New York Times: Kazakhstan - global leader in nuclear security
ASTANA. April 15. KAZINFORM In the New York Times article "Kazakhstan - Global Leader in Nuclear Security" Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev was quoted as saying: "Kazakhstan, where 1.5 million people suffered from the effects of 500 nuclear explosions, knows the human cost of the nuclear threat better than anyone. That's why we got rid of the world's fourth largest nuclear arsenal. And that is why we call on the world to follow our example that has not alternative."
On December 16, 1991 Kazakhstan declared its independence. Before that, on August 29, 1991 President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed the Decree on closure of the disastrous Semipalatinsk test site, thus making a bold and decisive step toward a nuclear-free world, the newspaper says.
The New York Times notes that at the suggestion of N. Nazarbayev the United Nations Organization decided to declare August 29 as the International Day of Action against nuclear testing.