Page 806 – The Times Of Central Asia

23 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Features, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan Features, Turkmenistan Features, Features, Kyrgyzstan Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Tajikistan Warns Against “Unverified” Reports About Moscow Attack

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Tajikistan is warning against “fake information” about the alleged role of Tajik citizens in the attack that killed more than 100 people at a concert venue in Moscow.

Tajikistan’s foreign ministry said on Saturday that it had not received confirmation from Russian authorities about any involvement of Tajiks in the attack at the Crocus City complex. The ministry asked media to rely on “official information” distributed by Russian authorities.

The Afghanistan branch of the Islamic State group (ISKP) claimed responsibility for the mass shooting on Friday night. Telegram and other social media platforms are swirling with allegations that Tajik citizens were involved. Large numbers of Tajik migrants live in Russia, many enduring difficult conditions in hostels while struggling to find work.

“We emphasize that the Tajik side has not received any confirmation from the Russian authorities regarding the currently circulating fake information about the involvement of citizens of Tajikistan,” the ministry said in a statement.

“Keep in mind that the dissemination of unverified and unreliable information could harm the citizens of Tajikistan currently abroad,” the ministry said.

Russia said it has arrested 11 suspects and that an investigation is ongoing.

Tajikistan was among several Central Asian states that condemned the attack and sent condolences to relatives and friends of the dead.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan spoke by telephone to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, Kazakhstan’s presidential press office said.

“The head of our state strongly condemned the brutal act of violence against civilians and reaffirmed solidarity with Russia in the fight against terrorism,” the press office said.

Kazakhstan has offered the help of its law enforcement agencies to Russia if needed and Uzbekistan’s presidential office said those responsible for the attack “will be assured of the inevitability of punishment.”

Several bouquets of flowers were laid outside the Russian embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Video recorded by witnesses at the Moscow venue showed several gunmen roaming the atrium and other parts of the entertainment complex, opening fire on civilians. A large blaze also broke out at the building during the attack and was later extinguished.

On Feb. 27, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke of threats coming from extremists in Afghanistan and prioritized “ensuring military security in the Central Asian strategic area.”

Shoigu said the number of ISKP militants in Afghanistan had increased by 15% in the past year. He said their key objectives were to spread radical ideology and to conduct subversive activities on the southern borders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

The organization, CSTO, is a Russian-led security alliance that includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

“Radicals from Central Asia have accounted for a notable share of recent Islamic State-inspired or -directed plots and attacks in the United States, Europe, Turkey, and Iran,” Lucas Webber and Riccardo Valle wrote in a Hudson Institute analysis last year.

In September 2022, ISKP – which vehemently opposes Russia’s support for the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria – claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at the Russian embassy in Kabul which left six dead.

Despite repeatedly warnings from foreign sources – including the U.S. – that an attack was imminent, survivors have apparently reported that the guards did not check bags and clothes before entering the arena, metal detectors were turned off, and automatic fire extinguishers failed to function.

Three of the alleged attackers; photo: rian_ru

23 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan Features, Tajikistan Features, Turkmenistan Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kyrgyzstan Features

Russia Detains Suspects with Tajik Passports – Death Toll Rises to 133

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Russia has announced the arrest of eleven individuals, including four who are suspected of carrying out a deadly shooting at a concert hall near Moscow, marking the most lethal incident of its kind in the country in two decades. The attack, which resulted in the death of 143 people and counting, according to state TV, was claimed by the Islamic State militant group. However, Russian authorities are trying to forge a potential connection to Ukraine, despite strong denials from Ukrainian officials regarding any involvement. The death toll was later revised to 133.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia has reported the apprehension of the “four terrorists” as they were allegedly attempting to cross into Ukraine, repeatedly mentioning that the suspects had connections within Ukraine. They are currently being transported to Moscow for further investigation. Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, expressed on Telegram that the suspects had intended to flee to Ukraine to evade capture, stating, “Now we know in which country these bloody bastards planned to hide from pursuit.”

In response to Moscow’s attempts to pin the atrocity on Ukraine and bolster waning support for Putin’s war, Andriy Yusov, a spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence, refuted the claims of Ukraine’s involvement, emphasizing his nation’s focus on defending its sovereignty and targeting military objectives, not civilians. He dismissed the FSB’s assertion regarding the suspects’ intended escape to Ukraine as another fabrication by Russian intelligence services. No evidence has been presented to support the theory of a Ukrainian link.

Russian lawmaker Alexander Khinshtein revealed that the assailants had escaped in a Renault vehicle, which was later identified by police in the Bryansk region, approximately 210 miles southwest of Moscow. Upon refusal to comply with police instructions to stop, the vehicle was searched, uncovering a pistol, an assault rifle magazine, and passports from Tajikistan. In a video shown on state TV, a suspect stated that he had been paid 500,000 roubles ($5,425) by unknown people via Telegram to carry out the atrocity.

23 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan Features, Tajikistan Features, Turkmenistan Features, Kyrgyzstan Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Central Asian States Respond to Moscow Attacks

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

ALMATY, Kazakhstan – Central Asian countries have denounced the attack on a Moscow concert hall that killed more than 60 people, with Kazakhstan offering the help of its law enforcement agencies to Russia if needed. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the mass shooting on Friday night.

“Kazakhstan strongly condemns the terrorist act against civilians in Moscow,” Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said in a statement. He expressed condolences in a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged United Nations member states to unanimously condemn the attack.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also sent condolencesto relatives of the dead and wishes for the quick recovery of the injured. More than 140 people were injured, according to Russian authorities. Video recorded by witnesses showed several gunmen roaming the concert hall, opening fire on civilians. A large blaze also broke out at the building during the attack.

Uzbekistan “firmly condemns this act of terrorism directed against civilians, and the organizers and executors of this crime will be assured of the inevitability of punishment,” the president’s press service said.

The claim of responsibility could not be immediately confirmed, and it was unclear whether there was a link to Islamic State extremists in Afghanistan.

On Feb. 27, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke of threats coming from extremists in Afghanistan and prioritized “ensuring military security in the Central Asian strategic area.”

Shoigu said the number of Islamic State militants in Afghanistan had increased by 15% in the past year. He said their key objectives were to spread radical ideology and to conduct subversive activities on the southern borders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

The organization, CSTO, is a Russian-led security alliance that includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Image above credit: Reuters

22 Mar 2024

Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Features

Kyrgyzstan to Start Producing Chevrolet, Isuzu Cars This Year

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

A joint Kyrgyz-Uzbek factory for the production of Chevrolet and Isuzu cars is currently under construction in Kyrgyzstan.

Several years ago the Kyrgyz and Uzbek governments agreed to build the plant, near Bishkek. Since then the authorities of both countries have been solving legal and investment issues related to the project. They also discussed taxation of the new enterprise and a grace period to allow the plant to get up and running. As a result, at the beginning of 2023 Kyrgyz deputies approved the agreement and the builders started to erect production lines for the car assembly plant. The parties wanted to launch the plant last year, but the deadlines for completion of work were repeatedly pushed back.

Production of Chevrolet and Isuzu cars began in Uzbekistan in 2007 at a joint venture Daewoo plant. As representatives of the Uzbek company noted earlier, Kyrgyzstan is one of the priority markets for the expansion of production, as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan road corridor reduces the time it takes to deliver components, making car assembly cheaper.

According to the Kyrgyz government, the plant should begin operations in the second quarter of this year, and the first car should roll off the assembly line in late May. At the initial stage, Uzbekistan’s UzAuto Motors should invest $50 million and produce 10,000 cars in the first year — with the enterprise creating more than 1,000 permanent jobs. The first model produced at the plant will be the Chevrolet Nexia R3.

According to agreements between Bishkek and Tashkent, the first stage will include Uzbekistan bringing components in the form of large assemblies ready for installation into Kyrgyzstan. During the second stage, targeted to start in four years, the plant will produce automobile components independently — and produce about 20,000 cars a year. In the sixth year of operation, according to the plan, the Kyrgyz plant will perform a variety of technological operations, including body welding and painting, and should produce about 30,000 cars per year.

22 Mar 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan International Affairs, Uzbekistan Local Politics

EU Looks to Help Uzbekistan Develop Vocational Education

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The UNESCO office in Uzbekistan participated in the opening ceremony of the renovated Karauzyak Agro-Economic Technical School in Karakalpakstan, which was renovated within the framework of the project, Skills Development for Rural Employment in Uzbekistan, funded by the EU. The renovation of the 1,423 square meter college included laying new floors, installing ceilings, and improving lighting to create a comfortable educational experience. The project also provided the college with the technical equipment necessary for various educational programs.

The EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Charlotte Adrian, UNESCO Representative in Uzbekistan, Sara Noshadi, as well as education officials, teachers and students of the college visited the renovated campus.

Utkir Alijanov, head of the Vocational Education Development Department at the Ministry of Higher Education, said that “within the framework of this project, we have not only revised material and technical aspects, but also updated educational and regulatory documents for specialties integral to agriculture, ensuring their compliance with European standards. The invaluable contribution of our foreign partners and cooperating experts played a key role in this endeavor.”

The Karauzyak Technical School of Agroeconomics was founded in 1988 and trains young people in 15 professional areas. This year, it has 155 students – twice as many as last year.

Sara Noshadi noted that UNESCO seeks to invest not only in immediate results, but at long-term, forward-looking support. Since 2020, UNESCO, with financial support from the EU, has been developing a strategy for technical and vocational education and training in Uzbekistan to provide the population, especially young people, with the necessary vocational skills to access better employment opportunities.

Earlier this year, President Mirziyoyev criticized the organization of secondary vocational education in the country, noting that the work of vocational education institutions is far from ideal. In this regard, the overwhelming majority of Uzbekistan’s labor migrants abroad are engaged in physically demanding, low-skilled and low-paid work.

22 Mar 2024

Home, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan Ranked Among 50 Happiest Countries in the World

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

In the recently published UN and Gallup World Happiness Report 2024, Kazakhstan was ranked among the top 50 happiest countries in the world, ahead of Russia, Armenia and Georgia. However, the Baltic States and Uzbekistan returned higher happiness scores on the index.

This rating, presented on March 20, was developed on the basis of a three-year study conducted by UN experts, Gallup and other scientists. Citizens of different countries assessed their quality of life by taking into account a variety of factors, including economic status, GDP, life expectancy, major life challenges, sense of freedom, public responsiveness, and the level of corruption. These interdisciplinary studies help the understanding of how different aspects of life interact and influence the overall sense of happiness.

TCA asked citizens from across Kazakhstan about the their feelings regarding the level of happiness presented in the report, and met with mixed feelings.

“Frankly speaking, I don’t have such a feeling,” Alua, a 21-year-old pedagogical student from Taraz told TCA. “After all, food prices are rising almost daily, and wages are not growing as fast. Also, conditions in state institutions haven’t changed much, especially in healthcare and education.”

“I’ve seen this rating, but prices are rising so quickly that Almaty has become the most expensive city in Central Asia,” Sanzhar, a 22-year-old CMM specialist from Almaty commented.

“To be honest, I don’t think there have been any significant changes that mean we’re happier than before,” Merey, a 28-year-old singer from Astana told TCA. “The only thing maybe because the coronavirus pandemic was in full swing three years ago, so compared to that the situation is much better now, so people think they’ve become happier. However, the socio-economic situation in the country hasn’t changed that much, so it’s strange for me to hear that people in our country are happier than in Georgia, for example.”

Comments from others, however, suggest that life in Kazakhstan is improving year on year.

“Yes, I feel the changes,” Raushan, a 40-year-old Art Historian from Almaty stated. “There is less discrimination due to language barriers, and there’s a growing interest in traditional nomadic culture which leads to the creative development of young talents who are able to make a name for themselves internationally. All this strengthens their faith and motivation to move forward with creative ideas and learn ways to promote their creativity.”

“Thanks to the internet and social networks people are aware of the inhuman things happening in the world. With all that is known, I think people in Kazakhstan are just happy to have a peaceful sky above their heads.” Tair, a 25-year-old businessman from Taraz told TCA.

“I’ve definitely seen an increase in happiness among people. It’s like the confidence in our security has gotten higher for me personally,” Merey, a 20-year-old student from Kostanai commented.