By empty (5/27/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

OSCE Special Representative for Central Asia Martti Ahtisaari, a former president of Finland, raised the issue of Turkmenistan\'s restored exit-visa regime during a meeting in Ashgabat with Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and Mejlis (parliament) Chairman Ovezgeldi Ataev. Turkmenistan\'s requirement that citizens obtain exit visas to leave the country was dropped with great fanfare at the beginning of 2002, earning the country international approval for taking a step toward democratization. Meredov and Ataev told Ahtisaari that the exit-visa regime was restored in March 2003 in reaction to the alleged attempt to overthrow or assassinate President Niyazov.

By empty (5/27/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Kazakhstan\'s Prime Minister Imanghaliy Tasmaghambetov told his cabinet on 27 May that the Kazakh language should be used more extensively within the government. The cabinet meeting was held in order for ministers to report on progress in implementing the law on the use of the state language within their ministries. Tasmaghambetov was quoted as calling for government officials to use Kazakh as much as possible in meetings and on public occasions.

By empty (5/26/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Uzbekistan has closed its main western border crossing to northern Tajikistan\'s Sughd Oblast. The Tajik Border Protection Committee said the closure is intended to prevent the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The crossing point, named after the village of Navruzobod, is the main crossing for road traffic between Tashkent and Khujand.