9 January 2013 News Digest

TAJIKISTAN BLOCKS SCORES OF WEBSITES AS ELECTION LOOMS

25 December
Tajikistan blocked access to more than 100 websites on Tuesday, in what a government source said was a dress rehearsal for a crackdown on online dissent before next year's election when President Imomali Rakhmon will again run for office. Rakhmon, a 60-year-old former head of a Soviet cotton farm, has ruled the impoverished Central Asian nation of 7.5 million for 20 years. He has overseen constitutional amendments that allow him to seek a new seven-year term in November 2013. The Internet remains the main platform where Tajiks can air grievances and criticise government policies at a time when the circulation of local newspapers is tiny and television is tightly controlled by the state. Tajikistan's state communications service blocked 131 local and foreign Internet sites "for technical and maintenance works". "Most probably, these works will be over in a week," Tatyana Kholmurodova, deputy head of the service, told Reuters. She declined to give the reason for the work, which cover even some sites with servers located abroad. The blocked resources included Russia's popular social networking sites www.my.mail.ru and VKontakte (www.vk.com), as well as Tajik news site TJKnews.com and several local blogs. "The government has ordered the communications service to test their ability to block dozens of sites at once, should such a need arise," a senior government official told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "It is all about November 2013," he said, in a clear reference to the presidential election. Other blocked websites included a Ukrainian soccer site, a Tajik rap music site, several local video-sharing sites and a pornography site. Predominantly Muslim Tajikistan, which lies on a major transit route for Afghan drugs to Europe and Russia, remains volatile after a 1992-97 civil war in which Rakhmon's Moscow-backed secular government clashed with Islamist guerrillas. Rakhmon justifies his authoritarian methods by saying he wants to oppose radical Islam. But some of his critics argue repression and poverty push many young Tajiks to embrace it. Tighter Internet controls echo measures taken by other former Soviet republics of Central Asia, where authoritarian rulers are wary of the role social media played in revolutions in the Arab world and mass protests in Russia. The government this year set up a volunteer-run body to monitor Internet use and reprimand those who openly criticise Rakhmon and other officials. In November, Tajikistan blocked access to Facebook, saying it was spreading "mud and slander" about its veteran leader. The authorities unblocked Facebook after concern was expressed by the United States and European Union, the main providers of humanitarian aid for Tajikistan, where almost a half of the population lives in abject poverty. Asomiddin Asoyev, head of Tajikistan's association of Internet providers, said authorities were trying to create an illusion that there were no problems in Tajik society by silencing online criticism. "This is self-deception," he told Reuters. "The best way of resolving a problem is its open discussion with civil society." Moscow-based Central Asia expert Arkady Dubnov told Reuters that Rakhmon's authoritarian measures could lead to a backlash against the president in the election. "Trying to position itself as the main guarantor of stability through repression against Islamist activists, the Dushanbe government is actually achieving the reverse - people's trust in it is falling," he said. (Reuters)

SYRIAN ARMY USED CHEMICAL WEAPONS AGAINST OPPOSITION
26 December
Syrian army has used psychotropic chemical agent Agent-15 against opposition fighters, said experts from the Syrian-American Medical Society, the Interfax reports. Experts came to this conclusion after interviewing the witnesses. This substance is also known as 3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate. However, the Syrian ambassador to Moscow Riyad Haddad said that reports of Syrian military using chemical weapons against the opposition in Homs is a provocation aimed at creating a pretext for foreign intervention, the RBCreported. "This is totally wrong information. Naturally, this was a provocation, and it is a part of plan to exert psychological pressure on the government of Syria", Haddad said. "Of course, everything is done to carry out intervention in Syria, but I think that, thanks to the efforts of Russia and China, this will not happen", Syrian officaisl added. (Georgia Times)

TURKISH AIR FORCE ATTACK PKK CAMPS
27 December
The Turkish Air Force has fired on camps holding the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party in northern Iraq today, the Milliyet newspaper reported on Thursday. Camps in the Zap and Kandil regions were subjected to intense firepower with eight F-16 fighters targeting five militant camps for four hours. The Turkish army resumed military operations against the PKK militants after they became active again. Over 10 months Turkish security forces have rendered harmless 716 PKK militants, including 496 terrorists who were killed, 21 wounded and 44 arrested and 155 surrendering to the authorities. During this period, the security forces have held six large scale and 19 local operations against militants. The conflict between Turkey and the PKK has lasted for over 25 years. The PKK is recognised as a terrorist organisation by both the UN and the EU. (Today.az)

PUTIN SIGNS BILL BANNING U.S. ADOPTIONS
28 December
President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill banning adoptions of Russian children by U.S. citizens.  The new law also includes sanctions against Americans who committed crimes against Russian citizens or are determined to have been involved in "the violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms." It is unofficially called the Dima Yakovlev law after a two-year-old Russian who died after his American adoptive father left him locked in a hot car for nine hours. The law also bars people who hold U.S. citizenship from being a member or officer of any nonprofit organization "participating in political activities in the Russian Federation." The bill was introduced in reaction to a U.S. law known as the Magnitsky Act. That law imposes asset freezes and visa restrictions on Russian officials linked to the death of whistle-blowing lawyer Sergei Magnitsky and other alleged human rights abuses. Magnitsky's colleagues say the lawyer died from beatings and neglect in prison after uncovering a massive tax refund fraud by Russian officials. Because of the new law, the Kremlin says Moscow will withdraw from a bilateral agreement on adoptions that only came into effect on November 1. The U.S. adoptions ban has strained U.S.-Russia relations and has been condemned by rights activists who say it victimizes Russian orphans. Lyudmila Alekseyeva, head of the Moscow Helsinki Group, said her organization will appeal the new law to the Constitutional Court and, if necessary, to the European Court of Human Rights. The 85-year-old Alekseyeva, who holds U.S. citizenship from when she emigrated during the Soviet period, says she has no intention of resigning her post as head of the Moscow Helsinki Group. Russian opposition figures have called for a demonstration on January 13 that would demand the dissolution of the legislature and the repeal of the Dima Yakovlev law. Russia's ombudsman for the rights of children, Pavel Astakhov, said on December 28 that the cases of the 52 children who were scheduled to be adopted in the United States should be taken over personally by regional governors. "With the signing of the Dima Yakovlev law, we are now stopping all U.S. adoptions, and, naturally, those children who have been chosen by Americans and whom they wanted to take away, will not be going to America," Astakhov said. "Nobody should be making a tragedy out of this. Now we'll be taking care of each of these children, together with regional authorities, because as of this moment the placement of these children in families is the personal responsibility of the local governors." The United Nations estimates there are some 740,000 Russian children without parental custody. Over the last 20 years, about 60,000 Russian children have been adopted by Americans. Putin also signed on December 28 a presidential decree on measures to "fulfill state policy on the protection of underage orphans and children without parental care." The Dima Yakovlev law goes into effect on January 1. It was passed in the Duma on December 28 with just 15 deputies voting against it. The upper chamber, the Federation Council, adopted the bill unanimously on December 27. (RFE/RL)

UZBEKISTAN DECLARES CONSCRIPTION

29 December

President Islam Karimov issued a decree on "The next call to military service of citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan and transfer of servicemen who passed period of military service to reserve units of the Armed Forces." According to the decree, published in press on Saturday, Uzbek citizens of military age who are not eligible for a deferment from the draft will be called upon for military service in February-March. As stated in the document, citizens capable of rendering military service and not eligible for deferment and exemption, but not being called upon for military service will be enrolled in a mobilization call-up reserve. Military personnel who have passed period of military service will be dismissed to reserve units of the Armed Forces. As previously reported, the period of military service in Uzbekistan is 12 months; call-up to army is realized once per year. The country also introduced reserve mobilization call-up service, after months of military training enrolling those who have not passed the military service. Uzbek citizens who have passed military service in the Armed Forces have benefits for employment and admission to higher educational institutions of the republic. (Trend.az)

AZERBAIJAN PARTICIPATES IN THE ICAO AIR SERVICES NEGOTIATION CONFERENCE

30 December

Azerbaijan State Civil Aviation Administration’s (ASCAA) delegation participated in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Air Services Negotiation Conference (ICAN 2012) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 350 representatives from 62 countries attended the event, where up to 350 meetings were held, while 130 new contracts were signed, ASCAA said. ASCAA delegation met with representatives of 12 countries including Canada, USA, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Gambia, Czech Republic and other ones in the frame of the Conference. 9 bilateral documents were inked, 3 inter-governmental contracts were agreed on the level of civil aviation during the negotiations. Unlike to previous ones, this time negotiations were initiated by the other side which shows growing interest to Azerbaijan, ASCAA informs. Assad Kotaite, President of ICAO Council and a number of civil aviation administrations` chairmen held unofficial meetings. (Azerbaijan.az)

RUSSIA POISED FOR LARGEST NAVAL EXERCISE FOR DECADES
2 January
Russian warships have embarked on a long voyage to the Black and Mediterranean seas to take part in what the Defence Ministry said would be the largest naval exercise in decades. It said on Wednesday that ships from its Northern, Baltic, Black Sea and Pacific fleets would stage the exercise at the end of the month to test their ability to act together outside Russian waters. Its website said the training exercise would also include anti-terrorism and anti-piracy drills. "A Navy exercise on such a scale is being staged for the first time in recent decades," the ministry said, without giving other details such as how many ships would take part. Russia regularly stages naval war games involving different fleets, and in August sent ships to the Mediterranean for a combined training exercise. State-owned RIA Novosti news agency said that that exercise had involved three large amphibious assault ships, two frigates, a destroyer and two support ships. Moscow has been trying to strengthen its military presence in the Mediterranean region. President Vladimir Putin, a former operative for the Soviet Union's KGB national security agency, says Russia needs a stronger army to protect it from foreign attempts to stoke conflicts around its borders. Russia plans to spend 23 trillion roubles ($753 billion) over a decade to modernize the former superpower's armed forces, which underwent a decade of spending cuts after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The Defence Ministry did not say if the coming deployment was connected to the conflict in Syria. Moscow has been a staunch supporter of President Bashar al-Assad and his largest arms supplier. Last month, a naval source told Interfax news agency that Russia was sending warships to the Mediterranean in case it needed to evacuate citizens trapped by the civil war in Syria. Also in December, Itar-Tass and Interfax cited military sources as saying two landing craft had left a Black Sea port and would call at Russia's naval supply and maintenance facility in the Syrian port of Tartous. (Reuters)

UZBEKISTAN BANS ROAD TRANSPORT OF NATURAL GAS
3 January
Uzbekistan has banned the road transportation of liquefied natural gas through its territory, a decision the government says is intended to protect public safety and the environment.  The ban, announced on January 2, will mainly affect neighboring Tajikistan. On December 31, Uzbekistan suspended gas deliveries via pipeline to energy-starved Tajikistan after both sides failed to agree on gas prices following the expiration of their contract. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan's only supplier of gas, routinely suspends gas deliveries to its neighbor amid complaints of nonpayment. Relations between the two former Soviet Central Asian states have been strained since they both gained independence in 1991. Uzbekistan has strongly opposed Tajikistan's plans to build hydropower plants, which Tashkent says will limit its water supplies for crop irrigation. (RFE/RL)

TURKEY LIFTS BAN ON THOUSANDS OF BOOKS

6 January
In July, the parliament adopted a bill stipulating that any decision taken before 2012 to block the sale and distribution of published work would be voided if no court chose to confirm the ruling within six months. The deadline came and went Saturday and no such judicial decisions were recorded, the head of Turkey's TYB publisher's union, Metin Celal Zeynioglu, told AFP. "All bans ordered by (the courts in the capital) Ankara will be lifted on January 5," city prosecutor Kursat Kayral confirmed to AFP. Kayral had announced last month that he would let lapse every ban in his jurisdiction, a decision that cleared 453 books and 645 periodicals in that area alone. Among them were several communist works such as the "Communist Manifesto" written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, as well as writings by Soviet tyrant Joseph Stalin and Russia's revolutionary leader Vladimir Lenin. Others included a comic book, an atlas, a report on the state of human rights in Turkey and an essay on the Kurds. But the books under Kayral's jurisdiction make up only a fraction of all the titles affected, a total of up to 23,000 works according to Zeynioglu, who said he learned the number from the justice ministry. The ministry did not immediately confirm the total, a number that Zeynioglu added was hard to nail down. "These bans weren't implemented in a centralised fashion: they were ordered by different institutions in different cities at different times," he said. "Besides, most have been forgotten over the years and publishers have resumed printing the banned books." As an example, the complete works of Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet, who died in exile in Moscow in 1963, had already been stocked in libraries for years despite the ban. The reform is thus largely symbolic, and some are sceptical of whether it reflects any true change within the Turkish state. "The mindset hasn't changed and people (in the administration) will continue to do whatever they think is right," said Omer Faruk, a former head of the Ayrinti publishing house. He cited as an example the fate of one of his published books: the erotic "Philosophy in the Bedroom" by French writer Marquis de Sade. Deemed licentious, the text was banned, but the Supreme Court overturned the decision. Yet "despite the ruling, the book continues to be seized", Faruk said. This scepticism is reinforced by the ruling Islamic-rooted Justice and Development Party's record in matters of freedom of speech. The Committee to Protect Journalists said last month that Turkey had, at 49 people, the highest number of journalists behind bars, with most of them Kurds. In late November, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan himself took the directors of a television series to task, saying their script was in conflict with history and Muslim morals. "Those who toy with the people's values must be taught a lesson," Erdogan said. But despite his reservations, Zeynioglu said there would be at least one concrete result of letting the bans lapse. "Many of the students arrested in demonstrations are kept in prison because they're carrying banned books," he said. "From now on, we won't be able to use that as an excuse." (Suria)

NEW TURKMEN LAW PROMISES FREEDOM OF MEDIA
6 January
The repressive Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan has passed a new law guaranteeing freedom of the media.  The law, which came into effect on January 4, states that "nobody can prohibit or impede the media from disseminating information of public interest" and that citizens of Turkmenistan have the right to use any form of media to express their opinions. The new law also prohibits censorship. Turkmenistan routinely ranks among the worst countries in the world in terms of media freedom, with the United Nations describing the state as wielding "absolute" control over the country's television, newspapers, and magazines. Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov is a shareholder in nearly all of the country's leading newspapers. Turkmenistan's first private newspaper, "Rysgal," was launched in 2011 by one of the government's two political parties. (RFE/RL)

RUSSIA KILLS MILITANTS SUSPECTED OF CHRISTMAS ATTACK PLAN
6 January
Russian security forces in a restive North Caucasus province on Sunday killed three militants suspected of planning attacks on church services during the Russian Orthodox Christmas holiday, authorities said. Security forces tried to stop a van in the Kabardino-Balkaria province on Sunday but its occupants opened fire and were killed in the ensuing battle, during which the vehicle caught fire, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee said in a statement. It said that explosives, guns and ammunition were found in the van and that the men who were killed had been planning attacks on churches during services marking Russian Orthodox Christmas, which is on Monday. The statement gave no evidence to support that suspicion and the account could not be verified. Deadly exchanges of gunfire between police and suspected militants at road checkpoints are common in Russia's North Caucasus, a string of provinces hit by an Islamist insurgency rooted in two separatist wars in Chechnya. Kabardino-Balkaria, west of Chechnya, is mostly Muslim but has a sizable Christian minority. President Vladimir Putin's 13 years in power have been marred by violence in the North Caucasus and attacks by the insurgents elsewhere, and he has called repeatedly for ethnic and religious peace during a new term that started last May.  Putin attended a midnight Russian Orthodox Christmas service early on Monday in Sochi, a Black Sea and Caucasus Mountain resort about 300 km (185 miles) west of Kabardino-Balkaria that is to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. (Reuters)

UZBEKISTAN BLAMES KYRGYZSTAN OF PROVOKING BORDER CONFLICT

7 JANUARY
Conflict on the Uzbek-Kyrgyz border is being provoked by Kyrgyz frontier guards, Uzbekistan's Committee on Protection of the State Border under the Service of State Security (SSS) press service reported on Monday. According to the report, on January 5, 2013, the Batken Border Detachment of Civil Defence military guards at the Charbak frontier of Kyrgyzstan in violation of international law and inter-governmental agreements, independently and with no previous notification, started work on the installation of electricity poles. This took place on the territory of Uzbekistan near the Hushyar Sokh district of Ferghana region for provision of an energy supply to the Charbak frontier. According to the press service, upon arrival at the frontier, Uzbek border guards explained to Kyrgyz guards that this territory belongs to Uzbekistan and demanded they stop the execution of the work. The parties agreed to discuss the matter at a meeting of authorised representatives of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to be held on January 6 this year. 'However, despite existing agreements, the Kyrgyz side unilaterally and with no consent and being fully aware of the fact this territory belongs to the Republic of Uzbekistan, continued carrying out work on installation of poles for power lines in the above mentioned area. That led to a conflict between Hushyar village inhabitants and Kyrgyzstan frontier guards', the statement says. The incident resulted in the Kyrgyz frontier guards firing upon and wounding of five Uzbek citizens, whose state of health is estimated to be extremely critical, the Uzbekistan Committee on Protection of the State Border press service reported. At the scene Batken Governor Zh.Razzakov and Kyrgyz border representative in Batken area Colonel N.Kerimkanov admitted that the installation of poles was carried out in the wrong place and apologised pledging to move the poles into the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. 'The reckless and unlawful acts of the Kyrgyz border guards have worsened the situation on the Uzbek-Kyrgyz state border. Currently, Uzbek law enforcement agencies have begun a criminal case and an investigation is being undertaken', the press service reported. (Trend.az)

UZEBKISTAN TOUGHENS PUNISHMENT FOR ILLEGAL MIGRATION
7 January
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov approved the amendments in the Criminal Code aimed to toughen punishment for illegal entry and departure from Uzbekistan. Citizens will face up to 5-10 years in prison for repeated illegal migration. The President of Uzbekistan signed the law on December 29 extending the list of those who will be punished for illegal departure for abroad, entry into Uzbekistan and illegal border crossing. The law enters into force since January 4, 2013. (CA-News)

NATO BEGINS DEPLOYING PATRIOT MISSILES IN TURKEY

7 January
NATO began deploying Patriot missiles in Turkey Friday to defend against threats from neighboring Syria, the US military’s European Command (EUCOM) said. US military personnel and equipment arrived at Incirlik Air Base in southeastern Turkey to support NATO’s Patriot battery deployment at Ankara’s request, EUCOM, based in the southwestern German city of Stuttgart, said in a statement. The United States will transport some 400 troops to Turkey in the next several days to operate two Patriot batteries supporting NATOs mission there. Additional equipment will arrive by sea later in January. “The deployment of six Patriot batteries, including two each from Germany and The Netherlands, is in response to Turkey’s request to NATO,” EUCOM said. “The forces will augment Turkeys air defence capabilities and contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along the Alliance’s border.” EUCOM deputy commander Charles Martoglio said the Patriot batteries would fall under NATO command “when set-up is complete and the systems are operational in the next several weeks”. “The deployment will be defensive only and will not support a no-fly zone or any offensive operation,” EUCOM added. The duration of the deployment will be determined by the contributing nations in coordination with Turkey and NATO, it said. Germany, The Netherlands and the United States agreed to supply the ground-to-air missile batteries, which Turkey requested after repeated cross-border shelling from Syria, including an attack that killed five civilians. NATO-member Turkey, a one-time Damascus ally, has turned into one of its most vocal opponents over the 21-month civil war in Syria that monitors say has killed some 60,000 people. The deployment will continue Monday when two Dutch Patriot batteries will be transported to the port of Eemshaven from a military barracks in Vredepeel in the southeast of the country, the Dutch defence ministry said. The next day, 30 Dutch and 20 German soldiers charged with preparing for the missiles’ arrival by ship, scheduled for January 22, will fly from the Dutch air base of Eindhoven to Turkey. Another 270 Dutch troops, who will operate the missiles, will leave for Turkey on January 21, the ministry added. The German defence ministry said that its Patriots would be shipped Tuesday from the port of Luebeck-Travemuende and were due to arrive at the Turkish port of Iskenderun on January 21. The main German contingent of up to 350 soldiers will begin deploying in mid-January. (DefenseTalk)

TAJIK AND KAZAKH PRESIDENTS CONFIDENT IN DEVELOPING RELATIONS BETWEEN THEIR COUNTRIES

7 January
Kazakhstan is sure of developing bilateral relations with Tajikistan, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev's congratulatory telegram to his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon said on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of establishing the diplomatic relations between Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, the Tajik news agency Avesta reported today. 'On behalf of Kazakh people and personally I congratulate you on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Tajikistan', the letter, published on the Tajik President's official website, said. It went on to say: 'Since getting independence, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan have been consistently developing relations of friendship and brotherhood having long historical and cultural traditions. I am convinced that joint efforts to further intensify bilateral cooperation will contribute to the effective modernisation of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, strengthen their international positions and raise the standard of living of citizens of both countries'. 'The twentieth anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan will be marked these days', the Tajik President's telegram to the Kazakh leader said. 'This anniversary date in the modern history of the Tajik-Kazakh relations gives me the opportunity to express my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and the Kazakh people. I would like to stress that friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Tajikistan and Kazakhstan were dynamically developing. Qualitative growth was observed in bilateral and multilateral cooperation. 'Today, relations cover almost all spheres of life including the interests of our countries. They are the factor of regional stability. We value the high level of modern Tajik-Kazakh relations and are interested in filling them with various aspects of new content, taking into account the aspirations of our peoples and in accordance with the requirements of time. I am confident that proceeding from the potential of Tajik-Kazakh relations, we will jointly reach new heights in their development'. Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Kazakhstan were established on January 7, 1993. A Tajik diplomatic representative office was opened in Kazakhstan in June 1993. A Kazakh diplomatic representative office began operating in Dushanbe as an independent mission in April 1998. An embassy status was assigned to it in January 2001. Tajik-Kazakh bilateral relations have been traditionally built in line with the mutually beneficial cooperation since the diplomatic relations were established. The relations are successfully developing in the political, trade, economic, scientific, technical, cultural and other spheres. (Trend.az)

TALIBAN COMMANDER KILLED IN HELMAND

8 January
A senior commander of armed Taliban was killed in military operation in Helmand province.  Mohammad Sayeed commander of armed Taliban targeted in a military attack in his hideout at the outskirts of Washir district and killed.  BNA quoting from NATO press statement said, this commander of Taliban was killed with his colleague while organizing terrorist attacks.  NATO said, Mohammad Sayeed had committed leadership of terrorist attacks of armed Taliban, especially abduction of local officials in Wahsir district.  Meanwhile, the local officials of Helmand confirmed killing of this commander and involved him in abduction of a number of soldiers, military officers and local in charges in that province. (Bakhtar News)