USA puts Kazakhstan on list of states posing terrorist threat.

MOSCOW, July 26 (Itar-Tass) - The CIS Antiterrorist Centre is
surprised by USA's decision to put Kazakhstan on the list of countries
posing a terrorist threat.
"Being aware of republic's efforts in fight against terrorism and
understanding specifics of the sources of these problems that are far from
always connected with the domestic situation in the country, but are often
generated from abroad, the leadership of the CIS Antiterrorist Centre
expresses extreme bewilderment over the causes making the United States
Department of Homeland Security put the Republic of Kazakhstan on the list
of the so-called countries that have 'shown a tendency to promote, produce
or protect terrorist organizations or their members'," centre's head
Andrei Novikov said on Tuesday.
According to the colonel general, in its fight against terrorism
"Kazakhstan demonstrates steadfastness of strategies and intentions and
toughness of decisions". He said, in particular, that Kazakhstan has
banned the activity of 14 terrorist and extremist organisations.
Novikov also noted that it was Kazakhstan that had initiated and
supported a number of important initiatives aimed at fight against
terrorism, and carried them into effect not only inside the country but
also in cooperation with CIS partner states.
"Most close cooperation with Interpol, the CIS Antiterrorist Centre
and other international organisations makes it possible for Kazakhstan to
efficiently settle issues of filtration and search for those citizens,
including foreigners, who have committed terrorist crimes and evaded
justice," he stated.
He said "now the republic has accumulated such a big experience in
fight against terrorism, that its best practices are adopted by
neighbouring states, becoming a basis not only for antiterrorist
operations, but also for a timely warning and prevention of terrorist
acts".
Novikov also stressed that Kazakhstan "is one of the most reliable and
efficient partners in a strategically important issue of ensuring
security, protection of citizens and the state against terrorism,
collective security".
Kazakhstan was put on a special list of the Immigrations and Customs
Enforce, an agency under the United States Department of Homeland
Security. Citizens of the countries on that list are subject to
particularly thorough checks as to their involvement in terrorist
organisations.