Washington: US President Barack Obama spoke
with the Kazakh leader about the central Asian country`s need
for "greater democratisation," the White House said in a
statement.
Obama and President Nursultan Nazarbayev "discussed
issues of democracy, affirming that greater political
modernisation must now accompany Kazakhstan`s economic
modernisation," the White House said about the leaders`
telephone conversation.
"The parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan in 2012 offer
an important opportunity for greater democratisation, a goal
President Nazarbayev affirmed in his recent inauguration
address."
The pair also spoke about "our many cooperative efforts
regarding nuclear security," the White House said in a
statement.
Kazakhstan is an important regional partner for the
United States, providing transit routes for US military
personnel and equipment to Afghanistan.
Nazarbayev, 70, came to power while Kazakhstan was still
a Soviet republic and was elected president after it won
independence. Along with Uzbek President Islam Karimov, he is
the longest-serving leader in the former USSR.
Accused by critics of trampling on human rights and civil
society, Nazarbayev has announced plans to increase the powers
of parliament -- where his ruling party controls every seat.
He was sworn in earlier this month for a third decade of
his strongman rule, vowing to implement reforms in the face of
Western criticism of Kazakhstan`s democratic standards.
He won over 95 per cent of the vote but international
observers said the election fell short of being free and fair.
PTI
