KAZAKH DCM COMMENTS ON TRADE AND BORDER ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000506

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/15/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL UK ZK
SUBJECT: KAZAKH DCM COMMENTS ON TRADE AND BORDER ISSUES
WITH UZBEKISTAN

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY DCM BRAD HANSON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D).


1. (C) Summary: Kazakh Foreign Minister Tokaev did not meet
with any Uzbek officials during his February 8 visit to
Tashkent. The majority of ethnic Kazakhs in Uzbekistan live
along the border between the two countries, but require a
visa to cross the border. While there is some cross-border
trade, GOU import restrictions make it difficult for most
Uzbeks to purchase products from Kazakhstan. End summary.


2. (C) Kazakh DCM Kyzyr Jumabaev told DCM that Foreign
Minister Kassymzhomart Tokaev, in Tashkent on February 8 to
participate in a meeting to select the location for the
Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Center
(CARICC),did not meet bilaterally with any Uzbek officials.
(Note: According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and
Crime (UNODC),which sponsored the meeting, Uzbek Foreign
Minister Ganiev chose not to meet with any of the visiting
ministers. End note.) When DCM asked about Kazakh-Uzbek
relations, Jumabaev would not characterize them other than
simply stating &we are neighbors.8 Jumabaev confirmed that
President Nazarbaev is scheduled to visit Tashkent at the end
of March, but the agenda for the visit is still being
discussed. Recent press reports state that Nazarbaev will
visit March 19-20. Discussion topics will include expanding
economic, humanitarian and cultural cooperation (septel).
For the region, Jumabaev hopes that cooperation among Central
Asian states will jump start preventing the smuggling of
nuclear material, narcotics and terrorists. (Note: CARICC is
intended to enhance information sharing among Central Asian
countries on narcotics trafficking issues. At least
initially, it will not attempt to deal with proliferation or
terrorism issues. End note.)


3. (C) One of Kazakhstan,s largest borders is shared with
Uzbekistan, along which are three major crossing points:
Chrenayavka, Koplonbek and Mayskiy. Jumabayev estimated one
million ethnic Kazakhs live in Uzbekistan, mostly along this
border. Jumabaev recently spent one day observing border
crossings at Chrenayavka (aka Gishtuprik),where he and his
assistant counted approximately 10,000 persons crossing each
way. (Comment: These numbers seem a bit exaggerated, based
on Embassy staff's own occasional observation of this most
important border crossing, just 45 minutes north of downtown
Tashkent. Kazakhs and Uzbeks are able to cross the border
without visas. End comment.)


4. (C) While Jumabaev did not have exact figures on trade, he
said Kazakhstan exports mostly flour, dairy products and
light manufacturing goods to Uzbekistan. Kazakh flour is
considered higher quality with high gluten content. However,
the GOU,s import restrictions and tariffs make it difficult
for Uzbeks to buy many Kazakh products. Flour is often
smuggled across the border in small amounts. Uzbekistan
exports fruits and vegetables to Kazakhstan. Only a small
amount of natural gas is purchased from Uzbekistan as the GOU
has imposed tight price controls.

5. (C) Comment: Jumabaev, about 55-60 years old, is a former
manager of a collective-farm in northern Kazakhstan, near
Azkul north of Astana. He is not a professional diplomat,
but has worked seven years working at the Kazakh Embassy in
Tashkent. His primary job appears to be Consul, only filling
in for the Ambassador secondarily. End comment.
PURNELL