Starting with the current rumors....


The SDA is going to open May 1 or May 3 or May 8. All the dossiers (without problems) have been transferred and they will quickly issue appointments. The SDA wants to get rid of the backlog as quickly as possible.


A few families who registered in Feb to June 2005 are waiting for an appointment. Some of these families traveled to Ukraine and failed to find their child, so they are returned a second time.


It seems like the bulk of waiting families registered between July and Sept 2005.


I keep saying "seems" because this is my best guess based on various emails/postings.





Based on the 2004 Ukrainian adoption numbers (I don't have the complete numbers for 2005. I only have US Ukrainian adoption numbers) and assuming that 25% of the total adoptions are backlogged... Then the SDA might have around 500 dossiers that they are dealing with. Anyone have any information? Email me at adoptukraineblog@adoptionmail.com


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TRANSNIESTER
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Transdniester conflict seems to be heating up. This involves Russian, EU, US, Ukrainian and Moldovian politics. Transdniester is along the border of Odessa and Vinnytsya.

The unrecognised state [Transdniester] has been de facto independent since September 2, 1990, when it made a declaration of independence from Moldova and, aided by contingents of Russian, Cossack and Ukrainian volunteers, and the 14th Russian (formerly Soviet) Army, successfully defeated Moldovan forces, in the War of Transnistria.

From: Transnistria

Moldova and Ukraine have a new trade (March 3, 2006) agreement which is causing conflict.

.......Moldova and Ukraine had come to an agreement designed to control the illegal flow of goods into Ukraine from the Transdniester region. The agreement says that any such goods must have an official customs stamp from Moldova.

From: New customs rules in the Transdniester region

The Russians claim this new trade agreement is causing a humanitarian crisis.

Foreign Ministry of Ukraine considers Russia’s decision to deliver humanitarian help to Transdniester a propagandistic and provocative action, as declared deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Veselovsk

.....................


"As a result of Moldova's actions, backed by Ukraine, the region is facing a humanitarian catastrophe and a serious aggravation of the situation, which could lead to direct conflicts," Transdniester President Igor Smirnov said in a letter to President Vladimir Putin Tuesday.


From: Ukraine accuses Russia of unethical conduct

And from the EU's point of view.

The deputy head of the EU monitoring team on the Transdniestrian border with Ukraine, Antti Hartikainen, says his mission has detected only "minor" smuggling since it was launched late last year.

............

But he also said that suspicions remain that Moldova's breakaway Transdniester Republic is a hub of major customs fraud. He explained why in an interview with RFE/RL on April 7.

From: Transdniester: EU Monitors Detect Only 'Minor' Smuggling

Something to keep your eye on.