7 May 2002
KAZAKH FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CHINA
Qasymzhomart Toqayev will depart on 9 May on a three-day official visit to Beijing, during which he is scheduled to meet with top Chinese officials and sign a follow-up agreement on the demarcation of the Chinese-Kazakh border. Regional security in Central Asia and NATO's presence in the region will also be discussed.
ALMATY JOURNALISTS EXPRESS SOLIDARITY WITH TAN-TV
Almaty journalists assembled on May 7 in order to express their solidarity with TAN-TV channel. TAN-TV had to suspend its operations earlier this year following a decision of the Almaty City Court. According to Seiytqazy Matayev, who is chairman of Kazakhstan's Union of Journalists, all journalists in Kazakhstan should unite in order to protect their rights. It was also mentioned that the Molotov-cocktail attack against the Aq-Zhayiq Publishing House in Atyrau, western Kazakhstan last week and the problems faced by some periodicals and TV-channels in Pavlodar, Astana and Almaty indicate that situation of the mass media in Kazakhstan has deteriorated.
Serikbolsyn Abdildin, who is the leader of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan and a deputy of the lower chamber of parliament, told RFE/RL that it is probable that the parliament majority will ignore the journalists' demands.
MUKHTAR ABLIYAZOV'S PARENTS HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE
The parents of former Minister of Trade and Industry Mukhtar Abliyazov held press conference in Almaty on May 7 at which they said they believe their son is innocent, adding that the Kazakh leadership should clarify the situation. Mukhtar Abliyazov, who is a leading member of the opposition movement Democratic Choice for Kazakhstan, has been officially charged with financial abuse. He is being detained in Astana's central jail.
VIDEO-PHONE CONNECTION BETWEEN ASTANA AND ALMATY ESTABLISHED
The first video-phone conversation between Astana and Almaty was conducted by KazakhTeleCom on May 7. Famous Kazakh pilot and World War II veteran Talghat Bigeldinov had the opportunity to speak via video-phone with his grandson. KazakhTeleCom officials told journalists that from now on, video-phone services will be affordable and available for residents of Almaty and Astana, as well as for those living in other cities with which a video-phone link has been established.
ALMATY PREPARES FOR VICTORY DAY CELEBRATIONS
It was officially announced on 7 May that some 5,000 of the estimated 7,000 World War II veterans living in Almaty will participate in a parade in the city on 9 May. The Almaty Mayor's office will provide 16,000 thousand veterans and their widows with financial support by May 9.