http://www.rferl.org/archive/News/latest/645/645.html The latest news from RFE/RL's region http://www.rferl.org/img/rssLogo.gif http://www.rferl.org/archive/News/latest/645/645.html en-US Copyright 2009 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:56:15 +0000 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL The Iraqi parliament today failed to resolve an impasse threatening to delay the country's election in January, which could affect the U.S. military's plans for a partial pullout next year. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Parliament_Fails_To_Reach_Election_Deal/1884886.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Parliament_Fails_To_Reach_Election_Deal/1884886.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:08:58 +0000 News Afghan President Hamid Karzai could invite militants to attend a "Loya Jirga," or grand council meeting, aiming to seek peace and reconciliation with the Taliban, a spokesman said today. http://www.rferl.org/content/Karzai_Says_Militants_Could_Be_Invited_To_Afghan_Jirga/1884874.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Karzai_Says_Militants_Could_Be_Invited_To_Afghan_Jirga/1884874.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 14:50:49 +0000 News Afghan children returned to school wearing medical face masks today after a three-week closure ordered by the government to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus. http://www.rferl.org/content/Afghan_Schools_Reopen_After_Swine_Flu_Shutdown/1884811.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Afghan_Schools_Reopen_After_Swine_Flu_Shutdown/1884811.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:42:13 +0000 News A Russian submarine broke off a mission in the Black Sea on November 21 and headed back to base, apparently because of engine trouble, the state RIA-Novosti news agency reported. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Submarine_Returns_To_Base_After_Engine_Problem/1884810.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Submarine_Returns_To_Base_After_Engine_Problem/1884810.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:39:28 +0000 News A leading Iranian reformer, who was reportedly jailed for six years, has been released on bail of 7 billion rials (about $700,000), the official IRNA news agency reported today. http://www.rferl.org/content/Reports_Top_Iranian_Reformer_Jailed_For_Six_Years/1884698.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Reports_Top_Iranian_Reformer_Jailed_For_Six_Years/1884698.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:54:02 +0000 News Iran's opposition leader Mir Hossein Musavi said the government should stop intimidating people to try and change their political views, a reformist website reported today. http://www.rferl.org/content/Irans_Musavi_Tells_Government_To_Stop_Intimidation/1884693.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Irans_Musavi_Tells_Government_To_Stop_Intimidation/1884693.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:51:41 +0000 News Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and his Armenian counterpart, Serzh Sarkisian, made "important progress" today at four hours of talks in the German city of Munich to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, mediators say. http://www.rferl.org/content/Azerbaijani_Armenian_Presidents_Meeting_Again_To_Discuss_NagornoKarabakh/1884679.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Azerbaijani_Armenian_Presidents_Meeting_Again_To_Discuss_NagornoKarabakh/1884679.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:25:05 +0000 News http://www.rferl.org/content/Azerbaijani_Armenian_Presidents_Meeting_Again_To_Discuss_NagornoKarabakh/1884679.html#relatedInfoContainer Iran's armed forces launched large-scale air-defense war games today to show off the country's deterrence capabilities in the face of pressure from the West over its nuclear program. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iran_To_Hold_War_Games_To_Protect_Nuclear_Facilities/1884669.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iran_To_Hold_War_Games_To_Protect_Nuclear_Facilities/1884669.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:12:05 +0000 News Romanians voted today in a closely fought presidential election that is key to reviving economic and justice reforms and solving a government crisis that has delayed aid from the International Monetary Fund. http://www.rferl.org/content/Pivotal_Romanian_Presidential_Poll_Starts/1884658.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Pivotal_Romanian_Presidential_Poll_Starts/1884658.html Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:57:26 +0000 News Iran and Kuwait pledged to boost economic cooperation during the first visit to Tehran by a prime minister from the Gulf Arab U.S. ally in more than 30 years, Iranian state media said. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iran_Kuwait_Pledge_Cooperation_During_Rare_PM_Visit/1884360.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iran_Kuwait_Pledge_Cooperation_During_Rare_PM_Visit/1884360.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:19:12 +0000 News A rocket hit the outside wall of the luxury Serena Hotel in Kabul today, wounding four people, including two boys, a Health Ministry official said. http://www.rferl.org/content/Rocket_Hits_Luxury_Hotel_In_Kabul_Four_Wounded/1884325.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Rocket_Hits_Luxury_Hotel_In_Kabul_Four_Wounded/1884325.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:38:11 +0000 News NATO took command of the training of the Afghan army and police today to consolidate efforts on building an effective security force, a vital precondition for the withdrawal of foreign troops. http://www.rferl.org/content/NATO_Takes_Command_Of_Afghan_Army_Police_Training/1884321.html http://www.rferl.org/content/NATO_Takes_Command_Of_Afghan_Army_Police_Training/1884321.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:32:56 +0000 News Iraq's parliament suspended efforts today to reach a deal on a law that is crucial for an election to take place in January and could affect the U.S. military' s plans for a partial withdrawal next year. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Parliament_Struggles_Over_Elusive_Vote_Deal/1884317.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iraqi_Parliament_Struggles_Over_Elusive_Vote_Deal/1884317.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:22:29 +0000 News The speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives has called Afghan President Hamid Karzai an "unworthy partner" who does not deserve a big boost either in U.S. troops or civilian aid. Nancy Pelosi also said there was not strong support among her fellow Democrats in Congress for a big increase in troops to oppose the Taliban. http://www.rferl.org/content/US_House_Speaker_Doubts_Afghanistan_Worthiness_As_Partner/1884210.html http://www.rferl.org/content/US_House_Speaker_Doubts_Afghanistan_Worthiness_As_Partner/1884210.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:51:21 +0000 News Tens of thousands of Albanian opposition Socialist Party supporters have launched their latest protest to demand the government either recount the vote in a controversial June 28 election or hold another. http://www.rferl.org/content/Albania_Opposition_Protests_To_Demand_Vote_Recount/1884185.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Albania_Opposition_Protests_To_Demand_Vote_Recount/1884185.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:30:51 +0000 News Iran plans to hold air-defense maneuvers aimed at protecting its nuclear facilities, a senior commander was quoted as saying today. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iran_To_Hold_Drills_For_Protecting_Nuclear_Facilities/1884162.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iran_To_Hold_Drills_For_Protecting_Nuclear_Facilities/1884162.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:59:32 +0000 News Azerbaijan said upcoming talks with Armenia on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict would be "decisive" and warned that its troops were ready to use force to take back the rebel region if they fail, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. http://www.rferl.org/content/Azerbaijan_Says_Karabakh_Talks_Last_Chance_For_Deal/1884135.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Azerbaijan_Says_Karabakh_Talks_Last_Chance_For_Deal/1884135.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:31:49 +0000 News MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan (Reuters) -- Three suspected Taliban militants blew themselves up today as police chased them in Pakistani Kashmir, police said. Militants have carried out a series of bomb attacks across Pakistan in recent weeks in retaliation for a military offensive in the northwest, but there have been no attacks in Pakistan's part of the disputed Kashmir region. Today's incident will revive concern that the militants are trying to expand their campaign of violence to distract the ... http://www.rferl.org/content/Suspected_Militants_Blow_Themselves_Up_In_Pakistan/1884097.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Suspected_Militants_Blow_Themselves_Up_In_Pakistan/1884097.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:48:22 +0000 News Russian President Dmitry Medvedev today made a rare criticism of the ruling Kremlin-backed United Russia party, saying the party has undermined democracy in recent regional elections. United Russia is led by Vladimir Putin, Russia's powerful prime minister and Medvedev's mentor. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russias_Medvedev_Raps_Ruling_Party_Over_Elections/1884094.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russias_Medvedev_Raps_Ruling_Party_Over_Elections/1884094.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:41:55 +0000 News The United States must tighten control of Afghan development contracts as a first step toward stemming rampant corruption, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said today. http://www.rferl.org/content/US_To_Tighten_Control_Of_Afghan_Contracts/1883895.html http://www.rferl.org/content/US_To_Tighten_Control_Of_Afghan_Contracts/1883895.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:27:11 +0000 News The United Nations General Assembly's human rights committee condemned Iran today for a violent crackdown on protesters after presidential elections this year that the Iranian opposition says were rigged. http://www.rferl.org/content/UN_Committee_Slams_Iran_For_Postelection_Crackdown/1883884.html http://www.rferl.org/content/UN_Committee_Slams_Iran_For_Postelection_Crackdown/1883884.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:43:46 +0000 News Jailed Azerbaijani journalist Eynulla Fatullayev is among the winners of the 2009 International Press Freedom Awards, an annual recognition by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) of journalists working in dangerous or repressive circumstances, RFE/RL's Azerbaijan Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Imprisoned_Azeri_Journalist_Honored_By_CPJ/1883882.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Imprisoned_Azeri_Journalist_Honored_By_CPJ/1883882.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:32:40 +0000 From Our Bureaus Vladimir Tutayev, an activist from Russia's United Civic Front (OGF), was detained in Moscow today, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Moscow_Police_Detain_Opposition_Activist/1883870.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Moscow_Police_Detain_Opposition_Activist/1883870.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:46:46 +0000 From Our Bureaus Iranian human rights advocate and lawyer Shirin Ebadi said she has been receiving death threats, RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iranian_Nobel_Laureate_Threatened_Harassed/1883866.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iranian_Nobel_Laureate_Threatened_Harassed/1883866.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:39:07 +0000 From Our Bureaus The official number of swine-flu cases in Kyrgyzstan has been put at 61, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyzstan_Braces_For_SwineFlu_Outbreak/1883861.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyzstan_Braces_For_SwineFlu_Outbreak/1883861.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:34:23 +0000 From Our Bureaus A spokesman for the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims in Russia's European Territories has condemned the murder of Orthodox Priest Daniil Sysoyev in Moscow, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Muslim_Leaders_Condemn_Orthodox_Priests_Murder/1883779.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Muslim_Leaders_Condemn_Orthodox_Priests_Murder/1883779.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:49:21 +0000 From Our Bureaus Senior officials from six world powers have expressed disappointment that Iran had not accepted proposals intended to delay its potential ability to make nuclear bombs, and urged Tehran to reconsider. http://www.rferl.org/content/Six_Powers_Regret_Irans_Stance_On_Nuclear_Deal/1883763.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Six_Powers_Regret_Irans_Stance_On_Nuclear_Deal/1883763.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:29:25 +0000 News Russia has the world's most fraudulent economy and attempts to stamp out white-collar crime have done little to stop its spread during the global financial downturn, PricewaterhouseCoopers said in a survey. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Tops_Pricewaterhouse_Global_Fraud_Survey/1883624.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russia_Tops_Pricewaterhouse_Global_Fraud_Survey/1883624.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:35:07 +0000 News The UN nuclear watchdog chief has urged Iran to accept an offer to process its enriched uranium abroad by the end of 2009, and advised Western powers not to impose further sanctions on Tehran. http://www.rferl.org/content/ElBaradei_Urges_Iran_To_Agree_Fuel_Deal_By_Year_End/1883581.html http://www.rferl.org/content/ElBaradei_Urges_Iran_To_Agree_Fuel_Deal_By_Year_End/1883581.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:04:28 +0000 News A woman who was beaten by a Russian soldier in the southwestern Tajik city of Kulob has died, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Tajik_Official_Says_Beating_Victim_Died_Of_Hepatitis/1884801.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Tajik_Official_Says_Beating_Victim_Died_Of_Hepatitis/1884801.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:24:04 +0000 From Our Bureaus Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko says that Ukraine will support Georgia's territorial integrity and not recognize its breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Yushchenko_Says_Ukraine_Supports_Georgias_Territorial_Integrity/1884796.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Yushchenko_Says_Ukraine_Supports_Georgias_Territorial_Integrity/1884796.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:20:50 +0000 From Our Bureaus Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sarkisian has pledged to markedly improve Armenia's business environment, crack down on tax evasion, and strengthen the rule of law as he laid out his government's new and ambitious reform agenda on November 18, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Armenian_Government_Vows_New_Economic_Reforms/1884793.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Armenian_Government_Vows_New_Economic_Reforms/1884793.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:17:54 +0000 From Our Bureaus A high-ranking U.S. diplomat visiting Chisinau said the White House supports Moldova's democratic process and will stand by it as it makes its foreign policy choices, RFE/RL's Moldovan Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Visiting_US_Diplomat_Pledges_Support_For_Moldova/1883470.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Visiting_US_Diplomat_Pledges_Support_For_Moldova/1883470.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:03:49 +0000 From Our Bureaus The Tajik government has introduced a new decree obliging journalists to pay for information obtained from officials, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/In_Tajikistan_Free_Information_Comes_At_A_Price/1883466.html http://www.rferl.org/content/In_Tajikistan_Free_Information_Comes_At_A_Price/1883466.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:58:48 +0000 From Our Bureaus Iran has increased its pressure on student activists ahead of the national Student Day on December 7. http://www.rferl.org/content/Iran_Arrests_Student_Activists_Ahead_Of_Student_Day__/1883427.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Iran_Arrests_Student_Activists_Ahead_Of_Student_Day__/1883427.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:32:01 +0000 News Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill has called on Russian society not to draw premature conclusions regarding the murder of an Orthodox priest late on November 19, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Patriarch_Urges_Restraint_Following_Priests_Killing/1883420.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russian_Patriarch_Urges_Restraint_Following_Priests_Killing/1883420.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:27:17 +0000 From Our Bureaus A Tajik Foreign Ministry official says the borders between Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan should be demined as soon as possible, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Central_Asian_Countries_Seek_To_Demine_Border_Areas/1884747.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Central_Asian_Countries_Seek_To_Demine_Border_Areas/1884747.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:10:09 +0000 From Our Bureaus The Kyrgyz parliament has approved amendments to a law that bans smoking in state institutions, at entrances to multistory buildings, and in all public places. http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyzstan_Moves_To_Ban_Smoking_In_Public_Places/1883364.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Kyrgyzstan_Moves_To_Ban_Smoking_In_Public_Places/1883364.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:45:16 +0000 From Our Bureaus A Tatar opposition newspaper editor accused of propagating extremist views has gone on trial in Tatarstan, RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Tatar_Newspaper_Editor_Nationalist_Leader_On_Trial/1883361.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Tatar_Newspaper_Editor_Nationalist_Leader_On_Trial/1883361.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:43:32 +0000 From Our Bureaus Youth activists in Minsk have held a so-called "orange" protest against the government of President Alyaksandr Lukashenka, RFE/RL's Belarus Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Youth_Activists_In_Belarus_Stage_Orange_Action/1883357.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Youth_Activists_In_Belarus_Stage_Orange_Action/1883357.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:38:51 +0000 From Our Bureaus The woman suffered injuries in a beating last week at the hands of a Russian military officer from a unit stationed in Khatlon Province, but police say her death was ultimately caused by complications from hepatitis. http://www.rferl.org/content/In_Tajikistan_Woman_Dies_After_Beating_By_Russian_Troop/1883355.html http://www.rferl.org/content/In_Tajikistan_Woman_Dies_After_Beating_By_Russian_Troop/1883355.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:36:37 +0000 From Our Bureaus Armenia's Foreign Ministry has declared that Yerevan and Ankara will hold no further major negotiations until their parliaments ratify bilateral agreements on closer relations, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports. http://www.rferl.org/content/Armenia_Says_No_Talks_With_Turkey_Until/1883313.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Armenia_Says_No_Talks_With_Turkey_Until/1883313.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:14:04 +0000 From Our Bureaus The six countries negotiating with Iran over its nuclear program are meeting for fresh talks today in Brussels, as the threat of more punitive sanctions hangs over the dispute. The meeting comes one day after U.S. President Barack Obama said Washington and its allies could soon have a package of measures against Iran for its failure to accept a UN-brokered deal to send enriched uranium abroad for processing into fuel. Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki said Tehran was willing to ... http://www.rferl.org/content/World_Powers_Meet_On_Iranian_Nuclear_Program/1883207.html http://www.rferl.org/content/World_Powers_Meet_On_Iranian_Nuclear_Program/1883207.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:46:01 +0000 News A suspected U.S. drone aircraft has fired two missiles at a northwestern Pakistani militant stronghold, killing two people in the second such attack this week, security and Taliban officials said. http://www.rferl.org/content/Two_Dead_In_Suspected_US_Missile_Strike_In_Pakistan/1883192.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Two_Dead_In_Suspected_US_Missile_Strike_In_Pakistan/1883192.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:40:20 +0000 News A masked gunman entered a church and shot dead a Russian Orthodox priest well-known for his missionary work among the young, investigators said today. http://www.rferl.org/content/Masked_Gunman_Kills_Russian_Priest_At_Moscow_Church/1883073.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Masked_Gunman_Kills_Russian_Priest_At_Moscow_Church/1883073.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:27:16 +0000 News The biggest party in Kosovo's government has decided to end its coalition with the smaller Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Deputy Prime Minister Rame Manaj said today. http://www.rferl.org/content/Kosovo_Coalition_Government_Collapses_Deputy_PM/1883059.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Kosovo_Coalition_Government_Collapses_Deputy_PM/1883059.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:18:50 +0000 News Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on November 19 that existing gas deals with Ukraine were a guarantee of stable energy supplies to Europe and he hoped for a New Year without any gas "shocks." http://www.rferl.org/content/Russias_Putin_Wants_New_Year_Without_Gas_Shocks/1883024.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Russias_Putin_Wants_New_Year_Without_Gas_Shocks/1883024.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:37:35 +0000 News A suicide bomber in southwestern Afghanistan killed 17 people today, and an Afghan lawmaker escaped a separate blast on the outskirts of Kabul but five of his bodyguards were killed, officials said. http://www.rferl.org/content/Suicide_Bomber_Kills_Six_In_Afghanistan/1883011.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Suicide_Bomber_Kills_Six_In_Afghanistan/1883011.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:33:32 +0000 News Eight years after a U.S.-led invasion ousted the Taliban from power in Afghanistan, the war-ravaged state is the most dangerous place in the world for a child to be born, the United Nations has said. http://www.rferl.org/content/UNICEF_Names_Afghanistan_Worst_Place_To_Be_Born/1882881.html http://www.rferl.org/content/UNICEF_Names_Afghanistan_Worst_Place_To_Be_Born/1882881.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:59:21 +0000 News Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko today told Russia's Vladimir Putin that Ukraine would scrupulously fulfill its obligations on the transit of Russian natural gas to Europe. http://www.rferl.org/content/Tymoshenko_Pledges_To_Fulfill_Gas_Transit_Deal/1882873.html http://www.rferl.org/content/Tymoshenko_Pledges_To_Fulfill_Gas_Transit_Deal/1882873.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:44:16 +0000 News