Ali G star blasted by Kazakh Embassy

Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's new TV show has caused outrage among Kazakhstanis living in America, who insist the programme promotes negative racial stereotypes.

The Kazakh embassy in the US has received a deluge of complaints about Borat's Television Programme - Cohen's show based around a fictional Kazakhstani reporter - claiming the comedian is making a mockery of their country.

A spokesman for the Kazakh embassy says: "There is no such name as Borat; he does not look like a Kazakh; he does not behave like a Kazakh; and the language that he speaks is gibberish.

"What is particularly troubling is his portrayal of a country that mistreats women and is stuck in the stone age. I do not think of our women like that.

"Even if people understand this is all a joke, they may still think that there is some truth in what he says."

But a source close to the Ali G funnyman claims: "The show is meant to be satirical. Sacha is sending up the Americans who watch Borat for their lack of knowledge about foreign affairs. It's not a dig at the Kazakhs."