News Digest
UZBEK PRESIDENT GRANTED IMMUNITY FROM PROSECUTION
By empty (4/27/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)
One of the draft laws adopted by the Uzbek parliament at its 27 April session would give the president of the republic immunity from prosecution after he leaves office. Under the law, former presidents become members of the Senate, the upper house of parliament, for life. This provision would make it possible for the legislature to take advantage of a former president\'s knowledge of state affairs, adding that this practice is used in some democratic countries.EEC COUNCIL SETS PRIORITIES FOR 2003-06
By empty (4/27/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)
A presidential session of the Eurasian Economic Community\'s (EEC) Interstate Council held on 27 April in Dushanbe endorsed a program of priority activities for the next four years, EEC Chairman and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev told a press conference on 27 April following the meeting. According to Nazarbaev, these priorities include creating a common customs area, developing energy resources, accelerating the establishment of a transport union, setting up a common agricultural market, pooling efforts to combat drug trafficking, devising a common migration policy, and coordinating dates of accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Considerable discussion was devoted to the last point, according to Russian President Putin, who told the press conference he is convinced the individual members of the EEC will be able to obtain WTO membership \"on decent terms for our economies and producers if we act in coordination.PRESIDENT SAYS MOSCOW TO BEEF UP CONTINGENT IN TAJIKISTAN
By empty (4/27/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)
President Putin on 27 April told commanders of 201st Motorized Infantry Division during a visit to Russia\'s military base on the Tajik-Afghan border that the Kremlin will soon bolster its military presence in Tajikistan. Russia is believed currently to have about 10,000 troops in Tajikistan. \"Lately our special services, including the Defense Ministry, have reported a significant increase in activities and a rebuilding of Taliban structures, Al-Qaeda\'s structures and so on,\" Putin said.RUSSIAN, ARMENIAN PRESIDENTS MEET IN MOSCOW
By empty (4/27/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)
Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Moscow on 27 April with Armenian President Robert Kocharian to review plans for the implementation of several bilateral accords signed during a visit by the Armenian president to Moscow early this year. The discussions centered on bilateral trade and economic cooperation, with a specific focus on nuclear energy. The meeting follows the 27 April decision granting Armenia \"observer status\" in the Eurasian Economic Community (EEC).Visit also
Staff Publications
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, Greater Central Asia as A Component of U.S. Global Strategy, October 2024.
Analysis Laura Linderman, "Rising Stakes in Tbilisi as Elections Approach," Civil Georgia, September 7, 2024.
Analysis Mamuka Tsereteli, "U.S. Black Sea Strategy: The Georgian Connection", CEPA, February 9, 2024.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell, ed., Türkiye's Return to Central Asia and the Caucasus, July 2024.
Book Svante E. Cornell, ed., "The Changing Geopolitics of Central Asia and the Caucasus" AFPC Press/Armin LEar, 2023.
Silk Road Paper Svante E. Cornell and S. Frederick Starr, Stepping up to the “Agency Challenge”: Central Asian Diplomacy in a Time of Troubles, July 2023.
Silk Road Paper S. Frederick Starr, U.S. Policy in Central Asia through Central Asian Eyes, May 2023.