OSCE Reports on Events in Kosovo

Home , Franz Vranitzky, Guntars Krasts, Juan Carlos I, Timothy Garton Ash

Vol. 5 no. 4 o s c e APRIL 1998 NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE

¥ Troika Ministers Meet in Warsaw 3 ¥ In Brief 4 ¥ CiO visits Central Asia 5 ¥ Focus on Central Asia 6 ¥ OSCE Presence in Albania 8 ¥ News from the Field 10 ¥ Upcoming Events 11 ¥ Website Info 12 ¥ Report from the HCNM 13 ¥ Update from the ODIHR 14 The Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Daan Everts, visits an observation post on the Albania/Kosovo province border. ¥ Parliamentary Assembly 15 Photo: Bjorn E. Brustad

Throughout April the OSCE closely mon- in-Office in a letter to Mr. Jovanovi\ 13 and 16 of United Nations Security itored events in and around Kosovo. Its on 17 April in which he wrote that the Council resolution No. 1160 was sub- reports to the United Nations and the referendum was more “rhetoric than a mitted to UN Secretary-General Kofi Contact Group have been instrumental meaningful effort to contribute to the Annan by the Polish Chairmanship. in keeping the international community improvement of the situation.” He drew The report concluded that “the basic abreast of developments. Mr. Jovanovi\’s attention to the state- demands of the OSCE have not been ment of the OSCE Troika Ministers on sufficiently considered by the authorities Referendum a “Rhetorical” Exercise 8 April in which they warned the FRY of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.” that “the organization of the referendum Furthermore, “the conditions required On 15 April the Minister for Foreign could have a disruptive effect on an for bringing about a meaningful dialogue Affairs of the Federal Republic of already inflamed situation.” have not improved, and a resolution of Yugoslavia (FRY), Zivadin Jovanovi\, the crisis is not in sight.” It reiterated that invited the OSCE to observe a referen- Contacts with the International the OSCE stands ready to participate dum on “whether or not the Republic of Community in efforts to advance a peaceful resolution Serbia should accept the involvement of to the conflict. foreign representatives in the resolution On 20 April a report on “The situation of problems in Kosovo and Metohija.” in Kosovo and on measures taken by This point was raised by the This offer was rejected by the Chairman- the OSCE” pursuant to paragraphs Chairman-in-Office on 21 April when

1 he met with United States Assistant Office, in addition to holding talks in FRY's relations with the OSCE. It Secretary of State Strobe Talbott in Belgrade, had also visited Priµtina. stated that “both President Miloµevi\ Warsaw. and Foreign Minister Jovanovi\ have The report outlined five conditions made it clear that Yugoslavia would not Field Operations Monitor Borders raised by the Contact Group in their be ready to allow the return of OSCE meeting of 25 March. On the issue of missions of long duration before being The security situation in and around “meaningful dialogue, without precon- granted full participation in the work Kosovo worsened. The OSCE Presence ditions, towards a peaceful solution to of the Organization.” in Albania which, in co-operation with the Kosovo crisis,” the report noted the European Community Monitoring that no progress had so far been made Another condition, the implementation Mission (ECMM), is monitoring the on either procedure or substance of the 1996 education agreement, was Albania/Kosovo province border, ob- “although both sides declared their referred to as “a positive step forward,” served increased military activity on readiness to enter into such a dialogue.” but the report stated that “there is a the Yugoslav side of the border with long way to go towards its full imple- Albania. The Presence’s field office in Concerning the condition relating to mentation.” Bajram Curri (in northern Albania) stopping violence and excessive use of reported some incidents along the bor- force, withdrawing special police units, The report noted that “basic require- der in April. The Presence's monitoring condemning terrorism and co-operating ments for a peaceful political solution capabilities (which are concentrated with the International Criminal Tribunal of the Kosovo crisis, as set forth by on the northern half of the Albanian for the former Yugoslavia, the Chair- the Contact Group and the OSCE, border with the FRY) will be strength- manship's report noted little progress have not been sufficiently met by the ened in the near future with the estab- and in some cases, particularly regard- authorities of the FRY.” It said that lishment of a monitoring team in Kukes. ing the security situation, warned of a “unconditional dialogue remains the only deterioration. way to achieve a durable and peaceful The situation along the border of the solution to the conflict. Responsibility former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia On the third point, “access to Kosovo,” for reaching such a solution lies on the and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia the report noted that there had been parties to the conflict, and first and is being monitored by the OSCE many high-ranking visitors to the foremost the FRY authorities.” Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje FRY, including to Priµtina, during the in co-operation with the United reporting period. However, it pointed This report was submitted to the Nations Preventive Deployment Force out that no visas had been granted Contact Group which met in Rome on (UNPREDEP). The Mission reports by the FRY to the United Nations 29 April. that the situation is “stable and calm” High Commissioner for Human Rights' and that “there has been no observable Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial or Contact Group Meets in Rome change in the pattern of border activity.” Summary Executions. It also reported that international humanitarian non- After that meeting, the Contact Group OSCE Submits “Report on Compliance” governmental organizations were expe- issued a statement in which it described riencing difficulties in receiving visas the OSCE report as “an important and In line with a statement made by the to the FRY. balanced contribution to the assessment Contact Group in Bonn on 25 March, of the situation.” which requested the OSCE to submit a The report also addressed the question “report on compliance,” the Chairman- of acceptance of the Gonzalez mission The statement made it clear that “the in-Office issued a report to the Contact and the return of the OSCE missions Contact Group regards an appropriate Group meeting in Rome on 29 April. It of long duration to Kosovo, Sandjak international involvement as an essen- noted that since the last Contact Group and Vojvodina. It noted the willingness tial factor to establish confidence meeting, all Troika Ministers had paid of the FRY authorities to accept the between the parties and to facilitate visits to the Federal Republic of mission of Mr. Gonzalez, provided talks.” A framework for dialogue and a Yugoslavia and that the Chairman-in- that his mandate was confined to the stabilisation package were proposed.

o s c e NEWSLETTER 2 Vol. 5 no. 4 One of the elements of the stabilisation The statement of the Contact Group full integration in the international package is the reopening of the OSCE held out the possibility for closer inte- community, including participation in missions in the FRY, including Kosovo. gration of the FRY into the interna- the OSCE.” The Group members stated The Contact Group also stressed the tional community if certain conditions that “we want the FRY to reap the ben- importance that it attaches to the are met. It said that if the leadership in efits of membership in international González mission which is sees as a Belgrade agrees to the framework for financial and political institutions.” means of reducing tension, restoring dialogue and the stabilisation mea- confidence and improving the general sures outlined in the Contact Group The next meeting of the Contact Group prospects for dialogue. It stated that statement, and if the Gonzalez mission will take place in Paris in May. In “the top leadership in Belgrade should is launched, and substantive talks begin, the interim, the OSCE will continue its therefore immediately invite the González “the Contact Group will promote a clear monitoring activities and its efforts mission to start its work.” and achievable path towards Belgrade’s to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Troika Ministers Meet in Warsaw

On 8 April the Ministers of the OSCE without further delay the mission of The Ministers expressed appreciation Troika, the Foreign Ministers of Poland, Felipe González, the Personal Repre- for the moderate and constructive Norway and Denmark met in Warsaw sentative of the Chairman-in-Office and approach adopted by the neighbouring to review a number of regional issues Special Representative of the European countries, Albania, and the former of particular concern to the OSCE. Union. Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Also attending the meeting were the reviewed the steps which are being Secretary General of the OSCE, In a statement issued after the meeting undertaken by the OSCE to contribute Giancarlo Aragona, the High Commis- they noted that “the organization of to the prevention of any spillover from sioner on National Minorities, Max van the referendum could have a disruptive the Kosovo conflict. der Stoel, the Director of the Office for effect on an already inflamed situation.” Democratic Institutions and Human They also called on the FRY authorities Having agreed to the request by the Rights, Gérard Stoudmann, the OSCE to allow for the reinstatement of the Contact Group to report to its next Representative on Freedom of the OSCE's long-term missions in Kosovo, Meeting on the status of compliance of Media, Freimut Duve, the President of Sandjak and Vojvodina. the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Ministers discussed the preparations Javier Ruperez and the Head of the Disturbed by reports of the continued for this report and agreed to the mode Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, presence of the Serbian special police of the report's presentation. They also Robert Barry. force, the Ministers reiterated their call heard a report from the OSCE Chairman- for their immediate withdrawal. They ex- in-Office, Foreign Minister BronisÃaw The Ministers reiterated their call for pressed deep concern over recent reports Geremek, on his trips to Albania, the for- an unconditional dialogue between the of further violence and urged both sides mer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, authorities of the Federal Republic of to use utmost restraint. and the FRY. Yugoslavia and Serbia and the leadership of the Kosovar Albanians. They They welcomed the beginning of imple- On a seperate issue, the Ministers wel- reaffirmed their conviction that partici- mentation of the Education Agreement comed the decision of the Permanent pation of an outside representative or re- and encouraged both sides to move the Council to provide financial support for presentatives will provide an essential process forward quickly and in a con- the OSCE supervision of the September contribution to the dialogue. They structive way. elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina. urged the FRY authorities to accept Additionally, they called upon the inter-

o s c e NEWSLETTER Vol. 5 no. 4 3 national community to make substantial OSCE States to provide more resources Document-Charter on European Security contributions for the purpose of partial and assistance. for submission to the Heads of State or funding of the elections. They also Government of the OSCE countries. underlined the importance of increased They expressed satisfaction that the participation by the authorities in Bosnia new financing mechanism for larger The Ministers took note with satisfac- and Herzegovina in the election process. OSCE Missions and projects adopted tion of the increased efforts by the by the Copenhagen Ministerial Meeting Secretariat and the Office for Democratic With regard to Croatia, the Troika is now in operation. Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Ministers emphasized the importance to strengthen co-operation between the of ensuring the unconditional return of The Ministers received a report by OSCE and other international organiza- refugees and reiterated the continued Denmark on the enhancing of the tions active in Europe. In particular, they readiness of the OSCE to work with the Secretariat's operational capabilities. pointed to the example of the recent Croatian authorities to that effect. They expressed support for the orienta- joint mission of the ODIHR to Armenia, tion and methods adopted for this Azerbaijan and Georgia together with a The Ministers encouraged the Assis- review. delegation from the Council of Europe, tance Group in Grozny to continue its the European Commission, UNHCR, efforts, including facilitating humani- They welcomed the decision reached in the Soros Foundation and the Danish tarian aid, and called on all parties to Vienna to hold the next Ministerial Coun- Refugee Council. offer their full co-operation. cil Meeting in Oslo in December 1998 and to hold the next Summit Meeting The Ministers welcomed the upcoming Citing a continued need for rehabilita- of Heads of State and Government in trip of the Chairman-in-Office to Central tion and reconstruction in post-conflict summer-autumn 1999. They reemphasized Asia as a signal of OSCE commitments areas, the Troika Ministers appealed to their commitment to work actively on a to the region.

IN BRIEF On 2 April H.E. Jadranko Prli\, General Giancarlo Aragona. Among the topics discussed Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bosnia was the role of the OSCE in the parliamentary elections in and Herzegovina, addressed the Slovakia scheduled for 25 and 26 September. Other topics Permanent Council. He emphasized the included the restructuring of OSCE institutions, financial importance of the OSCE in promoting reform of the OSCE, conflict settlement and the tasks of good-neighbourliness and co-operation OSCE missions, the place of the OSCE in the evolving and noted several aspects of the European Security system, as well as co-operation Organization's work (particularly on between the OSCE and other international organizations. the security model) that could further enhance security in Europe. He cited the “indispensable role” of the OSCE At a meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and called for contin- in Moscow on 28 April, the presidents of Armenia and ued support from the international community in order to Azerbaijan pledged to maintain a cease-fire and to continue build a democratic and economically sustainable Bosnia working for peace within the framework of the OSCE Minsk and Herzegovina. Group.

On Monday 20 April Slovak Minister for Foreign Affairs Zdenka Kramplová met with OSCE Secretary

o s c e NEWSLETTER 4 Vol. 5 no. 4 Chairman-in-Office Visits Central Asia

The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, At each stop, the Chairman-in-Office prevention. The conflicts in Tajikistan Polish Foreign Minister BronisÃaw underlined early warning, conflict and Afghanistan and their potential Geremek, visited the countries of prevention, regional security and the for spillover were high on the agenda Central Asia between 14 and 20 April. human dimension as his central con- of all his talks. Government officials He was accompanied by members of cerns. He said it was critical for all expressed concerns about the risk of the Troika and representatives of the Governments to implement their OSCE the spread of fundamentalism. Other OSCE Secretariat and institutions. The human dimension commitments. He threats to regional stability and security delegation was received at the highest pointed out that the OSCE is following were also discussed at length. For level in all states visited. closely the progress of democratic example, drug trafficking, arms smug- reform in the countries of Central Asia. gling and crime originating in the In each of the five countries he visited, He offered the Organization’s assistance region and in Afghanistan were raised Turkmenistan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, in implementing OSCE commitments as threats which affect all OSCE par- Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the Chairman- and welcomed various country requests ticipating States. Allocation of water in-Office emphasized the importance of for specific OSCE programmes. In this resources was also cited as a security Central Asia as an integral part of the regard, he said that the ODIHR and the issue of major concern. OSCE community, in accordance with OSCE High Commissioner on National the principle of indivisibility of the Minorities are prepared to continue and All countries in the region expressed security of the OSCE area. He stressed expand their activities in the region. their profound interest in the presence the importance of their active partici- The economic dimension also figured and activity of the OSCE in the region pation in OSCE work, in all its dimen- in discussions, as well as environmental as well as their deep appreciation for sions. He also invited them to partici- protection, in particular regarding the the work of the OSCE Liaison Office pate actively in the work on a docu- Caspian and Aral Seas. in Central Asia and indicated that they ment-charter on European security in support its continuation and expansion. order to ensure a proper link between Mr. Geremek welcomed regional ini- European and Central Asian security. tiatives for conflict resolution and

Der Amtierende Vorsitzende und polnische Au§enminister BronisÃaw Geremek wird bei seinem Besuch in der Ala-Artscha-Schlucht in Kirgisistan von einem leitenden Parkangestellten willkommen gehei§en. Foto: Melissa Fleming o s c e NEWSLETTER Vol. 5 no. 4 5 Focus on Central Asia

The visit of the Chairman-in-Office, adviser and an economic/environmental it is working with the Commission on Polish Foreign Minister BronisÃaw expert. This reflects the increased National Reconciliation and contribut- Geremek, to Central Asia from 14 to 20 emphasis placed on the OSCE’s work ing to the process of amending the April highlights the involvement of in Central Asia and will strengthen the constitution. the OSCE in this region. It is the latest Liaison Office’s effectiveness in imple- in an increasingly frequent number of menting its widening range of respon- Much of the OSCE’s work in Central visits to Central Asia by high-level sibilities. The possibility of establish- Asia relates to the human dimension. OSCE officials, including the Secretary ing a branch office in Bishkek is also The Office for Democratic Institutions General, the Director of the ODIHR, being considered. and Human Rights (ODIHR) is there- the High Commissioner on National fore taking an increasingly active role Minorities and representatives of the The OSCE Mission to Tajikistan in the region. It has several regional Parliamentary Assembly. Many high-level provides the Organization with another projects, including on human rights representatives of the Governments of important presence in the region. Since education, women in public life, and the Central Asian States, including its deployment in February 1994, the elections. The latter is of particular the Foreign Ministers of Tajikistan and Mission (through its headquarters in importance as most of the countries in Kyrgyzstan, have addressed the Per- Dushanbe) has been actively involved the region have elections scheduled for manent Council in Vienna. in contributing to the process of the 1999 and 2000. overall political settlement of the crisis In addition to these high-level visits, more in the country and assisting in the The ODIHR is also engaged in country- regular contacts have been established restoration of peace and stability. It specific projects. For example, in through OSCE institutions in the area. also promotes and monitors adherence October 1997 the ODIHR and the to OSCE norms (particularly as regards Government of Uzbekistan signed a The OSCE Liaison Office in Central respect for human rights), assists in the Memorandum of Understanding provid- Asia, which is located in Tashkent, has development of legal and democratic ing for assistance by the ODIHR in the been operating since the spring of 1995. political institutions and processes and fields of democratization, human It provides a key link between the keeps the OSCE community informed rights, training for NGOs, and election OSCE institutions and the Organization’s about developments in the country. preparation. A needs assessment mis- Central Asian participating states and sion to the other four countries of the plays an important role in promoting Since July 1995 the Mission has been region has recently been carried out, the implementation of OSCE princi- following the human rights situation of and its recommendations should con- ples and commitments in that region. returning refugees and internally distribute to the discussions between the Furthermore, the Office assists with placed persons and has been facilitat- ODIHR and the Governments of the organization of OSCE events in ing their integration into Tajik society. Turkmenistan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan the region (like seminars, round-tables In order to create adequate conditions and Tajikistan on the scope of further and high-level visits) and maintains for this work, three branch offices co-operation in human dimension contacts with the region’s universities, have been opened in Kurghon-Teppe, projects. research institutes and NGOs. Sharituz and Dusti in the southern part of the country (see map). The High Commissioner on National The Office’s international staff includes Minorities (HCNM) is active in the Head of Office, Ambassador Gancho The Mission has also been very active Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan. The main Ganchev of Bulgaria, and a human di- in assisting in the implementation focus of his work has been on the fur- mension expert. Two additional staff of the Moscow Agreement of 27 June ther development and strengthening members will join the Offuce in the sum- 1997 between the Government and the of the principal mechanisms for dia- mer of 1998; a human dimension/legal United Tajik Opposition. In particular, logue and inter-action between the

o s c e NEWSLETTER 6 Vol. 5 no. 4 majority and minority ethnic groups In co-operation with the Foundation on advice on a wide range of national and between different minorities in Inter-Ethnic Relations, the Governments minority-related issues, including those two countries, namely the As- of Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan and local legal questions, language laws (in sembly of Peoples of Kazakstan and NGOs, the Office of the HCNM is Kazakstan) and the development of the Assembly of Peoples of Kyrgyz- supporting a number of projects to textbooks for national minorities (in stan. Following recommendations of develop monitoring networks and ana- Kyrgyzstan). the High Commissioner, both Assem- lytical units within the two countries blies have streamlined their internal which could provide reliable, objective structures and are developing their own and current information on inter-ethnic tools for early warning and early pre- relations. The HCNM also assists with vention of potential conflicts. target-oriented seminars and gives

o s c e NEWSLETTER Vol. 5 no. 4 7 The OSCE Presence in Albania: “A Remarkable Success Story”

One year ago, in April 1997, the OSCE sistance and to help create a secure These elections, along with a national established its Presence in Albania. As environment for the missions of inter- reconciliation and economic recovery the OSCE Head of Presence, Ambassador national organizations in Albania. programme introduced by the new Dan Everts, told an audience (including coalition Government, opened the way Danish Foreign Minister and former The OSCE Presence, supported by the for significant international assistance OSCE Chairman-in-Office Niels Helveg MPF and other international and non- agreed at international conferences in Petersen) which was celebrating that governmental organizations, helped to Rome and Brussels in July and October anniversary in Tirana on 16 April 1998, stabilize the situation. But this was 1997. On 17 October the Rome the establishment of the Presence no easy task. As Ambassador Everts Ministerial Conference “welcomed the “marked the beginning of what is gener- remarked on 16 April 1998, “not often intention of the OSCE to continue to ally considered a remarkable success is an international organization chal- serve as a flexible co-ordinating frame- story of crisis prevention and resolution.” lenged to play such a decisive role at work for international assistance to such a crucial juncture in a country’s Albania in concert with the Albanian The events of last year are well known. history as was the case with the OSCE Government.” Responding to the serious political in Albania.” That role was played crisis of February 1997, the then OSCE successfully. After the completion of the election Chairman-in-Office, Danish Foreign preparation and monitoring process, the Minister Niels Helveg Petersen, ap- Parliamentary elections were held in number of international staff in the pointed on 4 March former Austrian June and July 1997. The Office for Presence was reduced. At the same Chancellor, Dr. Franz Vranitzky, as his Democratic Institutions and Human time, the OSCE Presence opened two personal representative to Albania. On Rights (ODIHR) was instrumental in field offices in Vlore and Gjirokaster in 27 March the Permanent Council supporting these elections with techni- October 1997 to support the main office established the OSCE Presence (under cal assistance and international moni- in Tirana. The three offices work in the direction of Ambassador Herbert toring. Dr. Vranitzky played a key role the fields of human rights and rule of Grubmayr) to provide Albania with in ensuring full participation by the law, democratization and civil rights, advice and assistance in democratiza- political parties and the proper conduct electoral assistance, media monitoring tion, the establishment of independent of the elections. and institution-building. media and the protection of human rights as well as in election preparation International observers, led by the Another important activity of the and monitoring. Furthermore, the OSCE OSCE Special Co-ordinator, Mme. Presence is its support for the Admin- was to function as the co-ordinating Catherine Lalumière, Member of the istrative Center for the Co-ordination framework for the work of other inter- European Parliament, Sir Russell of Assistance and Public Participation national organizations and for facilitat- Johnston, Head of the Council of (ACCAPP), which is co-ordinating for- ing improvements in the protection of Europe Parliamentary Assembly De- eign and domestic assistance and public human rights and the basic elements of legation, and Mr. Javier Rupérez, participation in the constitutional draft- civil society. President of the OSCE Parliamentary ing process. Since its establishment in Assembly, declared these elections October 1997 the ACCAPP has been One day later, on 28 March, the United “adequate and acceptable” and stressed working with the national and interna- Nations Security Council adopted a res- that the international community tional community to collect informa- olution (1101) authorizing a group of expected a “major effort toward national tion and commentary (both technical member countries, led by Italy, to reconciliation after the elections”, with- and non-technical), provide training, establish a Multinational Protection out which there would “be no basis for organize polls, distribute information, Force (MPF) to facilitate the safe and defining the terms of international aid.” and organize civic election initiatives. prompt delivery of humanitarian as

o s c e NEWSLETTER 8 Vol. 5 no. 4 The Presence is also monitoring parliamentary elections. It is also part of the is the Presence’s role as a mediator mentary procedure. This is a logical follow-up to the unprecedented joint between opposition groups and the progression of the work carried out mission of the European Parliament Government. The Presence has been by Dr. Vranitzky in the spring of 1997 and the Parliamentary Assemblies of instrumental in ending several hunger when he was instrumental in breaking the Council of Europe and the OSCE strikes and finding solutions to con- the political deadlock between the par- that visited Albania on 22 and 23 tentious issues. ties that threatened to delay the parlia- January 1998. Related to these activities The Presence works closely with the ODIHR which, in the last year, assisted in a voters’ and civic registration process, provided technical assistance to the judicial system, assisted in the establishment of national human rights institutions such as an ombudsman, undertook media freedom assessments, and completed the first two phases of an NGO network programme.

The Presence also works in close co- ordination with the Albanian authorities, embassies and bilateral assistance missions, other international organizations such as the Council of Europe, the WEU (Multinational Advisory Policy Element) and the EU/EC, particularly the Customs Advisory Mission and the European Community Monitoring Mission (ECMM), which is active in field monitoring in co-ordination with the OSCE. This co-operation is both symbolized and concretely manifested in the co-ordination meetings that take place in “Villa 6”, the OSCE headquarters in Tirana.

This co-operation has increased as a result of the recent events north of the border in Kosovo. Through its border monitoring office in Bajram Curri, which was established in March 1998, the Presence is working with the ECMM and the UNHCR to observe developments on the border between Albania and the Yugoslav province of Kosovo.

o s c e NEWSLETTER Vol. 5 no. 4 9 News from the Field

The OSCE currently has ten Missions in the field as well as the Assistance Group to Chechnya, the Presence in Albania and the Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus. The following are highlights from the work of some of the field operations during the past month:

The OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Many of these points were raised in a information campaign will be launched Group in Belarus Organizes Seminar working session between Belarusian in early May. and Sets Priorities President Alyaksandr Lukashenka and the Head of the AMG, Ambassador Wieck, Local Election Commissions are cur- The OSCE Assistance and Monitoring on 9 April. In the meeting Ambassador rently being constituted. Election officers Group (AMG) in Belarus organized a Wieck stressed the importance of “free and trainers are taking up their positions conference on “Free and Fair Elections” debate without fear.” throughout the country. Wherever pos- in Minsk on 29 and 30 April. The sible, international officials are being conference was attended by more than In Bosnia, 1997 Election Imple- paired with national staff in order to 100 representatives from governmental mentation Winds Down While 1998 create a qualified and experienced pool institutions, the opposition (13th Supreme Preparations Intensify of national staff who will be able to Soviet), political parties, non govern- conduct future elections without foreign mental organizations, governmental and Implementation of the municipal elec- supervision. non-governmental press and institutes, tions of September 1997 is almost and the diplomatic corps. It afforded a complete now that almost all of the 136 Assistance Group Facilitates Human- rare opportunity for a dialogue between municipalities have been finally certi- itarian Aid to Chechnya opponents in the constitutional conflict fied. The case of Srebrenica proved and gave governmental and non-gov- intractable and, as a result, Head of The OSCE Assistance Group (AG) to ernmental institutions an insight into Mission Ambassador Barry and High Chechnya reports that the situation in views of international experts. The con- Representative Westendorp issued a the Republic remains complex and that ference highlighted the benefit of dia- Supplementary Arbitration Award which there has been little progress in resolv- logue in bringing about consensus on suspended the work of the municipal ing the wave of hostage-taking incidents constitutional issues. assembly and established an Interim in the North Caucasus. Most assistance Executive Board composed of four providers have curtailed their pro- As a result of the seminar, the OSCE Bosniac and four Serb members. The grammes in the region, and the AG is AMG has become recognized through- Acting Chairman of the Board, Mr. Larry now the only international organization out the governmental and non govern- Sampler of the OSCE, is empowered to with a permanent presence in Chechnya. mental structures of the country, including cast a tie-breaking vote when there is a It therefore plays an important role by the media, as an important institution deadlock between the two sides. working with NGOs and international that can help to advance the development organizations to find flexible ways of of a new political consensus in Belarus Preparations for the 1998 elections continuing the delivery of assistance. on specific issues relating to an open intensified in April. On 2 April the and pluralistic democratic society. Provisional Election Commission For example, when spring landslides adopted additional rules and regula- destroyed homes in the mountainous Issues identified by the AMG as prior- tions concerning the registration of regions of south-eastern Chechnya, the ities in fostering this process include a political parties, coalitions and inde- OSCE funded the delivery of building new election law; a law on the estab- pendent candidates. This registration materials to the Vedeno region, one of lishment of an Ombudsman institution; process began on 27 April. Rules for the hardest hit areas. the penal code and penal code proce- voter information and the media have dure; and legislation on the mass media. also been approved. Plans for voter The AG is also working to contact registration are in place and a voter potential donors to fight the spread of

o s c e NEWSLETTER 10 Vol. 5 no. 4 tuberculosis and hopes to report success One of the main criticisms is that the The system, which is contentious in this effort soon. unconditional right of return is not because of the large number of non- clearly affirmed. Latvian citizens in the country, has Mission to Croatia Disappointed by been criticized since the Citizenship Draft Procedures It should be noted that in the light of Law was passed in July 1994. In April this, and other, developments the inter- the OSCE High Commissioner on The OSCE Mission to Croatia has ex- national community is reconsidering National Minorities was instrumental in pressed serious reservations about the its participation in the upcoming “Con- encouraging the Latvian Government latest draft of “Procedures for Return ference on Reconstruction and Devel- to reassess this section of the Citizenship of Persons who have left the Republic opment in the Republic of Croatia”. Law (see page 13). of Croatia.” The original Government draft, published on 31 March, was crit- Mission to Latvia Follows Citizenship On 21 April the Latvian Government icized by the international community, Issue announced its decision to submit for since it implied restrictions on the rights the approval of the Latvian Parliament of citizenship and postponed the presen- The OSCE Mission to Latvia has been amendments to the Citizenship Law, tation of a comprehensive return plan closely following the debate on the so- including the abolition of the “windows” until after a donors’ conference. called “windows” system for natural- system. The Mission greatly welcomed ization applications. Under that system, this proposal and said that the adoption In a new draft, approved by Parliament every year a new category of applicants of this and other measures, which have on 28 April, some of the elements crit- would be eligible for naturalization (in been recommended by the OSCE, icized by the international community, other words a new window would be “would represent a truly significant including the OSCE Mission, have been opened). step forward in promoting the integra- amended, but other elements have not. tion process in Latvia.”

UP COMING EVENTS 9-10 10-11 11-12 MO NGOs and Freedom Council of Europe will also attend Human Dimension Seminar: Ombuds- DI MI of the Media the meeting. man and National Human Rights DO FR 20 May, Vienna Protection Institutions SA The aim of the meeting is to discuss 25 - 28 May, Warsaw SO An informal ad hoc media-related issues within the scope of meeting of the Per- the mandate of the OSCE Representative The human dimension seminar on manent Council on the activities of the on the Freedom of the Media, including Ombudsman and National Human OSCE Representa-tive on the Freedom the question of how NGOs can further Rights Protection Institutions will be of the Media, Mr. Freimut Duve, and on contribute to the work of the Media held in Warsaw beginning at 3 pm on his office’s relationship with NGOs Representative. 25 May. Keynote speeches and presen- will take place at 10 am on 20 May in tations will be made by different types Vienna. All NGOs wishing to participate in the of ombudsmen and human rights pro- meeting are requested to register with tection institutions. Thematically the Non-governmental organizations are the OSCE Office of the Media Re- work of the three day seminar will be invited to the meeting, including those presentative not later than 19 May conducted in four discussion groups that contributed to the drafting of the (Fax: + 43 1 512 21 459, Contact (DG): practical and internal manage- mandate of the OSCE Representative person: Mr. Stanley Schrager). ment of newly established ombuds- on Freedom of the Media. Repre- man/human rights protection institu- sentatives from the ODIHR and the tions (DG 1); ombudsman/human rights

o s c e NEWSLETTER Vol. 5 no. 4 11 protection institutions and their rela- ments in the OSCE area.” The Economic The discussions during the first day will tionships with public authorities and the Forum will concentrate on the follow- concentrate on legal frameworks and judiciary (DG 2); the preparation of ing main subjects: a) economic, legal practical implementation of legislation, national human rights education plans and other settings, b) infrastructure while the focus of the third day will be (DG 3); and the development of existing and investment, and c) environmental on lobbying for and monitoring the and emerging European and regional implications. On the final two days advancement of the status of women. networks of ombudsman/national human it will also review the implementation rights protection institutions (DG 4). of commitments in the economic In addition, on the second day, there dimension. will be working groups under the head- The seminar is being organized in close ings Challenges to Gender Equality, co-operation with the United Nations Representatives of non-governmental Transition to Democracy, Economic Development Programme, the Council organizations having relevant experience Restructuring, Traditions and Culture. of Europe and the Polish Ombudsman in the area under discussion are free, Office. The European Ombudsman after registering with the OSCE Secre- The keynote speaker will be the Institute and the International Ombuds- tariat, to attend and contribute to the Norwegian Ombudsman for Gender man Institute have been invited to take meeting. Interested NGOs should contact Equality, Ms. Anne Lise Ryel. part. Jutta Zedtwitz (fax +43 1 514 36 96). Seminar on Inter-Relationship between The seminar is designed to allow partic- Regional Consultation on “Women Central and Regional Governments ipants to come up with practical sugges- in Public Life” 1- 2 July, Chisinau tions for dealing with the issues raised 16-18 June, Tashkent in the discussion groups and to formu- The OSCE (Department for General late possible commitments to develop The Regional Consultation for Central Affairs), in co-operation with the ombudsman/national human rights pro- Asia and the Caucasus on “Women in Government of Moldova, is organizing tection institutions and to strengthen Public Life” has been rescheduled and a seminar on the Inter-Relationship contacts among them. will now take place from 16 to 18 June between Central and Regional Govern- in Tashkent. The Consultation is being ments, which is scheduled to take place Economic Forum organized by the ODIHR in co-opera- in Chisinau, Moldova, from 1 to 2 July. 1- 5 June, Prague tion with the UNDP Regional Bureau The participation of high-level experts for Europe and the CIS. There will be from OSCE participating states, inter- The Sixth Meeting of the Economic three participants from each Caucasian national organizations and NGOs is Forum will take place at the Czernin state and 10 from each Central Asian expected. Palace, Prague, from 1 to 5 June. The state. This includes representatives from overall theme of the meeting will be governments and parliaments, NGOs For more information please contact “Security aspects of energy develop- and the media. Monika Wohlfeld (fax +43 1 514 36 96).

osce.info@work@home@once

Check the OSCE website at http://www.osce.org

You can also receive the Newsletter online every month by contacting@ us at [email protected] o s c e NEWSLETTER 12 Vol. 5 no. 4 REPORT from the High Commissioner on National Minorities The Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) is located at Prinsessegracht 22, NL-2514 AP The Hague, The Netherlands, tel.: (+31-70) 312 55 00, fax: (+31-70) 363 59 10

Latvia discussion with Saeima Committee Estonia Chairman Dzintars Abikis about the From 31 March to 2 April the High need to ensure the full compliance of On 15 and 16 April the High Commis- Commissioner visited Riga, where he the Latvian Draft Language Law with sioner paid a brief visit to Estonia where was received by President Guntis international standards. Mr. Abikis he was received by President Lennart Ulmanis. He also had meetings with invited the High Commissioner to send Meri. He also had meetings with Prime Prime Minister Guntars Krasts, Speaker some experts for a number of days to Minister Mart Siimann and Minister of the Saeima Alfreds Cepanis, and Latvia in order to help prepare a revised for Inter-Ethnic Relations Ms. Andra Foreign Minister Valdis Birkavs. Other text before the third and final reading Veidemann. Among subjects discussed meetings were held with Minister for of the draft. was the adoption by the Government in Internal Affairs Ziedonis Cevers, Minister February of the Integration Strategy, of Education Juris Celmins, and Head of Following the High Commissioner’s which the High Commissioner wel- the Naturalization Board Ms. Eizenija visit in early April, he was invited comed as a positive and encouraging Aldermane. At the Parliament the again to Riga for further consultations policy document. He inquired about HCNM met with Saeima deputies from with Prime Minister Krasts on 17 recent developments in the naturaliza- the Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, April regarding proposed Government tion process, and specifically about pro- and Human Rights Committees. He also amendments to the Citizenship Law. posals currently under discussion in the had talks with the Chairman of the parliament for granting citizenship to Saeima Commission on Education, After discussions with the Prime stateless children born in Estonia. He Culture and Science Mr. Dzintars Abikis. Minister and other officials, the High was also informed about the latest Commissioner issued a statement in proposals to create the institution of an The main object of the High Commis- Riga on 17 April welcoming the deci- ombudsman. sioner’s visit was to discuss once again sion of the Latvian Government to the urgent need to simplify naturaliza- support his recommendations for the The High Commissioner had planned tion procedures and consider possible abolition of the so-called windows to attend a meeting of the Presidential ways to encourage more people to apply mechanism of naturalization and also Round-table on 17 April to which he had for Latvian citizenship. He was keen with regard to the granting of citizen- been invited, and also to take part in a to inquire how Latvian interlocutors ship to stateless children born in one-day education seminar in Tallinn. viewed prospects for adopting his rec- Latvia. He noted that, if adopted by However, because of an urgent request ommendations in favour of granting the Saeima, these changes would mark by the Latvian Prime Minister to come citizenship to stateless children born a very important step towards the to Riga for consultations on that date, in Latvia since the country regained solution of the naturalization problem. the High Commissioner had to change independence in 1991. He was informed He also acknowledged the Latvian his plans and curtail his visit to Tallinn. of government plans to formulate Government’s recognition of the need amendments to citizenship legislation to ensure that the new language law and Croatia which would then be submitted to the amendments to the Labour Code would Latvian Parliament with a request for have to be compatible with interna- From 19 to 22 April the High Com- the changes to be accepted. tional norms. Finally, the High Com- missioner visited Croatia where he first missioner expressed his particular sup- travelled to Vukovar and Osijek in the On another issue the High Commis- port for the Latvian Government's Danube Region (former UNTAES area). sioner had a detailed and constructive decision to develop an integration policy. There he had meetings with county

o s c e NEWSLETTER Vol. 5 no. 4 13 officials, the Joint Council of Muni- Chairperson of the Council for National Serbs with Croatian citizenship leaving cipalities, as well as with representa- Reconciliation, Ms. Skare-Osbolt. In ad- the Danube Region can be stopped. Acts tives of the Serbian minority. Thereafter, dition, the High Commissioner visited of intimidation perpetrated by owners he travelled to Zagreb where he met the headquarters of the OSCE Mission, of houses presently occupied by Serbs, with Deputy Prime Minister Ms. the UNHCR office in Osijek, and the lack of access to employment, and Mintas-Hodak, Deputy Prime Minister UNCIVPOL in Vukovar. continued uncertainty about the ap- and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. plication of the Amnesty Law were all Grani\, Minister for Administration Return and resettlement of refugees as cited as major factors contributing to Mr. Ramuscak, the Head of the Office well as integration of returnees were the outflow of Serbs. However, a general for Displaced Persons and Refugees, Mr. the main subjects of discussions. In improvement of the security situation Pejkovi\, the Adviser to the President this context, questions were raised as was acknowledged by all sides. on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mades, and the to how the ongoing process of ethnic

UPDATE from the ODIHR The OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is located at Krucza 36/Wspólna 6 (3rd floor), PL-00-522 Warsaw 53, Poland, tel.: (+48-22) 625 70 40, fax: (+48-22) 625 43 57.

Presidential Election in Armenia “does ODIHR to Observe Parliamentary . . . and in Montenegro not meet OSCE standards" Elections in Hungary. . . The ODIHR has been invited to moni- In its final report issued on 16 April, The ODIHR will observe the upcoming tor parliamentary elections in Monte- the ODIHR concluded that “the Extra- parliamentary elections in Hungary on negro which are to be held on 31 May. ordinary Presidential Election of March 10 and 24 May this year. An observa- The OSCE/ODIHR Election Obser- 16 and 30 does not meet the OSCE tion mission, headed by Mark Power- vation Mission, headed by Mr. Kåre standard to which Armenia has commit- Stevens, was established on 10 April Vollan, has a core staff of six as well ted itself in the Copenhagen Document and it will be responsible for co- as twelve long-term observers deployed of 1990.” Although improvements were ordinating the activities of an estimated throughout the country. Closer to elec- noted over the 1996 election, the Election 100 international observers over the tion day, 100 to 120 observers from a Observation Mission “observed ballot election period. number of OSCE participating states, stuffing, discrepancies in the vote count, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, a large presence of unauthorised persons These observers will be drawn from foreign embassies to the Federal in polling stations, and instances of a wide range of OSCE participating Republic of Yugoslavia, and international intimidation directed toward voters, States, and will include parliamentarians governmental and non-governmental election commission members, candidate from the OSCE Parliamentary Assem- organizations present in the country proxies and international observers.” bly as well as members of the inter- will carry out short-term observation. national community in Hungary. The ODIHR extended its observation As always, a preliminary statement will in order to review material related to The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation be issued shortly after election day and these problems. Several recommenda- Mission plans to issue a preliminary a more comprehensive final report a tions were given, most notably that statement based on its long-term and few weeks later. “a thorough, impartial and vigorous short-term findings in a press conference investigation of the serious irregularities on 11 May. A final report will be issued Human Rights Course in Tashkent and evidence of manipulation” cited a few weeks after the publication of the in the ODIHR report “be undertaken final results. A Human Rights Course for the Central urgently by the Armenian authorities.” Asian States will be held in Tashkent

o s c e NEWSLETTER 14 Vol. 5 no. 4 from 25 to 30 May. Each country Topics will include philosophical foun- The course will conclude with an exam. will send six representatives from the dations of human rights; human rights The results of the exam will help in the government, NGOs, research institutes in the international order; human rights, selection of participants in the third and universities. The course will be democracy and rule of law; interna- phase of the Human Rights Education conducted by Prof. Jeremy McBride tional obligations and domestic prac- Programme, which will include a visit (University of Birmingham) and Ms. tices; international enforcement mech- to Western human rights institutions. Birgitte Kofod Olsen (Danish Center anisms; and the human dimension of for Human Rights). the OSCE.

REPORT from the Parliamentary Assembly

The Secretariat of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is located at Rådhusstræde 1, DK-1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark, tel.: (+45-33) 32 94 00, fax: (+45-33) 32 55 05.

Expanded Bureau Meets in Madrid annual session of the OSCE/PA to be International Secretariat, a draft budget held in Copenhagen from 7 to 10 July for the next financial year and the orga- The Expanded Bureau of the OSCE 1998. The main subject of the annual nizational arrangements for the forth- Parliamentary Assembly (PA) met from session will be “The Development of coming annual assembly session in 23 to 25 April in Madrid at the invi- the Structures, Institutions and Per- Copenhagen. A follow-up to the Monaco tation of the Parliament of Spain. The spectives of the OSCE.” The Secretary Conference on subregional co-operation Expanded Bureau, comprising the General of the OSCE, Ambassador was also discussed. The French dele- President of the Assembly, the Vice- Giancarlo Aragona, and the ODIHR gation informed the members of the Presidents, the Treasurer, the President Director, Ambassador Gérard Stoudman, Expanded Bureau of its intention to Emeritus and the Chairs, Vice-Chairs participated in the discussions. host the second conference on sub- and Rapporteurs of the three general regional co-operation in Nantes (France) committees, considered the reports and Members of the Expanded Bureau in 1999. draft resolutions prepared for the considered the activities of the PA’s

Spanish Prime Minister José Maria Aznar addresses the Expanded Bureau of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Madrid.

o s c e NEWSLETTER Vol. 5 no. 4 15 Preparations for “an OSCE PA Seminar The members of the Expanded Bureau organization “Committee to Protect on Conflict Resolution and Democratic were addressed by the President of the Journalists.” The OSCE Parliamentary Development in the Caucasus” were Spanish Chamber of Deputies, Mr. Assembly also took note of the coura- also reviewed. The seminar will be Frederico Trillo-Figueroa, the President geous work of Ms. Ilari Alpi, an Italian held at the beginning of October 1998 of the Spanish Senate, Mr. Juan Ignacio journalist who died in Somalia in 1994 in Tbilisi (Georgia) at the invitation of Barrero, and the Spanish Prime Minister, during the United Nations peace mission. the Georgian Parliament. It is the third Mr. José Maria Aznar. They were also seminar organized by the OSCE PA for received by His Majesty Juan Carlos I, The Prize will be presented to Timothy the countries of this region: the first King of Spain. Garton Ash during the OSCE Parlia- seminar for the countries of Central mentary Assembly’s Annual Session on Asia and the Caucasus was held last July 7 in Copenhagen. January in Vienna, followed by a semi- OSCE Prize for Journalism and nar in September in Tashkent. Democracy Awarded to Timothy Garton Ash The Bureau of the OSCE/PA, meeting on the periphery of the Expanded The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has Bureau, considered a number of nomi- awarded the OSCE Prize for Journalism nations for the OSCE/PA Prize for and Democracy for 1998 to the British Journalism and Democracy and decid- writer and journalist, Timothy Garton ed to award it this year to a distin- Ash. The prize is awarded annually to guished British writer and journalist, journalists who, through their work, Mr. Timothy Garton Ash. have promoted the OSCE principles on human rights and democracy. Mr. A resolution on the situation in Kosovo Garton Ash is the third recipient of the was unanimously adopted by the Bureau prize. In 1996 it was awarded to Polish members who expressed their deep con- journalist Adam Michnik. Last year it cern about the grave and ever-worsening was given to the organization “Reporters crisis in Kosovo. The OSCE/PA reminded sans frontières.” the Yugoslav and Serbian authorities, the leaders of the Albanian population Timothy Garton Ash, a distinguished in Kosovo, and all the other actors in the writer and journalist, born in 1955, is region, that they must observe OSCE currently a Fellow at St Antony's College, principles and commitments, in partic- Oxford. He is considered to be one of ular those concerning democracy, human the best analysts of Central and Eastern o s c e rights and the rule of law. The Yugoslav Europe during the Communist period. NEWSLETTER Government was called upon to imme- He has written many books, essays and diately allow the reopening of the OSCE articles on that region, particularly on The OSCE NEWSLETTER is missions of long duration to Kosovo, East Germany and Poland, and the fall published monthly by the Secretariat of the Organization for Security and Sandjak and Vojvodina without any pre- of Communism. Through his work, he Co-operation in Europe, Department conditions. has contributed to the building of for General Affairs. democracy and human rights in former Kärntner Ring 5- 7 The Bureau asked the President of communist countries. 1010 Vienna, Austria Tel: (+43-1) 514 36-196 the OSCE/PA, Mr. Javier Ruperez, to Fax: (+43-1) 514 36-96 undertake a mission to discuss the The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly E-mail: [email protected] crisis with the leaders in Belgrade and selected Mr. Garton Ash from several For more information on the OSCE Priµtina in order to assist in the promo- candidates including a Serbian journal- see the OSCE Website: http://www.osce.org tion of peaceful negotiations. ist, Dejan Anastasijevi\, who works in Belgrade, and also the American-based

o s c e NEWSLETTER 16 Vol. 5 no. 4