By empty (8/21/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Russian Interior Minister Rashid Nurgaliyev has issued instructions to devise a plan envisioning the stage-by-stage withdrawal of troops deployed in the republic on a temporary basis. \"The drafting of the plan is due to be completed by December 2006,\" the Interior Ministry said in a press release. \"The head of the Interior Ministry has instructed the officials in charge of these issues to actively contribute to the drafting of a plan for the stage-by-stage withdrawal of military units and divisions of the Defense Ministry of Russia and the Interior Troops of the Interior Ministry of Russia deployed in Chechnya on a temporary basis,\" the release says.

By empty (8/21/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Unidentified attackers fired a grenade with an RPG-7 grenade launcher at the door of an interior troops battalion deputy commander\'s apartment in Grozny. \"The deputy commander of the \"North\" interior troops battalion was not in at that moment, but two of his acquaintances were wounded. They were hospitalized,\" sources in Chechen law enforcement services told Interfax-AVN by telephone on Monday.

By empty (8/21/2006 issue of the CACI Analyst)

Electricity from Iran started flowing to the Republic of Azerbaijan via the Astara border on Monday in accordance with an agreement entered into by the two countries, the director of public relations of the Gilan Regional Electricity Company said. Speaking to IRNA, Alireza Mozayyan, said a seven-kilometer, 230-kilowatt electricity line has been constructed between the two countries to transfer a maximum 50 megawatts of electricity from Iran to the Republic of Azerbaijan and vice-versa. \"According to an agreement concluded between the two countries, Azerbaijan will provide the required electricity needs of Astara and Talesh (Iranian cities) in summer while Iran will supply electricity to Azerbaijani cities in winter,\" he said.