Kazakhgate

Kazakhgate refers to the scandal surrounding James Giffen, an American businessman and former advisor of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the president of Kazakhstan. Giffen allegedly paid $78 million in bribes to Nazarbayev and former Minister of Oil & Gas of Kazakhstan Nurlan Balgimbayev to secure contracts over the Kashagan oil fields for Western companies in the 1990s. [http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav052004.shtml Kazakhgate fires up Kazakhstan's election campaign] Eurasia Insight] James Giffen was arrested in 2003 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York while attempting to board a plane to Paris, though in doing so it was later learned he was in no way attempting to flee the country. He had a return ticket and it was a normal planned business trip. He was charged with violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1974. He was carrying a Kazakhstani diplomatic passport, though dual citizenship is not allowed by the laws of Kazakhstan.

Giffen is accusedby whom?|date=August 2008 of creating Swiss bank accounts, paying tuition at exclusive boarding schools for family members of Kazakh officials, and buying millions of dollars in jewelry. Giffen's lawyers assert that Giffen was acting with the full knowledge and approval of the US government. Giffen has requested access to classified information at his trial to back up his claims. The government has opposed the revelation of classified information. [Timothy O'Connor, " [http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070126/NEWS02/701260397/1023/NEWS07 Mamaroneck banker can use spy defense at trial] ," The Journal News, January 26, 2007.] He faces up to 88 years in prison if he is found guilty on all charges and only 4-7 years if he is found guilty only on tax evasion charges.

Reaction

Kazakhstan officially said that has nothing to do with their country as it concerns an American citizen, though several American attorneys addressed the US Department of Justice on behalf of Kazakhstan [Eurasia.net, " [http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/insight/articles/eav040803.shtml Letter Indicates that Attorneys for Kazakhstan Were Concerned about President's Possible Indictment in US Corruption Case] ," Eurasia Insight, March 8, 2003] . They requested to stop the proceedings taking into account the strategic importance of US relations with Kazakhstan.

Kazakhgate in fiction

According to the Financial Times, James Giffen is referenced by former CIA agent Robert Baer in his book "See No Evil" as "Mr. Kazakhstan" for his ability to influence oil policy in that country. George Clooney produced the film "Syriana" based on this book. Tim Blake Nelson played the role of Giffen.

References

External links

* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/04/07/MN278797.DTL Indictments allege bribes were paid for Kazakstan oil]
* [http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=a_8QW26uoX_I&refer=home Kazakhstan President Nazarbayev Accepted Bribes, U.S. Alleges]
* [http://kazakhstan.neweurasia.net/?p=250 James Giffen - an International Mystery]