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'Berlin Wall's Lessons For Today'

In an op-ed for "USA Today," Jeffrey Gedmin discusses RFE and the role of free media in societies living under repressive regimes. More
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RFE/RL's Kazakh Service

Radio Azattyq was established in 1953 as part of the Radio Liberty family, and has redoubled its efforts since independence to provide dependable information through intensive on-the-ground reporting and unique perspective. Restrictions on the Kazakh media market and limited airtime have imposed a heavy burden that Radio Azattyq has sought to counter with dynamic programming and stepped-up cooperation -- online and on-air -- with local and regional media.

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Features & Multimedia

Transparency Campaigner Warns Corruption Could Slow Recovery In Fragile Countries

Transparency International has just released its annual index of corruption in countries across the globe. The Corruption Perceptions Index 2009 finds that high levels of corruption in some countries could slow international efforts to help them cope with, or recover, from the global economic crisis. We speak with Jana Mittermaier, head of Transparency International's Brussels office, to learn more. RFE/RL correspondent Charles Recknagel conducts the interview. More

Before The Autumn Revolutions, The Moscow Spring

Before the autumn revolutions in Eastern Europe, there was the Moscow Spring in the Soviet Union. In 1989, Mikhail Gorbachev's reform policies hit their high-water mark, as the USSR held its first competitive elections, press freedom flourished, and civil society awakened. More

It's Not Easy Being An Environmentalist In Turkmenistan

A court in Turkmenistan has overturned a five-year jail sentence handed down last week to a biologist whose environmental organization was shut down by the state in 2003. The case marks the second time in three years that Andrei Zatoka has been sentenced and detained before being released, and highlights the difficulties activists commonly encounter in Central Asia. More

Russia Is Dying To Learn Its Census Data

The news that the next Russian census will be held in 2010 is welcome news indeed. There had been considerable speculation that the census had been delayed largely for political reasons, and it is encouraging to think that the opinions of experts who say the census information is crucially needed were heeded in this case. More

The Best Place In The World To Live? You Might Be Surprised

What's your idea of the best place in which to live? Many people would probably answer that palm trees and a gleaming beach would be a good start to their idea of earthly paradise. But in real life, the country which scores best on a whole range of economic and quality-of-life issues is a good deal colder. More
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Facts & Stats

Map of Kazakhstan

Population
15.3 million

Ethnic Groups:
Kazakh 53.4%
Russian 30%
Ukrainian 3.7%
Uzbek 2.5%
German 2.4%
Tatar 1.7%
Uyghur 1.4%
Other 4.9%

Religions:
Muslim
Russian Orthodox
Protestant
Other

Languages:
Kazakh (state language) 64%
Russian (official) 95%

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