(USINFO.STATE.GOV) - But State's Finley urges stronger commitment to democratic principles Washington -- Addressing Europes largest human rights organization May 16, a U.S. diplomat urged Kazakhstan to strengthen its commitment to democratic principles.
Julie Finley, the head of the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said Kazakhstans plan to become one of the worlds 50 most competitive countries a strategy outlined recently by President Nursultan Nazarbayev is an ambitious an admirable goal.
But, she added, to be truly competitive, to be a real leader on the international scene, Kazakhstan must also have a demonstrated, sustainable commitment to democratic principles as the essential foundation for stability and prosperity.
Finley was addressing the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, Austria, in response to a presentation by Rakhat Aliyev, Kazakhstans first deputy minister for foreign affairs.
Kazakhstan is hoping to chair the OSCE in 2009, and the United States has said it is willing to help that country become a viable candidate. The chairmanship must be held by a nation that has demonstrated leadership in implementing all the commitments undertaken by participating States," said former U.S. Ambassador Stephan Minikes.
Finley said some events in recent months have cast a negative light on Kazakhstan's political development and she urged the Kazakh government to take advantage of the OSCEs help and expertise as it continues its democratization.
The United States wants Kazakhstan to succeed in its transformation into a strong, prosperous and democratic state, she said, adding that such a transformation would have a positive ripple effect regionally, far beyond Kazakhstan's own citizens and borders.
While in Kazakhstan earlier this month, Vice President Cheney expressed great respect for all that Kazakhstan has accomplished since achieving its independence from the former Soviet Union. The way forward is clear; continue democratic and economic reforms, the rule of law, fighting corruption, accountability of institutions and sound security policies, Cheney said with Nazarbayev standing at his side. These are the keys to progress, and nations that follow such a course will find themselves on a path to greatness.
Finley noted that the OSCEs Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) highlighted areas of concern and serious shortcomings in its report on the December 4, 2005, presidential elections. We have been watching closely your government's implementation of the recommendations contained in the report, she said.
The December 2005 election in Kazakhstan, like those in Azerbaijan on November 6, 2005, failed to meet international standards, but a senior State Department official said afterwards that the United States will continue working with both governments as they move toward democracy.
These elections were not free and fair, but neither were they a complete joke, said Daniel Fried, assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs, on December 14, 2005. And there is a big difference between elections which are flawed and elections which are a total travesty.
Finley said the United States continues to be concerned about the restrictions placed on the political opposition and the independent media in Kazakhstan.
She cited one positive development: the registration of the True Ak Zhol party in March. She also commended the government for its investigation into the murder of Altynbek Sarsenbaiuly in February, which deprived the party of a senior and respected leader. We believe it is essential that everyone involved in this murder be pursued and brought to justice in an accountable and transparent manner, Finley added.
She also listed a series of moves in the wrong direction in recent months: The government's refusal to register the opposition "Alga!" party, its prevention of opposition politicians Galymzhan Zhakiyanov and Bulat Abilov from leaving the country for meetings in Brussels in April, its refusal to allow Zhakiyanov to travel from Almaty to Astana to meet Vice President Cheney when he visited Kazakhstan in early May.
These steps only reinforce lingering concerns about whether Kazakhstan has irrevocably set itself on the path to democracy. Challenging official orthodoxy should not lead to harassment, restrictions, or criminal processes, said Finley.
She reiterated that any successful bid for the OSCE chairmanship should be based on a candidate's adherence to the democratic norms and principles the OSCE embodies. The country that sits in the chair of this organization must have demonstrated a consistent record of upholding OSCE principles.
We hope Kazakhstan will embrace the opportunity before it to demonstrate its commitment to the ideals and principles of the OSCE, to further democratize and to strengthen economic and civil freedoms, she said. We support the ongoing efforts of the government, NGOs, and principally the people of Kazakhstan to promote democratization, the rule of law and the development of civil society in Kazakhstan.