KAZAKHSTAN COMMITTED TO NPT

UNCLAS ASTANA 001116 SIPDIS NPT COLLECTIVE SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN (O'MARA) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG KNNP MNUC PARM PREL NPT KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN COMMITTED TO NPT REF: STATE 54147 ¶1. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel points to Kayrat Sarzhanov, MFA International Security Department Advisor, who welcomed the information and emphasized Kazakhstan's commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Sarzhanov noted that Kazakhstan condemned North Korea's violations of its NPT obligation and has strongly supported the UN resolutions aimed at North Korea. Kazakhstan has also pushed for greater transparency from Iran, according to Sarzhanov. Last week, he said, President Nazarbayev stated in a speech at the Eurasian Media Forum that Iran must prove to the world that it only seeks to develop a peaceful nuclear program. (Note: In the same speech, Nazarbayev called the NPT "inefficient." In some parts of the world, he claimed, the Treaty is considered "unfair" and as establishing obligations only for non-nuclear states. His criticism of the NPT was part of a larger condemnation of "elite approaches to international policy-making." End note) ¶2. (SBU) Sarzhanov expressed interest in U.S. support for expanded use of nuclear power as an energy source. Kazakhstan has already signed nuclear cooperation agreements with EU and Russia, he said. Sarzhanov added that Kazakhstan would like to further strengthen its cooperative relationship with Russia and will look to do so during President Putin's visit in May. ORDWAY