Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASTANA1805
2008-09-17 08:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Astana
Cable title:
EXBS KAZAKHSTAN ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE (AUGUST
how-toVZCZCXRO4558 RR RUEHAST DE RUEHTA #1805/01 2610824 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 170824Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3330 RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RULSJGA/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC 0119 RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC 0056 RUCQAAA/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0487 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 8332 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT 8196 RUEHKB/AMEMBASSY BAKU 0055 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 2395 RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 7353 RUEHAST/USOFFICE ALMATY 0736
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASTANA 001805
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC YWONG, ACHURCH, JHARTSHORN, SROBINSON
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC-AMT LSPRINGER
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE DFISCHER
DEPT FOR SCA/RA JSPILSBURY
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN MO'MARA
CBP/INA FOR SBAKER AND BPICKETT
USDOE/NNSA CWALKER, TPERRY AND EDESCHLER
DOC FOR DCREED
USCG FOR SHABETIMICHAEL
AMEMBASSY BERLIN FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE
AMEMBASSY TASHKENT, BISHKEK, BAKU, DUSHANBE AND ASHGABAT FOR EXBS
ADVISORS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP KZ
SUBJECT: EXBS KAZAKHSTAN ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE (AUGUST
2008)
I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS:
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASTANA 001805
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC YWONG, ACHURCH, JHARTSHORN, SROBINSON
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC-AMT LSPRINGER
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE DFISCHER
DEPT FOR SCA/RA JSPILSBURY
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN MO'MARA
CBP/INA FOR SBAKER AND BPICKETT
USDOE/NNSA CWALKER, TPERRY AND EDESCHLER
DOC FOR DCREED
USCG FOR SHABETIMICHAEL
AMEMBASSY BERLIN FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE
AMEMBASSY TASHKENT, BISHKEK, BAKU, DUSHANBE AND ASHGABAT FOR EXBS
ADVISORS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP KZ
SUBJECT: EXBS KAZAKHSTAN ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE (AUGUST
2008)
I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS:
1. On August 7, 2008, a U.S. Senate delegation lead by Nevada
Senator (and Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid visited Kazakhstan
as part of a multi-country trip. Other senators making the trip
included Jeff Bingaman (D-NM),Bill Nelson (D-FL),Johnny Isakson
(R-GA),and Bob Menendez (D-NJ).
2. On August 7, 2008, a meeting of the Kazakhstan interdepartmental
border security group was held at which it was announced that
preparations are underway for the demarcation of the 6,846 kilometer
border between Russia and Kazakhstan. Demarcation envisages the
creation of the full-fledged border infrastructure, including
settling issues of building border checkpoints and placing border
signs. Demarcation will start in the Astrakhan region in early 2009
and will move along the Russia-Kazakhstan border from west to east.
3. On August 5, 2008, the ratified agreement between Kazakhstan and
Kyrgyzstan which is the legal basis for the demarcation of the 1,051
kilometer Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan state border took effect. The
presidents of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan signed a border treaty on
December 15, 2001.
II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS CONDUCTED
1. On August 1, 2008, the EXBS advisor attended a special country
team briefing held for Lieutenant General Martin E. Dempsey, Acting
Commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The EXBS advisor
gave a presentation on EXBS activities in Kazakhstan.
2. On August 11, 2008, a meeting was held with Deputy Chief of
Mission Kevin Milas to discuss an incoming letter from the Acting
Chairman of the Kazakhstan Customs Control Committee requesting
assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection on a wide range
of Customs related issues. In response to this request, EXBS has
reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and will attempt
to arrange a meeting in Astana during the late October or early
November timeframe.
3. On August 19, 2008, the EXBS Advisor attended a special country
team meeting conducted with Lieutenant General James J. Lovelace,
Commanding General U.S. Army Central (USARCENT). During this
meeting the EXBS advisor gave a presentation on EXBS activities in
Kazakhstan.
4. On August 21, 2008, the EXBS advisor participated in an Embassy
Astana Security Assistance Working Group (SAWG) meeting. Among the
topics discussed was the status of the Second Line of Defense
efforts in installing radiation portal monitors in Kazakhstan, the
status of the Customs Control Committee's $62 million dollar
modernization program, and the Customs Control Committee's letter to
the Deputy Chief of Mission requesting assistance of U.S. Customs
and Border Protection.
5. On August 28, 2008, the EXBS team met in Astana with Tracy
Mustin, Director, DOE Second Line of Defense (SLD) Program. During
this meeting Laurel Cotton, the Project Coordinator for the SLD
Program, introduced a new contractor, Tetra-Tech Inc., which is part
of a team led by SES-Tech Global Solutions of Bellevue, Washington.
Contractor representatives at this meeting included Randal Roberts,
Vice President, Donald Hawkins, Contracts Manager, and Michael
Hoxie, Supervising Project Manager. SES-Tech will be used to
complete phase two of the SLD project in Kazakhstan.
ASTANA 00001805 002 OF 002
6. On August 28, 2008, the EXBS advisor met with Nicholas Pokrovsky,
International Services and Advisors Inc., and Tracy Mustin, the
Director, SLD Program, on the proposal to engage Kazakhstan in the
deployment of Mobile Detection Systems. The objective of the Mobile
Detection System (MDS) program is to establish and identify priority
issues leading to an agreed upon list of needed equipment and a
completely self-sustaining program that protects the partner country
and other nations from the dangers of illicit traffic in nuclear and
other radioactive material. As the result of this meeting, the EXBS
Advisor provided a copy of the Law on the State Border, the Criminal
Procedural Code, and the Law on Operational-Investigative Activity
of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Second Line of Defense Program,
as requested.
7. On August 29, 2008, Laurel Cotton, the Project Coordinator for
the SLD Program, and representatives of SES-Tech Global Solutions
met with Kazakhstan Customs Control Committee officials to discuss a
broad range of matters concerning the implementation of the second
phase of the SLD program in Kazakhstan. During September 2008, site
surveys will be conducted at the following 8 ports: Kurmangazy,
Urlyutobe, Kairak, Korgas, Sipatai Batyr, the Tobol rail crossing,
the Atyrau airport, and the Aktau seaport.
B. TRAINING DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
1. From August 23-31, 2008, a United States Coast Guard Mobile
training course on the search of high-capacity containers was given
at the port of Aktau, Kazakhstan, to 14 Border Guard students. This
course was sponsored by the Office of Military Cooperation.
C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
1. From August 13-15, 2008, Elina Akhtiyarova, EXBS Assistant,
accompanied technical specialist Steven Patton and Britain
Groesbeck, Allied Technical Services, to Shymkent, Kazakhstan, for
the salvage of X-ray van 220, and to Kordai, Kazakhstan, for the
demounting of an X-ray system from van 215. The work was conducted
in the presence of the Chief Specialist of Fissile and Radiological
Materials Control and Technical Means of the Customs Control
Division, Major Zolotukhin.
D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE
1. None.
E. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR
RELATED BORDER SECURITY
1. None
F. CASPIAN SECURITY INFORMATION
1. None
III. RED FLAG ISSUES.
1. None
MILAS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC YWONG, ACHURCH, JHARTSHORN, SROBINSON
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC-AMT LSPRINGER
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE DFISCHER
DEPT FOR SCA/RA JSPILSBURY
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN MO'MARA
CBP/INA FOR SBAKER AND BPICKETT
USDOE/NNSA CWALKER, TPERRY AND EDESCHLER
DOC FOR DCREED
USCG FOR SHABETIMICHAEL
AMEMBASSY BERLIN FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE
AMEMBASSY TASHKENT, BISHKEK, BAKU, DUSHANBE AND ASHGABAT FOR EXBS
ADVISORS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETTC MNUC PARM PREL KSTC KNNP KZ
SUBJECT: EXBS KAZAKHSTAN ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE (AUGUST
2008)
I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS:
1. On August 7, 2008, a U.S. Senate delegation lead by Nevada
Senator (and Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid visited Kazakhstan
as part of a multi-country trip. Other senators making the trip
included Jeff Bingaman (D-NM),Bill Nelson (D-FL),Johnny Isakson
(R-GA),and Bob Menendez (D-NJ).
2. On August 7, 2008, a meeting of the Kazakhstan interdepartmental
border security group was held at which it was announced that
preparations are underway for the demarcation of the 6,846 kilometer
border between Russia and Kazakhstan. Demarcation envisages the
creation of the full-fledged border infrastructure, including
settling issues of building border checkpoints and placing border
signs. Demarcation will start in the Astrakhan region in early 2009
and will move along the Russia-Kazakhstan border from west to east.
3. On August 5, 2008, the ratified agreement between Kazakhstan and
Kyrgyzstan which is the legal basis for the demarcation of the 1,051
kilometer Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan state border took effect. The
presidents of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan signed a border treaty on
December 15, 2001.
II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS CONDUCTED
1. On August 1, 2008, the EXBS advisor attended a special country
team briefing held for Lieutenant General Martin E. Dempsey, Acting
Commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The EXBS advisor
gave a presentation on EXBS activities in Kazakhstan.
2. On August 11, 2008, a meeting was held with Deputy Chief of
Mission Kevin Milas to discuss an incoming letter from the Acting
Chairman of the Kazakhstan Customs Control Committee requesting
assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection on a wide range
of Customs related issues. In response to this request, EXBS has
reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and will attempt
to arrange a meeting in Astana during the late October or early
November timeframe.
3. On August 19, 2008, the EXBS Advisor attended a special country
team meeting conducted with Lieutenant General James J. Lovelace,
Commanding General U.S. Army Central (USARCENT). During this
meeting the EXBS advisor gave a presentation on EXBS activities in
Kazakhstan.
4. On August 21, 2008, the EXBS advisor participated in an Embassy
Astana Security Assistance Working Group (SAWG) meeting. Among the
topics discussed was the status of the Second Line of Defense
efforts in installing radiation portal monitors in Kazakhstan, the
status of the Customs Control Committee's $62 million dollar
modernization program, and the Customs Control Committee's letter to
the Deputy Chief of Mission requesting assistance of U.S. Customs
and Border Protection.
5. On August 28, 2008, the EXBS team met in Astana with Tracy
Mustin, Director, DOE Second Line of Defense (SLD) Program. During
this meeting Laurel Cotton, the Project Coordinator for the SLD
Program, introduced a new contractor, Tetra-Tech Inc., which is part
of a team led by SES-Tech Global Solutions of Bellevue, Washington.
Contractor representatives at this meeting included Randal Roberts,
Vice President, Donald Hawkins, Contracts Manager, and Michael
Hoxie, Supervising Project Manager. SES-Tech will be used to
complete phase two of the SLD project in Kazakhstan.
ASTANA 00001805 002 OF 002
6. On August 28, 2008, the EXBS advisor met with Nicholas Pokrovsky,
International Services and Advisors Inc., and Tracy Mustin, the
Director, SLD Program, on the proposal to engage Kazakhstan in the
deployment of Mobile Detection Systems. The objective of the Mobile
Detection System (MDS) program is to establish and identify priority
issues leading to an agreed upon list of needed equipment and a
completely self-sustaining program that protects the partner country
and other nations from the dangers of illicit traffic in nuclear and
other radioactive material. As the result of this meeting, the EXBS
Advisor provided a copy of the Law on the State Border, the Criminal
Procedural Code, and the Law on Operational-Investigative Activity
of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Second Line of Defense Program,
as requested.
7. On August 29, 2008, Laurel Cotton, the Project Coordinator for
the SLD Program, and representatives of SES-Tech Global Solutions
met with Kazakhstan Customs Control Committee officials to discuss a
broad range of matters concerning the implementation of the second
phase of the SLD program in Kazakhstan. During September 2008, site
surveys will be conducted at the following 8 ports: Kurmangazy,
Urlyutobe, Kairak, Korgas, Sipatai Batyr, the Tobol rail crossing,
the Atyrau airport, and the Aktau seaport.
B. TRAINING DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
1. From August 23-31, 2008, a United States Coast Guard Mobile
training course on the search of high-capacity containers was given
at the port of Aktau, Kazakhstan, to 14 Border Guard students. This
course was sponsored by the Office of Military Cooperation.
C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
1. From August 13-15, 2008, Elina Akhtiyarova, EXBS Assistant,
accompanied technical specialist Steven Patton and Britain
Groesbeck, Allied Technical Services, to Shymkent, Kazakhstan, for
the salvage of X-ray van 220, and to Kordai, Kazakhstan, for the
demounting of an X-ray system from van 215. The work was conducted
in the presence of the Chief Specialist of Fissile and Radiological
Materials Control and Technical Means of the Customs Control
Division, Major Zolotukhin.
D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE
1. None.
E. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR
RELATED BORDER SECURITY
1. None
F. CASPIAN SECURITY INFORMATION
1. None
III. RED FLAG ISSUES.
1. None
MILAS