CRITERIA FOR U.S. ASSISTANCE
UNDER SECTION 498A(a) OF THE FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1961
KAZAKHSTAN
Section 498A(a)(1): "make significant progress toward, and is committed to the comprehensive implementation of, a democratic system based on principles of the rule of law, individual freedoms, and representative government determined by free and fair elections."
Kazakhstan has expressed a commitment to the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. However, the Constitution concentrates power in the presidency, granting the President considerable control over the legislature, judiciary, and local government. President Nursultan Nazarbayev has been his nation's only leader since the break-up of the Soviet Union. President Nazarbayev was re-elected to another seven-year term on December 4, 2005. The election contained a mixture of positive and negative elements: the Central Election Commission displayed much greater transparency as compared to previous elections and opened many of its meetings to outsiders. Cooperation with the OSCE observer mission also improved. However, the OSCE noted that the election did not meet a number of OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections. The restrictive pre-election environment inhibited opposition candidates' ability to campaign freely: they faced difficulties obtaining venues, received biased and scanty news coverage from the press and electronic media, saw their supporters harassed and beaten, and had their literature confiscated and destroyed. Thousands of copies of opposition newspapers were also destroyed
The 1999 Presidential election was held nearly two years earlier than originally scheduled. The Government used a restrictive electoral law to limit the field of serious candidates, based on convictions for political offenses. Candidates received unequal access to the media, and there were numerous instances of intimidation of voters and the opposition prior to the election. The Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) determined that the process in this election fell far short of its standards for open, free, and fair elections. President Nazarbayev had extended his initial term in office via a deeply flawed 1995 referendum without a contested presidential election (which, according to the Constitution then in force, should have been held in 1996). A law passed in 2000 allows President Nazarbayev, as the country's first President, to maintain certain policy prerogatives and a seat on the Security Council after he leaves office.
The 2004 elections to the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) although an improvement in many ways over the 1999 parliamentary elections, were marred by election law deficiencies, executive branch interference in the electoral process, and a lack of government openness about vote tabulations. There was convincing evidence of instances of manipulation of results.
President Nazarbayev signed a new election law on April 15, 2004. The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights' (ODIHR's) assessment of the draft law determined that it was not OSCE-compliant, and the Government amended it later in 2004. The ODIHR concluded that the amendments to the law represented considerable progress in terms of transparency, formation of more pluralistic election commissions, and creation of more equal conditions for candidates. However, the OSCE assessment called for further improvements to fully meet the country's OSCE commitments for democratic elections, especially with regard to remaining limitations on civil and political rights. Areas for improvement included continuing limitations on candidates to campaign, rights of observers, vague provisions for invalidating election results, and lack of sufficient guarantees for inclusive pluralistic representation on election commissions. The president also signed into law an amendment banning protests until election results have been certified.
The executive branch dominates political institutions and the Parliament. The Parliament is divided into the Mazhilis (lower house), and the Senate (upper house). The President has the power to appoint local governors and the cabinet. Currently, the Parliament cannot initiate changes to the Constitution or allocate funds without the approval of the executive branch. While both the Parliament and the executive branch have the ability to propose new legislation, in practice, the executive branch initiates most legislation. The Parliament rarely disagrees with the official position of the executive branch. However, there are notable exceptions. In 2003 MPs made several hundred changes to the Government's draft law on private land ownership. The Government reacted to the amended version Parliament passed by calling for a no-confidence vote. By a wide margin, the Mazhilis voted to remove the Government; however, when the votes of the Senate were factored in, the vote failed. Nevertheless, the slim margin of victory prompted the Prime Minister to resign in June 2003. The previous Parliament also appeared to be increasingly responsive to NGOs and other key interest groups. A parliamentary working group made several hundred changes to a draft law on the media before passing that law in December 2003. Preliminary assessments of the original draft by international and domestic human rights groups had determined that the law would further restrict freedom of the media. The President vetoed the draft law in April 2004 after the Constitutional Court ruled parts of the draft unconstitutional. In 2003, Parliament also played a role in the Government's decisions to withdraw two other pieces of controversial legislation, including a proposed Law on NGOs and a proposed Law on Importation of Nuclear Wastes. In 2005, President Nazarbayev signed a controversial Law on Extremism and national security amendments to various laws that have the potential to infringe on civil liberties. Opposition party Ak Zhol declined to fill the party list seat it had won in the September 2004 Mazhilis elections; as a result, there were no opposition party members in the new Mazhilis. Candidates who are not aligned with any political party fill 17 of the 77 seats in the Mazhilis. The Constitutional Council found a controversial NGO law unconstitutional in August 2005, but it is unclear whether the government intends to re-introduce it in parliament at a later time.
The court system's independence is compromised by constitutional, legislative and administrative arrangements that subjugate the judiciary to the executive branch. Executive branch control was modestly reduced after the process of transferring responsibility for the courts' administration from the Justice Ministry to the Supreme Court was completed in 2003. Decisions on dismissal of judges are made by presidential decree, except in the case of the Supreme Court judges whose dismissals require confirmation by the Senate. Although still modest, judges' salaries have increased several times in recent years. There is no tradition of judicial independence. The constitution establishes the necessary procedures for a fair trial. Trials are public. Defendants have the right to be present, the right to counsel, and the right to be heard in court and call witnesses for the defense. There is also a presumption of innocence and the right of appeal. However, a gap exists between these principles and actual practice. In July and August of 2004, a co-chairman of opposition party Ak Zhol was convicted on criminal and civil libel charges in trials that many international observers considered to be politically motivated. The Ak Zhol co-chairman received a suspended one and a half year sentence, along with two years' probation, as well as a 5 million tenge fine in the civil suit. The criminal conviction made the defendant ineligible to run for the Mazhilis, forcing him to drop out of the race, although he was able to continue campaigning for his party. Embassy observers of the trial noted among other procedural irregularities the Government's decision to allow the same judge to hear both the criminal and civil cases.
The 2002 Political Parties Law required that all parties registered at the time of its enactment complete a reregistration process early that year. The law prohibits political parties established on an ethnic, gender, or religious basis; parties established on a religious basis are specifically prohibited by the Constitution. During 2004, twelve political parties were registered for participation in elections, including three denied registration in previous years. For the September 2004 Mazhilis elections, nine pro-Presidential parties (the Agrarian Party, Asar, Auyl, the Civic Party, the Communist People's Party of Kazakhstan [CPPK], the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan [DPK], Otan, the Party of Patriots, and Rukhaniyat) and three opposition parties (Ak Zhol, the Communist Party, and Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan [DCK]) were registered. In addition, two blocs were registered: the Agrarian and Civic parties formed the Agricultural-Industrial bloc, or AIST; the Communist Party and DVK formed an opposition bloc. Registered blocs were able to pool party list votes to try to meet the 7% threshold necessary for attaining a proportional allocation of seats.
In June 2004, the President announced the establishment of the National Commission of Kazakhstan for Democracy and Civil Society, which is intended to chart a strategy for democratization. Representatives from each registered political party were invited to join the Commission. At year's end, the three registered opposition parties had declined to join. Three opposition parties faced difficulties with registration in 2005: the government dissolved DCK, Alga, DCK successor party, had its application for registration suspended indefinitely and True Ak Zhol did not attain registration.
Although Kazakhstan is politically stable, concerns remain that political authoritarianism and corruption undermine its ability to pursue broad and lasting democratic reforms. The Constitution and laws generally provide for basic freedoms; however, the Government restricts these in practice, and democratic institutions remain weak.
Section 498A(a)(2): "make significant progress in, and is committed to the comprehensive implementation of, economic reform based on market principles, private ownership, and integration into the world economy, including implementation of the legal and policy frameworks necessary for such reform (including protection of intellectual property and respect for contracts)."
Since its independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has taken major steps toward developing a market-based economy. Since 1993, when foreign direct investment began in earnest, Kazakhstan has attracted over $36.7 billion in gross FDI, over half of it in the oil and gas sectors. U.S. companies are the largest foreign investors. They alone invested almost $11.1 billion gross in Kazakhstan during this period. A bilateral investment treaty between the U.S. and Kazakhstan entered into force in January 1994. A bilateral trade agreement has been in force since 1993 providing reciprocal Normal Trade Relations (NTR). An OPIC agreement to make available investment insurance for American firms investing in Kazakhstan has been in force since 1992. Kazakhstan has been determined to be compliant with the freedom of emigration provisions of the Jackson-Vanik amendment (subject to a semi-annual reporting requirement on its continued compliance with these provisions). A U.S.-Kazakhstan Treaty on the Avoidance of Double Taxation also is in force. Laws providing fair treatment for foreign investors are in place, although in practice they are not always fully implemented. The American Chamber of Commerce is active in Almaty and the U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Association was created in 1999 in Washington, D.C.
Private companies, including over 99.3% of small and medium enterprises, own the bulk of Kazakhstan's economy. Fifty-six percent of large firms are entirely or partially privatized (almost 45% are entirely privatized). Private companies produce 54% of GDP and dominate almost all economic sectors. Although the Government of Kazakhstan repeatedly has delayed the full privatization of several large enterprises, it has sold partial interests in many of these companies to private investors.
Kazakhstan's strong macroeconomic performance continued in 2005, with GDP growth expected to be over 7.9% due to strong world prices for Kazakhstan's hydrocarbon exports, solid economic conditions among its primary trading partners, and continued prudent macroeconomic policies. According to the last available figures, the non-oil economy has also grown strongly at about 8% on average from 1998-2005. Inflation, currently at 7.0%, has been in single digits for the last three years, but has become a cause for concern. The current account registers a surplus of GDP. After sharp declines during the 1990s, overall employment has grown since 2000. Unemployment declined to 8.4% in 2004, and real wages rose by about 14.6%.
In 2000 Kazakhstan established a National Fund to save oil and mineral revenues for future generations and to stabilize the macro economy from adverse external shocks, such as periods of low oil prices. The Fund's assets are projected to reach $7 billion by the end of 2005. Notwithstanding the sustained strong growth of the economy, poverty remains a serious concern, especially in rural areas. The rising oil wealth has yet to benefit significantly the majority of the population.
In March 2002, the U.S. Department of Commerce graduated Kazakhstan to market economy status under the U.S. anti-dumping law. The change in status recognized substantive market economy reforms in the areas of currency convertibility, wage rate determination, openness to foreign investment, and government control over the means of production and allocation of resources. Because of its strong macroeconomic performance and financial health, Kazakhstan became the first former Soviet Republic to repay all of its debt to the IMF in 2000, seven years ahead of schedule.
Although the Government of Kazakhstan has taken many steps to create a more Western-style business environment, the momentum of structural reform has slowed since 2000. Local and foreign businesses must deal with frequently changing and unevenly implemented legislation, a poorly functioning court system, frequent regulatory and personnel changes, entrenched vested interests, the "capture" of important sectors, and a cumbersome and often corrupt bureaucracy. The IMF has criticized Kazakhstan's poor investment climate, particularly for small and medium-size domestic and foreign investors, outside the oil and financial sectors. Foreign companies encounter difficulties obtaining work permits for expatriate employees as the Kazakhstan Government has pressured foreign firms to boost local employment and use local inputs. More troubling were attempts by the Government to re-open contracts with foreign oil and gas companies, although President Nazarbayev has publicly stated that existing contracts will be honored.
The USG funds a successful program in support of small and medium enterprise (SME) growth and an improved policy and regulatory environment for SME growth under the U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Development Partnership, a Presidential initiative, formally launched in October 2002. Some key results under the first year of the partnership are disbursement of over 31,000 loans to small and medium businesses, $160 million increase in mortgage lending, 36 regional trade deals totaling over $14 million, and simplified procedures for obtaining land and building permits.
The World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are all active in Kazakhstan. Since 1992, the World Bank has provided the Government of Kazakhstan with 24 loans totaling almost $2 billion. The portfolio includes the following projects under implementation: 1) Road Transport Restructuring; 2) Agricultural Competitiveness; 3) Second Agricultural Post-Privatization; 4) Electricity Transmission Rehabilitation; 5) Uzen Oil Field Rehabilitation; 6) Syr Darya Control and Northern Aral Sea; and 7) Nura River Cleanup.
The EBRD primarily supports development of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), transport and communications infrastructure, financial institutions and industrial enterprises. As of September 2005, Kazakhstan had signed 40 investments in Kazakhstan, totaling over �1.2 billion. As of today, the ADB has provided Kazakhstan with 12 loans totaling $501.6 million and with 57 technical assistance grants. The portfolio includes the following projects: 1) Agriculture and Natural Resources; 2) Transport and Communications; 3) Finance: 4) Education; 5) Water Supply, Sanitation, and Waste Management.
Kazakhstan applied for membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1996, and the U.S. has provided technical assistance in Kazakhstan's accession process. In June 2005, Kazakhstan's WTO Accession Working Party met for the eighth time. Kazakhstan has signed bilateral protocols on market access for goods and services with several of its major trading partners.
Although the Government of Kazakhstan has shown a renewed focus on WTO accession, much work remains to be done in the negotiation process for Kazakhstan's goods access offers to meet its future WTO partners' expectations.
Kazakhstan has endeavored to strengthen protection for intellectual property, including passing amendments to the Criminal Code that increase penalties for copyright violations which are awaiting Presidential signature. Kazakhstan joined the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works in 1999 and the Geneva Phonograms Convention in 2001. In 2004, Kazakhstan ratified the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, and amended the Law on Copyrights to provide clear retroactive protection to sound recordings as required by the Berne Convention and TRIPS Agreement. Despite an increase in confiscations of pirated goods and the gradual growth of licensed dealers of copyrighted works, enforcement remains the most serious obstacle to a sound IPR regime, as is noted in the GSP petition from U.S. copyright industries that remains under review by the USG. The Government agency charged with IP protection is under-funded and the judicial system does not effectively prosecute IPR cases. Punishments under Kazakhstani law do not yet provide an effective deterrent to IPR violations. Public awareness of IPR issues is growing due to Government and private sector efforts and the Government is actively working to inform judges and police about their responsibility to enforce Kazakhstan's laws against IPR violations. The Government of Kazakhstan has expressly asked the USG for assistance in implementing a legislative reform program that will enable it to adopt TRIPs level protections, an undertaking that the GOK will be committed to do in the context of WTO accession. The USG is preparing to provide such assistance under USAID's Trade Facilitation and Investment Project.
Section 498A(a)(3): "respect internationally recognized human rights, including the rights of minorities and the rights to freedom of religion and emigration."
The Government's overall human rights record remained poor in 2005. The Government diverged from its OSCE commitments and its respect for internationally recognized human rights primarily in the areas of freedom of speech and pluralistic political expression. Legislation enacted during the year eroded legal protections for human rights and expanded powers of the executive branch to regulate and control civil society. The Government continued to improve in some areas, however, most notably in the combating trafficking in persons. In years past, the Government had won international praise for its efforts to promote religious tolerance. In 2005, however, international observers were concerned about the infringements on religious freedom contained in the Law on Extremism and its amendments which criminalized membership in designated political or religious organizations. A set of national security amendments to various laws was enacted in July 2005. The amendments impose mandatory registration on missionaries and religious organizations. Several provisions in the new legislation appear to violate the constitutional guarantee of separation of church and state and rights guaranteed by the Constitution. In addition, the gap between law, including the Constitution, and actual practice continues to undermine citizens' faith in public institutions and rule of law. Media reports and polls indicated that the public perceived corruption to be a serious problem.
Although the law prohibits such practices, police and prison officials at times tortured, beat, and otherwise abused detainees, often to obtain confessions. There were instances of arbitrary arrest and of individuals held in prolonged detention without charge. Criminal actions taken against police for abusing detainees continued to increase and those convictions were increasingly publicized. However, human rights observers believed that the cases brought against police cover only a small fraction of the total number of incidents, which they characterize as routine. Corruption in the judiciary remained pervasive, though the Government is working, in consultation with international legal experts, to implement a system of jury trials by 2006. However, the President has publicly criticized jury systems that operate in other countries. In December 2002, the Government reduced minimum criminal sentences for dozens of crimes, which led in 2003 to a sharp drop in the prison population. In December 2003, the Government again amended the law to reduce minimum sentencing to allow for alternatives to imprisonment for certain crimes. Several prison facilities were rehabilitated during 2003 with government funds, but prison conditions remain harsh and life threatening. The Government continues to actively participate in a program to implement international human rights standards in prisons. A reform-minded civilian was named in September 2003 as Interior Minister, the first time that position has not been filled from the military ranks. As a result, pre-trial detention facilities were rapidly moved in late 2003 from the control of the Interior Ministry; the Justice Ministry now oversees both prisons and pre-trial detention facilities. Human rights observers welcomed the change in administration of the prison system, while continuing to advocate for improvements in prisoner welfare. The media and NGOs publicized incidents of prisoner abuse and advocated for continued prison reform.
The Government generally respects freedom of religion, and most denominations worship without government interference, although new legislation poses a potential threat, as indicated above. The environment for religious tolerance improved during 2003 after President Nazarbayev began an initiative called "Peace and Harmony" to encourage inter-faith and inter-ethnic dialogue. The initiative included two high-profile conferences - in February and September 2003 - which drew religious and secular dignitaries from around the world. Instances of local governments harassing Islamic and Christian groups whose members they regard as religious extremists were stopped by higher level officials or courts on several occasions in 2005. Representatives of Jehovah's Witnesses and some non-traditional religions alleged incidents of harassment by local governments, though they acknowledged that such incidents fell markedly from previous years.
The Constitution and the Media Law provide for freedom of speech and of the press; however, the Government used a variety of means, including criminal and administrative charges, to control the media and limit freedom of expression. Judicial actions against journalists and media outlets, including civil and criminal libel suits filed by Government officials, contributed to self-censorship. The Government limited individuals' ability to criticize the country's leadership, and regional leaders attempted to limit local media outlets' criticism of them. The law provides for the protection of the dignity of the president, and the law prohibits insulting the president and other senior officials. These provisions severely limited political speech related to the December 4, 2005 presidential election, in which Nazarbayev was a candidate for re-election. Amendments to the Media Law that were made in 2001 imposed foreign rebroadcast and Kazakh language requirements, though no media outlets were sanctioned under these provisions in 2003, 2004, or 2005 as some had been in 2002. In 2003 and during 2004, there was widespread public debate on the Government's proposal for a new Media Law. The President vetoed the draft law in April 2004 after the Constitutional Council ruled parts of the draft unconstitutional. Despite the restrictive legislative environment, the Government continued to issue new licenses for various types of media and the overall number of media outlets increased, as it has for the past several years. The extent of government influence over mass media was not clearly defined. Many media outlets considered to be independent were controlled by holding companies that did not make public the names of their controlling investors. The Government continues to own some major printing and distribution facilities and to enjoy influence over most of those owned privately. Publishing houses, which also are responsible legally for the information that they publish, were reluctant to publish anything that might contain "undesirable" stories. Both the Criminal and Civil Codes contain articles establishing broad libel liability. Some media nonetheless continue to regularly criticize the Government and to report on controversial issues.
The Government sporadically infringes on citizens' rights to privacy. The Constitution provides that citizens have the right to confidentiality of personal deposits and savings, correspondence, telephone conversations, and postal, telegraph, and other messages; however, laws allow procurators to approve limitations of these rights when they are necessary for investigative purposes. Kazakhstan's authorities are believed to tap phones and monitor the correspondence of some members of the political opposition. Legislation covering prosecutors, passed in August 2002, expanded the legal authority of the Government to monitor individuals' activities.
Freedom of association, while generally respected, is sometimes hindered by complicated registration requirements for non-commercial organizations. On March 18, 2004, President Nazarbayev signed a law that simplified the registration procedure for legal entities, including both membership and nonmembership organizations. The legislation applies to religious organizations. The law on simplified registration procedures went into effect on September 21, 2004. Requiring a permit to hold a demonstration or public meeting restricts freedom of assembly; groups must make requests for such permits at least ten days in advance. Authorities have at times refused to issue such permits or have detained demonstrators for not having one. Courts fined some organizers of unsanctioned demonstrations. Opposition activists have been denied permission to use rented facilities at the last minute, reportedly at the instruction of Kazakhstan's security officials.
The Constitution provides for the right to emigrate and the right of repatriation; both are respected in practice. Thus, since 1997, U.S. Presidents have determined that Kazakhstan is in compliance with the freedom of emigration provisions of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment. In July 2001, the Government formally abolished the exit visa requirement for temporary travel of citizens. The Committee for National Security (KNB) - which oversees the Border Guards - has legal authority to deny permission to travel in and out of the country, but emigration is not hindered. Certain situations remain in which temporary or permanent exit from the country may be denied, including in instances where there are pending criminal or civil legal proceedings, unserved prison sentences, evasion of duty as determined by a court of law, presentation of false documentation, failure to document the continued support of dependents, or travel by active-duty military.
The Constitution states that, "everyone is equal before law and court. No one may be subjected to any discrimination for reasons of origin, social position, occupation, property status, sex, race, nationality, language, attitude to religion, convictions, place of residence, or any other circumstances." In September 2002, the Government created the position of Human Rights Ombudsman. Although it is an institutionally weak office, the authority of the Ombudsman's Office was expanded under a December 7 Presidential Decree, to allow the Ombudsman's Office take part in court proceedings in order to protect an individual's human rights; and to ask courts or public prosecution to review court decisions, sentences, rulings or writs that could infringe upon human rights. In addition, the decree empowers the Ombudsman's Office to request parliamentary hearings to consider claims of human rights violations brought by individuals or groups. The decree further empowers the Ombudsman to request the Government to initiate disciplinary or administrative suits or criminal cases against officials who have violated human and citizen's rights, and to take measures regarding compensation for damages. The Ombudsman gave regular public briefings throughout 2004, though he rarely discussed controversial issues. Kazakh is the state language, although Russian retains official status and is widely used. Minority ethnic groups are represented in the Government, but ethnic Kazakhs hold the vast majority of leadership positions and their proportion in those positions has been increasing.
Traditional cultural practices limit the role women and disabled persons play in society and in owning or managing businesses or property, although they were not so limited under the law. The President and other members of Government speak often in support of women's rights and official state policy maintains that constitutional prohibitions on sex discrimination must be supported by effective government measures. Women lead two Government ministries, and a woman chairs the Central Election Commission. However, overall, women were underrepresented in senior positions in state enterprises and overrepresented in low-paying and some menial jobs. There are laws mandating that public buildings and commercial establishments be accessible to the disabled; however, the Government does not enforce these laws and in practice few accommodations are made.
The Constitution and the Labor Code guarantee basic worker rights, including the right to organize, to bargain collectively, and to strike; however, the Government exercises considerable influence over the major trade union associations. The Labor Code provides mechanisms to protect workers who join trade unions from threats or harassment by enterprise management, although those mechanisms are rarely used.
Section 498A(a)(4): "respect international law and obligations and adhere to the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Charter of Paris, including the obligations to refrain from the threat or use of force and to settle disputes peacefully."
Kazakhstan has made a strong commitment to respect its international legal obligations and OSCE commitments to refrain from the threat or use of force and to settle disputes peaceably. Kazakhstan is at peace with its neighbors and has defensive military forces that do not pose an offensive threat to the region. Kazakhstan is also a strong proponent of dialogue and cooperation among the states of the former Soviet Union. Kazakhstan is an active member of NATO's Partnership for Peace.
Section 498A(a)(5): "cooperate in seeking peaceful resolution of ethnic and regional conflicts."
Kazakhstan has been an active participant in coalition efforts to aid Afghanistan. Kazakhstan also maintains an ordnance-disposal detachment in Iraq. Kazakhstan is committed to establishing a multi-ethnic national identity and is generally sensitive to the concerns of the large ethnic Russian community and the communities of the dozens of other nationalities that live in Kazakhstan.
Section 498A(a)(6): "implement responsible security policies, including—
(A) adhering to arms control obligations derived from agreements signed by the former Soviet Union;
(B) reducing military forces and expenditures to a level consistent with legitimate defense requirements;
(C) not proliferating nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, their delivery systems, or related technologies; and
(D) restraining conventional weapons transfers."
The Government of Kazakhstan has consistently stated that its policy is not to transfer conventional weapons to terrorist-list states, or to engage in the proliferation of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, their delivery systems, or related technology. We are not aware that it has engaged in any transfers or proliferation of nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, their delivery systems, or related technology.
Kazakhstan became a State Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) on April 22, 2000. Kazakhstan has made much progress in implementing its CWC commitments. However, in the past two years, the United States has continued to encounter difficulties in engaging the GOK in any meaningful dialogue on its past CW activities. In 2005, senior GOK officials made a number of contradictory statements to the United States concerning past activities of the GOK relating to knowledge and conduct of CW facilities. The United States remains committed to working with the Government of Kazakhstan to resolve remaining arms control compliance and nonproliferation issues. Kazakhstan's parliament passed legislation to become a State Party to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). U.S. assistance was instrumental in preparing accession documents and modifying Kazakhstan's domestic legislation to conform to BWC requirements. The president is expected to approve the legislation by the end of 2005. Kazakhstan subscribed to the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) in 2005.
The Government is also committed to maintaining a military force consistent with legitimate defense requirements. Kazakhstan ratified the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty on October 30, 1992. It ratified the CFE Flank Agreement on May 14, 1997. Kazakhstani representatives have participated actively in the CFE Joint Consultative Group, the body responsible for CFE implementation, as well as in the CFE adaptation negotiations completed in November 1999. Kazakhstan signed the CFE Agreement on Adaptation at the November 1999 OSCE Summit in Istanbul. Finally, Kazakhstan has never declared CFE Treaty-Limited Equipment (TLE) in the portion of its territory covered by the Treaty. It has provided annual notification that it has no TLE in the area of application in past years.
Kazakhstan is a participating State to the OSCE Vienna Document 1999 and its predecessor Vienna Document 1994. The Vienna Document is an OSCE regime of confidence- and security-building measures. Kazakhstan has submitted Confidence- and Security-Building Measures (CSBM) annual data declarations for the years 1995-2001 (although sometimes late) and has willingly undergone CSBM inspections and evaluation visits in accordance with the OSCE Vienna Document.
The United States worked closely with Kazakhstan in dismantling nuclear weapons facilities at Semipalatinsk and in the destruction of nuclear delivery systems, including 104 SS-18 silo launchers and seven Bear G heavy strategic bombers. In 1994 the United States also cooperated with Kazakhstan to reduce the risk of proliferation by removing 600 kilos of highly enriched uranium from the Kazakhstani production facility at Ust Kamenogorsk in the "Project Sapphire" program. The United States also worked with Kazakhstan to dismantle a biological weapons production facility at Stepnogorsk in 2000. The Agreement for the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, signed by the United States and Kazakhstan in 1997 after Kazakhstan provided assurances of non-cooperation with proliferating states, entered into force in November 2000. After Kazakhstan voluntarily shut down the BN-350 nuclear reactor at Aktau two years ahead of schedule, the United States and Kazakhstan completed the packaging of the spent nuclear fuel from the reactor on June 18, 2001. Cooperation continues on the decommissioning and safe shutdown of the reactor itself.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Kazakhstan Atomic Energy Committee also renewed their agreement for nuclear safety cooperation through 2004. Prime Minister Tokayev issued a decree in October 1999 exempting from taxes U.S. assistance funds paid to Kazakhstan's scientists under the Initiative for Proliferation Prevention (IPP) projects, allowing the resumption of six projects that had been suspended over this issue and the funding of four new projects by the United States.
Since 1994, Kazakhstan has been a member of the Moscow-based International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), an intergovernmental organization focused on redirecting former weapons of mass destruction scientists to peaceful activities. Efforts to engage former biological and chemical weapons scientists in Kazakhstan have expanded under the aegis of the State Department's Bio-Chem Redirect Program and BioIndustry Initiative, working with the ISTC and emphasizing long-term sustainability for peaceful scientific endeavors. Complementary efforts to facilitate this transformation of the science and technology infrastructure are funded through the FREEDOM Support Act and implemented by the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation. In addition, through the Weapons of Mass Destruction Infrastructure Elimination Agreement, the U.S. Department of Defense is working to implement the Biological Weapons Proliferation Prevention Program in Kazakhstan. An amendment to this agreement providing additional funding for this program was recently signed, enabling enhanced cooperation to prevent proliferation and improve disease surveillance.
Section 498A(a)(7): "take constructive actions to protect the international environment, prevent significant trans-border pollution, and promote sustainable use of natural resources."
Kazakhstan suffered severe environmental degradation during the Soviet period. Although there is broad-based support for domestic protection of the environment. The Government's resources are inadequate to address some of the world's most challenging environmental problems: desiccation of the Aral Sea, protection of the fragile Caspian ecosystem, remediation of the Semipalatinsk nuclear testing range, clean-up of the Baykonur space launch facility, extremely polluted cities, desertification, and development of mechanisms for regional transboundary water management.
The Government has shown an interest in regional cooperation on environmental policy and has agreed to the establishment of a coordination and information sharing mechanism as a first step toward fuller cooperation on trans-border and international environmental problems. It has taken some steps to establish public policy mechanisms to address environmental issues, including reorganizing the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection in 2002 into the Ministry of Environmental Protection and transferring the Committee on Water Management and the Committee on Forestry, Fishery and Hunting to the Ministry of Agriculture. National environmental NGOs are gaining access to the policy-making process on environmental issues. Kazakhstan has developed a new water code that complies with international standards on water rights and water user associations. It is an active member of the Interstate Coordination Water Commission of Central Asia.
Kazakhstan signed and ratified the Aarhus Convention on environmental information in 2002. It also began implementation of a main principle of the Rio+10 Declaration: public access to environmental information. It contributed to the development of the Regional Environmental Action Plan for Central Asia, which Kazakhstani representatives presented at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development.
In 1999, Kazakhstan signed and deposited its instruments of ratification of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which will facilitate further efforts to conserve threatened and endangered species in the area. It has taken active measures to comply with CITES quotas on Caspian sturgeon fishing. Kazakhstan discusses Caspian Sea environmental protection issues regularly with the other four Caspian littoral states, and is a signatory to the recently developed "Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea". Kazakhstan has been an active and constructive player in regional and international efforts to alleviate the deteriorating environmental conditions and fosters regional cooperation in the Aral Sea basin. Kazakhstan is now implementing several projects with funds from a World Bank loan to help rehabilitate key structures on the Syr Darya River. The goal is to restore and stabilize the North Aral Sea. To address the water management problem of the Syr Darya River, Kazakhstan and other basin states, with technical assistance provided by the USG, established the 1998 Framework Agreement on the Use of Water and Energy Resources of the Syr Darya Basin.
The United States and the European Union worked together with the Ministry of Environmental Protection to establish an independent, non-profit, and non-political Regional Environmental Center (REC) in Almaty in 2001. The mission of the REC is to strengthen civil society and support sustainable development by promoting public awareness and participation in environmental decision-making among the countries of Central Asia. In 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Embassy and the Ministry of Environmental Protection signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide the REC with funding for its grants program. The USG is funding an "Ecological Survey of Industrial Sites" environmental monitoring project at Stepnogorsk through the International Science and Technology Center in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Section 498A(a)(8): "deny support for acts of international terrorism."
Kazakhstan does not grant sanctuary from prosecution to individuals or groups that have committed acts of international terrorism or otherwise support international terrorism. Kazakhstan has strongly supported U.S. actions against the perpetrators of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. President Nazarbayev has frequently and publicly reiterated his support for the U. S. in the fight against international terrorism. In addition to its public support for U.S. efforts, Kazakhstan granted the U.S. permission to use its airspace for military and humanitarian flights, with over 4000 U.S. over flights in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) to date. In July 2002, Kazakhstan signed an agreement to allow the U.S. the use of the Almaty Airport as an emergency divert airfield for OEF. Kazakhstan provided wheat for humanitarian relief efforts in Afghanistan. In August 2003, Kazakhstan sent a 27-member combat engineering contingent to Iraq that by the end of 2005 had destroyed over 3 million pieces of unexploded ordinance. Kazakhstan also has been actively searching for terrorist financial assets in Kazakhstan and has blocked the assets of an individual designated under E.O. 13224.
Kazakhstan is a party to twelve international counter-terrorism conventions and has signed the recently adopted International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and has. In December 2004 the parliament passed new anti-terrorism legislation that establishes a terrorist group watch list.
Section 498A(a)(9): "accept responsibility for paying an equitable portion of the indebtedness to United States firms incurred by the former Soviet Union."
In October 1991, shortly before the Soviet Union dissolved, Russia and nine other Soviet republics, including Kazakhstan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding declaring themselves jointly and severally liable for the foreign debts of the former Soviet Union (FSU). In December 1991, Russia and seven other republics, including Kazakhstan, signed an agreement that assigned to each of the Newly Independent States a share of all the external assets and foreign debt of the FSU. The December 1991 agreement provided that Kazakhstan's share of the FSU debt would be 3.86 percent.
Beginning in 1992, Russia sought to replace the joint and several liability principles by seeking full liability for the foreign debt of the FSU in return for all the external assets of the FSU. On September 6, 1993, Kazakhstan signed a "double-zero option" agreement with Russia under which Russia agreed to assume Kazakhstan's share of the foreign debt of the FSU in return for Kazakhstan's share of the FSU's external assets. The December 1991 agreement provided that Kazakhstan's share of the FSU debut would be 3.86 percent.
Please see section 498(a)(9) of the Russia assessment regarding indebtedness to the United States incurred by the former Soviet Union.
Section 498A(a)(10): "cooperate with the United States Government in uncovering all evidence regarding Americans listed as prisoners-of-war, or otherwise missing during American operations, who were detained in the former Soviet Union during the Cold War."
The U.S. effort to uncover evidence of American POWs and MIAs in the former Soviet Union is being conducted through the U.S.-Russian Joint Commission on POWs/MIAs that was established in March 1992. The U.S. side of the Commission visited Kazakhstan in August 1994 and Kazakhstan promised cooperation on the POW/MIA effort. The Government has been cooperative with all related interviews conducted in Kazakhstan.
Section 498A(a)(11): "terminate support for the communist regime in Cuba, including removal of troops, closing of military and intelligence facilities, including the military and intelligence facilities at Lourdes and Cienfuegos, and ceasing trade subsidies and economic, nuclear, and other assistance."
We have no evidence that the Government of Kazakhstan is providing military, intelligence, economic, nuclear, or other assistance to the Government of Cuba.
CHECKLIST FOR GROUNDS OF INELIGIBILITY
UNDER SECTION 498(b) OF THE FOREIGN ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1961
KAZAKHSTAN
Section 498A(b)(1): Has the President determined that the Government of Kazakhstan has "engaged in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights or of international law?"
No. The President has not made such a determination at this time. Although Kazakhstan's human rights record remained poor in 2005, there were some improvements in the second half of the year. Much more work clearly remains. We remain committed to addressing these problems not only through diplomatic efforts but also through assistance programs.
Section 498A(b)(2): has the President determined that the Government of Kazakhstan has failed to take constructive actions to facilitate the effective implementation of applicable arms control obligations derived from agreements signed by the former Soviet Union?"
No. The President has not made such a determination at this time. Kazakhstan has been a leader in nuclear nonproliferation. It eliminated all strategic offensive arms on its territory under the START Treaty well ahead of schedule. Kazakhstan deposited its instrument of accession to the NPT in 1994, ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty in September 1996, and became a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group in 2002.
Section 498A(b)(3): has the President determined that, after October 24, 1992, the Government of Kazakhstan "knowingly transferred to another country -
(A) missiles or missile technology inconsistent with the guidelines and parameters of the Missile Technology control Regime; or
(B) any material equipment, or technology that would contribute significantly to the ability of such country to manufacture any weapon of mass destruction (including nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons) if the President determine[d] that the material, equipment, or technology was to be used by such country in the manufacture of such weapon?"
No. The President has not made such a determination at this time.
Section 498A(b)(4): Is the Government of Kazakhstan "prohibited from receiving such assistance by section 101 or 102 of the arms Export Control Act or sections 306(a)(1) and 307 of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991?"
No.
Section 498A(b)(5): has the President determined and certified to the appropriate congressional committees that the Government of Kazakhstan "is providing assistance for, or engaging in, non-market-based trade (as defined in section 498(k)(3)) with the Cuban Government? If so, has the President taken action to withhold assistance from Kazakhstan under the Foreign Assistance Act within 30 days of such a determination, or has Congress enacted legislation disapproving the determination within that 30 day period?"
No. The President has not determined that the Government of Kazakhstan is providing assistance for, or engaging in any non-market-based trade, with the Cuban Government.
