[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 132 (Wednesday, September 24, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE BARTON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2003

  Mr. BARTON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Republic of Kazakhstan for its potential to enhance our nation's energy 
independence and for its significant contributions in support of the 
United States in the War on Terror. I ask that my colleagues join me in 
recognizing the strategic importance of Kazakhstan to our nation's 
well-being.
  It is widely recognized that the United States relies greatly on 
imports of OPEC oil from the Middle East. This reliance is exacerbated 
by the present instability of that region. Mr. Speaker, if the United 
States is to become truly energy independent, it must seek non-OPEC 
alternatives for our supply of oil. Kazakhstan can--and is willing to--
help greatly in this endeavor.
  The Caspian region of Central Asia contains a wealth of oil reserves. 
Kazakhstan, in particular, shows great promise. Adding to its robust 
economy, over the past six years, Kazakhstan has more than doubled its 
production of oil from 415,000 to almost 1 million barrels per day. By 
2015, Kazakhstan is expected to produce 2.5 million barrels per day. 
This production would place it among the top non-OPEC producers of oil 
in the world. However, Kazakhstan requires foreign investment in order 
to improve and expand its oil and gas infrastructure so that the 
benefit of its significant reserves can be realized.
  Importantly, Kazakhstan has taken steps to promote transparency in 
its financial transactions, particularly with regard to oil 
transactions. The government recently established the National Fund, 
which will be a model for openness and disclosure in the management of 
the country's oil revenues. The government also has pledged 
transparency and openness in future oil and gas contracts, and has 
officially endorsed the British government's Extractive Industries 
Transparency Initiative.
  Kazakhstan is a young country struggling to institute meaningful 
democratic reforms. This has been a difficult path to travel and much 
work remains. Yet from the beginning, Kazakhstan's tangible progress 
has signaled its unwavering commitment to effect true change. 
Kazakhstan's desire to forge a strong energy partnership with the 
United States is one example. Another is Kazakhstan's support of the 
United States in the War on Terror.

  As the center of the former Soviet Union's nuclear and biological 
weapons programs, Kazakhstan held considerable--and potentially 
dangerous--power over the world as the Soviet Union broke apart. In 
fact, Kazakhstan had the fourth largest arsenal of nuclear weapons in 
the world larger than Britain, France and China combined. Rather than 
capitulating to countries offering to pay millions of dollars to 
purchase these weapons, Kazakhstan's leader, Nursultan Nazarbayev, 
boldly chose instead to destroy the country's stockpile and position 
Kazakhstan as a stabilizing force in the region. Mr. President, in 
light of September 11, threats from North Korea, and the war and 
continuing operations in Iraq, Kazakhstan's courageous decision against 
becoming a nuclear state certainly has helped the world avoid greater 
threats to peace and stability.
  Kazakhstan has been a leader and is the current chair of the Central 
Asian Cooperation Organization, which unites several nations of the 
region to combat terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking. Toward 
that end, Kazakhstan has consistently supported the United States in 
the War on Terror. During the war in Iraq, Kazakhstan granted to the 
United States overflight rights and access to its airbase at Almaty. 
Kazakhstan also participates in NATO's International Security 
Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
  Kazakhstan's contributions have not gone unnoticed. During a visit to 
Kazakhstan in July 2003, the NATO Secretary General praised Kazakhstan 
for its support of the peace keeping mission in Iraq and its support 
for the War on Terror. Kazakhstan was the first Central Asian republic 
to join in the post-war reconstruction efforts. In August 2003, 
Kazakhstan sent 27 military personnel, including de-mining experts, 
engineers, and translators to Iraq.
  The illustrations of Kazakhstan's tangible efforts to join the 
democratic world could not be more stark. Kazakhstan chose non-
proliferation over possessing nuclear weapons; it chose peace and 
prosperity over terrorism and strife; it chose a market economy over 
the communist status quo; and it chose the difficult path of reform 
over complacency. Kazakhstan's ability to greatly enhance our energy 
independence, and its position alongside the United States in the War 
on Terror, are but two illustrations of Kazakhstan's resolve to affect 
positive, longstanding change.
  Kazakhstan stands out because it possesses great potential and is 
supported by a powerful commitment toward democracy. Considerable work 
remains, and the United States must lend its support to ensure that 
Kazakhstan continues down the path toward democratization. I ask that 
my colleagues join me in commending the Republic of Kazakhstan on its 
positive steps forward.

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