by Ed Alexander
The January transfer window looked like the time when Luka Modric, arguably the most exciting talent in Croatian footballing history, would spread his wings and leave the comfort of the Dinamo Zagreb nest for a place in one of the giant European clubs. Reports in both the domestic Croatian press and the main European dailies have linked Modric to a number of high profile clubs such as Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid, as well as to lesser teams like Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. With Dinamo’s controversial king-pin Zdravko Mamic having been photographed leaving meetings across Europe, it seemed that it would only be a matter of time before Modric’s signature would be announced by one of Europe’s high paying clubs. Continue reading ‘Modric: The Soap Opera’
by Mark Graham
Director: David Cronenberg
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel,
Armin Mueller-Stahl, Sinead Cusack, Jerzy Skolimowski.
On DVD 25 February 2008
The film starts on a dark note. An East European prostitute dies whilst giving birth and young midwife Anna (Naomi Watts) tries to track down the family of the dead girl. Fortunately for Anna, the girl was carrying her diary when she died. Also found on her body is a business card for a local Russian restaurant. It’s when Anna approaches Seymon the proprietor of the restaurant, to translate the diary, that things become more interesting. Although appearing to be friendly and helpful, Seymon seems a bit too anxious to get his hands on the diary. When Anna leaves she bumps into Nikolai (Viggo Mortensen) and the story really kicks off.
Continue reading ‘DVD Review: Eastern Promises’
by Max Petrokosky
First the Dodo marked out a race-course, in a sort of circle, (`the exact shape doesn’t matter,’ it said,) and then all the party were placed along the course, here and there. There was no `One, two, three, and away,’ but they began running when they liked, and left off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know when the race was over. However, when they had been running half an hour or so, and were quite dry again, the Dodo suddenly called out `The race is over!’ and they all crowded round it, panting, and asking, `But who has won?’
Continue reading ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls: A Somewhat Forced Comparison Between the Noble Veche and the Beatific Caucus’
by Ed Alexander
As 2007 drew to a close, a tabloid storm erupted in Zagreb with all of Croatia’s daily papers carrying photos of a group of camouflaged men, guns slung over their shoulders and smiles beaming, standing triumphantly over an array of dead bodies. This was not a flashback to the ‘90s that would implicate high ranking officials in the Croatian government in an act of genocide though, and in fact the bodies were not even human.
Continue reading ‘If you go down to the woods today you’re sure of a big surprise’
by Ed Alexander
Since its inception, the ICTY has been characterised by the work of one woman, Carla Del Ponte. As the Chief Prosecutor leaves this position, questions remain as to how history will judge her indomitable attempts to gain justice for the region’s many victims. Continue reading ‘Unfinished business or a job well done?’
by Andras Beszterczey
In recent months Kosovo has once again become a prime concern for the European Community. The two main Albanian parties, who emerged victorious in the November elections, have both agreed to form a government and declare independence. A significant number of European Union members, and the United States, have strongly indicated that they will recognise such a declaration. Russia however, is opposed. Its veto in the United Nations means that recognition will likely be on a national-basis. Continue reading ‘The Kosovo Precedent’
Milos Stankovic, a former Major in the Parachute Regiment, served longer than any other British soldier in Bosnia and was decorated with an MBE for bravery in the conflict. Whilst working in Sarajevo as an interpreter he smuggled Bosnians of all ethnic creeds out of Sarajevo and into safety. Some dubbed him a ‘British Schindler,’ the MoD dubbed him a spy and he was arrested in October 1997. Veche sent John du Preez to leafy Farnham in Surrey to speak of his exoneration, his war, and his new philosophy on life. Continue reading ‘Interview with Milos Stankovic’
This was an election with only one possible result. The authorities left nothing to chance, brazenly violating electoral procedure to ensure a landslide victory for the ruling United Russia in the 2007 parliamentary vote. It has also recently been alleged that Vladimir Putin has amassed a personal fortune of $40 billion - in the midst of a power struggle that has gripped the Kremlin. So, ask Babak Moussavi and Johannes Olschner, could there be a link between the elections and Putin’s future? Continue reading ‘A clue to Putin’s future?’
by Rob Irvine
As Russian anger mounts over U.S. plans for ‘Missile Shield’ bases near its borders, what are the motives behind the changing stances of the recipient countries?
With relations between Russia and the West continuing to suffer over the issue of America’s proposed ‘Missile Shield’ system, the governments of both Poland and the Czech Republic have enacted a policy shift regarding the deployment of any related systems or facilities within their borders. This new stance, beginning in early January, marked the beginning of a tougher attitude towards negotiations with the US over any such deployment. From the outset the agreement to host facilities and systems related to the Missile Shield scheme, albeit only agreed in principle thus far, has proved to be highly unpopular, both with an increasingly assertive Russia and also with domestic audiences - both countries having witnessed popular discontent over the issue throughout 2007. Such issues will surely influence the governments of both Warsaw and Prague; however this policy shift cannot be seen as an indicator of wavering commitment to host the ‘Missile Shield’ or indeed towards their alliance with the US. Continue reading ‘Cold Feet or Hard To Get?’
by Peter Woodman
After weeks of wrangling Yulia Tymoshenko has finally been appointed as Prime Minister of Ukraine, returning the glamorous ‘gas princess’ to the post she held under President Viktor Yushchenko following the 2004 Orange Revolution. A coalition was reached between her Blok of Yulia Tymoshenko (BYuT) party and the Presidents party – Our Ukraine – to give them a parliamentary majority over the Party of Regions, led by Victor Yanukovych. Tymoshenko received 226 votes, exactly the total needed to confirm her as PM, and 2 more than the total she received in voting last week, as Yanukovych’s Party of Regions continued to abstain. Continue reading ‘Tymoshenko elected Prime Minister of Ukraine’
The January transfer window looked like the time when Luka Modric, arguably the most exciting talent in Croatian footballing history, would spread his wings and leave the comfort of the Dinamo Zagreb nest for a place in one of the giant European clubs. Reports in both the domestic Croatian press and the main European dailies have linked Modric to a number of high profile clubs such as Barcelona, Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid, as well as to lesser teams like Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. With Dinamo’s controversial king-pin Zdravko Mamic having been photographed leaving meetings across Europe, it seemed that it would only be a matter of time before Modric’s signature would be announced by one of Europe’s high paying clubs. Continue reading ‘Modric: The Soap Opera’
