Summery


Azerbaijan

Political Front

• Azerbaijan Court Rejects Lawsuit By President's Uncle Against Journalists

BAKU -- A Baku court has rejected a libel lawsuit by President Ilham Aliyev's uncle against opposition journalists, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.

• Azerbaijani MP: Opposition's current approach bodes nothing well for it in parliamentary elections

Chairman of the opposition Great Establishment Party and member of the Azerbaijani parliament Fazil Mustafa says he disapproves of the opposition’s inability to unite in advance of parliamentary elections.

Geo Strategic Front

• U.S. Intel Chief Sees Increased Chance Of Karabakh Conflict

U.S. National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair testifies during a hearing before the Senate Select Intelligence Committee on February 2.

• President of Azerbaijan met with Turkish Foreign Minister

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who is visiting Germany, met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davudoglu on Friday in Munchen

• Azerbaijani President: The country is ready to contribute to ensuring Europe`s energy security

Azerbaijan`s President Ilham Aliyev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have given on Thursday a joint press conference at the Chancellor`s residence. Mrs. Merkel said she was pleased to once again welcome the President of Azerbaijan to Germany.

• Minsk Group Russian co-chair: Azerbaijan, Armenia have not submitted proposals yet

“Azerbaijan and Armenia have not yet submitted their proposals on uncoordinated points of Madrid principles to the co-chairs”, OSCE Minsk Group’s Russian Co-chair Yuri Merzlyakov said. Answering the question on co-chairs’ visit to the region, the diplomat stated that they were waiting for the proposals of both sides.

• Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman to arrive in Azerbaijan today

On Monday, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman starts three-day visit to Azerbaijan. Lieberman will meet with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of Emergency Situations Kemaladdin Heydarov, Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov, members of the Jewish community in Azerbaijan.

• NATO experts to visit Azerbaijan

According to the NATO-Azerbaijan Individual Partnership Action Plan, the Arabic Course will be organized in Abu Dhabi, UAE from Feb. 14 to May 5, 2010, press service of the Azerbaijan Defense Ministry said.

Economic /Energy Front

• Third Caspian energy forum due in Moscow

Third Caspian Energy Forum will take place in Moscow`s Center of International Trade on 23 March. The event is to be organized by the ministries of foreign affairs, natural resources and ecology of Russia, trade-industry chamber and Russian academy of sciences, the CIS Executive Committee said. One of the key goals of the Forum is the practical realization of connecting factor of the Caspian Sea in the energy sphere.

• Azerbaijan national oil company lays gas line to Georgian region

The SOCAR, Azerbaijan's state-run oil firm, has built a gas pipeline to the Lanchkhuti region of Georgia. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Georgia's Deputy Energy Minister Soso Varsemashvili, Director of the Socar Georgia Gas Anar Mammadov and Governor of Guria region Valeri Chitaishvili.

Social Front

• Azerbaijan Planning To De-Russify Family Names

BAKU -- An Azerbaijani parliamentary committee is preparing a draft law on the de-Russification of Azerbaijani last names, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.

• Azerbaijani Journalist Convicted Of Libel

An Azerbaijani court has handed down an 18-month suspended sentence for a newspaper editor convicted of libeling the interior minister, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.

• European Court of Human Rights to pass one more decision on Azerbaijan

The European Court of Human Rights will pass one more decision on Azerbaijan on Feb. 11. This case concerns the Azerbaijani authorities’ failure to enforce a judgment in the applicant’s favour in which an internally displaced family was to be evicted from a flat for which the applicant had been granted occupancy rights.

Kazakastan

Political Front

• Kazakh Newspapers Protest Confiscations

The independent Kazakh publications "Respublika," "Vzglyad," and "Svoboda slova" have officially protested the government's seizure of their newspapers last week, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports. The newspapers filed complaints with the Prosecutor-General's Office and the Supreme Court in Almaty today.

Geo Strategic Front

• KAZAKHSTAN: FOREIGN MINISTER’S VISIT TO WASHINGTON YIELDS NO AGREEMENTS

The visit of Kazakhstani Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev to Washington in early February failed to produce any agreements on pressing issues, according to US State Department officials. Kazakhstan’s top priority for the visit was to gain US support for a summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a meeting that Kazakhstani leaders hope to convene this year in Astana.

• Turkish foreign minister due to Kazakhstan

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu is set to pay a visit on February, 10-12 to Kazakhstan as the official guest of his Kazakh counterpart Kanat Saudabayev, Davutoğlu's office said in a statement on Monday.

Economic /Energy Front

• Kazakh government struggles to help airlines off EU blacklist

The relegation of all but one Kazakhstan-registered airline to the EU’s air safety blacklist was a blow to national pride as well as a setback for the air transport sector. The government is now working to have Kazakh airlines removed from the list by the end of this year.

• Key risks to Kazakh economic recovery

Reuters - Tuesday, February 9SendIM StoryPrint.ALMATY, Feb 8 - Kazakhstan, the largest economy in Central Asia, is set for recovery after a bumpy 2009 in a process dependent on a number of external and domestic factors.

• First oil from Kashagan not far off, says Kazakh energy minister

ASTANA - Having become one of the largest (16.81%) shareholders in the North-Caspian project (Kashagan field,) Kazakhstan has started paying closer attention to the costs associated with the development of this major and much promising project.

• Kazakh oil companies seek law amendments to avoid double taxation

Astana. February 4. Interfax-Kazakhstan - Kazakh oil producers are addressing the government to make amendments to the Tax Code to avoid double taxation.

"We are facing the situation when a double taxation occurred during the transition from one form of tax legislation to the other.

• TURKMENISTAN-CHINA GAS PIPELINE BECOMES A REALITY

By Robert M. Cutler (02/03/2010 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The opening of the first segment of the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline last month is only one in a series of recent events in Caspian Sea basin energy developments. It signifies Turkmenistan’s first real moves to break its dependence upon Gazprom and the Russian state for international sales of its energy resources.

Social Front

• Kazakh Court Overturns Media-Criticism Ban

(RFE/RL) -- A Kazakh court has struck down a ruling blocking the press from printing potentially damaging material about the president's son-in-law.

• GLOBALIZING NEW MEDIA IN KAZAKHSTAN

Established as a firm presence in the information space in Kazakstan, the new media is increasingly embracing Western-style entertainment and social networking and even Western media content.

Kyrgyzstan

Political Front

• Kyrgyz Activists Demonstrate As Opposition Leader's Appeal Begins

Isakov supporters demonstrate in the southern Alai district on February 9.

GULCHO, Kyrgyzstan -- About 1,000 protesters gathered in the southern Kyrgyz village of Gulcho to demand the release of former Defense Minister Ismail Isakov, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

• Military office employee arrested for bribery

Financial Police Service of Kyrgyzstan arrested an employee from one of the Chui regional military registration offices.

Geo Strategic Front

• Hizb ut-Tahrir activists detained in Kyrgyzstan

A group of women engaged in recruitment to Hizb ut-Tahrir (a religious-extremist organization) were arrested in Bishkek, press-service of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

Economic /Energy Front

• Parliament members to protest against mobile companies’ actions

Roza Otunbaeva, Member of the Kyrgyz Parliament offered to join the protests actions against mobile companies. The statement was voiced at the parliament meeting on January 5, 2010.

• Uzbekistan cuts off gas import to South Kyrgyzstan”

Uzbekistan cut off natural gas import to the south region of Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzgaz Company informed the news agency 24.kg Friday.

The day before official Tashkent sent a note to Kyrgyzgaz to warn about possible gas cut off due to $7 million debt as of February 4, 2010.

• Kyrgyzstan increases investment inflow

Kyrgyzstan takes one of the dominant positions among CIS countries, according to investments growth rate into fixed assets, Interstate Statistic Committee of CIS informed.

As to the committee, the volume of investments into a fixed capital in Kyrgyzstan has grown up by 19.7% in 2009. Only Uzbekistan can have a higher index due to a 28.3% increase of investments inflow in 2009.

Social Front

• Eurasia to broadcast Kyrgyz TV-channel

One of the Kyrgyz TV-channels will be broadcasted in Eurasia, Kyrgyz television company El TR said.

As to the company, national EL TR broadcasting signal can be received from the orbit satellite starting from February 3, 2010.

Social Front

• Eurasia to broadcast Kyrgyz TV-channel

One of the Kyrgyz TV-channels will be broadcasted in Eurasia, Kyrgyz television company El TR said.

As to the company, national EL TR broadcasting signal can be received from the orbit satellite starting from February 3, 2010.

Tajikistan

Political Front

• Candidate Registration Ends For Tajik Elections

DUSHANBE -- Registration for Tajikistan's parliamentary elections has ended, with 150 candidates officially allowed to run, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.

• CIS election observation mission deployed in Dushanbe

DUSHANBE, February 5, 2010, Asia-Plus -- The formal opening of the CIS election observation mission for the February 28 parliamentary elections in Tajikistan was held at the Kokhi Vahdat State Complex in Dushanbe on February 4.

• Registration of candidates for parliament and local legislatures ends today

DUSHANBE, February 8, Asia-Plus -- Registration of candidates for parliament and local legislatures (regional, city and district Majlis) is ending today and according to the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER), 150 candidates to run for the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) in 41 single-mandate constituencies have been registered to this day.

• CCER registers 229 candidates for parliament

DUSHANBE, February 9, 2010, Asia-Plus -- The process of registration of candidates for the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) and local legislatures ended yesterday.

Geo Strategic Front

• Tajikistan Jails Suspected Al-Qaeda Member

DUSHANBE (Reuters) -- Tajikistan's Supreme Court has sentenced a suspected Al-Qaeda member to eight years in jail, it said today, in the latest sign of growing efforts in Central Asia to prevent the spread of Islamist militancy.

• Tajikistan Transfers Prisoners To Afghan Officials

Afghan prisoners in Tajikistan await their transfer.

KABUL -- About 150 Afghans imprisoned in Tajikistan have been transferred to Afghan officials, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reports.

Economic /Energy Front

• Tajik national airline lowers passenger fares on flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg

DUSHANBE, February 6, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Tajik national air carrier, Tajik Air, has lowered passenger fares on some flights by 30 euros. The Tajik national air carrier said the new rates would be in effect on the routes from Dushanbe to Moscow and St. Petersburg only through February.

• Tajikistan-EDB agreement comes into effect

DUSHANBE, February 9, 2010, Asia-Plus -- The Eurasian Development Bank has received an official notification from Tajikistan’s MFA that an agreement signed between the Government of Tajikistan and EDB on Bank’s presence in Tajikistan came into effect, according to the EDB press service.

• ADB completes microfinance project in Tajikistan



DUSHANBE, February 11, 2010, Asia-Plus -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has completed its microfinance systems development program in Tajikistan, facilitating the development of a vibrant and growing microfinance industry in the country, press release issued by the ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM) says.

Social Front

• Tajik Court Suspends Baptist Church's Activities

DUSHANBE -- The activities of a Baptist Church in Tajikistan were suspended by a Dushanbe court today, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports. Tajik Culture Ministry official Nazira Dodikhudoeva told RFE/RL that the church did not apply for reregistration despite being urged to do so by Tajik authorities.

• Issues related to legal protection of journalists discussed in Dushanbe

DUSHANBE, February 5, 2010, Asia-Plus -- Increasing cases of filing lawsuits against independent media in Tajikistan may affect the freedom of speech situation in the country and cause self-censorship among journalists, head of the National Association of Independent Media of Tajikistan (Nansmit), Nouriddin Qarshiboyev, remarked at a roundtable meeting in Dushanbe on February 5.

Turkmenistan

Political Front

• Minister of Communications of Turkmenistan severely reprimanded

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov signed a decree severely reprimanding Minister of Communications Ovlyaguly Dzhumagulyev for "unsatisfactory performance of official duties, poor management of subordinate agencies and enterprises, as well as poor work on developing the sphere of communication."

Geo Strategic Front

• Turkmen Leader Visits France Amid Criticism From RIghts Groups

French President Nicolas Sarkozy (right) welcomes his Turkmen counterpart, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, prior to a working lunch today at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Economic /Energy Front

• Turkmenistan, UAE agree on trade, economic and technical cooperation

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan confirmed willingness of both countries to pursue a "full-scale intergovernmental dialogue based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, and taking into account new opportunities and realities of the modern time." The meeting was held in Abu Dhabi, where the Turkmen leader arrived on a two-day official visit.

• Trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Russia amounted to US $ 1.2 billion in 2009

In 2009, trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Russia amounted to US $ 1,247 billion (excluding deliveries of natural gas), including exports to Russia totaling U.S. $ 51 million, and imports to Turkmenistan totaling US $ 196 million. The growth in trade turnover (excluding exports of natural gas in 2008-2009) amounted to 24,4 percent. This data was cited by Russia's ambassador to Turkmenistan Igor Blatov in his statement published in "Neutral Turkmenistan" newspaper.

• Ashgabat hosted meeting of Turkmen-Indian commission on cooperation

The delegation of representatives of government agencies and large companies of India led by Indian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ms. Preneet Kaur attended a regular meeting of the intergovernmental Turkmen-Indian commission for trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation in Ashgabat.

Social Front



Uzbekistan

Political Front



Geo Strategic Front

• Uzbek President leaves for Seoul

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov left for Seoul, Korea, on 10 February with a state visit on invitation of his Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak.

Economic /Energy Front

• Korea pledges US$12 million in aid to Uzbekistan

Korea will provide US$12 million in aid to Uzbekistan this year in line with its effort to boost the two countries’ strategic partnership, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

Social Front

• Muscovites Rally For Uzbek Photographer Convicted Of Libel

MOSCOW -- Some 20 supporters of an award-winning Uzbek photographer found guilty of defamation held a rally outside the Uzbek Embassy in Moscow today, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

• Uzbek Photographer To Appeal Guilty Verdict

TASHKENT -- Uzbek photographer Umida Ahmedova said today she would appeal the guilty verdict against her for defamation, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reports.

Ahmedova, 54, was found guilty by a Tashkent court of portraying her country as "backward" for a collection of photographs and a documentary depicting the daily struggles of people in rural Uzbekistan. Uzbek officials had ruled the photographs and documentary were "insulting" and "damaging to the country's image."

• Uzbek Photographer Convicted, Amnestied For Libel

Umida Ahmedova (center) waits for the verdict in front of the court building in Tashkent.

An Uzbek court has convicted an award-winning photographer for defaming Uzbekistan with her pictures about the daily struggles of ordinary people, but then immediately amnestied her.

• Photographer On Trial For Showing Uzbekistan's Unglamorous Side

A photo from Umida Ahmedova's ''Woman and Man: From Dawn till Night''

(RFE/RL) -- A prominent Uzbek photographer and film director has gone on trial in Tashkent for her work, deemed by the Uzbek authorities to be "insulting" and "damaging to the country's image."