Sat, Jul 04 2009
Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence could spark similar moves in another former Yugoslav republic, with secessionist feeling on the rise in Bosnia's Republic of Srpska (RS), Serbian radio station B92 reported.
Just days before Kosovo made its declaration, an association of non-governmental organisations, SPONA, declared that Kosovo's independence would be treated as a green light for RS to follow suit.
SPONA would call for the transfer of control over local government from Bosnia and Herzegovina to RS itself as a prelude to secession. SPONA official Branislav Dukić told B92 that the organisation "will make radical demands," if Kosovo headed for independence.
In a statement carried by B92, RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said that Kosovo's independence was natural to "spur various ideas elsewhere" and SPONA's statements surprise no one.
Dodik reiterated Bosnia-Herzegovina would not recognise Kosovo, but would join peacekeeping efforts in the region.
Ataka and Order Law and Justice parties stage symbolic blockades at Bulgaria’s borders with Turkey on eve of July 5 2009 parliamentary election, while reports record influx of would-be voters and, it is claimed, flights are being chartered from Turkey.
In a blow against a problem that has been plaguing Bulgaria’s elections, State Agency for National Security and Interior Ministry say several people in a ‘major criminal organisation’ have been arrested for vote-buying, on the eve of the July 5 vote.
Barometer Info survey on July 3 2009, just ahead of the eve of Bulgaria’s national parliamentary elections, gives GERB 27.05 per cent and Sergei Stanishev’s Coalition for Bulgaria 19.09 per cent.
The exact number of people sacked from duty out of the 600 who refused to go to work on Monday is undisclosed, although reports claim that as of June 3 at least four people were told they were surplus to requirements.
Open your mind and face the unknown: the 2009 general elections in Bulgaria.