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Ex-U.S. President Clinton Arrives In Kazakhstan


Kazakh President Nazarbaev (in file photo) is under international pressure to reform and ensure democratic voting 6 September 2005 -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton has arrived in the southeastern Kazakh city of Almaty, where he was expected to meet with President Nursultan Nazarbaev.

There has been no official word on what Clinton and Nazarbaev were to discuss.

Nazarbaev has been under international pressure -- including from Washington -- to implement reforms and ensure that a presidential election slated for December is free and fair. Nazarbaev, who has ruled since 1990, is seeking a new seven-year term in that election.

Nazarbaev said recently that he plans to set up and chair a state commission to draft a program of democratic reforms, but he has also warned that any "hasty" political reforms could destabilize the country.

Rights advocates have accused Nazarbaev of persecuting dissidents and journalists.

(Interfax/RFE/RL)

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