Prague, 13 February 1997 (RFE/RL) - Leader of the Kazakhstan Communist Party, Serikbolsyn Abdildin, says the current government in the country is corrupt and unable to solve the economical and social problems in Kazakhstan. Abdildin made the comments in a speech to the opposition movement AZAMAT last night.
The opposition includes the Russian Community of Kazakhstan Center, Russian Cossacks, Pensioners Union called "POKOLENIYE" (Generation). Today the movement annouced the elction of two co-chairmen of the organization's coordination board. They are well-known Kazakh politicians Salyq Takejanov and the former Deputy Prime Minister Jalym Abelseiytov.
Meanwhile, Kazakh Minister of Labour and Social Protection Nina Korzhova said today that the country is facing a drastic financial crisis. Korzhova told reporters the government owes the equivalent of more than $ 650 million in wages and social payments. It is also the equivalent of some $ 420 million behind in pension payments.
Korzhova said that unemployment is also a problem in the country with nearly 400,000 people without work, with farmers comprising nearly half of the unemployed.