19 March 2008 News Digest

TURKMENISTAN AND AZERBAIJAN INK DEAL ON GAS DEBT REPAYMENT

6 March

Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyyubov and Deputy Chairman of Turkmenistan`s Cabinet of Ministers Khydir Saparliyev have struck a deal on Azerbaijan`s repayment of the debt for gas supplies delivered from Turkmenistan in the early 1990s. Eyyubov noted Leaders of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan tasked the governments of both countries to prepare for signing the agreement. The deal was signed thanks to the compromises from both sides. First Deputy Prime Minister thanked the Turkmen Cabinet of Ministers and expert group for the work done. Saparliyev expressed hope that both countries will step up cooperation in the economic and humanitarian fields. (Azertag)

 

Kazakhstan took part in seminar NATO PA on Security in Caspian region

7 March

The seminar of NATO Parliamentary Assembly Rouz-roud on Security in the Caspian region, where the representatives from Kazakhstan took part for the first time, was held yesterday in Baku, the agency reports. 101 delegates took part in the work of the seminar from 25 countries cooperating with NATO. The representatives of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as well as Kazakhstan participated in the work of the seminar for the first time. During the seminar that will last till March 8, the participants will consider the questions of safety in the Caspian region and Central Asia, military-political conditions, energy security, Central Asia relations with the West, as well as the issues of development of democracy and human rights. Opening the event, the speaker of milli mejlis of Azerbaijan Oktay Asadov noted that cooperation with NATO is one the main priorities of foreign policy of Azerbaijan, and "the country plans to contribute to development of the economy and democracy on the Euro-Atlantic space. The President of NATO Parliamentary Assembly Jose Lello noted that the seminars Rose Roth have been held in the Southern Caucasus since 2002. As of today, six similar events have been held, two of which - in Baku. "NATO PA plays a key role in preparation of the countries-candidates, their parliaments for the introduction into the Alliance. We focus on the countries of Balkan Peninsula, Southern Caucasus, Central Asia, Afghanistan and the Near East. Associated membership in PA NATO allows these countries to show their worth and learn what they can offer the Alliance and what NATO can give them," J. Lello said.
Azerbaijan has been cooperating with NATO within the limits of the program the Partnership for Peace since 1994. In August, 2005 the plan of individual actions was signed. Since 2002 Azerbaijan has been an associated NATO PA member. As it was informed earlier, Kazakhstan joined the program the Partnership for Peace in May, 1994. On January 23-24, 2008 Kazakhstan took part in the work of the annual symposium on planning programs the Partnership for Peace, "which took place in Oberammergau (Germany). Kazakhstan Vice Minister of Defense Bolat Sembinov took part in the work of the symposium. (Kazakhstan today)

 

TREASON TRIAL OPENS IN KYRGYZSTAN

10 March

Several senior officers of the Kyrgyz National Security Committee and the Ministry of Defense went on trial for high treason on March 10 at the Bishkek army garrison. Defendants Valeriy Patsula, Vladimir Berzhnoy, Maksat Mamyrkanov, and Dmitriy Grib face up to 20 years in prison if convicted at the closed trial, presided over by Judge Abdurazak Borombaev. The men are charged with allegedly "passing on confidential information" to an unidentified foreign intelligence service. They were arrested in June 2007 after an internal investigation by the National Security Committee reportedly uncovered evidence of espionage. In another treason trial that ended last month, treason charges against Kyrgyz parliamentary staff member Jypargul Arykova were dismissed for lack of evidence, although she was convicted on a lesser charge. Arykova was arrested in Bishkek in June 2007 along with a Chinese national, allegedly "in the act of passing classified information." (www.24.kg)

 

TAJIK OPPOSITION PARTIES OFFER 'WAY OUT' OF SOCIOECONOMIC CRISIS

11 March

In a joint statement, three leading Tajik opposition parties vowed on March 11 to provide a "way out" of what they defined as the "socioeconomic crisis" in the country. The Democratic, Social-Democratic, and Socialist Parties expressed their shared concern over "the present political and socioeconomic situation in the country," which they attributed to what they called "flourishing" crime and corruption in Tajikistan. The parties proposed a national referendum on amendments to the country's constitution that would expand the size and power of the parliament and reduce the power of the presidency. They also suggested that specific state functions, including authority over the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption and the Prosecutor-General's Office, should be granted to the parliament. They further demanded a "transparent and critical report on all international humanitarian aid, loans, and grants provided to the country." Two other main opposition parties, the Islamic Revival Party and the Communist Party of

Tajikistan, refused to sign the joint statement, arguing that they would instead work within parliament to address the problems raised in the statement. (Asia-Plus)

 

Negotiations of Presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan finished

11 March

The negotiations of the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Islam Karimov and Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and the delegations of two countries have come to the end in the presidential residence Durmen, the agency reports. Following the results of the meeting, the leaders of two states signed the joint communiqu?, the report on exchange of documents on ratification of the Contract on further strengthening of friendship and widespread cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan signed in Ashkhabad on October 18, 2007. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Vladimir Norov and Vice Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov signed the intergovernmental cooperation agreement in the field of governmental communication and the protocol between foreign policy departments. The intergovernmental cooperation agreement in the field of operation and carrying out of repair and reconstruction works of economic objects of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan located in the frontier territories of the states-parties was signed by Vice Prime Minister Ergash Shoismatov and Vice Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Hodzhamuhammet Muhammedov. The Minister of Agriculture of Uzbekistan Sayfiddin Ismailov and the Minister of Agriculture of Turkmenistan Esenmurad Orazgeldyev signed the intergovernmental cooperation agreement in agricultural sphere. (Kazakhstan Today)

 

Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan to hike gas prices

11 March

Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are poised to start selling natural gas at the price equal to that in Europe in 2009, Gazprom's press office reported today. The announcement was made by the chiefs of KazMunaiGas, Uzbekneftegaz, and Turkmengaz during a meeting with the Russian giant's President Alexei Miller. The executives of these companies explained that their decision was based on national interests and incorporated the countries' obligations regarding energy supplies. According to Gazprom's estimates, the average price of gas will amount to $354 per 1,000 cubic meters by mid-2008, while experts from Morgan Stanley neame $360 as the possible figure. The increase in prices for natural gas supplies from Middle Asia could result in the rise in gas prices for Ukraine, which is currently purchasing gas from Gazprom for $179.5 per 1,000 cubic meters. (RBC)

 

Armenian law-enforcement agencies to bring charge against Levon Ter-Petrosyan?

11 March

Law enforcement agencies of Armenia are preparing to bring charges against ex-presidential contender, first president of the republic Levon Ter-Petrosyan, minister of justice of Armenia Gevork Danielyan stated to France Press. “According to the today's situation, the law-enforcement agencies have sufficient grounds to start criminal proceedings regarding Levon Ter-Petrosyan,” the minister said. “The investigation will show, what exactly the charge is going to be,” he said, adding that ex-president has moved from the political field to the criminal one. Meanwhile, the justice ministry's spokeswoman Lana Mshetsyan explained in an interview to Regnum that the minister, while answering the FP question, stressed that the subject was not in his competence. “However, he has pointed out as a lawyer that there are grounds for starting criminal proceedings, whereas the investigation will show the rest,” Mshetsyan commented. “Whether the persecution is being prepared or not, is not in the competence of the minister, and Gevork Danielyan has not spoken on that,” she said. (Regnum)

 

MORE OPPOSITIONISTS ARRESTED IN ARMENIA

11 March

Former Armenian Foreign Minister Aleksander Arzumanian and Ararat Zurabian, the former chairman of former President Levon Ter-Petrossian's now defunct Armenian Pan-National Movement, were arrested on March 10 and taken to the headquarters of the National Security Service, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reported. Their lawyer, Hovik Arsenian, said they are likely to be charged with seeking to seize power in the wake of the disputed February 19 presidential ballot in which Ter-Petrossian claims to have polled 65 percent of the vote; official returns gave him 21.51 percent, compared to 52.8 percent for Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian. Also on March 10, police launched a search for parliamentarians Sasun Mikaelian and Khachatur Sukiasian and for Nikol Pashinian, editor of the pro-Ter-Petrossian paper "Haykakan zhamanak," all of whom are reportedly in hiding. (RFE/RL)

 

RUSSIA, U.S. CALL FOR DIALOGUE, LIFTING ARMENIAN STATE OF EMERGENCY
11 March
Russian President Vladimir Putin telephoned Armenian Prime Minister Sarkisian on March 10 to congratulate him on his election as president, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reported quoting Sarkisian's press service. Putin also stressed the need to resolve the postelection standoff between the Armenian authorities and opposition through "dialogue." Also on March 10, U.S. charge d'affaires in Yerevan Joseph Pennington told RFE/RL that while Washington recognizes that there came a point during the standoff between police and Ter-Petrossian supporters on March 1 when "order needed to be restored," the state of emergency outgoing President Robert Kocharian imposed in response should now be lifted, as should restrictions on the media. Pennington also said the United States has warned the Armenian leadership against "political arrests" of persons "who may have expressed views that were bothersome to the authorities." (RFE/RL)

 

DEFEATED ARMENIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE VOWS TO CONTINUE PROTESTS

12 March
Former President Levon Ter-Petrossian told journalists in Yerevan on March 11 that he plans to continue to challenge the official results of the February 19 presidential ballot, in which he claims to have polled 65 percent of the vote, RFE/RL's Armenian Service reported. Official returns gave Ter-Petrossian 21.51 percent of the vote compared to 52.8 percent for Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian. Ter-Petrossian added, however, that he will not convene unsanctioned protest meetings, and he predicted that the Armenian authorities will extend the state of emergency imposed on March 1 by outgoing President Robert Kocharian until after Sarkisian's inauguration on April 9. Kocharian said last week he sees no need to extend the state of emergency (see "RFE/RL Newsline," March 6, 2008). Ter-Petrossian added that while he refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of Sarkisian's election, he is nonetheless ready for "dialogue" with the authorities, whom he accused of sabotaging any such talks. Meanwhile, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Matthew Bryza, who met in Yerevan last week with Ter-Petrossian, Sarkisian, and Kocharian, told AP on March 10 that the police crackdown on Ter-Petrossian supporters late on March 1 was "deplorable," "harsh and brutal," and that it is "crucial" that the Armenian authorities refrain from arresting any more Ter-Petrossian supporters. During talks in Yerevan with Armenian Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian, Bryza also criticized as "unacceptable" the formal submission by Azerbaijan to the UN General Assembly on February 26 of a draft resolution "On the Situation in the Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan," 1news.az reported on March 11 quoting Armenian Foreign Ministry acting press spokesman Tigran Balayan. (RFE/RL)

 

U.S. praises Uzbekistan for rights improvement

13 March

The United States praised Uzbekistan's "small but significant" steps to improve human rights on Thursday, days after the State Department said it was a systematic rights violator. In its 2007 report published on Tuesday, the State Department criticized the rights situation in Uzbekistan, with senior State Department official Jonathan Farrar calling it one of the world's "most systematic human rights violators." On Thursday, Richard Norland, U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan, told a group of rights activists and reporters in the capital Tashkent that Uzbekistan has shown more willingness to improve. "We have seen since January 2008 that the government is making small but significant steps to improve the human rights situation such as releasing political prisoners," he said in Russian-language remarks. "And we will encourage the government at every opportunity to continue with this progress." Uzbekistan's relations with Washington have been tense since 2005 when the United States and other Western nations condemned its handling of a protest in the town of Andizhan. In Andizhan, witnesses said hundreds of people were killed when troops opened fire on a demonstration in May 2005. Karimov blamed the violence on Islamist rebels. He put the number of dead at 187 and said most were terrorists or security forces. Uzbekistan evicted U.S. troops from a military airbase after the Andizhan events. Many Western rights groups have left Uzbekistan citing official harassment. In a possible sign of political relaxation, Uzbekistan's government -- under fire in the West for tolerating little dissent and cracking down on basic freedoms -- has pardoned six jailed human rights activists this year. President Islam Karimov, who has ruled Central Asia's most populous nation since 1989, has also promised to liberalize the country's rigid financial system and softened his critical stance towards the West. In a further sign of rapprochement, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it had resumed visits to detainees in Uzbekistan after more than three years of negotiations with the authorities. Some Tashkent diplomats have linked the shift in Uzbekistan's stance to Karimov's bid to emerge from global isolation. (Reuters)

 

Uzbekistan gives Red Cross access to its prisons

13 March

Uzbekistan has reopened its prisons for checks by Red Cross officials after Western criticism of the ex-Soviet republic's human rights record. The Central Asian state barred the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from visiting its prisons after hundreds of demonstrators were shot dead by government troops at a 2005 peace protest in Andijan. "We will be able to talk with detainees in private...and have access to all the premises in the places of detention," Yves Giovannoni, the regional head of the ICRC, said in a statement on Thursday. Uzbekistan was subjected to harsh Western criticism over its handling of the 2005 protests. An arms embargo and other sanctions were imposed against the country and Uzbekistan ousted a U.S. airbase in response. However, Uzbekistan has recently moved to improve relations with the West. Last week, it released several opposition activists from prison. (RIA Novosti)

 

GEORGIAN GUERRILLA FORCE VOWS TO RESUME HOSTILITIES
13 March
The "Georgian Times" on March 13 quoted Zurab Samushia, leader of the White Legion guerrilla organization that systematically targeted Russian peacekeepers in Abkhazia in the late 1990s, as saying his fighters will again take up arms in response to last week's unilateral decision by Russia to waive the economic sanctions imposed on Abkhazia in January 1996. "Vremya novostei" on November 26, 2007, estimated that the White Legion has 300-500 members. Samushia was also quoted as vowing to do everything in his power to prevent the 2014 Winter Olympic games from taking place in Sochi as planned. On March 12, regnum.ru quoted political commentator Aleksei Vashchenko as telling a round-table discussion on the Olympics that the Russian government's decision to lift the sanctions on Abkhazia was taken in response to pressure from construction firms that have secured contracts to build Olympic facilities and hope to increase their profits by purchasing construction materials in Abkhazia rather than transporting them to Sochi from elsewhere in the Russian Federation. (RFE/RL)

 

RUSSIA SLAMS U.S. OVER RIGHTS REPORT

13 March

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on March 12 in which it sharply criticized the U.S. State Department's annual report on human rights, published on March 11, mid.ru reported. The statement charged that the report used a condescending tone to present "a hackneyed collection of claims regarding Russia, such as departure from the principles of democratic government, the harassment of dissenters, and restrictions on freedom of speech and of the press. Many passages are copied from previous reports." The ministry charged that the U.S. document "abounds in groundless accusations, quotes from unverified and obviously biased sources, mistakes, and the juggling of facts, particularly in regard to [unspecified] recent events." Moscow accused Washington of hypocrisy and "double standards," and of avoiding mention of its own failings. It argued that the United States "essentially legalized torture, applies capital punishment to minors, denies responsibility for war crimes and massive human rights abuses in Iraq and Afghanistan, and refuses to join a series of human rights treaties...[while] disregarding systemic problems within its own country." The Russian statement added that "we did not expect from the State Department's latest opus an objective assessment of the human rights situation in Russia. After all, the United States has long regarded human rights as a foreign policy tool." (RFE/RL)

 

Ukraine, Tajikistan agree on energy plan

14 March

Ukraine and Tajikistan have signed an energy action plan for the coming fiscal year. The document was signed by presidents Viktor Yushchenko and Emomali Rakhmon in Dushanbe, the Moscow Daily News Bulletin reported. The action plan involves measures to enhance cooperation in fuel and energy as well as trade and the economy, transport, military industry and cultural relations. The two countries will work to develop energy and construction cooperation, as well as encourage Ukrainian companies to take part in large-scale projects in the hydroelectric field. In addition to completing hydroelectric plants, both countries need help to repair and reconstruct both large and small hydroelectric plants, and power transmission lines.
Under the agreement, Ukrainian equipment will also be supplied to Tajikistan, including turbines and various hardware products. About 80 percent of the equipment at Tajik hydroelectric plants needs to be upgraded, Ukrainian Fuel and Energy Minister Yury Prodan said. (UPI)

 

EU warns water shortage in Central Asia could spark conflicts

15 March

The severe impact of climate change in Central Asia is causing water and food shortages that could lead to regional conflicts, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana warned. Solana delivered a climate change and security report from the High Representative and the European Commission to leaders at the European Union summit held on Thursday and Friday. "An increasing shortage of water, which is both a key resource for agriculture and a strategic resource for electricity generation, is already noticeable" in Central Asia, the report said. "The glaciers in Tajikistan lost a third of their area in the second half of the 20th century alone, while Kyrgyzstan has lost over a 1000 glaciers in the last four decades. There is thus considerable additional potential for conflict in a region whose strategic, political and economic developments as well as increasing trans-regional challenges impact directly or indirectly on EU interests." Climate change topped the agenda at the summit in Brussels. In the 27 leaders' final declaration, they urged world powers to sign up to an international agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and threatened to impose sanctions on nations that boycott an agreement. The climate change report concluded: "The impact of climate change on international security is not a problem of the future but already of today and one which will stay with us. Even if progress is made in reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases, weather patterns have already changed, global temperatures have already risen and, above all, climate change is already being felt around the globe." (RIA Novosti)

 

Seven Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan: officials

16 March

Seven Taliban militants have been killed in Afghanistan at the weekend after two separate attacks on police posts in the south and east, officials said Sunday. In eastern Nangarhar province, four militants were killed in an exchange of fire early Sunday after attacking a police post near the border with Pakistan, provincial spokesman Noor Agha Zwak told AFP Three others were killed on Saturday in the former Taliban stronghold of Musa Qala in restive Helmand province, police said. "They attacked our police post. Our guys returned fire and three Taliban were killed," provincial police chief Mohammad Hussein Andiwal told AFP. Taliban rebels stormed and captured Musa Qala early last year, making it their biggest military base from where they directed attacks on Afghan and foreign troops across the war-ravaged country. Afghan and NATO forces recaptured the remote town in a large-scale operation involving thousands of troops in December. Two NATO soldiers were killed in the fighting. Elsewhere, the US-led coalition, which has thousands of troops fighting here alongside a 40,000-strong NATO-led force, said it had killed "several" militants on Friday in an operation in eastern Khost province. "A number of armed militants were killed when they posed a credible threat to coalition forces," the military said in a statement. Five other militants were captured, it added. The Taliban, ousted from government in 2001 in a US-led invasion, are waging an insurgency to topple the US-backed government in Kabul and oust tens of thousands of foreign troops based here to fight them back. Last year was the deadliest of their campaign, with more than 8,000 people killed, according to a report delivered to the UN Security Council this month. About 1,500 were civilians, it said. There were about 160 suicide attacks last year, up from 123 the previous year. (AFP)

 

AZERBAIJAN MAY REVIEW ITS RELATIONSHIPS WITH MINSK GROUP CO-CHAIRING COUNTRIES

16 March

Azerbaijan may review its relations with the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing countries.  The statement came from the Azerbaijani deputy foreign minister Araz Azimov after French, Russian and American co-chairs of the Group voted Friday against the resolution “On the situation in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan” which was adopted at the UN General Assembly. Azimov said the international community`s supporting the resolution once again proves that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict can be resolved only in accordance with the principle of Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity. “Armenia and its supporters must realize that the talks can be continued only in accordance with international legal norms”, Azimov added. (Azertag)

 

Turkmenistan picks gas reserves auditor – report

17 March

Central Asia's top natural gas producer, Turkmenistan, has hired a British firm to audit its gas reserves as it seeks to increase production and exports of the fuel, local media have reported.The Caspian Sea nation, which sells most of its natural gas to Russia's gas export monopoly Gazprom , has ambitious plans to supply China, Pakistan and India but needs to confirm its massive reserves before embarking on new projects. Turkmenistan has never officially disclosed its gas reserves, but government sources say they might be as high as 22.4 trillion cubic metres, much more than the 2.9 tcm estimated by BP in its annual statistical review. For comparison, the world's top gas producer, Russia, has 47.65 tcm of gas reserves and Iran has 28.13 tcm. Turkmenistan, isolated under the 21-year rule of late President Saparmurat Niyazov who died in 2006, hopes to attract international majors to help it develop its gas fields, which might be difficult without an international resources audit. Turkmen state news agency on Saturday quoted Turkmen president Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov as saying that country had picked British firm Gaffney, Cline & Associates for the audit. The British firm outbid much bigger auditor Degolyer & MacNaughton. "We chose the British company, which has already audited a number of deposits in Central and Eastern Turkmenistan," Berdymukhamedov was quoted as telling a cabinet meeting. Turkmenistan produced 72.3 billion cubic metres of gas last year and plans to increase output to 81.5 bcm this year. It exports about 50 bcm a year to Russia's Gazprom, which then resells it to Ukraine.

The country is building a pipeline, with an annual capacity of up to 40 bcm, that will take its gas to China bypassing Russia. It is also discussing gas pipelines through Afghanistan to export gas to Pakistan and India. Analysts have questioned Turkmenistan's ability to produce enough gas for all the pipelines. (Reuters)

 

Three NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan blast: ISAF

17 March

The NATO-led force in Afghanistan lowered to three the number of its soldiers killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan Monday that police said also killed three civilians. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said earlier that four of its soldiers died in the explosion. It would not release the nationalities of the soldiers, leaving this to their home nation. Another four ISAF soldiers were wounded in the attack in the southern province of Helmand, an officer in the ISAF media section in Kabul said. She would not give her name as she was not an official spokeswoman. Helmand province police chief Mohammad Hussain Andiwal said earlier that three Afghan men were killed in the blast, caused by a suicide car bomb, and seven civilians were wounded. The hardline Taliban movement waging an insurgency against the government said it carried out the suicide blast. (AFP)

 

Georgia to complete talks on gas imports

17 March

Georgia said it will end talks on import of Azerbaijani gas. "The talks on the import of gas from Azerbaijani will end in the near future," Georgian Energy Minister Aleksandr Khetaguri said. "At present, the talks are being held on the price of the natural gas, as well as on the technical details." He said Rovnag Abdullayev, the head of the State Oil Co. of Azerbaijan, will visit Tbilisi this week and additional talks will be held, TrendCapital reported. Georgia and Azerbaijan have been in talks on a new agreement on gas supply. The contract will be signed with SOCAR. Azerbaijan has said it can supply Georgia with 500 million cubic meters of gas per year. Georgia's needs are between 1 billion and 1.5 billion cubic meters a year. In 2008 the price of Azerbaijani gas for Georgia will be increased to $180-$190 for 1,000 cu. m. from the current $120. (UPI)

 

Kazakh govt to bid for TV channel stake – official

18 March

The shares are due to be sold to the highest bidder as a single lot. "I don't think any private entity would be able to compete with the state in terms of money," Yertysbayev said. (Reporting by Raushan Nurshayeva; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Editing by Quentin Bryar) - ASTANA, March 17 - The Kazakh government wants to buy a further 50 percent stake in Kazakhstan's top television channel Khabar at an auction this week, a senior government official said on Monday. The Kazakh government currently owns a 50 percent plus one share in Khabar, while the rest belongs to unidentified private investors who are due to auction off their stake on Friday. "Of course the state will seek to buy out ," Information and Culture Minister Yermukhamet Yertysbayev told Reuters on Monday. "I am not involved, I know the intention is there."

Rakhat Aliyev, the former son-in-law of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, had said before he and his ex-wife Dariga Nazarbayeva have a stake. Aliyev has since fallen out with the president and left Kazakhstan, where he was sentenced in absentia to 20 years in prison for kidnapping and other crimes.

It remains unclear what has happened to his stake and whether he and his wife still own it. The shares are due to be sold to the highest bidder as a single lot. "I don't think any private entity would be able to compete with the state in terms of money," Yertysbayev said.  (Reuters)

 

Georgia denies Georgian plane shot down by Abkhazia
18 March
Georgia's Defense Ministry dismissed as "deliberate  misinformation"  allegations  by  the  government of the country's breakaway Abkhazia region that Abkhaz air defenses shot down a Georgian reconnaissance airplane over Abkhaz territory on Tuesday. Earlier, Abkhaz President Sergei Bagapsh confirmed a Georgian plane had been shot down. "Yes,  it  is  true  that  an  aircraft has been shot down. We have repeatedly  warned  the  Georgian  side  and  have  demanded  an  end to reconnaissance flights over Abkhaz territory," he told Interfax. "All  Georgian  air targets will continue to be destroyed," Bagapsh

said.   The  Abkhaz  Defense  Ministry told Interfax that the alleged plane was an unmanned aircraft and that it was destroyed while flying over the sea off the coast of Abkhazia's Gali district, which borders Georgia. "This  is  not  the first time that deliberate misinformation about alleged  flights  by  Georgian  unmanned aircraft over Abkhazia is being disseminated. Last year, the separatists announced that such an aircraft had been  shot  down  in the Kodori Gorge, but no debris were found then either," the Georgian Defense Ministry told Interfax. (Interfax)

 

Central Asian producers to agree 2009 gas contracts with Gazprom in a month
18 March
Central Asian gas producers plan to conclude  gas  contracts  for  2009  with Gazprom within the month, a source in the Kazakh government told Interfax. "New  export  prices  on Central Asian gas will be announced in the near future.  Within  the month a contract with Gazprom will be signed," the source said. So far the sides have been discussing one-year contracts, he said. It  was  reported  last  week  that the heads of the gas production companies  in  Turkmenistan,  Kazakhstan  and  Uzbekistan announced they would raise  prices  on  the gas they export to the levels prevailing in Europe. Gazprom  currently  pays  $180  per 1,000 cubic meters for gas from Kazakhstan's  Karachaganak  field,  $130  per 1,000 cubic meters for gas from Turkmenistan  (it  will  pay $150 in the second half), and $130 per 1,000 cubic meters for gas from Uzbekistan ($160). Switching to European levels would mean price hikes of between 50% and 100%. (Interfax)