Kazakhstan ready to help Kyrgyzstan in drafting revival programme.

ASTANA, June 22 (Itar-Tass) - Kazakhstan is ready to help Kyrgyzstan in drafting a programme for economic revival and its implementation, said Kazakh head of state Nursultan Nazarbayev in an interview with the national Khabar news agency.

According to the president, Kyrgyzstan has rich mineral resources,
"huge potentials of rivers and the tourism industry", "but all these
should be developed". "No humanitarian aid will develop the country,"
Nazarbayev stated firmly. "It is necessary to draft a programme for
Kyrgyzstan's economic revitalisation, and Kazakhstan is ready to help in
drafting such a programme," the head of state continued.
"I'd like Kyrgyzstan to pursue a strategic policy of economic upswing.
I think with concern that they are now engaged in putting out the fire in
the south, and what will be in the north? If the spring sowing was poor,
there will be a complete shortage of foods in Kyrgyzstan in autumn and
winter. We are ready to help them," Nazarbayev added.
The president assured that he "as the head of state, presiding in the
OSCE, will do his utmost to consolidate humanitarian and other aid to
Kyrgyzstan.
In Nazarbayev's opinion, Uzbekistan is suffering no fewer problems in
connection with the tragic events in southern Kyrgyzstan. "We should be
thankful to President Islam Karimov who shouldered the most difficult
burden: nearly 100,000 people came to his country in one day, and they had
to be sheltered and provided with meals.
"I imagine how difficult it is for Uzbekistan, and what problems it
had to settle," the head of state emphasised.
"We as neighbours - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia - agreed and
jointly help, resolving these questions," Nazarbayev concluded.
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