Zone 1- Asia Summary- Week # 117

Week # 117, Dated 24-30 April 2010

TURKEY

Political Front:

The Turkish Government has allowed Labor Union to celebrate May Day.

Three Military officers who were suspected of involvement in the Sledgehammer security operation plan have been released.

Geo-strategic Front:

Turkey has reiterated its commitment towards diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue. Meanwhile Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria have launched cooperation on environment and meteorology.

Israel has expressed serious concerns regarding Turkey-Syrian Military Exercises. Meanwhile Turkey seems keen to enhance ties with New Zealand, Australia and Georgia.

Economic Front:

Azerbaijan has agreed to provide gas to Turkey at cheap prices. All the while inflation has increased in Turkey.

Social Front:

A Turkish prosecutor has rejected the demand to investigate the wives of the president and prime minister for wearing an Islamic headscarf at official functions.

Meanwhile the US-based independent watchdog organization Freedom House has appreciated Turkish Press for being open and free. However they claimed that the media usually lacks news and focuses more on insignificant issues.

GCC

Political Front:

Yemeni Shia rebels have demanded release of 1,000 prisoners.

Geo-strategic Front:

Bahrain and Kuwait have expressed interest in enhancing bilateral ties. Meanwhile Kuwait and the other member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have emphasized greatly the need for coordination in the face of terrorism, possible nuclear threats and external aggression.

The foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates has refused to back down in the face of Iranian anger and repeated his call for Tehran to end its "occupation" of three islands in the Gulf.

Meanwhile the GCC Secretary General has greatly admired the relation between GCC states and Russia. He further appreciated Russian efforts to urge Tehran to solve the problem of the three UAE islands currently occupied by Iran either through direct negotiations or international arbitration.

Economic Front:

Inflation rates remained low in Gulf countries. Meanwhile the IMF has appreciated fiscal policies of the region to effectively counter the economic crisis.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry and General Electric Company (GE) announced strategic partnership aimed at building sustainable economy through industrialization, research and education, and creating new jobs for Saudi nationals.

Also the governments of the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a power grid agreement. The two sides have also signed technical agreements for the exchange of energy between the respective companies and authorities in both countries to benefit from the linkage project.

Meanwhile eind and solar power resources have been regarded as best possible means to cope with Bahrain’s energy needs.

Kuwait’s crude oil exports to China have jumped 26.4 % in March from a year earlier to 945,100 tons, equivalent to around 224, 000 barrels per day (bpd).

Social Front:

Kuwaiti women have called on the parliament and government to treat them equally in accordance with the country's constitution. Meanwhile a human rights campaigner in Kuwait has slammed the government's decision to rule out the introduction of a minimum wage for foreign workers.

CENTRAL ASIA

Political Front:

Police in the Azerbaijani capital detained dozens of opposition activists on their way to a rally outside the mayor's office. Meanwhile Kazakh authorities refused to allow the People's Power political bloc to hold demonstrations on May 1.

The former chief of staff of Kyrgyzstan's presidential office has been arrested. Also Kyrgyz interim regime has announced that it would allow Kyrgyz first president Askar Akaev to return from Russia. Meanwhile Kyrgyzstan's interim government has introduced a draft constitution that would alter the country's political system by giving more power to parliament while reducing the president's authority.

Leaflets and compact discs have been circulated in southern Kyrgyzstan calling on citizens to create a "South Kyrgyzstan Democratic Republic" with ousted President Bakiev as its leader.

Geo-strategic Front:

Pakistan and Azerbaijan have discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the field of defense. Meanwhile growing Azeri ties with China also grabbed attention.

President of Turkmenistan has paid a visit to China. Also President of Uzbekistan held meetings with member of the Chinese State Council.

Last week dozens of Kyrgyz activists gathered in front of the Kazakh Embassy to demand an apology from Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev for contemptuous comments he made about the uprising in Kyrgyzstan.

Tajik officials have asked Russia to detain and deport 41 people suspected of belonging to the banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU).

Economic Front:

The European Union has appreciated Azerbaijan-Turkey agreement on gas transportation.

Meanwhile Uzbek and Chinese Ministries signed an economic cooperation protocol.

Social Front:

Some reports have indicated outbreak of polio in Tajikistan.

EAST ASIA

Political front:

Thai security forces and anti-government protesters clashed on 28 April in Bangkok leaving dozens of people injured.

A Malaysian opposition politician, who lost a recent by-election in the rural Hulu Selangor constituency, said that he would ask a court to nullify the result, claiming he was a victim of vote buying and other irregularities by the ruling party. Meanwhile the Barisan Nasional's (BN) recapture of a parliamentary seat in central Selangor stat gave the coalition a much-needed boost after losing seven out of nine previous by-elections since disastrous national polls in 2008.

The Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group has agreed to help avoid violence on a troubled southern island during voting in this month's national and local elections. Philippine presidential candidate Aquino has posted a double-digit lead over his nearest opponent in a recently published opinion poll by Social Weather Stations, showing that support for the son of the country's late democracy icon, Corazon "Cory" Aquino, edged up 1 point to 38%.

The Cambodian government has told all foreign diplomatic envoys to avoid criticizing the country, insisting it is not a “banana republic”.

Geo-strategic Front:

Indonesia has offered assistance to Thailand in order to bring back stability and order in the country. In this regard Thai foreign Minister held a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart.

Economic Front:

Indonesian coal prices have increased following strong demand from China and India, while wet weather hindered supplies in Kalimantan, the country's coal producing region on Borneo Island. Meanwhile President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has pledged to make Indonesia the world's biggest user of clean, renewable geothermal energy, and urged private investors to back him.

Malaysia has declared Chinese economic growth to be a source of motivation for the nation and not a threat.

The Thai political crisis has adversely affected the country’s economy.

Meanwhile the Cambodian PM has expressed optimism regarding the country’s future economic growth.

According to a report in the Voice of Vietnam News, Vietnam has been ranked second among world coffee exporters.

Social Front:

A Census has been started in Indonesia.

Meanwhile the number of malaria cases recorded in Cambodia has increased significantly.

FERTILE CRESCENT

Political Front:

In Egypt one of the opposition leaders has out rightly denied any opposition within the Muslim Brotherhood. Meanwhile the Egyptian Parliament approved a law on combating human trafficking during its parliamentary session.

Former Egyptian President's son Gamal Mubarak has returned to politics, paying visits to villages and supervising preparations for Shura Council elections.

The Iraqi prime minister harshly criticized calls by his rival for international involvement in setting up a new government following the close-fought parliamentary elections, saying such a role would harm Iraq's efforts to become a self-reliant country. Nouri Al-Maliki also hinted at some sort of international plot to stage a coup through ballots — in the latest escalation of the war of words in Iraq's post-election impasse following the March 7 vote. The front-runner in Iraq's recent parliamentary elections has called for the formation of an impartial caretaker government to prevent the country from sliding into violence and counter efforts to change the vote results.

Thousands of protestors have gathered in Beirut to demand a separation of politics and religion in Lebanon. The demonstrators marched on parliament chanting "secularism" and waving placards calling for the recognition of civil marriage in the Mediterranean country. The idea of a secular political system has faced stiff opposition from ruling politicians.

Geo-strategic Front:

Egyptian President has assured Lebanon that Israel would not launch an attack against the later. Meanwhile Israeli officials also denied any chances of such an attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed hope that the stalled peace process between Israel and Palestine would resume next week.

Representatives of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Kifaya (Enough) coalition, along with a number of independent politicians filed a report last week to state prosecutor demanding the immediate arrest of Netanyahu on his arrival in Egypt this week for talks with President Hosni Mubarak.

The overwhelming majority of Nile Basin countries in east Africa, including Kenya, have decided to sign a new treaty that governs the future usage of the Nile River, which the Egyptian government has rejected.

Meanwhile Iraq’s foreign minister blamed the US and Britain for not taking an active role in resolving the war torn nation’s bitter election dispute, while accusing Washington of being more concerned with sending home US soldiers.

Economic Front:

Iraq has completed 25% of the plan to develop its Nasiriyah oil field. Meanwhile Iraq has asked Iran to continue supplying it with electricity in the future.

Business representatives from the controversial Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus held meeting with a handful of Lebanese businessmen in a bid to expand their business ties in the country.

Social Front:

Iraqi officials have recently disclosed that Hundreds of Sunni men disappeared for months into a secret Baghdad prison under the jurisdiction of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's military office, where many were routinely tortured until the country's Human Rights Ministry gained access to the facility. Human Rights Watch has called for a thorough investigation into the detention centre and has urged Iraq to prosecute those responsible for the abuse. Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, has denied any connection with the facility, which housed mainly Sunni Arab prisoners from the volatile northern city of Mosul.

INDIA

Political Front:

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor has resigned amidst allegations of his involvement in the Kochi IPL cricket franchise bid.

Meanwhile BJP has strongly condemned UPA ruling regime for its inability to control prices on common goods. They even launched a cut motion to pressurize government but could not win support of parties like SP and RJD. Opposition parties have also criticized government for phone tapping deeming it to be against individuals’ liberty.

The Indian Government has thus far failed to conduct census in areas under Naxalites control.

Geo-strategic Front:

Chinese Foreign Minister has assured that the dam being built by it on river Brahmaputra will have no impact on the downstream flow of the river into India.

A junior diplomat (Madhuri Gupta) in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan has been arrested by the special cell of the Delhi police on the charge of leaking sensitive national secrets to Pakistani intelligence agencies.

Meanwhile India and Pakistan have ended a diplomatic stalemate by resuming dialogue at the foreign-ministerial level.

Economic Front:

Many analysts claim that food inflation in India would soften on arrival of the Rabi crop harvest in markets by the middle of this month. Meanwhile the IMF has appreciated India for tightening of its monetary policy to deal with the problem of inflation. The leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China have demanded a commitment to reform the Breton Woods financial institutions.

Social Front:

In India the Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, has sought an independent, high-level inquiry into bomb blasts of all kinds, fake encounters and confinement of Muslim youth, to nail the lie that Muslims are involved in acts of terrorism. He asserted that “99 % of Muslims arrested on accusations of terrorism are innocent.”

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued its first-stage, long-range forecast for the Southwest Monsoon.

AFGHANISTAN

Political Front:

In Afghanistan some members of the lower house of parliament have accused the executive of refusing to respect the decisions made by the legislature. Meanwhile the powerful head of Kandahar's provincial council, Ahmad Wali Karzai, has denounced the UN for pulling its foreign staff out of the southern city.

A number of senators have demanded the trial of those involved in the Russian-backed military coup against former president Sardar Muhammad Daud Khan on April 27, 1978.

Last week the killing of three Afghanis led hundreds of protestors to block the highway in Afghanistan and to burn a NATO truck.

Meanwhile a Pentagon Report has claimed that the influence of Taliban has enhanced in Afghanistan while the support for Hamid Karzai has significantly decreased.

Geo-strategic Front:

Karzai paid a visit to India last week in order to explore ways to collaborate in countering terrorism. Meanwhile he held meeting with Bhutanese PM and discussed various areas of cooperation.

Economic Front:

A delay in the approval of Afghanistan's budget this year has left many ministries complaining that they have not been able to push forward with development projects.

Social Front:

Thirteen more Afghan schoolgirls have fallen ill in a case of suspected gas poisoning in Kunduz Province, raising the total number of such cases to 80 in the past week.

WHO suggests that about half a million of Afghans, with majority of them in southern areas, have no access to basic health services due to continued instability and conflicts.

Meanwhile Afghanistan’s government has started introducing new rules to ban internet users from accessing sites promoting pornography, alcohol and gambling or other activities that conflict with the country’s Islamic culture.

IRAN

Political Front:

The Iranian opposition groups have claimed that they would never exert effort to replace the Islamic system with any other.

Meanwhile Iran has refused to agree to exchange its low-level enriched uranium for nuclear fuel rods enriched abroad.

Geo-strategic Front:

The Pentagon last week released a 12-page report that identified an "increased presence" by Iran's elite military force in Latin America, particularly in Venezuela.

China has clearly denied supporting sanctions against Iran. Meanwhile ahead of Iranian President's intended visit to address a UN conference on nuclear non-proliferation this week in New York, several U.S. Congressmen have demanded to deny his entry into the country. Following these demands the Iranian Foreign Minister reminded the US to fulfill obligations as per its role as a host of the UNO.

Economic Front:

Iran has exported over 18.5 billion dollars worth of industrial and mineral goods to different countries during the last Iranian year of 1388 (March 21, 2009-March 21, 2010).

Meanwhile Iran seems quite active in boosting economic ties with Cuba, Belarus, Bosnia, Tehran, Ukraine, Japan, Iraq and the Republic of Guinea.

Social Front:

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on the eve of Teachers Day in Iran (May 2) to commemorate the martyrdom of Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari, appreciated the personalities who have been quite active in the field of divine philosophy. §

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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and developed jointly by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.

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Zone 1- Asia Summary- Week # 116

Week # 116, Dated 17 April to 23 April 2010

TURKEY

Political Front: Turkish PM held meeting with most prominent Turkish writers seeking their opinion regarding the amendments package. Meanwhile NGOs have extended their support for the package.

Dervis Eroglu has won the elections in Turkish Cyprus by getting 50 % votes.

Geo-strategic front: A recent survey has indicated that 79% of Turkish population has unfavorable opinion of the US.

Armenia has stopped the ratification Process of the Protocols which were held between Armenia and Turkey to normalize their relations. Meanwhile the Turkish Foreign Minister has paid visit to Iraq in order to assess post election situation there.

Serbia, Spain and Turkey held a meeting in Belgrade last week in which they shared the common vision to integrate the Western Balkans States into the European Union. Israel has decided to cut off arms sale to Turkey amidst their strained ties. Turkey has signed MoU with China meanwhile has also discussed areas of economic cooperation with Russia.

Economic Front: Despite the fact that Turkey has successfully come out of the impact of global economic crisis, high unemployment rate and inflation continue to plague the nation. Meanwhile Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has invested 4 billion USD for oil exploration in Black Sea.

GCC

Geo-strategic Front: GCC Secretary General held a meeting with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister during his visit to Moscow and discussed various areas of cooperation. He further discussed the Iranian nuclear issue reiterating his opposition to the military option.

Meanwhile Saudi King paid a visit to Bahrain and emphasized greatly the need to enhance bilateral ties.

Iran has called on the United Arab Emirates to resolve the "misunderstanding" over the three Gulf islands through dialogue. Foreign Minister of UAE however claimed that "an occupation of an Arab land is an occupation and not a misunderstanding and there is no difference between Israel's occupation of the Golan (Heights), south Lebanon, West Bank or Gaza and the Iranian occupation of the UAE islands."

Oman and Iran have expressed keenness to further boost their deep-rooted historical ties. Meanwhile Bahraini Deputy PM also held a meeting with Iranian Vice President.

France and Kuwait have opened the way for joint nuclear energy projects in the Gulf country.

Economic Front: The combined economy of the oil-rich GCC states grew 5.5% last year. According to the annual report of the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consultancy (GOIC) the collective gross domestic product (GDP) of the region crossed the barrier of a trillion dollars in 2008, and reached $ 1,086bn at the close of last year.

Qatar stood second in 2009 in the entire GCC region in terms of the size of investment in industrial projects, accounting for 11.5 % in total.

IRAN

Geo-strategic Front: Iranian authorities have deported some 15 illegal Pakistani immigrants and handed them over to the Taftan administration.

The US has expressed satisfaction over significant progress in negotiations on new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program. All the while Iranian envoy to IAEA has claimed that his country would allow the International Agency to inspect its new enrichment site in Natanz in central Iran.

The massive war games conducted by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in the Persian Gulf showed that any enemy threats against the country will be reciprocated by Iran's powerful response.

An Israeli Deputy Minister has claimed that an Iranian nuclear scientist has asked for asylum in Israel.

Meanwhile the White House has expressed deep concern about the well-being of three American hikers who have been detained in Iran for nearly nine months.

Economic Front: Iran’s self sufficiency in oil exploration has enabled the nation to bear sanctions.

Iran has granted a $ 105 million loan to Sri Lanka for a rural electrification project. Meanwhile Iran and Uganda have signed three cooperation deals during President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad’s visit to the country.

Social Front: Iran has granted immunity from prosecution to more than one hundred members of the Jundallah terrorist group.

AFGHANISTAN

Political Front: At least 29 militants, including two commanders, were killed in four days of intense fighting aimed at protecting supply routes through northern Afghanistan.

NATO forces shot dead four Afghan school students, claiming they were Taliban militants. Later an apology was issued for killing unarmed Afghanis. Three Italian aid workers who were detained on suspicion of plotting to kill a provincial governor have been freed.

Taliban have started regular targeting of U.S. government contractors in southern Afghanistan. New data from the US government indicates that the number of American contractors killed in Afghanistan has increased by more than 100%.

Meanwhile Afghanistan has started registering thousands of candidates for the country's parliamentary elections set to be held on September 18.

Geo-strategic Front: The Pentagon is making efforts to halt fertilizer shipments from Pakistan that are used to make bombs.

In a recent poll a majority of UK citizens support withdrawal of military troops from Afghanistan.

Economic Front: A newly-constructed textile factory, funded by the US, was inaugurated in Jalalabad. Meanwhile the Afghan business community has expressed high hopes regarding government’s anti-corruption measures, foreign investments and marble industry.

Social front: Heavy rains and flood destroyed hundreds of houses in Northern Afghanistan. Meanwhile a moderate earthquake in Central and northern Afghanistan caused death of at least 7 people.

19 development schemes, benefiting thousands of residents, have been executed in northern Jawzjan province. While US funded schools and wards continue to work in Afghanistan.

CENTRAL ASIA

Political Front: An Azerbaijani opposition party having been denied permission to stage a protest in the city on April 25 is now set to hold a mass rally on May 15. Another party has demanded amendments to the election code, official observance of the right to free assembly, and transparency in ongoing talks on resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Interim authorities in Kyrgyzstan have declared legitimacy and hoped for the end of conflict following the resignation and departure from the country of former President Bakiev. Kyrgyzstan's interim government has so far uncovered more than $20 million in cash and gold belonging of ousted President Bakiev and members of his family in Kyrgyz banks. Meanwhile the interim government has announced to hold elections in October, after a referendum aimed at reducing the powers of the president.

The ousted President has claimed that he would not like to be the country’s President any more but would offer his services for the stability of Kyrgyzstan. On the other hand the newly appointed chairwoman of Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission has stepped down after just one day on the job amidst strong protests by common people.

Geo-strategic Front: The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has canceled military computer exercises with U.S. forces that were scheduled for May.

Meanwhile the Azerbaijan-Russia group working on delimitation of the state borders has reached an agreement during recently held talks.

Pakistan has supported Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and denied Armenian position. The Kazakh Interior Ministry has tightened regulations for visitors from countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

Turkmen President has received Special Representative of the UK on international trade and investment.

Authorities in the eastern Uzbek city of Andijon have imposed stringent security measures on residents in the aftermath of last week's uprising that ousted Kyrgyz President Bakiev.

Economic Front: Israel has doubled its trade with Azerbaijan unlike other Central Asian Republics.

The largest outdoor market in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, was closed last week due to disorder in the city's outskirts.

Meanwhile Uzbekistan’s GDP has grown 7.6% in First Quarter of 2010.

Social Front: The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has asked Azeri authorities to release detained Journalist. Kazakhstan's population has exceeded 16 million people. Human Rights Watch has urged the interim authorities in Kyrgyzstan to open a probe into this month's violence that led to the ouster of President Bakiev. The Food Security Monitoring System of the World Food Program (WFP) has reported that overall food insecurity has slightly worsened in the first quarter of 2010, leaving over one-third of the rural population in Tajikistan food-insecure. The Ministry of Economy and Development and the Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan have been instructed to create a unified system to introduce information and communication technologies into public administration.

EAST ASIA

Political Front: Regular elections in Indonesia have led many scholars to call it a model democracy in East Asia. Malaysian government has built high expectations with bi-elections in Hulu Selangor as the election result would be a referendum about Prime Minister’s economic policies. MILF has promised to avoid violence in Southern part of Philippines during upcoming elections. Anti-regime protests continued for fifth week putting enormous pressure on the PM of Thailand.

Geo-strategic Front: Indonesia has offered to assist Thailand in resolving ongoing political turmoil there. Military ties between the US and Vietnam have grown remarkably during post Cold War period. Cambodian troops have withdrawn from disputed border of Thailand after exchange of fire between troops of both sides.

Economic Front: Indonesian government has started thinking to limit the inflow of foreign capital as it might cause a domestic stock bubble in a market dominated by overseas buyers. Political crisis in Thailand has not created an adverse impact on its economic ties with Malaysia. Meanwhile Malaysian economists have predicted high economic growth this year. Despite political issues Thai exports have grown remarkably. Cambodia has observed 4% growth in agriculture due to favorable rain. Vietnam has started making various products in order to avoid reliance on other countries. Extensive tourism in Laos has caused 5% growth in country’s GDP.

Social Front: A security think tank has asked Indonesian government to remain vigilant against extreme militants. Thailand has expressed serious concern regarding Muslims’ uprising in Southern region. Malaria has been regarded as key health issue in Cambodia however people of Laos feel insecure because of increasing number of road accidents in the country.

SOUTH ASIA

Political Front: Nine members of Bangladesh's main opposition party have died and 30 others were injured when their speeding bus collided head-on with a truck on the way to a political rally. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been cleared of another graft case filed during the past BNP regime. Political parties have failed to build consensus over a constitution to run Nepal. Veteran politician Dissanayake Mudiyansalage Jayaratne took the oath of office as Sri Lanka's 20th prime minister on 21st April after the ruling party won a large parliamentary majority.

Geo-strategic Front: The ambassador of United States has urged India and Bangladesh to build close ties. The Bangladesh High Commission (HC) in Islamabad on Sunday celebrated the Bangla New Year – 1417.

Economic Front: Indian restrictions on cotton exports would probably affect Bangladeshi textile industry. Inflation has further increased in Bangladesh mainly due to increase in prices of food items. Improvement in Maldives’ economy has been observed.

Social Front: Eighty-two tourists from Europe have so far cancelled their trip to Bhutan after Iceland’s volcano eruption disrupting air traffic and forcing thousands of airlines to cancel their flights. Maldivian President has won a top environmental prize from the United Nations. §

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Business and Politics in the Muslim World (BPM)refers to the project entitled, "Globalized Business and Politics: A View from the Muslim World.' The blog development project has been undertaken and developed jointly by the Gilani Research Foundation and BPM as a free resource and social discussion tool.

Please Preview your comments before posting.