Tokayev: Russian-led CSTO troops will leave Kazakhstan immediately – Nazarbayev Tops

LAST UPDATE: 11.13

The troops of the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will begin withdrawing from Kazakhstan within the next two days and will have completed their withdrawal within 10 days after completing the “normalization” mission in the country. Kazakhstan’s President Qasim-Jomart Tokayev said on Tuesday that he had launched an attack on his predecessor and decades-old man, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

The president of Kazakhstan accused his powerful mentor of favoring the emergence of a “rich caste” that dominates this country rich in hydrocarbons.

“Because of the first President, Elbasi (s.s .: Leader of the Nation), a caste of very profitable companies, very rich people, even by international standards, appeared in the country. I believe it is time to pay what they owe to “People of Kazakhstan,” said Kasim-Yomart Tokayev, while daughters-in-law, grandchildren and other relatives of Nazarbayev control very important positions and economic interests in this Central Asian country.

Speaking in front of the country’s parliament, according to Reuters, Tokayev announced the appointment of longtime government official Alikhan Smailov as Kazakhstan’s prime minister, while talking about the need to reduce the gap between rich and poor in the country, to increase taxes on mining industry and improving the functioning of state institutions.

Tokayev, 68, last week called on CSTO forces, a military alliance of six of the 15 former Soviet republics, including Kazakhstan, to enter his country to counter what he later described as a “coup attempt” and which led to an explosion of violence in the most important cities of Kazakhstan.

The CSTO troops participating in the “peace mission”, the need of which was disputed by the USA, reach 2,030.

“The basic mission of the CSTO peacekeepers has been successfully completed,” Tokayev told a teleconference addressing parliament.

“Within the next two days, a gradual withdrawal of CSTO forces will begin. The overall withdrawal process will not take more than 10 days,” the head of state said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had described the development of the military as crucial, calling it a victory and a defense of Kazakhstan against an “externally backed terrorist insurgency.”

The order, according to the Kazakh authorities, has returned to the vast country of (just) 19 million inhabitants, while At least 10,000 people have been arrested in connection with the riots.

They say peaceful demonstrations against rising fuel prices have been usurped by violent groups seeking to overthrow the government.

On January 5, Tokayev fired Karim Massimov, then head of the powerful National Security Committee. Massimov was later arrested on suspicion of treason.

Speaking in parliament today, Tokayev said the National Security Committee not only did not perceive the looming threat, but also did not act properly during the riots.

“In some cities, heads of sections of the National Security Committee, despite having sufficient combat arsenal, abandoned (their buildings) and left behind firearms and secret documents,” he said.

Tokayev did not name any new suspects in the riots, but said the protests were sparked by the state’s failure to fight poverty and ensure a fair distribution of income.

Turkey welcomes new PM

Turkey, meanwhile, has welcomed the appointment of a new prime minister to Kazakhstan, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu said today, addressing a summit of Turkish-speaking countries.

Speaking at an emergency teleconference of the Organization of Turkish-Speaking States, Tsavousoglu said that Turkish-speaking nations would stand by Kazakhstan with all their resources and provide full support.

Turkey, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are members of the Organization of Turkic Speaking States, while Turkmenistan and Hungary are partners.