Tribute To Kazakhstan
TRIBUTE TO KAZAKHSTAN -- (Extensions of Remarks - December 07, 2006)
* Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the country of Kazakhstan on the occasion of its 15th anniversary of independence from the former Soviet Union on December 16, 1991. Kazakhstan has been at the crossroads of trade and empires for centuries along the ancient Silk Road, and today plays an increasingly important role in the stability and security of the Central Asian region, and of our world.
* I had the privilege of visiting Kazakhstan along with Congressman JIM MCDERMOTT, Congressman MAURICE HINCHEY and former member Don Bonker in January of this year to see first hand the accomplishments that have been made since 1991. While in Kazakhstan we spent considerable time with members of the President's Cabinet and the current speaker of the senate, Nurtai Abykayev learning about current work going on in their country and their endeavors in making Kazakhstan a real leader in Asia and the world.
* In the first few years after independence, Kazakhstan successfully rid itself of the fourth largest nuclear arsenal in the world and closed the world's largest nuclear test site at Semipalatinsk, an unwanted legacy from the U.S.S.R., and continues to be a model for the global community. In 2005, the U.S. Senate unanimously adopted a resolution congratulating Kazakhstan on the 10th anniversary of the removal of all nuclear weapons from the country and commended Kazakhstan-U.S. cooperation in this sphere as a ``model.'' Earlier this year, this House unanimously adopted resolution 905 congratulating Kazakhstan on the 15th anniversary of the closure of the world's second largest nuclear test site in the Semipalatinsk region of Kazakhstan and for its efforts on the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
* Kazakhstan condemned the terrorist attacks against the U.S. on September 11, 2001 and has been a staunch supporter of the U.S. led international coalition against global terrorism since. Kazakhstan provides free overflight rights and a major international airport for U.S. and coalition aircraft for operations in Afghanistan. Kazakhstan works with the international community to bring peace and stability to Iraq following the U.S. led campaign to end Saddam Hussein's regime. Kazakh military engineers in that country have destroyed more than 4 million pieces of ordnance since 2003.
* On a visit to Astana in 2005, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said, ``Today, Kazakhstan is poised and ready to break a path for a new Silk Road, a great corridor of reform ..... A strong and prosperous and democratic Kazakhstan will once again energize the global transmission of learning, and trade and freedom across the steppes of Central Asia. This nation has a glorious past and it is destined for a hopeful future. Kazakhstan's greatest days lie ahead of it. And the United States wants to be your partner.''
* During his 2006 visit to Washington President Nazarbayev and President George W. Bush signed a joint statement which says, ``We are satisfied with the progress made by Kazakhstan and the United States of America in the promotion of our strategic partnership, and announce our commitment to promote stability, prosperity and democratic reforms in Central Asia and outside of the region.'' The joint statement also stipulates the U.S. support for Kazakhstan's plan for accession to the group of the 50 most competitive countries in the world, according to the strategy of President Nursultan Nazarbaev, and for Kazakhstan's membership in the WTO. The document recognizes Kazakhstan's leadership in regional integration, considering its significant contributions in Eurasia and Afghanistan. The joint statement outlined a number of directions of the bilateral cooperation underlining ``we announce our intention to further strengthen our strategic partnership via strengthening strategic dialogues on energy, military collaboration, trade, investments and democratization. We express solid confidence that our enhanced strategic partnership will assists to security, prosperity and democracy development in the 21st century.''
* President Nursultan Nazarbayev has called for a massive transformation of Kazakhstan's political life and strengthening the country's move to democracy in a March 2006 speech to the first session of the State Commission. The priorities include significant strengthening of the role of the national Parliament, increasing the numbers of deputies in both houses of Parliament; continuing the introduction of elections of akims--mayors--at district levels, and the introduction of a bill on local self-government. ``Democracy is the choice of civilized people, and it is our choice too,'' President Nazarbayev said.
* Mr. Speaker, because of Kazakhstan's peaceful transition to democracy, its strong commitment to eliminating nuclear weapons, and her strong support for our country in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, I rise today to congratulate all her people on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of their independence.
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