Vol. 2, No. 20, June 12, 2002
Politics 
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FLA) says Kazakhstan can serve as "model of peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance"...... and lays the foundation for first synagogue in the capitalKazakhstan and the U.S.: "enhancing regional counterterrorism cooperation"Kazakhstan "making significant efforts" to fight human trafficking, State Dept. saysEconomy
President Nazarbayev: Kazakhstan "can be a gold-mine" for investorsKazakhstan signs important oil and gas transportation accords with Russia Special Report
Astana and Washington, DC: "Much in common"POLITICS
Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FLA): Kazakhstan "model of peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance" ... Visiting Kazakhstan at the invitation of the Jewish Congress of Kazakhstan at the end of May, Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FLA) met with President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Secretary of State Kassymzhomart Tokaev, Majilis Deputy Sharip Omarov, Chairman of International Relations and Security Committee in the lower house of the national Parliament, and other leaders.Rep. Wexler praised Kazakhstan's achievements in the areas of human rights and peaceful coexistence of different religions and urged the advancement of democratic reforms to protect media independence and freedom of speech, AP reported. Rep. Wexler said he had a "friendly, frank and open" discussion with President Nazarbayev about these issues, and "the leader of Kazakhstan is very serious in relation to the situation with the media"."I came as a friend of the people of Kazakhstan," Rep. Wexler said at a news conference in Astana on May 29. "I expressed enormous gratitude to Nursultan Nazarbayev for the undivided support to the U.S. and the international antiterrorist coalition. The U.S. Congress can provide arguments for strengthening our cooperation." "Kazakhstan can serve as an ideal model for Central Asia and other peoples in terms of peaceful coexistence of the peoples and tolerance towards all religions and confessions," Rep. Wexler said. "Kazakhstan can and should play crucial role in the Central Asian region. The U.S. Congress should define such a policy towards Kazakhstan that would help your country to achieve its mission in the region," the lawmaker said.... and lays the foundation for first synagogue in the capitalDuring his stay in Astana, Rep. Wexler laid the first stone in the foundation for the first synagogue in the Kazakhstan's capital. The synagogue will become the newest one in the string of over half a dozen Jewish houses of worship that have been built in Kazakhstan since its independence in 1991.In Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, Rep. Wexler attended the inauguration of the Jewish cultural center, built through the support of the expanding Jewish community in Kazakhstan."I intend to tell my colleagues in Congress that Kazakhstan fully respects freedom of religion," Rep. Wexler said.Kazakhstan and the U.S.: "enhancing regional counterterrorism cooperation""President Nazarbayev allied Kazakhstan with the United States after September 11 and backed the US-led Coalition," the U.S. Department of State said in its recent report, Patterns of Global Terrorism 2001, stressing that "enhancing regional counterterrorism cooperation has been a critical priority for the United States"."Permission was given for overflights, increased intelligence sharing, and for Coalition aircraft to be based in the country," the State Department said. "Nazarbayev said publicly the Kazakhstan is "ready to fulfill its obligations stemming from UN resolutions and agreements with the United States" in the Coalition against terrorism."Kazakhstan also declared its intent to ratify international conventions on terrorism, with priority given to the Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, and has taken steps to block the assets of terrorists," the report said."Kazakhstan stepped up security on its southern borders during 2001 in response to Islamic extremist incursions into neighboring states. The Government set up a special military district to help cover the sparsely populated southern flank of the country. It continued efforts to prevent the spread of Islamic militant groups, including actions such as detaining individuals for distributing leaflets for the Islamic militant group, Hizb-ut-Tahrir, calling for the violent overthrow of the Kazakhstan Government," the State Department said. Activists from the banned Islamic party Hizb-ut-Tahrir are seeking to expand their activities in Kazakhstan, especially in the south of the country, National Security Committee Deputy Chairman Bauyrzhan Elubaev said last week. He added that late last year and again in April 2002 police in Kazakhstan's southern regions registered attempts to distribute anti-U.S. and anti-Semitic leaflets. At least seven persons suspected of affiliation to Hizb-ut-Tahrir were detained in Kazakhstan last year.Kazakhstan "making significant efforts" to fight human trafficking, State Dept. saysThe Government of Kazakhstan is "making significant efforts" to eliminate human trafficking," the U.S. Department of State said in its annual 2002 Trafficking in Persons Report issued June 5. Kazakhstan was moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2 of countries making considerable efforts to fight this problem since the time of 2001 report. "In February 2002, a temporary measure was amended to the criminal code to cover trafficking of adults. Existing law already prohibited trafficking in children. Some actions have been brought under existing statutes or as civil actions in sexual and labor exploitation cases," the report said about Kazakhstan. "The government has initiated training programs for law enforcement and is conducting random investigations of travel agencies promising work abroad The government has cooperated with international investigations," the report said. "If it is determined that an individual is a trafficked victim, the government cooperates with NGOs to secure victim services provided by NGOs. Victims are encouraged to assist in the investigation of the traffickers, provided with restitution by NGOs, and are shielded from the trafficker during court proceedings.". "With the consent of the government, NGOs have conducted informational roundtables and public awareness campaigns. In 2000, the National Committee for Women and Children developed a Plan to Advance the Status of Women. Many of the goals of the Committee have already been realized," the report concluded.ECONOMY
President Nazarbayev: Kazakhstan "can be a gold-mine" for investorsKazakhstan's burgeoning economy and its "strong" and developing relationship with the United States provide plentiful and "highly promising" opportunities for American investors, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said in his address to participants of the upcoming investment conference. The conference, "Kazakhstan: The Premier Market for Investment and Trade", is to be held in Kansas City July 1st & 2nd and is expected to draw business executives and high-level delegations from Washington and Astana."The strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States forms a strong foundation for productive co-operation in all areas, especially in the economic sphere and in ensuring security," Mr. Nazarbayev said, expressing his "deep appreciation" to Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) for his invaluable contribution to making this event possible."Today, Kazakhstan is entering a qualitatively new stage in its economic and political development, the President stated. "Since 1999, our economy has been growing at an annual rate of around 10 percent. The fact that the US Government this year granted Kazakhstan market economy status is an objective recognition of our success. Kazakhstan is the first country among the republics of the former Soviet Union to achieve this status.""Foreign investment has contributed significantly to the development of our economy," believes Mr. Nazarbayev. "This amounts to $1,000 per capita, or more than $15 billion in total," he noted, adding that Kazakhstan's "developing economy constantly requires new financial resources."The energy sector is a priority in Kazakhstan's economy, according to the President, however other sectors are also attractive. "The investment capacity of the fields in the Caspian shelf alone amounts to $200 billion," he said. Yet, "petrochemicals and refining, metallurgy and machinery are all highly promising". "Given unlimited opportunities to market Kazakhstan's agricultural produce in the neighboring countries and Kazakhstan's central geographical location linking Europe, the Middle and Near East, the Far East and South Asia, Kazakhstan's agriculture, transportation and communications can become a "gold mine" for those who are willing to invest their money in these sectors", the President said. For information on the conference and registration please visit us at www.kazakhstan-embassy-us.org or call Dr. Mainura Murzamadieva, Economics Counselor of the Embassy, at 202 232 5488, ext. 106. Kazakhstan signs important oil and gas transportation accords with RussiaDuring President Nazarbayev's visit to Russia last week, a number of important intergovernmental accords were signed providing for expanded long-term opportunities for producers in Kazakhstan to export their oil and gas through Russia's pipeline systems to Western consumers. The agreements, signed on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in St. Petersburg, were greeted by both presidents as a critical step of increased cooperation."Kazakhstan will benefit by getting access to global markets and Russia will reap the transit dividends," President Nursultan Nazarbayev said. The countries' monopolies Gazprom and KazMunaiGaz have created a joint venture KazRosGaz, which will start by transporting 3.5 billion cubic meters (124 billion cubic feet) of gas through Russian pipelines in the first few years and increase it to up to 50 billion cubic meters (1,765 billion cubic feet) in the future, President Vladimir Putin of Russia said. Kazakhstan plans to boost its gas production more than fivefold to 50 billion cubic meters a year by 2005 when it starts developing the giant Kashagan offshore Caspian gas field.Under oil transit agreement, valid for 15 years and open for extension, Kazakhstan will export annually no less than 17,5 million tons of oil through Russian pipelines. Production of oil and gas condensate in Kazakhstan during the January-May 2002 period totaled 18,520 million tons, a 12.4% increase over five-month output in 2001, the Oil Information Agency Reported.The agreements follow the final delimitation of the Caspian seabed between Kazakhstan and Russia and the division of three disputed Caspian oil fields in May.SPECIAL REPORT
Astana and Washington, DC: "Much in common" On June 10th, the people of Astana celebrated the 4th anniversary of their city as the new capital of Kazakhstan. As they gathered in the streets for public festivities, they welcomed good wishes from the citizens of the District of Columbia with whom, according to D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, they seem to have a lot in common. Mayor Williams, in his letter to Akim (Mayor) Adilbek Dzhaksybekov of Astana, said, "Our two cities have much in common and share similar characteristics. While Astana is a new capital, Washington, D.C. dates back to the 1700s While the District of Columbia has a 200-year history, the city is comfortable both with its past and the fast moving pace of the 21st Century."Astana, formerly Akmola, a city established as a military fort in 1860s, became the capital in December 1997, when the capital was moved here from Almaty, the largest city in the southwestern corner of Kazakhstan and its capital since 1920s. In June 1998 Astana was officially presented as the new seat of government in the center of an independent Kazakhstan."Our cities both represent the heartbeat of our nations where the executive, legislative and judiciary branches of government reside," Mayor Williams said. "Our national leaders maintain their official residence in our cities, and our cities play host to foreign diplomats from around the world."Astana has been experiencing speedy expansion over the recent years. Since 1997, the population has grown from little over 300,000 to more than half a million people by spring 2002, according to the city officials. The growth was due to large inflows of both new government employees and their families and thousands of people attracted by the city's thriving economy. "Washington, D.C. and Astana are both thriving and modern with almost equal inhabitants; and each attracts an influx of newcomers seeking job opportunities in our unique cities," Mayor Williams said.The biggest boom in Astana is taking place in the construction and services sectors. New office buildings, housing compounds, and shopping malls are entering the market in their dozens. Scores of new restaurants, cafes, movie theaters, and even two large bowling centers, have been opened in recent years, providing the people with plentiful entertainment at affordable prices. The new city, built according to a master plan developed by renowned Japanese architect Kurokawa, boasts a brand new 5-star Hotel Intercontinental, as well as numerous smaller hotels with services matching the best international standards. "Both cities have magnificent squares, boulevards, and parks, and the Ishim and Potomac Rivers, which are added attractions to those who live and work in our cities," Mr. Williams stated. The Mayor took the opportunity, "on behalf of the citizens of Washington, D.C.", to commemorate Astana "for its remarkable achievements to date." * * *For more news and information visit us at www.kazakhstan-embassy-us.org
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
