KAZAKHSTANI GOVERNMENT SETS ITS SIGHTS ON ROADSIDE

UNCLAS ALMATY 002890 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE),DRL/PHD (C. KUCHTA- HELBLING) SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM ECON KDEM EINV KPAO PGOV KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTANI GOVERNMENT SETS ITS SIGHTS ON ROADSIDE BRIBERY Ref: Almaty 1153 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In an effort to reduce low-level corruption, the Ministry of Internal Affairs introduced new controls on the activities of the notoriously bribe-happy traffic police. Post considers these measures, while not a cure-all, a clear step in the right direction. End summary. -------------- -------------- Presidential Displeasure Leads to Traffic Police Overhaul -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) At a June 1 National Security Council meeting on corruption in Kazakhstan, President Nazarbayev harshly criticized the conduct of the country's traffic police. One week later, Minister of Internal Affairs Baurzhan Mukhamedzhanov issued a 15-point order to overhaul the traffic policing system. ¶3. (U) In a radical departure from past practice, traffic police may no longer pull over cars at their discretion. Rather, cars may only be stopped if they are seen committing one of a series of specific violations. Moreover, officers must report the particulars to their duty station each time they pull over a vehicle. Restrictions were also put into place regarding night-time patrolling, use of radar guns, and impoundment of vehicles. ¶4. (U) These measures are designed to reduce the ability of traffic policemen to supplement their incomes by extracting bribes from motorists, a practice common throughout the country (reftel). Additionally, the reforms seem geared toward the planned automization of many aspects of traffic policing. Such automated systems are already up and running in several major cities. ¶5. (U) Mukhamedzhanov's order makes clear that officers that fail to follow these new guidelines will be relieved of duty and blacklisted from future work with the department. Moreover, senior officers will be held personally responsible for the conduct of their subordinates, and as appropriate, may be subject to severe disciplinary action, including dismissal. -------------- Initial Impact -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Comment: Public reaction has been guardedly positive. In principle, motorists support any effort aiming to reduce police harassment and extortion. However, many claim that the new policy has led to increased recklessness and drunk-driving. In particular, officials and motorists alike have questioned how the traffic police can effectively combat drunk-driving without the ability to pull over cars at their discretion. Some also insist that bribe-taking is the result of economic necessity, and cannot be dealt with until the traffic police are paid a living salary. Indeed, anecdotal evidence suggests that while the number of bribes has fallen, the cost of each bribe has skyrocketed. Traffic police are reportedly now demanding as much as five times the previous norm. ¶7. (SBU) Comment, cont.: While the salary issue remains to be addressed, post sees these measures as a positive step. Drivers report fewer stops, and hence by definition, less harassment and attempted extortion from traffic authorities. The "honeymoon period" of reckless driving will likely fade after drivers begin receiving automated tickets in their mailboxes, or come face to face with the severe bribe- inflation mentioned above. End comment. ORDWAY