The strange practices of a Central Asian state in Brussels

(B2) Kazakhstan has kept good old ways from a former Soviet republic. It thus has agents in Brussels responsible for detecting the right vectors of influence in the European press and the Brussels press corps. B2 just experienced it.

We were approached, with tact, delicacy and discretion, to find out if, for example, B2 did not want to take more interest in this charming republic of Central Asia, especially on the eve of the perfectly democratic elections. The idea was to make general articles on the economy, politics, the Kazakh electoral system. All this of course assuming compensation. A sort of discreet sponsorship... Needless to say, we refused, politely but firmly. B2 lives from its members, its subscriptions and donations made via the "J'aime l'info" platform. But bribes aren't really our cup of tea.

If our information is correct, we would not be the only media to have been approached. And, it seems that some have been tempted by the offer. To discover these great sensitives, all you have to do is travel to a few European sites. If all of a sudden you see extra-lucid coverage of Astana, its economy, its energy flows... you may have some questions. To seal it all, we write one or two articles on human rights, convoluted to say the least. And voila. This makes it possible to ensure the end of the month... Times are tough for the press!

To be fair, Kazakhstan is not really alone in doing so. One could even say that he plays 'low profile' in the Brussels panorama. Other countries have different needs. There are thus agents of influence of all kinds: those who are responsible for monitoring the press of their country or always asking the right questions that defend the policy of their government. Those who swarm... The Chinese, for example, are present in force in Brussels with the New China agency, which has more than fifty journalists, reporters, present in the Belgian capital. A rather extraordinary number, all grouped together in an entire building. Gite and cutlery are included. Even if the production in several languages ​​of the official Chinese agency is important, it seems that the drafting of dispatches, published officially, is not the only activity of certain Chinese 'honorable correspondents'.

(NGV)