KAZAKHSTAN - DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER SEMBINOV

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASTANA 001574 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2018 TAGS: PREL NATO MOPS KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN - DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER SEMBINOV INDICATES GOK CONSIDERING SENDING OFFICERS TO ISAF Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Kevin Milas, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) In an August 22 meeting with the Deputy Chief of Mission and visiting Marshall Center Director Dr. John Rose, Deputy Defense Minister Lt Gen Bulat Sembinov expressed an interest in discussing further mil-mil cooperation with the U.S. and NATO. He explained that while there were elements in the Kazakhstani government which opposed cooperation with the West, support for such cooperation comes from the very top. Sembinov quoted President Nazarbayev's own remarks about enhanced Kazakhstan-NATO cooperation. He pointed out that the Ministry of Defense (MOD) had established a peacekeeping department based on U.S. advice and had dispatched U.S.-trained officers to Nepal as UN observers. ¶2. (C) Sembinov said he considered NATO operations to be critical to security and stability in Afghanistan, contending that in 2001, there were 80,000 Taliban ready to pour into Central Asia. The Afghanistan PRTs, he stressed, not only help enhance security, but also win over hearts and minds. In addition to Kazakhstan's $2.88 million assistance program for Afghanistan for 2008, the MOD is also providing training and logistical assistance. Sembinov said that the Kazakhstani government is currently considering the possibility of sending several officers to serve at ISAF headquarters. (Comment: This is the first time a Kazakhstani government official has indicated to us that sending officers to ISAF is under consideration, though we previously heard about the possibility from Tugay Tuncer, NATO Liaison in Astana. End Comment.) ¶3. (C) Sembinov noted positive movement in Iraq, arguing that many European countries have changed their attitudes and now understand the importance of Iraqi security and stability. Kazakhstan, he explained, wants to work with NATO trainers in Iraq. ORDWAY