KAZAKHSTAN: INTEREST IN UPCOMING TIFA EVENTS

UNCLAS ASTANA 001584

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN - O'MARA; USTR - HAFNER, ERRION

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV EFIN ETRD PREL KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: INTEREST IN UPCOMING TIFA EVENTS

REF: State 78616


1. (U) Econoff delivered reftel points on June 8 to Damigul
Kabiyeva, Head of the WTO accession Department, and Saltanat
Mukasheva, Head of the Section for Trade and Economic Cooperation at
the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Kabiyeva expressed a strong
interest in the details of the program and welcomed the advancement
of the TIFA framework. She added that Kazakhstan hopes to continue
its WTO accession talks on the sidelines of the TIFA meetings.
Kabiyeva floated the idea of two-day bilateral discussions with
USTR, starting on July 19.


2. (SBU) Kabiyeva requested guidance on whether a Kazakhstani
delegation headed by Vice Minister Zhanar Aitzhanova would be
acceptable and appropriate in view of the U.S. invitation calling
for delegations headed by a Cabinet-level minister. While
mentioning the possibility that Minister of Industry and Trade Galym
Orazbakov may head the Kazakhstani delegation, Kabiyeva noted that
Aitzhanova has the status of a "special representative." Kabiyeva
also asked whether USAID would be represented at the TIFA meetings,
given its planned work in fostering regional integration. Finally,
she inquired whether U.S. hosts would be providing any logistical
support to visiting delegations.

MILAS