Prague, 29 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- A review of analysis and commentary in the press today finds several items on the emergence of independent media, from the 10 EU accession states to the first nongovernmental newspaper in Nagorno-Karabakh. Also at issue today is the continuing struggle between the foundering Armenian government and the even weaker opposition; the Mideast vision of Qatar's Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, as he visits Washington this week; and Russia's policy of fostering "controlled instability" in the South Caucasus.
The United States says it is ready to extend refugee status to thousands of Meskhetians from Russia's Krasnodar region, an area that human rights groups have long been denouncing as being a hotbed of ethnic discrimination. Although they would rather remain in the region or return to their historic homeland of Georgia, many Meskhetians are likely to accept the offer for want of viable alternatives.
Iraqis scramble for humanitarian aid Poul Nielson, the EU's humanitarian aid and development commissioner, has criticized governments in the world's conflict zones for doing too little to protect the personnel of relief agencies from violence. And he says many democratic governments also complicate the efforts of aid workers by misusing the term "humanitarian."
28 April 2004 -- Russia's State Duma today expressed its "deep concern" about the deterioration of ties between Georgia and its Autonomous Republic of Adjaria.
Two years ago, the G-8 states announced an ambitious new partnership to prevent the spread of nuclear, chemical, and biological materials amid increased fears of terrorism. The countries pledged to spend an unprecedented $20 billion over the next decade, mostly in Russia, to help Moscow destroy some of its weapons stockpiles and upgrade security at facilities retaining dangerous materials. But so far, according to experts, results on the ground have yet to match the political promises.
Brussels, 27 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- The European Union and Russia today signed an agreement extending their existing Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) to the 10 new EU member states.
Brussels, 27 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- The European Union and Russia have concluded a deal allowing for the extension of their partnership agreement to the EU's 10 acceding members.
26 April 2004 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has requested that the State Duma water down a controversial new bill that would severely curb the right to public protests.
European Union foreign ministers meet in Luxembourg today for their scheduled monthly talks. The agenda will be topped by the need to adapt the EU-Russia relationship to the bloc's impending enlargement. The Middle East peace process, prospects for lifting the EU arms embargo on China, and Kosovo will also feature prominently during the one-day meeting. RFE/RL correspondent Ahto Lobjakas reports from Luxembourg.
25 April 2004 -- Ten Russian soldiers were reportedly killed and 20 others were wounded over the weekend in the war-ravaged Russian republic of Chechnya.
Putin (left) and Kuchma (far right) shown during a previous meeting 23 April 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma today exchanged ratification documents on agreements that partially settle a border dispute and herald the countries' entrance into a Single Economic Space.
Putin (left) and Kuchma (far right). Archive photo 23 April 2004 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said today the language of Ukrainian television and radio programs should not be made a "subject of confrontation."
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