Governor Of Syrdarya Region Replaced
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 26: Ravshan Khaydarov was relieved of his duties as hokim of Syrdarya region at the extraordinary session of the region`s People`s Deputies Council held on Friday. On the recommendation of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, Abdurakhim Jalolov was appointed new governor of Syrdarya region. On the same day, President signed corresponding decrees. Prior to the appointment, Jalolov served as the first deputy minister of agriculture and water management. Speaking at the session, the head of the state said the economic potential of Syrdarya had been falling on many basic industries. The region has not fulfilled contractual obligations on sale of cotton to the state over the past 13 years, and grain crop productivity has been decreasing, Islam Karimov said. The President also blamed the regional administration for inefficient work and lack of organisational abilities and responsibility.
Abkhazian Recognizes Opposition Candidate
Associated Press
Tbilisi, November 26: The parliament of Georgia`s breakaway Abkhazia region voted Friday to recognize opposition candidate Sergei Bagapsh as the winner of last month`s disputed presidential election, he told The Associated Press. Nineteen legislators voted in favor of Bagapsh and one abstained. `Look, the central election commission has recognized me as the winner, the Supreme Court and the Council of Elders have also declared me the president,` Bagapsh told the AP. News agencies also reported the vote. Bagapsh vowed to go through with plans to hold an inauguration ceremony on Dec. 6. Abkhazia, a mostly Muslim separatist region in the northwest of Georgia in the Caucasus Mountains, has been seized by political crisis for nearly two months. The parliament`s move Friday appeared to be an attempt to pressure current President Vladislav Ardzinba, who had called a repeat election and announced this week that he would stay in office despite Bagapsh`s planned inauguration.
Conference Discusses Protection Of Citizens` Constitutional Rights
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 24: International Conference on `Improving the courts` performance in protecting citizens` constitutional rights: practice, problems, perspectives` was held in Samarkand. The event was organised by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan in assistance with the cooperation project centre for development of court system in Central Asia (IRIS-USAID). Judges, prosecutor`s office staff and legal scholars took part in the conference. Special attention of the conference was given to improving the activity of courts in protecting citizens` constitutional rights.
Tajikistan: Ban On Women Attending Mosques Debated
IRIN News
Dushanbe, November 24: A controversial ban on women attending mosques to pray is being debated in Tajikistan. The secularist government endorses the ban, while the Islamist opposition sees it as an infringement of women`s rights. `I was born and brought up in the ancient town of Ura-Tyube [northern Sogd province, some 350 km to the north of capital, Dushanbe], where there have always been strong religious traditions. But I have never heard of Tajik women going to mosques,` Guljahon Bobosadykova, a 60-year-old leader of the local female association, told IRIN in the capital, Dushanbe. `Talk about women attending mosques emerged only in recent years.` The issue of whether women should attend mosques for Friday prayers or not has become a hotly debated issue in Tajikistan between the country`s ulema council - the official religious body - and supporters of more conservative Islam in the country, which saw a civil war between the mainly Islamist opposition and secularist government that claimed the lives of thousands of people between 1992 and 1997. On 6 November, Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov made a decree banning women from mosques.
Registration Of Candidates In Uzbek Elections Complete
Interfax
Tashkent, November 24: The registration of candidates in the parliamentary elections to be held in Uzbekistan on December 24, 2004 has been brought to completion, an official in the country`s Central Elections Commission told Interfax on Tuesday. Of the 531 candidates, 517 fielded by political parties or groups of people have been registered and will run for 120 seats in parliament. The state has appropriated 3.39 billion sums ($1 = 1,051.02 sum) for the campaign. Over 8,000 polling stations will be set up for the Uzbek elections. Forty of those will be set up outside the country.
Opposition Gains Former Speaker As Supporter
Radio Free Europe
Astana, November 23: Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, the former speaker of the Mazhilis, has joined the coordinating council of Kazakhstan`s opposition, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported on 23 November. Tuyakbai gave up his seat in parliament and his position as speaker to protest violations in the 19 September parliamentary elections (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 19, 20, and 21 October 2004), while claiming at the time that he remained on the team of President Nursultan Nazarbaev. At a 23 November press conference in Almaty, Tuyakbai explained that he decided to throw his lot in with the opposition after the president failed to answer his questions about election violations, RFE/RL`s Kazakh Service reported.
Georgia Celebrates First Anniversary Of Velvet Revolution
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, November 23: Georgia on Tuesday marks the first anniversary of its `bloodless, velvet revolution.` A year ago, President Eduard Shevardnadze resigned after 20 days of opposition rallies that drew into them many thousands of people. Mikhail Saakashvili of the National Movement party, Nino Burdzhanadze and Zurab Zhvania of the United Democrats alliance led the opposition meetings, which began after the November 2 parliamentary elections. The opposition accused the authorities of falsification of the results of the elections.
Kazakh Opposition Party Shuns Parliament
Radio Free Europe
Astana, November 23: Bulat Abilov, cochairman of Ak Zhol, told Interfax-Kazakhstan on 23 November that the opposition party will not participate in the Mazhilis (lower chamber of parliament). The party won one seat on its party slate in the 77-member legislature in recent parliamentary elections, but party cochairman Alikhan Baimenov gave up the seat to protest violations during the elections (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 2 November 2004). The party had initially planned to name a replacement candidate to take Baimenov`s place.
Armenian Opposition Calls For New Elections
Interfax
Yerevan, November 23: The foreign policy pursued by the authorities, in particular in resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, has brought Armenia nothing but repeated failures, Viktor Dallakian, secretary of the Justice opposition bloc, said at parliament on Tuesday. `In the years of Robert Kocharian`s presidency, the conflict, which used to be an issue of national self-determination, has become a territorial dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Karabakh itself has ceased to be an actor and become an issue in negotiations,` he said. Replacing the leadership through democratic elections is the sole way to resolve the situation, Dallakian said. Alexan Karapetian of National Unity, another parliamentary opposition party, demanded that `the authorities disclose to the public what is going on in negotiations over the Karabakh settlement.`
Electoral Reform Dealth Another Body Blow
Voice of Democracy
Astana, November 22: The leading opposition party, Ak Zhol, was rebuffed by Kazakhstan`s Central Election Commission (CEC) in its bid for a nationwide referendum to nullify September`s parliamentary elections and order a new vote. Although those elections were widely condemned as unfair -- even the speaker of the Majilis and a member of the dictator`s own majority party branded them a `disgraceful farce` and resigned -- the CEC, although nominally an independent commission, is controlled by the regime, which was responsible for this and other elections which have been cited by international observers as dishonest. AkZhol was formed in the wake of the latest election fiasco by the pro-democracy opposition forces.
Uzbek Election Campaign Begins
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, November 22: Uzbekistan`s five officially registered political parties presented their election platforms on national television on 22 November in preparation for 26 December parliamentary elections, Uzbek television reported. The Central Election Commission (CEC) has officially registered 517 candidates, UzA reported on 22 November: 119 candidates for the Liberal Democratic Party, 118 for the People`s Democratic Party, 89 for the Fidokorlar National Democratic Party, 74 for the Adolat Social Democratic Party, 61 for the Milliy Tiklanish Democratic Party, and 56 candidates proposed by initiative groups. All five of the officially registered parties are pro-presidential. The country`s opposition, which has been unable to obtain official registration, has charged that it was effectively prevented from registering candidates through initiative groups and has announced that it will boycott the elections (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 15 November 2004).
Elections: Registration Of Deputy Candidates Ends
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 22: Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan completed registration of candidates for deputies to the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis on 20 November. Representatives of five parties and initiative groups of voters will participate in the elections scheduled for 26 December 2004. The Election Commission registered 119 candidates (of 120 nominated) running from the Liberal-Democratic Party, 118 (120) from People`s Democratic Party, 89 (89) from Fidokorlar national democratic party, 61 (62) from Milliy Tiklanish democratic party and 74 (76) from Adolat socio-democratic party of Uzbekistan. 86 papers were received by the commission from 150 registered initiative groups of voters, nearly half of which failed to gather the required 8 per cent of voters` signatures. Papers of 22 voters` groups were returned on the request of corresponding district election commissions, and 8 initiative groups were rejected registration of their candidates due to detection of similar signatures in the voters` list. 56 candidates nominated by voters` initiative groups were registered by the commission. In all, 517 contenders (of 531 applicants) were registered by the Election Commission. Thus, in each district, 4 to 5 contenders on the average will compete. 14 people (2.6 per cent) did not pass the registration.
Multimedia Guide On Elections In Uzbekistan Published
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 21: Tashkent State Law Institute issued a multimedia guide `Elections 2004` in Uzbek and Russian languages. According to UzA, the guide contains information on the activity of election commissions, procedure of proposing candidates for deputies, voting, voters` rights and responsibilities and other issues. The guide also contains laws and other regulatory documents on elections.
Visually-impaired To Be Able To Vote Using Special Bulletins
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 21: For the first time in Uzbekistan, visually-impaired people will be able to vote using special bulletins based on Braille code, Central Election Commission said. Braille code is a form of writing and reading using raised dots and dashes. The initiative of the commission found approval of the National Visually-Impaired Society and other organisations. Elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan will be held on 26 December.
Chief Of United Staff Of Belgian Armed Forces Visits Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 25: General August van Dael, Chief of United Staff of Belgian Armed Forces, met Defence Minister of Uzbekistan Kadyr Gulyamov on Thursday in Tashkent. During the talks, the sides discussed issues of development of military-technical cooperation between the two states. They also exchanged opinions on expansion of relations in military education.
South Ossetia Destroying Fortifications, Established During Summer Crisis
Interfax
Moscow, November 25: South Ossetia is destroying fortifications, constructed during the summer crisis in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone, South Ossetian Interior Minister Robert Guliyev told Interfax-Military News Agency on Thursday. `South Ossetia intends to strictly comply with demilitarization agreements, reached at the meeting of South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity and Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania, held in Sochi on November 5. We are filling up foxholes and trenches, as well as destroying pillboxes outside Tskhinvali, including those situated on dominating hills, which were of especial concern to the Georgian side, maintaining that such fortifications were used to fire at Georgian villages,` he said. According to him, it would be desirable for the Georgian side to comply with the agreements in the same way.
Tajikistan To Host CSTO Exercise In April 2005
Interfax
Moscow, November 25: Tajikistan will host a command post exercise of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in April 2005, Lieutenant General Vasily Zavgorodniy, first deputy chief of the CSTO Unified HQ, said on Thursday. `The main goal of the Rubezh 2005 joint command post exercise (CPX), which will take place in Tajikistan in April next year, is to rehearse coordinated activity of the CSTO Unified HQ, staff bodies of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces, and other staff bodies while preparing joint stabilization efforts in Central Asia,` Zavgorodniy told Interfax-Military News Agency. The exercise will involve operations teams of general staffs from all CSTO member nations and units of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces stationed in Central Asia. `The plan of preparations for and conduction of the CPX in Tajikistan has been worked out and will be approved at today`s session of the CSTO Defense Ministers Council,` he said. The aircraft component of the Collective Rapid Deployment Forces stationed in Kyrgyzstan`s Kant, and units of the 4th Russian military base in Tajikistan will be involved in the CPX, too.
Intl Airbase In Kyrgyzstan Will Not Be Beefed Up
Interfax
Bishkek, November 25: The number of servicemen deployed at the international antiterrorist coalition airbase at the Manas international airport in Kyrgyzstan will not be increased, said the airbase commander, U.S. Air Force Col. Bradley Pray. New units of American servicemen to arrive at the airbase in January-February 2005 will replace those who have served in Kyrgyzstan over three months, and these servicemen will be settled in new barracks rather than in tents, Col. Pray told Interfax on Thursday. The airbase`s press service said $108 million should be spent on equipping and modernizing the airbase. Twenty barracks accommodating 2,000 people should be constructed by the end of next summer, it said. In addition, a medical unit, a gym, a recreation room, a passenger terminal, and a mess-hall are to be constructed on an area of 10 hectares. New buildings will be constructed of prefabricated elements to replace tents. It is planned to spend $40 million on this by the end of 2004. .
Demining Around Uzbek Enclaves Brings Hope To Impoverished Villagers
IRIN News
Osh, November 24: Demining of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border is bringing hope to parts of the local population, hope of a new life without fear, along with economic benefits that have been denied them since 1999, when the area was first mined. `It is good to walk on the ground without any fear,` Nishanbai, a resident of Suu-Bashi village in the southern Kyrgyz province of Batken, bordering Uzbekistan, told IRIN, explaining the feelings of the local inhabitants. `In fact, until now our people were afraid to make a step towards the border as they were scared of being blown up.` `At last, we will graze our cattle on meadows again; look how high the grass is, nobody has touched it, hay-making awaits us,` Aidarbai Kasymbaev, an elderly local resident, echoed. Aidarbai is also happy to have the opportunity to visit his relatives living in the village of Sharqabad in neighbouring Uzbekistan via the shortest route, rather than wasting time to circumvent the mine fields. `Most of all I am glad for our children,` Salima Ergesheva, a mother of four, said. `Now they can play and have fun as long as they like.`
Afghan Border Protection Handed Over To Tajik Border Guards
RIA Novosti
Dushanbe, November 24: Russian border guards have handed over to Tajik colleagues a 569-km section of the Tajik-Afghan border, said Alexander Kondratyev, the head of the press service of the Russian border group in Tajikistan. Today morning a rally and a ceremony of lowering the Russian Federation`s flag and hoisting the Tajik Republic`s flag took place in the Ishkashim border detachment. Russian border guards with families left for Khorog to be then further sent to a new place of service. Members of the joint Russian-Tajik commission departed too to hand over to the Tajik colleagues a 212-km section of the Khorog border detachment. After the Khorog section, Tajik border guards will be handed over the Kalaikhumb section of the Tajik-Afghan border the length of 100 km (73 km of this section was guarded by Tajik border guards from 1998). Overall, in November-December 2004, Russian border guards will hand over to Tajik border guards 881.6 km of the Tajik-Afghan border section in Gorny Badakhshan. This process is taking place in line with Agreement of October 16, 2004, between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Russian Federation on the procedure of handing over of Tajik-Afghan border. Overall, Russian border guards will hand over to Tajik colleagues 50 border checkpoints with all infrastructure necessary for service.
CIS Defence Ministers To Meet In Moscow To Discuss Cooperation
Itar-Tass
Moscow, November 24: The defence minister council of the CIS countries and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation will meet in Moscow on Thursday to discuss a draft agreement on setting up an inter-state company, Almaz Antei, on the base of the Russian concern of the same name. The concern produces air defence systems and non-strategic anti-missile systems. The ministers are also expected to approve a council work plan for 2005. The meeting will consider proposals on improvement of CIS military and working structures. On the agenda are a total of more than 20 issues, sources in the Collective Security Treaty Organisation secretariat and the Russian Defence Ministry told Itar-Tass. The ministers will also discuss a draft conception and a draft programme for military cooperation for the period until 2010 and cooperation in the area of radiation, chemical and biological defence. The meeting participants will focus their attention on issues related to practical activities and development of the organisation under the conditions of threats and challenges, first of all the international terrorism threat, the sources said. On the agenda is discussion of documents on further development and enhancing efficiency of the organization`s military part. Among the issues under discussion will be functioning of the collective rapid reaction forces, military personnel training and agreements on conditions for presence of the joint staff of the organisation in Russia. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov will chair the meeting of the CIS defence ministers, and Kazakh Defence Minister Mukhtar Altynbayev will chair the meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation. All the treaty countries will participate in the CSTO meeting, and all CIS countries, but Turkmenistan and Georgia, will participate in the CIS defence minister meeting.
Blackseafor To Rehearse Submarine Crew Rescue Efforts In April 2005
Interfax
Tbilisi, November 24: The Blackseafor naval force, comprised by ships of the six Black Sea nations, will practice submarine crew rescue efforts during the second stage of its activation, Captain Jimsher Rukhadze, spokesman for the Georgian Maritime Defense Forces, told Interfax-Military News Agency. `The decision to this effect was made at the planning conference of the Blackseafor member nations (Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine - Interfax-AVN) that ended on Wednesday,` Rukhadze said. He recalled that the first stage of the annual exercise focusing on joint actions in the sea took place in ports of Georgia, Russia and Ukraine in August this year.
Tajik-Afghan Border Handover Continues
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, November 22: Colonel Aleksandr Kondratev, spokesman for the Russia`s Federal Border Service in Tajikistan, has said that the transfer for the Ishkoshim section of the Tajik-Afghan border is complete, RFE/RL`s Tajik service reported on 22 November (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 2 November 2004). According to Asia Plus-Blitz, the 569-kilometer section includes six checkpoints, nine outposts, and one car crossing. Additionally, Russian border guards have begun transferring the 212-kilomter Khorog section of the Tajik-Afghan border to Tajik jurisdiction, Asia Plus-Blitz reported on 22 November. The transfer of the Khorog section will end with a ceremony and the lowering of the Russian flag on 1 December.
Peacekeepers To Place New Posts In South Ossetia
Interfax
Tbilisi, November 22: The Joint Peacekeeping Forces in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone will place new posts in the most vulnerable sectors on Tuesday, official of the forces` press service Erdni Natyrov told Interfax-Military News Agency. `In line with a decision of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces` Unified HQ, peacekeepers will place posts in the sector between the localities of Tamarasheni and Kekhvi and along the Bolshaya Liakhvi River between the localities of Kheiti and Kemerti on Tuesday,` Natyrov said by phone from Tskhinvali. The posts will be placed under the accords reached by South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity and Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania at a meeting in Sochi on November 5, as well as in line with decisions of the Joint Control Commission made in Vladikavkaz on November 19 and 20.
State Minister Speaks Of Three-Step Demilitarization Plan
Civil Georgia
Tbilisi, November 21: Georgian State Minister for Conflict Resolution Issues Goga Khaindrava said after talks in frames of Joint Control Commission (JCC) in Vladikavkaz on November 20, that the demilitarization of the South Ossetian conflict zone will be carried out in three stages. He said demilitarization should be launched by dismantling of the military fortifications in the conflict zone; withdrawal of the armored vehicles and heavy weaponry from the conflict zone should be the second step and eventually the process should grow into disarmament of the local population of the conflict zone, both Georgians and Ossetians.
Georgians Refute Reports On Moving Units Towards Abkhazia`s Border
Itar-Tass
Tbilisi, November 21: High-rank officials at the Georgian Defense Ministry and General Staff of the Armed Forces have dismissed claims by the authorities in the much-troubled region of Abkhazia that 700 servicemen have been moved to the border of the region. When Itar-Tass reached them for comments, they also turned down as untrue the assertions by a number of officials in Abkhazia that the Georgian Army was planning a large-scale exercise in the vicinity of the Georgian-Abkhazian border.
Uzbek Militant `behind Pakistan Attacks`
BBC
Islamabad, November 24: A Pakistani general has accused an Islamic militant leader from Uzbekistan of instigating attacks in Pakistan`s tribal region of Waziristan. The military commander in South Waziristan, Safdar Hussain, said three suspected militants from Central Asia had confessed under interrogation to having received orders from the leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Tahir Yuldash. The general accused Mr Yuldash of financing and masterminding what he called terrorist attacks in Pakistan. General Safdar also accused al-Qaeda of using children to carry out militant activities in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. He said most of those arrested in the area were teenagers.
Regional Security Services Ink Protocol On Fighting Terrorism
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 24: Seminar titled `Cooperation in fight against international terrorism and cross-border crimes and cooperation for public security` ended in Beijing on Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reported. Representatives of security services from Turkey, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan participated in the seminar. The forum ended with signing of a joint protocol to develop international cooperation in fighting against terrorism.
Pak Forces Capture Two Suspected Tajik Militants
Newscuts
Peshawar, November 24: Pakistani troops on Tuesday raided a suspected Islamic militant hide-out near Afghanistan, arresting two Tajiks, officials said. Four soldiers and two villagers were wounded in the shootout. The soldiers were sent to the hide-out near Razmak, a village in North Waziristan tribal region, following a tip from local people that foreign militants were hiding there, a security official said on condition of anonymity. He identified the suspected Tajik militants as Abdul Qahar, 26, and Hussain, 14, and said neither was regarded as an `important terrorist.` An associate fled and was being chased by troops and villagers. `They are in our custody, and we are questioning them to determine why they were in our tribal areas,` the official said. An army official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said the four soldiers and two villagers were wounded by a grenade thrown by the militant suspects. He said they were listed in stable condition at a hospital.
Tajik Parliament Ratifies Protocol On CIS Anti-terrorist Measures
Itar-Tass
Dushanbe, November 24: Madzhlisi namoyandagon, the lower house of Tajik parliament ratified Thursday a protocol on adopting regulations to organize and hold joint anti-terrorist measures in the CIS states of October 7, 2002. `Tajikistan cannot keep out of the fight with terrorism that can be conquered only by joint efforts,` Tajik Security Minister Khairiddin Abdurakhimov told deputies. It should not be forgotten that Tajikistan should fulfill its commitments for the UN and the CIS states and make its contribution in the common cause of the fight against terrorism that approved itself mostly in Russia and Uzbekistan. The Tajik parliament approved the law on border troops on Thursday. The law envisages Tajikistan`s sovereignty and the need to regulate the activity of border troops, chairman of the parliamentary committee for constitutional legitimacy, legislation and human rights Shavkat Ismoilov told Itar-Tass. Deputies also ratified the agreement between Tajikistan and the International Atomic Energy Agency on guarantees under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the agreement on establishing the Central Asian Cooperation Organisation that Russia joined in the middle of September this year.
General Prosecutor`s Office: Embassies` Bombers Identified
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 23: Suicide bombers, who targeted the Israeli and US embassies as well as General Prosecutor`s office building in Tashkent on 30 July, were citizens of neighboring Kazakhstan, General Prosecutor`s press service reported. A DNA examination of the bombers` remains identified them as Avaskhan Shayusupov, 38, and Mavlon Valiev, 28, residents of Taraz, Kazakhstan, and Dulat Iskakov, 32, resident of Atyrau, Kazakhstan. Shayusupov exploded himself in front of the General Prosecutor`s office, while Valiev and Iskakov targeted the embassies of Israel and the US, correspondingly.
Uzbekistan Requests Kazakhstan To Extradite Terror Act Suspect
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 22: General Prosecutor`s Office of Uzbekistan prepared documents necessary for extradition of Abbos Usmanov, born in 1980, RIA Novosti reported quoting press secretary of the Prosecutor`s Office Svetlana Artykova. According to Artykova, the documents will be sent to the Prosecutor`s Office of Kazakhstan with a request to hand over Abbos Usmanov `for participating in terrorist acts, committed in Uzbekistan this spring`.
Kyrgyz Police Seek Suspects In Osh Bomb Blast
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, November 22: Polot Tolonov, head of the Interior Ministry department in the city of Osh, told a news conference on 22 November that police are seeking five people in connection with an incident that left two people dead in Osh on the early morning of 20 November, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz service reported. According to Tolonov, the incident began when police stopped a car with four passengers. Later, one of the men fled, a policeman gave chase, and both were killed when the fleeing suspect set off an explosive device. The other three men escaped in the confusion. Police later cornered a suspect at the home of Hasanbai Sulaimanov, whose passport was found in the dead suspect`s pocket, but the blockaded suspect managed to escape after threatening police with a grenade. Police also conducted searches at a number of residences in connection with the case, confiscating ammunition and printed materials, akipress.org reported. Interior Ministry spokesman Busurmankulov said on 22 November that the explosion was not an act of terrorism, Kyrgyz television reported. Busurmankulov also said that the suspects` passports indicated that they were Kyrgyz citizens. However, `Vechernii Bishkek` cited `informed sources` on 22 November as saying that investigators are not ruling out the possibility that the suspects may have links to a terrorist group.
Suicide Bombers In Tashkent Attacks On July 30 Were Kazakhs
Interfax
Tashkent, November 22: The identities of the suicide bombers who killed themselves and four guards and wounded seven other people in the lobby of the Prosecutor General`s Office and outside the U.S. and Israeli embassies in Tashkent on July 30, 2004 were citizens of Kazakhstan, Svetlana Artykova, a spokesperson for the Prosecutor General`s Office, told Interfax on Monday. The three men have been identified as Avakhsan Shayupov, born in 1966, Dulat Iskakov, born in 1972, and Mavlon Valiyev, born in 1976, she said. The identification was made possible by the joint work of Uzbek and Kazakh law enforcement agencies using forensic DNA tests, Artykova said.
Blast Kills Two In Kyrgyz Town
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, November 20: A policeman and a fleeing suspect were killed on 20 November in Osh, Kyrgyzstan when the latter set off an explosive device, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service reported. The incident began when police stopped a car with four passengers and discovered a firearm. One of the passengers fled and, as a police officer chased him, detonated an explosive device, killing both. In the confusion, the other three passengers escaped. According to a Kyrgyz law-enforcement official, the fleeing suspect was a citizen of Uzbekistan who was wanted by Uzbek security services. Akipress.org reported on 22 November that six individuals are currently being sought in connection with the incident, one of whom is suspected of involvement in the bomb blasts that occurred in Tashkent in 1999.
ADB To Boost Trade Through Customs Modernisation In Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 25: Asian Development Bank (ADB) will help improve the regional trading environment and customs infrastructure in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, through a loan package approved today totalling US$22.75 million to further support customs reform, modernisation, and regional customs cooperation. The new project will reinforce customs, legal and institutional reforms supported by programme loans approved in December 2002 for the Regional Trade Facilitation and Customs Cooperation Programme (RTFCCP) in the two countries. The RTFCCP is promoting simplification and harmonisation of customs procedures among ADB developing member countries in the East and Central Asia Region as part of the broad Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) programme supported by major multilateral institutions. Since 1991, the two Central Asian republics, in their transition to private sector-led and market-oriented economies, have made significant progress in trade liberalisation and trade-related policy reforms, as evidenced by the Kyrgyz Republic`s accession to the World Trade Organisation in 1998 and Tajikistan`s preparations toward WTO membership.
Donors Approve €4.3m Grant Funding To CIS-7 Countries
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 24: Donor governments approved grant funding of €4.3 million for 10 EBRD-managed projects to improve prospects for economic development in the Bank`s seven poorest countries of operation. These seven `Early Transition Countries` (ETCs) are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan; all are part of the Commonwealth of Independent States. These are the first projects supported by the new multi-donor ETC Fund approved by the EBRD`s Board of Directors earlier this month. To launch the fund a total of €14.8 million has been pledged by Finland, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Taipei China and the United Kingdom. More donors are soon expected to join the Fund, with more commitments in the offing. Many individual governments and other donors also support the ETC initiative through `bilateral` funding channelled directly to specific ETC projects.
China Energy Ventures Corp. Invites Drilling Program Tenders For Its Atyrau And Liman-2 Blocks, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan News
Calgary, November 24: China Energy Ventures Corp. (OTCBB: CEVC) (the `Company`) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Vector Energy West LLP, has invited Public Tenders for the drilling of an 10 well program for the Company`s Atyrau and Liman-2 blocks, located on the north shore of the Caspian Sea in western Kazakhstan. These 10 wells are designed to exploit post-salt Jurassic structures at a depth of less than 1,200m. Structures have been identified through well log analysis and reprocessing of existing seismic data. Drilling of these wells is anticipated to commence in the first quarter of 2005, subject to the receipt of relevant government approvals. `We will start our exploitation of the Atyrau and Liman-2 blocks by drilling the lower-risk, shallow, post-salt prospects,` stated Mr. Matthew Heysel, Chairman & CEO of the Company.
Nelson Resources Ltd. Wins Auction For 50 Per Cent Stake In Kazakh Oilfield
Kazakhstan News
Toronto, November 24: Nelson Resources Ltd. said Wednesday it has won an auction for a 50 per cent stake in a Kazakh oilfield. The Canadian-based company said it submitted the highest bid for the stake in the Arman Field on the Caspian shoreline in an auction by the Kazakh state oil company Kazmunaigas. The bid is subject to pre-emption rights granted to the existing stakeholder, Shell Kazakhstan Development B.V. Shell must exercise its right by Dec. 24 Nelson said if Shell does not choose to exercise its right, Nelson will sign a definitive agreement with Kazmunaigas within 15 days of the announcement.
Chinese-owned Hydropower Project Put Into Operation In Georgia
Interfax
Shanghai, November 24: The 24-MW Khador GES hydropower project was put into commercial operation in the Pankisi Gorge of the Republic of Georgia on November 20, an official at the Sichuan Electric Power Import and Export Company, the contractor and major shareholder of the project, told Interfax. With an investment of about USD 30 mln, the Khadori hydropower project is China`s biggest investment in Georgia and the first overseas investment by the Sichuan Electric Power Import and Export Company, he noted. Asked about the future operation of the hydropower project, the official said that the Sichuan Electric Power Import and Export Company would run the hydropower station for 25 years as specified in the contract, with returns mainly from power generation at the hydropower station.
Nazarbayev Indifferent To Looming Water Crisis
Voice of Democracy
Astana, November 22: The more water drained from rivers like the Irtysh and Ili, which originate in mountainous areas of China`s Xinjiang province before flowing into Kazakhstan, are being increasingly drained to serve China`s needs, according to RFE/RL. `The new infrastructure and factories in Xinjiang consume a lot of water. The drinking water needs are increasing, too. If China continues to increase water consumption in the area, it will certainly affect the water resources on our side,` said Mels Eleusizov on the non-governmental Kazakh organization Tabigat (Nature). Yet President Nazarbayev failed to raise the issue during his visit to Xinjiang in September. Beijing`s aim is to attract Han Chinese to settle in the region; critics have said similar policies, such as in Tibet, are part of an attempt to dilute the power and influence of indigenous ethnic peoples. Australian scholar Ann McMillan, who has been researching water problems, said there are reports of the water table dropping in the region, which could lead to diversion of crucial fresh water flow to neighboring Kazakhstan, and that could have a serious impact on the economy there, particularly in the industrial, agricultural and fishing sectors. Yet `nobody is paying attention` to the problem, lamented Myrzageldy Kemel, a member of the Kazakh parliament`s Committee on the Protection of the Environment and Ecology.
Rusal Details Investment Plans In Tajikistan
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, November 22: Aleksandr Livshits, deputy director of Russian Aluminum (Rusal), announced on 22 November in Dushanbe that Rusal plans to invest $600 million to build an aluminum smelter in southern Tajikistan, Avesta reported. The smelter`s first line is slated for completion in 2010, and the second in 2013, with eventual annual production capacity of 200,000 tons of aluminum. Rusal will also invest $150 million to modernize the Tajik Aluminum Plant, raising its annual production capacity to 100,000 tons. Finally, Rusal will invest more than $550 million in the construction of the Rogun hydropower plant. A Tajik Energy Ministry official told Asia Plus-Blitz on 22 November that the construction of the Rogun hydropower plant will require a total of $1.3 billion.
Kyrgyzstan: First Regional Poverty Reduction Strategy Launched
IRIN News
Bishkek, November 22: The Osh regional governorate has launched the country`s first regional poverty reduction plan, with the aim of reducing poverty in the southern province by more than half by 2010. `We have managed to change people`s psychology of uncertainty and dependency. As a result, poor families have understood that if they do not actively participate in improving their well-being, we will not able to overcome poverty merely through assistance from the government and international organisations,` Naken Kasiev, governor of Osh province, told IRIN at the presentation of the new initiative in the capital, Bishkek, on Friday. The regional poverty reduction and development strategy has been developed under the initiative of Osh province governorate with the financial support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). With a population of around 1 million, Osh province is one of the largest and most populous provinces of the country, where some 5 million live. According to the UNDP, the poverty rate in the region is over 52 percent, exceeding the average national poverty rate of 44 percent. `We needed to develop this document, which would cover all aspects of the province`s development, thus linking them with the development of the country,` Kasiev said.
Lukoil To Launch Uzbekistan Gas Project Nov 24
Interfax
Tashkent, November 21: Lukoil will hold an official presentation on the launch of the Kandym-Kuauzak-Shady gas project in southwest Uzbekistan on November 24, a source at Uzbekneftegaz, Uzbekistan`s national oil and gas company, told Interfax.
800 Uzbeks Educated On Indian Technical And Economic Cooperation Programme
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 26: About 800 people from Uzbekistan underwent training within the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme since 1993, when the country joined the scheme. Currently 88 Uzbek citizens are on study in India under ITEC programme. ITEC courses cover information technologies, banking, finance, journalism, diplomacy, management, English, audit, small business, pharmaceutics and other spheres. Government of India spends US$250,000 to US$300,000 to support bilateral technical and economic cooperation annually. ITEC was launched in 1964 and included four basic directions: education on the basis of Indian enterprises and departments; implementation of projects on equipment delivery, preparation of feasibility studies, consultancy services; dispatching experts to foreign states; and familiarisation trips for high-level officials from India`s partner countries.
Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan Sign Draft To Cooperate On Energy Synchronization
Tehran Times
Tehran, November 26: Draft of synchronization document among Iran, Russia, and Republic of Azerbaijan was signed in Tehran on October 25 in the presence of electricity industry officials of the three countries, a report released by Mehr News Agency said on Tuesday. Massud Hojjat, acting Chairman of Iran`s TAVANIR Co., Dimitri Volkov Deputy of Northern Caucasus District Electricity Management of Russia, and Nur Ali Yusuf Beili, Deputy of Republic of Azerbaijan`s Dispatching Electricity Management signed the draft. Grounds would be paved for Iran`s connection to world`s energy market via joining the electricity networks of Russia and Republic of Azerbaijan, the report added. `Through this connection, the three countries could simultaneously use the other`s electricity networks when it is necessary`, Hojjat said.
Tajikistan, Russia Will Hold Business Forum In Tajikistan
RIA Novosti
Dushanbe, November 26: Issues related to mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation will be central at the Tajik-Russian business forum that will take place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on November 27, reports Tajikistan`s Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Businessmen from the two countries, members of the Russian State Duma, the lower house of parliament, vice-mayors, heads of some territorial and regional units of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, entrepreneurs` unions, chief executives of enterprises and major companies from 15 Russian regions will take part in the forum. The Russian 60-member delegation is being led by Boris Pastukhov, Senior Vice-President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Besides, on November 27-30, Dushanbe will be hosting the Russian National Exhibition and Fair that will feature agricultural produce processing equipment, solar batteries and wind power generators.
Central Asian Customs System To Improve
Kazakhstan News
Dushanbe, November 26: The Asian Development Bank has approved a $22.75 million loan to help Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan improve their customs system. Since both countries are highly dependent on international trade, development of an outward trading environment is an integral part of the transition strategies to grow as market economies, said ADB Senior Trade Economist Jeffrey Liang. Money from the Manila-based agency will be used to develop a standardized system to encourage an efficient flow of goods between the two nations and the wider world. The ADB said the loan will also be used to encourage private companies to become involved with updating the two nations` customs systems and bolster international trade in the region. About $7.5 million will be lent to Kyrgyzstan, while the remaining $10.7 million will go to Tajikistan, to be paid over a 32-year term at an interest rate of 1 percent, including an eight-year grace period.
Baku Says NATO Role In Karabakh Possible
Interfax
Baku, November 26: The Azerbaijani authorities said that NATO may play a role in settling the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. `NATO`s participation in resolving the conflict may become possible. In our opinion, using this organization`s resources would be helpful,` Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Araz Azimov told a workshop organized by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Baku on Friday.
Uzbek And French Business Circles Hold Talks In Tashkent
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 25: Uzbek and French business circles held a meeting to discuss possible cooperation on 25 November in Tashkent. The event was organised by Uzbek Commerce and Industry Chamber and the Agency for Foreign Economic Relations within the visit of the delegation of MEDEF International. MEDEF International is a movement of French businesses, which unites French companies and enterprises working worldwide. The delegation included representatives of 15 French businesses, operating in such sectors as banking, equipment production, transport and energy infrastructure, satellite communication, etc. The French representatives familiarised with investment climate, development of economic sectors, financial system, private entrepreneurship, healthcare and information technologies and privatisation processes in Uzbekistan.
President Of Uzbekistan Congratulates Yanukovich With Victory
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 25: President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov congratulated Victor Yanukovich with victory in the Ukrainian presidential elections. Expressing sincere congratulations to Yanukovich with election to the post of the president, Islam Karimov said he was deeply convinced that the acting Ukrainian prime minister`s activity on the high post would serve to further strengthening of the country`s independence and prosperity of its people.
Five CIS States Plan To Speed Up Container Railway Link With China
Itar-Tass
Minsk, November 25: The Council for transport policy of the EurasEC Integration committee, which unites Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Tajikistan and Russia, will meet in the Belarussian city of Brest Friday to consider a possibility of accelerating container railway shipments to China. The Belarussian Transport ministry told Tass the meeting will `discuss the possibility of accelerated passage of container trains` from the Chinese city of Urumqi to Brest, to Novosibirsk in Russia and to Moscow. Urumqi is located in the Xinjuang Uygur Province that borders on Kazakhstan, Kirghizia and Russia.
Presidents Of Kazahkstan, Armenia And Uzbekistan Congratulate Viktor Yanukovich
RIA Novosti
Kiev, November 25: President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev has congratulated Viktor Yanukovich with his victory in the Ukrainian presidential election, the Ukrainian government`s press service informed the Novosti-Ukraina agency. `I congratulate you with all my heart on your election to the highest post in Ukraine. Your victory stands for the nation`s choice of unity, democracy and economic progress,` the statement says. The Kazakh head of state was echoed by his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan, the press service reported. `I would like to congratulate you on this occasion. I hope Armenia and Ukraine will continue developing and enhancing the relations of friendship and mutual understanding for the good of our states and nations,` the greeting says. Uzbekistan`s President Islam Karimov followed suit. `It is my strong conviction that your occupying the highest post will secure Ukraine`s independence, enhance the country`s prestige on the world arena and provide for the welfare and prosperity of the people of Ukraine,` Karimov stated.
AIIahabad Bank, PNB Plan JV In Kazakhstan
The Economic Times
Kolkata, November 25: Allahabad Bank is exploring the possibility of entering into a joint venture with Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Kazakhstan as part of a strategy to get a toehold in the international market. In turn, PNB is likely to take an interest in Hong Kong, where All Bank is trying out an overseas branch for which it has already applied for necessary approvals from the Reserve Bank of India. Officials of both All Bank and PNB said this was just `loud thinking` and no decision has been taken by either. Banking circles, however, contend that this marks the way towards strong tie-ups in various aspects of banking business, in this case international banking operations. Riding on the success of most overseas branches of a number of public sector banks, Allahabad Bank is now aggressively vying for an international presence.
Engineering Companies Gold With Kazakhs
The Economic TimesKolkata, November 25: India`s engineering goods exporters seems to have discovered a pot of gold in Kazakhstan. In a relatively virgin market, the companies under the aegis of Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) have signed deals worth $1m during a four-day India trade fair held in Almaty recently. EEPC is hopeful that business volumes will soar to $25m by the end of the fiscal year. `India can provide technology to Kazakhstan for unlocking their vast reserve of natural resources. There is enormous potential for technology transfer and project exports. Sectors that have huge potential are auto parts, bicycle parts, sewing machines, capital goods, hand tools, printing, packaging tools, pumps and motors and electrical machinery,` EEPC`s chairman Rakesh Shah, said on Thursday. To tap the Kazakh business community, EEPC had organised its 10th Indiatech Exhibition in Almaty from September 3-6. As many as 65 Indian engineering companies had B2B meetings under the aegis of Union Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the department of trade and industry of Kazakhstan. However, the trade route still remains a grey area for Indian exporters.
Armenian Parliament Members Won`t Attend NATO Workshop In Baku
Interfax
Yerevan, November 25: Armenian parliament members will not attend a workshop organized by the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Baku, Mger Shakhbeldian, head of the parliamentary Defense, Security and Interior Commission, told reporters on Thursday. The three-day workshop on Security in the South Caucasus opened in Baku on November 25. Representatives of NATO member nations and their partners, including CIS member nations, are attending it.
Azerbaijan Seeks UN Help In Dispute With Armenia
Reuters
United Nations, November 24: Azerbaijan urged the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday to intervene in a long and bitter territorial dispute with neighboring Armenia over its breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region. But France, Russia and the United States, which have been trying to resolve the dispute on behalf of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, asked the assembly to stay on the sidelines and not interfere with their efforts. Talks `can only progress in an atmosphere of confidence between the parties. Anything in the direction of building confidence and of avoiding a division of the General Assembly is helpful,` said U.S. envoy Susan Moore, speaking on behalf of the OSCE initiative led by Paris, Moscow and Washington.
Kyrgyzstan Officially Requests Joining North-South Corridor
Tehran Times
Tehran, November 24: Kyrgyzstan has officially called for joining the international North-South transportation corridor, news reports said. `Kyrgyzstan`s official request for joining the corridor was received by the secretariat of the international North-South transportation corridor in Iran however, after reviewing the issue it will be forwarded to the member countries for further discussions and then the final decision will be officially announced`, added chairman of the Secretariat of the international North-South transportation corridor, Mohammad Javad Atrchian on Wednesday. The official also stated that Kyrgyzstan is the first central Asian country whose membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been accepted, joining the transportation corridor would pave the way for the access of the landlocked country to the open waters through Iran.
Baku Will Have To Face Stepanakert If Azeri Formula Passes In UN
ArC News
Yerevan, November 24: The permanent representative of Armenia to the UN Armen Martirosian informed Azg Daily that the OSCE Minsk group co-chairs Steven Mann (USA), Yuri Merzlyakov (Russia) and Henry Jackolin (France) arrived in New York yesterday evening to meet foreign minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mamediarov. It was not certain whether the Armenian foreign minister was to leave for New York or not. Martirosian said that there was no necessity of his presence. Ambassador Martirosian said that Azerbaijan did not put the issue of `condition of Azerbaijan`s conquered territories` to the vote, as the text they presented was not acceptable for many UN members including Islamic states. After Mamediarov`s speech Turkey`s representative addressed the Assembly. In his speech Armen Martirosian presented Armenia`s position and repulsed Azeri side`s condemnations. In fact, feeling that their formula will be voted down Azeri side avoided putting it to the vote. Martirosian thinks that there would have been less states backing Azerbaijan this time than there were while voting for including the issue in UN General Assembly agenda. At the press conference on November 23 foreign minister Vartan Oskanian stated that the future of Prague process on Nagorno Karabakh will thoroughly depend on whether UN General Assembly will accept Azeris` formula or not. `If the Azeri formula of the project is accepted then Prague process will turn futile`, Oskanian said adding that in that case Baku will have to sit around the negotiation table with legitimate authorities of Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
Bafq-Mashhad Railroad Boost Iran-Central Asia Ties
IRNA
Mashhad, November 24: Governor general of Razavi Khorasan Rasoul Hosseini said Wednesday the giant Bafq-Mashhad railway project which connects Bandar Abbas to Mashhad, would help boost economic relations with our neighbors and Central Asian countries. According to the Public Relations Department of the Governor General Office, Hosseini in a meeting with representatives of some foreign countries in Mashhad stressed the necessity of expanding bilateral ties in different economic, cultural, commercial and tourism sectors. Hosseini referred to the aims of the meeting as boosting the communications, providing the background for multilateral relations and facilitating the implementation of ambassadors` and cabinet ministers` strategies nationwide. General consul of Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan along with the United Nations Headquarters for Refugees representative in Mashhad attended the meeting.
Uzbekistan, Lukoil Ratify $1B Deal
Associated Press
Tashkent, November 24: Uzbekistan and Russian energy giant Lukoil ratified on Wednesday a 35-year deal to invest US$1 billion (euro760 million) in an Uzbek gas field. The production-sharing agreement on the Kandym-Hauzak-Shadi field in central Bukhara province was announced earlier this year. Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov, Uzbek national oil company Uzbekneftegaz head Abdusalom Azizov and Lukoil President Vagit Alekperov signed the ratifying document Wednesday in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent. Under the terms of the deal, Lukoil will own 90 percent of the new venture, with Uzbekneftegaz holding the remaining 10 percent.
Uzbekistan, South Korea Exchange Ratification Notes
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 23: Uzbekistan and South Korea exchanged ratification notes of agreements on extradition and legal assistance on criminal cases on Tuesday in Tashkent. The exchange protocols were signed by Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Sadyk Safayev and Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Uzbekistan Moon Haong. The agreements were signed on 12 February 2003.
Iran, Azerbaijan Stressed Ties In Fuel, Energy Sector
IRNA
Baku, November 23: Iranian ambassador to Republic of Azerbaijan in a meeting with Azerbaijan`s Fuel and Energy Minister Majid Karimov late Tuesday stressed the enhancement of bilateral ties in the energy sector. Referring to both countries` enormous capabilities in the oil, gas and electricity sector, Afshar Soleymani said providing facilities for producing solar power as well as the construction of other energy-rleated of power stations are parts of efforts to expand bilateral ties. Soleymani termed the stability in the region as an effective factor in the extension of relations and evaluated the bilateral cooperation in the energy sector in line with mutual economic interests. He further voiced Iran`s readiness to help Azerbaijan develop its energy sector. Azeri minister of fuel and energy pointed out Iran`s capability in the oil and gas industry, supporting the enhancement of ties between the two countries.
CIS And Chinese General Prosecutors To Meet In Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan News
Almaty, November 23: An international conference on functions of General Prosecutor`s offices in the current situation will be held in the Kazakhstani capital of Almaty starting today. 12 General Prosecutors representing CIS member countries and the People`s Republic of China will take part in the conference, the Kazakhstani General Prosecutor`s Office reported. A meeting of the Coordinating Council of General Prosecutors of the CIS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and will be held within the framework of this conference.
Tashkent Conference Discusses Stability In Central Asia
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 22: International conference on `Prevention of regional conflicts and maintenance of stability in Central Asia and Afghanistan` opened in Tashkent on 22 November. Royal Institute of International Relations (Great Britain), University of World Economy and Diplomacy and the Centre of Political Studies (Tashkent) organised the conference. `Central Asia, located between the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, China and Russia, was often in the heart of significant global developments,` Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Sadyk Safayev said speaking to conference participants. `This strategically important region was continuously considered the object of policy of great powers to reinstate their dominance in the region. In the past decade, Central Asian countries have again found themselves in the middle of the most important events,` Safayev emphasised. Experts of the US, Great Britain, Russia and a number of Central Asian countries, as well as representatives of NATO headquarters, SCO Regional Antiterrorism Structure and diplomatic missions accredited in Uzbekistan are participating in the two-day conference.
Turkmen Leader Thanks Uzbek President For Warm Welcome
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 22: President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov sent a letter to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, in which he expressed `sincere gratitude and appreciation for warm welcome shown to me and members of Turkmen delegation during our stay on the ancient land of Bukhara`. `I would like to note your special role in development and strengthening of Turkmen-Uzbek friendly relations. Our common will to raise bilateral relations to a completely new level, signing of three important documents contributed to strengthening of the atmosphere of friendship, trust and good-neighbourliness, and allowed to eliminate existing insignificant controversies,` President of Turkmenistan underlined.
GUUAM Trade Turnover Reaches $1 Billion
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, November 22: Trade between the five members of the GUUAM alignment (Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Moldova) grew by 24 percent over the first nine months of 2004 compared with the 2003, and now stands at $1 billion, Caucasus Press reported on 22 November, quoting Ukraine`s Deputy Economy Minister Andrei Berezniy.
Azerbaijan Seeking New UN Resolution On Nagorno-Karabakh
Interfax
Baku, November 22: Azerbaijan is seeking a fifth resolution on Nagorno-Karabakh to be passed by the United Nations, President Ilham Aliyev said on Monday. `We want a new resolution to be passed. The text for it is ready,` Aliyev told reporters in comments on a planned debate on the Nagorno- Karabakh issue at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. `We are trying to obtain support from a larger number of countries,` he said. He said the purpose of debates on the problem in the United Nations, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and other international organizations was `to bring to the international public the truth about Armenia and its aggressive policy.` `We want the world public to know this problem and take part in trying to solve it,` he said. He dismissed claims by the Armenian government that, if the United Nations intervenes in the conflict, Armenia will be left out of the negotiation process and Azerbaijan will be forced to hold talks with Nagorno-Karabakh instead.
UN High Commissioner For Refugees Visit Armenia
Radio Free Europe
Yerevan, November 22: Ruud Lubbers met in Yerevan on 22 November with Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Markarian and Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian to discuss the plight of the Armenians who fled Azerbaijan in the late 1980s during the initial stage of the Karabakh conflict, RFE/RL`s Armenian Service reported. Some of those estimated 300,000 refugees have since left Armenia for Russia or other former Soviet republics; those who remain still live in poverty, and 3,000 of them are still accommodated in temporary housing.
IKRC Humanitarian Aid Arrives In Azerbaijan Republic
IRNA
Baku, November 22: A new convoy of Imam Khomeini Relief Committee humanitarian aids arrived on Monday to Baku, capital of Azerbaijan Republic. According to IKRC representative in Baku, the convoy included food stuffs, stationery and appliances for Azerbaijan Republic. The convoy included 35 tons of spaghetti, 4 tons of tea, 12 tons of cooking oil, 50 refrigerators, 150 gas heaters, 50 carpets, 10 computers, 200 chairs, 50 desks, 500 blankets, one thousand square eters of floor mats and 100 dining sets. The aids would be distributed among Azeri war refugees, disables, indigent families and war victims. Also 75,000 notebooks, 150,000 pencils and other stationery would be distributed among students and pupils.
Georgia Seeks End to Clashes With Russia
Associated Press
Washington DC, November 22: Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili offered on Monday to patch up differences with Russia. 'Nobody wants to alienate Russia,' he said. But Saakashvili seemed doubtful that relations could be improved. 'We had initial progress with Russia, we were very hopeful in the beginning, but our relations got into some problems,' he said in a telephone news conference with reporters and private analysts. On Saturday, Saakashvili, who took office last January and has won praise from President Bush, announced he would step up security for Georgia's power supply, after a lawmaker claimed that Russian military intelligence agents were planning to sabotage the nation's fragile system. 'Russia is going through a difficult process, including problems with terrorism,' the president said Monday. Renewing an offer for joint patrols on the border between the two countries and joint programs to counter terror, Saakashvili said, 'We are very open for cooperation. We hope that while they look more carefully at our region they will see there is a mutual interest in securing the borders and in stability.' At the same time, Saakashvili criticized Russian officials for their reported involvement in elections in the breakaway Georgian province of Abkhazia.
ADB Begins Work On Customs-free Corridor
Kabar Agency
Bishkek, November 21: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has begun work on the proposed Customs Free Corridor (CFC) plan to promote regional trade between six Asian countries, Daily Times reported. A senior government official privy to the development said the bank had set up a working group comprising customs, communications and trade officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to materialise the project. He said the ADB had organised the first meeting of the working group in Bangkok a few days before Eid where officials of these countries discussed the pros and cons of the new scheme. The official said during the first meeting of the working group representatives of six nations discussed the idea of one customs regime for trade among Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The group also discussed the establishment of a focal office or focal secretariat for proper and regular coordination between the countries to aid the materialisation of the proposed Customs Free Corridor scheme.
Uzbek, Turkmen Presidents Sign Cooperation Treaty
Interfax
Tashkent, November 21: The presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, Islam Karimov and Saparmurat Niyazov, have signed a treaty of friendship, cooperation and confidence-building measures. The signing ceremony took place following talks between the two countries` delegations in Bukhara on Friday. In addition to the treaty, two intergovernmental agreements introducing simplified travel regulations for citizens living in border areas and people working at enterprises along the border. Among other issues, the agenda for the negotiations included prospects for Uzbek-Turkmen cooperation, regional security, the fight against international terrorism, and the situation in Central Asia and Afghanistan, the presidents told a news conference. Karimov also presented Niyazov with a car produced by the UZ-Daewoo joint venture. Commenting on trade and business ties between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, Karimov said representatives of the two nations will hold trade talks within the next two months. `We want Uzbek products to be sold in Turkmenistan and Turkmen goods to be available on the Uzbek market,` he said.
Gazprom, Tajikistan Discussing New Gas JV
Interfax
Dushanbe, November 21: Russian gas giant Gazprom and Tajikistan`s state unitary enterprise Tajikgaz are considering setting up a joint venture for natural gas prospecting and production in Tajikistan, the country`s Deputy Energy Minister Emomiddin Aslov told Interfax. Dushanbe hosted a meeting on Thursday between the country`s Energy Ministry, Tajikgaz and Gazprom (represented by a delegation headed by Deputy CEO Alexander Ryazanov), Aslov said. Negotiations have continued for more than a year on creating a joint venture to operate at southern Tajik deposits with aggregate gas reserves of 200 billion cubic meters (bcm) . Those at the meeting also discussed the progress of implementing a 25-year Tajik-Russian agreement on strategic gas cooperation.
Iran, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan Ink Agreement On Rail Transport
IRNA
Tehran, November 20: The caretaker of the Ministry of Roads and Transportation said here Saturday that two billion dollars are needed to complete rail and road lines connecting Iran and Afghanistan. Ahmad Sadeq Bonab made the remarks at a tripartite meeting of transportation officials of Iran, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. Implementation of these projects would enhance the economic development of Iran by expanding activities in the North-South freight transportation corridor, he said. He added that to date several prominent transportation projects have been inaugurated alongside the project to develop the North-South corridor. `Effective measures have been undertaken for implementing the transportation agreements signed between the presidents of Iran, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan,` he said. Bonab added that construction operations on the 122-km Dogharoun-Herat highway have been completed and the highway is to be inaugurated in the near future. He also pointed to the newly constructed Milak bridge -- also called the Silk bridge -- as an example of a project successfully undertaken by the two countries.
Moscow Mayor Meets With Tajik President
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, November 20: Moscow Mayor Yurii Luzhkov met with Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov in Dushanbe on 20 November, RIA-Novosti reported. Their discussion focused on cultural and economic ties between the two countries` capital cities. Luzhkov said the city of Moscow will help to train teachers of Russian from Tajikistan and provide Russian textbooks for Tajik schools. On the economic front, Luzhkov said that Tajikistan`s construction sector will receive more investment from Moscow and that an agreement has been reached for Moscow to supply a large shipment of trolleybuses to Dushanbe.
Problems Of Obtaining Evidence Under Torture Discussed
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 26: Scientific-practical conference on inadmissibility of illegally obtained evidence was held at Supreme Court of Uzbekistan, UzA reported. The conference was organised in cooperation with Tashkent State Law Institute in accordance with the action plan approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on implementing obligations under the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Representatives of the Supreme Court, General Prosecutor`s Office and Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as scientists took part in the conference. According to the Constitution of Uzbekistan, anyone charged with a crime is innocent until he or she is proven guilty of committing the crime in the court. Accused persons cannot be tortured, abused or treated in any other cruel, inhumane or degrading way. These principles are also reflected in the Criminal-Procedural Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The evidence should be gathered in compliance with the established order, the conference participants said.
Kyrgyz Opposition Rallies Over Missing Activist
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, November 23: Members of Kyrgyzstan`s People`s Patriotic Movement and relatives and supporters of Tursunbek Akun held a rally in front of government offices in Bishkek on 23 November to draw attention to his disappearance, akipress.org reported. The demonstrators submitted a petition to President Askar Akaev asking him to clarify the situation and take appropriate measures to find Akun. Opposition political figures and legislators also joined the demonstration. Bolot Djanuzakov, deputy head of the presidential administration, said that a criminal case has been opened and search efforts are under way, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service reported on 23 November.
Kyrgyz Interior Ministry Denies Role In Rights Activists` Disappearance
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, November 22: Interior Ministry spokesman Joldoshbek Busurmankulov told a news conference in Bishkek on 22 November that none of Kyrgyzstan`s law-enforcement or other government agencies had any hand in the disappearance of rights activist Tursunbek Akun, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service reported. Akun had been planning a demonstration calling for an early end to President Askar Akaev`s term in office; Busurmankulov said that it would only have given him `additional political capital` to detain him, Kabar news agency reported. Meanwhile, Akun`s relatives and supporters are planning to hold a demonstration in front of government offices on 23 November, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service reported.
Observance Of Human Rights By Law Enforcers Considered
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 21: Interdepartmental working group for monitoring observance of human rights by law-enforcement bodies held a session at the Justice Ministry of Uzbekistan, Narodnoye Slovo reported. The session discussed issues of execution of the government-approved Plan of measures to implement the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The session participants highlighted the importance of the recently adopted Supreme Court resolution `On issues of implementation of norms of criminal-procedural law on acceptability of evidences`, which state that evidences received with violation of the legislation were unacceptable and therefore had no legal power. It was noted that the Ministry of Internal Affairs, using international experience and technical assistance of donor states, was carrying out a number of measures aimed at improvement of professional preparation of employees of law-enforcement organs in terms of treatment of the detained, suspected, accused and sentenced persons. In particular, the ministry with the UNDP assistance published a collection of international legal documents related to the activity of law-enforcement agencies.
Kyrgyz Election Observer Disappears Ahead Of Ukrainian Poll
Agence France-Presse
Tashkent, November 20: A prominent Kyrgyz democracy campaigner has gone missing days before he was due to leave the Central Asian republic to monitor Ukraine`s presidential election, Human Rights Watch says. Tursunbek Akunov, head of the Human Rights Movement of Kyrgyzstan, disappeared after leaving his home in Bishkek for a meeting with the Kyrgyz National Security Service (ex-KGB), Rachel Denber, the HRW`s Europe and Central Asia director, said in a statement. Akunov, who told his wife that he had been summoned to the security service, has not been seen since November 16, the day before he was to leave for Kiev to monitor Sunday`s runoff presidential vote in Ukraine. `We fear for his safety and that he may be in government custody,` the statement said. The National Security Service has denied any connection to Akunov`s disappearance, the statement said.
China-Kazakh Atom Deal
Voice of Democracy
Astana, November 22: Nuclear ties between Kazakhstan and China continue to grow with the two countries signing an agreement last week for producing and processing uranium. Financial and other details of the 16-year deal signed in Beijing between KazAtomProm and China`s National Nuclear Corporation were kept secret, Associated Press reported. The two neighbors also signed a separate strategic partnership agreement intended to `unite the strongest links in the two countries` nuclear energy industries,` KazAtomProm announced. Kazakhstan has 30 per cent of the world`s uranium reserves and is the world`s fourth biggest uranium producer.
Radioactive Source Found In Southern Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan News
Almaty, November 21: A radioactive source has been discovered at a vegetable storage facility in the town of Saryagash in the South-Kazakhstan region. Local residents found a metallic container radiating 38-40 micro- roentgen per hour on Friday evening, the Kazakh Emergency Situations Ministry told Interfax on Saturday. `The site where the container was found has been cordoned off by the police,` the Emergency Situations Ministry said. The rescue services are exploring ways to safely dispose of the radiation source.
U.S. Team Visits Tajikistan Over `radiological Security`
Interfax
Dushanbe, November 20: A U.S. Energy Department delegation has visited Tajikistan `to tour a completed two-year project designed to enhance radiological security at the country`s nuclear waste repository` and has signed contracts to begin two new radiological security projects, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe said on Friday. The delegation `arrived in Tajikistan on November 14 for a four-day visit to collaborate with Tajik colleagues from the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Office at the Academy of Sciences,` the embassy said in a website release. `Their goal: to improve radiological security. This program - one component of the cooperative effort between the Government of Tajikistan and the United States Department of Energy - is part of the Global Threat Reduction Initiative recently announced by U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. The initiative`s aim is to prevent terrorists from acquiring or using nuclear and radiological materials,` the release said.
Drug Mafia`s Money May Be Involved In Kyrgyz Parliamentary Elections
Interfax
Bishkek, November 26: Money originating from the illicit drug business may be used for financing Kyrgyz parliamentary elections next year, said Kyrgyz drug control chief Kurbanbek Kubatbekov. `Individual candidates may make use of the money provided by drug dealers,` Kubatbekov told Interfax. `Unfortunately, Kyrgyzstan has no court or investigative practice in combating money-laundering related to illicit drug business. And our criminal code has no provisions allowing law enforcers to bring those involved in drug-related money laundering to account,` he told Interfax. `A bill on fighting money-laundering has been submitted to the parliament and we hope the deputies will adopt it and help create a real mechanism for combating this evil,` he said. `The anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan has not helped curb illicit drug trade. In the first ten months of 2004, Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies have seized two times more Afghan-made heroin and opium than last year.
CIS States Discuss Fight Against Drug Trade In Astana
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 25: International conference entitled `Exchange of information, experience and methods of fight against drug trade on the territory of CIS member countries` was held in Astana on Thursday. The forum participants discussed problems of drug traffic, issues of timely exchange of information and creation of the regional data bank, interaction in locating illegal laboratories ofr drug production, fighting transit and sale of synthetic drug substances. According to deputy head of Economic Security Department of the Kazakh National Security Committee Akhat Mukashev, quoted by Kazinform, the state cannot fight drug trade alone.
Over 620 Kg Of Drugs Seized In Tajikistan For A Week - Govt
Interfax
Dushanbe, November 24: More than 620 kilograms of drugs was seized during an international anti-drug traffic operation in Tajikistan on November 16-22, the head of the Tajik Drug Control Agency, Avaz Yuldashev, said on Wednesday. Yuldashev told Interfax that 6,776 kilograms of drugs, including 4,460 kilograms of heroin, had been confiscated in Tajikistan since the start of 2004.
Astana Suggests Setting Up Checkpoints To Block Drug Traffic
Interfax
Astana, November 24: Astana has proposed setting up special international checkpoints to block known drug trafficking routes from Afghanistan in the CIS. `We believe it would be appropriate for all countries concerned to take part in developing a project to set up special outposts on the main channels and routes of drug transit, which would be technically equipped and manned with specially trained operatives,` said deputy chief of the Kazakh Interior Ministry`s drug control committee Galym Mustafin. Such outposts should be `international and mobile. The same posts could be set up in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia,` Mustafin said at a conference in Astana on Thursday.
Former Tajik Interior Minister Goes On Trial
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, November 22: The trial of former Interior Minister Yoqub Salimov began in Tajikistan`s Supreme Court on 23 November, Avesta reported. Salimov faces charges of treason and attempting to initiate a coup. The trial is closed because prosecutors say the case materials include state secrets. Salimov was an influential field commander for the Popular Front during the 1992-97 civil war and a former close ally of President Imomali Rakhmonov. He fled the country in 1997 and was extradited from Russia in February.
Investigation Of Former Tajik Drug Agency Chief Extended
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, November 22: The investigation of Ghaffor Mirzoev, former head of Tajikistan`s Drug Control Agency and the country`s National Guard, has been extended until 20 February 2005, Abduqayum Yusupov, Mirzoev`s lawyer, told Asia Plus-Blitz on 22 November. According to Yusupov, the Prosecutor-General`s Office says that it needs the additional time because of the case`s complexity and the large number of witnesses. For his part, Yusupov plans to file suit in order to gain a one-on-one meeting with his client.
Kazakhstan Switches To IAS In 2005
Kazakhstan News
Astana, November 22: Kazakhstan will switch to International Accounting Standards (IAS) starting January 1, 2005, the Deputy Director of the Department of Accounting and Audit Methodology of the Kazakhstani Finance Ministry, Zhamilya Aitzhanova announced at an international press conference on political issues related to switching to IAS, which took place in Almaty. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Kazakhstani Chamber of Professional Bookkeepers and Auditors, the BIKO publishing house and the Epicor Scala company were the organizers of the conference.
Special Focus
China`s Mounting Influence On Central Asia: The Battle For Oil
China is making inroads into Central Asia as its need for energy imports keeps climbing. Spurred by an economy that grew by nearly 10 percent in the first half of the year, China has been seeking new oil sources in the region and around the world. China`s oil imports have already soared by 34 percent this year.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/business/articles/pp112004.shtml
Georgia`s Rose Revolution: Momentum And Consolidation
Georgia`s Rose Revolution has succeeded in making positive changes in the country`s economic and political direction, said panelists at a recent roundtable, convened to evaluate developments in Tbilisi over the past year. But, the panelists indicated, consolidating the gains already made will provide fresh challenges. President Mikheil Saakashvili`s administration must concentrate on strengthening institutions, rather that relying on the force of individual will, some suggested.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav112204a.shtml
The Dragon In Central Asia - Part I: The Hunt For Friends, And Oil
Despite its geographic proximity, China for the past century played only a marginal role in Central Asia. Economically, politically and culturally, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan were firmly in Russia`s orbit. But independence in 1991 brought changes, among them the opening of the `Bamboo Curtain` to the East. Initially, it was shuttle traders bringing consumer goods from China who began to fan out across Central Asia. Then came big business and senior politicians. In just over a decade, China - with its booming economy and growing political clout - has become a major player in the region.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/FK23Ad03.html
The Dragon In Central Asia - Part II: Fighting Thirst, And Militants
Since China`s annexation of the Xinjiang-Uighur autonomous region in 1950, Beijing has pursued policies that have put considerable pressure on the local environment. This western region, which borders Central Asia, is home to China`s main nuclear testing site. Pollution does not respect political boundaries, which is why the impact of the 42 reported tests at Lop Nor worries Central Asians, as does the planned construction of oil and gas pipelines linking Xinjiang to Central Asia. But the most immediate concern is water. China`s `go west` policy aimed at further developing its northwestern province requires ever-growing amounts of water.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/FK24Ad02.html
Row Over Electoral Reform Splitting Armenian Coalition
An increasingly bitter dispute over election rules for future parliamentary elections could cause a split within Armenia`s governing coalition. The Republican Party (HHK) of Prime Minister Andranik Markarian is at loggerheads with its two subordinate coalition partners, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and the Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) party.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav112304.shtml
Central Asia: China`s Mounting Influence
Chinese pop music blares from loudspeakers, mixing with the cries of Chinese traders at a busy local market. Welcome to China? No, in fact, we are in Kazakhstan`s commercial capital, Almaty, at the Ya-Lian bazaar.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp112304.shtml
The beauty in ugly elections
Kazakhstan deserved the criticism it received from Western election monitors. But it also earned kudos that have been withheld. Kazakhstan`s elections mark a big step forward. Even an ugly election can be beautiful if it advances democracy - an important lesson for countries like Afghanistan and Iraq
To read more, click on the link: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_24-11-2004_pg3_7
China`s Mounting Influence: Xinjiang`s Thirst Threatens Kazakh Water Resources
Xinjiang`s growing thirst for water is raising fears of a major catastrophe in Kazakhstan. Mels Eleusizov heads the Kazakh nongovernmental organization Tabigat (Nature). He said the Irtysh and Ili rivers, which both originate in mountainous areas of Xinjiang before crossing into Kazakhstan, are being increasingly drained to serve China`s needs.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp112404.shtml
Central Asia: China`s Mounting Influence: Facing Militant Threats
`There was an explosion. Are you a journalist?` `Yes,` he said. `One man blew himself up over there.` `Did you see it?` asked the journalist. `When I came he had already blown himself up. I came five or 10 minutes after the explosion,` said the man. `Did people die?` `One person died,` he answered. That was the scene outside the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent in July, on the day suicide bombers attacked it, the Israeli Embassy, and the state prosecutor`s office. Uzbek authorities blamed radical Islamist groups for the blasts, which killed seven people, as well as for an earlier wave of violence in March that left nearly 50 people dead. They presented the violence as part of global terrorism, saying the attackers may have had links with Al-Qaeda.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp112604.shtml
Report dated 26 November 2004