Tag Archives: politics

Presidential candidates in Kazakhstan need health test

MAY 4 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — In a draft law to be voted on by Kazakhstan’s parliament, candidates for future presidential elections will have to undergo a medical test. Pres. Nursultan Nazarbayev pushed through a raft of tweaks to the constitution earlier this year which he said were designed to shift power to parliament from the presidency in a move that makes Kazakhstan more democratic. His detractors have said that the changes tighten his control over power.

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(News report from Issue No. 327, published on May 5 2017)

Kazakhstan’s drug purchasing overpays for medicines

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APRIL 28 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — Kazakhstan’s state-run drug purchasing company SK Pharmacia paid nearly four times more than it needed to for various medicines in 2015 in a corruption scheme that cost the Kazakh taxpayer millions, the state’s anti-corruption unit said. SK Pharmacia has been the focus of a major corruption investigation since the end of last year.

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(News report from Issue No. 327, published on May 5 2017)

Kazakh president goes walkabout

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APRIL 25 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — Surrounded by burly bodyguards, Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev went for a rare walkabout around the area close to Astana’s train station. Official media showed pictures of a relaxed looking Mr Nazarbayev talking to people. Unusually, Mr Nazarbayev decided to go for a dressed-down tie-less look. The 76- year-old likes to portray himself as a man of the people.

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(News report from Issue No. 326, published on April 28 2017)

Georgian committee approves constitutional changes

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APRIL 23 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — A committee, dominated by the ruling Georgian Dream coalition, convened to study ideas for a new constitution in Georgia voted overwhelmingly in favour of proposals to strip the presidency of power. Opponents of the proposed new constitution, lead by President Girorgi Margvelashvili have accused the Georgian Dream government coalition of trying to undermine its rivals by tinkering with the constitution and pushing the country towards a one-party rule. The Georgian Dream has a large enough majority in parliament to push through any constitutional changes. A date for a vote in parliament on the proposed changes has not yet been set.

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(News report from Issue No. 326, published on April 28 2017)

Uzbekistan’s Mirziyoyev sidelines rival

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APRIL 26 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has demoted his longtime colleague Rustam Azimov, sources told the Reuters news agency.

The move appears to be an attempt by Mr Mirziyoyev, in power since the death in September of the cantankerous Islam Karimov, to consolidate both his power and his reputation as Uzbekistan’s moderniser.

Mr Azimov, a deputy PM, had been considered one of the two most influential figures propping up Mr Mirziyoyev. He had previously been finance minister but has now, according to Reuters, been given the job of reorganising the rural economy. The other figure considered powerful in Uzbekistan is Rustam Inoyatov, head of the security services.

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(News report from Issue No. 326, published on April 28 2017)

Corruption unfolds in Georgian football

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APRIL 19 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — Georgia’s domestic football is often plagued by illegal betting, media reported quoting European gambling watchdog officials. The oocrp.org website, a part-US funded anti-corruption website, quoted the head of FederBet, Francesko Baranca, as saying Georgia’s second division matches were often targeted for illegal bets.

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(News report from Issue No. 325, published on April 17 2017)

Azerbaijan tries to bribe Council of Europe

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APRIL 20 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — Azerbaijan has tried to bribe members of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (Pace) into helping it improve its human rights record, the Guardian newspaper reported citing various officials it had interviewed. Similar claims have been made before against individual members of the Council of Europe which has influence over the human rights lobby.

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(News report from Issue No. 325, published on April 17 2017)

Go to the theatre, Tajik police chief tells men

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APRIL 13 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — In an interview with the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Tajik interior ministry spokesman said that interior minister, Ramazon Rahminzoda, had ordered policemen to go to the theatre at least once a month. He said that the theatre could inspire, challenge and educate policemen. Tajik police have a reputation for being corrupt.

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(News report from Issue No. 324, published on April 13 2017)

Tajik President’s son starts as Dushanbe mayor

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APRIL 10 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon officially signed a decree appointing his 29-year-old son, Rustam Emomali, as the mayor of Dushanbe. Mr Emomali had been acting mayor of Dushanbe since January when the previous long- serving incumbent was suddenly fired. He had to wait until he had been elected to the city assembly before he could take up the position on a full-time basis. He was elected to the assembly at the end of last month. Some analysts have said that Mr Emomali’s promotion is part of the grooming he is undergoing ahead of taking over from his father as president.

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(News report from Issue No. 324, published on April 13 2017)

Uzbek government set up to attract investments

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APRIL 13 2017 (The Conway Bulletin) — Uzbek president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has signed a law on setting up a government unit specifically to attract foreign investment, media reported. The State Committee for Investments will also be tasked with ensuring that the foreign investment is directed properly. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in power since September last year, has said that he wants to attract more foreign investors.

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(News report from Issue No. 324, published on April 13 2017)