AMBASSADOR HOSTS NATO PARLIAMENTARIANS

UNCLAS ALMATY 001012

SIPDIS


STATE FOR EUR/CACEN (JMUDGE),EUR/RPM

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PREL KZ POLITICAL
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HOSTS NATO PARLIAMENTARIANS


1. SBU) Summary: On March 9, the Ambassador hosted two meetings
for visiting NATO parliamentarians from the Committee on the
Civil Dimension of Security. The NATO Secretary General's
Special Representative (SGSR) for Central Asia, Ambassador
Robert Simmons, participated in the first meeting. (Details of
the SGSR's meeting with NATO Ambassadors will be reported
septel.) During the first meeting, parliamentarians had the
chance to hear the Ambassador's general overview and ask
specific questions regarding political, economic, and social
issues in Kazakhstan. The Ambassador discussed Kazakhstan's
successes, areas for improvement, and made recommendations on
issues for parliamentarians to discuss in follow-on meetings
with high-level GoK interlocutors. The DATT also discussed the
state of play of Kazakhstan's military and the Ministry of
Defense (MoD). Later in the evening, the Ambassador hosted a
reception which allowed parliamentarians the chance to meet
NATO member state Ambassadors on an informal basis. End of
summary.

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Kazakhstan's Economic Development
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2. (SBU) The Ambassador began the morning meeting by outlining
Kazakhstan's positive accomplishments in the recent past,
citing specifics related to economic growth and
religious/ethnic tolerance. Kazakhstan's strong economic
growth and macroeconomic policy, positive investment
opportunities, and stable currency should be considered a model
for post-Soviet states to emulate. The Ambassador listed the
GoK's three main budgetary priorities over the next two years
as health reform, education and social programs - all areas
currently handicapped by corruption. The GoK has also made
efforts to update management of the National Oil Fund.

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Kazakhstan's Political Development
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3. (SBU) The Ambassador discussed Kazakhstan's positive
outlook towards religious and ethnic tolerance. Although
ethnic Russians are underrepresented in upper echelons of the
GoK, in general, and Parliament, in specific, the country
appears to transcend true ethnic divides. In regard to
religious extremism, the GoK has taken Hizb-ut Tahrir's
activities and violent actions by terrorist groups more
seriously since the July 30, 2004, bombings in Tashkent. The
Ambassador noted that the newly adopted extremism law had
prompted concerns in the international community due to the
lack of a concrete definition of extremism and the potential
for use against minority groups.


4. (SBU) The Ambassador cited human rights, civil society, and
governance as areas where progress had been weaker. Although
Kazakhstan is a leader among Central Asian states, this country
could be more proactive in reforming these sectors. The U.S.
had been disappointed that the September 2004 elections to the
lower house of parliament (Mazhilis) did not meet international
standards. We would be watching upcoming presidential
elections closely, as that would be the GoK's next opportunity
to "do it right." The Ambassador discussed the dissolution of
the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DCK) party and the recent
Procuracy inspections of U.S.-funded NGOs and other
international organizations here.

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Development of the Military
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5. (SBU) The DATT then described Kazakhstan's military
capabilities as "good and improving, although not fully NATO
interoperable." The MoD has announced its plans to spend
National Funds for 100-percent participation in 160 PFP events
in 2005. The MoD registered for 130 in 2004, of which it
participated in 110. The Kazakhstani military has proved it
can operate in Iraq; its team has destroyed over 3 million
pieces of ordnance since OIF began. It is paying attention to
lessons learned. On a tactical level, Kazakhstan intends to
partner with NATO to develop an Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Center based on its experience in Iraq.


6. (SBU) The MoD is making strides to improve interoperability
by creating a Defense Language Institute in which English will
be one of the eight languages taught. Regarding civilian

control of the military, the DATT commented that currently MoD
rarely makes a decision without consulting the MFA. Overall,
the U.S. is reasonably optimistic about Kazakhstan's ability to
meet its interoperability goals as long as it continues its
positive record of planning ahead and fulfilling its promises.

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MPs Ask about Non-Pro, the Environment, Energy
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7. (SBU) The Ambassador and the DATT responded to questions
from the parliamentarians regarding nuclear capability, level
of cooperation on arms control, and environmental concerns. The
Ambassador noted that the GOK faces a huge challenge with
regard to environmental remediation, most notably at the former
Soviet era nuclear testing site in Semipalatinsk.


8. (SBU) The parliamentarians asked about recent news articles
on the seizure by authorities of 37 kg of Uranium 238 on the
border of Kazakhstan. The Ambassador explained that the
material had been seized in Russia. The Ambassador then
described in detail the state of play of the Caspian and
delineation, Kazakhstan's position as one of the top 10 oil
exporters, and the three major export pipelines to world
markets (north to Russia, the BTC pipeline, and the CPC).


9. (SBU) The Ambassador noted that an additional pipeline to
China was under construction, although it will not serve the
world market. Most oil revenues go directly into the offshore
National Fund currently and are reinvested into oil
infrastructure projects. The parliamentarians asked numerous
questions about environmental issues.

10 (U) Minimize for Dushanbe considered.


Ordway


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