KAZAKHSTAN PLANNING TO OFFER ASSISTANCE, NO

UNCLAS ALMATY 003223 SIPDIS STATE FOR CRISIS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT AND EUR/CACEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR EAID PREL KZ US POLITICAL SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN PLANNING TO OFFER ASSISTANCE, NO SPECIFICS YET REF: STATE 163366 ¶1. On September 5, Acting Principal Officer delivered list of priority needs in reftel to Aidar Shukenov, Head of the Americas Desk at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Shukenov indicated that the Government of Kazakhstan was putting together an offer of disaster relief assistance for those affected by Hurricane Katrina, however, he was unable to discuss any details of the GOK's ideas. He indicated that the priority needs list would be helpful in finalizing the GOK's offer and expressed his condolences on behalf of his colleagues at the MFA. ¶2. COMMENT: Although Mr. Shukenov was unable to give any details about the GOK's plans for offering assistance, he indicated that interagency discussions were underway. It is possible that President Nazarbayev will make an announcement regarding the GOK's intentions during his upcoming meeting on September 6 with former President Clinton in Almaty. END COMMENT. ASQUINO NNNN