[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 150 (Friday, November 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKSTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2001

  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate the people of the 
Republic of Kazakstan who celebrated their tenth year of independence 
as a nation on October 25, 2001. This important occasion highlights 
Kazakstan's economic, political, and cultural growth over the past 
decade. In light of the many difficulties facing the people of 
Kazakstan following the collapse of the Soviet Union, this resourceful 
nation of over fourteen million people has persevered by overcoming 
numerous obstacles to emerge as one of Central Asia's most dynamic 
nations.
  As the people of Kazakstan continue the process of building their 
nation on the foundation of democracy and economic liberalization, they 
should know that the United States will be there to assist them in 
their efforts. Following the barbaric attacks on the United States on 
September 11, 2001, the government of Kazakstan immediately offered its 
unconditional assistance to the United States in our fight against the 
international scourge of terrorism. Their heartfelt support for the 
American people in our greatest time of need has only served to 
strengthen United States-Kazakstan relations.
  The future success of a democratic and free Republic of Kazakstan 
will directly benefit the United States by helping to create stability 
and increased prosperity in the Central Asian region. Many of the 
nefarious international terrorist organizations, like al Qaeda, that 
seek to inflict harm on the United States and our allies are also 
trying to destabilize Central Asian nations like Kazakstan. The United 
States and the international community must not miss this opportunity 
to assist Kazakstan as she takes courageous steps to build a democratic 
society with an open market economy in a region of the world that is 
rife with terrorism and discord.
  Fortunately, Kazakstan has brought much needed stability to the 
region. As a moderate and tolerant Muslim nation, Kazakstan, has 
already joined like-minded nations in Central Asia and the Middle East 
in opposing the use of Islam for terrorist purposes. As Kazakstan's 
President Nursultan Nazarbayev said on October 24th before the eighth 
session of the Assembly of the Peoples of Kazakstan, ``In the current 
situation, it is more important to separate Islam from terrorism. The 
terrorists whatever slogans they use have nothing in common with Islam, 
its basic commandments, including non-violence, justice, tolerance and 
equity.''
  Mr. Speaker, I wish the people and government of the Republic of 
Kazakstan the best success as they build on their impressive 
accomplishments of the past decade. As a Member of the House 
International Relations Committee, I join many Americans in celebrating 
the tenth year of Kazakstan's independence and look forward to 
increased cooperation and relations with this emerging Central Asian 
nation.

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