[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         KAZAKHSTAN IS THE STRONGEST U.S. ALLY IN CENTRAL ASIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2002

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central 
Asia, is a relatively new friend of the United States, but they have 
become staunch allies with strong economic and political ties to 
America. They work side by side with us in the war against the 
terrorists, and their commitment to democracy is part of the fiber of 
their society.
  Kazakhstan has been helpful in many ways during the recent fighting 
in Afghanistan, and today is looking at this neighbor's future.
  When the guns fall silent in Afghanistan, the rebuilding of that 
nation must already be well underway. The Afghans have lost many years 
of what should have been a civil society. The twin curses of war and 
famine have spread throughout their land. Now it is time for their 
neighbors and friends to help rebuild Afghanistan and bring the country 
fully into the community of nations. A politically stable Afghanistan 
will not harbor terrorists and will emerge as a partner in the 
increasingly critical Central Asian region.
  Kazakhstan recently played host to the U.S. Secretary of Defense, 
Donald Rumsfeld, who met with the Kazakh President, Nursultan 
Nazarbayev. During the joint press conference Secretary Rumsfeld noted, 
``We are partners in the global war on terrorism, and we discussed the 
situation in Afghanistan as well as our common interest in an 
independent, economically healthy, and secure Afghanistan.''
  Kazakhstan, with its developing society and emphasis on democracy, is 
an ideal source of the help the Afghans so badly need. Kazakhstan can 
be a model for an emerging society and stable economy in Afghanistan.
  Kazakhstan has already been providing humanitarian assistance to the 
Afghan people. Three thousand tons of grain have already made the 
journey from Astana to Kabul. The U.N. World Food Program has also 
signed contracts for 100,000 tons of grain at prices well below world 
market prices. Beyond this, the government of Kazakhstan is building a 
database of individuals who have special skills needed for the 
rebuilding of Afghanistan and have volunteered to help. You might call 
it a ``Central Asian Peace Corps.'' Ironically, many of these 
volunteers have personal experience in Afghanistan where they served as 
unwilling draftees in the Soviet Army.
  These activities, at both the government and the individual volunteer 
level speak volumes about the similarities between Americans and 
Kazakhs. Both respond quickly to a neighbor's need.
  The pluralistic society being sought for Afghanistan is one that 
Americans will feel comfortable with. The people of Kazakhstan already 
enjoy a free and open society where religion and the will to succeed 
are prerogatives of the individual. In Kazakhstan, debate is enlivened 
by the presence of 17 political parties, 1,600 newspapers and broadcast 
entities and more than 130 ethnic groups. All have their own points of 
view and are not timid about voicing them. Kazakhstan is a Muslim-
majority country, but, while synagogues are being attacked in Western 
Europe, they are being built in Kazakhstan. New houses of worship are 
also being built in Kazakhstan.
  Kazakhstan itself is a country of enormous economic potential and 
good relations between Washington and Astana are ever more important.
  With predicted oil reserves of 100 billion barrels or more, 
Kazakhstan will play a key role in easing America's dependence on 
current energy sources. The availability of Kazakh oil will help 
stabilize world markets and keep domestic prices in check.
  Thousands of Americans go to work every day in Kazakhstan. Most work 
in the energy sector, but Americans have also become a common site in 
the towns and villages of the country. We work well with the people of 
Kazakhstan, and many friendships have been established. A shared value 
system is a good basis for friendships.
  I welcome the recent decision of the U.S. Department of Commerce to 
grant Kazakhstan the market-economy-country status, a well-deserved 
recognition of the their achievements in reforming their economy and 
moving away from the Communist past. The next step in this direction 
should be the repeal of the outdated Jackson-Vanik amendment in 
relation to Kazakhstan and I call on my colleagues to support the 
appropriate resolution.
  President Nazarbayev, in his recent State of the Nation Address, 
spoke of the need to continue ``pragmatic policies'' in all areas. The 
question of revitalizing the farms of Kazakhstan has been a subject of 
much debate and was a major topic for the President. The debate over 
farm policies would probably sound familiar to many Americans. In the 
foreign affairs area the President noted, ``Kazakhstan has managed 
(over the first decade of independence) to build good stable 
relationships with all the nations without harming its own strategic 
interests.''
  Kazakhstan's firm commitment to the ideal of democracy was also a 
major topic in President Nazarbayev's speech. He said, ``democracy is 
our deliberate choice for development and we all must work to 
strengthen this process. We will move step by step, preserving values 
of our culture founded in mutual assistance, tolerance, cooperation, 
and mutual respect between the peoples of different ethnic 
background.''
  As he closed his speech, President Nazarbayev foresaw closer ties 
with the United States and even greater emphasis on the development of 
democratic ideals and the civil society.
  We must support Kazakhstan for many reasons. Heading the list are our 
shared ideals of democracy, a better life for all peoples and the 
uprooting of terrorism.
  Mr. Speaker, Kazakhstan is the hope for political stability and 
prosperity in Central Asia.

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