February, 2009

• 13 February

  Pentagon investigators head to Afghanistan

  A team of Pentagon investigators will travel to Afghanistan next month to determine whether the U.S. is doing enough to train and equip local security forces. The Defense Department Inspector General’s office also plans by April to expand its staff permanently stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar, said Thomas …

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• 13 February

  US envoy arrives in Afghanistan

  The new US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, has arrived in Kabul on what is being described as a fact-finding mission. He is to meet senior Afghan officials to discuss issues including the worsening security situation. On Wednesday, co-ordinated Taleban attacks in the Afghan capital killed at least …

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• 12 February

  Nimetz Seeks Good Will From Macedonia, Greece

  Matthew Nimetz, the United Nations mediator in the Athens- Skopje “name” talks, did not table a new proposal at a Wednesday meeting with negotiators from the two countries, but asked both sides to strive for a positive atmosphere. Nimetz agreed with Macedonian and Greek representatives, Zoran Jolevski and Ademantios Vassilakis, …

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• 12 February

  Feith Raps Kosovo Govt For Reform Delays

  Peter Feith, the head of the International Civilian Office in Kosovo and European Union Special Representative, criticized Kosovo’s institutions for lagging behind in key reforms needed to guarantee progress in the new country. Feith spoke during a debate in the European Parliaments’ foreign affairs committee on the occasion of the …

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• 12 February

  World Bank Starts New Probe On Albania Project

  The World Bank’s president, Robert Zoellick, has ordered a new investigation to find out who was responsible for attempts at a cover-up of a Bank misstep in 2006-07 that led to the demolition of a village in southern Albania. An internal inspection panel report of the International Development Association, IDA, …

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• 12 February

  Ex- Minister Charged Over Deadly Albania Blast

  Ex-Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu and several former high officials of Albania’s Ministry of Defense were charged on Wednesday with abuse of power over the deadly blast at army depot outside Tirana last March. Apart from Mediu, the indicted included the former Chief-Staff of the Let. Gen. Luan Hoxha, Gen Shpetim …

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• 12 February

  Serbia Seeks New World Bank, EU Loans

  Aside from its IMF stand-by loan, Serbia is trying to secure more funds from international institutions such as the World Bank and European Commission to help it cope with the global financial crisis and ensure economic stability, Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said on Wednesday. “Serbia currently has an aid …

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• 12 February

  Albania To Charge Officials For Depot Blast

  Albanian’s former Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu and several former high officials of the Ministry of Defense are expected to be charged on Wednesday with abuse of power over the deadly blast at army depot outside Tirana last March, sources inside the prosecution told Balkan Insight. The blast at an army …

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• 12 February

  CEZ Interested in Kosovo Energy Market

  Czech CEZ Group is interested in investing in three key energy sectors in Kosovo, and could even buy the troubled KEK distribution company, a senior company official said. CEZ could dominate the energy sector, starting with the buying of power plant “New Kosova”, the buying of KEK distribution, and investment …

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• 12 February

  Almost Half of Bosnians Face Famine

  Worsening economic conditions, high prices and low salaries are pushing almost half of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the verge of famine, consumers’ associations warn. “The income of about 40 percent of the population is such that it is insufficient to cover even the costs of food,” Mesud Lakota, secretary general …

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