KAZAKHSTAN: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON THE FIFTH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 002583 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/WMDT (SARAH PRESCOTT AND MEGGEN WATT), SCA/CEN, EUR/RUS AND EUR/WE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PARM PINR PINS PREL PTER KGIC KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON THE FIFTH GLOBAL INITIATIVE MEETING TO BE HOSTED BY THE NETHERLANDS IN JUNE 2009 REF: A. STATE 133442 ¶B. ASTANA 01867 ¶C. ASTANA 02566 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: In conjunction with the Ambassador from the Netherlands and a representative from the Embassy of the Russian Federation, PolOff delivered reftel A points on the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism's upcoming meeting, to be held in the Netherlands on June 16-17, 2009, on December 30 to Sergey Savelyev, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Multilateral Cooperation. Savelyev said Kazakhstan would "almost certainly" send a high-level delegation and promised to inform the governments of the United States, Russia and the Netherlands promptly once the MFA made a decision on representation. Savelyev also deliberately reiterated Kazakhstan's commitments to host two Global Initiative exercises in 2009, although he did not provide any concrete information. Despite the shuffling of several senior MFA positions, the MFA has not notified post of any significant staffing changes in the offices under the direction of Deputy Foreign Minister Danenov that would affect Kazakhstan's choice of representation at the upcoming June Global Initiative meeting in the Netherlands. Savelyev's enthusiastic support in the December 30 meeting for Global Initiative activities reflects the government of Kazakhstan's interest in being recognized for its involvement in international organizations, particularly when events involve high-level officials. On the working-level, however, Kazakhstan,s commitments may be stretching its resourcesAQW, particularly in terms of personnel. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (SBU) In conjunction with the Ambassador from the Netherlands and a representative from the Embassy of the Russian Federation, PolOff delivered reftel A points on the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism's upcoming meeting, to be held in the Netherlands on June 16-17, 2009, on December 30 to Sergey Savelyev, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Multilateral Cooperation. ¶4. (SBU) Savelyev stated that the government of Kazakhstan considers the Global Initiative to be a very important element in its counter-proliferation strategy. He noted that Kazakhstan was one of the first nations to join the Global Initiative, and that it has recently hosted three events, including the third high-level plenary in June 2007 and two exercises in 2008. Savelyev also emphasized that Kazakhstan is a member of many major international counter-proliferation organizations in addition to the Global Initiative, such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Proliferation Security Initiative, and that Kazakhstan is a signatory to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. ¶5. (SBU) Savelyev noted that Deputy Foreign Minister Danenov participated in the 2008 Madrid meeting of the Global Initiative. He stated that although it was too early to say for certain, he hoped that Danenov would lead a delegation to attend the June 16-17 event in the Netherlands. Savelyev also remarked that regardless of who led the delegation, Kazakhstan would "almost certainly" send a high-level delegation. Savelyev said he would report any specific information on Kazakhstan,s intended representation for the Global Initiative,s June meeting as soon as higher-level MFA officials made a decision. ¶6. (SBU) Whether due to the approaching New Year holidays or pleasure at having an invitation to the Netherlands to convey to Deputy Foreign Minister Danenov, Savelyev appeared to be in unusually good spirits during the demarche. (COMMENT: ASTANA 00002583 002 OF 003 Savelyev, whose educational background is in chemistry, has commented on previous occasions that he has over 15 years experience in non-proliferation. Perhaps because of his extensive experience, as Deputy Chief of the Multilateral Cooperation Department, Savelyev oversees a broad portfolio. Savelyev is the first point of contact for most of post's non-proliferation demarches, including demarches related to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Proliferation Security Initiative, the Global Initiative to Counter Nuclear Terrorism, the Prevention of Nuclear Smuggling Program and demarches related to Iran, Syria and North Korea. Savelyev is also involved in matters relating to Kazakhstan's cooperation with the United States in Afghanistan. Savelyev often comments that his department is extremely busy, and Savelyev's former assistant frequently complained to PolOff that the Multilateral Cooperation Department was "overwhelmed" by assignments. During the December 30 meeting, however, a relatively relaxed Savelyev deliberately raised the topic of Kazakhstan's commitments to host two Global Initiative exercises in 2009.) ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT CONTINUED: Savelyev's comments on Kazakhstan's plans to host two Global Initiative exercises in 2009, though welcome, were a bit surprising, because in September and October, Savelyev had repeatedly avoided providing specific information about Kazakhstan,s plans for Global Initiative events in 2009. In the December 30 meeting, Savelyev still expressed uncertainty about the details, declaring that the events "might be held in Astana, or perhaps in Ust-Kamenogorsk" and "might be hosted by the Kazakhstani Atomic Energy Committee (KAEC),or possibly by the National Security Committee (KNB)." PolOff was further surprised to hear either of these two entities mentioned as possible event planners. PolOff has worked closely with representatives of KAEC to plan a Department of State-led Prevention of Nuclear Smuggling Exercise to be held in February 2009, and KAEC has not mentioned potentially hosting a Global Initiative exercise. In fact, KAEC has repeatedly underscored its busy schedule for the next year and its commitments to prepare for International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) activities in March. The KNB did not play a noticeable role in the September Global Initiative Exercise in Ust-Kamenogorsk and did not participate in December planning meetings for the proposed February 2009 Prevention of Nuclear Smuggling Exercise. Nevertheless, Savelyev,s statement in the December 30 meeting reflects the government of Kazakhstan's interest in being recognized for its involvement in international organizations, particularly when events involve high-level officials. On the working-level and in practical terms, however, Kazakhstan,s commitments sometimes tend to stretch its resources, particularly in terms of personnel, as was illustrated when Kazakhstan hosted a Global Initiative exercise in Ust Kamenogorsk in September (reftel B). ¶8. (SBU) COMMENT CONTINUED: The MFA has not notified post of any significant staffing changes in the offices under the direction of Deputy Foreign Minister Danenov following Deputy Foreign Minister Sarybay's reassignment to be presidential foreign-policy adviser, therefore, post has no information that would suggest anyone other than Danenov would attend the June Global Initiative meeting. Within the Kazakhstani MFA, most departments fall within parallel reporting channels being directed to two Deputy Foreign Ministers. Deputy Foreign Minister Danenov supervises the Multilateral Cooperation Department, whereas the Americas Department reports to Deputy Foreign Minister Sarybay. Deputy Foreign Minister Sarybay was assigned on December 26 to the prestigious position of Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to President Nazarbayev. Although technically reporting through different channels, Savelyev works closely with the Chief of the Americans Department, Talgat Kaliyev, who is close to ASTANA 00002583 003 OF 003 Sarybay. Savelyev sometimes almost defers to Kaliyev, particularly on issues related to the Cooperative Threat Reduction Agreement. ¶9. (SBU) COMMENT CONTINUED: Although the December reshuffling at the MFA may not have any direct and immediate impact on Kazakhstan's participation in the Global Initiative, PolOff has observed that the Multilateral Cooperation Department and its mid-level MFA staff are being tasked simultaneously with supporting multiple initiatives. Over the last four months, Savelyev has asked Post to coordinate with four young, talented assistants, each of whom seems bright, capable and has had various "international" experience, but none of whom seems to have extensive background in non-proliferation. Kazakhstan's desire to play a leading role in international organizations may be taxing not only a thin bench of experienced diplomats, but also many mid-level diplomats, like Savelyev and his assistants (reftel C). END COMMENT. HOAGLAND