Voice of Democracy
Published by Kazakhstan 21st Century Foundation · Washington, D.C. ·April, 15, 2004

BAY OF GAGS -- The Kazakh government's official press agency is running a story it headlines "USA to unleash war against Cuba." It repeats -- with the straight face familiar among spokesmen for dictators -- a variety charges by the Cuban ambassador to Kazakhstan, Teresita Capote Camacho, alleging a weird array of American conspiracies; there is no effort to get comment from U.S. officials or even exhibit a grain of skepticism. Among the American plots Kazinform is helping spread are President Bush's "plans to organize the mass emigration of people from Cuba," the State Department's payment of "easy money" to 75 Cubans for "the socialist system overthrow," and the capture a ship with "tourists and children." All this is being done so that "the new military aggression against Cuba will be justified," Amb. Camacho is quote as telling his Kazakh publicist. The highly imaginative ambassador also accuses the United States of pressuring the 53 member states of the UN Human Rights Commission to condemn Cuba, but, he insists, since Cuba "takes care of its children" and "there is no administrative (government) corruption," there can be no human rights violations. These violations and other offenses are being engineered by the American mission in Havana and several of those accused of collaborating with the hated Yanquis have been condemned to death, Camacho said. http://www.inform.Kazakhstan/showarticle.php?lang=eng&id=74495

CALLING NAZARBAYEV'S BLUFF -- Kazakhstan's proposed mass media law has come under new attack by the Vienna-based International Press Institute. Johann P. Fritz, director of the organization that represents editors, journalists and other media figures in more than 120 countries, said the legislation would further tighten government control over the media and aggravate the situation for journalists in Kazakhstan. IPI said the draft's vague definitions, strict registration schemes, and failure to "respect international standards of press freedom and freedom of expression" are invitations to abuse by the authorities. In its present form, IPI sees the law as "a government inspired attempt to control and intimidate the media." IPI wrote to President Nazarbayev calling on him to "veto this law" if he is "serious about introducing real change to the Kazakhstan media environment" http://www.cascfen.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1455

NO, NO NATO -- Kazakhstan has no interest in joining NATO, contrary to reports on Russian television, the country's foreign ministry has announced. It is content to remain a part of the Western alliance's Partnership for Peace program, but it "does not aspire to become a member" of NATO, a spokesman told Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency. http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/0/28.html?id_issue=9687932

KAZAKHS THREATEN TO QUIT US-LED COALITION -- Kazakhstan is threatening to pull its troops out of Iraq next month when the term of its present 27-man contingent expires, news agencies report. The small, symbolic presence has been handsomely rewarded by the U.S. government with military and other aid, and if it is withdrawn, that aid could be jeopardized. After threatening to pull out immediately, Kazakh Defense Minister Mukhtar Altynbayev now says they're staying put but he has no plans to send any more men, reports Itar-Tass. Without mentioning the escalating violence in the country, the minister ordered his troops confined to their camp near the southern town of Kut. Earlier, Ukraine pulled out all of its troops in Kut. A final decision on sending replacements will "depend on" assurances from coalition leaders to "secure the safety of the Kazakh servicemen." http://www.novinite.com/newsletter/print.php?id=33191, http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=671151&PageNum=0

For the full stories, see the web citations above or contact us at News@Kazakhstan21.org or see VOD Archives [http://iicas.org/english/enlibrary/libr_16_03_01kp.htm]. 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.

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