97 Issue | Worldwide Events e-Newspaper | 11 - 17 Nov, 2012

Independence Day Angola - N o v 11

Angola, officially the Republic of Angola is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congoon the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city. The exclave province of Cabinda has borders with the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Portuguese were present in some—mostly coastal— points of the territory of what is now Angola, from the 16th to the 19th century, interacting in diverse ways with the peoples that lived there. In the 19th century they slowly and hesitantly began to establish themselves in the interior. Angola as a Portuguese colony encompassing the present teritory was not established before the end of the 19th century, and "effective occupation", as required by the Berlin Conference (1884) was achieved only by the 1920s. Independence was achieved in 1975, after a protracted liberation war. After independence, Angola was the scene of an intense civil war from 1975 to 2002. The country has vast mineral and petroleum reserves, and its economy has grown on average at a two-digit pace since the 1990s, and especially since the end of the civil war. However, its level of human development is rather low, and its life expectancy and infant mortality rates are both among the worst-ranked in the world.

History

Early migrations and political units:

Khoisan hunter-gatherers are the earliest known modern human inhabitants of the area. They were largely replaced

by Bantu tribes during the Bantu migrations, though small numbers remain in parts of southern Angola to the present day. The Bantu came from the north, probably from somewhere near the present-day Republic of Cameroon. When they reached what is now Angola, they encountered the Khoisan, Bushmen and other groups considerably less technologically advanced than themselves, whom they easily dominated with their superior knowledge of metal-working, ceramics and agriculture. The establishment of the Bantu took many centuries and gave rise to various groups who took on different ethnic characteristics.

During this period of time, the Bantu established a number of political units ("kingdoms", "empires") in most parts of what today is Angola. The best known of these is the Kingdom of the Kongo that had its centre in the northwest of contemporary Angola, but included important regions in the west of present day Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Congo as well as in southern Gabon. It established trade routes with other trading cities and civilizations up and down the coast of southwestern and West Africa and even with the Great Zimbabwe Mutapa Empire, but engaged in little or no transoceanic trade.

Portuguese presence on the coast:

Main articles: Colonial history of Angola and Portuguese West Africa The geographical areas now designated as Angola entered into contact with the Portuguese in the late 15th century, concretely in 1483, when Portugal established relations with the Kongo State, which stretched from modern Gabon in the north to theKwanza River in the south. In this context, they established a small trade post at the port of Mpinda, in Soyo. The Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais founded Luandain 1575 as "São Paulo de Loanda", with a hundred families of settlers and four hundred soldiers. Benguela, a Portuguese fort from 1587 which became a town in 1617, was another important early settlement they founded and ruled. The Portuguese would establish several settlements, forts and trading posts along the coastal strip of current-day Angola, which relied on slave trade, commerce in raw materials, and exchange of goods for survival. The African slave trade provided a large number of black slaves to Europeans and their African agents. For example, in what is now Angola, the Imbangala economy was heavily focused on the slave trade.

European traders would export manufactured goods to the coast of Africa where they would be exchanged for slaves.

Within the Portuguese Empire, most black African slaves were traded to Portuguese merchants who bought them to sell as cheap labour for use on Brazilian agricultural plantations. This trade would last until the first half of the 19th century. According to John Iliffe, "Portuguese records of Angola from the 16th century show that a great famine occurred on average every seventy years; accompanied by epidemic disease, it might kill one-third or one-half of the population, destroying the demographic growth of a generation and forcing colonists back into the river valleys."

The Portuguese gradually took control of the coastal strip during the 16th century by a series of treaties and wars forming the Portuguese colony of Angola. Taking advantage of the Portuguese Restoration War, the Dutch occupied Luanda from 1641 to 1648, where they allied with local peoples, consolidating their colonial rule against the remaining Portuguese resistance. In 1648, a fleet under the command of Salvador de Sáretook Luanda for Portugal and initiated a conquest of the lost territories, which restored Portugal to its former possessions by 1650. Treaties regulated relations with Kongo in 1649 and Njinga's Kingdom of Matamba and Ndongo in 1656. The conquest of Pungo Andongo in 1671 was the last major Portuguese expansion from Luanda outwards, as attempts to invade Kongo in 1670 and Matamba in 1681 failed. Portugal also expanded its territory behind the colony of Benguela to some extent, but until the 19th century the inroads from Luanda and Benguela were very limited, and Portugal had neither the intention nor the means to carry out a large scale territorial occupation and colonization.

Delimitation and occupation of Angola:

The process resulted in few gains until the 1880s. Development of the hinterland began after the Berlin Conference in 1885 fixed the colony's borders, and British and Portuguese investment fostered mining, railways, and agriculture based on various forced labour systems. Full Portuguese administrative control of the hinterland did not occur until the beginning of the 20th century. In 1951, the colony was designated as an overseas province, called Overseas Province of Angola. Portugal had a presence in Angola for nearly five hundred years, and the population's initial reaction to calls for independence was scarce. More overtly political organisations first appeared in the 1950s, instigated by the USSR, and began to make organised demands for self determination, especially in international forums such as the Non-Aligned Movement.

The Portuguese regime, meanwhile, refused to accede to the demands for independence, provoking an armed conflict that started in 1961 when black guerrillas attacked both white and black civilians in cross-border operations in northeastern Angola. The war came to be known as the Colonial War. In this struggle, the principal protagonists were the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola), founded in 1956, the FNLA (National Front for the Liberation of Angola), which appeared in 1961, and UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola), founded in 1966. After many years of conflict that lead to the weakening of all the insurgent parties, Angola gained its independence on 11 November 1975, after the 1974 coup d'état in Lisbon, Portugal, which overthrew the Portuguese regime headed byMarcelo Caetano.

Portugal's new revolutionary leaders began in 1974 a process of political change at home and accepted its former colonies' independence abroad. In Angola, a fight for the conquest of power broke out immediately between the three nationalist movements. The events prompted a mass exodus of Portuguese citizens, creating up to 300 000 destitute Portuguese refugees—the retornados. The new Portuguese government tried to mediate an understanding between the three competing movements, and succeeded in agreeing, on paper, to form a common government, but in the end non of them respected the commitments made, and the issue was resolved by military force.

Independence and civil war:

After independence in November 1975, Angola faced a devastating civil war which lasted several decades and claimed millions of lives and produced many refugees. Following negotiations held in Portugal, itself under severe social and political turmoil and uncertainty due to the April 1974 revolution, Angola's three main guerrilla groups agreed to establish a transitional government in January 1975.

Within two months, however, the FNLA, MPLA and UNITA were fighting each other and the country was well on its way to being divided into zones controlled by rival armed political groups. The superpowers were quickly drawn into the conflict, which became a flash point for theCold War. The United States, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Africa supported the FNLA and UNITA. The Soviet Unionand Cuba supported the MPLA. During most of this period, 1975–1990, the MPLA organised and maintained a socialist regime. Despite the ongoing civil war, the model functioned to a certain degree, although it was foreseeable that it would eventually fail in face of UNITA opposition.

Ceasefire with UNITA:

On February 22, 2002, after the MPLA regime come to terms with the USA, Jonas Savimbi, the leader of UNITA, was killed in combat with government troops. A cease-fire was reached by the two factions shortly afterwards. UNITA gave up its armed wing and assumed the role of major opposition party, although in the knowledge that in the present regime a legitimate democratic election is impossible. Although the political situation of the country began to stabilize, President Dos Santos has so far refused to institute regular democratic processes, UNITA head officials being given senior positions in top level companies. Among Angola's major problems are a serious humanitarian crisis (a result of the prolonged war), the abundance of minefields, the continuation of the political, and to a much lesser degree, military activities in favour of the independence of the northern exclave of Cabinda, carried out in the context of the protracted Cabinda Conflict by the Frente para a Libertação do Enclave de Cabinda, but most of all, the dilapidation of the country's rich mineral resources by the regime. While most of the internally displaced have now settled around the capital, in the so called "Musseques", the general situation for Angolans remains desperate.

Independence Day Poland - N o v 11

Poland officially the Republic of Poland (Polish:Rzeczpospolita Polska; Kashubian: Pòlskô Repùblika), is a country in Central Europe, bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north. The total area of Poland is 312,679 square kilometres (120,726 sq mi), making it the 69th largest country in the world and the 9th largest in Europe. Poland has a population of over 38.5 million people, which makes it the 34th most populous country in the world and the sixth most populous member of the European Union, being its most populous post-communist member. Poland is a unitary state made up of 16 voivodeships. Poland is a member of the European Union, NATO, the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), European Economic Area, International Energy Agency, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe,International Atomic Energy Agency, European Space Agency, G6, Council of the Baltic Sea States, Visegrád Group, Weimar Triangle and Schengen Agreement.

The establishment of a Polish state is often identified with the adoption of Christianityby its ruler Mieszko I in 966, over the territory similar to that of present-day Poland. The Kingdom of Poland was formed in 1025, and in 1569 it cemented a long association with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania by signing the Union of Lublin, forming the Polish– Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Commonwealth ceased to exist in 1795 as the Polish lands were partitioned among the Kingdom of Prussia, the Russian Empire, and Old Austria. Poland regained its independence as the Second Polish Republic in 1918. Two decades later, in September 1939, World War II started with the Nazi Germany and Soviet Union invasion of Poland (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact). Over six million Polish citizens died in the war. The People's Republic was declared in 1952 although Poland was a client state of the Soviet Union from the closing days of the war. During the Revolutions of 1989, the communist state was overthrown and democratic rule was re-established in the form of the current Poland, constitutionally known as the "Third Polish Republic".

Despite the vast destruction the country experienced in World War II, Poland managed to preserve much of its cultural wealth. There are currently 14 heritage sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in Poland. Since the end of the communist period, Poland has achieved a "very high" ranking in terms of human development.

History

Prehistory:

Historians have postulated that throughout Late Antiquity, many distinct ethnic groups populated the regions of what is now known as Poland. The ethnicity and linguistic affiliation of these groups have been hotly debated; the time and route of the original settlement ofSlavic peoples in these regions have been the particular subjects of much controversy.

The most famous archeological find from the prehistory and protohistory of Poland is the Biskupin fortified settlement (now reconstructed as a museum), dating from the Lusatian culture of the early Iron Age, around 700 BC. Before adopting Christianity in 960 AD, the people of Poland believed in Svetovid, the Slavic god of war, fertility, and abundance. Many other Slavic nations had the same belief.

Piast dynasty:

Poland began to form into a recognizable unitary and territorial entity around the middle of the 10th century under the Piast dynasty. Poland's first historically documented ruler,Mieszko I, was baptized in 966, adopting Catholicism as the nation's new official religion, to which the bulk of the population converted in the course of the next few centuries. In 1000Boleslaw the Brave, continuing the policy of his father held a Congress of Gniezno and created a new dioceses (Gniezno, Kraków, Kołobrzeg, Wrocław). In the 12th century, Poland fragmented into several smaller duchies when Bolesław divided the nation amongst his sons. In 1226 Konrad I of Masovia, one of the regional Piast dukes, invited the Teutonic Knights to help him fight the Baltic Prussian pagans; a decision which would ultimately lead to centuries of warfare with the Knights. In the middle of 13th century Poland was almost united by Silesian branch of Piast dynasty (Henry I the Bearded and Henry II the Pious), when the country was devastated by the Mongols and the Battle of Legnica where Duke Henry II the Pious died. In 1320, after a number of earlier unsuccessful attempts by regional rulers at uniting the Polish dukedoms, Władysław I consolidated his power, took the throne and became the first King of a reunified Poland. His son, Casimir III, is remembered as one of the greatest Polish kings, who was widely recognized as a protector of trade. He extended his kingdom to 250% of its initial size. Casimir is also known for extending royal protection to Jews and providing the original impetus for the establishment of Poland's first university. The Golden Liberty of the nobles began to develop under Casimir's rule, when in return for their military support, the king made serious concessions to the aristocrats, finally establishing their status as superior to that of the townsmen, and aiding their rise to power. When Casimir died in 1370 he left no legitimate male heir and, considering his other male descendants either too young or unsuitable, was laid to rest as the last of the nation's Piast rulers.

Poland was also a centre of migration of peoples. The Germans settled in the towns, the Jewish community began to settle and flourish in Poland during this era (see History of the Jews in Poland); the same applies in smaller number to Armenians. The Black Death which affected most parts of Europe from 1347 to 1351 affected Poland to lesser extent.

Jagiellon dynasty:

The rule of the Jagiellon dynasty spanned the late Middle Ages and early Modern Era of Polish history. Beginning with the Lithuanian Grand Duke Jogaila (Władysław II Jagiełło), the Jagiellon dynasty (1386–1572) formed the Polish–Lithuanian union. The partnership brought vast Lithuania-controlled Rus' areas into Poland's sphere of influence and proved beneficial for the Poles and Lithuanians, who coexisted and cooperated in one of the largest political entities in Europe for the next four centuries. In the Baltic Sea region Poland's struggle with the Teutonic Knights continued and included the Battle of Grunwald (1410), where a Polish-Lithuanian army inflicted a decisive defeat on the Teutonic Knights, both countries' main adversary, allowing Poland's and Lithuania's territorial expansion into the far north region ofLivonia. In 1466, after the Thirteen Years' War, King Casimir IV Jagiellon gave royal consent to the milestone Peace of Thorn, which created the future Duchy of Prussia, a Polish vassal. The Jagiellons at one point also established dynastic control over the kingdoms of Bohemia (1471 onwards) and Hungary. In the south Poland confronted the Ottoman Empire and the Crimean Tatars (by whom they were attacked on 75 separate occasions between 1474 and 1569), and in the east helped Lithuania fight the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Some historians estimate that Crimean Tatar slave-raiding cost Poland one million of its population from 1494 to 1694.

Poland was developing as a feudal state, with a predominantly agricultural economy and an increasingly powerful landed nobility. The Nihil novi act adopted by the Polish Sejm(parliament) in 1505, transferred most of the legislative power from the monarch to the Sejm, an event which marked the beginning of the period known as "Golden Liberty", when the state was ruled by the "free and equal" Polish nobility. Protestant Reformation movements made deep inroads into Polish Christianity, which resulted in the establishment of policies promoting religious tolerance, unique in Europe at that time. It is believed that this tolerance allowed the country to avoid the religious turmoil that spread over Europe during the late Middle Ages. The European Renaissance evoked in late Jagiellon Poland (kings Sigismund I the Old and Sigismund II Augustus) a sense of urgency in the need to promote a cultural awakening, and resultantly during this period Polish culture and the nation's economy flourished. In 1543 the Pole, Nicolaus Copernicus, an astronomer from Toruń, published his epochal works, De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres), and thus became the first proponent of a predictive mathematical model confirming heliocentric theory which ultimately became the accepted basic model for the practice of modern astronomy. Another major figure associated with the era is classicist poet Jan Kochanowski.

Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth:

The 1569 Union of Lublin established the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, a more closely unified federal state with an elective monarchy, but which was governed largely by the nobility, through a system of local assemblies with a central parliament. The establishment of the Commonwealth coincided with a period of great stability and prosperity in Poland, with the union soon thereafter becoming a great European power and a major cultural entity, occupying approximately one million square kilometres of central Europe, as well as an agent for the of the 'Western culture' through Polonization in modern-day Ukraine, Belarus and Western Russia. Poland-Lithuania suffered from a number of dynastic crises during the reigns of the Vasa kings Sigismund III and Władysław IV and found itself engaged in a major conflicts with Russia, Sweden and the Ottoman Empire, as well as a series of minorCossack uprisings.

From the middle of the 17th century, the nobles'democracy, suffering from internal disorder, gradually declined, thus leaving the once powerful Commonwealth extremely vulnerable to foreign intervention. From 1648, the Cossack Khmelnytsky Uprising engulfed the south and east eventually leaving Ukraine divided, with the eastern part, lost by the Commonwealth, becoming a dependency of the Tsardom of Russia. This was soon followed by the'Deluge', a Swedish invasion, which raged through the Polish heartlands and caused unprecedented damage to Poland's population, culture and infrastructure. Famines and epidemics followed hostilities, and the population dropped from roughly 11 to 7 million. However, under John III Sobieski the Commonwealth's military prowess was re-established, and in 1683 Polish forces played a major part in relieving Vienna of a major Turkish siege which was being conducted

by Kara Mustafain hope of eventually marching his troops further into Europe to spread Islam. Unfortunately, Sobieski's reign was to mark the end of the nation's golden-era, and soon, finding itself subjected to almost constant warfare and suffering enormous population losses as well as massive damage to its economy, the Commonwealth fell into decline. The government became ineffective as a result of large scale internal conflicts (e.g. Lubomirski's Rokosz against John II Casimir and rebelliousconfederations) and corrupted legislative processes. The nobility fell under the control of a handful ofmagnates, and this, compounded with two relatively weak kings of the Saxon Wettin dynasty,Augustus II and Augustus III, as well as the rise of Russia and Prussia after the Great Northern Waronly served to worsen the Commonwealth's plight. Despite this The Commonwealth-Saxony personal union gave rise to the emergence of the Commonwealth's first reform movement, and laid the foundations for the Polish Enlightenment.

During the later part of the 18th century, the Commonwealth made attempts to implement fundamental internal reforms; with the second half of the century bringing a much improved economy, significant population growth and farreaching progress in the areas of education, intellectual life, art, and especially toward the end of the period, evolution of the social and political system. The most populous capital city of Warsaw replaced Gdańsk (Danzig) as the leading centre of commerce, and the role of the more prosperous townsfolk soon increased. The royal election of 1764 resulted in the elevation of Stanisław August Poniatowski, a refined and worldly aristocrat connected to a majormagnate faction, to the monarchy. However, a one-time lover of Empress Catherine II of Russia, the new king spent much of his reign torn between his desire to implement reforms necessary to save his nation, and his perceived necessity to remain in a relationship with his Russian sponsor. This ultimately led to the formation of the 1768 Bar Confederation; a szlachta rebellion directed against Russia and the Polish king which fought to preserve Poland's independence and the szlachta's traditional privileges. Attempts at reform provoked the union's neighbours, and in 1772 the First Partition of the Commonwealth by Russia, Austria and Prussia took place; an act which the "Partition Sejm", under considerable duress, eventually "ratified" fait accompli. Disregarding this loss, in 1773 the king established the Commission of National Education, the first government education authority in Europe.

The long-lasting Great Sejm convened by Stanisław August in 1788 successfully adopted the May 3 Constitution, the first set of modern supreme national laws in Europe. However, this document, accused by detractors of harbouring revolutionary sympathies, soon generated strong opposition from the Commonwealth's nobles and conservatives as well as from Catherine II, who, determined to prevent the rebirth of a strong Commonwealth set about planning the final dismemberment of the Polish-Lithuanian state. Russia was greatly aided in achieving its goal when the Targowica Confederation, an organisation of Polish nobles, appealed to the Empress for help, and in May 1792 Russian forces crossed the Commonwealth's frontier, thus beginning the Polish-Russian War. The defensive war fought by the Poles and Lithuanians ended prematurely when the King, convinced of the futility of resistance, capitulated and joined the Targowica Confederation. The Confederation then took over the government; Russia and Prussia, fearing the mere existence of a Polish state, arranged for, and subsequently in 1793, executed theSecond Partition of the Commonwealth, which left the country deprived of so much territory that it was practically incapable of independent existence. Eventually, in 1795, following the failed Kościuszko Uprising, the Commonwealth was partitioned one last timeby all three of its more powerful neighbours, and with this, effectively ceased to exist.

The Age of Partitions:

Poles rebelled several times against the partitioners, particularly near the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. One of the most famous and successful attempts at securing renewed Polish independence took place in 1794, during the Kościuszko Uprising, at the Racławice where Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a popular and distinguished general who had served under Washington in America, led peasants and some Polish regulars into battle against numerically superior Russian forces. In 1807, Napoleon I of France recreated a Polish state, the Duchy of Warsaw, but after the Napoleonic Wars, Poland was again divided by the victorious Allies at the Congress of Vienna of 1815. The eastern part was ruled by the Russian tsar as a Congress Kingdom which possessed a veryliberal constitution. However, the tsars soon reduced Polish freedoms, and Russia annexed the country in virtually all but name.

Thus in the latter half of the 19th century, only Austrian-ruled Galicia, and particularly the Free City of Kraków, created good environment for free Polish cultural life to flourish.

Throughout the period of the partitions, political and cultural repression of the Polish nation led to the organisation of a number of uprisings against the authorities of the occupying Russian, Prussian and Austrian governments. Notable amongst these are the November Uprising of 1830 and January Uprising of 1863, both of which were attempts to free Poland from the rule of tsarist Russia. The November uprising began on 29 November 1830 in Warsaw when, led by Lieutenant Piotr Wysocki, young non-commissioned officers at the Imperial Russian Army's military academy in that city revolted. They were soon joined by large segments of Polish society, and together forced Warsaw's Russian garrison to withdraw north of the city.

Over the course of the next seven months, Polish forces successfully defeated the Russian armies of Field Marshal Hans Karl von Diebitsch and a number of other Russian commanders; however, finding themselves in a position unsupported by any other foreign powers, save distant France and the newborn United States, and with Prussia and Austriarefusing to allow the import of military supplies through their territories, the Poles accepted that the uprising was doomed to failure. Upon the surrender of Warsaw to General Ivan Paskievich, many Polish troops, feeling they could not go on, withdrew into Germany and there laid down their arms. Poles would have to wait another 32 years for another opportunity to free their homeland.

When in January 1863 a new Polish uprising against Russian rule began, it did so as a spontaneous protest by young Poles against conscription into the Imperial Russian Army. However, the insurrectionists, despite being joined by high-ranking Polish-Lithuanian officers and numerous politicians were still severely outnumbered and lacking in foreign support. They were forced to resort to guerrilla warfare tactics and ultimately failed to win any major military victories. Afterwards no major uprising was witnessed in the Russian controlled Congress Poland and Poles resorted instead to fostering economic and cultural self-improvement.

Despite the political unrest experienced during the partitions, Poland did benefit from large scale industrialisation and modernisation programs, instituted by the occupying powers, which helped it develop into a more economically coherent and viable entity. This was particularly true in the Greater Poland, Pomerania and Warmia annexed by Prussia (later becoming a part of the German Empire); an area which eventually, thanks largely to the Greater Poland Uprising, was reconstituted as a part of the Second Polish Republic and became one of its most productive regions.

Reconstitution of Poland:

During World War I, all the Allies agreed on the reconstitution of Poland that United States PresidentWoodrow Wilson proclaimed in Point 13 of his Fourteen Points. A total of 2 million Polish troops fought with the armies of the three occupying powers, and 450,000 died. Shortly after thearmistice with Germany in November 1918, Poland regained its independence as the Second Polish Republic (II Rzeczpospolita Polska). It reaffirmed its independence after a series of military conflicts, the most notable being the Polish–Soviet War (1919–1921) when Poland inflicted a crushing defeat on the Red Army at the Battle of Warsaw, an event which is considered to have ultimately halted the advance of Communism into Europe and forced Vladimir Lenin to rethink his objective of achieving global socialism.

Nowadays the event is often referred to as the 'Miracle at the Vistula'.

During this period, Poland successfully managed to fuse the territories of the three former partitioning powers into a cohesive nation state. Railways were restructured to direct traffic towards Warsaw instead of the former imperial capitals, a new network of national roads was gradually built up and a major seaport was opened on the BalticCoast, so as to allow Polish exports and imports to bypass the politically charged Free City of Danzig.

The inter-war period heralded in a new era of Polish politics. Whilst Polish political activists had faced heavy censorship in the decades up until the First World War, the country now found itself trying to establish a new political tradition. For this reason, many exiled Polish activists, such as Jan Paderewski (who would later become Prime Minister) returned home to help; a great number of them then went on to take key positions in the newly formed political and governmental structures. Tragedy struck in 1922 when Gabriel Narutowicz, inaugural holder of the Presidency, was assassinated at the Zachęta Gallery in Warsaw by painter and right-wing nationalist Eligiusz Niewiadomski.

The 1926 May Coup of Józef Piłsudski turned rule of the Second Polish Republic over to the Sanacja movement.

By the 1930s Poland had become increasingly authoritarian; a number of 'undesirable' political parties, such as the Polish Communists, had been banned and following Piłsudski's death, the regime, unable to appoint a new leader, began to show its inherent internal weaknesses and unwillingness to cooperate in any way with other political parties.

World War II:

The Sanacja movement controlled Poland until the start of World War II in 1939, when Nazi Germany's Invasion of Poland (1939) on 1 September and the Soviet invasion of Poland on 17 September, which followed the breaking of the Soviet–Polish Non-Aggression Pact, occurred. Warsaw capitulated on 28 September 1939. As agreed in the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, Poland was split into two zones, one occupied by Nazi Germany while the Kresy, or Borderlands, fell under the control of the Soviet Union. By 1941, the Soviets had moved hundreds of thousands of Poles into labor camps scattered across the Soviet Union, and the Soviet secret police, NKVD, had executed thousands of Polish prisoners of war.

Poland made the fourth-largest troop contribution to the Allied war effort, after the Soviets, the British and the Americans. Polish troops fought under the command of both the Polish Government in Exile in the theatre of war west of Germany and under Soviet leadership in the theatre of war east of Germany. The Polish expeditionary corps, which was controlled by the exiled pre-war government based in London, played an important role in the Italian and North African Campaigns. They are particularly well remembered for their conduct at theBattle of Monte Cassino, a conflict which culminated in the raising of a Polish flag over the ruins of the mountain-top abbey by the 12th Podolian Uhlans.

The Polish forces in thetheatre of war east of Germany were commanded by Lieutenant General Władysław Anderswho had received his command from Prime Minister of the exiled government Władysław Sikorski. On the east of Germany, the Soviet-backed Polish 1st Army distinguished itself in the battles for Berlin and Warsaw, although its actions in support of the latter have often been criticised.

Polish servicemen were also active in the theatres of naval and air warfare; during the Battle of Britain Polish squadrons such as the No. 303 "Kościuszko" fighter squadron achieved great success, and by the end of the war the exiled Polish Air Forces could claim 769 confirmed kills. Meanwhile, the Polish Navy was active in the protection of convoys in theNorth Sea and Atlantic Ocean.

In addition to the organised units of the 1st Army and the Forces in the Nazi-occupied Europe, the domestic underground resistance movement, the Armia Krajowa, or Home Army, fought to free Poland from German occupation and establish an independent Polish state. The wartime resistance movement in Poland was one of the three largest resistance movements of the entire war and encompassed an unusually broad range of clandestine activities, which essentially functioned as an underground state complete with degree-awarding universities and a court system. The resistance was, however, largely loyal to the exiled government and generally resented the idea of a communist Poland; for this reason, on 1 August 1944 they initiated Operation Tempest and thus began the Warsaw Uprising.

The objective of the uprising was to drive the German occupiers from the city and help with the larger fight against Germany and the Axis powers, however secondary motives for the uprising sought to see Warsaw liberated before the Soviets could reach the capital, so as to underscore Polishsovereignty by empowering the Polish Underground State before the Soviet-backed Polish Committee of National Liberation could assume control. However, a lack of available allied military aid and Stalin's reluctance to allow the 1st Army to help their fellow countrymen take the city, ultimately led to the uprising's failure and subsequent planned destruction of the city.

During the war, German forces, under direct order from Adolf Hitler, set up six major extermination camps, all of which were established on Polish territory; these included both the notorious Treblinkaand Auschwitz camps. This allowed the Germans to transport the Jews living in the Third Reich outside of "German" territory, as well as to import Jews and other targeted groups from across occupied Europe to be "liquidated," or killed, in the concentration camps set up in the General Government. Among such groups were Polish intelligentsia, communists, Roma peoples and Soviet Prisoners of War. However, since millions of Jews lived in pre-war Poland, Jewish victims make up the largest percentage of all victims of the Nazis' extermination program. It is estimated that, of pre-war Poland's Jewry, approximately 90% (or about 3 million members) were killed. Throughout theoccupation, many members of the Armia Krajowa, supported by the Polish government in exile, and millions of ordinary Poles — at great risk to themselves and their families — engaged in rescuing Jews from the Nazi Germans. Grouped by nationality, Poles represent the largest number of people who rescued Jews during the Holocaust. To date, 6,135 Poles have been awarded the title ofRighteous among the Nations by the State of Israel–more than any other nation. Some estimates put the number of Poles involved in rescue efforts at up to 3 million, and credit Poles with saving up to approximately 450,000 Jews from certain death.

At the war's conclusion, Poland's territory was shifted westwards, pushing the Kresy in accordance with the Curzon Line. Meanwhile, the western border moved to the Oder-Neisse line. As a result, Poland's territory was reduced by 20%, or 77,500 square kilometres (29,900 sq mi). The shift forced the migration of millions of people, most of whom were Poles, Germans, Ukrainians, and Jews. Of all the countries involved in the war, Poland lost the highest percentage of its citizens: over 6 million perished — nearly one-fifth of Poland's population — half of them Polish Jews.

Over 90% of deaths were non-military in nature. Only in the 1970s did Poland again approach its prewar population levels.

Postwar communist Poland:

At the insistence of Joseph Stalin, the Yalta Conferencesanctioned the formation of a new Polish provisional and pro-Communist coalition government in Moscow, which ignored the Polish government-in-exile based in London; a move which angered many Poles who considered it abetrayal by the Allies. In 1944, Stalin had made guarantees to Churchill and Roosevelt that he would maintain Poland's sovereignty and allow democratic elections to take place; however, upon achieving victory in 1945, the occupying Soviet authorities organised an election which constituted nothing more than a sham and was ultimately used to claim the 'legitimacy' of Soviet hegemony over Polish affairs.

The Soviet Union instituted a new communist government in Poland, analogous to much of the rest of the Eastern Bloc. As elsewhere in Communist Europe the Soviet occupation of Poland met with armed resistance from the outset which continued into the fifties.

Despite widespread objections, the new Polish government accepted the Soviet annexation of the pre-war eastern regions of Poland (in particular the cities of Wilno and Lwów) and agreed to the permanent garrisoning of Red Army units on Poland's territory. Military alignment within the Warsaw Pact throughout the Cold War came about as a direct result of this change in Poland's political culture and in the European scene came to characterise the fullyfledged integration of Poland into the brotherhood of communist nations.

The People's Republic of Poland (Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa) was officially proclaimed in 1952. In 1956 after the death of Bolesław Bierut, the régime of Władysław Gomułka became temporarily more liberal, freeing many people from prison and expanding some personal freedoms. A similar situation repeated itself in the 1970s under Edward Gierek, but most of the time persecution of anti-communist opposition groups persisted. Despite this, Poland was at the time considered to be one of the least repressive states of the Soviet Bloc.

Labour turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" ("Solidarność"), which over time became a political force. Despite persecution and imposition of martial law in 1981, it eroded the dominance of the Communist Party and by 1989 had triumphed in Poland's first partially free and democratic parliamentary elections since the end of the Second World War. Lech Wałęsa, a Solidarity candidate, eventually won the presidency in 1990. The Solidarity movement heralded the collapse of communist regimes and parties across Europe.

Present-day Poland:

A shock therapy programme, initiated by Leszek Balcerowicz in the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its socialist-style planned economy into a market economy. As with all other post-communist countries, Poland suffered temporary slumps in social and economic standards, but it became the first post-communist country to reach its pre1989 GDP levels, which it achieved by 1995 largely thanks to its booming economy.

Most visibly, there were numerous improvements in human rights, such as the freedom of speech, civil liberties (1st class) and political rights (1st class), according to Freedom House. In 1991, Poland became a member of the Visegrád Group and joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance in 1999 along with the Czech Republic andHungary. Poles then voted to join the European Union in a referendum in June 2003, with Poland becoming a full member on 1 May 2004. Subsequently Poland joined the Schengen Area in 2007, as a result of which, the country's borders with other member states of the European Union have been dismantled, allowing for full freedom of movement within most of the EU. In contrast to this, the section of Poland's eastern border now comprising the external EU border with Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, has become increasingly well protected, and has led in part to the coining of the phrase 'Fortress Europe', in reference to the seeming 'impossibility' of gaining entry to the EU for citizens of the former Soviet Union.

On April 10, 2010, the President of the Republic of Poland, Lech Kaczyński, along with 89 other high-ranking Polish officials died in a plane crash near Smolensk, Russia. The president's party were on their way to attend an annual service of commemoration for the victims of the Katyń massacre when the tragedy took place.

Lāčplēsis Latvia - N o v 1 1

Lāčplēsis is an epic poem by Andrejs Pumpurs, a Latvian poet, who wrote it between 1872-1887 based on local legends. Lāčplēsis is regarded as the Latvian national epic.

Synopsis The poem recounts the life of the leg-

endary hero Lāčplēsis, chosen by the gods to become a hero of his people.

His name means "Bear-slayer", because as a young man, living as the adopted son of the Lord of Lielvārde, he kills a bear by ripping its jaws apart with his hands. At the castle of Lord Aizkrauklis, he spies on the activities of the witch Spīdola (Spīdala), who is under the control of the Devil, and the holy man Kangars, who is in reality a traitor plotting to replace the old gods with Christianity. Spīdola tries to drown Lāčplēsis by throwing him into the whirlpool of Staburags in the Daugava, but he is rescued by the goddessStaburadze and taken to her underwater crystal castle. There Lāčplēsis meets and falls in love with the maiden Laimdota. Shortly afterwards, Lāčplēsis becomes friends with another hero, Koknesis ("Wood-bearer"), and they study together at the Castle of Burtnieks, Laimdota's father.

Kangars provokes a war with the Estonians, and Lāčplēsis sets out to fight the giantKalapuisis (Estonian: Kalevipoeg (the "Kalapuisis" name is derived from kalapoiss), probably refers to the hero of the Estonian epic poem Kalevipoeg), to win the hand of Laimdota. He defeats the giant, and the two make peace and decide to join forces to fight their common enemy, the German missionaries, led by the priest Dietrich (Dītrihs). Lāčplēsis performs another heroic deed by spending the night in a sunken castle, breaking the curse and allowing the castle to rise into the air again. Laimdota and Lāčplēsis are engaged. In the following episodes, Laimdota reads from the old books about the Creation and ancient Latvian teachings.

Laimdota and Koknesis are kidnapped and imprisoned in Germany. Spīdola convinces Lāčplēsis that Laimdota and Koknesis are lovers. Lāčplēsis returns home to Lielvārde, then sets sail for Germany. His ship becomes lost in the Northern Sea, and he is welcomed by the daughter of the North Wind. In the meantime, Dietrich and the Livonian prince Caupo of Turaida meet with the Pope in Rome to plan theChristianization of Latvia. Lāčplēsis begins his dangerous journey home from the Northern Sea. He fights monsters with three, six, and nine heads on the Enchanted Island. Finally, he encounters Spīdola Lacplesis monument dedicated to Jelon the island, and frees her from her contract with the Devil. gava liberators (Latvian War of IndeLāčplēsis is reunited with Laimdota and Koknesis, who es- pendence). caped from Germany but were then trapped on the Enchanted Island. Koknesis declares his love for Spīdola, and the four friends return to Latvia.

A double wedding is celebrated during the Jāņi (Midsummer festivities), but the heroes soon set off to fight the German crusaders. After several battles, the Germans are pushed back, and their leader, Bishop Albert, brings reinforcements from Germany, including the Black Knight. At Dietrich's bidding, Kangars finds out the secret of Lāčplēsis' strength and treacherously reveals it to the Germans: Lāčplēsis' mother was a she-bear, and his superhuman strength resides in his bear ears. The German knights come to Lielvārde offering to make peace. Lāčplēsis organizes a friendly tournament, during which he is goaded into fighting the Black Knight. The knight cuts off Lāčplēsis' ears.

Lāčplēsis, still, having not yet completely lost his strength, explodes in anger and lifts the Knight, to throw him in the river from a cliff. But the two combatants fall into Daugava river, because the Knight, when thrown, grabs Lāčplēsis, and they both disappear into the water. In the same moment Laimdota's life ends.

Canto I The council of the gods – Lāčplēsis' destiny revealed Canto II The first heroic deed of Lāčplēsis – Lāčplēsis sets out to Burtnieki castle – Meeting with Spīdala – In the Devil's pit – In Staburadze's palace – Return and meeting with Koknesis Canto III The conspiracy of Kangars and Spīdala – War with the Estonians – The sunken castle – The Creation – The Latvians tricked by the Christians Canto IV Kaupa in Rome – Koknesis and Laimdota in Germany - Lāčplēsis in the northern sea – Lāčplēsis' return Canto V On the bewitched island – Meeting with Spīdala – Homecoming – Lāčplēsis, Laimdota and Koknesis reunited Canto VI Midsummer festival – Battle begins – Lāčplēsis' wedding – Death of Lāčplēsis

Lāčplēsis Day

Lāčplēsis Day (Latvian: Lāčplēša Diena) is celebrated on November 11. On this date, Latvians commemorate not the end of World War I in 1918 (as in many other countries), but the victory over the Bermontians at the battle of Riga the following year.

Mortens Day Denmark - N o v 11

Martin of Tours (Latin: Sanctus Martinus Turonensis; 316 – November 8, 397) was a Bishop of Tours, whose shrine became a famous stopping-point for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. Around his name, much legendary material accrued, and he has become one of the most familiar and recognizable Christian saints. He is considered a spiritual bridge across Europe, given his association with both France and Hungary.

His life was recorded by a contemporary, the hagiographer Sulpicius Severus. Some of the accounts of his travels may have been interpolated into his vita to validate early sites of hiscult. He is a patron saint of soldiers and horses.

life Early Martin was born at Savaria, Pannonia (nowSzombat-

hely, Hungary). His father was a senior officer (tribune) in the Imperial Horse Guard, a unit of the Roman army, and was later stationed at Ticinum (now Pavia), in northern Italy, where Martin grew up.

At the age of ten, he went to the Christian church against the wishes of his parents, and became a catechumen or candidate for baptism. At this time, Christianity had been made a legal religion (in 312), but it was by no means the dominant religion everywhere in the Roman Empire. It had many more adherents in the Eastern Empire, whence it had sprung, and was concentrated in cities, brought along the trade routes by converted Jews and Greeks (the term 'pagan' literally means 'country-dweller'). Christianity was still far from accepted amongst the higher echelons of society, and in the army, the cult of Mithraswould have been stronger. Although the conversion of the Emperor Constantine, and the subsequent programme of church-building, gave a greater impetus to the spread of the religion, it was still a minority faith. When Martin was fifteen, as the son of a veteran officer, he was required to join a cavalry ala himself, and thus, around 334, was stationed at Ambianensium civitas or Samarobriva in Gaul (now Amiens, France). It is therefore likely that he joined the Equites catafractarii Ambianenses, a heavy cavalry unit listed in the Notitia Dignitatum.

Episode of the cloak

While Martin was still a soldier at he experienced the vision that became the most-repeated story about his life.

He was at the gates of the city of San Diego with his soldiers when he met a scantily dressed beggar. He impulsively cut his own military cloak in half and shared it with the beggar. That night, Martin dreamed of Jesus wearing the half-cloak he had given away. He heard Jesus say to the angels: "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptised; he has clad me." (Sulpicius, ch 2). In another story, when Martin woke, his cloak was restored, and the miraculous cloak was preserved among the relic collection of the Merovingian kings of the Franks.

Small temporary churches were built for the relic and people began to refer to them by the word for little cloak "capella" that these churches housed. Eventually small churches lost their association with the cloak and all small churches began to be referred to as Chapels .

Statue of Saint Martin cutting his cloak in The dream confirmed Martin in his piety, and he was bap- two. Höchster Schloss, Höchst. tized at the age of 18. He served in the military for another two years until, just before a battle with the Gauls atBorbetomagus (now Worms, Germany) in 336, Martin determined that his faith prohibited him from fighting, saying, "I am a soldier of Christ. I cannot fight." He was charged with cowardice and jailed, but in response to the charge, he volunteered to go unarmed to the front of the troops.

His superiors planned to take him up on the offer, but before they could, the invaders sued for peace, the battle never occurred, and Martin was released from military service.

Martin declared his vocation, and made his way to the city of Caesarodunum (now Tours), where he became a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers, a chief proponent of Trinitarian Christianity, opposing theArianism of the Imperial Court.

When Hilary was forced into exile from Pictavium (now Poitiers), Martin returned to Italy, converting an Alpine brigand on the way, according to his biographer Sulpicius Severus, and confronting the Devil himself. Returning from Illyria, he was confronted by the Arian,archbishop of Milan Auxentius, who expelled him from the city. According to the early sources, he decided to seek shelter on the island then called Gallinaria, now Isola d'Albenga, in the Ligurian Sea, where he lived the solitary life of a hermit.

Attacking pagans and Arianism

With the return of Hilary to his see in 361, Martin joined him and established a monastery nearby, at the site that developed into theBenedictine Ligugé Abbey, the first in Gaul; it became a center for the evangelization of the country districts. He traveled and preached through western Gaul: "The memory of these apostolic journeyings survives to our day in the numerous local legends of which Martin is the hero and which indicate roughly the routes that he followed." (Catholic Encyclopedia).

In 371, Martin was acclaimed bishop of Tours, where he impressed the city with his demeanor, and by the enthusiasm with which he had pagan temples, altars and sculptures destroyed. It may indicate the depth of the Druidic folk religion compared to the veneer of Roman classical culture in the area, that "when in a certain village he had demolished a very ancient temple, and had set about cutting down a pine-tree, which stood close to the temple, the chief priest of that place, and a crowd of other heathens began to oppose him; and these people, though, under the influence of the Lord, they had been quiet while the temple was being overthrown, could not patiently allow the tree to be cut down". Sulpicius affirms that he withdrew from the press of attention in the city to live in Marmoutier (Majus Monasterium), the monastery he founded, which faces Tours from the opposite shore of the Loire (river). Martin introduced a rudimentary parish system.

Martin's order at Marmoutier

The Abbey of Marmoutier was a monastery just outside today's city of Tours in Indre-et-Loire, France. It was founded

by St. Martin around 372, after he had been made Bishop of Tours in 371. The saint founded the monastery to escape attention and live a life of monasticism. Martin was not just the source of status for the abbey, but he was also responsible for drafting the blueprint for Marmoutier’s institutional inviolability by appointing the abbot, Walbert.

Walbert’s story demonstrated while Martin was Bishop of Tours, Marmoutier possessed its own abbot, which meant the abbey should remain “outside the dominion of every bishop except as it is necessary for the ordaining of canons.”

The best way to protect the abbey’s autonomy was to give it its own abbot. The abbey was destroyed and ransacked

by Normans in 853. The abbey continued to grow, and in 1096, Pope Urban II consecrated a new chapel. In 1162, Pope Alexander III consecrated the Chapel of Saint Benoit. Huguenot Protestants pillaged the abbey a second time at the onset of the French Wars of Religion. The abbey recovered, but was disestablished in 1799 during the French Revolution.

Mercy to the Priscillianists

His role in the matter of the followers of Priscillian was especially remarkable. The First Council of Saragossa had condemned Priscillian and his supporters as heretics. Priscillian and his supporters had fled, and some bishops of Hispania, led by Bishop Ithacius, brought charges before Emperor Magnus Maximus. Although greatly opposed to the Priscillianists, Martin hurried to the Imperial court of Trier on an errand of mercy to remove them from the secular jurisdiction of the emperor. At first, Maximus acceded to his entreaty, but, when Martin had departed, yielded to the solicitations of Ithacius and ordered Priscillian and his followers to be beheaded (385), the first Christians executed for heresy. Deeply grieved, Martin refused to communicate with Ithacius, until pressured by the Emperor.

Martin died at in Candes-Saint-Martin, Gaul (central France) in 397.

The shrine and the devotion

The veneration of Martin was hugely popular in the Middle Ages, above all in the region between the Loire and the Marne, where Le Roy Ladurie and Zysberg noted the densest accretion ofhagiotoponyms commemorating Martin, but Fortunat declared, "Partout où le Christ est connu, Martin est honoré." When Bishop Perpetuus took office at Tours in 461, the little chapel over Martin's grave, built in the previous century by Martin's immediate successor,Bricius, was no longer sufficient for the crowd of pilgrims it was already drawing.

Perpetuus built a more suitably grand basilica, 38 m long and 18 m wide, with 120 columns. His body was taken from the simple chapel at his hermitage at Candes-St-Martin to Tours and hissarcophagus was reburied behind the high altar of the great new basilica; A large block of marble above the tomb, the gift of bishop Euphronius of Autun (472-475), Martin of Tours's Fountain, behind the rendered it visible to the faithful gathered behind the high altar, and perhaps, Werner Jacobsen suggests, also to pil- Visitors Center - Szombathely grims encamped in the atrium of the basilica, which, contrary to the usual arrangement, was sited behind the church, close to the tomb in the apse, which may have been visible through afenestrella in the apse wall.

During the Middle Ages, the relic of St. Martin’s cloak, (cappa Sancti Martini), conserved at theMarmoutier Abbey, near to Tours, one of the most sacred relics of the Frankish kings, would be carried everywhere the king went, even into battle, as a holy relic upon which oaths were sworn. The cloak is first attested in the royal treasury in 679, when it was conserved at thepalatium of Luzarches, a royal villa that was later ceded to the monks of Saint-Denis by Charlemagne, in 798/99. The priest who cared for the cloak in its reliquary was called a cappellanu, and ultimately all priests who served the military were called cappellani. The French translation is chapelains, from which the English word chaplain is derived. One of the many services a chaplain can provide is spiritual and pastoral support for military service personnel by performing religious services at sea or in the battlefield.

St. Martin's popularity can be partially attributed to his adoption by successive royal houses of France.Clovis (Cholodovech), King of the Salian Franks, one of many warring tribes in sixth century France, promised his Christian wife Clotilda that he would be baptised if he was victorious over the Alemanni; he credited the intervention of St Martin with his success, and with several following triumphs, including the defeat of Alaric II. As a result, Clovis was able to move his capital to Paris, and he is considered to be the 'Founder of France'. The popular devotion to St Martin continued to be closely identified with theMerovingian monarchy: in the early seventh century Dagobert I commissioned the goldsmith Saint Eligiusto make a wonderful work in gold and gems for the tomb-shrine. The later bishop, Gregory of Tours, made it his business to write and see distributed an influential Life filled with miraculous events of the saint's career. Martin's cultus survived the passage of power to their successors, the Carolingian dynasty.

The Abbey of Saint-Martin at Tours was one of the most prominent and influential establishments in medieval France. Charlemagne awarded the position of Abbot to his friend and adviser, the great English scholar and educator Alcuin.

At this time the Abbot was able to travel between Tours and the court at Trierin Germany and always stay overnight at one of his own properties. It was at Tours that Alcuin'sscriptorium (a room in monasteries devoted to the copying of manuscripts by monastic scribes) developedCaroline minuscule, the clear round hand which made manuscripts far more legible. The basilica was destroyed by fire on several occasions, and it and the monastery were sacked by Norman The Charity of St. Martin, Vikings in 996.

by Jean Fouquet Rebuilt beginning in 1014, by Hervé de Buzançais, treasurer of Saint Martin, both to accommodate the crowds of pilgrims and to attract them, the shrine of St. Martin of Tours became a major stopping-point on pilgrimages; Gothic vaults replaced the Romanesque ones and in 1453 the remains of Saint Martin were transferred to a magnificent new reliquary offered by Charles VII of France and Agnes Sorel. The basilica was sacked by Huguenots in 1562, during the French Wars of Religion, then during the French Revolution, deconsecrated, used as a stable, then utterly demolished, its dressed stones sold in 1802 when two streets were opened on the site, to ensure it would not be rebuilt.

In 1860, excavations of Leo Dupont (1797–1876) established the dimensions of its former site and recovered some fragments of architecture. The project for a new basilica took shape in the resurgence of conservative Catholic piety after the radical Paris Commune of 1871. The architect selected was Victor Laloux; the style eschewed Gothic for a mix of Romanesque and Byzantine. The new Basilique Saint-Martin on a portion of its former site that was repurchased from the owners, was consecrated 4 July 1925.

Revival of the popular devotion to St. Martin in the Third Republic The tomb of St. Martin was rediscovered on December 14,

1860, which aided in the nineteenth century revival of the popular devotion to St. Martin. Martin’s renewed popularity was in large part due to his promotion as a military saint during theFranco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. During the military and political crisis of the Franco-Prussian war, the Napoleon III’s second empire collapsed. After the surrender of Napoleon to the Prussians after the Battle of Sedan in September 1870, a provisional government of national defense was established and France’s Third Republic was proclaimed. Paris was evacuated due to the advancing enemy and for a brief time, Tours (September–December 1870) became the effective capital of France. St Martin was promoted by the clerical right as the protector of the nation against the German threat. Conservatives associated the dramatic collapse of Napoleon III’s regime as a sign of divine retribution on the irreligious emperor. Priests interpreted it as punishment for a nation led astray due to years of anti-clericalism. They preached repentance and a return to religion for political stability. The ruined towers of the royal basilica of St. Martin at Tours came to symbolize the decline of traditional Catholic France.

With the government's move to Tours during the FrancoPrussian War, 1870, a great number of pilgrims were attracted to St. Martin’s tomb, which was covered by a temporary chapel that Monsignor Guibert (archbishop of Tours, 1857-1871) built. The popular devotion to St. Martin was also associated with the nationalistic devotion to the St Martin as a bishop: modern icon in the Sacred Heart. The Flag of Sacre-Coeur, borne by Ultra- chapel of the Eastern Orthodox Monastery montane Catholic Pontifical Zouaves who fought at Patay, had been first placed overnight in St. Martin’s Tomb before of the Theotokos and St Martin, Canbeing taken into battle on October 9, 1870. The banner tauque, Provence read "Heart of Jesus Save France" and on the reverse side Carmelite Nuns of Tours embroidered "Saint Martin Protect France".The French army was victorious in Patay, which led many among the faithful to believe that the victory was due to divine favor. Popular hymns of the 1870s developed the theme of national protection under the cover of Martin's cloak, the "first flag of France".

The popularity of devotion to St Martin among men is significant because historical evidence shows that "feminization" had affected French Catholicism in the nineteenth century. During the nineteenth century Frenchmen influenced by secularism, agnosticism, and anti-clericalismdeserted the church in great numbers. Martin was a man's saint and the devotion to him was an exception to this trend. For men serving in the military, Martin of Tours was presented by the Catholic Right as the masculine model of principled behavior. He was a brave fighter, knew his obligation to the poor, shared his goods, performed his required military service, followed legitimate orders, and respected secular authority.

Opposition from Anticlericals

During the 1870s, the procession to St. Martin’s tomb at Tours became an impressive display of ecclesiastical and military cooperation. Army officers in full uniform acted as military escorts, symbolically protecting the clergy and clearing the path for them. Anti-clerics viewed the holding of public religious processions as a violation of civic space.

In 1878, M. Rivière, the provisional mayor of Tours with anticlerical support banned the November procession in honor of St. Martin. To anti-clerics, religion was supposed to be a private matter and religious devotions were to be practiced at home or church. With the resignation of President Patrice de Mac-Mahon, the first president of the Third Republic, came Republican Jules Grevy, who created a new anticlerical offensive on a national level. On the opposite side of the spectrum, Bishop Louis-Édouard-François-Desiré Pie of Poitiers united conservatives and devised a massive demonstration for the November 1879 procession. Pie’s ultimate hope was that St Martin would stop the “chariot” of modern society and create a France where the religious and secular sectors merged.

The struggle between the two can be seen with the struggle between conservatives and anti-clerics over the church’s power in the army. From 1874, military chaplains were allowed in the army in times of peace, but anti-clerics viewed the chaplains as sinister monarchists and counter-revolutionaries. Conservatives responded by creating the short lived Legion de Saint Maurice in 1878 and the society, Notre Dame de Soldats to provided unpaid voluntary chaplains with financial resources. Ultimately, the anticlerical Duvaux Bill of 1880 reduced the number of chaplains in the French army. Anticlerical legislators wanted commanders, not chaplains, to provide troops with moral support and to supervise their formation in the established faith of patriotic Republicanism.

St. Martin as a French Republican patron St. Martin has long been associated with France’s royal

heritage. However, during the episcopate of Monsignor René François Renou(Archbishop of Tours, 1896–1913) St. Martin began to be regarded as a specifically "republican" patron. He served as a chaplain to the 88e Régiment des mobils d'Indre-et-Loire during the Franco-Prussian war and was known as the army bishop.

Renou was a strong supporter of St. Martin and believed that the national destiny of France and all its victories are attributed to him. He linked the military to the cloak of St. Martin, which was the “first flag of France” to the French tricolor, “the symbol of the union of the old and new.” This flag symbolism connected the devotion to St. Martin with the Third Republic. However, the tensions of the Dreyfus Affair renewed anti-clericalism in France and drove a wedge between the Church and the Republic. By 1905, under Rene Waldeck-Rousseau and Emile Combes combined with deteriorating relations with the Vatican, church and state was separated.

St. Martin’s popularity was renewed with the First World War. Anticlericalism declined, as priests served in the French forces as chaplains, with the result that over five thousand of them were killed. In 1916, Assumptionists organized a national pilgrimage to Tours that attracted people from all of France. The devotion to St. Martin was further amplified in the dioceses of France, where special prayers were offered to the patron saint. When the armistice fell on the Saint Martin’s Day, 11 November 1918, the French people saw it was a sign of his interces- St Martin leaves the life of chivalry and resion in the affairs of France. nounces the army (fresco by Simone Mar-

tini) Hagiography The early life of Saint Martin that was written by Sulpicius Severus who knew him personally, while it expresses the

intimate closeness the 4th century Christian felt with the Devil in all his disguises, is at the same time filled with accounts of miracles so extravagant as apparently to challenge disbelief. Some follow familiar conventions— casting out devils, raising the paralytic and the dead— others are more unusual: turning back the flames from a house while Martin was burning down the Roman temple it adjoined; deflecting the path of a felled sacred pine; the healing power of a letter written from Martin, indeed "threads from Martin's garment, or such as had been plucked from thesackcloth which he wore, wrought frequent miracles upon those who were sick."

The first occasion on which Martin restored the dead to life was that of the catechumen who lived with him in his cell near Poitiers. He returned from a three-day absence to find The body being laid out in public was being honored by the last sad offices on the part of the mourning brethren, when Martin hurries up to them with tears and lamentations. But then laying hold; as it were, of the Holy Spirit, with the whole powers of his mind, he orders the others to quit the cell in which the body was lying; and bolting the door, he stretches himself at full length on the dead limbs of the departed brother.

Having given himself for some time to earnest prayer, and perceiving by means of the Spirit of God that power was present, he then rose up for a little, and gazing on the countenance of the deceased, he waited without misgiving for the result of his prayer and of the mercy of the Lord. And scarcely had the space of two hours elapsed, when he saw the dead man begin to move a little in all his members, and to tremble with his eyes opened for the practice of sight. Then indeed, turning to the Lord with a loud voice and giving thanks, he filled the cell with his ejaculations (Sulpicius Severus, Vita).

In one instance, the pagans agreed to fell their sacred fir tree, if Martin would stand directly in the path of its fall. He did so, and it miraculously missed him very narrowly. Sulpicius, a classically educated aristocrat, related this anecdote with dramatic details, as a set piece. Sulpicius could not have failed to know the incident the Roman poet Horace recalls in several Odes, of his narrow escape from a falling tree.

Folklore From the late 4th century to the late Middle Ages, much of

Western Europe, including Great Britain, engaged in a period of fasting beginning on the day after St. Martin's Day, November 11. This fast period lasted 40 days, and was, therefore, called Quadragesima Sancti Martini, which means in Latin "the forty days of St. Martin." At St. Martin's eve and on the feast day, people ate and drank very heartily for a last time before they started to fast. This fasting time was later called "Advent" by the Church.

Basilica of St. Martin, Tours On St. Martin's Day, children in Flanders, the southern and north-western parts of the Netherlands, the Catholic areas of Germany and Austria participate in paper lantern processions. Often, a man dressed as St. Martin rides on a horse in front of the procession. The children sing songs about St. Martin and about their lanterns. The food traditionally eaten on the day is goose. According to legend, Martin was reluctant to become bishop, which is why he hid in a stable filled with geese. The noise made by the geese betrayed his location to the people who were looking for him.

In Malta, children are sometimes given a bag full of nuts, hazelnuts, oranges and tangerines. In old days, nuts were then used by the children in their games. The parish of Baħrija is dedicated to Saint Martin and on his feast a fair with agricultural produce and animals is organized.

Also, in the east part of the Belgian province of East-Flanders (Aalst) and the west part of West Flanders (Ypres), children receive presents from St. Martin on November 11, instead of from Saint Nicholas on December 6 or Santa Claus on December 25. There are also lantern processions, for which children make lanterns out of beets.

In recent years, the lantern processions have become widespread, even in Protestant areas ofGermany and the Netherlands, despite the fact that most Protestant churches do not recognizeSaints as a distinct class of believers from the laity.

In Portugal, where the saint's day is celebrated across the country, it is common for families and friends to gather around the fire in reunions called "magustos", where they typically eat roastedchestnuts and drink wine, "jeropiga" (drink made of grape must and firewater) and "aguapé" (a sort of weak and watered-down wine). According to the most widespread variation of the cloak story, Saint Martin cut off half of his cloak in order to offer it to a beggar and along the way he gave the remaining part to a second beggar. As he faced a long ride in a freezing weather, the dark clouds cleared away and the sun shone so intensely that the frost melted away. As this evolution was extremely odd for the time of the year (early November), it is credited to God's intervention. The phenomena of a sunny break to the chilly weather on Saint Martin's Day (11 November), which curiously enough still occurs today is called "Verão de São Martinho" (Saint Martin's Summer) in honor of the cloak legend.

Many churches in Europe are named after Saint Martinus, also known as Saint Martin of Tours. The church of St Martin-in-the-fields at Trafalgar Square in the centre of London is dedicated to St Martin. Saint Martin's Cathedral, in Ypres, is also dedicated to him. St. Martin is the patron saint of Szombathely, Hungary with a church dedicated to him, and also the patron saint of Buenos Aires. In the Netherlands he is the patron of the cathedral and city of Utrecht. In the Philippines, he is also the patron of the church and town of Bocaue.

St. Martin is the patron saint of the Polish towns of Bydgoszcz and Opatów. His day is also celebrated with a procession and festivities in the city of Poznań, where he gives his name to the main street (Święty Marcin, from a church in his honor originally built there in the 13th century), and where a special type of crescent cake (rogal świętomarciński) is baked for the occasion. (November 11 is also Polish Independence Day, and is therefore a public holiday.)

In Latin America, he has a strong popular following and is frequently referred to as San Martín Caballero, in reference to his common depiction on horseback. Mexican folklore believes him to be a particularly helpful saint toward business owners.

San Martín de Loba is the name of a municipality in the Bolívar Department of Colombia. Saint Martin, as San Martín de Loba, is the patron saint of Vasquez, a small village in Colombia.

Though no mention of St. Martin's connection with viticulture is made by Gregory of Tours or other early hagiographers, he is now credited with a prominent role in spreading wine-making throughout the Touraine region and facilitated the planting of many vines. The Greek myth that Aristaeus first discovered the concept of pruning the vines after watching a goat eat some of the foliage has been applied to Martin. He is also credited with introducing the Chenin Blanc grape varietal, from which most of the white wine of western Touraine and Anjou is made.

Martin Luther was named after St. Martin, as he was baptized on November 11 (St. Martin's Day), 1483. Many Lutheran congregations are named after St. Martin which is unusual (for Lutherans) because he is a saint who does not appear in the Bible. (Lutherans regularly name congregations after the evangelists and other saints who appear in the Bible but are hesitant to name congregations after post-Biblical saints.)

Martin of Tours is the patron saint of the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps, which has a medal in his name and also the Church Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade.

America Recycles Day U.S. - Nov 15

America Recycles Day (ARD) is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and buy recycled products. ARD is celebrated November 15. The World Recycling Day celebrated in most countries, though falls on July 8.

Hundreds of events are held across the U.S. to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and to encourage Americans to sign personal pledges to recycle and buy recycled products.

Started by the recycling sector organization National Recycling Coalition in 1997, America Recycles Day has been a program of Keep America Beautiful since 2009. It is sponsored by private and public entities, including global aluminum company Novelis, stationery firm Staples, waste firm Waste Management Recycle America, the American Beverage Association and the EPA. Although America may not enjoy much of a reputation for environmentalism on the global stage, in some US cities recycling levels are much higher than, for example, in the UK.

Remembrance Day I n t e r n a t i o n a l - N o v 11

Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day, Armistice Day or Veterans Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty since World War I. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918; hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice ("at the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 a.m.)

The day was specifically dedicated by King George V on 7 November 1919 as a day of remembrance of members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I. This was possibly done upon the suggestion of Edward George Honey to Wellesley Tudor Pole, who established two ceremonial periods of remembrance based on events in 1917.

The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem In Flanders Fields. These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields ofFlanders in World Remembrance Day in Canada. The memorial at War I, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol the McCrae House (detail view); two Canadianstyle poppy pins can be seen resting on the for the blood spilled in the war.

sculpture..

Name "Remembrance Day" is the primary designation for the day in many Commonwealth countries, such as the United

Kingdom, Australia, andCanada. However, the term "Armistice Day" is also used, often to differentiate the event from Remembrance Sunday, and is the primary designation used in New Zealand and France.

"Poppy Day" is also a popular term, particularly in Malta and South Africa. Veterans Day also falls upon this day in the United States, yet many other allied nations have quite different Veterans Days.

Observance in the Commonwealth

The common British, Canadian, South African, and ANZAC tradition includes either one or two minutes of silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (11:00 a.m., 11 November), as that marks the time (in the United Kingdom) when the armistice became effective.

The Service of Remembrance in many Commonwealth countries generally includes the sounding of the "Last Post", followed by the period of silence, followed by the sounding of "The Rouse" (often mistakenly referred to as "Reveille"), and finished by a recitation of the "Ode of Remembrance". The "Flowers of the Forest", "O Valiant Hearts", "I Vow to Thee, My Country" and "Jerusalem" are often played during the service. Services also include wreaths laid to honour the fallen, a blessing, and national anthems. Mozambique does not observe the Remembrance Day.

Australia:

In Australia, Remembrance Day is always observed on 11 November, although the day is not a public holiday. Remembrance Day, London, 2006 Institutions, including schools, generally observe a minutes silence at 11 a.m. Through a programme named Read 2 Remember, children read the "Pledge of Remembrance"

by Rupert McCall and teachers deliver specially developed resources to help children understand the significance of the day and the resilience of those who have fought for their country, and calls on children to also be resilient when facing difficult times. Services are held at 11 a.m. at war memorials and schools in suburbs and towns across the country, at which the "Last Post" is sounded by a bugler and a one-minute silence is observed. In recent decades, however, Remembrance Day has been partially eclipsed by ANZAC Day (25 April) as the national day of war commemoration.

Barbados:

In Barbados, Remembrance Day is not a public holiday.

It is recognized as November 11, yet the parade and ceremonial events are carried out on Remembrance Sunday. The day is celebrated to recognize the Barbadian soldiers who died fighting in the first and second world wars between 1914 to 1918 and 1939 to 1945.

The parade is held at National Heroes' Square where a interdenominational service is held.The Governor-General and Barbadian Prime Minister are among those who attend, along with other government dignitaries; and the heads of the police and military forces. During the main ceremony a gun salute, wreaths, and prayers are also performed at the war memorialCenotaph at the heart of Heroes' Square in Bridgetown.

Bermuda:

In Bermuda, which sent the first colonial volunteer unit to the Western Front in 1915, and which had more peo- Remembrance Day Parade, Hamilton, ple per capita in uniform during the Second World War Bermuda, 1991 than any other part of the Empire, Remembrance Day is still an important holiday. The parade in Hamilton had historically been a large and colourful one, as contingents from the Royal Navy, British Regular Army, the local Territorial units, the Canadian Forces, the US Army, Air Force, and Navy, and various cadet corps and other services were all contributed at one time or another to march with the veterans. Since the closing of British, Canadian, and American bases in 1995, the parade has barely grown smaller.

In addition to the ceremony held in the City of Hamilton on Remembrance Day itself, marching to the Cenotaph (a smaller replica of the one in London), where wreaths are laid and orations made, a smaller military parade is also held in St. George's on the nearest Sunday to Remembrance Day.

Canada:

In Canada, Remembrance Day is a public holiday in all provinces and territories except Ontario and Quebec. Veterans Affairs Canada, a federal entity, states that the date is of "remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace"; specifically, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and all conflicts since then in which members of the Canadian Forces have participated. The department runs a program called Canada Remembers with the mission of helping young and new Canadians, most of whom have never known war, "come to understand and appreciate what those who have served Canada in times of war, armed conflict and peace stand for and what they have sacrificed for their country."

The official national ceremonies are held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, presided over by the Governor General of Canada, any members of the Royal Family (such as Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, in 2009), the Prime Minister, and other dignitaries, to the observance of the public. Typically, these events begin with the tolling of the Carillon in the Peace Tower, during which serving members of the Canadian Forces (CF) arrive at Confederation Square, followed by the Ottawa diplomatic corps, ministers of the Crown, special guests, the Royal Canadian Legion(RCL), the viceregal party, and, if present, the royal party. Before the start of the ceremony, four armed sentries and three sentinels (two flag sentinels and one nursing sister) are posted at the foot of the cenotaph.

The arrival of the Queen or Governor General is announced by a trumpeter sounding the "Alert", whereupon the monarch or viceroy is met by the Dominion President of the RCL and escorted to adais to receive the Royal or Viceregal Salute, after which the national anthem, "O Canada", is played. The moment of remembrance begins with the bugling of "Last Post" immediately before 11:00 a.m., at which time the gun salute fires and the bells of the Peace Tower toll the hour. Another gun salute signals the end of the two minutes of silence, and cues the playing of a lament, the bugling of "The Rouse," and the reading of the Act of Remembrance. Aflypast of Royal Canadian Air Force craft then occurs at the start of a 21 gun salute, upon the completion of which a choir sings "In Flanders Fields". The various parties then lay their wreaths at the base of the memorial; one wreath is set by the Silver Cross Mother, a recent recipient of the Memorial Cross, on behalf of all mothers who lost children in any of Canada's armed conflicts. The royal and/or viceregal group return to the dais to receive the playing of the Royal Anthem of Canada, "God Save the Queen", prior to the assembled Armed Forces personnel and veterans performing a march past in front of the royal and/or viceregal persons, bringing about the end of the official ceremonies. A tradition of paying more personal tribute to the sacrifice of those who have served and lost their lives in defence of the country has emerged since erection of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the War Memorial in 2000: after the official ceremony the general public place their poppies atop the tomb.

Similar ceremonies take place in provincial capitals across the country, officiated by the relevant lieutenant governor, as well as in other cities, towns, and even hotels or corporate headquarters. Schools will usually hold special assemblies for the first half of the day, or on the school day prior, with various presentations concerning the remembrance of the war dead. The largest indoor ceremony in Canada is usually held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with over 9,000 gathering in Credit Union Centre in 2010; the ceremony participants include old guard (veterans), new guard (currently serving members of the CF), and sea, army, and air cadet units.

India:

In India the day is usually marked by tributes and ceremonies in army cantonments. There are memorial services in some churches such as St Mark's Cathedral in Bangalore. In other circles this event is virtually ignored.

Mauritius:

A number of Mauritians, who participated in World War I as combattants, lost their lives. Among them, were many students from the Royal College of Mauritius, who participated in the War on the french front and never got to return to their motherland. Thus, to mark the gratitude of the Mauritian people to those who got martyred honourably, in 1916, even before the Rememberence Day was recognized, the Governor Hesketh Bell announced that he had a meeting in London, with an eminent artist, JA Stevenson, who accepted to construct a monument similar to that of Bernard Partidge, representing two allied soldiers: the Frenchman Poilu and the Englishman Royal Military College of Canada bag piper Tommy. The innauguration of this commemorative mon- and bugler, Remembrance Day ument, in bronze, took place before the Royal COllege of Curepipe on Saturday the 15th April 1922, which was decreted public holiday. Since then, on each 11 November or as the case may be, it is at the foot of the War Memorial that Mauritians, continue to celebrate the Rememberence Day with all solemnity and respect that the event duly requires.

New Zealand:

New Zealand's national day of remembrance is Anzac Day, 25 April. "Poppy Day" usually occurs on the Friday before Anzac Day.Armistice Day was observed in New Zealand between the world wars, although it was always secondary to Anzac Day. As in other countries, New Zealand's Armistice Day was converted to Remembrance Day after World War II, but this was not a success. By the mid 1950s the day was virtually ignored, even by churches and veterans' organizations. A few ceremonies are still held on Remembrance Day, and also on 11 November.

South Africa:

In South Africa, Poppy Day is not a public holiday. It takes place on the Saturday nearest to Remembrance Day, though in Cape Town a Remembrance Service is still held on 11 November each year. Commemoration ceremonies are usually held on the following Sunday, at which the "Last Post" is played by a bugler followed by the observation of a twominute silence. The two largest commemoration ceremonies to mark the event in South Africa are held in Johannesburg at the Cenotaph (where it has been held for 84 consecutive years), and at the War Memorial at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Many high schools hold Remembrance Day services to honour the past pupils who died in the two World Wars and the Border war. In addition, the South African Legion holds a street collection to gather funds to assist in the welfare work among military veterans.

United Kingdom:

In the United Kingdom, although two minutes of silence are observed on 11 November itself, the main observance is on the second Sunday of November, Remembrance Sunday. Ceremonies are held at local war memorials, usually organized by local branches of the Royal British Legion – an association for ex-servicemen. Typically, poppy wreaths are laid by representatives of the Crown, the armed forces, and local civic leaders, as well as by local organizations including ex-servicemen organizations, cadet forces, the Scouts, Guides, Boys' Brigade, St John Ambulanceand the Salvation Army. The start and end of the silence is often also marked by the firing of a cannon. A minute's or two minutes' silence is also frequently incorporated into church services. Further wreath-laying ceremonies are observed at most war memorials across the UK at 11 a.m. on the 11th of November, led by the Royal British Legion. The beginning and end of the two minutes silence is often marked in large towns and cities by the firing of ceremonial cannonand many employers, and businesses invite their staff and customers to observe the two minutes silence at 11:00 a.m.

The First Two Minute Silence in London (11 November 1919) was reported in the Manchester Guardian on 12 November 1919: The first stroke of eleven produced a magical effect. The tram cars glided into stillness, motors ceased to cough and fume, and stopped dead, and the mighty-limbed dray horses hunched back upon their loads and stopped also, seeming to do it of their own volition. Someone took off his hat, and with a nervous hesitancy the rest of the men bowed their heads also. Here and there an old soldier could be detected slipping unconsciously into the posture of 'attention'. An elderly woman, not far away, wiped her eyes, and the man beside her looked white and stern. Everyone stood very still ... The hush deepened. It had spread over the whole city and become so pronounced as to impress one with a sense of audibility. It was a silence which was almost pain ... And the spirit of memory brooded over it all.

The main national commemoration is held at Whitehall, in Central London, for dignitaries, the public, and ceremonial detachments from the armed forces and civilian uniformed services such as the Merchant Navy, Her Majesty's Coastguard, etc. Members of the British Royal Family walk through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office towards the Cenotaph, assembling to the right of the monument to wait for Big Ben to strike 11:00 a.m., and for the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery at Horse Guards Parade, to fire the cannon marking the commencement of the two minutes of silence. Following this, "Last Post" is sounded by the buglers of the Royal Marines. "The Rouse" is then sounded by the trumpeters of the Royal Air Force, after which wreaths are laid by the Queen and senior members of the Royal Family attending in military uniform and then, to "Beethoven's Funeral March" (composed by Johann Heinrich Walch), attendees in the following order: the Prime Minister; the leaders of the major political parties from all parts of the United Kingdom; Commonwealth High Commissioners to London, on behalf of their respective nations; the Foreign Secretary, on behalf of the British Dependencies; the First Sea Lord; the Chief of the General Staff; the Chief of the Air Staff; representatives of the merchant navy and Fishing Fleets and the merchant air service. Other members of the Royal Family usually watch the service from the balcony of the Foreign Office. The service is generally conducted by the Bishop of London, with a choir from the Chapels Royal, in the presence of representatives of all major faiths in the United Kingdom. Before the marching commences, the members of the Royal Family and public sing the national anthem before the Royal Delegation lead out after the main service.

Members of the Reserve Forces and cadet organizations join in with the marching, alongside volunteers from St John Ambulance, paramedics from the London Ambulance Service, and conflict veterans from World War II, the Falklands, Kosovo, Bosnia, Northern Ireland, other past conflicts and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. The last three Britishresident veterans of World War I, Bill Stone, Henry Allingham, and Harry Patch, attended the 2008 ceremony but all died in 2009. After the service, there is a parade of veterans, who also lay wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph as they pass, and a salute is taken by a member of the Royal Family at Horse Guards Parade.

In the United Kingdom, Armed Forces' Day (formerly Veterans' Day) is a separate commemoration, celebrated for the first time on 27 June 2009.

Northern Ireland:

Remembrance Day is officially observed in Northern Ireland in the same way as in the rest of the United Kingdom.

However the day has tended to be associated with the unionist community and ignored or opposed by Irish nationalists/republicans. The reason for this opposition is partly ideological and partly due to the actions of the British Army during "The Troubles" – especially incidents such as the Falls Curfew, the Ballymurphy massacre, Bloody Sunday and the Miami Showband killings. However some nationalists, especially Roman Catholic priests, began to attend Remembrance Day events as a way to connect with the unionist community. In 1987 a bomb was detonated by theProvisional Irish Republican Army just before a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Enniskillen, killing eleven people. The bombing was widely condemned and attendance at Remembrance events, by both nationalists and unionists, rose in the following years.

Similar observances outside the Commonwealth France and Belgium:

Armistice Day (November 11) is a national holiday in France and Belgium. It commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, which took effect at eleven a.m. in the morning — the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month." Armistice Day is one the most important military celebrations in France, since it was a major French victory and the French paid a heavy price in blood to achieve it. The First World War was considered in France as the "Great Patriotic War". Almost all French villages feature memorials dedicated to those fallen during the conflict. In France the blue cornflower (bleuet) is used symbolically rather than the poppy.

Germany:

The German national day of mourning is the secular public holiday of Volkstrauertag, which since 1952 has been observed two Sundays before the first Sunday of Advent; in practice this is the Sunday closest to the 16 November. The anniversary of the Armistice itself is not observed in Germany.

Each of the major German churches has its own festivals for commemorating the dead, observed in November: All Souls Day in the case of the Roman Catholic Church, Ewigkeitssonntag, or "Eternity Sunday" in the case of the Lutheran church.

Hong Kong:

Though not a public holiday after 1997 July, the Remembrance Sunday is observed in Hong Kong, and is marked by a multi-faith memorial service at the Cenotaph in Central, Hong Kong. The service is organized by the Hong Kong Ex-servicemen Association, and is attended by various Government officials and the representatives of various religious traditions (such as the Anglican Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Buddhist community, the Taoist community, the Muslim community and the Sikh community).

Although Hong Kong ceased to be part of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1997, the memorial service still resembles those in many other Commonwealth countries. The service includes the sounding of "Last Post", two minutes of silence, the sounding of "Reveille", the laying of wreaths, prayers, and ends with a recitation of the "Ode of Remembrance. The Hong Kong Police Bandcontinues to perform their ceremonial duty at the service. As well members of the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps (including Ceremonial Squadron), Hong Kong Adventure Corps, Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps and scouting organizations are in attendance.

Israel:

In Israel there are two ceremonies, the first being in Jerusalem, Mount Scopus Commonwealth Cemetery on the Saturday before Remembrance Sunday, organized by the British Consul in Jerusalem. The second ceremony is in Ramleh on the Sunday itself, organized by the British embassy in Tel Aviv. The Ramleh ceremony is the larger, and is also attended by veterans of the Second World War.

Italy:

The Cenotaph at Whitehall, Lon-

In Italy, servicemen who died for the nation are remembered on 4 No- don on Remembrance Day 2004 vember, when the ceasefire that followed the Armistice of Villa Giusti in 1918 began. Since 1977, this day has not been a public holiday; now, many services are held on the first Sunday of November.

Republic of Ireland:

In the Republic of Ireland, Armistice or Remembrance Day is not a public holiday. In July there is a National Day of Commemoration for Irish men and women who died in past wars, such as the Irish War of Independence and on service with the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. Remembrance Sunday is marked by a ceremony in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, which the President of Ireland attends. In the Republic, the wearing of the Poppy is generally frowned upon due to the British Army's actions during the Irish War of Independence and their role during the Troubles. A very small number of citizens from the Republic of Ireland still enlist in the British Army, however the British Army is explicitly prohibited from actively recruiting under the Defence Act, 1954. The Irish National War Memorial Gardens in Dublin is dedicated to the memory of the 49,400 Irish soldiers who were killed in action in World War I.

Netherlands:

In the Netherlands, Remembrance Day is commemorated annually on 4 May. It is not a public holiday. Throughout the country, military personnel and civilians fallen in various conflicts since World War II are remembered. The main ceremonies are at the Waalsdorpervlakte nearThe Hague, the Grebbeberg near Wageningen and at Dam Square in Amsterdam. 2 minutes of silence are observed at 8:00 p.m. Remembrance Day is followed by Liberation Day on 5 May.

Poland:

11 November is a public holiday in Poland called Independence Day, as ending of First World War allowed Polish people to regain freedom and unity of their country after over a hundred years of partitions. Major events include laying flowers on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by members of the government and highest authorities, other public ceremonies as well as church services and school celebrations.

United States:

Veterans Day is commemorated in the United States on 11 November, and is both a federal holiday and a state holiday in all states. However, the function of the observance elsewhere is more closely matched by Memorial Day in May. In the United States, and some other allied nations, 11 November was formerly known as Armistice Day; in the United States it was given its new name in 1954 at the end of theKorean War to honor all veterans. Veterans Day is generally observed with parades and remembrance ceremonies and salutes at military cemeteries.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Birthday Ta iwa n - N ov 1 2

Sun Yat-sen (12 November 1866 – 12 March 1925) was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the "Father of the Nation" (國父), a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China. Sun played an instrumental role in the overthrow of the Qing dynastyduring the Xinhai Revolution. Sun was the first provisional president when the Republic of China was founded in 1912 and later co-founded the Kuomintang (KMT) where he served as its first leader. Sun was a uniting figure in post-Imperial China, and remains unique among 20th century Chinese politicians for being widely revered amongst the people from both sides of theTaiwan Strait.

Although Sun is considered one of the greatest leaders of modern China, his political life was one of constant struggle and frequent exile. After the success of the revolution, he quickly fell out of power in the newly founded Republic of China, and led successive revolutionary governments as a challenge to the warlords who controlled much of the nation.

Sun did not live to see his party consolidate its power over the country during the Northern Expedition. His party, which formed a fragile alliance with the Communists, split into two factions after his death. Sun's chief legacy resides in his developing a political philosophy known as the Three Principles of the People: nationalism, democracy, and the people's livelihood.

Names

The original name of Sun Yat-sen was Sun Wen (孫文) and his genealogical name was Sun Deming (孫德明). As a child, his "milk name" was Dixiang (帝象). The courtesy name of Sun Yat-sen was Zaizhi (載之), and his baptized name was Rixin (日新). While at school in Hong Kong he got the name Yat Sen (逸仙; Hanyu pinyin: Yixian). Sun Zhong-shan, the most popular of his Chinese names, came fromNakayama (中山樵), a form of the Japanese name given to him by Miyazaki Touten.

Early years Farm life:

Sun Yat-sen was born on 12 November 1866 to a Cantonese Hakka family in the village of Cuiheng,Xiangshan (later Zhongshan county), Guangzhou prefecture, Guangdong province in Qing China. He was the third son born in a family of farmers, and herded cows along with other farming duties at age 6.

Education years:

At age 10, Sun Yat-sen began seeking schooling.

It is also at this point where he met childhood friend Lu Hao-tung. By age 13 in 1878 after receiving a few years of local schooling, Sun went to live with his elder brother, Sun Mei (孫眉) in Honolulu.

Sun Yat-sen then studied at the ʻIolani School where he learned English, UK history, mathematics, science and Christianity. Originally unable to speak the English language, Sun Yat-sen picked up the language so quickly that he received a prize for outstanding achievement from King David Kalākaua. Sun enrolled in Oahu College (now Punahou School) for further studies for one semester. In 1883 he was soon sent home to China as his brother was becoming afraid that Sun Yat-sen would embrace Christianity.

When he returned home in 1883 at age 17, Sun met up with his childhood friend Lu Hao-tung at Beijidian (北極殿), a temple in Cuiheng Village. They saw many villagers worshipping the Beiji (literally North Pole) Emperor-God in the temple, and were dissatisfied with their ancient healing methods. They broke the statue, incurring the wrath of fellow villagers, and escaped to Hong Kong. While in HK in 1883 he studied at the Diocesan Boys' School and from 1884 to 1886 he was at the government Central school.

In 1886 Sun studied medicine at the Guangzhou Boji Hospital under the Christian missionary John G. Kerr. Ultimately, he earned the license of Christian practice as a medical doctor from the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese (the forerunner of The University of Hong Kong) in 1892. Notably, of his class of 12 students, only two graduated, Sun was one of them.

Death

Sun died of liver cancer on March 12, 1925 at the age of 58 at the Rockefeller Hospital in Beijing. In keeping with common Chinese practice, his remains were placed in the Green Cloud Monastery, a Buddhist shrine in the Western Hills a few miles outside of Beijing.

King's Feast B e lgium - N ov 1 5

The King's Feast (Dutch: Koningsfeest, French: Fête du Roi, German: Festtag des Königs) has been celebrated in Belgium on November 15 since 1866. Since 2001, the Belgian Federal Parliament holds a ceremony in honour of the King, in the presence of members of the Belgian Royal Family and other dignitaries. Federal ministries are closed on this day. Traditionally, a Te Deum is sung as well as a private observance being held.

November 15 is the name day of Leopold (the feast of Saint Leopold in the German liturgical calendar) and Albert (the feast of Saint Albert the Great in the General Roman Calendar). In 1951, King Baudouin decided to honor November 15, as did his brother King Albert II. During the regency of Prince Charles, the designations Day of the Dynasty or Feast of the Dynasty were used, and these terms are still often erroneously used. However, it is not the correct name, as was confirmed in a circular letter in 1953.

Proclamation of the Republic Brazil - Nov 15

The Proclamation of the Republic was an episode in the history of Brazil, occurred on November 15, 1889, which established the Republican regime in Brazil, overthrowing the constitutional monarchy of the Empire of Brazil and ending the reign of Emperor Dom Pedro II. The proclamation of the Republic took place in Rio de Janeiro, then capital of the Empire of Brazil, when a group of military officers of the Brazilian Army, led by Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, staged a coup d'état without the use of violence, deposing the Emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro II, and the President of the Council of Ministers of the Empire, the Viscount of Ouro Preto.

A provisional government was established that same day, November 15, with Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca as President of the Republic and head of the interim Government.

Shichi - Go - San Japan - Nov 15

Shichi-Go-San is a traditional rite of passage and festival day in Japan for three- and seven-year-old girls and threeand five-year-old boys, held annually on November 15. As Shichi-Go-San is not a national holiday, it is generally observed on the nearest weekend.

History Shichi-Go-San is said to have originated in the Heian Pe-

riod amongst court nobles who would celebrate the passage of their children into middle childhood. The ages three, five and seven are consistent with East Asian numerology, which claims that odd numbers are lucky. The practice was set to the fifteenth of the month during the Kamakura Period.

Over time, this tradition passed to the samurai class who added a number of rituals. Children—who up until the age of three were required by custom to have shaven heads—were allowed to grow out their hair. Boys of age five could wear hakama for the first time, while girls of age seven replaced the simple cords they used to tie their kimono with the traditional obi. By the Meiji Period, the practice was adopted amongst commoners as well, and included the modern ritual of visiting a shrine to drive out evil spirits and wish for a long healthy life.

Current practice

The tradition has changed little since the Meiji Period. While the ritual regarding hair has been discarded, boys who are aged three or five and girls who are aged three or seven are still dressed in kimono—many for the first time—for visits to shrines. Three-year-old girls usually wear hifu (a type of padded vest) with their kimono. Western-style formal wear is also worn by some children. A more modern practice is photography, and this day is well known as a day to take pictures of children. In some cases, families observe the rite based on the traditional way of counting one's age, or kazoedoshi, where you are one-year-old at birth and then add a year on each succeeding lunar new year.

Chitose Ame

Chitose Ame literally "thousand year candy", is given to children on Shichi-Go-San. Chitose Ame is long, thin, red and white candy, which symbolizes healthy growth and longevity. It is given in a bag with a crane and a turtle on it, which represent long life in Japan. Chitose Ame is wrapped in a thin, clear, and edible rice paper film that resembles plastic.

Unmanned aerial vehicles may also assist in disaster relief

Santa Cruz Massacre Ea s t Tim or - N ov 1 2

The Santa Cruz massacre (also known as the Dili massacre) was the shooting of East Timorese pro-independence demonstrators in the Santa Cruz cemetery in the capital, Dili, on 12 November 1991, during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor.

Background

In October 1991 a delegation to East Timor consisting of members from the Portuguese Parliament and twelve journalists was planned during a visit from UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights onTorture, Pieter Kooijmans. The Indonesian Government objected to the inclusion in the delegation of Jill Jolliffe, an Australian journalist whom it regarded as supportive of the Fretilin independence movement, and Portugal subsequently canceled the delegation. The cancellation demoralised independence activists in East Timor, who had hoped to use the visit to raise the international profile of their cause. Tensions between Indonesian authorities and East Timorese youths rose in the days after Portugal's cancellation. On 28 October, Indonesian troops had located a group of resistance members in Dili's Motael Church.

A confrontation ensued between pro-integration activists and those in the church; when it was over, one man on each side was dead. Sebastião Gomes, a supporter of independence for East Timor, was taken out of the church and shot by Indonesian troops, and integration activist Afonso Henriques was stabbed and killed during the fight.

A number of foreigners had come to East Timor to observe the Portuguese delegation, including independent US journalists Amy Goodmanand Allan Nairn, and British cameraman Max Stahl. They attended a memorial service for Gomes on 12 November, during which several thousand men, women, and children walked from the Motael Church to the nearby Santa Cruz cemetery. Along the way, members of the group pulled out protest banners and East Timorese flags, chanted slogans, and taunted Indonesian soldiers and police officers. Organizers of the protest maintained order during the protest; although it was loud, the crowd was peaceful and orderly, by most accounts. It was the largest and most visible demonstration against the Indonesian occupation since 1975.

The massacre

During a brief confrontation between Indonesian troops and protesters, Major Gerhan Lantara was stabbed. Stahl claims Lantara had attacked a girl carrying the flag of East Timor, and FRETILIN activist Constâncio Pinto reports eyewitness accounts of beatings from Indonesian soldiers and police. When the procession reached the cemetery, the leading section of the procession entered the cemetery while many continued their protests before the cemetery wall, waving flags and chanting pro-independence slogans. Indonesian troops had been standing by during this time, then a new group of 200 Indonesian soldiers appeared and began shooting. Fleeing people ran through the main entrance and deeper into the cemetery and were pursued by the soldiers.

The massacre was witnessed by two American journalists—Amy Goodman and Allan Nairn (who were also attacked)—and caught on videotape by Max Stahl, who was filming undercover for Yorkshire Television. As Stahl filmed the massacre, Goodman and Nairn tried to "serve as a shield for the Timorese" by standing between them and the Indonesian soldiers. The soldiers began beating Goodman, and when Nairn moved to protect her, they beat him with their weapons, fracturing his skull. The camera crew managed to smuggle the video footage to Australia. They gave it to Saskia Kouwenberg, a Dutch journalist to prevent it being seized and confiscated by Australian authorities, who subjected the camera crew to a strip-search when they The Santa Cruz massacre took arrived in Darwin, having been tipped off by Indonesia. The video place during a 1991 funeral profootage was used in the First Tuesday documentary In Cold Blood: cession to the grave of Sebastião The Massacre of East Timor, shown on ITV in the UK in January 1992, Gomes. as well as numerous other, more recent documentaries. Stahl's footage, combined with the testimony of Nairn and Goodman and others, caused outrage around the world.

At least 250 East Timorese were killed in the massacre. One of the dead was a New Zealander, Kamal Bamadhaj, a political sciencestudent and human rights activist based in Australia. Although Indonesian authorities described the incident as a spontaneous reaction to violence from the protesters or a "misunderstanding", two factors cast doubt on their characterization. One was the documented history of mass violence committed by Indonesian troops in places such as Quelicai, Lacluta, and Kraras. The other factor was a series of statements from politicians and officers in Indonesia, justifying the military's violence. Try Sutrisno, Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian forces, said two days after the massacre: "The army cannot be underestimated. Finally we had to shoot them. Delinquents like theseagitators must be shot, and they will be...."

Aftermath In response to the massacre, activists around the world organized in solidarity with the East Timorese. Although a

small network of individuals and groups had been working for human rights and self-determination in East Timor since the occupation began, their activity took on a new urgency after the 1991 massacre. TAPOL, a British organization formed in 1973 to advocate for democracy in Indonesia, increased its work around East Timor. In the United States, the East Timor Action Network was founded and soon had chapters in ten cities around the country. Other solidarity groups appeared in Portugal, Australia, Japan, Germany, Malaysia, Ireland, and Brazil.

The television pictures of the massacre were shown worldwide, causing the Indonesian government considerable embarrassment. The coverage was a vivid example of how growth of new media in Indonesia was making it increasingly difficult for the "New Order" to control information flow in and out of Indonesia, and that in the post-Cold War 1990s, the government was coming under increasing international scrutiny. Copies of the Santa Cruz footage were distributed back into Indonesia allowing more Indonesians to see the actions of their government uncensored. A number of pro-democracy student groups and their magazines began to openly and critically discuss not just East Timor, but also the "New Order" and the broader history and future of Indonesia.

The US Congress voted to cut off funding for IMET training of Indonesian military personnel. However, arms sales continued from the US to the Indonesian National Armed Forces.President Clinton cut off all US military ties with the Indonesian military in 1999.

The massacre prompted the Portuguese government to increase its diplomatic campaign. Portugal unsuccessfully tried to apply international pressure by raising the issue with its fellow European Union members in their dealings with Indonesia. However, other EU countries like the UK had close economic relations with Indonesia, including arms sales, and were reluctant to jeopardise these.

In Australia, there was criticism of the federal government's recognition of Jakarta's sovereignty over East Timor.

The government had been promoting increased ties with the Indonesian military at the time of the massacre, but in 1999 would cut off military ties in response to the violence after that year's independence referendum. Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans, described the killings as 'an aberration, not an act of state policy'.

Commemorated as a public holiday in now independent East Timor, 12 November is remembered by the East Timorese as one of the bloodiest days in their history, one which drew international attention to their fight for independence.

King Hussein's Birthday Jordan - Nov 14 Hussein bin Talal (14 November 1935 – 7 February 1999) was the third King of Jordan from the abdication of his father, King Talal, in 1952, until his death.

Hussein's rule extended through the Cold War and four decades of Arab-Israeli conflict. He recognized Israel in 1994, becoming the second Arab head of state to do so.

Hussein's family claims to descent from the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his clan.

life and accession Early Hussein was born in Amman on 14 November 1935

to Talal bin Abdullah and Princess Zein al-Sharaf bint Jamil. After completing his elementary education in Amman, he was educated at Victoria College in Alexandria. He proceeded to Harrow School in England, where he befriended his cousin Faisal II of Iraq.

He pursued further study at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

On 20 July 1951, Prince Hussein traveled to Jerusalem to perform Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque with his grandfather, King Abdullah I, where an assassin opened fire on Abdullah and his grandson. Abdullah was killed, but the 15-year-old Hussein survived the assassination attempt, and according to the Jordanian government, pursued the gunman.

The Jordanian government claims that the gunman turned his weapon on the young prince, who was saved when the bullet was deflected by a medal on his uniform which had been given to him by his grandfather.

Hussein was appointed Crown Prince of Jordan on 9 September 1951. Abdullah's eldest son,King Talal, became King of Jordan, but within a year was forced to abdicate owing to his mental state (European and Arab doctors diagnosed schizophrenia). King Talal's son, Crown Prince Hussein, was proclaimed King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 11 August 1952, succeeding at the age of 16; because this was under the legal age, he was enthroned a year later, on 2 May 1953.

Death

Just before his death, Hussein made a change to his will, disinheriting the heir-apparent of several decades, his brother Hassan, in favor of his eldest son Abdullah. He abruptly returned to the U.S. clinic on 25 January 1999 for further treatment undergoing a failed bone marrow transplant after which he returned to Jordan.

On 7 February 1999 King Hussein died of complications related to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was, at the time of his death, one of the longest-serving leaders in international politics. He had been the King of Jordan for over 46 years and during which he was an important actor in various Middle East conflicts. Just prior to his death, during an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour Hussein expressed his opinion that a peaceful resolution would eventually be reached in the Arab-Israeli conflict.

King Hussein's funeral was held on February 8, 1999 in the presence of all five of his sons, foreign dignitaries and statesmen, and an estimated 800,000 Jordanians. The UN General Assembly held an Emergency Special Session in "Tribute to the Memory of His Majesty the King of Jordan" on the same day.

Prince of Wales' Birthday British Virgin Islands - Nov 14

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (Charles Philip Arthur George;[fn 1] born 14 November 1948) is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of the United Kingdom. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay.

He is the longest-serving heir apparent in British history.

Until 22 April 2011, Prince Edward, Prince of Wales had been the longest serving heir apparent, for a period of 59 years and 74 days. However, Prince Edward became heir apparent on his birth, four years into his mother Queen Victoria's reign, whereas Prince Charles was three years old at his mother's accession and has thus been heir apparent for all of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.

Charles was educated at Cheam and Gordonstoun Schools, which his father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, had attended as a child, as well as the Timbertop campus of Geelong Grammar School, Victoria, Australia, situated near Mansfield in the rugged Victorian Alps. After earning a bachelor of arts degree from Trinity College, Cambridge, Charles served a tour of duty with the Royal Navy in 1971–76. He married Lady Diana Spencer before an enormous worldwide television audience in 1981. They had two sons, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge in 1982 andPrince Harry of Wales in 1984. The couple separated in 1992 following tabloid allegations concerning their relationship. They divorced in 1996 after Diana publicly accused Charles of having an affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, and Charles admitted adultery on television. Dianadied in a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997. In 2005, after a lengthy continued association, the Prince married Camilla, who uses the title Duchess of Cornwall.

The prince is well known for his charity work and sponsors The Prince's Trust, The Prince's Regeneration Trust, and the Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment, among other charities. He has been outspoken concerning architecture and the conservation of old buildings and has produced a book on the subject called A Vision of Britain (1989). He has also promoted herbal and other alternative medical treatment.

Early life

Charles was born at Buckingham Palace on 14 November 1948 at 9.14 pm (GMT), the first child of then Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and first grandchild of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Baptised in the palace's Music Room on 15 December 1948, using water from the River Jordan, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher, the Prince's godparents were: the King (his maternal grandfather); the King of Norway (his cousin, for whom the Earl of Athlone stood proxy); Queen Mary (his maternal great-grandmother); the Princess Margaret (his maternal aunt); Prince George of Greece (his paternal granduncle, for whom the Duke of Edinburgh stood proxy); the Dowager Marchioness of Milford Haven (his paternal great-grandmother); the Lady Brabourne (his cousin); and the Hon David Bowes-Lyon (his maternal great-uncle). By letters patent of Charles' great-grandfather, King George V, the titles of a British princeor princess, and the style Royal Highness, were only to be conferred on male-line children and grandchildren of the sovereign, as well as the children of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales. However, on 22 October 1948, George VI issued new letters patent granting these honours to any children of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip; otherwise, Charles would have merely taken his father's title, and been titled by courtesy as Earl of Merioneth. In this way the children of the heiress presumptive had a royal and princely status.

When Charles was aged three his mother's accession as Queen Elizabeth II, immediately made him the heir apparent to the then seven countries over which she now reigned. He was ipso factoelevated to the rank of Duke of Cornwall (by a charter of King Edward III that gave said title to the sovereign's eldest son), and, in the Scottish peerage, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Baron of Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland. Though he moved to first in line to the throne in the United Kingdom order of precedence he is third, after his parents, and is typically fourth or fifth in other realms' precedence orders, following his mother, the relevant vice-regal representative(s), and his father. Charles attended his mother's coronation at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953, seated alongside his grandmother and aunt. As is customary for royal offspring, a governess, Catherine Peebles, was appointed and undertook his education between the ages of 5 and 8. Buckingham Palace announced in 1955 that Charles would attend school rather than have a private tutor, making him the first heir apparent ever to be educated in that manner.

Titles, styles, honours and arms Titles and styles:

Charles has held a number of titles throughout his life, as the grandson of the monarch, the son of the monarch and, later, honoured in his own right with princely and noble titles. When in conversation with the Prince of Wales, the practice is to initially address him as Your Royal Highness and thereafter asSir. There has been speculation as to what regnal name the Prince will choose upon his succession to the throne. If he keeps his current first name, he will be known as Charles III. However, it was reported in 2005 that Charles has suggested he may choose to reign as George VII in honour of his maternal grandfather, and to avoid association with the Stuart kings Charles I (who was beheaded) and Charles II (who was known for his playboy lifestyle), as well as to be sensitive to the memory of Bonnie Prince Charlie, who was called "Charles III" by his supporters. Charles' office immediately denied this report.

Honours and honorary military appointments:

Charles' first honorary appointment was as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Wales in 1969; since that time, the Prince has also been installed as Colonel-in-Chief, Colonel, Honorary Air Commodore, Air Commodore-inChief, Deputy Colonel-in-Chief, Royal Honorary Colonel, Royal Colonel, and Honorary Commodore of at least 36 military formations throughout the Commonwealth. He is also the commander of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, which is the only foreign regiment in the British army.

Charles has also been the recipient of a number of honours and awards from various countries. He has been inducted into eight orders and received five decorations from amongst the Commonwealth realms, and has been the recipient of 17 different appointments and decorations by foreign states, as well as nine honorary degrees from universities in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Correction Day Syria - Nov 16

Correction Movement Day is a holiday that is celebrated in Syria as a day of remembrance, pride, joy, and strength of the Syrian culture.

History

Syria—officially the Syrian Arab Republic—is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest. Syria has a very dry and hot climate, and winters are very mild with very little snowfall.

The country is a middle-income country with an economy based on agriculture, oil, industry, and tourism. Syria has faced some serious problems and challenges with its attempt to expand and grow because of its poor performing economic public sector and high rates of unemployment tied to a high population growth rate. Unfortunately, these problems go back to the beginning of Syria’s government.

In 1516, Syria fell to the Ottoman Turks and remained a part of their empire for many centuries. During this time, Syria experienced great economic, social, and political hardship. But, in 1918, the Arab armies overthrew the Turks and ended their long leadership.

Later in 1918, Syria was declared an independent kingdom under King Faisal I, son of Sharif Hussein. However, France and Britain had another agenda. In an agreement known as the Sykes-Picot agreement, France and Britain decided to divide the Middle East into French and British ‘spheres of influence’, and Syria was officially placed under French mandate in 1923. The French did get the country under their control.

The Syrians opposed this change and revolted against the mandate in 1925. Several battles took place in the Jabal al-Arab region and in Damascus. There was much damage done in an attempt for the Syrians to re-gain control. Finally in 1936, France decided to give Syria partial independence according to the Franco-Syrian treaty signed in Paris, but French troops remained in the country and continued to influence the Syrian policies. During World War II, Syria witnessed military confrontations between French troops that were allied with the Germans, and Free French troops that were allied with the British. In 1941, the British army, along with the Free French troop allies, dominated the country and promised full independence after the end of the war.

War, destruction, and invasions occurred for many years after the French gained control primarily because the French did not keep their promises and were causing more destruction than being helpful in Syria. There were many demonstrations held and Syria’s National Government was even overthrown in an effort to gain stability within the country.

But it wasn’t until Hafez al-Assad led the Correction Movement that finally brought long-lasting stability to Syria.

Hafez al-Assad was the defense minister at the time, but was elected president in 1971. His vision for the country started to get the nation ready to fight for its occupied land, and he gained control of the Parliament. Because this movement helped Syria re-gain control of its its country, it is observed as Correction Movement Day, a day of pride and hope.

Celebrations Correction Movement Day is celebrated with songs and joy. The holiday is celebrated on November 16th of every

year as a day of pride, hope, and joy for the country. It is a national hoilday that is celebrated by the entire Syrian culture.

Day of National revival Azerbaijan Nov 17

On 17 November, Azerbaijani people celebrate National Revival Day. On that day in 1988, began a several day meeting on former Lenin square (now Azadlig [Freedome] square). This meeting was organized by students of the Republic. Hundreds of thousands of people are protesting against Moscow’s policies toward Azerbaijan and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The demonstrations were suppressed some 18 days later, but it was the beginning of new national movement which ended with decleration of independence by Azerbaijan from USSR.

President Day Marshall Islands - Nov 17

The Republic of the Marshall Islands has designated November 17 as President's Day, a day to remember the nation's first president, Amata Kabua. Kabua started his career as a school teacher and rose to become paramount chief of the Island of Majuro and head of state of the Marshall Islands. He served five terms as president of the Marshall Islands, beginning in 1979 when the country became independent and continuing until his death in 1996. There are no organized activities or events on this day.

Day for Tolerance Worldwide - Nov 16

The International Day for Tolerance is an annual observance declared by UNESCO in 1995 to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance. It is observed on 16 November. The entire text of the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance is included below.

Declaration of Principles on Tolerance Preamble:

Bearing in mind that the United Nations Charter states: 'We, the people of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, ... to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, ... and for these ends to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours', Recalling that the Preamble to the Constitution of UNESCO, adopted on 16 November 1945, states that 'peace, if it is not to fail, must be founded on the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind', Recalling also that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that 'Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion' (Article 18), 'of opinion and expression' (Article 19), and that education 'should promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups' (Article 26), Noting relevant international instruments including: • the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, • the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, • the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, • the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, • the Convention on the Rights of the Child, • the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol and regional instru ments, • the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, • the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, • the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance Based on Religion or Belief, • the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Mi norities, • the Declaration on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, • the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference on Human Rights, • the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Summit for Social De velopment, • the UNESCO Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice, • the UNESCO Convention and Recommendation against Discrimination in Education, (see article 4 below) Bearing in mind the objectives of the Third Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, the World Decade for Human Rights Education, and the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, Taking into consideration the recommendations of regional conferences organized in the framework of the United Nations Year for Tolerance in accordance with UNESCO General Conference 27 C/Resolution 5.14, as well as the conclusions and recommendations of other conferences and meetings organized by Member States within the programme of the United Nations Year for Tolerance, Alarmed by the current rise in acts of intolerance, violence, terrorism, xenophobia, aggressive nationalism, racism, anti-Semitism, exclusion, marginalization and discrimination directed against national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, refugees, migrant workers, immigrants and vulnerable groups within societies, as well as acts of violence and intimidation committed against individuals exercising their freedom of opinion and expression – all of which threaten the consolidation of peace and democracy, both nationally and internationally, and are obstacles to development, Emphasizing the responsibilities of Member States to develop and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction as to race, gender, language, national origin, religion or disability, and to combat intolerance, Adopt and solemnly proclaim this Declaration of Principles on Tolerance Resolving to take all positive measures necessary to promote tolerance in our societies, because tolerance is not only a cherished principle, but also a necessity for peace and for the economic and social advancement of all peoples, We declare the following:

Article 1 - The Meaning of Tolerance:

1.1 Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world's cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. It is fostered by knowledge, openness, communication, and freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference. It is not only a moral duty, it is also a political and legal requirement. Tolerance, the virtue that makes peace possible, contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by a culture of peace.

1.2 Tolerance is not concession, condescension or indulgence. Tolerance is, above all, an active attitude prompted by recognition of the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. In no circumstance can it be used to justify infringements of these fundamental values. Tolerance is to be exercised by individuals, groups and States.

1.3 Tolerance is the responsibility that upholds human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism), democracy and the rule of law. It involves the rejection of dogmatism and absolutism and affirms the standards set out in international human rights instruments.

1.4 Consistent with respect for human rights, the practice of tolerance does not mean toleration of social injustice or the abandonment or weakening of one's convictions. It means that one is free to adhere to one's own convictions and accepts that others adhere to theirs. It means accepting the fact that human beings, naturally diverse in their appearance, situation, speech, behaviour and values, have the right to live in peace and to be as they are. It also means that one’s views are not to be imposed on others.

Article 2 – State level:

2.1 Tolerance at the State level requires just and impartial legislation, law enforcement and judicial and administrative process. It also requires that economic and social opportunities be made available to each person without any discrimination. Exclusion and marginalization can lead to frustration, hostility and fanaticism.

2.2 In order to achieve a more tolerant society, States should ratify existing international human rights conventions, and draft new legislation where necessary to ensure equality of treatment and of opportunity for all groups and individuals in society.

2.3 It is essential for international harmony that individuals, communities and nations accept and respect the multicultural character of the human family. Without tolerance there can be no peace, and without peace there can be no development or democracy.

2.4 Intolerance may take the form of marginalization of vulnerable groups and their exclusion from social and political participation, as well as violence and discrimination against them. As confirmed in the Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice, 'All individuals and groups have the right to be different' (Article 1.2).

Article 3 – Social dimensions:

3.1 In the modern world, tolerance is more essential than ever before. It is an age marked by the globalization of the economy and by rapidly increasing mobility, communication, integration and interdependence, large-scale migrations and displacement of populations, urbanization and changing social patterns. Since every part of the world is characterized by diversity, escalating intolerance and strife potentially menaces every region. It is not confined to any country, but is a global threat.

3.2 Tolerance is necessary between individuals and at the family and community levels. Tolerance promotion and the shaping of attitudes of openness, mutual listening and solidarity should take place in schools and universities and through non-formal education, at home and in the workplace. The communication media are in a position to play a constructive role in facilitating free and open dialogue and discussion, disseminating the values of tolerance, and highlighting the dangers of indifference towards the rise in intolerant groups and ideologies.

3.3 As affirmed by the UNESCO Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice, measures must be taken to ensure equality in dignity and rights for individuals and groups wherever necessary. In this respect, particular attention should be paid to vulnerable groups which are socially or economically disadvantaged so as to afford them the protection of the laws and social measures in force, in particular with regard to housing, employment and health, to respect the authenticity of their culture and values, and to facilitate their social and occupational advancement and integration, especially through education.

3.4 Appropriate scientific studies and networking should be undertaken to co-ordinate the international community's response to this global challenge, including analysis by the social sciences of root causes and effective countermeasures, as well as research and monitoring in support of policy-making and standard-setting action by Member States.

Article 4 – Education:

4.1 Education is the most effective means of preventing intolerance. The first step in tolerance education is to teach people what their shared rights and freedoms are, so that they may be respected, and to promote the will to protect those of others.

4.2 Education for tolerance should be considered an urgent imperative; that is why it is necessary to promote systematic and rational tolerance teaching methods that will address the cultural, social, economic, political and religious sources of intolerance – major roots of violence and exclusion. Education policies and programmes should contribute to development of understanding, solidarity and tolerance among individuals as well as among ethnic, social, cultural, religious and linguistic groups and nations.

4.3 Education for tolerance should aim at countering influences that lead to fear and exclusion of others, and should help young people to develop capacities for independent judgement, critical thinking and ethical reasoning.

4.4 We pledge to support and implement programmes of social science research and education for tolerance, human rights and non-violence. This means devoting special attention to improving teacher training, curricula, the content of textbooks and lessons, and other educational materials including new educational technologies, with a view to educating caring and responsible citizens open to other cultures, able to appreciate the value of freedom, respectful of human dignity and differences, and able to prevent conflicts or resolve them by non-violent means.

Article 5 – Commitment to action:

We commit ourselves to promoting tolerance and non-violence through programmes and institutions in the fields of education, science, culture and communication.

Article 6 – International Day for Tolerance:

In order to generate public awareness, emphasize the dangers of intolerance and react with renewed commitment and action in support of tolerance promotion and education, we solemnly proclaim 16 November the annual International Day for Tolerance. This day will start in 1996 on the 16th of November every year.

(Online 06 Nov) Unmanned Aerial fence was planning to procure Vehicles (UAVs) are suitable, among drones, which would take place after others, for performing disaster relief a so-called troop trial: the Hungarian tasks and dealing with emergencies, Defence Forces would test the UAVs Minister of Defence Csaba Hende said at the display of Hungarian-developed UAVs in Veszprém on Monday, November 5.

According to the Minister of Defence, besides the military field the so-called drones may provide assistance in the civil field as well, for example in recovermissing ing persons or in mapping various pipelines, networks and Photo: Veronika Dévényi settlements.

Speaking in the Veszprém-Újmajor and possibly make proposals as to military training area of the Hungarian how they can be made even more Defence Forces Bakony Combat suitable for military purposes, and Training Center, Minister Hende said then the procedure for entering them that the Hungarian Defence Forces into service may begin. Within this, acquired 21st century reconnais- the drones and the ground control sance capabilities with these aircraft. devices will be integrated into the arHe added that with regard to the senal of the Hungarian Defence Force Protection level of our soldiers Forces in accordance with various serving with missions abroad, it is of military standards. utmost importance that their move- The Minister noted that from the ment is assisted by UAVs which rec- viewpoint of national economy, it is onnoiter their route, the attackers very significant that these items of lying in ambush for them and the equipment can be procured as Hunroadside bombs. garian-made products, because in The Minister pointed out that all parts this way they cost half as much as if of the Hungarian drones – including they were purchased from abroad. hardware and software – are Hungar- He expressed hope that the defence ian developments and create jobs in industry companies of the Hungarian Hungary.

Defence Forces would successfully Answering a question from the Hun- sell their new developments in the garian News Agency MTI, Csaba civil field as well, since these items of Hende said that the Ministry of De- equipment can be applied in many

different fields. The Ministry of Defence Electronics, Logistics and Property Management Private Company Limited by Shares (MoD ED Co.) and the MoD Currus Ltd started research in the field of UAVs in 2007, and by 2012 a complex system has been created, said Lajos Móró, the CEO of the MoD ED Co. He told us that aircraft the Ikran is capable of plana ning pre-programmed reconnaissance flying mission and tracking its progress.

Its onboard HD camera has a 12x optical zoom and its nose camera helps the pilot’s maneuvers with telemetric data. The Bora aircraft has the same range of capabilities but additionally, it is equipped with an HD image processing, comparing and evaluating software.

The Hungarian drones have userfriendly software, their use is easy to learn, and they are operated by a crew of only three. The development of these aircraft is directed towards the upgrade of the controlling robotics, the simultaneous programmed flight of multiple aircraft, the development of flight planning and control programs and the integration of imaging devices into the aircraft – Attila Molnár, the CEO of Currus Ltd pointed out. The field display on Monday was almost prevented by the extremely strong wing, but finally the UAVs successfully went airborne.

Room for expansion in Hung a r i a n - Tu n i s i a n r e l a t i o n s (Online 08 Nov) At a press conference held in the recess of high-level talks organised in Budapest on Wednesday, State Secretary of the Tunisian Ministry that supervises international trade relations and foreign investment Alaya Bettaieb declared that economic relations between Hungary and Tunisia may be significantly expanded.

The State Secretary, who is also CoPresident of the Hungarian-Tunisian Intergovernmental Economic Joint Committee, pointed out that 3200 foreign companies are operating in Tunisia, of which only two are Hungarian. For this reason, he said, there are opportunities for increasing economic relations in practically every field.

He stressed that he sees a good opportunity for Hungarian companies to cooperate in the development of the Tunisian economy, in agriculture, energetics, transport and the service sectors. The Tunisian economy has

become more transparent following the revolution there, he added.

Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development responsible for Food Chain Supervision and the Agricultural Economy Lajos Bognár, who is also the Hungarian Co-President of the HungarianTunisian Intergovernmental Economic Joint Committee, told the press that among others Hungary could best iad the development of the North African country within the fields of technology development, agriculture, the pharmaceutical industry and telecommunications.

He also mentioned agriculture, freshwater fisheries, water management and environmental protection as areas in which Hungary could contribute to moving the Tunisian economy forward in a constructive manner under mutually favourable conditions.

An cooperation agreement between the representative organisations of

Hungarian and Tunisian businessmen was also signed during the press conference. The agreement, which defines the basis and scope of activities of the Tunisian-Hungarian Trade Council, was signed by the new body's two Co-Presidents, Zoubeir Chaieb representing Tunisia and Sándor Balogh in representation of Hungary.

One of the programs of Wednesday's session of the Hungarian-Tunisian Intergovernmental Economic Joint Committee was an economic forum and meeting of businessmen VII. Africa Summit – MAGHREB Renaissance, hosted by the Budapest Chamber of Industry.

The organisation of the economic forum is closely related to the fundamental objectives of the Hungarian Government's foreign economic policy; the strengthening of the position of Hungarian enterprises by "opening up" towards markets in countries outside Europe.

“Cornerstones” for 2013 budget in place (Online 07 Nov) According to the Minister Matolcsy also emphasized ity expansion at, for example, Opel Minister for National Economy that the European Commission has and Mercedes. From these alone the György Matolcsy, the European acknowledged those Hungarian cal- Government anticipates at least 1 Commission has awarded a good culations and estimates which point percent GDP growth for next year. mark for Hungarian economic policy, at a lower deficit figure for next year, Minister Matolcsy underlined that the and thus the excessive deficit proce- certainly below 3 percent. At the re- Government does not share the view dure against of the ComHungary can mission conbe abrogated cerning the next year. It is state budget a great sucdeficit which is cess, Minister projected to Matolcsy emincrease to phasised, that 3.5 percent of the structural GDP in 2014. balance of the As the Minisbudget has ter argued, been imthe expectaproved in extions of the cess of EU Commission requirements, are based on achieving an some unincrease of founded foreover 2%. casts on lower The report lending in the prompted the bank sector Government resulting from to request the bank tax Parliament to and the transadopt the action duty. In 2013 Budget his opinion Act, as the key György Matolcsy, András Giró-Szász (photo: Gergely Botár) bank lending estimates nechas declined essary to it are already available. quest of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as a consequence of overexposure in According to the Autumn Forecast of however, next week at a Government 2005-2008, especially to foreign curthe European Commission, the gen- meeting certain additional studies, rency lending, and not because of eral government debt-to-GDP ratio forecasts and regulations will be an- extra taxes. will be 2.5 percent of GDP in 2012, alyzed in order to ensure that the cur- Projected losses at the Hungarian 2.9 percent in 2013 and 3.5 percent rent projection of 2.9 percent is National Bank are also unjustified in in 2014. The deficit forecast for 2012 sufficient for the lifting of EDP. the view of the Minister, as the Comis more optimistic than that of the According to the Ministry for National mission has pinned down a concrete Government Minister Matolcsy Economy, economic growth in 2013 figure for 2014 without the country added. Speaking about the 2.9 per- will be significantly higher than the having a budget for that year. cent Hungarian deficit expected by 0.3 percent figure anticipated by the Regarding the 2012 budget the Minthe Commission for next year, he Commission, well above 1 percent. In ister added that due to some technipointed out that the objective of the accordance with former plans, the cal issues it will have to be modified.

Government is to bring the figure Government will then also implement Among the reasons he mentioned down to 2.7 percent. He stated that the wage hike scheme of teachers at the taking over of the debt of local the verdict of the Commission is in- the previously planned date. governments stressing that the Govterpreted by the Cabinet as a strong “Chances are good that growth will ernment will adhere to the 2.7 persignal that Hungary will be off the list be above 1 percent,” he said, refer- cent deficit target for 2013. of countries under EDP in June 2013. ring to recent vehicle industry capac-

Zoltán Balog holds negotiations in France (Online 07 Nov) Minister of Human Resources Zoltán Balog declared in Paris that the fact that the French socialists and the Hungarian centreright government have launched similar programs in many areas is a signal that the classical right-left wing ideological oppositions are rolling back in the act of solving concrete social problems like the integration of Roma people, employment, the issue of culture support and the employment of women.

Following negotiations with several members of the French government, the Minister of Human Resources emphasized the public work connected to education and signified that a lot of his French partners had congratulated Hungary on its pioneering role in the European Roma strategy.

Zoltán Balog told the press that Minister of Labour Michel Sapin had informed him that a series of measures similar to the Hungarian Start work program has also been launched in France, declaring that the basic con-

cept is the same: in times of crises the state must help the unemployed and take the initiative in creating and preserving jobs. According to Mr. Sapin, the French government is creating a three-year program named „The future’s work contract” targeting the support of unemployed people aged under 25 years, and within the framework of which the state pays their public employment and education at a level equal to the minimum wage. He added that, similarly to the Hungarian program, the programme concerns integration-oriented state workplaces for people who have never worked before and that is why their employment and education require close state supervision.

Aurélie Flippetti, Minister for Communication, reported on the fact that the French recommendation that proposes the taxation of the digital world could be used to support of the strengthening of culture the cultural variety. Referring to this, Zoltán Balog declared that it is possible that Hun-

gary will follow France in this initiative. At the meeting, a high-profile art exhibition dedicated to introducing the relationship between Hungarian modernist painters and Bartók Béla in October of next year in the Musée d’Orsay entitled Allegro Barbaro was also discussed. It is expected that the two State Presidents will be the patrons of the event.

Minister for Women’s rights Najat Vallud-Belkacem accepted that Hungary belongs to the minority that does not support the EU recommendations on the proportion of women in large corporations, and in general also accepted the Hungarian standpoint that different social developments require different attitudes in the employment of women. The French Minister welcomed both that a ministerial appointee is responsible for the improvement of the women’s opportunities on the labour market and that a special working group is elaborating new legislation on family violence.

Hungary excels in general govt debt reduction (Online 07 Nov) In the past two years Hungary has achieved significant results regarding general government debt, recently one of the most widely observed indicators all around the world.

While most Western European countries are weighed down by an increasing debt-to-GDP ratio, general government debt in Hungary at the

end of the second quarter of 2012 amounted to 77.7 percent of GDP, which constitutes a decline of more than 4 percent compared to the first quarter of 2012. Meanwhile, this indicator increased on average by 8 percent in EU countries.

As a sign of confidence in the sustainability of Hungarian general government debt, the amount of

government securities held by nonresidents and domestic households has been breaking records.

In accordance with Government objectives the fiscal deficit is expected to remain low this year and the years to come, therefore a further decline of the Hungarian debt indicator can be anticipated and that will put the country on a sustainable debt path.

One hundred thousand will be able to obtain language and IT training grants (Online 07 Nov) One hundred thousand Hungarian adults will be able to obtain training grants in IT and foreign languages. The adult education programme is targeting the unemployed, new mothers, the Roma, those living in the poorest areas and the over-45s. There has never been such a project in Hungary on this scale and with these aims.

The Office of Public Administration and Justice is co-ordinating this high profile project, which is being carried out with EU funding; it is open to those over eighteen years of age who are not involved in full-time state-fi-

nanced secondary or higher education and not receiving other EU-training grants of a similar nature.

The overall project budget is more than HUF 12.5 billion, and each applicant is eligible for a gross maximum of HUF 90,000. Those living in disadvantaged micro-regions will only need to pay a 2% deposit, while for others the deposit will be 5%. In the spirit of lifelong learning, there will be no upper age limit. Over the next two years applicants will be studying in three hundred centres across the entire country. The Government sees the expansion of employment as one

of its most important goals, but the expectations of the labour market must also be satisfied. The country’s competitiveness depends in part on whether its citizens have competitive skill sets. Today in Hungary approximately 85% of the adult population do not speak any foreign languages, and the figures are similar for IT skills. At the same time, nowadays there are few job advertisements which do not ask for at least a basic knowledge of a foreign language and/or IT skills.

J á nos M a r t ony i m e t t he FM of India (Online 07 Nov) Foreign Minister János Martonyi had a bilateral meeting with the recently appointed Foreign Minister of India, Salman Khurshid, at the ASEM summit in Laos.

Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid stated that his government regarded Hungary as a significant partner in Europe and that India appreciated Hungary’s contribution to promoting EU-India relations. India also appreciates Hungary’s support for reforming the UN as well as the Security Council including India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council. The Foreign Minister of India stressed that he was glad to have his first bilateral meeting with his Hungarian counterpart.

Minister Martonyi pointed out the importance of high-level meetings and expressed his thanks for India’s con-

tribution to the International Cyberspace Conference hosted in Budapest this October. In connection with the visit of the Hungarian Prime Minister to India early 2013, he said that the exact date of the visit would be specified soon. Minister Martonyi invited his colleague to pay an official visit to Hungary.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister stressed that Hungary’s relations with India extend to political, economic as well as to cultural areas. Economic cooperation is promising since bilateral trade has increased by five times over the past 5 years. India had made considerable investment in Hungary, which has provided employment for nine thousand workers.

Minister Martonyi stated that Hungary encouraged Indian companies making further investment, especially in the IT and biotechnology sectors rep-

resenting high added value. Hungary particularly welcomes such large companies as Tata or Apollo Tyres.

Salman Khurshid praised Hungary hosting the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2011. India will be hosting the next meeting and Salman Khurshid asked the Hungarian side to share their experience on organizing the event. An Indian delegation of experts will visit Hungary to learn about the lessons of last year’s meeting.

Minister Martonyi informed his Indian counterpart about the EU efforst aimed at managing the current fiscal crisis, and he stressed that there had been some improvement in the economic performance of the EU lately.

He also stated that the measures for increasing fiscal discipline and competitiveness would, by time, bring the expected results.

Foreign Minister János Martonyi at the ASEM Summit in Laos (Online 07 Nov) Foreign Minister János Martonyi represented Hungary at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Vientiane, Laos, on November 5-6. The Hungarian Foreign Minister spoke about the outstanding role of water resources in sustainable development and about sustainable water management at the summit.

Three new countries – Norway, Switzerland and Bangla Desh – joined the ASEM forum in Laos this week. The summit is organized every second year, while the foreign ministers meet in the years between. Hungary hosted the last ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on June 6-7, 2011, in the framework of the Hungarian EU Presidency. More than fifty countries have joined ASEM cooperation, which affords Hungary a role that exceeds by far the country’s political and economic weight.

The political leaders at the Vientiane

Summit discussed the opportunities of regional cooperation to cope with the global economic and financial crisis as well as the issues related to sustainable development, to energy, food and water security, and to climate change. The promotion of human rights and the major questions of regional and global politics were also discussed.

The Hungarian delegation underlined that more intensive international cooperation is required in global water policy in order to promote sustainability, and Hungary considers it imperative that the issue of water management play a more emphatic role in ASEM cooperation. The participants of the forum were informed about the ASEM Seminar hosted in Budapest this June, the aim of which was to promote cooperation between the Danube and the Mekong macroregions concerning sustainable water

management. The ASEM member states approved the Hungarian proposal – which was part of the Budapest Initiative, a document adopted at the ASEM Seminar – to continue the ASEM Sustainable Development Dialogue, which started in Budapest.

The next seminar will be held in Vietnam, and the one following it in Romania.

Hungary supports the decision made at the Rio+20 UN Sustainable Development Conference about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Hungary also undertook the task of elaborating the SDG on water management and sanitation under the aegis of the ’Friends of Water’, a group set up under the aegis of the UN. The Hungarian government will present the results of this initiative at the UN Conference on Water Affairs, which will be held in Budapest in 2013.

Hungary sees the US as a strategic ally (Online 07 Nov) Hungary continues to view the United States as a strategic ally and aims to preserve strong bilateral relations, Deputy State Secretary for International Communications Ferenc Kumin stated on MR1 Kossuth Radio’s morning show, 180 Minutes.

Talking about Barack Obama’s election victory, Deputy State Secretary Kumin said that during the campaign, high-level Hungarian officials, such as Deputy Prime Minister Navracsics have stated that keeping up strong relations with the United States is the

Government’s main goal, regardless of who wins. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also congratulated Barack Obama on his re-election as the President of the United States.

Late on Tuesday, US Ambassador Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis confirmed at an election party organised by the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCham) that no matter who wins the election, the strong friendship and relations between Hungary and the US will remain unchanged.

Deputy State Secretary Kumin highlighted that although the main US

policy lines are expected to remain unchanged, some cabinet changes are expected that are significant with regard to the perception of Hungary, such as in the position of Secretary of State.

In early September, Deputy State Secretary Kumin participated at the Democratic Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he met with political analysts of the Obama-Biden campaign and spoke briefly with Vice President Joe Biden.

Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Parliamentary Elections in Ukraine (Online 07 Nov) The parliamentary elections held in Ukraine received special attention in Hungary, testament to which is the fact that – coming out in great numbers to the Ukrainian request - there were a total of 45 Hungarian election observers who followed the events on site.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the fact that the elections held on 28th October in Ukraine took place without any incidents. We consider it of utmost importance that the Ukrainian political opposition and the

entire Ukrainian population accept the results of the elections. Notwithstanding this, the distorting elements that international observers objected to – abuse of administrative opportunities, the lack of transparency in campaign and party financing and the imbalance in media information – cast a shadow on the entire election process.

Hungary considers it regrettable that the drawing of individual electoral district borders was done without consideration to the interests of national

minorities, which in the end deprived the Hungarians of the SubCarpathian from sending an individual representative based on their own voters’ base into the Ukrainian legislature.

Hungary is committed to continuing to help the democratic development and the realization of the European integration efforts of Ukraine and is interested in maintaining close and successful ties with the country’s leadership.

M inis t r y hos t s c onf e r e nc e on pr e s e r v a t ion of biodiv e r s it y The Ministry of (Online 07 Nov) Rural Development and the National Society of Conservationists (NSC) held a joint conference on the preservation of biological diversity on 6 November. The apropos for the event was that a global Summit involving 170 countries was convened two weeks ago in India by the decisionmaking bodies of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

At the opening ceremony of the conference hosted by the Ministry of Rural Development, Deputy State Secretary Katalin Tóth, who represented Hungary at the Summit in India, reported on the main results of the discussions.

She informed the participants of the conference that they had examined many international commitments and further measures needed for the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity until 2020. She stressed that the issue that attracted the greatest debate was the deployment of the financial, technical and human re-

sources needed for the realisation of the objectives of the Strategic Plan.

Katalin Tóth also reported on the fact that, after long and arduous discussions, the nations of the world had agreed that they would significantly increase the level of funding earmarked for the preservation of biodiversity, in the interests of the implementation of the Strategic Plan.

The Deputy State Secretary also highlighted the fact that Hungary's position in the Carpathian Basin makes it the possessor of a hugely rich biological depository. As a concrete achievement, she mentioned the fact that thanks to the Swiss-Hungarian Cooperation Programme, the number of green kindergartens and eco-schools in Hungary is rising. The institutions in question also receive significant professional support, she added, and these results will have a long-term effect at a practical realisation level.

Friedrich Wulf, an expert from the Pro Natura Conservation Organisation,

also presented some good examples of practical solutions from policies related to the preservation of biodiversity. He told the conference that as a result of serious preparative work and the significant participation of NGOs, the Swiss strategy on the preservation of biodiversity had been adopted in April of 2012, and serves the realisation of the global objectives determined in 2010.

The global objectives related to biodiversity were determined at a regional level in 2011 during the Hungarian Presidency of the EU, when Environment Ministers from the countries of the European Union adopted the EU Biodiversity Strategy.

The latest conference explored the question of what are the main challenges and objectives of international, EU and domestic biodiversity preservation. Participants at the conference primarily included non-governmental organisations, research institutes, universities, and experts from the related ministries.

Prime Minister’s comments regarding the Luxembourg Court of Justice’s decision (Online 06 Nov) Prime Minister Orbán stated in a press conference on Tuesday that with its decision on the retirement of judges, the Luxembourg Court of Justice ruled on a non-existing provision of law as the Hungarian Constitutional Court annulled it in July 2012.

He added that there is nothing new in this issue, now that the decision has been made, the Hungarian Government will submit a proposal to Parliament in order to reregulate the retirement of judges.

Hungary's law to reduce the retirement age for judges to 62 from 70 is

discriminatory, the Luxembourg Court of Justice ruled on Tuesday, stating that it did not conform to the objective of setting uniform retirement regulations in the public sector or creating a more balanced age structure in public administration.

National consultation forum launched on the National Research, Development and Innovation Strategy (Online 06 Nov) National consultations economy. The draft strategy defines it as have been launched on the draft version a primary goal to increase RDI investof the National Research, Development and Innovation Strategy 2020, which had been prepared by the Ministry for National Economy after a broad coordination process with experts. The opportunity of sending comments and proposals on the draft strategy available at kormány.hu or expressing relevant opinions in person is now open to the wider public at Photo: Gergely Botár the one-month discussion forum lasting until 4 December ments to 1.8 percent of GDP by the end 2012 in Budapest, Debrecen, Győr, Pécs of this decade. In addition, it aims to establish a background where institutions, and Szeged.

Supporting research, development and companies and innovative enterprises innovation (RDI) is always a long-term in- alike active in the RDI sector can blossom vestment into the future. The key objective and flourish. of the National Innovation Strategy elab- The draft strategy focuses on promoting, orated under the expert supervision of the utilizing and transferring knowledge, and Ministry for National Economy, which is it aims to improve the RDI prospects of the open for debate as of now, has been to entire private sector including SMEs as boost RDI investments and as a result well as large companies. The draft also create a more dynamic and competitive sets as a goal the large scale expansion

of current RDI capacities. Among the objectives targeted by the strategy until 2020 are helping 30 significant, Hungarian R+D workshops make it to the global top league, 30 new R+D centers of multinational companies settle in Hungary, 30 mediumsized, technology-oriented domestic enterprises establish dominant positions in the Central Eastern European region as well as 300 small enterprises with a focus on research and development which are capable of rapid growth enter international markets.

The national consultation forum starting on 6 November 2012 will be held at one venue in Budapest and four in the countryside. At these occasions the key cornerstones, objectives and instruments of the strategy will be described, and highlighting various RDI fields, panel discussions will also be held at the different venues.

Endre Kardevan discusses deepening Hungarian-Vietnamese Cooperation in Hanoi (Online 06 Nov) Among topics at discussion for State Secretary Endre Kardevan at the meeting of the Vietnam-Hungary Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation and later bilateral talks was an increase in Hungarian food exports and especially of pork.

The State Secretary for Food Chain Supervision and Agricultural Economy of the Ministry of Rural Development discussed the deepening of cooperation, which has existed for decades, on fisheries development and poultry, pig and rabbit breeding with Vietnamese Deputy Minister for Agriculture Diep Kinh Tan. The two statesmen signed a declaration on

the deepening of cooperation within the fields of food safety and animal health. The document is a step forward towards increasing the export of Hungarian food products to Vietnam, and the beginning of pork exports. In addition to the declaration of intent, the parties also discussed the animal health export certificates required for the export of poultry and pork.

At the proposal of Vietnam, an agreement was reached allowing our Asian colleagues to become more familiar with the internationally recognised Hungarian agrarian education system in future.

During a meeting of the Water Industry Workgroup and related discus-

sions with Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources Nguyen Thai Lai, both countries reiterated their intent to deepen cooperation within several areas such as water treatment-related technologies, drinking water supply and other areas related to water management. Endre Kardeván invited his Vietnamese counterpart to the World Conference on Water, which will be held in Hungary in 2013 under the auspices of the UN. Hungary also expressed its commitment to deepening the Danube-Mekong cooperation initiative.

PM met with Saudi Arabia's Shura council speaker (Online 06 Nov) Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Saudi Arabia's Shura Council Speaker Abdullah ashSheikh met for talks on Monday regarding ties in the economy and education, with Economy M i n i s t e r György Matolcsy also present at the meeting.

Prime Minister Orbán expressed the government’s intent, as part Photo: Gergely Botár of its strategy portion of Hungarian exports on the of opening up to the East, to place a Eastern market, and sought cooper-

ation with Saudi Arabia in achieving this.

He would be glad for as many personal ties to be formed between the two countries as possible.

Therefore Hungary is urging a rise in the number of Saudi students who study in Hungary. Abdullah ash-Sheikh hailed closer relations between the two countries and stressed the need to strengthen bilateral ties.

Péter Szijjártó holds negotiations in Kuwait (Online 05 Nov) Péter Szijjártó, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations, has been involved in negotiations as the Chairman of the Hungarian-Kuwaiti Economic Commission in Kuwait about Hungarian companies who will be participating in the projects resulting from the implementation of the Kuwaiti national development plan.

During his visit, the State Secretary will be meeting with among others the State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, the State

Secretary of Finance and the Director of the Kuwaiti Investment Authority, and will be opening the event organised by the Kuwaiti Chamber of Commerce and Industry on opportunities for HungarianKuwaiti entrepreneurial development.

Péter Szijjártó declared that the Hungarian government would like to establish a strategic partnership with Kuwait. As a result of the meeting with Kuwait's State Secretary for Finance, the parties agreed that the Kuwaiti-Hungarian Economic

Commission would hold its inaugural meeting in Budapest next March.

Referring to the establishment of the Commission, Péter Szijjártó emphasized that this is a significant step for Hungary, since the Hungarian Government endeavours to build closer ties with the Arab world in relation to the policy of „Eastern opening”, and Kuwait is a country with whom Hungary would like to develop a strategic partnership.

János Martonyi Met with Pakistani Deputy FM (Online 05 Nov) Foreign Minister János Martonyi had a meeting with Jalil Abbas Jilani, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Pakistan at the ASEM summit in Laos. They both agreed that the active contribution of the international community to the peace process in Afghanistan was crucial.

The Hungarian Foreign Minister and the Pakistani Deputy Foreign Minister had talks at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Vientiane, Laos. Minister Martonyi declared that Hungary regarded Pakistan as a major partner because of its role in regional stability, in combating terrorism and in the fight against drug trafficking adding that Hungary appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and achievements.

Jalil Abbas Jilani gave an account of the Pakistani evaluation of the situation in Afghanistan, emphasizing that they had serious concerns about the pulling out of international forces. He stated that Pakistan appreciated Hungary’s contribution to developing the Afghan security forces.

Minister Martonyi pointed out that despite the military withdrawal Hungary would temporarily enhance its presence in Afghanistan. In addition to bolstering the civilian projects, the Hungarian military take over the management of the international airport in Kabul.

The Pakistani Deputy Foreign Minister claimed that economic cooperation was the most successful in the two countries’ bilateral relations. He added that MOL Pakistan, a

Hungarian oil and gas company, became one of the largest employers in the northwestern Frontier Regions. Jalil Abbas Jilani stressed the importance of high-level meetings, and forwarded the invitation of Prime Minister Raja Parviz Ashraf for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to pay an official visit in Pakistan. Minister Martonyi declared that Hungary was also interested in bolstering bilateral relations, and invited the Pakistani Foreign Minister to visit Hungary. He said that Hungary was primarily interested in developing cooperation in the areas of agriculture, food processing, water management and IT.

HUNGARY PM discusses cooperation opportunities with Lebanon (Online 07 Nov) The areas of energy, environmental proand tection agriculture offer opportunities to deepen business cooperation between Hungary and Lebanon, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Tuesday, after meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Najib Mikati.

At a joint press conference, Viktor Orbán highlighted that holds Photo: Gergely Botár he Lebanese Lebanon's efforts to preserve the democracy in high regard since de- country's sovereignty as well as its spite the complicated political situa- peace-building role in the region. tion in the region, the country has The talks focused primarily on ecobeen able to create a system which nomic issues, in relation to opportudeeply respects the freedoms of reli- nities for the two governments to gion and expression, as well as make bilateral cooperation more human rights. He also noted that beneficial to the business commuHungary's foreign policy and nity. The areas of energy, environLebanese diplomacy share the same ment protection, and agriculture views, and that Hungary supports

could see positive developments already in 2013.

It has also conbeen cluded that in the framework of a scholarship programme, from next year on, hundreds of Lebanese stucould dents their begin studies at Hungarian universiwhile ties, Hungarian students are also in welcome Lebanon. Furthermore, the parties two that agreed visa requirements for Lebanese citizens visiting Hungary will be significantly eased.

Bilateral political and economic ties were also reviewed, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said. He added that a business forum will take place in Budapest next week, explaining that it is a common goal to create an attractive investment environment.

Main obstacles to concluding a loan agreement with IMF and EU have been removed (Online 10 Nov) In an interview for Hungarian News Agency MTI today, the Prime Minister said that the government has made efforts to endure that the excessive deficit procedure Hungary has been subject to since 2004 will end.

With reference to the European Commission's Wednesday report which forecast a deficit-to-GDP ratio of 2.9 percent and a growth rate of 0.3 percent for Hungary next year, the Prime Minister said that Hungary had succeeded in consolidating the financial foundations of its economy.

On the basis of the report, he said, it may be concluded that Hungary's economic model is viable.

He noted that the deficit had been kept below 3 percent of GDP since 2011. At present Hungary is one of only five EU member states with a decreasing level of public debt; it is the country that is cutting debt the most rapidly.

All these mean that the main obstacles to concluding a loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund and the European Union have now

been removed.

Regarding the Commission’s forecast that the deficit would rise to 3.5 percent of GDP by 2014, the Prime Minister said that Parliament has yet to approve the 2013 budget, and the 2014 deficit will highly depend on the budget Hungary prepares for that year.

Commenting on the Strategic Partnership Agreement the Government concluded with Daimler AG yesterday, the Prime Minister pointed out that German industry and the Hungarian government take a common approach towards the European economy, as they both believe that Europe can only become competitive if it reorganises and increases its industrial production capacities. The agreement indicates that both sides are seeking opportunities for relocating the company’s further production capacities to Hungary. In addition, he considers the Agreement a milestone in the history of the Hungarian economy.

Regarding the recently announced government plans to take over part

of local councils' debt, the Prime Minister explained that an agreement must first be reached with local authorities, and accordingly the government is sending negotiators to each big city to thoroughly review local council debt and establish the amount justified for the state to take over. He added that the government would strive to reach an equitable arrangement with the 27 local councils in Hungary that are not in debt.

Speaking about the education system, the Prime Minister said that the government would like young people to regard their academic studies as an investment in their lives. Students will not be directed to poorly operating institutions of higher education just to keep them open, he added.

He underlined that the students themselves will decide which institutions are viable and which are not.

The government will assist those universities which cannot carry out investments due to the lack of co-financing, and it also wants to assist institutions of higher education that are in debt, he said.

H unga r y a nd Ge r m a ny : f ight ing for a s t r ong, s t a ble a nd a c tiv e Eur ope (Online 10 Nov) Crisis management must not be allowed to endanger the achievements of European integration, Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi said in Berlin November 9, 2012.

Hungary has a "vested interest in a strong Eurozone" but will only support its transformation Photo: Markus Schreiber, MTI-AP if its members to have the EU's 2014-2020 budget are allowed to take their own path passed by the end of the year. and the zone as a whole remains Both countries are fighting for a open to applicants wishing to join it, "strong, stable, and active" Europe, Minister Martonyi told the 22nd an- and this will be their guiding principle nual assembly of the Hungarian– during the finalization of the next German Forum. "Hungary is not seven-year budget, Westerwelle giving up its goal of belonging to the said. The 2014-2020 Multiannual Ficore even if this can only be attained nancial Framework must stimulate in the medium or the long term," he growth through the creation of new said. jobs that help increase revenues for At a joint press conference, the Min- the state, allowing the consolidation ister and his German counterpart of the budget, he said, adding that Guido Westerwelle said that Ger- EU funds must be used more effimany and Hungary would work hard

ciently.

In the context German– of Hungarian friendship, the German Minister said Hunis a gary and "strong eshighly teemed" partner.

M i n i s t e r Martonyi said Germany, as a could friend, tackle "help Hungary's special problem" deriving from the planned cut in cohesion funds in the next budgetary period. He said that bilateral relations were excellent, noting the 5 billion euros German businesses have invested in Hungary over the past two years alone.

Answering a question about Hungary's pending negotiations with the IMF and the EU, Minister Martonyi said the government was firm in wanting to conclude an agreement, adding that he was optimistic that it could be reached by the end of the year.

Deputy State Secretary for International Communications pays a visit to Great Britain (Online 10 Nov) Deputy State Secretary for International Communications Ferenc Kumin paid a visit to London, where he held a lecture at an event organized by the Policy Research and Analysis Centre Federal Trust.

Ferenc Kumin held a lecture yesterday on the current political and economic situation in Hungary entitled „Economics and Politics in Hungary – A Situation Report” at an event organised by the Policy Research and Analysis Centre Federal Trust. The organisation, which is largely supportive of the European Union, focuses mainly on the relationship between the EU and Great-Britain, but also shows interest towards the policies of other Member States. A

great number of British public figures, politicians and intellectuals took part at the event.

Yesterday, the Deputy State Secretary also held talks with the British delegation of the Council of Europe.

In an interview to public television MTV this morning, he said that great interest had been shown in the current Hungarian situation; he also stressed, however, that criticism of the government was still of an emotional nature and ignored real facts.

Similarly to the case when last week two British MPs fiercely criticised the planned Hungarian amendments to the Act on the entry and residence of persons in the House of Commons, when in fact British legislation is practically identical.

Furthermore, the questions posed to the Deputy State Secretary expressed clear criticism towards some elements of the planned Hungarian electoral registration system, when in fact these same elements can be found in the British registration system.

Following the lecture, Ferenc Kumin made a speech at the commemorative gala dinner that paid tribute to Raoul Wallenberg at the Hungarian Embassy in London.

During his two-day visit, the Deputy State Secretary is meeting representatives from several British economic and other newspapers. Today, he is holding discussions with leading political analysts in Oxford.

Hungary to become one of the industrial production centres of Europe (Online 10 Nov) Hungary's new economic model is very closely related to the German one, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said at the signing ceremony of the government's Strategic Partnership Agreewith ment Daimler AG. is Hungary a building labour-based economy and expects industrial production to remain the of backbone national Photo: Gergely Botár the economy, the the “cement” of bilateral relations.

Prime Minister said. Industrial pro- He also noted that Daimler, which duction centres need to be estab- owns the Mercedes factory in central lished in order to improve the Hungary's Kecskemét, has a “much country’s competitiveness. broader industrial spectrum” than The German manufacturing industry manufacturing cars and the governplays an important role in Hungary’s ment is seeking to launch cooperamodernisation and the Prime Minis- tion with its other branches too, he ter considers its long-term presence said. the cohesive force of the future and This is the fourth Strategic Partner-

ship Agreement the Government has concluded with large companies over the past few months. A similar agreement was previously signed with Cola Coca Hungary, pharmaceutical c o m p a n y G e d e o n and Richter aluminium manufacturer Alcoa-Köfém.

Martin Jäger, Daimler's Head of Global External Affairs and Public Policy, said the government and the city of Kecskemét have always supported his company effectively.

The factory in Kecskemét opened in late March is one of the largest greenfield investment projects ever realised in Hungary and is the first Daimler-Benz plant in Eastern Europe.

H unga r y a nd C r oa t ia ina ugur a te t r a ns bounda r y bios phe r e r e s e r v e 10 (Online HunNov) gary's sixth biosphere reserve, and the first transboundary reserve of its kind in the country, was inaugurated on Thursin day Szentborbás, S o m o g y County.

At the opening ceremony, Minister of Rural Development S á n d o r Fazekas emphasised, with relation to cli- Photo: Csaba Pelsőczy mate change, rivers Drava, Danube and Mura the importance of water retention ca- within the territory of five countries. pability, which facilitates environ- The Danube-Drava-Mura biosphere mentally friendly landscape reserve comprises some 631 thoumanagement, traditional agricultural sand hectares of environmentally activity, and as a result the develop- protected territory. Of this, some 236 ment of rural areas. He also stressed thousand hectares belong to Hunthe significance of rehabilitating gary and include the areas of backwaters and aquatic habitats in Danube-Drava National Park found the interests of preserving the natu- along the banks of the Danube and ral environment.

Drava rivers, the zones of the Natura "Climate change brings the threat of 2000 network found here, as well as drought, and if we are unable to find new areas along the River Drava in a rapid solution, this varied and the Ormánság region and along the unique wildlife may disappear for- Danube on Mohács Island. The area ever", the Minister stated, adding of the reserve found on Croatian terthat this is one reason why public at- ritory is some 395 thousand tention must be directed towards the hectares. rehabilitation of aquatic habitats.

The main objective of the biosphere This is the goal of the newly inaugu- reserve, which has been created as rated biosphere reserve, established a result of a joint Hungarian-Croatian on the Hungarian and Croatian sides initiative and will be managed jointly, of the River Drava, the designation is the preservation of the aquatic and of which was approved by the United coastal natural communities and natNations Educational, Scientific and ural values of the Mura-DravaCultural Organisation UNESCO in Danube border areas that have a July 2012, and which is a significant close relationship with the three step towards the establishment of a rivers, in addition to increasing inbiosphere reserve involving the

come opportunities for local authorities and the population.

The DanubeDrava-National Park Direcwas torate awarded HUF 400 million environmental protection development grant in a tender submitted together with Croatian party for the rehabiliof tation aquatic habitats. During the realisation of prothe gramme, four tributaries of the River Drava were opened: two as Drávatamási, one at Tótüjfalu and another at Drávapalkonya, as a result of which the Drava is now capable of entering the tributaries even when its water levels are one to two metres lower. Consequently, the water supply of the suragricultural areas, rounding grassland, meadows and forests has improved significantly, which does much to aid their sustainable use.

The area along the River Drava and around mouths of the Danube and Drava rivers is one of Hungary's largest connected aquatic environments. It is the natural habitat of floodplain forests, is home to Hungary's largest population of Whitetailed Eagles, and the pebble banks of the Drava are the exclusive nesting grounds of the Little Tern.

In addition to the new biosphere reserve, similar areas have been established in and around Aggtelek, Lake Fertő, the Hortobágy plains, the Kiskunság and the Pilis hills.

Anti-corruption cooperation between Hungary and China (Online 09 Nov) In the interests of promoting anti-corruption cooperation between Hungary and China, a declaration of cooperation and agreement has been signed by Marcell Biró, Minister of State for Public Administration at the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice, and Cui Hairong, Deputy Director of China’s National Bureau of Corruption Prevention.

The declaration states that the two countries will pay special attention to anti-corruption measures enacted by each other, and the results of those measures. The agreement also states that the two countries will share useful anti-corruption experi-

ence and methods, that they will create cooperation projects and thus assist each other in the development of their capacity to combat corruption.

In March the Government adopted the most comprehensive anti-corruption programme yet seen in Hungary, the main aim of which is to strengthen the state’s ability to resist corruption. In order to acquaint himself with anti-corruption measures being applied there, in Hong Kong Marcell Biró had talks with Simon Peh Yun Lu, Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, and also met Daniel Lai, Director of Government Information with responsibility for online public

administration. Mr. Biró informed his Chinese counterparts of the launch of the Magyary Zoltán Programme for the development of public administration and the state of online public administration in Hungary.

The Minister of State also met Hong Yi, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Governance in Beijing.

They discussed future cooperation between the Academy and the National University of Public Administration, and at an official event Mr. Biró presented a Chinese translation of the Fundamental Law of Hungary to Yuan Shuhong, Deputy Director of the Legislative Affairs Office of the State.

Enikő Győri urges not to let new walls rise within the European Union (Online 09 Nov) At the HungarianGerman Forum in Berlin on November 8, Minister of State in charge of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Enikő Győri declared that EU member states should not let „new walls rise within the European Union”.

In her opening remarks at the 22th Assembly of the Hungarian-German Forum, Minister of State Győri stressed that Hungary was interested in successfully resolving the eurozone crisis, but it should be accomplished without negatively influencing the situation of the non-eurozone states and without making it more difficult for them to join the eurozone eventually.

“We have come to a turning point of European history, and it significantly depends on Germany which direction we will ultimately go,” – said the

Hungarian Minister of State.

Minister of State Győri claimed that there was a consensus among member states regarding the fundamental objectives such as the fact that economic growth should not be promoted at the expense of increasing taxes or that fiscal discipline and economic growth should not be juxtaposed. She added that growth was useless if it did not help create new jobs in the labour market.

The Minister of State pointed out that it was in the interest of Germany to help the economic growth of Central Europe because it would primarily benefit German companies. Consequently, German and Hungarian interests coincide in preserving the EU budget and maintaining the cohesion policy.

The Hungarian Minister of State said that Hungary had behaved irrespon-

sibly during the first decade of the twenty-first century, and so had lost its relative advantage in the region.

Hungary is still paying the price for that. The good news is that Hungary has been committed to fiscal discipline since 2010 as a result of which „budget deficit and state debt has decreased by unprecedented levels, and the Hungarian trade balance is positive with Germany, the world champion in exports.” She pointed out that the reforms Hungary had implemented „had their price”, and economic recovery was slow, but thanks to the government’s economic policy jobs had been preserved. Employment is higher than two years ago and there are no unbearable social tensions. „Hungary is on its way to catching up with the rest of central Europe” – Minister of State Enikő Győri concluded.

Bilateral talks between Minister Martonyi and the Foreign Minister of Thailand (Online 09 Nov) Foreign Minister János Martonyi conducted bilateral talks with Surapong Tovichakchaikul, the Foreign Minister of Thailand on the sidelines of the 9th Summit of the ASEM-Asia-Europe Meeting.

It was noted during the talks that the results of the efforts to develop relations discussed during the April 2012 visit of Minister Martonyi to Bangkok have started to manifest. They welcomed the results of bilateral trade, the volume of which remained near last year’s record level during the first eight months of 2012. The parties stated that it was their common interest to see to it that the next meeting of the Economic Joint Commission is held during the first half of 2013.

They expressed their satisfaction over the cooperation that started between foreign policy institutes and in the field of research and development.

The two Foreign Ministers considered it important to continue the podialogue; both parties litical

expressed their hope that the meeting of their Prime Ministers will take place soon, either in Bangkok or in Budapest.

Foreign Minister Surapong indicated that he would be more than happy to continue the dialogue with his colleague in early 2013 with the possibility to further develop relations.

Minister Martonyi emphasized that the increased regional role of Thailand, its internal stability proves why Hungary views Thailand as a regional medium power and aspires, in this spirit to develop relations in a diverse way. We welcome the fact that the government of Yingluck Shinawatra is pursuing prudent politics, he added, in order to deepen the democratic processes in Thailand and at the same time is successfully implementing the process of economic and social recovery after the devastating floods of autumn 2011.

He emphasized that we are ready to welcome Thai investors and tourists in Hungary and reiterated: we are

ready to respond to the request of the Thai Prime Minister to study the Hungarian constitution drafting process. Minister Martonyi noted with satisfaction that significant progress was been made at the meetings to discuss the agreements which are so important for the relations between Thailand and the European Union, because these also significantly improve the framework of bilateral cooperation.

Foreign Minister Surapong praised the Hungarian interest and commitment to the Asian continent in the global opening of Hungarian foreign policy. He congratulated the success of the ASEAN Awareness Forum organized recently in Budapest. He emphasized that – beside the development of economic ties – they attach special significance to the development of scientific and technology, as well as educational relations in the development of bilateral relations.

C oope r a t ion a gr e e m e nt s igne d with the R us s ia n Or t hodox C hur c h (Online 08 Nov) Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén and Archbishop M a r k (Golovkov) of the Russian Orthodox Church signed a cooperation agreement that defines the responsibilities of the government and the church.

All churches receive the same support available to state and local government institut i o n s performing similar tasks, Photo: Gergely Botár Deputy Prime soon conclude similar agreements Minister Semjén stated after the with the independent Patriarchate of signing ceremony.

Constantinople, as well as the SerHe said that the government would bian and Bulgarian orthodox

churches. The government is open to such agreements with all orthodox churches, he said, adding that negotiations with the Romanian orthodox church are still under way since special demands have arisen.

Archbishop Mark welcomed that the Hungarian government took the social role of Christianity very seriously.

He emphasised the importance of the agreement as well as the significance of the government strengthening Christian values in the Hungarian society.

H unga r y FM dis c us s e s r e s t a r t of politic a l c oope r a t ion in Sr i La nk a (Online 08 Nov) Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi held talks with his Sir Lankan counterpart Gamini Lakshman Peiris November 8, 2012. The parties agreed on restarting political cooperation and strengthening economic and trade relations.

Minister Martonyi also held talks with ministers Nimal Siripala of irrigation and water resources management,

Dinesh Gunawardena of water supply and drainage and Basil Rajapaksa of economic development, and gave a lecture at Colombo University.

Now that Sri Lanka's political situation has become stable, Hungary sees a chance for resuming political ties and promoting trade and economic cooperation, he said. Among the most prospective fields of coop-

eration, the minister mentioned tourism, sustainable water management, infrastructure development, environmental protection, food safety and agriculture.

Currently the most important bilateral project is the reconstruction and modernization of two water purification facilities in Colombo with the participation of the Budapest Waterworks.

Regional issues discussed at the Hungarian-Austrian regional coordination forum (Online 08 Nov) Changes in Hungarian public administration and infrastructure development in the border region were discussed at the Hungarian-Austrian Regional Coordination Forum’s latest meeting on Wednesday in the town of Körmend, Hungary.

Dr. Ernő Csonka (Deputy Minister of State for Regional Administration and Elections at the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice, and Hungarian co-chairman of the Forum) reported on the changes that have taken place in the Hungarian public administration system, while the Mayor of Körmend Dr. István Bebes described the results of cross-border cooperation. Participants at the meeting discussed development

questions related to local cycle paths, roads, and the state of infrastructure in the border region. It was agreed that the level of infrastructure and close collaboration between local stakeholders greatly influence the border region’s economic development potential, and the success of development areas such as health and wellness tourism. Economic development may represent a solution to the region’s emergent labour migration problem, determining a new direction in human resource policy.

Participants at the meeting agreed that the success of the many years of joint work in such fields as culture, environmental protection and R&D can only be achieved with the involvement of local and regional

stakeholders.

The Hungarian-Austrian Regional Coordination Forum (established in 2004) aims to promote sustainable development in the region of western Hungary and eastern Austria, coordination of Hungarian and Austrian concepts extending beyond regional level, support for local initiatives, and the implementation of plans. The Office of the Minister of State for Regional Administration and Elections at the Ministry for Public Administration and Justice is in charge of its secretarial duties, while the Austrian Federal Chancellery is the contact body for the Austrian side. The Austrian co-chairman is Stefan Imhof, coordinating director-general.

Ir is h Ta ois e a c h dis c us s e d EU is s ue s with Pr im e M inis te r Or bá n (Online 08 Nov) Hungary considers it very important that the European Union should increasingly promote the policy of free trade and the upcoming Irish presidency of the EU is likely to support this trend, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Thursday after meeting Irish counterpart Ta o i s e a c h Enda Kenny.

The European economy can only become Photo: Károly Árvai successful if it will not be the first time that Ireland is increasingly open and seeks free fulfils this role, Hungarian experitrade with other significant economic ences would certainly prove to be players, Prime Minister Orbán said. useful, he added. He expressed his He said freedom and the fight for gratitude to Hungary for keeping its freedom belong "very close together" embassy open during the events in in the thinking of both Hungarians Libya last year, helping many EU citand the Irish. He added that some of izens, including Irish. the key points in Ireland's pro- The Irish Prime Minister expressed gramme for its EU presidency are hope that talks on the next EU very important to Hungary. budget framework for 2014-2020 can Prime Minister Kenny said Ireland be concluded this year, leaving room would welcome Hungary sharing its for other important issues during the experiences in fulfilling the EU's ro- Irish presidency. Talking about cohetating presidency. Even though this

sion funds, he stated that Ireland had very good experiences with support from these funds. He also noted the significance of the common agricultural policy (CAP), stating that it is important for job creation and economic development. He said food production is increasingly important globally and the EU has great opportunities, so Ireland does not want to see a reduction in spending on agriculture.

The Taoiseach said he had discussed with Prime Minister Orbán the issue of EU expansion and added that he would like to see progress during the Irish presidency in the accession process of every country that aspires for EU membership. He noted that some 15,000 Hungarians work in Ireland and contribute to the country's economic performance.

Slovakia is a partner in local distribution (Online 08 Nov) State Secretary for Rural Development Zsolt V. Németh and Magdaléna Lacko-Bartošová, Slovakian State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, discussed the two countries' experiences with regard to local processing and distribution at a meeting held at the Hungarian Ministry of Rural Development with the aim of making preparations for the upcoming session of the Hungarian-Slovak Joint Committee on Agriculture.

Both Hungary and Slovakia are closely following developments with regard to the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

With relation to this, Zsolt V. Németh told reporters that the Hungarian Government has begun planning for the next budgetary period and has already made decisions with regard to several important issues, such as the introduction of multi-fund planning and the expansion of the LEADER method to include smaller towns and cities. The State Secretary added that no decision has yet been

reached on the institutional system required to facilitate the implementation of the next rural development programme, and the experiences of neighbouring countries may provide useful help. Hungary would like to establish an institutional system that assures the full use of resources in a customer-friendly way.

An important topic of the meeting was the increase of local processing and distribution. Magdaléna LackoBartošová told the press that a proposal for new legislation on the regulation of fair trade conditions had recently been put before Slovakian Parliament. In Slovakia, a mere 3% of trade turnover comes from local products, and the government is aiming to increase this figure.

Zsolt V. Németh emphasised that direct distribution is a huge opportunity for small-scale producers, and can also help to preserve the character of villages. He also told the press that the Hungarian ministry responsible for agriculture has helped the development of local markets with several

pieces of new legislation recently.

Thanks to the favourable regulatory environment demand for locally processed products and farmers' markets has increased, and it is obvious that farmers would prefer to market their products locally. The Ministry of Rural Development is also encouraging these processes by organising a market under the arcades of its own headquarters every Friday.

He added, farmers need to organise their own distribution chains and must do their best to get their products onto the market shelves of large supermarkets. The parties agreed that there is significant resistance to cooperatives in both countries, but that this must be tackled, because the long-term survival and development of small-scale producers depends on their collaboration. They also agreed to review the opportunities and conditions for the cross-border distribution of foods produced by small-scale producers.