By empty (2/4/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Afghanistan remains the world\'s largest producer of opium despite efforts to tackle the problem by the Afghan government and the international authorities, the UN drugs agency says. A new survey by the Vienna-based United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, says dismantling the Afghan opium economy will be a long and complex process. Afghanistan produced almost three quarters of the world\'s opium in 2002, the report says.

By empty (2/4/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

During the upcoming visit of the Afghan President Hamid Karzai to Kazakhstan the sides the parties will conclude a trade and business cooperation agreement and sign a treaty outlining the fundamental principles of the two countries\' cooperation, which were suggested by Kazakhstan.\" Karzai received an official invitation to visit Kazakhstan from the country\'s Foreign Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev during a meeting in New York in September 2002, Interfax. reports.

By empty (2/3/2003 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Preliminary results of a controversial referendum in Kyrygzstan show President Askar Akayev has won sweeping approval for constitutional reform and support for his continued stay in office. The Kyrgyz Central Election Committee said 77% of voters approved the president remaining until the end of his term in 2005, along with constitutional change. The Election Committee said the turnout was just over 86%.