The Guardian newspaper wrote in its editorial Friday that years of anger lie behind the protests sweeping Kazakhstan today, and that bringing in foreign forces into the country cannot resolve a deep-rooted uprising.
The British newspaper said that as bleak the crisis is, it may soon appear much worse, and this was evident in the authorities’ statement – yesterday, Thursday – with the killing of dozens of protesters, and at least 12 police and security forces. With widespread internet and other communication obstruction, and reports of shootings in Almaty, the country’s largest city, the real toll could be much higher.
She pointed out that the unrest that erupted was due to the doubling of the cost of gas and liquefied petroleum after the authorities raised the maximum prices, which quickly escalated. Modest concessions have not addressed deep grievances, as corruption plagues the oil-rich state, and many still struggle to survive while elites hoard money and rule authoritarianism in a post-Soviet state that has never held free and fair elections.
The newspaper considered the call to the Collective Security Treaty Organization a risky move, and indicated that Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was shaken by reports that security personnel were taking the side of the demonstrators, or that he was concerned about other parties from the elite. In addition to tacitly acknowledging his weakness, seeking Moscow’s help is likely to alienate many in a country that prides itself on its “multi-directional” foreign policy.
The coalition of post-Soviet countries has not intervened in a crisis before, but Russia (like Kazakhstan’s other powerful neighbor China) wants stability on its borders, and does not want street protests to overthrow another government in the region.
Nor has the post-Soviet coalition of countries got into a crisis before, but Russia (like Kazakhstan’s other powerful neighbor China) wants stability on its borders, and doesn’t want street protests to topple another government in the region.
The newspaper added that the West’s influence on Kazakhstan is limited, but it is not without influence, as large sums of state money are held in London, where “British professional service providers enable post-Soviet elites to launder their money and reputation,” according to a scathing report by the Foundation. Chatham House” last month.
Anti-corruption activists have urged that as the wealthy and well-connected have fled, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions and service providers carefully monitor, report, freeze and seize assets, as appropriate.
The newspaper concluded that the United States, the European Union and Britain should do their utmost to urge the Kazakh leadership to respect the rights of the protesters.