By empty (6/23/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The resistance website chechenpress.org posted on June 23 a statement by veteran field commander Doku Umarov, who in his capacity as vice president automatically succeeded Abdal-Khalim Sadulayev following the latter\'s death in a shoot-out with Russian forces on June 17. Umarov paid tribute to his slain predecessor as \"one of the most worthy sons of the Chechen people,\" who, despite his comparative youth, \"was our wise mentor in religious, political, and military matters.

By empty (6/23/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The United States accused certain Central Asian leaders of trying to \"sell their souls\" for personal gain on Friday and denied Washington was seeking undue influence in a region rich in oil and gas. In a sharply worded statement, a U.S.

By empty (6/23/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

International mediation over the disputed Nagorno Karabakh enclave is \"hopeless,\" oil-rich Azerbaijan\'s President Ilham Aliyev said, vowing to retake it by \"peaceful means or by war,\" in a speech to the military. Aliyev, who\'s country fought its neighbour and fellow former Soviet republic Armenia over control of the majority-Armenian enclave in Azerbaijani territory from 1988 to 1994, also said he would use oil revenues to beef up the military.Oil will bring Azerbaijan 140 billion dollars over the next two decades, Aliyev said Fridy and \"there is no doubt we will use this money to strengthen the army so that it can return our lands at any moment.