spring 2002 IRIInternational Republican Institute n November, IRI observed two of the IRI’s new Vice President for Strategic Chinese Village most well organized elections it has Planning, Georges Fauriol, accompanied Iseen in China since observations began Asia Division Director Elizabeth Dugan Elections Well in 1994. and China program staff on the mission. Although IRI has observed more than 50 In two rural communities in Hainan, local elections in a number of different Organized China’s southernmost province, citizens Chinese provinces since the inception of of all ages turned out and were met at the its electoral reform program in 1994, this balloting table by election officials who was the first observed in Hainan province. verified voter registration certificates, passed out blank ballots and recorded At the primary in Toupu, villagers freely the wishes of illiterate and handicapped nominated candidates for village leader- voters. Participation was widespread and ship positions. In Cangdong, voters chose enthusiastic as villagers decided whom between pairs of candidates they had they would entrust to shepherd the com- nominated earlier for the positions of munity during what will surely be a period village chairperson, vice chairperson and of intense social and economic change in member, or wrote in other candidates. rural China. Both villages have advanced economically The observation mission covered two in the past several years, which may have elections, a primary election in the village helped incumbents succeed in both of Toupu and a general election in the elections. Cangdong’s incumbent chair- village of Cangdong, both near the man, re-elected to a three-year term, was provincial capital of Haikou. (Continues on page 3)

Dangerous Times for Democracy in Indonesia Since the fall of the Suharto regime in guerilla war throughout the province, the throughout 2002, covering issues May 1998, IRI has supported Indonesia’s task of transforming the role of govern- such as legislative drafting, the legislative transition to democracy by working with ment in Aceh is by no means easy. It is process, education and elections. As the political parties, legislatures, academics, dangerous to travel within Aceh; hundreds only U.S. organization currently working and community leaders. of buildings have been burned; scores of on these issues in Aceh, IRI has been elected officials, teachers and rectors of well-received and is making an important For the last year, Doreen Williams has universities and others have been assassi- contribution in a troubled part of this headed IRI’s governance training efforts nated. important country. on the ground, coordinating and conduct- ing seminars for legislators, government “Dialogue is important because these peo- Aceh is just one of many IRI efforts in officials, academics, and other groups. ple (the Acehnese) seldom come together Indonesia. Within one month of the fall of Of particular note is IRI’s work with Aceh, for fear of assassination,” Williams said. President Suharto, IRI’s Asia staff carried one of Indonesia’s most restive provinces, “The security issue is a great concern. out the first of several missions to meet as it implements a new special autonomy with major political figures, government “All of Indonesia will be looking at Aceh law that devolves certain powers from the leaders, academics, and student activists to to see how it handles its special autonomy. assess needs and respond to their requests central government to the provincial and What and how they do things could set a for assistance. IRI’s Jakarta office opened local level. Because of the special autono- precedent for the rest of the country. It is in October 1998 and began conducting my law, Aceh is expected to be the first truly a test case,” Williams said. consultations and development province in Indonesia to hold direct elec- tions at the provincial level. With a violent IRI will convene governance seminars (Continues on page 8)

1 IRI staff has been working to help democracy Message from the Chairman take root on many levels of government. In the face of new lie ahead for reformers in other parts of the And IRI joined with others, on the 10th struggles for democra- world. anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel cy, IRI has witnessed Peace Prize to Burmese freedom fighter IRI was encouraged by well-organized recent progress in Aung San Suu Kyi, in calling - - again - - democratic elections at the village level in countries around the for her release. Suu Kyi has spent most of globe. From Africa to China and also observed the parliamentary elections in the Solomon Islands that pro- the last decade under house arrest, despite Asia, the work of IRI significant international attention. volunteer trainers and vided a critical first step in restoring social staff, along with brave and political order. While witnessing these I hope that these stories not only attest to men and women elections creates positive expectations, IRI the value of IRI programs but also serve as abroad, continues to is mindful that the work to build, grow and a reminder of the great privileges we enjoy bear fruit. sustain democracy goes far beyond a fair everyday as Americans. election. This newsletter features stories of hope and victory, such as the centerfold article In Romania, where democracy has taken on successful youth training programs, root, IRI has been involved in government Senator John McCain while demonstrating that great challenges communications training. In Croatia, IRI Chairman, IRI McCain Calls for Burmese Democracy Leader’s Release IRI Chairman Senator John McCain Burma’s National League for Democracy, Washington and Oslo called for the called for the release of Burmese Nobel the party that won more than 80 percent release of the Burmese leader along with Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on the tenth of the parliamentary seats in 1990 elec- 1,500 other pro-democracy political anniversary of her receipt of the Nobel tions. The ruling military junta refused to prisoners in Burma. Peace Prize. uphold the results, and thousands of stu- In Washington, Senator McCain’s McCain, in a statement read by IRI board dents and party activists were arbitrarily message was joined by calls from former member Alison Fortier during the imprisoned. Aung San Suu Kyi was first Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Washington D.C. segment of the Nobel placed under house arrest in 1989, and now chair of the National Democratic Laureate anniversary event on December has remained under some form of deten- Institute; U.S. Chamber of Commerce 8, called the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize “not tion for most of the past decade. president and CEO Thomas Donahue; just an honor bestowed on Aung San Suu The Nobel Peace Laureate event at the and John Sweeney, president of the Kyi, but also a recognition of the sacri- AFL-CIO. U.S. Chamber of Commerce on fices made by so many Burmese in the December 8 was linked via satellite to the name of freedom.” IRI has been providing support and train- 100th anniversary celebration of Nobel ing to Burma’s pro-democracy movement Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader of Laureates in Oslo. Participants in since 1992. Folsom Lists Political Parties’ Pillars for Democracy Political parties must provide three pillars • Should enhance democratic governabil- examples of countries where, despite a for a democracy to succeed in a country, ity, which is important in the trans- functioning civil society, the failure of IRI President George A. Folsom told the parency of public administration; and political parties to provide all three pillars Inter-American Forum on Political Parties had led to undemocratic regimes. meeting in Miami on December 13. • Should help make democracy sustain- able by serving as a barrier to tempta- Peru, he said, is an example of how IRI is “Political parties need to be internally tions toward undemocratic alternatives. working in Latin America to strengthen democratic in order to govern democrati- parties through training in such areas as cally,” he told the forum, sponsored by the Weakness in political parties has at times ethics, transparency and fund-raising. Organization of American States. To shaken Latin America’s already fragile succeed, political parties: economic and social foundations, Folsom Folsom echoed similar themes in a speech said. His speech preceded Argentina’s on November 20 to the Institute for Global • Must ensure pluralistic competitiveness, political and economic crisis by only days. Democracy and Council on Foreign which is important for the debate Relations. of ideas; He cited Venezuela, Haiti and Cuba as

2 International Republican Institute Chinese Village Elections Solomons Vote Amidst Mistrust (Continued from page 1) In an atmosphere of credited with bringing important economic ethnic mistrust and opportunities, such as sapling cultivation, armed conflict, voters sugar cane refining and hog farming, to of the Solomon Islands the village. Toupu’s incumbent chairman, went to the polls on who had overseen the renovation and December 5, 2001 and modernization of a number of dilapidated peacefully expressed traditional buildings in the village, led their desire for reform nominees in the village’s primary. and change. This par- liamentary election Election materials produced by Toupu’s was the first democrat- and Cangdong’s election commissions, ic exercise in the 990- and translated by IRI staff, demonstrated island South Pacific that great efforts were made to ensure fair- nation since a coup in ness and transparency in the elections’ 2000 removed the procedures and results. In Cangdong, elected government. seven election announcements promoting IRI, with funding from and explaining voter registration, the the Consortium for primary process and general election Elections and Political procedures were produced during the Process Strengthening, two months prior to the elections. sponsored a five-per- Toupu’s election committee organized a son delegation to theatrical performance on the eve of the observe the election at primary election. Song and dance the urging of U.S. performances were interspersed with diplomatic officials in quizzes on election procedures and the region. regulations, and exhortations on the IRI observers sought to importance of political participation. ensure a transparent Both elections proceeded smoothly and democratic electoral with a high level of technical competency. process and to strengthen voter confi- the candidate of their choice, voters dence by monitoring the electoral envi- were given a blank ballot to deposit IRI Board Members ronment and election administration. into their candidate’s ballot box. Each Observers met with government and box displayed a particular candidate Go Into Administration election officials in the capital, Honiara, symbol, such as a pink hibiscus, a blue Two IRI board members have resigned then deployed to districts via four-wheel bus or a yellow sailfish. to take posts in the Administration. drive, canoe, helicopter and naval vessel to monitor the polling. Thirty-two of the 50 members of the Constance Berry Newman is the new parliament elected by voters were first- assistant administrator of the U.S. Agency time officeholders, apparently reflecting for International Development for the The Solomons came to America’s atten- Bureau of Africa. Ambassador Richard S. tion during World War II with the battle a mandate for change. of Guadalcanal and other island cam- Williamson is now U.S. alternate representa- IRI’s observation team determined that tive to the U.N. for Special Political Affairs. paigns against the Japanese. Since then, Americans have found friends in the the intent of the majority of the people Ambassador Sichan Siv, former IRI senior people of the Solomons. was fulfilled despite problems in such advisor for Asia, is now U.S. representative areas as voter registration, election to the U.N. Economic and Social Council. IRI observers lodged in leaf huts or slept administration and the proper role of security forces in elections. IRI issued a Former IRI Asia Director Paul Grove is on beaches. Some were awakened at minority staff director for the Senate dawn by women from a nearby village report containing recommendations for Committee on Appropriations’ foreign singing to them in one of the country’s future elections that the new Solomon operations subcommittee. Brian Fox, 80-plus dialects. Islands parliament can consider as it formerly of IRI Latin America and the points the country to a peaceful and Because of the high illiteracy rate, democratic course. Caribbean, is on the Senate Foreign Relations instead of marking a printed ballot for Committee staff.

3 IRI Youth Projects Long-Term Key to Democracy Building Young people are, in many respects, the ones with the most to gain from democratization of a country. Their entire adult lives can be positively impacted, and they have the opportunity to grow into the next generation of leadership of their nation. Young people also are often the strongest advocates of democracy because they are more amendable to change and less likely to have a stake in the existing system. Accordingly, many IRI projects focus on youth. Following are reports on a number of these projects.

Coalition-building new idea U.S. trainers. But others wanted to try. these former Soviet countries. for Indonesian youth “From the conference we take away In Russia, IRI has ongoing youth strategies for the growth of our organiza- campaign training and parliamentary Coalition-building and attracting new tion, so in the future our youth can have programs. IRI had provided campaign members were the topics of greatest inter- greater success in politics,” said Beny training to youth auxiliaries of the est to attendees at a series of Youth in Ismanto, secretary of the Partai Bulan Edinstvo (Unity) and Otetshesvo Politics training conferences in Indonesia Bintang (PBB, or Crescent Star Party) in (Fatherland) parties. Now these parties that began in May 2001. West Sumatra. have merged, and IRI is working with the new union. Parliamentary training The norm for the many parties in Indra Merry Marjatin, a law graduate and focuses on developing communication Indonesia is to remain disciplined, small vice secretary of Golkar-West Sumatra, and cohesive, and organized around said, “I learned many new things, such as and legislative skills among university personality rather than issues. Parties in how to recruit youth members, political and post-university political activists in Indonesia are primarily Muslim-based communication, and delivery of political informal associations throughout Russia. or secular/nationalist in orientation rather messages. I wish in the future IRI would In Ukraine, a series of youth outreach than defined along a right/left spectrum. hold a similar program for women in the seminars across the country taught funda- political parties.” At two-day conferences in Java, West mentals of campaign and political party Sumatra and South Kalimantan, IRI train- Many attendees said the event was the work. Participants demonstrated a keen ers divided attendees into diverse groups first time they had met for any period of understanding of fundamental concepts so as to facilitate inter-party contact and time with their counterparts from other of democracy and democratic political sharing of ideas with their counterparts in parties. Many of the parties have similar institutions, and enthusiastically requested other reform-oriented, democratic parties. visions for the country, so getting people additional training. Several former partic- The programs were highly interactive, to sit together and listen to one another is ipants are considering running for office with active solicitation of audience partic- a first step to coalition building or even this year in local and national parliamen- ipation from the trainers and IRI staff. the merger of smaller parties into more tary elections. Many will serve as This is different from the rigid classroom viable forces for reform. campaign staff, as did hundreds during lecture style typical in Indonesia. Most the 1999 Ukrainian elections. The series of conferences is continuing attendees were university students or through the first half of 2002. In Georgia, a 10-city Rock the Vote rock recent graduates nominated by their par- concert tour and an extensive advertising ties as either current or potential leaders. Youth flexibility targeted in campaign stimulated young voter turnout Volunteer trainers have included both former Soviet republics in 1999 parliamentary and 2000 presiden- Indonesians and youth party leaders, tial elections. The program goals were to such as the press secretary to the Justice When IRI began political party develop- encourage young people to exercise their Minister of Slovakia who is former chair ment work in the former Soviet Union in right to vote and to educate them about of her party’s youth organization; the the early 1990s, it quickly found the atti- key issues in the elections. Post-election leader of a Romanian party’s women’s tude and ideological flexibility of youth polling found that more than 80 percent organization and youth committee; and program participants in sharp contrast to knew about the campaign, nearly a third the national chairman of the U.S. College the Soviet “apparatchik” approach of had attended a concert, and nearly two- Republicans. their elders. IRI has accordingly invested thirds had voted. A group of Georgians considerable energy in its youth programs who helped in this program now head Some attendees believed that cultural in Russia, Ukraine, Georgia and Belarus, New Generation for Georgia, an IRI- differences would make it impossible to believing that developing future leaders funded non-profit organization that build coalitions or design open organiza- may be among the greatest contributions educates young people about their rights tions as presented by the European and IRI can make to the ongoing transitions in and responsibilities in a democracy.

4 International Republican Institute

In Belarus, the emphasis is on building a The seminar takes a new approach to Participation in IRI-supported activities solid coalition of youth groups and pro- civic education by providing a depth of enables young people to assume leader- viding an independent outlet in which to information on democracy not previously ship roles and broaden life opportunities discuss democratic principles. Many available to students in Cambodia. The through completion of English language young Belarusian political activists 10-week class, designed by IRI- and computer skills courses at the center. received their first-ever political party Cambodia Program Officer Yin The World Bank recognized this program training at IRI sessions in 2001. IRI Bendarom, resembles a college seminar with matching support. plans a series of exchanges with demo- for the 35 students and Buddhist monks cratic colleagues from neighboring coun- who come to IRI’s Phnom Penh office With the unraveling of the Oslo peace tries to aid the young Belarusians in each Saturday morning. Every week the process, the risk to youth has increased. understanding how democracies function. class studies a different topic in democra- Palestinian youth find few reasons for cy, from the rule of law to elections, with optimism. The permanence of IRI’s cen- Cambodia demonstrations assignments, guest speakers and debates. ter and youth network has helped address this crisis by providing mutual support lead to new programs In recognition of IRI’s work with mechanisms. By keeping at-risk youth Building on emerging student activism, Cambodian students, Paul Grove, outgo- focused on future prospects, IRI is help- IRI has developed an increasingly sophis- ing IRI Director for Asia and the Middle ing to combat the lure of extremism. ticated democracy program in Cambodia East, was awarded the Student Movement during the past three years. for Democracy’s first Democracy Award Disenfranchised youth focus in a May 2001 ceremony with the of Nigeria workshops Student demonstrators first made them- Cambodian-American community of selves heard in July 1998 at the forefront Lowell, Massachusetts. Local youth frequently held responsible of the Democracy Square demonstrations for spurring political violence, environ- in central Phnom Penh that followed con- Skills training in West Bank mental damage and general unrest in troversial parliamentary elections. combats extremism threat Nigeria’s volatile Niger Delta region are targets of a new IRI program. Seeing the potential of student activism in Cambodia as a force for political change, A series of workshops for Delta youth IRI began working with student groups in and civic leaders begins in March 2002 to 1999 to help them become better help bring this disenfranchised group into informed about democracy and better the political process. The workshops are organized to enact democratic change. designed to both encourage political par- In 1999 and 2000, IRI met regularly with ticipation and to identify the issues and leaders of six student groups to help them concerns that have fueled the ongoing develop more strategic approaches to crises in the region. Participants are providing civic education to Cambodian expected to return to their communities youth and getting their voices heard by and share the knowledge and skills the government. IRI supports projects involving at-risk acquired at the workshop, so that commu- nities, youth and political leaders can To build cooperation among the once dis- young Palestinians in West Bank and Gaza whose development needs are work together to propose public policy parate student groups, IRI helped estab- solutions. lish a Democracy Writing and Art Contest stymied by infrastructural neglect, a rap- held in 2000 and 2001 under the umbrella idly growing population and inadequate IRI is working on this project with the of five groups known collectively as the resources. In rural areas that account for Institute for Human Rights and Youth Committee for Democracy. This almost 30 percent of the West Bank popu- Humanitariam Law and the Centre for effort grew into the December 2001 for- lation, youth lack opportunities to develop Responsive Politics, a Nigerian non-gov- mation of the Youth Council of social and technical skills, and face early ernment organization based in Port Cambodia, which will represent school withdrawal and childhood employ- Harcourt, in the heart of the Niger Delta Cambodia on the Association of South ment. region. East Asian Nations Youth Council. In 2000, IRI launched a project to provide Guatemalan parties’ rigidity IRI also developed the Advanced leadership, civic education and technical Democracy Seminar, launched in August skills training. A youth center in shifts focus to youth Ramallah, West Bank, serves as a meet- 2001 to develop knowledgeable and com- When IRI entered Guatemala in 1999 mitted student leaders who will be pre- ing place for isolated rural youth and sup- ports a network linking youth clubs. and found political parties unwilling to pared to work for democratic change. commit to reform, the focus switched to

5 IRI youth. IRI decided to direct its resources younger leaders in longer term communi- individual political rights and responsibil- toward young departmental and local ty development projects. ities. Most GencNet participants are col- leaders with the expectation that this “bot- lege students aged 18 to 25. IRI is seek- tom-up” approach would break the inertia Website is a networking ing to involve more working-class youth, of national party leaders, or at minimum resource for Turkish youth but economic and social barriers make nurture a new generation of leadership their participation less common. within political parties and organizations. A website developed during IRI’s three- Younger Guatemalans have been the most year “GencNet” effort in Turkey has IRI has already seen examples of success. enthusiastic about IRI’s messages. emerged as a valuable networking and In Ankara, a number of previously estab- information resource for politically and lished youth organizations have come IRI used a national poll and regional civically oriented youth and non-govern- together to establish the “Education focus groups to highlight obstacles the ment organizations across the country. Institute.” In Bursa, youth groups are cre- parties faced in attempting to recruit ating a university-wide discussion plat- younger members and activists and to IRI’s highly successful program focuses form to discuss university-related prob- develop program activities. Working on providing Turkish youth with the moti- lems. In Isparta, university students are within the parties and political organiza- vation and means to become more active- working toward the establishment of a tions as well as with selected other young ly involved in the country’s civic and student council, a project the dean has people who demonstrate a desire and apti- political life. GencNet training focuses agreed to support. In Adana, university tude for political participation, IRI politi- on teamwork and the ability of young students are working to introduce greater cal leadership training seminars have pro- people to work together to affect change. democracy into the existing student gov- vided a basis for younger political leaders Dozens of regionally based GencNet ernment structure and have determined to build broader and more substantive activities have attracted typical atten- that student council meetings should be participation. Attendees were well-pre- dances of about 50 young people. Once a open and that their minutes should be pared, knowledgeable, and in some cases, year, a national training conference takes published. Also in Adana, workshop par- critical of their leaders in the Congress place in Istanbul with several hundred ticipants are discussing the establishment and executive branch and of their party’s young people in attendance. GencNet of an Adana Youth House that would seek failure to provide a meaningful role for its “members” are recruited through the to provide young people with a place to younger members and activists. website, universities, radio advertising or congregate, exchange ideas, learn com- other press, and word-of-mouth. The puter skills and brainstorm local problem Because of the interest and enthusiasm National Endowment for Democracy is solving. The project has received encour- expressed by a significant number of funding IRI’s program. agement from both the mayor’s office and highly talented seminar participants, IRI a number of key NGOs. developed the Program Management Workshop directors find that Turkish Initiative. This initiative involves these youth are not predisposed to the notion of Young Croatian Journalists Seek High Professionalism The young Croatians came to IRI’s first sparing the American public from the meeting with sweeping enthusiasm and dreadful details at the World Trade Center? many difficult questions. Days after 9-11, Was it greater sympathy to Americans or they, like most of the American people, because they couldn’t get the cameras in were spending hours in front of television close? screens trying to comprehend what had happened. As journalists, however, they Starting a Young Journalists’ Club with also were analyzing how the international such bright and curious reporters was the media were covering one of the most best IRI could hope for. They all work as shocking and gruesome events of their gen- part- or full-time journalists in the local eration’s lifetime. media and are struggling to achieve high professionalism in an environment that is Here came the tough questions: Were the not always supportive of good journalism. attacks more horrible than the wars in They have their doubts, their courageous Bosnia and Croatia just six years ago? Why Gathering for an IRI journalism seminar are endeavors and their battles with the editori- Sime Jurlina of Radio 101 (far left), Danijel Pek had CNN graphically shown the horrifying of Radio Free Europe, Krunoslav Vidic of CCN al establishment. They have questions to pictures from the bombed market place in (private television) and Tomislav Jelincic of ask and thoughts to share with each other. Sarajevo several years ago but was now HRT Croatian television (bottom right). (Continues on page 7)

6 International Republican Institute Romanians Learn About U.S. Communications, FOIA Fifteen representatives of the Romanian government agencies in its search for infor- al-security exemption in the narrowest government and opposition political parties mation; the varying degrees of openness he reasonable way. learned about public communications and has encountered with different agencies; the U.S. Freedom of Information Act agencies’ appeal processes, and FOIA Communications training addressed the Romanian communication officials’ repeat- (FOIA) during an 11-day exchange visit litigation his organization has pursued. edly stated need for practical information. late last fall. The delegation also met with Public It included two training sessions at the IRI’s exchange program, the third in a Citizen, an organization focused on current Leadership Institute on public speaking series, took the delegation to Washington consumer concerns rather than the major and appearing on television. Marguerite and Atlanta for discussions with federal historical events that are National Security Sullivan, IRI’s vice-president for agency and private sector officials and Archives’ interest. communications and external affairs, experts. The Romanian group included the conducted a day-long session focused on Ministry of Public Information’s three-per- Peter Shiels, acting deputy director of the crisis communication and other strategy. State Department’s Information, Programs son team in charge of coordinating imple- The Romanians also met in Washington mentation of Romania’s FOIA nationwide; and Service office, explained the depart- ment’s process of responding to a FOIA with USAID’s Roslyn Waters-Jensen, spokespeople and other communication desk officer for Romania, and State officials from national government agencies request, including research, review by former foreign service members, release, Department’s Donald Sheehan, country with future FOIA responsibilities; local officer for Romania. government people; and representatives of and record of FOIA transactions. He also the Romanian President’s and Prime discussed the evolution from a paper to In Atlanta, the delegation learned about Minister’s communication offices, and an electronic environment, a process also media relations and communications from a major opposition parties. U.S. AID in underway in Romania. variety of public and private organizations, Romania helped arrange the group. The delegation learned about the State including the Georgia State Insurance Department’s ongoing declassification Commissioner, the Fire Marshall, Atlanta In Washington, the delegation met with City Council, Atlanta Mayor’s office, Coca both administrators and users of the U.S. work. Such a process has barely begun in Romania and is mostly undertaken by Cola, the library and museum of former FOIA to get information about problems to President Jimmy Carter, and the Atlanta individual scholars, not government agen- be expected in the implementation of Journal and Constitution newspaper. Romania’s FOIA. cies. A potential obstacle in Romania may be a bureaucratic culture prone to defining The group participated in CNN’s “Talk William Ferroggiaro, director of the issues of national security in their broadest Back Live” show, hosted by Daryn Kagan. National Security Archives’ Freedom of sense. The meeting at the State Department The quick and informal give-and-take Information Project, spoke about how his showed the progress the agency was gradu- between the hostess and members of the non-governmental research institute and ally able to make toward a change of cul- audience contrasted with typical Romanian library has taken on and interacted with ture in which reviewers interpret the nation- broadcasting formats.

Young Croatians two-hour sessions are often challenging for The group also is eager to make sugges- the guests, who must answer tough ques- tions on the draft law on information, to (Continued from page 6) tions and face strong opinions. start issuing a publication on good and bad journalism, and to expand their network to No wonder IRI had to expand its club In November 2001, IRI started a series of the region. “We need to get to know the meetings from bi-weekly to every Friday. seminars to teach the members of the club young journalists who are going to run the various reporting techniques. IRI invited The club became a natural center for pro- media in the region tomorrow. This is U.S. veteran war reporter Arnold R. Isaacs important for the future of South East fessional discussions and social life since to conduct the first two-day training on the its establishment in October 2001. It initi- Europe,” pointed out Boris Pavelic from technical and ethical principles of journal- Novi List, a daily newspaper in Croatia. ated a network of professionals from dif- ism. Although most of the journalists have ferent Croatian news organizations, includ- graduated from the University of Zagreb, IRI plans a regional conference in May ing print, radio and television. IRI’s pro- many want a different curriculum that 2002 for young journalists from the gram assistant Silvana Srdoc frequently teaches practical reporting and writing. Balkans. Meanwhile, 10 broadcasters invites a public figure or a prominent They were eager to catch up with the from the club will attend two weeks of member of Croatia’s media community to requirements and trends of contemporary intensive training at the BBC – London give a talk on a contemporary topic. The Western journalism. in April 2002 on a World Learning grant.

7 IRI International Republican Institute Dangerous Times in assess the needs of Indonesian voters. IRI Rural Indonesia also conducted a nationwide party poll- watcher training program, which included (Continued from page 1) seminars for political party leaders from across Indonesia’s then-27 provinces, as programs for Indonesia’s new political well as the nationwide distribution of over parties. one million poll-watcher manuals for use Initially, IRI helped advise on the drafting on election day. In the period immediately of Indonesia’s new election laws, ratified before, during, and then after the vote, IRI in January 1999. IRI also served as a conducted an assessment of the parties’ resource for the 48 political parties that poll-watcher programs. IRI’s preliminary qualified for the 1999 election, conducting statement on the Indonesian elections national and provincial level seminars for helped to establish the international party leaders on topics such as organiza- acceptance of the election results. tion, campaigning, communications and message development. IRI commissioned Since the elections, IRI has worked to sup- two public opinion polls in Indonesia, (one port the change to popular representation, IRI’s switchboard guru, Jane Trott, juggles in conjunction with the International strengthen the country’s electoral system moving-in tasks along with manning the Foundation for Election Systems) which and train political parties to become per- non-stop phones even before the signs are put up in the new lobby. were shared with parties to help them manent fixtures in a democratic Indonesia.

Board of Directors

U.S. Sen. John McCain Alison B. Fortier OFFICERS Chairman Mayor James A. Garner George A. Folsom Susan Golding President The International Republican Institute (IRI) Michael V. Kostiw U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel is a nonprofit organization dedicated to Vice Chairman Cheryl F. Halpern Georges A. Fauriol advancing democracy worldwide. Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Vice President J. William Middendorf, II U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe for Strategic Planning IRI maintains program offices in a number of countries including: Albania, Belarus, Secretary – Treasurer Bob Livingston Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Croatia, Peter T. Madigan Marguerite H. Sullivan East Timor, Georgia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Gahl Hodges Burt Janet Mullins Grissom Vice President Kenya, Macedonia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Peru, U.S. Rep. David Dreier Alec L. Poitevint, II for Communications & Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, South Lawrence S. Eagleburger Brent Scowcroft External Affairs Africa, Turkey, Ukraine and Venezuela. Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.

Newsletter: Editor: Janet Staihar; Design: Hoon Designs

International Republican Institute Non Profit Organization 1225 Eye Street, N.W. U.S. Postage Suite 700 PAID Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. 20005-3987 Address service requested. Permit Number 5192 (202) 408-9450 (202) 408-9462 Fax E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.iri.org