A NEW ROUTE OUT OF CENTRAL ASIA?

During an August 25-26visit to Bishkek, Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto discussedwith Kyrgyz officials the possibility of constructing an internationalhighway from Kyrgyzstan through Chinese territory to Pakistan,Russian radio reported. She also signed agreements on the deliveryof Kyrgyz-produced hydropower to Pakistan via China, the mutualprotection of investments, and joint measures against drug trafficking,and she discussed joint projects in the food-processing sectorand the opening of Bishkek-Islamabad regular air flights. Bhuttoearlier had discussed the international highway with Kazakh presidentNursultan Nazarbayev; and like him and the Kyrgyz leadership,Uzbekistan reportedly is interested in the project as well.

Kazakhstan Will Put Several Businesses Under Russian Control.