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18:44 msk, 9 february 2010

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Uzbekistan News Briefs

Central Asia news: Туркмения

Analytics Second Advent or what is expected in Turkmenistan under Ruhnama?

30.12.2009 10:23 msk

The second advent of Ruhnama in the socio-cultural area of Turkmenistan makes us think not only about circling politicians, but also what is expected in the country in the future and how the neighbors view such development. New Turkmen national culture policy is the Niyazov-initiated surgery of lively and diverse Turkmen culture of various groups of Turkmen and other ethnicities to some varnished imitation, substituting genuine culture. Those, who are not aware of Turkmen realities, need to understand the following: titular ethnic group consists of complex tribal structure. The scientist still cannot explain the emergence of many groups. Each group – clan or tribe – has many unique independent features.

Politics Andrei Zatoka's Long and Winding Road to Russia?

11.11.2009 14:29 msk

His harrying experience in Turkmenistan over, Russian environmentalist Andrei Zatoka is back in Moscow. A trial in Dashoguz the other day had sentenced him to five years imprisonment. The verdict sparked an international campaign in the environmentalist's defense. Human rights activists, environmentalists, and finally the Russian authorities raised their voice. Another hasty trial voided the previous verdict and sentenced Zatoka to a fine. Following that, this citizen of Russia was essentially expelled from Turkmenistan. Here is the first interview with Zatoka and his wife Yevgenia on their return to Moscow.

Analytics Turkmen thaw ended in scorching summer temperatures

17.10.2009 00:06 msk

Natalia Anurova-Shabunts, a citizen of both Turkmenistan and Russia, wrote an article for Ferghana.Ru that gives an account of life in Turkmenistan. How its citizens are denied permission to travel abroad, how students and instructors are compelled to wear uniforms, how state officials bully people into renouncing Russian double citizenship. And how officials of the Russian Embassy in Ashkhabad arrogantly refuse to take care of citizens of the Russian Federation. Living in Turkmenistan, the author refuses to adopt a nom-de-plume and speaks up on behalf of the "happy Turkmen people" under her own name which is what makes the situation unique.

Turkmenistan, lost in the desert - routine life for centuries

10.08.2009 21:55 msk

Today, it is still hard for journalist or independent researcher to visit Turkmenistan. However, Elena Larina and Olga Naumov, two delicate women, Moscow-based ethnologists and PhD in History, were lucky. Last autumn they experienced extreme travel to Turkmenistan – they managed to live in remote and arduous regions of the country, Kara Ku, hosted by "sand Turkmen" and mountainous villages of "nohur". They shared the experience and unique pictures with Ferghana.Ru.

Business Turkmenistan and Russia will make new gas agreements

25.03.2009 21:00 msk

Russia and Turkmenistan will revise gas agreements and speed up construction of the Caspian Gas Pipeline in accordance with the decision of presidents Dmitry Medvedev and Gurbankuly Berdymuhammedov. Contrary to the expectations pinned on Berdymuhammedov's state visit, visa regime for the Russians intent on visiting Turkmenistan was never abolished. Neither was the subject of the Russians in Turkmenistan dwelt on despite human rights community's demands.

Turkmenistan: Unknown struggle with dope

22.01.2009 17:44 msk

President Gurbankuly Berdymuhammedov congratulated the State Drug Enforcement Service on its first anniversary on January 18. "The work you've done provided peace in the country and serenity of the population. It reinforced unity and solidarity, it strengthened foundations of healthy society," his message stated. Drugs are openly sold in Turkmen cities and villages. Their ready availability is recognized as a threat to the gene pool. Hence establishment of the State Drug Enforcement Service a year ago, a structure coordinating efforts of the national systems of health care and education, general public, local authorities, law enforcement agencies, and the army to eradicate this evil.

Analytics Turkmenistan: Facts and Rumors about Shooting in Ashgabat

15.09.2008 13:56 msk

Turkmen police officials say they neutralized a drug gang on Saturday, however, local analysts suspect much stronger forces were involved in skirmishes with security services. Criminal gang involved in drug trafficking was neutralized in capital Ashgabat on September 13, official news agency of Turkmenistan said. It did not specify whether the members of the group were killed or detained. Earlier reports by the oppositional Gundogar agency said that a fighting broke out between religious militant group and police in the district of Ashgabat known as Khitrovka, killing 20 policemen.

Politics Turkmen President Tightens Grip on Power with New Constitution

12.09.2008 16:59 msk

President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov’s administration has been building the image of a liberalizing state after the death of his totalitarian predecessor for two years. The forthcoming new Constitution, already proclaimed as a stronghold of the Turkmen renaissance, promises to eliminate redundant elements in the state apparatus, but does not promote a full-fledged democracy, analysts say.

Analytics Turkmenistan-USA: Ashkhabad promotes improved relations with NATO

17.06.2008 13:06 msk

The United States has confirmed its willingness to expand economic and military cooperation with Central Asia. Observers believe Washington chose to promote cooperation with Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as countries with the largest deposits of oil and natural gas and a critically strategic geopolitical location.

Business Gurbankuly Berdymuhammedov proceeds with economic reforms

16.04.2008 12:42 msk

The decree on denomination of the national monetary unit President Gurbankuly Berdymuhammedov signed this Monday will come into force on January 1, 2009. Enlarged meeting of the Cabinet discussed interim results of the economic and social reforms. National Bank chairman resigned.

Business Azerbaijan hopes for a peaceful rearrangement of sectors of the Caspian shelf

27.03.2008 11:24 msk

An almost decade-long reprieve over, the Azerbaijani-Turkmen relations advance at a breakneck rate these days. Regular contacts between the heads of states and prime ministers were established in the last eighteen months, governmental commissions for economic cooperation advancement set up. Whatever matters soured the bilateral relations years ago are being addressed. President of Turkmenistan Gurbankuly Berdymuhammedov made another step in this direction the other day and appointed a new ambassador to Azerbaijan.

Initiator of the Great Renaissance, Esteemed President-Reformist!

13.02.2008 12:12 msk

Flowery praise in newspapers and on TV networks is something that never changes in Turkmenistan. Nobody is tearing down golden monuments or renaming months of the year and streets again. In other words, dethronement of the late tyrant was never initiated. It's just that the memories of his reign gradually fade away while personality cult of the new ruler is being installed.

Analytics Turkmenistan: Gurbankuly Berdymuhammedov hopes to meet with George W. Bush

01.02.2008 13:46 msk

Another US emissary, the third this year after Senator Richard Lugar and Admiral William Fallon of the US Central Command, was met in Ashkhabad in late January. Diplomat Stephen Mann, 56, is well known both in Turkmenistan, all over the Caspian region, and in the Caucasus. US Ambassador to Ashkhabad in the late 1990s, Mann then became US president's envoy in the Caspian region, senior advisor of the US Department of State on energy policy in the region, and finally US chairman of the OSCE Minsk Group for Karabakh conflict settlement. This time, Mann visited the capital of Turkmenistan in the capacity of coordinator of the Eurasian Energy Diplomacy of the US Department of State.

Interview Mysterious state of Turkmenistan dispels myths and stereotypes

24.12.2007 10:07 msk

Natalia Antelava, BBC correspondent in Central Asia, made her first visit to Turkmenistan in November 2007. Initially there for the international oil and gas conference she covered, Antelava chose to stay somewhat longer to get better knowledge of everyday life in Turkmenistan. She visited the city of Turkmenbashi and made a story on nightlife in Ashkhabad. Frequent visitor to other Central Asian countries as she is, Antelava cannot help comparing Turkmenistan with Uzbekistan. Much to her own surprise, the comparisons do not always favor the latter. Here is an interview with Natalia Antelava.

Life in Turkmenistan. How myths are dispelled

21.12.2007 13:38 msk

The international community knows practically nothing about Turkmenistan. Colossal gas fields, suppression of the opposition, golden statues of president for life Saparmurat Niyazov - that is essentially all. Still, the Turkmenbashi's demise paved way for changes, and Turkmenistan nowadays is somewhat different from what foreigners think it is. The piece that follows was written by a foreign journalist who visited Turkmenistan for the first time.

Other news

News briefs

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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