Central Asian News Service: news from Central Asia of 18 February 2009

politics

15:12 Nazarbaev appoints director of Foreign Intelligence Service of Kazakhstan

14:10 Parliamentary faction of Social Democratic Party fails to reach consensus concerning draft law on termination of Manas air base agreement

13:25 Parliamentary faction of Communist party approves draft law on termination of Manas air base agreement

13:19 Kyrgyzstan should not turn into anti-American, anti-Chinese or anti-Russian platform – lawmaker

13:14 Japan finance minister steps down

13:09 Uzbekistan Legislative Chamber holds session, approves several laws

13:04 Security Council sitting held in Turkmenistan

11:20 Ak Jol parliamentary faction unanimously approves draft law on termination of Manas air base agreement

11:09 Foreign Minister Sarbaev: Kyrgyzstan has not received any proposals from U.S. concerning Manas air base

11:09 Rahmon, Karzai discuss regional and world situation

10:49 Uzbekistan considers Gen. David Petraeus’ visit as strive of U.S. to establish closer relations

10:35 Nazarbaev signs decree on strengthening national security of Kazakhstan and new Foreign Intelligence Service establishment

10:11 Early parliamentary elections are needed – Advisor to President of Kazakhstan

09:32 Deputy Foreign Ministers to discuss Caspian Sea status

09:12 President Karimov meets with General Petraeus in Tashkent

society

14:55 OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports renovation of temporary detention facilities

13:07 Britain bans taking photos of police

12:57 TIHR: Newspapers – to the storage depot

12:40 President of Turkmenistan presents high government award to cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko

12:18 UzLiDeP plans to work with youth and farmers

10:00 Switzerland gives around US$433 thousand to Kyrgyzstan in response to UN’s US$20 million appeal

economy

14:51 President Bakiev signs law on internal audit

12:03 Head of Electric Stations ask Parliamentary Committee to lift customs fees, VAT from unplanned power exchange

11:45 US$ currency rate decreases on “black market” of Uzbekistan

10:55 WB increases funds for Tajikistan under Third Programmatic Development Policy Grant

10:42 Foreign trade turnover in Tajikistan drops by 6.7%

analysis & comments

13:20 Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst: Shrinking remittances increase labor migration from Central Asia

12:19 IWPR: Tajikistan needs surefooted action on economy

12:14 NBCA: No hope of free press for Uzbeks, Turkmen

incidents

13:01 TIHR: Blast in a brothel

11:35 Criminals steal safe with $37 thousand from entertainment complex

sport

11:30 Uzbekistan boxer Arthur Grigoryan to return on ring

11:14 Eight teams to compete for President’s Cup

culture

11:23 Festive concert at Mukam Palace

business

08:48 Turkish businessmen to tell Bishkek mayor about their problems at extended meeting

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Central Asian news Service