By Alisher Khamidov (9/11/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: Several deputies of the Kyrgyz parliament, with civil society and human rights activists, on 14 August initiated a new movement called "For the Resignation of Askar Akayev and Reforms for the People" in Bishkek. Among its initiators are prominent public figures Azimbek Beknazarov, Adahan Madumarov, president of the Human Rights Institute Topchubek Turgunaliev, Chairman of the Kyrgyz Committee for Human Rights Ramazan Dyryldaev. The group has designated Ismail Isakov, a former Kyrgyz general, as its chairman and set a goal of preparing measures to end the current crisis and a program of reforms in Kyrgyzstan by September.
By Stephen Blank (9/11/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: These economic and strategic initiatives clearly are shaped by strategic concepts that the Indian government is now implementing. In this regard, India has rediscovered its prior history, including that of the British Raj, which articulated very clear strategic concepts regarding Central Asia. Historically the Raj kept a close watch for threats emanating from Central Asia and Afghanistan that could threaten British sovereignty in India and the country's integrity, among them Islamic insurgency.
By Mamuka Tsereteli (9/11/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: In late August the Georgian Government had a series of negotiations with Itera International Energy LLC on privatization of the Tbilisi natural gas distribution company Tbilgazi. Those negotiations were conducted on the backdrop of the fact that Georgian state owned entities owe to Itera $90 million for the natural gas delivered to Tbilisi and the Chemical plant in Rustavi in recent years (the official Georgian number mentioned in relation to this deal is $32 million). As a result of negotiations, the Georgian government signed a memorandum of understanding, which envisages creation of a joint venture between the Georgian government and Itera, with the latter having 51 percent and control over the management of the company.
By Svante E. Cornell (10/9/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)
BACKGROUND: The conflict in Chechnya has been deadlocked for almost two years, with a low-intensity conflict going on between Russian Federal troops and Chechen irregular formations. As Russian and foreign journalists have reported in graphic detail, the Chechen civilian population presently bear the brunt of the war. The Russian military is bogged down in Chechnya, affecting its internal discipline and morale negatively in a way similar to what occurred during the Soviet war in Afghanistan in the 1980s.
The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst is a biweekly publication of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program, a Joint Transatlantic Research and Policy Center affiliated with the American Foreign Policy Council, Washington DC., and the Institute for Security and Development Policy, Stockholm. For 15 years, the Analyst has brought cutting edge analysis of the region geared toward a practitioner audience.
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