ELECTION UPDATE: CAMPAIGNING IN SOUTH KAZAKHSTAN

UNCLAS ALMATY 004244

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

EUR/CACEN (MUDGE),INR/REA (SFEINBERG)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KZ
SUBJECT: ELECTION UPDATE: CAMPAIGNING IN SOUTH KAZAKHSTAN


1. (U) During a November 8-10 visit to Shymkent, the capital
of the Southern Kazakhstan Oblast, poloff examined the
campaign climate of this border region. Conversations with
NGO and media representatives indicated that the political
scene was similar to that throughout Kazakhstan.

Campaign Material
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2. (SBU) The city has numerous billboards designated for
campaign posters of the presidential candidates. Many of
these billboards had at least the three major candidates
(Nazarbayev, Tuyakbay, and Baymenov) represented and a
significant number had posters from all five candidates.
Opposition newspapers were readily available at many of the
news stands poloff he passed. Some government-owned
buildings -- such as libraries -- had campaign posters for
Nazarbayev on the front doors, a clear violation of
Kazakhstani election law.

Independent Media
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3. (SBU) Independent media is often subject to government
harassment, but continue to publish. The editor-in-chief of
the independent Kazakh-language Aigak newspaper told poloff
that he has been able to print material on each of the
candidates without much pressure from local authorities. He
suggested, however, that because he owns his office building
and his own printing press, the local authorities have fewer
levers of influence over him than over other publishers. He
indicated that many of the other independent newspaper
outlets in the oblast that rely on printing presses owned by
the government or individuals supportive of the government
have a much harder time printing campaign material of the
opposition candidates.

NGO Sector
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4. (SBU) Contacts within the NGO community reported that the
sector is growing due to the support of international
organizations, the USG and other governments. Some
organizations reported harassment by local authorities, while
others report a positive working relationship with the
government. Unsurprisingly, those working on issues of
greatest importance to the GOK, such as religious tolerance,
reported the fewest problems.

The View from the Street
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5. (SBU) Most of the people poloff spoke with on the street,
regardless of their political affiliation, stated that they
believed President Nazarbayev will easily win the election.
In addition, many expressed pride that opposition candidate
Tuyakbay is from their oblast.
ORDWAY