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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman
November 25, 1998

The Kazakhstani Supreme Court determined on November 24 to uphold a decision of the Central Electoral Commission that former Prime Minister Akezhan Kazhegeldin is ineligible to register as a candidate in the presidential election scheduled for January 10. Mr. Kazhegeldin had been disqualified by the Commission for receiving an administrative fine in connection with his participation in a meeting of an "unregistered" group. To date only three persons in addition to President Nazarbayev have qualified to register as candidates in the election.

The Supreme Court's decision, while consistent with amendments to the decree on elections passed earlier this year, contravenes international commitments that Kazakhstan has assumed as a participating state in the OSCE. The action also follows a pattern of harassment of independent media and opposition political figures in the run up to the election.

The Department of State had noted on October 9 that the decision to advance the date for presidential elections in Kazakhstan by two years gave little time for potential candidates to organize electoral campaigns. It now appears that the actual field of serious candidates itself will be strictly limited.

An OSCE Mission was in Kazakhstan last week to review preparations for the election and to determine the advisability of sending international observers to monitor the election. The findings of this mission will be discussed at the OSCE Ministerial meeting to be held in Oslo on December 2-3.

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