And another mammothesque CA/FSU news rundown

Blogging from an internet cafe today having given up on trying to chase multiple links up on a 12" laptop screen and dial-up connection... - makes me all nostalgic for being in Russia and Kyrgyzstan and is good practice, seeing as it'll be standard come mid-September :)

Anyhow, iPod on and onwards to a Bright Future, as the Soviets would say...

Regional

• The SCO is giving the US cause for thought in light of recent events that appear to put America on the losing side of any current Great Game - PINR has a good summary of the Organisation and the issues involved.
• Russia has announced it will join in SCO military exercises this autumn, according to a report by RIA Novosti, which will no doubt have Great Gamers in a flurry of excitement that makes Kremlinologists look incredibly rational...
• Lahore's Daily Times has an article on Russia's warning that continuing to try and democratise the CIS will spark extremism, noting that Belarus is seen the next potential target of what the Russians have referred to as "forcible democratisation".
• Meanwhile the Moscow Times has a piece on CIS soul searching in Moscow, looking at the future of the CIS and Russia.
• Aljazeerah considers Sino-Russian relations and their impact on Central Asia and the wider Muslim world.
• The CIS seems to be a particular cause of discussion at present, not least with a report from RIA Novosti that Ukraine and Georgia are trying to establish a Russia-free "alternative CIS".
• RIA Novosti also has a comment piece on Western concerns about a possible Sino-Russian rapproachment.
• ITAR TASS reports on the CIS anti terrorit centre, whose chief, Boris Mylnikov, has noted that continuing instability in Afghanistan is complicating the situation in Central Asia.

Kazakhstan

• A further outbreak of bird flu has been registered in a village of the northern Yesil region, reports Kazinform. Reuters reports that WHO is urging close monitoring of bird flu in both Kazakhstan and Russia, and gazeta.kz reports that the International Epizooitic Bureau is assisting efforts to halt the spread of the disease.
• Shanghai Week kicked off in Almaty (archaically called Alma Ata in the article) today and will run until Thursday, showcasing Shanghai culture (eastday.com).
• On another cultural note, Kazinform reports that a month of People's Languages has begun in Pavlodar with the aim of developing people's languages.
• The above two events tie in very nicely with President Nazarbaev's recent pronouncements that all peoples should live peacably in Kazakhstan, reported by Kazinform.
• Voice of America (and several others) reports that presidential elections have now been set for the first Sunday in December.
• Jamestown reports that Kazakhstan has joined in voices questioning US involvement in the region, despite close relations with the US under NATO's PfP programme, speculating that fear of further "colour revolutions" could be behind the new pro-SCO stance.

Kyrgyzstan

• Eurasianet has a partner post from TOL on land and property seizures in the republic.
• Government cutbacks seem the order of the day following newly-inaugurated President Bakiev's statement that budget expenditure on administration must be slashed from 21% to come into line with countries like Russia and Kazakhstan, which only spend 5% of their budget on national administration. Bakiev has promised to solve the issue within a week reports ITAR TASS.
• Development Gateway has a report on rapid hikes in meat prices in Bishkek taken from Vechernii Bishkek with a scathing commentary:

Meat is not an everyday food item for approximately 50 per cent of the
country’s population but is a luxury item and people buy meat exclusively on
holidays. This is not because of the price of meat but rather the average income
of Kyrgyz people, which are totally inadequate. The price of goods depends on
the production costs and not all the blame lies with the farmers but also on
other factors, particularly the political climate. Do you think you are
overpaying for meat? No, you are paying for someone’s political ambitions and
lack of competence and instability because everything has to be paid for!

• Kabar. kg has a transcript of Kurmanbek Bakiev's inauguration speech available. No English version as yet I'm afraid. Kommersant has a good report on the inauguration.
• Kommersant reports that Kyrgyzstan's power industry is likely to become Russian-controlled, following Bakiev's calls to transfer operating licences to "influential Russian companies". I'm wondering about the politics behind this already...
• Meanwhile the Chicago Sun Tribune has an article entitled "Kyrgyzstan Not U.S. or Russian puppet", citing Bakiev's statement that the republic would not be used for other countries' geopolitical aims. All together not very enlightening, but interesting to see that an American paper has published it.
• Back to Kommersant and an article entitled "History Repeating?" that in timely fashion asks if there's a bit of a plus ca change plus ca meme chose situation in Kyrgyzstan. The article also speculates that Bakiev could be facing a Kulov timebomb, wondering how long unity between the two men's respective supporters can be maintained.
• Turkish Weekly has a report on dissatisfaction amongst Kyrgyzstan's diplomats, who are complaining that overseas postings mean poor living conditions and low wages, citing new US Ambassador Zamira Sydykova's experiences of the Washington embassy's leaky roof and lack of funds for official entertaining.
• ISN reports that an arrest warrant has been issued for Adil Toigonbaev, son-in-law of deposed president Akaev and husband of Bermet. He is accused of fraud, embezzlement and tax evasion (nothing too major then...), and is thought to be in Kazakhstan at present.
• On the flipside, more than 1,000 prisoners are to be pardoned following the passing of Bakiev's law on amnesty in honour of the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, reports RIA Novosti.
• AlertNet reports on increased rural-urban migration amongst youth in the republic.
• Finally, RFE/RL reports that ex-Prime Minister Nikolai Tanaev has returned to Kyrgyzstan to face charges of corruption. There is also speculation that Aidar Akaev may return to Bishkek to take up his post as parliamentary deputy.

KyrgyzInfo Review

• Deputy chairman of Ar Namys, Emil Aliev, has made mildly controversial statements regarding the composition of the new government, noting that it should be made up of "professionals, not revolutionaries". He was quoted as saying that in his opinion, "almost 75% of those who came to power in connection with the events of March are not suitable for their posts". (17/08/05)
• The Migration Court is apparently reviewing the case of at least one of the Uzbeks who has been refused refugee status after an appeal was lodged. 3 Uzbeks, who fled their country in the wake of the Andijan violence, have been refused refugee status at present. (17/08/05) Update - the Court upheld the right to appeal of Khurnis Makhadinov. A total of 15 Uzbeks remain in SIZO in Osh.
• Apparently Kyrgyzstan already has sufficient infrastructure to set up e-governance, according to reports from the conference "Internetisation in the Kyrgyz Republic". (17/08/05)
• Arstanbek Nogoev has been elected Mayor of Bishkek by the Bishkek Municiple Kenesh. (18/08/05)
• The Kyrgyz Postal Service, Kyrgyzpochatasy, is to receive 20 computers from the Turkish Postal Service. The aim is to implement a system of electronic money transfers between Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and a number of other countries over the coming year.
• There are reports that more than 7 thousand Kyrgyzstanis are working in Germany, according to a parliamentary delegation. Of this number about half are women, and the majority of men are employed in the construction industry, where they can earn 3 times as much as they would in Kyrgyzstan (1500 Euro vs. 500 Euro).

Turkmenistan

• OK, very belatedly (and Registan has already covered it), Newsday has a piece on Melon Day (yes, as weird and self-explanatory as it sounds)...
• More significantly, News Central Asia reports that UNICEF Turkmenistan has launched its own website - which can be viewed here.

Uzbekistan

• Ariel Cohen has written a piece for Eurasianet on Washington's response to its impending eviction from Uzbekistan, noting that despite the officially sanguine attitude of the US, there is increasing concern that the balance of power in the region is tipping against them. He also has an executive memorandum on the Heritage Foundation's website, entitled "Uzbekistan's Eviction Notice: What Next?"
• Muslim Uzbekistan has a look at Uzbekistan's efforts to find new allies having turned against the US, citing Russia and China as potential new friends (originally an IWPR report).
• RFE/RL reports that more Uzbeks are likely to appeal to the UNHCR and its representation in Kyrgyzstan for help, having gone into hiding in the south of Kyrgyzstan.
• Ferghana.ru reports on complaints about Western Union in the Ferghana region, noting accusations of corrupt bank officials and the need to pay bribes to get money due.

Reports/Newsletters

• Alertnet's latest Central Asia Weekly Wrap was published on August 19.
• IWPR's Reporting Central Asia Nos 403 and 404 are available and include a report on the hopeful mood in Bishkek following Bakiev's inauguration.
• RFE/RL's latest Central Asia Report, Vol. 5, No. 31 is available.

Possibly one more round up this week on Thursday or Friday - fingers crossed...