SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION MAGAZINE
June 2017 № 10
THE SCO SUMMIT IN ASTANA JUNE 7-8, 2017
15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SCO CHARTER page 3
POINT OF RETURN TO PEACE AND DIALOG page 10
SYRIA NEEDS «COALITION OF PEACE» page 13
NEW GIANTS IN SCO ALLIANCE page 15
WORLD FIGHTS DRUGS, WHILE DRUGS FIGHT THE WORLD page 21
THE NEW SILK ROAD: RUSSIAN VIEW page 31 NURSULTAN NAZARBAYEV Accession of India and Pakistan to our organization marks a qualitatively new stage in the SCO’s development СONTENTS
Project director NURSULTAN NAZARBAYEV Denis TYURIN 2 THE SCO IS GAINING POLITICAL WEIGHT AND ECONOMIC POWER RASHID ALIMOV Editor in chief 3 SCO CHARTER IS ITS SOUL AND COMPASS Tatyana SINITSYNA BAKHTIYOR KHAKIMOV: THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY – TO ENHANCE Deputy Editor in Chief 4 DIALOG, DEVELOP COOPERATION AND IMPROVE THE SCO Maxim KRANS Tatiana Sinitsyna ASTANA, GENIUS LOCI Project manager 7 Anastasia KIRILLOVA Adil Kaukenov 10 POINT OF RETURN TO PEACE AND DIALOG Editorial Board Sergey LUZYANIN Stanislav Ivanov Alexander LUKIN 13 SYRIA NEEDS «COALITION OF PEACE» Dmitry Kosyrev English version 15 NEW GIANTS IN SCO ALLIANCE Natalya LATISHEVA Said Gafurov Chinese version 17 FINANCIAL SOURCES OF TERRORISM Alexander KISLOV Alexander Zhebin KOREAN PUZZLE Design, layout 19 Andrey KRASNOV Ksenia Gukaeva 21 WORLD FIGHTS DRUGS, WHILE DRUGS FIGHT THE WORLD Technical support Nina DOROKHOVA SERGEY KANAVSKY: NONE OF SCO BUSINESS COUNCIL’S 23 PROJECTS HAS BEEN PUT ON THE SHELF Editorial team Adil Kaukenov Tatyana SINITSYNA ASTANA PRESENTS EXPO 2017 Adil KAUKENOV 25 Stanislav IVANOV YERNAR BAKENOV: ACHIEVING OPTIMAL INTEGRATION Dmitry KOSYREV 27 OF NURLY ZHOL AND SREB Said GAFUROV Alexander ZHEBIN Naina Aminova Ksenia GUKAEVA 30 ROUTE OF DIALOG, EVEN IF NOT ALWAYS OF SILK Naina AMINOVA Yuri Tavrovsky Yuri TAVROVSKY 31 RUSSIA AND THE NEW SILK ROAD Evgeny PASTUKHOV Irina NOVIKOVA Yevgeny Pastukhov Anatoly KOROLEV 34 KAZAKHSTAN’S MODERNIZATION IN COOPERATION WITH SCO Olzhas SULEIMENOV Irina Novikova Olga SEROVA 37 LIFE BUOY FOR THE ARAL SEA Anatoly Korolev 39 GREAT RUSSIAN REVOLUTION: SEARCHING FOR THE TRUE WORLD ORDER Tatyana SINITSYNA SOFT POWER OF IRINA ZAKHAROVA 41 Editorial team of the «InfoSCO» magazine Olzhas Suleimenov thanks for collaboration the Ministry of 42 THE SILK ROAD AND THE TURKS foreign affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan and personally the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic 45 RUSSIAN CENTER OPENS AT UNIVERSITY OF TEHRAN of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation Olga Serova Imangali Tasmagambetov and the First 46 WEAVER WHO WOVE HIMSELF GLORY secretary of the Embassy Dmitry Ivanov
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InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 1 The SCO is gaining political weight and economic power. Its voice can now be heard everywhere. Our task is to ensure that the SCO does not become an amorphous, bureaucratic organization existing only on paper.
The new reality demands that we increase the efficiency of our Organization in strengthening international security both on the regional and on the global scale.
Deepening of trade, economic, financial and investment cooperation will create the necessary conditions to later establish a free trade zone within the SCO.
The SCO is kind of a common Asian wealth fund, and each of its member states should make a relevant contribution to it.
Accession of India and Pakistan to our organization marks a qualitatively new stage in the SCO’s development, reflects the growth of its authority and importance on the international stage. After the admission of the new members, the SCO will comprise over 65% of Eurasia’s territory, 45% of the planet’s population and over 19% of the global GDP.
The importance of the SCO in Eurasia is immense. First of all, the organization should ensure security, encourage economic development and humanitarian cooperation and promote transport and logistic corridors between its member states.
Nursultan NAZARBAYEV President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 2 RASHID ALIMOV: SCO CHARTER IS ITS SOUL AND COMPASS by the Charter – the Shanghai spirit. «The SCO model functions so that no matter how acute an issue, each party is trying to reach mutual agreement, which is clearly seen in our ability to listen to, to hear and to notice each other,» Mr. Alimov pointed out. He quoted Confucius, who had described a similar system of relations, «The nobler-minded will be agreeable even when they disagree; the small-minded will agree and be disagreeable.» This testifies to the uniqueness of the Organization, where interests of each party are matched against the interests of all the others,” the Secretary General emphasized. Guided by its founding document, the SCO sticks to the policy that rules out blocks, ideologized and confrontational approaches to resolving international and regional problems. «The Organization strictly abides by the principles set out in the SCO Charter, including its not being directed against any other countries and international organizations; it actively develops contacts and cooperation with international and regional organizations, first of all with The 21st century has given humankind has shown the world a vivid example the United Nations and its agencies,» fresh ideas, new concepts and models of of a new interpretation of commonly Alimov said. «All decisions made within international reality. A living offspring recognized foundations of inter-state the SCO are the result of crystallization of the objective global process is the interaction. The SCO Charter is the soul and combination of views, opinions and emergence of the Shanghai Cooperation and compass of the Organization.» approaches of the founding members,» Organization. It was born out of a What are the specific features he stressed. highly moral substrate – a spirit of of partnership within the Shanghai «It is the Charter that determines mutual respect and trust, principles of Cooperation Organization? Describing the principle of multi-format equality, respect to national cultures, them, Mr. Alimov emphasized that interaction within the Organization,» desire of joint development. No other the SCO is «one of the few multi- he said. «This determined four areas international union has declared such functional international associations of the SCO’s activities: cooperation fine principles of cooperation. that were fully built in the format of in politics and security, the economic To mark the 15th anniversary of equal multilateral partnership from the sphere, cultural and humanitarian the adoption of the SCO Charter, the very beginning. This is the main factor cooperation and, most importantly, Organization’s framework document, of the Organization’s advantage and the unfailing intention of the member a scientific symposium was held in appeal. Mutual understanding instead states to develop together… Speaking Beijing in March 2017, where SCO of an indiscriminate one-size-fits-all of the SCO’s political philosophy, it is Secretary General Rashid Alimov approach, equality and coordination based on abidance by international law delivered a speech. «The SCO Charter instead of domination: these are the and the UN Charter. The Organization is one of the first legal document in key elements of the partnership. The is transparent and willing to deal with international practice that envisages closer coordination, the deeper mutual everyone who so desires. The SCO has a model of universal partnership as understanding; the more strictly already passed the formation stage, a fundamental characteristic of an equality is observed, the stronger and all four areas are being developed international association,» he said. and more efficient the partnership gradually and consistently… Many «Today, no one questions the fact that becomes.» experts forecast that the SCO may the SCO Charter, having laid down the The core factor in establishing become the stronghold of the new, goals and key areas of cooperation, cooperation of the six member safe, fair and democratic world order, having created a solid legal framework states in the new format of regional and they have reasons to think so,» the for the Organization’s functioning, interaction is a new notion introduced Secretary General concluded.
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 3 BAKHTIYOR KHAKIMOV: THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY – TO ENHANCE DIALOG, DEVELOP COOPERATION AND IMPROVE THE SCO
InfoSCO interviews the Russian President’s envoy to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization The Astana summit has already Preparation of accession documents conditions candidates have to meet. been called historical: the SCO is for the two new members has taken The main one is that an applicant state expanding, becoming an «eight» quite some time. What are the must declare its readiness to rigorously instead of a «six,» admitting India principles of the SCO’s expansion and abide by all obligations existing and Pakistan. Apparently, it will need how well are the risks assessed? within the SCO’s current agreements to integrate the new members in its First of all, we have a policy on and contracts. This is what India and activities. How difficult do you think admission of new members, which Pakistan have done. In their official this process will be? stipulates a number of criteria potential documents and applications, New Delhi Admission of new members, two members must comply with. If a and Islamabad confirmed that they had large countries, will be the key event candidate does not meet at least one timely and unconditionally, without of the meeting of the SCO Council of requirement, the decision on starting any exceptions, joined the rules of the the Heads of State. A brand new era the accession procedure cannot be Organization mandatory for all member is beginning. Of course, we will need made. The Policy clearly defines all states and also all other documents to integrate the new members in the SCO’s activities. At the summit, we will need to sum up the achievements of the past, and to assess our prospects and opportunities of further development and expanded cooperation. The figures I am going to cite are well-known and they are true: after accession of India and Pakistan, the SCO will comprise 44% of the world’s population, producing about 24% of global GDP. These figures give a picture of the prospects that are opening up for the Organization. But there is another well-known fact: structures that stop developing do not have a future.
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www.infoshos.ru 4 (there are about 30 of them). I would events. Which moments will be will have to do some work to persuade like to add that both India and Pakistan reflected in the Astana Statement? our partners to agree to some or other met this requirement quickly and The work is still under way in approach. Some of our colleagues are timely. preparations for the summit. Even cautious in certain issues, e.g. those Speaking about risks, there is though the Astana Statement has been related to integration processes in virtually no ground for them to adopted in principle, there may be Eurasia, support to the establishment arise. The key principle of the SCO certain adjustments of the wording of the Eurasian Economic Union, and – consensus – was, is and will remain and additions. Overall, it is a working the One Belt, One Road initiative. unchanged. On the other hand, there document, nothing pompous or Some partners believe that if they do have always been dissenting opinions of dramatic. not participate in these projects it is member states, and this is natural. The The final declaration, first of all, illogical to support them on behalf of principle of consensus does not mean reflects the agreed upon positions and the entire organization. At the same that throughout the 16 years of the approaches to the key issues of the SCO’s time, I would like to remind you that Organization’s existence, all decisions activities, with regard to international in May, Beijing hosted the One Belt, were passed instantly and readily. Many and regional politics. We note the One Road Forum, which was attended of them were not adopted for lack of common stand of the member states by five SCO member states, and this common consensus, while others were with regard to the need to strengthen fact should be a perfect answer to the simply blocked by certain states. And the central role of the United Nations argument about «lack of logic.» this is a normal process. in international affairs, emphasize our And now let us talk about terrorism, It should be pointed out that common view of the situation in Syria our global problem. One of the first both New Delhi and Islamabad have and political settlement in Afghanistan, substantive documents adopted by repeatedly emphasized their readiness and we are ready to resume work of the SCO declared the establishment of to abide by all the rules of the SCO and the SCO-Afghanistan contact group. the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure avoid bringing any bilateral disputes to SCO partners supported our position (RATS). Russia proposed to develop the SCO. of ensuring settlement in Ukraine this format by setting up a Universal The SCO could become an influential by rigorously abiding by the Minsk Regional Center. But the idea did and powerful peacemaker… agreements. There is, of course, a not win support and was withdrawn, I agree completely, because one general understanding of the need to probably, until «better time.» How of the arguments Russia used when be actively involved in economic affairs relevant is it now? Will the SCO set up explaining our desire to speed up the and develop humanitarian ties. But a more powerful structure for anti- accession of India and Pakistan was the main problem, which always arises terrorist cooperation? that the SCO could be a convenient after a document is adopted, is how it I’d like to emphasize that the RATS platform for exchanging opinions and can be implemented in real life. is functioning and is efficient. This looking for mutual understanding. What Russian proposals have not structure is dealing with the priority There is only one way forward: to been reflected in final documents of task of consolidating the efforts of enhance the dialog. the summit? the SCO member states to counteract SCO summits usually sum up the The Russian party has the following the terrorist threat. The Russian party results, outline the Organization’s practice: we make proposals that we proposed to create a universal counter- future prospects and express a consider relevant. If some are rejected, terrorist center on the basis of the RATS common opinion about international we withdraw them, believing that we in order to improve it. New threats
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www.infoshos.ru 5 and challenges become interrelated the focus was on the first construct, General Rashid Alimov will name when terrorist activities are financed the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure. numerous examples confirming with proceeds from drug trafficking Later, other areas of cooperation this. Various documents on mutual and trans-border criminals are used to began to take shape. For example, understanding and cooperation have recruit militants. In this connection, we actively develop humanitarian been signed with many countries. We Russian President Vladimir Putin voiced contacts, have developed a contractual signed an agreement with the United an initiative to improve the RATS. The base for cultural exchange and Nations, a memorandum with ASEAN, idea was not completely rejected, but education. We have implemented the the UN Economic and Social Commission some of our partners demonstrated unique project of the SCO University, for Asia and the Pacific, the UN Office their cautiousness. So the issue has which unites the intellectual powers on Drugs and Crime, etc. Cooperation not been stricken off, it is still on our of the best universities of SCO member is consistently expanding, and this is agenda. states. We expect that the official not an exaggeration. The abbreviation The Russian approach is based on the agreement stipulating the existence «SCO» is increasingly gaining weight assumption that the nature of threats of the University will be signed on the in the world. A separate meeting of requires a common coordination sidelines of the Astana summit. the UN Security Council chaired by center. This is a difficult task, first of It is, however, too early to speak Russia was devoted to interaction of all, in terms of coordination within of comprehensive cooperation in regional multilateral organizations, agencies. The RATS is mostly made the economy. But some sectors are notably, the CIS, Collective Security up of representatives of SCO counter- fairly well developed, for example, Treaty Organization and the SCO. SCO intelligence services, but in some cooperation in transportation. An Secretary General Rashid Alimov and countries, it is the responsibility of agreement was signed recently on head of the RATS Yevgeny Sysoyev the Security Council, in others of the creating favorable conditions for road participated in anti-drug forums in Interior Ministry, and so on. We continue shipments, which came into force Vienna and were recently invited to working to explain the advantage of in May. Soon a commission that will attend some OSCE events devoted to the Russian approach. As the first step, administrate this work will hold a new threats and challenges. All this it was proposed to establish a working meeting in Beijing. shows that the world needs the SCO group to counteract terrorism financing Of course, the SCO has its soft spots, and listens to it. from illegal drug trafficking. This issue but you cannot expect an organization Critics and pessimists can no longer is being discussed by the Council of that is just 16 years old to be totally discard the SCO, which is increasingly National Coordinators, within the RATS successful in all areas. When the setting the tone of international itself, and also at relevant meetings of Charter was drafted, its authors drew development. Nevertheless, Western working groups. from the experience of the already media and some experts still allow Which area of the SCO activities existing multilateral unions, including themselves to be ironic about the has been the most successful, and ASEAN. In this connection, I would like SCO. Where does this contempt come which is lagging behind? to point out that this structure had been from, in your opinion? I would like to remind you that developing for 40 years before it came I believe that it is because of lack the SCO came to be out of talks on to the point of adopting a charter. Our of knowledge and understanding, or, confidence-building measures at process was reverse: we first adopted probably, personal views of certain borders, and it is in this area that the Charter and then began finding journalists and experts. But the crucial substantial experience of cooperation areas for cooperation. thing is that everyone will have to has been accumulated. When the SCO How successful has the SCO been watch the SCO’s activities more closely. Charter was discussed, it was decided in establishing relations with other All the more so, as India and Pakistan that the SCO should become a more international organizations? are joining it. In its new capacity, the universal organization, and so it The SCO has been very proactive in SCO will become a much more powerful happened. However, at the initial stage, this area. At the summit, Secretary player on the global political stage.
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www.infoshos.ru 6 ASTANA, GENIUS LOCI
Tatiana Sinitsyna Ancient Romans believed that every TENGRIANS DON’T GIVE UP exactly to do. Nursultan Nazarbayev place had its own «genius loci,» a kind The generous Creator gave Kazakhs felt instinctively that the Kazakh luck guarding spirit, which decided the the steppe, endless and severe. was near and strained all his will and fate of every sliver of land. Astana, Nomads loved their austere land in character to reach it. Kazakhstan’s present capital, must the center of Asia, the battleground of have had a blessing of its genius loci. winds. Their wise men found a formula THE CREATORS It was the genius that lured the capital for harmonious coexistence with the …Both creators were courageous to the shores of the solemn Yesil river, nature, and the people became one and daring – President Nursultan to the epicenter of Eurasia, sent ideas with the horizonless expanses. Flying Nazarbayev, who conceived the city, to space, masterfully brought together on their strong horses, little did and the Japanese architect Kisho circumstances and, finally, combined Kazakhs know that their hooves were Kurokawa, who agreed to take on the the passionate will of the Kazakh beating on a treasure chest… incredible project. But there was one leader with the fine world of inspiring Kazakhs gave their land the energy difference: the former believed in the muses, whose mother is believed to be of many generations, invested their new city, but the other… not so much. architecture. This is how the unique hard toil, dreams, joy and grief into it. But why did he participate in the city, which makes one’s heart skip a From their ancestors they inherited the contest of designs for the future beat, came to be. The ultramodern wisdom of Tengrianism, which declared city? Most probably, he was led megalopolis has turned 19. Just 19! life to be the absolute good and did not by professional instinct, which When one looks at this urban miracle, approve of despondence. appreciated the daring task – to create it’s hard to believe one’s eyes. This way, with rises and falls, they a unique city with a Eurasian image in Astana has won many international lived for many centuries. At the turn the steppe, a symbol, an argument, awards for its unique architecture, of the new millennium, the life of a spiritual vertical for the young has earned reputation of one of the the Great Kazakh Steppe also took sovereign state, its authentic face. world’s most exquisite capitals and has a sharp turn. People had to survive It is also possible that the Master received prestigious medals and the in the moonscape of the destroyed heard his «swan song» and got caught title of the City of Peace from UNESCO. Soviet Union. And these dramatic in the magic of its tune… Astana was But one should not forget the state developments brought them luck. They to become the final chord of his grand responsibilities, the role of Astana as were saved not only by the Tengrian architectural symphony, the last the quintessence of the nation’s spirit, philosophy, but also by a charismatic stroke of the wing of his unbelievable the political, scientific and cultural leader with an extensive political past imagination. center of the dynamically developing and colossal intuition, a person who Anyway, the happy chance brought Kazakh state. knew where to lead people and what together the historical moment, the
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www.infoshos.ru 7 political will, the economic opportunity ONE OF ASTANA’S 47 IMAGES Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa. and the architectural temperament. The traditional ensemble of nine A renowned Kazakh architect, But it was he who saw the city’s image ancient muses does not include the Amanzhol Chikanayev, who also in reality that really launched the Muse of Architecture, yet it is believed participated in this «tender of giants» process. to be the mother of all arts. It must together with the Italian maestro At first, Nursultan Nazarbayev was have blessed the city. There is no other Frederico Marconi, acknowledged in almost alone with his dream about the explanation to the grand harmony a conversation with journalists that new capital, which he wanted to build that unites unexpected ideas of very the Japanese proposal was the most in the northern part of the country, at different architects, the first creators striking. Kurokawa included truly the crossroads of the biggest transport of Astana and those who continue revolutionary urban ideas of the 21st routes connecting Europe and Asia, sculpting its image. century, and at the same time believed where there was enough room to let Some say Astana is somewhat that Astana should not repeat solutions architectural imagination loose. People eclectic. The ultramodern architecture tested in other parts of the world, but quietly grumbled, they were confused of the young Kazakh capital mixes be completely unique. by the president’s odd decision, they different styles, the Oriental and Kisho Kurokawa is one of the founders viewed his project as an ambitious Western designs. And this is inevitable, of metabolism in architecture, and caprice, ill-timed and dubious. Why, since the city positions itself as he viewed the future city through they would say, spend billions on «Eurasian,» and so its image should the prism of «abstract symbiosis.» shuffling capitals, when society was be unusual, with a strong personality. Metabolists talk in incompleteness demoralized and everything lay in On the other hand, harmony can be and understatements. All this implies ruins? In the beginning, it was only found in the eclectic, too. The most openness of building structures for a power that made it possible for the important things in architecture are «dialog» with the city environment, president to move towards his goal, proportions and unity of composition. its changing architectural, cultural but soon a creative team of associates Architects of different architectural and technological look. Plenty of air, emerged, who were ready to work on beliefs and artistic styles were exquisite green architecture, ionizing the Astana project straining all their invited here – from Germany, Britain, fountains, alleys, parks – everything strengths and abilities. Bulgaria, Switzerland and some Eastern for the most fastidious taste, for a The leader imagined the future countries. The basic guidelines required demanding human. of the new capital in every detail, that the city be environmentally Kurokawa’s project included certain understanding all of its geopolitical, friendly, high-tech, intelligent, with landmarks that were to be created by practical, humanitarian and moral free use of space. Almost entire internationally renowned architects, implications. Later, in his book global experience, both positive and who were given the opportunity to Kazakhstan’s Way, recalling the negative, went into creating the new express themselves playing «on the process of making and implementing Kazakh capital. edge.» the historical decision of building the …President Nazarbayev announced The snow-white, radial ensemble new capital, Nazarbayev explained his authoritarian decision to build a of the presidential cultural center, that the relocation of the center was new capital at the end of 1997, as a the circus built in the form of a flying not accidental. Despite the ruins, in New Year present for the nation. Work saucer, the magnificent Ak-Orda, which Kazakhstan, separated from started immediately. The strongest residence of the Kazakh President, its the Soviet metropolis, found itself, support came from young people, who size bigger than the White House in the empty treasury and impoverished flooded the shores of the Yesil. It was Washington, the Nur-Astana mosque, population, the head of the newborn necessary to prepare the left shore, unlikely and surprisingly harmonious. independent state understood that a primeval, wild, swampy area, for The true masterpiece of architectural his people, shaken and demoralized construction. The battle of architects thought is the Kazakhstan cinema hall by loss of traditional guidelines in was outstanding. A total of 47 teams with changeable internal configuration, life, needed a new perspective, they fought for the right to design the city, designed by Italian Manfredi Nicoletti. needed the «clocks of their mind offering a lot of innovative suggestions. Ideas of many other architects were turned to a sovereign time.» To do this, The international jury had it hard, but also brought to life to become Astana it was necessary to give them a jolt, finally selected three proposals –a trademarks. But special recognition is to air their brains. Otherwise, it would Russian, Kazakh and Japanese. They given to Englishman Norman Foster, be impossible to make a leap to the were presented to Nazarbayev, and he the master of high-tech. He designed future. chose the project of the outstanding the pyramid of the Palace of Peace and
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www.infoshos.ru 8 Reconciliation, where big international the glittering domes of mosques and the Eurasian National University named forums are held. churches. And there was also the easily after him. The pyramid accommodates the recognizable style of Stalin-era Moscow Culture Museum, the University of skyscrapers – a Russian-style residential KUROKAWA’S MISTAKE Civilizations and an opera theater development. Kisho Kurokawa, a creator «kissed by for 1,500 seats. All this grandeur is …The place chosen for Astana was not God,» worked, giving Astana, his last supported by symbolical «hands of accidental, it was favored by Kazakh symphony, everything his mature talent peace.» The panoramic elevator offers ancestors long ago, which is proved by had accumulated. He dreamed of living beautiful views of green terraces – the the ancient settlement Bozok situated long enough to see the city in all of its hanging gardens of Astana – and the in the heart of Astana. Once it lay on beauty. He didn’t. tricks of light coming from the dome. the route of the Great Silk Road. One Astana quickly and manifoldly exceeded all forecasts of the General City Plan. Well, even great architects make mistakes… Kurokawa did not believe in the city he was building and openly acknowledged it. The intuition and foresight let the creator down. He did not feel the prospects, attractiveness of the project and underestimated the financial opportunities that were provided to him. Granted, at the time Kurokawa saw the city in the dark: the country’s economy had not yet recovered (it was later that it discovered its «treasure chest»). Based on the gross regional product, Kurokawa believed that the population would be small and the streets did not have to be very wide. He did not expect the city to have more than 600,000 residents. But Astana corrected him, quickly exceeding the BAYTEREK: CONNECTING of Astana’s avenues is called Syganak, one-million mark. EARTH AND SPACE after an ancient city that used to stand Architects all over the world update The Great Kazakh Steppe opened up here. Artifacts found in burial mounds cities’ general plans once in five years under the incredible pressure of human in the steppe date from many centuries to see whether they comply with toil and creativity. In 2002, Norman – from the Bronze Age to the early the new reality, trends and financial Foster built the inimitable Bayterek Middle Ages ((7th-8th century) to the possibilities. It is necessary to avoid Tower, the symbol of Kazakhstan’s period of the Kazakh Khanate (15th- stagnation. However, all fundamental sovereignty and revival. The mythical 16th century). ideas of the great architect, his theory poplar tree Bayterek symbolizes the of abstract symbiosis are alive and Kazakhs’ belief about the universe, it THE WISE MAN AND HIS growing. Astana’s architecture has a is a tree of life growing in the center of CHANCE strong environmental focus, remaining the world, his roots reaching the heart …Once upon a time, the Kazakhs in harmony with the nature. Its main of the Earth and its crown touching were ruled by Khans, whose thrones objective is maximum comfort – the sky. On the top of the sacred were the saddles of their horses and shadowed alleys, fountains, quiet and tree, the Samruk Bird, the ancestress the residences – white nomadic tents. calm. of the Kazakhs, lays golden eggs… Of They were smart people, doing a lot course, the idea to create Bayterek in for building a country and developing DAWN ABOVE THE KAZAKH the center of the capital could emerge its code of ethics. They managed STEPPE only «inside the nation.» Symbolically, to preserve their nation, navigating …A heavy golden moon looked down Bayterek is the center of the world, it through the dangers of history. from the dark-blue predawn sky, but geographically, it is the exact Nursultan Nazarbayev repeated this throwing its light on the dreaming, center of Eurasia. When I looked at deed during the period after gaining beautiful Astana. We were hurrying the city from a bird’s eye view, from independence. History is made by to catch the early flight to Moscow, the 105-meter mark of the shining passionate people. I like this idea of moving through the peacefully sleeping metal «trunk» of Bayterek Tower, the Lev Gumilev, an outstanding Russian city. A living image of the magnificent, city lay below open, it gave out strong ethnologist. Gumilev gave all effort of daring, miraculous creation, young and young energy, its beauty captivating, his mind and the passion of his heart to ambitious, inspired admiration. And it its promises plentiful. From the height studying historical relations between was with wonder that the Yesil river of Bayterek Tower, the site of the nomads and sedentary population of looked at the transformation of its Nazarbayev University looked like a the continent, which resulted in the shores, carrying waters to the Irtysh landed airliner; I could see the curving idea of Eurasianism. His name is broadly and then to the Ob and the world pagoda roofs of the Pekin Palace Hotel, known in Kazakhstan, and Astana has ocean…
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www.infoshos.ru 9 POINT OF RETURN TO PEACE AND DIALOG
The reputation of a consistent advocate of peaceful talks has made Kazakhstan a unique platform for dialog
Adil Kaukenov, CEO, Center of Chinese Studies (Astana) The reputation of an impartial and peace and security, mutual respect unswerving promotion of the world consistent advocate of peaceful talks and non-interference in internal affairs free of nuclear weapons. It is the has made Kazakhstan a unique platform should be the foundation for settling all consistent building of a nuclear-free that starts and resumes dialog between disputes between nations.» world that Kazakhstan believes to be previously unbending opponents. The These principles form the basis the only possible scenario of further high level of trust between President of Kazakhstan’s policy towards development of humankind. Nursultan Nazarbayev and leading international conflicts. Mutually Promoting long-term goals, international politicians ensures that acceptable solutions should be first Kazakhstan is also active on the Astana increasingly often serves as the of all based on fundamental values, present-day «peaceful track.» I am world’s point of return to peace and and also on collective decisions and referring to Astana’s peacekeeping negotiations. resolutions of the United Nations. activities, its role in settling numerous The Republic of Kazakhstan is a young Another crucial principle of acute international conflicts, and nation, and many of its spheres are still Kazakhstan’s foreign policy is the President Nazarbayev’s personal being established. However, its foreign policy has been emphatically consistent over the 25 years of its existence. The core principle is the peaceful nature of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy, oriented towards shaping a stable security system in the world. THE ONLY WAY TO PEACE The essence of Kazakhstan’s foreign political stance in ensuring global security was accurately and succinctly formulated in Mr. Nazarbayev’s declaration «Peace. 21st Century,» which he delivered at the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit in Washington. It reads, «Peaceful dialog and constructive talks based on the principles of equal responsibility for
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www.infoshos.ru 10 involvement in restoring understanding platform to negotiate and find a the foundation for shifting the conflict and mutual trust between parties of mutually acceptable solution to the towards discussion. various confrontations. Syrian conflict. In the several rounds of talks that took place in Astana «IRANIAN PROGRAM» ASTANA PROCESS FOR SYRIA in January-May 2017, a number of Another example of Astana’s efforts Astana is increasingly often taking important decisions were made that to transform conflicts into talks practical steps to ensure peace in broke the impasse. was Kazakhstan serving as a site for various countries and regions. The The main achievement of the talks discussing Iran’s nuclear program in examples are numerous, and confidence is that the parties to the conflict February and April 2013. After many in Kazakhstan as an international and nations able to influence its years of futile confrontation between player able to provide all conditions for developments managed to transition Iran and the West on the issue of the achieving peace is growing every year, from mutual idiosyncrasy to Iranian nuclear program, an active while demand for Kazakh diplomats negotiations, without which it would negotiating process began. Iran and the is increasing. The country also serves be impossible to stop the armed Six– Britain, Germany, China, Russia, as a mediator in various international confrontation. An obvious outcome of the United States and France – held conflicts and provides a platform for the talks was agreement on creating several rounds of talks in Kazakhstan, discussing ways out. a trilateral ceasefire mechanism. It is Austria and Switzerland. As a result, on One of the latest examples of such worth pointing out that it was after July 14, 2015, the «Iranian agreement» efforts on the part of Kazakhstan the talks in Astana that periods of was signed – the Comprehensive is the Astana negotiations aimed at truce became longer. The parties also Action Plan, which put an end to the settling the Syrian conflict. Initiated made a decision to jointly counteract confrontation around Tehran’s nuclear by the leaders of Russia and Turkey the ISIS (which is prohibited in many program. and supported by the President of countries, including Kazakhstan). In Now, when the Iranian program is Kazakhstan, the Astana process is of May, the guarantor states (Russia, Iran under joint control, Iran has been extreme importance for establishing and Turkey) signed a memorandum on released from most of the sanctions peace in the Middle East and also for creating four areas of de-escalation of that were imposed on it and is actively entire Eurasia, which has been affected civil war in Syria, which temporarily developing economic cooperation with by the conflict. put a stop to the fratricidal slaughter a number of countries. During President It is important to bear in mind that in the country. Nazarbayev’s state visit to Tehran in the Astana process has a UN mandate Despite the inevitable difficulties of April 2016, his Iranian counterpart and is part of the Geneva agreements. the negotiating process and skeptical Hassan Rouhani emphasized, Positioning itself as a country equally opinions, it can now be said with «Kazakhstan has always been close to distant from all parties to the conflict, certainty that the Astana process, us, assisting in holding two rounds of Kazakhstan provided them with a together with the talks in Geneva, laid nuclear talks between Iran and the Six,
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www.infoshos.ru 11 and now it provides assistance to us when the Turkish Air Force brought and Confidence-Building Measures under the Comprehensive Action Plan.» down a Russian fighter on a mission in in Asia in Asia, which took place in Syria, relations between Kazakhstan’s Almaty in June 2002, leaders of India HAND-MADE PEACE two very important foreign political and Pakistan Atal Vajpayee and Pervez In the 25 years of pursuing a partners drastically escalated. It was Musharraf were able to resume talks consistent multi-vector policy based on then that efforts of Mr. Nazarbayev and preserve peace between their the principles of unwavering adherence and Kazakh diplomats in Ankara helped countries. to peaceful settlement of all disputes, to resume communication between The forthcoming summit is expected Kazakhstan has earned the reputation Vladimir Putin and Recep Erdogan, and to concentrate on issues of joint of an impartial and reliable mediator of their political will allowed bilateral security efforts and to adopt pivotal the most sensitive conflicts. This was to relations to recover. documents aimed against extremism a large degree achieved thanks to Mr. «I would like to thank you for and terrorism. Being a non-permanent Nazarbayev’s personal qualities, as he your efforts. I am talking about your member of the UN Security Council repeatedly participated in many talks mediating mission, which, as we see, for 2017-2018, Kazakhstan is playing personally. has succeeded,» President Putin said at an active part in developing solutions An important part belonged to his a meeting with Mr. Nazarbayev in Sochi for these problems at the highest involvement in bringing the talks on in summer 2016. The Turkish leader level. The achievements of the Kazakh Ukraine back to a constructive footing. also thanked Mr. Nazarbayev at a news diplomacy described above have Thanks to the Kazakh president’s conference in Ankara on August 5, definitely increased Astana’s political efforts, the dialog between Vladimir 2016. «We will never forget President capital and allow it to successfully Putin and Francois Hollande in Nazarbayev’s favor,» he said. «On promote peacekeeping initiatives both December 2014 was restored, and behalf of myself and on behalf of all regionally and globally. Russia and Europe resumed talks on the Turkish people I thank him for his huge The established reputation of the Ukrainian problem. contribution to the normalization of nation oriented towards keeping peace M r. Nazarbayev’s excellent diplomatic relations between Turkey and Russia.» and stability and respecting internal skills and the high level of trust affairs of other countries allowed between the Kazakh leader and other UNIQUE UNDERSTANDING OF Kazakhstan to act as an impartial and parties to the process helped to reach RESPONSIBILITY consistent advocate when creating a substantial progress in optimization The summit in Astana will go down in conditions for a number of talks, which of the Norman format, which resulted the history of the Shanghai Cooperation saved many lives, kept adversaries from in adoption of the second package of Organization as a milestone – the using force, prevented humanitarian Minsk agreements. Organization will grant full membership catastrophes and brought about Yet another example of the Kazakh to India and Pakistan. It is worth peaceful resolution of previously dead- leader’s personal involvement in recalling that these two nations, which locked situations. In the manifesto «The restoration of peaceful relations was still have some unresolved issues, 15 World. The 21st Century.», President his role in the Russian-Turkish conflict, years ago returned to dialog, after Nazarbayev stressed, «Eradicating war which broke out a year after the escalation of tensions, in Kazakhstan. is the most difficult civilizational task Ukrainian «knot» was untied. After At the first summit of heads of member of humankind. But it does not have the tragic incident in early 2016, states of the Conference on Interaction another sensible alternative.»
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www.infoshos.ru 12 SYRIA NEEDS «COALITION OF PEACE»
Stanislav Ivanov, senior researcher, International Security Center, the International Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences In order to settle the Syrian conflict, the diplomatic efforts of global powers should be focused on reining in the selfish interests of regional players and building a broad coalition of countries sharing the principles of fight against terrorism and a political dialog between the government and the opposition. A memorandum is currently in and humanitarian aid. Also, monitoring on Damascus, while the government force in Syria that envisages creation groups will be established to watch troops liberated tens of towns and of four areas of de-escalation of compliance with the ceasefire regime. villages from jihadist militants. civil war and was signed in Astana in Positive shifts that make it possible More than a hundred of militia units May by the guarantor countries of to look for peaceful ways to resolve and representatives of moderate the peaceful process (Russia, Iran, the conflict appeared after the defeat opposition signed a ceasefire agreement Turkey). This document is currently of radical Islamist groups of Syrian at the reconciliation center at the being time-tested. It is obvious that opposition in Aleppo. Alongside the Russian air base Khmeimim. This, by in order to settle the Syrian conflict, successful actions of the Syrian troops the way, proves that the Russian troops the diplomatic efforts of global powers supported by the Russian Aerospace in Syria do not take part in the internal should be focused on reining in the Force (ASF), substantial diplomatic armed conflict, but only carry out selfish interests of regional players and efforts were used to achieve this. In the task given by President Vladimir building a broad coalition of countries order to save civilians and their houses, Putin – trying to defeat international sharing the principles of fight against militants and their families were given terrorism. terrorism and a political dialog between an opportunity to leave by buses to The Astana memorandum can be the government and the opposition. the province of Idlib controlled by viewed as a second important step In accordance with the memorandum, opposition and the members of Jabhat towards stopping violence in Syria and the government troops and armed al-Nusra. The missile and bomb attacks saving Syrians from extermination. The opposition shall cease any hostilities by the ASF and Western coalition did a first one was the ceasefire agreement between each other, flights of any lot to weaken the military potential of dated 30 December 2016, which was military aircraft are prohibited above the biggest terrorist movements – ISIS signed between the Syrian government the areas of confrontation. Check and Jabhat al-Nusra (both prohibited and armed opposition with Russia’s points will be set up on the borders of in Russia and many other countries), mediation. The agenda of the talks safety areas to grant access to civilians and lifted the threat of shell attacks included creation of an interim coalition
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www.infoshos.ru 13 government that would have trust of all same time, both parties to the conflict government. Syrians and comprise representatives (and also Turkey and Iran) ignore the Under these circumstances, it is of different political groups, ethnicities interests of the Kurd minority (which impossible to expect a solid lasting and religious confessions, discussion accounts for about 12% of the country’s peace on Syrian soil. New large-scale of the main provisions of the new population). provocations and attempts to disrupt constitution and preparation for a External players (the United States, the hard won truce cannot be ruled free and fair election to supreme Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan) are not out. The latest attacks of the US Navy legislative and executive bodies under helping to establish a direct productive and Israeli drones against military the United Nations’ supervision. dialog between Damascus and the facilities and locations of government Russia offered the participants theses opposition; Turkey is, unfortunately, troops prove that. The situation of of a draft constitution that envisage being inconsistent. Each interested «neither war nor peace» in Syria the possibility of Syria becoming a party is pursuing a selfish policy cannot last indefinitely. Otherwise, federative state. disguised as protection of its national fight against international terrorism However, both parties to the conflict interests. If Russia and Iran support the will take unjustifiably long. repeatedly violated the agreement, legitimate Syrian government and focus Achievement of a quick consensus while the use of chemical weapons on fighting terrorist groups, Ankara still on the above named agenda will against civilian population in Khan- views Assad’s regime and the Party of also become a problem, and so will Sheikhun on 4 April 2017 did not Democratic Union (Syrian Kurds) as the resolution of the pressing humanitarian just put the previous agreements on main terrorists. problems, restoration of destroyed the brink of cancellation, but also The Turkish authorities prefer to infrastructure, housing, economy served as an excuse for Washington talk to Islamic terrorists rather than and creating conditions for return of to deliver a missile strike against the to fight them. Washington and Tel millions of refugees. government’s air base al-Shairat. Aviv consider Hezbollah, the Lebanese Under these circumstances, the Meanwhile, the Syrian government military and political group fighting Astana memorandum proved quite has announced that it had nothing to for Assad, a terrorist organization. timely, preventing further escalation do with the crime. Unfortunately, the The leadership and NGOs of Saudi of the conflict and resumption of large- relevant UN commission has not yet Arabia, Qatar and other Persian Gulf scale hostilities in the country. The fact started investigating all circumstances monarchies, as well as Jordan continue that the document was supported by of the incident with chemical weapons supporting radical Islamist groups, not Damascus, a significant number of field and establishing the perpetrators. deterred by their terrorist methods of commanders of the opposition, and An official opinion from independent waging a war. also the United States, Saudi Arabia experts is yet to be received For leaders of the Gulf countries and and some other interested countries, One of the key reasons for the stalling the overwhelming majority of Syrian allows us to hope that the peace of the negotiations is lack of concord opposition, Assad remains the main process in Syria will go on. among the motley opposition. External enemy. Taking advantage of the truce Apparenty, the international opposition consists of many groups and Damascus’s limited possibilities to community will need quite some time (Cairo, Moscow, Riyadh, Istanbul, offensive actions, the US and Turkey to work out a balanced formula of etc.), and inside the country there are mobilized their allies among armed Syrian settlement. The leading part at least one hundred groups of armed opposition to expand districts under here should be given to uncompromised opposition. The only thing they have their control by ousting ISIS militants. fight against terrorism, quick in common is their call for immediate This tactic is in line with the US so- restoration of peace and transition to political reforms and unconditional called Plan B: breaking Syria up into political settlement of the conflict on resignation of Bashar al-Assad. At the enclaves and isolating the Assad Syrian land.
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www.infoshos.ru 14 NEW GIANTS IN SCO ALLIANCE
Dmitry Kosyrev, political commentator At the SCO summit in Astana in June remembered its unique religious and destruction of the Congress). And a 2017, two national flags – of India and cultural identity, has become proud complete change of national ideology. Pakistan – will be put alongside the flags of it and has been putting a lot of It is as if after Donald Trump’s victory of the Organization’s full members. questions to politicians – questions in the US the Democratic Party would And there will be other ceremonies that were not to be asked outside of be gradually fading from the horizon, devoted to the long-awaited event – one’s circle of friends or one’s street. preserving influence only in California their joining the ranks of the Shanghai Questions that have been eating at the and New York. And only the Republicans Cooperation Organization. stability of society for a long time. were left, who are, by the way, The two South Asian countries’ road This process, as we now understand, ideological brothers of BJP in certain to full membership in the SCO was was underlying for the magnificent aspects. long, and one of them – India – has victory of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Remarkably, ideologists and analysts undergone a dramatic change during Party at the general election in spring from India (and, for example, China) this time. Today it is a completely 2014. But one election, even a national say that the «Trump revolution» is different country from what it was, say, one, could pass as a one-off and global and began in India in 2014. five years ago. Pakistan has remained even accidental event, an emotional Now the world’s biggest powers have mostly the same, but India is living outburst of the voters. similarly minded leaders: Xi Jinping out a true revolution. An ideological, There, however, followed an almost in China, Narendra Modi in India and political and even religious revolution. uninterrupted chain of victories. Vladimir Putin in Russia. Plus Donald So let’s try to understand what is going For example, the victory in the Trump in the United States and several on in the country that has joined the local election in the state of Uttar politicians in smaller countries. What SCO. Pradesh in early March 2017 was even is common about them is that they all more convincing than in 2014. This represent a rise of the national feeling ONE PARTY is the country’s main state in many and identity instead of «universal We will start with religion, namely, respects, with a population of 200 values.» The era of return of national Hinduism, the main religion of India. million people. Now BJP has power states is here, even though it does not It should be noted that the word not only at the federal level. Today mean that they will love each other «Hindu» means not any citizen of it rules, independently or in coalition in any situation. On the contrary, India, but an adherent of Hinduism. A with local parties, in 17 states. The the world may have become a more Muslim or a Sikh can be Indians (or US former main party of India, the Indian dangerous place because of it. citizens, for example), but they are National Congress, remained in power The new India in the SCO means not Hindu. in 4 states, and another two states are many things, such as an opportunity The essence of the revolution ruled by left-wing parties. for greater rapprochement with the India has been witnessing in recent This is a complete change of the alliance’s members and a difficult years is that its Hindu majority has political landscape (actually, self- transitional period.
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www.infoshos.ru 15 OWN VALUES and sometimes they are vengeful and the country stagnated and depressed The general picture of change in unkind. under them, even though nothing India can be divided into plenty of It is curious to see general words terrible seemed to happen? It is not minor episodes. In Uttar Pradesh, after and mottos in Indian newspapers: about GDP growth and happiness being BJP’s victory, the authorities decided «restoration of hope for reviving Hindu two different things. It is about what to abolish state subsidies to Muslims for identity,» «be proud to say that you are gives rise to what – economic growth to their Hajj to Mecca if they can afford a Hindu,» «wearing bindi used to be a optimism or vice versa? to pay for it. Not only because no one sign of backwardness, but everything So, we have a new country with pays Hindus for a trip to the sacred changed when the young generation huge prospects, the cosmopolitan river Ganges, but because of corrupted confidently embraced their religion.» elite that has been taught a tough schemes within the subsidies system. It is obvious what is going on: the new lesson at the elections (Congress And because the Hajj is supposed to be generation is tired of supranational leaders and ideologists) and the new, paid for with one’s own money, though values and has remembered the national elite that is securing its no one denies the need to help the traditional Indian and Hindu ones. One power. Moreover, it is a country with poor. could talk about Hinduism for ages, a new and quite active foreign policy, Why wasn’t it done earlier? The but the general impression is that paying key attention to its neighbors, answer found in discussions ongoing its key ideas are similar to those of whom it did not consider important in in Indian mass media is unexpected. Christianity, and also of Islam and other the past. So it is building some kind of Under the Indian National Congress, religions, for what it’s worth. Non- a big Indian world, even despite the the country lived with the «universal violence and suppression of own anger, traditionally tense, even aggravated, values» idea for 70 years, believing compromise through a dialog, belief in relations with Pakistan. that religion is separated from the the good as part of the original moral Let’s not forget, however, that state and that all religious communities world order of the Universe… By the the application to the SCO was made should be equal in India. The idea is way, thousands of Orthodox Christian by the government of the INC, but great, but its implementation was pilgrims from Russia feel at home in full membership was granted to a far from it. It so happened that the India – first of all, spiritually. completely different government. overwhelming majority, the Hindus, But how does an Indian’s everyday This means at least two things. Purely considered themselves oppressed, life change from realization that he logistical trouble, when the new persons while minorities, in order to achieve or she has values distinguishing them in charge of the SCO relations may not equality, were given special rights, from or bringing them closer to other know the plans of their predecessors. such as Hajj subsidies and many other nations? After all, they remained what The same is true about the expert privileges. they were, it just that in the past community, consisting mostly of INC This was a replay of the situation they, like Moliere’s famous character, members. That is, there will be delays, with the black population of the US, «didn’t know that they were speaking mutual misunderstandings and similar who should not only be called with the in prose.» things with Indians within the SCO. absurd term «African Americans,» but Still, a lot has changed, and it seems Another thing is the elated, turbulent also paid for their minority status. This that people now feel better. That is, atmosphere in India, which often may creates huge ghettos of people who do we see something that has to do with not have time for the SCO. not need to work, and this makes them organization of man, who cannot exist It is clear and simple with Pakistan. angry and hate the white majority. for no reason, without a purpose and a The SCO needs it as a country bordering As soon as a political force emerged goal, just for the sake of living. on Afghanistan, a source of trouble in India who broke the conspiracy of And a quote of the day in an Indian and business opportunities for other silence with regard to these topics, newspaper. They publish one daily, member states. Pakistan is a long-time the entire country came to vote for choosing something that relates to the partner of China, and it is overall logical it. The defeated Congress calls this present moment. This time, they chose to move it several steps deeper in the force, BJP, a «religious» and «Hindu» John Stuart Mill, the British philosopher regional structures where China has party, thinking that it is an accusation. (1806-1873), who wrote, «War is an ugly been present from the very beginning However, Germany has two parties with thing, but not the ugliest of things. The to discuss security issues and prospects the word «Christian» in their names, decayed and degraded state of moral of the region’s development on a par and they are in power, and nobody and patriotic feeling which thinks that with other members. seems to mind. And Germany is not the nothing is worth war is much worse.» The only thing that is clear with only example. Why live if «nothing» is all there is? regard to India is that it is a very Another episode: the Chief Minister independent and big global force and of Uttar Pradesh is a person from BJP, SCO MAY GAIN IMPORTANCE that Central Asia, in theory, may prove Yogi Adityanath, who is extremely FOR DELHI more important for the incumbent popular. He is not just Hindu, he is a Prime Minister Narendra Modi is government than it was for the monk of a religious order, which did building a new India. He was known previous one. The past Indian elite not happen often in the past. The state as a talented manager when he was believed that Central Asia is something of Gujarat is preparing a bill under Chief Minister of Gujarat. Now his where India should generally develop which suspects in cases of murders of plans include kilometers of roads and its presence, but there was no hurry. holy (i.e. any) cows will no longer be bridges, new cities, surging GDP (last The new one will be building a new released on bail. year, India outran China for the growth policy in the region while being part of India is building itself anew, and rate), a new healthcare system and the SCO, though not only of it. Yet it this is a turbulent and dangerous garbage disposal. But why did his is impossible to say now what kind of process. Winners behave differently, predecessor fail with this, why was policy it will be. InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 16 FINANCIAL SOURCES OF TERRORISM WHERE ARE THE TERRORISTS’ COFFERS HIDDEN?
Said Gafurov, political expert AFGHANISTAN: A TRIAL AND the SCO and its central structures and TERRORISM AND COLOR CHALLENGE FOR THE SCO in coordinating its policies with SCO REVOLUTIONS: PHENOMENA The situation in Afghanistan remains partners. This definitely has a positive OF SIMILAR NATURE a common problem for the SCO member impact on prospects of stabilization Many Islamist groups find asylum states. All of them, to a various extent, in the region, but the terrorist threat and support in Western countries. It are regional neighbors of the country coming from inside Afghanistan remains suffices to recall that Hizb ut-Tahrir, that has a reputation of a terrorist huge, and the problem of dealing with which started an armed rebellion in haven and the global drug capital. it is still a priority. Uzbekistan, was based and financed Afghanistan’s instability may quickly In addition to the Taliban, the in London, and after the rebellion was spread to Central Asia and beyond. country is used as a base by the defeated and its organizers flew to The military and political influence of notorious ISIS and other pseudo-Islamic neighboring countries, local security Afghan Islamism can be sensed not only radical terrorist organizations. Many of services had to take measures against in the bordering areas of neighboring them do not recognize state borders on its cells acting under the decorous states, it threatens the security of principle, declaring that they should names like the Union of the Just. the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region be eliminated for establishment of a The SCO member states remember in China, the province of Khyber single Islamic Caliphate. To expand only too well the disruptive activities Pakhtunkhwa and other northwestern the territory of their influence, radical of the West during the so-called areas of Pakistan, the northern states groups use such terrorist methods as «color revolutions» and the «Arab of India and other territories affected religious propaganda, development of spring.» At a meeting of the heads by radical Islamism. a network of terrorist cells, training of Security Councils of Kazakhstan, Yet first of all, terrorism threatens centers and other affiliate organizations Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan the future of Afghanistan. It is no in the SCO region. The obvious question and Uzbekistan in Astana in the middle coincidence that the country links the is: how are these activities financed? of April, they approved a new wording status of a SCO observer to its hopes In Afghanistan, the terrorists’ coffers of the Convention on Fight against for more intensive joint efforts against are filled with revenue from drug Extremism. Speaking at the meeting, terrorism. Kabul does not hide its trafficking. This is an important, though Secretary of the Russian Security interest in expanding its involvement in not the only source of their money. Council Nikolai Patrushev called for
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www.infoshos.ru 17 «stopping any attempts aimed at Financial sources of terrorism include between pseudo-Islamic organizations releasing international terrorists sponsorship from nations that support and openly terrorist groups based in from the sanctions of the UN Security extremist organizations, financing NATO member states and Persian Gulf Council and other tough punishment from private persons that sympathize monarchies. It is enough to recall how under criminal law.» with radical ideas, and revenue from funds provided by the US to the so- Obviously, it is necessary to criminal businesses – arms, drug and called «moderate opposition» in Syria decisively counteract the use of human trafficking, smuggling, contract are regularly found in the hands of extremist organizations as a tool to murders, etc. Terrorists also replenish terrorist organizations and also reach destabilize the political situation. their finances with extortions in areas the black markets of arms, even in Silent endorsement of extremists on they control. regions far from Syria. the part of the Persian Gulf monarchies The first two sources (sponsorship At the same time, when the Turkish and some NATO member states allows of governments and individuals) troops suffered heavy losses in Syria them to use the threat of terrorism as become one in Persian Gulf countries. from state-of-the-art US weapons a means of political influence on the Remarkably, the United States has not transferred to the ISIS by US allies, choice of pipeline routes, competition dared to bring charges against Saudi Ankara managed to cut off channels between mass tourist destinations, Arabian sponsors who actually paid for (though not sources) of financial support oil stock prices, etc. Unfortunately, the attack on the World Trade Center to terrorists, and it immediately made at a time of economic crisis, many in New York. The origin of financing of the life of special services, even in the in the West find the idea of using various deeds of Islamic extremists (in SCO countries, easier. international terrorist networks for New York as well as in Chechnya) is in Under these circumstances, the main global destabilization in order to the Persian Gulf, formally – in local tool of counteracting terrorism should preserve international economic non-government funds. However, it be prevention of criminal use of legally hegemony quite appealing. is not only from the Middle East that formed financial funds for terrorist terrorist organizations receive their purposes, both in Islamic countries and STOPPING FINANCING IS finances; money also comes from in Islamic communities in the West. It THE RIGHT WAY TO FIGHT accounts in Western countries. These is through these structures that part TERRORISM accounts belong to various pseudo- of funds from Islamic banking comes The experience of antiterrorist religious organizations and ethnic to legal «charity» institutions and efforts in Russia, China, India and associations, supported by local therefrom reaches terrorists, via a other countries shows that the most authorities. network of dummy firms and series of efficient tactics of counteracting Direct financing of terrorism transactions. this evil is destruction of its financial becomes possible thanks to ongoing Will the SCO’s Western partners infrastructure. flow of finances and personnel agree to this? It remains to be seen.
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www.infoshos.ru 18 KOREAN PUZZLE
Alexander Zhebin, head of the Center of Korean Studies, the Institute of Far Eastern Studies, the Russian Academy of Sciences North Korea’s missile launches, come close to the Chinese and Russian a US military campaign against North deployment of components of the US borders in continental Asia, which Korea in some or other way is one of the global missile system in South Korea would drastically change the military main factors that prevents Washington and assignment of US aircraft carriers and political situation not only in the from use of force. to the shores of the Korean Peninsula area, but in entire Asia Pacific. Statements about intrinsic visibly escalated the situation in Given these plans, America urging aggressiveness of North Korea is one Northeast Asia. It was aggravated by Russia and China to agree to new of the most popular and dangerous the statements by Donald Trump and sanctions proposed by Washington and stereotypes Western politicians and other high-ranking representatives meant to eventually lead to elimination mass media are pressing upon the of the incumbent US administration of North Korea are similar to attempts international community. In reality, about their willingness to resolve the to make Moscow and Beijing pave a road North Korea does not have military, «North Korean problem» on their own, for American troops up to their border technical or economic resources to not ruling out the use of force. The with Korea with their own hands. win a large-scale conflict. Pyongyang is resulting nervous atmosphere can turn Donald Trump’s meeting with perfectly aware of that. The country’s into a more serious conflict by accident Chinese president Xi Jinping in Florida nuclear missile potential is of political or mistake. showed that right now the US is trying and propagandist rather than military The US – South Korean scenario to achieve its goal through China. As a importance; its main purpose is to for resolving the problem envisages result, the Korean Peninsula has turned prevent the Balkan, Iraqi or Libyan liquidation of North Korea and building into one of the most complicated knots scenario from being replayed on the a single state on the peninsula, which, of American-Chinese disputes. Despite peninsula. This means that the use Washington hopes, will join the its dissatisfaction with Pyongyang’s of force for resolving the Korean military and political alliance between moves, Beijing cannot «cede» the nuclear problem either today or in US, Japan and South Korea, which is country to the US and allow American the foreseeable future can only be being actively built by the Americans troops to approach the 1,360-km long provoked by the United States or, with and may include other countries in Asia Korean-Chinese border. Ceding Korea, its consent, by South Korea. Pacific. which has been in China’s exclusive The attempt of the US and its If the US established military and sphere of influence for centuries, closest allies in the region to use force political control over the Korean without putting up a fight would to overthrow the regime under the Peninsula, a unique Asian region irreparably damage its influence and disguise of ensuring non-proliferation in terms of military and strategic authority in Asia. The understanding of weapons of mass destruction would importance, their armed forces would that China would have to respond to pose a direct threat to the safety of
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www.infoshos.ru 19 Russia and China. The fact that after reasons, China’s stakes on the Korean Korean leader, he intends to press the US invasion in Iraq American bombs Peninsula are much, much higher. Still, for international recognition of the and missiles were found in almost all right now the interests of Russia and country’s de facto nuclear status and neighboring countries proves that China in Korea are mostly the same, will continue moving in the direction there may be attempts to replay such their priority being prevention of a chosen in 2006 – resolving the nuclear incidents in North Korea, as well as to military conflict at their borders. If issue «under the Indian scenario,» use the «outdated», as in the case of Russia and China develop a joint stance insisting that the US and other the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, maps on the «Korean issue», it could serve stakeholders should give up double for pointing US Tomahawks to target. to strengthen trust between Moscow standards in nuclear and missile non- Security of the Far Eastern regions and Beijing and become an example proliferation. of Russia and their residents directly of successful interaction in resolving It seems that denuclearization of depends on developments in Korea. an international security problem that the Korean Peninsula is unlikely even The country, whose area is about encroached on the security interests of in the medium term. There could 99,000 sq km, has about 25 nuclear the two countries. only be talk about freezing the North reactors. Even if at least some of The degree of Moscow’s Korean nuclear and missile program, them are destroyed with conventional understanding of various stances preventing proliferation of nuclear weapons, the south of the peninsula and actions by the North Korean weapons, including technology, and may become unsuitable for people to leaders, should be directly linked to also missile technology. live, while radioactive clouds and flows Pyongyang’s willingness to inform North Korea should be offered a of refugees are unlikely to reach across the Kremlin (in accordance with the deal similar to agreements prepared the ocean, but will most definitely inter-state agreement signed in 2000) for Iran – a package of specific, settle down in Russia (and China). The about foreign political steps that interrelated measures. Unfortunately, growing threat of a military conflict could potentially touch upon Russia’s the discussion of the problem at the may increase outflow of the population interests. In the past, some actions UN Security Council at the end of April from the Far East; if the conflict does by North Korea, such as detention showed that it would take a long time break out and radioactive pollution of the Pueblo, a US spying vessel, to prepare such a package. happens, the demographic situation in 1968 or large-scale incidents at It is worth noting that one of the may deteriorate drastically. the demarcation line between the factors promoting de-escalation An armed conflict in Korea would put North and the South, came as a very in the Korean Peninsula is still a stop to multilateral economic projects unpleasant surprise for us. development of the inter-Korean in Northeast Asia, which are of interest Since North Korea’s incumbent dialog. International mediators to Russia and are linked to the plans leadership stakes on achieving should encourage direct contacts of social and economic development agreement on the nuclear problem between North and South Korea, of the Far East and integration of the first of all with the US, no unexpected including with the potential country into Asia Pacific. Economic turn in Pyongyang’s policy can be of international and regional cooperation, developed by the ruled out. This theory is corroborated organizations. Asia has different Shanghai Cooperation Organization, is by the recent «advances» towards formats for holding such talks, also jeopardized. North Korea on the part of President and one of them is the Shanghai Therefore, Moscow’s and Beijing’s Trump, who said in an interview with Cooperation Organization, which is response to the US attempts to use Bloomberg that he did not rule out the overseeing peaceful settlements in force in Korea should, it seems, be possibility of meeting Kim Jong-un. Afghanistan and recalls only too well tough. Due to a number of objective Judging by statements of the North the old Indian-Pakistani conflict.
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www.infoshos.ru 20 WORLD FIGHTS DRUGS, WHILE DRUGS FIGHT THE WORLD
According to the annual report of the UN Office for Drugs and Crime, area under opium poppy in Afghanistan grew by 10% last year to 201,000 ha, and opium production grew by 43%, reaching 4,800 tons.
Ksenia Gukaeva Another round of battle against the states against drug production in Afghanistan’s neighbors have adopted «opiate for the masses» took place in Afghanistan. They were talking about very tough laws against everyone Vienna in February. The 13th meeting putting an end to new routes and ways involved in drug trafficking. of the Consultative Group of the Paris of drug trafficking via Central Asia, Iran, whose border with Afghanistan Pact Initiative (PPI) of the United Southeast Europe, Iran and Pakistan. is 936 km long, has been the leader of Nations Office on Drugs and Crime was New ideas on counteracting the drug the global anti-drug efforts for many attended by a delegation of the SCO business were voiced, alongside years. It has become a real shield on Secretariat. proposals on reducing the spread of the way of almost half of drugs coming As many as 100 envoys from 35 drug addiction, blocking financial from Afghanistan. Tehran spends up to countries and numerous representatives flows, etc. $800 million from its budget for this of a number of international The participants also noted «the purpose annually, while international organizations gathered in the Austrian extremely high practical results and organizations allocate only $15 million. capital to discuss the pressing global efficiency of the steps taken under The Iranian authorities manage to problem – their serious concern the Paris Pact Initiative to reduce confiscate up to 40% of drug substances about the current state of affairs and production and international trafficking (80% of opium and 40% of morphine) possible ways of counteracting the of opiates.» However, the optimism of available in the world. The measures evil threatening the very foundation the speakers was obviously excessive, used by Iranians are extremely severe. of our civilization. In some countries, and the «extremely high» assessment Caught drug dealers are hanged on the image of nation is degrading, being of the Initiative’s results – exaggerated. poles along the borderline. Of course, reformatted. In the Philippines, the Drug trafficking from Afghanistan this is «inhuman and undemocratic» desperate president Rodrigo Duterte continues blooming all the same. and not in line with the «European called for people to take justice in Speaking about practical values.» their own hands when dealing with counteraction to the drug threat Every year, Uzbekistan launches drug addicts and drug traffickers. coming from Afghanistan, the most the Black Poppy campaign, during The meeting in Vienna discussed intensive and specific efforts are which large batches of the destructive measures taken by the PPI member made by countries bordering on it. substance are burned in an industrial InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 21 furnace in the presence of UN and tragic, Russia understands it fully the world’s most expensive spice, representatives; the drugs burned and works hard to resolve it. Still, up to almost as pricy as opiates. The Afghan are those that served as evidence in one hundred thousand Russians, usually authorities are trying to get their court trials. Offenders get really long young ones, die from drug abuse every peasants to like saffron: Afghan saffron jail sentences. It is worth noting that year. has repeatedly received a top score Tashkent is the seat of the SCO Anti- Meanwhile, Afghanistan is securing from the International Taste & Quality Terrorist Structure, which, among other its fame as the world’s leading drug- Institute. things, fights against drug trafficking. producing nation. The poppy paradise At the end of last year, Agriculture Tajikistan, whose border with accounts for 93% of the global heroin Minister of Afghanistan Asadullah the drug cradleland of Afghanistan output. Annual revenue of the Afghan Zameer told the Salam Watandar is 1,300 km long, has the hard task drug business is hundreds of billions of radio station that the country’s of the buffer area, containing drug US dollars. saffron output had doubled in 2016 transit. The country joined relevant This can be possible only with well vs. 2015 and reached 6 tons. Area UN Conventions and the global anti- organized channels and technological under saffron totaled 2,800 ha and drug system. Ministries and agencies and transport support for drug transit it was grown in 31 out of 34 Afghan of Tajikistan have specialized anti- from Afghanistan to other countries. provinces. Afghanistan was able to drug divisions, the State Drug Control At an SCO conference in Beijing, find new markets for its saffron in Commission has been established. I asked an Afghan political scientist Arab countries and sign an agreement Skirmishes at the border are about the priority measures needed to with China, the minister said. The frequent, but since Tajikistan is a change the situation. «The West must high price and no need for irrigation mountainous country, drug couriers first of all stop supplying precursors make this crop quite an attractive have learned to bypass border posts to my country,» he said. A precursor alternative to poppy in the eyes of using remote animal paths. Carrying is a chemical that participates in Afghan peasants; growing poppy in «white death», they demonstrate the chemical reaction that produces Afghanistan is illegal. unbelievable resourcefulness, hiding a substance, i.e. a predecessor of But it should not be forgotten that it in fresh fruit, pistachio nuts, drug and psychotropic substances. the official Afghan government does almonds, shaping drugs as nut kernels Precursors are supplied to Afghanistan not control the entire country. Some or dried apricots. The imagination from outside, mostly from Western provinces are ruled by the Taliban. they demonstrate really deserves countries. In 1996, when they came to power, better application. Of course, there is an efficient way they declared that growing poppy was One of the key frontiers for drug to change the situation – to reorient not approved by Allah, and the flow trafficking is the border between agricultural interests of Afghan of opium stopped. Later, however, Kazakhstan and Russia. «White peasants. The experiment of growing having lost power after the American death» is smuggled along its entire cotton instead of poppy failed, because intervention, Taliban leaders stopped length. Experts point out several the former is a fine and difficult skill, quoting Allah and saw that the poppy main directions of drug transit from requiring knowledge, and revenue could be a profitable business. Today, Kazakhstan, many of them oriented from cotton is 40% lower than that it is the main source of financing for towards underground wholesale drug from poppy. Another proposal has the Taliban, which continues its war markets in Russia. The problem is acute been made recently – grow saffron, against the official Kabul.
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 22 SERGEY KANAVSKY: NONE OF SCO BUSINESS COUNCIL’S PROJECTS HAS BEEN PUT ON THE SHELF
Daria Shulyakova The Business Council of the Shanghai cooperation defined as priorities the economy, priority tasks for the Cooperation Organization is one of the depend on the goals set at SCO summits Business Council are promotion of SCO’s core structures, which facilitates by heads of state and government. trade, especially electronic trade, interaction between governments This combination of business interests construction and modernization of and business communities. Its task and government strategies yields an infrastructure, transport and logistic is to develop projects of economic impressive result. projects, high tech, agriculture and cooperation between SCO member In practical activities, we rely on healthcare. These are the spheres that states. The Council’s Executive the professionalism and authority currently attract the highest interest. Secretary Sergey Kanavsky told an of heads of the national parts of the What projects has the Business InfoSHOS correspondent about its Business Council, as this guarantees the Council implemented in the past year? current activities. efficiency of our structure today and in Our projects are aimed at building The SCO Business Council facilitates the future. a system of business communications, implementation of business projects What areas of cooperation have assisting businesses, developing tools aimed at development of economic produced the most successful results? for cooperation. For example, creation cooperation within the SCO. How is Which are considered to be a priority? of joint trade and exhibition centers. it done in practice and what has it Our priorities are determined by With support from the Business achieved? documents prepared as part of the Council, exhibition centers in Russia, The Business Council is in fact SCO’s activities, at meetings of heads China and Kazakhstan managed to an association of businessmen, of state and government and ministers find a common ground and establish chambers of commerce and industry of economy. cooperation. Another telling example and organizations of small and Economy is the main focus area is the development of a new system for medium-sized businesses as the most for the Business Council, but it is not interaction between electronic trading active members of the SCO business the only one. Lately, we have been platforms. We also have infrastructure community. Projects supported by addressing humanitarian cooperation, projects, such as building a system of the Business Council and areas of as well as culture and sports. In industrial parks. China is very proactive InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 23 in this area. and Sri Lanka. There are interesting to financing. We interact regularly via With the Business Council’s proposals from Azerbaijan, Armenia joint expert sessions and joint high- coordination, Russian, Kazakh and and Mongolia. profile events – joint meetings of the Kyrgyz agricultural producers have We have very good contacts not only Council and the Association. begun cooperating in numerous areas, with observers and dialog partners, but At the Astana summit, India and from construction of greenhouses to also with many non-SCO regions, which Pakistan will become full members production of biomaterials. are also interested in cooperation. of the SCO. What do you think The Business Council is building a For example, numerous events of about the opportunities of economic comprehensive system of interaction our business program attract such cooperation now that there will be within the SCO, which is ever growing Southeast Asian countries as Singapore, eight full members? and improving, acquiring new Malaysia and the Philippines. They try These countries have had the meanings. None of the projects we to use these opportunities to establish status of observers until now, so we announce is put on backburner, we are economic partnerships with SCO have been in regular contact with working actively on all of them. member states. their business structures. Now these How do you develop relations with How does the Business Council contacts will reach a brand new level. SCO observers and dialog partners? work with the SCO Inter-Bank Their representatives will have all the The Shanghai Cooperation Association? rights to participate not only in the Organization is a new type of Both structures were established in work of the Business Council, but also structure, which equally takes into 2006, following the decisions made in the work of other SCO structures – account interests of all of its members. at the SCO summit in Shanghai. Today meetings of ministers of economy and Countries that are now part of the we are actively cooperating, building foreign trade. SCO as observers and dialog partners, a common system of interaction These countries know many of are attentively watching its activities. and support for businesses based on our joint initiatives well – their They see it as an opportunity to agreements signed between us. The representatives took part in many establish new relations, first of all, in Business Council selects and prepares events of the SCO’s economic agenda. business. We actively cooperate with economic projects, while the Inter- We hope that the new status will open partners from Iran, Belarus, Turkey Bank Association resolves issues related additional opportunities for India and Pakistan. What are the Business Council’s plans for the near term? Our goal is to create optimal conditions for joint implementation of projects. To achieve this, we find sources of financing, encourage business initiatives, shape innovative segments, expand the geography and areas of our work. Interest in cooperation with SCO member states is growing all over the world. And this is not a coincidence: the SCO economic space is a great place for putting in effort and achieving success in a whole range of areas.
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 24 ASTANA PRESENTS EXPO 2017
Adil Kaukenov EXPO 2017 in Astana is one of the Bureau International des Expositions as the central theme of the exhibition crucial projects for Kazakhstan, (BIE) in Paris. Kazakhstan’s President under the title «Energy of the Future.» and the country is energetically and Nursultan Nazarbayev recorded a Secret voting of representatives of enthusiastically preparing to carry it special video address to the delegates. 161 BIE member states, which took out. In case of Astana’s victory, he personally place on 22 November 2012, favored The project started on 12 June 2012, guaranteed doing everything possible Astana as the host of the international when Astana’s official presentation was to ensure that the project succeeded. specialized exhibition EXPO 2017. As held among those of other candidates Kazakhstan proposed alternative many as 103 countries gave their votes at the 151st General Assembly of the sources of energy and green technology for the Kazakh capital. This was far
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www.infoshos.ru 25 from a trivial achievement: it is the the area. The exhibition is expected ($50 billion by 2030 and about first time that an EXPO will be held not to give a new impetus to systemic $50 billion by 2050), half of which just in Central Asia, but also in a post- diversification of the economy and will be used to develop renewable Soviet country. technological overhaul of the country’s energy sources. Hosting of the large- The event in Astana will last three production facilities and scientific scale event will definitely spur the months. It will be attended by up to 100 base. development of Astana’s small and countries and over ten international Kazakhstan became member of medium-sized businesses. organizations. The number of visitors the BIE in 1997 and has participated EXPO will be a serious quality is expected to be at least 2 million in EXPOs since 2005. At EXPO 2008 in test not only for the organizing people. Zaragoza, Spain, it won a bronze award committee, but also for the entire EXPO 2017 Energy of the Future will for exterior and interior design of the transportation industry, hospitality attract the best international energy pavilion among 104 members of the C sector and services. Coping with the saving technologies, new developments category. huge traffic of domestic and foreign and techniques for using existing The most important aspect of tourists will require high-quality alternative sources of energy, such as the forthcoming EXPO is, of course, management, accurate timing and sun, wind, sea and thermal waters. the economic one. In connection to excellent coordination. But the young Astana wants to become an efficient development of green technologies, and creative capital of Kazakhstan platform for demonstrating the world’s Kazakhstan plans significant is certain to be up to the ambitious best achievements and trends in investments in power generation task.
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www.infoshos.ru 26 ACHIEVING OPTIMAL INTEGRATION OF NURLY ZHOL AND SREB
In an interview with InfoSCO, Yernar Bakenov, Kazakhstan’s vice minister for national economy, talks about his country’s role in the Silk Road Economic Belt project
The world is growing increasingly the Plan envisages construction of One of the breakthrough road interested in the Silk Road Economic terminals in the international logistics projects is the creation of the Belt project. A large section of the zone of the port of Lianyungang, international transport corridor West route will go across Kazakhstan. What construction of a land terminal at the Europe – West China, which will effect do you expect it to have on the station of Incheburun and a terminal become the shortest route to Europe, Kazakh economy? at the port of Bander-Abbas. Chinese with cargo delivery taking around 10-12 The Silk Road Economic Belt is part companies are expected to become days. There are also projects Center – of the One Belt, One Road initiative residents of special economic zones South, Center – West and Center – East, of the Chinese government aimed National Industrial Petrochemical which stipulate reconstruction of about at developing multilateral regional Industrial Park in the Atyrau area and 4,700 km of roads. cooperation on land and at sea. On the Khorgos – Eastern Gate in the Since railway shipments of cargo will September 2, 2016, in Hangzhou, Almaty region. be growing, the second line between governments of Kazakhstan and China China selected three main routes: Almaty and Shu is being modernized. signed a plan of cooperation for from China to Europe (the Baltic Sea) Construction of the second line will integration of the New Economic Policy via Central Asia and Russia; from China increase the capacity of the Shu- Nurly Zhol and the construction of the to the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Almaty section and increase transit SREB. via Central and West Asia; from China cargo shipments to China, Europe, Cooperation priorities within the to the Indian ocean via Southeast and Asia, the Persian Gulf, and back. The Plan were defined: development South Asia. It is worth noting that the projected volume of cargo processing of transport infrastructure, first and second routes of the Silk Road is 4.4 million tons per year. manufacturing, trade, etc. Projects are Economic Belt are complementary to Construction of a ferry with a envisaged to create transport corridors Kazakhstan’s New Economic Policy, capacity of 4 million tons is currently China – Kazakhstan – West Asia, China – Nurly Zhol, where special attention is under way at the port of Kuryk. The first Kazakhstan – Russia – West Europe and paid to development of transportation stage was commissioned in December China – Kazakhstan – South Caucasus/ and logistics infrastructure. Nurly Zhol 2016, and the entire complex is set Turkey – Europe, with a view to improve includes 16 transportation and logistics to be inaugurated later this year. It the transport infrastructure along the projects, out of which 11 envisage will increase the total capacity of route connecting the northwestern and construction and reconstruction of Kazakhstan’s sea ports to 23.5 million southeastern shores of China. Besides, roads. tons. Construction of a land port and InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 27 infrastructure has just been completed strengthen inter-regional contacts and countries, one of which is Kazakhstan. on the border with China, in the Khorgos deepen economic activities related to Its authorized capital is about $100 – Eastern Gate special economic zone. transport, retail, tourism, investment billion. Effect from implementation of these and other areas of cooperation along Promoting the SREB concept, China, projects will increase the amount of the SREB. together with other stakeholders, transit cargoes moving from China The work to align the Nurly Zhol established the Silk Road Fund and to Europe via Kazakhstan from 16.3 state program and the SREB began the New Development Bank (formerly to 18.1 million tons. Implementation after adoption of the Joint Declaration the BRICS Development Bank). These of the SREB project creates new of the heads of state of Kazakhstan and institutions have amassed substantial opportunities for boosting the two China on August 31, 2015 and the Joint funds, for example, the assets of the countries’ export-import potential, Statement of heads of government Silk Road Fund total $40 billion. This will developing manufacturing and on December 14, 2015. Later, in allow building reliable infrastructure encouraging their trade, economic and September 2016, the parties signed on the continent. logistic cooperation. a plan of cooperation between the Could you please comment on the What are Kazakhstan’s specific governments of Kazakhstan and China discussed alignment of the SREB with steps in the project? for integration of Nurly Zhol and the the Eurasian Economic Union? First of all, let me recall that the Silk Road Economic Belt. The SREB project has gained broad SREB initiative of China was first voiced By now, we have developed a draft support in Eurasia. The decision to by Chinese President Xi Jinping in road map for implementation of the align the Eurasian Economic Union and Astana, on September 16, 2013, during cooperation plan in different economic the Silk Road Economic Belt was made a lecture at the Nazarbayev University. sectors and sent it to the Chinese party on May 8, 2015, in Moscow, by heads of Subsequent developments were for approval. Also, we from the very state of EEU members. as follows: on December 14, 2014, beginning supported China’s initiative The alignment will open new also in Astana, Kazakhstan’s minister to set up the Asian Infrastructure prospects for cooperation between for national economy and China’s Investment Bank, whose goal is to EEU member states and China, and president of the state committee provide institutional assistance to the between Europe and Asia in various for development and reform signed strategy of restoration of the Silk Road. areas. The Silk Road Economic Belt is an inter-agency memorandum of Being a co-founder of this international expected to create a new «Eurasian understanding for joint promotion of financial institution, Kazakhstan played bridge,» to develop such economic the Silk Road Economic Belt.” The goal an important part in its establishment. corridors as China – Mongolia – Russia, of the memorandum was to develop and The Bank already comprises 57 China – Central Asia – West Asia, and
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www.infoshos.ru 28 China – Indochina. So the alignment initiative is an important element of multilateral trade and economic cooperation between all countries of the EEU and SCO. EEU member states have agreed with the rationale for promotion of the comprehensive initiative of alignment of the EEU and SREB projects. Right now, work is under way to determine the priorities and areas of interaction, as well as to prepare a road map for cooperation with China. For Kazakhstan, the most attractive areas of cooperation are energy, transportation and telecommunications. The agreement on trade and economic cooperation between the EEU and China that is being drafted will provide the basis for alignment of the EEU and SREB. I believe that its signing will allow EEU member states to reach a new level of trade and economic relations with China and will encourage mutually beneficial cooperation in such as operation of the logistic about 34 million tons of cargo. New many spheres. This agreement will terminal in Lianyungang (its current roads will increase the capacity by become the main tool of economic turnover is about 250,000 containers, 50%, shipments, including transit, will interaction between the EEU and and this figure will double in the near become two times shorter, and the China, efficiently complementing the future), construction of the West travel time will be down 1.5-fold. existing bilateral interactions. Europe – West China road, launch of the I am positive that alignment of the In September 2015, during the Khorgos international center, etc. EEU with the SREB project will allow official visit of President of Kazakhstan As for the West Europe – West our countries to reach a higher level of Nursultan Nazarbayev to China, China project, it is worth noting its trade and economic relations, increase the two heads of state signed a importance both for Kazakhstan and our investment appeal and help to joint declaration on a new stage of the region in general. It is expected facilitate trade across Eurasia. comprehensive strategic partnership. to seriously reduce the distance and Being an active proponent of The document laid the foundation time required for shipping goods from integration processes, Kazakhstan for joint development of cooperation China to Europe. Travel along the West will continue supporting initiatives of in alignment of Kazakhstan’s new Europe – West China corridor will take integration with the SREB, aimed at economic policy Nurly Zhol and the Silk about 10 days, while the route via the intensifying mutually beneficial trade Road Economic Belt. Trans-Siberian Railway takes 14 days and economic cooperation. Together, Certain steps have already been and the sea route – 45 days. we will be able to counteract global taken to ensure successful integration By the time the project is economic crises more confidently and of the Kazakh and Chinese initiatives, implemented, it is expected to ship overcome various barriers more easily.
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www.infoshos.ru 29 ROUTE OF DIALOG, EVEN IF NOT ALWAYS OF SILK
Naina Aminova on the 30th anniversary of the UNESCO project «Silk Roads, Roads of Dialog» Thirty years ago, in 1987, UNESCO of humankind connected the West and The name «Great Silk Road» was adopted a program titled «Silk Roads, the East, the Mediterranean and the for the first time introduced for Roads of Dialog.» The important Far East, the ancient Central Asian and scientific use by German geographer event took place during the UN World Chinese civilizations. The enormous and geologist Ferdinand von Richthofen Decade for Cultural Development and route emerged in the second half of in the 1870s to describe connections demonstrated that UNESCO tried not the 2nd century BC, when the Chinese between the Far Eastern and Western only to study, but also to preserve the diplomat and traveler Zhang Qian worlds. The coined term proved very huge legacy of the ancient world. discovered Central Asian lands for his successful and generally accepted: The Silk Roads, Roads of Dialog compatriots. This brought together two silk had been the main goods brought program envisages a comprehensive great roads: one connected Central by Chinese merchants to remote lands study of the history of Central Asian Asia to the West, the Mediterranean, since the 2nd century AD. peoples. Its main goal is to bring closer while the other came from the East, Due to the favorable geographic the East and the West, about which the from the Han Empire. position of Central Asia, the Great Silk great Rudyard Kipling philosophically Gradually, systems of roads and naval Road became the place of active trade, wrote that «never the twain shall routes developed in the vast region signing of diplomatic agreements meet.» It turns out, however, that spreading from the Atlantic to the and military unions, of crucial ethnic the idea of rapprochement can be Pacifc, connecting the most remote processes and interaction between promoted by establishing closer cradles of civilizations. The route went cultures – Turk, Iranian, Hellenistic, cultural and economic ties. from the borders of the Roman Empire, Arab, Indian, Chinese, etc. History of A year after the program was Greece, Egypt, via the valleys of the the Great Silk Road is a history of broad adopted, UNESCO announced the start Syrdarya, Amudarya, Tarim to the cultural interaction and exchange of a ten-year project titled «Integral borders of the Celestial Empire, the between the people of the East and Study of the Silk Roads, Roads of valleys of the Huang He and Yangtze, the West. It proves that only close Dialog.» It envisages broad and and from from Central Asia in the north cooperation and mutual enrichening comprehensive study of the history to the Indus, Ganges and the shores of of cultures can be a foundation for of civilizations, establishing close the Indian Ocean in the south. Later, achieving peace and progress for entire cultural contacts between the East these routes formed the backbone of humankind. and the West, and improving relations the Great Silk Road. UNESCO’s Silk Roads, Roads of Dialog between numerous peoples living in In the early 1st millenium AD, the envisages comprehensive study of Eurasia. vast expanses between the Atlantic history of Central Asian peoples. But its In 1993, the UN General Assembly and Pacific merged into one single main goal is to establish closer cultural passed a resolution on restoring the belt of cultures and civilizations. and economic contacts between the Great Silk Road as an important route For the first time in the history of East and the West, improve relations of international cooperation in the area humankind, borders of various states between the numerous nations of diplomacy, culture, science, trade came into contact on such a huge populating Eurasia. and tourism. The core components of distance, 11,400 km from the west to Restoration of the Silk Road that the Road’s contemporary development the east. happens in front of our eyes is an are transport communications and It is no coincidence that it was at that amazing project that brings the East and tourism. time that the Great Silk Road emerged. the West closer, resuming the centuries- The Silk Road is one of the most It was needed by the circumstances and old dialog between civilizations… Only remarkable achievements of human brought about by political, economic the captivating jingle of caravan bells civilization. This transcontinental and cultural achievements of Eurasian has been replaced with music of the route for the first time in the history peoples of preceding epochs. industrial era…
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 30 RUSSIA AND THE NEW SILK ROAD
Professor Yuri Tavrovsky, sinologist, the People’s Friendship University of Russia The One Belt, One Road forum, which to the German hubs in Hamburg and announcement of the One Belt, One took place in Beijing in the middle of Rotterdam. In China, this route has Road initiative in autumn 2013. Russia May, is the main foreign political event received the grand name of the New continues getting paid for transit of the year. It was attended by over Asia – Europe Continental Bridge. In along the «continental bridges,» one 20 heads of states situated in the Silk reality, it is just connection of the of which recently celebrated its 100th Road Economic Belt (SREB), including existing railways in China and post- anniversary and the other turned 25. Russian President Vladimir Putin. Soviet republics. Cargos are also The potential and desirable synergy of It was his first meeting with Chinese shipped across Russia via the Asia – constructive impulses of two strategic President Xi Jinping this year, where Europe Continental Bridge (the good partners in the biggest infrastructure they discussed issues related to old Trans-Siberian Railway). project of the 21st century has not interaction on the Silk Road. It is the The infrastructure of the SREB, which materialized. A lot of opportunities SREB that creates opportunities for in Russia is more often called the New have been missed. putting bilateral strategic partnership Silk Road, includes a large-scale project on a solid trade and economic of the transcontinental highway West ALIGNMENT OF NATIONAL foundation. China – West Europe. It will be laid INTERESTS IS NEEDED The topic of the Silk Road is barely from Lianyungang to St Petersburg. The logical question is: what’s the heard in the symphony of foreign The project, launched before 2013, matter? Problems start at the strategic political tunes of the Russian expert has been only partially implemented. level. China has its long-term plan, the community, mass media, government In China, a state-of-the-art high-speed Chinese Dream, adopted in 2012 and agencies and business organizations, road has been built, which I recently meant to turn the Celestial Empire into tasked with ensuring integration of the travelled at a very high speed for over one of the world’s leading powers by Eurasian Economic Union and the SREB. one thousand kilometers from Lanzhou 2049. The One Belt, One Road initiative This is hardly a coincidence. Russia to Alashankou. Therefrom, the highway is part of the plan. The SREB is its has been unable to find its own place goes through Kazakhstan up to the continental part, complemented with and interest in the SREB initiative, and border with Russia near Orenburg. the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Beijing has failed to offer Moscow an There are different opinions about Our strategic partnership succeeded attractive part. where the Kazakh section is completed, because our national interests in the Since 1992, Russia has served as a but the Russian one still is not seem to area of security matched. Our economic transit area for Chinese exports to be invested. partnership is failing because neither Europe, going from Lianyungang, a Therefore, nothing essential has party offers projects that would be in hub on the Yellow Sea, across China, changed in Russian-Chinese transport the interests of both countries. Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland cooperation in Eurasia since the Every person in China is aware
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 31 of the formula «i dai i lu» (one belt East. Given the growing goods turnover, is functioning and is a ready maritime and one road), the initiative is being bottlenecks may emerge on these routes component of the northern hub. implemented in accordance with the very soon. Ust-Luga is the endpoint of several strict schedule, with huge funds pouring When the New Silk Road was created, highways, railways and pipelines and in both from the state budget, regional several big hubs appeared along it, is situated close to a nuclear power resources and private investors. Thanks connecting highways, railways and plant. This transport and power to the SREB initiative, the scarcely port facilities. The port of Lianyungang generating infrastructure will serve populated northwest region of China is on the Yellow Sea became the eastern as the basis for a huge industrial park, becoming a «reserve» living space for hub. In West Europe, Rotterdam and consisting of inter-related clusters of the Chinese nation. Hamburg situated close to each other enterprises of different sectors. In Russia’s prospects of participating in represented the western hub. The role 2016, Ust-Luga’s cargo turnover was the Chinese project are still uncertain. of the southern hub is obviously meant 93.4 million tons, while its design China does not see any economic for the deep-water port of Gwadar capacity is 180 million. The projected sense and is not eager to invest in in Pakistan, which will be connected turnover of this port and the entire expanding the flow of its goods across to China not only with a new railway, port system around St Petersburg scarcely populated areas of Russia, but also with a strategic highway. The exceeds the capacity of the existing nor does it consider the possibility of central hub of the entire SREB, its routes leading to them. using transport capacity of Russia’s continental core, will be the main city Construction of a new, advanced Far East and Siberia. It is indifferent of Xinjiang, Urumchi, situated next to railway from St Petersburg to Russian transport projects, such the border crossing points of Alashankou southeastwards, to the Urals, Siberia as Moscow-Kazan, and also projects and Khorgos. and then on to China, would be in of comprehensively modernizing and It would be in Russia’s interest Russia’s national interests. Connected extending the Russian Trans-Siberian to create another, northern, hub to the existing Asia-Europe Continental Railway to Hokkaido and Busan lobbied in St Petersburg. The geostrategic Bridge (Trans-Siberian Railway) and by Japan and South Korea, or using the importance of the city on the Neva the New Continental Bridge, going Northern Sea Route. for the New Silk Road has been through Kazakhstan, such route would emWphasized by the fact that it was also be in China’s national interests. NEW RUSSIAN PROJECTS FOR chosen as the endpoint of the West Access to the Baltic Sea and the THE NEW SILK ROAD China – West Europe highway, which is transportation system of North Europe Focusing attention and funds on to be completed by 2023. would expand its opportunities of development of the SREB within China The highway is still under construction, direct trade with these countries. It and achieving the first visible success, but the system of ports on the Baltic Sea should, of course, be a cargo high- Beijing saw an obvious lag in routes – in St Petersburg and in neighboring speed railway, not a passenger line. leading to Europe and the Middle Ust-Luga, Primorsk, Vyborg and Bronka – In future, this northwestern route
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 32 could be extended northwards, to Indian Ocean to the Persian Gulf and the Chinese-Russian border in its Scandinavia, and also to East and West the Mediterranean, another strategic western, Altay, section. Given that Europe. maritime road is taking shape, which Altay is a natural reserve and has The geostrategic importance of could be called the Northern Silk Road. complicated terrain, there could be the northwestern route is increased Russia and China agreed on cooperation a bypass via the adjacent territories due to the forthcoming launch of the in the Belkomur project in September of Kazakhstan or Mongolia. Then the project of another transport corridor 2015, at a meeting of their leaders railway would cross the Trans-Siberian – Belkomur (White Sea – the Komi in Beijing. Construction is scheduled Railway and go northwards, to St Republic – Urals). The starting point to start already in 2018, and will be Petersburg. Straightening of the route of the railway that will become the carried out by Chinese company Poly and construction of a state-of-the-art shortest route connecting Siberia and International Holding. railway would reduce the time needed the Urals (and, later, reaching Central It seems that, logistics-wise, the for delivery of goods. Asia and China) is currently planned to most rational solution would be to China plans to start manufacturing be in Arkhangelsk. However, experts create a new line of the northwestern cargo trains moving at a speed of and the business community are route, which would drastically speed 120-250 km per hour in 2020. The increasingly advocating the proposal up delivery of containers, take the new railway would create a powerful to make Murmansk one of Belkomur’s load off the overbusy Russian highways impetus for development of Russian hubs. and go through regions that are not regions, not only connecting them to This will create a connection sufficiently connected to the national other parts of Russia, but also giving between several strategic transport transportation network. The optimal them direct access to the markets of routes of global importance, which are route, both in terms of length and China and Southeast Asia. of interest for both China and Russia. In security, seems to be the one going An important argument in favor of addition to the 21st Century Maritime across Russia and China. building the Russian-Chinese transport Silk Road, which goes from China via the It could start in Urumchi and cross corridor between Xinjiang and St Petersburg, including the northwestern route and the northern hub, is the security factor. We have already seen precedents of shutdowns or bottlenecks on the trade routes in Poland and Belarus, which pose a potential threat to stable functioning of the way to Europe, which is becoming increasingly important for China. One potential way to carry out the project could be the setup of a Russian-Chinese consortium like the one that was established in 2015 by China, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan in order to ship cargos bypassing Russia, along the Trans- Caspian Transport Route.
«Zavtra» newspaper
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 33 KAZAKHSTAN’S MODERNIZATION IN COOPERATION WITH SCO
Yevgeny Pastukhov This spring, Kazakhstan once again Southeast Asian nations. Of course, Nazarbayev has again set grand began talking about the need to there were mistakes and the painful tasks for technological overhaul of continue modernization of the country «shock reforms.» Nevertheless, Kazakhstan’s economy, putting it on and society. This positive trend is easy concentrating on solving the main an innovative footing, creating brand to understand: the country is young, it economic problems, Kazakhstan new manufacturing enterprises and is intensively developing and striving to succeeded in building the banking, research centers and improving the improve. What is remarkable is that in pension and utility systems and created quality of human resources. the past, the Kazakh leaders drew only conditions for developing business and The close attention to the from successful Western experience a market economy. problem of modernization is due when conducting reforms, but this time Consistent development of to several important factors. First they are formulating their own agenda Kazakhstan’s economy, recovery of of all, transformation of economic of economic changes and are trying big industrial enterprises and small relations increased requirements to to use the experience and potential businesses created a market community management of the country’s economy. of their partners in the Shanghai in the country, where everyone could Second, the global financial crisis and Cooperation Organization. find a niche. Economically active political tumult in some Middle Eastern What is the reason for this change of residents formed the middle class, countries, known as the Arab spring, vector? Having obtained sovereignty, which became the supporting pole for showed clearly that the economic Kazakhstan encountered numerous the authorities. wellbeing of the population is the key social, economic and political During the recent international factor of political stability in today’s problems. The young nation could not financial crisis, the government quickly world. afford to experiment and chose an came up with a serious economic road Modernization in Kazakhstan acceptable model for development map, the goal of which is to protect definitely has its specifics and its guided by others’ success, namely, the middle class, modernize and objective difficulties. For example, it Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea. industrialize the country, increasing its is necessary to maintain the balance Thanks to this strategy, Kazakhstan competitiveness on the international between the huge potential of was able to maintain a fairly high stage. liberal reforms and the strong state, economic growth rate for many years, Today, when the global economic able to control social and economic moving in line with China, India and system is still struggling, President processes. It is for this reason that
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www.infoshos.ru 34 Kazakhstan actively used not only center of Eurasia definitely underscores implementation of China’s One Belt, Western experience at the initial its geopolitical role as a transit bridge One Road initiative, it has welcomed stage, but also that of the «South between Europe and Asia. Kazakhstan the connection of the Silk Road Asian tigers,» which had made a connects Asian countries to Russia and Economic Belt to the Eurasian Economic fantastic economic breakthrough in the European Union. Transportation Union. Now Astana wants to see these the second half of the 20th century. routes via Kazakhstan are two times initiatives come true with the help of Kazakhstan’s recent history shows shorter than sea routes. international cooperation within the that its tactics of the happy medium As is well known, the state SCO. was the right one. of logistics is dependent on the Transport isolation was a huge Kazakhstan is the world’s ninth economic situation in general, while problem for Kazakhstan. However, its biggest country by area and the globalization of economic processes interaction with China and Russia within biggest one without access to sea. and the country’s integration in global the EEU and SCO opens new horizons. But it has a goal to become one of the economy are definitely influencing Turning into the region’s logistic center, top 50 most competitive economies, Kazakhstan’s logistics. And Astana is Eurasia’s most important hub, would and geography should not be an showing increased interests in projects give the Kazakh economy new growth obstacle here. To achieve this goal, of logistic infrastructure. opportunities and encourage its overall the country has developed programs Kazakhstan is interested in modernization. of regional development, which were inspired, among other things, by the new challenges – the need to build a «smart economy» not dependent on commodities, but based on intellectual assets and development of the services sector. An important tool in implementation of the program can be found in international interaction within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Dynamics of the SCO’s development, its evolution and expansion testify to its great prospects, and the organization is already a crucial international structure in the region. Thanks to the SCO, Kazakhstan can turn its geographic shortcomings into advantages. It doesn’t have a sea, but it has a vast steppe! Its location in the
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 35 HOW TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT AROUND TRANSPORT ROUTES?
IZOLITE SOUND BARRIERS FOR HIGHWAYS AND RAILWAYS History of the humankind has seen historical importance, but monuments definitely, contributes to its value. plenty of examples when invention to remarkable bravery, brilliant genius, A big advantage of IZOLITE sound and implementation of technologies engineering accuracy and technological barriers is their environmental allowed achieving a qualitatively new innovation. friendliness. Made of purely natural level of development, laid ground for Thanks to continuity of generations components (wood chips and Portland future discoveries and determined the and sharing of accrued experience cement), they are perfectly suited for living conditions of coming generations. combined with the best possible use in various existing and future large The results of this research have technological base, today we are able projects, minimizing interference with formed the cultural and technological to create innovative products like the fragile environment. legacy that we have and use today. never before. Highways and railways are the Each sphere of man’s activity can IZOLITE sound barriers are our main areas for using IZOLITE barriers. contribute to the common cause of example of synergies between the Spanning hundreds of thousands of progress, but construction has always timber and cement industries. A living kilometers, they invariably intrude been and remains the pioneer. example of using the knowledge of on the nature’s slow-paced life, The quintessence of human genius generations to make an ideal, needed threatening to destroy its integrity in combination with state-of-the-art and promising product. with irreparable consequences. technology of its time brought to life The barrier has unmatched The IZOLITE sound barriers is a such outstanding constructions as the characteristics in terms of endurance, natural element that makes peaceful Great Pyramid, the Coliseum, the durability, sound insulation and noise coexistence of the environment and Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, absorption. Besides, expert economic technological progress possible. the Ostankino TV Tower, and many calculations show that its use is others. beneficial in all aspects – assembly, www.izolite.spb.ru Today they are not just buildings of maintenance, production, which, +7 812 995 94 92
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 36 LIFE BUOY FOR THE ARAL SEA
Irina Novikova The airliner had covered half of the much credit? After all, where are Soviet its will, by laws of the universe. distance between Beijing and Moscow, leaders and where is the sea? Mortal, As regards the Aral Sea, I support when the window caught some radiant sinful humans with a limited life span the opinion of academician Agadzhan shining from the ground below. Pieces versus the eternal creation of Nature, Babayev, a leading Turkmen scientist of a gigantic broken looking glass which may be made disappear only by and desert expert, who believes that were glittering in the sunlit space. The navigator showed that we were flying above Central Asia. I clung to the window, «Oh God, this is my dear Aral Sea! That is, its splinters – one big, one smaller and plenty of tiny ones…» The sea seemed to be sending the SOS signal to the Creator. People have been writing its obituary for more than half a century, but the Aral Sea, having lost three fourths of its water, broken into pieces as a mirror, is getting more salty, but is still alive and splashing. The last loyal inhabitant of the Uzbek part of the sea is the flounder, which loves salt water. The dried up bottom, with ships stuck in it, is a truly cosmogonical picture, comparable only to Dante’s hell. It has become a tradition to blame Soviet leaders, calling them murderers of the Aral Sea. But doesn’t it give them too InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 37 the disappearance of the sea has, platform for the dialog. The presidents sandals, I wandered in the golden sand first of all, a natural cause: it hasan agreed to restore it. to the purest sea water… The high unknown connection to its «parent Uzbekistan is obviously interested azure sky, the joyous sun, call of birds sea,» the Caspian, and it may change in the experience of its neighbor. swimming in the sea air. How could it its volume, its borders, die and come Logically, if Kazakhstan was able to not be paradise? back to life depending on different suspend the sea’s degradation by In 1968, I came to the Aral shore, reasons – geophysical, geodynamical, blocking the Syrdarya with a dam, to the port of Muinak, again, this time the level of the World Ocean. why cannot Uzbekistan use the same as a correspondent. My task was to go This doesn’t mean, of course, that tactics against the Amudarya, the to sea with a fishing crew and write men cannot influence the situation. second powerful donor of the Aral a story. But an unexpected obstacle They can, to a certain degree. Under Sea? The task is titanic, but all grand came up: Zholdasbek, captain of the President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s projects are moved first of all by a seine-net fishing ship, did not want initiative, Kazakhstan is successfully strong political and human will, and me on board, «We don’t allow women restoring the northern part of the Aral Mirziyoyev has more than enough of it. here!» They thought it to be a bad Sea. In 2002, the government took …A few nostalgic words. I remember omen. The representative of the local a big loan from the World Bank to seeing the Aral Sea alive and healthy. administration, who was accompanying me, was not able to persuade him. Then, desperately, I exclaimed, «Captain, please, let me go! I am a seaman’s daughter!» It worked. Zholdasbek gave me a long thoughtful look and… nodded. Our new seiner with the Made in GDR stamp spent a whole day in the sea, from dawn till dusk, briskly going back and forth. The fishermen kept looking in the distance, closely watching the water area. We moved from island to island (it is no coincidence that the name of the sea means «plenty of islands»). Zholdasbek answered my numerous questions, told me curious facts about the sea and local legends. When we approached the mystical island Borsa-kelmes (One who goes doesn’t return), I immediately wanted to land, to walk the «forbidden» territory, but Zholdasbek was adamant, «There are too many snakes there.» The fishermen made unbelievably delicious kebab out of fresh fish and were mopping the deck, getting ready create the Kokaral dam. It was built At the time, I was a student of the to go ashore. We approached the port across the canal that took waters of Tashkent University and came to visit when the sun already touched the sea. the Syrdarya from the Northern Aral a friend, Svetlana Shaposhnikova, in I asked the question that had been to the Southern. In 2005, the dam Karakalpakiya. She was an anchor nagging me all day, «Why didn’t the was completed, and the Northern Aral at the Nukus television, where her crew do anything while at sea and is began filling with water, coming back husband Lev worked as an operator. coming back without any catch? Did to life right in front of one’s eyes. A «As a future journalist, you must you go out just for my sake?» «Of hydrological solution has been found, see the most interesting thing in this course not,» the captain said. «Now I the biological component in this part area,» he said. «Get ready, our filming can tell you. Our task was to patrol a of the sea optimized, its shores are crew is going to Muinak, on the Aral certain part of the sea looking for the being populated and developed again, Sea, tomorrow. You’ll be impressed, astronaut Georgy Beregovoy. He was the traditional fish processing industry I promised. You’ll remember the Aral expected to land somewhere in these has returned. Sea as long as you live.» parts»… President of Uzbekistan Shavkat The last sentence proved prophetic. Scientists insist that in ancient times Mirziyoyev also plans to change the The sapphire face of the Aral Sea, the Amudarya and Syrdarya fell into situation in his country’s part of the shining in the generous Asian sun, the Caspian Sea, not into the Aral, sea, the Southern Aral. At a recent seems to have left an imprint in my but then, after a gigantic earthquake, meeting in Astana, the two leaders soul. Indeed, I remember it more often the unfathomable power of nature signed a package of documents on than other unique places I have seen directed their streams to the Aral Sea. cooperation and discussed the fate of travelling through many countries. The Who knows, perhaps, the nature will the Aral Sea. The Aral Sea Salvation small hotel where we stayed stood not remain deaf to the sea’s suffering Foundation can become the best very close to the shore. Taking off my and will restore its natural course…
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 38 GREAT RUSSIAN REVOLUTION: SEARCHING FOR THE TRUE WORLD ORDER
On occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Russian revolutions of 1917
Anatoly Korolev, writer Europe and the entire world met over 100 various ethnic groups. An was in the state of unrest. Progressive the beginning of the 20th century Orthodox country, it kept apart from people understood that it could not with obvious enthusiasm. If you look the energetic European civilization: go on like that: the world had moved through the newspapers or watch valuing the deeply communal world on. Everything started in 1861, when news footage of that time, you will order above capitalist innovations. serfdom was abolished. Noblemen’s see that people expected only new Russia was a riddle not only for estates as the symbol of nobility – the achievements in the quality of life. others, but even for itself. The majority buttress of the Russian monarchy – were Comfort and science were the two axes of the population of this huge country decaying. The great Russian writer, around which the belief in progress was – 80% of 176 million people – were Noble Prize winner Ivan Bunin and moving. Meanwhile, only three decades peasants. The overwhelming majority unparalleled genius of Russian prose separated the gas attacks of World War of them were diligent, illiterate people Anton Chekhov wrote a lot about it. I from the horrible atrocities of World with large families and an archaic Every country has its fateful War II, which is a ridiculously short lifestyle. Literacy was prized very moments. Russia’s fateful hour struck period by historical standards. high among them – they eagerly hung in January 1905, when Tsar Nicholas Today we can state with certainty on every smart, bright word and were II ordered a peaceful demonstration that the 20th century turned out the ready to respond to any urge. The dark, in St Petersburg fired at. The Tsar was most blood-drenched and at the same truth-seeking, illiterate world was depressed following the defeat of the time the most inspired in the history of itself some form of intuitive socialism. Russian army in the Russian-Japanese humankind. It worshiped conscientious equality and war, and the crowd making political Before World War I broke out, Russia open truth. demands did not help to improve his was the world’s biggest monarchy, The country was looking for guidelines mood. Armless protesters were cruelly a forest power taking up immense for development. Throughout the crushed, and the country responded expenses in the northern hemisphere second half of the 19th century and the with insurgencies. Social tensions, – 22.4 million sq km, populated by beginning of the 20th century, society which had led to the first mass
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www.infoshos.ru 39 Unprecedented labor enthusiasm, high spiritual ideals and… Stalin’s iron hand created the mighty Soviet state. Its tenacity was tested by Nazism, which had conquered entire Europe, but was destroyed by unbelievable heroism and stoicism of Soviet people. Many political prisoners volunteered to join punishment battalions (one of them was Lev Gumilev, the famous Orientalist scholar). They fought against invaders, for their fatherland, its dignity and independence. It seemed that the Soviet power knew no exhaustion. The international importance of the October revolution, the grand and in many aspects tragic event for Russia, was in a new path for development offered to the world. Socialist countries emerged, colonial empires were brought down, and the authorities of capitalist countries were forced to make social reforms. protest against the authorities, were it for as long as 70 years. The undeniable achievements of accumulating, creating foundation for We know today that many popular the Russian revolution include the the revolutionary explosion in 1917. dreams did not come true, but at that grand campaign to end illiteracy and There was another tragedy, which fateful hour, when hopes were high, introduction of free education at all was kept secret from the public for the lure worked. levels. The country built a combat- a long time: the long-awaited heir The second stage of the revolution, effective army and industrialized. to the throne, Alexey, suffered from in October 1917, secured power of the Some consequences transpired only hereditary hemophilia. The royal Bolsheviks. Asserting their position, many years later – the first nuclear family was in panic. All these ill-fated they were paradoxically destroying one power plant, the first man in space, signs robbed the authorities of their another. the upswing of science, culture and will and they were degrading. World In certain aspects, the Russian art. This cannot be denied. War I finished the ruin of the Russian revolution followed in the wake of The breakup of the Soviet Union was throne. The country had been at the Great French Revolution, whose a global political earthquake of the last war for the third year, the outcome god was the guillotine. The Convent, century. Russia performed the fate’s was uncertain. The Russian Imperial however, declared power of ideals, rollercoaster loop. The full meaning family was shaking and trembling while Russian Red Commissioners of this momentous somersault is yet under flaring tempers. Nicholas II, the declared power over ideals. They to be seen, but it would be wrong to failure of a Tsar, was renounced first mercilessly eradicated each other, and view it as a historical fiasco. It is too by his court and then by his generals, power was increasingly concentrated in early to draw conclusions – a historical leading to his abdication… Russian the hands of the leader. There followed perspective is needed. society cheered at this shocking move. the tragic civil war, and the exodus of One thing is indisputable, though: Easily and without any bloodshed, the «cream of the nation» – noblemen, despite all the moral and physical power in the country went to the intelligentsia, and talents. dramas and territorial losses, Russia parliament, the State Duma, and the Lenin’s early decay escalated the remains a continental superpower. It is Interim Government, which, however, feud between heirs of the Red power looking for new ways of development soon proved a failure, too. Power was and initially, Stalin was supported by and is bravely shaping its image on the simply up for grabs… party members as the most moderate geopolitical stage. It was at this time, in April 1917, among radicals. Now, one hundred The ruby red Kremlin stars still shine that 29 Marxists from Vladimir Lenin’s years from the revolution, his figure above Moscow. Russia is walking its entourage, returned to Petrograd from may be confidently put in one line path, and its pace is confident. Zurich. The rebelling Russian society with idealists of global inquisition, his What holds the nation together immediately acquired a language demonic genius compared to the frenzy at the beginning of the new 21st of slogans and dreams of the ideal. of Savonarola or Loyola. century? The same thing that held it The Bolshevik Party loudly promised The iron leader performed the together at the dawn of the ancient to fulfill the main desire of Russian role of the stern mentor of the young Russian state – the unity of force field, people, to give peace to the nation, Soviet power till the very end. It is still bipolar energy of the universe. And land to peasants and bread to the not known exactly how many people there are also some moral backbone hungry. were thrown in the furnace of the imperatives, three pillars: justice, The tight-knit elite team of Soviet civilization. Bolsheviks were conscience and honor. And as long as revolutionary conquistadors managed determined to strengthen the country they are alive in people, Russia will be to seize power in the country and keep at any expense. unshakable.
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 40 SOFT POWER OF IRINA ZAKHAROVA
Tatiana Sinitsyna «A Magical Journey to Beijing» is the humanitarian exchange between the Journey to Beijing» was attended by the new charming book by Irina Zakharova. two countries and development of author’s daughter Maria Zakharova, a By genre, it is a fairy tale told in a Russian-Chinese relations in general. diplomat, head of the Foreign Ministry’s fine graceful style, in essence, it is an «It is a great joy for us that «A Magical information and press department and encyclopedia full of information about Journey to Beijing» by Irina Zakharova its official spokesperson. «Coming to China, by melodics, it is a declaration has come out, and I am grateful to China in 1981, my parents plunged of love to the country where the author the author for this wonderful work,» into studies with abandon, studying lived for over twenty years. Li Hui said, when opening the book’s something even the Chinese did not The plot is quite simple, it unfolds presentation at the Chinese Cultural study at the time, because traditional with the help of magic that is present in Center in Moscow. culture was then covered by a thick any fairy tale. A Russian girl, Marusya, In recent years, plenty of books layer of historical dust,» she recalls. miraculously – on a dragon’s back – devoted to China have been published «I am positive that they did a very comes to her dream country, China. In in Russia – a 10-volume encyclopedia, important, selfless thing when they an ancient city, the little girl discovers Chinese history in six volumes, and began opening the traditional China a beautiful and unknown world. numerous works on Russian-Chinese not only for the Russian audience, but Irina Zakharova has a PhD degree in relations and art, the ambassador said. also for the Chinese. Their art served arts, she is a writer, translator, senior «It is difficult to write about China an important cause, bringing our associate of the State Pushkin Museum and it is even more difficult to write countries closer. It was the effect of of Fine Arts. Coming to China for the about it in a simple way, so there are changing reality with a «soft power» first time in 1981, she, in her own few popular books about China,» says that is almost certain to produce the words, «received a shock, as a result Alexey Maslov, an orientalist and a desired result.» of which something clicked inside, leading Russian expert on spiritual «A Magical Journey to Beijing» was creating a powerful interest in Chinese and cultural traditions of the Chinese illustrated by artist Yelena Yaremenko- culture.» This interest then manifested civilization and present-day social, Liu, who lives and works in Beijing. itself in various artistic forms. economic and political processes in the Love led her to marry Dmitry Liu, thus The Russian art expert received SCO countries. Zakharova managed to becoming member of a well-known the unusual award «You Enchanted get to the essence of the Chinese spirit family in China, which merges the China,» which is given to foreigners and the nuances of the Chinese life, he Chinese and Russian culture. In the for outstanding humanitarian deeds in says. distant 1930s, Yelizaveta Kishkina, a China. She studied Chinese art at the descendant of a noble Russian family, And now her new book, «A Magical history department of the Moscow married Li Lisan, an outstanding Journey to Beijing,» has come out, and University, getting a wide theoretical Chinese political figure. Their children, it is as beautiful in terms of contents understanding of it. Destiny decided grandchildren and great-grandchildren and aesthetics as the first one. The so that Irina came to China with her follow the bilingual tradition, growing publication, as in the previous case, husband, a diplomat. The country up with love towards both countries, was made possible by the patronage awoke strong emotions in her, giving and, therefore, doing a lot to popularize of the Chinese Embassy in Russia, and her an impetus to study Chinese culture the Russian and Chinese culture and personal involvement of Ambassador Li in depth. promote amicable relations between Hui, who is doing so much for active The presentation of «A Magical the two countries.
InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 41 THE SILK ROAD AND THE TURKS
Olzhas Suleimanov, poet, writer, linguist, public figure, diplomat, representative of Kazakhstan at UNESCO
A.D. the Turk-Mongols invented the is possible that the name of these stirrup, and thus the cavalry, the most formidable troops was transferred to mobile branch of the military, was born. the unusual goods the seriks delivered Heavy weapons were replaced with to the Roma. Presumably, such troops light sabers. The saddle with stirrups comprised the most experienced and changed the clothing, too. Long dresses able warriors. An ancient task force. gave way to trousers. Boots appeared I believe etymologists should bear to protect feet from blisters, and they this version in mind when they try to had heels to secure feet in stirrups. understand the origin of the Latin The horse became everything for words «serica» (silk fabric or dress) and horse people: a means of fast travel «sericus» (silky). The other meaning of The Silk Road is the oldest and across long distances, and mobile food the adjective «sericus» is «Chinese,» longest trade route and cultural artery storage accompanying armies. Slow because the Romans called the Chinese, that for a thousand years connected wagon trains with provisions were from whom they got the goods, «seriс, two centers of the ancient world – the no longer needed. Herds of cows and seriсum .» East and the West. Caravans with silk, flocks of sheep could not keep up with Turcologists need to put in a lot of porcelain and other exotic goods had warriors riding at full speed. Galloping effort to understand the origin of such to make their way through lands whose alongside the army was now a herd of Kazakh words as «serik» (companion, population was not always peacefully horses intended for feeding the soldiers comrade in arms), and «seri» (knight, inclined. during rest breaks. Horsemeat became warrior). Are they related to the Of course, merchants had to hire the food of horse people. In regions Turkish «erik, eri» (troops)? But I will armed guards to accompany them. I were horses were rare and of a limited not dwell on it here. believe they were found among soldiers use, it was prohibited to eat their …The most influential etymological of the Turkic Khaganate, from whose meat. dictionaries have long established attacks the Celestial Empire was trying It was such Turkic parties that the academic genealogy of some to protect itself by building a massive accompanied silk caravans. They European names of silk. According to fortification now known as the Great were known as «serik» (escort). They their version, all roads of European Wall of China. In the early centuries escorted caravans to Rome. And it silk come from Rome. The Latin word
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www.infoshos.ru 42 «serik» gave birth to all variants with «sidi» (silk, made of silk – Gothic), which were home for hundreds, if «mispronounced r» – from English followed by «sede» (silk – Spanish), not thousands, of people hired by the «silk» to Russian «шелк» (pronounced «seda» (Italian). Italians in Florence Empire. Which empire? Most probably, as [sholk]). (the Florentine dialect later became the Middle Empire, because it was the But what are we going to do with common Italian) got their silk from manufacturer and seller of the product the Italian «seda», Spanish «sede» or Spain, not from Rome. It came to Spain that needed such transit points most of all. While reasoning this way, it occurred to me to try to use a Chinese dictionary to analyze etymology of ancient Germans found in the Crimea (ostgoths) and Andalusia (visigoths). The Chinese dictionary has the words «go» (state, empire), and «tu» (land, territory). They are often used in a combination, «gotu» (imperial, state territory). I believe that the routes of the Great Silk Road were cultivated confidently for so many centuries that it is hardly possible to deny the possibility of emergence of camps set up by the Chinese, and then it is quite probable that these camps bore Chinese names. And then the economic and political name became ethnic, turning into the most ancient German ethonym. It looks like now we know who the Goths known from the 6th century A.D. were. They were Germans that helped China to carry silk and other goods from the Old German «sidi»? Apparently, not from the Visigoths, ancient Germans. Crimea (Ost-Gothia) to Andalusia (Vest- all European bazaars, even in the Does it mean that the Goths received Gothia). Therefrom, to Florence, silk Apennines, received the fabric from it directly from Chinese merchants? It travelled with Spanish merchants, Rome. Some of it had to reach these certainly looks so. judging by the development of its markets by other routes. I’d like to share a theory not found in name: sidi (Chinese, Gothic), sede written sources, but suggested by the (Spanish), seda (Italian). II history of different names of silk found The Turkic terms were used along Let me set forth my theory. It has in different languages. the Road, too. For example, the word to be preceded by a certain logical …Starting from the 3rd-4th century, «alban» (duty, tax) was used in the scheme. Silk was invented and the Turks accompanied silk caravans, names of territories where border produced in China. And, presumably, meeting them at the border of the services and customs were established. this is where it got its name. Therefrom Middle Empire, somewhere in Mongolia. The area around the Chinese border, it was carried on camels accompanied One route (there were several) led to for example, is inhabited by the Kazakh by cavalry troops via foreign countries. the Crimea, the land of the Ostrogoths tribe Alban, which might have been When the merchants met dealers and (Eastern Goths). Here the cargo was engaged in such activities in old times. buyers, how did they call their product? loaded to ships and was accompanied The country on the western shore of Would buyers (Romans) invent their by Goths to, say, the Balkan shore, the Caspian Sea (now the territory of own name for it? Somewhere there where fresh camels and horses were Azerbaijan) was called Alban in the 3rd must have been the original name of waiting. Goths led the caravan to century A.D. I believe that one of the the fabric used by merchants, of that Andalusia, where it was taken over Silk Road’s route went there: a port on I am certain. After all, we do not try by Visigoths. They would spread silk the Mangyshlak shore, where one of to invent names for exotic fruits and across Spain, up to the Mediterranean the Gotu (but not Germans) might have vegetables that reach our table, but sea, and therefrom Spanish merchants’ been. Therefrom, the cargo was sent use their original names that arrive ships would carry sede (silk) to Italy, to Alban by tow boats. And then, on together with them – a coconut, a where it would reach counters under camels and horses, it travelled across banana, coffee, cocoa… Could the the Italian name «seda.» Transcaucasia to Iran and Byzantium. same happen to silk? After all, the The Silk Road developed for hundreds An important point to consider: mechanism of word spreading can of years. In the most convenient places local population could have called hardly have changed over centuries. of the route, villages would sprout, themselves «Alban.» Is it a coincidence I looked up a Chinese dictionary: si – where people would build a caravan that the word «Albanian» in Chinese «silk», sidi – «silky, made of silk». serai, stables, warehouses for transit sounds like «azebay-zhen,», very Western bazaars sold not silk, but silk cargoes, walls for protection against similar to «Azerbaijan»? Is it possible fabrics, dresses and other things made bandits. Presumably, there were such that the Turks never managed to master of silk, so the adjective became a noun: fortified centers on the Gothic route, Chinese pronunciation? And added «r»,
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www.infoshos.ru 43 which Chinese don’t ever pronounce, with a Turkic tribe, whose language tribes following in their wake. and turned the determinative «zhen» had a systemic alternation of labial The Great Migration Period coincides (person, which is added to any name consonants b/m. And they gave these with the first centuries of the Silk or denomination of a person to Germans the name «Alman» (=Alban). Road, which also became Great. Was distinguish from objects and animals) Then it spread to all Germany. it a coincidence that Turkic people into «dzhan» (soul in Azerbaijani)? Unbelievable? Perhaps, but it needs to settled down on the vast expanse After all, the same determinative was be checked, all the more so as there between Mongolia and Byzantium along used to write in Chinese such Muslim are no other versions of the name’s Silk Road routes? I am more and more names as Mohammed, Ali, Galim, origin. inclined to believe that the Turkic word etc. In our language, they became If the UNESCO Great Silk Road for silk (si-di > si-lik) became the name Mukhamedzhan, Alizhan, Galimzhan, project does not boil down to a of accompanying guards and then was etc. few formal meetings, but inspires generalized. The Kazakh language Unbelievable? But needs to be revivalist response in relevant preserved the earlier meaning of checked. sciences, humankind may learn a lot of the world «serik» (escort) and «seri» For me, the Chinese pronunciation of interesting things about itself, which (knight). «Albanian» proves not only the origin will help it to build a future. But the Turkic name for the fabric of the name «Azerbaijan,» but also its reached Rome distorted, and it was direct connection to the ancient name IV transferred on people bringing this of this land, Albania. Many historians ...To conclude this essay, I’d like fabric and their guards. do not believe that there is any to point out that Turkic people The word «silik» did not survive in connection: Caucasian Albania is one assimilated the Chinese name for the any Turkic language. I found it only in thing, and Turkic Azerbaijan is another, fabric, sidi, replacing the Chinese ancient Turkic texts of the 8th century, which came to be much later. Now we suffix of an adjective, -di, with their in a set phrase «silik kyz» (a beautiful can look at the origin of «Azerbaijan» –lik. And what they traded was no girl). Silk was the symbol of beauty. taking into account the additional longer sidi (unlike Goths), but «silik.» Ancient Turks did not know anything information. This allows us to understand the prettier than this shining, smooth and The Balkan country, where one of routes of Chinese caravans travelling bright fabric. Later, when they learned the trade routes probably went and to Europe accompanied by Turkic to manufacture it on their own, where duty had to be levied, was also horsemen. The Englishmen preserved they invented their own name for it, called Albania by Turks. And people the name that is the closer to the «zhibek» (from «zhib» – «thread»). And who were entrusted with the task Chinese-Turkic original – silk. Similar that’s how the Kazakh poetic name Kyz were called Albans. Their relationship forms are found in Northern German, Zhibek (Silk Girl) came to be. This is with the Turks was maintained almost Baltic and Russian languages. Dialectic what beauties were called. till the 20th century, influencing distortions make them look like «selk,» …History of silk is an amazing part both the language and religion of the «seolk,» «selik.» And in some tongue, of Eurasia’s ancient history, and I am Albanians. I am positive, this precious goods was happy that the Decade of Cultural called «serik.» And the word spread Rapprochement began in Kazakhstan III to the guards, which, most probably, in 2013 with a UNESCO conference Different offshoots of the Silk Road were not a peaceful lot. Their devoted to the Great Silk Road. The reached German lands, too. We’ve appearance must have terrified the Decade is still here. There is still a already named one of them, Gotu. local population, who, having heard lot for linguists and historians to do There were other Germans, who had that the silik (sirik, cirik, serik) were to understand what divided us and the customs authority in another coming, would leave their native land, what will bring us closer. Knowledge, area of Europe. They were in contact for territory to be taken up by Turkic probably.
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www.infoshos.ru 44 RUSSIAN CENTER OPENS AT UNIVERSITY OF TEHRAN
Zahra Mohammadi, head of the of Russian language and literature at in Russian culture. Our students watch Russian Center, teacher of Russian more than ten other universities of Russian films and listen to Russian language and literature at the Iran. music with significant interest. I University of Tehran and translator of Where do graduates with knowledge believe that interest in the Russian Russian books, speaks about why young of Russian find jobs? culture is gradually growing in our people in Iran learn Russian and what At various companies that do society. they want to know about Russia. business in Russia. The Defense In the Soviet era, Iranians used to How important is opening of the Ministry needs translators from study in Russia. Many come to Russia Russian Center for the University of Russian. University graduates work today. What is the dynamics here? Tehran? for various organizations involved The number of students that go to Being the main university of Iran, in cultural cooperation with Russia. study in Russia has grown. The most we are, of course, very interested in Quite a number of specialists become popular areas of study are Russian cooperation with Russia – its universities translators of Russian literature. language and literature, oil and gas, and academic organisations. It goes To what extent are today’s Iranians aviation technology, physics, chemistry without saying that our department interested in Russia? – these areas are the most popular of foreign languages and literature is In the last fifty years, bilateral among our students. And music, of really happy about it, because we are relations between our countries course. I know that in recent years extremely interested in cooperation were more focused on military and many of our students were admitted to with Russia in the areas of culture and economic ties. Cultural cooperation the Moscow Music Conservatory and the research. We believe that opening of has, unfortunately, never been a Gnessins Musical College. the Russian Center at the University of priority. However, there has always What Russian writers and composers Tehran is a momentous event. been a dialog, and interest in Russian are best known and popular in Iran? How long has Russian been taught culture has been passed on via human Pushkin, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy… at the University? communication. In the last four Chekhov is perhaps the most read For seventy years, or even more. years, however, the government has Russian writer in Iran. People also read The Russian language department become more active in expanding Bulgakov, Pasternak, and Sholokhov. was among the first to appear at the cultural cooperation between our Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov are the University. Now it offers education in countries. This trend definitely helped popular composers. Contemporary two areas: linguistics and literature. the University of Tehran to take the music is also known. In addition to undergraduate students, serious step of opening the Russian What are the plans of the Russian we have postgraduates and students Center. Speaking about students, not Center? in a master’s program. Besides the so long ago they were more interested We plan to organize competition in department of Russian language and in political matters and wanted to Russian language and literature for literature, the University has the choose this path – to go work at the Iranian students studying Russian. department of Russian studies, which embassy. But in the last two or three I am certain that it will be very is more concerned with the culture, years, as translations of current interesting. economy and politics of the Russian Russian fiction have appeared, young Federation. There are also departments people have become more interested Russky Mir InfoSCO, №10, 2017
www.infoshos.ru 45 WEAVER WHO WOVE HIMSELF GLORY
Oksana Chernova He was an amazing weaver – he of different kind, where feud, social The infant born from prohibited love wove himself Glory. His name became and religious contradictions continue and left by his mother on the bank of a canonized, his life is wrapped in prospering, one can only wish to have river (the legend has it) had no chance garlands of legends, with threads more such missionaries of love as Kabir to survive. But a married couple of historical truth. The philosopher was. accidentally found him and took him in weaver, the wise weaver, the poet weaver, the spirit of Indian culture, he was one of those who come to this world to make it better. Kabir chose Love as his tool – because this was something the reality in which he lived needed so badly. The exact date of his birth is not known: researchers agree on 1440. At the time, the Indian society was being burned from inside by confrontation of Hinduism and Islam. Born by an Indian mother, but brought up in a Muslim family, Kabir deeply respected all of his origins, advocating the Hindu-Muslim unity throughout his life. He told people that God is one, he lives in the heart of every man, and all men are brothers and should love each other. He was also opposed to the castes. Looking at the present-day world, which has still not gotten rid of castes
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www.infoshos.ru 46 Indian poet, philosopher and artist, Nobel Prize winner, was the first to bring Kabir’s words to the outside world. A collection of Kabir’s poems appeared in English in 1915. This created a bombshell effect in the cultural landscape. Little is known about the first person who tried to translate Kabir into Russian. The «treasury shelf» of my home library holds a small volume titled Kabir. Lyrics that was published in Moscow in 1965, translated by Semyon Lipkin. As soon as you open it, your soul gets caught by the beautiful and wise words. …It is obvious that this extraordinary person, with his passionate spirit, could not live a quiet, settled life. Kabir’s sermons irritated his haters and fanatics, arose anger and libel among the stupid and spiritually deaf. Rebellious speeches about the single god turned Brahmins, mullahs, dervishes, yogis against him. The authorities exiled him from his native Benares. There are many legends devoted to the poet’s wanderings. He was followed by crowds whom he continued to teach and enlighten. His pupils wrote down his words and verses. Feeling the proximity of death, Kabir began getting ready for Maghar, a place where the dead reach salvation. He settled down in a small hut on the bank – they thought they saw a shining aura as a saint. His tomb has become a place of the river Ami and asked his followers above him, a sign of his «uniqueness». of pilgrimage. to bring him two bedspreads and lotus The adopting parents named the baby India is one of the few ancient flowers and then leave him alone. Kabir, which means «Great.» civilizations who has managed The pupils began arguing how the Common weavers, they taught to preserve its system of values teacher should be buried – burned in him their craft, and he proved to be throughout long millennia. What can accordance with the Hindu tradition extremely skillful in it. Kabir never be said here? There have always been or put in the ground as Islam requires. got any education, he could not read fewer treasures of Spirit in the world Kabir exclaimed, «Be careful! Do not or write. Everything born within him than treasures of Mind. Despite the discuss it and do not take to arms!» reached the world as live words during impressive scientific and technological These were his last words… sermons and talks to pupils, who achievements of our «cool» epoch, its When they came to the hut some wandered after him, writing down his eye turned to micro and macro worlds, time later, they did not find a body: every word. there are only a handful of translators only two bedspreads with flowers The words were so beautiful and wise on the earth able to transfer to another scattered on them. The Hindu took one that they remained in people’s souls soil the meaning and beauty of the bedspread with flowers and cremated forever. People came to Kabir’s shop great works of Kabir, not losing, as he it (the ash is still kept in Benares). to get a piece of fabric and went away put it, «the rose’s aroma in the fingers Muslims took the other and buried it in wondering at the dignity and wisdom of the wind.» Maghar. Later, two snow-white tombs of his beautiful and poetic speeches. Kabir happened to live in the – Hindu and Muslim – were erected Kabir’s lines became part of folklore, historical space between Dante and there. his verses were turned into hymns. Shakespeare, and he is their poetic Kabir liked to compare the world In India, the name of Kabir, his brother, not only because of equal around him to a spread canvas, philosophical teaching and poetic mastery, but also as the singer of love he called the earth and the sky «a legacy continue living in different – ordinary, sinful love. More than one weaver’s loom.» «The loom may break? levels of society – among ordinary hundred years before Shakespeare’s So what, you don’t need to repair it: people, in temples during service, famous sonnets were born, Kabir my thread will be joined to the world’s at schools, colleges and universities created love lyrics of equal intensity transparent fabric…» This eternal where his works are studied. The and impact. thread continues connecting us to Indians call him a «genius» and worship Rabindranath Tagore, the great Kabir even today.
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www.infoshos.ru 47 AYGUL, KYRGYZSTAN’S UNIQUE FLOWER, BLOSSOMS IN MOSCOW
A remarkable thing happened in A Kyrgyz legend has it that in the days always drops of dew inside the flower, Moscow this April: an aygul (moon gone by there was a rich man living on which local people call «Aygul’s tears». flower) broke into blossom in a yard Mount Aygul-Too who had a beautiful This is how the legend goes. near the Babushkinskaya metro station. daughter named Aygul. She was in love And then there is the true miracle The appearance of the ambassador of with a brave horseman, Kozu Ulan, and of the present day: the mountainous Kyrgyz flora in the Russian capital is her father blessed their union. flower aygul is blossoming in nothing short of a miracle: the Red They were preparing for a wedding Moscow. «It broke into flower in the Listed endemic grows only in four when trouble came. Enemies attacked second half of April,» Maksatbek places on the planet – the Hissar the peaceful village, and Kozu Ulan Abdyrazmanov, who had come to Mountains, Kashmir, Hindu Kush and fought against the intruders together Moscow from the Kadamzhaysky the Batken region in Kyrgyzstan. with other warriors. The enemy was district, told journalists. «I could not Mount Aygul-Too, where the beauty defeated, but Kozu Ulan was killed. believe my eyes when I saw it: after can be found, is an internationally Mourning her groom, Aygul asked all, the aygul only grows in the Batken popular tourist destination. The aygul to hold his heart, and his friends region, but here it was, blooming in a breaks into flower in April and delights took it out of his chest. Holding her Moscow yard. There are many labor the eye for about 20 days. Thousands beloved’s heart, Aygul went up to a immigrants from Kyrgyzstan in this of tourists from different countries high mountain and flew herself down. district of the city. Some of them come to see the miracle of nature In a few days, a flower of unparalleled must have brought the flower’s seeds during this time; people in love are beauty appeared in the place where or root with them, and the Moscow usually especially eager to see the Aygul had fallen. People named the climate turned out to be quite aygul, because it symbolizes love and flower «aygul». Remarkably, there are agreeable for it.» faithfulness. Botanists’ name for the aygul is Pentelium Eduardi. Back in the Soviet era, in 1978, it was Red Listed as a disappearing species. The plant’s thick stem can reach up to 1.5 meters and is crowned with magnificent scarlet flowers in a setting of oblong leaves. Experts say it takes seven years for new sprouts to appear, and in another seven plant blossoms for the first time. Every year, it adds another new bright orange flower to its crown.
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