Tonino Picula, Special Co-ordinator to lead the short-term OSCE observation mission to Kazakhstan, fills out a form at a polling station, Almaty, 3 April 2011. ASTANA, 4 April 2011 – Yesterday’s presidential vote in Kazakhstan revealed similar shortcomings as those noted in previous elections in the country, international observers said in a statement issued today. They noted that reforms necessary for holding genuine democratic elections have

The FINANCIAL 4 April 2011 ASTANA. Yesterday, presidential vote in Kazakhstan revealed similar shortcomings as those noted in previous elections in the country, international observers said in a statement issued today. They noted that reforms necessary for holding genuine democratic elections have yet to materialize. While the election was technically well administered, the absence of opposition candidates and of a vibrant political discourse

Астана, 2 апреля 2011 – Пресс-Конференция миссии ОБСЕ по наблюдению за президентскими выборами на этой неделе в Казахстане будет проходить в понедельник в 14:00 (время Астаны) в отеле Radisson Blu в Астане. Господин Тонино Пицула (Хорватия), специальный координатор и руководитель краткосрочной миссии ОБСЕ по наблюдению за выборами, будет передавать сообщения от имени ОБСЕ по оценке президентских выборов и ответит на вопросы журналистов.ГДЕ:

COPENHAGEN, 30 March 2011 – The OSCE PA observation mission to Kazakhstan this week will include more than 80 participants from 26 countries. The delegation to observe the country’s 3 April early presidential election will be led by Tonino Picula (Croatia), Rapporteur of the PA’s First General Committee on Political Affairs and Security. OSCE Chair-in-Office and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Azubalis appointed Mr. Picula Special

Chris Smith speaking at the 2011 OSCE PA Winter Meeting in Vienna. COPENHAGEN, 24 March 2011 – The struggle to fight anti-Semitism requires more participation and a redoubling of efforts, Rep. Chris Smith (U.S.) said today upon conclusion of the OSCE meeting on Confronting Anti-Semitism in Public Discourse. “This week's high-level OSCE/ODIHR meeting in Prague on best practices to combat anti-Semitism specifically as it relates to public

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the OSCE PA's recent Winter Meeting in Vienna. COPENHAGEN, 16 March 2011 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Vice-President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan has been named the new Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, the first Asian to serve in this position. “Mr. Tokayev has been an asset to the Parliamentary Assembly and an important voice representing the interests of his country and region to the