Karim Masimov as his replacement on 11 January. Akhmetov did not say why he resigned, but political analysts noted increasing criticism from PresidentNursultan Nazarbayev of his oversight of the economy.[1]
Appointments
Byrganym Aytimova.[6][7] Aytimova became Kazakhstan's ambassador to the United Nations.[8]
PresidentNursultan Nazarbayev appointed Economy Minister Aslan Musin to Deputy Prime Minister, replacing Karim Masimov. Masimov replaced Daniyal Akhmetov as Prime Minister. Akhmetov replaced Mukhtar Altynbayev as Defense Minister. President Nazarbayev demoted Altynbayev to Deputy Minister of Defense. Galym Orazbakov replaced Vladimir Shkolnik as the Minister of Industry and Trade.[7] Yerbol Orynbayev, a close aide to Nazarbayev, became Masimov's chief-of-staff.[9] Shkolnick became the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President.[10]
Effects
Foreign Minister Tazhin said Kazakhstan would continue "to pursue a multi-vector policy governed by the economic and political interests of our country," but Prime Minister Masimov is expected to take Kazakhstan's foreign policy farther in the direction of China based on his past political service and education background. Joanna Lillis of EurasiaNet has speculated that the shuffle may be tied to Kazakhstan's campaign to chair the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in 2009.[9]
The lingering scandals over the suspicious deaths and trials of opposition leaders
Baurzhan Mukhamedzhanov, who received a considerable amount of criticism, maintained his position.[9]
References
Television New Zealand. 10 January 2007. Archived from the original
