Uzbek leader appoints new governor to namangan region
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 17: President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov appointed new governor to Namangan region on 17 September. According to the presidential decree, the former governor Tulkin Jabbarov was exempted from his duties on his own will. President Karimov appointed Ikrom Nakmiddinov as a new governor of Namangan region. The corresponding decree was issued the same day.
U.S. Joins European Criticism of Kazakh Election
Reuters
Astana, September 17:The United States on Friday echoed European concerns that Kazakhstan's parliamentary election may be unfair because authorities and media favor the parties of the president and his daughter. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe says state media and local authorities are using their resources to help President Nursultan Nazarbayev's Otan (Fatherland) party and his daughter Dariga's Asar (All Together) party in Sunday's vote -- and freeze others out. The 55-nation OSCE, Europe's main democracy watchdog, has also cast doubt the impartiality of election commissions and the accuracy of the a new, much-criticized electronic voting system. ``We certainly have a number of concerns which, I think, were fairly expressed by the OSCE reports so far,'' John Ordway, the new U.S. ambassador, told reporters after presenting his credentials to Nazarbayev. Ordway said Washington wanted to see ``how well the elections come up to international standards that Kazakhstan has committed itself to.'' Asylbek Kozhakhmetov, leader of the anti-Nazarbayev Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan Party, said on Friday that most Kazakh television channels had stopped running his party's publicity after a letter from the Central Election Commission.``This is yet more proof that the election is utterly illegitimate,'' he told a news conference.
Kazakh President advances reform proposals
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 16: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev proposed a far-reaching reform of the CIS at the leaders' summit on 16 September, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. He suggested putting the Council of CIS Foreign Ministers in charge of a special Security Council and delegating executive-organ functions to the CIS Antiterrorism Center and Executive Committee, Kazinform reported. Nazarbaev also urged the elimination of duplicate functions by abolishing the council of defense ministers, the headquarters to coordinate military cooperation, the economic court, and the interstate statistics committee.
Tajik opposition party leader faces defamation charges
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, September 16: Rustam Fayziev, deputy chairman of the unregistered opposition party Taraqqiyot, has been charged with defaming the president and inciting ethnic, racial, and religious strife, Asia Plus-Blitz reported on 16 September, citing a source in Tajikistan's security forces. If convicted, Fayziev could face up to 10 years in prison on the incitement charge alone. He was arrested in Dushanbe on 28 August for allegedly signing and possessing letters that his party reportedly intended to send to the International Court in The Hague.
Parliamentary Election Campaign Opens In Uzbekistan
Itar-Tass
Tashkent, September 15: A parliamentary election campaign began in Uzbekistan on Thursday. The nomination of candidates will begin on October 20 and will end on November 10, said a statement by the Uzbek Central Election Commission issued on Thursday. The parliamentary election in the country is scheduled for December 26. The new parliament will for the first time consist of the upper house - the Senate and the lower house - the Legislative Chamber. A total of 120 deputies are to be elected to the lower house. The upper house will consist of 100 senators. Sixteen of them will be appointed by the president, while the others will be elected at the sessions of district, regional and city deputies.
Kazakh President`s Daughter Denies Presidential Ambitions
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 14: Darigha Nazarbaeva, the daughter of President Nursultan Nazarbaev and the head of the pro-presidential Asar party, told a group of foreign journalists in a 14 September interview that she has no presidential ambitions, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. On the subject of the 2006 presidential elections, she said, `As a pro-presidential party, we will support the incumbent president.` Asked why she formed Asar when the pro-presidential Otan party already exists, Nazarbaeva replied: `They are quite conservative. They do not feel that they are in a competitive environment.... I think that where there is no competition, there will be a morass sooner or later,` Khabar TV reported.
Turkmen President Undergoes Regular Medical Examination
RIA Novosti
Ashgabat, September 14: Turkmenistan`s President Saparmurat Niyazov undergoes a three-day regular medical examination, the presidential press service reported. He is the first patient of the new diagnostic center, which opened in Ashkhabad on Sunday, the press service said. A group of six German doctors led by cardiologist Hans Meisner who performed cardiac surgery on Saparmurat Niyazov in 1997 in Munich conduct the examination. Since then Hans Meisner has regularly examined the President and consulted local residents in the international cardiologic center in Ashkhabad. According to German medics, the results of the first day of Mr. Niyazov`s medical examination conducted with the use of the unique multi-type equipment prove that the President is in good health. According to Dr. Meisner, he sees the stable condition of the cardio-vascular system and other vital bodies. `We saw that the President is vigorous, energetic and is in a good humor,` he stressed.
Kazakh Police Arrest Opposition Demonstrators
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 14: Police arrested six participants in an unauthorized demonstration organized by the opposition bloc of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan and Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan on 14 September in Almaty, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. Gathering outside the state-owned Khabar TV agency, demonstrators asked for an hour of free airtime to compensate for what they described as biased coverage in the lead-up to the 19 September parliamentary elections. Information Minister Altynbek Sarsenbaev, who is also co-chairman of the moderate opposition party Ak Zhol, told Channel 31: `I support their principles that they should be granted equal access to media.
OSCE Demands Substantial Reforms In Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan News
Vienna, September 14: After the speech of Kazakh Foreign Minister Tokaev at the Permanent Council of OSCE and the meeting of President Nazarbaev with leading Ambassadors of Europe it is obvious that the Central Asian country has to fulfill all major committments defined by the Organisation in order to chair OSCE in 2009. Without free and fair elections, open access to the mass media for opposition parties, freedom of speech and the possibility for exiled politicians returning home, the ambitions for Kazakhstan chairing the Organisation in 2009 could not be supported by EU and also US. Also, the plans of Kazakhstan reforming the OSCE, developed scepticism in the West. The EU Presidency told President Nazarbaev and Minister Tokaev, that of course the Organisation should be capable of allowing reforms, but only by accepting the principles of human rights, democracy and pluralism. The EU undelined in an inofficial meeting with the Kazakh President, that it urges the Kazakh officials not undermining those committments. OSCE and the EU definitely support Kazakhstan in its efforts, but concessions have to be made. Without doing so, the door will be closed, said one Dutch official to GFDZ.
Kazakh Opposition Parties Air Concern
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 13: The opposition bloc of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan and Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) held a small, unauthorized demonstration in Almaty on 13 September to demand a review of 1993-95 privatizations, Khabar TV reported. The same day, leaders of DVK, the Communist Party, and Ak Zhol held a news conference in Astana to protest the exclusion of opposition figures from local election commissions and unfair media coverage, Kazakh TV reported. Representatives of the same three parties told a news conference on 12 September in Almaty that Imangali Tasmagambetov, the head of the presidential administration, should resign because of allegations that he embezzled state funds, `Kazakhstan Today` reported. Ak Zhol co-Chairman Bulat Abilov told the newspaper: `[Tasmagambetov] is involved in such major scandals and, at the same time, continues to head the presidential administration. As far as we know, he also rules the elections.`
Kazakh Information Minister Slams Unfair Media
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 13: Information Minister Altynbek Sarsenbaev, who is also the co-chairman of the moderate opposition party Ak Zhol, told Channel 31 in a 13 September interview that media coverage of the parliamentary election campaign has been unfair. He said, `The current authorities, who own media outlets...do not really wish to provide equal access to air time.` He presented monitoring data for Khabar TV covering the period between 19 August and 7 September. Sarsenbaev noted that the Asar party, which is headed by the president`s daughter, Darigha Nazarbaeva, was mentioned 217 times; her father`s Otan party 170 times; and Ak Zhol 68 times, 30 of them negative. Darigha Nazarbaeva is also the director of Khabar Agency, although she has recused herself from the post for the duration of elections.
Poll Shows Slim Faith Infair Elections
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 13: Forty-one percent of respondents in a poll conducted by the Kazakh Socioeconomic Information and Forecasting Institute believed that the 19 September parliamentary elections will not be fair, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported on 13 September. Thirty-seven percent felt that elections will be fair. Institute president Sabit Zhusupov told a 13 September news conference in Almaty that 28.1 percent of respondents said they would vote for the pro-presidential Otan party, 24.6 percent for pro-presidential Asar, and 22.9 percent for moderate opposition party Ak Zhol, with other parties scoring less than 10 percent each. Zhusupov predicted that voter turnout will be around 60 percent. He also said that the Institute plans to conduct exit polls encompassing 400,000 voters.
Kazakh President Addresses Party Before Elections
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 13: President Nursultan Nazarbaev addressed the Otan party, which he heads, at a party forum in Astana on 13 September, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. Urging voters not to be swayed by populist slogans, he affirmed that Kazakhstan`s natural resources are already working to pay for social programs. He added, `Let me remind you that the mineral riches and resources remain in state ownership and that the land is also Kazakhstan`s sovereign territory.` Nazarbaev also said that he will not allow any review of 1990s privatizations. He concluded, `Kazakhstan today is among the fastest-developing countries in the world,` Kazinform reported. The forum was attended by 7,000 people, including members of Russia`s pro-presidential Unified Russia party, `Kazakhstan Today` reported.
Kyrgyz President Puts Out Another Book
RIA Novosti
Moscow, September 13: About the Future with Optimism: Meditations on Foreign Politics and on the Way the World Should Be is the name of a new book by Kyrgyzstan`s President Askar Akayev. He was introducing a Russian-language edition to the public in Moscow today. The Diplomatic Academy under the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the gala. Whatever problems the contemporary world may be facing, the human race is getting ever wiser and has learned to rely on the sum total of its experience for practical action, said President Akayev, and exemplified his point by United Nations activities. The UN is starting its 59th session in New York City. He will come out during the event in support of the Organisation hand in hand with Russian delegates, pledged the President. As Mr. Akayev has it in his book, `the world anti-terror coalition must have a real global scope, in terms of membership. The present-day anti-terror coalition promises to become its part and parcel. As I see it, the United Nations should be entitled to a central role in leading global anti-terror arrangements.` The author describes the UN as the best-tested instance of global patterns, concerning membership and a global purport of tasks it is entrusted with, and is tackling. `Terrorism is looming nowadays over every part of the world. In fact, it is on every home`s threshold. He who hopes to sit out the siege engages in wishful thinking,` points out Mr. Akayev. He is sure his country will be a scene of the Great Powers` teamwork, and they will never clash over it-suffice it to mention two Air Force bases now present in Kyrgyzstan, a Russian and an American. Their presence has not produced whatever tensions in Russian-US relations or in Kyrgyz relations with Russia or the USA, remarks the President. He is sure countries like his can make a beneficial impact on Great Power policies.
Kazakh Opposition Says It Won`t Boycott Elections
Interfax
Almaty, September 13: Kazakhstan`s opposition parties Ak Zhol (Shining Path), Kazakhstan`s Democratic Choice and the Communist Party will not boycott the upcoming parliamentary elections. `We will not declare a boycott. The election race has been unfair and inconsistent with numerous Kazakh laws. We have seen for ourselves that the authorities do not intend to hold fair elections. Declaring a boycott would be a windfall for the authorities. For this reason, we will stay the course,` Ak Zhol cochairman Altynbek Sarsengaiuly said at a news conference on Monday.
Kazakhstan Calls On OSCE To Introduce Uniform Standards For Electronic Voting
Interfax
Astana, September 13: Kazakhstan has called on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to introduce unified technical standards for electronic ballot systems. `Many countries wish to have such systems, and it is time for the OSCE to start forming technical standards [for electronic ballot systems -Interfax], the same as the European Union is doing,` Chairwoman of the Kazakh Central Elections Commission Zagipa Baliyeva told foreign journalists on Monday. The journalists are visiting Kazakhstan to cover the election campaign of the Kazakh Parliament`s Lower House, Majilis.
International Observers Criticize Electronic Ballot System Of Kazakhstan
Interfax
Almaty, September 14: International observers have criticized the Sailau (Elections) electronic ballot system, which Kazakhstan will use in its upcoming parliamentary election on September 19. `There are many questions to the electronic ballot system Kazakhstan is introducing,` said Pavel Lobachyov, a vice-president of Elections & Democracy (E&D), an international association, told a Monday press conference in Almaty. `I was standing right in front of a computer when the electronic ballot system was tested and I saw that the connection was broken. The connection broke many times,` he said.
New Volume Of Turkmen Spiritual Guide Appears
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, September 12: The second volume of Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov`s `Rukhnama` (Book of the Spirit) was presented to the public at a ceremony in Ashgabat on 12 September (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 25 August 2004), turkmenistan.gov.ru reported. Cabinet members, foreign diplomats, and cultural figures attended the ceremony, which took place on the third anniversary of the first volume`s publication. A laudatory article from the same website described the new book as `the second book of the Turkmen spiritual and moral constitution.` The first volume of the president`s ruminations has become a staple of Turkmen official life and an obligatory element in school and university curricula.
Interview with newly appointed NATO envoy to Caucasus and Central Asia
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 17: The NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, appointed of Mr Robert F. Simmons Jr. to the position of Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia. As the Secretary General’s Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia, Mr Simmons will be responsible for establishing high-level working contacts with regional leaders in order to support NATO’s objectives. He will also offer advice to NATO’s Partnership for Peace members on the appropriate Partnership instruments that they might use to enhance cooperation with NATO. Mr Simmons currently serves as NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, a position which he will retain along with his duties as Special Representative. Prior to joining the NATO International Staff, Mr Simmons served as Senior Advisor to the United States Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. He has previously occupied a number of positions in the US Department of State dealing with Eurasian security and arms control policy. Press service of the NATO interviewed Robert Simmons on the job of Special Representative, relations on the organisation with the Caucasus and Central Asia, priorities of new envoy and other issues. Following is transcript of interview.
Q: Mr. Robert Simmons, thank you for joining us today. You are NATO's Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Security Cooperation and Partnership and now have been appointed Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia. What is the job of the Special Representative?
Simmons: Well NATO decided at its Summit in Istanbul that it was going to put a particular focus on the Caucasus and Central Asia as part of the development of partnership after seven new countries joined the Alliance. To that end they took a number of decisions and one was that the Secretary General should have a special representative who would focus on his work on going to the region and making contacts with senior officials in their capitals, with the missions here, to assist them in making the best use of the partnership activities.
Q: This is the first time that NATO creates such a post, why now, and why the Caucasus and Central Asia?
Simmons: Well it's not exactly the first time. We've had in some individual areas where we've had missions, special representatives to the Secretary General, for instance in the Balkans and Afghanistan. This is the first time where we've had one based here in Brussels to go out and to really to develop the partnership with these countries and again the timing now is that after enlargement these are really the target countries of the partnership that remains--the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Partnership for Peace--and it was felt that with those countries who are geographically distant it was important to make particular connections with them to develop our relations with them.
Q: You mentioned the fact that this is quite a vast and a diverse area. Do you feel that one single individual can represent NATO in such a large and complex region?
Simmons: Well my function is important but it's not the only one. We also have agreed that we will have liaison officers, one for each region. A liaison officer in the Caucasus and a liaison officer who will be permanently stationed in Central Asia and obviously I'll work very closely and supervise their work as they assist those countries. Equally of course we have the missions here who will work with us at Headquarters choosing the programmes that are most appropriate. So, while my appointment is an important step forward, it's not the only way in which we deal with these countries and we will work with other activities to make sure that they make the best use of the partnership we have.
Q: You mentioned liaison officers, does that mean that NATO will actually be opening up offices in these regions?
Simmons: Well I don't think the function is really liaison officers, we found that the best way we can assist these countries is if we have people who are working very closely, particularly with their defence ministries, to make the best use of the partnership tools that we have. So the goal of these will probably be to put them in defence ministries, help the defence ministries understand the programmes and the partnership programmes NATO has to assist with their defence reform.
Q: Where would these persons be based?
Simmons: Well they will eventually deal with all of the countries, initially in the Caucasus they will start in Georgia; in Central Asia we haven't decided where they'll start but a number of the countries have indicated they would like to have them in their country and we're looking at what would be the best place for them to start.
Q: If you were to describe, in short at present, what is the main focus of the cooperation between NATO and the countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia?
Simmons: Well I would say its three parts: One is we want them to see that NATO is a place where they can consult and raise their security concerns, consultations. That focus is on Brussels. The second is, defence reform. All of these countries are going through a process where they're adjusting and reforming their defence structures to make them meet the new requirements that they have. NATO has a very good experience in that with the countries that have joined the Alliance with other partners and we and the individual Allied countries want to assist these countries in promoting defence reform. And then finally, in a broad sense, we hope that these countries will become increasingly interoperable with NATO. As you know NATO has asked partners to join them in a number of missions and as they have so, it is important that all of the partners who participate in these missions have interoperability, have defence structures, that can work with the Alliance. So all three of these are our goals with these countries.
Q: As you take up your new duties, from this broad cooperation, or the three aspects of cooperation that you mentioned, what will be your main priorities, what will you be seeking to particularly focus on?
Simmons: Well I think again because of distance and particularly here in Central Asia, these countries often are not aware of the kinds of activities and programmes that are available from NATO and I think the most important thing will be to reach the senior level officials in these countries and make clear to them that NATO wants a good relation with them, at the highest level and try to encourage them to instruct their own governments to make the best use of these resources. So by going out to these countries, starting with the Secretary General's trip this fall and later in my own trips to the region, we will try to get the leaders of these countries convinced that NATO has something to offer them and that they can really benefit from the programmes in defence reform we're talking about.
Q: And if you were to give specific examples of the kinds of programmes that you can offer to these senior officials, what would they be?
Simmons: Well for a long time what we've had is the Individual Partnership Action Programme, that is, working with these countries to design a set of the partnership activities that meets their particular needs. Now of these countries, five have indicated a willingness to write individual partnership action programmes and we want to use the liaison officers, my role, their missions here, to help them write these first individual partnership action programmes well so they set out a good menu of activities. That's the first thing. Second, make them aware of opportunities where they can practice the interoperability I talked about and I think that's very important. Equally, convey to their publics, to their leaders, the message of what NATO's role is in areas for instance like Afghanistan which is in fact near too many of these countries and why NATO is involved in countries like that. So to explain NATO's overall message to these countries and to their people who are a bit distant from this headquarters.
Q: You mentioned that you'll be travelling, that you'll be based in Brussels and travelling to these areas. How often will you be going and where will you be based when you go?
Simmons: Well obviously there's no decision. I will try to get to each of the capitals, my guess is that three or four times a year I'll try to get to each of the capitals but obviously it will depend a bit on schedules.
Q: Mr. Simmons, thank you very much.
Simmons: Thank you.
OSCE to send more observers to Georgian-S. Ossetian conflict zone
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 16:The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe will increase the number of its military observers monitoring the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone from six to 13. "An agreement to this effect has been achieved by OSCE Chairman- in-Office Solomon Pasi, who is also Bulgarian foreign minister, and Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili," Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgi Gomiashvili told a briefing on Thursday. Gomiashvili suggested that enlarging the OSCE observer contingent will help provide unbiased reports on all violations in the conflict zone.
Georgian parliament OKs sending peacekeepers to Afghanistan
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 16:The Georgian parliament on Thursday supported President Mikheil Saakashvili's initiative on sending a platoon from the Georgian mountain rifle battalion to Afghanistan for a peacekeeping mission. Georgian peacekeepers will depart for Afghanistan in late September.
Armenia Wants Broader Cooperation With NATO
Interfax
Yerevan, September 14: Armenia is open for serious and more extensive cooperation with NATO, President Robert Kocharian assured a NATO Parliamentary Assembly delegation on Tuesday. Kocharian expressed satisfaction with the current extent of Armenia-NATO cooperation and said his country was involved in a number of NATO programs. He also called for regional cooperation in the South Caucasus. This would provide a good basis for settling conflicts, he argued. He said Armenia had repeatedly proposed `the settlement of conflicts in the South Caucasus via cooperation` but that Azerbaijan had rejected the idea. Armenia takes an active part in NATO`s Partnership for Peace program. NATO held an exercise in Armenia in 2003 as part of the program.
Sukhumi Blames Tbilisi For Concentrating Forces Near Border
Interfax
Sukhumi, September 14: Georgia is planning to increase the strength of its military units stationed near the border with Abkhazia to three thousand troops, Abkhaz State Security Service Mikhail Tarba told Interfax. `Georgia is continuing to send sabotage squads to Abkhaz territory and is taking measures to increase its military force at the border with the republic,` Tarba said. `Intelligence indicates that Georgian interior troops as well as special task forces are being transferred towards the border with Abkhazia in western Georgia.
NATO Cancels War Games In Azerbaijan
Itar-Tass
Baku, September 13: NATO`s Supreme Allied Command in Europe has taken a decision cancel a military exercise in Azerbaijan, codenamed Cooperative Best Effort`2004 and originally scheduled for September 14 to September 26, the press center for the war games said in a press release Monday night. It said the exercises as part of the Partnership for Peace program are held with the participation of all the NATO member-states as well as partner countries. NATO regretted that the principle of openness had been violated and said this was exactly the cause of the decision to cancel the war games. Last week, high-rank officials in Baku, including President Ilham Aliyev spoke out against the participation of Armenian officers in the exercise, which was supposed to draw together the servicemen of nine NATO member-countries and eleven partner countries, including Armenia.
Russian, U.S. Bases In Kyrgyzstan Not To Trigger Rivalry - Kyrgyz President
Interfax
Moscow, September 13: The deployment of Russian and American military bases in Kyrgyzstan does not trigger rivalry but promotes cooperation, particularly in the fight against terrorism, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev said when presenting his new book `Optimistic about the Future. Thinking about the Foreign Policy and World Order` in Moscow on Monday. `The territory of Kyrgyzstan will never become a scene of rivalry between the two great nations [Russia and the United States - Interfax], it will be a scene of cooperation,` he said.
Azerbaijan Says Reserves Right To Free Occupied Territories
IRNA
Barda, September 11: Azerbaijani government envisions an increase of defense spending in 2005, President Ilham Aliyev said Saturday during a meeting with Azerbaijani refugees in the Barda district that borders the much-troubled region of Nagorny Karabakh. `This increase will strengthen our Armed Forces and will make it one of the guarantors of settling the Karabakh conflict,` Aliyev said. That conflict in the mostly Armenian-populated Karabakh enclave has been going on since 1988 along a pattern similar to most ethnic conflicts on the territory of the former USSR. Karabakh`s Armenians are trying to win independence from Azerbaijan. In the early 1990`s, the tensions between the sides took the form of open armed hostilities. Efforts to settle the conflict have been made for years, but they have produced small results so far. Aliyev reiterated that Azerbaijan is seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict. `As long as there is hope for that [peace settlement], we`ll continue the talks, but if they prove ineffective, the Azerbaijanis will free the occupied territories by any means,` he said.
23 terror suspects go on trial in Uzbekistan
Central Asia Daily
Tashkent, September 17:Twenty-three suspects went on trial on Friday for their alleged role in a series of attacks on police in Uzbekistan earlier this year that killed at least 47 people, court officials said. Authorities in the predominantly Muslim former Soviet republic say the attacks in March and April in Tashkent and Bukhara were the work of al-Qaeda-linked extremist groups operating from outside the country. The same groups are also blamed for suicide bombings at the US and Israeli embassies and the chief prosecutor’s office in Tashkent on July 30 that killed seven people, including the three attackers. On Friday, the Tashkent city court said the 23 defendants were suspected of involvement in the March-April attacks. They are charged with terrorism, extremism and anti-constitutional activity and could face the death penalty if convicted.
Kyrgyz President supports preemptive strikes
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, September 16: Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev expressed support on 16 September for preemptive strikes against terrorists, Kazinform reported. "I am a decisive supporter of a strategy of preemptive strikes," Akaev told the post-summit news conference, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. Akaev said that a good mechanism for such strikes in Central Asia is the Collective Security Treaty Organization's rapid-reaction forces. Russian General Yurii Baluevskii stated on 8 September that Russia is prepared, if necessary, to mount preemptive strikes against terrorist bases anywhere in the world. Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov reiterated the policy the next day.
CIS Summit Opens In Kazakhstan To Focus On Anti-terrorist Fight
Itar-Tass
Astana, September 15: The 38th CIS summit opened in the Kazakh capital on Thursday to first of all focus on fight against terrorism, as well as on economic issues. The CIS leaders have got together at the residence of the Kazakh president for talks in a narrow format, which will be then continued in an extended format, with participation of the delegations. In the opening remarks to the summit, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said `The first half of the year was rather effective for the Commonwealth of Independent States`. `We held meetings in different formats. They were all positive,` he added. `Our states are developing onward, and all favorable factors exist for their closer rapprochement and integration,` the Kazakh leader emphasized. The CIS leaders will focus on anti-terrorist fact. In connection with the recent chain of terrorist acts in Russia, the presidents are expected to make a special statement. Besides, the summit will discuss some organizational issues of CIS activity, as well as economic issues.
Georgia Is Ready To Act Jointly With Russia To Rid Caucasus From Terrorism - PM
Interfax
Astana, September 15: Georgia is ready for joint actions with Russia so that both the South and North Caucasus would be freed of terrorism, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvaniya said at a meeting with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Fradkov in Astana. `We must do absolutely everything to remove hideouts and havens for terrorists where they plan such atrocious acts of terrorism [as the hostage crisis in Beslan],` Zhvaniya said.
Concerns Mount Over Hizb Ut Tahrir In Southern Kazakhstan
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 14: Police are growing increasingly concerned over the activities of Hizb ut-Tahrir in southern Kazakhstan, Channel 31 reported on 14 September. Hizb ut-Tahrir, which advocates the reestablishment of the caliphate and the imposition of Islamic law throughout Central Asia, is not officially registered in Kazakhstan, although it is not expressly illegal. The report quoted police and religious authorities as saying that Hizb ut-Tahrir is stepping up its recruiting activities in southern Kazakhstan and should be restricted. Five members of Hizb ut-Tahrir have been arrested in the area this year, they said. A Hizb ut-Tahrir member told Channel 31 that he is ready to give up his life for the organization, but he denied that it has been involved in any violence.
Uzbek President Blasts Hizb-ut-tahrir
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, September 13: Speaking at a joint press conference with Klaus, Karimov lashed out at countries that harbor Hizb ut-Tahrir, banned as an extremist movement in Uzbekistan and the Arab world. He said, `In Europe, Germany has banned Hizb ut-Tahrir. But at the same time, London hosts their headquarters, where they openly proclaim their inhuman demands and promote their ideology without interference,` RFE/RL`s Uzbek Service reported. Karimov also criticized neighboring Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. `The majority of those who committed crimes in 1999, setting off explosions and engaging in anticonstitutional activities in Uzbekistan fled...to southern Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan,` Uzbek television reported.
Uzbek President Calls For International Consolidation In Anti-terrorist Fight
Interfax
Tashkent, September 13: Uzbek President Islam Karimov called for international consolidation in the anti-terrorist fight at a joint press conference with Czech President Vaclav Klaus on Monday. Klaus arrived in Uzbekistan on Sunday on an official visit. Karimov said their negotiations focused on regional and global security. `We agreed about the need for consolidation and the closest coordination of joint efforts in the fight against terrorism, religious extremism and drug trafficking,` Karimov said.
Several Intl Terrorists Staying In Pankisi Gorge - U.S. Ambassador
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 13: U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles believes that there are still several international terrorists and some Chechen militants in the vicinity of the Pankisi Gorge. Before the Georgian authorities regained control of the gorge, there were international terrorists there, he told reporters at the Georgian Foreign Ministry on Monday. Since that time, their number has been cut down by about two-thirds, Miles said. Miles admitted that some Georgian officials disagree with this view.
North-South corridor to be discussed in Baku IRNA
Tehran, September 17: Heads of railway offices of Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia will meet in Baku on September 27-28. A decision on the issues envisioned by a protocol signed during the meeting of working groups held in Tehran, Iran will be adopted at the upcoming trilateral meeting, the State Railway Office told AssA-Irada. Working groups of the three countries met in Tehran this July to discuss the implementation of the North-South transport corridor project. The protocol encompasses establishing an international joint-stock company (JSC) to implement the railway construction project and involving interested investors. The JSC’s initial charter fund will make up $2 million for each country. The Azerbaijani section of the North-South transport corridor is 505 kilometers long. By 2010, the volume of cargo transportation is planned to reach about 15 million tons. The North-South transport corridor project envisages transportation of cargo from Persian Gulf and South Asian regions to Europe through the Caspian Sea ports, Russia’s canals railways. North-South corridor, cheaper route: India In this regard, Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Thursday that the North-South Corridor Agreement provides a faster and cheaper transit route for trade to Iran, Russian Federation and beyond, which will make country's exports competitive, IRNA reported. The agreement was signed between India, Iran and Russian Federation to facilitate movement of goods via the Caspian Sea and Astrakhan to Russia and adjoining countries of the CIS region.
Kazakh Finance Ministry Suggests TengizChevroil Issue Tenge Bonds
Interfax
Astana, September 15: The Kazakh Finance Ministry has recommended that the joint venture TengizChevroil place tenge-denominated bonds on the Kazakh market, Finance Minister Arman Dunaev told the press. TengizChevroil earlier said it planned to issue dollar-denominated bonds. `We don`t have anything against issuing long-term securities by any issuer, including TengizChevroil. The only question is that we [the Finance Ministry] would prefer such securities to be issued as an instrument denominated in tenge,` Dunaev said. The Finance Ministry hopes to resolve the existing situation on the country`s financial market, where large financial institutes, including pension funds, have `huge` accumulations amid a shortage of securities, Dunaev said. At the same time, Dunaev said the government `cannot insist` on this. TengizChevroil announced its plans to issue Eurobonds in 2003. However, the company did not disclose details for the upcoming issue, saying only that the aim of the issue is to expand production.
Kazakhstan Renews Bid To Buy Kashagan Stake From BG Group
Kazakhstan News
Astana, September 14: The Kazakh government has renewed a bid to buy a 17 pct stake from BG Group PLC in its Kashagan oil field, the Wall Street Journal quoted Energy Minister Vladimir Shkolnik as saying. `Kazakh participation increases, indeed it ensures, the possibility of Kashagan`s success,` Shkolnik said, adding that his government would pay a `market price` for the stake. The field, in the Caspian Sea, is a major part of Kazakhstan`s plan to raise oil output to 3 mln barrels per day by 2015 from just over 1 mln today. BG heads the international consortium that is developing the site, where production is due to start in 2008. Shkolnik said that, if Kazakhstan bought the stake, it would not resell it to China. China tried to buy the share when it was put on the market by BG last year. Fellow consortium members exercised their right to pre-empt the sale. If things do not work out, Kazakhstan might veto any further transfer of the 17 pct stake in the field, Shkolnik added.
Kazakhstan Reports Investments In Natural Resources Development
Kazakhstan News
Almaty, September 14: Investments in the development of natural resources reached $3.56bn in Kazakhstan over the first six months of 2004, compared to $5.25bn over the whole year of 2003, the Statistics Agency of Kazakhstan reported. In 2003, the investments in the development of natural resources grew by 11.1 percent and made up almost a half of all investments in non-financial assets in Kazakhstan. In 2003 companies using natural resources allocated 91 percent of their investments in non-financial assets in fixed capital ($4.43bn), and such investments grew by 4.9 percent against the previous year. Companies in the oil and gas industries invested the greater part of funds in fixed capital ($4.01bn) in 2003. This amount exceeded the 2002 level by 2.1 percent.
World Bank To Give Uzbekistan $40 Mln For Healthcare
Interfax
Tashkent, September 14: The board of directors of the World Bank last week approved a loan for Uzbekistan of $40 million to implement a healthcare project in the republic, a source in the World Bank in Tashkent told Interfax. The project, going by the name of Health-II is included in the program for financial cooperation between the World Bank and Uzbekistan in 2002-2004. The aim of this program is to develop primary healthcare in cities, and to improve financing and management systems. The loan will be paid out from the resources of the International Development Association, part of the World Bank group, as an interest-free loan for 35 years with a 10-year grace period.
Kazakhstan To Boost Economy By 2015
Interfax
Moscow, September 14: Kazakhstan aims to boost GDP 250 per cent-280 per cent by 2015, according to the government`s industrial development strategy, Krymbek Kusherbayev, the Kazakh ambassador to Russia, said at the conference on economic transformations in the CIS in Moscow. The strategy called for economic growth of at least 9.2 per cent annually `so that GDP grows 250 per cent-280 per cent by 2015,` Kusherbayev said. Manufacturing industry growth should be raised to 8.5 per cent annually, labor productivity should at least treble and the economy must become half as energy- intensive as it is today. The strategy calls for sustainable economic growth to be achieved by diversification.
Saakashvili-Putin meeting a turning point - official
Interfax
Tbilisi, September 17: A recent meeting between the Georgian and Russian presidents, Mikheil Saakashvili and Vladimir Putin, may be seen as a "turning point" in Georgian-Russian relations, Georgia's senior security official said on Friday. The meeting, held in the Kazakhstan capital Astana, "was very open and concrete and, though there were disputes over some issues, a constructive approach was manifested on all problems of bilateral relations," Gela Bezhuashvili, secretary of the National Security Council, told a briefing.
Premier's Visit to Kyrgyzstan, Russia Significant
Xinhuanet
Beijing, September 17:The upcoming visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to Kyrgyzstan and Russia will strengthen friendly neighborhood and enhance energy cooperation between China and Russia, said Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui at a news briefing in Beijing Friday. From September 21 to 25, Wen will visit Kyrgyzstan and Russia. He will attend the third premier or prime minister meeting of the member states of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and then have the ninth regular meeting between Chinese premier and Russian prime minister. Li said Russia proposed cooperation with China on oil pipeline in 1994, and the two sides have done a lot of preparatory work in oil pipeline projects since then. As the oil pipeline lies in blueprint, China and Russia have been conducting energy cooperation via railway transportation, Li said, adding that China, a large and stable market, needs oil and gas very much and it provides a solid foundation for energy cooperation with Russia. Li said China and Russia also share common interests in fighting international terrorism, since the two countries are both victims of terrorists. "Premier Wen will surely exchange views with Russian leaders on combating terror during his tour," Li said.
The Summit of Commonwealth of Independent States concludes in Astana
Kabar Agency
Astana, September 17: The regular CIS Summit in the format of the meeting of the Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers, the Council of Heads of Governments and Council of Heads of States concluded its work in Astana. The Kyrgyz delegation headed by President Askar Akayev took part in the work of the Summit. The first issue on the summit agenda was related to the development of cooperation between the Commonwealth of Independent States member-countries against security and stability threats in line with relevant documents adopted by the CIS, the OSCE and the UN. CIS leaders signed a series of crucial documents related to efforts against terrorism, organised crime, drug trafficking and illegal migration The participants of the meeting discussed security problems and economic issues and decided to activate the work of CIS anti-terrorist center. On the results of the negotiations a joint statement on struggle against international terrorism is adopted. Russian President Vladimir Putin replaced Ukrainian President Vladimir Kuchma in the post of the chairman of the Council of Heads of States of CIS.
Kyrgyz-Chinese border fully demarcated
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, September 16: Salamat Alamanov, director of the Kyrgyz president's Regional Problems Office, announced on 16 September that the Kyrgyz-Chinese border has been fully demarcated, akipress.org reported. Noting that the process lasted from 2000 to 2004, Alamanov stressed that the demarcation line corresponds exactly to the delimitation line.
US aid to Tajikistan tops $50 million in 2004
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, September 16: U.S. development and humanitarian aid to Tajikistan for fiscal year 2004, lasting from 1 October 2003 to 30 September 2004, will total more than $50 million, Asia Plus-Blitz, reported on 16 September. Peter Argo, the country director for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Tajikistan, noted on 13 September that the agency has provided Tajikistan with more than $110 million in aid during its 11 years of activity in the country. Argo said that the aid profile has shifted from humanitarian assistance to development. Aid in 2004 came from the U.S. State Department, Defense Department, and Commerce Department.
New Afghan-Uzbek Film Presented In Afghanistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 15: Presentation of film `Clouds`, shot by Afghan filmmakers with support of their Uzbek colleagues, was held at Balh University. According to Jahon, director of the film Obidi thanked Uzbekistan and said that without this country`s help the film would not be shot. He also thanked Uzbek actors for participation. The film is about Afghanistan under Taliban power. The hero of film experienced agony and adventure and found shelter and happiness `on the opposite bank of the river`. Although the country was not named, it is not hard to find out that it is Uzbekistan. According to Azizullo Korgar from Mazar-i-Sharif, the film is shrilling. He added that it exposed real face of Talibs and truly speaks on brotherly assistance and support from close neighbour of Afghans - Uzbek people.
Kazakh Ambassador To Uzbekistan Visits Navoi Region
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 15: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan Tleuhan Kabdrahmanov visited Navoi region. According to KZ-today, the Kazakh envoy meet governor of Navoi region Bakhriddin Ruziev and governor of Kanumeh district Sadolla Ishpulatov. The sides exchanged opinions on current state and perspectives of bilateral trade-economic relations, deepening contacts between businesses of the two countries. The ambassador also visited Navoi Mining and Smelting Combine and met its head Nikolay Kucherskiy, as well as Kyzylkumcement open joint-stock company and Kahimeh farm. Kazakh diplomat also met representatives of Kazakh diaspora living in the region.
Kazakhstan To Press Russia On Kyoto Deal
The Washington Times
Astana, September 15: Kazakhstan will encourage Russia to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on controlling greenhouse gas emissions, a government minister said Wednesday. `We have ratified the Kyoto pact and would urge other nations to do so,` Kazakhstan`s Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Vladimir Shkolnik told reporters in the capital, Astana. When asked if Kazakhstan would use its good offices with neighboring Moscow to sign the treaty, Shkolnik said his country would pressure not only Russia, but also the United States, to sign.
Iran To Import 700 MW Of Electricity From Turkmenistan
Kazakhstan News
Semnan, September 15: Deputy minister for Electricity, Mohammad Ahmadian said here that Iran is to import 700 megawatts of electricity from Turkmenistan. Noting Turkmenistan`s huge electricity reserves, he said the country is eager to provide Iran with reasonably-priced electrical energy, IRNA reported. A second 400-kw Khorasan-Tehran transmission line will soon be constructed to transmit electricity to Iran from Turkmen power stations. Iran is scheduled to allocate 250 billion Rls. for the construction of the line, Ahmadian said. The 1000-km transmission line will pass through the cities of Sabzevar, Shahrud and Semnan. In another development, Iranian Energy minister Habibollah Bitaraf stated that building Sang Tudeh Power Plant will pave the way for power exchange between Iran and Tajikistan. Bitaraf added that Iran`s power grid will be connected to neighboring countries through Tajikistan in the near future, PIN said.
Putin Arrives In Astana
Interfax
Astana, September 15: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the Kazakh capital of Astana on Wednesday. Putin on Wednesday will attend a summit of the Common Economic Space (CES) agreement, which comprises Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, and on Thursday a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The CES summit will focus on economic issues, Putin`s aide Sergei Prikhodko told Interfax.
CES Summit Begins In Astana
Interfax
Astana, September 15: A summit of the Common Economic Space agreement began at the Kazakh president`s residence in Astana on Wednesday. The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma and Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko is expected to last for about an hour. Then the talks will be joined by other officials and final documents will be signed. Before the official meeting, Nazarbayev offered to show Astana to his colleagues. `You will be able to see what I have managed to do,` he said.
Washington Supports S. Caucasus Development - U.S. Ambassador
Interfax
Washington DC, September 15: Washington supports further democratic development of the South Caucasus republics, newly-appointed U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, said at a press conference in Yerevan on Wednesday. The ambassador said stability and security, economic growth, and development of democratic institutions are the main areas of Washington`s activity in South Caucasus, and Armenia has made certain success in all of them. The ambassador admitted that some difficulties remain in the stability and security sphere, which results from the fact that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has still not been resolved. Evans maintained that the final resolution of the problem is for the conflicting parties to achieve, while the U.S., Russia, and France, as the co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group, are continuing their mediating efforts to help settle the conflict. Evans said the U.S. is also continuing to work on opening the Armenian-Turkish border, which is in the focus of the U.S. attention and which is in the interests of both Yerevan and Ankara. The ambassador also welcomed an initiative by the Armenian government to send a team of military doctors, drivers, and sappers to Iraq.
China To Extend Uzbekistan $40 Mln To Develop Mini Hydro Plants
Interfax
Tashkent, September 15: China will extend Uzbekistan a $39.9 million loan to implement three projects under a development program for mini hydroelectric plants, Shukhrat Shaismailov, deputy director of the specialized unity Uzvodenergo, part of Uzbekistan`s Agriculture and Water Resources Ministry, told Interfax. Shaismailov said the money will be extended from 2004-2007 under a credit line opened by China`s Eximbank. The Uzbek government is guaranteeing the credit according to a bilateral agreement. It is planned to use the money to build three mini hydroelectric plants, including $25 million to build the second section of the Tupolang hydroelectric plant, in Surkhandarya region; $8.5 million to build the Andizhan hydroelectric plant, in Andizhan region; and $6.4 million to construct the Akhangaran hydro plant, in Tashkent region. Shaismailov said the foreign credits will speed up the implementation of the development program for mini hydroelectric plants, which is currently being financed with funds from selling energy at the ministry`s working hydroelectric plants.
Scientific delegation of Uzbekistan visits Ukraine
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 14: Delegation led by Turabek Dalimov, rector of the National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek (NUU), left for Ukraine with an official visit on 14 September. The visit will last until 21 September. The main purpose of the visit is conferring Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma with the rank of Honourable Doctor for contribution in development of science of the two countries. For many years NUU has cooperated with a number of Ukrainian universities on mutual exchange of knowledge. In particular, last year NUU representatives taught Uzbek language lessons at Turk Philology Faculty of Kiev University.
Uzbekistan, Czech Republic To Fight Terrorism Jointly
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 14: Officials of Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic agreed to consolidate their efforts to fight organised crime. The agreement was reached in Tashkent during the visit of the Czech President to Uzbekistan on 13 September and covers fight against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and other organised crimes. President Vlaclav Klaus noted that the Czech Republic considered Hizb ut-Tahrir as a terrorist organization. He supported Uzbek President Islam Karimov in banning this organisation worldwide.
Dushanbe Talks Focused On Gas, Power: Shaukat
Central Asia Daily
Dushanbe, September 14: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Tuesday his approach at the ECO summit in Dushanbe was to focus on importing gas, electricity and transit trade with offering a set of incentives to Central Asian and other member-states for their joint progress towards economic glory. In a frank on-board chat with reporters, Aziz said he focused his talks in bilateral meetings with Iranian President Syed Mohammad Khatami, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmonov, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, President of Kyrgyzstan Askar Akaev and others on three key issues: gas, electricity and transit trade. He said he convinced all these ECO leaders in bilateral and trilateral meetings that they must project Islam to the world as a peaceful religion. `There is no relevance between Islam and terrorism, and we must project true Islamic view which teaches peace, love and affection.` Terming the ECO future highly potential and extremely good, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said that all the three founding members of the forum (RCD) - Pakistan, Turkey and Iran-are trying to enhance their economic linkages with Central Asian ECO members. `Our future is to create a mechanism of dependency on each other with Central Asian states to look Pakistan as an outlet to Arabian Sea,` he said. He praised the leadership of President Khatami, who agreed to carry out a feasibility study on the gas pipeline project even if India does not come on board. He said he was invited by all the ECO leaders to visit their countries in a bid to enhance the economic linkages in many spheres. He said following the ECO summit a trilateral talk between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan took place on a two-point agenda of land and road links for which the Nespak would carry a study on the final route, and buying electricity from Tajikistan using the same route. He said Tajikistan is selling its power to Russia located around 4,000 kilometres away and it can do so for Pakistan having shared border with it through Wakhan. He said Tajikistan has already built some bridges and Pakistan would construct the road to link it with the other side for speedy trade and economic activity. He said Tajikistan is constructing another dam but to import this Tajik electricity financial support from the World Bank, the ADB and the Islamic Bank would be required. He said his talks with President Karzai resulted in emphasising speedy implementation of the Bonn Process. He said Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Ministerial Commission would meet in four to six weeks time. He added if the international community implements its pledges there will be more economic activity, job creation and it will help control the menace of drugs. He said President Karzai shared his views that donors must release funds for Afghanistan`s reconstruction and development. He also wished President Karzai`s success in the forthcoming elections in Afghanistan, as these elections would help bring stability in that country. Aziz said his meeting with the Kyrgyz president on several issues was highly important in the sense that private sector would be involved to operationalise the understanding of road links through Karakurram, involving China and Tajikistan, to help boost economic activities. He said Pakistan has agreed to reschedule $13 million loan to Kyrgyzstan. Aziz said he also briefed all the leaders about talks held with India on regional peace and security, as all the ECO member-states have shown a great deal of interest in Pakistan. `I have offered these countries to utilise Karachi and Gwadar ports as their outlets for trade and business purposes, and they have shown a lot of interest in that offer,` he said. He said his meeting with the Turkish prime minister was focused on implementing the Ecota and to work on several other items including banking sector. He said an international conference will be held in Turkey and one minister each from Pakistan and Turkey would assess the situation arising out of western tirade against Islamic world. APP adds: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz returned home satisfied after attending the 8th ECO Summit, saying his meetings with the leaders would strengthen Pakistan`s economic ties with the member states. Talking to newsmen here at the Chaklala Air Base, he described his meetings `very useful` and said these would lead to greater economic cooperation and open up new vistas for investment and trade. When asked about his expectations from the ECO, he said all the decisions need to be followed and the focus should be on results and these must be implemented. He said he urged the leaders to take up fewer things but ensure that whatever decisions are taken are implemented.
Khatami Leaves Dushanbe For Tehran
IRNA
Dushanbe, September 14: Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami wrapped up his four-day state visit to Tajikistan and returned home on Tuesday. Khatami was officially seen off by his Tajik counterpart Imomali Rakhmonov, Iranian Ambassador to Dushanbe Nasser Sarmadi Parsa and several other Iranian and Tajik officials at the Dushanbe airport. Before his departure for Tehran, President Khatami and his Tajik counterpart reviewed a guard of honor. During his stay, Iranian and Tajik officials signed seven memoranda of understanding (MoUs). President Khatami delivered a speech at the summit meeting of ECO member states held in Dushanbe Tuesday.
Czech First Lady Visits SOS Children`s Village
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 14: Spouse of the President of the Czech Republic Livia Klaus, accompanied by the first lady of Uzbekistan Tatyana Karimova, visited SOS Children`s Village in Tashkent on 13 September. Livia Klaus familiarised with the life of families at the Children`s Village and noted that all necessary conditions for bringing up and living of children were created here. Children of the village presented a musical programme to the first ladies. SOS Children`s Village was founded in 2000 in Tashkent and includes 17 family cottages. Over 90 children at the age between 3 and 16 are living in the village.
Kazakhstan Considering Gas Pipeline Construction From Caspian To China
Interfax
Moscow, September 14: Kazakhstan is considering the construction of a gas pipeline which would link the Caspian Sea with western China, Kazakh Ambassador to Russia Krymbek Kusherbayev told Interfax on Tuesday. `It is true that such an idea is being discussed,` he said when asked to comment on the issue. `It must be said that cooperation between Kazakhstan and China in the energy sector is assuming a wide scale.` `The China National Petroleum Corporation has been extracting oil in the Aktyubinsk region for several years. The stage-by-stage construction of an oil pipeline with an annual throughput capacity of 20 million tonnes to western China has begun. We have not ruled out China`s involvement in prospecting and developing oilfields on the Kazakh shelf of the Caspian Sea,` Kusherbayev said. `The construction of a gas transport link connecting Kazakhstan with the western part of China logically fits this partnership strategy,` he said. Kazakh oil transportation routes crossing Russian territory are another priority, he said. `These [pipelines include] the Atyrau-Samara oil pipeline which carries 15 million tonnes of oil a year and the CPC pipeline which at this time can already transport 28 million tonnes a year. The maximum throughput capacity of the latter will be raised to 67 million tonnes. This will cover Kazakhstan`s export capacity in the next few years, however a need for new routes will appear since production is growing,` Kusherbayev said. `Therefore, experts believe that the Chinese pipeline will be useful as will be the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline the construction of which has already begun. Iran is also very promising from an economic viewpoint,` he said. `The approach is justified also from the viewpoint of diversifying oil routes facilitating a more flexible and effective export strategy on various oil markets,` he said. Kazakhstan and China plan to launch construction of the Atasu-Alashankou oil pipeline in September, a Chinese official said in August. China is expected to receive the first batch of Kazakhstan oil through the pipeline in 2006.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization To Discuss Foreign Trade
Kabar Agency
Moscow, September 14: A business council will be created within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Russian Economy Minister German Gref declared opening a meeting of the ministers of the organization member-states who are responsible for foreign trade. According to him, a fund for the development of the organization will also be established. The issue of the creation of the above-mentioned agencies will be considered at today`s meeting. In addition, participants of today`s meeting will discuss measures to implement a program for cooperation between the SCO members in the foreign trade sphere, Gref pointed out.
Czech President Visits Samarkand
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 14: President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus together with Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyayev arrived in Samarkand on 14 September. The Czech leader started familiarisation with the city with visit to Mirzo Ulugbek observatory. The delegation also visited Bibihanum mosque, Gur Emir mavsouleum and Siab bazaar. `I am glad that within my visit to Uzbekistan I was able to get acquainted with such unique city as Samarkand,` Vaclav Klaus said. `Its ancient monuments impressed me.` President Klaus also visited new academic lyceum under the Samarkand State University named after Alisher Navoi.
Iran, Kyrgyzstan Stress Expansion Of Political, Economic Ties
IRNA
Tehran, September 14: President Mohammad Khatami met with Kyrgyzstan President Asghar Akayev on the sidelines of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) meeting in Dushanbe Tuesday. Khatami said that the two nations should use all their political and economic potentials to expand bilateral cooperation in all areas. The two nations will achieve constructive results within the framework of their joint economic commission which is to be held in Bishkek, the Iranian president remarked. He also said that regional trade blocks have important role in the world, adding `ECO members states have many cultural and historical commonalties, ample natural resources and vast markets and the strengthening of the organization will ensure the interests of the countries.`
Iran To Donate $5m For Development Projects In Tajikistan
IRNA
Dushanbe, September 14: Iran is to donate five million dollars in aid to Tajikistan for implementation of development projects, according to an agreement signed between the foreign ministers of Iran and Tajikistan on Tuesday. Under another agreement, Iran will also contribute to the implementation of the Anzub Tunnel project. The tunnel is to be constructed by Iran`s Sobir Company and will connect the northern and southern parts of Tajikistan. The project has a budget of 38 million dollars. Iran will provide 10 million dollars in the form of grant-in-aid to complete the project and another 21 million dollars in the form of bank loans. During the four-day stay of President Khatami in Tajikistan, Iranian and Tajik officials signed seven memoranda of understanding (MOUs). He and his delegation were back in Tehran Tuesday evening.
Uzbek President Heads To Astana To Participate CIS Leaders` Summit
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 14: A delegation of Uzbekistan led by Islam Karimov will arrive in Astana (Kazakhstan) on 15 September to participate in the session of the Council of state of heads of the CIS. On the agenda of the council`s session is further development of cooperation of CIS in counteraction against security and stability in light of adopted documents within the CIS, OSCE and the UN. Heads of states will also consider issues negatively affecting multilateral trade-economic cooperation within the CIS, functioning of the economic court and military interaction of CIS states.
Kazakhstan, Russia Completing Border Delimitation
Interfax
Astana, September 14: Kazakhstan and Russia are completing the delimitation of their interstate border. `The Russian and Kazakh working commissions have delimited 99 per cent of the border,` Kazakh presidential chief of staff Imangali Tasmagambetov told Interfax on Tuesday. `But there are several populated areas and stretches of the border that are still arousing disagreements,` he said. The Kazakh-Russian 7,000 kilometer-long land border is the world`s largest. The Russian and Kazakh leaders earlier said that the delimitation of the joint border is to be completed before the end of 2004.
Putin To Attend Common Economic Space, CIS Summits In Astana
Interfax
Moscow, September 14: Russian President Vladimir Putin will fly to Astana on Wednesday to attend the summits of the Common Economic Space Agreement (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine) and of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Putin`s aide Sergei Prikhodko told Interfax that the CES summit will focus on economic issues. The four presidents are expected to confirm a list of 29 priority international and other documents, whose adoption will make CES a functioning mechanism, said Prikhodko He said about 60 documents must be signed to complete the formation of the Common Economic Space, but by agreement of the four parties, experts have drawn up a short list of 29 priority agreements.
Konrad Adenauer Foundation Marks 10 Years In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 14: Konrad Adenauer Foundation`s Office in Uzbekistan marked 10th anniversary of operation in the country on 14 September. Deputy chairman of the foundation, ex-state minister of Federative Republic of Germany Herr Anton Pfeifer, interim charge` d`affairs of Germany to Uzbekistan Herr Kurt-Georg StAckle-Stillfried, representatives of the government and diplomatic corps of Uzbekistan, as well as foreign and Uzbek officials and journalists participated in the ceremony. The fund has been operating in Uzbekistan since 1994.
German Defence Minister To Visit Uzbekistan, Afghanistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 13: Defence Minister of Germany Peter Struck will pay a visit to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan on 26 September. According to RIA Novosti quoting German Defence Ministry, Struck will visit locations of German troops at Qunduz and Feyzabad of Afghanistan. German Minister will also visit German Air Forces base in Termez. Peter Struck was planning to visit these two countries on 18-20 June, but he had to postpone visit due to bad health condition.
Uzbek, Indian Businesses Meet In Tashkent
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 13: Second session of the Joint Business Council of the representatives of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan was held at International Business Centre on 9 September. Heads of large Indian companies, such as NEPC India Ltd (electric appliances production and textile industry), German Gardens Ltd (agricultural production processing), Jintan International (Providing technical and managerial support and supply of Brass/iron/aluminum hardware), Tata Motors Ltd (machinery industry), Apollo Hospitals Group (healthcare, medical tourism), Aditi International (pharmaceutical goods and medical equipment production), Amines & Plasticizers Ltd ( gas treating chemical supplies to oil and gas sector), Marlboro Engineering Works (pump production), Pam Pharmaceutical and Allied Machinery Company (P) Ltd (packaging equipment production), Ispat Karmet (metallurgical industry) took part in the meeting. Uzbek side was represented by the heads of the Ministry of Healthcare, UzbekEnergo, Agency for Foreign Economic Relations, Agency for Automobile and River Transport, UzAvtosanoat (Uzbek Automobile Industry) and Tashgorpasstrans (Tashkent City Passenger Transport) agencies, as well as the representatives of small and private business. Presently, the commercial and economic relations between Uzbekistan and India stand out by the favourable contract-legal base, composed of 38 economic agreements and papers, including `Agreement on Commercial and Economic Cooperation`, `Agreement on Encouragement and Mutual Protection of Investments` and `Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation`. In accordance with the above-listed documents, the parties worked out the scheme of the most favourable conditions for the bilateral trade. At the same time, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan and the Department of FICCI for CIS, as well as the Federacy of Export Organisations of India signed agreements envisaging expansion of cooperation between the entrepreneurs and organisations of the two countries. The information on the exhibitions and fairs organised in India, as well as on the produced goods and services, received through the Embassy of India in Uzbekistan is distributed among the members of the Chamber. Cooperation is specifically active in the framework of the Programme on Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). Over 100 entrepreneurs, workers of market infrastructure and the Chambers received training in India in the states of Gudjarat and Haidarabad. The director of Sabol-ul-orom private firm, located in the Tashkent district of Tashkent region, Jumanazar Yangibaev shared his work plans with the Indian counterparts: `We are engaged in applied art, ancient and modern architecture, and reconstruction of historical monuments.` `The personnel of our firm have completed special works on over 300 monuments of architecture and bas-reliefs of Khorezm, in modern parks and aqua-parks. The purpose of taking part in the given meeting is to put on the way a continuous exchange of experience with our Indian counterparts, primarily in the sphere of modern technology and know-how,` he said. `At the same time, at this moment I am into the idea of undertaking a large project - setting up the town of Great Silk Road on the territory of Tashkent region. We need to, based on the rich history of the Eukolits` state, try to revive 4,000 years old realities. To implement given projects we need some US$14 billion and support of 174 countries. We have fully developed the project, and Sabol-ul-orom is capable of implementing the plan. The destiny has tied our regions through historical line, similarities in the culture and personal qualities, as well as through unique heritage of our ancestors. That is why, figuring on the assistance of the government of Uzbekistan, I would like to enlist the support and obtain real partner in the face of India,` added Yangibaev.
Kazakhstan Seeks Indian Role In IT
Kazakhstan News
New Delhi, September 13: The opening up of Kazakh economy has thrown up opportunities for Indian industry. Kazakh trade and industry minister Adilbek Dzhaksybekov is arriving here on Wednesday to seek Indian expertise in information technology. Leading a 12-member high level delegation, Mr Dzhaksybekov will be signing several memoranda of understanding with the Indian government. `Kazakhstan is keen on establishing a software technology park, and India - with its expertise in frontier technology fields such as information technology, bio-technology, satellite imaging etc - can play a major role in the development of IT sector of that country,` senior officials in the ministry of external affairs said. Economic relations between the two countries do not match the existing potential in this field. The bilateral trade stands around $78.91 million as in 2003. `The necessary environment exists for bringing out relations to fruition by increasing our economic and commercial co-operation manifold,` officials said. In Kazakhstan, Indian presence is in pharmaceutical and tea markets. Major commodities of export from India are tea, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, machinery, tobacco, consumer items etc. And main items of import by India are silver and silver-gold, asbestos, steel, aluminum, wool, raw hides etc. Earlier this year Punj Lloyd Kazakhstan Ltd signed a contract with PFD/TCO International LLC for the construction of large and small bore pipelines. The contract amount is around $35 million and the project involves laying of pipelines that will integrate the existing Tengiz and Korolev fields, and a processing plant at Tengiz. According to officials, the move of the administrative capital from Almaty to Astana has also meant business opportunities for the construction companies. There is a growing demand for all types of construction services, including construction, maintenance and renovation of industries and public utilities and residential buildings, design and assembly services. `Regular visits by trade delegations, representatives of various export promotion councils and chambers as also their participation in various trade fairs in Kazakhstan would result enhancing bilateral trade,` officials added. While a `made in India fair` showcasing strengths of Indian industry is in the pipeline, `enterprise India` exhibition of small & medium scale enterprises and services is likely to be made a regular feature. The medical industry in Kazakhstan has developed at a fast pace over the last five years. However, the country is still heavily dependent on imports of medicines. India, being one of the main supplier of pharma products to Kazakhstan, is planning to organise a special exhibition dedicated to the Indian pharmaceuticals industry in that country.
Iran, Kazakhstan To Expand Economic Cooperation
IRNA
Dushanbe, September 13: On the sidelines of the 14th Meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Member States, Iran`s Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi met his Kazakh counterpart, Tokayev Kasymzhomart. In the meeting, the two ministers discussed expansion of mutual economic and trade ties within ECO framework and examined ways to campaign against terrorism. Meanwhile they urged the international community to avoid dual approaches towards the issue. Concerning the outcome of the meeting, Kharrazi told IRNA that he and his counterpart exchanged views on the need to expand security cooperation in the Caspian Sea area. Putting the current volume of trade exchange between the two countries at 300 million dollars, he said that Iran is working towards reaching a trade balance with Kazakhstan. Turning to the projects recently launched in Kazakhstan by the housing construction sector, he said that Iran has been invited to participate in these projects. `Iran`s minister of housing and urban development will shortly visits Almaty and the Kazakh capital of Astana to make technical assessment of the projects in question,` he added.
Czech Republic Supports CA Single Market Initiative
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 13: Presidents of Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic signed a joint declaration on 13 September. The document envisages continuing practical regular contacts at different levels on important issues of Uzbek-Czech relations and international situation. The Czech Republic considers Uzbekistan as important partner in Central Asia and supports its efforts on maintenance of regional security and stability. Both countries pay important attention to development of bilateral cooperation in fight against terrorism, religious extremism, illegal trade in weapons and drugs, illegal migration and organised crime. The Czech side supports initiative of Uzbekistan on creation of Central-Asian single market. Both sides pay great attention to activity of intergovernmental commission on trade-economy and scientific-technical cooperation.
Astana Summit To Lay The Basis For Common Economic Space
Kazakhstan News
Moscow, September 13: On September 15, a regular summit of the presidents of the countries that are parties to the project of the common economic space uniting Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan will be held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The summit is to approve a list of top-priority documents designed to lay the basis for a new economic coalition and, largely speaking, to make the rules of trade and economic relations equal for the four states. Three countries from this group (Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus) have been integrating economically for several years now and are members of the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC). Many delicate points of interaction have long been agreed upon and ratified. Ukraine waited for long for an invitation from the European Union and was reluctant to notice its former Soviet partners. However, it suddenly got rid of illusions and expressed the desire to join its former partners, who, naturally, did not leave it alone. As a result, in February 2003, the Presidents of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Kazakhstan approved of the idea of creating a common economic space. In September last year, Vladimir Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, Leonid Kuchma and Nursultan Nazarbayev endorsed the CES concept providing for the freedom of the movement of goods, services, capitals and labour resources within the common economic space. It was presumed that 86 agreements would lay the basis for the alliance.
Czech, Uzbek Presidents Meet In Tashkent
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, September 13: Czech President Vaclav Klaus met with Uzbek President Islam Karimov in Tashkent on 13 September, UzA reported. The two discussed bilateral relations and international issues. Klaus lauded his Uzbek counterpart`s policy on terrorism, saying, `We highly praise Uzbekistan`s approach, namely President Karimov`s personal approach, to the question of international terrorism,` Uzbek radio reported.
Khatami Inspects Anzab Tunnel Project In Tajikistan
IRNA
Dushanbe, September 13: Visiting Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami here on Monday inspected Anzab tunnel project in northern Tajikistan. During the inspection, Khatami was accompanied by his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rakhmonov. Under an agreement signed between the two countries, Iran`s Saber company will implement the Anzab project which will connect the northern part of Tajikistan to the south of the country. The required fund for the project is estimated at 38 million dollars. Iran is due to allocate 10 million dollars in grant for the completion of the project. Iran will also provide Tajikistan with 21 million dollars as bank loans for the project. It is expected that the construction of the 5-kilometer tunnel will give a tremendous boost to the exchange of goods and passengers between northern and southern Tajikistan.
Georgia`s `rose Revolution` Challenge To All CIS Nations - Akayev
Interfax
Moscow, September 13: Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev has said the `rose revolution` in Georgia serves as a challenge to all countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States. `The `rose revolution` in Georgia is a challenge to all young new states on the territory of the former Soviet Union. I think that any further spread of `velvet revolution` technologies is aimed at weakening the CIS,` Akayev told a Monday ceremony presenting his new book. It was the Georgian events linked to the ousting of former president Eduard Shevardnadze that prompted him to write the book, the Kyrgyz president said. `This is my response to this challenge,` Akayev said. He suggested that `the `rose revolution` in Georgia was initiated by external forces.`
Czech President Continues His Visit To Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, September 12: As reported earlier, President of Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus with his spouse arrived in Uzbek capital from Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) with an official visit on 12 September. The Uzbek and Czech officials analysed and discussed issues on current affairs and perspectives of the Uzbek-Czech relations, as well as exchanged opinions on actual problems of regional and international politics. Today, on 13 September, the presidents of Uzbekistan and Czech Republic held face-to-face meeting, which will was followed by negotiations in expended structure. After that Islam Karimov and Vaclav Klaus held meeting with representatives of mass media.
Iran To Allocate $150Mln For Tajik Hydroelectric Power Plant
Interfax
Dushanbe, September 12: Iran will allocate $150 million to finish the construction of Tajikistan`s hydroelectric power plant, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami told a news conference in Dushanbe on Sunday. `$150 million have been envisioned for this project,` said Khatami, who is currently on an official visit to Tajikistan. He expressed hope that `this project will be completed with the assistance of Russia and Tajikistan.` Commenting on the financing of the Sangtuda hydroelectric power plant, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov, who also attended the news conference, said that Iran accounts for 51 per cent of the overall funds invested in the project, while the remaining 49 per cent belong to Russia and other countries that will help finish the facility`s construction. The construction of the Sangtuda facility, 100 kilometers south of Dushanbe, started in 1987, and the project was mothballed following the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
Aziz Leaves Today For Tajikistan
Central Asia Daily
Islamabad, September 12: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will visit Tajikistan from Sept 13 to 14 to represent Pakistan at the 8th summit meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization. Foreign Affairs Secretary Riaz Khokhar will be accompanying the premier on the tour. Mr Aziz will address the ECO summit on Sept 14 and would attend a luncheon to be hosted by Tajik President Emomali Rahmanove in honour of the visiting heads of member states and governments. He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Turkey, Iran and other Central Asian Republics. According to the official sources, the ECO leaders during the summit will review implementation of the decisions taken at 7th ECO Summit held in Istanbul in October 2002. They will also discuss measures to further strengthen and promote regional cooperation with special emphasis on the priority areas of trade, transport, communications and energy.
Khatami, Rakhmonov Call For Solidarity Among Islamic Countries
IRNA
Dushanbe, September 12: Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov and visiting Iranian President Seyed Mohammad Khatami Sunday underlined the need for solidarity among Islamic countries to confront the threats. In a joint statement signed by the two presidents, they also called for restoration of peace and security and establishment of democratic governments in Iraq and Afghanistan. The statement also attached importance to the joint efforts being made by the UN and other international organizations to restore peace, stability and security to the region and across the world as well. Rakhmonov and Khatami, in the statement, voiced their deep concern about the consequences of terrorism and drug trafficking and declared their countries` readiness to fight the menace effectively. Implementing the tripartite agreement among Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan would lead to boosting cooperation among the countries and improving the economies of the regional countries, said the statement. On the final leg of his Central Asian tour, President Khatami and his entourage arrived in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on a three-day official visit Saturday evening. Khatami is to hold separate talks with the Tajik president, prime minister and head of the Supreme Assembly on Monday.
Turkish State Minister Atalay Leaves For Tajikistan
Anadolu Agency
Istanbul, September 12: Turkish State Minister Besir Atalay left on Saturday for Tajikistan to attend the 14th Meeting of the Council of Ministers (COM) of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). Before he flew to Tajikistan, Atalay told reporters that he would also accompany Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 8th ECO Heads of State and Government Summit to be held on September 14th. Atalay said that participants would discuss new projects to be carried out by the ECO during the ministerial council meeting. `Afghanistan`s reconstruction, fight against drugs, increase of role of private sector in ECO, and implementation of ECO Trade Agreement are the prior issues we will discuss during the ministerial meeting,` Atalay noted. The participants would also shape up the Dushanbe Declaration, Atalay added.
President Khatami Receives Tajik Prime Minister
IRNA
Dushanbe, September 12: Visiting Iranian President Mohammad Khatami received Tajik Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov at his residence in the Tajik capital on Sunday and the two officials discussed issues of mutual interests. The president stressed the special status and significance that Tehran attaches to Tajikistan in its foreign policy and said that the two sides must use all existing potentials to promote mutual cooperation and ties. Referring to the Tehran-Dushanbe cooperation in economic and development projects, the president noted that `road building can encourage regional states to further try to get access to other parts of the world. He also said that the heads of the Iran-Tajikistan joint commission should follow up the issue of exploitation of oil and natural gas in Tajikistan. The Tajik prime minister said that the presence of the Iranian delegation in Dushanbe could further help the expansion and cementing of Iran-Tajikistan relations. Referring to the issue of establishment of a railroad which links Afghanistan to Iran and Tajikistan, Oqilov noted that joint cooperation between the three countries would benefit all regional states.
Kingdom, Kazakhstan To Sign Cooperation Deal In November
Kazakhstan News
Riyadh, September 12: Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan will sign a cooperation agreement in November covering the judicial and security fields. The groundwork for the agreement was laid in March when Kazakhstan`s President Nursultan Nazarbayev visited Riyadh. Addressing a press conference at the embassy, Kazakhstan`s Ambassador Askar Mussinov said the agreement would be signed during the visit of the Minister of Justice Onalsyn Zhumanekov to Riyadh in November, when he will meet with his Saudi counterpart Dr. Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al-Shaikh. The ambassador had called the press conference to announce that elections to the Majlis of Kazakhstan`s Parliament will feature electronic voting for the first time. Twelve parties will be contesting the elections. Referring to the draft judicial and security cooperation agreement, the ambassador said it not only covers cooperation in the fight against terrorism but also in combating drug smuggling and all other aspects of security concerns. `Security is a broad term covering many areas - prevention of crime, terrorism and drug trafficking. There are economic aspects of security as well. All these areas will be addressed, because we fully share the security concerns of the Saudi government.`The Central Asian republics have a lot to offer in terms of their resources. In this context, he referred to the Kingdom`s grant of $15 million for the construction of a new building for the senate in the new Kazakh capital of Astana. The Saudi Fund for Development has also extended a $12 million credit for the development of road infrastructure.
FM Meets His Kazakh Counterpart
IRNA
Dushanbe, September 12: Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi on the sidelines of the 14th meeting of the Foreign Ministers Council of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states on Sunday met his Kazakh counterpart, Tokayev Kasymzhomart. In the meeting, the two ministers discussed expansion of mutual economic and trade ties within ECO framework and examined ways to campaign against terrorism. Meanwhile they urged the international community to avoid dual approaches towards the issue. Concerning the outcome of the meeting, Kharrazi told IRNA that he and his counterpart exchanged views on the need to expand security cooperation in the Caspian Sea area. Putting the current volume of trade exchange between the two countries at 300 million dollars, he said that Iran is working towards reaching a trade balance with Kazakhstan. Turning to the projects recently launched in Kazakhstan by the housing construction sector, he said that Iran has been invited to participate in these projects.
Kazakh President Ends Austria Visit
Radio Free Europe
Astana, September 11: President Nursultan Nazarbaev wrapped up an official visit to Austria on 11 September, Khabar TV reported. Nazarbaev met with Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and President Heinz Fischer in the course of the visit. Bilateral trade formed the crux of their talks, and on 10 September the two countries concluded an agreement to prevent double taxation, Kazinform reported. Nazarbaev said that the current level of trade volume between the two countries, totaling $300 million a year, is `far too little,` APA reported. The two countries also agreed to form a Kazakh-Austrian intergovernmental commission to further bilateral ties, Kazinform reported.
Iran To Complete $400m Hydro-electric Power Project In Tajikistan
Agence France-Presse
Dushanbe, September 11: Iranian President Mohammad Khatami is to visit Tajikistan on Saturday for talks over a 400-million-dollar project to complete a hydro-electric power station that has already taken 15 years to build. `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.
Kazakhstan Says It Will Remain Nuke Free
The Washington Times
Astana, September 15: Kazakhstan will quadruple its uranium production over the next 12 years but vowed to remain a nuclear free nation, a government minister said. `We have all the ingredients for making an atomic bomb ... but we would not do it,` Kazakh Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Vladimir Shkolnik told foreign journalists in Astana. The minister said Kazakhstan is the largest producer of uranium in the world, but it would continue to abide by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. `We have plenty of uranium and we are using it for peaceful purposes,` the minister said Monday night. `We will increase our uranium production by four times by the year 2016,` Shkolnik said. He said after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia left behind 1,100 nuclear warheads in Kazakh territory. `This arsenal was equal to 55,000 bombs of the size that was used in Hiroshima. We have returned the arsenal to Russia, which has since dismantled the warheads and the fuel is being used for the nuclear stations,` Shkolnik said.
DOE: Secret Mission To Recover Highly Enriched Uranium In Uzbekistan Successful
U.S. Newswire
Washington DC, September 13: Eleven kilograms of enriched uranium fuel, including highly enriched uranium (HEU) that could be used for nuclear weapons, were safely returned to Russia from Uzbekistan in a secret mission conducted by the United States, Uzbekistan, and Russia, U.S. Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham (news - web sites) announced today. The mission was completed Sept. 9, 2004. `The recovery, return and eventual elimination of this highly enriched uranium are an important milestone in our campaign to reduce this dangerous material worldwide,` Secretary Abraham said. `It was only with the strong cooperation of the Uzbeks and Russians that we were able to successfully complete this important international security mission.` The highly enriched uranium was airlifted under guard from an airport near Tashkent, Uzbekistan to a secured facility in Dmitrovgrad, Russia. There, the uranium will be down-blended to low enriched uranium. The nuclear fuel assemblies were originally supplied to Uzbekistan for use in the Russian-designed 10 megawatt VVR-SM multi-purpose research reactor, located near the Uzbekistan capital, Tashkent. During the 1-day mission, approximately 11 kilograms of enriched uranium nuclear fuel, including HEU, were loaded into two specialized transportation containers provided by the Russian Federation. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards inspectors and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) technical experts were present in Uzbekistan to monitor the process of loading the fuel into the canisters. The facility in Russia that received the material has worked closely with the United States to implement security upgrades under the Bush Administration`s U.S.-Russian Material, Protection, Control and Accounting Program. Along with a decision to return the uranium to Russia, the Uzbekistan government also has made a decision to convert the VVR-SM research reactor to use low enriched uranium fuel, furthering our nuclear nonproliferation goals. The mission was conducted under the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI), outlined by Secretary Abraham before the International Atomic Energy Agency in May 2004. (For a copy of Sec. Abraham`s speech, link to the DOE press room on http://www.energy.gov). On February 11, 2004, President Bush (news - web sites) stated in a speech at the National Defense University that the greatest risk to the United States or anywhere else in the world is the possibility of a nuclear, radiological, chemical or biological terrorist attack. The U.S. Department of Energy has several ongoing efforts to combat this threat. In the latest step to increase effectiveness in preventing nuclear and radiological materials from falling into the hands of terrorists or other rogue actors, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham announced the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI). The mission of the GTRI is to remove and/or secure high-risk nuclear and radiological materials and equipment around the world that pose a threat to the United States and to the international community. This initiative will comprehensively address all vulnerable nuclear and radiological materials throughout the world and secure and/or remove these materials and equipment of concern as expeditiously as possible. `The Bush Administration continues to take the lead in implementing nonproliferation programs to benefit the international community,` Secretary Abraham said. `I applaud the efforts of Uzbekistan for its cooperation with the United States, Russian Federation, and the IAEA under the Global Threat Reduction Initiative to reduce the threat of nuclear proliferation by returning HEU to Russia.` `Our Administration has realized significant nonproliferation accomplishments including the breakup of the A.Q. Khan network and Libya`s decision to give-up its nuclear weapons program and work with us to remove its equipment,` Abraham said. This is the fifth successful shipment of uranium being returned to Russia. In the past year, DOE has repatriated a total of 48 kg of HEU fuel to Russia from Romania, Bulgaria and Libya. And, in August 2002, 48 kg of Russian-origin HEU were repatriated from a research reactor near Belgrade, Serbia. Next week, Abraham said the United States and Russia will be hosting more than 300 participants at the GTRI International Partners` Conference. The International Partners` Conference will focus international attention on efforts to secure vulnerable nuclear and radiological material that pose a threat to the international community.
UN Official Deplores Executions In Uzbekistan
Scoop Media
Tashkent, September 13: Deploring the reported execution in Uzbekistan of people allegedly tortured into confessing and the government`s disregard of United Nations pleas for a stay, a senior UN human rights official today called on the Central Asian country to set a moratorium on the death penalty and urgently consider abolishing it. The Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on torture, Theo van Boven, said he `deeply regrets that he continues to receive information` of such executions and noted that at least nine death row prisoners had been executed since late 2002 despite requests by the UN Human Rights Committee for a stay pending its consideration of the cases. Most recently, Azizbek Karimov and Yusuf Zhumayev were reportedly executed on 10 August, despite interventions by the Committee, Mr. van Boven added. He appealed to the Government to ensure strict observance of its international human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and to cooperate fully with the Special Procedures of the Commission on Human Rights.
Korean Missionary Killed In Kazakhstan
The Korea Times
Astana, September 13: A South Korean missionary was found dead on Monday in Kazakhstan, Yonhap news agency reported Tuesday. Kim Jin-hee, 34, who worked as a missionary in Karaganda, central Kazakhstan, was struck with a blunt instrument. There are two murder suspects.
Four Ex-Soviet Countries To Set Up Space Corporation
Interfax
Astana, September 15: The presidents of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine on Wednesday ordered their governments to put forward before December 15, 2004, ideas for a proposed four-nation rocket and space corporation. The proposal for such a corporation was made by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev at a four-nation summit in Astana on Wednesday that discussed a plan for a Common Economic Space, an economic union to be formed by Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine.
U.S. Satellite Launch Postponed
The Washington Times
Almaty, September 14: A commercial launch of a U.S. satellite from the Baykonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan has been postponed for technical reasons, local media reported Tuesday. The AMERICOM-15, or AMC-15, satellite of SES AMERICOM was to be launched Sept. 24 aboard a Proton launch vehicle. The AMC-15 satellite is to distribute video, Internet and broadband services across the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. The launch was put off until October, the Russian Itar-Tass news agency said. The postponement will allow additional testing of one of the rocket`s avionics, according to International Launch Services, a joint venture of U.S. Lockheed Martin Corp. and Russia`s Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. The Baykonur cosmodrome -- 330 miles to the southwest of the capital, Astana -- is now leased by Russia from Kazakhstan.
Uzbek Court Shutters Media Support Group For Six Months
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, September 13: A Tashkent court ruled on 13 September that Internews NGO, a local branch of the independent media-support network Internews, must shut down for six months for violating regulations on the activities of NGOs, UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) reported. Kholida Anorboeva, head of the Internews-Uzbekistan office, told IRIN, `The court ruling was baseless and a pretext to continue the pressure on NGOs working with foreign donors ahead of parliamentary elections due in December.` Anorboeva said that the violations, such as failing to register the organization`s logo, were minor and had already been corrected.
Turkmenbashi Says Turkmens Getting Biggest Care In World HistoryItar-Tass
Ashgabat, September 12: Not a single nation in world history has ever gotten such a great care for its welfare as the people of Turkmenistan are getting now, President Saparmurat Niyazov says in a Saturday address to the nation on the occasion of a professional holiday of the workers of oil, gas, energy, and geological industries. `With the attaining of independence, the much-loved people of Turkmenistan also became entitled to using natural gas free of charge,` the address says. `The price of oil products on our domestic market is purely symbolic,` it goes on. `Not a single nation in history has had such impressive privileges,` says President Niyazov, who is more generally called here Turkmenbashi, or the `Father of all the Turkmens`. The professional holiday of the workers of oil, gas, energy, and geological industries was first marked last year.
Special Focus
Corruption Trial Concerning Kazakhstani Officials Delayed Until January
The federal trial of James H. Giffen, who stands accused of bribing Kazakhstani officials on behalf of an American oil company, has been postponed until January, allowing extra time for prosecutors, defense attorneys and the presiding judge to resolve questions concerning the presentation of evidence, including sensitive US government documents.
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Uzbek Authorities Crack Down On Another Foreign NGO In TashkentUzbek officials have ordered the international media organization Internews-Uzbekistan to shut down for six months for allegedly violating registration requirements for non-governmental organizations. The closure is the latest move in a crackdown on foreign-funded NGOs operating in the country.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav091704.shtml
Kazakhs In Beslan? The Multiethnic Face Of Post Soviet Terror
A Russian prosecutor’s statement that Kazakhs may have been involved in the bloody siege in Beslan has prompted an official Kazakh request for clarification. At the same time, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev has called for increased security measures at home. The backdrop to these unfolding events is a purported post-Soviet terrorist international that remains as elusive as it is troubling.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp091104.shtmlStrong Ties Bind Russia And Armenia At Karabakh TalksAs Armenia and Azerbaijan prepare for tomorrow’s presidential summit on Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia has begun to emphasize its own ties with Yerevan, prompting Baku to question the Kremlin’s role as an objective mediator for the conflict.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav091404.shtmlNATO Cancellation Spurs Debate In AzerbaijanThe protests that led to the cancellation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s exercises in Azerbaijan this week are being interpreted in Baku as the first public expression of popular will since President Ilham Aliyev’s accession to power in 2003. Yet while some believe this show of force indicates that Azerbaijan still possesses a robust opposition, others are more worried about what NATO’s decision will mean in the long term for the country.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav091504.shtmlUzbekistan: US-Russian-Uzbek 'Secret Mission' To Recover Deadly UraniumA secret mission by the United States, Russia, and Uzbekistan to secure deadly nuclear material before it falls into terrorists’ hands. That may sound like a Hollywood thriller, but it’s reality, according to Paul Longsworth of the U.S. Department of Energy.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp091504.shtmlChina Takes The Lead In Strategic Central AsiaFrom the collapse of the Soviet Union until September 11, 2001, China was able to use its security concerns within the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region to build alliances with the newly formed states of Central Asia. Russia's domestic concerns and the United States' focus on fostering democratic principles in the new states allowed China to form multilateral organizations favorable to its concerns and establish economic ties with its western neighboring states. These conditions were of great importance to Beijing's strategies for containing separatist movements within Xinjiang, but after the September 11 attacks, the US re-engaged Central Asia and overpowered the multilateral agreements that China had established.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/FI17Ad04.htmlMedia Bias Mars Kazakhstan's Election CampaignReports of widespread media bias are raisings doubts about the fairness of Kazakhstan’s parliamentary elections on September 19. Despite regulations meant to ensure equal media access, television coverage continues to heavily favor pro-presidential parties, while opposition candidates struggle to gain access to the airwaves.
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http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav091604.shtml
Report dated 17 September 2004