RFE/RL Central Asia Report
09.07.2012
A review of RFE/RL reporting and analysis about the five countries of Central Asia.
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Activist Kazakh Director Freed
Pro-reform Kazakh theater director Bolat Atabaev has been released from Aktau prison where he was being held over charges in connection with unrest last year over a stubborn labor dispute. More 
Tajik Herders Use Music Players To Chase Away Four-Legged Pests
In the absence of firearms, the villagers have been forced to get creative to defend their turf against what they say are rising numbers of predators and other four-legged interlopers. More 
Q&A: EU's New Central Asia Envoy Looks To Challenges Ahead
On July 2, Patricia Flor started her job as the new European Union special representative for Central Asia. Her one-year mandate, which can be renewed several times, makes Flor one of the key players in shaping Brussels' policy in the region. In doing so, she will look to draw on experience from her previous role as Germany’s special envoy to Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. In an interview with RFE/RL correspondent Rikard Jozwiak, Flor discussed a range of topics concerning the region's five republics – from human rights to energy politics. More 
Silly Dictator Story #6: 102 Books And A University
During a recent visit to the Kazakhstan National Library in Almaty, a correspondent for RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service was treated to the full breadth of President Nazarbaev’s works -- all 102 of them. More 
RFE/RL Correspondent Barred from OSCE Internet Conference
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has used an appearance at a conference in Turkmenistan to urge member states not to block Internet resources from public access. More 
Silly Dictator Story #5: Bumper Crop Yields Luxury SUV In Turkmenistan
Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has awarded a regional government a brand new Cadillac Escalade after an above-average grain harvest. More 
Kyrgyz Journo Fined For Inciting Hatred
A court in the Kyrgyz capital has fined an ethnic Russian journalist the equivalent of $1,100 for publishing articles it considers to be incitements to ethnic hatred. More 
In Kazakhstan, Young Filmmakers Create Heroes Even Nazarbaev Would Be Proud Of
A recent film competition in the Kazakh capital called on young filmmakers to create a hero fit to represent both Astana and the nation. Now, the jury has spoken. More |