26 February 2002
KAZAKHSTAN IS READY TO EXPORT OIL TO BELARUS: TASMAGHAMBETOV
Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Imanghaliy Tasmaghambetov told Belarusian Deputy Premier Henad' Navitski in Moscow on February 26 that Kazakhstan is currently ready to export over 30 million tons of crude oil, and is interested in selling a significant part of its oil to Belarus, according to the Kazakh Cabinet's press service. Navitski said that first, special negotiations concerning transport tariffs should be held with the Russian side. Navitski also expressed interest in acquiring durum wheat from Kazakhstan in exchange for Belarusian-made agricultural equipment and machinery.
COMMISSION ON STATE BUDGET HOLDS SECOND SESSION
Kazakhstan's Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Alexander Pavlov chaired the second session of Kazakhstan's Commission on the State Budget in Astana on 26 February. It was decided that the final draft law on the state budget for 2002 will be sent to the Kazakh Parliament for approval in September 2002.
PARLIAMENT REJECTS DRAFT LAW ON MANDATORY FINGER PRINT REGISTRATION
The Mazhilis -- the lower chamber of Kazakhstan's Parliament -- failed on 26 February to adopt a draft law on mandatory finger printing. The draft proposed that all citizens of Kazakhstan should undergo compulsory fingerprinting in order to make the work of the Internal Affairs Department easier. But some Mazhilis deputies objected that such a law violates the rights of ordinary citizens. The draft law was not adopted and was sent back to the Interior Ministry.
USIS IN ALMATY HOLDS SEMINAR ON CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
Special video-clips were played at a seminar in Almaty on 26 February devoted to children's rights. According to Ainur Syzdyqova of the U.S. Embassy in Almaty, 41 organizations in Almaty are involved in sending Kazakh orphans abroad, of which only six are officially registered. It was stated at the seminar that human rights issue should start with protection of children's rights.
CHAIRWOMAN OF AGENCY ON MIGRATION AND DEMOGRAPHY MEETS KAZAKH REPATRIATES
Altynshash Zhaghanova, who is chairwoman of the Kazakh Agency on Migration and Demography, met with hundreds of Kazakh repatriates in Almaty on the evening of 25 February. She said that Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev has issued a quota for Kazakhs intending to move to Kazakhstan from abroad. This time priority will be given to Kazakhs from Uzbekistan. According to the presidential quota, 2,655 Kazakh families will move to Kazakhstan from Uzbekistan's Karakalpakistan Autonomous Republic and other parts of Uzbekistan. Zhaghanova also said that the Kazakh government and parliament will soon introduce changes drastically simplifying the process of immigration and obtaining Kazakh citizenship.