Landlocked Research Articles

Transport Issues in Post-Soviet Central Asia

After the collapse of the Soviet Union the Central Asianproducers have been actively and partly successfully looking forcompensating markets. Howeve1; the transport infrastructurewas built to se1ve interests of the Soviet state. New transportCOJTidors to the west, east and south are being constructed orplanned reducing in the long run the transport costs of CentralAsian products, which still today pw1ly use traditional and longerSoviet time outlets (pipelines, railways, ports). For both economicand geopolitical reasons Central Asian states wish tofind alternative transport routes. The EU and geopolitical rivalsof Russia, the USA and China, are helping in this, also Iran hasvested interests in the issue. Still long haulage remain a constantproblem for landlocked Central Asia and the high cost ofmany projects planned (Transcaspian or Chinese pipelines) islikely to postpone them to a distant future.

Could marine resources provide a short-term solution to declining fish supply in SADC inland countries? The case of horse mackerel

Food insecurity, usually manifested as protein deficiency, is a growing problem in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region. In the land-locked countries where fish is an important component of the dietary protein, one of the factors contributing to this phenomenon is the declining per caput supply against growing populations. In such instances, national production from capture fisheries or aquaculture has not kept pace with population growth. Meanwhile, some of the maritime states in the region such as Namibia, South Africa, Angola and Mozambique have abundant under-utilised fish resources which, if brought into production, could help in reducing this imbalance, provided that the economic, technological and marketing constraints pertaining to exploitation of the low-value species in question can be overcome. Of the species in question (horse mackerel in Namibia and South Africa, round herring in South Africa, anchovy in Mozambique and sardines in Angola), horse mackerel from Namibia holds the best promise of being easily brought into play in the short term. A precedent exists whereby entrepreneurs from Zimbabwe and also from Malawi and Zambia have been importing horse mackerel from Namibia since the early 1990s. But in order to boost production substantially for export human consumption, the support and facilitation of the governments concerned would be vital. This should be in the areas of appropriate research and studies necessary to overcome the constraints, development of infrastructure and putting in place enabling policies.

Oblivion and stone: a selection of contemporary Bolivian poetry and fiction

Bolivia is a land-locked nation of mountains and high, arid plains, a place one native writer calls the Land of Silence. From this fundamental base, Bolivian writers express provincial customs and values, decry political oppression, and sound universal themes of isolation and resignation. Editor Sandra Reyes has gathered a panoramic sampling of the work of 23 poets and 18 fiction writers, for a revealing a look at Bolivian consciousness.

Land-locked states of Africa and Asia

Land-locked states of Africa and Asia

Ajustement structurel et ouverture des marchés: moins de pénuries, mais de nouveaux risques alimentaires

SUMMARY As a result of neo-liberal globalization, especially structural adjustment plans, the market is becoming the dominant mode of regulation in the food trade. In landlocked southern countries, the lifting of trade barriers—the state's protective mechanisms—are now giving way to “imperfect” agri-food markets that have been corrupted by many power struggles. We are witnessing a declining independence of supply in many countries that previously aspired to self-sufficiency, and a de-territoralization based on potentially risky comparative advantages. While the decline of planned economies and the devaluation of currency does have some positive impact, new risks to food security associated with the appearance of new uncertainties or with the worsening of existing weaknesses are emerging because of specific liberalization measures. While the advanced state has shown its limits, the market cannot solve all the problems of individuals' physical and economic access to food in landlocked countries or in societies torn apart by crisis, particularly for poor people without strong social support. One may conclude, as have some liberal ideologists, that total liberalization (and only liberalization) must be achieved or that the “state as citizen” should be redefined to regulate food trade, set social policy and establish and maintain the infrastructure. Regardless, macro-economic and local scales must be better integrated to reduce the food-security risks, particularly those that have emerged as a result of widespread trade liberalization.

Impact of Policy Reforms on Manufacturing Growth in Nepal

Until the mid-1980s, there was a very popular view in Nepal, as in many other developing economies, that import substitution (IS) policy improves terms of trade, reduces dependence on external markets, and creates employment opportunities. Thus, IS policy was given top priority. However, it failed to sustain economic development, and in fact, reliance on external markets increased due to growing need for capital goods and intermediate inputs. Furthermore, the capital intensive nature of the IS industries resulted in slow growth in employment opportunities. By the mid-1980s, it was obvious that an inward-oriented development policy had produced recession in the economy. Thus, reforms were introduced in 1986-87 but they moved very slowly at the beginning due to the country's land-locked position and open border with India. If trade and investment policies in Nepal were more liberal than those in India, massive smuggling would drain Nepal's foreign exchange reserves. If Nepal were to provide generous export incentives, Indian goods would be reexported. So to control smuggling and maintain an economic balance, Nepal had to delay pursuit of a massive liberalization until India liberalized its policy environment in the early 1990s. This article examines the impact of reforms on the manufacturing sector of Nepal, a least-developed land-locked country.' The first section briefly describes the historical setting and is fol-

Trace Elements in Paddy Soils from the Central Region of the Mekong River, Laos

Abstract Extract Laos (14–22.5°N and 100–107.5°E) is a land-locked country located in the Indo-China Peninsula, adjacent to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China. The total area of the country is 236,800 km2 and about 70% of the land is occupied by mountains. Paddy fields are distributed in flood plains along the Mekong River and its tributaries and in valley bottom plains dissected by small rivers. The climate is dominated by tropical monsoon.

Phosphorus status of paddy soils from the central region of the Mekong River in Laos

Abstract Laos (14-22.5°N and 100-107.5°?) is a land-locked country located in the Indo-China Peninsula, adjacent to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, and China. The total area of the country is 236,800 km2 and about 70% of the land is occupied by mountains. Paddy fields are distributed in flood plains along the Mekong River and its tributaries and in valley bottom plains dissected by small rivers. The climate is dominated by tropical monsoon. Mean annual rainfall in the country is 2,000 mm, with rainfall occurring mostly between May and September. Mean monthly temperatures range from 23°C in December to 29°C in April. Until now, few studies had been carried out on the soils of Laos. In this short communication, the phosphorus status of paddy soils collected from the central region of the Mekong River is reported.

Laos: Back to a Land of Three Kingdoms?

Following the end of the reign of King Souligna Vongsa (1633–90), an era commonly referred to as the Golden Era of a united Lao kingdom, the ensuing internal succession struggles, combined with growing external encroachment by its powerful neighbours, led to the division of the land into three distinct protectorates, with centres in Luangphrabang in the North, Vientiane in the Central region, and Champasak in the South. At varying times during the eighteenth century, these distinct areas were at risk of being absorbed by Laos' neighbours because of the competing interests of the more powerful states of Burma, Siam, and Vietnam. By the early nineteenth century, Siam had exerted its hegemony in the struggle over much of what is now contemporary Laos. Political configurations shifted once again as French colonialism extended into the rest of Indochina from Vietnam by the late nineteenth century. Laos was preserved through its role as a buffer state. Since this territorial consolidation, its existence has been greatly marginalized for most of the twentieth century, almost intentionally, as it settled into its fateful position as a complacent junction of mainland South- east Asia. However, in recent years, its sleepy reputation as Asia's fringe state is rapidly changing as the spillover influences of its dynamic neighbours are once again shaking the cradle of its existence. The events of 1995 can again be epitomized by the themes of greater engagement and regional integration externally, while continuing development initiatives at home. Underlying these rosy visions of enhanced co-operation are what may amount to a myopic view towards the real dangers that may follow. Especially to a traditionally isolated and land-locked country such as Laos, greater openness may be necessary for survival, but at the same time leave it more vulnerable to a host of social, political, and other unwanted influences upon its traditional culture. As evidence of this trend, in recent years, traditional soul and kin mates Vietnam and Thailand, respectively, as well as China, the emerging player to the North, have shown signs of extending spheres of influence, especially towards adjacent provinces in neighbouring Laos.

Southern African Land-locked States and Rights of Access under the New Law of the Sea

Southern African Land-locked States and Rights of Access under the New Law of the Sea

A Passage Through India (and Beyond) or A Case of Love Thy Neighbour?

AbstractThe geographical disadvantages faced by land-locked states place them in a particularly vulnerable position: unable to compete on equal trading terms with coastal neighbours, they are highly susceptible to all forms of economic and political ‘aggression’. Such measures produce more than the usual degree of ‘inconvenience’, but can so destabilise the state as to compromise its existence. Equity and the sanctity of ‘statehood’ require the protection of such states by furnishing them transit rights.Not only must international law recognise such rights as existing in one form or another, but must also provide adequate means of securing them. A society unwilling to redress natural imbalances and prepared to perpetuate an inherently unfair system is a society committed to conflict, rather than the maintenance of peace and security.

Bibliography on Land-Locked States

Abbreviations Used in this Book. United Nations Documents:- General Assembly. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Security Council. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ECAFE/ESCAP). United Nations Economic Commission for Latin American and the Caribbean (CEPAL). United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Reports Produced by UNCTAD Field Projects. Miscellaneous United Nations Documents and Publications. Documents and Publications of Other Intergovernmental Organizations. Books (including articles in books and portions of books). Periodicals. Monographs, Reports and Miscellaneous Publications. Consultants' Studies. Unpublished Materials. Resolutions of Intergovernmental Organizations:- United Nations Bodies. Other Intergovernmental Organizations. Zaire Supplement.

Managing the implementation of ‘shock therapy’ in a landlocked state: Mongolia's transition from the centrally planned economy

AbstractMongolia is the second oldest communist regime after Russia, and its reforms have been under way since 1986. It is a land‐locked state and is characterized by its large physical size relative to a small population, an almost total historical dependence on the former‐USSR and a limited range of agricultural and mineral resources. Despite the profound effects that the collapse of the USSR and Comecon have caused, Mongolia has adopted a ‘shock therapy’ approach to reform, embarking simultaneously on a bold programme of both political and economic change. This article traces the genesis of the reform strategy, highlighting the interplay between external events and internal debate and sometimes outlining the major areas of the reform programme: the introduction of macroeconomic management to replace central planning, the improvement of incentives and an ambitious programme of privatization. The undertaking of such a programme in the Mongolia points to the importance of a social safety net and popular support for the reforms. The article then describes the complementary reforms of public administration that have been more recently introduced in the wake of a new constitution, with their emphasis on professionalization of government administration, transfer of responsibilities to provincial and local government and improved policies and institutions for national training. International technical assistance has and continues to play a significant role in supporting the above. A number of lessons are drawn with regard to strategy, particularly the need at programme level for an integrated or systems approach that can ensure linkages between different elements and at the level of training the need for imaginative approaches to design and delivery. The article draws conclusions on the prospects for success in each area of the reform programme. Critical for public administration restructuring and professionalization is the issue of institutional capacity for implementation. While the legal framework has now been laid down for decentralized government, for example, there is little prior experience in local government of many areas of functional management, finance and budgeting, investment planning and social services administration. On the economic front, the shock therapy stragegy has been adopted despite some earlier advice on the preconditions for successful privatization—with regard for example to market structure, the development of the financial sector and most crucially the continued role of the state in fostering entrepre‐neurship in a society devoid of any recent history of such.

S.C. Vasciannie, Land-locked and Geographically Disadvantaged States in the International Law of the Sea, Clarendon Press, Oxford 1990, XVI + 221 pp.

S.C. Vasciannie, Land-locked and Geographically Disadvantaged States in the International Law of the Sea, Clarendon Press, Oxford 1990, XVI + 221 pp.

Moving out of Moscow's orbit: the outlook for Central Asia

Many disaster scenarios exist for the successor states of the former Soviet Union. One of President Yeltsin's chief advisers warned darkly in I99I that Kazakhstan could soon degenerate 'into one thousand Yugoslavias'. The apocalyptic visions range from permanent chaos and civil war to violent Islamic revolution and genocide. It is the purpose of this article to explore the internal and external factors which are likely to determine the course of events in the ex-Soviet Central Asian states, and in their relations with the outside world. The southern Muslim republics stretch from the Caspian Sea to China. They have to contend with many problems, not least that they have fast-growing populations with administrative structures that are poorly prepared to face independence. Natural resources are considerable, but uneven development and terrible environmental pollution present serious difficulties which as yet have scarcely been confronted.' That these are land-locked states, with severe constraints forced on them by geography and economics, may be a truism, but it cannot be ignored. The four Central Asian republics of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan account together for I.3 million square kilometres (500,000 square miles). Kazakhstan dwarfs them in area at 2.7 million square kilometres being twice the size of the four combined and as large as India, but has only 17 million people. Standard Russian definitions of the Central Asia region, (Srednyaya Aziya, or 'Middle Asia'), exclude Kazakhstan from it as a separate entity, though the Kazakhs are, of course, a related Turkic people. In this article

Bibliography on land-locked states

Bibliography on land-locked states

Bibliography on Land-Locked States edited by Ira Martin Glassner

Bibliography on Land-Locked States, edited by Ira Martin Glassner. Published by Martinus Nijhoff. The Netherlands (1991, vi and 265 pp., Incl. Table of Contents, Introduction and Author, Title and Subject Index .) Hardback. Price £50, US$84.50; Dfl. 150. Over thirty States of the international community are landlocked and many consider themselves to be disadvantaged economically as a result. To balance this inequality these States believe that international law should develop progressively to further their interests. Their main concerns regarding the law of the sea in recent years have been in relation to access to the sea and access to marine resources. It would appear that customary international law does not recognise a right of access by landlocked …

The National L2 Curriculum in Hungary

Hungary is a small landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of over ten million. The official language, and the mother tongue of the vast majority of the population, is Hungarian. Belonging to the Uralic language family, Hungarian is unrelated to any other European language except Finnish. In order to minimize the effects of their linguistic isolation, Hungarians have always attached great importance to the learning of foreign languages.

Implementation and Ratification of UNCLOS a Regional Commentary

Coastal states, by their very nature, have sought to extend their maritime boundaries and jurisdiction over adjacent waters. Island states have sought to do the same. Land-locked states as well as shelf-locked states perceive themselves to be geographically disadvantaged and, naturally, do not approve of excessive claims to maritime territory.Negotiations to reconcile these differences and to codify a new law of the sea were held over a period of nine years culminating in the signing of the text and the Final Act at Montego Bay, Jamaica, on 10 December 1982. On that day, delegates from 117 states affixed their signatures to the document, the Third United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982, referred to as UNCLOS III. The Convention provides rules for effectively governing the wealth and uses of the sea. These new laws hold immense promise for the developing nations. Provisions were incorporated into the text of the Convention to protect their rights and to share the oceans’ wealth. Nine years h...

Land-Locked States and Access to the Sea (Towards a Universal Law). By Kis-Hor Uprety. [Kathmandu: Nepal Law Society. 1989. viii + 157 pp. NRs.75

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