Russian "Peace Keepers" Arrive In Kazakhstan

 

Strong Men, Weak Heels

KAZAKHSTAN

Dozens of anti-government protestors died and hundreds more were injured after clashes with security forces in the Kazakh capital and other cities early Thursday in the largest demonstrations the oil-rich country has experienced since gaining independence three decades ago, the Associated Press reported.

At least eight law enforcement officers have been killed and almost a hundred injured since protests broke out over the weekend, according to the Interior Ministry. Officials in Almaty said “extremist forces” attempted to storm several government buildings, including the police department Wednesday, the Washington Post reported. Video from Russia’s Tass state news agency showed armed security forces engaged in a shootout near the main square of Almaty. “Dozens of attackers have been eliminated,” said Almaty police spokesperson Saltanat Azirbek. At the same time, on Wednesday, protesters set fire to government buildings and briefly took over the airport.

The protests led Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to declare a state of emergency Wednesday as Russian “peacekeepers” arrived to help restore calm, France24 reported. Other neighbors plan to send forces also. Meanwhile, residents of major cities were warned to stay home during the “anti-terrorism” operation to squash protests. Hundreds have been detained by police. The internet and banking services have been shut down.

The demonstrations erupted over the weekend in the western Mangistau province after the government lifted price controls on liquefied petroleum gas on Jan. 1. The move prompted outrage because many Kazakhs have converted their vehicles to run on LPG because of its low cost.

The demonstrations turned violent and later spread to other cities, resulting in clashes between protesters and police.

The unrest also led to the resignation of the government, which has shaken Kazakhstan’s image as a politically stable – albeit tightly controlled – nation. The former Soviet republic has been able to attract hundreds of billions of dollars of foreign investment into its oil and metals industries.

Following the government’s resignation, Tokayev declared a state of emergency and ordered the reinstatement of LPG price controls. He also expanded price controls to other “socially important” consumer goods, including gasoline and diesel.

He blamed domestic and foreign elements for instigating the violence.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan’s ally, Russia, said it was “closely following the events in the brotherly neighboring country,” urging a “peaceful solution.”