BISHKEK (TCA) — A Forum event “Economic Modernization in Uzbekistan under President Mirziyoyev” will take place in Washington, DC on April 10, organized by the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute (CACI).

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ASTANA (TCA) — Meetings of representatives of Turkey’s Dal Holding Investment Co. with the governments of Kazakhstan’s Aktobe and Zhambyl provinces were organized with the assistance of Kazakh Invest National Company for Investment Support and Promotion. During the meetings, Turkish investors expressed interest in implementation of two projects in agro-industrial and mining-metallurgical fields, Kazakh Invest reported on April 6.

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ASTANA (TCA) — Kazakhstan plans to start construction of 67 projects worth USD 7.1 billion in 2018 with the creation of more than 13.5 thousand jobs. This work will be done with the support of Kazakh Invest National Company for Investment Support and Promotion jointly with foreign investors, Kazakh Invest Chairman Saparbek Tuyakbayev told a press conference on April 6.

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KABUL (TCA) — During his visit to Kabul, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has said that Turkey strongly supports the Afghan government’s efforts for peace in the country, and called on the Taliban to take advantage of the opportunity and engage in a comprehensive dialogue with the Afghan government, TOLOnews reported.

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BISHKEK (TCA) — On April 7, Kyrgyzstan marked the eighth anniversary of the April People’s Revolution. It was the second revolution in the history of independent Kyrgyzstan, which took place in April 2010. The first one was on March 24, 2005.

During the clashes between protesters and security forces on 7 April 2010, 87 people were killed and hundreds were injured.

This date has been officially celebrated since 2016.

Democratic changes

“On April 7, 2010, a historic turn was made to the bright future from the path leading the country to a dead end. We once again demonstrated to the whole world that the people of Kyrgyzstan highly appreciates the ideals of justice, will never kneel down and will not tolerate family-clan rule,” Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov said in his address.

Earlier this week, Jeenbekov invited ex-presidents Roza Otunbayeva and Almazbek Atambayev to take part in commemorative events dedicated to the April Revolution anniversary. Atambayev accepted the invitation, but did not take part in official events due to “poor health”, said the secretariat of the ruling Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) headed by Atambayev. Otunbayeva attended the ceremony.

Another opinion

Those who came to power on the wake of the April 7 events call them historically important, but there are people who hold a different opinion. It is not yet clear what exactly that day brought in terms of history and politics, they say. According to former Parliament Deputy Speaker, Asiya Sasykbaeva, supporters of the Ata Meken opposition party do not consider this date a holiday. It should not be celebrated because young guys were killed, but there are no results of the goals and tasks set, she told the 24.kg news agency. The situation of human rights and freedom of speech has worsened in the country. The judicial system has not been reformed, and the authorities have not been able to depoliticize the law enforcement system, Sasykbaeva said.

Changes in Government

On April 7, President Jeenbekov accepted the resignation of Abdil Segizbayev from the post of Chairman of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS).

On the same day, Segizbayev’s Deputy, Bolot Suyumbayev, was also dismissed. Suyumbayev is known as former bodyguard of ex-President Atambayev.

About Segizbayev

Segizbayev, a close ally of ex-President Atambayev, was appointed SCNS Chairman in November 2015. In October 2017, he was awarded the Major-General rank.

He graduated from the Agricultural Institute as an agronomist. He began his career at the Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan as a coordinator of the programs “Support to Mass Media” and “Support for Democracy”.

Segizbayev was President Askar Akayev’s spokesman. After the revolution in March 2005 and Akayev’s ouster, Segizbayev left politics and worked in public organizations and international programs, where he headed PR and HR departments.

In 2011, after Atambayev was elected President of Kyrgyzstan, Segizbayev was appointed his adviser. A year later he headed the department of information policy at the Presidential Office.

In 2014, Segizbayev was appointed the first Deputy Chairman and a year later — the Chairman of the State Committee for National Security.

As the national security chief, Segizbayev was much criticized by the opposition, in particular, because of arrests of opponents to the ruling regime.

Attorney General

Attorney General of Kyrgyzstan Indira Joldubayeva, also a loyalist to ex-President Atambayev, may lose her post, some MPs say. On April 6, two opposition parliamentary factions — Ata Meken and Respublika – Ata Jurt — were to hear Joldubayeva’s report but she did not attend the meeting due to “poor health”. The report, presented by her deputy Bokonbai Kazakov, was found unsatisfactory by both factions.

According to opposition MPs, the resignation of the Attorney General is quite real, since her activity has recently received a lot of criticism. Most of criminal cases opened at the initiative of the Prosecutor General’s Office were politically motivated and ordered from above, they believe. The case of Omurbek Tekebayev is a vivid confirmation of this. An opposition politician and former MP and the head of the Ata Meken Party, Tekebayev was imprisoned on charges of corruption. Last year, he was found guilty of accepting bribes and sentenced to eight years in prison, but later his sentence was reduced to 4.5 years.

Tekebayev denies the charges and considers the case against him to be politically motivated because of his disagreements with Atambayev. Ata Meken opposed constitutional amendments proposed by Atambayev. Tekebayev was the main author of the current Constitution.

A well-known lawyer Cholpon Jakupova believes there are grounds for Joldubayeva to resign. The main task of the Prosecutor General’s Office is to oversee the application of laws. But most of the cases are politically motivated, and the application of law is selective, Jakupova said. The Prosecutor General became an instrument in the political struggle, she concluded.

In any case, the final decision will be made by the Parliament.

According to the Constitution, the President may dismiss the Prosecutor General with the consent of at least half of the total number of MPs.

First Deputy Prime Minister resigns?

On April 6, Kyrgyz media reported with reference to Government sources that First Deputy Prime Minister Askarbek Shadiev intended to resign, and his notice of resignation was at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Shadiev’s resignation follows the criminal investigation into the misappropriation of a large amount of budget funds by the former head of the Parliament’s Committee for International Affairs, Defense and Security, Arsen Zakirov. Given that among the signatures on financial documents was that of Shadiev, who then headed the Committee, he was several times interrogated by the State Committee for National Security.

“To ensure a fair and objective investigation, I consider it proper to leave my post,” said Shadiev.

Member of the Bir Bol parliamentary faction, Shadiev is the first MP who combines legislative work with the work in the Government, which was allowed by the constitutional amendments which came into force in December 2017.

Shadiev has been First Deputy Prime Minister since December 2017.

Forecasts

There are forecasts that in the near future, several high-profile arrests will be made, and new corruption cases will target influential people in Kyrgyzstan, vb.kg reported.

“Every official involved in corruption crimes should be compulsorily brought to justice, regardless of his previous achievements and merits,” President Jeenbekov said at a meeting with then SCNS Chairman Segizbayev on April 4.

According to MP Irina Karamushkina (SDPK), the current President continues the large-scale work to eradicate corruption, initiated by his predecessor Atambayev. Jeenbekov ordered to review the closed criminal cases of corruption for the past ten years, as many of those cases were not brought to the logical end, she said.

BISHKEK (TCA) — The Publisher’s note: Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Central Asia was the scene of intense geopolitical struggle and the Great Game between the British and Russian Empires, and later between the Soviet Union and the West, over Afghanistan and neighboring territories. Into the 21st century, Central Asia has become the area of a renewed geopolitical interest, dubbed the New Great Game, largely based on the region’s hydrocarbon and mineral wealth. On top of that, the region now is perhaps the most important node in the implementation of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative through which Beijing aims to get direct access to Western markets. Every week thousands of news appears in the world’s printed and online media and 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 this unique region. So we are presenting this Weekly Digest which compiles what other media have reported on Central Asia over the past week.

KAZAKHSTAN

The Kremlin strategy in Baikonur: putting Kazakhstan’s space program in a box?

Although Kazakhstan has big inspirations to develop its own aerospace industry, such plans are heavily dependent on Russia, which leases the country’s Baikonur cosmodrome until 2050

Apr 2 — “Russia has pledged to transfer 44.8 square miles of Baikonur Cosmodrome territory and two Zenit-M rocket launch platforms to Kazakhstan by the end of May 2018 (Iz.ru, March 1). This became possible thanks to the recent amendments to the lease agreement between the two countries, which was concluded this March, following years of negotiations. Several important conclusions can be drawn from this development.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/19561-the-kremlin-strategy-in-baikonur-putting-kazakhstan-s-space-program-in-a-box

Kazakhstan Is on the Brink of Banning Bitcoin, National Bank Chairman Claims

Authorities in Kazakhstan mull complete ban of cryptocurrencies in the country, as the digital currency market bears significant risks for ordinary citizens

Apr 2 — “In the world of cryptocurrency, regulation will always remain a contentious topic. To a lot of people, regulating this industry serves no purpose other than to prevent innovation from happening. Others see it as a way to pave a more legitimate ecosystem. In Kazakhstan, it appears the country’s national bank wants to ensure that all cryptocurrency activity is forbidden in the future.” READ MORE: https://themerkle.com/kazakhstan-is-on-the-brink-of-banning-bitcoin-national-bank-chairman-claims/

Kazakhstan threatens to block Telegram

Kazakhstan’s authorities also demand that companies like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and VKontakte also delete government foe Mukhtar Ablyazov’s content

Apr 4 — “Kazakhstan has warned it will block the popular Telegram messaging app unless the company agrees to delete content from a banned political party. Information and Communications Minister Dauren Abayev wrote in a blog post on April 3 that his office has submitted its request to the company directly, asking for the removal of materials produced by the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan, or DVK.” READ MORE: https://eurasianet.org/s/kazakhstan-threatens-to-block-telegram

Kazakhstan: Criminal Probe of Media Outlets

Human Rights Watch says Kazakhstan should abolish criminal defamation, and stop using defamation and similar laws to harass journalists who are doing their jobs

Apr 6 — “Kazakhstan opened a criminal investigation of two prominent independent media outlets on March 30, 2018, for “disseminating knowingly false information,” Human Rights Watch said today.” READ MORE: https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/04/06/kazakhstan-criminal-probe-media-outlets

KYRGYZSTAN

Tradition and Changing Ideals Collide in Post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan

Some people in Kyrgyzstan believe that Nooruz collides with Muslim values, but the vast majority of the Kyrgyz still celebrate it anyway

Apr 4 — “Traditions are rituals that symbolize some element of its culture’s values, but what happens to these traditions as time passes and ideals begin to change? In post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan, some feel compelled to re-evaluate the traditions and rituals rooted in the ideals of the past as they redefine the relationship between their cultural and religious identities.” READ MORE: https://thediplomat.com/2018/04/tradition-and-changing-ideals-collide-in-post-soviet-kyrgyzstan/

Won’t Fade Away: Former, Current Kyrgyz Presidents On Collision Course

Ex-President Atambayev’s criticism of his successor may trigger a rift in their relationship

Apr 4 — “During the final months of Almazbek Atambaev’s term as Kyrgyz president last year, his candor rankled many inside and outside of Kyrgyzstan. Atambaev had kept a relatively low profile since officially leaving office on November 24, but after his election as head of the ruling Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) on March 31, Atambaev was back in front of a microphone and returned to making controversial comments– though this time about the man he selected and helped elect as president: Sooronbai Jeenbekov.” READ MORE: https://www.rferl.org/a/qishloq-ovozi-kyrgyzstan-atambaev-jeenbekov-collision-course/29144713.html

Kyrgyzstan: President begins clearing house of predecessor’s cadres

Under the pretext of fighting corruption, President Jeenbekov may get rid of his predecessor’s favorites in the higher echelons of power

Apr 4 — “The president of Kyrgyzstan, who has been in office since November, appears to have begun purging high-ranking security figures appointed by his predecessor, adding fuel to speculation of a rift among the two men.” READ MORE: https://eurasianet.org/s/kyrgyzstan-presidents-begins-clearing-house-of-predecessors-cadres

Kyrgyzstan: in Kazarman, nothing gold can stay

Mining gold is a troublesome, though lucrative, business in Kyrgyzstan — which often faces opposition from locals in gold-mining areas, which, in turn, scares off foreign investors in gold projects

Apr 5 — “The language of gold-making spills easily from people’s mouths in Kazarman. Every other townsperson can talk with the best of them about crushing ores, leaching by cyanide and roasting. For a little over 30 years, this town in west-central Kyrgyzstan, home to a giant Soviet-built smelter, has been all about gold.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/19576-kyrgyzstan-in-kazarman-nothing-gold-can-stay

Kyrgyzstan: Centerra to invest $25 million to extend Kumtor gold mine’s life

Kyrgyzstan’s agreement with Centerra is an important step forward and a good signal for investors, as it will help increase foreign direct investment in the country

Apr 6 — “Canadian Centerra Gold Inc intends to invest about $25 million in further geological exploration to extend the life of the Kumtor gold mine in Kyrgyzstan, Chief Executive Officer of Centerra Gold Inc., Scott Perry, sad at his meeting with Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Sapar Isakov on April 4.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/26-opinion-head/19581-kyrgyzstan-centerra-to-invest-25-million-to-extend-kumtor-gold-mine-s-life

TAJIKISTAN

Breaking Tajikistan’s banks: the north falters as ruling family cements position

As increasingly authoritarian President Emomali Rahmon has consolidated his grip on power in Tajikistan, his large family (including numerous in-laws) are taking control of the most lucrative business sectors in the country, squeezing out competitors with the help of servile government officials

Apr 3 — “When the chief executive of one of Tajikistan’s few banking success stories stepped down in February, something seemed odd. Surprise turned to amazement when the head of another flourishing lender resigned a couple of days later. The recent shakeup at Eskhata Bank and Imon International, which are both privately owned, has little to do with finance, however.” READ MORE: https://timesca.com/index.php/news/19566-breaking-tajikistan-s-banks-the-north-falters-as-ruling-family-cements-position

Tajikistan Resumes Supplying Uzbekistan with Electricity

As bilateral relations have warmed up, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are taking steps towards resurrecting the Central Asian unified power grid

Apr 4 — “Tajikistan has begun supplying Uzbekistan with electricity, Tajik media reported this week. According to RFE/RL’s Tajik Service, locally known as Radio Ozodi, after a nine-year interruption, the energy trade across the Tajik-Uzbek border has resumed. Specifically, Tajikistan has begun supplying Uzbekistan with electricity via a power line running from the Regar substation, near the city of Tursunzoda west of Dushanbe, to the Gulcha substation across the border in Uzbekistan.” READ MORE: https://thediplomat.com/2018/04/tajikistan-resumes-supplying-uzbekistan-with-electricity/

Tajikistan sees Kuwait as gateway to Arab world: minister

Tajikistan is courting rich Arab countries in attempts to attract much-needed investments in its economy

Apr 5 — “Kuwait acts as Tajikistan’s gateway to the Arab region and its key partner in the Middle East region, Nizomiddin Zohidi, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, said Wednesday. He made the remarks in a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) following his two-day official visit to Kuwait.” READ MORE: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-04/05/c_137088863.htm

Tajikistan Imprisons Rank-And-File Members Of The Islamic Party

Authorities in Tajikistan are prosecuting the banned Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan members, as Tajik President Rahmon has been consolidating his grip on power in the country

Apr 5 — “Once, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) shared power in the government of Tajikistan. The IRPT was the only registered Islamic political party not only in Tajikistan but anywhere in the former Soviet Union. Today in Tajikistan, you can’t even talk publicly about the IRPT without risking arrest, as was just seen.” READ MORE: https://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-irpt-islamic-party-rank-and-file-party-members/29148489.html

TURKMENISTAN

The Strangely Boring Visit Of Iran’s President To Turkmenistan

Iran has been losing influence in Central Asia and Turkmenistan in recent years as Arab countries have increased their presence in the region

Mar 30 — “Iranian President Hassan Rohani visited Turkmenistan on March 27-28 to meet with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov. It was the first time the two leaders of the neighboring countries had met since the two governments had a major falling out at the start of 2017 over Turkmen natural-gas supplies to Iran.” READ MORE: https://www.rferl.org/a/qishloq-ovozi-iran-rohani-turkmenistan-boring-visit/29135737.html

Iran Welcomes Gas Swap Deals With Turkmenistan

For gas-rich Turkmenistan, any way to diversify its natural-gas export routes is vital for maintaining the ailing economy afloat

Apr 3 — “Turkmenistan is exploring options on gas swap deals with Iran to export its fuel to markets further afield, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani reportedly said during a visit to Ashgabat on March 27. Speaking to reporters after his encounter with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, the Iranian leader expressed satisfaction with their exchange, CNBC reported.” READ MORE: https://financialtribune.com/articles/energy/83888/iran-welcomes-gas-swap-deals-with-turkmenistan

The rise of Serdar

Chronicles of Turkmenistan observer Kira Kramer explores the rapid career advancement of a potential successor to Turkmenistan’s authoritarian President

Apr 3 — “On 25 March regular Parliamentary elections were held in Turkmenistan. 284 candidates “fought” for 125 seats in the Parliament, including Serdar Berdymukhammedov, an incumbent Member of Parliament and the son of the President, whose victory was never in any doubt. Over the past year Serdar has appeared in various events together with his father, and sometimes even instead of him.” READ MORE: https://en.hronikatm.com/2018/04/the-rise-of-serdar/

UZBEKISTAN

As Authoritarianism Spreads, Uzbekistan Goes the Other Way

Despite the ongoing reforms and political changes, Uzbekistan is yet to do very much to improve its tarnished human-rights record

Apr 1 — “Unraveling a police state is never easy, and just how fraught the process can be has been playing out in a basement cell in Uzbekistan, a rare example of a country seeking to tame a vicious security apparatus at a time when many other nations are doing the opposite.” READ MORE: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/01/world/asia/uzbekistan-reform.html

Former Uzbek Deputy Security Service Chief Reportedly Detained In Purge

In recent months, Uzbekistan has arrested several former senior law enforcement officials, including a former top prosecutor and an ex-interior minister, as the Uzbek president is getting rid of the “old guard” in the security services

Apr 3 — “Uzbek police have detained a former deputy head of the country’s National Security Service, the latest in a series of high-profile arrests of senior law enforcement officials, Tashkent sources say. Hayot Sharifkhojaev was detained in a special raid on March 30, a police officer who took part in the operation told RFE/RL’s Uzbek Service on April 2.” READ MORE: https://www.rferl.org/a/former-uzbek-deputy-security-service-chief-detained-purge/29142457.html

Where Is Googoosha, the Missing Uzbek First Daughter?

Many think Gulnara Karimova may be dead, and there is no certain proof to the contrary

Apr 4 — “Every five to 10 minutes, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, a fresh group of Uzbek pilgrims troops into the tomb of their late president, the dictator Islam Karimov, to pay homage at his white onyx sarcophagus, and listen to prayers chanted in his honor.” READ MORE: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/world/asia/uzbekistan-islam-karimov-gulnara-karimova.html

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan: a welcome but fragile thaw

How Tajikistan and Uzbekistan pursue stability and cooperation in the coming years will have important implications for the entire Central Asian region

Apr 6 — “A rare summit held at the strategic crossroads of Russia and China last month signalled a welcome thaw between two regional rivals in Central Asia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, who has been in power since 1992, will likely use this reconciliation with his Uzbek counterpart, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as an opportunity to strengthen his patronage networks while cracking down further on any opposition.” READ MORE: https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/tajikistan-and-uzbekistan-welcome-fragile-thaw

AFGHANISTAN

The Taliban Have Gone High-Tech. That Poses a Dilemma for the U.S.

The military equipment used by Taliban militants is becoming more sophisticated, and the question is about the origin of that equipment

Apr 1 — “Once described as an ill-equipped band of insurgents, the Taliban are increasingly attacking security forces across Afghanistan using night-vision goggles and lasers that United States military officials said were either stolen from Afghan and international troops or bought on the black market.” READ MORE: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/01/world/asia/taliban-night-vision.html

Is Russia arming the Afghan Taliban?

Commander of US forces in Afghanistan accused Russia of exaggerating the number of Islamic State (IS) fighters in Afghanistan “to legitimise the actions of the Taliban and provide some degree of support to the Taliban”

Apr 2 — “The US accuses Russia of trying to destabilise Afghanistan by supporting the Taliban. Senior US officials have been saying for months that Moscow is even supplying the militants with weapons.” READ MORE: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41842285

Afghanistan is moving from stabilization to growth

The government of Afghanistan says it is doing its best to attract much-needed foreign investment in the war-torn country

Apr 4 — “Aside from the development of Afghanistan’s military capabilities and pursuing the peace process, the other equally important factor that will allow the country to achieve peace and stability is the economy. An economic transformation is taking place in Afghanistan right now, with a goal to boost private investment to create jobs and sustainable industries.” READ MORE: http://thehill.com/opinion/international/381582-afghanistan-is-moving-from-stabilization-to-growth

Opinion: What we’ve learned from Afghanistan — and what’s next?

A new look at international donor assistance to Afghanistan

Apr 5 — “When Afghanistan appears in the media, it is usually in the context of it being a war zone — the site, in fact, of the United States’ longest war. And that’s certainly true. But I have been lucky to see another side of the country — beyond the news headlines — where the Afghan government and international donors are making huge strides in economic development, health, education, and women’s empowerment.” READ MORE: https://www.devex.com/news/sponsored/opinion-what-we-ve-learned-from-afghanistan-and-what-s-next-91247

WORLD

The Rise of Regionalism in Central Asia?

Central Asia has long lacked regional cohesion, but that could be changing — largely thanks to the efforts taken by Uzbekistan’s president

Apr 2 — “Since his appointment in December 2016, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has focused on rekindling regional ties in Central Asia, which had long been neglected by his predecessor Islam Karimov. Mirziyoyev’s first official trip as president was to Turkmenistan, the most isolated of the five Central Asian republics. Most notably, Uzbekistan has also dropped its longstanding opposition to hydroelectric projects in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan – Karimov once threatened Tajikistan with war over the its proposed construction of the Rogun dam.” READ MORE: https://thediplomat.com/2018/04/the-rise-of-regionalism-in-central-asia/

Is China’s Belt and Road Initiative signaling the West’s setting sun?

Analyst says China ultimately seeks to create a belt of control throughout Eurasia — one that controls the flow of products, data and capital worldwide

Apr 5 — “While America, and Europe along with it, focuses on the Trump administration’s hawkish tendencies towards the Middle East, Russian influence, and far right fringes in Europe, China is changing the Eurasian geostrategic landscape, one infrastructure project at a time.” READ MORE: https://limacharlienews.com/business/china-belt-and-road-initiative/

Azerbaijan, Iran Reach Breakthrough on Disputed Fields in the Caspian Sea

The Azerbaijani-Iranian deal on the joint development of offshore hydrocarbon fields represents considerable progress toward the broader settlement of the legal status of the Caspian Sea

Apr 5 — “Iranian President Hassan Rouhani paid an official visit to Baku, Azerbaijan, on March 28. During the visit, Azerbaijan and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on joint development of offshore hydrocarbon fields in the Caspian Sea” READ MORE: https://jamestown.org/program/azerbaijan-iran-reach-breakthrough-on-disputed-fields-in-the-caspian-sea/