Interest is growing the Kyrgyz election as polling day (December 16) draws closer. The adoption of a multi-party list system has been criticised in some quarters, as has the introduction of a threshold designed to prevent smaller local parties gaining power. A political grouping that will be excluded fro the new Kyrgyz democracy, Hizb ut-Tahrir, appears to be gaining support in the south of the country, according to IWPR’s Abdumomun Mamaraimov.

In a week when the UN accused police and prison staff in Uzbekistan of “routine use of torture”, Reuters reports that detainees who died in prison earlier this month had marks of torture on their bodies, according to relatives and human rights groups. Meanwhile, pro-government website UzReport cites a survey that found “most young Uzbeks fully satisfied with life”. UzReport also notes what it calls a “strong cotton season” this year. With Uzbekistan also set to go to the polls in December, Associated Press say that Islam Karimov, despite being barred by the constitution from running for another presidential term, has in fact registered as a candidate.

Following on from recent friendly talks with western energy policy representatives, it would appear that Turkmenistan’s relations with Russia are likely to be further strained by a massive increase in the price Gazprom pays for Turkmen gas. However, the hike may be an reward for Turkmenistan’s agreeing to press ahead with the Russian-backed Caspian pipeline project. Both were the subject of bilateral negotiations in Ashgabat that concluded on Friday. And in a move reminiscent of Turkmenbashi, the capital is set to be beautified with an “alley of glory“, according to state-sponsored website Turkmenistan.Ru.

In contrast to their neighbours, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have little or no gas or oil. They may be about to start making money from their hydropower resources though, having signed a deal with Afghanistan and Pakistan to supply them with electricity.

Kazakhstan, the richest Central Asian nation, is setting up a $4bn fund to help its economy weather the current credit squeeze, according to the Financial Times. Elsewhere, technology site The Register suggests that Russia will no longer need the cosmodrome it currently leases from the Kazakh government at Baikonur as it may be building one on home territory.

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Energy dominated the news from Central Asia this week as US Energy Secretary Sam Bodman, EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs and other key officials visited Turkmenistan. Piebalgs raised the prospect of buying Turkmen gas directly from the country, bypassing Russia. In the meantime the government sought to reassure potential investors that Turkmenistan was offered a stable environment for foreign companies.

Turkmenistan’s apparent openness was contrasted with the difficulty of doing business in Kazakhstan, in articles like Richard Weitz’ assessment of the country’s energy policy for World Politics Review. This week it emerged that Kazakhstan’s energy minister had put back the deadline for resolution of the Kashagan oil field dispute beyond 30th November. Paolo Scaroni, CEO of Eni, which owns the largest stake in the Kashagan consortium, identified the crisis part of an increasing trend towards “resource nationalism” around the world. Meanwhile Kazakhstan adjusted its 2008 growth forecast downwards.

The Institute for War and Peace Reporting suggests that foreign companies are still put off investing in Tajikistan because of corruption and complicated legislation. And in Dushanbe mystery surrounds the bomb blast that killed a security guard near the presidential palace on Wednesday. The explosion, which the government has described as a terrorist act, coincided with the 15th anniversary of President Rakhmon’s accession. It is the latest in a series of attacks on the Tajik capital.

President Bakiyev of Kyrgyzstan this week reassured Japanese investors that a new government will be in place before the end of the year. Parliamentary elections are due to be held on December 16th. Kyrgyzstan, together with Kazakhstan has played host this week to UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres. Kyrgyzstan is home to refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Another UN employee, rapporteur on torture Manfred Nowak, has once again urged Uzbekistan to invite him to the country so he can assess the situation there.

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