BISHKEK (TCA) — The Publisher’s note: Central Asia is an important geopolitical area between Europe, Russia and China. It is in Central Asia that world powers have confronted each other for centuries; it is here that China needs to succeed with its new Silk Road Belt for direct access to the Western markets; and it is here that a large wealth of raw materials has its origin. Every week thousands of news appears all over the world in printed and online media and it is quite understandable that many of them may escape the attention of busy readers. At The Times of Central Asia, we strongly believe that more information can better contribute to peaceful development and better knowledge of the region, and for this reason we are presenting this Weekly Digest of Central Asia which compiles what other media have reported during the past week.
KAZAKHSTAN
New Silk Road: Japan To Counteract China In Kazakhstan With New Asia-Europe Rail Deal
As China pushes forward its One Belt, One Road initiative, Japan is taking efforts to vie for influence and investment in Eurasia, including Central Asian countries
Aug 29 — “Japan continues standing in the ring with China, exchanging blow for blow as the Asian rivals both compete and cooperate with each other in the creation of the trans-Eurasian mega-project that has been dubbed the New Silk Road.” READ MORE: https://www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2017/08/29/new-silk-road-japan-to-counteract-china-in-kazakhstan-with-new-asia-europe-rail-deal/#2376fa6324a0
Kazakhstan: Middle Schools Start Teaching in English
Kazakhstan is introducing trilingual education aimed at putting young people in a better position to integrate with the international economy
Aug 29 — “As of September, 33 middle schools in Kazakhstan’s largest city will start teaching some of the main subjects on the curriculum in English. The pilot project to bring in trilingual education — in Kazakh, Russian and English — is the brainchild of modernizing education minister Yerlan Sagadiyev, many of whose innovations have provoked a mix of approval and indignation.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/84881
Kazakhstan, US agree to cooperate on nuclear energy
Kazakhstan and the US will cooperate in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, containment of carbon dioxide, opening and expansion of energy markets, and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons
Aug 30 — “Kazakh Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette signed an agreement Aug. 28 in Astana to cooperate on nuclear energy.” READ MORE: http://astanatimes.com/2017/08/kazakhstan-us-agree-to-cooperate-on-nuclear-energy/
Kazakhstan steps up radicalism prevention efforts
Authorities in Kazakhstan are taking efforts to tighten control of the religious aspects of life in the country, including prevention of religious radicalism and regulation of the wearing of Muslim clothing
Aug 31 — “Work to prevent the spread of religious radicalism is well underway in Kazakhstan, as state agencies led by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Civil Society are implementing a comprehensive set of measures to contend with the problem. The action is in line with the fifth direction in the nation’s Third Modernisation, Global Competitiveness Programme put forward by President Nursultan Nazarbayev earlier this year.” READ MORE: http://astanatimes.com/2017/08/kazakhstan-steps-up-radicalism-prevention-efforts/
EU Hails Inauguration of International Uranium Bank in Kazakhstan
By voluntarily refusing from its Soviet-era nuclear arsenal and now hosting a Low Enriched Uranium Bank, Kazakhstan has showed that nuclear non-proliferation can bring in political, and economic, dividends
Aug 31 — “Kazakhstan inaugurated a Low Enriched Uranium Bank on Tuesday (29 August), backed by the IAEA. The EU, one of the project’s biggest donours, hailed it as a “success for international cooperation” on nuclear non-proliferation. EURACTIV.com reports from Ust-Kamenogorsk and Astana.” READ MORE: https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/eu-hails-inauguration-international-uranium-bank-kazakhstan
Kazakh minister: Two ‘revolutionary’ stories are happening in Central Asia
In an interview, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Foreign Minister speaks about new developments in Central Asia and his country’s role in major international issues
Aug 31 — “Roman Vassilenko served as a diplomat at the Kazakh Embassy in the United Kingdom in 1996-1999, followed by seven years in the Kazakh embassy in the United States. He was appointed as Ambassador-at-Large in 2013 and as deputy foreign minister in 2016.” READ MORE: http://www.euractiv.com/section/central-asia/interview/two-revolutionary-stories-are-happening-in-central-asia/
KYRGYZSTAN
Kyrgyzstan continues to violate the rights of Latvian citizens
As Kyrgyzstan is being involved in a legal battle with a Latvian oligarch, Latvian authorities warn that Kyrgyz officials involved in the Manas Bank case may be included in EU blacklist
Aug 29 — “After the end of the six-year proceedings, Kyrgyzstan has upheld the court judgment against the four citizens of the Republic of Latvia, the former Manas Bank’s executives Anita Lase, Yuri Kachnov, Jevgenijs Verbickis and Valeri Belokon, the shareholder of Manas Bank. Thus, Kyrgyzstan continues to violate the rights of the Latvian citizens” READ MORE: http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=132690
Modernized Kyrgyzstan district heating plant opens
Kyrgyzstan’s largest coal-fired power plant, located in Bishkek, has been modernized through a $300-plus million loan from China, which is the largest foreign investor in Kyrgyz infrastructure projects today
Aug 31 — “An opening ceremony was held this week for a newly modernized combined heat and power (CHP)-based district heating plant in Kyrgyzstan. The 666 MW coal- and natural gas-fired plant supplying the capital city of Bishkek received two new 150 MW turbine generators, replacing four older models and boosting its capacity to 812 MW.” READ MORE: http://www.decentralized-energy.com/articles/2017/08/modernized-kyrgyzstan-district-heating-plant-opens.html
Collateral damage: Snow leopards and trophy hunting in Kyrgyzstan
Today, trophy hunting is a lucrative industry in Kyrgyzstan which attracts tourists from across the world and replenishes the state budget
Aug 31 — “Kyrgyz folklore is laden with stories that warn its adherents against the over-hunting of animals. In one foreboding tale, Kodzhodzash, the leader of the Ak-Bars tribe, brutally ignores the wish of a female ibex, shooting dead her child and her mate.” READ MORE: https://news.mongabay.com/2017/08/collateral-damage-snow-leopards-and-trophy-hunting-in-kyrgyzstan/
Russian Gazprom develops Kyrgyzstan’s natural gas infrastructure
To maintain and strengthen its economic influence in Kyrgyzstan, Russia, through its gas giant Gazprom, is developing the aging natural-gas infrastructure and implementing social projects in the country
Aug 31 — “Gazprom Kyrgyzstan JSC, a subsidiary of Russian gas giant Gazprom, on August 29 launched several projects in Kyrgyzstan including completion of gasification of the Ala-Too residential area, a backbone regional gas pipeline, and opening of the company’s new office.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/18564-russian-gazprom-develops-kyrgyzstan-s-natural-gas-infrastructure
TAJIKISTAN
Power issues, ‘weak’ institutions among risks for Tajikistan, Moody’s says
As Tajikistan is planning a benchmark debt offering, Moody’s has issued the first ever rating for the country
Aug 30 — “Investors hunting for yield in an upcoming debt offering by Tajikistan should be aware of the central Asian country’s particular risks, such as domestic power shortages and “very low rankings” on corruption control and the rule of law, ratings group Moody’s said on Wednesday.” READ MORE: https://www.ft.com/content/ac2b38bc-f640-308b-9340-7ef9af384cf8
Coca-Cola’s Secret Ingredient in Tajikistan: Sycophancy
To avoid any “problems” in Tajikistan, foreign investors have to seek patronage of high-ranking officials, with the country’s President being the No. 1 guarantor of safety and success
Aug 30 — “Coca-Cola’s representative office in Tajikistan has, as a marketing gimmick, begun to sell soda bottles printed with recognizably local names on the side. To advertise the drive, the company has erected billboards around the city showing typical examples of what the Coca-Cola bottles will look like. In a remarkable coincidence, many of the names chosen to grace the hoardings happen to be same as those of President Emomali Rahmon’s numerous offspring.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/84896
TAJIKISTAN: Conscientious objector’s military trial imminent
Tajikistan has no alternative to compulsory military service, and Tajik authorities have ignored insistence by UN human rights bodies and local rights groups that the country must make provision for individuals to opt out of military service on grounds of conscience
Aug 31 — “18-year-old Jehovah’s Witness conscientious objector Daniil Islamov faces up to two years’ imprisonment if convicted at Qurghonteppa Military Court. Forcibly conscripted in April, he has been detained in a military unit. Protestant Pastor Bakhrom Kholmatov lost his appeal against his three-year prison term.” READ MORE: http://www.forum18.org/archive.php?article_id=2312
Tajikistan, China to launch cross-border railway, road and natural-gas pipeline projects
With his visit to Beijing, Tajikistan’s president is trying to strengthen economic cooperation with China — the country’s largest foreign investor along with Russia
Sep 1 — “Chinese President Xi Jinping on August 31 in Beijing held talks with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, who is paying a state visit to China from August 30 to September 1. The leaders agreed to establish comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/18565-tajikistan-china-to-launch-cross-border-railway-road-and-natural-gas-pipeline-projects
TURKMENISTAN
Turkmenistan’s top-notch Olympic complex completed for Ashgabat 2017
Despite economic woes, Turkmenistan has spared no money for preparations for the largest sports event the country has ever hosted
Aug 30 — “The state-of-the-art Ashgabat Olympic Complex has been designed and built to provide not only the finest sporting venues, but also to provide an unrivalled experience for athletes and spectators alike, along with the first-class broadcast and media facilities for the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, which run from September 17–27.” READ MORE: http://www.scmp.com/presented/sport/topics/ashgabat-ready/article/2108255/turkmenistans-top-notch-olympic-complex
First Batch of Turkmenistan’s Crude Swapped
Iran has resumed crude swap operation with Turkmenistan, as the two countries are still involved in a row over Turkmen gas supplies to Iran which were stopped by Ashgabat last January due to an alleged debt by Iran
Aug 30 — “The first oil cargo shipped from Turkmenistan to the port of Neka in northern Iran for swap through the Persian Gulf was transferred to Tehran refinery via the 32-inch Sari-Ray pipeline, the manager of pipelines in Iranian Oil Pipeline and Telecommunications Company said.” READ MORE: https://financialtribune.com/articles/energy/71413/first-batch-of-turkmenistan-s-crude-swapped
Georgian and Turkmen ports team up for better operations
Turkmenistan considers the Caucasus, including Georgia and Azerbaijan, as a link in a transport and transit route from Asia to Europe across the Caspian and Black Seas
Aug 31 — “Georgia’s Anaklia Development Consortium has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoC) with Turkmenistan’s largest seaport, the Turkmenbashi International Seaport.” READ MORE: http://agenda.ge/news/86124/eng
UZBEKISTAN
‘Positive changes’ in Uzbekistan since president Mirziyoev took power — report
A Freedom House report says there is a thaw in Uzbekistan but warns it could be only a brief respite before the coming re-freeze
Aug 29 — “The Washington-based rights watchdog Freedom House said in a report released on August 28 that the international community should “acknowledge positive changes” in Uzbekistan since President Shavkat Mirziyoev took power almost a year ago and encouraged further “full-scale reform” in the country” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/18551-positive-changes-in-uzbekistan-since-president-mirziyoev-took-power-report
‘Good People Don’t Walk At Night’: Uzbek Police Arrest 3,700 For ‘Aimless’ Strolls
A tightly controlled state, Uzbekistan has often made headlines due to eccentric, if not arbitrary, steps taken by its authorities. Sometimes the initiative comes from low-ranking officials too eager to please their bosses up the administrative ladder
Aug 29 — “Marim Matkarimov says he just wanted to take a stroll to lose some weight. Instead, he spent the night in a detention center in his hometown of Urgench, in western Uzbekistan.” READ MORE: https://www.rferl.org/a/uzbekistan-police-arrest-4000-aimless-strolls/28703413.html
Exclusive: Uzbekistan may let citizens buy hard currency openly within days – sources
Uzbekistan is reportedly about to take a decisive step towards full convertibility of its national currency, which will help attract much-needed foreign investment in the country
Aug 31 — “Uzbekistan plans to allow its citizens to buy and sell foreign currency at banks and exchange bureaus from early September, two banking sources told Reuters on Thursday.” READ MORE: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-uzbekistan-forex/exclusive-uzbekistan-may-let-citizens-buy-hard-currency-openly-within-days-sources-idUSKCN1BB141?il=0
Korea, Uzbekistan’s reliable partner
Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Korea on the political, economic, and cultural relations between the two friendly nations
Aug 31 — “The Republic of Korea is one of the most reliable and time-tested strategic partners of Uzbekistan. Cooperation between our states is consistently developing in all directions due to the regular nature of the dialogue at the highest level and common aspirations.” READ MORE: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/08/176_235795.html
AFGHANISTAN
Russia rips ‘obvious shortcomings’ in Trump’s Afghanistan strategy
Russia argues that the new US plan for Afghanistan would not be sufficient to counter drug trafficking or prevent the expansion of ISIS influence in the country
Aug 29 — “President Trump’s new Afghanistan strategy has “obvious shortcomings,” according to Russian officials who want to know more about U.S. military plans in the country. Russia’s foreign ministry condemned Trump’s plan and expressed “justified concern” that U.S. military deployments might undermine their interests in the region.” READ MORE: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/russia-rips-obvious-shortcomings-in-trumps-afghanistan-strategy/article/2632888
Erik Prince: Contractors, Not Troops, Will Save Afghanistan
In an Opinion piece, the Blackwater founder makes a case for privatizing US military presence in Afghanistan, as an alternative to President Trump’s new strategy for the war-torn country
Aug 30 — “In 1941, shortly after Pearl Harbor pulled the United States into World War II, a group of volunteer American aviators led by Gen. Claire Chennault known as the Flying Tigers fought Japanese aggression in China. They were so successful that many people believe they were decisive in holding back Japan, eventually leading to its defeat.” READ MORE: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/opinion/erik-prince-contractors-afghanistan.html
There is no war in Afghanistan
The author of the article analyzes the nature of the conflict in Afghanistan, suggesting that it is rather an “armed policing operation”
Aug 30 — “In announcing last week that more U.S. forces were headed to Afghanistan, President Donald Trump remarked that “the American people are weary of war without victory.” He’s right about the weariness. But that very weariness is encouraged by the widespread belief that Afghanistan is the kind of war in which there is going to be a moment of victory, if only the American people support the war a little longer. And that is to misunderstand the nature of the conflict in Afghanistan.” READ MORE: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-wp-afghan-fp–comment-c3183798-8d9c-11e7-84c0-02cc069f2c37-20170830-story.html
Seeking help with Afghanistan, US holds up $255M to Pakistan
Washington has openly accused Pakistan of harboring Taliban leaders and militants, thus targeting at least one of the reasons why the US and the Afghan government have so far failed to solve the Afghan conflict
Aug 31 — “The United States will hold up $255 million in military assistance for Pakistan until it cracks down on extremist groups that threaten neighboring Afghanistan, officials said Thursday, in the first concrete step since President Donald Trump vowed to ramp up pressure on Pakistan.” READ MORE: http://www.wfmz.com/news/ap-washington/seeking-help-with-afghanistan-us-holds-up-255m-to-pakistan/615046262
WORLD
Afghanistan and the new US strategy between guns, drugs and conspiracies
Whatever the hidden motives of Trump’s new strategy for Afghanistan, one thing is clear — the ongoing military presence in this country allows the US to influence the wider region of Central Asia and surrounding states
Aug 30 — “Known as the battleground of the USA’s “longest war”, America seems committed to keep its foothold in the war-torn Central Asian state for an indefinite number of years to come, and to send even more troops in to strengthen its grip on the turbulent country and its population.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/26-opinion-head/18559-afghanistan-and-the-new-us-strategy-between-guns-drugs-and-conspiracies
The Belt and Road to China-based globalisation
Analyst suggests that Beijing’s One Belt, One Road initiative can become a major boost to China’s world economic and strategic influence
Aug 31 — “At a time when globalisation from the West appears to be in retreat, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a potent symbol of the rise of China-based globalisation. The BRI, part of Xi Jinping’s ‘China dream’ to ‘revitalise the Chinese nation’, is a two-fold project: a belt to link the great Eurasian continent with overland railways, highways, pipelines and other infrastructure, and a road to link China with Southeast Asia and even Africa through ports and other maritime linkages.” READ MORE: http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/08/31/the-belt-and-road-to-china-based-globalisation/
China and Russia, Beijing’s “Belt and Road” Initiative, Towards an Economy of Peace?
A geopolitical analyst and former World Bank staff argues that the new Silk Road — China’s Belt and Road Initiative — is a new economic paradigm — an “Economy of Peace”
Aug 31 — “Why is the world one huge fireball of hostilities, conflicts, threats of economic sanctions, propaganda of lies and mind manipulations, fearmongering – killing – massive killing – 12-15 million people killed since 9/11? – Why is that?” READ MORE: http://www.globalresearch.ca/china-and-russia-beijings-belt-and-road-initiative-towards-an-economy-of-peace/5606678
