August 22, 2014 UPDATE

For a roundup of domestic and international news, click here.

Corina Cristea, 22.08.2014, 12:05

REACTION – Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean has voiced indignation towards the beheading of US journalist James Foley by the self-proclaimed terrorist group ’the Islamic State’. Corlatean has firmly condemned this act of terror adding that it is unacceptable that journalists become targets in armed conflicts and get killed while doing their job. The Romanian Foreign Minister said that such barbaric acts must be condemned by the entire international community and culprits must be brought to justice. Corlatean said that Romania, as a NATO and EU member, will continue to contribute to the fight on international terror, which is a threat to the world’s peace and security.

TALKS – Russian deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin and representatives of the pro-Western administration of the Republic of Moldova, are today holding talks on two-way economic relations in Chisinau. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent high on the agenda is the embargo Moscow has imposed on Moldovan produce as well as natural gas deliveries to Chisinau, as the country’s present contract with the Russian Federation is due to expire on December 31st. From Chisinau, Rogozin will be visiting the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transdniester. His visit to the breakaway region comes after the leader of the secessionist government Evgheny Sevchuk has signed a decree calling for partial military mobilization arguing that the governments of neighbouring Moldova and Ukraine have imposed an economic blockade with a view to increasing tensions in the region. We recall that Transdniester de facto came out of Chisinau’s authority back in 1992 following an armed conflict that left hundreds of dead and was settled after the Russian army had intervened on the separatists’ side. In spite of pretending to observe the Republic of Moldova’s territorial integrity, Moscow is actually supporting the secessionists both financially and militarily.

CRITICISM — The European Union on Friday condemned Russia’s decision to give the go-ahead to the humanitarian convoy to cross Ukraine’s eastern border without the escort of the Red Cross and without Ukraine’s consent, seeing this move as a deliberate breach of the Ukrainian border. All 280 lorries of the convoy travelling to the eastern provinces affected by the conflict crossed the border, heading for Lugansk, after only a small number of them underwent a thorough inspection. Ukraine’s Security Chief Valentin Nalivaitchenko accused Russia of invading Ukrainian territory after the first Russian lories crossed the border without due inspection. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Moscow gave the go-head arguing that all “pretexts” for halting the convoy were exhausted. Kiev has expressed its reluctance to greenlight the convoy, fearing they might transport equipment to help the pro-Russian rebels. Meanwhile violent clashes continue in the east. The Ukrainian Government has announced its forces are advancing towards rebel strongholds.

DRAFT LAW — The Romanian Government has adopted a draft law forcing communist-era tortures to pay compensations to their victims in the value of up to 75% of their monthly income. The announcement was made by Corneliu Visoianu, Advisor to Prime Minister Victor Ponta, who read out the Prime Minister’s message at the 21st Congress of the International Association of Former Political Prisoners and Victims of Communism in Eastern Europe. Delegates from Germany, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Albania, the Republic of Moldova are attending the event as well as representatives from the anticommunist resistance movements. Romania is being represented by the Former Political Prisoners Association, which is member of the International Association of Former Political Prisoners and Victims of Communism in Eastern Europe. The Congress in Bucharest marks 25 years since the communist regime collapsed in Central and Eastern Europe, commemorating the victims of the repressive totalitarian regime and serving as a reminder of the fight against dictatorships. 23rd of August has been declared the European day for the commemoration of the victims of totalitarian regimes.

GAZA STRIP – Great Britain, France and Germany have presented the main elements in preparation for a new UN Security Council resolution, meant to put an end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip, diplomatic sources have been quoted by AFP as saying. The document appeals to an immediate and lasting cease-fire which can put an end to missile attacks against Israel and pleads for lifting the blockade imposed by Israel in Gaza. The resolution comes as a solution, ailing the security concerns of Israel, and was also meant to satisfy Palestinian claims, France Press writes. Moreover, the introduction of a system, which can signal any violation of the cease-fire and monitor the goods inflow in Gaza, has also been envisaged as well as ways to kick-start peace talks in Cairo.

WHO REPORT – According to a WHO report more than 1350 people have so far lost their lives in the latest outbreak of Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Most lethal cases have been registered in Sierra Leone (over 900), in Guinea and Liberia. This is the severest hemorrhagic fever outbreak since its first discovery back in 1976. As the death toll is on the rise authorities in South Africa and Senegal yesterday announced they would ban Liberian travelers from entering their territories. Radical measures have been imposed in some West African countries, where government troops received orders to open fire on those trying to escape the contaminated areas. Two US citizens, a doctor and a nurse, who got infected with the virus, have recovered completely after being treated with an experimental drug. Also in the US, another three doctors treated with the same medicine have shown signs of recovery.

FOOTBALL – The winners of Romania’s Football Cup, Astra Giurgiu on Thursday night secured a two-one win against France’s multiple champions Olympique Lyon in the first round of Europa League’s playoffs. In the same competition, Petrolul Ploiesti lost one-three their home game against Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb. We recall that on Tuesday in the first Champions League qualifying round, Steaua Bucharest claimed a one-nil win at home against Bulgarian side Ludogorets Razgrad. The return matches, which are decisive for qualification, are due next week.