Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ALMATY1436
2005-04-12 12:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
US Office Almaty
Cable title:  

KAZAKHSTAN: REPONSE TO INQUIRY ON BIOKOMBINAT

Tags:  KNNP KSCA KZ PARM TBIO POLITICAL 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALMATY 001436 

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN (JMUDGE),EUR/PRA (JCONLON),AND
NP/PTR (ECAMERON)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2015
TAGS: KNNP KSCA KZ PARM TBIO POLITICAL
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: REPONSE TO INQUIRY ON BIOKOMBINAT

REF: A. 04 STATE 271994


B. ALMATY 289

Classified By: CDA Mark Asquino, reasons 1.4 (e) and (h).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALMATY 001436

SIPDIS


DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN (JMUDGE),EUR/PRA (JCONLON),AND
NP/PTR (ECAMERON)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2015
TAGS: KNNP KSCA KZ PARM TBIO POLITICAL
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: REPONSE TO INQUIRY ON BIOKOMBINAT

REF: A. 04 STATE 271994


B. ALMATY 289

Classified By: CDA Mark Asquino, reasons 1.4 (e) and (h).


1. (C) Summary: The GOK has investigated the USG's concerns
regarding dangerous pathogens at the Biokombinat facility in
Almaty and discovered a number of strains which, under
Kazakhstani law, should be moved to a centralized GOK storage
facility. The GOK does not consider the strains to be a
proliferation threat. End summary.


2. (C) Post submitted Ref A inquiry regarding the possible
presence of dangerous pathogens at the Biokombinat facility
in Almaty via diplomatic note on December 29, 2004. The
Ambassador underscored the importance of the issue in his
introductory call with Minister of Education and Science
Aitimova on January 19 (Ref B).


3. (SBU) On March 29, post received the GOK's response via
diplomatic note 10/2-1-733, dated March 19, from the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. The note stated that "A committee
consisting of representatives from Republic of Kazakhstan
government agencies has conducted an official inspection of
Biokom LLP. During the investigation it was established that
28 pathogenic trains, which are carriers of 14 diseases, are
being stored at this company. These infectious strains do
not belong to the category of highly dangerous pathogens and
are not suitable for use as strains of highly dangerous
infections. Biokom is capable of using them to produce
medicines to fight several veterinary diseases. In
accordance with Republic of Kazakhstan order no. 850 of July
30, 2002, on "The Republican Microorganism Collection," and
Republic of Kazakhstan law no. 339-2 of July 10, 2002, on
"Veterinary Medicine," strains of microorganisms used in
veterinary medicine are subject to strict accountability and
should be transferred for storage to the National Strains and
Microorganisms Collection Depository."


4. (C) POEC chief met with Ministry of Education and Science
Chief of Staff Rakhmetkazhi Bersimbayev, Abdikarim Zeyullin
of the MES Department of Science, and Bakhyt Kutubayev of the
MES Department of Science on April 6 to follow up on the
GOK's diplomatic note. Bersimbayev confirmed that the
interagency inspection team, established by order of Minister
Aitimova, had discovered some pathogens that presented a
public health risk; the GOK did not consider it to be a
non-proliferation issue. The Almaty akimat had decided the
private firm now running the Biokombinat facility, Biokom,
would not be allowed to continue production within the city
limits of Almaty. (Note: The unstated implication was the
pathogens would be moved. End note.)


5. (C) POEC chief noted that the Embassy had received a
letter from G. Kashikova, the director of a private firm
named "Beta Star" (the founder of Biokom),denying that the
company possessed pathogenic or virulent vaccines. In the
letter, Kashikova complained that the Embassy's diplomatic
note and the resulting investigation would lead to the forced
seizure of their staple product and possibly to the firm's
bankruptcy. Kutubayev characterized the letter as a natural
negative reaction by the firm to the GOK's assertion of its
oversight rights regarding dangerous pathogens. Zeynullin
stated that the firm would be able to continue its business
under the new restrictions.
ORDWAY


NNNN