The attack on Ivo Pukanic, controversial editor of Croatia's Nacional newspaper, and several other attacks on prominent figures have led the British government to warn visitors of Croatia this summer to beware of organized crime. Travel advice for Croatia posted on the website of Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office states, "There is an underlying threat from terrorism and organised crime in Croatia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers." In response, a BBC article claims, "Croatia is cursed by crime ad corruption."
Of course, Croatia is not pleased.
Croatian officials are especially distraught over potential effects on the rapidly approaching summer tourist season (tourism generates almost 20% of the country's gross domestic product). Dubravko Novak, a secretary at the interior minister's office, even went as far to say that the article had been purposely published just before the summer tourist season. Though this may seem unfounded, some believe that the warning may have been provoked by Croatia's lifting of visa restriction on the citizens of Russia and the Ukraine, "since many people consider residents of those two countries to be actual or potential criminals."
--Ellen Leto
Showing posts with label terrorism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label terrorism. Show all posts
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Russia and United States team up in Afghanistan
After reading the New York Times and MSNBC, it is interesting to learn that many of the issues relating to the Cold War still exists today between Russia and the United States. Examples relating to the articles include “Kyrgyzstan Says It Will Close U.S. Base” and “Russia: We'll help U.S. stabilize Afghanistan.” The president of Kyrgyzstan, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, was in Moscow in order to gain financial support as a result of shutting down the U.S. air base.
The country of Kyrgyzstan is in debt to Russia, yet they were receiving more than $2 billion dollars from them. As a result, the base, that was vital to the U.S. in Afghanistan territory, was closed in Kyrgyzstan. Although there were several American troops at the base, which opened in 2001, Kyrgyzstan needed Moscow’s approval. Unfortunately, Russia was bothered by the fact that Americans had a presence on the air base. This situation relates back to the Cold War and the different way of thinking between countries; democracy versus communism. Along with communist Russia, China was not thrilled with the U.S. presence at the air base.
Although there is some tension between Russia and the U.S., the two countries, along with others will cooperate together in order to fight terrorism in Afghanistan. Relating back to the Cold War theory, Russia feels that Afghanistan is becoming too much of a democracy as a direct result of the United States.
Along with working with Russia, Barack Obama is working with Russia on the missile defense issues in the Czech Republic and Poland. Therefore, with possible tension arising between two leading countries, the U.S. and Russia, global security could unite the two, despite their differences.
- By Rachel Rovner
The country of Kyrgyzstan is in debt to Russia, yet they were receiving more than $2 billion dollars from them. As a result, the base, that was vital to the U.S. in Afghanistan territory, was closed in Kyrgyzstan. Although there were several American troops at the base, which opened in 2001, Kyrgyzstan needed Moscow’s approval. Unfortunately, Russia was bothered by the fact that Americans had a presence on the air base. This situation relates back to the Cold War and the different way of thinking between countries; democracy versus communism. Along with communist Russia, China was not thrilled with the U.S. presence at the air base.
Although there is some tension between Russia and the U.S., the two countries, along with others will cooperate together in order to fight terrorism in Afghanistan. Relating back to the Cold War theory, Russia feels that Afghanistan is becoming too much of a democracy as a direct result of the United States.
Along with working with Russia, Barack Obama is working with Russia on the missile defense issues in the Czech Republic and Poland. Therefore, with possible tension arising between two leading countries, the U.S. and Russia, global security could unite the two, despite their differences.
- By Rachel Rovner
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