Rice, speaking at the Eurasian University of Astana, said "stability requires legitimacy and true legitimacy requires democracy." She said it is "critical" that elections be free and fair, and that it is "extremely important" for the opposition to be able to mobilize "free of intimidation of any kind."
Rice's speech comes as Kazakhstan is preparing for a 4 December presidential election.
Rice later met with President Nursultan Nazarbaev, who is seeking another seven-year term in the vote.
Ahead of Rice's arrival, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported that Kazakh security forces yesterday detained Tolen Tokhtasynov, a prominent opposition figure. Rice had been scheduled to meet with him.
Rice, who is on a regional tour, is due to travel later today to Tajikistan.
(RFE/RL's Kazakh Service/AFP/AP)
See also:
U.S.: Rice Continues Central Asia Tour With Stop In Kazakhstan
Rice Hails Afghanistan's 'March Toward Democracy'
Rice Arrives In Kabul, Then On To Pakistan
Kyrygzstan: U.S. Secretary Of State Rice Talks To RFE/RL
Kyrgyzstan: U.S. Secretary of State Calls For Closer Ties
Rice's speech comes as Kazakhstan is preparing for a 4 December presidential election.
Rice later met with President Nursultan Nazarbaev, who is seeking another seven-year term in the vote.
Ahead of Rice's arrival, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported that Kazakh security forces yesterday detained Tolen Tokhtasynov, a prominent opposition figure. Rice had been scheduled to meet with him.
Rice, who is on a regional tour, is due to travel later today to Tajikistan.
(RFE/RL's Kazakh Service/AFP/AP)
See also:
U.S.: Rice Continues Central Asia Tour With Stop In Kazakhstan
Rice Hails Afghanistan's 'March Toward Democracy'
Rice Arrives In Kabul, Then On To Pakistan
Kyrygzstan: U.S. Secretary Of State Rice Talks To RFE/RL
Kyrgyzstan: U.S. Secretary of State Calls For Closer Ties
