In This Week’s Issue:
68 Dead in Karachi, Pakistan Political Killing Spree
Russia, Venezuela Sign Nuclear Power Station Deal
Washington Eyes Billions in India Deals
Netherlands Antilles Ceases to Exist
Iran Lashes Out at BP for Refusing to Refuel Commercial Jets
Tajikistan Attempts to Buy Russian Help over Uzbek Water Dispute
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68 Dead in Karachi, Pakistan Political Killing Spree
Violence began over the weekend in Karachi, Pakistan, by Tuesday the death toll had risen to 68, according to Pakistani media reports. On Tuesday, at least 10 people were killed and more than a dozen others injured by gunmen on motorbikes who stormed the Shershah Market, shooting into the crowds indiscriminately. Also on Tuesday, armed men threw three dead bodies near the Sattar Mosque, not far from the local police precinct, while more gunmen on motorbikes opened fire at a tea stall. Businesses are closed and public transport halted amid the ongoing violence.
Analytical Note: The killing spree appears to be political and sectarian in nature. The killings follow provincial assembly by-elections to replace Raza Haider of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), who was murdered in August. The MQM managed to retain the seat in the by-elections. The violence is likely connected to the elections. When Haider was murdered, violence broke out immediately, leaving at least 100 people dead. Karachi has a long history of ethnic tension and sectarian violence. Karachi’s Urdu-speaking community traditionally supports the MQM, which is part of the governing coalition in the Sindh province. The rivals are the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which traditionally enjoy the support of the Balochi and Pashtun peoples. The by-election was boycotted by the ANP over the army’s refusal to provide supervision. Importantly, the political tide appears to be changing in Karachi, which has never (even at the best of times) been a stranger to political violence. While the MQM has traditionally held on to this seat (and has managed to do so once again), the ANP is gaining ground, having won two Sindh Assembly seats from Karachi in 2008, according to Pakistan’s DAWN magazine. Indeed, it may have successfully challenged the MQM if it had not boycotted the by-election. Some local observers believe that this week’s violence was intended as a demonstration of the MQM’s power, or the power of its supporters, in the face of ANP gains. Only local law-enforcement are on hand to contain the violence, as the government and military have stood back quietly, discussing how to deal with the crisis.
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Russia, Venezuela Sign Nuclear Power Station Deal
Late last week Russia and Venezuela signed an agreement to construct two 1,200 megawatt nuclear reactors in Venezuela, following on a deal reached in April. The $1.6 billion agreement was signed during Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s visit last week to Moscow. In addition, Russia’s state-owned oil giant Rosneft is poised to purchase a 50% stake in German Ruhr Oel refinery company from Venezuela’s state-owned PDVSA. US President Barack Obama responded to news of the nuclear reactor deal by saying that Venezuela had the right to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program, but must “act responsibly”.
Analytical Note: Russia and Venezuela have taken steps in recent years to strengthen bilateral ties. Chavez has supported Russia by offering recognition for the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two breakaways regions of Georgia, over which Russia and Georgia fought a short war last year. Venezuela has invested over $4 billion in Russian weapons since 2005, and the two countries have signed a number of agreements, including an “action plan” dealing with cooperation in terms of finance, weapons sales, agriculture, telecommunications, transportation, culture, atomic energy, and hydrocarbons. Although Venezuela is rich in oil and gas, it also suffers severe water and energy shortages. Chavez faces elections next year, and security water and electricity supplies is vital to his re-election, as the public appears to view the shortages as a matter of government inefficiency. The deal with Russia should first and foremost be viewed from this platform.
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Washington Eyes Billions in India Deals
US President Barack Obama’s visit to India in early November is expected to net up to $5.8 billion in deals to sell New Delhi military-transport aircraft and other equipment. The visit is aimed at relaxing increasingly tense commercial relations between the two countries. Washington is planning to sell New Delhi 10 Boeing C-17 transport aircraft and seal the deal for India to buy jet engines from General Electric, freight locomotives, and reconnaissance aircraft, the Associated Press reported, citing sources in Washington. It is projected that upcoming deals in India could garner US companies up to $12 billion in the end.
