[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23847]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF KAZAKHSTAN ON THE 15TH 
                   ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 8, 2006

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to join 
my colleagues in congratulating the Government and the people of 
Kazakhstan on the 15th anniversary of their independence. I am 
encouraged by how far this Central Asian country has come since its 
independence in 1991, both in terms of economic and democratic 
progress. Kazakhstan has overcome numerous obstacles and challenges and 
today is a well recognized leader in promotion of economic and 
political freedoms in a region of great and growing importance to the 
security of the United States.
  This year we also mark the 15th anniversary of the U.S.-Kazakhstan 
relationship. Kazakhstan has become not only a strategic partner, but a 
true friend of the United States. Kazakhstan has been a valuable ally 
to the United States both before and after the tragic events of 
September 11. We are grateful to Kazakhstan for its unwavering 
commitment to strengthening stability in Afghanistan and Iraq.
  Proudly, we share friendship based on common values of freedom and 
democracy. This fall we warmly welcomed to the Unites States the 
President of Kazakhstan, His Excellency Nursultan Nazarbayev, the 
architect of Kazakhstan's success and growing U.S.-Kazakhstan 
partnership.
  Our cooperation has notably resulted in the elimination of weapons of 
mass destruction which Kazakhstan inherited from the Soviet Union, 
including hundreds of nuclear missiles aimed at the United States. 
President ``Nazarbayev was instrumental in ridding his nation of this 
lethal legacy thus greatly enhancing global security.
  In addition to supporting our arms control objectives, Kazakhstan has 
played a key role in promoting peace and stability in the region by 
initiating the summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-
Building Measures in Asia. This forum of 18 nations, including Russia, 
China, India, Pakistan, our NATO ally Turkey, Afghanistan and others 
provide a timely opportunity for Asian nations to address current 
challenges to international peace and stability and establish a 
framework to resolve them. I believe we should commend Kazakhstan for 
its vision and enormous efforts to bring about this new security forum 
for Asia.
  Mr. Speaker, Kazakhstan is Central Asia's most progressive nation, 
positioned to set the example for democratic reform in this most 
important region. I cannot agree more with the Joint Statement by our 
two Presidents adopted during the recent visit of President Nazarbayev 
that ``an enhanced strategic partnership between our countries will 
promote security and prosperity and foster democracy in the 21st 
Century.''

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