 RFE/RL Central Asia Report 3/18/2010 4:35:47 PM A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about the five countries of Central Asia. For more stories on Central Asia, please visit and bookmark our Central Asia page . |
 RSF 'Dismayed' By Kyrgyz Media Clampdown The media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says it is "dismayed" at the "unprecedented wave of harassment" directed toward independent and opposition news media in Kyrgyzstan. More  Tajik, Turkmen Presidents Meet The talks reportedly focused on the use of water resources, including for hydroelectric power. More  Kazakh Oil Leaders Meet Striking Workers Regional government officials and Kazmunaigaz oil and gas company managers are holding talks today with striking oil workers in the southwestern town of Zhanaozen. More  Former Kyrgyz FM Sentenced A Bishkek court has found former Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Alikbek Jekshenkulov guilty of financial abuse and sentenced him to a suspended term of five years in jail. More  Hopes Raised Anew About Future Of Nabucco Gas Pipeline Project The EU-backed Nabucco natural gas pipeline has experienced a roller-coaster ride in recent years. At times it appeared the project was close to being scrapped, but shareholders have steadfastly maintained Nabucco is a viable way to deliver non-Russian natural gas to Europe. Several events at the start of this month have again raised hopes about the project. More  Chinese 'Patriotic' Underwear A Hit In Kazakhstan They may not be as outrageous as the lime-green mankini worn by Borat, yet a new line of Chinese-made men’s underwear is proving to be a hit in Kazakhstan, while infuriating many others. More A glamorous blue-blood will marry her Russian oligarch fiance later this year, capping a fairy-tale romance. More  Russian Comedian Represented Tajikistan At Olympics A Tajik Olympic official says the country sold one of its official accreditations to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver to a Russian comedian. More It would appear that Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev really knows how to clear out a cabinet meeting. More  Big Business In Uzbekistan Targeted In Wave Of Arrests Some of Uzbekistan's richest people are being detained and there is a great amount of speculation as to why. Bankers, factory owners, football club owners, and more are being rounded up by Uzbek authorities. More  New OSCE Media Representative Faces Challenge Of Upholding Universality As the OSCE's media freedom representative, Miklos Haraszti, comes to the end of his term, there has been intense speculation about who will replace him. The post is likely to fall to Dunja Mijatovic, whose role as a media regulator in postwar Bosnia will likely bring greater focus to the complex role of the media during elections and ethnic conflicts. More |
