Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASTANA27
2006-04-11 09:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Astana
Cable title:  

KAZAKHSTAN: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES DEMOCRATIZATION COMMISSION

Tags:  KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE PINR KZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9088
PP RUEHAST RUEHDBU
DE RUEHAST #0027/01 1010933
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 110933Z APR 06
FM USOFFICE ASTANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0092
INFO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ALMATY PRIORITY 0086
RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 0011
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 0013
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0015
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0010
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 0012
RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT 0011
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0036
RUEHAST/USOFFICE ASTANA 0094
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 000027 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE),DRL/PHD (C. KUCHTA-HELBLING),
AND DRL/CRA (E.RAMBORGER)
USOSCE FOR D. BROWN AND J. DUNLOP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE PINR KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES DEMOCRATIZATION COMMISSION
WITH STATE SECRETARY ABDYKARIMOV

REF: ALMATY 1095

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 000027

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE),DRL/PHD (C. KUCHTA-HELBLING),
AND DRL/CRA (E.RAMBORGER)
USOSCE FOR D. BROWN AND J. DUNLOP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL OSCE PINR KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES DEMOCRATIZATION COMMISSION
WITH STATE SECRETARY ABDYKARIMOV

REF: ALMATY 1095


1. (SBU) Summary: On March 30, the Ambassador paid a courtesy
call on State Secretary Oralbay Abdykarimov, who was recently
named to run the new Democratization Commission ("the
Commission") as deputy to President Nazarbayev. Abdykarimov,
who will undertake the day-to-day operations of the commission
and chair most working meetings, described the structure, goals,
and timeline for the Commission. He acknowledged the importance
of active participation by all stakeholders, including
opposition leaders and civil society groups. End summary.


2. (U) The Ambassador met with Oralbay Abdykarimov on March 30
in Astana to discuss plans for the newly constituted
Democratization Commission convened by President Nazarbayev on
March 24. Abdykarimov was appointed State Secretary in March

2004. When dealing with various government agencies, political
parties, and public organizations, the State Secretary acts as
the President's representative. Prior to this position,
Abdykarimov served as speaker of the Senate from 1999 to 2004.
During the meeting, Abdykarimov gave the Ambassador an overview
of the broad plans for the Commission, explaining its structure
and laying out goals and timelines for accomplishing these goals.

STRUCTURE AND GOALS OF THE COMMISSION

--------------


3. (U) Abdykarimov explained that the Commission has 30 members
who will form seven working groups. These groups will focus on
the priorities of democratic reforms as determined by the
previous National Commission on Democratization and Civil
Society chaired by former Security Council Secretary Utemuratov:
executive branch reform; strengthening the role of
representative government entities; development of
self-governance; judicial reform; human rights protection and
strengthening the role of political parties and public
organizations; strengthening of independent, professional media;

and development of Kazakhstan's electoral and political system.
Members include the deputy speakers of both houses of
Parliament, one representative from each registered political
party and bloc, leaders of political factions in the Parliament,
civil society leaders, and other government officials and
members of the Parliament. (Note: Only one opposition
representative attended the first meeting.) The Cabinet will
appropriate funds for the Commission's budget, which will be
overseen by the Ministry of Culture and Information.
Abdykarimov noted that the Commission's success will depend on
whether the Commission wins public trust in its objectives and
methodology.


4. (SBU) The next meeting of the Democratization Commission is
tentatively scheduled for April 21. It will be a working meeting
chaired by Abdykarimov rather than President Nazarbayev, who
chaired the Commission's first meeting on March 24. Commission
members will debate and vote to set the order of the seven
priority areas to be addressed. At the March 24 meeting,
Constitutional Council Chairman Igor Rogov suggested that they
begin with the areas that do not require amendments into the
Constitution. Abdykarimov shares that view, predicting to the
Ambassador that the Commission would not likely draft any
constitutional amendments this year. After the first meeting,
Abdykarimov sent letters to all members of the Commission asking
for their proposals on the work plan and soliciting agenda items
for the next meeting. He told the Ambassador that at this
stage, there is no unanimity among members as to what issues
should be addressed first. Once approved by the Commission,
proposed legislation and regulations will be filed with the
Cabinet for submission to Parliament. (Note: Under the
Constitution, legislation may be initiated only by the Cabinet
or within the Parliament itself. The Presidential
Administration and its subsidiary non-cabinet agencies and
commissions technically do not have the right to initiate
legislation. However, in practice, these entities work closely
with the Ministry of Justice to draft relevant legislation. End
note.) The work plan drafted by the Commission will be sent to
President Nazarbayev for approval.


5. (SBU) The Democratization Commission reforms will be divided
into goals for 2006 to 2008 and goals for 2009 to 2011. The

ASTANA 00000027 002 OF 003


election of akims should begin this year pursuant to a decree by
the President. (Note: District akims are expected to be
indirectly elected by district (rayon) legislatures, or
Maslikhats. As noted in reftel, akims have traditionally been
executive branch appointees. End note.) This year, Parliament
is expected to pass a law that will be that will expand local
self-government for small settlements and villages.


6. (SBU) Abdykarimov believes the Commission must ultimately
decide whether Kazakhstan remains a presidential republic, moves
towards a parliament-dominated republic, or maintains strong
executive and legislative branches to balance each other. He
said that although it was not an immediate priority, a new
election law should be passed prior to the fall 2009 Mazhilis
elections, providing for a larger role for political parties.

ENGAGEMENT WITH OPPOSITION AND STAKEHOLDERS

--------------


7. (SBU) Abdykarimov said that he sent a letter to newly
registered opposition party True Ak Zhol (TAZ) on March 29
asking the party to name its representative to the
Democratization Commission. Former presidential candidate
Zharmakhan Tuyakbay was invited to represent opposition bloc For
a Just Kazakhstan (FJK),while party chairman Serikbolsyn
Abdildin was invited to represent the opposition Communist Party
of Kazakhstan(CPK). Neither party sent a representative to the
inaugural March 24 meeting, however. Ak Zhol chairman Alikhan
Baymenov was the only opposition representative present.
Abdykarimov agreed that the murder of TAZ leader Altynbek
Sarsenbaiuly cast a shadow on the work of the Commission.
Abdykarimov claimed that government had reached out to the
opposition to join the Commission and taken steps to encourage
their participation. (Note: As reported Ref B, the opposition
does not feel the GOK has made any effort.) Abdykarimov
stressed that opposition leaders must commit to participation;
they cannot be forced to join. If the opposition leaders refuse
to participate, they will miss an opportunity to shape the
Commission's reforms. The work of the Commission will go
forward, Abdykarimov said, with or without the opposition.


8. (SBU) The Ambassador encouraged Abdykarimov to come up with a
clear agenda and action plan so that all stakeholders, including
the opposition, will see the advantages of joining the
Commission. He also encouraged informal, personal outreach by
GOK officials to "old friends" in the opposition, noting that
many political opponents retained personal ties built on former
professional relationships and family and social ties.
Abdykarimov agreed with the suggestion, adding that he had known
all the opposition activists from long ago, particularly Bulat
Abilov (TAZ),Oraz Zhandosov (TAZ),and Tulegen Zhukeyev (FJK).
He noted, "We all share the same goals of building democracy and
prosperity. Our differences are in the way to reach these
goals."


9. (SBU) Abdykarimov also indicated that he would seek feedback
from civil society stakeholders, soliciting input from groups as
diverse as the National Council, the Assembly of Peoples, the
entrepreneur group "Atameken," NGOs, and the media. Abdykarimov
expressed openness to active participation of international
organizations and invited the Embassy to send observers to any
and all Commission meetings.

EYE ON THE OSCE BID

--------------


10. (SBU) Finally, Abdykarimov mentioned Kazakhstan's
aspirations to OSCE chairmanship-in-office (CiO). He believes
that Kazakhstan should be given credit for aspiring to take a
leadership role and that the U.S. should support Kazakhstan's
bid for the OSCE CiO. The Ambassador agreed that Kazakhstan
deserves recognition for its leadership aspirations, but noted
that aspirations are not enough. The Ambassador told
Abdykarimov that the terms under which Kazakhstan could be
chosen to serve as OSCE CiO remain subject to further
consideration and discussion.


ASTANA 00000027 003 OF 003


BACKGROUND NOTES

--------------


11. (SBU) BIOGRAPHIC NOTE: Oralbay Abdykarimov (patronymic
unknown) was born December 18, 1944, in the village of Kiyevka,
Nurinsky Region, Karaganda Oblast. Following a brief (1964-67)
stint in the Soviet Navy, he graduated from Karaganda
Industrial-Pedagogical Technical School in 1969 and from
Karaganda State University in 1974. He served as an
"instructor" to regional government councils from 1975 to 1985.
From 1985 to 1991, he held various positions with the Central
Committee of Communist Party of the Kazakh S.S.R. Following
Kazakhstan's independence, Abdykarimov served in the
Presidential Administration from 1991 to 1996, when he left to
serve 8 months as the head of administration for the Mazhilis.
In October 1996, he returned as the Head of Presidential
Administration, leaving to serve as Chair of the Higher
Disciplinary Council(1997-1998),then on to chair the State
Commission on Combating Corruption (1998-2000). Abdykarimov is
married to Zhamal Abdykarimova and they have a daughter and
three sons, one of whom, Serzhan, currently serves as the head
of the MFA Europe and Americas Department (replacing Jandos
Asanov). His brother, Bolat Abdykarimov, worked in the
government until 1997 and ran for the Mazhilis in 1999.
Currently, Bolat Abdykarimov is a professor at Eurasia National
University in Astana.
TRACY