By empty (8/4/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Parliament in the oil-rich ex-Soviet republic of Azerbaijan has elected the son of ailing President Heydar Aliyev, Ilham, as prime minister. The move appears designed to cement the first dynastic succession in the former Soviet Union, as the 80-year-old president puts his son in line to take over if he becomes incapacitated. Heydar Aliyev, a former KGB officer and Politburo member who has run Azerbaijan for much of the past 35 years, has been in hospital in Turkey for much of the past month with heart problems.

By empty (8/5/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Concluding a two-day visit to Malaysia on 5 August, President Vladimir Putin made the surprise announcement that Russia is considering joining the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Putin noted that Russia has more than 20 million Muslims, more than many OIC members, including Malaysia. On 5 August, Council of Russian Muftis Chairman Ravil Gainutdin wholeheartedly endorsed Putin\'s proposal.

By empty (8/7/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

As it was reported to RIA \"Novosti\" at the Russian MFA press service, Moscow believes the appointment of Ilham Aliyev the Azeri prime minister to contribute to the consolidation of the State system of the country. In his telegram of congratulation to Ilham Aliyev Russian prime minister Mikhail Kasyanov underscores that \"the worked out potential of strategic cooperation between the two countries will receive further development for consolidation of friendship between the both peoples, peace and stability in the South Caucasus\". Let us remind that August 4, basing on the corresponding items of the constitution, Azeri Milli Mejlis adopted the resolution to confirm the acting president\'s son to the post of the prime minister of the republic.