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Russia: Orthodox Church States Its Case For More Involvement In Foreign, Domestic Policies

The Russian Orthodox Church made its case this week for actively participating in the country's foreign and domestic policies. The World Orthodox Russian People's Council called for the unity of Orthodox people and the preservation of the role of Orthodox culture in the world.

Iraq: Key Talks Begin On Transitional Law

The U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council has started discussions on the country's transitional law. The draft presented to the council envisions a three-person presidency, a legislature in which women hold 40 percent of the seats, and a bill of rights. If approved, the proposed law will become the framework for the country's government until the end of 2005, when a permanent government is due to be elected and a constitution adopted.

Iraq: Suicide Attacks In Irbil Could Lead To Stronger Kurdish Unity

In northern Iraq yesterday, suicide bombers killed at least 65 people and wounded more than 250 in separate attacks against Kurdish political parties. The bombings represent the first major attacks directed against political parties in Iraq. They also mark the first serious incidents in the Kurdish north, until now considered to be the most peaceful region in the country. RFE/RL looks into the attacks and who might be behind them.

Iraq: Kurdish Politician Concerned By U.S. Stance On PKK

L. Paul Bremer, the U.S. civil administrator in Iraq, yesterday announced that the U.S.-led coalition regards the Kurdish Workers' Party, or PKK, as a terrorist organization. The PKK is accused of using northern Iraq as a base for staging attacks on neighboring Turkey, which has been engaged in a decades-long struggle with Kurdish rebels. Ankara welcomed Bremer's remarks, but some observers say the move may anger those Iraqi Kurds who do not consider the PKK a terrorist threat.

Russia: Rights Activists Say Abuses Continue in Chechnya -- And Kremlin Should Answer For Them

Human rights organizations say rights violations are continuing in the Russian republic of Chechnya, despite Moscow's assurances that the situation in the war-torn region is stabilizing. Activists say Chechen civilians are continuing to suffer abuse at the hands of both Russian troops and Chechen fighters. Even more alarming, they say, is that Akhmed-hadji Kadyrov -- the republic's Kremlin-backed president and now its top rights watchdog -- is himself responsible for much of the violence there.

Belarus: Minsk Seeks Independence And Affordable Russian Gas -- But Can It Have Both?

Russia has agreed to supply Belarus with subsidized natural gas for a few more days. The move is a short-term solution to a potential long-term crisis in Minsk, which faces higher rates it can't afford -- or a supply cut-off in the middle of winter.

Chechnya: Moscow Scraps Human-Rights Post

Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday abolished the special post of human rights envoy to Chechnya, handing full responsibility for the issue to the republic's Moscow-backed leader, Akhmed-hadjii Kadyrov. Rights observers are blasting the move, saying Kadyrov has done more to violate human rights than protect them.

Iraq: Kurds Denounce Shi'a Election Demands

Kurdish politicians in Iraq say they strongly oppose the demand by the country's Shi'a Muslims for direct elections in selecting an interim local government to assume control from the U.S.-led coalition. They say Iraq is not ready to hold such elections, and criticize Shi'a clerics for taking the debate to the streets.

Chechnya: Pro-Moscow Government Gets Official Welcome In Saudi Arabia

Akhmed-hadjii Kadyrov, the pro-Moscow president of Chechnya, received an official welcome in Riyadh during a visit last week to Saudi Arabia. The trip has served to boost Kadyrov's standing in the Muslim world and has likely pleased the Kremlin as well. In addition to holding talks on building up Chechnya's oil sector and hosting an Islamic conference in Moscow, Kadyrov reportedly secured a pledge from Riyadh to sever a suspected financial link between Saudi charitable groups and rebel fighters in Chechnya.

Iraq: Sunnis Say They Are Ready To Fight For The Rights Of Their Community

Iraq's minority Sunni Muslims, who held the majority of the power under deposed President Saddam Hussein's rule, are finding a newly unified political voice -- one that strongly opposes the U.S. occupation. Late last month, dozens of Sunni leaders from across the country convened a Sunni State Council. Analysts say the step indicates that Iraq's Sunnis are seeking a bigger role in the country's future.

Russia: Chechen Refugees Face Ejection From Camps In Ingushetia

The Chechen administration has ordered Chechen refugees living in neighboring Ingushetia to return to Chechnya or find shelter in other places. The Chechen pro-Russian government wants the camps to be closed by the beginning of March. RFE/RL reports, however, that violence in Chechnya continues and most refugees are too frightened to return.

Lithuania: Gazprom Purchase Prompts Concern Over Russian Influence

Lithuania is selling a third of its biggest gas company to Russia's Gazprom. Last year, the Russian oil company Yukos became the owner of the biggest Lithuanian oil refinery. Some Lithuanian politicians say Russian companies are becoming major energy players in the country and are threatening its economic independence. Others argue that Russian capital poses no danger for the country, which is due to join the EU and NATO in May.

Iraq: U.S. Rejects Shi'a Cleric's Call For Early Direct Elections

The U.S. administrator for Iraq has rejected a Shi'a cleric's call to hold elections to fill positions in a provisional national authority. Iraq's most senior Shi'a Muslim cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, warned yesterday of increased political tensions if his demands for direct elections are not met. Al-Sistani's demands come amid increased tensions in some mainly Shi'a towns in the south of the country.

Iraq: U.S. Begins Freeing First Batch Of Prisoners Under New Amnesty Program

U.S. authorities began releasing about 100 Iraqis detained since the start of the war. The head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, L. Paul Bremer, announced that more detainees will be allowed to return to their families in the near future. The step may mark the beginning of a new U.S. policy in Iraq -- one aimed at reconciliation.

Iraq: Extremist Group Ansar Al-Islam Benefits From Murky Past, Tenuous Links

The founder of the Kurdish Islamist group Ansar Al-Islam is expected to be freed shortly from a Norwegian jail after his detention last week. The court says there is not enough evidence to link him to terror attacks in Iraq. The United States lists Ansar Al-Islam as a terrorist organization with links to Al-Qaeda. But such links are difficult to prove.

Iraq: Gas, Electricity Shortages Continue To Hamper Lives Of Citizens

Iraq, the country with the world's second-largest oil reserves, is suffering severe fuel shortages. Drivers are spending hours in queues at gasoline stations and are forbidden to buy more than 30 liters of fuel at a time. With little fuel to spare on generators, families are spending long hours in the dark, with power outages continuing on a regular basis. The U.S. administration in Iraq and religious leaders are holding black marketeers responsible for the crisis -- and are vowing to fight back.

Bulgaria: Sofia Says Attacks In Karbala Will Not Weaken Resolve

Belarus: Minsk Says Mandatory Car Insurance A Breach Of 'Special' Ties With Moscow

Russia: Opposition Parties Mulling United Boycott Of Presidential Elections

Iraq: With Hussein In Custody, Questions Persist About Who's Behind Insurgency