US embassy cable - 05ALMATY4244

UNCLAS ALMATY 004244 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
EUR/CACEN (MUDGE), INR/REA (SFEINBERG) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KZ, 2005 Election 
SUBJECT: ELECTION UPDATE:  CAMPAIGNING IN SOUTH KAZAKHSTAN 
 
1. (U)  During a November 8-10 visit to Shymkent, the capital 
of the Southern Kazakhstan Oblast, poloff examined the 
campaign climate of this border region.  Conversations with 
NGO and media representatives indicated that the political 
scene was similar to that throughout Kazakhstan. 
 
Campaign Material 
----------------- 
 
2. (SBU)  The city has numerous billboards designated for 
campaign posters of the presidential candidates.  Many of 
these billboards had at least the three major candidates 
(Nazarbayev, Tuyakbay, and Baymenov) represented and a 
significant number had posters from all five candidates. 
Opposition newspapers were readily available at many of the 
news stands poloff he passed.  Some government-owned 
buildings -- such as libraries -- had campaign posters for 
Nazarbayev on the front doors, a clear violation of 
Kazakhstani election law. 
 
Independent Media 
----------------- 
 
3. (SBU)  Independent media is often subject to government 
harassment, but continue to publish.  The editor-in-chief of 
the independent Kazakh-language Aigak newspaper told poloff 
that he has been able to print material on each of the 
candidates without much pressure from local authorities.  He 
suggested, however, that because he owns his office building 
and his own printing press, the local authorities have fewer 
levers of influence over him than over other publishers.  He 
indicated that many of the other independent newspaper 
outlets in the oblast that rely on printing presses owned by 
the government or individuals supportive of the government 
have a much harder time printing campaign material of the 
opposition candidates. 
 
NGO Sector 
---------- 
 
4. (SBU)  Contacts within the NGO community reported that the 
sector is growing due to the support of international 
organizations, the USG and other governments.  Some 
organizations reported harassment by local authorities, while 
others report a positive working relationship with the 
government.  Unsurprisingly, those working on issues of 
greatest importance to the GOK, such as religious tolerance, 
reported the fewest problems. 
 
The View from the Street 
------------------------ 
 
5. (SBU)  Most of the people poloff spoke with on the street, 
regardless of their political affiliation, stated that they 
believed President Nazarbayev will easily win the election. 
In addition, many expressed pride that opposition candidate 
Tuyakbay is from their oblast. 
ORDWAY