KAZAKHSTAN SEES SEVERAL ISSUES WITH NUCLEAR

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASTANA 001519 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2018 TAGS: PARM PREL AORC IN KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN SEES SEVERAL ISSUES WITH NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP EXCEPTION FOR INDIA REF: STATE 85498 Classified By: Political Economic Section Chief Steve Fagin, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) We delivered reftel points on the latest developments regarding the U.S.-India civil nuclear initiative to Sergei Saveliyev, the MFA's Director of International Organizations and International Security, on August 15. Saveliyev told us that as far as he knew, the GOK's Vienna mission had not previously received the proposed NSG exception text for India, so he was unfamiliar with the details of the proposal. He underlined that the MFA will need some time to analyze the text and coordinate a formal GOK position, but went on to lay out several points of concern. The most immediate issue, he said, is lack of clarity on how the exceptions will be implemented and how India's compliance will be monitored. Glancing through the text, he maintained that there is no provision for a review mechanism that would allow the Nuclear Suppliers Group to monitor India's adherence to the nonproliferation commitments outlined in paragraphs 2(c),2(d),2(e),and 2(f). Saveliyev believes that without a solid review mechanism, the exception to IAEA full-scope safeguards for India could do serious damage to the NPT. Secondly, he was doubtful that NSG consensus could be reached in the tight timeframe before the Plenary. Several NSG member states, he claimed, will likely remain opposed to granting the exception. He underlined, however, that Kazakhstan's established position is to follow consensus within the NSG. ¶2. (SBU) Embassy Astana POCs are Pol-Econ Chief Steve Fagin at faginsh2@state.gov and Information Officer Tom Tanner at tannert@state.gov. ORDWAY