ASTANA, Oct 1 (THE GLOBE)
On Friday October 1 the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurlan Balgimbaev sent in his resignation.
“At the present time when the peak of the crisis has been overcome, and the society is preparing to enter the new millennium basing on new democratic principles, the new phase of the government’s activity regarding the further realisation of “Strategy-2030” is opening. All these factors require the inflow of fresh forces free from the ‘crisis’ syndrome, who are able to support the outlined progress in the economy. This, in its own turn requires the new qualitative composition of the Parliament. Taking into consideration the above-mentioned facts, I ask you to approve my resignation from the post of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” the application of the Prime Minister states.
In his opinion, despite the negative influence of external factors, in general the government has managed to save the macroeconomic stability, to reduce inflation tempo, to increase average monthly salary of personnel of the economic field.
Nurlan Balgimbaev believes that the government has fulfilled prescribed tasks, despite it had to work under the conditions of the serious financial and economic crisis.
Leaving the post, Mr. Balgimbaev called his colleagues to be faithful to their duty. “Once I swore to the population of Kazakhstan and to the President of our country, and I announce that even if the President did not propose me any other work, I would be faithful to him till the end of my life. I wrote about this in my application. Why do I say this, my colleagues, is that from this moment you are also dismissed. We understand perfectly well that when a person does not have a job, he thinks that everything that we have done is incorrect and joins the opposition. I warn you, that all of you swore to the people of Kazakhstan and to the President of the country, and please keep your word,” he demanded.
On the same day the President of Kazakhstan received Nurlan Balgimbaev. The head of the state said that for the two years the government had managed to save the economic stability. “I believe, that the government has fulfilled a big work on reforming the budget sphere, which resulted in more transparency. Under the conditions of the tough crisis observed in the world around us, the macroeconomic stability was saved, despite the crisis the local industry was supported, the small and middle-sized business was developed, and despite difficulties the devaluation of tenge was systematically conducted. Today despite all difficulties, in the CIS space Kazakhstan takes one of the leading places (the country heads the list). Nurlan Utepovich considers himself to have fulfilled his mission, and indeed he has done it. I am very obliged to him,” Nursultan Nazarbaev said.
The President issued a decree on the dismissal of the Prime Minister. Members of the government will fulfil their responsibilities till the new composition of the government is appointed. The deputy of PM, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasymzhomart Tokaev was appointed the acting Prime Minister.
According to Mr. Balgimbaev’s request, the President issued a decree on appointment of Nurlan Balgimbaev the president of “KazakhOil”. “In this difficult time I am still ready to work faithfully to realise your strategic ideas and I request you to use my knowledge, professional experience in the oil and gas sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan. At the present time in this field namely unique projects with the participation of many international companies are being realised. Achievement of aims of “Strategy-2030” mainly depends on the realisation of these projects,” it is said in the PM’s appeal to the President of the country.
The ex-Prime Minister, as the head of the national oil company, will be included in the new government
Pyotr Svoik, a co-chairman of “Azamat”:
Balgimbaev made a very strong step. He demonstratively put the Parliament, its speaker and the leader of ‘Otan” Ospanov in their place. And he sent in his resignation namely after that. Moreover, the ex-Prime Minister accurately chose the moment. He understood that after the election he would not be the head of the government and left at the moment triumphal for him. Besides, he had prepared the post for himself beforehand.
The fact of Nurlan Balgimbaev’s dismissal a week before the election is s sign of bad situation of the powerful system and governing in Kazakhstan. Tokaev’s figure at the PM’s post is quite real, as according to the present course, there are no other variants. That is why the program of “Azamat” stipulates detailed measures to be taken to improve the economic situation, but by means of political reforms.
Seidakhmet Kuttykadam, the chairman of “Orleu” movement:
Initially it was evident that Balgimbaev’s government was ‘a scapegoat’ , and somebody was to gain profit from this. The President accused the government of all sins. In my opinion, the time for the dismissal was chosen purposefully. At the eve of the election it was necessary to behave as if the Parliament were strong, but not a puppet one, as it made the Prime Minister to go.
Balgimbaev wished to leave the PM’s post long ago, but he demanded the post of the President of the national oil company. The President just could not afford to have one more opposition Prime Minister and made up his mind to give him this ‘fat piece’ back.
I believe, Kasymzhomart Tokaev is a temporary figure. And it seems to me that even Nazarbaev does not know who will be the next Prime Minister. The decision on appointment the new PM will be taken only after the election to the new Parliament. If the composition of the future Parliament is similar to the present one, the President will again appoint a person loyal to him. In case the Mazhilis is elected with the majority of the opposition’s votes, possibly, Nursultan Nazarbaev will appoint a stronger figure. If the parliaments’ composition is average, i.e. there is an equal number of left-winged and right-winged deputies, possibly, the present President will have the complete power, as Turkmenbashi has done, who is at the same time the President and the Prime Minister of Turkmenistan.
Serikbolsyn Abdildin, the leader of CPK:
I think, at the present time Balgimbaev’s dismissal is not objective and appropriate. This dismissal has only political premises. Whatever the government is, it should complete at least economic affairs in the republic, such as preparation for winter and harvesting of grain corps. So, this political game is just amoral. However, under the conditions of the regime of Mr. Nazarbaev’s personal authority, no government may do anything useful for Kazakhstan. In connection with this, I think it possible that the President will try to introduce the direct presidential governing, about which he has been dreaming for a log time.
Kasymzhomart Tokaev is not an economist. Moreover, he is not a manager. So, he is not able to settle serious economic problems of the republic. However, I treat him positively. Of course, Mr. Tokaev is a reasonable and highly qualified diplomat. But at the same time he is not a man for the post of the Prime Minister of the republic.
Azat Peruashev, the first secretary of the Civil Party:
On one hand, the dismissal of Nurlan Balgimbaev is natural enough, as the difficulty while promoting his conception of the budget forming showed that he was disliked by the Parliament. At the same time his step is a brave one. Principally, the ex-Prime Minister won this round also. But, most probably, he realised that rather personal ambitions, but not principal dispute were touched. In this regard Balgimbaev acted as a man.
At the present time, while choosing the new PM, possibly, current tasks, which are to be settled by the government, should be taken into consideration. To my mind, these tasks are rather concerning improvement of the real economy, than financial stabilisation. That is why, it seems to me that the candidature of the new PM is to be considered through these criteria namely. Tokaev has done a lot to guarantee independence and security of Kazakhstan from both the military and political point of view. Principally, the acting PM has a potential to settle the above mentioned tasks.
Balgimbaev is a highly-qualified professional in his business, and I believe “KazakhOil” will not lose due to his appointment to the post of the President of the company.
ALMATY, Oct 4
(THE GLOBE)
There were enough speculations regarding dismissals of the both Nurlans: Nurlan Kapparov, the ex-head of “KazakhOil” - in the end of August, and Nurlan Balgimbaev - on October 1 (e.g. versions by THE GLOBE concerning dismissal of the former head of “KazakhOil”, p.3).
It is quite obvious, that both these events are connected not only with the names of the two ex-chiefs, but (and this is the main thing) with high oil prices. While prices were low, Kapparov satisfied everybody, as he was just a crisis manager. The situation somehow resembles to the one of the Foreign Investments Agency. Before Marat Ospanov, Yesimov, then the deputy Prime Minister Uraz Dzhandosov, and now Dulat Kuanyshev (who is also a crisis manager in a way - if there are no investments, there is no interest) successively occupied this post.
From the very beginning it was quite evident that from the PM’s post Balgimbaev would go back to the oil industry. By the way, in our opinion, he has wonderfully performed the role of a crisis manager in the government. He did not borrowed as Sergei Tereschenko, and did not sell the property everywhere as Akezhan Kazhegeldin. Though, he dealt with a couple of big projects.
In this regard, in general, in a long-term scale the dismissal of Nurlan Kapparov and the appointment of another Nurlan is not surprising. The question is: why now? We pay attention to the following fact. The first one was dismissed a week before the solemn celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Kazakhstan oil. The second one was appointed 3 days before KIOGE’99. There is the only reason: the sale of the Kazakhstan share in Tengiz.
Kazakhstan has to repay external debts, and there is a serious threat of default. At the background of IMF’s rejection to Russia, it seems possible that the fund will also reject Kazakhstan. Anyhow, debates with the Parliament may seriously delay the procedure.
The only source is Tengiz. At the present time this step is rather important than the government, i.e. a professional and close to the President person is required. Obviously, it is Balgimbaev.
Then we have the question about the future of “KazakhOil”. What cards will the pilot Balgimbaev be given? To lead the ship to reef and to throw the crew away, i.e. to drown the national oil company for the sake of short momentary problems? Or he will lead the ship to a big navigation?
It is noteworthy that 20 companies were proposed to buy the share in the Tengiz project. According to specialists, there are only 15 serious companies in Kazakhstan. Moreover, THE GLOBE knows, several oil companies have not received the proposal. What are the rest 5 to 6 companies, which will participate in the tender?
In connection with this it is especially significant that a close person would conduct the sale. It is important, that Mr. Balgimbaev said to his ministers before his leaving: “Nobody goes to the opposition.” He does not go there for sure.
Opinion of Zagipa Balieva, the chairman of the Central Election Commission, regarding the dismissal of the government
I do not think that the government’s dismissal will influence the co-operation
between the Central Election Commission and the government, as we work with the Finance
Ministry, Treasury. There is acting Prime Minister and I believe the Central Election
Commission will have no problem. We always worked correctly with the governments, and the
government always assisted us. All Over the Globe is published by IPA House.
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