[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATING KAZAKHSTAN ON ITS ELECTION AS CHAIR OF OSCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 5, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I welcome the unanimous decision of the 
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to elect 
Kazakhstan its Chair-in-Office for 2010, reached on November 30, 2007 
in Madrid.
  This is undoubtedly a monumental event not only in the history of 
modem Kazakhstan, but also of the OSCE of which the United States is a 
member. For the first time, a country which in recent past was part of 
the Soviet Empire will lead this international institution. This 
vividly shows that Kazakhstan has managed to make a breakthrough from 
its communist past to a democratic future in a short time. This is also 
testimony to the evolutionary development of the OSCE itself. The 
Madrid decision, helps the OSCE strengthen its unity and become an 
organization of equal partners who sincerely believe in and are 
committed to ideals of democracy and freedom.
  This is a stellar moment for the people of Kazakhstan, and a 
recognition of the longstanding efforts of their leader, President 
Nursultan Nazarbayev, on building a truly democratic and free society. 
President Nazarbayev has managed to achieve things leaders of many 
other countries can only dream of. To pull the country from the chaos 
of Soviet era and lead it towards the ranks of economically strong and 
democratically developed nations of the world in a little more than a 
decade takes incredible efforts, strategic vision and endless care for 
one's people. Today, Kazakhstan is a recognized leader in Central Asia, 
and I believe that, as Chair-in-Office, Kazakhstan will not only 
strengthen its leadership in that key region but will also help 
strengthen the OSCE's authority internationally, as well as improve 
mutual understanding and cooperation between East and West.
  Madam Speaker, next week the people of Kazakhstan will celebrate the 
16th anniversary of their independence and mark the establishment of 
Kazakhstan-U.S. diplomatic relations. We are proud that in these 16 
years our relations have developed into a true strategic partnership. 
Kazakhstan has always been true to its commitments and has never 
wavered in its support for our nation.
  I join my colleagues in congratulating our strategic ally and friend 
with its Chairmanship of OSCE in 2010 and with the 16th anniversary of 
independence. I strongly believe the opportunities Kazakhstan and our 
strategic partnership have to offer have not been fully explored. I 
wish the wise people of Kazakhstan and their leader Nursultan 
Nazarbayev happiness, well-being, and further prosperity.

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