BALGINBAEV APPOINTED PRIME MINISTER OF KAZAKHSTAN.

Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbaev today accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Akezhan Kazhegeldyn, and appointed in his place Nurlan Balginbaev. Nazarbaev also indicated that he will reshuffle the government.

Kazhegeldyn had gone last month to Switzerland for treatment of phlebitis and other circulatory problems. He had been a target of corruption allegations, and was also attacked by security officials after disclosing his own past affiliation with the KGB, from which he was dismissed before the end of Soviet rule.

Balginbaev, 49, has until today served as head of the state oil company Kazakhoil. He has been a forceful defender of the division of the Caspian Sea and continental platform into national sectors and of Kazakhstan’s sovereign rights to develop that sector with Western partners despite objections from Moscow. (International agencies, October 10)

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