Latest Articles about Central Asia
TEMPORARY HALT OF TURKMEN GAS DELIVERIES VIA RUSSIA SENDS RIPPLES DOWNSTREAM
On January 10, Turkmenistan resumed deliveries of natural gas to Russia after a ten-day suspension. The Turkmennebit [Turkmenneftegaz] company had closed the valves on the Russia-bound export pipeline at midnight on December 31-January 1 ostensibly for "repair and maintenance work," following several public demands by... MORE
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
LACK OF REGIONAL COORDINATION FACILITATES REGULAR FLOODING IN CENTRAL ASIA
The government of Kazakhstan, true to its tradition of international solidarity, was quick to offer a helping hand to tsunami-affected areas of Southeast Asia. On January 3 a cargo plane took off from Karaganda airport to deliver 46 tons of foodstuffs and medicines to Sri... 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
ASTANA PONDERS KREMLIN’S “LOST OPPORTUNITIES” IN KAZAKHSTAN
Summing up the main events of the widely hyped "Year of Russia in Kazakhstan," policymakers on both sides of the border have good reason to be disappointed. Even on the secondary level of inter-parliamentary contacts, leaders are not pleased with the state of bilateral ties.... 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
KARIMOV PLAYS SECURITY CARD IN ADVANCE OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS
President Islam Karimov has again raised the need for heightened security and cooperation with the United States in the war on terror ahead of Uzbekistan's December 26 parliamentary elections. Coinciding with the re-run of the presidential election in Ukraine, the Uzbek vote will stand in... 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