CODEL FALEOMAVAEGA MEETS WITH PRESIDENT NAZARBAYEV

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASTANA 002432 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS SCA/CEN FOR M. O'MARA C O R R E C T E D C O P Y original garbled E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KZ SUBJECT: CODEL FALEOMAVAEGA MEETS WITH PRESIDENT NAZARBAYEV ASTANA 00002432 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In a one-hour meeting with Congressmen Faleomavaega and Cannon and the Ambassador, President Nazarbayev discussed Kazakhstan's development, praised U.S.- Kazakhstan relations, critiqued U.S. foreign policy and offered advice on Russia. Nazarbayev called Kazakhstan the United States' strongest ally in the region on terrorism, non-proliferation, and extremism and said that Kazakhstan still hopes for U.S. support for its OSCE chairmanship bid. He remarked that U.S. talk of spreading democracy in the Middle East and Central Asia "raises questions." In Afghanistan, "you can't have democracy," he opined. Nazarbayev expressed concern about relations between Russia and the West, saying that "no one is setting policy on Russia." End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) President Nazarbayev began his one-hour meeting with Congressmen Faleomavaega and Cannon and the Ambassador by thanking the U.S. for its support and for its "friendly advice" and "good criticism." Nazarbayev remarked that U.S. assistance is important for Kazakhstan's independence because of its difficult position "among Russia, China, and the Islamic world." He also highlighted key areas of U.S.- Kazakhstan cooperation, calling Kazakhstan the United States' strongest regional ally on issues such as non-proliferation, terrorism, and extremism. "We are supporting the U.S in Iraq and Afghanistan," he said, "and believe these are our common missions." Nazarbayev added that Kazakhstan is ready for the chairmanship of the OSCE, and believes and hopes that the U.S. will support its bid. ¶3. (SBU) Nazarbayev then assessed Kazakhstan's progress. At the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kazakhstan's development was ahead of only Turkmenistan and Tajikistan among Soviet republics, according to Nazarbayev. Now, he said, "we are in first place." In economic and political and social achievement, "Kazakhstan is the most progressive," he claimed. Nazarbayev noted that the economy has grown 10% annually and that the well-being of the population has increased significantly. He described recent constitutional amendments as further advancing democracy by strengthening the parliament and giving presidential functions to the parliament and local authorities. ¶4. (SBU) Turning his attention to U.S. foreign policy, Nazarbayev said that a missile defense system in Europe might be the right idea, but that the timing and manner of implementation is wrong. He lectured on U.S. efforts to promote democracy in Central Asia and the Middle East, efforts which he believes "raise questions." Many of the leaders who support the U.S. in the region are not democrats, he said. The opposition in the region is composed of extremists, communists/socialists, and nationalists. Nazarbayev emphasized that "here is a different culture" and that movement must come gradually. He was particularly skeptical about Afghanistan and Iraq. "You can't have democracy in Afghanistan, he said. "The day your troops leave it would be an Islamic country." He predicted a similar scenario in Iraq. ¶5. (SBU) Nazarbayev next analyzed Russia and its relations with West. Talks of a missile defense system are creating a wave of nationalism in Russia, opined Nazarbayev. All Russians are applauding as Russia resumes strategic bomber flights and pursues a new generation of weapons. "We don't feel very happy about this escalation," said Nazarbayev. "I told Putin this is a stupid policy. Russia should not confront the western world," he added. ¶6. (SBU) Nazarbayev was also critical of Western strategies toward Russia. "I have a feeling that no one is setting policy on Russia," he said. Russia needs to be embraced, he suggested, and not pushed away. Western countries must consider that Russian pride has been hurt with the collapse of the Soviet Union, but instead they are talking with a "blunt and rude message." This ineffective approach, he stated, concerns Kazakhstan because "it splits the world into confrontation." ¶7. (SBU) Finally, Nazarbayev discussed disarmament. He accused nuclear-weapons states of discrimination, because they continue to develop their arsenals while others are not allowed to pursue nuclear weapons. He recommended that the U.S. reduce its arsenal and promise to stop further development of nuclear weapons. He also suggested that the ASTANA 00002432 002.2 OF 002 U.S. introduce a new treaty to replace the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons that would forbid the use, development, or transportation of nuclear weapons. ¶8. Codel Faleomavaega did not clear this cable. ORDWAY