Oliy Majlis To Convene On 29 April In Tashkent
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 26: Fourteenth session of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan of the second convocation will gather in Tashkent on 29 April. A corresponding resolution was issued on 26 March by Council of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan. The deputies will consider a number of issues, including: 1. The Bill `On implementation of State Budget of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2003` 2. The Bill `On election of chairmen (aksakal) of citizens bodies and their advisors` (second reading) 3. The Bill `On electronic document turn over` (second reading) 4. The Bill `On electronic commerce` (second reading) 5. The Bill `On use and protection of emblems of Red Cross and Red Crescent` (second reading) 6. The Bill `On state financing of political parities` 7. The Bill `On counteraction legalisation of incomes, received from crime activity and financing of terrorism` (first reading) 8. Making changes and additions in some legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Georgia: Vote Set To Begin Amid Queries On President`s Tactics, Tensions In Adjaria
Radio Free Europe
Prague, March 26: Georgia`s President Mikheil Saakashvili looks set to consolidate his power base when the Southern Caucasus nation renews its parliament in a 29 March legislative re-run. Experts believe Saakashvili`s National Movement will win a large majority of seats in parliament. But despite its popularity, the ruling party has been accused of resorting to questionable election tactics. The campaign has also been largely overshadowed by the situation in the autonomous region of Adjaria. RFE/RL correspondent Jean-Christophe Peuch reports. Georgia will hold a partial re-run on 28 March of last year`s disputed legislative polls that paved the way for the political demise of then-President Eduard Shevardnadze. Following the change of regime -- which many in Georgia liken to a revolution -- Georgia`s Supreme Court invalidated the mandate of those 150 lawmakers elected from party lists under a proportional system. For reasons that are still unclear, the panel authorized most of the remaining 85 deputies elected from single-mandate constituencies -- also known as majoritarian lawmakers -- to retain their seats in the legislature. Nineteen parties or coalitions are vying for seats in parliament, but experts believe the polls will bring few surprises. Korneli Kakachia chairs the Young Georgian Political Scientists` Association. He tells RFE/RL that the National Movement party of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili looks set to repeat the landslide victory seen in January`s early presidential polls.
86 CIS Observers To Watch Parliamentary Elections In Georgia
Kabar Agency
Moscow, March 26: 86 representatives from all CIS member states, except Moldova and Uzbekistan, will watch the parliamentary elections in Georgia scheduled for March 28th, Yevgeny Sloboda, member of the CIS observers` headquarters in Tbilisi, told RIA Novosti on Friday. `The observation will be conducted in practically all regions of Georgia. We will embrace over half of the country`s constituencies`, he said. CIS observers will come to Adzharia, Poti, Kutaisi, Kakheti, Tbilisi and to towns on the border with Armenia and Azerbaijan. The CIS mission also includes representatives of the Commonwealth`s Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union State of Russia and Belarus. It is headed by chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, Executive Secretary Yuri Yarov.
President Appoints New Uzbek Agriculture Minister
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 25: The Uzbek President Islam Karimov appointed Saydullo Begaliev as the Minister of Agriculture and Water Management of Uzbekistan. The president signed a corresponding decree on 25 March 2004. Saydullo Begaliev, born in 1954, earlier worked as First Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Water Management. He also was governor of Andijan region. Former Minister of Agriculture and Water Management Abduvohid Juraev was exempted from his duties due to transition to a new job.
Georgia Leader`s Crackdown Ups Tension Before Poll
Reuters
Tbilisi, March 25: Georgia`s new president moved against an arch-rival in rebel Adzhara and launched a bold crackdown on crime in a lawless region as tension rose ahead of a weekend election. Re-asserting control in his fractious Caucasus country before Sunday`s parliamentary poll, Mikhail Saakashvili stripped 400 officials in the troublesome Black Sea region of Adzhara of their passports, including its maverick leader Aslan Abashidze. And he sent a heavily-armed force to crack down on crime bosses in mountainous Svaneti, declaring: `The times of Al Capone in Georgia are over.` The young, U.S.-trained lawyer is expected to gain a huge mandate to pull his rundown country up by its boot-straps in a poll watched by the United States and big neighbor Russia, both of which have interests there. Saakashvili won 96 percent of votes in a presidential poll in January after leading a bloodless revolution that toppled veteran leader Eduard Shevardnadze. He has pledged to unite his divided ex-Soviet country and stamp out rampant corruption. But rebel regions outside Tbilisi`s control will give him an uncomfortable reminder of his limits by shunning the poll. In Adzhara, where Saakashvili and regional leader Abashidze met for a political showdown last week, it was unclear whether free campaigning would go ahead as agreed after their encounter.
Kyrgyz President Urges Gradual Language Transition
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, March 25: Askar Akaev on 25 March told a forum of representatives of various ethnic groups that the implementation of Kyrgyz as the state language should take place gradually, Kabar news agency reported. `Our strategic task today is to form a single national space that should provide an opportunity for all ethnic groups in Kyrgyzstan to realize their potential,` Akaev said. He also suggested that it might take until 2015 to switch all official business to Kyrgyz. Even as he stressed that the time has come to develop Kyrgyz as a state language, Akaev was careful to note that a new decree will ensure that minority-language rights are protected, akipress.org reported.
Delimitation Of Powers Between Tbilisi, Batumi May Settle Their Ties
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, March 25: Chairman of the Georgian Constitutional Court Dzhoni Khetsuriani believes it necessary to delimit powers between Tbilisi and Batumi. `The legal delimitation of powers between Tbilisi and Batumi may lay the basis for the settlement of their relations,` Khetsuriani said live on the television company Rustavi-2 on Thursday. Khetsuriani noted that powers and competence of country`s central authorities are stipulated in the Georgian constitution. According to him, the delimitation of powers between the centre and the region allows to determine the authority of bodies of power of the autonomous republic more concretely and what is under joint jurisdiction. He noted that during the recent Batumi meeting with Adzhar leader Aslan Abashidze `the functioning of the special committee on delimitation of powers between Tbilisi and Batumi was considered`.
Kazakh President Meets Recently Acquitted Journalist
Radio Free Europe
Astana, March 25: President Nazarbaev also met on 25 March with `Vremya` correspondent Gennadii Benditskii, who was recently acquitted of embezzlement charges that many observers said were filed in retaliation for his activities as a journalist, Kazinform reported. The two discussed the media market, media-government relations, and media-related legal issues. `The country`s president was not indifferent to my situation, a situation that was very difficult for me. I...thanked him,` Khabar TV quoted Benditskii as saying.
Jailed Azeri Opposition Leaders Set Up New Body
Itar-Tass
Baku, March 24: The [opposition] leaders illegally arrested for the 15-16 October events [Baku riots] and currently being held in Bayil prison have set up a movement. A statement on the establishment of an organization called the 16 October Movement was sent to our editorial office through a lawyer. The statement says: `The 15-16 October 2003 events are the most glorious ones in the history of the Azerbaijani people`s struggle for democracy. Azerbaijani citizens demonstrated their will to resist the trampling of their political rights, reaction and dictatorship. `To distort the real essence of this event through false investigation materials and court verdicts, made on orders from above, will be impossible. However, we state that the 16 October Movement has been set up in order to publicize in the country and abroad the whole truth about these events, to carry out organized work to obtain justice for the imprisoned, to protect fully the rights of the people subjected to repression during the events, to achieve the examination of the case in the European Court and a fair verdict, and to be engaged in the defence of the arrested people.
Ajaria Leader`s Passport Revoked
BBC
Tbilisi, March 24: Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has annulled the diplomatic passports of the leader of the breakaway region of Ajaria and 500 other officials. He also accused Ajaria`s authorities of planning to bring in mercenaries to fight in a possible conflict. The latest move is part of a continuing war of words between Tbilisi and Ajaria`s leader, Aslan Abashidze. The two sides stood on the brink of war after Mr Saakashvili was denied entry into the region earlier this month. Personal dislike Tension has been mounting for some time between the Tbilisi government and the authorities in Ajaria on the Black Sea coast.
Kyrgyz Ombudsman To Investigate Kulov Case
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, March 23: Kyrgyz Ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir-uulu told journalists on 23 March that he has received an official request from Feliks Kulov, the imprisoned leader of the Ar-Namys Party, to ensure that Kulov`s rights and freedoms are not being violated, akipress.org reported. A similar request was made earlier on Kulov`s behalf by fellow Ar-Namys member Emil Aliev, but the law stipulates that the ombudsman must receive a request directly from the individual in question. The ombudsman will now examine Kulov`s case. Kulov, seen as Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev`s chief rival, is currently serving a 10-year sentence for embezzlement, charges that his supporters claim were politically motivated.
Controversial Language Law Still Debated
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, March 23: The new law on state language continues to be debated in Kyrgyzstan, the only Central Asian state with Russian as an `official` language. `I am concerned about it, because it will force older Russian speaking state employees to look for non-governmental job opportunities`, Irina Bondarenko, a 40-year-old ethnic Russian resident of the capital, Bishkek, told IRIN. `I left a governmental institution five years ago because of the requirement to know Kyrgyz.` Azamat is an ethnic Kyrgyz resident of Bishkek and endorses the new law. `I support this legislation, but understand that it violates the human rights of Russians and Russian-speaking citizens,` the 22-year-old told IRIN. `Eventually this law ought to be accepted. Still, I would like our country to remain bilingual.` The new law on state language was approved by the country`s parliament in February this year, replacing the previous one adopted in 1989. The constitution of Kyrgyzstan says that the state language is Kyrgyz, while Russian is used as an official language. The abridgement of the rights and freedoms of the citizens on account of ignorance of the state or official languages is not allowed. However, according to the new law, a number of senior government officials, including the president, the prime minister, the heads of the constitutional and supreme courts, will have to have a good command of Kyrgyz, while all state employees will have to know the state (Kyrgyz) language to a level required to do their jobs. The law also envisages that Russian retains its status acquired in May 2000. To become effective, it must be signed by President Askar Akaev. But the proposed law remains a concern for the ex-Soviet republic`s Russian minority, the second largest in the country, accounting for some 12 percent of the country`s 5 million plus inhabitants.
Kazakh President Meets Reform Party Head
Radio Free Europe
Astana, March 23: Nursultan Nazarbaev met with Alikhan Baimenov, co-chairman of the reformist Ak Zhol Party, on 23 March to discuss social and political reforms, Khabar Television reported. Nazarbaev said that he looks upon Baimenov`s party `with understanding.` Baimenov expressed support for the social and economic reforms that Nazarbaev outlined in his 19 March state-of-the-nation address. Baimenov suggested that dialogue on political reforms should focus on topics where views differ. President Nazarbaev appointed Temirkhan Dosmukhanbetov as presidential administration property manager on 23 March, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. The same decree relieved the 54-year-old Dosmukhanbetov of his post as akim of Astana. Dosmukhanbetov replaces Sarybay Kalmurzaev, whom the president appointed director of the financial police. Dosmukhanbetov previously occupied the post of property manager in the presidential administration from September 1998 until June 2003.
Georgian Presidential Envoy For Adjaria Appointed
Radio Free Europe
Tbilisi, March 22: In line with the agreements reached on 18 March in Batumi during talks between Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and Adjar Supreme Council Chairman Aslan Abashidze, David Akhalaya and Vasil Sanadze were named on 19 March as presidential representatives responsible for overseeing the work of the customs posts at the Sarp border crossing with Turkey and Batumi port, respectively, Georgian media reported.
Tajik President Meets With Islamic Opposition
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, March 22: Tajik President Imomali Rahmonov met on 21 March with Said Abdullo Nuri, leader of the Islamic Renaissance Party, in the course of a meeting with Tajik intellectuals on the eve of Norouz, or new-year holiday, Tajik Television reported on 22 March. Nuri emerged from the meeting with praise for the president. Nuri characterized the attention Rahmonov pays to intellectuals as `something significant,` adding that `only the intelligentsia can turn the people`s thoughts toward patriotism.` Nuri also expressed high hopes for the new year.
Kyrgyz Minister Relieved Of Post
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, March 22: Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev on 22 March relieved acting Education Minister Ishenkul Boljurova of her post at her own request, Kyrgyz Television reported.
President Forms Council On Reformation Of Legislative System
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 21: Over the past years the government of Uzbekistan has carried out a significant work directed at democratic renovation and liberalisation of all spheres of public, political and socioeconomic development of the country, creation of an effective legislative base of the pursued reforms. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in his report at the first session of Uzbek Parliament of the second convocation determined priority directions of this work, which have been reflected in the programmes on liberalisation and deepening of democratic reforms in political sphere, in the field of state construction and governance, economic, spiritual, judicial and legal, foreign political spheres, as well as security maintenance. Realisation of the mentioned programmes, approved by the presidential decree on 2 July 2000, required adoption of a number of laws, normative and legal acts, aimed at ensuring consecutive movement of the country on the way of formation of democratic state and strong civil society. The adopted laws on formation of a two-chamber parliament and amendments to the Constitution of Uzbekistan have created a legislative base for further improvement of the government system, principles of its formation, deep reforming of law-making activity. In order to further deepen reforms in the sphere of social development, state and legal, judicial activity, on 13 March 2004 the head of the state issued the Order `On creation of a Council on reformation of legislative bases of state and social construction, judicial and legal system under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan`. Speaking at the session of the Cabinet of Ministers on 7 February 2004, Islam Karimov noted: `Reforms cannot be successful in the economy, if they are not directly connected with deep reforms in political sphere, state structure and judicial and legal system.` Therefore the Council`s most important task is coordination of activity, unification of efforts of state and representative bodies having the right of legislative initiative, organisations and institutions, as well as scientific community in the sphere of law-making activity and normative and legal regulation of state and social construction, judicial and legal system.
Batumi Mayor Urges Town-dwellers To Take Part In Parliament Poll In Georgia
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, March 21: Georgy Abashidze, son of Adzharian head Aslan Abashidze and mayor of Batumi, urged his town-dwellers to be enrolled in a voter list in order to take part in the parliamentary elections in Georgia scheduled for March 28. Abashidze told journalists on Saturday that most town-dwellers left Batumi and went to the nearby villages. The Batumi mayor said he is hopeful that their town-dwellers will be enrolled in voter lists and take part in the elections. Earlier in the day, the 79th Batumi election district where half of voters of the Adzharian autonomous republic live urged the Georgian Central Election Commission to extend voters registration over a period of four days. Deputy head of the district`s election commission Revaz Mamuladze said not less than 20 percent out of about 90,000 Batumi residents, who have the right to vote, succeeded in carrying out this important procedure
Acting Georgian Foreign Minister Granted Georgian Citizenship
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, March 20: French citizen Salome Zurabishvili, who is now acting Georgian foreign minister, has been granted Georgian citizenship. Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili signed a decree to this effect on Saturday and informed Zurabishvili about his decision. In April a new-elected parliament should approve her candidature to this post. Parliamentary elections in Georgia are scheduled for March 28. Saakashvili said, `This is the first case when Georgia grants dual citizenship to a foreigner.` Georgia has no a law on dual citizenship, but sometimes the president has the right to adopt such decisions. Saakashvili said in Tbilisi on March 11 that he intends to appoint Salome Zurabishvili, 52, Georgian foreign minister. Zurabishvili has been working as Georgian ambassador to France since last November.
Kazakh President Makes New Appointments
Radio Free Europe
Astana, March 20: President Nazarbaev on 20 March appointed Umirzak Shukeev, former akim (governor) of Kustanai Oblast, as the akim of the Kazakh capital, Astana, RIA-Novosti reported. Sergei Kulagin, former akim of Akmola Oblast, will replace Shukeev in Kustanai Oblast. In addition, Mazhit Esenbaev was appointed akim of Akmola Oblast. Esenbaev previously served as a presidential adviser.
Women` Spring Holiday In Turkmenistan
RIA Novosti
Ashgabat, March 20: This year Women`s Day in Turkmenistan was not traditionally celebrated on March 8. It is timed to Novruz, the holiday of spring and New Year, which appeared in pre-Islamic epoch. Yesterday Turkmenistan`s President presented each Turkmen woman with 200,000 manats [average wages in Turkmenistan amount to 1,756,000 manats]. Women`s Day opens a series of spring holidays. March 21 and 22 are days off in Turkmenistan, as well. The republic officially celebrates Novruz (`new day` in the Persian language) for the 11th time already. This holiday falls on vernal equinox. The warmth and spring of the New Day are associated in Central Asia with nature awakening and the beginning of agricultural works.
Russia Denies Violation Of Georgia`s Airspace By Its Helicopter
Itar-Tass
Moscow, March 26: Press service of the Russian Defense Ministry has denied an official statement by Georgia that a Russian military helicopter broke into Georgian airspace. `Claims by the Georgian officials about such violation contradict reality,` the press service said. Georgian border guards said earlier in the day a Russian helicopter had ostensibly violated Georgian airspace near the village of Kvabchara in the Kodori Gorge at around 11:05 Moscow time (08:05 GMT) Friday. It stayed in the area for about ten minutes, they said.
Tajikistan Issues Arrested Paratroopers To Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 25: 23 paratroopers, who landed on the Tajik territory on 24 March, were handed over to border services of Uzbekistan in the evening of the same day. According to RIA Novosti quoting the chairman of the Committee on border protection of Tajikistan Abdujabbor Hamidov, the paratroopers were handed over to the Uzbek side on 23:00 of 24 March. Hamidov said that strong wind was the reason for their crossing the Tajik state border. The Uzbek side was carrying out manoeuvres along the border with Tajikistan. On Tuesday night, Tajik border guards arrested Uzbek paratroopers who landed at Nefeabad village of Isfara district (420 km from capital, Dushanbe). Paratroopers landed 1 km away from the Uzbek-Tajik border, while one of them landed on a mine-strewn area and was wounded.
Armenia Begins Four Day Military Exercise
Radio Free Europe
Yerevan, March 23: The Armenian armed forces began a four-day exercise on 23 March that will focus on the military`s combat readiness, ITAR-TASS and Arminfo reported. The `command and staff` exercise, under the direct command of Deputy Defense Minister Mikhail Harutiunian, will encompass logistical and support units and involve the coordinated call-up of a significant number of reserve units.
Uzbek Paratroopers Take Tajik Detour
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, March 23: Tajik border guards were reportedly taken by surprise on 23 March when 23 Uzbek paratroopers unexpectedly landed in Tajikistan in the Isfara section of the Tajik-Uzbek border, RIA-Novosti reported on 24 March. According to Tajik authorities, the Uzbek troops ended up on Tajik territory as a result of a `strong wind that carried them over to the neighboring state.` Twenty-two of the paratroopers were returned to Uzbekistan on 25 March after talks between officials from both countries, ITAR-TASS reported the same day. One paratrooper reportedly sustained injuries when he landed on a mine, and is receiving treatment in a Tajik hospital.
Russia And Tajikistan Are Carrying Out Joint Military Exercises
Pravda
Moscow, March 22: Three-day Russian-Tajik command and staff exercise has started today on the territory of Tajikistan. This exercise is a regular one, RIA Novosti was told at the headquarters of the 201st mechanized infantry division, deployed in this Central Asian republic. It is aimed at improving coordination between the two countries` various services in repelling possible attacks by international terrorists at the Tajik-Afghan border. Regiments of the Tajik armed forces, armour and assault aircraft are taking part in the exercise. From the Russian side the maneuvers are directed by Colonel General Nikolai Tkachev, Chief of Staff of the Volga-Urals Military District, which the 201st division is assigned to. From the Tajik side Vice Minister of Defence Major General Abdulnazar Abdulasanov is in charge. On March 24, the last day of the maneuvers, joint firing exercises will be held at the Momirak training ground near the city of Kulyab 230 kilometres to the east from Dushanbe.
Command-and-staff Exercises Begin In Armenia
Itar-Tass
Yerevan, March 22: Command-and-staff exercises of Armenia`s Armed Forces are to be held throughout the republic from March 23 to 27, Colonel Seiran Shakhsuvaryan, the Defence Minister`s press secretary, has told Itar-Tass. Shakhsuvaryan said the exercises are held under the supervision of Colonel-General Mikhail Arutyunyan, chief of the Main Headquarters of the Armed Forces and First Deputy Minister of Defence, under this year`s programme for the combat training of the army. Technical, logistical and medical units will be involved in the exercises, he pointed out. In accordance with the plan of the exercises, mobilisation reserves will be called up on the first day for the purpose of personnel replacement. This is one of matters that will be drilled during the first phase of the exercises, the Defence Ministry`s press secretary said.
Armitage To Discuss US-Azeri Interaction In War On Terrorism
Itar-Tass
Baku, March 26: U.S. Under-Secretary of State Richard Armitage arrives in Baku on Friday evening from Yerevan for a two-day visit to discuss with Azerbaijani leadership the interaction in fighting with terrorism. According to Baku diplomatic sources, the high-ranking representative of the U.S. Administration is expected to meet Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev and other top official of the country. The parties will discuss the regional security, development of bilateral relations, political and economic reforms in Azerbaijan, implementation of large-scale projects in the energy sector, and settlement of the Karabakh situation.
Uzbekistan Wants Its Citizens Detained In Pakistan To Be Extradited
Interfax
Tashkent, March 23: Uzbekistan wants Pakistan to extradite all Uzbek citizens who might be detained during the counter- terrorism operation in that country, Uzbek President Islam Karimov told a news conference in Tashkent on Tuesday. `In the event of their detention, they should be handed over to Uzbekistan`s judicial authorities. This is an international norm, and we hope that Pakistan will treat our requirement with understanding,` Karimov said. The Uzbek president did not rule out the possibility that Uzbek citizens who used to fight alongside the Taliban movement in Afghanistan and then joined extremist organizations active in Pakistan could be detained during the operation. Speaking about Takhir Yuldashev, a leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Karimov said that `he is almost dead, if not physically than morally. He has already exhausted all his potential.`
Pakistan Probes Central Asians As Assault On Al-Qaeda Pushes Ahead
Agence France Presse
Wana, March 21: Pakistan interrogated over 100 fighters arrested in its fiercest-ever battle with Al-Qaeda suspects and their tribal supporters, amid signs the `high value target` they were protecting may be a Central Asian militant leader. As troops fired rockets and artillery at 500 hardcore foreign and local fighters for a fourth day, 1,000 elders from across Pakistan`s wild northwest tribal belt gathered in Wana, district capital of South Waziristan, to negotiate with local Yargulkhel tribesmen who are fighting alongside the militants. The elders, members of parliament and senators among them, asked local authorities for a two-day ceasefire to allow them to enter the two villages under siege and convince the tribesmen to lay down their arms and hand over the militants. `We held talks with representatives of Yargulkhel tribe to urge them to either surrender the suspects to the authorities or hand them over to the tribal elders,` tribesman Zafar Wazir told AFP. `We are trying to resolve the problems. We know that there have been casualties among the civilians and many people have become homeless,` local tribal leader Malik Bakhan said. Pakistani troops meanwhile pushed on with their biggest anti-Al-Qaeda assault since they first entered the semi-autonomous tribal zone two years ago. Cobra helicopter gunships flew overhead and fired on suspected targets and militants returned fire, witnesses in Wana said, recounting several explosions. Troops were still searching Kalusha and Shin Warzak villages near Wana, where the heavily-armed fighters were dug in, military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan said. Negotiations by tribal elders were part of a three-pronged approach, Brigadier Mehmood Shah, chief of security for the tribal zone, said. `We have prepared a strategy. On one side we are negotiating with tribal leaders, on the other side we are continuing the operation, and on the third side we are searching homes,` Shah told AFP. Military intelligence agencies meanwhile questioned Uzbeks, Chechens, Arabs and local Pashtun tribesmen arrested since Thursday. `They are being interrogated by military intelligence experts,` Sultan told AFP.
Uzbek Preacher Yuldash Spearheading Resistance
Gulf News
Karachi, March 20: A radical Uzbek preacher who is one of Osama bin Laden`s most important lieutenants is believed to be the senior Al Qaida figure leading the resistance to a ferocious five-day Pakistani offensive in Waziristan, The Sunday Telegraph has learned. As heavy artillery and Cobra helicopter gunships were deployed yesterday against an international brigade of militants, officials in Pakistan and Afghanistan identified Tahir Yuldash, the leader of several hundred Central Asian militant fighters, as the key figure being protected by up to 400 Al Qaida militants. Yuldash, a founder of the hardline Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), teamed up with bin Laden in Afghanistan but has been based in Pakistani tribal areas since the fall of the Taliban regime in late 2001. His cordon of bodyguards are fighting the Pakistani onslaught with mortars and rocket-propelled grenades. While Yuldash would be a prized captive, Pakistan faced criticism overnight for initially suggesting that Ayman Al Zawahiri, the Egyptian doctor who is bin Laden`s righthand man, was trapped in the vicious firefight being waged along a chain of mud fortresses in the lawless border terrain of South Waziristan.
Foreign Investment In Armenia Up 6 per cent In 2003
Interfax
Yerevan, March 26: Foreign investment in Armenia rose 5.7 per cent in 2003 to $230 million from $217.5 million, according to preliminary figures, Deputy Trade Minister Tigran Davtian said at a press conference on Friday. Foreign direct investment amounted to $160 million in 2003, up from $140.96 million. About $40 million of that investment came from the transfer of three Armenian companies to Russia to clear Armenian debt, Davtian said.
Oil Pipeline To Be Built In Turkmenistan
RIA Novosti
Ashgabat, March 25: An oil pipeline being built in Turkmenistan will supply up to 3 million metric tons of oil a year to oil refineries in Turkmenbashi (formerly Krasnovodsk), a port on the Caspian Sea. The Ministry of Oil, Natural Gas and Mineral Resources reported that in August 2003, the decision to build an oil pipeline to transport crude oil from deposits in Korpedzhe to Turkmenbashi was made. The 172 kilometer long oil pipeline will be completed by January 2005 and linked up with the existing system of transporting oil to the Turkmenbashi refineries. A consortium was created to implement this estimated $60 million project. Ukrgazpromstroi, Turkmenneftegazstroi, Caspro Pipeline Service AG, Ferrostaal Piping Supply GmbH and John. Heinr Bornemann Gmbh are members of the consortium.
Azerbaijan Posts 2003 Trade Deficit Of $98.2 Mln
Interfax
Moscow, March 25: Azerbaijan ended 2003 with a $98.2 million foreign trade deficit, the National Bank of Azerbaijan announced in its report on the country`s payment balance for last year. `In the structure of imports, $11 billion in equipment and technology was brought into the country under oil contracts. In comparison with 2002, the volume increased 130 per cent. Not counting the oil- contract imports, Azerbaijan had a foreign trade surplus of $1 billion in 2003,` the National Bank reported. Azerbaijan had a foreign trade surplus of $503 million in 2002. Bank data shows that in 2003 foreign trade turnover increased 29.5 per cent to $5.347 billion. Imports increased 63.5 per cent to $2.723 billion, exports 21 per cent to $2.625 billion. The National Bank predicts the country will end 2004 with a foreign trade surplus of $21.61 million.
IMF Plugs Accelerated Reforms In Uzbekistan
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, March 24: Uzbek Economy Minister Rustam Azimov and Erik de Vrijer, head of the IMF mission to Uzbekistan, discussed economic reforms in Uzbekistan during a 24 March news conference in Tashkent, Uzbek Radio reported the same day. Summing up a two-week visit that began on 10 March, de Vrijer called on Uzbekistan to speed up its economic reforms, RBK reported. `The IMF mission and Uzbek authorities had a useful exchange of views on the government`s program of macroeconomic and structural reforms for 2004,` RIA-Novosti quoted De Vrijer as saying. For his part, Azimov said that `Uzbek officials and the IMF delegation agreed on speeding up full transition to a market economy,` Uzbek Radio reported.
World Bank To Allocate $9 Mln To Kyrgyzstan
Interfax
Bishkek, March 24: The World Bank board last week approved a $9 million loan for Kyrgyzstan to help upgrade payment systems in the banking sector, Avtandil Suleimanov, the head of the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan`s payment system department, told Interfax. The project aims to develop infrastructure for a unified national payment system that will be used by banks and their clients, he said. The new system will enable banks to process large amounts in a more reliable and secure manner and provide wider access to banking services to the population. The project is to be implemented in about four and a half years, a World Bank press release said.
Armenia To Receive World Bank Loan For Education Reform
Interfax
Yerevan, March 24: The World Bank is to allocate a $52 million ten-year loan to Armenia for education reform, Roger Robinson, the head of the Bank`s Yerevan office, told the press on Wednesday. The money will be disbursed in three installments, with $19 million allocated in the first four years for high school education reforms. The $19 million loan, which will be given for 40 years with a 10-year grace period, was approved on January 22.
Commercial Development Of Kashagan Deposit Postponed
RIA Novosti
Astana,
March 23: Kazakhstan expects $150 million compensation for the postponement of the commercial production of oil in the Kashagan deposit. `The compensation will be received in two tranches,` Kazakh finance minister Erbolat Dosayev reported on Tuesday at a press conference in Astana. `We will receive $100 million in late March and, I think $50 million before April 10, 2004,` he pointed out. On February 25, 2004 Kazakhstan signed an agreement with the consortium of foreign oil companies on the postponement of the time-limits for the commercial oil extraction inn the Kashagan deposit approximately till 2007-2008. In accordance with the approved plan, the volume of oil production in the Kashagan deposit will amount to 21 million tons by 2010, in 2013 it will be 42 million tons and in 2015 it is expected to reach 56 million tons. In compliance with the 1997 agreement the commercial production of oil in the Kashagan deposit was to begin in 2005, but the AjipKCO consortium, which is an operator on this deposit, could not fulfil this condition.
Punj Lloyd Bags 2 Contracts In Kazakhstan
People`s Daily
New Delhi, March 23: Construction company Punj Lloyd has bagged two contracts worth about $73 million (about Rs 327 crore) in Kazakhstan for oil refinery related works. One project involves construction of a sulphur recovery unit at a refinery for $38 million. The company has executed sulphur block contract for six refineries in India. The other project involves construction of large and small bore pipeline project for $35 million. A company source said the projects would be executed on behalf a consortium of UK-based Parson Fluor Daniel and Tengizchevroil. The project will be coming up in Tengiz region of the Caspian Sea. The company, which has the experience of laying 4,000 km hydrocarbon pipelines, is looking at the CIS region for expanding its business. It made a debut in Kazakhstan with a $16 million Kam crude pipeline project. It has a separate outfit called Punj Lloyd Kazakhstan LLP for taking care of its business in that country. The Kam project was completed in September last year. `We are also planning to take part in Azerbeijan and Turkmenistan though right now our business is confined to Kazakhstan,` said a company official. The Kam project involved construction of 177kmX16` diameter high pressure crude oil pipeline from Kumkol to Dhzusaly via Aryskum. The project was undertaken for Petrokazakstan. Construction is among one of the major areas where Kazakhstan has sought Indian expertise. Other areas identified for cooperation include agriculture and industrial production.
Kazakhstan Increases Forecast For GDP Growth
Kazakhstan News
Astana, March 23: Kazakhstan has increased the forecast for GDP growth by 1 percentage point to 8.0 percent, because of high oil prices, as oil is the country`s main export. Kazakhstan also expects its currency to continue strengthening, Economy and Budget Planning Minister Kayrat Kelimbetov declared at a news conference. `We believe that our GDP growth will exceed the previous forecast (7.0 percent) by $1.48bn, and therefore, we expect the GDP to grow by about 8 percent this year,` the minister pointed out. In 2003 the Kazakhstani GDP grew by 9.2 percent, and the average annual exchange rate of its national currency, the tenge, against the dollar was 149.45 tenges per dollar.
Pipeline Operator Mero Aims To Transport Kazakh Oil To Europe Via Czech Republic
Interfax
Astana, March 23: The state-owned oil transport firm Mero, which runs the Druzba and IKL oil pipelines, will deliver the first supplies of oil from the Caspian sea area to the Czech Republic in two weeks, reports the weekly Tyden. Mero`s goal is to connect the Ukrainian oil pipeline Odesa-Brody with Druzba and deliver oil with a lower sulphur content from Kazakhstan to the Czech Republic, lowering Czech dependence on Russian oil, says Tyden. Oil deliveries to the Czech Republic and other European countries could then reach 80,000 barrels a day, or USD 1 bn a year, in current prices, says Tyden. Tomas Zikmund, spokesman for the petrochemical group Unipetrol, which operates the Kralupy refinery, says an analysis must be carried out to investigate the extent to which Kralupy could process the oil and if it would be advantageous for Unipetrol.
Kashagan Developer To Pay $150 Mln To Kazakhstan Imminently
Interfax
Astana, March 23: The Agip KCO consortium will pay $150 million compensation to Kazakhstan for delaying the commercial development of the major Kashagan offshore oil field - originally due to start in 2005 - as early as March-April in two tranches, said Erbolat Dosayev, Kazakhstan`s finance minister. `There will be two amounts - one of $100 million and one of $50 million. The $100 million will be received before the end of March and the $50 million by April 10,` Dosayev said. Dosayev said the first $100 million would go straight into the National Fund directly, and that the consortium would pay the other $50 million as a bonus into the budget and to be transferred later to the National Fund. He did not, though, say whether the amounts he mentioned represented full compensation or just part of it. A further announcement will be made, Dosayev said. A production-sharing agreement for the Kashagan project stipulated that the field must go commercially on-stream in 2005. But the Kazakh government and the Agip KCO consortium agreed in February this year to put the start back to 2007-2008. According to the approved plan of work, Agip KCO plans to produce up to 450,000 barrels of oil per day at Kashagan in 2010, or 21 million tonnes per annum. The company plans to increase production to 900,000 bpd in 2013 by expanding the eastern section of the field. The consortium will reach capacity production of 1.2 million barrels per day or 56 million tonnes per annum in 2016. It will cost an estimated $29 billion to put the Kashagan field fully on stream.
Georgian President: Nothing Threatens Project Of Oil And Gas Transportation From Caspian Via Georgia
RIA Novosti
Tbilisi, March 22: Nothing threatens the project of oil and gas transportation from the Caspian Sea via Georgia, the country`s president, Mikhail Saakashvili said Monday. In his words, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project is being implemented and will be completed. This project is politically important for Georgia as a country that has commitments to its partners, the Georgian leader told journalists. He added that previous Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze`s statement that this project`s implementation will bring prosperity to the country `is far from reality.`
Petrofac Acquires 50 per cent Of Kyrgyz Petroleum Company
Interfax
Bishkek, March 21: The U.S. company Petrofac Resources has acquired 50 per cent of shares in the joint venture AO Kyrgyz Petroleum Company (Jalal-Abad Oil Refinery), Nikolai Novitsky, head of the fuel and energy department at the republic`s Economic Development, Industry and Trade Ministry, told Interfax. Previously the joint venture`s charter capital was split equally between the Kyrgyz company Kyrgyzneftegaz and Canada`s Kyrgoil. The Canadian side put up its share for sale in summer 2003. Novitsky said that Petrofac and Kyrgoil signed a deal in February in Toronto. Petrofac Resources is a subsidiary of the U.S. transnational corporation Petrofac Ltd., which also includes Petrofac Engineering, Petrofac International and Petrofac Facilities Management.
Ex-President Of Lithuania To Pay A Visit To Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 26: Former President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus and his spouse will pay a visit to Uzbekistan on 29-31 March 2004. The visit is aimed at discussion of current state and perspectives of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Lithuania, situation in Central Asia, exchanging opinions on the geopolitical changes in Europe in light of EU and NATO expansion, as well as informing about Adamkus`s activity as UNESCO goodwill ambassador. According to Uzbek Foreign Ministry, Adamkus will arrive in Uzbekistan on 29 March. But the main events of the visit will take place on 30 March. On that day, Adamkus will meet Foreign Minister Sadyk Safaev and President Islam Karimov. He will also meet the Lithuanian diaspora in Uzbekistan, teachers and students of the Uzbek World Economy and Diplomacy University, and familiarise with the Temurids museum. Adamkus will leave Uzbekistan on 31 March. Valdas Adamkus is a prominent state and public figure of Lithuania. He headed Lithuania during 1998-2003. He is respected in the European and USA political circles. Adamkus contributed greatly to strengthening wide-scale cooperation between Uzbekistan and Lithuania, and expansion of legal base of cooperation of two countries. At present, he is the head of the Valdas Adamkus Fund, which works in social-public sphere. Adamkus was appointed as goodwill ambassador of UNESCO in September 2003. The visit of Adamkus to Uzbekistan is his first visit to familiarise with Uzbekistan. It is also expected that Adamkus will receive the order `Buyuk hizmatlari uchun` (For Great Contributions).
CSTO Attains High Level Of Integration With International Organisations
Kabar Agency
Dushanbe, March 26: The Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), which comprises Russia, Tajikistan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan efficiently establishes cooperation with international organisations. `We have attained a very high level of integration with the Eurasian Economic Community and currently establish close ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations,` CSTO Secretary General Nikolai Bordyuzha told reporters on Friday after his meeting with President Emomali Rakhmonov of Tajikistan. He said they noted at the meeting that CSTO countries did a lot in 2003 in the sphere of both coordination of their foreign policy moves and stances in many issues of the global security. Bordyuzha said the Council of secretaries of security councils and parliament speakers of the CSTO countries planned to hold a joint meeting in St. Petersburg in April. The meeting will mainly focus on harmonisation of national laws in the sphere of fighting terrorism and illegal drug trafficking.
Zarit To Sign Oil Agreement With Turkmenistan
Interfax
Moscow, March 26: The Russian company Zarit, set up by Rosneft, Itera and Zarubezhneft, plans to sign an agreement with Turkmenistan in the near future dealing with exploration and production of hydrocarbons in the Turkmenistani sector of the Caspian Sea, a source in the Turkmenistani presidential press service told Interfax. The source said that on Friday Itera Director Igor Makarov, Zarubezhneft General Director Nikolai Tokaryev and Rosneft Vice President Alexei Kuznetsov met with Turkmenistani President Saparmurad Niyazov to inform him about work on the document, which has been practically completed. The source said that Zarit plans to start work soon on developing three blocks - Nos. 29, 30 and 31 - in the Turkmenistani sector of the Caspian.
Tajik President Speaks With Kazakh, Uzbek Leaders
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, March 25: Imomali Rahmonov spoke by telephone on 25 March with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev and Uzbek President Islam Karimov, Tajik Television reported the same day. Discussions focused on the upcoming summits of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the Central Asian Cooperation Organization, as well as a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
Uzbek Law Enforcement Delegation Visits Austria
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 25: High-ranking representatives of the Uzbek Prosecutors` Office, Internal Affairs Ministry and Justice Ministry have visited Austria. According to Jahon, the Uzbek delegation held meetings and negotiations with heads of Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs, General Prosecutors of Vienna, familiarised with the activity of anti-terrorism special forces Vega, penitentiary establishments and exchanged opinions with Austrian colleagues. Representatives of Uzbekistan and Austria achieved agreements on deepening cooperation, aimed at ensuring security and joint fight against crime.
State Duma Delegation To Visit Azerbaijan
RIA Novosti
Baku, March 25: A Russian State Duma delegation headed by Speaker Boris Gryzlov will pay an official visit to Azerbaijan from March 29 to 30. The visit will focus on Russian-Azeri relations and development of legislative cooperation, press attache of the Russian Embassy to Azerbaijan Gennady Yevsyukov said. On March 29 Russian delegates will meet with Azerbaijan`s President Ilkham Aliyev, parliamentary speaker Murtuz Aleskerov and Prime Minister Artur Rasizade. On March 30 Boris Gryzlov will visit one of Azeri regions. After that, the Russian delegation will leave Baku.
Kazakh President Meets Halliburton Boss
Radio Free Europe
Astana, March 25: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev met in Kazakhstan on 25 March with David Lesar, chairman and CEO of Halliburton, the controversial U.S. energy-industry service company that used to be headed by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, Khabar TV reported the same day. The two discussed possible uses for Halliburton`s high-technology expertise in the Kazakh oil industry. Lesar also noted that Halliburton has had good experiences with its Kazakh employees.
Aliyev: Turkey Under EU Pressure To Open Border With Armenia
Turkish Daily News
Ankara, MArch 25: Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev has said that Turkey is coming under intense pressure to open its border with Armenia, a move he warned would make a peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict impossible. Armenian forces drove Azerbaijani fighters out of Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s and a 1994 cease-fire has largely held. However, Armenia and Azerbaijan have yet to reach a final settlement over the enclave, which is populated by ethnic Armenians but located within Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan and its ally Turkey have maintained a trade embargo against neighboring Armenia, which is landlocked. But in recent years Turkey and Armenia have expanded business contacts. Settling the dispute would boost Turkey`s candidacy to join the European Union as well, several EU reports have indicated. `If Turkey were to open its doors to Armenia, resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh problem would become impossible because Azerbaijan would lose in that case an important lever,` Aliyev said after returning home from an official visit to Uzbekistan.
Paris Conference Discusses Uzbek-French Relations
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 25: Representatives of French political science centres, parliament, Foreign Ministry, Defence Ministry, diplomatic corps, Science Academy, media, business circles, educational facilities, as well as famous experts on Central Asia gathered at the conference on `Uzbekistan and France in the system of modern international relations` organised in Paris. Information on the principles and priorities of foreign policy of Uzbekistan, integration processes in the framework of international organisations, such as European Union (EU), Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Central Asian Cooperation Organisation (CACO), socioeconomic situation in the country, measures taken against terrorism and religious extremism was presented at the forum. The realities of modern world and interest in cooperation were said to be the base for strategic approaches of France to relations with Uzbekistan. The growing interest is proven by a successfully functioning French Embassy in Uzbekistan, Cultural Centre, French Institute for Central Asian Studies and other institutions. During his report, chairman of the Association of Members of French Diplomatic and Strategic Research Centre, Mr Chevalie emphasised that Uzbekistan, `holds an important place in the system of modern geopolitical processes`.
Kazakh Govt., Microsoft Sign Memorandum
Interfax
Astana, March 25: The Kazakh government and Microsoft signed a memorandum on mutual understanding in Astana on Thursday. The document reflects the basic principles of cooperation for developing and introducing information technology in Kazakhstan. The document was signed by Kazakh Industry and Trade Minister Adilbek Dzhaksybekov and Chairman of the State Information and Communications Agency Birzhan Kaneshev and by Microsoft CEO for Europe, the Middle East and Africa Jean-Philippe Courtois. Mr. Courtois said the sides will closely cooperate in setting up an internal network for the government, introducing information technology and adapting Microsoft Office software for the Kazakh language.
CIS Foreign Ministers To Meet In Belarus
Kabar Agency
Moscow, March 25: The interaction in the humanitarian sphere is on the agenda of a meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers due in the Belarussian capital Minsk on March 26, the Russian Foreign Ministry`s spokesman Alexander Yakovenko told a briefing on Thursday. He said the `task of forming the common educational space of the Commonwealth countries that is accomplished on the basis of an inter-state programme is coming into the foreground`. `It is important to solve the question of mutual recognition and equivalence of documents on secondary education, primary and vocational education,` Yakovenko said.
Dushanbe Invites Businessmen From Kazakhstan
Interfax
Dushanbe, March 25: Tajikistan wants to develop economic cooperation with Kazakhstan. `The Tajik government thinks it very important to process raw cotton at national factories, and we hope that Kazakh businessmen will show interest in our cotton processing industry,` Tajik Minister of Industry Zaid Saidov said at a Tajik-Kazakh business forum in Almaty on Thursday. Tajikistan has over ten cotton factories, but only 25 per cent of the national cotton harvest are processed in Tajikistan, the minister said. Tajikistan wants to increase the annual production of raw cotton from 600,000 to 860,000 tonnes over the next few years, he said.
Azeri President Ends Visit To Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 24: Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliev completed his two-day visit to Uzbekistan on 24 March. Ilham Aliev together with Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirzayoyev participated in the official opening ceremony of the Azeri Cultural Centre in Tashkent. It was noted that the centre will serve to further strengthening friendship relations between the two nations. The Azeri president accompanied by Uzbek Prime Minister visited Samarkand. Te governor of Samarkand region Rustam Kholmuradov welcomed the high-ranking guest. The delegation of Azerbaijan familiarised with the architectural monuments of Samarkand, in particular Mirzo Ulugbek observatory, Bibihonim madrasah, Registan square and Guri-Emir mausoleum. T
US-Georgian Bilateral Security Agreement Signed
Radio Free Europe
Tbilisi, March 24: Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania and U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles signed a new bilateral agreement on security assistance on 23 March, Civil Georgia reported. Under the terms of the agreement, the United States is to provide almost $2.5 million in assistance to reform and modernize Georgian law enforcement agencies. The assistance is to upgrade and expand the Georgian Police Academy, create a new criminal forensic lab, and finance enhanced legal capabilities of the Georgian government.
Azeri First Lady Visits SOS Children`s Village, Art Museum
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 24: The spouse of the Azeri president Mehribon Alieva, accompanied by the first lady of Uzbekistan Tatyana Karimova, visited the association of the SOS Children`s Villages, the only such structure in Central Asia. The first lady of Azerbaijan familiarised with the families living in the village and conditions created here for orphans. She also watched a small concert programme prepared by the children, and then presented gifts to them. Mehribon Alieva also visited the State Art Museum, where she familiarised with the examples of national handicrafts, art works and archaeological monuments.
Azerbaijani President Critical Of OSCE Minsk Group
Interfax
Baku, March 24: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has criticized the Minsk Group of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for its role in trying to settle the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict over the past 12 years. `I cannot give a positive assessment since the OSCE Minsk Group has not taken any really effective steps over this period,` Aliyev told journalists on Wednesday. `The Minsk Group`s current approach and its position on settling this conflict cannot play a positive role since the group has restricted itself to merely monitoring the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh,` he said.
CSTO Secretary General Starts Regional Tour In Tajikistan
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, March 24: Nikolai Bordyuzhav arrived in Tajikistan on 24 March to kick off a three-country tour of Central Asia, RIA-Novosti reported on 25 March. The secretary-general began his trip with meetings with Tajik Defense Minister Colonel General Sherali Khayrulloev and Security Council Secretary Amirqul Azimov, Asia Plus-Blitz reported. They discussed the upcoming CSTO meeting in June in Astana. Bordyuzhav will also visit Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan during his tour that ends on 2 April.
Uzbekistan, India To Cooperate In Science, Technology
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 23: The Centre for Science and Technology under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan and the Department for Science and Technology of the Indian government signed a `Programme on cooperation in science and technology for 2004-2006`. The document became the result of the visit of the delegation headed by director of the Centre for Science and Technology Polat Khabibulaev, Jahon reported. The programme determines the main directions of Uzbek-Indian collaboration in scientific and technical sphere, as well as specialist exchange and participation of scientists of the two countries in joint projects. While in India, the delegation held negotiations at the Department of Science and Technology, Technical Knowledge Academy, International Centre on Gene Engineering and Technology, Computer Department of Delhi University, Technological University of India and other scientific establishments.
Russia Warns America Over Caspian Sea
The Moscow Times
Moscow, March 23: The United States should not interfere in talks on delineating the oil-rich Caspian Sea, a top Russian diplomat said in an interview published Tuesday. The legal status of the inland sea -- believed to contain the world`s third largest reserves of oil and gas -- was governed by treaties between the Soviet Union and Iran. But since the 1991 Soviet collapse, the five states that border the sea -- Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan -- have repeatedly failed to reach a new five-way agreement. `The countries of the Caspian region should settle the problems by themselves, in a family way, so to speak, without attracting mediators,` Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Viktor Kalyuzhny, a presidential envoy on the Caspian basin, said in an interview published in Nezavisimaya Gazeta, adding that `the external factor will only cause problems.`
ODKB Secretary General To Visit Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan
RIA Novosti
Moscow, March 23: From March 24 till April 3 Secretary General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (ODKB, including Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan) Nikolai Bordyuzha will visit three Central Asian countries to discuss preparations for the next session of the ODKB Council, the Council`s secretariat told RIA Novosti on Tuesday. Nikolai Bordyuzha is to meet with Kazakh, Tajik and Kyrgyz leaders during his visits to Astana, Dushanbe and Bishkek. They will focus on the main ODKB forum, the session of the Collective Security Council at the level of heads of state in Astana scheduled for June 2004.
China To Work With Tajikistan To Combat Trans-national Crimes, Terrorism
Xinhua
Dushanbe, March 23: China will work with Tajikistan to jointly combat trans-national crimes and all terrorist activities, said Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang Beijing on Tuesday. Zhou made the remarks during a meeting with Tajikistan Minister of the Interior Kholiddin Sharipov who is here as a guest of the Chinese Public Security Ministry. Zhou said the two ministries should strengthen cooperation so as to protect the rights and interests of the two peoples and continuo
sly strengthen bilateral good-neighborly friendship and cooperation. The Chinese minister hailed the sound development of bilateral relations of good-neighborly friendship and mutual benefit, and frequent exchanges of high-level visits between the two countries with increasing political mutual trust.
Armenia In Russia`s Embrace
The Moscow Times
Moscow, March 23: Armenia is one of a small and dwindling number of former Soviet republics that assuages, rather than aggravates, Russia`s hurt ego in what used to be its geopolitical backyard. While the special relationship between Russia and Armenia is hardly new, its increasing intensity holds important implications for the smaller country`s future, as well as for the balance of power in the Caucasus and throughout what remains of Russia`s old sphere of influence. Goodwill between Armenia and Russia has deep historical roots and is sustained by Russia`s recent role as Armenia`s protector. Russia is the ace up Armenia`s sleeve against feared aggression by Turkey, Armenia`s historical enemy, and as a deterrent to a renewal of the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the disputed enclave of Nagorny Karabakh (during which Russia supplied critical military assistance to Armenia). As a consequence of the war, both Turkey and Azerbaijan blockade their borders with Armenia. Armenia plays eager host to a few Russian bases and a few thousand Russian troops, who patrol Armenia`s borders with Turkey and Iran. During the Georgian political crisis in November 2003, the Russian and Armenian defense ministers signed agreements deepening their military cooperation, and, a few days later, then Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov called Armenia `Russia`s only ally in the south.` Indeed, Georgia appears increasingly determined to remove itself from the Russian orbit, particularly after the recent crisis in Adzharia. And Russian relations with Azerbaijan, never particularly warm, remain dominated by oil concerns. Armenia is one of the relatively few former Soviet republics where Russian troops are welcomed and where they don`t have to rub shoulders with the U.S. military, such as in Georgia or Kyrgyzstan. On another front, Russia has staged what appears to be a benign takeover of a number of Armenia`s economic arteries. Virtually the entire Armenian energy sector is under Russian control, following the transfer last year of the management of Armenia`s critical nuclear power plant, and six hydroelectric plants, to UES as part of a broad equity-for-debt deal. Armenia receives its natural gas from Russia via Armrusgazprom, which is 45 percent owned by Gazprom. Rostelecom is a possible buyer of Armenia`s telephone monopoly. Russian financial institutions, often under ethnic Armenian management, are slowly moving into Armenia`s banking and insurance sectors. And with Russia one of Armenia`s largest trade partners, the health of the Armenian economy is closely linked to that of Russia`s, as the slowdown following the 1998 financial crisis demonstrated. Russia is the gray cardinal of the Armenian political scene, in contrast to the meager influence it exerts on domestic politics in most other CIS countries. Prior to Armenia`s February 2003 presidential election, President Robert Kocharyan made a pilgrimage to Moscow to receive the blessing of President Vladimir Putin; some analysts viewed the transfer of Armenia`s energy assets to Russia as a quid pro quo for Putin`s continued support. Indeed, the Armenian government is highly vulnerable to any disruption -- inadvertent or otherwise -- of the flow of energy resources from Russia, and works hard to stay in the good graces of the Kremlin. The close links between powerful members of the Armenian diaspora in Russia and Putin spurred rumors recently that Putin, now freed from the distraction of getting re-elected, might become more involved in Armenia`s domestic political scene to solidify Russia`s position in Armenia. In the meantime, Kocharyan seems to be taking a page out of Putin`s handbook on authoritarianism, tightening the state`s grip on the media, stifling dissent and otherwise trying to limit the scope for the evolution of a credible opposition. Armenia`s official foreign policy is to foster amicable relations without picking favorites -- a rational policy for a small, isolated nation flanked by unfriendly neighbors in an unstable region. Armenia leverages the political clout of the Armenian diaspora in the United States and, to a lesser degree, the European Union, to win governmental aid and assistance. It also hedges its military bets by participating in NATO Partnership for Peace exercises and lending quiet support to the American war on terror. U.S. and EU concerns in the region are focused on the politics of oil and pipelines in Azerbaijan and the Caspian area more generally -- with changes in Georgia now also jockeying for the limited attention that the West allots to the Caucasus. Meanwhile, efforts to deepen relations with southern neighbor Iran (such as through the construction of a natural gas pipeline) receive frosty glares from the West and a mixed reception from Russia. Russia is home to roughly 1.8 million Armenians -- compared with the official, and inflated, figure of 3.2 million inhabitants of Armenia proper -- who send home remittances of roughly $110 million every year (equivalent to 4 percent of GDP), according to the Armenian Foreign Ministry. Not surprisingly, there is no stigma attached to speaking Russian in Armenia, unlike elsewhere in the former Soviet bloc. Armenian dependence on Russia is steadily deepening, binding Armenia`s future -- for better or for worse -- all the more tightly to Russia. And as Russian influence in the CIS continues to erode, its role in Armenia serves as a pleasant, if Lilliputian, reminder of what it once had.
Kyrgyzstan Received Japanese Government Worth 15 million dollars
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, March 23: A grant agreement between Kyrgyzstan and World Bank is signed at the Ministry of Finance of Kyrgyzstan. Finance Minister Bolot Abildaev and WB Representative to Kyrgyzstan Chris Lovelave signed the document. Shusuke Watanabe, Charge`d d a`ffaires ad interim in the Kyrgyz Republic attended the signing ceremony on behalf of the Japanese Government. Finance Minister B. Abildaev expressed gratitude to the Japanese Government on behalf of the Kyrgyz Government for the support of socio-economic development of the Kyrgyz Republic. According to him, the main purpose of the agreement is to carry out preparatory works on WB Credit Programme `Subsidiary Credit for Poverty Reduction`, within the framework of WB`s Country Assistance Strategy for 2003-2006. It costs 15 million US dollars.
Azeri, Uzbek Ombudsmen Sign Cooperation Deal
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 22: Azerbaijan Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova received her Uzbek colleague Sayyora Rashidova on 22 March 2004. During the meeting, they exchanged views on the situation with human rights in both countries and their activities, according to Turan news agency. At the end of the meeting, the ombudsmen signed an agreement on cooperation.
Indian Ambassador Speaks On Uzbek-Indian Relations
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 22: Russian Pravda.ru published the interview of Indian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Sharat Sabharwal on Uzbek-Indian relations. The ambassador was interviewed by Indian journalist in Uzbekistan Aloke Shekhar. The following is the full text of interview posted at the web site of Pravda.ru. On March 1992 India and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations. The close friendly relations between Uzbekistan and India have their roots deep in history. The two countries share common values such as secularisms, tolerance and strong opposition to the forces of fundamentalism and terrorism. Uzbekistan and India have been working together in the interest of peace and stability in the region and well-being and prosperity of the people. The cooperation between the two friendly countries spans many areas such as economic and commercial, cultural, education and technical training in diverse disciplines, information technology, science and technology, agriculture and civil aviation etc. Having as many as 42 agreements to promote cooperation in the diverse fields. Recently Correspondent Aloke Shekhar met with the Indian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Sharat Sabharwal in Tashkent and had a special talk. Q. You have spent 1+ years in Uzbekistan already. How are you feeling yourself here? What kind of tasks have you fulfilled as Ambassador of India in Uzbekistan? A. Uzbekistan has high traditions of welcoming its guests. I am, therefore, overwhelmed by the warmth of the Uzbek hospitality. It has been my endeavour as Ambassador of my country to consolidate further the already existing friendly ties between Uzbekistan and India. In this task, I have received full cooperation of the Government and people of Uzbekistan. Q. What is the reason why Indian investors are less in Uzbekistan in comparison with other foreign investors? Is it true? A. Indian and Uzbek entrepreneurs have joined hands in the past in areas such as pharmaceuticals, hotels, tea packaging and garments etc. It is true that our joint ventures have not covered a number of other areas where possibilities exist. Uzbek entrepreneurs can make use of the considerable experience of the Indian industry in areas such as textiles (both cotton and silk), pharmaceuticals and hospital equipment, information technology and processing of agricultural produce, to name only a few. Indian businessmen have already shown an interest to invest in some of these areas. Q. Could you tell us whether high level visits are due to take place from India to Uzbekistan in 2004? A. Indo-Uzbek relations have been characterised by regular high level exchanges, including visits from both sides at the highest level. In 2003, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Higher and Secondary Specialised Education of Uzbekistan visited India and the Indian Ministers of External Affairs and Defence visited Uzbekistan. We hope to continue with this tradition of high-level exchanges in future. Q. Are there any special plans for strengthening cultural and economic relations between India and Uzbekistan in 2004? A. Cultural ties constitute an important pillar of our bilateral relationship. There is a very active Indian cultural Centre in Tashkent which, besides working closely with many Uzbek organisations, also conducts regular classes in Indian classical dance `Kathak`, Tabla, Yoga, Hindi and Indian studies. We propose to have an Indian cultural festival in Uzbekistan later in 2004. We have taken a number of initiatives to enhance our trade and economic relations with Uzbekistan which remain below their potential. Four major commercial delegations and several Indian businessmen have visited Uzbekistan in the last few months. The volume of our bilateral trade, that has remained in the past in the range of US$30 to US$40 million per annum, reached US$108.6 million in 2003, very largely in favour of Uzbekistan. I am sure that it will grow further in 2004. Four Indian Chambers of commerce and industry plan to hold exhibitions of Indian products and technology in Uzbekistan over the coming year. I may add that Uzbekistan Airways operates as many as eleven flights per week from India, carrying a large number of Indian passengers to destinations in Europe and America. Q. Last year, addressing a group of journalists you assured the forthcoming Indian film festival in Uzbekistan. Will it take place in 2004? A. I am aware of the popularity of Indian films and music in Uzbekistan. The Uzbek music is equally admired in India. A festival of Indian films will be part of the Indian Cultural festival that we propose to organise in Uzbekistan later in 2004. Q. Terrorism poses one of the biggest threats to the world community. Uzbekistan as well as India is suffering from this evil. How should we fight against terrorism? A. As pointed out by you, both Uzbekistan and India have been victims of terrorism well before the tragic events of 11 September 2001 brought this issue to the forefront of international agenda. Terrorism is today among the greatest challenges to tolerant and pluralistic societies and international stability. Terrorists have brought death and misery to countless innocent persons around the globe. There can be no justification for terrorist acts. Strong international cooperation is needed to fight this menace. International obligations to combat terrorism contained in various multilateral documents need to be strictly enforced. Both Uzbekistan and India have made an important contribution to the fight against international terrorism. We have a Joint Working Group to Combat International Terrorism and its first meeting took place in Tashkent in April 2003. Q. On 21 March Uzbekistan will observe its national festival Navroz. What will be your message to Uzbekistan on this occasion? A. On the festive occasion of Navroz, I would like to express my very best wishes to the people of Uzbekistan for success and happiness in the coming year. I would also like to reiterate our desire to strengthen further our all round cooperation with Uzbekistan. Q. It is no doubt that the visit of the Honourable Foreign Minister of India His Excellency Mr. Yashwant Sinha to Uzbekistan last year was a real success, but what concrete results did it produce? A. As rightly pointed out by you, the visit of the Minister of External Affairs of India to Uzbekistan in November 2003 made an important contribution to the further consolidation of our relations. The visit demonstrated yet again the close identity of views of the two countries on a number of regional and international issues. It was decided to enhance cooperation in a number of areas, particularly economic and commercial, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation. There was also identity of views on the need to develop new trade routes to reduce the distance between the markets of the two countries. Q. What would you tell us about cooperation between India and Uzbekistan in telecommunications, space, computer technologies and agriculture? A. India is in the forefront of developing and introducing cutting edge technologies. It is one of the world leaders in Information Technology and IT enabled services and one of only three countries to have indigenously built super computers. A number of top international companies obtain their software from India and our revenue from exports of IT and related services is expected to touch US$60 billion by 2008. India is one of the six countries that build and launch satellites and we plan to send a space craft to the moon in the next five years. There is potential for cooperation between Uzbekistan and India in these areas. Of the 110 Uzbek nationals going for short and medium term training in India every year under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC), nearly 50 to 60 per cent go for training in Information Technology related fields. The setting up of an Indian IT training centre in Uzbekistan is under discussion. We have also signed a Work Plan for cooperation in the area of agriculture in 2004. It covers important aspects such as rice and cotton crops, genetic improvement of cattle and improvement of agricultural machinery. Q. Mr. Ambassador, could you tell us a few words about your personal life and bio data. A. I hail from the Indian state of Punjab. I studied Economics and Political Science at the graduate level and Political Science at the postgraduate level. I did a short stint of about 2 years in an Indian bank before joining the Indian Foreign Service in 1975. Since then, I have worked at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi, twice at the Indian Mission to the United Nations in Geneva and the Indian Diplomatic Missions in Madagascar, France, Mauritius and Pakistan.
Saakashvili Seeking Normal Relations With Russia
Interfax
Tbilisi, March 22: Friendly relations with Russia are a key foreign political priority for Tbilisi, Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said on Monday while introducing new Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili to ministry personnel. `It is especially important to normalize relations with Russia, because it is a large partner and currently the main market for Georgia,` he said. `Not utilizing historical, cultural and humanitarian relations with that country is a crime,` the president stressed. `Strategic relations with the United States and maximum integration with Euro-Atlantic institutions are other priorities for Georgian foreign policy,` Saakashvili said. Zurabishvili said she had agreed to become the Georgian Foreign Minister `only because she hoped for building a new and strong state for Georgia.` She told Interfax after the ceremony that normal and neighborly relations with Russia were a primary priority of Georgian foreign policy.
Turkmen Oil Company Loses US Appeal
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, March 22: State oil company Turkmenneft lost an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court on 22 March seeking a reduction of a fine it incurred as a result of international arbitration with Argentina`s Bridas Corp., a Turkmen opposition site (http://www.watan.ru) reported the next day, citing a 22 March report by the Dow Jones news service. Turkmenneft had hoped to reduce by $200 million a fine of more than $500 million levied by an international arbitration court in connection with oil-and-gas field disputes in the early 1990s. Turkmenneft has mounted several unsuccessful legal challenges to the 2000 arbitration ruling.
Yakis: Georgia`s Territorial Integrity Important To Us
Turkish Daily News
Ankara, March 22: Yasar Yakis, a deputy from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), has said that Turkey attaches great importance to the territorial integrity of neighboring Georgia. Yakis was on an official visit to Georgia`s capital of Tbilisi following an easing of tensions between Georgia and the autonomous region of Adjaria. `The tension in Adjaria has been reduced; however, we asked officials if there was anything we, as Turkey, could do to contribute to a continuation of stability here. We discussed this issue during our talks.`
UN Gives Caspian States Deadline On Caviar Ban
The Moscow Times
Almaty, March 22: The wildlife-protection arm of the United Nations last week gave four post-Soviet Caspian countries three months to provide convincing evidence they are taking measures to protect the world`s last great population of sturgeon or face an international ban on caviar exports. Conservation enforcement agencies from the Geneva-based Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, known as CITES, said Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan needed to prove by June that they have complied with an agreement, signed in Paris in 2001, to protect the beluga, stellate and Russian sturgeon, which provide nearly all of the world`s caviar. `If we find that they had not fully complied, caviar trade involving these four countries would stop,` said John Sellar, the organization`s senior enforcement officer, by telephone from Geneva, where the three-day meeting took place.
GUUAM Ministerial Meeting Convenes In Baku
Radio Free Europe
Baku, March 22: A meeting of the GUUAM group`s national coordinating committee convened on 22 March in Baku, according to Baku Today. The meeting was attended by visiting officials from all GUUAM member states -- Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Moldova. A number of foreign ambassadors in Baku and representatives of international financial organizations also attended the opening session. According to Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov, the meeting agenda includes the security of GUUAM transport and energy routes; the promotion of trade and transport; frontier and customs control; and the planned establishment of a regional center to coordinate combating terrorism, organized crime, and narcotics trafficking.
Aliyev, Karimov To Discuss Regional Projects, Security
Itar-Tass
Baku, March 22: President Ilkham Aliyev of Azerbaijan left for Tashkent early on Tuesday morning for a two-day official visit, during which interaction in implementing joint regional projects will be among main subjects of discussion. Upon arriving in Tashkent, Aliyev is immediately to hold talks with President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan. At first the Heads of State will meet one-on-one and then the talks will be continued in a broader format, with the delegations of the two countries taking part. According to diplomatic sources here, the two Presidents are expected to discuss matters aimed to developing and strengthening bilateral cooperation, security in the South Caucasus and Central Asia, and the development of transportation corridors. As a result of the talks, the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are to sign a declaration on the strengthening of strategic cooperation.
Uzbekistan And India Establish Close Ties
Pravda
Tashkent, March 22: On March 1992 India and Uzbekistan established diplomatic relations. The close friendly relations between Uzbekistan and India have their roots deep in history. The two countries share common values such as secularisms, tolerance and strong opposition to the forces of fundamentalism and terrorism. Uzbekistan and India have been working together in the interest of peace and stability in the region and well being and prosperity of the people. The cooperation between the two friendly countries spans many areas such as economic and commercial, cultural, education and technical training in diverse disciplines, information technology, science and technology, agriculture and civil aviation etc. Having as many as 42 agreements to promote cooperation in the diverse fields. Recently Correspondent Aloke Shekhar met with the Indian Ambassador H.E. Mr. Sharat Sabharwal in Tashkent and had a special talk. Q. You have spent 1+ years in Uzbekistan already. How are you feeling yourself here? What kind of tasks have you fulfilled as Ambassador of India in Uzbekistan? A. Uzbekistan has high traditions of welcoming its guests. I am, therefore, overwhelmed by the warmth of the Uzbek hospitality. It has been my endeavor as Ambassador of my country to consolidate further the already existing friendly ties between Uzbekistan and India. In this task, I have received full cooperation of the Government and people of Uzbekistan. Q. What is the reason why Indian investors are less in Uzbekistan in comparison with other foreign investors ? Is it true ? A. Indian and Uzbek entrepreneurs have joined hands in the past in areas such as pharmaceuticals, hotels, tea packaging and garments etc. It is true that our joint ventures have not covered a number of other areas where possibilities exist. Uzbek entrepreneurs can make use of the considerable experience of the Indian industry in areas such as textiles (both cotton and silk), pharmaceuticals and hospital equipment, information technology and processing of agricultural produce, to name only a few. Indian businessmen have already shown an interest to invest in some of these areas. Q. Could you tell us whether high level visits are due to take place from India to Uzbekistan in 2004? A. Indo-Uzbek relations have been characterised by regular high level exchanges, including visits from both sides at the highest level. In 2003, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Higher and Secondary Specialised Education of Uzbekistan visited India and the Indian Ministers of External Affairs and Defence visited Uzbekistan. We hope to continue with this tradition of high level exchanges in future. Q. Are there any special plans for strengthening cultural and economic relations between India and Uzbekistan in 2004? A. Cultural ties constitute an important pillar of our bilateral relationship. There is a very active Indian cultural Centre in Tashkent which, besides working closely with many Uzbek organizations, also conducts regular classes in Indian classical dance `Kathak`, Tabla, Yoga, Hindi and Indian studies. We propose to have an Indian cultural festival in Uzbekistan later in 2004. We have taken a number of initiatives to enhance our trade and economic relations with Uzbekistan which remain below their potential. Four major commercial delegations and several Indian businessmen have visited Uzbekistan in the last few months. The volume of our bilateral trade, that has remained in the past in the range of $30 to $40 million per annum, reached $108.6 million in 2003, very largely in favor of Uzbekistan. I am sure that it will grow further in 2004. Four Indian Chambers of commerce and industry plan to hold exhibitions of Indian products and technology in Uzbekistan over the coming year. I may add that Uzbekistan Airways operates as many as eleven flights per week from India, carrying a large number of Indian passengers to destinations in Europe and America. Q. Last year, addressing a group of journalists you assured the forthcoming Indian film festival in Uzbekistan. Will it take place in 2004? A. I am aware of the popularity of Indian films and music in Uzbekistan. The Uzbek music is equally admired in India. A festival of Indian films will be part of the Indian Cultural festival that we propose to organize in Uzbekistan later in 2004. Q. Terrorism poses one of the biggest threats to the world community. Uzbekistan as well as India is suffering from this evil. How should we fight against terrorism? A. As pointed out by you, both Uzbekistan and India have been victims of terrorism well before the tragic events of September 11, 2001 brought this issue to the forefront of international agenda. Terrorism is today among the greatest challenges to tolerant and pluralistic societies and international stability. Terrorists have brought death and misery to countless innocent persons around the globe. There can be no justification for terrorist acts. Strong international cooperation is needed to fight this menace. International obligations to combat terrorism contained in various multilateral documents need to be strictly enforced. Both Uzbekistan and India have made an important contribution to the fight against international terrorism. We have a Joint Working Group to Combat International Terrorism and its first meeting took place in Tashkent in April 2003. Q. On March 21 Uzbekistan will observe its national festival Navroz. What will be your message to Uzbekistan on this occasion? A. On the festive occasion of Navroz, I would like to express my very best wishes to the people of Uzbekistan for success and happiness in the coming year. I would also like to reiterate our desire to strengthen further our all round cooperation with Uzbekistan. Q. It is no doubt that the visit of the Hon`ble Foreign Minister of India His Excellency Mr. Yashwant Sinha to Uzbekistan last year was a real success, but what concrete results did it produce? A. As rightly pointed out by you, the visit of the Minister of External Affairs of India to Uzbekistan in November 2003 made an important contribution to the further consolidation of our relations. The visit demonstrated yet again the close identity of views of the two countries on a number of regional and international issues. It was decided to enhance cooperation in a number of areas, particularly economic and commercial, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation. There was also identity of views on the need to develop new trade routes to reduce the distance between the markets of the two countries. Q. What would you tell us about cooperation between India and Uzbekistan in telecommunications, space, computer technologies and agriculture ? A. India is in the forefront of developing and introducing cutting edge technologies. It is one of the world leaders in Information Technology and IT enabled services and one of only three countries to have indigenously built super computers. A number of top international companies obtain their software from India and our revenue from exports of IT and related services is expected to touch $60 billion by 2008. India is one of the six countries that build and launch satellites and we plan to send a space craft to the moon in the next five years. There is potential for cooperation between Uzbekistan and India in these areas. Of the 110 Uzbek nationals going for short and medium term training in India every year under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC), nearly 50 to 60 per cent go for training in Information Technology related fields. The setting up of an Indian IT training centre in Uzbekistan is under discussion. We have also signed a Work Plan for cooperation in the area of agriculture in 2004. It covers important aspects such as rice and cotton crops, genetic improvement of cattle and improvement of agricultural machinery. Q. Mr. Ambassador, could you tell us a few words about your personal life and bio data. A. I hail from the Indian state of Punjab. I studied Economics and Political Science at the graduate level and Political Science at the post graduate level. I did a short stint of about 2 years in an Indian bank before joining the Indian Foreign Service in 1975. Since then, I have worked at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi, twice at the Indian Mission to the United Nations in Geneva and the Indian Diplomatic Missions in Madagascar, France, Mauritius and Pakistan.
Iran To Increase Investment In Kazakhstan
Interfax
Almaty, March 22: Iran plans to increase investment in the Kazakh economy, which currently amounts to $50 million, Iranian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Murtazo Saffori said. `In the future we will be witnesses to a significant increase in Iranian investment,` Saffori said at a press conference in Almaty on Saturday. `We have the potential to increase trade,` the diplomat said. `We have already started new joint projects in construction, industry and trade,` he said. Trade between the two countries in 2002, not including oil supplied from Kazakhstan to Iran under a swap scheme, amounted to over $400 million, Saffori said. He also said that Kazakhstan exports much more to Iran than it imports. The ambassador said that 137 Iranian companies are actively working in Kazakhstan.
Armenia-Iran Pipeline May Be Extended To Ukraine, EU
Interfax
Yerevan, March 21: The Iran-Armenia gas pipeline, for which a construction agreement should be signed in the near future, may be extended through Georgia to Ukraine and on to the European Union, Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisyan told Interfax. He said that the possibility has not been ruled out of laying a pipeline from Iran through Armenia and Georgia an onwards along the Black Sea bed to Ukraine. `After the Blue Stream project, the construction of long marine pipelines is no longer a fantasy,` the minister said He said that the supply of gas from Iran to the Ukrainian and European markets is in line with these countries` plans to find access to alternative natural gas supplies. Iran, Turkmenistan and, above all, the European Union, wants this. Europe hopes to build a pipeline to its territory through Armenia, with Iranian and Turkmenistani gas. But this will involve serious and long negotiations, involving other countries that now receive Russian gas,` Movsisyan said.
Fribourg Puts Central Asia In The Picture
NZZ Online
Bishkek, March 21: This year`s Fribourg International Film Festival is offering a rare glimpse of Central Asia, with 50 movies from former Soviet-bloc nations tracing the region`s tumultuous recent history. The festival, which starts on Sunday, focuses once again on films from emerging countries, with a host of premieres from Latin America and Africa. One of the most talked-about films of the week-long event is likely to be `Memoria del saqueo` (`Memories of a sacking`), an uncompromising look at former Argentine President Carlos Menem`s years in office. In his film, director Fernando Solanas lays the blame for the country`s economic collapse squarely at Menem`s door, accusing him of plundering national resources. Solanas`s film, which will premiere in Fribourg, is being screened alongside a series of other films focusing on the Latin American country`s economic woes. `There`ll be seven documentaries from Argentina, all raw, very low budget productions which sometimes give a shocking insight into what`s going on in Argentina today,` said Jodok Kobelt, the festival`s spokesman. One of them, `Brukman: Control Obrero` (`Brukman: Workers` control`), documents an industrial strike in 2001 which has since come to symbolise the economic crisis. Striking images of Argentina will also be on display at an exhibition of photographs, staged as part of the festival. Propaganda Fribourg is also giving audiences an insight into Central Asia, with a series of films from the former Soviet republics of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Azerbaijani Defense Minister To Visit U.S.
Interfax
Baku, March 21: Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev will go to Washington on March 20 for an official visit at the Pentagon`s invitation, the Defense Ministry`s press service told Interfax. Abiyev is scheduled to hold talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other high-ranking American military and political officials. The negotiations will consider the development of military cooperation, joint efforts in fighting international terrorism, and Azerbaijan`s involvement in the peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The talks are expected to result in the signing of a number of documents.
Turkish Delegation Visits Tbilisi, Batumi
Radio Free Europe
Tbilisi, March 21: Two former Turkish government ministers met on 20 March in Tbilisi with President Saakashvili at the behest of the Turkish government to offer Ankara`s assistance in improving relations between the central Georgian authorities and Abashidze, ITAR-TASS reported. Former Turkish Foreign Minister Yasir Yakis told journalists after those talks that although the 1921 Treaty of Kars, under which Turkey pledged to protect Adjaria, remains in force, Ankara would never deploy troops to the region to back Abashidze in a future standoff with Tbilisi, ITAR-TASS reported. The former ministers met with Abashidze in Batumi on 21 March.
Putin, Saakashvili Hold Telephone Conversation
Interfax
Moscow, March 21: Russian and Georgian Presidents Vladimir Putin and Mikheil Saakashvili held a telephone conversation on Sunday, Putin`s press secretary Alexei Gromov told Interfax. During the conversation, Saakashvili `expressed his gratitude to Russia for its contribution to settling problems in Georgia and Transcaucasia as a whole,` Gromov said. Putin told Saakashvili that he welcomes the success in finding a political solution to the dispute surrounding the autonomous republic of Ajaria.
President Of Azerbaijan Due To Arrive In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 21: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev and his spouse will pay a two-day visit to Uzbekistan on 23-24 March 2004. The Azeri delegation is planning to discuss with the leadership of Uzbekistan the current state and perspectives of bilateral cooperation, geopolitical situation in the regions of Southern Caucasus and Central Asia, as well as cooperation within international organisations. Uzbek President Islam Karimov and his Azeri counterpart Ilham Aliev will hold a face-to-face meeting and participate in expanded negotiations on 23 March. Uzbek and Azeri officials are expected to sign several documents, including a declaration on further strengthening of strategic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, a consular convention, an agreement on scientific-technical cooperation, a protocol on amendments to the agreement on free trade zone between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan (1996), a protocol on cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries and a protocol on cooperation between administrations of Tashkent and Baku.
Iran Expects Kazakh Oil Supplies To Double
Interfax
Almaty, March 20: Iran expects oil supplies from Kazakhstan to double from 50,000 to 100,000 barrels per day under a swap scheme over the next two months, Iranian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Murzato Saffori said at a press conference in Almaty on Saturday. The ambassador also said that the increase in supplies would be achieved under existing agreements and by signing new contracts. The ambassador said that the Iranian side plans to sign three new agreements soon to swap oil with companies operating in Kazakhstan. However, he did not name these companies and said only that they include Kazakh and foreign companies. The diplomat said that in 2003 oil supplies from Kazakhstan amounted to 50,000 bpd, of which KazMunaiGaz accounted for 30,000 bpd and PetroKazakhstan - 20,000 bpd.
Signing Of Turkmen - Uzbek Gas Deal Again Postponed
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, March 20: Following a telephone conversation between Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov and his Ukrainian counterpart Leonid Kuchma, the latter`s press service said on 20 March that his planned visit to Ashgabat to sign a long-term agreement on supplies of Turkmen natural gas to Ukraine has now been scheduled for early May, ITAR-TASS reported. In December, the two presidents agreed that Kuchma`s visit should take place in February; then, on 28 January, they postponed it until April.
Ukraine, Turkmenistan Intend To Sign Agreement On Gas Supplies
Itar-Tass
Kiev, March 20: Ukraine and Turkmenistan intend to sign a long-term agreement on gas supplies. During a telephone conversation, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and his Turkmen counterpart Saparmurat Niyazov discussed cooperation between the two countries, including in the energy sector, the presidential press service reported on Saturday. Kuchma and Niyazov agreed that the Ukrainian president would visit Turkmenistan at the beginning of May for signing a long-term agreement on Turkmen gas supplies to Ukraine. Turkmenistan supplied gas to Ukraine under an inter-governmental agreement for 2002-2006. The inter-governmental agreement was signed in 2001.
Turkmenistan: RSF Slams Country`s Press Freedom Record
IRIN News
Ankara, March 25: Turkmenistan, the most reclusive Central Asian state, has one of the worst records in the world for freedom of expression, according to an official of the Paris-based media freedom watchdog, Reporters Without Borders (RSF). `There is no press freedom. There is no independent press and all newspapers and TVs, etc. are used for propaganda purposes. It is totally under state control. So, even [when] comparing [it] to all the world`s countries it is among the worst,` Caroline Giraud of RSF`s Europe desk told IRIN from Paris. RSF criticised the restricted access to information within the former Soviet republic, including limited access to the internet, adding that Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty`s (RFE/RL) Turkmen service and Russian media services were the main sources of information available. `This is like breathing for the population of Turkmenistan,` stated Giraud, noting that there was no international media presence in the country. `Media such as the BBC or Deutsche Welle report on Turkmenistan, but they broadcast from outside of course. They do not have correspondents in the country, because they cannot operate inside,` the RSF official said. Moreover, following a further crackdown, many local journalists who could report on the current situation in Turkmenistan for the international community had left for Russia, Europe or the USA, leaving an information gap.
Media Watchdogs Pessimistic About New Press Law
Kazakhstan News
Ankara, March 25: Media and rights groups are painting a gloomy picture of the possible consequences of the new Kazakh press law, describing it as a step backward for freedom of expression in the Central Asian state. `I think this law will seriously complicate the situation of freedom of speech in Kazakhstan,` Yevgeni Zhovtis, head of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law (KIBHRRL), told IRIN from the Kazakh commercial capital, Almaty. `This law puts all Kazakh media under the strict control of the state. It restricts the activity of those media outlets that don`t only praise authorities and gives a lot of levers to the government to persecute, even eliminate, `disagreeable` independent media,` Tamara Kaleeva, head of Adil Soz, a local media freedom watchdog, told IRIN from Almaty. Their comments follow a series of recent appeals from both international and national media groups urging the Kazakh leadership to cancel the controversial media law that was approved by the country`s parliament on 18 March. The date also coincided with the appeal of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) and the World Editors Forum (WEF), international bodies dealing with media freedom, to Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev to veto the new law. To become effective the law needs to be signed by Nazarbaev.
Saakashvili Says Ajaria May Use Mercenary Fighters
Interfax
Tbilisi, March 24: Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili told the press on Wednesday that he is aware of Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze`s intention to bring mercenary fighters from Chechnya and Ukraine to Ajaria. `I am warning Aslan Abashidze that if a single Chechen turns up in Ajaria and we receive information about it, this will turn out tragically for those who act against Georgia,` Saakashvili said. He admitted that agreements with Abashidze on relieving tensions surrounding Ajaria `are being implemented, even though it`s an uphill battle.`
40 Surface-to-air Rockets Found On Georgian-Russian Border
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, March 23: A weapons cache containing 40 surface-to-air missiles and 20 makeshift launchers have been found inside Georgia on the border with Russia. The operation was carried out by a crack police unit, the Georgian Interior Minister Georgy Baramidze said. Speaking at a news briefing in Tbilisi on Tuesday the minister said the arsenal was inside the basement of a semi-finished building. `There is no doubt the missiles belonged to groups of Chechen militants, who had moved them to Georgia several years ago, but have been unable to take it back to Chechnya.`
Adzharian Police Begin Confiscation Of Weapons From Civilians
Itar-Tass
Batumi, March 23: The criminal police in Georgia`s Adzharian autonomy have begun confiscation of firearms from civilians. The chief of the Adzharian Interior Ministry`s press-service, David Gergedava has said `the local people since 1992 have accumulated a big amount of unregistered firearms.` `Many weapons have been confiscated already,` he said. Since March 19, the next day after Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili`s talks with the Adzharian leader Aslan Abashidze in Batumi no plainclothes gunmen have been seen on the autonomy`s streets and roads. A source in the criminal police has said the residents of a small village on the administrative border near the bridge across the Choloki River still keep some 30 automatic rifles.
Kyrgyzstan: Chechens Rail Against Police
Institute for War & Peace Reporting
Bishkek, March 20: Law enforcement agencies accused of not investigating serious crimes committed against the minority. Ethnic Chechens in Kyrgyzstan have taken to the streets in protest at the police`s perceived reluctance to investigate crimes against their community. On March 11, more than 40 Chechen women picketed Kyrgyz government offices after the murder three days earlier of Chechen businessman Balaudin Mazhedov, who was the victim of a drive-by shooting on a busy Bishkek street. Luiza Khadalova, of the Chechen Mothers` Committee, which organised the protest, told the media that they want to draw the authorities` attention to the fact that nobody has yet been arrested in connection with any of 13 murder cases opened since 1999. Many of the victims` relatives have lost faith in the law enforcement agencies to the extent that they have started investigating the killings themselves, she added. Petr Tyablin, deputy head of internal affairs department of Bishkek, rejected claims that the police were not bothering to look into crimes against Chechens. `There is no reason to suspect police prejudice,` he told the media on March 12. Analysts, however, say that the media`s portrayal of Chechens as militants and criminals is probably colouring police attitudes to the community.
CIS Foreign Minister Discussing Non-proliferation Of WMD
Kabar Agency
Minsk, March 26: The problems of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their carriers are discussing at a regular session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CIS in Minsk (Belarus). Minister of Foreign Affairs Askar Aitmatov represents Kyrgyzstan at the session. The head of the foreign diplomatic department of Kyrgyzstan will meet with his new Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. The Russian Foreign Ministry`s spokesman Alexander Yakovenko declared that this main theme had been suggested by Russia, as it is of high importance for the national security of both Russia and other CIS countries. Additionally, questions of multilateral cooperation in law enforcement will be considered during the session.
Rosenergoatom To Invest $800 Mln In Nuclear Plant Development
Interfax
Almaty, March 25: Rosenergoatom plans to invest $800 million in developing and building nuclear plants in Russia in 2004, Anatoly Kirichenko, director of the company`s international department, told Interfax. Kirichenko is currently in Kazakhstan as part of a delegation of managers from large Russian nuclear organizations. This visit, which will last until March 27, was organized as part of Russian Year in Kazakhstan. Kirichenko said that Rosenergoatom annually invests up to $1 billion in developing and building nuclear power plants. He said that the company used `exclusively` state funds on these projects, although it is interested in other sources of financing also. `We do not yet have the civilized mechanism in place in developed countries whereby nuclear power plants are built using credits, borrowed funds and investment from private companies,` he said. He said that in August-September 2004 the company plans to launch power-producing unit No. 3 at Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant and that this year work will continue on units at Kursk and Volgodonsk nuclear plants. Kirichenko added that over the next 15 years the company plans to launch a total of 10 nuclear power-producing units.
Tajikistan`s Plutonium Scare
Institute for War & Peace Reporting
Dushanbe, March 20: Police foil an attempt to smuggle weapons-grade nuclear material for sale in Afghanistan or Pakistan. The arrest of three men arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle plutonium through Tajikistan has highlighted concerns about the security of the republic`s borders. Officials estimate the black market value of the seized plutonium -a nuclear element produced from uranium and used to make weapons as well as in power stations - at more than 20,000 US dollars. According to the Tajik Drugs Control Agency, DCA, this amount of plutonium is far too small to make a nuclear bomb, but analysts agree that it is more than sufficient to make a so-called dirty bomb, in which radioactive material is spread by conventional explosives. The tiniest amounts used in such a bomb would cause cancers and render the blast area uninhabitable for years. Defence analysts have long considered Tajikistan to be the weakest link on the long-established smuggling route linking Afghanistan with Russia and western Europe. A recent series of attacks blamed on Islamic extremists has heightened fears that a `dirty bomb` could be constructed using plutonium smuggled through Central Asia. The DCA say that a man arrested on March 15 - who was identified only as a 50-year-old resident of the city of Fergana in Uzbekistan - has confessed under questioning that he was intending to sell the plutonium to potential buyers in Afghanistan or Pakistan. The republic`s security ministry launched an investigation when two Tajik citizens were arrested two days later on suspicion of aiding the alleged smuggler. The DCA - a government agency set up in 1999 with the help of the United Nations to tackle drugs trafficking - arrested the man as he travelled from northern Tajikistan to Dushanbe. Although the arrest was conducted by DCA, those arrested were handed over to the Tajik security ministry, which is responsible for cases such as these. If found guilty, the men face between six and eight years imprisonment.
USAID, PSI Launch Youth Centre To Prevent Drug Use
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, March 26: On March 25, Director of the United States Agency for International Development Regional Mission George Deikun participated in a press conference to launch the USAID-funded health promotion programme, which is being implemented by Population Services International (PSI). The US government, through USAID and its partners, stands ready to help the governments of Central Asia build on their existing programmes against drugs, drug addiction and HIV/AIDS. PSI is one of the key partners of the Alliance for Open Society International (AOSI) in implementing the Drug Demand Reduction Programme (DDRP), a five-year programme funded by USAID. A cornerstone of the new programme is a regional network of Youth Centres in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan devoted to providing various services for at-risk youth that will empower them to make informed, healthy choices about drugs and other issues in their lives.
Turkmenistan Joins UN Anti-drug Operation
Itar-Tass
Dushanbe, March 26: Turkmenistan for the first time decided to take part in a U.N. operation against drug smuggling from Afghanistan, visiting head of the regional U.N. anti-drug and organised crime department James Callahan told Tass on Friday. He said Turkmenistan`s authorities and the U.N. anti-drug structures had got down to implementation of a one million-dollar anti-drug project on the Turkmen-Afghan border. Callahan said the project envisages monitoring of the Turkmen-Afghan border, strengthening of the infrastructure of border troops and their training. In early March, the U.N. expressed its concern about inadequate information on the situation with drugs in Turkmenistan and called on Ashgabad to cooperate with international anti-drug organisations. According to official data, during two previous years Turkmen police seized just about 200 kilos of drugs, a half of which was heroin.
On Kazakhstan Border, Russian Customs Officers Detain Large Batch Of Narcotics
RIA Novosti
Moscow, March 22: On the Russia-Kazakhstan border the attempt to smuggle 35 kilogrammes of heroin and over 40 kilogrammes of marijuana has been prevented, RIA Novosti learnt from the press service of the customs agency. `The heroin was found during a customs inspection at the international automobile checkpoint Mashtakovo of the Orenburg customs house (the Volga customs agency) inside a Vaz-2108 car`, reads the press service communique, which has come to hand at RIA Novosti. According to customs officials, the car, driven by a resident of Samara (a large city on the Volga) was making from Kazakhstan to Russia. A hundred plastic bags with the drugs were hidden in the passenger compartment and the boot. `The smugglers has been detained and a criminal case initiated`, the press service says.
Special Focus Domestic Inconsistencies In Azerbaijan Ever since then Azerbaijani parliament speaker Heidar Aliyev returned to power in his native Azerbaijan following the collapse of the Popular Front government in June 1993, relations between the Azerbaijani authorities and the opposition (and independent media) have been tense and inimical.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp32104.shtml As Ajarian Leader Backpedals, Saakashvili Threatens To Revive Economic Blockade
After a few days of relative peace between Ajaria and Tbilisi, tension is again on the rise. Ajaria`s regional leader, Aslan Abashidze, appears to be backpedaling from an agreement reached with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on the division of powers between the central and regional government.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav032204a.shtml Turkey Concerned Georgian - Ajarian Tension Could Disrupt Regional Pipeline Plans
One country keenly watching developments in Georgia`s renegade region of Ajaria is Turkey, which has strong political and economic ties to both Tbilisi and Batumi. The fear in Ankara is that tension between Tbilisi and Batumi poses a potential threat to key economic interests, including a vital pipeline.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav032304.shtml Central Asian Militant Group Remains Active In Pakistan
The Pakistani military`s ongoing offensive in tribal areas near the country`s border with Afghanistan has turned up evidence that a Central Asian militant group, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, remains active. Pakistani generals also indicate that government troops may have narrowly missed capturing Tahir Yuldashev, the IMU`s leading commander.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav032404.shtml Central Asia: The Week At A Glance
A high-profile official visit topped the regional agenda, as EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten traveled through Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Patten met with the presidents of all four countries, carefully accentuating the positive while sounding the occasional critical note.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav032404a.shtml De-escalation In Adjaria: Success For Georgia`s New Government
President Saakashvili confronted his first direct challenge when forced to handle the recalcitrant Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze. The Georgian government showed improved coordination, heightened resolve and increased flexibility in handling the crisis. Politically, President Mikheil Saakashvili scored a major success by pressuring the unruly Adjarian leader into concessions that may lead to the democratization of the autonomous republic.
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http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=2224 Will Washington Cut Off Tashkent?
In its dealings with Uzbekistan, the Bush Administration faces a quandary with long-standing roots in U.S. history. On the one hand, Uzbekistan`s strategic collaboration with America in the global war on terrorism is regarded as exemplary and American forces want to retain use of the air base at Karshi-Khanabad.
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http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=2225 The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Moves Into First Gear
China is keen to increase the SCO`s profile as an instrument for promoting its economic influence in the region, under the guise of moving towards creation of a free trade zone. SCO`s decision to establish its anti-terrorist center in Tashkent provides both China and Russia with a security presence in Uzbekistan.
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http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=2226 Saakashvili, Abashidze Back On Collision Course In Georgia
With Georgia`s parliamentary vote only days away, President Mikhail Saakashvili and his nemesis, Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze, appear to be back on a collision course. Renewed confrontation in Ajaria is decreasing the odds that the parliamentary vote will succeed in promoting stability in Georgia.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav032504.shtml US Strategic Priorities Shifting In Central Asia
US strategic priorities are shifting in Central Asia, raising the likelihood that the United States will establish a long-term presence in the region. Under the Bush administration`s still-developing plans, US military forces hope to maintain small-scale outposts in Uzbekistan, and possibly Kyrgyzstan.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav032504a.shtml Will Georgia`s Parliamentary Vote Succeed In Consolidating Victory