KAZAKHSTAN'S COMMITMENT TO IRAQ FIRM

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASTANA 001266 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (O'MARA) E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/15/2017 TAGS: PTER MARS MASS MOPS PREL PTER IZ KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN'S COMMITMENT TO IRAQ FIRM REF: STATE 55436 Classified By: Pol-Econ Chief Deborah Mennuti; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Post regularly discusses Kazakhstan's troop commitments in Iraq with government interlocutors, and all indications are that President Nazarbayev's commitment remains firm. Kazakhstan conducted its most recent troop rotation at the end of April, sending a new contingent of soldiers to Iraq for six months of service. While the Kazakhstani government might reconsider its position if its soldiers suffer casualties or the coalition country with which it works in Iraq pulls out and a suitable alternative is not found, at present there is no reason for it to do so. ¶2. (SBU) We will have an opportunity to review this issue once again with the GOK at a high level in late May and mid-June during the respective Astana visits of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Central Asia and the CENTCOM Commander. ORDWAY