Saakashvili Vows To Restore Georgia`s Integrity During His Term
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, June 25: Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has promised that the country`s territorial integrity will be restored during his presidency. Speaking in a live broadcast on Tbilisi`s Rustavi-2 television channel Friday evening Saakashvili said, `May nobody demand the restoration of the country`s unity over six weeks, one must have patience. I am saying with certainty that during my presidency Georgia`s territorial integrity will be restored. I am referring not to a ten-year period, but to my first presidential term.` Under the Constitution the Georgian president is elected for a five years. The same person can be elected president only for two terms. Saakashvili took office last January. Saakashvili pointed out that the Georgian leadership was determined to resolve the problem of restoring the country`s territorial integrity by peaceful means.
Saakashvili Says They Won`t Persecute Diana Abashidze
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, June 25: None is going to persecute Diana Abashidze, daughter of former Adzharian leader Aslan Abashidze, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said in a live program of the Tbilisi-based Rustavi 2 television channel on Friday. `None should take the recent interrogation of Diana Abashidze about the origin of her property in Batumi as an attempt to persecute her. Such claims are absolutely unfounded,` the president said. Diana Abashidze visited Batumi on June 20-25 to attend a death anniversary of her mother. During the last three days of her visit the financial police questioned Diana as a witness to the debt of companies belonging to her and other members of the Abashidze family to the state budget.
New Communist Party For Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan News
Astana, June 25: A new communist party courting younger voters has been established in Kazakhstan, the TCA news agency reported Friday. The new group is called the People`s Communist Party of Kazakhstan, or KNPK and it already claims 70,000 members in the vast, steppe-land nation of 15 million people, Khabar television reported. The new group, headed by Vladislav Kosarev, emerged from a split with the long-established Communist Party of Kazakhstan led by Serikbolsyn Abdildin. The KNPK claims a far younger membership than the older Communist Party of Kazakhstan had. Twelve percent of KNPK members are younger than 25 and 35 percent are younger than 40, the Kazinform news agency said.
Kyrgyz Muslim Board Opens Website
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, June 24: The Religious Board of Kyrgyzstan`s Muslims unveiled its website to journalists in Bishkek on 24 June, akipress.org reported. A spokesman said the Russian-language site (http://dumk.host.net.kg), which was set up with the help of the U.S. State Department`s Internet Access and Training Program, will provide information on the board`s activities and make available materials on Islamic values.
My Father Won`t Pay Georgia A Dime - Diana Abashidze
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, June 24: Daughter of the former Adzharian leader Aslan Abashidze, Diana, is strongly against her father paying a single dime of the sum the Georgian authorities have demanded from him in tax arrears. `I will personally prohibit my father from paying anything, I`d rather agree to be under arrest, than allow him to pay,` Diana Abashidze told reporters. Georgian financial police have been questioning Diana Abashidze for a third day running over the alleged debts of the Abashidze family-owned enterprises to the Georgian state treasury. Financial police chief David Kezerashvili argues the Abashidze-controlled companies owe Georgia an equivalent of 20.8 million dollars.
Kyrgyz Opposition Party Charges State Persecution
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, June 24: The opposition Ar-Namys party has accused Kyrgyz authorities of stepping up their harassment of Ar-Namys activists in the gradual lead-up to 2005 presidential and parliamentary elections, akipress.org reported. A statement by the party`s Political Council charges that local party organizer Darman Jorobekov was arrested without cause and beaten on 22 June. Citing other instances of harassment, the party appealed officially to the Prosecutor-General`s Office and Interior Ministry to halt the `groundless arrests, beatings, and persecution of our members and their relatives.`
OSCE To Send Observers To Kazakh Elections
Radio Free Europe
Astana, June 24: Robert Barry, head of the OSCE`s ODIHR Election Observer Mission, announced on 24 June in Astana that the OSCE will send observers to monitor Kazakhstan`s 19 September elections to the Majilis, or lower house of parliament, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. The remarks came in the course of a meeting with Majilis speaker Zharmakhan Tuyakbai. According to Barry, the OSCE will send 20-30 long-term observers to monitor the entire election process and then 200-300 observers to watch polling places on election day.
Moscow Calls On Georgian Authorities To Free Abashidze`s Daughter
Interfax
Moscow, June 23: Moscow has called on the Georgian authorities to take measures to release Diana Abashidze, the daughter of former Ajarian leader Aslan Abashidze, from house arrest, says a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry released on the Ministry`s website on Wednesday. `Moscow is counting on the Georgian authorities to take measures to free Diana Abashidze and prevent the persecution of Aslan Abashidze and members of his family,` the message says. `According to the information we are receiving, the daughter of the former head of the Ajarian autonomous republic, Diana Abashidze, who came to Batumi on the one-year anniversary of her mother`s death, was detained and put under house arrest in Batumi,` the message says.
Kazakhs Ease Law
The Moscow Times
Astana, June 23: Kazakhstan`s parliament on Wednesday approved a bill that decriminalizes some offenses and reduces punishment for others. The move comes as Astana tries to speed up reforms and improve its human rights record in a bid to boost its chances of chairing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2009.
Tajik Parliament Exempts Print Media From VAT
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, June 23: The Majlisi Namoyandagon, or lower house of parliament, voted on 23 June to exempt print media, children`s literature, fiction, scientific and technical literature, and textbooks from the value-added tax, Asia Plus-Blitz reported. Usmon Sabzov, a member of the Budget, Finance, and Taxes Committee, told the news agency that the changes to the Tax Code were made in response to President Imomali Rakhmonov`s address to Tajik intellectuals in March. Newspaper editors offered differing reactions. Rajab Mirzo, editor in chief of `Ruzi Nav,` told RFE/RL`s Tajik Service that the changes will mainly benefit printers and importers of printing equipment and supplies.
Kyrgyz First Lady Published Chinese Version Of Her Book
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, June 23: A ceremony was held Wednesday in Beijing for the first publication of Kyrgyz first lady Mayram Akayeva`s book in Chinese. The book, titled `Great People in My Mind`, was published in China by the China Women`s Publishing House. M. Akayeva collected stories on about 20 people who have made great contributions to the world civilization. Two Chinese are included, who are Confucius, founder of Confucianism, and Cai Lun, inventor of the paper-making art. M. Akayeva, wife of Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev, has visited China many times and has been devoted to exchange activities and mutual understanding between Kyrgyzstan and China.
Tajik Party Head Urges Election Law Veto
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, June 22: Mahmudruzi Iskandarov, chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan, urged President Imomali Rakhmonov on 22 June to veto a recently passed bill amending the country`s election law, Avesta reported. The agency quoted Iskandarov as saying, `We have every hope that before signing the election law, President Rakhmonov will send it back for reworking, and those aspects that parliament passed over and [political] parties were unhappy with will be taken into account.`
President Niyazov Did Not Attend Gala Concert As All Songs On The Programme Were Devoted To Him
RIA Novosti
Ashgabat, June 22: President Saparmurat Niyazov of Turkmenistan had chosen not to go to the gala concert devoted to the 12th anniversary of his presidency as all the songs on the concert programme were about him. Mr Niyzov announced his decision when he spoke on the national television yesterday night. `Please, stop complimenting me. I cannot attend conferences and concerts because of that. It is difficult to listen to songs about myself,` said President Niyazov. `Greetings should be addressed to the whole nation. I find it difficult to listen to continuous praising,` `I am a manager, while the people of Turkmenistan work, create, build,` emphasised Mr Niyazov. `I promise to attend concerts if there is less praising at them,` said the president.
Armenian Opposition Outlines Proposed New Tactics
Radio Free Europe
Yerevan, June 21: Viktor Dallakian, a leading member of the opposition Artarutiun alliance, told RFE/RL`s Armenian Service on 21 June that the bloc will decide on 23 June on proposals from its supporters both in Yerevan and elsewhere to collect signatures in support of its demand for the resignation of President Robert Kocharian. He argued that collecting 2 million signatures would demonstrate that the current leadership `does not enjoy popular trust.` The total Armenian population is 3,211,400. At the same time, Dallakian admitted that any such campaign would be largely symbolic, as the Armenian Constitution does not provide for the holding of a referendum of confidence in the head of state.
New Kazakh Communist Party Registered
Radio Free Europe
Astana, June 21: Party leader Vladislav Kosarev told Kazakhstan`s parliament on 21 June that the People`s Communist Party of Kazakhstan (KNPK) has been officially registered, Khabar television reported. The party, which claims 70,000 members, emerged from a split with the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, which is headed by Serikbolsyn Abdildin. Twelve percent of KNPK members are younger than 25, and 34 percent are younger than 40, Kazinform reported. The party plans to take part in fall parliamentary elections. The registration of the KNPK brings to 12 the number of officially registered political parties in Kazakhstan.
Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov Says Ashamed Of Glorification
Itar-Tass
Ashgabat, June 21: Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov told his government to stop spreading his personality cult. `You praise me too much. I am upset when all the achievements of the epoch of independent Turkmenistan are linked only to my name. In reality they are the merits of the whole Turkmen people`, the president said late Monday while receiving congratulations with the 12th anniversary of his election as the head of state. `The glorifying odes make me wish the earth could swallow me up. Each song is about me. Shame makes me look aside`, Niyazov conceded.
Turkmen Leader Considering Elections
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, June 21: Niyazov told senior military and law-enforcement officials on 21 June that he will address the issue of future presidential elections in the fall, Turkmen TV reported. Niyazov said, `The presidential election has passed. God willing, we will hold another in the future. I will tell you about it when the time comes at the Council of Elders in the fall. One person should not be president all the time, but because I am the first president, I am at the source of all work.` Niyazov also took the opportunity to dispute allegations that Turkmenistan`s Russian minority suffers discrimination, RIA-Novosti reported.
Saakashvili`s Party Gets 28 Of 30 Ajarian Parliament`s Seats
Interfax
Batumi, June 21: The party Mikheil Saakashvili- Triumphant Ajaria received 28 of the 30 seats in the Ajarian Supreme Council in the elections on Friday, General Secretary of Georgia`s ruling party, United National Movement-Democrats, Georgy Arveladze told a briefing in Batumi. `The Ajarian people`s support of the president`s team at the elections requires that we make every possible effort to fulfill the promises we have made,` Arveladze said. He did not say who the chairman of the Ajarian parliament would be, but said that the current presidential envoy in Ajaria, Levan Varshalomidze, will become chairman of Ajaria`s Council of Ministers.
Turkmen President Asks Not to Praise Him
Associated Press
Ashgabat, June 21: Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov, who has built a vast personality cult, on Monday asked government officials to stop praising him. `I have a request: don`t praise me. I even feel uncomfortable appearing at various meetings and events,` Niyazov told a Cabinet meeting. `It upsets me that I`m the only one who gets credit for all Turkmenistan`s achievements. In fact, they belong to the entire Turkmen people,` Niyazov said. Last month, in a surprise move, Niyazov ordered removal of his portraits from administrative buildings. No reason was given. But a new bronze and stone monument depicting Niyazov taking an oath as president was unveiled Monday in front of the parliament building in the capital Ashgabat to mark 12 years since his inauguration as the nation`s leader as an independent country.
Turkmenistan Hails Leader`s Anniversary
BBC
Ashgabat, June 21: Turkmenistan is holding official celebrations to mark the 12th year in office of President Niyazov, called Turkmenbashi or leader of Turkmens. Government offices are holding thanksgiving meals and state television is broadcasting congratulatory poems, describing Mr Niyazov as a shining torch and his administration as the most perfect democratic organisation. Turkmenistan is a highly authoritarian state and it is becoming more and more isolated as Mr Niyazov`s rule grows more idiosyncratic. All three Turkmen television stations, radio and the newspapers are full of eulogies. `One Allah, one homeland, one leader,` says a typical poem. A new six-metre-high (20 feet) bronze statue of Turkmenbashi has gone up at the parliament and in government buildings, officials are sitting down to thanksgiving feasts of lamb and rice, a traditional meal with strong religious connotations.
Mikhail Saakashvili`s Party Leading At Election In Adzharia`s Parliament
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, June 20: According to preliminary results, the party Mikhail Saakashvili-victorious Adzharia that got more than 70 percent of votes in the voting on party tickets is leading at the election in Adzharia`s Supreme Council, a source in the Adzharian Central Election Commission told Itar-Tass on Monday. The complete preliminary results of the election will be announced at 10.00 Moscow time, and the vote counting is finishing now. Members of the block National movement - democrats that is headed by Mikhail Saakashvili are included in the party Mikhail Saakashvili-victorious Adzharia. The main contester of the party Mikhail Saakashvili-victorious Adzharia, the Republican Party of Georgia that is headed by David Berdzenishvili has also overcome the 7-percent threshold.
Georgia Province Adzharia Holds Elections
Associated Press
Batumi, June 20: Voters in Georgia`s autonomous province of Adzharia chose new legislators Sunday in local parliamentary elections that were expected to give the central government greater control over this once-defiant Black Sea region. The vote for a new parliament followed the resignation of the region`s strong-arm leader Aslan Abashidze in early May after a tense stand-off with Saakashvili. Saakashvili has pledged to reunite this fractured ex-Soviet republic, and his victory over Abashidze was seen as his first success. The two parties that dominated the campaign ahead of Sunday`s vote have both sworn their allegiance to Saakashvili. The popular Georgian leader faces a tougher challenge in the separatist provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetiaboth of which have enjoyed de facto independence after driving out Georgian forces in the early 1990s. Both regions have increasingly appealed to Russia for support. But even as Adzharian voters cast ballots for their new local leadership, it remained unclear how much authority Saakashvili would allow them. The bill setting out the Adzharian parliament`s powers has yet to be passed, causing some confusion among voters about what is at stake.
Georgia Seeks More Control As Ex-Rebel Region Votes
Reuters
Tbilisi, June 19: Georgia`s central government is likely to tighten its grip on its Black sea region of Adzhara in a local election Sunday, six weeks after Tbilisi forced the province`s rebellious leader to flee. Aslan Abashidze`s ousting in May was Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili`s first victory in his pledge to restore central rule in his splintered ex-Soviet republic of 5.5 million. Saakashvili faces a tougher task in trying to rein in two other rebellious regions, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both of which fought secessionist wars with Georgia central authorities. The 36-year-old U.S.-trained lawyer is backed by Western countries keen to see stability in a country which is becoming a major oil transit route but is notorious for upheaval. Nine parties and one bloc will fight for 30 seats in a local council election in Adzhara, whose 200,000-barrel-per-day Batumi oil port on the Black Sea could now contribute to a lean national budget.
Russian Bases In Georgia Are Not CFE Treaty Subject - Minister
Itar-Tass
Moscow, June 25: The presence of two Russian military bases in Georgia is not a subject of the Updated Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said at the State Duma on Friday. Russia met the flank limits with the withdrawal of another two bases from Georgia, so armaments of the remaining bases `are not a subject of the treaty,` he said. The updated treaty `will provide for a rather clear picture of NATO aviation stationed throughout the treaty zone, which is very important for us,` Ivanov said. The minister said that member countries would have to notify partners if they relocate more than 18 planes or helicopters. Quarterly reports on planes and helicopters stationed on territory of each member countries will be made, he stressed. Parameters of the new flank zone (the Leningrad military district excluding the Pskov region, the North Caucasian military district without the Volgograd and Astrakhan regions, and the eastern part of the Rostov region) are 1,300 tanks, 2,140 armored personnel carriers and 1,680 artillery systems. Russia has the right to temporary deploy 150 tanks and 140 artillery systems extra. `Russia said it was ready for moderate deployment of additional armaments and materiel in the Leningrad military district for the sake of compromise,` Ivanov said. He noted that the pledge was a political declaration assumed outside the CFE limits. `We did not assume any legal commitments regarding the Leningrad military district,` Ivanov noted.
Georgian Official Says 3 Russians Detained In South Ossetia
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, June 24: Georgian forces have detained three Russian citizens in the troubled region of South Ossetia for an illegal crossing of the state border, Deputy Interior Minister Georgy Getsadze said Thursday. The detained men are Izrail Bagayev and Boris Bedoyev, both living in Russia`s constituent territory of North Ossetia, and Pavel Khoziyev, residing in the Krasnoyarsk territory in Siberia. All of them belong to the Ossetian nationality. Georgian forces confiscated from them a Kalashnikov gun, a dry ration, a homemade mine-clearing device, and a map of the Djava district, where they were detained. Getsadze said a criminal case had been instituted for the illegal crossing of the border, and the investigators did not rule out that the three men were engaged in intelligence of activity of some kind. They have been taken to Tbilisi and put to the custody center of the city police.
Russian, Georgian Negotiators Discuss Presence Of Bases In Georgia
Itar-Tass
Moscow, June 24: The term and conditions of the presence of Russian bases in Batumi and Akhalkalaki was the main theme Russian and Georgian delegates discussed at negotiations on Thursday devoted to military and military-technological cooperation, the Russian Foreign Ministry`s envoy, Igor Savolsky said after a meeting with Georgia`s Deputy Foreign Minister Merab Antadze. The Russian diplomat said the talks also concerned `the required legal formalization.` He described the negotiations as friendly. The mutual desire was identified to find solutions to problems that still divide the two parties. `We would not like to delay preparations for the official ninth round of the talks, scheduled to take place in Tbilisi at the end of July,` the diplomat said. `Russia has raised a number of practical issues regarding the operation of our bases in Georgian territory, personnel rotation and delivery of supplies to the troops. Our Georgian partners have agreed to consider this.` `Russia`s position on when the bases may be withdrawn is well-known. The bases may be pulled out only when the proper infrastructures have been created elsewhere.
Turkmen Commander Dismissed
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, June 24: President Saparmurat Niyazov dismissed the commander of Turkmenistan`s ground forces with a 24 June decree, Turkmen TV reported. The text of the decree, which was published by turkmenistan.ru, states that Mashat Orazgeldiyev`s removal resulted from `the commission of an act that undermines the dignity of an officer in the Turkmen Armed Forces and serious professional shortcomings.` The decree went on to strip Orazgeldiyev of his rank and salary and discharge him from the armed forces.
Russian Forces To Strengthen Up In The Caucasus Region
Pravda
Moscow, June 24: On Thursday Russian President Vladimir Putin said, that Russia would increase its military presence in the troubled Caucasus region after an insurgents- raid killed nearly 98 people in Ingushetia v a republic bordering rebellious Chechnya. `We will step up our efforts in the North Caucasus and do whatever is necessary, including building up our military presence,` he said during his visit to a base in the Far East, on which troops for `antiterrorist` operations are trained.
Georgia To Enlarge Contingent In Iraq In Fall
Interfax
Tbilisi, June 24: Georgia will enlarge its contingent in Iraq in the fall. `The Georgian contingent in Iraq will be enlarged from 160 to a battalion in the fall,` the Georgian Defense Ministry`s press secretary Nino Sturua told Interfax on Thursday. `We considered sending more servicemen to Iraq in the summer, but then decided to enlarge the contingent in September during the planned rotation,` she said.
Armenian Soldier Killed On Azerbaijani Border - Armenia
Interfax
Yerevan, June 24: An Armenian soldier was killed on Armenia`s border with Azerbaijan on Monday, the Armenian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. Ministry spokesman Col. Seiran Shakhsuvarian told Interfax the soldier had been killed by a sniper. The incident occurred on a section of the border where there were Armenian-Azerbaijani exchanges of fire early this month. Armenia says Azerbaijani forces started the skirmishes. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been embroiled in a conflict since the early 1990s over the Azerbaijani Armenian-speaking enclave of Nagorno- Karabakh.
Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan Welcome Uzbek Demining Initiative
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, June 23: Tajik Foreign Ministry spokesman Igor Sattorov told journalists in Dushanbe on 23 June that Uzbekistan is ready to begin demining the Uzbek-Tajik border, ITAR-TASS reported. The Uzbek initiative was announced on on 18 June at an OSCE meeting in Vienna, Sattorov said. Asia Plus-Blitz quoted a Tajik source as saying that the Uzbek representative in Vienna said that `Uzbekistan is ready to take up the issue of demining the state border as soon as possible.` The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry confirmed in a 23 June statement that the Uzbek pronouncement applies to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border as well. Both Kyrgyz and Tajik spokespeople welcomed the initiative. According to RFE/RL`s Tajik Service, more than 60 people have been killed along the Tajik-Uzbek border in mine-related incidents over the past six years.
Parliament Approves Protocol On CIS Anti-terrorist Exercises
Itar-Tass
Astana, June 23: Kazakhstan`s parliament has approved the ratification of a protocol on joint anti-terrorist exercises in the territory of CIS states, National Security Committee first deputy chairman Vladimir Bozhko said. Bozhko told journalists on Wednesday that the protocol `will help create a real basis for cooperation between CIS special services in the fight against international terrorism.` The protocol determines organisational fundamentals and the procedure to conduct anti-terrorist exercises in the territory of CIS states. At present, the draft law is submitted to the Senate.
Withdrawal Of Russian Border Guards From Tajikistan Not To Influence Drug Flow
RIA Novosti
Moscow, June 23: The fight against drug trafficking should aim not only at their liquidation but also at the reduction of demand, deputy head of the Russian State Drug Control Committee Alexander Mikhailov told journalists in Moscow on Wednesday. Most anti-drug models have commercial or political purposes, he noted. According to Mr. Mikhailov, the number of drug addicts in Russia grew by nine times in the last ten years. `According to official data, there are 324,000 drug addicts in Russia aged 14-39,` he said adding that the real number of drug addicts is much bigger. The State Drug Control Committee formed in 2003 initiated 33,000 criminal proceedings and destroyed about 30,000 tons of drugs, Alexander Mikhailov said. In his words, the withdrawal of the Russian border guards from Tajikistan will not influence the growing drug flow from Afghanistan. However, Afghanistan poses serious threats both to Russia and Europe.
Armenian Officers Attending NATO Conference In Baku
Interfax
Yerevan, June 23: Two Armenian Defense Ministry officers are taking part in the NATO conference in Baku, following Azerbaijan`s promises to ensure their security, the Armenian Defense Ministry`s press service told Interfax. `The country hosting [the NATO conference] has pledged to ensure the security of the two Armenian officers in Baku,` the press service said. Armenia`s concerns were sparked by a Tuesday rally by the Organization for the Liberation of Karabakh. Some 40 members of the group, protesting the presence of the Armenian military men in Baku, tried to break through the police cordon to enter the Europe Hotel, the venue for the NATO conference. Delegations from NATO`s 24 member-nations are taking part in the conference, which is aimed at preparing the Cooperative Best Effort 04 exercises. These military exercises will be held in Azerbaijan in September.
Russian Bases Not Linked To Joint Anti-terror Center
Interfax
Ussuriysk, June 22: The creation of a Russian-Georgian anti-terrorism center is unconnected with the status of Russian military bases in Georgia, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Tuesday. `As far as the anti-terrorism center is concerned, this is nothing more than just an idea. But even as an idea, it has nothing to do with the status of Russian military bases in Georgia and the timeframe for their withdrawal,` Ivanov said. The bases will stay in Georgia `until we set up two new bases in Russia,` he said. `Our estimates suggest that it will cost about $300 million to withdraw the two military bases and provide its personnel with proper accommodations in Russia. We should be guided by this figure,` Ivanov said. The Russian Finance Ministry will be able to allocate funds for the bases` pullout `on top of the Defense Ministry`s current budget only after an agreement with Georgia is signed,` he said.
South Ossetian Interior Ministry Starts Large-scale Exercise
Interfax
Moscow, June 22: About 2,000 policemen are taking part in an exercise of the South Ossetian Interior Ministry that started on Tuesday, a source in the ministry told Interfax-Military News Agency by phone. `About 2,000 personnel of the republic`s Interior Ministry involved in the exercise are practicing actions of law-enforcement agencies in natural and man-made disasters,` the source said. `Actions aimed at preventing attacks of subversive and terrorist gangs on dangerous installations are being rehearsed during the exercise, too,` he said. `The exercise was pre-planned, but special attention is paid to it in the wake of another crisis in relations with the Georgian party,` the source went on. `We have to do it. Georgia still maintains illegal police posts in the conflict zone and keeps troops on the border with South Ossetia.
Russia Needs US$ 300 Million US Dollars To Withdraw From Georgia
Itar-Tass
Ussurijsk, June 21: Russia needs 300 million US dollars to finance the withdrawal of its two military bases from Georgia, according to Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, who said the Georgian proposal to create a joint anti-terrorist center will not accelerate the withdrawal. `According to our estimates, the withdrawal of two bases and their deployment in normal conditions on the Russian territory equals the amount of some 300 million US dollars`, the minister said Tuesday upon arrival in the Russian Far East. He said the Finance ministry will earmark the funds only after a corresponding withdrawal agreement is signed between the two countries. Ivanov said it was first necessary to build two new bases in Russia to deploy the withdrawing servicemen from the bases in Batumi and Akhalkalaki. `I have numerously stated and I am tired of answering the question. One cannot give birth to a child in less than nine months. The same concerns the military bases. Whether you accelerate (the withdrawal) or not, there is nowhere to withdraw the bases from Georgia until we build two new bases on the Russian territory`, Ivanov said.
Antiterrorism Exercise Of CIS Countries To Be Held In Moldova
Kabar Agency
Chisinau, June 25: The aim of the command-and-staff exercise `West-Antiterrorism-2004` is the perfection of mechanisms of the provision which was affirmed by the CIS heads of states and which concerns the holding of the joint antiterrorism exercises on the territory of the CIS member countries. This was disclosed on Thursday by director of the CIS Antiterrorism Center Department (CIS ATC) Vyacheslav Maslov. According to him, the two-stage exercise will be held in Moldova on June 28-30. The scenario of the first stage of the exercise envisages the movement of a group of conditional terrorists via the territories of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine to Moldova, where in Chisinau they will capture a special train with ammo and a plane with hostages on board, with the following manifestation of political conditions and threats of terrorist attacks. In connection with the simultaneous holding of the special operations on the railway and air transportation units and in accordance with the `Provision on holding of the joint antiterrorism measures on the CIS territory` the Moldavian authorities will ask the Belarus authorities for the decision to send in special detachments of the Belarus Committee of the State Security for the further operations concerning the freeing of hostages and elimination of the terrorists, Mr. Maslov specified. Based on the developed situation, the Belarus authorities are to make the decision to send to Chisinau a special detachment of the Belarus Committee of the State Security. The set-up by the Moldavian part national headquarters on the control of the special operation, which will include coordinators from the CIS ATC, after the proper evaluation of the situation, makes the decision on the use of antiterrorism detachments of the Moldavian Service of Information and Security (SIS) and Belarus Committee of the State Security for carrying out the necessary operations at the captivated objects. The scenario of the second stage of the exercise in Chisinau envisages the organization and use of the forces of the Moldavian SIS and Belarus Committee of the State Security for the prevention of sabotage and terrorist acts at the objects of the railway and air transportation, Mr. Maslov said.
TV Urges Neighbourhood Committees To Fight Extremism
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, June 24: Uzbek mahallas, or neighborhood committees, need to prevent women from joining extremist groups, Uzbek TV said on 24 June. The report made specific reference to the violence that struck Uzbekistan in early March, commenting that the events might not have occurred if neighborhood committees had been more active. Some of the suicide bombers who took part in the violence were women, numerous reports have confirmed. `It is the entire society, first of all the mahallas, the public, the people living in neighborhoods, and women who should put [women] back on the right path,` Uzbek TV quoted one unidentified woman as saying.
Russia Captures 10 Uzbekistan-based Hizbut- Tahrir Members
Cihan News Agency
Moscow, June 23: Russian police initiated a nationwide-wide operation against the radical Hizbut Tahrir organization that has carrying out policies of violence and terrorism against the Uzbek leader Islam Kerimov. The state-run RIA Novosti agency reported that Russian police detained 10 members of the Hizbut Tahrir El İslam in the region of Tumen, on suspicion of terrorism. The Tüzmen region is situated in Siberia, thousands of kilometers from Uzbekistan. Tuzmen Culture Center leader Marat Saybatalov and imam Dmitriy Petrisenko were among the detainees. The Russian Supreme Court added the Hizbut Tahrir organization to list of the terror organization last year.
Kyrgyz Security Chief Wants Tough Measures Against Extremism
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, June 21: Boris Poluektov, deputy chairman of the National Security Service, told a committee of the upper house of parliament on 21 June that the banned Islamist extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir has 3,000 members in Kyrgyzstan, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. Although most members live in the south of the country, the organization is becoming more active in Bishkek and the northern Issyk-Kul region as well, Poluektov warned. He also said women are playing an increasingly prominent role in the organization. Poluektov called the rise of radicalism a threat to Central Asian stability and urged lawmakers to `toughen the punishment for disseminating extremist views.`
Tajikistan, Russia Cooperate In Fighting Terrorism, Crime
Itar-Tass
Romit, June 19: Tajik Interior Minister Khumdin Sharipov said interaction with Russian law-enforcement agencies in combatting terrorism and drug trafficking was `very effective`. Speaking after the opening ceremony at the ministry`s recreational and health-building centre in the Romit Gorge on Saturday, Sharipov said, `We detained 20 Russian citizens in the republic over the last 18 months who had been wanted by Russian police as suspects in terrorist acts and other grave crimes. All of them were extradited to Russia in accordance with a bilateral agreement.` He stressed that cooperation was reciprocal. In the course of a joint operation in the Russian city of Penza, police arrested a Tajik citizen who was an active member of a criminal group that had operated on the outskirts of Dushanbe from 1994 to 1999, he said. `His criminal dossier included armed attacks on Tajik and Russian servicemen, murders, and terrorist acts,` the minister added. According to Sharipov, Russia has extradited five Tajik citizens to Tajikistan, who had been charged with murders, the creation of illegal armed groups, and an attempted coup.
Ukraine Looks To Clinch 3-bcm Uzbek Gas Deal
Interfax
Tashkent, June 25: Ukraine is looking for a deal with Uzbekistan for 3 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas, Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich announced at a Friday press conference in Tashkent. `I think we will prepare - on the level of the corresponding corporations that work with these questions - a contract for three billion cubic meters of [gas] shipments and will be streamlining the system for settlements,` Yanukovich said at the 6th meeting of the bilateral inter-governmental cooperation commission. He did not say what time period the presumptive contract might encompass. As to improving relations between the two countries as regards gas supplies, Yanukovich noted, `Where earlier there was barter, we will now be changing over solely to a money system for mutual settlements.
EBRD To Refinance Kazakh Kenkiyak-Atyrau Stake
Interfax
Moscow, June 24: The board of directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has confirmed a project to finance part of Kazakh debt in a project to build the Kenkiyak-Atyrau pipeline, Richard Wallis, the EBRD`s press secretary in Moscow, told Interfax. The EBRD plans to provide a long-term credit of $81.6 million to the operator of the project ZAO Northwest Pipeline Company MunaiTas, which is a joint venture between KazMunaiGaz (51%) and China National Petroleum Corporation (49%). The project is being financed by the Kazakh and Chinese sides in proportion to their stakes. The EBRD representative was unable to give details about the terms of the credit. The total cost the pipeline project currently amounts to $206.6 million. However, a MunaiTas representative said earlier that this might be increase to $223 million, due to an increase in the cost of subcontract work. The Kazakh side plans to refinance a credit of $70 million received earlier from the Halyk Savings Bank of Kazakhstan due to the high interest rate on the credit. A MunaiTas representative said that the new loan will be guaranteed by KazMunaiGaz subsidiary KazTransOil and will be repaid using future revenue from the project.
BP Signs Service Contracts For Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli Field
Rigzone
Baku, June 24: BP has signed contracts with four companies for services in the drilling of wells at Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli and Shah Deniz fields worth $158 million, BP-Azerbaijan said in a press release. The company signed a contract with Baker Atlas for logging services, with BJ Services for cementing and work with pump pipe, with Halliburton Energy Services for direction drilling and logging, and with Schlumberger Oilfield Services for logging, cementing, and directional drilling, according to the press release. Service work for drilling under the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli and Shah Deniz projects, and exploration projects where BP is the operator will top $250 million. The companies that have already signed contracts can expect additional work, according to the press release. BP is the operator for four large oil and gas projects in Azerbaijan.
World Bank Approves Three New Loan Projects For Georgia
Itar-Tass
Washington DC, June 24: The World Bank has approved three new loan projects for Georgia worth a total of 47.6 million dollars, The World Bank press service reports that the new projects are intended to support Georgia`s struggle with corruption and creation of quality governance in the interests of laying the foundation for a sustainable economic growth, raising the efficiency of the public sector enterprises and maintaining an atmosphere that is in line with the principles of a market economy. These effects are to be coordinated with the Georgian government program of combating poverty and boosting the country`s socio-economic development. The biggest loan of 24 million dollars is named `a loan in support of reform` and, judging from all appearances, is a budget-replacing credit in character.
Kazakh Parliament Ratifies $119.2-mln EBRD Loan
Interfax
Astana, June 24: The Kazakh senate ratified a law on a $119.2-million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to rehabilitate the Atyrau-Aktau highway in western Kazakhstan, an Interfax correspondent reported from the parliament. The law will be sent to the Kazakh president for his signature. The EBRD will extend a 15-year loan worth $119.2 million, including a three year grace period on the the principal debt, at a six-month interest of LIBOR+1% and a one-off commission of 1%. The Finance Ministry will repay the loan with budgeted funds.
Population Of Kazakhstan Exceeds 15 Million
Interfax
Astana, June 24: The population of Kazakhstan has surpassed 15 million, the State Statistics Agency reported on Thursday. `The republic had a population of 15,000,065 as of June 1,` says a press release from the agency. `The 15,000,000th resident of Kazakhstan was registered in one of the 2,480 registration offices on May 28, 2004,` the press release reads. The natural growth of the Kazakh population increased by 45,579 in January-May 2004, while migration growth grew by 3,286. Kazakhstan`s population stood at 14,951,200 on January 1, 2004. The size and makeup of the Kazakh population changed significantly when Kazakhstan became independent in 1991 as was the case in many other CIS countries.
ADB, ADM Capital To Promote Recovery Of Financially Distressed Companies
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, June 23: ADB and ADM Capital have announced the completion of fund raising for a US$138 million limited partnership fund that will promote the recovery of financially distressed but potentially viable companies in Asia. This is the first tranche in what is expected to be a total fundraising of US$500 million. ADB is the anchor investor in the ADM Maculus Fund, which will be managed by ADM Capital, a Hong Kong, China-based investment manager. ADB has made a US$20 million commitment to the fund. Several major US and European institutions are among the other investors. The ADM Maculus Fund will buy out existing creditors on a single asset or pooled basis to initiate financial or corporate restructuring of companies that are at risk of bankruptcy due to excessive and unsustainable debt levels or financial mismanagement. The fund will focus on Southeast Asia markets, which are believed to harbor the equivalent of US$600 billion in nonperforming loans.
Kyrgyz Parliamentarian Calls Debt A Drag On Economy
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, June 23: Valerii Dil, chairman of parliament`s Committee on Governance, Legality and Constitutionality, told a 23 June session of parliament that Kyrgyzstan`s large external debt is hampering the country`s socioeconomic development, Kyrgyzinfo reported. Dil said that the country`s external debt stood at 76.6 billion soms ($1.7 billion) on 1 January 2004, and that the cost of servicing the debt makes it virtually impossible to allot badly needed funds to social programs. The lawmaker went on to note that economic woes have led to a sharp increase of labor migration, with 200,000-500,000 Kyrgyz citizens seeking work throughout the CIS, primarily in Russia and Kazakhstan, in search of higher wages.
DEPA To Buy Azerbaijani Gas From Botas
Interfax
Baku, June 23: Greek company DEPA has reached agreement with Turkey`s Botas to start buying gas produced at Shah Deniz field in Azerbaijan in 2006, DEPA Chairman of the Board Raphael Moissis said in Baku. `We have reached an agreement with Turkish company Botas to start buying 750 million cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas a year in the third quarter of 2006 and increase that to 3 billion cubic meters by 2010. Under Stage-2 development of Shah Deniz field we will buy directly from Azerbaijan. In that case the gas will be exported to Italy, France, Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, and Slovenia. But the price should not exceed the cost of Russian gas in Europe,` he said.
Georgia To Invest $300 Mln Of Aid In Energy Companies
Interfax
Tbilisi, June 23: Georgia plans to spend $300 million from $1 billion in financial aid the country hopes to receive from donor countries in 2004-2006, on the energy sector, Georgian Energy Minister Nika Gilauri said at a Tuesday press conference. He said that 80% of the total amount of aid will be in grants and 20% - in soft credits from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The minister said that the government is considering several options for paying off the credits, including the transfer of stakes in energy companies. He said that to repay a credit which will be used to reconstruct the gas distribution network in Tbilisi `we may offer the EBRD a 30% stake in AO Tbilgaz.`
Kazakh Bank Gets $45-mln Syndicated Loan
Interfax
Almaty, June 23: Kazakh bank CenterCredit has received a syndicated loan worth $45 million. CenterCredit concluded an agreement on Wednesday to receive a syndicated loan from 21 banks, including Citibank, American Express Bank, Demir-Halk Bank, Mashregbank, Raiffeisen Zentralbank Osterreich, Union Bank of California, Wachovia Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Europe. Deutsche Bank AG London and ING Bank N.V. were the organizers of the loan, the bank`s press service told Interfax. CenterCredit will get the one-year syndicated loan with the possibility of extending it for one year at LIBOR+2.4%. `The bank initially wanted to borrow $30 million, but after a successful syndication, CenterCredit decided to increase the loan to $45 million, which is proof of the bank`s improved image on the international market and shows a great deal of confidence from investors,` the bank`s press release says.
Uzbekneftegaz, Lukoil Sign Gas PSA
Interfax
Tashkent, June 23: Uzbekistan`s national oil and gas company Uzbekneftegaz signed a production-sharing agreement (PSA) for the estimated $1-billion Kandym-Khauzak-Shady project with Russia`s Lukoil, Interfax reports. Uzbekneftegaz Chairman Abdusal Azizov and Lukoil President Vagit Alekperov signed the deal, under which the partners will produce natural gas at the site in the Bukhara-Khiva region of southwest Uzbekistan. Lukoil will own 90% and Uzbekneftegaz 10% of an operating company that will deliver the project. Alekperov said that the Uzbek side agreed to increase the Lukoil share from the previously agreed 70% to 90%, as Lukoil will take on responsibility for all investment, which will amount to about $1 billion. The share of production will depend on the profitability of the project and will fluctuate `from 50% to 80%,` Alekperov said. The PSA will last 35 years and anticipated capital costs are $1 billion. Commercial gas production is due to start in 2007.
Kazakh Housing Plan Draws Barbs
Radio Free Europe
Astana, June 22: During a 22 June cabinet meeting in Astana, Kazakh Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov criticized the 2005-07 state housing-construction program, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. Addressing the officials responsible, he said, `I believe that you`ve prepared a highly unsatisfactory plan of action.` Akhmetov noted that the plan lacks focus and contradicts the official state program in some instances. For example, the plan has no special section on mortgage programs. Akhmetov gave the plan`s developers three days to fix the problems. Trade and Industry Minister Adilbek Zhaqsybekov, who was responsible for developing the plan, blamed local authorities for a `one-sided` approach to the housing issue, KazInform reported.
Uzbekneftegaz Restructuring Complete
Interfax
Tashkent, June 22: Uzbekistan has completed restructuring the national holding company Uzbekneftegaz, a source in the company told Interfax. The source said that shareholders in Uzbekneftegaz and the joint stock company Uzneftegazstroi, which was previously part of the holding company, decided at a joint meeting on Tuesday on a new structure for a unified company with a charter capital of 172.14 billion sum, in shares with a par value of 1,000 sum. The state will own 99.7% of the company`s charter capital, the Ukrainian corporation Donbass Industrial Union - 0.28%, and 0.02% is owned by the workforce. Shares in Uzneftegazstroi, 39% of which belonged to Donbass Industrial Union, have been converted into Uzbekneftegaz shares at the rate of one to four. Part of the state stake in Uzbekneftegaz, amounting to 48.7%, is to be sold to a foreign strategic investor. The state plans to hold on to a controlling stake of 51%. Four of the company`s eight former subsidiaries have retained their status: Uznefteprodukt, Uztransgaz, Uzneftegazmash and the newly formed Uzgeoburneftegazdobycha. The latter is being set up based on the drilling company Uzburneftegaz and the exploration and production company Uzgeoneftegazdobycha. The government has decided to dissolve Uzneftepererabotka and Uzneftegazsnabzheniye.
Zarit Expects Signed Caspian Shelf Deal Soon
Interfax
Ashgabat, June 22: Joint venture Zarit, founded by Russian companies Rosneft, Itera and Zarubezhneft, is expecting Turkmenistan to sign an agreement on prospecting and extracting hydrocarbons at blocks 29, 30 and 31 on the Turkmen sector of the Caspian Sea shelf soon. The Turkmen presidential press service told Interfax that Itera chief Igor Makarov, Rosneft`s vice president Alexei Kuznetsov and deputy general director at Zarubezhneft Alexander Voronin submitted to President Saparmurat Niyazov a draft agreement that has been in the works for the last two years on Monday. Niyazov has generally okayed a project for developing the three highly-promising blocks, but in his view, `certain stipulations need further work,` the service reported. `Turkmenistan is interested in the rapid developing of promising deposits,` Niyazov is quoted as saying.
Minister Says Kazakhstan To Joint WTO By 2006
Radio Free Europe
Astana, June 21: Kazakh Foreign Minister Qasymzhomart Toqaev said in Beijing on 21 June that Kazakhstan plans to join the WTO by late 2005 or early 2006, KazInform reported the next day. Toqaev pointed to the achievements of the rapidly expanding Kazakh economy to justify his prognosis. He also noted that the World Bank and the EBRD have given the Kazakh economy high grades. Toqaev concluded, `Our main goal is to make our country`s economy more competitive as a part of the global economy, including its Asian sector.`
Merhav Plans $60 Million Project
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, June 21: The Israel-based Merhav Group has developed plans to construct a production facility for polypropylene biofilm in Turkmenbashi, turkmenistan.ru reported on 21 June. The project will cost $60 million and could be finished in the near future. The Merhav Group previously served as the operator on a $1.5 billion refinery-modernization project in Turkmenistan. Underscoring the firm`s close ties in the country, Merhav CEO Yosef Maiman visited Niyazov on 21 June to congratulate the Turkmen president on the 12th anniversary of his inauguration.
New Civic Coalition To Ensure Greater Transparency In Oil Sector
Kazakhstan News
Ankara, June 21: A newly established group of NGOs wants to promote civic control over Kazakhstan`s burgeoning oil industry aimed at more transparency of the revenues the Kazakh government receives and how they are spent - information closed even to members of parliament. `Many NGOs that joined the Coalition [of NGOs] have long been talking about the need to ensure greater transparency about the revenues which the state receives from oil extraction. But we understood that it is simply impossible to be heard individually,` Anton Artemyev, the Soros Foundation`s coordinator for the Kazakhstan Revenue Watch programme, told IRIN from the Kazakh commercial capital, Almaty. `Those NGOs that we cooperate with have long been raising the issue of the transparency of the work of oil companies operating in [the western] Atyrau province, centre of the Kazakh oil industry,` Malik Isabekov from Demos, an Atyrau-based rights NGO, told IRIN. Their comments followed a recent announcement of the establishment of a new civic union - the Coalition of NGOs `Oil Revenues - Under the Control of Society` in Almaty. More than 10 civic groups, including the Soros Foundation Kazakhstan and Demos, joined the Coalition. The Coalition said in a statement that Kazakh society should have a chance to participate in the revenue distribution process - vital to country`s further development - via its elected representatives. However, contract terms that the government signed with extractive companies are even closed to members of the Kazakh parliament.
Armenian Govt Forecasts 6%-7% GDP Growth In 2005-2007
Interfax
Yerevan, June 20: The Armenian government is forecasting growth in GDP in 2005-2007 of 6%-7% per annum and average yearly inflation in this period is planned at not more than 3%, Armenian Finance Minister Pavel Safarian said at a press briefing. He said that in absolute terms GDP in 2005-2007 would amount to 1.953 trillion dram, 2.133 trillion dram and 2.33 trillion dram respectively. The deputy minister said that the government approved a mid-term program for expenditure in 2005-2007. He said that priority would be given to expenditure on education, healthcare and social welfare.
Azerbaijan Considers National Reinsurer Establishment
Interfax
Baku, June 19: The Azerbaijani Finance Ministry is considering a project of establishing a national reinsurance company next year, Finance Minister Avaz Alekperov told Interfax. `We have certain ideas of rendering government support to the risk reinsurance sector and are considering the question. We may carry out the idea next year at the expense of state coffers,` he said. In his opinion, the company is essential for reducing the flight of reinsurance funds from the country. Azerbaijan has 28 insurance companies, seven of them joint ventures.
Yanukovych Leaves For Uzbekistan On Official Visit
Interfax
Kyiv, June 25: Ukraine`s Premier Viktor Yanukovych has left for Uzbekistan on an official visit to take part in the sixth meeting of Uzbek-Ukrainian intergovernmental cooperation commission. During the visit the sides will sign a number of bilateral documents, particularly, an intergovernmental agreement in cooperation in peaceful- purpose exploration and use of outer space, and agreement on cooperation between Uzbekistan`s State Property Committee and Ukraine`s State Property Fund. The sides will also sign an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation between administrative and territorial units of the two countries, and five agreements on interregional cooperation. During the visit, Yanukovych is to meet with Uzbekistan`s President Islam Karimov, Parliament Speaker Erkin Khalilov, Premier Shavkat Mirzieev. The sides will discuss bilateral relations in trade and economic sphere, fuel and energy complex, transport, research and engineering, educational and humanitarian areas.
Uzbek Leader, Ukrainian PM Consider Trade, Relations
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, June 25: President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov received Prime Minister of Ukraine Victor Yanukovich at presidential residence Oqsaroy on 25 June. Welcoming the guests, Karimov noted Uzbekistan is observing positive change in Ukraine, bilateral relations differ with high level of practical collaboration. Head of Uzbekistan and Prime Minister of Ukraine discussed Uzbek-Ukrainian relations, including trade-economic sphere, regional security, situation in Afghanistan and other issues of mutual interest.
Iran, Kyrgyzstan Sign MOU
IRNA
Bishkek, June 25: Iran and Kyrgyzstan signed here Thursday a memorandum of understanding on Iran`s second case of contribution to Bishkek development. The MOU was signed between Director General of Iran`s Foreign Ministry for Economic Affairs Kambiz Jalali and Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Askar Aitmatov. Iran has granted Kyrgyzstan two million dollars for the country`s development over the past year. During the meeting, Kyrgyz foreign minister said Iran plays an important role in the Islamic world with a view to the ongoing regional and international developments. He added Iran tries to reinforce unity among Islamic states to restore regional and international stability and voiced his country`s full support for such policies. He expressed appreciation over Iran`s help to Kyrgyzstan and said it proved the Iranian nation and government support solidarity with Kyrgyz government and nation as well as the country`s independence.
Moscow, Ashgabat May Hold Joint Citizenship Committee Meeting
Interfax
Moscow, June 25: Russia is still waiting for Turkmenistan`s response to its proposal to hold a meeting of the joint commission on citizenship, Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko told a press conference in Moscow on Friday. Yakovenko recalled that the commission first met in Ashgabat, and now it is Moscow`s turn to host a meeting. `We have many questions, and now the Russian Foreign Ministry is working on making the work on this sensitive humanitarian issue effective,` Yakovenko said. Russia hailed Turkmenistan`s steps aimed at implementing two projects: financing the reconstruction of a Russian school in Ashgabat and a Russian drama theater, he said.
Iran, Tajikistan Keen On Scientific Cooperation
IRNA
Dushanbe, June 25: Deputy Minister of Sciences, Research and Technology Hadi Khaniki and Tajikistan`s Minister of Education Safarali Rajabov in a meeting here Tuesday examined ways of expanding mutual scientific and educational inter-university ties. The meeting focused on organizing joint scientific and research conferences, inter-university exchange of instructors and students and granting scholarships. The two sides underlined the need to bolster cooperation between Iranian and Tajik universities as well as institutes of higher education in order to prepare the proper grounds for the growth of scientific and cultural collaboration. At the end of meeting, he told IRNA that a Tajik working group would soon visit Iran to continue the negotiations and implement the memorandum of understanding (MOU), which was recently signed by the two states.
US To Donate $4 Million For Georgian Customs
Interfax
Tbilisi, June 24: Georgia is expecting to receive $4 million in financial aid from the U.S. within the framework of a program to secure Georgia`s borders, the Finance Ministry`s customs department chairman Georgy Godabrelidze told journalists on Thursday. Godabrelidze was commenting on the results of his visit to Washington to discuss the amounts of U.S. assistance to Georgia under this program. He said that the U.S. government plans to allocate the money in the 2005 financial year, which will begin in October 2004. Godabrelidze said the aid will be used to modernize customs` offices at the Poti seaport, purchase computers and customs control equipment, train customs officers, and purchase uniforms.
Russians In Turkmenistan Appeal To Putin
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, June 24: A group of Russian citizens in Turkmenistan has appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin over alleged violations of their rights, newsru.com reported on 23 June. The appeal notes that Russian citizens who obtained their education outside of Turkmenistan now find it virtually impossible to practice their chosen professions. They also charge that many Russian citizens in Turkmenistan have lost their apartments on the grounds that they are `foreigners.` The appeal calls on President Putin to intervene to protect the rights of Russian citizens in Turkmenistan.
President Of China Send Message To His Uzbek Counterpart
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, June 24: To President of the Republic of Uzbekistan His Excellency Islam Karimov, Ending my state visit and leaving Your country, I want to express to you, Your Excellency, and the government of Your country, a frank gratitude. During my stay in Your country with a state visit, Your Excellency and Your government showed the most warm and hearty reception to me and my colleagues, which assured us of the friendly feeling of Uzbekistan`s nations to people of China. During my visit, Your Excellency and I held productive negotiations during which we exchanged opinions on bilateral issues and international and regional problems and common understanding on a wide range of issues was achieved. We signed a Joint declaration between China and Uzbekistan, which set measures to develop relations of friendship and cooperation between our nations and determined guidelines for long-term collaboration. I am deeply assured that traditional friendship between China and Uzbekistan will further strengthen, and our multilateral cooperation will become wider. I wish Your Excellency strong health and all the best. Wish to friendly Uzbekistan prosperity and authority, and happiness to its nation. President of Chinese People`s Republic Hu Jintao 18 June 2004
Russian Entrepreneurs Chamber To Open Office In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, June 24: Chamber of Commodity Producers and Entrepreneurs of the Russian Federation is planning to open its office in Uzbekistan. The chamber will open its Uzbek office within the framework of optimisation of its geography and network of offices. The Russian chamber already has offices in the United Arab Emirates, Laos and Cambodia. At present, the chamber is working on creation of offices in Iran, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Novosti Russia reported.
Four CIS Countries Pondering Single Currency In Economic Area
Itar-Tass
Minsk, June 24: Belarus, Kazakstan, Russia, and Ukraine are pondering the possibility of a single currency that will be legal tender on the territory of the Common Economic Area they are creating, a senior official at the Belarussian National Bank told a news conference Thursday. In most likelihood, there will be some kind of a new currency of the four nations, not the Russian ruble, said Nikolai Luzgin, deputy president of the bank. The introduction of the new monetary unit will require extra consultations on the mechanisms of its issue and location of the emitting center, he said. Commissioning of the new single currency by the four countries will be the next step after the introduction of the Russian ruble in Belarus. `This, however, is a somewhat remote prospect, and it would be too early now to make any forecasts,` Luzgin said. Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement on setting up the Common Economic Area when their heads of state met in Yalta September 19, 2003. Their national parliaments ratified it in April 2004. The document envisions a free trade zone that will eliminate all trade barriers and restrictions, as well as harmonizing of macroeconomic policies and legislation in the signatory countries.
Akaev, Ryzhkov Discuss Kyrgyz - Russian Trade Ties
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, June 24: Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev met in Bishkek on 24 June with Nikolai Ryzhkov, a member of Russia`s Federation Council and president of the Russian Union of Manufacturers, akipress.org reported. President Akaev said that close ties with Russian manufacturers will help to boost the Kyrgyz economy, Kyrgyzinfo reported. `We will develop ties between our countries` manufacturers,` akipress.org quoted Ryzhkov as saying. A delegation from the office of Moscow Mayor Yurii Luzhkov was also in Bishkek on 24 June to open Days of Moscow festival taking place from 24-27 June, akipress.org reported.
Moscow Days In Kyrgyzstan Officially Kicked Off
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, June 24: Deputy Moscow Mayor Yuriy Rosliyak `We try that Moscow Days in Kyrgyzstan to become good tradition - holiday of two friendly nations`. He announced it during opening of the Moscow Days in Kyrgyzstan and gala-concert with participation of pop-singers of Russia. Y. Rosliyak noted that `Moscow Days takes place in Kyrgyzstan for the first time and we tried in order to make this holiday remembering and unforgettable for Kyrgyzstan. President of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akaev, representatives of deputy corps, government and other officials attended the opening ceremony. Delivering speech at the opening of gala-concert, Prime Minister Nikolai Tanaev said that Kyrgyzstan welcomes today the best close friends and participation of prominent pop-singers is a token of deep attention on the part of the Moscow Government.
Hacker Of Bloomberg Agency To Be Deported To Kazakhstan
Interfax
London, June 24: Oleg Zezev, a Russian citizen and resident of Almaty, has served his sentence for computer hacking in the United States and has been moved to an immigration prison for subsequent deportation to Kazakhstan, the BBC reported on Thursday. The report quoted Robert Baum, Zezev`s defense attorney, as saying that his client may go to Russia even though his family resides in Almaty. Zezev made news at the end of March 2000 when the founder of the Bloomberg agency received an email mailed from his own address signed by `Alex,` who said that he had broken into the agency`s computers system. Alex attached samples of confidential information as proof. He then said he could punch holes in the security system of the agency`s computer network and asked for $200,000 not to do so. He threatened to expose the vulnerability of the agency`s computer network if his offer was rejected. It turned out that the hacker was writing from Kazakhstan. Bloomberg lured Alex to London where he was arrested and extradited to the United States in the spring of 2002.
Saudi Arabia Eyes Kazakh Port Development
Radio Free Europe
Astana, June 23: Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud met with Nurtai Abikaev, the speaker of Kazakhstan`s upper house of parliament, on 23 June in Astana to discuss bilateral cooperation and the possibility of Saudi investment in Kazakhstan, Khabar TV reported. `We plan to undertake the reconstruction and development of the port in Aqtau in order to turn it into a free economic zone and the main economic center in the Caspian region,` Kazinform quoted Abdallah as saying. The crown prince, who himself owns telecommunications companies, also expressed interest in Kazakhstan`s cellular communications market. For his part, Abikaev thanked Saudi Arabia for the grant it provided to construct Kazakhstan`s Senate, or upper house of parliament.
Kyrgyz President Due In Istanbul For Nato Summit
Cihan News Agency
Istanbul, June 23: Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev will attend the NATO Summit in Istanbul on June 28-29. Akayev will carry out bilateral talks and will also receive an honorary doctorate degree from Istanbul University. The Kyrgyz President will be accompanied by a 20-men delegation. The small-sized central Asia republic has maintained close relations with the alliance since 1994 under the name of `Cooperation for Peace`. Kyrgyzstan opened its airspace to NATO forces during the Afghanistan operation. It also allowed the US force to deploy in Bishkek Manas Airport.
High Level Group To Discuss Common Economic Space Documents For September Summit
Kazakhstan News
Moscow, June 23: The 13th session of the High Level Group on forming a Common Economic Space (CES) in Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine will meet on June 24 in Moscow. It `will be an important stage in the preparations for a regular meeting of the heads of the member-states of the CES Agreement. The session will take place in Astana in September,` official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Alexander Yakovenko told RIA Novosti on Wednesday. `In accordance with the agreements reached at the Yalta [Ukraine] summit of the Four Countries on May 23-24, 2004, it is planned to first discuss the list of agreements on the CES that have to be signed and then listen to reports from representatives of the states about the process of the negotiations on joining the World Trade Organization,` he said. According to him, it has also been planned to adopt a number of documents that ensure the functioning of the economic space organizing group. The group will coordinate work on formulating a normative and legal base for the space.
Trade Team Leaves For Dushanbe Today
Central Asia Daily
Islamabad, June 23: A 70-member strong delegation of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is scheduled to leave for Tajikistan today (Thursday), to hold the `Made in Pakistan` exhibition in Dushanbe. The President LCCI Mian Anjum Nisar would lead the delegation, while the LCCI executive committee member Sohail Lashari would assist him, said Mian Shafqat Ali convenor of the delegation while speaking to The News on Wednesday. President LCCI Mian Anjum Nisar said: `It is our commitment with traders, business community and the government to facilitate trade and commerce on one hand while helping to earn the maximum foreign exchange through exports.` Mian Shafqat Ali while deliberating on the `Made in Pakistan` exhibition, said that the event is being arranged by the LCCI following an exclusive invitation of the President of Tajikistan, Noor Sultan Nazarbayov, which he extended during his visit to Lahore recently. He said that more than a billion dollar worth of virgin market is waiting for our upcountry exporters especially those whom wanted to route through land. He hoped the delegation would book hefty orders during the scheduled exhibition. He said that 30 stalls would be displaying Pakistani products while around 25 members of the delegation would be displaying their catalogues, while rest of the people would be a silent observer. However, these silent observers would be attending the sideline meetings with the potential buyers for booking orders for their products, he added. He said that they wanted to have at least 100 stalls in the exhibition but the Tajik government expressed its inability to accommodate such a higher number of exhibitors. Replying to a question on the possible competitors in the said market, Mian Shafqat Ali said that though the Indians are already present in the market, they lack the advantage which the Pakistani exporters have in the shape of land links to this country. He said that the delegation would pass through Kabul on Thursday morning. None of the members are accompanied by their family, which indicates that it may not be a pleasure trip, he added. He said that many items like textile, readymade garment, paints, steel furniture, handicraft, auto filters, rice, food products, surgical goods, pharmaceuticals and office stationary would be displayed in the exhibition.
China, Kazakhstan Vow To Promote All-round Cooperation
People`s Daily
Beijing, June 23: Visiting Chinese senior party official Li Changchun on Wednesday in Astana exchanged views with Kazakh Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov on the all-round development and promotion of mutually beneficial cooperation. Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said China and Kazakhstan are mutually complementary in economy and trade and have broad prospects of further development. As long as both sides sincerely implement the consensus reached between the two heads of state and relevant agreements signed and give full play to the mechanism of the cooperation committee of the two nations, the mutually beneficial cooperation would make new progress, Li said. Noting that China is Kazakhstan`s biggest trade partner, Akhmetov said the successful economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has contributed to Kazakhstan`s economic and social development and laid a solid foundation for all-round development of bilateral ties. He also expressed the hope that both sides could further promote bilateral cooperation in energy and hi-tech sectors and iron ore trade. Li, who arrived in Alma-ata on Sunday for an official goodwill visit to the country, also had talks on Tuesday with Zharmakhan Tuyakbayev, speaker of the lower house of the Kazakh parliament and vice president of the Otan Party.
Ethnic Russians Urge Putin To Protect Their Rights In Turkmenistan
MosNews
Moscow, June 23: A group of Russian nationals in cooperation with the For Human Rights group have urged President Vladimir Putin to protect the rights of ethnic Russians living in Turkmenistan. The authors of the letter seek to draw the president`s attention to brazen violations of human rights in the Central Asian state. Last year many Russian citizens were evicted from their apartments in Turkmenistan on the basis of their Russian citizenship. As a result, many were forced to give up their Russian citizenship. In line with a recent decree issued by Turkmen leader Saparmurat Niyazov ruled, Russian diplomas of higher education are no longer recognized in Turkmenistan. The authors of the letter expressed regret that Russia and Turkmenistan still have not signed an agreement on mutual recognition of university diplomas.
Russian Presidential Envoy To Arrive In Tbilisi Thursday
Interfax
Tbilisi, June 23: Valery Loshchinin, Russian first deputy foreign minister and presidential envoy in charge of the Georgian-Abkhaz settlement, will arrive in Tbilisi on a working visit on Thursday. `It will be a scheduled visit and its goal is to exchange views on the situation in South Ossetia,` Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania told journalists on Wednesday. He said the Georgian authorities will provide the Russian envoy with exhaustive information `about the unprecedented flow of contraband from South Ossetia to Georgia.` Asked if Loshchinin`s visit has anything to do with the return of Diana Abashidze, the daughter of former Ajarian president Aslan Abashidze, to Moscow from Batumi, Zhvania said that `this issue will probably be raised by Loshchinin.` `But we have no information about this,` he said.
Kiev National University Awards Uzbek Leader With Honourable Doctor
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, June 22: Uzbek President Islam Karimov received Victor Skopenko, rector of Kiev National University named after Taras Shevchenko, at presidential residence Oqsaroy on 22 June. Welcoming the guest, Islam Karimov underlined steady development of relations between higher educational establishments of Uzbekistan and Ukraine. Victor Skopenko said that Scientific Council of Kiev National University decided to grant a rank of the university`s honourable doctor to Islam Karimov for his contribution to development of Uzbek-Ukraine relations and expansion of cooperation between educational establishments of two countries. On the same day, rector of Ukrainian university also met Uzbek Minister of Higher and Secondary Special Education Rustam Kasymov.
Iran, Armenia Call For Expansion Of Mutual Ties
IRNA
Tehran, June 22: Head of Armenian presidential office Artash Tumanyan and his entourage conferred here Tuesday with Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi on issues of mutual interest. According to the Information and Press Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Armenian minister of energy along with the country`s deputy minister of transportation and telecommunication were also present in the meeting. At the meeting, the two sides reviewed expansion of economic and commercial cooperation. Describing the current level of political relations as satisfactory, Kharrazi voiced satisfaction over the outcome of Iran-Armenia Economic Commission meeting and hoped to witness further expansion of economic and commercial cooperation to a desirable level. Calling the two sides relations as very significant, he expressed the hope that both sides would take more firm steps to broaden economic cooperation. He said the two sides economic cooperation would help restore regional security.
Azeri President Aliyev Denies Official Recognition Of Turkish Cyprus By Azerbaijan
Turkish Press
Baku, June 22: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in a joint press conference with Greek President Kostis Stefanopulos that Azerbaijan would follow the policies of European countries and United Nations towards Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus if they change their policy. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev received Greek President Kostis Stefanopulos in Baku and the two leaders held a joint press conference after personal meetings. As a response to a Greek reporter`s question about the news in World media whether Azerbaijan would officially recognize Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Aliyev responded that if United Nations and European countries change their policy towards Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Azerbaijan will also change his policy toward Turkish Cyprus in this line.
Kyrgyz Prime Minister N. Tanaev Meets A Delegation Of Iran Headed By K. Jalali
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, June 22: Iran is ready to invest 10 million US dollars in construction of a Congress Centre in Issykkul. Kyrgyz Prime Minister Nikolai Tanaev during the meeting with a delegation of Iran told that erection of building on the such scale will let conduct international summits of heads of states and international forums. The delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran is headed by chairman of the department for co-ordination and economic relations strategy of the Iranian Foreign Ministry Dr. K. Jalali. During the talks, the parties discussed issues of bilateral cooperation. N. Tanaev noted at the present moment the relations between the parties develop dynamically and constructively. The restoration problem of Afghanistan also discussed at the meeting. N. Tanaev emphasized the importance of restoring peaceful life in Afghanistan for Kyrgyzstan. During the negotiations, N. Tanaev expressed gratitude to Iran for participation in the international conference `Eurasian in the 21st century: Dialog of Cultures and Conflict of Civilization?`, which took place in Issykkul under the aegis of UNESCO.
SNSC Supports Boosting Of Relations With Armenia: Rowhani
IRNA
Tehran, June 22: Secretary of Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani said on Tuesday that the SNSC, the top decision making body supports boosting of Iran`s relations with Armenia. In a meeting with chief of Armenian presidential office Artash Tumanyan, Rowhani said that Iran regards development of relations with Armenia as being in line with helping regional cooperation to restore peace and security to the entire region. `Yerevan has special status in Iranian history and Iran is willing to boost the historical relations between the two countries,` Rowhani said. He said that signing an accord on setting up of a gas pipeline between the two countries is a fundamental step forward towards deepening cooperation in the energy sector. `Aras river is valuable pivot for strengthening of economic cooperation through construction of a dam and a power plant,` Rowhani said. He said that establishment of Gajeran Tunnel will link Armenia to the North-South Corridor and Iran to the Black Sea as well. Rowhani called for start of province-to-province cooperation from either side to boost trade and called on the Armenian government to support Iranian nationals living in the republic.
Armenia Hopes For Iranian Credit To Build Hydro Plant
Interfax
Yerevan, June 22: Armenia is hoping to receive a credit from Iran to build a hydroelectric plant on the Araks river, the cost of which is estimated at $140 million, Armenian Energy Minister Armen Movsisian told journalists. He said that Armenia plans to repay the credit with supplies of electricity to Iran. The minister said that there are plans to build two identical hydroelectric plants on the Araks river - the Megrin Hydroelectric Plant on Armenian territory and the Karachilar Hydroelectric Plant in Iran. Movsisian said that in the coming two months a feasibility study would be prepared for the construction of Megrin Hydroelectric Plant. Construction is set to begin in mid-2005 and an agreement with Iran will be signed by the end of this year.
Prime Minister Of Ukraine To Pay State Visit To Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, June 21: Prime Minister of Ukraine Victor Yanukovich will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan on 24-26 June. The Ukrainian official is expected to meet President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, speaker of parliament Erkin Halilov and Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyayev. The sixth session of the Uzbek-Ukrainian intergovernmental cooperation commission will be held within the framework of the visit. The session will discuss issues of economic, power and transport cooperation, fighting crime, terrorism and drug trafficking, as well as interaction in scientific, technical and educational spheres. The sides will also consider perspectives of joint participation in rehabilitation of Afghanistan`s infrastructure. A special business forum for Uzbek and Ukrainian business circles will focus on this issue. It is expected that Uzbekistan and Ukraine will sign several documents, including protocol of the sixth session of intergovernmental commission, agreement on cooperation between the State Property Committee of Uzbekistan and the State Property Fund of Ukraine, intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in research and use of cosmic space for peaceful purposes and intergovernmental agreement on cooperation among administrative-territorial units of Uzbekistan and Ukraine.
Kyrgyz Ambassador On Russian Language Role In Post Soviet Space
RIA Novosti
Moscow, June 21: Kyrgyzstan`s ambassador to Russia Kemelbek Nanayev supports the idea of a common information space within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). `The Russian language links the huge Eurasian territory from Ukraine and Belarus in the west to the Kuril islands in the Far East, from Russia`s North to the Ala-Too and Pamir mountains in the south,` the ambassador told RIA Novosti. `Our friends and relations live on this space and we maintain close links due to this language of multinational communication. Therefore, we support the idea of a common information space in the CIS,` the diplomat said. According to him, the national idea `Kyrgyzstan is our home` helps to solve the problem of inter-ethnic relations.
Kazakh President Meets Senior Chinese Party Official
People`s Daily
Beijing, June 21: Kazakh President Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev Monday in Alma-ata met with Chinese senior party official Li Changchun, who arrived here Sunday for an official goodwill visit. Li, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, extended warm greetings by Chinese President Hu Jintao to Nazarbayev. The two heads of state met during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan on June 16. Li said the meeting served to give new impetus to the Sino-Kazakh friendship. The senior party official said since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Kazakhstan 12 years ago, and with care and efforts by heads of the two states, bilateral ties have been smoothly enhanced, with mutual trust promoted and cooperation enlarged. In particular, he said, heads of the two states successfully exchanged visits in June last year and in May this year. Li noted that the agreements signed during the visits will enhance and enlarge mutually beneficial cooperation and have forged new momentum for an all-round and sustainable development of the good-neighborly friendship between the two countries.
Iran And Azerbaijan To Sign Religious Cooperation Agreement Soon
IRNA
Baku, June 21: Head of Azerbaijan Republic`s State Religious Affairs Commitee Rafiq Aliyev said here on Monday that Tehran and Baku will sign an agreement for cooperation in religious affairs in `very near future.` Speaking at a conference titled `Religion and Democracy`, without referring to the details and nature of the future cooperation between the Islamic neighboring countries in religious affairs, Aliyev added, `Azerbaijan Republic has already signed a similar agreement with Turkey.` Aliyev said, `Baku government has established strong ties with the Islamic countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey, since religion plays quite a significant role in Azerbaijan Republic`s social and cultural affairs.` The Azeri official referring to the ongoing anti-religion moves in the world and the attraction of religious teachings for the world nations today, reiterated, `Keeping in mind the prevailing global crises, the world is now on the brink of the quite unfortunate crash of civilizations.`
Iran Gives 1 Million US Dollars To Build Boarding School For Gifted Children
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, June 21: A delegation of the Iranian Foreign Ministry headed by chairman of the department for co-ordination and economic relations strategy Dr. Jalali arrives in Kyrgyzstan today on an official visit. The goal of the visit is to sign memorandum on Iran`s concord to give a grant worth 1 million US dollars to build boarding school for gifted children in the town of Cholponata as well as to transfer children`s sanatorium for consumptives from Cholponata to the village of Tyup, reported the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry. The visit`s programme includes to hold negotiations with leadership of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry and Kyrgyz Ecology and Extreme Situations Ministry.
Japan Issues Grants For US$5m To Finance Education Of Uzbek Youth
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, June 20: The government of Japan issued grants worth 542 million yens (about US$5 million) within the framework of the project `Granting stipends for staff training`. Uzbek and Japanese sides signed exchange notes in Tashkent on Friday. The programme is aimed at granting Uzbek youth an opportunity to study at Japanese universities in such directions and economy, law, business management and others. This is the sixth no-string educational grant of the Japanese government since 1999. Japan issued a total of US$11.74 million within the framework of this project.
Kazakh President To Lead CST Collective Security Council
Interfax
Astana, June 20: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev will head the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CST), says a press release issued by the CST in Astana. The presidents of the CST countries have adopted a political statement `containing a collective assessment of the current military and political situation in the world, outlining the organization`s steps to develop integration processes, and describing general positions on several pressing issues of world and regional politics,` says the release. In addition, the summit participants have adopted a directive on the organization`s priorities for 2004-2005.
Central Asian States Gain Additional Profit From Oil Swap Via Iran
IRNA
Tehran, June 20: National Iranian Oil Company`s (NIOC) director for international affairs Hojjatollah Ghanimifard here Sunday said the oil producing Caspian Sea littoral states can gain additional profit by transferring or swapping oil via Iran. He told IRNA that the crude oil received in northern Iran from Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan is delivered to the clients of the central Asian states in southern Iran and is eventually dispatched to the Asian markets. `The fee paid by the states bordering the Caspian Sea to transit their crude oil to the destined market through Iran is much lower than conduiting the same via pipeline to the Black Sea or Mediterranean Sea. `Meanwhile, their crude oil is sold at a higher price on the Asian market compared to the markets to the west of the Suez Canal or northwestern Europe,` he added. Turning to the additional profit gained by the Caspian littoral states by paying less for transit of the crude oil by selling it at a higher price, he hoped that once Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan pipeline is extended to Iran, the bulk of Kazakh crude oil -- as a major Caspian crude oil producer -- will be transited through Iran to international markets. `The price of Iran`s crude oil exported to Asia was higher than that of the European oil market by 3.5 dollars in some days during the first two months of the current Iranian year (started March 20),` he pointed out. Referring to the cost of crude oil swap among central Asian states for transit via Iran, he said that it varies in accordance with the destination and the quantity of the oil.
Putin, Nazarbayev Meet In Alma Ata
Kazakhstan News
Alma Ata, June 20: Russian and Kazakh Presidents Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbayev held a routine meeting in Kazakhstan`s southern capital. They arrived there from Astana on board the Russian leader`s plane. At first the Kazakh president thanked his Russian counterpart for agreeing to continue bilateral consultations in Alma Ata after the yesterday`s summits of the Eurasian Economic Community and the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Astana. According to Vladimir Putin, Russia and Kazakhstan are implementing major economic projects. Moreover, the sides have big plans in oil and gas and energy spheres. The implementation of these projects will bring Kazakhstan to foreign markets. The Russian president proposed a detailed discussion of the Russian-Belarussian-Ukrainian-Kazakh common economic space and further moves in this sphere.
Baku Has High Hopes For Greek President`s Visit
Interfax
Baku, June 20: Azerbaijan hopes that the June 20-22 visit of Greek President Konstandinos Stephanopoulos will give an impetus to cooperation with Greece in transporting Caspian energy resources to Europe, said Novruz Mamedov, director of the Azerbaijani presidential administration`s public relations department. `Azerbaijan is one of the region`s key countries. It plays an increasingly crucial role in its integration with Euro- Atlantic organizations. From this standpoint, we attach great importance to the beginning of the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum oil pipeline`s operations with the participation of Azerbaijan, Turkey and later Greece,` Mamedov told Interfax. It is planned to use the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum oil pipeline to deliver oil from Azerbaijan`s Shahdeniz oil field to the European market. Mamedov said that Azerbaijan and Greece have already held talks on gas sector cooperation and reached cert
in agreements.
Kazakhstan To Build Two Oil Terminals In Iran
IRNA
Almaty, June 19: The Kazakh national oil and gas company `KazMuniaGaz` and its `Kaznafta` company have agreed to build two oil terminals in Iran, the chairman of the board of directors of Kaznafta, Marken Chaizhunusov, said. Chaizhunusov made the remarks at a meeting with Kazakh Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov in the Kazakh capital on Friday. He said that his company (Kaznafta) and KazMuniaGas have agreed to jointly work on a project to build two terminals to transport Kazakh oil from Iran with a projected total storage capacity of 150,000 metric tons, the prime minister`s press service said in a statement. Kazakhstan currently supplies oil to Iran under a swap scheme whereby oil is shipped by the Kazakh side in tankers via the Caspian Sea to the Iranian port of Neka, in northern Mazandaran province, and in return receives the equivalent of such oil through the Iranian port of Kharq in the Persian Gulf, concluded the statement.
Turkmenistan: Country Rapped For Lack Of Online Press Freedom
IRIN News
Ankara, June 24: Turkmenistan, the most reclusive Central Asian state, ranks as one of the most repressive countries in the world in terms of online press freedom, restricting access to the Internet and blocking access to a very wide range of websites, international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in a report issued on Wednesday. The RSF report - `The Internet under surveillance` - said the energy-rich state not only limits access to certain websites, including independent magazines, religious and human rights sites, but also restricts the public`s access to the web as a source of information in a more general sense. `[In Turkmenistan] this is more a problem of accessing the Internet than a problem of censorship. The government doesn`t allow the people to have [any] access to the Internet. That is the worst step to control the sources of information,` Julien Pain, responsible for the RSF`s Internet freedom desk, told IRIN from Paris. Pain explained that the ex-Soviet republic was using the same techniques applied in Cuba and North Korea, preventing the population from accessing the Internet as `the simplest way to control the information`.
Georgia Forming Universal Police Unit
Interfax
Tbilisi, June 24: The Georgian Interior Ministry is forming a universal police unit. `The Georgian Interior Ministry is forming an absolutely new element - a universal police patrol,` Interior Minister Irakly Okruashvili told the press in Tbilisi on Thursday. `The unit will perform the functions of investigators, road and environmental police and firemen,` the minister said. `The selection of candidates for the unit will begin on July 15, and the Western-type unit will become operational on August 15,` he said. `130 high-class vehicles have been ordered for the new unit,` he said.
Turkmenistan Not Infringing On Minority Rights - President
Interfax
Ashgabat, June 22: Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov has said he disagrees with reports by foreign media alleging that the country infringes upon the rights of ethnic minorities. `Some newspapers say that the Russians are being oppressed here, but we know well that not a single Russian is oppressed in Turkmenistan. Envy stands behind all this,` Niyazov said at a meeting with the chiefs of law enforcement and military agencies, excerpts of which were broadcast by Turkmen television on Monday evening. `We need to develop the Turkmen language, and we just cannot speak Russian, since 95% of those living in the country are Turkmens,` Niyazov said. `It was in the past that - despite the fact that there were 80% of us - we had to speak in Russian. In those times, we were barred from entering a university or school or from being employed if we did not know the Russian language. This is when history was distorted. The time will come, and everybody will get used to the new realities,` Niyazov said. The president pointed out that there is a law stipulating that Turkmen, Russian, and English languages must be taught in the country`s schools
98 Kilos Of Drugs Confiscated At Afghani - Tajik Border
RIA Novosti
Moscow, June 25: Staffers of the Russian State Drugs Control jointly with their colleagues from the Tajik Interior Ministry have confiscated 98 kilos of drugs in the course of the special joint operations on the Afghani-Tajik border on June 6-24, the PR department of the Russian State drugs Control disclosed to a RIA Novosti correspondent. Servicemen from the Russian Security Service Frontier guard department participated in the operations as well. `The confiscated drugs included 64 kilos of heroin, 18 kilos of marijuana and 14 kilos of poppy,` the agency`s interlocutor disclosed. According to him, the activities of a number of organized drug groups, dealing with the smuggling of large batches of drugs, were stopped. `Starting from the first day of the formation of the Russian State Drugs Control the staffers of this department during the joint international operations confiscated 500 kilos of drugs including 450 kilos of heroin,` the agency`s interlocutor added.
Total Of 500 Ha Of Narcotic Plants Destroyed In Uzbekistan
Itar-Tass
Tashkent, June 23: A total of 500 hectares of fields of narcotics-containing plants has been destroyed in Uzbekistan as part of the Black Poppy`2004 anti-drugs operation, an official law enforcement source told Itar-Tass Wednesday. The law enforcers have exposed about a thousand facts pertaining to the sales, storage, and abuse of drugs, and have instituted over 300 criminal cases. The source said the operation included helicopters of the national airline Uzbekiston Havo Yollari that were making flights over remote mountainous parts of the country, where the plantations of poppy and hemp might be located and where the drug addicts might have their dens, the source said.
Azerbaijan, Russia To Join Efforts To Curb Drug Trade
Interfax
Baku, June 23: Russia and Azerbaijan have agreed to work together in the battle against drug trafficking, Viktor Cherkesov, director of the Russian Federal Drug Control Service, told a press conference in Baku on Wednesday. `The recently signed memorandum envisages new forms of cooperation, such as exchanging information on criminal activities, carrying out requests to search for criminals and documenting information to be passed on to partner countries,` Cherkesov said. `We have also agreed to exchange scientific and practical experience and conduct joint research in this sphere,` he said. `Besides that, it is necessary to activate special operations Kanal to stop drug transit. Before, we conducted this operation using only the Interior Ministry, from now on we are planning to start complex operations that would involve all related departments, security structures and customs and border services,` Cherkesov said.
Kazakhstan Sends 1st Radioactive Shipment
Associated Press
Almaty, June 24: Kazakhstan has delivered its first batch of radioactive isotopes to the United States under a deal to prevent the spread of nuclear materials, a Kazakh official said Thursday. The Nuclear Physics Institute sent a tiny amountabout 100 millicuriesof the isotope germanium-68 to the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico on June 18, said Professor Artem Arzumanov of the Kazakh National Nuclear Center. By comparison, medical devices used in cancer radiation therapy typically emit more than 1,000 curies, or 1 million millicuries. It was the first shipment of radioactive material by this former Soviet republic as part of the U.S. Energy Department`s Initiative for Proliferation Prevention, Arzumanov said. The program aims to prevent the spread of nuclear materials and weaponry by helping nuclear research and productions facilities in ex-Soviet countries to make peaceful products and to secure radioactive stockpiles. The Central Asian nation has surrendered the considerable arsenal of nuclear weapons it inherited from the Soviet Union, but still has several nuclear materials production facilities and stockpiles of radioactive waste. Under the deal, the institute in Kazakhstan`s commercial capital Almaty is expected to deliver another 200 millicuries of germanium-68 isotope to the Los Alamos laboratory next year and 300 millicuries in 2006. Germanium-68 is used in early diagnosis of cancer, heart disease and other ailments. Many hospitals and research institutions also use isotopes such as germanium-68 to calibrate medical imagining equipment. On Jan. 12, the Los Alamos lab dedicated a $23 million facility to produce short-lived isotopesincluding germanium-68for medical diagnosis and treatment. Demand for the isotopes has grown dramatically in the past decade, said Dennis Phillips, a chemist at the lab.
Special Focus Tajikistan: Parliament Passes Amendment To Election Code
The Tajik parliament has approved a series of changes to the Election Code that should improve the election process. The amendments, among other things, call for independent members to be appointed to local election commissions and outlaw the presence of armed men at polling stations.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/rights/articles/pp061904.shtml Doubts Shadow Saakashvili`s Ajaria Election Victory
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili appears to have triumphed in the June 20 election for Ajaria`s local parliament, but one Saakashvili supporter has warned that irregularities in the poll could lead to it breaking with the president`s ruling National Movement party.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav062104.shtml Uzbekistan: Karimov Wages War On Islamic Dress
Uzbekistan has recently stepped up a crackdown on female Islamic dress as part of its ongoing campaign against Islamic radicalism. The restrictions take place as official community councils, or makhallas, take on a growing role in providing religious counseling and education to Uzbek believers.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/rights/eav062104.shtml Analysis: President Aliyev`s Options For Reform
Observers in Baku are unanimous in their conviction that rivalries within the Azerbaijani leadership are becoming more acrimonious and more visible. What remains unclear is whether and how President Ilham Aliyev is planning to take advantage of that infighting to strengthen his own position. One of the warring camps is, moreover, already seeking to portray itself as the pro-democracy faction and thus as Aliyev`s natural partner in his professed campaign to secure for Azerbaijan membership of NATO and the EU.
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http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2004/06/70f0c99d-966d-41e4-8768-49ebde9905cb.html Taken Hostage In South Ossetia
Editor`s Note: As tensions between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway republic of South Ossetia escalate, two EurasiaNet photojournalists ventured into the territory on June 12 to survey conditions there. Taken hostage by a South Ossetian militia group, their experience illustrates the challenges in hand for bringing stability to this conflict-scarred region.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav062204.shtml With Eye On The US, Russia Bolsters Central Asia Presence
As human rights concerns place US aid for Uzbekistan at risk, Russia is making moves to strengthen its own ties to President Islam Karimov`s government. Last week`s June 17 Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tashkent gave Moscow the opportunity to finalize economic and military agreements that will enhance its standing not only in Uzbekistan, but throughout Central Asia.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav062204a.shtml Central Asia: Drug Addiction Is On The Rise (Part 1)
Central Asia in recent years has become a major transit route for the transport of Afghan opium and heroin to Russia and the lucrative European markets. Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, said during a recent trip to the region that at least 25 percent of the drugs produced in Afghanistan crosses through the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. The UN says those figures are accompanied by a worrying rise in drug use in the region. RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari reports in this first of a two-part series on drugs in Central Asia.
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http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2004/06/3eccd6d7-6600-4310-8656-6cfe150c5411.html Central Asia: Drug Trafficking Has Devastating Social, Economic Impact (Part 2)
About one-quarter of Afghan heroin and opium destined for European markets is believed to be trafficked through the five Central Asian countries. The illicit trade is having a serious social and economic impact on the region, including the spread of HIV/AIDS. RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari reports in the second and final part of our series on drugs in Central Asia.
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http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2004/06/0761f337-a1de-4b7c-a5d0-bbdaeb20d5f1.html South Ossetia Gets Ultimatum, Rejects Georgian Aid
As Tskhinvali announces its withdrawal from the international commission charged with monitoring the peace in South Ossetia, tensions are again escalating with Georgia over the demand that a South Ossetian soldier who wounded an ethnic Georgian be extradited to Georgia for prosecution.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav062304.shtml Nazarbayev Pushes Democratic Change For Elections, But With Limits
President Nursultan Nazarbayev has outlined a campaign platform for the September 2004 parliamentary elections that pushes political reform, but opposition members argue that the program only masks ongoing attempts by the presidential administration to consolidate power.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav062304b.shtml Georgia`s Treatment Of Azeri Minority Raises Concern
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev`s recent summit meeting with President Mikheil Saakashvili took place amidst growing reports of official harassment of Georgia`s Azeri minority, the country`s second largest ethnic group.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav062304a.shtml A New Vision For Armenia?
As the United States and the European Union step up their engagement with the South Caucasus in the wake of Georgia`s `Rose Revolution,` Armenia is taking steps not to be left behind.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav062404a.shtml
Fears Of Presidential Power Play Dog Kyrgyz Opposition Group
Close ties between Kyrgyzstan`s newly formed opposition movement and President Askar Akayev are fueling fears that the opposition`s attempt to break Akayev`s 14-year hold on power may be compromised. Local observers say that Akayev`s inner circle is behind the push to shape the Union for Fair Elections into a device for retaining their own power once Akayev steps down from office.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav062404.shtml Azerbaijan: Authorities Strive To Keep Islam Under Control
Strategically located between Iran, Turkey, and Russia`s Muslim Northern Caucasus republics, Azerbaijan has seen an upsurge in Islamic activity in the past decade. Depending on their geopolitical interests, authorities have adopted various attitudes toward foreign religious activists. Using a mix of coercion and tolerance, they have succeeded in keeping Islamic activities under control.
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http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2004/06/3c2886c3-0e03-411b-9a03-23b0c2f5f7e1.html Journalist Weaves Carnage And Carpets Into Intricate Tale
Shortly after September 11, 2001, Americans confronted the confusing map of Central Asia. Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan recurred in newspaper datelines; books about Afghanistan soared up the best-seller lists. But few in the mass media engaged directly with Central Asia as a region of the world whose yearnings and vibrant traditions have shaped its recent history.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/culture/articles/eav062504a.shtml Headed Home: Crimena Tatars Struggle To Leave Uzbekistan
`House for Sale`, `House for Sale.` The backstreets of Yangiyul, a Tashkent suburb, are covered with these homemade signs. Their message symbolizes the tragedy of Central Asia`s remaining Crimean Tatars, a nation charged en masse of Nazi collaboration during World War II and brutally deported by Stalin from their homeland in Ukraine`s Crimea.
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Report dated 25 June 2004