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