Tag Archives: security

Lithuanian ambassador to be sacked after gaffe in Azerbaijan

AUG. 29 2013 (The Conway Bulletin) — A diplomatic scandal centred on the status of the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh is likely to lead to the sacking of Lithuania’s envoy in Baku.

Lithuania’s media is reporting that Dalia Grybauskaite, the Lithuanian President, is likely to fire her envoys to Hungary and Azerbaijan after they were recorded describing Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Armenia.

The diplomatic spat not only embarrasses Lithuania but also acts as a wider reminder of Nagorno-Karabakh’s ultra-sensitive status. Azerbaijan and Armenia are still at war over Nagorno-Karabakh and only a 1994 UN negotiated ceasefire holds a shaky peace.

There are still almost weekly shoot-outs between the opposing armies and Azerbaijan has pledged to re-take the enclave from Armenia-backed forces.

Ms Grybauskaite has, apparently, acted after a recording of a private conversation between Arturas Zurauskas, Lithuania’ ambassador in Baku, and Renatas Juska, Lithuania’s ambassador in Budapest, surfaced on YouTube in July.

In the recording the men agree that Nagorno-Karabakh should be considered Armenian. They also refer to the enclave by its Armenian name, Artsakh. Azerbaijan stakes its own historical claim to the province.

The incident also serves as a reminder of the increased diplomatic clout that Azerbaijan’s burgeoning energy wealth has now given it.

ENDS
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(News report from Issue No. 150, published on Sept. 2 2013)

Azerbaijan buys weapons from S. Korea

AUG. 26 2013 (The Conway Bulletin) — Azerbaijan has asked South Korea about buying military planes, warships and artillery worth $3b, media reported. The story first surfaced in a Korean newspaper and hasn’t been confirmed by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has spent billions of dollars on re-arming its military, mainly on kit from Russia.

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(News report from Issue No. 150, published on Sept. 2 2013)

Islamists jailed in Kazakhstan

AUG. 15 2013 (The Conway Bulletin) — Kazakhstan’s Supreme Court sentenced six radical Islamists to up to 10 years in jail for plotting attacks against senior officials. Kazakhstan has been trying to quell a surge in attacks linked to radical Islamists over the past three years. Reports said the group plotted suicide attacks on major public buildings.

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(News report from Issue No. 148, published on Aug. 19 2013)

Hackers attack Kyrgyz website

AUG. 9 2013 (The Conway Bulletin) — Hackers attacked the Kyrgyz foreign ministry website, temporarily plastering it with Turkish language slogans, media reported. It was not clear who was behind the attack, the website of the US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. The attack did, though, show the vulnerability of Kyrgyzstan’s government.

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(News report from Issue No. 147, published on Aug. 12 2013)

US-Georgia hold joint military exercise

AUG. 10 2013 (The Conway Bulletin) — A US warship took part in annual exercises with the Georgian navy in the Black Sea, manoeuvres that increase tensions between Georgia and Russia. The USS Bulkeley, a destroyer, sailed into Batumi port on Aug. 10 and was due to leave Georgian waters on Aug. 13.

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Copyright ©The Conway Bulletin — all rights reserved

(News report from Issue No. 147, published on Aug. 12 2013)

Russia’s military to stay in Tajikistan

AUG. 1 2013 (The Conway Bulletin) — During a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon promised that Tajikistan’s parliament would soon ratify an agreement that will allow Russia’s military to remain in the country until 2042. Delays in ratifying the deal, made in 2012, have strained relations with Russia.

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Copyright ©The Conway Bulletin — all rights reserved

(News report from Issue No. 146, published on Aug. 5 2013)

Gunfight at Kyrgyz-Uzbek border

JULY 23 2013 (The Conway Bulletin) — At least one Uzbek soldier died in a gunfight with Kyrgyz soldiers on their shared border. Shootings are relatively common along the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border but the incident again highlights tension. Analysts have said the issue could destabilise the region.

(News report from Issue No. 145, published on July 29 2013)

Azerbaijan and Turkey hold joint military exercise

JULY 16 2013 (The Conway Bulletin) — Underling their close relations, Azerbaijan and Turkey have held joint military exercises, media reported. Azerbaijan and Turkey have signed a series of military agreements since 1992, including the joint manufacturing of long-range missiles.

(News report from Issue No. 144, published on July 22 2013)

Iran-Azerbaijan border could re-open

JULY 12 2013 (The Conway Bulletin) — At a press conference in Baku, Iran’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mohsen Pak Ayin, said he hoped the Aslanduz border crossing would re-open later this year. There are currently five border crossings open between Iran and Azerbaijan. Relations have been strained between the neighbours over the past few years.

(News report from Issue No. 143, published on July 15 2013)

Kyrgyzstan to sell its Torpedo factory

JULY 3 2013 (The Conway Bulletin) — Kyrgyzstan wants to sell its Soviet-era torpedo factory on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, media reported. Russia has previously offered to buy the factory and is still the most likely purchaser. Media quoted a Kyrgyz government official saying the factory was worth $30m and the surrounding land another $180m.

(News report from Issue No. 142, published on July 8 2013)