KAZKHSTAN: AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALMATY 001109

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR EUR (DAS KENNEDY),EUR/CACEN (JMUDGE)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/24/2015
TAGS: PREL PGOV KZ POLITICAL
SUBJECT: KAZKHSTAN: AMBASSADOR AND FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSS
KYRGYZSTAN

REF: 3/24 ORDWAY-KENNEDY TELCON

Classified By: Ambassador John Ordway, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (SBU) Foreign Minister Tokayev called Ambassador at 9:30
p.m. on March 24. Tokayev apologized for not being available
to meet the Ambassador earlier, as he had requested, due to
an extended meeting with President Nazarbayev to review the
situation in Kyrgyzstan. The Foreign Minister said that
following the meeting at the Presidential Administration, he
had made a statement to the press. He provided the
Ambassador with a quick summary. The main points were as
follows:

-- Kazakhstan is concerned about developments in its close
neighbor, and the consequences for the Kyrgyz people and
Kazakhstan,s compatriots there.

-- President Nazarbayev had earlier been in direct contact
with President Akayev, as well as other leaders in the
region, including Presidents Putin, Rahmonov, and Karimov.
Kazakhstan had also had diplomatic contacts regarding the
situation with the U.S., China, the EU and the OSCE, among
others.

-- Kazakhstan called for adherence to the laws and
Constitution of Kyrgyzstan, and the maintenance of order.

-- Events in Kyrgyzstan demonstrate that Kazakhstan,s
approach is correct, and has resulted in political stability
and economic growth, with Kazakhstan becoming a leader in the
region.

-- Kazakhstan is ready to be of assistance to Kyrgyzstan.


2. (SBU) The Ambassador, drawing on reftelcon, said that the
U.S. was consulting with other countries in the region, and
urging support for the OSCE,s efforts to facilitate a Kyrgyz
solution to the current situation. The U.S. had no
pre-determined view of the outcome, which should be defined
by the Kyrgyz themselves. Tokayev welcomed this position,
which he said he would report to President Nazarbayev
immediately. The Ambassador urged Tokayev to be in contact
with the OSCE, and to support the efforts of Special
Representative Piterle.


3. (SBU) Tokayev noted that Akayev had not resigned as
President, and said that as a result there were serious legal
issues. He speculated (albeit without much enthusiasm or
conviction) about the possibility of Akayev having a future
political role in Kyrgyzstan. Ambassador again stressed that
the U.S. had no preconceived scenario for developments, since
it was up to the Kyrgyz themselves to determine their
immediate future. He added that it was important to support
OSCE efforts to help the Kyrgyz people.


4. (C) Tokayev asked if the U.S. knew where Akayev was. The
Ambassador said that all he could say was the reports Akayev
had gone to Manas Air Base were incorrect. Tokayev responded
that although Akayev had been heading for Russia, it was
possible that the Russians had denied permission for his
aircraft to land thre. Embassy checked with MFA on March 25
regarding reports that Akayev,s plane had landed in
Kazakhstan, and were told that there was no official
confirmation of these reports. The careful manner in which
the MFA official worded this response may indicate that
Akayev and his family, indeed, are in Kazakhstan, but the GOK
is not yet ready officially to confirm their presence here.


5. (U) Dushanbe minimize considered.
ORDWAY


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