KAZAKHSTAN - UPDATE ON AFGHANISTAN ASSISTANCE PLANS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASTANA 000848 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/A LAUREN FRESE E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/29/2018 TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV KZ AF SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN - UPDATE ON AFGHANISTAN ASSISTANCE PLANS REF: A. STATE 32155 ¶B. ASTANA 341 ¶C. ASTANA/ALMATY JANUARY 31 OFFICIAL-INFORMAL EMAIL Classified By: Pol-Econ Chief Steven Fagin, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) Pol-Econ Chief met on April 29 with MFA Asian Cooperation Department Advisor Yerzhan Kalekenov to discuss Kazakhstan's assistance plans for Afghanistan and its participation in the upcoming Afghanistan support conference in Paris. ¶2. (SBU) As previously reported, Kazakhstan allocated $2.88 million in Afghanistan assistance in 2008 for humanitarian aid and to build a school, hospital, and road (ref C). Kalekenov confirmed that all of these activities are moving forward. He accompanied MFA Special Envoy Askhat Orazbai on the latter's trip April 11-18 trip to Kabul. Kalekenov explained that during the trip, the Kazakhstanis, in consultation with the Afghans, agreed that rather than constructing a new road, Kazakhstan will finance the reconstruction of an existing one that runs between Kunduz and Taloqan in northern Afghanistan. (Note: Kazakhstan already agreed several months ago that the school will be constructed in Samangan province and the hospital in Bamayan province. End Note.) ¶3. (SBU) During Orazbai's Kabul visit, the Kazakhstanis and Afghans finalized MOU's for the three construction projects, under which Kazakhstan will transfer the necessary funds -- in one tranche -- to the Afghan government, which will be responsible for project implementation, including for hiring contractors through tenders. Kalekenov said that he expected that the money would be transferred in the near future, perhaps even within a month. He also confirmed that Kazakhstan was in the process of preparing to deliver the humanitarian aid portion of its assistance -- $500,000 in grain and grain products. Kalekenov said that shipment should begin before the end of May. ¶4. (C) Per ref A demarche, Pol-Econ Chief inquired about Kazakhstan's plans for the Afghanistan support conference in Paris. Kalekenov responded that he had very few details about the conference. Kazakhstan had not yet received an invitation and was not certain it was being invited. As a result, Kalekenov explained, no decision had been made as to who would represent Kazakhstan at the event. In response to Pol-Econ Chief's question, Kalekenov said that Kazakhstan hoped, within its economic limitations, to continue assistance to Afghanistan in future years, though this would depend on the successful implementation of its 2008 assistance program. ¶5. (C) Pol-Econ Chief asked Kalekenov about the status of Prime Minister Masimov's plans to visit Afghanistan in 2008 (see ref B). Kalekenov said that the details still had to be firmed up, but the trip "remains on the agenda." It would more likely occur during the latter part of the year, rather than earlier. ORDWAY