Summery


Azerbaijan

Political Front

• Azerbaijani ombudsman presents report on outcomes of 2009 to president and parliament

The Azerbaijani Ombudsman presented a report to the president and the Parliament of Azerbaijan on outcomes of 2009. 2009 Annual Report on the situation of safeguarding and protecting human rights and freedoms in Azerbaijan was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers, the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court and the Prosecutor General in the order specified in the Constitution, the Ombudsman's office said.

• Opposition leader: Coalition of Azerbaijani opposition is unrealistic

“I believe that the creation of a coalition of Azerbaijani opposition is somewhat unrealistic,” Chairman of opposition Democratic Party of Azerbaijan Sardar Jalaloglu said. "Representatives of political parties fail to do it because of their own interests and intrigues between them in the past,” he said. Unified opposition candidate for the elections is more real, the DPA leader said.

Geo strategic Front

• Georgian Diplomat Reassures Azerbaijan Over Opening Of Border Crossing With Russia

A Russian border guard works at the Verkhny Lars checkpoint o the border between Georgia and Russia on March 1.

March 05, 2010 Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Giga Bokeria told the parliament foreign-relations committee on March 4 that Azerbaijan has no reason to be apprehensive over the reopening of the Zemo/Verkhny Lars border crossing between Georgia and Russia, Caucasus Press reported.

• Spanish foreign minister arrives in Baku

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos arrived in Baku as part of a regional visit to the South Caucasus March 2. This is his first visit to the region as a representative of the Spanish presidency of the EU.

• Azerbaijan President strongly condemns decision of U.S. House of Representatives committee on foreign affairs

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made a telephone call Friday to President of Turkey Abdullah Gul, AzerTAj state news agency reported.

During the conversation, the Head of State expressed his outrage against and strongly condemned the resolution passed by the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He described it as the unfair decision misrepresenting historical truth and fueling tension in the region.

Economic/Energy Front

• UK official to mull energy projects in Baku

UK energy minister Lord Hunt will pay a visit to Baku, the British Embassy reported today. Hunt will arrive in the country March 3 in the framework of the visit to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan Feb.28 - March 4.

• Azerbaijan exports crude oil to 30 countries

Azerbaijan exports crude oil and oil products via various routes to 30 countries of the world, said Rovnag Abdullayev, President of the country`s state oil firm, SOCAR.

• SOCAR increases gas exports by 18% through supplies for Gazprom

This January the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) increased volumes of gas exports from the country by 17.9 percent against last December when export rose by 57.1 percent compared with November of 2009.

Social Front

• Slain Azerbaijani Journalist's Killers Still Unknown

Five years after his death, the killers of Azerbaijani opposition journalist Elmar Huseynov have still not been brought to justice, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.

Huseynov, editor of the independent weekly "Monitor," was shot dead outside his apartment in Baku on March 2, 2005.

• EU Envoy, In Baku, Says Media Freedom High On Agenda

BAKU -- The EU's special representative for the South Caucasus has told RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service that media freedom issues are high on his agenda as he begins a visit to Baku. Peter Semneby arrived in the Azerbaijani capital on February 23 for a three-day visit.

• Landslide activates in north Azerbaijan

Landslide has activated in Gusar region of Azerbaijan. The landslide covers an area of 10,000 square meters, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reported.

Kazakhstan

Political Front



Geo strategic Front

• Fugitive Kazakh Banker Detained In Moscow

ASTANA -- The former chairman of Kazakhstan's once influential Nauryz Bank has been detained in Moscow, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

• Kazakhstan hindering Russian space missions - official

(AFP) - Kazakhstan, home of the space base used to launch rockets to the International Space Station (ISS), is interfering with Russian space missions, the head of Russia’s space agency said Saturday.

• Kazakhstan's premier to visit Moscow March 3

MOSCOW, February 28 (Itar-Tass) - Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Karim Massimov is expected to make a working visit to Moscow Wednesday, March 3.

• Kazakhstan, Japan sign civil nuclear agreement

(SRI) - Japan signed a civil nuclear agreement with Kazakhstan on Tuesday which gives it access to stable supplies of uranium in exchange for nuclear technology, Reuters reported.

Economic/Energy Front

• Kazakhstan looks at new oil route to Europe

Kazakhstan, said on Tuesday, it was interested in establishing a new export route to carry its growing surplus of oil across the South Caucasus and the Black Sea to Europe.

• Kazakhstan invites Finland to cooperate in high technologies and scientific research

“Kazakh president set a target to draft a technological development program within a five-year industrial program, therefore, we must develop and apply our own technologies instead of importing them.

Social Front

• OSCE Official Says Kazakhs Must Loosen Media Grip

Kazakhstan must loosen its grip on the media further, an OSCE official has said, even though the former Soviet state has relaxed some controls since taking over as Europe's main rights and security watchdog chief.

Kyrgyzstan

Political Front

• Kyrgyz High Court Says Rally Regulation Illegal

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan's Constitutional Court today ruled that a Bishkek city council regulation on seeking approval to hold mass gatherings is illegal, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

• Prosecution demands four years of suspended sentence for ex-Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan

The prosecution demands to criminate ex-Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Alikbek Dzhekshenkulov to 4 years of suspended sentence with postponement of execution of judgment. As of 26 February, 2010, the Pevomai district court held a regular meeting on ex-Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Alikbek Dzhekshenkulov issue.

Geo strategic Front

• Checkpoint On Kyrgyz-Uzbek Border Closed

OSH -- The Kara-Suu checkpoint on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan has been closed, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports. Cholponbek Turusbekov , the deputy head of Kyrgyzstan's Border Guard Service, told RFE/RL that the decision to close the border crossing March 1 was taken by Uzbekistan.

• Uzbek Citizen Killed On Kyrgyz-Uzbek Border

KADAMJAY, Kyrgyzstan -- An Uzbek citizen has been shot dead near the Airybaz checkpoint on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Cholponbek Turusbekov, the deputy chairman of Kyrgyzstan's Border Guard Service, told RFE/RL that Kyrgyz border guards opened fire today at a vehicle that ignored their demand to stop and continued across the border, which is in the southwestern Batken region. The car's driver was killed.

• Kyrgyzstan to open its Embassy in Afghanistan

The press-service of the President Secretariat reported: Kyrgyzstan will open its Embassy in Afghanistan. Reportedly, the Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev signed a decree about “Establishment of the Kyrgyz Republic Embassy to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan”

Economic/Energy Front

• Russia interested in Kyrgyz energy sector

Sergei Shmatko said on Saturday the Russian Federation is being interested in the investment component of Kyrgyz energy sector cooperation. By the Minister, Kyrgyzstan undertakes serious steps toward market liberalization, particularly in the market mechanisms of energy sector.

• Kyrgyzstan and Russia signed agreement on economic cooperation program for 2010-2013

Kyrgyzstan and Russia have signed an agreement on economic cooperation program for 2010-2013. The agreement was approved and adopted at the session of the Kyrgyz-Russian Inter-governmental Commission on trade, economic, science, technical and humanitarian cooperation on 27 February, 2010, in Moscow.

• European Union to allocate €50 million to Kyrgyzstan

The European Union will allot more than € 50 million to the Kyrgyz Republic. The statement was voiced by the press-service of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry at the Eleventh Meeting of the Cooperational Council between the European Union and Kyrgyzstan in Brussels.

• Russia and Kyrgyzstan to collaborate in oil-and-gas sector

Russia and Kyrgyzstan has come to an agreement about the collaboration in the oil-and-gas sector. The statement was voiced at the session of Kyrgyz-Russian Inter-governmental Commission on trade, economic, science-technical and humanitarian cooperation on 27 February, 2010.

Social Front

• Kyrgyz Activists Plan Protest On International Women's Day

BISHKEK -- Women's rights activists in Kyrgyzstan say they plan a public protest on International Women's Day next week, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

• Kyrgyz Jokes

Against a backdrop of authoritarianism, corruption, and cronyism, the Soviet joke was a welcome release valve. It's a tradition that has lived on in the post-Soviet world.

During the rule of the previous Kyrgyz president, Askar Akaev, who was ousted in 2005 in the so-called Tulip Revolution, Kyrgyz people joked about his government's tendency to appoint to high positions people from his home district of Kemin, north Kyrgyzstan.

For instance: President Askar Akayev has been addressing the Kyrgyz nation after the collapse of the Communist regime in 1991:

• Kyrgyz Human Rights Activist Reported Missing

Kyrgyz human rights activist Nematillo Botakoziev has been reported missing in Dushanbe, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

• International Organization Aid to develop Kyrgyz National Intellectual Property Strategy

An International Organization planned to allocate grant to developing of the National Strategy of the Intellectual Property in Kyrgyzstan, Mr. Ulan Melisbek, the Head of the Kyrgyzpatent said at the interview on 2 March, 2010.

Tajikistan

Political Front

• Tajik Opposition Threatens Protests After Poll

DUSHANBE (Reuters) -- Tajikistan's opposition threatened today to call street protests to challenge the result of a parliamentary election in the impoverished nation bordering Afghanistan.

• Tajik Election Winner Threatened With Polygamy Charges

International election monitors said the Tajik vote was neither fair nor free and did not meet international standards.

QURGHON-TEPPA, Tajikistan -- The winner of a local election in southern Tajikistan is being told to renounce his victory or face polygamy charges, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.

• Tajik Leader's Party Grabs Parliament Majority

DUSHANBE (Reuters) -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmon's party has retained its parliamentary majority, the Central Election Commission said today after a poll heavily criticized by international observers and opposition parties.

• Tajik Deputy Loses Seat To Father-In-Law, Faces Prosecution

QURGHON-TEPPA, Tajikistan -- Tajik parliament deputy Sayvali Nurov has lost his bid for reelection to his father-in-law and could be charged with assaulting an election official, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.

• Rahmon receives members of CIS election observation mission

DUSHANBE, February 27, 2010, Asia-Plus -- President Emomali Rahmon today received members of the CIS election observation mission, led by the CIC Executive Secretary Sergey Lebedev, according to presidential press service.

• Early fraud allegations emerge in Tajik vote

DUSHANBE, March 1, 2010, Asia-Plus – Polls have closed in Tajikistan's parliamentary and local elections with opposition politicians in Tajikistan claiming that the vote was deeply flawed, Radio Liberty reported on February 28.

• PDPT, CPT satisfied with the voting process

DUSHANBE, March 1, 2010, Asia-Plus -- According to our preliminary count, the Communist Party (CPT) has definite advantage over other political parties in some single-mandate constituencies, CPT leader Shodi Shabdolov said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

Geo strategic Front

• Russian first vice-premier visits Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, March 1, 2010, Asia-Plus -- President Emomali Rahmon is receiving visiting Russian First Deputy Prime Minister, Igor Shuvalov, today, according to presidential press service.

• OSCE says Tajik elections failed to meet many key OSCE commitments

DUSHANBE, March 1, 2010, Asia-Plus -- 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.

• Rahmon, Medvedev discuss bilateral cooperation

DUSHANBE, March 5, 2010, Asia-Plus -- President Emomali Rahmon yesterday afternoon had a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart, President Dmitry Medvedev, according to presidential press service.

Economic/Energy Front



Social Front

• Tajik national football team climbs from 148th to 128th position in FIFA rankings

DUSHANBE, March 5, 2010, Asia-Plus - Tajikistan’s national football team climbed from 148th to 128th position in the FIFA World Rankings that was updated on March 3, 2010.

Turkmenistan

Political Front

• Turkmen Leader Calls For Liberalizing Criminal Code

ASHGABAT -- Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has called on the State Security Council to increase public influence on reforming the country's Criminal Code in accordance with international standards, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service reports.

• President of Turkmenistan severely reprimands chairman of state enterprise on Caspian Sea

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov severely reprimanded Toyly Komekov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the State Enterprise for the Caspian Sea under the President of Turkmenistan.

Geo strategic Front

• First Turkmen-Georgian political consultations held in Ashgabat

The first bilateral Turkmen-Georgian consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers were held in Ashgabat on March 4. The Georgian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Nalbandov. The Turkmen delegation was led by the First Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Khadzhiyev.

• Presidents of Turkmenistan and Russia talk over phone

A telephone conversation between President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev took place on March 4. According to the Kremlin press service, the conversation was part of the regular exchange of views on topical issues of bilateral cooperation and interaction in international affairs.

Economic/Energy Front

• President of Turkmenistan receives U.S. State Department special envoy for Eurasian energy



The United States attaches great importance to strengthen the constructive dialogue with Turkmenistan, which is viewed as a responsible and reliable partner. This was stated by the U.S. State Department special envoy for Eurasian energy issues, Richard Morningstar, at a meeting with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.

• EU supports Turkmenistan's energy strategy

The European Union supports the reformist policies of Turkmenistan, said the EU special representative for Central Asia, Pierre Morel, during a meeting with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat on March 2.

Social Front

Dashoguz to host festival of Turkmen-Uzbek friendship

A festival of friendship between fraternal Turkmen and Uzbek peoples will be held in the city of Dashoguz on 17-19 September 2010. It will be organized by the Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting of Turkmenistan and administration of Dashoguz province.

• OSCE supports reforms on democratization of Turkmen society

A meeting was held at the Mejlis with representatives of the OSCE missions dealing with Central Asia, who arrived in Turkmenistan on a working visit.

Uzbekistan

Political Front

• Uzbekistan's Top Education Officials Fired

TASHKENT -- Uzbek President Islam Karimov has sacked the country's top education officials, RFE/RL's Uzbek Service reports.

• Avazjon Marahimov appointed as public education minister

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed a decree on 2 March approving the appointment of Avazjon Rahimovich Marahimov to the post of the minister of public education.

• President appoints three Cabinet members

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov signed decrees on 1 March on appointing the new minister of higher and specialized secondary education, as well as chairmen of the State Demonopolization Committee and the State Property Committee. In accordance with the decrees, Bakhodir Khodiyev was appointed to the post of the minister of higher and specialized secondary education.

Geo strategic Front

• Checkpoint On Kyrgyz-Uzbek Border Closed

OSH -- The Kara-Suu checkpoint on the border between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan has been closed, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

• The former Uzbek Ambassador in Moscow Ilhom Nematov is appointed as the Ambassador in USA

Ilhom NematovAmerica Ovozi (Uzbek Service of Voice of America) reports that Ilhom Nematov, the former Ambassador of Uzbekistan in Russia, arrived in Washington DC in order to lead the diplomatic mission in this country. The Radio Station informs that on February 26 new Uzbek Ambassador delivered the letter of credence to US Department of State. However, due to the business trip of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Nematov was met by her deputy Jim Steinberg.

Economic/Energy Front

• Uzbekistan, Japan sign exchange notes

Ambassador of Japan to Uzbekistan Tsutomu Hiraoka met Vice-Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov on 1 March. The sides discussed issues of development and implementation of joint projects.

• Lufthansa returns to the market of Uzbekistan

German Lufthansa resumes the flights between Germany and Uzbekistan after nine-year break, Deutsche Welle reports. On March 28 the carrier company is launching new flights, including such destinations as Miami, Teheran and Tashkent.

Social Front

• Uzbek Citizen Killed On Kyrgyz-Uzbek Border

KADAMJAY, Kyrgyzstan -- An Uzbek citizen has been shot dead near the Airybaz checkpoint on the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

• Dashoguz to host festival of Turkmen-Uzbek friendship

A festival of friendship between fraternal Turkmen and Uzbek peoples will be held in the city of Dashoguz on 17-19 September 2010. It will be organized by the Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting of Turkmenistan and administration of Dashoguz province.

• Innovations fair held in Tashkent

About 130 contracts worth a total of over UZS 3.2 billion were signed at the Third National Innovative Ideas, Technologies and Projects Fair held at UzExpoCenter on 1-3 March.