Kazakhstan to open plant in Kyrgyzstan, create 1,000 jobs

04.03.2011

Kazakhstan Avinu Company plans to build ferroalloy recycling plant in the town of Tash - Kumyr in Jalal - Abad region of Kyrgyzstan, said Acting Mayor Mamidaly Kuldyshev , Kazakhstan Today reported.

The construction of ferroalloy plant will begin in April, he said. A total of 22 hectares have been allocated for the plant area, equipment has already started to be delivered.

The project costs $75 million. The plant is expected to produce output worth $50-60 million

Around 1.3 million tons of coal was extracted in Tash-Kumyr in the soviet times. Currently the volume of coal production barely reaches 30,000 tons.

Source: Trend.
Link: http://en.trend.az/capital/business/1840467.html.

Turkey Eases Visa Regime For Kyrgyz, To Step Up Investment

February 04, 2011

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan and Turkey are planning to establish a no-visa regime for the two countries' citizens by the end of the year, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

On February 2, visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Kyrgyz counterpart, Almazbek Atambaev, signed several agreements on widening economic, political, and cultural ties between Bishkek and Ankara, including the document loosening visa requirements.

Currently Kyrgyz citizens are currently allowed to stay in Turkey for up to 30 days without a visa.

The agreement signed on February 2 prolongs the no-visa stay for Kyrgyz citizens in Turkey and Turkish citizens in Kyrgyzstan to 90 days. The agreement also states "the two countries will switch to a fully no-visa regime by the end of this year."

No further details were available.

Officials from the two sides also agreed to establish a Kyrgyz-Turkish intergovernmental council. The new council's first session is scheduled to be held in March in Turkey.

Erdogan told journalists in Bishkek that Turkey is ready to invest up to $450 million into the Kyrgyz economy. Atambaev stated that the first $10 million in investment has been granted by Ankara.

Erdogan arrived in Kyrgyzstan on February 1 and left Kyrgyzstan late the next day. He held meetings with President Roza Otunbaeva and other Kyrgyz officials and gave a speech in the Kyrgyz parliament.

Erdogan did not visit any other Central Asian countries on his trip.

Atambaev used to live in Turkey as a political refugee when Askar Akaev was Kyrgyz president.

Turkey, which shares linguistic similarities with the Turkic-speaking countries of Central Asia, was the first country to recognize the independence of Kyrgyzstan and the four other Central Asian countries in December 1991.

Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty.
Link: http://www.rferl.org/content/turkey_krygyzstan_visa_regime/2297575.html.

New governing coalition finally emerges in Kyrgyzstan

Fri, 17 Dec 2010

Bishkek/Moscow - Three Kyrgyz political parties have agreed on a new government coalition, local media reported Friday - two months after parliamentary elections were held in the conflict- plagued country.

The Social Democrats, who were involved in the overthrow of authoritarian president Kurmanbek Bakiyev in April, will supply the new prime minister - the pro-Russian politician Almasbek Atambayev.

The Respublika party founded by oil businessman Omurbek Babanov and the Ata Zhurt party are also to be part of the coalition.

What remains unclear is whether the alliance will hold, given past tensions between its members. Ata Zhurt had won the most national assembly seats in October, but had initially been shunned during the coalition talks because many of its members were Bakiyev supporters.

A prior coalition-forming attempt by the Social Democratic Party - at the request of President Rosa Otunbayeva - had recently failed. Babanov, of Respublika, then led the next effort.

The three-way coalition would control 77 seats in the 120-member national assembly.

Ata Zhurt's involvement is considered important because the party is based in southern Kyrgyzstan, which had been the scene of bloody ethnic clashes in June that killed an estimated 2,000 people.

Ata Zhurt had promised voters peace and economic progress.

Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic that neighbors China, is the first country in otherwise authoritatively governed Central Asia to have become a parliamentary democracy.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/358695,coalition-finally-emerges-kyrgyzstan.html.

Bounty offered for ex-Kyrgyz leader

Kyrgyzstan's interim government has offered up to 100,000 dollar bounty for information leading to the arrest of the country's ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

The interim government, which came to power after fierce clashes and protests last month, called for the extradition of the deposed president from Belarus, accusing him of being behind the killing of 85 protesters.

"The provisional government of Kyrgyzstan has promised to pay from 20,000 dollars to 100,000 dollars for concrete assistance in locating and capturing these criminals," AFP quoted an interim government commission statement as saying on Monday.

The other key figures of the previous government being in the wanted list of the interim government are Bakiyev's son Maxim as well as Bakiyev's brother Zhanysh, who is also blamed for ordering the security forces to use weapons against protesters.

The neighboring state of Berlarus gave the deposed Kyrgyz president shelter following his ouster from power.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=125274§ionid=351020406.

Son of ousted Kyrgyz president investigated for corruption

Bishkek/Moscow - The son of Kyrgyzstan's ousted president Kurmanbek Bakiyev has been implicated in a corruption scandal which involved fuel delivery to the US airbase in the country, local media reported Saturday.

According to investigators, the two airbase suppliers bought fuel from six Kyrgyz companies, who in turn bought fuel from Russia.

The Kyrgyz companies had belonged to Maxim Bakiyev, the state prosecutors office said. Maxim's father had relaxed import duties for his companies.

Numerous investigations have been launched into the activities of Kurmanbek Bakiyev's government, which has been accused of money laundering and abuse of office.

The interim government estimates that as much as 33 million euros (44 million dollars) could have been misappropriated by Bakiyev's inner circle alone.

Maxim Bakiyev, 33, former head of the state investment authority, has been accused of various corrupt activities. Like his father, he fled abroad when the government was overthrown in April.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/321544,son-of-ousted-kyrgyz-president-investigated-for-corruption.html.

Russia extradites Kyrgyz ex-minister

Russia has extradited Kyrgyzstan's former interior minister to the Central Asian country, following his arrest on unspecified charges over the weekend.

Moldomusa Kongantiyev was arrested in Moscow by Russian Special Forces and is now being held in Bishkek, the interim Kyrgyz government said.

Earlier this month, the former statesman was shown on TV, being beaten up by protesters.

This is the highest-profile arrest to date of a member of Kyrgyzstan's recently deposed government.

Analysts say the move is also a sign of strong Russian support for the interim Kyrgyz government, headed by a former foreign minister, Roza Otunbayeva.

The interim government came to powers following the April 7 bloody uprising, that toppled President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

More than 80 people died in the unrest, after the former administration allegedly ordered troops to open fire on protesters.

The former president has accused Russia of leading the upsurge over anger at Bakiyev's decision to keep a US airbase in Kyrgyzstan.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=124489§ionid=351020406.

Kyrgyzstan interim government sets elections schedule

Bishkek/Moscow - The interim government in Kyrgystan, seeking to restore political stability in the Central Asian country, aims to hold a referendum on a new constitution in June, followed by national elections in October, a top official said Thursday.

Deputy Prime Minister Omurbek Tekebayev was cited by Akipress as saying the envisaged new constitution would give significantly less power to the presidency and aim for greater balance in decision- making between the government and parliament.

The presidential role would be that of a referee in political decision-making, he said.

The referendum on the constitution was to be June 27. Presidential and parliamentary elections would follow next October 10.

His reported remarks come amid ongoing unrest in the country after mass protest demonstrations in the capital Bishkek in which 85 people were killed and over 1,600 injured.

The unrest then forced authoritarian president Kurmanbek Bakiyev to flee to the south of the country before he then went into exile in Belarus.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/319996,kyrgyzstan-interim-government-sets-elections-schedule.html.

Fresh unrest breaks out in Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek/Moscow - Fresh unrest has broken out in Kyrgyzstan, just days after authoritarian president Kurmanbek Bakiyev stepped down, Kyrgyz media reported Monday.

On Thursday, Bakiyev flew to neighboring Kazakhstan and resigned there in an internationally brokered agreement designed to restore calm. Since then the situation had reportedly stabilized in his home country.

But on Monday street battles broke out in the suburbs of the capital Bishkek as armed gangs tried to gain control of particular areas. Several people were injured, local media reported.

Some police units had threatened not to act against plunderers until the interior ministry was placed under "professional leadership."

Bakiyev's supporters in southern Kyrgyzstan also demanded his reinstatement as president. Reports from his home town of Zhalal- Abad claimed the town's administration had been taken over and that the former president had appointed one of his supporters as governor by telephone.

The developments have put the country's interim government, led by social democrat Roza Otunbayeva, under renewed pressure. The government had previously said the situation was under control.

Bakiyev's current whereabouts are uncertain. The Kazakh foreign ministry said the former president had left Kazakhstan, but could not say where he had gone.

Belarus' authoritarian president, Aleksander Lukashenko, had offered Bakiyev exile.

Bakiyev's supporters have also claimed that he would soon return to Kyrgyzstan to reclaim the presidency.

However, Bakiyev faces arrest should he attempt to return. He and his family have been blamed for the more than 80 deaths and 1,600 injured during the uprising against him in April.

The international community has also recognized the new government.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/319472,fresh-unrest-breaks-out-in-kyrgyzstan.html.

Unrest still crumbling Kyrgyzstan

Supporters of ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev continue to hold a government building in the country's volatile south.

Bakiyev Supporters broke into the regional government office in Jalalabad on Saturday. They also briefly seized a local television channel.

Reporters from the region say the government building is being guarded by men identifying themselves as Bakiyev loyalists.

Meanwhile, the interim government says its forces control the whole country and that "the situation is under control."

The chief of staff of the interim government Roza Otunbayeva, Edil Baisalov, told Moscow Echo radio that "the situation is under control, the interim government is refusing to use force on Bakiyev's supporters and we intend to look at such demonstrations with patience."

The interim government has promised to bring Bakiev and his allies to justice for the killing of over 80 people, during the April 7 uprising.

The ousted president flew to Kazakhstan and tendered his resignation through fax.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=123685§ionid=351020406.

Dungans, Uyghurs Attacked In Northern Kyrgyz Town

April 09, 2010
TOKMOK, Kyrgyzstan -- Antigovernment protest actions in Kyrgyzstan's northern town of Tokmok have reportedly escalated into ethnic clashes, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Groups of protesters allegedly attacked people from two ethnic minorities -- Dungans and Uyghurs -- and their houses, cafes, and shops.

Tokmok is about 30 kilometers east of the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek.

A local opposition activist, Bakyt Nuraalu Uulu, told RFE/RL that 11 victims of the violence were brought to hospital. Five of them had gunshot wounds.

Dungans are ethnic Chinese Muslims and Uyghurs are ethnic Turkic Muslims who originally came from China.

According to 2008 statistics, there were some 60,000 Dungans and 51,000 Uyghurs among Kyrgyzstan's population of 5.25 million people.

Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty.
Link: http://www.rferl.org/content/Dungans_Uyghurs_Attacked_In_Northern_Kyrgyz_Town_/2007251.html.

Ousted Kyrgyz leader on the move again after resignation - Summary

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan/Moscow - Ousted Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev has left Kazakhstan, days after he fled there from his own country, media reports said Saturday.

Bakiyev was pushed from power by bloody protests last week that killed at least 84 people.

There were conflicting reports about his whereabouts Saturday.

The Kyrgyz news agency Akipress reported that he was in Moscow, but there was not official confirmation. The Interfax news agency earlier reported, citing people close to the 60-year-old politician, that he had traveled to Belarus from Kazakhstan.

A presidential spokesman in the capital Minsk said however, he had no knowledge of Bakiyev's reported arrival. Belarus' authoritarian president, Aleksander Lukashenko, had offered Bakiyev exile.

Bakiyev flew Thursday to neighboring Kazakhstan, where he resigned as president in an internationally-brokered deal aimed at restoring calm in his home country.

Since then, the situation has stabilized in the Central Asian republic, where an interim government, led by pro-Western former foreign minister Roza Otunbayeva, has taken over.

It has issued arrest warrants for relatives of Bakiyev on charges that include murder. Among those charged is his brother Shanysh, who is accused of ordering sharpshooters to pick off demonstrators.

The former president's family is on the run. Bakiyev - who took office in 2005 - has immunity from prosecution.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/319205,ousted-kyrgyz-leader-on-the-move-again-after-resignation--summary.html.

Ousted Kyrgyz leader flies to Belarus after resignation

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan/Moscow - Ousted Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev flew Saturday to Belarus, two days after he fled his country for Kazakhstan, media reports said.

Bakiyev, who was pushed from power by bloody protests last week that killed at least 84 people, boarded a plane in Taras, Kazakhstan, for Minsk, Russia's Interfax news agency reported, citing people close to the 60-year-old politician.

Belarus' authoritarian president, Aleksander Lukashenko, had offered Bakiyev exile.

Bakiyev flew Thursday to neighboring Kazakhstan, where he resigned as president in an internationally brokered deal aimed at restoring calm in his home country.

Since then, the situation has stabilized in the Central Asian republic, where an interim government, led by pro-Western former foreign minister Roza Otunbayeva, has taken over.

It has issued arrest warrants for relatives of Bakiyev on charges that include murder. Among those charged is his brother Shanysh, who is accused of ordering sharpshooters to pick off demonstrators.

The former president's family is on the run. Bakiyev himself has immunity from prosecution.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/319173,ousted-kyrgyz-leader-flies-to-belarus-after-resignation.html.

Kyrgyzstan says will keep US airbase

Kyrgyzstan's interim government says that it will extend by another year its accord with Washington over a US airbase despite earlier disagreements.

The interim government's deputy chief Omurbek Tekebayev announced on Friday that Bishkek "is extending by one year the validity of the agreement with the United States over the Manas transit center."

The Manas base is central to the US-led war in Afghanistan as about 50,000 international troops passed through the base last month alone.

Kyrgyzstan has made a U-turn after the interim leader Roza Otunbayeva, who opposed the agreement, spoke to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the phone last weekend.

Clinton spoke about "the important role Kyrgyzstan plays in hosting the Transit Center at the Manas Airport," US spokesman P.J. Crowley said.

The Central Asian country has been in a political turmoil after the opposition took power on April 7. More than 80 people were killed and hundreds more were wounded during the chaos.

Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan's ousted President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who fled the capital, formally resigned on Friday, according to the interim government.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=123487§ionid=351020406.