news digest september 15th - 21st

Despite the political risks made evident by Kazakhstan’s treatment of the Kashagan consortium, the prize of Central Asian hydrocarbon resources is still deemed worth fighting for. Following a visit by a BP executive in August, UK minister Malcolm Wicks arrived in Turkmenistan to talk energy this week. He called for the country to look to the EU rather than Russia to develop and buy its gas. Condoleeza Rice will meet Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov later this month, when the Secretary of State is likely to reiterate the message that western partnerships are in Turkmenistan’s best interests. In the London Telegraph, there’s also a whimsical travel feature on Turkmenistan by former editor Charles Moore.

Big news for Uzbekistan this week as the date for Presidential election, due sometime before the end of the year, was finally set. It will be held on 23rd December. No official comment was made on whether Islam Karimov intends to run for a third term, thereby flouting constitutional rules. The announcement has triggered speculation as to how the authorities will manage possible unrest in the run-up to the poll. EurasiaNet carries a piece on religious policy, suggesting that by promoting its own version of Islam, the government hopes to isolate more radical elements.

In Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan less than 50% of children are in secondary education according to a report by UNICEF. The lack of opportunities in Tajikistan, the region’s poorest nation, is one reason why so many Tajiks try their luck abroad. This week their government asked Russia for an amnesty for illegal immigrants who had been deported from the country and were consequently unable to return there for work. Russia has deported around 50,000 Tajiks since 2002.

The Tajik president travelled to Bishkek for talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart, amid confusion over the status of that country’s constitution after a high court ruling. At the same time contempt of court charges levelled at the daughter of ex-president Akaev were dropped.

Food prices continued to rise across the region this week. This puts Kazakhstan, as Central Asia’s chief grain producer, in a difficult position, reports EurasiaNet. Its political aspirations were also put to the test, as a Kazakh diplomat defended his country’s controversial bid for 2009’s OSCE chairmanship. Though the support of other OSCE members is far from assured, Kazakhstan at least has an endorsement in the pages of Esquire magazine.

Stay tuned to Central Asia Now for weekly news digests. Keep an eye out for analysis slots by regional experts.

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