Kazakhstan Adopts 2003 Budget
Interfax
Almaty, Dec 15: President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed Kazakhstan`s 2003 draft budget into law on Thursday. The budget`s target revenues and expenditures create a deficit of 2 per cent of gross domestic product. The revenues are set at 631.6 billion tenge (with currently 155 tenge to the dollar), or 15.2 per cent of GDP, and spending, including loans, are set at 714.4 billion tenge, or 17.2 per cent of GDP. The budget is based on a forecast GDP of 4.14 billion tenge, marking a 6 per cent growth. It predicts an average inflation rate of 5.9 per cent and an average exchange rate of 161 tenge to the dollar. The budgeted revenue is based on world Brent oil prices at $19 per barrel, though the budget expects prices to reach up to $21.1. Prices for exported Kazakh oil are set at $15.6 per barrel. Parliament passed the draft budget on November 29.
Turkmenistan Parliament Passes 2003 Draft Budget
Interfax
Ahsgabat, Dec 14: Turkmenistan`s parliament on Saturday passed the 2003 draft budget. The draft sets revenues at 52.53 trillion manats (5,200 manats/$1) and expenditure at 53.03 trillion, creating a deficit of 500 billion, a parliamentary source told Interfax. The greater part of the revenues will come from the oil, natural gas and chemical industries and agriculture. The bulk of expenditures will be channeled into social security. This includes 886.94 billion to fund the free supply of natural gas, water, electricity, and salt to the population.
Former Head Of Turkmen Parliament Is Accused Of Taking Part In Assassination Attempt
Pravda
Moscow, Dec 14: During its scheduled meeting on Saturday, December 14, Turkmen Parliament will discuss an issue of the former head of the Parliament, and presently its member Tagandurdy Khallyev. According to the present Chairman of Parliament Ovezgeldy Atayev, this man "happens to be among the organizers and instigators" of the assassination attempt on Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov on November 25 this year. During the recent meeting of the Parliament, deputies "decisively and strongly denounced the former head of the Parliament in connection with his involvement in criminal activities."
Uzbek President Outlines New Parliament`s Powers
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 13: Speaking about the new parliament`s powers, Uzbek President Islam Karimov has said that in future the parliament will consider nominations for prime minister, deputy prime ministers and other officials. The upper house Senate will also discuss and approve nominations for prosecutor-general, chairman of the Supreme Court, chairman of the Constitutional Court and some others, he said, speaking during a break in the parliamentary session.
Uzbek Parliament Session Ends Its Work
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 13: The 10th session of Uzbek parliament of the second convocation ended its work today in Uzbek capital, Uzbek Radio reported on 13 December. The issues discussed during the last day of the session included the new wording of the draft bill on citizens` appeals. The draft of this law has been improved through nationwide discussion. In particular, the amended version envisages increasing (officials`) responsibility for considering citizens` appeals. This bill was adopted after debate. In addition, amendments and addenda have been made to 25 existing laws during the session. Agreements and contracts on cooperation with the USA, Kazakhstan and Lithuania were ratified. Changes were made to the structure of the country`s Supreme Court, that is, a new member was elected.
Governor Of Osh Discussed With Reporters The Situation In Kyrgyzstan
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 13: Governor of the Osh oblast Naken Kasiev met with reporters and discussed the situation in Kyrgyzstan. The Governor has drawn attention of reporters to the results of the visit of President Askar Akaev to the Osh oblast. In the course of the meeting, the importance of the next year, which was declared the Year of the Kyrgyz Statehood, was discussed.
Uzbek Parliament Adopts Bill To Create Bicameral Legislature
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, Dec 12: In accordance with the outcome of the referendum held in January, Uzbekistan`s parliament adopted two bills on 12 December on the election of a bicameral legislature when the powers of the current parliament expire in December 2004, Interfax reported. Addressing the session, President Islam Karimov characterized the transition to a two-chamber parliament as "yet another important step along the path to further democratization." He said the Senate (the future upper chamber) will take over some powers hitherto vested in the president, including the appointment of the prime minister and his deputies.
New Bicameral Parliament To Spark Off Political Battle - Uzbek President
Hoover`s Online
Tashkent, Dec 12: Uzbek President Islam Karimov has said that the introduction of a bicameral parliament in the country will spark off a political battle in Uzbekistan. Addressing the Uzbek parliament on 12 December, as broadcast on Uzbek radio the same day, Karimov said: "The battle taking place in the democratic world will start [in Uzbekistan as well]. I am convinced that the [Legislative Chamber] lower house to be elected by people will tomorrow take actions, bearing this issue in mind. When electing the speaker and deputy speakers of the lower house, people will cast their votes based on their parties` interests."
No Strong Political Parties In Uzbekistan, Says President
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 12: President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan has said that there are no strong political parties in Uzbekistan and that the country should strive to have some, Uzbek Radio reported on 12 December. Expressing his views on the role of political parties at the 10th parliamentary session on 12 December, he said: "We must have cabinets strong enough to have their own shadow cabinets. That is, if a particular party wins elections it should have its list of candidates for government posts prepared beforehand, everyone should know them, and they [candidates] should be well known for their previous services in various posts. Unfortunately, we should admit openly that at present we do not have such parties yet. We should be striving to have some."
Uzbek Parliament Passes More Bills On First Day Of Session
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 12: The Uzbek Parliament passed several draft laws on the first day of its 10th session on 12 December, Uzbek TV reported the same day. As reported earlier, the agenda of the session includes 16 issues. The following are the bills adopted by the Parliament: The draft budget for 2003; The draft laws "On the Senate (upper house) of the Supreme Assembly (parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan" (first reading); "On the Legislative Chamber (lower house) of the Supreme Assembly of the Republic of Uzbekistan" (first reading); "On universal military obligation and military service" (new wording); "On service in the reserve of the armed forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan"; "On principles and guarantees of information freedom" (second reading); and "On state statistics" (second reading).
Kyrgyz Parliament Protests Restrictions Over Demonstrations
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, Dec 10: Kyrgyzstan`s Legislative Assembly (the lower parliamentary chamber) on 10 December hosted a roundtable discussion of the moratoriums on meetings and demonstrations imposed by the municipal councils of Bishkek and Osh, akipress.org reported. The participants agreed that such attempts to curtail the constitutionally guaranteed right to demonstrate constitute a destabilizing factor, but they also conceded that the law on demonstrations adopted in July 2002 is ambiguous and requires reworking. They further agreed to establish a working group to create a public movement to protest restrictions on the freedom of assembly.
CIS, OSCE Observers To Observe Presidential Elections In Armenia
Interfax
Yerevan, Dec 10: The headquarters of the CIS observers` mission will open in Armenia one month before the presidential elections, CIS Executive Committee Chairman Yury Yarov said while meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan in Yerevan on Tuesday. Yarov said the observers intend to observe preparations for the Armenian presidential elections and the elections themselves, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said. A representative of the OSCE office in Armenia told Interfax that the first group of OSCE observers will arrive in Yerevan on December 11. "Hundreds of OSCE observers" are expected to observe the presidential elections in Armenia, a representative of the OSCE said. The presidential elections will be held in Armenia on February 19.
Kyrgyzstan Will Have A New Constitution Aimed At Strengthening Democratic Reforms
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 10: Baktybek Abdrisaev, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to USA and Canada told to the “New York Times” that “Kyrgyzstan is now in a crucial period of its history with the announcement by President Askar Akaev that he will step down at the end of his term. The government has enacted measures to facilitate a dialogue with the opposition after the March tragedy resulting in injury and loss of life. In many cases, the opposition has refused to cooperate. After a December referendum, Kyrgyzstan will have a new constitution aimed at strengthening democratic reforms and reinforcing the balance of power among the branches of government.
Uzbek Parliament Holds 10th Session
Pravda
Moscow, Dec 9: The tenth session of the Uzbek parliament is going to be held on 12-13 December. According to sources, the president will not only innaugarate the session, he will also attend an international media conference. This conference is to be attended by more that 200 politicians and foreign diplomats. The Uzbek media reported today that the the ambassador of Azerbaijan, Aidyn Alibekovich, has been awared with Uzbekistan’s Dostlik order. The tenth session of the Uzbek Parliament (Oliy Majlis) will start on the 12th of December in the capital city Tashkent. Sources have reported that the parliament will consider sixteen issues, including the budget for 2003, principles and guarantees of freedom of information, introducing amendments and supplements to some legislative acts, confirmation of decrees of the president, and the human rights question.
Kazakh President Attends Party Congress
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Dec 9: Nursultan Nazarbaev delivered a speech in Pavlodar on 8 December to the third congress of the OTAN (Civic) Party, which was formed in early 1999 to serve as his support base, Interfax reported. Nazarbaev said the party`s Pavlodar branch should seek to broaden its membership and recruit from agricultural, railroad and oil-industry workers. He also proposed that the party train politicians to serve in local government. Nazarbaev argued that a multiparty system is one of the prerequisites of a democratic society, but added that rivalry among political parties should not lead to "destabilization."
Azerbaijani Opposition Demonstration Again Calls On President To Resign
Radio Free Europe
Baku, Dec 9: The Union of Azerbaijani Forces -- which comprises the small Vahdat, Social Democratic, and Islamic parties -- staged a rally in Baku on 8 December, at which participants again called for the resignation of the present Azerbaijani leadership, a crackdown on official corruption, free and fair elections, and the release of Islamic Party leaders taken into custody following the 3 June clashes between police and local residents in the village of Nardaran, according to ANS television, as cited by Groong.
Armenian President Takes The Lead In Opinion Poll
Interfax
Yerevan, Dec 9: Incumbent Armenian President Robert Kocharian is taking the lead among 14 other candidates for presidency. Armenia`s elections are scheduled for February 19, 2003. A poll of 2,400 people throughout Armenia suggests that Kocharian could win 31.3 per cent of the votes. Next would be National Unity leader Artashes Gegamian with 9.2 per cent, followed by People`s Party leader Stepan Demirchian with 9.1 per cent and National Democratic Union leader Vazgen Manukian trailing with 1.3 per cent. The other 11 candidates would each win less than one percent of the vote. Meanwhile, 3.6 per cent of the respondents said that they would vote "none of the above," 4.8 per cent were undecided and 22.5 per cent were unwilling to answer questions. Signatures are now being collected for candidate registration. Each candidate must collect at least 35,000 signatures to participate in the elections.
Azeri Defense Minister To Visit Georgia
Interfax
Tbilisi, Dec 15: Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev will arrive in Georgia for a three-day official visit on Sunday, Georgian Deputy Defense Minister Gela Bezhuashvili told Interfax-Military News Agency. The two countries are getting ready to sign a military cooperation agreement that will "reflect dynamically developing contacts," Bezhuashvili said. For instance, Azerbaijan launched reforms in the sphere of training personnel in military academies with the help of Turkey earlier than Georgia. "Tbilisi is interested in this experience," the deputy minister said. In addition, the parties may hold joint military exercises also involving Ukraine and Armenia, Bezhuashvili noted.
Georgia Opposed To Russian Armament Relocation To Armenia
Interfax
Tbilisi, Dec 15: Georgia considers it possible to move the Russian troops group in the Trans-Caucasus to Armenia but opposes the relocation of Russian military hardware and armament, Georgian Deputy Defense Minister Gela Bezhuashvili said on Sunday commenting on plans of partial relocation of the group to Armenia. The plans were discussed at the Russian-Georgian military expert consultations that recently ended in Tbilisi. According to Bezhuashvili, such relocation of military hardware and armament might cause additional tensions in relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Kazakh Training Centre To Join In International Anti-terror Programmes
Hoover`s Online
Astana, Dec 14: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited the presidential security service`s centre for combat and special training in [Kazakh capital] Astana today, an Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency correspondent has reported. "The centre is the country`s only specialized institution set up to train specialists for fighting terrorism," a press release circulated by the presidential press service says. The report says that at present the centre`s management has routinely agreed with the US State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security, which carries out the USA`s international practical counter-terrorist training, on the Kazakh centre getting involved in current anti-terrorist programmes.
British Council Helps Uzbek Servicemen Learn English
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 14: A conference on the problems of language training for Uzbek servicemen has been held at the International Business Centre. It was organized by the British Council, Novosti Uzbekistana reported on 13 December. Uzbek Defence Minister Qodir Ghulomov, British Ambassador to Uzbekistan Craig Murray and the British Council`s Peacekeeping English Project Director Paul Woods attended the opening of the conference. "I am absolutely confident that this conference will help us not only to sort out problems connected with languages but will also contribute to the development of mutual relations between the armed forces of the two countries," Ghulomov has said in his speech.
US` European Command Delegation Visits Tbilisi
Pravda
Moscow, Dec 14: On Saturday, the US European Command delegation arrived in Tbilisi on a working visit. According to information obtained by RIA Novosti from the press center of the Georgian Defense Ministry, during the visit, the US military officials will meet with Georgian Minister of Defense Lieutenant General David Tevzadze, Chief of Georgian General Staff Lieutenant General Jonny Pirtskhalaishvili and Georgian Envoy to the United Nations Rezo Adamia. The US European Command representatives will attend the graduation ceremony of the Georgian "commandos" battalion - the first Georgian military unit trained by American instructors within the framework of the "Training and Fitting out" program for the Georgian Armed Forces. The ceremony will take place on December 15, on the Square of the Republic in Tbilisi. In the future, American marines will train the personnel of the Sachkherski mountain rifle battalion.
Georgia Strives For NATO Membership
Pravda
Moscow, Dec 13: Yesterday Georgia’s Ministry of Defense voiced the dreams cherished by the state. To be more exact, it was said that NATO fast deployment troops (which do not yet exist, but are already in the process of formation) would be involved into operations in Georgia’s hot spots. A correspondent from Russia’s news agency RosBusinessConsulting learnt this information from the Georgian Ministry of Defense. But it is not clear why Georgia made the statement with such absolute confidence. Georgia President Shevardnadze says that Georgia is to enter the alliance within the nearest 2-3 years; he waved aside any doubts of the possibility that it would happen within such a short period of time. It’s difficult to explain why the Georgian president is so sure about NATO membership. The only explanation to it is that Eduard Shevardnadze has already got guarantees of Georgia’s NATO membership from the USA and leadership of the alliance
Trip To China Completed
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Dec 13: Trip of military delegation of Kazakhstan to China finished. The military learnt the system of education at Chinese defense department, discussed the framework Plan for Cooperation between defense ministries of the two countries for 2003. The delegation also visited a number of military educational centers of the People`s Liberation Army of China.
Security Issues Discussed
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Dec 13: Regular fifth session of Security Councils Secretaries of Collective Security Treaty member-states wrapped up its work at Bishkek. Delegations from Armenia, Belorus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz republic, Russia and Tajikistan took part in its work. Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine were represented with their observers. The importance of the event was stressed with participation of Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev. The meeting participants discussed the issues concerning interaction of the states in the sphere of international terrorism combating, national and regional security provision. The event participants supported CIS states` Terrorism, Appearances of Extremism Battling Program for nearest two years and stressed necessity in constant information on terrorist organizations their finances sources and channels of arms transportation, exchange. The following Moscow session of Security Councils Secretaries Committee is scheduled for next year.
Kyrgyz Generals Criticise Amendments To Law On Conscription
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, Dec 12: Kyrgyz National Guard Commander Lieutenant General Abdygul Chotbaev on 12 December harshly criticized amendments to the Law on Conscription passed by the upper chamber of parliament earlier this month, RFE/RL`s Bishkek bureau and akipress.org reported. Those amendments reduce the duration of compulsory military service from 18 to 12 months and allow for young men to be exempted from serving upon payment of 25,000 soms (some $530). Chotbaev argued that the duration of military service should, on the contrary, be extended to two years, as one year is not sufficient to train servicemen. Defense Minister Colonel General Esen Topoev has expressed similar criticisms of the amendments, prompting their author, parliament deputy and former Deputy Defense Minister Ismail Isakov, to predict that President Askar Akaev will veto them.
A.Chotbaev Blamed General I. Isakov For Non-fulfillment Of The Order
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 12: Speaking at a press conference at the News Agency “Kabar” Commander of the National Guards of the Kyrgyz Republic lieutenant-general Abdygul Chotbaev blamed lawmaker Ismail Isakov for non-fulfillment of the order during the Batken events in 1999. In particular, A. Chotbaev said that after incursion of rebels of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan into the territory of Kyrgyzstan, President Askar Akaev as Commander-in-Chief of the Kyrgyz Armed Forces entrusted him to conduct military operations in Batken region. According to the order of the President dated 27.08.1999, A. Chotbaev had the right to give commands. At that time I. Isakov was Deputy Defense Minister of Kyrgyzstan, and he was under the command of A. Chotbaev. But general Isakov refused to fulfill the order because of his arrogance and high self-conceit, A. Chotbaev added.
Uzbek President For Military Bases, Not Militarisation, In Region
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 12: Uzbek President Islam Karimov has supported plans to deploy military bases in the region only if it helps strengthen security, Interfax news agency reported on 12 December. "I see this as a positive step if its goal is to ensure security, strengthen peace and stability in the region and prevent possible attacks," Karimov told journalists on Thursday. He stressed that Uzbekistan is committed to making the region more secure. The president said "it is counterproductive if countries compete for military dominance in the region." "We are against it, particularly, as far as militarising the region in concerned," Karimov added.
Rapid Deployment Force Preventive: V. Rushailo
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 11: The formation of the CIS Collective Rapid Deployment Force and the setting up of an air base in Kant, Kyrgyzstan, within its scope, are a preventive move against international terrorism and extremism, Russian Security Council Secretary Vladimir Rushailo said after the fifth meeting of the Security Council chiefs from the Collective Security Treaty member-states. V. Rushailo cited Kyrgyz president Askar Akaev as saying at the meeting that the incursion of terrorist groups into Kyrgyzstan in 1999 could not happen if the Collective Rapid Deployment Force was then stationed in the Central Asian republic. V. Rushailo believes that surviving gangs of international terrorists may invade from Afghanistan into the territory of Central Asian states.
Tajikistan Won`t Provide Its Airfields For Iraqi Attack - Tajik Security Council Chief
Interfax
Dushanbe, Dec 11: Tajikistan does not intend to provide its airfields to countries planning to bomb Iraq. "The fact that Tajikistan backs the anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan does not mean that it will provide its airfields to countries that intend to bomb Iraq," Tajik Security Council Secretary Amirkul Azimov told reporters on Tuesday.
New Site Of Military Unit Opens In Central Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 9: A function devoted to the opening of a new site for a military unit has been held in the town of Syrdarya (central Uzbekistan). Neighbourhood leaders, construction workers and activists attended the ceremony, Narodnoye Slovo reported on 10 December. The governor of Syrdarya Region, Ravshan Haydarov, opened the ceremonial meeting. Uzbek Defence Minister Qodir Ghulomov gave a congratulatory speech.
Powerful “security Parasol” Set Up In Kyrgyzstan
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 9: The Agreement, signed between the Defense Ministries of Kyrgyzstan and Russia during the official visit of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, includes all joint actions, regarding to special services, law-enforcement bodies, military security of the two countries. Defense Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Esen Topoev told at a press conference at the “Kabar” Agency on Monday. In his words, thanks to air component of rapid deployment forces the powerful “security parasol” is set up that will provide security of Kyrgyzstan. Thus, the air base in Kant aimed to provide security and stability of not only Kyrgyzstan but also Central Asia.
Kyrgyz Airfield Basing Russian Warplanes Meets Deployment Standards - Kyrgyz Defense Minister
Interfax
Bishkek, Dec 9: The Kyrgyz Defense Ministry`s airfield in the community of Kant completely meets the deployment standards for Russian Su-25 and Su-27 aircraft, Kyrgyz Defense Minister Esen Topoyev told Interfax. Over 70 Russian airforce experts led by Deputy Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Alexander Zelin have been visiting Kant, which is situated 20 kilometers from Bishkek, since November 6, Topoyev said. The experts have thoroughly examined the airport infrastructure and the barracks area, where military-technical personnel should be settled, he said. Kant is expected to base Russian Su-27 fighters and Su-25 attack planes, Kyrgyz warplanes, L-39 trainer fighters, Mi-8 helicopters, and An-26 and An-12 military cargo planes. The appearance of an airforce unit within the collective prompt response forces should promote the security not only of Kyrgyzstan, but the whole Central Asian region, Topoyev said.
International School on Terrorism Opens in Almaty
Pravda
Moscow, Dec 10: The Fifth International School for settlement of conflicts "Terrorism - Prevention of Violence" began its work in Alma-Ata /Kazakhstan/ on Monday. Within two weeks, students of the school will study and analyse the causes of terrorism, will scientifically classify its particular forms and characteristics in order to develop systems and measures to prevent this threat. Speakers from Russia, Great Britain, Poland, Germany and Kazakhstan will deliver their lectures. The students of the school are working for the staff of the government structures, penitentiary facilities, science and research institutes and institutes of Central Asian countries.
Tajik Official Denies Presence Of Terrorists
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, Dec 9: General Nurashilo Nazarov, who is first deputy chairman of Tajikistan`s State Border Committee, told ITAR-TASS on 9 December there is no truth to reports of bases or training camps on Tajik territory belonging to the banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan or other terrorist organizations. He admitted that small groups of IMU fighters infiltrated Tajikistan earlier but claimed they were expelled in early 2000. Kyrgyz National Security Service Chairman Kalyk Imankulov said three months ago that the IMU has been transformed into a regional organization and that it is currently headquartered in the Afghan region of Badakhshan, which borders on southeastern Tajikistan.
Kazakhstan Permits Foreigners To Participate In Pension Fund Capital
Interfax
Astana, Dec 15: The Upper House of the Kazakh parliament on Thursday approved an amendment permitting foreign companies to participate in the charter capital of open accumulative pension funds and pension asset management companies. The Lower House approved these amendments to the law on pensions earlier. The draft law has now been submitted for signing by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. At the moment non-residents may own shares in pension funds and management companies only through their subsidiaries, which should be resident in Kazakhstan.
Kazakh GDP To Grow By 9.4 per cent In 2002 - Nazarbayev
Interfax
Astana, Dec 15: Kazakhstan`s GDP will grow by 9.4 per cent in 2002 as compared to last year, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has said. Opening a consultative meeting on the agribusiness complex development in Astana on Friday, the president noted that GDP growth in the country`s industrial sector is expected to reach 9.8 per cent, in agriculture 2.5 per cent, and in the construction field 19 per cent.
New Oil Routes
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Dec 14: The country`s oil industry is staying in the eve of important event: filling of Kenkiyak -Atyrau pipeline with oil will be started on December the 16th. The event is timed to main the country`s holiday. The oil producers did everything possible for to meet the 11th anniversary of the republic`s independence with new achievements. Possessing huge oil and gas supplies and increasing their production Kazakhstan is in constant search for new hydrocarbons transportation routes. - Five years ago Kazakhstani and Chinese Governments signed a general agreement on oil deposits development and oil pipelines construction projects. - "North -West Pipeline Company "MunaiTas" director-general Amandyk Kultumiyev says. - It presupposes construction of Kazakhstani -Chinese oil pipeline from Atyrau via Aktobe to Alashanko station at Kazakh-Chinese border. The first stage in construction of the transcontinental object is Kenkiyak -Atyrau oil pipe. Our company was created for the oil pipeline construction and exploitation a year ago in compliance with frame agreement signed by national "KazMunaiGas" company and Chinese national company "CNOC International in Kazakhstan". The main share block of our company belongs to Kazakhstani part. The new company is a collective of Kazakhstani and Chinese professionals.
40 per cent Of Uzbekistan`s Budget Allocated For Education In 2002
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 11: About 40 per cent of Uzbekistan`s budgetary funds have been allocated for education this year, Minister of Higher and Specialised Secondary Education, Saidahror Gulyamov, said. Uzbekistan`s educational system is undergoing significant changes, among which is introduction of the 12-year secondary education, that is continuation of the nine-year school education at lyceums and colleges. According to the minister, in the framework of the National Personnel Development Programme specialised internships are being introduced at all levels of education. Today there are 63 higher educational establishments in Uzbekistan, 23 of which were created during the last 10 years, Gulyamov said. New generation textbooks are being published with assistance of with Ustoz (Teacher) Foundation.
Armenia Posts Highest Industrial Growth Among CIS Nations
Interfax
Yerevan, Dec 11: Armenia posted the highest industrial growth, namely 15.1 per cent, of all CIS member nations in January-October 2002 compared to the same period last year, the CIS Statistical Committee reported. Moldova was second with 11.4 per cent, followed by Kazakhstan 9.8 per cent; Tajikistan 7.7 per cent; Ukraine 6.0 per cent; Russia 4.0 per cent; Belarus 3.9 per cent; Azerbaijan 3.0 per cent; and Georgia 2.8 per cent. Kyrgyzstan`s industrial output fell by 17.7 per cent. No data is available on Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan. In the CIS as a whole, industrial growth was 4 per cent year-on-year in the ten months. GDP growth was also 4 per cent. In the first ten months of 2001, however, industrial growth was 7 per cent higher than in the same period of 2000.
Kazakh Oil Industry To Receive $52 Bln Investment By 2015
Interfax
Astana, Dec 9: Investment in the development of the oil industry in Kazakhstan, from all sources of financing, is planned at $52 billion by 2015, Kazakh Energy and Mineral Resource Minister Vladimir Shkolnik said while presenting a draft program for the development of the fuel and energy complex in Kazakhstan in 2003-2015. It is planned to invest $11 billion in the oil production industry in Kazakhstan by 2005, in 2006-2010 - $20 billion and in 2011-2015 - $21 billion. He also stressed that in 2015 it is planned to reach a level of production of 150 million tonnes per annum, or 3 million barrels per day. According to the adjusted program for this year, Kazakhstan plans to increase oil production to 47 million tonnes, up from 40 million tonnes in 2001. The main growth in oil production in the coming years will be at the Tengiz, Karachaganak and Uzen fields (all in the West of the republic), the minister noted.
Kazakhstan`s Oil Production Will Reach 47 Million Tonnes In 2002
Interfax
Astana, Dec 9: Kazakhstan expects to produce about 47 million tonnes of oil in 2002, a 5 per cent year-to-year rise, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Vladimir Shkolnik told parliament on Monday. The country`s fuel and energy balance drafted by his ministry will be presented to the government in late December, Shkolnik said. The document incorporates programs for the development of Kazakhstan`s mineral resources until 2030, the gas industry program until 2015, the uranium industry and atomic energy program until 2030, the power industry program until 2030, and the coal mining program until 2015. An oil industry development program, which is also a component of this document, is almost ready. It will be adopted after the government approves a program for the development of the Kazakh shelf of the North Caspian region, the minister said.
Kazakhstan Has Proven Onshore Reserves Of 2.2 Bln Tonnes Of Oil, 1.8 Tcm Of Gas
Interfax
Astana, Dec 9: Kazakhstan`s proven hydrocarbon reserves, not including the Caspian Sea, currently amount to 2.2 billion tonnes of oil and 1.8 trillion cubic meters of gas, Kazakh Energy and Mineral Resource Minister Vladimir Shkolnik said in the Kazakh parliament. However, in May 2002 the Kazakh Foreign Ministry named a larger indicator for onshore oil reserves - 2.8 billion tonnes. According to Shkolnik, in general forecast reserves of hydrocarbons in the republic are estimated at 130 billion tonnes of fuel equivalent. Most reserves of associated gas and oil are concentrated at the Karachaganak, Tengiz, Zhanazhol and Urikhtau fields, the minister noted. Kazakhstan has not published official information on hydrocarbon reserves in the Caspian.
BP Urged To Clarify Support For Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline
Interfax
London, Dec 15: Britain`s biggest oil company, BP, has been called upon to clarify its position on the Baku-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline after plans for the controversial project were further delayed. Anders Lustgarten of the Kurdistan Human Rights Project (KHRP) said that BP have repeatedly been unwilling to discuss the viability of the pipeline route, while the shortest and most economic path was through Iran. "BP has staked much of its financial credibility on the BTC project only by promising big increases in oil and gas production in 2005," he told IRNA. Lustgarten believed that the latest announcement of a six-month delay on Friday represented a triumph for the coalition of non- governmental organisations (NGOs) campaigning against the more than 1,000 kms pipeline.
BP, Partners To Invest $4.3 Bln In Azerbaijani Projects
Interfax
Baku, Dec 15: British Petroleum and its partners plan to invest $4.3 billion in projects in Azerbaijan in 2003, BP Azerbaijan President David Woodward told journalists in Baku. He said that in accordance with a confirmed annual work program and budget, of the total investment about half - $2.152 billion - would be accounted for by Azerbaijan International Operating Company spending. This company is developing the Azeri-Chirag-Gyunashli offshore fields. AIOC plans to produce 6.5 million tonnes of oil at the Chirag field in 2003. In addition, Woodward noted that if Azerbaijan sanctions the Stage- 1 project, spending on the development of the Shah Deniz gas condensate field would amount to $800 million.
Azerbaijan To Export Natural Gas To Greece
Interfax
Baku, Dec 15: Azerbaijan wrapped up the first round of talks with a Greek company on a project to export Azerbaijani natural gas to Greece on Wednesday. At the talks in Athens, the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic (SOCAR) and Greece`s DEPA discussed proposed Greek gas imports from the Shakh Deniz field via Turkey. SOCAR President Natik Aliyev said that the talks were a success. "The Greek side wants initially to import no more that 500 million cubic meters a year from Azerbaijan," he told Azerbaijani state television. He said Greece wants to receive gas from the moment it arrives on the Turkish market, which would be by the third quarter of 2006. Aliyev said that members of the Greek government were very interested in Azerbaijani`s long-term gas export plans. Aliyev and SOCAR`s First Vice President Ilkham Aliyev were invited to Athens by DEPA and have been in the Greek capital since Monday. During their visit, they held talks with DEPA management and government officials. Greece first expressed the desire to import and re-export Azerbaijani gas in April this year.
Uzbek President And US Assistant Secretary Of State Discussed Economic Cooperation
Pravda
Moscow, Dec 14: Uzbek President Islam Karimov and the US Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Alan Larson discussed the issues concerning economic reforms in Uzbekistan and the perspectives of its cooperation with the United States during a meeting in Tashkent, reported sources in president`s administration. After the meeting, Mr. Larson told journalists that the sides exchanged their opinions on a wide range of topics, in particular - the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation.
China`s Eximbank In Loan Deal With Kazakh Railways
Hoover`s Online
Astana, Dec 14: The Kazakh Temir Zholy state-run railways company has clinched an agreement with China`s Eximbank to obtain a 170m-dollar loan to renew the company`s locomotives, the Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency reported on 14 December. "We signed a protocol with China`s Eximbank two weeks ago that it would allocate 172m dollars for Kazakhstan`s railways for a period of 14 years at 5.3 per cent of annual interest rate without government guarantees," the report said, quoting the president of Kazakh Temir Zholy, Yerlan Atamkulov. "There has never been such a loan in Kazakhstan`s history," Yerlan Atamkulov said.
US Under Secretary Of State Arrives In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 13: Alan Larson (Profile), the US Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs, will meet top officials of Uzbek government in Tashkent on Friday, 13 December, 2002. During his visit, Larson will discuss economic reforms in the country and cooperation between United States and Uzbekistan with Uzbek President Islam Karimov and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Macroeconomics of Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov.
USD 1.3 Billion In Foreign Investments Attracted To Kirghiz Economy Over The Independence Years
Pravda
Moscow, Dec 13: USD 1.3 billion in foreign investments have been attracted to the Kirghiz economy over the years of independence, President Askar Akayev of Kirghizia reported. According to him, about USD 300 million of the total amount of capital investments were used to support the national currency. Quite a number of major government projects in different spheres have been implemented in Kirghizia owing to the foreign investments. These include reconstruction of roads, construction and reconstruction of the fuel and energy complex, as well as projects in agriculture and social sphere. The head of state also reported that in the next few years the donor-countries intend to disburse another USD 700 million to Kirghizia.
Credentials Presented
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Dec 13: Wednesday Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary of transitional Islamic state of Afghanistan Mr. Said Zahir-shah Akbari delivered credentials to Nursultan Nazarbayev. The ambassador informed at briefing after the meeting the leadership of Afghanistan appreciated position of Nursultan Nazarbayev in consistent standing for eradication of socio-economic inequality and poverty, call on world countries to assist Afghan people to recover economy.
Prime Minister Satisfied With Results Of Kyrgyz-Tajik Intergovernmental Commission’s Work
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 13: Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Nikolai Tanaev expressed satisfaction during the meeting with First Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Hodji Akbar Turadjonzoda on the results of the work of Kyrgyz-Tajik intergovernmental commission on trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation. In the course of the 3rd intergovernmental commission, concrete agreements were reached on mutual-supply of electricity, supply of antimony concentrates from Tajikistan, supply of cables and transformers to Tajikistan in exchange for aluminum wire rod, products of “Kyrgyz-Chinese paper mill”, “Interglass” and grain and flour from Kyrgyzstan. The main attention was paid to the issues of joint exploitation of highways “Osh-Sarytash-Kyzylart”, “Osh-Horog” and Osh-Isfana”.
Two Customs Checkpoints To Be Removed From Kyrgyz-Tajik Border
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 13: During a month two customs checkpoints of Tajikistan will be removed from Kyrgyz-Tajik borders. It was agreed in the course of the 3rd intergovernmental commission of the two countries on trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation in Bishkek on December 11-12. The sides noted that presence of these checkpoints contradict to accepted agreement between the two countries on mutually beneficial cooperation. A lot of complaints addressed to the Kyrgyz Government from representatives of the Batken oblast on occasion of the work of Tajik customs checkpoints. In particular, numerous facts of illegal confiscation of cargoes of Kyrgyz businessmen registered.
Kyrgyz FM Meets With Chinese Vice-premier
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 12: China will continue working with all the countries within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) framework to promote security, stability and development in the region, said Chinese Vice-Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing Thursday. At a meeting with Askar Aitmatov, Kyrgyz minister of foreign affairs, Wen said China was concerned about the situation in Central Asia and supported the anti-terrorism moves of the international community. Wen praised the overall development of the traditional China-Kyrgyzstan friendship since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 10 years ago.
Kazakhstan, US Sign Memorandum Of Understanding
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Dec 12: U.S. Ambassador Larry Napper and Kazakhstan`s First Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Abuseitov signed a memorandum of understanding in Astana on 12 December under which Washington will provide a $530,000 grant to Kazakhstan`s law enforcement agencies to bolster the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime, Interfax reported.
China-Kirghizia Agreement On Anti-terrorist Co-operation
Pravda
Moscow, Dec 12: China and Kirghizia have signed an agreement on bilateral co-operation in the fight against terrorism, extremism and separatism. On Wednesday Kirghiz Foreign Minister Askar Aitmatov, in China for an official visit, and his Chinese counterpart Tan Jiaxuan put their signatories under this document. The agreement provides for interaction and mutual support of the two countries in the anti-terrorist effort and for more co-ordinated activities in ensuring regional stability and peace. During the Beijing talks between the two foreign ministers, Tan Jiaxuan emphasised that Beijing and Bishkek, acting within the UN, the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation and other international and regional organisations, fully understood each other`s interests and concerns and were collaborating in regard to the pressing international and regional problems.
Kyrgyzstan And Tajikistan Delimitate And Demarcate State Borders
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 12: From December 23 to 28 in Bishkek it is expected that Kyrgyz-Tajik Commission will renew its work on delimitation and demarcation of state borders between the two countries. During the meeting of the 3rd intergovernmental Kyrgyz-Tajik Commission on trade-economic, scientific-technical and culture cooperation Bazarbai Mambetov said, who chairs the Commission from the Kyrgyz side. In his words, today Kyrgyzstan completely delimitated with China and Kazakhstan, the delimitation of the state borders with Uzbekistan is underway. However, the delimitation and demarcation of the state borders between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is in the initial stage (about 1 thousand km). The issue to renew the work of the joint commission on delimitation and demarcation of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border was talked between Presidents Askar Akaev and Emomali Rahmanov during the meeting of heads of the Central Asian Cooperation Organization, which was taken place in early October in Dushanbe.
Karimov: Lack Of International Aid Hampers Afghan Peace Process
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 12: Afghanistan`s peace process is being hampered because the country is not receiving the pledged international assistance, Uzbek President Islam Karimov told journalists in Tashkent on Thursday (12 December), according to Interfax news agency. "The funds Afghanistan receives for its peaceful restoration are clearly insufficient," Karimov stressed. He said "some forces in the countries are waiting for an outburst of discontent, which could lead to a fresh confrontation". The president underscored the need for a stronger role for the central government.
Intergovernmental Kyrgyz-Tajik Commission Began Its Work In Bishkek
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 12: The third intergovernmental Kyrgyz-Tajik commission on trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation, which began its work in Bishkek today, aims to restore and revive trade-economic relations between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The meeting of the Commission holds after five-year interruption (the last time members of the Commission gathered in Hudjand, Tajikistan in February 1998). The meeting of the Commission chaired by resident representative of Kyrgyzstan to EurAzEC Bazarbai Mambetov and First Deputy Prime Minister of Tajikistan Turatjonzoda Hodji Akbar.
President: No Insoluble Problems In Uzbek-Russian Relations
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 12: The Russian presence in Uzbekistan has not been interrupted, said on Thursday (12 December) Uzbek President Islam Karimov in an interview with TASS on the sidelines of a session of the Uzbek parliament. "Russia has been present here for 150 years. Russia`s role and importance is great in the region. More, it can be said that Russia has fused with the Central Asian region," noted the Uzbek leader who "positively described the level of relations between Uzbekistan and Russia". "There is not a single insoluble problem in our political, trade and economic, the more so cultural relations," he noted. Discussing the future of Uzbek-Russian contacts, Karimov expressed hope "that our relations will have clear, good and predictable prospects in the coming year 2003".
Kazakhstan To Help Afghanistan To Rebuild Industrial Objects
Pravda
Moscow, Dec 11: Kazakhstan will send its specialists to Afghanistan to help rebuilding the country`s industrial facilities, Afghani Ambassador to Kazakhstan Said Zahir Shah Akbari disclosed to a RIA Novosti correspondent on Wednesday. According to him, this issue was discussed in the course of his meeting with Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who promised to render any form of help to Afghanistan in restoring its demolished economy.
Turkmen Leader Discussed Trans Afghan Gas Project With Indian Diplomat
Turkmenistan.RU
Ashgabat, Dec 11: Ashkhabad’s correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru informs that on December 10 the president Saparmurat Niyaziov received the Foreign Minister of India Rajendr Makhutkar Yabkhanakar. According to the presidential department for information during the talks the sides discussed trade and economic cooperation between the states in energy sphere, in particular. Turkmen president informed Indian diplomat about the forthcoming December 27-28 tripartite meeting between the heads of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, dedicated to the implementation of the project on construction of Transafghan gas main.
U.S. Appropriates Nearly $500 Million To Aid Uzbekistan In 2002
Interfax
Tashkent, Dec 11: The United States will provide aid worth nearly $500 million to Uzbekistan in the whole of 2002, says a U.S. Embassy press release made available to Interfax on Wednesday. Of that amount, democracy promotion programs account for $26.2 million; social services, $45.5 million; market reforms, $10.9 million; security and law enforcement agencies, $79.0 million; humanitarian aid, $53.1 million; and local development programs, $5.5 million. Additionally, the State Department and Defense Department carried out in the Fergana valley in August a $53 million project for modernizing hospitals in Fergana, Andizhan and Namangan. The value of humanitarian goods delivered to Uzbekistan in 2002 exceeds $116 million, the press release says.
Kyrgyzstan And Indonesia Intend To Set Up Bilateral-trade Economic Commission
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 11: Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Nikolai Tanaev and newly appointed Ambassador of Indonesia Hashim Saleh discussed the issue to set up bilateral trade-economic commission. In the course of the meeting, the sides noted that it is necessary to use potential of trade-economic cooperation between the two countries.
Iran, Armenian Sign Agreement On Development
IRNA
Tehran, Dec 11: Iran`s foreign minister Kamal Kharrazi and Armenia`s Presidential Office Head and Chairman of Iran-Armenia Economic Commission Artashes Tumanian inked an agreement on developmental affairs on Wednesday. According to the Press and Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides in a meeting called for the expansion of the bilateral cooperation and the settlement of the Karabakh crisis. Tumanian thanked Iran which he said has been making strenuous efforts to preserve the peace and stability in the region and to contribute to the development of Armenia. Iran`s efforts to get involved in the development projects in Armenia would strengthen the all-out ties between the two states, contribute to defuse the tension due to the Karabakh crisis, he noted.
Joint Kyrgyz-Chinese Information Communique Is Accepted In Beijing
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 11: Foreign Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and China Askar Aitmatov and Tang Jiaxuan signed an agreement between the Kyrgyz Republic and China on fighting with terrorism, separatism and extremism, and also accepted the Joint Kyrgyz-Chinese Information Communique in Beijing. The Communique aims to strengthen and deepen goof-neighborhood, friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.
Kazakhstan`s Enlistment In WTO: A Round Table Meeting
IRNA
Astana, Dec 11: The Confederation of Employers of Kazakhstan and Committee on Standardization, Metrology and Certification of the Republic of Kazakhstan`s Ministry of Industry and Trade will initiate a round table meeting here on Thursday to discuss the problems of harmonization and international systems of standardization and certification with the view of Kazakhstan`s enlistment in WTO. Directors of standardization committee, spokesmen of executive bodies of power, deputies of Parliament and public organizations will partake in the gathering.
International Forum On Poverty Reduction In 7 CIS Countries Underway In Almaty
Interfax
Almaty, Dec 11: Options for developing a poverty reduction strategy for seven Commonwealth of Independent States countries are on the agenda of the third forum addressing this issue, which is taking place in Almaty on December 11-13. The new strategy will help counter poverty in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The forum, which is sponsored by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the UN Development Program, features representatives of international donor organizations and funds, alongside delegations from recipient-nations.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Accuses Armenia Of Holding Destructive Position
Interfax
Yerevan, Dec 11: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Vilayat Guliyev has accused Armenia of holding a destructive stance on the issue of settling the conflict between the two countries. Guliyev spoke at the OSCE foreign ministers` summit in Porto, Portugal, on December 6-7, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry reported. "Armenia has occupied land that historically belonged to Azerbaijan (Nagorny Karabakh and other territories), has conducted ethnic cleansing on these territories, holds a destructive stance in the talks and is making attempts to demonstrate force," Guliyev said. "Until peace is restored to the region, Azerbaijani will not cooperate with an aggressor state on any level," he said.
EU Voices Concern Over Wide-scale Arrests In Turkmenistan
IRNA
Brussels, Dec 11: The European Union Tuesday said it regretted the violence committed during the reported assassination attempt against President Niyazov of Turkmenistan on November 25 in Ashkhabad and appealed for respect of law in bringing the perpetrators to justice. While the EU understands the desire of the Turkmen government to investigate thoroughly the reported attack and bring those guilty to justice, it is concerned by the manner in which the investigation is being conducted.
Armenia Joins WTO
Interfax
Yerevan, Dec 10: Armenia has become the 145th member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the government`s press service told Interfax. The decision to admit Armenia was made at the WTO General Council`s session in Geneva on December 10. Prime Minister Andranik Markarian led his country`s delegation at the session.
Uzbekistan Blames Kyrgyz For Failed Border Talks
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, Dec 10: The most recent round of border delimitation talks between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, which began in Bishkek on 26 November, failed to make any headway, Interfax quoted an unnamed Uzbek government official as saying on 10 December. That official claimed the Kyrgyz side constantly changes the composition of its commission on border issues and is sabotaging the talks by using the incomplete and legally inconsistent materials of a commission created in 1955 to address the issue. He added that Kyrgyzstan`s proposals run counter to protocols signed in February and April 2000 by the inter-governmental commission on border delimitation agreeing to base their talks on documents signed in 1924-28. He further noted that Kyrgyzstan has received far more disputed territory from Uzbekistan than Uzbekistan has from Kyrgyzstan.
Russian Pullout From Azerbaijan Oil Deal Not Political - Envoy
Interfax
Moscow, Dec 10: A senior Russian official on Tuesday denied that a decision by a major Russian company to back out of a big oil project in Azerbaijan was linked to Russia`s Azerbaijani policy, and said the reasons for the move were purely economic. "It is absurd to link this decision to Russia`s policy toward Azerbaijan," Deputy Foreign Minister Viktor Kalyuzhny, the Kremlin`s Caspian envoy, told a briefing in Moscow. Lukoil, which said on November 15 it was selling its stake in the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli project to a large Japanese company for more than $1.25 billion, "is a private company, and it would contradict Russia`s market concept of development to dictate it any terms if economic expediency prompts other steps for the company," Kalyuzhny said. "It is impossible to force Lukoil to stay in any project or, conversely, not to take part in it, for instance not to go into the Baku-Ceyhan project."
Turkmenistan Imposes More Restrictions For Foreign Visitors
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, Dec 10: The newspaper "Ashgabat" has published new regulations stipulating that foreign tourists visiting the city must stay at hotels and not with private individuals, Interfax reported on 10 December. In addition, foreigners hired for temporary employment in Ashgabat may switch jobs only after registering with the labor exchange. Local employers may not hire foreigners with temporary visas or those whose visas were issued on the basis of a private invitation. It is not clear whether the new restrictions are connected with the reported 25 November attempt to assassinate President Saparmurat Niyazov.
Kyrgyz-Uzbek Talks On Border Delimitation Fruitless
Interfax
Tashkent, Dec 10: Another round of negotiations on the delimitation of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek state border, as with the previous two years of joint efforts, has not brought any results, a source with the Uzbek government told Interfax on Tuesday. "The Kyrgyz party changes the composition of its commission on the border delimitation all the time," the source said. "Kyrgyzstan is setting obstacles to the achievement of positive results on border delimitation," the source said. "In particular, using the legally inconsistent and procedurally incomplete material of the 1955 parity commission, Kyrgyzstan is suggesting that it be considered a legal basis in delimiting the border. This is just another method of creating a `vacuum` in the negotiating process on border delimitation," the source said. Kyrgyzstan`s proposal that the legal basis of the border delimitation be changed runs counter to the February 18 and April 13, 2000, protocols drafted by the intergovernmental delimitation commission, under which the parties confirmed a list of documents issued in 1924-1928 that should be used in describing the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, the source said. "Kyrgyzstan should not forget that during the territorial delimitation, lands were not allotted on a parity basis: Kyrgyzstan received from Uzbekistan 158,500 hectares, while Uzbekistan was given in compensation only 34,300 hectares. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan is not disputing this unfair redistribution, as it was legally consolidated by duly confirmed documents." The overall length of the disputed Kyrgyz-Uzbek border sectors is 432 kilometers out of 1,492 kilometers, the source said.
UN Appeals For Further Humanitarian Aid For Tajikistan
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, Dec 10: Speaking in Dushanbe on 10 December, Matthew Kahane, who is the resident representative of the UN Development Program (UNDP), pleaded for donor states to provide additional humanitarian aid, arguing that Tajikistan remains "vulnerable," Interfax and Asia Plus-Blitz reported. He said $62 million is needed in 2003 to finance 53 projects, including to provide safe drinking water and to prevent chronic malnutrition among the most impoverished strata of the population.
China Says SCO Aids Regional Security, Stability
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 10: The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has played a positive role in deepening regional security cooperation with Asian characteristics, says a white paper issued by the Information Office of China`s State Council Monday (9 December), according to Xinhua news agency. Since its founding, the SCO has signed and published in succession the Shanghai Convention on Combating Terrorism, Separatism and Extremism, the joint communique of the defence ministers, the statement of the prime ministers, the statement of leaders of the law-enforcement and security departments, and the joint statement of the foreign ministers of the member nations, says the white paper - "China`s National Defence in 2002."
Tajik President Ends US Visit
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, Dec 11: During a two-day visit -- his first -- to the United States on 8-10 December, Imomali Rakhmonov met with U.S. President George W. Bush to discuss expanding bilateral relations -- especially in the security sphere -- the situation in Afghanistan and the war on international terrorism, combating drug trafficking, and economic reforms and poverty reduction in Tajikistan, ITAR-TASS and Asia Plus-Blitz reported. Rakhmonov also met with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, CIA Director George Tenet, and IMF representatives. Tajikistan will open an embassy in Washington early in 2003, ITAR-TASS quoted Rakhmonov as saying on 10 December.
Second Caspian Summit Planned For 2003
Interfax
Moscow, Dec 10: The second summit of the five Caspian states (Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan. Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan) could be held in Tehran in 2003, Russian special presidential representative for the Caspian status and Deputy Foreign Minister Viktor Kalyuzhny told the press in Moscow on Tuesday. It was the Iranian president`s initiative, supported by Russia, to hold the Caspian summit in Tehran next year, he said. The Caspian Five is currently considering the possibility of convening top level meetings annually, Kalyuzhny said. The core of the final document on the future Caspian summit should be a declaration, which was drawn up before a meeting of the Caspian leaders in Ashgabat in April 2002, but which was not adopted.
Kazakh President To Pay Official Visit To Beijing
Interfax
Almaty, Dec 10: President Nursultan Nazarbayev will visit China in late December, Interfax learned on Tuesday. During his December 22-25 visit, Nazarbayev will meet with Chinese leaders and high-ranking Communist Party members. The sides are expected to sign a number of bilateral documents.
Transcaspian Pipeline To Join Kazakhstan To Baku-Ceyhan
Central Asia Daily
Baku, Dec 10: An oil pipeline will be constructed from Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan underneath the Caspian Sea, the president of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic [SOCAR], Natiq Aliyev, said following talks with a Kazakh delegation in London on Kazakhstan joining the project for the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan main export pipeline. He said that both sides had already reached a firm agreement on this issue and that they were currently drafting relevant agreements, BBC reports. "We are planning to construct a pipeline from Aktau [Kazakhstan] to Dubandi [Azerbaijan] in the future," he said. "For now oil will be delivered from Kazakhstan in tankers. We agreed to sign documents and adopt laws, which would facilitate their oil export. The Kazakh side confirmed that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline was an important priority for them," Aliyev said. The talks held at the US embassy in London late last week were conducted at the initiative of the US administration, which sent its special representative for Caspian energy diplomacy, Steven Mann, to the meeting. SOCAR President Natiq Aliyev and First Vice-President Ilham Aliyev from Azerbaijan and the managing director for transport infrastructure and service projects of the KazMunayGaz [Kazakh oil and gas] company, Kairgeldy Kabyldin, from Kazakhstan attended the meeting. The next round of talks will be held in Almaty in January.
Kyrgyz President And Representatives Of Chinese Delegation Discussed Trade-economic Cooperation
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 10: President of the Kyrgyz Republic Askar Akaev met in the Government House with a delegation of the People’s Republic of China led by President of the Chinese metallurgical trade-industry Corporation Bai Baohua. According to the Presidential press service, in the course of the talk with the Chinese delegation, perspectives of Kyrgyz-Chinese trade-economic cooperation discussed.
Ambassadors Of Indonesia And Yemen Handed Credentials To Kyrgyz President
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 10: President of the Kyrgyz Republic Askar Akaev received credentials of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassadors of Indonesia Hashim Saleha and Yemen Ahmed Hussein Al-Bashara to Kyrgyzstan. According to the press service of the head of the state, during the talk with H. Saleh, President A. Akaev, noted the necessity of activation of cooperation of Kyrgyzstan with Indonesia in trade-economic, culture-humanitarian and other spheres. The President of Kyrgyzstan noted said that Kyrgyzstan attach importance to implementation of joint projects with attracting the Indonesian capital through tourism, processing of agricultural products, textile industry.
Russia Invites Iran To Join Turkmenistan`s Caspian Shelf Development
Interfax
Moscow, Dec 10: Russia has invited Iran to take part in developing the southern part of the Caspian, specifically the Turkmen shelf, said Russian special presidential representative for the Caspian status and Deputy Foreign Minister Viktor Kalyuzhny. Speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Tuesday, Kalyuzhny noted that he implied Iran`s involvement in the work of the Russian- Turkmen joint venture Zarit, which incorporates the Russian companies Rosneft and Zarubezhneft. "This proposal, which first provoked a tough objection from Iran, was later regarded as interesting and worth consideration," said Kalyuzhny, who returned from Tehran at the end of last week.
Symposium Dedicated To Turkmen Neutrality Opens
Turkmenistan.RU
Ashgabat, Dec 10: Correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reports from Ashkhabad that an international symposium entitled Role of independent and neutral Turkmenistan in Central Asian region” opened its work in Ashkhabad. It is organized along with the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan and OSCE on the eve of December 12th – anniversary of declaration of Turkmen neutrality. This event gathered representatives of international organizations, diplomats, researchers and experts from Central Asian states, Russia, Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, Romania, Holland and many other states. While addressing to the participants of the symposium, Saparmurat Niyazov underlined that adoption of the resolution on permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan by the UN General Assembly on December 12, 1995 “meant that positive peacemaking potential of Turkmenistan was not only highly appreciated but also demanded”.
Kuchma To Visit Uzbekistan In Late December
Interfax
Kyiv, Dec 10: Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma will go on a working visit to Tashkent on December 19-20, Ukraine`s Ambassador to Uzbekistan Anatoliy Kasyanenko told a press conference in Tashkent on Monday. The Ukrainian president`s visit to Uzbekistan will allow us to step up bilateral ties, Kasyanenko announced. He noted that the sides will discuss a number of issues to fill Ukraine-Uzbekistan cooperation with specific content for long-term prospects. The diplomat said the parties intend to sign several documents, particularly on production cooperation, interregional cooperation, and research and engineering cooperation.
Iran, Kyrgyzstan Review Expansion Of Mutual Ties
Tehran Times
Tehran, Dec 10: Kyrgyz Ambassador to Tehran Medet Sadyrkulov conferred here on Monday with the Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on issues of mutual interest. At the meeting, Rafsanjani called the existing mutual relations as `satisfactory` adding that after since Kyrgyzstan`s independence eleven years ago, the two countries have taken very significant steps toward broadening economic, political and cultural ties. Highlighting mutual cultural commonalties, Rafsanjani called for further expansion of cooperation and expressed the hope that the agreements and contracts already signed by the two sides would be implemented as soon as possible.
Tajik President: Russia Remains Dushanbe`s Strategic Partner
Pravda
Moscow, Dec 10: The Tajik president states that "Russia remains Dushanbe`s strategic partner", and the deployment of anti-terrorist coalition forces in Central Asia is simply dictated by the present situation in Afghanistan. "Tajikistan is a sovereign state and the presence of Western military forces, the American troops in particular, in the region is dictated by the situation in Afghanistan," Rakhmonov announced in the interview with "France-press" news agency on the eve of his first official visits to France and the United States.
Oil And Gas 2002 Exhibition To Take Place On December 16-18
Turkmenistan.RU
Ashgabat, Dec 10: More than 100 companies from 20 states worldwide producing and owning state-of-art technologies in oil and gas industry will take part in Oil and Gas Turkmenistan – 2002 exhibition, organized by Turkmen Trade and Industry Chamber along with the Ministry of oil industry and mineral resources. Ashkhabad’s correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru was informed in the Ministry that such exhibitions are being carried out every year starting from 1996. At this seventh exhibition companies from Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Canada, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, USA, France, Switzerland, Japan, China, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan will presented their production to wide the spectrum of partnership, to sign new mutually beneficial contracts. An international conference “Expansion of technological potential of oil and gas sphere of Turkmenistan” will be carried out in Ashkhabad at the same time.
Foreign Experts To Be Allowed To Attend Kazakh Journalist`s Trial
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Dec 10: In a statement issued on 10 December, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry said that foreign experts will be permitted to attend the trial, for which no date has yet been set, of opposition journalist Sergei Duvanov, Reuters and Interfax reported. Duvanov faces charges, which most domestic and international observers are convinced were fabricated, of raping a 14-year old girl at his dacha in late October. President Nursultan Nazarbaev said in Brussels on 29 November that tests have established Duvanov`s guilt.
Iran Warns Against Unilateral Measures In The Caspian
Tehran Times
Tehran, Dec 10: Iran warned the littoral states of the Caspian Sea on Monday against taking any unilateral measure regarding the ecosystem of the world`s largest lake. During the first day of the meeting, Deputy Minister of the Agricultural Jihad and the Chairman of the Islamic Republic Fishery Organization, Yahya Mohammadzadeh expressed his concern over the marine life situation in the Caspian Sea. The 18th Meeting of the Caspian Sea Marine Life Commission started Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan in which delegations from four Caspian Sea littoral states discussed such issues as the Caspian Sea environment, marine life, and in particular caviar fish protection in accordance with the guidelines and recommendations of the international environmental communities.
Uzbek Leader Awarded An Honorary Doctorate Of Japanese University
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 10: President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan received the president of Japan`s Soka University, Masami Wakae, in his Oqsaroy residence today (10 December), Uzbek TV reported. Our head of state welcomed the guest and said that his visit to Tashkent would be another important step in strengthening relations between Uzbekistan and Japan. He highly praised Soka University`s scientific potential, and said that he was pleased with the results of cooperation between Uzbek and Japanese scholars in the field of archaeology. The main topic of discussions was establishing scientific and practical cooperation between Soka University and higher educational establishments of Uzbekistan. At the end of talks, he said that Soka University`s administration and board of scholars awarded the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, a honorary doctorate for his great contribution to the development of science, education and culture, the reinforcement of friendly relations among various countries, peace in the world and the development of his own country.
Uzbekistan, Moldova To Strengthen Trade-economic Relations
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 9: “The aim of Moldavian delegation visit to Uzbekistan is boosting the bilateral trade-economic relations within the framework of Uzbek-Moldavian Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation, signed seven years ago,“ – Moldavian Prime Minister Vasily Tarlaev said. Tarlaev has noted that relations between the two countries are regulated by 41 bilateral agreements and 9 of the agreements are going through development process. The first nine months of 2002 has brought USD 769,400 in turnover between Uzbekistan and Moldova. It is 40.8 per cent decrease compared to the same period of 2001. Tarlaev explained it by shrinking Moldavian export with the volume USD 669,400. The import volume in Moldova makes up USD 100,000. During three days of visit in Uzbekistan (9-11 December), Vasily Tarlaev will meet Uzbek President Islam Karimov, Prime Minister Otkir Sultonov, Chairman of Oliy Majlis (Uzbek Parliament) Erkin Khalilov and other senior officials. Vasiliy Tarlaev and Otkir Sultonov will conduct a joint session of Uzbek-Moldavian Interstate Trade-Economic Cooperation.
Tajik President Arrives In US On First Official Visit
Interfax
Dushanbe, Dec 9: Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov arrived in the United States on Sunday evening on the first such official visit, presidential press secretary Zafar Saidov told the press on Monday. Rakhmonov will meet with President George W. Bush, Vice-President Richard Cheney, CIA Director George Tenet, Secretary of State Colin Powell and World Bank President James Wolfensohn in the White House on December 9.
Kyrgyz Foreign Minister To Visit China
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 9: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Askar Aitmatov will visit China with an official visit from December 10 to 16, 2002. In the course of the visit, the Kyrgyz Minister will meet and negotiate with members of the State Council, Chinese Vice Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, the Chairman of the state committee for planning and development, and others. During the visit, it is expected to sign an Agreement on fighting with terrorism, separatism and extremism on a bilateral level.
Uzbek President Awards Azerbaijan Ambassador With Dostlik Order
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 9: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan Aidyn Alibekovich Azimbekov has been awarded with Uzbekistan`s Dostlik (Friendship) order. A corresponding decree was signed by President of Uzbekistan on 9 December 2002. The high award has been given for Azimbekov for his "great contribution to development of friendly relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in various spheres".
Credentials Presented.
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Dec 9: The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Italy Byrganym Aitimova presented credentials to Greek President Konstantinos Stefanopulos. In the course of the conversation held after the ceremony completed K.Stepanopulos highly appreciated the activity of President Nazarbayev and confirmed the Greek part`s intention to develop economic cooperation with our country in energy production, transport and communications, shipbuilding tourism and other spheres, Kazakh Foreign Ministry`s press-service reported.
UN Official, Turkmen President Discuss Integration In Central Asia
Interfax
Ashgabat, Dec 9: Turkmen President Saparmurad Niyazov and UN Central Asia and Afghanistan sector chief Vladimir Goryayev discussed integration processes in Central Asia and the UN`s role in this process, the Turkmen presidential secretariat told Interfax on Monday. "Integration of the Central Asian states remains a priority for the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. However, the sharp acceleration of integration processes could bring about diametrically opposite results," Niyazov said.
Ukrainian Leader To Visit Uzbekistan On 19-20 December
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 9: President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma will visit Uzbekistan on 19-20 December 2002, Ambassador of Ukraine in Uzbekistan Anotoliy Kasyanenko announced at the press conference on Monday. He also said that the visit “will be focused on acceleration of bilateral relations” between the two countries. Kasyanenko added that during the upcoming visit, the leaders of Uzbekistan and Ukraine would discuss several issues targeted at strengthening of Uzbek-Ukrainian relations and focusing on long-term perspective in the political and economic spheres. Both sides are planning to sign several agreements on industrial cooperation, interregional cooperation and cooperation in scientific-technical sphere.
Central Asian Education Forum To Be Held In Kyrgyzstan In 2003
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 9: In 2003 Kyrgyzstan will host the Central Asian Education Forum. Before Kazakhstan was the coordinator of the Forum on Education and now the reins of government pass into the hands of Kyrgyzstan. Such a decision was taken in Alma-Ata, where was held the meeting of Executive Committee of the Central Asian Education Forum. According to chairwoman of the state policy and planning of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Kyrgyzstan Larisa Miroshnichenko, the forum was organized jointly with UNESCO and UNICEF Offices in Almaty.
China`s CITIC Starts Building $100 Mln Soda Plant In Uzbekistan
Interfax
Tashkent, Dec 9: The Chinese company CITIC has begun the construction of a soda plant in the Uzbek town of Kungrad costing $100 million, a spokesman for the state stock company Uzkhimprom, the customer for the plant, has told Interfax. The Kungrad soda plant`s production capacity is rated at 100,000 tonnes of soda ash per year. The presupposed construction period is 26 months. Uzkhimprom and CITIC signed a $32.3 million contract for designing and building the technological part of the soda plant as a turn-key operation. The general construction will be done by Uzbek building companies. The financing for the technological part of the plant is coming from a $29.23 million credit form the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, as well as a roughly $3 million Uzpromstroibank credit. The general construction work is being financed with Uzkhimprom funds.
Kyrgyzstan Expressed Support For Afghanistan
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 9: The second International conference on Afghanistan, in which participated delegations from 33 countries of Europe, Asia, America, as well as representatives of UN and EU, was taken place in Petersberg (Germany) on December 2, 2002. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Askar Aitmatov headed the Kyrgyz delegation. According to the press service of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry, in his speech A. Aitmatov at a plenary session has expressed the support for activity of Afghanistan led by President Hamid Karzai, aimed to create democratic society in Afghanistan.
Kazakh Govt., Tengizchevroil Dispute Resolved
Interfax
Astana, Dec 9: The Kazakh government and management from the oil production joint venture Tengizchevroil have resolved their dispute, Kazakh Energy and Mineral Resource Minister Vladimir Shkolnik said during government hour in parliament on Monday. Late on Friday evening the government and Tengizchevroil reached an agreement, making it possible to restart the implementation of two projects worth a total of about $3.3 billion. "We convinced our partners that they should pay $200 million each per annum to the republic`s budget, but not they way they wanted - using an accelerate amortization scheme, but with the usual amortization of equipment," Shkolnik said. In total the Tengizchevroil foreign partners should pay about $600 million. Tengizchevroil announced in mid-November that it was halting two large projects - to build a second-generation plant and a plant to pump gas back into the oil bed, worth a total of $3.3 billion - $3.5 billion. The reason the joint venture reached this decision was disagreement between company shareholders regarding a mechanism for financing the project. In particular, the foreign participants in Tengizchevroil proposed to invest funds saved on payments to the state budget as a result of the application of an accelerated amortization method, while the Kazakh side noted other possible sources of financing, including borrowing. In addition, Shkolnik noted that during talks the sides found a scheme for financing Kazakhstan`s 20 per cent share in the Tengizchevroil projects. If both projects are valued at $3.5 billion, then this (the Kazakh share) amounts to about $700 million, which we should finance over three years," the Kazakh minister said. At the request of Interfax, Shkolnik explained that this scheme involved the Tengizchevroil partners helping the Kazakh government borrow this amount.
An Agreement Is Reached On Restructuring Debt Of Kyrgyzstan To Russia
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 9: During the official visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Kyrgyzstan an agreement on restructuring debt of Kyrgyzstan to Russia is reached. So, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Askar Aitmatov at a press conference at the News Agency “Kabar”, Kyrgyzstan and Russia signed the document, which delays repayment for 20 years.
Turkmen Capital Hosts Drug Control Conference
Pravda
Moscow, Dec 13: Signatory countries of a memorandum of mutual understanding on regional drug control partnership opened their 4th conference in Ashgabat, Turkmen capital, today. Delegates of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, of international agencies, specialised institutes and programme donor countries gathered under the joint aegis of the Turkmen government and the United Nations anti-drug agency. The conferees will debate a wide range of issues for joint monitoring of illegal production, traffic and abuse of narcotic and psychotropic substances and precursors. On the opening conference day, spokesmen of the memorandum signatory countries offered national reports on the current situation and prospects of anti-drug team efforts.
Implementation Of Amnesty Under Way In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 15: A seminar was held today at the Main Directorate for Implementing Punishments (in Uzbek capital Tashkent) on the implementation of the presidential decree on amnesty issued on the occasion of Constitution Day (8 December), Uzbekistan TV reported on 14 December. The framework of the amnesty clearly depicts the progress of democratic reforms in the country. The amnesty will apply primarily to all women, minors, the elderly and those who had committed a crime for the first time due to negligence. The amnesty will also apply to those who were tried and imprisoned for committing economic crimes but recompensed the damage caused. This shows that the liberalization of the punishment system is being put into practice. Law-enforcement agencies, courts and other relevant organizations have begun wide-scale preparatory work as part of implementing the decree. Operational territorial commissions are being set up in the localities.
Southern Uzbek Regional Police Is Praised In Local Paper
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Dec 12: "Police stations being set up in local neighbourhoods are becoming really effective means of preventing crime, maintaining calm and educating the younger generation," Narodnoye Slovo reported on 12 December. "The following principle is applied here: crime prevention is better than the imposition of punishment. Surkhandarya is a southern region of Uzbekistan. It shares a border with neighbouring countries (Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan). This dictates higher demands on personnel of the region`s interior bodies. They include 234 police stations, 650 people`s guards and a 500-strong group of local volunteers ready to carry out police operatives` orders. There are 46 patrol services along the border in the region. Close contacts with the border guard service are producing real positive results," the paper said.
Central Asia: Report Says Police Have Improved Little Since Soviet Era
Radio Free Europe
Prague, Dec 11: The International Crisis Group has issued a new report on the state of law enforcement in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The report, titled "Central Asia: The Politics of Police Reform," finds police forces in these countries have improved little since Soviet times. An Uzbek prayer dating from the days of the Soviet Union says, "God, protect me from doctors and policemen." Its logic rested on the belief that both categories of professionals could injure or kill, though by different means. A new report by the Brussels-based, nonprofit International Crisis Group (ICG) on the conduct of police in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan finds the structures of most police forces have changed little since the Soviet period. The ICG says that police forces in the region are much more powerful than the militaries and include their own armed units designed for internal control. The report concludes: "While societies and economic systems have undergone rapid transition, the organs of state security remain largely unreformed. In many ways, they are actually worse than under the Soviet state: more corrupt, less responsive to the population, more involved in organized crime, and often out of the control of political masters. The police are feared, mistrusted and viewed as ineffective in protecting the population from crime." David Lewis is the Central Asia project director for the ICG and one of the leading authors of the report.
Antiterrorist Training.
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Dec 9: Antiterrorist training "Batys-2002" was conducted at Aktau. Special sub-units of Interior ministry, Mangustau internal affairs department sub-units took part in the training. The ministry`s press-service reported specialists of Aktobe, Atyrau, Western Kazakhstan and Kyzylorda regions internal ministry`s departments, sub-units of regional department of frontier troops to take part in the training. The actions on terrorism combating and possible accidents at oil and gas and chemical industry enterprises preventing were polished in the course of the training.
First Ombudsman Of Kyrgyzstan Took An Oath
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 13: Tursunbai Bakir uulu took an oath today at the joint session of the both chambers of the Kyrgyz Parliament. In his oath “I am Bakir uulu Tursunbai, assuming office of Ombudsman, solemnly swear fidelity to honestly fulfill the duties of Ombudsman, keep the Constitution and the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic…” According to the press service of the Legislative Assembly of the Kyrgyz Parliament, Secretary of State Osmonakun Ibraimov congratulated the Ombudsman on behalf of the President of Kyrgyzstan.
First Ombudsman Of Kyrgyzstan Left The Parliament
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, Dec 12: The Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan took a decision that the Ombudsman of Kyrgyzstan Tursunbay Bakir uulu, recently elected by parliament will leave the Legislative Chamber, as required by law. Bakir uulu is expected to take an oath before the both chambers of the parliament.
International Aid Fuels Kyrgyz Bureaucracy
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, Dec 9: Of the $350 million in international grants that Kyrgyzstan was recently promised, approximately half is needed to fund the country`s bureaucracy, akipress.org quoted parliament Deputy Kabay Karabekov as estimating on 9 December. At a government meeting on 7 December, it was reported that some 1,000 government posts have been abolished this year, RFE/RL`s Bishkek bureau reported.
Kazakh Nuclear Corporation Doubles Net Profit
Interfax
Almaty, Dec 11: Kazakhstan`s national nuclear company Kazatomprom doubled its net profits (up 102 per cent) to 5.846 billion tenge year-on-year in the first nine months of 2002. Sales rose at Kazatomprom, which is one of the world`s ten biggest uranium mining companies, grew 51.5 per cent to 20.136 billion tenge, according to the company`s unaudited consolidated financial statement. The cost of sold products increased 35.3 per cent to 14.275 billion tenge.
U.S. Concerned At Nuclear Smuggling In Central Asia
Kazakhstan News
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Dec 9: Radioactive material that could potentially be used to make so-called "dirty bombs" has been seized at border posts in Central Asia in the past 12 months, a senior U.S. Defense Department official said on Monday. The smuggled material, contaminated metals, was confiscated at checkpoints along the Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan borders, Harlan Strauss, director of International Counterproliferation Programmes at the Defense Department, told Reuters. "It is possible to be reprocessed and to be utilised in a way that radioactive material can be used for a dispersal device or a small weapon to contaminate an area," he said. "There continues to be movement of material across borders which is of concern," Strauss said on the sidelines of a conference on terrorism. "We have recently, particularly in Central Asia, stopped some shipments of radioactive material exiting the region.
Kazakhstan Plans To Raise Uranium Supplies To World Markets
Interfax
Astana, Dec 9: Kazakhstan plans to take measures to increase supplies of uranium to world markets, the country`s energy and mineral resources minister, Vladimir Shkolnik, during government hour in parliament Monday. "We have a lot of potential (to develop uranium production) in Kazakhstan, we are increasing annual uranium output and we have very aggressive, ambitious plans to provide the world energy industry with uranium," he said. Presenting a draft program on the development of the fuel and energy industry in 2003-2015, Shkolnik said Kazakhstan would invest $293 in uranium production during this period.
15 December 2002