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Eastern Europe U.S. ONLINE TRAINING FOR OSCE, INCLUDING REACT Module 4 Eastern Europe This module is designed to introduce you to the work of OSCE field missions in eastern Europe. The module focuses on the work of the OSCE in: • Belarus (OSCE Office in Minsk closed in 2011) • Ukraine • Moldova 1 Table of Contents Belarus. 3 Key information. 4 Historical background. 6 Before Russian rule. 7 Under Russian and Soviet rule. 8 From Perestroika to independence. 9 Domestic politics. 10 Elections. 11 The economy. 16 Ethnic relations. 17 Foreign relations. 19 Russia. 20 CIS. 23 Eurasian Economic Community. 24 The West. 25 EU. 26 OSCE. 27 Ukraine. 29 Key information. 30 Regions and Culture of Ukraine . 32 Historical background. 39 Before Russian rule. 40 Under Russian and Soviet rule. 41 From Perestroika to independence. 43 Domestic politics. 45 Elections . 46 Challenges to Ukraine’s democracy. 62 Crimea. 65 Foreign relations. 72 Russia. 73 The West, including NATO and EU. 77 Ethnic relations. 83 Conflict with Pro-Russian Separatists . 85 Conflict overview. 86 International involvement in the conflict. 91 Moldova. 95 Key information. 96 Historical background. 98 Before Russian rule. 99 Under Soviet rule. 100 From Perestroika to independence. 102 Domestic politics. 103 Elections since independence. 104 The Gagauz conflict. 113 The “frozen” Transdniester conflict. 115 Foreign relations. 128 Russia. 129 MODULE 4 Eastern Europe 2 The West. 130 Romania. 132 Ethnic relations. 133 Is the Transdniester conflict an ethnic conflict?. 134 Right Bank Moldova. 135 Language policy. 136 Culture. 139 Countryside. 141 The Economy. 142 Folk traditions. 143 Cuisine. 144 MODULE 4 Eastern Europe 3 CHAPTER 1 Belarus Belarus is a sovereign state in Eastern Europe that was formerly part of the Soviet Union. This chapter contains the following sections that describe Belarus: • Key information • Historical background • Domestic politics • Foreign relations MODULE 4 Eastern Europe 3 CHAPTER 1 Belarus Key information Geography Item Description Area 81,000 square miles Natural resources Potatoes, grains, flax, and sugar beet are grown. There are no significant natural resources apart from wood and peat, the main local source of fuel. People Item Description Population 9.626 million (2013 est.) Ethnic groups Belarusians 84%, Russians 8%, Poles 3%, Ukrainians 2%, others 3%. People in the southern area of Belarus with a mixed Belarusian-Ukrainian identity and dialect are called Poleshchuks. Religions Eastern Orthodox 80%, other (including Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim) 20% (1997 est.) Languages The Belarusian language belongs to the eastern branch of the Slavic group of the Indo-European family of languages. It is written in an adapted form of the Cyrillic script that is used for Russian. Although the official state language is Belarusian, the language in most common use is Russian. Government Item Description Capital Minsk Type Presidential republic System of In formal terms, Belarus has evolved from a parliamentary into a government presidential republic. In practice, the political system is a presidential dictatorship with a strructural democratic veneer. Head of state Alexander Lukashenko (1994-present) MODULE 4 Eastern Europe 4 CHAPTER 1 Belarus Item Description Currency Belarusian Ruble MODULE 4 Eastern Europe 5 CHAPTER 1 Belarus Historical background This section describes the historical background of Belarus: • Before Russian rule • Under Russian and Soviet rule • From Perestroika to independence MODULE 4 Eastern Europe 6 CHAPTER 1 Belarus Before Russian rule From 1386 to 1569, Belarus was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, a large multi-ethnic state that stretched from the Baltics to what is now western Ukraine. Its official language was Belarusian. Despite its name, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania is regarded as a precursor of present-day Belarus. Belarus’ flag and emblem are based on those of the Grand Duchy. Belarus absorbed into the Kingdom of Poland In 1569, the Grand Duchy was absorbed into the Kingdom of Poland. As a result, Belarus came under strong Polish influence. In the 17th century, Poland fought for control of Belarus against an expanding Russia. In 1795 Poland was divided between Russia, Prussia, and Austria; and Belarus was incorporated into the Russian Empire. Belarusian republic established Intellectuals in Belarus started to think of themselves as belonging to a Belarusian nation in the mid-nineteenth century. However, the Russian government suppressed expression of Belarusian.
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