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12:47 msk, 26 may 2013

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Central Asia news: Analytics

U.S. Investigates Iranian Activity in South Caucasia and Assesses Regional Geopolitics

18.01.2013 12:32 msk Analytics Iran

In one of its final hearings of the 2012 calendar year and one of the final hearings of several of its most distinguished members, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the lower house of the U.S. Congress (House of Representatives) invited experts to speak on Iranian activities and influence in South Caucasia. Presently, all is calm on the ground in South Caucasia. Development in Azerbaijan, recent democratic elections in Georgia and quiet in Armenia indicate a thaw in this region of frozen conflicts after a harsh blizzard of violence and social disarray that touched three decades. However the tone of this hearing was all but calm, as one would expect a hearing on Iranian influence in a critical hydrocarbon transit corridor at the U.S. Congress in modern times to be. Dan Burton, retiring Chairman of the Committee’s Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia, who just returned from the region, conveyed his observation from abroad that Washington is not the only World capitol in which such uneasy discussion of Iran can be heard.

Song for Dad, or Gulnara’s off-pitch

27.12.2012 12:58 msk Analytics Uzbekistan

Many observers have noticed that the Uzbek president’s oldest daughter has started coming out in the media, on TV screens and on the internet more and more often. Whether she has started some new stage in her PR campaign, and what aims the Uzbek princess is following is yet unknown. Maybe she just likes being in the centre of public attention, under the spotlight… Some experts and political scientists have a different viewpoint. They see Gulnara Islamovna on her father’s place and are almost announcing her as the country’s future president. People say that there are no more deserving heirs, that the Asian model of passing power assumes dynasty, and Gulnara is exactly the one who can unite warring factions etc…

Maksim Bakiyev tracked not only in Bishkek, but also in the States?

16.10.2012 13:24 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

The promising detention of the former Kyrgyz president’s son in London, who left the country with his family and entourage after yet another “revolution” in 2010, was somewhat unexpected for observers. However, it suddenly became clear that Kyrgyzstan is not the only country to have grievances against Mr Bakiyev, but the USA does too. While Bishkek primarily accuses the influential presidential offspring of corporate raiding, embezzling government funds and other grave offences, the US authorities accuse him of “participating in a criminal conspiracy with the aim of committing fraud and colluding to obstruct justice”. It is important to note that there are criminal acts committed by Mr Bakiyev from April 2010 to April 2012, when he was already in London...

Uzbekistan: Farewell to CSTO

03.07.2012 22:14 msk Analytics Uzbekistan

“Uzbekistan’s rapid rapprochement with Russia, heard in the voice of Islam Karimov meeting with the Russian president Putin and defense minister Ivanov, has delivered some of the initial tangible results. According to Fergana’s credible sources, in the nearest future Uzbekistan is going to sign some serious bilateral documents capable of impacting the geopolitical situation within the region”. Please don’t be surprised: this is not today’s news about Moscow and Tashkent. Actually, that was the lead to a news story published on Fergana.ru exactly 7 years ago, in June 30, 2005.

China, Uzbekistan Ties Shaped by Shared World View

19.06.2012 10:44 msk Analytics China

Visiting China on June 6-7, Uzbekistan’s president Islam Karimov secured trade, investment and loans worth at least five billion US dollars and signed an strategic partnership treaty. While in Beijing, Karimov also attended a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, SCO, a bloc consisting of Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. NBCentralAsia asled Kamoliddin Rabbimov, an Uzbek political analyst based in France, about the shared security concerns and economic interests that feed China’s growing relationship with Central Asia and Uzbekistan in particular.

Kyrgyzstan: "Tragedy in the South"

27.05.2012 22:02 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

"Tragedy in the south" is a study published by Ethnopolitics Papers, authored by three experts who worked at the international Kyrgyzstan Inquiry Commission: Anna Matveeva, University of Exeter and King's College London, Igor Savin, Russian Academy of Sciences & Bahrom Faizullaev, independent researcher. It argues that political processes and the actions of the authorities cannot exclusively account for the violent clashes that occurred there in June 2010. Rather, the violence emerged out of a growing alienation between the Uzbek and Kyrgyz communities which over time developed a mutual antipathy, and lacked a shared vision of the future. Formal provisions for minorities failed to offset the rising nationalism of the majority group in the South. Political resources and mechanisms for managing interethnic relations had been in steady decline since independence, while politicians came to rely on informal arrangements with Uzbek community leaders. The crisis of April 2010 created a window of opportunity to redefine the place of Uzbeks in the new political order, which their leaders grasped. Surge in criminal rivalries and rapid immigration from the countryside influenced social context, in which violence took place. As interethnic grievances became politicised, the ineptitude of the authorities contributed to the transformation of spontaneous riots into full-scale clashes. A logic of collective insecurities, in both rural and urban contexts, lay behind the actions of both sides. The conflict narratives that emerged in the aftermath continue to feed a situation of a latent conflict, making reconciliation more difficult still.

Taliban comeback: Afghanistan anticipating and United States preparing while the CSTO watches

26.04.2012 00:44 msk Analytics Central Asia

A World economics and world politics club has discussed the situation in Afghanistan and implications for the Central Asia in order to identify some of the most likely regional scenarios following the scheduled withdrawal of the NATO troops from Afghanistan after 2014. The meeting attended by Zamir Kabulov, the Russian President’s special representative for Afghanistan and by Nikolay Borduzha, the secretary general of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization)has been moderated by Fedor Lukyanov, the editor-in-chief of the “Russia in global politics” magazine.

Experts condemn blocking Fergana’s website as illegal and senseless

29.02.2012 09:33 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

Access to a website of Fergana news agency was blocked in Kyrgyzstan as of February 21, 2012. The state-controlled “KyrgyzTelecom” company as well as some other internet providers have thus complied with an instructions issued by the State Communication Agency which in turn responded to an inquiry made by the prime-minister Omurbek Babanov who chose to follow up on the last year’s order of the national parliament. One may recall that in June 2011, the parliament had, upon review of the parliamentary commission’s report of investigation of the June 2010 events in Osh, recommended that access to the website of Fergana should be blocked across the country.

Why does Nazarbaev need a multi-party parliament?

17.01.2012 21:56 msk Analytics Kazakhstan

Today’s ruling class in Kazakhstan has completely lost its capacity for an open political struggle in absence of administrative resource as an unfair advantage. All of a sudden, the political system cherished by Nazarbaev throughout the “years of reform and progress” has grown into a main threat for the desirable stability of Nazarbaev’s regime. The only way for him to win an election today is through suppression of opponents using force, courts, and intimidation, relying upon the dependent government and local self-governments, imposing political censorship and resorting to hypocritical support from his “Eurasian” friends and “international community”. Nazarbaev (and Putin) has long missed his chance for a breakthrough in modernization, following the Chinese pattern (on any other pattern, anyway). Holding out promises of fair elections and transparent competition, but sinking into lies, in reality, Nazarbaev unavoidably leads the country towards huge social, economic and political problems in the nearest future. The enormous gap between authorities playing the game of democracy and the ordinary people is ever growing. In case of another Zhanaozen, no satellite parties or the puppet parliament are going to rescue the regime.

Who and what’s behind the riots in Kazakhstan?

19.12.2011 08:24 msk Analytics Kazakhstan

If people show their discontent quietly, it can just be ignored. Once people take to active actions, they need to be “turned” into terrorists. This is the path chosen by the Kazakhstan’s government to counter actions of protests. If you can not calm the crowd down, for lack of brains or will, doesn’t matter, you have to demonize the crowd, and then start shooting. Afterwards, it would be nice to discover a bit of ammunition or leaflets by a banned Islamic party when searching activists’ homes. In era of a total Islam phobia and war on terror, such evidence could serve as a justification in front of influential partners in Europe, too.

Kazakhstan: Covert terrorist organizations are in place and not inclined to remain idle

24.11.2011 08:15 msk Analytics Kazakhstan

Terrorists increasingly manifest their presence in Kazakhstan. So far they target representatives of the law enforcement and governmental bodies. Internet is full of reports of police operations to apprehend terrorists, seize explosives and demine bridges in various parts of the country. In most cases, any official information is missing, so it is difficult to tell the truth from lies. Besides, religious extremists are often reported as regular criminals. National security committee is rapidly losing the very last remains of its past credibility but still prefers to keep silent, as a rule. Indeed, unless terrorist attacks are too loud to hide.

Presidential election in Kyrgyzstan to contribute to regionalism and set the grounds for future opposition

31.10.2011 21:34 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

It was evident already by midnight of the election day that Almazbek Atambaev was gaining an upper hand. Why did that happen and what does that imply? The country is easily divided into two regional parts – the South and the North, each having an even number of voters. Basically each and every political activity of the last few years has to deal with the opposition between the North and the South. In the recent election, the North has been represented by Atambaev, while the southern votes shared by former high official Adahan Madumarov and Kamchibek Tashiev, the head of the “Ata-Jurt” faction in the parliament.

Kyrgyzstan: Who’s Checking Parliament?

22.06.2011 13:09 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

The Kyrgyz parliament moves to block access to Fergana.ru because it «ignites ethnic hatred». In addition to blaming ethnic Uzbek leaders for last year’s ethnic violence, the Kyrgyz parliament is moving to block access to Fergana.ru because it «ignites ethnic hatred», some parliamentarians claim. While the measure does not have support of President Otunbayeva, it has raised questions about the parliamentarians' prioritization.

Experts talk the first anniversary of another Kyrgyz revolution

07.04.2011 09:23 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

It’s been a year since the deposition of the former Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiev. Fergana has sought opinions of experts on Central Asian matters as to the outcomes of the 2nd Kyrgyz revolution, also referred to as “popular” and ‘great” revolution by people in the country. Some experts, however, believe it is too early to draw any conclusions yet since the state system of Kyrgyzstan is still undergoing changes and no quick success should be expected from this process. Others point to the “sad” state of the Kyrgyz political elite and the crisis of the public administration. Fergana’s respondents are: Artem Ulunyan, Ajdar Kurtov, Arkadiy Dubnov, Dmitriy Furman, Alexey Vlasov.

Kyrgyz bifurcation

13.02.2011 23:13 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

The final report by the national commission, which provided a political evaluation of the events in southern Kyrgyzstan last year, has not only failed to put an end to disputes, but has also caused an array of new accusations which gush forth from the Kyrgyz-language newspapers. The frantic zeal manifested in the search for enemies in today’s Kyrgyzstan pushes one to conclude that there is a political “request” ahead of the presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan.

International Crisis Group: The infrastructure of Central Asian countries is steadily disappearing

11.02.2011 13:14 msk Analytics Central Asia

The infrastructure in the republics of Central Asia is steadily disappearing: the roads, power plants, hospitals, and schools and the last generation of Soviet-trained specialists who have kept this all running. These are conclusions, presented in the report of International Crisis Group (ICG): "Central Asia – Decay and Decline". In the opinion of authors, collapsing infrastructure could bring down with it enfeebled regimes, creating enormous uncertainty in one of the most fragile parts of the world.

Osh report: quick conclusions, lost opportunities

25.01.2011 09:47 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

Osh riots
Poorly researched, political and overly assertive, the official report into last year’s violence in Osh and Jalal-Abat leaves as many questions as it answers. The national discussion to follow must avoid similar pitfalls.

Uzbek separatism – fiction of politicians or threatening reality in Kyrgyzstan?

12.01.2011 23:15 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

The commission, established by the Ombudsman of Kyrgyzstan for investigation of reason of June riots in the south of the republic, believes that the region "faced local conflict, initiated by ethnic Uzbeks, such as K. Batyrov, I. Rasulov, J. Salakhutdinov, K. Abdullaeva. They started this conflict, financed and instigated common Uzbek farmer to go against Kyrgyz, while Kyrgyz finished it". Having doubts about the conclusion of this commission, Ferghana editorial office decided to check its opinion with the opinions of prominent experts. We interviewed few experts both in Kyrgyzstan and abroad. Everyone was asked the same question: "Do you have impression that Uzbek separatism, presented by Ombudsman, becomes the official version of the June riots reasons? Are you personally satisfied with this version? Do you believe in it?"

Orkhan Jemal: Moscow is turning into Osh

20.12.2010 19:10 msk Analytics Russia

"Why Kyrgyz do not like Uzbek minority? The reason is that Uzbeks claim to be full-fledged citizens of Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyz view this as the expansion of aliens; ultimately, the name of the country is Kyrgyzstan and this is already the reason why Uzbeks must know their place. The fact that the cities of southern Kyrgyzstan have been populated by Uzbeks since Pea king period is disregarded. Why do not Russians like Caucasians? Delving into this, we will find the problem in the same "expansion". Russian Muscovites, for example, do not like that Caucasians have a right to dance lezginka in the downtown Moscow. Is the dislike of Kyrgyz in relation to Uzbeks only enough to start "Osh massacre"? No! The pogroms took place when the question of power was being discussed. Meanwhile, the pre-election years in coming up in Russia and entire political establishment is busy with discussing the strengthening collapse of the Medvedev-Putin tandem…"

USAID program on prevention of HIV and tuberculosis started in Uzbekistan

26.11.2010 13:06 msk Analytics Uzbekistan

On November 23, 2010 USAID presented the launch of its 5-year program in Uzbekistan on Health Outreach with the budget of $2.3 million. The goals of the program are raising awareness of target audience about tuberculosis and HIV-infection, improvement of diagnostics methods and lowering the mortality rate, caused by these deceases. USAID will work with governmental institutes of Uzbekistan and will not go beyond "the framework of the project". In this case, Americans promise, Health Outreach program associates will avoid what happed to Maxim Popov, sentenced to 7 years of jail for distribution of book about healthy lifestyle and prevention of HIV-infection.

Look who is here. Pro-Russian … Nazi won parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan

13.10.2010 17:21 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

Last Sunday Kyrgyzstan held the outstanding event. For the first time in the history of post-Soviet Central Asia the republic had relatively free elections. Very democratically pushing and slinging mud at each other, five political parties, representing nearly all quite diverse local political elites, advanced into the parliament. From now on, the future of the republic will depend on whether the winners are able to reach the common agreement.

The glimmer of hope in bloody Kyrgyzstan

11.08.2010 10:02 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

In the last months small Central Asian republic was attracting the world attention due to political turmoil and ethnic riots. The international media did not pay much attention to the conflict in Osh and Jalal-Abad that was considered as "centuries-old ethnic conflict" with unclear political motivation. Was it really ethnic and historical conflict though? German analysts are trying to find the answer to this and other questions.

How to become the student in Uzbekistan or "the price" of admission

05.08.2010 16:21 msk Analytics Uzbekistan

Ferghana.Ru several time reported the corruption cases in the educational system in Central Asian and Uzbekistan in particular. On August 1 Uzbekistan held entrance exams to higher education institutions. The Expert working group produced the report, dedicated to bribery in the universities of Uzbekistan, where it says about illegal but successful tips for admission and how much the status of "student" costs in Uzbekistan.

Who will succeed Akhmat Bakiev?

27.07.2010 09:44 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

Akhmat Bakiev – the brother of overthrown president, the recently powerful governor and unofficial ruler in south is detained in Kyrgyzstan and already giving testimonies. Akhmat Bakiev is accused of incitement of ethnic hatred, establishment of armed groups and organization of mass riots, resulted in the death of hundreds of people. Sanobar Shermatova, the expert on Central Asia and RIA Novosti observers, presents her opinion on Akhmat Bakiev, what stands behind his arrest and what redistribution of criminal power is expected in south Kyrgyzstan.

Parliamentary republic, non-parliamentary public

29.06.2010 12:59 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

While the Kyrgyz elite were initiating the revolutions one after another the life for common people remained unchanged. The new fratricidal Kyrgyz-Uzbek nightmare, which was sparked again after 20-year break, marked new and strict axes system for many years both for the government and miserable people. Will new Constitution help overcome deepest antagonism between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks that was revived after the bloodshed? Are yesterday’s opposition leaders able to unite common hatred against Bakiev and lead the republic to new life without tyranny, Nazism and corruption on the background of total poverty and permanent street unrest?

The ethnicisation of violence in Southern Kyrgyzstan

25.06.2010 11:04 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

Media talk of ‘ethnic conflict’ in Kyrgyzstan is misleading, in that it takes ethnicity to be causal. This does not describe the complex, messy process – political, economic, social and structural – whereby this crisis has become ethnicised. What matters now is to understand why and how this has occurred with such destructive speed.

Fighting for ourselves, we are fighting against…? On the Role of Ethnicity in the Tragic Events in Southern Kyrgyzstan

24.06.2010 09:48 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

Today, many judgments, opinions, attempts at explanation, analyses of the situation and clarifications of the main active powers and the determining factors have arisen around the tragic events in Southern Kyrgyzstan. Many of these do not lack for objectivity and thoughtful method toward explaining the events. But they still have not met with any clear model that would explain the behavior of people, not only as a form of reaction to one or another external summons (the provocations of a third power, the asymmetry of the ethnic balance of in the political and economic spheres in recent years, and so forth), but in the form of motives that are meaningful to a concrete person.

Kyrghyz and Uzbeks in Osh: Just another local interethnic conflict?

20.06.2010 23:39 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

Just a short time ago, Kyrgyzstan, otherwise known as the “Switzerland of Central Asia” or as an “island of democracy”, had an excellent reputation in the international community. Kyrgyzstan was even branded the best student of the class by donors. It had received more assistance than any other countries in the region to undertake political and economic reforms. Political change was largely co-piloted by international organisations, NGOs and aid agencies from powerful nations like the United States, which promoted a Wilson-style democratization and a free market economy. Taking into consideration this massive international support, how is it possible to understand the chaos currently affecting this young independent state?

Kyrgyz South and Uzbek issue

09.06.2010 22:09 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

The murder of mafia boss Aibek Mirsidikov in the night of June 7, 2010 became the episode of desperate struggle for power and property, taking place in the southern region of Kyrgyzstan. The experience of two previous revolutions says that the shift of political power in Kyrgyzstan inevitably leads to rebalance of power in criminal world, closely tied with politics and business. In May of 2010 the Uzbek factor was introduced in the political game in southern Kyrgyzstan – the situation became very serious. The struggle for power could bear destructive nature due to the inter-ethnic opposition. Sanobar Shermatova, the expert of RIA Novosti and Ferghana.Ru, says about criminal factor and the Uzbek issue in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Seven years of jail for AIDS prevention. How Maxim Popov "was absorbed"

27.04.2010 14:43 msk Analytics Uzbekistan

In February 2010 28-year old psychologist and the leader of IZIS NGO Maxim Popov was sentenced to 7 years of jail by the Chilanzar district court of Tashkent (Uzbekistan). Paradoxically, this became good news for his friends and colleagues that in the last year have heard nothing about Maxim Popov that has been involved in the campaign against AIDS and drug dependence since 2003. Ferghana.Ru managed to get access to the verdict text and talk to friends and colleagues of Maxim. Technically, Maxim Popov was sentenced for dissemination of educational book about the healthy lifestyle that, allegedly, "undermined the moral values" of Uzbek society, for uncommitted expenses and loss of few t-shirts. He de facto is the victim of wolfish interest of officials to any cash flow, provided by international donors.

Breaking point: Why the Kyrgyz lost their patience

20.04.2010 19:59 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is suffering from a crisis of governance, reports Madeleine Reeves. But an analysis of the problems that limits itself to «state failure» is missing the point. What brought the Kyrgyz on to the streets was inequality and economic misery, muffled for years by the New Great Game.

* * * Kyrgyzstan is still reeling from the bloodiest week since independence. On Wednesday, 7th of April, 84 people were killed and hundreds injured when troops opened fire on an opposition rally in front of the government building, or White House, in the capital, Bishkek. This was the violence of a government in fear of its people; of a state that was, despite the brutal display of force, chronically weak, and of a president who no longer knew or cared whether live rounds got mixed in with rubber bullets. The violence in Bishkek was chaotic and indiscriminate. It was also profoundly miscalculated. Rather than containing a crowd whose leaders had been arrested the previous night and whose actions had turned violent, it provoked and dispersed it, leading to attacks on government buildings and ministries throughout the city centre and to the arming of a previously unarmed crowd.

Kyrgyzstan: The expropriation of property from richer people is fair in "peoples" understanding

20.04.2010 11:02 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

Every coup is characterized with disorder and redistribution of wealth. Ultimately, the new Kyrgyz government will neutralize criminal groups, stop corporate raids and punish criminals. But how is it possible to make citizens, which were involved in two cases of overthrowing of legitimate regime and consequent redistribution of wealth, respect laws, state and private property? It looks like the deficit of legal awareness will become the major obstacle towards modern law-based society in this country, says Sanobar Shermatova, the Ferghana.Ru expert on Central Asia.

Logic Behind The Kyrgyz Chaos

18.04.2010 11:01 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

A Frenchman, a Russian and a Kyrgyz sailed on a ship that sank. All three made it ashore to a deserted island. The Frenchman built himself a villa and set up a vineyard, while the Russian built a dacha with a vegetable patch. The Kyrgyz immediately organized a mob to oust Robinson Crusoe. To a crowd at a pub in the Central Asian republic of Kyrgyzstan, this joke neatly summarizes the country’s recent history. However, if you are as unfamiliar with Kyrgyz politics as with their jokes, last week’s dramatic events may seem to have come from the clear blue sky. The country suddenly exploded in uncontrollable rage, the president fled for his life, over 80 people were shot and killed by the security forces while the mob tore through government buildings and shops…

«Bakiev’s case» – the tragedy of one family and one country

16.04.2010 13:33 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

"Great Kyrgyz uncertainty" is over. On April 15 ex-President of Kyrgyzstan Kurmanbek Bakiev signed the resignation statement and left the republic. Good thing is that the possible civil war between South and North, "Afghanisation" threat, actively discussed at all levels, are over. The journalists are booking tickets to go home; for them, another story came to its end. On the other hand, Kyrgyzstanis will not able to forget about the April massacre. At least thousands of flowers, brought to the fence of White House in Bishkek, will constantly remind them about the recent tragedy.

Third day: Bakiev is not needed any more

09.04.2010 11:12 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

The looters are still devastating the Kyrgyz capital, but task forces already arrived in the city. The most important question is whether newly established provisional government will be able to prevent the chaos in the republic. On the other hand, nothing already depends on the statements of yesterday’s Kyrgyz President that still considers himself as "legitimate" and "elected in accordance with constitutional norms". Nobody is interested in Bakiev as the political leader: neither Russia, nor US and Kyrgyz nation. Generally speaking it is not important whether he will resign voluntarily or not.

Good job for unwedded mothers

01.04.2010 13:28 msk Analytics Uzbekistan

In the Samarqand Oblast of Uzbekistan the women are more and more involved in the crimes, related to drugs and human trafficking. Considering the cases on production of cannabis, recruitment of people for work abroad (while in reality this means sexual or labor slavery) the verdicts of the Samarqand Oblast courts will announce conditional term or fine, if the defender is unwedded mother with little kids.

The alleged murderer of Gennadiy Pavlyuk is the officer of Kyrgyz secret service

30.03.2010 13:21 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

While the official Bishkek keeps silence about the assassination of prominent Kyrgyz journalist Gennadiy Pavlyuk, Kazakhstani investigators arrested few suspects. According to opposition leader Omurbek Tekebaev, one of them may be Aldayar Ismankulov, the officer of State National Security Service (SNSS). In his interview with Ferghana.Ru the Ata-Meken party leader Omurbek Tekebaev, who knew Pavlyuk well, shared the details of interview with Kazakhstani investigators, possible scenarios of murder and investigation process.

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

16.02.2010 15:36 msk Analytics Russia

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.

Second Advent or what is expected in Turkmenistan under Ruhnama?

30.12.2009 10:23 msk Analytics Turkmenistan

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.

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

17.12.2009 08:54 msk Analytics Uzbekistan

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.

This side of Afghani border. Central Asia braces itself for attacks

02.11.2009 15:25 msk Analytics Tajikistan

Conference "Germany - Central Asia: partnership for security strategies" is under way in the capital of Tajikistan. Representative of security structures from Central Asian countries, Germany, Afghanistan, Pakistan take part. Their opposite numbers from Russia, China, France, Italy, Canada, United States, Great Britain, and Ukraine are observers. Representatives of international organizations (Interpol, UN Development Programme, OSCE, and European Union) are present too. Expected activeness of Talib gunmen on the Afghani-Uzbek and Afghani-Tajik borders is discussed.

Turkmen thaw ended in scorching summer temperatures

17.10.2009 00:06 msk Analytics Turkmenistan

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.

Eight years of ISAF operations in Afghanistan. Who are the winners?

09.10.2009 16:29 msk Analytics Afghanistan

The Enduring Freedom operation was launched in the night of October 7, 2001. International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF), operating under NATO, have been present in Afghanistan for already 8 years. ISAF are represented by 39 countries, both inside and outside NATO. Ferghana.Ru addressed the experts on Afghanistan with simple questions: «What did America gain in this war? What was the benefit for EU? Is there any benefit for Afghanistan?»

The schools in Uzbekistan see sharp deficit of textbooks

03.09.2009 15:46 msk Analytics Uzbekistan

New textbooks have been in deficit since long ago in Uzbekistan. The school libraries receive very few of them and cannot physically provide them to every student. According to the teachers in Tashkent, there are only 5-6 books per each 35-40 schoolchildren. If the student misses his line for book, his parents will have to independently buy him the textbooks.

The Turkmenbashi won the election in Kyrgyzstan

03.08.2009 06:55 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

Common sense and self-respect forgotten, candidate for President Kurmanbek Bakiyev gratefully accepted the outrageous outcome of the election. Judging by these results, Bakiyev performed better in the election than presidents Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev, Alexander Lukashenko, and Emomali Rakhmon had ever done. This level of "trust and confidence" matches crowning accomplishments of other Central Asian celebrities - Islam Karimov and Saparmurat Niyazov a.k.a. the Turkmenbashi.

Outstanding schemers. Moscow and Bishkek played out the Manas intrigue to the end

30.06.2009 12:15 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

The period between President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's memorable statement in the Kremlin on the decision to shut down the US air base and the recent permission to the United States to retain military presence in Kyrgyzstan was a period of confusion. While the Kyrgyz parliament was observing all necessary legal procedures preceding shutdown of the base, more and more nuances indicated that official Bishkek was having second thoughts. The Americans were permitted to stay, after all. So, who has lost and who benefited from this turn of events?

The Pentagon Goes out of Its Way to Retain the Airbase in Kyrgyzstan

16.06.2009 11:01 msk Analytics Kyrgyzstan

Colonel Blaine Holt, new commander of Manas US AF Base, does not rule out the possibility that the Pentagon will retain military presence in Kyrgyzstan. The American military in general is convinced that this is something to be decided by the presidents - Barack Obama and Kurmanbek Bakiyev. It is rumored in Bishkek meanwhile that now that the president of Kyrgyzstan received financial aid from Russia, it is President Dmitry Medvedev in Moscow who will be making the final decision.

The Great Wall: The government of Uzbekistan to take total control over Internet

05.06.2009 13:15 msk Analytics Uzbekistan

During the last four-five years the government of Uzbekistan has been strictly blocking the access of its citizens to "unwanted" web-sites. The target of prohibition is not porn resources, but mostly independent political and opposition mass media. Such web-sites as Ferghana.Ru as well as many separate publications of other Russian internet agencies, telling the truth about life in the republic, were blocked long ago. These are unofficial actions. Perhaps, secret decisions are made by National Security Service, whose special units monitor the work of internet-providers. It seems that Tashkent wants to take legitimate control over the Internet.

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

26.05.2009 14:51 msk Analytics Kazakhstan

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.

Central Asian republics remained the same status in a row of Not free states

04.05.2009 10:14 msk Analytics Central Asia

Freedom House released Freedom of the Press 2009 report which identifies the greatest threats to independent media in 195 countries and territories. The report shows a seventh straight year of decline in global media freedom, with twice as many losses than gains. There are particularly worrisome trends in East Asia, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East and North Africa. Central Asian and Middle Eastern states showed no improvements and remained the same status in a row of Not free states.

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US Department of State Release of the 2012 International Religious Freedom Report, 21.05.2013

Right Side News The Enemy Among Us – Even in Idaho, 21.05.2013

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Net Indian Hamid Ansari to visit Uzbekistan from May 21-24, 20.05.2013

Boston Globe Women’s rights legislation is stymied in Afghanistan, 19.05.2013

TOL Karimova gets schooled in Twitter debate, 18.05.2013

Sharnoffs Global Views Umarov: My Vision for Uzbekistan, 17.05.2013

Deseret News Man who allegedly taught bomb making in Utah arrested in terrorism case, 17.05.2013

Eurasianet Kyrgyzstan: News Site Unblocked, Yet Still Illegal, 08.05.2013

BBC Bakhtiyar Hamrayev: Tributes paid to Uzbek activist , 07.05.2013

World Bulletin Uzbek opposition to meet in Turkey, 07.05.2013

Forum 18 UZBEKISTAN: Continuing denials of prisoners' freedom of religion or belief, 07.05.2013

Eurasia Review Afghanistan: Economic Transition Path To Long-Term Stability, 07.05.2013

Global Post Uzbekistan cracks down on underage marriage, 06.05.2013

Kimmel Live Jimmy Kimmel Talks to the Turkmenistan President, 06.05.2013

BBC In pictures: Kazakhstan's first gay wedding , 04.05.2013

Eurasianet Turkmenistan: Berdymukhamedov Takes Tumble, 30.04.2013

IPHR Uzbekistan's partners should push for implementation of UN recommendations, 29.04.2013

CNN Strong quake hits southwestern China, 180 are dead, 21.04.2013

State.gov Assistant Secretary Blake To Travel to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, 20.04.2013

Times of India Taliban bomb kills seven Afghan civilians: Official, 17.04.2013

Global Post U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs discusses transparency of government agencies with Uzbek authorities, 13.04.2013

Central Asia Online Uzbekistan warns population of extremist activity, 12.04.2013

Forum 18 UZBEKISTAN: "Unbelievable" fines after no trial and raid with no warrant, 11.04.2013

CPJ The ban on Ferghana News violates the constitutional guarantee of access to information, 10.04.2013

Registan Gulnara Karimova: Is She Ready to be the Next President of Uzbekistan?, 09.04.2013

Eurasianet Uzbekistan Mission to UN Denies Report of Gulnara Karimova’s Resignation, 08.04.2013

New York Times Rumors About Uzbekistan Leader’s Health Set Off Succession Debate, 07.04.2013

RIAN Homecoming ‘Too Late’ for Soviet Soldier in Afghanistan, 06.04.2013

RTT Sr. US State Deptt. Official To Visit Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, 06.04.2013

HRW Kyrgyzstan: Violence Mars Supreme Court Hearing, 05.04.2013

Economist Two of Central Asia’s strongmen and their daughters ponder succession, 05.04.2013

Eurasianet Kazakhstan, UN Getting Involved In Rogun Mediation, 04.04.2013

World Policy (blog) Dammed or Damned: Tajikistan and Uzbekistan Wrestle Over Water-Energy Nexus, 03.04.2013

RFE\RL Uzbek President's Daughter Attacks Finance Minister Again , 02.04.2013

Khaama Press Report: 5000 Afghan troops quit their job every month, 01.04.2013

Wall Street Journal TeliaSonera Could Face Fines in Uzbekistan Bribery Case, 29.03.2013

Forum 18 TURKMENISTAN: Ninth imprisoned conscientious objector, 26.03.2013

Khaama Press Iran behind water resources destruction in Afghanistan, 24.03.2013

RFE\RL Independent Media Windows Into Uzbekistan Face Financial Facts, 23.03.2013

Eurasianet Uzbekistan Says It Begins Shale Oil Drilling, 23.03.2013

ISN NATO, Uzbekistan and the ISAF Withdrawal, 21.03.2013

BBC Pakistan's Ashraf government makes history, 17.03.2013

Moscow Times MTS to Pull Out of Uzbekistan Next Month, 14.03.2013

Eurasianet Uzbekistan Ups Gas Production as Residents Forced to Choose Coal, 13.03.2013

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