Voice of Democracy
Published by Kazakhstan 21st Century Foundation · Washington, D.C. · Apr 1, 2002

UP TO OLD TRICKS -- On March 25, the leader of the Kazakh opposition, Akezhan Kazhegeldin, met in Paris with Galymzhan Zhaqiyanov, a former provincial governor, to discuss a possible alliance to challenge the Nazarbayev regime. As soon as Zhaqiyanov, a leading activist in the opposition movement Democratic Choice for Kazakhstan (DVK), got home, authorities tried to arrest him. But Almaty police botched it and he was able to escape to sanctuary in the French Embassy, according to published reports. Zhaqiyanov, the former governor of Pavlodar Oblast, had just held a press conference to announce a mass demonstration to protest the arrest of another DVK figure when police tried to grab him, and he has threatened to go on a hunger strike to protest his government's "arbitrary behavior." He's been accused of "abuse of office," a catch-all that means "Nazarbayev doesn't like you any more." EU officials are trying to negotiate his safe release. The rally was to be broadcast live on the independent TAN TV but had to be canceled after "unknown perpetrators" -- a common euphemism for undercover government security forces -- broke into the TV station and opened fire, damaging transmission equipment. http://www.rferl.org/bd/ka/, http://dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/top_stories/

SO WHAT IF HE'S A CROOK -- The normally hard-nosed Washington Times has been critical of the Nazarbayev regime in the past, but judging by the latest puff piece it may be crawling into the dictator's pocket. In a nearly-full page paean to Kazakhstan's new "Capital on the steppe," it declares "Nazarbayev builds Kazakh city based on Washington." It's enough to make all the government flacks jump with joy. But amid the flattery, it concedes Nazarbayev "fits the ancient description of the enlightened despot" who "rules with near-absolute power over all three branches of government." But in his defense, the obsequious reporter notes an absence of evidence of "politically motivated killing" -- only "nothing more serious than harassment of the tiny opposition." That's those little things like beatings, going to jail on trumped-up charges, destruction of homes and property, spurious suits in tax court, and losing your job. Just be thankful he didn't kill you, too. And as for the corruption, sure he and his family have gotten very wealthy and his campaign against corruption is a sham, it doesn't matter, suggests the Times, because "most Kazakhs don't seem to mind." After all, how bad can the guy be? He is building himself a presidential palace in Astana that resembles the White House. If only he could build a government worthy of a White House. http://www.washtimes.com/world/20020323-96523272.htm

UNWELCOME AT HOME -- The Republican People's Party of Kazakhstan and other founding members of the opposition United Democratic Party of Kazakhstan (ODP) met recently in Warsaw recently to discuss consolidation of opposition forces against the Nazarbayev regime. They were forced to meet in Poland because their own government is blocking them from holding their convening congress in Kazakhstan. Other organizers of the ODP are the National Congress of Kazakhstan and the Azamat party. http://www.rferl.org/bd/ka/

LET MY YASSER GO -- Nursultan Nazarbayev wants his fellow dictator, Yasser Arafat, free to continue his usual activities. The Kazakh Foreign Ministry called on Israel to halt military operations in Palestinian areas and said "the Palestinians should give up their terrorist activities completely too." http://www.interfax-news.com/

REFORM OR REPLACE -- A group of prominent public figures, scientists and journalists have called for a new Kazakh constitution to provide the rule of law, separation of powers and accountability missing in the current constitution. The 1995 Nazarbayev constitution, to no one's surprise, concentrates power in the hands of the dictator, robbing the legislative and judicial branches of government virtually powerless. Lacking from that old document is protection for the supremacy of the law, protection of basic rights and guarantees of public control over the authorities, the group stated. In its view, the 1995 constitution "concentrated enormous power in the hands of the head of state, which runs counter to universally accepted democratic principles." Members of the group said they intend to take the issue to the people as well as lobby various governmental bodies to support their call for constitutional reform. http://www.interfax-news.com/

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.