Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency
November 7

The chairman of the Kazakh Majlis (lower house of parliament), Zharmakhan Tuyakbay, is concerned over the situation on the Kazakh-Uzbek border.

"The two sides are involved in beatings up and theft of livestock," Tuyakbay told journalists today when speaking on the results of his two-day visit to Saryagash District of South Kazakhstan Region which borders Uzbekistan. The chairman of the Majlis visited the region to meet the electors.

During his visit he learned about how Kazakh citizens were being badly treated by officers of the Uzbek law-enforcement bodies. Yesterday, the sound of gunfire was heard coming from the Uzbek side. According to the available information, one Kazakh citizen was wounded.

Tuyakbay thinks these incidents in the border are "a challenge and provocation which are aimed at undermining the relations between the fraternal and neighbouring countries".

He noted that the delimitation of the interstate border had just been completed "and it is still early to ask people to strictly observe the rules of the border zone".

The chairman voiced the hope that the Uzbek side "will react appropriately" to these incidents.

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