Kazakh Court Dismisses Opposition Lawsuits
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 2: Kazakhstan`s Supreme Court dismissed on 2 September two election-related lawsuits filed by opposition figures, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. In one ruling, the court dismissed a lawsuit by the Communist Party of Kazakhstan and Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan`s (DVK) election bloc to reverse a Central Election Commission decision to change the bloc`s original name. The bloc had wanted to call itself The Opposition Bloc of Abdildin and Zhaqiyanov, a reference to the parties` leaders. The court cited a law forbidding the use of leaders` names in the names of political parties. The court also threw out a lawsuit by DVK member Marzhan Aspandiyarova against Darigha Nazarbaeva, the daughter of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev and head of the pro-presidential Asar party. The suit had charged that Asar began televised campaign activities before the official start of the election campaigning period.
Azerbaijani President: Nagorno-Karabakh Talks Should Continue
Voice of America
Baku, September 2: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says he believes negotiations on settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should continue. He told reporters Thursday if he ever determines that negotiations on the conflict are ineffective, Azerbaijan will withdraw. Nagorno-Karabakh is an ethnic Armenian enclave in Azerbaijan that declared independence in 1988. A six-year conflict over the area claimed some 35,000 lives. On another issue, Mr. Aliyev says Azerbaijan will not join a call by Russia and eight other former Soviet republics for reform of Europe`s largest security organization.
Kyrgyz Opposition Figure Doubts Elections Will Be Fair
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, September 1: Opposition parliamentarian Azimbek Beknazarov told a news conference in Bishkek on 1 September that Kyrgyz authorities are throwing up obstacles to free and fair elections in the country, akipress.org reported. He cited President Askar Akaev`s 29 July 2004 veto of proposed amendments to the Criminal Code as an example; the amendments would have criminalized certain violations of the Election Code. Beknazarov warned that the authorities will try to use the 27 February parliamentary elections to create a pliable legislature. `These MPs will [then] elaborate amendments to the Kyrgyz constitution that will give the president the same status as Turkmenbashi [Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov],` he said. Beknazarov added that nine opposition political parties plan to hold a conference on Kyrgyzstan`s electoral system on 25 September.
Kazakh Electoral Laws Meet International Standards - Nazarbayev
Interfax
Astana, September 1: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said he is confident that the country`s existing legislation allows for honest and transparent elections. `If its provisions are adhered to in a strict manner, existing legislation allows us to hold any elections in compliance with international electoral standards in the republic today,` Nazarbayev said at the opening of the sixth parliamentary session in Astana on Wednesday. `While introducing amendments to the constitutional law on elections in the republic of Kazakhstan, the government and parliament managed to avoid any extremities that could add unwanted tensions to the electoral process,` the president said. He expressed confidence that legislation `ensures all the necessary prerequisites for the elections to take place in a purely democratic, honest and transparent manner.
Congratulations On Independence Day Of Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, August 31: Stephan de Clerk, burgomaster of Kortrejk, Belgium, sent congratulations to the government and people of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the country`s independence day, Jahon reported. `It is extremely interesting to observe how Uzbekistan, having rich history and at the same time being a young country on the world map, gradually and dynamically develops as an independent democratic country. I congratulate people of Uzbekistan with progress achieved during the independence years, in particular, in the economic sphere. I wish people of Uzbekistan to continue cooperation in all directions with European and other world countries,` he said. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia to Uzbekistan Farit Muhametshin said: `From my heart I congratulate you with your national holiday. Many years our people have been connected with strong ties of friendship and mutual respect. With satisfaction I can say that deep cardinal changes in Russian-Uzbek relations open wide perspectives to fill with real content strategic partnership between Russia and Uzbekistan, based on equality and mutual interest.`
Azeri President Congratulates Uzbekistan With Independence Day
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, August 31: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev sent a message to his Uzbek counterpart on occasion of 13th Independence Day of Uzbekistan. Following is text of the message. Dear Islam Abduganiyevich, On behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan I extend to You and the people of Your country our heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Independence Day.
Kyrgyz President Hails Country`s Achievements
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, August 31: President Askar Akaev lauded his country`s achievements at a 30 August ceremony in Bishkek on the eve of Kyrgyzstan`s Independence Day, akipress.org reported on 31 August. `We live as free people in a free country and serve for the world as an example of the peaceful coexistence of dozens of ethnic groups, various cultures, and religions,` Akaev said. He announced that his country`s main achievement since gaining its independence on 31 August 1991 is that it has taken shape as an independent state and that its people have become a self-sufficient nation. Akaev also called attention to an ongoing social mobilization campaign to improve the rural infrastructure and reduce poverty, Kyrgyz TV reported.
Kazakhstan To Revise Foreign Policy Concept
Interfax
Astana, August 31: The Kazakh Security Council, which is chaired by President Nursultan Nazarbayev, met on Tuesday to debate the revision of the country`s foreign policy concept, the presidential press service reported. `Speakers at the meeting said that the changing geopolitical situation in the world and in the region and the new global trends and phenomena call for updating the country`s foreign policy concept adopted in 2001. The stronger political and economic potential of Kazakhstan makes it possible for the country to pursue a more active foreign policy,` the report says. Nazarbayev `ordered the appropriate agencies to initiate a [new] foreign policy, adopt a clearer position in international organizations and step up constructive interaction with various international institutions,` it says. `The president also ordered the drafting of a comprehensive program for supporting the country`s foreign policy, consolidating foreign trade links and promoting Kazakh business in international markets and placing more emphasis on the country`s image policy,` the report says. The meeting participants also discussed ways to regulate the activities of religious organizations and counter the spread of religious extremism.
Committee Calls On Tajik President To End Press Pressure
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, August 31: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) issued an open appeal to Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov on 31 August to end what it called `an escalating campaign of intimidation and harassment against independent and opposition journalists in Tajikistan.` The letter cited the recent closure of the printing house Jiyonkhon, which printed the opposition newspapers `Nerui Sukhan` and `Ruzi Nav,` as well as a 29 July attack on `Ruzi Nav` Editor in Chief Rajab Mirzo, pressure on dissident journalist Dodojon Atovulloev, and other evidence of harassment.
Kazakh Opposition Bloc Hints At Possible Election Boycott
Radio Free Europe
Astana, August 31: Asylbek Kozhakhmetov, co-chairman of the coordination council for the Communist Party of Kazakhstan and Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan`s (DVK) election bloc, told a news conference on 31 August that the bloc has not ruled out boycotting 19 September parliamentary elections, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. Khozhakhmetov stressed that political parties can decide to boycott elections up to a week before voting begins without suffering legal or financial sanctions. He noted that the two parties, as well as the moderate opposition party Ak Zhol, have previously announced that they might boycott elections unless the government limited electronic voting to an experiment affecting no more than 2-3 percent of the population, released and exonerated imprisoned DVK leader Ghalymzhan Zhaqiyanov, and provided equal access to the media for all candidates in their election campaigns.
Turkmen Parliamentary Elections Set For 19 December
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, August 30: President Saparmurat Niyazov signed a resolution on 30 August setting 19 December as the date for Turkmenistan`s parliamentary elections, turkmenistan.ru reported. Another presidential resolution appointed Murat Karriyev, deputy chairman of the Council on Religious Affairs, as the head of the Central Election Commission. Turkmenistan`s Mejlis, or parliament, consists of 50 deputies elected for a term of five years. Previous elections were held on 12 December 1999.
Kazakhstan Marking Day Of Constitution
Itar-Tass
Astana, August 30: Kazakhstan marks on Monday the national holiday Day of Constitution. The current main law of the country was adopted ten years, on August 30, 1995 after the national referendum. This is the second constitution since the time when Kazakhstan gained its independence in 1991. The first constitution was adopted in 1993. The current constitution has become a `legislative foundation` for building a socially oriented state with a market economy and carrying out democratic reforms in the country.
Deputy Chairman Of Tajik Opposition Party Detained
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, August 30: Deputy Security Minister Mukhtor Sharipov told Asia Plus-Blitz on 30 August that Rustam Fayziev, deputy chairman of the unregistered Tajik opposition party Taraqqiyot, was arrested on 28 August. Sharipov declined to provide a reason for the arrest. Party chairman Sulton Quvvatov told RFE/RL`s Tajik Service that security forces arrested Fayziev for allegedly signing documents for the International Court of Justice in The Hague about the party`s inability to obtain official registration. But Quvvatov denied that Fayziev had signed or sent anything. Quvvatov said, `We kept these documents unsigned in the office in the safe, hoping that we`d be able to avoid taking this step if the Justice Ministry reversed its decision.` But Avesta reported on 30 August, citing `informed sources,` that Fayziev was arrested on 26 August for defaming Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov.
Tax Official Says Closure Of Tajik Printer Not Political
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, August 30: Huseyn Oqilov, deputy director of the Tax Ministry`s Main Operations Department, told a news conference in Dushanbe on 27 August that the recent closure of the Jiyonkhon printing press was not politically motivated, Asia Plus-Blitz reported on 30 August. Oqilov said that tax police raided six businesses in the complex that houses Jiyonkhon on 18 August to conduct inspections. The inspection revealed several violations of the tax code at Jiyonkhon, which Oqilov described as having `engaged in illegal commercial activity.` In the course of the inspection, the print run of the opposition newspaper `Nerui Sukhan` was confiscated when tax police discovered that the newspaper was underreporting its circulation, presumably to evade taxes. Oqilov said that the printing press will remain closed as long as the investigation continues.
Uzbek Air Force Il-76 Cargo Plane Makes Emergency Landing At Volgograd
Itar-Tass
Volgograd, September 3: An Uzbek Air Force Il-76 cargo plane made an emergency landing at Volgograd on Friday, Gumrak international airport sources told Itar-Tass. Glass of the cockpit broke, and the crew asked for an emergency landing, the security service said. Nobody of the crew was hurt.
Georgian Police Detain Two Russian Female Soldiers
Interfax
Tskhinvalli, September 2: Georgian police detained two Russian women soldiers near the Georgian village of Kekhvi in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone at about 6 p.m. on Thursday. `The women, both of them signallers, were forcibly detained by Georgian police and are currently being held at the headquarters of the Georgian forces in the village of Kekhvi,` Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Gennady Dzyuba told Interfax. He said the detained women soldiers were on their way to the peacekeeping battalion based in Tskhinvali for planned rotation.
Kazakhstan May Fence Off Border With Uzbekistan
Interfax
Chimkent, September 1: Kazakhstan, as well as Uzbekistan, may construct barriers on the border between the two countries, deputy head of the Southern Kazakhstan region Kenzhekhan Tulebayev told Interfax. Right now, he said, the border community `has not psychologically gotten used to the idea that the border is a real thing.` Because of this, border posts are `sometimes used by the local people to tie up their livestock,` he said. `However, with the conclusion of the border demarcation, the situation will change. The Uzbek side is already stretching barbed wire across their border. We will do the same,` said Tulebayev. Defining Kazakhstan`s plans for developing the border with Uzbekistan, Tulebayev said that since the beginning of 2004, the Saryagash border guard, located in the Southern Kazakhstan region, had detained 2,481 people illegally crossing the border, prevented 239 cases of contraband and seized contraband worth 30 million tenge (the exchange rate is 133.51 tenge/$1.) Demarcation work on the Kazakh-Uzbek border began last spring. Tulebayev said that since demarcation had begun, the Kazakh side has put up 337 border signs, 213 main ones and 124 intermediary ones. Meanwhile, the Uzbek side has put up fewer than 100 signs, citing a lack of funds, he said. He also said that, at 14 places, the border cuts across residential buildings and that the sides still have to decide exactly where the border lies in these sections. `We are trying to find a solution. So far, no one is being evicted from the border. But if such a need arises, [Kazakhstan] will compensate for the housing and the land of its citizens,` said Tulebayev. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will have to place up to 3,000 signs on their common border, including 1,500 border posts. It is expected that the demarcation of the Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan border will take up to three years.
Tbilisi Says 2 Peacekeepers Killed In S. Ossetia
Interfax
Tbilisi, August 31: The press center of the Georgian Interior Ministry has announced that two peacekeepers have been killed and three others wounded in the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone. According to the press center, a vehicle carrying Russian and Ossetian peacekeepers hit a mine near the Georgian village of Kekhvi. It did not specify whether the casualties were Russian or Ossetian peacekeepers. Meanwhile, chief of staff of the joint peacekeeping forces Lt. Col. Vladimir Namestnikov told Interfax that the staff did not have any information about such an incident.
Tajik Defence Minister Meets With Russian General
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, August 30: Colonel General Sherali Khayrulloev met with General Vladimir Boldyrev, commander of Russia`s Volga-Ural Military District, on 30 August in Dushanbe, Avesta reported. Minister Khayrulloev briefed General Boldyrev on plans for the further development of Tajikistan`s armed forces. For his part, General Boldyrev described his visit as an opportunity to acquaint himself personally with Tajikistan`s military leadership, the personnel of Russia`s Tajikistan-based 201st Motorized Infantry Division, and plans for future Russian-Tajik military cooperation, Asia Plus-Blitz reported.
Georgian Peacekeeping Battalion Under Planned Rotation
Itar-Tass
Moscow, August 29: A planned rotation of the Georgian peacekeeping battalion is on in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone. `Units of the Georgian Defense Ministry will replace interior troopers to provide for peace in the Tskhinvali district,` commander of the joint peacekeeping force in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone Maj. Gen. Svyatoslav Nabzdorov told Itar-Tass by telephone on Sunday. `The rotation is underway in line with the plan of the joint peacekeeping force command and under control of representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),` he said. `The regional situation is calm, there have been no incidents.` Up to 40 armored personnel carriers of the Ossetian peacekeeping battalion, which had run out of order, were replaced in July 2004, he said. The joint peacekeeping force was established under the Dagomys Agreement of 1992. The force is made up of peacekeeping battalions of Georgia, South Ossetia and Russia. Each of the battalions has 500 servicemen.
Tbilisi Denies Presence Of Chechen Rebel Bases In Pankisi Gorge
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 2: Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili has denied statements that Chechen rebels bases are present in the Pankisi Gorge. `Russia officially recognizes in the international arena that there are neither Chechen rebel bases, nor terrorists in the Pankisi Gorge. Therefore, all accusations against Georgia are unfounded,` Zurabishvili said at a press briefing in Tbilisi on Thursday, commenting on statements by Leonid Ivashov, vice president of the Russian Academy of Geo-Political Sciences. Ivashov said at a press conference on Thursday that, in fact, Georgia is a rear base for carrying out terrorist attacks against Russia. He also said that `rebel bases are located not only in the Pankisi Gorge, but in other parts of Georgia as well, including at medical centers.` Corresponding financial centers for terrorism are also located in Georgia, Ivashov said.
Uzbek Citizen Wounded In Moscow Bombings
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 1: Uzbek citizen is among causalities of recent violence in Moscow. According to Russian mass media, Khamza Madjidov, 39, is among victims of bombing at Rijskaya metro station in Russian capital. The reports noted that his wounds are serious and now he is in the hospital. The blast was committed in the evening of 31 August at Rijskiy Square (Riga Square) not far from Rijskaya metro station.
Kazakh President Warns Of Extremist Threat
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 1: In an address before parliament on 1 September, President Nursultan Nazarbaev warned that terrorists and extremists are stepping up their activities in Central Asia, Kazakh TV reported. `The threat of terrorism is increasing in our region,` Nazarbaev said. Noting that `missionaries of all types are flooding the country,` the president predicted that the influence of extremist organizations could grow in Kazakhstan, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. He pointed to increasingly open activity by Hizb ut-Tahrir, which supports a restoration of the caliphate and the imposition of Islamic law throughout Central Asia. Nazarbaev said that Kazakh authorities have seized 11,000 Hizb ut-Tahrir leaflets in 2004, compared to 1,000 in 2003.
Uzbek President Decries Evil Forces
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, August 31: Speaking at a ceremony in Tashkent on 31 August to commemorate victims of Soviet-era repressions, President Islam Karimov noted the need to instill a `healthy ideology` in young people, Uzbek Radio reported. In an apparent reference to Islamist extremist movements, he also urged a fight against `evil forces brainwashing our children, setting them against their parents and trying to bring back medieval times.` Describing globalization as the worldwide spread of information within minutes, President Karimov said that an `information assault` is `more dangerous than any military aggression.` An address broadcast on Uzbek television on 31 August, the eve of Uzbekistan`s 1 September Independence Day, highlighted similar themes. `In these complex and unsafe times, with such maladies as international terrorism, religious extremism, and drug trafficking posing a threat to humanity, I would hope that the clarion call `Let us protect and defend our sacred land ourselves` will drive home to each citizen the need to be always watchful and vigilant,` the president said.
Uzbek President Karimov Criticizes Pakistan As Well As Some European Countries
Pravda
Tashkent, August 30: The President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov hold a press conference where he openly criticized some European countries as well as Pakistan, but also said that Russia and Uzbekistan established good relations in the end of August, at 15th session of the Uzbek Parliament. In the beginning of the session, the President told the reporters that Uzbekistan we did not ask anyone for arms or something else, but only wanted sincerity. Uzbekistan should not take offense at Europe which did not rush to offer its assistance. Europe is preoccupied with its own problems. For the time being, Uzbekistan needs instructions, iit needs moral support. President Karimov clearly told that the some people who were involved in terrorist activitities in Uzbekistan were being in Pakistan, South Vaziristan.
Kazakh Extremists Call For War On US & Jews
IsraelNN.com
Astana, August 29: Anti-American and anti-Semitic leaflets said to be produced by the underground Islamic radical organization Hizb ut-Tahrir are being distributed in Almaty, Kazakhstan, according to an August 18 report by the AEN news service. The leaflets, most recently placed in mailboxes of residents in two high-rise apartment buildings, urge Muslims to `build an united state of Islam while fighting against the USA and the Jews.` Similar leaflets have been distributed in public places throughout the city. In Kazakhstan and several other Central Asian and Arab nations, Hizb ut-Tahrir is banned. Though its leaders officially claim to advocate the imposition of Sharia law through non-violent means, experts have argued that the movement`s ideology is inherently violent, and the Uzbek government has accused Hizb ut-Tahrir members of participating in terrorist acts.
German Consortium And Kyrgyzstan Negotiates To Privatize JSC `Kyrgyztelecom
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, September 3: AREXTECH/Detecon International GmbH and the government of Kyrgyzstan negotiate to privatize the JSC `Kyrgyztelecom`. Vice-President of the `Detecon` Company Accel Bush told journalists at a press conference at the `Kabar` Agency. This company is a branch establishment of the German Consortium and acts as manager and technical partner of Deutche Telecom, which include AREXTECH/Detecon International GmbH (AREXTECH). `The negotiations has begun and continue in good way`, - said A. Bush. In the words of Director of the `Detecon` Representation for CIS Andrei Plotnikova, German Consortium offered 16,2 million US dollars for the share holding of `Kygryztelecom` and outstripped other pretenders. It is necessary to note that this was the second tender on privatization of `Kyrgyztelecom`. Winner of the first tender - Swedish Consortium `Swedtel AB` refused to pay this sum. At present, the government and representatives of AREXTECH discuss the terms of contract. If the negotiations would be successful then Germany is ready to invest `Kyrgyztelecom` 150 million dollars during 10 years.
Kyrgyzstan Registers Economic Growth
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, September 2: Kyrgyzstan`s gross domestic product (GDP) totaled 44.3 billion soms ($1 billion) for the first seven months of 2004, an 8.6 percent year-on-year increase, akipress.org reported on 2 September, citing the National Statistics Committee. Without the Kumtor gold mine, economic growth for the period came to 7.6 percent. First Deputy Prime Minister Joomart Otorbaev said on 2 September that Kyrgyzstan needs to develop its service sector, Kyrgyz TV reported. Service-sector revenues currently account for just 40 percent of GDP, whereas in countries the report described as `similar,` service-sector revenues comprise up to 80 percent of GDP.
Kazakh Metals Plant Opens Shanghai Subsidiary
Interfax
Almaty, August 31: Ulba-China Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kazakhstan`s Ulba Metallurgical Plant (UMZ), has been officially registered in Shanghai, Kazatomprom, owner of 90 per cent of UMZ, has reported on its website. The new company will be looking to increase sales beryllium product in China and Southeast Asia. It will give UMZ unfettered access to promising beryllium product markets and help in the timely provision of services to potential partners in the region. UMZ is the world`s second largest beryllium producer, with a production chain running from ore concentrates to metallic beryllium and its alloys.
TengizChevroil Estimates Korolevskoye Fld Could Hold Up To 1 Billion Boe
Rigzone
Astana, August 30: The TengizChevroil joint venture`s Korolevskoye oil field in West Kazakhstan could hold between 500 million and 1 billion barrels of oil, Alexander Cornelius, TengizChevroil`s general director, told reporters in Atyrau. TengizChevroil is already developing the bigger Tengiz field, which holds between 6 billion and 9 billion barrels. TengizChevroil is licensed to a further six properties: Ansagan, to the east of the Tengiz field; Prorva Glubokoye and Severnoye Kultuk, both to the south; Ogay, to the southeast; and Tazhigaly and Birlistik. Cornelius said the company had gathered `enough information` about the sites to `make some sort of decision with respect to them.` But he also said the company`s opportunities were limited. The Tengiz field currently has 56 production wells, 39 of which are operating. So far, 10 wells have been drilled at Korolevskoye, three of which are operating and seven of which are being prepared for operation.
Oil Transit Via Azerbaijan Will Reach 2003 Level In Sept
Interfax
Baku, August 29: Transit of Kazakh and Turkmen oil through Azerbaijan to Georgia`s Black Sea ports will reach the level of 2003 in September, a source in Azerbaijan State Railways told Interfax. `We expect that the transit of oil and oil products from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan through our country to Georgian ports on the Black Sea will noticeably increase in September and, at the least, will get rid of the current shortfall from last year`s figures,` the source said. Azerbaijan State Railways transported 6 million tonnes of Central Asian oil and oil products in the first seven months of 2004, down 500,000 tonnes year-on-year, the source said. He said the expected growth in transit is due to a large number of futures contracts for delivery in the fall and winter.
Armenian, Azerbaijani Presidents To Meet In Astana
Itar-Tass
Yerevan, September 3: Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Azerbaijani President Ilkham Aliyev are likely to meet again at a CIS summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanyan told television on Wednesday that the fourth meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart in Prague was `the most important of all the previous ones` during which the sides `took one more important step forward`. `The purpose of these contacts is to lay the foundation for further negotiations and meetings both between the ministers and presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan,` Oskanyan said. He said the meeting in Prague was `on the whole positive`. `If the sides continue in the same mode, eventually they will lay the foundation for positive results in the future,` the minister said.
Baku To Hand Over CSEP Coordination Center To Tehran
Tehran Times
Tehran, September 3: Caspian Sea Environmental Program (CSEP) coordination center will shift from Baku to Tehran. Reza Sheikholeslami, regional technical deputy of CSEP (affiliated to UNEP) told Petroenergy Information Network that the shift coincided with the conclusion of the first phase of CSEP. He noted that the most important part of the second phase of the program was studying biodiversity, and controlling invasive species, adding, `Controlling pollution as well as sustainable development of sea coasts are other important goals of the Caspian Sea Environmental Program.` The official said he second phase of the program aimed to complement the current knowledge about transnational issues of the Caspian Sea as well as implementing the content of a regional environmental strategies in the form of national action plans.
Turkmenistan Calls For Expansion Of Relations With Iran
Turkmenistan News
Ashgabat, September 3: President Saparmurat Niyazov received visiting Iranian Foreign minister Seyyed Kamal Kharrazi yesterday. According to the press service of the Turkmen leader the sides discussed a whole range of issues of bilateral and international nature in the course of a meeting. The president of Turkmenistan and foreign minister of Iran stressed both sides` great interest in further expansion of economic cooperation, including by means of implementing large-scale joint projects. In view of this the sides discussed progress in construction of the Friendship Dam on the border river of Tejen, which by mutual agreement is to be commissioned ahead of schedule. Expressing satisfaction with mutually beneficial partnership, Saparmurat Niyazov and Seyyed Kamal Kharrazi noted its positive development and, above all, in such important fields as trade, power engineering, transportation, oil and gas sector, road construction and other spheres. Taking into account that Iran is one of the largest consumers of Turkmen liquefied gas, the Turkmen leader informed the guests about plans on increasing liquefied gas production and suggested raising the amount of this product`s export to the neighboring country. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran supported this proposal. As the Ashgabat correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru was told in the press service of the Turkmen president, in the course of talks the sides paid specific attention to issues related to the elaboration of a new legal status of the Caspian Sea. Recognizing the urgency of this problem for all five littoral states, the Turkmen president and Iranian Foreign Minister confirmed their mutual desire to solve this complicated problem as soon as possible on the basis of consensus and meeting the interests of all Caspian states. As regards regional cooperation the sides noted the need to continue exerting joint efforts in the fight against illicit trade in drugs and drug trafficking. In an interview to journalist after the meeting Seyyed Kamal Kharrazi noted the high level of bilateral relations, underlining the fact that Turkmenistan established favorable conditions for productive work of Iranian companies that are prepared to actively engage themselves in the Turkmen market. Commenting on the negotiation process on the Caspian issues, the Foreign Minister of Iran said there was achieved certain progress, stating that `there was made a great step forward in this direction, and this process will be continued until the final solution to the problem of the Caspian Sea`s legal status is found.` The meeting between the Iranian Foreign Minister and Turkmen leader was also attended by special envoy of Iran on Caspian issues Mehdi Safari and Iranian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Gholamreza Ansari.
China-Kazakhstan Oil Pipeline To Start Construction At Mid-Sep
Kazakhstan News
Beijing, September 3: China National Petroleum Corporation (PetroChina Corp., NYSE: PTR), China`s largest state-owned petroleum producer and importer, posted the interimresults on August 26 and revealed that the oil pipeline from Kazakhstan to China would start construction from September 28,2004. The company had reached CNY 45.29 billion in profits in the first half of this year, increasing 17.3 per cent year-on-year. Its earnings per share was CNY 0.26, a growth of CNY 0.04 from thatat the same period last year. According to the clinched contract signed by PetroChina Corp. and the national petroleum and natural gas company of Kazakhstan, the two partners will jointly build up a crude oil pipeline to export Kazakhstan`s Petroleum to China. The pipeline is total 1,240 kilometers long and scheduled to reach an annual transport capacity of 20 million tons. At present, the two companies have set up a 50: 50 joint venture in charge of the construction of pipeline.
Kyrgyz Government To Decide On China Building Tourist Complex On Issyk Lake Bank
Interfax
Bishkek, September 3: No decision has yet been made about the construction of an 800 hectare tourist complex on the southern bank of the Issyk-Kul Lake, Zhantoroz Kanimetov, chairman of the parliamentary Science, Education and Culture Committee told the press on Friday. The Issyk-Kul region administration has negotiated a deal with Chinese businessmen to rent out the land area, but a final decision is to be made by the government and approve by parliament, he said. The Issuk Kul Ecological and Economic System Law signed by President Askar Akayev in August 2004 does not allow possession of recreation areas or tourism infrastructure by foreign organizations or individuals but can be rented out to them for up to 49 years with a clearance with the Kyrgyz government and parliament, Kanimetov said. `Furthermore, Kyrgyz citizens must add up to about 90 per cent of the work force in foreign installations,` he said. If the rented area is not used for the agreed purpose, Kyrgyz authorities may cancel agreements with foreign parties, Kanimetov said. The new law will protect the environment and tackle the economic issues of the unique Central Asian area, he said. `We must not allow Issyk -Kul to meet the fate of the Aral Sea,` Kanimetov said. According to the Issyk-Kul regional administration, the Beijing- based Zhunkung company has for years been negotiating with Kyrgyz authority the construction of a tourist complex that would include a golf club, nearly 200 cottages, horse riding paths and hunting areas on the bank of the lake. By early reports, the company intends to invest $200 million in this project.
Oman To Use Iran`s Ports To Boost Trade With Central Asia
IRNA
Dubai, September 3: Oman, in a bid to a gain a foothold in Central Asia, is to use facilities of Iran`s southern port of Bandar Abbas. An important issue between Oman and Central Asian states is emergency and Oman is striving to expand its trade with the region through its ports. Currently, Iran-Oman bilateral trade is close to $220 million annually and Iran ranked second in 2003 in absorbing re-exports of Oman. The country jointed the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2000 and instituted a wide-spread reform including removal of fees imported goods, and reduction of limitations on foreign investments with the aim of boosting its trade volume. Iran`s minister of mines and industries, Es`haq Jahangiri and Oman`s bin Sultan, earlier in July signed a memorandum of understanding on expansion of economic cooperation. According to one MOU, Iran and Oman paved the grounds for signing an agreement to avoid double taxation. The sides also inked another MOU on exchange of education technology and insurance between the two countries` Export Guarantee Funds and one on cancellation of visas for political and service passports. Encouraging the private sectors for investment in the fields of technology and engineering, designing and implementing projects in the areas of industry and mines, petrochemistry, roads and construction, water pipelines, marine structures and construction of power plant were among other issues the sides agreed upon.
Prague Meeting With Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Positive - Armenian FM
Interfax
Yerevan, September 3: The Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers who held discussions in Prague on August 30 have described the meeting as a step forward in the Karabakh settlement. Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian told the Armenian public television that Armenia and Azerbaijan are laying a foundation for further negotiations so that they can start discussing specific aspects of the settlement process. `The foundation has not been laid yet but we are working on it. I positively regard the Prague meeting because it was the most important of four contacts with my Azerbaijani colleague in laying the further negotiations` basis,` Oskanian said. Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will meet again during a CIS summit in Astana in September. Baku lost control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjoining districts in a bloody conflict with Armenia in the 1990s. The U.S., Russian and French Cochairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group are working on the Karabakh settlement.
Iran Will Start Piping Natural Gas To Azerbaijan In Sept 2005
IRNA
Baku, September 2: Head of the Azeri Gas Company said here on Thursday that natural gas exchange between Iran and Azerbaijan will start in September 2005. The annual gas transfer capacity will reach 350 million cubic meters, Alikhan Malikov added. Iran is due to export natural gas to the Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan. Nakhichevan needs 250 million cubic meters of natural gas per year, said Malikov adding that the country requires 100 million cubic meters more to supply its power plant. He said a 42-km-long gas pipeline will become operational between Jolfa and Nakhichevan to put the project into practice.
DaimlerChrysler Delegation Meets Uzbek Foreign Minister
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 2: Delegation of DaimlerChrysler led by Executive Advisor to the Chairman for Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia Dr Klaus Mangold met the Uzbek Foreign Affairs Minister Sadyk Safaev on 2 September. The sides discussed issues on cooperation between German company and enterprises of Uzbekistan. The DaimlerCrysler`s delegation led by Dr Klaus Mangold arrived in Tashkent on 2 September to discuss cooperation between company and Uzbekistan. It is planned that the delegation will meet also other senior Uzbek officials, including President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. Dr Klaus Mangold is appointed Executive Advisor to the Chairman for Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, as of 2004. In his new function, he will report directly to the Chairman of the Board of Management. Dr Mangold will primarily concentrate on initiatives to increase the Group`s business in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in Central Asia.
Call To Increase Trade Between Kazakhstan, Pakistan
Kazakhstan News
Islamabad, September 2: Participants of a conference here on Thursday expressed their disappointment over the low volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Kazakhstan and urged the authorities on both sides to take measures to multiply the present bilateral trade figures. The Pakistan-Kazakhstan Business Conference was held at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI). The event was jointly organized by the embassy of Kazakhstan and the ICCI in order to provide an opportunity to the local business community to exchange their views directly with the staff of the embassy of Kazakhstan for eliciting various proposals to ameliorate the situation. Speaking on the occasion, Kazakhstan ambassador Beibit Issabayev said the unavailability of a good number of transportation routes including air link between the two countries and the inability of officials to create a mutual trust between the business communities on both sides were the main reasons behind the present low trade volume. During their 12 years of diplomatic relations, the two countries had only been able to take their annual trade volume to $10.4 million in 2003, which was nothing compared to the bilateral trade potential of the two regional Islamic countries, he said. Kazakhstan possessed six per cent of the world`s mineral resources and achieved 40 per cent economic growth during the last four years with $32 billion Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It was becoming an investment-friendly country and there were lots of opportunities for Pakistan to build more enterprises and undertake joint ventures in agricultural, textile, pharmaceutical and cotton sectors. `We need joint ventures on production, storage and refinement of agriculture products, such as leather, wool, fruits, vegetables dairy and meat,` Mr Issabayev said. The Kazakhstan government, he said, had enacted new investment-friendly laws and had made visa rules more flexible for traders, who wanted to either invest in the country or participate in various exhibitions being held there. Visas, he said, would be issued to businessmen within a week. He also asked businessmen to directly contact Kazakhstan embassy in Islamabad for information relating to investment in his country. In the next three months, he said, both governments were scheduled to sign three more trade agreements. Because, considerable developments had taken place during the recent ministerial-level consultations between the two countries. Earlier, the ICCI president, Zubair Ahmed Malik, said the present trade volume could have been 10 times larger had both the governments implemented agreements they had signed since 1993. He said there was much to be desired. The Indian government had already established a `Trade House` in Almaty, the capital of Kazakhstan, and the Pakistani government should also do the same in order to provide an opportunity to traders to exchange ideas with their counterparts in Kazakhstan and explore new avenues for investment.
Tashkent City Governor Meets DaimlerChrysler Delegation
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 2: Tashkent city governor Rustam Shoabdurakhmanov met two members of delegation of DaimlerChhrysler, Dr Klaus Mangold and Michael Inaker on 2 September. The sides discussed issues on delivery of 500 Mercedes Benz buses of EvoBusGmbH, participation at International Cargo Transportation Trucks Exhibition, delivery of minibuses of Mercedes Benz, opening of Mercedes Benz shop in Tashkent and others. The DaimlerCrysler`s delegation led by Dr Klaus Mangold arrived in Tashkent on 2 September to discuss cooperation between company and Uzbekistan. It is planned that the delegation will meet also other senior Uzbek officials, including President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. The delegation will return to Germany from Samarkand on 3 September.
Klaus To Visit Britain, Central Asia, Spain In September
Czech Happenings
Prague, September 2: President Vaclav Klaus will visit Britain next week, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan afterwards, and Spain in the end of September. This weekend Klaus attends the annual Villa d`Este, Italy, forum on European and world issues. Klaus`s working visit to Spain will take place on September 27-29. No further details have been published by the Presidential Office yet.
Kharrazi Underlines Expansion Of Tehran-Ashkhabad Relations
IRNA
Ashgabat, September 2: Iran`s Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said here Thursday that mutual respect and good neighborly relations have led to expanding cooperation between Iran and Turkmenistan. He made the remarks in a meeting with his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov. In the meeting, Kharrazi stressed that the working groups of Iran-Turkmenistan Economic Commission should be activated, saying `Mutual interests will be better provided if consultations of the working groups continue to explore the grounds for economic cooperation.` Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, for his part, expressed his satisfaction with expanding relations between the two countries.
Agreement On Japanese Grant For Development Of Passenger Transportation Signed
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, September 2: An agreement on giving grant by the Japanese government through International Development Association (IDA) worth 125 thousand US dollars in the frame of World Bank`s Project `Town Transport` signed at the Finance Ministry of Kyrgyzstan. According to the Finance Ministry of Kyrgyzstan, after signing the document, WB Permanent Representative in Kyrgyzstan Chris Lovelace announced that `this sum is small but it is very useful`. The funds will be aimed to train personnel of the passenger transportation agency of the Bishkek Mayor Office by the newest methods of management.
Azerbaijan`s President To Visit France
Agence France-Presse
Nakhichevan, September 2: Ilham Aliyev, president of the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan, said Thursday he would be meeting his French counterpart on a visit to Paris later this month. `My forthcoming trip to Paris is a working visit. I expect that during the visit I will be meeting with President (Jacques) Chirac,` Aliyev told reporters on a visit to the western Azeri province of Nakhchevan. France has emerged as the closest European ally of Azerbaijan, an oil-rich state on the Caspian Sea with a mainly Muslim population. France was the first Western state that Aliyev visited after his election last year. Officials say Azerbaijan`s president will travel to France on September 9, though Aliyev himself did not disclose the exact date. The visit will coincide with a ceremony in the French capital to formally appoint Aliyev`s wife, Mehriban, as a goodwill ambassador for UNESCO, the United Nations`s cultural arm.
Russia`s Mayak Radio Returns To Bishkek
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, September 1: Russia`s Radio Mayak began broadcasting to Bishkek on 31 August, akipress.org reported on 1 September. Mayak programming can be heard from 5 a.m. to 12 a.m. Mayak is working together with the independent Kyrgyz radio station Almaz, which rebroadcasts programming by Deutsche Welle, Radio France Internationale, and VOA.
Kazakh Parliament Ratifies Extradition Deal With U.S.
Kazakhstan News
Astana, September 1: The lower house of the Kazakh parliament, the Majilis, on its Wednesday plenary session approved the ratification of an agreement with the United States on handing alleged criminals over to the International Criminal Court. `The essence of the agreement is that the U.S. provides guarantees that Kazakh citizens will not be handed over to the International Criminal Court`s jurisdiction without the republic`s [Kazakhstan`s] written consent. Kazakhstan undertakes analogous commitments,` Deputy Kazakh Prosecutor General Merei Voisov said presenting the document to the parliamentarians. According to the Majilis`s international affairs, defense, and security committee, the U.S. has already ratified the agreement, which was signed in September 2003.
New Georgian Ambassador Hopes For Normalization Of Russian-Georgian Relations
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 1: Georgia`s new ambassador to Moscow, Valery Chechelashvili, said relations between the two countries will soon normalize. `The current escalation of Georgian-Ossetian relations will surely be soon overcome through efforts of both sides,` Chechelashvili told journalists in Tbilisi on Wednesday. He said that Russian and Georgian diplomats continue to work on a framework agreement between the two countries.
Ukraine President Plans Ashgabat Visit
Kabar Agency
Ashgabat, September 1: During a phone conversation Tuesday with President Niyazov, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine told that he plans to visit to Ashgabat later this month. Kuchma visit that has been postponed several times during the past seven months would result in a long-term energy cooperation agreement between the two countries. During the phone talks, heads of both states agreed to intensify cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Ukraine is the largest buyer of natural gas from Ukraine. The gas transportation arrangements for the next 25 years have been sorted out already.
Armenian Official Stresses Boosting Ties With Iran
IRNA
Moscow, September 1: Head of Armenian Constitutional Court Gagik Harotunyan on Wednesday in a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Armenia Alireza Haqiqiyan called for bolstering Iran-Armenia ties. Noting the prospect of cooperation and continuity of Tehran-Yerevan consultations, Harotunyan called expanding bilateral cooperation in different fields as `important`. He referred to the measures taken by Iran to remove financial problems of Armenia, saying cultural and historical affinity are proper backing for Iran-Armenia relations. Harotunyan underlined the need to consolidate regional cooperation and urged establishment of new frameworks for expanding such relations. Iranian ambassador, for his part, referred to the growing trend of mutual relations and called the upcoming visit of President Mohammad Khatami as a step toward further expanding relations.
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister, Turkish Ambassador To Discuss Foreign Ministers` Meeting
Interfax
Baku, September 1: Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mamedyarov told reporters on Wednesday he will meet with Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Unal Chevikoz to discuss the format of the trilateral meeting between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey on the Karabakh issue. `I have already talked to the Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan and we have agreed to meet again to discuss the details of the trilateral meeting,` he said. `We will discuss the date of the trilateral meeting, which will take place in New York,` Mamedyarov said. `A lot will depend on the bilateral meeting of the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is to take place in Astana,` he said.
Common Economic Space May Become CIS Core - Delegates
Kabar Agency
Kiev, September 1: The Common Economic Space can become the core of the upgraded CIS, said participants in a Tuesday roundtable meeting in Kiev. `Such associations are realities of the modern world,` Oryol Governor Yegor Stroyev said. He called for forming large inter-state alliances in the defense industry, ferrous metallurgy, fuel transportation and machine building. Russia and Ukraine also can cooperate in the production and exports of grain. `This is the largest reserve of our economies,` he said. The Common Economic Space `must have clear rules and a common legal foundation,` St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matviyenko said. `We, governors, are pragmatic people. We want businesslike cooperation instead of search for loopholes,` she said. Odessa Governor Sergei Grinevetsky called for releasing a magazine on cooperation in the Common Economic Space. Head of the Russian presidential administration Dmitry Medvedev conveyed greetings from President Vladimir Putin to participants in the roundtable meeting.
Iran, Azerbaijan Stress Need To Bolster Bilateral Ties
IRNA
Orumiyeh, September 1: The governor-general of W. Azarbaijan province here on Wednesday stressed the importance of bolstering economic and cultural relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan. His remarks were made at a meeting with Azeri Ambassador to Iran Abbas Ali Hasanov and several economic officials of the province. Hasanov, in the meeting, expressed his gratitude for Iran`s support during the initial years of Azerbaijani independence. Alluding to the cultural commonalties of Iran and Azerbaijan, Hasanov underlined the necessity of bolstering bilateral social and cultural relations. He expressed his country`s readiness to expand cooperation in the fields of industrial, commercial, economic and cultural fields.
Russia Reopens Border With Georgia
Interfax
Moscow, September 1: Russia has reopened its border with Georgia after closing it in the wake of Wednesday`s seizure by an armed group of a school in the Russian region of North Ossetia, which borders Georgia and Chechnya, Russian border guard spokesman said on Thursday. `Border control and formalities for individuals and motor vehicles are being carried out the normal way,` the spokesman told Interfax. On Wednesday, the border guard said travel across the Russian- Georgian border in both directions had been suspended `pending a special order.` Federal Security Service (FSB) spokesman Vadim Shibayev told Interfax this was part of `a set of security measures` launched after hundreds of people were taken hostage in a school in the North Ossetian town of Beslan.
Turkmen President Passes On Summit, Plans Meeting With Ukranian Counterpart
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, August 31: Saparmurat Niyazov will not attend a 13-16 September summit of CIS leaders in Astana, Kazakhstan, but he has invited Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma to Ashgabat in late September to sign a gas accord between the two countries, Turkmen TV reported on 31 August. The signing of that accord, most recently scheduled for May 2004, has been repeatedly postponed (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 22 March 2004). Niyazov will not be able to go to the summit because he has a previously scheduled medical check-up with German doctors on 13-16 September, turkmenistan.ru reported.
Turkish Businessman Opens 3rd Factory In Uzbekistan
Anadolu Agency
Tashkent, August 31: Uzbek President Islam Karimov inaugurated the third textile factory constructed by Turkish businessman Fuat Em in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Karimov told reporters that they have always appreciated businessmen who invest in Uzbekistan and provide employment to Uzbek people. He added that he is expecting new investments from Mr. Fuat Em. Sagban Textile, the factory of Em, cost 2 million U.S. dollars and provides employment to 320 people. This 3rd factory is planned to export goods worth of 3 million U.S. dollars annually.
Armenia, Azerbaijan In Fresh Talks On Karabakh
Radio Free Europe
Yerevan, August 31: Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian and his Azerbaijani counterpart Elmar Mammadyarov met yesterday in the presence of international mediators for a third time in as many months, but again left no indications of an imminent breakthrough in the unresolved Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The daylong meeting again took place in the Czech capital Prague and was attended by the French, Russian, and U.S. co-chairs of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group. It was the first face-to-face encounter between Oskanian and Mammadyarov since the envoys` visit to the conflict zone last month. `We are continuing what we began at our first meeting,` Oskanian told RFE/RL during a lunchtime break in the talks.
Tajikistan To Host 8th ECO Summit
IRNA
Tehran, August 31: Heads of state/government of member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) will hold their 8th summit in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on September 14. The summit is to be chaired by Tajik President Emomali Rakhmanov, according to a press release received Tuesday from the ECO Secretariat here. The meeting will also be attended by heads/representatives of various UN and other regional and international organizations with which ECO has evolved a working relationship. The meeting will review the status of implementation of various ECO projects and will discuss ways and means to expedite them. The summit will also consider the reports of the chairman of the 14th Council of Ministers and ECO secretary-general. It will also review the outcomes of various sectoral ministerial meetings and give ECO leaders the opportunity to discuss guidelines for steering the future course of the organization. Among other issues that are likely to be discussed or reviewed during the meeting are the ECO`s participation in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, measures to combat drug trafficking and enforcement of important ECO agreements such as the ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA), Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA), etc.
Japan Donates $2 Million To UNICEF To Get Children Out Of Orphanages In Central Asia
Kabar Agency
New York, August 31: The Government of Japan is donating more than US$ 2 million to UNICEF to get children out of orphanages and other residential institutions across Central Asia. The announcement coincides with a tour of Central Asia by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, which ended today. Around 32,000 children in institutions in Central Asia, plus 30,000 families that are at risk of institutionalising their children, will benefit from the contribution of approximately 235 million yen. The funds will be divided between the five Central Asian countries, with US$ 444,000 for Kazakhstan, US$ 379,000 for the Kyrgyz Republic, US$ 369,000 for Tajikistan, US$ 369,000 for Turkmenistan and US$ 439,000 for Uzbekistan.
Dushanbe To Host 2nd Iranian Economic Exhibition
IRNA
Dushanbe, August 31: Iran is to hold its second economic exhibition here sometime in autumn. Sanitary ware, foodstuff, clothing and construction materials will be among the items to be displayed by Iranian producers, the manager of the international relations department of the Tajik Chamber of Commerce told IRNA on Tuesday. Economic experts believe that the holding of exhibitions in Tajikistan provide Iranian entrepreneurs the opportunity to display their products thereby paving the way for enhanced Iran-Tajikistan economic ties. The first Iranian economic exhibition was held in Dushanbe in autumn, 2003.
Heads Of CIS Financial Control Agencies To Meet In Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan News
Moscow, August 31: The 5th session of the Council of the heads of CIS financial control agencies will take place in Astana (Kazakhstan) on August 31 to September 2. Among participants are delegations from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan and Ukraine. Russian Audit Chamber Chairman Sergey Stepashin will head the Russian delegation. The agenda of the session includes issues concerning transparency of activities of financial control agencies, their cooperation with state authorities, legislation and some other issues. A number of documents are planned to be signed at the session.
Iran, Russia Discuss Caspian Sea Legal Regime
IRNA
Moscow, August 31: Iranian Ambassador to Russia Gholam-reza Shafei in a meeting here Tuesday with the new Russian Special Envoy to Caspian sea Victor Igor Yusufov reviewed the issues pertaining to the sea`s legal regime. The two sides also explored issues to be discussed during the meeting of Caspian sea littoral states` representatives to be held in September. Yusufov also expressed hope to visit Tehran in an opportune time and discuss outstanding issues on delineating the sea`s legal regime with Iranian officials. Yusufov, who had previously held the Energy post, was appointed to the job replacing Victor Caliogenie last month.
Uzbek Presidents Mark Centenary Of Deng`s Birth
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, August 30: Uzbek Presidents Islam Karimov has sent message to his Chinese counterpart Hu Jingtao to pay homage to late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth. In the messages, President Islam Karimov highly valued Deng`s great achievements, saying that China owed its rapid development over the past 20 years to Deng`s political wisdom, Xinhua reported. Karimov highly commended Deng`s creation of the theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics combining the maintenance of political stability with the development of a market economy in China, paving the way for China`s steady development.
Afghan Foreign Minister Wraps Up Uzbek Visit
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, August 30: Abdullah Abdullah ended a three-day visit to Uzbekistan on 30 August, Uzbek TV reported. The visit focused on trade and transport relations between the two countries, Uzbekistan`s role in Afghan reconstruction, and the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking in the region. According to Uzbek Foreign Minister Sadyk Safaev, `Afghanistan should participate in the integration processes in Central Asia and restore its historic role as a linking point in the region,` ITAR-TASS reported on 30 August. Safaev pointed to expanding cooperation between the two countries and trade volume of $80 million in 2003. For his part, Abdullah thanked Uzbekistan, saying, `Uzbekistan, with its active economic and technical assistance, is playing an extremely important role in the construction of a new Afghanistan, in particular in the construction of roads and bridges.` The Afghan finance minister and public transport minister accompanied Abdullah on the visit.
Georgia Warns RF About Recognising Legitimacy Of Abkhazia Poll
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, August 30: Georgian parliament speaker Nino Burdzhanadze warned Russia against recognising the legitimacy of presidential elections in Georgia`s breakaway Abkhazia region. Commenting on Sunday`s meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Abkhazian Prime Minister Raul Khadzhimba, Burdzhanadze told journalists on Monday, `The meetings between (Russian President) Vladimir Putin and representatives of Abkhazian separatist authorities - one of the real candidates for Abkhazia`s presidency - prove that Russia recognises the legitimacy of the October 3 elections despite the fact that two thirds of the autonomous republic`s population are refugees and cannot take part in them.`
Two Books Launched On Kazakhstan Day
Kazakhstan News
Islamabad, August 30: Ambassador of Kazakhstan Beibit Issabayev launched two books - one authored by President Nursultan Nazarbayev and the second written by his Foreign Minister Kassymzhomart Tokayev - on the occasion of the Constitution Day of his country which was celebrated here on Monday. Mr Issabayev said the Urdu translation of The Critical Decade written by the Kazakh president and the foreign minister`s Meeting the Challenge had been published in Pakistan and would be donated to a number of institutions including public libraries. Speaking at a news conference at the embassy, Issabayev said the second constitution of his country was adopted on August 30, 1995. He said the constitution legalised historically-settled values of the society and guaranteed fundamental rights and freedom of human beings. `All functionaries of the state have to work in accordance with the constitution,` he said, adding measures were afoot to gradually pass on more powers to parliament. The ambassador said election for 77 members of the lower house called Majlis Oly would be held on September 19. He said 200 observers and journalists, including those from Pakistan, had been invited on the occasion. He said his country`s relations with Pakistan were excellent as the two countries shared the bonds of the same religion and affinity of culture. The bilateral relations have been enriched with mutual state visit by the two heads of states to each other`s country. The volume of trade between Kazakhstan and Pakistan has increased to the tune of $12 million which, he said, was up by $5.5 million from what it was six years ago. The Kazakh ambassador said Kashmir dispute should be resolved peacefully according to the international laws. About the book Critical Decade, he said it depicted the whole range of the threats to the statehood of his country and how these threats were averted and steps needed to take to further keep peaceful atmosphere in the country. It also touches upon the problems of security as well issues of collective security and international terrorism. The author writes: Peacekeeping is not simply the suppression of conflict, destruction of an aggressor or compulsion to pacifism. It is a system of preventive measures, owing to which the conflict becomes either impossible or unlikely. The ambassador said Meeting the Challenge had been written by a career diplomat, Kassymzhomart Tokayev, who is proficient in Chinese, English, French and his own country`s language. It is an autobiographical book in which geopolitical problems which he faced during his career have been touched upon. In the book, the minister spotlights his country`s relations with China, USA and Russia as well as the expanding foreign policy of Kazakhstan with relations to the formation of a regional grouping, in which Pakistan is also included.
Khatami To Visit Tajikistan In September
IRNA
Dushanbe, August 30: Iran`s Ambassador to Dushanbe Nasser Sarmadi Parsa here Monday said that President Mohammad Khatami is scheduled to leave for Tajikistan on September 11. He told IRNA that the president`s visit will take place in response to the official invitation of President Emomali Rahmanov. The diplomat said that President Khatami is due to meet with high-ranking Tajik officials and will stay in Tajikistan up to September 13. `At the end of his visit to Tajikistan, the chief executive will attend the summit of the heads of Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) due to open in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe on September 14,` he added. Sarmadi Parsa noted that during his stay in Tajikistan the president will sign several agreements on political and economic cooperation. Meanwhile, President Khatami will meet his Tajik counterpart, speaker of parliament, prime minister and a number of local intellectuals and writers. He is also expected to attend a gathering of the Iranians residing in Tajikistan. The president is also scheduled to inspect the joint project on Tajikistan`s Anzab tunnel which is currently under construction in the country.
Kyrgyz President, Japanese Minister Mull Cooperation
Interfax
Bishkek, August 30: Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation and the advancement of regional cooperation in Central Asia at a meeting in Bishkek on Monday. `Japan attaches great significance to the development of cooperation with Central Asian countries, Kyrgyzstan in particular,` Japanese Foreign Ministry press secretary Hatsuhisa Takashima told reporters on Monday evening. `Japan favors peace in the insecure region bordering Afghanistan and Iraq, which prompts the determination to render assistance to Central Asian states for their more successful development,` he said. `To this end, Japan is planning a number of programs, one of which includes training and courses. The needs of each particular Central Asian country will be defined in detail later,` Takashima said.
Khatami Receives Iran`s New Envoys To Azerbaijan, Thailand
IRNA
Tehran, August 30: Iran`s new ambassadors to Azerbaijan Republic and Thailand, Afshar Soleimani and Mohsen Pakayin respectively, met with President Mohammad Khatami on Sunday before leaving Tehran. In the meeting, the president underlined that Iran`s foreign policy is focused on detente and expansion of ties with the world countries based on mutual respect. The chief executive stressed that reinforcing relations with Azerbaijan and Thailand are in line with this same policy. Soleimani and Pakayin presented separate reports to the president on the countries to which they are assigned and proposed their strategies aiming to strengthen bilateral relations.
Germany Assigns 350,000 Euros For Refugees In Azerbaijan
Interfax
Baku, August 30: The German government has assigned 350,000 euros to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which will go to Azerbaijan, German Ambassador to Azerbaijan Klaus Grewlich told a Monday press conference. `The money will improve the living standards of 1,200 ethnic Azerbaijani displaced persons, as well as foreign refugees,` the ambassador said. Some 150,000 euros will go for medical services, 50,000 euros will provide for the needs of refugees and international protection of foreign refugees, and 150,000 euros will go to Azerbaijan displaced persons. `The German government has assigned another 303.3 million euros, including 140 million within the framework of cooperation with the European Union,` Grewlich said.
Japanese FM To Participate In Celebration Of Kyrgyzstan`s Independence Day
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, August 30: Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi will take part in celebration of Kyrgyzstan`s Independence Day, August 31. According to the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry, Y. Kawaguchi arrives in Bishkek with two-day visit today. During the visit she will meet with Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev and Minister Foreign Affairs Askar Aitmatov to discuss condition and perspective of bilateral relations development in political, trade-economic, culture and humanitarian spheres. Besides, it is expected to sign a memorandum on readiness of the parties to sign in September 2004 the agreement on technical cooperation between the governments of the two states.
European Commission Gives 4Mln Euros For Refugees In Georgia
Interfax
Tbilisi, August 30: The European Commission will allocate 4 million euros as special humanitarian aid to victims of the Georgian- Abkhaz conflict, a European Commission representative in Tbilisi told Interfax on Monday. `The main recipients of this aid will be people from both sides who have been forced to relocate. To provide for their basic needs, the allocated funds will mainly go toward food, medicine and medical equipment,` the representative said. From 1999-2003, the European Union gave Georgia 351 million euros in humanitarian aid, including 17.5 million euros to rebuild the infrastructure in conflict zones, 84 million euros for EU Tacis and ECHO programs, and 71 million euros to finance a food safety program. In addition, the European Commission gave Georgia 4 million euros to help ease the negative effects of the financial crisis, 2 million euros for implementation of the European initiative for democracy and human rights, and one million euros to aid the Georgian border patrol forces. Abkhazia is legally a province of Georgia, but gained de facto independence from Tbilisi in the 1990s.
Iran Delivers 40 Buses To Turkmenistan
IRNA
Ashgabat, August 30: Shahab Khodro Company, an Iranian car manufacturer firm, delivered 40 buses to Turkmenistan. Company`s representative in Turkmenistan Mahmoud Salari told IRNA on Monday the delivered buses worth $4.5m and has been settled through a balance of sums due to the Turkmenistan Railroad Company by Iran`s Railroad Company. He said the company is mobilizing a service center in Turkmenistan and several persons are to be trained in Tehran. Salari added the buses are produced according to the `Euro 2` standards.
Kazakhstan, Japan Sign Intergovernmental Documents
Interfax
Astana, August 30: Kazakh and Japanese Foreign Ministers, Kasymzhomart Tokayev and Yoriko Kawaguchi, signed on Friday an inter-governmental agreement on technical cooperation. They also exchanged notes on Japan making a grant available to Kazakhstan for supply of audio equipment to be installed in the Palace of the Republic in Almaty, an Interfax correspondent reports. Japanese Foreign Ministry press secretary Hatsuhisha Takashima told a briefing on the first ever official visit of a Japanese foreign minister to Kazakhstan said that the technical cooperation agreement is a program of technical aid to Kazakhstan in various economic and cultural fields.
Tajik President Meets With Japanese Foreign Minister
Interfax
Dushanbe, August 30: Issues of bilateral cooperation and international problems were discussed at the Monday meeting between Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov in Dushanbe. The Tajik president looks upon Kawaguchi`s visit as `a favorable opportunity to further develop bilateral relations,` Rakhmonov`s press secretary Abdufattokh Sharipov told Interfax. Rakhmonov noted that `Tajikistan highly values the help and support of the Japanese government. Over the last several years, many Tajik specialists have undergone training in Japan. The grants allocated by the Japanese government played a significant role in the improvement of the education, ecology, healthcare, transport and water supply spheres,` Sharipov said. During the negotiations, the sides named precious metals processing and mountain tourism as the most promising areas of cooperation. Talking about the problem of Afghanistan, Rakhmonov and Kawaguchi agreed that the coming elections there will preserve and strengthen the balance between the interests of ethnic groups and political powers, Sharipov said. The will become a firm foundation for the country`s peaceful development, he said.
Afghanistan Seeks Broader Ties With Central Asia
Interfax
Tashkent, August 29: Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah said his country is interested in expanding contracts with Central Asian nations. `The future of our country depends on the level of relations with our neighbors. We are striving to revive the Great Silk Road in its new modern concept,` Abdullah told a news conference in Tashkent on Sunday evening. `Afghanistan wants to become a transit country between the countries of Central Asia and the Persian Gulf, and is interested in putting various economic projects into practice,` he said. Abdullah is on a three day official visit to Uzbekistan as head of a national delegation.
Kortrijk Burgomaster To Pay Five-day Visit To Tashkent
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, August 29: Delegation of Kortrijk city of Belgium led by its Burgomaster Stephan de Clerk will start a five-day visit to Tashkent on 30 August. The aim of the visit is to discuss economic and cultural relations between Kortrijk and the Uzbek capital. Delegation of Tashkent city administration visited Kortrijk in November 2003 to consider cooperation between the two cities and establishment of twin-city relations.
Central Asian Nations Add Russia To Economic Bloc
Associated Press
Astana, August 28: Four Central Asian nations on Saturday formally approved Russia`s membership to their economic bloc, providing Moscow the opportunity to restore its influence in the strategic, energy-rich region. Also on Saturday, the four nations signed a cooperation declaration with Japan, aimed to strengthen ties with its major regional donor. In May, Russia said it would join the Central Asian Cooperation Organization, established in 2001 to improve trade ties among its members. The foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgystan approved Russian membership at talks in the Kazakh capital. The organization has made little progress at economic integration in the three years since its founding because of border disputes, ethnic tension, economic hardship and security concerns. Russia pushed to join the organization as it seeks to restore influence in Central Asia, where the four countries were ruled by Moscow before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
CA, Japanese FMs Signed Joint Declaration In Astana
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, August 28: Meeting of foreign ministers of Central Asian and Japan ended in Astana of Kazakhstan on 28 August. Foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as well as Japan participated in the meeting. Kazakh minister Kasymjomart Tokaev, Kyrgyz minister Askar Aytmatov, Uzbek minister Sadyk Safaev, Tajik minister Talbak Nazarov and Japanese minister Yoriko Kawaguchi singed a joint declaration on the results of the meeting. Speaking at the briefing after the talks, Japanese Foreign Minister noted that peace and stability in Central Asian was a guarantee of peace and stability for the whole world. She said that participants of the forum had decided to continue dialogue `Central Asia + Japan`.
Uzbekistan Backs Japan`s Bid For Permanent UNSC Seat
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, August 28: Uzbek Foreign Minister Foreign Minister Sadyk Safayev told visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi in Tashkent on Thursday that Uzbekistan supports Tokyo`s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Safayev also told Kawaguchi in a meeting that Uzbekistan will reiterate its support for the Japanese campaign at the United Nations General Assembly session in New York next month, Japanese Foreign Ministry officials in Tokyo said. The officials said Kawaguchi thanked Uzbekistan for its support, telling Safayev, `Now is the only chance` for Japan to get a permanent seat on the powerful council, Kyodo News reported. During the meeting, the officials said, Kawaguchi said Japan will extend yen loans totalling up to about 16.36 billion yen for a new railway project in southern Uzbekistan. The two foreign ministers later exchanged documents to that effect, the officials added. Kawaguchi arrived in the Uzbek capital earlier in the day on the first leg of her nine-day trip, which will also take her to Kazakstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia.
Uzbek, Israeli Aviation Governors Meet In Tashkent
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, August 28: Aviation governors of Uzbekistan and Israel met in Tashkent to discuss issues of further cooperation in civil aviations between two countries. The sides agreed that both of them will have right to carry out flights on Tashkent-Tel-Avi-Tashkent route twice a week. According to Uzbekistan Airways website, Uzbek and Israeli officials signed a memorandum of understanding.
Kazakh-Russian Commission To Select Equipment For Baiterek System In Baikonur
Interfax
Astana, September 2: A joint commission of Kazakh and Russian experts will be working in the Baikonur spaceport on September 7-17 to certify and select equipment for the future Baiterek space rocket system of Kazakhstan. The commission will examine equipment of the Energia launching pad (the spaceport`s 250th launching facility) and the Energia-Buran launching pad (the 110th launching facility) to say whether or not some of the equipment can be used again, a source in the Aerospace Committee of the Kazakh Transport and Communications Ministry told Interfax on Thursday. He said the equipment would reduce costs of the Baiterek project.
US To Give Georgia USD 30 Million For Biologic Non-proliferationItar-Tass
Tbilisi, August 29: The United States will give Georgia USD 30 million instead of previously planned USD 15 million to improve storage facilities of biological agents and laboratories in the republic, the U.S. embassy said. The relevant agreement will be signed Monday in the Georgian capital. Senator Richard Lugar will attend the signing ceremony. Lugar is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, Speaker Nina Burdzhanadze and Security Council Secretary Gela Bezhuashvili.
Kyrgyz Official Promises Announcement On Contract Killings
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, September 2: Deputy Interior Minister Omurbek Egemberdiev told a briefing on 2 September in Bishkek that his ministry knows the names of people who organized the contract killings earlier this year of Interior Ministry official Chynybek Aliev and Dinara Mamasheva, the director of the company Dasmiya, akipress.org reported. `We know who carried out and ordered these killings,` Egemberdiev said. `You will soon hear that these crimes have been solved.` Aliev, who was the Interior Ministry`s top anticorruption official, was gunned down on 5 May; Mamasheva was killed under similar circumstances on 2 August.
S. Korea Issues Travel Warnings For Maldives, Uzbekistan
Yonhap News
Seoul, August 30: South Korea issued a travel warning for Maldives and Uzbekistan on Monday, citing possible terrorist attacks. There was a threat to blow up government buildings in the Maldives capital, Male, after Aug. 22, the Foreign Ministry said in a travel advisory on its Web site.
Bomb Explodes In Tbilisi Near Parliament
Interfax
Tbilisi, August 29: A bomb exploded in central Tbilisi, near the buildings of the Georgian parliament and state security ministry, early on Sunday morning, the Georgian Interior Ministry told Interfax. The bomb exploded at about 0:30 a.m. on Sunday. No injuries were reported, the ministry said. It said a shock wave caused by the explosion blew out windows in nearby cafes and apartment buildings. A crater formed at the entrance to the cafe. Judging by the character of the explosion, it was not targeted against the official buildings and was obviously part of a criminal war, the Georgian Interior Ministry said.
New Tashkent Office Of Uzbek Ombudsman Opens
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, August 28: Uzbek parliament`s plenipotentiary on human rights (Ombudsman) in Tashkent city office started operations in new office at Shayhantahur district. Tashkent city office was founded in accordance with the decision of parliament No. 798-11 dated 28 August 2003 and resolution of Tashkent city administration No. 820. Tashkent city administration issued 5 million soums to equip it. Three lawyers are working at the office, including its head Shoinoyat Shoabdurakhmonov. Office considered 50 applications to date and consulted over 80 people. In accordance with order of Ombudsman, Tashkent office participates in proceedings as observer.
Special Focus
Tajikistan: Concern Grows Over Media Freedom
At an August 26 press conference in Dushanbe, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Richard Hoagland encouraged the Tajik authorities to support the development of an independent media. He said this, in turn, would help accelerate progress toward democracy.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/rights/articles/pp082904.shtmlPolicy Makers In Moscow Debate The Limits Of Russian Power In The Caucasus, Central Asia
Policy-makers in Moscow are engaged in a strenuous debate on the limits of Russian power in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Some analysts believe that neither the United States nor Russia will be able to establish itself as the dominant geopolitical player in the two regions. With hopes for a decisive geopolitical victory slim, an increasing number of Russian experts say Moscow would be better off increasing its cooperation with Washington.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav083004.shtmlArmenian Political Standoff Drags On As Opposition Shuns Parliament
Armenian opposition leaders recently announced they would prolong their boycott of parliament. The announcement appeared to dash President Robert Kocharian`s hopes of putting to rest questions about his administration`s legitimacy.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav083104.shtmlCentral Asia: Analysts Say Independence Has Been Mixed Bag
Thirteen years ago today, Kyrgyzstan became the first Soviet Central Asian republic to declare its independence from the Soviet Union. Uzbekistan followed the next day, and Tajikistan about a week later on 9 September. By the end of that year, all five Soviet Central Asian republics were free nations. After years of Soviet domination, independence was hoped to usher in a period of rapid political and economic development. But RFE/RL spoke with two analysts who say the reality hasn`t yet lived up to the expectations.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2004/08/57741713-e821-41a2-8a8b-b7115fddcb2d.htmlTurkmenistan Wrestles With Child Labour Issue As Cotton Harvest Approaches
Turkmenistan has experienced a steady decline in educational standards over the past decade, as the curriculum at all levels has come under the growing influence of President Saparmurat Niyazov`s cult of personality. However, as the new school year begins September 1, Niyazov appears to be mulling a change that even his fiercest critics could approve of.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/rights/articles/eav090104.shtmlUzbekistan: Quiet On Independence Day, But Far From Calm
Uzbekistan marked a quiet Independence Day. But as the extremely tight security instituted for the holiday underscores, the country is far from calm. Uzbekistan celebrated its 13th anniversary of independence on September 1. The need for public vigilance served as the central theme of Karimov`s holiday address.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav080204a.shtml
Report dated 3 September 2004