KAZAKH AMBASSADOR TO HEAD NEW KAZAKHSTAN STATE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001667

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2017
TAGS: PINR EMIN PREL KZ UZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKH AMBASSADOR TO HEAD NEW KAZAKHSTAN STATE
CORPORATION


Classified By: Poloff Tim Buckley; reasons 1.4 (b, d).


1. (C) Summary. Kazakh Ambassador to Uzbekistan Askar
Myrzakhmetov is departing post on September 20 to head the
new state-owned company Ontustik, which will be headquartered
in Shimkent. Ontustik will focus on economic development
projects in the the provinces of South Kazakhstan, Jambul,
and Kizilorda, with a primary emphasis on the mining sector.
During a farewell call with DCM and newly arrived AMB,
Myrzakhmetov expressed that, as head of the new company, he
would welcome further involvement with American government
officials and businessmen. Myrzakhmetov has been an
excellent contact and post expects him to have a bright
political future. End summary.


2. (C) On September 20, Kazakh Ambassador Askar Myrzakhmetov
is departing post less than one year after arriving in
Tashkent. Myrzakhmetov told us that President Nazarbaev
appointed him to head the recently created joint-stock
company Ontustik, which is 100 percent state-owned. Per an
April 2007 Presidential Decree establishing Ontustik, the
Shimkent-based company will "consolidate government and
private-sector efforts" in economic development in the
districts of South Kazakhstan, Jambul, and Kizilorda. In
addition to broad interests, the decree specifically notes
that Ontustik will be involved in prospecting, extraction,
and processing of minerals. (Note: Post received a copy of
the decree from Myrzakhmetov and will fax it to Embassy
Astana. End Note).


3. (C) Myrzakhmetov has been an excellent and reliable
Embassy contact, and DCM particularly appreciated his
frankness. We believe Myrzakhmetov has a bright political
future. He already served as one of Kazakhstan's youngest
ministers, as Minister of Agriculture, and this new position
may have been tailor-made for him.


4. (C) During his farewell call, Myrzakhmetov noted that he
would welcome further interaction with American government
representatives and businessmen in his new position as the
head of Ontustik. He begins his duties in Shimkent
immediately, and we recommend that Embassy Astana follow up
on this opportunity to expand U.S. commercial and political
links.
NORLAND