[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 124 (Friday, September 21, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S9609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               KAZAKHSTAN

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Madam President, the events of last week by terrorists 
illustrate the worst of human nature, however, the actions of people in 
the wake of the disaster has shown the best.
  While the attacks were in the United States, they were directed at 
the entire civilized world. And the entire world has responded. Today, 
I would like to draw your attention to the response of a key ally in 
Central Asia.
  In light of the direct threat to world freedom that we faced on 
September 11, 2001, Kazakhstan has emerged as one of the only ``silver-
linings'' in Central Asia. I am very grateful for the outpouring of 
support from the President of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev. 
Within a day of the attack President Nazarbayev said, ``Kazakhstan is 
ready to support measures undertaken by the United States to fight 
against terrorism, with all the means necessary.'' I would also ask 
unanimous consent to submit the President's entire statement into the 
Congressional Record.
  Kazakhstan is predominantly a muslim nation about four times the size 
of Texas in Central Asia. Surrounded by Russia, China, Turkey, Iran, 
and Afghanistan. Kazakhstan's continued economic and political 
stability is critical to the long-term success of the Central Asian 
nations.
  In the first few years after its independence from the former Soviet 
Union in 1991, Kazakhstan successfully dismantled the fourth largest 
nuclear arsenal in the world with U.S. support via the Cooperative 
Threat Reduction Program, CTR. Kazakhstan continues to set a model for 
the global community in its leadership on unilateral disarmament and 
nonproliferation.
  In addition, I believe our Nation needs to continue to support the 
Government of Kazakhstan which has begun to transform its economy from 
the old Soviet based communist model to a market-based economy with 
significant U.S. foreign direct investment, FDI.
  It is for these reasons that I have co-sponsored S. 168 that 
authorizes the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment to the products 
of Kazakhstan. In summary, the United States must do its part to 
enhance cooperation and encourage prosperity and stability for the 
entire Central Asian region.

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