24-hour news updates on Central Asia at www.timesca.com 7KH7LPHVRI&HQWUDO$VLD7KH7LPHVRI&HQWUDO$VLD7KH7LPHVRI&HQWUDO$VLD Independent weekly April 21, 2011 Founder: Giorgio Fiacconi Vol. 13 No 16 (665)

Uzbek economy Tajik security forces consuming too much energy claim to have killed TASHKENT (TCA) — In the coming years Uzbekistan’s electric power industry will militant leader KDYHWRGHDOZLWKDGH¿- cit of energy sources, and will have to in- crease generating ca- DUSHANBE (STRATFOR) SDFLW\DQGHI¿FLHQF\LI — Tajik President Emomali it wants to attract seri- Rakhmon on April 18 praised ous investors. his country’s security forces for an operation in eastern BY DILSHOD Tajikistan on April 15 that ASHURMATOV resulted in the deaths of 15 In mid-March the World Bank militants, possibly including granted the Uzbek government noted militant leader Mullah a US $110 million loan to up- Abdullah. Abdullah’s possible grade the Talimarjan thermal power plant (TPP) in the south. GHDWKFRXOGVLJQL¿FDQWO\DIIHFW The loan will be used to build a the security situation in Cen- new substation with a capacity tral Asia and could have im- of 500/220 kilovolt at the Tali- marjan TPP and a new 218 ki- plications for Russia as well. lometer-long 500 kilovolt power transmission line from the new substation to Sogdiana substa- President Rakhmon praised his country’s security tion (Samarkand region), and forces for what he deemed a successful operation in the WKHLU XQL¿FDWLRQ ZLWK WKH WZR Nurobod district in eastern Tajikistan last Friday. The substations in Kashkadariya. operation resulted in the deaths of 15 militants, report- ODK¶VGHDWKZRXOGVLJQL¿FDQWO\LPSDFWWKHVHFXULW\VLWXDWLRQLQ7DMLNLVWDQ Two years ago national en- edly including opposition leader Abdullah Rahimov, which is a key factor in the stability of the wider Fergana Valley region and ergy company Uzbekenergo an- DOVRNQRZQDV0XOODK$EGXOODK,IFRQ¿UPHG$EGXO- Continued on page 5 nounced plans to implement a $1.28 billion project to modern- ize Talimarjan TPP in 2010-2014, with $800 million coming from foreign investment. Kazakhstan’s blue-chips remain Most of the generating fa- cilities were built in the 1960s- 1970s. Thermal power plants are the main focus of the moderniza- in unchallenged position tion program. Increased capacity and reduced fuel consumption ALMATY — Three Kazakh blue-chip enterprises, one of which is state-controlled while the other will be established using modern two are majority private-owned, are part of the London Stock Exchange’s benchmark stock these energy production technologies days. Rated stable by global corporate performance watchdogs, attempts by rivals to join their such as combined cycle and gas turbine units with a total cost of ranks have been somewhat less impressive. The result is that the three leading companies, state $3.6 billion. oil and gas producer KMG EP and the two non-ferrous metal miners and processors Kazakhmys The modernization project and ENRC, all of which published their results over 2010 lately, do not seem to have much reason includes the construction of a combined cycle unit at the Tash- to fear that their position should come under threat from rivals in years to come. kent TPP (370 megawatt) worth $465 million, Talimarjan TPP even though sales revenues Ibrahimov and Mashkevi- initial public offer (IPO) (two units of 450 megawatt each) BY CHARLES only increased by around 34 ch, though the largest sin- launched on October 7 2005, worth $1.05 billion, and Navoi VAN DER LEEUW per cent (see table). Sharp de- gle shareholder is none less and resulted in a market TPP (400 megawatt) worth $650 SPECIAL TO TCA ductions in impairments can than Kazakhmys, saw its capitalisation in LSE stock PLOOLRQ2YHUWKHQH[W¿YH\HDUV be seen as the main factor in 2010 revenue rise by roughly worth $16.427 billion. It generating capacities of these Kazakhmys, led by a Ka- the company’s strengthened three-quarters, set against was followed a year later, on TPPs will increase up to 12,300 zakhstan tycoon of Korean performance. Rival ENRC which its net earnings more October 4 2006, by Kazmu- megawatts, with power produc- descent, has stunned friend (Eurasian Natural Resources than doubled. naygas EP, which brought in tion increasing to 61-62 billion and foe by increasing its net Corporation), jointly control- Kazakhmys was the first $11.5064 billion. On July 7 kilowatt hours. earnings over 2010 by more led by three Kazakh tycoons to enter the London Stock 2007, Continued on page 12 than two-and-a-half times, by the names of Shodiev, Exchange with an Continued on page 13 www.timesca.com 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD 2 NEWS April 21, 2011 BEIJING (Xinhua) Nations and the Shanghai Co- — China and Uz- operation Organization, Hu China, Uzbekistan vow said. bekistan signed eight Echoing Hu’s proposal, Kari- cooperation agree- mov said Uzbekistan attaches great importance to its rela- ments here on Tues- to step up partnership tions with China and always day, pledging to step views China as a reliable coop- up their friendly and tion within bilateral and multi- eration partner. lateral frameworks and timely The Uzbek side is ready to cooperative partner- exchange information to crack work with China to further ship to a higher level. down on the “three evil forces” promote the two countries’ of separatism, extremism and friendly and cooperative part- The signing of the agree- terrorism, including the “East- nership, Karimov noted. ments, which range from in- ern Turkistan” terrorist forces, Next year marks the 20th an- vestment, economic coop- and transnational organized niversary of the establishment HUDWLRQ ¿QDQFH WR QDWXUDO crimes. of China-Uzbekistan diplo- resource, took place after talks Fourthly, the two nations matic relations, Karimov said, between Chinese President Hu should expand people-to-peo- adding that the two countries Jintao and his visiting Uzbek ple exchanges and promote should make full use of this oc- counterpart Islam Karimov. non-governmental friendship, casion to strengthen top-level During the talks, Hu offered Hu said, calling on both sides exchanges, promote people-to- D¿YHSRLQWSURSRVDOWRFRQVRO- to take the opportunity of the people exchanges and expand idate the bilateral ties, suggest- 20th anniversary of the estab- FRRSHUDWLRQLQYDULRXV¿HOGVLQ ing the two nations work closer lishment of China-Uzbekistan RUGHUWREULQJPRUHEHQH¿WVWR so to safeguard peace and sta- diplomatic relationship next the peoples. bility in the region and the rest year to push forward exchanges He said Uzbekistan will con- of the world. of different forms between the tinue its staunch support for Firstly, the two nations could Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R) holds a welcome ceremony in two peoples to further consoli- China on Taiwan and Tibet is- honor of Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov (2nd L) in Beijing on sues and work with China to enhance all-level exchanges April 19 (Xinhua) date the social basis of bilateral and political mutual trust, Hu friendship. combat the “three evil forces” said, adding that both sides Finally, China and Uzbeki- for regional peace and stability. should maintain close high- cooperation and further prag- for investment to facilitate the stan could enhance multilat- The two heads of state also level exchanges, deepen coop- matic cooperation. investment of Chinese enter- eral coordination and mutual exchanged views on interna- eration between governments, Both parties should promote prises in Uzbekistan and vice support. tional and regional issues of legislative bodies and parties, continued and steady growth in versa, he added. Hu said China supports Uz- common concern, according to as well as develop and improve bilateral trade, broaden cooper- Thirdly, according to Hu, bekistan’s entrance into the a press release issued from the the bilateral cooperation mech- ation in energy, non-resources China and Uzbekistan should World Trade Organization and Chinese Foreign Ministry. anism. VHFWRUV WUDI¿F DQG FRPPXQL- deepen security cooperation is willing to deepen the coor- As Hu’s guest, Karimov ar- Secondly, the Chinese presi- cation, Hu said. to safeguard regional stability. dination and cooperation with rived in Beijing on Tuesday, dent suggested that the two The two countries should Both parties should enhance Uzbekistan within multilateral starting his two-day state visit nations explore potentials for also improve the environment security dialogue and coordina- frameworks such as the United to China.

Uzbek president signs law Felix Kulov’s faction may join broadening parliamentary Kyrgyz ruling coalition — source parties’ rights TASHKENT (Interfax) — The political par- BISHKEK (Interfax) — The parliamentary faction ties represented in the Uzbek parliament got the right to nominate candidates for prime minister of the Ar-Namys (Dignity) opposition party, which is DQGH[SUHVVWKHYRWHRIQRFRQ¿GHQFHLQWKHSULPH OHGE\SURPLQHQW.\UJ\]SROLWLFDO¿JXUH)HOL[.X- minister after the relevant constitutional amend- lov, is engaged in negotiations on its possible entry PHQWV ZHUH RI¿FLDOO\ SXEOLVKHG DQG HQIRUFHG RQ Tuesday. into the republic’s ruling coalition, an Ar-Namys The bills setting forth the new arrangement were source told Interfax on Tuesday. passed by the lower house and upheld by the Sen- ate before they were signed by Uzbek President Is- The faction is “frustrated by a faction, welcomed the Ar-Namys lam Karimov on Monday. Felix Kulov, leader of The new law establishes the democratic and statement made by ten Ar-Namys deputies’ decision because “it will Kyrgyzstan’s opposition deputies at the end of last week, who help promote stability both inside Ar Namys party (RFE/RL) constitutional principles, whereby nomination for decided to join the ruling coalition the ruling coalition and in the re- prime minister is proposed by the political party without quitting the parliamentary public as a whole”. “We all have to put aside our per- which wins the largest number of seats in the low- faction,” the source said. “The Ata-Jurt faction has always sonal interests, our group or party er house, or by several political parties mustering “The faction thinks that the depu- favored the creation of a broad co- ambitions, and think about the na- an equal number of parliamentary mandates. ties’ decision was too hasty,” he alition, and it welcomes the entry tion, about Kyrgyz statehood,” the Until recently president would submit nomina- said. of ten deputies from the Ar-Namys statement says. tions for prime minister to parliament. The coalition’s planned enlarge- party into the majority coalition,” On April 15, the government’s $YRWHRIQRFRQ¿GHQFHLQWKHSULPHPLQLVWHUZLOO ment could be announced at a par- he said. press service announced that Ar- be deemed adopted if it wins at least two thirds of liamentary session on April 21, he The ruling coalition, formed by Namys faction members Anvar the overall number of members of the lower house said. the Respublika Party, the Social Artykov, Zamir Bekboev, Esengul and of the upper house, respectively. In this case A source in the Ata-Jurt (Father- Democratic Party and Ata-Jurt, con- Isakov, Kanybek Imanaliev, Ab- the president will dismiss the prime minister and land) faction, which is a member trols 77 parliamentary seats, while dyrakhman Mamataliev, Tokon the entire cabinet, according to the law. of the ruling coalition, mentioned the Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party and Mamytov, Kojobek Ryspaev, Ka- From now on, both houses of parliament will possible changes in the coalition’s the Ata-Meken (Motherland) Party, mila Talieva, Nurlan Torobekov, hear the prime minister’s reports on the pressing lineup as well. act as parliament’s opposition, hold- and Talantbek Uzakbaev sent a socioeconomic issues, which will seriously expand “The session on Thursday will ing 25 and 18 seats, respectively. letter to Prime Minister Almazbek the powers of the bicameral parliament in exercis- most likely be rich in surprises, The ten Ar-Namys party mem- Atambayev expressing their sup- ing its control functions. including the enlargement of the bers said in a statement on April port for the coalition. Under the constitutional amendments, if the in- ruling coalition to include the Ar- 19 that they did not make any deals The deputies wrote in a joint let- cumbent president is unable to perform his func- Namys party,” the source told In- with the leadership of the ruling ter that their decision was based on tions, his powers will be temporarily switched to terfax. Ata-Jurt, Respublika, and Social an analysis of the current political the Senate speaker to be followed by presidential For his part, Kyrgyz Parliament Democratic parties and have not situation and the government’s re- elections within three months. Speaker Akhmatbek Keldibekov, asked for any government posts in sponsibility for the country’s devel- The constitution has been amended at the presi- who is a member of the Ata-Jurt exchange for their allegiance. opment. dent’s initiative. 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD www.timesca.com April 21, 2011 FOCUS ON AFGHANISTAN 3

Karzai challenges NATO New Koran furor over is deter- United States on mined to night raids and continue ‘toilet paper’ accusation civilian casualties its long- t e r m KABUL — Thousands tasked a delegation to investi- gations are going on. KABUL — Afghan Presi- partner- of Afghans have at- gate the alleged disrespect to The development comes fol- dent Hamid Karzai has told ship mili- our holy book in that factory,” lowing a series of Afghan ral- a visiting U.S. congressional tary and Simon Gass, Senior Civilian tacked a company in VDLGDVSRNHVPDQIRUWKHRI¿FH lies against Qur’an burning delegation that the American as well as Amanullah Iman. in the United States in early Representa- the capital Kabul for military must scale back night civilian tive of NATO desecrating Islam’s “We have arrested three peo- April. raids and military operations coopera- in Afghanistan ple including the director of the The sacrilegious move, en- causing civilian casualties, tion, he (official photo) Holy Book and re- company so far [...] we are tak- dorsed by US authorities as RFE/RL reported Tuesday. said. cycling copies of the ing the issue very seriously.” “freedom of expression,” un- The call came as Karzai “We know from past experi- The angry Muslim masses leashed a wave of deadly pro- Koran. met John Boehner, U.S. house ence that if you leave the job in the South Asian country as- tests in Afghanistan. speaker, who is leading a six- half-done in Afghanistan, you serted that about three tons of Ten UN foreign workers were member delegation from the will face more problems in Furious protesters destroyed books were recycled in the fac- killed after a small number of House of Representatives. the future and the people of part of an Afghan paper mill tory in the eastern suburbs of furious protesters stormed the Civilian casualties during Afghanistan will face more and torched its furniture on Kabul. UN headquarters in the north- military operations and night problems in the future,” Mr. April 18 over claims that the The protesters also accused ern Afghan city of Mazar-i- raids are highly sensitive is- Gass said. mill had “recycled school foreign elements of having a Sharif against a background of sues in Afghanistan and are a He said Afghan peace pro- books, including copies of the hand in the disgraceful act, the anti-Western sentiments in the repeated source of tension be- cess led by Professor Burhan- Koran into toilet paper.” report added. country. tween Karzai’s administration uddin Rabbani has full sup- Copies of the Koran were They demanded that those in- At least ten Afghans were and its Western allies. port of NATO. found inside the factory, Ka- volved be prosecuted. The pro- killed and over 80 others Boehner is the most senior He also emphasized that the bul police spokesman Hashmat testers promised to stay on the wounded in the southern city Republican in the U.S. Con- process is completely an Af- Stanikzai said, adding that no- streets until justice is served. of Kandahar in the second day gress and second in line for ghan led process. one was injured in the protest. Local police authorities said of violent protests over the des- the country’s presidency after The High Peace Council ³7KHDWWRUQH\JHQHUDO¶VRI¿FH chief executive of the company ecration of the Holy Book. Vice President Joe Biden. has been formed as part of and Kabul police have jointly has been arrested and investi- (Press TV, AFP, RFE/RL) The delegation visited Iraq Afghan government efforts on April 17 and was in Paki- to bring peace and stability in stan on April 18. the country. The peace council hasn’t Afghan security important Three protesters come up with a huge break- through with anti-government killed during groups despite making several to Iran — Foreign Minister demonstration trips to Pakistan, Turkey and some other countries. TEHRAN — Iranian Foreign Minister Ali in Afghanistan Akbar Salehi has stressed the importance of KABUL ² 2I¿FLDOV VD\ Afghanistan probes strengthening stability in Afghanistan, saying at least three protesters died secret US jails Tehran is ready to help Kabul with its welfare and several were injured in a clash with police during a KABUL — The Afghan and security, Press TV reported Monday. protest against the detention government is conducting an of an alleged insurgent in the investigation about secret de- In a meeting with Afghan to run internal affairs. northern Afghan province of tention centers in the country Deputy Foreign Minister Ja- Salehi and Ludin exchanged Parwan on Monday, accord- which are run by the US mili- weed Ludin in the Iranian views on ways to expand Teh- Iranian Foreign Minister ing to RFE/RL. tary, Press TV reported Mon- capital, Tehran, on April 17, ran-Kabul relations and the Ali Akbar Salehi (RFE/RL) A crowd estimated at sever- day. Salehi said the two sides en- latest developments in the re- al thousands demonstrated in “The attorney general’s of- joy cultural and historical gion. Iran, an immediate neigh- the provincial capital Charikar ¿FH LV SURELQJ WKH LVVXH RI commonalties and positive Despite the presence of bor of Afghanistan, has called after the arrest of three men – secret prisons,” said Amanul- capabilities to improve mu- about 150,000 US-led foreign for a regional solution to the said to be local religious lead- lah Iman, a spokesman for the tual relations. troops in Afghanistan, the Afghan crisis and blames ers – by the NATO-led Inter- government. The top Iranian diplomat country remains devastated by growing insecurity and drug national Security Assistance The US military has con- expressed hope the Afghan militancy as well as persistent trafficking on foreign mili- Force and Afghan forces. ¿UPHG WKH H[LVWHQFH RI VH- government would cooperate bombardments and ground at- tary presence in the war-torn ISAF said two of those de- cret prisons in Afghanistan, with all groups in the country tacks by foreign troops. country. tained on April 17 were re- claiming they serve as tem- leased, but one was still being porary places for interrogat- held. The head of the provin- ing and gathering information cial council, Ahmad Zaki from detainees and will not be Zahid accused “opportunists Suicide attack on Afghan closed. DQG HQHPLHV´ RI LQ¿OWUDWLQJ Afghans are reportedly held the protest and shooting at the captive for up to nine weeks coalition forces. Defense Ministry kills 2 in secret US detention facili- He said three foreign soldiers ties, depending on the value were injured in the clash. KABUL – A man wearing an Af- ister Gerard Longuet. French officials say of information they produce, JKDQDUP\XQLIRUPRSHQHG¿UH Longuet was not in the ministry at the time. and are tortured by American The incident at the Defense Ministry is the NATO exit can ruin Monday inside the Afghan Defense prison guards. latest in a series of attacks on Afghan security Afghan future There are about twenty se- Ministry in Kabul, killing at least forces by assailants wearing military or police cret detention centers in Af- two people and injuring seven in uniforms. KABUL — Afghanistan ghanistan three of which are On April 16, an Afghan army soldier killed the third such attack on a security would face more problems said to be inside US Bagram five NATO and four Afghan soldiers in east- in the future if NATO leaves airbase where there are report- installation in less than a week. ern Laghman province. A day earlier in south- the country, Simon Gass Se- edly 800 detainees, reports ern Afghanistan, a suicide bomber dressed as nior Civilian Representative say. The base came to high- Defense Ministry spokesman General Mo- a police officer killed Kandahar province’s of NATO in Afghanistan said light in 2002 when US troops hammad Zahir Azimi said the attacker was police chief. on April 17, informed Tolo beat two prisoners to death. wearing a suicide vest but was killed before In other violence on Monday, authorities say News. The International Red Cross he could detonate it during the attack in the a roadside bomb hit a police vehicle in eastern Simon Gass was appointed Committee had earlier con- Afghan capital. Seven people were wounded Ghazni province, killing six Afghan police of- as the NATO Senior Civilian ¿UPHGUHSRUWVRQWKHH[LVWHQFH in the attack, in addition to the deaths. ficers. Representative in Afghani- of a secret detention facility at The Taliban claimed responsibility, saying stan in February 2011. the US airbase in Bagram. the attack’s target was French Defense Min- (VOA News, RFE/RL) www.timesca.com CENTRAL ASIA IN BRIEF 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD 4 April 21, 2011

Kazakhs urged Week of Tajik Ministry Uzbek subway Nazarbayev of Health starts to donate for Austrian Culture stations get commissioned a new round ÀRRGKLWZHVW held in Bishkek metal detectors Government of National in wake of to introduce ASTANA (RFE/RL) Immunization Minsk blast — Kazakhs are being urged school to donate one day’s wages to Days TASHKENT (RFE/RL) — education KHOSYLFWLPVRIUHFHQWÀRRGV Security has been tightened on in the west of the country, DUSHANBE (TCA) — On on three 18 April, the Ministry of public transport in Tashkent fol- RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service lowing last week’s deadly bomb- languages reported on April 19. Health started a new round of National Immunization Days ing of a subway station in the 2I¿FLDOVLQWKH7DUEDJKDWDL Belarusian capital, Minsk, RFE/ ASTANA (KAZINFORM) District of East Kazakhstan (NIDs) against polio, aiming — Head of State Nursultan to vaccinate about 1.1 million RL’s Uzbek Service reported on Oblast announced that local April 19. Nazarbayev has commis- people raised 5 million teng- children under the age of 5 sioned the Government to throughout Tajikistan. Accord- Some subway stations have HV  IRUÀRRGYLFWLPV already been equipped with introduce education on three in one day by donating one ing to UNICEF Representative languages in schools by 2016, in Tajikistan, Mr. Hongwei metal detectors while others day’s wages. DUHJXDUGHGE\VHFXULW\RI¿FHUV as KazInform reported on 7KH RI¿FLDOV PDGH SXE- Gao, this round will continue april 16. until 22 April and will be fol- ZLWKERPEVQLI¿QJGRJV lic a petition signed by local A recorded announcement on The President set such a lowed by another round of po- task at the Government’s ses- activists, retired people, and Austrian Ambassador the subway urges people to re- nongovernmental organiza- lio immunization for the same sion. Ursula Fahringer age group on 23-27 May. port any unattended bags. A bus tions calling all citizens of driver in Tashkent told RFE/RL As he noted, it is necessary Kazakhstan to donate one The new NIDs rounds are to introduce learning of the BISHKEK (TCA) — Last organized to boost children’s RQ $SULO  WKDW VHFXULW\ RI¿- day’s wages to help the relief week Bishkek witnessed an ex- cials ordered transport drivers to English language from the effort. immunity against polio and ¿UVWFODVV traordinary number of events ensure that the transmission of report any suspicious behavior The Emergency Situations Besides, the Head of State organized by the Austrian wild polio virus in Tajikistan and gave them a special number Ministry announced on April emphasized necessity of ex- Embassy in cooperation with has ended. In 2010, Tajikistan to call. 19 that a special bank account pansion of a network of intel- different local partners in the became home to the world’s Uzbek authorities tightened KDV EHHQ RSHQHG IRU ÀRRG lectual schools, which develop framework of a “Week of Aus- largest polio outbreak of the the already stringent security donations, and that over 10 potential of talented children trian Culture” held to strength- year with 458 laboratory con- measures at Tashkent’s interna- million tenges ($68,000) has all over the country. en the presence of Austria in ¿UPHG FDVHV UHJLVWHUHG LQ WKH tional airport following the blast been collected to date. the Kyrgyz Republic and to country. Quick and repeated at Moscow’s Domodedovo Air- Floods caused by melting broaden the knowledge of its vaccination campaigns were port in January. Number of snow and heavy rains started inhabitants about this small effective in halting the trans- Internet users about two weeks ago in West European country. mission of polio virus in 2010. Kazakhstan Oblast and have 7KH RI¿FLDO FHUHPRQ\ RI All boys and girls under Tajik Premier in Uzbekistan damaged thousands of pri- the opening of an Austrian the age of 5 must receive two League vate homes and commercial Library in the Arabaev State drops of the life-saving oral reaches 7.55m buildings. Local roads and University by the head of the football player polio vaccine during the both TASHKENT (Ferghana. highways are under water. Cultural-Political department rounds, irrespective of previ- GLVTXDOL¿HG The high waters also affected of the Foreign Ministry of Aus- ru) — The number of Internet ous immunizations. The vac- users in Uzbekistan reported power supplies, telephone tria, Ambassador Martin Eich- cine is safe and recommended because of his communications, and gas tinger, together with pro-rector by the Uzbekistan Agency for by WHO. Children living in beard information and communica- mains. of the university Tuuganbai remote and hard to reach areas Konurbaev marked the begin- tion (UAIC) is estimated at will be immunized by mobile 7.55 million, Ferghana.ru re- Ambassador ning of the week-long festivi- vaccinator teams. ties and events. ported on April 19. Sergey Belyaev The Austrian Library in According to the UAIC di- EU hopes that rector Khakim Muhitdinov, to lead OSCE Bishkek is already the 60th Austrian Library worldwide the authorities the per capita internet usage Centre and shows the importance in Uzbekistan reaches 265,3 Austria puts in this network of Kyrgyzstan users per 1000 people. He in Ashgabat was particularly proud of the of cooperation in the spheres will continue to of culture and science with 93,7% degree of digitalization ASHGABAT (Turkmeni- schools and universities in so DGYDQFHLQWHU across the country. Overall, stan.ru) — On April 18, far 28 different countries. almost 10.000 schools, over Turkmen President Gurban- ethnic dialogue «Central Asia offers an enor- Ferghana.ru 130 lyceums and 1200 col- guly Berdymukhammedov mous potential for Austria, also BISHKEK (KABAR) — leges, as well as 23 museums, received the newly appointed LQWKH¿HOGRI&XOWXUHDQG6FL- Catherine Ashton, the High DUSHANBE (Ferghana. 89 universities, 35 research head of the OSCE Centre in ence», Ambassador Eichtinger Representative of the European ru) — A leading player of the institutes and each and every Ashgabat, Sergei Belyaev, remarked during his opening Union for Foreign Affairs and Tajikistan’s Premier League library in the country have who has already taken up his speech on 13 April. Security Policy and Vice-Pres- Parviz Tursunov has been dis- been connected to «Ziyo- duties. Within the cultural program, ident of the Commission, made TXDOL¿HGDWWKHFRPPHQFHPHQW Net». The sides noted that coop- there were held readings of the statement concerning the of this year’s season at the na- Meanwhile, all of the above eration in the economic, so- novels, lectures, classical and anniversary of the April revo- tional championship because does not prevent Uzbekistan cial, humanitarian and others jazz concerts and the opening lution in Kyrgyzstan, as KA- of his beard, said Ferghana.ru from remaining in the top-13 spheres was one of the impor- RIDQH[KLELWLRQDERXWWKH¿UVW BAR news agency reported on on April 20. According to the list of “Internet enemies” that tant aspects of partnership. female Nobel laureate Mrs. April 18. senior coach of the “Khayr” suppress the online freedom The interaction in the Bertha von Suttner, which will “One year ago we witnessed team Tohir Muhminov, the of expression and have the sphere of ensuring global be shown to the public in the the dramatic events in Kyrgyz- team’s managers have no prob- toughest censorship, along energy security, where Turk- big hall of the Diplomatic acad- stan that led to the establish- lems with Tursunov’s beard, with China, Iran, North Ko- menistan has put forward a emy for the next two weeks. ment of a democratic consti- but the local police does: “as rea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, number of important initia- The new Consul of Austria tutional order in the country. I long as this problems is not Cuba, Turkmenistan, Viet- tives, was cited as one of the in the Kyrgyz Republic, Vladi- wish to congratulate the Kyr- settled, his [Parviz Tursunov’s] nam and Myanmar. Accord- priorities of cooperation. It mir Nikonov, proudly saw the gyz people for their determina- absence is affecting the team’s ing to the Reporters Without was noted during the conver- Consulate opened by Ambas- tion to pursue the democratiza- performance.” Borders, the local Center of sation that OSCE supports sador Eichtinger from Vienna tion process and to overcome Parviz Tursunov has actu- surveillance over mass com- these initiatives, as well as together with the representa- the consequences of last year’s ally said he would rather give munications based on the DVWUDWHJ\RQGLYHUVL¿FDWLRQ tives of the Foreign Ministry crisis. up football than his beard: UAIC’s platform scrutinizes of energy routes pursued by of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. The EU remains entirely “Football is just a game, but we ZHEFRQWHQWV DQG ¿OWHUV LQ- the Turkmen leader, and that Erkin Asangulov and Mr. Aidit committed to helping Kyrgyz- should think about the eternal. formation by restricting ac- OSCE is willing to continue Erkin, as well as the Austrian stan on its path towards further Having a beard is one of the im- cess to web-sites or removing the dialogue on energy is- Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Re- democratization and stabiliza- portant principles bequeathed undesirable content, articles sues. public, Mrs. Ursula Fahringer. tion.” by the Prophet Muhammad.” and texts. 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD www.timesca.com April 21, 2011 OPINION/POLITICS 5 LETTER FROM THE STEPPE The effects of a militant Gold mining: securing the leader’s reported death KRDUGV¿JKWLQJWKHGUDJRQV in Tajikistan Continued from page 1 of the death of one of Abdullah’s allies, ALMATY — It made only few minor headlines. But the fact that has important implications for Russia’s anti-government commander Alovud- in early March this year Polyus Gold, Russia’s largest precious presence in Central Asia. din Davlatov, have been disputed and Security sweeps have been ongoing Davlatov appeared in a video just days metals miner controlled by Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov, for several months in Tajikistan. This after the government said he was killed opened a Kyrgyz subsidiary named Polyus Kyrgyzstan has a latest operation is notable because of (though he was likely killed by secu- JUHDWHULPSDFWWKDQLWVPRGHVWRI¿FHGRZQWRZQ%LVKNHNZRXOG the reports of Abdullah’s death. Abdul- rity forces shortly thereafter). Also, as lah was a key commander of the Unit- STRATFOR previously mentioned, suggest. According to a report by the regional news agency Cen- ed Tajik Opposition (UTO), an alliance Tajikistan is one of the most at-risk tral Asia dated March 23 this year, Polyus’ move coincided with of democratic and Islamist forces, dur- countries in the former Soviet Union the new coalition government’s decision to freeze the contract ing Tajikistan’s 1992-1997 civil war. for instability. Continuing security Abdullah never accepted the peace sweeps in the Rasht Valley, combined with KazakhGold for the development of Kyrgyzstan’s richest treaty signed between the Rakhmon- with a countrywide government-led untapped gold deposit Jerooy in the north of the country. led Tajik government and opposition religious crackdown, have created forces represented by the UTO at the a tense atmosphere more conducive light of a global gold mar- gold mining companies end of the civil war. He did not take to unrest than Tajikistan has seen in BY CHARLES ket “changing colour”. Gold should live up to throughout a place in the government, as many years. Adding to these issues are recent VAN DER LEEUW prices on the London Bul- their operation and included members of the UTO did in exchange border tensions between Tajikistan and SPECIAL TO TCA lion market have been sta- in contracts. First of all, the for laying down Kyrgyzstan, which ble for the last two years or operator should prove and their arms. Abdullah’s death has seen its own As known, KazakhGold so, roughly within the range promise that he is capable of Instead, Abdul- rise in violence and is the Jersey-based and between $1,300 and $1,500 carrying out the operation ODK DOOHJHGO\ ÀHG ZRXOGVLJQL¿FDQWO\ instability in the London-traded offshore per troy ounce, but buying with in-house expertise and to Afghanistan LPSDFWWKHVHFXULW\ past year. Mean- branch of KazakhAltyn, a and selling motivation has capacity in terms of engi- and became a key while, a mistrust- family-owned gold corpora- changed fundamentally neering and other technical member of the Is- situation in ful Uzbekistan is tion of Kazakhstan which in since its spectacular four- tasks, that he has the neces- lamic Movement of 7DMLNLVWDQZKLFK closely monitoring the course of last year was fold rise in 2008, driven sary logistics and equipment Uzbekistan (IMU). developments in taken over by Polyus with by the rapidly spreading to do the work. Second, he Rumors of Abdul- LVDNH\IDFWRULQ the Fergana Val- the aim to incorporate the economic crisis that put an must prove and promise that lah’s reappearance ley. A return to Russian enterprise through end to the role of consuma- he is backed up by the nec- in the Rasht Val- WKHVWDELOLW\RI civil war in Tajiki- a so-called reversed takeo- bles’ futures as a hedge tool. essary funds to carry out the ley, an opposi- WKHZLGHU)HUJDQD stan still cannot be ver, and thereby enter the This meant that anyone pre- entire operation at his dis- tion stronghold in ruled out (though London Stock Exchange by tending to be a gold miner position without depending eastern Tajikistan, 9DOOH\UHJLRQDQG it does not appear proxy. The deal fell through could use their assets, in- RQQRQJXDUDQWHHG¿QDQFLDO emerged last year. KDVLPSRUWDQW likely at this point). after Polyus claimed that the cluding the gold yet to be resources. These voices co- There are many in- Kazakh party had forged its dug up, as paper to generate Third - and most impor- incided with an LPSOLFDWLRQVIRU dications that the balance sheet as a result of swift gains on speculation tant: such contracts should uptick in violence 5XVVLD¶VSUHVHQFH threat to the Tajik which its Russian would- through players in other be made non-transferrable, and militant activi- government ema- be partner had paid almost commodity markets and meaning that an external ty in the Rasht Val- LQ&HQWUDO$VLD nates more from twice as much for the as- capital markets. operator can only trans- ley and elsewhere political opponents sets - including Jerooy. In 6XFKURJXH¿UPVDUHHDV\ fer either part or all of his LQ7DMLNLVWDQIROORZLQJDKLJKSUR¿OH of Rakhmon than from transnational the course of last winter, the to recognise in the mining concession to a third party jailbreak from a Dushanbe prison in terrorists. parties compromised on a industry. In contrast to the either directly or through August 2010. Abdullah — a longtime However, if Abdullah was in fact buy-back by KazakhAltyn oil industry which by and a corporate stock swap. In target of the Rakhmon government — killed, his death would be an impor- of the assets at a discount large dwells on operators such a case, the contract became the Tajik government’s most- tant victory not only for the Tajik gov- on the original transaction - of the likes of Halliburton, VKRXOG EH VXVSHQGHG ¿UVW wanted man. Among other charges, ernment but also for Russia. Moscow leaving the latter with a neat Schlumberger and Tran- and either be renewed or authorities accused Abdullah of partic- has been increasing its military pres- LQFLGHQWDOSUR¿WLQWKHRUGHU socean to carry out the declared void later by the ipating in a September 2010 attack on a ence in Tajikistan in recent months, of $200 million. exploration, development government, and (prefer- Tajik military convoy in the Rasht Val- and according to STRATFOR sources Jerooy originally be- and production processes DEO\ UDWL¿HGE\3DUOLDPHQW ley that killed dozens of Tajik troops. in Dushanbe, the Russians have been longed to Oxus Gold of the as contractors, the mining Today in the case of Jerooy, Abdullah’s reported death comes intensifying their intelligence capabili- UK, which saw its licence industry still does much of the government has an op- during a period of demonstrable prog- ties in Tajikistan as well. Sources re- withdrawn in April 2007 the work in-house. Only re- portunity to do whatever ress for Tajik operations in the Rasht port that the targeting of Abdullah was for alleged lack of com- serves assessment is usual- it needs to do with the aim Valley, a particularly challenging the- a product of joint intelligence between pliance with the develop- O\GRQHE\DQRXWVLGH¿UP to avoid ownership tricks ater for Tajik security forces. Several the West and Russians, as the West has PHQWSURFHVVDVGH¿QHGLQ specialised in inventory and their negative results of Abdullah’s associates and former kept watch on Abdullah since his time the contract. According to FHUWL¿FDWLRQ DQG WKHUHE\ for mining operations on its opposition leaders have been killed, in Afghanistan. This likely made it the news agency, in real- SXWWLQJ D VWDPS RI FRQ¿- territory once and for all. while other opposition leaders and op- easier for Tajik forces to carry out the ity the venture was simply dence on deposits’ valua- There can be little doubt ponents of the Tajik government have strikes and kill Abdullah, if reports of racketeered by President tion. This makes it easier that Polyus Gold has the switched sides to assist Dushanbe. For his death are accurate. Bakiyev’s son Maxim, Kyr- to distinguish the miners ability to live up to all the instance, on April 13, Tajik Internal +RZHYHUFRQ¿UPDWLRQRI$EGXOODK¶V gyzstan’s Golden Boy who from the mavericks, but it abovementioned conditions, Affairs Minister Abdurahim Qahho- death would also raise several con- also controlled the Nation- still leaves host countries’ but it remains to be seen rov announced that Shoh Iskandarov, cerns, particularly regarding the identi- al Investment Fund, with authorities with the respon- whether other candidates an important former opposition com- ty of his successor and how militant or WKH ¿QDQFLDO"  EDFNLQJ RI sibilities to act accordingly. can. If such a new type of mander of the UTO, joined Tajik police opposition forces might respond. The Russia’s disgraced oligarch A simple but far-reach- contract will be given the forces as deputy head of the Internal security situation in Tajikistan — and Boris Berezovsky. Neither ing solution could be the status of jurisprudence Affairs Directorate for the Rasht group VSHFL¿FDOO\LQWKHYRODWLOH5DVKW9DOOH\ of them is known as a min- abolishment of the conces- through a court of law, all of districts. Far fewer military casual- — is a key factor in the stability of the ing engineer, and the agency sion regime and engage for- future deals will have to be ties have been reported during raids wider Fergana Valley region and bears believes that this is where eign companies only with in line with it as well. Final- LQWKH¿UVWPRQWKVRIFRPSDUHG important implications for Afghani- .D]DNK$OW\Q ¿WWHG LQ ,I the status of contractors, ly, it gives members of the to the last few months of 2010 (though stan, where Russia has been increasing this is true, it could also with the state retaining all Kyrgyz Parliament a unique reporting is far from a transparent pro- its cooperation with the United States explain the intervention by responsibilities operators opportunity to demonstrate cess, and the government has censored and the West. Therefore, it will be im- Polyus Gold, possibly under have today. But if the gov- that it really acts on behalf Tajik media coverage in the area). portant to monitor the level of violence the Kremlin’s benevolent ernment wishes to maintain of the nation that voted for it Despite these signs of improvement, in Tajikistan in the coming weeks and but persistent eye. the existing regime of con- LQWKH¿UVWSODFHUDWKHUWKDQ several issues remain for Dushanbe. months and to gauge the degree of What has happened since cessions, there should be at pursuing their own private 7KLV LV QRW WKH ¿UVW WLPH $EGXOODK¶V Russia’s involvement in maintaining 2007 could be seen in the least a number of conditions petty business. GHDWKKDVEHHQUHSRUWHG2I¿FLDOFODLPV security. www.timesca.com CENTRAL ASIA MEDIA REVIEW 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD 6 April 21, 2011

KAZAKHSTAN Turkey’s Aselsan to set up KZT 1.5 trillion Kazakhstan likely plant in Kazakhstan to be disbursed on all projects of to introduce visa-free Executives of Aselsan signed Kazakhstan Engineering”. on Monday an agreement with Aselsan and Kazakhstan En- Industrialization regime with OECD Kazakhstan Engineering to start gineering will be equal partners Map — minister a joint venture named “Aselsan- in the company and the plant. countries Kazakhstan Engineering”. Turkish Deputy Undersecre- Vice Prime Minister- Minister Kazakhstan is likely to introduce visa-free regime with Turkish defense industry tary for Defense Industry Ibra- of Industry and New Technolo- the countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation company Aselsan will build a him Tohumcu, who attended the gies Asset Issekeshev announced and Development (OECD). Head of the Kazakh Government 30 million USD plant in Ka- signing ceremony in Astana, at the Government’s enlarged Karim Massimov made it public at a session in Astana on zakhstan to produce night vi- said that the new plant would session on April 17. April 18. sion systems to be used in meet defense industry needs of “This year, in April actualiza- In this view Kazakh PM has charged the Ministry of For- armored vehicles and electro not only Kazakhstan but also tion of the Industrialization Map eign Affairs to establish a working group for considering the optical equipments. all regional countries. will be completed. We expect issue of visa-free regime with the OECD countries and sim- Executives of Aselsan signed The plant will be fully opera- that about 190 investment proj- SOL¿FDWLRQRIYLVDLVVXLQJSURFHGXUHVIRULQYHVWRUV Monday an agreement with Ka- tional in a year, Aselsan’s ex- ects will be completed this year,” Besides, the Prime Minister has tasked the Ministry of For- zakhstan Engineering to start a ecutives said. Issekeshev said. eign Affairs and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protec- joint venture named “Aselsan- Worldbulletin.net For attraction of foreign inves- tion to develop recommendations on implementation of open WRUVWKH0LQLVWU\GH¿QHGSUL- LPPLJUDWLRQSULQFLSOHVIRUKLJKO\TXDOL¿HGODERUUHVRXUFHV ority countries, the work with until June 30. their embassies and business UAE lifts ban on import Currently, the Organization unites 34 countries, majority community is conducted. of which belongs to the EU. KAZINFORM of live sheep from KAZINFORM Kazakhstan KYRGYZSTAN Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, has issued a ministerial decree lifting the ban on import of all kinds of live sheep and goats, and their products from Kazakhstan. Reduction of prison population suggested According to Emirates News Agency (WAM), the resolution Head of penal system ernment of the Kyrgyz Re- of the prison population. was taken in accordance with reports received from the World Sheishenbek Baizakov sug- public. Head of the Service consid- 2UJDQLVDWLRQIRU$QLPDO+HDOWK 2,( FRQ¿UPLQJWKDWWKH$VLDQ gested a reduction of prison He said that reduction of ers that in Kyrgyzstan, recidi- country was free of goat pox and other epidemic diseases. population, as the chief of the prison population will save vism reduction measures must The resolution stipulates that all shipments should subject to Kyrgyz State Penitentiary money, allocated for State be taken. He also said that to veterinary legislations and quarantine and animal welfare law. Service under the Govern- Penitentiary Service. He be- reach this purpose, civil sec- KAZINFORM ment stated at the meeting of lieves that amnesty and hu- tor shall be involved to the so- the Safeguard and Law and manization of penal system cialization of prisoners. Kazakhstan, India Order Council under the Gov- may contribute to reduction 24.kg healthcare ministries sign Border tense after Tajiks Kyrgyz rights coop agreement detain Kyrgyz citizen group says Several intergovernmental tentiary of India to our country inmates report and interdepartmental docu- Ashok Kumar Sharma, Kazin- About 100 people from a kanov. The Kyrgyz gathered torture ments were inked within the form refers to the press service southern Kyrgyz village have at the border say they will not visit of Indian Prime Minis- of the Kazakh Healthcare Min- gathered on the Kyrgyz-Tajik leave the area until the issue A Kyrgyz human rights ter Manmohan Singh to Ka- istry. border to demand the imme- is resolved. group says inmates have been zakhstan on April 16, 2011. Signing the Agreement will diate release of a man being It is not clear what side of tortured in detention in the Among these documents is the give a new impulse to the Ka- held by Tajiks. the border Burkanov was on southern town of Bazar-Kor- Agreement on cooperation in zakh-Indian partnership in 7DMLN RI¿FLDOV VD\ 5DVXOEHN when he was detained. gon. healthcare signed between the healthcare and will allow de- Burkanov, a Kyrgyz citizen, /RFDO RI¿FLDOV LQ .\UJ\]- Abdumalik Sharipov, deputy Ministry of Healthcare of Ka- veloping priority directions was detained on April 17 for stan’s Batken region, where chairman of the Spravedli- zakhstan and the Ministry of in medical education, science, “illegal trading in mercury on Kara-Bak is located, say that vost (Justice) human rights Health and Family Welfare of pharmacy, training the Indian Tajik territory.” if Burkanov was detained on organization in the Jalal-Abad the Republic of India. students in Kazakhstan, sani- RFE/RL reports from the Kyrgyz territory then he has Oblast, told RFE/RL on April From the Kazakh side the tary- epidemiological well-be- village of Kara-Bak that Kyr- to face charges and possible 14 that inmates in the pretrial document was signed by Min- ing of the population as well as J\] DQG 7DMLN RI¿FLDOV DUH trial in Kyrgyzstan. detention center in Bazar-Kor- ister of Healthcare Salidat Kai- developing innovative methods holding talks regarding Bur- RFE/RL gon were recently tortured by rbekova and from the Indian of diagnostics and treatment of prison guards. side it was signed by Ambassa- diseases. Sharipov said three of the in- dor Extraordinary and Plenipo- KAZINFORM Kyrgyz-Kazakh joint mates have sent written com- plaints to his organization. He arms-manufacturing added that one of the tortured Kazakhstan plans to deploy inmates, Rustam Jeenbekov, slashed his abdomen to protest venture formed his treatment. two Earth monitoring Sharipov did not provide any The Kyrgyz Defense Ministry and a Kazakhstani company details about what was alleg- have formed a joint venture to modernize the Kyrgyz military’s satellites into orbit edly done to the inmates. tanks, Defense Ministry spokeswoman Aizad Igibayeva told Jalal-Abad Oblast Interior Kazakhstan plans to deploy two Earth monitoring satellites Central Asia Online on April 15. Ministry spokesman Taalaibek into orbit within three years, Director of the Main Centre for The two partners in the venture are state-owned Kyrgyz en- Suusunbaev told RFE/RL that Ground-based Systems of the National Company “Kazakhstan WHUSULVH.\UJ\]NXUDODQG.D]DNKVWDQL¿UP7HNKQRHNVSRUWVKH the charges of torture in Ba- Garysh Sapary” Ongarbek Alipbeki said on April 14. said, adding the venture will be called Kyrgyztekhnoeksport. zar-Korgon’s pretrial detention Alipbeki said that the equipment, created by French com- The new venture will provide new jobs, train specialists and center are false and have noth- pany EADS Astrium and English Surrey Satellite Technology DWWUDFWIRUHLJQLQYHVWPHQWVKHVDLG,WLVWKH¿UVWMRLQWYHQWXUH ing to do with the actual situa- Limited (SSTL), will be operational for at least 7 years, the formed to modernize the Kyrgyz military’s weaponry, accord- tion there. press service of the Kazakh MFA reports. ing to the Defense Ministry. RFE/RL KAZINFORM Central Asia Online 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD CENTRAL ASIA MEDIA REVIEW www.timesca.com April 21, 2011 7

TAJIKISTAN TURKMENISTAN Roghun reservoir will not affect Turkmenistan to foster PLFURFOLPDWHLQ7DMLNLVWDQ²RI¿FLDO Turkmen-EU dialogue The Roghun reservoir will not He said that the reservoir may ronmental balance. “But all on fuel and energy coop affect microclimate in Tajiki- also promote turning the Rog- arguments put forward by Uz- stan; on contrary, it will promote hun area into a tourist zone, if bek ecologists are unfounded At the meeting “stabilization of a half-dry con- an appropriate infrastructure is and we will uphold our right to of the Cabinet of tinental climate in the republic,” constructed there. construction of this hydropower Ministers, headed Talbak Salimov, chairman of the Salimov noted that Uzbek facility.” by President Gur- Committee for Environmental authorities were all over them- 7DMLN RI¿FLDO FRQVLGHUV WKDW banguly Berdy- Protection under the Govern- selves to prove negative impact the Uzbek authorities have too mu k h a m me dov, ment of Tajikistan, told report- of the Roghun hydroelectricity politicized the Roghun subject. Vice Premier and ers in Dushanbe on April 18. project on Central Asia’s envi- Asia-Plus Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov reported on the mea- the President of Turkmenistan Center of Culture of Tajik-Russian sures taken by the Ministry to foster the Turkmenistan- border guard pact to promote the foreign policy European Union dialogue on Tajiks set up in Brussels strategy of Turkmenistan and fuel and energy cooperation expected the preparations for foreign and the meeting of the Turk- Following an initiative by Belgian lawyer and sponsor visits of the Turkmen govern- men-French working group. Dirk Vande Putte (phonetically spelled), Diaspora of Ta- Tajikistan and Russia have completed ment delegation and the visits It was noted that European jiks living in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, work on a draft agreement governing of foreign government delega- partners showed intense inter- 7DMLN(PEDVV\LQ%UXVVHOVDQGVFLHQWL¿FDQGFXOWXUDOFLU- the presence of Russian border guard tions to Turkmenistan sched- est in intensifying mutually cles of Belgium, the Center of Culture of Tajiks has been advisers and will sign the treaty soon, uled for the second quarter of business contacts in the fuel set up in Brussels, according to the Tajik MFA informa- Tajik Deputy Foreign Minister Nizo- the current year. The Vice Pre- and energy sector that was fa- tion department. middin Zokhidov said on April 18. The mier reported on the outcomes cilitated by the prudent, well Mr. Dirk Vande Putte and Ms. Toliya Toirova, formerly present agreement expires this year. of the working trip to Paris, thought-out energy policy of citizen of Tajikistan, have been elected chairperson of the Tajikistan has guarded its borders on the French Republic made in Turkmenistan. Center, which is dedicated to propagate ancient history of its own since 2005, with Russia basing accordance with the Order of Turkmenistan.gov.tm Tajiks and promote establishment of close bilateral coop- advisers in Dushanbe. HUDWLRQLQ¿HOGVRIFXOWXUHDUWVDQGIRONDUWVWKHVRXUFH Uzbekistan is not hindering passage said. of Tajik-bound freight through its ter- “The Center plans to organize exhibitions of works by ritory at this time, Zokhidov added. In Turkmenistan and ADB Tajik painters and photographers, photo shows to demon- past months Tajikistan complained that strate achievements reached by the country over the years Uzbekistan delayed Tajikistan-bound to develop medium-term of independence, as well as concerts of Tajik artistes,” the freight to block construction of the Ro- Tajik MFA representative added. gun hydroelectric dam. strategy of partnership AsiaPlus Central Asia Online The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Turkmenistan dis- cussed issues relating to development of a new medium-term UZBEKISTAN partnership strategy at a seminar in Ashgabat. The development of this document will be carried out in accor- dance with the provisions of the National Programme on Socio- Malaysian, China, Uzbekistan pledge Economic Development of Turkmenistan for 2011-2030 and the 6DXGL¿UPV ADB’s Strategy - 2020. to deepen bilateral 2QHRIWKHPDLQJRDOVRIWKHQHZVWUDWHJ\ZLOOEH¿QDQFLDODQG to invest WHFKQLFDOVXSSRUWIRUWKHUHIRUPLQWKHEDQNLQJDQG¿QDQFHHQHU- in Uzbek gy, transport and communication sectors, as well as in the sphere cooperation of development of the private sector. energy China and Uzbekistan on Turkmenistan.ru development Monday pledged to deepen bi- lateral cooperation in the areas 7ZR ¿UPV IURP 0DOD\VLD of trade, energy and infrastruc- Turkmenistan constructs and Saudi Arabia have agreed ture construction. to form a consortium for the The pledge came out of a buildings following development of Uzbekistan’s meeting between Chinese Vice RLODQGJDV¿HOGVWKH7UHQG Premier Li Keqiang and First petitions of citizens news agency reported on Deputy Prime Minister of Uz- Tuesday. bekistan Rustam Azimov. At the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, headed by President Malaysia’s Petronas Cari- Li said the economies of the Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, Vice Premier, Executive Of- gali Overseas Sdn Bhd, the two countries are complemen- ¿FHURIWKH3UHVLGHQW¶V2I¿FH+0XKDPPHGRYUHSRUWHGRQWKH ¿UP¶V PDLQ K\GURFDUERQ tary. The two sides have their Chinese Vice Premier Li Keq- progress of construction of large-scale facilities of the sector un- iang (R) shakes hands with exploration arm, and Saudi own unique advantages thus GHUKLVVXSHUYLVLRQDQGWKHIXO¿OOPHQWRIWKH7XUNPHQOHDGHU¶VLQ- First Deputy Prime Minister structions. Also, the Vice Premier reported on the results of con- Arabia’s Delta Oil signed the providing good conditions for of Uzbekistan Rustam Azimov agreement last week, accord- trade cooperation. during their meeting in Beijing, sideration of the petitions of citizens submitted to the President of ing to an announcement by China will make joint efforts April 18, 2011 Turkmenistan in January-March of the current year. the Uzbek state-owned oil with Uzbekistan to expand bi- Commenting on the report President Gurbanguly Berdymuk- ¿UP8]EHNQHIWHJD] ODWHUDO WUDGH GHHSHQ ¿QDQFLDO LV VDWLV¿HG ZLWK WKH FXUUHQW hammedov instructed to ensure effective operation at the afore- 7KH¿UPVDUHQRZHQWHUHG cooperation, create a sound development. The upcoming said facilities and demanded that rigorous control be kept over the into a production-sharing environment for cross-border China visit of President Islam quality and schedule of construction. agreement. investment by companies and Karimov will inject vitality Touching upon the petitions of citizens of the country, the The agreement is to estab- increase cooperation projects into the relationship’s future Turkmen leader demanded that the State Commission under the lish an investment consor- on energy, non-resources and development, he said. President of Turkmenistan enhance its activity on consideration of petitions of citizens and turn it into a critical mechanism for tium that will be focused on infrastructure. Azimov said the president’s strengthening law and order in the country, considering thor- WKH RLO DQG JDV ¿HOGV LQ WKH Azimov said he hoped the visit is a great event for the oughly each petition and adopt fair decisions. In this regard the Surkhandarya-based Boysun two sides would deepen coop- bilateral relationship, and that 7XUNPHQOHDGHUJDYHWKHVSHFL¿FLQVWUXFWLRQVWRWKHKLJKUDQNLQJ investment block. eration in all areas. China is an intimate friend and PLOLWDU\DQGODZHQIRUFHPHQWRI¿FLDOVLQSDUWLFXODU Central Asia Newswire Li also spoke highly of bi- partner of Uzbekistan. lateral relations, saying China Xinhua Turkmenistan.gov.tm

All of the articles in the digest are collected and edited by The Times of Central Asia www.timesca.com ECONOMY 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD 8 April 21, 2011 Kazakhstan willing to house Workers at Kazakh low-enriched uranium bank copper giant go on strike ZHEZQAZGHAN, Kazakhstan (RFE/RL) — Nazarbayev — Some 1,000 transport workers are on strike at Kazakhstan’s major copper producer, RFE/ ASTANA (Interfax) — ZRUOG :H KDYH ERWK VLJQL¿- ment security system in using RL’s Kazakh Service reports. Kazakhstan is taking FDQWSUDFWLFDODQGVFLHQWL¿FUH- nuclear power and opposing il- search expertise in operating OHJDOWUDI¿FNLQJLQUDGLRDFWLYH a balanced approach reactors and achievements in materials, he said. toward developing its experimental nuclear physics,” All Kazakh nuclear sites are own nuclear power Nazarbayev said at a plenary “under the IAEA’s [Interna- session of a summit dealing tional Atomic Energy Agency] sector and is prepared with safe and innovative utili- all-embracing guarantees,” he to expand its contri- zation of nuclear power in Kyiv said. bution to reinforcing on Tuesday. “Kazakhstan is prepared “In continuing to develop to expand its contribution to the nonproliferation our nuclear industry, we plan strengthening the nonprolifera- regime, said Kazakh to build a vertically-integrated tion regime in the context of the President Nursultan company doing the entire nucle- idea to set up an international ar fuel cycle of operations from bank of low-enriched uranium Nazarbayev. extracting uranium to produc- under the IAEA umbrella. I ing nuclear fuel,” he said. RQFH DJDLQ FRQ¿UP RXU ZLOO- “Our country is the largest Simultaneously, Kazakhstan ingness to house this bank on producer of uranium ore in the LVEXLOGLQJDQHI¿FLHQWJRYHUQ- Kazakh territory,” he said.

China and Two geologists convicted A KazakhMys plant in Kazakhstan (photo from Global Witness) Uzbekistan sign swap in Kazakhstan for selling The workers at KazakhMys refused late on April 17 to trans- port miners to and from the copper mines in the central towns of agreement state secrets to China Zhezqazghan and Satpaev, paralyzing mining operations. worth 700 The strikers told RFE/RL they want a 100 percent pay raise. KARAGANDA (Interfax) — A court in Kara- Their current monthly wage is 30,000-40,000 tenge ($205-$270). million yuan Last week, the corporation’s management agreed to raise wages ganda has sentenced two geologists to long pris- as of May 1, but the workers say they want the raise now. They TASHKENT (Inter- on terms for treason, law enforcement sources say KazakhMys management has promised to raise wages many told Interfax on Tuesday. times in the past but never followed through. fax) — The People’s KazakhMys executives have begun talks with trade unions and Bank of China and The two men were found guilty under Article 165 (treason) of workers’ representatives on resolving the standoff. the Central Bank the country’s Penal Code and were sentenced to a ten- and eleven- of Uzbekistan have year prison sentences last Friday. “The geologists were found guilty of treason, which is a han- signed a swap-agree- dover of state secrets to another state and providing it with assis- Kazakhstan to consider ment worth 700 mil- tance with the view to undermine or weaken Kazakhstan’s secu- lion yuan (around rity,” one of the sources said. turning Baikonur into JSC $106 million), a The convicts, who had worked for a private mining company, sold geological documentation to a Chinese national, the source ASTANA (CentralAsiaOnline) — Kazakhstan source at the Chinese said. Embassy in Uz- It was reported that the trial over treason was held behind closed will consider a Russian proposal to turn the bekistan told Interfax. doors at a specialized court for criminal cases in Karaganda. The Baikonur Space Centre into a mostly Russian- FDVHLQYHVWLJDWLRQZDVFODVVL¿HGDV³WRSVHFUHW´ owned joint stock company, Talgat Musabayev, “An agreement for conduct- chief of the Kazakhstani space agency Kazcos- ing forex swaps was signed mos, said April 19, according to RIA Novosti. in order to facilitate bilateral Turkmenistan to become trade and investment for the purposes of economic devel- opment of the two countries leader in economic growth for a period of three years with an option for extension,” in CIS in 2011 the source said. The agree- ment was signed at the start ASHGABAT (Turkmenistan.ru) — The Inter- of Uzbek President Islam national Monetary Fund (IMF) in its new report Karimov’s visit to China on Tuesday. “World Economic Outlook for 2011” notes that A total of 347 enterprises Turkmenistan will become a leader among the now operate in Uzbekistan CIS states in terms of economic growth in 2011. with Chinese investment, in 57 of which Chinese capital According to the IMF, the growth of Turkmeni- comes to 100%. In addition, stan’s economy in the current year will account 64 Chinese companies have for 9 percent, and 6.4 percent in 2012. UHSUHVHQWDWLYH RI¿FHV LQ 8]- bekistan. ³7XUNPHQLVWDQLVH[SHFWHGWREHQH¿WIURPKLJKSULFHVIRUQDWX- According to Chinese re- ral gas and become one of the leaders in the region in terms of ports, bilateral trade between growth, totaling 9 percent in 2011,” the IMF report says. The Russian proposal would make Russia the 70% owner of China and Uzbekistan in In its new report titled “Asian Development Outlook 2011” is- Baikonur, which it has leased from Kazakhstan until 2050. It 2005-2010 increased from sued last week, the Asian Development Bank said this year’s GDP reportedly pays Kazakhstan US $115 million in yearly rent for $680 million to $2.47 billion. growth in Turkmenistan will total 9 percent, and 10 percent in Baikonur. Uzbek exports to China 2012. Baikonur hosts 65% of Russia’s space launches, but Russia plans increased from $450 million According to the UN report “World Economic Situation and to reduce that share to 11% once the Vostochny launch facility in in 2005 to $1.299 billion in Prospects 2011”, Turkmenistan’s GDP growth will account for at WKH5XVVLDQ)DU(DVWRSHQV7KH¿UVWODXQFKIURP9RVWRFKQ\LV 2010. least 10 percent in 2011 and 2012. expected in 2015. 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD ECONOMY www.timesca.com April 21, 2011 9 BISHKEK (TCA) — Over the past two Will Kyrgyzstan become a country of years Kyrgyzstan’s ski community has been promoting this idea. mountain skiing and winter sports? However, the results of tourism and sport: a complex last winter’s tourism and long procedure of land al- season were not very location for projects, absence of favorable due to bad standards in ski tourism, general issues related to business activi- weather. Only two ski ties, the unprofessional approach resorts — Karakol and to the development of existing Orlovka — were open ski resorts, and the absence of DYDLODEOH¿QDQFLDOUHVRXUFHVIRU to customers during development and modernization January to February, of projects. and other ski resorts Nonetheless Kyrgyz entrepre- neurs are full of optimism. Even were closed due to the LIWKHUHDUHRQO\¿YHVNLUHVRUWV absence of snow. How- of international importance it ever, bad weather is not means there will be 140,000- 160,000 skiers in the country, the only problem with including 500,000-600,000 for- the ski industry. eign visits, 2.5-3 million sea- sonal tickets, which even at a price that would be cheaper by BY IRINA Photo: Vlad Kir half than world prices, could BAIRAMUKOVA bring US $3 million and create country, but recreation tourism number of skiers registered at in those countries with at least 22,000 new jobs in the ski in- Today approximately 11,000 as well.” the beginning of 2010 was more ¿YH\HDUVRIVWDWHVXSSRUW,QIUD- dustry, 100,000 jobs in related skiers visit twenty ski resorts in International experts do not than 87 million and by 2020 this structure needs investment and industries, and draw about $900 Kyrgyzstan which are equipped consider this idea to be simply rate is expected to reach 150 .\UJ\]VWDQ LV XQOLNHO\ WR ¿QG million of investment in these with twelve units of snow groom- ‘utopian’, listing Kyrgyzstan’s million. Where will they ski? It a mono investor to implement ¿YHVNLUHVRUWV ing equipment, six installations natural ski resources and close- is unlikely that China alone will even one project. Aid is more “It is more than Kyrgyz la- RIDUWL¿FLDOVQRZPDNLQJHTXLS- likely to come bor migrants abroad send back ment, nine chairlifts and 15 tow- in the form of a home, more than the country ing lifts. They provide employ- Five world-class ski resorts in Kyrgyzstan public and private makes exporting electric power, ment for 160 workers, about 40 would bring in more revenue than the partnership. and even more than Kumtor [the of which are ski instructors. This The business largest gold mine in Kyrgyzstan] allows seven sports shops to sell country makes exporting electricity — expert community has pays to the state,” said Khalitov. 3,000 sets of ski and snowboard- developed a draft “Skiing tourism is an alternative ing equipment per year, and ski ness to Southeast Asia among have enough time to build infra- of recommendations to the Kyr- to Kyrgyzstan’s industrial com- resorts to book over 360 beds the country’s advantages. The structure for that amount of ski- gyz government on skiing tour- plex with its available natural and sell 19,000 season tickets world population growth rate ers by 2020. ism development in Kyrgyzstan, resources,” he added. annually. is 6% while the same rate for Experience shows that moun- but it remains hung up with all Now it is up to the government According to Mikhail Kha- South-East Asia is 50%. The tain skiing has developed best the other unsolved issues of ski to decide. litov, Chairman of the Tourism Committee at Kyrgyzstan’s En- trepreneurs Union in the near Uzbektelecom Education Ministry in Tashkent tions into the united informa- erator. The corporate network future Kyrgyzstan will be able will be connected to the multi- tion space will be implemented was created with U.S. Cisco to compete with the leading sites to create single media center of the network. WKURXJK FR¿QDQFLQJ IURP equipment. of winter tourism industry based During the next stages the net- khokimiyats (regional adminis- “The project allowed a trans- on its variety of opportunities. data network for work will be extended to dis- trations) and the state budget. fer from a step-by-step assem- Based on the results of a two- Uzbek Education WULFWDQGFLW\RI¿FHV bling scheme of processing and year study conducted by foreign The tender for the purchase storage of tax information to experts, Kyrgyz tour operators Ministry of necessary equipment will be Uzbekistan’s the establishment of a data pro- are of the view that Kyrgyzstan DQQRXQFHG LQ WKH ¿UVW KDOI RI Tax Committee cessing center with a produc- could become an Olympic coun- this year. The Uzbek side will tion capacity and reliability of try. BY DILSHOD upgrades its ASHURMATOV ¿QDQFHWKHSURMHFW computing infrastructure that This idea has been stirring up This is the third project to corresponds to modern require- excitement among in the ski in- data network TASHKENT (TCA) — A create a data network in the ments,” the Tax Committee’s dustry for the past four years. single data network worth US education sector announced by press service reported. “The President of the Inter- $15 million will be created in Uzbekistan this year. BY DILSHOD $FFRUGLQJWRWKH7D[2I¿FH national Olympic Committee Uzbekistan’s Public Education At the end of February the ASHURMATOV a tender for the establishment recently made an offer to Ka- Ministry during 2011-2015, ac- Uzbek Agency for Commu- of the data processing and tax zakhstan President Nursultan cording to Uzbektelecom, the nications and Informatization TASHKENT (TCA) — information storage center Nazarbayev to apply for the Win- project’s executor. (UzACI) announced a tender TechnoServ, the leading Rus- worth three million US dol- ter Olympic Games in 2022,” The network will be created for the purchase of equipment sian system integrator, has lars will be announced in the said Khalitov. “Nazarbayev XVLQJ 8]1HW D EUDQFK RI¿FH and technology to create a sin- upgraded the data network of second half of 2011. The proj- immediately agreed, while our with a total Internet connection gle digital library network with Uzbekistan’s State Tax Com- ect should be completed by leaders have so far missed this speed of two megabits per sec- a total initial value of $25.1 mil- mittee worth $3.98 million, ac- the end of 2012. chance. Kyrgyzstan can still ond and a total VPN network lion. cording to the Tax Committee’s According to experts the jointly apply with Kazakhstan to connection speed of 20 megab- In March, UzACI announced press service. center will help streamline the host several of the winter sport its per second. a tender for the purchase of Under a contract signed in procedure for processing tax competitions in our country. Im- The network will include Zi- equipment and services to cre- 2009 the Russian company returns, will accelerate their agine how many issues concern- yonet comprehensive network ate an Electronic Education na- began to implement a phased testing, and will create a conve- LQJWKHVRFLDO¿HOG.\UJ\]VWDQ¶V resources, Internet access, tional network worth $14.8 mil- transition from a data transmis- nient mechanism for more ef- image, investment in the country, video conferencing services, lion. The results of the tender sion network based on a satel- fective interaction between tax and new job creation could be IP-services and an electronic will be known this May. lite communication system to a authorities and taxpayers. solved right away. If the country information exchange. The Computerization and mod- corporate network created using In January 2010 Uzbekistan becomes an active participant project is to be implemented in ernization of library archive terrestrial communication links president signed a decree to in the Olympic movement with three stages. digitizing, as well as the inte- EDVHGRQ8]EHNWHOHFRP¶V¿EHU further modernize tax authori- Olympic infrastructure and cer- 'XULQJ WKH ¿UVW VWDJH  gration of higher and secondary optic communication lines, the ties in light of their own and WL¿FDWLRQQRWRQO\ZRXOGVSRUWV  UHJLRQDORI¿FHVRIWKH specialized educational institu- country’s national telecoms op- foreign experience. tourism be developed in the www.timesca.com 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD 10 ECONOMY April 21, 2011

BY LIDIA SAVINA Kazakh Challenges of Kyrgyzstan’s president Problem of misunderstanding orders licensing mining sector system On April 15 Bishkek hosted a roundtable on development BISHKEK (TCA) — The most urgent challenge facing the develop- streamlined of the mining sector in Kyr- ment of the mining industry is establishing the effective interaction of gyzstan. The meeting was at- ASTANA (Interfax) — Ka- tended by representatives of subsoil users with local communities, and this problem requires na- zakh President has ordered the mining companies operating tional recognition. government to optimize the li- in Kyrgyzstan and local and censing system for business. international experts on cor- “In order to increase our in- porate social responsibility. vestment potential, I order the Participants shared informa- JRYHUQPHQW ¿UVW WR DXGLW DOO tion about existing problems in our legislation and remove ob- relations with local communi- stacles for business; change the ties and their experiences with principles from putting restric- resolving these problems in a tions to providing economic search for new ways of doing incentives,” the president said things. at an extended government In particular, it was noted session on Sunday. that today there is a problem “Second”, he continued, of misunderstanding about the “our licensing system must VSHFL¿FV RI WKH PLQLQJ EXVL- be streamlined, wherever pos- ness in rural areas where min- sible.” “Business should not ing companies carry out their waste its potential on obtaining operations. Consequently lo- licenses. It is enough to simply cal communities’ expectations notify the state of one’s inten- in regards to investors turn out tions and get down to work, if to be too high. The reasons it does not present a danger to for this situation are both ob- the health of the population,” jective (economic situation in Nazarbayev said. the region) and subjective (low The president also ordered awareness of the companies the government to make spe- and the strong politicization of FL¿F SURSRVDOV ³WR FXW WKH local people). Frequent cases of number of licenses by 30%”. open disagreement with the lo- “Why again? We have made a cal population have led to the 30% cut before,” he explained. suspension of a number of min- “Third, we need to drastical- ing projects. In this situation ly reduce the list of supervision the companies have to integrate Geologists explore a field in the Talas oblast in Kyrgyzstan functions of the state agencies their efforts and experience in and optimize the number of a timely way and develop com- checks,” Nazarbayev conclud- ing company Kentor Gold munity opposes the project present time Kentor Gold owns ed. mon approaches to working visited Kyrgyzstan for a more their fears seem to be based an 80 percent stake in the An- with local residents, taking detailed examination of com- on a considerable amount of dash project. Today the project into account local conditions pany projects and to assess misinformation prevalent in is one of the best developed in Uzbek GDP and international practices. opportunities for further in- the community. The company Kyrgyzstan as the company The participants of the meet- vestment in the country. Their LVFRQ¿GHQWWKDWLIWKHGLDORJXH has obtained all permits for keeps growing ing concluded that there are primary concern was the An- with the local community con- the pre-stage (feasibility study — PM currently restrictions in the dash investment project locat- WLQXHVDQDJUHHPHQWWREHQH¿W and EIA) and is preparing ex- development of the mining in- ed in the Talas Oblast. all parties would be achieved. amination of changes to the TASHKENT (Interfax) dustry related to rejection of The Kentor Gold Board of The project has national im- previously approved project. — Uzbekistan’s GDP grew projects on the spot. One of the 'LUHFWRUVFRQ¿UPHGWKHLUUHDG- portance for Kyrgyzstan and In particular the company is  LQ WKH ¿UVW TXDUWHU RI main reasons is the poor com- iness to invest in the Andash ZLOOFRQWULEXWHVLJQL¿FDQWO\WR considering moving the fac- 2011, Prime Minister Shavkat munication environment in project worth $106 million and the growth of both the local and tory four kilometers from the Mirziyoyev said at a cabinet which people can get informa- to create 450 jobs in the Talas national economy. The Board village. The company has session last Friday, addressing tion on social and environmen- Oblast, and also to support vol- of Directors believes that the already acquired 36 units of the results of the republic’s Q1 tal issues. Solutions can be de- untary contributions of $1 mil- issues will be resolved and the KHDY\WUDI¿FDQGFRQVWUXFWLRQ socioeconomic development. veloped by a common working lion a year to fund local devel- project will be launched. equipment and ordered the Industrial output has in- SODQWREXLOGDPXWXDOO\EHQH¿- opment of the oblast. Kentor Gold was founded production of basic equipment creased 6.2% since the start of cial partnership of subsoil us- According to Managing Di- in 1997 and registered at the worth $37.5 million. Produc- the year, with the production ers and local communities. rector Simon Milroy, the del- Australian Stock Exchange in tion is expected to begin in the of consumer goods going up egation was impressed by the 2005. The company is engaged summer of 2012. At the start 10.3%, agricultural products New investment level of support of the Andash in exploration and production of production contributions to 5.8%, retail trade 13.1%, and project by the authorities at all of metals and has been work- the state budget would amount services 12.6%. Last week the Board of Di- levels. ing in Kyrgyzstan since 1997. to 1.5 billion soms per year in- The state budget ran a sur- rectors of the Australian min- Although part of the com- From December 2009 to the cluding state dividends. plus of more than 0.3% of GDP. Ongoing measures aimed at diversifying the export struc- National geological company to be created in Kazakhstan ture and boosting the competi- tiveness of Uzbek commodities ASTANA (Interfax) — Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev wants to create a national geologi- on foreign markets have result- cal company within the Samruk-Kazyna state fund. ed in a 28.5% rise in exports. A total of 145 new enter- prises started to operate and “To restore our mineral resources base we must recreate the geological branch. We are still using what was discovered at some 219,000 new jobs were created time. The subsurface of our land is completely unexplored. (...) We need to calculate the costs for the budget and alternative sources LQWKHUHSXEOLFLQWKH¿UVWTXDU- RI¿QDQFLQJGHYHORSSXEOLFSULYDWHSDUWQHUVKLSDQGFUHDWHDQDWLRQDOJHRORJLFDOFRPSDQ\DVSDUWRIWKH6DPUXN.D]\QDVWDWHIXQG´ ter. Nazarbayev said Sunday at an extended session with government ministers, akims (regional governors), heads of government agencies, The Uzbek government the leadership of the Nur Otan party and management of the Samruk-Kazyna state fund. has forecast this year’s GDP “Some part of the natural resource royalties received by the state should be allocated to the needs of geology. Some suggest 3% or JURZWK DW  LQÀDWLRQ DW 5%. We need to calculate this,” the president noted. 7%-9%, and the state budget’s Nursultan Nazarbayev ordered the Minister of Industry and New Technology Aset Issekeshev and the head of the Samruk-Kazyna GH¿FLWRIOHVVWKDQRI*'3 fund Timur Kulibaev to make the relevant proposals in a month’s time. 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD www.timesca.com April 21, 2011 ECONOMY/FINANCE 11 Government bank assets IFC expands cooperation to be transferred to Kazakh National Bank — Nazarbayev with Kyrgyz SMEs ASTANA — The state’s shares in Kazakh com- mercial banks must be transferred to the Na- BISHKEK (TCA) — IFC will continue to provide investment and tional Bank, the President of Kazakhstan Nur- advisory services to support private sector development, strengthen sultan Nazarbayev said. financial institutions and improve infrastructure in Kyrgyzstan, said Rachel Kyte, Vice President, Business Advisory Services at IFC, dur- “All bank assets acquired must be transferred to the Nation- ing her recent visit to the country. al Bank. I expect to receive proposals on their future fate very shortly, including determining investors, who might purchase the business environment and in- cording to the IFC Vice Presi- assets returning the money to the state,” Nazarbayev said at an BY LIDIA SAVINA vestment climate. dent over the past three years, extended government session on Sunday. Atambayev invited IFC to despite political and economic As part of the state anti-crisis measures the Samruk-Kazyna Kyrgyzstan joined IFC, a consider participating in the instability, the IFC has invest- state fund acquired stakes in the country’s systemic banks, in- member of the World Bank construction of four small hy- ed $27.5 million in seven dif- cluding BTA bank, Kazkommerzbank, Halyk Bank, Alliance Group, in 1993 and since then dropower stations, the feasi- ferent projects in Kyrgyzstan. Bank and Temirbank. At the same time, it had been made clear IFC’s commitments to the bility studies of which will be Investment, according to the by the authorities that Samruk-Kazyna was not going to remain country have reached nearly soon completed. He also invit- ,)&ZLOOEHGLUHFWHGWRWKH¿- DVKDUHKROGHURIWKHEDQNVLQGH¿QLWHO\DQGZRXOGVHOOWKHVKDUHV $90 million. IFC’s investment ed investment in the Balykchy- nancial and real sectors of the once the situation would stabilize. to date has been mainly focused Kochkor-Kara Keche railway economy. “We consider our- RQ EDQNLQJ PLFUR¿QDQFH DQG project and implementation of selves a long-term partner with real sector. New IFC commit- pilot public-private projects. countries. We have made some Kazakhstan’s gold, forex ments in 2007-2010 saw nota- Kyte told journalists that progress but much remains to ble increases compared to pre- Central Asia, including Kyr- be done,” said Kyte. reserves top $70 billion — vious years. gyzstan, is one of IFC’s corpo- Today the world economic Ms. Kyte met with Kyrgyz rate priorities. “We will con- environment is very competi- National Bank Prime Minister Almazbek tinue to support SMEs through tive and international investors Atambayev and Minister of WKH ¿QDQFLDO VHFWRU DQG DGYL- have a big choice. In this situ- ALMATY — Kazakhstan’s foreign exchange Economic Regulation Uchkun sory services, and increase our ation Kyrgyzstan has to ensure reserves, including the National Bank of Kaza- Tashbaev. She praised the investments in locally owned openness and safety for busi- khstan’s gross reserves and funds accumulated strong partnership between companies,” she said. ness. Implementing this task IFC and the Kyrgyz govern- Kyte stated that the Bai will require combining the in- in the National Fund, went up to $70 billion, the ment and discussed opportuni- Tushum microcredit company terests of Parliament, the Gov- head of the National Bank Grigory Marchenko ties to further expand coopera- is the IFC’s top priority project ernment and the private sector. VDLGDWD7XHVGD\EULH¿QJLQ$OPDW\ tion. in Kyrgyzstan. In addition to $OWKRXJKLWZLOOEHGLI¿FXOWWR $WDPED\HY DI¿UPHG WKH loans IFC provides support realize this goal the Kyrgyz As of the end of March Kazakhstan’s foreign exchange reserves Government’s interest in see- and assistance in development government understands that reached $69 billion. ing that foreign investors have of the company’s internal con- this is the fundamental basis of The gold and forex reserves increased by 3.9% in March and by the opportunity to participate trols. IFC consults Bai Tushum further development. 17.1% since January 2011. The reserves of the National Fund came in economic development of the on issues such as the way they The fact that the Kyrgyz au- to $33.8 billion as of the end of March. The National Bank’s net country. He would like inves- administer their loans and con- thorities have invited IFC to international reserves rose 5.3% (25% up from January) to $34.6 tors to trust Kyrgyzstan. Kyte duct internal audits. It is help- cooperate in corporate govern- billion in March. stressed that the IFC intends to LQJ WR FUHDWH D PRUH HI¿FLHQW ance, increase transparency, and continue to assist the develop- DQGVWDEOH¿QDQFLDOLQVWLWXWLRQ improve the investment climate ment of Kyrgyzstan through IFC is aiming to increase its in the country shows that the Russia’s Sberbank denies infrastructure development, investment in the private sector Kyrgyz government is serious LQFUHDVHGDFFHVVWR¿QDQFHIRU and sub-national companies in about improving its work. An- seeking to buy Kyrgyzstan bank small and medium-sized busi- Kyrgyzstan from the current other major priority for govern- nesses, and the involvement level of $10-15 million annu- ment should be the prevention of MOSCOW — Sberbank, Russia’s biggest lend- of investors in public-private ally to $20-40 million annually FRUUXSWLRQ DQG ¿JKWLQJ DJDLQVW partnerships to improve the LQWKHFRPLQJ¿VFDO\HDU$F- it, said the IFC Vice President. er, has denied reports that it is seeking to buy a bank in Kyrgyzstan.

“The Sberbank of Russia announces that it is not holding any Kazakhstan’s per capita GDP negotiations on the purchase of Zalkar Bank or any other Kyrgyz bank,” the Russian bank said in a statement. Sberbank has a subsidiary in Kazakhstan, which has existed for must reach at least $15,000 several years, opened a branch in India in autumn 2010, and has DQRI¿FHLQ&KLQD 7KH5XVVLDQEDQNUHDI¿UPHGWKDWLWLVRQHRILWVSULRULWLHVWRH[- by 2016 — Nazarbayev pand its international presence and said it is constantly analyzing potential business opportunities in Asia. ASTANA — Per capita GDP in Kazakhstan must reach at least $15,000 by 2016, says the country’s president Nursultan Nazarbayev. Financial indicators of Central Asia countries

³,QWKHQH[W¿YH\HDUV.D]DNKVWDQPXVWHQWHUWKHJURXSRIFRXQWULHVZLWKKLJKSHUVRQDOLQFRPHV INDICATOR Current Current By 2016 our per capita GDP must reach at least $15,000,” he said Sunday at an extended session with government ministers, akims (regional governors), heads of government agencies, the leadership of COUNTRY exchange rate, exchange rate, the Nur Otan party and management of the Samruk-Kazyna state fund. To reach the goal, the president said, the economy must grow at a rate of at least 7% a year. cur. unit/$ cur. unit/EUR Nazarbayev emphasized that an essential new task before the government and the akims was to ensure an additional yearly growth of the economy of 3% by means of a more intensive development KAZAKHSTAN 145.450 tenge 209.274 tenge of the non-resource sector, small and medium enterprises. KYRGYZSTAN 46.79 som 67.87 som 1D]DUED\HYQRWHGWKUHHVRXUFHVRI¿QDQFLQJIRUDFKLHYLQJWKHREMHFWLYHVDWWUDFWLQJLQYHVWPHQW LQWURGXFLQJLQQRYDWLRQVDQGLPSURYLQJWKHHI¿FLHQF\RISXEOLFLQVWLWXWLRQV TAJIKISTAN 4.4664 somoni 6.4262 somoni Per capita GDP of Kazakhstan has grown 12-fold in the years of the independence and exceeds $9,000. TURKMENISTAN 2.850 manat 4.1005 manat $FFRUGLQJWRWKHODWHVWRI¿FLDOIRUHFDVWV.D]DNKVWDQ¶V*'3ZLOOJURZLQ,QWKH UZBEKISTAN 1,700.00 sum 2,445.98 sum growth of the GDP amounted to 7%. TCA – Interfax www.timesca.com ENERGY 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD 12 April 21, 2011 Investments in Satpayev Modernization of block will reach $9 billion Uzbek thermal power — KMG ASTANA (Interfax) — Capital expenditures plants faces obstacles for the Satpayev oil block in the Kazakh sec- tor of the Caspian are estimated to reach $9 Continued from page 1 information on the project. 49-50 billion kilowatt hours, billion, said the chairman of the board of the Modernization of the Tashkent The Uzbek side is likewise the actual volume of electricity national company KazMunayGas (KMG) Kai- 733ZLOOEH¿QDQFHGWKURXJKD displeased with progress on consumption since 2000 had re- $200 million loan from the Ja- modernization of the Navoi duced by 18.5%. The losses are rgeldy Kabyldin. pan International Cooperation TPP. In August 2009 Uzbek- the second largest in the struc- Agency (JICA). In May 2010 energo signed a contract worth ture of energy use. In 2009 42% the Asian Development Bank $470 million with a consortium of electric power was consumed and JICA allocated loans worth that included Turkish Calik En- in the industry, 31% in agricul- $650 million to the Uzbek gov- erji Sanayi ve Ticaret AS and ture, 14% in the housing sector, ernment for reconstruction of Spanish Initec for the modern- 9% in public services, 3.5% in Talimarjan TPP. ization of Navoi TPP. Under the the transport sector, and 0.3% in The modernization of Navoi contract the consortium was construction. 733ZLOOEH¿QDQFHGE\WKH8]- to build a combined cycle unit According to the United Na- bek side. If generating capacities with a 477 megawatt capacity. tions Development Program are not increased there may be The terms of the contract were (UNDP) if the economy’s en- problems with supplying energy such that Calik would build the ergy consumption remains un- to the Navoi free industrial and unit and Initec would provide changed with the 8% of GDP economic zone, which is one of design and engineering ser- growth expected by the Uz- the country’s major economic vices. The combined cycle unit bek government, the demand focuses. was to be supplied by Japanese for power by 2015 may rise to At the same time Uzbekistan Mitsubishi. 94 billion kilowatt hours. All faces serious problems in select- Over the past year the Turkish things being equal, as a result of ing general contractors for TPP FRPSDQ\ KDV XQRI¿FLDOO\ EXW economic growth the demand “It is an estimated $9 billion in capital expenditures for the modernization. The moderniza- deliberately been dragging out for electricity will nearly double entire life of the project,” he told reporters last Saturday in As- tion of Tashkent TPP has yet the preparatory work, trying to within eight years if the energy tana. to be started despite a general increase the cost of work, while consumption of the economy is “At the exploration stage all costs will be covered by the In- contractor being not reduced. dian side (...), while at the development stage, each side will be selected from 2005. “If energy losses are equally contributing to the project,” he said. As a result the cost 77% of electricity at Uzbek reduced and greater Kabyldin said estimated oil reserves in the Satpayev block come up to 250,000 tonnes. of the project has thermal power stations is HFRQRPLF HI¿FLHQF\ increased by more is ensured the country “This year we will be focusing on geological data acquisition than twice. “There generated through burning will need much more DQGQH[W\HDUZHZLOOVWDUWGULOOLQJWKH¿UVWH[SORUDWLRQZHOO´ DUHGLI¿FXOWLHVZLWK generating capacity. said Kabyldin. the contract for in- natural gas, 7% by burning This will require a re- KazMunayGas and India’s ONGC signed a series of docu- stallation of equip- fuel oil, and 3.5% coal; 12% duction in natural gas ments regarding the Satpayev block on Saturday. ment because this exports, or increase Oil and Gas Minister Sauat Mynbayev after the ceremony market is very nar- of electricity is produced by in imports of elec- told reporters that “a signing bonus is set at $80 million.” “But URZDQGVSHFL¿FLWV hydroelectric power plants tricity from the Cen- the main payment will depend on exploration results, in other participants are well tral Asian integrated words, on proven reserves,” he said. known, and they power grid,” believes ³.D]0XQD\*DVZLOODOVREHQH¿WIURPWKHFRPPLWPHQWRIWKH dictate the rules of the game and UHIHUULQJ WR WKH ¿QDQFLDO FULVLV Ilkhat Tushev, the analyst at ,QGLDQVLGHWKDWKROGVLQWKHSURMHFWWR¿QDQFHWKHHQWLUH determine prices for the con- and rising prices in the power Central Asia Investments. exploration stage,” he said. tract,” said Batyr Teshebayev, equipment market. The project UNDP estimates that by the In January 2009 while on visit in India Kazakhstan’s presi- chairman of Uzbekenergo. was scheduled to enter the ac- end of 2015 in order to produce dent signed an agreement on handing over 25% of KMG’s share In April 2009 an international tive phase this year and the term 61-62 billion kilowatt hours in the Satpayev block to the Indian state-owned ONGC Videsh consortium presented by Slova- for its initial implementation with 8% of GDP growth and Limited. kian Synecta a.s., Czech Skoda – fall of 2012 has already been existing energy consumption, The Satpayev Block is located in the northern part of the Ka- CKD, Slovenian Iskra and Ca- adjusted to 2013. additional use of up to 8 billion zakh sector of the Caspian Sea. The Block includes three per- nadian SNC Lavalin won the Some experts believe that the cubic meters of natural gas per spective structures: Satpayev, East Satpayev and Karina. The tender for modernization of tender to select the general con- year or about 6.5 million tons of distance from the center of the Block to the coastline is 90 km. Tashkent TPP. Skoda CKD later tractor for the construction of oil equivalents will be required. The recoverable reserves are estimated at 253 million tonnes of withdrew from the consortium, two combined cycle plants with Growth of electricity produc- oil equivalent. and it later became known that the capacity of 450 megawatt tion will demand more hydro- In June 2010 the Kazakh Ministry of Oil and Gas and National Synecta a.s. failed to comply each for the Talimarjan TPP will carbon resources: today 77% Company KazMunayGas signed a contract for exploration and ZLWK ¿QDQFLDO DQG WHFKQLFDO also be extended. Results of the of electricity at thermal power production activities at the Satpayev Block. conditions of the contract signed tender announced in Novem- stations is generated through with Uzbekenergo in September ber 2010 will be concluded in burning natural gas, 7% by 2009. According to Radio Lib- the second quarter of this year. burning fuel oil, and 3.5% coal. Kazakhstan, India agree erty the head of the Slovakian However, local analyst Dilmu- The remaining 12% of electric- company was arrested in May rad Kholmatov believes that the ity is produced by hydroelectric on cooperation in peaceful use 2010 by Uzbekistan’s National winner will not be announced power plants. Security Service on charges of during this term. “Thus, the In order to make alternative of nuclear power IUDXGDQGWDPSHULQJZLWK¿QDQ- planned volume of investments sources (coal) compatible with cial documents. The fate of the is frustrated, threatening the gas the latter will need to cost ASTANA (Interfax) — Kazakhstan and Slovakian citizen should have plan to reduce energy losses in at least 1.5-fold more, believes been a subject of discussion the industry,” said Kholmatov. analyst Anvar Jumayev. This India have signed an agreement on coopera- during the meeting of Uzbek proportion has not yet been tion in peaceful uses of atomic energy last and Slovakian presidents in late High losses achieved. Since current rates Saturday in Astana. 2010. Information on the prog- High energy losses (22-23% of increase in gas prices are ex- ress of the case has not yet been of production output) are caus- pected to remain moderate in “We have signed an agreement on cooperation in peaceful disclosed. Meanwhile recon- ing particular concern in light the coming years this type of XVHVRIDWRPLFHQHUJ\,QGLDSODQVD¿YHIROGLQFUHDVHLQHOHFWULF- struction of the Tashkent TPP of the 7-8% annual increase in fuel will still be the most attrac- ity generation at nuclear power plants and a raise in uranium was not even included in the economic growth in Uzbekistan. tive energy source for Uzbek procurement up to 2 tonnes a year by 2014,” said Kazakh Presi- National investment program Although in recent years there consumers, which means there dent Nursultan Nazarbayev at the signing ceremony. for 2011, and representatives of has been an increase in the gross PD\ EH VXSSO\ GH¿FLWV LQ WKH “A subsequent agreement on uranium processing is very im- Uzbekenergo refuse to provide demand for electricity of up to near future. portant for us,” said Nazarbayev. 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD www.timesca.com April 21, 2011 ENERGY/MARKETS 13 Russian-Kyrgyz joint venture Kazakhstan’s London-listed to start jet fuel deliveries to companies: three stars with Manas Transit Center this week BISHKEK — The Kyrgyz parliament has rati- blue notes on their tails ¿HGD.\UJ\]86LQWHUJRYHUQPHQWDODJUHHPHQW which enables Kyrgyzstan to supply up to a half Continued from page 1 relatively stable oil prices GDRs on the LSE classed at of all jet fuel to the U.S. Transit Center at the ENRC beat all records by on world markets, with a the equivalent of $24.46 per raising the equivalent of sharp decline that occurred common share at the end of Bishkek Manas International Airport. $24.788 billion. Accord- in 2009 offset by a strong 2006, to peak at $31 a year Kyrgyzstan may start the deliveries already this week, Kyrgyz ing to a background report recovery through 2010, have later. After two more years of Energy Minister Askarbek Shadiyev told Interfax on Monday. by the regional analytical resulted in a solid corpo- sharp oscillations, the price Gazpromneft-Aero Kyrgyzstan, a Russian-Kyrgyz joint venture news agency Silkroadin- rate performance through stood at $19.83 per common formed specially to deliver jet fuel to the U.S. Transit Center, will telligencer published on the second half of the first share at the end of 2010. Ka- make the deliveries, he said. Kyrgyzstan has 49% in the joint ven- March 14, 2008, as of end- decade in the new century. zakhmys’ share ended the ture and Russia has 51%. 2007 cumulative returns on Revenue between 2006 and year 2007 at 1,000 pence, The annual revenues of Kyrgyzstan may be about $23 million, the the three IPOs amounted to 2010 rose from $3.269 billion reached the order of 1,900p minister said. 184.26 percent for Kazakh- to $4.135 billion, marked by in late spring 2008, only to The Kyrgyz Energy Ministry estimates the annual jet fuel de- mys, 83.74 percent for KMG a peak of just over $5 billion plummet to a mere 250p at mand of the Transit Center at some 360,000 tons. EP and 81.48 percent for in 2008. Net profit stood at the end of 2009. Towards the Kyrgyz Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev said in late March ENRC. $1.591 billion in 2010, down end of 2010, the price had re- that Kyrgyzstan, which had received the right to supply up to 50% of jet fuel to the Transit Center together with Russia, would insist KAZAKHSTAN’S TOP 3 PERFORMERS ON THE LONDON STOCK that the remaining supplies must not be made by Mina Corp. EXCHANGE IN 2009/2010 (in US dollars unless otherwise indicated) The joint venture will start jet fuel deliveries to the Transit Center DIWHUWKHGHDO¶VUDWL¿FDWLRQDWWKH.\UJ\]SDUOLDPHQW company Kazakhmys ENRC KMG EP Gazpromneft-Aero is a subsidiary of Gazpromneft, which has full year 2009 2010 2009 2010 2009 2010 been supplying jet fuel since January 1, 2008. revenue $2404m $3237m $3831m $6605m $3291m $4135m RSHUDWLQJSUR¿W $549m $1136m $1374m $2710m $1050m $1267m net income $553m $1450m $1062m $2197m $1422m $1591m net income per share 174c 272c 81c 170c 324c 366c Kazakhstan relaxes dividend per share 9c 22c 12c 30.5c 477c 543c oil product export quota source: company data in respective annual reports ALMATY — The Kazakh government has raised Kazakhmys mainly dwells from a peak of just over covered to the order of 1,700p the quota for the export of oil products. on copper, with steady addi- $2 billion in 2008, but still per common share - up by tional output of gold, silver strongly topping the $972 around 70 per cent from end- $GHFUHHSXEOLVKHGLQWKHRI¿FLDOSUHVVSURYLGHVIRUH[SRUWRI and zinc alongside. ENRC is million profit achieved in 2007. As for ENRC, share 10,000 tonnes of light distillates to Kyrgyzstan until May 1, 2011. a world leader in production 2006, according to a review prices have consolidated in The new document amended the earlier issued government’s de- of ferrochrome, and also included in the company’s the order of 1,000p through cree of February 24, 2011 to allow exports of three types of gasoil produces important amounts recently published annual 2009 and 2011, with spreads totaling 145,000 tonnes by May 1, 2011 and to expand the list of ex- of aluminum, iron ore as report over 2010. amounting to 200p down and port destinations. Apart from Afghanistan, the exports of oil prod- well as other metals and The oil and gas producer’s 200p up. ucts are currently allowed to Kyrgyzstan as well. their half-fabricates. Both overall development in rev- Apart from Kazakhstan’s Kazakhstan extended a ban on certain fuel exports, including enterprises are engaged in enue versus profit ratio indi- three jewels-in-the-crown light distillates, kerosene and gasoils except special gasolines and coal mining and coal-based cates a significant improve- in the City, three of its larg- household fuel, by six months in November 2010. power generation. The his- ment in cost control at an est banks, namely Alliance toric reason is that coal re- increased benefit for stock- Bank, Halyk Bank and Ka- mains the most economical holders, since the curve in zkommertsbank have their India’s Sharon Biomedicine energy source for mining revenue is roughly in line GDRs circulating on the and processing, but supplies with the average price of London Stock Exchange. to establish antibiotics to the electricity industry Kazakhstan’s benchmark The three banks were to has turned both companies’ blend Urals, which stood varying proportions bailed production in Uzbekistan interests in coal from a li- at $61 per barrel in 2006 out by the state of Kazakh- ability into an asset. against $94.10 in 2008, stan in 2009 in the wake of TASHKENT (TCA) — In 2012-2015 India’s While Kazakhmys mainly $60.90 in 2009 and $87.80 the global credit market im- Sharon Biomedicine plans to establish antibiot- focuses on Kazakhstan as in 2010. KMG EP’s oil pro- plosion which allowed them its working ground, ENRC duction remained stable at to consolidate their liquidity ics production worth US $37 million in the Navoi in recent years has ex- 3.102 million tonnes in 2010, base and prepare for a pend- region (central part of Uzbekistan), according to panded its business far be- compared with 3.055 mil- ing recovery of financial the Uzfarmprom State Joint Stock Concern. yond Central Asia, includ- lion in 2007. Proven net oil markets. On top of that, one ing projects in Africa and reserves stood at 600 mil- more miner, KazakhGold, An agreement of cooperation in implementing pharmaceutical Latin America. ENRC saw lion barrels in 2010, down together with the country’s projects has already been signed with the Indian company. its net profit year-on-year from 685 million in 2006. largest paper manufac- Under the agreement Sharon Biomedicine will begin production more than double in 2010, in Both output and reserves turer Kazakhstan Kagazy of cephalosporin antibiotics with a capacity of 100 million bottles line with increased revenue are set to receive a major and construction, property and 300 tons per year. According to the business plan, up to 50 per- over solid sales, based on a boost starting in 2015, when and accommodation group cent of production will be exported. policy maintained by both Kazakhstan’s first post-So- Chagala complete the list. The new production facility will be located in the Navoi free in- ENRC and Kazakhmys that viet mega-project, the off- While West-European-con- dustrial and economic zone (FIEZ), with construction implemented consists of seeking compen- shore field of Kashagan and trolled Chagala looks steady within four years. sation in increased sales vol- adjacent blocks, comes on enough, all others remain 7KHSURMHFWZLOOEH¿QDQFHGZLWKPLOOLRQZRUWKRIGLUHFWLQ- umes at times of stagnation stream. faced with obstacles of vestment from the Indian company and $10 million in loans from or decline in market prices KGM EP is for 57.9 per varying character prevent- Uzbek banks. on the London Metal Ex- cent owned by KazMunay- ing them from spreading Eight operating facilities with a total value of approximately $60 change and restraint in pro- Gas, while 34.1 per cent are their wings in full flight on million are currently located in the Navoi FIEZ. These facilities duction and sales at times ÀRDWLQJ RQ WKH /RQGRQ DQG the global capital markets specialize in the production of digital tuners, plastic pipes, automo- of strengthening sales price Almaty stock exchanges. The - thereby leaving Kazakh- tive component units, transportation and storage of fruits and veg- positions on the LME. remainder consists of 4.5 per stan’s three blue-chips in etables, energy saving lamps, gas meters and LCD-monitors. As for KMG EP, peri- cent treasury shares and 3.4 unchallenged positions for odically volatile but taken per cent private-owned pre- now, and probably for some TCA – Interfax within longer time spans ferred stock. The company’s time to come as well. www.timesca.com 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD 14 PAST WEEK IN REVIEW April 21, 2011 KAZAKHSTAN

Tigers could Resources’ (IUCN) Red List. tion head Aslan Musin told a been announced the Year of Soros The plan seeks to relocate session of the Senate that the South Korea in Kazakhstan. reappear Amur tigers from the Russian 3URVHFXWRU*HQHUDO¶V 2I¿FH Its (South Korea’s) investments Foundation in Kazakhstan Far East to suitable habitat in has opened criminal cases in this project will make more Kazakhstan Kazakhstan near the delta of against Almas Tashenova, than USD 300 mln. The Ko- under new plan the Ili River, south of Balkhash Sailaubek Dzhakishev, Marlen rean side shall build this cen- invested Lake. Kamnazarov, Marziya Balt- tre in Astana. Kazakhstan has — WWF In March 2011, the Prime abai, Bakhytzhan Zhaqypov, already received the up-to-date about $20 Minister of Kazakhstan Ka- and Maqsut Adilkhair. diagnostic equipment worth mln in Kazakh rim Masimov underlined his Musin said they are suspect- USD 4 mln from the Korean interest in developing the tiger ed of “corruptive activities.” delegation. education restoration programme in a Senators voted unanimously to Raushan Issayeva, the acting development meeting with WWF-Russia Di- approve Nazarbaev’s decision. Director of Science and Human rector Igor Chestin and WWF Senator Ghani Qasymov told Resources Department of the ASTANA, April 14 (KA- Central Asia Programme Head journalists after the session Kazakh Healthcare Ministry, ZINFORM) — Over 15 years wwf.org Olga Pereladova. that Supreme Court Chairman said that according to WHO, of its work the non-govern- “We congratulate the Kaza- ASTANA, April 14 (KA- Musabek Alimbekov should be by 2020 the number of cancer PHQWDO QRQSUR¿W RUJDQL]D- khstan Government for taking held responsible for corruption patients would rise twofold and tion Soros Foundation Kaza- ZINFORM) — Tigers could this opportunity to help the ti- roam again in Central Asia among judges. by 2050 every second person khstan invested about USD ger,” said Mike Baltzer, Head Qasymov said Kazakh law would be in a risk-group. “Re- 20 million in development of under a new plan by the Kaza- of WWF’s Tigers Alive Initia- khstan Government to reintro- stipulates that the heads of state alizing the globalization of this Kazakhstan’s education. FSK tive. “Restoring tigers to Cen- agencies in which corruption problem, we believe the forum educational consultant Saule duce them in part of the coun- tral Asia will require building try where they went extinct cases are discovered should be will of great importance for us. Kalikova made it public at a both strong partnerships and a required to step down. It is not accidental that since roundtable on the issues of decades ago. strong protection regime.” WWF-Russia, together with 2001 oncology has been given availability of quality educa- the Government and experts Kazakhstan priority by the Kazakhstan au- tion for children from socially of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kazakh thorities. The main macro-in- vulnerable groups. announced last Tuesday a new President sacks to build dicator of the oncology service ³3HUKDSV WKLV ¿JXUH 86' programme to return tigers to world-class is good detection of cancer at 20 million) does not sound the region. six Supreme the 1st and 2nd stages. Over serious at a time when large According to WWF, the sub- Court judges cancer centre WKHODVW¿YH\HDUVZHKDYHRE- amounts of money are poured species found in Kazakhstan, served positive results in this annually into the education in- known as the Caspian or Turan for corruption ALMATY, April 14 (KA- direction. Thus, the number dustry of Kazakhstan. Howev- tiger (Panthera tigris virgata), ZINFORM) — A new world- of people with this disease has er, it should be understood that went extinct because of poach- ASTANA, April 14 (RFE/ class cancer centre, the largest reduced by 13% and to date we had come to Kazakhstan in ing and habitat loss. It was last RL) — Kazakh President one in Central Asian region, we are able of detecting the 1995, when the system was in recorded in the wild in the Nursultan Nazarbaev sacked will be built in Kazakhstan. complex forms of cancer”, she crisis. Then we brought here early 1970s, and there none in six Supreme Court judges sus- This was announced at World noted. not only money but also tech- captivity, according to the In- pected of corruption, RFE/RL’s DJDLQVW FDQFHU VFLHQWL¿F FRQ- The conference was attended nology, experience, which I ternational Union for Conser- Kazakh Service reports. ference in Almaty. by more than 30 leading oncol- think became useful for Kaza- vation of Nature and Natural Presidential Administra- As is known, year 2011 has ogists from the South Korea. khstan,” Kalikova noted.

KYRGYZSTAN

Kyrgyz uprising Sulaimanov showed the vid- Central Asia Pierre Morel. and the EU underlined their in the oblast. The region is rich eo and the other materials the They paid tribute to the mem- readiness to continue support enough in natural resources victim alive, journalists collected. Parlia- ory of those whose lives were for the people and the Govern- and attractive to investors. Fin- ment deputies decided to send lost in the events of April 2010. ment of Kyrgyzstan. land has opportunity to con- living in Russia them to Kyrgyzstan’s prosecu- The envoys emphasized that tribute to the development of tor-general to help determine the tragic events of June 2010 our economy”, said Burkanov BISHKEK, April 14 (RFE/ ZKRZDVHUURQHRXVO\LGHQWL¿HG must be addressed through Finland has concluding the meeting. RL) — A man believed killed and buried as Maksymbekov. continued dialogue, tolerance, in last year’s antigovernment opportunities The allocation of an apart- and reconciliation. They wel- uprising in Kyrgyzstan is re- Kyrgyz ment for Maksymbekov’s rela- comed the work on the Concept to contribute to ported to be alive and well and tives was frozen after Sulaim- of Ethnic Development and Parliament living in Russia, RFE/RL’s development anov’s March 31 statement, but Consolidation of Kyrgyzstan’s UDWL¿HV Kyrgyz Service reports. they earlier received 1 million Society and encouraged all po- of economy of Maralbek Maksymbekov was VRPV   DV ¿QDQFLDO litical actors to join the work. Batken oblast agreement with listed as among the 87 Kyrgyz compensation for their “loss.” The envoys expressed their ex- citizens killed in clashes between pectation that the recommen- — governor Korea on visa- protesters and security forces in dations of the international ex- free regime Bishkek on April 7, 2010, that President perts of the Kyrgyzstan Inquiry BISHKEK, April 15 triggered the ouster of President meets with Commission will contribute to (KABAR) — Extraordinary BISHKEK, April 15 Kurmanbek Bakiev. this process. and Plenipotentiary Ambassa- (KABAR) — Deputies of the But deputy Altynbek Sulaim- UN, OSCE and The envoys of the UN, dor of the Republic of Finland Jogorku Kenesh at the plenary anov told parliament that Mak- EU envoys for OSCE, and EU underlined the in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, meeting on April 15 considered symbekov is alive and living in need to step up efforts by the Mikko Kinnunen visited WKH GUDIW /DZ ³2Q UDWL¿FDWLRQ the city of Yekaterinburg. Kyrgyzstan Parliament and Government to Batken oblast on April 14. of the Agreement between the Sulaimanov said that he re- improve the work of state insti- At the meeting with governor Government of the Kyrgyz Re- cently sent journalists to the BISHKEK, April 15 tutions, develop and implement of Batken oblast Arzybek Bur- public and the Republic of Ko- city where they found Mak- (KABAR) — President Roza secondary legislation and tack- kanov, the Finnish diplomat rea on visa-free travel for hold- symbekov, talked to him, and Otunbaeva met on April 14 le organized crime and corrup- discussed the issues of bilateral ers of diplomatic and service videotaped a statement he with the Special Representa- tion. They underscored that the cooperation in economic and passports, signed on November made. Maksymbekov said in tive of the UN Secretary Gen- forthcoming presidential elec- social spheres. 30, 2010 in Seoul”. that statement he was not in eral Miroslav Jenca, Special tions constituted an important “In Batken oblast infrastruc- After a short discussion, the Kyrgyzstan on April 7, 2010, Representative of the OSCE opportunity to further con- ture to attract foreign invest- draft law was put to the vote and has no idea how his name &KDLUSHUVRQLQ2I¿FHIRU.\U- solidate democratic institutions ments has been improving. and by the majority of votes of was included in the list of those gyzstan Herbert Salber and and practices in Kyrgyzstan. Currently more than 20 compa- parliamentarians was approved killed. EU Special Representative for The envoys of the UN, OSCE nies of foreign countries work in all three readings.

For more news on Central Asia, see www.timesca.com 7KH 7LPHV RI &HQWUDO $VLD www.timesca.com April 21, 2011 PAST WEEK IN REVIEW 15 TURKMENISTAN UZBEKISTAN

New DOO FRQGLWLRQV IRU WKH HI¿FLHQW egation of the Inter-Parliamen- Thirteen men in Kashkadarya performance of duties and full- tary Friendship Group “Turk- frontier post cycle recreation of guards. menistan – Romania” headed jailed on religious charges The new frontier post was by its director Cristian Mihai inaugurated built as part of the military Adomnitei. In addition to the TASHKENT, April 13 (Uznews.net) — The Tashkent-based in the north of UHIRUPDVLJQL¿FDQWDVSHFWRI parliamentarians the delega- Expert Working Group is reporting that 13 people have been which is to create conditions tion also included representa- jailed in Kashkadarya Region on charges of religious extremism. Turkmenistan for service and everyday life of tives of business circles, heads The group says that the 13 men, all residents of Kaptarli village, servicemen in accordance with of big Romanian companies. were sentenced on trumped-up charges of involvement in a jihadi ASHGABAT, April 12 international standards. Members of the delegation organisation, attempting to overthrow Uzbekistan’s constitutional (Turkmenistan.ru) — A new expressed their keen interest system and producing and distributing materials which threaten frontier post was inaugurated in expanding bilateral ties with public order. They were given prison terms ranging from 6.5 to in Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Turkmen- Turkmenistan in trade and 10.5 years in early February. district of Dashoguz province Romanian economic sphere and humani- Confessions were extracted, the EWG claims, through the use of Turkmenistan. It was built WDULDQ¿HOGLQSDUWLFXODULQWKH of torture, ill-treatment and threats to rape their family members. by specialists of N 2 regional parliamentary sphere of education. The 13 men admitted to crimes they had not committed and were construction department. talks held The Romanian delegation IRUFHGWRVLJQEODQNSDSHUVZKLFKZHUHODWHU¿OOHGLQE\LQYHVWLJD- The frontier post boasts the held talks with the government tors. RI¿FH DQG VRFLDO IDFLOLWLHV in Ashgabat RI¿FLDOV DQG WKH 0LQLVWU\ RI administrative buildings, bar- Foreign Affairs of Turkmeni- racks, warehouses, enclosures ASHGABAT, April 13 stan. The sides discussed is- Uzbek President’s daughter sues for specially trained dogs. Ac- (Turkmenistan.ru) — On April sues of bilateral cooperation in French website for defamation cording to participants of the 12, the Mejlis of Turkmenistan priority areas such as energy, ceremony, there were created hosted a meeting with the del- transport and construction. TASHKENT, April 15 (RFE/RL) — The 33-year-old daugh- ter of Uzbekistan’s brutal authoritarian ruler Islam Karimov, Lola TAJIKISTAN Karimova-Tillyeva recently ¿OHGVXLWDJDLQVWWKHLQGHSHQG- ent French website Rue89.com Israel warns spokesman for Tajikistan’s mayor’s reserve fund for hold- over an article that allegedly state energy supplier, Barqi ing this sports event at the LGHQWL¿HGKHUDVWKHGDXJKWHU its nationals Tojik, said that thanks to the proper level and winners will of a dictator and characterized increased volume of water in receive $3,500 USD each. her charity work in France as against travel the Vakhsh River, electricity an attempt to whitewash the to Tajikistan rationing has been lifted in the IFC to help reputation of Uzbekistan’s re- capital. pressive ruling regime. Lola Karimova (RFE/RL) DUSHANBE, April 11 He said other parts of the Tajikistan Karimova-Tillyeva charges (Asia-Plus) — The Commis- country would have electric- that one of the articles written sion on Combating Terrorism ity from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and develop by Rue89.com reporter Augustin Scalbert about her charity work at Israel’s National Security from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. hydropower is defamatory. Scalbert says her lawyers are seeking 30,000 euros Council recommends that Is- ($48,000) in moral damages. raeli citizens avoid travel to sector Scalbert believes the case has more to do with the media situa- Tajikistan on the threshold of tion in France than it does with the word “dictator,” telling RFE/ DUSHANBE, April 19 (Cen- the Jewish festival of Pesach RL that Karimova-Tillyeva “doesn’t like the fact that we write tral Asia Newswire) — The (Passover). about Uzbekistan in the right ways,” let alone discussing the 2005 International Finance Corpora- A travel warning issued events in Andijon, when thousands of Uzbek protesters were mas- tion (IFC) has agreed to help by Israel’s National Security sacred by government forces, as well as citing other instances of Tajikistan attract investors to its Council also recommends that human rights abuse. hydropower sector, Tajikistan’s Israeli citizens avoid travel to “The mainstream French press doesn’t do that,” Scalbert says, Centralasiaonline.com State Committee on Investments Georgia, Armenia and Azer- noting that the major French television station TF1 has vested and State-owned Property Man- baijan during the Pesach fes- Yodgori added that as soon as commercial interests in Central Asia with French industrial group agement (GosKomInvest) said tival as a threat to Israeli citi- WKHÀRZRIZDWHULQFUHDVHVUD- Bouygues — a major stakeholder in the company — invested zens reportedly still persists in tioning will end countrywide. on Monday. heavily in Turkmenistan, another autocrat-run country with a these countries. This winter, due to warm The IFC is a member of the poor human rights record. The report says the men- weather, Dushanbe and the main World Bank group and helps Gilles Lordet, a director of research at Paris-based press-free- tioned countries have quite provincial main cities did not im- developing economies grow dom advocate Reporters Without Borders, was dismissive of the close relations with Iran. pose regular power cuts, while their private sectors. case, telling RFE/RL that Karimova-Tillyeva is in for “a lot” of It is to be noted that it is not smaller towns had electricity for Tajikistan, a former Soviet work “if she wants to sue all the newspapers that think that Kari- WKH ¿UVW WLPH WKDW ,VUDHO KDV about 10 hours a day. state, has a weak private sector mov is a dictator.” recommended that its citizens resulting from a lack of priva- Rumor has it that Karimova-Tillyeva, Uzbekistan’s ambassa- avoid travel to Tajikistan on the tization after independence in dor to UNESCO in Paris, is competing with her glamorous older threshold of the Passover festi- Dushanbe 1991. Hydropower provides sister Gulnara Karimova, Uzbek ambassador to United Nations val. Last year, The Commis- marks Capital approximately 80 percent of RUJDQL]DWLRQVLQ*HQHYDIRULQÀXHQFH sion on Combating Terrorism the country’s electricity. City Day The agreement for IFC’s as- at Israel’s National Security SCO, CIS Anti-Terrorism Center Council recommended that Is- sistance came during a talk raeli citizens planning to visit DUSHANBE, April 16 between GosKomInvest’s hold conference in Tashkent Tajikistan delay their travels. (Asia-Plus) — The Capital City chief Davlatali Saidov and the Day is marked in Tajikistan on IFC’s coordinator in Tajiki- TASHKENT, April 15 (UzA) — The Executive Committee of the third Saturday of April and stan, Christopher Miller, the the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Coopera- Electricity this year, Dushanbe marked Tajik news agency AsiaPlus.tj tion Organization (SCO RATS) in conjunction with the Anti-Ter- rationing lifted the event on April 16. reported on Monday. rorism Center of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS An international race dedi- The IFC is interested in en- ATC) held an international conference on “The activities of ter- in Tajik capital cated to this event took place in listing investors for the con- rorist organizations in the countries of the SCO and CIS. Meas- Dushanbe and representatives struction of small hydropower ures to ensure anti-diversion protection of objects of particular DUSHANBE, April 15 of all regions of the country plants. importance, special objects and military infrastructure” were dis- (RFE/RL) — Electricity ra- participated in the race. Tajikistan is plagued by re- cussed on 13-14 April in Tashkent. tioning has been ended in Shavkat Saidov, a spokes- peated power outages because The mutual interest of the SCO and the CIS anti-terrorism bod- Dushanbe but remains in force man for the Dushanbe mayor’s of its heavy dependence on hy- LHVLQKROGLQJWKH¿UVWFRQIHUHQFHRILWVNLQGVWHPPHGIURPWKH elsewhere in the country, RFE/ RI¿FH VD\V  VRPRQL dropower. In the winter, frozen fact that challenges faced by the member states in countering ter- RL’s Tajik Service reports. (equivalent to some $40,000 rivers limit hydropower water rorism and extremism are equally relevant for all and can be ef- Nozirjon Yodgori, the USD) were allocated from the supplies. fectively addressed only through collective efforts.

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