The Caspian Information Centre, a small think-tank from London, has an interesting report on the upcoming parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan (more from kazakhstan.neweurasia.net on the December polls in this category). The “Inquiry into the Preparations For a Free and Fair Presidential Election in the Republic of Kazakhstan December 4th 2005” is an interesting document […]
I meant to write a post about the MTV European Music Awards yesterday, but too much work has hindered me from doing so.
However, Radio Free Europe has commented on the controversial appearance of comedian Ali G already.
It’s well worth a read. Some of the jokes were just shocking. Taken that the typical […]
US General John Abizaid, on his working visit to Astana, is quoted saying that the US would not decline if the Kazakh government invited them to open a base:
“We don’t envision opening bases here, unless Kazakhstan, the Kazakhstani government, would invite us to do so,” Gen John Abizaid said after meeting with Defense Minister […]
Kazakhstan is set to strengthen bileratal ties with almost everyone:
Kazakhstan determined to deepen ties with Russia, U.S., EU
Kazakh-American relations will be developing favourably
Kazakhstan to strengthen cooperation with China
Apparently, the best ties exist with Russia. However, there won’t be a ‘reunification’: Kazakhstan has no Russia accession plans
The reason for the universal diplomatic love campaign […]
Michael Coleman, in an article for the Washington Times, presents us with quite a lopsided view of Kazakhstan’s economic boom. Reading his anecdotes from Almaty, I bet this man has not left the centre of town to look at how poor people actually are a couple of stonethrows away.
These days in Almaty there is […]
RiaNovosti has an interesting story on the future of Kazakhstan’s political system. Nazarbayev, who will run for yet another presidential term in December (and most likely win it), is opposed to the idea of changing Kazakhstan into a parliamentary republic.
He says that:
“We had a parliamentary republic with the communist Supreme Soviet [parliament] in 1993 […]
China’s soaring demand of oil is boosting ties between SCO countries. RiaNovosti reports that Kazakh Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov has offered Russian oil companies the use of a Kazakh pipeline to transport oil to China.
China has already won President Putin’s support for a pipeline from Eastern Siberia, knocking out the other contester Japan.
This story appeared already some time ago in British papers, but I thought it would be interesting: British star architect Norman Foster, who designed quite a handful of the world’s most famous landmarks, will be applying his skills in Kazakhstan, according to the PR Newswire:
Called the Palace of Peace and Accord, architect Norman Foster’s […]
First and foremost, IFES again proves to be the most reliable provider of information. The head of the Kazakhstan mission, Jennifer Wilson, publishes her collection of news stories on the Kaz-elections group, the latest edition is just out (HT: Nathan).
The registration process for the December presidential election ended yesterday, officially initiating the campaigning period […]
