OSCE Trains Uzbek Media To Serve As Election Observers
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 10: A four-day training course for media representatives who are interested in serving as election observers during the 26 December parliamentary elections concluded today in Tashkent. Organised by the OSCE Centre in Tashkent, the course brought together 24 journalists from nine regions of Uzbekistan. It reviewed such issues as the rights and responsibilities of journalists under Uzbek legislation as well as international standards in this regard. A representative of the Central Election Commission discussed mutual relations between journalist observers and election commissions, as well as questions of accreditation that is are needed for journalists to be able to serve as observers.
Kyrgyz President Urges Active Participation In Local Elections
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, September 9: Addressing a government meeting in Bishkek on 9 September, Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev called for active participation in 10 October elections to local assemblies, Kyrgyz television reported. Representatives of the Central Election Commission and all branches of government attended the meeting. Noting that the local elections are a warm-up for 2005 parliamentary and presidential elections, the president said that local authorities must ensure that they are free and fair, Kyrgyz radio reported. But Akaev noted that the nomination of candidates has been lackluster, calling the situation `troubling,` Kyrgyzinfo reported. Central Election Commission Chairman Sulmaiman Imanbaev said that just 2,560 candidates had been nominated by 6 September for a total of 6,624 local assembly seats, Kyrgyzinfo reported. The deadline for registering candidates is 16 September.
Campaign Violation Charges Fly In Run Up To Kazakh Elections
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 8: The moderate opposition party Ak Zhol has sent an appeal to President Nazarbaev charging that state-run television is favoring specific candidates in the run-up to the 19 September parliamentary elections, Kazakh television reported on 8 September. Meanwhile, the election bloc of Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan and the Communist Party of Kazakhstan held a small unauthorized rally in Almaty on 8 September to protest violations of campaign-spending limits by the pro-presidential Asar party, Channel 31 reported. Two bloc candidates and 40 supporters charged that Asar has spent $700,000 more on political advertising than is allowed. Demonstrators handed a letter of protest to Khabar TV employees. Finally, the president`s daughter, Darigha Nazarbaeva, who heads Asar and is director of Khabar news agency (a post she has left for the duration of elections), said that local administrations and business directors are pressuring people to vote for the pro-presidential Otan party, Khabar TV reported on 7 September.
Tajik President Stresses Terror Fight In Independence Day Speech
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, September 8: President Imomali Rakhmonov addressed the nation on 8 September in a televised speech on the eve of Tajikistan`s Independence Day on 9 September, calling the protection of `the state and society from the threats of terrorism and extremism` the `prime and most significant task of every state,` Tajik TV reported. In an apparent reference to Hizb ut-Tahrir, he also chided European countries for allowing extremist organizations to base themselves there. Rakhmonov also called for a global antidrug coalition, stressing that drug trafficking is a pressing problem, both for Central Asia and the rest of the world. Terming poverty `a serious problem resulting from many years of crisis in the country`s social and economic sector,` Rakhmonov hailed recent progress. He cited World Bank statistics showing that the poverty rate in Tajikistan has fallen from 83 percent in 1999 to 68 percent in 2003.
Kazakh President Urges Voters To Back Female Candidates
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 7: President Nursultan Nazarbaev told a women`s forum in Astana on 7 September that Kazakhstan needs to increase the number of women in all branches of government, Kazakh TV reported. He said, `I call on people to vote for female candidates in upcoming elections to the Mazhilis [lower chamber of parliament].` He added, `The more women who occupy posts at the decision-making level, the better the quality of those decisions will be,` Kazinform reported. The president also noted that a law on equal rights for men and women has not yet been passed.
Debate Continues Over Tajik Press Freedom
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, September 7: Debate continues to simmer over the fate of press freedom in Tajikistan nearly three weeks after tax authorities shut down the Jiyonkhon printing press on 19 August, leaving a number of independent dailies without a printer. Davlatali Davlatov, deputy chairman of the ruling People`s Democratic Party of Tajikistan, told Avesta on 7 September, `The closure of some newspapers does not mean that Tajikistan has turned away from its commitment to build a democratic state.` He continued, `It is clear that it`s only because of tax evasion and problems with the tax police that the activities of these newspapers were halted, and especially the printing press where they were published.` The same day, however, the opposition Social-Democratic Party expressed its concern, Asia Plus-Blitz reported. A party statement cited the newspapers `Nerui Sukhan,` `Ruzi Nav,` `Odamu Olam,` `Najot,` and `Adolat` as having encountered problems recently.
Largest Synagogue In Central Asia Opens In Kazakhstan
Jerusalem Post
Astana, September 7: Under communist rule, Mark Vitkin`s parents risked arrest when they met with friends in secret to sing Jewish songs. On Monday, the 70-year old walked freely with a kippa on his head along the street of Kazakhstan`s capital Altsana on his way to its new synagogue, Beit Rachel, the largest in Central Asia. A number of non-Jews stopped him to ask details about Tuesday`s formal opening ceremony with the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Chief Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger, and Jewish leaders from around the world. `Their curiosity shows that the synagogue is accepted by the community at large,` said Vitkin, who came from his hometown of Pavlodar for a two-day conference for Jews in the region. Chairman of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress Josef Zissels said it`s particularly important that the large blue and white building with its black fence adorned with gold Jewish stars stands in a Muslim country of 15 million. `At a time of when everyone is focused on the deep enmity between Muslims and Jews in Europe, this synagogue show that both groups can and do get along,` Zissels said. `Muslims and Jews have historically tolerated each other and lived well together,` he continued. `This is the sixth synagogue the congress has opened in a Muslim country, including two others in Kazakstan.` The synagogue was built at the expense of the Eurasian Jewish Congress and the President of the Jewish Congress of Kazakhstan Alexander Mashkevich. It will serve both as a synagogue and a community center with classrooms, a library, a mikva and a kosher dinning area. A Habad represenative from New York, Shalom Dovber Levine, mentioned that the building could have been smaller and less expensive. Also, logically it should have been in Almaty, he added, which has the largest Jewish community.
Turkmen President Holds Business Meetings
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, September 6: President Saparmurat Niyazov conducted a number of business-related meetings on 3 and 6 September, Turkmen television and turkmenistan.ru reported. On 3 September, Niyazov met with Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah, Oman`s minister responsible for foreign affairs, and Jean Chretien, formerly the prime minister of Canada and currently a consultant for Bennett Jones, a Canadian law firm with a focus on energy issues, Turkmen television reported. Niyazov invited businessmen from Oman and Canada to take part in the modernization of Turkmenistan`s Seidi oil refinery and the construction of a planned trans-Afghan gas pipeline. On 6 September, Niyazov met with Igor Makarov, head of Russia`s Itera, and Yurii Kudimov, chairman of Russia`s National Reserve Bank, turkmenistan.ru reported.
Azeri Opposition Leader Accuses Government Of Defeatist Policy
ArC News
Baku, September 5: A round table on `Repression of the Karabakh lovers and the public attitude` was held today at the headquarters of the [opposition] People`s Front of Azerbaijan Party [PFAP, reformers wing]. PFAP Chairman and MP Ali Karimli condemned the arrest of the [Karabakh Liberation Organization] KLO activists and said that giving the go-ahead to Armenian officers` planned visit to Azerbaijan was tantamount to a defeatist policy vis-a-vis the enemy country. The MP said that since Armenian aggression did not cause any problem to cooperation with NATO, the denial of entry to several of this country`s officers to Azerbaijan would not affect Azerbaijan`s relations with NATO.
Georgia Rotates Military In Area Of Conflict With South Ossetia
Itar-Tass
Moscow, September 10: A low morale of the Georgian military in the area of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict has forced the Georgian command to carry out their early rotations despite the contingent arrived to the area only in late August, the South Ossetian Defence Ministry to Itar-Tass, citing the staff of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces. During the replacement of the Georgian peacekeeping contingent, most of posts of military observers on the Georgian side have been filled with artillery officers, the South Ossetian ministry said. In view of experts, `such choice of military specialists testifies to the intention of the Georgian command to carry out in the guise of the peacekeeping activity reconnaissance of targets and determine their coordinates for subsequent destruction by artillery fire in case of a force operation against armed units of South Ossetia`.
Georgian Police Seize Russian Military Facility - Source In GRVZ
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 10: Some forty Georgian policemen on Friday seized a facility belonging to the Group of Russian Troops in Transcaucasia (GRVZ), where the editorial office and printing house of the newspaper Transcaucasian Military Bulletin were previously located. `The GRVZ command has expressed bewilderment about this incident as the Russian military were to hand this building over to the Georgian Defense Ministry today and all the documents regarding this handover have already been prepared,` Colonel Vladimir Kuparadze, a representative of GRVZ, told Interfax on Friday.
China To Tighten Military Ties With Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan News
Beijing, Septmber 9: China will conduct more military exchanges with Kazakhstan to promote friendly bilateral ties, said Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan in Beijing on Wednesday. Cao, also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and State Councilor, made the statement at a meeting with Almaz Abdulymanov, vice chairman of the Committee of the Chief of Staff and chief of the Department of Operation Planning of the Kazakhstan Ministry of Defense. Cao noted that friendly relations and cooperation between China and Kazakhstan have developed smoothly since the two countries forged diplomatic ties more than 10 years ago. The two armies began to conduct exchanges in 1993. They have maintained frequent high-level visits between military officials, and bilateral military cooperation has continually expanded and deepened, Cao added. Abdulymanov expressed appreciation for China`s support and help for Kazakhstan`s armed forces. He said he hopes relations between the two countries and the two armies will continue to develop soundly. He also said that Kazakhstan is concerned about the `three forces` of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and is willing to cooperate with China to fight them.
Netherlands Moves Six Fighter Planes To Kyrgyz Air Base
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, September 8: The Netherlands has transferred six F-16 fighter jets to Ganci Air Base in Manas, Kyrgyzstan, akipress.org reported on 8 September. The fighters will help to ensure security for the 9 October presidential elections in Afghanistan. Ninety Dutch pilots and service personnel have already arrived; an additional 80 are expected shortly. The F-16s will be ready for active duty on 15 September.
Georgia To Nearly Double Contingent In Iraq
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 8: Georgia will nearly double its military contingent in Iraq in October. `The country`s leadership has decided to increase the Georgian military contingent within the international forces in Iraq to 300, from 159 servicemen,` Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze told journalists in Tbilisi on Wednesday upon returning from a working visit to Iraq. `The contingent will be increased through its rotation scheduled for October,` he said. Baramidze said during his trip to Iraq, `an agreement was reached that all Georgian military will serve at the same place.`
CIS Air Defense Exercise To Be Held In Russia, Kazakhstan
Interfax
Moscow, September 8: The Combat Commonwealth 2005 exercise of the CIS Unified Air Defense System will be held at Russian and Kazakh firing ranges in July and September next year. `The life firing phase of the exercise will be organized at two Russian firing ranges and one Kazakh proving ground,` Lieutenant General Aitech Bizhev, Russian Air Force deputy commander for the CIS Unified Air Defense System, told Interfax-Military News Agency on Thursday. He added that the firing would be held at the Ashuluk range in the Astrakhan region, the Telemba range in the Chita region, and the Sary- Shagan proving ground in Kazakhstan. The joint maneuvers will see the participation of air forces and air defense forces of Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine, Bizhev said, adding that almost all types of air defense systems in the inventories of the CIS member states would be employed in the exercise. These will primarily include the S-300, S-200, S-125, and S-75 SAM systems, as well as the SU-24 Fencer, SU-27 Flanker, MIG-29 Fulcrum, MIG-31 Foxhound and the A-50 Mainstay aircraft. The general also said that CIS defense ministers would attend the live firing stage of the exercise. The exercise will be held in the year of the tenth anniversary since the CIS Unified Air Defense System was formed, he added.
Kazakhstan To Increase Spending On National Security
Interfax
Astana, September 7: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev plans to increase spending on national security. `We will have to put more money into strengthening our security,` Nazarbayev told a forum of Kazakh women on Tuesday. He also said that `a more effective security system, appropriate for the level of present-day threats` must be created. Nazarbayev said he had instructed the government and law enforcement agencies `to take additional measures to tighten border and migration control, work out a plan of measures to curb illegal immigration and contraband, and strengthen passport and visa control.`
Georgian Troops Again Concentrating Near S. Ossetia - S. Ossetian Minister
Interfax
Moscow, September 7: The South Ossetian authorities have information that Georgian troops are concentrating near the self- proclaimed republic or close to its Georgian villages. `According to our information, Georgian troops have been concentrating near the Kareli and Gori districts of Georgia, which border on the republic,` South Ossetian Interior Minister Robert Guliyev said by phone from Tskhinvali on Tuesday. Guliyev said there are both Defense Ministry and Interior Ministry soldiers among the troops. `In some Georgian villages in South Ossetia - Kekhvi, Kurta, Kheiti, and Eredvi - dugouts and other fortifications have been built over the past few days,` he said. `The question is: what is Georgia preparing for if not for a new escalation?` Guliyev said. `We are ready to let representatives of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces access any area controlled by South Ossetia so that they see that we have no military plans,` he said.
U.S.-trained Georgian Servicemen To Become Instructors - Defense Minister
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 7: Four battalions of the Georgian Armed Forces will be trained by instructors that participated in the Pentagon`s Train and Equip program in 2002-2004, Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze said on Tuesday. `In the near future, we are planning to train four battalions by our own instructors using a pattern analogous with the Train and Equip program,` Baramidze told reporters. `We have the potential required for it, I am speaking about the officers trained by Americans. They will act as instructors themselves now,` the minister said. He recalled that four Georgian battalions were trained in the Train and Equip framework. `We are adopting Western standards, we have taken the course towards NATO, and our main objective is to reinforce the army and boost its combat readiness,` he noted.
Kazakhstan To Buy MI-8 Heli Gunships From Russia
Interfax
Astana, September 7: Kazakhstan is planning to buy about 20 MI-8 Hip military transport helicopters (export designation MI-17) from Russia, the Kazakh prime minister`s press service has reported. An agreement to this effect was reached at a meeting between Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov and a representative of Russia`s Kazan helicopter plant (KVZ) in Astana on Tuesday. `Four MI-17 helicopter gunships will be bought for Kazakh uniformed agencies before the end of the year, and in the next two years, the number of procured helicopters will reach 20,` the report reads. `A group of high-ranking KVZ officials` is expected to arrive in Astana in a few days `to hold the final leg of talks on helicopter supplies to Kazakhstan,` it says. The talks with KVZ will be held to implement Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev`s instruction issued at the national Security Council session on Monday. `The country needs up-to-date rotary-wing aircraft that are capable of withstanding sallies of international terrorism, if needed, and countering drug trafficking,` Akhmetov was quoted as saying. The KVZ official said at the meeting that `the MI-8 program is the largest helicopter program in the world.` `Nearly 12,000 helicopters of this type have been built, and more than 150 modifications developed. MI-8 (MI-17) helicopters are in the inventory of 70 countries and are operated in nearly all nations of the world,` he said. MI-8 (MI-17) helicopters are mass-produced by the Ulan-Ude aircraft plant.
Abkhazia Says Georgian Warships Mustn`t Attack Its Fishing Vessels
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 6: Abkhazia has said it will not allow Georgia to use force against its fishing vessels. `The fishing season starts on Monday, so the government will tighten security in the sea,` Deputy Defense Minister of the unrecognized republic of Abkhazia Lieutenant General Anatoly Zaitsev told Interfax-Military News Agency by phone from Sukhumi. `Tbilisi has repeatedly announced its readiness to detain and even sink the ships, thwarting their allegedly illegal actions in the Abkhaz waters,` Zaitsev stressed. `So far Georgian warships have not dared to invade our waters, but we do not rule out that the start of the fishing season will bring about the hunt for our trawlers,` he said. He said Georgian warships are about 20 miles away from the Abkhaz shore.
Georgia Appoints New Envoy To NATO
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 5: Vice Colonel Irakly Batkuashvili has been appointed Georgia`s new military envoy to NATO. `Batkuashvili has been in charge of the General Staff`s coordinating headquarters for NATO`s Partnership for Peace program since 1998,` a Georgian Defense Ministry official told Interfax-Military News Agency on Friday. `Irakly Batkuashvili will fly to Brussels in late September or early October,` he said. `In connection with scaling up NATO-Georgian military cooperation, the decision was made to expand the country`s mission at NATO. Two more officers and a civilian will be sent to work with the NATO headquarters next year,` the official stressed.
Uzbek Courts Trying Suspected Organizers Of Terror Attacks
Interfax
Tashkent, September 10: Three groups of people charged with organizing this year`s terrorist attacks in Tashkent and the Bukhara region are on trial in Uzbek courts. Bukhara`s regional court is holding trials of eight women and 16 men charged with organizing the March-April attacks, a source in the country`s Supreme Court told Interfax on Friday. Another 15 people facing similar charges have gone on trial in a Tashkent district court. The death toll from the terrorist attacks stands at 14, and another 35 were injured. Thirty-three people involved in the explosions were killed both by the blasts and as a result of a special operation.
Memorial To Blast Victims Opens At Israeli Embassy In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 9: Memorial at the Embassy of Israel in Uzbekistan was opened in memory of guards - Vyacheslav Makarov and Azat Salyahov, who died as a result of terrorism act on 30 July. According to the Uzbek TV`s Akhborot, the names of guards and inscription `You are always with us` were written on the black granite. Representatives of diplomatic missions in Uzbekistan and Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan participated in the funeral ceremony. The report noted that the families of guards would receive financial support equal to the sum, which would get Israeli citizen in such case.
Kazakh Security Head Dismisses Kazakh Trace In Beslan Events
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 9: Nurtai Dutbaev, who is chairman of Kazakhstan`s National Security Committee (KNB), said on 9 September that the KNB has no information that any ethnic Kazakhs were involved in the bloody school siege in Beslan, in Russia`s republic of North Ossetia, `Kazakhstan Today` reported. Noting that the KNB has been in contact with Russian security services from the outset, Dutbaev stressed that `the situation has not yet been fully clarified.` He said initial reports spoke of a Ukrainian-born ethnic Kazakh with Russian citizenship who went over to the side of Chechen militants after fighting in Chechnya for the Russian Army in 1994. Later reports indicated, however, that the alleged Beslan hostage taker was an ethnic Chechen who went by the nickname `The Kazakh.` Dutbaev also said press reports of a group of terrorists headed for Russia through Kazakhstan were entirely false, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. `Our [Russian] colleagues have said that someone leaked false information to the press,` Dutbaev added.
Kazakh Cabinet Considers Anti Terror Measures
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 8: Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov chaired a cabinet meeting on 8 September to discuss the implementation of measures to combat terrorism and extremism, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. The meeting focused on tasks outlined by President Nursultan Nazarbaev at a 6 September Security Council session against the backdrop of recent terrorist attacks in Russia. At the 8 September meeting, Akhmetov urged government agencies to take `effective measures to prevent terrorist and extremist activities, create a well-oiled crisis-management system to coordinate the work of government agencies, and introduce new technologies into border guarding and immigration control,` Kazinform reported.
International Organizations Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Efforts In Central Asia
Kazakhstan News
Tashkent, September 8: The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime have hosted a conference focussing on fighting terrorism and organized crime. Experts from more than a dozen organizations met to exchange ideas on increasing border security from Afghanistan through Central Asia to Europe. Among the conference delegates were representatives from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization who are concerned with the fight against organized crime in Central Asia. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization includes China, Russia, and the Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Its main headquarters is in Beijing. Turkmenistan, which has a long border with Afghanistan, is not a member - preferring under its ruler Saparmurat Niayzov to follow a policy of so-called permanent neutrality. Experts see strengthening borders in Central Asia as one of the first lines of defense in protecting Europe and countries like Iran from drug trafficking and organized crime. The organization established a new counter-terrorism office this year in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, that is concerned with reducing ethnic and religious tensions in the region. Shanghai Cooperation Organization Deputy Director Jenisbek Jumanbekov told VOA that Uzbekistan is a target for Islamic extremists.
Kazakhs Eye Terror
The Moscow Times
Astana, September 7: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Tuesday urged tougher security measures to prevent terrorism and extremism from spilling into the country from its Central Asian neighbors and Russia. `We need to create an effective system of security that would correspond to the level and scale of new threats,` Nazarbayev said. `We need to prevent the spread of all manifestations of terrorism and extremism.` Nazarbayev`s statement follows reports of alleged Kazakh links to the Beslan school seizure.
Kazakhstan Asks Russia To Confirm Terrorists` Nationalities
RBC News
Astana, September 7: The Kazakhstani Embassy to Russia has sent a note to the Russian General Prosecutor`s Office with the request to confirm officially the participation of Kazakhs in a siege of a school in Beslan, the press service of the Kazakhstani Foreign Ministry reported. The reason for sending the note was several publications in Russian mass media sources with reference to Sergey Fridinsky, Deputy Prosecutor General for the South Federal District, who declared that Kazakhs had been among the terrorists in Beslan. Russian law enforcement agencies have not confirmed this information by now. According to the Kazakhstani Embassy to Russia, there were several Chechens and Ingushs born in Kazakhstan among the terrorists. It is stressed in the note that this fact cannot be considered the ground for stating that they are Kazakhstani citizens taking into account that almost all adult Chechens were born in Kazakhstan due to the deportation during the World War Two.
SCO Condemns Terrorist Acts In Russia`s Hostage Crisis
Kabar Agency
Beijing, September 7: The Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Zhang Deguang, sent a message Monday to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov strongly condemning last week`s `atrocious terrorist acts` in the hostage-taking crisis in southern Russia. In the message, Zhang also expressed his condolences over the killing of innocent people in the tragedy and offered his sincere sympathies to relatives of the victims. `Terrorism, separatism and extremism are our common enemies,` said Zhang. `We firmly support the efforts made by the Russian government and its people in maintaining national unification and territorial integrity.` He said the SCO will further strengthen cooperation and coordination on security amongst its member countries and fight terrorism in any form to safeguard regional peace, safety and stability.
Azerbaijan To Try Group Of Alleged Wahhabi Militants
Interfax
Baku, September 7: Azerbaijan`s Serious Crime Court had a preparatory session on Tuesday for a trial of 21 alleged followers of Wahhabism, an ultra-puritanical trend in Islam, who are accused of forming an illegal armed group, a court spokesman said. `According to the indictment, the illegal group was set up in March 2001 by Rovshan Badalov, who is nicknamed Amir. He had been enrolling activists in Georgia, where he met a future member of the group, Vyusal Isayev,` the spokesman told Interfax.
CIS Summit Must Discuss Ways To Fight Terrorism - Nazarbayev
Kazakhstan News
Astana, September 6: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has proposed that ways of fighting terrorism be discussed at the summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States, which is to be held in Astana in September. `I am prepared to discuss ways to curb this global evil at the upcoming summit in Astana,` Nazarbayev said in a telegram to the Russian leadership in connection with the terrorist attack in the North Ossetian town of Beslan. The presidential press service circulated a release on Monday saying that Nazarbayev had expressed Kazakhstan`s readiness to assist Russia in every possible way in combating terrorism.
Second Group Of Terrorists Goes On Trial In Uzbekistan
Interfax
Tashkent, September 6: An Uzbek court on Monday launched a trial of another 16 people charged with organizing a series of terrorist attacks in Tashkent and the Bukhara region in March-April 2004. Judge Abdukhalim Nasriyev is handling the trial. The 16 defendants follow the first 15 people who were convicted by the country`s Supreme Court of organizing the terrorist attacks and received long-term prison sentences. Their verdicts were handed down during a July 26-August 24 trial. The defendants have been charged on some 15 counts of the Uzbek Criminal Code, including a coup attempt, terrorism, religious extremism, producing explosives, distributing anti-constitutional pamphlets and destabilizing the situation in the country. Fourteen people were killed and another 35 injured as a result of March 28-April 1 terrorist attacks in Tashkent and the Bukhara district. Thirty-three attack organizers were killed by the blasts and as a result of a special operation.
Authorities Probe Uzbek Terror Links
Kazakhstan News
Shymkent, September 5: Hidden past the Korean-made washing machines and cheap winter jackets that draw traders to the sprawling bazaar in this border town lies what Uzbek authorities claim is a terror haven in the heart of Central Asia, a shelter for militants who have shaken the region this year with its first-ever suicide attacks. Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev warned on Wednesday that a radical Islamic group - Hizb-ut-Tahrir, which the Uzbeks claim is the driving force behind attacks this year that have killed more than 50 - is stepping up activity in this oil-rich nation. One base of their activity appears to be the southern Kazakh city of Shymkent, where detentions of alleged extremists have picked up since the July 30 triple suicide bombings in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. The attacks on the U.S. and Israeli embassies and top prosecutor`s office killed at least four Uzbek security officers. The exact numbers of arrests aren`t known, given security officials` reluctance to acknowledge extremists are finding refuge here. The suicide bombings came after violence earlier this year that left at least 47 dead, mostly alleged militants, who Uzbek authorities claim traveled from southern Kazakhstan through Azerbaijan and Iran to terror camps in Pakistan`s lawless tribal areas - the same region where Osama bin Laden is believed to be hiding - where they were trained by Arab al-Qaida instructors. The Kazakh security service recently has acknowledged it is working with its Uzbek colleagues to investigate several people in connection with the July attacks, after initially claiming there were no connections to Kazakhstan.
Georgia Promises Efforts To Rule Out Support For Terrorists
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 5: Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said everything has been done in Georgia recently to prevent any support for terrorists. He told reporters Georgia had sent ambulance teams to the Russian region of North Ossetia, the site of a hostage crisis that broke out on Wednesday. `Though the majority of the children have been released, there have been fatalities. This is a great tragedy for us,` he said. `No one is safe from terrorism, terrorism has no nationality, since such people are a problem for everyone,` Saakashvili said.
Kazakh Economy Ministry Figures GDP Will Double By 2008
Interfax
Astana, September 9: Kazakhstan plans to achieve a doubling of GDP (compared with 2000) as envisioned in the country`s socioeconomic development plan for the period until 2010--not by 2010 as the plan envisions, but by 2008. `A favorable economic situation, a strengthening national currency and stable growth among production indicators say we will achieve GDP doubling not by 2010, but by 2008,` Deputy Economy and Budget Planning Minister Kairat Aitekenov said as he presented the country`s 2005 draft budget to a working group at the lower house of parliament on Thursday. His ministry, Aitekenov said, plans real GDP growth in 2004 at 9% to 5.138 trillion tenge, at 7.9% to 5.85 trillion tenge in 2005, at 8% to 6.64 trillion tenge in 2006 and at 8.5% to 7.557 trillion tenge in 2007. Per capita GDP in 2005 is expected to be $2,942.4, in 2006 $3,378.3 and $3,853.7 in 2007, the ministry forecasts.
Kyrgyzstan`s Socioeconomic Development Successful - Akayev
Interfax
Bishkek, September 9: Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev has said the country has overcome the transition period in its socioeconomic development. `The republic has at last overcome the most difficult phase in its development,` Akayev said at a meeting dealing with preparations for local elections. The reform that has been pursued for the past 13 years has helped the country overcome `an acute systemic crisis,` he said. `We can say that the transition period is behind us and we have reached a radical and qualitative change in our development,` he said. Kyrgyzstan has enjoyed steady economic growth over the past years and is increasing its potential in all spheres, Akayev said. `The past several years have seen positive dynamism, which has made it possible to significantly reduce poverty. Real GDP growth has been 4.5% in this time, and in the past eight months it has been 8%.
GDP Grows In Tajikistan - President
Interfax
Dushanbe, September 8: Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov said the country`s gross domestic product (GDP) has increased and poverty decreased over the years of independence. Addressing a meeting marking the 13th anniversary of Tajikistan`s independence, Rakhmonov said economic reform is being implemented successfully. `Whereas in 1997-99, GDP was growing at an annual pace of 1.7%-5.3%, in 2000-03 this figure increased to 8.3%-10.2%,` the president said.
Kazakh Govt. Submits Draft 2005 Budget To Parliament
Interfax
Astana, September 8: Kazakhstan`s government submitted the draft of the 2005 central budget to the parliament. The budget has a deficit of 87.75 billion tenge or 1.5% of forecast GDP, the parliament lower house`s press office said. Planned revenue is 1.136 trillion tenge or 19.4% of GDP, and planned expenditure 1.224 trillion tenge or 20.9% of GDP. The exchange rate was 135.96 tenge/$1 on September 8.
ABD Allocates 30 Mln Dlrs To Support Reforms In Uzbekistan
Itar-Tass
Tashkent, September 7: The Asian Bank of Development (ABD) has allocated a stabilization loan of 30 million dollars to Uzbekistan, which will be used to realize the program of development and reform the republic`s school education, Itar-Tass learnt at the ABD representation in Tashkent on Tuesday. According to the representation, the bank plans to allocate for these purposes 40 million dollars more in 2005-2006.
Tajikistan Considering Revision Of Laws To Attract Iranian Investors
IRNA
Dushanbe, September 7: A Tajik official said here that to woo foreign investments the government has increased the period for ceding land for industrial projects from the current 10 year to 50 years. Director for International Affairs of Tajikistan Economic Ministry Ghafour Rassolev told IRNA that Tajik government is also envisioning new facilities for Iranian investors. Recently, a bill to repeal double taxation on trade and investments for Iranian investors has been proposed to the government. The measure will be on the agenda for discussion between the experts delegations of the two countries slated to meet in Dushanbe in the near future. He said foreign investments in Tajikistan stood at $660 million annually, `of which Iran`s share is close to $100 million.
Itera, NRB Confirm Interest In Turkmenistan Oil Project
Interfax
Ashgabat, September 7: The international energy group Itera and Russia`s National Reserve Bank (NRB) reiterated their commitment to the Zarit offshore oil project in Turkmenistan, the Turkmen president`s press office said. Igor Makarov, the head of Itera, briefed Turkmen President Saparmurad Niyazov on progress towards an agreement to explore and produce oil at three offshore blocks (Nos. 29, 30 and 31) at a meeting in Ashgabat. `The high interest of all the Zarit [joint venture`s] co- owners in participating in the joint project was reiterated,` the which is press office said. `Development of the Caspian`s colossal hydrocarbon reserves is one of Turkmenistan`s economic priorities,` Niyazov said at the meeting.
ADB To Credit Kyrgyzstan In 2004-2006
Interfax
Bishkek, September 6: The Asian Development Bank plans to provide Kyrgyzstan with loans totaling over $120 million in 2004- 2006, Muhammad Tusnim, director of the bank`s East and Central Asia department, said at a press conference on Monday. Tusnim held consultations with representatives from the republic`s government on September 4-6, in addition to representatives from a number of ministries and donor organizations to discuss ADB activity. He also studied progress in transport, agricultural and social projects being financed by the bank in the republic. The ADB acknowledges that the republic has achieved a lot over the past years and the bank plans to increase soft crediting and aid, Tusnim said. He said that the bank plans to pay out $32.8 million to Kyrgyzstan this year to build the Osh-Sarytash-Irkeshtam highway, joining Kyrgyzstan and China and $7.5 million to develop border customs posts and promote regional trade. The bank plans to pay out $18 million in 2005 to develop education and $22 million to develop the financial sector. In 2006 the ADB plans to provide $30 million to develop agriculture and $10 million to support professional technical education.
Oman Plans To Invest In Developing Kazakh Offshore Oil Fields
Interfax
Astana, September 5: Oman is interested in joining investment projects to develop Kazakhstan`s sector of the Caspian oilfields, Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf Bin Alawi said at a press briefing following his talks with Kazakh Foreign Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev in Astana on Monday. Tokayev said, in turn, that Kazakhstan would welcome Oman`s participation in the development of the Caspian resources. `The Kazakh Foreign Ministry will do everything possible to promote the talks, so both countries can demonstrate sufficient flexibility and compromise,` he said. Yusuf Bin Alawi also said that Oman `is studying all possibilities of implementing investment projects in Kazakhstan.` Omani ports could be used for promoting Kazakh commodities on world markets since the navigation sector of the Strait of Ormuz, one of the world`s most intensive sea routes, is located in Omani territorial waters, he said.
Kasuri Off To Dushanbe For ECO Meeting
Central Asia Daily
Islamabad, September 10: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khursheed Mahmud Kasuri left here for Moscow on way to Dushanbe - the capital of Tajikistan - to attend the ministerial-level meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) on September 12-13. The meeting will review the status of the implementation of various ECO projects and discuss ways and means to expedite them. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would leave next week for Dushanbe to participate in the 8th summit meeting of the ECO which is being held on September 14. The summit will consider reports of the chairman of the 14th Council of Ministers and the secretary-general. The meeting would provide an opportunity to ECO leaders to discuss the challenges facing the ECO region and give policy guidelines for bolstering economic cooperation within the region. Other issues that are likely to be discussed in the meeting include ECO`s participation in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and measures to combat drug trafficking and review the enforcement of important ECO agreements, such as ECO Trade Agreement, the TTFA, etc. The ECO gives excellence awards to nationals of its member states for outstanding research work in economics, culture, literature, fine arts, science, technology, education, agriculture and environment.
OSCE Hold Conference On Effectiveness Of Ombudsman Office
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, Septembe 10: A conference on the cooperation of the Ombudsman Office with the court system in Uzbekistan is being held on 10 September in Tashkent. It brings together representatives of the court system and the Ombudsman office in Uzbekistan and focuses on the relations between national human rights institutions and the judiciary, as well as their relations with other law enforcement agencies in the country. One of the aims of the conference, organised by the OSCE Centre in Tashkent together with the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Human Rights Commissioner of Uzbekistan, is to assess how independent judiciary institutions and the national human rights institutions can work together in order to protect human rights.
AIIahabad Bank, PNB Plan JV In Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan News
Kolkata, September 10: Allahabad Bank is exploring the possibility of entering into a joint venture with Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Kazakhstan as part of a strategy to get a toehold in the international market. In turn, PNB is likely to take an interest in Hong Kong, where All Bank is trying out an overseas branch for which it has already applied for necessary approvals from the Reserve Bank of India. Officials of both All Bank and PNB said this was just `loud thinking` and no decision has been taken by either. Banking circles, however, contend that this marks the way towards strong tie-ups in various aspects of banking business, in this case international banking operations. Riding on the success of most overseas branches of a number of public sector banks, Allahabad Bank is now aggressively vying for an international presence.
Iranian Delegation In Tajikistan To Take Part In ECO Meeting
IRNA
Dushanbe, September 10: An Iranian delegation arrived here Thursday to take part in the 14th preliminary meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) foreign ministers, it was announced on Friday. In their working meeting, ECO senior experts are to exchange views on Friday on the topics ECO foreign ministers are to discuss. The Iranian five-member delegation, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Mohammad-Hossein Adeli, are scheduled to take part in the preliminary meeting of ECO Council of foreign ministers which is to be held on September 12 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Foreign ministers of ECO will hold their 14th meeting in Dushanbe on September 12. The 8th summit of ECO heads of state will be held in the capital city of Dushanbe on September 14. The summit is to be chaired by Tajik President Emomali Rakhmanov, according to the ECO Secretariat. The meeting will also be attended by heads and or representatives of various UN and other regional and international organizations with which ECO has evolved a working relationship.
President Askar Akayev Met With President Of Czechia Vatzlav Klaus
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, September 10: President of Czechia Vatzlav Klaus arrived in Bishkek with an official visit. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czechia Petr Colarj, presidential department head Irji Vaigl and heads of Ministries and departments and more than 30 Czesh entrepreneurs accompany the President. Mr. Vatzlav Klaus met with President Askar Akayev. During the meeting the sides discussed the wide spectrum of issues as of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The Presidents of the two countries exchanged opinions on vital international problems of fighting against terrorism, the situation in Iraq and in Afghanistan, the issues of European integration. The negotiations focused on the issues of bilateral cooperation in political, trade and economic, culture and humanitarian spheres. The negotiations resulted in signing of the joint Statement, in which the heads of the states confirmed their aspirations to continue close interaction and cooperation. The agenda of the official visit of the Czesh delegation also includes meetings with Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev, Speakers of the both Chambers of the Parliament Abdygany Erkebaev and Altay Borubaev. Mr. V. Klaus will take part in the opening of the business forum in Ak-keme Pinara hotel with the participation of Kyrgyz and Czesh businessmen today evening. The Chesh President will speak at the Kyrgyz-Russian (Slavonic) University on September 11, where the title of Honorary Doctor of the University will be conferred him. On September 12 the delegation will leave for Tashkent to continue their Central Asian tour.
ECO To Establish Free Trade Zone: Iran
IRNA
Dushanbe, September 10: Iran`s Deputy Foreign Minister in Economic Affairs Mohammad Hossein Adeli said here Friday the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is to form a free trade zone to ease trade and promote economic cooperation among member states. At the end of ECO`s experts meeting in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan, Adeli said the plan has been proposed by Islamic Republic of Iran. He added the plan would be discussed on the 14th meeting of member states foreign ministers next week and also in the forthcoming summit meeting in Dushanbe. Iran`s another proposition to the next week meetings is about promotion of decision-making level which, if approved, will accelerate the implementation of ECO`s economic programs, Adeli said. Iran`s deputy FM said in today`s meeting senior experts of the member states proposed plans including promoting private sector`s role in trade, accelerating the implementation of ECO`s trade agreements, fighting against terrorism and drug smuggling. The 14th meeting of ECO`s foreign ministers will be held on September 12th and the ECO`s summit on September 14th in Tajikistan.
Khatami To Visit Tajikistan On Key Power Plant
Agence France-Presse
London, September 10: Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is to visit Tajikistan on Saturday for talks over a 400-mln-dollar project to complete a hydro-electric power station that has already taken 15 years to build, Agence France Press (AFP) reported. `During his three-day visit, Khatami intends to hold talks over the completion of the hydro-electric power station, which had been started in the Soviet era,` said Iran`s ambassador to Tajikistan, Nasser Sarmadi Parsa. The project to build the Sangtuda plant started in 1989, but was suspended when the Soviet Union`s fall and the ensuing civil war left Tajikistan`s economy shattered, its budget drained and set Russian-born experts fleeing back home. Khatami is due to visit Sangtuda as well as the Anzob tunnel north of Dushanbe, built with help from Iranian experts. If completed, the plant would go a long way towards solving Tajikistan`s energy shortages. Another major project to be discussed is a highway linking Tajikistan and Iran via northern Afghanistan.
US Embassy Announces US Exchange Programmes In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 9: On Thursday, 9 September, at reception for the press and representative of Uzbekistan educational institutions, Ambassador Jon R. Purnell announced the start of the recruitment process for United States Government funded exchange programmes in Uzbekistan for the 2005-06 academic year. During his remarks, Ambassador Purnell commented that, `Improving understanding between two countries is key element in building good relations. And there is no better way to build that understanding than through the kindness the exchanges that we are showcasing today.` During the reception, guests met with representatives from the Embassy`s Public Affairs Section, American Councils for International Education (ACCELS), and the International Research and Exchange Board (IREX) who explained exchange programme opportunities and application procedures.
Kazakh President Holds OSCE, IAEA Meetings In Vienna
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 9: President Nursultan Nazarbaev met with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Muhammad el-Baradei and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Secretary-General Jan Kubis in Vienna on 9 September, Kazinform reported. In his meeting with el-Baradei, the Kazakh president affirmed his country`s nuclear-free status and signed a protocol to the agreement that permits the IAEA to conduct random inspections of any Kazakh nuclear site, Khabar TV reported. Kubis told a news conference after his meeting with Nazarbaev that Kazakhstan`s bid to chair the OSCE in 2009 indicates that the leadership has confidence in the country`s economic stability and movement toward democracy, Kazinform reported. A decision on Kazakhstan`s chairmanship bid will be made in 2006.
Turkish P.M. Erdogan Due To Tajikistan
Anadolu Agency
Ankara, September 9: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will go to Tajikistan on September 13th to attend 8th Summit Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). Turkish Prime Ministry Press Center issued a statement and said Erdogan will leave for Dushanbe on September 13th. The statement said Erdogan will attend a dinner which Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov host in honor of heads of state who attend the summit. The statement said Erdogan will participate in the 8th Summit of the ECO on September 14th and will attend a ceremony which will take place to give 2004 ECO awards. Erdogan will hold a press conference after attending a lunch hosted by Rahmonov. Erdogan is expected to return to Turkey in the evening.
Uzbek Constitutional Judge Meets OSCE Representatives
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 9: Rule of Law Expert of the OSCE Bureau for Democratic Institutes and Human Rights Birgit Kainz, judge of Constitutional Tribunal of Poland Miroslaw Wyrzykowski and the acting head of the OSCE Centre in Tashkent Pier Nurmak met the chairman of the Constitutional judge of Uzbekistan Mirzo-Ulugbek Abdusalomov. It was noted that gracious and stepwise reforms on liberalisation of judicial-legal system are under implementation; new laws and normative acts are being adopted. The attention was drawn to pursuing reforms in judicial-legal system of Uzbekistan in accordance with requirements of democratic-legal country, UzA reported.
Heads Of CIS Countries To Consider 17 Issues
Kabar Agency
Astana, September 9: 17 issues are placed on agenda of the session of the Council of heads of CIS states, which is scheduled September 16, Kazinform reports. Ukrainian party invited the Russian Federation and Belarus Republic to join as co-authors to initiative of declaration 2006 in CIS countries as memorial Year of Chernobyl catastrophe victims. There are plans for this session of the Council of Heads of States to sign basic documents on security and combating crime which includes: The interstate programme of joint measures to combat crime for the period 2005-2007; The concept of cooperation of the CIS member-states in fighting illegal migration; The Programme of cooperation of the CIS member-states in fighting illegal circulation of narcotics, psychotropic substances and their derivates for the period 2005-2007; The decision to create within the structure of the Coordination Bureau for Anti-organized crime and other dangerous forms of criminal activities on the territory of the CIS member-states a structural division that will coordinate the fight against illegal circulation of drugs and derivatives and its regional operative group in the Central Asian region. The presidents will discuss issues that negatively influence multilateral trade and economic cooperation within the framework of the CIS.
Construction Of Armenian Sector Of Gas Pipeline With Iran To Begin By Late October
Interfax
Yerevan, September 9: The construction of the Armenian section of its gas pipeline with Iran is expected to begin by the end of October, Armenian Ambassador to Iran Geram Garibdzhanian told Interfax. A contract envisioning an Iranian credit for building the gas pipeline`s Armenian sector and a treaty on construction works at this sector by Iran`s Sanir company are only the first steps in Iran`s assistance to Armenia in this project, the ambassador said, declining to provide further details. Three Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental documents were signed during Iranian President Mohammad Khatami`s official visit to Yerevan on Wednesday. They include a memorandum on mutual understanding and cooperation between the Energy Ministries of Armenia and Iran, an agreement on a $30 million credit to be issued by Export Development Bank of Iran to the Armenian Energy Ministry and a treaty making the Iranian Sanir company subcontractor of the project aimed at building the Armenian section of the gas pipeline.
Czech Head To Pay Visit To Uzbekistan On 12-15 September
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 9: President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus with his spouse will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan on 12-15 September. According to the Uzbek Foreign Ministry`s press service, the Czech delegation will arrive in Tashkent from Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) on 12 September. The Uzbek and Czech officials will analyse and discuss issues on current affairs and perspectives of the Uzbek-Czech relations, as well as exchange opinions on actual problems of regional and international politics. Uzbekistan draws important attention to the Uzbek-Czech political dialogue, bilateral economic cooperation, interaction in other spheres, Uzbek Foreign Ministry said in press release. `Our country considers the Czech Republic as reliable partner and ready to provide all possible support to promote its political and economic interests in the region in bilateral and multisided basis,` it added. On 13 September, the presidents of Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic will hold face-to-face meeting, which will be followed by negotiations in expended structure. The sides are expected to sign joint declaration of President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus and framework loan agreement on financing of equipment supplies for US$20 million between National Bank of Uzbekistan for Foreign Economic Activates and Czehoslovebska Obhodni Bank A.C.
Russia And Kazakhstan Seek Border Deal
The Washington Times
Astana, September 9: Russia and Kazakhstan are close to agreeing on defining their borders, the Moscow Times reported Thursday. The Kazakh Cabinet has discussed `problems that have arisen at the final stage of delimitation of the Russian-Kazakh border,` according to the Moscow Times report, which cited the Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency. Kazakh Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov said it was important to complete negotiations over the delimitation of the state border with Russia, the Interfax-Kazakhstan report said.
Kazakh, Czech Presidents Meet In Almaty
Radio Free Europe
Almaty, September 8: Kazakh President Nazarbaev and Czech President Vaclav Klaus met on 8 September in Almaty for talks that focused on trade relations, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. `We are, above all, interested in trade,` Nazarbaev said. `Trade issues will be a priority in developing bilateral relations.` Noting that trade volume between the two countries rose from $70 million in 2003 to $90 million in the first half of 2004, Nazarbaev said that the figures nevertheless leave much room for improvement. The two heads of state noted that their countries are both allies in the international antiterrorism coalition and are helping with the reconstruction of Afghanistan and Iraq, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported, citing the Kazakh presidential press service. The two leaders also agreed to set up a commission to resolve outstanding issues over Kazakhstan`s $300 million Soviet-era debt to the Czech Republic, `Kazakhstan Today` reported. Klaus also invited his Kazakh counterpart to Prague for an official visit.
Ruling Party Figure Calls For More Tajiks In OSCE`s Mission
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, September 8: Davlatali Davlatov, deputy chairman of Tajikistan`s ruling People`s Democratic Party, told Avesta on 8 September that he raised the question of employing more Tajik staff in local OSCE offices during a meeting with OSCE Secretary-General Jan Kubis (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 7 September 2004). `We expressed our concern that OSCE structures do not employ Tajik citizens as staff,` Davlatov said. `Tajikistan is a member-nation of the OSCE and we should be equally represented in OSCE structures.` According to Davlatov, Kubis promised to look into the issue.
The Kyrgyz-Russian (Slavonic) University Is Named After The First President Of Russia Boris Yeltzin
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, September 8: The Kyrgyz-Russian (Slavonic) University is named after the first President of Russia Boris Yeltzin, Askar Akayev told today during the meeting of Boris Yeltzin with students of the University. Boris Yeltzin expressed great gratitude to Askar Akayev for honour to bear the Kyrgyz-Russian (Slavonic) University. Having promised to visit the University annually to present scholarships from the `Yeltzin Fund`, Boris Yeltzin noted that the contribution to the University will increase. This was a news for the first President of Russia, about which he learned within the precincts of the University. He told that this is a gift, which he will keep in his heart till the end of his life.
Kazakhstan, Russia Close To Completing Border Delimitation
Interfax
Astana, September 8: Kazakh Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov said it is important to complete negotiations over the delimitation of the state border with Russia. The Kazakh Cabinet on Wednesday discussed `problems that have arisen at the final stage of delimitation of the Russian-Kazakh border,`as well as the definition of the status of disputable stretches of the border, says a press-release circulated after the Cabinet meeting.
Iranian President Signs Seven Agreements In Armenia
Radio Free Europe
Yerevan, September 8: President Khatami arrived in Yerevan on 8 September for a two-day Armenian visit, news agencies reported. The two sides signed agreements on bilateral cooperation and on cooperation in the energy, culture, and customs fields, Armenian public television and Arminfo reported. The energy agreements include one on construction of a gas pipeline from Megri to Kadzharan in southern Armenia and a second under which Iran will provide a $30 million loan to finance construction. Khatami and Armenian President Robert Kocharian issued a joint statement emphasizing their shared belief that the Nagorno-Karabakh issue should be settled peacefully, and they also agreed on counterterrorism and counternarcotics efforts. Khatami visited the Blue Mosque in Yerevan and addressed the Armenian legislature. Khatami is expected to move on to Tajikistan and Belarus, IRNA reported on 8 September.
Armenia, Iran Sign $30-mln Credit Agreement For Pipeline Construction
Interfax
Yerevan, September 8: Armenia and Iran signed a $30-million credit agreement on Wednesday to finance the construction of the Armenian section of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline. Energy is an important sector in cooperation between the two countries, which have already gained a wealth of experience in cooperation in this sphere, Armenian President Robert Kocharian said at a press conference following the signing of the agreement. `More serious steps will be taken based on this experience on the path to unite the infrastructure of both states and raise mutual relations to a qualitatively new level,` Kocharian said, adding that the construction of the pipeline has an important regional significance. Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, who was at the press conference, also said bilateral cooperation was important in the energy sphere.
Moscow-Tbilisi Tensions Rising - Georgian Security Council Chief
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 8: Georgian National Security Council Secretary Gela Bezhuashvili said the gulf of misunderstanding between Moscow and Tbilisi has widened of late. `The recent escalation of tensions in the Tskhinvali region and mutual accusations have produced a widening gap of misunderstanding between our countries,` Bezhuashvili told the press on Wednesday. `Georgia-phobia is being manifested not only in particular political statements. An idea is being implanted in Russian public conscience that Georgians are to blame for all troubles, including the fact that terrorists are acting in Russian territory today,` Bezhuashvili said.
Iran Offers To Assist In Settling Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Interfax
Yerevan, September 8: Iran is ready to assist in settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami told the Armenian parliament on Wednesday. Khatami is in Yerevan on a two-day official visit. `Iran is interested in peace and stability in the South Caucasus and is prepared to assist in settling all conflicts in this region,` Khatami said, adding that Iran is also interested in a peaceful settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Khatami also spoke about democracy and democratization in different parts of the world.
Uzbekistan, US Sign Agreement On Donation Of 10,000t Of Soybean
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 7: Uzbek-American intergovernmental agreement on presenting agricultural products to Uzbekistan within the programme Food for Progress was signed at the Uzbek embassy in Washington DC on 1 September. According to Uzbek Foreign Ministry`s press service, Vice-President of Commodity Credits Corporation of US Department of Agriculture (USDA) K. Miller and the Uzbek Ambassador to USA Abdulaziz Kamilov inked the document. The USDA will present 10,000 tonnes of soybeans worth US$5 million to Uzbekistan on a grant basis within one year. Soybeans will be sold through tenders to private and state sectors for further processing and production of vegetable oil. The Uzbek government will use proceeds to finance agricultural restructuring activities.
Li: China Willing To Deepen Ties With Turkmenistan
Xinhuanet
Beijing, September 7: A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said here Monday that China attaches great importance to developing its relations with Turkmenistan and will,as always, uphold the policy of `treating its neighbors as friendsand partners`, so as to work for deepening bilateral friendly and cooperative relationship. Li Chang chun, member of the Standing Committee of the PoliticalBureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when meetingwith a delegation of the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan led by its First Secretary Ondjik Musaev. He said China and Turkmenistan have been good neighbors, good friends and good partners since time immemorial. The people of the two nations have been all along keeping a profound and traditional friendship. Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 12 years ago, bilateral relations have progressed smoothly, with a huge cooperation potential and broad prospects in all fields, he said. Li also spoke positively of inter-party exchanges between Chinaand Turkmenistan, noting that the CPC is willing to continue its efforts to strengthen and consolidate the relationship with the Turkmenistan Democratic Party and make contributions to developing the relations between the two nations in a new period on the basisof four principles of inter-party exchanges. Musaev conveyed Turkmenistan President Saparmurad Atayevich Niyazov`s cordial greetings to Chinese President Hu Jintao and other state leaders. He spoke highly of the CPC for timely and successfully holding the Third International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and expressed his heartfelt congratulations. The Turkmenistan Democratic Party values very much the friendly relationship with the CPC and is willing to further consolidate and enhance exchanges and cooperation between the two parties, so as to boost the relationship of mutual benefit and cooperation between the two countries, he said. At the invitation of the CPC, the Turkmenistan Democratic Partydelegation attended the ICAPP held here from Sept. 3 to 5.
Uzbek Minister Meets With OSCE Secretary General
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, September 7: Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Secretary-General Jan Kubis met with Uzbek Foreign Minister Sadyk Safaev in Tashkent on 7 September, Uzbek radio reported. The two discussed cooperation, joint projects, and preparations for Uzbek parliamentary elections in December 2004. Kubis called the creation of a bicameral legislature in Uzbekistan an important move toward a more democratic society. The two also discussed the problems of terrorism, religious extremism, and drug trafficking, RFE/RL`s Uzbek Service reported.
Baku Sends Humanitarian Cargo To North Ossetia
Itar-Tass
Baku, September 7: A plane with humanitarian cargo on board has left Baku for North Ossetia, a source in the Azerbaijani Airlines State Concern told Itar-Tass. The plane is carrying over five tonnes of medicines for sufferers in the terrorist act in Beslan. On Monday Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told the government to give aid to Beslan sufferers. Aliyev received the Russian ambassador to Azerbaijan on Monday and said that Baku was ready to receive any number of Beslan adults and children for rehabilitation. `We are ready to give any assistance to sufferers in the horrible terrorist act,` he said.
Iran To Increase Gas, Power Exports To Nakhichevan: Azeri Envoy
Tehran Times
Tehran, September 7: Republic of Azerbaijan`s ambassador to Tehran, Hassanov, noted that Iran was planning to increase gas and electricity exports to Nakhichevan enclave. Speaking during a tour of several projects in Khoi city, the diplomat added that the export hike was agreed upon during the recent visit to Azerbaijan by President Khatami. He also visited combined cycle power plant of Khoi, lauding capabilities of Iranian engineers for implementation of combined cycle projects.
Khatami Leaves For CIS Countries Tomorrow
IRNA
Tehran, September 7: President Mohammad Khatami is scheduled to visit the Republics of Armenia, Belarus and Tajikistan from September 8-14, the Presidential Office announced on Tuesday. Heading a high-ranking delegation, Khatami will visit the countries at the official invitation of his counterparts Robert Kocharian, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Emamali Rahmonov of Armenia, Belarus and Tajikistan respectively.
Russia`s First President Boris Yeltsin Has Arrived In Kyrgyzstan
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, September 7: Russia`s first president Boris Yeltsin has arrived in Kyrgyzstan. During the stay in the republic, he will take part in the opening of the Fourth International Issykkul Sports Games in Cholponata on September 9. On September 8 B. Yeltsin will present his personal student grants to students of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University. The grant was instituted in 2003 and will be presented to 26 students in 2004. The first president of the Russian Federation together with his wife Naina Yeltsina annually visits Kyrgyzstan to have a rest on the shore of Issykkul Lake. He arrived this year later the summer season to participate in opening of the International Issykkul Games.
Iran, Kyrgyzstan Review Expansion Of Cooperation In Housing, Urban Development
IRNA
Bishkek, September 7: Iran`s Minister of Housing and Urban Developments Ali Abdolalizadeh conferred in Bishkek Tuesday with Kyrgyz First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Road and Communications K. Jumaliev on expansion of mutual cooperation. At the meeting, the Kyrgyz minister voiced satisfaction with the the forthcoming visit to Bishkek of Iran`s First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref and called the upcoming Iran-Kyrgyz joint economic commission meeting as a new and serious stride towards expansion of mutual relations. The Kyrgyz minister termed the active presence of private and governmental companies in his country as very positive and lauded Iran for development of housing projects in his country.
President To Visit Moscow, Astana For Talks On N.K., Economy
Kazakhstan News
Seoul, September 7: President Roh Moo-hyun will travel to Russia and Kazakhstan in late September for discussions on North Korea`s nuclear weapons ambitions, ways to enhance economic cooperation and other issues of mutual concern, Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday. Roh will make a state visit to Kazakhstan from Sept. 19 to 20 and then fly to Moscow for a four-day official visit between Sept. 20 and 23, Chung Woo-sung, presidential adviser on foreign affairs, said.
Azeri FM Says Khatami`s Trip Opened New Chapter In Relations
IRNA
Baku, September 7: Azerbaijan Private New Agency (Touran) quoted Azeri foreign minister as saying here Tuesday that President Mohammad Khatami`s visit to Baku heralded a new chapter in bilateral relations in various areas and closer positions on dealing with determining the Caspian Sea legal regime. Elmar Mammedyarov said that the two counties had constructive discussions on Caspian Sea legal regime at the presidential and foreign ministerial level. He said discussions on the Caspian Sea between the two countries` experts are continuing. `Baku and Tehran have forged closer position on the sea`s legal regime,` he underlined. He further said the establishment of a US base in Azerbaijan is not on the agenda.
Tashkent City Delegation Started Visit To Hungary On 6 September
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 6: Delegation of Tashkent city arrived in Budapest city (Hungary) on 6 September. On the second day of the visit members of the delegation familiarised with communal services in Budapest. The delegation also participated in business seminar organised by the International trade department. Tashkent city delegation is visiting Budapest to exchange experience with Budapest administration within cooperation agreement between Tashkent and Budapest administrations, discuss attraction of investments and development of small businesses in Tashkent with assistance of Hungarian businesses.
Tajik President Meets With OSCE Secretary General
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, September 6: President Imomali Rakhmonov met with Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Secretary-General Jan Kubis in Dushanbe on 6 September, Tajik television reported. Their discussion focused on cooperation between the OSCE and Tajikistan, as well as on the situation in neighboring Afghanistan. After the meeting, Kubis said he raised the issue of press freedom with the president, Avesta reported. Several independent Tajik newspapers have recently had difficulty finding printing houses, raising concerns about press freedom (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 2 September 2004).
Limtex Eyes Kazakh, Uzbek Mkts
Kazakhstan News
Kolkata, September 6: Buoyed by its success in Russia and Ukraine, Limtex India Ltd, a major tea export house in the east, is planning to push its `Nargis` brand of packet tea in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Limtex acquired `Nargis` in 2003. The brand belonged to the erstwhile Project India Blend Ltd (PIBL), which was a special purpose vehicle created by a consortium of tea companies like Tata Tea, Warren Tea, Williamson Magor, Rosell Industries and the Goodricke group to primarily market Indian tea to Russia. Nargis was the sole brand created by PIBL. Speaking to FE, Limtex`s manager of international trade, Vipesh Agarwal, said that the company planned to offer all varieties of tea in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. `We plan to offer the entire variety of Nargis in these markets in tea bags, jars and pouches as per market demand. The Kazakhs drink strong CTC tea while the Uzbeks prefer tea without milk,` Mr Agarwal said. After Limtex acquired the Nargis brand last year, the company appointed a Russian firm called Vostachini to re-design the product. Limtex has also appointed a leading Russian tea distributor called Sapson to distribute Nargis across Russia.
Kyrgyz Lawmakers Want Territory Back From Uzbekistan
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, September 6: Kyrgyz legislators spoke out at a 6 September session of parliament in favor of an effort to win back the Shakhimardan resort region from Uzbekistan, akipress.org reported. Major General Ismail Isakov, chairman of the Security Committee, said the region, which is located 55 kilometers south of the Uzbek city of Fergana, was given to Uzbekistan by Soviet authorities in the 1930s. Isakov noted that the transfer was extrajudicial, `which is why the Legislative Assembly decided two years ago to negotiate with Uzbekistan to return Shakhimardan.` Prime Minister Nikolai Tanaev supported Isakov, saying: `Shakhimardan is Kyrgyz territory. We will defend our rights, and this issue will be raised along with other issues during the negotiations to delimit and demarcate the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border currently under way in Tashkent.`
Armenia, Poland Assess Bilateral Relations
Radio Free Europe
Yerevan, September 6: Armenian President Robert Kocharian held talks in Warsaw on 6 September with his Polish counterpart Aleksander Kwasniewski, and with Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka, dpa and Armenian Public Television reported, as cited by Groong. Speaking at a joint press conference after their talks, Kocharian and Kwasniewski assessed bilateral political relations as `excellent,` but conceded that economic relations could and should be intensified. Kwasniewski expressed support for a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and suggested that Armenia could profit from Poland`s experience in integrating into European structures. Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sarkisian, who accompanied Kocharian to Warsaw, signed an agreement on 6 September with his Polish counterpart Jerzy Szmajdzinski on technical cooperation and officer training, Armenian Public Television reported.
A Delegation Of Jordanian Parliament Visits Kyrgyzstan
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, September 6: Speaker of the People`s Representative Assembly of the Jogorku Kenesh of Kyrgyzstan Altai Borubaev has met with a delegation of the Jordanian Parliament led by Speaker Ali Abu Skuar. According to press service of the People`s Representative Assembly, the delegation visits the republic at the invitation of A. Borubaev. During the meeting, the parties touched upon political and economic aspects of cooperation between the two states` parliaments. A.Borubaev noted that Kyrgyzstan is ready to cooperate and expand bilateral contacts in various fields of vital activity. The main goal is attracting investment from Jordan, set up joint projects as well as student exchange between the states. 27 students from Jordan study in higher educational institutions in Kyrgyzstan and 10 Kyrgyz students in Jordan. In his turn, Ali Abu Sukar offered to set up a committee of friendship `Kyrgyzstan-Jordan` that activate parliamentary activity of the both states.
Turkmenistan, Oman, Canada To Increase Oil, Gas Cooperation
Interfax
Ashgabat, September 6: Turkmenistani President Saparmurad Niyazov, Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Abdallah bin Alawi, and former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who is currently the head of Bennett Jones LLP, have met in Astana to discuss increasing cooperation in the oil and gas sphere. The delegation also included senior management from the companies Buried Hill Energy and Petroleum Pipe Group (Britain), a source in the Turkmenistani government told Interfax. The Turkmenistani president discussed a number of important oil and gas projects, including the reconstruction of Seidin Oil Refinery and the construction of the Trans-Afghanistan pipeline.
Uzbek President Extends Sympathy To North Osetia
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 5: President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov extended his condolences to head of North Osetia Alexander Dzasohov in connection with terrorism acts in Baslan. `On behalf of the people and government of Uzbekistan and myself in this difficult hour for You and people of North Osetia I want to express support and solidarity,` Karimov said in his message. `There is and can be no justification to this inhuman act of terrorism, threatening lives and health of innocent people,` the message said.
FICCI Explores Possible Business Opportunities With CA
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 5: Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Department of Commerce of India have mounted a week-long technology mission to Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan and Uzbekistan to identify opportunities for technology transfer, investment and trade. The 15-member delegation to CIS countries will comprise chief executives and international marketing managers from leading companies like Ispat Karmet, NEPC India, Apollo Hospitals group and Tata Motors, FICCI said in a release. The CIS region, with a sixty million-strong consumer market, is rich in natural resources and provides shortest transit route to Europe from Asia, it said. The chamber said there is need for concerted and focussed efforts to ensure that Indian companies take advantage and tap the opportunities in the region in the face of rising competition. FICCI said removal of apprehensions among Indian manufacturing and investment companies about entering unfamiliar markets due to lack of banking facilities, visa problems and communication facilities is important before any meaningful commercial relations can be established. The delegation is scheduled to participate in joint business council meetings in three countries and call on decision makers, besides visiting specific industrial units. The visit on 5-11 September will coincide with the Kaitex Fair in Kazakhstan where FICCI will be the official organiser of Indian pavilion.
OSCE Delegation Visits Georgia
Civil Georgia
Tbilisi, September 5: A group of ambassadors accredited in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will visit Georgia on September 5-9. During the visit the OSCE delegation will visit capitals of Georgia`s breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and hold talks with the Georgian leadership. The delegation will also pay a brief visit to those sections of the Russo-Georgian border, which are monitored by the OSCE observers.
MP Underlines Expansion Of Cooperation With Kyrgyzstan
IRNA
Tehran, September 5: Head of Majlis Commission on National Security and Foreign Policy Aladdin Boroujerdi termed expansion of cooperation with Central Asian countries, Kyrgyzstan in particular, as a priority in Iran`s foreign policy. In a meeting with Kyrgyz ambassador to Tehran, Boroujerdi stressed Majlis readiness to promote all-out relations with this central Asian country. He underlined the important role of visits by Iranian and Kyrgyz officials to each country in lifting obstacles to promotion of mutual cooperation in political, economic, cultural and international areas. He underlined closer parliamentary relations between the two countries, referring to Iran-Kyrgyzstan parliamentary friendship group. Touching upon the critical situation in the region and the common interests of the regional countries, Boroujerdi stressed that the interests of the region should be preserved through cooperation among regional countries.
Armenian Visit Angers Azeris
BBC
Yerevan, September 4: Large parts of the Azeri media have staged an orchestrated protest against the planned presence of military officers from neighbouring Armenia at Nato-sponsored exercises later this month. Leading private and independent daily newspapers on Saturday published blank front pages under the words `The media of Azerbaijan protest against the arrival in Baku of the Armenian military`. The private TV station ANS stopped broadcasting for three hours, showing a blank screen with the same protest message. Official and pro-government media outlets have not joined the protest. The Azerbaijani foreign ministry has said it has expressed its concern to Nato over the Armenians` presence, but refused to lodge an official complaint. `Insult` The protest was announced in a statement published in Friday`s papers and signed by nine newspaper editors.
Iran, Tajikistan To Cooperate In Hydro-electric Field
IRNA
Tehran, September 4: The Iranian deputy minister of energy for water affairs said here on Saturday that Iran and Tajikistan have entered into an agreement for the construction of hydro-electric power plants in Tajikistan. The agreement, signed between the energy ministries of the two countries, provides the framework for implementation of the project, Reza Ardakanian said at the closing ceremony for training courses held for Tajik personnel in Iran. `The Ministry of Energy has many qualified and experienced experts in the fields of water and construction of power plants,` he added. He called the joint projects to construct Tajikistan`s Anzab tunnel and the Sangtudeh power plant as well as the training courses for Tajik personnel in Iran as a sign of the countries` expanding bilateral ties.
Iran-Tajikistan Trade Exchanges Reach $100m
Tehran Times
Dushanbe, September 4: The value of bilateral trade exchanges between Iran and Tajikistan reached some 100 million dollars this year, Iran`s Ambassador to Tajikistan Nasser Sarmadi Parsa said here Saturday. Talking to IRNA in an exclusive interview, Sarmadi Parsa assessed Iran`s economic programs in Tajikistan over the past two years as successful, stressing Iran is still interested in expansion of economic cooperation with Dushanbe. `There are several grounds for foreign investment in Tajikistan and Tajik officials welcome Iran`s investment in their country,` he said.
Turkmenistan Nominates New Ambassador To India
News Central Asia
Ashgabat, September 4: President Niyazov signed Friday a decree to appoint Chary Niyazov as ambassador of Turkmenistan to India. He was working as deputy foreign minister of Turkmenistan. Ambassador Chary Niyazov is a career diplomat and he has served as Turkmen envoy to France. Turkmen embassy in India was functioning without an ambassador for the last few months after Ashir Atayev was recalled because of severe health problems.
Kazakhstan Intends To Become `real Space Power` - PM
Interfax
Almaty, September 9: The Kazakh government will allocate approximately 47 billion tenge to develop space projects over the next three years, said Kazakh Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov. `The government has approved the appropriate program that envisages investing up to 47 billion tenge ($1/135.87) over the next three years. We want to become a real space power,` Akhmetov said at a meeting in the Almaty administration on Thursday. He noted that Kazakhstan has begun carrying out a project to create the KazSat satellite, which is to be launched in December 2005. The Russian Khrunichev research and production center acquired the contract to create this satellite for Kazakhstan. The satellite will include 12 transponders of the Ku range and will be used for television broadcasting and stationary satellite communications. Akhmetov said that Kazakhstan intends to start the production of the Baiterek launch complex together with the Khrunichev center in 2005 year.
Anti Human Trafficking Project Starts In Tajikistan
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, September 8: Gulchehra Mirzoeva, director of the NGO Modar, told Avesta on 8 September that the organization has begun a five-month program on human trafficking sponsored by the UN High Commissioner on Refugees. `We intend to work with law enforcement, the courts, prosecutors, border guards, and tourist agencies, who are the main witnesses of trafficking,` Mirzoeva said. `We will also conduct seminars for students studying law and psychology.` The project will also produce legal-aid materials for law enforcement and students.
Special Focus
Armenian Military Gears Up For Iraq Deployment
Armenia will send a team of military officials to Iraq in September that will prepare for the deployment of a small Armenian army contingent in the war-torn country by the end of the year, a senior official said September 3.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp090504.shtmlTempers Flare Over The Issue Of Nagorno - Karabakh `souvenir` Currency
Over the past month and a half, two souvenir currency notes from Nagorno-Karabakh have unleashed a storm of accusations and counter-accusations between Azerbaijani officials and representatives of the Armenian-controlled, self-styled republic of Nagorno-Karabakh. Nagorno-Karabakh `souvenir` 10-dram note
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/business/articles/eav090704.shtmlTbilisi Braces For Russia`s Policy Response To Beslan
Officials in Georgia are bracing for a potentially rapid escalation of tension throughout the Caucasus following the Beslan hostage tragedy. Many Georgians, civilians and authorities alike, believe the Kremlin is capable of lashing out at Tbilisi as part of an attempt to relieve the Russian public`s rage over the high death toll in Beslan. Officials in Tbilisi are also concerned about the possibility of Georgia becoming embroiled in inter-ethnic strife in Russia`s North Caucasus region.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav090804.shtmlRumsfeld And The Caucasus: America`s Deepening Involvement In The South Caucasus Conflicts
Even without terrorism, there would be more than enough reason to fear that the South Caucasus might erupt in violent conflict and endanger the interests of all those powers who have significant interests there. Turkey seeks to internationalize the peacekeeping contingents now operating in the South Caucasus and Russian observers fear that NATO is gearing up to intervene in the Georgian-South Ossetian crisis.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=2658Cadre Changes In Azerbaijan: How Far And How Fast?
After Ilham Aliyev`s election to the presidency in October 2003, many foreign and domestic observers hoped that the election of a young president would mean fast cadre changes in the governing administration and speed up the political and economic reforms in the country. Although taking a slower pace in cadre changes than expected, Ilham Aliyev, has already replaced several ministers, refuting speculations that he was not committed to making changes.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=2659Karachaganak Gas And The Future Of Kazakhstan`s Pipeline System
The supergiant Karachaganak energy field, onshore in northwestern Kazakhstan, sends gas for processing over the Russian border to a processing plant Orenburg operated by Gazprom. Production is slated to increase. The joint operators of the Karachaganak gas venture, BG and ENI, together with the Government of Kazakhstan, are considering building a plant on-site in Karachaganak to process the new volumes.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=2660Parliamentary Vote Poses Test For Electoral Transparency In Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is gearing up for parliamentary elections September 19. Recent polls predict pro-presidential forces should retain control of the legislature. Though lacking the drama of a tight race, many observers consider the election a key test of Kazakhstan`s commitment to electoral transparency.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav090904a.shtmlKyrgyzstan`s Uzbeks: A Safe Vote For The Government
Concern about Kyrgyzstan`s civil rights climate is prompting the country`s sizeable Uzbek community to throw its weight behind the government as election season approaches. The show of support comes even as many express frustration that their own interests have gone unnoticed by President Askar Akayev`s administration.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav090904.shtml
Report dated 10 September 2004