US embassy cable - 05ALMATY2047

UNCLAS  ALMATY 002047 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR DRL/PHD (PDAVIS) EUR/CACEN (JMUDGE) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KDEM, EAID, PHUM, SOCI, KZ, POLITICAL 
SUBJECT:  Kazakhstan Proposal for Human Rights and Democracy 
Fund Small Grants Competition 
 
REF: STATE 67040 
 
1. (SBU) Summary.  Per reftel request on small grants for 
human rights and democracy projects, Mission is pleased to 
submit a proposal to establish a "Polyton" discussion club 
in Astana.  At present, there is one venue where 
Kazakhstan's intelligentsia -- whether members of 
government, opposition, or academia - can gather to discuss 
the issues of the day, and that's the Polyton discussion 
club in Almaty.  Kazakhstan, however, has two centers of 
power: the "commercial capital" of Almaty; and the 
"political capital" of Astana.  Securing the participation 
of leading government figures in Almaty events is 
increasingly difficult, and often requires the coincidence 
of these figures being in Almaty on other scheduled 
business. 
 
2. (SBU) Summary Cot'd: For these reasons, we strongly 
believe the time is right to establish a regular non- 
partisan venue in Astana for political discussion.  Just as 
diplomatic missions have begun moving to Astana in greater 
numbers, including this Embassy in 2006, so opposition 
political parties, NGOs, and other members of civil society 
recognize that a permanent presence is required in Astana. 
In both cases, this reflects the fact that such a presence 
is essential to have any serious impact on governmental 
developments, particularly shaping legislation in 
Parliament.   A non-partisan Polyton venue in Astana would 
help boost more consistent participation from government 
representatives and increase opportunities for meaningful 
dialogue between the government and voices from across the 
political spectrum.  End Summary. 
 
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Background: Promoting the Free Exchange of Ideas 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
2. (U) Polyton was established in Almaty, Kazakhstan in 1998 
as an information agency.  Polyton conducts public polling 
and surveys on political, economic, and social topics.  In 
2002, Polyton organized a discussion club in Almaty to 
promote the free exchange of ideas on matters of public 
interest.  Since then, the Polyton discussion club has 
become the one venue where Kazakhstan's intelligentsia -- 
whether members of government, opposition, or academia - can 
gather to discuss the issues of the day in an atmosphere of 
frank and genuine debate. 
 
3.(3. (U) The club has gained distinction for hosting 
discussions with Kazakhstan's elite and international guests 
who analyze events inside Kazakhstan along with regional 
events likely to have an impact here.  In February, Polyton 
organized a discussion featuring Ak Zhol leader Altynbek 
Sarsenbaiuly in which the opposition's proposed Constitution 
was subjected to a highly critical review. In late March, 
presidential advisor Yermukhamet Yertysbayev led a 
discussion of the presidential elections and political 
climate in Kazakhstan.  In late May, human rights activists 
and NGO leaders from France discussed the aftermath of the 
crackdown in Andijon, Uzbekistan, and the response from the 
world community.  The embassy has used Polyton as a venue 
for discussion of U.S. foreign policy, most recently in 
March, when Columbia University Professor Robert Legvold 
spoke on U.S. Security Policy in Central Asia, and in May, 
when DCM Asquino and German Ambassador Weiss spoke at a 
discussion of media issues in Kazakhstan for World Press 
Freedom Day. 
 
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Taking the Debate to the Government 
----------------------------------- 
 
4. (U) In 1997, President Nazarbayev moved the capital from 
Almaty to Astana (approximately 800 miles apart.)  All 
government ministries shifted operations and personnel 
permanently to Astana.  Consequently, Kazakhstan has 
developed two centers of power: the "commercial capital" of 
Almaty; and the "political capital" of Astana.  However, 
with most of Kazakhstani civil society remaining in Almaty, 
the majority of forums on public interest issues continued 
to take place in Almaty.  More recently, with the insistence 
of the country's leadership that government business be 
conducted in Astana and the acceleration in the new 
capital's growth, Astana has emerged as an equally important 
venue for holding public forums on topics of the day. 
 
5. (SBU) Securing the participation of leading government 
figures in Almaty events has become increasingly difficult, 
and often requires the coincidence of these figures being in 
Almaty on other scheduled business.  There is also growing 
recognition among opposition political parties, NGOs, and 
 
 
other members of civil society that a permanent presence is 
required in Astana to have any serious impact on 
governmental developments, particularly shaping legislation 
in Parliament.  That recognition is being reinforced as the 
diplomatic community is beginning in significant numbers to 
shift their operations to Astana.  (Note:  Embassy Almaty 
will transition to Astana in summer 2006, and most other 
major western embassies have initiated similar plans.  End 
Note.)  Government representatives and Parliament have 
demonstrated a willingness to participate in public forums 
on even difficult political issues -- but turnout of members 
of government has been best and most consistent when a 
public event is scheduled in Astana. 
 
6. (SBU) Nurbulat Massanov, Polyton's deputy director, 
regularly invites representatives of the presidential 
administration, parliament and government ministries to 
participate in debates and lectures, but they rarely appear. 
Yertysbayev, who led the March discussion about the 
political climate, was able to attend because he was already 
in Almaty for the annual Eurasian Media Forum.  When the 
embassy organized the discussion on World Press Freedom Day, 
the Ambassador was called to Astana the day prior to the 
event and the Ministry of Culture, Information and Sport was 
unable to attend or send a representative. 
 
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Goals 
----- 
 
7. (U) The short-term objective of the project is to 
establish a Polyton in Astana that would hold two discussion 
clubs per month with the participation of government 
officials, politicians, public activists, academia, and 
other individuals who would have an opportunity for 
meaningful dialogue.  Polyton would make its premises 
available on a non-partisan basis to NGOs, political 
parties, journalists and other civil society activists to 
hold events such as press conferences and training seminars. 
This is a particularly important offer in light of the sky- 
rocketing prices of real estate in Astana and the limited 
availability of venues for public discussion.  The National 
Press Club in Astana currently charges $840 for use of a 
room for one hour. The long-term goal is to strengthen the 
value and emphasis placed on public accountability and 
consultations in the governmental decision-making process. 
 
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Timeline of Activities 
---------------------- 
 
8. (U) The timeline of the project is one year.  Month one 
would be used to rent and prepare premises, line up first 
discussion groups, and raise public awareness of the 
availability of Polyton's space as a public forum.  Months 
two through twelve would be devoted to holding two 
discussion groups per month along with supporting other 
civil society activities that may be scheduled at the 
Polyton premises. 
 
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Accountability/Evaluation 
------------------------- 
 
9. (U) The Polyton will provide post with a monthly 
accounting of the activities held at its premises.  At the 
end of the project, Polyton will provide an impact statement 
to post, based in part on public and private comments on 
Polyton's activities.  Post will also independently gauge 
through contacts and press-monitoring Polyton's impact. 
 
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Budget 
------ 
 
10. (U) Proposed budget: 
 
-- Rent for premises for twelve months, at a cost of $2,000 
per month.  Total $24,000. 
 
-- Office utilities, stationery/supplies, equipment 
maintenance, internet, bank services for twelve months, at a 
cost of $243 per month.  Total $2,916. 
 
-- Office equipment and furniture.  Total $3,100. 
 
-- Speakers' salaries (3 speakers/coordinators: 2 from 
Almaty and one in Astana) for twelve months at cost of $306 
per month.  Total $7,344. 
 
-- Two coordinators for twenty-two trips (includes travel 
 
 
costs for 10 trips by air at the rate of $320 and 12 trips 
by train at the rate of $190 as well as 25 days of per diem 
at the rate of $120 per day).  Total $8,960. 
 
-- Accountant for twelve months, at cost of $306 per month. 
Total $3,672. 
 
Total project cost:  $49,992. 
 
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Embassy Action Officer 
---------------------- 
 
11. (U) The action officer will be Embassy Branch Office 
Astana's Political Officer Elizabeth Webster.  Ms. Webster 
does not have grant signing authority.  Post's Cultural 
Affairs Officer Jonathan Mennuti, based in Almaty, has a 
grant warrant limit of up to $50,000. 
 
ASQUINO 
 
 
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