Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASTANA1574
2008-08-27 02:08:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Astana
Cable title:
KAZAKHSTAN - DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER SEMBINOV
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHTA #1574 2400208 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 270208Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3093 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE 0611 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0036 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0412 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2234
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)
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
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