Sunday, September 30, 2007
* World Classic Gallery *
* AMEDEO MODIGLIANI *
BIOGRAPHY and PAINTINGS Modigliani, Amedeo 1884 - 1920
Italy, Expressionism (style)
Amedeo Modigliani was born in Italy in the Livorno ghetto. His father, a ruined banker, died young and his mother, a descendant of the Dutch philosopher, Spinoza, encouraged her delicate son in his aptitude for art, sending him to study in Florence and Venice and to visit museums throughout Italy. When Modigliani arrived in Paris in 1907, he had a small inheritance from a rich uncle, but he was already seriously ill with tuberculosis. Handsome, talented, sensitive, and extremely proud of his Jewish heritage, Modigliani became one of the most notorious characters in Montmartre and
was soon penniless and often homeless. Modigliani frequently slept and worked in the studios of artist friends who liked him and recognized his great talent as both a painter and a sculptor.
Modigliani moved to Montparnasse in 1913 and kept body and soul together by selling drawings in cafes for infinitesimal sums. Finally, in 1917, Modigliani married Jeanne Hebuterne and the couple set up housekeeping in a miserable garret. It was too late for this more normal life to conquer the ravages of consumption.
Modigliani died in a Paris hospital on a January day in 1920. His desperate widow threw herself from the roof of her parents’ apartment house on the day of his funeral, leaving their daughter to be reared by her maternal grandparents.
Two years later Modigliani paintings were discovered by Dr. Albert C. Barnes, the great art collector of Pennsylvania. Considered the leader of the School of Paris, Modigliani’s subjective and expressive paintings reveals his basic dignity, his despair, and a feeling of haunting melancholy. Modigliani's earliest paintings were slightly influenced by Toulouse-Lautrec, but the bulk of his surviving paintings dating from 1915 to 1920 indicate his interest in African sculpture, in Cezanne, and the Cubist paintings of Braque and Picasso and in the simplification of form that Modigliani learned from the sculptor Brancusi. The influences of his Italian heritage also appear in Modigliani paintings: the Italian Mannerism. These combined in his elegant, sinuous, linear style to produce easily recognized portrait paintings and nudes with long slender oval heads, sloping shoulders, and extremely subtle coloration that is less important than line and composition. Within the framework of Modigliani's mannered stylization a great variety of distinct personalities, poetic in mood, with a constant swanlike grace.
Sleeping Nude with Arms Open ( Red Nude ), 1917, Oil on canvas
Seated Nude on Divan, 1917, Oil on canvas, 100x65 cm
Female Nude, 1916, Oil on canvas
Portrait of Lunia Czeckovska, 1919, Oil on canvas
Jeanne Hebuterne - The Artist's Wife, 1918, Oil on canvas
Man with Pipe, 1918, Oil on canvas
Young Girl, 1918, Oil on canvas
Portrait of Jeanne Hebuterne, 1919, Oil on canvas
Reclining Nude with Left Arm Resting on Her Forehead, 1917, Oil on canvas
Standing Nude - Elvira, 1918, Oil on canvas, 92x60 cm
Portrait of Anna Zborovska, 1917, Oil on canvas
Portrait of Jean Cocteau, 1916, Oil on canvas
Reclining Nude, 1917, Oil on canvas, 60x93 cm.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
* World Classic Gallery *
* Alphonse Maria Mucha *
BIOGRAPHY and PAINTINGS Mucha, Alphonse Maria 1860 - 1939
Painter, Printmaker, Czechoslovakia, Art Nouveau
Alphonse Maria Mucha was born in Ivancice, a small provincial town in the Czech Republic.
Mucha started his artistic career as an autodidact. Alfons Mucha had a vocational training in stage decorations in Vienna from 1879 to 1881. In the evening Mucha attended a class in drawing. After a few occasional commissions for decorative paintings Mucha went to Munich in Southern Bavaria.
Here Mucha studied at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts from 1885 to 1887.
After Munich, Mucha moved to the “mecca” of arts, Paris. Here Mucha studied with different teachers. He lived in modest conditions and could survive with small commissions for book and newspaper illustrations. For a short period Mucha shared a studio with Paul Gauguin.
In December 1894 Mucha became famous with a commission for a poster for the actress Sarah Bernard. Sarah Bernard was a very famous actress and celebrity of her time. His poster design for the play Gismonda became a sensation in Paris. Sarah Bernhard was delighted. Mucha received an exclusive contract for six consecutive years by the actress. In the following years, Mucha not only designed all her posters, but her theater decorations and costumes as well. From now on the artist was swamped with commissions for all kind of commercial print advertising.
By this time Mucha had developed his own personal style - characterized by art nouveau elements, tender colors and bycantine decorative elements. And all these elements were ranked around images of fairy like young women with long hair and splendid, refined costumes. In the coming years, this type of female images should become his trademark.
Mucha used lithography as the printing technique for his posters. The posters are usually signed in the block. Some of his posters were produced as sets like The Four Seasons. Complete sets count among the most searched for of Mucha paintings and posters.
In 1890 the artist had his first one man show in Paris with 448 paintings on display. His art work was not confined to the printing media. Mucha designed tissues, stamps and even bank bills. In 1900 Mucha received a commission by the Austrian government to decorate the Austrian pavilion for the World Fair in Paris of 1900. Mucha became also active in designing jewelry.
Between 1904 and 1921 Mucha traveled frequently to the United States. He took commissions in the US and taught art at art academies in New York and Chicago.
In 1939 the German Nazis occupied Czechoslovakia. The popularity of the artist made him a number one target for the Gestapo, the Nazi secret police. Mucha was arrested, interrogated and realeased. Shortly afterwards, Alphonse Maria Mucha died on July 14, 1939 in Prague.
The city of Prague has dedicated an Alphonse Mucha Museum to the artist.
Heraldic Chivalry, Oil on canvas, 35.04 x 53.54 inches [89 x 136 cm]
The Apotheosis of the Slavs, 1926, Oil on canvas
Lefevre-Utile, 1903, Oil on canvas, 20.87 x 28.35 inches [53 x 72 cm]
Portrait Of Milada Cerny, 1906, Oil on canvas, 50 x 35.98 inches [127 x 91.4 cm]
Autumnal, 1896, Panel
Fruit, 1897, Lithograph, 17.48 x 26.06 inches [44.4 x 66.2 cm]
Monaco Monte Carlo, 1897, Lithograph, 29.33 x 42.52 inches [74.5 x 108 cm]
Winter, 1896, Panel
Clash in University Square
The Romanian President Traian Basescu announced he would drop by the University Square today. The PNTCD (National Christian-Democrat Party) and ex President Emil Constantinescu have asked Bucharest inhabitants to prevent "the diversion meant to settle an unrelenting regime".
In May 19 the President claimed he would meet and talk to the Romanians once every three months. As he hasn't done it until now, he is to reach the University Square, Bucharest, today at 6 in the afternoon.
But at 4 Emil Constantinescu is to launch in the same place the "Manifesto for a Clean Romania". Romanian Christian-Democrats are asking President Basescu to drop the meeting and thus avoid violence resembling the one that legitimated Ion Iliescu's regime. They have warned the head of state that they will be protecting the University square revolutionary spirit against him, just as they will prevent him from confiscating and defiling this symbol. (...)
Ovidiu Banches
Ziua Sambata 29 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
In May 19 the President claimed he would meet and talk to the Romanians once every three months. As he hasn't done it until now, he is to reach the University Square, Bucharest, today at 6 in the afternoon.
But at 4 Emil Constantinescu is to launch in the same place the "Manifesto for a Clean Romania". Romanian Christian-Democrats are asking President Basescu to drop the meeting and thus avoid violence resembling the one that legitimated Ion Iliescu's regime. They have warned the head of state that they will be protecting the University square revolutionary spirit against him, just as they will prevent him from confiscating and defiling this symbol. (...)
Ovidiu Banches
Ziua Sambata 29 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
Liberals dismiss President's offer
Some representatives of the PNL (National Liberal Party) reacted to the statements the Romanian President made last Thursday by saying that President Basescu was neither credible enough nor morally entitled to propose that the alliance of the PNL and the PD (Democrat Party) should be rebuilt. They claimed the head of state was the main guilty for the alliance's death.
Liberal Bogdan Olteanu replied that the PNL didn't trust the President's proposals, adding that Traian Basescu's "main concern" had been to destroy the PNL-PD Alliance and the governmental coalition.
According to the Liberal official, the President "managed to kick the Conservative Party out of the government, to break the PNL in two and, last spring, to force the Democrats into choosing faithfulness to Traian Basescu instead of solidarity within the Alliance". He concluded: "Traian Basescu is now claiming to be trying to mend what he broke, but I don't think he is still enjoying the necessary credibility. The Liberals no longer trust Traian Basescu and we can't trust what he offers". (...)
Razvan Gheorghe
Ziua Sambata 29 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
Liberal Bogdan Olteanu replied that the PNL didn't trust the President's proposals, adding that Traian Basescu's "main concern" had been to destroy the PNL-PD Alliance and the governmental coalition.
According to the Liberal official, the President "managed to kick the Conservative Party out of the government, to break the PNL in two and, last spring, to force the Democrats into choosing faithfulness to Traian Basescu instead of solidarity within the Alliance". He concluded: "Traian Basescu is now claiming to be trying to mend what he broke, but I don't think he is still enjoying the necessary credibility. The Liberals no longer trust Traian Basescu and we can't trust what he offers". (...)
Razvan Gheorghe
Ziua Sambata 29 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
Social-Democrats mind President's interference
The PSD (Social-Democrat Party) is against the idea of making a government of representatives from the PNL (National Liberal Party), the PLD (Liberal-Democrat Party) and the PD (Democrat Party), as suggested by the Romanian President last Thursday. The Social-Democrats dislike the President's interference in domestic party matters. Ion Iliescu and Adrian Nastase, targeted by the head of state's critique, wouldn't comment. Ion Iliescu, an honorary president of the PSD, just said he wouldn't lower himself to the President's obsessions.
"Unacceptable interference"
The PSD president Mircea Geoana commented yesterday that the other evening President Basescu hadn't spoken as President of Romania, but as president of the PD. He argued: "The President's speech shows he isn't aware of the historical opportunity consisting in the PSD bill against the government. His approach is narrow and , as a politician, he is trying to take advantage of it".
Mircea Geoana also reproached the Romanian President for expressing opinion on what would follow after the bill too early, describing as "unacceptable" his interference in the domestic life of parties. According to the PSD official, the President's hint at the criminal cases against some politicians is proof that the head of state is using threat and Justice cases as political weapons.
PSD puts up with early elections
Titus Corlatean, a general secretary of the PSD, mentioned the party would agree to the early elections idea, if President Basescu went on supporting instability and political tensions. Ovidiu Natea, a president of the Social-Democrats in the district of Mures, claimed in his turn that the party would never vote for a government headed by a Democrat PM, no matter what the President should do. (...)
Roxana Andronic
Ziua Sambata 29 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
"Unacceptable interference"
The PSD president Mircea Geoana commented yesterday that the other evening President Basescu hadn't spoken as President of Romania, but as president of the PD. He argued: "The President's speech shows he isn't aware of the historical opportunity consisting in the PSD bill against the government. His approach is narrow and , as a politician, he is trying to take advantage of it".
Mircea Geoana also reproached the Romanian President for expressing opinion on what would follow after the bill too early, describing as "unacceptable" his interference in the domestic life of parties. According to the PSD official, the President's hint at the criminal cases against some politicians is proof that the head of state is using threat and Justice cases as political weapons.
PSD puts up with early elections
Titus Corlatean, a general secretary of the PSD, mentioned the party would agree to the early elections idea, if President Basescu went on supporting instability and political tensions. Ovidiu Natea, a president of the Social-Democrats in the district of Mures, claimed in his turn that the party would never vote for a government headed by a Democrat PM, no matter what the President should do. (...)
Roxana Andronic
Ziua Sambata 29 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
Hysterical show
Just as I estimated, Traian Basescu is making use of the whole equipment so that PM Tariceanu will be given the sack next Wednesday, if the bill against the government is successful. On Thursday evening the head of state made a TV1 show for public opinion. It went on yesterday too, but this time on the public radio post. And today he is addressing the 'people' in the University Square, Bucharest. The show is growing hysterical, as the destructive call of the 'president-player' is coming out.
While chatting about his meeting with Mircea Geoana in Cotroceni Palace, Traian Basescu pretended to leak some pieces of explosive information. Three of them are about the PSD (Social-Democrat Party). It is a party the head of state affords to criticize, teach and offer solutions to, despite the Constitution. One piece is his statement that Mircea Geoana is the young wing in a party that should get renewed with people of the same kind and eliminate Traian Basescu's traditional adversaries and it would thus become eligible for any sort of political combination. And for taking over again in the future, the President suggested. Of course there was a bizarre metamorphosis in the President's mind, since the President had offended Mircea Geoana so many times before, humiliating the leader of the largest parliamentary party. Given the direction from the President, Mircea Geoana should start eliminating some party members at once.
Another piece of information dropped is that his meeting with Mircea Geoana in Cotroceni Palace was not a tete-a-tete one. There probably were several participants: the head of state, some one or two advisers, Mircea Geoana, some representatives of the PSD, their names still secret, and some two or three outstanding members of the PD (Democrat Party). Therefore it was not the generous President who provided counseling at the request of the political opposition's leader. Cotroceni Palace housed negotiations, in fact, and in the end they made a pact. I am reminding you that ZIUA was the first publication, if not the only one, to disclose the nature of the agreement made in Cotroceni Palace. Mircea Geoana is forcing the PSD into going all the way with the bill against the government, an initiative supported from the shadow by the National Anti-Corruption Department, the President, the PD and the PLD (Liberal-Democrat Party). It is meant to establish a minority PD government to arrange early parliamentary elections in the spring of 2008, to be held at the same time with the local elections. The PSD gets nothing in exchange for it, but Mircea Geoana gets consolidated as president of the party due to the opening of action, generally of criminal nature, against his domestic rivals. What good business it is for Traian Basescu! But it is spoiled by the very party authoring the bill and refusing to trust Mircea Geoana all the way.
Traian Basescu also mentioned that, unless a government of Liberals and Democrats was possible, without Tariceanu as PM, of course, then he would appoint a Democrat PM after the government collapse. Guess who will become a PM ? But Vasile Blaga has still got to wait. After outlining that he was not the President of all Romanians, but only of those supporting him, Traian Basescu informed us that, after the parliamentary elections, early or not, it would still be him to make the rules by appointing some PD member a PM.
And tomorrow there will be one more classy show. The great player will be dropping by University Square at about 6 in the evening by accident, but we already know it ! If he is lucky enough to run into a large group of adepts, brought there on purpose, then he is sure to address them. And microphones will show up from nowhere, together with people crying out to complete the presidential message. It ill be a hysterical show.
Sorin Rosca Stanescu
Ziua Sambata 29 Seprembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
While chatting about his meeting with Mircea Geoana in Cotroceni Palace, Traian Basescu pretended to leak some pieces of explosive information. Three of them are about the PSD (Social-Democrat Party). It is a party the head of state affords to criticize, teach and offer solutions to, despite the Constitution. One piece is his statement that Mircea Geoana is the young wing in a party that should get renewed with people of the same kind and eliminate Traian Basescu's traditional adversaries and it would thus become eligible for any sort of political combination. And for taking over again in the future, the President suggested. Of course there was a bizarre metamorphosis in the President's mind, since the President had offended Mircea Geoana so many times before, humiliating the leader of the largest parliamentary party. Given the direction from the President, Mircea Geoana should start eliminating some party members at once.
Another piece of information dropped is that his meeting with Mircea Geoana in Cotroceni Palace was not a tete-a-tete one. There probably were several participants: the head of state, some one or two advisers, Mircea Geoana, some representatives of the PSD, their names still secret, and some two or three outstanding members of the PD (Democrat Party). Therefore it was not the generous President who provided counseling at the request of the political opposition's leader. Cotroceni Palace housed negotiations, in fact, and in the end they made a pact. I am reminding you that ZIUA was the first publication, if not the only one, to disclose the nature of the agreement made in Cotroceni Palace. Mircea Geoana is forcing the PSD into going all the way with the bill against the government, an initiative supported from the shadow by the National Anti-Corruption Department, the President, the PD and the PLD (Liberal-Democrat Party). It is meant to establish a minority PD government to arrange early parliamentary elections in the spring of 2008, to be held at the same time with the local elections. The PSD gets nothing in exchange for it, but Mircea Geoana gets consolidated as president of the party due to the opening of action, generally of criminal nature, against his domestic rivals. What good business it is for Traian Basescu! But it is spoiled by the very party authoring the bill and refusing to trust Mircea Geoana all the way.
Traian Basescu also mentioned that, unless a government of Liberals and Democrats was possible, without Tariceanu as PM, of course, then he would appoint a Democrat PM after the government collapse. Guess who will become a PM ? But Vasile Blaga has still got to wait. After outlining that he was not the President of all Romanians, but only of those supporting him, Traian Basescu informed us that, after the parliamentary elections, early or not, it would still be him to make the rules by appointing some PD member a PM.
And tomorrow there will be one more classy show. The great player will be dropping by University Square at about 6 in the evening by accident, but we already know it ! If he is lucky enough to run into a large group of adepts, brought there on purpose, then he is sure to address them. And microphones will show up from nowhere, together with people crying out to complete the presidential message. It ill be a hysterical show.
Sorin Rosca Stanescu
Ziua Sambata 29 Seprembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
Friday, September 28, 2007
* ROMANIA's WONDERS *
Arges Monastery – Curtea de Arges - Was builded in 1517 by Neagoe Basarab, ruler of Muntenia, and has reach his celebrity for the legend of carpenter Manole.
MPs bored with bill against government
The PSD (Social-Democrat Party) bill against the government was read out yesterday in the Parliament, in front of almost 300 senators and deputies bored with the issue. It was Cristian Diaconescu, a vice president of the PSD, who read out the text asking that the Tariceanu Cabinet should be dismissed.
Looking rather disinterested in it, the PMs sat listening. The Romanian PM Calin-Popescu Tariceanu together with most of his ministers were present. Ion Iliescu was the main PSD official who didn't attend. As for Adrian Nastase, Viorel Hrebenciuc and Miron Mitrea, they were there.After the reading was over,
the PM said he would comment on it only on October 3, when the debate was due. As for the PSD leader Mircea Geoana, 
he claimed the PM failed to realize the true sense of the bill, persisting in his false idea that it was a means for blackmail so that the PSD would take over. Mircea Geoana promised that all PSD MPs would attend the following week's debate and vote for the bill.R.I.P.
Ziua Vineri 28 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
CIA checks on Bucharest
CIA chief Michael Hayden dropped by Bucharest at times when Romania is seized with political and secret service scandals. In one single day the US intelligence chief talked to the President of Romania Traian Basescu, to PM Calin-Popescu Tariceanu and to the chief of the SRI (Romanian Secret Service) and the SIE (Foreign Intelligence Service).
The visit was actually the response to the invitation expressed by George Maior, head of the SRI. Hayden eached Romania last Wednesday, just when the SRI is suspected of political police action.
Scandal in full swing
Whether by coincidence or not, the CIA official paid his visit when the SRI is facing both media crisis and domestic inquiry meant to uncover the way secret information leaks from Romania's most important intelligence service. According to official information from the SRI, the talks between the CIA chief and the representatives of the secret services in Bucharest focused on the evolution of international security, bilateral cooperation in particular, and also on the fight against terrorism. The process meant to transform and modernize the SRI was another issue raised. According to the SRI Press Office, both the Romanian party and the US one expressed appreciation for the two services' mutual trust, as well as for the very good intelligence cooperation between Romania and the US.
'Clarifications' from the US
Apart from the troubled waters in Romanian politics, this visit also ran into the very severe accusations against the SRI activity. The deadlocks in the activity of this institution, an active partner of the similar institutions in the EU and the US, may at a certain time do severe harm to the action in some conflict regions. And it is also about the influence of terrorist and paramilitary groups working in Europe, which is strictly related to the imminent declaration of Kosovo's unilateral independence. It may shake the Balkans' so weak stability from the very foundations. And, given the Romanian-Serbian border, the EU security is also at stake.
Hayden's visit to Romania may not be separated from the evolution of the UN's Iranian nuclear case or from a possible military action on the east of the Iraqi border, in the state headed by Ahmadinejad.Controversial view
After Tuesday's meeting of the Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT), the Romanian President announced he asked both the Council and the government members to show respect for Romania's firm view on the future state of Kosovo. He mentioned the government was to continue Romania's already expressed approach and used at international level.
The President argued: "We can't give it up because of both national and regional interests". He added that Romania wanted the solution to be found to the Kosovo issue to generate stability in the region instead of causing trouble in other regions of Europe, close to Romania.Doru Dragomir & Marius Batca
Ziua Vineri 28 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
US may attack Iran from Romania
NATO can get to choose Romania as host for the main operational base of the strategic transport fleet of the North Atlantic Alliance. It seems the US suggested such a decision should be made, so that the US would also be a beneficiary of strategic transport means on Pentagon's advanced operational base (Forward Operating Site) in Mihail Kogalniceanu base, Romania.
Marshall Billlingslea, a deputy of the NATO general secretary for defense investments, launched this multinational initiative of the air transport capacity (C-17). It consists in the idea that several nations should join each other to rent or buy a certain number of C-17 aircrafts (produced by Boeing in the US). The NATO military committee evaluated the idea of buying 8 such aircrafts operated by NATO as an operation request for the strategic air transport.
When the letter of intent was written, the Ramstein air base in Germany was estimated to become the main operation base. Ramstein belongs to the US Air Force Europe due to the facilities that already exist. According to NATO military experts, more investments will be needed to enlarge capacity, just as there will be needed research on the environment concerning the access of large capacity planes. Hungary forwarded an offer too, pleading that the air base in Papa would be an excellent location, but only if the main operational base was in Hungary. The US experts weren't really pleased with the idea and they suggested that Romanian authorities should proceed to a bilateral analysis of the idea to make an offer to house the main operational base for the NATO strategic transport fleet. The Pentagon representatives opined that Mihail Kogalniceanu International Airport would be the best location.
Romania agrees to Pentagon's requests
Given the suggestion from the US, the Romanian Ministry of Defense gave the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) a report on the means to provide the air transport capacity the Romanian Military needs in 2006-2013. In September 11, 2007, the Romanian government members passed a government decision to agree that the Romanian Ministry of Defense would participate in the NATO Organization of Air Transport Management and make the Mihai Kogalniceanu Airport available as a main operational base for the strategic air transport. According to military officials, it will meet national needs as well as the needs of NATO, EU or UN missions.
In their intention to prove that the Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport would be the best location for C-17 aircrafts of strategic transport, the Romanian Ministry of Defense is going to arrange a reunion on the initiative. Ministry representatives want to show the foreign delegations to attend the event the facilities available in Romania and the advantages of a choice such the above-mentioned airport. (...)
It is to be reminded that Teheran authorities announced officially that they could attack targets at 2,000 km away. Romania could be one of them. (...)
Romanian locations have turned into possible targets not only for Iran, but also for the Russian Federation. General Vladimir Samanov, an adviser of the Russian defense minister, stated that Russia had no intention to participate in moves together with Romania and Bulgaria, but that the country would head its missiles towards the US bases in both states. But the thing is that the US anti missile shield won't protect all the NATO states. According to the NATO general secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the southeastern side - Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey - will be uncovered.
Doru Dragomir & Marius Batca
Ziua Vineri 28 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
Marshall Billlingslea, a deputy of the NATO general secretary for defense investments, launched this multinational initiative of the air transport capacity (C-17). It consists in the idea that several nations should join each other to rent or buy a certain number of C-17 aircrafts (produced by Boeing in the US). The NATO military committee evaluated the idea of buying 8 such aircrafts operated by NATO as an operation request for the strategic air transport.
When the letter of intent was written, the Ramstein air base in Germany was estimated to become the main operation base. Ramstein belongs to the US Air Force Europe due to the facilities that already exist. According to NATO military experts, more investments will be needed to enlarge capacity, just as there will be needed research on the environment concerning the access of large capacity planes. Hungary forwarded an offer too, pleading that the air base in Papa would be an excellent location, but only if the main operational base was in Hungary. The US experts weren't really pleased with the idea and they suggested that Romanian authorities should proceed to a bilateral analysis of the idea to make an offer to house the main operational base for the NATO strategic transport fleet. The Pentagon representatives opined that Mihail Kogalniceanu International Airport would be the best location.
Romania agrees to Pentagon's requests
Given the suggestion from the US, the Romanian Ministry of Defense gave the Supreme Council of National Defense (CSAT) a report on the means to provide the air transport capacity the Romanian Military needs in 2006-2013. In September 11, 2007, the Romanian government members passed a government decision to agree that the Romanian Ministry of Defense would participate in the NATO Organization of Air Transport Management and make the Mihai Kogalniceanu Airport available as a main operational base for the strategic air transport. According to military officials, it will meet national needs as well as the needs of NATO, EU or UN missions.
In their intention to prove that the Mihail Kogalniceanu Airport would be the best location for C-17 aircrafts of strategic transport, the Romanian Ministry of Defense is going to arrange a reunion on the initiative. Ministry representatives want to show the foreign delegations to attend the event the facilities available in Romania and the advantages of a choice such the above-mentioned airport. (...)
It is to be reminded that Teheran authorities announced officially that they could attack targets at 2,000 km away. Romania could be one of them. (...)
Romanian locations have turned into possible targets not only for Iran, but also for the Russian Federation. General Vladimir Samanov, an adviser of the Russian defense minister, stated that Russia had no intention to participate in moves together with Romania and Bulgaria, but that the country would head its missiles towards the US bases in both states. But the thing is that the US anti missile shield won't protect all the NATO states. According to the NATO general secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the southeastern side - Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey - will be uncovered.
Doru Dragomir & Marius Batca
Ziua Vineri 28 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
* !!! ADVICE !!! *
Dear visitors,
I’m glad to advice You that since Tomorrow a NEW topic will be availabe in every week-end !!!
… wants present You a Gallery of the most Famous Classic Painters of the World, their Biographies and some representative works of each of them.
So,… Art lovers, You’re Welcome to meet the World Classic Paint Gallery ! ENJOY !!!
mig007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
* LAST HOUR WORLD NEWS *
9 killed in 2nd day of Myanmar crackdown
In this photo made available by the Mandalay Gazette, Myanmar soldiers with their weapons are seen in downtown Yangon, Myanmar, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007. About 10,000 anti-government protesters gathered in the city.
Thursday despite a violent crackdown by security forces that drew international appeals for restraint by Myanmar's ruling junta.
An injured man tries to take photographs after police and military officials fired upon and then charged at a crowd of thousands protesting in Yangon's city centre September 27, 2007. Crowds of protesters in central Yangon scattered on Thursday after more then 200 soldiers and police marched through the streets with loudspeakers, ordering people to go home or risk being shot, a witness said.
REUTERS/Stringer (MYANMAR)
Military officials release smoke canisters after firing upon a crowd of thousands, which took to the streets of Yangon's city centre to protest, September 27, 2007. Crowds of protesters in central Yangon scattered on Thursday after more then 200 soldiers and police marched through the streets with loudspeakers, ordering people to go home or risk being shot, a witness said.
REUTERS/Stringer (MYANMAR)
YANGON, Myanmar - Security forces fired automatic weapons into thousands of pro-democracy protesters for a second day Thursday, and the military government said nine people were killed and 11 wounded.
Tens of thousands defied the ruling military junta's crackdown with a 10th straight day of demonstrations in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon. Security forces also raided several monasteries overnight, beating monks and arresting more than 100, according to a monk at one monastery.
The protests are the stiffest challenge to the generals in two decades, a crisis that began Aug. 19 with protests over a fuel price hike, then expanded dramatically when monks started leading the marches.
The crackdown has drawn increasing international pressure on the isolated regime.
The Bush administration said it was imposing economic sanctions against 14 senior officials in the government. The action will freeze any assets the targeted individuals have in U.S. banks or other financial institutions under U.S. jurisdiction, and also prohibits any U.S. citizens from doing business with those individuals.
"The world is watching the people of Burma take to the streets to demand their freedom, and the American people stand in solidarity with these brave individuals", Bush said in a statement.
Thousands of protesters ran through the streets of Yangon on Thursday after warning shots were fired into the crowds. Bloody sandals were left lying in the road.
"Give us freedom, give us freedom !" some shouted at the soldiers.
Ye Htut, a government spokesman, said riot police clashed with anti-government protesters in Yangon on Thursday, killing nine people and injuring 11. Thirty-one government troops were also injured, he said.
The government said one person was killed Wednesday, although media and dissident reports said up to eight died in the first day of the crackdown.
Among those killed Thursday was Kenji Nagai, a journalist for Japanese video news agency APF News. Nagai, 50, had been covering the protests in Yangon since Tuesday, APF representative Toru Yamaji said in Japan.
Another Japanese TV network, Fuji, posted a photo on its Web site showing a man believed to be Nagai lying on his back — apparently wounded in the chest but holding a video camera in his hand — with a soldier pointing a gun at him at point-blank range.
In Washington, Japan's new foreign minister, Masahiko Komura, said his country holds Myanmar "strictly" accountable for Nagai's death. He said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told him in a private meeting that the international community cannot allow peaceful protesters to be killed and injured.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said Tokyo will lodge a protest with Myanmar's military junta. "We strongly protest the Myanmar government and demand an investigation (into the death). We demand (Myanmar) take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the Japanese citizens in that country", Machimura was quoted by the Kyodo News Agency as saying.
Witnesses said an estimated 70,000 people gathered in the streets, but there were only a handful of monks in the crowd, compared with previous days when thousands marched.
Witnesses and a Western diplomat told the AP that dozens of men were arrested and severely beaten after soldiers fired into one crowd of protesters. Troops in at least four locations fired into crowds after several thousand protesters ignored an order from security forces to disband, witnesses and diplomats said.
Some reports said the dead included Buddhist monks, who are widely revered in Myanmar, and the emergence of such martyrs could stoke public anger against the regime and escalate the violence.
Before dawn Thursday, security forces raided several monasteries considered hotbeds of the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.
A monk at Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery pointed to bloodstains on the concrete floor and said a number of monks were beaten and at least 100 were taken away in vehicles. Shots were fired in the air and tear gas was used to disperse a crowd of 1,500 supporters during the chaotic raid, he said.
"Soldiers slammed the monastery gate with the car, breaking the lock and forcing it into the monastery", said the monk, who did not give his name for fear of reprisal. "They smashed the doors down, broke windows and furniture. When monks resisted, they shot at the monks and used tear gas and beat up the monks and dragged them into trucks".
Empty bullet shells, broken doors, furniture and glass were strewn on the ground.
A female lay disciple said a number of monks also were arrested at the Moe Gaung monastery, which was being guarded by soldiers. Both monasteries are located in Yangon's northern suburbs.
In Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, about 430 miles north of Yangon, five army trucks with soldiers and three fire trucks were seen driving into the Mahamuni Pagoda, where hundreds of monks were locked inside by security forces.
Another 60 soldiers blocked the road to the pagoda from the center of the city.
Also Thursday, security forces arrested Myint Thein, spokesman for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's political party, family members said.
An Asian diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity citing protocol told AP that Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, remained at her Yangon residence, where she has been held under house arrest for much of the past 18 years.
The diplomat said the junta had deployed more security forces around her house and on the road leading to it, with more than 100 soldiers inside the compound.
Myanmar's state-run newspaper blamed "saboteurs inside and outside the nation" for causing the protests in Yangon, and said the demonstrations were much smaller than the media were reporting.
The crackdown has prompted condemnations from officials in the U.S. and Europe and statements of concern from regional powerhouse China, Myanmar's chief diplomatic ally.
China has come under increasing pressure to use its regional influence to urge Myanmar's ruling junta to show restraint in dealing with the protests.
On Wednesday, China refused to condemn Myanmar and ruled out imposing sanctions against the country, but for the first time agreed to a Security Council statement expressing concern at the violent crackdown and urging the country's military rulers to allow in a U.N. envoy.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in Beijing on Thursday that "China hopes that all parties in Myanmar exercise restraint and properly handle the current issue so as to ensure the situation there does not escalate and get complicated".
The United States called on Myanmar's military leaders to open a dialogue with the protesters and urged China to do what it can to prevent further bloodshed.
"We all need to agree on the fact that the Burmese government has got to stop thinking that this can be solved by police and military, and start thinking about the need for genuine reconciliation with the broad spectrum of political activists in the country", said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill in Beijing.
Hill was expected to discuss the violence in Myanmar with Chinese officials on the sidelines of North Korean nuclear disarmament talks this week in Beijing.
European Union diplomats agreed to consider imposing more economic sanctions on Myanmar. Sanctions were first imposed in 1996 and include a ban on travel to Europe for top government officials, an assets freeze and a ban on arms sales to Myanmar.
Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Foster Klug in Washington, Jan Sliva in Brussels, Belgium, and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this story.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070927/ap_on_re_as/myanmar
In this photo made available by the Mandalay Gazette, Myanmar soldiers with their weapons are seen in downtown Yangon, Myanmar, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007. About 10,000 anti-government protesters gathered in the city.
Thursday despite a violent crackdown by security forces that drew international appeals for restraint by Myanmar's ruling junta.
An injured man tries to take photographs after police and military officials fired upon and then charged at a crowd of thousands protesting in Yangon's city centre September 27, 2007. Crowds of protesters in central Yangon scattered on Thursday after more then 200 soldiers and police marched through the streets with loudspeakers, ordering people to go home or risk being shot, a witness said.
REUTERS/Stringer (MYANMAR)
Military officials release smoke canisters after firing upon a crowd of thousands, which took to the streets of Yangon's city centre to protest, September 27, 2007. Crowds of protesters in central Yangon scattered on Thursday after more then 200 soldiers and police marched through the streets with loudspeakers, ordering people to go home or risk being shot, a witness said.
REUTERS/Stringer (MYANMAR)
YANGON, Myanmar - Security forces fired automatic weapons into thousands of pro-democracy protesters for a second day Thursday, and the military government said nine people were killed and 11 wounded.
Tens of thousands defied the ruling military junta's crackdown with a 10th straight day of demonstrations in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon. Security forces also raided several monasteries overnight, beating monks and arresting more than 100, according to a monk at one monastery.
The protests are the stiffest challenge to the generals in two decades, a crisis that began Aug. 19 with protests over a fuel price hike, then expanded dramatically when monks started leading the marches.
The crackdown has drawn increasing international pressure on the isolated regime.
The Bush administration said it was imposing economic sanctions against 14 senior officials in the government. The action will freeze any assets the targeted individuals have in U.S. banks or other financial institutions under U.S. jurisdiction, and also prohibits any U.S. citizens from doing business with those individuals.
"The world is watching the people of Burma take to the streets to demand their freedom, and the American people stand in solidarity with these brave individuals", Bush said in a statement.
Thousands of protesters ran through the streets of Yangon on Thursday after warning shots were fired into the crowds. Bloody sandals were left lying in the road.
"Give us freedom, give us freedom !" some shouted at the soldiers.
Ye Htut, a government spokesman, said riot police clashed with anti-government protesters in Yangon on Thursday, killing nine people and injuring 11. Thirty-one government troops were also injured, he said.
The government said one person was killed Wednesday, although media and dissident reports said up to eight died in the first day of the crackdown.
Among those killed Thursday was Kenji Nagai, a journalist for Japanese video news agency APF News. Nagai, 50, had been covering the protests in Yangon since Tuesday, APF representative Toru Yamaji said in Japan.
Another Japanese TV network, Fuji, posted a photo on its Web site showing a man believed to be Nagai lying on his back — apparently wounded in the chest but holding a video camera in his hand — with a soldier pointing a gun at him at point-blank range.
In Washington, Japan's new foreign minister, Masahiko Komura, said his country holds Myanmar "strictly" accountable for Nagai's death. He said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told him in a private meeting that the international community cannot allow peaceful protesters to be killed and injured.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura said Tokyo will lodge a protest with Myanmar's military junta. "We strongly protest the Myanmar government and demand an investigation (into the death). We demand (Myanmar) take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the Japanese citizens in that country", Machimura was quoted by the Kyodo News Agency as saying.
Witnesses said an estimated 70,000 people gathered in the streets, but there were only a handful of monks in the crowd, compared with previous days when thousands marched.
Witnesses and a Western diplomat told the AP that dozens of men were arrested and severely beaten after soldiers fired into one crowd of protesters. Troops in at least four locations fired into crowds after several thousand protesters ignored an order from security forces to disband, witnesses and diplomats said.
Some reports said the dead included Buddhist monks, who are widely revered in Myanmar, and the emergence of such martyrs could stoke public anger against the regime and escalate the violence.
Before dawn Thursday, security forces raided several monasteries considered hotbeds of the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.
A monk at Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery pointed to bloodstains on the concrete floor and said a number of monks were beaten and at least 100 were taken away in vehicles. Shots were fired in the air and tear gas was used to disperse a crowd of 1,500 supporters during the chaotic raid, he said.
"Soldiers slammed the monastery gate with the car, breaking the lock and forcing it into the monastery", said the monk, who did not give his name for fear of reprisal. "They smashed the doors down, broke windows and furniture. When monks resisted, they shot at the monks and used tear gas and beat up the monks and dragged them into trucks".
Empty bullet shells, broken doors, furniture and glass were strewn on the ground.
A female lay disciple said a number of monks also were arrested at the Moe Gaung monastery, which was being guarded by soldiers. Both monasteries are located in Yangon's northern suburbs.
In Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, about 430 miles north of Yangon, five army trucks with soldiers and three fire trucks were seen driving into the Mahamuni Pagoda, where hundreds of monks were locked inside by security forces.
Another 60 soldiers blocked the road to the pagoda from the center of the city.
Also Thursday, security forces arrested Myint Thein, spokesman for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's political party, family members said.
An Asian diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity citing protocol told AP that Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, remained at her Yangon residence, where she has been held under house arrest for much of the past 18 years.
The diplomat said the junta had deployed more security forces around her house and on the road leading to it, with more than 100 soldiers inside the compound.
Myanmar's state-run newspaper blamed "saboteurs inside and outside the nation" for causing the protests in Yangon, and said the demonstrations were much smaller than the media were reporting.
The crackdown has prompted condemnations from officials in the U.S. and Europe and statements of concern from regional powerhouse China, Myanmar's chief diplomatic ally.
China has come under increasing pressure to use its regional influence to urge Myanmar's ruling junta to show restraint in dealing with the protests.
On Wednesday, China refused to condemn Myanmar and ruled out imposing sanctions against the country, but for the first time agreed to a Security Council statement expressing concern at the violent crackdown and urging the country's military rulers to allow in a U.N. envoy.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said in Beijing on Thursday that "China hopes that all parties in Myanmar exercise restraint and properly handle the current issue so as to ensure the situation there does not escalate and get complicated".
The United States called on Myanmar's military leaders to open a dialogue with the protesters and urged China to do what it can to prevent further bloodshed.
"We all need to agree on the fact that the Burmese government has got to stop thinking that this can be solved by police and military, and start thinking about the need for genuine reconciliation with the broad spectrum of political activists in the country", said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill in Beijing.
Hill was expected to discuss the violence in Myanmar with Chinese officials on the sidelines of North Korean nuclear disarmament talks this week in Beijing.
European Union diplomats agreed to consider imposing more economic sanctions on Myanmar. Sanctions were first imposed in 1996 and include a ban on travel to Europe for top government officials, an assets freeze and a ban on arms sales to Myanmar.
Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo, Foster Klug in Washington, Jan Sliva in Brussels, Belgium, and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this story.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070927/ap_on_re_as/myanmar
* ROMANIA's WONDERS *
Horezu Monastery – Brasov – Is the most important religious monument founded by Constantin Brancoveanu, the Muntenia ruler, and was builded between 1690-1693. This monument is included in UNESCO List of World monuments since 1999.
Tariceanu turns PSD government offer down
Mircea Geoana, president of the PSD (Social-Democrat Party), announced yesterday his party's conditions on the making of a new government to include PSD members. But although in Victoria Palace, the
Romanian PM Calin-Popescu Tariceanu was fast enough to announce that a future government with PSD members was out of question. He also accused the party of "political blackmail". He put it bluntly: "I have been clear: such a government stands no chance. Our approaches are different and I don't respond to political blackmail. If the PSD wants to get power by their bill against the government, this is political blackmail".The PSD official explained that one first condition was that the new pension law, authored by his party, should be applied starting with November 1, 2007 instead of January 1, 2008, as scheduled initially. As for the second condition, it is that subventions for agriculture should be granted again, starting this autumn, on grounds of the proposals included in the PSD bill against the government which deputies voted for last June. A third condition is that education should get 7% of the gross domestic product, accompanied by the elaboration of a national education pact for the next 10 years. (...)
Another claim the Social-Democrats have expressed is an improved assimilation of EU funds. According to Mircea Geoana, was the PSD to take over in case of government collapse because of the bill, President Traian Basescu together with the parliamentary parties would be responsible for making new parliamentary majority and an efficient government.
The making of a government of Social-Democrats and Liberals was also on the grapevine yesterday. Rumor had it that the ministries whose heads are now being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Department, such as Justice, Labor, Finance and Health, would be taken over by Social-Democrats. (...)
Roxana Andronic
Ziua Joi 27 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
Transparency International: Romania is the most corrupted EU state
According to Transparency International, Romania continues to be the most corrupted EU member, although due to the EU membership and the non-activation of the safeguard clauses corruption is perceived as rather diminishing. Romania is the 69th among the 180 states where opinion polls were achieved, but it is the last among the EU members, TI-Romanian claims.
It is to be mentioned as bizarre that Romania is rated after countries like Chile (22), Uruguay (25), Botswana (38), Cyprus (39), South Africa (43), Costa Rica (46), Bulgaria and Turkey (64) and even Columbia (68).
According to the TI report released in yesterday's press conference, Romania has got 3,7 points in 2007. The mark of the most corrupted state is 1 and 10 goes for the least corrupted state, where corruption is perceived as almost absent. Despite the 0,6-point progress made in the last year, Romania still comes after Bulgaria and even Turkey as far as the spreading of corruption is concerned.
The TI experts opined yesterday that this slight progress could continue in case of stabile and efficient Justice. According to Codrut Vrabie, a member of the TI-Romania, final court sentences in corruption cases would be very important, as they would consolidate the perception that the fight against corruption is becoming efficient in Romania. (...)
Andrei Ghiciusca
Ziua Joi 27 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net
It is to be mentioned as bizarre that Romania is rated after countries like Chile (22), Uruguay (25), Botswana (38), Cyprus (39), South Africa (43), Costa Rica (46), Bulgaria and Turkey (64) and even Columbia (68).
According to the TI report released in yesterday's press conference, Romania has got 3,7 points in 2007. The mark of the most corrupted state is 1 and 10 goes for the least corrupted state, where corruption is perceived as almost absent. Despite the 0,6-point progress made in the last year, Romania still comes after Bulgaria and even Turkey as far as the spreading of corruption is concerned.
The TI experts opined yesterday that this slight progress could continue in case of stabile and efficient Justice. According to Codrut Vrabie, a member of the TI-Romania, final court sentences in corruption cases would be very important, as they would consolidate the perception that the fight against corruption is becoming efficient in Romania. (...)
Andrei Ghiciusca
Ziua Joi 27 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net
At full risk
Traian Basescu is trying his final assault against his main enemy. And Calin-Popescu Tariceanu is pretending to be resisting. The former is making use of all the equipment available and the latter's resistance is passive, as he is actually doing nothing. It is like he were on a metal boat floating on a lake under thunders striking from all sides, pretending not to see the danger. It is the strangest political war ever in Romania. The end of it can only be destructive for one side or the other or for both.
Since I am claiming Traian Basescu is using the entire equipment, I am ready to provide a list. First of all he has got his own credibility available. According to polls, it reaches higher than 50%. He exercises his persuasion skill by public statements. He has been accusing Calin-Popescu Tariceanu both directly and indirectly, by targeting ministers in the latter's Cabinet and criticizing them for incompetence, corruption, inefficiency. If the government manages to resist despite the President's critique and if the economy outcome is still positive, Traian Basescu's score in polls will diminish and in the end turn to dust, electorally speaking, before the presidential elections.
The means for repression are another instrument available: mainly the National Anti-Corruption Department and the Prosecutor's Office together with the secret services as auxiliary. These institutions are these days being used to discredit and fix Traian Basescu's adversaries. If in October 3 the head of state defeats Calin-Popescu Tariceanu, the evil done by converting democratic instruments into political instruments may be muffled and attenuated. But if Calin-Popescu Tariceanu manages, their image will be at a loss. The image of Justice first of all, although Justice is supposed to be one of the most important independent powers in the Romanian democratic state.
Thirdly, the team made up of the Democrat Party and the Liberal-Democrat Party will join the game. If they defeat Calin-Popescu Tariceanu, the two parties may get to govern together or early elections may follow and it would favor both of them, if the Liberal-Democrats manage to become an annex to Traian Basescu's party motorbike. The future alliance has got major domestic difficulties to settle and to sack Calin-Popescu Tariceanu can prove helpful. But if he resists, the two parties, much too presidential, may fail and lose electoral points.
And there is also the fact that Traian Basescu is getting a part of the submissive mass media involved, together with the civil society equipment, since civil society is step by step proving to be coordinated from Cotroceni Palace. This is sacrifice as well, even more than the others are. A victory against Calin-Popescu Tariceanu would mean no advantage or moral satisfaction for the press and the NGOs fond of Traian Basescu, because there would follow a pact, even if tacit, with the demonized Social-Democrat Party.
While stuck in his corner from where he rules the minority government, Calin-Popescu Tariceanu has done nothing in this political battle. Not even when his ministers are abusively nailed to the wall in order to be executed has he taken action. It is strange that this PM who has so far managed on the edge still trusts his lucky star, patiently waiting for things to happen and refusing any humiliating talks with the Democrat Party or the Liberal-Democrat one. He turned his back on those Social-Democrat leaders who helped him survive, more or less overtly. He has been ignoring the "Greater Romania" Party, who is now aware that a dictatorship by Traian Basesacu would be a political danger even greater than a Liberal government. He has provided no response whatsoever to the Conservative Party courting him. This is how Calin-Popescu Tariceanu is facing the tornado, hoping no gust of wind will push him inside the storm, whereas Basescu is risking everything. I am really curious to see whether the Social-Democrats' bill against the government passes or not.
Sorin Rosca Stanescu
Ziua Joi 27 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
Since I am claiming Traian Basescu is using the entire equipment, I am ready to provide a list. First of all he has got his own credibility available. According to polls, it reaches higher than 50%. He exercises his persuasion skill by public statements. He has been accusing Calin-Popescu Tariceanu both directly and indirectly, by targeting ministers in the latter's Cabinet and criticizing them for incompetence, corruption, inefficiency. If the government manages to resist despite the President's critique and if the economy outcome is still positive, Traian Basescu's score in polls will diminish and in the end turn to dust, electorally speaking, before the presidential elections.
The means for repression are another instrument available: mainly the National Anti-Corruption Department and the Prosecutor's Office together with the secret services as auxiliary. These institutions are these days being used to discredit and fix Traian Basescu's adversaries. If in October 3 the head of state defeats Calin-Popescu Tariceanu, the evil done by converting democratic instruments into political instruments may be muffled and attenuated. But if Calin-Popescu Tariceanu manages, their image will be at a loss. The image of Justice first of all, although Justice is supposed to be one of the most important independent powers in the Romanian democratic state.
Thirdly, the team made up of the Democrat Party and the Liberal-Democrat Party will join the game. If they defeat Calin-Popescu Tariceanu, the two parties may get to govern together or early elections may follow and it would favor both of them, if the Liberal-Democrats manage to become an annex to Traian Basescu's party motorbike. The future alliance has got major domestic difficulties to settle and to sack Calin-Popescu Tariceanu can prove helpful. But if he resists, the two parties, much too presidential, may fail and lose electoral points.
And there is also the fact that Traian Basescu is getting a part of the submissive mass media involved, together with the civil society equipment, since civil society is step by step proving to be coordinated from Cotroceni Palace. This is sacrifice as well, even more than the others are. A victory against Calin-Popescu Tariceanu would mean no advantage or moral satisfaction for the press and the NGOs fond of Traian Basescu, because there would follow a pact, even if tacit, with the demonized Social-Democrat Party.
While stuck in his corner from where he rules the minority government, Calin-Popescu Tariceanu has done nothing in this political battle. Not even when his ministers are abusively nailed to the wall in order to be executed has he taken action. It is strange that this PM who has so far managed on the edge still trusts his lucky star, patiently waiting for things to happen and refusing any humiliating talks with the Democrat Party or the Liberal-Democrat one. He turned his back on those Social-Democrat leaders who helped him survive, more or less overtly. He has been ignoring the "Greater Romania" Party, who is now aware that a dictatorship by Traian Basesacu would be a political danger even greater than a Liberal government. He has provided no response whatsoever to the Conservative Party courting him. This is how Calin-Popescu Tariceanu is facing the tornado, hoping no gust of wind will push him inside the storm, whereas Basescu is risking everything. I am really curious to see whether the Social-Democrats' bill against the government passes or not.
Sorin Rosca Stanescu
Ziua Joi 27 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
* ROMANIA's WONDERS *
The Casino – Constanta – Since was inaugurated in 1910, Constanta Casino is considered as the most representative monument of this City.
President 'wouldn't dare' suggest any inquiry
After yesterday's meeting of the Supreme Council for National Defense (CSAT), the President of Romania Traian Basescu made some comments on some DNA (National Anti-Corruption Department) investigations against former and present ministers, claiming he "wouldn't dare" suggest to a prosecutor to open inquiry on someone or not. 
The President highlighted he didn't interfere in prosecutors' business on the cases reaching Presidency. He mentioned that the cases against 
Adrian Nastase, 
Miron Mitrea and Just(GuvRoman).jpg)
Victor Babiuc had already been opened, but they reached Presidency again because of the Constitutional Court's decision last spring.
As for minister
Tudor Chiuariu and 
Paul Pacuraru, President Basescu mentioned: "The documents that reached Cotroceni Palace don't announce the opening of criminal inquiry against them. There have been investigations, but they are not under inquiry, they are not accused. For the two ministers to explain things to prosecutors there is needed the Romanian President's consent on grounds of a report by the commission".
The President commented that, by his attitude at the DNA inquiry, the Justice minister was discrediting himself as much as he was discrediting both the government and Romanian Justice, for he should he proved his innocence in court, not on TV. Traian Basescu said he was stunned at minister Chiuariu's view on the terms with the institutions he was responsible for. The President insisted that, had it belonged to any other minister, Tudor Chiuariu's attitude wouldn't have been as "serious and inappropriate".
Roxana Andronic
Ziua Miercuri 26 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
The President highlighted he didn't interfere in prosecutors' business on the cases reaching Presidency. He mentioned that the cases against 
Adrian Nastase, 
Miron Mitrea and Just(GuvRoman).jpg)
Victor Babiuc had already been opened, but they reached Presidency again because of the Constitutional Court's decision last spring.As for minister
Tudor Chiuariu and 
Paul Pacuraru, President Basescu mentioned: "The documents that reached Cotroceni Palace don't announce the opening of criminal inquiry against them. There have been investigations, but they are not under inquiry, they are not accused. For the two ministers to explain things to prosecutors there is needed the Romanian President's consent on grounds of a report by the commission".The President commented that, by his attitude at the DNA inquiry, the Justice minister was discrediting himself as much as he was discrediting both the government and Romanian Justice, for he should he proved his innocence in court, not on TV. Traian Basescu said he was stunned at minister Chiuariu's view on the terms with the institutions he was responsible for. The President insisted that, had it belonged to any other minister, Tudor Chiuariu's attitude wouldn't have been as "serious and inappropriate".
Roxana Andronic
Ziua Miercuri 26 Septembrie 2007 http://www.ziua.net/english
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