The promise of the emerging democracies

The article was published on the eve of a session of the UN General Assembly where these issues are planned to be discussed. Kazinform offers an extract from the article.

Future is ensured by cooperation not nuclear weapon

The world changes. Amid the economic challenges and international security problems new alliances appear. Global trade-economic processes and close interaction among the countries deepen the relations and open new opportunities. Kazakhstan like many emerging democracies is cautiously optimistic on future based on hard lessons of history. Policy has always had consequences; alliances both liberate and captivate us. Such leaders of superpowers as Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev can reverse decades of estrangement to put forces and processes in motion affecting all of us.

Located between Russia, China, Iran and Afghanistan Kazakhstan and Central Asia feel the consequences of such influence like no other else. Here light breeze in diplomatic relations among Russia, China and the USA can turn into a blinding windstorm which undoubtedly makes us think of our role and impact within these relationships.

Some bellicose countries pretend to rattle sabers to attract more attention and receive a concession here and there. Certainly, their tactics allows them to be in focus of international news. Other countries brings America and western democracies under pressure before backing off  waiting for the next round of strategic pressure to take leading positions in the club of nuclear powers.  Alongside, such emerging democracies like Kazakhstan have a responsibility and a role to play on the global arena and it is more important for the welfare of all freedom-loving nations.

The initiative of the Presidents B. Obama and D. Medvedev on one-third reduction of nuclear arsenals of their countries reminds again of Kazakhstan's role. 18 years ago we took a decision on closing the Semipalatinsk nuclear testing site. And this decision greatly influenced the current size of these arsenals and set the stage for a decision on dispose of 104 SS-18 inter-continental ballistic missiles.

Our decision aimed at creation of a new economic and political model in Kazakhstan and we believed that our future welfare directly depended on the relations with the West in security, trade and investments.

Our desire was involvement in what I like to call as "cooperative leadership" that is pragmatic and constructive interaction with numerous and complex forces in our region. Namely such philosophy led us to renunciation of the nuclear weapons and active development of the relations with the USA as well as Russia, China, Iran and in fact with all countries striving for cooperation with Kazakhstan.

On August 29 we marked the anniversary of the decision. The philosophy of cooperative leadership benefits Kazakhstan and our international ties. Adherence to democratic values, supremacy of law, transparence, tolerance and free trade allowed us creating a stable state and form well-educated middle class.

Sharing the common values of freedom and peaceful development democracies firmly support each other. Since Sept 11 terror attacks which shocked the mankind Kazakhstan has stood shoulder to shoulder with the USA in struggle against international terrorism and continues to provide assistance on stabilization of Afghanistan.

As an emerging democracy Kazakhstan succeeds in encouragement of the dialogue even between warring parties. The III Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions which gathered religious leaders from almost all countries is one of the examples of our achievements. Our readiness to create an international nuclear fuel bank under the IAEA control is supported by the US, Russian and Chinese Leaders. President of Israel Shimon Peres has recently proposed Kazakhstan to hold a historic meeting of two key leaders from his country - Saudi Arabia and the Islamic world.

This is how emerging democracies contribute to world policy. Two weeks after election President Barack Obama phoned me to discuss the issues of regional cooperation, the measures on nuclear weapons non-proliferation and energy interaction. During this talk President Obama let understand he favored pragmatism as a basis for civilized statecraft.

Some have criticized such inadequate approach to foreign policy promised by President B. Obama. To my mind this criticism is groundless. Pragmatism is necessary in nation building and pragmatic policy will more likely evoke positive response than the so-called ideological crusade. Emerging democracies understand this challenge. Cooperative leadership is an important role which we can play and an important example we can set for others.