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Reply account by Valeri Belokon

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2012-10-25T23:22:52+02:00

According to German press law ETG is obliged to publish a reply account of Valeri Belokon.

The reply account is referring to a briefing by ETG from April 2010, where the connection of several banks in Kyrgyzstan was linked to corruption cases. Mr. Belokon asked the editors of ETG to publish the following correction:

„Eurasian Transition Group recognizes that:

Mr. Maxim Bakiyev has never been and is not owner and shareholder of CJSC Manas Bank; CJSC Manas Bank is solely owned by Mr. Valeri Belokon.
Latvia-incorporated LLC Maval Aktivi, whose former owners were Mr. Valeri Belokon and Mr. Maxim Bakiyev has never been and currently is not connected or linked to Asia Universal Bank (AUB). LLC Maval Aktivi has not made any payments to Asia Universal Bank. No funds transfers and cash remittances have ever been made to Cyprus or Austria on behalf of LLC Maval Aktivi; LLC Maval Aktivi has never held any accounts in CJSC Manas Bank.
Mr. Valeri Belokon has never been member of the Board of Directors of MGN Group and has never had any contacts or connection therewith.
Mr. Valeri Belokon currently holds the post of Chairperson of the Council of JSC Baltic International Bank; he is not CEO of JSC Baltic International Bank and he was not CEO of JSC Baltic International Bank as for the date of publication of the article (April 22, 2010).
Mr. Valeri Belokon is the sole shareholder of CJSC Manas Bank. Mr. Valeri Belokon has never held managerial positions at CJSC Manas Bank and has never been a member of the Board and/or a member of the Council of CJSC Manas Bank.“

Under German press law ETG admits its own negligence in respect of fact-checking and apologizes personally to Mr. Valeri Belokon, CJSC Manas Bank and LLC Maval Aktivi for having disseminated false and misleading information.

Kyrgyzstan: Maxim Bakiyev faces prolonged legal battle in West

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2012-10-17T11:43:53+02:00

Legal pressure is building on Maxim Bakiyev, the son of Kyrgyzstan's former president.

Shortly after Bakiyev was detained in Great Britain on October 12, the American Embassy in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek issued a statement saying the US government is seeking his extradition to "face trial in US federal court on serious charges of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and obstruction of justice."

Son of Kyrgyzstan’s deposed president arrested in London, faces possible US extradition

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2012-10-15T11:39:47+02:00

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — The fugitive son of Kyrgyzstan’s deposed president has been arrested by police in London on a U.S. extradition warrant on suspicion of fraud, British and Kyrgyz authorities said Saturday.

Interview mit dem neuen Botschafter der Republik Kirgistan in Deutschland

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2012-07-03T15:11:32+02:00

ETG hatte die Möglichkeit zu einem ausführlichen Gespräch mit dem neuen Botschafter der Republik Kirgistan in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, S.E. Dr. Bolot Otunbayev.

New series of inconsistencies in the case of Kazakh Aliyev

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2012-05-07T15:05:08+02:00

New series of inconsistencies in the case of Kazakh Aliyev
(Berlin / Vienna) APA - The case of the Kazakh Rakhat Aliyev continues to raise new question marks. The most recent discussion of one of the lawyers who work in the field Aliyev, at Eurojust, the EU judicial authority for judicial cooperation, gave the following astonishing twist: Neither Austria nor Germany would apparently be responsible for the persecution of Aliyev.
Their argument: Criminal acts that have been committed abroad to a foreigner could not be persecuted.
So, when Rakhat Aliyev had been tortured or murdered Kazakh citizens in Kazakhstran would mean that it would not be an offense that triggers a prosecution in Austria.
This turn is surprising to lawyers of the victims because the prosecution had been initially set, because Aliyev was not present and was available in Austria, but not because the prosecution was not possible.
The next inconsistency refers to the three-day hearing of Aliyev in Malta by the responsible Austrian prosecutor from Vienna.
The interrogation could not be performed by the prosecutor herself, only Maltese interrogators were legally allowed, and she could only attend the hearing of the Kazakh by Maltese investigative bodies and listen to the statements of Aliyev. The content of this examination was not disclosed.
What raises questions is that Maltese officials in an official statement said that Aliyev had at the time of the hearing did not reside in Malta.
Furthermore, lawyers ask what might have caused the Maltese Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg, not to answer a letter, issued by the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, Elmar Brok, in written form, but only orally. "He had good reason not to comment in writing," says one of the lawyers.
Another mystery so far unremained is a trip by Mr. Aliyev to Turkey last year. According to sources he had been shadowed by German intelligence officials in Istanbul. Turkish police, after informed by the Germans, caught Aliyev while he was entering a limousine and taken to a police car. He seems to have bribed the police and was released soon after the incident. On the same day he left Istanbul back to Malta via Northern Cyprus.

APA

Ukraine’s prison problem

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2012-03-09T16:34:21+01:00

If Ukraine wants to make its upcoming chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe a meaningful success next year, it will need to improve its judicial system this year.

Having just visited Ukraine to discuss the rule of law and state of democracy in the country, I intended to meet with former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who is currently being held in a prison colony in the eastern city of Kharkiv under dubious charges and allegedly deteriorating prison conditions. Upon arrival in Kharkiv, I was disappointed to find that the Ukrainian officials did not allow us to see or talk to Tymoshenko, denying us any access to her prison cell.

Though the decision was disappointing, it was not surprising. Two weeks earlier two of my colleagues from the Dutch Parliament, Coskun Coruz and Kathleen Ferrier, were denied access to the prison colony while conducting a similar fact-finding visit.

Walburga Habsburg Douglas

Open letter to UEFA concerning political situation in Ukraine

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2012-03-09T16:08:28+01:00

9. März 2012
To
UEFA
Michel Platini, President
Route de Genève 46
Post Box
CH-1260 Nyon 2

Dear Mr. President:
In less than 100 days, the UEFA EURO 2012 will have its first match. The championship will partially take place in Ukraine. The signatories of this letter are deeply concerned about the current political and judicial situation in the country. Without exaggerating, we have the impression that the Ukrainian Government will try to use the sportive event as a huge PR campaign for its own purpose, while opponents of the President are still in jail, the critical media cannot work according to international standards.
Especially the situation for imprisoned Yulia Tymoshenko, former Prime Minister of the Ukraine and main opponent of President Yanukovytch, is deteriorating. The decision by a Kiev court to jail Tymoshenko for seven years for abuse of office is an unambiguous signal. It says that Yanukovych does not really care what the EU thinks about him. It also confirms what Yanukovych's critics have been saying for some time – that under his leadership the country is sliding towards a "managed democracy" and autocratic rule.
Since taking power, Yanukovych has rapidly reversed the fragile democratic gains of the Orange Revolution. He has put a squeeze on the country's independent media, with TV now in the hands of a bunch of pro-regime oligarchs. Opposition journalists – such as the investigative reporter Vasyl Klymentyev – have disappeared. In parliament, Yanukovych's Party of the Regions has, using dubious means, achieved a majority. And politically motivated prosecutions have been brought against Tymoshenko and other senior members of her bloc.
But what is clear is that the case was designed to nobble Tymoshenko and to cripple the pro-western, anti-Yanukovych forces she represents. The trial bears comparison with that of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the Russian oligarch who fell out with Vladimir Putin.
She is now unable to participate in Ukraine's next two elections: parliamentary ones in 2012, and the next presidential election in 2015.
Western parliamentarians, like members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, are not allowed to visit Ms. Tymoshenko in jail and verify her physical and mental condition. All Western European governments and parliaments made their position clear: They are not willing to tolerate a regime in Kiev, that suppresses all major fundamental European and international human and civil rights.

Although the UEFA is not a political institution, we know that the organization's power does not end at the football stadium. But as the EURO 2012 was and is one of the most important sportive and social events in Europe, it also gives an example, how society, European organizations and sport can have an influence on political surpression in regimes like Ukraine. You might heard that some managers of successful European football teams already announced, that they will boycott the Ukrainian EURO 2012, not traveling to the country, even not watching it on TV.
Therefore, we would like to ask you as the President of the UEFA not to close your eyes on what is happening in the Ukraine. Please mention the issues of political suppression and injustice in public, talk about it with Ukrainian officials and the government.
You represent the official and only European football organization, a sport that is not only challenging for the teams, but is also in general a part of the broader European idea. Therefore we urge you to serve as a representative of those rights, that are essential for our international community and raise your voice, not only for the people in Ukraine, but for all Europeans.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Elmar Brok MEP, Chairman Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament
Viola von Cramon MP, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen Speaker on Foreign Relation of the European Union of the German Parliament
Walburga Habsburg Douglas MP, Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Michael Laubsch, President Eurasian Transition Group
Matteo Mecacci MP, Chairman Third Committee of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Charles Tannock MEP, ECR Group Coordinator on Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament

Original letter

RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT YULIA TIMOSHENKO

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2012-02-27T17:48:29+01:00

RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT YULIA TIMOSHENKO

EPP and likeminded Group in the OSCE-PA

Regarding the current situation of the trial of Mrs. Yulia Timoshenko, former Prime Minister of Ukraine, the EPP and likeminded Group in the OSCE-PA is:

• Deeply concerned about her personal, physical and health conditions in prison,

• Expresses its worries about her health situation and asks the Government of Ukraine to provide the best possible medical care by a medical team nominated by her and, if necessary, the transfer to any specialized medical centre of her choice, inside or outside the national territory, even if remaining in the custody of the competent authorities.

• Urges the Ukrainian authorities to allow the visit of observers and International Organisations like the International Red Cross, after the failed attempts to do so by observers of the OSCE-PA, NGOs, and political parties including the EPP led by Wilfred Martens,

• Regrets the constant violation of the fundamental Human Rights regarding her trial, the lack of Justice and the lack of respect to the Rules of International Rights,

• Recognises that Ukraine is strengthened by effective multiparty democracy and that Ukraine is weakened by one group controlling politics and influencing the judiciary.

• Calls upon the International community and the EPP and likeminded Member Parties to show its commitment to International Law and to seek a democratic rule of law in Ukraine and an independent judiciary.

We hope that the President and Government of Ukraine, leading political forces and its judicial system, will be able to resolve this problem in accordance with norms of international law permitting Yulia Timoshenko and other politicians in prison participate in the next elections contributing to the democratisations of Ukrainian powers and society.

Access to Fergana.ru should be restored immediately and Internet should remain free in Kyrgyzstan, says OSCE media representative

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2012-02-27T16:23:50+01:00

VIENNA, 27 February 2012 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, called today for the block on news site Fergana.ru in Kyrgyzstan to be lifted and urged the authorities to ensure that the Internet remains free in the country.

Kyrgyzstan’s Internet service providers last week started enforcing a parliamentary resolution to block Fergana.ru, an independent online portal specialized in Central Asian political issues. The parliament (Jogorku Kenesh), citing Fergana.ru’s coverage of the June 2010 violence in Kyrgyzstan’s south, last year requested that the government take steps to deny Internet users access to the portal.

“This effective ban, which was decided without even a court sanction, should be lifted immediately. Disrupting the free flow of information on the Internet contravenes OSCE media freedom commitments and constrains debate on issues of public interest,” Mijatović said.

“In a letter I sent on 23 February to Asylbek Jeenbekov, the speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh, I criticized the resolution and pointed out that legislators should not adopt laws or resolutions that aim at restricting freedom of the media, including online, but should ensure that the Internet remains a free forum to exchange information and ideas.”

“It is unfortunate that Kyrgyzstan, which lately took a number of steps toward enhancing media freedom, including decriminalization of defamation, made a decision that goes in the opposite direction,” she added.

Mijatović welcomed the statement of Presidential spokesperson Kadyr Toktogulov, who questioned the blocking of Fergana.ru, and said she hoped Internet users will be soon able to freely access this website again.

OSCE

High Level Hearing on Uzbekistan: “From the Uzbek Cotton Fields to the Termez Military Base”

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2012-02-21T13:40:58+01:00

HIGH LEVEL HEARING
Berlin, February 6, 2012

Dear colleagues,
Dear friends,

We would like to cordially invite you to our next event:

“From the Uzbek Cotton Fields to the Termez Military Base”
A High Level Hearing on Uzbekistan and Germany

Thursday March 1, 2012 from 13:00 – 18:30

In Berlin, in the “Landesvertretung der Freien und Hansestadt Hamburg”, Jägerstraße 1, 10117

In this public high-level hearing, experts from governmental, intergovernmental, business, and NGO backgrounds will discuss the relationship between Germany and Uzbekistan. From state-sponsored child labor during the cotton harvesting involving from 1.5 to 2 million Uzbek children each year, to the subversion of basic civil and political rights including the systematic use of torture, the Uzbekistan human rights record is so appalling that the country is considered one of today’s most repressive regimes left in the world. Experts will engage on how political and economical interests of Western Actors impact, positively or negatively, the advancement of human rights in Uzbekistan, with a particular emphasis on Germany’s role and military interests in the context of the NATO-led efforts in Afghanistan.

The hearing will be held in English and German, with simultaneous interpretation. See the outline and the eminent list of speakers below.

This event is co-sponsored by the German-Uzbek Forum for Human Rights, Anti-Slavery International, Human Rights Watch, Uzbekistan Press Freedom Group, terres des hommes, and Eurasian Transition Group.

Please RSVP at hearing@ecchr.eu. We look forward to seeing you!

With warm regards,

Attorney-at-Law Wolfgang Kaleck
ECCHR General Secretary

Hearing Outline

1) 13:00 – 13:30: Introductory Remarks And Video Screening

Wolfgang Kaleck, ECCHR General Secretary
Umida Niyazova, Head of the German-Uzbek Forum for Human Rights

2) 13:30 – 15:15: Part I - Who Benefits >From Forced Child Labor in the Cotton Fields?

Experts will discuss the respective roles played by Germany, European companies, the European Union, or the International Labor Organization with regards to the state-sponsored child labor in the Uzbek cotton harvesting. The Uzbekistan government’s monopoly on the cotton production and exports – ranked number 3 in the world – keeps the repressive regime rich and alive. Who benefits from this? What policies and conducts can change this status quo?

Moderator: Miriam Saage-Maaß, ECCHR Business and Human Rights Program Manager

Panelists:

Angelika Graf, Member of the German Bundestag (SPD):
“The role of Germany in eradicating child labor in the Uzbek cotton fields: challenges posed by realpolitik.”

Renate Hornung-Draus, Member of the Governing Body of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Vice President IOE, Managing Director of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA):
“ILO’s efforts to overcome Uzbekistan’s uncooperative stance.”

Representative of the German Ministry for Economics and Technology, Department for foreign trade and investment (Confirmed. Name to be announced).

C&A Representative (to be confirmed):
“Why retailers like C&A boycott Uzbek cotton and with what impact.”

3) 15:15 – 15:45: Coffee Break

4) 15:45 – 17:30: Part II: Germany: Between Strategic Interests and Human Rights Concerns In Uzbekistan

With a southern border with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan is considered an important strategic partner for the countries involved in the NATO-led efforts against the Taliban, in particular in the context of the Northern Distribution Network supply lines. For a decade now, Germany has leased from the Uzbek government the Termez military base hosting thousands of German troops. In the meantime, the human rights situation in Uzbekistan still dramatically fails to improve, including since the EU lifting of the sanctions imposed in the aftermath of the Andijan 2005 massacre. How is the pursuit of strategic interests made compatible with a human rights agenda? Experts will discuss how those and other political factors should be approached towards the long-term goal of achieving democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights in Uzbekistan.

Moderator: Wolfgang Kaleck, ECCHR General Secretary

Panelists:

Theo van Boven, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture:
“From the Andijan massacre to findings of “systematic and widespread” torture: how to understand the situation in Uzbekistan.”

Patricia Flor, German Foreign Ministry’s Special Representative for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia for Eastern Europe

Sanjar Umarov, Former Uzbek political prisoner and Chairman of the Sunshine Coalition of Uzbekistan:
“The exercise of civil and political rights in Uzbekistan and the role of the international community.”

Scott Horton, Contributing Editor, Harper’s Magazine:
“Uzbekistan as a Values Dilemma for NATO”

5) 17:30 – 17:50: Concluding Remarks

Jan Egeland, Europe Director at Human Rights Watch, former United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, and former Norwegian State Secretary for Foreign Affairs.

6) 17:50 – 18:30: Cocktail Reception

Arrest warrant for Kazakh billionaire accused of one of world's biggest frauds

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2012-02-17T12:56:17+01:00

A high court judge has issued an arrest warrant for a Kazakh billionaire accused of committing one of the world's biggest ever frauds.

Mukhtar Ablyazov, who is alleged to have embezzled $5bn (£3.2bn), was found guilty of lying to the court about the scale of his vast fortune, including a £17m mansion on The Bishops Avenue, known as London's "billionaires' row". Mr Justice Teare sentenced Ablyazov to 22 months in jail for "serious" and "brazen" contempt of court in trying to hide more than £34m of assets from creditors, who claim he siphoned off billions of pounds from the Kazakh bank he used to run, BTA.

ETG launches sister organization in US

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2012-02-14T17:15:26+01:00

Bonn; Washington, D.C. (Feb. 4, 2012)__Europe’s premier think tank for Central Asian issues has launched a sister organization in Washington to help facilitate cooperation, research, policy, business and cultural exchanges between the United States and the Eurasian nations.

With allied offices in Bonn and now in Washington, the Eurasian Transition Group, a bipartisan nonprofit organization, will be in a good position to address such critical issues as East-West relations, Afghanistan, international terrorism, energy security, weapons proliferation, Iran and human rights in the emerging nations of Central Asia.

Open letter by NGO's to German Chancellor and Foreign Minister on Uzbek Child Labour

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-12-08T14:35:32+01:00

Open Letter: On Human Rights Day, Germany Should Commit to Proactively Pursue a Human Rights Plan of Action on Uzbekistan

Austria covers up Aliyev

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-12-07T11:34:54+01:00

Bank seeks jail term for Kazakh tycoon

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-12-01T11:43:05+01:00

The former chairman of BTA Bank, the Kazakh lender that defaulted on $12bn (£8bn) of debt owed to the likes of Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays, breached a court order after aides falsified documents to assist him in hiding his assets, the high court was told yesterday.

Mukhtar Ablyazov, who has fled Kazakhstan and been granted asylum in the UK, hid and dealt with his assets in violation of a 2009 freezing order by Mr Justice Teare, BTA’S barrister claimed at the start of a two-week contempt of court hearing. The bank is seeking a prison term for Ablyazov.

Dark clouds on Uzbek horizons

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-12-01T10:29:00+01:00

Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov is one of only two leaders of a Soviet successor state who was in place at the time of Mikhail Gorbachev's last speech as president of Soviet Union, just short of 20 years. Nursultan Nazarbaev in Kazakhstan is the other.

Since then, however, and in contrast to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan has retained many features from its Soviet heritage, most notably centralized state administration of the economy and a dependence on cotton monoculture. Uzbekistan is the world's fourth-largest cotton producer. Although it has nearly twice the population of Kazakhstan (28 million versus 16 million), its gross domestic product (GDP) is less than one-third of the latter's ($37 billion versus $130 billion in 2010 at the official exchange rate).

Turkmenistan: Chinese deal helps stall Trans-Caspian pipeline, deter Caspian conflict

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-12-01T10:23:36+01:00

As Turkmenistan continues to pursue its own pipeline projects -- primarily with Beijing, but also promoting the Turkmen-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline and indicating some support for the Trans-Caspian Pipeline -- Russia has become increasingly belligerent. Maybe this is just to gain a bargaining position, as there are indications that Turkmenistan's new gas deal with China will help delay the Trans-Caspian Pipeline between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, designed to circumvent Russia.

Germany's Westerwelle in Turkmenistan for talks on energy

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-11-18T09:51:27+01:00

Moscow dpa - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle was in Turkmenistan on Thursday for talks on energy supplies and to discuss the Central Asian republic's human rights record.

Turkmenistan's possible participation in the construction of a pipeline linking Caspian Sea natural gas producers with European markets was to be a main topic of discussions between Westerwelle and Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.

Turkmenistans Dilemma - Der Roman über das Nordkorea Zentralasiens

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-08-03T13:59:58+02:00

Zentralasien spielt in der fiktionalen Literatur immer noch eine untergeordnete Rolle. Auch wenn verschiedene russische Autoren, hier ist besonders Dostoyevsky zu nennen, eine gewisse Zeit, meist unfreiwillig, in der Region lebten, macht die Belletristik des 20. und 21. Jahrhunderts einen großen Bogen um die Landmasse zwischen Kaspischem Meer und den Himalaya-Ausläufern. Eine Ausnahme bildet natürlich der kirgisische Schriftsteller Tschingis Aitmatov mit seinen Romanen.

Eine aktuelle literarische Reflexion von Diktaturen beschränkt sich meist auf die politische und gesellschaftliche Vergangenheit in Regimen Südamerikas oder der Sowjetunion. Will man allerdings die literarische Aufarbeitung jetzt bestehender Diktaturen studieren, bleibt dem geneigten Leser nur die Lektüre mutiger Schriftsteller aus China oder dem Iran.

Zentralasiens Despotien in Usbekistan oder Turkmenistan spielten bislang keine Rolle in der internationalen Literatur. Es mag auch daran liegen, dass ein Land wie Turkmenistan ähnlich abgeschottet ist wie Nordkorea, turkmenische Dissidenten und im Exil lebende Schriftsteller zu viel Angst vor persönlichen oder familiären Repressionen haben.

Im Falle Turkmenistans ist jetzt allerdings eine Neuigkeit zu vermelden: Mit dem Titel "Turkmenka" des deutsch-russischen Schriftstellers und Zentralasien-Experten Vitali Volkov ist erstmals ein Roman zur jüngsten Geschichte des gasreichen Landes aufgelegt worden. Das Buch erschien im Frühjahr im Moskauer Verlag "Buch-Club 36.6". Obwohl Volkovs eigentliche Profession die politische Analyse von Ereignissen in der zentralasiatischen Region für Rundfunk und Printmedien ist - gerade in diesem Jahr erhielt er eine Auszeichnung als erster westlicher Journalist vom Presseverband Kasachstans für seine Reportagen bei der russischen Redaktion der Deutschen Welle -, hat er sich bereits in der Vergangenheit über die Form des Romans mit diesem Genre beschäftigt; zuletzt erschien bereits eine politische Erzählung über Afghanistan.

Zunächst eine kurze Beschreibung von "Turkmenka": In dem Roman geht es um das Leben und Leiden einer turkmenischen Journalistin in den Jahren 2002 bis 2006, beginnend mit dem sogenannten "Attentat" auf den damaligen Staatspräsidenten Niyazov, auch besser bekannt als "Turkmenbaschi" (Vater aller Turkmenen) und es endet mit dem Tod Niyazovs 2006. Die Hauptfigur des Romans arbeitet verdeckt über eine NGO als unabhängige Journalistin und beschreibt das diktatorische und teilweise ins groteskenhaft ausufernde Machtgefüge Niyazovs.Turkmenka wird instrumentalisiert von ganz unterschiedlichen politischen Kräften wie westlichen Organisationen, turkmenischem Geheimdienst und der politischen Opposition in Turkmenistan.

Nachdem von der Staatsmacht verkündet wurde, dass ein Mordanschlag auf den Staatspräsidenten verübt wurde, muß sie das Land schnellstmöglich verlassen, um nicht das gleiche Schicksal zu haben wie einige Oppositionelle, die in den Verliesen Turkmenbaschis für immer verschwanden.

Turkmenka flieht nach Westeuropa, Hauptschauplätze sind hier Deutschland und Österreich, wo sie auch vom Geheimdienst Turkmenistans weiter verfolgt wird und jederzeit um ihr Leben fürchten muß. Im Zwiespalt unterschiedlicher Interessen und der Gefahren muß sie lernen, ihre nun gefundene Freiheit zu leben. Der Roman endet mit dem überraschenden Tod Niyazovs 2006.

Die Charakterstudie Turkmenkas zeigt, trotz aller "zentralasiatischer Besonderheiten", dass sich Volkov sehr stark an den Frauengestalten der russischen Weltliteratur orientiert. Es scheint fast so, als wäre die Protagonistin eine turkmenische Anna Karenina der Gegenwart, allein gelassen, freiheitsliebend und auf sich gestellt, oft ohne Hoffnung auf eine Perspektive, wie sie ihr Leben den neuen Umständen anpassen kann.

Bei der Lektüre wird schnell deutlich, wie gut der Autor das Leben von Menschen in der turkmenischen Diktatur kennt. Ebenso wird das Machtgefüge, das groteske Herrscherverhalten von Turkmenbaschi und seines Apparates fundiert und kenntnisreich beschrieben. Gerade für den westlichen Leser, der so gut wie nichts über Turkmenistan weiß, wird ein Bild entworfen, dass trotz seines fiktionalen Charakters die Zustände im Land sehr gut darzustellen vermag.

Ebenso kann man feststellen, dass der Roman "Turkmenka" einen fundierten, gar neuen Blick auf die Realität der Auseinandersetzung zweier Welten, der des Westens und Zentralasiens wirft, in politischer, gesellschaftlicher und subjektiver Hinsicht.

Es ist dem Roman zu wünschen, dass er auch einen westeuropäischen Verlag findet, denn gerade Europäer können durch dieses Buch erfahren, mit welchem Land und politischen System die EU neue Rohstoffquellen importieren möchte, um nicht mehr allein abhängig von Moskau zu sein. Die Schlussfolgerungen von "Turkmenka" lassen darauf schließen, dass die Kooperation mit einem System wie Turkmenistan nicht dazu führen wird, politisch und ökonomisch stabilere Energieaussenpolitik zu betreiben.

Note: An English translation of the book review will be published later this week.

Documentary Film: The System Aliyev

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-07-11T15:35:08+02:00

While Western European media, especially the Austrian TV and print media cover the still ongoing legal struggle between Dr. Rakhat Aliyev, the Austrian and Kazakh judicial system regarding the alleged crimes of raiderstvo, murder, money laundering and kidnapping, the Canadian RTVC broadcasted a 60 minute documentary by the well-known film director Valery Balayan on July 09, 2011, focusing on the so-called „Aliyev system“, how he got into power in Kazakhstan, how he became one of the most influential individuals, powerful and ruthless.

In interviews with victims of Aliyev, former aides and persons around him, politicians and experts, it is the first attempt to draw a complete picture of the former doctor, who became later a leading figure within the Kazakh KNB, the financial police, Deputy Foreign Minister and Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Austria and the International Organizations residing in Vienna.

The film was shot in the first half of 2011, therefore the new allegations against Dr. Aliyev concering the murder of two bank managers in Almaty and investigations in Austria and Germany on money laundering were not included.

After the second extradition request was rejected by the Austrian Prosecutor General, a spokesperson of a Vienna court confirmed that the Austrian judiciary is now investigating the legal basis for a trial against Dr. Aliyev in Vienna.

Uzbek Ministry for Foreign Affairs cancels meeting with German MP's

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-06-30T19:07:23+02:00

Bonn/Berlin, June 30, 2011-ETG- The Foreign Ministry of Uzbekistan announced today that a trip by the German Bundestag Committee for Human Rights cannot take place.

A delegation trip of German MP's to Tashkent was scheduled for November this year, after a request from Berlin, issued May 3. The Committee members planned to have bilateral meetings with the Uzbek Parliament and Government, discussing mainly the human rights dialogue.

Today, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry rejected the request by saying, that both chambers of the Parliament and the Government will have a tight schedule on "the further democratic reformation of the country together with the President. The legislative and executive bodies of Uzbekistan are therefore too busy for any additional consultations."
Volker Beck, Parliamentary Spokesperson of the Greens for Human Rights said that after the visit of the Deputy Foreign Minister Norov to Germany earlier this year, it seems that Tashkent felt offended by the protests in Berlin against the Uzbek Government.

He added that "Uzbekistan is too scared to talk about human rights issues openly, that they even are not willing to let German Parliamentarians into the country. Now I have my doubts, if a human rights dialogue with Uzbekistan can be fruitful." Mr. Beck also underlined, that talks about human rights abuses in Uzbekistan once a year are not enough. Just before those annual consultations, President Karimov would release some political prisoners, while arresting other opponents. If this dialogue is used only as a front, the German Government should reconsider its position on Uzbekistan. "The power, the time and the money then could be used in a better way to support the Uzbek civil society", Volker Beck said.

While the Greens made a clear statement on the cancellation, the German Government rejected any public comment.

Extradition request once again rejected

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-06-17T13:17:11+02:00

Today, a court in Vienna rejected to extradite Rakhat Aliyev and his aides back to Kazakhstan. The men are accused of kidnapping two bank managers and were sentenced to a long-term prison penalty by a Kazakh court.

Meanwhile, the bodies of the two managers were found, two German forensic experts after examining the corpses said that they were tortured and murdered.

The lawyer of the two widows said after the decision by the Austrian judge that he in his professional life never could expect such a dilettant behaviour by the judicial system of his country. He said that it is a failure, commenting the decision.

It is most likely that a new extradition request, now for murder, will be issued by the Kazakh authorities, together with a legal suit before the European Court for Human Rights.

UN report calls out Ashgabat on rights abuses

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-06-07T16:38:36+02:00

A United Nations Committee Against Torture report released June 6 rapped Turkmenistan for maintaining a “climate of impunity,” and called on Ashgabat to address systematic human rights abuses as a “matter of urgency.” The report should complicate efforts by the European Union and United States to tighten energy relations with President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov’s regime.

The European Union has allocated a grant of 3,7 million Euro to an organization controlled by the daughter of Uzbek dictator

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-06-03T11:05:46+02:00

Will it not be spent on another party of celebrities?

The European Union has allocated 3.7 million Euro to a charitable organization controlled by Lola Karimova-Tillaeva, the daughter of the Uzbek dictator. Karimova-Tillaeva is also Uzbekistan’s representative to UNESCO.

On 19 May 2011, in his defense statement in the suit brought by Lola Karimova against the French online publication "Rue89," lawyer Antoine Germain mentioned a letter sent by the office of Europa House in Uzbekistan to the Republican Center for Social Adaptation of Children (hereinafter – Center), the director of which is the Lola Karimova-Tillaeva. The letter confirms that the European Union has allocated 3.7 million Euro to the Center, which will be transferred to its accounts in 2011. The letter from Europa House, dated 20 April 2011, was probably intended to attest to the respectability of Madame Karimova to the court in Paris.At the same court proceedings, the journalist Anaelle Verzaux served as a witness presenting the cost estimates for a charity event organized by Lola Karimova-Tillaeva in February 2010 at the Versailles Palace. According to these estimates, this organization, run by Lola Karimova, paid 230,000 Euro for the attendance of the well-known actress Monica Bellucci at the party. It was not reported whether the guests to the party gave even one Euro to the fund for Uzbek children. Expenses were incurred only by Lola Karimova-Tillaeva, but obviously not from her personal pocket.

EU under fire for £3.5 million grant to daughter of Uzbek dictator

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-06-03T10:58:52+02:00

The European Commission has come under fire for awarding a £3.5 million grant to a charity controlled by Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva, the daughter of Uzbekistan's strongman president.

Das Weiße Haus

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-05-24T17:15:09+02:00

'Absoluter Wahnsinn': 40000 Quadratmeter Fläche, 8000 Quadratmeter Marmor, 700 Millionen Euro Kosten: Am Palast von Taschkent wollten auch deutsche Mittelständler verdienen. Nun warten sie auf Geld.

Germany: Use Visit to Press Uzbekistan on Rights

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-05-20T09:37:16+02:00

Germany should use the visit to Berlin by Uzbekistan’s deputy foreign minister on May 24 through 26, 2011, to press for concrete improvements in human rights, Human Rights Watch said today. Germany should make clear to the Uzbek government that enhanced relations depend on real human rights improvements, Human Rights Watch said.

Turkmen and Uzbek Presidents Make Newsweek's Despot Index

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-05-20T09:35:29+02:00

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has madeNewsweek's Despot Index of the top 10 dictators of the world.

With his trademark "Peter Gallagher eyebrows" and "legit pal" Prince Andrew, as well as his "intellectual pursuit" as a trained dentist, the Turkmen leader's "future prospects" are considered "very good," says Newsweek.

Nabucco postponed, Turkmenistan focuses on Trans-Caspian

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-05-20T09:32:20+02:00

Once again as it has before in its troubled history, the Nabucco pipeline consortium has announced a postponement of construction until 2013, citing a lack of supply contracts, Robert M. Cutler of the Asia Times reports. Gas would not start pumping until 2017, Reuters reported.

Kiljunen's Report Blasted in Kyrgyzstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-05-13T10:18:50+02:00

One week after the publication of the Kyrgyzstan Inquiry Commission's (KIC) report detailing its investigation into the ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan, widespread discussion has been triggered in the country. Most local experts agree that the report adds more to understanding the causes and consequences of the four-day bloodshed in June 2010, which cost the lives of 470 and forced 400,000 citizens to flee the country. The report, however, has been criticized for its methodology, one-sidedness, and factual inaccuracies.

MEPs call for swift ratification of partnership and cooperation agreement.

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-05-09T13:46:27+02:00

Press release by MEP’s, who support the ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Turkmenistan:

In order to enter into a more constructive and successful partnership between the EU and Turkmenistan, the three Members of the European Parliament from the EPP Group who participated in high-level political meetings in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat last week, called for a positive vote in the upcoming plenary vote on the ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Turkmenistan. The MEPs underlined that the PCA would form the basis for a deeper and more efficient partnership with the Central Asian country. The PCA would give the EU the proper facilities to effectively cooperate with the country and help it to overcome the shortcomings it is still facing.
On April 28/29, the three EPP MEPs Elisabeth Jeggle (Germany), Inese Vaidere (Latvia) and Piotr Borys (Poland) participated in the European Parliament’s joint visit to Turkmenistan by the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Central Asia Delegation. The delegation met with the Turkmen Minister of Foreign Affairs and participated in the 2nd EU-Turkmenistan Interparliamentary meeting. Furthermore, the delegation met with representatives of the OSCE and UNICEF, as well as with European business representatives working in Turkmenistan.

On Torture and Arbitrary Detention in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-05-09T13:35:49+02:00

Summary

The following represents a compilation produced by human rights defenders in conjunction with partners, presenting analysis and case studies on torture and arbitrary detention in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
This report is intended as a briefing to UN Special Rapporteurs on Torture, Human Rights Defenders, and other UN Special Mechanisms and bodies on the situation in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
It is also intended as an invitation to continued cooperation, to network building, and to strengthening civil society in both countries by encouraging increased interface on the part of Turkmen and Uzbek human rights defenders with the United Nations. Moving forward, we hope that together we can bring new information to light and take concrete steps toward ending human rights violations.

Partners in civil society find that years after the special rapporteur on torture concluded that systemic torture exists in Uzbekistan, torture in both countries continues to be a routine component of investigations and detention and is a common practice in the penal systems. Forms of torture include.

Bludgeoning with batons
Genital mutilation
Male and female rape and sodomy
Psychological humiliation and degradation
Electrocution

In particular, people linked with the Andijan events of 2005, including innocent family members, are routinely detained, brought up on bogus charges, and subjected to long years of bodily torture and psychological terror. Notably, medical personnel often play a roll in concealing evidence and fabricating fake documents which make filing charges impossible. Other at risk groups include:

Human rights defenders
Religious people
Refugees and asylum seekers who are often deported from other CIS countries back to Uzbekistan
Ex convicts used as scapegoats
Journalists

While information regarding Turkmenistan is scarce, according to our sources, the situation is the prison colonies is dire. This is exacerbated by the general weakness of civil society in Turkmenistan.

Of note have been recent studies carried out by the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights, excerpts of which are contained in this report. These studies on Turkmen prisons and penal colonies detail arbitrary detention and torture as both physical and psychological daily realities.

It is our hope that this report by partners in civil society from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan can be used as an ongoing advocacy tool to improve the human rights situation. The contributors of the report offer their contact information and invitations toward further discussion.

The full report can be found here.

Not criticizing the Kazakh Presidential Elections does not mean that observers were bought (Interview in Russian)

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-04-21T16:39:41+02:00

Известный европейский эксперт Михаэль Лаубш рассказал о своей позиции по поводу досрочных выборов президента Казахстана

Protecting human rights is a prerequisite for closer ties with the EU

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-04-21T16:35:40+02:00

Turkmenistan's human rights record is "abysmal", and the EU should engage with it only if it makes concrete progress in protecting them, said Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs on Wednesday, ahead of an EP delegation visit there next week to ascertain whether Parliament should give its consent, in June, to an EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).

Kyrgyzstan Nationalists Lay Minefield for International Investigation | EurasiaNet.org

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-04-21T16:31:45+02:00

What do you call suspiciously timed information that undercuts an anticipated event? Could it be propaganda?

In Kyrgyzstan's parliament, a deputy from the nationalist Ata-Jurt faction alleges that a new book – that only she has seen – claims Kyrgyz massacred Uzbeks in last summer’s ethnic violence. Her story, as these things generally are, is hard to follow. In widely reported comments from April 19,Jyldyz Joldosheva rants against the publication of The Hour of the Jackal, by “rich Uzbek nationalists.”

Additional compensation fee paid by Germn Government to Uzbekistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-04-21T13:06:25+02:00

After some parliamentary pressure, the German Defense Ministry released an information this month, that the Government in Berlin payed between 2002 and 2010 €88 million to the Uzbek side for using Termez Air Base as a transport hub for its engagement in Northern Afghanistan.

Kazakhstan to hold presidential election on April 3

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-02-04T11:04:58+01:00

Kazakhstan's veteran leader has called a snap presidential election on April 3, about 20 months before his current term in office is due to end, a decree published in the official Kazakhstanskaya Pravda on Friday said.

A U.S. Delegation in Turkmenistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-02-04T10:59:10+01:00

It's rare that Turkmenistan's heavily state-controlled media has any news not covered by any other outlets. Yet on January 24, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH) carried a brief notice of a "high-level delegation consisting of high-ranking officials of the U.S. Department of State and Ministry [sic] of Defense," published under the "Cooperation" rubric of the propagandistic government website called "Turkmenistan: The Golden Age".

Preparing for — and provoking — life after Karimov

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-28T09:32:47+01:00

In the wake of Uzbek President Islam Karimov’s visit to Brussels this week, there’s been lots of acrimonious shouting in the West about what the European Union shouldn’t do about human rights abuses in Uzbekistan, but not much about what it should. That’s because few want to face a grim reality: a fracturing of Uzbekistan’s political elite is probably the best hope for a chance to promote human rights, civil society, and liberal democracy. Seizing that chance, however, would require a taste for realpolitick and risk.

European Parliament moves bloc a step closer to Turkmenistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-28T09:28:28+01:00

The European Parliament has given its initial green light to a partnership agreement with gas-rich Turkmenistan, aimed at bringing the Central Asian country closer to the European Union.

But the draft agreement has been criticized for risking legitimatizing a repressive regime.

The European Union and Turkmenistan signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) back in 1998, although its entry into force has long been postponed due to the uncertain political situation in the country and human rights concerns.

Why does the EU give credibility to such dictators as Islam Karimov?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-28T09:23:53+01:00

Europeans recoiled in horror at the mass killing of hundreds of unarmed protesters in Andijan, Uzbekistan, on the orders of the authoritarian government of President Islam Karimov in May 2005. The European Union imposed sanctions, including a visa ban and an arms embargo, and demanded an independent inquiry. But six years is a long time in politics. Memories fade, attention shifts elsewhere.

Craig Murray: Afghanistan is the reason why EU ignores atrocities

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-25T10:21:38+01:00

Today the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, will host an official visit by the Uzbek dictator Islam Karimov.

This may seem a peculiar thing for the European Union to do. Karimov is infamous for the massacre of over 700 demonstrators at Andijan in 2005, for the boiling alive of dissident Muzaffar Avazov in 2002, for some 10,000 political prisoners held in ex-Soviet gulags, for banning all Western media organisations and reporters, for the imprisonment in lunatic asylums of dissident journalists including his own nephew, for the jailing of HIV campaigners for corrupting public morals...

West marks Karimov’s rehabilitation

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-25T10:18:42+01:00

Islam Karimov, the president of Uzbekistan, will on Monday make a controversial visit to Nato and the European Union, amid strong condemnation from western diplomats and pressure groups over his human rights record.

Petition and information on Karimov's upcoming visit to Brussels: Free Europe embraces the the Uzbek Dictator?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-21T19:16:43+01:00

Free Europe embraces THE Uzbek dictator?
Statement by activists and friends of civil society in Uzbekistan

On January 24, President Islam Karimov will visit Brussels, where he plans to meet with the leadership of the European Union and NATO. Meanwhile, the Belgian Foreign Ministry issued a statement that neither official talks with member of the Belgian Government nor an audience with King Albert II. We learned about this visit not from press releases of the EU and the governments of Belgium, but through private channels. Only a few days ago, the website of the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso posted the headline:

Meeting with the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov which, in turn, links to the biography of Islam Karimov posted by the Uzbek government’s website. The reader can get the following information about Karimov from this ‘biography’:

‘For his outstanding contribution to education in Uzbekistan, creation of a state based on democratic laws, guarantee of civil peace and national accord, and for courage, I. Karimov was awarded the title Hero of Uzbekistan and the awards Mustakillik (Independence) and Amir Temur.’

This is propaganda pure and simple, and President Barroso’s website provided a link to this propaganda.

After we made this public, the Public Affairs Unit of the European Commission deleted the above mentioned link from the Commissioner's web site.

In regard to this, we are concerned by the following three circumstances.
First, EU relations with the Karimov regime seem to be at odds with EU principles of openness. One gets the impression that the EU is borrowing elements from the dictator’s own principles for ruling – of opacity and secrecy.

Second, flirting with the dictator of Uzbekistan, the EU sets a dangerous precedent. If the EU has a visit with Karimov, who will they receive next to discuss ‘water-energy issues’ or the like? Alexander Lukashenko, Robert Mugabe, Kim Jong Il, Than Shwe?

Finally, we are concerned that the attitude of EU leaders towards Karimov during the visit will be complimentary, and that the EU will miss the opportunity to impress upon the regime the need to improve its human rights record.

Menschenrechte in der EU auf dem Abstellgleis?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-21T08:37:53+01:00

Anlässlich des Empfangs des usbekischen Präsidenten Islam Karimov durch EU-Kommissionspräsident Barosso am 24.1. erklärt Viola von Cramon, Sprecherin für Auswärtige Beziehungen der EU:

EU Spokesperson: Karimov’s visit to Brussels was NATO’s idea

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-21T08:33:44+01:00

NATO, not the European Union, initiated the idea of inviting Uzbekistan’s controversial leader, Islam Karimov, to visit Brussels, according to an aide to European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. Karimov is scheduled to meet with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Barroso, EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger, as well as Belgian authorities, on January 24.

A dictator’s (almost) secret trip to Brussels

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-19T14:43:37+01:00

Earlier this week, I received a press release from an organization called the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia with some startling news: Islam Karimov – the authoritarian Uzbek president responsible for the Andijan massacre, systemic torture, child labor, and other assorted crimes – would be coming to Brussels later this month on an official, but clandestine visit.

Open Letter to the President of the European Commission

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-19T13:21:37+01:00

Dear Sir:

As President of Eurasian Transition Group, a EU-based institution that focuses on the political and civil development in Central Asia, I am writing you on behalf of your upcoming meeting on January 24 with the President of Uzbekistan, Mr. Islam Karimov.

Like many other EU organizations, ETG is deeply concerned by the official visit of a dictator to the European Commission and to you personally, a person who is responsible for many human rights violations as torture, the killing of innocent people in Andijan, repression of Uzbek citizens and their family members, state-ordered child labour.

The whole process of Karimov’s state visit to Belgium is violating the EU’s commitments to openness and transparency: Only through private channels the international community was informed in advance about the visit, while the European Commission tried to cover the event in silence.

Secondly, the official visit of President Karimov violates the „Central Asia Strategy“ of the European Union, ratified by all member governments, where the respect for human rights, transparency and openness are substantial for intensifying the bilateral relations between the EU bodies and the states of Central Asia.

ETG agrees with the fact, that rejecting any cooperation and dialogue with authoritarian regimes would not help the suffering citizens in those countries. But granting a dictator with an official visit to the European Commission might in fact open the door for further human rights violations in Uzbekistan and other repressive states and I am asking you whether or not you would be willing to give the leaders of Sudan, Belarus, Myanmar and Iran also a warm welcome in Brussels.

Talks between members of the European Commission with Uzbek authorities alone are not to be criticized by us. In fact, it is the procedure of preparing Karimov’s visit, that concerns us deeply. I am quite confident that our position would not have been so negative, if for example the Commission in preparation for new consultations with the Uzbek Government would have invited international human rights organizations, Uzbek activists living in exile (the ones in Uzbekistan are arrested or are not allowed to leave the country), Western experts on Uzbekistan for consultations with you and your office, having an open discussion about the current situation in the country and the possibilities for the EU in this respect. With such a transparent openness, the Commission’s position concerning Karimov’s visit would have been much more coherent with the basic principles of a EU foreign policy.

We also had to learn, that the European Commission does not seem to be able to provide the EU public with an objective and independent CV of President Karimov. The web presence of your office is linking directly to a propaganda CV by the Uzbek authorities, saying that President Karimov is responsible for the „creation of a state based on democratic law, guarantee of civil peace and national accord“.

I personally cannot believe that the European Commission supports such a statement. But if not, why is the Public Affairs Unit of your office unwilling to give a more accurate picture of the man, you are going to welcome next Monday?

Summarizing the already said, ETG and other organizations and individuals are deeply concerned about the Commission’s policy towards the authoritarian regime in Uzbekistan.

Sincerely
Michael Laubsch, President Eurasian Transition Group

Михаэль Лаубш: "Королевский прием" Каримова в Брюсселе пахнет газом

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-19T10:48:23+01:00

Информация о том, что президент Узбекистана Ислам Каримов прибудет в Брюссель с официальным визитом, подтвердилась. Правозащитники планируют акции протеста, а Еврокомиссия готовится к переговорам по энергетике.

Западные НПО, занимающиеся Центральной Азией, и особенно правозащитники крайне негативно восприняли известие о готовящемся 24 января визите президента Узбекистана Ислама Каримова в Брюссель. Удивление по поводу готовности европейцев расстелить красную дорожку перед лидером государства, систематически критикуемого за грубые нарушения прав человека, выражают и эксперты. Руководитель неправительственной организации Eurasian Transition Group Михаэль Лаубш (Michael Laubsch) только что вернулся из Брюсселя. В интервью Deutsche Welle он рассказал о причинах, побудивших Евросоюз официально принять Ислама Каримова на высшем уровне.

EU attacked over Uzbek president’s visit

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-19T10:45:20+01:00

The European Union is facing criticism from human rights organisations as it prepares to meet Islam Karimov, the dictatorial president of Uzbekistan, in Brussels next week.

The visit, following an EU decision last year to lift sanctions on Uzbekistan, marks a new stage in the rehabilitation of Mr Karimov who was castigated by the west for ordering a brutal police crackdown on a protest in the city of Andizhan in 2005.

Pressure increases to reform Central Asian electricity supplies

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-18T15:51:08+01:00

On January 6, Kazakhstan Electricity Grid Operating Company (KEGOC) announced its plans to exit the Central Asian power system. Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan’s inability to reach regional agreements with Kazakhstan on electricity supply over the winter is the main reason for KEGOC’s decision. Due to technical problems, both Kazakhstan’s southern neighbors were unable to operate in parallel, overburdening the system and causing temporary collapse of its north-south transmission connection (http://www.kegoc.kz/enpress_cter/news/2011/01/1198).

Karimov to Visit EU; Ashton and Barroso Must Put Human Rights on the Agenda

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-18T10:59:41+01:00

Chairwoman Hautala has reminded High Representative, Ms Ashton and President of Commission, Mr Barroso of the importance of raising human rights issues during the visit of President Karimov of Uzbekistan to Brussels, on 24th of January.

Congratulations, Mr Karimov!

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2011-01-18T10:54:49+01:00

A letter penned in admiration of Uzbekistan's wily president, on the eve of his visit to Brussels.

On the eve of your first official visit to Brussels in years, President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan, you deserve high praise. You have played the long game expertly and outmanoeuvred European foreign-policy makers so deftly that you have become a model of how to shrug off international pariah status.

Invitation: ETG Roundtable on the Kazakh OSCE-Chairmanship

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-12-07T13:06:26+01:00

Invitation for the ETG Roundtable

„Kazakhstan‘s OSCE Chairmanship 2010
A Review of the Organization‘s Work in 2010 and its Future“

December 15, 2010, 10:00 am - 01:00 pm
Café Landtmann, Landtmannsaal, Dr. Karl Lueger-Ring 4, 1010 Vienna

Panelists:
Alain Délétroz, Vice President Europe, International Crisis Group, Brussels
Dr. Natalya Kharitonova, Director Joint Eurasian Expert Network (JEEN) and Board Member Kazakhstan Information Centre, Moscow
Michael Laubsch, Director Eurasian Transition Group, Bonn
Herbert Salber, Director Conflict Prevention Centre, OSCE-Secretariat, Vienna (tbc)

The final ETG Roundtable in 2010 will focus on the outcome and the results of the Kazakh OSCE-Chairmanship, its impact on the security in Eurasia and the prospects of crisis management in Central Asia.
ETG would be pleased to welcome you to this event.

Please confirm your participation: info@eurasiantransition.org

ASTANA COMMEMORATIVE DECLARATION

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-12-03T15:57:53+01:00

Chairmanship: Kazakhstan

ASTANA COMMEMORATIVE DECLARATION TOWARDS A SECURITY COMMUNITY

Uzbekistan needs action, not words on human rights

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-12-03T15:55:00+01:00

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AFP) – Uzbekistan should "translate words into practice" to improve its human rights situation, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday during a brief visit to Tashkent.

The US is ready to "support and assist in that effort", Clinton added while meeting President Islam Karimov on Thursday during a visit to the ex-Soviet state that lasted only a few hours.

"I urged him to demonstrate his commitment through a series of steps, to ensure that human rights and fundamental freedoms are truly protected in this country," Clinton told NGO leaders at a meeting, apress statement said.

"I am well aware of the hardship that many of you experience because of the work that you do," she said.

Uzbekistan has rejected the accusations of mass human rights violations, notably the regime's systematic stifling of all form of opposition, which are regularly voiced by NGOs.
Clinton said she touched on restrictions on religious freedom, torture, and child labour.

"We raise these issues in all our interactions with the government and will continue to make improvement of human rights in Uzbekistan an integral part of expanding our bilateral relationship."

In an annual report published in January, US-based Human Rights Watch said the Uzbek government's human rights record remained "atrocious."
Clinton during her visit also signed a broad bilateral science and technology cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan's First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov.

Cablegate: CENTCOM CDR PETRAEUS MEETS PRESIDENT NAZARVAYEV

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-12-03T15:49:02+01:00

1. (S) SUMMARY: President Nazarbayev told CENTCOM Commander General Petraeus:
-- the situation in Afghanistan greatly worries him; the Taliban should never be allowed to become a coalition partner in the Afghan government;
-- Iran cannot be allowed to become a nuclear state, but the United States needs to talk directly with Tehran, and he is willing to be helpful;
-- Kazakhstan will never again be “colonized,” but has excellent relations with Russia and China
-- the West has underestimated the depth of Russia’s wounded pride, but he is willing to be helpful if the Obama administration has “a wise response” to Russia. END SUMMARY.

Parallel Conference calls on OSCE Summit to make true comprehensive security commitment

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-12-02T10:50:30+01:00

Civil society organizations from Europe, Central Asia, Caucasus and North America call on the OSCE participating States to reinforce the mechanisms to promote and monitor compliance with the OSCE commitments in the human dimension, on conflict prevention and resolution, and on forging new partnerships with civil society. Over 200 civil society organizations from across the OSCE space met in a Parallel Conference on 28 and 29 November in Astana. “The core of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security has always been the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law. We express our determination to contribute towards its full realization”, said Sonia Zilberman of CIVICUS, one of the conference organizers.

The OSCE's dilemma

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-12-02T10:23:14+01:00

Despite the complaints of the Euro-Atlantic democracies about its poor record on democratic reforms and human rights, Kazakhstan was granted this year's chairmanship of the Organisation of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). It was a historic decision, the first time a former Soviet republic had been given the chair of an international organisation.

Cablegate: A TALE OF TWO BUSINESSES

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-12-02T10:04:14+01:00

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan's second largest
city, continues its role as a transport hub and industrial
center, despite diminished regional commerce in the
post-Soviet era. A large complex that processes
locally-harvested licorice root continues to prosper due to
the availability of inputs and a healthy export market. A
machine parts factory has faced greater challenges, having
been forced to find a new product line and relying solely on
the domestic market. Unlike the licorice complex, which
pre-dates the Russian Revolution, the machine parts factory
was a Soviet creation that lacks an obvious market in
Turkmenistan's current economy. Thanks to government
subsidies, however, it does not appear that even a
struggling, Soviet era enterprise is threatened with closure.
Given its success at maintaining its production equipment,
the factory could see better days if it found the right
foreign partner interested in a low-cost metal parts. END
SUMMARY.

Cablegate: CHINESE AMBASSADOR FLUSTERED BY KYRGYZ ALLEGATIONS OF MONEY FOR CLOSING MANAS

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T15:39:58+01:00

1. (C) Summary: During a meeting with the Ambassador
February 13, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yannian ridiculed the
idea, but did not deny categorically, that China would
provide Kyrgyzstan a $3 billion financial package in return
for closing Manas Air Base. Zhang said Kyrgyzstan was in
Russia's sphere of influence, and China had only commercial
interests here. He also complained bitterly about Chinese
Guantanamo detainees being shipped to Germany instead of
China. Zhang was very interested in whether the U.S. would
negotiate to keep Manas, and he advised just giving the
Kyrgyz $150 million a year for the Base. "This is all about
money," he said. End Summary.

Cablegate: WEAPONS FOUND HIDDEN IN IRANIAN EMBASSY SHIPMENT

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T15:36:38+01:00

1. (S/NF) A Turkmen customs official told an Embassy LES on
February 13 that an Iranian Embassy diplomatic container with
AK-47's, sniper rifles and ammunition hidden in it had been
discovered one week earlier at the Serdar Uli (Gaudan)
customs point in Ashgabat, where vehicles and containers
arriving from or bound for Iran are inspected. The weapons
were reportedly hidden underneath two Turkmen carpets that
the Iranian Embassy was shipping to Iran.

Cablegate: TURKISH AMBASSADOR CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL SHIPMENTS OF URANIUM TO IRAN

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T15:33:15+01:00

1. (C) The Turkmen Government announced earlier this month
that President Berdimuhamedov had signed a decree allowing
the state chemical concern "Turkmenkhimiya" to enter into a
contract with Ekomet-S of Russia for the transfer and burial
of radioactive waste. The waste was reportedly produced at
the Hazar chemical plant and at the Balkanabat iodine plant.

Cablegate: IRAN POST-ELECTION

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T15:30:12+01:00

1. (C) In a conversation today with Iran Watcher, a [Source removed] in Ashgabat labeled the announcement of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s victory in Friday’s presidential election a “coup d’etat,” and called Iran’s incumbent President “another Pinochet.” [Name removed] said that based on calculations from Mousavi’s campaign observers who were present at polling stations around the country and who witnessed the vote counts, Mousavi received approximately 26 million (or 61%) of the 42 million votes cast in Friday’s election, followed by Mehdi Karroubi (10-12 million). According to his sources, Ahmadinejad received “a maximum of 4-5 million votes,” with the remainder going to Mohsen Rezai. He said that more than anything else, the huge turnout of voters on Friday was a reflection of the Iranian electorate’s overwhelming “anti-Ahmadinejad” sentiments.

Cablegate: IRAN: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T15:26:55+01:00

1. (C) SUMMARY: XXXXXXXXXXXX's advised in a recent conversation with Ashgabat Iran Watcher that the U.S. would be ill-advised to begin talks with Iran, that it would be great disappointment to Iranians who have found hope in President Obama's message of change. He called Iran's leadership “untrustworthy,” and described the three main groups that he said are sustaining the regime: the “clerical establishment, the paramilitaries and the Bazaaris (merchant class).” XXXXXXXXXXXX finds little difference between any of the major figures in Iran, including most members of the opposition. END SUMMARY.

Cablegate: CHEVRON INCIDENT REFLECTS CHANGING DYNAMICS IN KAZAKHSTAN’S ENERGY HIERARCHY

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T15:23:26+01:00

1.(C) On January 15, KazMunaiGas First Vice President Maskat Idenov expelled from a meeting Chevron executives Guy Hollingsworth, President for Chevron Eurasia, Europe, and Middle East Exploration and Production, and James Johnson, Chevron Eurasia Strategic Business Unit Managing Director. In press reports, an unnamed source stated that the two were thrown out of the meeting because of “improper comments on Kashagan negotiations and disrespectful conduct towards KazMunaiGas management.” Johnson told us later that the incident occurred at the end of a meeting that had gone generally well, and resulted from an innocent issue over the newly-arrived Johnson not having his cell phone number handy to exchange with Idenov. Idenov,s version of the conversation was heavy with descriptions of Hollingsworth £ing on the table8 and Johnson slowly tapping a business card on the table while telling Idenov all he needed was his secretary,s phone number. Idenov almost immediately sent a letter of protest to Chevron CEO Dave O,Reilly, and faxed (twice) a cc to the Ambassador. Knowledge of the incident, and the letter, have been the talk of the diplomatic and business community ever since, with sources ranging from the Indian Ambassador to the local ABN Amro chief raising it with the Ambassador.

Cablegate: LIFESTYLES OF THE KAZAZHSTANI LEADERSHIP

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T15:20:28+01:00

-------
Summary
-------

1. (C) Kazakhstan’s political elites appear to enjoy typical hobbies -- such as travel, horseback riding, and skiing. Not surprisingly, however, they are able to indulge in their hobbies on a grand scale, whether flying Elton John to Kazakhstan for a concert or trading domestic property for a palace in the United Arab Emirates. This cable recounts several instances in which Embassy officers have learned of, or witnessed, the recreational habits of Kazakhstan’s leaders. End Summary.

Cablegate: GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-CORRUPTION CAMPAIGN

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T15:17:24+01:00

1. (C) SUMMARY: The Kazakhstani authorities recently launched a well-publicized anti-corruption campaign that has resulted in the arrest of several high-ranking individuals, including the Minister of Environment and a Deputy Minister of Defense, and in convictions of a number of others. The campaign appears to have the full support of President Nazarbayev, who has repeatedly called on the government and the ruling Nur Otan party to battle this “most serious evil.” Political analysts and civil society leaders remain skeptical, however, that the government’s clean-up efforts will bring permanent results. Most see the campaign simply as evidence of a power struggle among elite groups within the Kazakhstani government and doubt that any of the “biggest fish” will be affected. END SUMMARY.

Cablegate: CHINESE AMBASSADOR COMMENTS ON KEY FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T15:06:41+01:00

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On June 5, Chinese Ambassador Cheng Guoping hosted the Ambassador for dinner at the restaurant on the 23rd floor of a striking new hotel built in Astana and owned by the Chinese National Petroleum Company. During a fascinating, wide-ranging, three-hour tour d’horizon, the Chinese Ambassador discussed his government’s policy -- and occasionally made personal comments -- on human rights, smart power, President Obama, Afghanistan’s reconstruction, Russia’s policy in Central Asia, Georgian President Saakashvili, Iran’s upcoming presidential elections, North Korea’s nuclear tests, Central Asia’s energy resources, the Manas air base, and the proposed international nuclear fuel bank. The Chinese Ambassador clearly enjoyed the free and easy, open-ended conversation and invited the Ambassador to meet again, at the restaurant, in the near future. Guoping was joined by an unidentified policy advisor and an interpreter, to whom he addressed his remarks in soft whispers throughout the evening. END SUMMARY.

Cablegate: MONEY AND POWER

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T15:00:01+01:00

1. (S) SUMMARY: During a private dinner, KazMunaiGaz First Vice President Maksat Idenov named, in his view, the four most powerful gate-keepers around President Nursultan Nazarbayev: Chief of Administration and General Services of the President’s Office Sarybai Kalmurzayev, the President’s Chief of Staff Aslan Musin, State Secretary-Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev, and the tandem of Prime Minister Karim Masimov and Nazarbayev’s billionaire son-in-law Timur Kulibayev. According to Idenov, in Kazakhstan, market economy means capitalism, which means big money, XXXXXXXXXXXX. The following details are a single snapshot of one version of current reality. The significant point is that Nazarbayev is standing with Idenov, not Kulibayev, to maintain international standards to develop the massive Kashagan and Karachaganak hydrocarbon projects. END SUMMARY.

Cablegate: CANDID DISCUSSION WITH PRINCE ANDREW ON THE KYRGYZ

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T14:54:44+01:00

1. (C) SUMMARY: On October 28, the Ambassador participated in a two-hour brunch to brief HRH the Duke of York ahead of his meetings with the Kyrgyz Prime Minister and other high-level officials. She was the only non-subject of the United Kingdom or the Commonwealth invited to participate by the British Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic. Other participants included major British investors in Kyrgyzstan and the Canadian operator of XXXXXXXX. The discussion covered the investment climate for Western firms in the Kyrgyz Republic, the problem of corruption, the revival of the “Great Game,” Russian and Chinese influence in the country, and the Prince’s personal views on promoting British economic interests. Astonishingly candid, the discussion at times verged on the rude (from the British side). END SUMMARY.

Did Bakiev’s government try to milk Manas Airbase money out of China?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T10:02:31+01:00

Remember all that hubub in 2009 about the possible closure of the Manas Airbase? Well, WikiLeaks reveals, so to speak, the Chinese view on the matter, albeit via American eyes.

Arguably, it appears the Kyrgyz officials were trying to slyly induce China into giving them additional cash — or, conversely, that there was some talk of a deal, which the Americans sniffed out and confronted the Chinese about. The Chinese Ambassador seems rather frank in this account, talking about unemployment and discontent in his country, as well as the resentment China felt over the fate of Guantanamo Bay’s Uighur prisoners (”imply[ing] that the Guantanamo situation had made China look for ways to hit back at the U.S.”)

Here’s the digital diplomatic cable in full text, with a link back to the WikiLeaks site:

OSCE summit looks to the fringes of Europe

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-30T09:51:34+01:00

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the OSCE, is convening for its first summit for 11 years. It’s being held on the first two days in December in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

All 56 OSCE members, from across the northern hemispere are to discuss ways of mutually improving security through fighting terrorism and organised crime, preventing conflicts and promoting democracy and human rights.

Kyrgyz Government Unhappy with DoD Decision

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-09T17:51:50+01:00

Kyrgyzstan president Roza Otunbayeva has expressed her disappointment with the November 3 U.S. Defense Department (DoD) decision to renew its contract with Mina Corp Ltd., which has supplied jet fuel to the U.S. Transit Center Manas in Bishkek for the past six years. The one-year, $315 million contract will allow Mina to supply 96 million gallons of fuel to Manas. The contract can also be extended for another year.

Statement Energy Security and Democratic Development: the case of Turkmenistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-09T17:36:01+01:00

ETG was invited to speak about energy, security and democratic development at a conference, organised by the German Government and FRIDE.

Please find Michael’s speech below:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

At first, I would also like to thank the organizers of today‘s conference here in Bonn for discussing those important questions, dedicated to the relations between the European Union and Central Asia.

When reflecting about the topic of this event, one might think that energy security would be the relevant part the European Union and its member states is interested in, while democratic development is mainly relevant for the future of the Central Asian states, in this case Turkmenistan. But in fact, democratic development is not only important and essential for Turkmenistan itself, it has an impact to stability and security within the whole Eurasian region, with direct consequences for the EU, for the OSCE, for NATO and other institutions.

The relations between the European Union and Turkmenistan are mainly based on establishing an energy dialogue. It can be described as a pragmatic approach, because it differs from the basic principles of the EU Central Asia Strategy, defined under the German Presidency in 2006, whereby the promotion of democracy and the rule of law form the basis for more intense bilateral relations.

However, a number of steps taken by Brussels over the past years seem to indicate that in the case of Turkmenistan, the Union is placing bilateral relations ahead of its ratified commitment to values.

Deal with a Dictator

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-09T17:16:49+01:00

Getting supplies to Afghanistan may be worth cozying up to Uzbekistan—for now.

Kyrgyzstan urges US to scrap fuel contract for crucial supply base

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-09T17:13:41+01:00

Kyrgyzstan's government has demanded that the Pentagon cancel a $630 million (£390 million) contract to supply fuel to the US's Manas airbase because its chosen bidder, Mina Corp, is under investigation by Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies.

US awards Kyrgyzstan contract to company probed by Congress

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-04T17:26:37+01:00

The U.S. Defense Department has awarded the Mina Corporation a $315 million jet fuel contract at a key U.S. air force base in Kyrgyzstan, after a congressional investigation stalled the deal.

The White House, the Pentagon, and Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-04T17:15:36+01:00

Following the April revolution in Kyrgyzstan, the nation’s new political leaders were virtually unanimous in one criticism of the United States: “All they care about is that air base.” The charge was validated by the personal testimony of President Akayev’s ambassador to Washington, who negotiated the terms of the air base deal. The Americans used to raise issues of human rights and democracy with us, he wrote. But once the base was in place, that was it. White House advisor Michael McFaul has pushed back, insisting that Washington has always cared about a variety of issues, and that military concerns are only a piece of the agenda.

Kyrgyzstan still on edge after election

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-04T17:12:35+01:00

Two weeks after voters went to the polls in critical parliamentary elections, Kyrgyzstan’s future is still unclear. And regional analysts warn that the outcome of the country’s recent political experiment could echo far beyond the borders of the tiny central Asian state.

Kyrygyzstan remains in limbo. The country’s Central Election Committee has yet to release the final tabulations for the Oct. 10 contest. So far, five parties have crossed a 5 percent threshold to qualify them for the legislature.

UNITED NATIONS DECLARES TURKMENISTAN’S DETENTION OF ANNAKURBAN AMANKLYCHEV AND SAPARDURDY KHADZHIEV A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-04T17:09:19+01:00

In response to a petition filed by Freedom Now and Hogan Lovells LLP (formerly Hogan & Hartson), the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention publicly released its opinion that in arresting and continuing to detain Annakurban Amanklychev and Sapardurdy Khadzhiev, the Government of Turkmenistan is in violation of international law. The opinion calls on the Government of Turkmenistan to release the two human rights advocates.

Aliyev Blog Post - Rhetorics of a Haunted?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-11-04T13:33:49+01:00

Statement by ETG Director Michael Laubsch:

Vienna - Although I am tired of playing a return ball to Dr. Aliyev’s ongoing „op-ed“ war against my person and Eurasian Transition Group, I would like to give a brief comment on his recent blog post. At the same time, let me underline the fact that I am not willing to participate further in a publishing battle with accusations and responds of a fugitive, whose personal reputation is at least doubtable.

OSCE: Kyrgyzstan's vibrant and pluralistic parliamentary elections constitute further consolidation of democracy

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-10-11T14:52:10+02:00

BISHKEK, 11 October 2010 - Marked by political pluralism and a vibrant campaign, yesterday's parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan constituted a further consolidation of the democratic process and brought the country closer to meeting its international commitments on democratic elections, international observers concluded in a preliminary statement issued today. They stressed, however, that there remains an urgent need for a profound reform of the electoral legislation.

Kyrgyzstan Votes After Year of Turbulence

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-10-11T14:45:13+02:00

The leaders of the rebellion that ousted former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev from power in this Central Asian republic in April are likely to face strong opposition following parliamentary elections Sunday, according to early results of the voting.

Kyrgyz Democratic Experiment Begins Uncertainly

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-10-11T14:41:07+02:00

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (AP) — Kyrgyzstan's attempt to bring parliamentary democracy to Central Asia got off to a rocky start Monday with an election surprise that handed a leading position to a nationalist party opposed to the country's new constitution.

Pre-Election Political Competition Intensifies in Kyrgyzstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-10-08T10:42:32+02:00

Earlier forecasts suggesting that Kyrgyzstan’s electoral campaign season would turn violent have proved to be wrong. Twenty-nine political parties contesting the October 10 elections have conducted civilized and often creative campaigns. A recent report by the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) confirms that except for few cases, all political parties had equal access to mass media. Despite a shortage of staff at the Central Elections Commission, few complaints about preparations for the elections were filed (http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2010/10/46497_en.pdf). OHDIR’s assessments were widely supported by the local NGO community.

Gulnara Karimova, U.S. military subcontractor?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-10-08T10:38:21+02:00

The problems with U.S. military supply lines in Pakistan have raised the possibility that the U.S. and NATO will be forced to increase their use of the Northern Distribution Network, as EurasiaNet's Deirdre Tynan reports today. A spokeswoman for U.S. Transportation Command says the problems in Pakistan won't force a significant increase in NDN traffic. But some disagree; one company put out a press release touting the new opportunities provided by the Pakistan closure:

Kyrgyzstan's Bittersweet National Day

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-09-07T14:38:32+02:00

Attack in Tajikistan highlights fears of militancy

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-09-07T09:28:59+02:00

A car rigged with explosives rammed into a police station in northern Tajikistan on Friday, wounding at least 25 people in an apparent suicide attack, Tajik police officials said.

OSCE police mission for Kyrgyzstan stalls

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-09-03T12:27:43+02:00

An OSCE police advisory mission had been expected to be deployed in strife-torn southern Kyrgyzstan by the end of August. But given the Central Asian nation’s muddled political situation, it now looks like the deployment won’t happen until late October, if at all.
Some prominent Kyrgyz political figures -- led by Melis Myrzakmatov, the combative and independent-minded mayor of Osh -- have staunchly opposed the deployment of a foreign mission on Kyrgyz soil. Internal opposition has prompted provisional President Rosa Otunbayeva to backtrack on deployment plans. The issue has become so politicized that sources close to the OSCE police mission believe deployment is unlikely to proceed before parliamentary elections on October 10. [For background see EurasiaNet’s archive].
Ethnic violence southern Kyrgyzstan in June left at least 400 dead and 400,000 displaced. Two international-led investigations found fault with the response of Kyrgyz law enforcement officials, helping to prompt Otunbayeva to ask the OSCE to send a police-monitoring mission. On July 22, the OSCE Permanent Council agreed to send a 52-member, unarmed Police Advisory Group to train and assist Kyrgyz law enforcement officers. The initial deployment was to be for four months in and around Osh.

Belarus rejects second Bakiyev extradition request

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-08-31T13:31:26+02:00

RIA Novosti - Belarus has refused for the second time a request to extradite the ousted Kyrgyz president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the Kyrgyz prosecutor general said on Friday.

Моя миссия - вернуть в Киргизию капиталы, вывезенные Бакиевым

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-08-31T09:13:59+02:00

В Бишкеке с 25 по 29 августа побывала немногочисленная делегация из Европы. Ее основная цель - помочь вернуть в Киргизию капиталы, вывезенные из страны семьей Бакиева. В составе делегации - депутат бундестага от партии "зеленых" Виола фон Крамон (Viola von Cramon), которая в ходе визита пообщалась с действующим президентом Киргизии Розой Отунбаевой. Об итогах встречи и своих наблюдениях она рассказала в интервью Deutsche Welle.

OSCE media freedom representative commends appointment of supervisory board for Kyrgyzstan's public service broadcaster, urges swift reform

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-08-31T09:12:27+02:00

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, commended today the appointment of a supervisory board for Kyrgyzstan's public service broadcaster and called on the board to move rapidly to provide viewers with fair and impartial news coverage.

The void in Asia's heart

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-08-31T09:09:21+02:00

There is a hole in the map of Central Asia where Kyrgyzstan used to be. A country once considered an outpost of relative tolerance and democracy in a region of dysfunctional authoritarian regimes is today a deeply divided, practically failed, state. If the international response to its descent into political chaos is not swift and bold, the consequences will be disastrous.

Russia’s Rwanda

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-18T12:22:31+02:00

As it contemplates the violence that has claimed the lives of well over a hundred people in its backyard nation of Kyrgyzstan, Russia should look to France's experience in Central Africa for lessons. There are distinct parallels. Just as Paris maintained strong links with its former colonies across Africa, Russia has maintained its with the governments of former Soviet Republics in Central Asia. But just as Paris lost so much traction when Rwanda ignited in 1994, wrong moves in Kyrgyzstan might alter those treasured links between Moscow and Central Asia for good.

Joint Letter to the UN Security Council Regarding the Ongoing Crisis in Kyrgyzsta

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-18T11:25:30+02:00

To: Security Council Ambassadors

Your Excellency,

We urge the United Nations Security Council to take immediate steps to address the ongoing crisis in Kyrgyzstan. With a death toll likely to reach far higher than the official count of 200 and an estimated 400,000 displaced in Kyrgyzstan and across the border in Uzbekistan, the situation poses a significant threat to international peace and security. The Kyrgyz authorities have primary responsibility for halting the violence and resolving this crisis, but reports from the ground provide ample evidence that the government is unable to protect those in need, and Kyrgyz authorities have already acknowledged that they need substantial assistance.

Death, dictators and the Soviet legacy

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-18T09:43:42+02:00

It is arguable that the wave of ethnic killings in southern Kyrgyzstan that started last Saturday – which has left hundreds of Uzbeks dead and tens of thousands homeless – is, at root, the fault of Joseph Stalin. The Soviet Union was in theory just that – a union of Soviet socialist republics. Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan were three of them. But whatever the theory, Stalin had no intention of allowing the republics to become viable entities or potential power bases for rivals. So he intervened personally and the republics were deliberately messed up with boundaries that cut across natural economic units and severed cultural and ethnic links.

Kazakhstan’s regional media is in tatters

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-18T09:40:34+02:00

“While government-supported media have been earning ever more, the independent outlets’ declining incomes have been putting brakes on their development”, Askar Shomshekov of the Pavlodar-based Regional Journalism Centre said.

Regional media have only themselves to blame for advertising and sales shortfalls, he said.

“Most of them have been doing nothing to adapt their business strategies to the changing market environment”, Shomshekov said. “Therefore, their circulations and, hence, their earnings have been decreasing”.

U.S. officials in Ashgabat spin human rights message as oil executives line up for Turkmen President

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-18T09:37:01+02:00

A delegation of U.S. State Department officials and business executives travelled to Turkmenistan this week to launch a comprehensive program of dialogue that is to include human rights discussions as well as talks on energy security. Washington hopes to tap Turkmenistan's vast hydrocarbon riches, as well as gain Ashgabat's assistance in supplying NATO troops in the war in Afghanistan and promoting regional stability. Currently, the U.S. has a "gas-and-go" arrangement with Turkmenistan, landing planes in Ashgabat to refuel en route to Afghanistan with non-lethal freight.

Why is ethnic violence erupting between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in Southern Kyrgyzstan?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-18T09:34:44+02:00

As we watched the horrible news of violent chaos that overtook Southern Kyrgyzstan over the last week, the first question that came to mind was – why? Why would people who have been neighbors for decades be drawn into such senseless violence? Is it related to the overthrow of Bakiyev's government, or are we witnessing something completely unrelated? While information coming out of Osh and Jalalabad remains spotty, there is plenty reason to believe that the triggers of the unrest are related to the political instability in the country.

Bakiyev sought

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-17T07:54:25+02:00

Kyrgyzstan's interim government has stepped up pressure on Kurmanbek Bakiyev, the former president, whom it suspects of fomenting the recent ethnic clashes in the country, write Charles Clover in Moscow and James Boxell in London.

The government is seeking to have Mr Bakiyev, who fled the country on April 7 after a violent coup, and his son extradited to Bishkek to face charges of terrorism and mass murder.

Officials accuse Mr Bakiyev of planning the violence in the cities of Osh and Jalalabad on June 10. Mr Bakiyev is in exile in Belarus, which has refused to extradite him.

Mr Bakiyev's son Maksim was detained by border police in Britain on Sunday, but the circumstances are unclear.
He reportedly sought political asylum. UK officials said he would only be formally arrested once an extradition had been agreed with Kyrgyzstan.

The elder Mr Bakiyev denies taking part in any plot. The younger could not be reached for comment.

Financial Times

U.S. ties to ex-Kyrgyz regime are questioned

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-17T07:48:36+02:00

Weeks before ethnic clashes killed hundreds of people in this Central Asian republic, an audio recording was posted on YouTube that presaged the mayhem.

"We need to find 500 b—ds…and keep [the country] in a constant mess," said a voice that government officials here say was that of Maksim Bakiyev, the 32-year-old son of the ousted president. "Somebody needs to kick up a fuss."

Russia and the crisis in Osh

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-17T07:46:08+02:00

As Moscow grapples with the question of whether to intervene to stop the violence in southern Kyrgyzstan, it is forced to confront a vexing issue: can Russia utilize its political and military potential to help resolve local and regional conflicts in Central Asia?

A test for mutual security

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-17T07:43:27+02:00

Politically driven ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan has already claimed more than 100 lives and threatens to erase the country’s progress toward self-government following the April ouster of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

It is an ominous sign that a society which had undertaken impressive reforms aimed at creating the region's first parliamentary democracy is now teetering on the brink of outright civil war and state failure.

Kyrgyz violence began with coordinated attacks -UN says

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-15T15:27:40+02:00

Violence in Kyrgyzstan appears to have begun with five coordinated attacks and has taken on an inter-ethnic character that could spiral out of control, the U.N. human rights office warned on Tuesday.

Kyrgyzstan presses Russia to quell unrest

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-15T15:25:08+02:00

Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday held out the possibility of reviewing an airbase agreement with the US in an apparent effort to convince Russia to provide peacekeeping forces to quell unrest in the south of the country.

Aid starts to arrive in Kyrgyzstan as violence abates

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-15T14:26:44+02:00

OSH, Kyrgyzstan — A plane carrying 40 tons of flour, pasta, cooking oil and other food landed at the airport in this traumatized city on Tuesday, and citizens tentatively ventured out onto the street for the first time since spasms of ethnic violence seized the city last Thursday.

Kyrgyzstan requested U.S. military aid and rubber bullets but was turned down

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-15T14:15:38+02:00

Before Kyrgyzstan turned to Russia, it informally asked Washington for military assistance including a supply of rubber bullets to quell ethnic bloodletting in the south of the country, but was turned down, I am told by people privy to the situation. Russia says it may deploy troops if it's a collective regional decision.

Kyrgyzstan unrest gives big powers cause for concern

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-15T14:12:55+02:00

If recent history is any guide, the ethnic violence roiling southern Kyrgyzstan is unlikely to be prolonged or to spark a wider conflagration in neighbouring Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Similar outbreaks ignited by disputes over land, food prices and poll results across the divided Fergana valley in 1990 and 2005 eventually subsided, with or without the type of foreign intervention sought at the weekend by the interim government in Bishkek.

Provocateurs seen behind ethnic clash

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-15T14:10:05+02:00

As reported, on June 10, clashes between the ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbek population in the southern Kyrgyzstan have developed into a large-scale violence and further exodus of the Uzbeks residing in Kyrgyzstan.

Three days of pogroms have led to serious humanitarian disaster in the isolated conflict zone - the population still has limited access to telephony, electricity and food products after several nights of shooting and looting. There was a threat that the conflict could involve other regions of the Southern Kyrgyzstan, including Jalal-Abad (the former president Bakiyev's homeland), which is close to Osh, the place of initial unrest.

Danish journalist Michael Andersen: I am ashamed that European media and politicians do not understand the tragedy in Kyrgyzstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-15T14:07:02+02:00

European media pay little attention to the tragedy in South Kyrgyzstan. They view it as an interethnic clash between nations which they know very little about. Current media interest is motivated by either national interests – European interests do not include small and poor Kyrgyzstan – or having by vivid pictures which are not widely available since Southern Kyrgyzstan cannot be easily reached by foreign correspondents. This means that in Western media, the pain and blood of Osh cannot compete with this week’s main story – the football World Cup. Danish journalist Michael Andersen informed Ferghana.Ru about the reaction of European media and politicians.

Video: Situation at the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-15T12:26:31+02:00

Uzbeks itching to join the fight in Osh

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-14T18:10:20+02:00

Not everyone in Uzbekistan is happy with the fairly moderate statement on the violence in Osh that Tashkent made on Saturday, saying that the violence was provoked by "forces, whose interests are totally remote from the interests of the Kyrgyz people." I talked today with Sukhrobjon Ismailov, the ace Tashkent-based analyst who told me that many people in the Uzbekistan military and security services want to intervene in Osh on the side of the Uzbeks. Ordinary Uzbeks in the Ferghana Valley are also itching to get into the fight, and many in Uzbekistan are calling what is happening in Osh a "genocide" against Uzbeks. It is Islam Karimov, Ismoilov said, who is trying to keep Uzbek emotions in check.

War in Kyrgyzstan: what is causing the violence?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-14T18:07:38+02:00

When the five former Soviet republics of central Asia gained their independence with the breakup of the USSR there were hopes that Kyrgyzstan might achieve a semblance of responsible rule.

This small country of 5.5 million people had a relatively developed civil society and free press. But hopes were dashed under Askar Akayev, a president accused by the opposition of nepotism, corruption and growing authoritarianism.

Kyrgyzstan Violence: Conspiracies Abound

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-14T18:05:11+02:00

Some random, hastily collected thoughts as a study break: Who is to blame? Who is doing the killing? Why?

These questions have been asked over and over again in regards to short episodes of violence in Central Asia since 1986, starting with the Almaty “Kunaev” riots. Other examples of violent riots/pogroms include the May 1989 attacks on Armenians in Turkmenistan, the 1989 Uzbek pogroms against Meskhets in the Ferghana valley, summer 1989 fighting between Tajiks and Kyrgyz in Isfara, the February 1990 riots in Dushanbe that left 50 dead (half of them non-Tajiks – including Slavs), summer 1990 in Osh as Uzbeks and Kyrgyz killed each other, May-September 1992 in the collective farms of the Vakhsh valley, etc….

Kyrgyzstan death toll rises as ethnic slaughter continues

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-14T10:34:18+02:00

Sporadic gunfire continued through the night and fresh fires raged in southern Kyrgyzstan today, as the country's worst ethnic violence in decades showed no signs of abating.

The official death toll reached 117, with 1,500 hurt, the health ministry announced this morning. Thousands have already fled the country.

Accounts from international aid agencies and other witnesses suggest the real toll could be much higher: the Red Cross has said its delegates witnessed about 100 bodies being buried in one cemetery.

An ethnic Uzbek woman at the border of Uzbekistan after fleeing the riots in southern Kyrgyzstan. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Osh burning again

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-14T09:19:03+02:00

Registan is naturally from the top of the information food chain when it comes to the situation in Kyrgyzstan. Reading these stories, along with our own attempts to parse meaning and motive from ethnicity and criminality, I’m struck by the lack of information available to anyone at all. Whatever the cause, the violence is approaching a state of chaos.

New fires raged Monday across Osh — the second-largest city that’s on the border with Uzbekistan, and where food and water were becoming scarce. Armed looters smashed stores, stealing anything from televisions to food.

No police could be seen on the streets, though authorities insisted some of the improvised checkpoints dotted around the city of 250,000 were theirs.

Cars stolen from ethnic Uzbeks raced around the city, most crowded with young Kyrgyz wielding sharpened sticks, axes and metal rods.

In some parts of Osh, Kyrgyz residents protected homes housing both Kyrgyz and Uzbek.

In another city beset by violence, Jalal-Abad, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, armed Kyrgyz amassed at the central square. Their stated goal was to travel to the nearby Uzbek settlement of Suzak in search of an Uzbek community leader they blame for starting the trouble.

The Uzbek border is just 3 miles (5 kilometers) from Osh. Uzbek refugees were mostly elderly people, women and children, with younger men staying behind to defend their property. Some were fired on as they fled.

Internet news stories seem to have the news only as it gets edited and regurgitated from the forum and twitter feeds, and who knows how reliable any of those is? Without people on the ground or a government in power, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to describe the situation, let alone hope for a quick and merciful end to the violence.

The military presence is clearly not enough, as a military patrol in Jalalabad was almost hi-jacked by gangs of Kyrgyz men. Even though the military has been given permission (or shall I say ordered?) to fire on sight any and all violent looters, there are allegations that the military refuses to fire on fellow Kyrgyz men. It doesn’t take much more than this to make people start using the G-word.

But there may yet be a reckoning for some of those responsible, as “The commandant of Jalalabad Kubatbek Baibolov said that the authorities managed to apprehend one of the suspects alleged to have organized and carried out the mass ethnic riots in Osh.” (another link to that story, also Russian and one more from the BBC in Russian) The suspect will be charged also with attempting to overthrow the government, suggesting some connection with the government’s accusations that Bakiev & Co. are behind the riots. Perhaps even a Bakiev brother?

“You could say that it is well-known political figure.”

Registan

Kyrgyzstan erupts into ethnic war

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-14T09:00:14+02:00

Kyrgyzstan was tonight in the grip of a bloody ethnic war after rioting that erupted four days ago in the southern city of Osh spread rapidly to other areas, with gun battles raging between Kyrgyz and Uzbek youths.

Ethnic Uzbeks tell of slaughter in Kyrgyz city

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-14T08:57:23+02:00

Ethnic Uzbeks said Kyrgyz gangs were carrying out genocide on Sunday in besieged neighbourhoods of Kyrgyzstan's second city Osh, burning residents out of their homes and shooting them as they fled.

Partial military mobilization raises risks in Kyrgyzstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-14T08:53:22+02:00

Kyrgyzstan's provisional government is partially mobilizing its armed forces, raising the possibility of the military's attempted intervention in civil violence that has devastated southern regions of the Central Asian nation. Some experts are interpreting the move as a sign of desperation.

I call it a massacre!

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-13T13:13:06+02:00

Call it whatever you want, but I name it a massacre of Uzbeks in Osh and Jalalabad (Kyrgyzstan), which is, at the moment, still going on and the Interim government headed by Rosa Otunbaeva cannot do anything to prevent it. I knew of disaffection, I knew of tension, but I never knew there was so much hatred against Uzbeks in the South of Kyrgyzstan. I am not blaming all Kyrgyz for this. I am blaming the incapable Interim government, and those people, who provoked masses, and especially those stupid Uzbeks and Kyrgyz, who are buying it.

Kyrgyzstan gives police shoot-to-kill powers amid ethnic violence

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-13T13:06:09+02:00

Kyrgyzstan's interim government has granted its security forces shoot-to-kill powers after a third night of violence left at least 83 people dead and more than 1,100 wounded in the country's worst ethnic violence in 20 years.

Ethnic Uzbeks gather near the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border in southern Kyrgyzstan, trying to seek refuge from mobs of Kyrgyz men. Photograph: D Dalton Bennett/AP

Uzbek foreign ministry confident Bishkek can cope

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-13T13:03:23+02:00

Kyrgyzstan's struggling interrim government is trying to handle the growing humanitarian crisis ensuing from Kyrgyz-Uzbek clashes in the southern Kyrgyz towns of Osh and Jalal-Abad. The death toll in clashes from the last 3 days is now at 84 with 1,117 wounded, AKIpress.orgreports. While Uzbekistan has issued a statement condemning the violence and expressing confidence that Kyrgyzstan will cope on its own, Tashkent has sent troops to the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border to help strengthen security, 24.kg has reported.

Kyrgyzstan closes borders as death toll mounts

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-13T12:56:16+02:00

Kyrgyzstan has closed its borders with China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as the death toll inarmed clashes between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the Kyrgyz city of Osh reached 50, with 650 more wounded, regnum.ru reported June 12. The border with Kazakhstan remains open. A state of emergency has been declared in the cities of Osh and Uzgen and also Aravan and Karassu districts of Osh region.

A key factor in the clashes between "the political elite of Kyrgyzstan" and leaders of the ethnic Uzbek population in the south is the status of the Uzbek language, the independent online Uzbek news service ferghana.ru reported. On June 1, two weeks after clashes broke out in Jalalal-Abad, members of the Uzbek national center in Osh distributed an appeal protesting what they termed "the violation of the rights of Uzbeks on the use of their native language."

The authors of the appeal say there are about one million ethnic Uzbeks in Kyrgyzstan, which they consider their "historic homeland." The Uzbeks complained that there was a lack of television broadcasting on the state channels KTR and ElTR in their native language. The draft constitution, the subject of a referendum to be held June 27, does not mention that Uzbek language, says ferghana.ru.
Efforts have been made to poll citizens on their attitude toward multilingualism in Kyrgyzstan but observers say that various media in different languages will tend to skew the results of such polls, making them untrustworthy. Uzbeks have also complained of a lack of representation in local governing bodies. Local politicians don't believe lack of minority representation is a problem, but they may not be acknowleding the growth of the Uzbek population, say observers.

Vakhidjan Ergashev, a businessman and public figure in Jalal-Abad, says:
The authorities simply try not to publicize the real figures of the growth of the Uzbek language. Why, for example, are figures missing on the ethnic breakdown of the population by region? In fact, such an analysis would immediately highlight places densely populated with Uzbeks, whose numbers in reality are growing faster than they officially appear on paper.

Asylbek Keshikbayev, an expert on state and regional development says as the native Kyrgyz-language population migrates from the region, ethnic Uzbeks or refugees have moved in. Independent journalist Aleksandr Kulinsky says Kyrgyzstan has not done anything since the 1990s to integrate the Uzbeks into the ruling structures of the country, and now faces the reality that the Uzbek population is significantly larger than the Kyrgyz in the south, ferghana.ru reported. Some observers have called the situation in the south of Kyrgyzstan "a second Kosovo," as the minority population grows, and feels its language issues are unresolved.

Human rights activists from the Foundation for International Tolerance have conducted meetings recently in the region and called for removing the line indicating "nationality," or ethnicity from the Kyrgyz passport in order to reduce discrimination.

In a separate development, Uzbek border guards have cut off Arnasai, a village near Kazakhstan's southern border with Uzbekistan which became an exclave surrounded by Uzbek territory after delimitation of the Kazakh-Uzbek border some years ago, Radio Liberty/Radio Free Europe reported. Some families are reportedly running out of drinking water due to the blockade, imposed June 7, Arnasai village governor Basymbek Kalzhigitov told journalists. Kazakh officials are currently in talks on the situation with Uzbek counterparts, who have not explained their actions.

Eurasianet

Bishkek asks for Russian troops to contain Osh violence

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-13T12:52:45+02:00

In a move that may have lasting political implications for Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan's provisional government has appealed to Russia to deploy troops to help restore order in the southern city of Osh.

Violence may spread beyond Osh

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-12T14:32:53+02:00

The flaring of ethnic conflict in Kyrgyzstan, the worst violence since the April revolution, is currently confined to the southern city of Osh but ACT Alliance members fear it may spread to other parts of the country and beyond, in a region ACT describes as an often forgotten corner of the world.

Tatiana Kotova, of the ACT Central Asia Forum, speaking from the capital Bishkek, said that fighting between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks could easily escalate.

Kyrgyzstan appeals for outside help as death toll rises

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-12T14:21:25+02:00

Kyrgyzstan has appealed for outside help to quell rioting and interethnic violence that has claimed at least 51 lives in the south of the country.

Interim leader Roza Otunbaeva told reporters today she has sent a letter to the Russian government asking Moscow to help resolve the ongoing conflict in Osh, and that she welcomed help from other countries.

Bill to boost Nazarbayev’s powers in Kazakhstan remains theoretically alive

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-11T10:58:06+02:00

It has been widely reported that Kazakhstan’s president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has rejected parliament-approved amendments to enhance his executive powers. But Nazarbayev’s refusal to sign the legislation may not be the end of the story.

Pentagon looks to plant new facilities in Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-11T10:53:56+02:00

The Pentagon is preparing to embark on a mini-building boom in Central Asia. A recently posted sources-sought survey indicates the US military wants to be involved in strategic construction projects in all five Central Asian states, including Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

At least 14 death in Osh, Kyrgyzstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-11T10:45:49+02:00

Struggle for Central Asian energy riches

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-02T17:05:46+02:00

A year ago, the Kremlin issued a stark warning: that growing competition for control of global energy resources could spark wars on Russia's borders, including those in Central Asia.

US stops refueling tanker planes at key base

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-01T18:50:02+02:00

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman says the military has stopped refueling tanker planes at the Manas air base in Kyrgyzstan as the U.S. renegotiates with the local government on how much it will pay for fuel.

The base is considered a crucial transit center for sending troops and supplies in and out of Afghanistan. U.S. access was threatened this spring when street protests brought down the government and forced the president to flee.

Whitman and other U.S. military officials said Tuesday that transit flights continue at the base. But the spokesman also said that in an effort to conserve fuel, tanker planes are no longer stopping at Manas and are going elsewhere to refuel.

Washington Post

Democratic Change It's Not

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-01T18:01:08+02:00

There are basically two schools of thought when it comes to explaining what happened in Kyrgyzstan in April. Proponents of the democracy school will argue that what we witnessed was a legitimate uprising against an unjust and oppressive regime set up by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. The other school, the realists, will explain the April events as a coup against the government organized by a power-hungry opposition supported and financed from the outside.

Faked letter published

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-06-01T16:21:18+02:00

Yesterday, a faked letter by Michael Laubsch, ETG expert, was published at geokz.tv in Kazakhstan.
Please find Michael’s reply here.

Update: Thanks to the fast reaction of Geokz’s editors, the article has been deleted.

US Congress Hearing on Kyrgyzstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-23T08:02:54+02:00

After the Subcommttee Hearing at the US Congress, the journalist Steve LeVine interviewed some of the experts who gave a testimony.

New York-based lawyer Scott Horton, asserts that, if the precise same fuels contract had involved a U.S. commercial entity, it would be subject to investigation by the U.S. Justice Department.

Alexander Cooley, a Columbia University professor who has studied the Manas base as part of a look at numerous U.S. bases around the world, called the fuel scandal a problem both of local Kyrgyz politics and U.S. national security. He said that Kyrgyz politicians are certain to seize on the military base as an issue in October presidential elections. If the fuel scandal isn't resolved by then -- meaning if the U.S. hasn't fessed up -- Cooley suggested that the base could be in trouble.

Sam Patten, who watches Eurasia for Freedom House, a New York-based NGO, also raised the issue of the Embassy failing to engage with the opposition, but went further and argued that the State Department had ultimately failed to observe U.S. law obligating it to encourage democracy. Patten asserted that the State Department needs to watch more closely, because uprisings are bound to spread regionally. "The question in Uzbekistan isn't if revolution will happen, but when it will happen," Patten told the committee.

Oil and Glory

Ousted leader leaves Kyrgyzstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-15T16:28:35+02:00

Deposed Kyrgyzstan President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has left the country on a plane for Kazakhstan.

His departure comes in the wake of a 7 April uprising that killed scores of people and forced him to flee the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek.

He had been living in his home region of Jalalabad in the south of the country, trying to muster support.

Shots were fired earlier in the day at a rally in the south, where Mr Bakiyev had been addressing supporters.
Mr Bakiyev was said to have left the country for talks with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, according to Russian news agencies.

His motorcade was seen arriving at the airport in Jalalabad, before a plane departed on Thursday, AP news agency said.

BBC

Gunfire breaks up rally for deposed Kyrgyzstan president

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-15T10:39:33+02:00

Gunfire broke out today at a rally where the deposed president of Kyrgyzstan was speaking to supporters. Kurmanbek Bakiyev was quickly hustled into a car and driven away, and there were no apparent injuries in the crowd.

The deposed Kyrgyzstan president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, greets supporters before his intended address in Osh. Photograph: Denis Sinyakov/Reuters

Portrait of Roza Otunbayeva

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-14T15:46:18+02:00

US backs interim Kyrgyz government

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-14T11:59:08+02:00

The United States said on Wednesday it was prepared to help Kyrgyzstan’s new rulers, adding pressure on ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev who hinted he may go into exile.

The uncertainty over Bakiyev’s position has disrupted flights out of the Kyrgyz air base which the United States rents to support the war in Afghanistan and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned the impoverished Central Asian country may be on the brink of civil war.

Kyrgyztan's ousted leader Bakiyev 'must stand trial'

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-14T11:05:34+02:00

The interim leader of Kyrgyzstan has said ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev should stand trial over the recent deadly political unrest.

Roza Otunbayeva said Mr Bakiyev had "blood on his hands" and had missed his chance to leave the country.
Mr Bakiyev, currently in the south of the country, had said he was willing to resign if his safety was guaranteed.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has warned Kyrgyzstan is "on the brink of civil war".

Top US envoy in Kyrgyzstan for talks after revolt

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-14T08:26:44+02:00

A top U.S diplomat arrived for talks with Kyrgyzstan's interim leaders on Wednesday about defusing a crisis in the Central Asian country, where Washington rents an air base to back its war effort in Afghanistan.

Kyrgyzstan coup: Bakiyev inching closer to leaving the country

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-14T08:22:01+02:00

President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, pushed from power in the Kyrgyzstan coup last week, is nearing a deal to allow him and his family to leave the country, cooling concerns of further violence in the Central Asian nation, according to media reports from the capital Bishkek.

Kyrgyzstan's deposed President Kurmanbek Bakiyev speaks during a news conference in the courtyard of his family home, in the village of Teyit, in the Jalal-Abad region of southern Kyrgyzstan, Tuesday.
Sergei Grits/AP

US Air Base contracts face scrutiny

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-14T08:18:45+02:00

The upheaval gripping Kyrgyzstan is disrupting the flow of troops and materials bound for Afghanistan. A Defense Department announcement stated that the American-operated Manas Transit Center, located outside the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, will remain closed to US military and contractor air traffic from April 8-12.

Kulov returns to political stage

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-14T08:15:23+02:00

With Kyrgyzstan’s political situation still in flux, one of the lions of Kyrgyz politics in the post-Soviet era, Felix Kulov, is reemerging from the shadows. In an exclusive interview with EurasiaNet.org, Kulov counseled pragmatism as the provisional government wrestles with the present and starts pondering how to account for the past.

U.S. voices concern as protests plunge Kyrgyzstan into chaos

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-08T18:09:53+02:00

Opposition demonstrators appeared Wednesday to have seized power in Kyrgyzstan, which is host to an important U.S. military base, after a day of bloody clashes that left dozens dead and forced the Central Asian country's president to flee the capital.

Leaders of the opposition said they had taken over key installations in Bishkek and were forming a new government. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev flew to Osh, a regional city where he enjoys support, according to news reports. His plans were uncertain, as was his ability to command the country's security forces and reassert his authority.
The death toll of about 40 was likely to rise, health officials in Bishkek said, noting that hundreds of protesters were injured in the violence.

Kyrgyzstan opposition seizes power after day of protests

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-08T18:06:51+02:00

Opposition leaders in Kyrgyzstan today declared that they had seized power and had taken control of security headquarters, state television and various government buildings.
The declaration came a day after riot police shot dead at least 60 people and protesters attempted to storm the main government building in the capital, Bishkek.
The opposition leader, Roza Otunbayeva, called for President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to resign and said she planned to run an interim government for six months to draft a new constitution for the central Asian state.

Kyrgyzstan’s Bakiyev offers to step down

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-04-13T18:02:12+02:00

Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Kyrgyzstan’s fugitive president, said he was ready to step down on Tuesday but only if the new interim government would guarantee his and his family’s personal safety, as tension mounted in this strategically-important Central Asian country.

HIV and Drug Traffic in Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-03-25T11:17:05+01:00

A very good and intense documentary on drug traffic and HIV infection throughout Central Asia, filmed by Michael Andersen for Aljazeera.

Uzbekistan's child slavery: Cotton

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-03-23T14:49:42+01:00

A new report released today by the Environmental Justice Foundation exposes how cotton production in the Central Asian Republic of Uzbekistan remains one of the most exploitative enterprises in the world. “Slave Nation” EJF’s reveals how the Government of Uzbekistan continues to lie to the international community while routinely compelling hundreds of thousands of children as labourers in the country’s annual cotton harvest.

With evidence that little has changed despite the promises of the Uzbek Government and with the spring planting season just around the corner, EJF asks whether it will be children forced to pick the crop again when the harvest comes around later this year.
Steve Trent, Executive Director at EJF says “The international community must follow the actions of the private sector - and in particular major European and US retailers - to apply forceful diplomatic and trade pressure to ensure that cotton production in Uzbekistan is no longer characterized by the use of state- sponsored, forced child and adult labour and devastating environmental impacts, to benefit a small, corrupt, ruling elite”.

Kyrgyz leader says Western democracy unsuitable

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-03-23T14:33:09+01:00

AP-------Kyrgyzstan’s president said Tuesday that Western-style democracy has run its course in the ex-Soviet Central Asian country, prompting fears of a further decline in political freedoms.

President Kurmanbek Bakiyev told a national congress that democracy based on elections and individual human rights may no longer be suitable for Kyrgyzstan. He said "consultative democracy," envisaging dialogues with influential social groups, would be more in keeping with his country's traditions.

Kazakhstan's foreign minister on his country's unlikely new role as Europe's democracy watchdog.

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-03-17T14:27:48+01:00

In a landmark for Central Asia, Kazakhstan this year has taken over the rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) -- a key intergovernmental organization that monitors everything from security cooperation to political and human rights in 56 member states across Europe. It is the first former Soviet state, the first Muslim country, and the first country east of Austria to assume the chairmanship. But Kazakhstan is hardly a paragon of European democracy. Its authoritarian government, headed by longtime President Nursultan Nazarbayev, doesn't allow political parties to compete freely, is routinely accused of violating human rights, and is officially classified as "Not Free" by the U.S. NGO Freedom House. So how, ask critics, can Kazakhstan possibly be charged with upholding democratic standards in other countries?

JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images

Kyrgyz opposition newspaper seized before prote

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-03-16T14:25:43+01:00

REUTERS ----- Police in Kyrgyzstan have seized all copies of an opposition newspaper before a planned anti-government rally in the Central Asian country, the paper's owner said on Tuesday.

Internet censorship: Kyrgyzstan blocks independent web-sites

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-03-10T14:06:36+01:00

Today, since the early morning, internet users around Kyrgyzstan have been discussing blocking of a website of Information Agency Ferghana.Ru, popular independent web-site that is critical of Central Asian governments. Kyrgyz internet users say that Fergana.Ru, which was accessible in Kyrgyzstan users until today, has been blocked by most of the internet providers in Kyrgyzstan.

ETG Turkmenistan/Nabucco Roundtable

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-03-10T11:02:40+01:00

On March 5, 2010, Eurasian Transition Group hosted a roundtable discussion on the political and economical situation in Turkmenistan, its geopolitical implications and the prospects of the Nabucco project.

Please find some relevant documents and audio files below:

US citizen a key player in alleged Italian telecom fraud

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-03-09T20:04:42+01:00

An apparently well-connected Soviet-born U.S. citizen has emerged as a key player in a massive Italian telecom fraud, according to court documents and published reports.

Rome Judge Aldo Morgigni has issued an arrest warrant for Eugene Gourevitch, believed to have been born in the Soviet Republic of Kyrgyzstan and who has reportedly held a U.S. passport since 1990, for alleged involvement in a fraud that is said to have siphoned an astonishing US$2.7 billion from the wholesale telephony divisions of Telecom Italia SpA and Fastweb SpA between 2003 and 2006.

Energy prospecting in Ashkhabad a Bush family affair

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-03-01T11:49:51+01:00

State-controlled news outlets in Turkmenistan are reporting that former US president George H. W. Bush sent a letter to Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, extending wishes for "sound health and successes." The letter was reportedly conveyed by Neil Bush, the former president's son, who visited Ashgabat on behalf of a Houston-based oil company looking to do deals in Turkmenistan.

Despite certain positive steps, Tajikistan's parliamentary elections failed to meet many key OSCE commitments

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-03-01T11:47:42+01:00

DUSHANBE, 1 March 2010 - Yesterday's parliamentary elections took place peacefully, but despite certain small positive steps failed to meet many key OSCE commitments, the international election observation mission concluded in a preliminary statement issued today.

Sting in the pay of tyrannical Uzbekistan regime

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-24T11:23:47+01:00

Once again we must ponder the question "how much money is enough?", inspired by reports that Sting accepted between £1m and £2m to perform for the glory of the brutal despotic regime in Uzbekistan.

Sting with Gulnara Karimova at a fashion show in Uzbekistan. Photograph: Getty

Interim Report No. 2 of the Election Monitoring Tajikistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-24T11:20:19+01:00

INTERIM REPORT No. 2, 29 January – 13 February 2010, ODIHR

22 February 2010

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
• The process of candidate registration, which was inclusive overall, concluded on 8 February. Seventy-three candidates were registered from eight party lists to compete in the single nationwide constituency and 153 candidates were registered to compete in 41 single-mandate constituencies. Six political parties as well as 70 self-nominated candidates are represented in the single-mandate constituency contests.

Richard Holbrooke: US has no plans to deploy military base in Uzbekistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-24T11:13:34+01:00

The government of the United States has no plans to open a military base in Uzbekistan, Richard Holbrooke, a U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan said on Sunday in Astana. Mr. Holbrooke is taking a tour around Central Asian republics. Before coming to Kazakhstan he already visited Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan while after meetings in Astana he will give a visit to Caucasus and, specifically, Georgia.

Into the iris of insanity: dissent, psychiatry, and the true face of Turkmen totalitarianism

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-24T11:10:02+01:00

In a country like Turkmenistan, who is really the crazy one?

Kakabay Tedzhenov is a former inmate of a psychiatric hospital in Turkmenistan. Telling his shocking story, the 73 year-old-pensioner, now living in a small town in Russia, remembers:

It was cold during winter inside the house I lived and so were the conditions for my neighbors, in Turkmenabad, where I lived. One day I sent a petition to the local authorities demanding better heating in my house in order to put an end to the situation I faced every winter. I went on to send several petitions, but the only result was that the local authorities began to persecute me.

I didn’t give up. I went all the way the President [Niyazov]. One evening [in January 2006] men in white clothes came to my house and forcefully packed me into a car. First I didn’t know what they had in mind but then I was taken into a heavily guarded building and locked in a room with four mentally ill people. It was the infamous Boyunuzyn psychiatric hospital.

I was injected with various drugs, including Amenazin, a drug which caused me terrible pain and health problems. I got sick and was taken for surgery, after which I was returned [to Boyunuzyn]. In total, I spent ten months in Boyunuzyn. I owe my release to the intense advocacy of rights groupswho protested my detention.

Two months after Tedzhenov’s release, Niyazov suddenly died. It seemed a fitting capstone to the story. Yet, Tedzhenov was neither the first — nor the last — prisoner of conscience to be subjected to psychiatry as a form of torture.
Indeed, the abuse of psychiatry for political purposes gets less attention in Turkmenistan than other “traditional” methods of repression, such as imprisonment and torture.

Turning point in Aliyev case?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-23T13:20:48+01:00

The Kazakh Government gave the Austrian authorites guarantees, that the former son-in-law of the Kazakh President Nazarbayev, Dr. Rakhad Aliyev will be treated under European Human Rights standards, if the Austrian court will detain him back to Kazakhstan. This was confirmed by the Kazakh Ambassador in Austria, Kasychanov.

He pointed out that Dr. Aliyev might also have retrial proceedings, which would be conductes under the UN Human Rights Convention. In addition, the Office of the General Prosecutor in Kazakhstan sent an official letter to its colleagues in Vienna, saying that an international observation of Dr. Aliyev’s possible future imprisonment would be welcomed by Kazakh authorities.

According to Austrian officials, this reaction by the Kazakh officials could be a „turning point in the case“, because until now, Dr. Aliyev was fighting against a possible extradition with the argument, he would be tortured in his home country. Manfred Nowak, UN Rapporteur against torture, underlined recently that systematic torture would no longer be used in Kazakhstan.

In addition, Austrian officials, who want to stay confidential, confirmed additional investigations against Dr. Aliyev regarding abduction and torture in connection with the death of Ms. Novikova.

US urges Tajikistan to consider the opinion of neighboring countries in the construction of Rogun

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-17T12:51:18+01:00

"We realize the importance of energy security for Tajikistan and support the efforts of Tajik government to ensure the access of its citizens, enterprises and agencies to adequate and reliable energy source. We urge Tajikistan to consider the opinion of neighboring countries in the implementation of such hydropower projects as Rogun" Robert O. Black, the Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, shared in the interview to Tajik Asia-plus newspaper after the round of Tajik-American political consultations.

Moscow withholding promised aid to Bishkek

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-17T12:46:20+01:00

In February of 2009, Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev traveled to Moscow and secured roughly $2.15 billion in economic assistance, apparently in a quid-pro-quo deal in which Kyrgyzstan took action to evict US and NATO forces from an air base outside Bishkek. Twelve months later, American troops are still in Kyrgyzstan, and Moscow is balking at disbursing the bulk of its pledged aid.

Sucking up to Dictators Is Harder Than It Looks

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-16T15:10:47+01:00

September 21, 2009, was a day of blitz diplomacy for U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: She had more than eight and a half hours of bilateral meetings to juggle, along with a marathon of press briefings and camera sprays at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York. But one of her sit-downs that day required particular finesse. It was with an obscure dictator whose name alone presented a challenge -- Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the president of Turkmenistan. He came into the room with an immediate advantage: The United States needed his help. Clinton needed to convince him to let NATO transports through his country, a move that would ease pressure on U.S. supply lines into Afghanistan and probably save some U.S. troops. The usual approach -- money -- would not work with energy-rich Turkmenistan. It was a test of her skill as a diplomat.

Kazakhstan's role to be positive, but not decisive in talks over Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-16T15:06:20+01:00

The role of Kazakhstan as the OSCE Chairman-in-Office in 2010 will be positive, but not decisive in talks over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, experts say.

Invitation: ETG Central Asia Discussions 2010

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-16T12:55:19+01:00

Invitation:
ETG will host a roundtable discussion March 5, 2010 in Vienna.
„Turkmenistan - Western Influence: Energy Interests and Political Implications“

Topics will be:
Turkmen Gas and Nabucco
The political situation in Turkmenistan
Geopolitics
Possible strategies of EU, OSCE and US

Key Speakers will be:
Alain Délétroz, Vice President Europe, International Crisis Group (ICG)
Arkady Dubnov, Journalist and Turkmenistan Expert
Nurmukhamed Hanamov, former Ambassador of Turkmenistan and Expert on the political and social situation

If you are interested to participate, please send us a short mail.

Kazakhstan lifts critical reporting ban

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-09T14:46:11+01:00

A Kazakhstan court has overturned a ruling that banned the media from publishing criticism of President Nursultan Nazarbayev's son-in-law.

US Congress Hearing "Kazakhstan's Leadership of the OSCE": Video

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-09T14:34:40+01:00

The video of the CSCE Hearing on „Kazakhstan’s Leadership of the OSCE“ is now online:

Journalists under pressure as parliamentary elections approach

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-08T15:35:57+01:00

With parliamentary elections fast approaching, print journalists in Tajikistan are coming under increasing pressure, media watchdogs say.

Bukhara is agitated with rumors about murders and mass arrests

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-08T15:22:17+01:00

In the first days of February Ferghana.Ru office received few messages about the outbreak of criminal events in Uzbekistan. Unfortunately, we are not able to confirm or reject the majority of them. First of all, the official authorities of Uzbekistan ignore our questions. Secondly, being concerned about their own security, the witnesses (if any) are not always willing to testify.

OSCE media freedom representative criticizes 'misuse' of libel laws to muzzle the press in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Hungary

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-08T12:12:53+01:00

Miklos Haraszti, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, condemned today as "dangerous attempts at censorship" lawsuits initiated by high-ranking government officials in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Hungary against domestic media outlets for reporting on critical statements made by other public figures.

Interview with CSCE Co-Chair A. Hastings on Kazakhstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-05T13:28:07+01:00

Co-Chairman Hastings Interview with Erica Marat of Voice of America

Question:Good morning, Congressman Hastings. It is our pleasure to have you here at VOA. My question is: you supported Kazakhstan’s bid to chair the OSCE back in 2007. Please tell us the main reason for your support.

Co-Chairman Hastings:That’s a very good question and, I had been involved at that time in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for almost 12 years and including at some point a few years back becoming the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE. I worked with the Central Asian countries pretty much six or seven years after they gained their independence in the early ‘90s until today.

Kazakhstan's foreign minister on his country's unlikely new role as Europe's democracy watchdog.

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-05T12:54:15+01:00

OSCE Chairperson meets U.S. Secretary of State Clinton

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-05T12:51:58+01:00

The U.S. role in the OSCE is key to the renewed security dialogue launched in the Organization, said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan's Secretary of State and Foreign Minister, Kanat Saudabayev, today after talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Not a fair deal - Turkmenistan's relations with the West

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-04T12:34:32+01:00

When Turkmenistan began opening up to the outside world following the death of President Saparmurat Niazov three years ago, the theory was that increased economic engagement by Western states would encourage a more general relaxation of policy in such areas as human rights and political liberties.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov with Hillary Clinton: Photo by US State Department.

OSCE Chairmanship discusses prospects of Transdniestrian settlement process

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-03T14:17:25+01:00

The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for protracted conflicts, Ambassador Bolat Nurgaliyev, concluded a three-day visit to Moldova today.

In the fight of judges versus journalists, both sides face hard choices

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-03T13:16:02+01:00

The first hearing on the lawsuit by three judges against three independent newspapers in Tajikistan was held yesterday (Tuesday, 2 February). It showed that there will be serious battles ahead between the two sides precisely because so much is at stake. Will the government choose power over justice? Will the media choose safety over truth?

OSCE welcomes Kazakhstan as chair, but raises its record on rights

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-03T10:40:47+01:00

The U.S. arm of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has welcomed Kazakhstan as the new chair of the organization but cautioned the former Soviet republic that it must improve its own rights record if it wants to be effective in its new role.

OSCE Chairman n Office Kanat Saudabaev says his government will deepen the OSCE's humanitarian engagement in Afghanistan
February 02, 2010

US trying new track on Nabucco project

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-03T08:10:36+01:00

The United States wants to "depoliticize" the proposed Nabucco pipeline project, and might welcome Russia’s participation in the pipeline, Washington’s Eurasian energy envoy, Richard Morningstar, recently announced. The Kremlin, however, is likely to interpret this outwardly magnanimous gesture as a sign of Nabucco’s weakness, some experts say.

CSCE calls for Kazakhstan to lead OSCE by example

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-03T08:05:04+01:00

Leaders of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe today welcomed Kazakhstan’s leadership in organizing their Chairmanship of one of the world’s leading rights organizations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, but Commissioners called on the newly-installed Chair-in-Office to lead the OSCE by example and improve its domestic human rights record.

US exploring new routes to Afghanistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-02T19:48:11+01:00

The United States is exploring the idea of expanding the Northern Distribution Network (NDN), a supply line for US and NATO troops in Afghanistan, by adding a Chinese branch. Sources familiar with the NDN tell EurasiaNet that US officials are also considering the possibility of seeking a sea-and-land route utilizing ports in the Russian Far East.

Overcoming the current crisis of confidence is crucial to tackling new threats to security, OSCE Chairperson tells U.S. Helsinki Commission

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-02T19:28:08+01:00

It is crucial to overcome the current crisis of confidence between states to tackle new challenges and threats to security, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakhstan's Secretary of State and Foreign Minister, Kanat Saudabayev, said today to the U.S. Helsinki Commission.

OSCE media freedom representative concerned about persecution of journalists in Uzbekistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-02T12:04:27+01:00

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, said today that he was deeply concerned by the continuing harassment of journalists in Uzbekistan.

Kazakh official warns against quitting Afghanistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-01T14:50:24+01:00

When Kazakhstan's foreign minister, Kanat Saudabayev, begins a five-day U.S. visit in Washington on Monday, one of the main topics of discussion is likely to be a proposal to hold a summit meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Kazakhstan to intensify OSCE engagement to support security and stability in Afghanistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-02-01T14:45:11+01:00

Kazakhstan will play an active role in furthering OSCE initiatives to strengthen Afghanistan's borders, develop co-operation and enhance law enforcement activities, said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Kazakh Secretary of State and Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev, at the international London Conference on Afghanistan today.

Karimov’s plan: Uzbekistan to strengthen bilateral cooperation with USA

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-29T12:56:59+01:00

The President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov approved the Action Plan on strengthening bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the United States of America for 2010, Gazeta.Uz reports. It has to be mentioned that the Uzbek leader signed the appropriate decree on January 11; nonetheless, only today many local mass media reported this fact.

Photographer faces jail for 'defaming' life in Uzbekistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-29T10:44:21+01:00

Amnesty International has urged the Uzbekistani government to allow its people freedom of expression after one of the country's most prominent photographers was charged with "defamation of the Uzbekistani people“.

Turkmen students allowed to leave the ountry

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-29T10:40:11+01:00

Good news: Turkmenistan’s government has finally given the green light to students enrolled at private foreign universities to continue their studies abroad, putting an end to six months of uncertainty.

Turkmen Leader to End Rights Abuses

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-28T12:45:13+01:00

President Nicolas Sarkozy should use the upcoming state visit by his Turkmen counterpart to speak out about Turkmenistan's abysmal human rights record and to press for concrete improvements, the French League for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, International Federation for Human Rights, and Reporters Without Borders said today.

NATO and Kazakhstan reach transit pact for Afghanistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-27T16:49:47+01:00

NATO and Kazakhstan completed an agreement on Wednesday that will permit NATO allies to ship cargo through Kazakh territory to Afghanistan, providing an important alternative to vulnerable routes elsewhere.

Extremism in Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-25T11:21:07+01:00

The documentary on extremism in Central Asia by Michael Andersen:

You Tube and LiveJournal in Turkmenistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-20T10:11:52+01:00

Late December information was circulating on the internet that access to You Tube and LiveJournal had been blocked in Turkmenistan.

The Monitoring conducted by You Tube demonstrated that over the past 2 to 3 weeks video clips from Turkmenistan had been posted on this web resource.

We interviewed 28 respondents from Turkmenistan, both in the capital and the country's provinces. Six of them were denied access to You Tube and were unable to watch several music clips. Three opened the website but due to low connection speed were unable to watch anything.

Apparently You Tube can be accessed only in the provinces where fiber optic cable is installed and internet access depends on the quality of connection.

In addition, none of the respondents managed to get access to LiveJournal. This resource is blocked in Turkmenistan.

Source: Turkmenistan Initiative for Human Rights

Torture in Uzbekistan : still systematic and unpunished

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-20T09:42:32+01:00

The report was prepared from materials collected from the monitoring of the rights of persons under investigation and in detention. The monitoring was conducted during eight months in 2009 by the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan and Committee for the Liberation of Prisoners of Conscience, both based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan .

The Uzbek-German Forum for Human Rights, based in Berlin, provided assistance with the collation and analysis of the data. Monitoring was conducted through interviews with individuals released from prisons, victims of torture, relatives of the convicted, and persons serving prison sentences and includes observation of court hearings. In addition, official responses from government agencies to claims of torture from alleged victims, press releases, and statements from local human rights organizations were included in the review.

Russia and Turkmenistan mend their relationship

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-19T09:04:54+01:00

At the end of December, leaders of Russia and Turkmenistan met to discuss the future of their relationship.

First, on December 22, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov met in Ashgabat and signed an agreement to expand bilateral “strategic” energy cooperation. Then the heads of Gazprom and Turkmengaz signed an agreement on the resumption of Turkmen gas supplies to Russia with the start of 2010, amounting to 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually.

Turkmenbashi's arch to be removed

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-19T09:00:51+01:00

A giant arch topped by a gold-plated statue of Turkmenistan's late leader, Saparmyrat Niyazov, is to be moved out of the centre of the country's capital.

Islam Karimov & Co are the ones radicalising Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-18T21:43:10+01:00

From Wednesday 20 January, and for the next week, the television channel Aljazeera English is showing his film ’(The Myth of) Religious Extremism in Central Asia’. Fergana.ru interviews Michael Andersen about his project.

Kazakhstan only part of the solution for Nabucco

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-18T13:09:30+01:00

Kazakhstan is not ready to supply gas to Nabucco at this stage, but Astana is willing to consider supporting the gas pipeline to Austria as the former Soviet Republic develops its gas resources, and if the project makes sense economically, top Kazakh officials told New Europe in Vienna on 13 January.

Consideration of the third periodic report under Article 40 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-18T12:05:27+01:00

The Expert Working Group of Uzbek NGOs and human rights practitioners prepared this report to inform the process of consideration for the third periodic report of Uzbekistan by the United Nations Human Rights Committee under the Article 40 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Previously Uzbekistan reported on the 83rd session of the UN Human Rights Committee held in March 2005.
The report covers the events for the period of 2005 to 2009. As for the range of issues, the current report largely repeats the previous 2005 NGO submission regarding the many problems and failures of the Uzbek Government to insure the rights guaranteed by the Covenant persisted.

Uzbek secret services collect the records about independent journalists

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-15T14:50:31+01:00

The Tashkent Public Prosecutor’s office conducted the series of interrogations of several independent journalists, working in Uzbekistan. On January 7 five of them – Vasiliy Markov, Sid Yanyshev, Abdumalik Boboev, Khusniddin Kutbiddinov and Marina Kozlova (that cooperated with various foreign mass media) were called for "an interview" with Bakhrom Nurmatov, the assistant Public Prosecutor of Tashkent. Vasiliy Markov and Abdumalik Boboev refused to show up without official notice; the rest of journalists met Mr. Nurmatov.
Each of the journalists was presented their own detailed record with articles, bio and other documents. Mr. Nurmatov informed that these documents were delivered from National Security Service (NSS) and Uzbek Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Illegal Christmas as unregistered religious activity punished

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-15T13:24:17+01:00

Uzbekistan continues in 2010 to punish unregistered religious activity, in defiance of international human rights standards, Forum 18 News Service has learned. On 3 January, eight police officers raided a Christmas gathering organised by an officially registered church. Asked why celebrating Christmas was illegal, police told Forum 18 that the Full Gospel Holiness Church is "not registered" in Umid village. Three leaders of the Church face administrative charges as a result. Also, following an unregistered religious meeting in the southern Surkhandarya Region, Pastor Bakhrom Nazarov has been fined over 83 times the minimum monthly wage. 21 people are known to have suffered short-term jail sentences between February and August 2009. However, there were no known short-term jailings of people for exercising their freedom of religion or belief in the latter part of 2009. Asked why, a Judge told Forum 18 that "it may be because of the liberalisation of Uzbekistan's Judiciary, which is underway at the moment."

Former OSCE chair says time ripe for 'serious look' at reform

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-15T10:47:47+01:00

The 56-member Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is facing hard times as observers increasingly question its relevance and effectiveness. At a Permanent Council session in Vienna on January 14, the new Kazakh chairmanship of the OSCE will lay out its plan for the coming year -- an agenda that former OSCE Chairman in Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb describes as "an extensive and ambitious working program."

Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb speaks at an OSCE council in Helsinki.
Stubb, who chaired the organization in 2008, spoke to RFE/RL correspondent Robert Coalson about the challenges the OSCE will face in 2010.

OSCE role highlights slow Kazakhstan reforms

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-15T10:36:23+01:00

Kazakhstan is fulfilling one of its most cherished foreign policy goals in taking up the chair of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the human rights watchdog.

Kazakhstan assumes presidency of Europe security group

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-15T10:25:23+01:00

History is in the making in this Central Asian republic, the largest and the most developed of the former Soviet republics east of the Urals, as Kazakhstan assumed the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Thursday.

Gas flows again to Russia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-15T09:14:00+01:00

Natural gas may be flowing again from Turkmenistan to Russia, but the two countries’ pricing dispute is not over, analysts are predicting.
Turkmen gas exports to Russia resumed January 9 after a nearly nine-month hiatus, due to a pricing dispute. Under the Turkmen-Russian settlement, the Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom will only buy 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually compared to 50 bcm in previous years, and will pay in the region of $250 per thousand cubic meters (tcm), Russian news sources reported.

EU statement in response to the address by the Chairperson-in-Office

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-14T17:22:24+01:00

The EU congratulates H.E. Mr. Kanat Saudabayev, Secretary of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the assumption of the functions of Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE. As the first representative of a Central Asian country to assume this highly demanding responsibility, you and your country are faced with high expectations. The Kazakh Chairmanship will open a new chapter in the history of our organization, underlining the importance of the Central Asian region and increasing the attention paid by the international community, the media and civil society not only to that region but to the whole of the OSCE. We warmly welcome you to the Permanent Council for the first time in your new capacity and thank you for your address outlining the priorities and the roadmap of the Kazakh Chairmanship in 2010.

The murder of Gennadyi Pavlyuk reminds the action of Kyrgyz secret services

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-14T17:05:54+01:00

The arrival of Kyrgyz journalist Gennadiy Pavlyuk in Almaty reminds planned action of secret services, Kazakhstani Vremya newspaper reports.

The edition notes that murderous assault against Pavlyuk, committed in southern capital of Kazakhstan on December 16, 2009, is detected and «the names of criminals are identified». According to the newspaper, the traces lead to «some highly ranked Kyrgyz secret service official, unofficially positioned as manager of Bakiev’s clan on security issues».

Kazakhs announce plans for OSCE

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-14T16:22:47+01:00

Kazakhstan says it will put the main emphasis on security and development, rather than democracy, during its chairmanship of the OSCE.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev said the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe had for years been too fixated on Western values.

Summit needed for stagnant OSCE

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-14T15:55:17+01:00

On Jan. 1, Kazakhstan became the first former Soviet republic to take over chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Kazakhstan views the OSCE, with its unique geographical coverage, tools and experience, as one of the vital mechanisms for ensuring international security and cooperation from Vancouver to Vladivostok. Yet perceptions of "dividing lines" and "zero-sum-game" thinking have not gone away with the end of the Cold War and continue to limit efforts to build indivisible security in the OSCE area.

US Response to Kazakhstani Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2010-01-14T15:49:11+01:00

The United States is pleased to welcome Foreign Minister Saudabayev to the Permanent Council as the OSCE’s 2010 Chairman-in-Office. We are also pleased that President Nazarbayev took the opportunity to address us this morning. Both of these statements underscore Kazakhstan’s commitment to the OSCE and to a strong and successful Chairmanship.

Strategic Assessment of the Caspian Sea Basin Region

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-12-04T18:04:59+01:00

On May 7 and 8, the Brookings Energy Security Initiative (ESI) and the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP) co-hosted a conference entitled "Strategic Assessment of the Caspian Sea Basin Region".

Central Asia’s electricity system falls apart

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-12-02T08:09:43+01:00

Four of the five Central Asian countries have muddled along with an often unsatisfactory, yet workable, shared electricity system that was devised after the break-up of the Soviet Union. This year, however, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have finally been provoked into announcing their withdrawal from the shared grid.

Tajikistan may stop water flow as Uzbekistan pulls plug on powe

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-12-01T11:56:47+01:00

For more than a decade Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have had a rocky relationship. But now, following an announcement by Tashkent that it is withdrawing from the Central Asian electricity grid, bilateral ties may take a dangerous nosedive.

Educating Afghans not an OSCE pipe dream

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-12-01T11:53:56+01:00

Fresh from Kabul, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev vowed to strengthen the humanitarian dimension of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s strategy for Afghanistan when his country assumes the OSCE's chairmanship in January 2010. The situation in Afghanistan now appears to be definitely worse than it was a couple years ago.

Where is Turkmenistan’s Gas Money Going?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-11-30T16:10:57+01:00

The Turkmen government has announced that it no longer depends solely on natural gas as a revenue source. NBCentralAsia analysts say this is unlikely to be true, and the real question is how much of the gas money makes it into the official coffers, since management of the revenues from Turkmenistan’s mineral wealth is far from transparent.

Congress Caucus on Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-11-30T16:07:08+01:00

Nothing highlights the growing importance of Central Asia in Washington more than the formation of a congressional caucus.

EU ignores Turkmen rights abuse, seeks gas

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-11-18T17:49:37+01:00

An international human rights watchdog on Tuesday accused the European Union of ignoring rights abuses in energy-rich Turkmenistan in the hopes of securing future natural gas supplies.

All That Gas?: The EU and Turkmenistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-11-18T17:35:50+01:00

The European Commission is turning a blind eye to corruption, lack of transparency and poor human rights in the repressive police state of Turkmenistan in a bid to secure future gas supplies, according to a new illustrated briefing paper from the campaign group Global Witness, launched on the eve of the 2009 oil and gas conference in Ashgabat, the Turkmen capital.

The report, ‘All that Gas?’ represents an innovative collaboration between Global Witness and cutting-edge satirical cartoonist, David Rees, who has produced original artwork for the publication. His seven new cartoons feature EU bureaucrats discussing crude strategies to ‘get the gas’. Rees is best-known for his US cartoon series ‘Get Your War On’, published on the internet and in Rolling Stone magazine.

Downloads:
All That Gas? (11/2009) Hi-res PDF
All That Gas? (11/2009) Lo-res version
Comic Strips (in Turkmen)
Comic Strips (Na russkom)
David Rees' Comic Strips (In English, hi-res)
Gazovyi vopros (11/2009), Word, na russkom
Hemme zat gaz üçinmi? (11/2009) Word, Türkmen
Press-Release (11/2009)

Source: Global Witness

The schoolchildren in the Tashkent Oblast continue hard work at the cotton fields

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-11-15T17:30:33+01:00

While the government of Uzbekistan celebrates the cotton victory and Islam Karimov congratulates the cotton growers the schoolchildren of Tashkent Oblast continue working hard at the cotton fields under harsh weather conditions, bringing revenue to the country. And there is no financial interest in such commitment. The local school administrations still have no order "from above" to finish the cotton campaign.

Press Release by GCA on Turkmen Gas Fields

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-15T13:47:33+02:00

In a public Statement, GCA told the following:

In October 2008, Gaffney Cline & Associates announced the results of its audit of the gas resources of the South Yolotan/Osman and Yashlar fields in Turkmenistan. Following that announcement, the following pulic statement was released.

Turkmenistan falsified data on gas reserves in the country

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-13T17:14:19+02:00

Vienna, 13.10.09-ETG On Sunday evening, during an emergency meeting of the Turkmen Government, it became evident what sources like „Eurasian Transition Group“ already reported back in 2008 and earlier this year and which could have an important impact on the energy policy of the Caspian region and the future construction plans of pipelines like the Nabucco project.

Turkmen Cabinet: Gas Audit results a fake

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-12T21:45:45+02:00

During a cabinet meeting of the Turkmen Government on October 11, 2009, it became evident what ETG already published eight months ago: all test audits in the gas industry of Turkmenistan, though conducted by independent experts, were faked.

ETG sources report that during the cabinet meeting President Berdymukhamedov announced the falsification of the independent gas drillings, saying that probably only one third of the results might be realistic.

By a decree most of the responsible directors in the gas industry were fired.

ETG will follow the situation in the country carefully.

More empty gas talks with Russia?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-12T15:15:28+02:00

Turkmenistan has proven a fickle energy-export partner for all foreign companies trying to do business there. Yet, a Kremlin spokesperson’s recent statement that Russia would resume natural gas imports as soon as the end of October, confirms that hope springs eternal when it comes to the question of Ashgabat and energy.

Sting, Valentino and others are visiting Gulnara Karimova

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-09T10:49:09+02:00

On October 17, 2009 under Art-Week Style.Uz-2009 project in Tashkent the opera house, named after Alisher Navoi, will host concert of legendary Sting. The ticket prices range from 2000000 to 4000000 sums (about $1100-2200). For information, this is one or two annual salaries of the college teachers in Uzbekistan.

Ambassador of conscience: Interview with Craig Murray

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-08T17:53:01+02:00

In 2002, Craig Murray, British ambassador to Uzbekistan, encountered something that he would describe as the real evil: the brutal campaign of torture and repression by the Islam Karimov regime. Later, in an interview with the Guardian, Murray described his encounters with victims of torture in Tashkent: “People come to me very often after being tortured. Normally this includes homosexual and heterosexual rape of close relatives in front of the victim; rape with objects such as broken bottles; asphyxiation; pulling out of fingernails; smashing of limbs with blunt objects; and use of boiling liquids including complete immersion of the body. This is not uncommon. Thousands of people a year suffer from this torture at the hands of the authorities.”

Blood cotton

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-08T17:42:41+02:00

This is one of the most shocking stories of forced labour that involves children.

The setting of this story is the Central Asian republic of Uzbekistan – one of the most brutal among post-Soviet dictatorships. The Islam Karimov regime is notorious for its ruthless repression of any kind of opposition or threat – political, social or economic.

Uzbek human rights activists to organize rally and picket to stop child labor in Uzbekistan's cotton fields

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-08T13:42:47+02:00

The Uzbek human rights activists are going to organize the rally on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 with the purpose to stop child labor in Uzbekistan’s cotton fields. The meeting is scheduled to noon time at the Embassy of Uzbekistan at 1746 Massachusetts Ave. NW Washington, DC.

Western experts praise restructure of Kazakh bank

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-08T11:32:44+02:00

The Kazakh government this week secured a deal with creditors to restructure Alliance Bank, in an innovative move allowing it to emerge as a going concern from the credit crisis.

U.S. OSCE official says dialogue best way to spread democracy

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-07T12:13:31+02:00

Michael Haltzel, a professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, heads the U.S. delegation at the OSCE's "Human Dimension" workshop taking place in Warsaw on September 28-29. In an interview with RFE/RL correspondent Ahto Lobjakas, he says engagement remains the best way to tackle difficult regimes. He also says he hopes to see gradual progress in those post-Soviet nations where human rights abuses remain regular and democratic standards have yet to take root.

France, Kazakhstan seal long-term energy accords

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-07T11:53:06+02:00

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, eyeing broader geopolitical engagement between Europe and Central Asia, have announced the signing of a number of agreements between their two countries involving oil and gas.

French President Sarkozy on state visit in Astana

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-07T11:43:32+02:00

France and Kazakhstan have signed energy and business deals worth $6bn (£3.8bn) during a visit to Astana by French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Officials forcing entertainers to sing praises to the government

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-07T11:36:29+02:00

As it struggles to keep a lid on political dissent while also trying to keep the wheels from coming off the economy, the government of Uzbekistan is co-opting the country’s entertainment industry. Local show-biz personalities are being forced to conform to the state’s wishes, and those who don’t get with the program are having the plugs pulled on their careers.

Auction of children’s sweat

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-07T11:30:41+02:00

While children around the world have access to free and worthy education, their coevals in Uzbekistan don’t have it. The reason is that they are forced to risk their lives in order to satisfy state’s appetite in cotton.

The European Union’s consideration to lift the arms embargo on Uzbekistan gives the signal to Uzbekistan’s government that the EU is prepared to accept Uzbekistan’s atrocious human rights record

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-05T12:55:06+02:00

The European Union’s consideration to lift the arms embargo on Uzbekistan gives the signal to Uzbekistan’s government that the EU is prepared to accept Uzbekistan’s atrocious human rights record.

Allow access, freedom for civil society

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-02T14:32:27+02:00

Human Rights Watch joined the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and 13 other groups in issuing a statement today calling on governments and companies that have recently gained access to Turkmenistan to use their connection to improve the lives of the country's more than 5 million people. The groups said these governments and companies should also press Turkmenistan to allow international civil society groups and human rights organizations to work in the country.

Nabucco Pipeline: Results of a survey (in Russian)

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-10-01T14:54:09+02:00

Объединенная евразийская экспертная сеть (JEEN) представляет результаты экспертного опроса по проблеме реализации проекта Nabucco.

Good intentions and child labor

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-29T10:40:41+02:00

Economic sanctions may be a noble way to show solidarity of some players of international community but those are rarely successful. It may seem obvious but yet it is exactly what is missing in the debates on the issue of child labor in Uzbekistan.

Statement by ETG

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-29T14:29:13+02:00

Statement by Eurasian Transition Group

The Internet Site KUB published a report by ETG, called "The Aliyev Dossier".

ETG would like to underline that KUB has no authorization for publishing the text, because it is an unofficial draft paper, that is still in the working process.

ETG is unaware of how KUB could get an electronic copy of this working paper.

ETG tried to contact the administrators of the web-site, but could not find a postal adress. Through the ICANN directory an adress in Russia was determined, but this adress is unreachable. Thereofore, we publish this statement on our web site.

Eurasian Transition Group, Bonn, 29.08.2009

Turkmen President's Interview: "We are Criminals" he said.

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-25T11:34:11+02:00

(AP) — ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan - Energy-rich Turkmenistan has signed a deal with independent Russian gas producer Itera to jointly develop an offshore field in the Caspian Sea, Turkmen state media reported Monday.

In a signing ceremony overseen by the presidents of Russia and Turkmenistan on Sunday, the sides agreed to begin work next year on developing the field, which is estimated to hold 160 million tons of recoverable oil and 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

Uzbek Appeals Court Upholds Sentence on Journalist

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-25T09:56:59+02:00

Human rights activists and media experts have expressed disappointment at an appeals court’s decision to uphold a 12-year sentence handed down to journalist Dilmurod Sayid a month-and-a-half earlier.
The decision was made on September 11, when the Samarkand provincial court reviewed Sayid’s appeal.

Surkhandarya students pick cotton, ones in Ferghana continue their studies

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-25T09:52:04+02:00

The Human Rights Society Ezgulik (Mercy) reported classes suspended at approximately 600 schools out of 840 in the Surkhandarja region of Uzbekistan on the order from the regional administration's Directorate of Education.

Uzbekistan cuts natural gas supply to the south of Kyrgyzstan due to debts

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-25T09:50:21+02:00

In the night of September 24 of 2009 Uzbekistan shut natural gas supply to the southern region of Kyrgyzstan, 24.kg information agency reports. This happened due to the debt of the consumers in the city of Osh.

Rakhat Aliyev, the former son-in-law of Nazarbayev, got married

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-25T09:48:15+02:00

Rakhat Aliyev, the former highly ranked official of Kazakhstan, got officially married second time and took the family name of his wife, Svoboda slova Kazakh newspaper reports.

German election could unlock Caspian

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-24T16:37:07+02:00

While Western Europe seems bored by the German election, it is being closely watched in the Caspian region. For the countries sitting on the massive energy potential of the Caspian Sea, Sunday's outcome is of vital importance.

Speech by Turkmen President at UNGA

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-24T11:12:21+02:00

The speech by Turkmen President Berdymukhamedov at the UNGA.

Uzbeks issue posters of suspects

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-23T18:21:19+02:00

Posters of 23 wanted men have gone up in the Uzbek capital, Tashkent, where officials say they are moving against Islamists threatening the state.

The Uzbek authorities say these men are alleged extremists

The army of cotton growers started the battle for harvest

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-23T15:14:01+02:00

The cropping of raw-cotton is launched in the Khoresm Oblast of Uzbekistan. It is traditionally driven by the populations and dozens of thousands of students of secondary and higher education institutions. The decision to send the youth to the fields was made by local authorities prior to Ramadan holiday – the end of sacred month of Muslim fast (this year it was September 21).

The cotton growers, getting into buses

Are reforms back on the shelf?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-23T14:43:06+02:00

Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov is making a trip to the United States this week which includes a speech at the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly and meetings with top US officials. It will be difficult for him to present himself as the hoped for reformer who is willing to take Turkmenistan out of present isolationist course.

Cash crunch causing retail gridlock in Uzbekistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-23T13:25:21+02:00

In most of the villages of Uzbekistan, people haven’t seen cash for ages as they get paid with oil or grain instead of money. In the remote valley, state-affiliated banks are now making payments in coins, not notes, according to local media reports. This is creating havoc for shoppers and shop owners alike.

Senior OSCE official visits Kazakh rights defender in detention, stresses importance of fair appeals process

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-21T14:51:14+02:00

Following a meeting today with Kazakh human rights defender Yevgeny Zhovtis in the detention centre where he is held outside Almaty, the first deputy director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Douglas Wake, stressed the importance of full respect for fair trial standards in the consideration of Zhovtis' appeal.

Perspectives of the Nabucco Pipeline: Interview (In Russian)

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-21T14:38:45+02:00

Редакция сайта Объединенной евразийской экспертной сети ( JEEN ) провела экспертный опрос по проблеме перспектив реализации проекта Nabucco. В опросе приняли участие эксперты из России и стран СНГ. На основе опроса сформирован аналитический обзор, который будет опубликован в ближайшее время на сайте Сети JEEN ( j - een . com ). Предваряя презентацию отчета, редакция сайта публикует эксклюзивное интервью с Виталием Куликом, директором Центра исследований проблем гражданского общества (Украина) по указанной проблеме.

Muslim and Christian worship attacked

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-21T14:33:54+02:00

Uzbekistan continues to take action against peaceful meetings for worship, Forum 18 News Service has learned. Children in Namangan Region are banned from attending night prayers in mosques during Ramadan, the Deputy Hokim telling Forum 18 that "children of school age should not attend religious meetings at all." In Bukhara region, an imam confirmed to Forum 18 that women are banned from attending Friday prayers in mosques, claiming that "women are not to attend mosques according to Hanafi teachings". Raids continue on Protestant worship, with prosecutions of some congregation members and church leaders. After one such raid, police claimed that they had confiscated Muslim and Jehovah's Witness literature, but the Protestants maintain to Forum 18 that police invented this claim. Senior Lieutenant Farrukh Abduganiyev, Inspector of Crime Prevention in Almalyk, and Major Shavkat Aminov, Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department, were among 18 officers who took part in this raid. Six of the Church's members are due to be tried for unregistered religious activity tomorrow (18 September).

Pentagon plans for deployment of special force to states outside Afghanistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-18T08:14:34+02:00

The US military is preparing for a worst-case scenario in Central Asia. The Pentagon is presently developing plans covering the potential deployment of elite Special Forces to Central Asian states other than Afghanistan.

Is Turkmenistan a reliable partner for the EU? New ETG Analysis

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-16T12:42:45+02:00

Relations between the European Union (EU) and Turkmenistan are focused on establishing an energy dialogue. Prior to the death of President Niyazov, Turkmenistan was the most isolated country in Central Asia. Ties between Brussels and Ashgabat were poor at best. The emergence of Berdymukhamedov as Niyazov’s successor and his subsequent election to the presidency gave the EU a chance to move bilateral relations with Turkmenistan to a qualitatively new level. The initial rhetoric of the new president was promising. He appeared to identify some changes in foreign and economic policy, namely, a strengthening of the country’s orientation towards the West. This encouraged Brussels to hope for new opportunities with Turkmenistan.

Uzbek human rights “progress” claim

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-16T11:05:42+02:00

Human rights activists in Uzbekistan say they disagree strongly with claims by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, OSCE, that the human rights situation is improving in the country.

Austrian TV: Interview with Rakhad Aliyev

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-09T12:33:58+02:00

Austrian TV: Interview with Rakhad Aliyev from Tse Grad on Vimeo.

Vienna-Kazakh "Strudel" (in Russian)

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-04T09:59:24+02:00

Венско-казахстанский слоеный пирог

Дело Алиева становится внутренней проблемой Австрии

Как известно, австрийские власти не выдали Алиева Казахстану и приостановили уголовное дело в его отношении. А те политики, которые проявили повышенный интерес к вопросу правомочности пребывания Алиева в Австрии, вынуждены отмываться от обвинений в пособничестве казахстанскому КНБ. Казалось бы, это должно было отбить охоту дальше углубляться в проблему «Астана v/s Алиев» для австрийского истеблишмента. Более того, такое впечатление укрепилось после создания в июле при австрийском парламенте временной комиссии по изучению, в числе прочих проблем, связей ряда политиков оппозиционных партий с КНБ Казахстана. Однако произошло неожиданное. Благодаря австрийской прессе в деле Алиева в последние дни оказались «замараны» практически все значимые политические партии Австрии, включая правящую Народную партию. В частности, речь идет о том, что ее политики (а именно эта партия несколько десятков лет держит в своих руках руководство МВД Австрии) обеспечили Алиеву вид на жительство в земле Нижняя Австрия, причем небезвозмездно. Называется имя бывшего министра внутренних дел Эриха Штрассера. Конкретные претензии в коррумпированности Алиевым обнародованы и в отношении видных представителей финансовых кругов Австрии. Приводятся сведения о конкретных схемах, по которым предположительно производилось отмывание денег Алиевым через счета австрийских футбольных клубов, указываются суммы.

Human Rights activist sentenced

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-04T09:24:10+02:00

Yevgeny Zhovtis, one of Kazakhstan’s leading human rights activists, was found guilty on September 3 of vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison. Prior to the reading of the verdict, Zhovtis denounced his two-day trial as a "political setup."

NATO envoy plays down Turkmen base plans

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-04T09:10:13+02:00

NATO special representative for Central Asia and Caucasus Robert Simmons has downplayed the controversy over Turkmenistan's plan to establish a naval base on its Caspian coast, saying it's natural for littoral states to boost border security to protect against an increasingly active transit route for illegal activities.

Women and Radicalisation in Kyrgyzstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-03T10:48:04+02:00

Kyrgyzstan’s in creasingly authoritarian government is adopting a counter-productive approach to the country’s growing radicalisation. Instead of tackling the root causes of a phenomenon that has seen increasing numbers, including many women, joining groups such as Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT), it is resorting to heavy-handed police methods that risk pushing yet more Kyrgyz towards radicalism. The authorities view HT, which describes itself as a revolutionary party that aims to restore by peace ful means the caliphate that once ruled the Mus lim world, as a major security threat. But for some men and ever more women, it offers a sense of identity and belonging, solutions to the day-to-day failings of the society they live in, and an alternative to what they widely view as the Western-style social model that prevails in Kyrgyzstan. Without a major effort to tackle endemic corruption and economic failure, radical ranks are likely to swell, while repression may push at least some HT members into violence. This report focuses pri marily on the increasingly important role that women are playing in the movement.

Trial against Human Rights activist opened

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-03T09:57:58+02:00

One of Kazakhstan’s most prominent human rights activists went on trial September 2, charged with causing death by dangerous driving. The trial has cast a spotlight on Kazakhstan’s judicial system. It is also being viewed as a litmus test of Astana’s commitment to democratic procedures, coming as it does just four months before Kazakhstani officials take over the helm of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Statement ETG on press conference of Aliyev's lawyers in Vienna today (in German)

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-02T22:35:38+02:00

Erklärung der Eurasian Transition Group:

Der Vorstand der Eurasian Transition Group, e.V. gibt zum Pressegespräch der Kanzlei Brandstetter am 02.09.2009 in Wien folgende Erklärung ab:

Die im Pressebriefing der Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Brandstetter im Namen ihres Mandanten Dr. Rakhad Aliyev präsentierten Dokumente, welche beweisen sollen, dass unsere Organisation Teil des kasachischen Geheimdienstes oder der Regierung sei, sind unbegründet und führen in die Sackgasse.

Courting Turkmenistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-09-02T09:15:17+02:00

Each December, Turkmenistan celebrates "Neutrality Day," an official state holiday commemorating the reclusive country's aspiration to be the Switzerland of Central Asia. But for the first time in nearly a century, Turkmenistan is finally in play. Although the former Soviet republic has languished for decades, EU-Russian energy tensions, the war in Afghanistan, and the power politics of oil and gas have combined to fuel a new "Great Game" in Central Asia. The most coveted prize may be the hermit kingdom of Turkmenistan, which sits atop the world's fourth-largest reserves of natural gas, a huge amount of oil, and a strategic position in the heart of Central Asia. The United States, the European Union, Russia, China, Iran, and Turkey are all vying for influence in Turkmenistan. The only question is, at whose expense will future gains be made?

New abuse of jailed dissident

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-28T09:42:15+02:00

Uzbek authorities should promptly investigate new allegations of abuse against a political prisoner, Yusuf Jumaev, and ensure that his family is permitted regular visits, Human Rights Watch said today.

Uzbekistandoffish

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-27T20:09:45+02:00

In my opinion, Uzbekistan has been and remains the most able of the former Soviet Central Asian states to annoy, frustrate, and otherwise make life difficult for Russia. This is not to say that Russia’s government has no power in Tashkent. Allow me to digress -

Black Raiders of Kazakhstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-27T19:57:05+02:00

A documentary in Russian on how Rakhat Aliyev became one of the most feared individuals in Kazakhstan.

TV report on Aliyev and the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee in Vienna

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-27T18:08:32+02:00

Central Asian experts discuss regional water issues in Almaty

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-27T16:31:01+02:00

On August 27 Almaty is hosting the session of working group for the development of regional agreement under "Facilitation of partnership for dam security in Central Asia" project, funded by European economic commission of UN (EEC), Asia-plus reports.

Trial of Kazakh rights activist postponed

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-27T14:32:55+02:00

The trial of the prominent Kazakh human rights activist Yevgeny Zhovtis has begun in the town of Bakanas in Almaty Oblast but lasted just for several minutes before it was postponed due to the absence of the defendant's lawyers, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

Former Kazakh KNB head speaks on Aliev's role In kidnappings

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-27T14:30:23+02:00

The former chief of Kazakhstan's Committee of National Security (KNB) says the former son-in-law of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev "might" have been involved in the kidnapping of two high-ranking bankers in Kazakhstan.

Another Independent Kazakh Newspaper Faces Closure

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-26T20:57:58+02:00

The independent Kazakh weekly "Respublika" is facing closure after a bank announced it was filing charges against it, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

The Aliyev Empire is striking back

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-26T18:22:29+02:00

After the second meeting of the Austrian Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry today and a demonstration, organized by relatives of the missing Nur Bank managers, the Aliyev Empire is striking back.

All began with the statement by A. Musayev, the former Chief of the Kazakh KNB and close ally of Dr. Aliyev this weekend, stating that all accusations against the former Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Austria are in fact true and that Aliyev himself gave the order to make an attempt on Musayev’s life.

Later on, a lawyer who represents the families of the Nur Bank managers made a statement, in which he announced legal proceedings against a local Governor in Lower Austriaa and a prosecutor in Vienna, claiming that both officials helped Aliyev to receive the permission to stay in Austria and that the prosecutor backed Aliyev during the judicial investigations. In addition, Austrian politicians said that they received informations about the transfer of bribes by Aliyev to accounts of organizations close to the political and social life in Austria.
All this might also be a part of parliamentary investigations in Austria.

Today, Dr. Aliyev published a statement, in which he accuses ETG and Michael Laubsch of being a paid lobbyist for the Kazakh KNB. He said the following: „ ... It is also a fact that through the German lobbyist Michael Laubsch and ETG (Eurasian Transition Group), which he controls, unbelievable and smeared accusations against the Austrian judicial system we brought up and I can prove, that this Mr. Laubsch, who claims to be independent, is in a close and friendly contact with KNB-agents in Vienna. I already handed over the evidence material to Austrian officials“. (this is an unofficial translation; the original text can be found at the bottom of this article).

ETG and Michael in person underline the fact that there was never a contact with KNB officials regarding the Aliyev case, nor was any other dialogue with Kazakh secret services. In addition to this fact, ETG will consider legal proceedings against Dr. Aliyev, because those accusations only have their grounds in the mind of a person, who lost all his power.

In the past, ETG kept silence concerning several attempts by Aliyev in attacking ETG on a legal and personal basis; it is worth saying that all attempts did not work, nor had a basis. But now we are convinced to make those attacks public, for our own safety and security.

Eurasian Transition Group
Michael Laubsch

The original text, written by Dr. Rakhat Aliyev:

„Faktum ist auch, dass über den deutschen Lobbyisten Laubsch und
die von ihm kontrollierte Organisation "ETG" (Eurasian Transition
Group) unglaubliche und geradezu hetzerische Angriffe gegen die
österreichische Justiz publiziert wurden, und ich kann beweisen, dass
dieser Herr Laubsch, der sich als unabhängig gibt, in engem und
freundschaftlichem Kontakt zu kasachischen KGB-Agenten in der
Botschaft in Wien steht. Dieses Beweismaterial habe ich mittlerweile
den österreichischen Behörden übermittelt.“

The Situation at the OSCE regarding Kazakhstan is not very calm (in Russian)

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-26T18:17:44+02:00

Михаэль Лаубш: Ситуация для Казахстана в ОБСЕ какая угодно, но не спокойная

Дворец Хофбург в Вене, где расположена штаб-квартира ОБСЕ
Новые требования Казахстана в адрес ОБСЕ вызвали волну критики среди других членов организации. С другой стороны, неожиданный союзник проявился у нее в Вене в "деле Алиева".

Former Head of KNB leaves his former ally (in Russian)

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-25T12:20:56+02:00

Бывший глава казахстанского КНБ Альнур Мусаев выступил с сенсационным заявлением в австрийской массовой газете Krone. Оно касается бывшего зятя президента Казахстана Рахата Алиева.

Nazarbayev received a gift (in Russian)

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-25T12:18:00+02:00

Назарбаев получил подарок

В Австрии разворачивается скандал вокруг бывшего зятя казахского президента
версия для печати

Alnur Musayev broke with Rakhat Aliyev (in Russian)

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-25T12:14:12+02:00

Политэмигрант Альнур Мусаев, осужденный в Казахстане к 35 годам тюрьмы, дал интервью нашему радио Азаттык. Он говорит, что провел свое расследование исчезновения двух менеджеров Нурбанка и пришел к новым открытиям.

Confessions of an Uzbek KGB officer

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-21T12:40:50+02:00

Newsnight hears the testimony of a man who claims he was an Uzbek intelligence officer.

Ikram Yakubov, who has defected from Uzbekistan, claims he was forced to fabricate evidence against innocent people and witnessed people being tortured.

He spoke to Peter Marshall.

You can watch the interview on BBC here.

Rights Activist Arrested

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-21T12:34:03+02:00

Uzbek authorities should immediately drop any unsubstantiated criminal charges against Oyazimhon Hidirova, chairman of the Arnasai Branch of the International Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan, and free her from pre-trial detention, Human Rights Watch said today.

Turkmen students studying at AUCA are not permitted to leave Turkmenistan for any reason!

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-21T12:31:47+02:00

This is what deputy minister of education told the parents of American University- Central Asia (AUCA) students at a meeting in the ministry held on August 18th. He also said the Turkmen government doesn’t need their liberal arts degrees. The official forgot that the Turkmen government doesn’t pay a penny for student’s education at AUCA.

Summer Break's Over

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-08-21T12:29:34+02:00

After some hot and nice days of summer, ETG is now back on track. So stay tuned !!!

EUCAM Policy Brief No. 6

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-06-15T08:14:53+02:00

The EU's approach to the development of mass media in Central Asia, EUCAM Policy Brief No. 6, June 2009

In spite of positive developments in terms of human rights, the rule of law and democratisation in Central Asia following the adoption of the European Union (EU) Strategy for Central Asia in June 2007, the state of the mass media continues to deteriorate in all five countries in the region.
This policy brief identifies tendencies and problems affecting the development of free media outlets in Central Asia and proposes ways and means through which the EU could engage to improve the situation.

Download the Policy Brief

EUCAM Policy Brief No. 7

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-06-16T08:12:07+02:00

Central Asia and the Global Economic Crisis, EUCAM Policy Brief No. 7, June 2009

In 2007 the EU published a Strategy for a New Partnership with Central Asia. In its initial stages the EU focused on developing new forums for dialogue with the Central Asian countries, and received some criticism for inadequate substantive actions. This Policy Brief argues that the current global economic crisis does not alter the priorities of the EU Strategy, but it does require the EU to stick to existing obligations and also provides an opportunity for fresh initiatives to better achieve the Strategy’s fundamental goals.
This EUCAM Policy Brief is part of a mini-series of three publications on the impact of the global slowdown on Central Asia and its relations with the European Union.

Download the Policy Brief

Turkmen, Uzbek eyes stray toward Brussels

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-06-04T17:09:35+02:00

Just a few years ago, it would have been difficult to imagine an official from Turkmenistan visiting Brussels to discuss exporting natural gas directly to the EU.

Slighted by Russia, Ashgabat courts EU

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-06-04T17:06:40+02:00

Officials at the European Commission have attempted to downplay the significance of meetings this week between Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and EU officials.

Activists appeal to the world community with the message to boycott Uzbek cotton

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-06-04T17:03:51+02:00

On June 4, the activists of Uzbekistan disseminated the message, where they appeal to the world community to boycott Uzbek cotton, because, according to the letter, "only boycotting can force Karimov’s regime to stop child labor practice".

Meet Human Rights standards

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-06-04T11:03:08+02:00

(Almaty) - The Kazakh government has seven months to improve its human rights record to meet the standards of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) before it takes over the institution's chairmanship, Human Rights Watch said today.

The new Turkmenistan, not much different from the old Turkmenistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-06-04T10:59:00+02:00

This documentary gives a look behind the scenes of Turkmenistan under President Berdymukhammedov. The film was made by journalist Simon Ostrovsky, and was funded by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.

Open letter of Uzbek activists who call for boycott of Uzbek cotton to stop the practice of forced child labour

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-06-03T13:27:12+02:00

Despite ratifying International Labor Organization (ILO) conventions, Uzbekistan continues to use forced child labor.

Uzbekistan does not reinvest the proceeds from its cotton exports into cotton producers and the rural areas where it is grown, but siphons it into the hands of a small group of the country’s ruling elites.
World Bank and Asian Development Bank loans to Uzbekistan’s agricultural sector have not led to genuine reform. Uzbekistan’s continued reliance upon a command economy paves the way for loans to go into the hands of the ruling elite. Activists are calling for international financial instruments to lend to the Uzbek agro-sector only on a conditional basis, to encourage the reforms that would free Uzbek farmers from the tyranny of a corrupt regime.

Activists are calling for a boycott of Uzbek cotton. They call upon companies importing cotton, in particular the Dubai Multi Commodities Center , as well as retailers, to adhere to the principles of corporate social responsibility

The international community should not take at face value mere spoken or written commitments made by Uzbekistan, but should demand actions demonstrating a complete end to the practice of forced child labor that can be verified via an independent monitoring during the cotton season.

Activists call on the U.S. government and the EU to take steps to prevent their markets from being penetrated by products bearing traces of forced child labor.

Full text

New ETG Central Asia News Digest

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-06-03T09:14:36+02:00

ETG’s Central Asia News Digest, this month focusing on Turkmenistan, has been published. Send us an email to order the electronic version.
We are still working on the abriged English version, so keep in mind that this document is in Russian.

Central Asian gas: An opportunity Europe seems determined to miss

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-06-02T21:19:41+02:00

If ever there was a time for the European Union to cut the Gordian knot of energy dependence on Russia -- or, more precisely, cut out the Russian middleman currently controlling supply routes from the Caspian Sea region -- it is now.

What happened in Andijan two days after the attack of unknown terrorist

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-29T12:47:21+02:00

Despite information about unofficial state of emergency in the Uzbek city of Andijan the everyday life of the residents have been the same two days after the events of the night of May 26-27. This was announced by local human rights activist Saidjakhon Zainabitdinov to Ferghana.Ru.

Much of Kyrgyz-Uzbek border still shut in wake of attacks

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-29T12:44:19+02:00

All but a single Kyrgyz-Uzbek border crossing remain closed four days after two deadly attacks in Uzbekistan, including a shootout between police and unknown assailants near a border checkpoint, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Казахстан: "средний зять" усиливает позиции

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-26T08:43:44+02:00

В Казахстане произошли изменения в руководстве крупнейших экономических институтов. Свое положение упрочил член семьи главы государства.

Andijan attackers’ identity still unclear

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-27T21:54:19+02:00

Attacks in and around the city of Andijan have been blamed on Islamic militants, although little is known about who they might be.

Is Turkey trying to help U.S. stay at Manas?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-28T21:50:06+02:00

Scant attention has been paid to Turkish President Abdullah Gul’s three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, which began on May 26.

But some observers think Gul’s trip -- the first to Bishkek by a Turkish president in nine years -- is more than a bilateral visit and might be an important geopolitical gambit in which Gul is doing the West’s bidding.

Kazakhstan says reading 'banned' book no longer illegal

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-27T15:49:50+02:00

Kazakhstan's Prosecutor-General's Office has announced that people are allowed to read the previously banned book about President Nursultan Nazarbaev but not allowed to distribute it, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

Kazakh atomic kingpin suddenly radioactive

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-27T15:42:32+02:00

Mukhtar Jakishev was once considered one of the richest and most powerful men in Kazakhstan: the head of a company with access to the world's second-largest reserves of uranium, with lucrative contracts with Russia, China, and India.

Nazarbayev signals Kazakhstan's OSCE priorities

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-26T17:07:46+02:00

On May 21 Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev characterized the country's forthcoming chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as a vital part of its interest in pursuing integration with Europe. Having entered the OSCE troika this year (alongside Finland and Greece), preparations are now well advanced for chairing the organization.

The Godfather-In-Law: Arkadi Dubnov's article in Vremja Novostei

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-26T15:27:07+02:00

Нурсултан Абишевич Назарбаев заслуженно пользуется репутацией одного из самых мудрых политиков на постсоветском пространстве. Так считали еще на пространстве советском, когда оно в этом качестве доживало свой век почти 20 лет назад. Не случайно же тогда еще 50-летнего первого секретаря Компартии Казахстана прочили в премьеры обновленного СССР.

Special operation in Andijan, border with Kyrgyzstan closed

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-26T14:45:22+02:00

Ferghana.Ru sources report an explosion on the premises of the municipal police department of Khanabad, city in the eastern part of the Andijan region of Uzbekistan, on May 25. Cause of the explosion remains unknown. The authorities and media offer no comments.

Shooting reported in Uzbek town

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-26T14:40:51+02:00

Police in Uzbekistan exchanged gunfire with a group of armed men in the eastern town of Khanabad and an explosion was heard, witnesses have said.

The multipurpose Human Rights activist

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-25T20:46:28+02:00

Aliyev’s blog post on Eurasian Transition Group and its Director Michael Laubsch (in Russian). ETG is not giving a comment on this, but would like to share this with its readers and members. Please contact Michael for any questions on the accusations in the article.

Kazakhstan's book ban and the issue of 'Prior Restraint'

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-25T14:22:58+02:00

"Godfather-In-Law," a book about Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev, has struck a raw nerve with authorities in that country.

Kazakh officials investigating 'Godfather-In-Law' book

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-25T14:17:20+02:00

The Kazakh Prosecutor-General's Office has launched an investigation into the book "Godfather-in-Law," written by President Nursultan Nazarbaev's former son-in-law, Rakhat Aliev, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

End of the banking boom

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-20T14:13:52+02:00

During the economic boom, Kazakhstan's banks borrowed heavily on international markets to finance massive investments in construction and real estate. The international credit crisis has left the country's banks extremely exposed, in turn putting a large section of the economy under threat.

Uzbekistan opens airbase to NATO freight

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-15T14:10:36+02:00

Four years after closing down a United States military airbase, Uzbekistan has given NATO access to transit facilities at Navoi airport. Although it has done so indirectly, through a deal with South Korea, NBCentralAsia analysts say the Uzbek leadership is deliberately .

Russia to clinch deals to hasten Europe gas link

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-15T14:07:41+02:00

Russia aims to speed up the new South Stream gas link to Europe by signing deals with transit states, and has rebuked the United States and former Soviet satellite states for backing a rival project.

Uzbek activists mark four years since Andijan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-14T14:05:10+02:00

Human rights activists in Uzbekistan and abroad commemorated the fourth anniversary of the Andijan tragedy on May 13. The date was passed over in silence by the authorities.

Итоги исследования: Казахстану на посту председателя ОБСЕ уготована роль посредника

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-18T19:47:46+02:00

Немецкая неправительственная организация ЕТГ провела исследование, посвященное ожиданиям западных политиков и экспертов от председательствования Казахстана в ОБСЕ в 2010 году.

Wirbel im Fall Rakhat Aliyev

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-12T19:42:44+02:00

Da liegt er nun im Spitalsbett einer Wiener Spezialklinik: die Augen müde, die Hände zittrig, die Stimme schleppend. „Charascho“, sagt Mukhtar Aliyev ein paarmal matt in das Mobiltelefon, das er an sein Hörgerät hält: „Gut.“
Am anderen Ende der Leitung ist sein Sohn Rakhat Aliyev. Was er sagt, ist nicht zu verstehen, es klingt aber aufgeregt. Der alte Herr verzieht gequält das Gesicht.

Uzbekistan gives US air base it needs for Afghan operations

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-11T22:18:51+02:00

With a helping hand from South Korea, the United States has reestablished a strategic presence in Uzbekistan - sort of. The development provides a boost for US efforts to press an offensive against Islamic militants in Afghanistan, and offers evidence that Russia’s influence in Central Asia is waning.

EU Parliament postpones vote on Turkmen treaty

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-04-03T08:45:11+02:00

The European Parliament has again postponed a vote on a trade agreement with Turkmenistan, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service reports.

Turkmenistan needs Europe too for gas sales

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-04-23T08:40:50+02:00

Turkmenistan has told the West it sought to find new ways of diversifying its gas exports, in a snub to Russia, which wants to keep the energy-rich former Soviet republic on a tight leash.

EU agrees deal on energy

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-08T08:35:16+02:00

The European Union has agreed on joint goals with supplier and transit states at talks in Prague aimed at establishing long-term energy and transport links with the Middle East and Central Asia.

Terrorist Threat on rise in Ferghana

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-08T08:30:24+02:00

The threat posed by Islamic militant groups in Central Asia, especially in the Kyrgyz and Tajik portions of the Ferghana Valley, appears to be growing, according to the US State Department’s recently released annual report on terrorism.

Spiegel: Der lange Arm des Präsidenten

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-05-11T08:23:29+02:00

Seit zwei Jahren wird der Ex-Schwiegersohn des Herrschers Nursultan Nasarbajew in Wien von kasachischen Agenten gejagt. Jetzt belastet er den Staatschef schwer. Hinter der Familienfehde steckt ein internationaler Kampf um die Reichtümer am Kaspischen Meer.
Erst als das Schnitzel gegessen und das Tafelsilber abgeräumt ist, packt Rachat Alijew aus. Kasachstans selbsternannter "Staatsfeind Nummer eins" fischt aus prallgefüllten Reisetaschen Akten, die er als ins Wiener Exil gerettete Dokumente ausgibt. Vor der Eingangstür zum Maria-Theresia-Salon des Fünf-Sterne-Hotels Sacher, wo Alijew sich verschanzt hat, halten Leibwächter die Stellung.

Ashkhabad wonders whether Russia still has deep pockets

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-04-03T10:13:08+02:00

It is clear that nothing happened during Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov’s just-concluded visit to Moscow that could shake up a stalling relationship. Experts are still wondering, however, about what exactly occurred during Berdymukhamedov’s talks with top Russian officials, including President Dmitry Medvedev.

Open letter to the Chairman of the German Social Democrats

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-26T11:43:53+01:00

Probably only for insiders in Germany and Switzerland: The Chairman of the SPD, Franz Muentefering, said recently that the German Army could invade in Switzerland, in order to get an agreement on opening the Swiss bank secret for the German fiscal authorities. Although he of course did not intend to do so (strange kind of humour), a huge discussion began in the German and Swiss press.
A specialist on Central Asia wrote an open letter to Chairman Muentefering, which we would like to publish here (sorry, only in German). If you need a rough translation, let us know.

Turkmenistan and Russia will make new gas agreements

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-26T09:04:13+01:00

Negotiations between presidents of Russia and Turkmenistan Dmitry Medvedev and Gurbankuly Berdymuhammedov took place in Moscow on March 25.

Uzbek Government acts to avert unrest

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-26T09:01:43+01:00

On March 27, the Senate or upper house of Uzbekistan’s parliament will meet to discuss the role of local government in implementing a national strategy designed to mitigate the effects of global financial crisis, the official website Gov.uz reports.

Fears of social unrest in Tajikistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-26T08:58:05+01:00

A piece in Slate last week took a snapshot of village life in Tajikistan and what could happen if "upward of 1 million young, restless, broke, and mostly male Tajiks" returned home from Russia "to a nation without electricity and bereft of jobs, impoverished and misgoverned, where half the population is under the age of 18."

Rights group calls on Turkmenistan to back up promises

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-26T08:55:51+01:00

The Turkmen government should fully implement the recommendations issued by the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the rights watchdog Amnesty International has said.

Ex-Soviet states pledge NATO help on Afghanistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-26T08:53:32+01:00

Reuters - A grouping of former Soviet states that controls a key land route from Europe to Afghanistan has agreed to offer "every kind" of help to NATO forces there, its head said.

The French military remains a welcome presence in Dushanbe

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-19T11:47:32+01:00

For seven years, passengers arriving at the Dushanbe Airport may have noticed several western military planes and temporary hangers at the far end of the tarmac. On occasion, they could see twin-prop C-160 transport aircraft; at other times sleek Mirage fighter jets.

Pentagon looks to become engine for economic stabilization

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-19T11:45:10+01:00

A Pentagon-funded aid program to Tajikistan will aim to promote economic development in some of the most neglected parts of the country over the next three years, in an attempt to "prevent the rise of another Afghanistan."

Is Aliyev looking for a new home?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-16T10:29:51+01:00

He is a condemned man in his native country, and is increasingly unwelcome in his adoptive home. And now Rakhat Aliyev, the disgraced former son-in-law of Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev, is looking for a new country where he can gain asylum, allege two relatives of a missing former bank executive.

Aliyev has been living in exile in Vienna, Austria, since Nazarbayev ousted him in 2007 as Kazakhstan’s ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. That move came amid a burgeoning scandal, in which Aliyev was implicated in the disappearances of two executives at Nurbank - Zholdas Timraliyev and Aybar Khasenov. Aliyev possessed a large stake in Nurbank at the time.

According to Timraliyev’s wife, Armangul Kapasheva, Austrian authorities are growing uncomfortable with Aliyev’s asylum status. Austrian authorities remain reluctant to send Aliyev back to Kazakhstan, where in January of 2008 he was convicted in absentia to a 20-year prison term on kidnapping racketeering and other financial crimes. [For background see the Eurasia Insight]. But there is the possibility that Aliyev could face a trial in Austria. "The ground is shifting for Aliyev in Vienna," Kapasheva said in an interview with EurasiaNet.

Kapasheva added that she has been passed information that Aliyev, sensing danger in Austria, has put out feelers to other states to accept him as an asylum seeker. Two countries that Kapasheva named were Great Britain and the United States. Upon hearing the rumors, she said she contacted US diplomats, who flatly denied receiving any such request from Aliyev.

To make sure, Kapasheva and her sister-in-law, Gulnara Timralieva, traveled to the United States recently to meet with officials in New York and Washington to raise awareness about Aliyev’s alleged involvement in the Nurbank executives’ disappearance.

Kapasheva retains the belief that her husband is still alive and expressed frustration that Aliyev refuses to meet with relatives of the missing men. "We’re not bloodthirsty," she said. "We just want to know what happened."

Source: Eurasianet

Social problems brew as labour migrants return home

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-13T16:26:14+01:00

A serious social problem is brewing in Uzbekistan, where hundreds of thousands of labor migrants are estimated to be returning home due to the lack of employment prospects in Russia and Kazakhstan.

“Internet monitored and controlled, even in democracies”

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-12T19:48:26+01:00

After joint appeal with Amnesty International for an end to online censorship, Reporters Without Borders issues report on “Enemies of the Internet”

Deutsche Bank complicit in Niyazov's terror regime

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-12T10:22:33+01:00

A new report slams a leading German bank for allowing Turkmenistan’s former president, Saparmurat Niyazov, to stash billions of dollars in state earnings in a personally controlled account.

Uzbek and Turkmen Unite on Energy, Water

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-12T10:19:19+01:00

NBCentral Asia observers are concerned at a proposal by Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to demand a rigorous study of the impact of planned hydroelectric schemes in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Hillary Clinton and Michel Obama to present the award of courage to Mutabar Tajiba

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-12T10:16:33+01:00

On March 11, at the solemn ceremony in Washington DC the US State Secretary Hillary Clinton and first lady Michel Obama will present «International Women Courage» award to the representatives of eight countries: Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Guatemala, Iraq, Malaysia, Nigeria and Yemen.

Regional ties are key to stability in south, Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-12T10:11:49+01:00

It is a pet peeve of many a "Eurasianist" geopolitical analyst that the U.S. State Department groups Central and South Asia together in its organizational structure. There may be historical links across Afghanistan, they argue, but these pale in comparison to the Caspian-Central Asia region's links to Russia, the West, and even China. Indeed, the geopolitics of energy, security, and development across Eurasia are usually put in terms of east-west (Western-oriented) and north-south (Russia-oriented) links.

Another mosque is named after the president Berdymukhamedov

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-12T10:06:36+01:00

The main mosque of Mary, Turkmenistan, will now bear the name of Hajji Gurbanguly.

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan confirm new supply outes

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-06T08:11:39+01:00

On February 24 and 25 Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov paid a state visit to Uzbekistan for talks with President Islom Karimov. The discussions, which covered a wide range of issues, signaled a further strengthening of bilateral ties; but this was overshadowed by the confirmation by both leaders that their countries would participate in the northern supply route, assisting in the delivery of non-lethal materials to Afghanistan (Uzbek National News Agency, February 25). This is a further indication that the security dynamics in the region are rapidly changing following Russia's recent moves to undermine the U.S. military presence at Manas and activate the CSTO Rapid Reaction Forces. U.S. and NATO planning staffs are evidently engaged in a search for viable options to ensure continued supplies for the forces in Afghanistan.

Prospects for renewable energy in Uzbekistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-05T21:52:36+01:00

Uzbekistan’s long history of renewable energy research began in the 1920s, when its first lab dedicated to water heating collectors was created. Since then Uzbekistan has continued to pioneer research in the field. Dr. Sultan H. Suleimanov, Head of Laboratory of the “Physics-Sun” Scientific Association, Materials Science Institute at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, spoke at Carnegie to elaborate on the type of renewable energy work underway in Uzbekistan. Carnegie's Martha Brill Olcott moderated the discussion.

Prominent human rights activist Maxim Kushelov is placed to psychiatric facility

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-05T21:50:00+01:00

On March 4, 2009 the prominent Kyrgyz human rights activist Maxim Kushelov was arrested together with the colleague Mihail Kosolapov by the police on the way to White House of Kyrgyzstan, where they were planning to organize another demonstration under “Street Democracy lessons”.

No easy routes into Afghanistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-05T21:46:54+01:00

“WELCOME to Freedom’s Frontier,” reads a wooden sign at the pine-clad headquarters of America’s Manas airbase in Kyrgyzstan. With its picnic tables, mountain views and community-outreach programmes, this site provides a tranquil vantage-point for the war in Afghanistan, just 90 minutes’ flight away. But Kyrgyzstan said in February that it was closing Manas, which the American-led coalition uses to ferry thousands of troops into Afghanistan each year and as a base for refuelling planes for combat aircraft.

Clinton to present award to Uzbek Human Rights defender

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-05T21:44:14+01:00

Uzbek human rights defender and former political prisoner Mutabar Tajibaeva will receive the International Women of Courage award in Washington next week.

Kyrgyzstan says U.S. base closure is final

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-05T21:41:25+01:00

Kyrgyzstan will not reverse its decision to shut a U.S. military air base that was used by Washington for the war in Afghanistan, a spokesman for President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said on Thursday.

Kyrgyzstan open to air base talks with U.S.

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-05T10:26:10+01:00

Kyrgyzstan is ready for talks with the United States on the future of its Manas military air base, which is due to be shut down in six months, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev said on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

Human rights and military bases

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-05T09:59:52+01:00

In his Washington Post op ed last week, Kyrgyzstan’s long-time ambassador to the U.S. gave us a fascinating insight into the process of base negotiations. Once the U.S. had its base, he wrote, all concerns about human rights and democracy went out the window. The base became the alpha and omega of the U.S.-Kyrgyz relationship, a development he wisely termed detrimental to both sides. With U.S. expulsion from its prime supply base in Kyrgyzstan now looming on the horizon just as the Obama Administration prepares to implement its ramp-up in neighboring Afghanistan, the U.S. quest for a base to replace Manas (Ganci) Air Force Base is getting feverish. And how does this affect human rights policy?

Russia does not protect its citizens in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-05T09:41:05+01:00

On March 2, the independent press-center hosted the press-conference “On the protection of compatriots’ rights in Turkmenistan. The problem in the freedom of move for citizens of Uzbekistan” in Moscow. The press-conference was attended by deputy manager of Human Rights Commissioner in Russia Georgyi Kunadze, Civil Assistance Committee chairman, Memorial human rights center Council member Svetlana Gannushkina, Memorial human rights center Central Asian program head Vitalyi Ponomarev and Vremya novostei international observer Arkadyi Dubnov.

Turkmen, Uzbeks to Help NATO’s Afghan Effort

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-05T09:37:02+01:00

Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are to allow NATO freight to cross their territory on its way to Afghanistan. NBCentralAsia see this as a clear sign that both states want to cooperate with the West, and also to demonstrate a new commitment to work in tandem with one another.

Two more independent journalists behind bars

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-03-05T09:33:17+01:00

Two independent Uzbek journalists arrested on trumped-up charges should be released immediately, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

Kyrgyzstan to face the power cuts as Kazakhstan quits the electricity grid

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-27T08:43:58+01:00

Kyrgyzstan said it is forced to limit electricity use in its northern regions, including the capital city of Bishkek, during peak hours, from 18.00 to 22.00, 24.kg news agency reports.

Russia’s resurgence & the closing of Manas

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-27T08:40:53+01:00

After Russia forced Kyrgyzstan’s hand in closing Manas Airbase, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), formed in 2002, has increased its role by creating a Rapid Reaction Force.

Kazakhstan ratifies Kyoto protocol

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-27T08:37:03+01:00

Kazakhstan approved on Thursday its membership in the Kyoto protocol, a U.N.-led pact to fight global warming that would allow the vast Central Asian nation to sell emission permits.

Russia and Its Neighbors

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-27T08:34:08+01:00

A glimpse at recent prominent headlines involving Russia - “Conflict with Georgia”, “Gas Dispute with Ukraine”, “Financial Aid to Kyrgyzstan” - clearly illustrates that Moscow’s evolving agenda in the post-Soviet space can no longer be ignored. The United States must recognize that former Soviet states are and will continue to be an increasingly crucial focus of Russia’s foreign policy.

Afghan supply train makes way through Uzbek territory

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-27T08:29:43+01:00

Uzbekistan is allowing the transit of non-military goods bound for US troops in Afghanistan. President Islam Karimov confirmed February 25 that a train full of cargo was rattling its way across the domestic rail network.

Ashkhabad opens airspace to US and NATO supply flights to Afghanistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-27T08:26:16+01:00

Citing a desire to help Afghanistan in "matters of humanitarian concern," Turkmenistan’s leader, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, announced February 25 that Turkmenistan will permit US and NATO planes to ferry non-military goods to troops in Afghanistan across the Central Asian country’s airspace.

Turkmenistan now less isolated, but still repressive

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-24T12:13:04+01:00

It is two years since Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov was elected president of Turkmenistan to succeed Saparmurat Niyazov (aka Turkmenbashi), who died suddenly in December 2006. In order to get a better understanding of whether and how the situation in Turkmenistan has changed in terms of political and civic freedoms, the media, and changes within the government, a comparison is called for between Berdymukhammedov's first and second years in power.

EU weighs image, energy in relations with Turkmenistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-23T10:30:52+01:00

With immense natural-gas fields located within reach, Turkmenistan is in a prime position to provide the gas needed to make the EU's Nabucco gas-pipeline project a reality.

Despite Kyrgyz vote to close U.S. Base, Gates explores options to keep it open

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-20T17:28:27+01:00

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Thursday that the United States might consider increasing payments to Kyrgyzstan for access to a crucial air base, just hours after the Kyrgyz Parliament voted to terminate the lease and require the Americans to vacate the base within six months.

“We have not resigned ourselves to this being the last word,” Mr. Gates said at a meeting here of NATO defense ministers to discuss the need for more combat forces and reconstruction teams in Afghanistan.

The base, in Manas, plays a central role for NATO’s Afghan mission. It provides transit facilities for thousands of personnel and 500 tons of cargo each month, and it is used by the tanker aircraft that refuel fighter planes on missions over Afghanistan. The Obama administration has called the war there a high priority, announcing this week that an additional 17,000 American troops would be sent in the coming months. The loss of the base is seen as a serious challenge.

Mr. Gates said the United States remained prepared to discuss with Kyrgyzstan whether larger fees were warranted for use of the base, but he cautioned, “We are not going to be ridiculous about it.”

“Manas is important,” he said, “but it is not irreplaceable.”

He said that American negotiators already were deep into discussions with “a number of different countries,” including Russia, about alternatives to the logistics hub in Kyrgyzstan.

It remained unclear how quickly the United States would have to find an alternative. President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kyrgyzstan was expected to send Washington an official notice, but American officials said they still did not know when it would be received or when the six-month countdown would start. Mr. Bakiyev signed the legislation on Friday.

The bill in Parliament was approved by 78 of the 81 lawmakers present, with two voting against it and one abstaining.

The Kyrgyz government in Bishkek had longstanding complaints about the base and had asked for more cash compensation. Tensions were exacerbated in 2006 when an American serviceman fatally shot a Kyrgyz truck driver.

Mr. Bakiyev announced the move to close the base at a news conference with President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia, who this month promised to shore up Kyrgyzstan’s struggling economy with about $2.15 billion in loans and grants. Moscow has long complained about the continued American military presence in Central Asia, and many in Washington concluded that Russia had encouraged the move in an attempt to assert its dominance in the region.

Although Russian and Kyrgyz officials say there was no connection between the Kremlin’s financial aid and efforts to kick out the Americans, senior American officials have complained that the Russians are trying to have it both ways — with the Kremlin expressing a desire to support the international military mission in Afghanistan while pressing the Kyrgyz government to end American access to its air base.

In public comments as part of the vote, Kyrgyz lawmakers portrayed the action as the culmination of years of complaints and said the American presence in Central Asia had outlasted its usefulness.

“It is impossible to make people of Afghanistan live by standards which are brought in from abroad,” said Kabai Karabhekov, a member of Parliament. “One has to give an opportunity to Afghan people to build their country themselves.”

The shadow of Russian actions in Central Asia and Central Europe fell over the session of NATO ministers here, as Mr. Gates also was pressed on whether the Obama administration intended to move forward with a plan for missile defenses in Europe that had been a priority of the Bush administration’s foreign policy and that had brought threats of military retaliation from Russia.

Mr. Gates, in his first overseas trip since he began serving the new president, said the missile defense bases planned in Poland and the Czech Republic would proceed if the technology proved it could work and was affordable.

Neither of those two caveats were part of the Bush administration’s language when discussing requirements for the bases.

But Mr. Gates also made it clear that the Obama administration had not yet met on the issue of missile defense policy, and that no decisions had been made on how to proceed.

“The administration has not yet reviewed where it is on a whole range of issues,” Mr. Gates said, including the missile defense program and how to manage that within the relationship with Russia.

Mr. Gates said the radar proposed for the Czech Republic and the 10 interceptor missiles for Poland were to counter a potential threat from Iran, and he reiterated that the United States would work with NATO and wanted Russia as a partner in the effort.

To reassure his hosts here, Mr. Gates said that a series of new bilateral military cooperation efforts with Poland were proceeding even as the prospects for the missile defense site on Polish territory remained uncertain.

Also Thursday, NATO officials confirmed that Germany had pledged 600 more soldiers to the mission in Afghanistan.

“We welcome the commitment of additional German forces for the upcoming Afghan national elections,” said Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary. “For those contests to be credible, voter turnout must be robust and representative, and improving the security situation is the key to making that happen.”

Italy announced this week that it would add 500 troops to the alliance mission in Afghanistan by April.

Source: New York Times

US moves suggest Afghan NATO supply-route talks with Kyrgyzstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-20T17:25:39+01:00

Kyrgyzstan's eviction of U.S. forces from an air base in the country was already seen as a setback for NATO's efforts to expand its presence in Afghanistan.

That's because the air base at Manas, whose lease to the U.S. forces came closer to ending with Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev signing off on a parliamentary bill calling for their eviction, has long served as a key staging post for the alliance's military operations in Afghanistan.

Bakiev's signature is the final step before Kyrgyz authorities issue a notice that will give the United States 180 days to vacate the facility, used as a transit point for 15,000 troops and some 500 tons of cargo each month to and from Afghanistan.

Now, defense ministers from NATO countries meeting for a second day in Krakow, Poland, will have to address another setback: The government in Pakistan's Punjab Province has cancelled a private deal on a new supply terminal for overland NATO deliveries into Afghanistan from the port city of Karachi. They say the deal was cancelled because of security concerns.

The main land route into landlocked Afghanistan passes through Pakistan's lawless Khyber tribal region and another land crossing through the southwest province of Baluchistan. Regional insurgency is rife in those areas and pro-Taliban militants have been focusing attacks on bridges, terminals, and even convoys of NATO supply trucks.

Alternative Routes

With the pressure growing on NATO's logistical support, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates confirmed at the NATO gathering in Krakow that Washington is now in talks with several other countries about alternative supply routes that would replace Manas.

Still, Gates suggested that talks on the future of the base are still open and that there could be negotiations with Bishkek about the amount of money paid for maintaining a U.S. presence at Manas.

He told reporters in Krakow on February 19 that the Pentagon is looking to see if there is justification for Bishkek to receive a larger payment. But he said Washington was "not going to be ridiculous about it."

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are possible alternatives. U.S. Rear Admiral Mark Harnitchek has been in Dushanbe for talks with Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi on the issue.

Harnitchek said in Dushanbe on February 19 that Tajikistan has agreed in principle to the use of its railways and roads for the transit of "nonlethal" military supplies into Afghanistan:

"Clearly any nation that shares a border with Afghanistan is important, and because the distance to our bases in Afghanistan is likely the shortest from Tajikistan, so by extension, Tajikistan is very important," Harnitchek said.

Harnitchek also said Uzbekistan has agreed to the transit of cargo and that the Pentagon plans to send 50 to 200 cargo containers each week from Uzbekistan to Tajikistan and then by land into Afghanistan.

But U.S. officials are emphasizing that no formal agreement has been signed yet.

Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry has declined to comment on whether it had approved the transit of NATO supplies across its territory. General David Petraeus, the head of the U.S. military's Central Command, visited Uzbekistan on February 17 in what appears to have been an attempt to seek the use of the country as a transit route for supplies in Afghanistan.

Moscow Give And Take

Kyrgyz President Bakiev announced the pending closure of Manas earlier this month, complaining the United States was not paying enough rent for the base. His announcement came shortly after he secured $2.15 billion in aid and loans from Russia during a visit to Moscow.

That has led some observers to conclude that the Kremlin has had a hand in instigating the closure of Manas. But Russia also has offered the use of its railroad network for the overland transport of nonlethal military supplies into Afghanistan.

Patrick Moon, the assistant U.S. secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, said in Helsinki this week that the route would carry cargo from Latvia through Russia and Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan -- and eventually on to Afghanistan. He said the first trains could carry that cargo before the end of February.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of NATO defense ministers' meeting in Krakow, Gates warned that Moscow is trying to "have it both ways" by offering help in Afghanistan and undermining U.S. efforts there at the same time.

Gates also has sought to downplay the significance of Manas, saying that it is import but not irreplaceable.

Analysts see those remarks, and moves by the Pentagon to seek alternative supply routes, as a sign that price negotiations are still under way between Washington and Bishkek on the use of Manas.

Source: RFE/RL

Last flight out of Kyrgyzstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-20T10:08:14+01:00

For two weeks, the U.S. struggle to hold on to its last air base in Central Asia has made headlines, and the vote in Kyrgyzstan's parliament yesterday to close Manas Air Base will spark still more coverage. Analysts have rushed to portray this as a new chess match between a resurgent Russian Federation and a recalibrating United States; just as a new American president seeks to bolster the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, the principal land corridor from Pakistan is severed through a bridge bombing and the likely air base closure threatens the Obama administration's plan. The oversimplified but oft-repeated explanation is that Kremlin pressure is the source of Washington's predicament.

Moscow indicates it won't be ignored in the 'near abroad'

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-19T14:39:02+01:00

On a recent visit to Moscow, the president of Kyrgyzstan announced that he was canceling the U.S. right to use the Manas air base in Kyrgyzstan, which has served as a transit point for U.S. and NATO shipments to Afghanistan since December 2001. S. Frederick Starr, a long-time expert on the Caucasus and Central Asia, says Russia is using a "carrot and stick" approach to attempt to force the United States out of the air base. He says this shows Moscow's determination to reclaim its traditional influence in the so-called near abroad and its determination "to establish a sphere of influence, and they mean an exclusive sphere of influence, in the former Soviet territories, including the Caucasus and Central Asia."

Kazakh officials deny involvement in Austrian spy scandal

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-19T14:35:21+01:00

Kazakh officials have denied any involvement in an espionage scandal in which two Austrian policemen were arrested for spying for Kazakhstan.

The US is changing its policy towards Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-19T07:50:47+01:00

Today we can see the U.S.A. changing its policy towards Central Asia, which is connected with the renewal of the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan under new President Barack Obama.

Two Austrian policemen detained for spying for Kazakhstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-18T10:53:28+01:00

The prosecutor's office in Vienna has confirmed that two Austrian policemen have been arrested for allegedly spying for Kazakhstan, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

US adopting new views on possible security threats in Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-18T10:50:02+01:00

Security threats are rapidly shifting in Central Asia, according to the America’s intelligence chief. Hazards faced by the United States coming from Central Asia are now more likely to be connected to economic factors, than to Islamic radicalism. The US government’s shifting perception of Central Asian security indicates that policy making in President Barack Obama’s administration will not be guided by "Islamophobia," some experts contend.

Did Petraeus secure an Afghan transit agre ement with Tashkent?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-18T10:45:51+01:00

The chief of US Central Command, Gen. David Petraeus, has wrapped up a visit to Uzbekistan. Sources indicate that the discussions went well, and that the United States may have secured Tashkent’s permission to begin rail shipments of non-lethal supplies via Central Asia to Afghanistan.

What was the Turkmen Gas deal in Tehran?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-17T19:14:00+01:00

Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov visited Tehran on February 13-14 and, following a meeting with Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, spoke about new energy deals between the neighboring countries.

Barack Obama's Uzbekistan Problem

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-17T14:57:21+01:00

President Barack Obama's administration is not yet a month old, and editorialists have already accused the new president of losing his innocence after he was forced to abandon his lofty talk of bipartisanship over the economic stimulus plan. But a touch of partisan politics at home is nothing compared with the ethical predicament now looming in Central Asia, where Obama may soon need to choose either funding a vicious dictator in Uzbekistan or hindering the mission in Afghanistan. Getting into bed with Uzbekistan could be Obama's first ugly but necessary foreign-policy compromise.

Rakhat Aliyev: Racketeer or Reformer?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-17T12:13:35+01:00

The controversy surrounding Rakhat Aliyev, the former son-in-law of President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, who has been found guilty in absentia of kidnap and racketeering, has recently spilled into the columns of US and European newspapers.

Petraeus in Uzbekistan to discuss Afghan supply routes

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-17T12:11:32+01:00

General David Petraeus, the head of the U.S. military's Central Command, has arrived in Uzbekistan for talks on new supply routes for U.S. troops in Afghanistan and other security issues, the U.S. Embassy there said.

German NGO banned by Tajik authorities

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-16T21:20:46+01:00

A Dushanbe court has banned the activities of a German NGO operating in Tajikistan, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.

Ten years after terror's arrival in Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-16T21:17:01+01:00

When Tashkent's central districts were rocked by series of bombings 10 years ago, terrorism was not a word commonly equated with Central Asia.

Kazakh Ministry rejects Aliev's blackmail accusations

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-16T21:13:38+01:00

The Kazakh Foreign Ministry has officially rejected accusations that the government was involved in a campaign to blackmail former presidential son-in-law Rakhat Aliev, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

Kyrgyzstan takes step towards U.S. air base closure

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-16T16:08:39+01:00

Kyrgyzstan moved a step closer to evicting U.S. troops on Monday after the government sent to parliament the final package of documents required to close down an air base used to support U.S. forces in nearby Afghanistan.

President Karimov issues warning on water

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-16T09:08:04+01:00

Uzbekistan’s access to water is under threat and needs to be protected, President Islam Karimov told his cabinet on February 13.

Mixed signals out of Kazakhstan as the Central Asian country prepares for its OSCE chairmanship

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-16T09:04:35+01:00

It looks as though the pressure on Kazakhstan to pay heed to human rights just might be starting to pay off.

Astana willing to adress torture issue

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-16T09:01:20+01:00

Kazakhstani human rights activists involved in a project to tackle torture in three Central Asian states have given a cautious welcome to Astana’s willingness to engage on the issue. Activists offer far less enthusiastic assessments when discussing the use of torture in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

New ICG Report: On the road to failure

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-13T18:02:41+01:00

Far from being a bulwark against the spread of extremism and violence from Afghanistan, Tajikistan is looking increasingly like its southern neighbour – a weak state that is suffering from a failure of leadership. Energy infrastructure is near total breakdown for the second winter running, and it is likely migrant labourer remittances, the driver of the country’s economy in recent years, will fall dramatically as a result of the world economic crisis.

President Berdymukhammedov to give an official visit to Iran

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-13T17:49:40+01:00

On February 13, the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, begins two-day official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Three years on, Kazakh politician's killing haunts Nazarbaev regime

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-13T17:45:42+01:00

Three years ago today, Kazakhs were shocked by the news that the leader of the opposition Naghz Aq Zhol (True Bright Path) party had been found dead in an Almaty suburb. Altynbek Sarsenbaev and two associates had been shot execution-style, with their hands tied behind their backs.

The issue of “Manas” is going to be considered by another parliament committee on February 17

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-13T09:25:06+01:00

It is expected that the governmental decree on dissolving the contract for the use of “Manas” airbase by air forces of USA and their anti-terrorist coalition allies in Afghanistan will be considered by another Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) committee of Kyrgyzstan. This was declared by the press-service of the republican parliament.

It is worth saying that on February 9 the parliament committee for defense, security, law and judicial order reform already approved the withdrawal of airbase from the territory of the republic. Now, the session of the committee for constitutional law, state structure, legislation and human rights will consider this topic on February 17, 2009 at 2pm.

The Kyrgyz Republic draft Law “On denunciation of response note of Kyrgyz Republic foreign affairs ministry to the note # 542, issued by the Embassy of the United States of America, dated December 4, 2001, and together forming the Agreement between the government of Kyrgyz Republic and the government of the United States of America” was addressed to the parliament by the government of Kyrgyzstan on February 4th.

“Ferghana.ru” was reporting earlier that the decision of Kyrgyzstan’s officials to end the activity of anti-terrorist coalition military base was announced by the President of the country, Kurmanbek Bakiev, at the press-conference in Moscow on February 3, 2009.
It is worth to remind that US airbase was launched in Kyrgyzstan on December 2001, based on UN mandate, supporting “Enduring freedom” anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan, conducted by of coalition forces. Today, there are more than one thousand US soldiers as well as military transport aircrafts and fuel servicing planes, located at the airbase.

Source: Ferghana.ru

Robert Gates: “Manas” airbase, possibly, will not be closed

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-12T18:53:19+01:00

American “Manas” airbase in Kyrgyzstan is an important spot on the way to Afghanistan, but it is possible find alternative for it. This was announced by US Defense Secretary, Robert Gates on February 10, the Lenta.Ru reports with the reference to Agence France-Presse. “Manas” base is not irreplaceable, Mr. Gates said and added that American military officials already started looking at alternatives. Moreover, USA “do not foreclose the possibility” that the base would remain open.

The journalists request information minister to change the behavior of overreached officials

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-12T18:49:26+01:00

The journalist community of Kazakhstan, human rights activists and public figures of the country directed open letter to the culture and information minister, Mukhtar Kul-Mukhammed with the request to take control over the situation with the ejection of the chief editor of TDK 42 TV channel in Uralsk, Lukpan Akhmediarov, the KazTAG reports.

President of Kazakhstan signed amendments to draft on issues of organization and actrivity of Islamic banks and organization of Islamic financing

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-12T18:46:01+01:00

President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed law 'On making amendments and additions on making amendments and changes to some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the issues of organization and activity of the Islamic banks and organization of Islamic financing,' which is aimed at implementation in the republic of the system of Islamic banking, agency reports with reference to press service of the president.

Kazakh Opposition urges President to review politician's murder

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-12T16:09:23+01:00

Leading Kazakh opposition politicians and intellectuals have urged Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev to review the murder case of opposition leader Altynbek Sarsenbaev, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

Turkmenistan: Continuing failure to fulfil promises

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-12T16:03:44+01:00

Politically motivated harassment, detentions and imprisonments continue unabated in Turkmenistan despite the government's promises to uphold human rights, Amnesty International said today, ahead of the government’s second anniversary.

US options after Kyrgyz base closure

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-11T11:47:27+01:00

US officials are looking for alternative ways of transporting soldiers and goods to Afghanistan after a decision by the Kyrgyz government to close a US base on its soil.

Central Asia's great water game

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-11T11:01:21+01:00

Apples are a valuable source of income for Khadija and her family in summer, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

With a severe shortage of energy supplies affecting all aspects of life this winter, she has decided the family orchard is best suited to provide firewood for the cooking stove that now serves as a main heating source.

A new direction for U.S. policy in the Caspian region

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-11T10:58:58+01:00

Focusing U.S. policy in the Caspian on containing Russian and Chinese influence has done little to advance U.S. security interests, and reduced its standing in the region to its lowest level in decades. The Obama administration needs a new approach that provides opportunities for local leaders to engage with the United States in economic and political development, concludes a new policy brief by Martha Brill Olcott.

Interview with Arkadiy Dubnov: «The countries, lacking the culture of discussion, are not able to cooperate»

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-11T10:53:23+01:00

The extraordinary summits of EurAsEC and CSTO, which took place in Moscow on February 4th, have resulted in, at first glance, important decisions that require substantial financial investment and strong political will from the member countries. The “Ferghana.ru” correspondent interviewed Arkadiy Dubnov, the expert on Central Asia and international observer of “Vremya Novostey” newspaper, on whether it is possible to view the establishment of 10 billion US dollars antirecessionary fund and operational response collective forces as “advancement”.

Nabucco agreements to be signed in spring

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-11T10:47:43+01:00

Nabucco Managing Director Reinhard Mitschek says the project's members will meet in Ankara this spring to sign agreements to implement the gas pipeline.

Blogger establishes contact with Minister

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-04T11:45:27+01:00

Translation of the post by Askhat on the Kazakh-language neweurasia.

Recently, I left this comment on the blog of Akylbek Kurishbayev, the Kazakhstan’s Minister of Agriculture

Uzbek authorities deny reports about journalists' arrest

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-02-04T11:42:04+01:00

The Uzbek Prosecutor-General's Office has denied reports that five journalists were recently arrested in Uzbekistan.

The Tashkent-based human rights organization Ezgulik reported on January 26 that five journalists working for the magazine "Irmoq" were arrested by police and accused of spreading the ideas of the Turkish Islamic group Nurcular.

Ezgulik's Abdurakhmon Tashanov told RFE/RL's Uzbek Service that the journalists have been monitored by police since September.

The chief editor of "Irmoq," Khamza Jumayev, confirmed that his five journalists have "problems" but did not elaborate.

Source: RFE/RL

Austria hears witnesses in Kazakh kidnapping case

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-29T16:02:17+01:00

An Austrian court began hearing witnesses Tuesday in a kidnapping case involving Rakhat Aliyev, the former son-in-law of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, a group representing the victims said.

Uzbek group linked to video terror threat against Germany

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-29T15:57:12+01:00

Referring to Germany's involvement in international coalition operations in Afghanistan, six masked men claiming to be members of the Islamic Jihad Union in a video posted on the Internet say the group has prepared a "few surprise gifts for the occupation forces."

Kazakhstan's media law amendments valuable first step, further reform needed, says OSCE media freedom representative

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-29T15:53:55+01:00

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, welcomed today the adoption of a number of amendments to Kazakhstan's media law, and underscored the need for further democratization of media governance.

European Parliament: Iran should participate in Nabucco pipeline

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-29T15:49:15+01:00

Iran could hold the key to breaking the European Union’s energy dependence on Russia, a senior European parliamentary official has told EurasiaNet.

EU-Central Asia-Russia: The inept Gas triangle continues

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-29T15:41:42+01:00

It was just last week that I put in a blog piece that the EU’s chances of diversifying their gas supplies were extremely poor.

Results of the Nabucco Conference in Budapest

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-29T15:38:33+01:00

There was an air of optimism following a one-day Nabucco international natural-gas pipeline conference in Budapest.

Austrian justice investigates accusations against Aliyev again (in Russian)

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-29T15:24:56+01:00

В Австрии органы юстиции и СМИ снова обнаружили интерес к так называемому делу Р. Алиева

По прошествии полутора лет после того, как венский суд принял решение не экстрадировать в Казахстан бывшего посла республики в Вене, бывшего заместителя председателя КНБ и, что немаловажно, бывшего зятя президента Н. Назарбаева, прокурор земельного суда Вены во вторник заслушал свидетельницу из Казахстана А. Капашеву.

First 2009 edition of ETG Central Asia News Digest released

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-25T19:29:38+01:00

The first edition of ETG’s Central Asia News Digest 2009 is available. This time we focus on Turkmenistan, discussing the health system, the energy supply in Turkmenistan, the influence of the financial global crisis on the country, reasons for Berdymukhamedov’s decision to fire members of the cabinet and the negotiations with NATO on security and further cooperation.

Again, this report is available in Russian and can be ordered.

A new witness in the Aliyev-case appeared

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-10T13:05:44+01:00

Justice Department in Austria: Aliyev case on the run again

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-24T12:33:25+01:00

After ETG’s press release in December 2008, the Austrian officials now got the order from the Government to the case against R. Aliyev, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan, Ambassador and, last but not least, son-in-law of the Kazakh President. Follow-up the article by „Der Standard“ here, ETG will publish an unofficial translation later.

Kazakhstan’s Peacekeepers Penciled in for Afghanistan?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-23T20:45:21+01:00

On January 14 Commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) General David Petraeus, visited Kazakhstan. Among the key senior Kazakh military officers he met with was Lieutenant-General Bolat Sembinov, the deputy defense minister responsible for cooperation with the West. Ostensibly they discussed progress in implementing the new five-year bilateral military cooperation program agreed on in February 2008. General Petraeus was especially interested in bolstering stability in Afghanistan.

Karimov quells Russian gas fears, secures deal

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-23T20:40:59+01:00

Uzbekistan has pledged to support a new trans-Russian gas pipeline, easing Moscow's fears it would succumb to European pressure to bypass Russia with its energy supplies and reduce its influence in the region.

Jailed activist remains out of contact with wife and lawyer

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-23T20:38:00+01:00

Mutabar Turgunova told RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service that her husband, Azam, a well-known human rights activist who is serving a 10-year sentence, has had no contact with his lawyer or with her since December.

A vocal human rights activist for more than a decade, Turgunov has defended the rights of political and religious prisoners and protested against the use of torture in Uzbekistan's prisons.

He once told Human Rights Watch that "if everybody stays silent, the situation would get even worse."

In October, he was tried and convicted on charges of extortion.

But since the case was reviewed last month, "neither I nor his lawyer know where he is," Turgunova said.

EU to expand contacts

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-23T20:34:27+01:00

The European Union is to expand relations with Turkmenistan by opening a diplomatic mission in Ashgabat, a source in the Turkmen government has told Trend.az. According to the Azeri news agency, the aim is to "extend mutually beneficial cooperation" between energy rich Turkmenistan and Brussels.

Turkmenistan's 'gray cardinal' leaves government

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-23T20:30:10+01:00

With the resignation this week of a cabinet minister widely regarded as the "gray cardinal" behind its current president, Turkmenistan has lost the last of the old guard installed by the late strongman Sapamurat Niyazov.

Medvedev visits as Uzbekistan looks West...again

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-23T20:23:59+01:00

Dmitry Medvedev is expected to stress bilateral cooperation as he makes his first state visit to Uzbekistan since becoming Russia's president in May.

Incompetent officials hinder Turkmen reforms

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-23T18:11:07+01:00

Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov is engaged in a major reshuffle of his top officials, although NBCentralAsia analysts question whether simply bringing in new faces will be enough to make government more efficient.

Students prohibited to approach the US Embassy in Tashkent

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-23T18:06:46+01:00

Ferghana.Ru sources in Tashkent say that administration of colleges and universities demand written reports from their students on every visit to the US Embassy.

Russia on Nabucco

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-23T18:01:58+01:00

Russia will not oppose the construction of the Nabucco pipeline and is keen to see it become a success, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Tuesday.

The EU’s got a gas problem

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-23T17:56:44+01:00

So it appears that Ukraine and Russia have finally come to terms on a Gas Transportation deal that will allow the former Soviet state to receive gas and send it on to Western Europe. This is just the latest in a long line of dramas involving the transport and ownership of energy reserves between the triangle of Russia, Central Asia, and the EU. For Russia must first acquire most of the gas it sells to Europe from its former Soviet states to its south, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

US and Central Asia during the "Obama Era"; Interview Deutsche Welle (in Russian)

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-21T17:01:46+01:00

"В фокусе будет находиться Афганистан, а права человека и дальнейшая демократизация в Центральной Азии не будут столь важны"- считает немецкий эксперт

US Embassy in Turkmenistan: Improving relations

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-20T12:18:24+01:00

The U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat says bilateral relations have improved since Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov came to power in late 2006.

Rumsfeld and Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-20T12:14:27+01:00

Eurasianet writer Joshua Kucera reported on an interesting story involving former US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s new foundation, which focuses on the Central Asian region. Kucera starts out skeptical of Rumsfeld and his foundation’s motivations at first, neoconservative policy pushers?, but his research seems to lead him to conclude that their goals are of a non-partisan and generous nature.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan as a Ministry of Propaganda

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-20T12:07:25+01:00

On January 15 2009 Embassy of Uzbekistan to the United States released a press release on the consideration of Uzbekistan’s National Report within the framework of Universal Periodic Report of UN Human Rights Council.

Interview with Nabucco official

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-20T12:03:50+01:00

The ongoing dispute between Russia and Ukraine over natural-gas shipments to Europe has left the European Union cold -- and eager to re-examine its options for fuel supplies. One alternative is the Nabucco pipeline, which would ship Central Asian gas directly to Europe and circumvent Russia and other troublesome countries altogether. But the EU has yet to put its weight fully behind the Nabucco project, which is still years away from completion.

Petraeus visits Turkmenistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-16T09:04:16+01:00

U.S. Central Command chief Gen. David Petraeus on Jan. 15 arrived in Turkmenistan to seek cooperation in improving security in Afghanistan, The Associated Press reported. Petraeus will meet with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimukhammedov on Jan. 16. His trip is part of a tour of Central Asian countries aimed at getting assistance for U.S. efforts to secure supply lines for troops in Afghanistan.

Top US General courts Astana's participation in Afghan resupply initiative

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-15T09:47:04+01:00

The head of the US Central Command, Gen. David Petraeus, is touring Central Asian states amid frenzied speculation that Kyrgyz leaders are considering closing an American air base outside of Bishkek in return for $2 billion in assistance from Russia.

If Obama and Khamenei want to get along, they should start watching TV

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-15T09:39:44+01:00

At five minutes to five yesterday afternoon, Tehran time, Iranian television viewers finally got the channel they have been asking for. It delivered both national and international news in a snappy, professional style. The first item was about Gaza. The channel also reported the results of a specially commissioned opinion poll which suggests that 94% of Iranians believe their country is entitled to develop civil nuclear power but only 50% are comfortable with the idea of the Islamic Republic having nuclear weapons. Then there was an interactive programme called Your Turn, with people from inside and outside the country ringing and texting in to discuss Iranians' perceptions of themselves and the world's view of Iran.

Death threats against journalist continue

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-14T21:24:10+01:00

Journalist Osman Hallyev continues to receive death threats as pressure on him and his family members continues because of his work for RFE/RL's Turkmen Service.

Freedom House: Human Rights Erosion in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan continued in 2008

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-14T21:20:01+01:00

According to US-based Freedom House recent Freedom In The World 2009 (FITW) annual report, based on analysis of the events from January 1 to December 31 of 2009, none of Central Asia states had positively changed the situation with human right.

US seeking Afghan supply route via Kazakhstan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-14T21:16:16+01:00

ALMATY (Reuters) -- The United States is talking to Kazakhstan about using the former Soviet republic as a transit point for supplies to NATO troops in Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command chief General David Petraeus has said.

HRW calls on the new US President to reverse the damage of the Bush years

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-14T21:11:28+01:00

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has used its annual report to urge the incoming Obama administration to make the protection and defense of human rights the central tenant of its policy decisions on foreign and national affairs.

Web 2.0 used by Kazakh PM

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-14T14:24:14+01:00

The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan K. Masimov is probably the first PM of Central Asia who announced an interactive blogging page. Citizens should be able to post comments in Russian or Kazakh language and getting in dialogue with the PM. It was also said that Masimov asked all Cabinet ministers to starting blogging.

New Central Asia Facebook Group

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-14T12:13:12+01:00

This is an invitation for the new founded „Central Asia Group“ on Facebook. Please feel free to join.

Turkmen leader to keep lid on democracy

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-14T08:10:21+01:00

The first session of Turkmenistan’s new parliament suggests that President Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov plans to maintain tight control over the institution, commentators interviewed by IWPR.

The struggle for a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-13T09:05:55+01:00

When Kazakhstan's Parliament ratified a treaty establishing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia earlier this month, the effort to ban nuclear weapons from the region took its final step. Throughout the Cold War, Central Asia had been the epicenter of the Soviet nuclear testing program--with the Soviet military conducting 456 nuclear tests in Kazakhstan alone. Appropriately then, the treaty was signed by representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in September 2006 at Semipalatinsk, the main Soviet test site in Kazakhstan.

Nabucco Pipeline may be operating by 2015, EU says

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-13T09:01:32+01:00

The Nabucco pipeline could be pumping gas to Europe by 2015, the Czech Deputy Prime Minister of European Affairs has claimed.

Nabucco Pipeline's competitors (in German)

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-09T08:19:37+01:00

Der russisch-ukrainische Gasstreit hat die Diskussion über Alternativen für Europas Gasversorgung neu in Gang gebracht. Nicht nur die europäischen Abnehmerländer stehen vor der Frage, wie sie eine Diversifizierung ihrer Versorgung erreichen können. Auch Russland sucht neue Exportrouten, um von Transitländern wie der Ukraine unabhängiger zu werden. Die Strategen des Staatsmonopolisten Gazprom versuchen das auf zwei Wegen: Nord Stream, die geplante Ostsee-Pipeline, soll Erdgas vom russischen Wyborg durch die Ostsee direkt ins deutsche Lubmin bei Greifswald führen. Das Projekt, an dem auch die deutschen Unternehmen BASF/Wintershall und Eon sowie die niederländische Gasunie beteiligt sind, stößt jedoch auf Widerstände bei den baltischen und skandinavischen Anrainern, die mit den Genehmigungen zögern.

Is Ashkhabad's interest in Nabucco rising?

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-09T08:13:35+01:00

The head of Germany’s second largest electricity and gas company, RWE AG, hailed Turkmenistan’s "promising" market and expressed a readiness for "constructive interaction in the energy sphere" during a visit to Ashgabat, news agencies report. This visit is raising speculation about Turkmen intentions to participate in the long-planned trans-Caspian and Nabucco pipeline projects.

Former Soviet States weigh Israel ties vs. popular anger

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-09T08:09:23+01:00

In Azerbaijan, Islamic activists have rallied several times since the beginning of the year against Israel's military operations in Gaza.

Niyazov's image disappears from bank notes

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-09T08:07:24+01:00

The minimum wage and state pensions in Turkmenistan have increased by 10 percent as of January 1.

Ashkhabad turns off the switch to Tajikistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-09T08:04:59+01:00

Turkmenistan has suspended electricity exports to Tajikistan because Dushanbe has failed to sign a transit agreement with Uzbekistan that would see Tashkent levy a 10 percent transit fee on its impoverished neighbor.

Authorities intimidate journalist

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-07T09:50:58+01:00

A correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty working in Turkmenistan has been warned that he will face retribution, if he continues reporting for the broadcaster’s Turkmen service.

Central Asia's era of cheap gas comes to a close

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-07T09:47:19+01:00

Starting on January 1, Uzbekistan increased the gas price it charges neighboring Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan for natural gas to $240 per 1,000 cubic meters, saying last year's price of $145 was far below real market prices.

Ashkhabad reveals that gas won't start flowing to China in 2009

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2009-01-07T09:42:28+01:00

Turkmenistan has postponed start date for exporting natural gas to China. At the same time, Ashgabat reported that work on a 7,000-kilometer transnational pipeline was proceeding at "full speed."

German and Austrian "Realpolitik" concerning Turkmenistan

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2008-12-10T17:48:44+01:00

The global economic slowdown appears to be giving Turkmenistan’s leader, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, a boost.
Turkmenistan’s own relative isolation has proven a benefit during these tough economic times, shielding Ashgabat from some of the worst effects of the worldwide credit crunch. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. At the same time, the crisis has infused European governments, especially Germany, with a sense of urgency to conclude new deals that help embattled exporters. The fact that Berdymukhamedov’s administration seems to be one of the few governments in the world today with money to spend is prompting European states to de-emphasize Ashgabat’s troubled record on civil society development.

New Government in Austria uncomfortable with Aliyev

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2008-12-27T17:01:09+01:00

After the collapse of the Austrian Government under Chancellor Gusenbauer and the early elections with a new government the new political leadership at the Danube would like to reassess the case of R. Aliyev, who was convicted in absentia in 2007 for a long-term sentence by a Kazakh Court of a variety of charges, including kidnapping and foundation of a criminal organization. Although Kazakh authorities asked for the extradition of the former Kazakh Ambassador in Austria in 2007, a Vienna court turned down Astana's extradition request for Aliyev, saying he could not expect a fair Kazakh trial. Meanwhile, authorities in Vienna were still discussing the possibility of bringing action against the former son-in-law of the Kazakh President under Austrian law.

Military Rivalry in Central Asia

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2008-12-23T11:31:51+01:00

The attacks of 9/11 and the ensuing war in Afghanistan did not start the new "Great Game" in Central Asia. Local governments had already grasped the Islamist threat, as well as Russia's neo-imperial longings to dominate the region. Central Asia's great energy stakes, meanwhile, had already determined American resistance to Moscow's policy.

2008 In Review: Russia, EU See Caspian Energy Dreams Def

info@eurasiantransition.org — 2008-12-22T11:31:36+01:00

In the new geostrategic "Great Game" between Russia and the West over the future of Caspian and Central Asian energy resources, the prize resembles a set of traditional matreshka Russian dolls. The outermost doll represents the three nations bordering the Caspian itself -- Azerbaijan, , Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. In the middle of the collection is Uzbekistan, the most populous of the new Central Asian nations. The innermost doll consists of the two most easterly "Stans," Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, rich in hydroelectric potential, but relatively poor in hydrocarbons.