24 June, 2011
Politics: Economy: Society: President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov met with Mikhail Dmitriev, Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation, at the Oqsaroy June 28. Productive exchange of views on the current state and prospects of military-technical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia, along with priority dimensions of bilateral interaction on this front took place at the meeting. Greeting the guest, the head of our nation noted that the current visit by the Russian official can be considered materialization of agreements reached during the recent meeting between leaders of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Russian Federation in Tashkent. Interest of the two countries in advancing the mutually advantageous military-technical cooperation has been underscored, the one which covers such issues as delivery of modern military hardware, repairs and renovation of weaponry and defense technologies and military property, technological equipment of enterprises in defense industrial complex.
Rogun hydropower station can lead to dangerous catastrophe in Central Asia
Popular Russian public-political publication Federalnaya Gazeta (Federal Newspaper) published an article of chief editor Zulfiya Bonoeva “Rogun Project – catastrophe for Central Asia”. The author raised actual issue on water use, construction of large hydropower stations at trans-boundary rivers, and its destructive impact to ecologic system of the region. The article underlines that nature shows its character to humanity. Global climate change, natural and man-caused catastrophes, which cause to large number of victims, are evidence for it. In this context, the author noted that construction of gigantic dam – Rogun hydropower station – at Vakhsh river, can lead to dangerous catastrophe for all region of Central Asia and create threat to life of 50 million people. The paper cited Academician and honourable director of Institute of Seismology of the Science Academy of Tajikistan Sabit Negmatillaev, who said that there were earthquakes with magnitude of nine in Tajikistan territory, Karatag, in 1907, in Pamir in 1911 and in Hait in 1949, similar to that earthquake in Japan in March 2011. Academician forecasted that it is expected that in next ten years, there will be similar earthquake in Pamir-Hindu Kush mountain chain. The article said that in case of earthquake, like in Japan, there will be sharp growth of tension at dam. It added that dam will not be able to stands such pressure and will fall, creating real tsunami. Break of dam will result in catastrophe in Central Asia, first of all, for Tajikistan. The catastrophe will also damage other waterworks facilities at Vakhsh cascade and flood large number of cities and settlements in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, the article added. The Russian paper said that in case of break of Rogun dam, the height of wave, which will rush down-stream, will make at least 100 meters and its destructive power will be higher than Japanese tsunami. The article quoted expert of French Geopolitics Institute Pierre-Emmanuel Tommann, who said that construction of Utopian hydropower projects in Central Asia with large dam is unsufficiently considered in the view of consequences. French expert said that intention of Tajikistan to construct Rogun hydropower station is extremely risky. He called all those, who realize this project, to listen to voice of sense and solve all issues based on general norms and principles of international law. Construction of Rogun power station, the author underlined, can also negatively impact glaciers, which feed Vakhsh river. At the end of the article, the author said that hydro power problem can be solved due to small hydro power stations, which will not change rivers-bed and their construction is more economically attractive. Uzbek parliament hosts meeting with Polish Seim Chairman The Legislative Chamber [lower house] of Oliy Majlis [parliament] of the Republic of Uzbekistan received S.Neshilovsky, Chairman of the Polish Seim. The Polish parliamentarian was introduced to democratic reforms, carried out in Uzbekistan for the years of independence, Uzbekistan's position in a range of international issues. The guest stressed the importance of the role of the parliament and political parties in the life of the state and civil society formation, informed about Poland's readiness to render consultative cooperation in development of democratic institutions. According to Mr. Neshilovsky, bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Poland have a great unused potential. It was proposed to create Polish-Uzbek friendship group in the Polish Parliament within the framework of strengthening bilateral inter-parliamentary ties. Mr.Neshilovsky highly assessed the role of Uzbekistan in preserving the stability in the Central Asian region and its position in regulating the conflict in Afghanistan. He noted that the problem of terrorism has a global nature and all states of the region should cooperate in its solution. Mr. Neshilovsky was satisfied with fruitful negotiations and expressed hope for further development of effective cooperation between two states. (Source: UzReport Agency) US Science Envoy Dr. Gast discusses science and education ties US Science Envoy and President of Lehigh University, Dr. Alice Gast, travelled to Uzbekistan on 23-26 June as part of President Obama's initiative to strengthen science and education ties. The visit, Dr. Gast's first ever to Uzbekistan, was the latest in a series of efforts to enhance US-Uzbekistan scientific relations. During their meeting, the two sides discussed practical ways in which to advance bilateral scientific cooperation, including through joint workshops and other projects. Dr. Gast noted that the US and Uzbekistan have many common scientific interests and that both sides could benefit from cooperation in these areas. At the US Embassy in Tashkent, Dr. Gast met with a group of over 100 local students. Dr. Gast encouraged the students to pursue studies and careers in the sciences. She also highlighted the potential for greater cooperation between the US and Uzbekistan in the science arena, especially as such fields are often less sensitive to the complexities of the political environment. In Samarkand, Dr. Gast was able to view first-hand evidence of Uzbekistan's strong tradition of scientific research. She marveled at the rich history of the Registan, climbed the steps of Shah-i-Zinda, and admired the achievements of Ulugbek and his observatory. Dr. Gast was in Uzbekistan in her capacity as a private citizen. She will advise the White House, the Department of State, and the US scientific community about the knowledge and insights she gained from her visit. (Source: UzReport Agency) ECONOMY National Export-Import Insurance Company Uzbekinvest held a seminar on the role of insurance in providing financial services to small businesses and private entrepreneurship. Minimization of business risks and potential losses is one of the effective mechanisms that can support small businesses and private entrepreneurship in Uzbekistan. Considering that 2011 was proclaimed the Year of Small Business and Private Entrepreneurship, intensifying activities in insurance of small business is one of the priorities of the country’s insurers today. Director general of Uzbekinvest F.Saidahmedov noted his company had set the goals to expand insurance of the small business and modernize the existing insurance products to match them to the preferences of the small businesses. Today, Uzbekinvest offers more than 70 kinds of insurance services, 21 of them focused on insurance coverage for small businesses and private entrepreneurship. The company has 14 territorial branches and over 80 insurance offices throughout Uzbekistan. This year, 4 new insurance offices started activity in Samarkand, Kashkadarya and Syrdarya regions and Tashkent city. (Source: UzA News Agency) SOCIETY The role of mass media in ensuring human rights and freedoms On June 30, 2011, faction of SDPU “Adolat” in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis organized “round table” on “The role of mass media in ensuring human rights and freedoms”. It was attended by party activists, representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), National Center for Human Rights, National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan, Union of Journalists of Uzbekistan, news agencies, as well as a number of newspapers and magazines. The participants of the event noted that if in 1991 in Uzbekistan there were 395 mass media, then in 2011 they became 1243. They also discussed measures on further improving the mass media legislation with the aim of further improving their quality, to create optimal conditions for work. As it was highlighted in the reports, the mass media today is a powerful ideological tool that influences the politics, economy, protection of human rights and freedoms, education of the younger generation in the spirit of devotion to the ideas of independence and democracy. Participants of the “round table” have received satisfactory answers to their questions on the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and its committees, faction of SDPU “Adolat”. (Source: parliament.gov.uz) On June 28-29, 2011 at the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis under the project of UNDP “Support for parliamentary development”, was held a training for the deputies of lower chamber on “Gender Development: Issues of formation of leadership skills”. Participants of the event noted that during the years of independence in Uzbekistan there was a rapid increase in public and political activity of women. The Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, more than 80 laws and other regulations of the country constitute the legal basis for the protection of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of women. In the country, a lot of attention is paid to the participation of women in state and public construction. Norms of the legislation on elections, according to which number of women should be at least thirty percent of the total number of candidates nominated by political parties shall grant women additional opportunities to take active part in political processes. During the training, conducted in an interactive way, special attention was paid to the rights and role of women in matters such as access to public service, participation in elections in various representative bodies, as well as in non-profit organizations. Participants of the training offered specific suggestions and recommendations on increasing civic participation of women, their participation in governance and public affairs. (Source: parliament.gov.uz)
Meeting at the Oqsaroy
Rogun hydropower station can lead to dangerous catastrophe in Central Asia
Uzbek parliament hosts meeting with Polish Seim Chairman
US Science Envoy Dr. Gast discusses science and education ties
Uzbekinvest expands activities
The role of mass media in ensuring human rights and freedoms
Training for deputies
Mikhail Dmitriev expressed sincere gratitude for a warm welcome and said that the Russian side remains consistent advocate of enhancing the mutually rewarding relations with Uzbekistan in military-technical sphere, of providing the Uzbek side with comprehensive assistance in building up defense capabilities of the country. (Source: press-service.uz)
The group will contribute to strengthening and increase of the cooperation level between parliaments of two states. Such group can be created in autumn 2011, the parliamentarian noted.
In Tashkent, Dr. Gast visited the Academy of Sciences, where she met with Dr. Shavkat Salikhov, Chairman of the Committee on Coordination of Science and Technology Development and President of the Academy of Sciences, and Dr. Rustam Saidov, Head of the Department on Development of International Science and Technology Cooperation, Committee on Coordination of Science and Technology Development.
Dr. Gast's visit to Uzbekistan came six months after Secretary of State Clinton signed the Science and Technology Agreement between the US and Uzbekistan in Tashkent in December, 2010.
Dr. Gast's visit built upon the success of the visit of Dr. Kerri-Ann
Jones, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, who was in Tashkent in February of this year.
These and other issues were the main topic of discussion at the seminar, which gathered deputies of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis, representatives of the Ministry of Economy, State Customs Committee, State Insurance Inspectorate under the Finance Ministry, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other organizations.