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