SNN

January 06, 2005

NEWS

Global Network: A new theory of war: knowing everything all the time (by Bruce K. Gagnon)
http://globalresearch.ca/articles/GAG501A.html
----------------------------------------------

Blic: Covic and Krstic warns: Haradinaj into the Hague Tribunal, then attacks on Serbs
http://www.slobodan-milosevic.org/news/blic010505b.htm

Kosovo Serbs: Christmas amidst fears of new violence and prolonged blackouts
http://www.kosovo.com/news/archive/2005/January_05/4.html

Kosovo-Metohija is the government's chief concern in 2005
http://www.srbija.sr.gov.yu/vesti/vest.php?pf=1&id=7801&url=%2Fvesti%2Fvest.php%3Fpf%3D1%26id%3D7801

Entities in Bosnia-Herzegovina are basis of Dayton agreement
http://www.srbija.sr.gov.yu/vesti/vest.php?pf=1&id=7810&url=%2Fvesti%2Fvest.php%3Fpf%3D1%26id%3D7810

Utrinski Vesnik: Macedonia Doesn't Understand the World, As the World Understands Itself (by Branko Trichkovski)
http://www.realitymacedonia.org.mk/web/news_page.asp?nid=4051

Imperialism in Samaritan's clothing (by Bill Van Auken)
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jan2005/powl-j061_prn.shtml

Romania: elections in Europe's poorhouse (by Markus Salzmann)
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jan2005/roma-j06_prn.shtml

Turkey and the West: from the Ottomans to the EU, Part 3 (by Frederick Reece)
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.prnt_article?e=C&f=&t=01&m=A10&aa=1

EU politics: Pausing at the crossroads
http://www.viewswire.com/index.asp?layout=display_print&doc_id=197913219

European Union continues to build a "fortress Europe" (by Richard Tyler)
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jan2005/asyl-j06_prn.shtml

Orange challenge for CIS countries
http://www.messenger.com.ge/issues/0775_january_5,2005/opinion_0775.htm

Changes in the CIS: What to expect in 2005 (by Stephen Blank)
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav010505_pr.shtml

IFPA: Central Asia in U.S. Strategy and Operational Planning: Where Do We Go From Here?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1314442/posts

January 05, 2005

NEWS

NATO's Reign of Terror in Kosovo (by Michel Chossudovsky)
http://covertaction.org//content/view/73/75/

Practising what is preached
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-01/04/content_405698.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Serbia Faces Mounting Pressure to Co-operate With Hague Tribunal (by Davor Konjukusic)
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2005/01/04/feature-02?print=yes

Conference of European Churches protests against attacks on Orthodox churches in Albania
http://www.kosovo.com/news/archive/2005/January_04/7.html

Independent candidate terms Croatian elections a fraud
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2005-daily/05-01-2005/world/w4.htm

Cyprus: Won't get fooled again (by George Gilson)
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.prnt_article?e=C&f=&t=01&m=A07&aa=1

Again? (by GÃ¼ndÃ¼z Aktan)
http://www.turkishdailynews.com/article.php?webcat=opinions&enewsid=2947

WP: Bulgaria, Romania Form Neo-Europe Bloc
http://www.novinite.com/newsletter/print.php?id=43221

Greece and the Security Council (by Costas Iordanidis)
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_columns_2140553_04/01/2005_51370

Uzbekistan and the Great Powers: courting instability (by Michael A. Weinstein)
http://english.pravda.ru/printed.html?news_id=14783

Bulgaria Extends Deadline for Bids in Defence Holding Sale
http://www.onlinebg.com/BOL_ENG.ASP?media=48&artdate=2005/1/4&artno=42&dMode=7

Defense News: Pentagon To Seek $438 Billion for 2006 Budget (by William Matthews)
http://lists.topica.com/lists/ANTINATO/read/message.html?mid=911347440&sort=d&start=35862

Russia looks East as West disappoints (by Arkady Ostrovsky)
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/3a2326f4-5d2c-11d9-bb9c-00000e2511c8.html

January 04, 2005

NEWS

The Future of the European Security and Defense Identity (by Alyson J K Bailes)
http://www.zaman.com/include/yazdir.php?bl=commentary&trh=20050104&hn=15241

European-styled enlargement and US-styled expansion
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/04/print20050104_169631.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Blic: ICG: Kosovo more dangerous than Iraq
http://www.slobodan-milosevic.org/news/blic010305.htm

Editorial: Ukrainian Drama
http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/04/stories/2005010402131000.htm

Light shed on Cyprus events
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_1639619_03/01/2005_51332

Foreign policy (by Giorgos Bourdaras)
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_ell_1639247_03/01/2005_51340

Latvia is Open to Turkey (by Artis Pabriks)
http://www.zaman.com/include/yazdir.php?bl=commentary&trh=20050104&hn=15295

Croatian president to face rival in runoff vote
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2005-daily/04-01-2005/world/w3.htm

Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina Governor Urges Continued Reforms (by Antonio Prlenda)
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/articles/2004/12/27/reportage-01?print=yes

Experts Focus on Need for Greater Foreign Direct Investment in Macedonia (by Marija Lazarova)
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2005/01/03/feature-02?print=yes

Adria Airways and Croatia Airlines join Star Alliance as Regional
http://www.star-alliance.com/star_alliance/star/frame/main_10.html

Germany's jobless feel budget pinch (by Luke Harding)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5095287-103681,00.html

No cheap oil if you join the west: Russia (by Vladimir Radyuhin)
http://www.hindu.com/2005/01/04/stories/2005010402211300.htm

Reuters: Russia approves Pacific oil pipeline
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/1C463F76-845D-4BC0-B0EE-C16E0FF00DB9.htm

Kofi gets a cuddle from his friends (by Wesley Pruden)
http://www.washingtontimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20050104-120817-2757r

Unnatural disaster? - Part II (by Lila Rajiva)
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2005-daily/04-01-2005/world/w8.htm

January 03, 2005

NEWS

Turkey's EU Membership: End of 'Balkanisation'? (by Sedat Laciner)
http://www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=1330
----------------------------------------------

Tanjug: French Journalists' Captors Were Bin Ladin's Veterans From Bosnia-Herzegovina
http://www.slobodan-milosevic.org/news/tanjug122904.htm

AP: Croatian president forced into run-off as he seeks a second term
http://www.balkanpeace.org/hed/archive/jan05/hed6860.shtml

Ukraine's Popularity Gurus: the revolutionary role of pollsters
http://www.bhhrg.org/LatestNews.asp?ArticleID=57

SchrÃ¶der rouses sleepy Fatherland (by Roger Boyes)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1424312,00.html

Torture practices in the German army (by Lucas Adler)
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/jan2005/germ-j03_prn.shtml

Exporting Unhappiness (by Sunanda K. Datta-Ray)
http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20050110&fname=2BCol+Sunanda&sid=1

January 02, 2005

NEWS

Perpetual War for a Lasting Peace (by Richard Peet)
http://www.monthlyreview.org/0105peet.htm
-----------------------------------------

Genocide in Vojvodina and Greater Hungary, 1941-1944 (by Carl Savich)
http://www.serbianna.com/columns/savich/058.shtml

Turkey and the West: from the Ottomans to the EU: Part 2 (by Frederick Reece)
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.prnt_article?e=C&f=&t=01&m=A04&aa=1

UK planned sending troops to Cyrpus in '74
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2005-daily/02-01-2005/world/w13.htm

Croatians vote in presidential elections
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2005-daily/02-01-2005/world/w1.htm

Imports to Become Cheaper in Macedonia (by Marija Lazarova)
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2004/12/30/feature-03?print=yes

New Romanian Government Lowers Income, Corporate Profit Tax
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2004/12/30/feature-01?print=yes

Protests loom as German reform begins
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2005-daily/02-01-2005/world/w10.htm

FEP President: Idea of curbing Russia's influence is unacceptable
http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=5261778&startrow=1&date=2004-12-28&do_alert=0

Danger of N-war mounting on Korean peninsula: North Korea
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2005-daily/02-01-2005/world/w2.htm

Unnatural disaster? - Part I (by Lila Rajiva)
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2005-daily/02-01-2005/world/w6.htm

Ultimate Terrorist (by Charley Reese)
http://www.lewrockwell.com/reese/reese149.html

Editorial: The Failure of Empire
http://www.monthlyreview.org/0105editors.htm

January 01, 2005

NEWS

Prime Minister sends New Year's greetings to citizens
http://www.srbija.sr.gov.yu/vesti/vest.php?pf=1&id=7755&url=%2Fvesti%2Fvest.php%3Fpf%3D1%26id%3D7755

Politika: Interview: Serbian PM: Government's priorities for 2005
http://www.srbija.sr.gov.yu/vesti/vest.php?pf=1&id=7764&url=%2Fvesti%2Fvest.php%3Fpf%3D1%26id%3D7764
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2004: Drawing the line (by Oleg Artyukov)
http://english.pravda.ru/printed.html?news_id=14780

Macedonia in 2004
http://www.mia.com.mk/ang/Vest.asp?vest=\1\mia%20RETRO%20mkd%202004.htm

It was a wonderful year (by Mehmet Ali Birand)
http://www.turkishdailynews.com/FrTDN/latest/birand.htm

A European Turkey (by Ansar Mahmood Bhatti)
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2005-daily/01-01-2005/oped/o5.htm

Bulgaria Joins NATO Supply Organization
http://www.novinite.com/newsletter/print.php?id=43120

The pipeline game (by Stavros Lygeros)
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_columns_100020_31/12/2004_51287

Lukashenko recommends Russia to correct policy on Belarus
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1616209&PageNum=0

Abkhazia: Presidential Election
http://www.bhhrg.org/Print.asp?ReportID=225&CountryID=10

Third Round of Ukrainian Presidential Election
http://www.bhhrg.org/Print.asp?ReportID=240&CountryID=22

Kyrgyzstan's leading pro-government party accuses West of meddling
http://www.hipakistan.com/en/pdetail.php?newsId=en75588&F_catID=&f_type=source

Not a good way to start a democracy (by Jonathan Steele)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5093917-103677,00.html

Edith Sitwell: The primal matter was broken... (by Kaleem Omar)
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jan2005-daily/01-01-2005/world/w9.htm

December 31, 2004

NEWS

The Evil of Banality (by Srdja Trifkovic)
http://www.chroniclesmagazine.org/News/Trifkovic04/NewsST123004.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Kostunica Continues To Delay Cooperation With The Hague (by Davor Konjukusic)
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2004/12/30/feature-02?print=yes

Macedonia - a Promised Land for Criminals (by Irina Gelevska)
http://www.realitymacedonia.org.mk/web/news_page.asp?nid=4038

New Year's Greetings of Macedonian President
http://www.mia.com.mk/ang/glavnavest/lastvest.asp?vest=\Refresh1\171-3012.htm

Greek Proposal for a Sovereign Macedonia (by Aleksandar Donski)
http://www.maknews.com./html/articles/donski/donski.html

Editorial: Another round
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_columns_4137342_30/12/2004_51242

Tajik Administration Complains about Soros (by Cihan Dushanbe)
http://www.zaman.com/include/yazdir.php?bl=international&alt=&trh=20041231&hn=15153

The price of Ukrainian democracy (by Peter Schwarz)
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/dec2004/ukra-d31_prn.shtml

December 30, 2004

NEWS

Train of Abuses (by Nebojsa Malic)
http://antiwar.com/malic/
-------------------------

And What After the Elections? (by Spomenka Deretic)
http://www.artel.co.yu/en/izbor/jugoslavija/2004-12-29.html

Council and Fund for Kosovo-Metohija will help Kosovo Serbs live more peacefully
http://www.srbija.sr.gov.yu/vesti/vest.php?pf=1&id=7731&url=%2Fvesti%2Fvest.php%3Fpf%3D1%26id%3D7731

Kosovo Serbs are even Deprived of the Right to Live, Says Patriarch Pavle
http://www.kosovo.com/news/archive/2004/December_29/5.html

Kosovo's Future Status (by Ibrahim Aslan)
http://www.zaman.com/include/yazdir.php?bl=hotnews&alt=&trh=20041229&hn=15134

Glas javnosti: Kosovo: A Paradise For Gangsters
http://www.serbianna.com/press/008.shtml

Susan Sontag: Theater of the Absurd (by Carl Savich)
http://www.serbianna.com/columns/savich/059.shtml

AMBO Trans-Balkan Pipeline Agreement Finally Signed
http://www.balkanalysis.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=478

Moldova Becoming Another US/NATO Military Outpost
http://www.interfax.com/com?item=Mold&pg=0&id=5782521&req=

Self-isolation of Belarus will not solve strategic development issues
http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=5264492&startrow=11&date=2004-12-29&do_alert=0

CIS Anxious About 'Orange Revolution' (by Mirza Cetinkaya)
http://www.zaman.com/include/yazdir.php?bl=international&alt=&trh=20041229&hn=15112

Orange Revolution eyes Belarus (by Mark MacKinnon)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20041229/UKRAINE29/TPInternational/Europe

Moscow and multipolarity (by Vladimir Radyuhin)
http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/30/stories/2004123000391000.htm

The Next Nuclear Wave (by Jon B. Wolfsthal)
http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20050101fareviewessay84114c/jon-b-wolfsthal/the-next-nuclear-wave.html?mode=print

RebeliÃ³n: The Empire in the Year 2005 (by James Petras)
http://globalresearch.ca/articles/PET412A.html

December 29, 2004

NEWS

Remember Kosovo? (by Cliff Kincaid)
http://www.aim.org/media_monitor_print/2393_0_2_0/
---------------------------------------------------

Bosnian war dead myth debunked (by Srdja Trifkovic)
http://www.chroniclesmagazine.org/News/Trifkovic04/NewsST122804.html

Croatia's Co-operation With UN War Crimes Tribunal Now Deemed Crucial (by Miranda Novak)
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2004/12/28/feature-02?print=yes

President Mesic says he will win elections, lead Croatia into EU
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/dec2004-daily/29-12-2004/world/w3.htm

Turk EU bid revives Cyprus plan (by George Gilson)
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.prnt_article?e=C&f=&t=01&m=A02&aa=1

Turkish PM: No to lethargic Cyprus policy
http://www.turkishdailynews.com/FrTDN/latest/for.htm#f2

Turkish PM: EU is a new start
http://www.turkishdailynews.com/FrTDN/latest/for.htm#f4

Turkey-EU talks divide parties (by George Gilson)
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.prnt_article?e=C&f=&t=01&m=A03&aa=1

Macedonian, Bulgarian and Albanian Prime Ministers sign a political declaration on a trans-Balkan oil pipeline
http://www.mia.com.mk/ang/glavnavest/lastvest.asp?vest=\Refresh1\175-2812.htm

2005 - Key Year for Macedonia's NATO Membership (by Irina Gelevska)
http://www.realitymacedonia.org.mk/web/news_page.asp?nid=4036

Statement following the elections in Ukraine by NATO Secretary General:
Ukraine is an important strategic partner for the Alliance
http://www.nato.int/docu/pr/2004/p04-175e.htm

Director of the Institute of CIS Countries: Ukraine's accession to NATO affects Russia's interests
http://en.rian.ru/rian/index.cfm?prd_id=160&msg_id=5261813&startrow=1&date=2004-12-28&do_alert=0

Ukraine election: A fight between millionaires and billionaires (by Patrick Richter)
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/dec2004/kiev-d29_prn.shtml

NGO's: Bureaucracies Legitimizing Oppression and Corruption (by Ibrahim Sajid Malick)
http://globalpolitician.com/articles.asp?ID=267&print=true

Interview: Michael Albert: Life After Capitalism (by Val Todorov)
http://bulgaria.indymedia.org/feature/display/1145/index.php

December 28, 2004

NEWS

EUFOR: Operation Althea
http://www.apisgroup.org/apis/althea.pdf
---------------------------------------

dpa: Three-week blackout hits 4,000 Kosovo Serbs
http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/6686f45896f15dbc852567ae00530132/8ab805984fd9bedc49256f78000b359c?OpenDocument

Government urges UNMIK to provide Kosovo Serbs with electricity
http://www.srbija.sr.gov.yu/vesti/vest.php?pf=1&id=7653&url=%2Fvesti%2Fvest.php%3Fpf%3D1%26id%3D7653

Urgent appeal of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren: Turning off electrical power to Serbian enclaves leads to humanitarian catastrophe
http://www.kosovo.com/news/archive/2004/December_28/1.html

Jedinstvo: Interview: Serbian PM: Decentralisation of power most important issue in Kosovo-Metohija
http://www.srbija.sr.gov.yu/vesti/vest.php?pf=1&id=7662&url=%2Fvesti%2Fvest.php%3Fpf%3D1%26id%3D7662

Solve this if you can (by Gunduz Aktan)
http://www.turkishdailynews.com/FrTDN/latest/gunduz.HTM

Romania's Centrist Alliance Secures Parliamentary Majority (by Gelu Trandafir)
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2004/12/27/feature-02?print=yes

More Difficult Days Ahead for Europe (by Stefania Bianchi)
http://www.ipsnews.net/africa/print.asp?idnews=26804

Regulatory Intelligence Data: U.S. treasury designates two individuals with ties to Al Qaida, UBL
http://www.slobodan-milosevic.org/news/rid122104.htm

Defense & Foreign Affairs' Strategic Policy: Bosnian Terrorist Build-Up Targets US Embassies
http://www.slobodan-milosevic.org/news/dfasp11-1204.htm

The "Spanish Inquisition" Made in America (by Michel Chossudovsky)
http://globalresearch.ca/articles/CHO412B.html

AMBO: Plans Finalized For American Trans-Balkan Oil Pipeline
http://www.onlinebg.com/BOL_ENG.ASP?media=48&artdate=2004/12/27&artno=38&dMode=7

NYT: Armenia's isolation grows deeper (by Susan Sachs)
http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/28/stories/2004122800991000.htm

Assembly Line of Deceit: The Western Media and the Ukraine Poison Story (by I. Bykov, J. Israel & S. Criscione)
http://emperors-clothes.com/ukr/poisonous.htm

Yushchenko claims victory in Ukraine presidential election (by J. Leicht & P. Schwarz)
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/dec2004/ukrai-d28_prn.shtml

US and Ukraine (by Mark Almond)
http://www.zmag.org/content/print_article.cfm?itemID=6926%20Â§ionID=72

Czech's wary of Gripen costs (by TamÃ¡s S Kiss)
http://www.budapestsun.com/full_story.asp?ArticleId={257EE76E02BB4591B570C80D59D2463E}&From=News

Russia joins China in first war games (by Claire Bigg)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5092716-103610,00.html

Taiwan to become the largest client of American arms in next four years
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200412/28/print20041228_168952.html

China Daily: White paper maps military's future
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200412/28/print20041228_168913.html

International politics in 2004: Catch up or stay away!
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200412/27/print20041227_168857.html

December 27, 2004

NEWS

The Forgotten Genocide Charges? (by Jonathan Widell)
http://www.serbianna.com/columns/widell/002.shtml
-------------------------------------------------

BKTV: Interview: KiM Coordination Center president: Kosovo Serbs between fear of renewed violence and power cuts
http://www.kosovo.com/news/archive/2004/December_27/1.html

Epoka E Re: Interview with Vuk Draskovic, Serbia-Montenegro Foregin Minister
http://www.kosovo.com/news/archive/2004/December_27/1.html

Turkey and the West: From the Ottomans to the EU
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.prnt_article?e=C&f=&t=01&m=A04&aa=1

Turkey embarks on long EU march (by George Gilson)
http://www.athensnews.gr/athweb/nathens.prnt_article?e=C&f=&t=01&m=A03&aa=1

Open to Negotiations, Closed to Membership (by Erhan Basyurt)
http://www.zaman.com/include/yazdir.php?bl=columnists&alt=&trh=20041227&hn=15041

Romanian PM designate names cabinet
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200412/27/print20041227_168800.html

The hidden hand in the Ukraine (by William Blum)
http://www.vermontguardian.com/global/0904/Ukraine1224.shtml

Regime Change: A Necessity of Inter-Imperialist Rivalry? (by Stephen Gowans)
http://www3.sympatico.ca/sr.gowans/necessity.html

National Endowment for Death Squads? (by Jon Quaccia)
http://venezuelanalysis.com/print.php?artno=1340

Europe's dilemma - has to choose between America and China (by Kanan Kranti)
http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/12-25d-04.asp

China issues white paper on national defense
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200412/27/print20041227_168787.html

December 26, 2004

NEWS

Albania's Strela Missiles Meant for New Macedonian Conflict Zones
http://www.balkanalysis.com/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=477
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Commander of NATO Joint Forces: KFOR troops remain fully committed to the protection of Orthodox churches and monasteries in Kosovo
http://www.kosovo.com/news/archive/2004/December_24/1.html

swissinfo: Swisscoy commander wants to stay in Kosovo
http://www.balkanpeace.org/hed/archive/dec04/hed6848.shtml

DPA Accused of Dirty Tricks (by M. Zekiri & B. Georgievski)
http://www.iwpr.net/index.pl?archive/bcr3/bcr3_200412_534_1_eng.txt

Macedonian Policeman Wounded and Insurgent Killed in Police Operation
http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?catid=123&newsid=54539&ch=0&datte=2004-12-25

Revive Annan plan? (by Costas Iordanidis)
http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_columns_2007953_24/12/2004_51072

Turkey Troubled by Five Negotiation Points (by Suleyman Kurt)
http://www.zaman.com/include/yazdir.php?bl=international&alt=&trh=20041226&hn=15012

The EU has negated its democratic principles in considering Turkey`s candidacy
http://www.kurdmedia.com/news.asp?id=6004

Turkey's long way to EU entry (by Shadaba Islam)
http://www.dawn.com/2004/12/26/op.htm#4

Russia warns US over Ukraine vote
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/AE7BD8FD-C7CC-4B6B-A935-C7B3769FA9B3.htm

Revolutions to grip Russia and former Soviet republics in 2005
http://english.pravda.ru/printed.html?news_id=14762

December 24, 2004

The Real Story of Christmas

http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/real5.html

The History Channel

The Real Story of Christmas

An Ancient Holiday

The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.

In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.

The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.

In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.

Saturnalia

In Rome, where winters were not as harsh as those in the far north, Saturnalia—a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture—was celebrated. Beginning in the week leading up to the winter solstice and continuing for a full month, Saturnalia was a hedonistic time, when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. For a month, slaves would become masters. Peasants were in command of the city. Business and schools were closed so that everyone could join in the fun.

Also around the time of the winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome. In addition, members of the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25. It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some Romans, Mithra's birthday was the most sacred day of the year.

In the early years of Christianity, Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday.

Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention date for his birth (a fact Puritans later pointed out in order to deny the legitimacy of the celebration). Although some evidence suggests that his birth may have occurred in the spring (why would shepherds be herding in the middle of winter?), Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. By the end of the eighth century, the celebration of Christmas had spread all the way to Scandinavia. Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.

By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced, but gave up the ability to dictate how it was celebrated. By the Middle Ages, Christianity had, for the most part, replaced pagan religion. On Christmas, believers attended church, then celebrated raucously in a drunken, carnival-like atmosphere similar to today's Mardi Gras. Each year, a beggar or student would be crowned the "lord of misrule" and eager celebrants played the part of his subjects. The poor would go to the houses of the rich and demand their best food and drink. If owners failed to comply, their visitors would most likely terrorize them with mischief. Christmas became the time of year when the upper classes could repay their real or imagined "debt" to society by entertaining less fortunate citizens.

An Outlaw Christmas

In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday.

The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.

After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America's new constitution. Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.

Irving Reinvents Christmas

It wasn't until the 19th century that Americans began to embrace Christmas. Americans re-invented Christmas, and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. But what about the 1800s peaked American interest in the holiday?

The early 19th century was a period of class conflict and turmoil. During this time, unemployment was high and gang rioting by the disenchanted classes often occurred during the Christmas season. In 1828, the New York city council instituted the city's first police force in response to a Christmas riot. This catalyzed certain members of the upper classes to begin to change the way Christmas was celebrated in America.

In 1819, best-selling author Washington Irving wrote The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent., a series of stories about the celebration of Christmas in an English manor house.

The sketches feature a squire who invited the peasants into his home for the holiday. In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. In Irving's mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. Irving's fictitious celebrants enjoyed "ancient customs," including the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. Irving's book, however, was not based on any holiday celebration he had attended—in fact, many historians say that Irving's account actually "invented" tradition by implying that it described the true customs of the season.

A Christmas Carol

Also around this time, English author Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The story's message—the importance of charity and good will towards all humankind—struck a powerful chord in the United States and England and showed members of Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday.

The family was also becoming less disciplined and more sensitive to the emotional needs of children during the early 1800s. Christmas provided families with a day when they could lavish attention—and gifts—on their children without appearing to "spoil" them.

As Americans began to embrace Christmas as a perfect family holiday, old customs were unearthed. People looked toward recent immigrants and Catholic and Episcopalian churches to see how the day should be celebrated. In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards, and gift-giving.

Although most families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas how it had been done for centuries, Americans had really re-invented a holiday to fill the cultural needs of a growing nation.