US embassy cable - 05ALMATY2445

UNCLAS ALMATY 002445 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF, PHUM, KZ, UZ, KG, POLITICAL 
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON POSSIBLE THIRD COUNTRY 
RESETTLEMENT OF UZBEK ASYLUM SEEKERS IN KYRGYZSTAN 
 
REFTEL:  STATE 121739 
 
1. (SBU) On June 30, Astana PO met with MFA's Director for 
Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation Akan Rakhmetulin and 
delivered reftel demarche, asking Kazakhstan to consider 
providing temporary refuge to Uzbek asylum seekers in 
Kyrgyzstan.  Rakhmetulin remarked that Foreign Minister 
Tokayev had suggested to Ambassador Ordway during their June 
28 meeting (septel) that Kyrgyzstan should allow UNHCR to 
take the lead to deflect pressure from Uzbekistan.  PO noted 
that they had not discussed, however, whether there was any 
possibility of allowing these Uzbeks safe haven in 
Kazakhstan.  (Note:  Ambassador did make a reference to the 
possibility, but Tokayev did not respond.  End Note.) 
Rakhmetulin promised to immediately brief Tokayev on the 
request. 
 
2. (SBU) Rakhmetulin questioned PO closely on the 
composition of the teams interviewing the Uzbek asylum 
seekers, particularly if organizations other than UNHCR were 
participating.  (Comment:  While not hostile, Rakhmetulin's 
tone hinted at suspicion that the interviews are being 
skewed in favor of a finding of refugee status.  End 
Comment.)  PO simply noted that in her experience UNHCR did 
not invite outsiders to conduct their interviews.  The MFA 
Director also asked who had suggested Kazakhstan.  PO 
responded that Kazakhstan was easily a natural top choice 
with Kazakhstan's internal stability and geographical, 
linguistic, and cultural proximity to Uzbekistan. 
 
ORDWAY 
 
 
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