President Tokayev addresses people of Kazakhstan

Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in a televised address to the nation of Kazakhstan stressed out that the anti-terrorist operation in the country continues. Police officers, the National Guard and the army carry out the large-scale and well-coordinated work to restore law and order in accordance with the Constitution.

“Overseas the countries call for peaceful negotiations and resolution of the situation. What nonsense! How can one have a talk with criminals? With killers? We had to deal with armed and trained bandits, both local and foreign, with terrorists! That is why they must be destroyed. This will be done very soon. The security forces are morally and technically ready to fulfil this task.”

“As you know, based on the key provisions of the CSTO statutory documents, Kazakhstan appealed to the heads of the CSTO member states with a request to send a united peacekeeping contingent to assist in establishing constitutional order. This contingent arrived in our country for a short period of time to cover and support.”

“Not only administrative buildings were damaged by terrorists in Almaty, but also the personal property of civilians. Not to mention the health and lives of hundreds of civilians and soldiers.”

“I express my sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.” 

“Debriefing is to be carried out in connection with the actions of law enforcement agencies and the army, as well as their interdepartmental coordination.”

“It also turned out that there is a shortage of special forces, riot control weapons and equipment. We will address these issues as a matter of urgency. It is critically important to understand why the state missed the clandestine preparation of terrorist attacks by the militants' sleeper cells. Almaty alone was attacked by 20,000 bandits.”

“There is much work ahead of us to learn from the tragedy we have experienced. That includes socio-economic aspects. The government will have to make concrete decisions, which I will announce in the Mazhilis on January 11.”

“Now, dear compatriots, I want to tell you that I am proud of you. I express my gratitude to those citizens of Kazakhstan who have remained calm during these days and have made efforts to ensure stability and public order. You remained faithful to the law and to your country despite provocations and destructive calls.”

 

Translation by Saniya Sakenova and Assem Zhanmukhanova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova