Registration Of Candidates To People`s Council And Local Governments On 6 April
Turkmenistan.RU
Ashgabat, Mar 21: Registration of candidates to Khalk Vekilleri, who will represent regions of the country in the supreme body of the government - Khalk Maslakhati(People`s Council) and also in local government - Gengeshi. Ashgabat`s correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru was informed in the Central commission on elections and referendums, for 65 places in People`s Council will apply 147 candidates. 6326 candidates are registered in 5535 territorial election commissions. Elections will be carried out April 6, 2003.
Kazakh Lower Houses Passes Bill
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Mar 20: The lower house of Kazakhstan`s parliament approved a draft Land Code in its first reading on 20 March, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. The draft code provides for the privatization of agricultural land, an issue that is highly controversial. Foreign individuals and legal entities may not acquire private farmland, according to the draft. The code must have at least one more reading in the lower house and at least two in the upper house before it is sent to the president for signature. President Nursultan Nazarbaev has been a strong proponent of land privatization.
Date Set For Tajik Constitutional Referendum
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, Mar 19: During its 19 March session, the lower house of Tajikistan`s parliament set 22 June as the date for a national referendum on controversial amendments to the country`s constitution, Tajik radio reported the same day. Among the 161 proposed amendments completely or partially approved by a parliamentary commission, one would authorize a second consecutive seven-year presidential term in office. According to a 19 March ITAR-TASS report, this amendment would permit incumbent President Emmomali Rakhmonov to run for re-election two more times when his current term expires in 2006. Other amendments would abolish the guarantee of free higher and vocational education and free medical care.
UNDP Assists In Local Government Reforms
Central Asia Daily
Dushanbe, Mar 19: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is helping the Tajik government draft a new law on local government with a view to initiating much-needed reform, IRIN learnt on Tuesday. Local government currently only has limited capacity due to insufficient funding, and the legal framework governing its institutions does not cover some informal structures at community level. The roles and responsibilities of different levels of government are not clearly defined, leading sometimes to duplication and inefficiency. `The new law on local government is expected to clearly delineate the roles and functions between the different levels of government to improve service delivery at the local level and bring local governance closer to the people,` Mia Seppo, the UNDP deputy resident representative, told IRIN from the capital, Dushanbe.
Kyrgyzstan Promises OSCE To Promote Democratic Reform
Interfax
Bishkek, Mar 19: Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and Dieter Boden, Germany`s permanent envoy to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe [OSCE], met in Bishkek on Wednesday to discuss ties between Kyrgyzstan and the OSCE. `Akayev said in clear terms that democratic reforms will be promoted and human rights will be observed.
Kazakhstan On Brink Of Another Stage Of Democratization -minister
Interfax
Almaty, Mar 17: Foreign Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev has said Kazakhstan is on the brink of another stage of democratization. He made this statement on Friday in Almaty at a regular session of the public foreign policy council, which serves as the Foreign Ministry`s consultative body. Tokayev said the newly created Permanent Conference on the continued democratization and building a civil society is `the first stage of liberalizing society.`
Kyrgyz Opposition Mourns Dead, Vows To Oust Akayev
MSNBC
Kerben, Mar 17: Thousands of opposition supporters called on Monday for Kyrgyzstan President Askar Akayev to step down after massing in a mountain village to mark a year since civilian protesters were killed by police. The killing of five opposition protesters by security forces last year triggered a severe political crisis and threatened to topple Akayev who has ruled the impoverished former Soviet Central Asian state since 1990. After months of opposition rallies and road blockades, Akayev sacked his government and early this year held a constitutional referendum coupled with a confidence vote in the president. Official results showed the voters had overwhelmingly backed Akayev but observers said the poll was flawed.
Kazakhstan`s Communist Party Has Problems With Re-registration
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Mar 17: Kazakhstan`s Justice Ministry has stopped the re-registration procedure for the Communist Party of Kazakhstan because of questions about the number of party members, centrasia.ru reported on 17 March. Parliamentarian and party head Serikbolsyn Abdildin was quoted as saying his party submitted its re-registration documents on 20 January. Under a 2002 law, all political parties have to undergo the re-registration procedure, proving among other things that they have at least 50,000 members. According to Abdildin, the Communists, one of the larger opposition parties in the country, declared a membership of 60,000 but then discovered that 6,000 were not actually party members. Four small parties have already been refused re-registration.
Azeri Opposition Supporters Rally In Baku To Demand That Aliyev Quit
Voice of America
Baku, Mar 16: Thousands of Azerbaijani opposition supporters held a rally in the capital, Baku, Sunday to demand President Heidar Aliyev`s resignation. The demonstrators also demanded that the authorities make changes to the country`s electoral law to prevent the ballot-rigging that has marred previous elections. Organizers of the rally claim that between 15,000 and 20,000 protesters turned out, while police put the figure at five thousand people.
National Democratic Party Holds Fifth Plenary Session
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Mar 15: Central Council of the National Democratic Party of Uzbekistan held its fifth plenary session on 15 March. The party`s first secretary, Abdulkhafiz Jalilov, presented a report `On parliamentary reforms in Uzbekistan and tasks of organisation of the National Democratic Party`.
Kyrgyzstan Refuses Additional Security At Manas Airport
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, Mar 20: Kyrgyz Deputy Interior Minister Bolot Nogoibaev told ITAR-TASS on 20 March that the Kyrgyz authorities have refused a request from antiterrorism-coalition forces stationed at Manas Airport for additional security checkpoints.
U.S. Air Force Base In Bishkek Not To Be Used For Military Operation Against Iraq
Pravda
Moscow, Mar 20: U.S. air force base at the airport of `Manas` in Bishkek will not be used for the military action against Iraq, Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubayev told journalists on Thursday. The Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister recalled that according to an agreement between the Kyrgyz government and the USA, servicemen of fourteen member countries of the anti-terrorist coalition are deployed in Kyrgyzstan exclusively for combating terrorism in Afghanistan.
Kazakh Air Defence Put On Alert
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Mar 19: Kazakhstan`s air-defence system was put on alert in view of the military action against Iraq, Kazakhstan Today reported on 19 March. The report quoted Deputy Air Force Commander Okas Saparov as saying that radar monitoring of the airspace over the country`s western and southern regions has been intensified in parallel with preparations for large-scale military exercises that are beginning in western Kazakhstan.
Georgia, Israel, Discuss Defence Industry Co-operation
Radio Free Europe
Tbilisi, Mar 19: A senior Israeli defence industry official met in Tbilisi on 18-19 March with Georgian State Minister Avtandil Djorbenadze and other Georgian officials to discuss possible Israeli aid to Georgia`s military industrial complex, Caucasus Press reported. The Israeli visitor also visited the Tbilisi Aviation Plant.
US Ambassador Urges Georgia To Ratify Military Co-operation Agreement
Radio Free Europe
Tbilisi, Mar 19: U.S. Ambassador Richard Miles warned parliament Defence and Security Committee Chairman Irakli Batiashvili during talks on 19 March that the Georgian parliament`s continued refusal to ratify an agreement signed last December on bilateral military co-operation could jeopardize the ongoing U.S.-funded `Train and Equip` program for the Georgian armed forces, `Tribuna` reported on 20 March. Batiashvili blamed the parliament`s failure to ratify the accord on `pro-Russian` factions.
Georgia Ready To Support US Military Action Against Iraq
Radio Free Europe
Tbilisi, Mar 19: Georgian Defence Minister Lieutenant General David Tevzadze told journalists in Tbilisi on 19 March that Georgia is prepared to provide any assistance it can to the U.S. military offensive against Iraq, Caucasus Press reported. Tevzadze said the most likely request would be for the use of Georgian airspace, but added that no request for help of any kind has yet been forthcoming, and it is unlikely that such a request would be made just hours before the beginning of hostilities.
French Defence Minister To Visit Uzbekistan Late This March
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Mar 19: French delegation led by Andre Var, the head of Euro-Atlantic department of the French army`s General Staff, held negotiations at the Ministry of Defence of Uzbekistan on issues of military and technical co-operation. The plan of military-technical co-operation, providing interaction of military departments in various directions, was signed during the visit as well. From the Uzbek side the document was signed by Rustam Niyazov, Deputy Defence Minister of Uzbekistan. Uzbek officers of all ranks can raise qualification in military educational institutions of France, general Var commented. Uzbek military will also get an opportunity to be taught French language and pass a course of technical training. In turn some French officers will be directed to Uzbekistan in order to pass training in military academy under the peace-keeping programme.
Russian Aviation Group Settles Down At Kyrgyz Air Base In Kant
Pravda
Moscow, Mar 19: The Russian aviation group stationed at the air base in the Kyrgyz city of Kant will include Su-27 fighters, Su-25 attack planes, L-39 and An-26 planes, as well as Mi-8 helicopters. Commander of the 5th Air Force and Air Defence Army Lieutenant General Yevgeny Yuryev has been put in charge of the group`s accommodation. During the working visit of the Russian military delegation headed by Air Force Commander-in-Chief, Colonel General Vladimir Mikhailov, to Kyrgyzstan on March 14-16, the parties co-ordinated the main clauses of the draft inter-state agreement on the status and deployment conditions of the Russian air base.
Kazakhstan Setting Up Defence Company
Interfax
Almaty, Mar 19: Kazakhstan is setting up a state-owned company to bring together 34 defence industry enterprises. The enterprises include a boat manufacturer, aircraft-repairing plants, a small arms manufacturer, a firm designing and manufacturing radio and electronic equipment and an armour repairer. The new company, all of whose charter capital will be state-owned, will be called Kazakhstan Engineering. Earlier it was planned to name it Kazoboronprom.
Russia To Set Up Aviation Base In Kyrgyzstan
Interfax
Bishkek, Mar 17: Col. Gen. Vladimir Mikhailov, the Commander of Russia`s Air Force, is holding talks in Chechnya on establishing a Russian aviation base at the Kant air field in Kyrgyzstan. `My visit is part of preparations at the air field for the upcoming deployment of Russian aviation. By the end of April, everything must be ready to welcome Russian Su-25 and Su-27 jets at the military air field in Kant [20 km from Bishkek],` Mikhailov told the press on arrival in the Kyrgyz capital. The commander clarified that the number of Russian planes deployed in Kyrgyzstan depends on what kind of instructions the air force will receive. `The aviation base`s numerical strength will vary. At first, about 200 soldiers will be stationed there and later, personnel will increase to 500,` Mikhailov reported.
Uzbekistan, France To Sign Military Co-operation Agreement For 2003
Interfax
Tashkent, Mar 17: French and Uzbek military officials will meet in Tashkent on March 17 to assess the two countries` military co-operation in 2002 and approve a plan for 2003. The French embassy in Tashkent said that military cooperation between France and Uzbekistan covers the training of military personnel, computer simulation of armed conflicts and France`s assistance in organizing a centre for maintaining peace under a NATO project.
Kyrgyz Air Base Visit
The Moscow Times
KANT AIR BASE, Mar 16: The head of Russia`s air force paid a visit Friday to a Kyrgyz air base set to host Russian warplanes, Moscow`s most significant response to the increased U.S. military presence in Central Asia since the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.
No Extremist Activities Reported In Kazakhstan From War In Iraq
Interfax
Astana, Mar 20: The Kazakh National Security Committee has seen no sign of a rise in expression of extremism due to the U.S.-led military operation against Iraq. `No extremist activities have been reported to [the National Security Committee],` the committee`s spokesman told Interfax on Thursday. In light of the Iraq crisis, the committee `is keeping a close eye on the situation in the country and is actively working on a range of issues within its jurisdiction.`
US, Austria Back Program To Combat Terrorism In Central Asia
Voice of America
Vienna, Mar 16: The United States is supporting a project together with Austria and the European Union aimed at combating terrorism in Central Asia. The United States said it is offering technical expertise and is closely working with the Austrian Interior Ministry to bring more security to Central Asia. The idea stems from a meeting between Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and President Bush in Washington in November 2001, after the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington. The overall objective of the program is to overhaul border operations in Central Asia, using a network of national academies.
Tashkent Forum Discusses International Terror
Pravda
Moscow, Mar 16: `Resistance to terror`, such is the dominant item on the agenda of a meeting currently held by the Partnership for Peace consortium`s working group in Tashkent. The consortium comprises military academies and research centres of many countries studying security problems. The meeting has brought together security experts from the USA, Europe, CIS and Central Asia. Participants in the two-day forum will consider problems of combating international terrorism and religious extremism, exchange opinions on the current military and political situation in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and discuss the vital issues of the region`s security.
During Next 15 Years Investments In Kazakhstan Would Exceed US $80 Billion, Kazakh Deputy Prime
Central Asia Daily
Astana, Mar 21: Although interested in co-operation with the United States, Kazakhstan has good investment possibilities. During the next 15 years investments in Kazakhstan would exceed US $80 billion, said Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister Karim Masimov. Part of these investments will be used to develop the Caspian coast infrastructure.
Kazakhstan Set To Increase Oil Production And Exports
Hoover`s Online
Astana, Mar 21: Kazakhstan could produce 51.86m tonnes of oil and gas condensate in 2003, compared with 47.283m tonnes last year. Domestic consumption will grow by 1.4m tonnes, from 7.802m tonnes to 9.212m tonnes, a government official told Interfax, adding that these were the quotas set by the 2003 energy balance. Oil exports should go up from 39.43m tonnes to 42.648m tonnes.
AIOC Increases Production From Chirag Field
Central Asia Daily
Baku, Mar 20: AIOC produced 1.034 million tons of oil from Chirag field in the first two months of 2003, up 5 per cent from the same period last year. The company produced 477,000 tons of oil from the field in February, down 2 per cent from February 2002. The company said production dropped in February due to maintenance work at Chirag-1 production platform. Daily production dropped from 133,000 barrels in January to 126,000 barrels in February.
Central Asian Water Resource Management Discussed In Tashkent
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Mar 19: An educational seminar on international and national rights to water and arriving in consensus in decision-making on water resources management in Central Asia took place in Tashkent. Both high-level officials and leading experts of water sector, and representatives of government institutions, as well as of foreign and justice ministries of five Central Asian countries involved in working out of the inter-state agreements in water resources management, participated in the seminar. The Inter-state co-ordinating water and economic commission jointly with Canada International Development Agency (CIDA), Canadian British Columbia and McGill Universities, as well as the U.S. Agency on International Development came out as organizers of the event, according to `Turkiston-Press` News Agency.
Turkmenistan, Russia To Sign Gas Exports Deal In April
Hoover`s Online
Ashgabat, Mar 19: Turkmenistan and Russia in April will sign an agreement on the export of Turkmen gas to Russia, Deputy Prime Minister Yolly Gurbanmyradow said Wednesday [19 march]. He led the Turkmen delegation at Wednesday`s negotiations with Russian Deputy Energy Minister Gennadiy Ustyuzhanin and deputy chief of the Gazprom administration board, Yuriy Komarov. Turkmen gas supplies to Russia will begin next year to last till 2025, Gurbanmyradow said.
KazMunaiGaz To Create Subsidiary For Caspian Development
Central Asia Daily
Astana, Mar 19: KazMunaiGaz has created a new subsidiary, KazMunaiTeniz, which will oversee negotiations for new agreements, carry out feasibility studies and fulfil service contracts for offshore projects in the Caspian Sea. KazMunaiGaz will still monitor and control the progress of production sharing agreements. The Kazakh Government is in the final stages of approving a development program for the Caspian offshore area. A licensing round for more than 100 blocks in the Kazakhstan section of the Caspian should follow approval of the development plan.
Kyrgyzstan To Get $9.15 million From IDB For Road Project
Interfax
Bishkek, Mar 19: The government of Kyrgyzstan has decided to sign a loan agreement with the Islamic Development Bank for $9.15 million to restore the Taraz- Talaz-Suusamyr road, a source in the state foreign investment committee told Interfax. Transport Minister Kubanychbek Zhumaliyev said the project was prepared and approved by the IDB board in 2000. A bank grant was used to finance a feasibility study of the project. The project is important because the road is the only surface transport joining Talas region in north-western Kyrgyzstan with other regions of the country and Kazakhstan.
Azerigaz To Form 1 Bln Cubic Meters In Gas Reserves
Interfax
Baku, Mar 19: ZAO Azerigaz, the gas monopoly in Azerbaijan, is reconstructing its underground gas storage facilities to enable it to pump in 1 billion cubic meters of gas this year, a company source said. The company expects to complete the work in May.
Signing Of Shakh-Deniz Agreement Delayed Until April
Interfax
Baku, Mar 19: The presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey will now sign an agreement on construction at the Azerbaijani Shakh-Deniz gas condensate field in April rather than March 27, as planned. The delay has been caused by Turkey`s possible involvement in the events surrounding Iraq, Natik Aliyev, president of State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic (Socar), told reporters.
Another Consortium Fails To Find Oil In Azerbaijan
Radio Free Europe
Baku, Mar 18: Two wells the Japanese Azerbaijani Operational Consortium drilled in the Ateshgakh Caspian field have failed to yield oil in commercial quantities, Turan reported on 18 March. The consortium, in which Azerbaijan`s state oil company SOCAR has a 50 percent stake with the remaining 50 percent divided among five Japanese oil companies, will not drill a further exploratory well, but will conduct further geophysical studies at Ateshgakh and two other fields before deciding whether to self-liquidate.
Nazarbayev, Rapota Prepare EURASEC Summit
Pravda
Moscow, Mar 17: President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and EURASEC Secretary General Grigory Rapota discussed in Astana arrangements for the session of the Eurasian Economic Community`s Inter-State Council (EURASEC includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) at the level of heads of state, scheduled for April 27-28 in Dushanbe.
Armenia Plans To Decrease Foreign Debts
The Moscow Times
Moscow, Mar 17: The amount of Armenia`s foreign debts will reach $977.3m in 2003, compared to $1.01bn in 2002. According to a plan for monetary policy of the Central Bank of Armenia for 2003, submitted to the parliament today, the proportion of discounted loans in the structure of Armenia`s foreign debts had substantially increased due to an agreement on transferring companies to Russia to offset Armenia`s debts of $93.7m, the ARKA news agency reported. Discounted loans will make up 92.5 per cent of Armenia`s foreign debts in 2003. The amount of foreign debts will make up 38.4 per centof the GDP this year, compared to 42.5 per cent in 2002. The expenditures on repayment of foreign debts (not including debts to Russia) will reach $75m in 2003, including $63.1m in principal payments.
Investments To Azerbaijan Amounted To $6.7 Billion In January
Baku Today
Baku, Mar 16: Azerbaijani oil industry had already received investment of $6.7 billion, of which $4.3 billion was in the Azeri-Chirag-Gyunashli group of fields. Construction of 50 per centof the Georgian section of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline will be completed by the end of 2003, BTC Co. Chief Executive Director Michael Townsend said at the international conference Oil, Gas energy and Infrastructure-2003 in Tbilisi. Townsend confirmed that full-scale work on the construction of the pipeline would begin in April. He noted that the construction of the pipeline, stretching a total of 1,750 km, of which a 245-km section is in Georgia, would begin at seven locations simultaneously. He said that this would make it possible to lay the pipeline taking the landscape and nature conservation tasks into consideration. He noted that the funds paid out for the project represent the largest direct investment in the economies of the three countries - Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey.
Uzbekistan Taking No Country`s Side, Pursuing Own Interest
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Mar 21: Uzbekistan is taking no country`s side, but is pursuing its own interests, Uzbek President Islam Karimov has said, referring to the USA`s war against Iraq. In an interview following the function marking the Nowruz holiday - the celebration of the spring Equinox - in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, broadcast by Uzbek radio on 21 March, President Islam Karimov said: `We are not taking any country`s side. We are only acting and making our policy on the basis of our interests. Our stance can be explained and justified by this. I would like to repeat, Uzbekistan is making a policy by keeping in mind its own interests, thinking about its future and by learning from the lessons implicit in the past.`
Uzbek Media Behaviour - Reaction To Iraq Crisis
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Mar 21: Uzbek state radio (Uzbek radio first channel) broadcast around 16 reports on the latest developments in the Iraq crisis from 0300 GMT to 1700 GMT. The first six reports came every half an hour and were followed by related commentaries. At 0900 GMT the radio broadcast a special programme devoted to the autobiography of Saddam Hussein. All reports were very critical of Saddam`s personality. The 0300 GMT bulletin on Uzbek state TV (Uzbek Television first channel) in Uzbek led with a report saying that the USA had started military attacks on Iraq. The TV subsequently reported on developments surrounding Iraq at 0500 and 0700 GMT and 0900 GMT. The reports were broadcast both in Russian and Uzbek. The reports contained roundups of foreign media reports, followed by commentaries by political observer Qobilbek Karimbekov who emphasized that the war was intended to fight terrorism. Special reports criticizing the personality of Saddam Hussein were also screened.
Bishkek Supports Russia`s Position On Iraq
Interfax
Bishkek, Mar 21: Bishkek supports the position of the Russian president on the military campaign in Iraq, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Askar Aitmatov told Interfax on Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a Kremlin conference earlier that the U.S.-led military campaign against Iraq is being carried out in contradiction to international public opinion and the principles and norms of international law and the UN Charter.
Uzbek President Invited To Visit Turkey - Turkish Ambassador
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Mar 21: In his congratulation message to Uzbek people on the Navruz holiday, Turkish Ambassador to Uzbekistan Reshit Uman said that the president of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has been invited to visit Turkey. It is planned that the Uzbek foreign and defence ministers will visit Turkey to prepare for that top-level trip. Also, a visit to Turkey by an Uzbek parliamentary delegation is planned.
Kazakh Parliamentary Leader Says Iraq War Damaging UN
Radio Free Europe
Astana, Mar 20: Zharmakhan Tuyaqbaev, chairman of the lower house of the Kazakh parliament, told journalists on 20 March that the U.S.-led military operation against Iraq is seriously damaging the authority of the United Nations and the UN Security Council, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. Insisting that when such an action involves sovereign states, it must be approved by the Security Council, Tuyaqbaev was quoted as asking how international conflicts will be resolved in future if any country can decide to attack another without UN sanction.
Iraqi War Alarms Kyrgyzstan With U.N. Bypassing Precedent
Pravda
Moscow, Mar 20: Kyrgyzstan is badly alarmed by the current attempt to settle the Iraqi crisis through the use of force, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs says in a statement. `We have ample reasons to discern tokens of a new world order,` remarked Askar Aitmatov, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The UN Security Council may eventually become irrelevant in decision-making on the use of force now that a precedent has been set. The situation threatens the whole world with dire developments, warned the minister.
Unofficial Censorship On War Reporting Imposed In Uzbekistan
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, Mar 20: Unofficial censorship has been restored in Uzbekistan in response to the military operation in Iraq and only the viewpoint of the Uzbek government, which fully supports the war, can be expressed in the media, Deutsche Welle reported on 20 March. Neither the Russian nor the Western European points of view are being reported in Uzbekistan.
Dushanbe Has Yet To Announce Official Stance On War
IRNA
Dushanbe, Mar 20: The Tajik government has not announced its official stance on the US-led war on Iraq which started Thursday morning. Tajik Foreign Ministry spokesman Igor Sattarev told IRNA here on Monday that Dushanbe would announce its official stance in this respect in coming hours. Sattarev said Tajikistan has been opposed to a military solution to the Iraq crisis, preferring diplomacy to settle the crisis.
Developing Co-operation
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Mar 20: The seventh meeting of Kazakhstan- Russian Intergovernmental Commission was held at Astana on Thursday. A list of issues, including implementation of economic programs, border co-operation, contacts in humanitarian and scientific- technological spheres was discussed at the meeting. The sessions of sub-commissions on Baikonur complex and transport problems were held simultaneously.
Bonn`s Mayor Barbel Dieckmann Starts Visit To Bukhara, Tashkent
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Mar 19: Barbel Dieckmann, the mayor of the German city of Bonn started three-day visit to Uzbekistan to promote the established contacts with Uzbek partners on 19 March. The visit started with meetings scheduled in Tashkent and Bukhara cities. Bukhara, one of country`s ancient cities is one of the cities in Central Asia to establish project co-operation with Bonn. Mayor of Bukhara city Karim Kamolov invited his colleague from Bonn to discuss the promotion of contacts established several years ago.
Bush Thanks Uzbekistan`s President For Support Against Terrorism
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, Mar 19: Uzbekistan`s presidential press service announced on 18 March that U.S. President George W. Bush sent a letter to President Islam Karimov thanking him and his government for Uzbekistan`s contribution to the fight against international terrorism, Interfax, uzreport.com, and uza.uz reported on 19 March. The letter reportedly specifically mentioned Uzbekistan`s decision to allow the international anti-terrorism coalition to use the military air baseat Khanabad to support its actions in Afghanistan.
Jiang Zemin Meets President Of Tajikistan
People`s Daily
Beijing, Mar 19: Chairman of China`s Central Military Commission Jiang Zemin met with the President of Tajikistan Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov during his stopover in Beijing Wednesday. Jiang said he regarded Rakhmonov as an `old friend` of both his and the Chinese people, and the neighbourly friendship and mutually beneficial co-operation between China and Tajikistan had produced positive results. The two countries had signed a series of political documents which served as the basis of bilateral relations and settled historical border issues, creating opportunities for advancing bilateral ties, said Jiang. The two sides also discussed the Iraq crisis.
Kazakh Gov`t Ratifies Russian-Kazakh Caspian Agreement
Central Asia Daily
Astana, Mar 19: The Kazakh State Duma has unanimously ratified a Russian-Kazakh agreement to divide the northern part of the Caspian seabed and a pertinent protocol of July 6, 1998, according to Interfax News Agency. The agreement ensures sovereign rights in the use of natural resources. A total of 282 deputies voted in favour of the agreement, meeting the required minimum of 226 votes.
Foreign Ministry Expressing Concern
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Mar 19: RK Foreign Ministry released a statement to express deepest regret and concern regarding the absence of common opinion in UN Security Council on Iraq problem. Despite of all the hopes of the world community, the collective body designed to play a key role in peace issues, failed to adopt an agreed resolution to settle the situation around Iraq with political means. `The state, which refused of world the fourth nuclear potential on own free will, supported all the efforts of international community to disarm Iraq.
Turkmen President Signs Accords During Visit To Iran
Interfax
Ashgabat, Mar 19: Several inter-state and inter- governmental agreements were signed during Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov`s two-day visit to Iran in March. Niyazov and Iranian President Mohammad Khatami signed a bilateral communiqué emphasizing the similarity of the two countries` positions on politics in the region. Moreover, they signed a memorandum on long-term cooperation in the fuel and energy sector and acceleration of work on the Dostlug [Friendship] dam along their shared border. The memorandum also envisions cooperation innaval search and rescue. Other documents include a program for further co-operation science, education and culture, an agreement on assistance in criminal investigations and a memorandum of cco-operation between the two countries` energy agencies.
Iran, Kyrgyzstan To Set Up Research Group
IRNA
Bishkek, Mar 19: Iran and Kyrgyzstan have said they will establish a joint research group to explore historical ties between the two countries. Kyrgyz news agency Kabar quoted on Wednesday the Kyrgyz Culture Minister Ishenkul Boldzhurova as saying that a contract was signed in Tehran during a recent visit by a Kyrgyz delegation on the establishment of this working group.
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan Join The Coalition Of The Willing
Kazakhstan News
Washington DC, Mar 19: Thirty nations have joined with the United States in a `coalition of the willing` to bring down Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, and another 15 quietly have promised their support, Secretary of State Colin Powell said overnight. Central Asian countries Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are included among the willing nations.
Meeting With British Ambassador.
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Mar 19: Senate Regions Development Committee chairman Leonid Burlakov met with the Ambassador of Great Britain to our country Games Sharp. The issues of further perfection of the two states` and parliaments` relations were discussed at the meeting.
Kazakh President To Visit Pakistan In April
Interfax
Astana, Mar 17: Kasymzhomart Tokayev, the Kazakh Foreign Minister and Durei Shahwar, the Pakistani Ambassador to Astana Kureishi, met on Friday and discussed preparations for Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev`s visit to Pakistan in April. The two agree that `the visit will encourage forging bilateral ties,` according to a report issued by the Kazakh Foreign Ministry`s information and analysis department.
Armenia Preparing For Possible Inflow Of Refugees
Interfax
Yerevan, Mar 17: Armenia is preparing for a possible inflow of refugees in the event of military actions in Iraq, Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian said on national television on Sunday evening. `In the event of war, some ethnic Armenians living in Iraq could wish to return home,` the minister said. The Foreign Ministry is currently taking steps to ease the issuance of Armenian visas to Armenians residing in Iraq, he said. The families of Armenian diplomats working in Iraq have already been transported home, and, if need be, the Foreign Ministry intends to evacuate the diplomats themselves as well, he said.
New Armenian Ambassador To Britain Appointed
Interfax
Yerevan, Mar 17: President Robert Kocharian signed an order to appoint his press secretary Bage Gabrielian as Armenia`s ambassador to Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the presidential press service told Interfax on Friday. Gabrielian started his carrier in the Foreign Ministry in the early 1990s.
Integration Issues Discussed.
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, Mar 17: President Nursultan Nazarbayev had a phone conversation with the head of Russia V.Putin. It touched the work to establish common economic zone within the frameworks of new Association of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine. The Presidents stressed they believed upcoming meeting of the four states` prime ministers to result in specific agreements achieved. They also discussed the issues concerning nearest summits of Shanghai Organization of Co-operation, Eurasian Economic Association and Collective Security Treaty Organization.
Azerbaijani President Returns To Baku From U.S.
Interfax
Baku, Mar 17: Azerbaijani President Heidar Aliyev returned to Baku from the United States on Friday night. Aliyev told journalists he was feeling well. `Do not worry, everything is all right. I am feeling well and the rehabilitation after the operation proceeded normally. The Azerbaijani president is healthy,` he said at the airport.
Turkmen President Met With Spiritual Leader Of Iran
Turkmenistan.RU
Ashgabat, Mar 17: Within the frames of his two-day visit to Iran the Turkmen leader Saparmurat Niyazov met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and will take part in wreath laying ceremonies on Imam Khomeini`s tomb, as well as held negotiations with the Foreign Minister of Iran Kamal Kharrazi, Ashgabat`s correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reports from Ashgabat. During the negotiations the largest economic projects, being carried out by the two states were discussed.
Uzbek President Appoints New Envoy To Germany
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Mar 17: Isan Mustafaev has been appointed as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Germany by the decree of the President Islam Karimov on 17 March 2003. By another decree, Vladimir Norov has been relieved of the post of the Ambassador to Germany due to his transfer to another job.
Putin To Visit Tajikistan
Hoover`s Online
Moscow, Mar 15: President Vladimir Putin plans to visit Tajikistan in the near future, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said on Friday. Advertisement: Explore Within This Space Ivanov told the Mayak radio station that Moscow and Dushanbe `intend to sign an agreement specifying the terms for the presence of a Russian military base in Tajikistan.`
US Senator Calls For Active Business Co-operation With Kazakhstan
Hoover`s Online
Almaty, Mar 15: At a conference of major trade and industrial chambers and companies in the USA, Kazakhstan has been named as an especially important country for the USA. Senator [Mary] Landrieu has said that our country, which possesses huge oil and gas reserves, is an ally in the key Caspian region. The senator called on businessmen representing the oil and gas and hi-tech industries of the USA to cooperate more actively with Kazakhstan.
Azeri, Georgian, Turkish Presidents To Sign Gas Project Accord On 27 March
Hoover`s Online
Baku, Mar 15: An official signing ceremony at Baku`s Gulustan Palace on 27 March will mark the sanctioning of the Sah Daniz gas project. The Turkish and Georgian presidents, Ahmet Necdet Sezer and Eduard Shevardnadze respectively, will pay a short visit to Azerbaijan. The presidents will first sign the document at the headquarters of the Azerbaijani president, Assa-Irada news agency has learnt from official Georgian circles.
Armenia Decided To Pay Nuclear Fuel Debts To Russia With Power Plants
Interfax
Yerevan, Mar 21: The Armenian government decided to transfer the Sevan-Razdan network of hydroelectric plants to a subsidiary of the Russian Unified Energy System on Thursday by paying off the Armenian nuclear power plant`s debts for Russian nuclear fuel. A government press release says that of the $40 million debts, $25 million will be paid with the power plants. The remaining $15 million are expected to be paid over the next two years at the expense of receipts from domestic electricity sales on the and the collection of receivables.
Web-site On Drug Addiction, HIV/AIDS Launched In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Mar 20: The first web-site on the issues of drug addiction, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections has been launched in Uzbekistan. The site, with its address on the Internet www.aids-drugs.uz, was put in place within the joint project by Uzbek government and UN Department on drugs and crime entitled `The aid for the multi-sector respond to drug addiction, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases in Uzbekistan - Decrease in drugs use among injection drug addicts`.
Drug Trafficking On Rise In Kyrgyzstan
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, Mar 19: Kyrgyzstan will set up an agency to combat increasing drug trafficking from Afghanistan, the head of the governmental drug-control commission, Kurmanbek Kubatbekov, announced on 18 March, according to Interfax. Kubatbekov added that law enforcement officials seized about three tons of drugs in 2002, which he claimed was only about 5 percent of the amount smuggled into Kyrgyzstan. Kubatbekov said that the number of addicts in Kyrgyzstan is increasing as well. Five thousand addicts have been officially registered, but Kurmanbek said he is convinced the actual number is 20 times that figure.
Ten Million Dollars To Uzbekistan For Drug Prevention
Pravda
Moscow, Mar 18: A comprehensive and integrated drug demand reduction program for Central Asia is critical, especially now, because illegal drug use has devastating social and economic impacts. More than ten million US dollars will be spent to assist Uzbekistan only. Besides this, Tajikistan will also receive an assistance. US Ambassador to Uzbekistan Mr. John E. Herbst will participate in an opening ceremony to launch the US Government funded program administered through USAID on 19 March in Tashkent.
OSCE Official Calls For Better Coordination On Drug Trafficking
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Mar 17: The impact of drugs trafficking on national and international economies and global security tops the agenda of an international seminar organised by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Uzbekistan on 17 and 18 March. More than 150 experts have gathered in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, to define ways of efficiently tackling international drugs trafficking and its negative effects on the economy. In four working groups, they will analyse root causes, financial flows, effects on the investment climate, relationships between trafficking networks and transportation route.
Kazakh Security Agents Detain Uzbek Citizen With 2 Kg Of Heroin
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Mar 15: Officers from the South Kazakhstan Regional national security department have detained a citizen from Uzbekistan with 2 kg of heroin, Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency reported on 13 March. The news agency noted that the man was detained in a village in Makhtaaral District of South Kazakhstan Region while he was trying to sell the heroin.
Kazakhstan Forms Presidential Human Rights Commission
Interfax
Almaty, Mar 20: Kazakhstan has approved the statute of a presidential commission for human rights and a list of its members. The decree on the commission was signed by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Wednesday and published in the official press on Friday. The commission`s main responsibilities will be to improve the guarantees for and protection of human rights and liberties, to develop government policy and strengthen international relations in human rights.
Turkmenistan Admits Harsh Treatment Of Prisoners
Voice of America
Ashgabat, Mar 19: The Turkmen prosecutor-general has acknowledged that authorities have been punishing convicts by sending them to live in harsh conditions in desert areas. Prosecutor-General Gurbanbibi Atadjanova told the media in Ashgabat Wednesday that 34 people, including many former officials, have been exiled to rural areas for at least 10 years. T
Uzbekistan Urged To Meet Human Rights Benchmarks
Voice of America
Tashkent, Mar 19: A top human rights organization has urged the Uzbekistan government of President Islam Karimov to meet human rights benchmarks set by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). New York-based Human Rights Watch, in a statement issued Wednesday, said the bank has made it clear that it expects reforms in exchange for engagement.
Uzbekistan Denies U.N. Allegations Of Torture, But Acknowledges Some Abuses In Prisons
MSNBC
Tashkent, Mar 19: Uzbekistan denied U.N. torture allegations Wednesday, but acknowledged `incidents` of human rights abuses in its prisons. In the first official response to a recent report by a special U.N. envoy, a government official said law enforcement bodies do not resort to systematic torture. But presidential adviser Abdulaziz Komilov said there were `certain incidents of serious human rights abuses in prisons. ... I would like to stress that these incidents are not of a systematic nature.`
UN Commission Concerned At Use Of Torture In Uzbekistan
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, Mar 18: The session of the UN Commission on Human Rights that began on 17 March is focusing on Central Asia, Deutsche Welle reported on 18 March. One of the problems under examination is the continued use of torture by law enforcement agencies in Uzbekistan. A special report on the subject was drawn up at the end of 2002. That report included an appendix listing `a limited number` of torture cases, but Deutsche Welle reported that the list is 40 pages long. The report notes that a large number of civil-society activists have been harassed, arrested, and mistreated by the authorities, as have Uzbek and Russian journalists.
Heads Of Two Districts In Eastern Kyrgyzstan Appointed
Hoover`s Online
Bishkek, Mar 19: By a decree of the Kyrgyz president [Askar Akayev], new akims [heads] of Toguz-Toro [south-western Dzhalal-Abad Region], Lyaylyak [southern Batken Region], Ton and Ak-Su Districts [eastern] Issyk-Kul Region of the Kyrgyz Republic have been appointed. was relieved of the post he held earlier, has been appointed head of the state administration of Ton District, Issyk-Kul Region of the Kyrgyz Republic. Mukash Samalykovich Mambetov, who was relieved of the post he held earlier, has been appointed head of the state administration of Ak-Su District, Issyk-Kul Region of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Kazakhstan Introduces Migration Cards For Foreigners
Pravda
Moscow, Mar 16: Following Russia`s example, Kazakhstan is introducing migration cards for the foreigners coming to the country. Under the government resolution, published on Saturday, the migration cards will be issued to all foreign citizens older than 16 who have no entry visas at the check-points on the Kazakh state border. The persons travelling by transit via Kazakhstan will be exempt from this. In the card, foreigners must indicate the aim of the trip and the receiving side. They must present migration cards to the border-guards when leaving the country. The introduction of migration cards will make it possible to efficiently take account of the guests arriving from abroad and improve the system of control over the foreigners staying in Kazakhstan, reported the department of migration police of Kazakhstan.
Special Focus
Caucasus`: Is The EU Neglecting The Region`s Strategic Importance?The states of the South Caucasus lie on the neck of land dividing the Black and Caspian seas. To the immediate south lie Turkey and Iran, with Iraq nearby. To the north lie the Russian North Caucasus republics, a volatile region and home to the entrenched conflict in Chechnya. The broader area of the Caspian contains massive reserves of oil that are still largely untapped. Given the world political situation, it`s a location with much geo-strategic importance. Yet the European Commission has just issued a report on relations with neighbouring countries that expressly excludes the South Caucasus states.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav031603.shtmlTurkmenistan: People Prepare To Vote - But For Whom?Though Turkmenistan is holding elections early next month, it is still not clear what candidates the country`s 2.2 million voters will see on the ballots. The original announcement about the elections to the Halk Maslahaty (People`s Council) and Mejlis (parliament) appeared in Turkmen newspapers at the end of December. But with just three weeks left until the poll, the identity of the candidates remains a mystery.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav031503.shtml
A Constitutional Crisis Brews In TajikistanTajik President Emomali Rakhmonov hopes to hold a referendum that would repeal legislation currently barring him from running for reelection. Opposition leaders, meanwhile, say such a constitutional change could damage Tajikistan`s democratic development and possibly result in renewed confrontation.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/rights/articles/eav031703.shtml
One Year Later, Aksy Deaths Were Watershed Moments In Kyrgyz HistoryKyrgyzstan on 17 March marked the one-year anniversary of one of the blackest days in its short history as an independent country. One year ago, in the southern Aksy District, a demonstration in support of a jailed local politician led to the first violent political unrest in the history of the country.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/rights/articles/eav031703a.shtml Uzbekistan Rebuffs IMF On Economic ReformsUzbekistan is resisting fresh International Monetary Fund (IMF) pressure to implement long-promised reforms, even as leading economic indicators show the country`s economy is deteriorating. Political observers say Uzbekistan`s stubborn resistance to reform significantly raises the prospect of domestic instability.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/business/articles/eav031903.shtml The Implications Of Armenia`s Post Election CrisisThe Armenian leadership appears to have been taken by surprise by - and seems uncertain how to react to - the political crisis that has resulted from the recent flawed presidential election.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp031903.shtml
With Opposition In Disarray, Akayev Regains Full Control In KyrgyzstanJust months ago Kyrgyzstani President Askar Akayev appeared vulnerable to opposition pressure, which had been building since the Aksy riot in March 2002. Today, political experts say, Akayev`s shrewd manoeuvring has enabled him to blunt efforts to force his resignation. Experts add that the president now seems certain to serve out his term, and exert controlling influence over the country`s political transition.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/recaps/articles/eav031803.shtml
States In Central Asia, Caucasus Brace For Iraq Blitz ConsequencesGovernments in Central Asia and the Caucasus tightened security precautions March 20 after US President George W. Bush ordered the start of a military offensive to oust Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Only two states - Georgia and Uzbekistan - firmly back the Bush administration`s war effort. Others are increasingly wary of the conflict`s potential consequences.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav032003.shtml
21 March 2003