By empty (6/7/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The pro-presidential Democratic Party and Asar party are forming a political bloc, but will remain separate organizations. \"We want to start pooling our efforts and invite other political parties who support reforms and the advancement of our political system without revolutions to join us,\" Democratic Party leader Maksut Narikbayev told reporters during an interval in an extraordinary party congress in Astana on Tuesday. Asar party is holding a similar congress in the same city.

By empty (6/7/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Acting Prosecutor-General Azimbek Beknazarov told Kyrgyzstan\'s parliament on 6 June that the Prosecutor-General\'s Office has issued an order for the arrest of former Prime Minister Nikolai Tanaev, RFE/RL\'s Kyrgyz Service reported. One charge against Tanaev, who is currently in Russia, involves alleged abuse of office involving 40 million soms ($977,000) in state funds that were allegedly transferred to a company controlled by Tanaev\'s son. Beknazarov said an investigative group will depart for Russia to interrogate Tanaev and attempt to arrange his return to Kyrgyzstan to face charges.

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

The Kyrgyz authorities are considering Uzbek citizens\' requests for refugee status, First Deputy Foreign Minister Taalai Kadyrov told a press briefing on Monday. \"The Kyrgyz authorities will see how Uzbek citizens, who are temporarily staying in the republic, correspond to the refugee status,\" he said. The Kyrgyz and Uzbek foreign ministers had consultations in the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh on June 4, he said.