Brussels Roundtable Considers Parliament Reform In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 10: Round table on `Parliamentary reform in Uzbekistan and elections to Oliy Malis` was held at Uzbekistan`s embassy in Brussels (Belgium), Jahon reported. Specialists in political science, experts on Uzbekistan and Central Asian region, deputies and representatives of the European Parliament, Foreign Ministry of Belgium, scientific and business circles, as well as local media took part in the session. The participants familiarised with the course of democratic reforms, including the change of the parliamentary system, preparation to the upcoming elections, formation of bicameral parliament, as well as conclusions and recommendations of the international conferences and seminars organised in the light of elections to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan.
139 Candidates To Run In Turkmen Parliamentary Vote
Interfax
Ashgabat, December 10: A total of 139 people will run in Turkmenistan`s December 19 parliamentary elections, the republic`s Central Elections Commission told Interfax on Friday. About 1,610 polling stations have been set up in the country`s 50 electoral districts. The parliament of Turkmenistan is composed of 50 seats. The election commission, at a Thursday session, voted to approve the composition of the country`s observer mission, which will be led by the presidential institute for democracy and human rights. Turkmenistan has not invited international observers to the polls, but the Central Elections Commission is ready to consider any applications from international organizations and foreign countries, the commission said.
Kyrgyz President Schedules Parliamentary Elections For Feb 27
Interfax
Bishkek, December 9: Kyrgyz President Askar Akayev has signed a decree setting February 27, 2005 as the date for elections to the national parliament. In a Thursday evening TV address he said: `The republic has to hold honest and transparent elections meeting all democratic requirements.` `Given the criticism of the previous elections by the public, international observers and the OSCE control over the elections will become an important side of the coming electoral process,` he said. `I support strict and demanding control over the coming elections so that there would be no doubts about their democratic nature,` he said.
Kazakh Democracy Commission Meets
Radio Free Europe
Astana, December 8: Kazakhstan`s National Commission on Issues of Democracy and Civil Society held its first session in Astana on 8 December, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. Chairman Bulat Utemuratov said that the commission will develop plans for political modernization and constitutional reform for President Nazarbaev`s consideration. Utemuratov described the commission`s priorities as `strengthening the representative branch, carrying out reforms in the judiciary, strengthening the role of the courts, reducing the power of central executive bodies, and bolstering rights mechanisms.` Utemuratov expressed his regret that opposition parties Ak Zhol, the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, and Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan have chosen not to take part in the commission`s work.
Kyrgyz Opposition Alliance Selects Parliamentary Candidates
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, December 8: The People`s Movement of Kyrgyzstan, which brings together nine political parties, primarily from the opposition, met in Bishkek on 8 December and drew up a preliminary list of candidates for the February 2005 parliamentary elections, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service reported. Representatives of the alliance, which hopes to win a majority in parliament, will run in 59 districts. Its leader, former prime minister and current parliamentary deputy Kurmanbek Bakiev, has already announced that he plans to run in the October 2005 presidential election.
Russian Parliamentarians To Observe Uzbek Elections
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 8: Observers of State Duma of the Russian Federation will participate in parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan, scheduled for 26 December. The delegation of Russian parliament arrived in Uzbekistan and held a meeting with deputy chairman of the Central Election Commission of Uzbekistan Sayyora Khodjaeva on Wednesday. Ahmed Bilalov, deputy chairman of Duma`s Committee on CIS relations, said: `Russia gathered great experience during the work of the State Duma and Federation Council. But we hope not only to share experience, but also learn from Uzbekistan. Each country has its own experience and Uzbekistan is rich for novelties in this regards.` The Russian delegation discussed with Uzbek officials issues of organisation and holding of elections, experience of two countries and novelties in election laws of Uzbekistan, the Central Election Commission (CEC) press services said. Sayyora Khodjaeva informed the guests on the work carried out since the start of the election campaign in Uzbekistan. Delegates expressed their interest to the fact that ballot papers in Uzbekistan were prepared in Russian, Karakalpak, Tajik and other languages of people living in the country along with the state language - Uzbek.
Former Kazakh Speaker Heads Opposition Council
Radio Free Europe
Astana, December 7: Zharmakhan Tuyakbai, former speaker of the Mazhilis (lower chamber of parliament) and a former member of the ruling Otan party, has been elected chairman of the Kazakh opposition`s Coordinating Council of Democratic Forces, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported on 7 December. The council announced at a news conference in Astana on 7 December that the decision was made at a session chaired by Galymzhan Zhaqiyanov, the leader of Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, who is currently under house arrest. The council brings together the opposition Ak Zhol, the Communist Party, and Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan.
Kazakh President Determined To Uproot Corruption
Interfax
Astana, December 7: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has begun reinforcing the state agency for eradicating corruption and financial wrongdoing. `I want to boost the role of the state agency for eradicating corruption and financial violations. It should be subordinate directly to the president and act in compliance with no one but law. [It should work] on a large scale instead of trifling,` Nazarbayev said at a meeting with the Otan Party members. `Combat of corruption is an urgent issue and we must deal with it. Its eradication in state agencies would guarantee success in carrying out our tasks of modernization,` he said. `The next year will be very important in absolute intensification of this work,` he said. Furthermore, `the judicial reform is continuing. Its main goal is to ensure transparency of legal procedures, justice and judge objectivity. The mechanism of personnel selection for courts ought to be democratic,` he said.
Opposition Spurns Presidential Democracy Commission
Radio Free Europe
Astana, December 7: Tuyakbai announced at a press conference in Astana on 7 December that the Coordinating Council will not take part in President Nursultan Nazarbaev`s National Commission on Issues of Democracy and Civil Society, `Kazakhstan Today` reported. Noting that the opposition is not against `appropriate dialogue with the authorities,` Tuyakbai stressed that it must be a dialogue of equals. Additionally, the council`s new chairman said that the question of parliament`s legitimacy must be resolved first.
New Parliament Continuation Of Democratic Reforms - German Envoy
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 6: Formation of bicameral parliament system in Uzbekistan is a logic continuation of democratic reforms, German envoy to the country said. Hans-Joachim Kiderlen, Ambassador of Germany to Uzbekistan, said in an interview with Uzbek National Agency that Uzbekistan had outlined firm aims and tasks on development of political system and civic society. `I think two-chamber legislative system has important role in liberalisation of the society`s life and improvement of political activity of the population,` he added. `Each society creates its parliamentary system based on its conditions. Uzbekistan is creating the parliament uniting foreign experience and national values.` Speaking about cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries, the German diplomat said: `I am sure that formation of bicameral chamber in Uzbekistan will raise relations between the legislative bodies of our countries to a new level.`
Kazakh President Signs Decree On Local Elections
Radio Free Europe
Astana, December 6: Nursultan Nazarbaev signed a decree on 6 December instructing the Central Election Commission to set up rules for electing the heads of oblasts, towns, and villages starting in 2005, Khabar TV reported. The decree provides for mayoral elections in Astana and Almaty in August 2005. At present, oblast and city heads are appointed, and the opposition has long demanded that they be elected (see End Note, `RFE/RL Newsline,` 28 and 29 January 2002). President Nazarbaev also signed a decree allowing human rights ombudsmen to take part in court proceedings and request prosecutors to check the legality of court verdicts. President Nazarbaev discussed future political reforms at a meeting in Astana on 6 December with members of the ruling Otan party he heads, Khabar TV reported. Noting that 53 members of the 77-seat Mazhilis (lower chamber) are members of Otan, the president said that this is a `big responsibility.`
US, Kyrgyzstan Sign Memorandum On Voter Marking
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, December 6: Sulaiman Imanbaev, chairman of Kyrgyzstan`s Central Election Commission, signed a memorandum on 6 December in Bishkek with U.S. Ambassador Steven Young on U.S. aid to Kyrgzystan for voter marking during elections, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service reported. The United States will provide financial support for the marking program and training for CEC staff and voters. Under the law on voter marking, voters` left index fingers will be marked with indelible ink to prevent repeat voting.
Kazakh President Against Hasty Political Reforms
Interfax
Astana, December 6: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has spoken out against hasty political reforms. `In implementation of political reforms, it is necessary to pay attention to our people`s calmness and stability in our multi-ethnic state and rule out haste,` Nazarbayev said at a meeting with Otan Party members on Monday. Nazarbayev recalled that out of 77 parliament deputies, Otan members account for 53. Moreover, the parliament speaker and deputy speaker as well as four committee leaders out of seven are Otan members. `Successes and failures of these years` reforms will be linked to activities of the Otan political Party,` he said. All political forces in Kazakhstan should participate in the work of the recently created National Commission for Democratization and Civil Society. `Political parties and society that are really interested in conducting this work and putting their policy into practice must join this broad dialogue and participate in it,` he said. `All political parties that really want reforms in Kazakhstan` were invited to the commission, he said. If someone does not want to participate, it is their problem, he said. A majority, 95 per cent of political parties, will work in the commission.
Parliament Of Uzbekistan Held 16th Session
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 5: Sixteenth session of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan of second convocation was held in Tashkent on 2-3 December. On the first day of the session, the deputies considered the activity of the parliament during 2000-2004 and the expected execution of the state budget for 2004 and draft budget for 2005. Speaking on the parliament`s activity, chairman of Oliy Majlis Erkin Khalilov said `94 laws and 307 resolutions were passed, and 55 international agreements were ratified in the reporting period`. The members of parliament also passed laws on saving pension provision, on status of deputy of Legislative Chamber and member of Senate, and on status of deputy of regional, city and district people`s deputies council. On the second day, the parliament passed laws on protected natural territories and on Trade and Industrial Chamber, as well as introduced changes and addenda to some legislative acts. The Oliy Majlis ratified the Agreement on friendship, strengthening trust and development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
Tajikistan`s Border Transferred Under Total Control Of Tajik Border Troops
RIA Novosti
Moscow, Decmeber 10: By the end of 2006 Tajikistan`s border will be transferred under total control of the Tajik border troops, however, the country`s power agencies may always rely on the support of the Russian military base and an operative border group of the Russian Federal Security Service, which is currently created in Tajikistan. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov announced this at the meeting with representatives of the military-diplomatic corps. `If necessary Tajikistan`s power agency can always rely on our help,` the minister said. According to him, Russia helps Tajikistan create and develop the national security system. Its formation has been almost completed, Mr. Ivanov added.
Kazakh Senate Votes Down Army Transit Agreement With Russia
Interfax
Astana, December 10: Kazakhstan`s senate on Friday passed a bill renouncing the agreement on the transit of border troops and military cargo in the interests of protecting the outside border of CIS countries with Russia. The bill has been tabled to the president for approval. `We find it economically inexpedient to prolong the agreement for another five year term and therefore suggest terminating it by renunciation,` said a government explanatory note the to bill. The agreement was signed on September 9 1994, in Moscow and allowed for prolongation once every five years. The second five-year term expired on September 8. On March 2 this year, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry notified Russia of the intention to sever the agreement as of January 1, 2005. Under the agreement, Kazakhstan should allow unhindered transit of Russian military cargo without the payment of customs duties or other fees.
Kazakhstan, US Sign Amendments To Bioweapons Act
Radio Free Europe
Astana, December 9: U.S. Senator Richard Lugar announced in an 8 December press release that Kazakhstan and the United States have signed an amendment to the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program to expand cooperation against bioterrorism. The amendment, which aims to bolster the two countries` fight against the proliferation of biological weapons technology, will increase U.S. funding to Kazakhstan for bioweapons proliferation prevention by approximately $35 million. Senator Lugar commented in the press release, `I congratulate [Kazakh] President Nazarbaev and his government on having joined Georgia and Uzbekistan in partnership with the United States to work toward successfully eliminating the risk of biological weapons and preventing bioterrorism.`
Protection Of 3 Tajik-Afghan Border Sections Handed Over To Tajik Border Guards
RIA Novosti
Dushanbe, December 9: The report on the acceptance of three border guard units on the Pamirs approach by Tajik border guards from their Russian counterparts was signed in Dushanbe on Thursday night. The acceptance report was signed by Col.-Gen. Vladimir Pronichev, FSB Deputy Director/Chief, Border Guard Service, and Lt.-Gen. Abdurakhmon Azimov, Chairman, State Border Guard Committee (KOGG) under the aegis of the government of Tajikistan. `Tajik border guards assumed control of a 881.6-km stretch of the border and received a RR230 million worth of equipment and materiel free of charge [the dollar is worth 27.98 Russian rubles],` Maj.-Gen. Nuralisho Nazarov, Chief, Main Staff, KOGG, told the media following the signature of the acceptance report. He emphasized that `Russian border guards handed all necessary hardware over to the Tajik side in compliance with relevant agreements.` Nazarov stressed that there were three Russian advisors remaining in each of the units inherited by Tajiks. This was done to assist Tajik personnel in doing their job. The transfer of the Pamirs stretch of Tajikistan`s border was complete on December 5.
S. Ossetian Minister Says Georgia Preparing Invasion
Interfax
Tbilisi, December 8: Georgia is masterminding a plan for a new invasion of South Ossetia in the spring of 2005, South Ossetian Interior Minister Robert Guliyev told Interfax-Military News Agency by telephone on Wednesday. `We have received intelligence showing that Georgia will again try to launch military actions against us in the spring of next year, similar to those that failed this summer,` Guliyev said. `Tbilisi is more carefully preparing a force scenario to solve the problem of South Ossetia and has in fact already started to put it into practice,` he said. `For instance, we have information about the sending of Georgian reconnaissance groups onto South Ossetian territory,` Guliyev said. Georgian Armed Forces chief of staff Brigadier General Vakhtang Kapanadze told journalists in Tbilisi that Georgia has not done anything to provoke these charges from Tskhinvali.
Russian Border Service Director Arrives In Tajikistan
RIA Novosti
Dushanbe, December 8: Colonel General Vladimir Pronichev, FSB deputy director and head of the Russian border service, is beginning a routine visit to Tajikistan on Wednesday. During the visit, General Pronichev and Lieutenant General Abdurakhmon Azimov, commander of the Tajik border troops, will sign a number of documents, Colonel Alexander Kondratyev, head of the press-service of the Russian border group of the Russian Federal Security Service in Tajikistan, reported. Among these documents are the protocol on the operative-border group of the Russian FSB in Tajikistan, which will define the structure and strength of the group. The sides will also sign the acceptance act formalizing the transfer by the Russian border guards of the Pamir section of the Tajik-Afghan border to their Tajik colleagues.
Moscow Concerned About Armament Theft Rate In Georgia
Itar-Tass
Moscow, December 7: Russian law enforcement departments are concerned about the growth rate of armament and ammunition thefts in the Georgian army, `which may result in armaments spreading throughout Caucasus,` a source in a Russian law enforcement agency told Itar-Tass on Tuesday. According to Georgian statistics, there have been several thefts of armaments and ammunition from army depots this year. A former high-ranking representative of the General Staff and a former head of a military unit`s financial department were apprehended in Tbilisi in October and charged with complicity with the theft of several Strela-2 air defense missiles. The police arrested five trucks carrying over 100 disposed air defense launchers in the Signagi district in the same month. `Remarkably, inspections and punishment of officials for thefts of armaments and ammunition from Georgian military units began after Georgian units stationed in the Ossetian conflict zone had received rocks in ammunition and armament boxes last summer,` the source said. Russian law enforcement departments say that Georgia is trying to compensate the missing armaments and ammunition with imports.
Georgia Starts Recruiting Reservists For Training Under U.S. Aid Program
Interfax
Tbilisi, December 7: The Georgian Defense Ministry has started recruiting reservists for training under the new program of U.S. military aid to the Georgian army. `We are planning to select 800 reservists aged under 30 within three weeks. Only 550 to 600 of them will remain after training,` Brigadier General Vakhtang Kapnadze, Georgian Armed Forces chief-of- staff, told reporters on Tuesday. The selected reservists will take a three-month training course in the Krtsanisi training center not far from Tbilisi, and those who succeed in training will be offered military contracts. `These servicemen will join the 11th and 21st motorized rifle brigades of the Georgian Defense Ministry,` Kapnadze said. Georgian Defense Minister Giorgi Baramidze told reporters on Monday that the U.S. plans to assign $60 million for the year-long training of four Georgian army battalions.
Russian TV Story On Border Prompts Tajik Protest
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, December 6: Tajikistan`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed a note to the Russian Embassy in Dushanbe on 6 December expressing concern over a 5 December report on Russia`s state-controlled Rossiya network, Tajik TV reported. Calling the report part of `an intentional anti-Tajik campaign in the Russian media,` the note disputed the television report`s suggestion that the transfer of the Tajik-Afghan border to Tajik jurisdiction will harm drug interdiction efforts. Tajik television also reported on 6 December that Aleksandr Kondratev, spokesman for Russia`s Federal Border Service in Tajikistan, stated that the Rossiya report misrepresented the state of cooperation between Russian and Tajik border guards.
U.S. To Start Program For Georgian Army
Interfax
Tbilisi, December 6: The U.S. in January will launch a new program to support the Georgian army. The Vice Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace, who is currently on a visit to Tbilisi, told journalists on Monday that about $60 million will be invested in the new military assistance program for Georgia. A group of U.S. military experts will visit Georgia next week to negotiate the program`s details, he said. Pace visited the Georgian Defense Ministry`s Krtsanisi training center, where servicemen will be instructed in accordance with the new program. The Georgian Armed Forces Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier General Vakhtang Kapnadze, told reporters that `a year of the program`s implementation will see as many events as Georgia would have done by itself in five years.` According to the Georgian Defense Ministry, U.S. partners originally planned to assign $32 million for this program, but later the allocations were increased. U.S. instructors will train four battalions in the framework of the year-long program.
Peacekeeping Command Concerned Over Reservists` Training In Georgian- Ossetian Conflict Zone
Interfax
Tbilisi, December 6: The command of the Joint Peacekeeping Forces in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict zone has declared its concern with the training of reservists in its area of responsibility. Major General Marat Kulakhmetov, commander of the forces, has sent an appeal to the co-chairmen of the Joint Control Commission, declaring concern with the escalation of reservists` military training by Georgia in the localities of Dzevera and Akhalsopeli. `The localities are in the conflict zone, and the training in them is underway without any coordination with the Joint Peacekeeping Forces HQ,` Kulakhmetov was quoted as saying by a source in the HQ.
Russian Border Guards Transferred Control Over Pamir Stretch Of Tajik - Afghan Border To Tajik Guards
RIA Novosti
Dushanbe, December 5: On Sunday, Russian border guards from the Kalaikhumbski border guard detachment transferred control over a 100-kilometer stretch of the Tajik-Afghan border to their Tajik counterparts, announced head of the press service of the Russian Border Guard Group under FSB branch in Tajikistan, Colonel Alexander Kondratyev. The personnel attended the solemn ceremony of lowering the Russian flag and hoisting the Tajik flag. Head of the Kalaykhumbski border guard detachment, Colonel Sergei Levin transferred five main frontier posts, seven frontier posts and a checkpoint on the Tajik-Afghan border to Tajik border guards. On Sunday, the Russian personnel and members of their families will be transported by helicopters from Kalaikhumb to Dushanbe. On December 6, they will be transferred to other places of service on the territory of Russia. Overall, in November-December, in accordance with the October 16, 2004 agreement between Tajikistan and Russia, Tajik border guards assumed responsibility over the entire stretch of the Tajik-Afghan border in Pamir region (881.6 kilometers). In 2004, Russian border guards detained three trespassers of the border, had one firefight with armed bandits. In addition, they seized 432.1 kilograms of narcotics, including 78.7 kilograms of heroin; 2,571 rounds of ammunition, three rockets and 50 tank gun rounds, 48 mines, 61 grenades, 440 grenade launcher rounds and 6.7 kilograms of explosives. In 2005, Russian border guards will transfer stretches controlled by Moskovski and Pyanjski frontier detachments to their Tajik colleagues. 22 main frontier posts and 25 frontier posts with all infrastructure necessary for control over the border, and also three border checkpoints are scheduled for the transfer. In accordance with the agreement, Russian border guards will continue provide assistance to their Tajik colleagues as advisors.
Abkhaz Defense Spending To Double In 2005
Interfax
Moscow, December 5: Georgia`s breakaway province of Abkhazia will double its defense spending in 2005. `The 2005 budget allocates 140 million Russian rubles ($5.03 million) for the Defense Ministry`s needs, instead of this year`s 70 million rubles ($2.52 million),` Abkhaz Deputy Defense Minister Major General Anatoly Zaitsev told Interfax-Military News Agency by telephone from Sukhumi. The increase in the self-proclaimed republic`s defense spending `has been prompted by the need to enhance the army`s combat readiness and provide the army with advanced weapons and military hardware,` Zaitsev said. `Among other measures, it is planned to significantly increase the size of servicemen`s monetary allowance. A platoon commander`s current salary is 1,100 rubles ($39.5), while a battalion commander receives 1,600 rubles ($57.5) a month,` he said.
Russia, India Agree On Military Interaction In Central Asia
IRNA
New Delhi, December 4: A Russian military delegation source in the Indian capital told Itar-Tass on Saturday that Russia and India had agreed on the possibility of military interaction in Central Asia, including Tajikistan. The source clarified that India was currently building a runway at a military airfield outside the Tajik capital of Dushanbe. He also recalled that Russia has a military base in Tajikistan. `We agreed that we would coordinate our actions closely in the military sphere,` the source went on to say. He also noted that Russia didn`t regard India as a rival and wouldn`t be opposed to India`s hypothetical presence in Central Asia.
Russia Offers Georgia Joint Anti-Terrorism Center
Civil Georgia
Tbilisi, December 10: On December 10 Russian Defense Minister Sergey Ivanov offered to set up a joint Russian-Georgian counterterrorism center where the current the Russian military bases in Georgia exist. `The time has come to find modern, more flexible forms of cooperation in the spheres of defense and coordination of counterterrorist activities. With this purpose in mind we could set up a joint Russian-Georgian special center with branches in Batumi and Akhalkalaki,` Russian media quoted Ivanov as saying on December 10. Russia has military bases in Batumi, capital of the Adjara Autonomous Republic, and Akhalkalaki, in southern Georgia. Ivanov added that it would be appropriate to use the infrastructure of the Russian military bases in Georgia for setting up a joint anti-terrorist center.
Georgia Denies Reports Of Chechen Militants In Pankisi Gorge
Interfax
Tbilisi, December 10: Russian media reports claiming that up to 200 Chechen militants from Ruslan Gelayev`s group are hiding in Pankisi Gorge are untrue, Georgian Foreign Ministry spokesman Guram Donadze told Interfax on Friday. `Georgia`s law enforcement chiefs considers such reports to be provocative and aimed at aggravating Russian-Georgian relations,` he said. `The Georgian side fully controls the situation in the gorge and takes the responsibility of declaring that there are no Chechen or any other militants in the region,` he said.
Almaty Roundtable To Consider Antiterrorism Efforts Of Central Asian Countries
Kazinform
Almaty, December 9: Antiterrorism activities of Central Asian countries at this stage and in short-term outlook will be discussed at the regional roundtable session entitled: Terrorism in Central Asia, be held December 14 in Almaty, Kazinform reports. Round table called to provide terms for open dialogue between authorities, civil society and scientific circles of the countries of the region will be attended by outstanding political and public figures, representatives of state organs, foreign diplomatic missions, international organizations and traditional religious confessions. The session is imitated by Regional office of the Institute for War and Peace publicity in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.
Reps Of 6 CIS States, China To Mull Antiterror Measures
Itar-Tass
Moscow, December 7: Representatives of the financial intelligences of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and China will meet here on Wednesday at the first session of the Eurasian group for counteracting money laundering and the funding of terrorism (EAG), which was set up a month ago. The group, led by head of Russia`s federal service for financial monitoring (Rosfinmonitoring) Viktor Zubkov, will hear the World Bank`s report on this theme, in addition to tackling protocol issues. It is also expected to approve the EAG`s workschedule for 2050, the press service of Rosfinmonitoring told Itar-Tass. The EAG`s key objectives are counteraction against money laundering and the funding of terrorism while taking into account regional specifics, joint measures within the competence of financial intelligences, analysis of trends in this sphere and exchange of experience.
Hizbut Tahrir Has 10,000 Supporters In Region, Kyrgyz Official Says
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, December 6: Colonel Begejan Akhmedov from Kyrgyzstan`s National Security Service (SNB) has said that the extremist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir has 3,000 supporters in Kyrgyzstan and 10,000 in Central Asia, Asia Plus-Blitz reported on 6 December, citing Interfax. Akhmedov said, `Intelligence shows that cell leaders are placing more and more significance on teaching the use of weapons and explosives.` He noted that SNB officers frequently find weapons and ammunition in addition to radical literature when making arrests. Akhmedov said that members contribute 10 percent of their earnings to the organization and that Hizb ut-Tahrir is increasing ties between the organization`s branches throughout Central Asia and those in Russia.
Kazakhstan Favors Burgas-Alexandroupolis Route
Interfax
Astana, December 9: Kazakhstan considers the project to build the Burgas-Alexandroupolis (Bulgaria-Greece) pipeline to be one of the most promising routes to transport its oil to Western Europe, KazMunaiGaz Executive Director Sabr Esimbekov said. `The main area of Kazakh-Bulgarian cooperation in the oil transportation sphere is the Burgas-Alexandroupolis project,` he said at a second meeting of the Kazakh-Bulgarian intergovernmental commission for trade and scientific cooperation in Astana on Friday. `We consider this project to be one possibility to reduce the overloading of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles,` he said .
Turkmenistan`s President Orders Plant Work
Associated Press
Ashgabat, December 9: Turkmenistan`s President Saparmurat Niyazov on Thursday ordered the construction of a US$109 million (euro82 million) gas-turbine power plant in the capital, Ashgabat, the president`s office said. The power plant, with two gas-turbine units from the United States` General Electric company, is expected to be completed by October 2006. The construction, which starts this month, will be carried out by the Turkish Chalik Energy company, the president`s office said.
International Lenders Visit Kyrgyzstan
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, December 8: Jean Lemierre, director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, met with Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev in Bishkek on 8 December, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service reported. In remarks to the press, Lemierre said that Kyrgyzstan is currently experiencing rapid growth. An International Monetary Fund delegation led by Tapio Saavalainen was also in Kyrgyzstan on 8 December. Saavalainen met with Deputy Prime Minister Joomart Otorbaev to discuss Kyrgyzstan`s poverty-reduction program.
Uzbek Economy Develops Stably, President Says
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 7: Economy of Uzbekistan is developing stably due to reforms and modernisations, Uzbek President said on Tuesday. Speaking at the grand celebrations of the 12th anniversary of the country`s Constitution, Islam Karimov said the country had achieved macroeconomic stability in the last five to six years. Karimov said: `As a result of radical reforms in our country, speedy modernisation and sustainable development of economy, we have achieved macroeconomic stability in last five-six years. This has been recognised by authorised international economists and observers.` The head of the state said introduction of convertibility of national currency on current transactions was giving its fruits. He said the number of the population of Uzbekistan would reach 26 million by the yearend. `Annual growth of population has been 1.2 per cent on the average in the last five years. Annual growth of real gross domestic product comprised 4.8 per cent and per capita GDP growth made up 3.5 per cent,` Karimov said.
Kazakh President Sets Priorities For National Fund
Radio Free Europe
Astana, December 7: Nazarbaev met with the board of the National Fund in Astana on 7 December to discuss how revenues from natural resources should be deposited in the fund and used, Kazinform reported. In the future, the fund will broaden its base, receiving tax monies from all oil and gas production and export facilities; it currently receives funds from a limited number of enterprises. The fund`s operations also require greater openness, Nazarbaev said. At present, the fund contains $4.7 billion. It has grown 28 percent since the beginning of the year.
Uzbek Parliament Approves 2005 Budget With Deficit Of 1 per cent Of GDP
Interfax
Tashkent, December 7: 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.
CIS Statistics Committee Reports Industrial Production Data
The Russia Journal
Moscow, December 5: The average rate of growth in industrial production in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was 8 percent in January-October, 2004 against the level of industrial production in the corresponding period of 2003, the CIS Intergovernmental Statistics Committee reported. In terms of industrial output growth, Russia was in 7th place in the CIS with a growth rate of 6.2 percent. The fastest increase in industrial production (by 16.1 percent) over the first 10 months of this year was registered in Belarus, and the corresponding figures for Tajikistan, Ukraine and Kazakhstan were 15.2 percent, 13.6 percent and 10 percent respectively. In October 2004, the volume of industrial production rose by 2 percent in the CIS against that in September of this year. The corresponding figures for Georgia and Moldova were 21 percent and 15 percent respectively. In Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Ukraine the rate of industrial production growth was 5-7 percent in October. The average rate of growth in manufacturer prices was 22 percent in the CIS in January-October, 2004.
Iran, Tajikistan Hold One-day Economic Confab In Dushanbe
IRNA
Dushanbe, December 10: A joint Iran-Tajikistan conference held in the Tajik capital of Dushanbe on Friday was attended by economic delegations, experts and industrialists from both countries. During the one-day conference, which was held at the premises of Tajikistan`s Ministry of Industries, ways of expansion of economic and trade cooperation between the two states were examined. The meeting was attended by Tajikistan`s ministers of economy, telecommunication and industries among other Tajik officials and tradesmen as well as a 152-member economic and trade delegation from Iran. In the meeting, Tajik Minister of Economy and Commerce Hakim Salehov welcomed Iran`s investment in Tajikistan and said expressed his country`s interest in expansion of ties with Iran after the disintegration of the ex-Soviet Union. `Today, we have commercial and economic collaboration with more than 80 countries, but special priority is given to broadening ties with Iran.
Tajik Democratic Party Leader Seized In Moscow
RIA Novosti
Dushanbe, December 10: Mahmadruzi Iskandarov, leader of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan, was detained in Moscow on the Tajik top prosecutor`s request, Rakhmatulloh Valiev, party Executive Secretary, said to a news conference in Dushanbe, Tajik capital. The Prosecutor General`s office accuses the opposition leader of bad embezzlement. He was on the international `wanted` list. Iskandarov is suspected of misappropriating two million US dollars while he was Tajikgas Co. Director. Criminal proceedings were launched against him last August. A Moscow police officer confirmed his detention to Novosti. He said Mahmadruzi Iskandarov is suspected of other grave crimes, as well-in particular, terror complicity. The Tajik top prosecutor`s office has been informed about the detention, added our informant. Iskandarov`s involvement is alleged in setting up an illegal paramilitary force in Garm, an area in the Tajik east. He is also suspected of budget embezzlement, Novosti heard from competent Tajik law enforcement officers. He may be indicted for patronage of Yeribek Ibrahimov`s paramilitary force.
Iranian Delegation In Azerbaijan To Discuss Caspian Sea Legal Regime
Kazakhstan News
Tehran, December 10: Iran has sent a delegation headed by president`s special envoy, Mahdi Safari, to Azerbajijan to negotiate the controversial Caspian Sea legal regime, according to the Azeri Ambassador to Tehran, Abbasali Hasanov. The five Caspian Sea littoral states have several times discussed the issue but have come to no certain conclusion yet due to the differences they have regarding how to share the sea. Iran backs a proposal that would apply for the division of the sea into five equal sections -- 20 percent -- but other four states believe that Iran should enjoy less. So far, the littoral states have announced their positions only and have not offered any possible solution, said the Azeri ambassador
Hitler`s Book Stirs Anger In Azerbaijan
BBC
Baku, December 10: An attempt to get a new translation of Adolf Hitler`s Mein Kampf into bookshops in Azerbaijan has infuriated Jewish groups and triggered the detention of the book`s publisher. Anti-mafia police briefly arrested the editor-in-chief of Xural newspaper, Avaz Zeynalli, for getting the book translated into Azeri and publishing a few hundred copies, press reports said. Azadliq newspaper said it had taken Mr Zeynalli more than two years to translate the book and that local press have been publishing it in fragments for the past two years. But by publishing the book in full, Mr Zeynalli may have broken a national ban on Hitler`s anti-Semitic text. Azeri ANS TV on Friday showed President Ilham Aliyev meeting a delegation led by Lev Levayev, president of the CIS Federation of Jewish Communities. `Ethnic and religious tolerance is high in Azerbaijan and everybody acknowledges that,` it quoted Aliyev as saying. Although he made no comment on the Hitler book incident, Mr Aliyev told Mr Levayev that throughout its history, including under Soviet rule, Azerbaijan had respected the Jews.
Uzbek, Kazakh Law Enforcement Bodies Set Close Ties
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 9: Law enforcement bodies of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan established close relations in fight against international terrorism, a Kazakh diplomat said. `After terrorist acts in Uzbekistan, law enforcement bodies of two countries, on order of Presidents Islam Karimov and Nursultan Nazarbaev, carried out a complex of special measures,` Tleuhan Kabdrahmanov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan, said. `As a result of joint work of special services on the territories of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, executors of terrorist acts were found and arrested.` `Through this, we showed that cooperation of law enforcement bodies assists in fighting crime,` the diplomat noted.
President Of RK Discussed Perfection Of Kazakhstani Investment Climate With Council Of Foreign Investors
Kazinform
Astana, December 9: Today in the morning Head of the State Nursultan Nazarbayev met with executives of world known companies, arrived in Kazakhstan to take part in the session of Council of foreign investors under President of Kazakhstan, Presidential press service informs. General production director of ENI SpA Corporation for development and exploitation Stefano Kao informed the President of activities of the company in our country. As it is known, ENI Corporation in Kazakhstan is represented by Agip Company that is taking part to date in largest projects, such as Kashagan and Karachaganak fields. Head of the State received also president of European bank for reconstruction and development Jean Lemierre and considered situation of Kazakhstani financial sector.
Uzbekistan Women`s Delegation Visits Austria
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 9: A delegation of Uzbek Women`s Committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Svetlana Inamova paid a visit to Vienna (Austria) on the invitation of the country`s Federal Ministry of Health, Jahon reported. The aim of the visit was to study the experience of Austria in the sphere of gender equality and support of women entrepreneurship. The members of the delegation met Federal Minister of Healthcare and Women`s Affairs M.Rauch-Kallat, second Chairman of the National Council B.Prammer, General Secretary of the Federal Chamber of Economy D.Chochhauser and Speaker for Foreign Political Issues of the Parliamentary Fraction of the Greens Party M.Lunachek.
Iran, Azerbaijan Stress Importance Of Bolstering Ties
IRNA
Baku, December 9: Iran and Azerbaijan here Wednesday stressed the importance of bolstering bilateral relations in all fields. Iran`s special envoy for Caspian Sea affairs, Mehdi Safari, in a meeting with Azerbaijan Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov, assessed bilateral relations as growing and constructive. He expressed hope that the implementation of the accords reached between the two sides during President Mohammad Khatami`s visit to Baku would further boost bilateral relations. Khalafov, for his part, expressed satisfaction over current level of ties with Iran and highlighted the importance of exchanging visits between dignitaries of the two countries to promote cooperation. The two sides noted that an upcoming visit by Azeri President Ilham Aliyev to Baku would reinvigorate constructive cooperation.
Uzbek, Polish Defence Ministers Meet In Tashkent
Uzbek Report
Rawalpindi, December 9: Top defence officials of Uzbekistan and Poland held negotiations in Uzbekistan on 6 December to discuss cooperation issues in 2005. Uzbek Defence Minister Kadyr Gulyamov and Polish National Defence Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski met to approve plan of joint actions in 2005, the Embassy of Poland told UzReport.com. The embassy said the sides discussed issues on further military-technical cooperation between two countries, security issues and fight against international terrorism in the Central Asian region, as well as in Afghanistan.
Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Agree To Continue Talks On Karabakh
Interfax
Yerevan, December 9: Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers Vardan Oskanian and Elmar Mamedyarov agree at their meeting in Brussels on Thursday to resume talks in Prague on resolving the Karabakh talks, the Armenian Foreign Ministry`s press service reported late in the day. The Russian, U.S. and French cochairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group attended the meeting, the report says. The two ministers exchanged views on issues arising at this stage of the contacts, it says.
Georgia Wants Improved Relations With Russia
Itar-Tass
Washington DC, December 9: `Improved relations with Russia are the same priority for Georgia, as the development of partnership with the United States and the European Union`, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania said in Washington. `We are absolutely open for an active dialogue with the Russian leadership and are extremely interested that Georgia and Russia are good neighbors and partners`, he told the Voice of America radio station. `We have many common issues and problems, which can be solved only by cooperation`, Zhvania said adding that Moscow and Tbilisi can jointly develop the Caucasus into a peaceful region. Despite existing political tensions between the two countries, Georgia successfully cooperates with the Russian Gazprom monopoly.
Aliyev Satisfied With Economic Projects With Iran
IRNA
Baku, December 9: Azeri President Ilham Aliyev here Wednesday expressed satisfaction over implementation of joint economic projects with Iran. Aliyev, in a meeting with Iran`s special envoy for the Caspian Sea affairs Mehdi Safari, said the two countries are carrying out joint economic projects speedily, indicating mutual interest in expansion of relations. He added that in his phone conversation with Iran`s President Mohammad Khatami, the two sides discussed Aliyev`s upcoming visit to Iran and expressed hope the documents which will be signed during the visit would help promote welfare of the two nations. The president expressed satisfaction over President Khatami`s visit to his country in August and stressed further expansion of ties at the bilateral and regional levels. He hoped talks between Tehran and Baku on the legal regime of the Caspian Sea would have positive results.
Georgian PM Expresses Support For Democracy In Ukraine
Voice of America
Tbilisi, December 8: Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania says he supports democracy in Ukraine and hopes the upcoming Ukrainian presidential election will be free and fair. Mr. Zhvania, who is currently visiting the United States, made the comment Wednesday in an interview with the Voice of America. He also expressed satisfaction with his U.S. visit, which began Sunday, and says the United States has a great deal of interest in Georgia. Mr. Zhvania has met with a number of high-level U.S. officials, including National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.
Russia Lifts Restrictions On Abkhazia Section Of RF-Georgia Border
Itar-Tass
Moscow, December 8: The usual border-crossing regime on the Abkhazian section of the Russian-Georgian border was resumed, aide to the Russian prime minister Gennady Bukayev said on Wednesday. `The decision was made over an address of the leadership of the self-proclaimed republic of Abkhazia and the normalization of the situation in the republic,` he emphasized. The Russian side imposed instructions on the Abkhazian border section on December 2. The railway communication between Moscow and Sukhumi was suspended on the same day. Growing tensions in Abkhazia caused restrictions of the border-crossing regime,` Bukayev emphasized.
Gryzlov, Nazarbayev Discuss Russian - Kazakh Relations
Kazakhstan News
Astana, December 8: Kazakhstan`s President Nursultan Nazarbayev and Russian State Duma Speaker Boris Gryzlov discussed bilateral relations and integration processes within the Common Economic Space framework. Mr. Gryzlov, currently on an official visit to Astana, said this to journalists following the meeting with Mr. Nazarbayev. `We discussed the issues of economic development and legislative background of the reforms in our countries,` the speaker noted. Russia is not the leader in all spheres and it can borrow Kazakhstan`s experience in some aspects, Mr. Gryzlov said. `The main thing is that nobody doubts our participation in the Common Economic Space,` he emphasized. According to Boris Gryzlov, he discussed the Russian-Kazakh border issue with Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Kazakhstan And Hungary Mark 10th Anniversary Of Friendly Relations
Kazinform
Astana, December 7: Today, December 7 is marked the 10th anniversary since the day of adoption of the Agreement on grounds of friendly relations and cooperation between Kazakhstan and Hungary, signed in 1994 during the visit of President of Kazakhstan Republic Nursultan Nazarbayev to Budapest, press service of Hungarian embassy in Kazakhstan informs.
Uzbeks Rally For Dismissed British Envoy
Radio Free Europe
Tashkent, December 7: Several dozen demonstrators gathered in front of the British Embassy in Tashkent on 7 December demanding the reinstatement of former British envoy Craig Murray, Fergana.ru reported. Demonstrators told a Fergana.ru correspondent that they are convinced that the British Foreign Office gave in to pressure from the Uzbek authorities with the decision to remove Murray, who gained renown for his commitment to human-rights issues and his harsh criticism of Uzbek President Islam Karimov.
Armenia Offers Gazprom Role In Iran Pipeline Project
Interfax
Yerevan, December 7: Armenia`s government and Gazprom are discussing a role for the Russian gas giant in the construction of the Kadjaran - Ararat section of the gas pipeline between Armenia and Iran. An Armenian government source told Interfax that Gazprom might be invited to build and renovate 200 km of pipeline at a cost of approximately $90 million. Gazprom might receive the incomplete No. 5 generating unit at the Razdan power plant, in which Gazprom has shown an interest, to reimburse its costs. Razdan is Armenia`s biggest heat and power plant, producing 20 per cent of the country`s electricity. It has capacity of 1,100 megawatts and operating capacity of 800 megawatts. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 1994 provided a loan worth $61.5 million to build the fifth block at the Razdan plant.
US, GUUAM Officials Discuss Economic, Security Cooperation
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 7: Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage met with the ambassadors of Georgia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Moldova (GUUAM) at the US State Department on 3 December to discuss multilateral projects on regional security and economic development. The sides discussed multilateral projects enhancing regional security and encouraging economic development in the region. `The Deputy Secretary underscored US interest in and endorsed the progress made on joint US-GUUAM projects in trade, transport, and law enforcement cooperation,` the US State Department`s release said.
Kyrgyz Parliament Delays Ratification Of Kazakh Cooperation Treaty
Radio Free Europe
Bishkek, December 7: Deputies in Kyrgyzstan`s Legislative Assembly (lower chamber of parliament) decided on 7 December that an agreement on relations with Kazakhstan signed in December 2003 requires amendment before it can be ratified, RFE/RL`s Kyrgyz Service reported (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 29 December 2003). Deputy Ishenbai Kadyrbekov said that the agreement, which Kazakhstan has already ratified, fails to take into account Kyrgyzstan`s interests on issues of labor migration, transit for Kyrgyz passengers, and goods through Kazakhstan, and joint use of water resources.
Russian Parliament Speaker To Visit Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan News
Moscow, December 7: An official visit of the Russian State Duma delegation to Kazakhstan will take place on December 8 to 9. The delegation is headed by parliament speaker Boris Gryzlov who is expected to meet with Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev and parliament head Ural Mukhamedzhanov. The parties will discuss Russian-Kazakhstani cooperation and in particular, economic and cultural interaction as well as joint activities in fighting terrorism and ensuring security.
Georgia Seeks Further OSCE Monitoring Of Border With Russia
Interfax
Tbilisi, December 7: Georgia has called for an extension of the mandate of the Organization for Security and Cooperation of Europe`s observers working on the Chechen, Ingush and Dagestani sections of the border with Russia. The current mandate expires in 2004. `It is necessary to continue this monitoring mission as Russian representatives have again started to speak about certain movements by Chechen guerrillas across the border,` Kornely Salia, director of the Georgian Interior Ministry`s border guard headquarters, told Interfax on Wednesday.
Uzbek Foreign Minister To Participate In Afghan President`s Inauguration
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 6: Uzbek Foreign Minister Sadyk Safaev will represent Uzbekistan at the inauguration ceremony of the President of Afghanistan Khamid Karzai, scheduled for Tuesday. Safaev, who will visit Afghanistan in accordance with instruction of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, will also hold negotiations with the country`s new leadership after the ceremony. Ilkham Zakirov, press secretary of the Uzbek Foreign Ministry, said: `Settlement of situation in Afghanistan and assistance to rehabilitation of economy of this country is a priority direction of foreign economic policy of Uzbekistan.` He noted that official Tashkent had always tried to draw the attention of the international community to the situation in Afghanistan and this was the reason why Uzbekistan had become one of the first countries that supported international antiterrorism campaign in this country. Currently, different ministries and departments of Uzbekistan are participating in projects directed at rehabilitation of the Afghan economy, he said. The Foreign Ministry spokesman said Uzbekistan was ready to enhance its economic presence on the Afghan land. `Uzbekistan is actively participating in rehabilitation of roads and bridges, as well as delivery of humanitarian cargo,` Zakirov said. The Uzbek delegation will exchange opinions with Afghan leadership on bilateral and multilateral cooperation, participation of Uzbekistan in reconstruction of Afghanistan`s economy and infrastructure.
India Implements Focus On CIS Countries Programme
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 5: Indian Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) executive director C.Shukla urged the country`s entrepreneurs to focus on CIS countries last week. He spoke at the seminar on `Export awareness and focus on CIS` on 3 December, jointly organised by Utkal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Kolkata-based EEPC, BharatTextile reported. `The Focus: CIS programme` will focus on countries in this region with emphasis on seven countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan and Ukraine. Informing about the vast potential for trade with Commonwealth of Independent States, Shukla said: `We have to make special efforts to penetrate the CIS market.` Uzbekistan plans to discuss signing a free trade agreement and easing visa norms with India early next year at the India-Uzbek summit in Tashkent.
Iran Has Achieved Valuable Industrial Progresses: Uzbek Official
IRNA
Tashkent, December 5: Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Elyor Ganiyev said here Sunday that Iran has achieved valuable industrial progresses. Speaking to IRNA after a one-hour visit from Iran`s exclusive industrial exhibition in the Uzbek capital, Ganiyev said that holding the fair provided a proper opportunity for further Tehran-Tashkent industrial cooperation. The five-day exhibition started its work in Tashkent on Saturday after a ceremony attended by Iranian and Uzbek officials as well as a number of ambassadors from Iran`s neighboring countries.
Iran`s third Commercial Exhibition To Be Held In Tajikistan
IRNA
Dushanbe, December 4: Iran`s third commercial exhibition is to open here this week aimed at introducing industrial products and expanding bilateral trade and economic relations. Talking to IRNA here Saturday, Iranian Ambassador to Tajikistan Nasser Sarmadi Parsa said the exhibition will be held in the biggest hall of Dushanbe`s fair site on December 9-13. Iranian companies participating in the fair will be displaying products ranging from sanitary goods, medicines, foodstuff, clothing to construction materials, home appliances, computer equipment and software systems, he added. An Iranian economic and trade delegation will be visiting Tajikistan coinciding with the period of the fair to hold sessions with Tajik tradesmen and explore avenues for boosting bilateral cooperation, Sarmadi Parsa noted.
Kazakhstan Creates Nuclear University
Itar-Tass
Alma Ata, December 10: Kazakhstan has created a Kazakh Nuclear University. A presentation ceremony of the new university has been held in Alma- Ata. The Kazakh Nuclear University created under the Kazatomprom National nuclear company is intended for upgrading the qualification of engineering and technical personnel of enterprises of the uranium industry and profile training of senior students of institutes and colleges, said University Rector Marat Ismailov. The university teachers are prominent scientists, teachers of the Satpayev National Technical University, Al Farabi National University under the Kazatomprom state company. Two-week courses on the technologies of uranium production and processing opened the course of tuition at the new university. In future, the university curriculum will be broadened to include studies of nuclear fuel production and development of nuclear power engineering.
Kazakhstan, U.S. Broaden Non-proliferation Cooperation
Interfax
Astana, Decembr 9: Kazakhstan and the United States have signed an amendment to their agreement on cooperation in the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. `The amendment ensures larger U.S. financing for Kazakh projects in the non-proliferation of biological weapons,` says a Thursday press release from the Kazakh Embassy in the United States. The amendment will upgrade bilateral cooperation `in the non- proliferation of biological weapons and the threat of bio-terrorism,` the press release reads. It is planned to build a laboratory and a system for monitoring infectious diseases in Kazakhstan under the agreement and within the framework of the Nunn-Lugar program. The system will help to detect, diagnose and respond to natural outbreaks of infectious diseases and possible epidemics caused by terrorist acts. The United States and Kazakhstan will jointly develop molecular diagnostics and therapy for infectious diseases in Central Asia, the press release reads.
European Envoys Express Concern Over Tajik Newspaper
Radio Free Europe
Dushanbe, December 7: The embassies of France, Germany, and Great Britain issued a statement on 7 December expressing regret at the Tajik authorities` decision to confiscate the print run of the independent newspaper `Ruzi Nav` in early November (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 8 November 2004), Asia Plus-Blitz reported the next day. `The heads of the diplomatic missions underscore the importance of allowing a free and independent press to act in Tajikistan, especially on the eve of parliamentary elections,` the statement read. `As the friends and partners of Tajikistan, the heads of the three EU embassies call on the Tajik government to take all necessary measures to demonstrate support for free media and guarantee that `Ruzi Nav` and other newspapers are able to be printed and distributed without obstacles and limitations.`
Human Trafficking Becomes Systematic In Uzbekistan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 6: Human trafficking in Uzbekistan becomes systematic, an Uzbek law enforcement bodies` representative said at a briefing. Law enforcement bodies stopped an activity of a group, which worked under the mask of a health centre and trafficked people. The group bought or stole women from their families and brought them to Tashkent under pretence of providing education or job. But after arrival to Tashkent, they were handed over to souteneurs.
Kyrgyzstan: UN-supported Project Brings Hope To Drug Addicts
IRIN News
Bishkek, December 6: Sergey, 30, has had a difficult time since he started taking heroin over eight years ago. Like many other addicts he has tried to quit numerous times, even undergoing addiction treatment at the Republican Narcology Centre (RCN) in the capital, Bishkek, but he cannot resist new hits of the drug. `I was so addicted that I could not imagine another life. When I realised that I could no longer continue this way, I joined special treatment sessions designed to remove my addiction, but still could not get rid of thoughts about another dose [of heroin],` he told IRIN at the centre. For the addict there appeared no way out of the cycle of addiction, then he learned about a new psychological rehabilitation centre opened in RCN, the country`s main body dealing with the issue of drug addiction. In October, RCN launched a new project supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to help drug users like Sergey recover from psychological addiction.
Kazakh President Appoints New Administration Head, Almaty Mayor
Radio Free Europe
Astana, December 9: Nursultan Nazarbaev issued a decree on 9 December appointing Imangali Tasmagambetov mayor of Almaty and Viktor Khrapunov governor of East Kazakhstan Province, Interfax-Kazakhstan reported. Tasmagambetov was released from the post of head of the presidential administration, which he had occupied since March, and replaced by Adilbek Jaksybekov, who had been minister of industry and trade since June 2003. Khrapunov was released from his position as mayor of Almaty, a post he had held since June 1997.
New Kazakh Presidential Administration Chief Appointed
Interfax
Astana, December 9: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev introduced the new head of the presidential administration, Adilbek Dzhaksybekov, to personnel on Thursday, a presidential administration source told Interfax. Dzhaksybekov, 50, had been the industry and trade minister since June 2003. Nazarbayev also introduced new Almaty administration chief Imangali Tasmagambetov and the new head of the East Kazakhstan region, Viktor Khrapunov.
New National Security And Interior Ministers Appointed In Turkmenistan
Interfax
Ashgabat, December 9: Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov at the government meeting on Thursday appointed Lt. Gen. Geldymukhammed Ashirmukhammedov, the interior minister, to serve as national security minister. Lt. Gen. Annageldy Gummanov, who used to be national security minister, was appointed first deputy foreign minister having the rank of minister. Former Deputy Interior Minister Akmamed Rakhmanov was promoted to interior minister.
Russian Newspaper Reports Former Turkmen Envoy Under House Arrest
Radio Free Europe
Ashgabat, December 8: Russia`s `Nezavisimaya gazeta` reported on 8 December that Niyazklych Nurklychev, the former Turkmen Ambassador to Belgium, is under house arrest and facing criminal charges in Ashgabat. Earlier reports indicated that Nurklychev may have sought political asylum in Europe (see `RFE/RL Newsline,` 2 December 2004). According to the Russian newspaper, Nurklychev incurred Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov`s displeasure when Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov suggested that Nurklychev`s lax diplomatic efforts led to the UN General Assembly`s 18 November passage of a resolution condemning Turkmenistan for human rights violations.
Ismatilla Ergashev Appointed Uzbek Ambassador To Azerbaijan
Uzbek Report
Tashkent, December 7: Ismatilla Ergashev was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan Republic. A corresponding decree was signed on 7 December 2004 by President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov. Ismatilla Ergashev has been serving as Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan.
Special Focus
Turkmenistan`s Great Leader: The Ceausescu Career Path?
If you look up `cult of personality` in the dictionary, you might find a picture of Turkmenistan`s president, Saparmurat Niazov. And wherever you look inside Turkmenistan, you`ll see the same image.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/pp120504.shtml
Presidential Candidates Strike Deal In Abkhazia
A last-minute deal between opposition leader Sergei Bagapsh and former Prime Minister Raul Khajimba appears to have ended a two-month stalemate over the outcome of Abkhazia`s presidential elections. Yet the pact`s consequences for Abkhazia`s relations with Georgia remain unknown. While mutual congratulations have flowed from Sukhumi and Moscow, Tbilisi has maintained a tight-lipped silence about the compromise.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav120604.shtml
Debate Over Azerbaijani Public TV Continues
After years of wrangling, public television free from overt government control has come to Azerbaijan, but critics charge that the move will do little to improve conditions for an independent and critical press. For now, the Council of Europe has withheld judgement, noting, however, that the law establishing Azerbaijan`s public television system may fail to meet stipulations for the complete abolition of state-run television.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav120804.shtml
Kyrgyz Officials Launch Controversial Terroriat Attack Probe
A police crackdown against suspected Islamic extremists following a recent grenade blast in Osh is sparking concerns among human rights defenders about discrimination against Muslims and harassment of Kyrgyzstan`s Uzbek population, the country`s largest minority group.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/civilsociety/articles/eav120904.shtml
The Bar Of Democracy For Central Asia
It can sometimes happen that on the sidelines of an event that might otherwise be merely an asterisk of history, the veil lifts somewhat to reveal the possibilities of something greater. The ceremony in Kabul on December 7 for the swearing-in of Hamid Karzai as the elected head of state of Afghanistan was one such event.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/FL11Ag01.html
Central Asia: What Chances For Democracy?
Nearly 13 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, prospects for democratic reform in Central Asia are disappearing, warned opposition leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan at a recent conference in London.
To read more, click on the link: http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav121004.shtml
Report dated 10 December 2004