Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from October, 2007
Kyrgyzstan: Vote Predictions
The Azamat Report reviews the pre-electoral political situation, saying that Ak-Jol, a newly established party of the incumbent president has pretty low political standing, but “the so called ‘administrative resource’ will do its job” and ” if the elections take place with the same violations as the recent constitutional referendum...
Kyrgyzstan: Kleptocracy in Action
Beaudi reflects on the recent developments in Kyrgyzstan, including adoption of the new constitution on a referendum and call for new parliamentary elections, saying that these developments indicate rollback from democracy in this country.
Uzbekistan: Electoral Theater
Bboyd opines on the pre-election environment in Uzbekistan, predicting the outcome of pre-orchestrated campaign: “the play will be a romance, with the incumbent and the state reunited for another decade”.
Uzbekistan: Journalist Killed
Libertad reports on the murder of Uzbek journalist Alisher Saipov, who worked in the neighboring Kyrgyzstan and wrote abot Uzbek minority there.
Afghanistan: Exports Go Up
Afghanistan Watch reports that the country's exports, which are 10 times lower than imports, have shown the upward trend this year.
Kazakhstan: “Kompromat” Wars
Rakhat Aliyev has lots of titles with an attribute “former”: former son-in-law of president Nazarbayev, former chief of special services, former media mogul and former influential clan leader. Today he is a figurant of the criminal case, accused of abduction and possible murder of heads of Nurbank, which was also...
Caucasus: LGBT Report
After mentioning it in a previous post, Unzipped: Gay Armenia posts the text of a new report on the situation of LGBT people in Georgia and Azerbaijan. The blogger says that the comprehensive study is a “historic event” as it was conducted locally by a fact-finding mission to the South...
Armenia: Shopping Tales
Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV) Dominic in Armenia recounts a few humorous stories about shopping in Armenia. The tales depict life in the country very well indeed.
Armenia: Genocide Recognition or Democracy?
Raffi K and Arshineh, both bloggers from the Armenian Diaspora writing on Life in Armenia, post letters they've written to U.S. Congress Speaker Nancy Pelosi praising her for House Resolution 106 which recognizes the Armenian Genocide. Despite increasing pressure not to do so, both hope that Pelosi will still bring...
Kazakhstan: Prices Unleashed
Immediately after the parliamentary elections, which were deemed undemocratic by the international monitors, the prices went crazy in Kazakhstan. The ruling party “Nur Otan”, led by president Nursultan Nazarbayev – who rules the country already for 17 years – had been building its campaign on socio-economic achievements and promises of...
Armenia: Opposition Detainees Released
Via Romamerda1 on YouTube, there are updates on the latest developments following the arrest of Armenian opposition leaders, Nikol Pashinyan and other members of the “Impeachment” bloc. The description accompanying the video reads: Nicol Pashinyan and other members of “Impeachment” party were unjustly imprisoned for 8 hours on 23 October...
Kyrgyzstan: Studies of LGBT problems
CXW reviews several recent publications and reports concerning the situation of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) people in Kyrgyzstan.
Kazakhstan: “Kazakhgate's” start to be set this Friday
Steve LeVine informs that the court in New York should set a date for the start of so-called “Kazakhgate” trial over oil consultant James Giffen, accused of bribing higher officials in Kazakhstan.
Uzbekistan: Clearing border from mines
Central Asian Borders reflects on the news or maybe a new rumour that Uzbekistan has begun to clear border areas (with Tajikistan) from mines. Uzbekistan mined its border with Tajikistan in the 90s.
Afghanistan: Asia Foundation Survey
Afghanistan Watch looks inside the Asia Foundation's latest survey of the Afghani people and notes that it paints a nuanced picture and provides some fascinating data on various issues: from support for traditional institutions to democracy and women’s rights.
Georgia: Rolling, Rolling, Rolling… Rawhide!
Kaukasus posts photographs of an annual cattle drive held in Tusheti.
Georgia: Frozen Conflict and the Opposition
Faced with the prospect of an opposition rally on 2 November in Tbilisi, Transitions Online's Steady State reports that the Russian media is speculating that Georgia will seek to “provoke an armed conflict with South Ossetia in order to undermine the mass demonstration.” Meanwhile, the same site asks whether Georgia...
Armenia: Opposition Activists Detained
The Armenia 2008 Election Monitor comments on media reports that opposition activists are being detained just days before Friday's rally during which the first president of Armenia, Levon Ter Petrosian, is expected to appear prior to his likely nomination for the presidential election to be held early next year.
Armenia: Iranian President Cuts Short Visit
Oneworld Multimedia reports that the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has cut short an official two-day visit to Armenia for “unspecified reasons.” However, his unexpected return to Tehran comes as the BBC reports that over 180 Iranian MPs have signed a letter “praising” Ali Larijani, Iran's Chief Nuclear Negotiator, whose resignation...
Kyrgyzstan: Rights of Believers
Genderstan reflects on the new arguments for an interpretation of human rights that are raised by the organized Muslim believers.
Kyrgyzstan: Referendum brings new constitution
Central Asia section on the foreignpolicyblogs reviews the outcomes of the first constitutional referendum in Kyrgyzstan, which brought new constitution and resulted in dissolution of the parliament.
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