New Governor Of Ferghana Region Appointed
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 15: President of Uzbekistan appointed Shermat Nurmatov as a governor of Ferghana region on 15 October. The decision was taken during the session of the Council of People`s Deputies of Ferghana region. At the session, former governor Alisher Atabaev was exempted from his duties. Prior to appoint, Shermat Nurmatov worked as Agriculture and Water Management Ministry.
Kazakhstan Opposition Sets Up Coordinating Council
Interfax
Almaty, October 15: Opposition parties on Friday set up a council `to coordinate the actions of democratic forces in order to carry out political reforms in Kazakhstan and unify their efforts,` one of the parties said on Friday. `The Coordinating Council of Democratic Forces of Kazakhstan, which has been set up at the initiative of the Ak Zhol Democratic Party of Kazakhstan, the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, and the people`s party Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, held its first organizational meeting in the city of Almaty on October 15, 2004,` Ak Zhol said in a release.
Kyrgyz Opposition Questions Election Results
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, October 14: Representatives of the Kyrgyz civil union For Free Elections told a news conference in Bishkek on 14 October that the results of 10 October elections to local councils should be annulled, akipress.org reported. Emil Aliev, deputy chairman of the Ar-Namys party, and Omurbek Tekebaev, head of the Ata-Meken party, said that numerous violations of election legislation took place in the course of elections, especially in Bishkek. They also called for a new election commission for Bishkek.
Kazakh Speaker Criticises Parliamentary Elections
Radio Free Europe
Astana, October 14: Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, the speaker of Kazakhstan`s Mazhilis (lower chamber of parliament) and deputy chairman of the pro-presidential Otan party, told the newspaper `Vremya` on 14 October that recent parliamentary elections were deeply flawed. `The entire electoral process took place in an atmosphere of uninterrupted pressure on voters and election commissions from local executive officials,` Tuyakbai said. `Elections held in this fashion carry a destructive charge that threatens the very basis for democratic development in our country.`
Round Table Discusses Election Campaign Issues, Democratic Reforms
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 13: The Civil Society Research Institute hosted the round table meeting on `Election campaign and the issues of intensifying democratic reforms in Uzbekistan`, UzA reported. Organised in cooperation with representatives of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and International Republican Institute (IRI) of the US, as well as Freedom House international organisation, the event discussed the issues of further development of civil society institutes in Uzbekistan, reformation of legislative power, preparation and organisation of elections to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis (parliament) and local Kengash (councils) of National Deputies, improvement of multi-party system in the country and a number of other actual issues. Representatives of the Central Electoral Commission of Uzbekistan, Kamolot republican public youth movement, Mahalla and Nuroniy funds, as well as other representatives of NGOs, political parties and the Ministry of Justice took part in the meeting. During the discussions, the participants noted the positive processes taking place in Uzbekistan in the sphere of democratisation of public life and state-building.
Rustam Kasymov Appointed Vice Prime Minister Of Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 13: President of Uzbekistan appointed Rustam Kasymov, Minister of Higher and Specialised Secondary Education, as Deputy Prime Minister by a decree on 13 October 2004. Rustam Kasymov has occupied the post of the minister since 12 May and earlier he was First Deputy Minister of Higher and Specialised Secondary Education.
Saakashvili Critical Of Presidential Election In Abkhazia
Itar-Tass
Riga, October 13: Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has criticized the presidential election in Abkhazia. `We distrust the returns from an election held in an area from which three quarters of the population had been expelled and where a small group usurped power,` Saakashvili said in the course of his visit to Riga. In reply to a question from Itar-Tass Saakashvili said that the problem of breakaway regions was a problem for the whole of Europe, because Georgia was unable to control what he described as `black holes.` Saakshvili called for `internationalisation` of the settlement process in Abkhazia.
Intl Conference On Role Of Mass Media In Elections Ends
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 12: International conference `Election technologies and mass media: legal and aesthetic aspects` ended in Tashkent. The conference was organised within preparation to parliamentary elections. Jahon news agency spoke with some of its participants. Professor Rain Myller, regional advisor of UN High Commissioner on human rights in Central Asia, said: `The conference was fruitful for me, I received a lot of useful information on preparation to elections, situation in mass media in Uzbekistan and their problems. It allowed me to understand some professional problems. `Discussions were interesting, where different points of view collided. Expression of opinions in the west is not like in Uzbekistan. Journalists should not abuse freedom of the speech, they should draw a line between objective information and black PR. And this should be regulated by the legislation, as some of the participants offered here.`
Kazakh Presidential Aide Resigns
Radio Free Europe
Astana, October 12: Grigorii Marchenko told a news conference on 12 October in Almaty that Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev has accepted his resignation from the position of presidential aide, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. Marchenko, who headed the National Bank of Kazakhstan from October 1999 to January 2004, said he intends to act as a consultant for potential partners and foreign investors to set up a large financial institution on the Kazakh market, `Kazakhstan Today` reported. Marchenko also offered critical observations. He called the appointment of Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov `a mistake,` Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. The sooner the mistake is corrected, `the better it will be,` he said. Marchenko also said he takes a negative view of recent parliamentary elections, `Kazakhstan Today` reported.
Kazakh President Says It Will Take Time For Kazakh To Replace Russian
RIA Novosti
Astana, October 12: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said that the Russian language united the Kazakh nation. `Russian unites our nation,` he said addressing the third congress of education and science workers, `and it will take time for Kazakh to begin playing the same unifying role.` According to him, `a good command of Russian is our wealth which is unreasonable to lose.` At the same time, Mr. Nazarbayev said, `teaching Kazakh will always be the state`s priority.` `I do not accept the assertions of different windbags and our nationalists that the position of Kazakh is deteriorating and there is no respect for it, it is demagogy,` he said. Nursultan Nazarbayev said Kazakh was in increasing demand today. After independence 34 per cent of the schools taught in Kazakh and now nearly 60 per cent do, and in regions with a sizeable indigenous population, all the clerical work is in Kazakh, Mr. Nazarbayev said. He said that television stations are required to broadcast 50 per cent of their programming in Kazakh. `We are duty-bound even to advertise in two languages, though it is not a market approach,` Mr. Nazarbayev said. `I can say in no uncertain terms that the state has been doing much to develop Kazakh,` he said. `I think it is a great advantage if we have complete command of Kazakh, Russian and English,` the President noted.
Tajik Weekly Newspaper Loses Libel Case
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, October 11: A district court in Dushanbe ruled on 8 October that the Tajik Russian-language weekly `Vechernii Dushanbe` must pay `moral damages` for libeling a city-court official, the Asia-Plus news agency reported. The case stems from a March article that was critical of Dushanbe city court Deputy Chairman Namoz Amirov.
Tajik Defence Ministry Announces Plans To Emphasise Use Of Tajik Over Russian Language
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, October 11: Tajik Defense Minister Colonel General Sherali Khairulloev issued an order on 11 October establishing a new commission to implement measures designed to gradually introduce the use of the Tajik language over Russian as the standard within the Tajik armed forces, Avesta and Asia-Plus reported. The order stipulates that all official communications within the Defense Ministry will be in Tajik by the end of this year.
Elections To Local Councils: Preliminary Observation
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, October 11: Analysis of preliminary information by results of elections to local councils demonstrates that activeness of electors was a bit lower than during parliamentary and presidential elections (61 per cent). In many respects it is explained by importance electors attach to elections of such level. There are few disputable districts, including those, where amount of candidates is great. The most active electors were in Talas region (72 per cent) followed by Osh region (71.3 per cent), Djalal-Abad region (69.3 per cent). For sure it is connected to traditional political activeness of southern residents conditioned by firmness of community ties. The most passive among regions were Issyk-Kul (58.2 per cent) and Batken (60.2 per cent). And the most passive was Bishkek, where only 35.4 per cent percent of electors attended the voting. Difficulties in making out the lists of electors, which previously were formed by election commissions was one of the reasons. Most likely that disassociation of electors, unknown names of the majority of the candidates and their inactivity in the work with electors, also impacted the result. In spite of the fact that for one place in Bishkek city council claimed more candidates than throughout the republic on the whole, their majority didn`t even attend meetings with electors. The fact that considerable part of candidates thought that their photographs at living houses` entrances would be enough for pre-election campaign demonstrated that they didn`t take into account peculiarities of city electorate. They should have taken into consideration that capital residents are quite passive during elections, and these elections were not an exception. At the same time activeness of candidates themselves was not very high. 10954 candidates claimed for 6731 deputy seats. It means that approximately less than two candidates raced for one deputy seat. Among political parties the most active were such parties as `Alga, Kyrgyzstan`, which ran 1882 candidates, `Adilet` - 1556, `Jany koch` - 224, `Elet` - 162, `Moya strana` - 113. Opposition parties were also quite active, for instance communists ran 49 candidates, `Ar-Namys` -22, `Atameken` -12.
Saakashvili Forming Anti-dissident Units - Opposition Leader
Interfax
Tbilisi, October 11: President Mikheil Saakashvili `is forming Georgian oprichnina [anti-dissident units in Tsarist Russia] and calling them reservists,` opposition Labor Party leader Shalva Natelashvili told a Monday press conference. `Members of the ruling party National Movement-Democrats are signing up as reservists to get some position. Normal people do not wish to sign up for the armed units of Saakashvili,` he said. The main goal `of the so-called reservists is to fight against the opposition and any kinds of different thinking in Georgia,` Natelashvili said.
Kyrgyz Electoral Official Reports On Local Election Turnout
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, October 10: Kyrgyz Central Electoral Commission Chairman Sulayman Imanbaev reported on 10 October that slightly more than 61 percent of eligible voters turned out for local elections held on 10 October, Akipress reported. Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev commended the elections as helping to `contribute to the decentralization of power and the development of democracy` and serving as `a good rehearsal for the presidential and parliamentary elections` scheduled for October 2005 and February 2005, respectively, ITAR-TASS reported. With few reports of significant voting irregularities, the local election was monitored by more than 2,000 observers from foreign countries, international public organizations, and a coalition of local civic groups. More than 11,000 candidates are running for roughly 6,500 village and town council seats.
Abkhazian Opposition Claim Win
Associated Press
Tbilisi, October 10: The opposition candidate Sergei Bagapsh said yesterday that the election commission in the breakaway Abkhazia region of Georgia had declared him the winner of the October 3 presidential election. The election fell into confusion when officials repeatedly delayed announcing the winner, although they acknowledged that Mr Bagapsh was in the lead. Interfax news agency reported that the ruling that Mr Bagapsh had 50.8 per cent of the vote, enough to avoid a run-off with Raul Khadzhimba, was a majority decision.
The Elections Of Depuies To Local Keneshes Of Kyrgyzstan Held On October 10
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, October 10: President A. Akaev voted in the elections of deputies to Bishkek City Council at a voting district in the high school ¹ 24 of Bishkek on Sunday. After voting President communicated with the journalists. President noted that today in thousands of villages and towns of the country people are voting for deputies to village and city councils, which make the basis of society structure. `Pre-election campaign demonstrated interested participation of candidates to deputies and population itself as well`, President said. As a whole, local self-government in our country actively works for development of local communities. Present elections have secured the result of a long-term hard work. `10 years ago our country launched the local self-government reform. Time showed that we have chosen the right way. We have created firm and secure foundation of our statehood and our democracy`, A. Akaev said. Local self-government reform was successful and international experts state the same too. `Our model of local self-government is the most successful among other post-soviet countries. We reasonably count on that the elections will rapidly strengthen the potential of local authorities in addressing the problems of socio-economic development and infrastructure of villages and towns`, A. Akaev noted. President underlined that present elections are important because they are being held on the basis of the new edition of the Constitution and new Elections Code.
120 Territorial Election Areas Formed
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 9: Central Election Commission (CEC)of Uzbekistan formed 120 territorial election areas to hold elections to Legislative Chamber of the Uzbek parliament. The CEC also set quota for each area at the level of 119,600 votes. The elections for lower chamber of parliament will be held on 26 December.
Conference On Election Technologies And Media Opens
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 9: International conference on `Election technologies and mass media: legal and ethical aspects`, organised by Central Election Committee, Centre for Political Research and the Institute for Civil Society Research, was held in Tashkent. Deputies of parliament, members of election commission of various countries, leaders of political parties, heads of nongovernmental organisations, public associations and citizens` self-government bodies, heads of diplomatic missions, election technologies specialists from Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, India, Russia, US, Ukraine, South Korea, as well as representatives of local and foreign NGOs participated in the conference. The conference agenda included three sectional sessions: `Democratic elections, election technologies and mass media`, `Election technologies: opportunities, problems and perspectives` and `Election coverage by mass media`. Experts of international organisations and foreign funds in Uzbekistan, including UNDP, OSCE and the Peace Corps spoke at the conference as well.
Armenia May Not Send Troops To Iraq
Associated Press
Yerevan, October 15: Armenia`s prime minister suggested Friday the Caucasus country might not send troops to Iraq, saying conditions there have changed since they were promised. Prime Minister Andranik Markarian stressed that it was up to the Constitutional Court and the parliament to make the decision on sending the troops even though Armenia`s president pledged the troops during a visit to Poland last month. The 50 troops Armenia is considering sending -- bomb disposal experts, doctors and transport teams -- would work under Polish command in Iraq. Poland commands a multinational security force in central Iraq of about 6,000 troops, including more than 2,400 Polish soldiers. `Let`s not forget that ... there have been certain changes from the conditions under which we gave preliminary approval,` Makarian said.
NATO Considering Individual Cooperation Plan With Georgia
Interfax
Tbilisi, October 14: Representatives of NATO member nations are considering the plan of individual cooperation between Georgia and NATO at the alliance`s headquarters in Brussels on Thursday. `Approval and subsequent implementation of the plan may provide a basis for Georgia`s admission to NATO,` Georgian Deputy Defense Minister David Sikharulidze told reporters. `There are all prerequisites for the plan to be approved by representatives of NATO member nations already by the end of October,` he said. A spokesman for the Georgian Defense Ministry told Interfax that the individual cooperation plan outlines the measures aimed at driving the Georgian Armed Forces closer to NATO standards, as well as the steps to be made by Georgian leaders to strengthen the economy, settle social and humanitarian issues, and boost democratic processes in the Georgian society.
Georgia Coastal Guard Exercises Begin In Poti
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, October 14: The exercises of the Georgian coastal guard began in Poti on Thursday. Instructors of the US coastal guard are involved in the drill, a source in the Georgian coastal guard department told Itar-Tass. The interaction of Georgian servicemen on boarding ships-violators of the sea border, poaching seine vessels will be practiced at theoretical and practical trainings. The exercises will last till October 22, servicemen of the Georgian coastal guard stationed in Poti and Batumi will be involved in them. Georgian coastal guard ships detained more than 20 foreign ships which violated the sea border or poached fish for the last two years. These were mainly Turkish, Greek and Ukrainian ships. Most ships were released after paying considerable fines stipulated by Georgian laws, several ships which owners did not pay fines were sold at the auction. The US has provided systematic technical and methodological aid to the Georgian coastal guard in the recent years.
Russia Opening Military Base In Tajikistan
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, October 14: Russia is opening a new military base in Tajikistan, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov announced today. Ivanov said the base will open this weekend, and that it will be formed out of an infantry division that has been based in the Central Asian country since before the collapse of the Soviet Union. Tajik President Imomali Rakhmanov acknowledged yesterday that Tajikistan had made such an agreement with Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to visit Tajikistan this weekend, where he is expected to sign several economic and military agreements with Tajik officials.
Russia Increases Miltary Presence In CSTO Countries
Kabar Agency
Poiana Brasov, October 14: Russia has increased its military presence in Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member countries (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Armenia), Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said after an informal session of the Russia-NATO Council. `Recently, Russia has been increasing its military presence, in the first place, in CSTO member states,` he said. `It is not a secret what geographical area we are doing this in - south of Russia, because potential threats may come from that area.` He stressed that Russian military bases are in its allies and that the bases could also be used to maintain security. `We do not have any obligations to NATO,` he said, `we are acting in our own national interests.`
Georgia Beefing Up Troops Near S. Ossetia, Abkhazia
Interfax
Moscow, October 14: The Georgian leadership is intensifying military preparations in the areas adjacent to the breakaway provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, a Moscow-based military-diplomatic source told Interfax on Thursday. `The Georgian military-political leadership is beefing up the presence of its military units in the near vicinity of the region of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict,` the source said. A similar situation is taking shape in the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict area, he said. `A train carrying a prompt response task force is standing at the Vaziani station,` the source said. `Onboard the train are interior forces troops, 15 tanks, artillery guns, and vehicles. In Uplistsikhe, ammunition, materiel, fuels and lubricants have been unloaded from train cars,` he said.
Uzbekistan Halts Demining Along Kyrgyz Border
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, October 13: Uzbek Defense Ministry spokesman Komil Jabborov told the UN`s Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) on 13 October that Uzbekistan has temporarily halted mine-clearing efforts along the Kyrgyz border because of equipment shortages and bad weather. Noting that barriers and barbed wire are in short supply, Jabborov said, `In addition to mine clearing, we also need to equip these regions with protective measures to guard the border.` Recent snowfalls have also hampered work. `We are dealing with these issues in an entirely independent fashion. The international community has not reacted with any offer of help,` Jabborov added.
Russian Base In Kant Important For Security In Kyrgyzstan
RIA Novosti
Bishkek, October 12: The Russian military base in Kant is an important factor of security for Kyrgyzstan and the region, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. `The Russian military base is a significant security factor for Kyrgyzstan and other Collective Security Treaty Organization states in the face of the international terrorism threat,` he said at a function on the occasion of the Kyrgyz foreign ministry`s 60th anniversary. Mr. Lavrov said that Russia knew this threat not by hearsay. `Vigilance, joint efforts and a ramified network of interaction between all states of the world are needed here,` he said. The minister gave the Kyrgyz authorities archive documents, including originals dealing with the establishment of the Kyrgyz foreign ministry. Mr. Lavrov emphasized that relations with Kyrgyzstan are a priority in Russia`s policy in Central Asia, the CIS, and on the international arena. Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev in his speech asked Mr. Lavrov to tell the Russian government and all Russians that `all the Kyrgyz people are devoted to friendship with the great Russia.`
Georgia To Hold Military Exercises Near S.Ossetia Border
Interfax
Tbilisi, October 12: Nearly 500 Georgian interior troops are expected to take part in exercises in the Gori and Kaspi districts near the administrative border of the breakaway republic of South Ossetia. The exercises will involve artillery and aviation, and a competition of snipers will be held, a Georgian Defense Ministry source told Interfax on Tuesday. He said the interior force`s reserve peacekeeping battalion, which will participate in the exercises, will soon replace Georgian units performing peacekeeping duties as part of the joint forces in South Ossetia.
Bishkek Makes Steps To Join Convention On Biological Weapons
Itar-Tass
Bishkek, October 11: The foreign ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Russia, Askar Aitmatov and Sergei Lavrov, exchanged on Tuesday documents on Kyrgyzstan`s joining of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction. Kyrgyzstan is finishing all necessary procedures to join that document, Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry officials say. This will expand its possibilities in cooperation with the countries parties to the convention in the sphere of medicine, food industry and many other spheres where microorganisms are used. Russia is depository of that document. The convention of April 10, 1972 entered into force on March 26, 1975. Great Britain, Russia and the United States are state parties to this convention. The document bans the development, stockpiling, transfer or use of biological weapons around the globe.
Georgia Receives More Than Million Dollars Of US Military Aid
Agence France-Presse
Tbilisi, October 10: United States military equipment for the Georgian army worth more than a million dollars arrived here Sunday, the defence ministry said as the former Soviet republic prepared to send a 300-strong contingent to Iraq. An American military transport arrived at an airfield near the capital Tbilisi with 1.1 million dollars (900,000 euros) worth of military aid, a ministry statement said. The equipment included computers and uniforms for the Georgian battalion scheduled to join the US-led coalition in Iraq at the end of this month, replacing a 157-strong contingent. `Hitherto we have not been able properly to equip our troops. Today supplies to Georgian forces have quadrupled,` said Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili at a ceremony accepting the American equipment.
Two Georgian Servicemen Wounded Near Tskhinvali
Itar-Tass
Tskhinvali, October 9: Two Georgian servicemen were wounded near Tskhinvali. `The incident occurred in the Georgian village of Tamarasheni overnight to Saturday,` spokesman for the South Ossetian Ministry for Special Affairs Inal Pliyev told Itar-Tass on Saturday. According to him, one serviceman was wounded in shoulder, and the second one in thigh in circumstances that are still unknown neither to the Tskhinvali authorities nor to the joint peacekeeping forces in the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict zone. Both wounded servicemen are hospitalized.
Kazakh Military Concludes Counterrorism Measures
Radio Free Europe
Astana, October 9: Units of the Kazakh military concluded a major counterterrorist exercise on 9 October, Khabar reported. The Zhetisu-2004 exercise involved the coordination of the Defense Ministry`s central command with units of the Interior Troops and the Border Service in support of specific counterinsurgency operations by an elite Taldykorgan airborne assault brigade. The simulation, modeled on a staged infiltration by a small mobile force through a mountainous border region, comprised a coordinated military response involving a force of 50 armored vehicles and 70 tanks across a 350-kilometer area. The training exercise was held at the Koktal military training grounds outside the southern town of Zharkent.
Kazakh Supreme Court Bans Several Terrorist-linked Organizations
Interfax
Astana, October 15: The Kazakh Supreme Court on Friday satisfied a Prosecutor General`s Office request on recognizing a number of international organizations as terrorist and prohibiting their activity in the country. Listed in the Prosecutor General`s Office request are the international organizations Al Qaeda, the East Turkestan Islamic Party, the Kurdish People`s Congress, and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. The court recognized these as terrorist organizations and has outlawed their activity in Kazakhstan. The Kazakh law, in particular, the law On Combat Against Terrorism, stipulates that organizations and associations can be recognized as terrorist only by a court.
Tajikistan Ratifies Anti Terrorism Accords
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, October 14: Tajikistan`s Majlisi Namoyandagon, or lower chamber of parliament, ratified three UN antiterrorism conventions on 14 October, Asia Plus-Blitz reported. They are the Convention on the Marking of Plastic Explosives for the Purpose of Detection, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, and the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Fixed Platforms Located on the Continental Shelf. Deputy Foreign Minister Salohiddin Nasriddinov said Tajikistan is now obligated to bring its legislation into line with the provisions of the conventions, RFE/RL`s Tajik Service reported. Only one facility in Tajikistan, Vzryvprom, produces plastic explosives.
Kazakh Security Head Confirms Kazakh Citizen`s Involvement In Tashkent Bombings
Radio Free Europe
Astana, October 13: Nartai Dutbaev, chairman of Kazakhstan`s National Security Committee, has confirmed that a Kazakh citizen was one of the suicide bombers who took part in attacks in Tashkent on 30 July, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported on 13 October. In an interview published on 13 October, Dutbaev told Kazakhstan`s `Liter` newspaper, `Askhan Shuyusupov, a Kazakh citizen and a resident of Taraz [in southern Kazakhstan], was directly involved in the terrorist attack in Tashkent. This is a proven fact. Unfortunately, our Uzbek colleagues told us about this too late.` Dutbaev said that Kazakh specialists identified Shuyusupov`s badly mangled corpse on the basis of fingerprints.
Uzbekistan Jails 24 After Latest Bombing Trials
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, October 13: An Uzbek court has jailed 24 people for involvement in attacks in Uzbekistan earlier this year. Two trials in the city of Bukhara ended yesterday with the conviction of all defendants -- 16 men and eight women -- for terrorism-related crimes connected with violence in March and April that left 47 people dead, mostly the attackers. The sentences range from four to 18 years. Some 85 people have been tried or are currently on trial in connection with this year`s attacks in Uzbekistan. Two other trials are currently being conducted in Tashkent, where suicide bombers attacked the U.S. and Israeli embassies and the prosecutor`s office in Tashkent. Rights groups have expressed concern over the trials, accusing authorities of using torture to extract confessions.
Kazakhstan, China Discuss Joint Anti Terrorism Efforts
Radio Free Europe
Astana, October 12: Xu Yongyue, China`s minister of state security, met with Nartai Dutbaev, chairman of Kazakhstan`s National Security Committee (KNB), in Astana on 12 October to discuss bilateral security cooperation, Kazinform reported. A KNB statement said, `The sides reaffirmed their intention to raise interaction in fighting international terrorism, extremism, organized crime, and the drug business to a qualitatively new level,` Interfax-AVN reported. Xu Yongyue also met with Kazakh State Secretary Oralbai Abdykarimov.
Terror Trial Ends In Uzbekistan
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, October 12: The trial of 16 people charged with involvement in March-April violence in Uzbekistan ended in Bukhara on 12 October, the BBC`s Uzbek Service reported. The court handed down sentences of up to 18 years in jail for attempts to overthrow Uzbekistan`s constitutional system, membership in a religious extremist organization, terrorism, and possession of explosives. The defendants admitted their guilt and asked for leniency. The report noted that the trial took place under heavy security and that most of the defendants` relatives, as well as human rights activists, were denied entry to the courtroom.
IMF Mission Praises Tajikistan`s Anti Poverty Efforts
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, October 14: Peter Winglee, head of the International Monetary Fund`s (IMF) mission to Tajikistan, told a news conference in Dushanbe on 14 October that the poverty reduction program in the country has achieved good results, Avesta reported. `The mission stresses the need to improve the business and entrepreneurial environment to ensure a broader base for economic growth,` Winglee added after a meeting with Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov. Rakhmonov said Tajikistan is poised to achieve 10 percent economic growth in 2004, ITAR-TASS reported.
Projects Of Seven Towns Of Kyrgyzstan Will Be Considered By The World Bank
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, October 14: Projects of seven countries of Kyrgyzstan, which have strategic plan of development will be considered by the Borad of Directors of the World Bank. These towns are: Tokmok, Talas, Kyzyl-Kia, Tash-Kumyr, Naryn, Uzgen and Cholpon-Ata. Elmira Ibraimova, executive director of the Agency for Development and Investment of Communities of Kyrgyzstan told today during the round table in Bishkek on plan of activities for environmental protection of the Project on infrastructure and increase of potential of small towns. In the course of the meeting E. Ibraimova presented the design of the project `Infrastructure and increase of potential of small towns`, which will come into force in spring of 2005. The project will be implemented within four years with the budget of about 16,5 million $, 15 million out of which is granted by the International Development Association. The project is aimed to improve the quality of infrastructure services till 2009.
WB, Uzbekistan Sign Agreement On US$40m Loan For Health Project
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 12: The government of Uzbekistan and the World Bank have signed a US$40 million IDA credit to the Uzbekistan for Health II Project. The project will assist to improve the quality and overall cost effectiveness of health care services in Uzbekistan. `Uzbek Health II Project follows and builds upon the Health I Project. The current Health I Project supports the restructuring of primary care and outpatient services in rural areas. The Health II Project will continue to support the development of primary health care services and financing reforms now underway under the Health I Project, extend the efficiency and rationalization reforms to the urban areas and help re-build public health services,` according to release of World Bank Country Office in Tashkent. The project consists of four main components: Primary Health Care (PHC) Development; Financing and Management Reforms; Improving Public Health Services; and Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation.
Turkmenistan Edges Gas Production Down In 9 Mths
Interfax
Ashgabat, October 12: Turkmenistan reduced natural gas production 1 per cent year-on-year to 42.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) in January- September. Natural gas exports fell 2 per cent to 30.7 bcm, the National Institute of Statistics and Information said. Turkmenistan shipped 26.4 bcm of the export gas to Ukraine and Russia and just over 4 bcm to Iran. Turkmenistan produced 7.15 million tonnes of oil, up 2 per cent year-on- year. Oil refining at the Turkmenbashi and Seidi refineries grew 3 per cent to 5.1 million tonnes. Production rose 27 per cent to 255,000 tonnes of liquefied hydrocarbon gases and 9 per cent to 1.6 million tonnes of gasoline. Diesel fuel production fell 1 per cent to 1.4 million tonnes while production of lubricants soared 77 per cent to 32,900 tonnes. Polypropylene production grew 19 per cent to 63,500 tonnes. Turkmenistan raised gas production 11 per cent to 59.09 bcm and oil production also 11 per cent to 10.004 million tonnes in 2003. Refining grew 19 per cent to 6.804 million tonnes.
Turkmen Parliament Approves Draft Balanced Budget For 2005
Interfax
Ashgabat, October 12: The Turkmen parliament on October 10 confirmed a draft balanced budget for 2005. The draft was published in the republic media on Tuesday. Revenues and spending are targeted at 76.25 trillion manat, first level revenues and spending amounting to 17.99 trillion manat. The state budget has two levels. The first one comprises tax revenues and budget spending, and the second level - revenues and spending of industrial complexes and industrial state funds. Oil and gas concerns and corporation are expected to provide 63.1 per cent of the state budget revenues. Seventeen percent of the first-level spending is intended to ensure balanced regional budgets. Subsidies amounting to 3.04 trillion manat will go to four of the five regions (except the Balkan region.) The budget reserves 1.53 trillion manat to finance spending on free gas, electricity and water supplies, including 1.25 trillion manat to be provided by the state funds of the corresponding ministries and organizations.
Data On Kazakhstani Gold And Currency Reserves Posted
Kabar Agency
Astana, October 11: Kazakhstani net gold and currency reserves surged 38.7 percent over the first nine months of this year to $6.824bn, the Kazakhstani National Bank reported in a released statement. Assets of the Kazakhstani National Fund increased from $3.884bn in January to $3.764bn in September. The monetary base amounted to $2.976bn as of October 1, 2004.
Increase In Kazakhstani Oil Exports Forecasted
Kazakhstan News
Astana, October 11: Kazakhstani oil exports will increase from 44.3m tons in 2003 to 59m tons in 2007. The Kazakhstani Economy Ministry projected 48.6m tons in oil exports for 2004 and 50.9m tons in exports for 2005. In 2006 oil exports are forecasted to reach 55.5m tons. These estimates were released as the ministry announced its medium-term forecasts of major economic indicators for 2005-07. According to its estimates, the benchmark Brent blend will average $32.9 per barrel in 2005, $29 in 2006 and $28.5 in 2007. Prices for oil exports are projected to reach $24.7 per barrel in 2005, $21.8 in 2006 and $21.4 in 2007. Oil and gas condensate production advanced 11.7 percent to 28.192m tons in Kazakhstan in the first half of this year. Oil and gas condensate exports grew 15 percent to 29.13m tons.
Nazarbayev Tells Official To Research Foreign Markets
Interfax
Astana, October 11: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev tasked government members and regional heads with researching markets in Russia, China, Iran and Uzbekistan in the framework of the industrial innovation strategy. `The analysis should be comprehensive and comprise the key aspects including technology, social issues and market size. Without understanding specifics of these markets, we may fail to determine the direction of movement at the second stage of the implementation of the strategy,` Nazarbayev said in Astana on Monday. Nazarbayev criticized the development institutions for poorly researching the areas. It is necessary to single out 10-15 directions `that will determine our country`s specialization in the long term,` he said. We will `focus all money, resources and scientific potential on them,` he said. Financing should primarily be channeled to export-oriented projects. The strategy is scheduled for 2003-2015 and promotes economic diversification as replacement for raw material sectors.
KazMunaiGaz Eyes 3 Options For Shipping Gas To China
Interfax
Almaty, October 11: Kazakhstan`s national oil and gas company KazMunaiGaz is considering options for shipping gas to China. `We are looking at the possibilities for exporting gas to China. We are studying three variants for transporting gas to China,` KazMunaiGaz`s president Uzakbai Karabalin announced on national TV. One possibility would be moving Turkmen and Uzbek gas `via the line that now exists in southern Kazakhstan to Almaty,` he said. `Extending this line [from Almaty] to the border with China does not involve great technical difficulty. And this would be one variant where it would be possible to transport gas [to China] fairly rapidly,` he said. KazMunaiGaz is also looking at shipping Kazakh gas from the country`s western oil and gas region to Chimkent and then using the above-mentioned route, Karabalin said. `There is yet another variant that specialists are now considering. That is the building of a gas pipeline from Russia, from Omsk to the south [of Kazakhstan] via Astana with an outlet to the Chinese border. With this, we presuppose the possibility of exchange operations,` Karabalin said.
Uzbek, Bosnian FMs Sign Cooperation Protocol
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 15: Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Sadyk Safaev and Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Mladen Ivanic signed protocol of cooperation on Friday. BiH official noted that political relations between countries are developing successfully. Bosnia and Herzegovina is ready to set close cooperation with Uzbekistan, including within international organisations as the UN and the OSCE, he added. According to the Uzbek Foreign Ministry, the countries are finalising project of the agreement on trade-economic cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Uzbekistan.
Aliyev Urges To Expand Russia-Azerbaijan Transport Cooperation
Itar-Tass
Baku, October 15: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev deems it necessary to expand Russian-Azerbaijani transport cooperation, as bilateral trade has developed a distinct uptrend. At a meeting with visiting Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin Aliyev pointed to the great potential Russia and Azerbaijan had for stepping up mutually advantageous transport cooperation. He positively assessed the development of bilateral relations in different spheres, mainly the economy and politics. Levitin for his part said that the two countries` specialists had been considering concrete steps to expand transport links.
Particulars Of Upcoming Meeting Of Russia, Tajikistan Presidents Discussed
RIA Novosti
Dushanbe, October 15: On Friday Emomali Rakhmonov and Sergei Lavrov considered details and particulars of the upcoming meeting of the presidents of Tajikistan and Russia, the latter told journalists after he met with the Tajik president. Lavrov said that they also discussed the future summit in Dushanbe of the member countries of the organisation Central Asian Cooperation. `For understandable reasons - neither bilateral meetings nor the CAC summit are yet to begin - I cannot go into details but, all matters - economic, military-political and humanitarian - will be in discussion`, Sergei Lavrov said. The Tajik presidential press service told RIA Novosti that, meeting with Lavrov, Rakhmonov noted that `the trade turnover between the two countries increases annually and the upcoming visit by the Russian president to Tajikistan will provide a fresh impetus in trade-economic, scientific-technical and cultural relations`.
German Company To Supply 200 Computers To Uzbek Schools
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 15: German Helious International Trading GmbH will supply humanitarian aid to Uzbek schoolchildren. According to Jahon, over 200 computers will be delivered to specialised boarding schools of Uzbekistan to set up computer classes. Humanitarian aid is being provided to Uzbekistan within the long-term action on delivery of computers and manuals to the country`s educational schools.
CICA Foreign Ministers To Meet In Almaty
Interfax
Moscow, October 15: Foreign ministers of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) will meet in Almaty on October 22 to adopt three vital documents, Alexander Ivanov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry`s department for relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Asian affairs, told a briefing on Friday. The CICA forum, which was set up in 1992, comprises Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Israel, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, China, the Palestinian National Authority, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Mongolia, he said. The organization`s observers are Australia, South Korea, the United States, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Ukraine, representatives of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Arab League.
Polish Company Implements US$5.7-m Project In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 15: Polish company Abplanalp Consulting is implementing a project on supply of professional colleges with educational and technological equipment worth US$5.7 million in Uzbekistan. According to company president Eji Henke, delivery of educational and technological equipment will be carried out on a turnkey basis in line with contract signed with the Ministry of Higher and Specialised Secondary Education of Uzbekistan for 35 professional colleges throughout the country. The Polish company will also deliver 39 sets of technological mini lines on production of foodstuffs, as well as prepare engineering and pedagogical staff for its further exploitation. The project will be completed within six months. The project is being financed due to credit of Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (Poland) in the amount of US$15 million, which was allocated to Uzbek government in July 2003.
Former British Ambassdor To Tashkent Says He`s `victim Of Conscience`
Agence France-Presse
London, October 15: Britain`s former ambassador to Uzbekistan, pulled out of Tashkent for `operational reasons,` said Friday he is a `victim of conscience` for having dared to speak out against human rights outrages. Speaking on BBC radio, Craig Murray alleged that Foreign Secretary Jack Straw had a role in his dismissal. He also said that he intends to start legal action against the British government. `I think I have been a victim of conscience,` said Murray, who had highlighted the allegedly systematic use of torture -- including the alleged boiling to death of two prisoners -- by Uzbek authorities. Uzbekistan, under President Islam Karimov, is a key ally in the U.S.-led military campaign in Afghanistan, which is supported by Britain. The Foreign Office said he was being withdrawn as ambassador `for operational reasons,` not as a disciplinary action, and that he would be moved to other duties `in due course`. A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Tony Blair refused to comment on Murray`s situation, saying: `That is a Foreign Office personnel issue.` Interviewed on BBC radio`s flagship public affairs program `Today`, Murray said he believed that senior figures in the Foreign Office had wanted rid of him for some time.
Bukhara, Varna Set Twin-city Relations
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 14: Officials of Bukhara (Uzbekistan) and Varna (Bulgaria) signed agreement on establishment of twin-city ties during the visit of Bukhara delegation to Bulgaria. The agreement envisages development of cooperation in tourism, culture, economy and other spheres. In particular, on the basis of Nigora joint-stock company in Bukhara Uzbek-Bulgarian joint venture is to be set up, UzA reported. Besides, it is expected that Bukhara representatives will participate in the international folklore festival in Varna.
Turkmenistan : 140 Refugees Get Third Country Resettlement In Canada
IRIN News
Ankara, October 14: Dozens of refugees in Turkmenistan, mainly Afghans and Azeris, are set to be resettled in Canada in the near future, according to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Ashgabat. The Canadian government has accepted 140 refugees for resettlement, including 25 families from Azerbaijan, 22 families from Afghanistan, 17 families from Iran and one stateless person. They are expected to leave for Canada in the near future. Along with some 14,000 Tajik and Afghan refugees living in rural areas, Turkmenistan hosts around 500 urban refugees from Afghanistan, Iran, Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation and Iraq. With no strong local links and no possibility of voluntary repatriation to their countries of origin, resettlement to a third country was seen as the best solution for these people, the UNHCR Ashgabat office said in a statement.
Tajikistan Retains UN General Assembly Vote
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, October 14: Tajikistan will retain the right to vote in the UN General Assembly until 30 June 2005 despite its $1.25 million debt to that world body, Asia Plus-Blitz reported on 14 October. `During the latest visit of our delegation to the 59th session of the UN General Assembly, a decision was made that the deadline for paying our debt to [the UN] would be extended for another year,` Foreign Ministry spokesman Igor Sattorov told RFE/RL`s Tajik Service the same day. `So our right to vote has not been revoked.`
Aliyev Displeased That UN Armenia Resolutions Not Being Implemented
Interfax
Baku, October 14: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has expressed displeasure over the fact that four UN resolutions concerning Armenia are not being implemented. `Four resolutions have been issued, but none of them are being implemented. No sanctions or measures have been imposed on Armenia. This is definitely unacceptable,` Aliyev told the press upon his return from Romania on Tuesday evening. `The main problem is about implementing important UN and OSCE decisions. A mechanism should be set up for this. Unfortunately, there is no such mechanism,` Aliyev said. UN Security Council resolutions require that Armenian troops be withdrawn from the occupied Azerbaijani land.
Baku`s Caspian Policy Not Targeted Against Neighbors - Foreign Ministry
Interfax
Baku, October 14: Azerbaijan`s policy on the Caspian Sea does not infringe on the interests of other Caspian countries, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov said on Thursday. `Definitely, Azerbaijan`s cooperation in the Caspian does not infringe on the interests of other Caspian countries,` he said. `As for who cooperates with whom, I think it is an internal affair of every country,` he said, commenting on the recent statement of Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi that the presence of non-regional countries, primarily the United States, in the Caspian region is impermissible. `Azerbaijan, the same as other Caspian countries, wants the Caspian region to be a zone of peace and cooperation, and the Azerbaijani administration is carrying out a consistent policy,` Khalafov said.
Ambassador To Uzbekistan Is Withdrawn
Associated Press
Tashkent, October 14: Britain`s ambassador to Uzbekistan has been withdrawn from his post for `operational reasons` following a series of public differences of opinion with his employers. Craig Murray has courted controversy since being appointed to the embassy in Tashkent in 2002 by publicly accusing the Uzbek government of torturing political and religious prisoners. Earlier this week, details were revealed of a furious memo he sent to the Foreign Office, complaining that the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) was using information passed on to it by the CIA but originally obtained in Uzbek torture cells. As well as being morally and legally wrong, the practice was unreliable because prisoners under torture could be expected to say whatever their tormentors wanted to hear, he warned. And he wrote: `We are selling our souls for dross.` A Foreign Office spokesman said the views of Mr Murray made it impossible for him to continue to represent Britain`s interests in Tashkent. In a statement, the spokesman said: `He has been withdrawn as ambassador in Tashkent for operational reasons. `It is no longer possible for him to perform effectively the full range of duties required in the conduct of our relations with Uzbekistan. `In order for him to be able to do this, he has to be seen to be working in close co-operation with and enjoy the full confidence of colleagues and ministers. That is no longer the case.` Mr Murray remains a member of the diplomatic service and will be allocated new duties `in due course`, said the spokesman. He stressed that Mr Murray had not been sacked or subjected to any disciplinary procedure.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Keeps Its Doors Open
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 13: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which includes Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, does not intend to expand in the near future. This was stated on Wednesday by the Russian President`s special envoy for SCO affairs, Vitaly Vorobyov, who is now in Beijing. `The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in its current composition will exist for some time yet,` he said. At the same time, Vorobyov noted, the SCO positively views the prospects of expanding the number of observers in this organisation. `We have already been receiving signals from a number of countries which want to get an observer status in the SCO, and I think that very soon we will hear specific requests,` Vitaly Vorobyov noted. The SCO, which is an open organisation, is sure to examine them, the Russian President`s special envoy added. In Vitaly Vorobyov`s assessment, after the Bishkek summit the SCO got down to tackling specific issues, rather than passing declarations alone. `The plan of measures for the implementation of the programme of multilateral cooperation was agreed, the SCO`s budget was adopted and the financial fund of the Organization`s development is being set up,` he said. The Russian president`s special envoy emphasized that cooperation in combating terrorism is being substantially stepped up. Vitaly Vorobyov did not rule out the holding of joint anti-terrorist exercises in the future either. The Russian president`s special envoy also noted that the issue of expanding cooperation within the SCO would be included in the agenda of the forthcoming Chinese visit of the Russian president (14-16 October).
Kazakh President Meets With BG Group Chairman
Radio Free Europe
Astana, October 13: President Nursultan Nazarbaev met with Robert Wilson, chairman of the board of gas conglomerate BG Group, in Astana on 13 October, Khabar reported. BG Group owns a 32.5 percent stake in the Karachaganak oil and gas project in western Kazakhstan. `I would describe the meeting with the president as exceptionally constructive and friendly,` Wilson said. `Of course, you always have to discuss and resolve certain issues. But for many years now BG Group has had very constructive and friendly relations with the government of Kazakhstan.` Kazakh TV reported that the meeting focused on BG Group`s further involvement in investment projects in Kazakhstan.
U.S. May Write Off Kyrgyzstan`s Debts
Interfax
Bishkek, October 13: The U.S. may write off Kyrgyzstan`s foreign debt if the republic honors its commitments to the Paris Club, U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Stephen Young said at a press briefing in Bishkek on Wednesday. He said, however, that in the Paris Club, Kyrgyzstan owes debts not only to the U.S., but also to Russia and Japan under bilateral agreements. He said that the Paris Club plans to discuss Kyrgyzstan`s debts at the beginning of 2005. Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev earlier proposed at a meeting of the UN General Assembly that debts of mountainous countries, including Kyrgyzstan, be written off.
CECO Environmental`s India Division Books Major Order For Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan News
New York, October 13: CECO Environmental Corp. (Nasdaq: CECE) reported today that its newly opened office in Bombay, India, a division of a CECO subsidiary, CECO Filters, has booked a substantial order for a new installation in Kazakhstan today. This is the second large order booked through CECO`s India office in two months. Phillip DeZwirek, Chairman and CEO of CECO stated, `Our international expansion is developing CECO into an important player in the pollution control industry on a global basis.` CECO is entering the fourth quarter of 2004 with its order backlog up considerably from the corresponding period in 2003.
SCO`s Role Will Grow - Putin
Interfax
Moscow, October 13: Russian President Vladimir Putin said the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in global affairs will continue to expand. `Today, many countries of the region have shown an interest in the activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. And I think that this comes as strong evidence that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization`s role in and influence on global process are growing. I am confident that they will continue to increase,` Putin said in an interview with Chinese journalists ahead of his visit to China.
US Ambassador Looks Ahead To Kyrgyz Elections
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, October 13: Stephen Young, U.S. ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, told a news conference in Bishkek on 13 October that Kyrgyzstan can set an example for Central Asia with October 2005 presidential elections, akipress.org reported. `It is Kyrgyzstan of all the Central Asian states that has the unique chance to become a leader in the process of transferring power in a peaceful and democratic way,` Young said. Expressing the hope that 2005 elections will be a `landmark in the history of Kyrgyzstan,` Young stressed his belief that President Askar Akaev will honor his pledge not to seek another term in office. Turning to other issues, Young said the United States will fund a program to collect voters` fingerprints in order to prevent electoral fraud, ITAR-TASS reported. He also noted that the United States does not plan to increase personnel at the U.S. air base in Manas, Kyrgyzstan, Interfax-AVN reported.
Bosnia And Herzegovina FM To Pay Visit To Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 12: Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Mladen Ivanic will pay a two-day visit to Uzbekistan. The visit, which will take place on 14-15 October, is aimed at discussion of perspectives of development of relations between Uzbekistan and BiH, interaction within international organisations, fighting terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking and other international issues. It is expected that BiH delegation will meet Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the Agency for Foreign Economic Relations Elyor Ganiev, chairman of Trade-Industrial Chamber Alisher Shayhov and Deputy Prime Minister Mirabrar Usmonov on 14 October. The delegation will also visit State Museum of Temurids on the same day. The following day, the delegation will meet Uzbek Foreign Minister Sadyk Safaev and chairman of Uzbektourism national company Bakhtiyor Husanbaev. It is planned that the sides will sign cooperation agreement between Foreign Ministries and Trade-Industrial Chambers of two countries during the meeting at Foreign Ministry. Signing of these documents will lay a legal ground for bilateral cooperation, Uzbek Foreign Ministry`s press service said. BiH delegation will visit Abdul Qasym Qori madrassah to familiarise with products of local handicrafts. On 15 October, the delegation will head to Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. Uzbekistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina established diplomatic relations on 14 April 1996. There is no legal base for cooperation yet, and trade-economic relations are at a development stage.
Uzbekistan, Bulgaria Ratify Agreements On Legal Assistance
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 12: Uzbekistan and Bulgaria ratified agreement on legal assistance on criminal cases, agreement on legal assistance in civil affairs and agreement on extradition on 12 October. The sides undertook obligations to extradite people in their territories to bring them to criminal responsibility. The ceremony on exchange of ratification documents on adoption of these agreements was held at the Uzbek Foreign Ministry. The document came into force on the 30th day after exchange of ratification notes. These documents were signed during the state visit of the president of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov to Bulgaria on 24-26 November 2003. All three agreements were signed for undetermined term.
Report: Maverick UK Envoy To Tashkent May Lose Job
Reuters
London, October 12: Britain`s ambassador to Uzbekistan, who has condemned his superiors for accepting security information gathered by torture, may be about to lose his job, British media reported Tuesday. The Guardian said the Foreign Office was considering withdrawing security clearance from Craig Murray -- who complained in a memo that British officials were `selling their souls for dross` -- a move that would effectively end his post. The Telegraph also reported that Murray was `being prevented by the Foreign office from returning to his post.` A Foreign Office spokeswoman would say only that Murray is currently in Britain on leave and is the serving ambassador. Asked if he was likely to stay in the job: she told Reuters: `He remains our ambassador to Tashkent, and we do not comment on individual personnel matters.` She said she did not know when he would be returning to Uzbekistan.
Kazakh Leader Entrusts Government To Study Uzbek Market
Uzbek Report
Astana, October 12: President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev entrusted government and regional heads to research market of Uzbekistan, along with markets of Russia, China and Iran, within the framework of the industrial innovation strategy. `The analysis should be comprehensive and comprise the key aspects including technology, social issues and market size. Without understanding specifics of these markets, we may fail to determine the direction of movement at the second stage of the implementation of the strategy,` Nazarbayev said. Nazarbayev criticised the development institutions for poorly researching the areas. It is necessary to outline 10-15 directions `that will determine our country`s specialisation in the long term,` he said. `We will direct all money, resources and scientific potential on them,` he said. Financing should primarily be channelled to export-oriented projects. The strategy is scheduled for 2003-2015 and promotes economic diversification as replacement for raw material sectors.
Saakashvili To Pay Official Visit To Latvia
Interfax
Riga, October 12: Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili will arrive in Latvia on Wednesday for an official visit. He will be accompanied by the foreign, defense and economic development ministers, the Georgian presidential staff`s press service told BNS. The visit is aimed at broadening Georgian-Latvian cooperation and studying Latvian experience in implementing reforms in preparations for admission to the European Union.
Tashkent City Delegation Starts Visit To Shanghai
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 12: Delegation of Tashkent city administration led by city governor Rustam Shoabdurakhmonov started three-day official visit to Shanghai (China) on 12 October. The visit is organised within the invitation of Shanghai city mayor. It is expected that celebrations of the 10th anniversary of brotherhood relations between Tashkent and Shanghai will be held within the visit. The sides will also exchange experience on attraction of investments, involvement of Chinese businesses in development of small and private business in Tashkent city. It is planned to hold presentation of preferences and privileges granted to foreign businesses in Uzbekistan.
Kyrgyzstan Asks For Russia`s Support At Talks With Paris Club
RIA Novosti
Bishkek, October 12: Kyrgyzstan has asked for Russia`s support at the talks with the Paris club on writing off its debt. `We ask to support us at the Paris club. You know that we have a huge foreign debt,` said the country`s Prime Minister Nikolai Tanayev at a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. `If you wrote off Mongolia`s $13-billion debt and African countries` $35 billion, what is our $170 million for you?` he said. The Paris club session devoted to the Kyrgyz issue is scheduled for March 2005, Mr. Tanayev pointed out. In the last three years the country has fully complied with the development program coordinated with the IMF, he said. Also, Kyrgyzstan is doing everything to improve relations with Russia. Among such moves he named opening of a Russian military base in Kant and signing of a 20-year agreement with RAO UES of Russia. Moreover, Kyrgyzstan has given four plants to be managed by Russian companies, the Prime Minister added. Sergei Lavrov in his turn said that the Russian party had submitted to Kyrgyzstan a list of enterprises Moscow would like to be involved in debt settlements.
Kyrgyz, Russian Ministers Discuss Akayev`s Moscow Visit
Interfax
Bishkek, October 12: The foreign ministers of Kyrgyzstan and Russia, Askar Aitmatov and Sergei Lavrov, in Bishkek discussed aspects of the coming visit of Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev to Moscow. Aitmatov told a briefing after the talks that Akayev`s visit is scheduled for November. He said Russia and Kyrgyzstan are partners that share strategic relations. The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry told Interfax that Akayev`s visit is set for November 11-14.
Russia And Tajikistan Support More Effective Cooperation In Regional Organisation
RIA Novosti
Moscow, October 12: Russia and Tajikistan said they supported increasing the effectiveness of their cooperation in the CIS, the Eurasian Economic Community (Eurasec) and the Central Asian Cooperation Organization, and deepening their cooperation in the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said. `Russia and Tajikistan regularly discuss the most urgent problems of our days and cooperation in the international arena,` he said. `Both sides exchange views on the situation in Afghanistan, on perspectives of the Afghan settlement, and cooperation of both sides in the common efforts of the international community for the development of a peaceful and independent Afghanistan. Special attention is paid to the deepening of cooperation in the fight against the drug threat.`
Lavrov Praises Kyrgyzstan`s Policy On Ethnic Russians
Interfax
Bishkek, October 12: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov applauded Kyrgyzstan`s policy on Russians living in that country and said he hopes that other former Soviet republics will adopt similar policies. `We are glad that Russians in Kyrgyzstan feel better than in many other [former Soviet] republics,` he said after talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart Askar Aitmatov on Tuesday. `We expect this experience to spread,` he said. `The strategic relations between Russia and Kyrgyzstan will strengthen by relying on this friendship, mutual understanding and respect,` he said.
Polls Show Mostly Kazakhstan To Be Inhabitancy For Optimists, Moldova For Pessimists
RIA Novosti
Moscow, October 12: In the Commonwealth of Independent States people seeing their mood as optimistic live mostly in Kazakhstan, pessimistic in Moldova shows the public opinion poll conducted by the independent holding ROMIR Monitoring (Russian Public Opinion and Market Research) in 14 former Soviet republics. On results of the poll, conducted in the end of last summer, its general director Andrei Milekhin reports that 80 percent of citizens of Kazakhstan assess their mood as good. In Moldova this indicator is the lowest on the post-Soviet space. On Tuesday ROMIR Monitoring has presented to RIA Novosti the project Eurasia Monitoring. Under it, ROMIR will conduct quarterly polls, for a beginning in 14 Eurasian states, according to one procedure among groups of 600 to 1,500 people.
Russia And Kyrgyzstan To Explore Kazakhstan`s CIS Reforming Initiative
RIA Novosti
Bishkek, October 12: Russia and Kyrgyzstan have not yet defined their positions on Kazakhstan`s initiative to reform CIS, Foreign Ministers Sergei Lavrov of Russia and Askar Aitmatov of Kyrgyzstan were quoted as saying in reply to a RIA Novosti question. `Russia, like the other CIS countries, is exploring this initiative,` said the Russian minister. According to Mr. Aitmatov, the Kyrgyz side `has not yet determined its final stand on this issue.` Mr. Lavrov recalled that by November 1 the foreign ministries of CIS member-countries must submit their proposals on this initiative. At the same time, the foreign ministers of Russia and Kyrgyzstan described the Kazakh initiative as `very interesting and timely.` Mr. Lavrov indicated that different interlinking organizations have progressively evolved on the post-Soviet space in the years that CIS has existed, including CIS proper, EurAsEC, the Central Asian Community, and the UES. `The process of harmonization of these countries will continue,` believes the minister.
Tajikistan, EU Sign Cooperation Agreement
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, October 11: Tajikistan and the European Union signed an agreement on partnership and cooperation on 11 October in Luxembourg, RIA-Novosti reported. Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov signed for his country, while Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot signed for the EU. Abdufattoh Sharipov, spokesman for the Tajik president, told Asia Plus-Blitz on 12 October, `The signing of the partnership and cooperation agreement between Tajikistan and the European Union has opened a new page in the development of commercial and economic relations and in bringing foreign investment to the Tajik economy,` Sharipov said.
German Federal Chancellor, Uzbek PM To Hold Talks In Termez
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 11: German Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will hold short negotiations with Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyayev in Termez, where he will make a stopover on his way from Kabul to Germany. According to Uzbek Foreign Ministry`s press service, the German Chancellor will stay in Uzbekistan for one hour. During his stay, he will meet representative of German contingent in Termez and Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyayev. Germany is main strategic partner of Uzbekistan in Europe, the Foreign Ministry`s release noted. Germany invested over US$1.3 billion to Uzbekistan. Currently, over 40 joint investment projects worth US$760 million are under implementation.
Iran To Host Conference On Central Asia
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 11: The 12th international conference on Central Asia and the Caucasus is to start in Tehran on Tuesday. Deputy Foreign Minister for Education and Research Ali-Reza Moayeri said that the conference will begin with a message from President Mohammad Khatami. Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi will also address the conference. Talking to reporters, he said political, economic and social issues related to energy will be discussed in the conference. Caspian resources, geopolitics and geo-economics of energy, energy transfers and regional security, energy and regional cooperation, energy terminals and exchange of electric energy will be the main subjects that will be discussed by participants in the conference. Thirty-six articles from among the 59 proposed have been selected for presentation to the conference, he said, adding that diplomats, experts and scholars from Azerbaijan, Germany, Armenia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the USA, the UK, Russia, Tajikistan, Georgia, Seden, Switzerland, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, India, Italy, Iraq, Poland, Bangladesh, Thailand, Algeria and Iran will be among the participants in the upcoming conference.
Our Man In Uzbekistan Puts Foreign Office On Back Foot
The Independent
London, October 11: The Foreign Office said yesterday that it was unable to rule out the possibility that intelligence passed on to the British Government may have come from victims of torture in central Asia. Craig Murray, Britain`s controversial ambassador to Uzbekistan, claimed information extracted from tortured prisoners in the republic had been passed by the CIA to MI6. Complaining that the practice was morally and legally wrong, Mr Murray also warned officials in London that information gathered in this manner was likely to be unreliable. His claims were revealed in a confidential Foreign Office report written in July and leaked to the media yesterday. `We receive intelligence obtained under torture from the Uzbek security services, via the US,` he wrote. `We should stop. This is morally, legally and practically wrong.` The Foreign Office denied that Britain had ever used torture to obtain information. But a spokeswoman added: `We recognise there is a need for intelligence on counter-terrorism to protect the safety of British nationals. It would be irresponsible to rule this information out of hand.`
Kazakh President Meets With Visiting Iranian Security Official
Radio Free Europe
Astana, October 11: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev met on 11 October with the secretary-general of Iran`s Supreme National Security Council, Hassan Rowhani, in Almaty, Khabar TV and Interfax reported. President Nazarbaev and Rowhani discussed the details of a draft bilateral agreement to coordinate measures to combat terrorism and drug trafficking. The talks also included a focus on economic relations and environmental protection and the legal status of the Caspian Sea. The Iranian official affirmed Iran`s opposition to any deployment of foreign troops or naval forces in the Caspian.
Georgia Against Confrontation With Russia - Saakashvili
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, October 11: Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili said Georgia came against confrontation with Russia. In his meeting with representatives of Georgian non-government organisations on Monday, Saakashvili said Georgia `is against confrontation with Russia and favours an open dialogue to solve the existing problems in order to meet the interests of both countries.` The Georgian delegation `did its best at the PACE session in Strasbourg in order to avoid confrontation during debates on Georgian-Russian relations,` the president said. He called on Russian politicians `not to dramatise the fact that there are debates on this issue in Strasbourg.`
Russia Lifts Ban On Georgian Jets Flights In Russian Airspace
Itar-Tass
Moscow, October 11: Russia has lifted restrictions on Georgian airlines` flights in its airspace, said sources at the press service of the Russian Transport Ministry. The decision was taken after talks between the heads of Russian and Georgian aviation services. `Georgia has acknowledged the debt of its airlines [for air navigation services in Russia - Itar-Tass] and has taken a pledge to pay it off,` the sources said. They recalled that this country had initially planned to close its airspace for the jets of the countries, whose airlines had unpaid air navigation debts.
CIS And UN Resume Efforts In Tajikistan
RIA Novosti
Moscow, October 11: The UN Bureau for Peace Building in Tajikistan and the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are resuming efforts to maintain peace and national accord in Tajikistan. On Monday in Moscow, CIS Executive Secretary Vladimir Rushailo and Vladimir Sotirov, a spokesman for the UN Secretary General in Tajikistan and the head of the UN Bureau for Peace Building in Tajikistan, signed a memorandum on mutual understanding and partnership between the CIS Executive Committee and the UN bureau in Tajikistan. Mr. Rushailo emphasized that the United Nations and the CIS were cooperating in many spheres, from the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking to combating illegal migration and HIV infection. According to him, the CIS Executive Committee and the UN Bureau are `fully aware of the urgent necessity of maintaining peace and national accord in Tajikistan, have decided to resume their joint efforts in this important process.` Mr. Sotirov noted the CIS` large contribution to the guarantees of the Tajikistani peace process`s irreversibility, which the UN bureau in the republic has been actively working on. Mr. Rushailo said both organizations cooperated while the armed stage of the inter-Tajikistani confrontation was localized. He said that it was thanks to the efforts of the UN, the CIS, the OSCE and, most of all, Russia that the agreement on establishing peace and national accord in Tajikistan was signed in Moscow on June 27, 1997.
German Leader Visits Uzbekistan
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, October 11: German Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder arrived in the southern Uzbek border town of Termez on 11 October on a stopover during his return from Afghanistan, Interfax and Uzbek TV reported. Schroeder met with Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyoev during the brief layover and commended Uzbekistan for `its role in the Afghan stabilization process and in the fight against international terrorism.`
MI6 Accused Of Using Data Gained By Torture In Uzbek Jails
The Scotsman
London, October 11: BRITAIN`S ambassador to Uzbekistan has accused MI6 of using information obtained by foreign governments through the use of torture, according to a leaked document published yesterday. Craig Murray said that information extracted from prisoners tortured in the central Asian republic`s jails was being passed on via the United States` CIA to MI6, the secret intelligence service. As well as denouncing the use of such material as morally and legally wrong, Mr Murray warned that information gathered in this way was unlikely to be reliable, as victims would say whatever they thought their tormentors wanted to hear. `We are selling our souls for dross,` he wrote in the confidential Foreign Office report seen by the Financial Times. A Foreign Office spokeswoman yesterday declined to confirm whether the leaked document was genuine. She said that Britain never used torture to obtain information and did not incite others to do so. But she added that it would be `irresponsible` to dismiss intelligence from outside sources which might have a bearing on terrorist threats. Mr Murray, a former student at Dundee University, caused a stir by speaking out publicly in 2002 about `brutality` in Uzbek jails, highlighting the case of two men who were boiled to death. The leaked report was compiled in response to an inter-departmental meeting in London this July on the use of intelligence from Uzbekistan, which lies to the north of Afghanistan and has experienced problems of its own from Islamic militants. Mr Murray - who was not invited to the meeting - alleged that the country`s hard-line president, Islam Karimov, was seeking to portray his government`s suppression of Islamic militants as part of the global war against terror. The FT quoted Mr Murray`s report as warning: `Tortured dupes are forced to sign confessions showing what the Uzbek government wants the US and UK to believe - that they and we are fighting the same war against terror. This is morally, legally and practically wrong.` Intelligence officers had argued that, as they did not know the precise source of the information they received, they could not establish whether the individual involved had been tortured or not, Mr Murray wrote. `I will not attempt to hide my utter contempt for such casuistry, nor my shame that I work for an organisation where colleagues would resort to it to justify torture,` he said. Of the hundreds of cases of political and religious prisoners he had examined in Uzbekistan, few had not involved the use of torture, he said.
Iran, Kazakhstan Underline Security In Caspian Sea
IRNA
Tehran, October 11: Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani said Monday that the Caspian Sea should be considered as `the sea of friendship` to all the territorial states, the Public Relations Department of the SNSC announced. Rowhani, who is in Kazakh capital city of Astana on a two-day official visit, made the remark in a meeting with Kazakh Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasymzhomart Tokayev. In the meeting, Rowhani added that the regional growth and development are subject to restoration of security and stability to the region and underlined the need of cooperation among the states in the Caspian Sea region. He rejected the presence of the foreign forces in the Caspian Sea, saying that the littoral states should be responsible for the security of the Caspian sea. The US invasion to Afghanistan and Iraq has brought about growth of terrorism in the region, he said, adding, `Today, tens of Osama bin Laden have emerged in Iraq. Some Iraqi people are killed under the excuse of terrorism. Security and information cooperation among the regional states are required to fight terrorism.` Also in his talks, Rowhani referred to Iran`s nuclear activities as quite peaceful, saying that the implementation of the additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is of high importance to bring about confidence-building over Iran`s peaceful activities. In the meeting, Kazakh Foreign Minister Tokayev attached significance to Rowhani`s visit to Astana to broaden bilateral ties and exchange views on regional and international issues. He said that they would welcome Iran`s initiative to bring about security to the Caspian Sea region through cooperation among the territorial states. He notified that his country`s stance on the Afghan crisis is the same as Iran has taken, saying that drug cultivation and distribution is considered as a threat to the regional security. Kazakhstan and Iran have adopted close stances over the crisis in Iraq, Tokayev said, adding, `No weapons of mass destruction was found in Iraq.` He lauded Iran-Kazakhstan joint approach to combat terrorism and drug trafficking and attached importance to the role Iran has played to confront with terrorism and drug trafficking. Kazakhstan is ready to set up a center to introduce preemptive diplomacy against terrorism and would be pleased if Iran support the initiative, he declared. The Kazakh official supported Iran`s stance to make use of peaceful nuclear energy, saying that the current positive assessment of Iran`s cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog is of significance. Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Hassan Rowhani arrived in Kazakhstan on Monday for a two-day official visit. Rowhani also held a separate meeting with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in the capital city of Astana.
Tehran Suggests Holding Caspian Summit This Year
Interfax
Astana, October 11: Iran has called for holding a Caspian summit in the near future, Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council Hassan Rowhani told the press in Astana on Monday. `Both countries said a summit [of Caspian states] needs to be organized in the near future in Tehran,` Rowhani said after a meeting with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. A member of the Iranian delegation told Interfax that Tehran suggested holding the summit in December. Rowhani said they had discussed the legal status of the Caspian Sea and regional security. He said they agreed that `the presence of foreign forces in the Caspian Sea is impermissible.` He said they had also discussed other Caspian issues, including environmental protection, bio-resources, navigation and cargo shipments.
Yerevan Objects To Turkey`s Role In Karabakh Settlement
Interfax
Yerevan, October 11: Armenia objects to Turkey`s participation in the current phase of the Karabakh settlement, Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian told a Monday press conference. `We rule out Turkish participation in the current phase,` he said. Oskanian said Ankara might play a positive role in later phases of the Karabakh settlement. Armenian President Robert Kocharian and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev have not made a decision on preliminary agreements on a Karabakh settlement, which the foreign ministers reached over recent months, he said. `It seems the presidents need another meeting and discussion of the proposals,` he said.
German Chancellor To Pay Brief Visit To Uzbekistan
Interfax
Tashkent, October 11: German Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder will visit the Uzbek town of Termez on the Afghan border on Monday evening, a source in the Uzbek Foreign Ministry`s press service told Interfax. Schroeder will have a brief meeting with German servicemen stationed in Termez at the airport. He will also meet with Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyayev. The chancellor will then fly to Germany.
Armenian Parliament Members To Participate In NATO Seminar In Baku
Interfax
Yerevan, October 11: A group of Armenian parliament members intends to participate in a seminar to be held by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Baku in late November, a source in the Armenian parliament told Interfax. `A preliminary agreement about our participation in the seminar has already been reached and, in all likelihood, will remain in force,` the source said. At the same time, Mger Shakhgeldian, head of the parliamentary commission for defense, law enforcement and national security, told Interfax: `It`s too early to speak about an ultimate decision concerning our participation in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly`s Baku session.` `There is, of course, the problem of ensuring the Armenian deputies` safety in Baku, but we have reasons to hope for an adequate solution in line with Armenia`s foreign policy,` he said, adding that the seminar`s agenda needed to be finalized.
Georgian President Leaving For Baltic States
Interfax
Tbilisi, October 10: Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on Monday will leave for a three-day official tour of the Baltic states, beginning with Estonia, the Georgian State Chancellery told Interfax. At the recent UN General Assembly session, Saakashvili won the consent of Baltic leaders to help Georgia integrate into European institutions. The dialogue is expected to continue during the tour, the chancellery said. Saakashvili should be back in Tbilisi on Friday. Interfax was told this will be his last official visit of the year.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Makes Stopover In Tashkent
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 9: On 9 October, Deputy Prime Minister of Italy Gianfranco Fini made a short stopover in Tashkent on his way to Italy from Vietnam. During his one-hour stay, Fini met with Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister and the chairman of the Agency for Foreign Economic Relations Elyor Ganiev and the sides held short negotiations, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry`s press service told UzReport.com. Uzbekistan and Italy established diplomatic relations in March 1992. Italy opened its embassy in Tashkent in September 1992 and Uzbek diplomatic mission started its operation in Italy in January 1998.
Iran, Uzbekistan Sign MOU On Economic Cooperation
IRNA
Tashkent, October 9: Iranian Deputy Commerce Minister Mojtaba Ansari and Uzbekistan`s Deputy Prime Minister in a meeting here on Saturday inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on economic cooperation. A report released by Iran`s embassy in Tashkent said that the MOU was signed after a thorough discussion on the contents of the deal in two sessions. The MOU authorizes both sides to exchange information with the objective of promoting trade and encouraging Iranian and Uzbek tradesmen to identify potential grounds for future trade exchanges.
Iran`s Specialized Exhibition To Open In Tajikistan
IRNA
Sanandaj, October 9: Iran`s specialized exhibition will be held in Tajikistan in December 2004, the managing director of the Qasr-e Kavir International Exhibitions said here Saturday. Talking to IRNA, Saeed Reza Mir-Jalili added home appliances, construction materials, computer software, foodstuffs, garments and industrial products of domestic factories will be displayed at the exhibition. He noted that the exhibition will be held in cooperation with the exhibition company of Khorasan and Yazd provinces, adding domestic producers from various provinces will attend the exhibition.
Over 29 Tons Of Drugs, Including Over 14 Tons Of Heroin, Seized On Tajik-Afghan Border Over 12 Years
Itar-Tass
Dushanbe, October 15: Russian border-guards have seized more than 29 tons of drugs, including over 14 tons of heroin, on the Tajik-Afghan border since 1992. Over the same period of time, Russian frontier posts have prevented 1,528 armed intrusions into the Tajik territory from Afghanistan and were fired on by armed groups 1,378 times. These figures were cited by chief of the Border Department of the Russian Federal Security Service in Tajikistan Major-General Alexander Baranov in a talk with Itar-Tass on the eve of the 12th anniversary of Russian border troops` stay in Tajikistan. The general expressed regret that `after the overthrow of Talibs the United States and coalition forces didn`t take practical measures to reduce the production of drugs in Afghanistan and stop drug trafficking.` Pointing to sharp growth of the drugs production, fist of all of heroin, and, as a consequence, aggravation of the situation on the Tajik-Afghan border, Alexander Baranov said that more than 2.3 tons of high-quality heroin have been confiscated from Afghan smugglers over nine months of this year. According to the general, one of the main directions of the activity of the Border Department command is to strengthen interaction with Tajikistan`s power-wielded structures. Over three years 63 joint operations, which resulted in the seizure of 1,600 kilograms of heroin and tens of units of arms, have been conducted. Within the framework of the interstate Agreement of 1993 on the legal status of Russian frontier-guards, the guarding of 73 kilometres of the Tajik-Afghan border, as well as 511 kilometres of the Tajik-Chinese border in the eastern Pamirs were transferred to Tajik frontier-guards.
Source Says Kyrgyz Plant Will Not Import Uranium
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, October 14: Jalgap Kazakbaev, an adviser to the director of Kyrgyzstan`s Karabalta Mining Plant, told RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service on 14 October that the facility has not received any license from the Kyrgyz government to import uranium for reprocessing. The comment confirms a 13 October report by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) that the Kyrgyz government has decided against allowing British Nuclear Fuels to send uranium-contaminated graphite to Kyrgyzstan for processing.
Centre For Radioactivity Measurement Opens In Tashkent
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 10: Radio Analytical Centre for measurement of radioactivity level of different objects and monitoring environment opened at Nuclear Physics Institute under the Uzbek Science Academy. The specialists of the centre will also analyse different elements to reveal radiation. The project on creation of the centre was approved by the Centre for Science and Nuclear Technologies of Ukraine and Lourens-Livermor scientific laboratory of the US Energy Department. The importance of creation of the centre emerged in light of serous terrorism threats and was dictated by international requirements on strengthening nuclear security.
Conference Considers Use Of Nuclear Physics
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, October 9: Third Eurasian conference on using achievements of nuclear physics opened in Tashkent. Scientists and specialists from 20 countries worldwide are participating in the forum. Nuclear Physics Institute (NPI) of the Uzbek Science Academy, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Theoretical Physics Centre (Italy), National Laurence Livermore Laboratory (USA) and scientific centres of other foreign countries organised the event. Presently, achievements in the field of nuclear physics are used in different branches of economy. Pharmaceutical preparations, technological controlling units created for petroleum refining, mining and smelting industries and another inventions promote the progress of society. Participants of the conference noted that successes achieved in this sphere by scientists of NPI attract interest not only in our country, but also among world scientific community.
OSCE Centre To Train Uzbekistan`s Law Enforcers On Investigating Human Trafficking Crimes
Kabar Agency
Tashkent, October 15: The second specialized training course for members of Uzbekistan`s law enforcement agencies on investigating human trafficking crimes will be held on Monday in the Samarkand region by trainers trained by the OSCE Centre in Tashkent. Based on Interpol manual, the one-day training programme will include such topics as identification of trafficking crimes, learning phases and principles of investigation, intelligence-gathering and mutual co-operation in investigating these crimes. The first training course on this issue, which is also referred to as modern-day slavery, was held in August this year. Further sessions will be conducted in all 13 regions over the next six months, to cover 1,500 representatives from the Interior Ministry, National Security Service and the General Prosecutor`s office. The training scheme is a part of the OSCE Centre`s Anti-trafficking Programme, which has been developed in line with the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, agreed by the Ministerial Council in Maastricht in December 2003.
Previous Agreements Key To Georgian-Abkhaz Settlement - Lavrov
Interfax
Bishkek, October 11: Russia has once again called on Georgia and the breakaway province of Abkhazia to be guided by existing mechanisms while tackling their conflict, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. `No matter who comes to power in Abkhazia, he should continue the process of settling the conflict in Georgia on the basis of existing mechanisms,` Lavrov told a news conference in Bishkek, commenting on the recent presidential elections in Abkhazia. `Undoubtedly, Georgia, for its part, should meet its obligations and do its share of this work,` he said.
BP To Provide $60 Million For Security Of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline
Interfax
Tbilisi, October 10: British Petroleum will provide $60 million to Georgia over the next five years for additional measures aimed at ensuring secure construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan export pipeline, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said on Sunday. Zhvania and British Petroleum Azerbaijan President David Woodworth have recently visited the Borjomi region, where the pipeline is being built. `The Georgian government is happy that British Petroleum has fulfilled all its demands regarding the security o the pipeline,` Zhvania said. Zhvania also said British Petroleum will provide another $10 million for social and educational program in Georgia.
Russian-US Crew Off For ISS
Agence France-Presse
Baikonur, October 14: A Soyuz TMA-5 rocket carrying Russia`s Salizhan Sharipov and Yury Shargin and US astronaut Leroy Chiao blasted off for the International Space Station (ISS) early Thursday from Kazakhstan`s Baikonur space base. The Soyuz is expected to dock with the ISS Saturday, with Chiao and Sharipov remaining on the space station until April 2005, while Shargin will spend only 10 days in orbit.
Russian-U.S. Crew Prepares For Space Station Mission
Kazakhstan News
Baikonur, October 13: A Russian-U.S. crew will blast off from here Thursday bound for the orbiting international space station on a six-month mission to conduct a series of scientific experiments. The Soyuz TMA-5 spacecraft will carry Leroy Chiao of the United States and Russia`s Salizhan Sharipov and Yury Shargin to replace Gennady Padalka, from Russia, and American Michael Fincke who have been in orbit since April. While Chiao and Sharipov will remain on the space station until April 2005 as the 10th crew since the historic launch of the first module in 1998, Shargin will spend only 10 days in orbit during the relief of the crews. The cosmonauts, after training for several months at the Star City near Moscow, are due to carry out 41 scientific, medical, biological and technical experiments. One experiment is to study proteins that could be used to create a vaccine against AIDS, Sharipov said. During the mission, the crew is scheduled to leave the station twice, once in December and once in January, to continue preparations for the docking of a new European cargo spacecraft scheduled for next year.
Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry Celebrates 60th Year Jubilee
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, October 12: A documentary film about activity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since gaining independence by Kyrgyzstan was shown during the solemn meeting devoted to its 60th year jubilee at the Abdylas Maldybaev Opera and Ballet Theater. President Askar Akaev, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Askar Aitmatov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, First Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Kazy Dikambaev, Turkish Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Muzafer Eroktem headed the honorary presidium. Prime Minister Nikolai Tanaev, Secretary of State Osmonakun Ibraimov, speakers of the both houses of the parliament Altai Borubaev and Abdygany Erkebaev, veterans of the FM, representatives of diplomatic corps, educational institutions are attended the celebration.
Tajikistan`s News Agency Khovar To Open News Offices Abroad
IRNA
Dushanbe, October 9: The Tajik national news agency Khovar will open its news offices abroad. The Tajik government has ordered the agency`s leadership to present proposals on creation of the news offices abroad by its decree `On Improvement of Process of Preparation and Propagation of Official Information`, a source at the Tajik government told Tass on Saturday.
Special Focus
Central Asia: Corruption, Lack Of Vision Seen As Stunting Economic Growth
Thirteen years after the breakup of the Soviet Union, the economies of Central Asia are still struggling. One problem is that Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are not relying enough on one another for the boost necessary to start their economies after 70 years of central control. Corruption is another problem, as is a lack of economic innovation. These were among the conclusions drawn at a daylong forum in Washington recently.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/pp101004.shtmlElection Results In Kazakhstan Raise Possibility Of Infighting In Nazarbayev`s Family
The final results of Kazakhstan`s presidential election, widely discredited by opposition parties and international observers as being rigged, set the stage for possible infighting within President Nursultan Nazarbayev`s own family.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav101404a.shtmlCARs` Post-natal Blues
When the Central Asian Republics (CARs) became independent, more by default than design in the early 1990s, there was great euphoria in Pakistan that at last it was linking up with the ex-Soviet Islamic countries. Religious and cultural sentiments based on romantic historical memories of Samarkand, Tashkent and Bokhara ran riot. It was little realised that the CARs after nearly seventy-five years under the Communist rule were now different entities - economically, politically and culturally.
To read more, click on the link:
http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2004-daily/15-10-2004/oped/o3.htmAkayev: We Do Democracy The Kyrgyz Way
Speaking recently at Harvard University, Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev defended Bishkek`s political record, saying democratization efforts must correspond to `historical practice` in any given country. As Kyrgyzstan prepares for presidential and parliamentary elections in 2005, Akayev rejected the notion that a `universal formula` exists for democratic development.
To read more, click on the link:
http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav101504.shtml
Report dated 15 October 2004