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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