*** Czechoslovakia
1991 MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN OPENED IN MOLDAVIA
Brno, 23 November 1990. During a press conference held before and during an assembly with Moravian Radicals, Paolo Pietrosanti, member of the Radical party's Federal Council, Richard Stockar, treasurer of the Radical Association for the United States of Europe, Jan Honner and Petr Patka, Moravian radical exponents, explained the reasons for which to renew membership or to join the 1991 Radical Party; they later gave an evaluation of the signature collection campaign for the petitions for which radicals of all Europe are engaged, and for the specific petition concerning Czechoslovakia and the modification of the electoral law to a British type of uninominal system.
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*** Italy
DEMOCRATIC FORUM: THE MANIFESTO PROMOTED BY 101 MEMBERS, "EVACUATE" AND FREE THE STATE AND THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FROM PARTYIST OCCUPATION
Rome, 29 November 1990. 101 personnalities among which journalists, members of Parliament and liberal, communist, republican and radical exponents, but also ordinary people belonging to no party at all, signed an appeal which states, among other things; "We cannot hope to recover credibility for the State, to make this public administration work, to concretely apply citizenship rights unless we free the public sector of the partyist plunder; if, in other words, we do not focus on overcoming not parties but a system of parties that has won itself the name of partyism.
Many of us are convinced that this is the only priority for any political and civil engagement, regardless of ideologies and partisanship; the only field for which it has any sense to call oneself reformers (...)".
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*** Italy
TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF DIVORCE: A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT STAGES OF THE PASSAGE OF THE LAW AND OFFICIAL INAUGURATION OF THE RADICAL PARTY'S NEW PREMISES
Rome, 30 November 1990. At the presence of the President of the Senate Giovanni Spadolini, a photographic exhibit was opened at the Party's premises in via di Torre Argentina 76, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Fortuna-Baslini bill introducing divorce in Italy. Through documents and mostly unpublished pictures, the exhibit illustrates the most significant stages that lead to the passage of the bill. Parallel to the opening of the exhibit, the official inauguration of the Radical party's new premises.
------------------------------------------------------------------*** Rumania
PRESENTATION ASSEMBLY OF THE RADICAL PARTY WITH MARCO PANNELLA
Bucharest, 14 November 1990. About seventy people attended the assembly organized by the Radical Party at the Bucharest Park Hotel. After giving a synthesis of the major battles conducted by the Radical Party in its thirty years of existence, Marco Pannella dwelt upon specific themes, and especially on the European one, stressing the need to go beyond the perspective of an adhesion to the European Community, announcing Rumania's willingness to participate in a Constituent of the United States of Europe. At the conclusion of the assembly, Alexandr Rosu, vice President of the environmentalist party, joined the Radical Party, while five more people announced their intention to become members.
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** Rumania
MARCO PANNELLA MEETS THE PRESS
Bucharest, 14 November 1990. For over three hours, Marco Pannella talked with the Rumanian press. About twenty journalists, representing the most important national newspapers, asked a series of questions, especially on the government's policy and the Front's policy. Without disclosing anything on the conclusions of the European delegation, Pannella underlined his positive reaction to the earnest attitude held by the government officials. Questioned on the incidents occurred in June in Bucharest and on the authorities' responsibilities, Pannella said he was absolutely not convinced by the thesis according to which these events were provoked by the authorities. Instead, he said he believed these were attempts on the part of certain groups to destabilize the reform process, and that perhaps the greatest danger for the future of the country is the non-identification of those groups interested in destabilizing.
------------------------------------------------------------------** Greece - United States of America
ATHENS FORUM: STATEMENT BY MILTON FRIEDMAN
Los Angeles, 15 November 1990. A few days before the opening of the Forum on drugs to be held in Athens, Nobel Prize for economy Milton Friedman states: "It is most fitting that this conference is taking place in Athens, the birthplace of democracy. We must all work together to end this drug tragedy. Prohibition is making the whole legal structure of society corrupt".
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** CZECHOSLOVAKIA - United States of America
DEATH PENALTY: OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BUSH FROM THE CZECHOSLOVAKIAN RADICALS
Prague, 15 November 1990. On the eve of President Bush's visit to their country, Czechoslovakian Radicals forwarded a letter for him through the U.S. embassy in Prague. While thanking President Bush for his visit, and the U.S. for being such a great example, the radicals drew his attention on the fact that while Czechoslovakia abolished capital punishment a few months ago, it is still in force in the U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------** Hungary
THE PRESIDENT OF THE HUNGARIAN REPUBLIC, ARPAD GONCZ, BACKS THE RADICAL INITIATIVE FOR THE ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY.
Budapest, 20 November 1990. In a letter sent to Attila Pal Szomahazi of the Coordination against the death penalty, the President of the Republic of Hungary expresses his full support of the abolition of capital punishment, and wishes us a complete success.
------------------------------------------------------------------** Rumania
DORU BRAIA AFFAIR: THE CONCLUSION. THE RUMANIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE GIVEN BRAIA A NEW PASSPORT. AN ACHIEVEMENT OF LEGALITY AND TOLERANCE. STATEMENT BY EMIL IOVANESCU OF THE RADICAL PARTY
Budapest, 20 November 1990. Doru Braia, the Rumanian citizen living in West Germany whom the Rumanian authorities had prevented to enter the country, has been given a new passport at the Rumanian embassy of Budapest. After having received his new passport, Doru Braia immediately made for Rumania.
On the subject of the (happy) conclusion of the affair, which had seen Radical party engaged in hunger strikes, demonstrations in several European capitals and interrogations, Emil Iovanescu states: "I cannot but express my satisfaction toward the authorities of my country, who have proven capable of reconsidering an unfair decision and of restoring legality on a matter of principle, that is, the right for each Rumanian citizen to enter and exit his country. I am all the more satisfied, in that the matter was accompanied by a behaviour and attitudes on the part of Doru Braia that were not altogether in good taste".
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** Soviet Union
STATEMENT OF THE COMMITTEE ORGANIZING THE CAMPAIGN FOR DEMILITARIZATION
Moscow, 21 November 1990. In a text made public, 21 exponents of different parties and organizations engaged in the battle for the demilitarization of the Soviet society, including several Soviet members of the Radical Party, state: "We have organized an executive committee for the preparation of conference for the demilitarization campaign, which intends to counter the widespread cult of violence in our society. A cult whose tangible signs are a general militarization of society, the prevalence of military priorities over civil ones, an intensive military-patriotic education for citizens. We propose the immediate introduction of an alternative civil service in the Soviet Union, as a fundamental priority to continue in the direction of demilitarization".
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** Soviet Union
RADICALS AT THE ASSEMBLY OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Moscow, 24 November 1990. Several Muscovite members of the Radical Party took part in the proceedings of the first meeting of the Soviet members of Amnesty International. In his speech on behalf of the Muscovite Radicals, Alexandr Pronozin advocated a cooperation between Amnesty International and the Radical Party on the battle for the right to conscientious objection and for the abolition of capital punishment. He also invited Amnesty International to adhere to the Agorà' telematic project, sponsored by the Radical party, thus proving the major importance of information for a common cooperation. At the conclusion of the proceedings, two participants decided to join the Radical party.
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** Rumania
PRESENTATION ASSEMBLY OF THE RADICAL PARTY
Sfintu Gheorghe, 24 November 1990. About fifteen people took part in a first briefing on the Radical party. After a presentation of the Radical party, Olivier Dupuis and Emil Iovanescu answered the participants' questions. A fiery and stimulating debate soon began on the state of democracy in Rumania. At the conclusion of the meeting, two people joined the Radical Party and three more announced their intention to become members in the following weeks. It was then decided to organize another meeting in January.
------------------------------------------------------------------** Italy
CONFERENCE OF EURO-MPs A COMPLETE SUCCESS. THE THESIS OF A CONTRAST BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE NATIONAL PARLIAMENTS DENIED. STATEMENT BY PEPPINO CALDERISI, RADICAL, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN FEDERALIST GROUP AT THE ITALIAN PARLIAMENT.
Rome, 30 November 1990. "Considering the complete success of the Conference, we can state that the initiative that the Italian Parliament's Intergroup took a year ago, presenting the motion requesting the parliament to adhere to the idea of the Summit advocated by Mitterrand, expressing its willingness to host it, was fully successful.
The hypothesis of a contrast between national parliaments and the European Parliament, and an opposition of the former to the assignment of legislative and control powers to the latter at the European Parliament has thus been denied.
Another alibi has come undone for the Governments, that will need to draw the necessary conclusions in the intergovernmental Conferences of December, finally starting the construction of the European union on federal bases, as required by the bill passed today".
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*** Soviet Union
INTERVENTION OF THE RADICALS AT THE CONFERENCE OF THE LIBERAL FRACTION OF THE PEOPLE'S DEPUTIES OF THE MOSSOVIET.
Moscow, 2 November 1990. Intervening at the proceedings of the first conference of the liberal group of the Moscow Soviet, Marino Busdachin of the Radical Party's Federal Council stated: "It is not important to know whether the liberals shall become one of the 6000 new parties of the Soviet Union as from tomorrow; the important thing is to establish that Legal State that has never existed here in Russia: this is our duty for the future". Alexandr Kalinin, deputy of the Mossoviet, activist of the liberal fraction and member of the Radical Party's Federal Council, also attended the Conference.
------------------------------------------------------------------*** Soviet Union - Azerbaijan
CONFERENCE OF THE RADICAL PARTY IN BAKU
Baku, 11 November 1990. Over 60 people took part in the Conference held by Marino Busdachin at the House for Political Education. Among the problems dealt with: the political and media isolation of Azerbaijan, especially after the January massacres. The need for an increased involvement of Azerbaijan in a broader debate on the feasibility of the United States and on the need for the Radical Party's non-violent political presence in Azerbaijan. The membership campaign for 1991 has been opened, and there are currently 27 new Azerbaijan members. Among those who intervened in the debate: Samir Javad Zade, Ruslan Sadikhanov, Zeinal Ibrahim, Nikolaij Khramov, Irina Podlesova, and the chancellor of the University of Baku.
In the afternoon, a delegation of the Radical Party laid a bunch of flowers at the feet of the monument for the victims of the January repression on the part of the Red Army.
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*** Soviet Union - Azerbaijan
MEETINGS BETWEEN THE RADICAL PARTY AND THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF AZERBAIJAN AND WITH THE "MUSSAVAT" INDEPENDENCE PARTY
Baku, 12 November 1990. A delegation of the Radical Party composed by Marino Busdachin and by the officials of the Baku Radical Association, Zeinal Ibrahim and Samir Javad Zade, was received at Azerbaijan's Communist Party Central Committee by the President of the ideological committee, Rasim G.AGAYEV. The meeting tackled the difficult problems of the Azerbaijan issue, and it was agreed to organize an official visit of a delegation of the European Parliament and of members of Parliament of the Radical Party.
In the evening, a meeting was held between the delegations of the Radical Party and the Independist and nationalist "MUSSAVAT" Party, whereby a cooperation in support of a non-violent policy opposing political violence and military repression was considered possible, in spite of the evident political differences between the two parts.
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*** Soviet Union
SEVERAL DEPUTIES OF THE LENINGRAD SOVIET PRESENTED A DRAFT BILL TO GORBACHEV FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF CIVIL SERVICE AND THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION.
Moscow, 13 November 1990. During a meeting between President GORBACHEV and the deputies of the Soviets on military problems, several deputies presented a draft bill to Gorbachev on conscientious objection and civil service developed in cooperation with the Radical party and on the agenda of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Republic and of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.
------------------------------------------------------------------*** Soviet Union - Georgia
CONFERENCE OF THE RADICAL PARTY IN TBILISI. MEETING WITH GEORGIA'S ENVIRONMENTALISTS, THE PARTY FOR GEORGIA'S NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE AND WITH THE GEORGIAN NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
Tbilisi, 15 November 1990. The first official meeting between the Radical Party and Georgia's Environmentalists was held at the Environmentalists' central headquarters in Tbilisi. Marino Busdachin, Irina Podlessova, Natalia Mirimanova and Nikolaij Khramov were representing the Radical Party. Zurab Zhvania, the movement's spokesman, Levan Mamaladze, secretary, and Natalia Kirvalidze, international coordinator, spoke on behalf of the Environmentalists. The outlook for a cooperation between Environmentalists and Radicals in Georgia is excellent, and it was agreed to organize a common signature collection for the four petitions and a series of initiatives in defence of nature.
Marino Busdachin held two Conferences at the headquarters of the National Democratic Party of Georgi Chanturia and at the Party for Georgia's National Independence in Irakli Tsereteli. The meetings were also attended by Mamuka Tsagareli, Deputy at the National Congress for the Party for national independence and member of the Radical Party.
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*** Soviet Union
NON-VIOLENT DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF THE CONSCRIPTION OFFICE IN MOSCOW. THE DEPUTY OF THE MOSSOVIET AND FEDERAL COUNCILLOR OF THE RADICAL PARTY ALEXANDER KALININ KICKED AND CLUBBED.
Moscow, 16 November 1990. Over 50 activists of the Mothers of Soldiers Committee, of the Radical Party, of the Moscow Students' Club, of ECHO and other independent associations assembled to form a "picket" in front of the entry of the central conscription office, in Moscow. The demonstrators' requests were: the immediate introduction of civil service for conscientious objectors and the cessation of the acts of violence and the violations of human rights in the Red Army.
7 of the participants were arrested by the Army's special forces, who tore their banners apart and charged the demonstrators. Alexander Kalinin intervened several times, inviting the soldiers to remain calm and avoid the provocations of the army from causing damage. In the end, in spite of the fact that he had identified himself as a deputy, Kalinin too was pushed in a corner, and, hidden by other soldiers, was clubbed and kicked. After having being dispersed, the demonstrators returned twice to demonstrate. No demonstrator reacted with violence to the violence of the army.
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*** Yugoslavia
EXTRAORDINARY ASSEMBLY OF THE RADICAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE UNITED STATES OF EUROPE (RUSED).
Zagreb, 21 November 1990. An Assembly of the Zagreb Radicals members of the RUSED (Radical Association for the United States of Europe) has taken place. After Secretary Vito Cesmadziski and treasurer Zoran Juricin delivered their reports officially announcing their irrevocable resignation, the assembly decided not to vote the bills presented by the retiring secretary. A considerable part of the radicals present decided to open the membership campaign for '91, summoning all those present to the Congress of the Radical Association to be held at the beginning of next year and inviting all to join the party, in order to achieve the necessary target of 40 members to form the Association for '91.
------------------------------------------------------------------** Europe - European Parliament
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: UNEXPECTED TURN OF EVENTS. THUMBS DOWN OF THE INSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEE ON THE SUMMONS OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCES OF DECEMBER.
Brussels, 5-6 December 1990. Called to express the opinion of the European Parliament on the summons of the intergovernmental conferences of December with 7 votes versus 10 and 1 abstention, the European Parliament's Institutional Committee gave a negative opinion.
In fact the bill is an "alternative" bill presented by Euro-MP Marco Pannella, that prevailed over the original bill presented by Labour deputy David Martin. The bill adopted does not simply give a "sic rebus stantibus"s negative opinion, but also requests the President of the European Parliament Enrique Baron to immediately summon a preparatory inter-institutional conference, in agreement with the European Council. Moreover, the bill denounces the fact that "no guarantee has been given, neither for the acknowledgment of double democratic legitimacy with the assignment of powers of co-decision and of legislative initiative to the European Parliament, nor for the transformation of the relations between the member States into a truly federal type of European Union".
