Seat-of-the-Pants Politics

By JANICE CASTRO/

Talk about the weight of history. Visiting Kazakhstan last month, Michael Miklaucic of the International Law Institute, a Washington think tank, dropped in on a top parliament official involved in the drafting of the republic's new constitution. He found himself on the spot when his host took a call during their meeting. "So, Mr. Michael," said his host, suddenly placing his hand over the mouthpiece, "who should be commander-in-chief of armed forces? The President? Or Speaker of the parliament?" "I. . .I. . .I can tell you how it works in the U.S.," said Miklaucic. "But please, don't decide based on what I say. I think you should get a second opinion on this."

With reporting by Wendy Cole