An explosive device hit a Canadian patrol vehicle in Shah Wali Kot District of Kandahar Province on April 22 killing four soldiers, international news agencies reported. According to a Canadian military spokesman the explosion was detonated by a technically advanced remote-controlled device, “The New York Times,” reported on April 23.

The first of the four S-300 surface-to-air missile systems that Russia has contracted to supply to Belarus arrived in Minsk on April 21, Belapan reported, quoting Belarusian Defense Minister Leanid Maltsau. Maltsau added that the remaining three system will be delivered until the end of this year.

Robert Simmons, special representative of NATO Secretary-General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer for the South Caucasus and Central Asia, said in the course of a NATO delegation’s visit to Kazakhstan on April 22 that it is “important for us that Kazakhstan has advanced and signed the Individual Partnership Action Plan with …