[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 12, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





     KAZAKHSTAN'S COMMITMENT TO ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL ASIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DANA ROHRABACHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2016

  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, on the eve of Kazakhstan's President 
Nursultan Nazarbayev's visit to Washington, DC to participate in the 
Nuclear Security Summit, we see that the basics of water and energy in 
Central Asia need attention.
  In order to obtain electric power for the industrial development, 
Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan for several years have been trying to build 
hydroelectric dams on their mountain rivers. Uzbekistan sees this as a 
threat to their agriculture in the Fergana Valley and has made clear 
its adamant opposition. The only winners, if this conflict results, 
will be the armed extremist armies that will gather new supporters on 
every side of the battle.
  Nuclear energy is a safe, sustainable, and affordable energy source. 
Kazakhstan, together with the International Atomic Energy Agency and 
other outside partners, established the world's first Low-Enriched 
Uranium (LEU) Fuel Bank. This Fuel Bank, which Kazakhstan has committed 
to support through facilities and resources as the host nation, 
provides a secondary market for LEU to guarantee that all nations have 
an energy source for peaceful civilian nuclear power. Affordable energy 
remains a prerequisite for modernization of the economies of the 
countries of Central Asia. More importantly, radical groups will have 
less impact on the region since the threat of a water crisis is not a 
major concern.
  Kazakhstan is a suitable location for the international energy 
center. President Nursultan Nazarbayev is a proven leader having the 
respect of all of Kazakhstan's neighbors. The southernmost region of 
Kazakhstan is close to Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. 
Additionally, Kazakhstan is not involved in water disputes; therefore, 
it can guarantee the supply of electricity to all the countries. The 
absence of conflicts with the neighbors and international authority of 
Kazakhstan make it an ideal electric energy hub for the region.
  Kazakhstan has a great opportunity to take a lead in transforming the 
whole Central Asian region into a more stable and prosperous place. I 
applaud President Nazarbayev and the Kazakh people for their continued 
commitment to civilian nuclear energy and Central Asia's development.

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