[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 14 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNITION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PHIL ENGLISH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2002

  Mr. ENGLISH. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize 
the Republic of Kazakhstan for its efforts in assisting the United 
States in our war against terrorism. Kazakhstan was among the first of 
our allies to offer its condolences and help after the destruction of 
September 11th. Indeed, following the terrorist attacks, Kazakh 
President Nazarbayev took the unprecedented step of visiting the United 
States Embassy in the Kazakh capital of Astana to sign the Embassy's 
book of condolences.
  On September 15, 2001, President Nazarbayev issued a strong statement 
of support for our war against Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda. In his 
statement, President Nazarbayev declared that his country would support 
our own government ``in the fight against terrorism with all means 
available.'' More importantly, our friends in Astana backed their firm 
statements with action--offering blanket overflight clearance for U.S. 
aircraft over the vast Republic of Kazakhstan. Moreover, the Kazakh 
government has since offered its own airfields and supply bases to the 
United States military for use in action against Al Qaeda.
  In addition to this strong strategic help, our Kazakh friends have 
shipped nearly 3,000 tons of wheat and other grains to the impoverished 
people of Afghanistan. This sort of vital assistance has helped our own 
nation in a fight not only to rid Afghanistan of its terrorist 
oppressors, but to resurrect a long-suffering people. A young nation 
itself, Kazakhstan has also sought to integrate itself into the global 
alliance against terrorism by offering further food sales to the United 
Nations World Food Programme in order to facilitate the feeding of the 
Afghan people.
  President Nazarbayev and his countrymen have also shown political 
courage and leadership in embracing global standards of conduct in 
international affairs. The Govermnent in Astana has ratified seven 
international terrorism conventions, while the Governor of the Kazakh 
Central Bank has pledged to track down and freeze any terrorist 
financing within the Kazakh Republic. Mr. Speaker, this sort of 
cooperation and assistance exemplifies the sort of friendship that our 
own nation treasures and needs in our fight against the evil behind 
international terrorism. The Republic of Kazakhstan has demonstrated a 
valiant commitment to protecting freedom by siding with the United 
States of America. It is my hope that other nations, young and old, 
will follow the tremendous example of the Kazakh people.

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