By empty (7/21/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Vardan Oskanian stated on 19 July that recent speculation over possible negative economic effects from opening the Armenian-Turkish border is incorrect, Golos Armenii reported. \"In principle, I do not suppose that the possible lifting of the blockade from the Armenian-Turkish border will have any negative consequences for our country\'s economy,\" Oskanian said. \"I am absolutely sure the opening of the border is beneficial not only to the two countries, but also to the region as a whole.

By empty (7/21/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

By a vote of 10 against and five in favor, the Central Election Commission (CEC) rejected on 21 July former President Ayaz Mutalibov\'s application to register as a candidate in the 15 October presidential ballot. Commission Secretary Inglab Nasirov said that Mutalibov\'s supporting documentation contained errors and that Mutalibov is registered as resident in Russia. Mutalibov was constrained to resign as president in March 1992 and after an abortive comeback attempt two months later he fled to Russia, where he has lived ever since.

By empty (7/22/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Tajik prosecutor Kurbonali Mukhabatov said on 21 July that the number of Tajik migrant workers who die in Russia is rising. In 2002, Mukhabatov said, Russian authorities returned to Tajikistan 328 bodies of migrant workers. Seventy-eight of them had been killed, 118 died of illnesses, and the cause of death was unknown in 125 cases.