Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASTANA2414
2007-09-07 05:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Astana
Cable title:
EXBS: KAZAKHSTAN ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE (AUGUST
how-toVZCZCXRO0668 RR RUEHAST RUEHDBU DE RUEHTA #2414/01 2500544 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 070544Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0560 RHFJUSC/USCUSTOMS WASHDC RUEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC 0059 RHEBAAA/USDOE WASHDC RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC RUCQAAA/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0441 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 8131 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT 8025 RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU 0017 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 2233 RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 7238 RUEHAST/USOFFICE ALMATY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 002414
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC PVANSON, ACHURCH, JHARTSHORN
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC-AMT LSPRINGER
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE RBUCK
DEPT FOR SCA/RA JSCHLOSSER
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN MO'MARA
CBP/INA FOR CDONOFRIO AND RWATT
USDOE/NNSA CWALKER, TPERRY AND EDESCHLER
DOC FOR DCREED AND GPETERSEN-BEARD
USCG FOR BGOLDEN
AMEMBASSY BERLIN FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE
AMEMBASSY TASHKENT, BISHKEK, BAKU, DUSHANBE AND ASHGABAT FOR EXBS
ADVISORS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP KZ
SUBJECT: EXBS: KAZAKHSTAN ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE (AUGUST
2007)
I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS:
TDY EXBS Advisor Kevin Cummings arrived at post on August 2,
2007 and departed on August 31, 2007. Permanent EXBS Advisor Robert
Colbert is scheduled to arrive at post on October 4, 2007. The EXBS
Advisor position will not be staffed from the period September 1,
2007 to October 4, 2007.
II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS CONDUCTED
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 002414
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC PVANSON, ACHURCH, JHARTSHORN
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC-AMT LSPRINGER
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE RBUCK
DEPT FOR SCA/RA JSCHLOSSER
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN MO'MARA
CBP/INA FOR CDONOFRIO AND RWATT
USDOE/NNSA CWALKER, TPERRY AND EDESCHLER
DOC FOR DCREED AND GPETERSEN-BEARD
USCG FOR BGOLDEN
AMEMBASSY BERLIN FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE
AMEMBASSY TASHKENT, BISHKEK, BAKU, DUSHANBE AND ASHGABAT FOR EXBS
ADVISORS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP KZ
SUBJECT: EXBS: KAZAKHSTAN ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE (AUGUST
2007)
I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS:
TDY EXBS Advisor Kevin Cummings arrived at post on August 2,
2007 and departed on August 31, 2007. Permanent EXBS Advisor Robert
Colbert is scheduled to arrive at post on October 4, 2007. The EXBS
Advisor position will not be staffed from the period September 1,
2007 to October 4, 2007.
II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS CONDUCTED
1. On August 14 we received a letter from the Border Guard office in
Uralsk Region to change the installation location of two of the four
shelters scheduled for delivery in August-September time period.
After numerous discussions with Border Guard as to Border Guard
Headquarters concurrence with the regional request and the
documentation required by the Department of State to support the
requested modification, we received a formal request with a valid
justification from H. Berkaliyev, First Deputy Director, on August
22, 2007. The document was translated and forwarded to the
Department of State for review and a decision. The Department
approved the location change on Sept 24 and the EXBS office has been
working with the border guard, customs and the contractor to affect
an expedited clearance. At present the shipment is scheduled to
arrive at Uralsk on September 10. An EXBS representative will meet
the convoy of 16 trucks at Uralsk to assist in the clearance
process.
2. As part of the justification documentation the Border Guard
provided EXBS with a series of decrees that spelled out the GOK plan
to establish three major transport corridors. The shelters are going
to a newly established transport corridor on the border with Russia.
These documents were shared with INL and DITRO.
3. On August 29 TDY Advisor met with the Customs Head of Head of
Export and Import Control Department, Mr. Ermek Smagulov. The
primary purpose of the meeting was to present documents requesting
an exemption for all duties and taxes related to the above
referenced importation of four shelters and to inform him as to the
imminent arrival of a permanent EXBS Advisor and to provide some
basic background on Mr. Robert Colbert. Mr. Smagulov expanded the
meeting to discuss his appreciation for the excellent assistance
provided Customs under the EXBS program. Apparently he receives
reports from the field on all training. He wanted to make EXBS aware
of Kazakh Customs priorities. He would like additional IBIT
trainings but wanted these trainings to be in Kazakhstan to allow
for more attendees at each session and a more economic program for
EXBS. He explained that there are three major customs regions and he
would like one IBIT delivered in each region. In addition he
requested Risk Management training and additional Administrative
Enforcement and PIT training.
B. TRAINING DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
1. No training was delivered during this period,
ASTANA 00002414 002 OF 003
C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
1. No equipment delivered during this reporting period.
D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE
1. Task Order 79 Donations. As indicated above it is expected that
the four shelters being donated to Border Guard will arrive at
Uralsk on September 10 and an EXBS representative will assist in
clearance process. All required documentation was provided to Border
Guards and Customs by EXBS including exemption request from all
duties and taxes under the CTR.
2. Department of Energy Second Line of Defense (DOE/SLD) has begun
installation of the first portal monitor at the Customs Academy.
They are awaiting access to the next three sites: Kordai,Karusu and
Siptai Bitir. Note that the site access for DOE is being handled by
the local contractor, NTC, who has preferred status with Customs
since they also have a contract with the GOK for maintenance of
border facilities.
3. We requested a meeting with the Border Guard for the new Cw
Guard EXBS Caspian Regional Maritime Advisor, Michael Fisher.
Requested to meet with the First Deputy Director of Border Guard
Services in Astana on S%QrED14ith the representatives of the
Maritime Division of Kazakhstan's Border Service in Aktau. The
purpose of this visit was to evaluate the status of the vessels,
negotiate a maintenance agreement with vendors and establish access
procedures to vessels for EXBS and maintenance personnel.
On August 31, the Border Guard notified EXBS that they would be
unavailable that week because there was a Border Guard Senior
Officers Council the week of September 9-13. They suggested we
provide an alternative date after September 17. Mr.Fisher was
notified and requested to provide alternative dates. It is clear
that the maritime training presently scheduled for October will be
moved back.
4. The decision as the distribution plan for the five CT30 KITS
that are in the EXBS office has been agreed upon. The decision is to
donate one to the Customs Academy and one to the Border Guard
Academy for training of officers. The remaining three will be
donated to the border posts: Dostyk (BG),Jibek Joli
(Customs),Zhana-Zhol (Customs). This distribution plan is based upon
information contained in port assessments made by EXBS Advisors.
5. There are two Ludlum Survey Meters in the EXBS office that
were shipped from DOE. These should be donated to the Customs. The
new EXBS Advisor will discuss this with Customs Headquarters staff
to determine the most appropriate locations. Note that we were able
to acquire the Russian translation of the manual which is quite
technical. This was forwarded from another EXBS office.
E. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR
RELATED BORDER SECURITY
1. None.
ASTANA 00002414 003 OF 003
F. CASPIAN SECURITY INFORMATION
1. None
III. RED FLAG ISSUES.
1. None.
POC for this report is EXBS Program Manager Gulnara Abildaeva,
Email: AbildaevaG@state.gov, Phone +7 (3172) 70 2320; EXBS Program
Assistant Oxana Limareva, Email: LimarevaO@state.gov, Phone +7
(3172) 70 2237.
Ordway
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC PVANSON, ACHURCH, JHARTSHORN
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC-AMT LSPRINGER
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE RBUCK
DEPT FOR SCA/RA JSCHLOSSER
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN MO'MARA
CBP/INA FOR CDONOFRIO AND RWATT
USDOE/NNSA CWALKER, TPERRY AND EDESCHLER
DOC FOR DCREED AND GPETERSEN-BEARD
USCG FOR BGOLDEN
AMEMBASSY BERLIN FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE
AMEMBASSY TASHKENT, BISHKEK, BAKU, DUSHANBE AND ASHGABAT FOR EXBS
ADVISORS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP KZ
SUBJECT: EXBS: KAZAKHSTAN ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE (AUGUST
2007)
I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS:
TDY EXBS Advisor Kevin Cummings arrived at post on August 2,
2007 and departed on August 31, 2007. Permanent EXBS Advisor Robert
Colbert is scheduled to arrive at post on October 4, 2007. The EXBS
Advisor position will not be staffed from the period September 1,
2007 to October 4, 2007.
II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS CONDUCTED
1. On August 14 we received a letter from the Border Guard office in
Uralsk Region to change the installation location of two of the four
shelters scheduled for delivery in August-September time period.
After numerous discussions with Border Guard as to Border Guard
Headquarters concurrence with the regional request and the
documentation required by the Department of State to support the
requested modification, we received a formal request with a valid
justification from H. Berkaliyev, First Deputy Director, on August
22, 2007. The document was translated and forwarded to the
Department of State for review and a decision. The Department
approved the location change on Sept 24 and the EXBS office has been
working with the border guard, customs and the contractor to affect
an expedited clearance. At present the shipment is scheduled to
arrive at Uralsk on September 10. An EXBS representative will meet
the convoy of 16 trucks at Uralsk to assist in the clearance
process.
2. As part of the justification documentation the Border Guard
provided EXBS with a series of decrees that spelled out the GOK plan
to establish three major transport corridors. The shelters are going
to a newly established transport corridor on the border with Russia.
These documents were shared with INL and DITRO.
3. On August 29 TDY Advisor met with the Customs Head of Head of
Export and Import Control Department, Mr. Ermek Smagulov. The
primary purpose of the meeting was to present documents requesting
an exemption for all duties and taxes related to the above
referenced importation of four shelters and to inform him as to the
imminent arrival of a permanent EXBS Advisor and to provide some
basic background on Mr. Robert Colbert. Mr. Smagulov expanded the
meeting to discuss his appreciation for the excellent assistance
provided Customs under the EXBS program. Apparently he receives
reports from the field on all training. He wanted to make EXBS aware
of Kazakh Customs priorities. He would like additional IBIT
trainings but wanted these trainings to be in Kazakhstan to allow
for more attendees at each session and a more economic program for
EXBS. He explained that there are three major customs regions and he
would like one IBIT delivered in each region. In addition he
requested Risk Management training and additional Administrative
Enforcement and PIT training.
B. TRAINING DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
1. No training was delivered during this period,
ASTANA 00002414 002 OF 003
C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
1. No equipment delivered during this reporting period.
D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE
1. Task Order 79 Donations. As indicated above it is expected that
the four shelters being donated to Border Guard will arrive at
Uralsk on September 10 and an EXBS representative will assist in
clearance process. All required documentation was provided to Border
Guards and Customs by EXBS including exemption request from all
duties and taxes under the CTR.
2. Department of Energy Second Line of Defense (DOE/SLD) has begun
installation of the first portal monitor at the Customs Academy.
They are awaiting access to the next three sites: Kordai,Karusu and
Siptai Bitir. Note that the site access for DOE is being handled by
the local contractor, NTC, who has preferred status with Customs
since they also have a contract with the GOK for maintenance of
border facilities.
3. We requested a meeting with the Border Guard for the new Cw
Guard EXBS Caspian Regional Maritime Advisor, Michael Fisher.
Requested to meet with the First Deputy Director of Border Guard
Services in Astana on S%QrED14ith the representatives of the
Maritime Division of Kazakhstan's Border Service in Aktau. The
purpose of this visit was to evaluate the status of the vessels,
negotiate a maintenance agreement with vendors and establish access
procedures to vessels for EXBS and maintenance personnel.
On August 31, the Border Guard notified EXBS that they would be
unavailable that week because there was a Border Guard Senior
Officers Council the week of September 9-13. They suggested we
provide an alternative date after September 17. Mr.Fisher was
notified and requested to provide alternative dates. It is clear
that the maritime training presently scheduled for October will be
moved back.
4. The decision as the distribution plan for the five CT30 KITS
that are in the EXBS office has been agreed upon. The decision is to
donate one to the Customs Academy and one to the Border Guard
Academy for training of officers. The remaining three will be
donated to the border posts: Dostyk (BG),Jibek Joli
(Customs),Zhana-Zhol (Customs). This distribution plan is based upon
information contained in port assessments made by EXBS Advisors.
5. There are two Ludlum Survey Meters in the EXBS office that
were shipped from DOE. These should be donated to the Customs. The
new EXBS Advisor will discuss this with Customs Headquarters staff
to determine the most appropriate locations. Note that we were able
to acquire the Russian translation of the manual which is quite
technical. This was forwarded from another EXBS office.
E. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR
RELATED BORDER SECURITY
1. None.
ASTANA 00002414 003 OF 003
F. CASPIAN SECURITY INFORMATION
1. None
III. RED FLAG ISSUES.
1. None.
POC for this report is EXBS Program Manager Gulnara Abildaeva,
Email: AbildaevaG@state.gov, Phone +7 (3172) 70 2320; EXBS Program
Assistant Oxana Limareva, Email: LimarevaO@state.gov, Phone +7
(3172) 70 2237.
Ordway