By Douglas L. Tookey (3/27/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: Uzbekistan's leadership often stresses the importance of small and medium enterprise development. In a recent speech to Uzbekistan's Cabinet of Ministers, President Islam Karimov  stated that in 1991 SMEs accounted for 1.5% of Uzbekistan's gross domestic product, and that by 2000 this figure increased to 31%, with 3 million people employed in the same  sector.

By Ariel Cohen (3/27/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty is planning to launch its North Caucasus service, including controversial broadcasting in the Chechen language, on April 3. The newest radio service was scheduled to go on the air in the Chechen, Avar, Circassian and Russian languages on February 28 of this year, but at the last moment Richard Armitage, Deputy Secretary of State, the second highest ranking U.S.

By Hooman Peimani (4/10/2002 issue of the CACI Analyst)

BACKGROUND: Over the last two decades, war and instability in Afghanistan have given an additional dimension to Indian-Pakistani relations. The two enemies have sought influence in Afghanistan both for its own merits and also for its significance for their regional interests. The fall of the Soviet Union and the creation of independent states in Central Asia have increased Afghanistan’s significance for them, as it shares borders with three Central Asian countries (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan).