Publication Laka-library:
OSC analysis: Kazakhstan – Opening up for nuclear collaboration (2009)
| Author | |
 | - |
| Date | October 2009 |
| Classification | 4.35.0.00/01 (KAZAKHSTAN - GENERAL) |
| Front | 
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From the publication:
OSC Analysis: Kazakhstan - Opening Up for Nuclear Collaboration FEA20091007954431 - OSC Feature - Kazakhstan -- OSC Analysis 06 Oct 09 Kazakhstan, a country with an extensive nuclear infrastructure as a legacy of the Soviet Union, has decided to rely on civilian nuclear programs for economic development and has reached out to numerous countries for cooperation in nuclear areas. Nursultan Nazarbaev, who has been at the helm of Kazakhstan since the Soviet era, has been very skilled in creating equivalent relations with all major players in the region, including the USA, EU, Russia, India and China. While the country still has strong links to Russian nuclear infrastructure, Kazakhstan has made an effort to cooperate with other countries, and has in turn placed pressure on Russia to be more attractive in business dealings. With the stated desire to move to higher-end nuclear products, Kazakhstan established a special relationship with Russia for enrichment, so it can produce and export more economically advantageous fuel assemblies, rather than its current manufacture of interim products. The concerns of the international community regarding the Kazakhstan- Russian enrichment cooperation, in summary, focus on Kazakhstan's position as a country that may find it attractive to acquire enrichment technology, and Russia's ability to provide such technology in order to maintain clout in its traditional sphere of influence and retain a resource-rich neighbor. Alternatively, Kazakhstan may be tempted to acquire enrichment technology from China, which China will be tempted to provide to secure its relations with Kazakhstan vis-à-vis India. Moreover, in its desire to cultivate nuclear deals with multiple countries, Kazakhstan may be reaching out to cooperate with Iran as a regional power. Amidst Kazakhstan's ambitions, there is the additional complicating issue of power succession: Nazarbaev, the first President of Kazakhstan and approaching 70, has been successful leading the country since 1991, but leadership that will replace him remains unclear. With his grip on power, Nazarbaev has groomed some obedient parties and officials, but whether they will be able to retain his power and tight control, or pursue his nuclear agenda, is unclear and what direction the country will follow under the new leadership is uncertain.
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