* KYRGYZSTAN, TAJIKISTAN:

Age: 25 years

Communist parties and candidates included accession to the RBU in their programs and speeches for the parliamentary elections in February (Kyrgyzstan) and March (Tajikistan). Kyrgyzstan’s President Askar Akaev has expressed no interest in the RBU. Tajikistan’s President Imomali Rahmonov had once considered seeking accession but was rebuffed as a basket case.