Electricity in Kabul and (Don't Hold Your Breath) Possible Reconciliation in Kazakhstan

Lights in Kabul: The Associated Press has an excellent story on one reason why Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the U.S. can't get much political traction in that country -- six years after the Taliban were dispersed, Kabul has just three hours a day of electricity at this time. Though I've been tracking Afghanistan since first going there almost two decades ago, I had no idea that the standard of living in the capital was still so miserable. There's a simple rule I learned talking to people in the Caucasus, Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan -- if you want political support, give them simple things like electricity, clean water, schools, roads and hospitals. (tip to The Oil Drum)

Kazhegeldin to return? The opposition blogosphere in Kazakhstan is lit up with new reports that former Prime Minister Akezhan Kazhegeldin is -- this time really -- returning to Kazakhstan a decade after going into exile. I'm told that this time the talk could be serious. Recall that it's Kazhegeldin who has single-handedly made President Nazarbayev's life miserable over the last decade. Well, not entirely single-handedly -- Nazarbayev himself has played a role with his clumsy handling of rival and critical voices. Yet Kazhegeldin financed the information war in Washington and London that led to a plummet in Nazarbayev's reputation in the West through the revelations of what became known as Kazakhgate. In terms of post-Soviet pocket-lining, we're not talking big numbers -- American businessman Jim Giffen is accused of channeling about $80 million in oil company payments to the numbered bank accounts of Nazarbayev, his family and associates. But it shocked, shocked Washington to see actual evidence that its allies have power AND money aspirations, and moreover that they (listen up) rig their elections! Kazhegeldin and Nazarbayev have had secret talks numerous times over the years, but until now have not managed to reach agreement on Kazhegeldin's return. One main issue has been the very real apprehension that Kazhegeldin could be imprisoned or killed.

Photo: pittaya
Rights: Creative Commons