By empty (4/21/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Nursultan Nazarbaev told participants in the Eurasian Media Forum in Almaty on 21 April that freedom of speech and the media are an \"integral part\" of Kazakhstan\'s progress toward democracy and an open society. The president called free media a \"supreme value,\" but warned that the media should not serve as a weapon in \"information wars.\" Turning to recent events in Georgia, Ukraine, and Kyrgyzstan, Nazarbaev commented: \"As clear-headed people, we understand the deeper reasons for these events.

By empty (4/22/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Acting Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov, who chairs the recently formed commission to investigate the alleged business holdings of former Kyrgyz President Askar Akaev, told a press conference in Bishkek on 21 April that the commission invites anyone with knowledge of the ousted president\'s business dealings to come forward, Kabar reported. Usenov noted that the commission is currently working with a \"tentative\" list of 42 enterprises. He added: \"The commission will also investigate money transfer schemes through offshore zones, schemes for skimming from the budget, and from such enterprises as Kumtor [gold mine].

By empty (4/22/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The seven prominent Azerbaijani oppositionists jailed last October for their imputed role in the post-presidential clashes in Baku on 16 October 2003 and pardoned last month by President Ilham Aliyev launched the political movement \"16 October\" in Baku on 22 April. Former People\'s Party Chairman Panah Huseinov said the movement\'s primary objectives are to further democracy and the holding of free and fair elections, although the movement will not field candidates in the parliamentary elections due in November 2005, according to Democratic Party of Azerbaijan Secretary-General Serdar Djalaloglu. But Rauf Arifoglu, editor of the opposition newspaper \"Yeni Musavat,\" said that \"if the people want a revolution, we shall bring one about.