Text of report by the Kazakh news agency Interfax-Kazakhstan on 24th August
Astana, 24th August: An information centre for foreign
diplomats has been opened in the run-up to parliamentary
elections in Almaty. The Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency has
learned from the press service of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Kazakhstan that the centre was set up to effectively
inform foreign diplomatic corps, accredited to Kazakhstan, and
the foreign media about the course of preparations for the
forthcoming parliamentary elections in the republic.

The information centre, noted the press service, will pay
"great attention" to the issues of participation of foreign
observers and representatives of international organizations in
the election process.

According to the press service, the staff of the
information centre includes representatives of the
administration of the head of state [Kazakh President Nursultan
Nazarbayev], ministries of foreign affairs, justice, culture,
information and public accord and also members of the Central
Electoral Commission.

The elections to a bicameral parliament of Kazakhstan are
scheduled for 17th September (to the Senate, upper house) and
10th October (to the Majlis, lower house).

Source: Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency, Almaty, in Russian 1308 gmt 24 Aug 99
BBC Mon CAU 240899/** AJBA/QU