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[Guest guest]

US EMBASSY STATEMENT ON KAZAKHSTAN

 

At last we have an English original US Embassy Statement. We spoke with

press-officer Marianna Kurnossova. She told us that the Statement is not

being spread widely and not published on the internet. The U.S. Embassy

Press Service is sending it by demand (as they did for Grishin). The

statement is authorized and can be proven by the Embassy Press Service.

 

______________________

 

US Embassy Statement Concerning Demolition of Homes in Hare Krishna Commune

 

The U.S. Embassy is concerned that Karasai district authorities are

continuing their aggressive campaign against the Hare Krishna commune

outside of Almaty. On November 21, Karasai district authorities demolished

several homes at the commune. Homeowners were left in the cold, and many of

their possessions were destroyed. The remaining residents were left without

electricity and heat.

 

The embassy has several concerns regarding the legal basis for the actions

against the Hare Krishna community. Regardless of the merits of the

underlying case, the forceful eviction of homeowners in freezing

temperatures and the destruction of their possessions contradicted

principles of due process and fairness. It is particularly disturbing that

the authorities took such action before the special commission charged with

finding an equitable solution to the situation had issued its

recommendations.

 

It is unfortunate that more than a week later, the authorities have done

nothing to remedy the situation. The situation in fact appears to be

deteriorating; authorities this week scheduled new court hearings on

additional properties in the commune.

 

The embassy urges the Karasai district authorities to refrain from any

further aggressive actions against the Hare Krishnas, and to work toward a

fair, lawful, and peaceful resolution of the ongoing legal dispute.

 

U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan

 

tel. (3172) 702100

 

Marianna Kurnossova, press-officer

 

tel. (3172) 702216