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. -------------- COOPERATION AND EXPANSION OF EFFORTS -------------- ¶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. -------------- -------------- CARICC AND COUNTER-NARCOTICS COOPERATION AND TIP -------------- -------------- ¶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. -------------- INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES -------------- ¶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. -------------- RESTRICTED MOVEMENTS -------------- ¶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. -------------- UPCOMING INL VISIT -------------- ¶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