Martyr's Day Uganda - J u n e 0 3
The Uganda Martyrs were Christian converts who were murdered for their faith in the historical kingdom of Buganda, now part of Uganda.
Lwanga and his companions Charles Saint Charles (Carl) Lwanga and his com-
panions, Martyrs of Uganda, were a group of Christians (both Roman Catholics and Anglicans) who were murdered by Mwanga II, the Kabaka (King) of Buganda, between 1885 and 1887. These deaths were part of a three-way religious struggle for political control of the Buganda royal court. In 1877, the Church Missionary Society in London had sent Protestant missionaries to the court, followed two years later by the French Catholic White Fathers. These two competed with each other and the Zanzibarbased Muslim traders for converts and influence. By the mid-1880s, many members of the Buganda court had converted and become proxies for the religious and nationalist conflict being played out in the court. Kabaka Mwanga II, upon his ascent to the throne, attempted to destroy the foreign influences he felt threatened the Buganda state, but was instead deposed by armed converts in 1888. Anglican James Hannington, the Protomartyr, had been dispatched to be the bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, but he was executed with his companions before they could enter Buganda. Twenty-two of the martyrs were Roman Catholics and were canonized by Pope Paul VI on October 18, 1964. Although the Anglicans were not canonized in the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope did mention them. Their feast day is June 3. They were: Achileo Kiwanuka 1. Adolphus Ludigo-Mukasa 2. Ambrosius Kibuuka 3. Anatoli Kiriggwajjo 4. Anderea Kaggwa 5. Antanansio Bazzekuketta 6. Bruno Sserunkuuma 7. Charles Lwanga 8. Denis Ssebuggwawo Wasswa 9. Gonzaga Gonza 10. Gyavira Musoke 11. James Buuzaabalyaawo 12. John Maria Muzeeyi 13. Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe 14. Kizito 15. Lukka Baanabakintu 16. Matiya Mulumba 17. Mbaga Tuzinde 18. Mugagga Lubowa 19. Mukasa Kiriwawanvu 20. Nowa Mawaggali 21. Ponsiano Ngondwe 22. The Ugandan Martyrs were featured in the film Millions.
The two martyrs of Paimol The martyrs, Blessed Daudi Okelo and Blessed Jildo Irwa, were two young catechists from Uganda. They belonged
to the Acholi tribe, a subdivision of the large Luo group. They lived and were martyred in the years immediately following the foundation of the mission of Kitgum by the Comboni Missionaries in 1915.
Janani Luwum Archbishop When commemorating the martyrs of Uganda, the Church of England includes Archbishop Janani Luwum, who was murdered in 1977 by Idi Amin's henchmen; they also commemorate Luwum separately on February 17.
Mabo Day Australia-June 03
Mabo Day occurs annually on 3 June. It commemorates Eddie Koiki Mabo (c. 29 June 1936–21 January 1992) a Torres Strait Islander whose campaign for Indigenous land rights led to a landmark decision of the High Court of Australia that, on 3 June 1992, overturned the legal fiction of terra nullius which had characterised Australian law with regards to land and title since the voyage of James Cook in 1770. Mabo Day is a gazetted bank holiday in Queensland. In 2010 a campaign was launched to make it a national holiday in Australia It has been suggested that Mabo Day is more significant to Australians than the Queen's Birthday (a national holiday in Australia), since it 'marks the day that non-indigenous Australians were given the opportunity to reverse the damage caused by the colonisation process'. In 2002, on the tenth anniversary of the High Court decision, Mabo's widow, Bonita Mabo, called for a national public holiday on 3 June. On the eleventh anniversary, in 2003, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) launched a petition to make 3 June an Australian Public Holiday. Eddie Mabo Jnr, for the Mabo family, said: We believe that a public holiday would be fitting to honour and recognise the contribution to the High Court decision of not only my father and his co-plaintiffs, James Rice, Father Dave Passi, Sam Passi and Celuia Salee, but also to acknowledge all Indigenous Australians who have empowered and inspired each other. To date we have not had a public holiday that acknowledges Indigenous people and which recognises our contribution, achievements and survival in Australia. A public holiday would be a celebration all Australians can share in with pride – a celebration of truth that unites Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and a celebration of justice that overturned the legal myth of terra nullius - Mabo symbolises truth and justice and is a cornerstone of Reconciliation.
Constitution Day Denmark - June 05
On June 5, Denmark celebrates Constitution Day. It is held to commemorate the both the original constitution created in 1849 and the amended constitution in 1953.
History A complex series of political and diplomatic issues oc-
curred in and around Denmark in the late 1830s that awakened thoughts of independence in the people in the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. The two duchies were intertwined through the 1460 Treaty of Ribe which prohibited the two from being separated. Both duchies were heavily German, and Denmark’s talks of pulling Schleswig into Denmark while leaving Holstein behind caused increased tensions between Denmark and the German Confederation. On January 28, 1848, King Christian VIII proclaimed that a new constitution would be created that would incorporate both duchies into Denmark. Schleswig and Holstein appealed to the German Confederation seeking incorporation into its structure. These differing opinions led to an uprising that forced the next King, Frederick VII, to rescind the constitutional idea, amending it to a more liberal format that would include only Schleswig. Differences in opinion and the inclusion of Prussia in the situation lead to the First War of Schleswig. During this war, on June 5, 1849, Denmark finally signed into law a new constitution making Denmark a constitutional monarchy. To the disgruntlement of some Danes, however, both Schleswig and Holstein were given their own constitutions that brought control of the regions to a wealthy class of German landowners. The rights to the two duchies would in 1864 eventually be given up by Denmark upon its defeat in the Second War of Schleswig. Later in the mid-20th century, a significant number of changes were proposed for Denmark’s constitution, and on June 5, 1953, the new constitution was signed into law. Changes included the allowance of female succession to the throne, the addition of a unicameral legislature, and the granting of colonial status to Greenland.
CUSTOMS AND ACTIVITIES TRADITIONS, Denmark’s Constitution Day typically sees politicians giving speeches about the state of government in the country.
Many businesses shut down after noon.
Father's Day Denmark - June 05
Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June but it is also celebrated widely on other days. Father's Day complements Mother's Day, a celebration honoring mothers. In Denmark, Father's Day is celebrated on June 5. It coincides with Constitution Day, which is a public holiday.
D-Day U.S. - June 06
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar terms. On the same principle, equivalent terms are Dagen D (Swedish),Dan D (Slovenian), E eguna (Basque), Jour J (French), Lá L (Irish), Tag X(German), and Ziua-Z (Romanian). The initial D in DDay has been given various meanings in the past, while more recently it has obtained the connotation of "Day" itself, thereby creating the phrase "Day-Day", or "Day of Days". The best known D-Day is June 6, 1944 — the day of the Normandy landings — initiating the Western Allied effort to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi occupation during World War II. However, many other invasions and operations had a designated D-Day, both before and after that operation. The terms D-Day and H-Hour are used for the day and hour on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. They designate the day and hour of the operation when the day and hour have not yet been determined, or where secrecy is essential. For a given operation, the same D-Day and H-Hour apply for all units participating in it. When used in combination with numbers, and plus or minus signs, these terms indicate the point of time preceding or following a specific action. Thus, H−3 means 3 hours before H-Hour, and D+3 means 3 days after D-Day. (By extension, H+75 minutes is used for H-Hour plus 1 hour and 15 minutes.) Planning papers for large-scale operations are made up in detail long before specific dates are set. Thus, orders are issued for the various steps to be carried out on the D-Day or H-Hour minus or plus a certain number of days, hours, or minutes. At the appropriate time, a subsequent order is issued that states the actual day and times. In spacecraft launchings, NASA utilizes the term 'T-Time' for the timing of the launch sequence down to the second (rather than M-Minute and S-Second), as in the expression "T minus 10 seconds and counting" for their countdown clock. When referencing a local time zone, "Zulu" refers to Universal Co-ordinated Time (formerly Greenwich Mean Time).
History
The earliest use of these terms by the U.S. Army that the United States Army Center of Military History has been able to find was during World War I.In Field Order Number 9, First Army, American Expeditionary Forces, dated 7 September 1918: "The First Army will attack at H hour on D day with the object of forcing the evacuation of the St. Mihiel Salient." D-Day for the invasion of Normandy by the Allies was originally set for June 5, 1944, but bad weather and heavy seas caused Gen. Dwight D Eisenhower to delay until June 6 and that date has been popularly referred to ever since by the short title "D-Day". Because of the connotation with the invasion of Normandy, planners of later military operations sometimes avoided the term to prevent confusion. For example, Douglas MacArthur's invasion of Leyte began on "A-Day", and the invasion of Okinawa began on "L-Day". The Allies' proposed invasions of Japan would have begun on "X-Day" (on Kyūshū, scheduled for November 1945) and "Y-Day" (on Honshū, scheduled for March 1946).
Memorial Day S o u t h K o r e a - June 06
The South Korean (officially the Republic of Korea) Memorial Day (Korean: 현충일 (顯忠日), Hyeonchung-il) is held every June 6 to commemorate men and women who died while in military service, during the Korean War and other significant wars or battles. On this day, a memorial ceremony is held in the National Cemetery in Seoul. Also, the South Korean flag is flown at half-staff.
World Ocean Day Worldwide - June 08
World Oceans Day, which had been unofficially celebrated every 8 June since its original proposal in 1992 by Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was officially recognized by the United Nations in 2008. Since then it has been coordinated internationally by The Ocean Project and the World Ocean Network with greater success and global participation each year.
Purpose World Oceans Day is an opportunity every year to
honor the world's ocean, celebrate the products the ocean provides such as seafood as well as marine life itself for aquariums, pets, and also a time to appreciate its own intrinsic value. The ocean also provides sealanes for international trade. Global pollution and overconsumption of fish have resulted in drastically dwindling population of the majority of species. The Ocean Project, working in partnership with the World Ocean Network, has been promoting WOD since 2003 with its network of over 1,200 organizations and others throughout the world. These groups have been working to build greater awareness of the crucial role of the ocean in our lives and the important ways people can help. World Oceans Day provides an opportunity to get directly involved in protecting our future, through a new mindset and personal and community action and involvement – beach cleanups, educational programs, art contests, film festivals, sustainable seafood events, and other planned activities help to raise consciousness of how our lives depend on the oceans.
World Oceans Day 2011
The Ocean Project recently launched a new site for WOD 2011. The World Oceans Day 2011 & 2012 theme is Youth: the Next Wave for Change. World Ocean Day – The Ocean Project The aim is to challenge participants to view ocean protection as a way of life, with a special emphasis around World Oceans Day each year. This focus on youth is based on market research by The Ocean Project and others which clearly shows that youth are the most promising members of the public to reach out to if you want to effect lasting change. Young people are the most knowledgeable and motivated segment of the population when it comes to the environment and its protection. Youth generally have the free time, familiarity with current issues, and the motivation to go out of their way to take environmental actions. Furthermore, the research shows that parents are increasingly looking to their tween and teenage (i.e. ages 12–17) children for information and advice on these issues. We hope that event organizers will make a concerted effort to reach out to and collaborate with young people, helping inspire them to care for our world’s ocean, now and throughout their lives.
World Oceans Day 2010
In partnership with Dr. Seuss and the Census of Marine Life, World Oceans Day 2010's theme of "Oceans of Life: Pick your favorite * Protect your favorite" sparked the biggest and most exciting worldwide participation to date. This year marked the 50th anniversary of Dr. Seuss's classic book, One Fish, Two fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, as well as the Census of Marine Life's celebration of a decade of discovery with the release of their 10-year report documenting biodiversity in the world's ocean. 2010 also marked the International Year of Biodiversity. The Ocean Project and World Ocean Network recorded over 300 events for WOD 2010, a 26% increase over 2009. Participation in the US increased by 32% (with participation in 37 states, as compared to 25 states last year), but this year several additional countries (a total of 45 globally) held events, including Bangladesh, Belgium, French Polynesia, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Malta, Malaysia, Venezuela, and Portugal.
First UN-recognized World Oceans Day
On the first World Oceans Day the Secretary-General of the United Nations gave the following message: The first observance of World Oceans Day allows us to highlight the many ways in which oceans contribute to society. It is also an opportunity to recognize the considerable challenges we face in maintaining their capacity to regulate the global climate, supply essential ecosystem services and provide sustainable livelihoods and safe recreation. Indeed, human activities are taking a terrible toll on the world’s oceans and seas. Vulnerable marine ecosystems, such as corals, and important fisheries are being damaged by over-exploitation, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing,destructive fishing practices, invasive alien species and marine pollution, especially from land-based sources. Increasedsea temperatures, sea-level rise and ocean acidification caused by climate change pose a further threat to marine life, coastal and island communities and national economies. Oceans are also affected by criminal activity. Piracy and armed robbery against ships threaten the lives of seafarers and the safety of international shipping, which transports 90 per cent of the world’s goods. Smuggling of illegal drugs and the trafficking of persons by sea are further examples of how criminal activities threaten lives and the peace and security of the oceans. Several international instruments drawn up under the auspices of the United Nations address these numerous challenges. At their centre lies the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It provides the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out, and is the basis for international cooperation at all levels. In addition to aiming at universal participation, the world must do more to implement this Convention and to uphold the rule of law on the seas and oceans. The theme of World Oceans Day, “Our oceans, our responsibility”, emphasizes our individual and collective duty to protect the marine environment and carefully manage its resources. Safe, healthy and productive seas and oceans are integral to human well-being, economic security and sustainable development. World Ocean Network to coordinate activities worldwide under the theme “Youth: the Next Wave for Change” with a special focus on getting the young people in our communities inspired to conserve our world’s oceans.
Theme The Ocean Project/World Ocean Network international partner network theme
2010: Oceans of Life / Pick your favorite * Protect your favorite 2009: One Climate, One Ocean, One Future UN Theme 2011: Our oceans: greening our future 2010: Our oceans: opportunities and challenges 2009: Our Oceans, Our Responsibility
1919 Commemoration (Sette Giugno) Malta - June 07
Sette Giugno (from Italian for "Seventh June" is a Maltese national holiday celebrated annually on 7 June. It commemorates events which occurred on that day in 1919 when, following a series of riots by the Maltese population, British troops fired into the crowd, killing four.
Historical setting In the aftermath of World War I, with the disruptions in agriculture and
industry across the whole of the continent, the Maltese colonial government failed to provide an adequate supply of basic food provisions for the islands. The cost of living increased dramatically after the war. Imports were limited, and as food became scarce prices rose; this made the fortune of farmers and merchants with surpluses to trade. The dockyard and government workers found that wage increases were not keeping up with the increase in the cost of food. The dockyard workers formed a union in 1916, and in 1917 organised a strike after being offered a 10 per cent pay increase which was generally regarded as failing to keep up with the cost of living. Some segments of the society did well economically. There was a wide spread belief amongst the populace that grain importers and flour millers were making excessive profits over the price of bread. Merchants controlling other commodities also made large profits from the war, in spite of price regulations. Political developments were also a fundamental cause of the uprising. The first meeting of the National Assembly, held on February 25, 1919, approved a resolution which reserved for Malta all the rights given to other nations by the Versailles peace conference; this would have meant independence from the British Empire. This resolution, tabled by the extremist nationalist faction led by Dr. Enrico Mizzi, was opposed to an original resolution by Dr. Filippo Sceberras which asked solely for responsible government. This moderate resolution was removed in order to secure unanimity, and to prevent a break between the moderate and extremist factions. Extremism was also present in the crowds that, on February 25, attacked shopkeepers which had remained open during the meeting of the Assembly, such as the shop "A la Ville de Londres." The police forces had not stopped these attacks, and this played in the hands of the extremist currents in the Assembly.
The Sette Giugno
A few days before the June 7 National Assembly meeting, the Secretary of State for the Colonies had informed Dr. Sceberras that the incoming governor for the islands, Lord Plumer, was to study the situation and report back to London with regards to the possibility of giving the Maltese a larger say in the administration of their country. The followers of Enrico Mizzi stated that the Imperial government could not be trusted, with the result that the two currents of thought were also reflected in the crowds outside. University students were mostly linked to the extremist camp, and these had staged a protest of their own on May 16, 1919. The police forces were threatening strikes, as were the postal employees. On Saturday, June 7, 1919, the National Assembly was to meet for the second time in the Giovine Malta building. The police had foreseen the possibility of unrest, and on June 5 asked for a number of soldiers to be posted in Castille. As stated later by the Commission inquiring on the June 7 uprisings, “Evidently the Police did not appreciate the gravity of the situation.” The first spark of unrest centred on the Maltese flag defaced with the Union Jack flying above the “A la Ville de Londres.” Unlike the previous meeting, the shop was now closed. This did not prevent the crowd from itself forcing inside, to remove the flag along with the staff. This incident sparked the uprising. The death of the President of the Court some days earlier had required all governmental departments to fly the union jack at half mast, including the Bibliothèque buildings in Pjazza Regina and the meteorological office. The crowd proceeded to the Officers Club, insisting that the club’s door had to be closed. Window panes were broken, while officers inside were insulted. Police officers trying to restrain the mob were also assaulted. The crowd then proceeded back in front of the Bibliothèque, shouting for the Union Jack to be taken away; this was promptly removed by the men in duty. The crowd moved on to the meteorological offices, housed in a Royal Air Force turret. After breaking the glass panes, the mob entered the offices ransacking and destroying everything inside. Some individuals climbed onto the turret, removing the Union Jack and throwing it into the street. The crowd burned the flag along with furniture taken from the offices nearby. The mob then moved back to Palace square, where it began to insult the soldiers detached in front the Main Guard buildings. The N.C.O., which was responsible for the watch, closed the doors of the buildings, as were the doors of the Magisterial Palace across the square. In Strada Teatro, the offices of the Daily Malta Chronicle were broken into, with pieces of metal placed in the workings of the presses to break them down. While this was happening, other crowds were attacking the homes of perceived supporters of the imperial government and profiteering merchants in Strada Forni. The Police forces’ acting-commissioner then called for military support. At 17.30, sixty-four soldiers from the Composite Battalions entered the Courts which housed the headquarters of the police force. Later historians criticised the use of such a small number of soldiers to counter a crowd made up of thousands, which was attacking locations in Strada Teatro, Strada Forni and had now progressed towards Strada Santa Lucia. Six soldiers, under the command of Major Ritchie, the G.S.O., and Captain Ferguson, made their way towards Strada Forni to defend the house of Anthony Cassar Torreggiani, a leading importer, which was under attack by the crowd. Furniture was being thrown outside from the windows. In the National Assembly, which was unaware of the uprising outside, the moderates were gaining the upper hand. The moderates were bent on accepting the message of the Secretary for the Colonies as a genuine step towards improving the situation, and had to be recognised as such. Ten soldiers led by Lieutenant Shields approached the offices of the Chronicle, surrounded by a crowd which began to throw objects and stones at the soldiers. The same happened in Strada Forni, were six soldiers were trying to stem a crowd of thousands. Ritchie sent Ferguson to bring reinforcements. With the revolver stolen, and with uniform rent, the captain reached a troop of twenty-four soldiers which was then directed to Strada Forni. The soldiers were posted along the street, facing in both directions. It is important to note that the troops were not to shoot without being ordered to do so. The soldiers took their positions, aiming at the crowd – which then retreated. The report of the inquiring commission then proceeded to state that a shot was heard from the direction of a window of the Cassar Torreggiani house. At face value, this gives the impression that the Maltese were the first to shoot during the uprising. At that moment, eyewitnesses reported that one of the soldiers shot a round into the crowd, with the rest of the troop following. The first victim of the uprising, Manwel Attard, fell in front of the Cassar Torregiani house. Other individuals were injured. Ġużè Bajjada was hit near Strada Teatro; the Maltese flag he was carrying fell underneath him. The officer in charge began shouting for the firing to cease. Meanwhile, in the Chronicle offices, Lieutenant Shields ordered his men outside, since there was an evident smell of gas in the building. Shields feared making the soldiers exit the office one by one, since the crowd outside would certainly attack them. On the other hand, they could not remain inside. To clear a way out, Shields ordered a soldier to shoot low, away from the crowd. This shot hit Lorenzo Dyer, who tried to run away. Since the injury was serious, he was lifted by the crowd and carried to Palace square. During this initial uprising, three were dead and fifty injured. The proceedings in the National Assembly were interrupted as persons injured in the streets were brought inside. Some of the delegates went out of the buildings, while others ran to the balcony. The Assembly passed a quick motion in order to have a resolution to present to the Imperial government. Count Alfredo Caruana Gatto then addressed the crowds, asking them to restrain themselves from further violence. The Assembly then sent a delegation to the Lieutenant Governor, asking for the troops to be removed for the crowds to retreat. The Governor accepted, and Caruana Gatto addressed the crowd again, which complied and began to fall back. The day after, disturbances continued with crowds attacking the palace of Colonel Francia, who also owned a flour milling machine.Royal Malta Artillery soldiers were used to protect Francia’s house, but these were loath of using force against their own countrymen. The crowd forced its way in, and threw furniture, silverware and other objects outside. In the evening, one hundred and forty navy marines arrived, clearing the house and street from the crowds. Carmelo Abela was in one of the side doorways of Francia’s house, calling for his son. Two marines proceeded to arrest him, and after resisting, a marine ran him through in the stomach with a bayonet. Abela died on June 16.
Aftermath
The riots reflected the unsatisfactory nature of economic and political life in Malta. Economically the island had become a fortress in which few prospered when military spending was high. Strategically, the imperial fortress was so important that political development was stifled. The day after the attack, censorship was reinstated for political articles. In the morning flowers and other tributes were placed in the streets where the victims died. The deaths and injuries of so many people did not halt the uprisings. Another group attacked the flour mills owned by Cassar Torreggiani in Marsa, while other trading houses were raided in the outlying villages. A Military Court was opened to investigate the uprising on June 16, with a court martial instituted to investigate thirtytwo people that took part in the uprisings. For legislative matters, the Sette Giugno underlined the urgency of reform. The new Governor, Lord Plumer, recommended liberal concessions to the Maltese. The House of Commons of the United Kingdom stressed that Malta was to have "control of purely local affairs", with the Colonial Secretary sending a detailed description of the proposed constitution to the National Assembly. On April 30, 1921, the Amery-Milner Constitution was proclaimed; political censorship enforced after the uprising was repealed on June 15, 1921. The first election held under the new constitution was held in October 1921, with the Prince of Walesinaugurating the new representative chambers on November 1, 1921. The bodies of the four victims of the Sette Giugno put in their tomb in the Addolorata Cemetery on November 9, 1924. On June 7, 1986 the Sette Giugno monument was inaugurated at St. George Square (Palace Square), Valletta. The Maltese Parliament declared the day to be one of the five national days of the island, on March 21, 1989, with the first official remembrance of the day occurring on June 7, 1989.
Relocation of Monument
Recently, following the renovation of St. George Square (Palace Square), the monument was removed from the square and kept stored for quite some time. Due to great public appeal against the storage of such a nationally important monument, it was recently placed in Hastings Gardens, Valletta.
Pushkin's Birthday Russia - June 06
Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin (Russian: Алекса́ндр Серге́евич Пу́шкин, tr. Aleksandr Sergeyevich Pushkin, (6 June [O.S. 26 May] 1799 – 10 February [O.S. 29 January] 1837) was a Russian author of the Romantic era who is considered by many to be the greatest Russian poet and the founder of modern Russian literature. Born into the Russian nobility in Moscow, Pushkin published his first poem at the age of fifteen, and was widely recognized by the literary establishment by the time of his graduation from the Imperial Lyceum in Tsarskoye Selo. While under the strict surveillance of the Tsar's political police and unable to publish, Pushkin wrote his most famous play, the drama Boris Godunov. His novel in verse, Eugene Onegin, was serialized between 1825 and 1832. Notoriously touchy about his honour, Pushkin fought a total of twenty-nine duels, and was fatally wounded in such an encounter with Georges-Charles de Heeckeren d'Anthès. D'Anthès, a French officer serving with the Chevalier Guard Regiment, had been attempting to seduce the poet's wife, Natalya Pushkina. Pushkin's early death at the age of 37 is still regarded as a catastrophe for Russian literature.
Union Dissolution Norway - J u n e 0 7
HUNGARY
The parliament of Norway broke the personal union with Sweden under the House of Bernadotte on 7 June 1905. After some months of tension and fear of war between the two neighbouring nations, negotiations between the two governments led to Norway's recognition by Sweden as an independent constitutional monarchy on 26 October 1905. On that date, King Oscar II renounced his claim to the Norwegian throne, effectively dissolving the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway. This event was quickly followed by Prince Carl of Denmark's accession to the Norwegian throne on 18 November the same year, taking the name Haakon VII.
Viktor Orban sums up the G o v t ’s f i r s t t w o y e a r s i n o f f i c e
Background Norwegian nationalistic aspirations in 1814
were frustrated by Sweden's victory in a brief, but decisive war that resulted in Norway entering into a personal union with Sweden. The Norwegian constitution was largely kept intact, allowing for an independent Norwegian state with its own parliament, judiciary, and executive powers. Foreign relations were, however, conducted by the King through the Swedish ministry of foreign affairs. There were largely feelings of goodwill between the two peoples, and the common Kings generally tried to act in the interest of both Kingdoms. However over the years, a divergence of Norwegian and Swedish interests became apparent. In particular, Norwegians felt that their foreign policy interests were inadequately served by Sweden's ministry of foreign affairs. There were several driving factors behind the growing conflict: Norway's economy was more dependent on foreign trade and therefore more sensitive to the protectionist measures the Swedes were adopting. Norway had an affiliation with the United Kingdom; Sweden had an affiliation with Germany. Swedish King Oscar II's, disappointment with Norway had reached critical mass - calling for the excommunication of Norway and the later celebration of Tolfte Maj (May 12) throughout Sweden. Norway had greater interests outside of Europe than Sweden. In addition, Norwegian politics were increasingly dominated by liberal tendencies characterized by the growth of Parliamentarism, whereas Swedish politics tended more toward the conservative, with the king exercis- The Norwegian Storting passes the "revolutionary" ing greater discretionary political power. resolution When free trade between the countries was restricted in 1895 through the abolition of the "Interstate laws" (Mellomrikslovene), the economic reasons for the continued union were also diminished. The conflict came to a head over the so-called "consul affair," in which successive Norwegian governments insisted that Norway establish its own consular offices abroad rather than rely on the common consuls appointed by the Swedish foreign minister. As the long-standing practice for the conduct of joint foreign policy had been that a Swede always hold the office of foreign minister, the Swedish government and king rejected this insistence as an abdication of the throne's right to set foreign policy. While Norway's Liberal Party had pioneered an uncompromising position through the so-called "fist policy," the Conservative Party also came to adopt a strong policy in favour of at least de facto independence and equality within the personal union. Although both parties made efforts to resolve the issue through negotiations, Norwegian public opinion became gradually more entrenched. Both Sweden and Norway increased military expenditures. Norway modernized the frontier forts at Kongsvinger and Fredriksten and built a series of new forts along the border.
Prelude to dissolution
In early 1905, Christian Michelsen formed a coalition government consisting of liberals and conservatives, whose only stated objective was to establish a separate Norwegian corps of consuls. The law was passed by the Norwegian parliament. As expected and probably as planned, King Oscar II refused to accept the laws, and the Michelsen government resigned. When the king declared himself unable to form a cabinet under the present circumstances, aconstitutional crisis broke out on 7 June 1905. The Norwegian position was that the impasse had resulted in a de facto dissolution of the union. Norway considers 7 June to be the date that it regained its independence, even though Norway had possessed the legal status of an independent state since 1814. The text of the unanimous declaration, remarkable for the fact that the declaration of the dissolution was an aside to the main clause, read: Since all the members of the cabinet have resigned their positions; since His Majesty the King has declared his inability to obtain for the country a new government; and since the constitutional monarchy has ceased to exist, the Storting hereby authorizes the cabinet that resigned today to exercise the powers held by The peace monument the King in accordance with the Constitution of Norway and relevant laws - with the amendments necessitated by the dissolution of the union with Sweden under one erected on the city King, resulting from the fact that the King no longer functions as a Norwegian King. square on the 50th anInitially reacting to this declaration as a rebellious act, the Swedish government in- niversary of the dissoludicated an openness to a negotiated end to the union, insisting among other things tion of the union on a Norwegian plebiscite. between Norway and Besides internal changes within Norway, a major key factor that allowed Norway to Sweden break from Sweden was the emerging Swedish social democratic movement. In the early years of the 20th century, Hjalmar Branting led the Social Democrats in opposing a war to keep Norway united with Sweden. When the crisis came in 1905, he coined the slogan "Hands off Norway, King!" The Social Democrats organized resistance to a call-up of reserves and a general strike against a war. Basically, the majority of Sweden supported a free state of Norway as much as the people of Norway did. The plebiscite was held on 13 August and resulted in an overwhelming 368,208 votes (99.95%) in favour of dissolution against 184 (0.05%) opposed. The government thereby had confirmation of the dissolution. 85 percent of Norwegian men had cast their votes, but no women (universal suffrage was not extended to women until 1913, but Norwegian feminists collected more than 200,000 signatures in favour of dissolution). Polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen weighed in heavily for dissolving the union and travelled to the United Kingdom, where he successfully lobbied for British support for Norway's independence movement.
Negotiations in Karlstad
On 31 August, Norwegian and Swedish delegates met in the Swedish city of Karlstad to negotiate the terms of the dissolution. Although many prominent right-wing Swedish politicians favoured a hard-line approach to the issue, historical scholars have found that the Swedish King had determined early on that it would be better to lose the union than risk a war with Norway. The overwhelming public support among Norwegians for independence had convinced the major European powers that the independence movement was legitimate, and Sweden feared it would be isolated by suppressing it; also, there was little appetite for creating additional ill will between the countries, closely related as they were (and are). Even as the negotiations made progress, military forces were quietly deployed on both sides of the border between Sweden and Norway, though separated by two kilometres. Public opinion among Norwegian leftists favoured a war of independence if necessary, even against Sweden's numerical superiority. On 23 September, the negotiations closed. On 9 October the Norwegian parliament voted to accept the terms of the dissolution; on 13 October the Swedish parliament followed suit. Although Norway had considered itself independent since 7 June, Sweden formally recognised Norwegian independence on 26 October when Oscar II renounced his and any of his descendants' claims to the Norwegian throne.
a Norwegian King Choosing In its resolution of 7 June, the Storting had invited King Oscar II to allow
one of his younger sons to assume the Norwegian throne, called the Bernadotte offer. The offer was an attempt from the Norwegian govern- The new king Haakon VII arrives ment to demonstrate that their unilateral declaration of independence in Oslo with Crown Prince Olav would not change the fact that Norway would remain a monarchy. In this on his arm and is greeted on the way, Norway aimed to gather support from the other large European pier by Prime Minister Christian countries which, with the exception of France, were mostly monarchic. Michelsen. Unlike the declaration of independence, the Bernadotte offer was controversial in the Norwegian government. Five socialists in the parliament voted against monarchy, and the finance minister Gunnar Knudsen, a republican member of the cabinet, resigned over this issue. It was known that King Oscar II was not amenable to accepting the Bernadotte offer, but the issue remained unsettled until the offer was formally declined by the king when he renounced his claim on 26 October. The King's rejection of the Bernadotte offer had been anticipated months earlier, and already during the summer a Norwegian delegation approached the 33-year-old Prince Carl of Denmark, the second son of the Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark. The Norwegian parliament had considered other candidates but ultimately chose Prince Carl, partly because he already had a son to continue the line of succession, but more significantly because Carl was married to Maud of Wales, the daughter of King Edward VII. By bringing in a king with a British-born queen, it was hoped that Norway could court Britain's support. Prince Carl impressed the delegation in many ways, not the least because of his sensitivity to the liberal and democratic movements that had led to Norway's independence. Though the Norwegian constitution stipulated that the Storting could choose a new king if the throne were vacant, Carl was aware that many Norwegians — including leading politicians and high-ranking military officers — favoured a republican form of government. Attempts to persuade the prince to accept the throne on the basis of Parliament's choice failed; Carl insisted that he would accept the crown only if the Norwegian people expressed their will for monarchy by referendum and if the parliament then elected him king. On 12 and 13 November, in the second constitutional plebiscite in three months, Norwegian voters decided by a nearly 79 percent majority (259,563 to 69,264) to establish a monarchy instead of a republic. Many who favoured a republic in principle voted for a monarchy because they felt it would help the newly-independent Norwegian nation gain legitimacy among the European monarchies. Following the November plebiscite affirming Norwegians' desire for a monarchy, the parliament by an overwhelming majority offered Carl a clear mandate to the Norwegian throne on 18 November, and the prince accepted the same evening, choosing the name Haakon, a traditional name used by Norwegian kings. The last king with that name was Haakon VI, who died in the year 1380. The new king therefore became Haakon VII, King of Norway. His two-year-old son Alexander, the heir apparent, was renamed Olav and became Crown Prince Olav. The new royal family arrived in the capital Kristiania (later renamed Oslo) on 25 November. Haakon VII was sworn in as king of Norway on 27 November.
Important individuals in the dissolution The following individuals played a role in the events surrounding the dissolution of the union between Norway and
Sweden: Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Norwegian writer and the 1903 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. Hjalmar Branting, Swedish politician. Sigurd Bødtker, Norwegian theatre critic. Christopher Bruun, Norwegian priest and educator Karl Sigwald Johannes Bull, Norwegian military officer and politician. Wilhelm Christopher Christophersen, Norwegian diplomat. Øvre Richter Frich, Norwegian reporter, newspaper editor and crime writer. Arne Garborg, Norwegian writer. Haakon VII of Norway, known as Prince Carl of Denmark until 1905, he was the first king of Norway after the 1905 dissolution. Thomas Heftye, Norwegian military officer, engineer, sports official and politician. Gunnar Heiberg, a Norwegian poet, playwright, journalist and theatre critic. Frederik Hilfling-Rasmussen, Danish-born Norwegian photographer. Sigurd Ibsen, Norwegian author, lawyer and statesman, who served as Prime Minister of Norway in Stockholm (1903– 1905). Maud of Wales, British-born princess, Queen of Norway as spouse of King Haakon VII. Christian Michelsen, Norwegian shipping magnate and statesman, and first Prime Minister of an independent Norway in 1905. Fridtjof Nansen, Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat, humanitarian and the 1922 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Importance of the events of 1905
In many ways, the events of 1905 formed a sequel to the events of 1814, but there were some important differences: Whereas the 1814 independence movement in large part was driven by political opportunism among the national elite, the 1905 movement was a result of political trends largely driven by elected officials with massive popular support. In 1905, Norway was not put in play by war as a territorial prize. By 1905, Norwegians had established many of the institutions and infrastructure of a sovereign, independent state. By 1905, European statesmanship was more inclined to favour Norwegian independence than in 1814. Much has been made of the supremacy of diplomacy in averting war between Sweden and Norway in 1905. In truth, the Norwegians had much more to fight for than the Swedes if it had come to war. Both parties recognized that their geographical proximity made long-term hostility untenable under any circumstance. Many documents related to the specific events of 1905 were destroyed during and following those years. Some historians speculate that foreign interests played a stronger role than what had previously been assumed; in particular, that Great Britain influenced the dissolution in order to reduce German influence over Atlantic ports. Although Sweden's close relationship with Germany did not last long, Norway's independence immediately put it inside the British sphere of influence.
Heroes Day Uganda - June 09
Uganda—also known as the Republic of Uganda—is a land-locked country which is located in East Africa. It is surrounded by Sudan to the north, Congo to the west, Kenya to the east, and Tanzania to the south. Like most other countries, Uganda too had to fight for its freedom and independence. In Uganda, Heroes’ Day is celebrated ever year on June 9. This is celebrated in memory of those who sacrificed their lives in order to restore peace and security to their homeland. This day marks the beginning of the struggle to liberate the country.
their life for what they believe. In Uganda, a number of men and women laid down their lives during the guerrilla war which was fought between 1981 and 1985. On June 9, 1981, many men and women were brutally murdered for refusing to reveal the hiding place of the soldiers of the National Resistance Army. It was on the same day that Edidian Mukiibi Luttamaguzi was killed brutally. He was murdered during the regime of Milton Obote. It was Milton Obote and the functionaries of the UPC party who were responsible for the brutal murder. This is considered one of the main causes of the war that broke out. It was until after the guerrilla war in 1985 that the NRA/M (National Resistance Army) government came to power. It was then that Yoweri Museveni came to power and told the people of Uganda that the NRM government was different from any other government that had ruled Uganda. He said that the change of guard that day was not just an ordinary change and that it was a fundamental and basic change in the political scene of Uganda. Though Heroes’ Day was commemorated to honor those who laid down their lives during the guerrilla war, the country already had other heroes like Professor Yusuf Lule and former President Ignatius Musasizi. In 2001, an act was passed in the Parliament of Uganda which recognized the 9th of June as Heroes’ Day.
CUSTOMS AND ACTIVITIES TRADITIONS, Many countries like the Republic of Uganda celebrate Heroes’ Day to honor their national heroes. It could be to honor
them for their struggle to free the nation or to restore peace and security in their country. Internally, there are some tensions about the effectiveness of Heroes’ Day and its message. The Forum for Democratic Change has been noted at times to denounce the celebrations as useless and a waste of tax payer’s dollars.
Flag Day Sweden - June 06
National Day of Sweden (Sveriges nationaldag) is a national holiday so observed inSweden on 6 June every year. The day was renamed and justified as the national day by Riksdagen, the Swedish parliament, in 1983. Previously it was commemorated as Svenska flaggans dag (Swedish flag day).
History The tradition of celebrating this date began 1916 at the Stockholm
Olympic Stadium, in honour of the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, as this was considered the foundation of modern Sweden. Some question the validity of this as a national holiday, as it was not observed as a holiday until decades later. However this event does signify the end of the Danish-ruled Kalmar Union, so in a sense it is a marking of Swedish independence, though the event occurred so long ago that it does not have as strong of a presence in the social consciousness as does, for example, Norway's Syttende Mai (17 May). In 2005 it became an official Swedish public holiday, taking that honour from Whit Monday. This change led to fewer days off from work (more working-days) as the 6th of June will periodically fall on the weekend, unlike Whit Monday, which was always celebrated on a Monday. This has in turn led to complaints from some Swedish unions.
Bounty Day - June 08 Norfolk Island
Bounty Day is a holiday on both Pitcairn Island, destination of the HMS Bounty mutineers, and on Norfolk Island. It is celebrated on January 23 on Pitcairn, and on June 8 on Norfolk Island, the day that the descendants of the mutineers arrived on the island. It is named for the Bounty, although the ship never saw Norfolk Island.
23, in commemoration of the burning of the Bounty by the mutineers in 1790. Model replicas, made by the islanders, are burned.
Norfolk Island Bounty Day is the national holiday of Norfolk Island, cel-
ebrated annually on 8 June, in memory of the arrival of the Pitcairn Islanders on Norfolk Island in 1856. Prior to 8 June 1856, Norfolk Island had been a penal colony, but was granted by Queen Victoria to the Pitcairners as a home in 1856.
Sequence of events:
Bounty Day starts off with the a re-enactment of the landing of the Pitcairners down at the Kingston Pier. The Pitcairners are greeted by the Administrator and his wife, and from the pier they march to the cenotaph where they lay wreaths in remembrance. From the cenotaph they then march to the cemetery where hymns are sung. Next, they proceed to Government House where a family surnamed either Quintal, Evans, McCoy, Buffett, Adams, Nobbs, Christian or Young (being descendants of the mutineers of that ilk) is awarded the title of 'Family of the Year'. The children roll down the hill in front of Government House, after which the whole procession travels to the Compound where the children play games and partake of a celebratory feast. Finally, everyone returns home to prepare for the Bounty Ball, at which there is a competition in further celebration of Bounty Day.
Education Is the Key to the Future and Peace now on the schoolchildren can learn under proper circumthe stances, head of the district office for education told us. The two commanders presat the ent ceremony, Lt.Col. János Soand mogyi L t . - C o l . Thomas Gessner said that is education the key to the and future in peace Afghanistan. joint This conschool struction project forms a good basis for paying more attention to the students and creating better circumstances for them. Both commanders are soldiers and fathers, so they know the importance for the children’s future of acquiring basic knowledge and proper education.
Combat Divers of Debrecen Explore Shipwreck István’ Infantry Brigade told us that through this exploration the Hungarian soldiers can contribute to learning more about a small segment of Hungarian military history and our national past. At the end of the expedition, the divers will swim to the wreck carrying two flags emblazoned with the coats of arms of the HDF 5th ‘Bocskai István’ Infantry Brigade and the 24th ‘Bornemissza Gergely’ Reconnaissance Battalion, in order to pay tribute to the memory of the former Hungarian warship crews and military divers who had served aboard the cruiser Franz Joseph I. Beyond the preservation of traditions, the expeditionary dive will serve training purposes as well. Thanks to its location, the wreck provides an ideal opportunity to do extra deep dives that couldn’t be executed in Hungary. The divers will be able to practice underwater reconnaissance and approach missions. Moreover, the poor visibility – the result of sea currents and the sediment that may be stirred up easily – offers unique conditions for the training, as the soldiers can learn how to deal with emergencies during the diving.
Force Commander Inspection at Hungarian Contingent (Online 28 May) May 15, 2012 was a special day in the life of the Hungarian contingent of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). On that day, with the completion of the preparatory period following the troop rotation, Maj. Gen. Chao Liu, the Force Commander of the UN mission made a tour of (photo: UNFICYP) inspection around Sector 4. Sector 4 – a 70km section along the buffer zone that divides Cyprus – is the responsibility of the Hungarian, Slovak, Serb and Croatian contingents. The major-general started the tour of inspection on the western side of the sector at Patrol Base PB-91, where he was (photo: UNFICYP) received by Lt.Col. Péter Lukács, the commander of the After receiving a report from S/Sgt. Hungarian contingent and Lt.-Col. Jozef Gergely Szabó, the commander of the patrol base, the Force Commander mounted Panko, the commander of Sector 4.
N AT O P a t i e n t E v a c u a t i o n C o o r dination Cell PILOT Course 31 (Online ToMay) gether with Bunthe deswehr Medical Service, the NATO Centre of Excellence for Military Medic i n e (MILMED COE) organized the pilot of the NATO Patient Evacuation Coordination Cell ( P E C C ) on Course May 14-18 2012 in the G ä u b o denkaserne, Feldkirchen, Germany. The aim of the course is to provide knowledge and exercise skills required to effectively work in a PECC and to enable participants to achieve situational awareness in a multinational operational environment. By attending this course stuwill dents have a comprehensive picture of the NATO medical support in system multinational operations and they will understand functions, responsibilities and tasks of the PECC in NATO a multinational operational environment. Furthermore they will know how, where and when to collect and manage required information to achieve situational awareness to support the PECC functionality. Both theoretical and practical elements are included in the course curriculum. After two and a half days of theoretical classes familiarizing students with the principles, struc-
ture and functioning of a PECC, participants can improve their skills by working in a simulated multinational PECC scenario. During the table top exercise they work in teams and under pressure similar to real life sit-
uations in which they have to organize the medical evacuation of the wounded/patients. One of the simulators is a PECC room just like in reality: fully equipped with military telecommunication systems, connected to a simulated Joint Operations Center (JOC) and its
subordinates as such MedOps and AirOps. The other simulator is a computer supported military communication network simulating communication the among above-mentioned players. This course is targeted to all personnel required to have knowledge of PECC tasks and function in a national/multinational operat i o n a l environment all including personnel planned to be deployed as a member of a PECC or medical staff in a NATO/EU/UN or other mission. The course is planned to be organized twice a year, in spring and in autumn. At the pilot, 12 students arriving from Belgium, Czech Republic, GerHunmany, gary, Italy and The Netherlands attended classes provided by an international team of lecturcoming ers from Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy The and Netherlands. At the end of the pilot, the course will be evaluated both by the lecturers and the participants – among others comment forms provided by the students will be analyzed – helping MILMED COE to improve and adjust the course accordingly if necessary. The first official PECC Course will be held on 15-19 October 2012 in Feldkirchen.
Career starters to get more jobs (Online 01 Jun) Although the number of employed increased by 80 000 altogether in the past two years in Hungary, in several labour market segments further apt measures are required in order to reach EU average figures. Typically to such a group belong – besides the 50+ population, unskilled workers and mothers returning from maternity leave – career starters whose high unemployment rate poses a grave challenge for the entire EU. (In the EU currently the number of jobless young people is more than 5 million, which is one million more than in 2008.) In Hungary the rate of unemployment among the population aged 14-25 years is 27 percent, and the situation is even worse in eight member countries of the EU. Of this age group there are 200 thousand people with a job, while more than 70 thousand are out of work. This phenomenon is typically due to two reasons: the lack of
appropriate skills and work experience. Having recognized these problems, the government had taken to firm action: it transformed the system of votraining, supports cational employment by contribution subsidies (Start cards), launched a programme aimed at helping young people become entrepreneurs which will be followed by a trainee scheme. The latter programme will be aimed at enabling jobless young people with basic professional skills obtain work experience. However, in order to help as many career starters as possible to jobs and therefore to work experience, further measures are necessary. The new Labour Code, which commences on 1 July, provides the opportunity for the government to define a differentiated minimum wage. Out of the 27 EU member countries there is minimum wage in twenty of them, and among these in
11 countries there is age-related differentiation, for example in the Czech republic, Slovakia and Poland. And where the system had been implemented, the improvement in the employment figures of career starters has been palpable. The implementation of a minimum wage system based on age groups will be preceded by a number of consultations. The measures can be implemented in such a way that it may not result in layoffs of older employees. It has to be noted though, that minimum wages are typically paid to low-skilled workers in the manufacturing industry, agriculture and assembly plants, therefore the measure will not impact highly qualified young people with college degrees who speak languages. Currently only one-tenth of career starters are employed for the minimum wage.
Foreign trade volume increased in the first quarter 01 (Online Jun) In Q1 2012 the volume of exp o r t s increased by 1.6 percent and imports grew slightly less, by 0.9 in percent, comparison to the same period of the previous year. Foreign trade balance registered a of surplus 513bn HUF in initial the three months – according to the flash report of the H u n g a r i a n Source: KSH Central Statistical Office (KSH) published earlier this morning. In the January-March period the volume of exports and imports was 5 934bn HUF and 5421bn HUF, respectively, and our foreign trade balance thus registered again a significant surplus. Price level in forint was 9.4 percent higher for imports and 6.4 percent higher for exports compared to the first quarter of 2011. The foreign trade turnover of every commodity group was higher, except for machinery and transport equipment. The export of crude materials increased by the greatest extent, it was almost 25 percent higher than the figure registered in the corresponding period of the previous year.
The volume of exports and imports of manufactured goods was 10.6 percent and 4.6 percent higher, respectively, than the level of the previous year. Within this segment the export of iron and steel products increased by 30 percent. Foreign trade turnover of food, drinks and tobacco products in this period has also increased, exports were 3.1 percent and imports were 3.3 percent higher. The volume of import of fuels and electric energy was almost 3.5 percent higher. In the initial three months of the year the performance of the commodity group of machinery and transport equipment was slightly below average, the volume of imports declined by 2.7 percent and volume of exports was 4.7 percent
lower, which result is primarily due to telecommuniand cations sound recording and reprod u c i n g apparatus and equipment, as export their was by onethird below the level of last Within year. this commodity howgroup, ever, the export of power generating maand chinery equipment was almost 30 percent higher. The volume of and exports imports with regard to member countries of the EU, which corresponds to almost three-quarters of our total foreign trade turnover, was 0.7 percent and 3.4 percent higher, respectively, in January-March 2012 in comparison to the same period of the previous year. The surplus of our trade balance vis-á-vis these countries amounted to 721.6bn HUF in the initial three months of the year. The trade deficit with non-EU countries moderated by 51bn HUF to 209bn HUF. The volume of exports to these countries increased by 4.6 percent, whereas the volume of imports declined by about the same figure compared to the corresponding period of last year.
predecessor, 30 (Online Tamás Fellegi, On May) the representaTu e s d a y, tives of the NaPresident of tional Bank of the Republic Hungary and János Áder the Ministry for appointed a National Econnew minister omy in order to state and a represent secretaries common posieffective as of tion. 2 June. Mihály Varga, János Lázár, Tamás as previously Fellegi’s sucof head cessor, will Fidesz’s parliacoordinate mentary group talks with the will take over European as Minister of and Union State for the the InternaPrime Ministional MoneOffice. ter’s Fund tary Prime The (IMF) as minMinister’s Ofister without p o r t f o l i o . Viktor Orbán, Mihály Varga, János Áder (photo: Gergely Botár) fice will in the future operate was Varga under the coorpreviously of dination of Minister state three State heading secretaries. Prime the One of them Minister’s Ofwill be Péter fice, and was Szíjjártó, curFinance Minr e n t l y ister during Spokesperson first the for the Prime Orbán GovMinister, who ernment. will be responMihály Varga sible for the said, as part Prime Minisof his ministeter’s internarial duties, he tional relations. make will Antal Rogán every effort to will take over enable Hunas the leader gary to reach of the 226an agreement strong parliawith the IMF m e n t a r y the within of faction shortest posFidesz. He is a sible time as widely known agreethe as politician may photo: Gergely Botár ment Mayor of Bugreatly faciligotiations between the parties may tate the operation of the economy start as early as in the summer. He dapest’s 5th district and Chair of Parand will ensure stable financing. Ne- added that he will also consult his liament’s Economic Committee.
Brussels has welcomed the trustworthy economic policy of Hungary
Pitcairn Bounty Day is celebrated on Pitcairn Island on January
(Online 29 May) After 60 years, combat divers of the Hungarian D e f e n c e Forces are to dive into sea again. They are participating in mapping the wreck of SMS Franz Joseph I, a battle cruiser of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy lying at a depth of 45 meters. WO Bence Miklós, S/Sgt. Zsolt (photo: Sándor Galambos) Horváth, Sgt. to visit the battle cruiser “Franz Lajos Bíró and L./Sgt. Péter Hollós, Joseph I” again. László Czakó, the the combat divers of the HDF 5th leader of the expedition told us that ‘Bocskai István’ Infantry Brigade 24th this time they are allowed to swim ‘Bornemissza Gergely’ Reconnais- into the ship to take photos and video sance Battalion set out for the Adri- footages but they cannot remove atic Sea on May 25. anything because Croatian laws give The ship christened “SMS Kaiser protection to artifacts older than 70 Franz Joseph I” took part in several years. They have such a small winsea battles until it was allocated to dow of opportunity to explore the France after World War I. It sank at wreck that the only way for them to the entry to Cattaro Bay on October do a thorough and quick job is by re17, 1919 when it foundered during a questing assistance from the divers storm. The fact that it lies exactly on of the Hungarian Defence Forces the Montenegrin–Croatian border who are tasked with underwater semakes the exploration of the ship- curity and observation, and carry out wreck more difficult, so that for sev- other missions to help the documeneral decades, the Hungarian tation process. In this way, by doing specialists had not received permits professional work they provide assisfor documenting its condition. It was tance with the detailed exploration of the staff of Czakó Diver Ltd that took the sunken cruiser’s condition. the first photos of the battle cruiser in Brig.-Gen. Dr. Gábor Böröndi, the 2007. commander of the HDF 5th ‘Bocskai On May 25 the Hungarian divers are
Referring to the years ahead, he said that ‘Hungary must prepare for a post-crisis world order, in which it remains part of the transatlantic system for international security, Central European co-operation and the European economic zone.’ The Prime Minister said that ‘Over the next two years we shall finish the task of replacing the welfare state with a state based on work.’ He went on to say that the country must break the habits of ‘self-pity, submissiveness, a “hand-to-mouth survival ethic” and living on other countries’ money.’ Naturally, Hungary needs to take further steps towards increasing its competitive advantage: the budget must be moved into positive territory; government debt must be reduced to below 50 per cent of GDP (at least
10-14 per cent could be managed every four years, he said); the country must be re-industrialised; energy independence must be achieved and nuclear power must be developed; full employment must be an aim; negative demographic trends must be reversed; and ‘our talented compatriots must be attracted back home.’ At the same time Mr. Orbán said that Hungary should reject the crisis management measures proposed by the EU, and that we should ‘follow our own path.’ This means resisting those pressures which would see the introduction in the country of measures damaging to the interests of Hungarians. The Prime Minister said that European democracies will also be endangered, because a crisis has emerged which demands measures which people do not want to accept. Thanks to a two-thirds political majority, social stability will not be disrupted in Hungary, however. Once again he thanked those hundreds of thousands who participated in January’s Peace March for Hungary, and who stood by the Government in the country’s largest display of public unity in recent decades.
János Áder appointed new ministers and state secretaries
History There are heroes in every country, heroes who lay down
30 (Online May) As a result of the cooperation between the 12th rotation of the HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team (HUN PRT-12) and the German maneuver battalion, the inauguration ceremony of a new school recently took in place Gerdab village, Baghlan Province, Afghanistan. (photo: MH PRT) Hundreds of children can start now the using school building with six classrooms, which has been built in four months. “Up to this point these pupils have been taught in tents, so there was a holiday for them in the w i n t e r m o n t h s . Weather can no longer hinder education, and from (photo: MH PRT)
(Online 01 Jun) ’We can look back on the last two years as a successful period, because Hungary has been able to stabilise itself’: this is how Prime Minister Viktor Orbán summed up the Government’s first two years in office. He drew attention to the fact that government finances are stable, that next year the budget deficit will continue to be under three per cent, and that a new constitution has been created. Mr. Orbán was speaking on Thursday at a conference organised by the Századvég Foundation, the Széll Kálmán Foundation and the publishers of the political weekly Heti Válasz. The event was attended by ministers, leaders of state organs, analysts and diplomats. The Prime Minister described the stabilisation process of the last two years as having ’pulled back the horses from the brink of the precipice.’ Hungary has established an appropriate taxation regime and disciplined fiscal management, and has committed itself to reduction of the budget deficit and government debt.
a joint patrol together with the team of the military observer and liaison officers (MOLOs). During this patrol, he went all the way along the buffer zone to inspect Camp St. Istvan in Athienou, patrol bases PB126 and PB-129 in Pyla, the checkpoint CP10 at Deryneia as well as several other observation posts and bases of special importance. Following a visit to the abandoned town of Varosha, the patrol task finished at the Sector HQ in Famagusta. After the successful end of a rescue training exercise which involved a simulated car accident, Maj.-Gen. Chao Liu officially declared the inspection to be completed, thanked the personnel for their work and spoke highly of what he had seen during the day, praising the high professional standards of the soldiers serving in Sector 4.
(Online 30 May) The Government considers the proposal of the European Commission a great achievement which recommends that at the 20 June session the former verdict of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (Ecofin) with regard to the temporary suspension of resources from the Cohesion Fund for Hungary be revoked. This decision is part of the report by the European Commission on the Convergence Programme and the National Reform Programme which were included in Széll Kálmán Plan 2.0.
The European Commission – as a confirmation of its fiscal estimate of the spring outlook – forecasts for 2012 and 2013 a deficit below the 3 percent of GDP reference figure. The Commission, however, after having considered new information provided by the Ministry for National Economy after the spring outlook had been completed, reduced its deficit estimate regarding the deficit for 2013. Consequently, it now expects a deficit of 2.7 percent for 2013 instead of the 2.9 percent figure of early March. According to the evaluation of the Commission, Hungary
conducted a fiscal policy in line with the recommendation of the Commission of 13 March which will also be the basis of a future decision to cancel the Excessive Deficit Procedure that has been ongoing since 2004. The report of the Commission confirms that the economic policy objectives and measures described by the Széll Kálmán Plan 2.0 can efficiently handle the challenges which the Hungarian economy faces. Concrete proposals will be finalized at the session of the Council of the European Union due to take place in the second half of June.
Bridge of Four Nations: A Symbol of Opportunity (Online 30 May) The largest foot bridge in the HDF Provincial Reconstruction Team’s (HUN PRT-12) area of responsibility has been built with international cooperation in Shahabudin region. The American, Hungarian, German and Afghan nations have jointly constructed the (photo: MH PRT) Gadi passage in five months. The 97-meter long foot bridge is suitable for bicycle and motorcycle traffic; moreover, it allows to farmers their drive cattle across to let them graze on the far bank of the river. So far the only ways for local people to reach the banks divided by the fastflowing current of the have (photo: MH PRT) river
(photo: MH PRT)
been either taking a boat or making a several-kilometer detour. For the +1,000 families living in the village, from now on this bridge is a symbol of opportunity which brings the countryside closer to the city. It will be easier for the locals to receive health care as well as for children to go to school, and trade may take an upturn too. Besides the leaders of the province and ISAF, the local people coming from the two banks of the river also attended the inauguration ceremony to express their gratitude and thanks. One of the local farmers said “the troops ISAF have left their and homes in families order to come here to help Afghan the and people, this has a message for us.”
Hungary celebrates Day of National Cohesion at the weekend (Online 30 May) Parliament declared 4 June the Day of National Cohesion in 2010. The country is remembering this year for the second time the day of the signing of the Trianon peace dictate as the Day of National Cohesion and the fact that every member and community of the Hungarian nation subjected to the jurisdiction of multiple states forms part of the single, unified Hungarian nation. On the occasion of the Memorial Day, there will be family and cultural programmes all day on Sunday, 3 June at Kossuth tér in Budapest and ceremonial flag raising on Monday, 4 June. Parliament passed the law on Hungary’s Day of National Cohesion of 4 June in 2010. It was on this day in 1920 that the Peace Treaty of Trianon closing World War I was signed which designated the new borders of Hungary, Austria and Romania on account of the disintegration of the Austro –Hungarian Empire and the newly established Czechoslovakia and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. By virtue of the designation of the new borders, Hungary lost more than two thirds of its territory and the number of its inhab-
itants decreased from 21 million to less than 8 million. It is in consequence of this pact that millions of Hungarians live directly beyond the country’s borders in Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia also at present. Hungary therefore regarded 4 June 1920 as a day of national mourning for a long time, while during the communist regime, it was simply forbidden to remember it at all. Hungarian society has had the opportunity to experience and truly appreciate the value of national unity with Hungarians beyond the borders, to acquaint themselves with the true details of history and to foster relations with Hungarians living beyond the borders since the change of regime. Based on society’s overwhelming support, Hungary’s new Fundamental Law, too, confirms Hungary’s commitment to our national unity with Hungarians beyond the borders. With a view to unity and cohesion, the Hungarian State does not only take responsibility for Hungarians beyond the borders but also promotes the survival of their communities, the enforcement of their
individual and collective rights, the establishment of communal municipalities and their advancement in their native land, the Constitution proclaims. The Orbán Government has made possible the acquisition of dual citizenship as of January 2011, which some 250,000 individuals have applied for to date, and launched the website www.nemzetiregiszter.hu for Hungarians around the world. Parliament passed a law on Hungary’s Day of National Cohesion in 2010 which Hungary no longer looks upon as a day of mourning but as a day for celebration when it celebrates together with all Hungarians beyond the borders. On Sunday there will be folk dancing, folk music, literary discussions and concerts at Kossuth tér. At 8.00 a.m. on Monday morning, the official Remembrance Day will commence with the ceremonial raising of Hungary’s flag outside the Parliament Building. The programmes of the memorial day will be broadcast by Duna Televízió that may be viewed world-wide.
Em ploy m e nt r a t e r is ing s t e a dily in H unga r y (Online 30 May) In February-April 2012 the increase of the number of employed, which has been a trend of the past two years, continued in comparison to the same period of the previous year – the Central Statistics Office of Hungary (KSH) reported earlier today. The number of employed among the p o p u l a t i o n Source: KSH aged 15-74 increased significantly by 52 000 from 3 million 759 thousand one year ago to 3 million 811 thousand. Therefore, the rate of employment increased to 49.7 percent. Among the population aged 15-64 the number of employed increased from 3 million 728 thousand one year ago to 3 million 776 thousand, by 48 000. Thereby the rate of employment in this segment has increased to 56.1 percent. According to the latest labour market statistics of the KSH, in February-
April 2012 it was for the 21st time that the number of employed increased on an annualized basis. In the age bracket of 15-74 years the number of employed increased by 1.4 percent (year/year), consequently the rate of employment for this age group increased from 48.9 percent in the corresponding period of the previous year to 49.7 percent. In the age bracket of 15-64 years there was also a dynamic rise of 1.3 percent with relation to employment numbers on a year-on-year basis.
As far as the gender aspect of employment is concerned, the rate of employment among men aged 15-64 increased by 1.3 percent to 61.4 percent in comparison to the same period of the previous year, whereas the rate increase for women was 1 percent (51.1 percent). Among men aged 15-64 years 2 million 27 thousand had a job, which is 21 200 more than in the corresponding period of 2011. The number of women with a job increased to 1 million 749 thousand. With regard to age groups, rate of employment for the most optimal working age (25-54 years) was 1.5 percent higher and for the population aged 55-64 years it was 0.4 percent higher. We consider it a tendency that in an unfavourable external market environment in the past two years there has been a steady year-on-year increase in the rate employment.
Hungary Condemns the Houla Massacre (Online 29 May) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary most firmly condemns the murder of more than hundred persons including children in Houla, Syria. We express our most sincere condolences and deepest
compassion to the families of the victims. The deployment of military force against civilian population in such a brutal and inhuman manner is the most ruthless violation of fundamental human rights and the earlier
commitments of the Syrian leadership. We call upon the Syrian Government to immediately end violence, support the mission of UN observers, and fully implement Kofi Annan’s six-point plan.
Favourable trends in Hungary (Online 31 May) Several favourable economic trends have recently developed in Hungary. Some of them can be identified by the data published by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) and others are manifested in various international comparative
studies. The below list presents some of these tendencies: it includes an indicator based on comprehensive economic aggregates (such as the Human Development Index), but it also analyzes an economic sector (i.e. tourism), as well as a soft, non-
quantitative factor such as the situation of mothers in a various society. The presentation of favourable trends will be resumed in the Outlook of next week.