C O N F I D E N T I A L ALMATY 002231

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN (J. MUDGE), NP/MNA (D. RUST)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2015
TAGS: KNNP KZ MNUC PARM PREL WMD POLITICAL
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: CANWFZ TREATY

REF: STATE 109258

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

1 . (C) U.S., UK and French Ambassadors called on FM Tokayev
June 14 in Almaty to present reftel demarche. UK Ambassador
James Sharp spoke for the group. He introduced the
discussion by reiterating the support of the P-3 in principle
for nuclear weapon free zones, and our belief that
establishment of such a zone in Central Asia would support
our common non-proliferation goals. He then read the agreed
points and provided them as an aide-memoire.



2. (C) Tokayev, who was joined by Kazakhstani Ambassador to
the UN Yerzhan Kazykhanov, said that Kazakhstan's position
was that the CANWFZ agreement should be signed at the level
of foreign ministers, and only in October. Uzbekistan was
insisting that it be signed at the presidential level, and in
Astana July 5 during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
summit. Ambassador Sharp noted in particular our objection
to Article 12 of the Treaty, which he understood was designed
to accommodate the Tashkent Treaty. Ambassadors Sharp and
Ordway pointed out that this provision would undermine the
very purposes of the Treaty. Sharp emphasized that without
P-5 support the Treaty would have little if any meaning, and
would not be regarded as a serious document. Tokayev did not
disagree, but said that Kazakhstan's Central Asian partners
nonetheless were insisting on going forward with the Treaty
as currently drafted.



3. (C) Ambassador Sharp asked if Kazakhstan would commit to
consultations with the P-3. Tokayev said that Kazakhstan was
prepared to commit to the P-3 to engage in consultations
during this period before October, and to take the P-3's
objections "seriously."
ORDWAY


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