By Erica Marat (8/25/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
The CSTO’s Collective Rapid Reaction Forces (CRRF) exercises were conducted in two stages, the first in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the second in Balykchy, Issyk-Kul oblast in Kyrgyzstan. Together, about 1,700 CRRF troops out of the organization’s total of 4,500 were involved in the exercises. The second stage was comprised of practical trainings at “Edelweiss” military camp in a remote mountainous place with some elements of military infrastructure that remain from the Soviet times.By Marat Yermukanov (8/25/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
The underlying idea of political reforms is to create a “governable democracy” and to consolidate the society under the slogan of national unity, giving priority to political stability over democratic reforms. State officials in their talks with western political circles reiterate that Kazakh society is not ready to accept democratic ideas. The same point is pressed home to the domestic audience.By Fariz Ismailzade (8/25/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Khatami’s visit came at a perfect time. While hesitating to visit Azerbaijan during the presidency of Heydar Aliyev, Khatami nevertheless decided to accept the invitation of the new Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev and visit Azerbaijan in order to start “a new era” in the bilateral relations. During his visit, he held talks with the political leadership of Azerbaijan, participated in the Iranian-Azerbaijani business forum and traveled to Ganja, the second largest city of the country, to visit the grave of the greatest Azerbaijani poet Nizami.By Theresa Freese (7/28/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)
After reports that Russians (seen as controlling South Ossetian authorities) were bringing arms and military equipment into Tskhinvali region, events escalated into a pre-conflict situation. As evidence that Russia was assisting Ossetians, Georgian police and peacekeepers detained Russian vehicles carrying unguided helicopter missiles into Tskhinvali. The response was rapid.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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