Ferghana.Ru news agency

Uzbekistan: About 150 people attended the protest action in Parkent

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:57:00 +0300

Ferghana.Ru learned that mass protest action, attended by about 150 people, is taking place these hours near the local administration building in Parkent, the Tashkent Oblast (Uzbekistan). The reason of the protests became the arrest of the local activist Azamat Yakubov. According to the local dwellers, Azamat wanted to supply natural gas to his mahallah (residential district), but he was not allowed to; the local authorities arrested him.

- Azamat used to be the Chairman of the mahallah committee. He wanted to supply natural gas to mahallah. However, due to various reasons he was not supported by his colleagues – Bahtiyor Yakubov, his brother, shared over the phone. – The mahallah residents even collected the money: 350 thousand sum ($160) per family and overall 10-11 million sum ($4500-5000). These funds were transferred to the account of mahallah. The prosecutor’s office affirms that 5 million sum ($2250) is missing. Allegedly, Azamat stole them and that became the reason of his arrest. On the other hand, all people in mahallah are supporting Azamat. Today, about 150 people attended the meeting with the demand to release Azamat.

According to Bakhtiyor Yakubov, the Parkent Public Prosecutor Abdugani Nabiev said: "Please, put 5 missing million in the deposit and we will release him. It was him who spent the funds".

Another protest participant also informed that the Public Prosecutor had threatened to put the meeting participants in jail if they were to continue the protest action.

Tajikistan: The World Bank is planning to run the expert examination of the Rogun hydropower plant within 1.5 years

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:01 +0300

On March 10, 2010 Motu Konishi, the regional Director of the World Bank (WB) for Central Asia, met Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon. The main topic of discussion became the examination of the Rogun hydropower plant construction. After the meeting Motu Konishi informed journalists that WB experts had already prepared final feasibility study and environmental impact assessment for the Rogun project, Hovar agency reports.

In his turn, Emomali Rakhmon underlined that the expertise must be held at high level and the conclusions need to be reviewed by the downstream countries – Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. All these republics were seriously concerned about the construction of enormous dam in the mountains of Tajikistan. The government of Uzbekistan publicly addressed Tajik colleagues with the demand to conduct the independent examination of new hydropower plants construction under the guidance of influential international organizations (and the World Bank among them).

Vakhsh chain of power plants (the presentation of Tajik Foreign Ministry “Hydropower industry of Tajikistan – the present and the future")

According to the World Bank estimates, it will take about three months to conduct the tender process for selecting the contractor for the Rogun expertise. The expert works will take another 1.5 years. Mr. Konishi notes that the examination will be conducted not only by the World Bank experts, but also high-level professionals, representing all countries, observing the current process.

"If the Rogun project proves its financial and environmental sustainability WB will provide the financial aid and support to the government of Tajikistan for the establishment of consortium that will build this plant. The government of RT and the World Bank will sign the appropriate memorandum on this issue", Motu Konishi stated.

The Rogun hydropower plant is the long-term Soviet project the construction which was resumed in September of 2007. According to the project, 6-aggregate Rogun hydropower plant has 335-meter high dam, capable to produce 3.6 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. This should allow the republic to overcome energy crisis and reach new level of economic achievements. The completion of the project needs at least 6 billion somoni ($1=4.4 somoni).

Due to the absence of investors, by the decision of Tajik government, entire population is involved in the financing of this strategic plant: the shares of the hydropower plant have been publicly offered since January 6. Overall, 5 million stocks and certificates were offered for 6 billion somoni (about $1.3 billioin). "National IPO" is a forced measure: the human rights organizations report that in some regions of the republic people get the stocks of the plant that does not exist yet instead of salaries.

Kyrgyzstan: The internet providers blocked access to Ferghana.Ru, Azattyk Radio and few other websites

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:29:03 +0300

On March 10, shortly after the publication about Eugene Gourevitch – the financial consultant of Kyrgyz President Bakiev’s team, accused of association with Mafia in Italy – the leading Internet providers in Kyrgyzstan blocked several independent news websites: Ferghana.Ru regional news agency, Azattyk (the website of Kyrgyz Service of RFE/RL), Centrasia, the Blog of Edil Baisalov, and Belyi Parus.

In the opinion of readers in Kyrgyzstan, the reason of unofficial restriction of access to critical web-based media could be the news about possible participation of Eugene Gourevitch, the partner of Kyrgyz ruling team, in the organized criminal group as well as information about mass anti-government protests in Naryn. The Ferghana.Ru experts also say that the above-mentioned websites were blocked because of this particulr news since local mass media made no report about Gourevitch and the protests in Naryn.

The multi-year experience of Internet censorship monitoring proves that the internet providers very rarely make their own decision to block the websites. They have to cooperate with special services, issuing implicit censorship orders.

It has to be mentioned that filtering of undesirable Internet content has not been conducted since Kyrgyz tulip revolution in March of 2005, when special services blocked the opposition websites, arguing against first Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev.

In the last five years nearly all opposition media and many independent editions were either liquidated or they became pro-government. The authorized media do not cover the protest demonstrations and foreign "adventures" of chief financiers.

Nonetheless, about all website users, we interviewed in Kyrgyzstan, successfully apply various instruments of free internet surfing. "Any advanced user is able to access the web pages despite the access restrictions", says M. – young IT expert from Bishkek and frequent visitor of "prohibited" websites.

One of such instruments is UltraSurf application. It is very easy to download, simple to use and very effective. It can be downloaded from Ultrareach.Com official website, our website and WebFile file sharing system.

Kyrgyzstan: The government denies its cooperation with financial consultant Eugene Gourevitch

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:55:02 +0300

Kyrgyzstan’s Development Fund (DF) broke the asset management agreement with MGN Group, owned by Eugene Gourevitch. We already reported that Italian judge accused Mr. Gourevitch of being mafia associate.

MGN Group managed the assets of DF and governmental stake in various state enterprises. After scandalous news the Kyrgyz government post factum informed that it did not use services of the company, involved in the financial fraud.

The Development Fund press-release indicates that "in the past period the Development Fund never used the services of MGN Group and independently managed the assets in accordance with risk management policy". It has to be mentioned that DF shares are under trust management by Central Agency for Development, Investment and Innovations (CADII), headed by President’s son Maxim Bakiev.

In its turn, Flexi Communications PR department distributed personal statement of Eugene Gourevitch:

"Dear journalists,

On February 28 I learned that Italian authorities blame me in the financial fraud. I emphatically reject all charges against me and will prove my innocence in the court. I am totally ready to cooperate with the Italian authorities in order to set this issue as soon as possible. My lawyer is constant contact with them.

I am paying special attention to the fact that all charges against myself are related neither to my operations in Kyrgyzstan nor to MGN Group. I have been in business since 16. I founded my first consulting company, not even being 25. I gained the business contacts and strong reputation through every day hard work. Considering current circumstances I decided to resign from all the positions, including one at MGN Group.

I would like to bring apologizes to my family, friend and colleagues for this annoying mistake and concern. I would like to thank everybody who is supporting me in this challenging period.

Unfortunately, I am not going to personally respond to your questions or give comments. I will address media through Vugar Halilov, my personal representative for public relations.

Best regards,

Eugene Gourevitch".

In the opinion of Ferghana.Ru sources, Eugene Gourevitch is de facto the personal financial assistant for Bakiev’s family, helping his clients to implement projects, aiming to control the most profitable sectors of Kyrgyz economy.

Uzbekistan: By the order of Islam Karimov the authorities are hunting big businessmen

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:28:00 +0300

The authorities in Uzbekistan launched the campaign with the purpose to get rid of the oligarchs, Tashkent-based uncensored Uzmetronom analytical website reports.

According to the website, immediately after the presentation, delivered by the President on the Constitution Day (December 8) the special services started hunting big businessmen that made their wealth thanks to corrupted ties. Islam Karimov clearly indicated that the regime was not going to tolerate striking material inequality that instigated social tensions. "We are not going to see oligarchs – he said – If someone did not get this message yet, he must bear that in mind".

Dmitry Lim, one of the wealthiest people in the republic, the owner of the wholesale and retail markets (we also reported the arrest of the number of the market top managers), was the first one to leave the republic, fearing the persecution. Uzmetronom assumes that he left for USA where he had sent his young wife and son few years ago. The unofficial sources informed Uzmetronom that "the owner of plants, newspapers and steamboats" was accused of tax avoidance, illegal import of construction materials and other crimes, causing significant economic damage. Conducting the house-check the investigators were astonished by the luxury and rare vehicles collection (82 items), belonging to Lim.

Nearly all top managers of Joint Venture Royson, producing the air conditioners, were arrested in the beginning of 2010. Allegedly, they are also accused of causing the economic damage. This was another evidence that "solid roofs could not guarantee" the economic safety, says the author of the article.

Ferghana.Ru already reported that Vimm-Bill-Dann operations were shut down in Tashkent by the demand of Sanitary and Epidemiological authority. It turned out that the violation of sanitary norms was only the formal reason. The main charge against Russian-Uzbek JV was the violations of financial regulations of Uzbekistan that prohibits cash operations. Uzmetronom notes there were no arrests in this case.

Fearing the arrest, Mukhiddin Asomiddinov, the owner of Alp Zhamol-Bank, also left the republic.

In mid-February the authorities arrested Batyr Rakhimov, the owner of wolframite mines and fat-and-oil plant, the major shareholder of Capital-Bank and CEO of Football Club Pakhtakor. (The details are available in the Ferghana.Ru message).

Radjabbay Jumanazarov, the Head of Kzylkumcement, is officially wanted now. The law enforcement bodies arrested Alik Nurutdinov, the Director of Bekabad cement plant and the graduate of Moscow steel and alloy institute.

Personal sources of Ferghana.Ru in Tashkent also reported the arrest of Zahid Khakimov who was the CEO of Uzbektourism National Company in the last four years and controlled this high-profit industry.

The sources also indicate that Chief Executive Officers of the number of banks, not including Alp Zhamol and Capital, will be also brought to trial.

Kyrgyzstan: The opposition forces organized mass meeting against raising the electricity and heating tariffs

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:11:01 +0300

In the morning of March 10 the opposition forces in Kyrgyzstan launched the mass meeting against raising the electricity and heating tariffs in Naryn City stadium.

March 10, 2010. Naryn. Roza Otunbaeva gives a speech at the meeting. The photos are provided by NGO Coalition For Democracy and Civil Society.

Ferghana.Ru learned from Jumabek Osmonaliev, the coordinator of Social-Democratic party (SDPK) Naryn city branch, that the meeting gathered about 4000 people.

The demonstration was attended by the head of SDPK Roza Otunbaeva, former parliamentary deputy and Ak-Shumkar party leader Temir Sariev, Head of Ata-Meken party apparatus Almambet Shykmamatov, the Chairman of the Committee against political repressions Topchubek Turgunaliev and others.

March 10, 2010. Naryn

The meeting leaders demand to cancel the raise of electricity and heating tariffs, re-grant 110 kilowatt-hours of electricity for each resident of mountainous region and re-consider 50% addition to salary for "living in the mountainous region" that had been cancelled recently.

The opposition leaders also criticized the current regime policy that sells state assets in energy and other strategic industries as well as the family and the clan rule. Specifically, President’s son Maxim Bakiev and his state asset management policy were given very critical comments.

March 10, 2010. Naryn. A. Shekmamatov, the deputy Chairman of Ata Meken opposition party (leftmost), Temir Sariev, the Head of Ak-Shumkar party (rightmost)

Roza Otunbaeva invited all residents of Naryn for the grand opposition kurultai (meeting), scheduled for March 17 in Bishkek, i.e. one week prior to President’s "kurultai of consent" that will also consider the issue of raising electricity tariffs among other important issues.

The law enforcement officers have not interrupted the meeting.

It has to be mentioned that in November of 2009 the government of Kyrgyzstan decided to raise electricity and heating tariffs by twice (effective of January 1, 2010) and by five times (effective of July 1, 2010).

March 10, 2010. Naryn

On February 24 the activists in Naryn already conducted the protest action when they demanded to solve the number of social issues of the Naryn Oblast, located in the mountainous area, as well as to cancel possible transfer of land to China.

The opposition forces used the chance to intensify its political struggle. “The Naryn case" became the first alarm signal for the government, indicating that raised tariffs for utility services may become serious reason for growing the protest potential through more active involvement of the opposition parties.

On March 9 Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev already fired the Governor of the Naryn Oblast that gave verbal permission to conduct the meeting without prior notification of the local authorities. However, at today’s meeting the protesters noted that they deny new Governor Almazbek Akmataliev.

Kyrgyzstan: Is the financial consultant of Bakiev’s family the associate of Italian mafia?

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:53:03 +0300

Eugene Gourevitch

According to San-Francisco Chronicle, Rome Judge Aldo Morgigni has issued an arrest warrant for US citizen Eugene Gourevitch, the Director of MGN Capital financial group and de facto the key international consultant of Kyrgyz President Bakiev’s family.

Few months ago MGN Capital was selected through tender procedure by Kyrgyzstan’s Development Fund as the financial consultant and asset manager. Some sources indicate that Bakiev’s government transferred $300 million of Russian credit money to be managed by Gourevitch. MGN also provided consulting service for privatization of state-owned OJSC Severelectro and OJSC Kyrgyztelecom; the outcome produced the scandal in Kyrgyzstan.

The Italian court named Eugene Gourevitch among other 55 associates that were allegedly involved in a fraud that have siphoned an astonishing US$2.7 billion from the wholesale telephony divisions of Telecom Italia SpA and Fastweb SpA between 2003 and 2006. Gourevitch's Italian associates allegedly employed fictitious receipts for telephony. Judge Morgigni's 1,600 page arrest warrant claims "Gourevitch used his international contacts and financial expertise to help the Italian criminals launder their illicit profits".

Judge Morgigni alleged the U.S. citizen had "created, managed and used... a series of companies through which he moved an enormous quantity of money constituting the 'cuts' destined for the various members of the conspiracy".

The news on possible links of Eugene Gourevitch with Italian mafia shocked Kyrgyz society. However, in the opinion of Edil Baisalov, the connection between the current Kyrgyz government and international criminal circles is no news for Kyrgyz political opposition.

"Kyrgyzstan turned into gigantic laundry machine for criminal money. Dozens of billions of US dollars are being laundered in our country. The banks of Nadel and Gourevitch absorbed entire banking industry. In addition to drug lords’ assets they manage the millions of Russian loan money now. Is not this the legalization of criminal funds?" says Edil Baisalov, one of the opposition leaders, residing outside of Kyrgyzstan, in his comments to Ferghana.Ru.

"We are not even going to claim statements from Kurmanbek Bakiev and his son Maxim. People got one thing clear: the current regime is not motivated by law and national interests, but greediness and desire to make money. Gourevitch’s company is so much tied up with current regime that it was not only limited by financial consulting; it was also involved in the state reforms and promotion of changes in the constitution. If the government transferred entire national wealth of Kyrgyzstan to the management of international Mafia members how can people still trust them?" notes Edil Baisalov, adding that the opposition will demand the immediate resignation of Maxim Bakiev, the arrest of all international accounts, related to him or Gourevitch; besides, the opposition leaders are going to demand early presidential and parliamentary elections.

It has to be mentioned that in his interview to Azattyk Radio, dated October of 2009, Eugene Gourevitch shared the details about his business in Kyrgyzstan.

NOTE: Eugene Gourevitch is the CEO of CJSC MGN Group and an entrepreneur with over 13 years of experience in management consulting, commercial and investment banking and asset management. Eugene founded the MGN Group in 2008. In April of 2009 Mr. Gourevitch was elected as a member of the Board of the OJSC "Manas International Airport", the biggest airport services provider of the Kyrgyz Republic and CJSC "Electricheskie Stancii", the State-owned electricity monopoly.

Prior to founding the MGN Group Mr. Gourevitch established and managed a number of successful ventures. From 2001-2007 he co-founded and was President of Virage Consulting Ltd, a US-based management consultancy firm, focused primarily on emerging markets. He was also the co-founder of several high-profile investment funds with total assets under management in excess of 200 million USD. Eugene has also developed a number of start-up high-tech businesses, the latest example being Adotube Inc, where he serves as a Member of the Board and helped co-raise several rounds of investment.

Eugene Gourevitch holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at University of California, Berkeley. Mr. Gourevitch currently resides full-time in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. Source: www.mgncapital.com

Kyrgyzstan-USA: The renewal of transit center lease in Manas is under question?

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:55:00 +0300

Last week the local media actively discussed news that, allegedly, Kyrgyzstan and USA reached the agreement on renewal of Manas airbase lease, officially named as the Transit Center since last summer. The mass media sources referred to the statement of Richard Holbrooke, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, which informed about signing new agreement as almost set issue at the special press-conference.

However, in his interview to Slovo Kyrgyzstana governmental newspaper Kadyrbek Sarbaev, Kyrgyz Foreign Minister, noted that "the government of the republic signed no agreement on the renewal of Manas Transit Center lease at the territory of Kyrgyzstan with Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke during his visit in Bishkek".

Same information was confirmed by personal sources of Ferghana.Ru in Pentagon. High ranking American officials admitted that the statements of Richard Holbrooke "were given a wrong interpretation" and the agreement on renewal of lease has not been signed yet. On the other hand, it is hard to believe that Kyrgyzstan is not going to keep the base after June, 2010. It has to be mentioned that the agreement assumes automatic prolongation for another year "if neither of the parties informs another party about its decision to break the agreement 180 prior to the end of the agreement’s term".

The importance of Manas base for the new phase of NATO military operations in Afghanistan is hard to overestimate. Every month the Manas airbase is the transit point for 35 000 soldiers that stop over the base on the way to and back from Afghanistan. The Manas airbase also hosts fuel transporters that transport over 60 000 tons of jet fuel to Afghanistan every month. The volume of re-export of fuel from Kyrgyzstan is so significant that this matter was officially raised by Russian side during the intergovernmental committee session in Moscow at the end of February.

The observers believe that jet fuel supply for American troops is the biggest incentive for Pentagon to motivate Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev to keep the airbase (the same argument was used in the negotiations with Askar Akaev whose son and son-in-law owned the fuel supply companies). Today, all these enterprises and, therefore, multi-million contracts are controlled by Maxim Bakiev. According to unofficial estimates of insider experts, the annual profits, made by Bakiev’s family on jet fuel free of taxes and customs duties, reach at least 80 million US dollars.

Uzbekistan: The CEO of Football Club Pakhtakor is arrested in Tashkent

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:40:05 +0300

Batyr Rakhimov. Photo of Public Elite magazine

Ferghana.Ru learned that few days ago Batyr Rakhimov, the CEO of Football Club Pakhtakor had been arrested in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, says the anonymous influential official, close to football federation of Uzbekistan.

The reason of Uzbek oligarch’s arrest is not known yet, but according to the source, most likely, it is related to his business rather than sports:

Rakhimov is the owner of Capital holding company that includes same-name bank, insurance company and the nonferrous metal combined mine. Besides, Rakhimov owns the Uzbekistan hotel, My Dream trademark (vegetable oil and margarine), wine and alcohol producing plant and restaurant chain in Tashkent.

Bakhtier Rakhimov, the brother of Rakhimov, co-owner of his business and vice-President of Uzbekistan’s Football Federation, is now located at Kuala Lumpur where he left, apparently, fearing the arrest.

The local press, information agencies, radio and TV have paid absolutely no attention to this event.

The official election results in Tajikistan: The President’s party received 54 seats in the parliament

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:53:04 +0300

The Peoples’ Democratic party of Tajikistan, headed by President Emomali Rakhmon, received 54 seats in the parliament out of 63, winning 70.06 percent of votes. These are the official results of the February 28 elections, announced by Central Election Committee of Tajikistan, BBC reports.

The Islamic renaissance party collected 8.2 percent of votes. Communist party, Agrarian party and Economic reforms party gained 7, 5.1 and 5.03 percent of votes respectively.

On March 14 there will be rerun for one parliamentary seat – from Kanibadam district – since none of the candidates there was able to collect over 50 percent of votes. It is expected that the representatives of Peoples’ Democratic Party of Tajikistan and Social-Democratic party have best chances in this district.

Overall, there were 8 parties, running in the parliamentary elections. Over 3.1 million electors out of 3.5 million registered showed up for voting. 41 deputies were elected at single-seat electoral district while 22 others were elected, based on the party lists, at national electoral district.

The observers from CIS and SCO gave positive comments about the election process. On the other hand, the observers from OSCE and USA reported the number of falsifications and violations of the electoral code of Tajikistan. The leaders of Social-Democratic party and Islamic renaissance party said they were going to challenge the election results.

The Uzbek citizen is shot down at Kyrgyz-Uzbek border

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:28:01 +0300

On March 4 as a result of the accident at Kyrgyz-Uzbek border the Kyrgyz border guard shot down the citizen of Uzbekistan. This fact was confirmed to Ferghana.Ru by the Border of Service of Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz frontier guards refused to share the details, reasoning that all information was directed to the office of President’s Advisor for defense, security and law order.

The automobile road in the ravine, close to Kadamzhai town. Photo of Kadamzhay.com Kadamzhay.com

The unofficial sources report that the incident took place at the border check point in the Kadamzhai district in the Batken Oblast of Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz frontier guard opened fire at the vehicle, driven by the citizen of Uzbekistan, who did not pull over at the border line (as it is required) after the warning shot. As a result, the driver died at the scene while the passenger was placed to the hospital.

The special commission, established by the Border Service of Kyrgyzstan, started the investigation of the accident.

It has to be mentioned that the conflicts at Uzbek-Kyrgyz border is not a rare event. Every year the media report the dozens of clashes (including fatal outcomes) between the frontier guards and local dwellers.

USA and Kyrgyzstan to prolong the lease agreement on the Manas airbase

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:32:04 +0300

USA and Kyrgyzstan agreed to extend the term of using the Manas airbase by American military. Kommersant says that after the completion of his visit to all Central Asian republics Richard Holbrooke, US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, noted that Washington and Bishkek were close to prolong the agreement on American military presence in the Manas airport. Holbrooke said that the Manas transit center was very important to USA. Every month nearly 35 thousand US soldiers, flying to and back from Afghanistan, stop over the base. "We are going to prolong the agreement in the next few weeks and the goal of my visit was to initiate this process", Richard Holbrooke said.

American soldier plays the trumpet at the Manas base. Photo by US Air Force.

Kyrgyz side has not officially commented on this statement yet. Commersant quotes the anonymous Kyrgyz diplomat who said that if Bishkek wanted to break the Manas agreement, it would have informed US Department of State before December 22, 2009: "The agreement, signed on June 22, 2009, assumes automatic extension for another year in case neither of the parties informed another party about its readiness to break the agreement within 180 days prior to the end of the agreement’s term".

It has to be mentioned that at the beginning of February 2009 Bishkek said it was going to shut down Manas airbase. At the same period Russia announced that it will provide Kyrgyzstan with $2 billion loan and $150 million financial aid. It was viewed by some experts as the payment for "displacing" USA out of Russia’s sphere of influence. In April of 2009 Kyrgyzstan broke the agreement with USA on the placement of the military units of USA and 11 anti-terrorist coalition countries. However, in June of 2009 the governments of USA and Kyrgyzstan signed another agreement on establishing the Transit cargo Center in the Manas international airport. USA was paying $60 million for the base rental, which exceeded the initial sum by three times.

Richard Holbrooke visited Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan in February of 2010. The goal of the tour was to gain the Central Asian governments’ support for President Obama’s strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Lufthansa returns to the market of Uzbekistan

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:10:03 +0300

German Lufthansa resumes the flights between Germany and Uzbekistan after nine-year break, Deutsche Welle reports. On March 28 the carrier company is launching new flights, including such destinations as Miami, Teheran and Tashkent.

The Munich-Tashkent flight will be offered three times a week: on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 8.30 pm. Tashkent-Munich flights will be carried by Boeing 737-800 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, arriving in Munich at 10pm. The average flight duration is about 6 hours.

Bernhard Ludewig, the head of Lufthansa flight planning department in Europe, says that it has been nine years since the last Lufthansa flight to Uzbekistan. "Until 2001 we were flying from Frankfurt three times a week – Mr. Ludewig said. – However, after 9/11 the world flight connection has been changed and we had to shut down certain flights. In the following years we several times attempted to reopen this flight, but we also faced other events, such the war in Iraq, the threat of SARS and etch. In 2010 we are ready to fly to Tashkent". Mr. Ludewig noted that Lufthansa is planning to strengthen its positions in Central Asia.

Lufthansa representative also highlighted that Uzbekiston hova yollari has been the major carrier from Tashkent to Western Europe. "On this background, Lufthansa’s offer is modest, but quite attractive".

Lufthansa provides air service to Central Asia, offering four flights from Frankfurt to Ashgabat (Turkmenistan) and daily flights to Kazakhstan. According to Mr. Ludewig, the flights to Tashkent will be demanded by businessmen, tourists and employees of international organizations.

UN General Assembly adopts resolution on UN-CSTO cooperation development

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:23:01 +0300

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution aimed at the development of cooperation between the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) and the United Nations. This document co-authors of which are all CSTO member states (Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) was presented at the UN General Assembly meeting by Russia’s delegation.

The document emphasises “the importance of the strengthening of the dialogue, cooperation and coordination between the UN system and CSTO.” It also contains an appeal to specialised bodies of the UN system, “such as the Department for Political Affairs of the UN Secretariat, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Counterterrorism Committee and its Executive Directorate, to cooperate and develop direct contacts with the CSTO aimed at the attainment of their goals.”

Presenting the draft resolution Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin noted that since 2004 the CSTO has the status of observer in the UN General Assembly, and on January 16, 2008 the Agreement on the peacekeeping activity of this organisation came into force.

“The new resolution will make it possible to really strengthen CSTO-UN interaction, to expand their mutual abilities to assist the efforts to ensure peace, security and cooperation on the regional and global scale,” Churkin said. The mechanism of CSTO peacekeeping activity “can be used in peacekeeping operations, including under the aegis of the United Nations,” he added.

The Collective Security Treaty Organisation was founded on October 7, 2002, by the Presidents of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, who signed a charter in Tashkent, founding the CSTO or simply The Tashkent Treaty. Nikolai Bordyuzha was appointed secretary general of the new organisation. On 23 June 2006, Uzbekistan became a full participant in the CSTO and its membership was formally ratified by its parliament on 28 March 2008. The CSTO is an observer organisation at the United Nations General Assembly.

The charter reaffirmed the desire of all participating states to abstain from the use or threat of force. Signatories would not be able to join other military alliances or other groups of states, while aggression against one signatory would be perceived as an aggression against all. To this end, the CSTO holds yearly military command exercises for the CSTO nations to have an opportunity to improve inter-organisation cooperation. The largest-scale CSTO military exercise held to date were the “Rubezh 2008” hosted in Armenia where a combined total of 4,000 troops from all 7 constituent CSTO member countries conducted operative, strategic, and tactical training with an emphasis towards furthering efficiency of the collective security element of the CSTO partnership.

The CSTO grew out of the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States, and first began as the CIS Collective Security Treaty (CST) which was signed on May 15, 1992, by Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, in the city of Tashkent. Azerbaijan signed the treaty on September 24, 1993, Georgia on December 9, 1993 and Belarus on December 31, 1993. The treaty came into effect on April 20, 1994.

The CST was set to last for a 5-year period unless extended. On April 2, 1999, only six members of the CST signed a protocol renewing the treaty for another five-year period - Azerbaijan, Georgia and Uzbekistan refused to sign and withdrew from the treaty instead. At the same time Uzbekistan joined the GUAM group, established in 1997 by Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova, and largely seen as intending to counter Russian influence in the region.

On October 6, 2007, CSTO members agreed to a major expansion of the organisation that would create a CSTO peacekeeping force that could deploy under a UN mandate or without one in its member states. The expansion would also allow all members to purchase Russian weapons at the same price as Russia.

On February 4, 2009, an agreement to create the Collective Rapid Reaction Force (KSOR) was reached by five of the seven members, with plans finalized on June 14. The force is intended to be used to repulse military aggression, conduct anti-terrorist operations, fight trans-national crime and drug trafficking, and neutralize the effects of natural disasters.

CSTO Secretary-General Nikolai Bordyuzha said at a UN meeting devoted to UN-CSTO cooperation in January, in particular, that “We believe that countering of terrorism, fight against illicit production and trafficking of narcotic drugs, putting an end to the illegal arms trade, organized trans-national crime, prevention of and rehabilitation after emergency situations form yet an incomplete list of topics in providing regional and international security that require intensified cooperation of the UN with regional organisations and the enhanced interaction between the organisations themselves.”

ITAR-TASS

EU-Turkmenistan: The important guests from London and Brussels visited Ashgabat

Ferghana.Ru news agency — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:47:00 +0300

The European community "supports the reformative policy line of Turkmenistan", Pierre Morel, EU special representative for Central Asia, said on March 2 during the meeting with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.Ru reports.

EU representative underlined that top European companies "are very interested to participate in promising projects, conducted in Turkmenistan, in the oil and gas field, intensification of economic ties and other industries".

The press-service of Turkmen President informs that in this context the parties highlighted the importance of Memorandum of understanding and cooperation in the energy field, singed in May of 2008 by Turkmenistan and European Union, "that launched productive partnership program in this important area".

According to Pierre Morel, "new incentives in this process are driven by National Fuel and Energy Complex Development Strategy, implemented by Turkmenistan, based on its modernization and diversification of routes for the export of Turkmen energy sources to the world markets".

On March 2, the President of Turkmenistan met Philip Hunt, the deputy Leader of the House of Lords and the Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change. According to Turkmen President press-service, the important guest from London named Turkmenistan "reliable and very promising partner, safeguarding the peace and stability in Central Asia" and said that "the UK government pays much attention to the development of partnership with Ashgabat".

In his turn, the Turkmen leader underlined that Ashgabat "is open for constructive dialogue and sees great opportunities for successful cooperation with British partners in various fields, including fuel and energy sector".

It has to be mentioned that in 2007 EU adopted the strategy on Central Asia in order to (according to EU representatives) develop "qualitatively new partnership" with all the republics in the region.

How to make Bishkek more comfortable for visitors and citizens?

Askarbek Mambetaliev — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:03:00 +0300

According to a discussion in the Kyrgyz Parliament, the main street of Bishkek has changed its time at least five times since the foundation of the City. The given names are also not relevant to the local history and reality. What does Moskovskaya, which is the name of one of the central streets of Bishkek, means to Bishkek citizens? The same can be said about Baitik baatir, Abdrahmanova, etc. These imposed titles may be important for some Kyrgyz tribes or regional elites, but doesn't give any comfort to visitors and ordinary citizens

From Lenin square to Shakhidon square: 20 years after February massacre in Dushanbe

M.Kalishevsky — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:36:00 +0300

It has been twenty years since tragic events, no one remembers today for some reason. In February of 1990 dozens of people were killed and hundreds were injured in the dispersal of the opposition forces in the Tajik capital. The bloody event in Dushanbe became the prologue of the multi-year and big civil war in Tajikistan – one of the most bloody military conflicts in the post-Soviet area that killed hundreds of thousands people. In February of 1990 the political and military conflict was initiated in Tajikistan that continued through June of 1997

Kyrgyzstan: Who sponsors the murder of dissidents?

Bakyt Beshimov — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:33:00 +0300

Kazakhstani investigators revealed the track of Kyrgyz special services in the murder of journalist Gennadiy Pavlyuk. Considering the nature of today’s ruling regime, there is nothing new here. The persecution of believers in the southern part of the republic, the Nookat events, the murders and assaults against politicians, journalists, public figure, the conflicts in the Petrovka village and the Balykchi events prove that current regime, its characteristics and application are the major source of troubles

Dilshod Usmanov: The future of our country is the future of our children

Ferghana.Ru — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 09:50:00 +0300

The group of young businessmen in Uzbekistan launched big project, aiming to raise the productivity of cultivation areas, re-cultivation of dead and contaminated soil, ecological improvement through the use of biohumus, produced by Oltin vodiy (Golden valley) bloodworms. Major raw material for mass production of biohumus will be million tons of domestic waste from gigantic city dumps. Therefore, the project initiators are going to cover the project costs and lead Uzbekistan to the top world’s producers of biohumus. The idea of industrial scale production of biohumus in Uzbekistan was born in 1980s by Rustam Usmanov, PhD in Economics, famous Uzbek entrepreneur and the founder of the first private bank in the republic. Ferghana.Ru correspondent met Mr. Usmanov in his office

The conflicts at Kyrgyz-Uzbek border became more frequent

Irina Dudka — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:56:00 +0300

On January 17 another armed incident took place at the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border: the Uzbek border guards wounded Kyrgyz guard at Kyrgyz territory and took him to Uzbekistan. The conflicts at Kyrgyz-Uzbek border are frequently originated by both sides. Among the reasons there are unauthorized interference of the border guards to the territory of neighboring state, the move of cattle, water use, illegal fees for crossing the border and conveyance of goods. Ordinarily Uzbek media do not cover the border conflicts, but in 2010 two of them broke with the precedent

Islam Karimov & Co are the ones radicalising Central Asia

Ferghana.Ru — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:58:00 +0300

Over the past decade and a half, the regimes in Central Asia have with the help of labels such as ‘extremist’ and ‘terrorist’ practically exterminated all opposition. “But by imprisoning and torturing thousands, the dictators in Central Asia are creating a time bomb of discontent”, says the Danish journalist Michael Andersen, “and unfortunately, the West is looking the other way”. Andersen who has covered Central Asia for many years, has just finished his latest film ‘The Myth of Religious Extremism in Central Asia’. The film will be shown on the channel Aljazeera English from this Wednesday, and can also be seen on the channel’s website. Fergana.ru interviews Michael Andersen about his latest project. “The heroes of the film are the incredibly courageous human rights defenders and journalists who stand up to the regimes, often risking their own lives”, says the Danish journalist, “I think we all know who the villains are”

Uzbek secret services collect the records about independent journalists

Alexey Volosevich — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:10:00 +0300

In the beginning of January of 2010 in cooperation with National Security Service and Uzbek Foreign Affairs Ministry the Tashkent public prosecutor’s office conducted intimidating actions against independent journalists. Few people were invited for interrogations where each one was presented the detailed record while their articles, written by the journalists, were named "biased" and "tendentious". This event can be treated only as the attempt to muzzle very few independent journalists in Uzbekistan. One of them is the Ferghana.Ru free-lance correspondent Alexei Volosevich that shares his story of communicating with the prosecutor’s office

Tajikistan: Men’s work for fragile women

Tilav Rasul-zade — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:33:00 +0300

When every seventh citizen of Tajikistan goes abroad for earnings, those, staying home, have to make a living. Tajik women are mastering traditional "male" professions such as potters, irrigators, crane operators, taxi drivers, brick layers, woodworkers and blacksmiths. While gentlemen are working abroad, ladies replace them at home. Tilav Rasul-zade, Ferghana.Ru correspondent in Tajikistan, writes about fragile women, carrying man’s work

Uzbekistan: The embassies of USA and Russia awarded best journalists of the year

Ferghana.Ru — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:15:00 +0300

In the holiday season the embassies of USA and Russia in Uzbekistan announced the winners of the journalist contest on coverage of bilateral relations. The list of winners included freelance correspondents of Ferghana.Ru news agency - Sid Yanyshev, Sergey Naumov and Pavel Kravets. Ferghana.Ru editorial staff congratulates colleagues and friends with the victory and wishes happy New Year!

Second Advent or what is expected in Turkmenistan under Ruhnama?

Surat Ajdarova — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:23:00 +0300

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

The International Group to support Umida Ahmedova

Ferghana.Ru — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:05:00 +0300

The group of photographers, artists, art critics and journalists from Uzbekistan, Russia, Europe, USA and Canada disseminated an open letter, addressed to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Internal Affairs Ministry of the Republic of Uzbekistan as well as international human rights organizations and international community in general. The letter supports the creative work of prominent Tashkent-based photographer Umida Ahmedova

American military uniform is highly demanded in Uzbekistan

Own information — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:54:00 +0300

American apparel and shoes are very popular in Tashkent even if they are second hand items. They are highly demanded among customers because they meet major criteria – quality. The sellers do not tell us where they get the merchandise. However, people are happy that at moderate prices they can afford the apparel and shoes of much higher quality than those, produced in Uzbekistan or China.

Uzbekistan: The criminal case has been filed against the photographer and documentary film maker Umida Akhmedova

Ferghana.Ru — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:38:00 +0300

The criminal case has been filed against prominent photographer and documentary film maker Umida Akhmedova in Tashkent. She is accused of slander and insult of Uzbek people. The reason for accusation became "Men and women: from dawn to dusk" album, produced in 2007 under the support of Swiss Embassy Gender Program. The album consists of over 100 pictures, reflecting various aspects of people’s lifestyle in Uzbekistan. "Where is the slander?" question, asked by Akhmedova, remained unanswered

Uzbekistan's rating. Shall President Karimov take pride in "accomplishments"?

Ferghana.Ru — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:54:00 +0300

Speaking at the solemn conference dedicated to another anniversary of the Constitution, Uzbek President Islam Karimov spoke at length of the "reforms on a major scale" under way in the republic and of the astonishing successes of his astute leadership over the previous two decades. Karimov was stone-cold confident that the international community adequately appreciated achievements of Uzbekistan "on the way to development to a democratic state, civil society, modern economy" and to "a deserving place in the world". Ferghana.Ru did its honest best to sort out these achievements and decide whether or not they were anything to take pride in

Uzbekistan: The first POS terminals appeared in the markets of Tashkent

Own sources — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:05:00 +0300

UzA official news agency of Uzbekistan learned from Toshbozortayerlovsavdo that over 30 POS (point of sale) terminals were set up in twelve markets of Tashkent; from now on, the local residents can use their debit cards there. Ferghana.Ru correspondents took a walk around Tashkent bazaars in order to personally observe the work of terminals. POS terminals were found only at one of the four markets of Uzbek capital; it turned out that terminals process only VISA cards while the customer can pay only for limited food items.