KAZAKHSTAN'S REACTION TO RESULTS OF 2005 MADRID

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALMATY 000601

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE),EUR/PRA (J. CONLON),ISN/MTR
(P. DURHAM)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2016
TAGS: PARM ETTC KSCA PREL TSPA KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN'S REACTION TO RESULTS OF 2005 MADRID
MTCR PLENARY

REF: A. 05 STATE 224815


B. 05 ALMATY 833

Classified By: Amb. John Ordway, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (C) Summary: Kazakhstan is frustrated that the U.S. does
not support its application for membership in the Missile
Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The MFA is seeking
expert-level discussions in order to obtain a better
understanding of U.S. objections and to lay out its case.
Post believes it would be useful to hold such discussions in
advance of any Nazarbayev visit to Washington. End summary.


2. (C) Post delivered Ref A MTCR non-paper and Department
translation to Olzhas Togyzbayev of the MFA Security Affairs
department on January 19. Togyzbayev was informed that the
information was considered confidential.


3. (C) In a meeting with POEC chief on February 8, Togyzbayev
and Security Affairs deputy director Sergey Savelyev
expressed disappointment that the U.S. position on
Kazakhstan's desire for MTCR membership had not changed.
Reiterating previous arguments (Ref B),Savelyev said that
the GOK had a hard time understanding why Kazakhstan was not
admitted when countries with less expertise in missile
technology were.


4. (C) Savelyev expressed appreciation for the Ref A offer of
consultations on MTCR in Washington. He indicated, however,
that Kazakhstani Embassy personnel were not sufficiently
familiar with MTCR to have productive discussions; it was
important to have experts speak directly with experts.
Savelyev invited a USG delegation to come to Astana to
discuss the issue in detail. He underscored the importance
of holding the discussions in Astana in order to permit
dialogue with the full range of Kazakhstani ministries.
Savelyev indicated that the GOK could send a small delegation
to Washington for discussions if necessary, but considered
that a less productive approach.


5. (C) Comment/request for guidance: Post believes it would
be useful to have expert-level discussion of Kazakhstan's
MTCR aspirations in advance of any visit to Washington by
President Nazarbayev. During such a U.S. visit, Nazarbayev
could raise MTCR during high-level meetings. We request
guidance from the Department on prospects for a visit by MTCR
specialists to Astana, or alternatively, meetings with
Kazakhstani experts in Washington. End comment/request for
guidance.
ORDWAY