UNCLAS ASTANA 001710

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DOE FOR NNSA KELLY CUMMINS AND CATHERINE KENNEDY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KNNP MNUC ENRG PREL KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN - LETTERS DELIVERED REQUESTING
ADDITIONAL BN-350 FUNDING

REF: STATE 89507


1. (SBU) Per reftel, the Ambassador on September 8
hand-delivered a letter requesting $13 million in additional
Kazakhstani financial support for the BN-350 spent fuel
disposition program to Minister of Energy and Mineral
Resources Sauat Mynbayev. Mynbayev promised to review the
letter carefully, but also commented that requesting more
funding for 2009 was "out of his hands" as the 2009 budget
has already been sent to Parliament for review and approval.
Mynbayev indicated that a parliamentarian may be able to
introduce changes to the budget during Parliament's review
process, but he made no commitment to support such an effort.
Mynbayev added that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral
Resources maintains a small contingency reserve, but said it
would be insufficient to cover the sum of money requested.


2. (SBU) On September 9, we delivered by diplomatic note
reftel's follow up letter from Ambassador Ordway to Prime
Minister Masimov, with a similar request for additional
BN-350 financial support. We will report back official
responses from Mynbayev and Masimov when they are received.
ORDWAY