Insight Central Europe News
Polish woman kidnapped in Iraq
A militant group has said it had kidnapped a Polish woman working for U.S. forces in Iraq and demanded that Poland withdraw its forces from the country before they released her. The Arab satellite channel Al Jazeera aired a video tape of the woman showing her seated between two masked men, one pointing a gun at her head. The Polish government declares no intention to negotiate with kidnappers.
Hungary calls referendums on dual citizenship and the privatisation of hospitals
In Hungary, citizens have been invited to the polls on 5 December to vote on whether to extend dual citizenship to ethnic Hungarians living in neighbouring countries, at their own request and with legal proof of their national identity. On the same day, Hungarians are also asked to voice their stand on the possible privatisation of hospitals. The President of the Republic called for the referendums after the World Federation of Hungarians and the non-parliamentary Workers' (Communist) Party each collected over 200,000 signatures in support of their respective initiatives.
Czechs and Slovaks mark foundation of Czechoslovakia
Czechs and Slovaks marked the 86th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia on Thursday with several concerts, demonstrations, and official ceremonies. Although Czechoslovakia split into two separate states - the Czech Republic and Slovakia - on January 1st 1993, the day continues to be celebrated every year in the Czech Republic but is no longer a national holiday in neighbouring Slovakia.
Interbrew sues Slovenia over brewery
Interbrew has begun legal proceedings against Slovenia. The Belgian brewer is suing the country at the World Bank, following the controversial takeover of the Pivovarna Union brewery in the country. According to the business daily Finance, Interbrew announced that, in the takeover of Union, Slovenia had not respected the bilateral agreement on the promotion and mutual protection of investments between Slovenia and The Netherlands. The 1996 agreement commits both countries to the mutual protection of investments from either country.
Austrian President Fischer supports Croatia's bid to join EU
The Austrian President, Heinz Fischer, has promised his country's support to Croatia in its bid to join the European Union. Mr. Fischer was on a one-day official visit to Zagreb where he met with his Croatian counterpart Stipe Mesic. Croatia starts EU membership talks early next year and hopes to join in 2007.
Negotiations on privatization of the power producer Slovak Electric stalled
Negotiations on the privatization of the Slovak power producer Slovak Electric have stalled due to limited progress in talks with the Italian company Enel, which initially won the tender. As a consequence, Minister of Economy Pavol Rusko is expected to ask the government next week to choose of one of three options presented by the privatisation advisor PriceWaterhouseCoopers: suspending the privatisation, continuing negotiations with Enel, or inviting another bidder for talks. Two months ago, Enel offered 840 million Euros for the state's 66 percent stake in Slovak Electric.
