By empty (1/25/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

The Conservative Party, the Labor Party, and the New Right Wing (AM) have issued separate critical evaluations of President Mikheil Saakashvili\'s first year in power. Conservative leaders Zviad Dzidziguri and Koba Davitashvili (who is a former close associate of Saakashvili) told journalists on 25 January that Saakashvili has not kept the promises he made prior to his election. They argued that the recent 100 percent increase in pensions does not benefit the recipients as prices have risen drastically.

By empty (1/25/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Following talks on 24 January mediated by the Joint Control Commission that monitors developments in the South Ossetian conflict zone, the South Ossetian authorities released Major Lado Chalauri later that day. Chalauri was apprehended in the conflict zone on 20 January. Chalauri identified his abductors as Ossetian \"criminals\" but failed to explain why they delivered him to a jail in the South Ossetian capital Tskhinvali.

By empty (1/25/2005 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Court proceedings against Ishengul Boljurova, deputy chair of the opposition People\'s Movement of Kyrgyzstan, began in Bishkek on 24 January, RFE/RL\'s Kyrgyz Service reported. Boljurova faces administrative charges in connection with an unauthorized demonstration on 19 January. In court, Boljurova maintained her innocence, saying that Kyrgyzstan\'s constitution guarantees the right of assembly.