Sam Patten
The old saying that if you keep expectations low, you will never be disappointed may go a long way towards explaining what the 56 member states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe were thinking when, three years ago, they agree to let the autocratic regime of Kazakhstan become the OSCE chair-in-office for 2010. As it approaches the mid-term mark for its chairmanship, it's worth looking at Kazakh performance so far -- both in action and example -- to see if the state has any possibility of avoiding a failing grade when its term ends in December.
Kazakhstan has made its president "Leader of the nation", granting him immunity from any prosecution, just weeks before it is due to chair a major international conference on democracy and human rights.
Prince Andrew was involved in the controversial sale of his former home to an oil tycoon for £3million more than the market price, it was claimed yesterday.
Deputies in Kazakhstan have approved a bill granting more powers to the country's president by titling him the "leader of the nation".
The Kyrgyz-Kazakh border remains closed despite what Bishkek says was an agreement between the two countries' leaders to reopen it, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.
