Vol. 3, No. 31, August 30, 2002
PRESIDENT NAZARBAYEV "DEEPLY OUTRAGED" BY ATTACK ON JOURNALIST DUVANOV
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CALLS IT "PROVOCATION", DEMANDS TO FIND AND BRING CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE
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President Nazarbayev said he was deeply outraged by
the attack on Serguei Duvanov, a journalist with the
Bulletin on Human Rights in Kazakhstan and in the
World, that took place the night of August 28.
"The President categorically declares that the
incident is nothing else but yet another provocation
aimed at discrediting and undermining the reputation
of Kazakhstan," the presidential press service said in
a statement.
"The head of state is convinced that this provocative
act was specially planned and paid for by the people
who are not friends of our country", the statement
said about the attack that was timed by the
Constitution Day of Kazakhstan.
The President gave strict instructions to Interior
Minister Kairbek Suleimenov to personally oversee the
investigation, and use the additional resources of the
National Security Committee to find criminals and
bring them to justice. The Prosecutor General is
instructed to ensure strict observance of the law
along the process.
A special investigative group was set up the same day
by the two agencies headed by First Vice Minister of
Interior Vasilii Simachev. Mr. Suleimenov said
officers of police or national security have no
connection to the incident whatsoever.
President Nazarbayev, speaking on August 29 on the eve
of the 7th anniversary of the Constitution, marked
August 30, confirmed Kazakhstan's firm commitment to
further strengthening democracy, ensuring the rule of
law and creating a civil society.
The measures he proposed include the establishment of
the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman in Kazakhstan
by the year end. The President also called for public
dialogue to work out a new law on mass media that
would ensure better working environment for
journalists.
* * *For more news and information visit us at www.kazakhstan-embassy-us.org
News Bulletin of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
(Compiled from own sources and various agencies' reports)
Contact persons: Roman Vassilenko, Aibek Nurbalin
Tel.: (202) 232- 5488 ext. 104, 115
Fax: (202) 232- 5845
