US embassy cable - 05ALMATY1012

UNCLAS  ALMATY 001012 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN (JMUDGE), EUR/RPM 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR, PREL, KZ, POLITICAL 
SUBJECT:  AMBASSADOR HOSTS NATO PARLIAMENTARIANS 
 
1. SBU) Summary: On March 9, the Ambassador hosted two meetings 
for visiting NATO parliamentarians from the Committee on the 
Civil Dimension of Security.  The NATO Secretary General's 
Special Representative (SGSR) for Central Asia, Ambassador 
Robert Simmons, participated in the first meeting. (Details of 
the SGSR's meeting with NATO Ambassadors will be reported 
septel.) During the first meeting, parliamentarians had the 
chance to hear the Ambassador's general overview and ask 
specific questions regarding political, economic, and social 
issues in Kazakhstan.  The Ambassador discussed Kazakhstan's 
successes, areas for improvement, and made recommendations on 
issues for parliamentarians to discuss in follow-on meetings 
with high-level GoK interlocutors.  The DATT also discussed the 
state of play of Kazakhstan's military and the Ministry of 
Defense (MoD).  Later in the evening, the Ambassador hosted a 
reception which allowed parliamentarians the chance to meet 
NATO member state Ambassadors on an informal basis.  End of 
summary. 
 
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Kazakhstan's Economic Development 
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2.  (SBU) The Ambassador began the morning meeting by outlining 
Kazakhstan's positive accomplishments in the recent past, 
citing specifics related to economic growth and 
religious/ethnic tolerance.  Kazakhstan's strong economic 
growth and macroeconomic policy, positive investment 
opportunities, and stable currency should be considered a model 
for post-Soviet states to emulate.  The Ambassador listed the 
GoK's three main budgetary priorities over the next two years 
as health reform, education and social programs - all areas 
currently handicapped by corruption.  The GoK has also made 
efforts to update management of the National Oil Fund. 
 
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Kazakhstan's Political Development 
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3.  (SBU) The Ambassador discussed Kazakhstan's positive 
outlook towards religious and ethnic tolerance.  Although 
ethnic Russians are underrepresented in upper echelons of the 
GoK, in general, and Parliament, in specific, the country 
appears to transcend true ethnic divides.  In regard to 
religious extremism, the GoK has taken Hizb-ut Tahrir's 
activities and violent actions by terrorist groups more 
seriously since the July 30, 2004, bombings in Tashkent.  The 
Ambassador noted that the newly adopted extremism law had 
prompted concerns in the international community due to the 
lack of a concrete definition of extremism and the potential 
for use against minority groups. 
 
4.  (SBU) The Ambassador cited human rights, civil society, and 
governance as areas where progress had been weaker.  Although 
Kazakhstan is a leader among Central Asian states, this country 
could be more proactive in reforming these sectors.  The U.S. 
had been disappointed that the September 2004 elections to the 
lower house of parliament (Mazhilis) did not meet international 
standards.  We would be watching upcoming presidential 
elections closely, as that would be the GoK's next opportunity 
to "do it right."  The Ambassador discussed the dissolution of 
the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DCK) party and the recent 
Procuracy inspections of U.S.-funded NGOs and other 
international organizations here. 
 
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Development of the Military 
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5.  (SBU) The DATT then described Kazakhstan's military 
capabilities as "good and improving, although not fully NATO 
interoperable."  The MoD has announced its plans to spend 
National Funds for 100-percent participation in 160 PFP events 
in 2005.  The MoD registered for 130 in 2004, of which it 
participated in 110.  The Kazakhstani military has proved it 
can operate in Iraq; its team has destroyed over 3 million 
pieces of ordnance since OIF began.  It is paying attention to 
lessons learned.  On a tactical level, Kazakhstan intends to 
partner with NATO to develop an Explosive Ordnance Disposal 
Center based on its experience in Iraq. 
 
6. (SBU) The MoD is making strides to improve interoperability 
by creating a Defense Language Institute in which English will 
be one of the eight languages taught.  Regarding civilian 
 
control of the military, the DATT commented that currently MoD 
rarely makes a decision without consulting the MFA.  Overall, 
the U.S. is reasonably optimistic about Kazakhstan's ability to 
meet its interoperability goals as long as it continues its 
positive record of planning ahead and fulfilling its promises. 
 
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MPs Ask about Non-Pro, the Environment, Energy 
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7.  (SBU) The Ambassador and the DATT responded to questions 
from the parliamentarians regarding nuclear capability, level 
of cooperation on arms control, and environmental concerns. The 
Ambassador noted that the GOK faces a huge challenge with 
regard to environmental remediation, most notably at the former 
Soviet era nuclear testing site in Semipalatinsk. 
 
8. (SBU) The parliamentarians asked about recent news articles 
on the seizure by authorities of 37 kg of Uranium 238 on the 
border of Kazakhstan.  The Ambassador explained that the 
material had been seized in Russia.  The Ambassador then 
described in detail the state of play of the Caspian and 
delineation, Kazakhstan's position as one of the top 10 oil 
exporters, and the three major export pipelines to world 
markets (north to Russia, the BTC pipeline, and the CPC). 
 
9. (SBU) The Ambassador noted that an additional pipeline to 
China was under construction, although it will not serve the 
world market.  Most oil revenues go directly into the offshore 
National Fund currently and are reinvested into oil 
infrastructure projects.  The parliamentarians asked numerous 
questions about environmental issues. 
 
10 (U) Minimize for Dushanbe considered. 
 
 
Ordway 
 
 
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