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Disarmament DiplomacyIssue No. 22, January 1998Documents and SourcesUS-Kazakhstan Nuclear Agreement Letter from President Clinton to Congress, 28 January 1998 Extracts "I am pleased to transmit to the Congress...the text of a proposed Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Republic of Kazakhstan Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy... The proposed agreement with the Republic of Kazakhstan has been negotiated in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 and as otherwise amended. In my judgment, the proposed agreement meets all statutory requirements and will advance the non-proliferation and other foreign policy interests of the United States. The agreement provides a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and Kazakhstan under appropriate conditions and controls reflecting our common commitment to nuclear non-proliferation goals. Kazakhstan is a non-nuclear-weapons State party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Republic of Kazakhstan agreed to the removal of all nuclear weapons from its territory. It has a full-scope safeguards agreement in force with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to implement its safeguards obligations under the NPT. It has enacted national legislation to control the use and export of nuclear and dual-use materials and technology. The proposed agreement with the Republic of Kazakhstan permits the transfer of technology, material, equipment (including reactors), and components for nuclear research and nuclear power production. It provides for US consent rights to retransfer, enrichment, and reprocessing as required by US law. It does not permit transfers of any sensitive nuclear technology, restricted data, or sensitive nuclear facilities or major critical components thereof. In the event of termination, key conditions and controls continue with respect to material and equipment subject to the agreement. I have considered the views and recommendations of the interested agencies in reviewing the proposed agreement and have determined that its performance will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security. Accordingly, I have approved the agreement and authorized its execution and urge that the Congress give it favorable consideration. ..." Source: United States Information Agency, 29 January. © 1998 The Acronym Institute. |