KAZAKHSTAN FY 2009 COUNTRY TEAM ASSESSMENT OF 1206 FUNDING

UNCLAS ASTANA 002379

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MASS MCAP PARM PINS EAID KACT KCFE KOMC KZ

SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN FY 2009 COUNTRY TEAM ASSESSMENT OF 1206 FUNDING
PROPOSAL


1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution.


2. (U) SUMMARY: The U.S. Embassy Astana Country Team and
Ambassador approve the Kazakhstan Fiscal Year 2009 1206 funding
proposals. The two separate proposals are for equipment and
training for the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Brigade (KAZBRIG) of the
Airmobile Forces Command, Naval Special Operations Forces (NAVSOF)
of the Western Regional Command, and the Air Defense Forces. The
proposal for KAZBRIG includes 450 night vision goggles (NVGs),
nuclear, chemical, biological (NBC) personnel protective equipment,
and associated training and transportation. The Caspian region
proposal includes a mobile command center for the NAVSOF and Huey II
helicopters and related support equipment and training for the Air
Defense Forces to support NAVSOF. The KAZBRIG proposal is estimated
at $6.56 million and the Caspian region proposal is estimated at
$29.43 million. The proposals are consistent with the requests of
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Defense (MOD),CENTOM's Theatre Security
Cooperation Goals, and the U.S. Embassy Astana Mission Strategic
Plan. END SUMMARY


3. (U) KAZBRIG requires NVGs and NBC equipment to achieve
interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces. At exercise Steppe
Eagle 2008, a NATO interoperability evaluation team observed
shortfalls in KAZBRIG's ability to operate at night and protect its
soldiers and equipment inside the NBC threat envelope. 1206 funding
is identified as most appropriate in this case to achieve KAZBRIG
interoperability in the quickest manner. Kazakhstan's participation
in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM ended in October of 2008. Assisting
KAZBRIG achieve interoperability is very important as the Government
of Kazakhstan considers alternate missions to support the U.S. in
the Global War on Terror (GWOT).


4. (U) The Western Regional Command requires a mobile command
center for NAVSOF and the Air Defense Forces require additional Huey
II helicopters to complete Ministry of Defense (MOD) fielding of a
Caspian Quick Reaction Force. Kazakhstan recognizes a significant
capability gap in its ability to protect, defend, and/or react to
terrorist events against American and Kazakh citizens and critical
petroleum infrastructure in the North Caspian region. The FY 2008
1206 allocation for Kazakhstan included approximately $10 million
worth of equipment (fast boats, NVGs, dive equipment, etc.) for
NAVSOF to begin creating the capability to close this gap. This FY
2009 proposal would complete the purchase of equipment necessary for
Kazakhstan to create a unit capable of deterring terrorist activity,
as well as quickly reacting to any events in the North Caspian
region.


5. (U) OMC and United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) have
worked closely with KAZBRIG since its creation and it is anticipated
that introduction of this equipment will not affect KAZBRIG's force
structure. However, the stand-up of NAVSOF capability and
additional Huey-II helicopters will affect the force structure of
the Western Regional Command and Air Defense Forces respectively.
The Western Regional Command designated NAVSOF Unit 41443 to receive
the Caspian Quick Reaction mission and associated equipment. MOD
plans to have 200 special operations soldiers preparing, training or
standing ready to conduct operational missions. Additionally,
Military Unit 53975 of the Air Defense Forces currently operates two
Huey II helicopters at Pervomaika Airfield outside of Almaty. MOD
plans to move these helicopters to the Caspian area to directly
support NAVSOF when the unit receives its full allocation of
aircraft.


6. (U) Kazakhstan has good relations with its neighbors.
Neighboring nations will support an increase in the level of
security within Kazakhstan and the North Caspian.


7. (U) With proper training, technicians from Kazakhstan should be
able to properly operate and maintain all equipment included in
these proposals. The Air Defense Forces already operate two Huey II
helicopters. A continuation and increase in OMC's existing training
programs would ensure more effective operation of the helicopters.
Additionally, the FY 2008 1206 purchase included NVGs for the NAVSOF
forces. OMC would ensure that training for KAZBRIG NVGs is similar
to the training planned for NAVSOF.


8. (U) Human rights vetting will be conducted for all training as
required by the Arms Export Control Act and will be periodically
re-evaluated over time. U.S. Embassy, Astana has selected a
Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) seminar for
human rights training. This seminar is scheduled for the second
quarter of FY 2009. OMC Astana is currently working with staff from

DIILS and coordinating final details for upcoming seminars.
Seminars will be held at MOD's National Defense University in
Shchuchinsk, Kazakhstan. Additional seminars will be held at
KAZBRIG headquarters in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Additionally, Leahy
vetting occurs for all security assistance training activities with
Kazakhstan. OMC works closely with the Regional Security Office,
Legal Attache and Political/Economic sections to ensure all Kazakh
trainees meet Leahy requirements. This certification process will
continue to ensure compliance with the Foreign Assistance Act.


9. (U) OMC Kazakhstan will include end use monitoring of these
items within our larger end use monitoring and security cooperation
plan. Additionally, OMC Kazakhstan will conduct at a minimum a
semi-annual 100% inventory and inspection of all NVGs and inspect
all storage facility documents related to accountability of NVGs.
When training teams are on hand, they will be tasked to inspect the
night vision devices during the course of their duties as well as
inspecting security procedures. OMC will keep serial numbers for
all night vision devices on file in case of theft or loss.


10. (U) POC for this memorandum is Lieutenant Colonel James G.
Yentz, Chief, Office of Military Cooperation, Office, tel +7 7172
702100 Ext. 2321, email: yentzj@state.gov or
KazakhstanOMC@state.gov.

MILAS