A Possible New Split in Ak Zhol

The leaders of Kazakhstan’s opposition party Adilet (Justice) which merged this year with another opposition party Ak Zhol (Bright Path) expressed their wish to exit the short-lasting coalition. According to Interfax Kazakhstan, the leadership of Adilet came to this conclusion late last week during a meeting to discuss its goals following Ak Zhol’s unsuccessful showing in August’s parliamentary elections.

Despite the hope of the opposition prior to the elections, the Nazarbayev-led Nur Otan party became the only party to make it past the 7 percent threshold needed to get representation in the lower house of the parliament. Leaders of the All-National Social Democratic Party, Ak Zhol, and the People’s Communist Party of Kazakhstan made a joint appeal to Nazarbayev, demanding that the parliamentary elections be canceled as illegitimate.

News Roundup - September 25, 2007

The Financial Times: Eni in Kazakhstan

As much as Paolo Scaroni tries to keep investors focused on Eni’s opportunities elsewhere, talk keeps coming back to Kashagan, the giant oil field in Kazakhstan…
Forbes: Frontier Mining Says Benkala Stake Purchase Delayed by Kazakhstan Admin Change
Frontier Mining Ltd said the approval of its 50 pct stake purchase of Benkala Project located in northwestern Kazakhstan from Coville Intercorp has been delayed on administrative grounds affecting the approval of its subsoil use contract (SUC)…
Wall Street Journal: Giuliani Fund Raising Reaches Into Kazakhstan

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s campaign is looking for political cash this week in an unlikely place: Resource-rich Kazakhstan, where the Republican presidential front-runner’s law firm does substantial business in the often murky oil, gas and minerals industries…
EurasiaNet Insight: The OSCE Remains Divided over Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship Bid
Now that constitutional amendments are in force and a new legislature in place, Kazakhstan is focusing on attaining a long-held goal: chairing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2009…
Business Insurance: Allianz Expands in Kazakhstan
Germany’s Allianz S.E. is entering the Kazakhstan market by acquiring ATF-Polis, one of the country’s leading insurance companies, the Munich-based insurer announced Monday…
NewEurasia.net: Humor in Kazakhstan: Laugh or Cry
The humor here is rooted deep in the centuries when Kazakhs were nomads. Despite a rather tragic history, Kazakh folklore is stuffed with easy-going characters playfully coming out of troubles with smile on a face, such as Aldar Kose, Zhirenshe and Yer-Tostik…
Journal of Turkish Weekly: ENI, Kazakhstan Debate May Affect Samsun-Ceyhan Pipeline

ENI is the major partner on the Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline, and Kazakhstan is the source of the oil that will be transported through the pipeline. The problems between these two sides increase anxieties over the future of the pipeline…
Reuters: Severstal Ups Celtic Resources Stake to 26.6 pct
Russian miner and steel maker Severstal raised its stake in London-listed miner Celtic Resources to 26.6 percent from 22 percent, paying 6 million pounds ($12.2 million) for the additional shares…
The Financial Times: Celtic Rejects Severstal Approach
London-listed gold miner Celtic Resources on Tuesday rejected a £123m takeover bid from Severstal, the Russian steelmaker and Celtic’s largest shareholder, saying it “very significantly undervalued the company and its prospects”…

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty: Kazakh, Turkmen Presidents Head To New York

The Kazakh and Turkmen leaders are heading to the United States to address the United Nations General Assembly…