Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from February, 2007
Tajikistan: Seasonal Business
Andrea Dall'Olio reports on what one learns about market principles from shopping in Tajikistan's bazaars and the difficulties that Tajik companies trying to make and sell processed foods in the country.
Armenia: Blogs as the New Printing Press
The CRD/TI Armenia Election Monitor 2007 writes about blogs as the new printing press, discussing experiences with blogging and politics in other countries and how those experiences are worth paying attention to in Armenia.
Armenia: Economic Publications
The Armenian Economist writes about the number of articles published in economic journals by authors affiliated with Armenian institutions, saying that the low number is a serious issue because it is an indication of quality of education.
Armenia: Soldiers at the Court
Onnik Krikorian reports seeing soldiers manning security at Armenia's Constitutional Court and says that for a country that is supposed to be heading toward democracy, it sends the wrong message.
Armenia: Artists and the State
Sassna Dzrer publishes a press release from Armenian artists criticizing the Armenian government for limiting freedom of artistic expression.
Central Asia & Caucasus: Nonmarket Economies
Registan.net discovers a law proposed in the United States Congress that would slap all of Central Asia and the Caucasus except Kazakhstan with extra tariffs because they would be considered to be economies not functioning on market principles.
Kyrgyzstan: Kulov
Tolkun Umaraliev notes that Kulov is not only the former prime minister of Kyrgyzstan but also a popular vodka in many parts of the world.
Armenia: Election Monitor
Onnik Krikorian has another roundup of Armenian parliamentary election news that covers media restrictions and party recruitment at CRD/TI Election Monitor 2007.
Afghanistan: Eradication
Joshua Foust says it is a bad sign for drug eradication efforts in Afghanistan that the US is sending its former ambassador to Colombia to head its Kabul embassy.
Armenia: Family Size
The Armenian Economist discusses changes in preferences for family size in Armenia.
Kazakhstan: Presidential Vodka
KZBlog reports that Kazakhstan's president now has a vodka dedicated to him.
Armenia: Election Blogging
Mary Joyce writes about her excitment about the Election Blogging Guide coming to Armenia and the importance of blogging. In the comments, Zarcha translates the post into Armenian.
Kyrgyzstan: Jibbing
Elena Skochilo has photos of skiers and snowboarders who took part in a recent “jibfest” in Kyrgyzstan (RUS). Don't know what jibbing is? Azamat explains.
Armenia: Election Blogging
The Center for Regional Development/Transparency International Armenia Election Monitor 2007 blog announces plans to spur election blogging in Armenia.
Kazakhstan: Products of a Workshop
A workshop on blogging took place in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan last weekend, and Leila Tanayeva summarizes the posts the participants wrote at neweurasia.
Kazakhstan: Profile of a Silversmith
News From The Caravan profiles Serzhan Bashirov, a Kazakh silversmith who is currently in the United States to exhibit his work.
Turkmenistan: Continuing Transition
Though Turkmenistan voted yesterday, Sean Roberts says that the transition is far from finished and he outlines some of the problems facing the president.
Central Asia: Microfinance
The Private Sector Development Blog reports on Central Asia's dynamic microfinance industry.
Russia: Racist Attack on Journalist/Blogger
Channel One footage of the Feb. 10 news piece (RUS) on the subway attack on Aidar Buribayev, a reporter for Newsweek's Russian-language edition. Four young men attacked Aidar Buribayev – LJ user aidar_b2, a 28-year-old reporter for Newsweek's Russian-language edition – on a Moscow subway train just after midnight Saturday....
Afghan Whispers:National Reconcilation and Ashura
Askar Gu Raiz talks about national reconcilation in country.The blogger writes I believe the mere debate around the hostilities of the past three decades, and the indirect confession that parties involved in those wars shoulder responsibility for the destruction and bloodshed, yet are entitled to forgiveness, is a positive start....
Uzbekistan: Dialogue or Sanctions
Nick discusses a condemnation from the International Crisis Group of expanding European ties with Uzbekistan and wonders why there are different standards for European relations with Uzbekistan than with countries like Iran.
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