[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E836-E837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING KAZAKHSTAN'S LEADERSHIP IN NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION AND 
                              DISARMAMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIMMY PANETTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 2023

  Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, as we marked the 14th annual 
``International Day Against Nuclear Test'' on August 29, I rise to 
commend the Republic of Kazakhstan's role in nuclear disarmament and 
its work alongside the United States. I commend Kazakhstan's unwavering 
commitment to preserving international peace and stability.
  Upon the dissolution of the former Soviet Union, the Republic of 
Kazakhstan inherited the fourth largest nuclear arsenal and the 
Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site. In the 4 decades before the 
fall of the Soviet Union, 456 explosions were carried out at the 
Semipalatinsk test site, 1 of the largest sites of its kind. These 
tests caused irreparable damage to human health and the environment, 
leading to high morbidity and mortality rates among the local 
population.
  Despite global pressure and potential political and strategic 
advantages that this arsenal would provide for Kazakhstan, the newly 
formed republic understood the potential political, security, and 
humanitarian issues that could arise if such a nuclear arsenal were 
maintained. On August 29, 1991, Kazakhstan made the historic decision 
to decommission the Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site. Shortly 
after, the Nation voluntarily renounced its nuclear weapons arsenal.
  Kazakhstan's decision demonstrated a clear commitment to the goals of 
nuclear security and nonproliferation, which became 1 of its landmark 
policies and was the first in a series of vital measures aimed at 
achieving a more peaceful international community. Since the site was 
closed, the United States has partnered with Kazakhstan to eliminate 
the Soviet legacy of nuclear test infrastructure from Kazakhstan's 
territory.
  Kazakhstan and the United States implemented the Cooperative Threat 
Reduction Program--or the ``Nunn-Lugar'' program--which resulted in the 
dismantling of nuclear-weapon infrastructure. The states secured and 
removed residual weapons of mass destruction-related materials and 
technology from the former nuclear test site. These actions signaled a 
major shift in the existing global political paradigm and have led to 
the closure of other major test sites around the world. The Nunn-Lugar 
decision propelled a collective momentum for the global ban of nuclear 
testing, and it paved the way for the adoption of the 1996 
Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
  Today, when the risk of using nuclear weapons has come under 
increased scrutiny, it is important to remind the global community of 
the dangers that weapons of mass destruction pose to our safety and 
future.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in reaffirming the United 
States' commitment to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and 
working alongside Kazakhstan to strengthen the global regime for the 
nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the achievement of 
a nuclear-weapon-free future.

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