<<>><<>><<>><<>>----------------------------------------<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>>.....TURKISTAN NEWSLETTER...ISSN:--1386-6265....<<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>>--------------------------------------------<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>>........Editor/Manager: Mehmet Tutuncu......<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>>......Business: S. Bogut, H. Savas..............<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>>...Features: I. Noyan-Izmirli, Y. Puersuen...<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>>......Technical: T. Ates, K. Cagiltay.......<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>><<>>......Associate Editors: A. Baguirov, A. Eren, Z. Kadir....<<>><<>>
<<>><<>>....Editorial Board: Dr. Robert M. Cutler, Dr. H.M. Hubey....<<>><<>>
<<>><<>>...Dr. T. Kocaoglu, Dr. H.B. Paksoy, Dr. N. Sariahmetoglu...<<>><<>>
<<>><<>>--------------------------------------------------------<<>><<>>
<<>><<>><<>><<>>.....Volume:97-1:22---13--July--1997.....<<>><<>><<>><<>>
<<>>----------------------------------------------------------------<<>>
<>Uze kok tengri asra yagiz yer kilintukta ekin ara kisi ogli kilinmis<>
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<<>><<>>_______Archives of the Turkistan Newsletter are at:_____<<>><<>>
<<>><<>>___<http://www.euronet.nl/users/sota/turkistan.htm>_____<<>><<>>
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_____________ KYRGYZ NEWS
_____________ News
_____________ TURKISH PRESS REVIEW
_____________ Two famous Tatars passed away
_____________ News on the Karabagh conflict
_____________ Courier Contacts
_____________ REGIONAL PROFILE: REPUBLIC OF BASHKORTOSTAN
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KYRGYZ NEWS - 11 JULY 1997
1. Kyrgyz governmental delegation, led by President Askar Akayev, arrived in
Washington from New York today. Akayev expected to visit Carnegie Endowment
and Maryland university today. Also, he will meet with Michael Camdessus, IMF
executive director, today.
Yesterday, on 10 July, Akayev met with George Soros, American billioner and
philanthropist, and decorated him with Kyrgyz state award. Soros-Foundation
Kyrgyzstan spent about $4 million for Kyrgyz education system in 1996. Akayev
met with Kofi Annan, U.N. Secretary General, in New York on 10 July.
Also on 10 July, in New York, President Akayev gave an interview to CNN, for
Business Asia program (about 30 minutes). He said he expected foreign
investments boom in Kyrgyzstan soon. Also, he said that trade between
Kyrgyzstan and China has been increased very much recently and a railway is
been constructing across the border. It will tie together, according to
Akayev, Shanghai and Europe.
There are conflicting reports on meeting between Akayev and President Bill
Clinton. According to Akayev's press secretary, Kanybek Imanaliyev, the two
will meet in Washington on 15 July. Kyrgyz state secretary, Ishenbay
Abdurazakov, says Akayev wil meet with U.S. vice president, Al Gore, only.
Also, according to the official program, announced in Bishkek early this week,
Akayev should meet with the U.S. State secretary, Madeline Albright, in
Washington on 14 July. But U.S. State secretary will be in Prague, Czech
Republic, on 14 July.
2. First deputy foreign minister of Japan, Sadayuki Hayasi, arrived in Bishkek
from Almaty today, government press service announced. He met with Kyrgyz
Prime minister, Apas Joumagulov, in Bishkek today. Bilateral cooperation was
discussed. Also, Hayasi met with deputy foreign minister of Kyrgyzstan,
Talantbek Kushchubekov, on 11 July.
3. Conference, devoted to the Governmental program on improvment of the
electoral system in Kyrgyzstan, began in the resort town on Cholpon-Ata on 11
July. Members of the Parliament, government, president administration,
Constitutional court are taking part in it. Also, experts from Russia,
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan are participating.
Member of Parliament, chairman of the Ata-Meken party, Omurbek Tekebayev, told
our correspondent that government had worked out the program, ignoring the law
drafts on a new electoral system, being sonsidered in the Parliament now.
Also, according to Tekebayev, government spent 700,000 som (about $40,000) for
this conference, but money could be used better way.
4. Foreign ministry announced in Bishkek today that Turkish president,
Suleiman Demirel, will arrive in Kyrgyzstan on 17 July. He will take part in
the Congress of the Issyk-Kul Forum, founded by Kyrgyz writer Tchingiz
Aitmatov in 1986. Also, Demirel will meet with President Akayev.
Tchingiz Aitmatov and Adash Toktosunova, executive secretary of the UNESCO
commission in Kyrgyzstan, will hold in Bishkek on 14 July a news conference on
the preparations to the congress. UNESCO is a sponsor of the congress and its
Director General, Federico Major, will take part in the congress. Also, former
president of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, with his spouse will participate.
American futurologist Aulvin Toffler, Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Marcez,
Russian musician Mstislav Rostropovich, Belarussian writer Vasil Bykov have
sent letters that they could not come to the congress.
5. Health ministry held a conference on human developments in Bishkek today.
UNDP was a sponsor of the conference. Representative of the State Statistical
Board, Larisa Torgasheva, told the conference that the population of the
country is 4,670,000 people now. Population increased by 1.4% in 1996
(increase in 1992 was 0.5%). Live expactancy is 65 in Kyrgyzstan now. 34% of
population is live in cities, 66% in the countryside, 40% of them are children
and 10% - elderly people.
6. Soros-Kyrgyzstan Foundation held a solemn meeting in Bishkek today, and
awarded winners of the contest among Kyrgyz journalists. Its motto was 'Who
says that Kyrgyzstan is unchangable?". Journalists Tabyldy Akertegin, Sapar
Orozbakov and Alla Pitibratova received personal computers each. Among the
paper, winners are Kyrgyz Rukhu weekly (Bishkek), Osh Jangyrygy (Osh-city, in
Kyrgyz), Ekho Osha (Osh-city, in Russian), Ata-Jurt (Bishkek), Chuiskiye
Izvestiya (Chui region, in Russian), Osh Sadosi (Osh-city, in Uzbek). About
400 articles were published in frame of the contest in the period from 15
March and 16 June. Prize fund of the contest was 370,000 som (about $22,000).
7. Days of Mukhtar Auezov begin in Bishkek today, it will last till 16 July.
Special conference, devoted to the Auezov's life and creative work, opens in
the National History museum in Bishkek today. Vice prime minister of
Kazakhstan, Imangali Tasmagambetov, takes part in it.
Prominent Kazakh poet and writer Mukhtar Auezov was born in Semei region of
Kazakstan on 28 September 1897 and died in Moscow on 27 June 1961. In the
1920s, during the great famine in Kazakhstan, he leaved in Kyrgyzstan, at the
prominent Kyrgyz strongman's, Bolturuk Batyr.
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NEWS
ARMENIAN, TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET.
Alexander Arzoumanian and Ismail Cem discussed bilateral relations in
Madrid on 9 July within the framework of the NATO summit, according to the
"Turkish Daily News" on 11 July. Arzoumanian denied media reports that
Armenia has supplied anti-aircraft missiles to the PKK and said his
government is ready to cooperate to investigate those allegations. Cem said
that Ankara cannot agree to the Armenian proposal to economic cooperation
with Turkey until a solution is reached to the Karabakh conflict. RFE/RL
Newsline, 11 July 1997
Azeri, Chechen, Russian agreement.
Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev and Senior Russian and Chechen
officials have welcomed the tripartite agreement signed in Baku on Friday
11 July on the transportation of oil from Azerbaijan to the Russian Black
Sea port of Novorossiysk via the Chechen capital Grozny.
Russian First deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Fuel and Energy Boris
Nemtsov, who was one of the signatories, said the accord resolved all the
problems that had been delaying the project.
AZERBAIJAN APPLIES FOR WTO MEMBERSHIP.
Officials at the Geneva headquarters of the World Trade Organization said
on 8 July that Azerbaijan has submitted a formal request to join the
organization, according to Reuters. Negotiations on Azerbaijan's accession
to the organization are likely to last at least two years, and Baku will be
required to demonstrate a commitment to opening up its economy to foreign
goods and services. Azerbaijan is the 13th former Soviet republic to
request WTO membership. Only Turkmenistan and Tajikistan have not yet done
so. RFE/RL Newsline, 9 July 1997
Bilaletdinov To Coach Moscow "Dynamo".
According to ITAR-TASS, Zinatulla Bilaletdinov was appointed to the post of
head coach of the famous Moscow hockey team "Dynamo".
Bilaletdinov is the most famous Tatar ice hockey player in Russia. His
name is familiar to anyone who likes sports. The 42-year old athlete
retired as an ice hockey player and worked as a junior coach for "Dynamo"
before being invited to coach the "Winnipeg Jets". Since then the "Jets"
moved to Phoenix, Arizona and became the "Coyotes".
After his contract with the "Coyotes" expired, Bilaletdinov was invited
back to Moscow to coach his favorite team, "Dynamo".
Coincidentally, the junior team of the Moscow "Dynamo" is also headed by a
Tatar, Ramil Valiulin. Two of the players in this prestigious team are
also Tatars, Rustam Bahirdinov and Amir Kalimulin.
Cellular telephone system in Aktobe.
A new cellular telephone system started recently operation in Aktobe.
According to the Altel companies Aktobe branch director, the cellular
telephone sytem has a range of up to 50 km. The problems the system still
faces are due to the outdated equipment of the long-distance telephone
stations.
Cotton from Turkey wanted.
According to US specialists, southeastern provinces of Turkey was the
cotton with the highest quality in the world.
Cotton producers from Japan, India and Mexico want to buy cotton seeds
produced in southeastern Anatolia. trh
Foreign Ministries Consular Branch Opens in Akmola.
According to a recently signed agreement between the Foreign Ministry and
the Akmola Province Governor, the Foreign Ministry opened a branch in the
airport building. It is aimed to provide visa and consular services to the
growing number of foreigners coming to the countries capital in spe Akmola.
Mass Media Survey
International Conference began in Istanbul.
New technologies in the exploration for hydrocarbons, and the role of
Turkey will figure in the transport of energy
resources from the former Soviet Central Asia to western markets which are
the main topics of an international
conference and fair that began in Istanbul on Monday. More than 1,000
geophysicists, petroleum engineers and executives of energy related
companies from 60 countries are attending the four-day International
Geophysical Conference and Exposition. trh
Mercedes-Benz Turk won contract in Riga.
Mercedes-Benz Turk won the Worldbank contract for busses to be used for
municipal transportation in Riga, the capital of Latvia. According ot the
contract which has been signed last friday between Riga Mayor Bersingh and
the Mercedes-Benz Marketing Director Presinger, 52 busses for 12 mln USD
will be delivered. First busses will arrive in Riga before the countries
independance day on November 18. Delivery will be finished by the end of
the year. DUNYA July 8, 97
NATO, UKRAINE SIGN PARTNERSHIP ACCORD.
Ukraine and NATO signed a partnership agreement in Madrid on 9 July. Before
the signing, Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma told a news conference he is
satisfied with the agreement. He said Ukraine "obtained what it wanted" and
that he discussed the content of the agreement with Russian President Boris
Yeltsin and Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin. He also said the agreement
was "modeled" on the Russia -NATO Founding Act, signed in May. Kuchma said
that he did not expect any disagreement with Russia over the issue of
relations between Ukraine and NATO. In his view, the agreement corresponds
to the national interests of both Ukraine and Russia. Meanwhile, in Kyiv, a
newly formed group of Ukrainian parliamentary deputies have protested the
country's impending partnership with NATO. A total of 187 deputies from
various political parties are reported to have joined an anti-Nato movement
over the past few weeks called "Ukraine Outside of Nato." RFE/RL Newsline,
9 July 1997
NEW NATO-SPONSORED SECURITY ORGANIZATION INAUGURATED.
Leaders of NATO and its 28 partnership countries have inaugurated the
Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, RFE/RL's correspondents in Madrid
reported on 9 July. The new group includes countries seeking alliance
membership, several neutral countries, and former Soviet republics. Russia
is also a member but, as a protest against NATO's expansion, decided to
send only a deputy prime minister to head its delegation at the inaugural
ceremony. NATO Secretary-General Solana said the new council "can open a
new chapter in our relationship" and help guarantee peace in the region.
The council takes its place alongside an expanded NATO and a new
Russia-NATO partnership council. It will have a permanent Secretariat at
NATO's Brussels headquarters. RFE/RL Newsline, 9 July 1997
Turkey is the 4th least risky investment country in the world after
Argentina, Poland and Mexico, proclaimed a study by DRI/McGraw-Hill.
Highest investment risk presented by South Africa, China, Indonesia, Russia
and Brazil -in order of riskiness- In the case of China, bad banking
loans to Government companies is indicated as an high risk element. At
least 20pc of USD600b Chinese loans is thought to be precarious. South
Africa had problems with declining economic growth, high unemployment and
inflation, whereas Argentina had solid economic
growth. Whilst the study does not mention the reasons for Turkey's 4th
ranking, it should be remembered that Turkey has one of the youngest
populations in the world and vibrant roller coasting economy. -at least it
goes forward at varying speeds and various modes-
Turkish Architect awarded.
Turkish Architect Ahmet Vefik Alp was presented with a silver medal at the
Eight World Architecture Triennnial.
Alp won the award with his project for the construction of a trade center
in Zeytinburnu, Istanbul. 394 architects from 22 countries took part in the
triennial. trh
Turkish Government won vote of confidence.
Turkish PM Mesut Yilmaz's conservative coalition government on Saturday
easily won a vote of confidence taking 281 seats in the 548-seat
Parliament, parliamentary speaker Mustafa Kalemli announced.
Yilmaz won the vote with 281 votes for to 256 against.
"A new era has opened in Turkey's history", Yilmaz told parliament after
the result was announced.
Turkish-Egyptian Business Council.
Germiyan Saatcioglu president of the Turkish-Egyptian Business Council
declared in Istanbul on Monday at a meeting of the council that trade
between Turkey and Egypt is increasing a healthy 30 to 40 percent a year
and reached $580 million dollars. trh
Women in Kazak Senate.
Ms. Gulzhan Karagusova was recently elected chairman of the Permanent
Economic, Finance and Budget Committee in the Kazak Senate, thus creating a
unique situation in that two out of four Senate committees are now headed
by women. Mass Media Survey
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TURKISH PRESS REVIEW by trh
JULY 10, 1997
ANKARA CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC AFTER TURCO-GREEK ACCORD
Ankara is cautiously optimistic following the U.S-supported agreement
reached between Greece and Turkey on Tuesday in Madrid at the NATO
summit. The agreement covers a set of principles designed to improve
the testy relations between the two countries and includes a
commitment to settle disputes by peaceful means.
Following the agreement between Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem
and his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos, Cem said at a press
conference that Turkey has certain expectations of Greece. Greece
should refrain from using discourteous remarks against Turkey, he
said, and should obey the rules and principles of NATO./Cumhuriyet/
UN CYPRUS TALKS BEGIN WITH GOODWILL
The leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities on Cyprus met
on Wednesday in New York in an effort to revive talks aimed at finding
a federal settlement to the 34-year-old intercommunal problem on the
eastern Mediterranean island.
U.S. President Bill Clinton's special envoy to Cyprus, Richard
Holbrooke, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special advisor to
Cyprus, Diego Cordovez, and Cordovez' deputy, Gustav Feissel, were
also present at a dinner following the
talks. /Cumhuriyet/Hurriyet/Sabah
DEMIREL GETS BUSY AT MADRID SUMMIT
President Suleyman Demirel affirmed Wednesday that "Turkey attaches
particular importance to the possibility of regional cooperation under
the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council," during his address before the
Madrid gathering of allied and partner heads of state and government.
Speaking also at the signing ceremony of the NATO-Ukraine Charter,
Demirel called Ukraine "a key player in the whole Eurasian security
architecture" and added that NATO's 'external adaptation" would have
been incomplete if the Ukrainian dimension had been missing.
Before leaving for Ankara Demirel spoke to journalists saying that he
had received positive messages from the participants of the meeting
about Turkey's image. Evaluating the summit Demirel said that it had
been very fruitful and that he had had very good talks with the
co-chairmen of the OSCE Minsk Group (US and France) for resolving the
Azerbaijan conflict (in Nagorno-Karabakh). Demirel returned home
later on Wednesday./Milliyet/
BULGARIA TO SIGN MINORITIES AGREEMENT
Bulgarian Prime Minister Ivan Kostov announced on Wednesday that his
country will sign the International Minorities Agreement and that
Bulgaria's leading party was determined to realize this goal. Kostov,
saying that President Petar Stoyanov was expected to meet the
political parties' representatives in Parliament next week, stated
that Bulgaria would then present its approach to the minority concept.
When Bulgaria signs the agreement, the Turkish people living in that
country will consequently have their national minority status
recognized. Their cultural, political and social rights will be
guaranteed by the Bulgarian government./Cumhuriyet/
SMALL BUSINESSES IN TURKEY LOOKING BETTER
According to a report by the British Grant Thornton International
group, small and medium size businesses in Turkey are looking forward
to a brighter future than their European colleagues. The GTI report
points out that in comparison to similar small businesses in Europe,
Malta and Switzerland, Turkish small and medium size businesses are
more optimistic about the future and expect more from future
developments. /Milliyet/
TURKISH DOCTOR AWARDED
One of the world's most prestigious awards for medical advancement,
the "Electra" award, has been presented to Turkish brain surgeon Ali
Zirh.
Awarded only once every four years, Zirh has been given the award for
his work on brain malfunctions and his discoveries on the workings of
the brain. The accomplishments of Zirh in these specialised areas of
medical practice are particular interest to individuals suffering from
Parkison's disease. /Sabah/
LETTER FROM YILMAZ TO EU MEMBERS
Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz has sent a letter to the prime ministers
of 15 members of the European Union (EU) noting that the 55th
government established following the resignation of the Refahyol
coalition was determined to move closer to full EU membership. In his
letter, Yilmaz said that Turkey's relations with the EU dated back 30
years and that the new government was determined to achieve full EU
membership. /Cumhuriyet/
PEACE CONCERT IN BERGAMA
The Orchestra of the Greek EPT 3 Radio-Television Channel will give a
"Peace Concert" on 12 July in the Bergama District of Izmir. The
concert, organized under the slogan "The Aegean should be a Sea of
Peace" will be held at the ancient Asklepion Theatre. Bergama Mayor
Sefa Taskin said: "We hope that everyone who supports peace in the
Aegean and in the world will come to Bergama on Saturday".
/Cumhuriyet/
WORLD TOURISM MEETING
The 12th General Council Meeting of the World Tourism Organization
will be held in Turkey on 17-24 October. Tourism ministers, official
delegations and sector representatives from 133 countries will
participate in the meeting. A written statement made by the Tourism
Ministry said that President Suleyman Demirel will make an official
opening speech at the general council meeting. /Cumhuriyet/
TURKISH PRESS REVIEW
JULY 11, 1997
32,000 PEOPLE EMPLOYED IN 516 FACTORIES IN NINE PROVINCES OF GAP REGION.
The Southeastern Project (GAP) has speeded up industrial investments in
the region where agriculture is being developed with new
irrigation, reported the Anatolia news agency.
According to research made by the Anatolia news agency in the
industrial managements at the Gap provinces of Adiyaman, Sanliurfa,
Batman, Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Kilis, Mardin, Siirt and Sirnak, 201
out of 516 managements are in the field of textiles, 154 in food, 77 in
plastic, 44 in metal and machinery, 32 in stone-and-soil based
production and nine in the field of paper production. A total of
32,000 people are employed in these managements and 20,000 work in
textile factories.
Organised Industry Region officials said industrialiazation will be
doubled in the GAP region and the number of managements will reach
1,500 and total employment will reach 250,000 in the year 2,000.
BSEC BANK OPENING SOON.
First Assistant of the Secretary-General of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation (BSEC) Ambassador Nurver Nures said that the BSEC Commerce and
Development Bank would become operational shortly. Noting that a
meeting of the BSEC working group would be held in Bursa in September or
October, Nures said that representatives from 11 member countries and
experts from the UN Industrial Development Organization would attend
the meeting. He added that the issue of 'clean industrial production'
would be taken up at the meeting. /Milliyet/
LAKE: "ANATOLIAN TIGERS ARE NOT MEANINGLESS TALK".
European Commission Representative in Turkey, Ambassador Michael Lake said
that the spirit of Turkish entreprenurism was praiseworthy. Noting
the investment boom in Anatolia, Lake said: "Anatolian tigers are not
just meaningless talk". He added: "Turkish entrepreneurs are in touch
with high technology, design and marketing. There is a remarkable
growth in the industrial capacity of Turkey". /Sabah/
THY'S SUCCCESS.
Turkish Airlines (THY) ranks well in a list of "The leading 1,000
companies of the world" published by Business Week, the noted
London-based financial magazine. The list, dubbed "Developing
Markets", ranked THY 160th in the place and confirmed its success in the
international market. On the other hand, according to US published
Airwatch Report, which examines world airlines from the financial
standpoint, THY ranks 28th. /Sabah/
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It is with great sadness that I inform the TMG and the Tatar community of
passing of two important Crimean Tatars. The Crimean Review has learned the
death of Aider Osman, the Editor in chief of the Crimean Tatar Journal,
"YILDIZ", in Crimea. Aider Aga was suffering from serious heart and
respiratory problems and was undergoing treatment.
I have also learned the death of Inci Ertem, the granddaughter of Ismail
Bey Gaspirali, in Istanbul. Inci Hanim was very active in the Crimean Tatar
affairs and had been to Crimea multiple times participating in conferences
honoring her grandfather. Most recently she was with the Crimean Tatar
community in New York during the
Fathers' Day celebration. "Allah Rahmet Eylesin" to both of them! Mubeyyin
Batu Altan
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News on the Karabagh conflict
from TransCaucasus: A Chronology - July 97, ANCA
1 June: Jacques Blot, Valentin Lozinsky, and U.S. Deputy Secretary
of State Strobe Talbot, the French, Russian and U.S. co-chairmen
representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in
Europe's (OSCE) "Minsk" Group, the working group on the Karabagh
conflict, announce a set of new proposals following a series of
meeting with Armenian, Azerbaijani and Nagorno Karabagh government
officials. The new proposals, aimed at restarting the stalled
mediation effort, would reportedly enable Azerbaijan to retain
control over Nagorno Karabagh while giving Nagorno Karabagh a
significant degree of autonomy within Azerbaijan proper. The
proposals are also said to be a starting point for negotiations and
do not represent a final OSCE stand on the conflict.
2 June: Responding to the recent OSCE proposals, unnamed
Azerbaijani officials inform the Russian press that a negotiated
resolution to the Nagorno Karabagh is likely by the end of the
year. The Azerbaijani officials state that a solution would
involve each side making significant compromises, including the
withdrawal of Karabagh forces from Azerbaijani territory outside of
the borders of Nagorno Karabagh, the international control of the
Lachin corridor connecting Armenia with Nagorno Karabagh, and
international monitoring and supervision of all arms and troops
deployed in the area. Adding to the announcement, Turkish Foreign
Minister Tansu Ciller announces that Turkey generally supports the
OSCE mediation effort, but must also continue its own direct
attempt at resolving the conflict. The Turkish announcement
follows a meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbot
in Ankara.
3 June: According to additional details regarding the recent OSCE
peace proposal for the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, Karabagh forces
would withdraw from the city of Shushi, as well as from their
positions in seven districts of Azerbaijan proper outside of the
Karabagh borders. The OSCE plan then calls for the deployment of
OSCE peacekeeping troops to oversee the repatriation of all
refugees displaced from their homes in these areas and empowers
this peacekeeping contingent to ensure the security of all
transport and communications links in the region. The peacekeeping
force would assume positions safeguarding the strategic Lachin land
corridor connecting Nagorno Karabagh with Armenia. Upon meeting
these steps, the plan envisages the OSCE's negotiations over the
final political status of Nagorno Karabagh. Throughout this
process, the OSCE plan allows the continued presence of the Nagorno
Karabagh defense forces and calls for its eventual demobilization
and conversion to a civilian police force only after the final
settlement talks are completed. From the start of the plan's
implementation, however, the OSCE will be responsible for the
international supervision and monitoring of all troops and
armaments deployed in the region. A corresponding inventory of
Karabagh military equipment and arms would be completed, with the
total being considered as an element of the military limits applied
to Armenia according to the terms of the Conventional Forces in
Europe (CFE) Treaty.
12-14 June: Representatives of the three countries co-chairing the
OSCE's Minsk Group complete a series of meetings with government
officials in Yerevan, Baku and Stepanakert. The OSCE is seeking to
pressure all parties to return to the negotiations with a realistic
approach to the mediation effort. Commenting on recent reports of
the negotiations in various press announcements, the OSCE
delegation stresses the necessity for secrecy during this early
stage of negotiations.
16 June: Azerbaijani State Advisor Vafa Guluzade reveals additional
details regarding the OSCE's latest proposal to settle the Nagorno
Karabagh conflict. According to the Azerbaijani official, the OSCE
plan allows Nagorno Karabagh to maintain its own constitution as
part of the high degree of autonomy promised by Baku in return for
returning Karabagh to Azerbaijan's sovereign rule. The plan also
calls on Azerbaijan to establish a "free economic zone" for Nagorno
Karabagh.
19 June: The president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, commenting on
the Nagorno Karabagh conflict at a joint press conference with
Azerbaijani President Geidar Aliyev, states that there can not be
"two Armenian states in the Caucasus." President Karimov adds that
the Azerbaijani position regarding Nagorno Karabagh is "fair and
correct" and that Azerbaijan must protect its sovereignty. The
press conference is held in Uzbekistan and concludes an official
visit by the Azerbaijani president.
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Transportation to the NIS is a bottle neck. Individuals and companies have
to sent urgent and important documents. Snail mail is not reliable, neither
by speed nor by safety. So Courier services are booming. Here some contacts.
Azerbaijan
DHL Tbilisi Avenue - Palace of Sport - Entrance 7 Baku 370078
Argo Tour (FedEx) Telephone: +99-532-29 27 06
Crimea, Ukraine
DHL Rosa Luxemburg Street 29 Simferopol, 333000
Kazakstan
DHL ALMATY Offices 1-4 - Abay Street 157 Almaty 480009
DHL ATYRAU Abay Street, 5 - Room 103 Atyrau 465201
DHL KARAGANDA Gogol Street 29 - Room 30 Karaganda 470061
Elf 91/FedEx Telephone: +7-3272-30 17 23
Kyrgyzstan
DHL Kiev Str. 107 Bishkek 720001
Elf 91/FedEx Telephone: +7-3312-47 13 56
Tatarstan, RF
DHL Moskovskiy Prospekt 140 Naberezhnye Chelny RT 423827
DHL Ostrovskiy Street 15 Kazan RT
Turkmenistan
DHL Gogol Street 24A Ashkhabat 743000
Elf 91/FedEx Telephone: 36 32 41 57 55
Uzbekistan
DHL Prospect Druzhby Narodov 42 Tashkent 700097
DHL Hotel Le Meredian - Uzbekistan Ovozi Street 2 Tashkent 700
Elf 91/FedEx Telephone: +7-3712-72 87 10
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IEWS Russian Regional Report--10 July 1997
REGIONAL PROFILE: REPUBLIC OF BASHKORTOSTAN
President: Murtaza Rakhimov
The political career of Murtaza Rakhimov, who previously had worked in the
oil-processing industry, began in 1990 when the first free regional
elections were held. In March of that year he was elected to the republican
Supreme Council and a month later became its chairman. Special privileges
for Bashkortostan was Rakhimov's condition for signing the Federation
Treaty in March 1992. Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who himself once
encouraged autonomous republics "to take as much sovereignty as you can
swallow," had to sign a separate agreement with Bashkortostan, giving the
republic exclusive rights over property and mineral resources located on
its territory, special privileges for foreign trade, and an independent
system of legislative and legal institutions.
Though Rakhimov is usually loyal to Yeltsin and has joined the
leadership of the pro-governmental Our Home Is Russia movement, he has
opposed some of the president's policies. For instance, he denounced
Yeltsin's attack on the federal parliament in October 1993. He also
objected to the economic reforms initiated by acting prime minister Yegor
Gaidar and opposed the constitution adopted in 1993.
In December 1993, Rakhimov was simultaneously elected the republican
president and a member of the new Federation Council. In March 1997,
Yeltsin invited him to join a federal commission on Chechnya, which is to
work on defining Chechnya's status and other issues concerning
Russian-Chechen relations.
Other Local Leaders
Chairman of the State Council -- Mikhail Zitsev (elected in March 1995)
Chairman of Chamber of Representatives (State Council's House) -- Minnarais
Ishmuratov (elected in March 1995)
Chairman of Legislative Chamber (State Council's House)-- Anas Khasanov
(elected in March 1995)
Brief Overview
The first mention of Bashkortostan in written sources occurred in the
9th-10th centuries. Then, Bashkirs were a nomadic, pagan tribe. By the end
of 14th century they were mostly converted to Islam. In 1557, Bashkiriya
joined the Russian State. Now, the republic's population includes 70
nationalities: the Russians make up the largest group, 39.3%, followed by
the Tatars (28.4%) and Bashkirs (21.9%).
The republic lies on the border of Europe and Asia and encompasses the
eastern end of East-European Plain, part of Southern Ural mountains, and
some plateaus beyond the Urals. The republic boasts over 70 kinds of
mineral resources, including oil, gas, coal, copper, iron, and several
precious metals. Extracting and processing raw materials, particularly oil,
gas, and coal, make up the bulk of the republic's industry. Bashkortostan
has one of the highest concentrations of chemical, petro-chemical, and
military industries in the Russian Federation. Fuel and energy make up over
50% of its exports, while the chemical industry comprises another 30%.
Basic Facts
1995 Population (est.): 4,008,200 (2.75% of Russian total)
Industrial production as percentage of all Russian production (Jan.-Aug.
1995): 4.12%
Agricultural production as percentage of all Russian production (1994):
3.27%
Average personal income index in July 1995: 67 (Russia as a whole = 100)
Price basket index in July 1995: 88 (Russia = 100)
Average back wages owed per person (September 1995): 63,800 rubles (Russian
average = 37,100)
Urban population: 64.6% (Russia overall: 73.0%)
Student population (1993): 119 per 10,000 (Russia overall: 171/10,000);
Pensioner population (1994): 23.89%
Percent of population with higher education (1989 census): 7.6% (Russia
overall: 11.3%)
Percent of population working in (1993): Industry: 29.7% (Russian average:
29.9%); Agriculture: 18.7% (12.8%); Trade: 7.4% (9.1%); Culture: 12.2% (13.
6%); Management: 1.7% (2.3%)
Number of telephones per 100 families (1993): in cities : 34 (Russian
average: 41.5); in villages: 14.4 (17.2)
According to a 1995 survey by Bank Austria, the republic is ranked 49th
among Russia's 89 regions in terms of investment climate.
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Yanki Pursun ---------------------------------------------------------
http://www.rz.uni-frankfurt.de/~puersuen
fyp@usa.net puersuen@stud.uni-frankfurt.de
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