ALMA-ATA, JANUARY 24 (ITAR-TASS) - THE KAZAKH PARLIAMENT IS PLANNING TO ADOPT A LAW ON LANGUAGES TODAY. ITS DRAFT WAS ALREADYDISCUSSED IN THE LOWER HOUSE AND IS NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY THEUPPER HOUSE.

THE NEW LAW ENVISAGES THE EXPANSION OF THE SPHERE OF APPLICATION OF THE KAZAKH LANGUAGE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. THE LOWER HOUSE ARGUES THAT THE CONSTITUTION OF KAZAKHSTAN GIVES ITOFFICIAL STATUS, BUT THIS LANGUAGE IS NOT FULLY USED IN ANY OF THE SECTORS OF THE REPUBLIC'S PUBLIC LIFE AND IS STILL INFERIORTO THE RUSSIAN LANGUAGE IN THIS RESPECT.

NOW THE FINAL SAY ON THIS VITAL PROBLEM BELONGS TO THE UPPERHOUSE. AFTER THAT THE LAW IS TO BE ENDORSED BY PRESIDENT NURSULTAN NAZARBAYEV.

25 JAN 97 TASS