Central Asian authorities have assailed Afghanistan's Taliban movement for providing logistical support to Islamic insurgents operating in the region. Those same officials, however, have been tight lipped about what role the local civilian population is playing in the insurgency. They also have been less than candid about the capabilities of the armed forces to confront the insurgency.
With sporadic fighting continuing between government forces and Islamic insurgents, Central Asia faces the prospect of becoming embroiled in a long-term conflict.
Following Tsarist Russia's conquest of Central Asia, some of the Russian bureaucrats, scientists and professionals who arrived to govern the newly acquired territories brought cameras with them.
The People's Republic of China is taking a growing interest in improving economic relations with Central Asian states. Indeed, there are indications that China harbors aspirations of replacing Russia as the dominant economic force in Central Asia, thus placing Beijing in better position to address its domestic security concerns.
Melis Eshimkanov recently announced his candidacy for the October 29 presidential poll in Kyrgyzstan. He is editor of influential Kyrgyz-language independent newspaper 'Asaba,' and leader of the opposition El (Bei-Bechalar) Party. Although only 38, he is a veteran opposition activist.
Turkey's relations with Central Asian states are perhaps at the lowest point since the breakup of the Soviet Union. The diplomatic downturn has occurred during a domestic political transition, in which the charismatic Suleyman Demirel has been succeeded as president by the more reserved Ahmet Necdet Sezer.
Known formally as the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), the Helsinki Final Act was a product of the Cold War agenda. The conference process opened in Helsinki in November 1972, continued sporadically in other European capitals, and concluded in Helsinki on August 1, 1975.
Seeking to bolster China's energy and security interests, Chinese President Jiang Zemin continued a trip to Central Asia, stopping in Turkmenistan on July 6.
