Central Asia Weekly News Summary: 1 - 7 February 2003
Kyrgyz people approve new Constitution in nation-wide referendum
Preliminary results after the nation-wide referendum held in Kyrgyzstan showed that nearly 75.5 per cent of the voters approved a new draft of the constitution and 78.7 per cent agreed that President Akaev should continue in office till his term expires in December 2005
Opposition Newspaper Under Threat
Central Asia Daily
Bishkek, Feb 7: An opposition daily newspaper in Kyrgyzstan has been threatened with closure following a court order providing for the seizure of its property and freezing of its bank accounts. `We have written to the Bishkek appeal court, but they have not responded yet. We hope they will come back on this judgement,` the head of the Europe desk for Reporters Without Borders (RWB), Soria Blatmann, told IRIN from Paris on Thursday. The Moya Stolitsa newspaper is known for reporting on political corruption, and has been under pressure from the authorities for several years.
Azerbaijani Elections Will Be Democratic, Transparent - Official
Interfax
Baku, Feb 7: The presidential elections in Azerbaijan this year will be `more democratic, free and transparent than ever,` Novruz Mamedov, Azerbaijani presidential spokesman, told a press conference at the headquarters of the ruling party Yeni Azerbaijan on Friday. `We are already working on this and certain difficulties appear. [These issues] will be successfully resolved because the state must settle all of the problems itself,` he said.
Turkmens Will Not Sell Or Lease A Single Inch Of Land
Turkmenistan.RU
Ashgabat, Feb 5: The Turkmen president Saparmurat Niyazov announced at the session of the government that soon a document forbidding selling and leasing Turkmen lands to foreigners will be approved in the state, Ashgabat`s correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reports. “Soon we will issue a decree for the future generations lay no claims on us. No matter what land it is – desert, Karakums, steppe, irrigative lands, mountains or whatsoever, we have no rights to sell or lease for long term to foreign citizens. This land belongs to Turkmenistan,” the President said.
Armenia`s New President Will Enjoy International Support In Nagorno- Karabakh Settlement
Interfax
Yerevan, Feb 5: Armenia`s elected president will obtain the international community`s backing in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Ordway said on Wednesday. Ordway believes that a democratic presidential election will not only allow Armenia to become a full-fledged member of the international community, but will also service as an excellent example for other elections in the region. The ambassador also voiced concern over reported violations committed during the election campaign, at the same time expressing hope that the authorities will take adequate steps.
Armenian Parliamentary Elections Set For May 25
Interfax
Yerevan, Feb 5: Armenian parliamentary elections have been set for May 25, 2003. This date was documented in a decree signed by Armenian President Robert Kocharian, the presidential press service has told Interfax. The previous parliamentary elections were held in May, 1999.
OSCE, Germany To Give Armenia Transparent Polling Booths
Interfax
Yerevan, Feb 4: The German government and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and will give Armenia transparent polling booths to be used in presidential elections, Artak Sagradian Chairman of Armenia`s Central Elections Commission, announced on Tuesday. He said that on Monday, the Central Election Commission and the OSCE mission in Yerevan signed a protocol under which 2,000 transparent polling booths will be supplied to Armenia.
Kazakh Senator Receives Suspended Sentence
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Feb 3: The Stepnogorsk City Court has found Marat Koishibaev guilty of large-scale embezzlement, abuse of office, and forgery and has imposed a 5 1/2-year suspended sentence, Interfax reported on 3 February. Koishibaev was also barred from holding public office for two years. Koishibaev, a member of the pro-presidential OTAN party, was elected to the senate - the upper chamber of Kazakhstan`s parliament - from an Aqmola constituency in October 2002 with 80 per cent of the vote.
Kyrgyz Opposition Disputes Referendum Turnout Figures
Interfax
Bishkek, Feb 3: The official returns of the constitutional referendum held in Kyrgyzstan on Sunday are untrue. This claim was announced to the press on Monday by head of the opposition headquarters monitoring the referendum and deputy chairman of the constitutional conference Omurbek Tekebayev. "According to preliminary reports from our observers, the official turnout figure, which exceeds 83 per centat the moment, is greatly exaggerated. This has happened through the efforts of executive government bodies. According to our headquarters, less than 50 per cent of the voters actually took part," he said. The opposition headquarters plans to analyse the referendum outcome and report the abuses to all key international organizations shortly.
Kyrgyz Central Electoral Commission Specifies Sunday Referendum Results
Interfax
Bishkek, Feb 3: The Central Electoral Commission of Kyrgyzstan is specifying results of the Sunday referendum on a new version of the constitution. "During calculation of the election results, a program which counts election results from the number of citizens participating in the referendum was input into the Central Electoral Commission`s computer by mistake," head of the commission`s analysis and information department Nina Mukhina told Interfax on Monday. "However, it is necessary to count the percentage of votes of the overall number of voters, instead of the number of voters who visited polling stations. Now the Central Electoral Commission is specifying the results of the ballot," Mukhina said. She said, "updating had not had a serious influence on the outcome of the ballot." The referendum turnout is preliminary estimated at over 86%.
Kazakh President`s Daughter Thinks Duvanov Case Should Go To Court Of Appeals
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 3: Dariga Nazarbayeva, daughter of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and chairman of the Social Protection Foundation, believes the case of journalist Sergei Duvanov should go to the Court of Appeals. Nazarbayeva said this in a statement published by several Kazakh mass media outlets on Friday. On Tuesday, Duvanov was found guilty of raping a 14-year-old girl and sentenced to 3.5 years in jail.
Kyrgyz Approve New Constitution, Support President In Referendum
MSNBC
Bishkek, Feb 3: Kyrgyz citizens gave resounding support to a new constitution and embattled President Askar Akaev in a national referendum, according to preliminary results released Monday. The Central Election Committee said 75.5 percent of the voters participating in the Sunday referendum approved a new draft of the constitution, while 78.7 percent agreed that Akaev should stay on until the end of his term in December 2005 to see through the changes, seen as the government`s latest response to a year of simmering protest. Turnout was more than 86 per cent in this Central Asian nation, which is hosting U.S.-led anti-terrorist troops. Final results were expected Wednesday, but they weren`t expected to deviate by more than 1.5 percent from the preliminary totals, said election committee chairman Sulaiman Imanbayev. But the opposition, which called for a boycott of the vote and sent observers to monitor the election, said that turnout had actually been less than 40 percent — failing to reach the 50 percent threshold for the referendum to be valid. The parties also complained of irregularities and said their observers met obstacles in carrying out their work. The referendum had been criticized by the United States and international human rights groups as rushed — held just 20 days after it was announced by Akaev.
Kyrgyzstan Still Has Not Announced Preliminary Referendum Results
Pravda
Moscow, Feb 3: Kyrgyzstan still hasn`t announced even the preliminary results of the Sunday referendum on alterations and addenda to the republic`s Constitution. As a source in the apparatus of the Central Electoral Commission said on Monday, the more than sixteen-hour delay was prompted by an error in the state-owned automated computer system Shailoo, which collects results submitted by district and regional electoral commissions. Because of the error, commissions were forced to submit their results to the capital by telephone. CEC officials are now busy summarizing the results "manually," as the source put it.
Kyrgyzstan Votes In Referendum
MSNBC
Bishkek, Feb 2: Kyrgyzstan went ahead with a constitutional referendum on Sunday in the face of Western criticism that it is being held to enable President Askar Akaev to boost his powers rather than share them with parliament. But Akaev, a soft-spoken 58-year-old physicist who has run the largely agrarian nation since 1990, said as he voted he hoped that up to 75 percent of the electorate would pass a vote of confidence in him. Akaev says the constitutional reform - the fourth since 1993 - will shift his powers to parliament and the government. The opposition counters that while ceding some prerogatives, he will retain the right to veto their decisions and will still control the legislature. The United States said last week the reform would further concentrate power in the presidency. More than 50 percent of Kyrgyzstan`s 2.47 million eligible voters must take part in the vote to make the referendum valid.
Kazakh Opposition Party Softens Stance On President
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Feb 2: In a 31 January statement posted two days later on
eurasia.org.ru, the opposition party Democratic Choice for Kazakhstan (DVK) announced that at a meeting of the DVK leadership on 18 January, members agreed to adopt less confrontational tactics vis-a-vis the country`s leadership. Specifically, they decided to abandon the slogan "Kazakhstan Without [President Nursultan] Nazarbaev." The DVK is one of two major opposition parties whose status remains unclear after they failed to meet stringent conditions for re-registration under the law on political parties passed last year. The deadline for re-registration was 20 January.
Greece To Repair Georgian Navy Boats
Interfax
Tbilisi, Feb 7: The Iveria and Mestia patrol boats of the Georgian Navy will leave for Greece to undergo repairs in February, a source in the Georgian Defence Ministry told Interfax- Military News Agency on Friday. Meanwhile, boat crews will take a refresher course in Greece, the source said.
Kyrgyzstan`s Security Increased
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, Feb 4: The military threat to Kyrgyzstan`s security has been significantly reduced in 2002, thanks primarily to the country`s active cooperation with fellow members of the CIS Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Co-operation Organization (SCO), Defence Minister Colonel General Esen Topoev told a press conference in Bishkek on 4 February,
akipress.org reported. Topoev noted that Kyrgyzstan currently hosts the headquarters of the CIS Rapid Reaction Force, CIS and SCO anti-terrorist centres, and a military base used by the international anti-terrorism coalition. Topoev said a decision will be made in April on deploying Russian military aircraft at the Kant air base as part of the CIS Rapid Reaction Force,
Interfax reported.
Uzbekistan Refuses To Participate In GUUAM Border Guard Chiefs Meeting
Interfax
Tbilisi, Feb 4: Uzbekistan will not participate in the meeting of border guard leaders of the GUUAM member nations that is to happen here on Friday and Saturday, a spokesman for the Georgian State Border Guard Department told Interfax-Military News Agency on Tuesday. The Uzbek party did not name the reason for the refusal to participate, the spokesman said.
Georgia Accuses Russia Of Violating CFE Treaty
Radio Free Europe
Tbilisi, Feb 3: In a 3 February statement cited by Caucasus Press and ITAR-TASS, the Georgian Foreign Ministry accused Russia of deploying in the unrecognized Republic of South Ossetia arms and military vehicles in excess of what Russia is permitted in the North Caucasus under the revised version of the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE). The statement demanded an explanation of why the equipment was brought to South Ossetia and its immediate removal. On 30 January, Georgian media reported that Russia had provided South Ossetia with large quantities of arms and military hardware, including four tanks, 20 armoured personnel carriers, several dozen grenade launchers, and a large number of submachine guns. South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoyty and Russian First Deputy Foreign Minister Valerii Loshchinin both denied those reports later that day.
Azerbaijan Opposes Russian Troops Relocation From Georgia To Armenia
Interfax
Tbilisi, Feb 3: Azerbaijan opposes the relocation of units of the Russian troops group in the Trans-Caucasus from Georgia to Armenia. The Russian military units and formations that are being withdrawn from Georgia should be moved to Russia, otherwise "a dangerous disbalance will emerge in the region," Azerbaijani Ambassador to Georgia Gadzhi Gadzhiyev told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
Kyrgyzstan Jails Pro-Taliban Militant For 25 Years
MSNBC
Bishkek, Feb 4: A court in Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday gave a 25-year prison sentence to a leading member of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), a pro-Taliban group which launched bloody raids on southern Kyrgyzstan in recent years. Judge Pamirdin Zhumagulov, who presided over the two-day trial in the Central Asian state`s southern Batken region, told Reuters by telephone that the court found Sheraly Akbotoyev guilty of terrorism, hostage-taking and recruiting militants. Dozens of Uzbek and Kyrgyz police and army servicemen died in fierce clashes with the hard-line IMU, members of which entered Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan from Afghanistan across neighbouring Tajikistan in 1999 and 2000. Akbotoyev, born in the Batken region of southern Kyrgyzstan, received religious education in Uzbekistan in the 1980s and joined the IMU during one of its forays into Kyrgyzstan. Security officials have said Akbotoyev rose fast to prominence within the IMU, which aimed to establish a purist Islamic state in the fertile Fergana valley where the ex-Soviet Central Asian states of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan meet. Akbotoyev, who was seized in Afghanistan, was believed to be holding clues to the fate of Namangani, a close ally of Saudi-born Osama bin Laden, Washington`s prime suspect in the hijacked plane attacks.
Clandestine Print Shop Raided In Tajikistan
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, Feb 2: Police in Khudjand in Tajikistan`s northern Sughd Oblast have shut down a print shop run by the regional head of the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir Party, ITAR-TASS reported on 2 February. The man and two of his associates were arrested, and computer equipment, videocassettes, and a bookbinding machine were confiscated, together with 100 books and 1,000 leaflets calling for the establishment of an Islamic state in Central Asia.
Kyrgyz-Russian Trade Turnover Up 30 per cent in 2002
Interfax
Bishkek, Feb 7: Trade turnover between Kyrgyzstan and Russia increased by 30 per cent in 2002 from the previous year and totalled $174.8 million, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev told Interfax. Kyrgyzstan`s exports to Russia reached $70.8 million and imports came to $104 million. In the past four years, Russian investment decreased by almost 45 per cent and now accounts for 3.7-4.5 per cent of total direct foreign investment.
Kyrgyzstan To Increase Oil, Gas Production 10 per cent in 2003
Interfax
Bishkek, Feb 7: Kyrgyzstan plans to increase oil and gas production 10 per cent year-on-year in 2003, Foreign Trade and Industry Minister Sadriddin Djienbekov said at a meeting on Friday dealing with industrial performance and foreign trade activity in 2002. He said that oil production in Kyrgyzstan in 2002 stayed at the same level as in 2001 - 75,500 tonnes, which was right on target. Gas production in 2002 fell 10.7 per cent to 29.3 million cubic meters (10.4 per cent under target). The minister noted that the planned increases in production this year would be achieved by expanding the current oil and gas production base and the Saryshtam, Sarytok, Sary Kamysh, Maili Suu 4 and East Isbaskent fields and by carrying out geological work, exploration drilling and well repair and reconstruction together with investors from Canada, Australia and China.
Tajikistan`s Foreign Debt Down By 3.1 per cent in 2002
Interfax
Dushanbe, Feb 7: Tajikistan`s foreign debt decreased by 3.1 per cent in 2002 compared to in 2001 and amounted to $985 million, or 82 per cent of the country`s annual GDP, Robert Christiansen Interfax on Friday. Christiansen, chief of the IMF`s mission in Dushanbe, said that the country`s foreign debt was $1.016 billion at the end of 2001, or 98 per cent of its annual GDP, he said.
Georgian Banks Increase Assets 27 per cent in 2002
Interfax
Tbilisi, Feb 7: Georgian banks increased assets 26.8 per cent in 2002 to 1.12 billion lari, the National Bank of Georgia told Interfax. Consolidated net profit totalled 43.3 million lari and the loan portfolio was up 29 per cent to 629 million lari. Two commercial banks were closed last year: Tbilkreditbank and Liberti. There are now 27 banks in Georgia.
AIOC Boosts Chirag Oil Production In Azerbaijan
Interfax
Baku, Feb 7: The Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) produced 556,600 tonnes of oil at Azerbaijan`s Chirag-1 offshore field in January, 12.1 per cent more than in the same month of last year. The company told Interfax that it produced 133,000 barrels per day, compared with 128,000 bpd. It exported 480,000 tonnes along the Baku-Supsa pipeline, 22,700 tonnes less than a year ago. This year as a whole, the AIOC plans to produce 6.45 million tonnes of oil, compared with 6.387 million tonnes in 2002.
Kazakhstan`s Banks Boost Assets 46.2 per cent in 2002
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 5: Kazakhstan`s banks increased their assets by 46.2 per cent in 2002 to 1.146 trillion tenge, which is 30.5 per cent of GDP, the National Bank of Kazakhstan reported Wednesday. Increased capitalization and a rise in the resource base helped raise assets, analysts said. Consolidated bank capital went up 33.2 per cent to 162.8 billion tenge. A significant rise in capitalization, despite a reduction in the number of banks (the number went down by six), reflects increased stability in the banking system as a whole. Liquidity in the banking sector remains high.
Drilling Of Oil Well At Cheleken Field Confirmed
Turkmenistan.RU
Ashgabat, Feb 4: Drilling of this well started year ago in 6 kilometers from the Caspian Sea Shore for researching ancient secondary horizons on the depth of 5300 meters, located deep under processed wells. The drilling machines reached 3455 meters, and evidences proving profitability of researched layers are now obvious. Based on these data Burneftegas company of Turkmenheft state concern resumed drilling.
Turkmenistan Planning On Larger Gas Supplies To Ukraine
Interfax
Kyiv, Feb 3: The governmental delegation of Ukraine headed by Yuriy Boyko, governor of the national JSC Naftogaz Ukrainy, held the next round of gas talks in the Turkmen capital. Sources in the Turkmen government told Interfax Friday, Boyko met with Elly Gurbanmuradov, Vice Premier for oil and gas complex, and Ilyas Charyev, head of the state trading corporation Turkmenneftegaz. Focus during the talks was made on settlements for Turkmen natural gas delivered to Ukraine in 2002.
Georgian Economy Grows 5.4 per cent in 2002
Interfax
Tbilisi, Feb 3: Georgia`s GDP grew 5.4 per cent in 2002 compared with 2001 to 7.284 billion lari, the country`s State Statistical department told Interfax. The overall growth was fuelled mostly in increases of 7.8 per cent in industry and 28.2 per cent in construction, which accounted for 12.7 per cent and 4.5 per cent of GDP. Transport accounted for 11.4%. Agricultural output fell 0.1%. Agriculture accounted for 18.3 per cent of GDP, 2.3 percentage points less than in 2001. The shadow economy was 34.1 per cent of GDP, compared with 33.7 per cent in 2001. GDP growth was 4.7 per cent in 2001. This year`s targeted growth is 4.5%.
OSCE Chairman Puts Off Visit To Central Asia
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 7: OSCE Acting Chairman and Dutch Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has put off his visit to Central Asia. A staff member in the OSCE`s Almaty office attributed the postponement to the Iraqi situation and the need for de Hoop Scheffer to carry out consultations with leaders of the EU member-nations. The Central Asian visit will take place as soon as possible. De Hoop Scheffer was originally supposed to pay a one-day visit to Kazakhstan on February 10, and to fly then to Tashkent, Dushanbe and Ashgabat.
Italian PM To Visit Kazakhstan In First Half Of Year
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 7: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will make an official visit to Kazakhstan, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev told the press at the end of his visit to Italy on Thursday. In the framework of Berlusconi`s visit, a second meeting of Italian and Kazakh businessmen will take place.
Construction Of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Project Discussed In Baku
Interfax
Baku, Feb 6: Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev and participants in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan export pipeline project met on Wednesday to discuss the progress of construction. Aliyev was informed about the project`s implementation on the territories of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey, the local press reports. President of BP Azerbaijan David Woodword reported on pipeline construction in Azerbaijan. President of the Georgian International Oil Corporation (GIOC) Georgy Chanturia reported on construction in Georgia, while Turkish Ambassador in Baku Unal Cevikoz reported on construction in Turkey. Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Fuel and Energy Minister Medzhid Kerimov, president of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic Natig Aliyev and Georgian Ambassador in Baku Zurab Gumberidze attended the conference, as well.
20 Million Russians Reside In The CIS
Pravda
Moscow, Feb 5: About 20 million ethnic Russians inhabit the territory of the Commonwealth of Independent States, or the CIS, Konstantin Zatulin, Director of the Institute of CIS Countries and Director of the Centre of Humanitarian and Business Co-operation with Compatriots Abroad/the Moscow House of Compatriots/ told a Wednesday press conference in Moscow. According to his words, about 2 million Russians reside in Belarus, more than 7 million in Ukraine /including 1 million in the Crimea/, and 1.5 million in Uzbekistan. The number of Russians inhabiting Latvia and Estonia amounts to one-third of their population; Russians constitute 15%-17 per cent of the population of Lithuania. Zatulin also said the Russian diaspora in Kazakhstan was sharply diminishing. Besides, according to his account, about 10 million ethnic Russians live in non-CIS countries.
Aminzadeh Arrives In Tajikistan
Tehran Times
Dushanbe, Feb 5: Iran`s Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia-Pacific Affairs Mohsen Aminzadeh is due in Tajikistan on Thursday to deliver Iran`s relief aid to senior officials of the Persian-speaking republic. Acting Ambassador of Iran to Tajikistan Mohammadreza Forqani told IRNA here on Tuesday that during his two-day official visit to Tajikistan, Aminzadeh is scheduled to hold talks with senior Tajik officials, including President Imomali Rakhmonov, on Tehran-Dushanbe ties and regional developments. That`s second visit of the Iranian official to the republic in a year.
Armenia Joins World Trade Organization
Interfax
Yerevan, Feb 5: Armenia has become the 145th member of the World Trade Organization, one month after the country`s parliament ratified the accession documents. Armenia`s membership follows 10 years of negotiations on entry into the global trade body. The WTO`s General Council approved the accession package for Armenia on December 10, 2002.
Turkmen Service For Foreigners` Registration To Be Launched March 1
Interfax
Ashgabat, Feb 5: Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov has announced that a state service for foreigners` registration will begin working on March 1. The head of the presidential administration`s legal department, Murad Islamov, will be in charge of the service, presidential administration sources told Interfax. Islamov was elected to parliament in November 2002. "The service will oversee foreigners` compliance with Turkmen laws during their stay or transit in Turkmenistan and ensure the protection of internal market," the source quoted Islamov as saying. The new service will maintain contacts with law enforcement agencies. The Turkmen Communications Ministry and the Merhav company from Israel will stage a tender for setting up the service`s computer network. Its terminals will be placed in major cities and border points. Furthermore, a special commission was established to authorize foreigners` entry into Turkmenistan, and Turkmen citizen`s travel abroad.
Trade And Business Co-operation Agreement Between Kazakhstan And Afghanistan To Be Signed
Central Asia Daily
Astana, Feb 4: During the upcoming visit of the Afghan President Hamid Karzai to Kazakhstan the sides the parties will conclude a trade and business cooperation agreement and sign a treaty outlining the fundamental principles of the two countries` cooperation, which were suggested by Kazakhstan." Karzai received an official invitation to visit Kazakhstan from the country`s Foreign Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev during a meeting in New York in September 2002, Interfax. reports.
Eni Says It`s Satisfied With Kazakhstan
Hoover`s Online
Rome, Feb 4: The chief executive of Italian oil and gas group Eni SpA met Tuesday with Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and pronounced himself "very satisfied" with Eni`s dealings with the country. The chief executive of Italian oil and gas group Eni SpA met Tuesday with Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and pronounced himself "very satisfied" with Eni`s dealings with the country. "Our collaboration with Kazakhstan is already so big, it`s hard to say how to develop it further," Eni chief Vittorio Mincato was quoted by Italian news agencies as saying Tuesday after the meeting. Eni plans to start extracting oil from the enormous Kashagan field on the Caspian Sea coast, and the company`s negotiations with the Kazakh government over the development are expected to be delicate, the Financial Times reported recently. Eni has been present in Kazakhstan since 1998, and has already invested US$1.6 billion in developing its oil and gas reserves.
Conference Of Peace And Concord Will Take Place In Almaty.
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Feb 4: This millennium the mankind faced new challenges, threatening to undermine the basis of modern civilization. And in this context, an opportunity to develop cultural and inter-confessional dialogue is getting a special importance. Our country, expressing readiness to make contribution to the cause of peace and concord, rapprochement of countries, nations, cultures and religious confessions and backing the UN efforts in developing the dialogue among civilizations, put forward an initiative to hold an international conference of peace and concord. The forum is due to start in Almaty February the 13. The RK MIA informs the presidents of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, the State Minister of Turkey will take part at the conference.
OSCE Chairman-in-Office To Visit Uzbekistan On 12 February
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 4: The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Netherlands Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (Profile), will pay an official visit to Uzbek capital on 12 February within the framework of his Central Asian tour during 10-14 February. The CiO sees a special role in this region for the OSCE, as it is the only European security body to which the five former Soviet republics belong. In his talks with government leaders, political parties and representatives of civil society, Minister de Hoop Scheffer will discuss opportunities for closer co-operation with the 55-nation security Organisation in all three dimensions of its activities - the politico-military, economic and environmental and the human dimension.
India Joins The Global Race For Central Asian Riches
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 4: India has joined the global race for a strategic stake in the riches of Central Asia. External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha last week visited two countries of the region - Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. But India is rather a late starter in the race, in which the US and China have been off the block long before. New Delhi, however, has the advantage of having had close cultural and trade ties with the region even when it was part of the erstwhile Soviet Union. It is a measure of the goodwill India enjoys in the region that there had been several high-level visit from the Central Asian countries last year, Uzbek Foreign Minister AH Kamilov`s official visit from Monday being the latest. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee participated in the Asian Security Conference in Almaty in Kazakhstan in June. India has also set up a military base in Tajikistan, its first abroad, and is negotiating for cooperation in the energy sector with Kazakhstan and other countries. India`s help to Afghanistan to battle the Taliban and help check the spread of Islamic fundamentalism to the Central Asian countries, most of which have large Muslim populations, is appreciated by the regional countries. New Delhi`s generous assistance for the reconstruction of war-shattered Afghanistan has also been noticed in the region, which sees India as an ideal foil for the great power rivalry for the riches of their region. Yashwant Sinha, who was received by the top leaders of both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan during his visit, announced the setting up of an Indian Centre at the Kyrgyz National State University.
Kazakhstan Supports Redirecting Russian Rivers To Central Asia
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 3: Chairman of the Kazakh Agriculture Ministry`s water resources committee Anatoly Ryabtsev said he supports the idea of partly redirecting the Russian Irtysh and Ob rivers to Central Asia. "Taking 4 per cent of the water from the whole volume of the Irtysh and part of the Ob will not cause any disaster in the region where this will be done, but for our region [Central Asia] it is vital," Ryabtsev told a news briefing in Almaty on Friday. The idea of redirecting water from Russia`s northern rivers to Central Asia is not a new one. It was first voiced in the late 1960s. "If that project had not been phased out, it would have been implemented by now, because the USSR had enough money for it," Ryabtsev said. Experts estimate the project will now cost about $16 billion.
Murad Garabayev Extradited To Russia
Turkmenistan.RU
Ashgabat, Feb 3: As correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru was informed from reliable sources in law-enforcement bodies of Turkmenistan that last Saturday Murad Garabayev – one of accused in embezzlement USD 41.5 million from accounts of the Central Bank of Turkmenistan – was extradited to Moscow. Decision on extradition of Murad Garabayev to Moscow after earlier extradition to Turkmenistan was made “on top level after address of the General Prosecutor of the Russian Federation Vladimir Ustinov to his Turkmen colleague Kurbanbabi Atajanov with request to bring back the accused to Moscow as of the necessity of complex investigation of the criminal case.”
Uzbek Engineers Active In Northern Afghan
Hoover`s Online
Tashkent, Feb 3: Two bridges constructed by Uzbek engineers have been commissioned on the Salang highway in Balkh Province, Uzbek TV reported on 3 February. "At the end of last year the Uzbek national road construction company, Uzavtoyol, and the Kamgar company, which acted as a customer on behalf of the Afghan government, reached an agreement on building and repairing 10 bridges on the Salang highway. Uzbek engineers started construction work at the beginning of January. The best technology was used in the course of construction. It took only 22 days to finish the construction of two new modern bridges," the report said.
Co-operation Outlooks Discussed.
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Feb 3: Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh visited Almaty within the frameworks of his Central-Asian tour this past Saturday. In the course of his trip he met with RK Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Vladimir Shkolnik. The parts discussed the issues concerning co-operation in oil and gas sector, pharmaceutical industry, tourism sphere. Jashwant Singh also gave a press conference, which touched upon the situation around Iraq.
Assistance To Afghanistan.
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Feb 3: The second session of interdepartmental commission to develop proposals on rendering assistance to Afghanistan was held under Trade and Industry Minister Majit Yessenbayev` chairmanship at Astana. The session discussed proposals on socio-economic state of Afghanistan, coming from our country`s interests and with international commitments taken into consideration. Moreover, organizing moments of goods deliveries and services rendering, their funding sources and legal aspects were also discussed. The commission formed a list of 1616 Kazakhstani specialists, who wish to take part in rehabilitation works in the country.
Uzbekistan, India To Set Up Joint Counter Terrorism Working Group
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 3: India and Uzbekistan agreed to set up a joint working group to counter international terrorism and explore prospects for enhancing economic cooperation, particularly in road construction and other infrastructure-related areas on 3 February. The accord, the third India has signed with a Central Asian country after Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, was inked after wide-ranging discussions between visiting Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and his Indian counterpart Yashwant Sinha.
Uzbek, Tajik Working Groups To Discuss Co-operation, Gas Debts
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 23: A session of working groups from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which is to be held between 5 and 7 February, will discuss issues relating to rail transportation, water resources, gas and electricity supplies between the two countries. Energy Minister Abdullo Yorov is appointed as chairman of the working group from Tajikistan. The head of the Tojikgaz (Tajik Gas) state unitary enterprise, Mahmadruzi Iskandarov, told Asia-Plus that the session will sum up the results of 2002 and outline the main prospects for bilateral cooperation in 2003. The payment of Tojikgaz`s debt to the Uztransgaz (Uzbek Gas Transport) enterprise is also to be discussed, Iskandarov noted.
German Foundation To Co-operate With Uzbek Political Parties
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 3: Konrad Adenauer Foundation (Germany) signed cooperation agreements with four Uzbek political parties at the round table on “Prospects of political parties in Uzbekistan” held in Tashkent. The forum was organised by Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the International Centre for Retraining Journalists. Tomas Kunce, foundation’s regional representative, Turgunpulat Daminov, first secretary of Adolat social-democratic party, Ibrohim Gafurov, chairman of the Central Council of Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) democratic party, Ahtam Tursunov, first secretary of the Central Council of Fidokorlar (Patriots) national-democratic party, and Abdulhafiz Jalalov, first secretary of the Central Council of the National Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, participated in the event.
To Exchange Opinions.
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Feb 1: Press service of Foreign Ministry reported the group of specialists of Underground Researches Centre established within Presidential administration to visit Malaysia to study the country`s experience in the field of socio-economic and political development. According to the head of the centre A.Abdymomunov, Malaysia was not chosen occasionally. Our states have much in common in the field of solved economic and political tasks. The program of Kazakh experts staying included visits to appropriate ministries and departments. The measures to control well-time execution of adopted decisions, taken by Malaysian government and the experience in "Electronic Government" program launch, allowed permanent monitoring of authority activities inspired a special interest of Kazakhstani specialists.
Kazatomprom Aims To Become World`s Top Uranium Producer By 2027
Interfax
Shymkent, Feb 5: Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan`s national nuclear corporation, aims to be the world`s biggest uranium mining company by 2027. Uranium prices, currently $10.2 a pound, are trending upwards, and uranium mining at that sort of level is "entirely profitable," Mukhtar Dzhakishev, the head of Kazatomprom, said at a meeting with officials from the South Kazakhstan regional administration. Industry world-wide is currently drawing on stockpiles of weapons- grade uranium, "but these will dry out by 2010 and prices will soar," Dzhakishev forecast. He also said a "very important agreement with Russia" was expected to signed soon. Kazatomprom has already signed a long-term deal with China, and a contract to ship 500 tonnes of uranium to Japan.
Armenian NPP To Go Under Russia`s Control
Interfax
Yerevan, Feb 3: The issue of transferring the control of the Armenian nuclear power plant to the Russian Nuclear Power Ministry`s management will be solved by the end of 2003. Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisian told journalists late last week that the transfer procedure will be discussed during a session of the Armenian-Russian business cooperation commission in Yerevan on February 4.
Azeri Police Set Up Section To Protect Oil, Gas Pipelines
Hoover`s Online
Baku, Feb 7: A section to protect oil and gas export pipelines has been set up under the main public security department of the Interior Ministry. Advertisement: Explore Within This Space The ministry`s press service reports that relevant sections are also operating in territorial police departments.
Blast In Dushanbe Claims Human Lives
Pravda
Moscow, Feb 3: A powerful explosion ripped through the Tajik capital Dushanbe on the night of February 3rd. The republic`s emergencies ministry reported that the blast occurred in a cafe on the first floor of an apartment building. According to preliminary information, the blast killed 1 to 3 people and wounded 6, who doctors say are in a "very grave condition." The first three floors of the building collapsed. Windows were blown out in neighbouring houses. Tajik law enforcers have so far abstained from comments. One of the versions is that the explosion ensued from a faulty gas cylinder.
Azeri Leader Signs Decree On Amendments To Oil Fund Law
Hoover`s Online
Baku, Feb 7: President Heydar Aliyev today signed a decree on amendments to a number of laws which regulate the activities of the State Oil Fund of the Azerbaijani Republic [SOFAR]. Advertisement: Explore Within This Space The decree significantly expands the sources of the Oil Fund`s revenues. For instance, among the sources of the fund`s additional revenues, the decree mentions profits from the sale of oil produced by SOCAR [State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic], from contracts with foreign companies, Azerbaijan`s dividends from oil and gas projects and production sharing agreements.
New Uzbek Government News Site To Be Launched By March
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 5: A new governmental information web site, www.gov.uz, will be launched by March, the Uzbek newspaper Tashkentskaya Pravda reported on 5 February. "By 1 March 2003 a working group made up of experts on communications and information technology from the Cabinet of Ministers, the Uzinfocom centre (or developing and introducing information technology), UzACI (the Uzbek Agency of Communications and Information), and the Sarkor-Telecom (Internet service provider), is to collect and summarize information about ministries and departments, prepare the design of the web site and post these at the address www.gov.uz," the report said.
Turkmen President Endorses Resolution On High Treason
Interfax
Ashgabat, Feb 5: Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov has signed a Popular Council resolution that defines "high treason" and the punishment for people found guilty of it. High treason involves preparation and implementation of politically motivated actions that pose a threat to Turkmen citizens, infliction of political or economic damage on Turkmenistan, fleeing abroad to avoid prosecution, libel against Turkmenistan, disclosure of state secrets, attacks on the president, attempts to stage a military coup and change the constitutional regime as well as propaganda for the above, the resolution reads. It was published in Turkmen media on Wednesday.
Turkmen Finance Minister Appointed To Two More Positions
Turkmenistan.RU
Ashgabat, Feb 4: Under the decree of the Turkmen president the Minister of Economy and Finance of Turkmenistan Yazguli Kakaliev is appointed as the Director of the State Service for foreign investments attached to the Turkmen president. By the other document, signed by the Turkmen leader the Minister Kakaliyev is also appointed as the head of Turkmenistan’s department of the Asian Development Bank and National co-ordinator for international technical assistance. Ashgabat`s correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru informs that earlier the Vice Prime Minister of Turkmenistan Enebay Atayev was responsible for foreign investments and was the head of the Turkmen division of the Asian Development Bank.
Tajik President Sacks Employment Minister
Radio Free Europe
Kabul, Feb 3: Addressing a cabinet session on 31 January, Imomali Rakhmonov harshly criticized the work of the Labor and Social Security Ministry, Asia Plus-Blitz reported on 3 February. Rakhmonov highlighted what he termed the ministry`s failure to address the problem of labor migration, which, he continued, is a serious obstacle to sustainable economic development. He further criticized the failure to secure agreements with other CIS states that would create a legal foundation and safeguards for the temporary employment of Tajik citizens abroad. Rakhmonov subsequently issued a decree dismissing Labor Minister Rafiqa Musoeva, Asia Plus-Blitz reported.
Turkmen Leader Appoints New Manager Of Asian Development Bank In Turkmenistan
Hoover`s Online
Ashgabat, Feb 3: Under a resolution of the president of Turkmenistan, Yazguly Kakalyyew, the minister of economy and finance of Turkmenistan, has been appointed director of the state office responsible for foreign investment at the office of the president of Turkmenistan. Under a resolution of the president of Turkmenistan, Yazguly Kakalyyew, the minister of economy and finance of Turkmenistan, has been appointed manager of the Asian Development Bank in Turkmenistan and national co-ordinator for international technical aid.
Special Focus
Akaev Administration Claims Victory In Constitutional Referendum
Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev’s administration declared victory in the nationwide constitutional referendum. The preliminary results released on 3 February show that over three-quarters of voters supported the adoption of a new constitution and endorsed Akaev’s administration. Akaev critics, meanwhile, are accusing the administration of manipulating the results.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/rights/articles/eav020303a.shtml
Glitches Hamper BTC Pipeline Azerbaijan’s top oil executive Natiq Aliyev stated recently that the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline construction is progressing according to plan. However, the company responsible for building much of the Turkish section is grappling with legal controversy. This development compounds concerns over the pipeline’s environmental impact and potential output, and raises doubts that the project can keep to its construction schedule.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/business/articles/eav020403.shtmlHizb-ut-Tahrir Remains Active In Central AsiaOfficials in the Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are resorting to repressive measures in an effort to counteract the clandestine activity of Hizb-ut-Tahrir, a radical Islamic group. Despite the increased security measures, analysts describe the outfit as `growing like a hydra`.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav020403.shtml
Drug Flow Out Of Afghanistan Threatens Central AsiaA new United Nations report observes that drug trafficking in Afghanistan increased significantly in 2002. At the same time, neighbouring Central Asian states are expressing alarm about growing security risks from drug addiction and mounting HIV/AIDS cases. Todd Diamond argues that efforts to control the Afghan drug flow by both the international community and President Hamid Karzai’s interim administration have so far proven ineffective, despite an extension of the Taliban-era ban on production in January 2002. Moreover, UN officials are critical of Karzai’s anti-drug strategy that focusses largely on law-enforcement activities.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav020603.shtml
07 February 2003