By Alima Bissenova (9/5/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Sukhumi warns Tbilisi on Abkhaz airspace violation 23 August Abkhazia claims that a Georgian aircraft violated its airspace on Wednesday and vowed an adequate response. "Abkhazia has drawn the attention of international mediators and participants of the negotiating process to the violation of Abkhaz airspace and thinks it necessary to warn Georgia that such provocations will be adequately assessed and will be followed by appropriate actions from Abkhazia," the Abkhaz foreign ministry says in a statement published on Thursday. "While Georgia attempts to accuse Russia of violating Georgian airspace, provocative actions are committed and such actions can lead to open confrontation between the sides," it says.

By Alima Bissenova (7/12/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)

U.S. CHEVRON TO OPEN OFFICE IN TURKMEN CAPITAL 29 June Turkmenistan's official TDH news agency on June 28 reported that the U.

By Alima Bissenova (6/27/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)

KYRGYZ OPPOSITION SEEKS REFERENDUM ON UNION WITH RUSSIA

14 June

The Kyrgyz opposition movement United Front for a Worthy Future for Kyrgyzstan on June 14 formally submitted documents to the Justice Ministry requesting a national referendum to consider a proposal to form a union between Kyrgyzstan and Russia. An unnamed official from the Bishkek headquarters of the Ar-Namys (Dignity) party, which is a part of the United Front, said the documents meet all the legal requirements for a referendum, and added that "we hope that the Justice Ministry will officially register our campaign in the near future in line with the prescribed procedures." The opposition is also seeking Justice Ministry registration of an "initiative group" created specifically to advocate holding the referendum, and requested official state-issued "identification cards" to assist members in collecting signatures throughout the country.