EXBS: KAZAKHSTAN ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 000569

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AMEMBASSY BERLIN FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE
AMEMBASSY TASHKENT, BISHKEK, BAKU, DUSHANBE AND ASHGABAT FOR EXBS
ADVISORS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP KZ
SUBJECT: EXBS: KAZAKHSTAN ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE
(OCTOBER 2006)


I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS:


1. The Kazakhstan EXBS Program office completed its move
across town from the interim Embassy Branch Office to the New
Embassy Compound in October and is now fully operational, with
brand-new computers and a beautiful new office space.


2. Andrew Offenbacher concluded his tenure with the EXBS Program in
Kazakhstan on November 3. New EXBS Program Advisor Michael Seguin
arrived at post October 26 and has assumed charge of the office.


3. In a letter sent to the embassy in October, Kazakhstan's Customs
Control Committee Chairman Askar Shakirov confirmed his interest in
visiting the United States to learn about, among other things, U.S.
Customs and Border Protection's automated systems that help
facilitate the flow of passengers and commercial goods. Chairman
Shakirov proposed that the visit take place during the first half of

2007. The trip is anticipated to be arranged within the framework
of the State Department's Voluntary Visitor Program.

II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD


A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS CONDUCTED


1. October 3-5 - EXBS Program advisor conducted meetings with
Kazakhstani officials from the Atomic Energy Committee and the
Ministry of Industry and Trade on the margins of an export control
workshop in Almaty.


2. October 10 - Baku-based EXBS Regional Maritime Advisor Mike
Taffe joined EXBS Program Coordinator Gulnara Abildaeva and EXBS TDY
Advisor Jim Kelly for meetings with representatives of Kazakhstan's
Maritime Border Guard Division in the Caspian coastal cities of
Aktau and Bautino. In Bautino, Mike Taffe installed navigation
software for the three fast response boats that were provided to
Kazakhstan by the EXBS Program earlier this year. A possible future
boat ramp site was also identified, and a date was set for the
painting of the three boats' hulls with anti-fouling paint. Jim
Kelly (EXBS TDY Advisor) and Gulnara Abildaeva (EXBS LES) met
briefly with Major General Berkaliyev (First Deputy of the Border
Service responsible for maritime and land border matters in
Kazakhstan) at the Airport in Atyrau. The Major General advised us
that President Nazarbayev had expressed his satisfaction with the
SAFE boats donated by the U.S. He also advised us that the BG could
use 3 additional SAFE boats, as well as a large vessel (with
armaments and the capability of carrying 30 sailors) to patrol the
Caspian near Atyrau; modular shelters for piers/border check points;
large trucks; and tool kits. He also said that he will upon request
provide EXBS with statistics demonstrating the effectiveness of the
BG's patrolling activities.


B. TRAINING DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD


1. October 3-5 - The Department of Energy/National Nuclear
Administration's (DOE/NNSA) International Nonproliferation Export
Control Program (INECP) held a workshop in Almaty on export controls
for biological research institutes. The workshop achieved its goal
of providing the bio institutes with information on Kazakhstan's
national export control system, and was rather innovative in that it
accomplished this by providing a forum for Kazakhstani nuclear firms
such as Kazatomprom to share their extensive experience in
establishing internal compliance programs. The Almaty-based Nuclear
Technology Safety Center (NSTC) NGO did an excellent job of
organizing the event, upon conclusion of which all participants were

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provided with a copy of their recently-published "Model Internal
Compliance Program Guide."


2. October 9-10 - The Monterey Institute's Center for
Nonproliferation Studies hosted a two-day workshop in Almaty
dedicated to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution
1540 in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Embassy Astana Political
Officer John Cooney attended the event.


3. October 31-November 1 - EXBS Program Coordinator Gulnara
Abildaeva attended the second annual EXBS Program Workshop for
Locally Employed Staff in Bratislava, Slovakia.


C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD


1. A replacement air conditioning control card and a
voltmeter were transferred to the Border Guard's Maritime Division
during the October 10 meeting.


2. As mentioned above, three navigation software packages were
installed on the Maritime Border Guard Division's three
EXBS-provided boats.


D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE


1. The NNSA INECP's Regional Internal Compliance Program workshop,
originally scheduled for October 31-November 2 in Almaty, has been
postponed and is now expected to be held in early 2007.


2. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Weapons of Mass
Destruction / Proliferation Prevention Initiative (DTRA WMD-PPI)
"Combating WMD Proliferation at Maritime Ports" training referred to
in the September report has also been postponed from its original
October 31-November 2 dates.


3. Representatives of the NNSA's Second Line of Defense Program
will meet with Kazakhstani Customs and other agencies in Astana on
November 15 and 16 to discuss the program's implementation schedule,
roles and responsibilities, and other issues.


4. Department of Commerce contractor Commonwealth Trading Partners
will send a representative to conduct an Internal Control Program
follow-up Product Classification Workshop in Astana on November 23
and 24.


5. The NNSA's INECP will hold a Commodity Identification Training
in Almaty from December 4-8. For the first time, the course will
cover materials and equipment related to the production of not only
nuclear weapons, but also chemical and biological, as well as
missile technology.


6. In the month of November or December, INECP will send a
representative of the NSTC to three posts on Kazakhstan's border
with China to Russify the software and operating system used to
power the three x-ray fluorescence metal analyzers that were
provided to Kazakhstani Customs earlier this year. The NTSC
representative will also review how the units are being used at the
ports of entry.


7. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has scheduled an
International Seaport Interdiction Training for Kazakhstan from
February 12-16 in Charleston, North Carolina.


8. The EXBS Program's chosen contractor is currently working on

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Task Order 79, which includes the procurement of four modular
shelters and high-clearance Ural trucks for transfer to Kazakhstan's
Border Service.


E. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR
RELATED BORDER SECURITY


1. BBC reports October 5: First Deputy Director of the
Federal Security Service (Russia) and head of the Border Guard
Service, Army General Vladimir Pronichev announced plans to allocate
$160 million in 2007 for improved border control infrastructure.
Gen. Pronichev indicated the $160 million is roughly the same amount
allocated for Kazakhstani-Russian border enhancement for 2006
(totaling roughly $320 million). Funds are specifically intended
for 20 facilities including administrative buildings and service
housing. EXBS Advisor will attempt to confirm these initiatives in
upcoming Kazakh Border Guard meetings.


2. SKRIN Newswire reports October 24: President Putin of
Russia and President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan signed six documents
on October 3 regarding the establishment of an international nuclear
center on Russian territory. An agreement on joint construction of
additional car check-points at borders, as well as the
simplification of border crossings for residents was also signed.
EXBS Advisor will attempt to confirm these initiatives as they
relate to enhanced border crossing infrastructure in upcoming Kazakh
Border Guard meetings.


F. CASPIAN SECURITY INFORMATION


1. Please see paragraph A, item 2 and paragraph C, item 1 and
2 above.

III. RED FLAG ISSUES.


1. None.

ORDWAY