Kazakh MPs propose banning Zhirinovsky and Limonov

    Kazakh MPs have proposed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan prohibit Russian politicians Vladimir Zhirinovsky and Eduard Limonov fr om entering Kazakhstan, azh.kz reports, citing IA-News Kazakhstan.
    “One of the most important achievement of our government is the unity of its multinational and multi-religious people, and the statements on part of Limonov and Zhirinovsky could be used by ill-wishers. We think that the offensive statements made Zhirinovsky should be publicly disavowed by the official representatives of the Russian Federation,” MP Nikolay Logutov said while reading the collective request sent to the Kazakh FM Yerlan Idrisov at the Majilis on February 26.
    On February 23, Vladimir Zhirinovsky spoke at a rally in honor of the Day of Defender of the Fatherland, wh ere he called for depriving the Central Asian states of their independence. "No republics in Central Asia," Zhirinovsky said, adding the separate Central Asian countries there should be replaced with a "Central Asian Federal District" with the capital city to be named Verny (the former name of Almaty). “The name 'Almaty' is an invention by Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan," he said.
    Kazakhstan’ sMinistry of Foreign Affairs has prepared a note of protest to the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry over his statements.
    ‘Mr. Zhirinovsky is an official member of the State Duma and a leader of one of the main political parties in Russia. In our opinion, the holder of such a high public office should be serious and responsible while delivering public statements. It should be noted that this is not the first case this politician has made unacceptable remarks regarding Kazakhstan,’ wrote the ministry.
    “As we have repeatedly stated, the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Kazakhstan are immutable and inviolable and any attempt to assault theme will be strongly suppressed by the governmental bodies of Kazakhstan,” the report says, according to Kazakh TV.