Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASTANA1194
2008-06-30 11:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Astana
Cable title:  

KAZAKHSTAN - PRESIDENT NAZARBAYEV DISCUSSES MADRID

Tags:  PGOV KDEM PHUM OSCE PREL KZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0005
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTA #1194 1821112
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 301112Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2674
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE 0535
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1916
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASTANA 001194 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM OSCE PREL KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN - PRESIDENT NAZARBAYEV DISCUSSES MADRID
COMMITMENTS IN OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY ADDRESS

Classified By: Pol-Econ Chief Steven Fagin, Reasons 1.4. (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASTANA 001194

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2018
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM OSCE PREL KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN - PRESIDENT NAZARBAYEV DISCUSSES MADRID
COMMITMENTS IN OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY ADDRESS

Classified By: Pol-Econ Chief Steven Fagin, Reasons 1.4. (b) and (d)


1. (U) President Nazarbayev touched on Kazakhstan's Madrid
commitments on democratic reform at the conclusion of his
June 29 speech to the annual session of the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly, which is being held in Astana from
June 29 to July 2. This is the first time that Nazarbayev
has publicly remarked on the commitments, which were
incorporated into Foreign Minister Tazhin's address at the
November 2007 Madrid OSCE ministerial meeting, where
Kazakhstan was selected to be 2010 OSCE chairman.


2. (U) While Nazarbayev shied away from using the term
"Madrid commitments," he nevertheless went in turn through
each of them, which entail amending Kazakhstan's electoral,
political party, and media legislation by the end of 2008.
Nazarbayev explained that "at the present moment,"
Kazakhstan's constitution "allows for the implementation of
several very important (policies) in the further
democratization of society." The first, he said, is the
establishment of a legal mechanism under which parliament
would be composed of not less than two political parties.
The second is the creation of "more favorable conditions" for
the government's registration of political parties. The
third is the "perfection of procedural issues" in the
electoral process. The fourth, Narzarbayev explained, is the
elimination of excessive bureaucratic barriers regulating
media activity. He concluded by saying that he hoped these
proposals would be reviewed by parliament.


3. (U) As he has done in other speeches, Nazarbayev did place
several caveats on further democratic reforms, contending
that Kazakhstan's "understanding of democratic processes" is
based on both universal democratic principles and the
"existence of national-cultural specifics in the mechanisms
for implementing these principals." Discussing political
party registration, he said that parties must strictly accord
to the constitution -- a likely reference to constitutional
provisions prohibiting religious-based parties as well as the
receipt by parties of foreign financing. Discussing the
elimination of barriers to media activity, Nazarabayev
stressed that the government must still ensure that the media
does not violate human rights, social and religious
tolerance, or the public safety.


4. (U) In an earlier part of the speech, Nazarbayev explained
that as 2010 OSCE chairman, Kazakhstan intended to focus on
vital security issues and on inter-cultural and
inter-confessional dialogue. Kazakhstan would support the
OSCE's efforts to combat racism, intolerance, and
discrimination, and its chairmanship would facilitate the
resolution of problems in Central Asia as well as in
Afghanistan, Nazarbayev added.


5. (C) Comment: Prime Minister Masimov, Foreign Minister
Tazhin, State Secretary Saudabayev, and Presidential
Administration head Kelimbetov, who were in the audience
during the speech, were clearly elated that Nazarbayev
discussed the Madrid commitments -- which they likely had
personally pressed him to do. As we have previously noted
in our reporting, though much work remains, there is
sufficient time for Kazakhstan to follow through on the
commitments by year's end. It is principally a matter of
political will. Following the address, Masimov told visiting
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly CODEL Hastings that Nazarbayev's
remarks are effectively an order to the bureaucracy to move
forward. Even the normally skeptical Ninel Fokina, head of
the Almaty Helsinki Committee, told us that Nazarbayev's
comments were a "welcome sign." She seconded Masimov's
assessment that based on Nazarbayev's words, the ministries
will take action. While Nazarbayev's proposals were
ambiguous and minimalist, they nevertheless provide a strong
basis for us and our like-minded partners to continue
pressing for the legislative changes necessary to meet the
full spirit of the commitments. End Comment.


6. (U) CODEL Hastings did not/not clear this cable.
ORDWAY