Kazakhstan
News Bulletin
Released weekly by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
November 14, 2002 Vol. 4, No. 8
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In this issue:
Kazakhstan and the U.S. are to expand military-to-military relationship
Attorney of raped girl appeals for protecting rights of victim
Interpol re-issues red notice on former Kazakhstan PM Kazhegeldin
DOC delegation visits Kazakhstan to discuss improving trade ties
International space station crew lands safely in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan and the U.S. are to expand military-to-military relationship
President Bush committed to "long-term relationship with Kazakhstan", Rumsfeld says
Kazakhstan and the United States are intent on expanding their growing military-to-military relationship, defense ministers of the two countries, Army General Mukhtar Altynbayev and Donald Rumsfeld, said following their talks at the Pentagon on Thursday November 14. Mr. Rumsfeld confirmed "President Bush's commitment to the long-term relationship with Kazakhstan.
"Kazakhstan is an important country and a strong supporter of the coalition efforts on the global war on terrorism," Secretary Rumsfeld said at a joint media availability at the Pentagon following the meeting.
He thanked Kazakhstan for "significant contributions to the global war on terrorism and Operation Enduring Freedom, and for the humanitarian assistance they have provided to Afghanistan."
"We look forward to continued cooperation as we try to make sure that Afghanistan does not again become a haven for terrorists," said Mr. Rumsfeld, who visited Kazakhstan in April 2002 and invited Gen. Altynbayev to pay a reciprocal visit.
"Today we discussed ways to expand our growing military-to-military relationship," the Secretary said, adding that he "assured the minister of President Bush's commitment to the long-term relationship with Kazakhstan and the Central Asian region."
The bilateral military-to-military cooperation includes joint exercises, including two this year, educational exchanges as well as the planned purchase of certain types of U.S. military equipment for use by Kazakhstan's armed forces.
"Right now, the Kazakh military is undergoing reforms, and specifically we're trying to bring our military closer to Western standards," Gen. Altynbayev said. The two officials discussed possible U.S. help in establishing an academy for non-commissioned military officers in Kazakhstan.
Gen. Altynbayev began his official visit on November 14 with a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington Cemetery followed by his meeting with Secretary Rumsfeld. Later Gen. Altynbayev also met Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, as well as senior officials at the White House.
Attorney of raped girl appeals for protecting rights of victim
Government grants OSCE and human rights groups access to investigative materials of Duvanov's case
As the case of incarcerated journalist and human rights activist Sergei Duvanov, who is charged with raping a 14-year-old girl, continues making news in the Western media, Vasilii Martinovski, an attorney for the victim, makes a passionate plea to the public to protect her reputation and feelings. He says the juvenile, Kristina K., is deeply depressed and has already suffered enough physical abuse and emotional trauma to be subjected to a smear campaign from people claiming to be human rights activists.
Mr. Duvanov, 49, was detained on October 28 in his summer residence after police received a statement from the victim's brokenhearted mother saying he raped her child the previous night. This case would not have caught the attention of the Western media, had the perpetrator not been Mr. Sergei Duvanov, an editor of a human rights bulletin and a government critic. (See "Kazakhstan News Bulletin", October 30, 2002) While Mr. Duvanov's supporters portray him as a victim of his political activity, Mr. Martinovski says the true victim's feelings are being brushed aside.
"Since the investigation was opened, some people have been publicly or privately spreading slander, insults, including those in coarse language, in relation to the victim and her mother," Mr. Martinovski said, according to "Dozhivem do ponedelnika" Kazakh weekly newspaper of November 8. He reminded about the criminal consequences for these actions, saying they also amounted to obstructing justice. Mr. Martinovski said the victim would sue if allegations persist.
"It is even more strange to hear those allegations from those who claim themselves to be human rights defenders", said Mr. Martinovski, referring to a campaign to discredit her by the supporters of Mr. Duvanov. The campaign is intended to divert attention of the international community from the real victim, 14-year-old Kristina, while trying to influence the due process of investigation under the Kazakh law.
The prosecutors are keen to ensure the case is investigated in a fair and transparent manner. On November 12, Kazakh officials told Istvan Venzel, OSCE representative in Almaty, the authorities would allow experts from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and concerned human rights institutions to study materials of the investigation as well as the results of criminal and biological examinations in the case of Mr. Duvanov.
Picture courtesy of Interpol
Interpol re-issues red notice on former Kazakhstan PM Kazhegeldin
Interpol's 71st General Assembly, meeting in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on October 23 decided to reinstate a Red Notice seeking the apprehension of Kazakhstan's former prime minister Akezhan Kazhegeldin.
"Yesterday, October 23, 2002, the general
assembly voted, by a 46-38 majority with 23
abstentions, to reinstate the Red Notice," the
Interpol said in a press release of October 24
(available at www.interpol.com). "Under
Interpol's constitution the general assembly is
the ultimate decision-making authority in the
organization. There can be no further review of
this matter by Interpol. It is a final decision that
must be and will be respected by the General
Picture courtesy of Interpol
The Interpol confirmed that the Red Notice on Mr. Kazhegeldin has been reissued electronically to all member states the same day.
"Interpol is a democratic organization, and when our members have expressed their will through the democratic process, the general secretariat moves promptly as in this case - to implement the member states' decision," said Interpol's Secretary General Ronald K. Noble.
The press release explains the story behind the decision. "Mr. Kazhegeldin, who was convicted 'in absentia' by the supreme court of Kazakhstan on September 6, 2001, had been a subject of an Interpol Red Notice. The notice asked all Interpol member states to search for and provisionally arrest him," the press release said.
"Last year, following the request by Mr. Kazhegeldin's attorney, Interpol's General Secretariat revoked the Red Notice upon the order of Secretary General Ronald K. Noble on the basis of Article 3 of Interpol's constitution, which prohibits the organization from undertaking any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character," the Interpol said.
"The Interpol national central bureau of Kazakhstan then requested Interpol's Executive Committee to reverse the General Secretariat's decision canceling the Red Notice. The Executive Committee unanimously affirmed the General Secretariat's decision. Thereafter the Kazakhstan National Central Bureau requested Interpol general assembly to reverse the Executive Committee's and General Secretariat's decision at its current session in Yaoundé, Cameroon," Interpol said, adding that this led to the decision reinstating the Red Notice.
Mr. Kazhegeldin who has been living in self-imposed exile since 1998 is sought for crimes related to firearms ammunitions, fraud and money laundering, committed during his tenure as the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan from 1994 through 1997. He has been reportedly claiming to lead a political opposition to the Government and using his wealth to finance lobbying companies in the West in order to discredit Kazakhstan.
The Interpol says Mr. Kazhegeldin "may be dangerous" and asks anybody who has any information relating to his whereabouts to contact national or local police.
DOC delegation visits Kazakhstan to discuss improving trade ties
A delegation from the U.S. Department of Commerce visited Astana on November 14 to discuss ways to improve trade ties between the two countries, including the ways for Kazakhstan's producers to navigate the U.S. market and antidumping laws now that the republic has been recognized as a market economy country.
"In March of this year the Commerce Department was pleased to recognize Kazakhstan as a market economy country," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Fariar Sherzad, who heads the American delegation. "This is why Kazakhstan has to become aware of the requirements under compensatory duties and antidumping investigation".
The issue is important for some of the largest Kazakhstan's producers. In March this year, the U.S. government introduced antidumping duties for Kazakh metal products, but the decision to recognize its economy as a market one opens up new opportunities for reviewing the case.
International space station crew lands safely in Kazakhstan
consisting of Russian cosmonauts
Sergei Zalyotin and Yuri Lonchakov
and Belgian cosmonaut Frank de
Winne, returned to Earth safely on
November 10 after finishing its
12-day mission to the International
They landed in the Kazakh
steppes and were transported to
Astana, capital of Kazakhstan,
Belgian Crown Prince Philippe (R) and cosmonaut before flying further to the Star
Frank de Winne posed for a picture dressed in City in Russia.
Kazakh national costumes after a news conference
in Astana, November 10.
The crew originally flew into space from Baikonur space launching pad in Kazakhstan.
Baikonur has been in operation since 1957, and it was from here that the first man, Yuri Gagarin, flew into space in 1961. Russia currently leases Baikonur from Kazakhstan under the 1994 agreement.
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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
