31 August 2011 | 14:26

U.S. to eliminate specially designated countries list

Illustration by tengrinews.kz

The United States will eliminate the list of specially designated countries, US Embassy in Kazakhstan told Tengrinews.kz citing the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “The specially designated country list as described in the May 2011 DHS Inspector General Report was created in 2003; it is outdated and is being eliminated. The internal procedural guidance has been rescinded and the internal screening criteria and processes are being revised. The list was not based on the judgment that the states listed therein supported, sponsored or encouraged terrorism. Indeed, many of the states listed are important and committed partners of the United States in countering terrorism. As threats around the world evolve, the United States will continue to work closely with our international partners to ensure the safety and security of people around the globe,” the Embassy cited Brian Hale, assistant director, ICE Office of Public Affairs. Once again the U.S. says that “it does not consider the government of Kazakhstan in any way a supporter or promoter of terrorism and values our partnership in the common struggle against terrorism.” “We value and acknowledge Kazakhstan’s support for counter-terrorism in international fora, on a bi-lateral level, in which it provided extensive cooperation and critical assistance to U.S. efforts in the region and globally to fight terrorism, and individually.” The information on the U.S. including Kazakhstan into the list of specially designated countries appeared over a month ago and puzzled Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan stated that the U.S. Government does not consider that Kazakhstan supports terrorism.

The United States will eliminate the list of specially designated countries, US Embassy in Kazakhstan told Tengrinews.kz citing the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “The specially designated country list as described in the May 2011 DHS Inspector General Report was created in 2003; it is outdated and is being eliminated. The internal procedural guidance has been rescinded and the internal screening criteria and processes are being revised. The list was not based on the judgment that the states listed therein supported, sponsored or encouraged terrorism. Indeed, many of the states listed are important and committed partners of the United States in countering terrorism. As threats around the world evolve, the United States will continue to work closely with our international partners to ensure the safety and security of people around the globe,” the Embassy cited Brian Hale, assistant director, ICE Office of Public Affairs. Once again the U.S. says that “it does not consider the government of Kazakhstan in any way a supporter or promoter of terrorism and values our partnership in the common struggle against terrorism.” “We value and acknowledge Kazakhstan’s support for counter-terrorism in international fora, on a bi-lateral level, in which it provided extensive cooperation and critical assistance to U.S. efforts in the region and globally to fight terrorism, and individually.” The information on the U.S. including Kazakhstan into the list of specially designated countries appeared over a month ago and puzzled Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan stated that the U.S. Government does not consider that Kazakhstan supports terrorism.