KAZAKHSTAN ACCEPTS DATES FOR BN-350 TALKS

UNCLAS ASTANA 000093 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY) DOE/NNSA FOR C. KENNEDY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PARM MNUC KNNP KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN ACCEPTS DATES FOR BN-350 TALKS REF: A. STATE 185480 B. STATE 185757 C. ASTANA 966 D. STATE 1609 ¶1. (SBU) Almaz Tulebayev, Director of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) Department of Nuclear Energy and International Affairs, told Pol-Econ Officer on January 10 that Kazakhstan agrees to the dates of January 24-25 for senior level policy discussions on the final disposition of BN-350 spent fuel. Tulebayev said that Timur Zhantikin (who also attended the meeting),Chairman of the Atomic Energy Committee, will lead the Kazakhstani delegation. The Kazakhstanis should be able to pass on a full list of their participants and a draft agenda within one to two days, Tulebayev added. ¶2. (SBU) Tulebayev stressed Kazakhstan's need to receive the draft Terms of Reference and a list of U.S. participants as soon as possible. He asked whether two days would be sufficient for discussions on the complicated topic of final disposition and if, after the discussions, the Kazakhstani delegation would have a deliverable document for its government. Pol-Econ officer said that the aim of the January discussions is to initiate discussion of permanent disposition options and to finalize the Terms of Reference. Finally, Tulebayev asked about the level of classification of the discussions. Pol-Econ Officer promised to consult with the Department. MILAS