OMRI DAILY DIGEST
Vol. I, No. 83, 27 April 1995
RUSSIA
GAS PIPELINE EXPLODES IN KOMI REPUBLIC.
In the early hours of 27 April, a major gas export pipeline exploded 13 kilometers from the city of Ukhta in the Komi Republic, according to Western agencies. No deaths or injuries were reported, but several square kilometers of woodland were set on fire. The pilot of a Japan Airlines plane en route from Frankfurt to Japan said he saw a column of smoke and flames rising 3,000-6,000 meters above the region. According to the Severgazprom gas company, the fire is under control and gas is now flowing through a backup pipeline. The Komi Republic has been the site of many accidents recently, due to aging pipelines and low safety standards. * Penny Morvant
CHERNOMYRDIN ON RIGHT-CENTER BLOC.
All the members of the government have agreed to join his new right-center bloc, Chernomyrdin announced during his trip to Chelyabinsk 26 April, NTV reported. The founding congress will take place in May and the still-unnamed movement's leadership will be elected then. Chernomyrdin said he would like to have State Duma Speaker Ivan Rybkin's support in the elections, Interfax reported. Sergei Shakhrai was the main instigator of the bloc, according to Russian Public Television, which cited speculation in Moscow. * Robert Orttung
RYBKIN ON NEW LEFT-CENTER BLOC.
Rybkin said the left-center and right-center blocs announced yesterday would win two-thirds of the seats in the Duma, Russian Television reported 26 April. He saw much room for cooperation, but said the two blocs would disagree over several economic, domestic, and foreign policy issues. Although Russian President Boris Yeltsin said yesterday he supported Rybkin as the bloc leader, Rybkin continued to down play reports that he would lead or even join the new bloc, Interfax reported. The numerous parties involved will hold meetings in May that will decide this issue. Rybkin said that he had been negotiating with more than 10 parties since September on the idea of forming the bloc, adding that the Agrarian party would likely join. Ekho Moskvy and Russian Television reported that Agrarian Party leader Mikhail Lapshin, who is in the Far East, said that the party would campaign separately in close coordination with the communists. NTV quoted Agrarian Party member Nikolai Kharitonov as saying that the party was unlikely to join the bloc and that Rybkin had no intention of leaving his party. * Robert Orttung
POLITICIANS' REACTION TO THE BLOCS.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky said that if the new blocs attract popular support, elections will go on as scheduled, and if not, the government will do everything possible to wreck them, NTV reported. Gennady Zyuganov, leader of the communists, said he wants to consult with Rybkin and the members of his party, but he does not see a "serious basis" for the two blocs, Russian Public Television reported. He doubted that the Agrarian Party would defect from the communists, but said the situation would become clearer after the May holidays. Yegor Gaidar, leader of Russia's Democratic Choice, a strong Yeltsin supporter until Chechnya, said that it was natural for the authorities to build a political base after the split over how to handle the breakaway republic and other issues of military reform. He said that there was room for dialogue between his party and Chernomyrdin's bloc on economic issues, Russian Public Television reported. However, his party has no intention of joining the bloc because of disagreements over Chechnya, Interfax reported. * Robert Orttung
LEBED LIKELY TO ENTER POLITICS.
Defense Minister Pavel Grachev has offered 14th Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Alexander Lebed the post of deputy commander in the Transbaikal Military District, Radio Rossii reported on 26 April. Grachev said Lebed's recent political comments had been "noticed" in the Defense Ministry, but Lebed had ignored requests to stop. Although Grachev said he "personally" hoped to keep him in the armed forces, Lebed has indicated that he will not accept any military post outside the Transdniester region. Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Congress of Russian Communities, told Interfax on 26 April that if the 14th Army is disbanded, Lebed will develop military policy and military reform proposals for the Congress of Russian Communities. Rogozin said 22 regional organizations of the "patriotic" movement have invited Lebed to speak. Meanwhile, the Duma unanimously passed a resolution on 26 April condemning the proposed withdrawal of the 14th Army, charging that the move would aggravate tension in the area, Russian Public Television reported. * Laura Belin
GRYZUNOV WINS CASE AGAINST ROSSIISKAYA GAZETA.
The President's Judicial Chamber on Information Disputes reprimanded the official government newspaper Rossiiskaya gazeta for "abusing the freedom of expression and legal and ethical standards" in its 14 March denunciation of State Press Committee Chairman Sergei Gryzunov, Interfax reported on 26 April. The paper alleged that Gryzunov had mismanaged funds and showed favoritism in distributing press subsidies. Although the chamber has no power to enforce its decisions, it recommended that the government take "appropriate measures" against Rossiiskaya gazeta. A group of Duma deputies recently questioned the chamber's constitutionality on the grounds that it could give Yeltsin more control over the mass media. For his part, Gryzunov proposed setting up a public council on information policy and journalistic ethics to supplement the chamber, Interfax reported on 26 April. On 27 February, Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin announced that Gryzunov would be fired for unspecified reasons, but Yeltsin intervened and suspended the dismissal. * Laura Belin
RUSSIA TO FLOUT CFE LIMITS IN CAUCASUS.
Col. Gen. Vladimir Semyonov, commander of Russia's ground forces, told Interfax on 26 April that the 58th Army will be created in the North Caucasus Military District by 1 June. He said it would be created on the basis of the (8th Armored) Corps now in Vladikavkaz--the capital of North Ossetia--and new formations. All units
would be fully manned. Semyonov acknowledged that the results would violate the terms of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty, but said that "interests of Russia's security and integrity should prevail over the terms of this document." * Doug Clarke
YELTSIN URGED NOT TO SIGN CONTROVERSIAL DRAFT LAW.
The Federation Council failed to consider a controversial conscription law within the 14 days mandated by the constitution and it has been forwarded to President Boris Yeltsin for his signature. Ten State Duma deputies had urged the president to return the bill to the Duma for additional consideration, Interfax reported 26 April. The deputies complained that the law had been hastily amended several times and passed quickly in three readings at once at a 7 April closed meeting of the State Duma following a speech by the military's chief of staff, Col. Gen. Mikhail Kolesnikov. It would increase conscription from 18 months to two years, and authorize drafting university, college, and vocational school graduates. Educators and student groups have campaigned against the law. * Doug Clarke
BALTIC FLEET PASSES, BUT WITH LOW MARKS.
Admiral Feliks Gromov, Russian Navy commander in chief, said the Baltic Fleet passed a recent inspection, but the results could have been better. On 26 April, Krasnaya zvezda quoted Gromov as saying shortcomings that "permeate practically all aspects of the fleet's daily life--from staff competence to the physical fitness of the officers--can only be eradicated with strict supervision and strict accountability for the state of affairs." Doug Clarke
RUSSIA MAY PULL OUT OF BOSNIA IF FIGHTING RESUMES.
Russia may withdraw its peacekeepers from Bosnia if large-scale fighting resumes, Interfax reported 26 April. Alexander Zotov, Russia's special envoy for the former Yugoslavia and representative to the international Contact Group, warned that an increase in hostilities "might create unbearable conditions for UN peacekeepers." Zotov criticized both sides, the Bosnia Serbs because they have not recognized the Contact Group's plan for settling the conflict and the Bosnian Muslims because they began their spring offensive before the truce officially came to an end. Russia will continue to pursue a solution through the contact group, Zotov said. * Michael Mihalka
YELTSIN SIGNS LAW ON CENTRAL BANK.
President Yeltsin signed a decree amending the Russian Federation's Law on the Central Bank, the Financial Information Agency reported on 26 April. Sources in the president's administration told the news agency that the law, which allows the president to control the Central Bank more efficiently, was largely "the result of a compromise between the executive and legislative authorities." The State Duma will also analyze the Central Bank's annual figures and draw strategic guidelines for its policy. The deputies have also reserved the right to appoint members of the bank's Board of Directors, who will be nominated by the Central Bank's chairman with the president's approval. Yeltsin's nomination of Tatyana Paramonova, the bank's acting chairperson, for the position has been pending for six months. The State Duma plans to discuss the nomination by the end of May. * Thomas Sigel
YELTSIN SIGNS INVESTORS' INTEREST DECREE.
Yeltsin signed a decree on 26 April on measures to protect investors' interests and bring legal entities without appropriate licenses in the financial and stock markets into conformity with the law, Interfax reported. Yeltsin's economic advisor, Alexander Livshits, said that the decree
all financial organizations to get a license within three months or face foreclosure. Organizations that shut down must return investors' capital. * Thomas Sigel
GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE IMPORT DUTIES.
The Russian government plans to increase the customs duties levied on food imports in an effort to support the farm sector, Interfax reported on 26 April. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zaveryukha, who oversees agricultural policy, said that the import rate will rise from 8% to 15% for meat, and from 15% to 20% for butter. Rates for sugar will be as high as 20% and the wool rate will be 25%. Zaveryukha estimated that the duty hike would add an additional 6.5 trillion rubles to the 13.3 trillion ruble government appropriation for the agriculture sector. * Thomas Sigel
OMRI DAILY DIGEST
Vol. I, No. 83, 27 April 1995
TRANSCAUCASUS & CENTRAL ASIA
TAJIK GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION COME TO AGREEMENT.
On the day the extended ceasefire agreement was to end, representatives of the Dushanbe government and the opposition agreed at talks in Moscow to extend the often ignored agreement through 26 May, according to Interfax. The two sides also agreed to hold talks again on 22 May in the Kazakh capital, Almaty, before the meeting between Tajik president Emomali Rakhmonov and opposition leader Said Abdullo Nuri scheduled for 26 May in Kabul, Afghanistan. ITAR-TASS quotes democratic opposition leader Otakhon Latifi as saying the next round of negotiations will include talks about a new constitution, new electoral law and a more open political system in Tajikistan. * Bruce Pannier
CIS
PANSKOV DENIES CIS DEPENDENT ON RUSSIAN AID.
Russian Finance Minister Vladimir Panskov denied charges that Russia was underwriting almost half of the other CIS countries' economies, Interfax reported 26 April. Its economic and financial aid to the other CIS countries was "very insubstantial," and Russia has agreements to provide credits only to Belarus, Tajikistan, and Armenia, he said. "For example, we will give credits in the form of uranium fuel for the Armenian atomic power station and raw materials for the light and food industry to Belarus and Tajikistan," Panskov said. He added that Russia still provides $500 million worth of credits to the Third World, but added, "This is not a great sum of money." * Michael Mihalka
OMRI DAILY DIGEST
Vol. I, No. 83, 27 April 1995
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
WORLD BANK MAY FINANCE UKRAINIAN POWER PLANTS.
The Monetary and Credit Council of the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers is to discuss providing state guarantees to the World Bank for the reconstruction of the country's hydroelectric power plants, Interfax reported on 26 April. The bank agreed earlier this month to extend a $114 million credit for the project, but the release of the loan is contingent on a bilateral agreement that includes government guarantees. The sum would cover half of the costs to reconstruct Ukraine's hydroelectric plants and would have to be paid back over 17 years at floating interest rates. In other news, the EBRD has agreed to an $8 million credit to the Ukrainian-British Poltava Petroleum Company for an oil and gas project in Ukraine. Ukraine produces 20% of its gas needs and 10% of its oil. * Ustina Markus
RUSSIAN DAILY SAYS WEST IS MORE SUPPORTIVE OF UKRAINE THAN RUSSIA.
Nezavisimaya gazeta on 26 April claimed that Western officials have become more supportive of Ukraine than Russia. The daily, commenting on a recent conference on Ukrainian security in Berlin, says Western officials were not only optimistic about Ukraine and its economy but also adamant in their defense of Ukraine's interests vis-à-vis Russia. Claiming that prior to the Chechen conflict the West had not adopted such an attitude, the newspaper pointed out that Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma's handling of the Crimean situation has helped him gain points with his new Western allies. * Ustina Markus
BELARUS PRESIDENT BANS COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES IN GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES.
Alyaksandr Lukashenka has signed a decree banning commercial activities in the Defense Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the KGB, and the main directorate of border and railway guards, Belarusian radio reported on 26 April. The decree calls for the Security Council and Presidential Control Service to cooperate with the appropriate authorities to investigating commercial activities within those structures and to put an end to them. * Ustina Markus
OSCE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER IN ESTONIA.
Max van der Stoel arrived in Tallinn on 26 April for a two-day visit, BNS reported. He met the same day with Estonian Foreign Affairs Minister Riivo Sinijarv, saying he was concerned about the failure of many Estonian non-citizens to apply for residence permits. He is also scheduled to meet with President Lennart Meri; Ants Paju, presidential representative on Estonia's ethnic minorities roundtable; members of the parliament foreign affairs commission; and the director of the Citizenship and Migration Department. * Saulius Girnius
LATVIA TO DEPORT SOME ASIAN REFUGEES TO RUSSIA.
The Latvian Interior Ministry on 26 April said that 16 Asian refugees who entered Latvia illegally would be deported to Russia, Reuters reported. Eight of them were among the more than 100 refugees whom Latvia unsuccessfully tried to deport in March. Their long detention in two railroad cars attracted international attention, forcing Latvia to transfer them to a make-shift detention center. The other eight were arrested in various places, including Riga's sprawling central market. Latvia says it has documents proving that all the refugees arrived from Russia. * Saulius Girnius
POPULARITY POLL IN LITHUANIA.
Monthly polls conducted by the Lithuanian-British joint venture Baltic Surveys show that the popularity ratings of almost all political figures were higher in April than in March, BNS reported on 26 April. The ratings of left-wing politicians registered larger increases than those of center or right-wing politicians. President Algirdas Brazauskas's rating rose eight points to 49%, probably due in part to his refusal to go to Moscow in May for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the end of World War II in Europe. Center Party Council Chairman Egidijus Bickauskas remained the most popular figure, with 57% or five points higher than in March. Prime Minister Adolfas Slezevicius and Foreign Minister Povilas Gylys gained six points each, raising their ratings to 30% and 20%, respectively. * Saulius Girnius
POLISH RULING COALITION SCORES TAX LAW VICTORY.
The Polish Sejm on April 27 voted by 303 to 130 to override the Constitutional Tribunal's ruling that personal income tax rates scheduled to be introduced in 1995 were unconstitutional, Polish media reported. The law, which increases top rates from 40% to 45%, has caused discord between the ruling coalition and President Lech Walesa. Walesa's veto of the bill was overruled by the coalition, and the president was forced to sign the law on 20 January. But he appealed to the Constitutional Tribunal, which agreed with him that since the law was promulgated after 1 January, it would have to be applied retroactively and was therefore illegal. * Jakub Karpinski
CZECH REPUBLIC AND UKRAINE SIGN FRIENDSHIP TREATY.
Presidents Vaclav Havel and Leonid Kuchma on 26 April signed a friendship and cooperation treaty and expressed the need to deepen bilateral economic relations, Czech media reported. Kuchma, on the final day of his two-day state visit to Prague, held talks with Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, who said that Ukraine could become a member of the Central European Free Trade Zone (CEFTA). He also told a seminar that Ukraine intends to close down the Chornobyl nuclear power station by the end of the century. But, he added, Ukraine needs help from the world community to solve energy and technical problems before the facility can be shut down completely. * Steve Kettle
CZECH FOREIGN TRADE
DEFICIT.
The Czech Republic's foreign trade deficit deepened in the first three months of 1995, according to provisional data from the Statistics Office published by Hospodarske noviny on 27 April. Imports in the first quarter totaled 120.3 billion koruny and exports 102 billion koruny, leaving a deficit of 18.3 billion koruny. Foreign trade has registered a deficit since the second quarter of 1994, but the shortfall of 8.8 billion koruny in March this year was the largest monthly deficit in the past 12 months. * Steve Kettle
NEW LEFTIST GROUPING IN SLOVAKIA.
A number of leftist groups on 26 April held a working meeting to discuss establishing a new leftist forum, Sme reported the next day. Representatives of the Social Democratic Party, the Party of the Democratic Left, the Movement of Peasants, the Green Party, two leftist youth organizations, and several trade unions participated. The forum is expected to be created on 17 May. Miroslav Kocnar, who recently broke away from the Association of Workers of Slovakia, also participated in the meeting. He is now an independent deputy in the parliament but has initiated the formation of a new group--the Slovak Party of Labor. According to Kocnar, the new party wants to fulfill everything the AWS promised," Pravda reported. * Sharon Fisher
FORMER SLOVAK MINISTERS CALL FOR REFERENDUM ON PRIVATIZATION.
Two former Slovak privatization ministers, Milan Janicina and Ivan Miklos, have called for a referendum on privatization, Sme reported on 27 April. The former ministers have created a Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Owners of Investment Coupons, which Janicina called "a response to the arrogance of the current governing power." In an effort to raise the amount of property sold during the second wave of coupon privatization to at least 62 billion koruny, the group intends to establish a petition committee by 5 May and hold a referendum in late June. Social Democratic Party Chairman Jaroslav Volf recently started a petition demanding that property worth at least 60 billion koruny be sold, and the two groups may combine efforts. Meanwhile, Jozef Krumpolec, chairman of the board of the KOVO trade union, continued his criticism of the government's privatization program. In an interview with Sme on 27 April, he criticized the fact that the amount of property to be privatized in the second wave is only 34-40 billion koruny. He also claimed that the government program favors top management. * Sharon Fisher
HUNGARIAN PREMIER ON VISEGRAD COOPERATION.
Guyla Horn, addressing the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 26 April, argued that the efforts of Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia to integrate into Western structures require "close cooperation." But he noted that Hungary is not in favor of "institutionalizing" cooperation among the Visegrad four, Hungarian and international media reported. The prime ministers of two Visegrad members--Poland and Hungary--agreed on 25 April to coordinate their countries' efforts to join NATO and the European Union. * Jiri Pehe
OMRI DAILY DIGEST
Vol. I, No. 83, 27 April 1995
SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE
BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS SLAM WAR CRIMES CHARGES.
Accused war criminal Dusan Tadic, a former guard at the notorious Bosnian Serb concentration camp at Omarska, told the Hague-based court investigating Yugoslav war crimes that he is innocent. International media on 27 April also reported that the Bosnian Serb Ministry of Information issued a statement brushing aside moves by the court to investigate civilian leader Radovan Karadzic and his military counterpart, General Ratko Mladic. The document claims--incorrectly--that the court is ignoring war crimes committed by Croats and Muslims. The text also says that the charges lack proof and are the work of "countries historically hostile toward the Serbs." It notes the "undisputed military and political supremacy of the Serbs over the side which was predestined for destruction. The victory the Serbs gained through the regular means of a liberation struggle cannot be proof that [they] have committed a crime." * Patrick Moore
BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND CROATIAN FORCES READY FOR NEW FIGHTING.
Radio Bosnia and Herzegovina on 27 April quotes UN sources as saying that government forces in the Bihac enclave have taken two strategic heights and driven back the Serbian defenders. The mainly Muslim army also damaged a Serbian radar station in the Pljesevica mountain range, which runs from west of Bihac into Krajina. Oslobodjenje on 26 April quoted Bosnian army commander General Rasim Delic as saying his forces "are ready for the end of the cease-fire [on 30 April]. The aggressor will not be able to surprise us in any part of the country." Reuters added that Delic's men have used the four-month period to re-equip and to rethink strategy and tactics. They now make the most of their advantage in manpower and do not give the Serbs a chance to exploit preponderance in tanks and artillery. The news agency also reported the local Croatian forces in an upbeat mood, saying they are within easy striking distance of the Krajina capital Knin, as well as Glamoc and Bosansko Grahovo, which control access from Croat-held western Herzegovina to Serb-controlled western Bosnia. * Patrick Moore
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS ON THE WAR FRONT.
UN officials have largely given up hope that talks with Bosnian Serb representatives will succeed in reopening Sarajevo airport. Reuters on 26 April said that Serbian civilian negotiators have been hamstrung by their own military, which wants a veto right over the passenger list for UN planes. Meanwhile, Nasa Borba reported that Karadzic, who recently visited front-line troops, paid a special Easter visit to Greek volunteers, whom he presented with a souvenir medal. Finally, the Krajina Serb government has rejected any new mandate for UN peacekeepers that includes the term "Croatia." This has been just one of several objections by Knin to the proposed mandate, but the Krajina parliament will have the final word. * Patrick Moore
MILOSEVIC REVIVING OLD GHOSTS?
The state-run Borba on 27 April runs a story claiming to demonstrate that the international sanctions against the rump Yugoslavia are robbing not just Serbia but the entire Balkans of their political and economic independence. The daily also resurrects the theme of the "satanization of the Serbs," employed periodically by Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic to shift attention away from Serbia's and Serbs' involvement in the wars of the former Yugoslavia. In other news, Nasa Borba reported that the governments of Serbia and Montenegro have voted to establish 27 April as an official state holiday to commemorate the founding of the present rump Yugoslav state on that day in 1992. * Stan Markotich
MACEDONIAN ALBANIANS RALLY IN TETOVO.
Ethnic Albanians rallied in Tetovo on 26 April to protest the trial of Fadil Sulejmani, director of the self proclaimed Albanian-language university, Flaka reported the next day. Sulejmani is charged with instigating mass rebellion at the inauguration of the university in February 1995. Five minor parties--including the Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians, led by Arben Xhaferi--called for the 26 April rally. The Party for Democratic Prosperity, the government coalition partner headed by Abdurrahman Aliti, announced initially it would not support the demonstration. But on 25 April it gave its "unreserved support" to Sulejmani, MIC reported the following day. The party said it would attempt to institutionalize and legalize the Tetovo university through its parliamentary group and ministers. * Fabian Schmidt
GENERAL STRIKE IN MACEDONIA.
A general strike called by the League of Independent and Autonomous Trade Unions of Macedonia is scheduled for 27 April, the news agency MIC
reported the previous day. The union is demanding improved social benefits and wages. If its demands are not met, the union will press for the government's resignation and early elections, Union Chairman Stojan Nikolov told the press. A number of opposition parties support the union's demands. But Nikolov, stressing that the strike is not political, said they will not be allowed to address protest meetings due to take place in Skopje and a number of other cities. Macedonian television cited a government official as saying that the government sees no reason for talks with the union. Meanwhile, the Macedonian Trade Union Association issued a statement saying it does not support the protest action, which it calls "purely political." The association is preparing its own general strike, which will take place if talks with government officials on the general situation of workers yield no results. * Stefan Krause
ROMANIAN PRESIDENT ON DEVELOPMENTS IN STRASBOURG.
Ion Iliescu on 26 April said that Romania will ratify only those international documents that correspond with its policies and interests, Radio Bucharest reported. Iliescu was responding to the 25 April vote in the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly in favor of making Recommendation 1201 on ethnic minority rights mandatory for all council members. Also on 26 April, presidential spokesman Traian Chebeleu rejected a statement by Parliamentary Assembly President Miguel Angel Martinez likening the issue of the Hungarian minority in Romania to that of the Romanian minority in Ukraine. Chebeleu stressed that the Romanian government has never asked for territorial autonomy for Romanians in Ukraine, has not summoned the leaders of ethnic organizations to Bucharest to give them instructions, and is not "systematically funding" political parties based on ethnic criteria in other countries. Romania opposes the inclusion of Recommendation 1201 in a basic treaty with neighboring Hungary. * Dan Ionescu
JOURNALISTS AT BUCHAREST DAILY RESIGN.
Romanian media on 26 April reported that 24 journalists, including editor-in-chief Monica Zvirjinschi, resigned from Tineretul liber, a daily read mainly by Romania's youth. The journalists complained of a political shift to the Left allegedly imposed by the publishers. They also denounced the main publisher of trying to enforce a suit-and-tie dress code and other strict rules in the editorial offices. The daily announced that it is forced to suspend its publication for several days pending reorganization. * Dan Ionescu
ROMANIA CONCEDES RUSSIAN VETO OVER ITS NATO ENTRY.
Romanian Deputy Defense Minister Ioan Mircea Pascu on 26 April conceded that Russia has an effective veto over Romania's entry into NATO. Pascu is quoted by RFE/RL as saying in Washington that it was a "striking coincidence" that NATO expansion seemed to move ahead only when Russia said it would compromise on the issue; as soon as Russia hardened its position, the issue seemed to lose momentum. Pascu added that East European countries would lose "an historic moment" unless negotiations led to Russian acceptance of their entry into NATO. He also noted that Romania and Poland should be the first allowed to join NATO, since the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria would automatically become de facto members by virtue of being located between two NATO countries. * Michael Mihalka
RUSSIAN DUMA REJECTS TROOP PULLOUT FROM MOLDOVA.
The Russian State Duma on 26 April adopted a resolution opposing plans to withdraw the Russian 14th Army from Moldova's breakaway Dniester region, ITAR-TASS and Reuters reported. The vote was 267 to zero with two abstentions. The non-binding document, claiming the troop pullout could increase tension in the region, praises the 14th army as a stabilizing factor there. It also recommends that the government takes steps to ensure the normal functioning of the army. Russia and the Republic of Moldova initialed an agreement in October 1994 on the withdrawal of the 14th army over three years. Moldova insists that the agreement does not need to be ratified by the Russian parliament. * Dan Ionescu
[As of 12:00 CET]
Compiled by Carla Atkinson and Jan Cleave
Vol. I, No. 83, 27 April 1995
RUSSIA
GAS PIPELINE EXPLODES IN KOMI REPUBLIC.
In the early hours of 27 April, a major gas export pipeline exploded 13 kilometers from the city of Ukhta in the Komi Republic, according to Western agencies. No deaths or injuries were reported, but several square kilometers of woodland were set on fire. The pilot of a Japan Airlines plane en route from Frankfurt to Japan said he saw a column of smoke and flames rising 3,000-6,000 meters above the region. According to the Severgazprom gas company, the fire is under control and gas is now flowing through a backup pipeline. The Komi Republic has been the site of many accidents recently, due to aging pipelines and low safety standards. * Penny Morvant
CHERNOMYRDIN ON RIGHT-CENTER BLOC.
All the members of the government have agreed to join his new right-center bloc, Chernomyrdin announced during his trip to Chelyabinsk 26 April, NTV reported. The founding congress will take place in May and the still-unnamed movement's leadership will be elected then. Chernomyrdin said he would like to have State Duma Speaker Ivan Rybkin's support in the elections, Interfax reported. Sergei Shakhrai was the main instigator of the bloc, according to Russian Public Television, which cited speculation in Moscow. * Robert Orttung
RYBKIN ON NEW LEFT-CENTER BLOC.
Rybkin said the left-center and right-center blocs announced yesterday would win two-thirds of the seats in the Duma, Russian Television reported 26 April. He saw much room for cooperation, but said the two blocs would disagree over several economic, domestic, and foreign policy issues. Although Russian President Boris Yeltsin said yesterday he supported Rybkin as the bloc leader, Rybkin continued to down play reports that he would lead or even join the new bloc, Interfax reported. The numerous parties involved will hold meetings in May that will decide this issue. Rybkin said that he had been negotiating with more than 10 parties since September on the idea of forming the bloc, adding that the Agrarian party would likely join. Ekho Moskvy and Russian Television reported that Agrarian Party leader Mikhail Lapshin, who is in the Far East, said that the party would campaign separately in close coordination with the communists. NTV quoted Agrarian Party member Nikolai Kharitonov as saying that the party was unlikely to join the bloc and that Rybkin had no intention of leaving his party. * Robert Orttung
POLITICIANS' REACTION TO THE BLOCS.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky said that if the new blocs attract popular support, elections will go on as scheduled, and if not, the government will do everything possible to wreck them, NTV reported. Gennady Zyuganov, leader of the communists, said he wants to consult with Rybkin and the members of his party, but he does not see a "serious basis" for the two blocs, Russian Public Television reported. He doubted that the Agrarian Party would defect from the communists, but said the situation would become clearer after the May holidays. Yegor Gaidar, leader of Russia's Democratic Choice, a strong Yeltsin supporter until Chechnya, said that it was natural for the authorities to build a political base after the split over how to handle the breakaway republic and other issues of military reform. He said that there was room for dialogue between his party and Chernomyrdin's bloc on economic issues, Russian Public Television reported. However, his party has no intention of joining the bloc because of disagreements over Chechnya, Interfax reported. * Robert Orttung
LEBED LIKELY TO ENTER POLITICS.
Defense Minister Pavel Grachev has offered 14th Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Alexander Lebed the post of deputy commander in the Transbaikal Military District, Radio Rossii reported on 26 April. Grachev said Lebed's recent political comments had been "noticed" in the Defense Ministry, but Lebed had ignored requests to stop. Although Grachev said he "personally" hoped to keep him in the armed forces, Lebed has indicated that he will not accept any military post outside the Transdniester region. Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Congress of Russian Communities, told Interfax on 26 April that if the 14th Army is disbanded, Lebed will develop military policy and military reform proposals for the Congress of Russian Communities. Rogozin said 22 regional organizations of the "patriotic" movement have invited Lebed to speak. Meanwhile, the Duma unanimously passed a resolution on 26 April condemning the proposed withdrawal of the 14th Army, charging that the move would aggravate tension in the area, Russian Public Television reported. * Laura Belin
GRYZUNOV WINS CASE AGAINST ROSSIISKAYA GAZETA.
The President's Judicial Chamber on Information Disputes reprimanded the official government newspaper Rossiiskaya gazeta for "abusing the freedom of expression and legal and ethical standards" in its 14 March denunciation of State Press Committee Chairman Sergei Gryzunov, Interfax reported on 26 April. The paper alleged that Gryzunov had mismanaged funds and showed favoritism in distributing press subsidies. Although the chamber has no power to enforce its decisions, it recommended that the government take "appropriate measures" against Rossiiskaya gazeta. A group of Duma deputies recently questioned the chamber's constitutionality on the grounds that it could give Yeltsin more control over the mass media. For his part, Gryzunov proposed setting up a public council on information policy and journalistic ethics to supplement the chamber, Interfax reported on 26 April. On 27 February, Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin announced that Gryzunov would be fired for unspecified reasons, but Yeltsin intervened and suspended the dismissal. * Laura Belin
RUSSIA TO FLOUT CFE LIMITS IN CAUCASUS.
Col. Gen. Vladimir Semyonov, commander of Russia's ground forces, told Interfax on 26 April that the 58th Army will be created in the North Caucasus Military District by 1 June. He said it would be created on the basis of the (8th Armored) Corps now in Vladikavkaz--the capital of North Ossetia--and new formations. All units
would be fully manned. Semyonov acknowledged that the results would violate the terms of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty, but said that "interests of Russia's security and integrity should prevail over the terms of this document." * Doug Clarke
YELTSIN URGED NOT TO SIGN CONTROVERSIAL DRAFT LAW.
The Federation Council failed to consider a controversial conscription law within the 14 days mandated by the constitution and it has been forwarded to President Boris Yeltsin for his signature. Ten State Duma deputies had urged the president to return the bill to the Duma for additional consideration, Interfax reported 26 April. The deputies complained that the law had been hastily amended several times and passed quickly in three readings at once at a 7 April closed meeting of the State Duma following a speech by the military's chief of staff, Col. Gen. Mikhail Kolesnikov. It would increase conscription from 18 months to two years, and authorize drafting university, college, and vocational school graduates. Educators and student groups have campaigned against the law. * Doug Clarke
BALTIC FLEET PASSES, BUT WITH LOW MARKS.
Admiral Feliks Gromov, Russian Navy commander in chief, said the Baltic Fleet passed a recent inspection, but the results could have been better. On 26 April, Krasnaya zvezda quoted Gromov as saying shortcomings that "permeate practically all aspects of the fleet's daily life--from staff competence to the physical fitness of the officers--can only be eradicated with strict supervision and strict accountability for the state of affairs." Doug Clarke
RUSSIA MAY PULL OUT OF BOSNIA IF FIGHTING RESUMES.
Russia may withdraw its peacekeepers from Bosnia if large-scale fighting resumes, Interfax reported 26 April. Alexander Zotov, Russia's special envoy for the former Yugoslavia and representative to the international Contact Group, warned that an increase in hostilities "might create unbearable conditions for UN peacekeepers." Zotov criticized both sides, the Bosnia Serbs because they have not recognized the Contact Group's plan for settling the conflict and the Bosnian Muslims because they began their spring offensive before the truce officially came to an end. Russia will continue to pursue a solution through the contact group, Zotov said. * Michael Mihalka
YELTSIN SIGNS LAW ON CENTRAL BANK.
President Yeltsin signed a decree amending the Russian Federation's Law on the Central Bank, the Financial Information Agency reported on 26 April. Sources in the president's administration told the news agency that the law, which allows the president to control the Central Bank more efficiently, was largely "the result of a compromise between the executive and legislative authorities." The State Duma will also analyze the Central Bank's annual figures and draw strategic guidelines for its policy. The deputies have also reserved the right to appoint members of the bank's Board of Directors, who will be nominated by the Central Bank's chairman with the president's approval. Yeltsin's nomination of Tatyana Paramonova, the bank's acting chairperson, for the position has been pending for six months. The State Duma plans to discuss the nomination by the end of May. * Thomas Sigel
YELTSIN SIGNS INVESTORS' INTEREST DECREE.
Yeltsin signed a decree on 26 April on measures to protect investors' interests and bring legal entities without appropriate licenses in the financial and stock markets into conformity with the law, Interfax reported. Yeltsin's economic advisor, Alexander Livshits, said that the decree
all financial organizations to get a license within three months or face foreclosure. Organizations that shut down must return investors' capital. * Thomas Sigel
GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE IMPORT DUTIES.
The Russian government plans to increase the customs duties levied on food imports in an effort to support the farm sector, Interfax reported on 26 April. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zaveryukha, who oversees agricultural policy, said that the import rate will rise from 8% to 15% for meat, and from 15% to 20% for butter. Rates for sugar will be as high as 20% and the wool rate will be 25%. Zaveryukha estimated that the duty hike would add an additional 6.5 trillion rubles to the 13.3 trillion ruble government appropriation for the agriculture sector. * Thomas Sigel
OMRI DAILY DIGEST
Vol. I, No. 83, 27 April 1995
TRANSCAUCASUS & CENTRAL ASIA
TAJIK GOVERNMENT AND OPPOSITION COME TO AGREEMENT.
On the day the extended ceasefire agreement was to end, representatives of the Dushanbe government and the opposition agreed at talks in Moscow to extend the often ignored agreement through 26 May, according to Interfax. The two sides also agreed to hold talks again on 22 May in the Kazakh capital, Almaty, before the meeting between Tajik president Emomali Rakhmonov and opposition leader Said Abdullo Nuri scheduled for 26 May in Kabul, Afghanistan. ITAR-TASS quotes democratic opposition leader Otakhon Latifi as saying the next round of negotiations will include talks about a new constitution, new electoral law and a more open political system in Tajikistan. * Bruce Pannier
CIS
PANSKOV DENIES CIS DEPENDENT ON RUSSIAN AID.
Russian Finance Minister Vladimir Panskov denied charges that Russia was underwriting almost half of the other CIS countries' economies, Interfax reported 26 April. Its economic and financial aid to the other CIS countries was "very insubstantial," and Russia has agreements to provide credits only to Belarus, Tajikistan, and Armenia, he said. "For example, we will give credits in the form of uranium fuel for the Armenian atomic power station and raw materials for the light and food industry to Belarus and Tajikistan," Panskov said. He added that Russia still provides $500 million worth of credits to the Third World, but added, "This is not a great sum of money." * Michael Mihalka
OMRI DAILY DIGEST
Vol. I, No. 83, 27 April 1995
CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
WORLD BANK MAY FINANCE UKRAINIAN POWER PLANTS.
The Monetary and Credit Council of the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers is to discuss providing state guarantees to the World Bank for the reconstruction of the country's hydroelectric power plants, Interfax reported on 26 April. The bank agreed earlier this month to extend a $114 million credit for the project, but the release of the loan is contingent on a bilateral agreement that includes government guarantees. The sum would cover half of the costs to reconstruct Ukraine's hydroelectric plants and would have to be paid back over 17 years at floating interest rates. In other news, the EBRD has agreed to an $8 million credit to the Ukrainian-British Poltava Petroleum Company for an oil and gas project in Ukraine. Ukraine produces 20% of its gas needs and 10% of its oil. * Ustina Markus
RUSSIAN DAILY SAYS WEST IS MORE SUPPORTIVE OF UKRAINE THAN RUSSIA.
Nezavisimaya gazeta on 26 April claimed that Western officials have become more supportive of Ukraine than Russia. The daily, commenting on a recent conference on Ukrainian security in Berlin, says Western officials were not only optimistic about Ukraine and its economy but also adamant in their defense of Ukraine's interests vis-à-vis Russia. Claiming that prior to the Chechen conflict the West had not adopted such an attitude, the newspaper pointed out that Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma's handling of the Crimean situation has helped him gain points with his new Western allies. * Ustina Markus
BELARUS PRESIDENT BANS COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES IN GOVERNMENT STRUCTURES.
Alyaksandr Lukashenka has signed a decree banning commercial activities in the Defense Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the KGB, and the main directorate of border and railway guards, Belarusian radio reported on 26 April. The decree calls for the Security Council and Presidential Control Service to cooperate with the appropriate authorities to investigating commercial activities within those structures and to put an end to them. * Ustina Markus
OSCE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER IN ESTONIA.
Max van der Stoel arrived in Tallinn on 26 April for a two-day visit, BNS reported. He met the same day with Estonian Foreign Affairs Minister Riivo Sinijarv, saying he was concerned about the failure of many Estonian non-citizens to apply for residence permits. He is also scheduled to meet with President Lennart Meri; Ants Paju, presidential representative on Estonia's ethnic minorities roundtable; members of the parliament foreign affairs commission; and the director of the Citizenship and Migration Department. * Saulius Girnius
LATVIA TO DEPORT SOME ASIAN REFUGEES TO RUSSIA.
The Latvian Interior Ministry on 26 April said that 16 Asian refugees who entered Latvia illegally would be deported to Russia, Reuters reported. Eight of them were among the more than 100 refugees whom Latvia unsuccessfully tried to deport in March. Their long detention in two railroad cars attracted international attention, forcing Latvia to transfer them to a make-shift detention center. The other eight were arrested in various places, including Riga's sprawling central market. Latvia says it has documents proving that all the refugees arrived from Russia. * Saulius Girnius
POPULARITY POLL IN LITHUANIA.
Monthly polls conducted by the Lithuanian-British joint venture Baltic Surveys show that the popularity ratings of almost all political figures were higher in April than in March, BNS reported on 26 April. The ratings of left-wing politicians registered larger increases than those of center or right-wing politicians. President Algirdas Brazauskas's rating rose eight points to 49%, probably due in part to his refusal to go to Moscow in May for the 50th anniversary celebrations of the end of World War II in Europe. Center Party Council Chairman Egidijus Bickauskas remained the most popular figure, with 57% or five points higher than in March. Prime Minister Adolfas Slezevicius and Foreign Minister Povilas Gylys gained six points each, raising their ratings to 30% and 20%, respectively. * Saulius Girnius
POLISH RULING COALITION SCORES TAX LAW VICTORY.
The Polish Sejm on April 27 voted by 303 to 130 to override the Constitutional Tribunal's ruling that personal income tax rates scheduled to be introduced in 1995 were unconstitutional, Polish media reported. The law, which increases top rates from 40% to 45%, has caused discord between the ruling coalition and President Lech Walesa. Walesa's veto of the bill was overruled by the coalition, and the president was forced to sign the law on 20 January. But he appealed to the Constitutional Tribunal, which agreed with him that since the law was promulgated after 1 January, it would have to be applied retroactively and was therefore illegal. * Jakub Karpinski
CZECH REPUBLIC AND UKRAINE SIGN FRIENDSHIP TREATY.
Presidents Vaclav Havel and Leonid Kuchma on 26 April signed a friendship and cooperation treaty and expressed the need to deepen bilateral economic relations, Czech media reported. Kuchma, on the final day of his two-day state visit to Prague, held talks with Czech Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, who said that Ukraine could become a member of the Central European Free Trade Zone (CEFTA). He also told a seminar that Ukraine intends to close down the Chornobyl nuclear power station by the end of the century. But, he added, Ukraine needs help from the world community to solve energy and technical problems before the facility can be shut down completely. * Steve Kettle
CZECH FOREIGN TRADE
DEFICIT.
The Czech Republic's foreign trade deficit deepened in the first three months of 1995, according to provisional data from the Statistics Office published by Hospodarske noviny on 27 April. Imports in the first quarter totaled 120.3 billion koruny and exports 102 billion koruny, leaving a deficit of 18.3 billion koruny. Foreign trade has registered a deficit since the second quarter of 1994, but the shortfall of 8.8 billion koruny in March this year was the largest monthly deficit in the past 12 months. * Steve Kettle
NEW LEFTIST GROUPING IN SLOVAKIA.
A number of leftist groups on 26 April held a working meeting to discuss establishing a new leftist forum, Sme reported the next day. Representatives of the Social Democratic Party, the Party of the Democratic Left, the Movement of Peasants, the Green Party, two leftist youth organizations, and several trade unions participated. The forum is expected to be created on 17 May. Miroslav Kocnar, who recently broke away from the Association of Workers of Slovakia, also participated in the meeting. He is now an independent deputy in the parliament but has initiated the formation of a new group--the Slovak Party of Labor. According to Kocnar, the new party wants to fulfill everything the AWS promised," Pravda reported. * Sharon Fisher
FORMER SLOVAK MINISTERS CALL FOR REFERENDUM ON PRIVATIZATION.
Two former Slovak privatization ministers, Milan Janicina and Ivan Miklos, have called for a referendum on privatization, Sme reported on 27 April. The former ministers have created a Committee for the Protection of the Rights of Owners of Investment Coupons, which Janicina called "a response to the arrogance of the current governing power." In an effort to raise the amount of property sold during the second wave of coupon privatization to at least 62 billion koruny, the group intends to establish a petition committee by 5 May and hold a referendum in late June. Social Democratic Party Chairman Jaroslav Volf recently started a petition demanding that property worth at least 60 billion koruny be sold, and the two groups may combine efforts. Meanwhile, Jozef Krumpolec, chairman of the board of the KOVO trade union, continued his criticism of the government's privatization program. In an interview with Sme on 27 April, he criticized the fact that the amount of property to be privatized in the second wave is only 34-40 billion koruny. He also claimed that the government program favors top management. * Sharon Fisher
HUNGARIAN PREMIER ON VISEGRAD COOPERATION.
Guyla Horn, addressing the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 26 April, argued that the efforts of Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia to integrate into Western structures require "close cooperation." But he noted that Hungary is not in favor of "institutionalizing" cooperation among the Visegrad four, Hungarian and international media reported. The prime ministers of two Visegrad members--Poland and Hungary--agreed on 25 April to coordinate their countries' efforts to join NATO and the European Union. * Jiri Pehe
OMRI DAILY DIGEST
Vol. I, No. 83, 27 April 1995
SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE
BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS SLAM WAR CRIMES CHARGES.
Accused war criminal Dusan Tadic, a former guard at the notorious Bosnian Serb concentration camp at Omarska, told the Hague-based court investigating Yugoslav war crimes that he is innocent. International media on 27 April also reported that the Bosnian Serb Ministry of Information issued a statement brushing aside moves by the court to investigate civilian leader Radovan Karadzic and his military counterpart, General Ratko Mladic. The document claims--incorrectly--that the court is ignoring war crimes committed by Croats and Muslims. The text also says that the charges lack proof and are the work of "countries historically hostile toward the Serbs." It notes the "undisputed military and political supremacy of the Serbs over the side which was predestined for destruction. The victory the Serbs gained through the regular means of a liberation struggle cannot be proof that [they] have committed a crime." * Patrick Moore
BOSNIAN GOVERNMENT AND CROATIAN FORCES READY FOR NEW FIGHTING.
Radio Bosnia and Herzegovina on 27 April quotes UN sources as saying that government forces in the Bihac enclave have taken two strategic heights and driven back the Serbian defenders. The mainly Muslim army also damaged a Serbian radar station in the Pljesevica mountain range, which runs from west of Bihac into Krajina. Oslobodjenje on 26 April quoted Bosnian army commander General Rasim Delic as saying his forces "are ready for the end of the cease-fire [on 30 April]. The aggressor will not be able to surprise us in any part of the country." Reuters added that Delic's men have used the four-month period to re-equip and to rethink strategy and tactics. They now make the most of their advantage in manpower and do not give the Serbs a chance to exploit preponderance in tanks and artillery. The news agency also reported the local Croatian forces in an upbeat mood, saying they are within easy striking distance of the Krajina capital Knin, as well as Glamoc and Bosansko Grahovo, which control access from Croat-held western Herzegovina to Serb-controlled western Bosnia. * Patrick Moore
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS ON THE WAR FRONT.
UN officials have largely given up hope that talks with Bosnian Serb representatives will succeed in reopening Sarajevo airport. Reuters on 26 April said that Serbian civilian negotiators have been hamstrung by their own military, which wants a veto right over the passenger list for UN planes. Meanwhile, Nasa Borba reported that Karadzic, who recently visited front-line troops, paid a special Easter visit to Greek volunteers, whom he presented with a souvenir medal. Finally, the Krajina Serb government has rejected any new mandate for UN peacekeepers that includes the term "Croatia." This has been just one of several objections by Knin to the proposed mandate, but the Krajina parliament will have the final word. * Patrick Moore
MILOSEVIC REVIVING OLD GHOSTS?
The state-run Borba on 27 April runs a story claiming to demonstrate that the international sanctions against the rump Yugoslavia are robbing not just Serbia but the entire Balkans of their political and economic independence. The daily also resurrects the theme of the "satanization of the Serbs," employed periodically by Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic to shift attention away from Serbia's and Serbs' involvement in the wars of the former Yugoslavia. In other news, Nasa Borba reported that the governments of Serbia and Montenegro have voted to establish 27 April as an official state holiday to commemorate the founding of the present rump Yugoslav state on that day in 1992. * Stan Markotich
MACEDONIAN ALBANIANS RALLY IN TETOVO.
Ethnic Albanians rallied in Tetovo on 26 April to protest the trial of Fadil Sulejmani, director of the self proclaimed Albanian-language university, Flaka reported the next day. Sulejmani is charged with instigating mass rebellion at the inauguration of the university in February 1995. Five minor parties--including the Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians, led by Arben Xhaferi--called for the 26 April rally. The Party for Democratic Prosperity, the government coalition partner headed by Abdurrahman Aliti, announced initially it would not support the demonstration. But on 25 April it gave its "unreserved support" to Sulejmani, MIC reported the following day. The party said it would attempt to institutionalize and legalize the Tetovo university through its parliamentary group and ministers. * Fabian Schmidt
GENERAL STRIKE IN MACEDONIA.
A general strike called by the League of Independent and Autonomous Trade Unions of Macedonia is scheduled for 27 April, the news agency MIC
reported the previous day. The union is demanding improved social benefits and wages. If its demands are not met, the union will press for the government's resignation and early elections, Union Chairman Stojan Nikolov told the press. A number of opposition parties support the union's demands. But Nikolov, stressing that the strike is not political, said they will not be allowed to address protest meetings due to take place in Skopje and a number of other cities. Macedonian television cited a government official as saying that the government sees no reason for talks with the union. Meanwhile, the Macedonian Trade Union Association issued a statement saying it does not support the protest action, which it calls "purely political." The association is preparing its own general strike, which will take place if talks with government officials on the general situation of workers yield no results. * Stefan Krause
ROMANIAN PRESIDENT ON DEVELOPMENTS IN STRASBOURG.
Ion Iliescu on 26 April said that Romania will ratify only those international documents that correspond with its policies and interests, Radio Bucharest reported. Iliescu was responding to the 25 April vote in the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly in favor of making Recommendation 1201 on ethnic minority rights mandatory for all council members. Also on 26 April, presidential spokesman Traian Chebeleu rejected a statement by Parliamentary Assembly President Miguel Angel Martinez likening the issue of the Hungarian minority in Romania to that of the Romanian minority in Ukraine. Chebeleu stressed that the Romanian government has never asked for territorial autonomy for Romanians in Ukraine, has not summoned the leaders of ethnic organizations to Bucharest to give them instructions, and is not "systematically funding" political parties based on ethnic criteria in other countries. Romania opposes the inclusion of Recommendation 1201 in a basic treaty with neighboring Hungary. * Dan Ionescu
JOURNALISTS AT BUCHAREST DAILY RESIGN.
Romanian media on 26 April reported that 24 journalists, including editor-in-chief Monica Zvirjinschi, resigned from Tineretul liber, a daily read mainly by Romania's youth. The journalists complained of a political shift to the Left allegedly imposed by the publishers. They also denounced the main publisher of trying to enforce a suit-and-tie dress code and other strict rules in the editorial offices. The daily announced that it is forced to suspend its publication for several days pending reorganization. * Dan Ionescu
ROMANIA CONCEDES RUSSIAN VETO OVER ITS NATO ENTRY.
Romanian Deputy Defense Minister Ioan Mircea Pascu on 26 April conceded that Russia has an effective veto over Romania's entry into NATO. Pascu is quoted by RFE/RL as saying in Washington that it was a "striking coincidence" that NATO expansion seemed to move ahead only when Russia said it would compromise on the issue; as soon as Russia hardened its position, the issue seemed to lose momentum. Pascu added that East European countries would lose "an historic moment" unless negotiations led to Russian acceptance of their entry into NATO. He also noted that Romania and Poland should be the first allowed to join NATO, since the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria would automatically become de facto members by virtue of being located between two NATO countries. * Michael Mihalka
RUSSIAN DUMA REJECTS TROOP PULLOUT FROM MOLDOVA.
The Russian State Duma on 26 April adopted a resolution opposing plans to withdraw the Russian 14th Army from Moldova's breakaway Dniester region, ITAR-TASS and Reuters reported. The vote was 267 to zero with two abstentions. The non-binding document, claiming the troop pullout could increase tension in the region, praises the 14th army as a stabilizing factor there. It also recommends that the government takes steps to ensure the normal functioning of the army. Russia and the Republic of Moldova initialed an agreement in October 1994 on the withdrawal of the 14th army over three years. Moldova insists that the agreement does not need to be ratified by the Russian parliament. * Dan Ionescu
[As of 12:00 CET]
Compiled by Carla Atkinson and Jan Cleave