Despite Bush’s 2004 proclamation that America wouldn’t receive corrupt foreign officials, the president appears set to welcome Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev—an authoritarian leader allegedly on the receiving end of bribes by U.S. businessmen. Why the welcome from Bush? Might have something to do with all the oil Kazakhstan is sitting on….
Harpers:
In early 2004, President Bush issued a presidential proclamation barring corrupt foreign officials from entering the United States. Then, a few months ago, in spite of that proclamation, Washington was treated to the disgusting spectacle of an official visit by Teodoro Obiang, the corrupt dictator who rules over oil-rich Equatorial Guinea. But now the Bush Administration is preparing to roll out the red carpet for a man who, by sheer numbers, appears to have stolen far more than Obiang: President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan.
Last week, Kazakhstan’s foreign minister, Kassymzhomart Tokaev, came to town and met with the hospitable U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to discuss strengthening ties between the two countries. The visiting Kazakh immediately told the Washington Times that Nazarbayev—a former Communist Party hack who has ruled his country since it won independence from the Soviet Union in 1991—would be coming to town this September for meetings with administration officials. I spoke to a well-placed source who said that while nothing has been finalized, the White House, with strong backing from the Pentagon, is seriously considering extending an invitation to Nazarbayev.
It’s hard to see how Nazarbayev’s visit could possibly be squared with Bush’s 2004 proclamation. This fall, James Giffen, an American business consultant, is set to be tried in the Southern District Court of New York on charges that he funneled more than $78 million in bribes to Kazakh officials. And guess who is alleged to have received most of that money? President Nazarbayev himself, along with his former prime minister, Nurlan Balgimbayev.
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‘Left, Right & Center’: Econorama
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By R. A. Earl, July 17, 2006 at 11:37 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
All allegations and assumptions. Where’s the PROOF these officials are corrupt? What’s the test? Just ASK THEM, perhaps?
Don’t get me wrong… from the behavior of our OWN officials it is a very short leap to assume that most, if not ALL, foreign officials are at least “tainted” by the avarice that cohabits with power and opportunity.
And you know… I wouldn’t even mind when these characters, home grown or foreign, pocket millions in unearned bribes and undeserved kickbacks, etc. IF they at least did their jobs and looked after their people’s fundamental needs… meaningful work, affordable housing and medical care, FIRST.
But hell no… that would require they take too much time out from schmoozing, scheming and scamming to fill their own coffers with booty and other loot.
With very few exceptions, POLITICIANS MAKE ME SICK. Never have so many, sucked so much and delivered so little as today’s crop of cronies. The world is in a COMPLETE MESS… and it sure isn’t the “little guy” doing it. It’s ENTIRELY the fault of our elected and unelected representatives.
The trouble is… we could fire them all and hire new ones, and in a blink of an eye, the new crop would be just as corrupt. Depressing, ain’t it.
Report thisBy Scott, July 17, 2006 at 11:01 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
We all know corruption greases the oily wheels of progress, but is it really just the fault of our politicians and CEO’s, after all they’re not forcing us to burn their oil are they?
Would you seal your vows of love with a blood diamond? A lot of people these days will go out of their way to ensure they buy a diamond from a reputable and ethical source. On the other hand I bet there are lots of people who don’t give it a second thought.
Would you knowingly fill your car with blood gasoline? How would you know the difference?
Is there such a thing as ethical gasoline or is it all filthy?
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