DEMARCHE TO KAZAKHSTAN ON REPATRIATED UZBEK

UNCLAS ALMATY 004480

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN (JMUDGE)
GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KG KZ PGOV PHUM PREF PREL TK UZ POLITICAL
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO KAZAKHSTAN ON REPATRIATED UZBEK
REFUGEES

REF: STATE 229251


1. (SBU) On the morning of December 22, PolOff delivered
reftel demarche to Aidar Shakenov, Head of the Americas desk
at the MFA. Shakenov had no immediate comment, but said
that the message would be passed to the Foreign Minister for
his information and action. Poloff emphasized the high level
of USG concern about this issue and noted that Ambassador
Ordway would call to follow up with Foreign Minister Tokayev
later that day.


2. (SBU) In a subsequent phone conversation, FM Tokayev told
the Ambassador that the deportations had been an
"unfortunate" event and that the MFA was working to make
sure it would not happen again. Tokayev stated that the MFA
had not been informed prior to the deportations, which were
arranged between "counterpart agencies" (note: presumably
KNB and SNB) of the two governments. He said that he
regretted the incident, and that he was undertaking steps to
try and prevent any future recurrence of this violation of
Kazakhstan's international obligations. The Ambassador
intends to convey the USG's concerns to the Presidential
Administration and Security Council as well.

ORDWAY


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