OSCE Observers Receive Accreditation For Uzbek Elections
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 3: OSCE`s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) observation mission received accreditation to observe Uzbek parliamentary elections. OSCE/ODIHR mission led by Ambassador Lubomir Kopaj from Slovakia met deputy chairman of Uzbek Central Election Commission Sayyora Khodjaeva, who informed the OSCE officials about the preparation to elections. Kopaj said: `We arrived in Uzbekistan as friends. The OSCE evaluates intention of Uzbekistan to improve election legislation and notes the latest democratic changes.` He said nine observers had arrived in Uzbekistan and another group will arrive on 7 December, which will work in six large cities of Uzbekistan. `I want to underline that the aim of mission is to form recommendations, not demands. We will try to approach our observation work as much unbiased as possible,` he said. This is the second time the OSCE/ODIHR will observe elections in Uzbekistan.
16th Session Of Oliy Majlis Starts In Tashkent
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 2: 16th session of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan of second convocation started in the Uzbek capital city of Tashkent today. MPs will consider over 10 issues, including implementation of state budget in 2004 and parameters of budget for next year. This is last session of parliament before the country gets the two-chamber parliament. Elections to new parliament scheduled for 26 December. All five parties of Uzbekistan will participate in elections. Over 517 candidates registered by the Central Election Committee.
All Regions To Have Representatives In Senate
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 2: 14 administrative regions of Uzbekistan will have 1 seat each in the newly created Senate. 12 regions, Republic of Karakalpakstan and Tashkent city will have 1 seat each and the president will directly appoint 2 more people. The list of candidates to Senate was not developed yet. The Legislative (lower) Chamber of the Oliy Majlis will have 120 seats and Senate (upper chamber) 16 seats. Elections to lower chamber are scheduled for 26 December. More than 517 candidates registered to participate in the elections. The upper chamber of the parliament will approve senior Uzbek officials, including Prime Minister, chairman of the National Security Service and General Prosecutor. The senators will appoint ambassadors of Uzbekistan to foreign countries. The president will nominate the candidates to the posts.
OSCE/ODIHR Launches Election Observation Mission To Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 2: The OSCE`s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) has deployed a limited election observation mission for the parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan on 26 December 2004. Ambassador Lubomir Kopaj from Slovakia will head the mission, which will include 21 election experts and long-term observers. This is the second time the OSCE/ODIHR will observe elections in Uzbekistan. The mission includes nine international staff based at the Tashkent head office and 12 long-term observers deployed in the regions. No systematic observation with short-term observers on election day is planned. The mission will assess the election in terms of its compliance with OSCE commitments and international standards for democratic elections and national legislation.
Kazakh Banks Pledge Not To Finance Political Parties
Interfax
Astana, December 2: Major Kazakh banks have promised to President Nursultan Nazarbayev that they will not finance political parties or take part in their activity, says a statement signed by the chairman of the Association of Kazakh Financiers and the heads of 7 largest commercial banks - ATF, TuranAlem, TsentrKredit, Yevraziisky, Kazkommertsbank, Narodny, and Nurbank. `We hold that financing political parties or taking part in their activity is inadmissible for banks. We will pursue this line in practice to maintain socio-political stability,` says the statement carried by official media.
16th Session Of Oliy Majlis To Convene On 2 December
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 1: Deputies of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan of second convocation will gather for their last 16th session on 2 December before the country gets the two-chamber parliament. The following issues will be considered by the deputies at the 16th session: 1. Expected execution of the state budget for 2004. 2. Draft state budget of Uzbekistan for 2005. 3. Bill `On saving pension provision of citizens`. 4. Bill `On status of deputy of Legislative chamber and member of Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan` (second reading). 5. Bill `On status of deputy of regional, district and city people`s deputies council` (second reading). 6. Bill `On recalling deputiy of local people`s deputies` council, deputy of Legislative chamber and member of Senate of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan` (second reading). 7. Bill `On protected nature territories`. 8. Bill `On Trade and Industrial Chamber of the Republic of Uzbekistan`. 9. On introducing changes and addenda to separate legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 10. On ratification of international agreements and treaties. The deputies will also consider other issues within their competence.
Tajik Observers To Monitor Elections In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 1: Observers from Tajikistan will monitor the parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan, scheduled for 26 December, RIA Novosti reported. The mission of Tajikistan will consist of three representatives of the country`s Central Election Commission and four deputies of the lower chamber of parliament. The CIS observers mission started work in Uzbekistan on 29 November.
CEC, CIS Heads Discuss Uzbek Parliamentary Elections
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 30: Chairman of Central Election Committee Buritosh Mustafaev received chairman of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth of Independence States Vladimir Rushaylo on Tuesday. The sides discussed issues on preparation to parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan, scheduled for 26 December, Yoshlar Radio reported. The report added over 20 specialists of the CIS Executive Committee started work at Uzbekistan Bank Association to observe elections. It added that the number of observers will increase to 75 during election period.
CIS Executive Secretary Details Plans For Uzbek Elections
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, November 30: Vladimir Rushailo, chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, held a news conference in Tashkent on 30 November to discuss the CIS observer mission to Uzbekistan`s 26 December parliamentary elections, RFE/RL`s Uzbek Service reported. Rushailo told journalists that the CIS observer mission has received its accreditation from the Interior Ministry. The exact size of the mission has yet to be determined, but it will consist of around 70 observers. Rushailo promised that the mission will focus on principles, not election results, in its assessment; he also said that issues such as unregistered parties need to be viewed in the context of domestic legislation.
Kyrgyz Opposition Starts Impeachment Drive
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, November 29: A coalition of nine Kyrgyz opposition parties and various NGOs began collecting signatures on 29 November in support of the impeachment of President Askar Akaev, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service reported. The impeachment drive was launched after opposition members warned that they would start to collect signatures unless the authorities found missing rights activist Tursunbek Akun, who has not been seen since 16 November.
Project Works On Deepening Democratic Reforms In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 28: The session of the steering committee of the project `Further intensification of democratic reforms in Uzbekistan` was held on 26 November in Tashkent. The project is being implemented by the European Commission in the country`s parliament in the framework of the EuropAid Programme, Narodnoye Slovo reported. Head of the EuropAid`s Central Asia and Caucasus Projects Department Silva-Rodriguez, representatives of the European consortium implementing the project, as well as beneficiaries and project partners took part in the session. The session participants discussed the main directions of joint work to be done in Oliy Majlis in the conditions of bicameral parliament. They also considered the methodology of functioning of European parliamentary systems. They also exchanged ideas concerning new approaches to assistance to legislative process in the country.
Syrdarya Region`s First Deputy Governor Appointed
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 28: Syrdarya region People`s Deputies Council elected new first deputy governor of the region, an Uzbek TV`s news programme reported. Akhborot said, at the extraordinary session, the MPs appointed Oybek Ashurmetov as the first deputy governor of the region. Ashurmetov worked as governor of Zomin district of Jizzakh region. Ravshan Khaydarov was relieved of his duties as governor 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.
Foreign Media, Politicians Comment On Upcoming Uzbek Elections
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 27: Foreign mass media, politicians, scientists and others commented on the upcoming parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan to Jahon news agency. The first elections to the bicameral parliament will be held on 26 December. An article in the Athens Press called `Elections approaching` spoke about the parliament of Uzbekistan and its history. It said transition to two-chamber parliament, approved by national referendum, would signify a new stage of development of democracy, social progress and further dialogue between the state and civil society. Yasuo Nakauchi, who represents the upper chamber of the Japanese parliament, said: `Transition to bicameral parliament will become an important democratic step of Uzbekistan. As a result, the debates on social development will start, parliamentary control over the government will strengthen and the activity of political parties will intensify. Secretary of the All-Indian Congress Dalbira Singh said the forthcoming elections were a historic event.
Russian Border Guards In Tajikistan Outline Their Tasks For 2005
RIA Novosti
Dushanbe, December 3: The Russian border troops in Tajikistan have summed up the activities of their operative service and the handover of the Pamir sector of the Tajik-Afghan border under the control of Tajikistan`s state border guard committee, Colonel Alexander Kondratyev, spokesman for the border department of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in Tajikistan told RIA Novosti on Friday. According to him, since the beginning of 2004 Russian border guards detained 286 trespassers and seized 3,758 kg of drugs (including 2,400 kg of heroin) on the Tajik-Afghan border, two border guards were killed and two wounded as a result of 21 battles with trespassers. Key tasks for 2005 were outlined: organized handover to Tajikistan`s border troops of the Tajik-Afghan sectors guarded by the Moscow and Pyandzh border units and the reform of the Russian border service in Tajikistan into an operative border unit of the Russian Federal Security Service in this country.
Tbilisi Protests Military Exercises In S. Ossetia
Interfax
Tbilisi, December 2: Russian peacekeepers have breached accords by letting `armed units` hold exercises in South Ossetia, Georgian Minister for Separatist Conflicts Giorgi Khaindrava said on Thursday. `Exercises by armed units of the separatist authorities in the Java district of South Ossetia contradict the recent Sochi agreements on stabilization in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone. First of all, we demand an answer from Russia, which is a party to the Sochi agreements and the main intermediary in the conflict settlement,` he said. `In conformity with legal documents on the conflict settlement, the Joint Peacekeeping Force should not have allowed military exercises by separatists in the Java district,` Khaindrava said.
Georgia Starts Preparations For NATO Exercise
Interfax
Tbilisi, December 2: Seven officers of the U.S. European Command left for the Georgian region of Ajaria on Thursday to discuss details of the upcoming Rescuer/Medceur command post and military medical exercise with local administrations. The military medical part of the NATO-sponsored exercise scheduled for September 2005 will take place in the Ajarian autonomous republic, `and it is time to determine the facilities that will be involved in it,` Omar Begoidze, chief of the Partnership for Peace coordination headquarters in the Georgian General Staff, told Interfax-Military News Agency. Tbilisi will host the planning conference of the exercise from December 6 to 9, he said. In addition to Ajaria, the exercise will be hosted by the locality of Vaziani not far from Tbilisi. Georgia hosted previous exercises of this type in 2000 and 2003. The conference will involve 73 officers representing the U.S., Georgia, Albania, Armenia, Moldova, Latvia, Germany, Ukraine, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria and Macedonia, Begoidze said.
Uzbek-Russian Agreement On Use Of Air Forces Comes Into Force
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 30: Agreement on joint use of aircraft defence forces and air forces of Uzbekistan and Russia to maintain security came into force. Uzbek and Russian officials exchanged notes on ratification of the agreement on 30 November in Tashkent. Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Sadyk Safaev and Ambassador of Russia to Tashkent Farit Muhametshin signed the notes. The agreement was signed in Moscow on 19 October 2001. It will help ensure the safety of Russia`s air space in the Central Asian direction, as well as will give a boost to Russian-Uzbek military ties. The agreement also establishes the procedure of a joint use of air defense means and air forces of the two states.
CIS Air Defense System To Have Drills In Russia, Kazakhstan In 2005
Itar-Tass
Moscow, November 30: The CIS unified air defense system will have exercises on the Telemba and Ashuluk training grounds in Russia and the Sary-Shagan training ground in Kazakhstan in 2005, Russian Deputy Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Aitech Bizhev told Itar-Tass on Tuesday. `The exercises are part of a cooperation plan of the CIS unified air defense system for 2005, which the CIS defense ministers approved in Moscow on November 25,` he said. `The plan also stipulates about a dozen of command-and-staff trainings.` The Coordinating Committee of the CIS unified air defense system will have two meetings next year. `The CIS unified air defense system, which has proven to be efficient and capable of combat, will mark its tenth anniversary on February 10, 2005,` the general said.
Georgia To Press For Russia To Remove Military Bases
Interfax
Tbilisi, November 30: At planned international meetings early next month, Georgia will press for Russia to withdraw its military bases, Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili said on Tuesday. Georgia will raise its demand at a meeting in Sofia of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and at a NATO meeting in Brussels, Zourabichvili told reporters. She said Georgia`s position remains unchanged: Russia must meet the commitment to withdraw its bases that it made at the OSCE summit in Istanbul in 1999. Georgia wants the bases removed as soon as possible and is open for more talks on the issue, she said.
Russia Successfully Tests Anti-missile Missile In Kazakhstan
Interfax
Moscow, November 29: A modernized anti-missile missile was successfully tested on the Sary-Shagaz testing range in Kazakhstan at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told President Vladimir Putin at a Monday meeting in the Kremlin. `The Defense Ministry will continue to upgrade and modernize the air defense system,` he said.
CIS Interparliamentary Assembly To Discuss Terror Fight
Itar-Tass
St. Petersburg, December 3: The fight with terrorism, humanitarian cooperation and human rights observance will be the main topics of the 24th plenary session of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly that will be held here on Saturday. Three documents on the fight with terrorism will be considered at the session of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, secretary general of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly Mikhail Krotov said. These documents are amendments to a new redaction of the model law on the fight with terrorism and model laws on the control for the turnover of radioactive materials and on the counteraction to organisations and people, which activities aim at committing terrorist acts in other countries. Partakers of the session will exchange views on the CIS programme on the fight with international terrorism and other demonstrations of extremism for 2005-2007.
Turkmenistan Raises Gas Price For Russia
Associated Press
Ashgabat, December 3: Turkmenistan`s national gas company said Friday it will raise the price of natural gas it sells to Russia and Ukraine from US$44 to US$60 (euro33 to euro45) per 1,000 cubic meters (35,000 cubic feet). Turkmenneftegaz announced the decision at talks in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat with officials of Ukraine`s Naftogas and Russia`s Gazeksport. The company said the move was connected with increased gas production costs due to a several-fold rise in gas extraction equipment prices.
Naftohaz Chief To Negotiate Gas Prices In Turkmenistan
Interfax
Kyiv, December 3: Naftohaz Ukrayiny CEO Yury Boyko will visit Turkmenistan early December to discuss prices for Turkmen gas, Boyko said at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma. `A delegation is in Turkmenistan discussing prices. The negotiations are proving difficult, and I`ll have to go there myself early December,` Boyko said. First Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mykola Azarov said Turkmenistan wanted to charge more for its gas than Ukraine would like, but he said the Ukrainians had `all the conditions` to agree on gas supplies at acceptable prices. Russia has signed a two-year gas supply deal at fixed prices with Turkmenistan, Boyko said. `The Turkmen are putting us in a worse situation and are trying to use us as a factor of pressure on Russia,` he said.
Uzbek Parliament Approves 2005 Budget With Deficit Of 1 per cent Of GDP
Interfax
Tashkent, December 2: The Uzbek parliament approved the 2005 federal budget on Thursday with a deficit of 153.5 billion sum, or 1 per cent of GDP. Budget revenue will be 3.113 trillion sum and expenditures will be 3.267 trillion sum. The 2004 federal budget was approved with revenue of 2.621 trillion sum, expenditures of 2.74 trillion sum and a deficit of 119 billion sum, or 1 per cent of GDP. The official exchange rate on December 2 was 1,052.45 som/$1.
Kazakh President Signs Off On Budget
Interfax
Astana, December 1: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Wednesday signed off on the law on the central budget for 2005, the president`s press service said in a statement. In the budget, which was passed by parliament on November 15, revenue amounts to 1.141 trillion manat (19.5 per cent of forecast GDP for 2005), with expenditure of 1.242 billion tenge (21.2 per cent of GDP), giving a deficit of 101.4 billion tenge, or 1.7 per cent of GDP. GDP should increase 7.9 per cent to 5.85 trillion tenge next year. T
Kazakh State Oil Company Sells Stake Worth $46 Million
Radio Free Europe
Astana, November 30: Kazakh state oil and gas company KazMunaiGaz has sold $46 million worth of stakes it owned in joint ventures to three companies, Prime-TASS reported on 30 November. Turkish Petroleum International bought KazMunaiGaz`s 40 percent stake in the Karakudukmunai oil company for $34.61 million, Canada`s Nelson Resources bought KazMunaiGaz`s 50 percent stake in the Arman joint venture for $10.77 million, and Batys Baylanys bought a 37.2 percent stake in Gyural for $949,000.
BTC Pipeline Costs Could Mount To $4 Bln
Interfax
Baku, November 28: Construction delays could push the cost of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline up to $4 billion, Natik Aliyev, head of the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijani Republic (SOCAR), told reporters. `Overall project costs are $3.6 billion, allowing for $200 million to pay for oil and other expenses. Now we think those expenses will rise by $300 million-$350 million. But we want to allow for other costs as well, and think overall project costs will rise to $4 billion. However the actual cost will only be known once the work has been finished,` Aliyev said. Aliyev said there were several reasons for the mounting costs. `The main one is that construction has fallen behind schedule. Talks between governments and banks are protracted, and the noise created by non- governmental organizations has taken its toll. Construction firms have been forced to idle, and the dollar has weakened, we made all our cost estimates in dollars, and a lot of equipment has been purchased in Europe. So there are natural causes for the increase in cots,` Aliyev said. Notwithstanding, the pipeline has almost been built, Aliyev said.
Iranian, Tajik Presidents Discuss Issues Of Interest On Phone
IRNA
Tehran, December 3: President Mohammad Khatami stressed Iran`s interest in expanding ties with Dushanbe in a phone conversation made by his Tajik counterpart President Imomali Rakhmonov here Friday afternoon. In the short conversation, Khatami referred to Iran`s firm will to enhance ties with Tajikistan in different areas especially in the energy sector and expressed hope that the bilateral ties will further expand. He also hoped the agreements already reached between the two countries will be implemented. Tajik president, too, expressed the interest of his country to carry out frank cooperation with Iran and said he was confident the ties between the two countries, especially in economic and cultural areas, will expand in future.
Uzbek Parliament Ratifies Friendship Treaty With Turkmenistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 3: Uzbek parliament ratified an agreement on friendship with Turkmenistan on Friday. President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and Saparmurat Niyazov signed agreement on friendship, confidence building and development of cooperation on 19 November. Parliament of Turkmenistan ratified the agreement on 27 November.
Iran`s Economic Delegation Leaves For Uzbekistan
IRNA
Semnan, December 3: An economic delegation from northeastern province of Semnan headed for Uzbekistan Friday to hold talks and attend Iran`s second exposition in the capital city Tashkent. Head of Semnan Commercial Organization Yavar Safarpour told IRNA Friday that the the delegation headed by Semnan Governor General Hamid Haji Abdolvahhab, during its one-week stay, is scheduled to confer with a number of officials, industrialists on expansion of economic and trade cooperation. The delegation will also discuss the establishment of small industries, transfer of technology, and reinforcement of trade and economic exchanges. Iran`s second five-day exclusive exhibition of in Uzbekistan is to open on December 4 in the presence of 62 companies engaging in various fields including auto parts, pipeline manufacturing technology, medicine, medical equipment, industrial machinery, plastic industries, foodstuff, carpet and fitted carpet, and agriculture. Uzbekistan`s Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the External Economic Connections Agency Elyar Ganiyev will attend the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition.
Iran, Azerbaijan Republic Agree On Building Two Bridges
IRNA
Baku, December 3: Ministries of roads and transportation of Iran and Azerbaijan Republic have agreed on building two bridges between the two countries. The cost of these projects is estimated to be around dlrs 7 million of which dlrs 3 dollars will be spent for ` Pole Dasht- Shah Takhti` bridge and the other 4 million dollars is allocated for `Jolfa` bridge. Iranian firms will construct the bridges and the operation will start early next year. Pole Dasht - Shah Takhti bridge is between Iran and autonomous republic of Nakhichevan.
Uzbek, Russian Officials Discuss CIS Improvement
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 2: Deputy foreign ministers of Uzbekistan and Russia hold negotiations on improvement of Commonwealth of Independent States, Russian embassy said. The release of embassy said Ilkhom Nematov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, and Sergey Razov, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, who is currently visiting Uzbekistan, met in Tashkent on 1 December. `The sides sited that conditions of quickly changing world, emergence of new threats and challenges envisage renewal of CIS`s work, increase of effectiveness in all directions,` the embassy release said.
Uzbek Leader Blames Ukranian Authorities For Crisis
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, December 2: President Karimov told journalists in Tashkent on 2 December during a break in a session of parliament that the `shortsighted policy of Ukraine`s leadership` has led to the current crisis there, RIA-Novosti reported. He criticized Russia as well, saying that `Russia`s excessive demonstration of its interest in the election results has had a less than ideal effect on the situation,` fergana.ru reported. But Karimov also appeared to draw a dismissive parallel between protests in Kyiv and Georgia`s so-called Rose Revolution. `It`s clearly visible how seriously stage-managed these events are,` he said. `First people stand around for days near parliament, then power changes hands easily, as if by command. You can see this in Ukraine. The funds were supplied in advance, and the statements were planned in advance.` In an address before parliament, President Karimov said that Uzbekistan needs to take the international community`s concerns into account when it holds 26 December parliamentary elections, UzA reported.
Iran-Tajikistan Ties Expanding: Aminzadeh
IRNA
Dushanbe, December 2: Iran`s Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Affairs Mohsen Aminzadeh said here Thursday that ties between Iran and Tajikistan enjoy promising and growing prospects. Addressing a press conference, Aminzadeh added Iran`s participation in several important infrastructure projects, including Sangtudeh power plant, is an indication of upgraded relations between the two countries. `Iran`s active presence and investment in giant projects of Tajikistan led to participation of other foreign investors in the economic scene of that country. This issue is valuable for Iran. `Tajikistan enjoys great potentials for investment, particularly in power generation,` Aminzadeh said. He expressed Iran`s readiness to cooperate with Tajikistan on issues of mutual concern including fight against smuggling of illicit drugs and strengthening border security.
SCO To Take Part In The UN GA Work As An Observer
Itar-Tass
United Nations, December 2: The United Nations General Assembly has proposed that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) should take part in its sessions and activity as an observer. The proposals is contained in a resolution approved without voting by the delegates to the 59th session of the U.N. General Assembly at the GA plenary meeting on Thursday. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a regional alliance of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The heads of state of these six countries signed a declaration on its formation in Shanghai on 15 June 2001. The aim of the organization is to stabilize the situation in Central Asia, consolidate friendship and good-neighborly relations among the member-states, and develop cooperation in the political, economic, scientific and other spheres.
Georgia Criticizes Russian Interference In Abkhazia
Interfax
Moscow, December 2: Russian interference in developments in Abkhazia is unacceptable, Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili told Interfax in an exclusive interview on Thursday. `Any external interference in the developments in Abkhazia is impermissible. Hence the recurrent interference of the Russian authorities in this situation, up to the illegal penetration of Georgian territory, is unacceptable,` the minister said. The full text of the interview will be posted on www.interfax.ru, on Thursday.
Putin Presents Russia-Uzbekistan Treaty For Ratification
Interfax
Moscow, December 2: President Vladimir Putin has submitted the Treaty on Strategic Partnership between Russia and Uzbekistan to the State Duma for ratification. The treaty was signed in Tashkent on June 16, 2004, the presidential press service said on Thursday. Putin also appointed First Deputy Foreign Minister Valery Loshchinin as his representative in parliamentary debates on the treaty`s ratification. The treaty announces a strategic partnership as the core of bilateral relations. It also outlines priorities in political, military, trade, economic and humanitarian areas, and the arms trade. It stipulates the terms of bilateral cooperation in international and regional organizations and coordinated efforts to promote stability in Central Asia.
Iran, Tajikistan Study Expansion Of Mutual Cooperation
IRNA
Dushanbe, December 1: Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia and Pacific Affairs Mohsen Aminzadeh conferred here on Wednesday with Tajik President Imomali Rakhmonov on ways to expand mutual cooperation. At the meeting, the two sides called for implementation of the accords signed during the recent visit of President Mohammad Khatami to Tajikistan. Underlining expansion of bilateral relations between the two countries, Aminzadeh said Tajikistan enjoys a very special status in Iran`s foreign policy. `We are determined to follow up joint venture projects as well as investment opportunities in Tajikistan`s infrastructure projects,` he said. The Tajik president, for his part, expressed satisfaction over Iran`s active presence in Tajikistan`s economic sector, and said, `We will instruct the administration body to remove existing barriers for Iranian investors and businessmen.` Tajikistan is ready to broaden economic, cultural, political and security cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, he said.
Iran, Armenia Stress Expansion Of Energy Cooperation
IRNA
Moscow, December 1: Iran and Armenia here Wednesday explored possible avenues for bolstering bilateral cooperation in various energy fields. Bitaraf and Armenian head of the Presidential Office and head of the Iran-Armenia Joint Economic Commission Artashes Toumanian expressed satisfaction over the implementation process and completion of joint projects in the energy sector. The two sides discussed ways for expanding various trade and economic cooperation between Iran and Armenia following the 5th Meeting of Iran-Armenia Joint Commission, recently held in Armenia during President Mohammad Khatami`s visit. Bitaraf and Toumanian also emphasized the necessity of extending bilateral cooperation in other sectors.
Uzbek Foreign Minister To Visit South Korea
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 1: Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Sodyq Safayev will pay an official visit to South Korea on 12-14 December, Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry said. The ministry said in its release that the visit is organised on invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ban Ki-moon. During the visit, Uzbek minister will hold talks with his Korean counterpart Ban Ki-moon on 13 December and discuss various issues of mutual interest, including ways to further promote substantial cooperation. Uzbek official will also meet Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and Speaker of the National Assembly, Kim Won-ki. Minister Safayev is the first Uzbek foreign minister to pay an individual visit to South Korea since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1992.
Demarcation Of Uzbek-Turkmen State Border Starts
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 1: Solemn ceremony of establishment of border signs on the Uzbek-Turkmen state border took place on Wednesday in Shumanay district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, RIA Novosti reported. The decision to set up border signs was adopted during the official visit of the President of Turkmenistan Saparmurat Niyazov to Bukhara on 19 November. Article 3 of the Treaty on friendship, strengthening trust and development of cooperation, signed at that summit, states that `the border between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan is the border of friendship, security, stability and strengthening trust between the two states and nations`. High-level delegations of the two countries, headed by Deputy Chairman of the Turkmen People`s Council Rejep Saparov and Vice Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Utkur Mukhtarov arrived in Dashoguz region and Karakalpakstan, respectively, to participate in the ceremony.
Moscow Threatens Blockade Of Defiant Abkhazia
Reuters
Moscow, December 1: Russia on Wednesday told Georgia`s breakaway region of Abkhazia to hold a rerun of presidential polls, after a pro-Moscow candidate was defeated, or face an economic blockade. Abkhazia was plunged into turmoil in October when an independent candidate, Sergei Bagapsh, accused Moscow protegee Raul Khadzhimba of election fraud. Bagapsh was declared the winner after a recount. Under pressure from Moscow, ailing regional leader Vladislav Ardzinba has ordered a rerun of the polls despite rulings by the electoral commission, the supreme court and parliament in favour of Bagapsh. Bagapsh has defied Ardzinba`s orders and says he intends to go ahead with his inauguration on Dec. 6. Subsidies from Moscow and cross-border trade with Russia are the only source of income for Abkhazia, whose independence has not been internationally recognised. `The Russian leadership supports Ardzinba`s ... decision to hold new polls to elect the leader of Abkhazia,` said Gennady Bukayev, a top aide to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. `The Abkhaz president`s decision does not suit Bagapsh and criminal groups behind him, which strive to seize power in the republic with the use of arms,` he said in remarks broadcast by Russia`s state-run RTR television.
Iranian Ambassador Meets With Azerbaijan`s Top Oil Man, Interior Minister
Radio Free Europe
Baku, November 30: Avshar Suleymani, who as Tehran`s new ambassador in Baku presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev in early October, met on 30 November with Natik Aliev, president of Azerbaijan`s state oil company SOCAR, Turan reported. The two men discussed, and Suleymani praised as an example of regional cooperation, the ongoing practice of oil `swaps,` whereby Azerbaijan delivers crude to refineries in northern Iran and takes delivery of an equivalent quantity of refined oil at a Persian Gulf terminal. Aliev for his part expressed satisfaction that an agreement has been reached under which Iran will supply natural gas to the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan. Those deliveries will begin on 1 January 2005, Azerigaz head Alikhan Aliev told the Azerbaijani parliament on 17 November, according to Turan. Suleymani also met on 30 November with Azerbaijani Interior Minister Ramil Usubov to discuss mutual efforts to crack down on drug trafficking and organized crime.
Kyrgyzstan Expresses Concern Over Situation In Ukraine
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, November 30: The Foreign Ministry issued a statement of concern on 30 November over the tense situation that has developed in Ukraine in the wake of the bitterly disputed 21 November presidential runoff, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service reported. The statement called on all sides in the standoff to do everything possible to reach a compromise, use legal means to resolve outstanding issues, and preserve the country`s territorial integrity. On 25 November, Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev congratulated Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych on his victory in the contested runoff.
Russia Delivers 56 Tonnes Of Humanitarian Aid To Tajikistan
Itar-Tass
Dushanbe, November 30: Two Il-76 planes of the Russian Ministry for Civil Defense and Emergencies delivered over 56 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Tajikistan on Tuesday. Russia sent 20 tonnes of multi-bed tents, several power plants, 11 tonnes of medicines, 15 tonnes of baby food and other kinds of foods, representative of the ministry`s Center of Medicine, Rehabilitation and Tourism Alexander Toritsin, who accompanied the cargo, told Itar-Tass. The cargo was transferred to the Tajik Ministry for Civil Defense and Emergencies in the presence of representatives of the Russian embassy in Tajikistan. The humanitarian aid from Russia came on time, Tajik Deputy Emergencies Minister Abdurakhim Radzhabov said.
Construction Begins On Iran-Armenia Gas Pipe
Interfax
Yerevan, November 30: Construction of the 40-km Armenian section of the Iran-Armenia gas pipeline from the Armenian border city of Agarak to Kajaran - 320 km southeast of Yerevan, began on Tuesday. A source in the Armenian Energy Ministry told Interfax that a ceremony to mark the start of work was held close to Agarak, and was attended by Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Andranik Margarian and Iranian Energy Minister Habibullah Bitaraf. The first few meters of pipeline have already been laid. According to the Energy Ministry, the gas pipeline will have a diameter of 700 mm and the 140-km pipeline should be completed in 2006. The gas transported through the pipeline will be used to produce electricity at Yerevan Thermal Power Plant, for subsequent supply to Iran at the rate of 3 kWh per cubic meter of gas. The gas will also be used to meet domestic demand in Armenia.
CSTO Security Council Secretaries Discuss Situation In C Asia
Itar-Tass
Yerevan, November 30: The Tenth meeting of the Committee of Security Council secretaries of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) member states was held in the Armenian capital Yerevan on Tuesday. `The meeting is called in the conditions of difficult political situation in the CSTO responsibility zone,` Armenian Defence Minister Serzh Sarkisyan said. `The tendency towards the aggravation of global and regional threats, first of all manifestations of international terrorism has been more and more clearly observed of late,` the Armenian defence chief said. `The internal political instability in Afghanistan, especially the unceasing growth of drug trafficking, negatively affects the situation in the Central Asian region,` Sarkisyan said. According to him, `the analysis of the developments in the CSTO responsibility zone confirms the correctness of the task set at a session of the CSTO members in Astana, that is to maximally use the potential of the organisation members in the foreign policy, security and defence spheres in the interests of strengthening international and regional stability.` The CSTO will not only work to raise the effectiveness of its structures, but will also widen cooperation with other international organisations, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Igor Ivanov said at the meeting.
Turkmen Ambassador In Belgium Dismissed
Interfax
Ashgabat, November 30: Turkmen ambassador to Belgium Niyazklych Nyrklychev, 57, has been dismissed of his duties, stripped of his diplomatic rank and all government decorations `for serious shortcomings in his work,` in keeping with a decree of Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov published on Tuesday. In Soviet times Nurklychev used to head the union of consumers` cooperative societies of Turkmenistan. He was a member of the presidential council and deputy prime minister of the Turkmen republic in charge of the light industry, trade and foreign economic relations.
UK Asks Kazakhstan To Change Procedure For Hiring Foreigners
Interfax
Astana, November 30: The UK thinks Kazakhstan`s procedures for hiring foreign workers and issuing documents for them need to be reviewed, British Ambassador James Sharp said at a meeting with the chairman of the Kazakh Senate`s committee on social and cultural development, Kuanysh Sultanov, in Astana on Tuesday. Sharp said that many companies in Kazakhstan are working in different industrial branches, so they have to acquire up to four different work permits for every one of their employees. The UK has suggested that Kazakhstan amend the corresponding laws to deal with this problem. The ambassador also said that Kazakhstan`s policy on attracting foreign workers is slowing the development of the country`s oil and gas complex.
Iranian Industrial Exhibition To Be Held In Tashkent
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 29: More than 60 Iranian companies will participate in the second industrial exhibition of Iran, scheduled for 4-8 December in Tashkent. Packing equipment, shoes, car parts, ceramics, medicaments, carpets, building materials, leather goods and chemical products are among the sections to be presented at the exhibition. `We expect the event to boost bilateral relations in the small and private business sector and help establish close ties between the Iranian and Uzbek entrepreneurs,` Ambassador of Iran to Uzbekistan Muhammad Fathali told the press conference on Monday.
Uzbek Foreign Minister Meets With CIS Secretary
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, November 29: Sadyk Safaev met with Vladimir Rushailo, chairman of the CIS Executive Committee, in Tashkent on 29 November, Uzbek television reported. The report noted that the two men discussed events in the CIS `and in particular, the situation in Ukraine.` Other topics included the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, UzA reported. Safaev and Rushailo also exchanged ideas on the formation of the CIS Executive Committee`s planned observer mission to monitor Uzbek parliamentary elections on 26 December.
Akayev Hails Cooperation With OSCE
Interfax
Bishkek, November 29: President Askar Akayev has praised the level of cooperation between his country and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. On Monday, Akayev received an OSCE delegation headed by OSCE presidential envoy Martti Ahtisaari, the presidential press service told Interfax. `The head of state expressed his gratitude for help in the successful implementation of a project to reform the country`s law enforcement system and strengthen the Interior Ministry`s potential,` the press service said. Akayev said that `all components have been formed to strengthen the police academy`s potential and to create an exemplary police station in Bishkek.` Donor countries, including Germany, are also interested in taking an active part in advancing these projects, he said.
First IT Delegation To Visit Tajikistan
Tehran Times
Tehran, November 28: For the first time, an Iranian delegation comprising of IT experts and marketing team from the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran (TPOI) plan to pay a visit to Tajikistan to host an Iranian exhibition on IT, according to A report released by ISNA. The delegation will be directed by Fereidoun Entezari, the international deputy of Iran`s Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines, and aims to introduce Iran`s economic potentials with an emphasis on IT industry. Iranian experts also aim to study Tajikistan to find out whether the country is a proper market for investment since it is considered a gateway to the Central Asia for Iran. An Iranian company has so far been contracted by the Tajik side on telecoms.
Turkmenistan Ratifies Uzbekistan Friendship Treaty
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, November 27: On 27 November, Turkmenistan`s Mejlis (parliament) ratified the Turkmen-Uzbek friendship treaty that Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov and Uzbek President Islam Karimov signed on 19 November in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, turkmenistan.ru reported on 28 November. The report noted that the ratification took place in record time. The accords were aimed at easing cross-border travel for residents of the two countries, but a 29 November report by RFE/RL`s
French Businesses For Speeding-up Reforms In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 27: French businesses positively evaluate development of Uzbek economy, but they are for acceleration of reforms in Uzbekistan, a senior French entrepreneur said. A delegation of French businesses under the aegis of MEDEF is visiting to Uzbekistan to discuss cooperation opportunities with Uzbek entrepreneurs. MEDEF is a movement of French businesspeople working abroad. Christian Mons, president of MEDEF Committee for Caucasus and Central Asia and vice-president of Tranzisel, who is heading the delegation, said France could assist Uzbekistan in implementing reforms. `We already have several projects, which should help to develop French-Uzbek relations,` he said. The highest level of trade between Uzbekistan and France was registered in 2000, when it made up 181 million euros. Bilateral turnover comprised 64 million euros in 2003 and 35 million euros in the first seven months of 2004. France is the 14th largest trade partner of Uzbekistan among non-CIS countries. Mons said the sides should make their best to improve turnover and reach the 2000 level. The French side offered to develop partnership between private and state sectors in Uzbekistan.
Breakdown Of Kyrgyz Uranium Tailing Storage May Cause An Ecological Catastrophe Throughout Central Asia
Itar-Tass
Bishkek, December 3: A breakdown of a uranium tailing storage facility in the village of Min-Kush in the Nary district of Kyrgyzstan may cause an ecological catastrophe throughout Central Asia, Deputy Minister of Ecology and Emergencies Almaz Kamchibekov said at a Friday press conference in Bishkek. `Several densely populated areas, including the Fergana Valley, may happen to be within the radioactive contamination zone,` he said. A landslide of 700,000 cubic meters has been moving towards the uranium tailing storage facility 1-3 centimeters per day in the recent months. The landslide has stopped, but it may move again in case of an earthquake or pouring rains, specialists say. The ministry is monitoring the Min-Kush landslide round the clock. Kamchibekov thinks the problem can be resolved only in case of proper financing of the facility`s reconstruction, but Kyrgyzstan does not have enough funds. There are four uranium tailing storage facilities near Min-Kush alone, and the amount of radioactive waste exceeds 1 million cubic meters. There have been no full-scale preventive works in the facilities after the disintegration of the former Soviet Union.
Investigate Kidnapping Of Tursunbek AkunovContradictory Claims Surround Kyrgyz Rights Activist
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, December 2: High-ranking officials from Kyrgyzstan`s National Security Service (SNB) and Interior Ministry said at a 2 December press conference that rights activist Tursunbek Akun staged his own disappearance, prompting denials from other rights defenders, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service reported. Akun reappeared on 1 December after disappearing on 16 November, saying that he had been abducted by Kyrgyz security forces (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 2 December 2004). SNB Deputy Chairman Tokon Mamytov called attention to contradictions in Akun`s account, adding: `The farce is over, but Tursunbek Akun overdid his role. He looks very good for a person who was held in a basement for two weeks,` akipress.org reported. A doctor told journalists that Akun displayed no symptoms of trauma or poisoning, Public Educational TV reported. But Nurlan Motuev, cochairman of the People`s Patriotic Movement of Kyrgyzstan, and Topchubek Turgunaliev, director of the Institute for Human Rights and Liberties, disputed the officials` claims, RFE/RL reported. For his part, Akun told RFE/RL on 2 December that he was held in a basement for two weeks by SNB officers in an attempt to force him to stop his petition campaign for the impeachment of President Askar Akaev.
Kyrgyz Law Enforcement Denies Involvement In Akunov Case
Interfax
Bishkek, December 2: The Kyrgyz Interior Ministry and National Security Service say they had nothing to do with the disappearance of Tursunbek Akunov, a human rights activist and opposition movement leader. `This is a deliberate political show in which Akunov is trying to put the blame on the Interior Ministry and the National Security Service,` National Security Service Deputy Chairman Tokon Mamytov told a Thursday press conference. `There are no reasons for political persecution of this human rights activist,` Mamytov said. `The Interior Ministry was not involved in the disappearance of Akunov,` Interior Ministry press service chief Dzholdoshbek Buzurmankulov told the press conference. Akunov came to Bishkek`s 4th city hospital on Wednesday evening and asked for treatment for a serious headache. Early on Thursday morning, Akunov told the press that `representatives of the National Security Service took me away on the evening of November 16 and handed me over to two armed representatives of the Interior Ministry.` Akunov said he `was kept in a basement under the protection of armed men for two weeks, presumably in a suburb of Bishkek.`
President Signs Amnesty Decree Ahead Of Constitution Day
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 1: President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree on 1 December 2004 on amnesty in connection with the 12th anniversary of the country`s constitution. According to the decree, the following categories of the imprisoned that committed crimes not considered to be grave will be amnestied: - women serving sentence for crimes committed for the first time; - persons aged 18 at the time of the crime commitment; - men reaching age of 60 to the date of the publication of the decree; and - foreign citizens permanently living on the territory of Uzbekistan before committing the crime and having no reasons to stay in the country after they are freed. Persons that committed crimes because of carelessness and those sentenced for the first time will be freed if their crimes are found not to represent public danger or to be less grave. Except for those sentenced for aggravated premeditated murder, amnestied will also be persons found having serious illnesses within one year before committing the crime, as well as those whose have less than two years of imprisonment left.
Kyrgyz Ombudsman Suspects Uzbek Role In Disappearance Of Rights Activist
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, November 30: Kyrgyz ombudsman Tursunbai Bakir-uulu told a news conference on 30 November in Bishkek that Uzbekistan`s security forces may be behind the disappearance of Kyrgyz rights activist Tursunbek Akun, akipress.org reported. Bakir-uulu noted that Akun told his wife that he was on his way to a meeting with Kyrgyzstan`s National Security Service (SNB) when he left home on 16 November. Bakir-uulu suggested that the SNB could have handed Akun, who has not been seen since 16 November, to their Uzbek colleagues. The Kyrgyz ombudsman said that Akun has frequently criticized Uzbek
Kazakh Blast Investigation Focuses On Vandalism
Radio Free Europe
Astana, November 29: Moldiyar Orazaliev, the head of the Almaty police department, said on 29 November that police are focusing on vandalism as the possible reason for two explosions at the ruling Otan party`s headquarters in Almaty on 28 November, Khabar TV reported. The blasts caused light damage to the building that houses Otan`s headquarters and slightly injured one passerby (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 29 November 2004). President Nursultan Nazarbaev has taken personal control of the investigation, which Interior Minister Zautbek Turisbekov is heading, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. The police expect to report their preliminary findings in 10 days. Orazaliev said the National Security Committee is also examining several other theories for the blasts, `Kazakhstan Today` reported. Members of Otan`s political council downplayed the possibility of vandalism and suggested that the explosions were an attempt to destabilize the country, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported on 29 November.
Two Explosions Shake Office Of Pro-presidential Party In Almaty
Interfax
Almaty, November 27: Two explosions shook the building of the Almaty chapter of the pro-presidential Otan party at about 6:45 p.m. on Sunday. An Interfax correspondent reported from the scene that security service, police and civil defense officers have cordoned off the building and surrounding territory. Fire engines and ambulances are parked nearby. Traffic in the neighborhood has come to a halt stopped. So far there have been no reports of the effects of the explosions or possible casualties. Law enforcers who entered the building and are studying it are trying to find that out.
Kazakh Police Say `hooliganism` Likely Behind Blasts At Party Offices
Kazakhstan News
Almaty, November 28: Kazakhstan`s police said that `hooliganism` was likely behind two small explosions outside the nation`s ruling party offices at the commercial center of Almaty at the weekend. A passerby suffered minor injuries during Sunday evening`s blasts at the headquarters of President Nursultan Nazarbayev`s Otan (Fatherland) party. The blasts were caused by two explosive devices, each equivalent to that of 200 grammes of TNT explosive, planted near the entrance of the headquarters in a downtown shopping area, Almaty city police chief Major General Moldiyar Orazaliyev said. `We`re currently investigating several scenarios, the most likely one being hooliganism,` he said. An investigation is under way combining several branches of the security forces including the secret service and anti-organised crime squad, Orazaliyev said. Terror or an attack by a rival political group could not be ruled out but were not the most likely explanation, he said. `It would be premature to call this terrorism -- explosions of this kind could not possibly destroy a building or do significant damage,` he told journalists.
Baikonur Getting Ready For Launching Progress To ISS, GLONASS Spacecraft, AMC-12 Satellite
Interfax
Baikonur, December 2: The Baikonur Space Center is simultaneously getting ready for launching the Progress cargo spacecraft, the U.S. AMC-12 satellite, and the GLONASS-M spacecraft integrated block with two GLONASS satellites. The Baikonur Federal Space Center told Interfax-Military News Agency on Thursday that the Progress cargo spacecraft, slated to be launched to ISS on December 24, was currently in the vacuum chamber, where it will remain until the end of the week. The spacecraft is undergoing pneumatic tests in the vacuum chamber. Progress is to deliver almost three tonnes of cargo to ISS, including fuel, oxygen, water, and food. In addition to that, the Proton-K carrier rocket and the DM booster were delivered to the space center last night. They are to be used to launch the GLONASS integrated block into space on December 25. At the present time the rocket is being transported into the assembly and test workshop to be prepared for the launch. The center also noted that the GLONASS-M spacecraft and the GLONASS satellite were delivered to Baikonur in November.
Azerbaijan Remains The Key Territory For Transit Of Drugs From Afghanistan, Interior Minister States
ArC News
Baku, November 30: Measures aimed at prevention of phenomena which may disturb stability are being successfully conducted in Azerbaijan, Interior Minister Ramil Usubov said taking the floor on Security in the South Caucasus seminar of the NATO parliamentary assembly. In his words, the law enforcement agencies are taking joint measures to combat international terror, organized crime and separatism. According to Usubov, over the past decade above 25,000 pieces of firearms have been confiscated, while 33,000 people have been brought to trial for committing 14,000 crimes. The minister announced success of combating drug trafficking but admitted that only 10 per cent of drugs are detained. He mentioned three routes of delivering drugs: Afghanistan - Turkmenistan - Caspian Sea - Azerbaijan - Georgia - Turkey; Afghanistan - Iran - occupied territories of Azerbaijan (Nagorny Karabakh)- Armenia - Georgia - Europe; Afghanistan - Iran - Azerbaijan - Georgia - Turkey - Europe.
Uzbek Woman With Over 0.5kg Of Heroin Detained In Russia
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, November 27: Russian law-enforcement officers detained an Uzbek citizen with over 0.5 kg of heroin in Khabarovsk oblast, a Russian news agency reported. According to RIA Novosti quoting Khabarovsk Internal Affairs Department, the Uzbek woman was seized at the Kharkov-Vladivostok train. 651 grams of heroin were found during the examination of the woman, the report said. Investigators are trying to establish where the woman, who is not in detention, bought the drugs and what was her final destination.
Ousted Turkmen Governor Faces Criminal Charges
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, December 2: Ishankuly Gulmuradov, who was removed as the governor of Dashoguz Province on 1 December for corruption (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 2 December 2004), faces criminal charges, turkmenistan.ru reported on 2 December. Prosecutor-General Kurbanbibi Atadjanova that Gulmuradov received $400,000 in bribes in one year. She added, however, that the former governor returned the money to the state in a single day. Atadjanova said that an investigation of wrongdoing by regional officials is continuing.
Asian Development Bank To Lend Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan $18.2 Million For Customs Modernisation
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, December 2: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will lend Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan a total of $18.2 million to modernize their customs infrastructure, Asia Plus-Blitz reported on 2 December, citing Interfax. Asel Asekimova, a spokesperson for the ADB in Kyrgyzstan, told Interfax that the bank`s board approved the decision on 26 November. Kyrgyzstan will receive $7.5 million and Tajikistan $10.5 million.
Turkmen Regional Head Takes USD 400,000 In Bribes Over One Year
Itar-Tass
Ashgabat, December 1: Governor of the Dashoguz region of Turkmenistan Ishankuli Gulmuradov received a sum totalling 400,000 U.S. dollars as bribes during one year. Moreover, he misappropriated over 75 tonnes of lint cotton. The facts of criminal activities of the governor were made public at a meeting of Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov with the leadership of the Dashoguz region. The head of state specially visited the region in order to expose the corrupt senior official. Prosecutor General of Turkmenistan Kurbanbibi Atadzhanova presented evidence of bribery of the regional head, his deputy and business manager of the regional administration.
Special Focus
Kazakh Opposition Seeks Real Political Power
In size and natural riches, Kazakhstan has no rivals in Central Asia. The huge, oil-rich country also stands apart by the health of its political opposition movement. At a recent conference at New York`s Columbia University, opposition experts from Central Asia repeatedly noted that Kazakhstan`s opposition is organized better and enjoys more financial autonomy than movements elsewhere in the region. And the movement now appears intent on gaining real political power.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/pp112804.shtml
Uzbek Opposition Divided, Searching For Unifying Force
Uzbekistan`s opposition movement is fairly typical of the political situation across Central Asia. The opposition is divided and, to a large extent, dependent on foreign support. And many opposition leaders are exiled. That means their activities have much less impact on the political life inside the country than if they were on the scene.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/pp112704.shtml
Explosions In Kazakhstan Politically Motivated, Pro Government Party Leaders Insist
Leaders of Otan, Kazakhstan`s leading pro-government political party, say the bombing of the party`s offices in Almaty was designed to foment instability in the Central Asian nation. Meanwhile, opposition activists express concern that the explosions may provide the government with an excuse to tighten its control over the country`s political life.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav112904.shtml
New Law On NGO Activity In Turkmenistan Greeted With Caution
The recent publication of a law in Turkmenistan that decriminalizes the activity of unregistered non-governmental organizations may offer hope for the country`s embattled civil society activists. Even so, those in the nascent NGO sector generally view the new law with skepticism.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav113004.shtml
States In Caucasus, Central Asia Closely Monitor Developments In Ukraine
Developments in Ukraine, where protests over the controversial presidential election are continuing, are being closely monitored throughout the Caucasus and Central Asia. Empathy for Ukrainian opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko`s efforts to overturn the official election results is perhaps running highest in Georgia, a country that experienced a similar turn of events, known as the Rose Revolution, last year.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav113004.shtml
Azerbaijan Mulls Stronger US Ties
Officials in Baku believe US President George W. Bush`s re-election could be beneficial for Azerbaijan, with the country poised to assume a higher profile among US strategic planners. At the same time, the prospect of closer US ties could deepen a geopolitical dilemma for President Ilham Aliyev. It would be virtually impossible for Baku to boost relations with Washington without disrupting Azerbaijan`s `balanced` relationship with Russia, local experts contend.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav120104.shtml
Iran Pushes For Positive Political Engagement In Central Asia
Following the dynamic international engagement in Central Asia after 2001 that dramatically shaped the role and place of the region in the forming new world order, Tehran seems to be opting for continued ad-hoc cooperation with the states of Central Asia where it can, and avoiding any possibility of collision of interests with the countries of the region. This follows the established course of Iranian foreign policy of the 1990s in the region. Despite remaining differences, Tehran has managed to find its own niche of political and economic engagement with Central Asian states. Iran`s policy is one of economic pragmatism and positive political engagement. But U.S. policy, Iraq and Afghanistan raise the question: How long Tehran will be able to stay the course?
To read more, click on the link: http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=2876
The Expansion Of CACO: A Russian Offensive Or A Central Asian Surrender?
On 18 October 2004 in Tajikistan`s capital Dushanbe, an event took place that can be considered a turning point in the evolution of Central Asian community. This was the summit of the `Central Asian Cooperation Organization` (CACO). Two facts of that event attract special attention: the signing by the Russian President Vladimir Putin of a Protocol on Russia`s joining CACO, and the official opening of the Russian military base in Tajikistan.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=2873
A Year Past Georgia`s Rose Revolution: A Turning Point In Russia`s Caucasian Strategy?
As a year has passed since Georgia`s dramatic Rose Revolution, there is a notably different mindset as well as circumstances in the country. By putting territorial integrity at the top of the agenda, de-frosting the South Ossetian conflict and working its way toward NATO membership, President Saakashvili`s government has defined explicitly assertive policies, particularly in relationship with Russia. Simultaneously, while Abkhazia`s vote for detachment from Russian domination and the surprising outcome of Ukraine`s presidential race intensify Russia`s already burdensome agenda in the region, there is a recognition in official Moscow that may lead to understanding of Russia`s appropriate role in post-Soviet affairs.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=2874
Turkmenistan And Uzbekistan - Friends Indeed Or Friends In Need?
Analysis of the countries` relations in the past four years indicate that accumulated problems reached a boiling point and thus needed to be settled, especially in the water sharing and hydrocarbon sectors. Both countries are far from liberal and their power over their respective populations relies largely on force. Thus a shortage of natural resources resulting from unequal division could lead to unnecessary tension in countries seeking to prevent challenges to power.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.cacianalyst.org/view_article.php?articleid=2875
Leaders Of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan Press Ahead With Bilateral Relations
The presidents of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, whose mutual animosity has been well documented in recent years, are striving to revive a functional relationship between their neighboring Central Asian states. However, efforts to implement measures adopted during a mid-November bilateral summit appear to already have hit snags.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav120204.shtml
Central Asia: Women`s Rights Groups Fight Gender Violence
Women have few rights in the patriarchal societies of Central Asia, and they are sometimes the victims of domestic violence. But there is now hope that the situation can change. Organizations supporting women`s rights and actively campaigning against gender violence are now appearing in the region. Many of them will begin observing an annual 16 Day Campaign tomorrow to educate the public about domestic violence. The campaign was initially launched by the Open Society Institute -- a U.S.-funded rights forum active in the former Soviet Union since the mid 1990s.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp120204.shtml
Boosting Defence Capabilities A Top Priority For Georgia In 2005
The Georgian government finalized a draft budget on December 3 that projects government expenditures to be 2.2 billion lari, or about 1.2 billion US dollars. About 10 percent of that amount will go towards upgrading Georgia`s defense capabilities. The dramatic rise in defense estimates is connected with the uncertainty surrounding Tbilisi`s relations with the renegade regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav120304.shtml
Abkhazia: At War With Itself
Entering the headquarters of Sergei Bagapsh in Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia, you could be forgiven for thinking that Bagapsh is already the president of this self-styled independent state.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/pp120304.shtml
Report dated 3 December 2004