KAZAKHSTAN SUPPORTS U.S. APPROACH ON IRAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALMATY 001937 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE),NEA/IR E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016 TAGS: PREL KZ IR SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN SUPPORTS U.S. APPROACH ON IRAN REF: STATE 87682 Classified By: POEC Chief Deborah Mennuti ¶1. (C) Summary: Kazakhstani Foreign Minister Tokayev reacted enthusiastically to the U.S. initiative on Iran. He will make a public statement in support of the initiative and will encourage the Iranian government to seize the opportunity to meet with the U.S. End summary. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador conveyed reftel points during a June 1 meeting with FM Tokayev in Astana. Tokayev agreed that the initiative was a significant and important move by the U.S. He agreed to find an opportunity, likely in a press interview scheduled for June 2, to make a public statement of support for the U.S. initiative. ¶3. (C) Tokayev, who was visibly pleased with the message, also said that he would discuss the matter with the Iranian government during his June 6-7 visit to Tehran and would encourage them to meet with the U.S. ORDWAY