Central Asia

I’m afraid the Central Asia Beat was beyond my poor capabilities while in Central America.  There just wasn’t good enough Internet access to do the research–and frankly, this “Foust Format” takes hours with a good connection. 

However, it’s worth it: you get a really good sense of what’s going on, yeah?  Hope it’s useful to more than myself out there–here goes:

Kazakhstan: Economic engines are Go:
–According to the European Rubber Journal (oh, yeah, what a great name–but it’s about tires, people) and Forbes,  Finland’s Nokian Tyres will be working with Kazakhstan’s Ordabasy JSC to build a factory in Astana.  The tires will serve the Kazakh and Russian Markets, eventually going into Eastern European distribution. 
–The laws passed by the Kazakhstan legislature concerning subsoil rights–and oilfield expropriation–are a significant threat by themselves to ENI and Kashagan field operations, the BTC line over by Azerbaijan, and so forth.  Yet expropriation legislation is not a good sign for investment by other industries  either.  Looks like Mr. Nazarbaev will not sign the law, which is exactly right–a reminder of state power in the continuing saga of oil in Central Asian diplomacy.
–Germany will sponsor Kazakhstan at the WTO and with the OSCE.  A powerful sponsor doing Europe’s work for it–and probably gaining insights (and investment inroads) thereby.

Kyrgyzstan: You can vote, but . . .
–REFERENDUM Sunday, October 21, on the Kyrgyzstan Constitution.  Lots of wrangling, as Adjar Kurtov’s article at Ferghana.ru notes.  Numerous drafts of dubious constitutions have been written and approved, sometimes amended without due legislative process or transparency.  The people are rightfully confused–even the experts are finding it difficult to keep track–and more so because the draft document’s publication was delayed, making it impossible to give it a proper perusal.  However, Kyrgyz police did impound an issue of independent newspaper Alkak this week.
–In the meantime, to add to the bewilderment, a new political party for Bakiev: the Ak-Jol Party, the party for “workers and men of action”, according to Bakiev.  I guess the “women for action” and the unemployed of both sexes did not line up to be consulted, as the party registration, platform, and membership were fulfilled in one day.  Kyrgyzstani Muslims are also concerned–apparently they were not consulted either.  Separation of church and state are a good idea, but the manner of the referendum will also probably ignite a cultural conflict, again through poor writing and quick-n-dirty work.  The new party and referendum are widely expected to increase Mr. Bakiev’s power over the state, and help him with upcoming elections.  Oh, and the election protocols are still screwed up, so results are easily skewed. 
–Asel writes over at neweurasia.net that despite all of this good referendum news, the PM of Kyrgyzstan has publicly stated that people should not panic.  Uh, that’ll fix it all right.
–Dateline, Bishkek: This past Wednesday, October 17th, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement on military cooperation, to involve training starting next year.

Mongolia:
–Great news for Mongolia: USD 285 million will be headed for the state under a Millenium Challenge Compact over five years.
–U.S. firm UTStarcom is in trouble with the SEC for attempting to bribe Mongolian officials back in 2005. . .
–Uranium development at Gurvanbulag Field, by a Canada-based transnational Western Prospector. 

Tajikistan:
–The Asian Development Bank and UK’s Department for Int’l Development are co-sponsoring a private sector development strategy grant totalling USD 2 million, from this month for another 3 years.  the grant is designed to help aid Tajikistan simplify and streamline institutional barriers to private business, a move which is Definitely in the right direction. 
–ADB is also funding USD 22 million of a USD 28.5 million flood management project for the Khatlon province in Tajikistan’s Southwest.
–Review of post-conflict reconstruction, ten years after the Tajik Civil War: generally positive, according to Josh Kucera’s report of proceedings.
–Vadim at neweurasia.net has two articles related to Migration this week: the first on Pamiri society, which is dwindling; the second, on beaten-up and framed Tajikistani university students in Russia.  Putting these stories together shows again how important it is for Central Asian labor to migrate for economic opportunity, and just how high the stakes are.   
–Students aren’t in school: they’re picking cotton right now.
–Jehovah’s Witnesses banned throughout Tajikistan.

Turkmenistan:
–The biggest news is the new rapprochement between Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.  RFE/RL has a great backgrounder on this.  As part of the ceremonies, Mr. Karimov has become an “honorary elder” of the Turkmen people.  Tangible results: The Journal of Turkish Weekly has the details of new business/economic deals (which must again underscore Turkey’s role in Central Asian economic affairs) including six new enterprises. . .  a statement of economic cooperation was also signed and a joint communique issued.  turkmenistan.ru reports that Uzbekistan is sending 180 spraying machines and associated spare parts to Turkmenistan.
–UNFPA Director Mr. Haled Filbi comes to visit and will speak to Ministers of medical, education, and foreign affairs, which gives the clue what the UNFPA proposes to do and Turkmenistan proposes to accept. 

Uzbekistan
–See Turkmenistan, above.  President K was also given an Akhalteke horse, one of Turkmenistan’s prized cultural icons.
–Japan is invited to seek Uranium within the state. 
–Nathan Hamm at registan.net notes that the EU has lifted the visa ban on Uzbekistani officials–scooping everyone on this one–go, Nathan! And has something to say about the quality of EU-Uzbekistan sanctions in the first place.  Check it out.

Xinjiang:
–Whoa, China’s Sinopec found a lot of oil in Xinjiang. . .Tahe Oil field has 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe) according to estimates. 
–Double whoa, China is still calling Xinjiang a hotbed of unrest. . . well, they didn’t say That, they said that agitators from overseas were causing a problem for them in Xinjiang.  Terror specialists and human rights watchers need to continue to take note.

Okay, lots of news as usual. . . what a great region to be interested in!  Have a great weekend!

Diagram: Northwestern.edu
 

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 20th, 2007 at 11:03 am and is filed under Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Succession/Elections, Human Rights, Economy, Security, Migration, Xinjiang, Central Asia Beat. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.