By empty (6/20/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Foreign Minister Qasymzhomart Toqaev told members of parliament on 20 June that two draft bills amending legislation on NGOs go against Kazakhstan\'s international obligations and should not be passed. Toqaev said that the legislation, if passed, could negatively impact the activities of UNESCO, the World Health Organization, and the OSCE in Kazakhstan. He stressed that this is especially worrisome in light of Kazakhstan\'s stated desire to chair the OSCE in 2009.

By empty (6/20/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Bishkek police chief Omurbek Subanaliev told RFE/RL\'s Kyrgyz Service on 19 June that police have arrested Mukar Cholponbaev, the former speaker of Kyrgyzstan\'s parliament, in connection with unrest in the capital on 17 June. Subanaliev alleged that Cholponbaev led the effort to seize the main government building in Bishkek on 17 June. Subanaliev added that Kyrgyz police have issued a warrant for the arrest of would-be presidential candidate Baryktabasov, who authorities allege was the financer and organizer of the 17 June demonstration.

By empty (6/19/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Some 20,000 people have marched in Azerbaijan\'s capital Baku demanding free and fair elections and calling for the president to resign. It is the second time in the past two weeks that Azerbaijan\'s government has allowed the opposition to hold a rally. It was organised by three leading opposition parties which form the the Azadlig or Freedom bloc.