RUSSIAN PRESSURE AFFECTS UN STANCE ON GEORGIAN CONFLICTS
By Johanna Popjanevski (6/3/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)
On May 27, Georgia accused the UN Secretary General of giving in to Russian blackmail in his latest report on the situation in Abkhazia. The report – produced after Moscow and Sukhumi refused to take part in scheduled Geneva talks with Georgia – fails to refer to the breakaway republic as part of Georgia, and takes no account of Tbilisi’s requests for an international law enforcement mission there. The episode suggests that Russia has again used its influence in the UN Security Council to legitimize its policies and presence in Georgia, and highlights a need for Western states to take a determined stance with regard to Georgia’s territorial integrity.
CENTRAL ASIA STRIVES TO RESIST NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION TIDE
By Richard Weitz (6/3/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)
The nuclear disorders in East Asia contrast vividly with the nonproliferation progress in the neighboring region of Central Asia. Whereas North Korea’s nuclear testing is threatening to precipitate of a horizontal nuclear proliferation wave in surrounding countries, the Central Asian states are leading a campaign to strengthen the global nonproliferation regime by making their region a nonproliferation paradigm. Unfortunately, the Central Asians are not masters of their fate; great power politics continue to impinge on their ability to pursue their nonproliferation goals.
YEREVAN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS DEEPEN THE POLITICAL CRISIS IN ARMENIA
By Blanka Hancilova (6/3/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)
On May 31, the first Yerevan mayoral elections were bitterly contested by the ruling Armenian Republican Party and the opposition Armenian National Congress, represented by the first president of independent Armenia, Levon Ter-Petrosyan. The elections were marred by numerous violations, including vote buying and instances of violence and voter intimidation. Predictably, according to the official results, the Republican Party secured a landslide victory and the mayoral office.
CONSTRUCTION BOOM AND BANKING CRISIS IN KAZAKHSTAN
By Alima Bissenova (6/3/2009 issue of the CACI Analyst)
In the years following financial liberalization, Kazakhstan has seen a spectacular construction boom and an inflation of real estate assets, driven by internal and external investment. The country has boasted the highest per capita foreign investment and the most developed banking system in the CIS. From 1999 to 2007, the economy displayed steady GDP growth of about 10 percent per year.
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