Germany's Merkel urges wider inquiry into Kazakhstan riots

Feb 8, 2012, 14:28 GMT

Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday she supported a wider inquiry into Kazakhstan's December riots, after meeting with President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Berlin.

Nazarbayev defended the police crackdown that killed an unknown number of people, while conceding that the deaths were 'regrettable.'

Merkel said, 'We talked about the situation and the riots in Zhanaozen, where workers were killed. I energetically supported the president appointing a committee of inquiry to bring to light what happened.'

The Central Asian nation, the richest in the region, is one of the world's top oil and gas producers. But oilfield workers went on strike in Zhanaozen city in the south-west, demanding higher wages.

There were many casualties and the president had to declare a state of emergency.

Nazarbayev, who has ruled since the former Soviet republic became independent in 1991, said prosecutors were still investigating, but defended his police.

'If several dozen young people, who happen to be drunk as well, go to an independence day event and start beating people up, hurting children, trampling microphones and bashing our police, who are present in only small numbers, what would Germany do?' he said.

'It is regrettable that people were killed.'

Nazarbayev and Merkel were present at the signing of an agreement between the two nations on technology transfers to help Kazakhstan boost raw materials output.

The deal allows German companies to explore for rare earths, minerals that are vital to the electronics industry. Some 97 per cent of the internationally traded supplies come from China, which has limited exports, raising fears of a long-term shortage.

Read more about Kazakhstan