KAZAKHSTAN CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR TIFA, REQUESTS

UNCLAS ASTANA 000128

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN - O'MARA

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EFIN ECON PREL AF KG TI TX UZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR TIFA, REQUESTS
ESTABLISHED FUTURE AGENDA

REF: A. 07 State 170917, B. State 1132


1. (SBU) Econoff delivered Ambassador Donnelly's letter to Vice
Industry and Trade Minister Aitzhanova(Reftel A) on January 15 via
Damigul Kabieyeva, Head of the Ministry's WTO accession department.
Econoff simultaneously delivered TIFA demarche points (Reftel B) to
Kabiyeva and her deputy, Saadat Assanseiteva.


2. (SBU) Kabiyeva reiterated Kazakhstan's support for the proposed
TIFA Council Meeting to be held in June/July 2008. She shared the
GOK's concerns about the organization of the event in either
Dushanbe or Ashgabat, and wanted to know if the meeting would
definitely be held in one of those cities, or if other sites could
be considered. She contended that Turkmenistan and Tajikistan's
limited budgets may impact the effectiveness of the event. She
acknowledged, however, that 2008 TIFA Council Meetings held in
either location might provide a needed economic stimulus. Kabiyeva
also inquired whether or not requirements would be made of
Turkmenistan and Tajikistan regarding the size of their
participating delegations.


3. (SBU) Kabiyeva said that after three years of participation in
TIFA, the GOK feels that there are few demonstrated results and
remains anxious to see TIFA and the Council Meetings "go from
dialogue to practical measures." Both she and Assanseiteva agreed
that the theme of streamlining customs processes would be
advantageous. Kabiyeva strongly supported the involvement of private
sector representatives and was amenable to facilitating regional
working groups prior to the Council Meeting.


4. (SBU) Kabiyeva recommended creating an established agenda of
locations and themes for future Council Meetings based on a
consistent rotating roster of hosts and issues (similar in structure
to the Eurasian Economic Community.) This structure, she added,
would allow for the more effective inclusion of desired private
sector representatives. Kabiyeva also recommended regular systematic
meetings held at different levels prior to the Council Meetings,
organized such that concrete negotiations could be held and
agreements (such as MOUs between business groups) signed during the
plenary. Her final recommendation was to invite representatives from
other organizations involved in similar work (such as the EEC) to
participate in the meeting.


5. (SBU) Kabiyeva noted that she and Vice Minister Aitzhanova have
not discussed in detail their official recommendations for the 2008
TIFA Council Meeting. She promised an official response in writing
by February 15. Kabiyeva also requested information regarding the
composition of the proposed U.S. private sector delegation.

ORDWAY