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

Armenia is holding elections for a new parliament, with more than 20 parties competing. International observers have said they fear a repetition of the alleged ballot-rigging which marred the presidential election won by Robert Kocharyan in March. But the elections look likely to be overshadowed by a constitutional referendum being held at the same time.

By empty (5/23/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

First Deputy Chairman of Kyrgyzstan\'s National Security Service Boris Poluektov told the lower house of parliament during its 23 May discussion of security that his service does not rule out the involvement of Uighur separatists and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) in the December 2002 bombing of a Bishkek market, the May 2003 bombing of an exchange office in Osh, and an alleged attempt on the life of National Security Council Secretary Misir Ashyrkulov in September 2002. Poluektov asserted the service has determined that the two bombings were organized by IMU members financed from abroad. He said the bombers were closely linked with Uighur separatists and had received training in Chechnya.

By empty (5/21/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

French oil giant Total SA (TOT) said Wednesday it started talks with Kazakhstan\'s state oil and gas company KazMunaiGaz (R.KMGZ) on the joint development of oil fields in the Caspian Sea. \"We are looking closely at the possibility of developing reserves in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea and plan to use all opportunities to enter into new Caspian projects,\" the agency quoted Total\'s general director Pascal Laluel as saying.