Dick Lugar: “today I submit a Senate resolution to celebrate the decision made by Kazakhstan to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation…”

“today I submit a Senate resolution to celebrate the decision made by Kazakhstan to join the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) as a non-nuclear weapon state. Ten years ago this month Kazakhstan sent the last Soviet nuclear warhead on its territory to Russia. With the Review Conference on the NPT in New York starting next week, it is an especially important time to note the progress made toward the NPT's goals, with U.S. assistance, in Kazakhstan. More than a decade ago, when the Soviet Union collapsed, Kazakhstan became the fourth largest nuclear power in the world. But instead of enlarging the nuclear club, Kazakhstan joined Ukraine and Belarus in turning away from weapons of mass destruction. Courageous leaders chose instead to embrace the NPT in removing all nuclear arms from Kazakhstan. The world cheered when Kazakhstan formally acceded to the NPT. I am proud of the role the United States played in Kazakhstan's decision and of our role in facilitating the removal of thousands of nuclear warheads and the elimination of hundreds of SS-18 intercontinental ballistic missiles, silos, and command centers. The addition of three more nuclear-armed states would have been a devastating setback for the NPT. It is particularly important that the Senate draw attention to Kazakhstan's wise and brave choice, as it stands in stark contrast to events in India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Iran.…”