Vol. 3, No. 27, August 7, 2002
Politics 
President Nazarbayev discusses new land-ownership law Kazakhstan - US military exercises underway near Almaty Kazakhstan simplifies visa proceduresChevron Texaco finances Internet room in children's library Economy
Net gold and currency reserves rise in July, inflation rate stays stableUS-Kazakhstan JV "Karakudukmunay" launches oil pipelineFC supports USD 155 million plan for Central Asian small businessGeneral
Kazakhstan picture wins CINEFAN film prize XIII International Contest of young singers "Voice of Asia" was held in AlmatyPOLITICS
President Nazarbayev discusses new land-ownership lawPresident Nursultan Nazarbayev on August 1 toured grain fields outside Almaty and spoke of government plans to transfer agricultural lands to private ownership. The president will ask Parliament to adopt legislation this year making it possible to purchase farmland directly from the government. 10-year installment plans and long-term leases will also be available. Initially 10 million of the country's 90 million hectares of agricultural land may be put up for sale, but public areas such as pastures, irrigation facilities and roads will not be privatized.Kazakhstan - US military exercises underway near Almaty Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency reports that the Balance-Bars tactical exercises of Kazakhstan and the United States are underway on military training grounds near Almaty. Eight servicemen from American task forces, who have taken part in the hostilities in Afghanistan, are participating in the exercises, Commander of the Kazakhstan Armed Forces Mobile Troops Maj. Gen. Saken Zhasuzakov said at a briefing in Almaty. The servicemen are training for reconnaissance and in searches for stored arms, camps and bases of rebels in the highlands and deserts. In particular, the Mobile Troops are training in the blocking, neutralization and capture of rebels, Zhasuzakov said. The exercises, which started on July 22, will end on August 22. The United States will supply military equipment and materiel to Kazakhstan totaling "several tens of millions of dollars" under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, head of the Kazakhstan Defense Ministry staff Maj. Gen. Bulat Sembinov said at the briefing. He said they are holding negotiations for the U.S. to supply cross- country vehicles and aircraft for the Kazakhstan Air Defense and Mobile Troops. Modern American machinery fully meets the requirements of the Kazakhstan army, and the national armed forces have skillful specialists capable of maintaining it, Sembinov said. FMF-type programs show the importance of stability and security in Central Asia for the United States, Prof. Greg Brendt from the American institute supervising over international military cooperation programs said at the briefing. The United States provides for its own security by helping the armed forces of Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, he said. The United States counts on the future assistance of Kazakhstan in the fight against terrorism, the professor said. American specialists are giving a seminar for top-ranking officials in the Kazakhstan Defense Ministry on the use of funds from the U.S. International Military Education and Training Program (IMET) and the FMF. The seminar will be held from August 5 to 9. During the seminar, American specialists will present Hummer vehicles made by the AM General Corporation and helicopters from Bell Textron, the Defense Ministry press service announced. Kazakhstan simplifies visa proceduresThe government of Kazakhstan simplified visa procedures for citizens of 24 countries. Under the new law, foreign guests may receive visas at the airport upon arrival in Kazakhstan. The final list of countries has yet to be confirmed, but it will definitely include the United States, European countries, Japan and Singapore. The measure is aimed at promoting tourism to the country.The government also hopes to encourage so-called "nostalgic tourism" by former residents of the republic. Under current legislation, Kazakhstani emigrants may stay in Kazakhstan for a month, but the Ministry of foreign affairs wants to extend this to three months.Chevron Texaco finances Internet room in children's libraryChevronTexaco sponsored the opening of an Internet classroom at Almaty's Begalin Children's Library, giving young readers free access to the world-wide-web. The sponsors believe that children must learn to search and analyze information on the Internet to successfully address future challenges. This charity campaign confirms the company's dedication to social projects in addition to its work in the energy sector.ECONOMY
Net gold and currency reserves rise in July, inflation rate stays stableKazakhstan's total international reserves, which include gold and foreign exchange reserves as well as the National Fund, rose 1% in July to total USD 4.535 B, National Bank disclosed. As of August 1, the National Fund held USD 1.654 B. Kazakhstan's foreign currency reserves rose by USD 62.4 MM to total USD 2.341 B as the finance ministry bought currency to service the debt and the National Fund. Inflation for the month of July totaled 0.6% in Kazakhstan. US-Kazakhstan JV "Karakudukmunay" launches oil pipelineUS-Kazakhstan joint venture Karakudukmunay will soon open a 32-km pipeline in Mangystau region to pump oil to the Uzen-Atyrau-Samara pipeline, according to company general director Nikolay Klinchev. The company has already opened the first spur of the pipeline, while balancing and commissioning works are currently underway on the second four-inch diameter spur. Based on oil output projections for the next few years, the company plans to construct another 10-12 inch diameter pipeline to meet its shipping needs from the Karakuduk field.Karakudukmunay and its investor Chaparral Resources, Inc. have spent over USD 60 MM developing the field.FC supports USD 155 million plan for Central Asian small businessInternational Finance Corp., a private sector-focused division of the World Bank Group, announced on August 5, 2002 that it will back a USD 155 MM project to help small businesses in Central Asia. The project will provide credit lines of up to USD 45 MM to help bridge the gap between banks and small businesses in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.GENERAL
Kazakhstan picture wins CINEFAN film prizeKazakhstan film "Three Brothers," directed by Serik Aprymov, was honored with the Best Picture award at the 4th International Film Festival (CINEFAN) in Delhi, India. The Festival praised Aprymov's directorial work on the film, which was so popular at the festival that it was shown twice. Some 25 countries from Europe and Asia featured films at the CINEFAN festival in Delhi from July 19 to July 28.XIII International Contest of young singers "Voice of Asia" was held in Almaty16 performers from 14 countries, including Kazakhstan, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Philippines, Georgia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Malta, Malaysia, China, Yugoslavia, Mongolia, Armenia, Singapore competed to be awarded as the best singer in Asia in the International Contest "Voice of Asia" which is annually taking place in Almaty since 1990.Grand prix of the XIII International Contest "Voice of Asia" is awarded to a singer from Malaysia Citi Nurchaliza. Among the prize-winners are young talented performers from the Republic of Georgia, Philippines, Kazakhstan and Bulgaria. * * *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
