[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 18625]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           WELCOMING KAZAKSTAN PRESIDENT NURSULTAN NAZARBAYEV

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, next week the United States will welcome 
President Nursultan Nazarbayev, the leader of the Republic of 
Kazakhstan. Fifteen years ago 15 independent states were formed after 
the collapse of the Soviet Union. The international community has 
followed the aftermath of these events in that part of the world with 
great interest.
  Kazakhstan has demonstrated important economic gains during this 
period. The reforms which have been carried out thus far have allowed 
it to become one of the world's rapidly developing economies with an 
annual growth of 9-10 percent. Additionally, it has become the place 
for common ground among its various ethnic and spiritual groups.
  As ethnic and religious conflicts divide regions around the world, 
Kazakhstan is working to preserve broad interfaith tolerance by 
creating the Congress of World and Traditional Religions. This program 
unites a predominantly Muslim country with more than 40 other faiths 
and fosters a dialog which assists in overcoming religious differences.
  One cannot overlook Kazakhstan's contribution to nonproliferation and 
promotion of global security. Kazakhstan had the world's fourth largest 
nuclear arsenal, and renounced this lethal heritage without any 
pressure or coercion.
  Independent Kazakhstan is a young nation, yet it has shown tremendous 
progress and occupies a worthy place in the international community. 
President Nursultan Nazarbayev has made significant contributions to 
the establishment of strong and friendly relations with the United 
States.
  After the tragic events on September 11, 2001, Kazakhstan extended 
its generosity to the people of the United States and after Hurricane 
Katrina it offered its generous support to the people of Louisiana.
  Today our countries enjoy a solid foundation for the continued 
flourishing of a partnership along the entire spectrum of bilateral 
relations. Kazakhstan is a dependable partner of the United States in 
the global war on terrorism. I am confident the upcoming visit of 
President Nazarbayev to the United States will deepen and strengthen 
the strategic partnership between our two countries.

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