KAZAKHSTAN: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH DEFENSE MINISTER

UNCLAS ALMATY 003553 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN (J. MUDGE) DEFENSE FOR DASD MACDOUGALL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV KZ POLITICAL SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH DEFENSE MINISTER ALTYNBAYEV ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Ambassador Ordway met with Kazakhstani Minister of Defense General of the Army Mukhtar Altynbayev in Astana September 22. Altynbayev gave an update on the military reform process and discussed the developing security infrastructure in the Caspian region. He also assured Ambassador that President Nazarbayev has issued instructions that the December 2005 Presidential elections be free and fair, and that there must be no doubt that the reported results are accurate. End summary. ¶2. (U) Altynbayev thanked the Ambassador for U.S. assistance in modernizing and reforming the Kazakhstani Armed Forces. He noted that the model the Kazakhstanis are using to develop their professional NCO Corps is the U.S. system, and that he is personally deeply involved in this program. Currently, about 60% of Kazakhstani servicemen are volunteers, and he expects that number to reach 80-85%. ¶3. (U) The decision to eliminate the Ground Forces Command and assign these units to the Regional Commands has allowed Kazakhstan to follow another U.S. example and adopt the brigade system for organizing the armed forces. In addition to eliminating some 13 redundant organizations, the MOD recently formed the 40th Air Assault brigade, which is stationed near Astana. ¶4. (SBU) The MOD continues to work with other government agencies on a coordinated Draft State Program for 2006-2010. Due to the unstable situation in the south, the Southern Regional Command is currently a top priority for the Minister. The MOD continues to develop infrastructure to develop and support the maritime security capability that will be based in the Caspian region as well. Kazakhstani armed forces have already established control over airspace in the region, and are in the process of manning and equipping a brigade-size maritime force near Aktau. The governments of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea have reached agreement on the transfer of the three vessels from the ROK Navy to the Kazakhstan. Although there is an agreement in principle for transfer of two Russian vessels to Kazakhstan, the vessels have not yet been delivered. ¶5. (SBU) Following briefings from three English-speaking Kazakhstani officers on the perspectives for bilateral military cooperation, the development of the Kazakhstani NCO Corps, and security in the Caspian region, Altynbayev expressed concern over the possible spread of instability from Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. President Nazarbayev is also concerned; he believes that stability is a primary concern, and his program for political and democratic reform continues apace. Altynbayev is personally acquainted with many of the announced Presidential candidates but sees no better candidate than the current President. ¶6. (SBU) He said that Nazarbayev's instructions are that the elections be free and fair and that there should be no manipulation of election results at any level. Altynbayev said that he would personally tell not only his officers but local government officials not to interfere with the election process. Nazarbayev has made it clear to senior Kazakhstani government officials that there must be no doubt about the fairness of the election results either from Kazkahstani citizens or from the international observers. ¶7. (SBU) Ambassador emphasized that the USG cannot and will not interfere in the electoral process and will support the result. If the elections are well and fairly run, then the conditions will be set for our cooperation to grow. If there are doubts about fairness, this will inevitably cause a reduction in cooperation to the detriment of both sides. ¶8. (U) Minimize for Dushanbe considered. Ordway NNNN