Vol. 2, No. 15, May 2, 2002
Politics 
President Nazarbayev delivers state-of-the-nation address
International Media Forum held in Almaty
Foreign Minister Tokaev: "Kazakhstan-U.S. strategic partnership based on mutual interests"
U.S. transfers special equipment to Kazakhstan's customs and border services
Economy
Kazakhstan to create new special economic zone
ChevronTexaco holds seminar on oil transportation and distribution
Society
ANNOUNCEMENT: Renowned Kazakh pianist Zhaniya Aubakirova to perform in D.C.
POLITICS
President Nazarbayev delivers state-of-the-nation address
On April 29, 2002 President Nursultan Nazarbayev delivered the state-of-the-nation address to the national Parliament urging the introduction of private property on land, reform of the judicial system and banning of the death penalty.
The President said the Government's top priority for the next tree years should be the increase of agricultural productivity through market mechanisms and the improvement of standards of living in Kazakhstan's rural areas, which are home to 43% of the republic's population. Mr. Nazarbayev specifically called on the Parliament to legalize the sale and private ownership of agricultural land. "I'm sure that in the current session, Parliament will be able to fulfill its historic mission and pass a law on the private ownership of land," he said. Kazakhstan enacted legislation in December 2000 that provided for the long-term leasing, but not the private ownership, of agricultural land. The state needs to give farmers freedom in the revival of their farms, help with getting credits, consulting and sales promotion.
"Our country has traditionally been and should remain world and regional supplier of food, and the agricultural complex itself should be an additional source of economic growth," the President declared.
Speaking of the need to strengthen civil society, the President proposed extensive reforms of the legal and judicial system, urging a moratorium on the death penalty, the introduction of jury trials and more rigid sentencing guidelines.
Addressing economic matters, he said the Government should re-examine tax issues and consider lowering tax burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises and cutting red tape.
Mr. Nazarbayev called on the Government and private business to redouble efforts to cement economic ties, particularly with the near abroad. "Our foreign economic policy needs to be strengthened by securing the joining of efforts by the state and private business in attaining strong positions in external markets," Mr. Nazarbayev said.
The President also called for the possible introduction of "legal norms" to improve the party and political systems and "prevent political extremism in parties' activities and the construction of the party [system] on ethnic and religious principles and ensure the financial transparency of their activities."
With regards to the mass media he said that he was creating a "public council on information policy" under the office of the President to ensure no "arbitrary actions" against the media in the republic.
International Media Forum held in Almaty
The first Eurasian Media Forum was held in Almaty on April 25-26 with speeches by Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev and his visiting Iranian counterpart Mohammed Khatami. The forum, which was organized by Kazakhstan's Khabar TV and news agency, addressed issues of interest to the international media such as the role of the media in the post-September 11 world and journalistic freedom and ethics. More than 300 representatives of news media from around the world, including CNN, BBC, and others, attended the event.
In his speech, President Nazarbayev noted the growing influence of the press as means of international communication and called on the media to use its influence to promote peace and understanding between nations and peoples. The President said he is committed to freedom of speech and called upon the country's media to obey the law and promote the interests of its people.
"In a short period of time Kazakhstan has conducted broad political and economic reforms We have banned censorship constitutionally and ensured the freedom of speech, liquidated state's monopoly over news media, and established new legal and economic foundations for the development of information sphere," the President declared. He said there are 1600 news media outlets for the population of 15 million people, of which 80% are in private hands.
"Our citizens today vote in free elections, freely exercise their religious beliefs, freely join in associations and can openly talk about their disagreements with the government. All of these were never present in our history before!"
"In the time when our country's most important priority is the preservation and strengthening of our independence, it is crucial that news media actively promote the strengthening of Kazakhstan's statehood, civil society, the preservation of political stability and harmony between ethnic groups," Mr. Nazarbayev said at the forum on Thursday.
Foreign Minister Tokaev: "Kazakhstan-U.S. strategic partnership based on mutual interests"
In an Op-Ed article in daily "Kazakhstanskaya Pravda" on April 27, Secretary of State Minister of Foreign Affairs Kassymzhomart Tokaev spoke of the importance of Kazakhstan-U.S. multifaceted relations for both nations.
Speaking of the decade-long history of cooperation in non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, democratic and economic reforms, and energy development, Mr. Tokaev said the relations gained new momentum following the "inhumane acts of terror" in the U.S. and Kazakhstan's strong support for the war against terrorism.
"It is obvious that consolidation of efforts of our nations in that sphere is one of the essential conditions for the success of the international antiterrorist coalition," he noted. "That was confirmed by President George W. Bush who said, "Kazakhstan plays a crucial role for the international community as a bulwark against regional instability and conflict."
Speaking of other dimensions of the relations, Mr. Tokaev said, "Kazakhstan's oil is expected to play a significant role in the U.S. energy security in the future". In his view, "the close interweaving of oil and politics in the modern world defines the priority of "oil issues" in the American foreign policy, including in the relations with Kazakhstan."
"The U.S. economic involvement will promote the well-being of people of Kazakhstan. The U.S. companies are the largest investors in Kazakhstan's market, accounting for one third of the total volume of foreign direct investment. More than 350 joint ventures and more than 100 local representative offices of the U.S. companies are working in the country," Mr. Tokaev said.
"The cooperation with the U.S. is absolutely essential for our nation. Without stable and good relations with this power Kazakhstan (just as any other country) can not count on strengthening of its international positions," the Foreign Minister stated. "But it is also true that the U.S. also needs Kazakhstan as a reliable partner in Central Asia, where the situation tends to change rapidly. Such strategic partnership is based on mutual interests."
"We also believe that partnership means the continuation of a constructive dialogue in the spirit of mutual respect", Mr. Tokaev said. "Both nations show high degree of responsibility for the future of bilateral cooperation. Therefore, we have every reason to hope for favorable prospects for our partnership that will yield concrete results in improving the lives of all the people of Kazakhstan."
Secretary Rumsfeld in Astana: "We are partners in the global war on terrorism"
On April 28, 2002, President Nursultan A. Nazarbayev met visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld in Astana for talks on strengthening the two nations' cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
Following the meeting, which centered on the issues of security in the Caspian region and of Kazakhstan's practical support for the anti-terrorist operation, Kazakhstan, already providing overflight rights for combat aircraft, announced plans to offer an airport in the south of the country for emergency landing of coalition aircraft, possibly backed up by two additional airfields.
Kazakhstan also confirmed its readiness to provide various types of assistance with respect to transporting and providing humanitarian aid, and to allow the use of its airspace for the transport of humanitarian cargo. Kazakhstan's Minister of Defense Col. Gen. Mukhtar Altynbayev also announced plans to send a group of three high level liaison officers, including a general, to U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Fla., to participate in operational planning along with representatives of 30 other coalition nations.
"We had a very good and broad-ranging discussion on political, economic, and security issues," Secretary Rumsfeld said after his talks with President Nazarbayev. "Of course, we are partners in the global war on terrorism, and we discussed the situation in Afghanistan as well as our common interest in an independent, economically health, and secure Afghanistan."
"In that connection, we were very pleased that Kazakhstan is sending liaison officers to the Central Command and will be helping to coordinate the various types of assistance that your country has offered to Afghanistan," he added.
According to Gen. Altynbayev, during the meeting earlier in the day Secretary Rumsfeld said about 340 U.S. aircraft flew over Kazakhstan since the beginning of the operation in Afghanistan last October, while President Nazarbayev, reportedly referring to coalition forces, said the number was actually reaching 600.
U.S. transfers special equipment to Kazakhstan's customs and border services
On April 23, U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Larry Napper presented the special equipment to customs and border services representatives within the framework of the Kazakhstan-U.S. program to strengthen export control and border security. It has been announced that the U.S. is to transfer $5-million-worth of such equipment and training this year.
ECONOMY
Kazakhstan to create new special economic zone
President Nazarbayev has signed a decree on creating a special economic zone in the port city of Aktau in western Kazakhstan, Interfax reported on 26 April, quoting Kazakhstan's Prime Minister Imangali Tasmagambetov. The zone will cover an area of 227 hectares and house 24 businesses; it will exist for four years, from 1 January 2003 to 1 January 2007.
The move is intended to promote maritime trade on the Caspian Sea. The Aktau port is the largest outlet for Kazakhstan's maritime exports of oil, grain, metals and other goods.
ChevronTexaco holds seminar on oil transportation and distribution
U.S.-based oil company ChevronTexaco on April 25 organized a seminar in Astana to address issues of oil transportation and sales in Kazakhstan. Some 50 representatives of Kazakhstan ministries, government departments, national companies and oil industry experts attended the gathering.
Seminar participants considered various export possibilities for the transport of Kazakhstan crude oil as well as the best ways to utilize Kazakhstan's immense gas resources. The utilization of sulfur, a by-product of oil production, was also discussed. The seminar, which is intended to facilitate dialogue between state officials and oil and gas companies, was being held for the fourth year in a row.
SOCIETY
Renowned Kazakh pianist Zhaniya Aubakirova to perform in D.C.
Ms. Zhaniya Aubakirova, a world-famous Kazakh classical pianist and a laureate of numerous international competitions, will perform a recital that includes masterpieces of Rakhmaninov and Chopin, in the Voice of America auditorium on Tuesday May 7, 2002 at 8:00 p.m.
The Embassy cordially invites all the readers of the Bulletin to come and join us for the enjoyable evening of classical music. The admission is free but we will appreciate your early reservation by faxing your name and affiliation.
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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
