Uzbek Political Activist Freed In Moscow
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, October 23: Uzbek political activist Bakhrom Khamroev has been released from investigative detention in Moscow, centrasia.ru reported on 23 October, citing Deutsche Welle, but the authorities are still investigating his alleged crimes. Khamroev, an active member of the unregistered Uzbek political movement Birlik who has lived in Moscow for many years and holds Russian citizenship, was arrested by Russian police on 20 July on charges of drug trafficking and having contact with Islamic extremist groups. He and his supporters in the Russian and Uzbek human rights communities say the charges are fabricated, possibly in reaction to his public assertion that the Russian security services have largely failed to identify real terrorist threats.
Former Candidates Call For Recognition Of Ilkham Aliyev`s Victory
Interfax
Baku, October 23: Leader of the Muasir Musavat opposition party Khafiz Gadzhiyev has called on the Azerbaijani public for reconciliation in order to avoid a repeat of the events of October 15-16 in Baku. He has also called for recognizing Ilkham Aliyev`s victory in the president election. `I have already congratulated Ilkham Aliyev on his victory in the election,` Gadzhiyev told Interfax on Thursday. He doubts that `the majority of opposition forces, whose stand is non-constructive` are ready to take a similar step. `Nevertheless, I am glad that an increasing number of people have recognized the reality after the recent events in Baku and have begun separating from the destructive forces,` he said.
Azerbaijani Opposition Leader Can Be Held Liable For Unrest - Prosecutor
Interfax
Baku, October 22: If Musavat Party leader Isa Gambar and his deputy Rauf Arifoglu are proven responsible for the mass disorder in Baku on October 15 and 16, they will be held legally accountable for their actions. Azerbaijani First Deputy Prosecutor General Ramiz Rzayev made this statement in an interview with the Azerbaijani television station ANS. `The investigation is underway now, and I cannot say anything ahead of time. If their [Gambar`s and Arifoglu`s] crimes are proven, their actions will have to be legally assessed, as they are Azerbaijani citizens,` he said. The investigation has determined that the radical factions of the Democratic Party, the Musvat and Umid parties, and other parties included in the opposition bloc Our Azerbaijan prepared sticks, iron rods and stones beforehand, Rzayev said. He insisted that the law enforcement agencies are not persecuting or arresting anyone for political reasons.
Unregistered Uzbek Political Party Holds Congress
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, October 22: The unregistered Uzbek Erk Democratic Party succeeded in holding its planned congress on 22 October, centrasia.ru reported on 23 October. The party had intended to hold a congress in September but was prevented by the authorities, who harassed and briefly detained several party members and confiscated party property (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 1 October 2003). Party members and sympathetic human rights activists reacted with picketing and a large demonstration in the center of Tashkent, which was broken up by police, but the participants reportedly were not detained. The party credits the authorities` willingness finally to allow the congress to take place to the political influence of the United States in Uzbekistan, in particular to the presence in Tashkent of an office of the New York-based human rights group Freedom House, where Erk held its congress.
Shevardnadze Promises Democratic Parliamentary Elections
Interfax
Tbilisi, October 22: Georgian authorities will do their best so that parliamentary elections to be held on November 2 will be democratic and free. OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Dutch Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer made this statement at a news briefing in Tbilisi following talks with Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze on Wednesday. De Hoop Scheffer said President Shevardnadze knows how closely the world community is following the upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia. The diplomat said he had met with representatives from Georgian non-governmental organizations who were displeased with the situation in the country in the run-up to the elections. He added that he had informed Shevardnadze of this matter.
Kazakh Opposition Leader Says Azerbaijan Sets Example For President`s Daughter
Radio Free Europe
Astana, October 21: Kazakh parliamentarian Serikbolsyn Abdildin, head of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, told a press conference in Almaty on 21 October that the presidential election in Azerbaijan has set an example for President Nursultan Nazarbaev`s daughter, Darigha, to run for president, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported the same day. Since Darigha Nazarbaeva, a prominent figure in Kazakhstan`s journalistic community who heads the Khabar television agency and the Congress of Kazakh Journalists, announced recently that she is setting up a political movement (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 17 September 2003), it has been widely assumed in Kazakhstan that she intends to try to succeed her father.
Armenia Introduces Post Of Ombudsman
Radio Free Europe
Yerevan, October 21: Parliament deputies passed a draft bill on the creation of the post of ombudsman in its third and final reading on 21 October by a vote of 90-1, Noyan Tapan reported. The law envisages that candidates for the post, who must be at least 35 years old with a university education, are proposed by the president and must be approved by a minimum three-fifths of all parliament deputies. Compliance with that requirement is complicated, however, by the fact that the Armenian Constitution does not envisage the post of ombudsman. A corresponding constitutional amendment will be one of several to be submitted to a referendum early in 2004, according to Interfax.
Azerbaijan Court Reviews Last Week`s Presidential Vote
Voice of America
Moscow, October 21: Azerbaijan`s Constitutional Court is reviewing the final results from last week`s presidential election, which central election officials say was won by the son of outgoing President Heidar Aliyev. AP Ilham Aliyev The Constitutional Court is reviewing final, official results, which give Ilham Aliyev 77 percent of the vote and his closest rival, Isa Gambar, 14 percent. The final figures are slightly different from the first results released last week, in which election chiefs said Mr. Aliyev had gained nearly 80 percent of the vote. The court now has 14 days to confirm the results in a ruling, which cannot be appealed. Three days later, president-elect Aliyev will be sworn into office in the Azerbaijan capital, Baku.
Kazakh Lower House Begins Discussion Of Draft Media Law
Radio Free Europe
Astana, October 21: Kazakh Information Minister Sautbek Abdrakhmanov formally presented his ministry`s draft of a law on the media to the Social and Cultural Development Committee of the Mazhilis on 21 October, gazeta.kz and khabar.kz reported. Abdrakhmanov said that the draft provides protection for the media and for the process of democratization and elaborates on the constitutional prohibition of censorship, providing guarantees against interference in the professional activity of the media. Journalists` organizations have criticized the draft, saying that its lack of clarity can be used against independent media.
US Calls For Inquiry Into Azerbaijan Election
Financial Times
Washington DC, October 21: Washington last night responded to widespread denunciation of fraud and intimidation during Azerbaijan`s presidential election by calling for an independent investigation, having earlier congratulated Ilham Aliyev, the declared winner and son of the former president. What analysts saw as confusion in Washington over how to handle a strategic ally followed condemnation by independent US observers yesterday of the electoral process and arrests of more than 100 political opponents, journalists and local observers.
Kyrgyz Journalists Want Libel Decriminalised
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, October 20: More than 95 percent of Kyrgyz journalists want libel decriminalized, Aktan Abdykalykov, head of the government-sponsored Media Council, told a news conference in Bishkek on 20 October, kabar.kg reported the same day. He was reporting the results of a poll of journalists in which respondents also said fees should be levied against those who file lawsuits against the media and offered suggestions for improving existing media laws, including the adoption of laws defining the status of journalists in media outlets and protecting the dignity and honor of journalists.
Azerbaijani Elections Commission Officially Proclaims Ilham Aliyev President-elect
Interfax
Baku, October 20: Ilham Aliyev has won a convincing victory in the presidential elections, receiving 76.84 per cent of the vote. The Azerbaijani Central Elections Commission officially announced the outcome on Monday, an Interfax correspondent has reported. Aliyev`s closest rival, leader of the opposition Musavat party Isa Gambar received 13.97 per cent of the vote. Following the two are former Liberal party leader Lale Shovket Hajiyeva with 3.62 per cent of the vote, Chairman of the National Independence party Ehtibar Mammadov (2.92 per cent), leader of the Adalet (Justice) party Ilyas Ismayilov (1 per cent), leader of the Civil Solidarity party Sabir Rustamhanli (0.82 per cent), Gudrat Hasanguliyev, who was nominated by the Popular Front (0.5 per cent), and leader of the Modern Musavat party Hafiz Hajiyev (0.34 per cent). The turnout in the elections was 71.23 per cent, or 3,164,348 people. A total of 3,132,793 of Azerbaijan`s 4,377,000 eligible voters came to polling stations for the presidential elections on October 15. Of them, 79.53 per cent, or 2,438,787 voters, cast their ballots for Aliyev. A total of 5,129 polling stations in 124 constituencies were open on election day.
Kazakh Journalists And Government Disagree On Draft Media Law
Radio Free Europe
Astana, October 20: Kazakh journalists and authorities are still far apart in their assessment of a draft law on the media, khabar.kz reported on 20 October after a public hearing at the Almaty Press Club. Despite more than a year of government revisions to the draft, representatives of the Congress of Journalists, the Adil Soz (Free Word) International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech, and other journalists and lawyers expressed their dissatisfaction with the draft. The lawyers complained that the text is full of inexact formulations that could be used against the media. There are also fundamental disagreements over the meaning of the phrase `misuse of freedom of speech` and the circumstances under which sources must be revealed. Lawyer Tamara Simakhina of the journalists` congress said journalists` suggestions for improving the draft have been accepted only if they did not alter the basic content.
Council Of Europe Deplores Political Repression In Azerbaijan.
Voice of America
Baku, October 20: The Council of Europe has added its voice to expressions of concern about political repression in Azerbaijan following last week`s presidential election. Secretary-General Walter Schwimmer called Monday for an investigation into reports of excessive police force against those who protested the controversial election and arrests of opposition leaders and supporters. The election, widely criticized as irregular, was won by Ilham Aliyev, the son of outgoing President Heidar Aliyev. Riots broke out in Baku soon after his victory was announced amid opposition claims that the balloting was rigged. One person was killed in the violence, and when order was restored, hundreds of opposition leaders and supporters were arrested. Earlier Monday, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) expressed concern over the wave of arrests and reported beatings.
Azerbaijan President Warns Riot Leaders
Kazakhstan News
Baku, October 19: President-elect Ilham Aliev blamed the opposition for riots after his election to succeed his ailing 80-year-old father and said Saturday its leaders could face legal action. In his first public appearance since Wednesday`s vote, Aliev said the unrest that tore through Baku gave the impression that disorder reigns in the oil-rich former Soviet republic. `All responsibility for that is carried by leadership of the Musavat party and they will answer before the law,` Aliev said after laying a wreath at a memorial to victims of unrest during the Soviet collapse and fighting in the ethnic Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. Interior Minister Ramil Usubov said about 200 people had already been arrested in the investigation of violence that broke out after polls closed Wednesday. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage spoke to Aliev Friday night and called on him to `work for reconciliation in the country` and `expressed concern about any ideas of (opposition) roundups,` said U.S. Ambassador Reno Harnish. `We are urging all sides to be calm,` Harnish said. `Incitement is not the right thing to do at this time, neither is excessive action.`
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan Agree Not To Use Weapons On Border
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 23: The heads of border services of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan agreed not to use weapons in case the life of border guards is not under threat, director of border services and deputy chairman of Kazakh Security Service Bolat Zakiev said on 23 October. `On 16 October I met the chairman of the State Border Committee of Uzbekistan and we agreed not to use weapons on the border except for cases when the life of border guards and other people is under threat,` he said. Zakaev said that during the talks the sides determined the order of cooperation in border protection and also considered existnig problems. On the results of the negotiations the sides signed a protocol. Zakaev added that a corresponding order was given to Kazakh troops to implement this protocol, Kazakhstan Today reported.
Presidents Askar Akaev And Vladimir Putin Opens The Russian Airbase In Kant
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, October 23: Presidents Askar Akaev and Vladimir Putin have officially opened the Russian Airbase near the capital of Kyrgyzstan - Bishkek. The opening ceremony held in Kant where will be deployed Russian military men and technique. Speaking here, President of Russia V. Putin remarked that the Kant Airbase would become the containing factor for all kinds terrorists and extremists. If the military base of antiterrorist coalition forces named after Ganci at the Manas Airport will provide stability in Afghanistan, then the Russian Airbase - the aviation component of the collective rapid deployment forces - will boost the defense capacity of the nations party to the collective security treaty organization (including Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Tajikistan). Moreover, it will provide stability to all Central Asian countries, help intensify anti-terrorist efforts and meet other threats and challenges facing the region, he said. In his words, the military exercises will be held here after a year. President A. Akaev announced that Russia was and remains to be reliable ally for Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Airbase in Kant will play a big role in providing stability in Central Asia. Later, Russian fighter-pilots of Su-25 and Su-27 have demonstrated aerobatics to participants of the ceremony. In the words of Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Forces, Colonel-General Vladimir Mikhailov, there are now five planes Su-27, five planes L-39, a plane Il-18, six planes Il-76, planes An-24 and An-12 and two helicopters Mi-8 deployed. Now, over 400 people work at the Russian Airbase. On the whole, it is expected to deploy about 500 military men. V. Putin arrived in Bishkek with one-day working visit today in the morning after participation in APEC Summit in Bangkok.
Akayev: Kyrgyzstan Is Russia`s Faithful Ally
Pravda
Bishkek, October 23: While opening a Russian air force base in Kant on Thursday, President of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akayev announced that his country saw itself as a reliable source of political support for Russia in the region. When saying that Kyrgyzstan would always be a faithful friend for Russia, Akayev said that the country would not have emerged unscathed from difficult historical periods without Russia as an ally. He also said that the ancient site of Ala-Too, where the base is situated, would now take on a new significance in the security system formed around the Collective Security Treaty Organisation and would become a key part of it.
Russia Says New Military Base In Kyrgyzstan Good For Security
Voice of America
Bishkek, October 23: Russia has opened a military base in Kyrgyzstan, its first in Central Asia since the breakup of the Soviet Union. Russian President Vladimir Putin says the move will contribute to security in the region and should not be seen as a challenge to the U.S. presence in the former Soviet republic. Mr. Putin and Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev spoke at the opening Thursday of the Kant military base, about 20 kilometers east of Kyrgyzstan`s capital, Bishkek. The two leaders hailed the military installation as a deterrent to terrorism in Central Asia. Mr. Putin says strengthening security in the turbulent region is important for world peace. The Kant base is located not far from the Manas airbase, used to support international operations in neighboring Afghanistan. It will house Russian fighter jets, bombers, helicopters and about 500 pilots and support personnel. Russia negotiated the agreement for the base under the auspices of the Collective Security Treaty of the Commonwealth of Independent States - a loose grouping of former Soviet republics.
NATO, Central Asian Experts To Meet In Almaty
Uzbek Report
Almaty, October 22: Representatives of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and specialists from Central Asian states will discuss the threats to regional security in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The conference entitled `NATO and Central Asia: regional and national security and strategic partnership` will be held on 30-31 October, Kazakhstan Today reported. It is expected that the event will be attended by representatives of Kazakh Foreign Ministry, NATO, politicians, scientists and experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Germany, the UK, the USA, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and other states. The participants will consider models of international and regional security, fighting international terrorism, perspectives of cooperation between NATO and Central Asia, as well as exchange experience with representatives of European and US armed forces.
Georgia, U.S. Agree To Expand Military Cooperation
Interfax
Tbilisi, October 21: Georgia and the U.S. have agreed to expand military cooperation, Georgian Defense Minister David Tevzadze said at a Tuesday briefing in Tbilisi. He made this statement while commenting on the results of his recent visit to the U.S., which on October 16-17 hosted bilateral consultations on expanding defense cooperation. According to the minister, the U.S. is ready to extend and expand the ongoing Train and Equip program, under which more than 2,000 Georgian servicemen will undergo training by U.S. military instructors by May 2004. Tevzadze said that in addition to the training program, the Pentagon will assist Georgia in reforming its general staff, and `make its contribution to shifting the defense establishment to civilian control.` Documents on cooperation in these two critical areas have been signed, and Georgia and the U.S. have already exchanged teams of experts, he said.
Georgia Has No Plans To Involve NATO In Protecting Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline
Interfax
Tbilisi, October 21: Georgia does not plan to ask for NATO involvement in protecting the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Deputy Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council Georgy Mzhavanadze told Interfax on Monday. `Despite media reports, the Georgian National Security Council is not considering the participation of servicemen from the United States or other NATO member countries in the protection of the Baku-Tbilisi- Ceyhan export oil pipeline in 2004-2005,` he said. It has been decided that the State Guard Service supported by the Interior and Security Ministries will protect the 235-kilometer Georgian segment of the pipeline, he said. `The National Security Council has biweekly meetings on the oil pipeline`s protection, but it has not discussed the involvement of NATO troopers,` Mzhavanadze said.
Kyrgyz Lower House Wants To Know More About Coalition Air Base
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, October 20: The lower house of Kyrgyzstan`s parliament ratified 10 international agreements on 20 October but not an agreement on the status of New Zealand personnel at the international antiterrorism coalition air base at Bishkek`s Manas airport, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service and KyrgyzInfo reported the same day. The parliamentarians said they want more information on the makeup and financial expenditures at the base, which supports coalition missions in Afghanistan. They also want more information from Foreign Minister Askar Aitmatov, who was not present at the session, on the expected length of the coalition`s presence in Kyrgyzstan.
Uzbek, Afghan Officials Attend Border Control Training
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 20: Border guards, police officers and customs officials from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan are attending a two-week OSCE training course, which started in the Uzbek border town of Termez on 20 October. Officials from the Uzbek and the Afghan sides of the border-crossing point between Termez and Hayraton, as well as from the Afghan capital, Kabul, are participating in the training programme from 20 until 31 October. The main goal of the project is to promote internal cooperation between Uzbek border, customs and police authorities, as well as that between Afghan and Uzbek officials. This will enhance the capacity of both countries´ border guards and customs officials to interdict illegal arms shipments. Training modules will include risk assessment and profiling, assessing body language, identifying forgery, and modern techniques of detecting and seizing illicit weapons. The border guard training programme, organised jointly by the OSCE Secretariat´s Conflict Prevention Centre and the OSCE Centre in Tashkent, is a follow-up to the 2002 project - Combating Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) through Border Management Assistance. That project involved an initial training course, jointly organised in Termez in November by the OSCE and the UN, which was aimed at assisting Uzbekistan to re-establish cross-border movement and enhancing the country´s capacity to respond to the trafficking of SALW. Afghanistan, which has a 137 km-long border with Uzbekistan, became an OSCE Partner for Cooperation in April this year, and this is the first time it has taken part in an OSCE activity.
Georgia Supports Broader Military Cooperation With Ukraine
Interfax
Tbilisi, October 19: Tbilisi expects the upcoming visit of Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhen Marchuk to Georgia to give a new impetus to military cooperation of the two countries. `The Georgian diplomatic mission in Kyiv is working on fixing the date and program of the Ukrainian defense minister`s visit to Tbilisi. Yevhen Marchuk is expected to travel to Georgia before the end of the year,` Georgian Ambassador to Ukraine and Moldova Grigol Katamadze told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday. `Ukraine and Georgia have chosen Euro-Atlantic integration as their priority, that is why it is necessary to agree on practical steps in the sphere of interaction and on mutual assistance.
Uzbekistan Issues Law On Monitoring Foreign Currency Deals
Interfax
Tashkent, October 24: Uzbekistan put into force a law on the monitoring of personal and corporate foreign currency transactions on Tuesday. The law purports to be based on international conventions on the prevention of transnational organized crime and the financing of terrorism. It orders banks to report to the State Tax Committee any transactions by their clients that has a suspected criminal or terrorist connection. The law applies to contracts making provision for payments for imports to foreign companies registered in offshore zones, and is supplemented with a list of 47 states and territories. The law also applies if the money`s recipient is not a party to such a contract or if the contract makes provision for an advance payment to a foreign company that exceeds 30 per cent of the total contracted payment, or exceeds $100,000. It sets out reasons for which a territorial customs agency must report an export or import contract to a higher customs authority and the tax service. On October 15, Uzbekistan subscribed to Article VIII of the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund, and made its currency convertible for current payments. Earlier, the country substituted monitoring for restrictions on foreign trade and the purchase of foreign currency by individuals.
Georgia Deports Three Chechens To Russia
Pravda
Moscow, October 21: On Tuesday the Georgian police have deported to Russia three Chechens detained ten days ago, Zurab Tushuri, chief of the Kakhetia regional police department, said to RIA Novosti. The three Chechens were detained on October 11 near the village of Druisi in the Pankisi gorge on the border with Georgia. Before it, at a customary briefing Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said to reporters that three Chechens had been arrested the other day for illegal penetration into the Georgian territory and crossing the state border. These people are to be deported, Eduard Shevardnadze said.
Shipment Of Kazakhstan Grain For Azerbaijan Has Begun
Kazakhstan News
Astana, October 24: According to the agreement between the governments of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan on delivery of Kazakhstani grain to the country, shipment of grain from Aktau port began on October 17. According to the Caspian navigation (Caspar) , for today the ferries of Caspar carried 33 wagons with grain (1 wagon is intended for 60 tons of grain), what makes 1980 tons of grain. It should be noted that the governmental structures of both states have not specified yet total volume of deliveries of grain. At the same time, according to preliminary information from the government of Azerbaijan, the volume of deliveries may total from 300 up to 500,000 tons of grain.
Uzbekistan To Boost Uranium Output To Soviet-era Level By 2010
Interfax
Tashkent, October 23: Buoyed by sustained growth in demand on the world markets and aided by cost-effective yet environmentally- friendly technology and equipment, Uzbekistan is aiming to boost uranium mine-output 40 per cent to 3,000 tonnes annually - the sort of level not seen since the mid 1980s - by 2010. The Navoi Mining and Metals Combine, Uzbekistan`s uranium monopoly, has made vast strides forward since 1995, when it had to shut some of its mines because they were uneconomical, Nikolai Kuchersky, the combine`s general director, said at an international geology conference in Tashkent. Since then, Navoi has been mining uranium by the in situ leach (ISL) method. Apart from being cheaper to use and less damaging to the environment, ISL has enabled Navoi to bring on stream uranium deposits in the Central Kyzyl Kum that could not be developed by conventional methods. Three ISL operations are being implemented - at the Kendyktyube, Lyavlakan and Tokhumbet deposits - and ISL is being tested at the big Surgaly deposit, Kuchersky said.
Typhoid Outbreak Expected To Hit 1,000 Cases
IRIN News
Ankara, October 23: The number of typhoid cases in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, is expected to hit 1,000 as health officials work to curb its spread. This latest outbreak to strike the impoverished Central Asian state, appearing two weeks ago, has already resulted in at least one death. `We are now talking about 800 [cases]. The numbers keep rising and we are expecting it to go over 1,000,` Paul Handley, the officer-in-charge of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Dushanbe, told IRIN on Thursday, noting, however, that assistance, both international and local, had been put in place. `There is the potential that many hundreds of people were infected before the outbreak was first detected,` he said, defining this as OCHA`s main concern now.
First Protocol For Russia`s WTO Entry Signed With Kyrgyzstan
Interfax
Bishkek, October 23: On Thursday, Kyrgyzstan and Russia signed a protocol ending their negotiations on Russia`s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), President Vladimir Putin said at the Russia-Kyrgyzstan Investment Forum in Bishkek. Russian Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Trade Dmitry Sukhoparov and Kyrgyz Minister of Foreign Trade and Industry Sadritdin Dzhiyenbekov signed the document. This is the first protocol Russia has signed in the course of its accession to the WTO. Putin thanked Kyrgyzstan `for understanding the importance of the problem and flexible approaches, which testify to Kyrgyzstan`s intention for serious cooperation with Russia.`
Russia, Armenia Sign Energy Protocol
Interfax
Yerevan, October 23: Unified Energy Systems of Russia CEO Anatoly Chubais and Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan signed a protocol on cooperation in the electricity sphere in Yerevan on Wednesday. The document deals with joint efforts by the sides to ensure the reliable operation and management of a number of energy installations in Armenia in the upcoming winter. UES manages Armenian Nuclear Power Plant and owns the Sevan-Razdan Cascade. It is also planed to hand over Razdan Thermal Power Plant to UES management in the near future. Later the sides plan to develop a joint strategy for cooperation in the power sector in Armenia and neighboring countries.
CIS And Armenian Energy Systems Might Be Synchronized
Kabar Agency
Yerevan, October 22: RAO UES head Anatoly Chubais believes that it is necessary to synchronize the Armenian and CIS energy systems. Synchronization will enable Armenia to improve energy supply and provide new possibilities in export and import operations, Chubais said. According to him, investments totaling millions of dollars will be required to solve this task. `We are ready for such investments as we think that it will be profitable for Armenia and for us,` the head of the Russian energy holding noted. He specified that a concrete amount of investments would be known after examining the financial situation in the republic, the ARKA news agency reported.
Kyrgyz - Russian Investment Forum Opens In Bishkek
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, October 22: Kyrgyz Prime Minister Nikolai Tanaev told a Kyrgyz-Russian investment forum that opened in Bishkek on 22 October that the sale of Kyrgyz electricity to Russia, which began in August, represented a major breakthrough in economic relations between the two countries, ITAR-TASS, kabar.kg, and other Kyrgyz media reported. First Deputy Prime Minister Dzhoomart Otorbaev told the forum that Kyrgyzstan would like to attract Russian investment specifically in the development of the mining industry, ore processing, hydropower engineering, information technology, services, and tourism.
Exim Bank Gives Credit Facility To Bank Caspian
Kazakhstan News
Astana, October 22: EXPORT-IMPORT Bank of Malaysia Bhd (Exim Bank), a unit of Bank Industri & Teknologi Malaysia Bhd, has granted interchangeable revolving credit facility worth US$3mil (RM11.4mil) to Kazakhstan`s Bank Caspian Joint Stock Company. Bank Industri chairman Tan Sri Othman Mohd Rijal said the facility was to finance the importation of eligible Malaysian products and services to Kazakhstan via Bank Caspian as well as to establish correspondent banking relationship. `The extension of this financial arrangement to Bank Caspian is very much in line with our role as an export credit agency,` he said at an agreement signing between Exim Bank and Bank Caspian in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
Uzbekistan, Poland Consider New Joint Projects
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 22: The government of Uzbekistan is considering a number of projects within the framework of development of financial and investment cooperation with Poland. One of them envisions supplying 20 Uzbek professional colleges with equipment worth a total of US15 million. Another project foresees delivery of equipment in 2004 on a preferential loan for food and light industries, as well as processing agricultural products. Projects of development of small and medium enterprises will be implemented as well. Thus, under consideration is creationg of an Uzbek-Polish joint venture on the basis of Dilorom joint-stock company in the city of Kokand, Ferghana region, which will manufacture knit-work. The Polish side will allocate a credit of US$450,000 for this purpose.
Kazakhstan To Give Preference To Investors Who Include Kazakh Firms In Their Projects
Radio Free Europe
Astana, October 21: Kazakh President Nazarbaev told an annual meeting with the diplomatic corps in Astana on 21 October that in the future Kazakhstan will give preference in awarding contracts to foreign investors to those investors who propose greater involvement of Kazakh firms in their projects, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. Nazarbaev added that when offering new oil fields for development, Kazakhstan will also give special attention to the development of an extensive system of export pipelines, and is presently examining the economic feasibility of all proposals for exporting the country`s oil and gas. He also expressed the hope that foreign investors will concentrate less on Kazakhstan`s natural resources and more on the high-technology and agricultural sectors.
Kazakhstan Sees 16.7 Bln Tenge Budget Deficit In Jan-Sept
Interfax
Astana, October 21: Kazakhstan posted a budget deficit of 16.7 billion tenge, or 2.9 per cent of spending, in January- September 2003, Finance Minister Yerbolat Dosaev said at a government meeting on Tuesday. Revenue totaled 566.14 billion tenge, 3.9 per cent over the target for the period, and spending was 582.84 billion tenge, 5.6 per cent below the target. Consolidated budget revenue reached 775.9 billion tenge and spending was 776.8 billion tenge.
State Budget Receives 215bn Soums From Customs Bodies
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 21: The Uzbek State Customs Committee held a meeting to discuss the activity of customs bodies in the first nine months of 2003. The meeting noted that the committee transferred about 214.5 billion soums to the state budget. About 13 billion soums of debts from previous years were paid.
Uzbekistan`s Nine-month GDP Grows By 4 per cent
Interfax
Tashkent, October 20: Uzbekistan`s gross domestic product grew by 4 per cent from January-September 2003 while inflation was kept down to 0.3 per cent, Deputy Prime Minister and Economics Minister Rustan Azimov told a Cabinet meeting on Friday. `The finance and real sectors of the economy has been kept stable. Inflation was reduced from 17.4 per cent in the same period last year to 0.3 per cent while the budget deficit was below 0.1 per cent of the GDP,` he said. Industrial output increased by 5.7 per cent, agricultural output by 4.7 per cent, retail trade by 4.9 per cent and paid services by 6.4 per cent. Investments in fixed assets increased by 2.8 per cent, he said. As the country`s exports increased, the balance of foreign trade was $515 million in Uzbekistan`s favor, Azimov said.
Uzbekneftegaz Gets New CEO
Interfax
Tashkent, October 20: Uzbekneftegaz CEO Shavkat Mazhitov, who has occupied this post since January this year, has been relieved from his duties by presidential decree in connection with his appointment to a different position. He is being replaced by Abdusalom Azizov, who previously worked as an advisor to the Uzbek president on coordinating the activities of law- enforcement and control authorities. Azizov headed the Tashkent Department of the Interior in 2001-2002. Mazhitov has been appointed as Uzbekneftegaz chief engineer and chief manager, a position that was vacant prior to this.
BMB`s Emir Oil Initiates Work-Over Of Two Oil Wells In Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan News
Florida, October 20: InterUnion Financial Corporation (`InterUnion`) (OTCBB: IUFN), announced today that BMB Holding, Inc.`s 70 per cent-owned subsidiary, Emir Oil, LLC (`Emir Oil`) has initiated the work-over of two existing wells, one located on the Dolinnoe oil field (Dolinnoe-1) and the other on the Emir oil field (Emir-1), in Kazakhstan. Preliminary results indicate that some service work has to be done to maintain a steady productivity rate on Dolinnoe-1. Emir-1 showed extremely high pressure and good productivity in a test that approximated 30 minutes in length. In accordance with local regulations, test production has been interrupted until local government inspectors approve a detailed work program with appropriate safety measures. More oil trucks will be acquired to provide a steady and smooth oil delivery to the oil storage facilities owned by BMB`s 30 per cent partner in Emir Oil. Given these new field developments, representatives of McDaniel & Associates will be visiting Kazakhstan in early November to view the testing of Dolinnoe-1 and Emir-1 and to inspect the rest of the ADE block before finalizing their review of the reserves of the ADE Fields.
Kazakhstan`s Economy Grows 8.6 per cent In 9 Mths
Kabar Agency
Astana, October 20: Kazakhstan`s economy grew tentatively 8.6 per cent year-on-year in January-September. The economics ministry quoted the national statistical agency as saying industrial output grew 7.8 per cent, farm output grew 3.7 per cent, capital investments were up 10.1 per cent and freight transport increased 9.7 per cent. The government aims to sustain annual GDP growth of 7 per cent-7.5 per cent between 2003 and 2006. GDP grew 9.5 per cent in 2002. The economy is targeted to grow 250 per cent by 2015.
Asian Development Bank To Issue Loans To Uzbekistan
Kabar Agency
Tashkent, October 20: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will issue to Uzbekistan 150 million dollars in loans in the coming three years, an official at the ADB representative office in Tashkent told Itar-Tass on Tuesday. He said the loans would go into development of agriculture. The financial infusion will be also used in the health and education systems and in reform of business in the Central Asian republic. ADB has issued a total of 700 million dollars in loans and 24 million in grants for 42 economic projects of Uzbekistan.
ADB Plans To Lend US$190 Million For Kazakhstan In 2004/06
Kabar Agency
Astana, October 20: The Asian Development Bank plans a US$190 million lending programme to Kazakhstan over the next three years, according to the Country Strategy and Programme (CSP) for 2004-2006 endorsed on 20 October by ADB´s Board of Directors. Four loans scheduled for the period encompass rural development, natural resource management, rural water supply, and road rehabilitation. These are in addition to the US$34.6 million loan ADB recently approved for a rural water supply and sanitation project. The lending programme is complemented by a US$6 million technical assistance (TA) programme of 13 projects. These TA projects, funded by the Technical Assistance Special Fund and the Japan Special Fund, will address institutional strengthening and capacity building in natural resources management, rural water supply, rural development, education, transport, governance, and private sector. Cofinancing will be actively pursued to support priority projects beyond this amount.
ChevronTexaco Announces Sale Of North Buzachi Assets In Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan News
Astana, October 20: ChevronTexaco Corp. (NYSE: CVX) announced today the sale of Texaco North Buzachi Inc. which holds a 65 percent interest in the North Buzachi oil and gas field located in northwest Kazakhstan, to the China National Petroleum Company International L imited (CNPC International Ltd.). Terms of the sale were not released. Commenting on the sale, Peter Robertson, vice chairman of ChevronTexaco Corp., said, `We`ve made this decision to sell our interest in North Buzachi as a result of the company`s ongoing review of its global portfolio of assets and our desire to sell those that don`t fit our long-term strategic objectives. `We are the leading oil producer in Kazakhstan and have a very strong and well balanced existing portfolio of assets including lead positions in the giant Tengiz oil field development (ChevronTexaco interest 50 percent), the Karachaganak gas/condensate development (20 percent) and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (15 percent). Our intent is to focus our investments in the continued expansion of these projects, growing significant additional value for the company well into the future.` The North Buzachi oil field is located in western Kazakhstan, 120 miles north of the Caspian port city of Aktau, Kazakhstan, in the Mangistau Oblast. Estimated size of the field is about 1.5 billion barrels of oil in place of 20 degrees API crude with current production of approximately 8,400 barrels per day. The field is close to crude export infrastructure routing through existing pipelines to Russia giving access to Black Sea, Mediterranean, Baltic and European markets.
Investments In Uzbek Industry Grow 1.7 per cent In 9 Months
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 19: Foreign investments and credits in the Uzbek industry increased by 1.7 per cent compared to the same period of 2002 to comprise 24.2 per cent (273.46 billion soums) of all investments in main capital.
Iran Proposes Construction Of Southern Caspian Oil Market
Tehran Times
Tehran, October 19: To add 500,000 bpd to its oil production capacity, Iran has planned to establish an oil market in southern Caspian Sea, Iran`s Deputy Minister of Oil for Caspian Sea Affairs Hamdollah Mohammad Nejad said here Saturday. Speaking at a seminar on `Iran`s Plans for Maximization of Oil Revenues`, he added, `Using northern Neka-Rei Pipeline, Iran will soon be able to refine a 500,000-barrel daily oil input from Caspian states while exporting the same volume through Persian Gulf.` `They should reduce transmission expenses if they want to compete in the oil market.` Relatively, there are much fewer resources in the Caspian Sea in comparison with Southern Iran, Mohammad Nejad said. `Using its geo-economic situation as the major passage between two great energy resources, Iran is now ready to help northern neighbors transfer their oil products to the Gulf region,` he added. `Caspian states can establish an OPEC-like organization to develop multilateral cooperation in the fields of oil production and exports,` he said adding they should as well expand ties with OPEC to improve their own position in the global oil market.
WHO Director-general Starts Two-day Visit To Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 24: The World Health Organisation director-general Lee Jong-wook starts his two-day visit to Uzbekistan on 25 October. Lee Jong-wook is scheduled to meet President Islam Karimov, visit the Parliament and the State Museum of Temurids` History. On 26 October, the WHO head will visit Nukus, Karakalpakstan, where he will participate in the opening ceremony of the new tuberculosis hospital. The WHO director-general will also familiarise himself with the objects of healthcare system and several projects couriered by the organisation.
Kofi Annan Reminds Turkmenistan Of Millennium Declaration
Kabar Agency
Ashgabat, October 24: `We cannot afford to lose any time if we want to implement the agenda of world peace and development as stated in the Millennium Declaration,` said Kofi Annan in a letter to President Niyazov. In his letter Kofi Annan stressed that the nations of the world must act in a united manner to combat AIDS, armed conflicts and terrorism. `The world community should double its efforts to bequeath the legacy of free choice rather than restrictions to our children,` said Annan. He also added, `It is a pleasure to recognize that the United Nations can expect full cooperation, devotion and support from Turkmenistan in pursuance of its lofty goals.`
Uzbek-Kazakh Agreement On Checkpoints Ratified
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 23: Kazakh Senate has ratified the intergovernmental agreement between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on checkpoints on the Uzbek-Kazakh border. According to Kazakhstan Today, the document envisages opening border checkpoints with simplified procedures for Kazakh and Uzbek citizens. The aim of creation of such points is to stop illegal migration, smuggling of weapons and drugs, as well as to take timely joint measures to prevent the spread of epidemics and epizootics. The document was submitted to Kazakh president for signing.
Turkey, Kyrgyzstan Agree To Boost Economic, Security Ties
Turkish Daily News
Bishkek, October 23: Turkey and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to boost trade and are in agreement on how to fight against terrorism and drug smuggling, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Tuesday in Kyrgyzstan`s capital of Bishkek. `The current volume of trade between the two countries is about $40 million, which is very comical. We agreed to increase this figure to $200 million by 2004,` Erdogan said after talks with Kyrgyz Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev. Turkish investment in this Central Asian republic, on the other hand, stands at $400 million, and the two countries agreed to remove obstacles that have hampered further investment in order to boost the level of Turkish investment, Erdogan also said. `As some obstacles are removed, I believe that Turkish investment in the Kyrgyz economy will also increase,` Erdogan told reporters, apparently referring to bureaucratic hurdles and corruption -- common problems facing investors in the former Soviet republics.
UNESCO Publishes History Volume On Central Asia
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 23: The latest volume on the histories of the empires that rose and fell in the vast Central Asian region launched in Paris, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) said. The fifth and penultimate volume, called Development in Contrast: From the Sixteenth to the Mid-Nineteenth Century, covers the last medieval empires - the Uzbeks, Safavids, Mughals and Dzungars - and early colonialism. The territories covered also include Afghanistan, Pakistan, northern China and western India. `It describes the last phase of nomadism as a viable system of social organisation; the effects on Central Asian economies of the shift of the main lines of international trade from the Great Silk Route to the oceanic routes; the various schools of art; the last great age of classical Persian literature and the growth of Turkic literatures,` UNESCO said in a news release. In the religious sphere, the 936-page volume also covers the Shi`ite ascendancy in Persia, the conversion of the Mongol peoples to Buddhism, and the rise of Sikhism, it said. The chief editors were Charyar Adle of Iran and Irfan Habib of India, with Karl Baipakov of Kazakhstan as co-editor. The launch was timed to take place during UNESCO´s 190-member General Conference, which ended on Friday, 17 October.
Putin Values Allied Relations With Kyrgyzstan
Interfax
Bishkek, October 23: Russia attaches great significance to the strengthening of allied relations with Kyrgyzstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. `Russia closely follows the developments in Kyrgyzstan and attaches significance to the strengthening of allied and partner relations with it. It is also willing to move towards developing such relations with all the countries in the region,` the president said speaking at the first Russian-Kyrgyz investment forum in Bishkek on Thursday. It is also necessary to expand economic ties between the two countries, increasing trade turnover and the inflow of Russian investments in that country, he said. `Industrial cooperation must be expanded, money needs to be put into the development of agriculture, and work needs to be done on drawing investments jointly in the Kyrgyz transport and energy sectors,` he said. Putin also encouraged Kyrgyzstan to develop relations with Russian regions.
Turkish PM To Visit Uzbekistan In Late December
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 22: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is on his first official trip to the Turkic Republics in Central Asia as Prime Minister. He has visited Kyrgyzstan and will pay a visit to Tajikistan, and return home on Friday. It is expected that Erdogan will visit Uzbekistan in late December on the invitation of President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, Zaman.com reported.
Cooperation With India
Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
Astana, October 22: 22 October India Embassy office -11th Astana - based diplomatic mission, opened in new diplomatic town on Ishim left bank, `Kazinform` agency informs.
President Askar Akaev Receives Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, October 22: President Askar Akaev of Kyrgyzstan received Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan who arrived in Kyrgyzstan on an official visit. In his welcoming speech, the head of the state noted the spirit of the current meeting that it coincided with important historical and political events in the two brotherhood states, in particular, the 2200th anniversary of Kyrgyz Statehood and the 80th anniversary of proclamation of the Turkish Republic. The Kyrgyz President congratulated the Turkish Prime Minister on this significant event on behalf of the nation of Kyrgyzstan, informs the presidential press service. The President expressed gratitude to Turkey for the constant support of Kyrgyzstan.
Turkish Prime Minister Promises Expansion Of Trade
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, October 22: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan, who arrived in Kyrgyzstan on an official visit on 22 October, told President Akaev that the primary objective of his visit is to promote economic cooperation between the two countries, kabar.kg and akipress.org reported. For this reason, Erdogan said, he brought a delegation of 200 Turkish businesspeople with him, and he is confident that in 2004 the volume of trade between Turkey and Kyrgyzstan would rise to $200 million. In 2002, the figure was $40 million. Erdogan added that the Turkish government will encourage Turkish investment in Kyrgyzstan.
Uzbek Teachers Visit Japan To Improve Skills
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 22: A group of teachers of secondary special and professional educational establishments of Uzbekistan visited Japan to improve their skills. The visit was organised within the framework of the project `Development of secondary special, professional education`. The project is financed by the credit of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and the Asian Development Bank. It envisages purchase of laboratories, computers, equipment for professional colleges and academic lyceums in agriculture, publishing books and manuals, as well as technical assistance.
Khristenko Upbeat About Cooperation With Kyrgyzstan
Interfax
Bishkek, October 22: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko has expressed optimism on the future of his country`s trade and business cooperation with Kyrgyzstan. Khristenko is leading the Russian delegation to the Russia- Kyrgyzstan investment forum, which opened in Bishkek on Wednesday. He noted that `Russian-Kyrgyz trade and business contacts have been on the rise. The two countries` trade turnover has increased by more than one-third in 2003 year-on-year.` Khristenko added that `we are interested in expanding our cooperation in such crucial areas as hydroelectric technologies, mining, information technologies and tourism.`
Tajik President Seeking Broader Cooperation With EBRD
Kabar Agency
Dushanbe, October 22: Plans for advancing cooperation between Tajikistan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) were on the agenda of a Wednesday meeting between Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov and a representative of the bank`s business-group for Russia and Central Asia. Rakhmonov`s press secretary Zafar Saidov told Interfax that the president praised the level of his country`s contacts with the EBRD. The bank has helped Tajikistan repair the runways of airports in Dushanbe and Khudzhand in the country`s north, and supported the banking and private sectors. Saidov noted that Rakhmonov called on the EBRD to expand its involvement in the country. He added that the overall cost of its programs falls behind that of other international financial institutions` initiatives in Tajikistan.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister To Visit Uzbekistan In November
Kabar Agency
Tashkent, October 21: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Konstantin Grishenko is planning a trip to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in November. The aim of the visit is to strengthen bilateral ties between Ukraine and these Central Asian states, Obozrevatel reported. According to head of Ukrainian Foreign Ministry`s press office Markiyan Lubkivskiy, the minister will be accompanied by Ukrainian businessmen.
Kazakh President Calls For UN Reform
Kabar Agency
Astana, October 21: Ongoing conflicts around the world have highlighted the need to improve the UN`s mechanisms, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said in Astana on Tuesday. At a meeting with representatives of foreign embassies accredited in Kazakhstan, Nazarbayev noted that the situation in Iraq has become a serious test for the UN, `strongly underscoring the need for institutional reforms in this organization.` At the same time, the president said the UN is continuing to play a key coordinating role in international affairs. `International law also faces a number of the most difficult tasks, dealing with the development of common principles for the world community`s implementation of collective decisions,` he added.
Islamic Conference Organisation Adopts Resolution On Tajikistan
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, October 20: The 10th session of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) adopted a special resolution on Tajikistan on 17 October, Asia Plus-Blitz reported on 20 October. The resolution, which appealed to OIC member states and financial institutions to help Tajikistan`s government overcome the country`s economic problems and promote economic reform, was requested by Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov, who attended the OIC session in Kuala Lumpur. The resolution also contained an appeal to the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to increase its financial assistance to Tajikistan.
Turkmen President To Visit Belarus
Kabar Agency
Minsk, October 20: The date for President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov`s visit to Minsk is currently being set by the governments of the two countries. The estimated date for the meeting between the two countries` presidents has been set for November 27-28, Ilya Veldzhanov, Turkmen Ambassador to Belarus, said at a press conference on Monday. `Above all, the head of Turkmenistan will be interested in new products from Belarus manufacturers and the possibility of importing them to Turkmenistan,` the diplomat said.
President Khatami Congratulates Turkmenistan`s National Day
IRNA
Ashkhabad, October 20: President Mohammad Khatami forwarded a message to Turkmenistan Republic`s President Spar Murat Niyazev on Monday, congratulating him and the Turkmen nation on the occasion of their national day. In the message, a copy of which was delivered to IRNA`s Ashkhabad bureau on Monday, President Khatami has positively opined that the expansion of friendly ties between Iran and Turkmenistan in all fields would pave the path towards the well-being and prosperity of both nations. Iran`s Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamal Kharrazi, too, in a separate message to his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov, congratulated him and the Turkmen nation on the same occasion. In his message, Kharrazi has said, `The expansion of bilateral ties would definitely ensure the interests of both nations.` Turkmenistan declared independence from the former Soviet Union on October 27th, 1991 and celebrates that day as its national day every year.
Ministers To Discuss Deeper Economic Cooperation In Central Asia
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, October 20: Ministers and senior officials of the seven countries participating in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Programme will gather in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 11-12 November to discuss ways to expand cooperation and deepen economic ties. The Second Ministerial Conference on Central Asia Economic Cooperation will include ministers from Azerbaijan, People´s Republic of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The country delegations will be joined by senior representatives from a number of multilateral institutions including the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Monetary Fund, the Islamic Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank. The conference will feature a Senior Officials Meeting on 11 November and a Ministerial Meeting on 12 November. Delegates will review progress in regional cooperation activities since the First Ministerial Conference in March 2002, which identified energy, transport and trade facilitation as priority areas. The Ministerial Meeting will also provide direction and policy guidance for future work in the region. ADB initiated the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Programme in 1997.
Tashkent To Host IDSA Meet Nov
Kabar Agency
Tashkent, October 20: The Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) will be organising an Indo-Central Asia regional conference in Tashkent after a gap of three years that saw the 9/11, the Afghan war of 2001, and the American invasion of Iraq early this year. The conference, to be held from November 6-8 in association with the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies, Tashkent, is the third in the series, and forms part of the institute`s ongoing research activities and its Track II functions. A number of important issues relating to the shaping of global political-economic-security picture and their impact on India and Central Asia will be discussed at the conference. This is the first time that the institute is holding a large multi-lateral meeting outside the country. There will be 53 participants from about 20 countries. Organisations like the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, the European Union, EBRD, OSCE, and Nato have evinced interest in attending the meet, especially those sessions on economic issues. The sessions will cover non-military aspects of security in detail since these are of high contemporary importance, according to an IDSA functionary. A separate session will be devoted to issues relating to energy security to highlight the high potential and prospect of mutually beneficial cooperation between New Delhi and Central Asian governments. Some major domestic private players in the oil and infrastructure sectors, who are currently engaged in a number of engineering projects in Central Asia, are also expected to attend the seminar. The institute hopes that the conference, as a Track II endeavour, will provide medium/long-term inputs to the governments in the region, including New Delhi, for policy-making.
Issues Of Cooperation Between UNICEF And Kyrgyzstan Discussed In Bishkek
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, October 20: President Askar Akaev of the Kyrgyz Republic has met on October 20, 2003 in the Government House with Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF Kula Gotama. During the talks, issues of further cooperation between UNICEF and the government of Kyrgyzstan, perspectives of cooperation in the course of working out new UNICEF Programme for 2005-2009 were discussed and underlined the necessity of state support of social sector and investment in children. A.Akaev expressed gratitude to UNICEF for the efforts on improvement of children`s position in Kyrgyzstan, especially, in the sphere of strengthening health. The cooperation with UNICEF is one of the most priorities for the republic, said A. Akaev and Kyrgyzstan intends to cooperate actively with UNICEF in providing social protection, above all, children.
Eduard Shevardnadze: Cooperation Between Georgia And Russia Brings Only Good
Pravda
Moscow, October 20: Economic and cultural cooperation between Georgia and Russia brings only good, said Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze in his weekly radio interview today. According to Rosbalt, Shevardnadze highly valued the Georgian-Russian business forum, which took place last week in Tbilisi, and Georgian days, which were celebrated in Moscow last week. He expressed his deep gratitude to the Russian leadership for holding Georgian days.
Russia Delivers 20,000 Manuals To Uzbek Schools
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 19: Russia has delivered about 20,000 manuals to Russian-language general educational establishments in Uzbekistan. The aid also included about 300 sets of audio cassettes on Russian literature for students of 5-9 classes. Today there are about 200 Russian-language schools in Uzbekistan, in addition to some 700 schools with education in two languages - Uzbek and Russian. Previously Russia had delivered about 200,000 books as a humanitarian aid to Uzbekistan, ITAR-TASS reported.
Central Asian Radio Journalists Meet In Tashkent
Kabar Agency
Tashkent, October 19: International Centre for Journalist Training (Tashkent) hosted a seminar for Central Asian radio journalists on `Preparation of youth radio programmes`. During 11 days, specialists of Deutsche Welle conducted the training for 12 participants from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The journalists analysed the poll conducted among the regional radio listeners and tried to come up with new improved programmes.
Khatami Congratulates Aliyev On Election
IRNA
Tehran, October 18: President Mohammad Khatami, in a telephone conversation here Sunday, congratulated Azeri President Ilham Aliyev on his election. Stressing that Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan enjoy consolidated bilateral relations, President Khatami expressed hope ties between the two countries would bolster during Aliyev`s tenure. Khatami said security and progress of Iran and Azerbaijan are interrelated and voiced Tehran`s readiness to cooperate with Baku. Aliyev also outlined his country`s efforts to continue constructive cooperation with Iran and stressed the importance of promotion of mutual relations regardless of domestic and foreign pressures. The newly elected Azeri president expressed hope to visit Iran on the earliest opportunity. He also renewed the Azeri government`s invitation to President Khatami to visit Azerbaijan.
Marijuana Harvest Underway In Kyrgyzstan
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, October 23: The annual marijuana harvest is under way in Kyrgyzstan, centrasia.ru reported on 23 October, quoting Deutsche Welle. Although the drug is illegal in Kyrgyzstan, according to official estimates it is being grown on more than 5,000 hectares throughout the country. Kyrgyz law-enforcement officers are reportedly detaining marijuana couriers almost daily. Daniyar Otorbaev, a high-ranking official within the Interior Ministry`s Board for Combating Narcotics Trafficking, said that 30 percent-40 percent of Kyrgyzstan`s marijuana goes to Kazakhstan and the rest is sold either domestically or is exported to northern Russia. From there some of it is exported to Europe.
Kazakh Customs Detain Uzbek Citizen With 8.5 G Of Heroin
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 22: South Kazakhstan customs officers detained an Uzbek citizen, who was transporting heroin in his body. According to Kazakhstan Today quoting the Kazakh Customs Management, the customs officers stopped an Opel Askona car, which was coming from Uzbekistan to Kazakhstan. Examination at Maktaaral regional hospital showed that the passenger was carrying 8.5 grams of heroin in his body. The detainee said he had bought heroin in Uzbekistan. A criminal case has been launched. In the nine months of 2003, South Kazakhstan customs bodies registered 37 cases of drug smuggling and seized 65.6 kg of narcotics against 45.1 kg in 2002. The report said the number of detained heroin increased five times to 16 kg.
Uzbekistan, Iran Discuss Cooperation Of Drug Fighting
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 21: Uzbekistan and Iran have expressed concern over the large scale of production of drugs in Afghanistan. The heads of the National Centre for Fighting Drugs of Uzbekistan and All Iranian Headquarters for Fight Drugs met in Tashkent to discuss cooperation of the two states in drug control and prevention. The sides noted the importance of cooperation in fighting drug production in Afghanistan and expanding collaboration in the framework of the existing agreements and structures, including the Economic Cooperation Organisation, Iran.ru reported.
SCO Members Meet To Discuss Fighting Drug Trafficking
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 20: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states met in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 20 October to work on an agreement for fighting the worldwide spread of drugs. The SCO comprises of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. `The participants will work on a way to counteract the distribution of drugs and will prepare a corresponding agreement which should be signed by the end of the year,` Tatiana Gureeva, head of the Russian delegation, told journalists. It is planned to involve not only law enforcement agencies but also the ministries of health and education from each SCO member countries. `This problem has to solved not only at the level of top authorities, but also at the level of social politics,` Gureeva said. The diplomat said this is one of the first agreements that will be signed by the SCO. The decision to work on the agreement was reached at the SCO summit in May of 2003 in St. Petersburg, according to Interfax.
Kazatomprom To Invest $53 Mln In Nuclear Plant
Interfax
Astana, October 22: Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan`s national nuclear corporation, plans to invest 7.7 billion tenge or nearly $53 million modernizing and expanding the Mangyshlak nuclear energy complex, which it owns, between now and 2010. The figure includes 230 million tenge this year, which will be spent upgrading existing equipment, Mukhtar Dzhakishev, the head of Kazatomprom, told Interfax. Dzhakishev said Kazatomprom would invest 840 million tenge in upgrades and 83 million tenge on new construction in 2004, and pump 1.597 billion tenge the Mangyshlak plant`s way in 2005. He said the investment program would coincide in every respect with the needs of the Mangistau region, where the nuclear complex is located. `It is designed in such a way as not to disrupt the region`s industrial development plans, so that the region has additional electricity when it needs it, but not more.` Kazatomprom bought the assets of the bankrupt Mangistau Nuclear Energy Complex (MAEK) at an auction for 112 million tenge in April this year. The Mangyshlak complex went into receivership on January 16 this year with debts of 8.3 billion tenge in debt, 4.5 billion tenge of it tax. The Mangyshlak nuclear complex was built in the 1960s. It continues to provide the Mangistau region`s 315,000 population with drinking water and electricity. The BN-350 nuclear reactor, which has a 20-year service life, went on stream in 1973. It is currently being decommissioned. Kazatomprom is Kazakhstan`s uranium import and export monopoly and one of the world`s top-four uranium mining companies, with 8 per cent of global output. The exchange rate was 147.75 tenge/$1 on October 21.
Criminal Code Revision Continues In Tajikistan
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, October 23: Deputy Chairman of the Tajik Lower House`s Committee on the Constitution, Law, and Human Rights Abdumannon Kholiqov explained the rationale for further revision of the 1998 Criminal Code to Asia-Plus on 23 October, the news agency reported the same day. Earlier in the year the Tajik parliament adopted President Imomali Rakhmonov`s proposal to reduce the number of crimes for which the death penalty may be applied. The legislation now being drafted by a special working group of parliamentarians, law-enforcement officials, and lawyers in response to further proposals from the president has amended the Criminal Code to provide alternatives to imprisonment, reduce terms of imprisonment, and differentiate among drug-related crimes.
Campaign For Imprisoned Writers Under Way
IRIN News
Ankara, October 23: International Pen, an international association of writers, is continuing its efforts to draw attention to the plight of imprisoned writers and journalists in Uzbekistan. The country, Central Asia`s most populous, has one of the worst press-freedom records in the world, with at least five writers and journalists behind bars. `This is an indication of a much bigger problem in Uzbekistan,` Sara Whyatt, the programme director of the Writers in Prison Committee of the UK-based International Pen, told IRIN from the Turkish commercial capital Istanbul. `We want to raise awareness among the international writing community of their colleagues in Uzbekistan.` Established in 1960 in response to increasing attempts to silence voices of dissent by imprisoning writers, the Writers in Prison Committee currently monitors the cases of some 900 writers annually, comprising those imprisoned, tortured, threatened, attacked, disappeared and killed in the course of performing their professional role, and lobbies on their behalf. The advocacy group, which has 130 branches in more than 90 countries, maintains that literature, like all art, knows no frontiers and must not be subjected to national and political pressures - particularly in times of conflict.
Home Made Bomb Found In Almaty
Radio Free Europe
Almaty, October 21: A primitive explosive device was found and defused in Almaty on 21 October, ITAR-TASS reported. The package containing the homemade bomb was noticed at a transformer substation by neighborhood residents, who reported it to the police. The authorities hope that the materials used in the bomb will lead them to its maker. Such crimes are a rarity in Kazakhstan.
Kyrgyz Ombudsman Holds Conference On Human Trafficking
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, October 21: Kyrgyz Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir-uulu`s office organized a conference on human trafficking in Kyrgyzstan for officials from the Foreign and Interior ministries and parliamentarians on 21 October, kabar.kg reported. The objective of the conference was to find ways to solve the problems of Kyrgyz citizens seeking work abroad who find themselves in situations of virtual slavery, and to involve government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations in spreading information about the dangers of human trafficking. The conference participants agreed on the need to form a coordinating agency to deal with the problem. The ombudsman`s office is presently investigating six complaints involving human trafficking.
Police Unable To Find Trace Of Vanished Kyrgyz Mullah
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, October 20: Deputy head of the Uzgen Raion police Mamatali Turgunbaev announced on 20 October that law enforcement officers have been unable to find any trace of Uzgen Mullah Sadykjan Rakhmanov, who disappeared on 7 September (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 25 September 2003), KyrgyzInfo reported the same day. The disappearance of Rakhmanov, who organized groups making the pilgrimage to Mecca, has been linked by the Kyrgyz authorities to the Uzbek security service, but law enforcement officials in Uzbekistan have denied any knowledge of him. Kyrgyz police have been trying to interview an Uzbek security officer from the town of Namangan, who reportedly bought the car in which witnesses said Rakhmanov was abducted, but Uzbek authorities have told the Kyrgyz investigators that the officer has been transferred to a distant oblast.
ISS Crew Blasts Off At Baikonur
The Moscow Times
BAIKONUR, October 19: A U.S.-Russian crew blasted off to the international space station on Saturday for a 200-day mission, days after China`s first manned space flight fueled speculation that it may join the orbital project. With U.S. space shuttles still grounded after a disaster this year, the station`s survival depends on Russian spacecraft. The three-man crew aboard the Soyuz TMA-3 craft lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Saturday morning, and is due to dock with the 16-nation orbital platform early Monday. `This is a very historic day. It again demonstrates the depth of commitment to this partnership,` NASA chief Sean O`Keefe said after the launch.
Special Focus
A Visit To Ferghana Valley - Exploring The Roots Of Religious ExtremismAccording to local statistics, more than 70 percent of the male population of Pongoz between the ages of 17 and 50 works as migrant laborers in Russia. Ato and Mirzoaliyev also complain about a deteriorating quality of life. There are no leisure centers, sports clubs, cinemas, discos, or even coffee shops. Most students have no concept of computers, the Internet, or email. For the young people of the region, Ato says, life is like an `informational or spiritual vacuum.` Religious extremist groups, such as the banned Hezb ut-Tahrir, have been quick to fill the vacuum.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp101803.shtmlWest Piles Pressure On Georgia Ahead Of ElectionsThe procession of senior U.S. officials to Georgia continues. In July, it was James Baker, a former secretary of state, and in early October he was followed by three other senior Washington figures, Senator John McCain, General John Shalikashvili, and Strobe Talbott.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp101903.shtml Crackdown Deepens In Azerbaijan As Schism Hits International Monitors
As a crackdown deepens in Baku, a schism has developed among the international monitoring missions over the government`s conduct during Azerbaijan`s presidential election and its aftermath. One monitoring group, the Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe (IDEE), has released a dissenting opinion, indicating that election violations in Azerbaijan were far more prevalent and egregious than the OSCE`s preliminary assessment stated.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav102003a.shtmlGlobal Corruption Survey Claims Improved Governance In Armenia
Transparency International, an international non-governmental organization, has ranked Yerevan among the least corrupt former Soviet republics. Azerbaijan and Georgia, along with Central Asian states, lagged near the bottom of the NGO`s annual corruption survey.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav102003.shtmlRussian Airbase In Kyrgyzstan Prepares For Formal Opening Ceremony
Opening ceremonies for Russia`s air base in Kyrgyzstan are scheduled for October 23. Kyrgyz officials insist that the Russian base can co-exist with a nearby facility operated by the US-led anti-terrorism coalition. Local political experts, however, expect the US-Russian rivalry for influence in Central Asia to intensify, ultimately forcing Kyrgyzstan to make a geopolitical choice.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav102203.shtmlCommon Economic Space Threatens Independence Of South Caucasus And Central Asian States
On September 19, 2003, Russia and three of its trading partners - Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan - signed an agreement on a Common Economic Space (CES). The body is sometimes also referred as the United Economic Space (UES). This economic zone is a new attempt at integration between Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan, countries that comprise 90 per cent of Russia`s trade with the Commonwealth of Independent States.
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http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=1833Azeri Politics: A New Reality After Elections?
On October 15, Azerbaijani voters went to the polls to choose a president for the next five years. The election was considered an important improvement over earlier elections, although fraud still marred the election process, and the election campaign was highly skewed. The most prominent opposition leaders refused to recognize the elections, leading to violence in the streets of Baku, and a crackdown on opposition forces.
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http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=1834Gwadar And Chabahar: Competition Or Complimentary?
According to present projections, the Pakistan-China joint venture to build deep-sea port at Gwadar costing $248 million will be completed by March 2005. Islamabad is very keen to present it as the gateway for trade to and from the Central Asian states. However, it seems that in the years ahead, the Gwadar port, once it materializes and becomes one of the outlets for Central Asia, will have to face stiff competition from Iranian port at Chabahar.
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http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=1835Anti-Smuggling Enforcement Imperils Uzbekistan`s Cotton Farmers
Uzbekistan has tightened enforcement against cotton smuggling, dispatching as many as 18,000 police to border areas. Agriculture remains economically crucial in Central Asia`s largest country. But even though the country ranks second only to the United States in cotton export volume, the business cannot sustain a large farming class. If the government cracks down on smuggling, it will need to develop other means to allow farmers to survive.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/business/articles/eav102303.shtmlAmerican Attitude On Bases Threatening Central Asian Peace
Before China sent a man into space, it vaulted another goal by gathering more than 1,000 soldiers from neighboring former Soviet states for joint military exercises. US officials, preoccupied with the bloody post-invasion conditions in Iraq, have not indicated changes in Central Asia policy after the five-nation Coalition 2003 exercises ended in August. In fact, US President George W. Bush, who has kept notably quiet on the matter, should more actively encourage this kind of multilateral cooperation.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav102303.shtmlOpposition Faces Uncertain Future
With the violent street protests that erupted after last week`s disputed election and the overall crackdown on opposition parties that followed, the mandate of Azerbaijani President-elect Ilham Aliyev already appears tarnished.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/rights/articles/pp102303.shtmlRussia Drops An Anchor In Central Asia
Russia has launched an air base at a military airfield in Kant, about 20 kilometers east of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, in a move that arguably brings the mountainous Central Asian state closer to Moscow`s sphere of influence.
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http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/EJ25Ag01.htmlBurjanadze Says Next Georgian Parliament Must Establish Rule Of Law
A Q&A with Georgian Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze Georgia`s Parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze has emerged as one of the most prominent opposition leaders in Georgia. As the November 2 parliamentary election approaches, the Burjanadze-United Democrats opposition bloc appears set to be a leading vote-getter.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/qanda/articles/eav102403.shtmlRights Group Say Post Election Detainees Torturned
On October 22, the New York-based nongovernmental organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed concern at the `massive and brutal crackdown` it says Azerbaijani authorities have unleashed against opposition leaders in the wake of the disputed 15 October presidential election.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/rights/articles/pp102503.shtmlNew Wave Of Opposition Arrests Hit Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani authorities carried out more arrests of opposition activists October 24, apparently in response to growing international pressure for a probe into the country`s tainted presidential election, the Turan news agency reported. Opposition leaders characterize the government as a `repression machine` intent on stamping out all opposition.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/rights/articles/eav102403.shtmlPoor Drinking Water Seen As A Source Of Typhoid Outbreak In Tajik Capital
State and municipal officials in Tajikistan are struggling to respond to a typhoid outbreak in Dushanbe, the nation`s capital. More than one source, including a government official speaking on condition of anonymity, told EurasiaNet that health officials opted not to declare an outbreak during the Central Asian Games, which Dushanbe hosted until October 20. The delay appears to have exacerbated the epidemic.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/environment/articles/eav102403.shtml
Report Dated 24 October 2003