U.S., Kazakhstan Work Together to Stop Nuclear Smuggling
Kazakhstan, U.S. Will Jointly Finance Economic Development
Kazakhstan’s GDP to Grow 8.5%-9% in First Half of 2006
Rahman-Maskaev Bout Will Pit America’s Only World Heavyweight Boxing Champion against Kazakhstan Native
At the post office:
Where is the nearest post office? --- Zhaqyn mangda pochta bar ma?
I’d like to send this letter by special delivery. --- Myna khatty zakazben zhibergim keledi.
I want to insure this letter. --- Bagaly khat zhibereiyn dep edim.
I want to send some money. --- Aqsha salaiyn dep edim.
U.S., Kazakhstan Work Together to Stop Nuclear Smuggling
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced on May 6 the signing of an agreement with the government of Kazakhstan creating a partnership under the Second Line of Defense program. The agreement was signed as part of the visit to Astana by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney during the first week of May.
The agreement reflects the priorities of both countries and is part of the U.S. strategy to prevent nuclear and dangerous radiological materials from falling into terrorist hands.
Kazakhstan’s Customs Control Committee Chairman Askar Shakirov and U.S. Ambassador John Ordway signed the accord for their government. The agreement paves the way for NNSA to work together with Kazakhstan’s Customs Control Committee to install and use radiation detection equipment at strategic border crossings throughout Kazakhstan to identify and deter illicit nuclear and radiological materials smuggling.
“Establishing strong border security partnerships with willing partners such as Kazakhstan are critical to preventing the smuggling of nuclear and other radioactive materials. The U.S. and Kazakhstan share a strong commitment to keeping nuclear weapons beyond the reach of terrorists,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman said as the document was signed.
Under the agreement, NNSA’s Second Line of Defense (SLD) program will work together with Kazakh officials to install radiation detection and integrated communications equipment while training law enforcement officials to detect nuclear or radiological material being smuggled.
The SLD program is a worldwide initiative using detection and deterrence to minimize the risk of nuclear proliferation, illegal trafficking and terrorism. It works by installing radiation detection equipment and training personnel at strategic international border locations, including airports and seaports.
Established by the U.S. Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science.
Kazakhstan, U.S. Will Jointly Finance Economic Development
The governments of Kazakhstan and the United States signed an agreement expanding cooperation in the economic development area. The agreement establishes the objectives and the terms of the U.S.-Kazakhstan Program for Economic Development (PED), an outgrowth of the Houston Initiative, which was originally conceived during President Nursultan Nazarbaev’s official visit to the United States in 2001.
Bolat Palymbetov, Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Economy and Budget Planning, and Christopher Crawley, Director of Regional United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in Central Asia, signed the agreement on behalf of the two governments in early May.
The PED is seen as a four year US$40 million program aimed at advancing Kazakhstan’s economic development. It seeks to achieve expanded access to finance and investment for market actors; strengthened human capital through improved business knowledge and access to information; increased business competitiveness and growth; and improved investment climate and integration into the global economy.
Under the agreement, various types of technical assistance will be provided to both government and private institutions such as consulting services, training, research and analysis aimed at strengthening Kazakhstan’s national capacity to achieve its development goals.
Kazakhstan is the first country to share directly in the cost of the U.S. Government’s foreign assistance program. The PED marks an important new phase in the two countries’ development cooperation. The Government of Kazakhstan’s share in the program’s cost will be 25% in the first year and will increase to 50% in the final year.
USAID manages U.S. development assistance, and is the largest bilateral donor in Kazakhstan. Since opening its Central Asia regional mission in Almaty in 1992, USAID has provided more than $450 million in assistance to Kazakhstan. Their programs in Kazakhstan are implemented through contracts and grants through nearly 40 local and international organizations, including U.N. agencies, for profit companies, and nongovernmental organizations. Assistance focuses on three broad objectives including sustained economic growth, strengthening democratic institutions, and improving management of and access to quality healthcare.
Kazakhstan’s GDP to Grow 8.5%-9% in First Half of 2006
Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov told Kazakhstan’s Parliament on May 10 the country’s GDP is expected to grow by 8.5% to 9% during the first half of 2006.
“We are convinced that we will end the first half of the year with 8.5% or even 9% GDP growth,” the Prime Minister told the Majilis (lower house of Parliament) on Wednesday.
PM Akhmetov also provided details on projects in Kazakhstan financed by the country’s development institutions.
A total of 135 projects valued at 3.5 billion dollars were approved for financing, of which 102, worth 1.5 billion dollars, are already being financed. The largest projects, financed by institutions such as Kazakhstan’s Development Bank and the National Innovation Fund, include the US$200 million expansion of the Aktau seaport on the Caspian Sea, the US$180 million sheet glass plant in Kzyl-Orda, and the US$140 million cement plant in the Karaganda region. Several large projects are also being carried out in equipment manufacturing for the oil and gas industry, including pipe production and the construction of a transport terminal for liquefied gas.
The Prime Minister also said Kazakhstan continued efforts to develop its space industry, with the first satellite slated for launch from Baikonur in June of this year and the development of Kazakhstan’s own booster rocket.
In the same speech, PM Akmetov also said Kazakhstan will join the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline in the near future. He said the government plans to sign a corresponding agreement with Azerbaijan “in May or June this year”. As a result, Kazakhstan could increase its oil transportation capacity at the port of Kuryk by 20 million tons.
Rahman-Maskaev Bout Will Pit America’s Only World
Heavyweight Boxing Champion against Kazakhstan Native
USA’s only current world heavyweight boxing champion, Baltimore-born Hasim “The Rock” Rahman, will defend his world title when he enters the ring against hard punching No. 1-rated contender and mandatory challenger Oleg Maskaev, a native of Kazakhstan, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on August 12.
Promoted by Top Rank in association with Dennis Rappaport
Productions, Caesars Palace and Wynn Las Vegas.,
Rahman-Maskaev II will be broadcast live on HBO’s pay-per-view.
Rahman is the last remaining American to hold a world
heavyweight title in a division dominated by boxers from the
former Soviet Union. “The Rock is America’s Last Line of
Defense,” said Bob Arum of Top Rank. “He’s a great champion
but he’s in a very tough fight against Maskaev.”
“Rahman-Maskaev II is a very intriguing heavyweight title fight,”
explained Mark Taffet of HBO. “Rahman wants to defend his belt
and avenge his 1999 loss to Maskaev, and Maskaev is just as
determined to win again.”
In their previous bout in 1999, Maskaev rallied late and nailed
Rahman with an overhand right to the head which sent him
through the ropes headfirst and into the HBO announcing team’s
table. It was a chilling, riveting finish with Maskaev getting the
stoppage in the eighth round.
That was seven years ago and Dennis Rappaport, the promoter
of Maskaev, said, “Oleg has had a lot of peaks and valleys
since that win over Rahman. But Oleg has battled back and he
has earned his position as the No. 1 contender.”
Hasim, 33, is an 11 year pro and a two time heavyweight world champion. He won the WBC interim heavyweight world title in August 2005 with a 12 round unanimous decision against Monte Barrett. Hasim “The Rock” Rahman became heavyweight champion when he shocked the world on April 22, 2001 by landing a picture perfect right knocking out champion Lennox Lewis.
Maskaev grew up in Abai, Kazakhstan, where he labored on a farm, worked in a coal mine. He later joined the Russian Army, became a Lieutenant and joined the Russian Amateur Boxing Team, and became a National Champion.
Things to Watch:
- Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Kassymzhomart Tokaev will take part in the meeting of the Foreign Ministers Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Shanghai on May 15. The ministers from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan will review preparations for next month’s anniversary summit of the SCO, also in Shanghai, and will make a decision on the rotation of the organization’s executive secretary, its regional anti-terrorist council and other organizational details.
- PR Days in Kazakhstan, a three day conference, will take place in Almaty May 15 through 17 as 150 representatives of the public relations industry will discuss gaining more prominence in the economy. In addition to plenary discussions, activities will include presenting the 4th annual award for the best PR project, and planting of lilacs, as signs that the PR industry needs to be restored in Kazakhstan just as lilacs need to be restored in Almaty.
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News Bulletin of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the USA and Canada
(Compiled from own sources and agency reports)
Contact person: Roman Vassilenko
1401 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20036
Tel.: 202 232 5488, ext. 104, Fax: 202 232 5845
