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12:19 msk, 9 february 2010

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Uzbekistan News Briefs

Central Asia news: Казахстан

Marijuana in Kazakhstan. Not to Be Destroyed but Used

14.09.2009 10:00 msk

All drug users and dealers in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and other neighboring countries know that marijuana grows in the Chuy valley. There is no way this narcotic herb can be destroyed: dig over the land just to see more of it growing there in the next year, pull out seven meter long roots to bring sand into villages or bury roads under it. A decision was made in Kazakhstan to build a hemp processing plant to manufacture medicine and fiber. However these intentions counter bureaucratic hindrances and lack of understanding on the side of drug fighters.

Stalin’s monument in Kazakh village found its place

27.06.2009 12:07 msk

While there are some serious disputes over the monuments, representing various eras in the history of the post-Soviet states, people in Kazakhstan are quite tolerant to such endeavors. For instance, Stalin’s monument is still located in Ikan area, close to the city of Turkestan in Southern Kazakhstan oblast of Kazakhstan. Today, nobody can say for sure when it was erected. In the 1980s the representatives of the Oblast administration were going to liquidate the monument. However, at that time they faced the protests from the local aqsaqals.

Analytics Kazakhstan: The prohibited book of Rakhat Aliyev does not pose as much hazard

26.05.2009 14:51 msk

The General Prosecutor’s Office of Kazakhstan prohibited the citizens to read and distributed the "The God Father-in-Law" book, written by Rakhat Aliyev that, allegedly, reveals state secrets. Now, everyone can freely download e-copy of this Kazakh best-seller from Internet. Reading the book, Russian experts found nothing new there while Kazakhstani journalist Sergey Duvanov openly states that he read the book. The Prosecutor’s Office has not responded yet and, apparently, will not.

Interview Kazakhstan: Cyber terrorists attack the independent press

13.04.2009 12:17 msk

Since the first days of April several web-based news agencies of Kazakhstan have been attacked by hackers. Today, at least two internet-editions (Respublika.kz and ZonaKZ.net) are constantly facing network attacks. These resources either totally disappear from web-browsers or become accessible for a while and then "fade away" again under the pressure of robots and viruses. We interviewed the participants of this battle – Yury Mizinov, chief editor of Zona, and Alexey Shatlovsky, Ferghana.Ru expert and internet technologies specialist – on the details of virtual fights with cyber criminals.

Business Kazakhstan: Construction sector still reeling despite government's bail-out package

06.04.2009 00:04 msk

Kazakh government’s efforts to bail the country’s once booming construction sector are facing serious obstacles as cash-strapped banks and hard-pressed construction companies are at loggerheads over the government's rescue plan. Frustrated with the lack of progress, the government is pushing for more drastic measures.

Politics Kazakhstan: Nazarbaev Announced his Anti-Corruption Plan

08.11.2008 15:58 msk

On November 6 the ruling Nur Otan party held an anti-corruption forum in Astana. As corruption poses serious challenges to this post-Soviet state, its officials are likely to be concerned with it rather on personal level than formal one. Making what it appeared like a policy speech addressed to all government workers in Kazakhstan, President Nursultan Nazarbaev displayed not only his anti-corruption zeal but also taught Kazakh officials how to behave properly in public. Officials, he said, must become role models of justice and modesty.

Analytics Drought Forces Kazak Farmers Slaughter Cattle by Lump

01.08.2008 19:01 msk

Kazakh farmers will have to slaughter most of their cattle, as continuously dry weather poses serious threat of losing the entire livestock, the July 31 meeting of the farmers in South Kazakhstan region concluded. The hot summer and lack of fodder has been forcing Kazakh farmers to sell off cattle in Kyrgyzstan at below market prices. Some farmers are loaning their cattle to Kyrgyz farmers who have fodder to feed the cattle. In exchange, Kyrgyz farmers are allowed to keep offspring.

Migration Kazakhstan: Tougher Laws Needed To Prevent Labour Abuse, Slavery

17.07.2008 23:36 msk

As more foreign labourers in Kazakhstan are subject to abuse and virtual slavery, tougher laws are needed for employers using foreign labour, human rights groups in South Kazakhstan say. Nearly one-third of foreign labourers in Kazakhstan face inadequate payments or are not paid at all, human rights organisations estimate. Some employers pay minuscule salaries, justifying it by the allegedly low quality of unskilled labour, others withhold workers’ passports and return them as the only payment after the work has been completed.

Kazakhstan: Wanderer Centre Brings Hope, Healing to Homeless

17.07.2008 07:26 msk

Musicians, doctors, soldiers and painters who, in common, became homeless, have turned to a rehabilitation centre, the Wanderer, in southern Kazakhstan to heal the wounds to their bodies, minds and souls. When the centre was first established in Buguluk gorge, people in nearby villages were not very happy since the homeless have special living habits which made them social outcasts, including alcohol abuse and occasional violence.

Analytics Koksaray Water Reservoir Project Continues To Attract Heated Debate

08.07.2008 21:13 msk

Even as ceremonies launched the Koksaray water reservoir construction on June 25, controversy continues about the possible environmental impact of the project. The reservoir, to be built in southern Kazakhstan, will offer control over the flow of the Syrdarya River. Opponents fear that the major river that feeds the dying Aral Sea might become shallow due to the reservoir, causing a vast region to suffer unknown consequences.

Cotton Faltering Kazakhstan Cotton Industry

05.07.2008 15:37 msk

As soil in the Kazakh southern region continues to deteriorate due to the widespread uncontrolled growth of cotton and the effect of the region’s hot weather in reducing available water, Kazakh cotton farmers face a serious dilemma as they must choose to either find new methods to grown cotton, a critical cash crop for export, or cease growing cotton and find a less water-demanding crop to replace it.

The Capital of Kazakhstan Prepares to its Birthday

30.06.2008 12:39 msk

As Ferghana.ru previously reported, on July 6, 2008 the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, will present an international gala to celebrate its birthday. Authorities began preparations in the beginning of the year by inviting foreign guests, including important personalities and statesmen including Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov, Athens mayor Nikita Kaklomanis, Brasilia mayor Joze Roberto and Ankara mayor Melih Gokcek. As promised, the city is also preparing “unique projects” as part of the birthday festivities. Meanwhile, local citizens have been seen leaving the capital prior to the celebrations following bitter experience from past years that such holidays are not for ordinary citizens.

Analytics Kazakhstan: Review or chance to get out of the political crisis?

20.05.2008 13:37 msk

While it appears that the Kazakhstan political leadership has recreated Soviet traditions and institutions, political realities might prove slightly different. For opposition political forces, deprived of representation in the parliament, have joined together to form an alternative legislature. And now, even groups supporting the regime are participating in the legislature. Further, Yermuhamet Yertysbayev is again advising the President and confirms that the Azat party could again find itself in the Majilis.

Analytics Weekly review of political developments in Kazakhstan

15.05.2008 12:27 msk

Traditional May festivities notwithstanding, last week was replete with political developments and staff changes in Kazakhstan. Akims, or governors, of two Kazakh regions were replaced, those implicated in the Rahat-gate scandal were stripped of their personal possessions and state decorations, and the information minister was dismissed.

Politics Karimov's «once and for all» for Nazarbayev

23.04.2008 12:44 msk

Presidents Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan and Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan have known each other for years, since the Soviet past. Both are veterans of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the erstwhile CPSU. Nazarbayev and Karimov are the only leaders to have retained supreme power in their respective republics in these nearly two decades. That is why the Uzbek president's two-day official visit to Astana yesterday began without preliminaries. In fact, it began with a tete-a-tete meeting between the presidents themselves.

Other news

News briefs

27 january

16:51

Kazakhstan: M.Ablyazov accuses T.Kulibayev of grand larceny

14 january

13:22

Vremya, Kazakhstan: The murder of Gennadyi Pavlyuk reminds the action of Kyrgyz secret services

Media headlines

New York Times Pakistani Military Retakes Key Town in Tribal Belt From Taliban, 09.02.2010

Interfax British national deported from Uzbekistan, 08.02.2010

The Diplomat China Enters Asia’s ‘Great Game’, 08.02.2010

Guardian Troops prepare for biggest joint offensive against Taliban, 08.02.2010

Eurasia Review Analysis Of Russian And Central Asian Economies, 07.02.2010

VOA Extent of Islamic Radicalism in Central Asia Unclear, 05.02.2010

RFE/RL Latvia Agrees To Take Uzbek Inmate From Guantanamo , 03.02.2010

Eurasianet Afghanistan: Washington Exploring Chinese Re-supply Route, 02.02.2010

Forum 18 TURKMENISTAN: Exit bans, haj ban, visa denials part of state religious isolation policy, 02.02.2010

Reuters Europe watchdog slams Uzbekistan media crackdown, 02.02.2010

MFA.uz President of Uzbekistan to visit South Korea, 02.02.2010

BBC Kazakhstan's Uzbek refugees wait in limbo, 30.01.2010

Independent Karzai bows to anti-corruption strategy, 28.01.2010

Amnesty.Org Photographer faces jail for 'defaming' life in Uzbekistan, 28.01.2010

Forum 18 UZBEKISTAN: Crackdown on devout Muslims continues, 27.01.2010

Reuters U.S. sends Uzbek from Guantanamo prison to Switzerland, 27.01.2010

Al-Jazeera Uzbek photos anger officials, 27.01.2010

Eurasianet Central Asia: Strategic Necessity Forces Pentagon to Alter Economic Aims of NDN, 27.01.2010

Trend Uzbekistan seeks common ground with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on water issue, 27.01.2010

Hurriyet Recent spats highlight fragile Uzbek, Kyrgyz relations, 26.01.2010

ABC fghan president proposes Taliban amnesty, 26.01.2010

CNN U.S. intelligence briefing: Taliban increasingly effective, 25.01.2010

BBC In pictures: Negative images of Uzbekistan?, 25.01.2010

Reuters Talks with Taliban loom over Pakistani-Afghan summit, 25.01.2010

RFE/RL Debit Cards Costly, At Least For Some Uzbeks, 24.01.2010

CPJ Journalist charged with defaming Uzbeks, faces 8 years jail, 23.01.2010

BBC UN wants investigation of Uzbekistan police rape claims, 23.01.2010

Al-Jazeera China 'must probe Google attacks' , 22.01.2010

Eurasianet Kyrgyzstan: Bishkek Worried About Tashkent's Information Dominance in Southern Regions, 22.01.2010

Canadian Press NATO planning to appoint civilian boss in Afghanistan to co-ordinate with military, 22.01.2010

RFE/RL Wounded Kyrgyz Border Guard Remains In Uzbekistan, 21.01.2010

BBC Hillary Clinton calls on China to probe Google attack, 21.01.2010

Asia News.It Torture in Uzbekistan: systematic and unpunished , 21.01.2010

Washington Post NATO military chief courts Russia's help, 20.01.2010

Tehran Times Tehran, Tashkent to establish joint commerce chamber, 19.01.2010

Press TV Drunken Saudi diplomat caught in Uzbekistan, 19.01.2010

BBC Kyrgyzstan keeps a tight grip on religion, 19.01.2010

RFE/RL Kyrgyz Guard Injured During Shootout On Uzbek Border, 19.01.2010

Kurier Spionage-Prozess endet mit Blamage, 18.01.2010

ICG Central Asia: Migrants and the Economic Crisis, 18.01.2010

New York Times Suicide Attackers, Gunmen Hit Central Kabul, 18.01.2010

RSE Tadjikistan: Accoucher à ses risques et périls, 18.01.2010

Eurasianet Afghanistan: If You Can't Beat the Taliban, Try to Buy Militants Off, 16.01.2010

Trend Oman's embassy to be opened in Uzbekistan, 15.01.2010

Global Voices Online Uzbekistan: War of the monuments, 15.01.2010

RFE/RL Media Watchdog Alarmed By Interrogations Of Uzbek Journalists, 15.01.2010

CNN China steps up corruption monitoring, 14.01.2010

Forum 18 UZBEKISTAN: Illegal Christmas as unregistered religious activity punished, 14.01.2010

RFE/RL Uzbek Woman Tells Of Sisters' Alleged Rapes In Prison, 13.01.2010

LOATAY Afghanistan: Only the first move in the grand chess game for control of Central Asian resources, 13.01.2010

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