From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Wed Feb 02 2000 - 10:48:55 EST
KAZAKHSTAN TIGHTENS VISA REQUIREMENTS
As of 1 February, Kazakhstan no longer recognizes transit visas issued to
foreign nationals by other CIS member states, Reuters and
ITAR-TASS reported. A Kazakhstan Foreign Ministry spokesman
explained that "criminal elements" have taken advantage of
the "transparency" of Kazakhstan's borders, turning the
country into a transit corridor for weapons and drugs. This,
he continued, has adversely affected the security situation
throughout the country. Meanwhile, the Kyrgyz Foreign
Ministry has drafted measures for the gradual introduction of
a visa-free regime for citizens of countries that belong to
the World Trade Organization, Interfax reported on 1
February. U.S. and Japanese citizens can already enter
Kyrgyzstan without a visa, and that regime will be extended
to Denmark, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain by the end of
this year. LF
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