Foreign public figures' words about Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev

13:44, 5 July 2009

ANA. July 5. KAZINFORM /Rizvana Sadykova/ The III Congress of Leaders of the World and Traditional Religions finished its work in Astana on July 2. 77 delegations from 35 countries took part in it. In his Address Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia General Secretary, World Council of Churches warmly congratulated Nursultan Nazarbayev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on his successful efforts at bringing world religious leaders together once more". He also said" At the outset, I wish to acknowledge that Kazakhstan has a distinguished history of being at the cross-roads of many cultures and religions. Today it is home to large Muslim and Christian communities as well as a variety of other religious communities, all desiring to worship and practice their faith in freedom and peace. As you well know, your Excellency. While it is in the interest of state that religions live harmoniously in a society, inter-religious cooperation cannot be imposed by the state."

Kazinform also offers its readers several statements given in different periods of our history

President of Brasil Lula da Silva

The Kazakh Head of the State is famous for numerous initiatives of special importance. Kazakhstan is heart of Asia. And today we are getting closer towards each other... (decision) on closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site is "Heroic" one (speaking about President Nazarbayev's initiatives in the field of disarmament). Brazil has similar opinion on this issue - the ban on production and usage of nuclear weapons is outlined in the Constitution of the country.

Colin Powel, US State Secretary:

"President Nazarbayev and Kazakhstan have always been good friends for the US and for me personally. I warmly recall our wonderful meetings with President Nazarbayev. I am deeply grateful for the aid rendered by Kazakhstan in the global war against terrorism and in Iraq. Kazakhstan has two powerful neighbors, but it also has the third "neighbor" though being geographically afar but congenial in spirit.

Nursultan Nazarbayev is my personal close friend. I deeply appreciate these relationships".

Nikita Mikhalkov, Russian Film Director:

"Nazarabyev is the father of his nation. He can not only listen, but also hear and pay heed to what is being said. It is a very scarce attribute amidst those who touched the stars above.

But just hearing is not enough. Decisions need to be taken. Patience and compassion need to be practiced. Woe to them for whom power is a cherished dream. Never will they be satisfied, nor will they ever relinquish power. And glory be to the one who bears this cross with patience, fully realizing its burden; to the one who understands and in all humility accepts the ear-splitting loneliness which always accompanies those reaching the peaks of political power breezed by winds of state interests".

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