Thursday, 08 November 2012 FOR INTERNAL INFORMATION ONLY. The content of this brief is taken from...

Thursday, 08 November 2012Thursday, 08 November 2012

FOR INTERNAL INFORMATION ONLY.The content of this brief is taken from press sources and does not in any way reflect official OSCE policy.

Situation/Communications Room

Georgia

President Saakashvili has criticized the government of his rival, PM Ivanishvili, in the wake of the arrests of two senior military officers and a former DM. Saakashvili said the chief of the armed forces' Joint Staff, Giorgi Kalandadze, was subjected to an undignified arrest in connection with an "abuse of office" case opened over an incident that took place during the term of former DM Bacho Akhalaia. "Before the election, we heard accusations that Georgia started the war and Georgia was to blame for Russian aggression in 2008. Unfortunately, we heard this after election as well and I think that neither the Georgian people, nor the international community will accept this. This morning we saw that one of the heroes of this war - and I do not want to mention the accusation he, along with other individuals is facing - was detained in a way that corresponds neither to the dignity of an officer, nor the idea of respect towards the armed forces," Saakashvili said.

Rustavi2 (07 Nov.): Georgian president slams new PM's government over high-profile arrests

Serbia / Kosovo

The PMs of Serbia and Kosovo held "useful" talks on 7 November to defuse tension in the Western Balkans in what was only their second meeting since the breakaway province declared independence."Our open and frank discussions this evening evolved around different aspects of normalisation of relations between the two sides and both PMs committed to continue the talks," said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. "We agreed to meet soon again," she said at the close of a two-hour EU-brokered working dinner bringing together Serbian PM Dacic and his Kosovo counterpart Thaci.It was their second encounter since a ground-breaking 19 October tete-a-tete brokered by Ashton, who on 7 November briefly met both leaders separately ahead of the talks. "This was a good and useful meeting. I believe that we made several steps forward," Dacic, who added that the talks would continue in early December, told B92 television. {…}

AFP (07 Nov.): Serbia, Kosovo premiers hold 'useful' second round talks

1/21/21/21/2

Serbia / Kosovo

{…} Kosovo's Thaci told public broadcaster RTK that the talks took place "in a constructive spirit" with "a substantial debate".Ashton said the two had agreed to continue the work for full implementation of a series of agreements struck by more junior negotiators in EU-brokered talks that kicked off in March 2011.Ashton indicated there was progress too on implementing a December accord to jointly manage border crossings in flashpoint northern Kosovo. She also said there was discussion on Kosovo claims that Serbia funds the Serbs in Kosovo as well as "how to enhance the protection of Serbian cultural and religious heritage in Kosovo". The Serbian premier said Thaci had promised to form a police unit there that would be composed mostly of Serbs to protect religious sites in Kosovo. A further sign of progress was an agreement to set up a joint technical working group to prepare a feasibility study for a Nis-Pristina motorway joining the two neighbours.

AFP (07 Nov.): Serbia, Kosovo premiers hold 'useful' second round talks

2/22/22/22/2

Ukraine

Freedom House President David Kramer has said he believes that penalties should be imposed against certain high-ranking Ukrainian officials in the form of not issuing visas. "We're holding talks at the highest level, and we personally met with President Viktor Yanukovych. The Ukrainian authorities are talking about commitments, but are not planning to comply with them. We have reached the stage where the only way to somehow change the situation is to use punishments, at least some punishments," he said in an interview with the Ukrainian Week magazine.Kramer said that Yanukovych was not interested in signing the association agreement. "The association agreement with the EU has not worked. I can assume that President Yanukovych does not want it to be signed. Therefore I see no other way out but the introduction of more {…}

Kyiv Post (07 Nov.): Sanctions should be imposed against certain Ukrainian officials - Freedom House chief

1/21/21/21/2

Ukraine

{…} severe measures," he said. He also said that Freedom House and the OSCE would demand the use of personal sanctions against Ukrainian officials."We're big supporters of the introduction of sanctions, particularly against individual officials. And our work in this area will continue. Freedom House and the OSCE will start demanding the use of personal sanctions, which, first and foremost, will concern the non-issuance of visas to the individual high-ranking Ukrainian officials who are responsible for violations," Kramer said.

Kyiv Post (07 Nov.): Sanctions should be imposed against certain Ukrainian officials - Freedom House chief

2/22/22/22/2

US / OSCE

The 2012 US elections were conducted in a "professional manner," but "real concerns" remain, international observers said on 7 November. "The electoral process enjoys broad public confidence," OSCE mission chief Daan Everts said in a statement the day after the vote that saw President Obama win a second four-year term."At the same time, there are real concerns over issues such as voting rights, the accuracy of voter lists, the transparency of campaign finance, recount procedures and access for international election observers."Due to the high mobility of many Americans, some voters were listed on multiple electoral lists in different states. Conversely, some 50 million of the 237 million eligible American voters were never registered at all, according to OSCE estimates. In certain states, access to voting was denied to convicted criminals who had completed their sentence, contrary to international norms, the group added. {…}

AFP (07 Nov.): International observers cite 'concerns' in US vote

1/21/21/21/2

US / OSCE

{…} Everts refrained from naming the worst offenders, saying problems can vary from one jurisdiction to another.The question of granting international election observers access to polling stations grew more salient after Texas threatened to arrest observers under a local law that considers OSCE activities as interference."I want to dismiss the notion that we're a bunch of UN invaders from another planet," Everts joked at a press conference, noting that the OSCE had come "at the invitation of the US government." However, eight states, including Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas, denied OSCE observers access and two more, Alaska and Tennessee, offered only restricted access, which the OSCE refused.

AFP (07 Nov.): International observers cite 'concerns' in US vote

2/22/22/22/2

NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas:NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas:

08 November 2012OSCE / CPC Situation Room

Albania: Problem of asylum seekers, Malmstrom in Tirana (Albeu)

Montenegro: Montenegro's opposition MPs protest against anthem (BIRN)

Serbia: Government formed coordination body for association with EU (MRS)

Serbia: Media organization worried about draft law (SEEMO)

Serbia / Kosovo: A single national position on Kosovo - Jeremic (M-Magazine)

Serbia / Kosovo: Kacin wants missing persons on Kosovo talks agenda (BIRN)

the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Realisation of EUR 22 mln from EIB's loan for companies starts - PM Gruevski (MIA)

the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: EC welcomes Macedonia's response to Greek MoU (MIA)

South - Eastern EuropeSouth - Eastern Europe (slides 18 - 25)(slides 18 - 25) South - Eastern EuropeSouth - Eastern Europe (slides 18 - 25)(slides 18 - 25)



Eastern EuropeEastern Europe (slides 26 - 34)(slides 26 - 34) Eastern EuropeEastern Europe (slides 26 - 34)(slides 26 - 34)

Moldova: Moldovan Communists likely to participate in local polls without party symbols (Moldpres)

Moldova: The WB to allot Moldova USD 30 mln to support the governmental competitiveness enhancement program (Moldpres)

Moldova / Transdniester: Moldovan president meets UN expert for human rights in breakaway Transnistria (Moldpres)

Moldova / Transdniester: Ex-Blair aide to offer advice on Transnistrian conflict (Infotag)

Moldova / Transdniester: Russian diplomat says no quick solution for Moldova's breakaway region (Interfax)

Ukraine: Election campaign in parliamentary elections in Ukraine was democratic - British MP (Kyiv Post)



Eastern EuropeEastern Europe (slides 26 - 34)(slides 26 - 34) Eastern EuropeEastern Europe (slides 26 - 34)(slides 26 - 34)

Ukraine: Yanukovych orders prosecutor general to check facts of violations during elections in single-seat districts (Kyiv Post)

Ukraine: Health of Ukraine's Tymoshenko worsens sharply - lawyer (AFP)

Ukraine / Russia: Ukraine, Russia start demarcation, unveil first border sign (Interfax)



South CaucasusSouth Caucasus (slides 35 – 46)(slides 35 – 46) South CaucasusSouth Caucasus (slides 35 – 46)(slides 35 – 46)

Armenia: Eduard Sharmazanov on PAP’s proposal to switch to parliamentary system (Tert)

Armenia / Azerbaijan: Armenian official says Azerbaijani army exceeds set armament limits (Mediamax)

Armenia / Azerbaijan: OSCE contact line monitoring registers no incidents (Tert)

Armenia / Azerbaijan: Armenia’s rep at U.N. condemns Azerbaijan’s racist policy (Tert)

Armenia / Azerbaijan : We speak of peace, but it does not mean that we are afraid of war – Saribekyan (Panorama.am)

Azerbaijan: AZN 2 mln to be allocated to political parties in 2013 (News.az)



South CaucasusSouth Caucasus (slides 35 - 46)(slides 35 - 46) South CaucasusSouth Caucasus (slides 35 - 46)(slides 35 - 46)

Azerbaijan: 'All of prisoners we met did not complain of ill-treatment' - OSCE (News.az)

Azerbaijan / Armenia: US diplomats not allowed to visit Karabakh (News.az)

Azerbaijan / Armenia: Armenian leadership activates militarization in the country - Top official (Trend)

Azerbaijan / Georgia: Georgia to host next meeting on delimitation of Azerbaijani-Georgian borders (Today.az)

Georgia: Detention of former IM and Joint Staff chief has grounds - PM (Trend)

Georgia: U.S to continue supporting Georgia’s joining NATO – US Ambassador (Trend)



Central AsiaCentral Asia (slides 47 - 48)(slides 47 - 48) Central AsiaCentral Asia (slides 47 - 48)(slides 47 - 48)

Central Asia: Central Asian FMs to meet in Japan (Tengrinnews)

Tajikistan: Tajikistan urged to reveal whereabouts of missing opposition member (Interfax)

NEWS ITEMS:NEWS ITEMS:

08 November 2012

Miscellaneous Miscellaneous (slides 49 - 61)(slides 49 - 61) Miscellaneous Miscellaneous (slides 49 - 61)(slides 49 - 61)

Caspian Sea: Caspian ecology in focus of littoral states (Today.az)

Croatia / Slovenia: Croatian, Slovenian experts reach compromise on NLB dispute (Business Week)

Czech Republic: Czech PM wins confidence vote on tax bill (AFP)

Energy Security: Bulgaria greenlights investment decision on South Stream (AFP)

EU: EU looks at easing visas for Russians, Chinese (AFP)

Hungary: EU Commission warns Hungary on "distortionary" taxes (Reuters)

OSCE: OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities launches guidelines on integration of diverse societies (The Financial)

Russia / US: Russia criticizes US election process (WSJ)

OSCE / CPC Situation Room

NEWS ITEMS:NEWS ITEMS:

08 November 2012

Miscellaneous Miscellaneous (slides 47 - 58)(slides 47 - 58) Miscellaneous Miscellaneous (slides 47 - 58)(slides 47 - 58)

Syria: Syria-led process only solution for peace in the war-torn country – UN senior official (UN)

Syria / Hungary: Hungary denies reports of arms sales to Syrian rebels (Politics.hu)

Syria / Turkey: Turkey to request NATO missile defense on Syria border (Reuters)

US / OSCE: German OSCE observer slams restrictions, procedures in US election (Die Welt)

OSCE / CPC Situation Room

US / OSCE

Bundestag Member Juergen Klimke (CDU) [Christian Democratic Union], sent by the OSCE to observe the US election, has expressed himself critically on the local election procedures. Klimke complained to Die Welt that the OSCE observers were restricted in their work. "We were not allowed to act as in election observation in other countries," Klimke said.Normally, he would receive a list of polling places and could decide himself which he wants to visit. "That is not possible here," the politician from the CDU said. "A broad review was therefore not possible at all," he criticized. Klimke could view only five polling places. According to Klimke, the OSCE sent 80 election observers to the US election. Klimke observed the US election as one of two German Bundestag members. He formed an impression of the election process in the states of Virginia and Maryland and in Washington D.C. {…}

Die Welt (07 Nov.): German OSCE observer slams restrictions, procedures in US election

1/21/21/21/2

US / OSCE

{…} Klimke lamented that whereas in other countries an election observer could visit as many as 15 polling places on an election day, the number was very much more limited in the US presidential election. Klimke criticized the conditions at the polling places. "It is astonishing how they work at the polling places. Just the question of the registration of the voters is often not as comprehensible as it is in Germany or other countries," he said.As an election observer, he says, one is not allowed to take photographs in some polling places, to carry a cell phone, or to talk to the people. Klimke also criticized that pictures of President Barack Obama are hanging in some polling places. "That is indirect influencing of the election." …

Die Welt (07 Nov.): German OSCE observer slams restrictions, procedures in US election

2/22/22/22/2

Situation/Communications Room

FOR INTERNAL INFORMATION ONLY.The content of this brief is taken from press sources and does not in any way reflect official OSCE policy.

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Thursday, 08 November 2012 FOR INTERNAL INFORMATION ONLY. The content of this brief is taken from...

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