According to media reports, France wants to purchase two Reaper reconnaissance drones from the US air force to bolster its military mission in Mali. The use of drones in the fight against terror puts new challenges to the law of war, the left-liberal daily Libération notes: "As perfected as these unmanned aircraft are, they are responsible for the loss of hundreds of civilian lives, men, women and children, collateral damage in this shadow war. ... France has ordered two American Reaper drones, officially destined for reconnaissance but easy to transform into killing devices. Without an official announcement or a debate on how they are to be used. Will they serve to kill members of Aqmi [Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb] according to the American model? States have the right and duty to defend themselves, but drones operate in a legal void that the 'war against terror' cannot justify." (19/05/2013)

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All available articles from » François Sergent

In his radio broadcast on Friday, Hungary's right-wing conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orbán compared Germany's current European crisis policy with Hitler's occupation of Hungary in World War II. Prior to the remarks, Chancellor Angela Merkel had criticised Budapest for its democratic and constitutional deficits. The left-liberal daily Népszabadság reacts to Orbán's statements with incomprehension: "In fact, Merkel was trying to say that sabre-rattling and confrontation are not for her. She has other means to bring Hungary to reason. At the same time, it was no coincidence that the Hungarian prime minister said in March that Angela Merkel was the last European politician with whom he wanted to cross swords. Now however he's done all he can to provoke the German chancellor. It seldom happens that Merkel exercises criticism in public, her style is much more to solve problems behind the scenes. ... But when she talks of bringing Hungary onto the right path, it's anything but a friendly offer." (18/05/2013)

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All available articles from » Edit Inotai

At a meeting of the Arctic Council last week in the northern Swedish city of Kiruna, a number of countries were granted observer status which don't border on the Arctic. The liberal-conservative daily Jyllands-Posten defends the step against critics: "It makes sense to involve China, India, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Italy. In the debate about the meeting in Kiruna, most of the worried looks were directed at China. The country had announced great interest in the Arctic. ... There can be little doubt that China is not driven by concern for the indigenous population or the fate of the polar bears. The Chinese are acting on the basis of strategic and long-term economic interests, and other states should adjust to this. But it's a positive development that this will now happen within the framework of rules stipulated by the Arctic Council. By joining China is also accepting the rules." (21/05/2013)

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In the local elections held in Croatia on Sunday, the governing social democratic SDP and the opposition conservatives (HDZ) both lost ground. These results testify once again to voter frustration, the left-liberal daily Novi List writes: "The Croatians have once more shown their sadomasochistic character. We live in a country in which the frustrated citizens gripe and groan as soon as they even hear the word 'politician'. We live in a country in which only the politicians live well. That's demonstrated by the fact that 60,000 citizens tried their luck as candidates in these elections, a new record. In this land two parties continually alternate in government: one that has devastated the country and for that reason is rightly called the 'Party of Dangerous Intentions' [meaning the HDZ], and the other, which supposedly has better intentions but never manages to implement them [the SDP]. The people have had enough of the politicians and their double dealing." (21/05/2013)

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All available articles from » Denis Romac

Bulgaria's ex-prime minister Boiko Borisov wants to challenge the results of the parliamentary elections held on May 12 and schedule new elections once again. He explained his decision on Thursday saying that serious violations of regulations took place the day before the vote. In view of the deadlock with two equally-sized blocs on the left and the right, new elections are indeed the best option for the country, the daily Standart writes: "Independently of whether one approves of Borisov's initiative, new elections are in fact the only solution. ... A government comprised of socialists, nationalists and the Turkish party [the three strongest parties after Borisov's Gerb] would be unacceptable. Why does everyone, including our European custodians, believe that we should subject ourselves to such a perversity? Is it really necessary for everyone to come to power just so that a government can be formed at all costs? That is clearly no solution, and we should steer clear of this option before it's too late." (16/05/2013)

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All available articles from » Georgi Daskalov

Germany announced this week that it is abandoning its plans to build Euro Hawk drones. The public radio broadcaster Deutschlandradio Kultur demands that someone claim responsibility for the millions that have already been wasted on the project: "It sounds like a major cock-up. Five surveillance drones were to be built for the German military at a total cost of 1.2 billion euros, half of which has already been paid to construct the first sample, and then it turns out that this ill-starred bird won't even get a permit for European airspace because its US manufacturer isn't willing to let the authorities take a peek at its hi-tech cards. ... Several hundred million euros. Such an astronomic sum has to be repeated again and again. Particularly in view of the German government's policy statement [on Thursday] on the reform of the armed forces. A reform that is being justified with the need to cut spending. ... If no one assumes political and personal responsibility and bears the consequences, this will send a fundamentally wrong message to the soldiers, the representatives of the people, and all of us." (16/05/2013)

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All available articles from » Klaus Remme

After four days of hearings, the Munich trial of the extreme right-wing terror cell NSU has been recessed for three weeks over Pentecost. Until now the legal content of the trial has not been addressed, as the proceedings have been dominated by applications and other formalities. Much rides on the trial for Germany, the left-leaning daily Pravda comments: "The trial is a test of how effectively the Germans have come to terms with the Nazis' ghastly deeds since World War II. Until now the democratic model of the Federal Republic has been upheld as exemplary around the world. ... But with the revelations over the NSU, many people have lost their faith in the constitutional state and are shocked that the Office for the Protection of the Constitution worked hand in hand with right-wing extremists. The judges can't answer all the questions.  Until now they haven't given the impression that they're in control of the situation. And [with its numerous applications] the defence is currently making the trial look like a big circus." (17/05/2013)

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All available articles from » Karin Rogalska

The Latvian parliament is currently giving a second reading to a draft law that would ban the public use of symbols from both Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. These continue to show up in independent Latvia, above all in demonstrations. The Russian-language daily Vesti is unhappy with the initiative: "Clearly the Latvian members of parliament have nothing better to do. They waste their precious time and taxpayers' money on this question. ... The national-conservative party Nacionālā apvienība, which is part of the governing coalition, even wants to ban the use of Soviet symbols in public. Well, what about public toilets? Or will the Latvian nationalists go even further and ban Soviet symbols in private homes? Who knows, perhaps some people in this country take disloyalty to the point of sleeping with a Soviet flag under their pillows and singing the Soviet anthem to rock themselves to sleep." (17/05/2013)

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EU Economics Commissioner Olli Rehn said last week that the reunification of Cyprus would give the Cypriot economy a major boost. The liberal English-language daily Hürriyet Daily News calls for reconciliation between the two sides: "There is more than one bitter irony here, the main one being that EU officials are now looking to Turkey as one of the ways out for a crisis-stricken member. This must be hard to swallow for Greek Cypriots who are said to be extremely wary of current calls for a settlement to the Cyprus problem, believing that the Turkish side will take advantage of their woes. ... [But] they will most likely find an interlocutor in Turkey that is not a 'blackmailer,' but rather is cooperative, since an equitable settlement on Cyprus also serves the interests of Ankara and the Turkish Cypriots. The hope is that once their trauma is over this will become more apparent to Greek Cypriots. ... Otherwise, it will be a case of, 'You go your way, and I'll go mine,' which would be of no benefit to anyone." (16/05/2013)

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All available articles from » Semih İdiz

The Arctic Council ended its Ministerial Meeting in the Northern Swedish city of Kiruna on Wednesday. The liberal daily Aamulehti expects the Council to gain in international stature with time: "The agreement [signed at this year's meeting] on combating oil pollution in the Arctic is the continuation of the Arctic Search and Rescue Agreement. These are important international accords on the future of the Arctic, and will hopefully promote economic relations between the Arctic countries. ... It is to be hoped that in addition to the environmental issues, the Council will also deal with economic and security issues. And that the EU will show an even greater interest in the North than before. The significance of the Arctic Council as the region's central decision making organ will grow, and hopefully solutions will be reached by peaceful means. Internationally the Arctic Council is becoming an increasingly important player, and that's a good thing for Finland." (16/05/2013)

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