Nursultan Nazarbaev addressed the opening session of both chambers of the legislature on 2 September. For the first time since Kazakhstan became an independent state in late 1991, he delivered that address in Kazakh rather than in Russian; simultaneous translation was provided for legislators who do not speak the state language. Nazarbaev criticized deputies for failing during their last session to discuss seven of a total of 15 draft bills he had singled out as of particular importance. They included bills on joint-stock companies, obligatory social security, the stock market, and amendments to the existing pension and antimonopoly legislation. At the same time, Nazarbaev commended the government's "painstaking" work and expressed approval of the main parameters of the draft budget for 2003. (Interfax)