User talk:Nightstallion

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FREE TIBET

FREE BURMA

REUNIFY CYPRUS

RECOGNISE KOSOVO

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Notes Welcome to my talk page! Feel free to discuss my actions, my personality, my lifestyle and whatever else you can think of here; critical comments are, of course, appreciated. If you just want to chat, that's fine, too! Add a new comment! Archive α (19 Dec 2004—22 Dec 2005) Archive β (24 Dec 2005—25 Jan 2006) Archive γ (1 Feb—9 Mar 2006) Archive δ (10 Mar—28 Apr 2006) Archive ε (29 Apr—13 Jun 2006) Archive ζ (14 Jun—25 July 2006) Archive η (26 Jul—1 Oct 2006) Archive θ (1 Oct—27 Dec 2006) Archive ι (27 Dec 2006—1 Mar 2007) Archive κ (2 Mar—17 Apr 2007) Archive λ (18 Apr—15 Jun 2007) Archive μ (13 Jun—3 Sep 2007) Archive ν (3 Sep—18 Oct 2007) Archive ξ (18 Oct—27 Nov 2007) Archive ο (28 Nov 2007—18 Jan 2008) Archive π (17 Jan—23 Mar 2008) Archive ρ (23 Mar—19 May 2008)

Contents 1 Montenegro 2 Forza Italia, again 3 ICTY 4 Fair use rationale for Image:Alleanza Nazionale.png 5 Serbian parties 6 Thanks 7 Kosovo 8 Trial run on ITN reform proposal 9 War 10 EULEX 11 Image copyright problem with Image:Democratic Union logo.png 12 Presevo 13 Vojislav Seselj 14 Vojvodinian election 15 Genocide 16 Belgrade 17 Georgia election results 18 FL vs. FA 19 Trial run on ITN reform proposal 20 Electoral templates 21 CONGRATULATION!!! 22 Demonym for Vojvodina 23 ICTY 24 Political Parties..? 25 Done 26 Signpost updated for May 19th and 26th, 2008. 27 Nepal 28 Socialists 29 Kosovo 30 Change to Rule 29 31 Macedonia.. 32 Post-electoral poll 33 HELP US MAKING THE PROJECT OF ANCIENT GREEK WIKIPEDIA 34 The Military history WikiProject Newsletter : Issue XXVII (May 2008) 35 Kacin 36 WP:HAU 37 Kosovo 38 Croatian-Serbian relations 39 European Alliance 39.1 European Alliance 39.2 European Democrats in EP and PACE 39.3 My stance on these matters 40 Palma.. 41 Kosovo 42 Terrorism 43 DPPE-EFA or EFA 44 Georgia elections 45 MNE 46 Aaaargh! 47 Tropical cyclones WikiProject Newsletter #17 48 Signpost updated for June 2, 2008. 49 Dechani 50 Luxembourgian elections 51 Stojan Zupljanin 52 Kosovo

[edit] Montenegro

Remember the Vijesti incident? How its journalists were regularly threatened and beaten and how Ivanovic (chief editor) accused Djukanovic to be behind it all? Well, the case is over. The battered Zeljko Ivanovic has to pay one million euros to Milo Djukanovic for 'verbally falsely accusing an esteemed statesman'. The appeal will probably not work, so they shall complain over to the Strasbourg. The alternative is near bankruptcy, leading to the government's takeover of the media. Its recent establishment of a TV station alludes to a more rapid move by Djukanovic, as the media are (again) getting more liberal and out of control. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 23:21, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

Shouldn't they easily be able to beat Milo at the ECHR? —Nightstallion 23:22, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

Knowing MNE, they won't manage to get to it.

By the way, the Movement for Changes is once again changing its policies and returning back to the pre-Constitution non-compromise with Djukanovic. They demonstratively with SNP CG and SL left yesterday the session when the proposal for the oath speech for President's inauguration was adopted. The three will also not be present at the actual inauguration tomorrow, Medojevic also expressed some form of remorse for his not fully successful political acts and called for restoration of cooperation within the Unified Opposition.

P.S. Radovan Karadzic too. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 23:28, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

How can they not get to it? Once they are turned down by the country's highest court, they can appeal to the ECHR whether Milo likes it or not...

So the opposition is unified against Milo again? —Nightstallion 23:34, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

We shall see.

Except the Liberals, who support Vujanovic and after this presidential election no longer exist as a political party...no one expects them (neither do they themselves) to keep their one seat after 2009. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 23:41, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

nods Well, I hope we get rid of Milo the regular way soon -- he's too young for me to wait until he dies of natural causes. ;) —Nightstallion 08:09, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

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And as for Bosnia, Miroslav Lajcak is becoming increasingly popular amongst the Serbs and hated amongst the Bosniaks. Bosniak leaders are even considering bringing the Croats on their side against Lajcak, who is deemed as far too pro-Serbian by them. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 23:41, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

What's he done that the Bosniaks dislike? —Nightstallion 08:09, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Over the years it is the Serb politicians who were a destabilizing factor in BH and they were mostly on strike, but Lajcak's recent international reports differ greatly. He stated that Srbska's call for independence is just words and just a reaction to the constant nationalist rhetoric coming from Bosniac politicians, who openly call for RS's cancellation. He commended the attempts of decrease of the strong Serb nationalism in Banja Luka by the new Social Democrat cause and greatly criticized the Sarajevo-based Bosniak leaders, calling them threats to BH's stability. He deems that their political representatives do not call for unification of the country, but in specific are aggressive to RS calling its abolition in specific. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 10:21, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Mh. And, do you agree? —Nightstallion 16:42, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Well that doesn't matter, the point is that he is making too dangerous moves, might be understood provoking and there are 48% Bosniacs and only 37% Serbs. When a significant SDA party leader notes that he should move the OHR from Sarajevo to Banja Luka... --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 19:44, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Mh. Well, the result will be that both major ethnicities don't really like him, but that the opinion regarding the OHR evens out in all of the country, whereas before, Serbs were very much against it and Bosniaks very much in favour, no? —Nightstallion 19:45, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Yes.

Is that good? For instance, the UNMIK tends to satisfy the Albanians as much as it can, but is hated by the minorities. With a 80+% of support amongst the population, it had no greater problem in administering. BH's multi-ethnic situation makes things harder. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 19:53, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Well, if it would unite the peoples of Bosnia in opposition to the OHR... ;) —Nightstallion 19:54, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Lol. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 19:54, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

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In 5 municipalities SRS, DSS, NS, SPS and others form local governments. By the end of the week the Radicals and the two coalitions shall complete in Belgrade. This outright means only support and no participation for G17+ definitely. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 22:50, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

What do you mean precisely about G17+? —Nightstallion 12:42, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

Only parliamentary support and no participation.

BTW, SPS-PUPS-JS today terminated on Palma's proposal negotiations with DSS-NS and SRS on the grounds of too big differences regarding the SAA, about to start them with DS. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 13:21, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

YES! :) —Nightstallion 16:35, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

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The Montenegrin Passports shall be in Latin, while IDs default in Latin, with the exception that they will be made in Cyrillic if it's the exclusive desire of the Citizen.

Pro-Serbians yell out again... --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 17:37, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

Well, just a logical extension of the language issue. —Nightstallion 18:08, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

How does it then work to the Constitution and other facts that Cyrillic is the official script, and then Latin next to it, when Latin is used as some sort of a sole script of a (yet unstandardized) Montenegrin language, and then Cyrillic plainly treated as a minority language (members of minorities can choose to have their basic info parts of IDs written in their native language, e.g. in Albanian)? Even Medojevic protested, claiming that this is a manner to further separate the two currents in the country, so that officials would know who is who. Before there were numerous incidents of people not employed or fired from work because they were for Serbia, a Cyrillic script in the ID is a perfect way to find out and discriminate (either way). The fact that this is not allowed for passports also means that this is internally for Montenegro itself. And in the end, this would most probably force many sovereignist Montenegrins who favor Cyrillic to opt the Latin ID, precisely because of fear of getting the confusion, right? Is it an attempt to replace the dominating script with another, or not? --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 23:12, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

That's what I was saying -- a logical extension of trying to establish a Montenegrin language. Not that I like the way he's doing it, for precisely the reasons you've just stated. —Nightstallion 06:12, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

---

This just came in, a witness from the coastal city of Bar that witnessed for B92 on its research on Serbian Football Mafia was hours ago assaulted in his house, his cheek was pierced and jaw broken, and his head pounded greatly. He claims amnesia and does not remember who attacked him, but also claims he had forgotten everything regarding the mafia. While most neighbors claim they heard nothing, one claims it was actually the police that broke in. --PaxEquilibrium (talk)

Ouch. sighs —Nightstallion 06:12, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Forza Italia, again

The Forza Italia issue is here again between me and C mon. I think that it is unlogical to state that Forza Italia's primary ideology is "Conservatism", as its successor party, The People of Freedom, is liberal-conservative. --Checco (talk) 14:13, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Would you mind to intervene in talk page? I found many source which caracherize Forza Italia as a liberal-conservative party (obviuosly all in different languages from Italian, as here in Italy is frequently regarded as a liberal, christian-democratic and even "liberal-socialist" party). I would like anyway to move those refs from the infobox to the text and also to simply the ideology in the infobox. Usually we use to list different ideologies one after the other, why do we need such complication in this case (and also in The People of Freedom and the Union for a Popular Movement)? --Checco (talk) 16:55, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

I could live with liberal-conservative, but I don't want to enter the discussion yet again. —Nightstallion 17:01, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

There is plenty of sources now and, in general, I don't understand why these three parties (FI, PdL and UMP) should have such complicated ideology characterizations in the infoboxes. In any case, I respect your decision of not entering the discussion again, but I think also that C mon is a little bit biased on the issue and it is difficult to discuss in this way. --Checco (talk) 17:06, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] ICTY

...just opened another sealed charge regarding the Haradinaj case.

It officially asked the UNSC to prolong its mandate until the trials of Karadzic and Mladic are over, as it is expiring very soon. The request is particularly interesting, as it would also enable the court to file new charges, a dream of the young Belgian lawyer fulfilled, which the ICTY could do only until the end of 2004.

P.S. Saw the EuroVision? --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 22:57, 20 May 2008 (UTC)

Interesting. Likely to be granted?

No, I couldn't find a TV station which broadcast it -- will watch the final on Saturday, though. Anything interesting in the first semi-final? —Nightstallion 12:42, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

Unlikely.

Nope, except that I turned out right when I said that they didn't need such a huge construction. They've built up the largest thing so far to be used in EuroVision, and it turned out as I thought - it was almost half empty. As much as amusing is the local peoples' megalomania for greatness (see the Temple of Saint Sava, one of the greatest world's religious structures), illusions aside, it's quite damaging financially to the common folk.

Oh and the Serbian song is Kosovo-inspired... --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 13:13, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

Oops.

Yeah, I knew that... sighs —Nightstallion 16:35, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

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Major party purges in DSS, Vojislav Kostunica is practically the sole person who was at the top between 1992 and 2000. Old school DSS is quite. There was no Board or General Assembly decision, the party bodies do not even meet at all (possibly because of fear of non-ratification of a coalition with the Radicals, or at least a stalwart opposition). Kostunica has become with his clique the sole body of the party.

In the negotiations, the Radicals agreed that they can have the seat of Prime Minister, the Ministries of Finances, Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Education, Kosovo-Metohija and the Information Agencies, which is more than he had before. :D He has 8% of the parliament's deputies!!! --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 16:58, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

So DSS now mainly consists of Kostunica? —Nightstallion 07:53, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

...and several covered up Radicals like Slobodan Samardzic and others like him who joined the party in this millennium in an effort to get as much post as they can through him. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 09:09, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

So, basically the party doesn't really have much of a future any more, does it? Seems to me the anti-Europeans would be joining SRS now and the pro-Europeans (if there any) either DS or G17+ or SPS... —Nightstallion 10:58, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

Old school DSS founder Vladeta Jankovic is out of the picture. When asked, he stated that he would sooner commit suicide than DSS go with SRS, because - pardon me, but for dramaticizatio I shall quite - Seselj has countless times attacked his father and verbally "fucked his mother". On the other hand, the latest (100th) book of Vojislav Seselj is called "Political Partnership of Whore Del Ponte and Whore Del Kostunica". When asked, Kostunica (who was in 2001 over in Washington, practically licking Condoleeza Rice's cheeks and hugging George Bush, and drinking together with Javier Solana champagne as well as exchanging jokes in 2003 in Brussels) completely ignores this. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 11:20, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

Oh. Well, does that mean Kostunica is nearing his political end? :) —Nightstallion 13:32, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

BTW, Kostunica's passing technical government has just officially condemned yesterday's scandalous statement of Vojislav Seselj from the Hague (that the murderers of Zoran Djindjic deserve the praise and glory of assassins of Franz Ferdinand and other great assassinations in Serbian history). --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 01:00, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

At least something... —Nightstallion 01:18, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

Vojislav Kostunica announced considerations of withdrawal from political life in an effort to save the party, should he fail to form the new government. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 11:00, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

YES! :) —Nightstallion 11:05, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

The event would be a savior from fraction onto two parties, one pro-European and another pro-Radical, since the division is already starting to be noticeable. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 14:11, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

Does the party really have a future, with or without Kostunica? —Nightstallion 14:49, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

I can't imagine it without him...DS and SRS are led by their policies, DSS is symbolized solely by Kostunica's character...

BTW, check out the two pics on the Vojislav Kostunica article. :D --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 14:37, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

So that means either the party splits and dies, or Kostunica retires and the party dies? —Nightstallion 14:56, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

Yep. Or Kostunica becomes the new-old Prime Minister and it lives on together with SRS, SPS and NS in a coalition that keeps running together on all levels and continually winning known as the "Serb List"... --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 17:16, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

You think so? —Nightstallion 17:57, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:Alleanza Nazionale.png

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[edit] Serbian parties

I would like to ask to both PaxEquilibrium and Nightstallion some information about Serbian parties.

I was asking myself where some parties have gone. Here you have a list:

• Serbian Renewal Movement (is it with the Democratic Party?)
• Serbian Democratic Renewal Movement (is it with the Democratic Party?)
• Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (is it called Hungarian Coalition now, true?)
• Christian Democratic Party of Serbia
• Liberals of Serbia
• Social Democratic Union
• Social Democratic Party
• Social Democracy

Thank you. --Checco (talk) 15:37, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

• • SPO is in coalition with the For a European Serbia of the Democratic Party, yes. It will have several seats (four or more) in the parliament and one Ministry
  • SDPO is no longer in the national political life, only a fraction [one of its two Presidents, the Mayor of Kragujevac] as an individual on G17+'s list in the European Coalition, will be an MP
  • No, the party is the core party of a Coalition of four ethnic Hungarian political parties. The other three are the Democratic Party of Vojvodina Hungarians, the Democratic Fellowship of Vojvodina Hungarians and the Hungarian Civic Alliance. It's an all-out ethnic Hungarian minority political alliance, also supported by the Neo-Nazi Juvenile Movement 64 Counties, among others, this minority Coalition is gathered by the success of their presidential candidate back from the presidential election
  • For DHSS it's completely th same as the last time, on LDP's list, one guaranteed place for its leader
  • No activity from LS
  • Check under DHSS
  • Called the people to go out and vote freely, expressed that there is no room for SD in the political life "of the false dilemma between neoliberalism (DS) and nationalism (SRS)"

Done. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 16:07, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

We still need an article on the Hungarian Coalition... —Nightstallion 16:38, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

In general, almost all articles about Serbian parties need to be updated... --Checco (talk) 17:43, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

Five more questions:

• can you explain better the fate of SDP and SDU? I did not understand PaxEquilibrium's answer...
• is the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina with DS?
• where has Democratic Alternative gone? Did it merge with another party?
• where have the People's Movement of Kosovo and the Liberal Party of Kosovo gone?
• what do the Serbians in Kosovo, who once supported the Coalition "Return", vote in Kosovan Assembly elections?

--Checco (talk) 17:48, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

You mean SDPO? The Serbian Democratic Renewal Movement didn't run this time as a party. It is a two-President political party and has collapsed into 2 fractions. One of the two Presidents (the Mayor of Kragujevac) was on the European Coalition's list as a member of G17+ and has a guaranteed seat. The Social Democratic Union ran on the list of the Liberal Democratic Party, just like the last time. Its President will receive one seat, as the last time (in 2007). --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 18:27, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

I actually meant the Social Democratic Party... what happened to it? And what about the other four questions? --Checco (talk) 19:15, 21 May 2008 (UTC)

I'm getting to them, don't worry. ;) The Democratic Alternative merged into it and took SDP over. SDP is now inactive as a political party.

So far anyone could get up a political party. Last year a new law was passed, demanding a total of ten thousand signatures for registration, and all had to do that. It ticked off an abundance of tiny political parties. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 11:23, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

And what about the League of Vojvodina Social Democrats and Kosovo? --Checco (talk) 11:25, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

The League of Social Democrats comprises the coalition For a European Serbia together with Democratic Party, G17 Plus, Serbian Renewal Movement and Sanjak Democratic Party.

The Liberal Party of Kosovo no longer exists as a political party, and as for the People's Movement, I have no knowledge of it.

They do not. Serbs, Goranis, and in general most minorities, boycott Kosovar elections and institutions as the Albanians in turn boycott Serbian. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 11:34, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

Thanks. During the last two days I read many article on Serbian, Montenigrin and Kosovar parties and I saw that almost all of them need wikification and update. Would you do it? --Checco (talk) 12:17, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

Well I'll put it on my list, but I've got a million things on it currently, I can't even find the time to write Hungarian Coalition on Nightstallion's request. :( --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 14:08, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

I just got the rest of the info, the Liberal Party of Kosovo ran on the list of the Democratic League of Kosovo, but it received no seat in the parliament. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 14:53, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

Don't stress yourself! Just do it when you've got time and want to do it. :) —Nightstallion 18:33, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

In general we should organize our work in a better way: there are a lot of countries, whose articles about parties are far from being updated. Serbia and Montenegro are just two examples. --Checco (talk) 19:02, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

Update: the People's Movement of Kosovo doesn't participate in Kosovar institutions and boycotts them all in every way. They only come to the public during demonstrations and when they have to give statements. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 11:13, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Thanks

Hi there, once again.

This time I write to give you a BIG THANKS for your support and a HUGE APOLOGY for all the trouble created with my contributions in non-numismatics related articles. I was honestly just trying to bring more traffic to the commemorative coins articles (which for me is, obviously, fascinating), but after a lot of thoughts I have realized that there is any sort of Wikipedians out there. Hence I have changed my views.

I will continue putting information here and there of commemorative coins as long as is notable and relevant enough, but I will not fight any more if the content is removed or changed. I might try in the talk page to ask for a consensus, but will not die for it. Instead I will concentrate all my efforts in trying to finish the "Euro gold and silver commemorative coins" series; which is already in a very good shape, thanks to people like you.

BTW, I have proposed Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Belgium) for peer review, hoping that can be promoted to a featured article. The final goal will be to create a Euro Coins Collector's Portal with all the series and information from articles that you have contributed, and (if possible) get it promoted to a featured Portal. If you are interesting in helping in this process, please comment here. I hope it gets promoted, and after this learning process, I am planning to propose immediately Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Ireland) and Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Austria), which are almost completed from my stand point.

Once again thank for your support. Miguel.mateo (talk) 09:09, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

Keep up the good work! :) —Nightstallion 10:57, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Kosovo

The United Nations-sponsored Brussels-based International Association of Democratic Lawyers yesterday issued its newest resolution in Tokyo. It condemned the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo and its recognition by a number of Countries, deeming it contradicting to the Charter of the United Nations and the Helsinki Final Act.

Serbia vetoed adoption of a resolution at the Summit of the Process and Cooperation of countries of Southeast Europe in Bulgaria, which could be interpreted as if Kosovo is independent. They also stopped the Foreign Minister of Kosovo from addressing it. After the UNMIK representer gave him the word, they demonstratively left the Summit, but also in the room only the Albanian foreign minister remained together with the Kosovar. Serbia sent an official demand to Ban Ki Mun to replace that UNMIK emissary.

After this, and the recent joint call for new negotiations of Russia, China and India, Vuk Jeremic announced that next to the call for opinion of the International Court of Justice, a draft resolution is being prepared for the UN General Assembly. Jeremic stated that it will include some form of condemnation of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence and its recognition by a number of countries, also calling for new negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 14:21, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

'nods And, what do you think will be the result? —Nightstallion 18:33, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

It's far too early to disposition the strengths of the blocs at this moment in the UN, ask me again in several months. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 19:43, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

nods —Nightstallion 19:46, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Trial run on ITN reform proposal

I have now proposed a one-week trial run for the ITN reform proposal at Template talk:In the news#Change in ITN/c format. Please comment there. Thanks.--Pharos (talk) 20:45, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] War

Tomislav Nikolic announced the possibility of a new war in Europe, if Pristina becomes closer to Tirana. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 14:55, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

Just what we needed... —Nightstallion 14:59, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] EULEX

Still no consensus on it in the UN. This might bring to its delaying, for at least three months, the Slovenian EU Presidency reports. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 22:15, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

Discussing over UMIK's status after 15 June 2008 - the day when the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo comes in act and a new reality is created with the crucial moment of Kosovo de facto turning into a country - UNMIK brought the decision that there will be no change after all. Most expected that it would decide to transfer authority to the EULEX and only remain at the top, serving solely as a representer for Kosovo in international politics. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 22:19, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

nods Well, that can wait. —Nightstallion 06:02, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

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[edit] Presevo

A huge secret weapons stash was uncovered by the Serbian police in the municipality of Presevo, enough to arm a small army. Rifles, machine guns, mines, pistols, mine throwers, hand grenades and a lot of ammunition were discovered along with KLA uniforms and Kosovar, Albanian and American flags. Two members of a local terrorist unit were arrested, indicted for committing raiding attacks across southern Serbia. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 14:12, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

Very, very stupid by the Albanians, assuming it wasn't planted. Was it legit or a plant? —Nightstallion 19:37, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

Of course it's legit. Heck, don't forget that there was a whole war down there. Although the number of armed conflicts and terrorist incidents decreased to 0 since 2005. No one knows how many more bases remain down there, but a huge stash like this really did come as a surprise. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 20:35, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

Ach so, it's a remnant of the previous conflicts -- I was afraid that it might be a preparative cache for a new attempt to drive the rest of the Serbs out of Kosovo... —Nightstallion 08:00, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

Well yes, that's there to prepare for a future conflict when tensions raise.

But Presevo is not in Kosovo. That is Central Serbia. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 09:05, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

Not good, then.

But still on the border to Kosovo... —Nightstallion 09:12, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

Yes, but they committed themselves to attacking buses in Vranje, raiding local villages and clashes with the police and armed forces in the region, not connected to Kosovo (except the local Liberation Army was actually a branch of the KLA). --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 09:18, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

nods Not good. sighs —Nightstallion 09:19, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Vojislav Seselj

There has been one occasion of witness intimidation regarding Seselj's case. Although yet not so systematic as with Haradinaj's Brammertz issued grave warnings to Serbian officials of the fear that it might go the wrong way, since the identity of this protected witness has been revealed. Serge warns there is a possibility, because of the tragically poorly done case on Seselj's alleged crimes, of his acquittal.

Should that occur, ICTY would seal its reputation as a mockery of a legal institution. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 18:50, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

nods That would be pretty horrible... We don't need another Haradinaj case... —Nightstallion 19:38, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

ICTY prosecutors outraged at the decision of the court to release Jovica Stanišić and Franko Simatović to freedom to return home until the trial begins. Stanisic might be yet another notorious war criminal facing acquittal for lack of evidence. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 18:06, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

sighs —Nightstallion 18:09, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Vojvodinian election

• DS/G17+ - 41
• SRS - 4
• DSS-NS - 2
• SPS - 2
• LSV - 1
• LDP - 1
• others - 5

Comment? :) --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 20:48, 25 May 2008 (UTC)

Seems pretty wonderful, if you ask me. :) —Nightstallion 14:55, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

It's like always say, the 11 May was the beginning of the end of the Radicals. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 17:14, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

:) —Nightstallion 17:57, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

Just updated. SRS won 4, and not 5. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 12:57, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

Heh, even better. —Nightstallion 13:00, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Genocide

The genocide case Croatia vs. Serbia begins today.

After some symbolic retributions for war damage in Konavle and mutual friendship messages between the Croatian and Montenegrin governments, including understandings for their territorial dispute over Prevlaka and President Stjepan Mesic's proclamation of an honorary citizen of Podgorica, Montenegro was dropped from the case and the charges directed solely towards Serbia.

SDP HR's preelectoral promise was dropping the case altogether in the spirit of reconciliation in the Balkans, which was also the call of the democratic Serbian authorities. However, HDZ - who advocated it - won the election. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 17:24, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

sighs —Nightstallion 17:58, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

The Serbian defense upholds that FRY wasn't a UN member state before 2000, and that only in 2001 the Genocide Convention was signed, calling (again) for national reconciliation. They draw upon the 1999 case FRY vs. 26 NATO member states for aggression and retributions which was rejected, precisely because of the status in which Yugoslavia was, for the very same reasons. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 18:22, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

nods Sounds logical. —Nightstallion 18:38, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

Aha, but the Croatian legal team calls upon the Bosnian Genocide case, although there are some differences in there. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 20:22, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

What were the precise differences? —Nightstallion 20:32, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

The BH was filed in 1996, and accepted, and the Croatian was filed in late 1999 - right after it was decided that the court had no supervision in early 1999 over the FRY vs. NATO. The Court made a decision with the Bosnian case that it was filed before it was concluded that the court was not authorized, so it continued the trial. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 21:06, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

And the greatest part of the Croatian charge is for 1991 and 1992 - when there was no FRY, but the greater SFRY. This would also mean that Croatia should've not left out Montenegro, but should've filed charges for genocide against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia too. The Bosnian case concentrated itself for the period between 1992 and 1995, on the Serb Republic, and not Serbia, therefor failing in most of the cases (they attempted to present that the Republika Srpska was effectively a Serbian puppet-state and worked more under Belgrade than Banja Luka, which was disproved at the court). --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 21:11, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

Doesn't sound like the Croatian case will work, either... —Nightstallion 21:17, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

Well it could be rejected, and it's more than obvious that they will fail to prove that the Republic of Serbian Krajina was, as they claim, a puppet-state of Serbia (and its leaders were found responsible for expulsion of 78,000 Croats and various individual massacres), but they will concentrate on the 1991 and 1992 events. Vojislav Seselj's videos are a part of their evidence, in which Seselj claims that his volunteers - those of the Radicals - have never ever committed a single crime, and that those crimes were committed intentionally by Slobodan Milosevic and that they were planned in Belgrade (as he claimed for the Srebrenica). They will probably have to drop the Siege of Dubrovnik, and problems arise at the moment when most commanders were Montenegrin Generals, including with the devastating happenings over at Vukovar, and only Serbia is filed, rather than Montenegro. The Serbian defenders say that there was absolutely no planned or orchestrated genocide to exterminate the Croatian nation, and that they will successfully prove it at the court, as the ICTY never found any genocide in Croatia.

In essence the charge was raised as a response to the ICTY's claims that the Croatian state core conspired, planned, prepared and conducted an organized expulsion of all Serbs from Croatia, in an attempt to justify the retaking of the Krayina.

That case is also close coming to an end. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 23:38, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Belgrade

A Patriotic government formed. Aleksandar Vucic - most probably new mayor. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 18:19, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

Bad luck, but as long as this doesn't repeat on the national level, everything's fine. —Nightstallion 18:20, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

How big? This means - no participation of G17+. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 18:23, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, but we knew that before, right? —Nightstallion 18:38, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, but SPS local boards are most against DS. They have even issued warnings not to go with those who want to sell Kosovo and national traitors. The Presidency declared itself 10/12 for as I've told you before, but on the local is this horrific difficulty and the possibility that the party will not pass such a thing.

Palma's proposal to cease negotiations with DSS and SRS failed, and new rounds will continue. However, it was accepted that after all negotiations with that side are over, so they start with DS, before a coalition treaty is signed. This means a LOOONG time before the next government, like the last time. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 19:36, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

nods —Nightstallion 19:45, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Georgia election results

No, we have not. The final results are expected to be announced in a week or so. Nobody expects, though, that they will be much different from the preliminary reports. The United National Movement seems to have obtained 120 of 150 seats.--Kober^Talk 06:21, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

I don't really understand what precisely the new system means. Are there now 75 constituency seats and 75 proportional ones? And has the Republican Party won 2 constituency seats? —Nightstallion 09:30, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] FL vs. FA

Hi there,

I remember you mentioned a while back that there has been discussions about making the 2 euro commemorative article an FL instead of an FA, but it is an FA as of now. Can I see some of those discussions? I am getting the same question about Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Belgium) and I am not sure.

Greatly appreciated, Miguel.mateo (talk) 14:59, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

For example, the FA nomination page. —Nightstallion 15:18, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

What I am asking is if there is any page where the discussion to promote the 2 euro commemorative article to either an FA or an FL, since the article is currently an FA I wanted to know based on what terms this was decided. Can you help? Thanks Miguel.mateo (talk) 22:21, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/€2 commemorative coins

Wikipedia:Featured list candidates/€2 commemorative coins

—Nightstallion 06:15, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

Thank you very much! In other words, if I propose it for FA it will be decided there if it is a list or an article, correct? Miguel.mateo (talk) 06:26, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

I suppose so. —Nightstallion 15:14, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Trial run on ITN reform proposal

The trial run is active now! Your help in making this a success would be appreciated.--Pharos (talk) 20:55, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

Great! —Nightstallion 21:41, 27 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Electoral templates

User:CieloEstrellado has some changes to many electoral templates (see his contributions). Do you agree with these edits or do you think that his edits should be rollbacked? --Checco (talk) 14:00, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

Either one's okay for me. —Nightstallion 15:15, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] CONGRATULATION!!!

Nepal nevertheless became a Republic! [1] Please, clear out Nepal (AND SAMOA!!!) from map of monarchies. CrazyRepublican (talk) 22:24, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Demonym for Vojvodina

Do you know if there is one, or whether it is just Vojvodina? There aren't many google hits for "Vojvodinan" or "Vojvodinian", though I did find Vojvodinian Movement on here. Cheers, пﮟოьεԻ 57 09:02, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

Vojvodinian, I think. —Nightstallion 11:22, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] ICTY

Brammertz's report is the most negative (regarding Serbia) one since the very first report Carla del Ponte made in the end of 2000. The Belgian lawyer seems to be angered by the fact that Rassim outright admitted to him that the Hague is not a priority. Rassim stated that he does not understand why 'frankness is being punished' and stated the reason why he told him cooperation with the ICTY will be strained because of Kosovo and the elections - Rassim says he wanted to build a bridge of trust and honesty with the new prosecutor, and intends to create no hidden image. He claims intensified cooperation with the ICTY, even the one on the level which was last year (it's lower), is technically impossible and outside the reaches of his or anyone's affection at all.

Therefore, Rassim will use the right to submit to the UN a separate report for the first time, written by himself just now. The act is never standardly considered as friendly towards the Prosecutor, as it might be understood as undermining his authority, or even might be interpreted as offensive. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 11:47, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

nods Interesting. —Nightstallion 11:58, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

---

Regarding Kosovo, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer failed to convince Ban Ki Mun to allow UNMIK to hand over authority to the EULEX. UNMIK shall remain, and EULEX will probably become a branch of the mission, taking over the Economy in the UN's name. The only possibility to change the status, would have to be in the Security Council, and that can only happen by adopting a new resolution and replacing the old one.

The Patriots stated that they want to see a European Serbia and asked the Foreign Ministers of the EU to amend the SAA, writing into it that Kosovo is an integral part of the Republic of Serbia and is as such recognized, basically rewriting a sentence from one resolution on Cyprus. After messages from Brussels that the process is very long and hard, making huge technical problems to amend the treaty, Kostunica accused Brussels that it does not want Serbia in the European Union.

After the most recent developments (Kosovo Flag raised up instead of UNMIK's in Brussels, and open statement of the Slovenian Foreign Minister that this is a historic moment, since it recognizes Kosovo as a new and equal European nation), the Patriots are drawing nearer to completion of a coalition treaty. DSS, SRS and SPS have reached and concluded a coalition treaty, negotiations with PUPS are drawing to completion, they wanted special guarantees for the retired. The last remaining link in the chain is JS (NS authorized DSS completely to negotiate in its name), and negotiations with Palma were not yet led. And you know what that remaining point is - the SAA. A recent call from the European Union for Belgrade to establish "good neighborhood relations" with Kosovo, to which Kostunica responded that this is the first time in history that it is asked from it to establish good neighborhood relations with its own part. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 17:42, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

Well, we'll see. You think an anti-European coalition is now likely? —Nightstallion 17:56, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

Well, just take a calculator and see who is closer. I don't think Palma will be able to take up the pressure, if he is alone and outnumbered by both the Socialists and the Retired. There is but one greatest flaw. The coalition treaty includes a request of PUPS - automatically increasing pensions to 70% of wages during employment. This is absolutely impossible to achieve under any circumstance by anyone. The only option is for someone to give Serbia a gift of one billion Euros. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 13:52, 30 May 2008 (UTC)

Historic domestic trials for war crimes in Croatia complete. Rahim Ademi released of all charges and Mirko Norac sentenced to 7 years (which is an addition to his already serving 12). --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 13:52, 30 May 2008 (UTC)

Blergh. —Nightstallion 11:04, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Political Parties..?

A (very) draft discussion on the policy on political parties has been started by me here - User:Doktorbuk/pp. If you can assist with this discussion, or know how to help me get this policy looked at, advanced, and accepted by the larger Wiki community, please let me know. Many thanks doktorb _words^deeds 19:01, 29 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Done

I did that which you asked me. I also made maps. You can now freely compare the presidential and parliamentary elections. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 18:05, 30 May 2008 (UTC)

Thanks! —Nightstallion 11:05, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

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[edit] Nepal

Well, Nepal is now a republic. The new govt is still not formed, I think its a negotation that will not have an easy resolve. Maoists want all top posts, other parties are unwilling to concede to this (as the same time as they are ambigious over participating in the govt at all). The govt need to be formed by 2/3-majority, meaning no govt can be formed without maoist support, but maoists need support of at least 2 of the remaining major parties (NC, UML, MJF). The nominated seats are still vacant. See [2]. result.nepalelectionportal.org/searchpp.php has a full listing of CA members. Some 5-6 seats will hold bye-polls, as one individual has won in more than one seat. --Soman (talk) 16:36, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

When will the by-elections be held? —Nightstallion 08:46, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

They double-members will have to chose which seat they vacate by June 8, [3]. I suppose after that the process will be initiated. Perhaps 1-2 months from now elections will be held? --Soman (talk) 08:58, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Could you be so kind as to let me know when the date is set? I want to make sure we've got the correct and final election results in the article. ;) Thanks! —Nightstallion 09:13, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

I will keep an eye open for the date. My suggestion is that we create a Nepalese Constituent Assembly bye-election, 2008 article once the date is declared. --Soman (talk) 10:32, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Mh. First, it would be "by-election" -- and second, usually we have the info in the main election article if they are elections which were a result of the actual election and not of resignations or similar things (we also have the info on Pakistani by-election and Zimbabwean by-elections, both with dates in June, in their main election articles). —Nightstallion 11:00, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Socialists

...want the seat of Prime Minister or Speaker in secret negotiations with Tadic. On the side, they also mentioned that they'd like the free return of the Milosevics from Russian exile and releasing Milanovic, the Director of the Serbian national television, from prison. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 16:44, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

There are rumors Macedonia and Montenegro might recognize Kosovo, or at least that they are considering that, some time in June. The important date in Macedonia are the elections (1 June), and in Kosovo the Kosovar Constitution (16 June). --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 16:46, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

They certainly won't get PM, but will they be given the speaker's post? I've heard about the two demands -- why do they want to free someone who knowingly did not evacuate a building about to be bombed?

Yeah, that sounds logical. I'd personally expect another wave of recognitions after the constitution comes into force (on 15 June, though, I believe...?). —Nightstallion 08:44, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

There are various controversies on his role, Tomislav Nikolic and Aleksandar Vucic had the leading role as Ministers in the government for not evacuating, and fact is that they were even indicted, while this guy received a long sentence. It's one of those times, always someone guilty has to be blamed, and all went to him, since the charges against NATO were dropped for non-jurisdiction of the ICJ.

Tadic's PM candidate will likely be Bojan Pajtic. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 10:04, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Who will replace him in Vojvodina? And is he good? ;) —Nightstallion 11:01, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

One of the reasons of his position would be promote the multi-ethnic character of Serbia (which, as you noticed Bojan Pajtic's article, I'm sure you are aware of). He's hard working and generally very, very good at managing things, which I guess you can conclude from the Vojvodinian election results. His only flaw is that he lacks actual charisma, speech capabilities, and his opponents often talk about his physical 'ugliness'. Ultra-nationalists frequently combined this with his ethnic origins to try to present him as some sort of a mutant.

Talking about ethnic origins, some public controversies regarding Boris Tadic, alluding to the possibilities of his mother's ethnic background, possibly identical to his mother-in-law's (which is Croat). --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 12:22, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Pajtic's successor would be a certain Dusan Elezovic, President of the Democratic Party's municipal board and so far unknown to the broader political scene. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 12:24, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

nods —Nightstallion 12:25, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

---

The parliamentary session of Belgrade's Civic Parliament was scheduled for 14 July. The Patriots object this greatly, calling it stalling. The Radicals are organizing mass demonstrations 'against Yellow terror, tyranny and dictatorship'. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 13:09, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Heh, bad luck for them. ;) —Nightstallion 14:45, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Kosovo

Presence of UNMIK in form of an International Office as a mediator between Kosovo and other factors shall be the one after 15 June. It is also revealed that Kremlin is seriously pressing Ban Ki Mun, as well as that he plans to raise some dialog with Tadic over the Kosovo problematic.

Serbia has officially lodged a protest and requested a replacement of Jelko Kacin. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 21:28, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

With what likely result?

Why do they want a replacement of Kacin? In what office? —Nightstallion 08:45, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

He is currently the European Parliament's Reporter for Serbia.

LDP called UNMIK to recognize the local elections in Kosovo, claiming that one step always draws another, nearer to Serbia's recognition of EULEX. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 10:06, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Sounds like a fair deal, as the elections in the Serbian municipalities would have been held in some way, anyway. —Nightstallion 11:02, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Change to Rule 29

This may be old news to you, but there's a proposal ([4],[5]) to alter Rule 29 and raise the threshold required for European Parliament group formation from this:

• 20 MEPs for at least one fifth of the member states (currently six countries).

to this:

• 30 MEPs for at least one quarter of the member states (currently seven countries).

That'll kill IND/DEM (not enough MEPs) and UEN (not enough countries), and reduce the probability of ED splitting off from EPP-ED to form MER. It's bizarre to see PES and EPP-ED, who presumably have a committment to European diversity, actively trying to suppress it. I'll throw it in the article when I have time, tho' I'm currently trying to upgrade the IND/DEM article. Regards, Anameofmyveryown (talk) 17:03, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

How likely is it that the proposal will become a rule? --Checco (talk) 19:00, 31 May 2008 (UTC)

The proposal came close (14/15) in the Constitutional Affairs committee on 27 May but it's due to be voted on by Parliament in July [6] in the next sitting (starts Jun 4/Brussels [7]). The threatened groups will probably vote against it en masse (turkey's don't vote for Xmas) but EPP-ED/PES want it, so if they can get all their MEPs to vote for it, it'll probably happen. PES is the most cohesive large group so they'll all vote for it, so the question becomes "Will EPP-ED vote as a bloc?" EPP-ED is the least cohesive large group (in the 99 Parliament, the Conservative/Christian Democrat split was very pronounced: I remember reading something by Hix about it, possibly on the Santer Commission) but this increases their power and influence so my guess would be that yes, it'll pass. But that's just my guess.

Ironic: the traditional weakness of proportional representation voting systems is they lead to a fissiparous parliament, with lots of little parties and coalitions. But the implications of the proposed Rule 29 change will lead to fewer groups (down from seven to five). Presumably most of UEN will move in with EPP-ED (no surprise there, and in accordance with historical trends) or ALDE, but I don't know what the Eurosceptics will do - ALDE will reject them out of hand (I think Europhilia is actually in their constitution, but don't quote me), they'll find cold comfort in a europhile EPP-ED, they'd be very uncomfortable in PES, and a Green/Regionalist/Eurosceptic alliance would be interesting in the Chinese sense. One possibility is a my-enemy-is-your-enemy union between ED and IND/DEM, with eurosceptics and eurosceptic conservatives uniting, but that depends on ED's desire to grow a pair and leave EPP-ED, which will mean them leaving a loveless marriage of convenience ([8], [9]) for the more-honorable-but-harder existence a a unified-but-less-powerful group.

Of course, this is just speculation on my part. Anameofmyveryown (talk) 00:14, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Actually, I've already mentioned this in European Parliament election, 2009, but it would be great if you could flesh out the text and mention it in other relevant articles. I agree with your analysis -- the national conservatives will mostly move in with EPP or ED, possibly some with ELDR or EDP if the political views match (Fianna Fail, I'm looking at you), but the eurosceptics basically only have a chance to either join forces with ED or to form a grand group of the rejects with the fascists and neo-Nazis. —Nightstallion 08:43, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Oh, and thanks a lot for letting me know! —Nightstallion 09:13, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Macedonia..

...absolutely horrible... --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 14:53, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

This will severely divide the two major ethnic groups. The NATO is nowhere near satisfied with the events, and states that of the five Albanian parties, one must be a component part of the new government. If the ethnic Macedonians unite amongst each other and leave out the Albanians, that will further nurture the segregation of the two peoples, and Skopje will also lose sympathies from the West, which is precisely what many of the Albanians want. So far there were only serious squabbles amongst the ethnic Albanian political parties, with even assassination attempts reported. This ought to unite them. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 20:48, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

nods Pretty horrible, yes... And the Greek nationalists with their name issues don't really help, either... —Nightstallion 11:05, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Is EU admission possible without the NATO for Macedonia / not necessary to speed up? --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 13:07, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Well, technically of course -- but Greece is unlikely to deny Macedonia NATO accession while allowing progress on the EU front... —Nightstallion 14:44, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

And if the Patriots win in Serbia...dark times are ahead for the Balkans, again. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 14:50, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

I certainly hope not... Have you read the latest study, BTW, that there's less crime in the Balkans than in Western Europe? —Nightstallion 15:17, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

I know. Brussels stated that it doesn't believe it though. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 17:34, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

Do you? ;) —Nightstallion 18:19, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

As the matter of fact, I do - from both domestic sources and Englishmen that regularly pay Serbia and Croatia a visit (that I personally know) and who claim that they feel a lot safer in there then in their homes. But let me also clarify you the reasons. Mugging here is really a rarity and murders only happen in cases of insanity or love (if the latter doesn't include the first), but the fact remains in networks of strong organized crime until a while ago actually sanctioned by the governments. The first type of crime is actually not a characteristic of Communist countries, and that's the result of that heritage. Over the years of the 1990s and the transition it included, these people were either removed, or, as with most cases, went completely clean and became wealthy tycoons. In some cases they themselves turned into the very democratic institutions and took over the state reforms, like in Montenegro. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 18:52, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

So petty crime is lower in the Balkans, but organised crime has turned to semi-official channels instead? —Nightstallion 18:56, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

A Prime Minister or political finances source is truly completely official rather, and when someone who has become rich as a war profiteer, black market smuggler or mafia boss becomes a wealthy businessman, he is no longer a criminal and thus there is no more organized crime. The saddest thing is that most of these people will die as if nothing had happened before.

When someone observes this entire case in the Balkans, he / she would perhaps conclude that this actually works out for the future generations...and then again, is it, considering the circumstances, moral to consider that? --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 20:25, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

I really don't know... sighs —Nightstallion 20:49, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

---

Let me give you an example - Serbia. In normal countries, robbers brake into banks and steal money, right? However, in Serbia there was no such thing. There were no thieves. In Milosevic's Serbia, banks robbed the people. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 00:08, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Some would argue that banks by definition rob people... ;) —Nightstallion 07:38, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Post-electoral poll

Saw it? --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 15:20, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

Looks good... —Nightstallion 20:16, 1 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] HELP US MAKING THE PROJECT OF ANCIENT GREEK WIKIPEDIA

We are the promoters of the Wikipedia in Ancient Greek. we need your help, specially for write NEW ARTICLES and the TRANSLATION OF THE MEDIAWIKI INTERFACE FOR ANCIENT GREEK, for demonstrating, to the language subcommittee, the value of our project.

Thanks a lot for your help. Ἡ Οὐικιπαιδεία needs you! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 190.40.197.5 (talk) 19:55, 30 May 2008 (UTC)

Let's continue the work!!!

[edit] The Military history WikiProject Newsletter : Issue XXVII (May 2008)

The Military history WikiProject Newsletter Issue XXVII (May 2008)
Project news Editors needed for Tag & Assess 2008. To coincide with the summer holidays, it will be gearing up from 15 June. As usual, barnstars galore! Partner peer reviews: for a thirty-day trial period, we'll be running joint peer reviews with Wikiproject Video Games. The idea is simple: we help with their reviews; they help with ours. This way both wikiprojects benefit from new reviewers and new ideas! We're notable: A new book, Simon Fowler's 2007 Guide to Military History on the Internet (UK:Pen & Sword, ISBN 9781844156061) rates Wikipedia as "the best general resource" for military research (p. 7). Of the military pages, he says: "The results are largely accurate and generally free of bias" (he also suggests people join the wikiproject). When rating WP as the No. 1 military site (p. 201) he says "Wikipedia is often criticised for its inaccuracy and bias, but in my experience the military history articles are spot on." A-Class reviews: the usual four-day review period may now be extended by up to three days (ie seven days in total) in the following circumstances: the article has no opposes but has insufficient support for promotion or the article's nominator requests more time to resolve matters arising during the review. The full text is here. The special projects department has opened. It will focus on specific ad-hoc high-priority tasks and implement them with informal, short-term groups of editors. The Contest department has completed its fourteenth month of competition, which saw 16 entries. The top scorer this month is Cam with 21 points, followed by Redmarkviolinist with 11 points. Woody, Dreamafter, Kyriakos, Nousernamesleft and Outdawg also fielded entries. Blnguyen remains the overall leader, with 188 points in total. You are encouraged to submit articles you're working on as entries.	Articles of note New featured articles: Battle of Tassafaronga Funerary Monument to Sir John Hawkwood HMS Cardiff (D108) Krulak Mendenhall mission Le Quang Tung Operation Passage to Freedom Paul Nobuo Tatsuguchi New featured lists: List of Texan survivors of the Battle of the Alamo List of Victoria Cross recipients of the Royal Navy List of Victoria Cross recipients of the Indian Army New A-Class articles: Battle of the Kalka River Battle of Verrières Ridge Brian Horrocks Byzantine navy Erich Hartmann Montana class battleship
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[edit] Kacin

In the late 1980s and early 1990s he was a Slovenian nationalist, by definitions the Serbs interpreting some of his statements in speeches as being plain Serbophobic. He was the Minister of Defense in 1990 and 1991, responsible for secretly building up the Territorial Defense Force and leading the 11 Day war against the Yugoslav People's Army. The controversial thing is the actual war's beginning, the Federal Minister of Defense (Croatian, IMHO) ordered a unit of unarmed members of the Yugoslav armed youth to march into Slovenia and hold a march in Ljubljana, the Federal government thought that such a demonstration would renew Yugoslav Pan-Slavism and replace Slovene nationalism. However, Kacin warned that any intrusion would be considered aggression on Slovenia, and ordered the attack on them, they were all killed. To this day controversies float over this case and various investigations, especially since Slovenia entered the EU when it became a more open society.

And in the end, there were constant rumors, but true, never proven, that Slovenia was in the late 1980s and early 1990s financing separatists in Kosovo, there goes Kacin's statement that Slovenia must do everything in its power to induce a war in Serbia itself, in order to assist the breakup of Yugoslavia. Kacin has been for years assigned by the EU for Serbia and Montenegro. Over those years, the majority of his work was dedicated to lobbying Kosovar independence. When asked by Belgrade regarding, he says that he was assigned only for Serbia and Montenegro without Kosovo, then again this contradicts with the fact that his every single statement is regarding Kosovo, and that it would seem that he is assigned for Kosovo without Serbia and Montenegro. No real work on other fields, whenever he comes to Belgrade the only thing he talks about is that Serbia should recognize Kosovo and that European integrations are impossible if it doesn't, claiming that Kosovo will then enter the EU far before Serbia.

That sums it up... --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 11:14, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Sounds like he's a bit one-sided... —Nightstallion 11:56, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

And to read his job prescription according to which he is the one to guide Serbia into the EU (?) ;-). --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 12:33, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Yeah... Well, it didn't say when he should do that, right? ;) —Nightstallion 13:22, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Does in the job proscription of the Prime Minister say "Do something for your country then, then and then"? --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 14:59, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

When I look at some of the PMs and presidents we've got in Europe right now, I'm not really sure... sighs —Nightstallion 15:07, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

Here is an interesting thing in his recent interview:

QUESTION: For Serbia it means that you openly stood on the side of Kosovo separatists.

ANSWER: I do not support any separatist anywhere, I support sovereignty and territorial integrity of the independent state of Kosovo. The Republic of Kosovo. I do not support dull separatist that want to tear apart the independent country of Kosovo. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 00:40, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

Well. Ahem. —Nightstallion 13:19, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] WP:HAU

Hello yet again. I regretfully inform you that the bot we were using to update the user status at Wikipedia:Highly Active Users, SoxBot V, was blocked for its constant updating. With this bot out of operation, a patch is in the works. Until that patch is reviewed and accepted by the developers, some options have been presented to use as workarounds: 1) Qui monobook (not available in Internet Explorer); 2) User:Hersfold/StatusTemplate; 3) Manually updating User:StatusBot/Status/USERNAME; or 4) Not worry about it and wait for the patch to go through, which hopefully won't take long. If you have another method, you can use that, too. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. Useight (talk) 22:24, 3 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Kosovo

Ban Ki Mun, EU and Russia are working to form up a new resolution to officialize the EULEX. Ban claims that is the best solution, as looking beside the UN SC for solutions once more will further incriminate the reputation of UN as an interntional institution. It would reaffirm the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia, which would appease both China and Russia and several loud non-permanent members. Britain and France seem to be willing to accept that, by the United States is the problem.

SPS-PUPS-JS declared unsatisfied with the provisions of DSS-NS and SRS regarding the SAA (a SRS-DSS expert team held a lesson to explain the Socialists why the SAA is bad for Serbia), but its board decided today to continue negotiations with the Patriots in the following week. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 18:02, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

And how exactly would reaffirming the integrity of Serbia work, while Kosovo is becoming detached from it?

Whom will they form a coalition with, then...? —Nightstallion 07:43, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

It's just rewriting 1244, except affirming territorial integrity and sovereignty of the "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" is replaced with "Republic of Serbia".

Well, it seems that it is 125:125, a most peculiar situation! It will be very interesting to see if this further complicates (will there be Palma's abolition of seats, trials that could go all the way to the Constitutional Court, or even repeated parliamentary elections). --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 11:53, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

nods

sighs —Nightstallion 12:04, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

The only remaining alternative is for Ban Ki Mun to merge the two missions, replacing Rucker with the EULEX head as the new Special Representative of the UNMIK.

DS decided to go along G17+. There will be no government, should a Patriotic one be formed on the level of Belgrade. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 12:16, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Well, that means early elections then, I suppose. Good or bad? —Nightstallion 12:18, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Well, one side obviously counts on them. You have seen the post-electoral poll? --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 13:08, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

I hope it's right... —Nightstallion 13:36, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Croatian-Serbian relations

Have reached the bottom point since the end of the war: On the international meeting in Zagreb, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, aside from other things, stated that Operation Storm had featured ethnic cleansing of Serbs from Croatia. He also announced opening a second consulate in Croatia, in Knin, aimed ad assisting the return of most of the displaced refugees. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 13:08, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Wonderful. sighs —Nightstallion 13:36, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] European Alliance

One of the four political groups in the Committee of the Regions is UEN-EA. EA stands for European Alliance, but what does it stand for? We should have an article about European Alliance, but I don't know where to start from. --Checco (talk) 13:39, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

PS/Reminder: I remind you of those articles about South Tyrolean parties...

We should also fix European Democrat Group, which is not only a defunct group of the European Parliament, but also a current group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. --Checco (talk) 14:01, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

You're absolutely right, but Anameofmyveryown is a far better person to write those article than I'd be. ;) —Nightstallion 14:03, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Are you certain it's just not a name the UEN uses in the CotR, though? —Nightstallion 14:08, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

I actually don't know. I wrote posts both in Talk:Committee of the Regions#European Alliance and Talk:European Democrats#European Democratic Group and I will ask to Anameofmyveryown. --Checco (talk) 14:11, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

PS: What about South Tyrol? Do you have some time? --Checco (talk) 14:11, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Not right now, no... :( —Nightstallion 15:47, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

One last question for today: where do you think I can find help for my pet project, Politics of Italian regions? I am sure that, as there are articles about every single by-election in Canada, we should have also altricles about the politics and the elections of Italian regions, but I can't do the entire work alone... --Checco (talk) 15:56, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Get Italian editors who speak English to help you? —Nightstallion 16:00, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

It is one year that I try too woo it.Wiki editors on the cause, but no-one wants to do it and most of them don't bother to tell me that they don't. In my opion we need to choose if those articles are useful or not. I obviuously consider them useful, especially because it.Wiki does not have such articles. I need someone who can be interested in doing it, as he is interested in working on Brazilian or Spanish elections... --Checco (talk) 16:10, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

WikiProjects on Politics and other related topics? Can't think of anything else, sorry... But yes, they're definitely useful. —Nightstallion 16:16, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

I will try some day to recruit someone from those projects. For now I'll continue to do the work that I can: today, for instance, I started Politics of Calabria... --Checco (talk) 16:25, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Are you sure that you like this kind of changes to templates? --Checco (talk) 17:13, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

shrugs Fine either way. —Nightstallion 17:37, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Okay, thanks. See you soon. --Checco (talk) 17:40, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

Sorry to take up space on your talk page, 'stallion, but instead of scattering my responses 'cross Wikipedia, I'd thought I'd do it here.

[edit] European Alliance

Quotes on the European Alliance Group in the Committee of the Regions

“	Within the COR, EFA aligned with a group of independents from English local authorities plus Ireland’s governing party, Fianna Fail, to establish the European Alliance as a party group from 1999-2004. The group had clear parallels with the organisation of regionalists in the European Parliament, with the need for a formal alliance with non-regionalists to establish political groups that would be recognised and funded by European institutions. The EFA parties were a minority within the European Alliance, but then so were Fianna Fail and the Independents. Clearly, without this group, each would be unattached members of the COR and lack committee places and political clout. The EFA members within the COR were not marginal figures within the sphere of multi-level governance. EFA members of the COR included: Paul Van Grembergen of SPIRIT, the Flemish Minister for Interior, Housing, Civil Service, Foreign Trade and Urban Policy; Keith Brown of the SNP, a local council leader; Juan José Ibarretxe of PNV, who is President of the Basque Country; Dino Viérin of the Union Valdotaine, who is President of the Autonomous Region of Val D’Aosta.9 Thus, four of the European Alliance’s COR delegation of ten members came from the EFA parties. Amongst the alternate COR members, the EFA was represented by politicians from SPIRIT, Plaid Cymru, the PNV and the SNP. Similarly, though the European Alliance was a relatively loose grouping of regionalists and non-regionalists, it developed some programmatic coherence as necessitated by European institutional rules plus the need for group coherence within the COR. The European Alliance had eight main principles, which were closely aligned with long-standing EFA policy positions: • Environmental and Sustainable development as defined in the Brundtland Report from the UN with the full implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. • Peace, détente; • Freedom and right of self-determination; • Defence of all languages, cultures and local government; • An open Europe of autonomous regions and nations; • Openness and grass-roots democracy; • Sound management of all European structures, in order to prevent fraud and waste. • The defence of human rights (European Alliance 2004). European Alliance members were committed to ‘actively support and vote for an open Europe of regions and nations and the highest possible standards for environmental protection, workers' health, consumer protection, veterinary rules, social welfare and democratic principles. The members commit themselves to work together to obtain and defend such rights and equality of treatment. At the same time, they acknowledge the full political autonomy of the individual members and groupings.’ (European Alliance 2004). Thus, similar to previous quasi-regionalist political groups, the European Alliance simultaneously adopted common positions and allowed members to act autonomously: another uneasy balancing act for the parties involved. However, this version of the European Alliance ran for only one term. From 2004, the organisation was reconstituted as the Union for Europe of the Nations-European Alliance group and the EFA-DPPE parties left. Despite EFA-DPPE representation in the COR and the presence of EFA parties in regional parliaments and some governments, the regionalists found themselves institutionally marginalised within the Committee of the Regions.	”
—Organising for a Europe of the Regions: The European Free Alliance-DPPE and Political Representation in the European Union, European Union Studies Association conference, Montreal 17th to 19th May 2007.

“	The European Alliance group in the Committee of the Regions was chaired by Sean Ó Neachtain in the 1998-2002 term.	”
—Fianna Fail profile of Sean Ó Neachtain

“	the EA group has officially become the Union for Europe of the Nations – European Alliance (UEN-EA).	”
—Absorbing the Shock: Enlargement’s Effects on the Committee of the Regions(text version)

Other general reading on the CoR

• UEN-EA Website
• UEN-EA Website sitemap
• Political Groups of the Committee of the Regions
• The Government and Politics of the European Union, by Neill Nugent, pages 317-320
• Committee of the Regions: at-a-glance
• Welcome to the Committee of the Regions (powerpoint)
• Handbook for Members of the Committee of the Regions
• Absorbing the Shock: Enlargement’s Effects on the Committee of the Regions
• Absorbing the Shock: Enlargement’s Effects on the Committee of the Regions(text version)
• The Enlargement of the Committee of the Regions. Evaluating the Entrance of New Member States in a Representative Institution

[edit] European Democrats in EP and PACE

I assume the European Democratic Group (former EP group), European Democrats (EP subgroup) and European Democrat Group (PACE) constitute a de facto alliance of Conservative parties in Europe and have reformatted European Democrats after the style of Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe accordingly. As for the PACE group, its website is here, its PACE details are here and relevant quotes are:

“	The European Democrat Group was originally named Group of Independent Representatives and founded in 1970 by British and Scandinavian members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. It then had about 35-40 members from England, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Turkey, Sweden and Switzerland. At that time the only other existing groups in the Parliamentary Assembly were the Socialist Group and the Christian Democrat Group. But the Secretariat of the Group of Independent Representatives was the first one to be created in 1977. The proposal for a renaming of the Group was submitted on 6 July 1978. In September 1980 the European Democrat Group was officially created.	”
—BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW ON THE EUROPEAN DEMOCRAT GROUP

[edit] My stance on these matters

I can't commit to completing/creating the PACE groups, nor the CoR groups, nor the NATO Parliamentary Assembly groups until 2009 at the earliest: I still haven't finished the EP groups and after that, I have to return to the election pages. I am also currently up to my elbow in rewriting IND/DEM: I've read their press releases, collated academic sources, sourced their policy positions on the Constitution Treaty/Treaty of Lisbon & Turkish accession (go on, guess) and deduced their MEPs at formation (Lega Nord joined a day late) and at present, but I still have to work out their other policy positions and fit them on the Hix-Lord scale, so lots still to do. User:Checco, the quotes and sources above are sufficient for you to make a start on completing European Democrats with respect to PACE and, should you wish, do an article on the CoR European Alliance. Don't forget to insert inline citations (just listing the sources at the bottom is not enough: this is not the Transnational Radical Party) and don't just do a cut-and-paste job.

Hope that helps, Anameofmyveryown (talk) 01:45, 6 June 2008 (UTC)

I don't think I have the knowledge and the skills to write those articles. If Nightstallion doesn't either, we will wait for Anameofmyveryown until 2009... By the way, if I understood correctly, it is very interesting to know that EFA is allied with UEN at PACE through EA: an European regionalist party, which excludes non-progressive parties from its membership and from its subgroup in the EP, is allied with right-wing national-conservatives at PACE! --Checco (talk) 07:22, 6 June 2008 (UTC)

I could write two little stubs, but I'd prefer to leave the relevant work to the professionals (= Anameofmyveryown). —Nightstallion 09:13, 6 June 2008 (UTC)

Yes, please write those stubs... --Checco (talk) 19:50, 6 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Palma..

...excludes any possibility of cooperation with SRS and DSS-NS. "Either DS, or new elections!". --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 23:36, 5 June 2008 (UTC)

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) Is he adamantly serious about it? —Nightstallion 09:12, 6 June 2008 (UTC)

Of course. He deems the Patriots "Anti-European lobby". Hence the probability of the 50%:50% case. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 10:58, 6 June 2008 (UTC)

The JS board has brought the decision to not participate in the forthcoming negotiations with the Patriots. They are convinced their coalition partners will see the SRS' and DSS' true viewpoints on European integrations in the following and decide for a coalition with DS.

Ivica Dacic criticized Palma greatly, but said that if the division inside the coalition really cannot be transcended, it shall be broken and new elections scheduled. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 02:08, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Sounds good. —Nightstallion 07:29, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Kosovo

The Assembly of the Serbian People of Kosovo and Metohija shall have 45 Deputies. 43 are elected by municipal parliaments, while the remaining two are reserved one for Romani and the other for the Slavic Muslim minority.

The local DSS, SRS, SPS, G17+ and DS political leaders have reached a joint agreement to schedule its Constitutive Session for 15 June 2008, because of the Kosovar Constitution. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 02:26, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

... and why exactly do only Romani and Muslims get representatives...? Either way, could you write a short article on the Assembly of the Serbian People of Kosovo and Metohija? ;) —Nightstallion 07:29, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Well the Turks have gone after the declaration of independence to accepting it...if that's what you mean.

I shall wait until it is formed. ;) --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 13:27, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

So the Turks accept independence, while the Romani and Slavic do not? What about the Egyptians, Ashkali and Gorani?

That'd be great, too. :) —Nightstallion 13:34, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Gorani=Slavic Muslim and Egyptians/Ashkali=Romani. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 14:09, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

I thought Bosniak = Slavic Muslim, Romani = Romani and Egyptians/Ashkali/Gorani are related, but different from these? —Nightstallion 17:18, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Here how it was. In communist age the Slavs of Islamic faith were "Muslims by ethnicity" in Yugoslavia. In Kosovo there is an autochtonous little Serb-related Slavic civilization, known as the Gorani, and they gained the liberty to call themselves that way (although up to half outright opted to be Serbs) after 1990. There are most Slavic Muslims. There are some others, but those do not form majority anywhere and aren't significant in numbers. With the birth of the Bosniac nation in 1993 and establishment of a Bosnian political party in Kosovo, many of them opted to become ethnic Bosniaks. Yet others, simply still consider themselves Muslims in ethnic sense. In any case "Slavic Moslem" covers all of them in general nowadays. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 17:55, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

So "Slavic Muslims" = Muslims + Bosniaks + Gorani? And what about Ashkali and Egyptians? —Nightstallion 18:22, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

They were considered Romas since...well, forever. Some with the dawn of the 21st century have identified them as separate ethnic groups from the Romanis. Egyptians are Romanis of Egyptian origin (collectively descend from Egyptian colonists brought by the Ottomans) and the Ashkalis are Albanized Romanis. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 20:23, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for clarifying that! —Nightstallion 22:41, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

It shall be only provisional, before the first direct elections to it. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 11:03, 8 June 2008 (UTC)

nods Well, the Serbs were supposed to be autonomous within Kosovo anyway, so I see no big problem with that in principle, apart from the fact that I'm not sure the Romani or Muslims should be in there. shrugs Don't forget the article. ;) —Nightstallion 11:45, 8 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Terrorism

Two such incidents today:

1) Albanian terrorists detonated with heavy explosives a police car in a police station yard in southern Serbia

2) Political dissidents and other opponents made an assassination attempt on Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and after a shooting between his bodyguard and the unit, they fled. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 14:17, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Ouch. —Nightstallion 17:19, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] DPPE-EFA or EFA

'stallion, hi!

Answer to your question

At a guess, it may have something to do with the treaty of Nice. Europarties were governed by Article 138a (Maastricht), now Article 191(1) EC (Nice?), (aka 191a) and the Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003, so in about 2004, the parties got more organised (see [10]). Around about this time, EFA's old site ([11]) was dropped ([12]) and a new one ([13]) was set up ([14]) after Nelly Maes became leader. Prior to that point, sources ([15]) had used dppe-efa and efa interchangeably. User:Mais oui! changed the Wikipedia entry to European Free Alliance on 21 August 2005 ([16]) although it.wikipedia still mentions the dppe part ([17]).

EFA sources

If you're going to work on the European Free Alliance article, then the following sources may help you:

• Wayback Archive entries for efa-dppe website: includes press releases
• History of efa-dppe since 1996
• EFA 2004 manifesto
• The Evolution of Europe's Transnational Political Parties in the Era of European Citizenship
• "Democratic Party of the Peoples of Europe - European Free Alliance, usually referred to as the EFA, or sometimes the DPPE-EFA", page 296, Party funding and campaign financing in international perspective By Keith D. Ewing, Samuel Issacharoff, ISBN:1841135704
• THE IMPACT OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION ON ETHNOREGIONALIST PARTIES, by Lieven de Winter
• Democratic Party of the Peoples of Europe - European Free Alliance General Assembly 2002

Wikipedia history

• User:Keith Edkins changed title to Democratic Party of the Peoples of Europe - European Free Alliance on 1 July 2004 [18]
• User:The Tom changed it to European Free Alliance - Democratic Party of the Peoples of Europe on 31 December 2004 [19]
• User:Mais oui! changed it to European Free Alliance on 21 August 2005 [20]

Variants

• Democratic Party of the Peoples of Europe - European Free Alliance, DPPE-EFA
• European Free Alliance - Democratic Party of the Peoples of Europe, EFA-DPPE
• Alliance Libre Européenne/Parti Démocratique des Peuples d'Europe, ALE-PDPE
• Alianza Libre Europea-Partido Democrático de los Pueblos de Europa, ALE-PDPE

Treaty of Lisbon

Oh incidentally, the Irish may vote against the ToL. Shit...

Hope that helps, Anameofmyveryown (talk) 16:04, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, thanks. Haven't got too much time to work on it right now, though... Thanks a lot, though! —Nightstallion 17:20, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Georgia elections

Hello Nightstallion. The final results are here + maps. Best,--Kober^Talk 16:09, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Thanks! :) —Nightstallion 17:20, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] MNE

Milo Djukanovic (finally) takes over and purges the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 18:17, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Does he own the whole state yet...? —Nightstallion 18:23, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Of course not. He has no control of the Church. Will be very interesting if / when he takes it over too, I can't wait to see what'll happen. --PaxEquilibrium (talk) 20:25, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Judging from history -- nothing, he'll succeed... sighs —Nightstallion 22:41, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Aaaargh!

You....swine! <grin> You asked "hey, why did the DPPE-EFA become EFA?". So I checked it out. To do this checking out required me to read the f*****g Treaties of Maastricht, Amsterdam, Nice and Rome. Well, bits of them at least. But they were big bits, and this is European legislation I'm talking about, not Dr. f*****g Seuss. I'll be having "having regard to the provisions of..." nightmares for days. Aaaargh! I had to rewrite the Europarty article to get the sequence of events right (not sure about the treaty of Amsterdam bit: the funding issue may have gone back to Maastricht, but the timeline roughly matches). Double aaarrgh!

So anyway, returning to the land of the sane, I think the sequence of events looks like this:

Year	Event	Translation
1992	Treaty of Maastricht	"Hey, wouldn't Europarties be a great idea!".
1997	Treaty of Amsterdam (I think)	"Hey, lets fund them out of the Community budget!".
1997-2001	The Europarties start co-ordinating associated national parties on an loose, distributed basis.	The Europarties go apeshit and throw money at the national parties like it's Christmas time.
2001	Treaty of Nice	"What the fuck are you doing? Stop that! That's not what you're supposed to be doing with the money!"
2003	Regulation (EC) No 2004/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003	"Hey peon! We fund you, remember? What gets funded by the EU gets controlled by the EU. Capisce?"
2004	The Europarties formalise their organizational structure.	The Europarties clean up their act and start acting like panEuropean parties, not offshore accounts for whatever.
2005?	Hannan goes to the ECJ	"Hey, you living embodiment of the Fourth Reich and sons of Satan. I hate you and all your works. Please give me money. I'll be good, really. Really, really, really. Oh, go on. I want lots of Eurocash as well. Kissy, kissy?"
2005?	FN, Lega Nord and Vlaams Belaang (yep, them again) appeal.	"So. We hear that there's some money going. Nice courthouse. It'd be a pity if something happened to it..."
2004-2007	Decision of the Bureau of the European Parliament of 29 March 2004, Regulation (EC) No 1524/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2007, and others passim	"So, assorted Eurosceptics/fascists: you think you're goodfellas, huh? Well just remember this: don't fuck with us, we're the EU. We write the legislation, remember? What goes on at a European level stays at a European level. Oh, and we want Eurofoundations. Nothing political: just lots of academic stuff. Graphs and whatnot. Off you go..."

This explains why the DPPE-EFA became the EFA. Regards, Anameofmyveryown (talk) 23:54, 7 June 2008 (UTC)

Sorry for the hassle, but thanks for explaining it! :) —Nightstallion 11:46, 8 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Tropical cyclones WikiProject Newsletter #17