US embassy cable - 05ALMATY1109

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALMATY 001109 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR (DAS KENNEDY), EUR/CACEN (JMUDGE) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2015 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, KZ, POLITICAL 
SUBJECT: KAZKHSTAN: AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS 
KYRGYZSTAN 
 
REF: 3/24 ORDWAY-KENNEDY TELCON 
 
Classified By: Ambassador John Ordway, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
1. (SBU) Foreign Minister Tokayev called Ambassador at 9:30 
p.m. on March 24.  Tokayev apologized for not being available 
to meet the Ambassador earlier, as he had requested, due to 
an extended meeting with President Nazarbayev to review the 
situation in Kyrgyzstan.  The Foreign Minister said that 
following the meeting at the Presidential Administration, he 
had made a statement to  the press.  He provided the 
Ambassador with a quick summary.  The main points were as 
follows: 
 
--    Kazakhstan is concerned about developments in its close 
neighbor, and the consequences for the Kyrgyz people and 
Kazakhstan,s compatriots there. 
 
--    President Nazarbayev had earlier been in direct contact 
with President Akayev, as well as other leaders in the 
region, including Presidents Putin, Rahmonov, and Karimov. 
Kazakhstan had also had diplomatic contacts regarding the 
situation with the U.S., China, the EU and the OSCE, among 
others. 
 
--    Kazakhstan called for adherence to the laws and 
Constitution of Kyrgyzstan, and the maintenance of order. 
 
--    Events in Kyrgyzstan demonstrate that Kazakhstan,s 
approach is correct, and has resulted in political stability 
and economic growth, with Kazakhstan becoming a leader in the 
region. 
 
--    Kazakhstan is ready to be of assistance to Kyrgyzstan. 
 
2. (SBU) The Ambassador, drawing on reftelcon, said that the 
U.S. was consulting with other countries in the region, and 
urging support for the OSCE,s efforts to facilitate a Kyrgyz 
solution to the current situation.  The U.S. had no 
pre-determined view of the outcome, which should be defined 
by the Kyrgyz themselves.  Tokayev welcomed this position, 
which he said he would report to President Nazarbayev 
immediately.  The Ambassador urged Tokayev to be in contact 
with the OSCE, and to support the efforts of Special 
Representative Piterle. 
 
3. (SBU) Tokayev noted that Akayev had not resigned as 
President, and said that as a result there were serious legal 
issues.  He speculated (albeit without much enthusiasm or 
conviction) about the possibility of Akayev having a future 
political role in Kyrgyzstan.  Ambassador again stressed that 
the U.S. had no preconceived scenario for developments, since 
it was up to the Kyrgyz themselves to determine their 
immediate future.  He added that it was important to support 
OSCE efforts to help the Kyrgyz people. 
 
4.  (C) Tokayev asked if the U.S. knew where Akayev was.  The 
Ambassador said that all he could say was the reports Akayev 
had gone to Manas Air Base were incorrect.  Tokayev responded 
that although Akayev had been heading for Russia, it was 
possible that the Russians had denied permission for his 
aircraft to land thre.  Embassy checked with MFA on March 25 
regarding reports that Akayev,s plane had landed in 
Kazakhstan, and were told that there was no official 
confirmation of these reports.  The careful manner in which 
the MFA official  worded this response may indicate that 
Akayev and his family, indeed, are in Kazakhstan, but the GOK 
is not yet ready officially to confirm their presence here. 
 
5. (U) Dushanbe minimize considered. 
 ORDWAY 
 
 
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