11 May 1999
CIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY VISITED ASTANA.
Yuriy Yarov, Executive Secretary of CIS, paid an official visit to the Kazakh capital on 11 May. Mr. Yarov held talks with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev and met journalists afterwards. RFE/RL correspondents quote Yuriy Yarov as having said that he introduced President Nazarbayev to the process of implementing the CIS decisions adopted on April 2 and approved at the CIS Forum held in Moscow on April 27 this year. Such matters as defining free trade zones within the CIS and decreasing the number of CIS joint boards are being taken into consideration, according to the CIS Executive Secretary. Yuriy Yarov reportedly refused to comment on a statement by Alexander Lukashenka regarding a lack of potential for the CIS. CIS Executive Secretary is scheduled to leave for Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan today.
KAZAKH PRESIDENT MET SOME MINISTERS YESTERDAY.
According to information provided by RFE/RL correspondents in Astana, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev met with Serikbek Daukeyev, Kazakh Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology Protection, Serik Burkitbayev, Kazakh Minister of Transportation, Communications and Tourism, and Baurzhan Mukhamedzhanov, Kazakh Justice Minister. At meetings held on May 10, the Kazakh President was briefed about the situation in the above-mentioned spheres. Namely, such issues as the implementation of Kazakh presidential Decrees on increasing anti�corruption programs, new ways of supplying natural gas from the North Aral area to the Southern part of the country, further development of the telephone communications system and other matters were discussed at the meetings. It was also mentioned at the meetings that the headquarters of the Kazakh Natural Resources and Ecology Protection Ministry would remain in Kokshetau City, Northern Kazakhstan.
KAZAKH PRESIDENT SENDS CONDOLENCES TELEGRAM TO CHINESE LEADER JIANG ZEMIN.
RFE/RL correspondents quote Kazakh Presidential Press Service as reporting that Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev sent a telegram to Jiang Zemin, Chinese leader, expressing his condolences and regrets on the occasion of NATO's having bombed the building of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. In his telegram to his Chinese counterpart, President Nazarbayev expressed his point of view on the situation in Kosovo, writing that the Kosovo crisis had to be solved by peaceful means only... Meanwhile....
CHINESE EMBASSY IN ALMATY MADE A STATEMENT ON NATO AIRSRIKES IN BELGRADE.
The First Aide of the Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan made an official statement on NATO's bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade. In his statement, the Aide called on NATO to stop the anti�Serb air-strikes immediately, adding that the "tragedy that happened with the Chinese Embassy building in the Yugoslav capital last week might be defined as an attempt against China's sovereignty."
UK PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL VISITED ASTANA.
Donald Anderson � a top official of British Parliament visited Astana on 10 May. The guest met with Omirbek Baygeldi, Chairman of Kazakh Parliament's Upper Chamber � Senate, and President Nursultan Nazarbayev the same day. Both sides discussed ways of further democratic development in Kazakhstan, including the role of the Parliament. The situation in Kosovo was also reportedly included in the discussions.
KAZAKHSTAN MARKED VICTORY DAY.
Kazakhstan celebrated Victory Day on May 9 with a military parade in Astana. The same day a new buildings of the Defense Ministry and General Staff Headquarters were opened in Astana. President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is the Commander-in-Chief, of the Kazakh armed forces, attended both ceremonies. After that, he met with WWII veterans.
According to RFE/RL correspondents in Astana, military attaches from the US, Italy, India and Turkey, as well as the Turkish Ambassador to Kazakhstan Mr. Kurtulush Tashkent, attended the ceremonies.
PRESIDENT TO MEET CIS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY.
According to information provided by the Presidential press service, President Nursultan Nazarbayev will meet CIS Executive Secretary Yarov. No details are available for now.
OSCE DELEGATION IN KAZAKHSTAN.
An OSCE delegation led by Gerard Stodeman, Director of Democracy Institute of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, visited Kazakhstan on May 9-10.
The OSCE Delegation met with Chairmen of Kazakh Parliament, Marat Ospanov and Omirbek Baygeldi, Chairman of the Supreme Court Council, Igor Rogov, Justice Minister Baurzhan Muhamedzhanov, and Chairwoman of Central Electoral Committee, Zagipa Baliyeva on May 9 and Kazakh FM Qasymzhomart Toqayev in the morning of 10 May. The Delegation met with President Nazarbayev in the afternoon of that same day.
During the meetings with Kazakh officials, OSCE representatives criticized the recent Presidential elections in Kazakhstan and expressed readiness to help with the coming Parliamentary elections.
BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN KAZAKHSTAN.
A British Parliamentary delegation visited Astana on May 10, met with Kazakh Senate members, and discussed preparations for the coming Parliamentary elections.