Transition in Kyrgyzstan is focus of OSCE Magazine

VIENNA, 12 July 2005 - The changing of the guard in Europe's largest security organization and the OSCE's dynamic partnership with Kyrgyzstan as it ushers in a challenging phase in its history are the main themes in the latest issue of the OSCE Magazine.

Cover stories introduce Marc Perrin de Brichambaut of France, the new OSCE Secretary General, and look at the six-year stewardship of his predecessor Jan Kubis of Slovakia.

In an interview with OSCE Spokesperson Richard Murphy and Senior Adviser Walter Kemp, Ambassador Kubis speaks about the high points and disappointments during his two terms in office and shares his thoughts on the Organization's future.

A series of articles profile the OSCE's role as on-the-spot mediator during Kyrgyzstan's political crisis in March and the joint OSCE-Kyrgyz work plan to strengthen the country's stability.

Contributors include Alojz Peterle, the OSCE Chairman's Personal Representative for Central Asia, Lamberto Zannier, Director of the OSCE's Conflict Prevention Centre, and ten graduate students from the OSCE Academy in Bishkek.

In Eastern Europe, OSCE staff members Gottfried Hanne and Claus Neukirch write about the struggle of Moldovan schools in Transdniestria against "linguistic cleansing".

This issue also spotlights the Organization's politico-military activities.

Ambassador Alyaksandr Sychov of Belarus describes the work of the OSCE's Forum for Security Co-operation in the field, including helping states dispose of surplus ammunition, adopting stricter controls over trade in shoulder-fired missiles and turning highly dangerous rocket fuel into fertilizers.

Austrian Brigadier-General Heinz Vetschera explains why terminating the Agreement on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures ("Article II") spelled progress for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the other parties to the Dayton Accords.

As part of its continuing series on the 30th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, the Magazine carries excerpts from a Pravda commentary, written from the Finnish capital 30 years ago.

Published in English and Russian, the Magazine can be accessed on the OSCE website. Readers can also subscribe to the print version at www.osce.org/publications or at osce-magazine-at@osce.org