The USA is the Great Satan: And Don’t You Forget It!
“Our independence as a country is not unlike what America experienced over 200 years ago and I trust we are on the same path to democracy and civil society that will most certainly strengthen relations between our two countries. My country can lay claim to about 3-4% of the world’s proven oil resources in addition to a remarkable treasure trove of minerals. But despite its warm and ever evolving strategic relations with the US, not so many Americans know much about its origins as a country with a great nomadic heritage. Or about its extraordinary late 20th century transition from impoverished Soviet backwater to a tolerant and prosperous modern democracy building state…I also see my mission as reaching into America’s heartland to better understand its history and culture, to appreciate its ethnic diversity and political legacy, and most of all to capture the spirit and character of the American people. For the people of both our countries, it is about shared values and mutual support that can be achieved by reaching out to one another. “
And just like the USA, Kazakhstan has some difficulties in the human rights arena. They are chastised for an abuse here and there but that doesn’t, nor should it, interfere with what Kennan advised in 1948.
According to Human Rights Watch “…the [Kazak] government has shown no signs of fundamental change. Human rights groups have documented a continued deterioration of human rights conditions in the country. The Kazakh government has rejected efforts by human rights groups and the political opposition to press for expanded human rights and freedoms guaranteed by international agreements and Kazakhstan's own constitution. For example, the government did not react to a draft law on freedom of assembly submitted to the president's Commission on Human Rights by several Kazakh human rights groups in September 2007. It has also ignored criticism or ideas submitted by civil society groups in various working groups discussing legal reforms. It has further tightened control over independent media and the internet, interfered with the political opposition (among other things, by refusing to register a major opposition party), and brought politically motivated lawsuits against its critics. The government has not carried out meaningful reforms guaranteeing rights in key areas such as freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and access to legal counsel.”
Consider the stakes. According to the US Energy Information Administration, ““ Kazakhstan is important to world energy markets… Kazakhstan has the Caspian Sea region's largest recoverable crude oil reserves, and its production accounts for over half of the roughly 2.8 million barrels per day (bbl/d) currently being produced in the region (including regional oil producers Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan). Kazakhstan oil exports are the foundation of the country’s economy and have ensured that average real GDP growth has stayed above 9 percent for the last 6 years. Real GDP growth during 2007 averaged 9.5 percent.”
President Barak Obama has read Kennan closely. He sent a letter to the Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev celebrating that country’s 18th year of independence. "In last eighteen years your country has reached great success in its development as a sovereign, stable and a prospering state. I am grateful to Kazakhstan for its adherence to stabilization and rehabilitation of Afghanistan and I appreciate your personal contribution to promotion of inter-ethnic and religious tolerance. Kazakhstan's leadership in prevention of proliferation of nuclear weapons deserves the highest appreciation. The USA looks forward working with you and Kazakhstan people for promotion of our common vision of a peaceful and prospering future in order to let Kazakhstan play a more important role in Central Asia and other regions.”
Assistant Secretary of State George A. Krol stated that “democracy itself is about more than elections -- its development depends on protection of minority rights and freedom of expression, government responsiveness and transparency, and a fair and effective judiciary.”
Lofty words by Krol.
Bet the money on George Kennan’s Great Satan.
John Stanton is a Virginia-based writer specializing in political and national security matters. His most recent book is General David Petraeus’ Favorite Mushroom—Inside the US Army Human Terrain System available at Amazon and Wiseman Publishing. Reach him at camus666ster@gmail.com.
