Josipovic awarded Premio Galileo 2000 for peace

 Croatian President Ivo Josipovic has received Premio Galileo 2000 prize for peace for his efforts in bringing about the reconciliation amongst former Yugoslavia’s nations and implementation of democratic values in the region.
President Josipovic dedicated the honour handed out at the La Pergola theatre in Florence, to the victims of war, the daily 24 Sata writes.
"The most important duty of all politicians is a fight for peace" Josipovic said, reminding that Croatia and its neighbouring countries have recently lived through a very bitter experience of such conflict.
Josipovic received the recognition for his long-time efforts in working toward the European vision of southeastern Europe, human rights and international justice, the organisers said.
The Premio Galileo 2000 was created by lawyer Alfonso De Virgiliis in 1996 as an award for musical accomplishments, the daily TPortal writes.
Over the years it acquired other categories of recognition and the first Galileo prize for peace was give to Isreali President and Nobel Prize holder, Shimon Peres.

Josipovic awarded Premio Galileo 2000 for peace

 Croatian President Ivo Josipovic has received Premio Galileo 2000 prize for peace for his efforts in bringing about the reconciliation amongst former Yugoslavia’s nations and implementation of democratic values in the region.
President Josipovic dedicated the honour handed out at the La Pergola theatre in Florence, to the victims of war, the daily 24 Sata writes.
"The most important duty of all politicians is a fight for peace" Josipovic said, reminding that Croatia and its neighbouring countries have recently lived through a very bitter experience of such conflict.
Josipovic received the recognition for his long-time efforts in working toward the European vision of southeastern Europe, human rights and international justice, the organisers said.
The Premio Galileo 2000 was created by lawyer Alfonso De Virgiliis in 1996 as an award for musical accomplishments, the daily TPortal writes.
Over the years it acquired other categories of recognition and the first Galileo prize for peace was give to Isreali President and Nobel Prize holder, Shimon Peres.

Croatia to close chapter 13 on fisheries

 Croatia has fulfilled all measures needed to close the European Union negotiations chapter 13 on fisheries, but some of the concessions may be unacceptable to the country's fishermen, the daily Jutarnji List writes.
The European Union expects an exception from the protected fishery zone (ZERP) for the members states until a joint solution "in the spirit of EU" is found. ZERP was established in 2008 in response to protests by the two most affected states, Slovenia and Italy.
Croatian fishermen may also not be happy with Croatia's responsibility to open its territory to other member states for fishing, the daily writes. Many of the Mediterranean countries however have taken advantage of the ban available to Croatia and valid until the end of 2012. According to professor Alen Soldo from Split University, there is a large interest in extending this ban and he believes Zagreb should insist on that.
Daniel Kolec, the President of the Umag association of fishermen Mare Croaticum, says his colleagues will not be happy with not applying ZERP to EU member states.
He is also afraid that Slovenia may be allowed to fish all along the western coast of Istria. Although this would mean Croatian fishermen could also fish in Slovenian waters, Kolec believes this is not a fair deal as there are not as many fish there.
"If this information proves true, we are likely to have another protest. We have had enough with blackmail," says Kolec.

Croatia to close chapter 13 on fisheries

 Croatia has fulfilled all measures needed to close the European Union negotiations chapter 13 on fisheries, but some of the concessions may be unacceptable to the country's fishermen, the daily Jutarnji List writes.
The European Union expects an exception from the protected fishery zone (ZERP) for the members states until a joint solution "in the spirit of EU" is found. ZERP was established in 2008 in response to protests by the two most affected states, Slovenia and Italy.
Croatian fishermen may also not be happy with Croatia's responsibility to open its territory to other member states for fishing, the daily writes. Many of the Mediterranean countries however have taken advantage of the ban available to Croatia and valid until the end of 2012. According to professor Alen Soldo from Split University, there is a large interest in extending this ban and he believes Zagreb should insist on that.
Daniel Kolec, the President of the Umag association of fishermen Mare Croaticum, says his colleagues will not be happy with not applying ZERP to EU member states.
He is also afraid that Slovenia may be allowed to fish all along the western coast of Istria. Although this would mean Croatian fishermen could also fish in Slovenian waters, Kolec believes this is not a fair deal as there are not as many fish there.
"If this information proves true, we are likely to have another protest. We have had enough with blackmail," says Kolec.

Support for EU membership lowest in five years

The support for Croatia’s European Union membership has fallen to its lowest point in the last five years, the latest monthly survey CRO Demoscop shows.

Some 44.6 per cent of Croatians support EU membership or 6.2 per cent fewer than when the country’s pulse was taken last month. Compared to May of last year when 52.5 per cent of support was registered, this is even a more dramatic fall.

EU membership had most fans in June 2010 or 53.1 per cent since the survey’s inception in January 2004.

The daily Dalje believes that the guilty verdicts for Croatian generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac – sentenced to 24 and 18 years in prison for war crimes in The Hague – are the main reason behind the dramatic fall in support.

Some 41.8 per cent of Croatians are clearly against EU membership, the highest percentage in the last 12 months and four per cent more than in May last year. There are 13.6 per cent of undecided, also another record.

The phone survey is conducted at the beginning of each month with a sample of 1,300 people.

Support for EU membership lowest in five years

The support for Croatia’s European Union membership has fallen to its lowest point in the last five years, the latest monthly survey CRO Demoscop shows.

Some 44.6 per cent of Croatians support EU membership or 6.2 per cent fewer than when the country’s pulse was taken last month. Compared to May of last year when 52.5 per cent of support was registered, this is even a more dramatic fall.

EU membership had most fans in June 2010 or 53.1 per cent since the survey’s inception in January 2004.

The daily Dalje believes that the guilty verdicts for Croatian generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac – sentenced to 24 and 18 years in prison for war crimes in The Hague – are the main reason behind the dramatic fall in support.

Some 41.8 per cent of Croatians are clearly against EU membership, the highest percentage in the last 12 months and four per cent more than in May last year. There are 13.6 per cent of undecided, also another record.

The phone survey is conducted at the beginning of each month with a sample of 1,300 people.

Osama bin Laden spent three days in Split in 1992

Terrorist organisation al-Qaida’s head Osama bin Laden had spent three days in a Split hotel before travelling on to establish a mujahedeen camp in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992.

Bin Laden – killed two days ago in Pakistan – stayed in a Split hotel as part of an Islamic humanitarian organisation that was visiting war torn Bosnia and Herzegovina. Later, accompanied by UNPROFOR, he proceeded to Meskovic village near the Bosnian town of Tuzla where a mujahedeen training camp was established, the daily Jutarnji List writes.

This information is found in reports given to American intelligence agencies by double agent Ali Muhamed, operating under the false name Abu Abdallah. The reports state that 14 future members of terrorist organisation al-Qaida joined the camp at the time.

The then-director of the hotel Frane Kontic remembers receiving the man who would later become one of the world’s most wanted for his roles in numerous terrorist attacks, the most notorious one being the destruction of New York City’s World Trade Centre.

"I remember, a man from Bosnia in charge of humanitarian logistics came into my office and reserved six rooms on the seventh floor, saying that the people in question are

Osama bin Laden spent three days in Split in 1992

Terrorist organisation al-Qaida’s head Osama bin Laden had spent three days in a Split hotel before travelling on to establish a mujahedeen camp in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992.

Bin Laden – killed two days ago in Pakistan – stayed in a Split hotel as part of an Islamic humanitarian organisation that was visiting war torn Bosnia and Herzegovina. Later, accompanied by UNPROFOR, he proceeded to Meskovic village near the Bosnian town of Tuzla where a mujahedeen training camp was established, the daily Jutarnji List writes.

This information is found in reports given to American intelligence agencies by double agent Ali Muhamed, operating under the false name Abu Abdallah. The reports state that 14 future members of terrorist organisation al-Qaida joined the camp at the time.

The then-director of the hotel Frane Kontic remembers receiving the man who would later become one of the world’s most wanted for his roles in numerous terrorist attacks, the most notorious one being the destruction of New York City’s World Trade Centre.

"I remember, a man from Bosnia in charge of humanitarian logistics came into my office and reserved six rooms on the seventh floor, saying that the people in question are

Few Croatians happy with way things are two decades after independence

Six out of ten Croatians are dissatisfied with their country’s progress since their independence in 1991, new investigations show.

Market research agency GfK finds that 58 per cent of Croatian citizens are unhappy with the way things are 20 years since the country’s parting from former Yugoslavia. A survey of 1,000 people older than 15 shows that only eight per cent are happy with their state's accomplishments so far.

A third, or 33 per cent of the surveyed said that they are "equally satisfied and dissatisfied."

The majority of the discontented or 67 per cent come from the country’s richest area, the north west.  On the other hand, the poorest region of eastern Slavonia seems to be the happiest with Croatia’s progress (44 per cent). Slavonia was once the richest region, but was later devastated by the war of independence from former Yugoslavia (1991-1995).

Sociologist Ivan Buric is not surprised about the fact that the poorest - Slavonia -  seems to be the happiest.

"Slavonians feel that it is an accomplishment to have survived the war and that their houses have been renovated. On the other hand, residents of the richer, north-western parts of Croatia and Istria and Primorje did not have to think as much about what they will eat and whether they will have a roof over their heads, but they were thinking about what we could have accomplished if there was no war and stealing during privatization," says Buric.

Some 64 per cent of Istria, Primorje and Gorski Kotar are dissatisfied with how things turned out in these last 20 years, with 57 per cent of Dalmatians seconding their opinion. Zagreb follows with 56 per cent of the discontented.

Men are slightly more unhappy than the women – 62 to 58 per cent. Those between the ages 30 and 39 as well as older than 65 lead the dissatisfied list when looking at age groups.

Dissatisfaction seems to be correlated to monthly income or living standards of the surveyed: for example, 72 per cent of those earning up to 1,800 kunas per month (244 Euros) tend not to be happy with they way things are.

Some 67 per cent of earning between 244 and 474 Euros per month are dissatisfied, while 57 per cent of those with earning between 474 and 1,111 Euros would claim the same. Out of the households receiving between 1,111 Euro and 1,490 Euros, 54 per cent say they are dissatisfied.

Only in those households earning more than 1,490 Euros is the share of unhappy people down to below half, or 31 per cent.

Buric says that pessimism does not necessarily translate into Yugonostalgia, or longing for the old state.

"Sentiments toward former times exist, which is normal in all transitional states…That is a consequence of a sudden jump from relative secure into uncertain, competitive society, where everything is marketing," says Buric.

"The average fail…In short time big changes happened: farmers and workers in manufacturing occupations fell out of the competition, while other layers of society do not feel secure," he added.

Few Croatians happy with way things are two decades after independence

Six out of ten Croatians are dissatisfied with their country’s progress since their independence in 1991, new investigations show.

Market research agency GfK finds that 58 per cent of Croatian citizens are unhappy with the way things are 20 years since the country’s parting from former Yugoslavia. A survey of 1,000 people older than 15 shows that only eight per cent are happy with their state's accomplishments so far.

A third, or 33 per cent of the surveyed said that they are "equally satisfied and dissatisfied."

The majority of the discontented or 67 per cent come from the country’s richest area, the north west.  On the other hand, the poorest region of eastern Slavonia seems to be the happiest with Croatia’s progress (44 per cent). Slavonia was once the richest region, but was later devastated by the war of independence from former Yugoslavia (1991-1995).

Sociologist Ivan Buric is not surprised about the fact that the poorest - Slavonia -  seems to be the happiest.

"Slavonians feel that it is an accomplishment to have survived the war and that their houses have been renovated. On the other hand, residents of the richer, north-western parts of Croatia and Istria and Primorje did not have to think as much about what they will eat and whether they will have a roof over their heads, but they were thinking about what we could have accomplished if there was no war and stealing during privatization," says Buric.

Some 64 per cent of Istria, Primorje and Gorski Kotar are dissatisfied with how things turned out in these last 20 years, with 57 per cent of Dalmatians seconding their opinion. Zagreb follows with 56 per cent of the discontented.

Men are slightly more unhappy than the women – 62 to 58 per cent. Those between the ages 30 and 39 as well as older than 65 lead the dissatisfied list when looking at age groups.

Dissatisfaction seems to be correlated to monthly income or living standards of the surveyed: for example, 72 per cent of those earning up to 1,800 kunas per month (244 Euros) tend not to be happy with they way things are.

Some 67 per cent of earning between 244 and 474 Euros per month are dissatisfied, while 57 per cent of those with earning between 474 and 1,111 Euros would claim the same. Out of the households receiving between 1,111 Euro and 1,490 Euros, 54 per cent say they are dissatisfied.

Only in those households earning more than 1,490 Euros is the share of unhappy people down to below half, or 31 per cent.

Buric says that pessimism does not necessarily translate into Yugonostalgia, or longing for the old state.

"Sentiments toward former times exist, which is normal in all transitional states…That is a consequence of a sudden jump from relative secure into uncertain, competitive society, where everything is marketing," says Buric.

"The average fail…In short time big changes happened: farmers and workers in manufacturing occupations fell out of the competition, while other layers of society do not feel secure," he added.

Fill me like Ronaldo

Croat starlet Nives Celsius has announced she is recording the song Goal dedicated to footballers and footballer's girlfriends and wives.
The Croat football international Dino Drpic's wife who earlier admitted she was having sex in the middle of a football stadium, expects a global success of the song that will have an English version as well.
"Goal, goal, goal, score me a goal. I'm naked, you are naked, score me a goal", is just one part of the song that mentiones well known football stars, like "Be my Torres Fernando, keep filling me like Ronaldo" or "Shake me my little Messi".

Fill me like Ronaldo

Croat starlet Nives Celsius has announced she is recording the song Goal dedicated to footballers and footballer's girlfriends and wives.
The Croat football international Dino Drpic's wife who earlier admitted she was having sex in the middle of a football stadium, expects a global success of the song that will have an English version as well.
"Goal, goal, goal, score me a goal. I'm naked, you are naked, score me a goal", is just one part of the song that mentiones well known football stars, like "Be my Torres Fernando, keep filling me like Ronaldo" or "Shake me my little Messi".

Croats in diaspora to receive more privileges

The Croatian government has adopted a special strategy that would guide the country’s relations with Croats abroad and which cements various privileges for the diaspora.

Those Croats living in other countries and who do not have Croatian citizenship will be able to obtain passports more easily in the future. Those whose current homelands ban dual citizenship will be eligible for the "status of Croat without Croatian citizenship," with which they would receive numerous privileges such as easier matriculation in Croatian schools and universities, the right to purchase property, apply for jobs and scholarships, and others.

The government is also working on a law that would guide the country's relationship with Croats abroad and establish a special body dedicated to the diaspora. The government also plans to institute a public day of Croats abroad. The date has not yet been set, the daily Jutarnji List writes.

"This is an obligation that we have according to the Croatian Constitution," the Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said.

According to government data, there are some 3.75 million Croats living outside of the country’s borders. They are divided into three groups – Croats in Bosnia who are constituent people of that land (400,000), Croatian autochthonous minorities in 12 European countries (350,000) and the rest of diaspora (3 million), the majority of them residing in transatlantic countries.

These Croats will now also receive privileges during visits to Croatia, with the establishment of the so-called "CRO Card" that would provide discounts for certain tourism-related services. Those rights will also be extended to family members of Croats abroad, as well as Croats that do not have the country's citizenship or status of "Croat without Croatian citizenship." They would enjoy an accelerated procedure when it comes to getting a visa.

Deputy PM for Investments Domagoj Ivan Milosevic said that diaspora is a welcome investor in Croatia, since it has the capital, new ideas and energy.

The Croatian daily Jutarnji List writes that it is significant to note that the government's move comes in the election year. The leading coalition is headed by the  conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), which has in previous elections found significant support in the Croatian diaspora.

Croats in diaspora to receive more privileges

The Croatian government has adopted a special strategy that would guide the country’s relations with Croats abroad and which cements various privileges for the diaspora.

Those Croats living in other countries and who do not have Croatian citizenship will be able to obtain passports more easily in the future. Those whose current homelands ban dual citizenship will be eligible for the "status of Croat without Croatian citizenship," with which they would receive numerous privileges such as easier matriculation in Croatian schools and universities, the right to purchase property, apply for jobs and scholarships, and others.

The government is also working on a law that would guide the country's relationship with Croats abroad and establish a special body dedicated to the diaspora. The government also plans to institute a public day of Croats abroad. The date has not yet been set, the daily Jutarnji List writes.

"This is an obligation that we have according to the Croatian Constitution," the Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said.

According to government data, there are some 3.75 million Croats living outside of the country’s borders. They are divided into three groups – Croats in Bosnia who are constituent people of that land (400,000), Croatian autochthonous minorities in 12 European countries (350,000) and the rest of diaspora (3 million), the majority of them residing in transatlantic countries.

These Croats will now also receive privileges during visits to Croatia, with the establishment of the so-called "CRO Card" that would provide discounts for certain tourism-related services. Those rights will also be extended to family members of Croats abroad, as well as Croats that do not have the country's citizenship or status of "Croat without Croatian citizenship." They would enjoy an accelerated procedure when it comes to getting a visa.

Deputy PM for Investments Domagoj Ivan Milosevic said that diaspora is a welcome investor in Croatia, since it has the capital, new ideas and energy.

The Croatian daily Jutarnji List writes that it is significant to note that the government's move comes in the election year. The leading coalition is headed by the  conservative Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), which has in previous elections found significant support in the Croatian diaspora.

Will.i.am’s dates for Cheryl Cole

WILL.I.AM must have wet himself after hearing CHERYL COLE landed the X Factor USA gig. 

 

Team ... Will.i.am and Cheryl Cole

He'll be rapping love songs from outside her bedroom window every night now she'll be living round the corner in LA.
The BLACK EYED PEAS star didn't waste any time throwing Chezza a welcome party after being made part of her US management team. He introduced her to some key contacts at a champagne welcome bash he threw in her honour.
A source said: "Will was keen to settle Cheryl in LA and put her in touch with some important people. He's filled her diary over the next few weeks so she has plenty to do. He hopes to improve her profile and ensure she doesn't get homesick."
Cheryl packed some of her favourite snacks from the UK just in case they're not available in the States.
One of her suitcases was loaded with packets of HobNobs.
Well, she needs something to dip into her Newkie Brown.