Kazakhstan will not ratify the agreement with NATO to participate in
the operation in Afghanistan, News Kazakhstan reports.
The Kazakh parliament approved ratification on May 18, but the senate
declined ratification on June 9, saying the documents need to be
considered by a joint session of both chambers. It was not discussed
on June 20.
Kazakhstan is to provide forces within 6 months after approval of the
deal with NATO. The forces would be under NATO command in Europe.
The Taliban informed Kazakhstan that sending forces to support NATO
will have repercussions. The Kazakh Foreign Ministry responded, saying
that the country plans to send four officers to NATO headquarters in
Afghanistan.
The Kazakh Foreign Ministry noted that the international coalition in
Afghanistan consists of 47 states, 19 of which are NATO members and 6
- members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.
