Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE12835
2009-02-11 21:37:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON NEW
how-toVZCZCXRO9569 PP RUEHAST RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR DE RUEHC #2835 0422152 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 112137Z FEB 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 7659 INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 012835
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM OSCE KZ
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON NEW
LEGISLATION IN KAZAKHSTAN
UNCLAS STATE 012835
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM OSCE KZ
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON NEW
LEGISLATION IN KAZAKHSTAN
1. (U) Post is authorized to present the following statement
at the February 12, 2009 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna.
Begin Text:
Mr. Chairman,
At the Madrid Ministerial meeting in 2007, the United States
welcomed the selection of Kazakhstan as Chairman in Office
for 2010. At that time, Kazakhstan publicly committed to
protect the OSCE,s core human dimension mandate, including
the autonomy and current mandate of the Office of Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights, and to advance specific
democratic political reforms in Kazakhstan before the end of
2008. Kazakhstan also pledged to work closely with the OSCE,
its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and
its Representative on Freedom of the Media on these reforms.
We would like to take the opportunity today to note that over
the past week, President Nazarbayev signed into law new
legislation on the media, elections, and political parties
which was aimed at fulfilling Kazakhstan's Madrid
commitments. This legislation marks a step forward on
Kazakhstan,s path to democracy.
While we welcome this progress, we look to Kazakhstan to
continue its cooperation with the OSCE and ODIHR in bringing
its laws fully in line with its OSCE commitments.
We urge Kazakhstan to enhance its coordination with the
Representative of Freedom of the Media to improve its media
legislation, which should include decriminalizing libel.
Similarly, we urge Kazakhstan to take further steps to create
the conditions for genuine political pluralism. This should
include legislation ensuring that all political parties are
represented on independent electoral commissions and further
reducing registration hurdles for political parties.
The United States would also like to take this opportunity to
note that new draft legislation is under consideration in
Kazakhstan's parliament that would restrict freedom of
expression via the Internet. To meet OSCE commitments to
wider and freer dissemination of information and freedom of
expression, a key aspect of which is access to the Internet,
Kazakhstani law should secure such access for the people of
Kazakhstan.
Madam Chairwoman, the United States pledges its best efforts
to work closely with Kazakhstan as it prepares for its 2010
OSCE Chairmanship. By continuing to take steps to bring its
legislation fully in line with its OSCE commitments,
Kazakhstan will not only strengthen the OSCE, but also
develop the democratic institutions that are the foundation
for long-term stability and prosperity.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM OSCE KZ
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: STATEMENT ON NEW
LEGISLATION IN KAZAKHSTAN
1. (U) Post is authorized to present the following statement
at the February 12, 2009 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna.
Begin Text:
Mr. Chairman,
At the Madrid Ministerial meeting in 2007, the United States
welcomed the selection of Kazakhstan as Chairman in Office
for 2010. At that time, Kazakhstan publicly committed to
protect the OSCE,s core human dimension mandate, including
the autonomy and current mandate of the Office of Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights, and to advance specific
democratic political reforms in Kazakhstan before the end of
2008. Kazakhstan also pledged to work closely with the OSCE,
its Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and
its Representative on Freedom of the Media on these reforms.
We would like to take the opportunity today to note that over
the past week, President Nazarbayev signed into law new
legislation on the media, elections, and political parties
which was aimed at fulfilling Kazakhstan's Madrid
commitments. This legislation marks a step forward on
Kazakhstan,s path to democracy.
While we welcome this progress, we look to Kazakhstan to
continue its cooperation with the OSCE and ODIHR in bringing
its laws fully in line with its OSCE commitments.
We urge Kazakhstan to enhance its coordination with the
Representative of Freedom of the Media to improve its media
legislation, which should include decriminalizing libel.
Similarly, we urge Kazakhstan to take further steps to create
the conditions for genuine political pluralism. This should
include legislation ensuring that all political parties are
represented on independent electoral commissions and further
reducing registration hurdles for political parties.
The United States would also like to take this opportunity to
note that new draft legislation is under consideration in
Kazakhstan's parliament that would restrict freedom of
expression via the Internet. To meet OSCE commitments to
wider and freer dissemination of information and freedom of
expression, a key aspect of which is access to the Internet,
Kazakhstani law should secure such access for the people of
Kazakhstan.
Madam Chairwoman, the United States pledges its best efforts
to work closely with Kazakhstan as it prepares for its 2010
OSCE Chairmanship. By continuing to take steps to bring its
legislation fully in line with its OSCE commitments,
Kazakhstan will not only strengthen the OSCE, but also
develop the democratic institutions that are the foundation
for long-term stability and prosperity.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
CLINTON