Kazakhstan Bans Aum Shinrikyo
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Feb 12: Kazakhstan`s National Security Committee has banned a branch of the Japanese sect Aum Shinrikyo in Qyzyl-Orda Oblast, Interfax reported on 12 February. The branch was established by an ethnically Russian Kazakh citizen, Vladimir Kamenev and functioned under the guise of a yoga class. Kamenev has been convicted of violating the law on religious freedom.
Kyrgyz Constitutional Court Again Postpones Appeal Against Border Accord
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, Feb 11: Kyrgyzstan`s Constitutional Court will consider next week the appeal by a group of opposition parliament deputies against the ratification by both parliament chambers in May 2002 of a 1999 border agreement under which Kyrgyzstan ceded territory to China, RFE/RL`s Bishkek bureau reported on 11 February, quoting one of the parliament deputies in question. The hearing was originally scheduled for 27 January but was postponed for one week due to the illness of one of the judges.
Kazakhstan`s Constitutional Court Upholds Sentence
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Feb 11: Kazakhstan`s Constitutional Court ruled on 11 February that the 5 1/2 year suspended sentence for embezzlement handed down to Senator Marat Koishibaev does not constitute a violation of his immunity from prosecution, khabar.kz reported. Koishibaev was arrested immediately after being elected to the upper chamber of parliament from an Aqmola constituency in October 2002, but before his election win was formally registered by the Central Election Commission.
PACE To Examine Political Prisoners` Rights In Azerbaijan
Interfax
Baku, Feb 11: The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe`s joint working group for monitoring the observance political prisoners` rights has arrived in Baku. The group will stay in Azerbaijan until February 14, and will examine the observance of the rights of prisoners whom the Council of Europe considers political, and the Azerbaijani authorities do not.
New Law On State Of Emergency Takes Effect In Kazakhstan
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Feb 10: President Nazarbaev has signed the new law on the state of emergency passed by both chambers of parliament, Interfax reported on 10 February. The law stipulates that consultations between the president, prime minister, and speakers of both chambers of parliament are a precondition for declaring a state of emergency either throughout Kazakhstan or in one or more oblasts. If the armed forces are deployed to maintain order, parliament must be informed of that fact immediately. The key difference between the new law and the one it supercedes is that the new law provides for declaring a state of emergency for 30 days nation-wide and 60 days in a given area, as opposed to three and six days, respectively, under the old law.
Kyrgyz Opposition Party Evicted From Headquarters
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, Feb 9: The opposition Ar-Namys Party was forced on 9 February to leave the offices it leased in Bishkek, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service reported. Party member Emil Aliev explained that all visitors to the office were filmed by the National Security Service and subsequently summoned for questioning.
Four Uzbek Citizens Detained On Attempt To Cross US Air Base
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 14: Four Uzbek citizens have been arrested in the USA as they attempted to cross the territory of the Right-Patterson Air base in Ohio. No weapons or explosives were found on them. Experts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Naturalisation and Immigration service have already established their identities, but are still verifying that they do not belong to terrorist organisations such as Al Qaida or the so-called Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.
Uzbek Defence Ministry Sets Up Hotlines To End Negative Phenomena
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 14: The Uzbek Defence Ministry has set up telephone hotlines to put an end to bullying and other crimes in the army. A brief note published in the Uzbek Defence Ministry `s newspaper, Vatanparvar, on 13 February said that servicemen could inform the Defence Ministry about `negative phenomena` in the army.
Tashkent Aircraft Plant Not Likely To Join Ilyushin Corp.
Interfax
Moscow, Feb 14: The Tashkent Aircraft Plant, the producer of the IL-76 Candid aircraft, is not likely to join the Ilyushin Corporation. `When it came to reality and real action, when it became necessary to implement intergovernmental agreements on the partial transfer of shares controlled by the government of Uzbekistan, we met rather complicated response. Forming the Ilyushin Corporation today, we do not suppose Tashkent is in,` Yuri Koptev, Russian Aviation and Space Agency CEO, told Interfax-Military News Agency Friday. He said that the production of the Candid family could be switched to Voronezh, Russia. `If we manage to find enough money, about US $120-130m, the production of the IL-76MF, the latest version of the IL-76, will be transferred to Voronezh,` Koptev said. He emphasized that the engine upgrade program for the Candids organic to the Russian Air Force would be fully deployed at the Voronezh Aircraft Plant. It already houses two aircraft to be equipped with PS-90A engines. According to Koptev, the corporation is in for the last stage of formation.
Armed Forces Preparing For Training
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Feb 13: The defence ministry press service informs operative-strategic HQ exercise with different arms will be held this March-April. Main target of the exercise is to drill troops in security actions in the western regions of Kazakhstan. About five thousand of soldiers and officers will exercise operations of relocating troops to a distance in a short term and working out measures for preventing terrorist and diversionary activities.
U.S. To Provide US $4 Million In Aid To Tajik Army
Interfax
Dushanbe, Feb 13: U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Franklin Huddle presented representatives of the Tajik Defence Ministry with the first shipment of military uniforms on Thursday. A total of 10,000 individual sets of uniforms, valued at a total of US $1.35m, each include camouflage caps, shirts, trousers, boots, socks and underwear, a source in the U.S. embassy told Interfax on Thursday. The shipment was made as an expression of gratitude for Tajikistan`s contribution to the international struggle against terrorism and to the anti-terrorist operation in Central Asia, Huddle said. Washington is pleased that Tajikistan is a model of successful co-operation in Central Asia, the ambassador said. He stressed that military co-operation between the two countries increased significantly over the past 20 months. The transfer of military uniforms means the first procurement in the framework of the Foreign Military Funding (FMF) program run jointly by Tajikistan and the security program section of the U.S. embassy in Tajikistan. The total volume of aid will amount to USD4m.
Russian Division In Tajikistan Starts Exercise
Interfax
Dushanbe, Feb 13: Russia`s 201st motorized rifle division stationed in Tajikistan has launched a planned exercise, Major Andrei Artyshuk, aide to the division commander for public relations, said on Thursday. The command post exercise started in the division`s 92nd motorized rifle regiment on Tuesday, Artyshuk told Interfax-Military News Agency. Tactical aviation and a helicopter squadron will be involved in the exercise. The manoeuvres will end with a company-level tactical exercise with live firing on February 17.
USA To Give Uzbekistan About 12m Dollars In Military Aid In 2004
Hoover`s Online
Tashkent, Feb 8: The US federal budget for 2004 provides for the allocation of 10m dollars to Uzbekistan under the Foreign Military Financing programme and 1.6m dollars under the International Military Education and Training programme. These figures have been included in the US federal budget for 2004, which was sent to the US Congress by George Bush`s administration on 3 February. Advertisement: Explore Within This Space The US government is planning to allocate 36.4m dollars to CIS countries under the military aid programme and 9.75m dollars under the military training programme. The Foreign Military Financing programme provides for the allocation of grants and loans for the purchase of American-made military equipment, including weapons, as well as procuring defence services and professional military training.
Tajik Border Guard Commander Denies Al Qaida Presence On Tajik Border
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, Feb 8: Tajik State Border Guard Committee head Nuralisho Nazarov told Interfax on 8 February that the Afghan government `fully controls` its territory adjacent to the border with Tajikistan and that there are no longer any Al Qaida or Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan militants in the regions in question.
CNPC Unit To Expand Investment In Azerbaijan`s Kursangi Field
Central Asia Daily
Houston, Feb 14: A unit of China National Petroleum Corp. Ltd. plans to invest $80 million to rehabilitate Kursangi oil field 100 km southwest of Baku, Zhang Xiyun, the Chinese ambassador to Azerbaijan, told Caspian News Agency. CNPC is expanding its initial investment after becoming a member in the rehabilitation project with last year`s purchase of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development`s 30 per cent holdings in Kursangi and Karabagli fields.
Investments In Turkmen Fixed Capital Up 9 per cent In 2002
Interfax
Ashgabat, Feb 14: Investments in Turkmenistan`s fixed capital in 2002 rose 9 per cent from 2001 and totalled 12.5 trillion manats, or 19.6 per cent of GDP, Interfax was told at the Finance Ministry. The share of investments from company funds in total investments rose from 42 per cent to 45 per cent, government funds were up from 22 per cent to 24 per cent and personal savings rose from 7 per cent to 9 per cent while the share of local borrowings fell from 15 per cent to 11 per cent, foreign loans dropped from 10 per cent to 3 per cent and foreign investments slipped from 8 per cent to 5 per cent. Domestic investments soared 23 per cent to over 11.5 trillion manats. The ministry noted that 70 per cent of all investments were made in production.
Eurasian Economic Union Countries May Adopt Single Currency In 2011
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 14: The Eurasian Economic Union member countries might adopt a single currency as early as 2011, a draft concept for Kazakhstan`s financial sector development reads. The preparatory stage for setting up the currency union could be launched in 2005, the draft reads. The union should be expanded to include new members, according to the draft. By 2005, the potential currency union members should `eliminate national barriers to the exchange of goods, services and work forces,` the statement reads. Moreover, the potential members should co-ordinate economic policies, and eliminate currency restrictions and constraints on capital movement by 2005, the statement reads.
Kyrgyzstan Posts 809.1 Million Som Deficit In 2002
Interfax
Bishkek, Feb 13: Kyrgyzstan posted a budget deficit of 809.1 million soms, or 1.1 per cent of GDP, in 2002, Finance Minister Bolot Abildaev said at a government session Thursday. Revenue totalled 12.127 billion soms (16.1 per cent of GDP), including tax revenue of 8.71 billion soms (11.6 per cent of GDP). Spending reached 12.936 billion soms, or 17.2 per cent of GDP. The share of social spending increased from 44 per cent in 2001 to 46 per cent.
Kazakhstan Boosts Foreign Trade Surplus 150 per cent In 2002
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 12: Kazakhstan posted a foreign trade surplus of $3.22 billion in 2002, up 150 per cent from $1.3 billion in 2001, the national statistics agency told Interfax. Foreign trade turnover reached $16.199 billion, up 8 per cent on 2001. Exports went up 12 per cent to $9.709 billion and imports rose 2 per cent to $6.49 billion.
Kazakh Industrial Production Up 8.9 per cent In Jan
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 12: Industrial companies in Kazakhstan, including small businesses, subsidiaries and cottage industries, produced products worth 215.6 billion tenge in January 2003, up 8.9 per cent year-on-year, a source in the Kazakh State Statistics Agency told Interfax. The agency said that the increase in industrial production last month was due to growth in production in the mining (11.6 per cent) and processing (6.2 per cent) industries.
Kazakhstan Ends Temporary Ban On Fuel Oil Exports Early
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 12: Kazakhstan has removed a temporary ban on the export of fuel oil ahead of schedule. The corresponding government resolution, passed on February 7, was published in the official press on Wednesday. The government decided to remove the ban on fuel oil exports `in connection with the saturation of the domestic market with fuel oil and to avoid overstocking at oil refineries` reservoirs.`
Kazakh GDP Up By Nearly 10 per cent In 2002 Against 2001
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 12: Kazakhstan`s GDP in 2002 has been estimated at 3.742 trillion tenge, which is 9.5 per cent more than in 2001, the Kazakh national statistics agency has told Interfax. Industrial production in the country grew by 9.8 per cent, agricultural production by 2.7 per cent and that in the construction sector by 19.3 per cent, the agency said.
Kazakhstan To Invest $43 Billion In Fuel-energy Complex By 2010
Interfax
Astana, Feb 12: Kazakhstan plans to invest about $16 billion in its fuel and energy complex from 2003 to 2006 and another $27 billion in 2006-2010, First Deputy Kazakh Energy and Mineral Resource Minister Nurgali Ashimov said at a meeting on Kazakh development in 2004-2006. `The share of the fuel and energy complex in industrial production in the country amounted to 50.6 per cent in 2001 and stayed at this level in 2002.
IMF Mission Starts Two-week Long Country Review In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 12: On 12 February, International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission has arrived in Uzbekistan to review country`s economic performance in 2002 and discuss the pivotal issue of introducing a unified exchange rate. Uzbek government and IMF discussions will also include resumption of stand-by IMF credit lines to Uzbekistan, which was suspended in 1996. The mission will be headed by Erik De Vrijer and will remain the country until February 28.
Turkmenistan Ups Foreign Trade Surplus 170 per cent In 2002
Interfax
Ashgabat, Feb 11: Turkmenistan`s foreign trade surplus totalled $736.2 million in 2002, up 170 per cent year-on-year, the national statistics institute reported. Foreign trade turnover totalled $4.96 billion, down 0.2 per cent from 2001. Exports went up 9 per cent to $2.85 billion and imports dropped 10 per cent to $2.12 billion.
Kazakhstan, Lukoil Envisage Joint Venture
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Feb 10: The presidents of Kazakhstan`s state-owned KazMunayGaz and Russia`s LUKoil, Lazzat Kiinov and Vagit Alekperov, respectively, signed a memorandum of understanding in Astana on 10 February to create by 30 November 2003 a joint venture to explore and develop an unspecified block in the Caspian Sea, Interfax reported. ITAR-TASS quoted Alekperov as saying the block may contain recoverable reserves of up to 100 million tons of oil.
Uzbekneftegaz To Set Up Venture With Chase Petroleum
Interfax
Tashkent, Feb 10: Uzbek national holding company Uzbekneftegaz and Holland`s Chase Petroleum may set up a joint venture in 2003 to develop oil and gas fields in Uzbekistan, a source in Uzbekneftegaz management told Interfax. The source said that at the moment a feasibility study for this project is being considered by Uzbek ministries and departments. He said that the sides plan to agree a draft agreement on the conditions for a production sharing agreement in the near future, and the development of the oil and gas fields will be carried out based on this. According to preliminary information, the total cost of the project may amount to $200 million.
Kyrgyzstan Failed To Achieve Radical Economic Improvement In 2002
Interfax
Bishkek, Feb 10: Kyrgyzstan failed to achieve a radical improvement in the development of the real economy in 2002, Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev told Interfax. `Reduced output of the Kumtor gold-mining enterprise and smaller production of electricity entailed a recession in the mining and energy industries, which consequentially cut GDP by 0.5 per cent as compared to 2001,` he said.
CIS Economy Grows 4 per cent In 2002
Interfax
Moscow, Feb 10: Gross domestic product in the Commonwealth of Independent States grew 4 per cent in 2002, the CIS Interstate Statistical Committee said. CIS industrial output grew 4 per cent, farm output 2 per cent, capital investments 6 per cent, retail trade 10 per cent, foreign trade (in the first 11 months) 5 per cent and freight 4 per cent, the committee said. GDP growth was highest, as in the previous two years, in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, at 9 per cent-13 per cent. Moldova`s economic revival continued, with GDP rising 7 per cent in 2002, compared with 7 per cent in 2001 and 2 per cent in 2001. GDP was up 3 per cent-5 per cent in Belarus, Georgia, Russia, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. This sort of growth has been sustained for four years in Belarus and six in Uzbekistan. Economic growth slowed down a little in Russia and Ukraine. Only in Kyrgyzstan did GDP fall, by 0.5 per cent. Financially, the CIS member-states were relatively stable, with moderate rates of inflation, comparatively steady exchange rates against the US dollar, growth in gold and foreign-exchange reserves and budget surpluses or, in some cases, only small deficits.
Kazakh Government Hopes GDP Will Grow 28 per cent In 4 Years
Interfax
Astana, Fen 10: In 2003-2006, Kazakhstan expects GDP to grow at an annual rate of no less than 6.3 per cent, or 27.7 per cent in four years, reads a Monday government report. According to the forecast, in 2003 and 2004, GDP should rise 6.3 per cent; in 2005, 6.5 per cent; and in 2006, 8.6 per cent. In 2003, GDP should amount to 4.21 trillion tenge; in 2004, 4.71 trillion; in 2005, 5.31 trillion; and in 2006, 6.14 trillion.
Nelson Resources Announces US$25 Million Pre-Export Financing For KazakhOil Aktobe LLP
Kazakhstan News
Astana, Fen 10: Nelson Resources Limited today announced that its joint venture, KazakhOil Aktobe (KOA), has entered into a new set of crude oil off-take agreements with Euro Asian AG and with Unioil AG to provide marketing services for KOA`s crude oil production from the Alibekmola field in Western Kazakhstan. The new agreements, which allow for US$25 million of credit financing, are an extension to a series of off-take agreements that provide pre-export financing and crude oil price hedging to KOA with the financial backing of BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA.
Russian Company Offered Chance To Extract Gas In Turkmen Caspian Sector
Hoover`s Online
Ashgabat, Feb 10: The president of Turkmenistan has offered Russia`s Gazprom the chance to exploit Turkmenistan`s promising sectors of the Caspian Sea. The offer was heard today at a meeting with the chairman of the board of the Gazprom open joint-stock company, Aleksey Miller, the presidential press service has said. The resources of the Turkmen section of the Caspian Sea are estimated at 11 billion tonnes of oil and 5,500 billion cu. m. of gas.
Uzbekistan Agreed With Iran To Hold Session Of Joint Economic Commission
Central Asia Daily
Tashkent, Feb 14: Iranian and Uzbek officials in a meeting late Wednesday agreed to hold a session of the Iran-Uzbekistan Economic Commission in the near future, Iranian IRNA reported from Tashkent. The agreement was reached in a meeting between Iran`s ambassador to Tashkent, Hossein Naraqian, and the head of Uzbek state organization for development of foreign economic ties, Islam Khojaev. The upcoming meeting will be held in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent.
Kazakh President Nazarbayev To Visit Moscow On February 18-19
Kazakhstan News
Moscow, Feb 14: President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev will visit Moscow on February 18-19 based on the mutual accord reached earlier. It is expected that in Moscow, Nazarbayev will hold meeting with the President Vladimir Putin. They will attend special events for the opening of the year of Kazakhstan in Russia.
Uzbekistan, China Seek To Expand Cooperation
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, Feb 13: Uzbek and Chinese government delegations attended the fifth session of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic co-operation in Tashkent on 13 February, Interfax, uza.uz, and uzreport.com reported. The officials noted that bilateral trade turnover increased in 2002 by more than 20 percent to reach $130 million. The possibility of creating further joint ventures, of which there are already more than 100 in Uzbekistan, was also discussed.
European Parliament Condemns Human Rights Violations In Kazakhstan
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Feb 13: In a special resolution unanimously adopted on 13 February, the European Parliament condemned in unprecedentedly tough terms the recent trials of opposition politicians and an independent journalist in Kazakhstan, Reuters and eurasia.org.ru reported. The resolution focuses specifically on the trial on charges of statutory rape of journalist Sergei Duvanov and on the sentencing last year on embezzlement charges of opposition politicians Mukhtar Abliyazov and Ghalymzhan Zhaqiyanov. It calls on the Kazakh authorities to conduct independent investigations of all three cases and to make public their findings.
Central Asian Water Chiefs Sign Cooperation Agreement
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 13: The latest session of the Central Asian states` Interstate Commission for Water Co-ordination (ICWC) took place at the Soghd Region administration, northern Tajikistan last weekend, Tajik Asia Plus reported. The session was attended by Tajik Land Reclamation and Water Resources Minister Abduqohir Nazirov and heads and representatives from ministries and committees on land reclamation and water management in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. Participants in the session considered the results of the commission`s activities in 2002 and also approved the plan for measures in 2003. Following the discussion of a number of priority issues regarding water distribution and the water management situation in the countries of the Aral Sea basin, the members of the commission signed an agreement on co-operation.
US Embassy In Almaty To Process Immigration Visas For Uzbeks
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 13: According to Kazakhstan Today news agency, From 1 August 2003, the immigration visas for residents of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will be processed at the US embassy in Kazakhstan. From 1 October 2003, residents of the four countries who have won the Green Card Lottery will be able to contact the US embassy in former Kazakh capital Almaty for immigration visas.
Kyrgyz President Hopes For Strong UN Role In Iraqi Settlement
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 13: Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev hopes that the UN will play `the key role` in doing away with the potential threat to peace from Iraq. `I assume that political settlement opportunities have not been exhausted,` the president said at the Almaty international conference for peace and accord on Thursday.
Kasyanov Signs Decree On Turkmen-Russian Economic Commission
Turkmenistan.RU
Ashgabat, Feb 13: The chairman of the government of the Russian Federation Michael Kasyanov has signed a decree `On signing an agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Turkmenistan about the Intergovernmental Russian - Turkmen commission on economic co-operation. The first session of joint commission was held in Ashgabat in September of last year.
Delegates To Almaty Conference Adopt Declaration
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 13: Delegates to the Almaty international conference for peace and accord adopted a joint declaration on peace and stability on Thursday. `Outbreaks of violence in various regions of the world give rise to speculation about a clash of civilizations, making the world a place divided into opposing cultures, ideologies and religious beliefs. We are confident that harmony between civilizations is attainable, and it will contribute to peace and stability,` the declaration runs.
French President To Visit Kazakhstan In Late 2003
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 13: French President Jacques Chirac is expected to visit Kazakhstan, most probably at the end of the year. Christian Poncelet, chairman of the French Senate, told this to the press following his meeting with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Almaty on Wednesday. Kazakh Prime Minister Imangali Tasmagambetov has been officially invited to visit France, where he will meet with his French counterpart Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Poncelet said.
Bishkek Warns Coalition Against Ignoring Revival In Afghanistan
Interfax
Bishkek, Feb 12: The Iraq crisis should not divert the anti-terrorist coalition`s efforts from stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Askar Aitmatov told Interfax on Wednesday. If the international community, primarily the United States, Russia and the leading European countries, pay less attention to the revival of a peaceful life in Afghanistan, the remaining militants, terrorists and extremists might intensify their activities, Aitmatov pointed out. Furthermore, Bishkek opposes the use of the anti-terrorist coalition`s airbase in Manas by the U.S. Air Force during any possible military operation in Iraq, he said.
Kyrgyzstan Endorses Russian-French-German Stand On Iraq
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, Feb 12: Kyrgyzstan`s Foreign Minister Askar Aitmatov told journalists in Bishkek on 12 February that Kyrgyzstan supports the French-German-Russian proposal to expand the number of international inspectors in Iraq as a possible means of persuading Baghdad to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1441 and thereby averting a war. Aitmatov said Kyrgyzstan believes that military action against Iraq should be undertaken only with UN approval.
New Indian Ambassador To Azerbaijan Appointed
Baku Today
Baku, Feb 12: Jyoti Svarup Pande, 52, was appointed as new Indian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Assa Irada reports. Pande has worked for the Indian Foreign Ministry and third secretary at the Indian embassies in Brazil and Malaysia. Azerbaijan is the first country, where he will take up the position of ambassador. The newly-appointed ambassador speaks English and Portuguese, as well as his native language, Hindi. He is married and has two children. According to the embassy, Pande is expected to offer his credentials to the Azerbaijani president soon.
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan To Form Venture To Maintain Work Of Gas Pipeline Section
Hoover`s Online
Almaty, Feb 12: The KazTransGaz national gas-transporting company plans to establish a joint venture with Kyrgyzstan for maintaining the reliable work of the Kyrgyz section of the main gas pipeline Bukhara [Uzbekistan] gas-bearing district-Tashkent-[the Kyrgyz capital] Bishkek-[former Kazakh capital] Almaty. `The KazTransGaz has already submitted such a proposal to the Kazakh government,` the company`s public relations department told Interfax-Kazakhstan.
Iranian Ambassador Praises Turkmen Partnership
Turkmenistan.RU
Ashgabat, Feb 12: The Iranian Ambassador to Ashgabat Seid Ibrahim Derazgusi gave interview to mass media, correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reported from .Ashgabat According to the Iranian diplomat, joint Turkmen-Iranian projects in such important spheres like oil and gas complex, trade, transport, construction of roads and agricultural cites evidences of aspiration of both states for the efficient co-operation and trust. He announced that as for today Turkmenistan is one of the main partners of Iran and bilateral co-operation has a huge potential for further enlargement and deepening.
Top U.S. Jews Head To Central Asia
Kazakhstan News
Almaty, Feb 12: American Jewish leaders are to meet Thursday in Kazakhstan with leaders of that and neighbouring central Asian republics. `This is the place to build a firewall between Islamic fundamentalism` and moderate Islam, said Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice director of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Ronald Lauder, the former chairman of the Conference of Presidents and a prominent investor and philanthropist in the countries of the former Soviet Union, is leading the mission of some 50 American Jewish representatives. Among the regional statesmen they hope to meet with Thursday are Nursultan Nazarbayev, the president of Kazakhstan, the presidents of Tajikistan and Kajistan and senior ministers from Turkey, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan. The Jewish group will be bringing messages of support from U.S. President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Powell, as well as from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
US Envoy Visits Ferghana Valley To Inspect On-going Projects
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 12: US Ambassador John Herbst visited Ferghana Valley to inspect on-going projects funded by the U.S. government. John Herbst visited the Tayanch Credit Union in Namangan city, on-going project funded by the US government and ADB in Uzbekistan. The Ambassador met with the chairperson and executive director of the credit union as well as borrowers and depositors to discuss the role of the credit union in strengthening the economy of Namangan. In April 2002 the Government of Uzbekistan passed new legislation to promote the creation of credit unions throughout the country. USAID`s programme supports credit unions in Namangan, Samarkand, Bukhara, Jizzak and Navoi. Tayanch Credit Union provides financial services in all twelve districts of Namangan with the goal to help improve the economic situation of its members by issuing loans, mobilising savings resources, and providing financial information and consulting services. Tayanch Credit Union was registered in November 2002 and already has the largest membership of any credit union in Uzbekistan with over 1,200 members.
Uzbekistan, Korea Sign Agreements On Extradition, Assistance
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 12: On 12 January Uzbekistan and South Korea signed agreements in Tashkent on legal assistance and extradition. The documents were signed by visiting Minister of Justice of the Republic of Korean, Sim Sang-Myoung, and his Uzbek counterpart Abdusamat Polvonzada. During the talks the two ministers discussed bilateral co-operation in legal sphere, as well as reforms in Uzbek law-enforcement system and exchange of experience.
Uzbek Leader, German Defence Minister Discuss Ties, Afghanistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 11: Uzbek President Islam Karimov received the defence minister of Germany, Peter Struck, at the Oqsaroy presidential residence Tashkent on February 11. During the talks with the German defence minister and Uzbek leader noted that he values co-operation, which has been developing dynamically. During the meeting, the sides discussed measures in further strengthening military and technical co-operation, and ensuring peace and security in the region, and the situation in Afghanistan.
GAZPROM Heads Embarks On Talks In Turkmenistan
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, Feb 10: Aleksei Miller met for 90 minutes with Turkmenistan`s President Saparmurat Niyazov in Ashgabat on 10 February to discuss further co-operation in the exploitation of Turkmen natural gas and its export via Russia, turkmenistan.ru and ITAR-TASS reported. The talks focused specifically on reconstruction of existing gas-export pipelines and the construction of new ones. Miller said a long-term co-operation agreement will be signed `in the near future,` and that `we have a full understanding of what steps should be taken...to meet each other halfway.`
Kyrgyz Presidential Press Secretary Supports Cooperation With Russian Media
Interfax
Bishkek, Feb 10: Kyrgyz presidential press secretary Abdil Segizbayev supports the development of relations with the Russian media. `We should develop and mount co-operation with the Russian press on every level. It is the Russian media that works in the republic and their offices that are trying to give the most objective coverage of political and economic transformations in Kyrgyzstan,` Segizbayev told Interfax on Monday.
One More Joint Project.
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Feb 10: President Nursultan Nazarbayev received at his Almaty`s residence a delegation of the Russian Lukoil Company. The company`s CEO Vagit Alekperov informed the journalists after the meeting, the President approved a joint project of Lukoil and KazMunaiGas - a Kazakhstan-Russian enterprise, and also geological prospecting at a Caspian shelf plot belonging to Kazakhstan. There was established a working group to prepare main documents for signing the contracts.
Meetings With Diplomats
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Fen 10: Secretary of State Kassymzhomart Tokayev received a number of foreign ambassadors: of USA - Larry Napper, UK - James Sharp, and Russia - Yuri Merzlyakov. The American diplomat reported to the head of the RK foreign department the position of his country on the Iraq problem in the context of the report of the US Secretary of State Colin Powell at the UN Security Council`s meeting. K. Tokayev has stressed our country welcomes the USA decision to adhere to so-called `multi-side approaches` to the Iraq problem, and considers a final resolution on the Iraq situation is to be made by the UN Security Council. Kazakhstan, Mr. Tokayev has pointed, also expects that the government of that country will deliver all necessary information to the international inspectors and show sincerity and goodwill in co-operation with United Nations.
Caspian Working Group To Meet
Baku Today
Baku, Feb 10: The eighth meeting of the Caspian working group, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iran, is scheduled for later this month. According to Assa Irada news agency, the meeting will resume discussions over the wording of an agreement on the Caspian legal status. It is not ruled out that the second Caspian summit could be held this year.
Indian Business Yet To Make Mark In Central Asia
The Financial Express
New Delhi, Feb 10: After a brief hiatus, Central Asia again seems to be emerging as a priority area in India`s foreign policy. This is evinced by the just-concluded trip to some Central Asian states by the External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha and the visit last week to New Delhi by the Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz K. Kalimov. Despite the recognition of the strategic and economic importance of Central Asia, India is still in the process of developing wide-ranging ties with the region. This is not entirely due to the shifting focus of Indian policy makers. Instability in the region, India`s lack of financial resources, absence of banking arrangements and virtually non-existent communication routes were also serious impediments. On the political front, India has been able to win endorsement from the Central Asian states (barring Turkmenistan) for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. However, more importantly, these states support India`s inclusion in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), leaving China as the only opponent to India`s entry (Russia and China, apart from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are members of the SCO). The Central Asian states, although predominantly Islamic, are multi-religious and multi-ethnic in character. Because of their Soviet past and compulsions on their leaderships, they are, at present, largely secular. Therefore, they are keen to learn from India`s democratic experience - an opportunity New Delhi should not miss. On the economic front, in the post 9/11 scenario, India`s economic relationship with the region has developed rapidly, but in varying degrees with different states. Given India`s energy security concerns it is natural that Kazakhstan is the country of utmost interest in Central Asia. India is currently seeking to pick up a 25 per cent stake in the development of an oil field at Ali Bek Mola. This may be followed by an investment at Kurman Gazy, where India is trying to pick up a 10 per cent stake in a field that is being developed jointly with Russia. Apart from the energy sector, Kazakhstan is keen to develop ties in the defence, pharmaceutical, small-scale industry and information technology (IT) sectors. Some progress has been made with five joint ventures launched recently. However, more than supply of goods, Kazakhstan is interested in investment. For example, it imports close to $300 million worth of pharmaceuticals annually and is keen to reduce this outflow of foreign exchange. This is an area Indian business could step in. Efforts are being made by organisations like Dr Reddy`s Laboratories, Ajanta Pharma and Ranbaxy, but these need to be expedited to derive the maximum benefits. Manufacturing facilities in any one of the Central Asian states would go a long way in establishing a predominant position for Indian companies in the region. Similarly, in IT, the Kazakhs are keen for Indian companies to help create a `wired world`. During Mr Sinha`s recent trip, they indicated their interest in asking India to help set up an IT park in Alma Aty. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, while not rich in oil and gas, offer tremendous opportunities in the development of hydroelectric power, food processing and supply of consumer goods. They also need help in setting up viable banking and small-scale industry sectors. Both states have good tourism potential and are keen to develop hotels and requisite infrastructure. Tajikistan also needs to upgrade its road network, particularly in the border areas, and has funds for this. If India is able to overcome Chinese resistance to its involvement in these projects, this is an area where Indian companies could benefit. In the post-9/11 scenario, Uzbekistan appears to have shed its reluctance to deepen ties with India. It is keen on development of tourism infrastructure, and the pharmaceutical industry, but its policy of not allowing repatriation of profits could be a deterrent.
Russia, Kazakhstan To Sign Memorandum On Oil Cooperation
Hoover`s Online
Almaty, Feb 10: Russian oil major LUKoil and Kazakh national oil and gas company KazMunayGaz have agreed principles for the joint development of oil and gas fields in the northern part of the Caspian Sea. The chiefs of the two companies - Vagit Alekperov and Lyazzat Kiinov will sign a memorandum of mutual understanding in the area of co-operation in the exploration and development of hydrocarbons in the Kazakh and Russian sectors of the Caspian Sea.
President Of Slovak Republic To Visit Uzbekistan In Early March
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 10: President of Slovak Republic Rudolf Schuster is expected to visit Uzbekistan in early March, Permanent Charge d`affaires of Slovak Republic in Uzbekistan Peter Juza told a press conference in Tashkent. The President will be accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Eduard Kukan, and a group of Slovak entrepreneurs. Slovak Minister of Economics may also visit Uzbekistan. A session of Uzbek-Slovak Intergovernmental commission will be held during the visit.
Tashkent To Host Indian Trade Exhibition In March 2003
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 8: Indian Trade Exhibition will be held during 19-21 March 2003 at Hotel InterContinental Tashkent, according to the India CIS Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Khatami Felicitates Niyazov On Eid-al-Adha
Tehran Times
Tehran, Feb 8: President Mohammad Khatami in a message on Saturday congratulated his Turkmen counterpart President Saparmurat Niyazov on the occasion of Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice). In his message, the Iranian president expressed the hope that all Muslim governments will make joint efforts to establish peace, development and justice across the globe, IRNA reported.
British Ambassador Backs Eradication Of Drug Trafficking In Central Asia
Interfax
Dushanbe, Feb 12: The British Ambassador to Tajikistan has backed the battle against terrorism and drug trafficking in Central Asia, the Russian border guard contingent`s press service reported on Wednesday. The contingent`s acting head Maj. Gen. Anatoly Zabotkin met with British Ambassador Michael Smith in Dushanbe on Wednesday. Smith reaffirmed the embassy`s readiness to co-operate with the Russian border guard group in Tajikistan, the service noted.
Russian Border Guards In Tajikistan Seize Over 550 Kilos Of Drugs In 2003
Interfax
Moscow, Feb 10: Russian border guards have seized over 550 kilos of illegal drugs on the Afghan-Tajik border since the start of the year, the Russian Federal Border Service (FPS) told Interfax on Monday. If servicemen from the Russian border contingent in Tajikistan continue to seize illegal drugs at this rate, they could exceed last year`s figure by September.
U.S. Satellite Launch From Baikonur Put Off
Interfax
Moscow, Feb 10: The launch of U.S. telecommunications satellite AMS-9 has been postponed from early February to late March or early April, the Khrunichev Research and Production Centre told Interfax. `The launch was put off because Americom, the commissioner of the launch, has not finalized the choice of the acceleration block for the rocket,` the centre`s press service reported. A Proton-K booster will probably launch the AMS-9. At first, a DM rocket was considered, and at present a Breeze-M block designed by Khrunichev is being discussed, the service said.
Kazakhstan To Submit Plan To Shut Down Nuclear Reactor To IAEA
Interfax
Almaty, Feb 11: Kazakhstan is to submit a plan to shut down a BN-350n reactor, located at the Mangyshlak Atomic Energy Combine in Kazakhstan`s Mangistau region, to the International Atomic Energy Agency at the end of March, 2003, Irina Tazhibayeva, the deputy general director of the National Nuclear Centre, has told Interfax. `The IAEA will examine this plan for about three months and make recommendations which Kazakhstan will either reject or accept,` she said. The project is estimated at $300 million, of which $40 million has already been spent. The BN-350 reactor was launched in 1973 and is the world`s first fast neutron reactor. It is also the first reactor of its kind to be shut down.
Azerbaijani President Pardons 116 Prisoners
Uzbek Daily
Baku, Feb 12: Heidar Aliev signed a decree on 11 February pardoning 116 prisoners on the occasion of Kurban Bayram, Turan reported the following day. The prisoners include some sentenced for their role in the purported coup attempts in October 1994 and March 1995; some participants in mass demonstrations in Sheki in November 2000 to protest the alleged falsification of the parliamentary elections; and `dozens` more sentenced when police suppressed various demonstrations.
Uzbek Interpol Detains 147 International Criminals Since 1994
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 9: A total of 147 international criminals and 317 Uzbek citizens hiding from justice in Uzbekistan and abroad have been detained by the Uzbek branch of the Interpol since it started work in the country in 1994, the Uzbek newspaper Zerkalo 21 reported. It said that the detention in Uzbekistan of the perpetrators of the much-talked-about murder of a Chinese businessman in Beijing in 1991, as well as the arrest of 39 organizers of the explosions in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, in 1999 were two of many feathers in the Interpol officers` caps. The paper went on to say that the Uzbek branch of Interpol numbered some 20 people.
New Law On Freedom Of Information Comes Into Effect
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, Feb 12: The law on freedom of information that was passed by parliament in its second reading in December came into effect on 7 February, uza.uz reported four days later. The law affirms the right to free access to and distribution of information and prohibits censorship.
Uzbek Cabinet Approves Programme `The Year Of Mahalla`
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Feb 9: On 7 February 2003, the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan has issued a resolution on approving the complex programme `The Year of Mahalla`, which was signed by President Islam Karimov. The programme is aimed at further strengthening of the role and status of mahalla in state and public administration, socio-political and economic life of the society, improving normative-legal base of mahalla activity currently in force, expanding its powers and increase the responsibility as a civil society institute, strengthening the material funds of mahalla activity, developing entrepreneurship, services and trade in mahalla, creating new workplaces, developing mahalla`s social infrastructure, land improvement and gardening of territories, equipping nurseries and sports grounds, municipal networks and others.
Special Focus
Are Central Asia`s Weak States Getting Weaker?
In this article, Abraham Cohen argues that the new regional order in the post-September 11 era speeded up developments in Central Asian states` domestic politics, and fundamentally shifted the existing status of international relations among Central Asian countries. However, the Central Asian states have been experiencing growing domestic turbulence and a deteriorating economic situation. New forces are today challenging central authorities, based on clan and regional power brokers, and the mounting complexity of the problems and the increasing tendency of use violent actions are now posing a serious threat to the smaller and weaker states of the region.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.cacianalyst.org/2003-02-12/20030212_CENTRAL_ASIA_WEAK.htm
The Changing Face Of The Uzbek Armed ForcesIn this article, Roger N. McDermott argues that the emergence of the volatile regional crime-terror nexus, coupled with militant Islam, has necessitated a conscious move on part of Uzbekistan towards developing its forces so that they are capable of responding to the country`s security needs; countering terrorism and insurgency. In the changed situation, McDermott observes that a US-Uzbek strategic partnership is the only way for Uzbekistan to achieve the goal of reformed combat-capable `mobile` forces.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.cacianalyst.org/2003-02-12/20030212_UZBEKISTAN_MILITARY.htmNew Constitution Runs Risk Of Deepening North-South Divide In KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan`s new constitution, approved in a recent nationwide referendum, strengthens the decision-making powers of local representative bodies. Officials in Bishkek hope that the move to expand local authority will help reduce social tension in the country. However, Alisher Khamidov argues that there is a risk that the new arrangement could also deepen the political and economic divide that separates Kyrgyzstan`s northern and southern regions.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav021103a.shtml
Turkmenistan Faces Multiple Sources Of Domestic Strife This Eurasianet feature outlines the various sources and groups which have the potential of challenging Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov`s regime.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/recaps/articles/eav021203.shtmlOpposition To War In Iraq Building In Central AsiaIn light of the increasing possibility of a US war against Iraq, the Central Asian Republics are concerned that US interest in Central Asian security will wane as the focus on Iraq intensifies. These fears are prompting rising opposition among Central Asian leaders to a war against Iraq.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav021303.shtmlInter-Ethnic Tension Threatens Fragile Tajik-Uzbek RelationsOver the past 18 months, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have managed to repair what had been perhaps Central Asia`s most contentious relationship. But some Tajik experts are concerned that the still-fragile relations are coming under renewed threat, with simmering inter-ethnic tension serving as the potential flash-point of confrontation.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav021403.shtml
14 February 2003