 2008. The IMF • On the 9th of May, sources from the tional Monetary Fund (IMF) arrive in congratulates Turkey for its economic International Criminal Tribunal for the Athens aiming to bring to the government performances, highlighting that inflation Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) inform that “a technical support to improve public was the lowest in the past 30 years and the Serb Bosnian war criminal, Radovan funds’ management” and to take mea- that the last three years’ average growth Karadzic, has been seen twice during the sures against the “waste” of public funds. was of 8%. course of April, apparently as he was or- This initiative should help bring the • On the 12th of May, the European ganising his mother’s burial. During her country back in line with the EU Pact of Court of Human Rights (ECHR) stipu- burial, on the 5th of May, hundreds of Stability and Growth. lates that Abdullah Ocalan, PKK leader people wear T-shirts featuring Karadzic • On the 5th of May, Greece denoun- banned from Turkey and sentenced to life in 2002, was not judged by an in- and that over 1,200 people have been tricity, the provision of drinking water dependent and impartial tribunal and arrested during the past weeks as they and will help to stop the Dead Sea that he only had limited access to his were attempting to surpass the Iraq from drying out. lawyers. This decision is unappealable. border. Turkey announces that the country will Egypt conform to this decision and that Oca- Lebanon lan will be judged again. • On the 10th of May, the People’s As- • On the 24th of May, the Prime Mi- • On the 4th of May, for the first time sembly (unicameral) approves by 405 nister Tayyip Erdogan appoints Ali Ba- since the Syrian withdrawal from Leba- votes to 34, the amendment of article bacan as head negotiator in discussions non, the Prime Minister Mikati goes to 76 of the constitution in order to intro- regarding Turkey’s entry into the EU, Syria where he meets the Syrian Presi- duce a multiparty system in the Presi- due to start in October. Ali Babacan dent Bashar al-Assad. dential elections. This initiative came was the Minister of Economy who hel- • On the 4th of May, a court in Bei- from President Hosni Moubarak, who ped Turkey recover from its economical rut cancels all charges against the for- was put under increasing pressure, crisis. mer Maronite army commander, Ge- both internally and internationally, to • On the 27th of May, the Grand Na- neral Michel Aoun, exiled in France make political reforms. After voting tional Assembly votes a modified version since the defeat of the Liberation War against, 26 members of the Assembly, Appendices of the reformed criminal code by 346 vo- which he organised against the Syrian amongst which the leader of the op- tes to 3, which will come into force on occupation army in Lebanon at the end position party Al Ghad, Ayman Nur, go the first of June. Groups defending hu- of the 80s. On his return to Lebanon, out to protest against the reforms which man rights and multimedia organisa- where thousands of supporters are ex- according to them are limited and are tions, already critical towards the re- pecting him, he announces his new targeted to keeping Mubarak’s Natio- form, declare that the new version does party, the Free Patriotic Movement, nal Democratic Party in power. In fact, 2006 not make any significant step forward to- which will take part in the next legisla- in order to present a candidate to Pre- wards freedom of press. tive elections. sidential elections, the party has to have Med. • On the 6th of May, an attack in the at least 5% of the seats in the As- Syria city of Jounieh, a seaside centre mainly sembly, a threshold that no opposition frequented by Christians, causes one party reaches which implies that op- • On the 4th of May, President Bashar death and 22 injuries. This is the fifth position parties are therefore excluded al-Assad issues a decree in order to in- bomb targeting Christians since the de- from the next elections. Moreover, any clude the Syrian Social Nationalist Party ath of Hariri in February. independent candidate has to assem- 261 in the National Progressive Front, which • On the 13th of May, after several ble 300 signatures in support of his brings together the 6 main political par- rockets were set off from Southern Le- candidacy, amongst which 65 from the ties of the country. banon to Israel, the Israeli army attacks Assembly, 25 from the Consultancy • In Mid-May, the leader of the Arab Or- four Hezbollah outposts in the dispu- Council (Shura – Higher House) and 10 ganisation for Human Rights in Syria, ted Shabaa farms area near the Golan by local councillors in each of the Mohammed Ra’dun, is arrested. From the Heights. country’s 14 provinces. On the 25th 24th to the 31st of May, several jour- • On the 29th of May, 28% of elec- of May, 83% of Egyptian electors ap- nalists and intellectuals, members of the tors vote in the first round of legislati- prove this constitutional amendment Al-Atasi Forum for Democratic Dialo- ve elections taking place in Beirut. The via referendum. According to the au- gue, are arrested and interviewed. candidates’ block conducted by the thorities, there was a 54% participation • On the 20th of May, The Times re- son of the former Prime Minister as- whilst independent reports describe ports that Americans and Iraqis accu- sassinated in February, Saad al-Hariri, polling stations as being deserted, fo- se Syria of denying the activities of re- wins19 seats. The remaining three llowing the opposition parties’ request bels who enter Iraq through Syria. On rounds will take place in the rest of the to boycott the referendum. Throughout the 24th of May, the Syrian ambassa- country in June. the referendum campaign, the opposi- dor in the US, Imad Moustapha, an- tion parties and especially the Muslim nounces that Syria suspends all mili- Jordan Brothers were picked on by the go- tary and intelligence cooperation with vernment. The Muslim Brothers protest the United States in protest against • On the 9th of May, the Ministers of against the detention of 2,000 of their their unfair and unfounded accusa- Jordan, Israel and Palestine, gathered supporters during the course of the tions. Moreover, he accuses the Uni- together in Amman, decide to carry out campaign, amongst which is their Se- ted States of trying to deteriorate its re- a feasibility study for the construction cretary General Mahmud Izzat. lations with Syria despite its withdrawal of a canal linking the Red Sea to the from Lebanon and the measures ta- Dead Sea. The World Bank will finan- Libya ken against the insurrection in Iraq. On ce the study, which will amount to 20 the 30th of May, Syria announces ha- million dollars. The canal, which will • At the beginning of May, Libya sus- ving deported 30 Saudi Arabians who cover 175 Km from Aqaba to the Dead pends the payment of the third and last could have joined the conflict in Iraq Sea, will allow the production of elec- instalment of financial compensations directed to the families of the victims of killed in an attack organised by the is- a period of reflection on the conse- the Lockerbie attack in 1988. This is lamist rebels in the Khenchela region, in quences of the French vote. because the American State Depart- the East of the country. Algerian media ment did not observe the precondition accuse the Salafist Group for Preaching of removing Libya from the list of coun- and Combat (GSPC). June 2005 tries supporting terrorism which was established in the August 2003 agree- Morocco In the Near East, the anti-Syrian oppo- ment between the USA, Libya and the sition wins the legislative elections in Le- United Kingdom and backed by the Uni- • At the beginning of May, over 1,000 banon. President Mubarak announces ted Nations. suspects in the Casablanca attack affair that he will put himself forward for a • On the 3rd of May, the group Royal of May 2003, detained in various prisons fifth mandate of Presidency in Egypt. Dutch/Shell announces to have reached of the country, start a hunger strike. On In the Balkans, a video of the Srebre- a long term agreement worth 637 million the 10th of May, one of the prisoners, nica massacre is made public, which dollars for a large scale exploration for na- Khalid Boukri, dies. According to The makes direct reference to the respon- tural gas and a development agreement Middle East International, prisoners re- sibility played by the former Yugosla- with the National Oil Corp in Libya. quest to be released unconditionally, an vian President Slobodan Milosevic in the Appendices investigation of the attacks and the trial massacre and leads to the arrest of for- Tunisia of those who have tortured them du- mer members of the “Scorpions”. Whi- ring their detention. le Turkey makes a step forward towards • On the 3rd of May, the Tunisian law- joining the EU by enforcing its new cri- yer Faouzi Ben Merad is sentenced to European Union minal code, the EU, with regards to the four months of prison for contempt of negotiations procedure, imposes the

2006 court. The authorities justified this ver- • On the 23rd of May, the EU Minis- strictest conditions that have ever been dict by recalling that lawyers have pri- ters of Defence in Brussels agree on a imposed to any candidate state. The Med. marily a duty to show an example of res- schedule starting from 2007 for the cre- European Council is marked by the di- pect towards the judicial institution. ation of 13 “battle groups” of 1,500 pe- sagreement between the 25 member However, according to Merad’s collea- ople each, for the EU Rapid Reaction states on the budget for 2007 and on gues this sentence is aimed at Mer- Force. The first three groups will be the future of the European Constitu- ard’s repeated criticisms of the gov- made by 1) France, Germany and Spain tion, as Cyprus has just ratified it. A ernment. Merard blames the government 2) Germany, Poland, , Lithuania new government is set up in France

262 for controlling the judicial system and for and Slovakia 3) Sweden, Finland, Estonia under the Prime Minister Dominique de exploiting it at the expense of its oppo- and . Villepin and in Spain, an important net- nents. • On the 24th of May, in an attempt to work of radical islamists who recruited • On the 8th of May, the Council Lo- come closer to the United Nations ob- combatants to fight in Iraq, is disman- cal Elections take place marking the jective to provide assistance to deve- tled. overwhelming victory (93.86% of the lopment by reaching 0.7% of the GDP, seats) of the Democratic Constitutional Development Ministers adopt the de- Portugal Rally (RCD) of President Ben Ali. A part velopment assistance agenda propo- of the opposition, excluded from the ba- sed by the EC last April. • On the 15th of June, the Portugue- llot, denounces a climate of political • At the end of May, the EU goes se former Prime Minister Antonio Gute- lockdown. Four parliamentary opposi- through a serious crisis following the rres, appointed by the United Nations tion parties close to power (People’s French rejection of the treaty instituting General Assembly, takes on his duties Unity Party, Democratic Socialist Mo- a European Constitution on the 29th of as the 10th United Nations High Com- vement, Unionist Democratic Union, So- May. On the 29th of May, the President missioner for Refugees (UNHCR), re- cial Liberal and Democratic Party) and in power Jean-Claude Juncker from Lu- placing Ruud Lubbers from The Ne- an independent list took part in 65 cons- xembourg and the EC President, José therlands, who was involved in a sexual tituencies winning 268 seats or a 6.1% Manuel Durao Barroso, refuse to drop harassment scandal. rate. The general rate of participation is the treaty and declare that the ratifica- of 82.75%. tion process has to continue as 9 coun- Spain tries out of 25, representing almost 50% Algeria of Europeans, have already ratified the • On the 1st and the 2nd of June, En- treaty. They also specify that the treaty gland extradites the Moroccan Farid Hi- • On the first of May, President Abde- stipulates that if up to 5 countries do not lali to Spain, wanted for the attacks of laziz Bouteflika reorganises the ministerial ratify the treaty, this will be reconsider- March the 11th 2004 in Madrid and cabinet, keeping Ahme Ouyahia as Pri- ed rather than abandoned. The various September the 11th 2001 in the United me Minister. According to the Algerian countries that still have not ratified the States. England also extradites Hedi newspaper al Watan this reorganisa- treaty agree with more or less enthu- Ben Youssef Boudhiba to Spain, who is tion reinforces Ouyahia’s position. siasm with this position. On the 30th of suspected of being part of a Spanish • On the 15th of May, 12 soldiers are May, the British Prime Minister requests network which gave logistic support to those who carried out the September would have organised a meeting bet- “Iraqi networks” in France, are placed in 11th attacks. ween al-Shibh and Mohammed Atta, provisional detention, suspected of being • On the 4th of June, 300,000 people one of the suicide pilots of September members of a recruitment network for the demonstrate in the streets of Madrid on the 11th attacks to the United States. Iraq insurgency. On the 21st of June, six the initiative of the Association of Victims If, between now and December, pro- other men are arrested in the cities of Li- of Terrorism (AVT) and the main oppo- secutors still do not have a firm accu- moges and Montpellier for similar rea- sition party, People’s Party (PP), to pro- sation against Yarkas, according to the sons. On the 16th of June Ghulam Mus- test against the Prime Minister’s José Spanish law which allows 4 years of tafa Rama is condemned to 5 years in Luis Rodriguez Zapatero plan to open detention without sentence, he will have prison for having assisted Islamic mili- negotiations with the Basque terrorist or- to be released. tants in Kashmir and for having morally ganisation ETA. On the 10th of June, two • On the 30th of June, the Senate and supported Richard Reid, who attempted grenades explode in Zaragoza airport, af- then the Cortes, approve by 187 votes to detonate explosives in his shoes on ter an ETA warning. There are no victims. to 147 the law allowing homosexuals a Paris-Miami flight in December 2001. On the 26th of June, a car explodes by to get married, adopt children and to Two members of Rama’s group “Che- a sport stadium in Madrid, probably as inherit one from the other. min Droit” (Straight Path) are condem- an attempt to undermine Spain’s can- ned to sentences of 4 years in prison. didature to organise the Olympic Games France • On the 6th of June, the National Li- Appendices in 2012. There are only material dama- beration Front of Corsica – Fighters ges to report. • On the 2nd of June, President Jac- Union (FLNC-UC) admits responsibi- • On the 15th of June, the Minister of ques Chirac appoints a new govern- lity for 21 recent attacks, therefore con- Internal Affairs, José Antonio Alonso, ment with Dominique de Villepin as Pri- firming the end of the ceasefire. It ac- announces that a network of radical is- me Minister. This new cabinet marks cuses the government of not having lamists, that recruits combatants to carry the return of the President of the Reform policies addressing Corsica’s needs 2006 out suicide attacks in Iraq in name of the Movement Union (UMR), Nicolas Sar- and of treating Corsica’s patriots as ma- Al-Qaeda organisation of Abu Misab kozy, as Vice Prime Minister and Minis- fia criminals. Med. Zarqawi, is dismantled. The network is ter of Home Affairs and Regional De- • On the 19th of June, the elections in controlled from Syria and is connected velopment. On the 8th of June, Villepin the French Council for the Muslim Cult to several countries in Northern Africa, announces that his main objective will be (FCMC), which is supported by the go- the Middle East and also to the United a reduction of unemployment (10.2%) vernment, are marked by the moderates’ Kingdom. Amongst the 16 people arres- and that in 2006, a programme amoun- progress, contrary to the previous elec- ted, 11 were preparing suicide attacks ting to 4.5 billion euros, will be put in pla- tions in April 2003. Dalil Boubakeur is 263 in Iraq and 5 are suspected of being ce to create new jobs. On the 6th of re-elected to the Council’s presidency. linked to the terrorist attacks in Madrid June, the government, which claims to • On the 21st of June, a court in Lyon on the 11th of March in 2004. intend to preserve the French social acquits the radical imam Chirane Ab- • On the 23rd of June, the regional model, sells 152 million shares from delkader Bouziane, who was senten- Basque President, Juan José Ibarretxe France Telecom which amount to 3.4 bi- ced for having encouraged violence from the (PNV) llions, reducing the State participation to against unfaithful women in his book. is re-elected for a third term in office, the company by 35%. According to the judge, the imam was thanks to the support given by two of the • On the 3rd of June, a court in Paris simply explaining what is written in the new representatives for the Basque condemns Le Monde’s editor, Jean-Ma- Qur’an. On the 23rd of June, two pro- Communist Party (ETAK). Ibarretxe’s rie Colombani and three of its writers be- secutors appeal. party wins 34 votes out of 75 in the cause of an article published in June Parliament, followed by the Spanish So- 2002 which linked Israeli politics to- Italy cialist Worker’s Party (PSOE) which wards Palestine to the Jews persecution wins 33 votes. in Europe. Le Monde declares that it • On the first of June, 5 members of the • On the 25th of June, the Internatio- will appeal against. Red Brigades, a left wing group of vio- nal Herald Tribune announces that the • On the 4th of June, the opposition lent activists, are condemned to life sen- United States oppose the Spanish au- Socialist Party (PS), decides to with- tence for the murder of Marco Biagi, a thority’s interviewing of Ramzi bin al- draw six members from its ranks, government councillor, in 2002. Shibh, a high ranking member of Al- amongst which the former Prime Minis- • On the first of June, a parliamentary Qaeda captured in Pakistan and kept in ter Laurent Fabius, for having campaig- committee opposes the nomination of detention in the United States where he ned “no” to the European Constitution, Andrea Monochio to the presidency of is suspected of having helped in the going against the party’s official policy, RAI, the public television channels, spoi- organisation of the September 11th at- which requested a “yes” vote. ling the government’s plan to privatise it. tacks. This interrogation is crucial for the • On the 4th and 27th of June res- • On the 3rd of June, the Northern Le- trials of Driss Chebli and Imad Eddin Ba- pectively, the Franco-Moroccan Hamid ague (LN), a member of the centre right rakat Yarkas, the alleged leader of Al- Bach and the Franco-Tunisian Bouba- coalition, declares to favour the with- Qaeda in Spain, who was arrested in ker el-Hakim, who are connected to Fa- drawal of Italy from the Euro zone. The November 2001 and who, in July 2001, rid Banyettou, the spiritual leader of the Minister for Labour and Social Policy, Ro- berto Maroni (LN) requests the organi- Rhein, declared that Croatia made pro- ving taken part in the massacre shown sation of a referendum on the matter. gress in its cooperation with the In- on the video. Even though the Prime Minister Silvio ternational Criminal Tribunal for the • On the 9th of June, the American un- Berlusconi criticised the Euro’s high ra- Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) but that the- dersecretary of state for political af- tes compared to the dollar and reproa- re is still a lot of work to be done for fairs, Nicholas Burns, announces that ched that the European monetary policy this cooperation to become “total”. On the United States are going to unfree- is the cause of the Italian economic re- the 13th of June, the Head Prosecu- ze an aid of 10 million dollars to com- cession, on the 5th of June, after a te- tor of the, ICTY Carla del Ponte, sta- pensate the improvement of Serbia- lephone conversation with the Presi- tes that Croatian authorities have not Montenegro’s cooperation with the dent Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, he confirms fulfilled their obligations to locate, arrest International Criminal Tribunal for the his support of the Italian participation and transfer General Ante Gotovina, Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and adds to the Euro zone. According to the eco- accused of war crimes. She also af- that the government is working hard nomists, the re-introduction of the Lira firms the necessity of a few extra to arrest the Serb-Bosnian military com- would increase the Italian external debt months to establish whether Croatia is mander, General Ratko Mladic. On the because Italy would no longer benefit doing all that is in its power to arrest other hand, on the 13th of June, Car- from the weak interest rate of the Euro Gotovina. She accuses Croatia of lack- la Del Ponte declares in front of the Appendices zone. ing a proactive attitude, manipulating UN Security Council that the authori- • On the 6th of June, the EU warns important information in the enquiry ties continue to fail in arresting and Italy against sanctions if its public de- and authorising media campaigns that transferring 10 fugitives to the ICTY, ficit surpasses the 3% of GDP esta- discredit the ICTY and its partners in amongst which Mladic, the Serb-Bos- blished in the EU Pact of Stability and Croatia. nian leader Radovan Karadzic and the Growth (PSG). According to the EU • On the 10th of June, on the island Croatian General Ante Gotovina. On

2006 Commissioner for Economic and Mo- of Brijuni, Croatia and Slovenia sign a the 22nd of June, the government an- netary Affairs, Joaquin Almunia, the declaration where they commit to avoid nounces its attempt at contacting the Med. excessive Italian deficit, which has las- all border incidents. They also commit network supporting Mladic, so that he ted for 3 years, cannot be considered to an economic and cultural coopera- gives himself up. as exceptional. This situation would tion. • On the 29th of June a Serb Court allow Italy to avoid the sanctions, ac- condemns 10 officials from the Milose- cording to the modifications made to Bosnia-Herzegovina vic’s regime (amongst them the Spe- the PSG in March. The European cial Police Commander, Milorad Luko-

264 Commission decides to give to Italy • On the 7th of June, the Prime Mi- vic, and the state security chief, Radomir some extra time (2007) to rectify its nister Adnan Terzic announces his ac- Markovic) to prison sentences for their deficit, because of certain government ceptance of the resignation of the Mi- implication in the failed murder attempt commitments. nister of Foreign affairs, Mladen Ivanic, of the opposition leader and current • On the 24th of June, a judge in Mi- which Ivanic submitted in December Serb Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vuk lan issues an arrest warrant against 13 2004, after the High Representative Draskovic, which cost the life of four CIA agents, accused of having com- Lord Paddy Ashdown accused him of people. mitted a “criminal abduction” by taking deliberately failing to cooperate with the Egyptian Imam Hassan Mustafa the International Criminal Tribunal for the Macedonia Osama Nasr, who received political former Yugoslavia (ICTY). asylum, on the 17th of February 2003 • On the 29th of June, Greece accu- to Milan. This abduction is part of the Serbia and Montenegro ses Macedonia of having on the official CIA’s “extraordinary rendition” pro- Ministry of Foreign Affairs website a link gramme, according to which suspects • On the first of June, a video broad- to a map of Macedonia that includes can be transferred to third countries, casted during the trial of the former part of Greece and Bulgaria. Macedo- some of which are known to employ tor- Yugoslavian President, Slobodan Mi- nia denies these facts. ture, in order to interrogate them and losevic, shows the execution of 6 Mus- all of this without the approval of a lims on Treskavica’s mountain by “the Albania court of justice. According to Nasr, the Scorpions”, a group of Serb paramili- CIA has taken him to Cairo where he tary policemen under the orders of the • On the 8th of June, the Macedonian was the victim of acts of torture during Serb Interior Minister’s secret services radio reports that the Albanians from his detention. CIA and the American and therefore under Milosevic’s orders. Macedonia have registered their first Embassy in deny these allega- This is the first public evidence of Mi- political party, the Macedonian Alliance tions. losevic’s implication in the Srebrenica for European Integration, led by Aftim Mi- massacre of July 1995, which cost the trevski. Croatia life of 7,000 Muslims. On the 2nd and 3rd of June, the Serb government Greece • On the 8th of June, the enlarge- arrests 10 former members of the ment European Commissioner, Olli “Scorpions” who are suspected of ha- • On the 13th of June, the Vouli (uni- cameral legislative parliament) gives its between the Turkish Army on one side sion. Finally “permanent safeguard clau- support to the government plan to mo- and the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK ses” are put in place to prevent a large dify the laws of labour in order to rein- – illegal) and the People’s Defence For- immigration of Turks in case the country force the country’s economical growth. ce (HPG) on the other. becomes a member. No entry date is put Amongst other things, the reforms intend • On the 1st of June, the new Crimi- forward, negotiations will last at least ten to change working relations in state- nal Code comes into force; this was a years. owned companies and to introduce flex- precondition to open negotiations for ible hours of work in private firms. Af- Turkey’s entry into the EU. On the 3rd Syria ter employees in public banks strike for of June, the secular President Ahmet three weeks intermittently against the Necdet Sezer uses his veto to stop an • On the 4th of June, according to Is- pensions’ reforms, on the 24th of June, amendment, introduced by the party in raeli secret services, Syria tested three public sector employees and bank em- power, the Islamist Justice and Deve- Scud missiles, one of which flew over the ployees go on general strike for 24 lopment Party, which intends to reduce Turkish province of Hatay. According to hours to protest against the reforms. penalties for the teaching of religion in Israel, the Syrian move intends to pro- According to the unions some jobs will illegal religious schools. voke the United States as their relations be lost with the retirement age increa- • On the 9th of June, the Bosphore are tense since the assassination of Ra- sing and the pensions reviewed to de- University is forced to postpone a three fiq al-Hariri in February. Appendices crease in value. day conference which would gather to- • From the 6th to the 9th of June, the • On the 22nd of June, a “Mediterra- gether those intellectuals and acade- Ba’ath Arab Socialist Party in power nean Strategy for Sustainable Deve- mics that contradict the government’s of- holds its 10th congress in Damascus. lopment” is introduced in Athens by the ficial position concerning the Armenians’ In his opening talk, President Bashar al- Mediterranean Commission on Sustai- massacre. This is after the Minister of Assad asks the party’s leaders to revi- nable Development. This is the consul- Justice described the organisers as trai- ve the economy and to fight against 2006 tative body of the Mediterranean Action tors. corruption. On the first day of the con- Plan which is in line with the United Na- • On the 16th of June, relations bet- gress, Abdel Halim Khaddam, the Sun- Med. tions Convention on the pro- ween Turkey and Germany become ten- nite Muslim who is the highest ranking tection of the Mediterranean Sea against se after the Bundestag (Lower House) official in a regime dominated by the pollution. The new Mediterranean Stra- unanimously adopts a resolution that Alawites minority, announces his res- tegy involves economic, social, ecolo- condemns the Ottoman Empire for the ignation from the position of Vice-Pre- gical and political objectives; it defines massacre of over 1.5 million Armenians sident which he held since 1984 and its priorities and sets up indicators to me- in Turkey between 1915 and 1923 and from the duties he has within the party. 265 asure the progress accomplished in criticises the Turkish government for re- He also invites his colleagues to fo- 2010 and 2025. fusing to tackle the case. llow his example in order to give way to • On the 22nd of June, the European the new generation. During the con- Cyprus Commission President, José Manuel gress, the Party’s National Command Durao Barroso, asks for the organisa- (i.e. Pan-Arab) is abolished and the • On the 15th of June, the United Na- tion of a serious debate concerning Regional Command (i.e. National) is tions Security Council introduces re- Turkey’s entry into the EU, as objec- reduced from 21 to 14 members. The solution 1604 (2005), which prolongs tions to Turkey’s membership have pla- party’s veterans supporting the former the mandate of the United Nations Pe- yed a part in the French and Dutch vote President Hafez al-Assad are replaced acekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) for the European Constitution. He asks by young supporters of the same Pre- up to the 15th of December. The Sec- the member states to respect their com- sident. zurity Council welcomes the Cypriot mitment to open negotiations with Tur- • On the 23rd of June, the American Turkish authorities and Turkish Armed key on the 3rd of October, bearing in Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, Forces decision to lift the restrictions on mind that this will not automatically lead during a G8 meeting in London, warns the UNFICYP freedom of movement to the country joining the union. On the Syria to stop islamist militants from cros- and requests more cross border ac- 29th of June, while certain states and sing the Iraq border, as this contributes cesses. commissioners request to replace the to Iraq’s instability. • On the 30th of June, the Greek Cy- Turkish entry prospect with “a privileged • On the 30th of June, tensions bet- priot House of Representatives (unica- relation” one, the EU publishes the con- ween the United States and Syria in- meral legislative) ratifies the Treaty in- ditions which would frame Turkey’s entry crease as the American Treasury De- troducing a European Constitution by 30 negotiations. These are the strictest partment freezes the assets of the Home votes to 19. conditions ever imposed to a candida- Affairs Minister Maj.-Gen. Ghazi Kan’an te state. Amongst these conditions, the- and of Col. Rustum Ghazali, who lead Turkey re is the respect of human rights and of the military presence and the intelli- a legally constituted state, which if bre- gence services from Syria to Lebanon. • During the course of the month, 87 ached, would result in the negotiations’ This is a purely symbolic act, as neither soldiers and 41 rebels die in the South being suspended. Turkey is also requi- of them have any assets in the United East of Turkey during violent clashes red to resolve the issue of Cyprus divi- States. Lebanon der the Hezbollah control, in Southern Le- administration describe his policies to- banon. wards Iran as being too “soft”. • On the 2nd of June, the Lebanese • On the 14th of June, President Mo- journalist from An-Nahar, Samir Kassir, Jordan hammed Hosni Mubarak’s spokesman who is against the Syrian presence in announces that the President will stand Lebanon, is assassinated as his car • On the 16th of June, the Minister of for his fifth and last term in office in the explodes near his house in the Beirut Finance Basim Awadallah resigns from September Presidential elections. The Christian district of Ashrafieh. The op- his post in order to put an end to a cri- President announces that if he is re- position accuses Syria and its Lebanese sis between Adnan Badran’s govern- elected, he will appoint for the first time allies, in particular the Lebanese Pre- ment and the House of Representatives in 24 years, a Vice-President, inducing sident Emile Lahoud. (Lower House), in which some of the op- some people to think that he is prepa- • On the 5th, 12th and 19th of June position members are very critical to- ring his son Gamal Mubarak to succe- the National Assembly’s (unicameral) wards Awadallah and other members ed him as President of the country. In last round of elections take place. “The from the government’s economic de- Mid-June, Gamal Mubarak, leader of the anti-Syrian opposition” consisting of partment because of their economic po- political Committee of the PND in power, the Future Current, the party of the for- licies. The real reason of the crisis se- declares that he is not looking to fill a hig- Appendices mer Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri as- ems to be the lack of representation her position. sassinated in February, the Democra- within the government for the country’s • On the 20th of June, during a two- tic Gathering, the Lebanese Forces, Southern tribes and the significant pre- day official visit to Egypt, the American Qornet Shahwan and other small party sence of Palestinians who occupy 12 of Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, blocks, wins 72 seats of the 128 in the 26 ministerial portfolios. calls for reforms in the Middle East in a the Assembly. The two other main party talk to the American University in Cairo.

2006 blocks in the Assembly consist in the Egypt She adds that “the United States have alliance between Amal (Liberation and pursued stability in the Near East at the Med. Development) – Hezbollah (35 seats), • On the 1st of June, hundreds of pe- expense of democracy and have found supported by Syria and the Patriotic ople, amongst which numerous women neither one nor the other. Now we take Movement block of general Michel dressed in black, demonstrate on the another path. We support the demo- Aoun, who returned to Lebanon in May streets of Cairo requesting the resig- cratic aspirations of the people.” after a long period of exile in France. On nation of the Home Affairs Minister, Abib the 21st of June the government of Na- al-Adli. They believe him responsible for Libya

266 jib Mikati, formed in April, resigns. On the police passivity during the assault ca- the 28th of June, the new Assembly rried out by the members of the Natio- • On the 7th of June, 9 Libyan police- holds its first session and Nabbi Berri, nal Democratic Party (PND) against the men and a Libyan doctor, accused of ha- Amal’s leader, is re-elected as the As- women who were demonstrating on the ving tortured 5 Bulgarian nurses and a sembly’s President for his fourth term day a constitutional amendment was Palestinian doctor to induce them to in office. On the 30th of June, the As- voted, which allows a multi-party system confess the infection of 426 Libyan chil- sembly elects the Future Current can- during the September Presidential elec- dren with the AIDS virus, are acquitted. didate, Fuad Siniora as Prime Minister, tions. Some women had their clothes rip- The spokesman of the Bulgarian Minis- with 126 votes. Siniora was the for- ped off on the roads. ter of Foreign Affairs, Gergana Gran- mer Minister of Finance and Rafiq al- • On the 9th of June, in its report en- charova, question the Libyan judicial Hariri’s councillor. titled “Reading between the red lines” system. On the 30th of June, the Su- • On the 21st of June, the former Se- Human Rights Watch accuses the preme Court of Libya decides to pos- cretary General of the anti-Syrian Le- Egyptian government of stifling acade- tpone its decision to the 15th of No- banese Communist Party, Georges mic freedom by censoring certain cour- vember on the appeal of the 5 Bulgarian Hawi, is assassinated as his car explo- se books, preventing research into con- nurses and the Palestinian doctor against des near his house in the Beirut district troversial issues, intimidating student their death sentence. This decision is of Wata Museitbeh. Condoleezza Rice, activists and forbidding certain extra- welcomed by the Bulgarian Prime Mi- the American Secretary of State decla- curricular student activities. nister, Solomon Passi. res that Syria contributes to creating a • On the 13th of June, Muhammad al- situation of instability in Lebanon, with- Baradei is re-elected for his third 4 year Tunisia out accusing the country directly of the mandate of Presidency in the Interna- assassinations. tional Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), • On the 2nd of June, the 6th session • On the 29th of June, the Hezbollah after the United States withdrew their ob- of the Consultative Council of the Arab guerrilla attacks an Israeli’s army out- jection to his re-election. The United Maghreb Union (AMU) starts, under the post in the disputed region of the Sha- States opposition was linked to the fact presidency of M. Mohamed Afif Chi- baa Farms, causing the death of an Is- that al-Baradei did not support the Ame- boub, President of the Tunisian parlia- raeli soldier and of a Hezbollah combatant ricans as they asserted the existence mentary group. Approximately 140 de- and injuring three Israeli soldiers. As a re- of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. puties representing the parliaments of 5 action, the Israeli army bomb villages un- Moreover, certain members of the Bush Maghreb countries take part in it. The ac- tive participation of the Maghreb people ring the Brussels European Council, re- July 2005 representatives to these meetings shows ach a deadlock following the refusal of their determination in pursuing the edi- the English Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to Four months after the attack in Cairo, fication of the Maghreb Union. accept a reduction on the budget rebate Egypt is again the target of a terrorist at- • From the 12th to the 14th of June, M. (which the United Kingdom has been be- tack, which causes 88 deaths in Sharm- Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary gene- nefiting from since 1984) without a firm el-Sheikh. In Turkey, a bomb explodes ral of the Organisation of the Islamic commitment on the part of other mem- in Kusadasi, causing 5 deaths, while Conference (OIC), visits Tunisia, whe- ber states to modify Europe’s expen- confrontations between the Turkish re he meets the Ministers of Foreign Af- ses and, in particular, the expenses for army and the Kurdish rebels cause 91 fairs, Higher Education, Culture and the the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). deaths. In Lebanon, attacks against Safeguard of Heritage, the Secretary of The French President, Jacques Chirac, Pro-Syrian dignitaries continue as a State responsible for IT, the Internet and accuses Blair of disclaiming an agree- new government is formed under the free software use to examine different as- ment made in 2002, which stipulates Anti – Syrian Prime Minister Fuad Si- pects of the Tunisian cooperation with that the agricultural expenses will not niora, which includes members of the the OIC. decrease between 2007 and 2013. All Anti-Syrian coalition. For the first time • On the 30th of June in Tunis, the 9th the EU members, except for the United in history, Hezbollah takes part in a Le- ordinary session of the Council of Arab Kingdom, support the European Com- banese government and a woman was Appendices Ministers of Communication starts. The mission proposal which consists in re- handed a ministerial portfolio. In Magh- meeting is dedicated to analysing the placing the English rebate with a “ge- reb, Algeria proceeds on the way to Arab cooperation in the new information neralised corrective mechanism”. This national reconciliation with Kabylie, and communication technologies sector would allow other member states, which while Morocco reforms its nationality (ICT) and to establish ways to benefit are also net contributors to the Europe- code and Tunisia provides its Parliament from them. an budget, to be eligible to receive reim- with a High House. In the Balkans, 2006 bursements, which will consequently re- three bombs explode in Pristina on the Algeria duce the English rebate. The United day the UN launched an enquiry on Med. Kingdom, supported by some other the possibility of opening negotiations • On the 7th of June, 13 local council member states, requests to transfer some on Kosovo’s status. In Albania, the le- guards are killed and 6 injured during the expenses dedicated to agriculture to gislative elections, criticised by Euro- explosion of their lorry near the village of “modern” priorities such as research and pe, mark the victory of the centre-right Ain Rich, which is over 400 km to the increase of competition. The last proposal group of the Albanese former Presi-

South of Alger. for a final compromise, which the Pre- dent Sali Berisha. In Europe, several Eu- 267 • On the 29th of June, a court con- sident in power, Jean-Claude Juncker ropean States face the worse drought demns Mohammed Meguerba to ten ye- from Luxembourg presented to the Mem- in decades and the fires in Spanish fo- ars in prison for having set up and being ber States and which includes a freeze rests kill 14 voluntary firemen. As for the part of a foreign terrorist network. Ac- of the English rebate and a revision of EU, Malta ratifies the European Cons- cording to the United Kingdom, he would the CAP, is rejected by the United King- titution and Turkey signs the Ankara have taken part in an attack on London, dom, Finland, The Netherlands, Spain Protocol specifying that it does not en- employing castor-oil instead of other and Sweden. Another point of friction wi- tail official Turkish recognition of the poisons. thin the Council is the French and Dutch Republic of Cyprus. The London terro- opposition to the European Constitu- rist attack of the 7th of July leads cer- Morocco tion. There are those who wish to con- tain European States, such as France tinue national ratifications and those and Italy, to take preventive measures • On the 14th of June, the Moroccan who believe that the document is dead, and to reinforce their anti-terrorist laws monarchy recognizes a second islamist as it needs to be adopted unanimously and pushes the EU to accelerate the im- party, Al Badil Al Hadari, which was an to come into force. Finally, the 25 mem- plementation of exceptional anti-terro- active organisation since 1995. bers accept to continue with the ratifi- rist precautions established in 2004. • On the 17th of June, the Minister of cations, with the possibility of a change Communication declares that Rabat in- of date if necessary. The 25 members Portugal tends to introduce a law liberalizing the agree on the need for some time of re- media which would put an end to jour- flection and that Europe has to start lis- • The month of July is marked by a nalists’ imprisonment for defamation of tening to its citizens. drought over 97% of the territory, cau- the monarchy and would alleviate res- • On the 24th of June, the 25 Minis- sing a 70% decrease in the production trictions imposed to foreign televisions ters for the Environment oppose the EC of cereals and numerous fires in the fo- and radio stations. proposal of lifting the bans on Geneti- rests which, on the 21st of July, cause cally Modified Organisms (GMO) in Aus- one death. European Union tria, France, Greece, Germany and Lu- • On the 15th of July, 500,000 workers xembourg, in accordance with the end protest against the tax increase and the • On the 16th and 17th of June, nego- of the EU moratorium on the GMO, es- reduction of public expenses. On the tiations on the 2007-2013 budget du- tablished in July 2003. 20th of July, the Minister of Finance, Luis Campos e Cunha, responsible for in the FNLC-October 22 attacks in clare of having dismantled the “Strate- implementing these unpopular measu- 2003, are brought to justice. gic Anti-Terrorism Department” an ex- res, resigns mentioning family reasons • On the 10th of July, the government treme-right illegal organisation which and tiredness as the main factors. On the imposes water rationing in half of its re- fights against extreme left and militant Is- same day, the Prime Minister Jose So- gions because of the drought, the wor- lamism. The group, which includes se- crates appoints Fernando Teixeira dos se France has experienced in the last 30 veral police officers, tried to obtain funds Santos as Minister of Finance and they years. from the EU and the Vatican. A deputy both declare that they will continue fo- • On the 12th of July, a court in Lyon of Berlusconi’s party, Forza Italia, has llowing Campos e Cunha’s policy. confirms the expulsion of two Muslim previously declared that the group had • On the 20th of July, the EU commu- girls because they were wearing an Is- the approval of the police and the inte- nicates to Portugal a deadline of 2008 lamic headscarf. lligence services. to adjust its public deficit to the criteria • On the 13th of July, judicial sources • On the 7th of July, following the Lon- (3% of the GDP) established by the EU confirm that Athman Deramchi (Abbou don attacks, Italy reinforces its police Growth and Stability Pact. Yousef), alleged member of the Salafist and military surveillance of potential tar- Group for Preaching and Combat gets and increases the attributions of the Spain (GSPC), has been arrested in France on police force and the army in order to Appendices the basis of an arrest warrant issued by pursue and arrest suspects. On the 9th • During the month of July, Spain ex- Italy. and 10th of July, 142 people, mainly periences the most severe drought in • On the 26th of July, in response to illegal immigrants, are arrested in Milan. the last 60 years, which makes neces- the 7th of July terrorist attacks in Lon- On the 29th of July, the Senate (Higher sary to ration water. The country is af- don, the Internal Security Council, led House) approves the proposals of the fected by numerous fires in the forests; by the President of the Republic, Jac- Minister of Home Affairs, Giuseppe Pi-

2006 one fire in particular, in a national park ques Chirac, introduces new anti-ter- sanu, to authorise that terrorist suspects at 160 Km south of Madrid, on the 16th rorist measures (more earlier survei- are detained for 24 hours without char- Med. of July costs the life of 14 voluntary fi- llance of suspected individuals, the ges and that the communication sur- remen. compulsory withholding of emails and te- veillance is reinforced. On the 13th of • On the 3rd of July, the Basque re- lephone calls for one year, the installa- July, a Moroccan and a Tunisian, mem- gional President declares that the Spa- tion of cameras in train and bus sta- bers of a terrorist group, are found guilty nish government has started negotia- tions in Paris) which will have to be of having planned an attack against Ita- tions with the Basque terrorist group introduced by the legislative power in Au- lian interests.

268 ETA. Representatives from the Spanish tumn. As for prevention, the government • On the 8th of July, three alleged Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE) deny expels radical imams, withdraws from members of the Red Brigades are given the start of negotiations. ETA claims res- the Schengen zone in order to re-esta- a life sentence for the assassination of ponsibility for four bomb attacks in the blish control over the borders and raises Massimo d’Antona, a government coun- north of Spain on the 12th of July and the level of security alert to the second cillor, in May 1999. two in the south of Madrid on the 29th highest level. • On the 14th of July, a great majority of July. • On the 27th of July, the Mont Blanc of prosecutors and judges in the country • On the 15th of July, the Moroccan tunnel trial ends in Belleville with the demonstrate against the controversial Abdeneri Essebar is arrested, suspec- condemnation of 120 people and three reform of a judicial law, which implica- ted of being member of a terrorist or- companies, found guilty of murder and/or tes their independence. Following the ganisation and of having helped a te- criminal negligence. President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi’s refu- rrorist involved in the 11th of March sal to sign for this law in December attacks in Madrid to escape the country. Italy 2004, on the 20th of July the Prime Mi- Essebar, who lost his daughter in law in nister presents a new version of the le- the attack, denies the accusations. • On the first of July, the American am- gislation. bassador is summoned in front of the Pri- France me Minister Berlusconi, to clarify the Malta American position in the kidnapping of • During the month of July, the two the imam Mustafa Osama Nasr in Italy • On the 6th of July, 65 Parliament de- main branches of the National Front for by the CIA in February 2003 and to en- puties unanimously vote for the Treaty es- the Liberation of Corsica (FNLC), the sure that the self-defence domestic law tablishing a Constitution for Europe. FNLC-Fighters Union and the FNLC- will be observed in the future. On the • On the 9th of July, the La Vallette’s October 22, claim responsibility for nu- 25th of July, Italy issues six arrest wa- forces of law and order declare that merous recent attacks in Corsica. The rrants against CIA members. According over 200 illegal immigrants, amongst FNLC-Fighters Union accuses the to intelligence service experts, the CIA which a majority of Eritreans and Ethio- French government of being reactionary could not have operated without the pians, have arrived on the Maltese island and the Corsica administration of being complicity of the Italian government, of Gozo, which represents the most sig- subjugated. On the 29th of July, two which the government denies. nificant arrival of illegal immigrants sin- Corsicans, suspected of being involved • On the 1st of July, the authorities de- ce 1991. Slovenia bers of the Serb security system, • On the 27th of July the “Popular Re- amongst which Milorad Lukovic, leader volutionary Action”, an extreme-left un- • On the 2nd of July, 7 Slovenian re- of the Special Operations Unit “Red known group, which made its first appea- sidents originating from other ex-Yu- Berets” and Radomir Markovic, former rance two years ago, claims responsibility goslavian republics start a hunger stri- State Security Chief, to long prison sen- for three explosions which occurred du- ke in the name of approximately 18,000 tences for the abduction and assassi- ring the last eight months in front of the people removed from the national re- nation of the former Serb President Ivan premises of some construction compa- gisters by the Ljubljana authorities in Stambolicen in 2000. During the verdict, nies in Athens, and announces new at- 1992, one year after its independence. the judge declares that President Slo- tacks. In a letter addressed to the Gre- The group demands the granting of a bodan Milosevic, his successor, was ek newspaper Eleftherotypia, it declares right of residence to former Croatians, behind this assassination, even though that these bomb attacks intend to de- Bosnians and Serbs present in Slove- Milosevic denies these accusations. nounce those enterprises that have pro- nia, right which would allow them to find fited from the works for the Athens 2004 work and be covered by health insu- Macedonia Olympic Games. The explosions which rance. In April, electors opposed a law caused no victims and minor damages proposal which would return the right of • On the 6th of July, Greece announ- occurred in December in front of the residence to the 18,000 people con- ces that it will check the existence of Technical Olympic facilities, in May in Appendices cerned via referendum. “irredentist” maps in Macedonia’s scho- front of AVAX facilities and this month in ol books, the country which Greece calls front of the firm BTP Aktor respectively. Croatia “Former Yugoslavian Republic of Ma- cedonia” (FYROM), insisting on the fact Cyprus • On the 12th of July, the House of that this is a “very serious” and recurrent

Representatives (Lower House) appro- problem. On the same day, the Greek • On the 27th of July, an Imair plane, a 2006 ves the nomination of Ivica Kirin as Mi- newspaper Kathimerini states that private airplane company from Azerbai- nister of Home Affairs. FYROM students are taught that a part jan, which landed in the Turkish Repu- Med. of their country is occupied by Bulgarians blic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), only re- Bosnia-Herzegovina and Greeks. cognised by Ankara, represents the first non-Turkish commercial flight to the • On the 11th of July, the 10th anni- Albania north of Cyprus in over 30 years. The pla- versary of the massacre of 7,500 Mus- ne transports a group of around 90 bu- lims in Srebrenica is commemorated in • On the 3rd of July, the centre-right sinessmen, bureaucrats, artists and jour- 269 presence of the Serb President, Boris formation of the conservative former Al- nalist who are going there to meet the Tadic, who hasn’t gone as far as to apo- banese President Sali Berisha, wins the Cypriot Turkish leader Mehmet Ali Talat logise for the role of the Serb forces in legislative elections against the Socia- and other TRNC officials, as well as busi- the massacre. On the 28th of July, the list Party of the outgoing Prime Minister, nessmen. wife of Radovan Karadzic’s, Serb leader Fatos Nano and left-wing formations. • On the 28th of July, the EU Cypriot responsible of the massacre, publicly Several formations and political parties Commissioner, Markos Kyprianou, ac- asks him to give himself in. lodge complaints denouncing the inva- cuses the TRNC authorities of having • On the 20th and 22nd of July, the In- lidity of the ballots in several consti- stopped him from entering the Northern ternational Criminal Tribunal for the For- tuencies. The OSCE, the European Par- occupied area of the island despite the mer Yugoslavia (ICTY), decides to trans- liament, the EU Council and the diplomatic privileges in use for Europe- fer the cases of five Serb Bosnians to European Council criticise the elections’ an diplomats. He declares that “with Bosnian Courts. process, claiming that they have only such decision, M. Talat is imposing con- partially responded to democratic criteria. finement to the Turkish Cypriots and Serbia and Montenegro On the 8th of July, socialists accuse cannot complain as Europeans wish to Berisha’s democratic party of having see them but he refuses to let them in.” • On the 3rd of July, three bombs ex- rigged the legislative elections’ results in plode in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, several constituencies. Turkey targeting the offices of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UN- Greece • During the month of July, 55 soldiers MIK), OSCE’s headquarters and Koso- and 36 rebels die in the south-east of vo’s legislative power. These attacks • On the 3rd of July, the Greek and Tur- the country following clashes between coincide with the launch of an evalua- kish Prime Ministers, Costas Caraman- the army and the Kurdistan Worker’s tion by the special UN envoy, Kai Eide, lis and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, place Party (PKK) and the Kurdish People De- to determine if Kosovo has reached a the first stone of a 300 km pipeline fence Forces. On the 1st of July, the sufficient level of democracy to start ne- which will connect both countries in police kill a member of the People’s Li- gotiating on its status. 2006. This work will transport natural gas beration Front of Kurdistan, who was • On the 18th of July, a special Serb from the Caspian Sea to Western Eu- about to enter the Ministry of Justice in Court condemns seven former mem- rope. Ankara and explode himself. On the 10th of July, 22 people are injured in an at- Lebanon tribal origins in the House of Repre- tack near Cesne, for which a branch of sentatives, who threatened to withdraw the PKK, the Kurdistan Freedom Fal- • On the 12th of July, the pro-Syrian their confidence in the government of cons (TAK) claims responsibility. The Minister of Defence, Elias Murr, is se- Adnan Badran. This is because the ca- PKK denies being involved. On the 16th riously injured by the explosion of his binet he formed in April did not include of July, five people are killed in a bomb car. Two civilians die in this attack, which a member originating from the South of attack in the seaside resort of Kusada- is another attack to add to the series of the country and because the economic si. In front of this situation of violence, on attacks against pro-Syrian dignitaries. department of the government includes the 19th of July, General Ilker Basbug, • On the 18th of July, the National As- Jordanians of Palestinian origins. the second highest officer of the High sembly (unicameral) approves a law ab- Command, declares that the level of solving the former Maronite leader of Egypt violence has not reached that of the the Lebanese Forces militia, Samir Ge- 90’s and that the armed forces have the agea, sentenced to life in 1994 for the • On the 2nd of July, the Cairo Judges situation under control. murder of some of his rivals and of Pri- Club publishes a report accusing the • On the 29th of July, Turkey signs me Minister Rachid Karami. Geagea, government of having falsified the num- the Ankara protocol extending the Cus- detained for 11 years in isolation, is re- bers of those participating in the natio- Appendices toms Union with the EU, to 10 new Eu- leased on the 26th of July. The Assembly nal referendum which approved the cons- ropean State members, amongst which also releases approximately 40 Islamic titutional amendments in favour of a is Cyprus. By signing, Turkey fulfils the militants, some of which are suspected multi-party system. The report declares last key condition for its accession ne- of having connections with Al-Qaeda; that officials were threatened if they did gotiations to start. Turkey specifies that they were accused of plotting to at- not falsify the results. The Club cam- this signature does not entail the count- tempt against embassies in Beirut. paigns for a complete supervision of fu-

2006 ry’s recognition of the Republic of • On the 19th of July, the new Prime ture Presidential elections. On the 6th of Cyprus. This statement concerns the Minister Fuad Siniora presents his new July, a court in Cairo postpones the trial Med. European Parliament as well as Gree- government, which consists of the mem- of Ayman Nur, leader of the opposition ce and the Republic of Cyprus, which bers of the anti-Syrian coalition, amongst party al Ghad, accused of forging sig- threatens to vote against the opening of which Siniora’s Future Current, led by natures in order to put himself forward for negotiations if Turkey does not recog- Saad al-Hariri son of the former Prime Presidential elections to the 25th of Sep- nise the Republic before the 3rd of Oc- Minister assassinated in February, the tember. On the 20th of July, the reformist tober. A European survey published on Democratic Rally, lead by the Druze Wa- opposition movement Kifaya calls for a

270 the 18th of July, reveals that 65% of Eu- lid Jumblatt, as well as the Shiite groups boycott of Presidential elections descri- ropeans are against Turkey joining. On Hezbollah and Amal. Hezbollah, that for bing them as illegal. The movement’s the 27th the EU President, Tony Blair, the first time takes part in a government, announcement follows the withdrawal reasserts his support for Turkey’s entry, is given the ministerial portfolio for energy of two reformers from the electoral cam- underlining its importance for Europe- and water. For the first time in Leba- paign, the feminist writer Nawal Saada- an security. nese history, the government includes a wi and the human rights and sociology woman, Na’ilah Mouawad, widow of the activist Saadeddin Ibrahim, who have Syria former President Rene Mouawad, as- been arrested on several occasions. sassinated in 1989; she becomes the • On the 23rd of July, three bombs ex- • On the 3rd of July, under external Minister of Social affairs. Even though the plode in Sharm-el-Sheik, causing the pressure to fight against the insurrection Anti-Syrian coalition holds two thirds of death of 88 people, amongst which tou- in Iraq and to arrest militants who use the the National Assembly’s seats, some rists and Egyptian workers. The Al-Qae- Syrian territory to organise the Iraq re- key positions are still in the hands of da group in Egypt and in Syria, Abdu- sistance, the government proceeds to people considered to be Pro-Syrian (Mi- llah Azzam’s Brigades and the Saint arrest 34 suspect militants near the Le- nistries of Defence, Justice and Foreign Fighters for Egypt, immediately claim banese border. On the 4th of July, con- Affairs).On the 22nd of July, in support responsibility for the attack. Some time frontations erupt on the mountain of of the new government, the American later, a third group, the Tawhid and the Qassiuon, 4 km from Damascus, bet- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Egyptian Jihad claim responsibility for ween Syrian security forces and Iraqi pays a surprise visit to Lebanon. She re- the attack and declare to target “crusa- rebels causing the death of a police- quests that the Hezbollah guerrillas are des” in the name of Al-Qaeda. On the man and the arrest of a Lebanese sus- disarmed in respect of the United Na- 24th of July, the government declares pect. Amongst the Iraqi rebels are the tions resolution 1559 (2004). that approximately twelve Bedouins have former body guards of the ex-Iraqi Pre- been arrested in relation with the in- sident, Saddam Hussein. Jordan vestigation. • On the 14th of July, the Financial Ti- mes reports that Syria has drastically • On the 3rd of July, King Abdullah II Libya reinforced its controls at the Lebanon embarks on a ministerial reorganisation, border, as political tensions between which is perceived as an attempt to ap- • On the 1st of July, a spokesman from the two countries increase. pease conservatives and members of the prosecutor in Mannheim (Germany) declares that a German suspected of ha- site on freedom of expression in Tunisia, rian Human Rights League, request the ving helped Libya between 2001 and the Tunisian Monitoring Group (TMG), removal of the state of urgency which 2003 to obtain centrifuges allowing ura- a coalition of 13 organisations mem- has been in force for 13 years and ex- nium enrichment with the prospect of bers of the International Freedom of Ex- press their concerns on the consequent making nuclear weapons, is detained in pression Exchange (IFEX), asks the Tu- judicial proceedings involved against Germany. The man is suspected of ha- nisian government to put an end to the journalists and press companies. They ving been part of an international network blocking of internet before the World ask the government to “respect and en- for the traffic of high technology pro- Summit on the Information Society force respect of press freedom” and the ducts, mainly operational since the 90’s (WSIS) in Tunis, in November 2005. judicial body “to not submit to pressu- in the emirate of Dubai. According to the TMG website, the go- res from the Executive Power”. As for the • On the 4th and 5th of July, during the vernment systematically censures the amnesty law, the FIDH alerts against 5th Summit of the African Union in Sir- access to no fewer than 20 websites of- impunity. te, the African leaders attempt to show fering independent information and pro- • On the 17th of July, the Algerian Pre- that Africa can preserve its unity on cru- viding an analysis of political issues and sident Abdelaziz Bouteflika orders the cial issues such as the G8 or its place human rights in Tunisia. On the 18th of dissolution of local councils in Kabylia, in the UN and that Africa prioritises the July, a second private radio station, “Ra- in line with the peace plan signed in Ja- interests of the continent to national am- dio Jawhara”, is formed in Tunisia. On the nuary with the Berber minority of the Appendices bitions. The African leaders postpone 25th of July, Mohammed Abbou, “the country. Kabylians have largely boycot- the designation of the countries enti- lawyer for freedom” detained since the ted local elections in 2002 because of tled to the two permanent seats in the 1st of March 2005, starts a new hunger a disagreement with the government UN Security Council, which the continent strike in order to inform the Tunisian and and since then have asked President claims and for which Egypt and Libya are international public opinions on the vio- Bouteflika to dissolve the assemblies candidates. The leaders reiterate their lations of human rights in Tunisia. elected in order to organise a new ba- 2006 commitment to an increase in political in- • On the 3rd of July, Tunisia makes a llot. The Socialist Forces Front (FFS), a tegration, a key objective for the Libyan step forward towards democracy by set- party essentially based in Kabylia and Med. leader , whose ulti- ting up a Higher House, two thirds of which are threatened to loose many of mate goal is to have “the United States which is voted for by the Chamber of De- its seats during the next ballot, de- of Africa”. puties (National Assembly) and by local nounces Bouteflika’s decision and threa- • On the 15th of July, the European councillors. Following this election, Pre- tens to organise demonstrations. Commission unfreezes one million eu- sident Ben Ali’s party, which already • On the 17th of July, President Bou- ros, towards the long term action plan controls 80% of the National Assem- teflika takes advantage of parliamentary 271 launched in Benghazi for the fight against bly’s seats, reinforces its position in the holidays to let a decree pass abolishing AIDS in 2004. Here, over four hundred Parliament by obtaining an overwhel- a law that was passed the previous year children and their mothers are infected ming majority of seats in the new Hig- on the initiative of islamist parties, which with the virus. her House of the Parliament. prohibited the country to import beer • On the 21st of July, Omar Shaluf, • On the 25th of July, in a talk during and wine. This decision should facilita- father of the Libyan opponent Hadi Sha- the occasion of the Republic’s 48th an- te negotiations to enter the World Tra- luf, resident in Paris, is assassinated in niversary, President Ben Ali announces de Organisation (WTO). Zliten (to the East of Tripoli).The murder a bill in favour of legal opposition. In ac- occurs three weeks after the first op- cordance with this bill, the opposition Morocco position congress in London. The case parties who have seats in the local cons- is followed by several NGOs and by the tituencies will occupy 20% of seats in • On the 5th of July, a Moroccan Tri- UN commission in Geneva. regional councils. The future law is in- bunal sentence Mohcine Bouaarfa and tended to benefit four opposition parties. Taoufik Hanouichi, two extremist isla- Tunisia During his talk, the President rules out mists leading members of a cell affilia- any possibility of dialogue with the isla- ted to the Jihad Salafist Group to death. • On the first of July, the Tunisian Le- mist opposition, putting an end to spe- They are accused for the murders of ague for Human Rights (LTDH – legal), culations on an eventual dialogue with five of their compatriots, amongst which the National Council for Liberties in Tu- the islamist party Ennahdha (Renais- a Jew trader killed in Casablanca, a for- nisia (CNLT – not recognised), the In- sance), dismantled and forbidden in mer official in the Ministry of Home Af- ternational Association for Support for 1990. fairs and a policeman. Thirty one other Political Prisoners in Tunisia (AIAPPT – members of this Salafist cell receive not recognised) and the Association for Algeria sentences of up to 20 years of criminal the Fight against Torture (ALTT-not re- reclusion. cognised), launch a campaign to pro- • From the 5th to the 10th of July, the • On the 30th of July, during the oc- mote a general amnesty in favour of pri- International Federation for Human casion of the anniversary of his enthro- soners of conscience and detainees Rights (FIDH), led by President Sidiki nement, Mohammed VI announces that sentenced for political offences. On the Kaba, pays a visit to Algeria. In a joint sta- from now on Moroccan nationality can 15th of July, as launching a new web- tement, the FIDH and its affiliate Alge- be passed on from the mother, putting an end to the unequal treatment of men the assassination of the former Lebanese Spain and women present in the nationality Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri and be- code. cause of the withdrawal of Syria from Le- • On the 5th of August, 19 Africans banon. Arrests and interrogations con- wishing to emigrate illegally to Europe European Union cerning Hariri’s assassination enquiry through the Spanish Canary Islands ar- continue in Lebanon, whilst the UN cri- chipelago, die as their boat sinks off • On the first of July, the United King- ticise the lack of Syrian cooperation in the Atlantic coast. There are two survi- dom takes on the EU rotating presi- the enquiry. Another bomb explodes in vors. dency again. The British presidency’s a Christian district of Beirut. In Algeria, • On the 9th of August, the Minister of main concerns are an agreement on the President Bouteflika publishes his pro- economy and finances, Pedro Solbes, European budget reform and its priori- ject “Charter for Peace and National reveals the 2006 budget, according to ties, an agreement on services liberali- Reconciliation”. The assassination of which public expenses will increase of sation, the opening of entry negotiations two Serbs in Kosovo threatens the re- 7.6% on average and the main priorities with Turkey on the 3rd of October and commencement of ethnic conflicts. In will be social housing and research. progress on Doha negotiations in the fra- Turkey, while the Kurdistan’s Worker’s • On the 17th of August, the Serb po- mework of the WTO in Hong Kong next Party (PKK) is accused for having killed lice arrests the Moroccan Abdelmadjid Appendices December. Progress should be based two civilians in an attack in Ankara at the Bouchar, one of the key suspects in the on a higher economic growth and an beginning of the month, in mid August March the 11th terrorist attack in Madrid, improved access to the markets for de- it announces a month long unilateral for violating the immigration law and for veloping countries. ceasefire. The debate surrounding the holding false identity cards. The Spanish • On the 5th of July, the 5 main mem- Turkish declaration on the country not Ministry of Home Affairs tries to obtain ber states (G5: France, Germany, the recognising the Republic of Cyprus, to- his extradition as soon as possible.

2006 United Kingdom, Italy and Spain) toge- gether with signing the Ankara agree- • On the 26th of August and during the ther in Evian, agree to deport repelled as- ment, threaten the opening of negotia- night of the 28th, hundreds of immigra- Med. ylum seekers and illegal immigrants on tions for Turkey’s entry into the EU. tion candidates try to forcefully access common charter flights. On the 26th of Finally, one of the key suspects in the the Spanish enclave of Melilla (in the July, the first flight, organised by Fran- terrorist attack of March the 11th 2004 North of Morocco).There are several in- ce and the United Kingdom, leaves for in Madrid, is arrested in Algeria. jured. Afghanistan. • On the 12th of July, the Court of Jus- Portugal France

272 tice of the European Communities (CJEC) condemns France to pay a • During the month of August, fires in • Between the first and the 11th of “combined” fine without precedents of the woods continue. August, opponents of Genetically Mo- 20 million euros plus 57.8 millions every • On the 29th of August, the director dified Organisms (GMO) devastate 5 six months for future non compliance of of the Alien and Border Service, Ma- experimental fields in the centre and in the Common Fishing regulation. nuel Jarmela Palos, criticises the immi- the South of the country. • On the 13th of July, 6 days follo- gration law, which according to him is • On the 2nd of August, the Council wing the London bombings, the Coun- “too restrictive” and “totally inappro- of Ministers introduce a decree with cil of Justice and Home Affairs urgently priate for the Portuguese reality”. He re- new measures intending to create a get together in Brussels to anticipate the commends the suppression of the obli- more flexible work market and to promote implementation of anti-terrorist excep- gation made to foreigners wishing to the establishment of new positions for tional measures established in the No- legally establish themselves in Portu- young people amongst others. The op- vember 2004 Hague’s programme for gal; this entailing them to get a working position parties accuse the government freedom, security and justice. These contract beforehand. of not having put the measures to the measures include compulsory withhol- • On the 31st of April, the socialist vote of the legislative power before in- ding of telephonic data and emails and Mario Soares, twice President of Por- troducing them. On the 9th of August, a more systematic exchange of infor- tugal between 1986 and 1996, an- the General Confederation of Labour mation between the 25 members Se- nounces that he will put himself forward (CGT) declares that two decrees viola- curity Agencies. in the Presidential elections in January te French obligations contracted under 2006. He declares the situation of cri- the International Labour Organisation sis the country is going through and and the European Social Charter. Du- August 2005 Portugal’s pessimist attitude induced ring the course of August, another dis- him to present himself as a candidate; pute erupts as the government an- The ‘Al-Qaeda attack in Aqaba, which he believes it is necessary “to fight nounces its plan to privatise motorway was intended to hit American and Israeli against this mindset”. The Portuguese operating companies, hoping to get 12 targets, kills a Jordanian soldier. The socialist Manuel Alegre renounces to billion euros. The Minister of the Eco- new Lebanese Prime Minister goes to put himself forward in the presidential nomy, Finance and Industry, Thierry Bre- Syria in order to improve bilateral rela- elections to avoid dividing the left-wing ton declares that one billion will be allo- tions, which deteriorated because of representation. cated to infrastructure projects and that the rest will be employed to decrease na- cially within those sectors most vulne- Cyprus tional debt. rable to corruption but that the country • On the 5th and 26th of August, two still does not have a global anti-corrup- • On the 30th of August, the Minister alleged radical islamists are deported tion strategy. of finance, Makis Keravnos, resigns to ac- to Algeria. One of them is Amar Heraz, cept the position of executive director of who returned to France after being ex- Croatia the Hellenic Bank. On the 31st of Au- pelled once before, the other is Khelaf gust, the Greek-Cypriot President, Tas- Hamam, sentenced at the beginning of • On the 4th of August, Croatia de- sos Papadopoulos, appoints the former the year for having helped in recruiting nounced as “inappropriate” the Serb director of the World Bank, Mihalakis and training Muslims for the “holy war”. Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica’s com- Sarris, to fill the vacancy. • On the 26th and 29th of August, ments describing the Croatian military there are two fires in social housing es- operation Tempest conducted ten years Turkey tates occupied by immigrants in Paris ago which put an end to the Serb-Cro- which cause the death of 24 people, atian war of 1991-1995 as “ethnic cle- • During the month of August, 17 sol- amongst which 14 are children. These ansing”. A Croatian government state- diers and 18 rebels are killed in the east intensify the polemics surrounding the ment specifies that the Tempest’s of the country during clashes between immigrants’ accommodation conditions operation essential goal was to free the the army and the Kurdistan Worker’s Appendices in the country. territories occupied by Serb secessio- Party (PKK) and the Kurdish People De- nists. fence Forces (HPG). On the 4th of Au- Italy gust, Kurds are accused of having cau- Bosnia-Herzegovina sed a bomb explosion in Ankara, which • On the 25th of August, the Red caused the death of a woman and her

Cross recognises that in September • On the 8th of August, the Serb- daughter. On the 6th of August, a bomb 2006 2004 it let four Iraqi rebels pass through Bosnian Milan Lukic, accused of war explodes in Istanbul airport, injuring three the American roadblocks in Iraq in ex- crimes by the International Criminal Tri- people. On the same day, 5 people are Med. change for the release of two Italian bunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) arrested, amongst which an alleged hostages. The Red Cross adds that the for the actions committed as a member member of the PKK, as they are sus- Italian government is not involved but of the paramilitary group “White Ea- pected of intending to organise an at- that a member was warned of the ope- gles”, which was active in the city of Vi- tack in the seaside city of Mersin. On the ration. The Intelligence Services Agent, segrad between 1992 and 1994, is 7th of August, two people die in Anka-

Nicola Calipari, took part to the ex- arrested in Argentina. In September ra as a bomb that they are trying to set 273 change. 2003, he was condemned in absence explodes. • On the 26th of August, Antonio Fa- to 20 years of prison by a court in Bel- • On the 2nd of August, following Tur- zio, the governor of the Italian Bank (cen- grade. key’s declaration on the 29th of July, tral bank) presents himself in front of • On the 26th of August, the arrest of stating that signing the Ankara agree- the Ministers to face accusations ac- the Serb-Bosnian paramilitary, Dragan ment does not entail an official recog- cording to which he helped the recovery Zelenovic in Russia becomes known. nition of the Greek Republic of Cyprus, of the 9th Italian Bank, Banca Antonve- the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, neta, through the Italian Popular Bank Serbia and Montenegro Dominique de Villepin, warns Turkey that (BPI) against the Netherlands bank ABN not recognising the country could block Amro. Fazio is already the object of a Eu- • On the 27th of August, 2 Serbs die the opening of entry negotiations, due ropean Commission’s investigation for and another one is seriously injured as to start on the 3rd of October. On the the same reasons. their car is targeted by shooting in the 4th of August, the Turkish Prime Minis- province of Kosovo. The leader of the ter, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, declares Malta United Nations Interim Administration that he will not accept new conditions Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), Soren Jes- for the negotiations to open and adds • On the 9th of August, an Algerian and sen-Peterson, shocked by the attack, that the 25 members have already agre- two Maltese, who attempted to let 25 urges the police to quickly arrest the ed on the opening of Turkey’s entry ne- illegal immigrants pass from Malta to culprits. gotiations during the European Summit Sicily, are given custodial sentences in December 2004. He specifies that in ranging from 3 to 5 years. Greece December 2004, the French President • On the 23rd of August, the Group of Jacques Chirac declared that signing States against Corruption (GRECO), • On the 14th of August, Greece expe- the Ankara agreement would not imply the European Council anti-corruption riences its worse flight accident in Gre- the Republic’s recognition. On the 26th mechanism, publishes the Second ece’s history, with the crash of a plane of August, the German opposition lea- Round Evaluation Report on Malta with from a Greek-Cypriot company Helios, der, Angela Merkel (CDU), in a letter the agreement of Maltese authorities. in the mountains to the North East of addressed to EU State’s conservative le- The report indicates that Malta has in- Athens, killing 114 passengers and 6 aders, declares that negotiations should troduced several ethical codes, espe- flight crew members. not automatically lead to Turkey joining but could rather lead towards a “privi- Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK). This Nasser Qandil, former Pro-Syrian mem- leged partnership”. rally was forbidden by the authorities. ber of the National Assembly, is also • On the 10th of August, the Syrian • On the 23rd of August, the Iraqi Mi- detained. Hamed Obysi is arrested in Antalya and nister of Transport, Salam al-Maliki, asks accused of being part of a terrorist or- Iraq’s neighbouring countries to moni- Jordan ganisation. On the 11th of August, the tor the borders in order to prevent ar- Syrian Luai Sakra, suspected of being med men from infiltrating the country. On • On the 19th of August, a series of roc- linked to Obysi and of having planned the 25th of August, Ibrahim Gambari, the kets aimed at the American warfare ship an attack against an Israeli cruise ship UN Under Secretary General for Poli- USS Ashland stationed in the port of as well as of being involved in attacks tical Affairs, declares in New York that Aqaba and aimed at the Israeli port of Ei- against Jewish and English targets in Syria fails to cooperate with the UN lat, miss their target killing a Jordanian sol- Istanbul in November 2003, is wanted Enquiry Commission on Hariri’s assas- dier and injuring another. The Al-Qaeda by a court in Istanbul. sination. The Commission has been as- Abdullah al-Azzam Brigades in the Levant • On the 12th of August during a visit king the country for documents and for and in Egypt, claim responsibility for the to the Kurdish village in the South East the possibility to interrogate 5 Syrian wit- attack and threatens the Americans of the country, the Prime Minister Erdo- nesses for the past six weeks. Following against carrying out other attacks against Appendices gan recognises that the government has Gambari’s statement, the Security them. They also ask the King of Jordan, made mistakes concerning the treat- Council publishes a declaration where, Abdullah II, to release their brother pri- ment of Kurds and promises to be more without mentioning Syria, it invites all soners and to abdicate before being for- democratic in the future. On the 17th of parties and “those in particular who ced to. On the 22nd of August, the go- August, the pro-Kurdish People Demo- have not yet responded in an adequa- vernment declares that the Syrian cratic Party (DEHAP), dissolves to join te manner” to fully cooperate with the Mohammed Hassan Abdullah al-Sihly

2006 the ranks of the Democratic Society UN enquiry. The American UN Ambas- organised an attack with his two sons and Movement (DTH), led by Leyla Zana, a sador, John Bolton, expresses his di- an Iraqi and that he has been arrested. Med. Kurdish activist who was a member of sappointment in front of “the Syrian lack On the 23rd of August, the Al-Qaeda or- the Turkish Democratic Party, which also of cooperation”. On the 28th of Au- ganisation for the “Holy War” in Iraq dissolved. On the 19th of August, the gust, the Syrian President, Bachar al-As- claims responsibility for this attack. Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) an- sad, agrees that his country will fully nounces a month long unilateral cease- cooperate in the UN enquiry on the as- Egypt fire after the DTH requested to put an sassination of the Lebanese former Pri-

274 end to the violence. me Minister, Rafiq Hariri. • On the first of August, one of the main suspects for the Sharm-el-Sheikh Syria Lebanon attacks of the 23rd of July, Mohammed Fumayfel, is killed during clashes with the • On the 31st of July, the new Leba- • On the 22nd of August, a bomb ex- security forces in Attaqa, near Suez. On nese Prime Minister, Fouad Siniora, pays plodes in the predominantly Christian the 22nd of August, following searches an official visit to Syria with the objec- district of Zalka in the North of Beirut, in- carried out in the main city at the North tive of improving bilateral relations which juring 5 people. East of Sinai, El Arish, security forces de- have seriously deteriorated since the • On the 29th of July, the UN Security tain 500 people to interrogate them forced withdrawal of Syrian troops from Council approves resolution 1614 about the attacks. Lebanon at the beginning of the year. Si- (2005) extending the mandate of the • On the 11th of August, the electo- niora discusses problems that have ari- United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon ral commission publishes the list of ten sen between the two countries with his (UNIFIL), until the 31st of January in candidates authorised to put themselves Syrian equivalent, Mohammad Naji Otri 2006. forward in the presidential elections of and mostly about the blockade imposed • On the 30th of August, the Major the 7th of September. Amongst the ad- since over a month ago, preventing the General Jamil Sayyed, Brigadier Gene- versaries of President Hosni Mubarak, transit of Lebanese goods through Da- ral Ali al-Hajj and Brigadier General Ray- there is the leader of the opposition mascus towards Arab countries. On the mon Azar, three former members of the party al Ghad, Ayman Nur and the Pre- first of August, Syria gives instructions Security who have tight links with Syria sident of the opposition party Neo-Wafd, to facilitate the transit of lorries at the Le- and who resigned in April, are arrested Numan Gomaa. On the 21st of August, banese border. in order to be interrogated by the UN En- Mohammed Mahdi Akef, the leader of the • On the 15th of August, Ammar Kou- quiry Commission on the assassination Muslim Brothers calls Egyptians to vote rabi, member of the Arab Organisation of the former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Ha- in droves but advises not to vote for the for Human Rights in Syria, declares that riri. The Brigadier General Mustafa Ham- current President. Syrian police has arrested approximately dan, the actual Head of the Lebanese 35 Kurds near Alep, in the North of the Republican Guard Brigade and Presi- Libya country, following confrontations during dent Emile Lahoud’s closest councillor, a Kurdish demonstration, which intended hands himself over to the Commission • On the 21st of August, the son of the to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the after being summoned by the police. Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Al Gaddafi, Seif al-Islam, announces that tenced and detainees. These measures tion of the former Lebanese Prime Mi- the government intends to free 131 po- are not applicable to those individuals in- nister Rafiq al-Hariri continues with the litical prisoners, amongst which some volved in collective massacres, rapes arrest of four high-ranking officials of members of the Muslim Brothers, an or- and attacks using explosives in public Lebanese security, the interrogation of ganisation which is forbidden in Libya. places. Finally, the project forbids the the Syrian Interior Minister and of the le- He also announces that the government practice of political activity to anyone ader of Syrian Security Services in Le- will compensate those who have had who has taken part in terrorist actions banon. In Maghreb, an overwhelming their houses or properties confiscated and to anyone who still refuses to re- majority of Algerians approve Presi- during the “Green Revolution” in the cognise his responsibility in the forma- dent’s Bouteflika’s “Charter for Peace 70’s. tion and implementation of a policy ad- and National Reconciliation”. The death • On the 21st and 22nd of August, vocating the pseudo “Dijihad” against the of 5 Subsaharians who attempted to the President of the American Senate nation and the Republic institutions; this enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta du- Committee on Foreign Relations, Ri- is despite the dreadful human and ma- ring a collective assault, initiates the chard Lugar, goes to Libya. terial losses caused by terrorism and polemic on illegal immigration in the re- the instrumentalisation of religion for cri- gion. Relations between Europe and Tunisia minal purposes. On the 15th of August, Turkey are tense concerning the lat- families of people assassinated by te- ter’s entry into the Union because of the Appendices • On the 17th of August, President rrorists in the 90’s oppose the project. proposal made by some European coun- Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali starts a minis- On the 16th of August, the Algerian le- tries to only offer a “privileged part- terial reorganisation. The current Prime ague for the Defence of Human Rights nership” to Turkey and because of the Minister Abdelkabi Hermassi is repla- (LADDH) demands truth and justice on EU’s official declaration stating Tur- ced by Abdelwahab Abdullah, a longs- the atrocities carried out during violen- key’s obligation to recognise the Re- tanding councillor of Ben Ali. Kamel ce in Algeria, before any national re- public of Cyprus before joining. Kurdis- 2006 Motjane, up to now Assistant High Com- conciliation which would absolve the tan’s Worker’s Party (PKK) extends its missioner for the UN Refugees Agency culprits. ceasefire to the third of October, the Med. (UNHCR), becomes the new Minister of day established for the opening of Tur- National Defence. Morocco key’s entry negotiations. The most im- portant islamists’ trial in Europe ends in Algeria • On the first of August, a Moroccan, Madrid with the conviction of 18 Mem- attempting to reach Europe illegally on bers of Al-Qaeda. For the first time in two

• On the 9th of August, the Algerian board of a ship filled with dozens of im- years, Ministers of the Serb auto go- 275 President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, also Mi- migration candidates, is killed by guns- vernance in Kosovo, meet to discuss nister of Defence and Supreme Leader hots during clashes with the Moroccan decentralisation. of the Armed Forces, appoints General Security forces. This death is the first one Lyachi Grid as head of the Republican of its kind since the Moroccan authori- Portugal Guard and General Malek Necib as ties reinforced their suppression of ille- head of the Navy. gal immigration this year following pro- • On the 19th of September, the go- • On the 14th of August, President mises made to the European Union vernment forbids Portuguese soldiers Abdelaziz Bouteflika publishes his pro- regarding this matter. to demonstrate in front of the Parlia- ject “Charter for Peace and National • On the 16th of August, Moroccan ment on the 21st of September. Against Reconciliation” which will be put to the police arrests 13 islamist activists ac- austerity measures introduced by the vote on the referendum held on the 29th cused of having attempted to carry out government; offenders will be given dis- of September. This project, which pays attacks in the country with the support ciplinary sanctions. On the 21st of Sep- tribute to the People’s National Army of Algerian rebels from the Salafist Group tember, the soldiers’ wives demonstra- and to the Security Services for having for Preaching and Combat (GSPC). te in the soldier’s place. The government defended the Republic of Algeria, can- and those responsible for the Army be- cels judicial proceedings against isla- lieve that the participation of functional mists who have handed themselves over September 2005 soldiers will call into question “the dis- to the authorities from the 13th of January cipline and cohesion” of the armed for- 2000 (date of statutory limitation for en- Mohammed Hosni Mubarak is elected ces. Portuguese soldiers request the forcement of the amnesty law), those for his sixth consecutive term in office mediation of the President of the Re- who put an end to their armed activity as President of Egypt during the first public, Jorge Sampaio, in his capacity as and give up their weapons, those who disputed presidential elections the Supreme Commander of the country’s are wanted and hand themselves over, country has experienced. While the Uni- Armed Forces. and those who are involved with networks ted States removes some sanctions • On the 19th of September, Europe- supporting terrorism and decide to de- against Syria, international pressures an Finance Ministers formally accept, clare their activities to the competent against Syria in Lebanese and Iraqi re- as the Commission has proposed, to Algerian authorities. The project also cords intensify. The UN Commission’s give Portugal more time up to 2008 to pardons islamists who have been sen- enquiry investigation on the assassina- reduce its public deficit – which should come to 6.2% of the GDP in 2005 – un- • On the 11th of September, the Presi- which is reduced to 7 non-renewable der the 3% of GDP mark authorised by dent of the Movement for France (MPF), years. If they are approved by the le- the Stability and Growth Pact. Philippe de Villiers, announces that he gislative power, the reforms will be ap- will put himself forward in the 2007 pre- plied to the successors of the current Spain sidential elections. He will campaign Governor of the Bank of Italy, who is against the “islamisation of France”. appointed for life, Antonio Fazio, who • On the 15th of September, the Con- • On the 16th of September, the Mi- is involved in a favouritism scandal du- gress of Deputies (Lower House) intro- nister of Justice Pascal Clément, in or- ring the recovery of the ninth most im- duces new legislation, which gives the der to fight against extremist proselytism portant bank of Italy, la Banca Antove- government the approval of the legisla- in prisons, announces the nomination neta. On the 22nd of September, the tive power over all deployment of Spa- of the French Moulay el-Hassan el-Alaoui Minister of Finances, Domenico Sinis- nish troops abroad. Talibi as the first Muslim chaplain in calco, who requested Fazio’s resignation, • On the 26th of September, the most French prisons. resigns, shocked by the government’s in- important extremist islamists’ trial in • On the 19th of September, people capability of dismissing him as he da- Europe ends in Madrid with the con- hear that the former Minister of Eco- maged the Bank of Italy international re- viction of 18 Members of Al-Qaeda. nomy, Finance and Industry, Hervé Gay- putation. The Prime Minister, Silvio Appendices The Syrian Imad Eddin Barakat Yarkas, mard, will reimburse 58,894 euros to Berlusconi asks Fazio to resign and for leader of Al-Qaeda in Spain, is sentenc- the State for having rented a luxury apart- the European Central Bank to interve- ed to 27 years in prison for having or- ment in Paris, which led to his resigna- ne, but the latter replies that it has no au- ganised a meeting in Spain in July 2001 tion. thority to do so. On the same day Ber- during which the last preparations for • On the 26th of September, 9 alleged lusconi appoints the Vice-Prime Minister the terrorist attack of September the members of the Salafist Group for Prea- and former Minister of finances, Giulio

2006 11th 2001 in the United States were ching and Combat (GSPC), implied in Tremonti, to the vacant post. On the organised. Mohammed Atta, one of the the organisation of terrorist attacks in 24th of September, Tremonti, a long- Med. September the 11th kamikazes and Paris, are arrested during police raids in standing adversary of Fazio, revokes the Ramzi bin al-Shibh, a high-ranking the West and North West of the country. authority of the Governor to represent member of Al-Qaeda, took part in this Amongst these is Safe Bourada, relea- Italy within the Development Committee meeting. The other 17 people accus- sed in 2003, after having served half of of the World Bank, obliging Fazio to ed, mainly of Moroccan or Algerian ori- his sentence for his involvement in the withdraw from the meeting taking place gins, are convicted to prison with sen- 1995 Paris attacks. in Washington.

276 tences going from 6 to 11 years for • On the 27th of September, a ferry • On the 6th and 7th of September, in being part of or having helped a terro- from the National Maritime Company virtue of the new anti-terrorist legislation rist network. Corsica-Mediterranean (SNCM) is kid- introduced after the terrorist attacks in • On the 30th of September, the Par- napped in Marseille by 30 members of London in July, a Tunisian member of liament of the autonomous Community the Corsican Worker’s Union in protest the islamist cell and a Moroccan imam of Catalonia approves the constitutional against the government plan of privati- are extradited to their respective coun- statute which allows for a legal inde- sing the SNCM which is in deficit. On tries of origin. pendent system in the Catalan com- the following day, paramilitary police- munity, the right to raise taxes and to be men resume control of the ferry without Malta considered as a “nation” by 120 votes encountering any resistance. In protest, to 15. The statute will have to be ac- Trade Union Members and nationalists • On the 28th of September, the au- cepted by the National Congress of De- protest violently on the streets of Cor- thorities of Valletta organise together puties (Lower House), but the Prime sica blocking the ports of Ajaccio and with the EU British presidency, a mee- Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero Bastia as well as the airport. The port of ting gathering the representatives of the already intimated that he will not reject Marseille also experiences a block fol- European Commission, Cyprus, Italy, the statute in its entirety. lowing the General Confederation of Greece and Spain “to reinforce the ca- Labour (CGT) call for a strike. On the pacity of research and rescue in the France 29th of September, while the Prime Mi- Mediterranean region in order to redu- nister concedes that the State will keep ce human life losses”. Participants also • On the 9th of September, two Sikh 25% holdings in SNCM, trade unions are encourage Malta to sign a bilateral agre- boys are expelled from their schools in not satisfied and fear a loss of jobs. ement on this matter with the Libyan the suburbs of Paris for having refused authorities. to remove their headscarves, violating the Italy 2004 law which forbids wearing osten- Croatia tatious religious symbols in state scho- • On the 2nd of September, the Mi- ols. Despite some rare exceptions, from nisterial Cabinet approves a series of re- • On the 14th of September, the In- the start of the school year there has forms intending to improve the manag- ternational Criminal Tribunal for the For- been almost full respect of the law men- ement of the Bank of Italy and to mer Yugoslavia (ICTY) accepts to trans- tioned above. decrease its Governor term in office, fer the trial of General Rahim Ademi and of General Mirko Norac to a Croatian ween the two parties since October • On the 14th of September, the spo- Court. This is the first time that the trial 2003. Not many concrete outcomes re- kesman of the UN Secretary General, of people already indicted by the ICTY sult from this meeting, but the two par- Kofi Annan, announces the nomination is transferred to Croatia. ties commit to continue negotiations. of the Danish Michael Möller to be his • On the 20th of September, the Ge- special representative for Cyprus. Mö- neral Prosecutor of the ICTY, Carla Del Albania ller will also be the head of the UN Ponte, declares in an interview to The Force in Cyprus (UN- Daily Telegraph that general Ante Go- • On the first of September, the Cen- FICYP). He will take up his post on the tovina would be hidden in a Franciscan tral Electoral Commission (KQZ), after 30th of November. monastery in Croatia and that therefo- having verified several complaints and re- • On the 18th of September, the Pre- re the Catholic Church is protecting organised the elections in three consti- sident of the Republic of Cyprus, Tas- him. She adds that the Vatican refuses tuencies, announces the final result of the sos Papadopoulos, states in front of the to cooperate with the Tribunal. On the 3rd of July legislative elections, marking United Nations General Assembly, that 30th of September, during a visit to the victory of the centre-right opposition any progress towards the settlement of Croatia, she describes herself as being party, the Democratic Party of Albania the Cypriot affair will be difficult while the deceived of the country’s cooperation, (PDS) and its allies (80 seats out of Turkish military occupation of the Nor- despite certain positive developments. 140). The Prime Minister Fatos Nano re- thern part of the island continues and that Appendices signs describing the elections as “poli- he wishes the involvement of the Euro- Bosnia-Herzegovina tically unacceptable”, the winners as pean Union. On the 21st of Septem- “illegal” and declares that electoral vio- ber, the Turkish Minister of Foreign Af- • On the 16th of September, the Serb- lence is the basis of his defeat. Jozefi- fairs, Abdullah Gül, during his talk to the Bosnian Sredoje Lukicn, who handed na Tapoli becomes the first woman to oc- Assembly, blames the failure of the Se- himself over to the authorities of the cupy the Assembly President’s post. cretary General’s efforts to re-launch 2006 Srpska, is transferred to the ICTY, ac- The government of Sali Berisha is ap- discussions on the basis of his peace cused of crimes against humanity and of proved by the Assembly on the 10th of plan, on the intransigence of the Greek Med. violating the rules and customs of war. September. On the 12th of September, Cypriot authorities which he accuses This is in relation to his activities within the EU presidency welcomes the closing of intending to overlook the UN in their the paramilitary group “the White Ea- of the electoral process in Albania, which efforts to settle the Cypriot issues. Tur- gles”, which operated together with the marks the first pacific transfer of power key adds that there will be no recogni- military units and the Serb Bosnian po- since the fall of communism. tion of the Republic of Cyprus until a lice in the city of Visegrad between 1992 complete resolution is reached with re- 277 and 1994. Greece gards to the United Nations. • On the 29th of September, the Serb Bosnian Radovan Stankovic is transfe- • On the 8th of September, the Gre- Turkey rred from the ICTY to Sarajevo to be jud- ek border guards arrest 118 illegal im- ged by the Chamber for War Crimes in migrants, crammed on board a semi- • On the 2nd of September, the Mi- the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. trailer, along with their three alleged nister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Gül, This is the first transfer of a defendant Greek smugglers following a car chase threatens to abandon negotiations for his the ICTY carries out towards this country. near the Greek-Turkish border. country’s entry to the EU, if the EU has a different proposal other than the Serbia and Montenegro Cyprus country fully joining the Union. On the 18th of September, the Prime Minister • On the 8th of September, Prvoslav • On the first of September, the chief Recep Tayyip Erdogan asks Turkish elec- Davinic resigns from the post of Minis- of the Cypriot diplomacy, George Iaco- tors in Germany to vote in the federal ter of Defence following accusations of vou, requests a European response to elections against Angela Merkel, candi- corruption. the Turkish “provocative” declaration to- date for the opposition Party CDU, which • On the 15th of September, a Court gether with the protocol of the 29th of favours a “privileged partnership” bet- in Belgrade issues an international arrest July expanding the Turkish customs union ween the EU and Turkey, rather than its warrant against the wife of the former with the EU to the ten new state mem- entry. On the 23rd of September, the En- President of ex-Yugoslavia, Slobodan bers. With respect to this document glish Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Jack Milosevic, following her absence at her Ankara affirms that its signature does not Straw, declares his support for Turkey’s trial for corruption. entail recognition of the Cyprus Repu- entry which will help avoid a “clash of ci- • On the 16th of September, the Serb blic. On the 21st of September, after se- vilisations” and states that denying it Minister of State Administration and Lo- veral weeks of discussions, the EU of- would encourage extremist islamists. cal Self-Government, Zonar Loncar, and ficially adopts a common declaration On the 29th of September, the EU am- the Minister of Local Self-Government asking Turkey to recognise Cyprus be- bassadors in Brussels cannot reach an in Kosovo, Lutfi Haziri, meet in the Aus- fore its entry into the European block and agreement regarding Turkey’s entry ne- trian capital to discuss decentralisation. highlights that otherwise its entry ne- gotiations, as Austria demands that an This is the first high-level meeting bet- gotiations might be affected. alternative to the country’s entry be in- troduced from the beginning. Austria, banon, Col Rustum. When Mehils vi- Syrian President Bachar al-Assad me- which prefers to establish a privileged sits, the head of military intelligence and ets his Egyptian equivalent Hosni Mu- partnership with Turkey, accuses the 25 the Syrian President’s brother in law, barak in Cairo to discuss diplomatic ef- members of “double standards” becau- General Assef Chaoukat, is absent. forts intending to reduce tensions se they suspend negotiations with Cro- • During the month of September, con- between Damascus and Washington atia while they open them with Turkey. tinuing attacks in predominantly Chris- regarding Lebanese and Iraqi dossiers • On the 4th of September, the poli- tian districts of the capital increase sin- and to prevent the isolation of Syria. ce arrests 88 people following the clas- ce the assassination of Hariri. On the • On the 28th of September, exiled hes which erupted when Kurdish sepa- 25th of September, the Lebanese jour- Syrians initiate a 2 day meeting in Pa- ratists were prevented from joining a nalist and TV presenter, Mai Shidyaq is ris for the political opposition to the Da- protest rally against the isolation of the the victim of an attack in the North of Bei- mascus regime, which gathers 30 par- former Leader of Kurdistan Worker’s rut, which she will survive. A few hours ticipants and especially Kurd Syrians. Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan in a pri- earlier, she led a television debate on The meeting intends to reunite Syrian op- son on the island of Imrali. 144 sympa- Syria’s involvement in Hariri’s assassi- position and to rally the International thisers of the PKK who went to this de- nation. Community for its cause. The exiled de- monstration are assaulted by nationalists • On the 18th of September, the Ge- mand the removal of President Bachar Appendices and confrontations with the nationalists neral Commander Michel Aoun, who al-Assad from the regime without “fo- throughout the day cause hundreds of returned to Lebanon in May after a long reign intervention”, the unity of the op- injured. On the 21st of September, the exile in France, announces the trans- position, the creation of an independent PKK extends his unilateral ceasefire of formation of the Free Patriotic Move- judicial system, the freedom of press a month up to the 3rd of October, the ment, in a political party for “change and political pluralism in Syria. date when Turkey’s joining negotiations and reform”.

2006 with the European Union are due to Jordan start. Despite the ceasefire, 45 soldiers Syria Med. are killed during the month during a con- • On the 3rd of September, the Jor- frontation with the PKK and the Turkish • On the first of September, on the in- danian security forces arrest three mem- Army and the People’s Defence Force itiative of the International Committee bers of the islamist organisation Hizb (HPG). of the Red Cross (ICRC) and of the ut-Tahrir, whose leaders have encoura- • On the 23rd of September, the Eu- United Nations Disengagement Obser- ged hatred against Arab governments ropean Commission condemns the de- ver Force in the heights of Golan (UN- and have praised Iraqi rebels.

278 cision of a court in Istanbul preventing DOF), some 486 Sheiks from the Dru- • On the 7th of September, a survey a conference from taking place in two ze community, living in the occupied on the way Jordanians perceive the ap- universities on the Armenians massa- Golan, go to Damascus and stay four plication of democracy in their country cre under the Ottoman Empire betwe- days in Syria. carried out by the Centre for Strategic en 1919 and 1923. The ban is finally lif- • During the month of September, Studies of the University of Jordan (CSS) ted and the conference takes place in pressures against Syria increase with between the 26th of August and the a third university. regards to the assassination of the for- 1st of September, shows a general op- mer Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al- timistic atmosphere on the progress of Lebanon Hariri and concerning American and Ira- the level of liberties during this past qi accusations that Syria does not year. • On the first of September, Detlev cooperate enough to put an end to the • On the 22nd of September, two Jor- Mehlis, head of the UN Enquiry Com- Iraqi insurrection. On the 10th of Sep- danians Moussa Khedr Ramadan and mission on the assassination of the tember, the Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Mondher Mahmoud Saada, amongst former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri al-Jaafari demands the closure of the which one was extradited by Syria, are in February, announces he suspects northern part of his border with Syria brought before the court for having or- Major-General Jamil Sayyed, Brigadier- and imposes a curfew in the region next ganised anti-American attacks in Jor- General Ali al-Hajj, Brigadier-General to the Rabiaa frontier post. On the 15th dan and for having attempted to join the Raymond Azar and Brigadier-General of September, in a statement at Syria’s Iraqi insurrection. Mustafa Hamdan, four high-ranking Le- embassy in Washington, Syria says it is banese officials currently detained in ready to cooperate with the American Egypt Beirut, of having played a role in plan- and Iraqi authorities to bring back se- ning the attack. On the 3rd of Septem- curity and stability. On the 19th of Sep- • On the 7th of September, the Presi- ber, the magistrate Elias Id issues arrest tember, Americans organise a multilateral dent in power Mohammed Hosni Mu- warrants against 4 people, known to meeting within the United Nations, with barak is elected with approximately 87% have links with Syria. On the 12th of the intention of isolating Damascus more of votes to his sixth consecutive 5 year September, Mehlis and his team go to on the international scene. On the 23rd term in office; these elections will go Syria, where they interrogate amongst of September, Syria imputes the infil- down in history as the first multi-party others, the major-general Ghazi Ka’an trations of rebels in Iraq to the United system Presidential elections. The elec- and the head of Syrian intelligence in Le- States. On the 25th of September, the toral participation is only of 23% (the re- forming movement Kifaya called for a tion of Africa to this forum on a techni- terrorist and anti-criminal purposes. On boycott) and the Presidential Electoral cal level. the 21st of September, the Commis- Commission refused to authorise NGOs sioner Frattini presents a compromise to monitor the election, violating a court Algeria proposal, rising the compulsory period decision. On the 27th of September, for withholding telephonic data to 12 President Mubarak takes an oath and de- • On the 29th of September, 97.37% months and emails to 6 months. clares in front of the Assembly that he of Algerian electors approve via refe- • On the 13th of September, the Eu- will engage upon the path of reforms rendum the “Charter for peace and Na- ropean Community Court of Justice and national unity. tional Reconciliation” elaborated by Pre- (ECCJ) decides that the European Com- • On the 14th of September, Israel, sident Abdelaziz Bouteflika and made munity (EC), with the support of the Eu- Egypt, Jordan and the Palestinian Au- public in August. According to Algerian ropean Parliament (EP), has the right thority meet in Urgada and commit to co- television, electoral participation goes to ask member states to apply Europe- operate in promoting tourism projects to- up to 81.77%, figures put in doubt by an directives through National criminal gether. This meeting is particularly human rights NGOs and some Alge- law. Even though the ECCJ decision dedicated to encouraging regional tou- rian journalists. According to the Wes- concerns environmental Directives, it is rism, consulting tourism operators, co- tern press, participation in the region of intended to establish an EC general ordinating security and facilitating con- Kabylia is very poor and reflects a re- competency, which will enable the en- Appendices ditions for granting visas. jection of the Charter by the Berber mi- forcement of all European legislation nority. through criminal law and establish pe- Libya nalties for non conformity. The United Morocco Kingdom declares that this only applies • On the first of September, on occa- to domains in which the EC already has sion of the 36th anniversary of the rev- • On the 29th of September, 5 Sub- many competencies, such as the envi- 2006 olution which brought Colonel Gad- saharians Africans die and another 100 ronment and the internal market, and dafi to power in 1969, Libyan authorities are injured as attempting to get over that many member states oppose to an Med. grant an amnesty to 1,675 prisoners, the fence marking the border between harmonisation of criminal law. of which 500 are foreign, who are ser- Morocco and the Spanish enclave of • On the 27th of September, Presi- ving sentences for minor offences. Ceuta. On the same day the Spanish go- dent Durao Barroso and the Industry • On the 28th of September, Presi- vernment announces the deployment of and Enterprise Commissioner, Günter dent George Bush lifts some of the 500 soldiers in both the Spanish en- Verheugen, decide that a third of legal weapon restrictions in Libya. claves of Ceuta and Melilla. On the 30th proposals currently discussed in Euro- 279 of September, the Spanish television pean Institutions will be withdrawn be- Tunisia announces that 5 Africans died follo- cause of their possible negative effects wing injuries caused by Moroccan shoot- on competitiveness, growth and em- • On the 5th of September, Tunisian ings. ployment. The proposals are withdrawn Justice suspends the opening of the Tu- with the intention of launching the “Lis- nisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) European Union bon Strategy” as a response to the sixth conference, due on the 9th and French and Dutch rejection of the Eu- 11th of September, also banning any • On the first of September, the Com- ropean Constitution. preparatory activity. A “political decision missioner for Justice, Freedom and Se- • On the 25th September, the French under a judiciary guise” according to curity, Franco Frattini, reveals a packa- Minister of Home Affairs and Regional Me Mokhtar Trifi, the President of the ge of proposals regarding political Development, Nicolas Sarkozy, propo- League. asylum and immigration, which are in- ses to unify France, Italy, Germany, Po- • On the 13th of September, the Tu- tended to implement the priorities of the land, Spain and the United Kingdom in nisian Minister of Development and In- Hague programme (November 2004) a “group of six “ most populated coun- ternational Cooperation, Mohamed Nou- at European and National levels. tries which would act as a “ new engine ri Jouini, and the Director of the French Amongst these proposals there are com- of Europe” in order to escape from the Development Agency (AFD), Joël Dali- mon regulations for the return of illegal current inertia. gault sign a financing convention rela- immigrants and of those who have not ted to projects safeguarding the Medi- received the status of political refugees terranean. This is in line with the and a vigorous integration of legal im- October 2005 Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) im- migrants, including an allegiance to the plemented by the UN. EU and its laws. The EU opens entry negotiations with • On the 28th and 29th of September • On the 8th of September, Ministers Croatia and Turkey, where the Kurdis- in Tunis, the African Development Bank of Justice and Internal Affairs tear each tan Worker’s Party (PKK) announces organises the first regional meeting for other apart when deciding the length the end of its ceasefire. The European technical preparation to the 4th World of the compulsory period for withhol- Commission, confronted with the French Water Forum, whose objective is to co- ding telephonic and other types of data and The Netherlands’ rejection of the ordinate the contribution and participa- by telecommunication services for anti- European Constitution, launches its “plan D”. Still in Europe, the French su- American tanks in Iraq, a magistrate of viction of 38 of the 47 politicians and bu- burbs explode following the death of the National Court of Madrid issues sinessmen on the dock, amongst which two young immigrants, which reflects a arrest warrants against three American the former ministers Michel Giraud, Mi- profound social unrest within the French soldiers. The judge Santiago Pedraz chel Roussin and Guy Drut. society. During the month of October, Gomez describes the attack on the ho- • On the 28th of October, following the the avian flu H5N1 reaches Europe. In tel which provided accommodation for death by electrocution of two young Kosovo, the UN Security Council in- 130 journalists, as a crime against the Muslims wanted by the police, a riot itiates negotiations establishing the fu- international community. breaks out within the young Arab po- ture status of Kosovo. In the Near-East, pulation in the Parisian suburb of Clichy- international pressures on Syria conti- France sous-Bois. During the following nights nue, as the UN Enquiry Commission the riots extend to other suburbs and be- on the assassination of the former Pri- • On the 4th of October, during the po- come more and more violent, setting me Minister Rafiq al-Hariri, presents its lice raids in Montargis, 4 people sus- cars and public buildings on fire. The preliminary report. In Egypt, the oppo- pected of being members of the group riots intensify after a tear gas grenade sition organises itself within a “National Ansar al-Fath, a branch of the Algerian was set off by the police in the hall of a Front for Political and Constitutional Salafist Group for Preaching and Com- mosque on the 30th of October. At the Appendices Change” in view of the legislative elec- bat (GSPC), are arrested and two of end of the month of October, there have tions due at the end of the year. In them are placed under judicial enquiry been 50 arrests and 30 injured police- Maghreb, the Tunisian government fa- on the 7th of October. On the 9th and men in total. On the 31st of October, the ces increasing internal and external 10th of October, two convicted islamist Minister of Home Affairs, Nicolas Sar- pressures demanding respect of free- militants, Djamel Louanouci and Abde- kozy, reinforces the presence of the po- dom of association and expression. Six rrahmane Sellem, are deported to Al- lice in the sensitive suburbs and decla-

2006 subsaharian immigrants die while at- geria. res he will apply a “zero tolerance” policy tempting to infiltrate the Spanish en- • On the 4th of October, 1 million pu- against the rioters who he describes as Med. clave of Melilla while the EU condemns blic and private workers go on strike to “scum”. These proposals attract the crit- Morocco for expelling the illegal immi- protest against the government’s eco- icisms of left-wing parties and of the le- grants in the desert without resources. nomic policies which intend to make aders of Muslim communities, who call the small businesses working contracts for confronting the underlying causes Portugal more flexible and against the govern- of this revolt, amongst which are unem- ment privatisation plans. On the 28th ployment, social exclusion and police

280 • On the 17th of October, the Minis- of October, the government launches brutality. ter of Finance Fernando Teixeira unveils the partial privatisation (15%) of the a strict budget for 2006, reducing pu- company France Electricity. The Socia- Italy blic expenses by 1.7 billion euros, in or- list Party (PS) promises to renationalise der to decrease the public deficit to EDF when it returns to power. On the • On the 6th of October, the Senate 4.8% of the GDP. Portugal, which for 27th of October, the government an- accepts the reforms limiting the Bank of 2005 has an estimated public deficit of nounces that the plan of privatising 30- Italy Governor’s term in office to 7 non- 6.2%, violates the EU Pact of Stability 35% of the nuclear energy company renewable years, these reforms, howe- and Growth which it has to be in line with Areva is postponed. ver, will only apply to Fazio’s successors. by the end of 2008 as it is subject to • On the 13th of October, the strike On the 10th of October, the Governor sanctions. against the privatisation of the National of the bank of Italy, Antonio Fazio, sus- Maritime Company Corsica-Mediterra- pected of favouritism in the recovery of Spain nean (SNCM) ends following a nego- the Italian bank Antoveneta, declares tiated agreement which sees the go- that it was his “institutional duty” to fa- • On the 3rd of October, in the South vernment keeping 25% of shares and the vour the recovery of Italian banks through West of the country, the French police employers receiving 9%; the two toge- a national bank rather than a foreign arrests 3 suspected members of the ther have the possibility to form a bloc- one. On the 18th of October, in protest Basque terrorist group ETA, amongst king minority. to Fazio’s refusal to resign, the parliamen- which are Harriet Aguirre Garcia, the • On the 14th of October, a court in tary opposition leaves the parliament as alleged number two in the military system Lyon sentences the radical imam Chirane Fazio was speaking to them regarding of ETA and Idoia Mendizabal Mugica, Abdelkader Bouziane to 6 months of the 2006 budget. suspected of being responsible for a prison and fines him 2,000 euros for • On the 13th of October, the Cham- car bomb attack in 2002, in Spain. encouraging violence against women in ber of Deputies (Lower House) appro- • On the 19th of October, after Spain his book. A court acquitted him in June. ves a controversial electoral reform bill twice asked the American government Bouziane declares he will appeal. reintroducing the complete proportio- in vain for an explanation of the death cir- • On the 26th of October, the trial for nal representation before the legislative cumstances of the Spanish cameraman the secret financing of the Rally for the elections of April 2006. The parties of José Manuel Couso Permuy, killed du- Republic (RPR), when Jacques Chirac centre-left, who have boycotted the vote, ring the bombing of his hotel near the was major of Paris, ends with the con- declare that this reform would discrimi- nate against the small centre-left parties Croatia Serbia and Montenegro that would not obtain enough votes to win a seat. They also state that this is an • On the 3rd of October, the EU • On the 4th of October, the United attempt of the Prime Minister Silvio Ber- Council accepts to open entry nego- Nations special envoy, Kai Eide, pre- lusconi, to maintain his coalition in po- tiations with Croatia, following the In- sents his global report on the status of wer. ternational Criminal Tribunal for the For- the Province of Kosovo to the United • On the 15th of October, the former mer Yugoslavia’s (ICTY) recognition of Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Vice-Prime Minister, Marco Follini, re- Zagreb’s cooperation with them. The In his report he criticises Kosovo’s pro- signs as leader of the Union of Christian opening negotiations were put back 7 visional government of Albanian origins, and Centre Democrats (UCD), in pro- months. for not having worked enough to rein- test to the nomination of the Prime Mi- • On the 11th of October, in the ICTY force interethnic tolerance in the legal nister Berlusconi as candidate of the starts the trial of three Serb generals system. The report congratulates the current coalition in power for the elec- from the Yugoslavian People Army, ac- establishment of economic and go- tions of April 2006. On the 27th of Oc- cused of crimes against humanity and vernmental structures. On the 24th of tober, Lorenza Cesa replaces Follini as violations of rights and the customs of October, the Security Council follows the head of the UCD. war for the execution of 300 people in report’s recommendation to open ne- • On the 30th of October, Berlusconi the city of Vukovar, on the 18th of No- gotiations on the future status of Koso- Appendices declares in an interview that he at- vember in 1991. vo. Annan announces the nomination of tempted several times to dissuade the the former Finnish President, Martti Ah- American President G. W. Bush from in- Bosnia-Herzegovina tisaari as its special envoy to conduct ne- vading Iraq. gotiations. • On the 5th of October, the Bosnian • On the 7th of October, Serb autho-

Malta tribunal for war crimes announces its ex- rities convict 5 former members of the 2006 pectation of an increase in the number paramilitary police, known under the • On the 4th of October, the National of trials concerning the Srebrenica mas- name of the “Scorpions”, for the murder Med. Republican Alliance (ANR), an extreme sacre. This is after the result of a two of 6 Muslims from Srebrenica in July right party, organises an anti-immigration year long investigation; a list containing 2005. This is the first trial held in Ser- demonstration gathering hundreds of the names of over 19,000 Serb Bosnian bia concerning the Srebrenica massa- people together against what they des- soldiers, policemen and officials sus- cre. On the 27th of October, 9 Serb cribe as a “silent invasion”. On the 9th pected of being involved in the massa- policemen are arrested for the assassi- of October, the Maltese authorities call cre is sent over by the Commission nation of 48 civilians of Albanian origins 281 on partners to provide urgent assist- from the Srpska Republic (Serb entity in the city of Suva Reka in Kosovo, who- ance to manage the problem of illegal im- in Bosnia). se bodies were found in 2001. migrants on the island, which the Minister • On the 18th of October, the Bosnian • On the 7th of October, President of Justice and Internal Affairs, Tonio legislative power introduces a reorga- Svetovar Marovic appoints Zoran Stan- Borg, describes as humanitarian crisis. nisation plan for the police force, which kovic as Minister of Defence. On the is divided according to ethnicity. In this 21st of October, the legislative power Slovenia way, the government fulfils one of the key approves this nomination. requirements for the opening of nego- • On the 10th of October, the EU and • On the 15th of October, during a tiations for a Stabilisation and Associa- Serbia and Montenegro formally open Congress of the Liberal Democratic tion Agreement with the EU. On the fo- negotiations on the Stabilisation and Party of Slovenia (LDS), opposition party llowing day, the European Enlargement Association Agreement, first step to- of the centre-left, Jelko Kacin, former Commissioner, Olli Rehn, advises to wards joining the Union. The Enlarge- Minister of Defence and currently mem- open negotiations. ment Commissioner, Olli Rehn, warns ber of the European Parliament, is elec- • On the 26th of October, the procu- the country that negotiations could be ted as President of the party. rators of the International Criminal Tri- suspended at any time if it does not fully bunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) cooperate with the ICTY. Albania announce the conclusion of an agree- ment with the Bosnian Croatian Ivica Macedonia • On the 3rd of October, the Prime Rajic, suspected of having directed the Minister Sali Berisha approves the no- Croatian Defence Council’s militia res- • On the 26th of October, during a mination of Saimir Kodra as General ponsible for the death of 16 Muslims in meeting in the White House marking Inspector of the State Intelligence Ser- 1993, in the village of Stupni Do. In ex- the 10th anniversary of bilateral rela- vice (SIS). change for a combined sentence going tions, George W. Bush congratulates • On the 9th of October, the mayor of from 12 to 15 years, Rajic pleads guilty the Macedonian Prime Minister Vlado Tirana is elected as President of the to premeditated assassination, inhuman Buckovski for the country’s efforts com- Socialist Party of Albania (PSS), follo- treatment, appropriation of property and mitted to join NATO and the European wing the resignation of the former Pri- mass destruction, all crimes not linked Union and thanks him for Skopje strong me Minister Fatos Nano in September. to any military need. support in the war against terrorism. Greece • On the 9th of October, Richard Ho- his house. According to the official Syrian witt, member of the European Parlia- Press Agency, he committed suicide. A • On the 17th of October, Greece ment delegation which went to visit to few hours before his death, he contac- becomes the first country in the EU to Turkey to check its progress in terms of ted a Lebanese radio station and ad- be affected by the avian flu H5N1, af- human rights, declares to have become mitted he has been interrogated by the ter some tests were carried out on the acquainted with shocking reports con- United Nations Enquiry Commission on island of Oinouses, near the Turkish cerning murders, extrajudicial execu- the death of the former Prime Minister coast. tions and mutilations carried out by the Rafiq al-Hariri and that he has not pro- army against people suspected of vided them with any information against Cyprus sympathising with Kurdish separatists. the Syrian state. On the 16th of Octo- • On the 10th of October, the EU ber, confronted with international pres- • On the 16th of October, the Greek blocks all imports of live birds and fe- sures, the Syrian opposition, traditio- Cypriot centre right Party United De- athers originating from Turkey. On the nally divided, issues the “Declaration on mocrats, elects Mikhalis Papapetrou as 13th of October, the Commissioner for Damascus” requesting the end of the President. Papapetrou criticises the go- Health and Consumer Protection, Mar- state of emergency and to hold a national vernment’s policy concerning the reu- kos Kyprianou, confirms that the Avian conference for democratic reforms. A Appendices nification of the island and declares that flu Symptoms detected on the first of great number of opposition activists the objective of his party will be to cre- October in the city of Kiziksa on the support this declaration, amongst which ate a common front including all those North West coast of the Aegean sea, human right defenders, communists, wishing for the reunification of the island. definitely are of the H5N1 variation Kurdish nationalists, exiled Syrians and which has already killed 60 people in the Muslim Brothers. Turkey Asia. As a precaution, from the first of

2006 October the government killed thou- Lebanon • On the 4th of October, following a sands of birds and placed the region un- Med. two day long emergency meeting, the EU der quarantine. On the 18th of October, Lebanese au- Ministers of Foreign Affairs open entry • On the 14th of October, 90 years af- thorities seek the former Secret Servi- negotiations with Turkey. These nego- ter the Armenian genocide, the French ces Syrian agent, Zuhair Mohammed al- tiations which have to last between 10 Insurance Company AXA, indemnifies Siddiq, regarding the assassination of the and 15 years do not give any guarantee some of the descendants of the 1.5 mil- former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri. On of membership and will be suspended lion victims of the Armenian genocide the 20th of October, the leader of the

282 if Turkey violates the European criteria who had taken out a life insurance with United Nations Commission Enquiry on concerning human rights. Austria and AXA. the death of Hariri, Detlev Mehlis, pre- France promise to their citizens to or- • On the 24th of October, in Eskise- sents his preliminary report to the Se- ganise a referendum regarding Turkey’s hir, the trial starts of four policemen ac- cretary General of the United Nations, entry and the Greek part of Cyprus threa- cused of having killed a Kurdish child Kofi Annan, in which he criticises Syria tens to use its veto at different stages with his father who, according to some for its lack of cooperation and for the pro- of negotiations. On the 6th of October, relatives were disarmed and not con- bable implication of high ranking Syrians Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK), which nected to the Kurdish rebel groups the in the murder of Hariri. He adds that the is banned in Turkey, announces the end police were chasing at the time. This decision to kill Hariri could not have ta- of its unilateral ceasefire, which it ex- trial, which represents a test for Tur- ken place without the agreement of high tended up to the 3rd of October. The key’s recent human rights reforms, is ranking Syrians from the Intelligence PKK accuses the EU of ignoring Kurdish finally adjourned after the litigant party Services and without the complicity of requests and declares that the opening leaves the tribunal in protest against the their equivalents in the Lebanese Secret of entry negotiations with Turkey turns police’s refusal to allow NGOs in to Services. Syria denounces the report the Kurdish problem into a European observe the trial. and the Syrian Minister of Information, issue. During the month of October, 57 Mahdi Dakhlallah, describes the report soldiers and 24 rebels die in clashes Syria as not being very professional. A pole- between the Turkish Army, the PKK and mic breaks out as it becomes clear that the People’s Defence Force (HPG) in • Throughout the month of October, several names of high ranking Syrians Eastern Turkey. the United States increasingly pressu- have been erased from the public ver- • On the 7th of October, a court in rise the Syrian President Bashar al-As- sion of the report. Amongst these is that Istanbul condemns the Turkish journa- sad regarding the assassination of the of the Syrian President Bashar al-As- list of Armenian origins, director of Agos former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri and sad’s brother in law, who is also the newspaper, Hrant Dink, to six months the Syrian lack of cooperation to fight current leader of Syrian Secret Services suspended sentence for “having in- against the insurrection in Iraq. On the and that of General Asef Shawkat who sulted and weakened Turkish identity 12th of October, the Minister of Home would have forced Ahmed Abu Addas in the media” in relation with articles Affairs and former leader of the Syrian to claim responsibility for the attack as published in 2004 on Armenian iden- Intelligence Services in Lebanon, Major well as that of the Syrian President’s tity. General Ghazi Kan’an, is found dead at brother, also leader of the Presidential Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Maher al- tional Front for Political and Constitu- of November. The Ministers of Foreign Assad. The report also accuses the Vice tional Change” in view of the legislati- Affairs of the 11 member countries Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign ve elections in November and Decem- (Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Por- Affairs, Farouk al-Shara, of providing the ber. The front is coordinated by the tugal, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt investigators with false information. On former Prime Minister Atef Sidqi, Pre- and Turkey) informally approach the is- the 23rd of October, the Lebanese po- sident of the National Rally for Demo- sues of security and stability in the Med- lice accuse Mahmoud Abdel-Al, a mem- cratic Change. This coalition consists of iterranean region and their consequen- ber of the Pro-Syrian Sunnite group, 10 parties, of which three are currently ces, such as the fight against terrorism arrested the day before in France and represented in the Assembly (unica- and illegal immigration. On top of poli- who, according to the report, had pho- meral): the New Wafd Party, the Arab tical issues, they discuss the Euro-Me- ned the Lebanese President Emile La- Democratic Nasserian Party and the diterranean economic partnership and houd a few minutes before the attack. On National Progressive Unionist Party (Ta- the ways to consolidate the importance the 31st of October, the United Nations jammu). The Centre Party (al Wasat), of investments. They decide to put the Security Council introduces resolution considered by many to be a branch of immigration issue, which demands a 1636 (2005) which drops the threat of the Muslim Brothers as well as the Wor- global approach, at the centre of the economic sanctions against Syria (a kers Party and the Dignity Party that Euro-Mediterranean summit in Barce- Russian requirement amongst others), have not received an official status as lona in November. Appendices but requests Syria to arrest everyone political parties, are also part of the • On the 14th of October, the special involved in the assassination. The Coun- Front. The Muslim Brothers and the Ki- reporter on the promotion and protec- cil threatens to take further unspecified faya movement are also members but tion of the right to freedom of opinion measures if Syria fails to cooperate with will not present a candidate. The Al- and expression of the UN Human Rights Mehlis, who finds himself given the sig- Ghad Party, whose candidate came se- Commission, Ambeyi Ligabo, asks Tu- nificant authority of accessing the evi- cond in the presidential elections in nis in a statement to free all opinion 2006 dence amongst other responsibilities. September, has not joined the Front and press prisoners and to allow full because of the internal conflict within the exercise of freedom of opinion and ex- Med. Jordan party which broke out between the sup- pression in the country. On the 18th of porters of the Party leader Ayman Nur October, eight association and oppo- • On the first of October, at the end of and the followers of Mustafa Musa, the sition party leaders start an unlimited a meeting in Amman between the Iraqi second of the Party. Nur accuses Musa hunger strike to protest against the vio- Minister of Home Affairs Bayane Baqer of being supported by President Hos- lations of human rights in Tunisia. Stri-

Solagh and his Jordanian equivalent ni Mubarak’s Party, the National De- kers demand freedom of association, 283 Aouni Yervas, the two countries sign an mocratic Party. freedom of the press, the release of agreement protocol establishing coo- • On the 19th of October, the go- political prisoners, islamists, net sur- peration to ensure security at their com- vernment announces the construction fers, young people unjustly accused of mon border and to fight against terrorism of a wall around the seaside resort of terrorism as well as the release of the and organised crime. Sharm-el-Sheikh, targeted by a terrorist dissenting lawyer Mohamed Abbou and • On the 19th and 20th of October, the attack in July, in order to control the en- the introduction of a general amnesty European Union External Relations Com- tries and exits well. law. Approximately one hundred politi- missioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, goes cal personalities and opponents decla- to Jordan where she meets King Abdu- Libya re their support to the hunger strikers, llah II and the Vice-Prime Minister Mar- who were visited by American and Eu- wan Muasher in order to discuss setting • On the 18th of October, Libya signs ropean diplomats. On the 19th of Oc- up a Jordanian National reform plan as a memorandum with the United King- tober, Tunisian authorities accuse the well as a EU-Jordan action plan with re- dom in order to facilitate the deporta- strikers of attempting to manipulate the gards to the European Neighbourhood tion of terrorist suspects towards Lib- international public opinion and to fal- Policy (ENP). ya, which promises to not torture or sify Tunisian realities. On the 29th and • On the 23rd of October, 5 islamists execute Libyans deported by the Uni- 30th of October, approximately 200 are condemned to sentences going from ted Kingdom. people in Tunisia, take part to the hun- 3 to 5 years in prison each for a plot in- ger strike and to solidarity sit-ins with tending to attack Israeli tourists in the Tunisia the eight strikers. Hashemite Kingdom. An activist party • On the 28th of October, in a decla- member of a group named Islamic Jihad • On the first and 2nd of October, the ration made during a preparatory meet- has been trained in Syria and Lebanon. 12th ministerial session of the countries ing of the United Nations World Sum- members of the Mediterranean Forum mit on the Information Society, the Egypt (1994) is held in Hammamet and pre- European Union, the United States and sided by Tunisia during 2005, mainly a dozen Western countries asked Tuni- • On the 8th of October, the opposi- intending to prepare the summit of the sia to grant freedom of expression and tion leaders announce that they have re- 10th anniversary of the Barcelona Pro- to allow the access of independent me- grouped as a new coalition, the “Na- cess, planned for the 27th and the 29th dia to this conference. Algeria • On the 13th of October, in the con- Al-Qaeda leader in Iraq claimed res- text of the French and the Netherlands’ ponsibility. In Algeria, the partial elec- • On the 3rd of October, the Algerian rejection of the European Constitution, tions in Kabylia put an end to over three President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, embarks the European Commission (EC) laun- years of crisis. In the context of the on ensuring that the measures of the ches its “Plan D” which intends to en- World Summit on the Information So- charter for “peace and national recon- courage a democratic debate and dia- ciety (WSIS) taking place in Tunis, hu- ciliation” are rapidly implemented as the logue in the entire Union regarding the man rights organisations mobilise to charter has just been approved by the EU’s future. denounce violations of freedom of as- referendum. • On the 23rd of October, a Southern sociation and expression in Tunisia. • On the 9th of October, the islamists American parrot dies of avian flu in the The Syrian President accuses Leba- of the Salafist Group for Preaching and United Kingdom. On the 25th of Octo- non of conspiring against Syria, while Combat (GSPC) cut two people’s thro- ber, the European Commission bans all the UN Enquiry Commission on the ats in Eastern Algeria. imports of live birds kept in captivity ex- assassination of the former Lebanese cept for chickens. Moreover, State Mem- Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hariri receives Morocco bers are asked to do everything possi- Syria’s approval to interrogate 6 Syrian ble to avoid contact between domestic officials in Geneva. In Europe, as riots Appendices • At the beginning of October, hun- chickens and wild birds in areas at risk have spread on such a large scale in the dreds of Subsaharians attempt to tres- such as nature reserves for fear that French suburbs, the French govern- pass across the three meter high bor- Asian migratory birds bring the virus to ment declares a state of urgency and der barriers which separate the Spanish Europe. The EC also supervises natio- sends back convicted rioters of foreign enclave of Melilla from Morocco. On the nal emergency plans, in case the virus nationality. The EU opens negotiations 6th of October, 6 African immigrants H5N1 mutates into a form that can be on a Stabilisation and Association Agre-

2006 die while over 400 candidates for im- transmitted to humans. ement with Bosnia-Herzegovina, whi- migration attempt to enter Melilla. The • On the 25th of October, the 25 mem- le the European Commission, in its fo- Med. Moroccan Security Services claim to bers and 8 countries from the South East llow-up report of future enlargements, have acted in self defence when con- of Europe sign an Energy Community criticises the slowness of political re- fronted with the immigrants’ violent as- Treaty creating the context for an inte- forms as well as the human rights si- sault and their arrest of 290 Africans. On grated energy market. This has the effect tuation in Turkey. the 10th of October, Morocco starts to of extending the domestic energy market send back immigrants to Mali and Se- to the whole Balkan region. The countries Portugal

284 negal by plane. On the 10th of October, who are signatories of the treaty are Al- the Commissioner for Development and bania, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, • On the 11th of November, the So- Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, descri- Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia and cialist Party (PS) in power is the only bes the way in which Morocco treats Montenegro and the United Nations In- party to approve the strict budget for the certain immigrants abandoning them in terim Mission in Kosovo (MINUK). financial year 2006. The opposition par- the desert near the Algerian border, with • On the 27th of October, the leaders ties vote against describing the econo- no water or food as shocking. On the of the 25 state members hold an infor- mic growth forecasts as doubtful (1.1%) 11th of October, the Spanish and Mo- mal meeting in Hampton Court to discuss while the Organisation for Economic roccan Ministers of Foreign Affairs ask the strategic challenges globalisation has Cooperation and Development (OECD) for the organisation of a Euro-African given the EU, on the basis of a Europe- predicts a growth of 1.4% and reflation conference to approach the problem of an Commission document containing 6 from now to 2006. illegal immigration in order to establish priorities for future action: the creation of • On the 17th of November, the Cons- joint mechanisms to administrate mi- a “globalisation adjustment fund”, the titutional Court approves the request of gration floods. On the 14th of October, allocation of more resources for rese- two left-wing parties, the Democratic the Polisario announces that in the fre- arch and innovation, the development of People’s Union (UDP) and the Revolu- ed regions of the Republic of Sahraoui, a common energy policy, the fight against tionary Left Front (FER), to be disban- it found hundreds of immigrants who the decline of European Universities, a so- ded in order to convert into political as- were expelled by the Moroccan go- lution for illegal immigration and a coor- sociations. vernment. A crisis erupts between Mo- dinated response to demographic chan- rocco and Algeria concerning respon- ge. The current British EU President, Spain sibilities on illegal immigration. Tony Blair, confirms that countries rea- ched a broad agreement on how to con- • On the 4th of November, the Spanish European Union front globalisation challenges. Supreme Court condemns Arnaldo Or- tegi, leader of Batasuna (Basque sepa- • On the 11th of October, the Euro- ratist party of ETA) to a year in prison for pean Commissioner for taxation and November 2005 having called King Juan Carlos as “lea- Customs Union, László Kovács, reveals der of tortures” during a press confe- measures to fight against counterfeiting Fifty seven people die in four suicide at- rence in 2003. and swindling. tacks in Beirut, for which Zarqawi, the • On the 21st of November, the trial of 56 people accused of being part of or Mid-November, 200 public buildings and is centred on the theme of “Migra- of assisting ETA through an organisations have been vandalised, 9,000 cars have tion in the Western Mediterranean. This network which appeared legitimate starts been burnt and over 3,500 people have conference, which takes place a few in Madrid. This trial follows an enquiry been arrested so far. On the 14th of days after the events in Ceuta and Me- conducted between 1998 and 2002 by November, President Jacques Chirac lilla and while riots are still at their peak the judge Baltazar Garzón. breaks the silence and declares that the in France, is dedicated to the manage- • On the 23rd of November, the poli- government’s first priority will be to re- ment of migratory fluxes, reception, in- ce arrest 10 people suspected of pro- establish order and peace, while un- tegration and co-development. viding logistic and financial assistance derlining all along that the riots have re- • On the 30th of November, the Mi- to an Algerian radical islamist group, vealed a “profound malaise” in the French nister for Culture and for Communica- the Salafist Group for Preaching and civil society. While Chirac excludes po- tion, Renaud Donnedieu, announces the Combat (GSPC), suspected of having sitive discrimination in favour of minori- launch of the French International Infor- links with Al-Qaeda. ties, on the 16th of November Sarkozy mation Channel (CFII), which will be • From the 27th to the 28th of No- states that the riots have shown the financed by the government and is in- vember, the countries members of the need for positive measures to encoura- tended to compete with English lan- Euro-Mediterranean Partnership cele- ge the employment of minorities. On the guage international channels, namely brate the tenth anniversary of the Bar- 18th of November, the state of emer- the CNN (United States) and the BBC Appendices celona Declaration. gency, which was initially intended to (United Kingdom). • On the 28th of November, 6 African last for 12 days, is prolonged to three immigration candidates drown off the months by a parliamentary decision, star- Italy coast of the Spanish archipelago of the ting from the 21st of November. On the Canary Islands, following the capsize of 18th of November, the Minister res- • On the 11th of November, it is heard their boat. ponsible for equal opportunities, Azouz that Italian prosecutors requested the ex- 2006 Begag, requests to set up the statis- tradition of 22 CIA agents who were France tics on France’s racial and religious com- involved in the abduction of the Egyp- Med. position. On the 29th of November, in tian imam Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr • Throughout the month of November, response to pressures for more control in 2003. riots in the French suburbs intensify and over immigration, de Villepin announ- • On the 11th of November, in order on the 4th of November they spread to ces a reinforcement of the legislation to save the national airline Alitalia, the Mi- over 300 French cities that have signi- concerning immigration: a reinforced nister of Finance announces the priva- ficant minority communities. On the 4th supervision of procedures allowing ac- tisation of the company which allows 285 of November a man dies after being as- cess to territory thanks to marriage or fa- the Italian State to sell all or part of its saulted by some rioters. On the 8th of mily entry and settlement and a more ri- holdings in Alitalia and to go under the November, the Prime Minister Domini- gorous selection of students wishing to 50% mark. que de Villepin declares a state of emer- come to France to follow their pro- • On the 15th of November, the poli- gency, which confers to local prefects gramme. Following the criticism of cen- ce in Naples and Brescia arrest three Al- the power to impose curfews, issue wa- tre-right politicians that the existence of gerians suspected of being members rrants for home arrests and block access polygamous families in France is a de- of the Salafist Group for Preaching and to places which become gathering points termining factor in riots, de Villepin an- Combat (GSPC) and of planning an at- for rioters. The state of emergency also nounces a stronger implementation of tack in Italy. allows the police to arrest and detain pe- the anti-polygamy law. • On the 16th of November, the Se- ople who have not observed the curfew • On the 4th of November, a court in nate (Higher House) approves the pro- and to carry out searches during the Nanterre convicts the editor Abdelila ject of constitutional reform by 170 vo- day and at night. The state of emer- Cherifi Alaoui from the publishing hou- tes to 132, supported by the Prime gency comes with measures to fight se al Qalam to a 3-month suspended Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the Nor- unemployment and improve education sentence and is ordered to pay a fine of thern League (LN), member of the co- conditions in 750 “sensitive” suburbs 10,000 euros for having edited the anti- alition in power; this gives more auto- and with the creation of a National Semitic work “The Other Face of Israel” nomy to the 20 Italian regions. Moreover, Agency for Social Cohesion and Equal which was also forbidden from sale by the new reform transfers competencies Opportunity. On the 9th of November, the justice. On the 29th of November, to dissolve legislative power, nomina- the Minister of Home Affairs and Re- anti-racist groups launch judicial pro- te and dismiss Ministers from the Pre- gional Development, Nicolas Sarkozy ceedings against the National Front le- sident of the Republic to the Prime Mi- announces that the convicted rioters ader, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who repea- nister. Whilst supporters of the new who are not of French nationality will ted several times on the radio that Nazi law are convinced that it will lead to grea- be expelled from the country even if they gas chambers were a small detail of his- ter stability of political life, the leader have a French residence permit. In res- tory. of the centre-left opposition deplores ponse to the riots, on the 11th and 20th • On the 9th and 10th of November, this reform. In order for it to be enfor- of November the mosques of Carpen- the 4th conference of the member coun- ced, the law has to be approved by a tras and Montbéliade are set on fire. In tries of the 5+5 group is held in Paris referendum which will take place after the legislative elections on the 9th of gitive General Ante Gotovina, still wan- tary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, April 2006. ted by the ICTY. and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vuk • On the 24th of November, the Eu- Draskovic. The agreement allows NA- ropean Commission announces that it Bosnia-Herzegovina TO’s troops to freely circulate in Serbia will sue the Bank of Italy with regards to and Montenegro so that they are able to its management of recent bank mergers • On the 2nd of November, during a access their bases in Kosovo and in which have affected some Italian banks. meeting in Washington marking the 10th Bosnia, where NATO has peacekeeping • On the 25th of November, a gene- anniversary of the Dayton Agreement missions. ral strike organised by the three main tra- signature, which put an end to the 1992- • On the 15th of November, the Serb de unions in the country, in protest 1995 civil war, the three members of the government introduces a resolution against the reduction on public services collective Presidency, under American which opposes Kosovo’s independ- expenses proposed for the 2006 bud- and European pressures, agree to mo- ence and describes any other solution get, paralyses the country. dify the constitution in order to reinfor- which might be imposed as illegal and ce the federal government from now up unacceptable. On the 17th of Novem- Malta to March 2006. Whilst with the current ber, Kosovo’s legislative power intro- constitution, the power is mainly con- duces a resolution in which it declares Appendices • From the 25th to the 27th of No- centrated in two federated entities (the that it will not accept anything less than vember, the 53 Commonwealth member Sprska Republic and the Croatian-Mus- independence in the negotiations on states’ Heads of Government get toge- lim Federation) and the central govern- Kosovo’s status. In this context, on the ther in Valletta. The main issues dis- ment is weak, the American programme 21st of November, the United Nations cussed concern global trade, at the intends to maintain the two entities but special envoy for Kosovo, Martti Ahtisaari, dawn of the WTO negotiations in Hong to transfer a great part of their powers arrives in the disputed Province to es-

2006 Kong, and the fight against terrorism. to the central government. During this tablish his first diplomatic contacts in The Valletta Declaration criticises the meeting, for the first time, the three mem- sight of a final agreement on Kosovo’s Med. EU for its agricultural subsidies. bers of the collective Presidency ask status. On the 21st and 22nd of No- that the accused war criminals hand vember he meets the Albanian and Serb Slovenia themselves over to the International Cri- leaders separately before going to Ser- minal Tribunal for the Former Yugosla- bia, Macedonia and Albania. • From the 8th to the 11th of Novem- via (ICTY) at once. • On the 16th of November, the trial of ber, the Ministers of the 22 parties con- • On the 16th of November, the ICTY the former Yugoslavian President, Slo-

286 tracting to the “Convention for the Pro- acquits General Sefer Halilovic, high bodan Milosevic is adjourned for health tection of the Mediterranean Sea Against command leader of the Muslim Bosnian reasons. On the 29th of November, Mi- Pollution” (21 coastal countries and the Army wanted for the murder of 32 Cro- losevic and his lawyers oppose the at- European Union), get together in Por- atian civilians in Grabovica, in Septem- tempt of the International Criminal Tri- toroz on the initiative of the Mediterra- ber 1993. On the 18th of November, a bunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) nean Action Plan (MAP) a United Nations court in the Republic of Sprska con- to speed up the trial by separating ac- Programme for the environment. Here victs three Serb Bosnian policemen for cusations linked to the Kosovo conflict they discuss a joint report of the Euro- war crimes for the first time, in relation from those concerning the conflicts in pean Environment Agency EEA and the to the death of 6 Muslims in Prijedor, in Bosnia and Croatia. MAP, “Priority Issues in the Mediterra- March 1994. • On the 30th of November, the ICTY nean Environment”. This report reviews • On the 21st of November, the Uni- recognises Fatmir Limaj and Isak Mus- the existing and emergent pollution pro- ted Nations Security Council introdu- liu, commanders of the Kosovo Libera- blems in the region painting a very som- ces Resolution 1639 (2005), which tion Army (UCK), as not guilty of the bre picture. confirms the United Nations support to accusations they were charged with, the Dayton agreement and gives a 12- which related to the crimes in Kosovo in Croatia month mandate to the Stabilisation For- 1998, and orders their release. On the ce lead by the EU (EUFOR), formed in other hand, Haradin Bala, another UCK • On the first of November, the Inter- November 2004 in succession of the commander, guard in the prison of La- national Criminal Tribunal for the For- NATO’s Stabilisation Force (SFOR). pusnik is recognised guilty of tortures, mer Yugoslavia (ICTY) officially transfers • On the 25th of November, the ne- cruel treatments and murder and is sen- the trial of General Rahim Ademi and of gotiations with the EU on a Stabilisation tenced to 13 years in prison. General Mirko Norac to a Croatian Court. and Association Agreement formally This is the first time that trials of people begin. Macedonia already convicted by the ICTY are trans- ferred to Croatia. Serbia and Montenegro • On the 9th of November, the Com- • On the 22nd of November, the Gre- missioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn, ek Supreme Court approves the extra- • On the 4th of November, the legis- declares that the European Commis- dition of the Croatian Hrvoje Petrac, lative power approves an agreement sion has recommended granting Mace- considered to be a close ally of the fu- signed in July between NATO’s Secre- donia the candidate country status for EU membership, without giving a date tant prerequisite for joining the EU. On ordinary people do not have much chan- for the opening of negotiations all at the 23rd of November, the Commissio- ce of receiving a fair trial in Turkey. On once. The Greek Ministry of Foreign Af- ner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn, asks Tur- the 18th of November, the Turkish edi- fairs welcomes the inclusion in the po- key to ratify and implement the Ankara tor Fatih Tas declares that the govern- litical criteria of the need to resolve the protocol, which would allow the expan- ment searched his publishing house issue of the name “Macedonia”. sion of its current customs union with the Aram Publisher for having marketed a EU to the ten new EU member states, book that criticised Turkish identity, the Greece including the Republic of Cyprus and to State, the army as well as the founder abolish the restrictions imposed to Gre- of the republic, Kemal Atatürk. • On the 2nd of November, 12 illegal ek Cypriot boats disembarking in Turkish • On the 16th of November, the Prime immigrants die in the shipwreck of their ports. Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan boy- boat, as they were crossing a narrow • On the 9th of November, a bomb cotts a press conference with the Da- bottleneck between the port of Cesme explodes in the bookshop of a convic- nish Prime Minister, after he rejected, in (Turkey) and the Greek island of Chios. ted member of PKK, in the Kurdish city name of freedom of expression, the Tur- On the 18th of November, the Greek co- of Semdinli, causing one death and 12 kish request to ban the pro-Kurdish te- ast guards arrest 122 illegal immigrants injured. Protests break out after the three levision channel Roj-TV in Denmark, on the island of Cythère (South West), people responsible for the attack are which according to Turkey supports the Appendices where they had recently disembarked. arrested and identified as police intelli- PKK. • From the 18th to the 20th of No- gence agents, inducing fear of the return • On the 19th November, the police vember, the representatives of 77 com- of extrajudicial assassinations by the se- arrests a father and his son in the city munist and labour parties from 65 coun- curity forces, carried out at the beginning of Konya, suspected of being members tries get together in Athens to debate on of the 90’s. At least 28 soldiers and 7 of Al-Qaeda.

“modern tendencies of capitalism and Kurd rebels are killed during clashes 2006 the alternative communist solution”. between the army and the People’s De- Syria fence Force (HPG) together with the Med. Cyprus PKK during the course of the month. • On the 2nd of November, in order to • On the 10th of November, the Hu- mark the Muslim celebration of the Aïd • On the 21st of November, Dervis man Rights European Court, which does al-Fitr day (the end of Ramadan), Pre- Eroglu, leader of the main centre right not consider the Turkish ban on wearing sident Bashar al-Assad grants amnesty opposition party, the National Unity Party the islamic headscarf in universities in or- to 190 political prisoners, amongst which

(UBP), resigns to leave his place to der to preserve the secular character are opinion prisoners, including the hu- 287 younger people. of academic institutions as a human man rights lawyer Mohammed Ra’dun, • On the 24th of November, authorities rights violation, rejects the appeal of the leader of the Arab Human Rights Or- of the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic student Leyla Sahin, expelled from the ganisations in Syria, imprisoned since of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) start to dis- university of Istanbul in 1998 for wea- May. mantle the roadblock which divided the ring the headscarf. • On the 7th of November, Syria con- capital Nicosia for 40 years. On the 28th • On the 12th of November, the Pro- firms that the Enquiry Commission on the of November, while the Greek authori- European Democratic Society Move- assassination of the Prime Minister Ra- ties on the island gave the authorisation ment (DTH) lead by Leyla Zana, regis- fiq al-Hariri summoned 6 Syrian offi- for reopening, they change opinion on ters with the Minister of Home Affairs as cials, without specifying their names. the pretext that the TRNC forces were a political party under the name of De- According to the Arab newspaper ba- advancing beyond the ceasefire line. mocratic Society Party (DTP). On the sed in London, Al-Hayat, these people 19th of November, the Democratic Pe- are General Asef Shawkat, chief of Turkey ople’s Party (Dehap) dissolves in order Syrian military intelligence services and to join the DTP. brother in law of the Syrian President; • On the 9th of November, the Euro- • On the 15th of November, the press Major General Rustom Ghazaleh, chief pean Commission (EC), in its annual agency Anatolia reports that two tutors of military intelligence services in Jordan follow-up report on future enlargements, of law at the University of Marmara in Is- at the time of Hariri’s assassination and alerts Turkey of the unacceptable slow- tanbul are wanted for “encouraging hate his assistant, General Jameh; Major Ge- ness of its political reforms during the and hostility” for having stated in No- neral Bahjat Suleiman, former chief of in- year 2005 and the deplorable human vember 2004, in a report for the Con- ternal intelligence; General Abdul Karim rights situation, including the discrimi- sultative Council which works for the Abbas, a member of the Palestinian nation towards women, Kurds and reli- government, that Turkish authorities branch of the Syrian general intelligen- gious minorities. The EC requests im- should give more rights to minorities. ce service and general Zafer Youssef, an mediate action to put an end to torture On the 16th of November, the Supre- intelligence services official. On the 9th and other abuses within two years. As me Court of Appeal confirms the jour- of November, the chief of the Syrian en- per the economic criteria for entry, the nalist Burak Bekdil’s conviction to 20 quiry Commission on the assassination, EC decides to grant Turkey the status months in prison, found guilty of insul- Ghada Murad declares that he started of “viable market economy”, an impor- ting state institutions by declaring that to interrogate the six people and has forbidden them to leave the country. On for the holy war in Iraq and its leader, the res to the Bulgarian press that the de- the 10th of November, the Syrian Pre- Jordanian Abu Misab Zarqawi, claim ath sentences could be “lifted” in ex- sident al-Assad declares that his country responsibility for the attacks. Abu Misab change for a humanitarian aid to the fa- is ready to cooperate with the commis- Zarqawi accuses Jordan of being a milies affected. sion, as long as it is not detrimental to “backyard for the enemies of faith, the Syria. However, he adds that no matter Jews and crusaders” and warns the Uni- Algeria how many efforts Syria makes to coo- ted States that its “backyards” are wi- perate, she will always be accused of not thin attacking distance. On the 10th and • On the first of November, the Alge- making enough. Finally, Assad accuses 11th of November, thousands of Jorda- rian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika de- Lebanon of conspiring against Syria and nians demonstrate in Amman to protest cides, on the day of the 51st anniversary describes the Lebanese Prime Minister against the attacks of Zarqawi. On the of the start of the independence war, to Fuad Siniora “as a slave of slaves” re- 11th of November, Jordanian police an- pardon 6,778 convicted detainees and ferring to his close connection with Ha- nounce they have arrested 120 people, to grant partial sentence discounts. riri’s son, Saad al-Hariri and to the con- predominantly Iraqis and Jordanians. • On the 24th of November, the partial nections of the Hariri family with the • On the 16th of November, King Ab- elections in Kabylia take place, which French President Jacques Chirac and dullah dissolves the Senate (Higher put an end to a 3-year crisis. Partial elec- Appendices the Saudi Royal Family. On the 25th of House) and appoints a new one on the tions consolidate the local pre-eminen- November, Syria accepts that the 6 following day. ce of two main opposition parties, the So- Syrian officials be interrogated in Vien- • On the 16th of November, the Chief cialist Forces Front (FFS) and the Rally na by the Mehlis Commission, after ha- of the Royal Hashemite Court, Faysal Akif for Culture and Democracy (RCD), des- ving received guarantees for their rights al-Fayiz, resigns and is replaced by Sa- pite the breakthrough of the National Li- and for the respect of Syrian sovereignty. lim al-Turk. In a series of governmental beration Front (only ex-party in power).

2006 On the 27th of November, the Syrian te- changes, nine royal councillors resign, levision transmits an interview with Hus- including the Director of National Se- Tunisia Med. sam Taher Hussam, a former Syrian in- curity Sa’d Khayr, who is replaced by Ma- telligence agent in Lebanon, who rouf Bakhet. On the 24th of November, • From the 16th to the 18th of No- accuses Lebanese authorities of tortu- King Abdullah appoints Bakhet as the vember, the second phase of the Uni- ring him and paying him to make a fal- new Prime Minister. On the 27th of No- ted Nations World Summit on the In- se testimony to the Mehlis commission vember the new government comes into formation Society (WSIS) is held in against General Shawkat and Colonel power. Tunis. Amongst other things, this Sum-

288 Maher al-Assad, chief of the civil guard mit intends to evaluate progress with and brother of the President. Egypt regards to the reduction of the “digital gap” between industrialised and dev- Lebanon • On the 9th, the 15th, the 20th and eloping countries from now to 2015. the 26th of November, the first two Human rights international and Tunisian • On the 21st of November, Hezbollah rounds of legislative elections take pla- organisations criticise human rights and the Israeli army confront each other ce in 17 electoral constituencies; the violations at the dawn of the WSIS, the at their common border in the South of last round is planned for the 1st of Dec- participation of the government to the Lebanon. Four fighters die and 11 Israeli ember. The 26th of November is mar- WSIS and deplore that the Summit was soldiers are injured. On the 23rd of No- ked by violence and a great number of organised in Tunisia, where the liberties vember, clashes break out after an Israeli arrests. Two people die and over 800 defended by the UN are scorned. plane dropped thousands of sheets of members of the Muslim Brothers are paper below Amman and in the South arrested, as the police intervene to put Morocco of Lebanon which said that Hezbollah is an end to confrontations amongst sup- instrumentalised by Syria and Iran and porters of rival candidates. • On the 18th of November, King Mo- causes considerable damages in Leba- hammed VI grants pardon to 10,000 non. Libya detainees, including 336 foreigners, on the day of the 50th anniversary of Mo- Jordan • On the 15th of November, the Su- rocco’s independence. preme Court of Libya postpones the ru- • On the 25th of November, Moroccan • On the 9th of November, 57 people, ling on the appeal of five Bulgarian nur- authorities keep 17 radical islamists sus- mainly Jordanians and Palestinians, in- ses and the Palestinian doctor to the pected of being members of an Al-Qae- cluding major-general Bashir Nafeh, 31st of January, in order to leave extra da cell and accused of organising at- chief of West Bank’s military intelligen- time for the defence. They were sen- tacks in Morocco in detention. ce services, loose their lives in four sui- tenced to death for having deliberately cide attacks organised by Iraqis in three infected children with HIV, according to European Union hotels of the Jordanian capital. On the the accusation. On the 29th of Novem- 10th of November, in a statement on ber, the Libyan Minister of Foreign Af- • On the 9th of November, the Presi- the internet, the Al-Qaeda Organisation fairs, Abderrahman Chalgham, decla- dent of the European Commission re- organises some high ranking adminis- compensation to farmers affected and Portugal trative positions in the European Com- financial assistance to ACP countries mission (EC), reinforcing the presence influenced by the reform. • On the 7th of December, the news- of liberal Anglophones and reducing the • On the 23rd of November, the EC paper Diario de Noticias affirms that Franco-German influence further. puts forward a statement clarifying its in- some 59 flights, chartered by the Ame- • On the 8th of November, the 25 terpretation of the 13th of September rican secret services (CIA) illegally carr- Member states’ Ministers of Finance ECJ decision, which, with regards to ying alleged terrorists, sometimes to reject the EC proposal asking the Sta- the environment protection by criminal third countries that practice torture, have tes to make an annual declaration sho- law, points out the Communities com- had to stop over in Portuguese airports wing that the EU funds administered petences and not the Union’s. The EC, since June 2002. On the 13th of De- by the states (over 80%) have been for which the scope of this ruling largely cember, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, spent correctly. However, they commit surpasses the environmental domain, , makes the to fight against fraud and squandering consequently lists 8 “EU crimes” in its conclusions of a Portuguese govern- of EU expenditures in their countries. On statement. These will have to be pro- ment enquiry public, declaring that the- the 15th of November, for the eleventh secuted by the criminal law of the mem- re is no evidence to support this. consecutive year, the European Court ber States, on the basis that penalties of Accounts refuses to certify the EU are established by the EU and not on a Spain Appendices budgetary accounts because of irre- national level. gularities. The Court’s report especially • On the 6th of December, ETA, the highlights the weaknesses in accounts Basque terrorist group, explodes 5 related to expenses in the agricultural, December 2005 bombs on two motorways surrounding regional development, overseas aid and Madrid, causing significant traffic jams. research areas. However, the Court in- Ante Gotovina, the war criminal most A sixth bomb explodes in a post office 2006 dicates for the first time, that the ef- wanted by the International Criminal in Alsasua in the Navarra region, without forts agreed by the EC and the mem- Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia causing any injuries. The Santander Med. ber States to implement the Integrated (ICTY), is arrested by the Spanish po- airport is closed because of a bomb System of Management and Control lice in the Canary Islands. The legis- alert, but there are no explosions. On (SIGC), which covers 59% of agricul- lative elections in Egypt mark the vic- the 7th of December, the French poli- tural expenses, has effectively reduced tory of President Mubarak’s party, but ce arrest Jon Koldobika Garmendia the risk of irregular expenditure. The re- also mark the significant progress of the Martínez in the North of France, as he port criticises the EU for its slowness Muslim Brothers on the political sce- is suspected of being a member of the 289 in implementing a new accounting ne. ETA, the Basque terrorist group, ex- Donosti union, one of ETA’s best or- system. plodes 5 bombs on motorways su- ganised commando groups. On the • On the 21st of November, the Mi- rrounding Madrid. In Italy, proportional 28th of December, two other ETA sus- nisters of Defence voluntarily introduce representation is reintroduced by the pects, Mikel Larrañaga Altuna and Ar- a code of conduct for the liberalisation total number of seats that will be in po- naltz Gisasola Olaeta, are arrested in of defence markets through which they wer during the legislative elections in France. On the 30th of December, the accept to open their defence industry to April 2006. During the European Sum- High Court convicts Diego Ugarte Ló- competition with other EU countries’ mit, the EU decides to grant Macedo- pez de Arkaute to 100 years and three markets. The EC had proposed a more nia the status of “candidate country months of prison for the murder of the restrictive agreement to accelerate the for membership” and introduces, after Basque provincial Secretary General development of a Pan European De- months of negotiations, the budget for from the Spanish Socialist Worker’s fence Industry. 2007-20013. During the WTO confe- Party, Fernando Buesa and that of his • On the 22nd of November, the Court rence in Hong Kong, the EU, pressu- body guard in 2000. of Justice of European Communities rised by the G-20, agrees to make • On the 9th of December, 7 Alge- (CJEC) General Lawyer decides to look concessions with regards to agricul- rians are arrested in the province of into the European Parliament request tural products export subsidies. Du- Malaga, suspected of giving logistics of legalising the EU – United States ring the course of the month of De- and financial support to the Salafist agreement to anticipate the forwarding cember, 38 soldiers are killed in a Group for Preaching and Combat of transatlantic flights passengers’ per- confrontation with Kurdish rebel groups (GSPC), which is thought to be con- sonal data to American authorities. in Eastern Turkey. The UN Enquiry nected to Al-Qaeda. On the 19th of De- • From the 22nd to the 24th of No- Commission on the Assassination of cember, the Home Affairs Minister José vember, during a meeting between Mi- the former Prime Minister Rafiq al-Ha- Antonio Alonso, announces the arrest nisters of Agriculture in Brussels, it is de- riri presents its last report to the Se- of 15 people members of a group led cided to reform the EU sugar system curity Council which states that new by the Iraqi Abu Sufian and suspected which has remained unchanged for 40 evidence supports the implication of of employing radical islamists for the in- years. Amongst other things, they esta- high ranking Syrian leaders and the surrection in Iraq. Several former imams blish a 36% reduction in the guarante- complicity of their Lebanese collea- of Spanish mosques are members of ed price of sugar over 4 years, a partial gues in the assassination of Hariri. this group. France London attacks in July, is approved by • On the 29th of December, the news- the French Assembly. The opposition paper Corriere della Sera announces • On the first of December, following Socialist Party declares that it will dis- that Berlusconi is the object of a judicial riots in the French suburbs from Octo- pute the law within the Constitutional enquiry concerning allegations accor- ber to November, the Prime Minister Council. The law establishes that tele- ding to which he has bribed his English launches a “great national campaign” phone and Internet data will be with- lawyer, David Mills, to present false evi- against discrimination and declares that held for one year, the police supervi- dence in two trials in which Berlusconi 2006 will be the “year of equal oppor- sion of people who have resided in or one of his companies were involved. tunities”. Amongst measures announ- countries that have terrorist training ced by Villepin, there are fines of 25,000 camps, stricter sentences for those guilty Malta euros for companies that are found guilty of terrorism or who support it, the ins- of discrimination, new encouragements tallation of cameras in sensitive loca- • On the 2nd of December, the Mi- for businesses establishing themselves tions and an increase from 4 to 6 days nister of Justice announces that the Uni- in poor areas and which employ young of preventive detention of terrorist sus- ted States and The Netherlands sug- people and finally “parental responsibi- pects prior to any charge that is made gested that Malta could welcome thirty lity contracts” which will deprive parents against them. refugees that arrive on the island every Appendices who authorise their children to be absent year. The Maltese government recently from school of family allowance. Italy launched an appeal to other countries • On the first of December, 10 years in the world, especially to those in the after his arrest in the United kingdom, the • On the 11th of December, two North European Union, to help Malta resolve Algerian Rachid Ramda, suspected of Africans are expelled from the country immigration problems which it struggles being involved in the Paris terrorist at- under the new anti-terrorist measures. to confront.

2006 tacks in1995, is extradited to France. On • On the 13th of December, the Eu- the 7th of December his trial for “crimi- ropean Commission launches a legal Croatia Med. nal association with a terrorist organi- proceeding against Italy, accused of sation” starts. protectionism for having prevented the • On the 7th of December, Ante Go- • On the 9th of December, President recovery of Italian banks through foreign tovina, the most wanted war criminal by Jacques Chirac orders the revision of a banks. On the 19th of December, the the International Criminal Tribunal for controversial law made in February, Governor of the Bank of Italy, Antonio Fa- the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), is arres- which requests that history school bo- zio, resigns under increasing pressures ted by the Spanish police in the Canary

290 oks recognise the positive role of French from the Italian government. On the 28th Islands. On the 10th of December, he colonisation, especially in Northern Afri- of December, President Carlo Azeglio is transferred to the ICTY, who was se- ca. The left-wing opposition and the Ciampi signs new legislations which in- arching for him since July 2001 and on country’s Muslim leaders criticise this tend to limit the powers of the Bank of the 12th he pleads not guilty of murder, law and fear that it might contribute to Italy’s Governor by establishing a six persecution and deportation in relation the alienation of minorities from former year limited term in office, which is only to the Croatian military offensive against French colonies. renewable once. On the 29th of De- the Serbs of Krajina in 1995. On the • From the 12th to the 15th of De- cember, Mario Draghi, Vice-President 11th of December, thousands of Croa- cember, in a preventive action to stop all of the investment bank Goldman Sachs tians, who see Gotovina as a war hero, potential terrorist acts during the Christ- and former General Director of the Ita- get together in the city of Split and re- mas period, the police arrest 28 men of lian Treasury (1991-2001), is appointed quest that he is provisionally released Northern African origins in the Parisian as governor by the government. from the ICTY and that he is judged in region. Amongst these is the Franco-Al- • On the 14th of December, the Se- Croatia. gerian Ouasini Cherifi, sentenced to 5 nate (Higher House) approves the con- • On the 7th of December, a Bosnian- years of prison in 2002 for using a fal- troversial electoral law which reintrodu- Croatian, member of the armed forces’ se passport and released in 2004. Du- ces proportional representation for the Jockers Unit (Dzorkeri) from the Croa- ring raids in the Parisian suburb of totality of seats which will be in power tian Community in Herceg-Bosna, known Clichy-sous-Bois, policemen lay their in the legislative elections in March 2006. as the Croatian Defence Council, Mi- hands on weapons and materials used Romano Prodi, leader of the centre-left roslav Bralo, is sentenced by the ICTY to make bombs. On the 16th of Dec- opposition condemns this law as it is in- to 20 years in prison for murder, rape, ember, judicial investigations start tended for maintaining Silvio Berlusco- torture, illegal confinements and inhuman against 11 people arrested. ni’s current coalition in power. treatments against Bosnian Muslim ci- • On the 15th of December, the trial of • On the 23rd of December, a court of vilians, including children, in the centre 24 alleged members of the islamist Che- Milan issues European arrest warrants of Bosnia in 1993. chen cell in France starts, accused of ter- against 22 CIA agents, suspected of rorism, forgery of official documents or having kidnapped the Egyptian imam Bosnia-Herzegovina illegal residence. Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr in Milan in • On the 22nd of December, the anti- 2003, before taking him to Egypt whe- • On the 8th of December, Gojko Jan- terrorist law, introduced following the re he complains of having been tortured. kovic, a Serb-Bosnian leader of a para- military unit which invaded the city of province of Kosovo conferring powers to man rights for having prevented Greek Foca half way through 1992 and con- them for which the UN was responsible Cypriots from accessing their properties tributed to the establishment of “rape for up to this moment. On the following in the TRNC. The ECHR sentences Tur- camps”, is transferred to the Internatio- day, the Serb government describes the key to pay compensations. nal Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yu- creation of these two ministries as non- • On the 27th of December, the Fi- goslavia (ICTY), in the war crimes divi- political, dangerous and reckless. nancial Times reports that the EU has sion of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Tribunal. definitely abandoned its attempt to grant • On the 15th of December, the di- Macedonia an allowance to the TRNC, because of rection committee of the Peace Imple- the systematic opposition of the Greek- mentation Council for Bosnia-Herzego- • During the European Summit in Brus- Cypriot government. Consequently, 120 vina approves the nomination of Christian sels on the 15th and 16th of December, million euros of the 259 million euros fo- Schwarz-Schilling, who worked as an in- the 25 EU members decide to grant recast for 2005, will no longer be paid ternational mediator for the Croatian- Macedonia the status of candidate to the TRNC. Muslim Federation and for the Sprska country. Republic, as High Representative of the • On the 20th of December, the newly Turkey International Community, in succession created party, the Party for Democratic to Lord Paddy Ashdown. On the 31st of Future (PAD), holds its first Assembly in • During the month of December, 38 Appendices January 2006 he will take up his post. Tetova and elects the former Tetova ma- soldiers are killed in the east of the • On the 28th of December, the Sprska yor, Alaidin Demiri, as president and country during clashes with the Kurdis- Republic introduces a law that abolishes Xhemel Abdiu as secretary general. tan Worker’s Party (PKK) and the Kur- its Ministry of Defence and of the Army. dish People Defence Forces (HPG). This law, which will come into force on Greece • On the 2nd of December, the BBC the first of January 2006, is part of a reports that 5 journalists are accused of 2006 series of reforms transmitting the au- • On the 12th of December, a bomb having insulted the judicial power for thority of military affairs to the central go- explodes outside the Ministry of Eco- applying law 301, a controversial law Med. vernment. nomy in Athens, slightly injuring three from the new criminal code, which con- people. The Revolutionary Combat, a ra- victs those who insult the Turkish iden- Serbia and Montenegro dical left-wing group, claims responsi- tity and the organs of the State. On the bility for this attack. On the 22nd of 15th of December, the European En- • On the 9th of December, judges of December, a bomb explodes outside largement Commissioner, Olli Rehn de- the International Criminal Tribunal for the Ministry of Development. clares that the trial of the Turkish writer 291 the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), in char- • On the 25th of December, the Mi- Orhan Pamuk, is a trial testing Turkey’s ge of the trial of the former Yugoslavian nister of Justice decides to open an en- commitment in favour of the freedom of President Slobodan Milosevic, decide to quiry on allegations regarding the chief expression. The writer was accused of not order the British Prime Minister Tony of the English Secret Intelligence Ser- having insulted Turkish identity in an ar- Blair and the former German Chance- vice (MI6) in Athens as well as15 Gre- ticle published in the Swiss newspaper llor Gerhard Schroeder to testify or to ek officials. According to these claims Das Magazin, in which he criticises Tur- hold an interview before testifying, as they have declared themselves guilty of kish silence on the death of thousands requested by the lawyer responsible for abduction and torture against 28 Pa- of Armenians and Kurds. On the 16th Milosevic’s defence. kistani terrorist suspects in the London of December, the trial is adjourned to • On the 13th of December, a Serb attacks of July 7th. February 2006 in order to allow the Mi- court gives sentences going from 5 to nistry of Justice to decide whether the 20 years in prison for 14 former mem- Cyprus trial will be carried out under the former bers of the Serb militia for having as- criminal code or under the recently re- sassinated 200 Croatian prisoners of • On the 14th of December, the Uni- vised one. On the 17th of December, war near the Croatian city of Vukovar in ted Nations Security Council introdu- the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tay- November 1991. ces resolution 1642 (2005), which ex- yip Erdogan accuses the EU of interfe- • On the 20th of December, the trial of tends the mandate of the United Nations ring with justice in order to influence the 5 former members of the paramilitary Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UN- result of Pamuk’s trial. On the 28th of police “Scorpions” starts, accused of FICYP) to the 15th of June 2006. December, the Minister of Foreign Af- having killed 6 Muslims in the city of • On the 19th of December, the Tur- fairs, Abdullah Gül, admits that the ac- Srebrenica in July 2005. They were kish Republic of Northern Cyprus cusations against Pamuk have damaged arrested in October, following the bro- (TRNC) ratifies a controversial law on Turkey’s image and adds that the laws adcast of a video showing the murders property, which allows Greek Cypriots limiting freedom of expression could be on Serb television in June. On the 20th to request the restitution of their goods modified. On the 26th of December, of December, the United Nations Inte- lost during the Turkish invasion in 1974. because of the same law 301, the Ar- rim Administration Mission in Kosovo On the 22nd of December, the European menian journalist Hrant Dink, editor of (UNMIK) formally establishes the Mi- Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decla- Agos newspaper, is wanted for having nistries of Home Affairs and Justice in the res that Turkey is guilty of violating hu- criticised her 6 month long sentence, re- ceived in October for having insulted ves in the Bekaa Valley, near the city of Jordan Turkish identity. Anjar, predominantly of Armenian eth- nicity. Syrian intelligence services were • On the 18th of December, the Na- Syria based here until their withdrawal last tional Security Court sentences the Jor- April, but the Syrian government denies danian Abu Misab Zarqawi, leader of • On the 4th of December, Syrian Se- its awareness of the existence of the the Al-Qaeda Organisation for the Holy curity forces and islamist militants, mem- mass graves and declares that the bo- War in Iraq and two of his associates, bers of the Jund al-Sham (Soldiers of dies date back to the Lebanese Civil Ismaïl Abu-Udah and Fahd Nouman al- the Levant), confront one another in the War. Fahaiqi, to death by hanging for the mis- city of Alep, causing the death of two pe- • On the 12th of December, the poli- sed bomb attack on the Jordanian bor- ople on the islamist front. The Jund al- tician Jibran Tueni, both writer and edi- der passage of Al-Karamah, at the border Sham group was established in Afgha- tor of the liberal newspaper An Nahar, with Iraq in December 2004. The first nistan by Syrian, Palestinian and Jordanian known for its criticisms of Syria, is as- two are sentenced in absence. fighters and was connected to Abu Mi- sassinated in a bomb attack in an Eas- • On the 20th of December, a royal de- sab Zarqawi, leader of the Al-Qaeda or- tern suburb of Beirut (Mkalles), less than cree appoints Major General Mohammed ganisation for the Holy War in Iraq. This 24 hours from his return from France, al-Dhahabi as General Director of the Appendices group, which claimed responsibility for the where he took shelter after receiving Department of General Intelligence. attacks of October 2004 in Sinai and some death threats. Even though an for the attack in the theatre of Qatar in unknown group named Strugglers for the Egypt March, is suspected of planning further Unity and Freedom in al-Sham, claims attacks in Damascus. On the 8th of De- responsibility for the attack perpetrated • On the 7th of December, the legis- cember, 8 militants are killed in clashes against Mkalles for having spread “poi- lative elections to allocate 444 seats

2006 with security forces in a city at the North son and lies”, the majority of Lebanese out of 454 present in the People’s As- East of Maarrat al-Numan. politicians accuse Syria. sembly (unicameral), which spread over Med. • On the 7th of December, during the • On the 12th of December, Detlev a month, finish. The last round of elec- Organisation of the Islamic Conference Mehlis, President of the United Nations tions is marked by violence between the Summit in Saudi Arabia, the issue of re- Enquiry Commission on the assassina- electors and the police in Kafr el-Shaik opening bilateral peace negotiations tion of the former Prime Minister Rafiq amongst other places, which cause 60 between Syria and Israel is approached. al-Hariri, presents his last report to the injured and one death. According to the This is thanks to the unexpected initia- Security Council where he states that Muslim Brothers, confrontations have

292 tive advanced by the Saudi Arabian Prin- new evidence confirms the implication broken out in the entire country after ce Abu Misab Zarqawi in 2002, to re- of Syrian High Officials and the com- the police prevented electors from ac- launch the proposal for global peace in plicity of their Lebanese colleagues in the cessing the polling stations. On the 7th the Middle East. assassination of Hariri. Mehlis also ac- of December, 5 people die in the Nile • On the 21st of December, the Uni- cuses Syria of attempting to block his in- delta after being shot by the police. Ac- ted Nations Security Council approves vestigation. Mehlis presents a list of 19 cording to the Egyptian Human Rights resolution 1648 (2005) which extends suspects, amongst which are 6 Syrians, Organisation, on that day 355 polling the Disengagement Observation Force of which 5 were interrogated in Vienna stations are closed by the security for- (UNDOF) mandate by six months. The on the 5th of December. On the 15th of ces. President Mubarak’s National De- force is stationed on the border betwe- December, the Security Council intro- mocratic Party (PDN) remains the main en Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights. duces Resolution 1644 (2005), exten- party in the country with 311 seats, 77 • On the 30th of December, former ding the Enquiry Commission mandate less compared with the elections in Vice-President Abdel Halim Khaddam, to the 15th of June 2006 and declares 2000. On the other hand, the Muslim who resigned in June and moved to the Council’s concerns on the Syrian Brothers, an illegal but tolerated orga- France, declares in an interview broad- lack of cooperation with the Commission. nisation, which put themselves forward cast by the Pan Arab Satellite Al-Arabi- On the request of the Lebanese go- as independents, increase their repre- ya, that the Syrian President Bashar al- vernment, the Commission accepts the sentation sixfold winning 88 seats, for- Assad personally threatened the former extension of its mandate to other terro- ming the greatest opposition group in the Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq al-Hari- rist attacks perpetrated in Lebanon sin- Assembly. The Muslim Brothers an- ri, a few months before his assassina- ce the failed attempt to assassinate the nounce that they will use their presen- tion. On the 31st of December, the Pe- former Economy Minister Marwan Ha- ce to put pressure for the abolition of ople’s Assembly (unicameral), votes in madeh, on the first of October 2004. On laws restricting the activities of the op- favour of judicial proceedings against the 29th of December, the United Na- position groups, which oblige the Mus- Khaddam for high treason. tions Secretary General Kofi Annan an- lim Brothers to work illegally. However, nounces the nomination of the Belgian despite the progress of the opposition Lebanon Prosecutor Serge Brammertz, expec- in the elections, the PDN managed to ga- ted to succeed Mehlis who does not ther 3/4 of the votes necessary to amend • On the 5th of December, a dozen bo- wish to preside the Commission for the the constitution. On the 31st of De- dies are exhumed from two mass gra- next 6 months. cember, the Prime Minister Ahmad Mah- mud Mohammed Nazif’s new govern- 19th and 20th of December, the au- companies to test chemical products ment takes the oath. thorities repatriate 556 illegal Africans imported into the EU in quantities over • On the 24th of December, Ayman by plane. a ton per year. The results of these tests Nur, the leader of a branch of the op- • On the 5th of December, the new law will have to be recorded in the new Eu- position party Al Ghad, is sentenced to on hydrocarbons, which puts an end to ropean Agency for Chemical Products, 5 years in prison for having falsified sig- the nationalisation of this market sector, which has the power to prevent any im- natures in order to obtain recognition comes into force with the official crea- portation. The chemical industries wel- of his party for the presidential election tion of the Agency for Hydrocarbons come the directive while environmenta- of September 2005. On the same day, Resources Valorisation (Alnaft) and the lists find it too flexible. the White House spokesman, Scott Regulatory Agency for Hydrocarbons • From the 13th to the 18th of De- McClellan, declares that this conviction (ARH), both under the authority of the cember, during the World Trade Orga- calls into question the Egyptian com- Minister of Energy and Mines. nisation Conference (WTO), the 25 mitment to democracy, freedom and the • On the 12th of December, the Mi- Union countries have to confront the in- state of law and asks the Egyptian go- nisters of Defence of the 5+5 Group, creasing pressure of the G20. The G20 vernment to release Nur. meet in Alger. The United States help or- represents developing countries that • On the 30th of December, at least 20 ganising this meeting. Thanks to a first export agricultural products, including Sudanese die as the Egyptian anti-riot balance considered to be very satis- Brazil, India and Southern Africa and is Appendices police expel 2,000 refugees from their factory, the Defence Ministers of the tacitly supported by the United States, camp, which they built in front of the 5+5 group (10 countries from Southern which requests that the EU abolishes United Nations High Commissioner for Europe and Maghreb), in view of 2006, subsidies for the export of agricultural the Refugees (UNHCR) in Cairo in pro- decide to reinforce their cooperation products. Finally, the Trade Commis- test against their treatment by the programmes for aerial and maritime sur- sioner Peter Mandelson accepts mea-

UNHCR. veillance in the Mediterranean against the sures to drastically reduce subsidies for 2006 terrorism phenomenon and illegal im- export from now to 2010 and to abolish Libya migration. them in 2013. Med. • From the 15th to the 17th of De- • On the 22nd of December, Libyan Morocco cember, during the European Summit, negotiators, Americans and Europeans State and Government Leaders intro- agreed on the establishment of a fund • On the 30th of December, the Italian duce the budget for 2007-2013.The to help the families of 400 Libyan chil- Minister of Foreign Affairs summons the agreement reached after several months dren infected with the AIDS virus. On the Moroccan ambassador in order to com- of negotiations are made after which 293 25th of December, the Supreme Court plain on the flood of illegal immigrants the English government accepts a cu- decides that the 5 Bulgarian nurses and coming from Morocco and asks Rabat mulative reduction of 10.5 billion euros the Palestinian doctor, sentenced to de- to increase its cooperation to fight of its rebate and after that the French go- ath in May 2004 for having infected the- against illegal immigration. vernment approves a complete revision se children, have to be jugged once of the budget from 2008, including the again by the criminal court of Bengha- European Union budget of the Common Agricultural Po- zi, because of irregularities in their trial. licy (CAP). The total budget amounts to • On the first of December, the Euro- 862.4 billion euros, which represents Tunisia pean Central Bank decides to increase 1.045% of the EU global GNP. The new the interest rate by a quarter, going up German Chancellor played a significant • On the 15th of December, the Eu- to 2.25% because of inflationary pres- role in helping to obtain the agreement, ropean Parliament (EP) calls on Tunisia sure. by convincing France to accept a com- to respect its “commitments relating to • On the 2nd of December, the Mi- plete revision of all aspects of the bud- fundamental freedoms, especially to the nisters of Home Affairs introduce a di- get, including the CAP. freedom of expression and association” rective obliging telecommunication ser- • From the 19th to the 22nd of De- in a resolution. The EP requests that vices to safeguard telephonic and email cember, the Ministers for Fishing intro- the Council and the European Com- data for six months, so that they can be duce a fishing agreement for 2006, munity reacts with regards to the As- employed in terrorist investigations and which reduces the catching of certain sociation Agreement linking the EU to serious crimes. On the 14th of Decem- species up to 15% and reduces the Tunisia. ber, the European Parliament approves number of fishing days by 5%. The en- the directive by 378 votes to 197. vironmentalists, who requested a total Algeria • On the 13th of December, the Mi- ban on cod fishing so that the stocks nisters of Industry introduce a regulation could regenerate, regret that the Minis- • On the 5th of December, Algerian au- on the registration, the evaluation and the ters decided to reduce it by only 15%. thorities start a large operation escorting authorisation of chemical products (RE- • On the 28th of December, the Eu- several hundreds of illegal African im- ACH), which intends to protect health ropean Space Agency launches the sa- migrants, stationed in the frontier zone and the environment more efficiently. tellite GIOVE-A from Baykonur to Ka- of Morocco back to the border. On the From 2007, this directive will oblige zakhstan, a test satellite for the Galileo civil network, which will include 30 sa- rendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) • On the 28th of April, the UN Secu- tellites and will compete with the Ame- until the 31st of October. The resolution rity Council, introduces Resolution 1634 rican GPS (Global Positioning System). requests the Polisario Front to imme- (2005), extending the mandate of the diately release all Moroccan war priso- United Nations Mission for the Refer- Arab League ners in line with international humanita- endum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) rian rights and asks Polisario and until the 30th of April 2006. The Reso- • On the 27th of December, the Arab Morocco to continue their cooperation lution asks the Polisario Front and Mo- League regional Parliament on an inte- with the International Red Cross Com- rocco to continue their cooperation with rim basis holds its inaugurating session mittee, in order to resolve the fate of the Red Cross International Commit- in Cairo. Mohammad Jassim al-Saqr, a people of whom there is no news since tee. liberal Kuwaiti, is elected as president of the beginning of the conflict. the Parliament, which will be based in • On the 24th of June, The Middle Syria and will meet up twice a year in or- East International reports that some Sa- Sources der to write up the agreements neces- harians living under Moroccan law in sary for the creation of a permanent le- Western Sahara and Southern Moroc- Belga Press Agency gislation from now until 2011. co, at the end of May and the beginning European Union Press Agency Appendices of June, have demonstrated against the France Press Agency transfer of a Sahraoui prisoner to Laa- All Africa Gibraltar and Western Sahara youn, the commercial capital of Western Anadolu Agency Sahara. The newspaper describes this AP French Worldstream demonstration against Moroccan domi- BBC Gibraltar nation as being political. Diplomacy Intelligence Online

2006 • On the 18th of August, the Polisario Europe Information • On the 8th of January, the Com- Front releases 404 Moroccan war pri- European Information Environment Med. mander of English forces in Gibraltar, Da- soners, captured between 1975 and La Croix vid White, is found dead in his residen- 1991, declaring that it was a political and Canadian Press ce’s swimming pool. White was under humanitarian measure which intended to La Tribune police investigation for “personal affairs” put an end to the conflict with Moroc- Le Figaro and was recalled to the United King- co. Le Monde dom while he waited for the results of the • On the 29th of August, the United Le Progrès

294 investigation. Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, Les Echos appoints Peter Van Walsum from The Libération Western Sahara Netherlands as personal envoy for Wes- Maghreb Confidential tern Sahara, in replacement of Alvaro News Press • On the 28th of April, the UN Secu- De Soto. According to the Middle East News Tele-Radio rity Council, introduces Resolution 1598 Journal, this nomination was welcome by Le Nouvel Observateur (2005), extending the mandate of the the Moroccan part but it had a cold re- Ouest France United Nations Mission for the Refe- ception from the Polisario Front. Reuters