Latest Articles about Central Asia
KARIMOV VOWS TO HEAD OFF ORANGE REVOLUTION IN UZBEKISTAN
Dismissing the idea of an "orange revolution" in Uzbekistan , President Islam Karimov said in a rare interview printed in the Russian news daily Nezavisimaya gazeta on Friday (January 14) that foreign influence would play no role in Uzbekistan because, "Foreign interference is effective only... MORE
KYRGYZSTAN TEETERS ON VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
Ukraine 's Orange Revolution has produced a not unexpected reaction throughout Central Asia , a region where elections, more often than not, are orchestrated endorsements of the ruling party and its leader. This reaction is one of profound fear and alarm. Throughout Central Asia leaders... MORE
KAZAKHSTAN SUFFERS FIRST DEATH OF PEACEKEEPER IN IRAQ
Kazakhstan has suffered its first military casualty in Iraq. On January 9 Captain Kayrat Kudabayev died from his injuries after an explosion in Al-Suwaira, north of Wasit province. This incident marks a significant test for Kazakhstan in its ongoing commitment to peace support operations within... MORE
ASTANA PLEDGES STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH RUSSIA
On January 12 Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Almaty for a two-day official visit, his first foreign trip of the new year. Abandoning the usual practice of announcing upcoming visits by state leaders, Kazakhstan's official media refrained from publicizing Putin's visit prior to his... MORE
UZBEKISTAN BULLDOZES SETTLEMENTS ALONG BORDER WITH KAZAKHSTAN
A tense situation is unfolding near the South Kazakhstan--Uzbekistan border. In a program approved by Uzbekistan's Prime Minister, Shavkat Mirziyaev, local authorities are planning to demolish settlements and private dachas that happen to be located in the zone of border delimitation. Two districts of the... MORE
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