Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASTANA1065
2008-06-09 11:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Astana
Cable title:
KAZAKHSTAN - PRESIDENT NAZARBAYEV REFUTES RUMORS OF
how-toVZCZCXRO4422 OO RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHTA #1065 1611128 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 091128Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2560 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE 0521
UNCLAS ASTANA 001065
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN - PRESIDENT NAZARBAYEV REFUTES RUMORS OF
IMPENDING RESIGNATION
UNCLAS ASTANA 001065
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN - PRESIDENT NAZARBAYEV REFUTES RUMORS OF
IMPENDING RESIGNATION
1. (SBU) Rumors have been swirling around Astana in recent weeks
that President Nazarbayev will announce his resignation on July 6 --
Nazarbayev's 68th birthday and the day the country will officially
celebrate Astana's 10th anniversary as Kazakhstan's capital. (Note:
Several heads of state, including Russian President Medvedev and
Turkish President Gul are expected to be in attendance for the 10th
anniversary celebration. End Note.) Rumor-mongers claim Nazarbayev
would name Astana mayor Imangali Tasmagambetov as his successor.
2. (SBU) Nazarbayev appears to have deliberately refuted the
resignation rumors in June 6 remarks to the press in Atyrau,
following a meeting there with Kazakhstan's Foreign Investors'
Council. Nazarbayev told journalists that he "does not intend to
depart," but rather that he will stay "as long as the people have
confidence in him" and support him at the ballot box. He pointedly
added that any talk of a successor is "idle speculation."
Nazarbayev also expressed opposition to renaming Astana "Nursultan"
in his honor -- a proposal recently put forth by Majilis member Sat
Tokpakbayev (who is also a former defense minister).
3. (SBU) Comment: The origins of the resignation rumors remain
unclear. In any event, we give them no credence. Given
Kazakhstan's 2010 OSCE chairmanship -- which will provide the
country with its most significant international leadership role to
date -- and Nazarbayev's many ambitious plans for Kazakhstan's
further development, at present there is no reason to believe
Nazarbayev would consider resigning prior to the completion of his
current term in office in January 2013. End Comment.
ORDWAY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN - PRESIDENT NAZARBAYEV REFUTES RUMORS OF
IMPENDING RESIGNATION
1. (SBU) Rumors have been swirling around Astana in recent weeks
that President Nazarbayev will announce his resignation on July 6 --
Nazarbayev's 68th birthday and the day the country will officially
celebrate Astana's 10th anniversary as Kazakhstan's capital. (Note:
Several heads of state, including Russian President Medvedev and
Turkish President Gul are expected to be in attendance for the 10th
anniversary celebration. End Note.) Rumor-mongers claim Nazarbayev
would name Astana mayor Imangali Tasmagambetov as his successor.
2. (SBU) Nazarbayev appears to have deliberately refuted the
resignation rumors in June 6 remarks to the press in Atyrau,
following a meeting there with Kazakhstan's Foreign Investors'
Council. Nazarbayev told journalists that he "does not intend to
depart," but rather that he will stay "as long as the people have
confidence in him" and support him at the ballot box. He pointedly
added that any talk of a successor is "idle speculation."
Nazarbayev also expressed opposition to renaming Astana "Nursultan"
in his honor -- a proposal recently put forth by Majilis member Sat
Tokpakbayev (who is also a former defense minister).
3. (SBU) Comment: The origins of the resignation rumors remain
unclear. In any event, we give them no credence. Given
Kazakhstan's 2010 OSCE chairmanship -- which will provide the
country with its most significant international leadership role to
date -- and Nazarbayev's many ambitious plans for Kazakhstan's
further development, at present there is no reason to believe
Nazarbayev would consider resigning prior to the completion of his
current term in office in January 2013. End Comment.
ORDWAY