Stories about Kazakhstan from April, 2008
Kazakhstan: Police Wants Cooperation with Church
Lena reports that the Kazakhstan Ministry of Internal Affairs is seeking cooperation with Muslim and Orthodox Christian officials in crime prevention.
Kazakhstan: Government Introduces Oil Export Tax
Adam reports that Kazakhstan will impose a crude export duty of $109.91 per tonne from May in a move to solve fiscal challenges, stabilize domestic oil products prices and manage inflationary pressures.
Kazakhstan: Children of Autocrats
Steve LeVine opines that the alleged birth of an extramarital son to the Kazakhstan's oil tycoon and presiential son-in-law Timur Kulibayev, as well as a London-based socialite raises questions on whether he is still Kazakhstan's most important oilman.
Kazakhstan: New U.S. Ambassador Coming
KZBlog reports that Richard Hoagland has been nominated by President Bush to replace John Ordway as Ambassador to Kazakhstan. Hoagland is currently serving in the U.S. Embassy to Turkmenistan and was Ambassador to Tajikistan.
Kazakhstan: Olympic Torch in Almaty
Adam reports on the Olympic Torch Relay in Almaty, which has become the first city on the Beijing Olympiad’s flame, and shows some video from the event.
Kazakhstan: Waiting for the Torch
Kamneed posts some pictures from the streets of Almaty, largest city and former capital of Kazakhstan, showing the citizens’ preparations and expectation of the Olympic torch relay.
Kazkahstan: Ethno-Rock Band Tours USA
Nyura reports that Kazakhstan's first “experimental neo-traditional ethno-rock” band, Roksonaki, is finishing up their Nauryz 2008 tour in the Washington D. C. area, where they have done 3-4 day residencies at several different universities, visited schools, and most of the concerts have been free.
Kazakhstan: Celebrating Nauryz
Nauryz, a Central Asian non-religious celebration of the spring equinox, symbolizes a renewal of the nature. Originating from ancient Mesopotamia, the holiday’s name derives from the Persian, where – just like in Tajik language – Novruz is translated as a “new day”. In Soviet times Nauryz was declared ideologically inconsistent...
Kazakhstan: Opposition reacts to Aliyev trial
Zhanna reports that as the trial over Rakhat Aliyev — former presidential son-in-law, former chief of special services and former media mogul — ends, the major opposition party of Kazakhstan “Azat” is quick to react to the revealed facts of treason and planned coup.
Kazakhstan: No Commitments
Adam Kesher draws attention to one passage from the Kazakhstan president’s most recent interview to Reuters, in which he outlines the government’s attitude towards OSCE standards and commitments.
