U.S. Embassy statement on recent attacks against independent media in Kazakhstan
The U.S. Embassy was deeply concerned to learn of
the arson attack that destroyed the offices of the weekly newspaper
Delovoye Obozreniye Respublika on May 22. This act of violence
raises serious questions about the safety of the independent media
in Kazakhstan.
Yesterday's fire came on the heels of other
incidents directed against independent media outlets, including the
May 3 arson attack against the Ak Zhaiyk publishing house in Atyrau
and the repeated vandalizing of Tan TV's feeder cable in Almaty. The
attack on Respublika was especially deplorable because it risked the
lives of the many people who live in the same building.
Ambassador Larry Napper met today with the staff of
Delovoye Obozreniye Respublika and visited the remains of their
office. The Ambassador has been in contact with appropriate law
enforcement officials of the Republic of Kazakhstan to urge a rapid
and thorough investigation in order to bring the perpetrators of
this violent act to justice.
May 23, 2002 |