Voice of Democracy
Published by Kazakhstan 21st Century Foundation · Washington, D.C. Oct. 8, 2002

IRAQ'S KAZAKH NUCLEAR LINK -- There may be a link between Kazakhstan and Saddam Hussein's attempts to build nuclear weapons, according to The Scotsman. In a report on demands that Iraq be stripped of all weapons of mass destruction, the paper said the British government uncovered evidence "that Saddam may have intercepted sensitive nuclear trigger devices which have gone missing from Kazakhstan." The former Soviet Union based many of its nuclear weapons in Kazakhstan, and the extensive program to dismantle and destroy them has been dogged by reports that some nukes and components may have fallen into the wrong hands. http://www.scotsman.com/

LOOK INTO MY EYES AND SAY THAT -- President Nazarbayev recently sent several of his top ministers out to tell the heads of independent media outlets that the wave of reprisals against journalists were either fictional, political distortions or unrelated, simple crimes. The attacks -- including fire bombings, vicious assaults, vandalism and harassment -- had nothing to do, the media chief were assured, with the fact that all the victims had written or broadcast reports critical of the regime. We assume they were also told that the Easter Bunny would arrive on time next year. http://www.rferl.org/bd/ka/

IT TAKES A THIEF -- President Nazarbayev, who is under investigation in Europe and America for bribery, money laundering and corruption, announced his government will soon file charges against more of his critics who were formally high level officials. Two Nazarbayev-appointees, a former minister and a former governor, already are in prison. Kazakhstan does not have an independent judiciary. http://www.interfax-news.com/.

ANTI-BUSINESS PRACTICES HIT --The Bush Administration has warned the Kazakh government that "attempts to revise existing contracts with international oil companies…will drive investors away," according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Interfax-Kazakhstan. Forcing these firms to remove foreign personnel and equipment and replace them with comparable locals is "causing real concern" in Washington, said Steven Mann, the U.S. special advisor on Caspian issues. He warned that such policies "threaten to take Kazakhstan in the wrong direction" and foreign investors will avoid Kazakhstan unless the country changes course and cuts red tape, ends corruption, adopts transparent laws and respects an independent media. http://www.interfax-news.com/, http://www.ap.org.

For the full stories, see the web citations above or contact us at News@Kazakhstan21.org. The Kazakhstan 21st Century Foundation promotes democracy and human rights in Kazakhstan through public affairs and educational programs in the United States and Europe. This material is distributed by Kazakhstan 21st Century Foundation. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice,  Washington, D.C.