Security Council
Republic of Kazakhstan
The issues before the Republic of Kazakhstan are
- Kazakhstan’s role in the fight against terrorism
- Kazakhstan’s contribution to non-proliferation efforts of weapons of mass destruction
I. Kazakhstan’s role in the fight against terrorism
Hosting the Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) in January 2005 that was chaired by the Russian Federation, the Republic of Kazakhstan shows its deep commitment to the global fight against terrorism. Considering terrorism a global threat, Kazakhstan is perfectly aware of the need of interstate co-operation to face this challenge and the consequences of a coherent anti-terrorist policy for its own state security. It therefore reaffirms its willingness to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral agreements with its partners. Being an independent, sovereign and stable state with a leader role in region that is most vulnerable to islamistic activity, Kazakhstan, however, observes with concern the attempts of other powers to influence the anti-terrorist policy of the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and re-voices its call for an egalitarian co-operation in the fight against terrorism. Moreover, the government of Kazakhstan is sceptic whether some countries’ competitive policy for influence in the region of Central Asia is truly beneficial for the global fight against terrorism.
Therefore, the republic of Kazakhstan
- recalls the need to strengthen the Central Asian states’ stand in order to support them in their efforts in the war of terrorism
- reaffirms Kazakhstan’s particular responsibility in the regional fight against terrorism
II. Kazakhstan’s contribution to non-proliferation efforts of weapons of mass destruction
Having been a major test site for USSR nuclear forces and suffering from partly radiated territories, the Republic of Kazakhstan is perfectly aware of the dangers of nuclear weapons and therefore most willing to contribute to dam up the threats of the nuclear peril. By closing down the test site of Semipalatinsk in 1991, that has seen some 450 nuclear tests, by dismantling the nuclear factories that contributed to soviet nuclear armament and by removing the last nuclear warheads from Kazakh soil 1997, the Republic of Kazakhstan is proud to have fulfilled the commitments it made under the NPT and regional treaties, such as the CANWFZ.
Given the enormous costs of the process of “de-nuclearisation” and the economic problems some countries in Central Asia still face, Kazakhstan expresses its gratitude to the sponsors of the process and recalls the need for further financial contribution to keep the region a sustainable nuclear free zone.
Convinced of the benefits to mankind of peaceful use of nuclear energy, Kazakhstan is willing to further contribute to the development of peaceful exploitation of this source of energy through its resources both in knowledge and raw material. As Ms. Akmaral Kh. Arystanbekova, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations has pointed out in her statement to the Chairman of the third session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, this is going to happen in strictest accordance to the commitments under the NPT.
The republic of Kazakhstan therefore:
- suggests to analyse the experiences gained in the successful process of turning Central Asia into a nuclear weapon free zone for other regions in the world
- recalls the rich nations of the world to further sponsor costly projects in this field in Central Asia and other regions of the world
- offers to share its experience in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and invites everybody to a mutual satisfying co-operation in this area.