By empty (8/20/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Fighting in South Ossetia has reportedly died down as Georgia began withdrawing its troops from the conflict zone. The move came a day after Georgia claimed to have captured key strategic positions in the breakaway region. Control will be handed over to a joint peacekeeping force of Russian, Ossetian and Georgian soldiers.

By empty (8/20/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Some 20 international observers will be present at the early presidential elections in Chechnya, Russian Central Elections Commission Chairman Alexander Veshnyakov told journalists on Friday. \"The CIS Executive Committee, the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference have already sent their confirmations and submitted documents for accreditation. The OSCE has not yet confirmed [whether its observers will be present at the elections or not],\" Veshnyakov said.

By empty (8/19/2004 issue of the CACI Analyst)

A court in Uzbekistan has been hearing evidence at the trial of 15 suspects allegedly involved in a series of suicide bombings and attacks. The judge said that a total of six Uzbeks blew themselves up during three days of violence in March which killed more than 40 people. It was the first time violence of this sort had hit Uzbekistan.