KZBlog

Some of you may have heard this by now, but President Medvedev of Russia wrote a Happy Birthday congratulations to Nazarbayev on his Twitter feed:

Interesting that they provide an English-language translation of his feed, suggesting that either the feed is more for foreigners or that he wishes to appear hip and cool by speaking English. Also interesting since not long ago, an opposition candidate for the Russian Presidency was berated by Putin for making statements English, proving that he worked for Western forces. (I note that the Russian feed is updated faster).

Some commentators are saying that Medvedev’s willingness to write in Kazakh provides a sort of reassurance that Russia recognizes Kazakhstan as an independent country and an independent people, not as an ex-Soviet state that got away. And others say this will provide a good example for those who want Kazakhstani to speak Kazakh. If Medvedev can do it, anyone can!