The Central Asia Beat, August 27-September 3

The world is an interesting place, and Central Asia among the most interesting regions of the world.  Now getting caught up for the week:

Central Asia General:
–In an interesting counterpoint to most discussion of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization written in English, Japan Times has editorialized that the SCO is of benefit to the world community.  

Kazakhstan:
—Son-in law troubles part I.D. 3. b. iii.: RFE/RL reports that charges are mounting in Kazakhstan against Mr. Rakhat Aliev.   It is alleged that the charges are supposed to dissuade Mr. Aliev from testifying in the Kazakhgate case, where illegal transfers of oil and cash paved the way for insider deals and opaque profit-taking.  Oh, and Mr. Aliev's father, Mr. Mukhtar Aliev, has been charged with excess ordinance in the home.  Hmmm.   Like explosives in the dining room?  Was there going to be a coup?
—Son-in-law troubles part II: Dinara Nazarbaeva's husband, Timur Kulibaev, was recently fired from his position at Samruk, Kazakhstan's state holding corporation.  Mr. Kulibaev has served as an executive at both KazMunaiGas.  Mr. Kulibaev and Dinara Nazarbaeva made this year's Forbes billionaire list, and are also part-owners of Halyk Bank (not Nurbank).
–Besides the trouble at Kashagan field, Kazakhstan's KMG is doing pretty well: they bought 75% of Romania's RomPetrol this week to expand their European business.
–Kazakhstan's opposition is asking for a new election, since a. the election had some irregularities and b. because no opposition gained Parliamentary access, failing to garner at least 7% of seats in the legislature.  I say go for it.
–U.S. expatriate Mark Seidenfeld has been acquitted on first appeals in court on August 20th.  It looks like a few steps more in the process before the end–for instance, New Charges, reported at the Save Mark Seidenfeld site.

Kyrgyzstan:
—Go Alaska!; Go Kids!; Go Pay the Bills!!!!: If the U.S. pays its utility bills at Ganci AFB, it’ll be ahead of Russia on civil-military goodwill immediately.  Right now, the Russian military is using flashlights. . . while the USAF personnel are refurbishing a playspot in the area.   Alaska's Air National Guard is sending 31 personnel to Kyrgyzstan from Fairbanks for six months, part of a new 150-person deployment to change things up at Ganci.
–When film piracy kills an industry, at Regnum.ru.
–Moving the capital of Kyrgyzstan?  Probably not, but it recalls the North-South divide in Kyrgyzstan's politics.
–Kyrgyzstan's government gets more say in the works and profits of its Kumtor mine, by acquiring more shares in a Canadian Mining enterprise.
 
Mongolia:
–Dateline, Ulaan Bataar: President Parvanov of Bulgaria is on a five-day visit ending September 1st to boost Bulgarian-Mongolian trade relations, in mining, tourism, and small enterprises.  
–Also, Mongolia will host talks between Japan and the DPRK September 5-6, in order to normalize diplomatic relations between its two guests.  This is a step the 6-Party Talks process where Mongolia has again been an invaluable aid to dialogue.
–China and Mongolia agree to protect a common cultural heritage: the long-song.  I loved this so much I wrote today's Casual Friday post on the issue: check it out!

Tajikistan:
–Tajikistan's new bilateral investment opportunities with Qatar, Afghanistan, and India  were covered earlier this week.  However, Tajikistan can set up all the free economic zones (FEZ) it likes, but needs basic infrastructure and reliable energy before they’ll turn around the economy.

Turkmenistan:
–Russia's LUKoil sets its sights on Turkmenistani contracts.  In the meantime, the Turkmenistan pipeline to China is underway.
–Turkmenistan's teachers must wear high-collared dresses with skirts that reach to the ankle.
–Turkmenistan's farmers, the price of cotton, and unofficial/official rates of inflation inside the state at IWPR. 

Uzbekistan:
–Get in on the betting pool concerning Karimovian non-elections at Registan.net.   Every scenario–from the depressing to the action / adventure option is being discussed, but not really for money.
–Between the rock and the stone: Uzbekistan's economic migrants face dangers and prejudices in Russia, as reported by Jamiyat at NewEurasia.net.
–Formerly-approved Presbyterian church becomes unapproved, at Forum 18.

Xinjiang:
–Two Xinjiang athletes, one a mountaineer, the other a ‘Dawaz’ acrobat, will carry the Olympic torch for Beijing 2008.
—Second pipeline route is mapped, from Central Asia to the Pearl and Yangtze Rivers.
Due to Xinjiang's crazy weather this year, the cotton harvest is being delayed.