Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from January, 2006
Kazakhstan: Shortage
Ben Paarmann says that Kazakhstan's economy may benefit from hydrocarbon resources, but that it is at risk due to a dangerous shortage of skilled and professional workers.
Poland: Highly Paid Poles
Bialynia says that highly paid Poles are invading the British Isles. Since Poland joined the EU, many Polish footballers have found it much easier to play in the Premiership and have moved west.
Uzbekistan: Crops to Oregon
Registan.net reports that an Oregon nursery is working with farmers in Uzbekistan to introduce Uzbek crops to Oregon's farmers. Among the crops he thinks would succeed in the Pacific Northwest are Uzbek varieties of pistachios, mulberries, pomegranates, and sweet quinces.
Afghanistan: Help Schools!
In the Afghan Local Radio blog, a Pashto speaking Afghan in a letter talks about a request from Afghan leaders: Help our schools.
Kyrgyzstan: Probing NGOs
Registan.net reports that Kyrgyzstan is pressuring its large NGO community and asks whether or not the new government is trying to protect itself from what it might perceive as a source of power that contributed to the fall of the last president.
Mongolia: Chingis Crazy
Mongolian Matters wonders how long it is until almost everything in Mongolia is named for Chingis Khan after hearing that the capital's airport is being renamed for the 13th century emperor.
Poland: New Jerseys
p3 reports on the new jerseys for the Polish national soccer/football team. These new jerseys incorporate more than just the colors of the national flag to give players a bit of the “spirit of 1683.”
Uzbekistan: Fighting For Morals
In the midst of Uzbekistan's very cold winter this year, fur-lined underwear have become popular. This has alarmed the government, and they have banned the underwear for fear the soft fur may inspire erotic fantasies, reports neweurasia.
Slovenia: Rooting for Science
The Glory of Carniola weighs in on the side of James Randi and the scientific method on the news that Slovenia may accept homeopathic medicine as as legally registered treatments.
Afghanistan: Crimes!
Afghan Lord reports that crime is on the rise in Afghanistan as people who have returned from war have joined gangs of highway robbers.
Afghan Whispers
There is a new Afghan blog which promotes peace and non violence in the world. In Afghan Peacemakers we read : The concept of non-violence as a method of change is new to Afghanistan. We know two ways to deal with injustice; fight it or tolerance, the second option was...
Armenia: The Genocide in Rap
Who Knew Armenians Could Rap?, a new blog on Armenian hip-hop, reports on the Armenian genocide in rap.
Armenia: Foreign Ministers Meet
ArmYouth Blog discusses the meeting between the Armenian and Azeri foreign ministers and the proposed Nagorno-Karabakh settlement.
Azerbaijan: Black January
Carpetblogger (who is sadly relocating from Baku to Kiev) reports on Azerbaijan's day of mourning on January 20 to commemorate those who died when the Soviet used force to crush the independence movement 16 years ago.
Uzbekistan: A Dangerous Tool
neweurasia reports that Uzbek authorities have labelled the internet a dangerous tool to dehumanize people.
Russia: Forging Uzbek Ties
Tim Newman says that Russia's new deal for Uzbek gas is yet another piece of evidence that charges that US policy towards Uzbekistan was driven by a desire for gas and oil are utterly false.
Poland: Acceptable Discrimination
the beatroot, in commenting on a travel guide for the fictional country of Molvania, takes issue with the failure of political correctness to extend to central and east Europeans.
Kazakhstan: Dutch Disease
Ben of neweurasia reports that Kazakhstan is seeking to avoid the problems associated with an economy based on resource extraction by investing in industry with a high value added component.
Tajikistan: Traffic
neweurasia reports that Tajiks are suffering from the increased drug traffic across the country from Afghanistan.
Poland: Plumber Sacked
the beatroot reports that the brains behind the wildly successful “Polish Plumber” ad campaign has been fired by the new government.
Armenia: Yerevan Homeless
Both Zarchka and Onnik of Oneworld Multimedia has additional reports on the homeless in Yerevan.
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