Voice of Democracy
Published by Kazakhstan 21st Century Foundation · Washington, D.C. ·May 23, 2002

US ASKS FOX TO CHECK HEN HOUSE ­ The Bush Administration's request for the Nazarbayev regime to investigate recent attacks on media critical of the government is tantamount to asking Al Qaida to investigate the 9/11 bombings. It is widely believed throughout Kazakhstan and abroad that recent attacks on independent media and opposition politicians are the work of government agents seeking to intimidate and silence Nazarbayev's critics. In the past week, several unidentified men robbed and vandalized the editorial office of the independent newspaper "Sol-Dat," and badly beat at least one staff member; a day later another newspaper, Respublika, was firebombed and destroyed. The State Department issued a strongly worded statement calling on the Kazakh government to "protect and advance democratic development, a free press, and the rule of law." There's just one flaw in that: the government itself is the problem, not the solution, and it is incapable of conduct(ing) an independent and transparent investigation" into these and similar incidents, including the seizure of prominent opposition leaders and padlocking and vandalizing an independent television station. An investigation is needed alright, but by a credible and independent source. Nazarbayev's moves to "intimidate political opposition leaders and the independent media… raise serious questions about the safety of the independent media in Kazakhstan," said the State Department statement. They also violate the joint statement issued by Presidents Nazarbayev and Bush when they met in Washington last December and confirmed their "desire to strengthen democratic institutions and process, such as independent media." When U.S. Ambassador Larry Napper delivers this message he shouldn't be surprised if Nazarbayev laughs in his face. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2002/10436.htm

NAZARBAYEV SENDS THUGS, NOT LETTERS -- When President Nazarbayev disagrees with a newspaper he doesn't send a letter to the editor; he sends his thugs to bust up the place and crack a few heads. That's why a prominent opposition journalist, Bakhytgul Makinbai, is in serious condition in an Almaty hospital after she and a colleague were beaten and bound in the editorial office of the newspaper "Sol-Dat," and computers and other equipment were stolen. Ermurat Bapi, the editor, told reporters the attack was politically motivated. A day later another independent newspaper was destroyed by Molotov cocktails but there were apparently no injuries. Police were called to investigate but they only hauled away Sol-Dat’s remaining equipment and records and told Bapi, "This is the last warning." A similar message was sent in writing to the fire-bombed newspaper, Respublika, as well, along with the decapitated body of a dog. http://www.rferl.org/bd/ka/

CORRUPTION PERMEATES ALL LEVELS -- Corruption has spread to all levels of government in Kazakhstan, says a man who should know. Prosecutor General Rashid Tusupbekov made the revelation in a meeting with President Nazarbayev and heads of law enforcement agencies, reports Interfax. He pointed to "cases of negligence, abuse of authority and lobbying for one's own interests," said Interfax. The worst offenders, according to the prosecutor general, are regional governors. They dictate laws and regulations affecting land, property, environment, business and other interests that produce personal profit. But this revelation may be politically motivated. The prosecutor general, who works for Nazarbayev, said the statistics about governors show they cannot be trusted to "correctly deal with the authority that they now have." Translation: Nazarbayev opposes direct election of governors. There is something missing in the logic that says voters are not capable of electing honest governors, but instead they should retain the current system under which the current crop of corrupt governors was appointed by Nazarbayev, who himself is under international investigation for corruption. And when one of those governors has the temerity to criticize the Nazarbayev regime, he often finds himself the target of an investigation by the prosecutor general, facing what observers say are often trumped-up and politically motivated charges. 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.