Kazakhstan's Military
and National Security
Kazakhstan's nuclear arsenal and
foreign interests in its stability helped to maintain its national security. It
has negotiated a stable position with its neighbors and has created
relationships with the United States and other Western nations. Foreign countries
help guarantee Kazakhstan's stability to protect their own economic interests.
The major concern for Kazakhstan now is how it will maintain its national
security after it disposes of all of its nuclear weapons.
Nuclear weapons were a main
contributor to Kazakhstan's national security. The breakup of the Soviet Union
left Kazakhstan with many nuclear missiles and even some nuclear capable
aircraft. (Nuclear Politics and the Future Security of
Kazakhstan, p.7) The
United States and Russia took a direct interest in eliminating these assets to
consolidate the nuclear power of the former Soviet Union in the Russian
Federation.
Kazakhstan also had an interest in
ridding itself of nuclear arms and materials. Kazakhstan was the test zone for
the Soviet Union during its development of nuclear technology and weapons.
"Between 1949 and 1989 some 490 nuclear tests were conducted in the
Republic, including 26 above-ground tests, 87 atmospheric tests and 354 underground
tests…." (Kazakhstan Human Development Report -
Chapter 2, p.22) These
tests created more than 70 thousand square miles of unusable land and caused
75% of the surrounding population to suffer from exposure to radiation (Kazakhstan Human Development Report -
Chapter 2, p.22-23). This
mistreatment of the land and the people developed a very strong anti-nuclear
sentiment in the country. Kazakhstan is more than willing to get rid of its
nuclear weapons, but it is resentful of also getting rid of the security that
they provide.
Kazakhstan has since removed all
nuclear weapons from its soil.
The United States has worked with Kazakhstan
to reduce the amount of nuclear material in the country. The United States Air
Force flew "600 kilograms of highly enriched uranium from Kazakhstan for safekeeping in the
United States." (OSIA Chronology, p.10) The world community is also working
to reduce the number of nuclear warheads in Kazakhstan by subsidizing the
dismantling process, and solving other problems related to nuclear materials. (Nuclear Politics and the Future Security of
Kazakhstan p.3, U.S.- Kazakhstan Agreement To Seal Up
World's Largest Nuclear Test Tunnel Complex) There is an overwhelming interest in eliminating nuclear
weapons from Kazakhstan.
The United States seems willing to
supplement the gap left in Kazakhstan's national security after dismantling Kazakhstan's
nuclear arsenal. In September 1997, paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne
Division flew from Fort Bragg to Kazakhstan to participate in training
exercises with Kazakhstani and Uzbekistani forces. (WRAL Online - U.S. Military Working for
Peace in Former Enemy Land)
One interesting fact, considering that Kazakhstan is landlocked, is that in
addition to the training exercises, "the expeditionary force is replacing
a U.S. Navy carrier in the region, allowing the ship and crew to return to the
United States." (Moron Air Base 'buzzes' with Mobility Task
Force Action, p.1) None
the less, the United States has all but formally committed itself to protecting
Kazakhstan.
There are many reasons for the
United States to become so involved in Kazakhstan. Huge deposits of natural
resources are located in Kazakhstan, oil in particular. (Welcome
to Kazakhstan - Natural Conditions and Resources) Another factor is that U.S. companies
have invested in Kazakhstan's economy. Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, and AES
have built production facilities in Kazakhstan or purchased portions of an
industry through Kazakhstan's privatization programs. (Kazakhstan Privatizes Power Generation, Kazakhstan Is Drowning In Contraband) Another possible factor for the United
State's interest in Kazakhstan is its close proximity to Russia and China,
which makes it a valuable strategically located ally. (Kazakhstan Land Map)
The Kazakhstan military is not the
professional unit that people in the United States are familiar with. Kazakhstan
continued compulsory service similar to the Soviet Union's system. Most often,
the military is seen in a negative light. Many of the young men in the service
patrol city streets in small groups. They are intended to assist people, but
most people try to avoid them.
The military does have some
positive public rapport. Every five years, there is a Kazak national holiday in
remembrance of Kazak citizens that died in protests against the Soviet Union
when an ethnic Russian replaced an ethnic Kazak as the governor of Kazakhstan.
In honor of this national holiday, there was a military parade that displayed Kazakhstan's
Soviet era equipment.
Kazakhstan's Economy
The economy in Kazakhstan is
steadily improving. Foreign companies are buying much of its public utility
industry and privatizing it. This helps generate revenue for the government of Kazakhstan.
It also helps modernize the country through foreign investment and upgraded
services. One of the requirements for a foreign company to purchase a utility
is for the company to have an investment and development plan for the utility.
Unfortunately, the foreign ownership often has to raise prices in order to make
a profit from the business. It is difficult for the companies to collect
payments for services, so they have to charge the paying customers more to
cover their losses.
Some foreign companies have
actually built factories in Kazakhstan. Often this is not a good investment for
companies, because the people of Kazakhstan prefer to buy western goods for the
their higher quality. Phillip Morris and R.J. Reynolds are two examples of
countries that built factories in Kazakhstan and are not doing well. Western
illegally imported cigarettes are much more popular than the same brands made
domestically. There are stiff import taxes, but the smugglers avoid the taxes
and sell the western cigarettes for a large profit. This illegal sale of
foreign cigarettes is not only hurting these two companies, but also
discouraging continued foreign investment in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan also has large amounts
of natural resources. Many oil companies are investing heavily in Kazakhstan to
get their share of the oil fields. Kazakhstan imposes a huge tax on these
western companies, because they are most likely to pay the taxes. Often, Kazakhstan
officials cannot collect the taxes companies or individuals owe much like they
do not collect the import tariffs on foreign goods.
Corruption is rampant in Kazakhstan
and officials are easily paid off for everything from stealing parts from a
junkyard to dodging military service. Some people may pay up to US$5000 to
avoid the draft, forcing their families to rent out their apartments and
dodging more tax laws to ensure a larger profit. Government officials are paid
so little, perhaps only US$50 per month if they are paid at all. They are almost
expected to make up for the lack of income by accepting bribes.
One of the problems that causes
this high level of corruption in the government is the high tax rate. Some
companies, such as oil companies, are taxed as much as 80% of profits. A small
printing business start up was expected to pay 30% of the value of its
equipment every month. (I have only heard these figures, but I believe that
they came from reliable sources.) These high tax rates combined with the low
pay of the people enforcing them lead to excessive corruption in the
government.
In Kazakhstan cities, a family can
live on two incomes of US$200 per month. It is very difficult, but many people
survive on even less than that. The lack of income often has to be supplemented
by people making their own bread, clothes, and other basic items. In villages,
many families live from the produce that they grow in their gardens every year.
Some families will risk double cropping to grow enough food to sell in markets.
The food they sell may be their only source of cash for other necessities.
However, most people are able to find enough work, or odd jobs to support their
family's needs.
The only figure I could find for
unemployment was 30%. In my opinion, this figure is very conservative. My own
estimates are between 40% and 50% unemployment. There is a good work ethic in Kazakhstan,
but there are not enough jobs outside of Alma-Ata, the area I was in.
Written by:
Jonathan F. Laatsch
Last Modified: 24
January 1998
