Ashgabat, 20 April 2012 (nCa) --- There can be no peace in Afghanistan until total pullout of the US and NATO forces, said Ambassador Mohsen Pakaein, the Iranian chief diplomat on Afghan affairs. In a conversation Wednesday with Pakaein, nCa asked as to what could be the most practical way to bring peace to Afghanistan. He said, “The best idea would be the complete pullout. … [Read more...]
Pakistan absolutely crucial regional player: Afghanistan
Ashgabat, 20 April 2012 (nCa) --- “Pakistan is absolutely crucial player at the regional level,” said Jawed Ludin, the deputy foreign minister of Afghanistan. In a conversation Wednesday with nCa, Ludin spoke optimistically about the bilateral and multilateral interaction between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He expressed hope that ‘challenges of confidence’ would be a thing of … [Read more...]
Афганистан: Необходимость быть политически некорректным
Тарик Саееди Ашгабат, 19 апреля 2012 (nCa) --- Вот дилемма: быть политически корректным или фактически правильным? Когда мы смотрим на Афганистан, мы стараемся игнорировать большую часть картины: слон в комнате - сам афганский народ. Определенные шаги не могут быть предприняты по направлению к прочному миру, не принимая во внимание ту роль, которую сыграли сами афганцы … [Read more...]
Ашгабадская конференция по Афганистану: Перекачивание крови к сердцу Азии?
Доклад и комментарий nCa Ашгабат, 19 апреля 2012 (nCa) --- В среду в Туркменистане состоялась международная конференция по Афганистану. Результаты можно описать как середину в трудной дороге по направлению к началу мирного процесса в несчастной стране, которая не в состоянии быть автором своей судьбы. В конференции, официальное название которой «Вторая встреча по … [Read more...]
Afghanistan: The need to be politically incorrect
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 19 April 2012 (nCa) --- Here is the dilemma: To be politically correct, or to be factually correct? When we look at Afghanistan, we try to ignore a big part of the picture: The elephant in the room – The Afghan people. No definite steps can be taken toward lasting peace without taking into consideration the part the Afghans have played in starting … [Read more...]
Afghanistan conference in Ashgabat: Pumping blood to Heart of Asia?
nCa Report and Commentary Ashgabat, 19 April 2012 (nCa) --- Turkmenistan hosted Wednesday an international conference on Afghanistan. The outcome can be described as a midway point in the arduous journey toward the start of the peace process in the unfortunate country not in a position to author its own fate. The conference, officially titled ‘Second preparatory meeting for … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and Ha-Ha Crowd
nCa Commentary Ashgabat, 9 April 2012 (nCa) --- Turkmenistan, a desert nation, has built an ice hockey stadium – hilarious. The president of Turkmenistan showed his horse riding skills in a public show – ridiculous. He took part in car races – outlandish. The ignoramus Ha-Ha crowd, previously known as mainstream media, is laughing its silly head off and we offer our sincere … [Read more...]
Паника вокруг Ирана – Часть Вторая: Необходимое отступление
Анализ nCa Продолжение из Части Первой Ашгабат, 5 апреля 2012 (nCa) ---Необходимо сделать маленькое отступление, прежде чем мы приступим к рассмотрению нефтяных санкций и их возможного воздействия на Иран, а также других способов, используемых для ослабления Ирана перед прямой конфронтацией. Существуют различные теории о вымирании динозавров. Одна из них утверждает, … [Read more...]
Iran panic – Part Two: A necessary digression
nCa Analysis Continued from Part One Ashgabat, 5 April 2012 (nCa) --- Before we look at the oil sanctions and their likely impact on Iran, and the other methods that are being used to soften Iran ahead of a direct confrontation, it is necessary to digress a bit. There are different theories about the extinction of dinosaurs. One of them contends that when dinosaurs grew … [Read more...]
Паникa вокруг Иранe – Часть Первая: Иран чeрeз Сирии
Анализ nCa Ашгабат, 3 апреля 2012 (nCa) --- 1 апреля по итогам Стамбульской конференции, в которой приняли участие делегаты 50 стран, ыло принято решение об обеспечении финансами и вооружением сирийской оппозиции. Это преднамеренное нарушение мирного процесса произошло под скрупулезным контролем Кофи Аннана. Являются ли участники конференции «Друзьями Сирии» - лучший … [Read more...]
Iran panic – Part one: Iran via Syria
nCa Analysis Ashgabat, 3 April 2012 (nCa) --- A conference of some 50 countries decided 1 Apr in Istanbul to fund and arm the Syrian opposition. This is deliberate disruption of peace process being painstakingly shepherded by Kofi Annan. Whether the conference participants are ‘Friends of Syria’ is a question best answered by the people of Syria. What is apparent from their … [Read more...]
Туркменистан и Комиссия ООН по Правам Человека: Взаимное разочарование
Анализ nCa Ashgabat, 2 April 2012 (nCa) --- Туркменистан предстал перед Комиссией ООН по правам человека в Нью-Йорке 15-16 марта 2012 года. Цель состояла в том, чтобы рассмотреть вопрос о соблюдении в стране обязательств по Международному пакту о гражданских и политических правах, к которому страна присоединилась в 1997 году. Из вопросов и ответов на них было очевидно, что … [Read more...]
Russian Lukoil raises $ 500 million for project in Uzbekistan
Tashkent, 30 March 2012 --- Today in Tashkent LUKOIL Overseas has signed an agreement with a international consortium of banks to raise a loan of up to $500 million on a limited recourse basis. This was done within the framework of implementing the PSA for the Kandym-Khauzak-Shady-Kungrad project in Uzbekistan. The consortium includes Asian Development Bank, BNP Paribas … [Read more...]
EUCAIS: Advanced Training for Central Asian Academics via “Electronic Silk Highway”
The Institut für Europäische Politik (IEP) and the Centre international de formation européenne (CIFE) hold an official farewell for the first generation of graduates of their Online Master Programme “Studies on the EU and Central Asia in the International System” (EUCAIS). The graduation ceremony will take place at the European Commission`s base in Berlin. IEP and CIFE … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan and UN Human Rights Committee: Mutual Frustration
nCa Analysis Ashgabat, 23 March 2012 (nCa) --- Turkmenistan appeared before the UN Human Rights Committee in New York, 15-16 March 2012. The purpose was to review the country’s compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which it acceded in 1997. Looking at the questions and their answers, it was obviously an exercise in mutual … [Read more...]
Russian firm wins major oil contracts in Iraq
LUKOIL SIGNED CONTRACTS - FOR WEST QURNA-2 FIELD DEVELOPMENT IN IRAQ LUKOIL Mid-East Ltd (West Qurna-2 project operator) signed several major contracts for West Qurna-2 field development in Iraq according to the tender results. The contract with the Samsung Engineering (Korea) sets out 29 months to design 5 well pads with 67 development wells, 5 gathering lines, central … [Read more...]
2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit – Message from Central Asia
nCa Commentary Ashgabat, 22 Mar—The second Nuclear Summit will be held 26-27 March 2012 in Seoul. The first summit took place in April 2010 in Washington DC. The Seoul summit where leaders from 53 countries and 4 international organizations are expected to gather will collectively represent the 80% of global population and 90% of world GDP. The 11-point Seoul Communique … [Read more...]
Nowruz: The soul of Central Asia culture
nCa Commentary Ashgabat, 22 March 2012 (nCa) --- The countrywide celebration of Nowruz, the spring festival, started 21 March in Turkmenistan. The main event was held at the foothills of Kopetdag Mountain, some 45 km east of Ashgabat. It was a great privilege for the foreign diplomats and journalists to get invited to this unique national festivity. Being there was an … [Read more...]
We [Don’t] Take Care of Our Own
Ben Tanosborn A generation ago Bruce Springsteen was socio-serenading us with what soon was to become the iconic song, “Born in the USA.” And now, seven presidential elections later, he’ll likely be sending his message with the song, “We Take Care of Our Own.” Although the message in 1984 was inconceivably misconstrued and misappropriated by conservatives then – Ronald … [Read more...]
Challenges and Response
General Mirza Aslam Beg, Former Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan It is a day of reckoning for us, to recollect the failings of the past, and to carve-out a new destiny for the nation. No doubt Pakistan has faced serious challenges to its security, mainly due to foreign aggression in the region and our collusion with them. Having come full circle now, Pakistan is moving on the … [Read more...]
The Regional Perspective: Japan as role model for Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 14 March 2012 (nCa) --- The Japanese embassy in Turkmenistan hosted Tuesday a solemn and majestic event to mark the first anniversary of the triple disaster that struck Japan in March 2011. Mitsuru Horiguchi, the charge d’affaires of Japan in Ashgabat, said that it was the first time in the history of mankind that three major calamities struck a … [Read more...]
The Regonal Perspective: Afghan Massacre
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 12 March 2012 (nCa) --- In the early hours of Sunday, one or more American soldier(s) left their base in Punjwai, some 35 km west of Kandhar, with the express intention to murder unarmed women and children. The accounts differ. Taliban say it was a group of drunken soldiers, the ISAF says it was a lone slaughterer. Whether it was one soldier or … [Read more...]
Региональные перспективы: Афганская бойня
Тарик Саиди Ашгабат, 12 марта 2012 (nCa) —В ночь на воскресенье, один или группа американских солдат покинули свои базы в Пунджваи, примерно в 35 км к западу от города Кандагар, с явным намерением убить безоружных женщин и детей. Поступают различные сообщения. Талибан заявляет, что это была группа солдат, находившихся в состоянии опьянения. Союзники утверждают, что это … [Read more...]
International Women’s Day: Prism Effect in Turkmenistan
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 9 March 2012 (nCa) --- Matriarchy is well entrenched in the world already but the women are very kind; they don’t shove this fact in our face. It will break our hearts. Take the example of our home where I am a minority of one against my wife and my daughter. They are the government and I am the people. Our grandson is still too small to be of any … [Read more...]
Indian Supreme Court Orders Establishing Indian Water Hegemony
General Mirza Aslam Beg, Former Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan India’s Supreme Court on 27 February 2012, ordered the government to implement the2002 project to link major rivers in India ‘in a time-bound manner’. The over $100 billion project will link around 30 rivers, to ensure flood control and equitable distribution of water by efficient transfer of water from surplus to … [Read more...]
Sexual Exploited Girls and Child Soldiers Around the World
Clemente Ferrer Amnesty International has once again launched a campaign under the following slogan: “Child soldier. They will throw him into the front lines, and if he dies, they’ll go to a school and find another; and after that another”. Jean-Charles, Guru missionary in Nord Uganda, has explained that children are kidnapped and turned into authentic killing machines. For … [Read more...]
Summoning an America of Break-believe
Ben Tanosborn If we don’t come to terms in America to the reality around us, we will be doomed; and not just as an empire-holder, but as a serious major player in any future affairs of planet earth. We need to step down from that land of make-believe, and accept once and for all that Americans are neither a special cast divinely placed on this earth to rule it, nor the … [Read more...]
The regional perspective: Is this the rush to get in or get out?
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 5 March 2012 (nCa) --- Some recent news stories in the American and British media suggest that the US and allied forces are negotiating with the Central Asian countries to ensure exit corridor when they leave Afghanistan in 2014. These stories are superb examples of embedded journalism at its best, regurgitating without chewing the laced candy … [Read more...]
Tender notices in Turkmenistan: Rising preference for local currency deals
nCa Report Ashgabat, 5 March 2012 (nCa) --- Some tender notices recently published by the print media of Turkmenistan indicate the marked shift for purchases in local currency instead of dollar or Euro. For instance: The state bank for foreign economic relations announced tenders for purchase of a tractor and trailer, and drilling equipment (for up to 500 meters depth) … [Read more...]
UNDP-Turkmenistan partnership rises to new level
Ashgabat, 2 March 2012 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Turkmenistan have agreed on a new format of partnership signaling that the Government of Turkmenistan will be actively financing its own development programmes jointly implemented with UNDP. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov … [Read more...]
7 Tips to Make Life a Little Easier as a Caregiver
Dr. Ethelle G. Lord Over 80% of family caregivers are unpaid, home bound, even isolated. These caregivers are overwhelmed with day-to-day responsibilities to someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Remembering4You recommends tips that make the work and life of a caregiver a little easier. Keeping it simple maximizes energy and minimizes the possibility of … [Read more...]
The Regional Perspective: Turkmenistan and Turkey
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 2 March 2012 (nCa) --- Someone sent me a bad joke the other day: If the world is a global village, Uncle Sam is the village idiot. Bad joke but true nevertheless. And, what do you do if the village idiot also happens to be the village bully? This is the question that all the countries of Greater Central Asia – Turkmenistan and Turkey being no … [Read more...]
Progress in Science and Industry – a Task for International Cooperation
Prof. em. Dr. Hanno Schaumburg, Hamburg University of Technology, Germany h.schaumburg@tu-harburg.de After the perestroika in 1990 a significant decay in science and industrial production took place in all successor states of the Soviet union – mainly because of poor financing and inadequate management from government and industry. For many years only a few industrial … [Read more...]
Our Tolerance for Fashionable Deception
Ben Tanosborn Nothing appears as ugly as unmasked raw propaganda, or seems as fashionable as well-crafted deception. Yet, the catwalk for both forms of propaganda is one and the same, deception wearing the most titillating togs provided by the top fashion house, the House of Public Relations. And the deceptive PR isn’t limited to multinational firms or businesses in … [Read more...]
Photo Essay: Presidential Elections in Turkmenistan
nCa Photo Essay Ashgabat, 15 February 2012 (nCa) --- The presidential elections held in Turkmenistan 12 February 2012 have attracted mostly negative publicity in the western media. It was predictable. Hardly anything else can be expected from the media that is cocooned in its own prejudices. The cliches are true after all: The beauty is in the eye of the beholder; and, a … [Read more...]
Presidential Elections in Turkmenistan: Nation goes to polls (Updated 4 pm, 13 Feb) (second update at 14:30, 15 February 2012)
nCa Report with a photo essay on elections (To be updated with more photos later today) (Second Update at 14:30, 15 February 2012 – Photo essay published separately at this URL: http://newscentralasia.net/2012/02/15/photo-essay-presidential-elections-in-turkmenistan/) Update (4 pm, 13 Feb) --- The central election commission has announced that preliminary counting of vote … [Read more...]
US$ 1.2 million loan to Turkmen logistics company
EBRD loan will help DGT Logistics invest in equipment and expand fleet of trucks The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) continues to support the development of the private sector in Turkmenistan with a US$ 1.2 million loan to DGT Logistics Turkmenistan. The company is one of the leading private companies providing cargo transport and logistics services … [Read more...]
Presidential elections in Turkmenistan – Looking from a different angle
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 4 February 2012 --- The presidential elections in Turkmenistan will take place in less than 10 days from now. Observers and analysts have raised several objections on the whole process: All the seven candidates running against President Berdymuhamedov are weak and obscure There is no opposition candidate The election manifesto of all … [Read more...]
Президентские выборы в Туркменистане – Взгляд под другим углом
Тарик Саиди Ашгабат, 4 февраля 2012 --- Менее чем через 10 дней в Туркменистане пройдут президентские выборы. Наблюдатели и аналитики подняли ряд вопросов, касающихся избирательного процесса: Все семь кандидатов против кандидатуры президента Бердымухамедова кажутся слабыми и неясными Нет кандидата от оппозиции Предвыборные программы всех кандидатов выглядят плохой … [Read more...]
America’s Pacific Century!!
General Mirza Aslam Beg, Former Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan During the 1970’s, Brzezinski, the US strategist, forecasting the break-up of the Soviet Union, expounded the concept of US Unipolarity: “How America manages Eurasia is critical, Eurasia is the globe’s largest continent and is geopolitically axial. A power that dominates Eurasia would almost automatically gain … [Read more...]
80-year-old Europeans will triple by 2050
Clemente Ferrer The European Parliament (EP) should officially agree with family alliances in order to tackle the unstoppable demographic decline. The European Union (EU) is seeking to address the birth plight that the Old Continent is suffering from. Awareness about this family crisis and thus the urgency to increase birth rates has been raised. Various research studies … [Read more...]
Speakers unveil latest oil and gas developments in the Arctic
The oil and gas industry’s key players will present critical new technologies and commercial opportunities available in the offshore Arctic, at the Arctic Region Oil & Gas Conference in Norway this month. Recent news about Norway’s Ministry of Energy receiving requests from 37 companies to be included in the country’s 22nd licensing round reflects the increasing demand for … [Read more...]
The Gift of Life Brings Joy
Clemente Ferrer Parents play a free-willed cooperative role with divide providence for the creation of life. They contribute to the creation of a newborn’s body, while the soul is instantly created out of nothing by God within the second of conception. It is therefore unlawful to threaten human life and physical integrity, one’s own or another’s, because life is a sovereign … [Read more...]
Три партии прошли в парламент Казахстана
В Казахстане на парламентских выборах со значительным перевесом победила партия действующей власти «Нур Отан». Некоторую конкуренцию ей составила партия «Ак жол», представляющая интересы малого и среднего бизнеса. Третьей партией, вошедшей в парламент, стала Коммунистическая народная партия Казахстана. Расклад получился следующим образом: «Нур Отан» – практически 81 % … [Read more...]
Three parties elected to the Parliament of Kazakhstan
Nur Otan party, representing the current Kazakhstan's government, won the parliamentary elections with a considerable majority of votes. Ak Jol party, supporting small and medium business, competed with Nur Otan. The third party that entered parliament is the Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan. The results were the following: Nur Otan gained almost 81% of the votes, Ak … [Read more...]
Укрепляя доверие и снижая напряженность
Эймон Гилмор рассуждает о том, почему Европа всё ещё нуждается в ОБСЕ и что Ирландия может привнести в работу Организации В 2012 году Ирландия приняла на себя председательство в Организации по безопасности и сотрудничеству в Европе (ОБСЕ), самой крупной и успешной региональной структуре по безопасности в Северном полушарии, простирающейся от Ванкувера до Владивостока. Хотя … [Read more...]
Building confidence and reducing tensions
Eamon Gilmore reflects on why Europe still needs the OSCE and what Ireland can bring to the Organization Ireland has taken over the chair at the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the largest and most successful regional security body, spanning the Northern Hemisphere from Vancouver to Vladivostok. Although not as well known as the EU or the UN, the … [Read more...]
Contraceptives Increase the Risk of Catching AIDS
Clemente Ferrer According to a study, published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal by Renee Heffron (University of Washington), the use of hormonal contraceptives increase the risk of women in contracting the AIDS virus. www.thelancet.com Previous research studies reached the same conclusion; however, the latter one is much more credible. The study was conducted by … [Read more...]
American Military Pit Bulls and Their Handlers
Ben Tanosborn It is not what the few do but what the many don’t do. That really represents what we are all about, co-conspirators in a sea of silence. Marines who view despicable acts committed by other marines remain silent; the officers, who are well aware of this behavior, condone it, invariably following the “ethical criminal” attitude in war morality of “when in war, … [Read more...]
Beware: Nursing homes are not for sick individuals
Dr. Ethelle G. Lord Providing three square meals a days and receiving help with getting dressed in a nursing home should really be no longer acceptable. This is the traditional way. Recently I received a call from the social worker where my husband resides in a dementia unit at a nursing facility. She wanted to know if I just wanted him kept comfortable and hydrated since he … [Read more...]