KAZAKHSTAN: ALMATY NOTES, JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 8, 2008

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SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: ALMATY NOTES, JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 8, 2008



1. The "Almaty Notes" series is intended to maintain focus on
developments in civil society, the media, and the opposition in
Kazakhstan's "southern capital" following the move of the Embassy to
Astana.

Comments on President's State of the Nation Address
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2. Political party leaders expressed various opinions about
President Nazarbayev's state of the nation address. National Social
Democratic Party chairman Zharmakhan Tuyakbay said "I have not been
inspired. The address included many good words, but it is doubtful
whether they will come true. Practically nothing has been said
about political reforms." Auyl leader Gani Kaliyev agreed with
Tuyakbay, saying that he had heard nothing new. Patriot Party
leader (and Senator) Gani Kasymov said he very much appreciated
Nazarbayev's announcement that additional funds would be allocated
to build hospitals, schools, and sports facilities. (Interfax,
February 6)

Maslikhat Candidate Loses his Case
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3. On February 5, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Sergey
Utkin, who had run as an independent candidate for the Almaty city
maslikhat (i.e., the local legislative body). Utkin had challenged
the results of the August 18, 2007 election, claiming that electoral
protocols he had obtained from 10 out of the 11 election precincts
proved that he had won his race. District and city courts
previously denied Utkin's appeals and confirmed the official
results, according to which Utkin lost to a candidate from Presdent
Nazarbayev's Nur Otan party. Utkin has the right to file a second
appeal with the Supreme Court. (Interfax, February 5)

Communist Leader Proposes One-Chamber Parliament
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4. "Because the current two-chamber parliament is not efficient, we
have proposed setting up a one-chamber parliament," Communist Party
leader Serikbolsyn Abdildin told a press conference in Almaty on
February 5. This proposal was one of several that the Communists
submitted to the Central Election Commission pertaining to
amendments to Kazakhstan's election law. (Note: The Central Election
Commission recently solicited input on amendments to the election
law from all political parties. End Note.) The Communists also
proposed that only half of parliamentary deputies be elected though
a nationwide proportional party list system, with the other half
elected in majoritarian territorial districts. They further
proposed that city and oblast akims be elected through direct
elections. Abdildin added that in order to "allow Kazakhstan to
chair the OSCE in 2010 with dignity," the constitutional amendment
which allows Nazarbayev to be continually re-elected without term
limits should be annulled. (TAN TV channel and Interfax, February
5)

Political Parties Support Strikers
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5. The unregistered Alga political party issued a statement in
support of miners from Mittal Steel Corporation and Kazakhmys who
recently went out on spontaneous strikes following an explosion at a
mine in Karaganda. The striking miners were successful in obtaining
wage increases. Alga congratulated the miners on their victory and
blamed the government for its failure to arbitrate labor disputes.
Ak Zhol, Auyl, the People's Communist Party, and Rukhaniyat issued
their own statement expressing solidarity with the miners, as well
as with trade unions representing employees of healthcare and
education institutions and members of the armed forces. (Alga press
release, February 5; www.zonakz.net, February 6)

Turkish Workers Attacked in Almaty
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6. On January 24 in Almaty, approximately three dozen individuals
wearing masks attacked workers from the Turkish construction company
B.N.N. Pegasus, the executive director of the company, Sechim Kose,
told the media. According to Kose, the attackers were armed with
knives and firearms. Four workers suffered injuries and were
hospitalized. The Turkish Embassy in Kazakhstan addressed a protest
note regarding the incident to the Government of Kazakhstan.
According to the Embassy, more than 20,000 Turkish nationals work in
Kazakhstan. (Novoye Pokoleniye, February 1, 2008)

Tightened Security in Almaty Schools
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7. According to Deputy City Akim Serik Seydumanov, authorities are
planning to install video cameras in Almaty schools. This security
campaign was launched after a January 26 incident in Almaty school
number 9, in which a grenade exploded and killed two people. Recent
inspections have turned up grenades and mines in other schools.
(Interfax, February 5)

ORDWAY