Field Reports
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SPARKS CONTROVERSY IN AZERBAIJAN
By Gulnara Ismailova (8/28/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Lately, debates at government level regarding the introduction of a special discipline on religious issues in secondary schools' curriculum have become noticeable in Azerbaijan. Discussions on this theme gained salience with the new educational year approaching.
The teaching of basic religious matters in the secondary schools of the country was proposed several years ago by the head of the Muslims' Spiritual Directorate of the Caucasus Sheikh-ul-Islam alhaji Allahshukur Pashazade, and recently supported by the State Committee on working with Religious Organizations (SCWRO) Rafiq Aliev.
MEETINGS IN SUPPORT OF PRESIDENT AKAEV IN KYRGYZSTAN
By Anna Kirey (8/28/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)
A series of meetings in support of President Askar Akaev took place in Bishkek, as well as the Northern and Southern regions of Kyrgyzstan during the past week. They were said to be citizens' reaction to "provocation" of opposition parties. A week before that, opposition leaders Adaham Madumarov, Topchubek Turgunaliev and Ismail Isakov and human rights activist Ramazan Daryldaev presented a new bloc called "For the resignation of Askar Akaev and reforms for the people".
AZERBAIJANI REFERENDUM: SOVIET LEGACY CONTINUES
By Anar Kerimov (8/28/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)
On August 24, the people of Azerbaijan went to the polling stations to cast their vote on the constitutional amendments proposed by President Aliyev on June 22, 2002. Nearly 40 changes to 23 articles of the Constitution were put on the ballot for the choice of the voters. Although simple and logical at first sight, these proposed amendments caused much controversy in the political circles in Azerbaijan and further widened the gap between the opposition and the ruling party.
REGULATIONS ON STATE SECRECY INTRODUCED IN AZERBAIJAN
By Gulnara Ismailova (9/11/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)
On August 28, Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliev passed a decree on "Rules on preventing the dissemination of state secrets in mass media". A law "About state secrecy" was adopted on November 15, 1996 and the Council of Europe suggested to Azerbaijan's authorities to make serious changes in it. The rules apply to mass media, founded and acting on the territory of Azerbaijan.
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Analysis Mamuka Tsereteli, "U.S. Black Sea Strategy: The Georgian Connection", CEPA, February 9, 2024.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell, ed., Türkiye's Return to Central Asia and the Caucasus, July 2024.
Book Svante E. Cornell, ed., "The Changing Geopolitics of Central Asia and the Caucasus" AFPC Press/Armin LEar, 2023.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell and S. Frederick Starr, Stepping up to the “Agency Challenge”: Central Asian Diplomacy in a Time of Troubles, July 2023.
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, U.S. Policy in Central Asia through Central Asian Eyes, May 2023.