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Editor: Eugene Imas Contributors: -Joseph Gates -Matthew OBrien -Bree Swineford -Jillian Tetirick -Grace Tran

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01/28/12-02/01/12

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City workers in Mexico city quietly removed the statue of Heydar Aliyev, which was erected only five months ago. While the case was embarrassing for the government, pictures of the workers taking down the statue were widely circulated on Twitter and Facebook. As one journalist stated, it was exciting news for the democratic portion of society.

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Azerbaijan

Country News Digest

Russia

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On January 30, Russia stated that it was canceling its narcotics and human trafficking pact with the US. Prime Minister Medvedevs curt statement came shortly after the United States announced that it was pulling out from a joint panel on civil society. Leaders stated that the move will help Russia rid itself of some dependence on the US. Minnpost

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A representative from the International Monetary Fund Azim Sadikov released an economic forecast for Georgia this week. It emphasized that Georgias economic prosperity for the next year depends on reinstating close trade relations with Russia and reducing domestic political instability.

Georgia

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Former police chief Olexiy Pukach has been convicted of the 2000 murder of journalist Georgy Gongadze. Mr. Pukach confessed to the murder early in the investigation, claiming that he strangled Mr. Gongadze by accident during an interrogation ordered by the then interior minister Yuri Kravchenko. Mr. Kravchenko committed suicide under suspicious circumstances before he was set to be questioned.

Ukraine

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United States Ambassador to Armenia John Heffern met with Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan to discuss USAIDs five-year strategy for the country. USAID aims at spending $32 million to support reforms in Armenia that will address political and administrative problems.

Armenia

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On Tuesday Belarusian Foreign Minister of Vladimir Makei and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran to Belarus Mohammad Reza Sabouri to discuss prospects of cooperation. On Monday the State Science and Technology Committee (SSTC) Chairman Igor Voitov met with head of Tehran Housing Investment Seyed Ahmad Moghimi to discuss bilateral cooperation in housing and science and technology.

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On Friday morning, two were left dead after a suicide bomber attacked the US embassy in Ankara. As of 9:35 AM, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland confirmed that the blast was a terrorist attack.

Turkey

The meeting planned for Feb. 1 between Romanian President Basescu and Moldovan President Timofti was postponed due to Timoftis recent health problems. Timofti suffered from cholecystitis and is undergoing treatment. The Presidential Administration apologized to the Romanian President and to all those affected by the postponed visit.

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Bishkek is trying to renegotiate the terms of a mining deal with Canadabased Centerra Gold Inc and is threatening to cancel the contract if the two parties cannot come to an agreement. Signed in 2009 under President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the government is paid a 14 percent tax on Centerras gross revenues from the Kumtor mine. Bishkek now feels this rate is too low. Articles: Eurasianet Reuters

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Investigators revealed that fuel purchased for Afghan security forces with United States taxpayer dollars might contain some petroleum of Iranian origin. Such purchases breach economic sanctions levied by the United States on Iran over its nuclear program.

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Kazakhstan intends to cut Russian oil imports due to a disagreement on pricing in the oil-for-fuel deal signed by the two countries in 2012. Kazakhstan needs to import oil in order to bolster its own supplies, which are lower this year due to the closure of three domestic refineries set to re-open in 2016. However, due to dissatisfaction with the deal, Kazakhstan may look to China to fulfill its import quotas instead.

Kazakhstan

This week, Iran announced its intention to install thousands of next-generation centrifuges at its main nuclear plant in Natanz. This would greatly decrease the time required to produce fissile material, including uranium used in nuclear weapons. Tehran continues to insist that it intends to build a civilian nuclear power program and not nuclear bombs.

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The Tajik government is now saying it blocked access to some websites this month to prevent the spread of false information and possible blackmail. Communications Service Deputy Chief Rafiqjon Shokirov said the actions were taken in accordance with Tajik law. Previous explanations for the downed websites have ranged from maintenance to stray bullets taking out internet lines.

Tajikistan

A report from the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction alleged that it is possible that the US has been buying fuel for the Afghan troops from Iran. While most of the fuel that the US receives comes from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, there is a possibility that the fuel is blended from different suppliers, including Iran. The report, however, offered no conclusive findings. Eurasia Net

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Uzbekistan has reopened rail links at border crossings with Kyrgyzstan after several weeks of closure. Tashkent closed the border earlier this month after residents of Uzbekistans Sokh district attacked Kyrgyz border guards installing electric lines to a Kyrgyz border post. Last week trucks carrying humanitarian aid were allowed to cross the border in order to reach the districts that had been completely cut off due to the border closure. Articles: RIA Novosti RFE/RL

Uzbekistan

A report on Wednesday suggested that construction of the Oyu Tolgoi mining project might stall after the Mongolian government demanded a greater share of profits. The company funding the project, Rio Tinto, issued a statement that reassured investors that construction was on track, after stocks dove 10% due to the report.

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President Toomas Hendrik Ilves reaffirmed Estonias support for Georgian EU integration and membership this week. He met with Georgias Foreign Minister Maja Panjikidze and cited the countrys recent power transition to an opposition party as proof of the Caucasian states commitment to democracy.

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The upper house of the Czech parliament has passed a bill legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes. A similar bill was previously passed by the lower house in December. If signed into law, the bill will allow for patients to obtain prescriptions to purchase marijuana, but they will not be permitted grow their own. Edmonton Journal

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Lithuania has announced its intention to join the Eurozone in 2015. The country barely missed its last announced deadline for euro application in 2007 due to its inflation rate, which was slightly over the limit. Lithuanias Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius stressed that the state would specifically target inflation in order to reach its goal.

Lithuania

Slovakia was amid a large group of Central and Eastern European states to receive a C grade from Transparency International in regards to defense ministry transparency and risk of corruption. The grades were calculated based on five primary corruption risks: politics, finance, human resources, operation management, and procurement.

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On Thursday, Latvia passed a law allowing it to apply for membership in the Eurozone, despite lukewarm public opinion on the topic. Latvian lawmakers have promised to submit the official application for Euro adoption in February or March.

Latvia

The IMF has refused Hungarys request for a line of flexible credit. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been criticized throughout the EU for unorthodox stimulus measures that have led Hungary into recession.

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An investigation on horse meat found in burger patties produced in Ireland has led to processing facilities in Poland. Seven Polish meat plants are being inspected in connection with the scandal. The names of the companies involved have not been released in order to protect the reputations of innocent parties.

Poland

The International Monetary Fund has agreed to extend Romanias 5 billion Euro ($6.7 billion) precautionary loan until June. Prime Minister Victor Ponta asked for the extension in order to complete more reforms. Bucharest must sell minority stakes in state energy companies, such as Transgaz SA and Complexul Energetic Oltenia SA, before the IMF board meets in June to review the countrys progress.

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On Friday, thousands gathered in downtown Sofia to honor the memory of the victims of Bulgarias Communist era. Speaking at the ceremony, Bulgarian PM Margarita Popova stated, I would never want this time back, neither I nor my family, nor children nor grandchildren, or those who will come hundreds of years after us.

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Croatia has agreed to take part in Gazproms South Stream project. The construction of a branch of the South Stream pipeline is expected to dramatically increase natural gas supplies in the small Balkan nation when it becomes fully operational in December 2016. Natural Gas Europe Articles: SE Times

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In response to Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berishas call for a greater Albania, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on all European states to adhere to the Helsinki Final Act signed in 1975. Lavrov said that redrawing the borders where much blood has been shed would be unacceptable. During the celebration of Albanias 100th birthday, Berisha made reference to the dream of Albanian unification.

Albania

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Montenegro has scheduled presidential elections to be held on April 7. Current president Filip Vujanovic is the frontrunner in polls but faces questions about whether he can run for another term. The 2007 Constitution imposes a two-term limit on the presidency and Vujanovic has already served two. Vujanovic supporters claim that the President is only finishing his first term as the country became independent in 2006 and therefore is able to stand for office once more.

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Despite recent progress in the countrys EU accession process, Serbs are cooling to the idea of joining the bloc. Recent polling puts the portion of Serbs who support joining the EU at 41% Despite the decline in support the government is going ahead with the reforms needed to bring Serbia into compliance with EU policies.

Serbia

Kosovo Force (KFOR) troops have removed barricades from PristinaRaska Road, which connects Pristina and Northern Kosovo. The barricades were put up by the Serbs a few days ago. No incidents were reported during the removal of the barricade.

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On January 30, the UN envoy tasked with mediating the talks between Macedonia and Greece, Matthew Nimetz, held discussions with representatives from each country separately. Nimetz will hold a joint talk in March.

Macedonia

Prime Minister Jansa has refused to step down even after his coalition government broke up. The Civic List Party left the government on Wednesday after Jansas refusal to step down following earlier charges of corruption. Jansas coalition now controls only 43 out of the 90 seats in the parliament, which could lead to early elections.

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Neboja Radmanovi, the Bosnia & Chairman of the Bosnian Herzegovina Presidency, met with the Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dai on Wednesday. The two discussed the improving cooperation between their countries, as well as their joint commitment to join the EU. Bosnia and Serbia will also sign an agreement to cooperate over prosecutions of people responsible for war crimes. TransConflict

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The Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies is a U.S. Department of Education Title VI-funded National Resource Center (NRC) that strives to increase understanding and appreciation of the cultures and challenges of the region stretching from Central Europe to the Pacific and from the Baltic to the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas

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Box 571031, ICC 111, Washington, DC 20057-1031 Email: ceres@georgetown.edu Tel.: (202) 687-6080 Fax: (202) 687-5829

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