KAZAKHSTAN: RUSSIANS HOST CTAG MEETING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ALMATY 000456

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN (J. MUDGE, M. O'MARA),S/CT (D.
FRANZ)

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER RS KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: RUSSIANS HOST CTAG MEETING


1. (SBU) Summary: During the first CTAG of the Russian G-8
presidency, representatives of G-8 embassies discussed the
threats to Kazakhstan posed by international terrorism,
organized crime, and drug trafficking. While expressing
general satisfaction with the GOK's approach to
counterterrorism issues, participants noted certain
deficiencies with regard to domestic legislation and
operational cooperation. The existence of terrorist groups
with links to international networks was also noted. All
participants concurred that the situation in Afghanistan was
the most important external factor in regional stability.
The Russian ambassador stated that the GOR has proposed the
creation of an anti-narcotics security zone around
Afghanistan. End summary.


2. (U) In their capacity as president of the G-8 for 2006,
the Russians hosted a meeting of the Counterterrorism Action
Group (CTAG) in Almaty on February 1. The U.S. and UK
ambassadors and representatives of the Canadian, German,
French, and Japanese embassies attended. The Italians were
unable to participate as their Embassy has moved to Astana.

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Russian Presentation
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3. (SBU) Russian Ambassador Vladimir Babichev opened the
discussion with general remarks regarding the importance of
the CTAG process and Kazakhstan's counterterrorism record.
Babichev indicated that the GOR would host a "larger" CTAG
in Moscow in February to discuss the results of regional
meetings, and proposed a draft protocol for participants'
approval (see para. 12). He stated that representatives of
the GOK would be invited to future CTAG meetings in
Kazakhstan.


4. (SBU) Babichev cited international terrorism, organized
crime, and narcotrafficking as threats requiring broad
international cooperation to address. He underscored the
importance of coalitions between "state and society."
Babichev cited Afghanistan as the prime external factor
impacting Kazakhstan's security. Conceding that the threat
had decreased following international intervention and
elections, Babichev underscored continuing problems among
ethnic groups and the slowness of economic development. He
asserted that the Karzai government had not yet attained
"the level of national concord and restoration of the
country that took place during the government of President
Nadzhibully." He noted the continuing threat from extremist
forces based in Pakistan, including UBL, and called for
"equal interaction on the basis of transparency" between
CSTO and NATO to address the threats. Babichev referred to
increasing narcotics flows from Afghanistan, noting both
transit and consumption in Afghanistan. He said the GOR
favors the creation of an "anti-narcotics security zone"
around Afghanistan.


5. (SBU) With regard to internal factors, Babichev
highlighted the stable political situation, including the
"triumphal results" of the December presidential elections.
He stated that effective political and economic policies, as
well as religious and ethnic harmony, had hindered the
growth of extremism. Babichev highlighted the GOK's efforts
to combat terrorism, religious extremism, and drug
trafficking, as well as legislation such as the 1999
terrorism law and the banning of Hizb'ut Tahrir. He noted
the establishment of the interagency antiterrorist center
and the fact that the UNSC held a meeting of the
Counterterrorism Committee in Almaty in January 2005.
Babichev also mentioned the discovery of the al Qaida-
affiliated "Jamat Mojaheds of Central Asia" terrorist group
in Kazakhstan. The GOK has offered to host CARICC as part
of the UN anti-drug program.

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Reactions
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6. (SBU) Ambassador Ordway, asked to give the first
reaction, said that the U.S. agreed with the overall
analysis of the situation in Kazakhstan. We are satisfied
with the degree of the GOK's commitment to fighting
terrorism. Ordway gave an overview of U.S. CT assistance to
Kazakhstan and noted that the GOK's awareness and
cooperation had increased markedly in the wake of the July
2004 Tashkent bombings. He proposed that the draft protocol

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reflect the existence of terrorist groups with links to
international networks. Ambassador Babichev indicated that
he supported such an addition.


7. (SBU) UK Ambassador Paul Brummell highlighted the ongoing
London Compact meeting on Afghanistan, where FM Tokayev was
representing Kazakhstan. He noted that HMG is taking the
proposal of an anti-narcotics security zone very seriously,
and was working with the countries bordering Afghanistan on
a declaration of good neighborly relations. The UK welcomes
the GOK's interest in hosting CARICC. Brummell noted that
there was work to be done on implementing the UN CTC's
recommendations regarding the Kazakhstani legislative
framework.


8. (SBU) French DCM Dominique Gentil and police attache Jean-
Luc Debout expressed dissatisfaction with the level of
concrete counterterrorism cooperation from the GOK. Debout
noted that France welcomed the GOK's interest in CARICC.
The GOK believes that existing legislation did not
adequately address terrorist financing. He noted the
existence of political will to take action against terrorism
at the regional level, however. He called for more
operational cooperation rather than just agreements.


9. (SBU) German DCM Joachim von Marschall highlighted the
potential for terrorist activities in the surrounding
countries surrounding and the existence of terrorist groups
"sleeping" in Kazakhstan. He noted that rapid economic
development in Kazakhstan could bring certain societal
changes which terrorist or extremist groups oppose, placing
the country "on the radar screen." He seconded the
previously-expressed views that Kazakhstan's CT legislation
needs work, particularly with reference to implementing
UNSCR 1373 and 1624. He called on G-8 countries to offer
assistance in that regard.


10. (SBU) Canadian First Secretary Mark Opgenorth seconded
the addition proposed by the U.S. to the protocol. The
Canadian government shared the analysis that Afghanistan
presented the greatest threat to regional stability; for
that reason, he explained, the GOC has focused its CT
activities to date on Afghanistan. Opgenorth noted that CT
assistance funding had recently been increased and might
become available for Central Asia.


11. (SBU) Japanese DCM Kiesi Matsuzaki noted that Japan also
sees Afghanistan as crucial to the stability of Central
Asia, and had provided significant assistance. He commented
that it might be useful to invite Kazakhstani
counterterrorism specialists to Japan for consultations.

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Protocol
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12. (SBU) Text of the protocol to be shared with G-8
capitals (Russian Embassy unofficial translation):

On the 1st of February 2006 Ambassadors and representatives
of the embassies of G-8 states held a working meeting of a
"local" Counterterrorism Action Group (CTAG) on CT
activities that are carried on in Kazakhstan and also
exchanged opinions on probable requirements of Kazakhstan in
gaining corresponding CT assistance.

The discussion showed a wide range for CT cooperation in the
framework of G-8 CTAG in Central Asia.

During the meeting it was stated that Kazakh authorities
purposefully and consistently fulfill the complex of
antiterrorist measures closely coordinating bilaterally and
multilaterally its efforts with international organizations
and independent states. But for all that an opinion that
Kazakh government confidently ensures economic, social, and
political stability in the country was expressed. Thereupon
it seems that within the next two or three years there is no
place for terror threat aggravation in Kazakhstan.

[U.S. addition: Participants noted the activity in
Kazakhstan of certain terrorist groups with links to
international networks and agreed that continued domestic
vigilance was necessary.] At the same time during the
meeting it was noticed that primary terrorist hazards for
Kazakhstan are provoked by the external factors, closely
related with an unstable situation in Afghanistan.

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Taking this into consideration, there is still some need in
Kazakhstan in receiving information on other states and
international organizations CT experience, as well as
methodical assistance (which includes cutting of terrorism
financing channels as well),and unified technical
instruments for guarding and control. Ideological
confrontation to terrorism and extremist ideology in
Kazakhstan gained in special importance.

In the mean time it was stated, that Kazakhstan progress in
CT policy obviously deserves attention and Kazakhstan
experience could be useful for other countries.

It was underlined, that such strategically important region
for Europe as Central Asia should not fall out of touch with
CT Committee of the UN Security Council. In order to
strengthen the cooperation between CT Committee and CTAG it
seems advisable to put Kazakhstan on the list of visits of
CT Committee for 2006.

Kazakhstan's needs and plans of partners of CTAG shall be
further examined during an additional meeting of G-8 embassy
representatives in Kazakhstan in the first half of 2006.

ORDWAY