Ms. STEVENS: That's sort of the Kazak version of For Your Consideration, right, the Oscar pitch?

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First, the Chinese put down big up-front bonuses that the cash-strapped Kazak government desperately needs.

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The Kazak Ministry of Energy is expected to announce its official approval tomorrow.

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Being unable to speak Kazak or Russian we had no way to communicate.

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As well, Chinese involvement in the Kazak oil industry effectvely ties Beijing into a cooperative rather than overbearing relationship with its sparsely-populated, resource-rich neighbor.

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But the lengthy delays that have characterized negotiations over other Kazak oil and gas deals (usually due to Russian foot-dragging) are unlikely in this case.

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Then, there is a real possibility that the trans-Kazak line will link up with a Russian pipeline and so also could carry Siberian oil to China.

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Then they laid on the table an oil-swap deal with Iran that will allow them to ship Kazak oil across the Caspian to Iran and a refinery near Tehran.

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But perhaps the most surprising Tiradentes tidbit is the presence of 10th-generation Cossack knifemakers, who have built a cutlery heaven in the manner of a 16th-century Kazak-style dacha compound just outside town.

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Then in a surprise move in August CNPC snatched from under the noses of the favored U.S. giants the rights to negotiate with the Kazak government the rehabilitation and exploitation of Uzen field near the Caspian coast.

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