Charles Carlson

Western Press Review: Uzbek-U.S. Relations, Adjaria's Independence Bid, And The Spanish Vote -- A Terrorist Victory Or Democracy At Work?

Prague, 16 March 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Several major dailies today tackle the question of whether the decision of Spanish voters to oust the ruling Popular Party in a 14 March vote was a direct result of last week's attacks on commuter trains in Madrid. The bombings are suspected by some of being the work of Al-Qaeda, acting in retribution for Spain's support for the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Several observers question whether the vote represents a victory for terrorism in demonstrating that a well-timed attack can topple a ruling party that otherwise seemed headed for election victory. Others maintain the poll is a testament to Spanish democracy, as voters made a clear distinction at the polls between their government's role in the campaign against terrorism, which they support, and a war in Iraq that 90 percent of the electorate opposed. Other issues looked at today include Washington's relations with Uzbekistan and strides toward independence for Georgia's restive republic of Adjaria.

Western Press Review: Vying For Influence In Eurasia, America's Democratic 'Fantasies'

Prague, 5 March 2004 (RFE/RL) -- A review of press coverage today finds discussion of hegemonic competition in Eurasia, conflicts and compromise in Iraq, the misperceptions guiding U.S. plans to democratize the Middle East, the Chechen youth's experience of war, and NATO's foundering mission in Afghanistan.

Western Press Review: Iran's Conservatives Poised For Victory, U.S. Public Diplomacy, And The UN Role In Iraq

Prague, 23 February 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Iran's parliamentary elections last week (20 February), in which conservative forces wrestled control of the legislature away from reformists, is much debated in the worldwide press today. Several dailies say the ballot was, in effect, a coup, after the country's hard-line mullahs disqualified thousands of reformist candidates from standing, including 87 serving parliamentarians. We also take a look at new U.S. attempts to improve its image abroad and the UN's role in Iraq, among other issues.

World: UN's Mother Language Day Focuses On Conserving World's Linguistic Heritage

UNESCO -- the UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization -- will mark on 23 February the fifth International Mother Language Day, which celebrates the world's nearly 6,000 languages as the "shared heritage of humanity." Linguists warn, however, that at least 40 percent of these languages are expected to die out during this century.

Kazakhstan: New Draft Election Bill Sparks Controversy

Kazakhstan's president, government, and political parties are at odds over the wording of a new draft election bill intended to ensure that parliamentary elections due in October conform to international standards.

Kyrgyzstan: Parliament Debating Controversial New Language Law

A draft law that would promote the use of the Kyrgyz language in Kyrgyzstan is generating controversy. Some members of parliament and nongovernmental organizations fear a law promoting Kyrgyz could lead to discrimination against the country's Russian speakers, as well as members of other ethnic communities in the country.

Western Press Review: U.S. Primaries And The War In Iraq, Blair And The Hutton Report

Prague, 29 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Today's press review looks at commentaries and analyses on how opposing views on the war in Iraq affect the U.S. presidential race, and Tony Blair and the possible effect of the Hutton report on the future of British journalism.

Western Press Review: Transition Of Power In Iraq, Cheney And Kay's Assertions, U.S. Primaries, Blair's Narrow Victory

Prague, 28 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Today's press review focuses on the assertions of former U.S. weapons inspector David Kay regarding Iraq's alleged weapons of mass destruction, the role of the Kurds in Iraq's political transition, and last night's New Hampshire primary in the United States, in which Democratic Senator John Kerry took a strong lead. Other issues -- including the political struggles of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Turkey's EU bid, and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's trip to Russia -- are also examined.

Western Press Review: Transition of Power In Iraq, And U.S. Primaries

Prague, 27 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Today's press review focuses on the political transition in Iraq, the U.S. primaries for a Democratic candidate, efforts to bring Turkey into the European Union, and Libya's efforts to seek international rehabilitation.

World: A Lack Of Will Led To Recent Slaughters, Annan Tells Genocide Conference

Prague, 26 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- An international conference on preventing genocide began today in the Swedish capital, Stockholm.

Kazakhstan: Life Imprisonment Introduced As Alternative To Death Penalty

Kazakhstan has taken a further step toward abolishing capital punishment. In addition to a moratorium on executions, Kazakhstan has introduced life imprisonment as an alternative to the death sentence.

Kazakhstan: Putin Visit To Focus On Baikonur, CIS, Oil Resources

Russian President Vladimir Putin begins a two-day visit to Kazakhstan today. Several bilateral agreements are to be signed during his visit, including two extending and specifying the terms for Russia's continued use of the Baikonur cosmodrome.

Georgia: Regional Reaction Generally Cautious About Saakashvili's Election Victory

Georgia's election commission says Mikheil Saakashvili has won 96 percent of the vote in Georgia's presidential election, with one-third of the ballots counted. Full results of the 4 January ballot are expected tomorrow, although Saakashvili and his supporters already declared victory on the day of the election.

Georgia: Saakashvili Vows To Lead Nation From Corruption To Peace, Prosperity

Though results from Georgia's presidential elections yesterday are still only starting to come in, but that hasn't stopped supporters of favorite Mikheil Saakashvili from declaring him the victor.

Bashkortostan: Incumbent President Wins Third Term

Kyrgyzstan: Election Law Amendment Sparks Debate Among Press

Uzbekistan: Ailing Agricultural Sector Prompts Appointment Of New Prime Minister

Russia: President Fights For Re-Election In Bashkortostan

Kazakhstan: Schroeder Visit Likely To Touch On Ethnic Germans

Russia: Preliminary Census Results Confirm Growth Of Non-Russian Groups