By Daniel Linotte (7/28/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: All five Central Asian States belong to various regional cooperation and integration schemes such as the CIS, Eurasian Economic Community, Central Asian Cooperation Organization, Common Economic Space, Economic Co-operation Organization, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, etc. In most cases, these schemes include ambitious trade liberalization components such as the creation of free trade areas with the elimination of tariff barriers among members or customs unions with the adoption of common external tariffs. At the same time, Central Asian states are making their new international borders more effective with the strengthening of customs controls, and raising numerous technical and administrative obstacles to trade in goods and services, the movement of people and transit.

By Christopher Boucek (7/28/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: On July 15th it was announced that the United States would impose a punitive blockage of American financial assistance in response to Uzbekistan’s poor human rights record. Approximately $18 million are slated to be withheld from an annual aid package that by some estimates exceeds $500 million per year. The $18 million in military and economic assistance would exclude monies directed towards the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, as well as American funding for pro-democracy groups and health care programs.

By Asma Shakir Khawaja (7/28/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: Since the independence of Azerbaijan in 1991, Pakistan and Azerbaijan have developed ever closer and cordial ties. Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan, and diplomatic relations were established on June 9, 1992. Officials from both states think they have much in common.