US embassy cable - 05ALMATY3091

UNCLAS ALMATY 003091 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN JMUDGE, OES/STC AND EUR/RUS NOLL 
ALSO FOR EB/TPP/ATP AND EB/TPP/BTA 
USDA FAS FOR ITP FOR MACKE/THOMAS, CMP/DLP WETZEL 
FAS PLEASE PASS TO APHIS AND FSIS 
ANKARA FOR FAS ATTACHE HIGGISTON 
GENEVA FOR HEALTH ATTACHE 
TASHKENT FOR ESTH 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR, TBIO, ECON, SOCI, ETRD, PGOV, KZ, Avian Influenza, POLITICAL 
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: AVIAN FLU DEMARCHE DELIVERED 
 
REF: (A) STATE 153802 
     (B) ALMATY 3085 (NOTAL) 
 
1. (U) In accordance with Ref A instructions, A/DCM 
delivered subject demarche to two senior GOK officials: 
Chairman of the Veterinary Committee of the Ministry of 
Agriculture Asylbek Kazhumratov and First Deputy Minister of 
Emergency Situations Nurakhmet Bizahnov in Astana August 24. 
 
2. (SBU) Both officials appreciated the spirit in which the 
message was delivered.  Kozhumratov told A/DCM that he was 
"optimistic" because the Ministry has not received a new 
initial report of suspected AI since 15 August.  He 
estimated that the current quarantine regime could be 
maintained for two or three months.  On the subject of 
preparedness plans, he promised to send a copy of the GOK's 
plan to the Embassy.  He asked for the Embassy's help in 
obtaining detailed information on other countries' plans, 
particularly the Republic of Korea. 
 
3. (SBU) Bizhanov, who chairs the GOK's interagency 
coordinating committee on AI, also received A/DCM cordially. 
(Note: As a supplement to Ref B, the coordinating committee 
also includes the Ministries of Environmental Protection and 
Transportation and Communications, as well as the Customs 
Committee of the Ministry of Finance.  Bizhanov left open 
the possibility that the autumn hunting ban cited in Ref B 
may be relaxed to a postponement of the season until 
November.  End Note.) 
 
4. (SBU) Bizhanov spoke at length about the GOK's efforts to 
contain the AI epidemic.  Details will be addressed Septel. 
Generally, however, he expressed real concern about another 
outbreak occurring during the autumn migration season. 
 
5. (SBU) Bizhanov was not able at the time of the meeting to 
name a single point of contact, as requested in Reftel A. 
However, he indicated that he would consult with the 
coordinating committee and reply to the Embassy by week's 
end.  Until a POC is named, we are confident that we can 
deliver any desired messages on AI to any level of the GOK 
through our existing contacts. 
 
6. (U) Dushanbe Minimize considered. 
 
ASQUINO 
 
 
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