EXBS KAZAKHSTAN ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE (JANUARY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 000284

SIPDIS

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 KCHAISSON AND RWATT
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 (JANUARY
2008)



I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS:


1. Indiana Senator Richard Lugar, Republican leader of the Foreign
Relations Committee, visited Kazakhstan on January 10-11, 2008, to
discuss energy cooperation, as well as Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat
Reduction Program implementation. Subsequent to this trip, Senator
Lugar introduced legislation to repeal Jackson-Vanik restrictions on
trade with Kazakhstan and establish permanent normal trade
relations.


2. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Mitchell Shivers signed a
five-year cooperation plan with Kazakhstan envisaging fresh U.S.
assistance in matters ranging from military reform and equipment
acquisition to education and training.

II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD


A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS CONDUCTED


1. On January 15, 2008, the EXBS team had a very successful meeting
with high ranking representatives of Border Guard Services of the
National Security Committee and the Customs Control Committee of the
Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The meeting
focused on discussions on EXBS donated equipment and future
implementation, training, and delivery issues. Also discussed was
the assessment of excessive storage fees on EXBS donated equipment
caused by delays in customs clearance and two controversial
newspaper articles. One article was on a rail car alleged to have
highly radioactive material that was turn back from Uzbekistan,
through Kazakhstan, to Kyrgyzstan. Another article concerned an
alleged Kazakhstani policy change in relation to border controls and
the closing or consolidation of border stations on the Russian
Border. Both of these news articles were refuted by the
representatives present at the meeting. The Customs Control
Committee was represented by Ermek Kozhabergenov, Acting Head of the
Department of International Relations; Ermek Smagulov, Deputy Head
of the Customs Control Organization Department; Alexandra Vozhakova,
Head of Radioactive Materials and Technical Means Department, Ajdyn
Turashev, Chief Specialist of the Customs Control Organization
Department; Botagoz Abilova, Chief Specialist of International
Relations Department. The Border Guard Service was represented by
Abilay Nurakhmetov, Head of Border Cooperation Division; Lt. Colonel
Talgat Kerikbayev, Deputy Head of Engineering Department. The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs was presented by Kanat Shekaliyev from
the International Security Department.


2. On January 23, 2008, the EXBS team attended a Border Security
Donor Coordination meeting at the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP)in Astana, Kazakhstan. Represented at the meeting
were the Kazakhstan Border Guard Services of the National Security
Committee, the Kazakhstan Customs Coordination Committee of the
Ministry of Finance, the Border Management and Drug Action
Programmes in Central Asia (BOMCA/CADAP),the British Embassy, the
International Organization for Migration (IOM),the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),the United Nations High
Commission on Refugees (UNHCR),the United Nations Office on Drug
Controls (UNODC),the International Criminal Police Organization
(OIPC-Interpol),and the U.S. Embassy (EXBS, DTRO, OMC, INL). Each
agency made a presentation on their accomplishments in Kazakhstan
during the last six months and on their future plans for the coming
year.


3. On January 29, 2008, a special country team meeting was held for

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Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Mitchell Shivers and Rear
Admiral Miller (CENTCOM). During this meeting the EXBS Advisor
presented an overview of EXBS activities in Kazakhstan and a summary
of the Second Line of Defense efforts in the installation of
Radiation Portal Monitors.


4. On January 29, 2008, a meeting was held with Glen Spindel, Deputy
ICE Attache-Frankfurt. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement
office in Frankfurt has area responsibilities which include
Kazakhstan. The Deputy ICE Attache was in country as part of the
WMD International Investigations course team. Discussions during
this meeting covered EXBS activities to date in Kazakhstan and
Second Line of Defense efforts in installing Radiation Portal
Monitors.





B. TRAINING DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD


1. An International Counterproliferation Program (ICP) course, "WMD
International Investigations", was taught in Astana, Kazakhstan,
from January 28 - February 1, 2008. This course was attended by
twenty-eight persons from four
agencies. There were eight representatives from the Ministry of
Emergency Situations (MCHS),fifteen representatives from the
Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD),four representatives from the
Customs Services, and one representative from the Financial Police.
This course is designed for criminal investigators to enhance
specialized investigative skills in transnational investigations of
Weapons of Mass Destruction incidents.


C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD


1. On December 15, 2008, three CT-30 Contraband Inspection Kits were
delivered to the Border Guard Services of the National Security
Committee and accepted by Major General Berkaliyev, Deputy Director
of the Border Guard Service.


D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE


1. The Department of Energy Second Line of Defense
Program is continuing its project to install portal monitors at
border sites. The EXBS team accompanied Ms. Laurel Cotton, the
Project Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Energy's Second Line
of Defense (SLD) Program, to a meeting in Astana with Kazakhstani
Customs Control Committee officials on February 4, 2008, to discuss
a broad range of matters concerning the SLD program, including
training and equipment delivery issues. The SLD equipment for Phase
One installation is scheduled to arrive in Kazakhstan from Russia in
four rail shipments between February 4th and 20th, 2008. EXBS will
assist in obtaining customs release for SLD equipment in Almaty.
EXBS will also send a Diplomatic Note to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs requesting access to the requested sites for U.S. technical
specialists so that they can begin the installation of the portal
monitors and related equipment during March 2008.


E. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR
RELATED BORDER SECURITY


1. None.


F. CASPIAN SECURITY INFORMATION

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1. A Diplomatic Note is being drafted concerning a proposal
by Michael Fisher, EXBS Caspian Region Maritime Advisor, to have the
U.S. Coast Guard conduct a Basic Small Boat Operation Course for
Kazakhstani Marine Border Guards (MBG) in Bautino, Kazakhstan from
June 2 to June 27, 2008. The purpose of the training is to provide
hands-on instruction to further enhance the MBG's capabilities in
the operation of the three EXBS donated SAFE boats. The course will
include classroom training and at sea exercises.

III. RED FLAG ISSUES.


1. None



ORDWAY