Keywords: Kosovo; Bill Clinton; Kostunica; Serbian Orthodox Church; NATO; Serbia; Serb nationalism; Albania; war; Jews; Tony Blair
An American who grew up listening to stories about the Serbian province of Kosovo struggles with her discoveries.
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Keywords: educational system; centralized economy; investors; Ukraine's economy; permanent jobs; economic stagnation
Ukrainian trade schools are still coming to terms with their loss of prestige as they try to supply new workers to fast-changing markets.
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Keywords: Caucasus; War; poverty; economic isolation; United Nations; Armenian Copper Program; Robert Kocharian
Armenian conservationists fear a northern copper mine will lead to further ecological degradation.
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Keywords: European Union; summit; European politics; EU legislation; Balkan countries; Lech Kaczynski; Gazprom
Warsaw could have raised its stature in Europe, but walked away from the leadership summit with little to show.
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Keywords: European Union; higher democratic standards; politics; Freedom House
Wayward EU members should correct their course to revive political and judicial reforms.
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Keywords: Belarus; Burma; Iran; dissidents; Reforming the Repressive State Apparatus; People in Need; workshop
The dissidents of today need to be preparing for the time when democrats replace despots.
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Keywords: ASYLUM; FOREIGNER; COMPLEMENTARY PROTECTION; TOLERATED STAY; A REFUGEE; EXPULSION OF THE FOREIGNER; FOREIGNER’S PROMISE TO LEAVE THE TERRITORY OF POLAND
The problem of foreigners in the Republic of Poland has become especially current after 1989, because since that time an increasing number of foreigners have been applying for permanent residence permit on the territory of our country. Poland has become a transit country as a result of its particular geographical location, lying in the orbit of the impact of migratory movements in Europe nowadays – especially those running from the East to the West. Despite the detailed regulation of the institution of asylum in both the Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 1997, as well as in the national legislation, the asylum is a form of assistance offered to the foreigners, used by them only sporadically. Furthermore, no positive decision regarding this matter was taken by the Polish authorities for several years. The necessity to meet rigorous prerequisites for getting an asylum granted seem to be the direct cause for this state of affairs. In addition, the necessity to express directly that the application of a foreigner concerns granting the right of asylum on the territory of the Republic of Poland also causes possible complications. The legal rules state that this form can be granted only if a foreigner states directly that he is applying for protection in the form of asylum. The lack of a clearly expressed will of the foreigner with respect to this results in considering such a request in the category of granting the refugee status. Furthermore, in view of the fact that a foreigner applying for the refugee status must meet much milder prerequisites and the effects of a positive decision with respect to this are almost analogous to the situation in which they would be granted an asylum for the reasons stated above, foreigners choose the “easier option”, which means in this case applying for the refugee status. In addition, it is necessary to mention that the decision of granting the right of asylum is based on the administrative discretion, which undoubtedly influences the low interest on the part of foreigners in this form of protection granted by the Polish authorities.
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Keywords: COMPETENCES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ORGANS; ORDINANCE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND ON ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE OF 22 MARCH 1928
After Poland regained its independence (1918) there were several different administrative systems in operation on its territory. The remedy to overcome this situation was seen in a gradual unification of the administrative system commenced in 1919. In the first years of independence the provisions of administrative procedure introduced by former occupants were still in force. Their partial unification began in 1919 and the subsequent unification acts were published in 1923–1924 which concerned the appeals against decisions of administrative authorities. In 1926, the task of unification of the administrative proceedings was given to a special governmental subcommittee. The result was the Ordinance of the President of Poland on administrative proceedings of 22 March 1928. Its scope of regulation covered: the competence of public authorities organs, rules of exclusion of officials from the proceedings, premises of being a party of the proceedings, rules concerning evidence, rules regulating issuing of administrative decisions and appeal against them and the rights of parties for resumption of the proceedings. In the same year, the Ordinance was supplemented by regulations concerning compulsory proceeding and the proceeding on administrative offences. The questions concerning the competence of public administration were included in articles 2–6. Article 2 contains the principle that administration organs must comply with the their competence and jurisdiction and the regulation of action which should be taken in the case of application to the wrong administration body. Article 3 defines the rules governing the territorial competence of the administration organs and article 4, respectively – material competence. Articles 5 and 6 deal with disputes between administrative bodies over their competences. E. Iserzon, the author of the 1931 commentary to the Ordinance, pointed to three types of competences of administration organs: territorial, material and functional. Since the Ordinance occurred to be not only stable, because it remained in force until 1960, but most of its principles were adopted in subsequent codifications, the author of this study decided to provide, in a detailed way, the principles and provisions concerning the competence of public administration organs.
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Keywords: Marriage; Equality; A Denominational Group
The paper deals with the problem of realization of the principle of equality of denominational groups as far as the possibility of applying the denominational form of contracting the civil marriage. The author presents the essence of the principle of equality of denominational groups, as well as the existing solutions which consist in its restricting through authorizing only some denominational groups to apply the indicated form of contracting a marriage, that is those which possess the legal status regulated through individual acts. In order to eliminate this discriminating practice, the author proposes, in her paper, changes de lege ferenda aimed at authorizing also other legally active denominational communities to proceed using the denominational form while contracting civil marriages.
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Keywords: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION; SOCIAL POLICY; CIVIC SECTOR; CIVIC SOCIETY; TRANSFORMATION OF THE CIVIC SECTOR; SOCIAL SERVICES; FREE MARKET; PARTICIPATING MANAGEMENT
The economically and politically globalizing world makes it necessary, to a greater and greater extent, to search for solutions which would allow to face new dimensions of economic and social problems. The gradual withdrawal of the state from the role of the main provider of benefits, as well as the wider and wider differentiation as regards the manner of performing functions by the state, which appear to be clearly modeled on the practice of other sectors nowadays, create a new context for the functioning of subjects of a civic society. Numerous debates connected with the post-socialist transformation usually draw attention solely to fundamental changes within the economic system, while the new polity that is emerging in consequence of the transformation implies not only a new form of the state, but also a new model of the non-governmental sector, the latter – on the other hand – is clearly exerting an influence on the transformation of the functioning of the public administration in Poland. Indeed, it is evident that the role of the public administration must undergo thorough modifications, yet reforms carried out cannot consist in that the activity of the civic (non-governmental) sector related to rendering public services will be treated as a substitute of social aid. It can and should complement the latter.
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Keywords: bankruptcy proceedings with the possibility of concluding an agreement; agreement; annulment of agreement; restitution of receivables
The paper deals with the question of consequences which result from annulment of the agreement concluded in bankruptcy proceedings, involving receivables which are included in the agreement. The institution of the very agreement itself and its annulment is a unique solution in the construction of the bankruptcy law. The core of the analyses is the regulation of the bankruptcy and repairing law, according to which, in the case of annulment of the agreement, in the bankruptcy proceedings that are opened, the creditors to date pursue their claims at the initial height of the latter. The due interest is accrued from the day of the validation of the decision on the annulment of the agreement. The sums paid out as stipulated in the agreement count as appropriation of claimed receivables. In turn, mortgage, lien, registered lien, revenue lien and vessel mortgage secure the receivables at the height which has not been satisfied yet. The considerations include also the dispute over the legal character of the agreement, make references to the historical legal regulation, as well as present a selection of views relating to the problem as found in the literature of the subject. At last the author describes the most significant legal problems connected with restitution of receivables, which arise just in consequence of annulment of the agreement.
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Keywords: CHARITY AID; SCHOLARSHIP-PROVIDING FOUNDATIONS
Establishing foundations offering scholarships in Prussia, in the 19th and the 20th centuries, had the social and public dimension. The need for social advancement had a significant influence on the systematic increase in the number of students of secondary and higher schools. The lack of material means, which was a consequence of the low material status of many families, brought about a visibly evident necessity. The development of the interest in social problems undoubtedly was a manifestation of the rising level of social awareness, especially among representatives of the urban establishment. Scholarship-offering foundations secured to many young, gifted inhabitants of Bytom and its environs the chance of pursuing education and realizing career opportunities. In this way the postulate of accessibility of education to all strata of society was realized. Nevertheless, it was the number of foundations which – primarily – made the phenomenon of the local character and took on the form of a collective activity, as well as an individual one. In the years 1842–1939, in Bytom, there functioned 53 foundations providing scholarships, including 10 designed for youth pursuing education in the spheres of crafts and trading. Guilds, associations, and – first and foremost – individual citizens – members of the urban community took initiatives worthy of note, making donations to charities, including foundations that provided scholarships for the young. The economic development of Upper Silesia, progressing in many directions, determined the necessity of preparing highly-qualified personnel. Thus, it became a direct premise to construct a vocational education system which would satisfy those postulates and also to prepare tools which would motivate the need to obtain knowledge in the form of foundations which facilitated pursuing education and – as a result – changing the social status to male youth from families of lower material status. Thus, the priorities of the educational and social policy of the turn of the 19th and the 20th century were realized.
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Keywords: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW; INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS; REFERENCE; INVALIDITY OF THE RIGHT IN THE REGISTER
In compliance with the norms of the act of Law of Intellectual Property in the scope of invalidation of the right in the register of industrial designs, the legislator refers the interested party, on the power of Art. 117 of the Law of Industrial Designs, to regulations concerning termination of patents. However, this mechanism raises a series of doubts, especially, in connection with the scope of appropriate application of legal norms. In accordance with Zasady techniki prawodawczej (Principles of Legislative Technique) referring to other regulations is justified in the case in which the regulations being referred to provide norms to situations of a similar character. The legislative technique accepted by the legislator does not fully satisfy the needs of practice, though. The standpoint which maintains that industrial designs, apart from registered designs, patents and topography of integrated circuits belong to the category of invention designs seems unjustified as a matter of fact. What testifies to the above statement is the fact that industrial designs combine in themselves also elements of aesthetic nature, while invention designs provide strictly technical solutions. The need for executing an autonomic regulation of the question of invalidation and termination of the right in the register of industrial designs is also strengthened by the fact that on the ground of previous legislation, that is Law of Inventions, industrial designs were dealt with in a separate act, in the same way as trademarks. The existence of autonomic regulation allows accepting the right standpoint which says that industrial designs cannot be defined as invention designs.
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Keywords: Bosnia; Trebinje; nobility; Middle Ages; Radoje Ljubišić; Dubrovnik; trade; diplomatic relations; political development
According to the available Ragusan historical sources and opinions in historic literature, the period from the end of the 14th until the mid 15th century, in the wider region of Trebinje was also marked by the activities of Duke Radoje Ljubišić. According to the records, he was a very successful and influential nobleman of Trebinje, the most significant person from the whole Bogdančić – Ljubišić–Medvjedović noble family, who participated in numerous commercial, military and diplomatic activities. For a period of time, Duke RadojeLjubišić took part and excelled on the account of his broad contacts with the Ragusan Republic, he entered into commercial, business and diplomatic activities, but he also undertook military deeds. In this paper, we followed the activities of Duke Radoje Ljubišić through rare Ragusandocuments that offered information about his fate and activities that he really and directly initiated. Above all, there is his involvement in the war of Konavle, from which he grew into the most influential person of the wider region of Trebinje and who was, according to the words of Ragusans, so influential that sometimes even Duke Radoslav Pavlović recoiled from him. A certain number of historical records indicate at his important presence in the medieval area of Trebinje, but there are also some reflections on the turbulent political events in medieval Bosnia. In certain periods, the number of historical information decreases and with it the interest for Radoje Ljubišić as well, which does not imply that his presence thereby ceases. In defining of the position and role of Duke Radoje Ljubišić in the demanding and complex circumstances of the first half of the 15th century, all advantages of tracing the presence of a strong and authoritative person are noticeable, on the internal and external plan as well as certain disadvantages of the archival material. Namely, historiography treated this individual only marginally even tough everything indicates that he had an important position and role. With this attempt, through reconstruction and interpretation of documents, the person of Duke Radoje Ljubišić is put in an historical context whereby the title of this text proves that he was the most remarkable person not only of the region of Trebinje but also on a broader area.
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Godišnjak. Sarajevo: Centar za balkanološka ispitivanja ANUBiH, 2012, knjiga 41, 292 Esad Kurtović, Vlasi Bobani. Sarajevo: Društvo za proučavanje srednjovjekovne bosanske historije, 2012, 162 Vermitteln – Übersetzen – Begegnen: Transferphänomene im europäischen Mittelalter und in der Frühen Neuzeit. Interdisziplinäre Annäherungen, ur. Balázs J. Nemes / Achim Rabus, Nova mediaevalia; Bd. 8, Göttingen: V & R Unipress, 2011, 278 Tibor Živković, De Conversione Croatorum et Serborum – A Lost Source, Beograd: Istorijski institut, 255 Боро Бронза, Аустријска политика према простору Босне и Херцеговине 1699–1788. Бања Лука: Филозофски факултет, 2012, 407 Bakir Tanović, Čurčića vakuf, osnovan 24.redžepa 1149.h.godine (28.novembar 1736.godine), Sarajevo: Dobra knjiga, 2012, 124 Zijad Šehić, U mojoj Bosni - povodom stogodišnjice posjete cara Franje Josipa I Bosni i Hercegovini od 30. maja do 4. juna 1910. Sarajevo: Dobra knjiga, 2013, 221 ( Hannes Grandits, Obitelj i socijalne promjene u hrvatskim selima (18.-20. stoljeće), Studije slučaja Bobovac i Lekenik. Zagreb: FF-press, 2012, 291 Edvin Pezo, Zwangsmigration in Friedenszeiten? Jugoslawische Migrationspolitik und die Auswanderung von Muslimen in die Türkei (1918 bi 1966). Südosteuropäische Arbeiten, 146, Oldenbourg Verlag, München 2013, 374 Omer Hamzić, Gračanica i okolina u periodu između dva svjetska rata (pravno-politički i društveno-ekonomski razvoj). Travnik: Univerzitet u Travniku, Pravni fakultet u Kiseljaku, 2012, 453 Emily Greble, Sarajevo 1941 – 1945. Muslims, Christians, and Jews in Hitler’s Europe. Ithaca and London: Cornell University press, 2011, 276 Snježana Banović, Država i njezino kazalište; Hrvatsko državno kazalište u Zagrebu 1941. – 1945. Zagreb: Profil, 2012, 483 Husnija Kamberović, DŽEMAL BIJEDIĆ – politička biografija. Mostar: Muzej Hercegovine, 2012., 464 Ksenija Cvetković-Sander, Sprachpolitik und nationale Identität im sozialistischen Jugoslawien (1945 - 1991). Serbokroatisch, Albanisch, Makedonisch und Slovenisch. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag, Balkanologische Veroeffentlichungen, Band 50, 2011, 453 Hrvatsko proljeće 40 godina poslije. Zagreb: Centar za demokraciju i pravo Miko Tripalo, Filozofski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Fakultet političkih znanosti Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Pravni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, 2012, 439 Kosta Nikolić, Vladimir Petrović (prir.), Od mira do rata: dokumenta Predsedništva SFRJ. Tom 1, (januar - mart 1991), Institut za savremenu istoriju, Fond za humanitarno pravo, Beograd, 2011, 480., Od mira do rata: dokumenta Predsedništva SFRJ. Tom 2, (jun – jul 1991): rat u Sloveniji, Institut za savremenu istoriju, Beograd, 2012, 376 Amra Čusto. Uloga spomenika u Sarajevu u izgradnji kolektivnog sjećanja na period 1941-1945. i 1992-1995. ̶ komparativna analiza. Sarajevo: Institut za istoriju, Kantonalni zavod za zaštitu kulturno-historijskog i prirodnog naslijeđa, 2013, 142
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Keywords: kadiluks; Imotski; Ljubuški; establishment
Author’s contribution is based on authentic Turkish documents, which are located in the Franciscan monastery in Zaostrog, Makarska and Omis, whose translations are kept in the library oft he monastery of Makarska, considers the establishment Kaza Imotski and Kaza Ljubuski. Kadiluks were legal units, wich were established or abolished depending on the needs and opportunities in the field. For these Kaza, available Turkish dokuments provide the most information, and it is precisely on the basis of them can shed light on the time of their creation.
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