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
Religion Blamed For Parents’ Refusals To Vaccinate Kids In Kazakhstan
A growing number of parents in Kazakhstan are refusing to inoculate their children based on religious objections
March 19 — “Earlier this month, at a tense town-hall-style meeting in a western region of Kazakhstan regarded as a hotbed for Islamic fundamentalism, physicians, religious leaders, and local government officials debated the fate of the next generation.” READ MORE: http://www.rferl.org/a/kazakhstan-vaccines-tense-town-hall-meeting-islam/28378250.html
Kazakhstan’s Role In The Community Of Nations – Analysis
Strategically located at the heart of Central Asia, Kazakhstan has shown that it can contribute to international peace and stability
March 19 — “On 28 June 2016, Kazakhstan won a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) after outvoting ASEAN-backed Thailand to represent the Asia-Pacific in the UN body.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasiareview.com/19032017-kazakhstans-role-in-the-community-of-nations-analysis/
What New Reforms in Kazakhstan Suggest About a Future Political Transition
In an interview, Marlene Laruelle, director of the Central Asia program at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University, discusses what Kazakh constitutional reforms could mean for President Nazarbayev
March 21 — “Kazakhstan’s parliament has approved reforms that would decentralize power in the Central Asian nation, potentially giving parliament and the Cabinet more control over key duties such as managing the economy.” READ MORE: http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/trend-lines/21598/what-new-reforms-in-kazakhstan-suggest-about-a-future-political-transition
Kazakhstan’s government is using social media to tame rebellion
Authorities in Kazakhstan control the Internet and social media to prevent their use for undermining the ruling regime, and to keep stability in the country
March 22 — “Until the mid-2000s, one would rarely associated the word “high-tech” with the country of Kazakhstan. Internet penetration hovered at 3% in 2005, and Kazakh authorities generally neglected the internet and social media.” READ MORE: https://scroll.in/article/832423/kazakhstans-government-is-using-social-media-to-tame-rebellion
New international tourism route through Kazakhstan to launch in April
The new Silk Road tourist route will run through Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
March 22 — “A new international tourism route passing through Kazakhstan will be launched in April, Marat Igaliyev, head of the Tourism Industry Department of the Kazakh Ministry of Investment and Development announced recently.” READ MORE: http://astanatimes.com/2017/03/new-international-tourism-route-through-kazakhstan-to-launch-in-april/
Brothers Again: Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan — Central Asia’s largest economies — are making efforts to boost bilateral ties in different spheres
March 24 — “Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited his Kazakh counterpart Nursultan Nazarbayev in Astana.” READ MORE: http://thediplomat.com/2017/03/brothers-again-uzbekistan-and-kazakhstan/
KYRGYZSTAN
China, Kyrgyzstan vow to upgrade military ties
In addition to its strong economic presence, China is now increasing its military influence in Kyrgyzstan
March 21 — “China and Kyrgyzstan have expressed their intention to upgrade bilateral military ties, the China Military Online website reported on 20 March. ‘Bilateral relations have reached an unprecedented high level,’ General Fang Fenghui, a member of China’s Central Military Commission, was quoted as saying following a 17 March meeting in Beijing with Major General Rayimberdi Duishenbiev, chief of General Staff of the Kyrgyz Armed Forces.” READ MORE: http://www.janes.com/article/68853/china-kyrgyzstan-vow-to-upgrade-military-ties
Kyrgyzstan: Court Freezes Accounts of Troubled Media Outlets
The standoff between the Kyrgyz president and independent media outlets has taken a new twist
March 22 — “A court in Kyrgyzstan has frozen the bank accounts of two media outlets facing libel lawsuits mounted on behalf of the president by the General Prosecutor’s Office. Bishkek city court on March 22 ruled that assets belonging to RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz service, Radio Azattyq, and news website Zanoza.kg should be frozen pending hearings over their alleged “spread of dishonest information” about President Almazbek Atambayev.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/82946
Kyrgyz Village Life Not So Tranquil In Shadow Of Uzbek Training Ground
The unresolved Kyrgyz-Uzbek border demarcation issue is leaving its mark on the lives of residents of near-border areas in southern Kyrgyzstan
March 22 — “Yntymak is not at war, but you wouldn’t know it from talking to the people who live in the southern Kyrgyz border village.” READ MORE: http://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-uzbekistan-border-village-shadow-firing-range/28383875.html
Kyrgyz President ‘Ready’ To Take RFE/RL Lawsuit To ‘International Courts’
Authorities in Kyrgyzstan have targeted independent media outlets for “slander” and “insult” of the president
March 24 — “Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev says he is prepared to take his allegations of slander against RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service to “international courts.” Speaking on March 24 in Bishkek, Atambaev also said he wants to complain about RFE/RL’s Kyrgyz Service — known locally as Azattyk, or Liberty — to U.S. President Donald Trump during a visit to Washington he hopes to make in September.” READ MORE: http://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-atambaev-ready-to-take-rferl-lawsuit-international-courts/28389282.html
TAJIKISTAN
C.C.Yu: Tajikistan needs to attract investors and keep them in the country
Along with Chinese government and banks, ADB is among the largest institutional investors in Tajikistan’s economy
March 17 — “The Asian Development Bank’s country director in Tajikistan C.C.Yu is completing his term in the country. In an exclusive interview to the Asia-Plus, Mr. Yu said that he over-enjoyed the hospitality of the country 4 years and 4 months.” READ MORE: https://www.news.tj/en/news/tajikistan/economic/20170317/ccyu-tajikistan-needs-to-attract-investors-and-keep-them-in-the-country
Tajikistan On Track To Be The Next Afghanistan
Analyst says Tajikistan has the potential to become the next terrorist hotspot as a host of factors converge to put the small Central Asian nation at serious risk
March 22 — “The recent publication of an expanded list of alleged terrorist groups and their sponsors by the National Bank of Tajikistan highlights the country’s growing concern about both domestic and international terrorist threats. The list includes over two hundred individuals as well as fifteen organizations; including the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT). The inclusion of the IRPT on this list is important as it further highlights the de-legitimization of Tajikistan’s only recognized Islamic political party.” READ MORE: https://fronteranews.com/news/mena/tajikistan-on-track-to-be-the-next-afghanistan/
Tajik Opposition Leader Challenges Imprisonment Of Lawyer, Businessman
In a rare move for increasingly authoritarian Tajikistan, a politician has expressed disagreement with the authorities’ decision concerning opposition figures
March 22 — “The head of an opposition party in Tajikistan has openly challenged the imprisonment of a human rights lawyer and an opposition businessman, a rare move in the tightly controlled Central Asian nation.” READ MORE: http://www.rferl.org/a/tajikistan-zoirov-imprisonment-yorov-saidov-rahmon/28384690.html
TURKMENISTAN
Boris Shikhmuradov was killed during Niyazov’s presidency
Independent Turkmen website reports that convicted former Turkmen foreign minister under Niyazov was executed several years ago
March 16 — “According to data obtained by us from various sources over several years, the former Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkmenistan Boris Shikhmuradov, along with several individuals convicted in connection with the alleged assassination attempt on Niyazov, were shot in prison BL-T/5.” READ MORE: http://en.chrono-tm.org/2017/03/boris-shikhmuradov-was-killed-during-niyazovs-presidency/
The Central Asia-China Gas Pipeline Network: Line D(ead)
Turkmenistan will now not be able to increase natural gas exports to China, the only buyer of Turkmen gas
March 21 — “The pipeline, which would have carried some 30 bcm of Turkmen gas to Chinese markets, had been running on fumes for over a year, with construction having already stalled in both Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The recent announcement, then, was simple confirmation of a reality a long time coming.” READ MORE: http://thediplomat.com/2017/03/the-central-asia-china-gas-pipeline-network-line-dead/
Turkmenistan leader’s son gets senior parliament job
In the authoritarian Turkmenistan, there are perhaps two most likely power succession options: either the incumbent president will rule for life or he will name his only son as the successor
March 21 — “The government daily Neutral Turkmenistan reported Tuesday that Serdar Berdymukhamedov has become the chairman of the parliament’s legal affairs committee. He previously had served as head of the Foreign Ministry’s information department.” READ MORE: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/03/21/turkmenistan-leader-son-gets-senior-parliament-job.html
Man Bites Dog: Turkmen President Puts Indoor Games’ Mascot On Tight Leash
Despite the economic crisis caused by lower world prices for natural gas, Turkmenistan has spent billions of dollars preparing for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, the most prominent international event ever held in the country since independence
March 22 — “Just weeks after unveiling Vepaly, a cartoonish depiction of the ancient Alabai breed of Central Asian shepherd dog, as the mascot for the largest international sporting event that Turkmenistan has ever hosted, the country’s authoritarian president has unexpectedly told officials he’s not satisfied.” READ MORE: http://www.rferl.org/a/turkmenistan-vepaly-mascot-berdymukhammedov-displeased-asian-indoor-games/28384656.html
UZBEKISTAN
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Dream of Surge in Trade and Freer Borders
After visiting Turkmenistan earlier this month, the new Uzbek president paid a state visit to Kazakhstan. The moves show that Tashkent’s relations with Central Asian neighbors have a priority over ties with Russia
March 23 — “Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev has hailed what he described as the fall of barriers dividing his nation and Uzbekistan since the ascent to power of Uzbek leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The two met for a high-spirited talks in Astana on March 23 that focused as much as anything on mutual admiration.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/82961
CNPC pushes ahead with upstream plans in Uzbekistan
Along with Russia’s Lukoil, China remains a major player in Uzbekistan’s oil and gas sector
March 23 — “A subsidiary of state-owned China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) has said it plans to begin developing a trio of gas fields in Uzbekistan in the second half of this year.
The announcement comes just weeks after reports emerged that CNPC had shelved construction of a pipeline through Uzbek territory that would have pumped gas to the Chinese market.” READ MORE: http://www.yourindustrynews.com/cnpc+pushes+ahead+with+upstream+plans+in+uzbekistan_140945.html
Almaty – Toshkent wide-bodied Talgo service to launch
The launch of a new passenger rail service along Almaty-Tashkent route is a move to improve ties and transport links between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
March 23 — “The national railways of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed to launch a passenger service between Almaty and Toshkent using wide-bodied coaches developed by Talgo. The trains will depart from Almaty on Saturdays and Mondays and from Toshkent on Sundays and Tuesdays, with a journey time of 16 h for the 964 km route calling at Otar, Shu, Taraz, Shymkent and Saryagash.” READ MORE: http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/news/asia/single-view/view/almaty-toshkent-wide-bodied-talgo-service-to-launch.html
AFGHANISTAN
Central Asia’s Anxious Watch On The Afghan Border
Qishloq Ovozi, a blog by RFE/RL Central Asia specialist Bruce Pannier, takes a look at what has been happening recently in the northern Afghan provinces that border Tajikistan and Turkmenistan
March 21 — “The view south from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan as spring sets in must be cause for some apprehension. Across the border, the security situation in northern Afghanistan has been sharply deteriorating since 2014.” READ MORE: http://www.rferl.org/a/central-asia-anxious-afghan-border/28382448.html
Illiteracy Rate in Afghanistan is Terrible: Danish
The high illiteracy rate in Afghanistan is among the reasons of religious extremism and insurgency in the country
March 23 — “Second vice president said 64 percent of people in Afghanistan over the age of 15 are illiterate and that the country needs to fight this phenomenon.” READ MORE: http://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/illiteracy-rate-afghanistan-terrible-danish
US “Failures” in Afghanistan. US Military Still There
Report of Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, prepared for the US Congress and the Trump administration, finds what should be called a magnanimous failure of the US in achieving its major objectives in Afghanistan
March 24 — “Ironic though it may sound, this report, along with its list of grave threats that the US needs to tackle, endorses the war as, what Trump himself has called, totally “disastrous” for the US. While the actual intention behind the preparation of this report seems to be to impress upon the president and the Congress to sanction more funds, commit more US troops and continue the rehabilitation programme (read: Trump has vowed to end the programme), it ends up enlisting the US’ multiple failures in Afghanistan, ranging from eliminating the Taliban completely to restoring even a semblance of peace and establishing a strong security force in the war torn country.” READ MORE: http://www.globalresearch.ca/us-failures-in-afghanistan-us-military-still-there/5581383
Op-Ed: U.S. aims to defeat Islamic State in Afghanistan in 2017
Although Islamic State militants do not pose a serious threat in Afghanistan as yet as compared to the threat posed by the Taliban, the group’s strength and influence may increase in the future
March 24 — “United States military officials said that US forces in Afghanistan would be upping the fight against ISIS-K or the Islamic State (IS), Khorasan Province branch, and are determined to defeat the group this year.” READ MORE: http://www.digitaljournal.com/news/world/op-ed-usa-aims-to-defeat-islamic-state-in-afghanistan-in-2017/article/488648
WORLD
Saudi Arabia, China Sign Deals Worth Up to $65 Billion
China is making inroads into the Middle East as part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative
March 16 — “Flanked by a thousand-person entourage, Saudi Arabian King Salman traveled to China Thursday to deepen economic ties between the world’s biggest oil exporter and the world’s second-largest oil consumer. During his meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, King Salman oversaw the signing of up to $65 billion worth of economic and trade deals.” READ MORE: http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/03/16/saudi-arabia-china-sign-deals-worth-65-billion-boost-trade-ties-oil-energy-one-belt-one-road-saudi-vision-2030/
Central Asia: Chinese Authorities on High Alert in Xinjiang Over IS Threat
Beijing is concerned that ethnic Uighur separatists in Xinjiang would some day receive support from the Islamic State
March 22 — “Chinese authorities are on high alert in western Xinjiang Province after the appearance of an Islamic State propaganda video featuring militants from China’s Uighur ethnic minority group. In the 30-minute video, released in late February by the Al-Furat Province division of the Islamic State (IS) in western Iraq, heavily armed fighters and children give speeches, pray, and even kill ‘informants’.” READ MORE: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/82941
Countries look to extend economic cooperation
China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union have good opportunities to increase coordination and economic cooperation
March 23 — “The May 8 agreement reached by President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on their respective strategies is expected to lead to a new regional cooperation model for China, Russia and the core Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.” READ MORE: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2017-03/23/content_28650979.htm
Russia needs a strong Central Asia to combat terrorism
Russian journalist says Russia’s national security is threatened by possible destabilization in neighboring Central Asian countries that are a buffer between the Russian Federation and Islamist fighters
March 23 — “Central Asia has long been considered part of Russia’s footprint, not least because several million Russian-speaking people — mostly in Kazakhstan (3,644,529), Kyrgyzstan (364,600) and Uzbekistan (650,000) — share a sense of belonging to its culture and history. However, this is not the only reason Moscow is paying attention to events in Central Asia.” READ MORE: http://www.atimes.com/russia-needs-strong-central-asia-combat-terrorism/
