KAZAKHSTAN: INITIAL INTEREST IN GPOI

UNCLAS ASTANA 000669 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (M. O'MARA),PM/PPA (R. FEATHERSTONE) SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPKO MARR MASS KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: INITIAL INTEREST IN GPOI REF: STATE 170904 ¶1. (SBU) Pol-Econ Chief conveyed reftel points and fact sheet to Murat Tashibayev, director of the MFA's Department of International Organizations and Security Issues, on November 2. Olzhas Togyzbayev from the Security Affairs office also participated in the meeting. Tashibayev expressed interest in the possibility of expanding cooperation on peacekeeping, noting that a contingent of KazBat soldiers is on the ground in Iraq. He added that Kazakhstani forces are formally part of the UN's reserve. ¶2. (SBU) Tashibayev promised to forward the information for appropriate review within the MFA. He noted that the opinion of the Ministry of Defense would also be a key factor in Kazakhstan's response to the proposal. ¶3. (SBU) The Ministry of Defense has expressed interest in cooperation through GPOI to post's Office of Military Cooperation. In fact, they have requested that GPOI be on the agenda during the December 6-8 Five Year Plan conference to be held in Tampa. MOD but is waiting for a specific proposal before responding definitively, however. OMC is coordinating with DSCA on the proposal. ORDWAY