Transcripts
Interview with Khabar Television
Chief of Mission Residence, February 27, 2005 
(Voice over by anchorman). The important geopolitical role of Kazakhstan explains the attention to the Republic’s strategic plans paid by states seeking to influence the oil-rich Caspian region. In this regard, what is most interesting is the reaction of the United States, whose multiple interests in Central Asia are to a great extent focused on Kazakhstan. The United States Ambassador John Ordway stated in his interview with our program that President Nazarbayev’s address was a wonderful example of how a head of the state can and should be accountable to his nation and determine the course for the country’s further progress. According to the American diplomat, cooperation between Kazakhstan and the U.S. is successfully developing in many area, and especially in security and energy. Speaking of Kazakhstan’s role in Central Asia, John Ordway noted that the Republic has the strongest economy in the region and, therefore, its leading role in the integration processes taking place in Eurasia is quite understandable. The U.S. view of Kazakhstani–American relations is described in more detail is in John Ordway’s interview with our program’s international commentator Dina Bukayeva.
DB: Mister Ordway, how would you evaluate Kazakhstani–American relations at the present stage?
Amb: The U.S. was the first country to recognize Kazakhstan and to open an embassy here. From the very beginning we had excellent relations with Kazakhstan, its government and its people. During the first years our efforts were aimed at resolving such issues as weapons of mass destruction and non-proliferation. As time passed and the situation changed, the focus of our relations shifted as well. Though we continue to work on issues of WMD and non-proliferation, now more attention is paid to the problems of small and medium business, democratization issues, building of strong civil society, improving the economy and combating terrorism. All these activities help create a solid base for our relations.
DB: What are your impressions concerning our President’s annual address to the people of Kazakhstan?
Amb: President Nazarbayev highlighted what was achieved, as well as those challenges that Kazakhstan faced and that the country overcame in its years of its independence, and he did it very well. The President also highlighted the problems and challenges of the future. I think that the Address was a fine example of how a president can and should be accountable to the people and how he intends to rule the country in the near future. President Nazarbayev emphasized the considerable role that the U.S. along with the world’s other leading powers play in Kazakhstan and its foreign policy. He mentioned the struggle against terrorism and Kazakhstan’s part in it, which in my opinion is very important. The President noted Kazakhstan’s firm determination to move ahead on the path of democratization, an area in which we stand ready to help. He talked about the further development of the economy, the development of small and medium enterprises, an area which is essential for the economy in terms of providing jobs for the people. These are all areas in which we are involved and want to help Kazakhstan. On the whole the address really did emphasize how much we have in common, as well as how much we have to work together.
DB: It is not a secret that an opinion exists in the world that today the U.S. in its international policy is taking less and less into account the position of the international community, and is being guided only by its own strategic interests. What do you think of in this view?
Amb: First of all, I think that every country tries to pursue its own interests and national security and neither the U.S. nor Kazakhstan is an exception in this regard. But we always look for ways to pursue our interests together and in common with other countries. I think think it's both an oversimplification and misreading of the situation to say we have no interest in the opinions of other countries. For instance, President Bush is now in Europe and putting a lot of effort into restoring the really excellent level of relations that we traditionally have with our European friends and allies. I think that focusing only on Iraq would mean overlooking other areas where we successfully cooperate. There are many areas where we do work very cooperatively and do listen to the international community, whether it’s in assistance to the poorest countries of the world, the struggle against the global threats such as AIDS, or the creation of an international coalition for combating terrorism.
DB: The situation in the Middle East is all concentrated around the ‘oil question.’ What is its role in the U.S.’s relations with Kazakhstan?
Amb: Kazakhstan and its government have always taken the approach of developing oil resources of the country jointly with other countries, attracting investments and world-class management, and international oil companies. In the U.S. oil companies carry out their policies independently. They are private and represent their shareholders. Our task was to facilitate the creation of an investment climate and conditions for healthy competition. American companies are not the only companies active in Kazakhstan. France, Italy, Great Britain, Russia and other states are represented in this sector. I think that all this creates healthy competition and balance. Another very important aspect for a land-locked state such as Kazakhstan, and one in which we played an active role and which we are proud of helping to develop, is the search of transport routes to world markets. In this respect we supported construction of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, the largest U.S. investment project in Russia. We also assist in the transportation of Kazakhstan's oil through Baku – Tbilisi – Ceyhan pipeline. We think that this balanced approach will ensure secure transport routes for Kazakhstan's oil, which are really necessary for your country to better use oil resources. I want to add that in many countries the oil question can aggravate relations and lead to friction between countries. In the case of Kazakhstan, we see just the opposite. The presence of American companies and their contribution have strengthened and attached greater importance to our relations.
DB: How would you evaluate initiatives of Kazakhstan in the creation of regional organizations such as the Forum on Interaction and Confidence-Building measures in Asia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the role of the Republic in the region?
Amb: I think that after the collapse of the U.S.S.R. the central coordinating role of Russia was lost. In the last 13 – 14 years it was necessary to create new mechanisms that would allow the independent and sovereign countries of Central Asia to develop new models of cooperation. These countries needed to improve their economy in accordance with the modern global practice, and not only the economy but also security, trade, culture and other areas. I think that regional organizations you mentioned can play an important role in that. Kazakhstan is the largest state in Central Asia and it has probably the most dynamically developing economy. It can play the leading role and promote the progress of these organizations. If the work of these organizations is transparent and they do not exclude others who want to work in this region, we will only welcome them.
DB: You have been working in Kazakhstan for half a year already. What is your impression about life in this country, and about the Kazakhstanis? Did anything surprise you in Kazakhstan?
Amb: The size and the scope of the country. I was very much surprised, though I shouldn't have been, since I had read a lot about Kazakhstan. And I also was surprised by how wonderfully Kazakhstan functions as a multinational, multiethnic, and multireligious society. There are not that many countries in the world that would be able to achieve that. That impresses me very much.
DB: Mister Ambassador, thank you very much for the interview.