KAZAKSTAN ABOLISHES THREE MORE REGIONS.

President Nursultan Nazarbaev has decreed the abolition of Zhezkazghan, Kokchetau, and Semey (Semipalatinsk) regions, merging them with the Karaghandy, North Kazakstan, and East Kazakstan regions, respectively. (Interfax, May 5) Two weeks ago Nazarbaev abolished the Taldy-Kurghan and Turghay regions, dividing their territories among neighboring regions. The number of Kazakstan’s regions has thus been reduced from 19 to 14 as part of a government streamlining and cost-cutting plan.

Natural Monopoly Restructuring Plans.