Moldovan government suspended participation in 5-party peace talks on Transdniestria conflict after Tiraspol ordered closure of all Moldovan schools teaching in Latin script. Estimated 40% of Transdniestrian population native Moldovan/Romanian speakers. Tiraspol authorities evicted 60 orphans from school 27 July, forcing them to spend night in street, and stormed second school 29 July after parents, teachers, and students barricaded themselves inside. OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus called Transdniestrian move “linguistic cleansing”. EU and U.S. said would consider sanctions against Transdniestria.

Coalition government agreed crucial yet controversial part of 2001 Ohrid peace accord granting greater rights to ethnic Albanian minority; must now be approved by parliament. Opposition nationalist World Macedonian Congress started collecting signatures to initiate referendum against proposals; 150,000 signatures needed by 23 August deadline. Long-delayed decentralisation plan would hand more powers to local councils and make Albanian second official language in municipalities with Albanian population of at least 20%. Draft law on territorial organisation foresees municipalities decreasing first from current 123 to 76 by 2008. Skopje would expand to include 2 more Albanian majority areas, pushing capital above 20% threshold. Widespread demonstrations followed government agreement, notably in Struga 22 July, where Defence Minister Vlado Buckovski had to be rescued from Social Democrat Party headquarters.

Some violence in Belfast 12 July during Orange order marching season; Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) appeared ready to guarantee stable power- sharing arrangement if deal on decommissioning can be struck at intensive September talks with Irish, British governments and Sinn Fein.

Seven candidates registered for Chechnya’s 29 August presidential election, including Chechen interior minister and Kremlin favourite Alu Alkhanov. Businessman Malik Saidullaev, lone serious threat to Alkhanov, disqualified by Moscow on technicality. Major clash between rebels and forces loyal to Ramzan Kadyrov, son of assassinated president Akhmad Kadyrov, left dozens dead 12-13 July. Rebel leader Shamil Basayev claimed responsibility for - and reportedly participated in - June attack in neighbouring Ingushetia, which killed close to 100. Assassination attempt on acting Chechen president Sergei Abramov failed 13 July.

Serbian President Boris Tadic inaugurated 11 July. Visited Washington 19-21 July; held high-level meetings with Bush administration discussing stability of Serbia and cooperation with Hague tribunal. Defense Minister Prvoslav Davinic called for war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic to surrender to tribunal. Former Croatian Serb leader Goran Hadzic indicted 13 July, escaped detention prompting internal police investigation. Dejan Milenkovic, key suspect for assassination of Serbian PM Djindjic, turned self in to Greek police 17 July after 16 months on run. Representatives of ethnic Hungarians, largest minority in multi-ethnic province of Vojvodina, called on Belgrade to stop rising tide of inter-ethnic violence in region.

President Rakhmonov signed controversial new election law despite criticism it does not ensure independence of electoral commissions and requires high cash deposits from candidates.

Bomb attack on local governor killed 3 in Turkey’s eastern Van province 2 July; blamed on Kongra-Gel Kurdish separatists. Further attack in Diyarbakir police station killed one 28 July. Kongra-Gel cancelled 5-year ceasefire in June.

Government silenced last foreign news source in country, shutting down transmitter for Russia’s Mayak radio station for “technical reasons”. Move leaves vast majority of citizens without information from abroad. EU protested strongly over failure of government to approve extension of accreditation of OSCE ambassador, Paraschiva Badescu, despite recent improvement in EU-Turkmen relations. Between 10 and 20 people reported arrested in Ashgabad, possibly connected to reports of anti-government leaflets being distributed in capital.

Three suicide bombers struck simultaneously 30 July outside U.S. and Israeli embassies and in lobby of Uzbek prosecutor’s office in Tashkent, killing 6 including bombers. Violence occurred just days after opening of trial of 15 suspects arrested in connection with March and April attacks in Tashkent and Bukhara, which left 47 dead. Government blamed Hizb ut-Tahrir, radical Islamic group that officially eschews violence. State Department 13 July announced freeze of $18 million in aid, saying Uzbekistan failed to make adequate progress on human rights and democratic reforms.

In boost for government, Bolivians unequivocally backed President Mesa’s 18 July referendum proposals to increase state control over Bolivia’s gas reserves and allow exports. Voters ignored calls to burn ballots from radical indigenous leaders who wanted total nationalisation of reserves. Results showed average 58% support rate for Mesa’s proposals.