Vol.IX No. 2 FEBRUARY 2002

NEWSLETTER Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Chairman-in-Office strengthens OSCE fight against terrorism Former Danish named Personal Representative of CiO

he Chairman-in-Office of the use of its “three important tools”. He He defined his role as that of a co- OSCE, ’s Foreign Min- described these “tools” as the missions ordinator of activities, who would pro- T ister Jaime Gama, has appointed in the field, the way the OSCE addressed mote the debate in the OSCE that would a former Danish Minister of Defence, the root causes of instability and the lay the groundwork for an OSCE policy Jan Troejborg, to be his Personal Repre- Organization’s police expertise. on preventing and combating terrorism. sentative to co-ordinate OSCE activities Although Mr. Troejborg did not see “Such a policy, which reinforces the in the fight against terrorism. Mr. Troej- the OSCE as having a lead role in the political will of the OSCE and its partic- borg will be responsible for implement- fight against terrorism, he stressed that ipating States in relation to this action, ing the initiatives set out in the Bucha- “the OSCE and other relevant organiza- could help pave the way for guidelines rest Plan of Action for Combating Ter- tions must, each through its own specific and principles for combating and pre- rorism, adopted at the OSCE Ministerial instruments, complement each other in venting terrorism”, he said, stressing at Council on 4 December last year, as well support of an international strategy.” the same time that both OSCE’s policy as the follow-up Programme of Action and its actions would always recognize adopted on 14 December at a conference the leading role of the . in Bishkek. He noted that achieving co-ordination In an interview with the OSCE among the OSCE institutions and with Newsletter following his appointment other international organizations would on 29 January, Mr. Troejborg stated: be an important task. In doing this, he “The OSCE has a clear role to play in said, “I will use the Plan of Action and the adding value to United Nations initia- Programme of Action as a basis and will tives on the fight against terrorism.” He take them further.” He also emphasized was pleased that the Chairman-in- that the OSCE’s work in the three Office was assigning priority to the fight “dimensions” was crucial to an effective against terrorism: “First of all, we have fight against terrorism. These covered to establish the support of the 55 OSCE social issues, such as fostering a cultural participating States for the United dialogue, tolerance between religious and Nations resolutions and international ethnic groups and ; eco- instruments”, he said. nomic issues, such as good governance; The Personal Representative said and military issues, such as the fight that his role focused not only on exploit- against the proliferation of weapons of ing the OSCE’s experience in conflict mass destruction and the work on small prevention, but also on making the best arms and light weapons.

Jan Troejborg, 46, an engineer before ministerial posts from 1993, including Defence, a position that he left in entering politics, was elected to the those of trade, transport, industry and November 2001, following the general Danish parliament (Folketinget) in development co-operation. In Decem- elections in Denmark, which resulted in September 1987. He served in several ber 2000, he was appointed Minister of a change of government.

Visit the website of the OSCE Portuguese Chairmanship 2002 : www.osce.org/cio 1 Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is focus of first Chairman-in-Office field visit Gama ‘hopeful’ about progress in stabilizing fragile peace

Immediately after his inaugural speech to islation dealing with the self-governing which established a presence there in the Permanent Council of the OSCE on powers of local government. This opti- March last year – in maintaining the 17 January in which he outlined priori- mism proved fully justified, as the bridge between ethnic groups in such ties for 2002, Portugal’s Foreign Minister address by Foreign Minister Casule to communities. The leader of the council Jaime Gama flew to Skopje on his first the Permanent Council showed a week is an Albanian, while the second visit as OSCE Chairman-in-Office to the later (see page 4), when parliament duly is from the Turkish minority. former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. passed the . Unfortunately, a week after giving The significance of an early trip to the The CiO also told reporters, includ- the interview, Mr. Todorovski was badly small Balkan country is linked to the fact ing a group of leading Portuguese jour- beaten by a group of armed men, dressed that the Spillover Monitor Mission to nalists and commentators, that he was Skopje is the Organization’s oldest con- happy with the co-operation of the tinuous field activity as well as its fastest- authorities in fulfilling the OSCE’s tasks. INSIDE THIS ISSUE growing, with around 300 international “At my meeting with the President and staff due to be deployed at its peak this the Prime Minister, I heard very positive Chairman-in-Office strengthens year. appreciation of the role of the Organiza- OSCE fight against terrorism ...... 1 tion, particularly in assisting with the Former Yugoslav Republic ver two days, the Chairman-in- redeployment of the police”, he said. of Macedonia is focus of first Office (CiO) held a number of “The fact that there is consensus to go on Chairman-in-Office field visit ...... 2 O key meetings with the Govern- operating with the OSCE and its partners, fYROM Foreign Minister: ment, representatives of the main politi- the EU and NATO, signals to me that we ‘Concept of security must be cal parties, and the principals of partner are working in the right direction.” pursued more vigorously’ ...... 4 international bodies — including the Visiting the headquarters of the Ministerial Troika meeting focuses and NATO — that are OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to on counter-terrorism moves ...... 5 working to stabilize the fragile peace Skopje, as well as the local field office Ekeus: Diplomacy and discretion which has prevailed in the country since there, he was briefed by the Head of Mis- are bedrock of conflict prevention ...... 6 summer last year. sion, Craig Jenness, and several col- Kazakhstan: Electoral reform Foreign Minister Gama also took the leagues on the progress being made by round tables end in spirit of dialogue . . . 8 opportunity to visit the headquarters of the OSCE in fulfilling its mandate. The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia: the Mission to Skopje, established in mission is currently heavily involved in Making waves on Radio TV Serbia ...... 9 1992, and to see one of the six field monitoring and assisting with the rede- Bosnia and Herzegovina: offices that have been engaged in police ployment of a multi-ethnic police pres- A spark of hope for the youth ...... 10 monitoring and confidence-building ence. The Minister warmly praised the Kosovo: Helping trafficking work between the ethnic communities work of its “young, dedicated, interna- victims expand their options ...... 12 since the Ohrid Framework Agreement tional team”. REGULAR REPORTS of 13 August 2001. The journalists from Portugal were News from the field ...... 14 The joint meeting with President later able to see more of the work being In brief ...... 15 Boris Trajkovski and Prime Minister done on the ground by the OSCE Mis- Press profile ...... 17 Ljubco Georgievski provided the occa- sion, visiting the field office in the town sion to discuss progress on the imple- of Tetovo and checking conditions in two Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights ...... 19 mentation of the peace process. The CiO nearby villages where the OSCE has High Commissioner also met other politicians in Skopje, been active with teams of confidence- on National Minorities ...... 20 including Slobodan Casule, the Minister building monitors and police advisors, Parliamentary Assembly ...... 21 of Foreign Affairs, and Stojan Andov, the supported by NATO’s Task Force Fox. Representative on President of the parliament. In Tearce, an ethnically-mixed vil- Freedom of the Media ...... 23 He indicated at a press conference lage, the group interviewed the Deputy Secretary General that his visit had made him hopeful about Leader of the Local Community Coun- and the Secretariat ...... 24 the way in which events were moving, cil, Pavle Todorovski, an ethnic Macedo- especially progress on a package of leg- nian who praised the role of the OSCE –

NEWSLETTER 2 Vol. 9 No. 2 by the OSCE Mission to Skopje. Such OSCE terrorizing incidents are viewed not only as personal intimidation but also as attempts to undermine the whole process of local confidence-building. In the village of Lesok, the journal- ists witnessed the aftermath of another unclaimed attack that took place last summer, when an Orthodox church was destroyed just days after the signing of the Ohrid Agreement. However, encouraging news has emerged from the country since then, with the CiO congratulating the Govern- ment on passing the law reform and a report on 31 January that Prime Minister Georgievski would ask experts to start working on an amnesty law. Chairman-in-Office Jaime Gama (left) is welcomed by Henry Bolton, Head of the On the ground, the Mission was able OSCE Field Office in Skopje, and Craig Jenness, Head of the OSCE Spillover to report another small but significant Monitor Mission to Skopje success story, with the restoration of a direct bus link from the capital to the in black and wearing masks. According donian traitor”. The brutal attack, which town of Kumanovo (see box below), to witnesses, the attackers spoke Mace- left the victim with over 20 stitches in after a gap of almost a year caused by the donian and denounced him as a “Mace- head wounds, was strongly condemned outbreak of armed attacks.

Witnessing the aftermath In Lesok, a largely Macedonian vil- rides for villagers, local administration of war ... lage near Tetovo, Portuguese journalists officials, international representatives were shown the Orthodox church of and the media. Saint Atanasij by Neven Sikic, an OSCE Mayor Slobodan Kovacevski of Border Monitor based in Tetovo. Dating Kumanovo was among those who back to the mid-14th century, the church boarded the bus and travelled the whole OSCE/Keith Jinks OSCE/Keith was shelled and destroyed on 21 August 40 or so kilometres into Skopje, just to 2001, just days after the signing of the emphasize the major significance of this Ohrid Agreement to restore peace to the event. “With this bus line we are build- country. No one has ever claimed ing confidence among the people of all responsibility for the act of desecration. ethnic groups. This will continue as long The journalists were in the former as the bus line continues”, he said. Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to But freedom of movement is only cover the visit of the OSCE Chairman- one of several major benefits brought in-Office, Foreign Minister Jaime about by the restoration of the bus link. Gama, and the Organization’s work on This popular service may also reopen the ground. opportunities for villagers once again to take jobs in Skopje, Kumanovo and other ... and confidence-building larger towns. It is also perceived as a in the community great confidence-building measure, After a ten-month break, a direct bus bringing together people of all ethnic link between the town of Kumanovo and groups on a daily basis. the capital, Skopje, was restored in Jan- Exemplary co-operation between uary, thanks in part to strenuous efforts monitors of the OSCE field office in by the OSCE to find a bus company pre- Kumanovo and the local administration pared to take on the job. The reopening was a key factor in the reopening of the of the route was marked by offering free service.

NEWSLETTER Vol. 9 No. 2 3 ‘OSCE concept of security must be pursued more vigorously’

“All our good will and efforts will not yield results unless we seriously address the real problems present in the region as a consequence of ten years of wars and instability”, said the Minister of Foreign Nitzsche OSCE/Alex Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Slobodan Casule, in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council on 24 January. Later meeting the inter- national Austrian-based press, he described the situation in his country as “stable but fragile”, adding: “But we are going to continue pursuing political solu- tions. In to guarantee the genera- tion of stability, I have asked the OSCE to be instrumental in it.” He also said that by continuing to contribute to the speedy, co-ordinated, and orderly return of the police, the OSCE Mission, and the Por- Slobodan Casule, the Foreign Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, tuguese Chair for that matter, were briefs the press after addressing the Permanent Council actively helping his country, inter alia, in restoring its sovereignty and territorial forms of trafficking in drugs, arms, and consultations with the Government. This integrity, re-establishing the rule of law human beings … which most often spur is a model expected to give appropriate throughout the country, and returning the terrorism, were not adequately taken into results. In this context, we hope that the refugees to their homes. Excerpts from account before and during the Macedo- Mission’s budget will be approved soon. the Foreign Minister’s speech to the Per- nian crisis. Now it is high time to address The Missions are very useful tools manent Council follow. these phenomena properly. Having in the OSCE is proud of, and rightly so. The mind that these phenomena transcend issue of missions, as we all know, is very e hope that the redeployment borders, joint action of the countries topical these days. There are different process will be completed as from the region with the involvement views on their future improvement in Wplanned, by mid-March. As and support by the international commu- order to enhance their contribution and you know, the Macedonian authorities are nity, is indispensable… make the authorities of host countries planning and implementing the police The OSCE Mission in Skopje will satisfied with the achieved results. Our redeployment plan in close consultations have a lot of important tasks to perform view in this respect is already known to with the international community, partic- during this year. Besides the police rede- all of you: we prefer the missions to ularly the OSCE, NATO and the EU... ployment, which is of vital importance function on the principle of concrete All our good will and efforts will not for the restoration of law and order in the time-limited projects and programmes. yield results unless we seriously address former crisis areas, monitoring, police We are glad that the Mission in Skopje the real problems present in the region as training and other projects are of no less has been evolving in that direction… a consequence of ten years of wars and importance. Here I would like to under- The full speech of Foreign Minister instability, that is to say various criminal line that the Mission’s activities and per- Slobodan Casule is available at: activities, which were not properly dealt sonnel have been tailored in accordance www.osce.org/press_rel/documents/ with thus far. Organized crime, various with the need on the ground, in close 2002-019-fyrom-speech.pdf

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NEWSLETTER 4 Vol. 9 No. 2 Ministerial Troika meeting in focuses on counter-terrorism moves

he OSCE Ministerial Troika, State Secretary for Multilateral Affairs, Chairman-in-Office, among them pro- meeting on 21 January in Lisbon, Mihnea Ioan Motoc, representing Roma- posals to balance all three of the OSCE’s Thas supported new measures by nia, last year’s Chair. dimensions of security – the human, the Organization to enhance its efforts to The Ministers also focused on cur- politico-military, and economic and tackle the roots of terrorism. At the same rent issues of concern to the OSCE environmental dimensions – which time, the Troika urged the 55 participat- across the region. They agreed that clo- underpin its comprehensive approach. ing States of the OSCE to safeguard tra- sure of the missions in and Greater emphasis would be placed on ditional human rights and not to expanding the role of the eco- allow the fight against terrorism nomic and environmental dimen- to be used as a cover for repress- sion, especially in Central Asia, ing legitimate dissent. working in closer co-ordination The three Ministers from with other international organi- Portugal, the and Nitzsche OSCE/Alex zations and financial institutions. Romania discussed the role of The Ministers praised and the new OSCE Personal Repre- supported the human dimension sentative, Jan Troejborg, in co- work of OSCE’s specialized insti- ordinating the counter-terrorism tutions – the ODIHR and the Action Plan that was agreed in Office of the Representative on Bucharest on 4 December last Freedom of the Media – as well as year (see lead article). the human dimension aspects of The new Portuguese Chair- the HCNM, which has its primary manship told the Troika that it role in conflict prevention. They hoped to organize a meeting also acknowledged the contribu- between the secretaries general tion of the OSCE Parliamentary of the main organizations Assembly in this area. Jaime Gama, Portugal's Foreign Minister and the OSCE involved in the fight against ter- Also participating in the Chairman-in-Office for 2002 rorism. Portugal was also hoping meeting were the Secretary Gen- to develop a draft proposal for a eral of the OSCE, Jan Kubis, the possible OSCE Charter on Terrorism. Latvia did not signal the end of interest Director of the Office for Democratic The Troika, which assists and sup- by the Organization, but that the High Institutions and Human Rights, Gerard ports the OSCE Chairmanship during its Commissioner on National Minorities Stoudmann, and the High Commissioner one-year term, was chaired by the cur- (HCNM) and the Office for Democratic on National Minorities, Rolf Ekeus. The rent office-holder, Portugal’s Foreign Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Minister Jaime Gama. This first meeting would continue to monitor the situation Media was represented by Jutta Wolke, also included , For- of the Russian minorities in these states. Senior Adviser. The OSCE Parliamen- eign Minister of the Netherlands, which The Ministers discussed other ele- tary Assembly was represented by its will take over the Chair in 2003, and the ments of the 2002 programme of the President, Adrian Severin.

The Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (Institut für Friedensforschung und Sicherheitspolitik an der Universität Hamburg) is pleased to announce that the German edition of the OSCE Yearbook 2001 is now available. The English edition will be published in spring 2002. OSZE-Jahrbuch 2001 Jahrbuch zur Organisation für Sicherheit und Zusammenarbeit in Europa (OSZE) Price: 35 euros. Contact: Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, Waldseestr. 3-5, Baden-Baden D-76530 Tel: +49 (0) 7221 21 04 0 Fax: +49 (0) 7221 21 04 43 Website: www.nomos.de E-mail: [email protected]

NEWSLETTER Vol. 9 No. 2 5 Ekeus: Diplomacy and discretion are bedrock of conflict prevention mandate High Commissioner shares his views on how protecting national minorities contributes to peace and prosperity

Swedish Rolf Ekeus assumed the position of OSCE High Commis- sioner on National Minorities (HCNM) in July 2001, taking over from Max van der Stoel of the Netherlands who held the Nitzsche OSCE/Alex post for more than eight years. During his 40-year career with his country’s diplomatic service, he served in Bonn, Nairobi and New York, and most recently was Ambassador to the United States. He headed the Swedish delegation to the Conference on Security and Co-opera- tion in Europe (CSCE) from 1988 to 1992 and played a key role in drafting the Charter of Paris for a New Europe (1990). To learn more about how he sees the intricacies of his new role as “an instrument of conflict prevention at the earliest possible stage”, the OSCE Newsletter spoke recently with Mr. Ekeus. Rolf Ekeus at the OSCE conference in Bishkek on combating terrorism You inherited the mantle of “quiet diplomacy” from the first OSCE High necessary to stick one’s nose in where it senting positions or sensationalizing Commissioner on National Minorities. may not be welcome. I intend to use the issues. Referring back to your previous Will you continue with this approach or full parameters afforded by the mandate, question, this is another argument in do you feel this is no longer appropriate but in such a way that is most effective favour of quiet diplomacy. to the task of the HCNM? for preventing conflict. And to my mind, This is not to say that the media has As a career diplomat, I am used to a key aspect of the High Commissioner’s no role to play. It is a powerful tool and such an approach. Furthermore, the strength is his discretion. can be a force for good when it comes to mandate prescribes it. Of course, people public information, particularly in the say, “How do we know what you are Can the judicious involvement of the promotion of tolerance. Hatred and dis- doing if you are so discreet?” But there media assist the HCNM in carrying out trust often stem from ignorance and pre- are enough mechanisms built into the his mandate? judice. The media can play an important reporting procedures to ensure that the One certainly cannot avoid the educative role in building better under- appropriate parties – particularly the media. I think that the OSCE as a whole standing between communities. Chairman-in-Office – are informed could benefit from more media atten- about my activities. And it is my impres- tion. In my work, I welcome any oppor- How will the emphasis on countering sion that my interlocutors are grateful for tunity to explain the merits of conflict terrorism and the two references to the the discretion, which has already been prevention, the importance of protecting HCNM in the Bucharest Action Plan be helpful in certain situations. national minorities, and the common reflected in the High Commissioner’s What has taken me a little longer to benefits of fostering inter-ethnic integra- “road map”? get used to is the level of intrusiveness tion. But I am not so keen on press cov- My mandate is clear on the limita- that the mandate allows. As a diplomat, I erage when it comes to sensitive issues. tions of my work when it comes to ter- have always been taught not to ruffle In such cases, media involvement some- rorism. It states that “The High Com- feathers. But in this job, it is sometimes times runs the risk of either misrepre- missioner will not consider national

NEWSLETTER 6 Vol. 9 No. 2 minority issues in situations involving indirectly, reduce the long-term nizing visits, it has no substantive ones. organized acts of terrorism” and even prospects of problems exploding into It was not the High Commissioner’s stipulates that the High Commissioner dangerous and violent crises. decision to open or close the missions, will not communicate with and will not and their closure has no formal bearing acknowledge communications from any How has the HCNM balanced the on my work. However, because the man- party – whether person or organization – seeming contradiction in the commit- dates of the missions related a great deal that practices or publicly condones ter- ment of the Organization [as contained to minority issues, their closure would rorism or violence. I believe that it was in its founding document, the 1975 suggest that the Governments of those the intention of those States that insisted Helsinki Final Act], to territorial countries have taken important steps for- on these limitations that the High Com- integrity and sovereignty on the one ward concerning the protection of per- missioner should not legitimize the hand and the right to self-determina- sons belonging to national minorities activities of those who resort to violence tion on the other? over the past years. But it does not mean to forward their aims. I support this view. The twentieth century was defined, that there are no significant issues left to in large part, by the clash of these princi- be addressed. It is my impression, from ples. But I do not think that they are con- frequent high-level contacts, that the ‘The better we tradictory. Self-determination does not Governments of Latvia and Estonia rec- are at creating an necessarily mean secession. A national ognize this, which is why they have group does not have to be independent, expressed their willingness to continue environment in which in its own nation-state, to have control to work with me. people’s rights are over its own fate. If it did, Europe would look a lot different than it does now and The Hungarian ‘Status Law’ has been protected, in which there would be protracted, violent con- taking up much of your attention.What they feel they have a flicts in a misguided and vain attempt to has been your role and how do you see create ethnically pure nation-states. My the current situation? voice, and in which job is to find ways of allowing national One of my first official visits as High they do not feel iso- groups to represent their interests and Commissioner was to Budapest and enjoy their cultural identity within states. Bucharest in July 2001; I have been in lated, then the greater I advocate diversity and integration close contact with the Hungarian and the chances that we rather than forced assimilation. Romanian Governments ever since. When it comes to looking at issues of Recently I was in the Slovak Republic can ensure peace and political participation, including auton- which is also affected by the ‘Law on prosperity and omy and self-government, there are use- Hungarians Living in Neighbouring ful guidelines which may be of interest to Countries’ [designed to provide support prevent conflict.’ your readers. These are the ‘Lund Rec- to some three million ethnic Hungarians ommendations on the Effective Partici- in Croatia, Romania, , That being said, the mandate obliges pation of National Minorities in Public and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]. me to focus on the prevention of violent Life’ which were drawn up in 1999 by a My position has been clear from the conflict. In fulfilling this task, I must group of international experts under the beginning: that the protection of minor- address discrimination, injustice or auspices of the High Commissioner. ity rights is the obligation of the State exclusion – either real or perceived. The These recommendations show how where the minority resides. That is what persistence of such conditions can breed much scope there is for “internal” self- I said in my statement of 26 October [on extremism and sometimes terrorism. I determination without breaking up ‘Sovereignty, Responsibility and National am not suggesting that every situation I states. Minorities’], and that is what I have am engaged in could lead to conflict; nor repeated in conversations with all those am I implying that inter-ethnic issues What special emphasis will you be plac- concerned. I have also been stressing inevitably spawn violence, or even ter- ing on Latvia and Estonia in the period that the resolution of the current dis- rorism. But the better we are at creating ahead, given the recent closure of the agreements should be found bilaterally. I an environment in which people’s rights two OSCE Missions in these countries was therefore encouraged by the Memo- are protected, in which they feel they with sizeable Russian minority popula- randum of Understanding that was have a voice, and in which they do not tions? signed between Romania and Hungary feel isolated, then the greater the chances Latvia and Estonia remain two of my on 22 December. I am hopeful that a that we can ensure peace and prosperity higher priorities at the moment. bilateral declaration will soon be made and prevent conflict. So if terrorism is at Although the closure of the missions has between Hungary and Slovakia. the extreme tip of the conflict scale, some practical implications for the work efforts to prevent conflict (which we, as of my office, including gathering infor- What have been the major issues con- an Organization make every day) can, mation, facilitating contacts and orga- fronting you over the first six months?

NEWSLETTER Vol. 9 No. 2 7 We have already discussed some of Balkans as well, particularly concerning been introducing myself to the OSCE them: the situations in Latvia and Esto- legislative reform in the Federal Repub- community and international partners. nia and the relations between Hungary lic of Yugoslavia and the former Yugo- This is a complex and to some extent and its neighbours. I have also been to slav Republic of Macedonia. In early a unique job and every day brings up Kyrgyzstan, where we are looking at leg- February, I visited Ukraine and Georgia something new and interesting. I have islative matters concerning minorities as where we are becoming increasingly quickly learned that it is not a desk job. well as minority education issues, and involved in issues on language and It requires a great deal of travel in order Moldova, where the main focus is on lin- minority rights, especially at the regional to orient and engage myself fully on the guistic issues. I have been engaged in the level within these countries. I have also spot. Round tables on electoral process in Kazakhstan end in spirit of dialogue Working together under OSCE auspices, major players in Kazakh society have over- come animosity and suspicion to design proposals for an improved Election Code

By Nicolas Kaczorowski

An atmosphere of respect and dialogue permeated the plenary hall of the parlia- OSCE ment of the Republic of Kazakhstan as representatives of political parties, the Government and civil society met for the last of four round tables on how to improve the country’s electoral frame- work. This was in marked contrast to the climate of distrust at the first round table in September 2000, arising out of the flawed 1999 parliamentary elections.

he round tables, which concluded on 29 January, were organized by Tthe OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Centre in Almaty and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, in close co-operation with the Govern- ment of Kazakhstan and the Central Election Commission (CEC). Perseverance and participation kept the electoral round-table process on track The series resulted in the develop- ment of 120 proposed amendments to the Electoral Code, which were handed person of the CEC, observed that the full cussed elections in a constructive man- over as a comprehensive package to the range of suggestions and recommenda- ner”, remarked Hrair Balian, Head of the Vice-Chairman of the , Omirbek tions relating to the legislative frame- ODIHR Election Section. “I hope that Baigeldi, by the round-table moderator, work for the elections from all the par- this trend will continue”, said Heinrich Ihor Ostash, a Vice President of the ticipating parties had been reflected in Haupt, Head of the OSCE Centre in OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Praising the proposals. Almaty. the proceedings and the sense of com- The round tables brought together The idea of holding the round tables mon achievement shared by the partici- elements of Kazakh society that had surfaced in February 2000, at a meeting pants, Senator Baigeldi said: “Much been separated by deep political divi- between the President of Kazakhstan, work has been achieved and we are on sions. “For the first time ever, political Nursultan Narzarbaev, and the ODIHR the right track.” Zagipa Balieva, Chair- opponents sat around the table and dis- Director, Gerard Stoudmann. Partici-

NEWSLETTER 8 Vol. 9 No. 2 pants at the first round table reflected on could not work with others to improve the cult and unpredictable moments, the pro- the painful lessons of the parliamentary legislation before the next round of elec- cess remained on track because of the elections in an attempt to look forward. tions. A few parties did not submit pro- hard work, perseverance, patience and Progress was slow initially, but a con- posals, favouring a boycott. “Although participation of the Government, the par- sensus emerged on the urgency of their grievances may have been legiti- liament, the CEC, political parties, civil improving the election legislation in mate, their methods were hardly con- society and the OSCE institutions. order to restore public confidence in the structive”, commented ODIHR’s Hrair The round-table exercise will have political process. Balian. been completed once the parliament has Subsequent round tables examined The round tables were marred by reviewed all the proposals from political every aspect of the electoral process: the incidents of harassment and pressure on parties and a new, amended Election independence of election commissions, opposition party activists, which were Code – one that is in accordance with tabulation procedures and the trans- condemned by the moderator, Ihor OSCE commitments and international parency of the vote count, complaints Ostash, as “unacceptable in a democ- standards – has been adopted. It is now and appeals procedures, sanctions for racy”. up to the parliament to transform the violations of the election law and the role At one point, the unilateral introduc- accomplishment of the round tables into of the mass media in election campaigns. tion in the parliament of amendments to a shining example for other OSCE par- The road travelled by the round-table the Electoral Code by one political party ticipating States to follow. process was often difficult. Some politi- could have derailed the process. Wisely, Nicolas Kaczorowski is an ODIHR cal parties remained mired in the past and these were withdrawn. Despite its diffi- Election Officer. Radio Television Serbia: the road to reform Making waves on the air in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

By Jovan Kovacic and Stella Ronner

When the OSCE started its Mission to the role in shaping public opinion in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in early country. 2001, restructuring the country’s media “The problems we were con- landscape was one of its core tasks. This ZOOM PRESS fronted with seemed almost insur- turned out to be a huge undertaking, mountable”, recalls the OSCE Head involving support for professional, objec- of Mission, Stefano Sannino. “With tive and self-sustaining media outlets 7,000 employees, RTS was clearly that perform according to internationally over-sized. We embarked on the task accepted professional standards. The in a climate of mistrust and disinter- biggest challenge has been to transform est among the RTS staff. Having Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), the worked for years in an opinionated main propaganda tool of the former and biased environment, employees regime, into a public broadcasting ser- initially appeared to resist any vice. changes. Because of the outdated labour law, laying off employees hen Radio Television Serbia hired by the old regime to spread its requested the OSCE to serve propaganda proved difficult, if not Was the umbrella organization impossible.” to co-ordinate all foreign assistance Ambassador Sannino and his towards its restructuring, the Mission to staff knew they had to act urgently the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia “to give staff the feeling that we were found an operation that was tottering on there to support them and to show the brink of bankruptcy. But the Mission that at least something was chang- welcomed the challenge, knowing that ing.” Wasting no time, they immedi- although professional standards were Ground-breaking broadcasts on Radio Tele- ately started the process of lobbying low and its technology was obsolete, vision Serbia have been earning the appreci- and consulting political, media and RTS still played an extremely influential ation of the viewing public business leaders to muster support

NEWSLETTER Vol. 9 No. 2 9 for the transformation of RTS into a pub- standard live transmission of the War opened an office right in the RTS head- lic broadcasting service – clearly a Crimes Tribunal in . Perhaps quarters in the heart of Belgrade. This lengthy and costly undertaking. the biggest coup of all was the three- will facilitate the Organization’s efforts A turning point came in the summer minute silence observed by Channel 1, to carry out a three-phased approach: in of 2001, when the Serbian Government the RTS main radio station, to pay trib- the short-term, to overhaul the news appointed a new Board of Governors for ute to the victims of terrorism in the room and auxiliary production facilities; RTS, made up of independent profes- United States in September. in the medium-term, to implement an sionals from various sectors of society. On the domestic scene, RTS cover- international audit of the entire RTS They are committed individuals, invest- age of the latest rift between the two operation in order to streamline it; and, ing their energies and staking their repu- major parties in the DOS government in the long-term, to lobby political struc- tations in a courageous vision: the total coalition has been praised as balanced, tures in Serbia to encourage the early transformation of RTS. The Board has comprehensive, informative and moder- adoption of the Law on Broadcasting, appointed Aleksandar Crkvenjakov, a ate in tone. On Christmas Eve, RTS which would legally transform RTS into respected television journalist, as the crossed a watershed of ethnic and reli- a public broadcasting service. general director of RTS; he, in turn, has gious tolerance: for the first time ever, it Mr. Sannino is of the opinion that nominated Bojana Lekic, another well- broadcast a message by the Catholic “the timely transformation of RTS is known television journalist, to the post Archbishop in Belgrade and carried a critical to building public support for of editor-in-chief. Other appointments of live coverage of the Catholic Christmas Serbia’s transition to democracy and journalists followed, all of whom had mass – two weeks before the mostly- economic modernization and its integra- earned their spurs in the profession. Orthodox Serbs were to celebrate their tion into Europe.” This requires the pro- Once the new management and staff own Christmas. vision of technical expertise from the were in place, the focus turned to the Also in December, RTS Radio 202 international community and, to a cer- main evening news programme of RTS, inaugurated an overnight programme tain extent, support in kind. “This is a which continues to be the highest-rated devoted to marginalized and neglected relatively modest investment”, he adds, in Serbia. RTS reporting of events in the groups. Aside from addressing the prob- “when one considers that the net returns past few months reflects a shift in its edi- lems of visually impaired and handi- for Serbia’s modernization and regional torial policy, causing an uproar among capped people, the programme has fea- stability will certainly far exceed the hard-line politicians and conservative tured AIDS victims, alcoholics and drug amount of funds and efforts committed.” audiences, but also drawing the interest addicts. The radio station has also dealt and earning the appreciation of the with issues confronting homosexuals in This is the first of a two-part series on majority of the viewing public. Serbia in an effort to promote tolerance Radio Television Serbia. Jovan Kovacic Ground-breaking broadcasts have towards people who are “different”. is the News Programming Adviser, Media included the BBC’s explosive feature on To make it easier for the OSCE to Department, OSCE Mission to the Fed- Srebrenica, coverage of the excavation have hands-on involvement in the trans- eral Republic of Yugoslavia. Stella Ron- of mass graves in Serbia and the now- formation process, the Mission has ner is the Spokesperson for the Mission.

A spark of hope for the youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina has started a campaign designed to engage young people’s interest in the future of their country. The overriding goal: to reverse a worrying trend among the younger generation to abandon the country of their birth.

By Emir Salihovic and Alexander Nitzsche

osnia and Herzegovina is losing themselves in their home country. A sur- European countries, the United States, or its young people. More than six vey conducted in 2000 showed that, wherever they feel the opportunities look Byears after the end of the war, a given the opportunity,over 60 per cent of better for them. majority of the country’s young people them would leave. Since then the trend This damaging exodus has been rec- still have trouble seeing any future for has continued. Many have left for other ognized by the OSCE Mission as consti-

NEWSLETTER 10 Vol. 9 No. 2 tuting a serious brain drain, threatening radio shows and round tables, has been gles of the past. They are fed up with old- to deprive the country of its next genera- to introduce young people to the current political attitudes that emphasize tion of decision-makers. Last Septem- decision-makers of Bosnia and Herze- differences at the expense of common ber, it started an intensive, proactive govina, especially in the educational and goals and interests. At the same time, the advocacy programme, Mi To Mozemo cultural sector. country’s young people make up a huge (‘We can do it!’), to motivate young peo- A highlight of recent activities was a percentage of the electorate, making ple to become more involved in the school congress in December that drew them a rather influential group.” country’s social, political and economic together 50 students from 11 high schools Only a small number of Bosnia and life. In short: to make Bosnia and Herze- throughout the country. This provided the Herzegovina’s young people, however, govina a place that offers a future. backdrop for lively debates on democ- are actively participating in the country’s The campaign has recruited people racy, human rights, respect for diversity economic, political and social life. Mr. like Marijana Mikic, a 19-year-old girl and youth activism. One concrete result of Beecroft thinks that a change is overdue. from Sarajevo. Since 1995, four of her the congress, which will be holding a sec- While several attempts have been made best friends have already left the country. Why did she decide to stay? OSCE “I was always sitting at home, wait- ing for somebody to do something for me”, she says. “The only thing I wanted was to get far away from here, as soon as possible.” But then she joined the International Red Cross as a volunteer, and this changed her world. “I stood up and found happiness in volunteer work”, Marijana says. Today, she is also one of the three main promoters of the OSCE’s youth campaign. She compares it to a spark that could light a flame of opti- mism and determination among the country’s youth. When she joined the campaign, Marijana met Samir Omerefendic, 25, from Sarajevo, and Vlatka Simanic, 24, from Trnovo. Both share her enthusiasm and feel that things need to be changed in order to make Bosnia and Herzegovina ‘Young people define the world: We can do it!’ attractive once more for their generation – and that young people like themselves should help bring about the necessary ond session in April, has been the creation to increase the participation of young changes. of a students’ association. people in the electoral process, the rate “Our situation has not changed for Perhaps the most popular feature of remains far too low. the past five years”, says Samir. “I think the youth campaign was a contest for the “Twenty years from now, the country we have to help ourselves and set an best song, essay, photograph and cartoon, will depend on today’s youth… This is example for others so we can motivate entitled ‘My World – My BiH’. More their opportunity. They must take the ini- people. The greatest satisfaction for me than 150 youngsters submitted entries, in tiative now – by lobbying, questioning, is learning how to assert myself and which they articulated their ideas for a provoking and getting involved at every acquiring experience, developing skills future in Bosnia and Herzegovina. level”, Ambassador Beecroft adds. that will perhaps help me to build my What Marijana, Samir and Vlatka own career.” Richest resource have in common is the desire to become “The campaign encourages young The Head of the OSCE Mission to involved and play an active role in the people to meet”, says Vlatka. “It brought Bosnia and Herzegovina, Robert world around them. Before joining the the three of us together like this and we Beecroft, stands fully behind the cam- OSCE youth campaign, Samir was hope it will also connect other young paign. “Youth is the richest resource of a involved in a network of youth organiza- people.” country”, he says. “Most young people tions called Nesto Vise (‘Something One major achievement of the cam- in Bosnia and Herzegovina want to look more’). Vlatka was one of the founders paign, which includes public meetings, ahead, not to be obsessed with the strug- of the Trnovo Youth Organization, a

NEWSLETTER Vol. 9 No. 2 11 group that initiated the renewal of social of achieving”, Vlatka says. “Other young- is not listened to, this country may and cultural life in a small town divided sters could have done this as well”, adds as well sign off on its future.” between the two entities of Bosnia and Samir. “But somebody had to be first.” Herzegovina. A serious concern among young peo- Emir Salihovic is Press Officer at Samir, Vlatka and Marijana do not ple in Bosnia and Herzegovina is that the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and see themselves as role models. They say they are marginalized. They say that their Herzegovina. they are not special, just ordinary young voices are not being heard, and that people who realize they have to take a established politicians pay little attention Alexander Nitzsche is Public more active role in order to ensure a bet- to the wishes and needs of the younger Information Officer at the OSCE ter future for themselves. generation. Secretariat and former Deputy “We want to motivate young people to “One thing is certain”, underscores Spokesperson of the Mission to stand up and show what they are capable the Head of the OSCE Mission, “If youth Bosnia and Herzegvina.

Looking for a way out: women as ‘modern-day slaves’ How the OSCE is helping trafficking victims in Kosovo expand their options

By Claire Trevena

Recent global studies estimate that about OSCE Mission in Kosovo: a ticket home, communicate with the mostly-Albanian 700,000 women and children are sold on a plane, not a bus. Travel papers pro- population and endanger their lives if into domestic or sexual slavery every vided. Someone to meet her. Someone to they do so. year. Hundreds of women are being traf- help her re-establish her life. She had Not all trafficked women are forced ficked annually into Kosovo alone, most three children in the Romanian town she into prostitution, although they make up of them coming from the poorest OSCE came from whom she missed passion- the majority. Some work in bars, others participating States. Moldova is a prime, ately. But fear and desperation prevailed. are in menial jobs, forced to work in con- but not exclusive, recruiting ground. Rus- If she went back she would be faced with ditions to which they had not consented. sia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria also possible revenge from the trafficking Often their passports are taken from supply the insatiable market with women. gangs and with continued poverty. She them and they receive little or no pay- Recently the OSCE has been seeing more said she would stay. ment for their work. They are contempo- women being trafficked from Serbia “A typical story is that of Katerina, a rary European slaves. proper, and now from within Kosovo nurse from Moldova who is earning 10 Some do eventually earn some itself. euros a month”, says Robin Lerner, for- money – and it is this that encourages mer Gender and Trafficking Adviser in some to stay. “The women first have to rena, a 17-year-old mother of two, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. “She sees pay off the debt they incurred to leave was planning her future. Sitting in an ad in the paper to be a waitress in home”, said Ms. Lerner. “This can mean I the crowded safe house set up by the and she goes for it. She is taken through a pimp forcing a woman to work ten OSCE and its partners, she was waiting Romania, through Serbia. She’s taken to times a night. If she can earn 150 euros to go home. A widow whose husband an apartment where there are other here in a month, she thinks it is better died in Chechnya, she had been traf- women. She is moved to another loca- than earning nothing at home.” ficked to Kosovo from Moldova. She tion, walking for hours at night. She The options for trafficked women are was among the few hundred women who finds herself not in Italy but in a brothel limited. If they get out of the environment had taken advantage of the repatriation in Kosovo.” in which they are held, they find them- programme for trafficked women in Conditions in the estimated 85 broth- selves in an unknown and often hostile Kosovo that was being carried out by the els in Kosovo vary. In some, the women territory. If they have escaped, there is the International Organization for Migration are beaten. Sometimes they are raped by question of where to go, whether they are (IOM) jointly with the OSCE. the men who bought them. Sometimes brave enough to go to the police, and Sabena’s eyes were full of pain. The they are drugged. Those who can go out whether they know about the IOM repa- process of repatriation was laid out for face an isolated environment. As speak- triation programme and that there is an her by an anti-trafficking specialist in the ers of Slavic languages, they cannot OSCE-sponsored safe house.

NEWSLETTER 12 Vol. 9 No. 2 The OSCE Mission in Kosovo has them. If their legal case does involve this is not only expensive but also com- been supporting a safe house run by an trafficking charges, they have to have the plicated. Those who qualify are usually international non-governmental organi- courage to face their former captors in involved in political cases, not cases zation for some of the women who do the courtroom and accuse them of kid- where people have been trafficked. break out from the trafficking ring. But napping or trafficking. Right now, there Few women are as lucky as Tanja, a this is only for those who have chosen to is almost no protection for women who young Serb woman who escaped from be repatriated. It provides temporary do reach the courts or for those who her traffickers and found protection and shelter for 15 people; right now there are return home. Women who testify in open temporary work with the Kosovo Stabi- 20, with some sleeping on the floor. The court are publicly accusing the crimi- lization Force (KFOR), the NATO troops only alternative place to house them is nals; if they return home, they could face in Kosovo. In an exceptional procedure, the women’s prison in Lipjan/Lipljan those criminals who organized their she was moved from there to another near Pristina and this is a limited option. move in the first place. country under another name. Tanja has If their place of work has been raided, The main problem is the huge role been able to start a new life. the women are still vulnerable, possibly played by organized crime in the traf- facing charges of prostitution or of ille- ficking of women. A current priority of Claire Trevena was the Spokesperson gal entry into Kosovo. Their papers will the OSCE in Kosovo is to develop a wit- and Head of Press and Public Informa- have been taken by those who trafficked ness protection programme. However, tion in the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

Victim advocacy in Kosovo: a long way to go By John Clayton

Early in 2002, the Human Rights crime, with special attention to victims of sons in Kosovo’. The directive will be Division of the OSCE Mission in trafficking and other vulnerable groups. issued by the Special Representative of Kosovo (OMiK) set up a Victim Advo- The gathering featured international the Secretary-General of the United cacy and Support Section with eight pro- and local speakers who presented vari- Nations, who is the head of the UN fessional and six support staff. ous models and approaches used in vic- Interim Administration Mission in Even before it was officially estab- tim advocacy, covering legislative and Kosovo (UNMiK). lished, however, the section had already policy reform and the different types of The Organization is also assisting in organized and hosted a conference in services. About 250 participants – setting up the Victim Advocacy and Pristina from 1 to 3 December 2001 mostly judges, prosecutors, police, legal Assistance Unit in the Department of focusing on advocacy for victims of experts, social workers and representa- Justice, under UNMiK, as a mechanism tives of NGOs – shared experiences providing support to victims. The recruit- aimed at developing a response net- ment of core staff is under way. work tailored to the needs of victims Despite commendable progress, all of crime in Kosovo. these initiatives are at an early stage of The conference resulted in a Vic- development and considerable work tim Advocacy Introductory Manual: remains to be done before victims of working with victims of crime, which trafficking receive the support they need. will serve as an indispensable tool for To find out more about OSCE activ- advocates for victims of trafficking, ities to combat trafficking in human domestic violence and other crimes, beings and assist victims, please look up including those with mental disabili- www.osce.org/odihr/democratization/ ties. The resource manual covers con- trafficking and www.osce.org/kosovo, cerns such as legal and psycho-social as well as links to other OSCE Missions. support to ensure that victims are not The Office for Democratic Institutions traumatized a second time in the pro- and Human Rights (ODIHR) also chairs cess of seeking justice. the Task Force on Trafficking in Human The OSCE is drafting an adminis- Beings, under the Stability Pact for trative directive addressing the prob- South Eastern Europe. lems encountered in implementing the ground-breaking Regulation 2001/4 John Clayton is Senior Human Rights that was signed in January 2001, ‘On Officer, Victim Advocacy and Support the Prohibition of Trafficking in Per- Section, OMiK.

NEWSLETTER Vol. 9 No. 2 13 News from the field

The OSCE currently has Missions or other field activities in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo (Yugoslavia), Skopje (the formerYugoslav Republic of Macedonia), Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Yugoslavia.

Freedom of information in Armenia 17 workshops in support of the Property ordinator for the establishment of the is focus of workshop Law Implementation Plan in Bosnia and Centre. A workshop in Yerevan on 24 and 25 Herzegovina (BiH), the first of which January examined the importance of was held in Tuzla on 16 January. Taking OSCE Mission in Kosovo adopting special legislation on freedom place nationwide, the workshops are dis- streamlines field presence of information in Armenia to guarantee cussing recently adopted amendments to The OSCE Mission in Kosovo the constitutional right of citizens to property legislation and other deal- announced on 9 January that it had under- information and to establish appropriate ing with the return and privatization of gone a comprehensive restructuring in the access mechanisms. About 120 partici- property. The sessions provide small light of developments in Kosovo, includ- pants examined the existing laws on groups of legal professionals with an ing the Assembly election of 17 Novem- accessing materials such as court deci- opportunity to arrive at a better under- ber 2001. The changes reflect the Mis- sions and information from regional and standing and interpretation of the laws. sion’s progress in establishing and devel- local self-governing bodies. The participants include municipal oping local institutions, and in promoting Practical examples of court cases housing authorities from the two entities the participation by all local communities dealing with violations against the right of Bosnia and Herzegovina – the Feder- in the democratic governance of Kosovo. of access to information, and the work ation and Republika Srpska – and the Over the past two years, 21 field offices of the Freedom of Information Centre Brcko District. Representatives of NGOs and regional centres were opened across were discussed. Henrik Danielian, and the UNHCR network of Legal Aid Kosovo. These have now been stream- Chairman of the Court of Cassation, and Information Centres are also taking lined into nine offices, each expressed concern over the lack of legal part. Attendance of the sessions so far covering a number of municipalities, awareness among the public, while Gov- has been much greater than expected. as well as a satellite office in ernment representatives pointed to the The OSCE Mission expects the work- Dragash/Dragas. The choice of locations financial, legislative and human con- shops to accelerate implementation of has been carefully considered to ensure straints to the provision of information. the property law, allowing larger num- that the work of OSCE with the people of The use of information technology was bers of refugees and displaced persons to Kosovo will continue. The OSCE-initi- also discussed. repossess their pre-war homes. ated community centres will continue to At a panel presentation, representa- offer services to local initiatives. In tives from the United States, Bulgaria, Activities of judicial training regions where there is no longer an OSCE the , and the Consti- centre in FRY approved presence, OSCE contact points will be set tutional and Legal Policy Institute The Head of the OSCE Mission to up, although not on a full-time basis. (COLPI) in Budapest, shared their the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Ste- expertise, introduced basic international fano Sannino, signed a document on 4 Anti-trafficking project principles in the area of freedom of February, laying the basis for the activ- is launched in Tajikistan information and commented on the new ities of the Judicial Centre for Profes- The OSCE Mission to Tajikistan has draft law on freedom of information that sional Education and Advanced Train- launched a three-month pilot project had been initiated by two members of ing of Judges and Prosecutors. The doc- aimed at raising awareness of the prob- parliament and four non-governmental ument was also signed by the Serbian lem of human trafficking among law organizations (NGOs). The workshop Minister of Justice Vladan Batic; Omer enforcement officials in the city of Khu- was jointly organized by the OSCE Hazdiomerovic, the President of the jand in northern Tajikistan. The Mis- Office in Yerevan, the Freedom of Infor- Serbian Association of Judges; Lep- sion’s field office in Khujand, in co- mation Centre/Association of Investiga- osava Karamarkovic, the President of operation with the NGO Modar, con- tive Journalists, the Central and East the Serbian Supreme Court; and Francis ducted the first of a series of seminars European Law Initiative of the Ameri- O’Donnell of the United Nations for senior members of law enforcement can Bar Association, and the USAID. Development Programme. The Centre bodies from 26 to 28 December 2001. will serve as the focal point for training Six similar seminars to be held in the Workshops held in BiH to help and educational programmes for judges next few months are expected to implement property law and prosecutors and their support staff. improve the skills and capabilities of The OSCE has launched a series of The OSCE Mission served as the co- trainers, enabling them to organize

NEWSLETTER 14 Vol. 9 No. 2 courses for other law enforcement offi- belief and expression in Central Asia has ticipants emphasized that the ability to cials in Khujand. Project activities will stressed the need for more tolerance and express one’s religious beliefs was a include a round table with representa- called for respect for human rights in the fundamental human right and a corner- tives of civil society and law enforce- campaign against terrorism. “One of the stone of democratic society, and, there- ment bodies in Khujand. main areas of consensus … was the need fore, a prerequisite for lasting stability. for greater dialogue between authorities “This conference presented a valuable Tajikistan holds round table on and religious communities in the region, opportunity for a candid exchange of freedom of religion and belief and the necessity of inter-faith tolerance opinions between governments and civil Participants in a round table on to maintain stability”, said Kathleen society. Although they often disagreed, 1 February in Dushanbe expressed gen- Samuel, Political/Human Dimension it was important that they were able to eral satisfaction with the current level of Officer at the OSCE field office in Osh. express their viewpoints”, said Jeremy freedom of religion in Tajikistan. The The conference was held in Jalal-Abad, Gunn, member of the ODIHR Advisory religious communities commended the southern Kyrgyzstan, on 15 and 16 Panel of Experts on Freedom of Reli- quality of interaction with the Consulta- February and brought together leaders gion or Belief. tive Council of the Committee on Reli- of religious groups and NGOs, govern- The conference was jointly orga- gious Affairs, aimed at facilitating co- ment representatives, and and nized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, operation and settling disputes. Partici- pants called for simplified registration procedures for religious communities and for awareness-raising among law enforcement bodies and local authorities

relating to freedom of religion. The role OSCE/Lubomir Kotek of the Islamic Revival Party was seen as a safeguard to peace and stability in the post-conflict situation. Tajikistan is the only country in Central Asia where such a party exists and is protected by the Constitution. The round table attracted a large audience including more than 40 gov- ernment representatives and heads of 17 religious communities. It was jointly organized by the OSCE Mission to Tajik- istan, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Committee on Religious Affairs of the Tajik Government. Its conclusions Evening prayers in a mosque in Tajikistan were later presented at the conference on freedom of religion and belief in Jalal- Abad, Kyrgyzstan. academics from Central Asian and other the ODIHR, the Friedrich-Ebert- OSCE participating States. Stiftung and the State Committee for OSCE conference in Central Asia Acknowledging the importance of Religious Affairs in Kyrgyzstan, with calls for inter-faith tolerance the struggle against terrorism, including financial support from the United King- An OSCE conference on freedom of violence motivated by religion, the par- dom Foreign Office.

Jorma Inki of Fin- political science from the eral for Administrative Affairs. From IN BRIEF land assumed the University of Turku, 1993 to 1999, he was Finland’s Ambas- position of Head of joined his country’s Min- sador to , after which he was the OSCE Assis- istry of Foreign Affairs in asked to take charge of the country’s tance Group to 1968, and had postings in preparations for the Stability Pact for Chechnya in Febru- Madrid, Mexico, Moscow South Eastern Europe. During the ary, succeeding Alex- and Bonn. From 1988, he served as Finnish presidency of the European andru Cornea. Mr. Ambassador in Belgrade until his return Union in the second half of 1999, he Inki, who holds a master’s degree in to the Ministry in 1991 as Director Gen- headed the European Community Moni-

NEWSLETTER Vol. 9 No. 2 15 tor Mission stationed in Sarajevo. In ment for European Security Policy from Turkish Cultural Centres and Cultural December 2000, he was appointed 1997 to 2000. Ambassador Semneby, 43, Heritage. Since joining his country’s political analyst of the election supervi- holds a master of science degree from Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1966, he sory team in Belgrade, within the the Stockholm School of Economics. He has served in various positions in Bonn, OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institu- also studied Russian and political Bangkok, Brussels and Dar es Salaam, tions and Human Rights. On his return to science at the Uppsala and Stockholm Tanzania, including that of Consul-Gen- the Ministry’s Political Department, he Universities. eral in Rhodes, , and Munich, was responsible for conflict prevention. David H. Swartz of . His assignments at the Foreign Peter Burkhard of the United States, 60, Ministry in Ankara have included Chief Switzerland has taken was appointed Head of of Section of the Department for United over as Head of the the OSCE Mission to Nations Economic Agencies and Head OSCE Office in Baku, Moldova on 30 Decem- of the Information Department. From Azerbaijan, from Alexan- ber, succeeding William 1982 to 1986, he was with the Interna- der Cornellisen, after Hill. He joined the U.S. Foreign Service tional Secretariat of NATO, serving as an serving as the OSCE Project Co-ordina- in 1967, and had postings in Rotterdam, Administrator in the Political Division. tor for Ukraine since October 1999. Prior London, Moscow, Kiev and Zurich. On Ambassador Idil, 60, is a graduate in to his OSCE appointments, from 1996, his return to Washington from Warsaw in political science of the University of he was chief of staff on the Swiss Gov- 1988, he became the first staff director of Ankara and holds a master’s degree in ernment’s task force responsible for co- the U.S. Nuclear Risk Reduction Center. public administration from Gazi Univer- ordinating action concerning assets In 1991, he travelled to Tirana, Albania, sity, in Ankara. transferred to Switzerland during World to re-establish diplomatic relations Paraschiva Bade- War II. Ambassador Burkhard started his between the United States and Albania, scu of Romania was diplomatic career in 1987, and had post- which had been severed shortly after appointed Head of the ings in The Hague, Bonn and Moscow. World War II, and to observe the first OSCE Centre in Ash- During the Swiss Chairmanship of the multiparty elections in the country since gabad, Turkmenistan, OSCE in 1996, he was head of the Policy the war. In 1992, he was appointed as the on 14 January. She and Planning Unit of the Swiss Foreign first U.S. ambassador to the Republic of served as Senior Adviser during the Ministry Co-ordination Unit. Mr. Belarus, and served in Minsk until 1994. OSCE Romanian Chairmanship and, as Burkhard, 46, holds a master’s degree in On his retirement from the U.S. Foreign Head of the Political, Military and Insti- physical chemistry and a doctorate from Service in 1995, he established and tutional Section, dealt with the political the University of Zurich. He spent a headed the European Humanities Uni- and military aspects of security rela- period at the USSR Academy of versity Foundation, Inc., to support a pri- tions with other Euro-Atlantic institu- Sciences in Novosibirsk under a post- vate university in Minsk. He is a board tions, OSCE Partners for Co-operation, doctoral fellowship. member of the University’s Center for and Mediterranean Partners for Co- Peter Semneby of European and Transatlantic Studies, operation. A career diplomat, Ms. Sweden took up his new established at the joint initiative of the Badescu was assigned to the Permanent post in January as Head OSCE and the European Union. Born in Mission of Romania to the OSCE in of the OSCE Mission to Chicago, Illinois, he holds a B.A. degree Vienna in 1993, where she served as Croatia, succeeding in history and political science and a Counsellor and later as Deputy Head Bernard Poncet. He has master’s degree in Soviet and East Euro- of Mission and Alternate Representa- carried out several assignments with the pean area studies. tive. In 1997, she served as Chargé Organization. In 1992-1993, he was a Aydin Idil of Turkey d’Affaires of her country’s Permanent member of the CSCE Mission to Geor- was appointed Head of Mission to the OSCE and other interna- gia, and from 2000 until the end of 2001, the OSCE Centre in tional organizations in Vienna. She was he headed the OSCE Mission to Latvia. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, in Acting Representative to the Interna- A career diplomat since 1986, he has had November 2001, replac- tional Atomic Energy Agency, the postings in Moscow, Kiev and Bonn. At ing Jerzy Wieclaw. From Preparatory Commission for the Com- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stock- 1996 to 2000, he was his country’s prehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty holm, he was Desk Officer for the USSR Ambassador to Tajikistan. Prior to his Organization, and the United Nations (later the Commonwealth of Indepen- OSCE appointment, he was Turkey’s Office at Vienna. Ambassador Badescu dent States and the Baltic States) in the representative to the Organization for holds a master’s degree in philology Trade Department in the early 1990s, Joint Administration of Turkish Culture from the Institute for Slavic Languages, and was Head of Office in the Depart- and Arts, and was the Co-ordinator of the Bucharest University.

NEWSLETTER 16 Vol. 9 No. 2 Liviu Bota awarded the OSCE Medal Liviu Bota, Head of the Per- rial Council.” He also praised manent Mission of Romania to Mr. Bota’s “professional devo- the OSCE and Chairman of the tion to matters ultimately related OSCE Permanent Council in to the defence and promotion of

2001, has been awarded the Evrensel OSCE/Ayhan peace and human rights at the OSCE Medal for his contribution service of the United Nations to the Organization’s activities and of the OSCE.” Minted in and achievements. At a ceremony 1997, the OSCE Medal has been on 6 February at the Hofburg, awarded to three individuals in Joao de Lima Pimentel, the cur- recognition of their distin- rent Chairman of the Permanent guished contribution to the Council and Head of the Por- OSCE: Franz Vranitzky, in 1997, tuguese OSCE Delegation, said for his service in Albania as the that Ambassador Bota had Personal Representative of the “played a very successful role Chairman-in-Office, Jan Kubis, during the Romanian Chairman- in 1998, as the former Director of ship of the OSCE, in chairing the the Conflict Prevention Centre, OSCE Permanent Council and by OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis (left) presents and Max van der Stoel in 2000, as his essential contribution to the Ambassador Liviu Bota, Chairman of the Permanent the High Commissioner on results of the Bucharest Ministe- Council in 2001, with the OSCE medal National Minorities.

PRESS PROFILE the priorities of the OSCE.’ to the OSCE… not only because the Novosti (21 January) quoted a OSCE has taken over similar tasks in Excerpts from spokesman of the Russian Foreign Min- Kosovo and Macedonia, but also istry, Alexander Yakovenko, as saying because the United States would be fur- international media that the primary tasks facing Portugal ther included in the project.’ coverage of would be ‘to implement the plan of anti- A Reuters report (10 January) the OSCE and terrorist activities that was adopted dur- described how NATO Secretary-General its activities ing last year’s summit meeting of OSCE George Robertson, during a visit to Lis- in January foreign ministers in Bucharest, work out bon, honored the OSCE and other multi- a collective strategy against the risks and national organizations for their efforts in challenges of the 21st century, deepen the former Yugoslav Republic of Mace- PORTUGUESE CHAIRMANSHIP the political dialogue between the OSCE donia. Robertson, said Reuters, praised member states [sic] on security and co- the collaboration as having ‘undoubtedly Most reports on the take-over of the operation in Europe, and effect an insti- helped to prevent a civil war; not just an OSCE Chairmanship by Portugal noted tutional reform of the organization…’ ordinary civil war but one that would that the fight against terrorism figured have been bloody and terrible and would prominently on its agenda. ‘Portugal SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE not have been restricted to one country.’ wants to focus on the reasons for terror- ism’, Der Standard wrote (17 January). On the discussion regarding the fol- CAUCASUS Die Presse (18 January) stated that the low-up to the United Nations Interna- new Chairman-in-Office, Portuguese tional Police Task Force (IPTF) in Der Standard (25 January) wrote that Foreign Minister Jaime Gama, ‘wants to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Neue the Russian Government had agreed to appoint a special representative whose Zürcher Zeitung (26 January) wrote: the appointment of the Finnish Ambas- task is the implementation of the OSCE ‘Before the final decision in February, sador Jorma Inki as head of the OSCE Action Plan and the co-operation with more sceptical [EU] member states will Assistance Group to Chechnya. A other international organizations in the push for the EU to get in touch with the Reuters report (14 January) quoted Niko- fight against terrorism. Furthermore, the OSCE, which, due to its mandate, is an lai Britvin, Russian President Putin’s Portuguese are working out a draft equally good candidate for taking over deputy representative for Southern Russia OSCE charter on terrorism. Conflict pre- the tasks of the IPTF.’ The Frankfurter as saying: ‘Those people, including the vention, peaceful settlement of conflicts Allgemeine Zeitung (28 January) added: OSCE, who are talking today about the and crisis management continue to be ‘An alternative is to give the assignment necessity for political dialogue with the

NEWSLETTER Vol. 9 No. 2 17 insurgent leaders are either short-sighted said the OSCE ‘urged Moldova to renew (28 January), cited an OSCE statement or have ulterior motives.’ talks with its breakaway region… to help which assumed the extended term Nezavisimaya Gazeta (29 January) resolve their decade-long conflict’. It ‘would come into effect after the next quoted Rudolf Perina, the American Co- quoted David Swartz, Head of the OSCE presidential elections, in accordance Chair of the Minsk Conference, as warn- Mission to Moldova, as warning that ‘the with the best practices recognized ing that ‘the window for the peaceful set- process can develop in an unknown throughout the OSCE region’. tlement of the conflict might close direction, which is dangerous’. Die Presse (26 January) wrote that, down…’ The paper also noted that Swartz was also cited in an article of according to the Austrian Foreign Minis- OSCE Chairman-in-Office Jaime Gama the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (31 January): ter, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, ‘the OSCE considered Nagorno Karabakh as being ‘He accused the Transdniestrian leader- can be a major contributor to the eco- among the regions where the OSCE ship of undermining Russia’s efforts to nomic and political security of Europe… intended to strengthen its activities in the empty weapon depots in due time. And She appealed to the EU to commit itself field of peaceful settlement of disputes the leadership is obviously succeeding – more to the countries of Central Asia. and post-conflict rehabilitation. while Moscow fulfilled its obligations Besides Afghanistan, one should not for- according to the Conventional Forces in get Uzbekistan or Tajikistan.’ EASTERN EUROPE Europe Treaty last year, it again lags behind schedule, says Swartz.’ OSCE INSTITUTIONS A Reuters dispatch from Minsk (14 January) focused on a letter from the BALTICS On 30 January, Reuters reported that United Civil Party of Belarus to the Ambassador Gerard Stoudmann, the OSCE on developments in Belarus. The closure of the OSCE Missions in Director of the OSCE’s Office for Reuters reported that the letter said Pres- Estonia and Latvia continued to attract Democratic Institutions and Human ident Lukashenko had ‘repressed’ press coverage. In an interview with Rights, ‘urged the United States… to Belarus’s opposition movement since his Novosti (21 January), Alexander Yako- apply the Geneva Conventions to Taliban re-election last year. The party was ask- venko, spokesman of the Russian Foreign and al Qaeda fighters being detained at a ing for political and economic sanctions Ministry, emphasized Moscow’s stand on U.S. naval base in Cuba… He warned on Belarus because of what it called ‘the the issue: ‘Russia intends to draw atten- Washington it risked jeopardizing the systematic violations of human and tion… to the necessity of more actively global anti-terrorism coalition forged political rights’. involving the OSCE mechanisms, primar- after September 11 attacks on U.S. cities On the role of the OSCE Advisory ily the High Commissioner on National if it abandoned the moral high ground and Monitoring Group in Belarus, the Minorities and the Office for Democratic and failed to adhere fully to international Neue Zürcher Zeitung (28 January) Institutions and Human Rights, in the law.’ It also said Stoudman called the wrote that Belarus threatened to close continuation of the tough monitoring of plans to try terrorist suspects who were down the OSCE office if the mission’s the humanitarian situation… of our com- not U.S. citizens in special military mandate was not limited: ‘Minsk patriots in the Baltic countries.’ courts a ‘violation of a basic and funda- accuses OSCE representatives of taking Reporting on the OSCE Ministerial mental principle of rule of law, which is a too-active role in the politics of the Troika meeting in Lisbon [Romania, equality before the law’. country… The leadership seems to over- Portugal and the Netherlands], Reuters Reuters followed this up (31 Jan- look that part of the OSCE’s mandate is (21 January) wrote that the ‘Dutch For- uary) with a response from Ambassador to advise democratic institutions during eign Minister, Jozias van Aartsen, said Stephan Minikes, head of the U.S. Mis- their development and to encourage civil the OSCE’s High Commissioner on sion to the OSCE, who said that the legal society development.’ National Minorities would keep moni- status of the detainees was under review In an interview with Interfax (8 Jan- toring Latvia’s treatment of its Russian- and asked Washington’s partners in the uary), Mikhail Khvostov, Belarus For- speaking minority.’ Another Reuters OSCE for patience. eign Minister, said he believed that report (25 January) said: ‘The OSCE left On the first six months of Rolf human rights ‘are certainly key issues in Latvia with a promise to continue to Ekeus’term as the OSCE High Commis- the work of any organization, but it monitor Riga’s stance on the language sioner on National Minorities, Der Stan- should not and cannot be the primary issue. But politicians facing a general dard (24 January) wrote that the Com- concern of the work of such an organiza- election by October have been reluctant missioner saw as a first success of his tion as the OSCE.’ to irk Latvian national feelings by boost- mandate the provisional understanding Reuters (21 January) quoted OSCE ing rights for Russian speakers.’ between Hungary and Romania on the Chairman-in-Office Jaime Gama as con- controversial ‘status law’ adopted by the demning the authorities in Transdniestria CENTRAL ASIA Hungarian Parliament. Die Presse (24 for keeping an OSCE team from inspect- January) quoted Ekeus as saying: ‘Many ing a new round of Russian arms with- On the referendum in Uzbekistan for are shocked when they realize where the drawals. In another report (24 January) it an extended presidential term, Reuters HCNM can poke his nose in.’

NEWSLETTER 18 Vol. 9 No. 2 UPDATE from the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is located at Aleje Ujazdowskie 19, PL-00 557 Warsaw, , tel.: (+48-22) 520 06 00, fax: (+48-22) 520 06 05, e-mail: [email protected]

ODIHR discusses projects and standing between ODIHR and the Tajik covering Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakh- funding with donors government. They were jointly imple- stan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Dur- The Office for Democratic Institu- mented with the Presidential Executive ing this phase, the NGOs participating in tions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Office and the OSCE Mission to Tajik- the training will submit their monitoring hosted a series of consultation meetings istan. The trainers included experts from reports to the ODIHR. As a next step, with some of its major donors in January the ODIHR, the Presidential Executive NGO-government round tables will be to discuss the Office’s project activities Office and a local non-governmental organized to enable NGOs to submit and prospects for future funding. Partic- organization (NGO). their reports to, and share their findings ipants included delegations from the with, the relevant government sectors. Governments of Canada, Denmark, Referral mechanism for trafficked As the programme has proved to be pop- Sweden, Switzerland and the United persons initiated in the FRY ular, the ODIHR will continue it in 2002, States. Several delegations expressed Through its Anti-Trafficking Fund, and expand it to include Georgia and interest in moving towards a more long- the ODIHR supported the OSCE Mis- Tajikistan. term co-operation and funding frame- sion to the Federal Republic of work. One of the first multiple-year Yugoslavia by organizing two training Human rights report on Kosovo agreements, the ‘Strategic Partnership workshops for participants from all over translated into Serbian on Central Asia Civil Society Support’, Serbia. The workshops were conducted The ODIHR has supported the Serb- was concluded last year with the Danish by two trainers from the German NGO ian translation and publication of a major Stability and Reconciliation Fund. Other Kobra and the State Criminal Police- OSCE report on human rights in Kosovo donors, such as the Governments of Nor- Hannover. covering the period from October 1998 way and the , also con- The aim was to set up a national to October 1999. Published by the tribute regularly to ODIHR activities in a referral mechanism for trafficked per- Humanitarian Law Centre in Belgrade in number of OSCE regions. sons by enhancing the co-operation December 2001, the Serbian edition of between law enforcement agencies and As Seen, As Told will be made available DEMOCRATIZATION social institutions in the governmental to governmental and non-governmental and non-governmental sectors. The ses- organizations in Serbia and Kosovo. The Tajik prison sions sought to clarify the responsibili- two-volume report was published in personnel trained ties and tasks of all the actors involved in English by the ODIHR and the OSCE in human rights human trafficking cases and to take the Mission in Kosovo in 1999. The ODIHR held first steps towards establishing a well- eight human-rights functioning national referral mecha- Roma refugee support training seminars in nism. Participants were made aware that centre established in the Sughd region in northern Tajikistan, co-operating and sharing information Shuto Orizari, former from 25 January to 2 February. All 240 with one another was essential to effec- Yugoslav Republic prison personnel of two correctional tive victim assistance and the successful of Macedonia colonies and two pre-trial detention cen- prosecution of traffickers. Several Supported by the ODIHR Contact tres participated. Using an interactive immediate and concrete steps for action Point, a communication and support methodology, the training imparted a were identified and will be implemented centre for Roma refugees from Kosovo basic knowledge of human rights of spe- in the coming weeks by the participants. was established in Shuto Orizari, former cific relevance to detention facilities. The Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The curriculum focused on the application of Central Asia and southern Caucasus centre will facilitate communication the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the benefit from training in human with other refugee groups in south-east- Treatment of Prisoners and the UN Con- rights monitoring and reporting ern Europe and will serve as a clearing vention Against Torture. Together with OSCE offices and the house between the local refugee commu- The seminars were carried out in the Polish Helsinki Foundation for Human nity and the authorities and international second phase of the ODIHR’s Prison- Rights, the ODIHR is completing the organizations. The ODIHR Contact Service Training Project, which is cov- third phase of its training programme on Point supports similar initiatives in other ered by the Memorandum of Under- human rights monitoring and reporting, countries of the region.

NEWSLETTER Vol. 9 No. 2 19 Roma women share expertise develop appropriate research in organizing NGOs tools to document forms of dis- The ODIHR Contact Point for criminatory treatment of resi- Roma and Sinti Issues organized dents in housing and other public a training workshop in Belgrade OSCE/Lubomir Kotek services. The documentation and from 19 to 23 January for NGOs monitoring tools are to be dealing with Roma women in applied in other municipalities post-conflict areas in south-east- where housing-related issues are ern Europe. Six senior Roma potential sources of tensions women activists conducted the between different communities. training and passed on their expe- rience to Roma representatives of Guidelines for Roma social newly established NGOs. Over workers being developed the next six months, the trainers The ODIHR and the NGO will serve as mentors, providing Romani CRISS organized a advice to the trainees and assist- workshop from 11 to 13 January ing them to establish their NGOs. to prepare guidelines for Roma community social workers. Round table on confidence- Under its programme to improve Three generations of Roma in Kosovo building held in Piatra Neamt the living conditions of Roma in Following the highly publi- Romania, the Government has cized controversy surrounding plans of Point aimed at easing tensions in the recently decided to appoint more than the mayor of Piatra Neamt, Romania, to community. In October, the Contact 200 Roma social workers in municipal- set up an enclosed compound housing Point brokered an agreement between ities with Roma residents to improve the town’s Roma families, the ODIHR the municipality, representatives of the their access to social services. organized a round table on 8 January regional and central governments and The ODIHR Contact Point con- designed to improve relations and two Roma NGOs to monitor the situa- cluded an agreement with the Ministry restore trust and confidence between the tion to prevent potential residential seg- of Health in September 2001, assigning local Roma community and the munici- regation and any other form of discrim- the Contact Point with responsibility for pal authorities. Tensions had risen to ination based on race or ethnicity. training the social workers. The Guide- dangerous levels between the municipal- In January, the Contact Point hired a lines, to be used as a training tool, are ity’s Roma and non-Roma communities local monitor to document the access of being finalized by an editorial team. The following the mayor’s statement in Octo- Roma families to housing and to serve as workshop was jointly organized with ber. a clearing house for the partners officials from the Ministry of Health The round table was part of a long- involved in the agreement. An interna- and Family, local authorities and NGOs term engagement of the ODIHR Contact tional expert has been assigned to in Sinaia, Romania. NEWS 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, e-mail: [email protected]

Minority issues in Slovak Republic tries’. In Nitra, he met with the academic In Bratislava, the High Commis- and ‘Status Law’ discussed faculty of Constantine the Philosopher sioner met with senior Government offi- The OSCE High Commissioner on University to discuss measures being cials and minority representatives to National Minorities, Rolf Ekeus, visited taken to improve opportunities for assess the situation of national and eth- the Slovak Republic on 24 and 25 Jan- minorities to study in their mother nic minorities in Slovakia. He noted the uary to discuss the training of minority- tongue, especially in pedagogy. He significant progress made in the protec- language teachers, the Slovak Govern- expressed optimism that a new faculty, tion of minority rights, minority-related ment’s minority policy, and the reaction which would address the needs of mechanisms and in the inter-ethnic dia- of the Government to the ‘Act on Hun- minorities, would soon be approved by logue during the three years the current garians Living in Neighbouring Coun- the University Senate. Government coalition has been in power.

NEWSLETTER 20 Vol. 9 No. 2 The High Commissioner was briefed ing the Slovak Government’s position on negotiations with Hungary on a possible by Foreign Minister Eduard Kukan and the ‘Act on Hungarians Living in Neigh- bilateral declaration. Mr. Ekeus is con- State Secretary Jaroslav Chlebo regard- bouring Countries’ and the status of tinuing to follow this issue closely. REPORT from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

The Secretariat of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is located at Rådhusstræde 1, DK-1466 Copenhagen K, Denmark, tel.: (+45-33) 37 80 40, fax: (+45-33) 37 80 30, e-mail: [email protected]

Former OSCE PA Treasurer Bill Members of the Committee high- Election Code in Kazakhstan (see story Graham appointed Foreign Minister lighted the need for the governmental on page 8). Participants included repre- The former OSCE Parliamentary side to further practice what it preached sentatives from the Central Election Assembly (PA) Treasurer, Bill Graham, by adhering to democratic working Commission, the Kazakh parliament was appointed Foreign Minister of methods, including openness, trans- and political party representatives. Canada on January 15, following a parency and accountability, as well as At the conclusion of the round table, reshuffle of the Government. He was an providing directly elected parliamentar- Mr. Ostash submitted the results of the active member of the OSCE Parliamen- ians with full and complete information four round tables to the Kazakh parlia- tary Assembly, serving as a Vice-Presi- on decision-making in the OSCE. ment, in the form of a comprehensive dent from 1997 to 1999, and as Treasurer The Committee agreed to seek the table of recommendations to improve the from 1999 until the Paris Session in support of the participating governments electoral law. Summing up the process, 2001. A of Law, Mr. Graham for the recommendations made by the Mr.Ostash said: “Despite some difficul- was elected to the Canadian Parliament OSCE PA through the engagement of all ties and uncertainties, the round-table in 1993 and served as Chair of the House national OSCE PA delegations. The Ad process succeeded in encouraging and of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Hoc Committee was preparing for direct promoting a political dialogue between for seven years. Commenting on his discussions with members of the Perma- all the segments of civil society, in par- appointment, the weekly magazine The nent Council at a retreat, planned for 23 ticular between opposition political par- Economist, stated: “Not since 1948 has and 24 February in Salzburg. ties and the Government.” Canada tapped such a well prepared for- eign minister.” OSCE PA visits Ukraine Ad Hoc Committee on Transparency A delegation and Accountability meets in D.C. of ten members of The Ad Hoc Committee on Trans- the OSCE Parlia- parency and Accountability met in mentary Assem-

Washington, D.C., on 21 January under OSCE/Parliamentary Assembly bly, headed by the chairmanship of U.S. Congressman Mihai Stanisoara, Steny Hoyer, to discuss ways of strength- MP (Romania), ening relations with the governmental visited the office side of the OSCE. Members of the Com- of the OSCE Pro- mittee emphasized that the OSCE Parlia- ject Co-ordinator mentary Assembly, as one of the most in Ukraine from important OSCE institutions, needed to 31 January to be more closely involved in the Organi- 1 February. This Ad Hoc Committee on Transparency and Accountability meeting zation and that more regular consulta- was the second in Washington, D.C. (l to r): Vice-President A.Tan, MP (Turkey), tions should take place at both the polit- PA visit aimed at U. Ahlin, MP (Sweden) and Vice-President B. George, MP (UK) ical and the executive levels. The Com- becoming better mittee also noted the importance of acquainted with opening a small OSCE PA liaison office PA Vice-President Ihor Ostash mod- the work of the OSCE in the field. In in Vienna to ensure better contact and erates round table in Kazakhstan December, nine members of the OSCE flow of information between the parlia- On 29 January, Vice-President Ihor PA took part in a visit to Latvia and mentary and governmental branches of Ostash, MP (Ukraine), moderated the Estonia. The delegation met with Peter the Organization. fourth and final round table on the Burkhard, the OSCE Project Co-ordina-

NEWSLETTER Vol. 9 No. 2 21 tor, as well as with senior Government OSCE institutions. Following the Troika where he had an audience with the King and parliamentary representatives. meeting, Mr. Severin attended the meet- of Norway and meetings with the ing of the heads of missions of the Speaker of the Parliament, Joergen Working group on Belarus OSCE. In his address, the President Kosmo; the Prime Minister, Kjell Magne visits Minsk informed the heads about the activities Bondevik; the Foreign Minister, Jan Three members of the OSCE PA ad of the Parliamentary Assembly and Petersen; and the OSCE PA delegation. hoc working group on Belarus, Uta offered concrete support to the missions The programme included a discussion Zapf, MP (Germany), who chairs the in their work, pointing out that there with the President and members of the group, Urban Ahlin, MP (Sweden), and were several projects through which the Nordic Council. Throughout his visit, Helena Demakova, MP (Latvia), visited Assembly was already co-operating Mr. Severin stressed the role of the Minsk from 3 to 5 February. Their goal closely with the missions. OSCE parliamentarians in the work of was to continue discussions begun dur- the OSCE and the need for more open- ing the group’s visit in November on Address to Council of Europe ness in the Organization. ways to reinvigorate the dialogue with Parliamentary Assembly the Belarusian authorities and with Mr. Severin delivered an address to Fourth working visit to other political and social forces in the the Parliamentary Assembly of the International Secretariat country. Council of Europe (CoE) on 23 January, Mr. Severin paid his fourth working The delegation met with representa- focusing on areas where the Parliamen- visit to the International Secretariat in tives of the two chambers of the National tary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Copenhagen from 6 to 9 February. Sec- Assembly as well as with the Foreign CoE co-operate, such as combating ter- retary General Spencer Oliver con- Minister, the Head of the Presidential rorism and promoting democracy and vened a meeting of the Secretariat staff Administration and the Minister of stability in Belarus. During his visit, Mr. to discuss the forthcoming activities of Information. The delegation also met Severin met with a number of high-level the Assembly. In Copenhagen, Mr. Sev- with representatives of pro-Government representatives of the CoE, including the erin met with the Head of the Danish and opposition political parties, research President of the Parliamentary Assem- delegation, Pia Larsen, and with Jan institutes, civic organizations and trade bly, Peter Schieder, and the Secretary- Troejborg, the newly appointed Per- unions, and with family members of dis- General of the CoE, Walter Schwimmer. sonal Representative of the OSCE appeared and imprisoned opposition He also met with the Secretary-General Chairman-in-Office. politicians. of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly, He also held meetings with the Bruno Haller, and the Secretary-General Japanese and Korean Ambassadors to Activities of the PA President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Denmark, as well as with the Minister Commonwealth of Independent States, Counselor of the Royal Thai Embassy, to OSCE Troika and Heads Michail Krotov, to discuss the parlia- discuss a further strengthening of rela- of Missions Meetings mentary conference on combating ter- tions with the three Partners for Co-oper- Parliamentary Assembly President rorism, to be held in St. Petersburg in ation (Japan, the Republic of Korea and Adrian Severin participated in the meet- March 2002. Thailand) and the possibility of organiz- ing of the OSCE Ministerial Troika on ing a trans-Asian forum. The Secretary 21 January in Lisbon, along with OSCE Visit to Norway General hosted a working lunch with PA Deputy Secretary General Pentti PA President Severin paid an official President Severin and the Ambassadors Vaananen and the heads of the other visit to Norway on 28 and 29 January, of Portugal and the Netherlands.

OSCE AGENDA 4 to 6 March, Vienna. Vienna Document annual imple- 31 March: Observation of parliamentary elections in mentation assessment meeting. OSCE participating States Ukraine. OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission to to discuss implementation of Confidence- and Security- monitor elections. Building Measures laid out in Vienna Document. 23-25 April, Warsaw. Human Dimension seminar on judi- 25-26 March, Paris. Seminar on the socio-economic cial system and human rights. Organized by ODIHR and impact of disarmament. Macro-economic effects of disar- OSCE Chairmanship. mament, conversion problems posed by disarmament and environmental risks semming from uncontrolled disarma- 28-31 May, . Tenth meeting of the OSCE Economic nent. Organized by OSCE Chairmanship, French Ministry for Forum. Co-operation for sustainable use and protection of Foreign Affairs and Office of Co-ordinator of Economic and quality of water. Organized by Portuguese OSCE Chairman- Environmental Activities. ship and Office of Co-ordinator of Economic and Environ- mental Activities.

NEWSLETTER 22 Vol. 9 No. 2 NEWS from the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

The Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media is located at Kärtner Ring 5- 7, A-1010 Vienna, Austria. Tel.: (+43-1) 512 21 45-0, fax: (+43-1) 512 21 45-9, e-mail: [email protected]

Newspaper stopped from appeal. The OSCE Representative said journalist should go to prison or be sen- printing in Kyrgyzstan that hers could be described as a “water- tenced to a prison term, even a sus- On 19 January, the State-owned pub- shed” case; the results of the appeal pended one, for performing his/her pro- lishing house, Uchkun, refused to print the might have an impact on other journal- fessional duties”, Mr. Duve stated in a independent newspaper, Moya Stolitsa- ists in Russia who were investigating letter addressed to Yugoslav Foreign Novosti, despite an advance payment for corruption. Minster Goran Svilanovic. “Any cases of the print run. On 22 January, Freimut In early January, the Presidium of the libel should be dealt with by a civil court Duve, the OSCE Representative on Free- Highest Arbitration Court in Russia and should not under any circumstances dom of the Media, asked the Kyrgyz For- upheld the liquidation of the Moscow involve imprisonment.” eign Minister, Muratbek Imanaliev, for Independent Broadcasting Company further information on how the Govern- (MNVK), the parent company of Rus- Brochure on OSCE ment would deal with this case in the sia’s only independent, nationwide tele- commitments is published light of its OSCE commitments. vision channel, TV-6. The suit was originally lodged in Concern over media September 2001 by the LUKoil-Garant developments in Russia pension fund, a minority shareholder in On 24 January, Freimut Duve issued TV-6. LUKoil-Garant is a subsidiary of a written statement to the OSCE Perma- the LUKoil Corporation, which owns 15 nent Council concerning three recent percent of TV-6. After the hostile take- developments relating to the media in over of the NTV management by Russia. He stressed that all the cases Gazprom, TV-6 became the only inde- were “very serious”, raising questions pendent television voice in the country. about Russia’s commitment to free and Now it was out of business, Mr. Duve pluralistic media. He has asked the Rus- noted. On 22 January, the television sta- sian Government for clarification. tion’s electric power, Internet and tele- Grigory Pasko, a military journalist, phone lines had been cut off and a sports was convicted of treason by a military channel had replaced it on the same fre- court in Vladivostok in late December quency. and sentenced to four years in prison for providing a Japanese television company Journalist sentenced with footage of the Russian navy dump- for libel in Belgrade ing nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean. In January, the Belgrade First Munic- Pasko was appealing his sentence. How- ipal Court sentenced NIN Editor-in- ever, the Prosecutor’s Office was also Chief Stevan Niksic to a suspended five- The OSCE Representative on Free- appealing, asking for a longer prison month jail term for libel. He had been dom of the Media has published a term. sued by Aleksa Djilas over a letter pub- brochure on Freedom of Expression, The case was significant as it could lished in the magazine regarding Djilas’ Free Flow of Information, Freedom of set a standard for journalists reporting on father, Yugoslav communist official the Media: CSCE/OSCE Main Provi- ecological matters, stressed Freimut Milovan Djilas. The OSCE Representa- sions, 1975-2001. Duve. tive has received a statement from the The brochure outlines the commit- Also in December, in Belgorod, a respected Association of Independent ments of the Organization for Security local court sentenced Olga Kitova, a Electronic Media (ANEM), pointing out and Co-operation in Europe in this area, reporter for Belgorodskaya Pravda, to a that the criminal libel charge was unac- spanning the period from the Helsinki suspended sentence of two and a half ceptable.The OSCE Mission to the FRY Final Act to the OSCE Istanbul Summit. years for libel and for using force was also involved in the case and had Published in Russian and English, it is against Government representatives. made its views public. being distributed to OSCE field offices Ms. Kitova, who was actively investigat- “I would like to once again underline and missions. Copies can be requested ing corruption in her region, planned to that it is my fundamental belief that no from the Representative’s Office.

NEWSLETTER Vol. 9 No. 2 23 REPORT from the OSCE Secretary General and the Secretariat

The OSCE Secretariat is located at Kärntner Ring 5-7, A-1010 Vienna, Austria. Telephone: (+43-1) 514 36-0, Fax: (+43-1) 514 36-96, e-mail: [email protected]

SG attends Ministerial Troika and should be no Heads of Missions Meetings duplication of Secretary General Jan Kubis efforts and ac- attended the Ministerial Troika Meeting tion should be in Lisbon and the Heads of Missions centralized. Fol- OSCE/Michal Olejarnik Meeting on 21 and 22 January. Besides low-up contacts providing an opportunity for an were arranged exchange of views with the Chairman- for further inter- in-Office and with the heads of institu- action between tions, the Heads of Missions Meeting the two organi- facilitated brainstorming sessions relat- zations and their ing to the different regions. At the sug- secretariats. gestion of the Chairmanship, the follow- ing topics were discussed: the role of UN Secretary- missions in the economic and environ- General meets mental area, the contribution of missions with the OSCE to the implementation of the Bucharest OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis and United Nations Secretary Plan of Action for Combating Terrorism Secretary-General Kofi Annan reviewed OSCE-UN co-operation General and the Bishkek Programme of Action, in Vienna, on 30 January On 30 Jan- the interaction between OSCE missions uary, OSCE Sec- and representatives of international to the fight against terrorism, regional retary General Jan Kubis met with organizations, and ways of strengthening issues in Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegov- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi the role of missions. ina, Chechnya, Moldova, Nagorno Annan, who was on a visit to Austria. Karabakh and Central Asia, and the They reviewed co-operation between EU-OSCE Ministerial Troika meets OSCE Economic Forum. the United Nations and the OSCE, pri- For the first time, the European The EU and OSCE representatives marily in the field. In a discussion on the Union’s Ministerial Troika met with the shared the same positions on the issues new threats and challenges to security in Chairman-in-Office and the Secretary and expressed the need and willingness and around Afghanistan, the important General of the OSCE to discuss to co-operate more closely. They role of the OSCE in Central Asia was enhanced co-operation between the EU devoted special attention to the future of underlined. Also discussed were issues and the OSCE at the ministerial level. the International Police Task Force dealing with the future division of The Minister for Foreign Affairs of (IPTF) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, say- responsibilities for the IPTF in Bosnia , Pique i Camps, chaired the meet- ing that it afforded new possibilities for and Herzegovina, the situation in ing on 29 January. The agenda dealt with co-operation. However, they agreed that Nagorno Karabakh and the fight against the contribution of the EU and the OSCE for the Task Force to be effective, there terrorism.

The OSCE NEWSLETTER is published by the Secretariat of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The views expressed are those of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the OSCE and its participating States.

Kärntner Ring 5- 7, A-1010 Vienna, Austria Tel.: (+43-1) 514 36-180 Fax: (+43-1) 514 36-105 E-mail: [email protected] Keith Jinks, Editor Alexander Nitzsche, Deputy Editor Patricia Sutter, Associate Editor For more information, see the OSCE website: www.osce.org