Chechnya & Turkmenistan Update
27 March 2006

Putin’s war with radical Islamists.

Using the current affairs in Iran and Palestine as a lever, Putin attacks ‘terrorists’ in Chechnya.

http://atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/HC08Ag02.html

Russian solider on trial for killing three Chechens. It is a military trial and human rights organisations are watching it with interest as it may set a precedent for other cases. However, it is unlikely that the solider will lose the case.

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/03/CEF6DB47-ABA1-4BEE-B7BA-ED2E9C3F58B6.html

Turkmenistan

business seems to be going well in Turkmenistan…

Ukraine has agreed to pay Turkmenistan outstanding debt for gas supplies. This mounts to $169 million. I will monitor, if possible, how money is spent.

Turkmenistan signs $30 million Caterpillar deal.