TEKELI, Dec 3
(THE GLOBE)
Recently people said a lot about social protection of vulnerable strata of the population. At the same time functionaries and politicians state that development of small and middle-sized business is priority.
The situation in the republic demonstrates that there were no real deeds, but just words. Against this background the project �Softening of Social Consequences of the Economic Reorganization in Kazakhstan� by Tacis seems striking. The project combines social protection and small business. What does it mean?
In December 1998 in Tekeli (Almaty oblast) the public union Tacis, supported by the company with the same name established an experimental center on social support.
Tekeli is an industrial town suffering from problems of small towns. Most people of the town that was occupied in mining and industrial production have lost their jobs. People do not receive salary; children cannot go to school.
Under these conditions they establish the center which gives poor families an opportunity to rehabilitate from alcoholism, to learn a new profession, as well as to receive necessary products. For the previous year the center helped about 30 families.
Initially the center is not just an organization that distributes money among poor people. It has its own macaroni plant, a bakery, a sewing shop, a farm and a farmyard. Though the plant consists of a single device, and the bakery � of an ordinary oven. This does not impede the center to strive for an economic independence. At present, according one of the workers, they provide 40% of their needs and they may become completely repaying. The center covers one-eighths of regional requirements in its bread, though competitiveness is very serious there.
Neither the regional administration nor fiscal organizations give any concessions or privileges to the center. Though some enterprises of the town assist the center.
It is noteworthy that that are mainly women who work in the center. The international experience shows that women�s participation in similar programs gives the highest results.
The Center�s workers knew almost by heart all priorities stipulated by President Nazarbaev. But the main point is that they realize these priorities.
Tacis coordinators emphasized that they plan to open the Fund to allot micro-credits to poor people for the latter to establish their own business. There is also a program on development of the agriculture, which is supposed to create a lot of jobs. Besides, if the project succeeds, they will create a hospital for children suffering from malnutrition.
They have also organized a small program on development of tourism. Tekeli is situated at foothills of the Jungar Alatau and has all natural conditions to develop tourist business. So, EU experts held seminars to train hotel and tourist specialists.
In an ordinary kindergarten they established a comfortable hotel, and organize different tours. Many foreigners participate in these tours. They are going to come again.
All these achievements make us optimistic, but arouse the question: why local enthusiasts and EU benefactors deal with these important problems, but not corresponding ministries. Well, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection is interested in the project.
Participants of the December Revolt are not Satisfied with Results of the Uprising
In the previous week main political events we of course connected with the anniversary of the December events of 1986. December 17 is the Day of Memory of the December revolt heroes. People gathered on that day in Almaty at the Republican Square prayed for died Kazakh guys and girls. After the meeting there was a funeral repast. Meetings on this day held in the country�s main square have become an informal tradition. People revere this day. The country has another holiday, Independence Day on December 16. According to sociologists, most Kazakshstanis do not perceive this day as a holiday. On December 15 celebration events were held in Astana, where the state secretary Abish Kekilbaev spoke.
On what and whom is Kazakhstan independent? These questions were asked often in the previous week. Why common people�s live is getting worse and worse? Will the country lose its independence when the �transitional period� ends? It seems that even President Nazarbaev is unable to answer to these questions. �Our independence guarantees that no historical events will liquidate our state and Kazakhstani people.� President Nazarbaev announced this in his annual appeal to the Kazakhstani people, that was published on December 14. In comparison with the previous one, Nazarbaev did not pay a lot of attention to the current social problems. This time his appeal was devoted to stability and security of Kazakhstan in the next century. For this purpose the country will continue its geopolitical relations with Russia, China and the USA. Russia and China are our neighbors given by God. The United States are a guarantor of Kazakhstani independence. That is why Kazakhstan readily gave the US nuclear weapons, inherited from the USSR.
Now President Nazarbaev is in the USA where he participates in the work of the joint American-Kazakhstani commission. According to the Presidential press service, Nazarbaev is to meet Bill Clinton and Albert Gour. Nazarbaev was received by the UNO General Secretary Koffi Annan. To attract investment the President has visited some departments and companies. We will know in the next week, how successful he is. The opposition tried to force a wedge between Nazarbaev and Clinton. The conference of the Forum of Kazakhstani Democratic Forces held in the early December approved the appeal of to American people, Congress and US President. In the appeal the opposition calls Nazarbaev a dictator and asks not to receive him at the high level.
Kazakhstan celebrates the 13th anniversary of the December events in this political situation. Kazakhstan was the first who stroke first the firm Soviet Union. What even happened in December 1986? If it was a democratic revolt, why development of democracy for these 13 years is so seriously criticized? The December revolt has not been evaluated properly. Two contradictory opinions prevail in the society. First group of people think that democracy in Kazakhstan started in December 1986. A politologist, Professor Mukhai Zhumakhanov said to Radio Liberty that the Kazakhstani youth had broken the foundation of the totalitarian system, though Adolph Hitler had failed to do this. Activists of Zheltoksan society, some other politicians believe that the December events have not awakened people, as the authorities act regardless of people. Kalymbek Tolganbaev, an activist of Azat movement said to Radio Liberty: �Participants of the December event were deceived. Russia, having drowned Chechya in blood, will deal with Kazakhstan. That is why we should not enjoy ourselves with myths of independence.�
19.12.99
THE GLOBE based on materials from the Kazakh Service of Radio Liberty
(Full variant, translated from Kazakh by THE GLOBE)
Comments by THE GLOBE: it was difficult for Kazakhstan to gain independence. We became independent because we were a Soviet republic. For example, other large peoples, such as Tatars, Bashkirs, Karakalpaks were not so lucky.
It is difficult to state how much the December events assisted independence. But it was not occasionally that the first serious uprising against Soviet government happened in Kazakhstan.
The geopolitical location of the country in the center of Eurasia, the humanity�s cradle, mainly determines other countries� attitude to Kazakhstan. The country�s status in the next century depends on how we will use this attitude. That is why the most flexible and foresighted foreign policy balancing between the three giants: the USA, Russia and China will allow Kazakhstan to preserve and strengthen its independence in both economic and political aspects. Obviously, this should be accompanied by a correct domestic policy.
ALMATY, Dec 16
(IIA PoliTon)
The analysis of all facts and circumstances connected with the arrest of three former guards of A. Kazhegeldin indicates that it was a thoroughly act planned by the KNB, which is one of the links of the total campaign to assure the society that there is a real threat in Kazakhstan. In fact, both Ust-Kamenogorsk terrorists and the falsification in THE GLOBE with Kazhegeldin threatening Nazarbaev* (multiplied by the obedient press) and recent arrests of people close to Kazhegeldin are a large, but poorly prepared PR-campaign by the KNB.
The task is ideally easy: to receive more money from careful Americans. They give dollars if stability is guaranteed. The authorities decided to menace with stability. Look, what is happening: in the south Vakhabits may come. In the north Russian separatists raise their heads. The opposition also prepares weapons. The country�s future is in danger. If the situation in Kazakhstan destabilized, you will lose a profitable economic partner. The calculations were right. But they realized the plan roughly. I am not sure that Americans will believe them. President will receive money, of course, but less than he needs.
The story has the rear side. Apart from the foreign objectives, the act is to damage the radical opposition. They arrested four (one of them was discharged soon) people without any purpose.
We have two variants of the events.
Variant # 1.
Somebody is to state that he kept weapons by Kazhegeldin�s task. There are three ways to make speak: a) press people morally and physically; b) to buy; c) blackmailing with safety of relatives or compromising materials, for which the person may be sentenced to a long imprisonment. In this case it is not important, how the person will be �broken�. The main point is that it will happen before the meeting with Gour. RPPK will be represented as a terrorist organization with all corresponding consequences.
Variant #2.
The KNB is to make a ballyhoo around �stores� of weapons. Even if later it will be found out that they did not exist at all. To connect this with the Ust-Kamenogorsk incident, with Kazhegeldin�s threats (publication of his pseudo-appeal in THE GLOBE, 26.11.99). The main thing � to assure both Kazakhstani and international societies that stability in Kazakhstan is in danger. To support the ballyhoo until Nazarbaev�s visit ends, then to �close� the case.
In any case while meeting Gour Nazarbaev has a chance to appeal to the threat to stability and to ask for money to support it. What variant will the KNB choose, is still unclear. Soon the press loyal to the President will join the campaign. It is to spread the misinformation. It should assure everybody that if the opposition is not punished, stability in Kazakhstan will end. Then everything will be clarified. And it will be possible to estimate how successful the first serious PR-campaign was held by the KNB.
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