Kazakhstan Proposal for Human Rights and Democracy

UNCLAS ALMATY 002047

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

STATE FOR DRL/PHD (PDAVIS) EUR/CACEN (JMUDGE)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM EAID PHUM SOCI KZ POLITICAL
SUBJECT: Kazakhstan Proposal for Human Rights and Democracy
Fund Small Grants Competition

REF: STATE 67040


1. (SBU) Summary. Per reftel request on small grants for
human rights and democracy projects, Mission is pleased to
submit a proposal to establish a "Polyton" discussion club
in Astana. At present, there is one venue where
Kazakhstan's intelligentsia -- whether members of
government, opposition, or academia - can gather to discuss
the issues of the day, and that's the Polyton discussion
club in Almaty. Kazakhstan, however, has two centers of
power: the "commercial capital" of Almaty; and the
"political capital" of Astana. Securing the participation
of leading government figures in Almaty events is
increasingly difficult, and often requires the coincidence
of these figures being in Almaty on other scheduled
business.


2. (SBU) Summary Cot'd: For these reasons, we strongly
believe the time is right to establish a regular non-
partisan venue in Astana for political discussion. Just as
diplomatic missions have begun moving to Astana in greater
numbers, including this Embassy in 2006, so opposition
political parties, NGOs, and other members of civil society
recognize that a permanent presence is required in Astana.
In both cases, this reflects the fact that such a presence
is essential to have any serious impact on governmental
developments, particularly shaping legislation in
Parliament. A non-partisan Polyton venue in Astana would
help boost more consistent participation from government
representatives and increase opportunities for meaningful
dialogue between the government and voices from across the
political spectrum. End Summary.

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Background: Promoting the Free Exchange of Ideas
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2. (U) Polyton was established in Almaty, Kazakhstan in 1998
as an information agency. Polyton conducts public polling
and surveys on political, economic, and social topics. In
2002, Polyton organized a discussion club in Almaty to
promote the free exchange of ideas on matters of public
interest. Since then, the Polyton discussion club has
become the one venue where Kazakhstan's intelligentsia --
whether members of government, opposition, or academia - can
gather to discuss the issues of the day in an atmosphere of
frank and genuine debate.

3.(3. (U) The club has gained distinction for hosting
discussions with Kazakhstan's elite and international guests
who analyze events inside Kazakhstan along with regional
events likely to have an impact here. In February, Polyton
organized a discussion featuring Ak Zhol leader Altynbek
Sarsenbaiuly in which the opposition's proposed Constitution
was subjected to a highly critical review. In late March,
presidential advisor Yermukhamet Yertysbayev led a
discussion of the presidential elections and political
climate in Kazakhstan. In late May, human rights activists
and NGO leaders from France discussed the aftermath of the
crackdown in Andijon, Uzbekistan, and the response from the
world community. The embassy has used Polyton as a venue
for discussion of U.S. foreign policy, most recently in
March, when Columbia University Professor Robert Legvold
spoke on U.S. Security Policy in Central Asia, and in May,
when DCM Asquino and German Ambassador Weiss spoke at a
discussion of media issues in Kazakhstan for World Press
Freedom Day.

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Taking the Debate to the Government
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4. (U) In 1997, President Nazarbayev moved the capital from
Almaty to Astana (approximately 800 miles apart.) All
government ministries shifted operations and personnel
permanently to Astana. Consequently, Kazakhstan has
developed two centers of power: the "commercial capital" of
Almaty; and the "political capital" of Astana. However,
with most of Kazakhstani civil society remaining in Almaty,
the majority of forums on public interest issues continued
to take place in Almaty. More recently, with the insistence
of the country's leadership that government business be
conducted in Astana and the acceleration in the new
capital's growth, Astana has emerged as an equally important
venue for holding public forums on topics of the day.


5. (SBU) Securing the participation of leading government
figures in Almaty events has become increasingly difficult,
and often requires the coincidence of these figures being in
Almaty on other scheduled business. There is also growing
recognition among opposition political parties, NGOs, and


other members of civil society that a permanent presence is
required in Astana to have any serious impact on
governmental developments, particularly shaping legislation
in Parliament. That recognition is being reinforced as the
diplomatic community is beginning in significant numbers to
shift their operations to Astana. (Note: Embassy Almaty
will transition to Astana in summer 2006, and most other
major western embassies have initiated similar plans. End
Note.) Government representatives and Parliament have
demonstrated a willingness to participate in public forums
on even difficult political issues -- but turnout of members
of government has been best and most consistent when a
public event is scheduled in Astana.


6. (SBU) Nurbulat Massanov, Polyton's deputy director,
regularly invites representatives of the presidential
administration, parliament and government ministries to
participate in debates and lectures, but they rarely appear.
Yertysbayev, who led the March discussion about the
political climate, was able to attend because he was already
in Almaty for the annual Eurasian Media Forum. When the
embassy organized the discussion on World Press Freedom Day,
the Ambassador was called to Astana the day prior to the
event and the Ministry of Culture, Information and Sport was
unable to attend or send a representative.

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Goals
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7. (U) The short-term objective of the project is to
establish a Polyton in Astana that would hold two discussion
clubs per month with the participation of government
officials, politicians, public activists, academia, and
other individuals who would have an opportunity for
meaningful dialogue. Polyton would make its premises
available on a non-partisan basis to NGOs, political
parties, journalists and other civil society activists to
hold events such as press conferences and training seminars.
This is a particularly important offer in light of the sky-
rocketing prices of real estate in Astana and the limited
availability of venues for public discussion. The National
Press Club in Astana currently charges $840 for use of a
room for one hour. The long-term goal is to strengthen the
value and emphasis placed on public accountability and
consultations in the governmental decision-making process.

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Timeline of Activities
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8. (U) The timeline of the project is one year. Month one
would be used to rent and prepare premises, line up first
discussion groups, and raise public awareness of the
availability of Polyton's space as a public forum. Months
two through twelve would be devoted to holding two
discussion groups per month along with supporting other
civil society activities that may be scheduled at the
Polyton premises.

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Accountability/Evaluation
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9. (U) The Polyton will provide post with a monthly
accounting of the activities held at its premises. At the
end of the project, Polyton will provide an impact statement
to post, based in part on public and private comments on
Polyton's activities. Post will also independently gauge
through contacts and press-monitoring Polyton's impact.

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Budget
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10. (U) Proposed budget:

-- Rent for premises for twelve months, at a cost of $2,000
per month. Total $24,000.

-- Office utilities, stationery/supplies, equipment
maintenance, internet, bank services for twelve months, at a
cost of $243 per month. Total $2,916.

-- Office equipment and furniture. Total $3,100.

-- Speakers' salaries (3 speakers/coordinators: 2 from
Almaty and one in Astana) for twelve months at cost of $306
per month. Total $7,344.

-- Two coordinators for twenty-two trips (includes travel


costs for 10 trips by air at the rate of $320 and 12 trips
by train at the rate of $190 as well as 25 days of per diem
at the rate of $120 per day). Total $8,960.

-- Accountant for twelve months, at cost of $306 per month.
Total $3,672.

Total project cost: $49,992.

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Embassy Action Officer
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11. (U) The action officer will be Embassy Branch Office
Astana's Political Officer Elizabeth Webster. Ms. Webster
does not have grant signing authority. Post's Cultural
Affairs Officer Jonathan Mennuti, based in Almaty, has a
grant warrant limit of up to $50,000.

ASQUINO


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