Ministerial Council Agrees on Action Plan and Declaration Against Terrorism

Visit the Ministerial NOVEMBER/ Council website: DECEMBER 2001 www.osce.org/romania2001 Vol.VIII No. 10

NEWSLETTER Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe OSCE/Sarfati

The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Mircea Geoana, addresses the opening session of the Ninth Ministerial Council Meeting Ministerial Council agrees on Action Plan and Declaration against terrorism

he Ninth Meeting of the Ministe- “Only days after the terrorist attacks this Council, we shall be seeing its rial Council of the Organization against the USA on 11 September, I immediate effects.” T for Security and Co-operation in called in Vienna for a plan of action The Bucharest Plan of Action for Europe concluded its two-day meeting on against terrorism to be forged by the Combating Terrorism, which includes 4 December in Bucharest by agreeing on OSCE in time for approval by our central proposals for practical support to OSCE a joint Declaration and by adopting a decision-making body. That this was participating States in Central Asia, has broad-ranging Action Plan on counter- possible is an immense credit to the been quickly followed by an interna- terrorism measures. Romania’s Foreign Organization. Through our unique, con- tional conference in Bishkek, organized Minister Mircea Geoana, the OSCE sensual decision-making process, we by the OSCE and United Nations Office Chairman-in-Office, described the meet- have been able to bring on board all the for Drug Control and Crime Prevention ing, in the Palace of Parliament, as a dem- 55 participating States. I am now confi- at the invitation of the Government of onstration of the Organization’s solidarity. dent that, having given their approval at Kyrgyzstan. The conference was due to

1 tion. No cause can justify the purposeful OSCE, the Declaration adds: “We pay INSIDE THIS ISSUE targeting of innocent people. In the fight special tribute to the women and men against terrorism, there is no neutrality.” serving in the OSCE institutions and field Conference in Bishkek sharpens focus Emphasizing that the struggle operations and commend their dedication on countering terrorism ...... 5 against terrorism is not a war against and hard work.” Kosovo’s Assembly election is smooth . . 6 religions or peoples, the Declaration Under the Plan of Action, the OSCE South East European University opens . . . 8 reaffirms the OSCE’s traditional com- will, inter alia, offer participating States Treaty on Open Skies comes into effect . . . 9 mitments to protecting human rights and assistance in implementing international Water resources seen crucial to security . . 10 fundamental freedoms. conventions and protocols on terrorism, Torture is still major concern ...... 11 The Ministers also call on the Perma- increase its activities to promote the Building a police service in Kosovo . . . . 12 nent Council of the OSCE to develop a rights of persons belonging to national ‘Culture.container’ helps design future . . 13 strategy for the Organization to do its minorities, and take action to prevent Tackling migration issues in the CIS . . . . 14 part to counter these “threats to security and suppress the financing of terrorist News from the field ...... 15 Press Profile ...... 17 and stability in the 21st century.” activities, such as training personnel of Update from the ODIHR ...... 19 At the same time, they also express domestic financial institutions in News from the HCNM ...... 21 the States’ determination to safeguard counter-terrorism work. Report from the OSCE PA ...... 22 the rule of law, individual liberties, and News from the RFOM ...... 24 the right to equal justice under the law. Dayton/Paris Peace Accords Report from the Secretariat ...... 25 In their Declaration, the States reaf- Another decision by the Ministerial New on the OSCE website ...... 27 firm their intention to fulfil “in a timely Council was to welcome the Concluding fashion without exception” all their Document on Article V of Annex 1-B of OSCE commitments, in accordance with the Dayton/Paris Peace Accords, to pro- be held as this issue of the Newsletter vide for security went to press (see page 5). and stability “in Several other significant decisions and around the were taken during the third plenary ses- OSCE/Sarfati former Yugo- sion of the Council, including confirma- slavia”. This is the tion that the Netherlands will succeed to last of three the OSCE Chairmanship in 2003 after instruments that Portugal, which assumes the chair on 1 the Accords man- January 2002. The Ministers, who met in dated the OSCE in Bucharest at the invitation of this year’s 1995 to elaborate Chairman-in-Office, also agreed to hold and implement. the next meeting of the Council in Porto, A series of five in December 2002. In addition, it was decisions advocat- decided to extend the term of the Secre- ing a strengthen- tary General, Jan Kubis, for three more ing of the partici- The OSCE Secretary General, Jan Kubis, gives his report to the years. pating States’ sup- Ninth Ministerial Council Meeting port of the human Comprehensive action such key documents as the Helsinki dimension of security was also adopted Global terrorism in all its forms is Final Act, the Charter of Paris and the by the Council. These cover the promo- condemned in both the Declaration and Charter for European Security, as well as tion of racial tolerance, measures to the Action Plan, which also provides a the United Nations Charter. counter trafficking in human beings, sup- framework for comprehensive action by However, the Ministers add: “We port for work on Roma and Sinti issues, the OSCE States to play their part in remain concerned over the persistence of and efforts towards gender equality. combating this modern scourge of civi- conflicts in various regions in the OSCE The Ministers reached a further deci- lization. (The full text of both docu- area that threaten the observance of the sion on OSCE police-related activities, ments is available on the website, principles of the Helsinki Final Act in which among other things, features an www.osce.org/romania2001/documents) several participating States and may, at agreement to explore and build on the The Declaration states that, in a the same time, threaten peace and stabil- role of police training, particularly inte- world profoundly affected by the inter- ity in the OSCE region.” grated police training. This has been an national terrorists attacks on the United activity pursued since 1999 with great States, the OSCE participating States are Tribute to staff success by the OSCE in Kosovo, and determined to strengthen and deepen In a specific acknowledgement of the more recently on a more limited scale their co-operation: “Terrorism, whatever role of some 4,000 local and international in southern Serbia (see the story on its motivation or origin, has no justifica- staff working in the field on behalf of the Kosovo on page 12).

NEWSLETTER 2 Vol. 8 No. 10 Bucharest Plan of Action for Combating Terrorism All 55 participating States pledge at Ninth Ministerial Council to co-operate in fight against terrorism

n its second day, the OSCE Min- all 12 UN conventions and protocols Code of Conduct (on politico-military isterial Council adopted a related to terrorism, by 31 December aspects of security) and the OSCE docu- O broad-ranging document call- 2002. It also pledges States to play a con- ment aimed at reducing the flow of small ing for comprehensive action by the structive part in OSCE negotiations under arms and light weapons, endorsed at last OSCE participating States – the the United Nations for a comprehensive year’s Ministerial Council. Bucharest Plan of Action for Combating convention against international terror- Other proposals for preventive action Terrorism. Under the Plan, the 55 States ism and other initiatives. against terrorism cover practical mea- are pledged to expand existing OSCE The Plan identifies and addresses var- sures for institution building and support- activities that contribute to the global ious social, economic, political and other ing the rule of law – which the OSCE can fight against terrorism, facilitate inter- factors that engender conditions in which offer to participating States through its action between States and, where appro- terrorist organizations are able to recruit existing institutions. These include priate, identify new instruments for and win support. In this context, the strengthening domestic administrative action. OSCE will offer participating States capacity, judicial frameworks and ombuds- The OSCE will build on its strengths and its comparative advantages, including its comprehensive security concept and its broad membership, as well as its OSCE/Sarfati experience in the field and areas of special expertise. It will work in close co- operation with other organizations, bene- fiting from interaction between global and regional anti-terrorism efforts, in co- ordination with the United Nations and other international or regional organizations. Commenting on the OSCE’s rapid and robust response to the terrorist challenge, the Chairman-in-Office, Romania’s For- eign Minister, Mircea Geoana, said: “The adoption of this Plan of Action by the Ministerial Council of the OSCE under- lines the determination of the international community to act together to Romanian Foreign Minister, Mircea Geoana (left), outlines the agenda of the Ninth oppose the threat of terrorism”. Ministerial Council Meeting, with Adrian Nastase, Prime Minister of Romania “The OSCE is not the lead organization in the fight against terrorism but we assistance in implementing international man institutions, as well as developing pro- can address some of its root causes, the anti-terrorist conventions and protocols, jects to support democratic institutions, political, social and economic inequali- and increase its activities to promote the civil society and good governance: ties that provide a fertile breeding rights of persons belonging to national The participating States have also com- ground for exploitation by extremist ide- minorities. It will also consider economic mitted themselves to explore other activi- ologies.” and environmental activities to combat ties aimed at preventing the movement of factors that support terrorism and take terrorist individuals or groups, such as Working with United Nations action to prevent and suppress the financ- effective border patrols and measures for Starting with the declaration that tering of terrorist activities, such as by train- ensuring the security of identity rorism, whatever its motivation or origin, ing personnel of domestic financial insti- papers/travel documents and preventing has no justification, and that terrorist acts tutions in counter-terrorism work. their counterfeiting, forgery and fraudu- are a threat to international and regional The OSCE’s politico-military com- lent use. peace, security and stability, the Plan first mitments will be enhanced and events The full text is available at: calls on OSCE States to become parties to will be held in 2002 following up on the www.osce.org/romania2001/documents

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 3 Ministerial Council adopts statement on regional issues

ecurity and stability in Central norms and principles of international law.” taken by the Republic of Moldova and Asia, the situation regarding With regard to recent developments the mediators from the OSCE, the Rus- S Nagorno-Karabakh and this year’s in Georgia, the statement welcomed the sian Federation and Ukraine, towards the developments in Georgia, Moldova and progress in recent months of the peace negotiation of a comprehensive political south-eastern Europe provide the focus process in the Tshkinvali region (South settlement of the issue of Transdniestria, of a statement on regional issues, Ossetia). At the same time, they called a region of Moldova. They called upon adopted in Bucharest by Foreign Minis- for a resumption of the dialogue to find both sides to promptly resume negotia- ters and Heads of Delegations of the 55 a comprehensive settlement on the polit- tions on the status of the region. OSCE participating States. ical status of the breakaway republic of The Council welcomed the fulfilment “Threats to stability and security Abkhazia. by the Russian Federation of commit- emanating from international terrorism, “We remain concerned about the ments undertaken at the OSCE Istanbul violent extremism, organized crime, human rights situation in Abkhazia, and Summit in 1999 on the withdrawal and [and] drugs and arms trafficking are are convinced of the need to create the disposal of specific arms and munitions shared concerns among the OSCE par- conditions for the safe and dignified by the end of 2001, ahead of the agreed ticipating States”, they stated. “We rec- return of refugees and internally displaced time, and noted the progress achieved in ognize the specific problems in this con- persons to their homes”, they stated. 2001 in beginning withdrawal of addi- text for the Central Asian participating tional matériel from the Transdniestrian States as neighbouring countries to ‘Peace, prosperity and region of Moldova. Afghanistan and hope that the forthcom- With regard to south-eastern Europe, ing Bishkek International Conference on stability in SE Europe the officials reaffirmed that peace, pros- Enhancing Security and Stability in Cen- remain a strategic priority perity and stability in the region tral Asia will make a valuable contribu- for the OSCE’ remained one of the strategic priorities tion to addressing these problems.” for the OSCE, and welcomed the results The OSCE representatives also They also acknowledged the signifi- of the Regional Conference of the Sta- expressed their deep concern at the failure cant contribution by the OSCE Mission’s bility Pact for South Eastern Europe, to achieve a settlement of the Nagorno- border monitoring operation in Georgia held on 25 and 26 October in Bucharest. Karabakh conflict, despite the intensified to stability and confidence in the region, The Foreign Ministers and Heads of dialogue between the parties and active and directed the Organization’s Perma- Delegation also stressed they expected support of the OSCE body tasked with nent Council in Vienna to examine pro- full compliance by the countries of the facilitating a settlement, the Minsk Group: posals to extend the operation to the region with international obligations, in “We reiterate the importance of continu- Georgian border with the Ingush Repub- particular the Dayton/Paris Peace Accords, ing the peace dialogue and call upon the lic of the Russian Federation. as well as full co-operation by all with sides to continue their efforts to achieve an Turning to Eastern Europe, the OSCE the International Criminal Tribunal for early resolution of the conflict based on representatives noted the efforts under- the former Yugoslavia. Ministers endorse final part of Dayton/Paris Peace Accords he OSCE Ministerial Council Deciding to adopt the Concluding the second – Article IV – covers a sub- decided to endorse in Bucharest a Document on Article V, the Council also regional arms control agreement T major negotiating success – welcomed the commitment by the 20 between BiH, Croatia and the Federal reaching consensus on the remaining States concerned with the document to Republic of Yugoslavia. Negotiations aspect of the Dayton/Paris Peace prevent their respective territories from under these two articles were concluded Accords that marked the end of the con- being used for the preparation, organi- in 1996. Together with the Article V flict in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). zation or commission of acts of extrem- document, they will enhance security Signed in 1995, the Accords – offi- ist violence, including terrorist activi- and stability throughout south-eastern cially the General Framework Agree- ties. Europe. ment for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegov- Key provisions of this third instru- Talks on the third instrument began ina – mandated the OSCE to elaborate ment are voluntary confidence- and in early 1999 under Ambassador Henry and implement three instruments that security-building measures (CSBMs), Jacolin of France, Special Representa- would provide for security and stability tailored to suit regional requirements. tive of the Chairman-in-Office for the ‘in and around the former Yugoslavia’, The first instrument – Article II – relates Article V Negotiations, after a year spent under Annex 1-B of the treaty. to agreement on CSBMs in BiH, while negotiating the mandate.

NEWSLETTER 4 Vol. 8 No. 10 Conference in Bishkek to sharpen focus on preventing and countering terrorism Less than ten days after the OSCE’s Ninth Ministerial Council meeting in Bucharest adopted a far-reaching Action Plan on combating terrorism, a global conference being co-organized by the OSCE in Bishkek, is providing the first opportunity for expert discussion of practical ways to implement the Action Plan.

s the OSCE Newsletter went to low-up to an ODCCP/OSCE-sponsored press, some 200 participants security conference held in October 2000 were converging on the capital in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. It repre- A OSCE/Nitzsche of Kyrgyzstan to focus on concrete mea- sents a significant first step in the imple- sures to prevent and counter terrorism. mentation of the Bucharest Plan of The International Conference on Enhanc- Action for Combating Terrorism. ing Security and Stability in Central Asia: Under the Action Plan, the OSCE Strengthening Comprehensive Efforts to participating States are pledged to Counter Terrorism is being co-organized expand the Organization’s existing activ- by the Kyrgyz authorities and the United ities that form part of the global fight Nations Office for Drug Control and against terrorism. They also commit Crime Prevention (ODCCP), on 13 and themselves to increasing bilateral and 14 December. multilateral co-operation in the OSCE Representatives of the 55 OSCE area and to strengthening ties with the participating States and a wide range of United Nations and other international regional and international bodies, and regional organizations. including members of the United Building on the statement that no Nations family, NATO, the Common- circumstance or cause can ever justify wealth of Independent States and sev- acts of terrorism, the Action Plan identi- eral European institutions, were exam- fies and addresses social, economic and ining how a platform of action for coun- political factors that engender the con- tering terrorism could be made as broad ditions in which terrorist organizations and as comprehensive as possible are able to recruit sympathizers and win through intensified global and regional support. co-operation. Proposals for preventive action against Since 11 September, the interna- terrorism include measures of practical tional community has increasingly rec- support that the OSCE can offer to par- ognized the need to confront the daunt- ticipating States through its existing ing challenges posed by international institutions. These will include support- The Kyrgyz National Monument in Bishkek terrorism, which is linked with transna- ing the law enforcement capacity of tional organized crime, money launder- States, strengthening domestic legal a comprehensive list of measures to pre- ing and illegal trafficking of arms and frameworks and institutions that uphold vent terrorism: institution-building, fos- drugs. The States in the Central Asian the rule of law, and providing assistance tering the development of States based region have a crucial role to play in the in facilitating, where appropriate, on the rule of law, promoting sustainable international efforts to tackle these threats increased border monitoring to partici- economic development, strengthening to peace and security. pating States, at their request. the role of civil society and blocking the The conference in Bishkek is a fol- Participants were expected to discuss financing of terrorism.Fo Visit the Bishkek website for information on the follow-up to The International Conference on Enhancing Security and Stability in Central Asia: Strengthening Comprehensive Efforts to Counter Terrorism www.osce.org/bishkek_conference

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 5 Kosovo’s Assembly election goes smoothly When no news is really good news!

Describing a football match or a film as “boring” is a negative word. However, Peter Erben, Director of Elections Operations in the OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OMiK), was extremely pleased when observers used “boring” to describe this year’s election day

By David Kahrmann.

n 17 November, the people of Kosovo participated in orderly,

Ouneventful elections. There was OMIK/Kotek no violence; all communities participated; most polling centres opened and closed on schedule; and queues moved quickly. Voters knew where to be and what to do. OMiK, together with its international partners, delivered on its commitment to provide all voters and all communities with safe and convenient access to the electoral process. For its part, Kosovo proved its commitment to democratic norms by adhering to the electoral rules throughout the campaign and on election day. In a word: boring. But what was happening was nothing short of exciting for Kosovo. More than 800,000 people turned out to cast their Casting a ballot in Banja, a Serbian village in Kosovo, for the Assembly election ballots for their representatives in the first free Kosovo Assembly. Out of 26 encouraged Kosovo Serbs to be part of To make all this happen, 20,000 entities contesting the elections, 14 the political process by participating in OMiK staff, including 9,000 local obtained seats in the Assembly. And the elections. The lateness of the deci- polling station committee members and because of the special terms of the con- sion to participate meant extra work for 2,000 international polling station super- stitutional framework, almost 30 per cent the OSCE and the International Organi- visors, were in polling centres before of the seats will be occupied by women. zation for Migration, the OSCE’s partner dawn on election day. They had been Following last year’s municipal elections, in Serbia and Montenegro for out-of- trained before the elections and had car- this year’s Assembly election marked a Kosovo voting. ried out trial runs on 16 November. They significant step towards self-government worked late into the night of the elections for Kosovo, as prescribed in UN Security High voter turn-out to close the centres, count ballots and get Council resolution 1244 and as outlined Although OMiK does not collect eth- them to the central counting centre. A in the constitutional framework. nic data about individual voters, esti- staff of 700 organized themselves in day The participation of all communities mates based on the location of polling and night shifts to finish the counting and in the second post-conflict elections centres in Kosovo indicate that the per- come up with the results. Their hard work served as an important indicator of suc- centage of total qualified voters who paid off. On 24 November, at the recom- cess. As remarkable as last year’s munic- actually cast their votes was 67 per cent mendation of the Central Election Com- ipal elections were, the boycott by Serbs in predominantly Albanian areas and 47 mittee, the results were certified by Hans detracted from the overall impact of per cent in primarily non-Albanian areas. Haekkerup, Special Representative of the handing over powers to elected Kosovo The proportions were 58 per cent in Ser- United Nations Secretary-General. representatives at the municipal level. bia and 57 per cent in Montenegro. Two To make certain that every part of the Following improved relations between days after the polling, the OSCE was election process was conducted in a fair Belgrade and Kosovo this year, Serbian able to announce partial results based on and transparent manner, international leaders, both within and outside Kosovo, about 92 per cent of the vote counted. and local observers were invited to keep

NEWSLETTER 6 Vol. 8 No. 10 a close eye on all activities, from the A few complaints were submitted to national media had only success stories campaign through to the counting of bal- the Elections Complaints and Appeals to report. With the election likely to go lots. Under the umbrella of the Council Sub-Commission, but most dealt with down in history as a smooth event, jour- of Europe Election Observation Mis- minor issues. The most serious incidents nalists can now focus on how the newly- sion, some 200 short-term and 20 long- involved the intimidation of voters in elected representatives will bring about term international observers monitored some Kosovo Serb areas. United Nations the improvements they promised in their the elections. More importantly, 13,286 Police either led away or arrested per- campaigns. local observers from political entities sons harassing voters in polling centres; and non-governmental organizations more subtle forms of intimidation could David Kahrmann is a Public Informa- (NGOs) were also on hand to ensure that not, unfortunately, be prevented. tion Officer in the OSCE Mission in procedures were respected. Overall, however, the local and inter- Kosovo, Department of Elections.

Kosovo’s “e-day”: watching democracy in action Impressions of an international polling station supervisor By Gerhard Schaumberger

fter a preparation period of 130-page manual of administrative pro- someone to assist them, usually a mem- more than half a year, election cedures prepared by the OSCE espe- ber of the family or somebody they trust. A day or “e-day”, the term com- cially for these elections. The manual, in From 10 a.m. until the early afternoon, monly used by OSCE staff for the 2001 Albanian, Serbian and English, covers our queue controller has his hands full. Kosovo Assembly Election, is finally everything down to the tiniest detail. Despite this, voting proceeds at a smooth here. I am one of about 2,000 people who After we become acquainted, we start pace. We close the centre only after have gone through four days of training installing voting screens, arranging everybody who is at the polling station in Greece as an international polling sta- tables and posting voter information on by 7 p.m. casts their vote. tion supervisor for the elections. the walls of four classrooms that are to The chairperson announces the start of From there, we have travelled in serve as polling stations. Our team is well the counting, opens the ballot box, and buses, bringing us directly to one of sev- aware of the importance of ensuring the places all ballots on the table. He takes a eral OSCE field offices in Kosovo. Some steady flow of voters: we are expecting ballot, identifies the chosen party and calls 90 of us are assigned to the municipality some 800 people in our polling station out its name. He hands over the ballot to of Gjakove/Dakovica. over 12 voting hours. In the presence of another committee member, who con- E-day is starting early. At 5 a.m., it is ten national observers and two observers firms the party name. Naturally, the time for us to pick up all the sensitive from the Council of Europe, the chair- counting procedure elicits occasional election materials, from ballots and bal- man seals the ballot box ceremoniously. dissatisfaction from one or the other lot stamps to the final list of voters. The observer representing a political party. polling centre we have to monitor is in the ‘We realize how eager the However, the transparency of the process school of a small village called Bish- community is to take part and the massive presence of observers trazin. Three other international supervi- in these elections.’ discourage cheating and tampering with sors – Jakub from Warsaw, Michael from the ballots. Hamburg, Domenico from Naples – and At 7 a.m., right on time, we open the The chairperson and I enter the I are responsible for four polling stations polling station. Looking out of the win- results on the final reconciliation form, and some 2,500 registered voters. dow at the crowds gathering at the main which the committee members sign and Our convoy, escorted by the Civilian entrance, we realize how eager the com- verify. We pack up the polling materials Police (CivPol), arrives at 6 a.m. at the munity is – on this second day of Rama- and prepare to transport them back to the school, where the members of the Elec- dan – to take part in these elections. OSCE field office in Gjakove/Dakovica. tion Committee are waiting: the chair- The first voter to enter our station, an CivPol is standing by to escort our con- person, the identification officer, the elderly Kosovar, walks directly to the voy back for the handover of the results ballot issuer, the ballot box monitor and identification officer. Many of the voters and election materials. After 18 hours of the queue controller. The chairperson, present an UNMIK identity card, issued transporting, observing and counting, Dugajin, is an engineer in a metal fac- by the United Nations Mission in Kosovo. we conclude a great “e-day”. tory. Our interpreter, Yllka, is a student Others show Yugoslav passports or Ger- of pharmacy. All have been trained for man driving licences. As long as they Gerhard Schaumberger is a Temporary their election tasks at OSCE field offices have registered earlier, they are eligible Assistant in the Secretariat’s Press and and all are armed with a comprehensive to cast a ballot. Illiterate people can appoint Public Information Section.

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 7 South East European University opens in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

By Walter Kemp

The South East European University OSCE High Commissioner on National struction timetable during the fighting, he was officially opened in Tetovo, former Minorities Rolf Ekeus said: “Today is a replied: “We were convinced that there Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, on 20 good day for Macedonia and a good day was a need for the project for the long- November, at a ceremony attended by for Europe. At a time when good news is term stability of Macedonia and for past and present OSCE High Commis- in short supply, it is heartening to see that addressing an immediate short-term issue, sioners on National Minorities. progress can be made towards building so we wanted to be sure to avoid, as far as peace among people.” possible, any delay in the planned opening igher education has been one of The university is open to all students of the university.” the points of contention between regardless of ethnicity. The curricu- Hthe Macedonian and Albanian lum will be offered in Albanian, communities in the former Yugoslav Macedonian, English and in other Republic of Macedonia. In July 2000, a European languages. The university OMiK/Kotek new education law was introduced to will include faculties of law, busi- allow for the use of the Albanian language ness administration, public admin- and other languages in private tertiary istration, teacher training, commu- institutions. Recommendations facilitat- nications and computer studies. The ing this process were proposed by interna- project is being overseen by international education experts and by Max van tional and national advisory boards. der Stoel, who was OSCE High Commis- Mr. Ekeus noted that “over the sioner on National Minorities at the time past year, Tetovo has been in the (and is now Personal Envoy of the OSCE news for all the wrong reasons. I Chairman-in-Office). Soon afterwards, he hope that in the future, people will The South East European University in Tetovo, initiated a project to develop a university think of Tetovo as the site of a multi- under construction in June 2001 that would improve opportunities for lingual university rather than as the higher education in minority languages. scene of inter-ethnic violence.” Mr. Ekeus noted the university’s Funds for the project were sought from Mr. Van der Stoel, Chairman of the importance within the broader context of the international community. So far, 33 university’s International Advisory Board, inter-ethnic integration in the Republic: million euros have been pledged. The has stressed the university’s European ori- “I hope that the event that we are witness- Government donated the piece of land on entation. “We know the wish of the popu- ing today can offer inspiration to all citi- which the university stands. lation of Macedonia to have increasingly zens of Macedonia that this country can close relations with countries of the Euro- move ahead and take steps towards build- Rapid construction pean Union and to have education at a ing a better future – a future that can enrich The first sod was turned on 11 Febru- standard recognized by European aca- all people of this country, regardless of eth- ary 2001. Construction began in the spring demic institutions”, he said. The univer- nicity.” and was completed in less than six sity will have visiting international profes- He said he would continue to follow up months. The fact that building work was sors, as well as local academic staff. on the university project: “I will be com- completed so quickly is even more Max van der Stoel has been praised for mitted to working within my mandate to remarkable when one considers that the his vision in launching the project in the assist in the process of normalization here Tetovo region witnessed some of the heav- late 1990s and his perseverance in seeing in Macedonia.” iest inter-ethnic skirmishes between it through, even during the turbulent March and August. period of the past few months. Asked why Walter Kemp is Adviser to the High Speaking at the opening ceremony, he felt it was necessary to stick to the con- Commissioner on National Minorities.

Quiet Diplomacy in Action The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Ed: Walter Kemp Foreword by Michael Ignatieff Published by Kluwer Law International, The Hague, PO Box 322, 3300 AH Dordrecht, The Netherlands. E-mail: [email protected]

NEWSLETTER 8 Vol. 8 No. 10 Treaty permitting unarmed observation flights comes into effect

The Open Skies Consultative Commission (OSCC) announced at its meeting on 2 November that the Treaty on Open Skies will enter into force on 1 January 2002, 60 days after the latest deposits of instruments. By Gerhard Schaumberger

ithin its area of application at the meeting that the Russian Federa- used to good effect. More than 350 trial from Vancouver to Vladivos- tion and the Republic of Belarus had missions took place from 1996 to 2001. Wtok, the Open Skies Treaty deposited their instruments of ratifica- During the first half of 2001 alone, 29 constitutes a unique tool of trans- tion. flights were carried out. This intense parency”, OSCC Chairman Jean-Luc Following the signing of the Treaty activity has demonstrated the great Fauré-Tournaire announced. Depositary in Helsinki on 24 March 1992, a long interest of the States Parties in the nations Canada and Hungary confirmed provisional implementation period was Treaty on Open Skies and has paved the

The Treaty on Open Skies

The Treaty’s basic elements are: and activities. Sensor categories may be he Open Skies Treaty establishes a Territory added and capabilities improved if there is regime of unarmed observation The Treaty specifies that the territories unanimous agreement by the States Parties. flights over the territories of the T of all the States Parties are open to obser- All the sensor equipment used in Open States Parties. Although not negotiated vation. An observed State Party may not Skies observations must be commercially within the OSCE framework in the formal restrict observation flights for national available to all participants. sense, the Treaty is closely linked to the security reasons, but only for legitimate Quotas OSCE for two main reasons. Firstly, its reasons of flight safety or because of Each State Party has an annual quota of basic philosophy of openness and trans- the inability of its airfields to support the observation flights it is willing to receive parency in military matters coincides with mission. over its own territory, known as its passive that of the confidence- and security-build- Aircraft quota of observation flights. Each State ing measures (CSBM) developed by the The observation aircraft may be pro- Party may also conduct up to the same OSCE. Secondly, in a special declaration vided by either the observing State Party or number of observation flights over the ter- adopted at the meeting of the Ministerial the observed State Party at the latter’s ritories of other signatory countries as its Council in Helsinki on 24 March 1992, the option. All aircraft and sensors used for passive quota. This is known as its active OSCE participating States welcomed the Open Skies observation must undergo spe- quota. For example, the full passive quota signing of the Treaty on Open Skies and cific certification and pre-flight inspection for the Russia/Belarus group of States Par- acknowledged its importance for the procedures to ensure that they meet Treaty ties, and also for the United States, is 42 enhancement of security and confidence in standards and that only sensors permitted flights each. Europe. under the Treaty are installed. Data Availability The Treaty contains provisions for the Sensors The Treaty provides that the observing conduct of unarmed observation flights over The aircraft used in Open Skies obser- State Party will provide to the observed the territories of the States Parties. It speci- vations may have video, optical panoramic State Party a copy of the sensor data it col- fies quotas for observation flights (based on and framing cameras for daylight photogra- lects during a mission over the observed reciprocity between individual States or phy, infra-red line scanners for day and State. In addition, all States Parties have groups of States) and the notification of night capability, and synthetic aperture the right to purchase a copy of the data col- points of entry for observation flights for radar for all-day, all-night and all-weather lected by any State. As a result, the data each State. Technical details for sensors to capability. Photographic image quality will available to all States Parties is much be used for observation flights and for the permit recognition of major types of mili- greater than that which a single one can inspection of these sensors are included. tary equipment (e.g., ability to distinguish a collect. Under the Treaty, an Open Skies Consulta- tank from a truck) sufficient for ensuring For the full Treaty on Open Skies, tive Commission (OSCC) was also set up in meaningful transparency of military forces please see: www.osce.org/docs Vienna, serviced by the OSCE Secretariat.

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 9 way for its full implementation. A between NATO and the Warsaw Treaty Slovak Republic in early 1993 and the Working Group on Certification, Organization (Warsaw Pact). With the accession of the Kyrgyz Republic in chaired by Colonel Dieter Dammjacob collapse of the Soviet Union and December 1992 raised the number of of the German Delegation to the OSCE, the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, States Parties to a total of 27. will further elaborate on the standards the Open Skies Treaty became the first During the six months following the needed for the certification of different multilateral arms control agreement Treaty’s entry into force, other OSCE aircraft and sensors. of the post-Cold War era that was participating States may apply for acces- Proposed almost 50 years ago by not characterized by a ‘bloc-to-bloc’ sion by submitting a written request to President Dwight Eisenhower in 1955, approach. one of the depositary States. Finland and the Open Skies concept was reactivated The Treaty was initially signed by Sweden have already announced their by President George Bush on 12 May 25 States of the Conference on Security intention to do so. Subsequently, the 1989. It started to materialize following and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), OSCE will consider the application of a Canadian-Hungarian initiative at a the forerunner of the OSCE. The estab- any State interested in becoming a party meeting in Ottawa on 12 February 1990 lishment of the Czech Republic and the to the Treaty. Seminar in Belgrade highlights role of water resources in OSCE’s security activities Yugoslav Foreign Minister welcomes development of regional environmental co-operation to enhance stability in the Balkans

he protection of goals of the seminar were

water quality and OSCE the exchange of informa- Tsustainable use of tion and the stimulation of waterways might seem an discussions at the opera- unusual topic to be tional level among local debated by an international and international experts organization that is mainly on water-related issues, in known for its work on order to promote regional human rights, preventive co-operation and to en- diplomacy and democratic courage greater local own- institution-building. ership of water resources. However, looking at It was the first in a series the agenda of the first of three seminars in prepa- Preparatory Seminar for ration for the next OSCE the Tenth OSCE Economic Economic Forum in May Forum, it quickly becomes 2002 in Prague. clear how important this Two working groups Ambassador Stefano Sannino, Head of the OSCE Mission to the FRY, issue is in the context of on the protection and use opens the first Preparatory Seminar for the Tenth OSCE Economic OSCE’s comprehensive of water courses and inter- Forum. The seminar was held in Belgrade on 5 and 6 November approach to security, in national lakes analyzed particular its economic and and discussed environmen- environmental activities. opening address to the seminar partici- tal issues related to water resource man- “The development of regional co- pants. agement. They also assessed existing operation at the level of environmental The seminar, which took place on 5 mechanisms, achievements and short- protection and the creation of a formal and 6 November in Belgrade, was orga- comings in implementing the protection framework to establish the security nized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of water resources. implications of water pollution in bor- of OSCE Economic and Environmental Stefano Sannino, Head of the OSCE der rivers and water reservoirs can Activities, in co-operation with the Mission to FRY, stressed that “interna- enhance stability in the Balkans”, said OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic tional waters are among the most sensi- Goran Svilanovic, Yugoslav Federal of Yugoslavia (FRY) and the Yugoslav tive issues of regional co-operation, a fact Minister for Foreign Affairs, in his Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The which is illustrated by the number of con-

NEWSLETTER 10 Vol. 8 No. 10 flicts associated with the use of water.” OSCE, the representatives of the FRY, protection of the water quality of the Marc Baltes, Acting Co-ordinator of Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina Sava River through an assessment of OSCE Economic and Environmental (both the Federation and the Republika existing water management strategies Activities, underscored the relevance of Srpska) signed a letter of intent to and policies. This includes the compar- protection of water resources to the OSCE strengthen their co-operation in the ison and harmonization of the three when he said it was “of utmost importance implementation of the Sava River project. countries’ water-resource protection for an Organization aiming at promoting In one of the working groups, a case legislation with existing European comprehensive security … to tackle issues study which included the use of satellite Union legislation. related to co-operation for the sustainable images and high-tech analysis, prepared Following the assessment, a master use and the protection of water quality.” for the OSCE by the Italian Environmen- plan will be prepared for the Sava River. During the opening session, a cere- tal Crime Prevention Programme, was Under the plan, the Sava’s present phys- mony was held marking the accession of presented to participants. The high-tech, ical and socio-economic state will be the FRY to the international programme low-cost pilot project permitted the elab- evaluated; studies related to waste- for the protection of the Sava River. This oration of a new technique for advanced water collection and treatment and dis- project is a Quick Start Project under the monitoring and assessment of pollution posal systems will be reviewed; and Regional Environmental Reconstruction and simulation of the effects of accidental expected changes in quality and quan- Programme of the Stability Pact for South pollution, taking the Sava River on the tity of wastewater through the year 2015 Eastern Europe, with which Croatia and outskirts of Belgrade as an example. will be forecast. The plan will include Bosnia and Herzegovina have already The main goal of the project is to measures and investments needed for been associated. Under the auspices of the reduce water pollution and improve the the implementation of its objectives. Torture – still a major human rights concern OSCE contributes to international effort to eradicate torture

lum-seekers are particularly at risk of

ODIHR falling victim to ill-treatment. Every year on 26 June, the UN Inter- national Day in Support for the Victims of Torture brings this grave human rights violation into the spotlight. Like other national, international and non-governmental organizations, the OSCE contributes to the worldwide effort to support torture victims and end torture prac- tices by organizing a variety of aware- ness-raising activities. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), together with OSCE field operations and the Organization’s international partners, assists governments in developing effective strategies and action plans to fight torture. Advised by a panel of prominent experts, the ODIHR carries Douglas Johnson, member of the ODIHR Advisory Panel for the Prevention of out numerous anti-torture activities in Torture, says ill-treatment is used to silence dissent the OSCE area, including legislative review and prison reform projects. orture remains one of the most and frequently across the whole OSCE The OSCE participating States have serious human rights concerns region. Beating, electric shocks and rape committed themselves unequivocally to Twithin the OSCE area. Recent are among the most common forms of eradicating torture. They have also reports suggest that torture and other torture, often used to extract confessions agreed on a comprehensive set of stan- forms of inhuman and degrading treat- from detainees. Groups such as Roma dards and safeguards against torture. ment or punishment occur persistently and Sinti, illegal immigrants and asy- “OSCE commitments and other interna-

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 11 tional standards prohibit torture at any “Every allegation of torture is a lit- important, and citizens are starting to time and under any circumstances, mus test for the state of democracy and feel the impact of international docu- including during war and under the rule of law in a given country”, says Ger- ments in practice. The key is recogniz- threat of terrorism”, says Gerard Stoud- ald Staberock, the ODIHR’s Rule of Law ing the problem at the highest political mann, Director of the ODIHR. Officer. “As long as torture is tolerated, levels, which should lead to a thorough Although international law requires democracy and rule of law will not be able review of the system of legal safeguards remedial action on behalf of torture vic- to flourish.” and procedures. Another important ele- tims and the punishment of perpetra- ment is the transparency of State insti- tors, this happens rarely. This creates a Positive trends tutions, such as penitentiaries and culture of impunity that leads to further Among the positive developments is police stations. instances of torture and ill-treatment. the fact that there is today an interna- Ultimately, preventing torture is “As long as there is no political will to tional legal framework prohibiting tor- an issue for society as a whole. It should address this issue, torture will continue ture, as well as increasingly effective involve lawyers, prosecutors and judges to occur”, adds Mr. Stoudmann. international procedures for monitoring as much as human rights groups, The occurrence of torture often compliance with international stan- journalists and even the medical com- indicates broader, structural deficien- dards. There is also heightened aware- munity. “The International Anti-Torture cies within a society, such as the lack of ness about the fact that torturers can be Day provides a good opportunity checks and balances and separation of brought to justice in all States Parties to for all relevant groups of civil so- power between the executive and the the UN Convention against Torture. ciety to discuss and review their coun- judiciary branches. The lack of At the same time, moving from stan- try’s compliance with international accountability further undermines the dard-setting to actual implementation anti-torture standards”, says Mr. rule of law. in the respective countries is becoming Staberock. KPSS – continuing to build a democratic police service in Kosovo Since August 1999, the Kosovo Police Service School has been run in Vushtrri/Vucitrn by the OSCE. Recently, the school celebrated the graduation of its 4,400th recruit for the democratic police force in the province.

By Robert Schupp

he trainers and training facilities at the OSCE-run Kosovo Police

T Service School in Vushtrri/Vucitrn OMiK/Kotek meet the highest international standards, and most of its students have turned into excellent police officers. Efforts to promote a diverse service are proving equally fruitful: 84 per cent of successful candidates are Albanian, 9 per cent are Serbian, and 7 per cent come from Roma, Turkish, Ashkali, Egyptian and Bosniac communities. Women account for almost 20 per cent of cadets. Through its emphasis on teaching democratic policing, the school has become a model of inter-ethnic co-operation and harmony. All the cadets are treated as equals and are expected to foster this egalitarian spirit among them- Graduation of police trainers in the Kosovo Police Service School at Vucitrn

NEWSLETTER 12 Vol. 8 No. 10 selves as well. Their eight-week pro- female Albanian cadet, “People found it don’t care if someone is Albanian, Ser- gramme begins with guidance on the fine strange to see a woman as a police offi- bian, Turkish or Roma. When we leave, points of keeping a proper notebook while cer, and I do not think they accepted me we should continue to feel the same way.” on duty, and continues on to specialized at first. But now, they see that I am com- Others are more realistic. “I am from courses in controlling traffic, investiga- petent and can do the job just like anyone the Prizren area and I will go back there tive techniques and weapons use. else.” In contrast, according to an Egyp- to work”, said one Albanian cadet. “I Making the transition from a class- tian cadet, “Everyone in my community have made friends with people from all room-taught police cadet into a street- is proud that I am among the first gener- communities in the school, but I know smart police officer can be one of the ation of Egyptian police officers.” that it will be difficult to meet them out- more difficult challenges students face Clearly the cadets’ most formidable side.” A Roma cadet echoes his col- after leaving the school. According to an challenge lies in carrying over the feel- league’s sentiments: “I have met people Albanian cadet, “We are excited to get ings of inter-ethnic harmony and co- from all over Kosovo. I hope I can keep out on the streets, but we are also a little operation fostered in the school into my friends from the school. I will try.” anxious.” wider Kosovo communities. An Albanian Another challenge can come from cadet remarked that everyone in the Robert Schupp is a Political Officer in the community itself. According to a school felt part of one family. “Here, we the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Young people design a shared future using the mobile.culture.container The Representative on Freedom of the Media launched an unusual project earlier in 2001

ince the spring of 2001, when the aging them to cross mobile.culture.container: In De- the boundaries that fence of our Future officially separate them and S OSCE/Godani opened in Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegov- enter into a new era ina (BiH), the travelling community of enlightened dia- tent has been drawing hundreds of logue. young people along its route. Staying In this spirit, five weeks in every town, it has been young people who through Osijek, Croatia, and Cacak in took part in the ac- the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia tivities of the culture The mobile.culture.container project is travelling to towns in (FRY). It has now reached Gorazde, container have sus- south-eastern Europe also in BiH, where it will spend the win- tained many of the ter. It is scheduled to visit another set of innovative initiatives. towns in BiH and the FRY starting in In Osijek, a youth parliament was evance of the project: Instead of allow- March 2002. formed based on the European Youth ing themselves to be overcome by eth- The culture container, a two-year Declaration. In Cacak, an editorial nic hatred, participants came together to project initiated by the OSCE Repre- office for a school newspaper was discuss the events and their conse- sentative on Freedom of the Media, ad- founded. An ‘Info-Club’ was set up quences, rationally and responsibly. dresses young people in post-conflict with an Internet café, a library and a The travelling project has 16 contain- situations in BiH, Croatia and reading room with magazines and ers featuring housing, a peace library, an Yugoslavia. With contributions from newspapers. The technical secondary Internet café and a video laboratory. The governments of participating States, it school in Cacak finally has a computer containers are assembled under a circular strives to abolish and prevent hate room, enabling students to tap into new tent. Every town starts with a group brain- speech, helping 14- to 18-year-old citi- technologies and technical vocational storming session on a post-conflict vision zens to turn away from the past and training. In Gorazde, a newspaper for for the future. Discussion themes range share in the responsibility of bringing the youth was launched with the help of from the role of tradition and the impact about a more stable and peaceful future. the local cultural centre. of European integration and democratiza- Activities are designed to change par- The attacks in the United States on tion, to countering ethnic hatred, chauvin- ticipants’ old ways of thinking, encour- 11 September have underscored the rel- ism and racism.

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 13 Topics are developed in workshops City’, participants shoot profiles of Cacak, Serbia, a band played for an that venture into improvised plays, com- various town citizens and combine enthusiastic audience from Tuzla, edy, literature and radio and newspaper them into a depiction of their Bosnia. Gorazde saw a first-time visit production. In a small video laboratory, town’s face. by a band from nearby Srpsko Gorazde. young people create a script about the Musical events in the mobile.cul- During its 2002 tour, the mobile.cul- future and produce and edit short films. ture.container are geared towards over- ture.container, with the support of pri- The production team blends the videos coming the ethnic divide. Osijek in vate sponsors, will set up editorial into a film documentary about its work. Croatia organized successful perfor- offices for another ten school newspa- In a photo workshop called ‘Mine is the mances by bands from Vukovar. In pers, including their own network. Crossing CIS borders: Tackling new, bewildering migration issues A meeting in Almaty examines models of co-operation in managing population movements By Vladimir Shkolnikov

hen the Soviet Union broke up interested in, modern migration manage- other OSCE countries, and the evolution in the early 1990s, a dozen new ment was dire at the outset. of the Schengen area migration regula- W States appeared on the map lit- Nevertheless, a great deal of work has tions. erally overnight. Suddenly, administrative been done to remedy the situation. Most of Over three days, participants dis- demarcations became State borders. In the credit goes to the governments of cussed co-operative efforts that had been what used to be a highly integrated region, countries in the region. The international tried in the region and elsewhere, and ana- the unexpected emergence of new borders community helped build institutions and lyzed both success stories and failures. triggered serious problems in many areas. capacities. New legislation was developed They identified specific areas where One of the most difficult challenges has and passed. Structures were created and countries could move ahead individually been the question of how to deal with the strengthened steadily. and others where concerted steps were increasing, mostly uncontrolled, popula- One matter that continues to call for preferable. tion movements that followed the collapse special attention is cross-border co-opera- Participants agreed that migration was of the Soviet Union. tion on migration issues. International co- generally a positive phenomenon: Both What should the laws and regulations ordination is crucial for modern manage- the receiving country and the home coun- look like for people entering and leaving a ment of human migration and is a key fac- try can benefit from population move- country? How should people returning tor in global efforts to combat terrorism. ments. However, if not managed properly, from neighbouring States be reintegrated? So far, concerted efforts and good models migration can pose a threat to countries’ What can be done about people who of co-operation have been few and far security and democratic progress and to entered the country illegally, yet seem to between. migrants’ human rights. This brings out have found jobs? And what about those To fill this gap, the OSCE’s Office for the need for cross-border co-operation and seeking refuge from civil war and other Democratic Institutions and Human regular consultations to exchange infor- conflicts? What is to be done about fami- Rights (ODIHR) and the International mation and discuss harmonizing legisla- lies and communities that have become Organization for Migration (IOM) orga- tion and creating visa-free areas. separated by new borders? How can nized a high-level meeting on cross-bor- Several country representatives shared respect for migrants’ human rights be der co-operation on migration from 29 to their pioneering experiences in various ensured and tolerance towards migrants 31 October in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Top areas. Belarus, for example, has taken leg- fostered? officials and key figures in migration islative measures to manage migration of This is an array of questions and prob- management from ten CIS countries labour. The border services of three Cen- lems that would bewilder officials even in explored with international experts ways tral Asian states – Kazakh-stan, Kyrgyzs- countries with a longer experience in of improving regional co-operation on tan and Tajikistan – hold regular meet- migration management. In the Common- dealing with population movements ings. The ODIHR and the IOM will soon wealth of Independent States (CIS), with according to international standards. submit plans for concrete follow-up its heritage of the Soviet population- For possible models, participants steps to the Almaty meeting. movement control system – known as looked to the experiences of the Czech and propiska – the dearth of institutions and Slovak Republics following the break-up Vladimir Shkolnikov is ODIHR Free- individuals knowledgeable about, or even of Czechoslovakia, the Baltic States and dom of Movement/Migration Adviser.

NEWSLETTER 14 Vol. 8 No. 10 News from the field

The OSCE currently has Missions or other field activities in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo (Yugoslavia), Latvia, Skopje (the former Yugoslav Republic of Mace- donia), Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Yugoslavia. The following brief reports reflect some of the recent work that these field operations have undertaken.

Campaign promotes transparency, officers, half of them ethnic Albanians, move to destroy more than 50,000 small accountability in Bosnia’s military will have been trained. arms and light weapons that were either spending stock surplus or had been seized from ille- An initiative to increase public aware- First human rights film festival gal users. Ambassador Stefano Sannino, ness of the excessive military expendi- in Tajikistan Head of the OSCE Mission to the Federal tures in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) The first human rights film festival Republic of Yugoslavia, and Foreign has been launched by the OSCE Mission in Tajikistan, held in the capital city, Affairs Minister Goran Svilanovic were in BiH in co-operation with SFOR, the Dushanbe, from 23 to 27 October, present at the demonstration. NATO-led Stabilization Force. The coun- attracted an audience of more than 5,000. try’s defence budget amounts to six per It was organized by the OSCE Mission to Ukraine to improve witness and cent of its gross domestic product, four Tajikistan in co-operation with the Inter- victim protection in trafficking cases times the average share in other Euro- national Human Rights Film Festival Protecting witnesses and victims of pean countries. Through interviews, ‘Stalker’ and the Russian Federation trafficking in human beings and orga- newspaper and radio announcements, Guild of Cinematographers, and sup- nized crime in Ukraine is the aim of a television shows, posters, leaflets and the ported by the Ministry of Culture. As project launched recently by the OSCE. Internet, the campaign encourages citi- part of the festival, the OSCE Mission A group has been established to work on zens to demand transparency in the bud- co-organized a two-day seminar on the recommendations for a witness- and vic- get process and to remind political lead- films’ themes: women’s and children’s tim-protection programme. The mem- ers of their accountability to taxpayers. rights, refugees and deportees, the death bers of the working group were chosen Seen in a broader context, the efforts are penalty and drugs. The Tajik press wel- for their experience in handling traffick- also intended to draw attention to ing cases and their ability to influ- “the possibilities the citizens in a ence future policies. They are from democratic society have to influ- the Public Prosecutors’ Office, ence the authorities and thereby Ukrainian Ministry of the Interior, ZOOM PRESS shape their own future”, according State Security Service and NGOs. to Head of Mission Robert Beecroft. Tajik law clinic opens doors First multi-ethnic group of The first Tajik legal clinic police officers graduates opened its doors at the Law Faculty in Serbia of the Slavonic University in The first multi-ethnic group of Dushanbe on 1 October. The Street police officers to undergo OSCE Law Clinic represents a first step training in Mitrovo Polje, Serbia, towards the creation of a legal sup- Destruction of small arms and light weapons in graduated recently in the presence port centre for the public, focusing Cacak, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, October 2001 of OSCE Secretary General Jan on women’s rights. As part of the Kubis and Serbian Minister of the project, 20 third-year students from Interior Dusan Mihajlovic. Having com- comed the festival as a major contribu- the Law Faculty hold weekly classes on pleted 12 weeks of training, 34 Serbs and tion to building civil society and an out- human rights at six high schools. The 63 ethnic Albanians will now go on duty standing effort to revive local cultural project is being implemented under the together in the three municipalities of life around the theme of human rights. guidance of the OSCE’s Office for Demo- southern Serbia. Addressing the gradu- cratic Institutions and Human Rights. ates, Mr. Kubis stressed the role of police Yugoslavia destroys surplus small arms training in restoring trust and confidence and light weapons Uzbek university opens between the different minorities in Small arms and light weapons were OSCE resource centre southern Serbia. The police training cen- destroyed at a public demonstration at the The OSCE Centre in Tashkent has tre in Mitrovo Polje will give courses technical overhaul and repairs establish- opened a resource centre at the National until May 2002. By then, 400 new police ment in Cacak. The event was part of a University of Uzbekistan, Faculty of

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 15 Social and Political Sciences. Funded by Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Daan been established by the OSCE Presence the United States Mission to the OSCE, Everts. However, the report calls for in Albania and the Netherlands Develop- the centre offers computer and Internet assurances that Kosovo will meet inter- ment Organization (SNV). The centres facilities and a conference room, which national standards in human rights by will provide technical assistance and will also serve as a library of faculty addressing several shortcomings in the develop grass-roots programmes to sup- material. justice system: inadequate legal repre- port Albanian NGOs and community- sentation, extra-judicial detention and based groups. They aim to help Kosovo’s justice system functioning, lack of implementation of anti-traffick- strengthen the capacity of local govern- but concerns remain ing regulations. ment and facilitate a dialogue among “A functioning judicial system has members and leaders of civil society. been established and any emergency- Albania launches civil society Each centre has a well-furnished resource type situation is over”, says an OSCE development centres library, a computer with e-mail access report presented in Pristina in early An Albania-wide network of five and meeting space. Services are free of November by the Head of the OSCE civil society development centres has charge.

IN BRIEF Bodo Hombach, Spe- enjoy peaceful development.” He and Herzegovina has come a long way in cial Co-ordinator of stressed the key role of the Russian Fed- the last six years, but there remains a the Stability Pact for eration in helping to solve the crisis. great deal still to do – and time is running South Eastern Eu- out”, said Mr. Petritsch. rope, has welcomed Also expressing concern about the the intensified co- situation in Abkhazia, OSCE Chair- “United, we will be invincible to operation between the man-in-Office, Romanian Foreign defeat terrorism”, Foreign Minister Tal- OSCE and the Stabil- Minister Mircea Geoana, said on 17 bak Nazarov of Tajikistan told the Per- ity Pact in 2001. On 12 October, he said October that the escalation of hostilities manent Council on 19 October. “The to the Permanent Council: “I am grateful could lead to the destabilization of Geor- Government and political leadership of for the leading part that the OSCE has gia. Reaffirming OSCE support for Tajikistan have expressed solidarity with played in several Stability Pact initiatives Georgian sovereignty and territorial the American people and a willingness to – for example, with regard to the com- integrity, he urged all sides to refrain closely co-operate with the international bating of trafficking in human beings, from military action, to respect the community to form a global front aimed gender questions and implementing cease-fire agreement and to engage in at combating international terrorism”, he Annex 1-B of the Dayton Agreement.” meaningful negotiations. added. He expressed his conviction that the most serious threat to security and OSCE Secretary General Jan Kubis Addressing the Permanent Council peaceful development in the Central congratulated the United Nations and on 18 October, Ruud Lubbers, United Asian region emanated from the terri- its Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, on Nations High Commissioner for tory of Afghanistan. “It is of vital inter- being awarded the 2001 Nobel Peace Refugees (UNHCR), spoke with appre- est to the Republic of Tajikistan that, in Prize by the Norwegian Nobel Commit- ciation of the strengthening of the part- the future, Afghanistan becomes a sta- tee. “This award underscores the excep- nership between the UNHCR and the ble, independent and flourishing State, tional work the United Nations is doing, OSCE. He greeted the OSCE’s reaffir- peacefully coexisting with other coun- and in particular the achievements under mation of the relevance of the United tries of the region”, he said. the tenure of Kofi Annan”, said Mr. Nations Convention relating to the Sta- Kubis on 12 October. “The OSCE has a tus of Refugees, which marks its fiftieth The Chairman-in-Office, Mircea longstanding and very special relation- anniversary this year. Geoana, on 22 October, welcomed the ship with the UN, especially in the field, redeployment of police officers of the where our staffs work closely together.” Addressing the Permanent Council former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 18 October, the High Representative to the five pilot villages of Opaje, An 18-nation delegation of the for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Lopate, Grusino, Tearce and Lesok in the OSCE met with President Eduard She- Wolfgang Petritsch, and the Head of north-west. The mixed police patrols vardnadze of Georgia, at the end of a the OSCE Mission to BiH, Robert M. were accompanied by police advisers four-day visit to the country on 16 Octo- Beecroft, welcomed the progress made from the OSCE. “The OSCE stands ber. The crisis in Abkhazia dominated on the country’s political and economic ready to assist in finding a peaceful res- much of the two-hour meeting. Mr. She- reconstruction. At the same time, they olution of the crisis, and we have started vardnadze stressed that “without a stable called for more political efforts by the to implement our responsibilities out- south-eastern Europe, the rest of the con- authorities to drive the reform process lined in the 13 August framework agree- tinent would hardly be in a position to ahead. “Peace implementation in Bosnia ment. …We strongly encourage the

NEWSLETTER 16 Vol. 8 No. 10 authorities in Skopje to finalize the par- which would come up for discussion at convinced of the mutually reinforcing liamentary process in accordance with the Ministerial Council on 3 and 4 nature of interaction between organiza- the framework agreement”, he said. December in Bucharest. tions and institutions.”

The meeting in Moscow on 23 Octo- Jakob Kellenberger, President of Four new Permanent Mission Heads ber between CiO Mirceo Geoana and the International Committee of the began their duties during the final quar- Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov of the Red Cross, underscored before the Per- ter of the year: Ambassador Aristidis Russian Federation was dominated by manent Council on 25 October his orga- Sandis of Greece took up his position on security issues. “The OSCE is entering a nization’s strong partnership with the 12 October; the new Head of Delegation new phase of its existence after 11 OSCE, especially in field operations. “If for Cyprus since 29 October has been September. The OSCE should play a far some of our challenges can be met more Ambassador Stavros A. Epaminondas; more prominent role in the security easily in the OSCE area than in other Bosnia and Herzegovina appointed architecture of Europe and find adequate parts of the world, it has quite something Ambassador Emina Keco-Isakovic as answers to the current security threats, to do with the existence of the OSCE and its Head of Delegation on 1 November; mainly terrorism and organized crime”, its activities”, he said. “Your organiza- and Ambassador Taous Feroukhi of said Mr. Ivanov. He noted that the OSCE tion takes the concept of interacting Algeria officially started her duties on 2 was well placed to deal with these issues, institutions really seriously, and you are November.

fight against human trafficking. Mr. Fis- lighted the fact that the voting was able PRESS PROFILE cher said the OSCE was an appropriate to take place without disturbance. This institution to debate actions against could not be taken for granted in a coun- Excerpts from human trafficking, since it included try in which, four years ago, the State international media countries of origin, of transit and of des- had virtually collapsed.’ coverage of the tination. The Chairperson of the OSCE, OSCE and its Mircea Geoana, stated that trafficking in BOSNIA activities over human beings affected security and sta- recent weeks. bility in all the participating States of the Reuters, 18 October Organization.’ ‘ “There remains a great deal still to do and time is running out”, Petritsch, the top COUNTER-TERRORISM Reuters, 12 November international peace overseer in Bosnia ‘Stung into action by outside pres- added. “This is perhaps the most impor- Reuters, 12 October sure, in part from the European Union it tant point to be made – the need for ‘In a statement adopted unanimously is desperate to join, Romania has fol- urgency.” The head of the OSCE mission late on Thursday, the OSCE’s Permanent lowed neighbouring Moldova and to the region, Robert Beecroft, agreed, Council declared support “for the United Ukraine in admitting it is a supplier of adding that international aid to the country States’ and other States’ rights of indi- forced labour and passed an anti-traf- had slowed considerably and it had yet to vidual and collective self-defence fol- ficking law in response… “This is a tackle the problems of economic reform, lowing armed attacks. The OSCE partic- great breakthrough and extremely military spending and mass emigration. ipating States stated their support for encouraging ,” said Gabriele Reiter, an “While there is progress, there should be actions designed to prevent and deter expert on anti-trafficking issues at the more and it has to be quicker.” ’ further terrorist attacks on innocent peo- OSCE. But this modern-day slave trade ple throughout the world, whilst wel- could be tougher to stamp out than the CHECHNYA coming efforts to minimize civilian smuggling of drugs and immigrants, casualties and damage to civilian prop- often run by the same criminal net- AFP,9 November erty”, the statement said.’ works, even if border controls are tight- ‘The Russian State news agency RIA ened.’ Novosti, citing diplomatic sources in HUMAN TRAFFICKING Moscow, on Friday accused the OSCE ALBANIA office in Chechnya of “heating passions” Frankfurter Allgemeine, 16 October in the separatist republic rather than ‘Foreign Minister Fischer, acting as Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 20 October doing useful humanitarian work. It is the host to an OSCE conference on traffick- ‘The OSCE report underscores that first time since the Organization for ing in human beings, said on Monday, the parliamentary elections last summer, Security and Co-operation in Europe the OSCE, which had created “a unique the fourth since the change, have again returned to Chechnya in June that the human rights standard” for its participat- been a step forward in the democratiza- pan-European body has come under ing States, should also be a pioneer in the tion of the country. The report high- Russian criticism.’

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 17 ESTONIA patrols returning to villages formerly MOLDOVA occupied by the KLA.’ AFP,23 October AFP,4 October ‘Prime Minister Mart Laar said drop- Reuters, 14 November ‘Islamic terrorists and other insur- ping the requirements for candidates to ‘Emergency mediation by the Euro- gents could get their hands on Soviet-era local government bodies and the parlia- pean Union, NATO and OSCE sponsors arms left in dumps awaiting disposal ment (that they speak Estonian) was of the peace pact persuaded Boskovski under an accord with the West, with needed to ensure that a mission of the (the Macedonian Interior Minister) to “explosive” consequences, the OSCE Organization for Security and Co-opera- withdraw most of his forces on Monday, warned Thursday. The OSCE is helping tion leave the Baltic country… The and Albanians to free 39 Macedonians Russia to destroy over 40,000 tonnes of OSCE mission, present in Estonia since they had seized as bargaining chips for munitions and heavy arms left in the ex- 1993, said the changes were a positive the seven detainees.’ Soviet Republic of Moldova after the development but it was up to the 55 1992 collapse of the Soviet Union. OSCE participating States to decide KOSOVO OSCE diplomats said they needed more whether to close the mission. “The mis- money to complete the task by a deadline sion, however, would recommend such a AFP,29 October next year, and that meanwhile the arms decision,” OSCE Ambassador to Estonia ‘Daan Everts, head of the Kosovo posed a serious risk, one made more Doris Hertrampf told AFP.’ mission of the pan-regional OSCE, pressing since the September 11 terror warned that Belgrade’s failure to endorse attacks in the United States.’ THE FORMER YUGOSLAV the vote threatens the elections them- REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA selves. “The elections have to be of inter- AFP,9 November national standard”, he said. “My great ‘Moscow promised to remove the AFP,1 October concern is that there is so much delay in weapons (from Moldova’s breakaway ‘The OSCE will begin deploying 159 political endorsement of the elections that Transdniestrian region) under a 1999 extra staff in Macedonia “within days” to we cannot organize them anymore.” ’ agreement brokered with the supervision monitor a peace accord and help train of the Organization for Security and Co- local police, a spokesman said on Mon- Frankfurter Allgemeine, 5 November operation in Europe in Istanbul… The day. The OSCE’s Permanent Council ‘Yugoslav President Kostunica and pull-out is being watched by interna- agreed on Saturday to boost its current the Serbian government under Prime tional military observers under OSCE force of 51 more than four-fold, to 210 Minister Djindic have encouraged the supervision, Itar-Tass reported.’ international staff, as the next stage of Serbs in Kosovo to participate in parlia- restoring peace in the fragile Balkan mentary elections in the southern NAGORNO-KARABAKH country gets under way.’ province on 17 November… The OSCE, which is responsible for the preparation Reuters, 24 October Die Presse, 10 October and a lawful administration of the elec- ‘The Organization for Security and ‘The peace process in Macedonia has tions, was content with the endorsement.’ Co-operation in Europe is mediating stalled… Both the EU and the OSCE the conflict between Azerbaijan and have drawn consequences. The EU has Reuters, 16 November Armenia over the region. Nagorno- cancelled its donor conference sched- ‘Fifty per cent (voter turnout among Karabakh, mainly populated by ethnic uled for 15 October, and the OSCE Kosovo Serbs) would be very good in Armenians, broke away from Azerbai- Chairman-in-Office, Mircea Geoana, fact”, Daan Everts, head of the Kosovo jan and the ex-Soviet republics fought a does not want to deploy OSCE monitors mission of the OSCE, told Reuters. “We war over its control from 1992 to 1994. to Macedonia as long as the Slavic- feel that they would only hurt their own “Either the OSCE Minsk group takes a Macedonian side does not fulfil its com- interest by boycott, by abstention, position of principle on this matter or mitments.’ because that would lead to continued or we will free our land by military aggravated isolationism.” ’ means,” Aliyev (the Azeri President) Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 20 October told Adrian Severin, head of the OSCE’s ‘The massive expansion of the OSCE Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 19 November Parliamentary Assembly. “We and the mission in Skopje, which is to observe ‘Voter turnout reached 63 per cent, OSCE both think, however, that the the implementation of reforms, is still according to the OSCE. Prior to the elec- problem should be solved peacefully.” under way and is by no means proceed- tions the organizers had expected even …Severin agreed that the OSCE had ing without problems. The newly struc- greater participation. Nonetheless, the failed to achieve a breakthrough in the tured mission will pass its first crucial local OSCE head, Everts, on Saturday stand-off between the two member test next week, when it will accompany evening spoke of a great success and a countries and promised to give a “new mixed Macedonian-Albanian police glorious day in the history of Kosovo.’ impulse” to the talks.’

NEWSLETTER 18 Vol. 8 No. 10 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, Poland, tel.: (+48-22) 520 06 00, fax: (+48-22) 520 06 05, e-mail: [email protected]

Joint ODIHR/German MFA event

tackles trafficking in persons ODIHR Responses to trafficking in countries of destination were examined at an international conference, Europe against Trafficking in Persons, organized by the ODIHR and the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin on 15 and 16 October. In six working groups, experts discussed victims’ rights and the responsibilities of State authorities. They identified current referral mechanisms designed to respond to the many urgent needs of trafficked persons. Participants recommended measures to enhance the bilateral and international efforts of countries of destination to address the root causes of trafficking; to investigate and prosecute cases; and to German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer (left) and OSCE Chairman-in-Office facilitate safe, voluntary repatriation and Mircea Geoana (centre) listen to ODIHR Director Gerard Stoudmann (right) at the rehabilitation programmes. They expres- opening of the Anti-Trafficking Conference in Berlin sed their determination to work together against trafficking, giving special priority to the rights and needs of victims. of the International Helsinki Federation identified action to combat terrorism For more information, see: for Human Rights, in his keynote speech. and trafficking in human beings, and the www.osce.org/europe-against-trafficking “Some of our colleagues have even been UN human rights machinery, as areas murdered at the hands of State institu- where interaction could be intensified, Meeting urges greater support for tions; their organizations have been focusing on the Balkans and Central human rights advocates threatened, denied official registration Asia. The two organizations agreed to An OSCE meeting in Vienna on the and obstructed from receiving support.” exchange information regularly and to formidable challenges faced by human Three sets of challenges were dis- plan joint follow-up activities to the rights advocates and defenders in their cussed: relations of NGOs with govern- Conference on Human Rights and own countries drew a participation of ment institutions and intergovernmental Democratization in Europe, the Cauca- more than 160. Some 60 non-govern- organizations; defence and advocacy sus and Central Asia, which took place in mental organizations (NGOs), several work of NGOs and government institu- Dubrovnik in October 2001. from Central Asia and the Caucasus, tions in the context of armed conflict or Both agreed that co-operation should were represented. Also taking part in the internal tensions; and human rights be strengthened at the political level, Third Supplementary Human Dimen- training for officials and human rights between desk officers and on the ground. sion meeting on 22 and 23 October were advocates. They stressed that joint initiatives by the delegations from all 55 OSCE partici- main international human rights organi- pating States, OSCE institutions and ODIHR-UNHCHR explore stronger zations, especially the Council of Europe, field operations, international organiza- joint human rights efforts UNHCHR and the ODIHR, would help to tions and human rights defenders. The Director of the ODIHR, Ambas- ensure that States assign importance to “While human rights defenders sador Gerard Stoudmann, and UN High human rights considerations. They also receive more and more words of praise Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary called for an urgent, reinforced message by international institutions… govern- Robinson, explored future co-operation on the need to uphold internationally ments continue to thwart their activities”, between their two organizations at a accepted human rights standards in mea- said Aaron Rhodes, Executive Director meeting in Geneva on 2 November. They sures to combat terrorism.

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 19 ELECTIONS Electoral officials to tenegro/FRY and the Parliamentary a conference in Cetinje, from 26 to 28 be trained in Election Law of Ukraine. October, organized by the ODIHR and conflict management the NGO, Women’s Forum of Montene- A workshop orga- DEMOCRATIZATION gro. In working groups, more than 80 nized by the ODIHR in participants from all over Montenegro Warsaw on 9 and10 Anti-torture report discussed issues ranging from culture, October examined how discussed in tradition and violence to the labour mar- training in conflict management by the Kazakhstan ket, legislation and politics. A network of International Institute for Democracy The first State party women in political parties, NGOs and and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) can be report by Kazakhstan trade unions will develop the action plan made consistent with OSCE require- to the UN Committee further. The conference prepared the ments. The consensus was that the against Torture, issued earlier in 2001, report on Montenegro to the Committee course should aim at improving the con- was the subject of a round-table discus- on Elimination of Discrimination Against flict-management skills of senior elec- sion in Astana among high-level officials Women (CEDAW). It also evaluated a toral officials in interacting with col- from key ministries, the Supreme Court, training programme on women in poli- leagues, members of political parties and the Constitutional Council and the Public tics held in all 21 municipalities of Mon- the electorate. A pilot project will be Prosecutor’s Office, and NGO represen- tenegro that had been completed by launched in 2002 in two OSCE partici- tatives. Participants considered the con- some 600 participants. pating States that have made consider- cerns of the UN Committee and mea- able progress in developing their demo- sures to implement the report’s recom- Serbia’s prison reforms assessed cratic institutions but where the political mendations. They identified concrete Prison reform and human rights in culture is still lagging behind. steps to be taken by government agencies. Serbia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, The round table was jointly organized was the theme of a seminar organized by Ukraine election needs for March on 22 October by the Human Rights Com- the ODIHR in Belgrade on 4 October in 2002 assessed by delegation mission under the President of Kazakh- partnership with the Ministry of Justice An ODIHR delegation visited the stan, the OSCE Centre in Almaty and the of the Republic of Serbia, the Council of Ukraine from 7 to 9 November to assess ODIHR as a follow-up to a 1999 project Europe and the OSCE Mission to the the pre-election situation, review the leg- on the compliance of domestic law with FRY. Prison statutes, administrative struc- islative framework and advise on the the United Nations Convention against tures, co-ordination between the courts level of ODIHR involvement in monitor- Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or and prisons, professional training of ing the elections. During the visit, the Degrading Treatment or Punishment. prison officers, and internal and external ODIHR received an official invitation inspections were some of the areas that from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ODIHR trains Kazakh prosecutors were discussed. monitor the parliamentary elections. Staff of the Prosecutor’s Office in The seminar followed the needs- Both parliamentary and local elections Almaty took part in a training seminar assessment visit to Serbian prisons in are scheduled for 31 March 2002. from 19 to 21 October held by the May and June by the ODIHR, Council of Led by the Director of the ODIHR, ODIHR with the OSCE Centre in Europe and the OSCE Mission to the the delegation met with Ukrainian Almaty, the International Organization FRY. Among the participants were gov- authorities and members of parliament, for Migration and the Office of the UN ernors of all the Serbian prisons, the political parties, domestic and interna- High Commissioner for Refugees. Top- President of the Serbian Judges’Associ- tional NGOs, the media,and the Kyiv- ics covered the concept of human rights ation, and representatives of the Interna- based international community. The in criminal justice, requirements of the tional Committee of the Red Cross, the ODIHR has issued a report with findings UN Convention against Torture and the Office of the UN High Commissioner and recommendations, as well as a legal interplay between international stan- for Human Rights and NGOs. review of the new Election Law adopted dards and the domestic system in crimi- on 30 October. nal investigations. Practical examples were taken from the United Kingdom Roma communities Election reports and legal and Germany. Role-playing was used to are focus of Bucharest assessments issued simulate a case before the UN Human workshops The ODIHR has issued final election Rights Committee. Concrete proposals for reports on the presidential election in income-generating projects in Romania’s Belarus (9 September) and the parlia- Montenegrin gender action Roma communities were drawn up at a mentary elections in Albania (24 June to plan is launched workshop in Bucharest on 19 October. 19 August). It has also published analy- The process of developing a gender Special emphasis was placed on social ses of the draft Law on the Referendum action plan for Montenegro, Federal security and the economic aspects of the on the Status of the Republic of Mon- Republic of Yugoslavia, was launched at Government’s strategy to improve the sit-

NEWSLETTER 20 Vol. 8 No. 10 uation of Roma, adopted in April. Rep- platform was drawn up by representatives ‘Opening Doors’ project to strengthen resentatives of Roma NGOs and the of 22 Roma NGOs from Bosnia and Roma capacity and to ease their access to Government stressed the need to change Herzegovina at a conference in Vogosca. government. The project is part of the the legal and institutional framework to The conference, which took place from 9 ‘Roma under the Stability Pact for South provide all unemployed people with to 12 November, was organized by the Eastern Europe’ programme that is being equal access to vocational training, ODIHR Contact Point, the OSCE Mission implemented by the ODIHR and the including those of Roma ethnic back- to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council of Council of Europe. ground. Since many Roma do not Europe and the Open Society Institute. Under the programme, a Roma officer receive unemployment benefits, they are Participants elected a representative is now working with the OSCE Mission to not eligible to take part in the free train- body to be the Government’s partner in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and two local ing courses organized by the National developing and implementing the strat- Roma have been hired in Sarajevo and Agency for the Occupation of the Labour egy and to co-ordinate activities of Roma Tuzla by the ODIHR Contact Point for Force (ANOFM). New legislation is due NGOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Pro- Roma and Sinti Issues. The ODIHR plans to be debated in the parliament at the end moting ‘Roma-to-Roma’ transfer of to establish between 15 to 20 similar of 2001. expertise, the ODIHR facilitated the par- Roma contact points throughout south- Another workshop, held on 19 and 20 ticipation of Roma activists and experts eastern Europe. Their role is to mediate October in Bucharest, initiated a general from Bulgaria, Finland and Romania, between Roma communities and local methodology for evaluating implementa- who shared their experiences in helping to authorities, national agencies and NGOs, tion of Roma-related projects at the grass- develop policies on Romani affairs. and international organizations. roots level. It was organized by the A follow-up meeting with Govern- A first regional training course for local ODIHR, the Pakiv European Roma Fund ment officials on 12 November discussed mediators took place in Skopje, former and Romani CRISS. the establishment of a National Advisory Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, from 2 Board on Roma Issues. The OSCE Mis- to 5 November, organized with the OSCE Roma NGOs in Bosnia and sion and the ODIHR will continue to pro- Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje and Herzegovina agree on joint platform vide support and expertise. the NGOs ‘DROM’ (former Yugoslav To pave the way for the development of At the conference, the OSCE Mission, Republic of Macedonia), Romani CRISS a Government strategy on Roma, expected with ODIHR, the Council of Europe and (Romania) and Contact of the Continents to be adopted next year, a joint national the Open Society Institute, launched the (Netherlands). 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]

High Commissioner in Moscow talks high-level talks in Washington, D.C., and HCNM issues statement on OSCE High Commissioner on New York. sovereignty, responsibility and National Minorities Rolf Ekeus was in In Washington, D.C., he met with national minorities Moscow from 3 to 5 October to discuss senior State Department officials and The High Commissioner issued a minority issues in the Russian Federa- members of the National Security Coun- statement on 26 October on ‘Sovereignty, tion and in other areas with high-level cil to discuss issues related to preventing Responsibility, and National Minori- officials, parliamentarians and academics. inter-ethnic conflict in the OSCE area, ties’, which outlines principles under- A meeting with Minister for Foreign especially in Central Asia and the Baltic pinning the role of States in protecting Affairs Igor Ivanov focused on ethnic States. He also met with officials of the the rights of persons belonging to national Russians and Russian-speaking persons Commission on Security and Co-opera- minorities. who live in neighboring countries of the tion in Europe (United States Helsinki On the controversial issue of the role Russian Federation and the Govern- Commission). of so-called ‘kin-States’, Mr. Ekeus ment’s views on inter-ethnic relations in In New York, he met with United emphasized that “protection of minority the region. Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan rights is the obligation of the State where and senior officials at the United Nations the minority resides”. He warned in his Ekeus meets US and UN officials Development Programme and the World statement: “History shows that when The High Commissioner was in the Bank. He also addressed the Interna- States take unilateral steps on the basis United States from 8 to 11 October for tional Peace Academy. of national kinship to protect national

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 21 minorities living outside of the jurisdic- non-citizens who share the same nation- could provide expertise in decentraliza- tion of the State, this sometimes leads to ality as the titular majority. He is devot- tion, education, use of language, the cen- tensions and frictions, even violent con- ing close attention to the Act on Hungar- sus, participation of minorities in public flict. I am therefore obliged to focus spe- ians Living in Neighboring Countries life and other matters. cial attention on situations where similar and the report issued on 19 October by steps, without the consent of the State of the European Commission for Democ- Status law discussed in Strasbourg residence, are contemplated.” racy Through Law (Venice Commission) with Hungary and Slovakia “Bilateral treaties”, he noted, “can concerning the preferential treatment of The High Commissioner was in serve a useful function in respect of national minorities by their kin-States. Strasbourg on 7 and 8 November for sep- national minorities in the sense that they arate meetings with the Hungarian and offer a vehicle through which States can The HCNM is updated on the former Slovak Foreign Ministers. All three legitimately share information and con- Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia noted the good bilateral relations between cerns, pursue interests and ideas, and The High Commissioner was in Hungary and its neighbours and regarded further protect particular minorities on Skopje on 4 and 5 November to obtain an current differences in opinion as chal- the basis of the consent of the State in update on the latest developments in the lenges that can be tackled rather than as whose jurisdiction the minority falls. former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia a threat to security. However, the bilateral approach should and to establish personal contacts. He was Hungarian Foreign Minister Janos not undercut the fundamental principles received by President Boris Trajkovski and Martonyi explained his Government’s laid down in multilateral instruments. In met with Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva. views on the implementation of the Act addition, States should be careful not to He held talks with several political leaders on Hungarians Living in Neighbouring create such privileges for particular including Arben Xhaferi, President of the Countries against the background of the groups which could have disintegrative Democratic Party of Albanians. He also Venice Commission report of 19 Octo- effects in the States where they live.” met with representatives of Macedonia’s ber concerning the preferential treatment The High Commissioner stressed that Turkish and Roma communities. of national minorities by their kin-States. the way to avoid inter-ethnic conflict is to Discussions covered the process of The Minister reiterated the principle and protect minority rights, encourage inte- amending the Constitution, minority self- modalities of the law and discussed pos- gration, maintain dialogue and good rela- government, the South Eastern European sible next steps. He also referred to some tions between States, and make use of the University (officially inaugurated on 20 points in the High Commissioner’s state- multilateral norms and mechanisms that November, see page 8) and the role of so- ment of 26 October statement on national have been created to protect persons called smaller minorities. In his meetings minorities. Slovak Foreign Minister belonging to national minorities. The with Government officials, Mr. Ekeus Eduard Kukan underlined some of his High Commissioner has been following offered his assistance in the process of Government’s reservations about the law situations in the OSCE where States give, normalization. On the Framework Agree- and expressed a desire to see continued or intend to give, certain privileges to ment, he said that the High Commissioner dialogue on the issue. 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]

U.S. Representative Hoyer appointed Ahmet Tan, MP (Turkey), Vice-Presi- inating the democratic deficit in the Chair of Oversight Committee dent Claude Estier, MP (France), and OSCE, adopted during the Assembly Parliamentary Assembly President Urban Ahlin, MP (Sweden). The over- session in St. Petersburg in 1999. Adrian Severin has appointed U.S. Con- sight committee was established by the gressman Steny Hoyer as Chair of the Standing Committee of Heads of Dele- Next Chairman-in-Office pledges Assembly’s ad hoc committee on over- gations during the 10th Annual Session close ties with Parliamentary Assembly sight and accountability in the OSCE. of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly The next Chairman-in-Office, For- Vice-Presidents Rita Süssmuth, MP last July in Paris. It will monitor imple- eign Minister Jaime Gama of Portugal, (Germany), and Bruce George, MP mentation of the resolution on oversight said on 9 October that he would ensure (United Kingdom), were appointed to and accountability in the OSCE, unani- close co-operation and interaction in serve as the committee’s vice-chairs. mously adopted at the Paris session, as 2002 between the Portuguese Chairman- Other members include Vice-President well as a resolution geared towards elim- ship and the OSCE Parliamentary

NEWSLETTER 22 Vol. 8 No. 10 Assembly. Addressing the Stand- Penha Longa, Portugal, on 10 ing Committee of Heads of Del- and 11 October. They discussed egations in Sintra, Portugal, he OSCE PA problems encountered by noted that since its creation ten migrants, migrants’ rights, posi- years ago at the Madrid Confer- tive and negative aspects of ence, “the OSCE Parliamentary migration and related issues. Assembly has been playing an The conference was organized in irreplaceable role in the promo- co-operation with the Interna- tion of the common values, prin- tional Organization for Migra- ciples and commitments of this tion (IOM) at the invitation of Organization.” the Portuguese parliament. The Foreign Minister said The President of the Assem- that the Parliamentary Assembly bleia da República, Antonio de was “a valuable partner in the Almeida Santos, welcomed the struggle against the new threats participants. Among the promi- and challenges to security by nent speakers were Antonio helping to strengthen and con- Vitorino, EU Commissioner for solidate democratic values and Justice and Home Affairs, and institutions.” He outlined the Peter Schatzer, Director of four main principles of the forth- External Relations, IOM. Ses- coming Portuguese Chairman- sions were chaired by OSCE PA ship: co-operation, a comprehen- President Adrian Severin, Vice- sive approach to security, trans- Presidents Ahmet Tan and Ihor parency and visibility. He called Ostash, Head of the Portuguese for increased collaboration and Delegation Antonio Reis, Vice- co-ordination among OSCE bod- Chair of the Third Committee ies and institutions, including the Portuguese Foreign Minister and incoming OSCE Chair- Elena Mizulina and Treasurer Parliamentary Assembly. man-in-Office, Jaime Gama (centre), with OSCE Parlia- Jerry Grafstein. Assuring the delegates that mentary Assembly President Adrian Severin (left) and the Portuguese Chairmanship OSCE PA Secretary General, Spencer Oliver (right), President Severin visits Azer- will pay “due attention” to trans- addressing the OSCE PA Conference on Migration in baijan, Georgia and Armenia parency, Mr. Gama said that “we Sintra, Portugal Visiting Azerbaijan, Georgia will do our best to ensure a com- and Armenia from 21 to 29 Octo- prehensive and inclusive consultations is ideally placed to develop common ber, President Severin met with their process in the OSCE”. He referred to the strategies addressing the political, eco- presidents, speakers of parliament and recently established ad hoc committee nomic, social and cultural root causes of ministers of foreign affairs. He held talks on oversight and accountability. terrorism”, PA President Severin stated. with OSCE PA delegations, representa- “The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly tives of the judiciary, opposition political Assembly issues anti-terrorism strongly supports efforts undertaken by parties and NGOs, and religious leaders. declaration the OSCE Chairmanship to develop an President Severin discussed regional At the same meeting in Sintra, the PA OSCE-wide plan of action for the fight security and the consequences of the Standing Committee expressed outrage against terrorism.” global war against terrorism. He stressed at the criminal and unjustifiable terrorist The Committee also adopted a resolu- that security in the Caucasus is an inte- attacks in the United States on 11 tion on enhancing the parliamentary gral part of the security and stability of September through a Declaration on dimension of the OSCE, calling on all the OSCE area and that democratic Security through Solidarity. The Decla- delegations to initiate debates in their development is an essential element in ration asserts that terrorism, in any of its parliaments on strengthening co-opera- resolving ongoing conflicts. Expressing forms and manifestations, is one of the tion between the parliamentary and support for OSCE work in the region, Mr. greatest threats to security and co-opera- executive branches of government. Severin discussed ways in which the tion today in the OSCE area, and that the OSCE and its Parliamentary Assembly recent tragic events demonstrate the Parliamentary conference held could play a more instrumental role in need for increased co-operation between on migration supporting democratization. He sug- the international organizations con- More than a hundred parliamentari- gested that new international commit- cerned with security. ans from some 40 participating States ments were needed to ease the deadlock, “As an international organization gathered at the OSCE Parliamentary within the framework of OSCE docu- dealing with security matters, the OSCE Assembly Conference on Migration, in ments and principles of international law.

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 23 In Azerbaijan, the President visited underlined the crucial role played by the Parliamentary Assembly’s plans in the settlements for internally displaced per- mass media in forming public opinion. former Yugoslav Republic of Macedo- sons (IDPs). He stressed that a continua- He urged the start of a constructive dia- nia. Matters relating to Belarus and tion of the current situation might foster logue and the end of the media’s engage- Kosovo were also discussed. frustration and violence among the ment in war rhetoric and deliberate dis- refugees. tribution of false information. Germany’s Uta Zapf is new chair In Georgia, Abkhazia was the focus of of Belarus group discussion. President Severin expressed OSCE and CoE leaders urge multi- President Severin has appointed Ms. concern over recent incidents in the cultural dialogue to combat terrorism Uta Zapf, MP (Germany), as the new Kodori Valley involving casualties on all The leadership of the OSCE and the chair of the Assembly`s ad hoc working sides and stressed the need to put an end Council of Europe met to discuss and co- group on Belarus. She replaces Mr. Sev- to the illegal armed groups in the conflict ordinate activities dealing with issues of erin as chair of the group. Other members zones. He addressed the issue of IDPs in common concern. In lengthy discussions are OSCE PA Vice-President Igor Ostash Georgia and urged that finding solutions on the fight against terrorism, both orga- and Urban Ahlin, MP (Sweden), Antonio be given utmost priority. As in Azerbai- nizations stressed the need for a multi- Reis, MP (Romania), and Ms. Helena jan, he noted that without any prospects cultural dialogue and the importance of Demakova, MP (Latvia). Their main task for a better future, IDPs might give vent tackling the root causes of terrorism. is to ensure that the working group plays to their frustration through violence, cre- The meeting in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, an active role in promoting democratic ating another security problem. on 30 October, was hosted by Ernst developments in Belarus in the post-pres- In Armenia, President Severin learned Walch, Foreign Minister of Liechten- idential election period. about the ongoing reform programme stein and current Chairman of the Coun- including constitutional developments. cil of Europe. The President of the Par- Gert Weisskirchen represents PA at He discussed strengthening the political liamentary Assembly of the Council of conference on trafficking in persons party system to enable political stability Europe, Lord Russell-Johnston, and the Gert Weisskirchen, MP (Germany), to take root along with pluralism. Secretary General of the Council of Chair of the Third General Committee of On a brief visit to Nagorno-Kara- Europe, Walter Schwimmer, also partic- the OSCE PA, represented the Assembly bakh, President Severin emphasized that ipated. OSCE officials present were PA at a two-day conference on Europe he was not there to recognize or negotiate President Adrian Severin and PA Deputy Against Trafficking in Persons, held in its status but to listen to various groups Secretary General, Pentti Väänänen; Berlin in October. He was accompanied and to evaluate the situation on the spot. Mihnea Motoc, Romanian Secretary of by Pentti Väänänen, PA Deputy Secre- He stressed that for the conflict to be State, who represented the Chairman-in- tary General. Participants underlined the solved, a compromise must be found and Office; and OSCE Secretary General, task of parliaments and parliamentarians that the public must be kept informed Ambassador Jan Kubis. in enacting legislation to combat traf- throughout the process. During his visits President Severin reported on his ficking and to facilitate inter-govern- to all three countries, the President recent visit to the Caucasus and on the mental co-operation. 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]

Journalist denied visa for Tajikistan OSCE commitments are encouraging tin O’Hagan, a reporter with the Sunday Christian Neef, a reporter for the Ger- participating States to facilitate visa pro- World, who was gunned down near his man magazine Der Spiegel, was denied a cesses to enable journalists to travel home in Northern Ireland on 28 Septem- visa to enter Tajikistan. From there, he within the OSCE region and to be able to ber. Mr. O’Hagan had specialized in had planned to travel to northern legitimately pursue their professional investigating paramilitary forces and the Afghanistan. OSCE Representative on activity and so to encourage public dis- drugs mafia. Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve, cussion and pluralism of opinions.” On 2 October, the OSCE Representa- urged the Tajik authorities to reconsider tive added his voice to appeals to the the visa application. In a letter of 1 Octo- ‘Censorship by killing’ raised with UK British Government for a thorough inves- ber to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Freimut Duve has raised with British tigation so that the perpetrators of the Tajikistan, Mr. Duve wrote: “Numerous authorities the case of the murder of Mar- crime could be brought to justice.

NEWSLETTER 24 Vol. 8 No. 10 Journalists helped to fight corruption security concerns. The fragile state of meet its OSCE and Council of Europe The OSCE Representative on Free- human rights in some of the OSCE par- commitment to freedom of the media. dom of the Media took part in the 10th ticipating States, he pointed out, could be International Anti-Corruption Confer- undermined if the old democracies in the Concern over Respekt Magazine ence in Prague, organized by Trans- West and in northern America set prece- The OSCE Representative has com- parency International on 11 October. The dents, however minor. These measures municated with the Foreign Minister of theme was strengthening civil society could be used by certain governments to the Czech Republic, Jan Kavan, on the and the role of the media. Mr. Duve stifle dissent, he warned. threat of a joint lawsuit from the Govern- briefed participants on the activities of ment against the weekly magazine his office aimed at supporting journalists Editors freed in Azerbaijan Respekt for its reporting on corruption. in fighting corruption. The President of Azerbaijan decided Damages filed could reach several mil- on 17 October to release two journalists lion euros. Mr. Duve was concerned that, West urged to consider freedom of from prison: Elmar Huseinov, founder of based on information provided to him, expression amid security concerns the independent weekly Bakinsky Bulvar the purpose of the lawsuit was to see that The OSCE Representative met with and Shabaz Khuduoglu, editor-in-chief “Respekt finally ceases to exist”. “This senior officials from the US State of the independent weekly Milletin Sesi. line of argumentation would be incom- Department in Washington, D.C., on 21 The president of the independent pub- patible with OSCE commitments pro- October. Freimut Duve briefed them on lishing house Baku Printing Press was tecting freedom of expression and free- his latest activities in the light of the also pardoned. Welcoming the decisions dom of the media”, he said on 30 Octo- tragic events of 11 September. He warned in a letter to the country’s Foreign Minis- ber. The Foreign Minister has responded, that human rights, including freedom of ter, Freimut Duve wrote that he would pointing out that no decision has yet been expression, could be affected by national support Azerbaijan in its crucial quest to made on the lawsuit.

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 meets Chairman of Supreme Kyiv seminar Council of Abkhazia in Exile examines Secretary General Jan Kubis met OSCE’s with the Chairman of the Supreme preventive tasks OSCE/Sarfati Council of Abkhazia in Exile, Tamaz The Secre- Nadareishvili, at his request on 2 Octo- tary General par- ber. They discussed the overall situation ticipated in an in Abkhazia, including problems and OSCE seminar possible solutions. Issues relating to ter- in Kyiv on pre- rorism were also brought up. The SG was ventive functions accompanied by Ambassador Levan of the OSCE. Mikeladze of Georgia. Hosted by the Ukrainian Gov- Working group on ammunition ernment on 8 and disposal submits report 9 October, it was Members of the Tripartite (Russia, officially opened Transdniestria, OSCE) Working Group by Ukrainian Secretary General Kubis (left) meets the new Head of the Dele- on Ammunition Disposal met with the Foreign Minister gation of Greece, Ambassador Aristidis Sandis Secretary General on 3 October. They Anatoliy Zlenko, were in Vienna to submit their final report Paraschiva Bade- and project proposals to Voluntary Fund scu, a representative of the OSCE Chair- Foreign Minister Zlenko underscored contributors. They briefed the SG on their man-in-Office, and the Secretary Gen- the need to increase the OSCE’s analyti- conclusions and recommendations. eral. cal potential. He recalled Ukraine’s ini-

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 25 tiative to establish an Ethnic Research Human rights Centre under the auspices of the OSCE activists hold

High Commissioner on National Minori- OSCE/Sarfati workshop ties. Ukraine suggested that seminars on The OSCE Sec- OSCE’s preventive functions be contin- retary General, Jan ued regularly, with Kyiv as a possible Kubis, met human venue. rights activists from During his visit to Kyiv, the Secretary Central Asia and the General was received by President Caucasus on 19 Leonid Kuchma and had a working lunch October at the re- with Foreign Minister Anatoly Zlenko. quest of the Inter- He was accompanied by Ambassador national Helsinki Peter Burkhard, OSCE Project Co-ordi- Federation for Hu- nator in Ukraine. Discussions focused on man Rights, which developments in Ukraine, including the organized a three- planned elections for 2002 and the role of day workshop for the OSCE. them. Participants informed the Secre- ODCCP Executive Director in tary General about discussions with SG concerns raised at Meeting on 10 October, the Secre- Ms. Taous Feroukhi, the new Head of the Delegation of the workshop on tary General and Executive Director Algeria, pays a courtesy call on the Secretary General Strategies for Hu- Pino Arlacchi of the United Nations man Rights Advo- Office for Drug Control and Crime Pre- attended the graduation ceremonies for cacy in the Caucasus and Central Asia, and vention (ODCCP) discussed prepara- the first participants of the 12-week submitted recommendations to the OSCE. tions for the International Conference on police training course in Mitrovo Polje, Enhancing Security and Stability in Cen- southern Serbia. He noted that the OSCE UN representative meets with SG tral Asia (see page 5). The joint OSCE- could be proud of what the police school The Secretary General met Joachim ODCCP activity is a follow-up to the had achieved (see story on page 12). Hütter, Director for Europe and Latin conference in Tashkent in 2001. The two America in the UN Department of Peace- officials also discussed their organiza- OSCE discusses joint keeping Operations, on 22 October. They tions’ activities and plans to counter ter- activities with UNHCR examined co-operation between the rorism. The SG described the establish- The Secretary General had a bilateral OSCE and the United Nations, with a ment and objectives of the OSCE Work- meeting on 18 October with the UN special focus on south-eastern Europe ing Group on Terrorism, supported by High Commissioner for Refugees, Ruud and the Caucasus. the Task Force in the Secretariat. He Lubbers, who addressed the Permanent agreed with Mr. Arlacchi’s proposals for Council. Co-operation between the two Meeting with the President of ICRC future co-operation and ODCCP support organizations, especially on the ground, Co-operation between the OSCE and for the Working Group. was discussed: migration, combating the International Committee of the Red terrorism, trafficking in human beings, Cross was discussed at bilateral talks on SG visits Yugoslavia and the situation in Afghanistan and its 25 October between the Secretary Gen- The Secretary General was in the impact on the two organizations’ opera- eral and Dr. Jakob Kellenberger, ICRC Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 16 and tional activities in that region. President. Special attention was devoted 17 October at the invitation of the OSCE to the current situation in Afghanistan Mission and the FRY/Serbian authorities. Tajikistan-OSCE talks held and its repercussions on the neighbouring He met with Foreign Minister Goran Svi- The SG had a bilateral meeting with countries, which are OSCE participating lanovic, Deputy Serbian Prime Minister the Foreign Minister of Tajikistan, Tal- States. Two areas of co-operation were Nebojsa Covic, Presidential Adviser Pre- bak Nazarov, on 18 October. Discussions highlighted: exchange of information on drag Simic, President of the Supreme focused on the implications of the devel- security on the ground and co-operation Court of Serbia Leposava Karamarkovic opments in Afghanistan on the Central in training, especially ICRC assistance in and Radio Televisija Serbia (RTS) Edi- Asian region, especially Tajikistan. field security and humanitarian law, tor-in-Chief, Bojana Lekic. Other issues included the work of the including within the REACT pro- The FRY/Serbian authorities praised OSCE Mission to Tajikistan, including gramme. On the issue of trafficking in the “close and multi-dimensional co- the opening of a field office in Khorog human beings, Dr. Kellenberger wel- operation” with the OSCE Mission. On and strengthening the Mission’s activi- comed the development of a joint code of 17 October, the Secretary General ties in the economic area. conduct for international field personnel.

NEWSLETTER 26 Vol. 8 No. 10 OSCE- and Council of Europe hold (notably in the former Yugoslav Repub- root causes, and to establish appropriate 11th high-level meeting lic of Macedonia and in the Federal co-ordination mechanisms. They also The Secretary General attended the Republic of Yugoslavia, including the agreed to explore the possibilities for a eleventh high-level ‘2+2/3+3’ meeting Kosovo elections), in Belarus (after the multicultural and inter-religious dia- of OSCE and the Council of Europe on recent presidential elections) and in the logue, engaging the Organization of the 30 October. The meeting, in Vaduz, Caucasus. Islamic Conference, among others. focused on topical issues of common Participants agreed to reinforce their The SG also met separately with M. interest: the fight against terrorism, the co-operation, to join efforts in countering Ahtisaari and J. Mroz from the East- current situation in south-east Europe and preventing terrorism and tackling its West Institute, who were visiting Vaduz. New on the OSCE website

New OSCE home page launched to Ninth Ministerial Council online measures and the experience in coping improve access to information Visit the special Ninth Ministerial with these challenges. The site has been A new, dynamic OSCE homepage Council website: updated with news releases, documents, was launched in November, aimed at www.osce.org/romania2001 speeches, photos and follow-up material giving visitors an instant and easy to obtain the documents and decisions from the proceedings. overview of all the latest OSCE informa- from the meeting of OSCE foreign min- tion that is available online at: isters in Bucharest. The website also Record traffic www.osce.org offers an extensive photo archive, news The OSCE is pleased to announce This includes news releases, feature releases issued during the Ministerial that in the past several months, its web- stories, upcoming events, photos, special Council and background on the issues site has seen a record amount of traffic websites and new public information discussed. with 6.8 million 'hits' in November, in products. The new homepage is about 160,000 visitor sessions. database-driven, making it simple to Bishkek Conference website Peaks were reached at the time of access the specific information you For background, updates and media the announcement of the Kosovo elec- need. Key features include news by information on the International Confer- tion results and during the Ninth Minis- region – an overview of the latest news ence on Enhancing Security and Stabil- terial Council in Bucharest, which releases from OSCE field missions and ity in Central Asia: Strengthening Com- attracted the single largest number of offices – and a news in focus section prehensive Efforts to Combat Terrorism, visitors ever recorded on the OSCE highlighting key OSCE issues. held on 13 and 14 December in Bishkek, website. Please help us make the page better visit: We thank all our visitors and look by sending your comments and feedback www.osce.org/events/bishkek2001 forward to continuing to make the web- to the OSCE Online Unit at: Discussion focused on the threats of site your primary source of public infor- [email protected] terrorism, as well as possible preventive mation on the OSCE.

NEWSLETTER Vol. 8 No. 10 27 OSCE/Sarfati ROMPRESS OSCE/Sarfati

(Top) The Heads of Delegations to the Ninth Ministerial Council line up in the Romanian Palace of Parliaments for the traditional “family photo”. (Above left) US Secretary of State Colin Powell, addresses the Ninth Ministerial Council on the second day of the Meet- ing. (Above right) Russian Federation Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov greets next year’s Chairman-in-Office, Portugal’s Foreign Minister Jaime Matos da Gama, at the Ministerial Council

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: http://www.osce.org