Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from June, 2008
Kyrgyzstan: Chingiz Aitmatov Buried
Elena publishes some photos from the funeral ceremony for the famous Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov.
Kazakhstan: Astana Construction
Adam shares his photos of the construction sites in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, which will be having a pompous celebration of its 10-year anniversary in early July.
Kazakhstan: Gay Parade Cancelled
KZBlog says that the hearsay on the first Kazakhstani gay pride event was reported by the news agencies, but later both the LGBT umbrella organization and the city administration disproved the information, calling it a provocation and hoax.
Afghanistan: Securing Future in Paris
Afghan PenLog opines on the Paris Support Conference, saying that the international community re-engaged in the country with a very light footprint.
Afghanistan: Landmines
Peter Marton analyzes the situation around security in Afghanistan amidst the fact that last year still over 600 people were killed by landmines and other unexploded explosive ordnance remaining behind from the 1980s or from later times.
Afghanistan: Lack of drinking water in Balkh province
The Rumi says that thousands of families have been forced to leave their homes due to food and drinking water scarcity in Balkh, northern province of Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: FLOTUS Laura Bush visits Afghanistan
The Rumi reports that America’s First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Sunday June 8, 2008.
Azerbaijan: Alcohol Dependency
Azerbaijan — A Part of Europe examines the extent of alcohol dependency among youth in the country. The blog comments on new trends in social drinking and alcoholism which can be linked to the situation of young people in Azerbaijan as they increasingly look towards their counterparts in the West...
Kyrgyzstan: A Nation Is Grieving for Chingiz Aitmatov
Ben Paarmann writes in honor of Kyrgyzstan author Chingiz Aitmatov who died on Tuesday this week, at the age of 79. "Thanks to Chingiz Aitmatov, Central Asian traditions, lifestyles, myths - but most importantly - a transcendental Central Asian "feeling" became part of Soviet culture, known and celebrated beyond the borders of the former empire." writes Paarmann.
Hong Kong: Political Clan
David Webb digs into the people behind the Bauhinia Foundation to show a political clan centered around Donald Tsang, the Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive.
Caucasus: Armenian & Georgian Blogosphere Assessed
Following last weekend's BarCamp in Tbilisi, one of the event's main organizers, Giga Paitchadze, briefly considers its success and provides a small glimpse into the Georgian blogosphere. Also known as DvOrsky, the blogger claims to be the oldest in the country. Global Voices Online interviewed Paitchadze after the Caucasus BarCamp.
Georgia: Post-Election Survey
Social Science in the Caucasus comments on a telephone survey of voters following the May parliamentary election in the country. The blog casts doubts on the reliability of the poll and the effectiveness of telephone surveys in general.
Kazakhstan: ENRC versus Kazakhmys
Adam reports on the Kazakh government’s decision to exchange part of its share in ENRC metals corporation for 15% stake in Kazakhmys copper giant [rus].
Kyrgyzstan: Writer and Statesman Died
Almaz reports that famous Kyrgyz writer and statesman Chingiz Aitmatov dies of pneumonia at a clinic in Nuremberg at 79.
Armenia: Geopolitics, Opposition Protests & War
The Armenaker Kamilion comments on the opinion of a senior radical opposition leader in Armenia that renewed fighting with Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh might be one way for the authorities in Yerevan to declare martial law and end opposition protests which are set to start again on 20 June. The...
Kyrgyzstan: First Summer Events
There was a recent Miss Tourism Kyrgyzstan pageant, held on the eve of summer. Some bloggers have visited this contest and published photos of the event. The chosen Miss Tourism and other participants of the contest didn’t impress Kyrgyz bloggers. Blogger baisalov wrote [ru]: Miss Tourism looks like Filipino and...
Tajikistan: Food Crisis
Vadim thinks that Tajikistan is currently facing food crisis because of corruption.
Kyrgyzstan: Famous Kyrgyz Writer Died
Elena grieves about the death of the famous Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov.
Kazakhstan: Kazak-Russian Relations
Patrick Frost reviews the relations between Kazakhstan and Russia after the change of president in Kremlin and Medvedev's first official visit to Astana.
Afghanistan: The Politics of Democracy
Sanjar opines on the political situation in Afghanistan, saying that institutional building is failing while the society also remains weak.
Afghanistan: Building an Effective State?
SunLeaf provides a critical view on the World Bank's new report on Afghanistan entitled “Building an Effective State: Priorities for Public Administration Reform”.
About our Central Asia & Caucasus coverage
