KAZAKHSTAN: A/S BOUCHER MEETS WITH SENATE SPEAKER

UNCLAS ALMATY 003275

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

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DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (M. O'MARA)

NSC FOR MILLARD, MERKEL

E.O. 193056: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: A/S BOUCHER MEETS WITH SENATE SPEAKER
ABYKAYEV


1. (SBU) Summary: Senate Speaker Abykayev told Assistant
Secretary Boucher on September 9 that Kazakhstan saw

SIPDIS
President Nazarbayev's upcoming visit to the U.S. as an
opportunity to highlight its record on economic reform and
security. A/S Boucher underscored the need to discuss plans
for further political reform as well. Abykayev briefed
Boucher on the Congress of World Religions. He also shared
his views on possible reform of Parliament. End summary.


2. (U) Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central
Asian Affairs Richard Boucher met on September 9 in Astana
with Speaker of the Senate Nurtay Abykayev. The Ambassador
and Pol-Econ chief (notetaker) were also present. From the
Kazakhstani side, head of the MFA's European Cooperation
Department Yerkin Akinzhanov, head of the MFA's Europe and
Americas Department Serzhan Abdykarimov, and Senate staff
member Bakhytzhan Abdraimov participated.

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Nazarbayev Visit
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3. (SBU) Abykayev told A/S Boucher that the Kazakhstani
government is looking forward to President Nazarbayev's
upcoming visit to Washington, which will highlight
Kazakhstan's role as a leader in economic reform in Central
Asia and a supporter of stability and development. Boucher
replied that the visit would be a good opportunity to
discuss not only Kazakhstan's achievements, but also its
plans for further political reform. There will be much
discussion, and some criticism, in the U.S. press of
Kazakhstan's record on democratization. Abykayev pointed
out that Kazakhstan's goal of building a secular democratic
state is well known, and is part of the 2030 Strategy;
Nazarbayev had always said that economic reform would have
to come first. Every country makes mistakes, Abykayev said;
Kazakhstan learns from its own.

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Congress of World Religions
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4. (SBU) Abykayev noted that the September 12-13 Congress of
World Religions in Astana, which he had organized, served as
international recognition of Kazakhstan's work in fostering
religious tolerance. The congress, which would include 26
religious leaders from Kazakhstan and around the world,
scholars, and political figures, would cover both religious
issues and the importance of tolerance in ensuring security
and stability.

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Political Reform
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5. (SBU) In response to A/S Boucher's question regarding the
impact of further political reform on the role of
Parliament, Abykayev referred to discussion in the
Democratization Commission of increasing the number of seats
in both houses. He did not favor expansion of the Senate
because it was already large enough to carry out its
legislative work; however, he could support the proposal for
the Assembly of Peoples of Kazakhstan to select a certain
number of senators. Abykayev observed that it might be
useful to increase the number of seats in the Mazhilis since
the lower house does most of the work on drafting
legislation.


6. (SBU) The Senate speaker said that he agreed with the
proposal Nazarbayev had put forward for the Prime Minister
to form the government and the Parliament to approve it.
Abykayev added that the Parliament needs additional
qualified staffers and assistants in order to do its work
effectively; this would not require any change to the
Constitution.

ORDWAY