Kazakstan's Cannabis Klondike
In the Chu valley, marijuana traffickers run rings round the under-resourced police.
20 Nov 05
Central Asia
Tajik Opposition Claims Major Poll Violations
Ruling party claims resounding victory, but its opponents say the vote was fixed.
20 Nov 05
Purse-string Politics in Kyrgyz Election
Pro-government candidates take a clear lead as first results emerge, but some observers say this election was more about money than politics.
20 Nov 05
Uzbekistan: Urban Renewal Comes at a Price
Town planners prepare to celebrate Karshi’s long history by reducing much of the city centre to rubble.
20 Nov 05
Kyrgyz Election Update: Round Two
Kyrgyzstan held an election to the 75-member Zhogorku Kenesh on February 27, but more than half the seats remained undecided as there was no clear winner. The second round on March 13 has now assumed critical importance, so this report looks at events bot
20 Nov 05
Kazaks and Uzbeks Seek to Smooth Relations
Latest row over Kazakstan’s “softness” on terror is part of wider-ranging regional rivalry.
20 Nov 05
Turkmen Women Suffer in Silence
Declining opportunities for women mean many are confined to male-dominated lives at home.
20 Nov 05
Uphill Struggle for Women Politicians in Kyrgyzstan
Poor showing in the recent parliamentary ballot leaves only three female candidates with a chance of being elected.
20 Nov 05
Protests at Kyrgyz Vote Result
Crowds in southern city of Jalalabad demand annulment of the first-round parliamentary election.
20 Nov 05
Turkmenbashi Wields The Axe
Third wave of medical cuts closes hospitals everywhere except the capital.
20 Nov 05
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