ALMATY, June 30
(An exclusive interview for THE GLOBE)
On July 1, Canada celebrated its 132nd Birthday. To mark the occasion, Canada�s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Richard Mann, kindly agreed to answer a series of questions posed by THE GLOBE regarding Canada�s relationship with Kazakhstan and his experience here.
1. We understand that you are leaving Kazakhstan shortly. How did you enjoy your posting? How did it compare to other postings?
Yes, it�s true. I�ve been reassigned to Kuwait. It was a fascinating time here. I was Canada�s first residential ambassador and so in a sense, really helped shape the relationship between our two countries. It is hard to compare this experience with other postings because I did not previously operate in the same capacity.
2. What is the greatest change that you have noticed in the years since you arrived?
The first time I arrived in Almaty was 1992 (before there was an embassy in Kazakhstan). I have witnessed enormous changes since that time. These changes are reflected all across the country in a brighter and more open atmosphere.
3. Are you satisfied with the way that the relationship between Kazakhstan and Canada has developed?
I am pleased in some respects, not in others. Canada and Kazakhstan have cooperated well in international organizations. For instance, the two countries have supported each other�s candidates. Our missions in New York also work closely together. Kazakhstan supports in principle the ban on land mines, which is a Canadian initiative.
Bilateral ties have expanded, but not to the extent that they should. Economic ties have also increased but not enough. Our relations are not as intensive as they should be considering our common interests.
4. How many Canadian companies are currently operating in Kazakhstan, and have they had a generally positive experience?
The question is a difficult one to answer. It depends upon what you call Canadian firm and whether the definition includes joint ventures. But I would say about 20 Canadian firms are presently doing business in Kazakhstan; not counting others that conduct business from Canada.
Yes, in principle. It is no secret that a couple of companies with ongoing disputes no longer operate in Kazakhstan.
5. It seems that Kazakhstan and Canada share many geographic commonalities (including a large, under-populated territory rich in natural resources bordered by very powerful neighbours). Both of our territories are also shared by a large minority group. What is the current situation in the relations between English and French Canadians?
That is absolutely right. Despite being situated at opposite ends of the world, the two countries share many similar features. Both are very large countries with small populations. The populations face extreme climates, from the arctic in the north to the deserts in the south. The long distances pose special challenges for transportation and communication networks.
Both countries are lucky to be rich in natural resources to exploit. Both societies are also fortunate to be blessed with broad societies and a diversity of backgrounds. Of course this presents difficulties, but also opportunities. Canada believes in the promotion of tolerance and the ability to express oneself within the fabric of Canada. That is what I would recommend to Kazakhstan. And it is what I see happening here.
6. It may be difficult for the rest of the world to understand how strong separatist tendencies could develop in a country rated by the UN as the best place in the world to live six years in a row, while the problem does not seem to have surfaced in a country under tremendous economic stress such as Kazakhstan. What are the factors that divide English and French Canadians?
The differences have existed since the beginning, when the country was founded by Anglophones, Francophones, and Aborgines. Francophones decided to become part of Canada because otherwise they would have been compelled to join forces with a very large Anglophone population to the south.
The stress between the two peoples has always been over whether or not it is possible to maintain the French language and culture in the partnership. To date, whenever this question has been put to the test, the answer has always been yes. And the French population in Quebec has decided to stay.
7. Kazakhstan has generally followed the economic advice offered by the West, but continues to decline in key areas such as domestic investment almost ten years after the beginning of reform. What has Canada learned from the experience?
Part of the reason for the embassy was to help in the establishment of democracy and a market economy. It is our experience that these systems work best.
Certainly foreign investment has increased, but it is true that investment from domestic sources has declined. This was probably inevitable, as whenever great change is introduced, there is always a difficult adjustment period when the situation worsens. Second, I think that most would agree that many of the old organizations that were shut down were simply inefficient, and that is why they were closed. Third, Kazakhstan is no longer part of the Soviet Union and suffered from the loss of traditional ties. But the reason for the Soviet Union�s collapse was that it could not support itself.
8. Are you optimistic about the short and long-term situation in Kazakhstan?
In the long-term Kazakhstan is a big country, rich in both natural resources and population resources. By the latter, I mean an well-educated population. I expect it to succeed. I don�t see how it can fail.
In the short-term, Kazakhstan is facing a downturn. The same one that most of us have faced. This was related to both the bursting of the Asian bubble and more recently the latest Russian crisis. Of course, I don�t know exactly when this period will end.
ALMATY, June 29
(THE GLOBE)
In one of the recent issues of THE GLOBE (#50(368), 25.06.99) there was an information about the loss of a cistern for transportation of liquid radioactive waste products from the territory of the Institute of Nuclear Physics.
It is known that on June 29 the cistern was found in the territory of �Kausar� wine plant, which manufactures �Talas� wine. The heads of the wine plant affirm that the cistern had been purchased two months ago from an individual.
As we recently found out, there was a sediment (cationite, which is very dangerous) of not less than 8 to 10 cm in the cistern. According to different information, the radioactivity of the cistern is 20 to 100 of limited admissible coefficients. At a distance of 5 meters the standard radioactivity is exceeded 5 times. It is dangerous to be near the cistern, moreover � to use it for wine production.
According to the director of the institute of the nuclear energy to which the found cistern nominally belongs, at present the security system of the institute is being transferred to the army.
The above-mentioned cistern was used for transportation of nuclear waste products from the very beginning of the work of the institute. In the soviet period the usage of the cistern was forbidden several times in order to prevent an accident.
The point is that the cistern is too high for this purpose. The truck used for transportation had only four wheels and was not sufficiently steadfast.
Besides, according to the specialist, there is a small lake along the route. Passing the lake the car carrying the cistern has to go down then up. There is a danger that especially in winter the cistern may deflect along with the car. If the cistern overturns, radioactive waste products may pour into the lake where fish lives.
Despite this, according to the director, after the cistern is returned it will be used for the same purposes. Thus, things (i.e. the cistern) aren�t moving.
ALMATY, June 30
(THE GLOBE)
The last issue of THE GLOBE informed the readership that the Almaty hospitals lack the necessary quantities of the vaccine against encephalitis caused by ticks and that some of the unlucky persons, bitten by ticks, run the danger to catch a very dangerous disease. The aforementioned issue offered to readership information about one such person.
Tatiana Surdina, chief of the epidemiological department strongly opposed the assertion that the hospitals lack this medicine. Moreover, she firmly stated that immediate injection of the medicine just after the bite of a tick should be offered by doctors free of charge.
THE GLOBE has an information from a reliable source that doctors do not provide emergency aid care in relevant cases free of charge.
May be doctors forgot their responsibilities and began to turn into extortioners concealing the medicine?
All Over the Globe is published by IPA House.
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