Voice of Democracy
Published by Kazakhstan 21st Century Foundation · Washington, D.C. ·Jan. 26, 2004

FREEDOM CAN BE A FLEETING THING -- In the face of intense international pressure to free jailed independent journalist Sergei Duvanov, the Kazakh government has put him on tentative home release. But Duvanov, who had been convicted on what are widely considered trumped up political charges of statutory rape, is constantly reminded by authorities that his limited freedom can be revoked on a whim if he does anything to offend them, reliable sources report. Duvanov is in "legal limbo," reports Agence France-Presse, with "conditional freedom" that allows him to live at home and work providing he registers regularly with authorities. Independent journalists in Kazakhstan have repeatedly been the targets of violent attacks in recent years, particularly if they, like Duvanov, had offended the Nazarbayev regime by reporting on human rights abuses and corruption linked directly to the dictator himself. In addition to the physical assaults on individual journalists, their offices have been firebombed, equipment vandalized, publications seized and families threatened. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has been highly critical of the Kazakh government's handling of the Duvanov case; an internal investigation determined that the trial evidence failed to support a rape conviction. U.S. officials expressed concern over "the chilling effect" the case would have on Kazakh media. Many of the attacks, reports AFP, are linked to allegations that "Nazarbayev and his entourage funneled money into secret Swiss bank accounts." http://www.afp.com/english/home/

IT'S MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY -- President Nazarbayev pays lip service to democracy, but when it comes to running elections, he makes it clear he'll run things his way. He welcomes others opinions when they are "right and useful," but warns " international organizations should not think that things in Kazakhstan will develop the way they want them to," he told an interviewer from Kazakhstanskaya Pravda. He has been accused by the United States government, the EU, the OSCE and other international organizations of voter fraud and rigged elections; potential opponents have been harassed, barred from running, charged with trumped up crimes, tried and convicted in absentia. His thugs even tried to abduct an opponent -- former Prime Minister Akezhan Kazhegeldin -- while attending a Congressional hearing in Washington. " We are an independent country, we have our own laws, our own traditions and values which we are not going to renounce," he said. "Kazakh citizens have the right to have their own opinion about political leaders and political parties," he added. http://www.kazpravda.Kz/, http://news.bbc.co.uk/

DUMPING -- Beijing has accused Kazakhstan and four other countries of damaging its domestic steel producers by selling steel at below cost on the Chinese market and is threatening to impose tariffs up to 55%, reports the BBC. China's booming economy is the world's top steel producer and user, but cheaper foreign producers are not the only problem facing Chinese steel makers; they also have to cope with outdated technology and factories. Nonetheless the Chinese trade ministry has accused Kazakhstan, Russia, Taiwan, South Korea and Ukraine of causing "substantial damage" by dumping steel products. The new tariffs go into effect immediately and will remain in place for five years, BBC notes. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/business/3394913.stm

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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