KAZAKHSTAN: NUCLEAR SECURITY COOPERATION WITH U.S.

UNCLAS ALMATY 001239

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN JMUDGE; L/EUR

DEPT PLS. PASS NRC (J. RAMSEY)

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG PARM PREL KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: NUCLEAR SECURITY COOPERATION WITH U.S.



1. (SBU) Summary: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed
post that it believes a U.S. - Kazakhstan agreement on nuclear
security cooperation expired seven years ago. See request for
guidance, para. 3. End summary.


2. (SBU) Post received a diplomatic note dated March 1, 2006,
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs concerning the agreement
between Kazakhstan's Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission on technical information exchange and
nuclear security cooperation. Embassy translation follows:

The Republic of Kazakhstan's legal and contractual framework
contains an agreement of February 14, 1994, between the RK's
Atomic Energy Agency and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
concerning the exchange of technical information and cooperation
in the field of Nuclear Security.

Based on Section 1, Article 4 of the given agreement, the
Kazakhstani side understands that the legal document lost force
as of February 14, 1999.

The Ministry [of Foreign Affairs] would appreciate the Embassy's
confirmation of receipt of this note.


3. (SBU) Post requests guidance in responding to the dip note,
including clarification of whether the U.S. agrees that the
agreement has expired.

ORDWAY