By Marat Yermukanov (9/8/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The Baikonur launch site is the object of dubious pride for Kazakhstan. Every time a Russian rocket is shot into space from Baikonur, Kazakh official media underlines that is blessed by god to have such a unique cosmodrome on its soil. But in reality everything indicates that the launch site belongs to Russia.

By Aziz Soltobaev (9/8/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

“It turned out that other donors began cutting their support before our operations had even begun. As a result, a two month financing gap appeared. Finally, we had to conduct negotiations with donors, particularly the Soros Foundation, to prolong project financing and come to a common understanding”, stated Country Project Manager Talgat Subanbaev.

By Justine Walker (8/25/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The government\'s handling of the arrest certainly indicates a strong desire for a very public arrest rather than a discreet detention. In the week leading up to his arrest, speculation was already mounting that events in Dushanbe were going to take an unexpected turn. Immediately prior to the arrest, General Mirzoev had been denied both permission to take annual leave or to leave the country on work-related matters.