Archive for December, 2010
German Memories – Volga Germans
Posted by alibabarika in Articles on December 26, 2010
Volga Germans and other ethnic German repatriates including Black Sea Germans and Germans from other regions from the former Soviet Union are a separate group in Germany.
Since 1950, about 2.2 million ethnic Germans have left the former Soviet Union for Germany, in search of better economic and social conditions and an escape from post-World War II persecution. Most of these people come from from Kazakhstan particularly the northern part near Siberia. Another 1 million Germans still remain in Russia, Kazakhstan and the Ukraine.
What Determines the Price of Overseas Shipping?
Posted by alibabarika in Articles on December 26, 2010
What determines the price of overseas or international shipping? It mainly depends on the cargo or freight that you are transporting. For example, you may be transporting automobiles, large quantities of commodity, break bulk cargo, large equipment or even food. You may be shipping to Kyrgyzstan territory, or another part of the former U.S.S.R. The price will depend on what you are transporting, and what type of vessel will be required. Shipping companies utilize vans, trains, aircraft and ships.
When you are shipping overseas, to a country like Kyrgyzstan, then many other factors have to be taken into consideration. This Central Asian nation is landlocked and has many mountains. It is a neighbor to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China. This is one of many Russian countries affected by the collapse of the Soviet Union. However, since the 1990s the economy has improved considerably.
Surviving And Preaching in a Post-Oil World
Posted by alibabarika in Articles on December 26, 2010
The recent events in Kazakhstan are a wake up call for devotees everywhere. I live in the US, which has a history of religious tolerance and respect for human rights, but in recent years, since 9/11/01 to be specific, there has been a systematic attempt by this federal government to dismantle basic civil rights even here. When you examine the contents of the Patriot Acts, the Military Commissions Act and several other similar laws that have been passed since 9/11/01, it becomes evident that the complete legal framework now exists to support a state of martial law.
The discretion to declare martial law rests entirely in the hands of one man, the president. The Supreme Court or Congress cannot intervene or review the situation for at least 6 months. Needless to say, the civil rights we now take for granted including free speech, religious freedom, and all the rest could not be guaranteed during such a situation. When the president declares martial law such as in the event of a “terrorist” attack, a natural disaster.
Ten Years On – The IMU Question
Posted by alibabarika in Articles on December 26, 2010
Ten years ago this month, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan burst onto the international scene with its armed incursions into Kyrgyzstan. Initial IMU aims – bringing down the Karimov regime and establishing an Islamic state in Central Asia – diversified with the group’s removal to Afghanistan and alliance with the Taliban; their subsequent near-extermination and regrouping in Pakistan following the Taliban’s collapse; and their reputed involvement in Central Asian narco-trafficking in the years since.
There is increasing evidence of renewed militancy across Central Asia in recent months. We have already noted here the attacks on Uzbek border posts and Kyrgyz security operations against militants. In Tajikistan, significant military operations have been waged around Tavildara against armed forces who have been variously described as former Islamist opposition fighters, drug traffickers, and militants trickling in from Afghanistan and Pakistan. Dushanbe, the Tajik capital, saw several small bombings recently – an extremely rare and worrying occurrence.