KAZAKHSTAN: MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS ASKS FOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ALMATY 001661

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE),INL (M. MCCOWAN) AND
G/TIP (M. HALL)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KDEM PGOV PREL SMIG SNAR KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS ASKS FOR
HELP AGAINST NARCOTICS AND TRAFFICKING

REF: ASTANA 33


1. (SBU) Summary: Minister of Internal Affairs (MVD)
Baurzhan Mukhamedzhanov told Assistant Secretary Boucher,
National Security Council Senior Director Elisabeth Millard,
and Ambassador Ordway that Kazakhstan wants to expand
cooperation in counter-narcotics, efforts to combat
trafficking in persons, security cooperation, and other
specific ongoing law enforcement and investigative issues.
Drug trafficking is growing "geometrically," and Kazakhstan
wants training, information, and "new methods" to deal with
the problem. End summary.

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COOPERATION AND EXPANSION OF EFFORTS
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2. (SBU) Minister Mukhamedzhanov opened the May 5 meeting by
thanking A/S Boucher for the United States' assistance and
cooperation in helping Kazakhstan to strengthen its police
force and supporting law enforcement investigations. He
praised the good working relationship between our two
nations. He stressed his concern about the rapidly growing
problems of drug trafficking and trafficking in persons, and
asked "what can we do about drugs from Afghanistan?" A/S
Boucher echoed Mukhamedzhanov's satisfaction with the
current working relationship and expressed a desire to
expand that relationship to further counter drug trafficking
and trafficking in persons (TIP). A/S Boucher highlighted
the fact that the United States spent $600 million on
counter-narcotics efforts in Afghanistan last year, that
there is a possibility that Afghanistan's drug crop will be
bigger than ever this year, and that trafficking is a large
concern for the United States in the Central Asia region.

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CARICC AND COUNTER-NARCOTICS COOPERATION AND TIP
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3. (SBU) A/S Boucher inquired as to the status of the
Central Asia Regional Information Coordination Center
(CARICC),an intergovernmental anti-narcotics center to be
located in Almaty. Mukhamedzhanov explained that CARICC
falls under the control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA) in cooperation with the United Nations. However, he
met yesterday with Foreign Minister Tokayev and the Chairman
of the CARICC Committee Tazha on logistical questions,
including the exact location of the building, who the
employees would be, and where they would live. A/S Boucher
then expressed interest in the anti-TIP training center in
Karaganda (reftel) becoming a regional center, similar to
the CARICC project.


4. (SBU) Mukhamedzhanov requested further cooperation,
training and information sharing on counter-narcotics
efforts. He cited statistics that show a geometrical growth
in narcotics trafficking: 2.5 times more drug addicts than
previous years, some as young as 14. A/S Boucher agreed
that good opportunities exist to share information,
techniques and knowledge.

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INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES
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5. (SBU) Turning to more sensitive topics, A/S Boucher asked
the Minister about the ongoing Sarsenbaiuly murder
investigation, including the status of cooperation with the
FBI. Boucher expressed concern that while some have already
been arrested and charged, there are possibly others
involved who may still be free. He stressed the importance
of taking the investigation to its completion and emphasized
that the United States would judge the success or failure of
the process based on the report generated by the FBI.
Mukhamedzhanov praised the support and cooperation that
Kazakhstan has received from the United States and the FBI,
citing that this is the first instance in which they have
involved another country in their investigation of an
internal issue. The Minister explained the process of the
case according to Kazakhstani law, stating that all of the
investigations are complete and now the lawyers for all
sides are familiarizing themselves with the 25 volumes of
reports. The next step is for an open hearing, including

ALMATY 00001661 002 OF 002


press, of the accused.


6. (SBU) Mukhamedzhanov mentioned that the investigators
feel that those arrested, including Ibragimov and Utembayev,
are part of a larger group containing former police officers
who have participated in previous killings over the years.
He seemed confident that there was sufficient evidence to
prove this in open court, as well as evidence to overcome
Utembayev's recant of his initial confession.
Mukhamedzhanov also clarified that plea bargaining exists
for those who wish to share information in exchange for a
lesser sentence.

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RESTRICTED MOVEMENTS
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7. (SBU) A/S Boucher closed the meeting by asking about the
apparent deterioration of the status of opposition leaders
and journalists. He highlighted the recent beating of
Atbakiyev (a journalist from AinaPlus) and expressed hope
that there would be a full investigation and prosecution for
the perpetrators. Mukhamedzhanov countered that there had
been a similar beating of another journalist that has not
been discussed in the press at all. He affirmed that the
Ministry deals with law enforcement issues and not politics
and that all crimes are investigated and prosecuted
regardless of an individual's political leanings.


8. (SBU) Boucher asked about Galymzhan Zhakiyanov's
situation, as the rules of the game seemed to have changed.
Mukhamedzhanov explained with some frustration that the
Ministry and the police force, in Zhakiyanov's case, had the
obligation to enforce the terms of his parole, but not the
tools. According to the Minister, previously Zhakiyanov
only had to inform MVD of his movements, but not ask for
permission. Now the court has ruled that Zhakiyanov must
ask permission to travel outside of Almaty and wait for a
ruling before traveling. As such, Zhakiyanov was
effectively blocked from attending Vice President Cheney's
roundtable with Kazakhstani opposition leaders on May 6.
Mukhamedzhanov explained that Zhakiyenov was expected in
court at 2:30 Friday afternoon to plead his case to travel
to Astana, a day before the event. (Note: The hearing
actually addressed a separate issue and Zhakiyanov was not
allowed to raise the question of travel to Astana. End
note.) A/S Boucher expressed his very strong interest that
Zhakiyanov be able to attend the event, noting that both
President Bush and Vice President Cheney highly value the
opinions of not only their counterparts, but also other
voices.

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UPCOMING INL VISIT
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9. (SBU) Both A/S Boucher and Minister Mukhamedzhanov
praised cooperation to date on counter-narcotics and anti-
TIP efforts, and expressed the intent to continue to work
together on these fronts. A/S Boucher reminded the Minister
of Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs Anne Patterson's upcoming visit to
Astana the following week. Minister Mukhamedzhanov said that
he was looking forward to talking with her about specific
cooperation efforts.

ORDWAY