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Central Asia / Siberia
NEWSLINE:
Central Asia, Transcaucasia and Russia
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
IMF, E.U. to grant further aid to Kyrgyzstan
Presidential press secretary Kanybek Imanaliyev said on 25 January that a visiting IMF delegation has agreed at talks with President Askar Akayev to increase from $15 million to $28 million its aid to Bishkek to cushion the impact of the Russian financial crisis, Interfax reported. The IMF delegation assured Prime Minister Jumabek Ibraimov the following day that the fund will disburse all previously planned loans to Kyrgyzstan for this year, RFE/RL's Bishkek bureau reported. Ibraimov also met on 26 January with a European Commission representative who confirmed that the EU will grant Kyrgyzstan 1 million euros ($1.156 million) in 1999 to reform the country's health service. (Liz Fuller)
Captured Tajik warlord admits killing opposition leader
Ravshan Gafurov, who was arrested on the outskirts of Dushanbe earlier this week (see ''RFE/RL Newsline,'' 25 January 1999), has confessed to the 22 September shooting of leading Tajik opposition figure Otakhon Latifi, Reuters and ITAR-TASS reported on 26 January, quoting an Interior Ministry spokesman. Gafurov has also confessed to 25 other murders. Tajik police announced last month that they had arrested a group of people suspected of killing Latifi. President Imomali Rakhmonov said that at the time, he was ''99 percent certain'' that those arrested committed the killing (see ''RFE/RL Newsline,'' 4 December 1998). (L.F)
Turkmen, Pakistani ministers discuss Afghanistan
Meeting in Islamabad on 26 January, Pakistani Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz and his visiting Turkmen counterpart, Boris Shikhmuradov, discussed how to cooperate in halting the ongoing civil strife in Afghanistan, dpa reported. Attention focused on the possibility of convening a meeting in Uzbekistan of the so-called ''six-plus-two'' (Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, China, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan plus Russia and the U.S.) to discuss the Afghan situation. Both ministers agreed that lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan would greatly enhance the possibilities for bilateral economic cooperation. Shikhmuradov also met with Taliban representatives, who termed their talks ''very positive.'' Agreement was reached to hold trilateral discussions on the proposed Turkmen gas export pipeline via Afghanistan to Pakistan, but no date was set for those discussions. (L.F.)
Former Armenian president condemns indictment attempt
Levon Ter-Petrossian issued a statement on 26 January condemning the failed bid by Prosecutor-General Aghvan Hovsepian to persuade parliamentary deputies to lift the immunity of former Interior Minister Vano Siradeghian, RFE/RL's Yerevan bureau reported (see ''RFE/RL Newsline,'' 26 January 1999). Ter-Petrossian rejected Hovsepian's claim to have evidence that Siradeghian ordered the murder of two police officers in January 1994, saying the ''evidence'' was the testimony of only one individual. He said Hovsepian is either incompetent or simply bowing to orders from his superiors. Siradeghian, who is chairman of the board of the former ruling Armenian Pan- National Movement, was one of Ter-Petrossian's closest associates. (L.F.)
Debate over NATO presence in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani presidential foreign policy adviser Vafa Guluzade told Interfax on 26 January that he believes agreement should be reached during President Heidar Aliev's current visit to Turkey on the transfer of a NATO airbase from Turkey to Azerbaijan's Apsheron peninsula. Guluzade said the decision on relocating the base should be taken immediately as the transportation of Caspian energy resources via Azerbaijan is ''in danger'' and ''tomorrow may be too late.'' But an unnamed source within the Azerbaijani presidential apparatus told Interfax the same day that Guluzade was expressing his personal opinion, not Azerbaijan's official policy. Also on 26 January, Russian State Duma Defense Committee chairman Roman Popkovich argued that there is no need for NATO or U.S. bases in Azerbaijan, ITAR-TASS reported. Popkovich termed Guluzade's statements ''an attempt to influence decision-making in Russia'' and warned that Russia has ''even more'' strategic interests in the Transcaucasus than does the U.S. (L.F.)
Georgia's most wanted man may run for president
Countless posters depicting Igor Giorgadze, the former Georgian intelligence chief accused of masterminding the August 1995 attempt to assassinate head of state Eduard Shevardnadze, decorated the streets of the west Georgian town of Zugdidi on 25 January, Shevardnadze's 71st birthday, Caucasus Press reported. Identical posters, bearing the slogan ''The future Is Ours,'' have been sighted recently in other regions of Georgia. Giorgadze's father, Panteleimon, who heads the United Communist Party of Georgia, told Caucasus Press that Igor Giorgadze may be included in that party's list of candidates for this fall's parliamentary elections. Giorgadze fled Georgia in 1995 and is currently believed to be in hiding in Syria. Some Georgian observers have named him as a possible candidate in next year's presidential elections. (L.F.)
Primakov proposes peace treaty with Duma . . .
In a letter and package of documents sent to the State Duma, Prime Minister Yevgenii Primakov outlined a proposal for a political pact between Russia's executive and legislative branch strangely similar to some early versions of the political accord discussed by the two groups last fall. Under the proposal, President Boris Yeltsin would refrain from dissolving the Duma, which, in turn, would drop impeachment hearings and agree not to hold a no-confidence vote in the government. The presidential press service responded initially on 26 January that any truce could not limit the president's constitutional rights. Later, deputy head of the presidential administration Oleg Sysuev told NTV that the proposal was implemented in line with the president's orders. ''Segodnya'' argued that Primakov's action indicates he ''has taken over the helm of state power'' and ''is acting independently of the will of Boris Yeltsin.'' (Julie A. Corwin)
. . . To mixed reaction by deputies, governors
According to NTV, Kursk Oblast Governor Aleksandr Rutskoi, North Ossetian President Aleksandr Dzasokhov, Russian Regions faction head and Duma deputy Oleg Morozov all hailed the proposal, while President of Ingushetia Ruslan Aushev called the concept good ''but a little late'' and asked whether it contradicts the constitution. Deputy Aleksandr Shokhin raised a similar objection, saying that the proposal is legal nonsense since it would in effect suspend the constitution. Duma deputy (Communist Party) Viktor Ilyukhin said he will never agree to dropping impeachment proceedings. According to ITAR-TASS, Prime Minister Primakov and Duma leaders may discuss a draft statement on political stability next week. Moscow Mayor and possible presidential contender Yurii Luzhkov said that the accord ''plays down the significance'' of the office of the president and strips the head of state of some of his powers. (J.A.C.)
Teachers begin nationwide strike
Teachers from various Russian regions, including Ulyanovsk and Chita Oblasts and the Republic of Buryatia, took part in a nationwide strike, RFE/RL reported on 27 January. On the streets of Sakhalin Oblast, almost 5,000 teachers protested unpaid wages, according to an RFE/RL correspondent in Yuzhno Sakhalinsk. In Irkutsk, 2,200 workers from 77 educational establishments went on strike, ITAR-TASS reported. Vladimir Yakovlev, head of the education workers union, told RFE/RL's Moscow bureau the previous day that 380,000 workers in the education sector would likely stay away from work. According to Yakovlev, some 120,000 teachers have protested since the beginning of this month. Among the regions that have seen the most teachers' protests are Kamchatka and Murmansk Oblasts, Altai Krai, and Republic of Karelia, while in three raions in Ryazan Oblast teachers did not receive even 1 ruble last year. (J.A.C.)
Primakov calls for reorganizing federation
Talk of reducing the number of regions in Russia was revived on 26 January, when Prime Minister Primakov suggested the possibility of merging Russia's constituent territories and establishing a ''house of nationalities'' in the Russian parliament might be considered in 2000. Speaking at an all-Russia conference on federal relations, Primakov said he supported an initiative of Tomsk Governor Viktor Kress to reorganize Russia's administrative-territorial system and that ''about 30 regions have territorial claims on one another now, which is a bad sign.'' He added that he shares the position of those who believe that governors and regional administration heads should not be elected, Interfax reported. Speaking at the same conference, Prosecutor-General Yurii Skuratov said that 70 percent of regional legislation does not correspond to federal law, according to ITAR-TASS. (J.A.C.)
Some regions still unhappy with budget . . .
Despite the fact that Moscow has increased their share of federal tax revenues in the 1999 budget, regional governors continue to express dissatisfaction with the budget. Federation Council Chairman Yegor Stroev said on 27 January that the upper house may veto the budget if the conciliation commission does not resolve all disagreements over the distribution of federal resources and adjust the system of tax collection in constituent territories. Members of the Urals Economic Association agreed that the document ''completely ignores the interests of Russia's regions and the composition of their respective budgets,'' according to ''EWI Russian Regional Report'' on 21 January. Irkutsk Oblast Governor Boris Govorin also denounced the budget, warning that Moscow expects revenues far greater than the oblast's capacity to deliver, according to the report. (J.A.C.)
. . . As finance ministry suggests cold turkey
At least some Finance Ministry officials are promising to adopt a tougher line on regional transfers than did their predecessors. Deputy Finance Minister Viktor Khristenko told ''Vremya MN'' on 15 January that ''money is a drug and once you have wheedled some financial aid you get inspired to ask for more and more.'' According to the daily, ''financial aid without fixed purposes, which governors of various regions currently enjoy, has become a pernicious practice.'' However, it added, ''Moscow cannot ignore legislative restrictions on intervention in governors' financial affairs.'' According to Khristenko, regions that pay state workers and transfer tax revenue in a timely fashion will receive financial support, while those with a sizable backlog of unpaid salaries to state organizations will come under the Treasury's scrutiny. (J.A.C.)
Arkhangelsk city to be 'closed' again?
Arkhangelsk Oblast Governor Anatolii Efremov is proposing to the federal government that the city of Severodvinsk be granted the status of closed territorial formation, ITAR-TASS reported on 26 January. If given such a status, the city would be directly subordinated to and receive funding from the federal government. Experts estimate that the city's budget would double, from 300 million rubles (some $12 million) to 600 million rubles. Severodvinsk, where the country's largest nuclear submarines are built, has experienced severe financial difficulties owing to cuts in funding for defense contracts and the lack of money for conversion programs. (Jan Cleave)
Communists criticize U.S. aid for Russian media
The Communist Party's Duma faction has requested more information about U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's offer of $10 million to assist the development of independent media in Russia (see ''RFE/RL Newsline,'' 26 January 1999). According to Interfax, Duma deputy and Communist Party member Rinat Gabidullin said that the U.S.'s intention to support the Russian press prior to elections is ''crude interference in the country's internal affairs.'' (J.A.C.)
Maslyukov heading for dismissal?
Citing ''reliable sources,'' ''Nezavisimaya gazeta'' reported on 26 January that a presidential edict dismissing First Deputy Prime Minister Yurii Maslyukov ''has already been prepared.'' Maslyukov's dismissal, according to the newspaper, would enable President Yeltsin to send a ''clear signal'' to the prime minister as to the direction in which economic reforms must be implemented. In addition, Maslyukov's departure would help smooth over tense relations with Western creditors. The same day, presidential spokesman Dmitrii Yakushkin called reports that Maslyukov would be dismissed ''nonsense.'' (J.A.C.)
Zhirinovskii to seek governorship, and talks with mafia
Liberal Democratic Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovskii has confirmed his plans to run for governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast. He told the ''Berliner Zeitung'' on 25 January that one prong of his election strategy will be to open talks with the local mafia. He added that Krasnoyarsk Krai Governor Aleksandr Lebed was having problems in his region because ''he turned his back on the local mafia and businessmen.'' Earlier, he told a local television station in Yekaterinburg that he will take part in gubernatorial elections this summer and then run for the presidency in 2000 as Russia's most effective governor. Other candidates for the governor's seat are Yekaterinburg Mayor Arkadii Chernetskii, incumbent Eduard Rossel, and State Duma deputy Valerii Yazev, a member of the Our Home Is Russia faction. According to ''EWI's Russian Regional Report,'' Yazev claims that Moscow Mayor Yurii Luzhkov has promised him his support. (J.A.C.)
© 1998 RFE/RL, Inc. All rights reserved.
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RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
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January 29, 1999
