By Alima Bissenova (5/30/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)

 

TURKMEN PRESIDENT SEEN AS CONSOLIDATING POWER

17 May

Arkady Dubnov, a long-time observer of Turkmen politics, wrote in Russia's "Vremya novostei" on May 16 that the recent dismissal of Akmurat Rejepov as head of the presidential guard is only part of broader moves by President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov to consolidate power. Dubnov noted that Murad Agaev, a business owner and an associate of Rejepov, was recently arrested in Ashgabat, and that references to former President Saparmurat Niyazov in the country's state-controlled media are becoming less frequent. Dubnov quoted sources in Turkmenistan as saying that Berdymukhammedov is appointing residents of his native village, Goektepe, to posts in the security services and other agencies.

By Alima Bissenova (4/19/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)

By empty (2/6/2007 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Talks on the signing of a protocol on the resumption of the air service between Russia and Georgia are continuing. The protocol signing has been postponed to Tuesday evening. The press service of the Russian Transport Ministry reported, “Talks on the signing of a protocol on the resumption of air communication between Russia and Georgia have dragged on, the sides have postponed the decision on the protocol signing to the second half of the day.