Opposition wants Kazakhstan to withdraw from Customs Union, Common Economic Space
ALMATY. March 12 (Interfax) - Supporters of a referendum on Kazakhstan's pullout from the Customs Union and Common Economic Space will meet in Almaty on March 16.
"The meeting has been scheduled for March 16," Bulat Abilov, Azat party leader and an organizer of the referendum, said at a press conference in Almaty on Tuesday.
The participants will discuss four issues that the opposition wants to raise in the referendum: Kazakhstan's withdrawal from the Customs Union and Common Economic Space, a revision of the results of privatization, the introduction of local government elections and a ban on the construction of an international nuclear fuel storage facility and nuclear power plants in Kazakhstan, Abilov said.
Some 550 people will gather from all parts of Kazakhstan, he said.
"Attempts are being made already to put pressure on and intimidate the delegates," he said, adding that some delegates have refused to come, but they will be replaced by others.
Kazakhstan's non-governmental organizations and opposition parties have proposed holding the referendum in September 2012.