KAZAKHSTAN PROPOSES DRAFT TEXT OF INFORMATION SHARING

UNCLAS ALMATY 002400 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE),L/SCA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KNNP MARR KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN PROPOSES DRAFT TEXT OF INFORMATION SHARING AGREEMENT REF: ALMATY 1720 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The Kazakhstani MFA has proposed a draft agreement on the sharing of classified information. Post believes it would be worthwhile to pursue such an agreement, and requests Department guidance (see para. 4). End summary. ¶2. (SBU) On July 6 post received a diplomatic note from the MFA (#09-2-1/2584, dated June 29) conveying a draft agreement on the sharing of classified information. Informal embassy translation of note follows: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and, in addition to dipnote #09-2-1/163 of January 18, 2006, has the honor to confirm its support for the U.S. initiative to conclude a bilateral agreement on the exchange of classified information. To expedite work on concluding such an agreement, and taking into account the fact that the Embassy has not responded to our request to provide a draft agreement, the Ministry forwards a draft text proposed by the Kazakhstani side. ¶3. (U) The diplomatic note and the nine-page draft agreement, in Russian, were forwarded to SCA/CEN by email on July 6. ¶4. (SBU) Comment/Request for guidance: As noted reftel, Post believes that it would be worthwhile to pursue an information sharing agreement with Kazakhstan. The Nazarbayev visit could provide useful bureaucratic momentum to the discussions, even if it is not possible to conclude an agreement by September. Post requests Department guidance on responding to the Kazakhstani diplomatic note. End comment/Request for guidance. ORDWAY