FBI Director Robert S. Mueller Visits Kazakhstan
On November 17-18, 2009, Robert S. Mueller, the Director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, visited Astana, Kazakhstan. During his visit, Mr. Mueller met with National Security Committee Chairman Amangeldy Shabdarbayev, Interior Minister Serik Baimaganbetov, and Prosecutor General Kairat Mami to discuss bilateral cooperation in the fight against international crime. During his meeting with Mami, Mueller and Mami signed a memorandum of understanding envisioning future increased cooperation between the Prosecutor General's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Deputy Chief of Mission Visits Atyrau Oblast
On November 5-7, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, Pamela Spratlen, visited Atyrau Oblast. Ms. Spratlen met with the First Deputy Akim of Atyrau oblast, Bolat Daukenov, and discussed opportunities for cooperation between the United States and Kazakhstan. She took part in a seminar on gender issues hosted by the Zherles Social Foundation and visited the Agip KCO Training Center, a state-of-the art training facility that provides unique opportunities for local employees working in Atyrau’s oil and gas industry to develop their skills. On November 6, she toured the Tengiz oil field, and, afterwards, she met with participants of an entrepreneurship training course organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with the support of Chevron and Baker Hughes.
Ambassador Hoagland Welcomes Peace Corps Class
On October 31, Ambassador Hoagland addressed a group of 64 new Peace Corps volunteers. For at least two years, these American volunteers will work and live side-by-side Kazakhstani partners in communities throughout Kazakhstan teaching English to students, improving English teaching methodology, and working with non-governmental organizations on health and youth development programming. More than 1,100 American volunteers have completed Peace Corps service in Kazakhstan since the program began in 1993.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Visits Kazakhstan
On October 28-31, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, George Krol, visited Kazakhstan. He was in Almaty on October 28, where met with his colleagues in the U.S. Agency for International Development and with members of civil society. October 29-31, Deputy Assistant Secretary Krol was in Astana for meetings with Kazakhstani government officials to discuss Kazakhstan’s upcoming Chairmanship of the OSCE and other bilateral issues aimed at strengthening the strategic relationship that exists between Kazakhstan and the United States. Transcript Press Release
U.S. Embassy Gives Vehicles to Police to Increase Counter-Narcotics Capacity
During a ceremony at the Ministry of Interior on October 28, Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland transferred 21 vehicles worth $279,000 to the counter-narcotics divisions of Departments of Interior of Astana, Almaty, and 14 oblasts throughout Kazakhstan. The vehicles will help strengthen the capacity of the divisions to combat narco-trafficking by allowing its officers to patrol high-risk areas and respond to incidents in a timely manner. Vice-Minister Amantai Aubakirov accepted the vehicles on behalf of the ministry and presented keys to representatives from each of the divisions. Transcript Press Release
American Speaker on Ejournalism in Kazakhstan
From October 12-22, David LaFontaine, an American electronic journalism expert, visited to conduct seminars for Kazakhstani journalists and bloggers. The program, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, working together with the Editors-in-Chief Club, focused on how journalists could use electronic tools to better do their work. In Astana from October 13-15, Mr. LaFontaine conducted a two-day seminar for professional journalists, a seminar for bloggers, and visited Eurasian University. More..
U.S Special Representative has fruitful visit to Kazakhstan
The U.S. Special Representative to Muslim Communities, Farah Pandith, visited Kazakhstan October 12-14 to further President Obama’s call for a dialogue of mutual interests and mutual respect between the United States and the Muslim world. During her trip, she convened outreach meetings with religious officials, students, scholars, and the media in both Almaty and Astana. During a roundtable discussion with journalists and experts, Pandith emphasized that the United States was founded on principles of religious tolerance and that Islam has always been and continues to be respected by the United States. Pandith enjoyed learning about Kazakhstan’s history and culture, and before leaving she sampled Almaty’s world-famous Aport apple.
Close Window
Secretary Clinton, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov meet with reporters October 13 in Moscow.
United States, Russia Making Progress on Arms Reduction Treaty
Washington — The United States and Russia are making progress in replacing a current treaty for reducing nuclear arsenals with one that goes further in physically reducing arsenals and also lessening perceived tensions over nuclear weapons, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says. More..
President Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize
U.S. President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, October 9. For more information on this announcement, please visit the New York Times' coverage. Remarks by the President
Joint Statement - The Sixth United States-Kazakhstan Energy Partnership Meeting
Today’s sixth meeting of the U.S.-Kazakhstan Energy Partnership reflects the commitments of President Nazarbayev and President Obama to our bilateral relationship by reaffirming our long and successful history of cooperation in the energy sector. At the Energy Partnership meeting, co-chaired by United States Deputy Secretary of Energy .. More..
"E-Teacher" Scholarship Program
The Office of English Language Programs (ECA/A/L) announces the sixth offering of its acclaimed "E-Teacher" courses that train foreign English language professionals in the latest U.S. methods of English language teaching via distance education (see the descriptions of the seven courses below). Courses will begin in the spring of 2010. More..
Third Anniversary of Death of Anna Politkovskaya
Today we mark with sadness the third anniversary of the tragic slaying of journalist Anna Politkovskaya. To date, no one has been brought to justice in this case, similar to other cases involving violent crimes against journalists in Russia, including Paul Klebnikov and more recently Natalya Estemirova. More..
Remarks by Under Secretary William J. Burns at the Conference on “Silk Road Trade and Investment: New Pathways for U.S.-Central Asia Economic Ties”
Thanks for that kind introduction, and to the U.S. Chamber for organizing such a valuable and timely event. At the end of a long and successful day of discussions, the last thing you need right now is a long-winded presentation, of the sort for which diplomats are notorious. So I’ll try to break that stereotype this afternoon, and offer .. More..
Close Window
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel B. Poneman Addresses the KIOGE Conference in Almaty.
KIOGE Address by Deputy Secretary Poneman
I would like to thank the organizers of the event, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Kazmunaigaz, Minister Mynbaev, Mr. Kabyldin, and our distinguished guests. I am honored to be here to join you today and to address this extremely important conference at KIOGE. More ...
Call for participation: 2010 Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program
The U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan is pleased to announce that recruitment has begun for the 2010-2011 Edmund S. Muskie (Muskie) Graduate Fellowship Program. Muskie provides opportunities for citizens of Kazakhstan to pursue Master’s level study in the United States in the following fields: More ...
Democracy Comission Small Grants Program
The U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan is now accepting applications under the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program. More ...
Close Window
The Deputy Chief of the Department of Tourism, Physical Education, and Sport of Akmola Oblast, Shynarbek Batyrkhanov, presents Ambassador Hoagland with a letter from Akmola Akim Albert Rau in appreciation of USAID’s work to develop ecotourism projects in
The Kazakhstan Ecotourism Development Initiative
On September 30, 2009, at the InterContinental Hotel in Astana, U.S. Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland gave a speech at a press conference on the results of the Kazakhstan Ecotourism Development Initiative, implemented by the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA) with funding from ExxonMobil and USAID. More ...
Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Hoagland: "The Value of Corporate Responsibility"
It is a pleasure to be with you here today, and an honor to address the members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan, of which I am proud to be Honorary Chairman. You represent some of the world’s largest and most prominent corporations, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, AES, General Electric, FedEx, and Merck. More..
USTDA Awards Grant Agreements
On September 23, 2009 on behalf of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the Ambassador signed two grant agreements to promote the development of maritime trade in Kazakhstan. Mukhit Mazhenov, General Director of KazMunaiGas-TransCaspian, and Marat Ormanov, General Director of KazMorTransFlot, signed the grant agreements on behalf of their respective organizations. The grant to KazMunaiGas-TransCaspian will help ensure that Kazakhstan's maritime legislation corresponds to international standards. The project will define the international treaties, maritime laws, and regulations that Kazakhstan should adopt, and it will recommend how these requirements should be implemented. The grant to national maritime shipping company KazMorTransFlot will expedite the clearance of vessels at Caspian ports by evaluating the technical, economic, and financial feasibility of implementing the Electronic Documentation Procedure or Early Departure Procedure (EDP). More..
FLEX 2009 re-entry
On September 19th, the U.S. Embassy hosted a re-entry orientation in Almaty for Future Leaders Foreign Exchange Program (FLEX) alumni from Southern Kazakhstan. DCM Pamela Spratlen welcomed the recently returned FLEX 2009 alumni and touched on the opportunities afforded them by the U.S. Embassy, given their status as alumni of U.S. government exchange programs.
The FLEX program was created in 1992. Since that time, more than 1,035 Kazakhstani students have had an opportunity to spend a year in the United States, studying at an American high school and living with an American family. FLEX is a program of the U.S. Department of State and is administered by American Councils. This year, more than 4,700 students from all over Kazakhstan applied for 95 places.
Close Window
Artist Phil Epp (center) and Deputy Chief of Mission Pamela Spratlen (right) in front of Epp's painting, 'Barn and Storm'
American Artist Phil Epp Helps Open Art Collection at Ambassador's Residence
American artist Phil Epp visited Kazakhstan in September in conjunction with the official opening of the Art in Embassies collection at the residence of Ambassador Richard Hoagland. The Art in Embassies (ART) program of the U.S. Department of State allows ambassadors to choose for their official residences American artworks that are lent by museums and private collectors. Mr. Epp, from Newton, Kansas, painted three of the works in the ambassador’s ART collection. The artist said he had a tremendous affinity for Kazakhstan, its steppe evoking the sensibility of the plains in the American Midwest. Mr. Epp visited Almaty, Shymkent, Turkistan, and Astana during his stay in Kazakhstan, giving master classes to students and meeting with local artists. He was the guest of honor at the reception at the ambassador’s residence on September 18, which officially opened the ART collection.
Close Window
Journalists Anar Kuanyshbekova, from the "Alash Ainasy" newspaper and Aisha Kenesbayeva from Islamic TV Channel “Assyl Arna," talking to Ambassador Hoagland.
U.S. Embassy hosts Iftaar in Almaty
On September 14, Ambassador Richard Hoagland hosted representatives from Kazakh media outlets at an iftaar dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel in Almaty. After prayers offered by Mukhammad Hussein Alsabekov, the deputy chairman of the Kazakhstani Muslims’ Spiritual Board, the guests broke their fasts (observed daily during the holy month of Ramadan) to enjoy a traditional auyzashar (“iftar” in Kazakh) dinner. Ambassador Hoagland expressed greetings and deep respect for Muslim traditions, emphasizing common values and principles of the United States and the Muslim world. Ambassador Hoagland read excerpts from President Barack Obama’s Ramadan remarks, which highlighted the role of Islam in advancing justice, progress, tolerance, and the dignity of all human beings.
Chief editors, top managers, and reporters of influential Kazakh-language media outlets exchanged their opinions with the ambassador on a wide range of international and local issues, including American attitudes towards the Muslim community and their reflection in Kazakhstan, as well as about problems and trends in the Kazakh community. At the dinner’s end, guests thanked the U.S. Embassy for its hospitality, noting that this was the first time a diplomatic mission in a non-Muslim country had invited them to an iftaar. Correspondents of the newly launched Islamic TV Channel “Assyl Arna” also enjoyed an exclusive interview with Ambassador Hoagland.
Close Window
DCM Pamela Spratlen, Vice-Minister of Justice Dulat Kustavletov, and other government officials take part in a press conference before the performance of the INL-funded anti-trafficking play Night Stars, September 14, 2009
DCM launches anti-trafficking campaign
Deputy Chief of Mission Pamela Spratlen spoke at a press conference at the Zhastar Theater on September 14 in Astana to mark the beginning of an anti-trafficking information campaign sponsored by U.S. Embassy. The centerpiece of the campaign, aimed primarily at students, is the play Night Stars, based on the true-life stories of former victims of trafficking. The powerful work dramatizes the dangers of trafficking and the practices that can keep people from becoming victims. The play is being performed in Astana by the Kokshetau Russian Drama Theater group, and each performance is preceded by distribution of informational materials and the exhibition of anti-trafficking posters designed by children. The project will reach more than 9,000 students. At the end of the project, a roundtable will be held with governmental agencies and mass media. Photogallery
Sixth American Studies Summer School meets in Almaty
The 6th annual American Studies Summer school, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, NATO, and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, took place on August 17-27 in Almaty. This year’s theme was U.S. foreign policy, with a special emphasis on U.S. policy in Central Asia. Thomas Sanderson, Deputy Director of the Transnational Threats Program at Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), was this year’s guest lecturer from the United States. Twenty-five students from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Russia were selected to participate in the seminar. Other guest speakers included Ashok Sanjakhar, Ambassador of the Republic of India to Kazakhstan, NATO Public Diplomacy Officer Yatyr Yaman, and Amy Schultz, Director of the National Democratic Institute in Kazakhstan, along with many Kazakhstani experts and scholars.
Energy Envoy in Astana
On August 25-26, Ambassador Richard Morningstar, U.S. Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy, visited Astana. During his visit, Ambassador Morningstar met with Prime Minister Karim Masimov and other senior government officials to discuss Kazakhstani-U.S. cooperation in the field of energy.
Ambassador Morningstar also participated in a media roundtable on U.S. energy policy in Central Asia. Transcript
Ambassador Hoagland Visits East Kazakhstan Province
On August 20-21, U.S. Ambassador Richard Hoagland travelled to East Kazakhstan Province, where he met with the East Kazakhstan Akim, Berdybek Saparbayev, and attended a signing ceremony for two memoranda of agreement. The first memorandum, between U.S. energy company AES and the Akimat, outlines AES’ support for the Oskemen Burn Treatment Center. The second memorandum, between AES and the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA), is in support of the Regional Orphanage in Shulbinsk through a program for youth development created by EFCA and financed by Shulbinsk Hydropower, Ltd. After the ceremony, Ambassador Hoagland, along with representatives of the Akimat, AES, and EFCA, answered journalists’ questions at the National Press Club. Ambassador Hoagland later visited the Oskemen Orphans’ Boarding School and Ust-Kamenogorsk GES hydroelectric plant.
Alumni Leaders League Elects a New Board
On August 15, 2009, alumni members of the Alumni Leaders League (ALL), which is a USG alumni association in Almaty open to all alumni of USG-sponsored exchange programs in Kazakhstan, met to elect a new board and to discuss ongoing and future projects. Ainura Absemetova, a 2000 Muskie alumna, was unanimously elected as the new ALL president and replaced Geniyat Issin, who successfully completed his three-year term. Under Geniyat’s leadership 2006-2009, ALL conducted a series of successful alumni projects and created the ALL website (http://all.region.kz/). Other election results are as follows: vice president, international relations – Dariga Chukmaitova; vice president, legal issues – Karlygash Bissengalieva; vice president, communications – Bates Assilbekova; vice president, networking – Geniyat Issin, and treasurer – Sergey Tsoy. More..
General Petraeus Visits Kazakhstan
 |
| General David Petraeus meets Minister of Foreign Affairs Marat Tazhin. |
General David Petraeus, the Commander of the U.S. Central Command, visited Kazakhstan August 12-15. While in Astana, General Petraeus met with Kazakhstani Minister of Defense, Adilbek Zhaksybekov, Kazakhstani Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marat Tazhin, and the Assistant to the President and Chairman of the National Security Council, Kayrbek Suleymenov. The discussions centered around building on the already strong strategic partnership that exists between Kazakhstan and the United States. They also discussed cooperation on issues of security in Central Asia, and especially on working together to create security and stability in Afghanistan. General Petraeus also visited Almaty, where he met with the officers and soldiers of KazBrig, many of whom had served with great distinction in Iraq when General Petraeus was the Commander of Coalition Forces there.
Mrs. Petraeus Visits Orphanage In Akkol
On August 13, Holly Petraeus and representatives of the U.S. Embassy visited Orphanage #1 in the town of Akkol. Orphanage director Vera Kovaleva and head of the Akimat (Akmola Region) Education Department Marat Ibrayev organized a tour of the compound. The children talked about their activities and invited the delegation to a concert. Mrs. Petraeus, wife of General David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, presented a donation to the orphanage after the concert, which included clothing and toys. Other highlights of Mrs. Petraeus’s program, in Astana, included visits to the Palace of Peace and Concord, the art gallery Kulanshi, the Presidential Cultural Center, and the Baiterek.
Congressional Delegation Visits Astana
 |
| Ambassador Hoagland Poses with the Congressional Delegation Outside the Prime Minister’s Building. |
A U.S. Congressional delegation, led by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), visited Astana August 8-9.
During the visit the delegation, which also included Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK), Rep. Jo Bonner (R-AL), Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI),
Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA), and Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR), met with Prime Minister Karim Massimov.
Theater's Triple Threat Comes to Kazakhstan
 |
| “One was a Butler, Jeeves of his Time” from “Go, Go, Go, Joseph!” from "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Metallurgy Palace of Culture in Oskemen, August 7, 2009. |
Third Annual American Corner Coordinators’ Workshop
 |
| Participants in this year’s American Corner coordinators’ workshop. |
Оn August 5-6, the U.S. Embassy’s third annual workshop for American Corner coordinators took place at the American Corner (AC) in Karaganda. Ten AC coordinators from Kazakhstan and one AC coordinator from Tomsk/Russia presented their programming successes and the difficulties they face in their daily work, shared their experiences, and brainstormed about ways of strengthening AC programs. Other themes included effective marketing and fundraising, active networking, working with databases, promotion of U.S. government-sponsored exchange study programs, local volunteerism, and a presentation of the newly created website of the ACs in Kazakhstan. Information Resource officer William Middleton from Washington D.C., together with the counselor for public affairs from the U.S. Embassy Astana, Victoria Sloan, welcomed participants to the workshop and thanked representatives from the city and oblast akimat – Vera Andreeva, deputy head of the Department of Culture of the Karaganda oblast akimat, and Valentina Razumova, foreign languages methodologist of the Karaganda city Department of Education – for the excellent cooperation. More..
Western Kazakhstan Alumni Association Created
 |
| USG alumni forming an alumni association |
At a two day conference in Aktau from Aug 1-2, 2009, a group of 30 alumni of various United States government-sponsored programs from Aktobe, Atyrau, Uralsk, and Aktau came together to form the Western Kazakhstani Alumni Association (WKAA). The conference was organized by Muskie alumnus Yertore Orazay. Two Muskie alumni, Geniyat Issin and Sergey Tsoy, explained how they established and sustained the Alumni Leaders League in Almaty, and U.S. Embassy representatives Balapan Ibrasheva and Maira Tungatarova discussed, respectively, how to create an alumni association and how to promote U.S. educational exchanges throughout Kazakhstan. More..
Coffee with Ambassador
U.S. Ambassador Richard Hoagland hosted a reception at his residence on Friday, July 31 for the finalists of the Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA). Ambassador Hoagland congratulated the finalists and expressed his hopes that they would learn as much as they could during their six week program in the United States so that they could implement it in their respective educational institutions when they return. This year, only 5 of the 130 applicants for the TEA program were accepted as finalists. The finalists asked the ambassador questions about life in the United States and enjoyed the reception very much.
American Adoption Expert Visits Kazakhstan
 |
| Victor Groza with participants of the round-table meeting at Taldy-Kurgan City Akimat. |
Ambassador meets Prime Minister
 |
| The House of Government of Kazakhstan. |
PPEPI Roundtable July 16-17, 2009
 |
| Ambassador Hoagland presents award to Maksat Idenov, First Vice President of KazMunaiGaz, along with Mrs.Idenov. |
Ambassador Hoagland visits Mangistau Oblast
 |
| Ambassador Hoagland meets with Askar Nurgaliyev, Acting Akim of Mangistau Oblast. |
On July 15, Ambassador Hoagland met with Askar Nurgaliyev, Acting Akim of Mangistau Oblast and discussed bilateral cooperation and answered press’ questions. Later that day, he visited the Ersai Caspian Contract LLC Fabrication Yard and met the representatives of environmental NGO, as well as USG alumni. Next day Ambassador Hoagland had a meeting with Vasiliy Novikov, Acting Director of the Aktau Sea Port, and a tour of port facilities. Also, he visited MAEK-Kazatomprom (including BN-350 plutonium breeder reactor).
Ice-cream social for FLEX finalists
 |
| U.S. embassy hosts FLEX finalists. |
On July 9, at the residence of U.S. Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland, the U.S. Embassy in Astana hosted an ice cream social for 50 finalists of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program—right after they received their visas to the United States. The ambassador congratulated the students, noting that it was a great achievement to pass three rounds of tests known to be among the hardest with respect to knowledge of English, leadership skills, and academic performance. This year, out of 4000 applicants, only 95 students made it through the FLEX application process to reach the final stage, and these students will soon go to America for a year abroad at high schools throughout the country. The finalists asked a lot of questions about life in America and were very pleased to have met with the ambassador of the United States.
Embassy Astana Celebrates Independence Day
 |
| Astana Marine Corps Detachment presents the Colors at Embassy Astana’s Independence Day Celebration. |
On July 2, 19:30, the U.S. Embassy in Astana hosted a reception in honor of the 233rd anniversary of the independence of the United States. A U.S. Marine color guard presented the colors while a choir of Kazakhstani vocalists sang both the Kazakhstani and the American national anthems. Before making his Independence Day remarks, Ambassador Hoagland presented a special video message from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. After the official ceremony, the Ambassador offered a toast to both nations, and the party began. Later, a group of Kazakhstani music students who had been working with an Embassy-sponsored American choreographer performed a musical number.
Please click here for President Obama’s Independence Day greeting.
2009-2010 FLEX finalists of Southern Kazakhstan
 |
| Cultural Affairs Officer Natasha Franceschi with 2009-2010 FLEX Program finalists. |
On June 30th, the U.S. Embassy hosted a pizza party in Almaty for Future Leaders Foreign Exchange Program (FLEX) finalists from Southern Kazakhstan. CAO Natasha Franceschi welcomed the new FLEXers and touched on the many opportunities afforded to them both in the United States and after their return to their home country. She also spoke about her experience as a former exchange student and reminded the students that they will serve as ambassadors of Kazakhstan. The FLEX program was created in 1992. Since that time, over 1,035 Kazakhstani students have had an opportunity to spend a year in the United States, living with an American family and studying at an American high school. FLEX is a program of the U.S. Department of State and is administered by American Councils. This year, over 4,700 students from all over Kazakhstan applied for only 95 places.
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking
 |
| Transnational Criminal Affairs Officer takes part in the tree planting ceremony. |
On June 26, 2009, Transnational Criminal Affairs Officer Anthony Beaver represented the U.S. Embassy at the and Illicit Drug Trafficking. The event was attended by the Ministry of Interior’s Committee on Combating Drugs, representatives of youth NGOs, diplomats from the Czech Republic and Russia, and a representative from UNODC. A time capsule with messages from young people of various countries to 2030 was buried in the yard of a new school and covered with a memorial stone. In addition, attendees planted three trees in the yard near the stone. Prior to the ceremony, youth paraded through the city spreading an anti-drug message as part of the “Astana: A City Without Drugs” progam.
KIMEP Students Quiz Ambassador
 |
| Ambassador Hoagland poses with KIMEP students at the U.S. Embassy in Astana. |
On June 9, Ambassador Hoagland welcomed 63 KIMEP students to the Embassy. The students asked the Ambassador questions on U.S.-Kazakhstani political and economic relations, the current global economic crisis, educational opportunities in the United States, and many other topics. Later in the day, the students toured the Embassy and learned how an Embassy functions.
The KIMEP students were in Astana to intern at Parliament. Through this program, they had an opportunity to gain inside knowledge about government and politics through field trips and other hands-on experience.
U.S. Franchising Expert Attends Kazakhstan Franchise Forum 2009
 |
| The Kazakhstan Franchise Forum 2009, Astana. |
From May 31-June 4, the International Franchise Association’s Charles Weeks visited Almaty and Astana. Mr. Weeks was the keynote speaker at the Kazakhstan Franchise Forum 2009, an event held in both cities which brought together Kazakhstani entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises, and government officials. The event was organized by the U.S. Commercial Service and the Kazakhstan Franchise Agency, and supported by Mega Center in cooperation with Pizza Hut and Coffeedelia. The Forum provided an opportunity for Kazakhstani business people to find new and successful business opportunities in franchising. In Almaty, Mr. Weeks also gave a lecture to undergraduate students at KIMEP, visited the Mega Center, and gave an interview to “Delovye Novosti.”
During his visit to Astana, Mr. Weeks spoke to students and teachers at Eurasian National University and the Institute of Management and met with alumni of USG-sponsored programs, representatives of the Union of Entrepreneurs “Atameken,” and Akimat representative from Astana’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Industry.
Chargé Kevin Milas Opens Ninth American Corner in Kostanai
 |
| Chargé Milas with guests at the opening of the American Corner in Kostanai. |
On May 25, Chargé d’Affaires Kevin Milas, together with the Deputy Akim of Kostanai Oblast, Serik Bekturganov, officially opened the ninth American Corner in the city of Kostanai at the L. Tolstoy Kostanai Oblast Universal Scientific Library. “It is called a Corner, but it is rather a window or even a door to the USA,” said Mr. Milas. The U.S. Embassy provided the American Corner with reference materials, fiction and non-fiction books, CDs, and video resources that cover a broad range of American culture and history. Using these materials, the people of Kostanai will be able to learn more about the United States, study English, and receive timely information about U.S. exchange programs. The American Corner in Kostanai already offers regular language classes, movie viewing, and public events. For media coverage of the American Corner opening please click here.
American Corners are partnerships between the U.S. Embassy and Kazakhstani host institutions that seek to create cross cultural understanding between the peoples of Kazakhstan and the United States. For more information about American Corners in Kazakhstan, please click here.
The Brian Horton Quartet Visits Kazakhstan
 |
| The Quartet jams with students at Astana’s National Academy of Music. |
From May 22-25, the Brian Horton Quartet visited Astana and Kostanai. This visit was a special event for Kazakhstan’s many jazz fans. In Astana, the Quartet played to a packed house at the Opera and Ballet Theater and conducted a master class with students from the National Academy of Music. The students also had an opportunity to jam with the musicians and show off their skills.
This was the first visit of American musicians to Kostanai and was timed to coincide with the opening of Kazakhstan’s ninth American Corner by Charge d’Affaires Kevin Milas and Deputy Akim of Kostanai Oblast Serik Bekturganov. The Quartet held an interactive master class for local musicians from the Kostanai Philharmonic and music students from the Rudny Music College. They also played a standing room only concert at the Philharmonic. As the Kazakhstani musicians learned the techniques of playing saxophone like Charlie Parker or piano like Duke Ellington, the American musicians learned about Kazakhstani hospitality and were welcomed with open arms everywhere they went.
The visit of the Brian Horton Quartet was sponsored by the Department of State’s Rhythm Roads program in conjunction with Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Chargé Marks Successful Dairy Project
 |
| Chargé d’Affaires Kevin Milas Dons Traditional Kazakh Garb to Celebrate Dairy Project Success. |
On May 19, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, Kevin Milas, attended an open field day at the Alipov-T farm in the Talgar Region just outside of Almaty. The event demonstrated a successful project at Alipov-T implemented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Winrock International which increased milk production reduced feed costs by 70%. “We hope that other Kazakhstani farmers will learn by this example and also increase their productivity, reduce their costs, and enhance their revenues,” said Chargé Milas at the ceremony. The dairy improvement project introduced rotational grazing and other sustainable dairy production practices that can increase productivity, profitability, and environmental quality in Kazakhstani dairy farms. For more information on the project, please click here to see the full press release.
The U.S. Embassy Launches American Documentary Showcase from May 16 – 23
The U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, in partnership with the International Documentary Association and the Centre for Central Asian Cinema, is pleased to announce the American Documentary Showcase program, featuring several prestigious U.S. documentary films. Five American documentaries will be shown from May 16 to 18 at the Star Cinema, Mega Centre in Almaty and from May 20 to 22 at the Oskemen American Corner and at select universities in Oskemen and Semey. More..
Victory Day, 2009
 |
Victory Day video message from U.S. Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland to the people of Kazakhstan, May 9, 2009. Video
Alumni Commemorated Earth Day with Akkol Orphanage Kids
 |
| Kuralai Seitalina with the project participants. |
On May 2, a group of alumni of U.S. government exchange programs U.S. Embassy staffers visited Akkol, a small village near Astana, to conduct an educational activity for children aimed at raising awareness of environmental and health issues. The event was organized by Kuralai Seitalina, a UGRAD alumna, to commemorate Earth Day. The children were divided into competing teams and rotated between four environmental and health stations, where they learned about water preservation, personal hygiene, healthy eating, and the dangers of smoking and littering. After completing the educational activities, the children competed in athletic competitions. The winning teams were awarded prizes, and both the organizers and the participants had a wonderful time.
Jurassic Steppe
 |
| DCM Kevin Milas shares pizza with children at the Duman Center. |
The Director of the Astana Jungle Animation Theater at Duman Entertainment Center, Bulat Mazhagulov, invited U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Kevin Milas and his assistant, Perni Reese, to bring a group of underprivileged Kazakhstani families, escorted by the Nuns of Mother Theresa, for a special day out at the park. The tour brought the children face-to-face with “living” dinosaurs, giant spiders and insects, and King Kong. After the hair-raising thrills and heart-pounding surprises, the tour finished in an Amazon cultural show with special effects similar to Universal Studios in Hollywood. More..
Full House for American Jazz
 |
| Roseanna Vitro and members of Jazz I Am band during the concert. |
On April 22, the Jazz I Am band, sponsored by the U.S. Embassy, performed a standing-room only concert at the Opera and Ballet Theater in Astana. Earlier in the day, the members of the band, led by vocalist Roseanna Vitro, had conducted master classes at the Astana’s Music Academy. The concert was very well received by the horde of Astana jazz fans that filled every seat in the auditorium and spilled out into the aisles. For more information on the concert, click here.
Embassy Volunteers Clean Roadside for Earth Day
 |
| DCM Kevin Milas explains the embassy’s Earth Day celebration to local media. |
On Wednesday, April 22, 17 volunteers from the U.S. Embassy celebrated Earth Day by cleaning up an area alongside the Karaganda Highway. The team of volunteers was lead by DCM Kevin Milas. It was an excellent opportunity to have some fun while helping to contribute to our adopted community of Astana. Click here for local media coverage of the event and here for the embassy press release.
The American Corner in Karaganda Organizes Children’s Art Exhibition
 |
From April 7 till April 14, the American Corner in Karaganda celebrated its third anniversary by sponsoring a Children’s Art Exhibition. The exhibition, entitled “America Is Closer Than It Seems,” was organized in cooperation with Karaganda Art School #1. During the event, the Corner hosted children from throughout the Karaganda area who showed a great interest in learning about the United States. More..
Ambassador Lauds Anti-Trafficking Partnership
 |
| Ambassador Hoagland addresses Anti-Trafficking in Persons conference. |
Ambassador Hoagland delivered opening remarks at a conference presenting the results of a U.S. Government-funded anti-trafficking public awareness campaign conducted by the Union of Crisis Centers NGO, in conjunction with an Interior Ministry “Stop Trafficking” operation. The conference, held at Nur-Otan Party headquarters, detailed how this campaign heightened public awareness of human trafficking and ways to avoid being victimized. NGO members and police officers disseminated anti-trafficking flyers in 13 cities, reaching 80,000 people. Police uncovered 56 cases of human trafficking in the course of this joint operation. Transcript
PPEPI Press Conference
 |
| Ambassador Hoagland, Deputy Prime Minister Orynbayev and other members of the Coordinating Committee of the U.S.-Kazakhstan Public Private Economic Partnership Initiative (PPEPI) brief the press following a meeting in Astana on April 1, 2009. |
The Coordinating Committee of the Public Private Economic Partnership Initiative (PPEPI), a partnership formed between the public and private sectors of the United States and Kazakhstan, held its first meeting in Astana on April 1, 2009. Expressing the group’s enthusiasm at a press conference following the meeting, Ambassador Hoagland said that the PPEPI “further demonstrates the true partnership that has developed between our two countries over the years. The exchange of ideas, expertise, and experience as envisioned in this partnership will enhance the economic growth and prosperity of the country and people of Kazakhstan.” More..
Kazakhstani Students Draw Attention to Earth Hour 2009
 |
| On March 28, students participated in a flash mob to draw attention to Earth Hour 2009. The U.S. Embassy supported this activity by providing financial support to the local organizer, the Decenta Public Fund, and by switching off some lights on the Embassy compound. |
On March 28, the Decenta Public Fund, a local partner of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) organized Earth Hour 2009. The purpose of this activity was to draw attention to global warming by asking the public to switch off their lights for one hour. Many Astana landmarks and businesses throughout Kazakhstan participated in this activity.
The Decenta Public Fund also organized a flash mob on the compound of Eurasian National University to support Earth Hour 2009. Approximately 200 students formed the number 60 (the official Earth Hour logo) and then KZ, to represent Kazakhstan.
The U.S. Embassy provided financial support for this activity and also participated by switched off some lights on the Embassy compound.
Ambassador Discusses Democracy with University Students
 |
| On March 16, Ambassador Hoagland gave a democracy speech to students and professors at the Kazakh University of Humanities and Law in Astana. |
On March 16, 2009, Ambassador Hoagland delivered a speech on democracy to approximately 100 students and professors from the Kazakh University of Humanities and Law in Astana. Following the lecture, the Ambassador answered questions on topics ranging from whether rule of law applies to visitors as well as citizens of the United states to whether changing mindsets is as important as changing institutions. Transcript
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Op-Ed Celebrating International Women's Day
On a trip to China eleven years ago, I met with women activists who told me about their efforts to advance conditions for women in their country. They offered a vivid portrait of the challenges women faced: employment discrimination, inadequate health care, domestic violence, antiquated laws .. More..
The Use of Horses for Milk and Food Offers Clues for Animal's Social Significance
5 March 2009
States News Service
The following information was released by the National Science Foundation:
The earliest known domesticated horses were both ridden and milked according to a new report published in the March 6, 2009 edition of the journal Science. The findings by an international team of archaeologists could point to the very beginnings of horse domestication and help explain its early impacts on society. More..
Ambassador Welcomes Health Conference Participants
 |
| Ambassador Hoagland delivers opening remarks at the start of the Central Asia Regional Health Security Workshop on March 2. |
Ambassador Richard Hoagland welcomed participants from throughout the Central Asian region to the start of the Central Asia Regional Health Security Workshop on March 2 at the Grand Park Esil hotel in Astana. The three-day workshop, co-organized by U.S. Central Command and the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, provides a forum for discussing regional health issues pertaining to disaster relief and response scenarios and encouraging regional collaboration in addressing common challenges. The workshop tackles a number of key themes—including civilian-military health collaboration, disaster response, hazardous materials accidents, health challenges pertaining to disaster response and relief, and cooperative training—and has brought together approximately 30 participants from Central Asia, the United States, and Germany.
Ambassador Leads Student Dialogue on Diplomacy
 |
| Ambassador Hoagland Engages in Lively Foreign Policy Dialogue with Institute of Diplomacy Students. |
On February 27, Ambassador Richard Hoagland gave a guest lecture at the Institute of Diplomacy, a part of the Kazakhstan Academy of Public Administration. Ambassador Hoagland was invited by Institute of Diplomacy instructor Hubert Petit, First Counsellor and Head of the Political-Economic section at the European Commission in Kazakhstan, to deliver brief remarks and engage in a lively and informative dialogue with the students on a variety of issues related to international relations and U.S. foreign policy. Click here to read the full transcript of the lecture.
DCM Kevin Milas Talks to Discussion Club Members
 |
| DCM Kevin Miles shows different regions on the U.S. map. |
On Tuesday, February 24, 2009, Deputy Chief of Mission Kevin Milas met with members of the Embassy’s “American Perspectives” discussion club. Fifteen members from diverse background appreciated the opportunity to learn about life in America, particularly its cities, national parks, and different regions.
The purpose of the discussion club is to help students and professionals to improve their English conversation skills and to foster cultural exchange. Meetings with Embassy officials are held every Tuesday evening at the U.S. Embassy’s Information Resource Center. For more information, contact ircastana@usembassy.kz
Academy Awards Breakfast with Alumni
 |
| DCM Kevin Milas hosted Academy Awards Breakfast for alumni in Astana. |
On February 23, Deputy Chief of Mission Kevin Milas and Mrs. Eileen Milas hosted an Academy Awards breakfast for USG alumni at their residence in Astana. During the breakfast, alumni had an opportunity to watch a live broadcast of the 81st Academy Awards as well as make their own predictions about who would win. Ms. Anel Khaidargalieva, a 2007 FLEX alumna, guessed 90% of the winners correctly. The alumni greatly enjoyed the opportunity to see Hollywood at its finest, and expressed interest in attending similar cultural events in the future.
New Kazakh Legislation a Step Forward on Democratic Path
Washington — Kazakhstan is making progress in implementing democratic reforms, the United States says, but further steps are needed for Kazakhstan to fully meet its Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) commitments in the areas of press freedom and political pluralism.
In a February 12 statement to the OSCE Permanent Council, Kyle Scott, chargé d’affaires of the U.S. mission to the OSCE, urged Kazakhstan to work with the OSCE to improve its newly signed media legislation by decriminalizing libel. He also urged Kazakhstan to develop legislation ensuring that all political parties are represented on independent electoral commissions and reducing registration hurdles for political parties.
In early February, Kazakhstan’s president, Nursultan A. Nazarbayev, signed into law new legislation on the media, on elections and on political parties that was aimed at fulfilling commitments made by Kazakhstan at the November 2007 OSCE annual ministerial council meeting. Kazakhstan will chair the OSCE in 2010. Full Article
Interview with Under Secretary for Political Affairs William J. Burns by Interfax News Agency
On February 12, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns visited Moscow, met with Russian officials, and gave his views about prospects for better Russian-American relations to the Interfax News Agency. Transcript
EducationUSA Presentation for Students of the College of Economics and Law, Astana
 |
| The students of the College of Economics and Law at the EducationUSA presentation. |
On February 9, U.S. Embassy Cultural Attaché Natasha Franceschi and Astana EducationUSA advising center head Irina Shubina met with English-speaking students at the College of Economics and Law in Astana to discuss opportunities for Kazakhstani students to study in the United States. Ms. Franceschi discussed the factors that make the United States a leader in higher education, and distributed information about U.S. government funded programs. Ms. Shubina gave a brief overview of the U.S. education system, and introduced students to the study-abroad resources available through EducationUSA. Muskie alumna Balapan Ibrasheva and U-Grad alumna Victoria Alzhanova also shared their experiences and answered questions from the students.
Ambassador Hoagland Holds Astana Press Conference
 |
| Ambassador Hoagland addresses journalists at his January 28 press conference. |
U.S. Ambassador Richard Hoagland held his second press conference on January 28, 2009, at the U.S. Embassy in Astana. Following his introductory press conference in Almaty last November, Ambassador Hoagland took advantage of the opportunity to discuss the historic change of presidential administrations in the United States and how the changes could affect U.S. policy in Kazakhstan. He answered various questions from journalists, ranging from U.S.-Kazakhstani bilateral issues to possible personnel changes in the U.S. Department of State. For a copy of the transcript, please click here. For links to media coverage of his press conference, please click here.
Special OIC Envoy Visits Astana
 |
| Special Envoy Sada Cumber and Naib-Imam (assistant Imam) Askhat Salimov at the Nur Astana Central Mosque. |
U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Sada Cumber, visited Astana on January 8-9 to discuss the government of Kazakhstan’s initiatives on interfaith harmony and tolerance, as well as its priorities for its 2011 chairmanship of the OIC.
While in Astana, Special Envoy Cumber met with government and religious leaders, and toured the Nur Astana Central Mosque and Islamic Center with the Imam. Special Envoy Cumber, a practicing Muslim who was born in Pakistan, was a successful entrepreneur in Texas before he was chosen by President Bush as his representative to the OIC.
Transcript Press Release
Student Wows Kansas Community
Gulmira Aripova, an exchange student from Shymkent who is studying English at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, was profiled by her local television station, KSAL. A participant in the U.S. Embassy’s prestigious Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD), Aripova is proving to be an excellent ambassador for her country by teaching the people of Central Kansas about the history and culture of Kazakhstan. To read the text of the interview, please click here. For more information about the UGRAD program, and other opportunities to study in the United States, please click here.
