Melvin Watt: “today, as I rise in support of the Defense Appropriations bill, I want to draw my colleagues' attention to the strong…”

“today, as I rise in support of the Defense Appropriations bill, I want to draw my colleagues' attention to the strong cooperation and support the United States has received from the Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is a former Soviet state celebrating their 10th anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union on December 16 of this year. Today's Defense Appropriations bill provides $403,000,000 to assist the republics of the former Soviet Union in the elimination and the safe and secure transportation and storage of nuclear, chemical and other weapons. Unfortunately, this level of funding is totally insufficient and is, in fact, much less than the President requested for this important purpose. It also helps fund programs to prevent the proliferation of weapons, weapons components and weapon-related technology and expertise. This money would aid Kazakhstan, which borders Russia and is located near Afghanistan. Kazakhstan is a strategic friend and business partner of the United States. On September 15, 2001, following the September 11 attacks on the United States, President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan said: In these tragic days for America, the people of Kazakhstan are grieving together with the American people about the death of thousands of innocent people. I am closely following the situation as it unfolds. We stand on the position that the terrorists must be punished, as well as those harboring the terrorists.”