In this issue:
Bush Lauds Kazakhstan for “Steadfast Friendship”, U.S. Ready to Expand Ties in “A Spirit of Partnership”
Nazarbayev Sends Condolences to Tsunami Struck Asian Nations
Public Oversight of Prisons, Introduction of Arbitration, President Expands Kazakhstan’s Legal Reforms
Kazakhstan Proposes Ashgabat as Regional UN Headquarters
Economy Finishes Strong Year, Five Year Prospects Look Equally Bright
Kazakhstan Plans Rail Link between East Asia, Europe
Let the New Year bring peace and prosperity to you! --- Zhana zhyl syzge beibitshilik zhane baq-daulet akelsyn!
Bush Lauds Kazakhstan for “Steadfast Friendship”,
U.S. Ready to Expand Ties in “A Spirit of Partnership”
President George W. Bush has sent a congratulatory letter to President Nursultan Nazarbayev on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence, writing that the United States is “grateful for Kazakhstan’s steadfast friendship” and pledging commitment to expand the cooperation “in a spirit of partnership”.
In the letter, President Bush said: “Over the past 13 years, your country has made great strides in developing its economy and ensuring a prosperous future for its people. The United States looks forward to deepening a partnership with you to realize Kazakhstan’s tremendous promise by ensuring the people of Kazakhstan enjoy expanding opportunities to participate in the civic life of their country in pursuit of democratic development, prosperity, and regional peace.”
The United States was one of the first countries to recognize Kazakhstan’s independence in December 1991 and to establish diplomatic relations with the young country. Since then, the two have strengthened the relationship based on the common interests of security and prosperity. The relations are founded on the cooperation in destroying the legacy of weapons of mass destruction left behind in Kazakhstan by the Soviet Union and on the economic front, in developing Kazakhstan’s vast oil wealth. The United States helped Kazakhstan rid itself of 1,040 nuclear warheads, and today American companies are the largest investors in Kazakhstan with total investment exceeding US$9 billion. Since September 11, the relationship has also involved cooperation in fighting terrorism and ensuring security in Central Asia, Iraq and the world beyond.
President Bush noted: “Under your leadership, Kazakhstan has become one of the world’s leaders on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The United States is also grateful for Kazakhstan’s steadfast friendship and solidarity in the Global War on Terrorism, particularly the outstanding service of the KAZBAT detachment in Iraq.”
President Bush also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in other areas of common interest, including fighting human and drug trafficking, and promoting religious understanding.
The U.S. President wrote: “We appreciate your cooperation in fighting regional threats such as trafficking in persons and illegal drugs. We welcome your groundbreaking efforts to counter extremism by fostering interfaith dialogue and respect for Central Asia’s rich and varied traditions that blend religious faith and scientific learning. We stand ready to expand our collaboration in these areas in a spirit of partnership.”
Nazarbayev Sends Condolences to Tsunami Struck Asian Nations
President Nursultan Nazarbayev has sent letters of condolence to the leaders of Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand following the devastating earthquake generated tsunami that left more than 100,000 people dead and many more without shelter and at risk of disease.
On behalf of the people of Kazakhstan, the President expressed deep condolences to relatives and friends of those who perished.
Several hundred tourists from Kazakhstan were in Thailand for the holiday weekend, including some on the resort island of Phuket, a favorite vacation destination, when the tsunami struck. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, three Kazakh citizens were wounded and are currently being treated at the Phuket hospital. Several dozen Kazakhs were evacuated by Air Astana charter flights. Three Kazakh nationals are still missing.
Public Oversight of Prisons, Introduction of Arbitration,
President Expands Kazakhstan’s Legal Reforms
President Nursultan Nazarbayev, on December 29, signed a series of bills into law introducing arbitration for the first time in Kazakhstan’s judicial system and creating a legal foundation for public oversight of penitentiary facilities.
The law on arbitration continues the ongoing reforms in the legal system of Kazakhstan aimed at making it more modern and flexible to support a growing civil society. Under this measure, professional arbitrators will review civil litigation.
The other law will make certain Kazakhstan observes international standards and provisions as set forth in human rights pacts to which it is a signatory regarding public oversight of prisons and respect for rights of inmates.
Kazakhstan Proposes Ashgabat as Regional UN Headquarters
President Nursultan Nazarbayev has written to neighboring Turkmenistan’s President Saparmurat Niyazov proposing Turkmenistan’s capital city of Ashgabat be chosen as the headquarters of the United Nations Regional Center for Preventing Conflicts and Preventive Diplomacy.
According to Turkmen news reports on December 29, President Nazarbayev proposed Ashgabat as part of deliberations on the future location of the Center. The idea of such a center was first discussed during the 2002 visit to Central Asia by the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan.
President Nazarbayev’s letter said “this initiative is supported by the Secretary General and UN member nations,” and by now “almost all organizational issues connected to its creation are resolved.”
He wrote: “Our countries need to select the most convenient location for the Center. Given Turkmenistan’s important geostrategic position in the region, its consistent policies of neutrality and developing friendly relations with neighboring countries, I would like to confirm Kazakhstan’s previous support for locating this center in Ashgabat.”
Kazakhstan’s President believes the capital of Turkmenistan “can create favorable conditions for successful activity by the Center whose goal is to turn Central Asia into a zone of sustainable development based on conflict-free coexistence of its peoples.”
Earlier this year, President Niyazov, in a UN publication wrote that Turkmenistan is ready to provide all necessary assistance for locating the Regional Center in Ashgabat.
Economy Finishes Strong Year,
Five Year Prospects Look Equally Bright
Kazakhstan’s economy is going to finish 2004 showing strong growth of more than 9 percent and will likely show the same rate during the next five years.
Prime Minister Daniyal Akhmetov, speaking at a Government meeting in Astana on December 25 to sum up the year’s results, said the real GDP in 2004 would likely grow more than 9 percent compared to 2003.
The economic growth seems to be widely spread, and particularly strong in machine building. According to preliminary data made public by the Prime Minister, industrial production in 2004 grew 10.2 percent. This includes 8.2 percent growth in the processing industries, 20 percent growth in chemical industries, and 32 percent growth in machine building. The last figure includes the 61 percent growth in production of machinery and equipment and 42 percent growth in the production of means of transportation.
Agriculture also finishes the year in good shape with 13.9 million tons of grain harvested and growth in livestock population.
Investment in construction expanded 11 percent during the year, while construction grew by 8 percent.
PM Akhmetov said real incomes are expected to grow 13 percent in 2004, while salaries should grow by 13.9 percent. Unemployment dropped from 9.1 to 8.8 percent. Inflation is expected not to exceed 7 percent.
Speaking at the same meeting, President Nazarbayev said “data shows Kazakhstan’s economy will be growing at more than 9 percent annually for the next five years, which is what is expected this year.”
Kazakhstan Plans Rail Link between East Asia, Europe
Kazhmurat Nagmanov, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Transportation, said Kazakhstan will start building a railway link in 2005 connecting East Asia with Europe. He made the announcement on December 29.
The 3,000-kilometer link is estimated to cost US$3.5 to 4 billion and should be completed within 15 years. It will connect China via Kazakhstan with Turkmenistan and Turkey.
The link is designed as an alternative to the Trans-Siberian railway in Russia which also connects Asia with Europe and an alternative to ocean shipments. Both Kazakhstan and Russia predict freight transit between Europe and Asia will grow and be more lucrative in the future.
Once built, the Kazakh link will have an advantage over the Russian alternative: the Kazakh railroad will be of international narrow-gauge standard, while the Russian railway is five inches wider, designed to slow an enemy during the wars of the 20th century. This causes delays at borders since trains need to have their wheels changed.
Minister Nagmanov said transit from East Asia to Europe via Kazakhstan would take 10 days. Cargo shipments are expected to reach 35 million to 40 million tons a year by 2010, with potential for further growth.
Things to Watch:
- People traveling to Astana during the winter months now have an additional attraction to visit. The “Ice Town” opened December 29, featuring giant sculptures of ice and slides for people of all ages.
- Melodies and Songs of the Kazakh Steppes, the first ever concert of Kazakh traditional and world classical music in the United States of America, will take place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on February 1, 2005. A follow up concert will be held at Carnegie Hall in New York on February 3, 2005. For more information please click here.
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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
