Speedy CA news catch up

Regional

• Day.az reports that the US is opening "democracy information centres" in Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, and will also be sponsoring projects supporting independent media in Kazakhstan and five independent radio stations in Tajikistan.

Kazakhstan

• MosNews reports that 4 people have been killed in an explosion at an explosives factory in Karaganda region that destroyed the two-story factory. A further 6 people have been hospitalised.

Kyrgyzstan

• Headlines from KyrgyzInfo today include news of a new non-governmental organisation called the March People's Revolution being set up in Osh, reports of increasing concern about levels of drug abuse, alcoholism and HIV/AIDS infection in the republic, and news that there are plans to establish regular coach services between Bishkek and Osh in summer months when the roads are open and (relatively) safe.
• Topchubek Turgunaliev, a former opposition leader, has been acquitted by the Supreme Court, reports RFE/RL. The charges related to cases brought in 1995, and one further charge will be considered on August 5.
• There have been protests demanding compensation for a toxic cynanide spill in the Barskoon river from the Kumtor goldmine in 1997, reports RFE/RL. Protestors blocked the road to the goldmine on July 27, but have now unblocked the road after meetings with the head of a government commission investigating the case. (Gazeta.kz)
• Kyrgyzstan Development Gateway reports on a project to encourage the republic's residents to use solar energy.
• Kyrgyz Security Council Secretary Miroslav Niyazov confirmed that the US has not requested any extension to the Ganci base's mandate, contrary to speculation that this might happen following the Uzbek ultimatum. (Interfax)
• AlertNet has an article about the lack of interest rural men in Kyrgyzstan show about reproductive health, seeing it as a women's concern.
• The Chair of the Presidential Commission fir Human Rights has expressed concern that Procurator General Azimbek Beknazarov could damage Kyrgyzstan's reputation if he allows the repatriation of the remaining 11 Uzbek refugees from Andijan, according to a report on Kyrgyzstan Development Gateway.
• Kyrgyzstan Development Gateway also has a story on cheese production in the Suzak area of Jalal-Abad oblast using Swiss technology.
• Transitions Online looks at the problem of land redistribution in Kyrgyzstan following seizures of land by people in the aftermath of the March uprising.

Tajikistan

• A consignment of heroin from Tajikistan disguised as onions was discovered in Novosibirsk, reports RIA Novosti. The 74 kgs of heroin was hidden inside 565 fake rubber onions and was confiscated by customs officials on August 2.
• France has deployed fighter jets in Tajikistan in the run-up to elections in Afghanistan, reports AlertNet.

Uzbekistan

• Index on Censorship (via Ferghana.ru) has an article about internet usage in Uzbekistan, where it is proving a surprisingly resiliant information medium, which comparisons of its role being made with Western radio services such as Radio Free Europe and Voice of America in the Soviet era.
• Azernews speculates that a US base in Azerbaijan might replace the one in Uzbekistan that is scheduled to close within 6 months.
• Meanwhile the International Herald and Tribune has a comment piece entitled "Wise Move in Uzbekistan" which sees the US airbase loss as a vistory for the US's moral stance on human rights - possibly a slightly over-spun version of events...

Russia/FSU

• Bloomberg has a report on continuing speculation about Mikhail Kasyanov's presidential intentions, noting that prosecutors have recently been investigating a number of allegations against him - this has been interpreted by some analysts as evidence that Putin wishes to personally choose his successor, rather than leave anything to chance (aka an election...).
• On a (far) less serious note, the St Petersburg Times reports on preparations for the Moscow Cow Parade. The first cow has been placed in GUM, with more to follow, and a dedicated team and cow ambulance set up to deal with any cases of cow abuse. The offical MosCOW (excuse the pun) Cow Parade site has more information on the project and also the opportunity to paint your own virtual cow, as well as a link to the original Cow Parade homepage. And you could buy a cow until July 1 for the bargain price of just US$ 300 (payable in Roubles) - think of the advertising possibilities...
• Ukraine has banned imports of poultry and poultry farm products from Russia and Kazakhstan following outbreaks of bird flu in both countries, reports ITAR-TASS.

Reports/Lists

• RFE/RL's latest Central Asia Report Vol. 5 No. 29 is out, and includes commentary on the Karimov regime in Uzbekistan and the possibility of Putin taking a leaf out of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev's book.
• IWPR's Reporting Central Asia No. 401 was released today and has reports on controversy over a cynanide spill in Kyrgyzstan and restrictions on Islamic teaching in Turkmenistan.

More next Tuesday or Wednesday.