Recognizing Kazakhstan's Leadership in Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament

Floor Speech

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Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, as we marked the 14th annual ``International Day Against Nuclear Test'' on August 29, I rise to commend the Republic of Kazakhstan's role in nuclear disarmament and its work alongside the United States. I commend Kazakhstan's unwavering commitment to preserving international peace and stability.

Upon the dissolution of the former Soviet Union, the Republic of Kazakhstan inherited the fourth largest nuclear arsenal and the Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site. In the 4 decades before the fall of the Soviet Union, 456 explosions were carried out at the Semipalatinsk test site, 1 of the largest sites of its kind. These tests caused irreparable damage to human health and the environment, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates among the local population.

Despite global pressure and potential political and strategic advantages that this arsenal would provide for Kazakhstan, the newly formed republic understood the potential political, security, and humanitarian issues that could arise if such a nuclear arsenal were maintained. On August 29, 1991, Kazakhstan made the historic decision to decommission the Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site. Shortly after, the Nation voluntarily renounced its nuclear weapons arsenal.

Kazakhstan's decision demonstrated a clear commitment to the goals of nuclear security and nonproliferation, which became 1 of its landmark policies and was the first in a series of vital measures aimed at achieving a more peaceful international community. Since the site was closed, the United States has partnered with Kazakhstan to eliminate the Soviet legacy of nuclear test infrastructure from Kazakhstan's territory.

Kazakhstan and the United States implemented the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program--or the ``Nunn-Lugar'' program--which resulted in the dismantling of nuclear-weapon infrastructure. The states secured and removed residual weapons of mass destruction-related materials and technology from the former nuclear test site. These actions signaled a major shift in the existing global political paradigm and have led to the closure of other major test sites around the world. The Nunn-Lugar decision propelled a collective momentum for the global ban of nuclear testing, and it paved the way for the adoption of the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Today, when the risk of using nuclear weapons has come under increased scrutiny, it is important to remind the global community of the dangers that weapons of mass destruction pose to our safety and future.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in reaffirming the United States' commitment to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and working alongside Kazakhstan to strengthen the global regime for the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the achievement of a nuclear-weapon-free future.

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