By Alima Bissenova (7/24/2008 issue of the CACI Analyst)

AFGHAN AUTHORITIES WILL BACK WITHDRAWAL OF ISAF FROM KABUL

9 July

The Afghan government is ready to support the parliamentary decision of the possible withdrawal units of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan from Kabul this October, Afghan Interior Minister Ahmad Moqbel Zarar said on Wednesday in Dushanbe, where he is staying on a four day working visit. "The government will back this decision and coalition troops have already agreed to the redeployment because they understand that civilians are the ones that usually fall victim to terrorist attacks directed against troops," the minister said. "I think that the redeployment of ISAF troops will not have a negative influence in the security of Kabul residents in general," the minister said.

By Alima Bissenova (6/26/2008 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Kazakhstan Development Bank raised $950 ml in loans this year 13 June The Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK) has raised $950 ml in loans over five months of the year, the bank said in a press release. Over the period the bank has also signed $700 ml worth agreements for credit facilities. The bank is currently wrapping up work on raising $400 ml more in Q3.

By Alima Bissenova (6/11/2008 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Tbilisi demands Moscow withdraw troops from Abkhazia – FM Eka Tkeshelashvili 2 June Tbilisi will demand Moscow withdraw units of Russian railway troops from Abkhazia, Georgian Foreign Minister Eka Tkeshelashvili said. Upon completion of the session of the Georgian Security Council on Monday that was convened by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili due to the situation in the Abkhazian region, Tkeshelashvili said Georgia “intends to demand Moscow withdraw units of Russian railway troops from Abkhazia”.

“Certainly, we demand Moscow withdraw its railway troops from the Abkhazian region that it deployed on May 31.