US embassy cable - 05ALMATY3419

UNCLAS  ALMATY 003419 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN (J. MUDGE), G/TIP (J. DONNELLY) AND 
DRL/PHD (C. KUCHTA-HELBLING) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, KZ, POLITICAL 
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: CHARGE DELIVERS TIP BENCHMARKS 
 
REF: A. STATE 160883 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On September 8, Charge delivered reftel 
trafficking in persons benchmarks to Serik Nugmanov, Vice 
Minister of Justice, and Aisha Aitkalieva, Head of the 
International Law Department at the Ministry of Justice. 
The Charge discussed the history of bilateral cooperation on 
TIP issues and PolOff discussed each benchmark in detail. 
END SUMMARY 
 
BACKGROUND 
---------- 
 
2. (SBU) In less than two years, Kazakhstan has gone from 
being in danger of Tier 3 placement to being on Tier 2. 
Although Post and the GOK hope that Kazakhstan can one day 
earn Tier 1 placement, both recognize that the GOK has 
achieved much in terms of combating trafficking in persons. 
Most importantly, the GOK has shown political will to 
address the problem across various ministries and agencies. 
 
3. (SBU) Elvira Azimova, the former Head of the 
International Law department, played a critical role in 
driving the GOK interagency process that resulted in draft 
TIP amendments that are awaiting parliamentary approval this 
fall.  This summer, Azimova was promoted to another 
department, and her former deputy, Aitkalieva, has stepped 
into her place.  Although Aitkalieva is perceived as not yet 
fully confident in her position -- Azimova is a hard act to 
follow -- Kazakhstani TIP experts agree she knows the issues 
well and she is expected to settle in to her job over the 
next several months.  Vice Minister Nugmanov, also recently 
appointed, showed a good familiarity with the status of 
current projects and details of both the draft amendments 
and the new draft National Plan of Action on TIP for 2006- 
2008. 
 
DEMARCHE AND RESPONSE 
--------------------- 
4. (SBU) Charge led off the meeting with an overview of 
bilateral cooperation on TIP over the past two years, noting 
the positive progress that the GOK had made.  Our 
cooperation on TIP, the Charge noted, is a model for 
expanding cooperation on other human rights issues.  The 
Charge recognized the accomplishments of the MOJ in 
particular, and noted that although there were several new 
faces working on these issues, the USG has full confidence 
that our productive relationship on TIP will continue. 
 
5. (SBU) Among the benchmarks presented, the Charge noted 
the most important was the timely passage of the TIP 
amendments drafted by the MOJ.  Progress towards many of the 
other benchmarks -- increasing conviction numbers and 
sentences, increasing victim protection, devoting GOK 
resources to TIP programs -- hinges on the TIP amendments 
providing a legal basis for GOK action.  Charge encouraged 
the MOJ to continue to work closely with PolOff and PolAsst 
to meet these benchmarks.  Following Charge's comments, 
PolOff gave a detailed explanation of each benchmark, and 
noted that the each addressed a priority area for progress 
that Post believed was achievable within the reporting 
period. 
 
6. (SBU) Nugmanov expressed appreciation for Post's efforts 
on TIP, noting that criticism in USG reports was balanced by 
USG cooperation to address these problems.  He noted that 
many of the provisions in the draft National Plan of Action 
on TIP for 2006-2008 addressed the concerns that the USG had 
identified.  He went on to discuss the parallel provisions 
in detail.  Nugmanov also noted that the UN Transnational 
Organized Crime Convention had been signed and was expected 
to be ratified this year or the next;  the Palermo Protocols 
were expected to be signed and ratified at the same time. 
 
7. (SBU) COMMENT: Nugmanov offered few surprises and the 
meeting was a cordial exchange of appreciation for both 
sides' efforts.  The parallel between the benchmarks and the 
TIP National Action Plan is likely the result of PolOff's 
discussions with Azimova in the month before she 
transferred; inclusion of these issues into the draft 
National Action Plan is a positive sign of GOK intentions. 
Post's TIP Working Group will continue to engage with the 
 
GOK on these issues.  END COMMENT 
 
ORDWAY 
 
 
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