Syndicate: REX in Belgrade, Serbia, YU

[katarina@opennet.org]

Dear Syndicalists,

I just come back from meeting of  TEH = European 
network of independent cultural centers (Cinema
REX is the only one E. European member but TEH
have plans to expend). a lot of members where 
interested in Syndicate mailing list as I presented
it. managed to show them only V2 cause link was
modem one and very slow + we with short with free
time.

situation doesn't feel good here - or it is because of
persistent rain. a lot of people are still packed (to go).

here are some of the latest news from Yugoslavia
(you can find more on http://b92eng.opennet.org)

katarina
-------------------------------------------------------------
Act on information adopted

  BELGRADE, SERBIA. The Serbian Government this
  afternoon passed a new Act on information by 170
  votes to five, with four abstentions. Representatives of
  the Serbian Renewal Movement walked out of the
  session before the vote was taken.

  The Government rushed the highly restrictive new law
  through, only giving copies of the bill to MPs this
  morning. A move from the Serbian Renewal Movement
  to postpone the vote until representatives had had time
  to read it was voted out.

  Local and foreign analysts have described the new law
  as Draconian and Stalinist. It gives extensive
  discretionary powers to the Ministry for Culture,
  including the power to impose massive summary fines
  on managements, editors and journalists. No process
  is defined for appeal against Ministerial decisions.


                     New minister for culture

  BELGRADE, SERBIA. In other business in the
  Serbian Parliament this afternoon, Socialist Party
  official Zeljko Simic was elected Minister for Culture to
  replace the incumbent Nada Popovic-Perisic. Simic is
  best-known for his former leadership of the Yugoslav
  Water Polo Association.

  Business magnate Bogoljub Karic was elected
  minister without portfolio. He replaces former Minister
  for Privatisation Milan Beko.