Minister Says Election Will Be 'Best' In Kazakh History

30 November 2005 -- Kazakhstan's foreign minister says that the 4 December presidential election will be "the best election in the history of Kazakhstan in terms of openness, fairness, and transparency."

Kasymzhomart Tokaev made his remarks today during a visit to Moscow. He said Kazakhstan is working with international institutions to ensure that the vote will meet international standards.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's National Security Committee, the KNB, says it has increased security at the border with Kyrgyzstan to prevent a possible "infiltration of undesired elements" into Kazakhstan ahead of the voting.

Denying reports from Kyrgyzstan that Kazakh border guards had sealed crossings, the KNB said it has not closed the border but has ordered a tightening of security controls.

(Kazinform/ITAR-TASS/RIA-Novosti/gazeta.kz/Interfax)