Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from February, 2008
Ukraine: Yatsenyuk and Highway Patrol
Ukrainiana writes about Ukraine's parliamentary speaker's rough encounter with the “Ukrainian driving culture” – impersonated by “the deputy chief of Kobra, a special highway patrol force authorized to inspect officials’ cars.”
Kosovo: Views from the Russophone Blogosphere
According to the Yandex Blogs portal, over 3,700 posts on Kosovo independence have appeared in the Russian-language blogosphere in the past three days. Some of these posts have received dozens, if not hundreds, of comments. Below are a few snippets of this lively discussion, all translated from Russian.
Spanish reactions to Kosovo's independence
Two days after Kosovo's declaration of independence in spite of Serbia's opposition, the debate about the merits of recognising it as a state is still raging. Within the European Union, countries such as France, UK, Germany or Italy have recognized it, while others such as Slovakia and Spain have strongly opposed it as they consider that the declaration does not respect international law.
Serbia: Bloggers Discuss Kosovo Independence
Sinisa Boljanovic translates some more reactions from the Serbian blogosphere to the declaration of Kosovo independence.
Serbia: Anger, disbelief over proclamation of Kosovo independence
Ljubisa Bojic translates some reactions from the Serbian blogosphere to the declaration of Kosovo independence.
Israel: Kosovo or Palestine, the Balkan is Here!
Kosovo has declared its independence. While the Israeli government has yet to announce its stance, several Hebrew bloggers have been reacting and comparing the political fatigue in the Balkans to that back home. Gilad Lotan has the story.
Kosovo, Serbia: Crisis
Reluctant Dragon writes about Kosovo's independence: “…and once again, there is a crisis, a long-term and potentially far-reaching crisis, and we are at the heart of it.”
Kosovo, Serbia: “Chants of Killing”
A discussion of “chants of killing and slaughtering” in Serbia and in Kosovo – over at East Ethnia.
Kosovo, Serbia: A Pessimistic View From Albania
Living in Shkoder “can't see Kosova getting a smooth run in their new state.”
Kosovo: Legality; Economy
Eternal Remont discusses the allegedly missing “legal basis” for Kosovo's independence and Kosovo's allegedly missing economy.
Kosovo: The Flag
The beatroot writes about Kosovo's flag and other independence issues.
Ukraine: Baloha's New Project; Rudkovsky's Crime
Foreign Notes reports on a new political project of president Yushchenko's chief of staff Victor Baloha, and on how Mykola Rudkovsky's alleged crime – “misappropriation of state funds and flying abroad on private visits” – is actually pretty common in Ukraine's governing circles.
Slovenia: Keeping Quiet in China
Dr. Filomena reports: “A few days ago, Slovenia’s Minister of Education and Sport Milan Zver apparently recommended , in an interview for the Associated Press, that Olympic athletes avoid talking about human rights while they are in Beijing. By today, his words have been quoted in over 300 sources online.”
Czech Republic: Klaus Re-Elected
Rather belatedly, a link to the post by The Czech Daily Word, announcing that the Czech president Vaclav Klaus won the election: “Klaus got 141 votes, which is exactly the threshold he needed.”
Poland: U.S. Satellite Fears
A discussion of whether or not Poland is “in danger from exploding US spy satellite” – over at the beatroot.
Russia: Medvedev's “Vision”
Sean's Russia Blog writes about Dmitry Medvedev's “vision” – “a vision that when boiled down doesn’t look to rock the boat too much.”
Kosovo & Serbia: Independence Blogging
Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia on Sunday, Feb. 17, has caused both celebrations and protests - as well as plenty of media coverage and an avalanche of blog posts. Below is a selection of some Anglophone bloggers' views.
Russia: Degrees of Responsibility
Marat Gelman - LJ user galerist, Russian art dealer and, allegedly, Victor Yanukovych's “spin doctor” in 2004 - describes his recent brush with Russia's multilevel reality and inspires readers to comment on how much Putin's regime has to do with uncivilized behavior of certain individuals.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Sarajevo Photos
55 wonderful photos from Dragan Popovic's 2005 trip to Sarajevo – and much, much more.
Soviet History: ‘Vdokhnovenie’ Chocolate
LaurenceJarvikOnline writes about the history of Vdokhnovenie chocolate.
Russia: Putin's Last Press Conference?
Sean's Russia Blog and Siberian Light write on what is likely Putin’s last annual presidential press conference.
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