18 June to 25 June 2010

Azerbaijan


Political Front

• Islamic Insurgents Sentenced In Azerbaijan

BAKU -- Some 31 members of an alleged Islamic insurgent group have been sentenced in Azerbaijan to various prison terms for forming a radical religious group and plotting to overthrow the government, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.

• Azerbaijani Parliament Amends Election Law

BAKU -- Azerbaijan's parliament today passed controversial amendments to the country's election law, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.

Geo Strategic Front

• Azerbaijan Evaluates Cost Of Nagorno-Karabakh War

BAKU -- Azerbaijan says the total amount of damage suffered by the country due to the war with Armenia over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh has been estimated at 70 billion manat ($87 billion), RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports

• Medvedev Convenes Third Meeting Of Armenian, Azerbaijani Presidents

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met on June 17 on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg Economic Forum with the presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan to discuss the ongoing search for a solution to the Karabakh conflict.

• Armenian Leaders Visit Karabakh, Azerbaijan Conducts Military Exercises

YEREVAN -- Armenian President Serzh Sarkisian and Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian have visited Nagorno-Karabakh, almost one week after deadly fighting took place in the breakaway Azerbaijani region, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.

• Armenian, Azerbaijani Clashes Continue In Karabakh

STEPANAKERT, Nagorno-Karabakh -- Intense skirmishes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces around the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh continued on June 21, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reports.

Economic /Energy Front



Social Front

• More Than 80 Detained In Baku Rally Attempt

BAKU -- More than 80 activists of the opposition Popular Front Party were detained in a rally attempt on June 19 in Baku.

• Rights Groups Urge Greater Pressure On Azerbaijani Government

International and Azerbaijani human rights groups have issued a joint appeal to the Council of Europe to take decisive measures to improve the human rights situation in Azerbaijan, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.

• Eurovision Renegade: Still Paying The Price?

Remember Rovshan Nasirli, the Azerbaijani man who drew unwelcome attention from Baku security officials when he voted for rival Armenia in the 2009 Eurovision song contest?

• Rights Groups Urge Council Of Europe To Keep Up Pressure On Azerbaijan

International and local rights groups have issued an appeal to the Council of Europe urging it to take concrete measures to improve the human rights situation in Azerbaijan.

The appeal was signed by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, the Polish Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Article 19, Rafto Foundation for Human Rights, and a number of other regional watchdogs.

Kazakastan

Political Front

• Kazakh Opposition Leaders Forced To Leave Town

QARQARALY, Kazakhstan -- Police forced leading members of the Kazakh opposition Azat Social Democratic Party to leave the central Kazakh town of Qarqaraly where they went to meet with supporters, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

• Activists Protest Kazakh Law On 'Leader Of Nation'

ALMATY -- Two Kazakh activists have protested the newly approved law declaring President Nursultan Nazarbaev the "leader of the nation" and giving him greater privileges and protection, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

Geo Strategic Front

• Two Wounded At Kazakh-Uzbek Border

SARYAGHASH, Kazakhstan -- Two Kazakhs have been wounded in a shooting incident on Kazakhstan's southern border with Uzbekistan, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

Kazakh Border Guard officials speaking on condition of anonymity told RFE/RL that a Kazakh border guard opened fire on June 17 at two men near the Darkhan border crossing.

Economic /Energy Front

• Kazakh Police Catch Eight Escaped Convicts, 13 On The Run

ASTANA -- Kazakh police have caught eight convicts who escaped from jail on June 22, but 13 are still at large, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.

Social Front

• Kazakh Copper Mine Explosion Kills Three

ALMATY (Reuters) -- An explosion killed three copper miners in central Kazakhstan today, mine owner Kazakhmys said.

• Kazakh Journalist Detained For Staging Protest

Kazakh police have detained journalist Yekaterina Belyaeva for holding an unsanctioned protest, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports. Belyaeva, who works for the Almaty-based newspaper "Vzglyad" (Look), came to the city's Independence Square on June 21 and unfolded a sign saying: "President, Give Us Back Our Constitution!"

Kyrgyzstan

Political Front

• Kyrgyz Security Chief: Bakiev Family, Islamic Militants Behind Ethnic Clashes

BISHKEK -- The head of Kyrgyzstan's State Security Service has accused relatives of ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiev of planning and instigating recent ethnic clashes along with the Taliban and other regional Islamic militant groups, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

• Kyrgyz Officials Investigate Security Forces' 'Illegal Behavior'

OSH, Kyrgyzstan -- The Kyrgyz authorities have launched an investigation into reported cases of beatings and robberies of Osh residents by security forces, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

• Kyrgyz Official Says Foreigners Among Detained Snipers

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz officials have said that seven of about 20 suspected snipers detained by security forces are foreigners, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

• Thousands Of Refugees Return As Kyrgyzstan Prepares For Referendum

Kyrgyz officials say more than half of the ethnic Uzbeks who fled Kyrgyzstan's Osh and Jalal-Abad regions amid this month's clashes have returned from refugee camps in Uzbekistan.

• Is Bakiev Heading Home?

Kurmanbek Bakiev, the ousted president of Kyrgyzstan, could be returning to the conflict-torn Kyrgyz city of Osh – if rumors are to be believed.

• Kyrgyz Constitutional Referendum Still Planned, Despite Unrest

Kyrgyzstan's interim leader Roza Otunbaeva says authorities are still planning to go ahead with a planned referendum on a new constitution on June 27, despite hundreds of thousands of displaced residents and continuing security concerns linked to the deadly clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks.

• As Kyrgyzstan Prepares For Referendum, Government Faces Predictions Of Collapse

BISHKEK -- In a central hospital here in the capital, 20-year-old Ibragim Nurgazy lies on an ancient cot with dirty sheets, barely able to keep his eyes open. His mother Gulnara sits patiently by his side.

• Bakiev Relative Accused Over Unrest Arrested In Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz security forces have detained a nephew of ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiev whom they accuse of playing a key role in recent ethnic unrest. Interior Ministry officials confirmed to RFE/RL that Sanjarbek Bakiev was arrested in mountains near the city of Jalal-Abad.

• Suspected Organizers Of Ethnic Unrest Detained In Jalal-Abad

JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan -- Officials in Kyrgyzstan's southern Jalal-Abad Oblast say they have detained 12 suspected organizers of the ethnic clashes between local Uzbeks and Kyrgyz, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

• Kyrgyzstan To Supply Fuel To U.S. Air Base Directly

Kyrgyz authorities say they plan to set up a state-owned company to provide a U.S. air base with fuel, replacing a series of private intermediary firms set up under the recently deposed government.

Geo Strategic Front

• EU Envoy Warns Of Regional Risk From Kyrgyz Instability

BRUSSELS -- The top EU envoy for Central Asia has warned that recent instability in the south of Kyrgyzstan could spill over into other countries along the Ferghana Valley.

Pierre Morel, the EU special representative for the region, also said the EU wants the referendum on Kyrgyzstan's new constitution to go ahead as planned on June 27.

• UN Tells Security Council Kyrgyz Tensions Persist

A top UN official says tension remains in southern Kyrgyzstan, site of recent violence that has killed hundreds and sparked a wave of refugees. The UN Security Council received a closed-door briefing on the crisis from the UN assistant secretary-general Oscar Fernandez-Taranco.

• Kyrgyz Official Says Russia Has Not Mentioned New Military Base

BISHKEK -- A Kyrgyz interim government official says Russian authorities have not discussed with the new government the possibility of opening a military base in the southern Osh region, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

• Kyrgyzstan Ends Curfew Amid UN Warning Of Risk Of Violence

Officials in Kyrgyzstan say they've lifted a state of emergency imposed in the wake of ethnic violence in its south, amid UN concerns about the risk of fresh tensions in the area.

The country's interim government declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew in parts of the south after bloody riots and ethnic clashes erupted in the southern city of Osh and surrounding areas two weeks ago.

• Uzbek Exclave In Southern Kyrgyzstan Opens Borders

BATKEN, Kyrgyzstan -- An exclave of Uzbekistan surrounded by Kyrgyzstan's southern Batken Oblast has been opened for transit of Kyrgyz vehicles and citizens, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Economic /Energy Front



Social Front



Tajikistan

Political Front



Geo Strategic Front

• Tajikistan supports international initiatives of Turkmenistan

The Republic of Tajikistan fully supports the constructive international initiatives of Turkmenistan aimed at consolidating common efforts in the search for optimal solutions to current issues of concern to all mankind, and in particular on disarmament, said Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Khamrokhon Zarifi at the meeting with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat on June 24. Khamrokhon Zarifi arrived in the Turkmen capital to participate in the International Conference on Disarmament in Central Asia and Caspian Basin.

• All cargoes for ISAF are delivered to Afghanistan through Uzbekistan, U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan says

Dushanbe. June 25. “Asia-Plus” -- Situation with blockage of rail cargoes on the territory of Uzbekistan did not affect timely provision of the counter-terrorism coalition, the U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Kenneth Gross spoke at a press conference in Dushanbe today while answering questions of reporters regarding problems with neighboring state connected with deliveries of strategic cargoes for Tajikistan and cargoes designed for the counter-terrorism coalition in Afghanistan that are transited through the territory of Uzbekistan.

• Tajikistan toughens border crossing procedures at Gorno-Badakhshan direction of Tajik-Chinese and Tajik-Afghan border

Dushanbe. June 25. “Asia-Plus” -- Introduction of tough border crossing procedures at the Gorno-Badakhshan direction of the Tajik-Chinese and Tajik-Afghan border is connected with the working visit of Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon to GBAO on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the Tajik National Unity Day.

Economic /Energy Front

• Central Asia countries discuss possible rejoining of Tajikistan to United Energy System

Dushanbe. June 24. “Asia-Plus” -- Member states of the Central Asia Energy Coordination Council (CA ECC – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan) are discussing an opportunity of resuming the united energy system in concurrent mode, Novosti Kazakhstana Kazakh news agency reports citing Almasadam Satkaliev, President of KEOGOC company, as source.

• Tajik President launches construction of Ok-Su-2 small hydropower plant in Murgab region

Khorog. June 25. “Asia-Plus” -- In the course of his working trip on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the National Unity Day, this morning Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon departed from Khorog to Murgab region.

Social Front

• First-ever daily newspaper to appear in Tajikistan

Dushanbe. June 25. “Asia-Plus” -- Imruz-news, the first-ever daily newspaper, will appear in Tajikistan. Date of the first issue remains unclear.

Turkmenistan

Political Front



Geo Strategic Front

• ODIHR Head Buoyed By Turkmen 'Willingness To Engage'

A top official from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has praised what he calls a "new readiness" by Turkmen officials to "engage and cooperate" with his organization, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service reports.

• Tajikistan supports international initiatives of Turkmenistan

The Republic of Tajikistan fully supports the constructive international initiatives of Turkmenistan aimed at consolidating common efforts in the search for optimal solutions to current issues of concern to all mankind, and in particular on disarmament, said Foreign Minister of Tajikistan Khamrokhon Zarifi at the meeting with President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Ashgabat on June 24.

• OSCE Secretary General highly rates Ashgabat's forum on disarmament issues

On June 24, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received the Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, who arrived in Ashgabat to participate in the International Conference on Disarmament in Central Asia and Caspian Basin.

• Turkmenistan and Iran interested in enhancing cooperation

On June 24, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Manouchehr Mottaki, who arrived in Ashgabat at the head of his country's delegation to attend the International Conference on Disarmament in Central Asia and Caspian Basin.

• International Forum in Ashgabat lays foundation for development of specific measures for disarmament in the region

The participants of the International Conference on Disarmament in Central Asia and Caspian Basin, which was held under the UN auspices in Ashgabat on June 24, adopted the final document that says the dialogue was productive and highly constructive.

• Turkmenistan speaks in favor of addressing issues of disarmament in Central Asia in the framework of UN

Turkmenistan is guided by the principle of prioritization and appropriateness of addressing issues of disarmament in the framework of international organizations and forums, primarily the United Nations and its Commission for Disarmament, using political and diplomatic instruments.

• Russia supports all peace initiatives of Turkmenistan

Russia supports all peace initiatives of Turkmenistan aimed at consolidating the efforts of the international community to ensure peace and security, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Andrei Denisov said on June 23 during the meeting with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Andrei Denisov arrived in Ashgabat to attend the International Conference on Disarmament in Central Asia and Caspian Basin.

Economic /Energy Front

• TX Oil Ltd (USA) interested in cooperation with Turkmenistan in fuel and energy sector

On June 22, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received the heads of TX Oil Ltd (Texas, USA) company - Neil Mallon Bush, president of the company, and Mark Allen Bush, member of the Board of Directors.

• Turkmenistan and China hold first business forum

The Turkmen capital hosted the first Turkmen-Chinese business forum. Member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Secretary of the Central Commission of the CPC Central Committee Ho Guo Qiang, who is on a working visit to Ashgabat, participated in the forum as the guest of honor.

• Agreements reached on construction of second gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to China

On June 18, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov received the member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Secretary of the Central Commission of the Central Committee of the CPC Ho Guo Qiang, who arrived in Ashgabat yesterday at the head of the delegation of the People's Republic of China.

Social Front

• UNDP Implements Project on Combating Desertification and Drought in Turkmenistan

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility are implementing an environmental project in Turkmenistan aimed at sustainable management of land resources and combating desertification and drought.

• French Diplomat Sees Turkmen Desire To Improve Rights Situation

France's ambassador for human rights says he sees a genuine desire by Turkmen authorities to improve the human rights situation in Turkmenistan, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service reports. Ambassador Francois Zimeray recently visited Ashgabat and met with Turkmen authorities. He told RFE/RL that while the human rights situation is still poor, it is better than under former President Saparmurat Niyazov, when "there were no human rights at all."

Uzbekistan

Political Front

• Kyrgyz Officials Visit Refugee Camps In Uzbekistan

ANDIJON, Uzbekistan -- An official delegation from Kyrgyzstan's Jalal-Abad region visited ethnic Uzbeks in refugee camps in neighboring Uzbekistan on June 22 and urged them to return home, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Geo Strategic Front

• Uzbek Exclave In Southern Kyrgyzstan Opens Borders

BATKEN, Kyrgyzstan -- An exclave of Uzbekistan surrounded by Kyrgyzstan's southern Batken Oblast has been opened for transit of Kyrgyz vehicles and citizens, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

• Ethnic Uzbek men rest at a refugee camp on the Kyrgyz side of the border with Uzbekistan on June 20.

JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan -- Thousands of ethnic Uzbeks have begun returning to Kyrgyzstan's southern Osh and Jalal-Abad regions from refugee camps in neighboring Uzbekistan, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Economic /Energy Front



Social Front