Kazakhstan
News Bulletin
Released weekly by the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
January 27, 2003 Vol. 1, No.4
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In this issue:
International Conference on Peace and Harmony in Kazakhstan To Usher in New Phase in Dialogue of Civilizations
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New Forum to Be Established, Charter to Be Signed
Presidents of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan and Turkey, - all predominantly Muslim-populated nations, - and more than 60 leaders of major international Jewish organizations, particularly from the U.S. and Israel, will gather in Almaty on February 13, 2003 to discuss ways to achieve peace and stability in the world. The meeting in Kazakhstan, a country that is increasingly seen as an example of peaceful coexistence of people of different nationalities and confessions, is expected to usher in a new phase in the dialogue of civilizations.
At a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East and elsewhere, the participants of the International Conference on Peace and Harmony, as the meeting is called, will proclaim their commitment to universal principles of unconditional respect and implementation of fundamental and common values of the mankind. They are to say they view these principles as a foundation for dialogue between peoples, religions and civilizations. In order to pursue such a dialogue they will create a new body, Forum for Peace and Stability.
New threats, such as terrorism, extremism, and the illegal drug and arms trafficking threaten the world's stability. The Charter of Peace and Harmony to be adopted at the meeting will condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and say that terrorism and extremism have nothing in common with Islam. The leaders are expected to declare their resolution to cooperate in the fight against terrorism.
They will reaffirm that peace and prosperity of the people are the ultimate goal of all religions and cultures of the world and will call upon all countries to join them in their efforts.
Kazakhstan has been chosen as a place for such a conference for a reason. With people of more than 100 ethnic groups following the teachings of 46 religious confessions living there peacefully, this young nation is viewed as a suitable venue for such an interethnic and interconfessional dialogue.
Visiting Astana, the capital, in September 2001, Pope John Paul II said: "From Kazakhstan, a country that is an example of harmony between men and women of different origins and beliefs, I wish to make an earnest call to everyone, Christians and the followers of other religions, to work together to build a world without violence, a world that loves life, and grows in justice and solidarity."
In June 2002, Kazakhstan hosted the leaders of 16 Eurasian nations, including Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, Israel and Turkey, who called for a dialogue among civilizations and created the new Pan-Asian security forum.
In the fall of 2002, about thirty rabbis from fifteen nations came to Kazakhstan in order to establish dialogue with the followers of Islam, Christianity and other religions.
The participants of the upcoming conference, hosted by President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan and encompassing the countries of Central and South Asia, the Caucasus and the Middle East, hope it will promote these timely endeavors.
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News Bulletin of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
(Compiled from own sources and various agencies' reports)
Contact persons: Roman Vassilenko, Aibek Nurbalin
Tel.: (202) 232- 5488 ext. 104, 115, Fax: (202) 232- 5845
