Latest Articles about Central Asia

ASTANA WORKS TO STAVE OFF UKRAINE’S ADVANCING ORANGE TIDE

Days before New Year 2005 began, leaders of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, and Ak Zhol Democratic Party paid a visit to Kyiv to congratulate Viktor Yushchenko on his victory in the Ukrainian presidential elections. This symbolic gesture of solidarity between... MORE

TAJIKISTAN OFFICIALS FAIL TO APPREHEND KEY MEMBER OF BAYAT

On the night of December 25-26, 2004, law-enforcement officials in Tajikistan attempted to apprehend a member of the Islamic terrorist organization Bayat, Ali Aminov, in the village of Chorku, Isfara district, Sogdy oblast (northern Tajikistan). Law-enforcement agents had received a tip that Aminov was hiding... MORE

KAZAKHSTAN SEEKS DIVERSE SECURITY PARTNERS

Kazakhstan has opened a new hanger at a military air base in Karaganda, both commemorating Independence Day (December 15) and highlighting its image as a regional power prepared to take its place in constructing regional security and combating terrorism. Hailing the development at Karaganda as... MORE

NAZARBAYEV HIJACKS OPPOSITION PLANS FOR ELECTING GOVERNORS

To an outside observer, the December 6 presidential decree on electing of village governors (akims) and experimental elections of local leaders in several districts, including the cities of Astana and Almaty, appears to be a good omen of far-reaching political reform. The official wording of... MORE

ELECTRICITY SHORTAGE SPARKS RIOTING IN FERGANA VALLEY

On December 1 a spontaneous riot erupted in Markhamat, a district center located 30 km south of the city of Andizhan in Uzbekistan's Fergana Valley. The riot involved approximately 300-350 people and was precipitated by electricity shortages in the district. The rioters demanded that the... MORE

KAZAKHSTAN PAYS HIGH PRICE FOR COURTING FOREIGN COMPANIES

During the first days of December, Kazakhstan was hit with several crises that deeply shook the state's belief in smooth, trouble-free development. Just as the investigations began into the causes of the explosions outside the agricultural library in Almaty (see EDM, November 30), reports emerged... MORE