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How to select this?
Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
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[This is my code](http://cdpn.io/fgHjJ "Link to code")
This is for a drop down menu.
The inner ul li a's have a border border bottom. How would I remove the bottom border from the last link?
I've tried last-child and last child of type I'm using sass.
Cheers guys
I cant see any bottom border there. What you have there is text underline.
A common mistake is applying last-child on the A and not the LI, perhaps you did that.
Also, I would recommend to target first-child instead of last-child, for older browser support (older IE knows first-child but not last-child).
This may be what you were after: http://codepen.io/senff/pen/akftq
I was just showing you the HTML not the CSS. I tried pasting in my SASS and Codepen didn't like my indentation.
I've figured it out now anyways having spent ages messing about.
I just used first-child but applied the border to the li not the a if that makes any sense at all.
Sorry just rushing around today trying to get stuff done.
Thanks for your time man!
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text:
Shop 25G Melbourne's GPO 350 Bourke St Melbourne 3000
Shop 25G Melbourne's GPO 350 Bourke St Melbourne 3000
周一至周二11:30-16:30,周三至周六11:30 –21:00,周日12:00-16:00
03 9654 5838
Arrived here 15 mins before it closed on a Wed evening. Ordered a Charshu ramen Tonkutsu base. Portion wasn't huge, but ingredients were generous. Noodles were soft and tasty and broth was not too thick. Egg wasn't soft boiled like how I like it usually, but overall dish was ok. Came with higher expectations. Bright side: they have Calpis!

subset: commoncrawl


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The process of buying a new Hyundai car or truck can seem overwhelming if you don't know where to begin. Edmunds.com can get you started on the right track with a convenient directory of Hyundai car dealerships in and around Loganville, Pennsylvania. Compare online price quotes on the new or used car, truck, SUV, minivan, or wagon of your choice to locate the best deals. Edmunds.com makes it easy to find trusted Hyundai car dealers in Loganville, saving car buyers time and money on what will be an important purchase.
Non Display Review Name "My salesman Al Garfall, was personable yet professional. He had a vast knowledge of the Hyundai Elantra, as well as what was in stock which helped m"... Read more Review by: elantra_2
Non Display Review Name "Kevin sold my father and I a vehicle! Not only do I love my car but my father truly enjoys his Tucson as well! Kevin is very professional and treats y"... Read more Review by: Mikegop
Non Display Review Name "This was my first time purchasing a vehicle through a car dealership, but I have been with others through their experience. Hands down this is the fri"... Read more Review by: LFureman32


text: Take a look at the technology inside the growing job shop, though, and you will see the way things are shaping up for the future. Across the 200,000-sq.-ft. facility, lasers cut and presses stamp. But when Edwin Stanley, vice president of operations, surveyed his bending capabilities he "felt like we weren't on the leading edge of press brake technology and where we needed to be."


text:
GoRun - A unique new fitness app with real world rewards
GoRun - A unique new fitness app with real world rewards
GoRun is a fitness app for the iPhone that rewards you with discounts, freebies, and much more when you achieve your goals.
GoRun is a fitness app for the iPhone that rewards you with discounts, freebies, and much more when you achieve your goals. Read more
About this project
GoRun is a unique new fitness app that provides real world rewards at fitness milestones. Earn money, discount vouchers, magazine subscriptions and much more, all while getting fit and staying healthy.
The app
GoRun is designed to do just one thing - keep our users motivated and help them to reach their fitness goals.
The app is designed to be as simple to use as possible. Lots of time has been spent going through hundreds of layouts and possible user journeys in an effort to create an intuitive, seamless experience that can fit effortlessly into your workout.
Home screen
The GoRun Home Screen shows your current goal, and any progress you have made towards it. It also doubles up as the main interface for when you're out running, showing you your time and distance covered and giving you a real time view of your progress towards your next reward.
Reward store
The reward store is where users go to select the fitness goals that they want to work towards. Every goal has a corresponding reward, and goals are available in different levels - the more goals you complete, the higher value rewards you can unlock.
Where do the rewards come from?
GoRun rewards are offered by companies who want to promote great products, services, music, films - you name it! They see the value in helping people to live a healthier lifestyle, and want to play an important part in that journey.
All rewards are vetted before they are added to the store, to ensure that our users are getting the best deals and incentives to keep their fitness routine on track.
What the Kickstarter project is for
The design work, wireframing site maps and all of the planning work are done. We have selected a developer and now need to raise the funds to begin development and help turn GoRun into a living, breathing app.
Bonus goal...
I would be so happy to reach the goal for this project. If I was lucky enough to surpass it, £30,000 would ensure that the Android version goes into development AT THE SAME TIME as the iPhone version which I would absolutely LOVE to be able to do!
Why Kickstarter?
Lots of reasons! We love the sense of community, and the idea of everybody pulling together to create something new. We hope to not only raise money with our Kickstarter project, but awareness too. With your support we can help spread the word about the GoRun app, hopefully get more and more people into running and staying active, and show all of our potential marketers that GoRun is a great way to show off their products and help people stay healthy.
How GoRun started
I have been in to fitness from a young age, but over the past few years life seems to have gotten in the way a bit! I decided it was time to stop making excuses and get myself back out there, and my first stop was the app store to see what was available.
After trying a few apps I noticed one thing that seemed to be missing - motivation. Getting fit can be a big challenge and I wanted to create an app to help people stay motivated and reach their goals, and that's when I had the idea for GoRun. Many (many!) design versions and countless hours of planning later, here it is - the finished design! I'm sure there are still a few changes to come before the full app is released, but it's now at the stage where it needs more than just me for it to become a reality!
Who's Involved
The app has been designed by myself, and I am also handing all web aspects of the build. The advanced aspects of the app development are being handled by my friends at Put It Out apps, headed up by Saad Farooq. Other than that all of the legwork in marketing, approaching brands and all of the admin and everything that comes with it falls down to myself!
I've done my best to put together rewards that show my true appreciation to everyone who backs GoRun. If there's a particular reward that you think would be great but hasn't been added, please let me know and I will be my best to include it!
GoRun Beanies
High quality beanies, in your choice of colours & embroided with the text version of the GoRun logo.
GoRun T-shirt
High quality, screen printed limited edition backer tees!
GoRun Hoody
Limited edition backer hoodies! High quality screen printed hoodies to keep you warm on those winter runs.
A helping hand...
We would love it if you could help us out by heading over to www.facebook.com/GoRunApp and giving us a like - the more support we can show, the bigger brands we can get on board and the more (and better!) rewards we can offer our users. Thanks Kickstarter!
Risks and challenges
Our main challenge is awareness. The App store is a competitive place, and the competition is very, very tough. We're competing with hundreds of other apps, including people like Nike, all with a similar audience to ours. But we believe that GoRun is different, and with enough exposure we can take on the competition and win.
Without enough awareness, we will struggle to get marketers to promote their products through GoRun, and without promotions we lose the key thing that sets us apart.
We hope to use our Kickstarter project as a springboard to overcome these hurdles. We have some good contacts in some great companies, and we're confident that once they see all the great support we're getting, they'll start believing in us too.Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
Yes! There will be an Android version of the app very soon. We are focusing on the iPhone at the moment in order to keep our initial costs down, but as soon as the iPhone development is complete, work on the Android version will begin. All things going well, an Android release should only be a couple of months behind the iPhone version. Please don't be put off pledging by thinking that we are neglecting the Android market!
Absolutely. We want to make getting fit and healthy easy and accessible to everybody, so making a paid app just wouldn't seem right!
Our aim is to get people out and about, being active and living a healthy lifestyle. If you want to use your bike to earn rewards using GoRun, that's great! If the interest is there then we may well create some Cycling specific goals within GoRun...and maybe even a 'GoRide' app in the long run!
Nice try, but we will be putting a speed limit on the app to stop this happening! Besides, if you're willing to try that hard to avoid exercise then perhaps this isn't the app for you!
Support this project
Funding period
- (30 days)


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Ritual of power #scfi @kayelleallen #giveaway
The ritual Pietas undergoes in Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas is used on the planet Kaffir is summon spirits. He performs the ritual to affirm his own superior strength and prowess. In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Pietas performs an important ceremony.
Ritual of Power
Early on the first morning of the peace talks, Pietas entered his round bathing room. Starlight filtered through the portal overhead. Sleek silver walls reflected the cool light.
He remained at the door, content to savor its calming glow. Its beauty did not dispel the worry niggling at his mind. Not given to trusting premonitions and omens, he grounded himself with meditation. Once he centered himself and calmed his spirit, Pietas took a deep, purifying breath, and with slow deliberation, exhaled.
"Time to begin. Lights."
The room brightened.
He shed his silk robe and let it fall at his feet. Nude, his platinum hair streaming down his back and chest, he lifted his hands, palms up as if praying.
On the planet Kaffir, warriors used this ritual to summon spirits. He used it to affirm his own superior strength and prowess.
Before a copper fire pit, he plucked one blond hair, and fed it to the fire. It singed and melted.
"As fire has victory over life, so I have victory over my enemies."
He passed a hand through the flame, and hissed at the searing heat, relishing the pain. He cupped his hand over the flame's source, and held it until the fire went out. The burns on his palm cooled, and as he watched, the skin healed. Of all the elements, fire alone had power to linger on an Ultra's skin. He welcomed it as a symbol of victory.
"I am powerful, as fire is powerful."
Pietas thrust both hands forward, clutched his fists, and yanked them back.
"I own the wind. I prevail over the breath of my enemies."
In the bathing area, he took six steps down into a waist-deep pool.
"Water submits to my presence the way enemies submit to my will."
He cupped water in his hands, lifted it, and let it pour down his arms.
"The blood of my enemies trickles into the pool of time, is absorbed, and forgotten."
He pushed wet fingers through his hair, and released it.
"My mind is clear. I do not waver."
He submersed, and rose, head thrown back, face lifted to the sparkle of stars above.
"My body submits to my will. No pain defeats me. No fear touches me."
He swept his hands down his chest to his loins, and the tops of his thighs.
"My will is absolute."
A scratching sound alerted him to the presence of his silver-skinned android servant. The creature entered, and Pietas fixed him with a hard glare. "Why did you interrupt me?"
"Your guest is here, my lord, in the living area." He offered Pietas a towel.
"Leave it." He waved the android away.
After exiting the pool, Pietas brushed off the water and wrung out his hair. He pulled out a tray holding half a dozen clasps. He chose a silver dragon studded with six turquoise stones, twisted his wet hair, and fastened it up, out of the way.
He dried his face, gathered a brush, and picked up a pot of black face paint. Leaning in close to a freestanding mirror, he outlined a bandit's mask from beneath his eyes to over his dark eyebrows, and filled it with black.
He'd worn the mask in battle ever since defeating the First Division, a human special-ops group formed to fight Ultras. It came about because Pietas had slain an enemy, and blood splashed across his eyes. Thinking the blood belonged to Pietas, the Ultra troops had rallied to him and slaughtered the humans. The blood dried almost black.
Stories of how their "bandit king" had conquered the First Division filled the night. The name stuck. To his troops, he was First Conqueror, War Leader of the Ultras.
Pietas turned his head side to side, surveying the effect.
His body would reject foreign matter on his skin. The Ultra metabolism protected from every perceived attack, even harmless face paint. He closed his eyes and sprayed sealant over the mask to delay its disappearance by a few hours.
Satisfied with his looks, Pietas pulled on a pair of loose white lounging pants. With a deep, cleansing breath, he opened the door. Damp, shirtless, barefoot, he padded into the adjacent room.
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
When love shatters the unbreakable, it is chaos.
Read the first chapter https://kayelleallen.com/chaos-origin/
Available on KindleUnlimited
Amazon https://amzn.to/28QOTpb
Amazon print http://amzn.to/1SSmueB
CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp
Heat level: PG13
Genre: YA (older young adult), bromance, action adventure, science fiction, space opera, military science fiction, space marine, genetic engineering
Publisher; Romance Lives Forever Books
Wordcount: 52,492
Pages: 186
Meet Kayelle Allen
Homeworld/Blog https://kayelleallen.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook https://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
To know when Kayelle releases a book, do one of the following. 1) Join the Romance Lives Forever Reader Group Download three free books and get news about books coming soon. One book downloads immediately and two more full color illustrated books arrive the next day. You can unsubscribe at any time. 2) Follow Kayelle's Amazon Author Page and get one alert from Amazon when a new story is available. 3) Sign up for AuthorAlarms and the app will send you one email when she releases a new story. You can add and remove authors at any time.
Giveaway – Free Download
Download and print three PDF Bookmarks. The first features Six, the human warrior. The second is Pietas, the immortal warrior. The third is the two, back to back. The characters are drawn to scale: Six is 6′ (1.8m) tall.
Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-six.pdf
Pietas https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas.pdf
Pietas and Six https://kayelleallen.com/media/boc-bookmark-pietas6.pdf
Download a free adult coloring book you can print and share. Relax and color with friends. It's fun!https://kayelleallen.com/media/pietas-coloring-book.pdf


text:
Use the tools below to refine your search by only displaying reviews with a certain number of star ratings or to only show reviews from a certain time period. Eg click on '1 star' to just display the reviews we have which received a 1 star rating click or 'Within the last month' to display just reviews posted over the last month.
Written on: 21/01/2006 by vellum (61 reviews written)
The Design course at Middlesex University is a big class, staffs don't have enough time and patience for all students, expensive living costs, nice campus with greens, and low cost university bus to commute among campus. The computer facilities are OK compared to many other university's. It is easy to make friends in class, and the course structure is OK… Read Full Review
As rated by our community of reviewers
" Not bothered " Read More
" The University of Manchester has a well-deserved reputation for pro... " Read More
Written by NewAmusements
" Though tough the course was presented in a logical way which made i... " Read More
" Software Development, SEO/SMO Services, PPC Services, App De " Read More
" A course worth taken " Read More
Written by marionsilvers


text:
- News tagged "avermedia"
Thursday, 13 Oct 2016
AVerMedia updates their portable game capture card – Live Gamer Portable 2
The new USB capture card comes with built-in console party chat streaming, and it kept the feature where streamers can directly record gameplay to a MicroSD card on the device.
Thursday, 14 Apr 2016
AVerMedia launches Aegis - the dedicated gaming microphone
The Aegis Gaming Microphone is an aggressive-looking standalone gaming microphone, featuring ambient noise suppression and fluid controls.
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
AVerMedia to Showcase Innovative HD Video Sharing Products at Computex 2013
AVerMedia is set to showcase the latest HD video capture and streaming products for both individual and enterprise customers at Computex 2013.
Saturday, 17 Nov 2012
AVerMedia to Unveil Live Gamer Portable at Dreamhack Winter 2012
AVerMedia has announced that they will be revealing the prototype of "Live Gamer Portable" at Dreamhack Winter 2012. Designed for gamers, this capture device shares the same concept with Live Gamer HD. Read on to find out more.
Tuesday, 20 Mar 2012
AVerMedia Launches Game BroadCaster HD C127
A 1080p HD video capture designed for hardcore console and PC gamers, the Game Broadcaster HD adopts PCIe interface to ensure Full HD content can be preserved smoothly.
Wednesday, 30 Nov 2011
AVerMedia Announced Game Broadcaster HD for Consoles and PCs
Supporting a wide range of graphics card resolutions, the Game Broadcaster HD is a 1080p HD video capture card that adopts PCIe interface. Designed for hardcore console and PC gamers.
Friday, 25 Nov 2011
AVerMedia Launches Game Capture HD Video Capture Box
The Game Capture HD incorporates the H.264 hardware compression technology, which maximises storage efficiency without compromising live gameplay.
Friday, 21 Oct 2011
AVerCaster, an Innovative Multicast Solution Announced
The AVerCaster is a customized solution of video capture and streaming for industrial users in various application fields.
Monday, 18 Apr 2011
AVerMedia Announced the Ultimate 1080p Full HD Capture Card
AVerMedia announces the DarkCrystal HD Capture SDK II, a 1080p full HD video capture solution for professionals in diverse industries such as internet TV broadcasters, online education institutes, or instrument and medical manufacturers.


text:
Two men on a whale shark - level 3
25-06-2015 15:00
A British wildlife group has called for two men who were filmed surfing on the back of a whale shark to be prosecuted. This footage, which originally surfaced on social media and is thought to have been shot in Venezuela, shows the men standing on the whale shark while being towed by a speedboat. Conservationist group Marine Connection reacted angrily to the footage and called for both men to be charged.
On their Facebook page, they said wildlife harassment is never a laughing matter and said the whale shark is a protected and vulnerable species.
Measuring up to 40 feet in length (12 metres), the whale shark is the largest living fish in the world. They pose no threat to humans, feeding mainly on plankton and small fish.
This footage has already been viewed a quarter of a million times on Facebook. Marine Connection says it wants these men brought to justice for what they called their stupidity and arrogance.
Difficult words: prosecute (to charge somebody with a crime and try to show that he or she is guilty in court), footage (video), tow (to pull), vulnerable (in danger), species (animal kind), plankton (a very small shrimp), arrogance (when you are rude because you think that you are important).
Source: www.ondemandnews.com
How to improve your English with News in Levels:


text:
City of Lubbock Home
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Report Animal Nuisance
Any of the following is considered a public nuisance or an animal disturbance:
Lubbock City Ordnance defines public nuisance as the conduct of any owner in allowing an animal to:
Engage in conduct which establishes such animal as a "dangerous animal";
Damage, soil, defile or defecate on private property other than the owner's or on public property, unless such waste is immediately removed and properly disposed of by the owner of the animal;
Be "at large" (excluding sterilized and registered cats that are identified by some means of traceable identification);
Cause a disturbance by excessive barking or noise making near the private residence of another;
Produce odors or unclean conditions sufficient to offend a person of normal sensibilities standing or which creates a condition conductive to the breeding of flies or other pests;
Chase vehicles, or molest, attack or interfere with other animals or persons, or is at-large on public or private property; or
Create a condition that is dangerous to human life or health; renders the ground, the water, the air or the food a hazard or injurious to human life or health or that is offensive to the senses; or that is detrimental to the public health.
To report a disturbance, please have the following information:
Your contact information
Location of disturbance
Type of animal
Detailed description of disturbance
*Animal disturbances will be investigated within Lubbock city limits.
*Animal Services will respond to each case on a priority basis.
Remember, if your animal is causing a disturbance, criminal or civil action can be taken.
Figure 1
Information on Barking
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Contact the City


text:
China developing Linux-based OS after Windows XP shutdown
China will focus on the development of a new operating system (OS) based on Linux to cope with the shutdown of Windows XP, an official said on Wednesday.
Zhang Feng, chief engineer of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said "the ministry will beef up support for the development of such an OS."
Microsoft ended support for the 13-year-old Windows XP on April 8 and advised users to upgrade to Windows 8 or get a new PC if necessary. About 70 percent of Chinese personal computers, even in critical sectors like telecommunications, are still running Windows XP.
"The shutdown will bring risks directly to China's basic telecommunication networks and threaten its overall security," said Zhang.
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text:
Core Jstl: Mastering the JSP Standard Tag Library
€ 48,49
Besorgung - Lieferbarkeit unbestimmt
Dezember 2002
BeschreibungA comprehensive reference for the JavaServer Pages Standard Tag Library (JSTL) - the powerful new addition to the JavaServer Pages standard.
- JSTL will be hugely popular because it simplifies the creation of complex data-driven applications.
- Explains how developers can access databases and manipulate and transform XML documents from within JSP pages.
- Part of the Sun Microsystems Press Series.
Inhaltsverzeichnisreface. Acknowledgments.
1. Introduction. JSTL Overview. Getting Started. A Simple JSTL Web Application. JSTL Design Principles.
2. The JSTL Expression Language. Expression Language Overview. Expressions. Identifiers. Operators. Type Coercion. Literal Values. Implicit Objects. Method Invocation. EL Expressions in Custom Actions. Common Mistakes.
3. General-Purpose and Conditional Actions. General-Purpose Actions. Conditional Actions. Using Conditional and General-Purpose Actions Together. Conditional Custom Actions.
4. Iteration Actions. The <c:forEach> Action. The <c:forTokens> Action. Iteration Status. Custom Iteration Actions.
5. Url Actions. Overview. The <c:import> Action. The <c:redirect> Action. The <c:url> Action. The <c:param> Action. Accessing External Resources. Accessing Resources in Foreign Contexts. Redirecting a Response.
6. Configuration Settings. Overview. The Config Class.
7. I18N Actions. Overview. I18N and L10N. Localization Contexts. An Overview of the I18N Actions. Use of
PortraitDAVID M. GEARY is the president of Sabreware, Inc., a training and consulting company focusing on server-side Java technology. He has been developing object-oriented software for nearly 20 years and was among the pioneers who worked on the Java platform APIs at Sun Microsystems from 1994 to 1997. Geary is the author of six books on Java technology, including the runaway best-selling Graphic Java series, and Advanced JavaServer Pages. A member of the expert group that developed JSTL, he is also a contributor to the Apache Struts JSP software application framework and wrote questions for the Web component developer certification exam. Since 1996, he has been a columnist for Java Report magazine. He also writes JavaWorld's Java Design Patterns column.
Untertitel: 'Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Ed'. Sprache: Englisch.
Verlag: PRENTICE HALL COMPUTER
Erscheinungsdatum: Dezember 2002
Seitenanzahl: 608 Seiten
Format: kartoniert
Alle Preise inkl. MwSt., ggf. zzgl. Versandkosten


text:
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USAID, Texas A&M Invest $5 Million to Combat Coffee Rust Crisis
Plant Disease Threatens Production and Jobs for Millions in Latin America & the Caribbean
202-712-4320 Email: email@example.com Twitter: @USAIDPress
Comunicado de prensa en español disponible aquí.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced a $5 million partnership with Texas A&M University's World Coffee Research to eliminate coffee rust, a plant disease that has caused more than $1 billion in economic damage across Latin America and the Caribbean since 2012 and seriously threatens the livelihoods and food security of those who make their living in the coffee industry, especially small farmers.
The partnership will support research on rust-resistant coffee varieties, address the shortage of disease-resistant coffee seedlings, and expand the capability of the region's coffee institutions to monitor and respond to coffee rust. Central America's smallholder farmers grow the bulk of the region's specialty coffee, a lucrative commodity that is in increasingly high demand in the United States and around the world. With USAID's investment, research will focus on establishing a more resilient and higher quality regional coffee sector.
"Coffee rust threatens more than your morning coffee—it affects jobs, businesses, and the security of millions across the Americas," said USAID's Associate Administrator Mark Feierstein. "We must tackle this outbreak to ensure farmers and laborers have stable incomes, don't start growing illicit crops, or be forced to migrate because they can no longer support their families. This partnership will tap innovative solutions to address the immediate and long-term impacts of coffee rust and help this key agriculture sector rebound."
The current coffee rust outbreak is the worst in Latin America's history. Reasons for current outbreak are varied, but USAID plant experts say that climate change is exacerbating the crisis. It is estimated that production will fall by as much as 15-40% in the coming years, which could trigger job losses exceeding 500,000. Decreased production may lead to decreases in incomes for smallholder farmers, making it harder to afford the fungicides and plant maintenance necessary to control the disease. The negative impacts of coffee rust go beyond the farmers and businesses that support the industry—seasonal laborers and their families are losing an import source of income.
Feed the Future, the U.S Government's global hunger and food security initiative, is working closely with Latin American and Caribbean governments, international and regional organizations, civil society, coffee associations and the private sector to mitigate the crisis, accelerate the recovery, and enable future growth. Earlier today, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah announced that Feed the Future initiative has reached 7 million small farmers and saved 12.5 million children from the threats of hunger, poverty and malnutrition. Feed the Future and complementary efforts have created thousands of news jobs, attracted billions of dollars in investments focused in agriculture, disbursed affordable new technologies aimed at managing the risks of a changing climate, and brought nutrient-packed foods to the mouths of millions of mothers and children around the world.
Overall, USAID is investing $14 million in the fight against coffee rust. In addition to the World Coffee Research partnership, the United States is:
Providing a regional emergency coffee coordinator to assist with regional coordination and disseminate best practices to combat rust.
Helping to develop a coffee pest early warning system to help predict and mitigate future outbreaks.
Working with regional and global partners to identify and disseminate the most effective mitigation strategies.
Collaborating with international financial institutions and coffee companies to develop new financing opportunities for replanting coffee trees with improved coffee varieties.
The U.S. Agency for International Development is leading the U.S. Government's efforts to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies.
Feed the Future is the U.S. Government's global hunger and food security initiative. With a focus on smallholder farmers, particularly women, Feed the Future supports partner countries in developing their agriculture sectors to spur economic growth and trade that increase incomes and reduce hunger, poverty and undernutrition. More information: www.feedthefuture.gov.
World Coffee Research is a non-profit, collaborative research and development program of the global coffee industry to grow, protect, and enhance supplies of quality coffee while improving the livelihoods of the families who produce it. More information: worldcoffeeresearch.org
Related Press Releases
- USAID, Texas A&M Invierten $5 Milliones Para Combatir la Crisis Causada Por la Roya del Cafe
- Feed the Future Initiative Reduces Hunger and Poverty for Millions, Boosts Incomes and Nutrition around the World
- USAID Unveils Results for President Obama's Feed the Future Initiative to Reduce Global Hunger and Poverty
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- USAID, Keurig Green Mountain, Cooperative Coffees, Starbucks and Root Capital Launch $23 Million Resilience Fund to Help Farms Fighting Coffee Rust Crisis
- USAID, Keurig Green Mountain, Cooperative Coffees, Starbucks and Root Capital Launch $23 Million Resilience Fund to Help Farmers Fighting Coffee Rust Crisis
- U.S. Assistance to Coffee Rust Affected Countries
- USAID Announces Support for African Coffee Sector on International Coffee Day
- USAID Officials to Travel to Iowa for Premier Conference on Global Agriculture
This press release is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Read full copyright information here.


text:
Updated bike check Green Smash 9/22/2014 11:53 PM
Added bike check Green Smash 9/21/2014 8:02 AM
Added a product review for Morewood Bicycles Makulu Frame 11/18/2011 6:48 PM
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Director, REL Northwest
Dr. Christopher Mazzeo
Christopher Mazzeo is the Director for Evidence Use and Policy at Education Northwest where he also serves as Director of REL Northwest. Dr. Mazzeo has over 15 years of experience developing actionable research and evaluation findings and building partnerships that support better research and evidence use. Prior to joining Education Northwest, Mazzeo spent three years with the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research (CCSR) assisting state and national policymakers, school districts, and researchers in developing early warning and college readiness indicator systems and creating new research-practice partnerships. Mazzeo has also served as an evaluation consultant to the Harvard University Strategic Data Project, as a senior education policy analyst with the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, and as Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Educational Leadership at Baruch College of the City University of New York. He earned his Ph.D. in Social Sciences, Policy, and Educational Practice at Stanford University in 2001.


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The Palo Alto Lions Club will hold its 47th annual Concours d'Elegance auto show Sunday, June 30, at the San Mateo County Event Center, instead of Stanford University's athletic field, where it has been held for the past 38 years.
This year's event highlights Cadillac and Ferrari models. There will be free car tours led by docents from the Blackhawk Museum, new car dealer exhibits, and school auto shop car projects. Food, beverages and entertainment will be part of the 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. exhibition.
Each year the Concours hosts a dinner and charity drive to benefit local charities. This year's beneficiary is the Jean Weingarten Peninsula Oral School for the Deaf in Redwood City.
General admission to the Concours is $25 in advance, $30 at the gate, and free for children under 16 accompanied by an adult. The San Mateo County Event Center is at 2495 S. Delaware St. in San Mateo.
Click here for more information.
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No, Ken Ham, whites are not colored people
(RNS) Substituting the term 'people groups' for 'race' is not going to rectify the manifold injustices of a nation that was founded on the enslavement of millions of Africans.
Religion News Service (http://religionnews.com/tag/charles-darwin/)
(RNS) Substituting the term 'people groups' for 'race' is not going to rectify the manifold injustices of a nation that was founded on the enslavement of millions of Africans.
(RNS) It's a fact of science that all humans are the same basic color, just different shades, while God's word declares that we are one race, descendants of Adam and Eve.
(RNS) Countering creationist theology, 25 evangelicals argue for science in a new book, "How I Changed My Mind About Evolution."
(RNS) As scientists, educators and others mark Feb. 12 as International Darwin Day, named for the man who advanced the theory of evolution, the anti-evolution camp is as active as ever.
VATICAN CITY (RNS) "God is not a divine being or a magician, but the Creator who brought everything to life," Pope Francis said.
A Fulbright scholar contends that animal suffering and death presents a formidable challenge for Christian creationists and Biblical literalists.
(RNS) A growing number of Americans are marking the 1809 birthday of the British naturalist whose masterpiece "On The Origin of Species" has never been out of print since its publication in 1859.
Stephen Myer, author of Darwin's Doubt, attempts to combine Biblical fidelity with scientific rigor.
(RNS) Robert Ingersoll was a Victorian-era rock star who packed theaters with people who traveled hundred of miles to hear his lectures against religion. Though largely forgotten, the man known as "The Great Agnostic" is enjoying a bit of a revival.
The battle over origins of life continues to rage, but what is at the heart of it all? Scholar and author Gerald Rau explains.
TORONTO (RNS) It's an unlikely setting for an unlikely class. The chapel at Jesuit-run Regis College is adorned with stained glass, icons of Mary and Joseph, and the Stations of the Cross. The eight-week course being taught here is on atheism. More properly, "Responding to 21st-Century Atheism."
(RNS) The St. Paul Saints, a Minnesota minor league baseball team, will become the "Mr. Paul Aints" in a game sponsored by a local atheist group. By Kimberly Winston.


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Friday night around 11 p.m. Freedom Township police officers, assisted by neighboring police departments, investigated a home at 140 Boyer Lane in Duncansville.
A warrant was issued for a suspect at the home.
While the officers were approaching the Boyer Lane residence, 3 individuals in plain view were observed making methamphetamine on the outside basement steps.
Seven people were detained and charges will be filed. Pennsylvania State Police cleared the house and collected evidence.
Freedom Township and Friendship Fire Departments assisted police.
Copyright 2017 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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The ISCIP Analyst
Behind the Breaking News
Publication Series
Lecture Series
Yel'tsin returns for a memoir moment
Former President Boris Yel'tsin emerged from the quiet seclusion of his retirement to promote his latest memoir, Midnight Diaries. Among the revelations published thus far, Yel'tsin describes the secrecy surrounding his decision to resign last New Year's Eve. Claiming that even his wife Naina was not aware of the decision until just hours before his televised announcement, Yel'tsin writes that it took several conversations with Vladimir Putin before the current president was persuaded to take up the post. Putin had "the doubts of a strong person." (NEWSWEEK BOOK EXCERPT from PRNewswire, 8 Oct 00; via Johnson's Russia List) Keeping the resignation a surprise was clearly a calculated maneuver. In Yel'tsin's view his ability to spring unexpected decisions on the public had been a useful tool: "[S]uch political moves have always helped me..., sometimes even when it seemed hopeless."
According to Yel'tsin, during the earlier decision to appoint Putin prime minister in August 1999, Unified Energy Systems (UES) chief and close presidential adviser, Anatoli Chubais, argued against Putin's nomination. Apparently he even attempted to convince Putin not to accept Yel'tsin's decision. It is unclear from reports just who informed the president of Chubais' opposition and his efforts to scuttle the president's selection of Putin.
Yel'tsin also agreed to an interview with Mike Wallace on 60 Minutes (8 Oct 00, CBS Network) to publicize his new book. Wallace highlighted the former president's apparent disconnect from reality through his views on Russia's place in the world, since Yel'tsin believes Russia has as much or more influence than the United States. More disturbing, however, was Yel'tsin's response to Wallace's recitation of the harsh conditions facing the Russian population, with its diminished standard of living: "Your data are wrong," Yel'tsin glared. "I don't believe your data."
Putin makes a gesture, but is it empty?
On 18 September, President Putin attended the opening ceremony of the Beis Menahem Jewish community center in Moscow. In a widely publicized address to the public, Putin praised the "upsurge" in the Jewish community as an "integral part of the general revival of folk traditions and spiritual values in Russia." (INTERFAX, 1658 GMT, 18 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0918, via World News Connection)
The president's high profile visit and remarks were seen as an attempt to reassure Russia's Jewish population that the state's attacks on Vladimir Gusinsky were strictly for his business dealings rather than his faith or leadership in the Jewish community. A recent article by the Kremlin's head of the Information and Analytical Agency casts doubts on that goal, however. Writing in Nezavisimaya gazeta, the Kremlin analyst addresses the subject of national security in the era of globalization and the danger of a "world government" created by a "small elite." "The triumph of power in the World government by a Hasidic-paramasonic [sic] group demands urgent correction," the presidential apparatchik states. (The writer is unidentified in the news item: "Power Play" by Yevgenia Albats in THE MOSCOW TIMES, 5 Oct 00; via lexis nexis)
President Putin clearly needs to clarify to the Russian population just what his administration's view is on relations with the Jewish community.
Tentative campaign against Chubais
There seems to be an attempt to challenge the powerful position of UES Chief Anatoli Chubais. Recent weeks have seen rolling power outages, perhaps provocative, that resulted in harsh criticism of Chubais. On 21 September, the Moscow division of the federal tax police announced it had instituted criminal proceedings against UES for nonpayment of taxes. (ITAR-TASS, 1003 GMT, 21 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0921, via World News Connection) Later the same day, the investigation was said to have been dropped. Dmitri Zhurba, financial director for UES, commented that the company had been informed of an investigation on 28 August. UES soon paid the amount in question to the state and believed the matter closed. (INTERFAX, 1412 GMT, 21 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-20000921, via World News Connection)
Zhurba seemed puzzled that the police would choose to publicize the investigation nearly a month after the fact, but was reassured that the case would be closed. It seems likely that the announcement was politically motivated, however: Chubais has both friends and enemies in the current administration. Time will tell which faction wins out.
by Susan J. Cavan
Collective security & the Taliban
The Collective Security Council (CSC) met, for the first time, on 28-29 September to discuss security challenges to the signatories of the Collective Security Treaty (CST): Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan. Of particular concern were Taliban forces engaged in combat with the anti-Taliban coalition about five or ten kilometers away from the Tajik-Afghan border and a large number of Afghan refugees at the border (estimated as high as 130,000 persons, though other sources indicate that there is "no massive concentration" of refugees along the border, but rather only a few small groups of civilians from nearby Afghan villages who are making no attempts to cross the border). (ITAR-TASS, 0805 GMT, 3 Oct 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-1003, and INTERFAX, 1329 GMT, 29 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0929, via World News Connection) At that point Russian border guards and reserve troops had been placed on alert and were believed to "have reliably sealed off the Tajik-Afghan border, and especially the Panj and Moskva sectors." (ITAR-TASS, 1307 GMT, 27 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0927, via World News Connection)
Russian border guard commander Alexander Markin assured the press that even in the unlikely event that the Taliban forces challenged the border, "the Russian border guards... are strong enough to curb armed provocations." In addition, he declared that if the Afghan refugees gathered nearby attempted to cross the border in large groups, there were "ample means to maintain a normal regime on the border." (INTERFAX, 0626 GMT, 28 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0928, via World News Connection)
On 7 October, however, the border guards themselves admitted that, without the backup of the 201st Motor Rifle Division, they would not be able to withstand a Taliban offensive for more than an hour. (RUSSIAN PUBLIC TV, 1700 GMT 7 Oct 00; BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, via lexis-nexis) The situation is so acute that the Russian border guards are authorized to allow Ahmad Shah Masud's anti-Taliban units into Tajikistan, given the consent of political authorities in Tajikistan, if this is necessary for strategic considerations. (INTERFAX, 0742 GMT, 5 Oct 00; BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, via lexis-nexis)
The 'dual-use' trap...
On 3 October, the Primorye territory department of the Federal Security Service (FSB) charged yet another scientist, Professor Vladimir Shchurov, with divulging state secrets and illegal export of military technologies from Russia. Shchurov is head of the acoustic noises lab at the Pacific Oceanological Institute of the Far Eastern branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The process began over a year ago, when acoustic modules were confiscated en route to a Chinese engineering university; the laboratories were sealed, and some documents confiscated. (INTERFAX, 5 Oct 00; via lexis-nexis) Despite his assertions that the sale was approved by the FSB and by the customs officials, Shchurov has been placed under house arrest; if found guilty, he will face up to 30 years in jail. (AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE, 5 Oct 00; via lexis-nexis)
...and other judicial machinations
Andrei Babitsky has been found guilty of using forged documents and fined 100 minimum wages (about $300), but was acquitted under an amnesty. The eased sentence does not, however, satisfy the Radio Liberty reporter and his lawyers, and they plan to file appeals. (INTERFAX, 6 Oct 00; via lexis-nexis)
The tax police to gain prestige, power...
Even though a tax ministry already exists, the tax police is seeking ministry status as a more powerful and comprehensive financial police. The director of the legal department of the Federal Tax Police Service, Leonid Kuznetsov, has announced that the bill on the Fiscal Police has been prepared and been submitted to the proper federal agencies, which have replied positively. Vladimir Beketov, the PR director of the tax police, explained that by cutting the number of organizations in Russia which inspect financial and production activities of enterprises from 30 to 10, "this measure will positively influence the performance of the country's economy." (IZVESTIA, 6 Oct 00; via lexis-nexis) Alexander Pikaev of the Moscow Carnegie Center disagrees: He declared that "other power agencies will be upset if tax police acquire this status. I think they should strictly divide the powers of all these agencies before deciding to set up another ministry." (THE MOSCOW TIMES, 6 Oct 00; via lexis-nexis)
...and pupils
The Third Moscow Cadet Corps of Tax Police school was set up last month to train "the next generation of the elite tax corps." The children (142, including 20 girls, between the ages of 11 and 16) are taught to appreciate the societal necessity of paying taxes. They are also schooled in armed and hand-to-hand combat. (THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, 6 Oct 00; via lexis-nexis)
by Luba Schwartzman
Moscow's about-face in Yugoslavia
Last Friday Moscow finally recognized the results of the 24 September Yugoslav elections which catapulted opposition candidate Vojislav Kostunica to the presidency and toppled Slobodan Milosevic. In a statement released by the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that Russia "has always been with Yugoslavia" and is "prepared to ... extend a helping hand ... to render assistance to the Yugoslav people..." (FEDERAL NEWS SERVICE, 1025 GMT, 6 Oct 00; via lexis-nexis)
After two weeks of diplomatic fumbling and indecisiveness by the Kremlin, the belated recognition came during Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov's visit to Belgrade on 6 October. In an obvious bid to save face with the new Yugoslav president while still protecting the old one, Ivanov met with Kostunica and Milosevic separately. In contradictory statements, Ivanov pledged Moscow's readiness to assist the new democratic Yugoslav government as well as to support Mr. Milosevic's intention to continue his involvement in Yugoslav politics. (ITAR-TASS, 1400 GMT, 6 Oct 00; via lexis-nexis)
Moscow's real interest, however, seems to be preservation of its unique bilateral relations with Yugoslavia regardless of who is president. Until the recent election crisis, Moscow's stance guaranteed it a place in international negotiations concerning the situation in Yugoslavia, since it was seen in the West as the only reliable diplomatic channel to Milosevic. Russia established this role for itself during the Kosovo conflict with its staunch opposition to the Western bombing campaign. As a result, the Kosovo conflict allowed Moscow to use its relationship with its Serbian Orthodox "brothers" to build up its international prestige. Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, Russia continued to support autocratic rule in Yugoslavia under Milosevic. However, on Friday, this policy came to an end as Putin was forced by the popular uprising in Yugoslavia to recognize Kostunica as the lawful president. (REUTERS, 6 Oct 00; via RussiaToday.com)
Despite Russia's apparent embrace of the "democratic forces" in Yugoslavia and the cordial meeting between Ivanov and Kostunica, Russia's political indecisiveness may have lost it a measure of goodwill with the new Yugoslav president. Moscow certainly won no favor from Kostunica by maintaining what Kostunica called an "unnecessarily reluctant" policy towards Yugoslavia in the weeks following the election. (REUTERS, 4 Oct, 00; via RussiaToday.com)
Kostunica may have a point: As late as 1 October Sergei Ivanov still insisted in an interview with Russian television that Moscow had "no preference" for either candidate. (BBC MONITORING, 1 Oct 00; via lexis-nexis) However, only days later Moscow showed its implicit loyalty to Milosevic when it upheld the Milosevic-controlled Yugoslav Constitutional Court's ruling in favor of a runoff election. (REUTERS, 3 Oct 00; via RussiaToday.com) Kostunica in turn signaled his lack of trust for Moscow's offer to mediate the crisis when he labeled the proposal "too vague" and refused to travel to Moscow.
But it remains to be seen whether or not there will be any longer-term political damage as far as the new Yugoslav leadership is concerned. After all, even though Russian recognition was late, ultimately Serbia's long-time supporter and ally did come through. Moreover, Russia is probably still a less unattractive ally to the nationalist Kostunica than the West. The first sign that this may have begun came when Ivanov, having just returned to Russia, indicated that Moscow would be President Kostunica's first foreign destination. (THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, 9 Oct 00; via lexis-nexis) Although the new Yugoslav administration has yet to confirm this news, Ivanov's remarks signal Russia's hope that Kostunica will forgive and forget Russia's prior indecisive behavior.
Internationally, Moscow's support for Kostunica has been met with enthusiasm. US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has even called the decision "great news." (BBC WORLD SERVICE, 1710 GMT, 6 Oct 00; via BBC Online) But this enthusiasm will most likely be short-lived, especially in light of Russia's support of Milosevic's immunity from arrest and continued role in Yugoslav politics. This policy will keep Russia at loggerheads with the West, which according to UN war crimes prosecutor Carla del Ponte is already planning to indict Milosevic for "fresh war crimes charges in addition to the charges he already faces for alleged crimes in Kosovo." (BBC WORLD SERVICE, 1720 GMT, 6 Oct 00; via BBC ONLINE)
Controversial atomic energy deal signed despite international restrictions
Amidst the dramatic events in Yugoslavia, it is unsurprising that President Putin's first state visit to India transpired with little fanfare. But the emerging details of the trip suggest that the world should have been paying more attention to the visit after all.
During his visit Putin signed a strategic partnership pact with India which will facilitate Russian arms transfers to India and could trigger further tensions with Pakistan. In the short to medium term, the transfers will include a T-90 tank deal, the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov and an Su-30 aircraft production license. (ASIAN AGE, 5 Oct 00; FBIS-NES-2000-1005, via World News Connection) The sales not only will furnish Russia with needed revenue and help to bolster Russian-Indian relations, but also will provide India with an even greater ability to counter the Pakistani military forces. Any buildup theoretically could threaten the already precarious military balance in South Asia. Both India and Russia made public pledges that these transfers were not directed at any particular third party, but the Pakistani press suggested that Islamabad should remain "watchful and plan effective steps to counter any negative effects" of the Indian arms buildup. (THE HINDU, 4 Oct 00; FBIS-NEW-2000-1004, via World News Connection, and AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE, 5 Oct 00; via RussiaToday.com)
Even more important than the conventional strategic partnership signed at the summit is a lesser known memorandum of understanding on atomic energy also signed by the Russian and Indian presidents. The contents of the memo have not been made public; however purportedly it commits Russia to assisting the Indian government's development of atomic energy. (THE HINDU, 5 Oct 00; FBIS-NES-2000-1005, via World News Connection)
The memorandum is bound to cause international controversy since Russia apparently will supply technology and assistance despite its membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). As a member, Russia pledged in 1992 not to export nuclear technology to countries that had agreed to full-scope International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. These safeguards require international monitoring of civilian nuclear programs to prevent diversion of nuclear material for military purposes. In a move foreshadowing the events in India and effectively circumventing Russia's commitment to the NSG, however, on 7 May 2000 President Putin set new conditions for the transfer of atomic technology to countries that had not met these standards. Thus far, neither the NSG nor the IAEA has commented on the Russian-Indian plans.
by Sarah K. Miller
Putin continues to nibble away at Russian federalism
In an ominous move, President Putin has sent "envoys" to the federal districts to help voters receive "objective and reliable information" about candidates running for regional office. There is absolutely no legal basis for these envoys or their activities, beyond the presidential decree setting up the federal districts.
Putin's latest move to "monitor" regional elections shows how potentially dangerous these federal districts can be. The districts operate outside of constitutional checks, and are wholly dependent upon Putin both for their form and function. He can, and apparently will, use them anyway he wishes, regardless of the fact that such activities seem to violate Russia's constitutional separation of powers. Putin does claim that "No one must be allowed to speculate on relations with the president, the presidential staff or the envoys. We did not and cannot have any special relations." But it is also clear that there are many ways to influence the outcomes of regional elections without outright association with or advocacy of particular candidates. (INTERFAX, 0816 GMT, 28 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0928, via World News Connection)
Putin continues to strengthen his control over the regions by subordinating the work of his regional representatives to the federal districts. At the end of September, Putin requested that his regional representatives submit reports to the heads of the federal districts, with an eye toward four topics: the relationship between the president's regional representatives and republican law, the purpose or role of self-government, assisting regional electoral commissions with the upcoming elections, and bringing regional legislation into line with federal law. (ITAR-TASS, 0902 GMT, 28 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000- 0928, via World News Connection)
By the end of the year, 34 regions will have had gubernatorial elections. Many will also have held regional parliamentary and/or municipal elections. Putin seems sure to want to take advantage of the opportunity to make his presence felt.
No one doubts that some of Russia's regions were stretching their federal autonomy a bit at particular points in the past, but Putin's solution of super-constitutional organization may prove to be a tonic more deadly than the disease it was designed to cure. The construction and passage of good law, and its fair and just application, should address the issue how to establish order in the unruly federation -- not attempt a return to the tried and troublesome habit of autocratic rule.
New parties keep popping up; it must be election season in the regions
The Russian Stability Party (RSP) has been established in St. Petersburg, rising out of the ashes of the defunct Interregional Stability Party which had been founded in 1997. Because the party has 61 branches across the federation, it qualifies as a federal party. The head of the party will be Vladimir Sokolov, with Pavel Burov left in charge of day-to-day affairs. (ITAR-TASS, 1514 GMT, 30 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0930, via World News Connection)
Although established in July, Duma speaker Gennady Seleznev's political movement, "Russia," is preparing for its first congress where its program will be determined. The idea is that it will be an ally of the Communist Party and will join the People's Patriotic Union of Russia. Seleznev claims that "Russia" will infuse new "freshness" into the Left. (ITAR-TASS, 1229 GMT, 20 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0920, via World News Connection)
Three points can be made here: First, the Left, or more specifically the Communist Party, apparently is stale. Second, it is in fact so desiccated that one of its two leaders was unable to "freshen it up" from within and had to create a new movement. Third, if the new movement "Russia" is to be made up of the same faces that are apparently now so stale, it is hard to see how the Left can be made squeezably soft in the near future even with such an attractively titled movement. Perhaps the communists should follow the options of cooks when faced with a loaf of stale bread: Throw it out, reconstitute it by diluting it, or grind it up and add it to other things.
The all-Russian movement Entrepreneurship Development has also announced that it will transform itself into a federal political party, its leader Ivan Grachev announced in St. Petersburg. The movement already has branches in 60 regions. The general aim of the new party is to include "balanced ideas of both developing entrepreneurship and market relations and consolidating the social constituent of a state policy." (ITAR-TASS, 1546 GMT, 28 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0928, via World News Connection)
Admittedly, Russia's post-Soviet political institutions are still in their infancy, which partly explains why single-issue or single-personality parties and movements keep emerging, even while the same politicians call for the construction of a few, strong parties. These micro-parties and movements are often reservoirs for the personal ambitions of particular men, and infrequently women. It is hard to see how the common good is served.
by Michael DeMar Thurman
Growing up is hard to do
While watching the throngs of jubilant demonstrators outside the parliament building in Belgrade, it was easy to be swept by emotion. It was also easy to be reminded of the birth of independent Ukraine.
Over a decade ago, Ukraine's own strongman was swept away by the rising tide of "glasnost'" and the country's unique brand of nationalism. Volodymyr Shcherbytskyi's removal signaled a new era of hope and promise. This expectation seemed justified, as, just over two years later, in a spectacular, incredible turn of events, Ukraine grabbed its independence and took charge of its own affairs. For the first time, Ukraine was independent. Or more precisely, Ukraine was a sovereign country.
In reality, facing technological and agricultural industries in ruins, lacking a capital base, largely devoid of an experienced, well-trained elite, challenged by nationality questions, pressured by its "big brother" to the East, left with the aftereffects of Chornobyl, and lacking energy resources, Ukraine was anything but truly independent. Unfortunately, this economic independence still has not arrived. Even more important, an open society based on strong, clear laws and a vigorous civil component has failed to materialize fully. Instead, a complex, confusing, often paradoxical mix of laws, principles and policies has developed in Ukraine. With one hand, it grabs hold of the West, but with the other, it still clings firmly to the old, ingrained Party ways.
During the last month, President Leonid Kuchma diligently courted the IMF and World Bank, touting the progress of his reform-oriented government. This progress is actually considerable. From new more transparent privatization procedures, to the start of agricultural reform, the government is definitely moving toward a more open, Western-style economy. At the same time, however, Kuchma is presiding over a government that has become ruthless toward independent-minded media outlets -- making use of very familiar "persuasion" tactics. From conducting sudden and groundless searches, to following reporters, instituting tax audits and denying access to printing and distribution facilities, the press has been vigilantly targeted by officials.
Not until this month, however, had a journalist previously harassed by the secret police actually disappeared. Heorhiy Honhadze, the editor of the investigative online newspaper Ukrayinska Pravda, simply vanished on his way home from work. Honhadze recently had been investigating corruption among high-ranking officials, and, according to the organization Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF), "had already been interrogated several times by the police." In a letter to Kuchma, RSF criticized the "worsening of the situation regarding the freedom of the press in Ukraine" and called on Kuchma not only to locate Honhadze but also to "intervene" against the recent attacks on the press. (RSF LETTER, 19 Sep 00)
During his many comments about the reforms of his government, Kuchma has so far avoided any mention of the RSF letter. He has also remained relatively quiet about the fact that his deputy prime minister responsible for the energy ministry, Yulia Timoshenko, is being investigated for possible connection to the money laundering carried out by former Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko. Unfortunately this fits in well with the recent finding by the World Bank that the Ukrainian government is massively corrupt, and has been getting worse over the last several years.
On the other hand, as the Honhadze drama played out, Ukraine was taking part in the OSCE mission to Nagorno-Karabakh, successfully hosting NATO "emergency situation" exercises and strengthening its support for GUUAM. Thanks to more efficient administrative procedures, it was also collecting an unprecedented percentage of payments for electricity and taxes, and posting a GDP growth of over 5 percent in the first eight months of the year. All of this led Johannes Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank, to laud the "visible progress in the economy and many positive developments in the budget process, fiscal discipline, and administrative reform." (WORLD BANK GROUP NEWS RELEASE, 6 Oct 00)
Shortly thereafter, Wolfensohn, with the blessing of the IMF, announced a resumption of World Bank loans to Ukraine to support reform of its coal industry. Ukraine soon will receive two tranches totaling $70 million. Wolfensohn also suggested that the country would receive another $100 million for restructuring the financial sector.
There is no doubt that Ukraine has completed much hard work and deserves to have its World Bank loans resumed. There is also no doubt that, in many ways, after almost 10 years of sovereignty, Ukraine fails to meet the very basic standards of modern Western society. This is a lesson that almost certainly will be learned by those demonstrators in Belgrade. An entire society, unfortunately, cannot change with the fall of a dictator -- or an empire. Perhaps, however, the society can transform itself slowly, over time, with prodding support and an abundance of patience. As Wolfensohn noted in Kyiv, in a statement that just as easily could fit Belgrade, "This is a very important moment .... There is a lot to be proud of, although there is still a lot to achieve." (BLOOMBERG, 1213 ET, 6 Oct 00)
Russia to the rescue
Have "democratic principles" and "support for law" won out again in Russia? Seeing that the Belarusian dictator Alyaksandr Lukashenka was becoming increasingly isolated because of the refusal of many Western countries to recognize his upcoming parliamentary elections, Russia has stepped in to the breach. On 29 September, the world-renowned "democrat" Gennady Seleznev (of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation) announced that Russia will send observers to Belarus to monitor the elections and ensure that they are free, fair and democratic! (INTERFAX, 1107 GMT, 29 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0929, via World News Connection)
Judging from past performance, Russia's arrival on the scene should be welcomed by international leaders. After all, just two weeks ago, Russian observers of the Yugoslavian elections announced that the process "met all the requirements of international law," and said they "did not hear a single complaint about people ignoring or suppressing anything during the poll." (ITAR-TASS, 1055 GMT, 27 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0927, via World News Connection) It is quite possible that these same observers -- technically members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia -- will be the persons "observing" in Belarus. So, the international community, which has been increasingly concerned about arrests of opposition members calling for an election boycott, should give a sigh of relief and relax. Obviously, there is nothing to worry about.
by Tammy M. Lynch
Don't ask ...
The Armenian foreign ministry's latest proposal on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, called "don't ask -- don't answer," would preserve the principles of the "common state" embodied in the last OSCE initiative and add a new feature. Armenia's foreign minister, Vardan Oskanyan, explained, "If the Azerbaijani side is not happy with independent status for Nagornyy Karabakh, we are prepared not to specify whether or not Nagornyy Karabakh will be part of Azerbaijan for the time being." (SNARK, 1525 GMT, 4 Oct 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-1004, via World News Connection)
Last month at the millennium summit, Armenian representatives had said they sought new, innovative approaches to the question of Nagorno-Karabakh's status. A hybrid of Yevgeni Primakov's "common state" idea and the US military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on homosexuality can hardly be regarded as a promising step forward.
House of historians?
The Armenian genocide resolution passed the International Relations Committee of the House of Representatives last Wednesday and is likely to be endorsed by the full House in the coming week. Of course this hardly affects the scholarly debate about whether the massacres of Armenians during WWI, the Armenian deportation, and the unrest of the last years of the Ottoman Empire should be regarded as genocide. That discourse will continue and no historian worth his salt will regard the House resolution as a credible authority on the matter. Although the resolution will have no influence on the historical record, it will have profound negative consequences for US relations with Turkey and US goals for the Caucasus region.
As the Turkish paper Milliyet pointed out, if governments want to promote informed inquiry into these events, they should begin by making their archives available to all interested parties. (MILLIYET, 2 Oct 00; FBIS-2000-1002, via World News Connection) A thorough examination would require papers stored in archives in Turkey, the UK, France, Austria, Russia, Armenia and Germany, as well as the archives of the first Armenian Republic (stored in Watertown, MA). If all the governments and private collections provided unfettered access to all the parties, this would constitute a meaningful step forward for regional cooperation and for the historical record.
Of course, neither the historical record, nor the relationship with Turkey, nor the policy objectives for the Caucasus were the main concern of the House leadership. According to The New York Times, the House leadership anticipates a close call in an election much closer to home and is eager to keep a substantial Armenian constituency behind the incumbent representatives. (THE NEW YORK TIMES, 7 Oct 00) Elsewhere in the world, however, such campaign posturing can have serious repercussions.
Resolution can scuttle US goals
The resolution met a very angry response in Turkey. A government spokesman said that, if the resolution were adopted by the full House, it would jeopardize cooperation and the present spirit of partnership between Turkey and the US. (ANATOLIA, 1227 GMT, 5 Oct 00; FBIS-2000-1004, via World News Connection) Ankara has announced that it is allowing humanitarian flights to Iraq and may appoint an ambassador to Baghdad. (REUTERS, 5 Oct 00; via lexis-nexis) It is reportedly considering other forms of retaliation. Such moves may include revoking NATO's authority to use Turkey's bases for Northern Watch, the enforcement of the no-fly zone in northern Iraq.
One newspaper took stock of the very limited leverage Turkey can exercise against the US and came up with a different policy prescription: "cause Armenia enormous suffering." (HURRIYET, 5 Oct 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-1004, via World News Connection) The first such measure, making it more difficult to obtain an entry visa into Turkey from Armenia, has already been implemented. (ANATOLIA, 1334 GMT, 4 Oct 00; FBIS-SOV-200-1004, via World News Connection) Other measures may include toughening sanctions against Armenia to prevent Turkish-produced goods from reaching Armenia through Iran and Georgia or closing Turkish airspace to flights bound for Armenia. Clearly, the US resolution threatens substantial deterioration in what was already a difficult relationship. The threats from Turkey against Armenia represent a setback for US diplomacy in the region which sought to reconcile Armenia and Azerbaijan and anchor both countries to NATO. This necessitates substantial trust and cooperation between Turkey and Armenia which are incompatible with the present resolution. In effect, by deeply alienating Turkey, the resolution limits Armenia's foreign policy options, and leaves it wholly reliant on Russia.
Who benefits?
These observations are not lost on the Russians who collect windfalls from US blunders. Armenian President Robert Kocharian returned empty-handed from Moscow in late September while Putin explained that Armenia should not expect any special treatment.
Russia cannot and should not single-handedly resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute, or pressure anyone, Putin explained. (INTERFAX, 1040 GMT, Sep 26 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0926, via World News Connection) He can make such modest statements because Russia now holds nearly all the cards. For instance, Putin's pet project, the "Borzhomi 4," which excludes Western participation in the Caucasus region, seems to be emerging as an important regional forum, most recently with regard to cooperation between the security services of the member countries -- Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Still stinging from repeated rebuffs from Washington, Azerbaijan seems to be tilting toward Moscow. The Azerbaijani foreign minister is set to visit Moscow in late October to discuss Nagorno-Karabakh and sign a package of agreements, the contents of which are not being publicized. (ITAR-TASS, 1336 GMT, 21 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0921, via World News Connection) Upon his return to Azerbaijan, President Heidar Aliev raised the possibility of a visit by Putin to Baku. On 21 September Azerbaijani authorities extradited seven Dagestanis to Russia. The men ostensibly organized the bombing in Buinansk last September. (IWPR CAUCASUS REPORTING SERVICE, 6 Oct 00)
The meaning of these gestures was not lost on Shamil Basaev, who sent a letter to Aliev on 25 September which was carried on Azerbaijan News Service. "We have always been ... perceiving every tragedy of this nation [Azerbaijan] as our own. We see that Azerbaijan is surrounded by enemies on every side. ... Allah sees that we have serious intentions to help the Muslim nation of Azerbaijan after we defeat the Russian aggressors." He goes on to express gratitude to Azerbaijan for taking in Chechen refugees and says "if their stay causes problems for your country, we are ready to take them to other Muslim countries. But their extradition to our common enemy -- Russia -- is a highly unfriendly and wrong move. We are hoping that the recent extradition was an exception and doesn't mean changing Azerbaijan's policy ..."
The warming of relations with Moscow has followed a corresponding cooling of ties with the US. While in the US, Aliev criticized US oil companies for delaying the construction of the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline. Unrelenting US pressure on Azerbaijan with regard to the electoral law this summer only confirmed the impression that the Americans would never make reliable allies. These moves came after the US state department made groundless claims against Azerbaijan in the terrorism report released this July. Can the Americans offer Azerbaijan something better than a big stick and some shrill advice?
by Miriam Lanskoy
Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan pact: implications for the Collective Security Treaty
The recently signed Kyrgyz-Uzbek security pact could undermine Russia's attempts to create a Russian-led Central Asian bloc under the CIS Collective Security Treaty and re-establish itself more solidly in the territory of the post-Soviet republics. The military cooperation agreement, the first of its kind between two Central Asian states, may also indicate that the CIS is considered by some Central Asian members to be an "empty shell" in the defense against "non-traditional" security threats, such as international terrorism and organized crime.
The security accord was signed in Bishkek during Uzbek President Islam Karimov's official visit to Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev explained that the agreement was precipitated by Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) strikes from bases in Tajikistan in a mountainous region bordering southern Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. (INTERFAX, 1039 GMT, 27 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0927, via World News Connection) Karimov explained that the UN Security Council should "convene an emergency session" to discuss solutions to Central Asian security problems. The Uzbekistan president added, however, that the Central Asian states should exercise responsibility for their own security and take "concrete steps" to reinforce their armed forces and border guards. (INTERFAX, 1010 GMT, 27 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0927, via World News Connection) The Uzbek president's comments may signal displeasure with the way the CIS (i.e., Russia) has handled regional security problems or simply may indicate Uzbekistan's desire for regional hegemony. Nevertheless, the security pact itself is a watershed for Central Asia. While Karimov referred to Russia's strategic designs in the area, he also stated that Russia should align its policies with the interests of the Central Asian states. (INTERFAX, 0702 GMT, 27 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0927, via World News Connection) Clearly the states are trying to control the level of assistance their stronger neighbor may provide.
Along with increasing security cooperation among themselves, Central Asian states such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are forging closer ties with NATO and its members (i.e., Turkey and the US) to enhance regional security. The recent exercise of the Central Asian peacekeeping battalion, CENTRASBAT, in Kazakhstan under the NATO Partnership for Peace program, for example, went a long way toward improving military skills and capabilities, as well as increasing military contacts. CENTRASBAT exercises, launched in 1996, enable the Central Asian states to cooperate more closely with NATO peacekeepers and, more importantly, with each other, by testing communications and coordination between national delegations and capitals, as well as crisis response mechanisms. According to US General Henry Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, these peacekeeping exercises play an important role in bilateral relations and regional security. (ITAR-TASS, 1515 GMT, 13 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0913, via World News Connection)
Turkey is also pressing its politico-military, cultural and historical ties with Central Asia. Turkish President Ahmet Necdet will visit Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan between 16 and 20 October, underscoring Ankara's determination to play a more active role in Central Asian regional security. (ANATOLIA, 1154 GMT, 29 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0929, via World News Connection) A Turkish-Uzbek military-technical agreement could emerge from these talks. Tashkent is already expanding its security cooperation with Ankara by sending Uzbek counter-terrorism units to Turkey for training in mountainous areas and high elevations, places where guerrilla forces are known to operate. (INTERFAX, 1515 GMT, 18 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0918, via World News Connection)
While security relationships with NATO, Turkey and the US, as well as other regional powers like China and Iran, may provide workable alternatives to the CIS, Russia will continue to wield considerable influence in its "near abroad" due to its geopolitical position and links to Central Asia. According to the president of Kyrgyzstan, "Russia, as a great power, could become the main force in the formation of a system of stability and security in Central Asia." (NEZAVISIMAYA GAZETA, 23 Aug 00; via the Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press) Air defense integration is one of several areas that have been successful within the CIS framework. (CENTRAL ASIA-CAUCASUS ANALYST, 27 Sep 00) With so many contradictions, it may be premature to sound the death-knell of the CIS.
Some Central Asian states still rely heavily on Russia to varying degrees for security and defense. With 10,000 Russian border guards and a motorized division permanently stationed on its territory, Tajikistan depends almost entirely on Russia for border security. Russia recently "hardened" its defensive positions along the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan in response to IMU incursions into three Central Asian republics and the Taliban offensive in northern Afghanistan. (ITAR-TASS, 1649 GMT, 1 Oct 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-1001, via World News Connection) Russia also has intensified its security cooperation with the Central Asian states and has reinforced its presence along CIS southern borders within the CIS framework. (ITAR-TASS, 1451 GMT, 26 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0926, via World News Connection)
Moscow cites the instability created on the southern borders of the CIS as a deep security concern. Russian President Vladimir Putin asserts that the dangerous situation created on the Tajik-Afghan border and instability in Central Asia as a whole have serious implications for Russian security. According to Putin, destabilization in Central Asia "would likely have a negative effect on the situation in Russia as well," and Russia would prevent the Afghan conflict from "spilling into the former USSR territory." (INTERFAX, 0940 GMT, 30 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0930, via World News Connection) The secretary of the Russian Security Council, Sergei Ivanov, said during a meeting in Moscow in late September that security council representatives from CIS member states have discussed the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border, as well as the shaping of forces and defense within the Collective Security Treaty. (ITAR-TASS, 1446 GMT, 29 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0929, via World News Connection) Whether the CIS establishes itself as an effective collective security framework in the next few years remains to be seen. Even Russia calls into question the validity of the CIS for use in security matters by continuing to pursue bilateral security relationships with the Central Asian states.
The Kyrgyz-Uzbek security pact is a step in the right direction in that it consolidates regional security, and adds a new dimension to regional cooperation. This "burgeoning" intra-regional security and defense cooperation and potential re-alignment with the West eventually could replace the CIS framework. NATO and the US, however, are maintaining a low profile militarily in Central Asia using NATO's Partnership for Peace program as their primary engagement tool. Russia is likely to continue using the CIS to assert its presence on its southern periphery.
by LtCol Jim DeTemple
The countries that play together...
A glance at the calendar of events for the last few months alone provides clear indication that, should NATO members decide against inviting the Baltic states to join the alliance in the next round of enlargement, the reason will be total acquiescence to an outdated notion of "spheres of influence," rather than any inability by the Baltics to coordinate with Western military structures.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have joint exercises scheduled with almost everybody in the months of September and October. Most of the exercises focus on training that provides benefits to the Baltics, an important consideration for the countries which are working toward the optimal defense allocation of two percent of the annual budget.
However, while the short-term usefulness offers justification for the exercises in their own right, the long-term benefit -- getting accustomed to working with Western military structures -- is significant. Open Spirit 2000, a week-long minesweeping exercise covering 67 square nautical miles, involved the participation of the Baltic states along with Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In all, 18 ships representing 11 countries removed some potential explosive dangers in the Baltic Sea. (BNS, 1014 GMT, 18 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0918, via World News Connection)
The following week, Baltic troops trained with their counterparts from Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, Norway and Denmark. Under the guidance of the NATO Atlantic Ocean marine unit, participants of the Passex 2000 exercises focused on maneuvering, extending aid to other ships and cargo delivery. (BALTIC NEWS SERVICE DAILY REPORT, 1800 GMT, 20 Sep 00) Such international activities are paying off: Following a meeting in Vilnius with President Valdas Adamkus, David Weisman, the US military representative to NATO, said Lithuania is one of the best-prepared applicants to the alliance. (BALTIC NEWS SERVICE DAILY REPORT, 1600 GMT, 25 Sep 00)
Cooperation training also was the focus of Nordic Peace 2000 from 26 September to 6 October, which featured officers from the Nordic and Baltic countries, as well as representatives from the Danish Human Rights Center, the International Red Cross, the Danish Red Cross, the Swedish Red Cross, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The games were designed to improve interaction among military headquarters for international peace-keeping and humanitarian operations. (BALTIC NEWS SERVICE DAILY REPORT, 1300 GMT, 25 Sep 00) At the very least, some of the training must be having the desired effect: 30 volunteers from a Lithuanian motorized infantry brigade have headed to Kosovo, where they will join a battalion of Polish servicemen. This is the first peacekeeping mission of the motorized brigade, and the third deployment of Lithuanian troops to Kosovo. (BALTIC NEWS SERVICE DAILY REPORT, 1700 GMT, 23 Sep 00)
On the bilateral level, Lithuanian and British riflemen have been training together since 23 September. Other Lithuanian troops participated in Baltico 2000, joint war games with Italy. Elsewhere, British instructors traveled to Adazi to train Latvian troops as part of the Partnership for Peace program. Those exercises focused on military leadership principles as well as the British army's basic tactics in fighting armored vehicles. (BALTIC NEWS SERVICE DAILY REPORT, 1000 GMT, 18 Sep 00)
In addition, the deputy defense ministers from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania concluded military cooperation agreements with Poland for next year which envisage a substantial increase in joint training exercises: 66 events are scheduled with Lithuania; Latvia has 40 planned; and Estonia will hold 17 joint ventures with Poland. At the press conference, Bogdan Klich, the deputy defense minister for Poland, reiterated his country's support of Baltic aspirations to join NATO. (BALTIC NEWS SERVICE DAILY REPORT, 1000 GMT, 27 Sep 00)
Moreover, in a continued attempt to improve coordination among themselves, Baltic forces also held regional training without the West. Amber Sea 2000, begun on 7 October, is intended to facilitate joint actions in extreme situations and during armed resistance. (BALTIC NEWS SERVICE DAILY REPORT, 1600 GMT, 27 Sep 00) In addition, BALTBAT, the Baltic peacekeeping battalion, held field training exercises, which included evacuations of injured persons with the assistance of helicopters. (LETA, 1338 GMT, 21 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0921, via World News Connection)
...Don't have to pay together
While the Baltic countries are eager to show the West that they can work together militarily, on the economic front there was no pretense of parity. Estonia continues to reap the benefits of its early austerity program, with a steadily improving economic situation. Having earned positive reports of its economy (ETA NEWS AGENCY, 1259 GMT, 27 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0927, via World News Connection), Estonia may have outgrown the need for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) memoranda. Following a meeting with IMF representative John Odling-Smee, Estonian Finance Minister Siim Kallas explained that Tallinn has not needed to make use of the credit possibilities offered by such memoranda, and other types of financial agreements are being discussed. (ETA NEWS AGENCY, 0855 GMT, 25 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0925, via World News Connection)
Lithuania's economic star is also shining, as it attracted several offers of financing at the annual IMF and World Bank meetings in Prague. Senior officials from the finance ministry met with representatives of international banks on the sidelines of the meetings. According to an advisor to the finance minister, several banks were asking about Lithuania's borrowing needs and touting lower interest rates. (BALTIC NEWS SERVICE DAILY REPORT, 1600 GMT, 26 Sep 00)
Alas, the forecast was not quite so good for Latvia. The World Bank reported that Latvia was unable to meet all of its previously promised undertakings -- such as privatization and institutional reforms -- and would face serious negotiations next year if another loan is sought. (BALTIC NEWS SERVICE DAILY REPORT, 1300 GMT, 26 Sep 00) However, the IMF reported that cooperation with Riga has been successful, and the only problem is Latvia's higher than expected budget deficit. (BALTIC NEWS SERVICE DAILY REPORT, 1800 GMT, 26 Sep 00)
Law and disorder
The judicial systems in Estonia and Lithuania recently have received virtual slaps on the wrists. Two cases pending before the European Court of Human Rights in The Hague have ended unhappily for the states concerned. The court ruled to strike from its list a complaint lodged by a former prisoner against Estonia who had claimed prison authorities regularly opened his correspondence with the president, interior ministry, the European Commission of Human Rights and other international organizations. However, the case was not dismissed for lack of cause: The proceedings were terminated because the Estonian government had reached a settlement earlier with the plaintiff, Vitali Slavgorodski, whereby the government will pay 67,567 kroons (US$3,800) to cover any damage and costs incurred, as well as the plaintiff's income tax obligations. (BALTIC NEWS SERVICE DAILY REPORT, 1800 GMT, 25 Sep 00)
The same court ruled that Lithuania had violated the rights of Henrikas Daktaras by failing to ensure fair court proceedings. Daktaras is serving a 7.5-year sentence for racketeering and perverting the course of justice. He charged that he did not receive a fair trial because the tribunal was neither independent nor impartial, and because he was not presumed innocent until found guilty. The complete ruling will be made public on 10 October. (BALTIC NEWS SERVICE DAILY REPORT, 1000 GMT, 28 Sep 00)
Defendants are not the only persons railing against the judicial system, either. In a report recently released by the security police in Estonia, the slow pace of the courts is hindering crime fighters. The report charges that the deterrent aspect of criminal prosecution diminishes when the defendant has time to forget the nature and circumstances of the crime, and therefore draws no connection to any penalty imposed; moreover, delayed proceedings cause the press to lose interest in cases, so the preventive effect of punishment upon members of the general public is lost. "It is remarkable that of the 30 criminal cases the security police referred to the courts in 1999, only four have reached a conclusion, and four out of 38 cases handed over in 1996-97 are still without effective court ruling," the report stated. "At the same time, it appears from court practice that hearings in the district or state courts are not the main delay. Generally, proceedings in the lower-level courts take the most time," the report added. (BNS, 1313 GMT, 22 Sep 00; FBIS-SOV-2000-0922, via World News Connection)
Election results
Preliminary results from the 8 October parliamentary elections indicate that most Lithuanians were not thrilled with the ruling coalition, a sentiment which should come as no surprise to anyone who followed the reaction to the sale of a portion of the state oil industry to the US-based Williams International last year. The agreement went through over the protests of many politicians, including then-Prime Minister Rolandas Paksas who resigned rather than sign the deal, and has since continued to generate controversy. Indeed, parties in the Social Democratic Coalition, the leading vote-getter in Sunday's elections, had directed much of the opposition to the sale.
The Social Democratic Coalition, led by former President Algirdas Brazauskas, won 51 seats in the 141-seat parliament. The coalition, comprised of the Lithuanian Democratic Labor Party, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, the Union of Russians of Lithuania and the New Democracy Party, won 23 seats in single-seat constituencies and 28 seats under proportional representation. The ruling Homeland Union-Lithuanian Conservatives, on the other hand, were issued a resounding defeat, garnering just 9 seats in the new Seimas (one single-seat constituency and eight seats under proportional representation). The Lithuanian Liberal Union won 18 seats each in single-member constituencies and proportional representation, for a total of 36. The New Union-Social Liberals earned 11 seats in single-seat constituencies and 16 seats under proportional representation.
While the four parties/coalitions listed were the only groups to get the minimum number of votes required to obtain seats through proportional representation, other parties did wrangle a few seats in single-seat constituencies: the Lithuanian Farmers' Party obtained 4 seats; Lithuanian Center Union, 2; the Electoral Action of the Lithuanian Poles, 2; and the Lithuanian Christian Democratic Party, 2. Other parties obtained one seat through single-seat constituencies: the Lithuanian Freedom Union; the Moderate Conservative Union; the Lithuanian Christian Democratic Union; the Union of Young Lithuania; the New Nationalists and Political Prisoners; and the Modern Christian Democratic Union. Three seats will go to self-nominated candidates. Official results have to be confirmed by 15 October. (LITHUANIAN RADIO, 1000 GMT, 9 Oct 00; BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, via lexis-nexis)
by Kate Martin