[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[May 19, 1992]
[Pages 792-793]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 792]]

Remarks at the Departure Ceremony for President Nursultan Nazarbayev of 
Kazakhstan

May 19, 1992
    Well, Mr. President, distinguished members of the Kazakhstan 
delegation, it's been a great pleasure to welcome you to the White House 
on this historic occasion, the first-ever visit of the head of state of 
an independent Kazakhstan. I have never been to your country, but 
Secretary Baker has. And he has spoken to me about the tremendous 
potential of a nation rich in resources, a nation stretching from the 
steppes of Russia to the Tien Shan in the south, 4 times the size of 
Texas.
    Mr. President, our meeting today marks the beginning of a new 
relationship, a relationship made possible by the end of the long era of 
East-West conflict that we called the cold war. With the passing of that 
bitter conflict, we enter into a new era of hope for a more democratic 
and free order in Eastern Europe and in Central Asia.
    Under your leadership, sir, Kazakhstan is pursuing a course true to 
these aims. Our meetings today confirm the many interests that we share. 
The U.S. supports your independence. We believe its security, 
Kazakhstan's security, is important for stability in Europe and in Asia. 
We welcome President Nazarbayev's commitment that Kazakhstan will join 
the Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear-weapons state and that it 
will adhere to the START Treaty. We'll continue to work toward a signing 
of the new START protocol by Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Byelarus, Russia, and 
the United States in the very near future.
    I want to take this occasion to underline our pledge to maintain 
regular, high-level communication with the Kazakh Government on 
political and security issues, and that means exploring the possibility 
of cooperative programs in nuclear nonproliferation and beginning 
contacts between the armed forces of our two nations.
    Beyond our common security interest, the U.S. is committed to 
helping Kazakhstan make the transition from the old Socialist command 
economy to the free market. We continue to aim at a tax treaty between 
our nations. Today we took very positive steps toward increased trade 
with the signing of agreements on trade, bilateral investment, and the 
Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
    The surest way, though, to increase trade remains for American firms 
to have the opportunity to compete fairly in Kazakhstan. I am pleased 
that the Kazakh Government has this week signed a landmark agreement 
with Chevron Corporation to open the Tengiz oil fields.
    In order to expand trade, I've asked for our able Secretary of 
Commerce, Barbara Franklin, to form a business development committee to 
work with your Government to increase contacts between private Kazakh 
and American firms. We will continue to provide humanitarian assistance, 
including much needed food and medical aid. The U.S. also stands ready 
with technical assistance on a range of issues, from food distribution 
to speeding the conversion of defense sector industry to civilian 
economy.
    But Government assistance is just one part of an outpouring of 
American support. As President, I am pleased to see the active efforts 
on behalf of private citizens to provide aid to your new nation, 
volunteer organizations like Project Hope and Mercy Corps, to the city 
of Waukesha, Wisconsin, which has sent 40,000 pounds of food, medical 
supplies, and clothing to its Kazakh sister city.
    Like all of the former republics of the Soviet empire, Kazakhstan 
faces challenges that go beyond the need to build a strong, competitive 
economy. After more than 70 years of Communist rule, Kazakhstan and its 
Commonwealth neighbors are engaged in the difficult task of nation-
building. At issue are the first questions of government and society: 
respect for the rule of law; the role of political parties, of free 
press and independent media; the freedom of association; and the freedom 
of the individual.
    On behalf of all Americans, I pledge the support of the United 
States of America as

[[Page 793]]

Kazakhstan seeks a future that is peaceful, prosperous, and free.
    Once again, Mr. President, it has been a special privilege to 
welcome you to Washington, to welcome you to the White House. And may 
God bless your great country.

                    Note: The President spoke at 1:17 p.m. in the Rose 
                        Garden at the White House. The remarks followed 
                        a ceremony in which President Bush and President 
                        Nazarbayev signed the Agreement on Trade 
                        Relations Between the United States and 
                        Kazakhstan, the Bilateral Investment Treaty 
                        Between the United States and Kazakhstan, and 
                        the United States-Kazakhstan Overseas Private 
                        Investment Corporation Agreement.