Central Asia

New Uzbek Premier May Signal Political Shift

President shows signs that he wants ministers around him who are tough managers as well as personally loyal.

21 Feb 05

Independent newspapers say the much-heralded printing house is charging them far too much.

21 Feb 05

A new decree will allow the authorities to further control the flow of information in the republic, activists warn.

21 Feb 05

Police downplay fears of terrorist involvement in Almaty explosions but speculation is raging about the bombers’ true motives.

21 Feb 05

Former ambassadors now active in politics are forbidden from running for office because they’ve lived outside the country.

21 Feb 05

Lack of public awareness about what the legislature actually did is matched by pessimism about its replacement.

21 Feb 05

Uzbeks ask president to write off utility debts, saying they can’t afford to pay.

21 Feb 05

Efforts to improve Tajik government’s reputation have produced some tentative steps, but a lot more needs to be done.

21 Feb 05

Officials want to clamp down on mosques that feed militant Islam, but mullahs say they are being unjustly targeted.

21 Feb 05

Suspicions are growing that security forces could have used envoy’s family members as hostages to force him to return home after defection.

21 Feb 05

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