Kyrgyz Pupils Took Part in Festival of National Cultures in Moscow
July 19th, 2008
Elena tells that pupils-winners of school olympiads from Kyrgyzstan took part in the festival of national cultures (ENG).
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan Don’t Pass the Kyrgyz Water to Kazakhstan
July 19th, 2008
Elena reports that Uzbekistan and Tajikistan don’t pass through water from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan (RUS).
Friday Photo: Horses
July 18th, 2008
MissLuckyAndCrazy posts beautiful pictures of the horses pastured high in the mountains in southern Kazakhstan (ENG, RUS)
The Kyrgyz Taigan As a New Brand of Kyrgyzstan
July 18th, 2008
Elena tells that the Kyrgyz breed of dog Taigan (the Kyrgyz Greyhound) could become a new brand of Kyrgyzstan (RUS).
Bakiev Met Medvedev
July 18th, 2008
Elena reports about recent meeting of the Presidents of Russia and Kyrgyzstan (ENG).
The Rise of Kazakh Military
July 17th, 2008
Adam tells that new types of ammunition, designed in Israel, but made in Kazakhstan, comply with the world trends in the sphere of design of high-precision weaponry (ENG).
How to support corruption
July 17th, 2008
Adam Kesher tells about new traffic regulation in Kazakhstan, which are to make the rules stricter, but hardly will eliminate corruption in traffic police (RUS).
Unpack the National Fund
July 17th, 2008
Zhanna Zhukova reports that the business association of Kazakhstan came out with the demand to use money from the National Fund to solve urgent problems in the crediting sector of economy (RUS).
Google Earth pictures of Kagan, Bukhara
July 17th, 2008
Libertad uploads Google Earth photos of blast-torn city Kagan (ENG).
Kagan residents are being evacuated again
July 17th, 2008
Libertad informs readers about Kagan residents being evacuated again and puts photos of the evacuation (ENG).
Central Asia strategy
July 16th, 2008
Phillip posts his impressions of a panel discussion of the German Association for Eastern European Studies about the Central Asia strategy of the European Union (ENG).
9 People Were Confirmed to Have Anthrax
July 16th, 2008
Elena reports that nine people were confirmed to have anthrax and one person died from anthrax (RUS).
Mittal’s Business Still Under Risk in Kazakhstan
July 16th, 2008
Adam Kesher reflects on the recent developments around Arcelor Mittal’s enterprise in Kazakhstan against the background of evolving resource nationalism trends in Kazakhstan and consolidation of major industries in hands of the state (ENG).
Social Fund Needs to Increase Pensions Minimum
July 15th, 2008
Elena reports that President set a task before social fund to increase pensions minimum by 15% (ENG).
The young Kazakh journalists get united
July 15th, 2008
The Kostanay (North Kazakhstan) regional administration supported the forum of young journalists and promotes improvement of quality of journalistic works in the city media (KAZ)
Astana as a tool for nationalization
July 15th, 2008
Askhat writes that after the Astana anniversary celebrations, a foreign web-site published an article which raised the view that the holiday was used as an instrument for showcase of the new national identity (KAZ)
Double Standards Exposed
July 15th, 2008
Adam reviews the article in London’s Sunday Times about a Kazakh odious politician’s participation in the journalists investigation into lobbying patterns (RUS).
Restriction Of Use of Electric Power Will Start in August
July 14th, 2008
Elena writes about the begining of the limitations of electric power in August (RUS).
Young Talents Devote Their Works to Chingiz Aitmatov
July 14th, 2008
Elena announces about a future exhibition of young talents devoted to writer Chingiz Aitmatov’s (ENG).
Dispute on money for Whitney’s performance on Astana bithday
July 14th, 2008
Askhat reviews the internet posts after the Astana holiday and writes that the audience was dissatisfied with Whitney Houston concert at the celebration of Astana, and American readers are wondering where the money for new buildings in Astana come from (KAZ)
Mega Media Holding
July 14th, 2008
Adam reports on creation of a new Kazakh media holding company, made up of state-owned and - of course - pro-government outlets (ENG).
Friday Photo: Bayterek, Almaty-Style
July 14th, 2008
Adam posts a picture of the copy of Bayterek tower in Almaty. As believed, the similar copies are to be installed in all major cities of Kazakhstan (ENG, RUS).
Podcast: Eyewitness story about the explosions in Kagan
July 12th, 2008
Rashid uploads a podcast where eyewitness tells about the explosions in Kagan town in Bukhara region of Uzbekistan (RUS).
Joys of traveling to Uzbekistan or…
July 12th, 2008
Mansurhon links to a blog that shares its authors good and bad experiences as a tourist in Bukhara (ENG).
Pictures of Kagan, Bukhara
July 12th, 2008
Libertad writes about the explosions in Kagan town near Bukhara city, and uploads its Google Earth pictures (ENG).
Bauhaus Photography Exhibition Opened in Bishkek
July 10th, 2008
Elena reflects on the exhibition Bauhaus Photography in Bishkek (ENG).
Site of the Opposition Party Hacked
July 10th, 2008
Elena reports about a hacker’s attack on the site of the opposition party “Ata-Meken” (RUS).
Explosions in Bukhara
July 10th, 2008
Libertad writes about the night explosions in Bukhara and uploads its first video (ENG).
Missing the old Kazakh capital
July 10th, 2008
Erbol writes that many Kazakh bright scientist was born in Kyzylorda which was the second capital of Kazakh Republic (Kaz).
Any Chance for Democratization?
July 10th, 2008
Adam reflects on the political developments in Kazakhstan in light of its future OSCE chairmanship (ENG).
on April 28th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
Well, the Eurasianet version of what was said leaves out a lot that Ambramson and Khamidov discussed. In my opinion, it is misleading at best and dishonest at worst. For an honest discussion to take place, people need to listen to the audio download of the panel discussion and note some important points.
For example:
* Khamidov stated that there was a reduced threat from Islamic extremists in the region due to three primary factors: (1) effective repression by Central Asian governments; (2) emigration of young men (”the usual suspects” ) to work in Russia; (3) internal squabbles among extremist groups.
Khamidov is no defender of Karimov. He noted that his sister is married to a member of a Jamoyat, and charged he was wrongly accused of terrorism by Uzbekistan and had his American visa delayed as a result of the mixup.
*Abramson, on the other hand, appeared not to see a problem because he is not a secularist and apparently unlike Khamidov does not object to Islamism per se. He concluded his talk by stating that he believed that Uzbekistan would come under Sha’aria after Karimov leaves power, so long as Karimov cannot appoint his own successor. Abramson and Eurasia might not think this outcome to be “significant,” however most non-Islamists would find the imposition of Islamic law in a secular, modernizing, post-Soviet state to be a significant development. (It’s not going to happen, IMHO, because most Central Asians are closer in attitude to Khamidov than Abramson).
While Soros-OSI is to be congratulated for holding the forum and making the discussion available on the internet, Eurasianet’s summary is neither accurate, nor complete. In fairness to Eursianet readers, they might do well to post a complete transcript of this “significant” discussion.
on April 28th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
I might add that Khamidov said that improving economic conditions are another factor in declining support for Islamist extremism in Central Asia.
For the record, Khamidov said he is a secularist.
on May 1st, 2006 at 9:51 am
People can listen to the whole panel session (about 1.5 hours) here: http://www.soros.org/initiatives/cep/events/ferghana_2006_0404/
Yes, the recap is not covering all points. Yet that does not diminishes the relevance of some of the points that are represented.
For the record, Khamidov also pointed to the social capital that Islamic faith-based groups (not always the same as ‘Islamist’) have, especially reg. to smoothing ethnic tensions.
“Uzbekistan would come under Sha’aria after Karimov leaves power, so long as Karimov cannot appoint his own successor.”
Yes, this is quite improbable.
In fact, the ‘Karimov-or-the-Shariah’ mantra (I do not say Abramson prones that yet it exists) has been the prime alibi through which the rogue regime in Tashkent has been legitimizing itself since the mid-90s.
Once the karimovites and their cronies are driven out, it is most likely that Islam will be more ‘visible’ and socially active in Uzbekistan, at least in some parts and among certain coats of society; but that is not necessarily ‘extremism’ or ‘Shariah rule’.
Or is it?