[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E798]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         APPLAUDING KAZAKHSTAN'S PRESIDENT NURSULTAN NAZARBAYEV

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2005

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the President and the 
people of Kazakhstan on the 10th anniversary of the removal of the last 
nuclear weapons from their territory within the framework of the 
Cooperative Threat Reduction program.
  I applaud Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev's leadership 
and courage. Today, we can state with great confidence that the 
decision of Kazakhstan's leader to renounce the world's fourth largest 
arsenal of deadly nuclear weapons was made not only in the interest of 
the mankind, but it has changed the course of world history. As we all 
know, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and international 
terrorism remain major threats to the world in this new century. It is 
frightful to imagine a scenario where terrorist organizations such as 
Al-Qaeda could have gained access to Kazakhstan's nuclear arsenal.
  Mankind is more secure because of the contribution of Kazakhstan and 
its leader.
  Kazakhstan is a universally recognized leader and one of the key 
players in nonproliferation and deserves praise for its actions. We 
believe Kazakhstan, under the leadership of President Nazarbayev, will 
continue to strengthen this role.
  Kazakhstan stands firmly by its international commitments in 
nonproliferation and stands ready to expand this cooperation with the 
United States. Convincing evidence of the growing cooperation was 
evident in the signing in the December 2004 amendment to the bilateral 
agreement on the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction which 
brought the two nations to a new level of cooperation in preventing the 
threat of bio-terrorism.
  Today, we mark not only the successful interaction between our 
nations in nonproliferation, but also the growing relations of the 
strategic partnership between the United States and Kazakhstan. Since 
the first days of independence Kazakhstan has chosen to build a truly 
democratic and market oriented society, and proved itself as a strong 
and essential partner and ally of the United States. American people 
will never forget the support of the President and people of Kazakhstan 
at the difficult time following 9/11. I would also like to express my 
gratitude to Kazakh military engineers who have so far destroyed more 
than 3 million pieces of ordnance in Iraq, and saved the lives of many 
Iraqis and those of our brave soldiers.
  Kazakhstan's continued dynamic development is a pledge of prosperity 
and stability for all of Central Asia. President Nazarbayev rightfully 
should get credit for transforming his country into an undeniable 
leader in political and economic reforms.
  Mr. Speaker, again I would like to congratulate the President and the 
people of Kazakhstan on their achievements and wish this young country 
full achievement of its potential. With a great deal of optimism, I 
look forward to the years ahead as the partnership between Kazakhstan 
and the United States strengthens to benefit the people of both nations 
and the world at large.

                          ____________________