From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Mon Nov 20 2000 - 10:39:45 EST
WEST ADMITS BEING MISTAKEN ABOUT CENTRAL ASIAN SITUATION - KAZAKH
MINISTER
ASTANA. Nov 20 (Interfax-Kazakhstan) - The West has made its first
confession that its assessment of processes in Central Asia, in
particular Kazakhstan, was built on erroneous judgments and assumptions.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair made this confession to Kazakh
President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who paid an official visit to London
last week, Kazakh Foreign Minister Erlan Idrisov said at a news
conference in Astana on Monday.
Blair said that the assessment of the Central Asian standing was
based on superficial knowledge of the essence of regional problems,
which resulted in erroneous conclusions and a flawed understanding of
local processes, Idrisov said.
"This is a very important conclusion drawn by a high-ranking
politician who represents a large country," the foreign minister said.
He said he expects the statement to result in "greater mutual
understanding" between Kazakhstan and the group of developed countries.
This confession was "the leitmotif of the whole visit" of the
Kazakh leader to London, he said. Notably, the British displayed "their
need for a more profound learning" of regional peculiarities of Central
Asia, "a grasp of the motivations and historical prerequisites" for
development of the regional countries and "the priorities for their
further economic and political growth."
London has recognized Kazakhstan as "a long-standing, priority
regional" partner, Idrisov said.
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