1. Monday, 22 October 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

2. NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: 22 October 2012  Azerbaijan: Azerbaijani police detain over 110 people after unauthorized demo (Turan)  Georgia: Signs of rancour as Georgia's new parliament meets (AP)  Serbia / Kosovo: Serbian, Kosovo PMs have rare talks, to meet again (AFP) LEAD STORIES: OSCE / CPC Situation Room

3. Azerbaijan Ten participants in the protest on 20 October on the Fountains' Square who demanded the dissolution of the Azerbaijani parliament, were penalized with administrative arrest from seven to 10 days. Former "prisoners of conscience" received 10 days of arrest each: Tural Abbasli, chairman of the Musavat Party's youth organization; his deputy Ahad Mammadli, and also the chairman of the Suraxani district branch of the People's Front of Azerbaijan Party, Vaqif Xaliqov. Rufat Hacibayli, youth activist of the Musavat Party, was given nine days of arrest. Tazaxan Miralamli, head of the Calilabad district branch of the People's Front of Azerbaijan Party, and Abulfaz Qurbanli, chairman of the People's Front of Azerbaijan Party youth committee, were sentenced to eight days of arrest. In all, the opposition parties report that more than 110 people were detained in the Fountains' Square and other parts of the city. Turan (21 Oct.): Azerbaijani police detain over 110 people after unauthorized demo Sunday

4. Georgia The newly elected parliament of Georgia on 21 October held its first session since an opposition coalition defeated President Mikhail Saakashvili's party. Now that the new parliament has convened, this was expected to take place within days. Saakashvili, however, remains president for another year. In addressing the session on 21 October, Saakashvili said the election was proof that the former Soviet republic had become a "normal European democracy," and he said his party was ready to work with Georgian Dream. "We are not enemies, we are political rivals," Saakashvili said. "Now is not the time for hatred. Now is the time for action and cooperation." In a sign of the antagonism between the two sides, however, Georgian Dream parliament members refused to stand when Saakashvili entered the hall. AP (21 Oct.): Signs of rancour as Georgia's new parliament meets Sunday

5. Serbia / Kosovo The PMs of Serbia and Kosovo met in Brussels on 19 October for the first time since the breakaway province gained independence, in hopes of thawing relations and opening the way for progress in their respective bids for EU membership. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said after hosting Kosovo PM Hashim Thaci and Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic for more than an hour that the talks were held in a "constructive atmosphere". "We agreed to continue the dialogue for the normalization of relations between the two sides and both committed to working together," she said in a statement. "We will meet again soon." There was no immediate comment from Thaci or Dacic. In Brussels, Dacic and Thaci discussed ways to restart an EU- brokered dialogue to normalize their relations and what can be done to speed up the process. Reuters (19 Oct.): Serbian, Kosovo PMs have rare talks, to meet again Friday

6. NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: 22 October 2012 OSCE / CPC Situation Room  South Eastern Europe: Albanian economy minister backs western Balkans gas ring project (ATA)  Albania: Albanian police seize huge amount of marijuana bound for neighbouring Greece (AP)  Albania / Russia: Senior Albanian, Russian diplomats hold consultations on security issues (ATA)  BiH: Bosnian Croat woman given five year prison term for war crimes (AFP)  Serbia / Kosovo: Kosovo group claims hack of US weather service (AFP) South - Eastern Europe (slides 16 - 23) South - Eastern Europe (slides 16 - 23)

7. NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: 22 October 2012 OSCE / CPC Situation Room  the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Macedonian Church welcomes Nikolic’s proposal (Beta)  the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: Ahmeti’s party blocks defenders’ act adoption (FOCUS)  the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: President expects EU to set accession talks date for Macedonia in December (MIA) South - Eastern Europe (slides 16 - 23) South - Eastern Europe (slides 16 - 23)

8. NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: 22 October 2012 OSCE / CPC Situation Room Eastern Europe (slides 24 - 28) Eastern Europe (slides 24 - 28)   Moldova / Transdniestr / Russia: European court tells Russia to pay to Moldovans in rebel region over language (Interfax)   Ukraine: Jailed former Ukrainian PM wants to go back to prison (RFE)   Ukraine / Russia: Ukraine, Russia to soon agree on sea border delimitation (Itar-Tass)   Ukraine / Russia: Anti-Putin activist kidnapped in UN Ukraine office - Russian lawmaker (AFP)   Ukraine / Russia: Putin to meet Ukraine President Yanukovych on gas, Kremlin says (Bloomberg)

9. NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: 22 October 2012 OSCE / CPC Situation Room South Caucasus (slides 29 - 39) South Caucasus (slides 29 - 39)  Armenia: EU finalizes visa deal with Armenia (Asbarez)  Armenia / Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire 250 times in the past week (ArmRadio)  Azerbaijan: Azerbaijani president, US energy company discuss cooperation (Turan)  Azerbaijan: US appreciates Azerbaijan’s contribution in Iran issue (Trend)  Azerbaijan: Azeri authorities extend arrest of ethnic newspaper editor (APA)  Azerbaijan: Talk on use of Azeri territory for attack on Iran "irrational, crazy" – FM (IRNA)  Georgia: US envoy hails tolerance in Georgia (Kavkas-Press)

10. NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: 22 October 2012 OSCE / CPC Situation Room South Caucasus (slides 29 - 39) South Caucasus (slides 29 - 39)  Georgia: Final Georgia poll results give Ivanishvili bloc majority (AFP)  Georgia: Georgian TV channel PIK broadcasts suspended (Interfax)  Georgia: Candidate for Georgian PM officially introduces new staff of Cabinet of Ministers (Trend)  Georgia: David Usupashvili becomes Georgian parliament speaker (Itar-Tass)

11. NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: 22 October 2012 OSCE / CPC Situation Room Central Asia (slides 40 - 55) Central Asia (slides 40 - 55)  Central Asia: Central Asian deputy FMs discuss regional security (Asia-Plus)  Kazakhstan: Over 1,800 websites checked in Kazakhstan over extremism propaganda (Interfax.kz)  Kazakhstan: Kazakh official sums up work to fight forgery, illegal gambling business (Interfax.kz)  Kazakhstan: Rights activists recommend abolishing death penalty in Kazakhstan (Interfax)  Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan launches warship into Caspian (Eurasia)  Kyrgyzstan: Jailed Kyrgyz opposition leader hospitalized after hunger strike (RFE)  Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz demonstrator admitted to hospital (AKIpress)

12. NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: NEWS ITEMS from the OSCE Mission Areas: 22 October 2012 OSCE / CPC Situation Room Central Asia (slides 40 - 55) Central Asia (slides 40 - 55)  Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyz presidential administration head appointed (Trend)  Tajikistan: Islamic party plays stabiliser role in Tajik society - party leader (Asia-Plus)  Tajikistan: Iran, Tajikistan sign free trade zone agreement (Trend)  Tajikistan: Tajikistan ensures security for itself, Central Asia, Russia and Europe - national security agency chief (CA-News)  Tajikistan: US government provides USD 9.5 mln to support law enforcement and rule of law in Tajikistan (Asia-Plus)  Tajikistan: Tajik Education Ministry bans students from attending foreign seminars and conferences (Interfax)  Tajikistan: Russian tanks hold firing test in Tajikistan (Zvezda TV)

13. NEWS ITEMS: NEWS ITEMS: 22 October 2012 Central Asia (40 - 55) Central Asia (40 - 55)  Turkmenistan: Turkmenistan sees oil investment up at USD 3.8 bln (Reuters)  Uzbekistan: Iran's new envoy, Uzbek president discuss bilateral ties (Fars) OSCE / CPC Situation Room

14. NEWS ITEMS: NEWS ITEMS: 22 October 2012 Miscellaneous (slides 56 - 67) Miscellaneous (slides 56 - 67)  Afghanistan: France says Afghanistan troop pullout faster than expected (AFP)  Afghanistan: Afghan ex-IM to announce presidential candidacy (Weesa)  Hungary: Hungary says "blackmailed" by EU, flags new tax hikes (Reuters)  OSCE: Russia to suggest changing OSCE electoral standards in Dublin in December (Itar-Tass)  Romania: 'Racist' soccer boss to run in Romania poll (AFP)  Romania: Presence of OSCE observers at parliamentary election is not needed - Crin Antonescu (Agerpres)  Romania: Russia stages missile test, with Putin taking the helm (NY Times) OSCE / CPC Situation Room

15. NEWS ITEMS: NEWS ITEMS: 22 October 2012 Miscellaneous (slides 56 - 67) Miscellaneous (slides 56 - 67)  Russia: Russia troops kill 49 militants in North Caucasus sweep (AFP)  Russia / Iran: No limits on selling Moscow's defensive weapons to Tehran - Russian official (IRNA)  Turkey: Gas flow from Iran to Turkey disrupted after new blast – report (AFP)  Turkey / Syria: Turkish FM says Yemen-style power transfer no longer suitable for Syria (Trend)  US / Iran: US and Iran deny any deal for bilateral nuclear talks (AFP) OSCE / CPC Situation Room

16. South Eastern Europe "Albania has given its support for the Western Balkans Gas Ring Project as a great opportunity to interconnect all countries in the region with the natural gas network and we also support the Trans Adriatic Pipeline project (TAP)," Deputy PM and Minister of Economy Edmond Haxhinasto said at the 10th Energy Community Ministerial Council meeting in Budva, Montenegro, the press service at the Ministry of Economy said on 18 October. The Energy Community Secretariat is an important regional instrument for enhance the overall security of supply for the countries in the region, as well as for the integration of the Albanian market into the EU internal energy market. Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Kosovo, Ukraine, Croatia and Bulgaria are members of the Energy Community Treaty. ATA (19 Oct.): Albanian economy minister backs western Balkans gas ring project Friday

17. Albania Police in southern Albania say they have seized 3.7 tons of marijuana plants bound for neighbouring Greece. The cannabis was seized in five separate operations on 19 October, according to police chief Ajet Ibro in Gjirokastra, a city 225 kilometres Tirana, and near the Greek border. The largest amount, 3,360 kilograms, was seized in a fuel transport truck. Police say they have arrested seven people and are still searching for four others. Albania, a NATO member since 2009 and also aiming for EU membership, is a producer of marijuana and a transit point for Asian- produced heroin. The country wants to crack down on drug trafficking. US Ambassador Alexander Arvizu on 20 October visited Gjirokastra to congratulate police. AP (20 Oct.): Albanian police seize huge amount of marijuana bound for neighbouring Greece Saturday

18. Albania / Russia Senior officials of the Albanian MFA and the Russian Federation MFA held diplomatic consultations on security issues as part of cooperation within several international leading organizations. During the meeting in Moscow, representatives of both ministries discussed the attitude of Albania and Russia regarding international and regional developments and contribution of the respective countries as part of the international organizations and forums. The two delegations also discussed sensitive issues in international arena, on which they also maintain diverse views. The Russian side praised current Albanian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the CoE, as well as recent international activities hosted by Albanian institutions in Tirana. ATA (19 Oct.): Senior Albanian, Russian diplomats hold consultations on security issues Friday

19. BiH A Bosnian Croat woman was given a five-year jail term on 19 October for taking part in war crimes against Serbs at the beginning of the 1992-5 intercommunal war in Bosnian. Albina Terzic, 40, is one of a very small number of women charged by the Bosnian authorities with war crimes and only the second to be found guilty. "The accused has been found guilty of inhuman treatment in respect of prisoners of war," the judge Saban Maksumic told the court. "The court sentences her to five years in prison for war crimes committed against the civilian population." At the trial, which opened in October 2011, the prosecution had proved that Terzic took part in several "acts of torture" of Serbian prisoners of war held between May and July 1922 at a school in Odzak in the northeast of the country and at a local factory, the judge said. AFP (19 Oct.): Bosnian Croat woman given five year prison term for war crimes Friday

20. Serbia / Kosovo The US National Weather Service computer network was hacked this week, with a group from Kosovo claiming credit and posting sensitive data, security experts said on 19 October. Data released by the Kosovo Hackers Security group includes directory structures, sensitive files of the Web server and other data that could enable later access, according to Chrysostomos Daniel of the security firm Acunetix. "The hacker group stated that the attack is a protest against the US policies that target Muslim countries," Daniel said. "Moreover, the attack was a payback for hacker attacks against nuclear plants in Muslim countries, according to a member of the hacking group who said, 'They hack our nuclear plants using STUXNET and FLAME-like malwares, they are bombing us 27*7, we can't sit silent - hack to payback them." AFP (19 Oct.): Kosovo group claims hack of US weather service Friday

21. Beta (19 Oct.): Macedonian Church welcomes Nikolic’s proposal Macedonian Orthodox Church (MPC) Spokesman Bishop Timotej welcomed Serbian President Nikolic's call to discuss the status of the MPC. He added that the problem could only be solved through dialogue. The Serbian president has stated that Serbia and Macedonia should help solve the issue of the MPC. The MPC spokesman said that Nikolic's call was “positive” but that his condition to release Macedonian Bishop Jovan Vranishovski who is loyal to the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) was not a church issue but a political one. “What Nikolic said about the dialogue is a new moment in relations between the MPC and SPC because the SPC and the state of Serbia have so far always held the position that this is an inter-church and not an inter-state issue. These are new circumstances now that are important since the words were said by the Serbian president,” Timotej told the Beta news agency. the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

22. Saturday the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia FOCUS (20 Oct.): Ahmeti’s party blocks defenders’ act adoption MPs with the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), the party of ethnic Albanians with leader Ali Ahmeti, worked out more than 5,000 proposals that aim at blocking the adoption of the act on the defenders in the 2001 war, writes Macedonian Dnevnik daily. The ethnic Albanians, represented at the parliament in Skopje, insist that if such an act is adopted, the partisans from the National Liberation Army to be considered defenders of Macedonia, too. DUI leader Ali Ahmeti was political head of the National Liberation Army in 2001.

23. Saturday MIA (20 Oct.): President expects EU to set accession talks date for Macedonia in December Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov expects European leaders at the EU Summit in December to take into consideration the four EC recommendations and to set a start date for accession talks with Macedonia. “For four years we have justified arguments for start of accession talks and for four years we are hoping for something that we deserve. I hope that this year the European leaders will take into consideration these recommendations and will support the prosperity and development of our country instead to agree with a member state which is making problems to us and to the entire region,” Ivanov said in the interview with weekly magazine Gragjanski. In the interview, Ivanov also spoke about inter-ethnic relations and his role in reconciliation of inter-ethnic tensions. the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

24. Moldova / Transdniester / Russia The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has drawn a final ruling into the case of "Katan against Moldova and Russia" and obliged Russia to pay around EUR 1.1 mln for Moldovan citizens living in the Dniester region, according to a press release on 19 October. The ECHR found Russia responsible for violating the European Human Rights Convention where it comes to the right to education. Pursuant to its ruling, the court compelled Russia to pay each of the 170 claimants the amount of EUR 6,000 in moral damages and a joint amount of EUR 50,000 to all claimants as compensation for legal costs and expenses. No penalties were used against the Moldovan side. The collective lawsuit was submitted by Moldovan citizens living in the Dniester region and concerned the consequences of the language policy adopted by the authorities of the unrecognized republic in 1992 and 1994, according to which the use of the Latin script in a range of Dniester schools was banned. Interfax (19 Oct.): European court tells Russia to pay to Moldovans in rebel region over language Friday

25. Ukraine Ukraine's jailed former PM Yulia Tymoshenko wants to stop medical treatment in hospital and has requested that she be transferred back to a labour camp near the eastern city of Kharkiv. Tymoshenko's lawyer told journalists on 19 October that Tymoshenko would not undergo medical treatment under "savage and inhuman video observation." A video, showing a woman resembling Tymoshenko doing physical exercises in a hospital room circulated on the Internet on 16 October. A day earlier, a court in Kharkiv postponed for the ninth time Tymoshenko's tax evasion trial after she did not show up in the courtroom saying she is not able to move because of back pain. Tymoshenko is already serving a seven-year sentence in a separate case in which she was found guilty of abuse of power as PM. RFE (19 Oct.): Jailed former Ukrainian PM wants to go back to prison Friday

26. Ukraine / Russia Kiev and Moscow might soon reach a mutually acceptable solution to the problem of the sea border demarcation and of the Kerch Strait, Ukrainian FM Konstantin Grishchenko said on 19 October after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. “I think we might soon reach a mutually acceptable solution to be presented to the leaders of the two countries,” he said and stressed that considerable progress had been reached on that matter. “It is difficult to say what part of the work is yet to be done,” he added. In his words, in the recent period the two countries have agreed on the key parameters and now they have “to specify some aspects in a broader format,” involving experts. Itar-Tass (19 Oct.): Ukraine, Russia to soon agree on sea border delimitation Friday

27. Ukraine / Russia An opposition member of Russia's parliament claimed on 20 October that a Russian anti-Putin activist has been kidnapped from the UN refugee office in Ukraine. The activist, Leonid Razvozzhaev, is being sought by a Russian committee inquiring into "preparation for the organisation of mass riots." "Razvozzhaev was kidnapped in the offices of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Kiev," Ilya Ponomarev, a member of the centre-left opposition party A Just Russia, told the Interfax news agency. Razvozzhaev is an assistant to Ponomarev. Police in Kiev said they had no information on the subject, Interfax Ukraine said. But a left-wing Ukrainian political movement said Razvozzhaev had come to Ukraine to seek political asylum and when he left the UNHCR building "people working there heard cries for help," the movement said, quoted by Interfax. AFP (20 Oct.): Anti-Putin activist kidnapped in UN Ukraine office - Russian lawmaker Saturday

28. Ukraine / Russia President Vladimir Putin will meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Viktor Yanukovych, to discuss topics including natural gas in Moscow on 22 October, Putin’s press service said on 21 October in an e-mailed statement. The talks will be primarily on economic matters, including cooperation on energy, transportation, aerospace and atomic power, the Kremlin press service said in the statement. Bloomberg (21 Oct.): Putin to meet Ukraine President Yanukovych on gas, Kremlin says Sunday

29. Armenia In what they called a major boost to their relations, Armenia and the EU finalized on 19 October an agreement to ease visa requirements for Armenian citizens planning to visit EU countries. Stefano Manservisi, head of the European Commission’s Directorate General for Home Affairs, and Avet Adonts, the Armenian ambassador to the EU, also initialled a separate “readmission” agreement in Brussels. It obligates Yerevan to help EU immigration authorities quickly expedite the repatriation of Armenian illegal immigrants. The visa accord is meant to give Armenian travellers access to the Schengen zone encompassing much of Europe with fewer documents and at a lower cost. Also, some categories of the population such as university students, academics and state officials would be eligible for long-term and multiple-entry visas. Asbarez (20 Oct.): EU finalizes visa deal with Armenia Saturday

30. Armenia / Azerbaijan According to the data of the NKR Defense Army, about 250 cases of ceasefire violations by the Azerbaijani side were registered at the line of contact between the armed forces of Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan between 14 and 20 October. More than 1,000 shots were fired from weapons of different caliber in the direction of the Armenian positions. Committed to the maintenance of the ceasefire regime, divisions of the NKR Defense Army confidently carried out their military duty all along the line of contact. ArmRadio (20 Oct.): Azerbaijan violated the ceasefire 250 times in the past week Saturday

31. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on 19 October received the delegation headed by the president of ConocoPhillips, Ryan Lance, the Azerbaijani presidential website reported. The president of ConocoPhillips noted that a favourable environment has been created for foreign investors in Azerbaijan and that there is transparency in the country in the sphere of energy cooperation. Aliyev expressed satisfaction with Azerbaijan's long-term successful cooperation with many well-known energy companies. The sides exchanged views on prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and ConocoPhillips. ConocoPhillips is involved only in one project in Azerbaijan: it has a 2.5% share in the Baku-Tbilisi- Ceyhan pipeline. Turan (19 Oct.): Azerbaijani president, US energy company discuss cooperation Friday

32. Azerbaijan The US very much appreciates Azerbaijan's contribution to support the global community in its efforts to ensure that Iran is not developing nuclear weapons, Deputy US Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Adam Sterling said during his speech at the International Conference "Role of Azerbaijan-US cooperation on ensuring peace and security in the region" in Baku on 19 October. "The entire world has an interest to prevent Iran from acquiring these weapons. Azerbaijan of course has particular strong interest in this issue as a neighbour of Iran," he said. He said the US believes that it is making progress in this regard, and the international community is convincing the Iranian government that it has good options to develop its economy. Trend (19 Oct.): US appreciates Azerbaijan’s contribution in Iran issue Friday

33. Azerbaijan The period of arrest for the editor-in-chief of Tolisi Sado, a newspaper for the ethnic Talis community in Azerbaijan, has been extended by four months at the request of the investigative body, APA news agency reported quoting the editor's lawyer Xalid Bagirov on 19 October. Hilal Mammadov, the newspaper's editor-in-chief, was detained on 21 June after police found 5 g of heroin on him and some 30 g of heroin in his house. He was later also charged with treason and inciting ethnic, racial, social or religious hatred. The previous editor-in-chief of the newspaper, Novruzali Mammadov, died in prison in 2010 after he was charged with spying in 2008. APA (20 Oct.): Azeri authorities extend arrest of ethnic newspaper editor Saturday

34. Azerbaijan Azerbaijani FM Elmar Mammadyarov has denied that the territory of this country can be used for an attack on Iran, the Iranian IRNA news agency reported on 20 October. "Irrational and crazy ideas regarding the military attack on Iran [from Azerbaijan] are put forward by some people and media with special purposes and are completely unrealistic and impossible," IRNA quoted Mammadyarov as saying during his visit to Germany. He added that the Azerbaijani MFA had even issued a special statement, noting that such assumptions were groundless. "We stressed that through such issues, some people seek to create problems in relations between Iran and Azerbaijan and fortunately, Tehran, too, has reached to this conclusion," Mammadyarov said. IRNA (20 Oct.): Talk on use of Azeri territory for attack on Iran "irrational, crazy" - FM Saturday

35. Georgia Georgia's coastal town of Batumi is considered to be a flagship of tolerance, Richard Norland, the US ambassador to Georgia said on 19 October after holding a meeting with Batumi mayor Jemal Ananidze. "I think that what we see in Batumi is the reflection of processes that are under way in Georgia. I see that both sides express their readiness to work in the interests of the Georgian people. It is evident to me that the Batumi mayor is ready to cooperate with all agencies in the region and in Tbilisi and make available all of the resources which facilitate the development of Batumi," the ambassador said. He said that alongside with helping investment climate [to improve further], it was also very important to show tolerance for the minorities. The US ambassador also met with Mufti of Batumi Jemal Paksadze at a mosque in Batumi. Kavkas-Press (19 Oct.): US envoy hails tolerance in Georgia Friday

36. Georgia Final results published on 19 October from Georgia's parliamentary polls gave the victorious coalition led by Bidzina Ivanishvili a majority of 20 in the new legislature. The CEC said in a televised statement that Ivanishvili's Georgian Dream coalition will have 85 seats in the 150-seat parliament with defeated President Mikheil Saakashvili's former ruling party taking the remaining 65 seats. No other party won any seats. Ivanishvili has already been nominated as PM in the next government by his rival Saakashvili, who will remain as president for another year until his two-term mandate ends. The incoming legislature is due to convene for the first time on 21 October at a brand-new parliament building in the provincial city of Kutaisi. AFP (19 Oct.): Final Georgia poll results give Ivanishvili bloc majority Friday

37. Georgia The Russian-language TV channel PIK's broadcasts in Georgia were suspended on 20 October. Ekaterina Kotrikadze, the chief of PIK's news service, told journalists the broadcasts had been suspended because the Georgian Public Broadcaster severed a contract with the TV company. Under the contract, which was concluded in January 2012, the Public Broadcaster financed PIK and provided it with a frequency for satellite broadcasts. "About 400 PIK employees have remained jobless because of the contract severance," she said. Local independent analysts suggested that the idea to establish PIK belonged to President Mikheil Saakashvili. The TV channel was launched in January 2010 to broadcast mainly to Russia's North Caucasus republics. The national budget annually allocated quite sizeable sums of money to finance PIK before the Public Broadcaster took on these expenses in 2012. Interfax (20 Oct.): Georgian TV channel PIK broadcasts suspended Saturday

38. Georgia Bidzina Ivanishvili officially introduced the new staff of the Cabinet of Ministers and the government program to President Saakashvili. The Georgian government consists of the following officials: Irakli Alasania - DM and Deputy PM, Kakha Kaladze - Energy Minister and Deputy PM, Nodar Khaduri – Finance Minister, Irakli Garibashvili - IM, Tea Tsulukiani - Justice Minister, Maia Panjikidze - FM, Paata Zakareishvili - Minister for Reintegration, David Narmania - Minister for Infrastructure, Giorgi Kvirikashvili - Minister of Economy, David Sergienko - Minister of Labour… Affairs, Khatuna Gogoladze - Minister of Environment, Giorgi Margvelashvili - Minister of Education, David Darakhvelidze - Minister for Refugees, Levan Kipiani - Minister of Youth, Sozar Subari - Minister of Corrections, Guram Odisharia - Culture Minister, Kote Surguladze – Diaspora State Minister, Alexi Petriashvili – European Integration State Minister, David Kiravalidze - Agriculture Minister. Trend (21 Oct.): Candidate for Georgian PM officially introduces new staff of Cabinet of Ministers Sunday

39. Georgia One of the leaders of the victorious Georgian Dream coalition, David Usupashvili, was on 21 October elected parliament speaker. A total of 88 votes were cast in his favor and nobody voted against. A total of 129 deputies were present at the first session of the new parliament on 21 October. Addressing the session, Usupashvili expressed the opinion that “the country lives differently after the election”. “A wind of freedom is blowing in Georgia, and hope is seen in the eyes of the country nationals instead of fear,” he stressed. According to Usupashvili, “after the Rose Revolution in November 2003, the society had lived with expectations that ‘the supremacy of law would be established in Georgia, and prosperity would come to the country together with freedom,’” he said. “However, this did not happen and this became a major disillusionment for the people,” the new speaker said. Itar-Tass (21 Oct.): David Usupashvili becomes Georgian parliament speaker Sunday

40. Central Asia Under the aegis of the United Nations Regional Centre [for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia, UNRCCA], deputy FMs of Central Asian countries discussed security in the region in Bishkek on 18 October. It should be recalled that the first deputy of the Tajik FM, Mahmudjon Sobirov, represented Tajikistan at the meeting. A source with the UNRCCA told the Asia Plus that the discussion was held as part of the fourth annual meeting of the deputy foreign ministers of the countries in the region which is traditionally organized by the UNRCCA. "The UNRCCA will celebrate its fifth anniversary shortly. It is the opportunity to assess what has been achieved and what needs to be done," Ambassador Miroslav Jenca, a special representative of the UN SG and head of the UNRCCA, said. The meeting also discussed possible effects of the forthcoming withdrawal of coalition troops from Afghanistan and the ways to solve issues which might be caused by the process. Asia-Plus (19 Oct.): Central Asian deputy FMs discuss regional security Friday

41. Kazakhstan The State Agency for Religious Affairs of Kazakhstan checked over 1,800 Internet websites whether they propagate extremism, the deputy head of the agency, Galym Shoykin, said. "Work is under way to monitor and block religious extremist websites. In the first nine months of 2012, the agency analysed the content of more than 1,800 websites and materials against 34 of them were sent to the Prosecutor-General's Office," he said at a conference on prevention of crime and law-violations in Astana on 19 October. At the same time, he said that this year "a special media plan has been approved and is being implemented to promote traditional Islam for the Kazakh population and to disclose harmful ideas of Salafism [a militant group of extremist Sunnis who believe themselves the only correct interpreters of the Koran]". Interfax.kz (19 Oct.): Over 1,800 websites checked in Kazakhstan over extremism propaganda Friday

42. Kazakhstan Active fight with counterfeiters is being carried on in Kazakhstan, Marat Akhmetzhanov, deputy chairman of the Kazakh agency for fighting economic and corruption related crimes (the financial police), said. "The activities of 12 underground counterfeit money producing workshops were suppressed in the first nine months of 2012, including that of an organized criminal group that circulated 10,000 counterfeit bills; more than 1,000 cases all over Kazakhstan," he said at a news conference on issues of prevention of crime and law- violations in Astana on 19 October. Apart from that, he said that work to bust illegal gambling business had been stepped up this year. According to him, 386 such institutions were uncovered during the period under review, "which is 10 times more than last year". Interfax.kz (19 Oct.): Kazakh official sums up work to fight forgery, illegal gambling business Friday

43. Kazakhstan Kazakh human rights campaigners proposed abolishing the death penalty in the country completely. "The human rights commission has recommended that the government first sign and then ratify the second optional protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which is aimed at abolishing the death penalty," commission secretary Testemir Abishev said at a roundtable in Almaty on 19 October. Article 49 on the death penalty should be removed from Kazakhstan's Penal Code, he said. Kazakhstan has a death penalty moratorium and has not applied this type of punishment for more than ten years, the rights activist said. "In certain exceptional cases regulated by laws, including the constitution, the death penalty could be applied at the legislative level, for example as punishment for a very serious crime committed in time of war resulting in fatalities, or a terrorism-related crime resulting in fatalities," Abishev said. Interfax (19 Oct.): Rights activists recommend abolishing death penalty in Kazakhstan Friday

44. Kazakhstan The ceremony of the launch of the rocket-artillery ship "Kazakhstan" in Aktau Kazakhstan has formally launched its first warship in the Caspian Sea, the rocket-artillery ship "Kazakhstan", with a ceremony in Aktau, the country's main naval base, on 19 October. Kazakhstan's DM, Adilbek Dzhaksybekov, said at the ceremony that the Caspian is "becoming a strategic zone of global significance": "The government is taking measures to create here a self-sufficient group of armed forces, equipped with up-to-date weapons and technology, capable of defending the military security of the Caspian region in all spheres - in the water, land and air." Dzhaksybekov reiterated that Kazakhstan is building two more ships of the same type as "Kazakhstan," which underwent three months of testing in the Caspian this summer before formally entering service, reported CaspioNet. Eurasia (20 Oct.): Kazakhstan launches warship into Caspian Saturday

45. Kyrgyzstan Jailed Kyrgyz opposition leader Kamchybek Tashiev has been brought to a penitentiary hospital after he felt unwell while on hunger strike. Tashiev, the leader of the Ata-Jurt (Homeland) party, and two legislators from his party were detained and charged with stirring public unrest for their role in violent protests by about 1,000 demonstrators in Bishkek on 3 October. Tashiev's lawyer told RFE/RL that his client started a hunger strike on 17 October to protest his two-month pre-trial detention. It is not clear if Tashiev is continuing his hunger strike in the hospital. Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security says his current health state is stable. Hundreds of supporters of the three jailed parliament members have rallied in Bishkek, Jalal-Abad, and Osh for days demanding their immediate release. RFE (19 Oct.): Jailed Kyrgyz opposition leader hospitalized after hunger strike Friday

46. Kyrgyzstan The former Kyrgyz military prosecutor, Kubat Kozhonaliyev, who was detained during the 3 October rally in Bishkek, has been admitted to hospital, the privately-owned Kyrgyz AKIpress news agency website reported on 19 October. Quoting rights activist, Toktoayym Umetaliyeva, the report says: "Kozhonaliyev was not provided with medical assistance" in the remand centre of the State National Security Committee although "he had high blood pressure" and "felt unwell" on 18 October. "As a result, he was not able to appear at today's (19 October) court hearing on changing pre-trial restrictions," the report quoted Umetaliyeva as saying. AKIpress (19 Oct.): Kyrgyz demonstrator admitted to hospital Friday

47. Kyrgyzstan Daniyar Narymbaev has been appointed as the head of the presidential administration. The corresponding decree has been signed by Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev on 19 October, KyrTAG reported referring to the presidential press-service. According to another decree, Ikramzhan Ilmiyanov has been appointed as the First Deputy Head of the presidential administration. It should be stressed that Narymbaev served as the First Deputy Head of the presidential administration. Earlier, he was the President's Permanent Representative in the Parliament. Trend (19 Oct.): Kyrgyz presidential administration head appointed Friday

48. Tajikistan “Young people and women of our country are mostly interested in the Islamic Rebirth Party of Tajikistan [IRPT],” the IRPT leader and deputy of the lower house of the Tajik parliament, Muhiddin Kabiri, said delivering a speech at George Washington University on 17 October. A source at the IRPT told Asia-Plus that in his speech, Kabiri said that now the number of members of his party reaches 42,000 and over 50 per cent of them are women. The IRPT leader told students of the prestigious US university that after the killing of the head of the directorate of the State Committee on National Security in Mountainous Badakhshon Autonomous Region, Gen Abdullo Nazarov, (on 21 July), Tajikistan's authorities conducted a military operation in Khorugh, in which 70 people were killed. As part of his visit to the US, the IRPT leader was meeting Tajiks living in the US at the Islamic Centre of New York later on 19 October. Asia-Plus (19 Oct.): Islamic party plays stabiliser role in Tajik society - party leader Friday

49. Tajikistan Iran and Tajikistan signed a memorandum of understanding on free trade zones on 19 October. The MoU was signed at the closing day of the exclusive exhibition on Iran's free zones which was held in Dushanbe, the ILNA News Agency reported. The event aims to give a boost to economic, industrial and cultural ties between the two countries. Investments and joint venture opportunities in Iran's free zones and special economic zones, meeting needs of Tajikistan and other Central Asian nations, were presented to visitors in the Persian, English, and Russian languages. The exhibitions on books, handicrafts and traditional arts were also held. Iran's and Tajikistan's trade turnover last year exceeded USD 500 mln, Tehran's ambassador to Dushanbe, Ali Asghar Sherdoost, said. Trend (19 Oct.): Iran, Tajikistan sign free trade zone agreement Friday

50. Tajikistan Not all countries acknowledge the heavy burden of Tajikistan in the protection of the Tajik-Afghan border and this way ensuring security not only for Central Asia, but Russia and Europe, State National Security Committee Chairman Saimudin Yatimov said on 19 October at a ceremony devoted to the 20th anniversary of the Border Cooperation Group of the Russian Federal Security Service in Tajikistan. Tajikistan always remembers contribution of the Russian border guards in protection of the state boundaries of the country. Russian border guards actively help Tajikistan now, he added. Russia provides practical support in the protection of the borders with Afghanistan and China, Anatoly Mikheev, Chief of the Border Cooperation Group, said. “Our officers provide support to border protection units. We provide assistance in organization of drills and exercises. Russia will provide support to our colleagues to prevent shift of tension from Afghanistan to Central Asia,” he said. CA-News (19 Oct.): Tajikistan ensures security for itself, Central Asia, Russia and Europe - national security agency chief Friday

51. Tajikistan US Ambassador to Tajikistan Susan M. Elliott and Rustam Nazarov, Director of the Drug Control Agency (DCA) under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, recently signed a bi-lateral agreement in which the US will provide USD 9.5 mln to support programs related to border security, law enforcement reform, counter narcotics, trafficking-in-persons, and justice sector development in Tajikistan. According to the US Embassy in Dushanbe, the US' financial assistance will be used to curb the illegal transport of goods and people across Tajikistan’s borders and support a comprehensive police reform program through community policing partnerships and training for law enforcement agencies. The Tajik National University Law School will also receive funding to improve the skills of future legal professionals. Asia-Plus (19 Oct.): US government provides USD 9.5 mln to support law enforcement and rule of law in Tajikistan Friday

52. Tajikistan Students at Tajik universities will not be allowed to attend trainings, seminars, or conferences organized by foreign organizations unless their participation in such events is approved by the Education Ministry, the ministry said in a directive sent to all universities and vocational schools in Tajikistan. "The Education Ministry of the Republic of Tajikistan announces that the organization of various conferences, seminars, and events by international organizations and involving students contradicts current legislation," the directive, the text of which is possessed by Interfax, says. The directive does not contain references to any specific regulations. Lawyers who are discussing the directive on Tajik social networking sites say it contradicts all Tajik law. Tajik First Deputy Education Minister Farhod Rahimov told reporters the purpose of the new directive is to prevent students from being distracted from their studies. Interfax (19 Oct.): Tajik Education Ministry bans students from attending foreign seminars and conferences Friday

53. Tajikistan The tank crews of the 201st Russian Base in Tajikistan have passed a firing test with good results, the Russian MoD TV channel Zvezda reported on 20 October. The T-72 crews had been preparing for the final test, which took place at the Lyaur firing range, for a year, the newsreader said. The tank crews had only three minutes to fire live ammunition at appearing and moving targets. To make the test more difficult, the terrain of the range had been altered to make it more uneven. All crews passed the test with good and excellent results, the newsreader said. Zvezda TV (20 Oct.): Russian tanks hold firing test in Tajikistan Saturday

54. Turkmenistan Turkmenistan will attract this year USD 3.8 bln in investments from its production sharing agreements (PSAs) with foreign firms developing oilfields in the Caspian, a senior state official said on 18 October. Rising investment in Turkmenistan's oil-rich Caspian shelf indicates growing interest by foreign oil firms to develop deep-lying but promising riches in the sea, while the state has been reluctant to admit Western companies to its onshore resources. Official data put last year's investment in the Caspian Sea shelf at USD 2.1 bln. "Our forecasts show that investments in Turkmenistan's sector of the Caspian Sea shelf are set to total USD 3.8 bln," Ashirguly Begliev, deputy chairman of the state agency for the use and management of hydrocarbon resources, told an investment conference. The Turkmen sector of the Caspian comprises 32 licence blocks. Two of them are being developed and another three are being explored. Reuters (19 Oct.): Turkmenistan sees oil investment up at USD 3.8 bln Friday

55. Uzbekistan Iran's new Ambassador to Uzbekistan Ali Mardanifar met with Uzbek President Islam Karimov in Tashkent and conferred on the latest developments in the two countries' bilateral relations. During the meeting on 19 October, Mardanifar submitted his credentials to President Karimov. The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest. The new ambassador said that during his tenure he will do his best to develop and promote ties in all fields. The Uzbek president, for his part, referred to Iran and Uzbekistan historical and cultural commonalities, and noted that two countries' ties have been enhanced in the all arenas in the past 20 years. Iran has recently enhanced efforts to boost political, economic and cultural ties and cooperation with the regional and neighbouring countries, specially the Persian Gulf littoral states and those in the Central Asia. Fars (19 Oct.): Iran's new envoy, Uzbek president discuss bilateral ties Friday

56. Afghanistan The withdrawal of French combat troops from Afghanistan will happen "a bit more quickly than anticipated" and could be completed before the end of December, France's FM Laurent Fabius said on 20 October. Fabius was interviewed by French television BFM about the troop withdrawal while on a visit to Kabul. "We can say that it is going well and I think even that it will happen a bit more quickly than anticipated," he said. "We have said by the end of December (2012) but I think that it can happen a bit earlier," Fabius said, adding that "some men will still remain" in the country, responsible mainly for repatriating equipment and the training of the Afghan army. "But there will be no more combat troops," he stressed. France is the fifth largest contributor to ISAF, which is due to pull out the vast majority of its 130,000 forces by the end of 2014. AFP (20 Oct.): France says Afghanistan troop pullout faster than expected Saturday

57. Afghanistan The former IM, Ali Ahmad Jalali, again wants to join the next presidential race. A reliable source told the pro-government Afghan newspaper Weesa that Jalali might announce his candidacy for the presidential polls at a news conference in Kabul on October. According to the source, Jalali held meetings with a number of influential political and government figures on this. He was also a candidate in the previous presidential polls. But later he withdrew his candidacy in support of President Karzai. Apart from Jalali, it seems that the former American ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq and the UN, Zalmay Khalilzad, is also willing to join the presidential race and has embarked on his own election campaign. Weesa (21 Oct.): Afghan ex-IM to announce presidential candidacy Sunday

58. Hungary Hungary said on 19 October it could raise Europe's highest bank levy further and hike taxes on other businesses to curb its budget deficit while claiming it was being "blackmailed" by the European Commission. "Whatever we do, it is never enough," Orban said in Brussels after holding a teleconference with his government. "We ask the EU to tell us how much is missing and however much it tells us, we will deliver," he said, indicating that the remaining funds could be raised from higher taxes on banks, public utilities, energy firms and online gambling. Orban's emphasis on measures such as retaining Europe's highest bank tax, rather than cutting spending, has hampered talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over a loan to rebuild market confidence and curb borrowing costs. Reuters (20 Oct.): Hungary says "blackmailed" by EU, flags new tax hikes Saturday

59. OSCE Russia will highlight the need to change OSCE electoral standards at the forthcoming meeting of the Council of FMs of the OSCE in Dublin. “The OSCE hasn’t yet worked out any universally acknowledged rules of election monitoring for the ODIHR,” Russian FM Sergei Lavrov said after negotiations with his Ukrainian counterpart Konstantin Grishchenko on 19 October. “Russia submitted a relevant proposal to the OSCE as early as 2007. This proposal can serve as a basis for future discussions. We are going to remind the OSCE about this proposal and distribute in once again at the forthcoming meeting of the Council of OSCE FMs in Dublin in December,” Lavrov emphasized. Lavrov recalled that Ukraine would take over the OSCE presidency in January 2013. “We are going to support all the concepts which the Ukrainian presidency is going to have,” the Russian FM said. Itar-Tass (19 Oct.): Russia to suggest changing OSCE electoral standards in Dublin in December Friday

60. Romania The allegedly racist owner of Steaua Bucharest football club will run in Romania's parliamentary polls on 9 December despite widespread criticism, a leader of the left-wing ruling coalition said on 19 October. Dozens of rights groups earlier this week called on the ruling Social Liberal Union (USL) not to put Gigi Becali on its list of candidates, describing him as a "misogynist, homophobic and racist politician." But Senate speaker Crin Antonescu, who is also one of the two presidents of the USL, said he had "full confidence in Becali's good intentions." "Gigi Becali has his own electorate...and we have decided we can fight together in this election," Antonescu told a press conference. He added that Becali, a former shepherd turned wealthy businessman, was a "picturesque character and a fighter." AFP (19 Oct.): 'Racist' soccer boss to run in Romania poll Friday

61. Romania Chairman of the National Liberal Party (PNL), which is included in the ruling Social Liberal Union, Crin Antonescu said on 19 October that the presence of the OSCE observers at the December parliamentary election in Romania was not needed as Romania demonstrated that it did no longer belong to the category of the countries in which the free and correct character of elections was questioned. “Frankly speaking, I think that the presence of the OSCE observers is not needed. On the other hand, none of us must be afraid of or avoid the presence of any observers. I think that Romania is a country which demonstrated long ago that, despite some irregularities which were not punished in due time, which were not inventoried enough, in spite of all this, it is no longer one of the countries in which the fundamentally free and correct character of elections should be questioned. As for us, we do not mind anybody's presence,” Antonescu said. Agerpres (19 Oct.): Presence of OSCE observers at parliamentary election is not needed - Crin Antonescu Friday

62. Russia President Vladimir Putin on 20 October took the helm of what the Kremlin described as the largest nuclear command exercise in Russia's recent history, launching unarmed strategic and cruise missiles from the air, the sea and the ground. Russian news broadcasts on 20 October featured images of the fiery launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile from a site near Arkhangelsk, in northern Russia, which was said to have arced across most of Russia and hit its target in the far eastern region of Kamchatka. Another missile was shown bursting up from the Sea of Okhotsk, west of Kamchatka. In a brief statement, Dmitri Peskov, Putin's spokesman, told Russian news agencies that the test took place ''under Putin's personal control.'' ''The supreme commander in chief made a high assessment'' of the performance of Russia's combat units and staff, Peskov told Interfax and other news services. NY Times (21 Oct.): Russia stages missile test, with Putin taking the helm Sunday

63. Russia Russian troops on 21 October reported killing 49 militants in a massive security sweep that followed angry comments from President Vladimir Putin about raging violence in the troubled North Caucasus. The National Anti-Terror Committee said the operation was conducted across several republics of the volatile Muslim region and resulted the removal of some of the most "odious" guerrilla commanders and their followers. "The coordinated action helped terminate the activities of several odious gang leaders, gang members and their associates, substantially damaging the system under which the bandits operate," Interfax quoted a committee statement as saying. The committee said the "large-scale and massive" raids involved both local and federal troops and that 90 militia bases had been destroyed. However, gave no details about the timeframe for the operation or when it started. AFP (21 Oct.): Russia troops kill 49 militants in North Caucasus sweep Sunday

64. Russia / Iran The Chairman of the Social Council at the Russian MoD Igor Korotchenko said on 20 October that based on international regulations Iran had no limits to purchase defensive weapons from Russia. Speaking to reporters, the official referred to Iran as a good market for Russian arms. He added that Tehran could potentially buy some USD 11-13 bln of Russian weapons and military equipments in near future. In addition to the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and Vietnam) which are the main purchasers of Russian arms, Iran should also find a proper status among Russia's major partners. On the role of the anti-Iran sanctions in hampering promotion of Tehran-Moscow ties, Korotchenko said it was clear that the sanctions were approved under the US pressure in the UN Security Council. The official stressed that the sanctions would not halt exports of Russia's defence equipments, air defence systems in particular, to Iran. IRNA (20 Oct.): No limits on selling Moscow's defensive weapons to Tehran - Russian official Saturday

65. Turkey Natural gas supplies from Iran to Turkey were disrupted again after a new attack blamed on outlawed Kurdish rebels on a pipeline in the country's northeast, local authorities said on 21 October. "Terrorists sabotaged the Dogubayazit-Van natural gas pipeline on 20 October... forcing a disruption in the flow," the governorate of the north-eastern city of Agri said in a statement quoted by the Anatolia news agency. Forces dispatched to the area defused explosives found near the blast zone, the statement added. The same pipeline near the town of Dogubayazit in Agri city was targeted by the rebels on 8 October, but gas supplies were resumed a week ago after a six-day repair. On 19 October, rebels wounded 28 Turkish soldiers when they sabotaged a pipeline in Eleskirt, another town located in Agri province, local media reported. AFP (21 Oct.): Gas flow from Iran to Turkey disrupted after new blast - report Sunday

66. Turkey / Syria Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu said a Yemen-style transfer of power is no longer suitable for the situation in Syria, in a press conference upon his arrival in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on 20 October, Xinhua reported. "The Yemen-style transfer of power is no longer suitable to be implemented in Syria, and we call on Iran to use its powerful influence to halt the aggression on the Syrian people," Davutoglu told reporters in a joint press conference with his Yemeni counterpart Abu Bakr al- Qerbi. Trend (20 Oct.): Turkish FM says Yemen-style power transfer no longer suitable for Syria Saturday

67. US / Iran Iran and the US both denied any deal had been reached for one-on- one nuclear talks, as the New York Times has reported - even though the White House has said it was open to such a dialogue. The report from the top US newspaper - published late on 20 October and immediately refuted by Washington and Tehran - comes at a key point in the US presidential campaign, with incumbent Barack Obama set to face Republican rival Mitt Romney on 22 October in their last of three debates, this one focused on foreign policy. Iran and its controversial nuclear program will certainly be a top issue for whoever wins the White House following the 6 November vote. When asked on 21 October about the New York Times report, Iranian FM Ali Salehi said: "We are not involved in such a thing right now." In Washington, White House National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said "it's not true that the US and Iran have agreed to one-on-one talks or any meeting after the American elections." AFP (21 Oct.): US and Iran deny any deal for bilateral nuclear talks Sunday

68. 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. Contact details + 43-1-514 36 6167 Current Issues Tel. + 43-1-533 30 30 ISDN Line Tel. + 43-1-533 30 20 Fax E-mail: SitCen-at@osce.org TEAM: Jürg WINZENRIED Mira HAXHIAJ Vladimir NIKOLOV Giso TOPAS Siegfried WÖBER Levan KHUBULAVA Angela WIESER