NAC Kazatomprom CJSC (Kazakhstan) refutes accusation of illegal receiving of raw stuff for making of tantalum-niobium production

/KASE, April 4, 03/ - NAC Kazatomprom CJSC (Almaty) has provided Kazakhstan stock exchange (KASE) with the letter, which is addressed by the company to Deputies of Belgian Parliament, in which NAC Kazatomprom CJSC refutes accusation of illegal purchasing of raw stuff for making of tantalum- niobium production from Democratic Republic of Congo. Below is the full text of the letter without abbreviations and corrections: - Start of quotation - To Deputies of Senate of Parliament of Belgium Dear Sirs Senators! To our surprise in the mass media we have seen appeal of Senate of Belgium Parliament to the Government with the request to refuse purchasing of tantalum- niobium production from Kazakhstan. In the opinion of Belgian Senate, Kazakhstan illegally receives raw stuff for making this production from Democratic Republic of Congo, where civil war is going on now. As far as we know, the source of this information is report of UNO's expert commission on illegal exploitation of natural resources of Democratic Republic of Congo (S/2002/1146) dated October 16 of 2002, in which NAC Kazatomprom and UMZ OJSC were mentioned along with other companies as importers of illegal tantalum-niobium raw stuff from Democratic Republic of Congo. Unfortunately, UNO's expert commission in its text limited itself with unsubstantiated statements without references to any sources. In reality, tantalum production of NAC Kazatomprom is successfully developing, and sure we purchase tantalum-niobium raw stuff from legal sources, including Central Africa. However we can say with confidence that NAC Kazatomprom and UMZ OJSC never had business contacts with the company "LA CONMET" and the married couple Piskunovy, who present it. And there was no supply of tantalum-niobium raw stuff from United Arabic Emirates, as it was stated in expert commission's report. Our company, being a member of International tantalum-niobium research center, is well-informed about the problems, which appeared during last two years concerning extraction of raw stuff in Central Africa and, in particular, in Democratic Republic of Congo. That's why during preliminary negotiations with raw stuff suppliers and while making contracts for purchasing of raw stuff we always discuss the question of its origin. All raw stuff supplies to NAC Kazatomprom are confirmed by certificates of origin and other necessary documents. We have also stated the mentioned facts in Open letter dated November 6 of 2002, which was addressed to the Government of United Nations Organization in Kazakhstan. In response for our letter we were informed that our letter had been sent to United Nations Organization's office in New-York in order to correct any possible mistakes, which could be. (These letters have been published in the company's official web-site in www.kazatomprom.com) At present UNO has organized expert group on illegal usage of natural resources of other forms of wealth of Democratic Republic of Congo, which officially continued its activity in Nairobi, Kenya on March 24 of 2003 in compliance with the new 6-month mandate. As is shown in the press-release, which was spread by UNO dated March 13 of 2003, the expert group will examine and analyze the collected information and, in accordance with it, will renew the data, which is in existence. As the result of which, we're sure, all accusations against our companies will be exculpated. Besides we dare to add that NAC Kazatomprom always fulfill, and in the future will strive for following all norms and recommendations of UNO and other international organizations. We did not collaborate and are not going to collaborate with countries and companies, which have been included into "the black" list. At the same time we think that unsubstantiated statements can negatively influence the image of NAC Kazatomprom, which in all directions of its activity is considered as respected and respectable company. The successful partnership with the company Sinatom may serve as recommendation of our work. We are bounded up with this company by fifteen-year contract, according to which we have already six-year experience of uranium supplying to Belgium. We are always ready for open discussion of any questions concerning activity of NAC Kazatomprom, in particular, production and supplying of tantalum-niobium production, despite the fact that we did not supply this production to Belgium. Sincerely yours, President Mukhtar Jakishev - End of quotation - [2003-04-04]