KAZAKHSTAN: NIC WATCHLIST

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALMATY 002271 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR S/CRS (BRENDA HAZZARD),SCA/CEN (MUDGE). E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/26/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL KCRS KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: NIC WATCHLIST REF: STATE 94960 Classified By: POL-ECON CHIEF DEBORAH MENNUTI, REASONS 1.4(B) and (D) ¶1. (C) Post appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback on the NIC Watchlist of Internal Instability, per reftel action request. Post generally agrees with the information reflected on the NIC Watchlist. The one exception is the wording "continuing political assassinations." There have recently been two deaths of opposition figures in Kazakhstan, but it is unclear if either one can be considered a political assassination. ORDWAY