Balkanalysis.com

Archive for February, 2005

Croatian EU Accession Talks Clouded by Gotovina Issue

Croatia’s EU accession talks, slated to start on the 17th of March, are in doubt, according to Reuters and the SE European Times, among others.
The website cites Stability Pact for Southeast Europe chief Erhard Busek, who told Austrian media on Saturday that he “doubts” Croatia will have turned over the [...]

Behind the Turkish Boycott in Macedonia: Interview with Kenan Hasipi

Kenan Hasipi, the 50 year-old leader of the Turkish Democratic Party (TDP), has been making waves recently with his party’s decision to boycott the upcoming local elections in the municipality of Vrapciste, which is slated to be combined with a neighboring Albanian one (Negotino). We spoke with him Wednesday in [...]

Russia to Pay Off Macedonia Debt with Skopje Gas Pipeline

MIA announced yesterday that the Russian and Macedonian governments have agreed on a plan by which some $15 million of the former’s debt will be paid off with the construction of a natural gas pipeline ring around Skopje.The project, which will be led by Russia’s Rosneftegazstroy and include the Macedonian company Gama, as well [...]

Vrapciste Turks to Boycott Macedonia Local Elections

According to Dnevnik on 17 February, the Democratic Party of Turks will boycott the local elections in Vrapciste, in objection to a perceived pattern of discrimination from the Albanian political parties and wariness over the new municipal boundaries that will dilute the Turkish presence and help consolidate Albanian control.
The [...]

Dubrovnik: A History

Dubrovnik: A History
By Robin Harris
Saqi (2003), 503 pp., 40 pages of glossy color illustrations
In Dubrovnik: A History, British author Robin Harris sets out, in his own words, to create for the first time “a modern, well-sourced and readable account of the history of the Ragusan Republic” [...]

Break Out the Popcorn! The Forces of Freedom Versus the 10 Million Martyrs

The American Empire will come to an end as a direct result of its own hubristic warmongering around the globe; that much is certain. It only remains to be seen when, where, and through what agency will the knockout blow be delivered.President Bush’s re-inaugural speech, which called for toppling tyrants everywhere, [...]

Sibel Edmonds: FBI’s Compromised Security Damages Turkey’s Security, Too

In a new interview for the Turkish publication Vatan, former FBI translator Sibel Edmonds provides a general recap of her extraordinary story (the details of which can be found here), but also provides several new details of interest to Vatan’s Turkish audience.
In the enigmatic fashion that has characterized all of Edmonds’ [...]

Serb Villagers Defend Wildlife from UK Mining Giant

Wary over mining-related environmental disasters (such as the one referred to yesterday), residents of two Serbian villages vowed to fight the arrival of British company European Nickel, which won a license last year to explore in advance of potential nickel mining in two places – including a protected national park. According [...]