By Fariz Ismailzade (6/2/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The arrested men include the chairmen of opposition parties Umid (Hope), Khalg (People), Igbal Agazadeh and Panah Huseyn respectively; the general secretary of the Democratic party Sardar Jalal-oglu; Musavat Party deputy chairmen Ibrahim Ibrahimli, Arif Haci and Rauf Arifoglu, and the chairman of the Karabakh War Veterans Etimad Asadov. They have been facing state charges in the court for heavy crimes for attempting to forcefully change the results of the presidential elections in favor of their candidate – chairman of Musavat party Isa Gambar.

Following the presidential elections on October 15, 2003, several thousands of opposition activists stormed Baku’s central Freedom squire and clashed with police and army.

By Chemen Durdiyeva (6/2/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

As any other country in Central Asia, Turkmenistan is in its rudimentary level of economic, political and cultural revival from 72 years of Soviet rule. Remaining under a stringent command system, its rich natural resources allows Turkmenistan’s Government to provide its population with free gas, electricity, salt, and drinking water. Historically, five Turkmen tribes such as Teke, Yomut, Gokleng, Yazyr and Ali ran a nomadic life of continuing discord and were hostile even among themselves prior to the Soviet invasion.

By Erica Marat (5/19/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Civil democratic control over the military forces is among the weakest in Tajikistan compared to other post-Soviet states. While a number of military reforms were implemented in the neighboring states, Tajikistan is still on the stage of constructing basic military legislation. The starting point for Tajikistan in terms of the formation of a military was different from other Central Asian countries.