The Central Asia Beat, July 29-August 5

Kazakhstan:
–Thirty members of the banned Hizb-ut-Tahrir group go on trial in Kazakhstan for recruitment.  Unlike many such trials in Central Asia at large, it looks as if this trial has caught some leaders of the movement.
–More trouble developing the Kashagan oil field means that production is being pushed back to 2010.  This field has enormous technical difficulties.  As oil prices have risen, Kazakhstan has sought to change contract parameters.
–The Economist's anonymous weighs in against Kazakhstan's potential OSCE chairmanship in 2009; and Josh Foust tears apart the poorly written article.  My take: it's an illogical appeal to the ‘ain't it awful’ crowd, and unworthy of the E.

Kyrgyzstan:
–It's all about Feliks: Ex-PM Mr. Kulov has been charged for inciting the April riots in Kyrgyzstan.  He is also gathering signatures to re-integrate Kyrgyzstan with Russia, and makes the counter charge that his indictment is to distract him from his political goals and future career.  Yes, a possible ten years in prison would probably not be good for future political careers. . .
–Kyrgyzstan's economic growth exceeds that of Russia, at 9.4 percent this year, according to CIS figures reported by Kommersant, Russia's business periodical.  Go Kyrgyzstan!!! 
–Erica Marat discusses the Japan-Kyrgyzstan connection. 
–Kyrgyzstan is hosting the SCO summit that is coming right up.  I’ll be discussing this at length next week.

Mongolia:
–Amendments to the tax-shelter for Canada's Centerra gold mines in Mongolia have been agreed to by Centerra officials after the legislature threatened revocation.  The mine was a subject of protests last year.
–Japan and the ADB will assist Mongolia in public service planning.
–Operation Khaan Quest 2007 started August 1 and will continue through August 16th: a military training exercise with the United States, Tonga, the Republic of Korea, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Cambodia will cooperate with Mongolian troops in patrolling, convoying and other military exercises for peacekeeping deployment.  Observer states include the Russian Federation, Japan, Malaysia, and China.

Tajikistan:
–New roads and new trade with China, at Eurasianet.

Turkmenistan:
–More possible gas contracts: France's Total, and Bouygues are interested; the UAE's IPIC and US's Shell are interested.  France's CIFAL and Tales are interested.  Some of these may be sub-contracts for development; not all will be new finds.
–Turkmenistan will start supplying Tajikistan with electrical power, beginning in October.  This three-year contract for winter months will supply one billion KWh to Tajikistan at 2.1 cents per.

Uzbekistan:
–Pakistan will start a joint venture with Uzbekistan in the production of leather.  Cotton fibre output is down 2.7%.
–India's Minda, an electronic component manufacturer, is seeking a distribution base in Uzbekistan, in order to service its clients in Eastern Europe.
–Islam-oriented independent newspaper Odam Orasida is shut down by Uzbek authorities.

Xinjiang:
–Locust plague, already reported at FPA Central Asia for Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, is also affecting Xinjiang.  India will be assisting China in arresting the plague.
–The last contingent of China's military destined for Chelyabinsk for SCO joint military exercises has left Xinjiang today.
–CNPC's Xinjiang-Lanzhou Pipeline is on-line.  Eventually the pipeline will be joined to other segments of completed pipeline from Kazakhstan.

Iraqi Oil Law: (also at Afghanistan post below):
Tracey-Kay Caldwell of the Iraq Slogger blog and BellaOnline.com interviewed me on the Iraq Oil Law this week. . . check it out!  .

Photo: Annenberg.com