By empty (3/7/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Khazret Sovmen, president of the Republic of Adygeya, met in Maikop on 5 March with members of the executive committee of the International Cherkess Association, which is campaigning to prevent the merger of the republic with Krasnodar Krai, according to AdygeaNatPress as quoted by Kavkazweb.net on 7 March. Sovmen was quoted as repeating his earlier opposition to any moves that negatively impact on the political situation in the region, and as terming the proposed merger \"regressive\" and a threat to interethnic relations in an \"explosive\" region.

By empty (3/6/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Pakistan\'s president on Sunday said he would not permit Uzbek extremists to use his nation to launch attacks on Uzbekistan and signaled his readiness to extradite any alleged Uzbek terrorists captured there. Islamic groups linked to al-Qaida have targeted Uzbekistan, Central Asia\'s most populous nation, where more than 50 people died in attacks last year. One group, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, is believed to have found shelter in Pakistan\'s largely lawless border areas.

By empty (3/5/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Farda Asadov, who is the head of the Soros Foundation\'s Baku office, told a press conference in the Azerbaijani capital on 4 March that there is no truth to media reports and speculation that the foundation has provided funding to Azerbaijani opposition parties. Asadov said that in 2004 the foundation provided $2.8 million in funding for programs to develop civil society in Azerbaijan, and for the education and information sectors.