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Case Not Closed on Former Georgian Prime MinisterÕs Sudden Death, Family Says
BY MOLLY CORSO
Nearly four months after the sudden death of Zurab Zhvania, relatives of GeorgiaÕs former prime minister have announced that they suspect foul play in the incident. A private investigation conducted by ZhvaniaÕs family members revealed key discrepancies between official Georgian statements on the cause of ZhvaniaÕs death and the findings from a US Federal Bureau of Investigation report.

Azerbaijan, Armenia Probe for Nagorno-Karabakh Peace While on War-Footing
A EURASIANET PHOTO ESSAY BY JONATHAN ALPEYRIE
The prospects for lasting peace in Nagorno-Karabakh have improved markedly in recent months. Yet, even as negotiators express hope for a settlement that determines the region’s political status, sporadic fighting occurs along the so-called contact line established by a 1994 ceasefire agreement. As this photo essay by Jonathan Alpeyrie underscores, both Armenian and Azerbaijani forces remain on a war footing as the two nations take cautious steps toward peace.

Russia Agrees to Pull Troops from Georgia by 2008
BY ROBERT PARSONS
Russia and Georgia have signed an agreement on the withdrawal of Russian military bases from Georgia by 2008. The presence of the troops has bedeviled Russian-Georgian relations for the most part of the last decade. The agreement was signed in Moscow by Georgian Foreign Minister Salome Zourabichvili and her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
A EurasiaNet Partner Post from RFE/RL

Kazakhstan: Religious Faithful Face Greater Scrutiny in Name of Security
BY ANTOINE BLUA
Draft legislation that would amend 11 laws is now awaiting approval by Kazakhstan’s legislative upper house. The bill was drafted under the premise that it would strengthen national security; but the changes would further encroach on religious believers’ rights.
A EurasiaNet Partner Post from RFE/RL

June 26: Over 10,000 troops participate in military parade on 90th anniversary of Azerbaijani army (Azerbaijani newspaper Azadliq)

June 29 - July 3: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Annual Session in Kazakhstani capital Astana; Kazakhstan is due to hold OSCE's rotating chairmanship in 2010 (Official website)

June 30 - July 1: Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko visits Azerbaijan to discuss energy cooperation (Azerbaijani news agency APA)

July 1-2: Regional alliance of Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Moldova - GUAM - holds summit in Tbilisi (Azerbaijani news agency APA)

July 3-4: Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev visits Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani APA news agency)

July 4-5: Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev visits Turkmenistan (Russian Interfax news agency)

July 4-11: Joint Russo-Kazakh military exercise "Joint Action 2008"; airborne assault units take part in parachute landings and live firing drills; closing ceremony in Almaty on 11th (Russian government press release)

July 5-6: Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev visits Kazakhstan; attends celebrations marking 10th anniversary of declaration of Astana as country's new capital (Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency)

July 6: Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili meets Russian counterpart Dmitriy Medvedev on sidelines of celebrations to mark 10th anniversary of declaration of Astana as Kazakhstan's capital (Georgian news agency Kavkas-Press)