By empty (2/4/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Viktor Dallakian, secretary of the opposition Artaruriun parliament faction, told journalists on 3 February that the parliamentary opposition will continue the boycott it began one year ago but will suspend that boycott to participate in debates on issues of crucial importance, including compensating the population for the loss of deposits in Soviet-era savings accounts, Noyan Tapan reported. Dallakian further described as \"a polite rejection\" the response by the ruling three-party coalition government to the opposition\'s proposals for compromise over the package of constitutional amendments drafted by President Robert Kocharian. Earlier on 3 February, the three parties issued a statement welcoming the opposition\'s proposals.

By empty (2/3/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Kent Hill, USAID assistant administrator for Europe and Eurasia, told a news conference in Almaty on 3 February that the United States has launched a five-year, $30.5 million program to improve health care in Central Asia. Hill said, \"The program is aimed at assisting the Kazakh government and other Central Asian states in improving, above all, the quality of first aid provided to the population.

By empty (2/3/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The death of Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania may have a negative effect on settling the nation\'s conflict with the self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia, Tskhinvali sources said. \"South Ossetian President Eduard Kokoity deeply regrets the tragic death of Zurab Zhvania and has extended his profound condolences to the Georgian people over this loss. He believes that Zurab Zhvania played a highly positive role in the Georgian-Ossetian settlement process and does not rule out that the negotiating process may now become more complicated,\" Irina Gagloyeva, head of South Ossetia\'s information committee, told Interfax from Tskhinvali on Thursday.