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Rice takes high road in Tajikistan visit
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-13 20:40
Nazarbayev also said freedom of speech "is not freedom for disinformation,"
an apparent reference to charges of libel levied against some of his political
opponents.
Rice maintained a friendly tone during a joint press appearance with
Nazarbayev.
Earlier Thursday, Rice passed up a chance to offer specific criticism of
purported human rights abuses and authoritarian tactics ahead of the December
elections.
Addressing students, faculty and others at Eurasian National University, Rice
gave understated encouragement for general democratic reform and free elections,
but stayed away from any direct reference to arrests of opposition figures and
muscling of media and candidates in recent weeks.
"America will encourage all of our friends in Central
Asia to undertake democratic reforms and as they do they will solidify a lasting
partnership of principle with the United States," Rice said.
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