Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE120336
2008-11-13 00:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO HEAD OF

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM OSCE KZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9388
PP RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHC #0336 3180008
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 130003Z NOV 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 5432
INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 120336 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM OSCE KZ
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO HEAD OF
CENTER KELTCHEWSKY

UNCLAS STATE 120336

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM OSCE KZ
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO HEAD OF
CENTER KELTCHEWSKY


1. (U) Post is authorized to present the following statement
at the November 13, 2008 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna.

Begin Text:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Ambassador Keltchewsky, welcome to the Permanent Council.
Thank you for the hard work you have put into your first
months as the Head of Center and your very comprehensive
report today.

The United States fully supports the Center and its work
across all three dimensions. We are particularly impressed
with efforts by the Center to promote confidence and security
building measures and police development in the first
dimension, to combat corruption and money laundering in the
second dimension, and to assist the Government in crafting
legislative reforms to increase protection of and respect for
fundamental freedoms in the third dimension. We consider
these priorities parallel ones that can be pursued at the
same time along their respective tracks.

Kazakhstan's cooperation with the Center and its field office
in Almaty has been productive for the OSCE's activities and
we recognize the value of this close working relationship.
The OSCE's cooperation with civil society also is a key
component. We note the Center's role in facilitating one of
the largest NGO delegations to the Human Dimension
Implementation Meeting in Warsaw of any participating State.

The United States agrees with your assessment, Mr.
Ambassador, that the Center should expand its work further
into Kazakhstan's many regions. To this end, we fully support
a potential pilot project on community policing and
activities to help train local administrations. This should
include helping to implement new legislation for reforming
local governance.

Your office's work should contribute to Kazakhstan's efforts
to implement the commitments and values for which this
organization stands, and also raise awareness of OSCE
activities and commitments with the general public. The
upcoming Chairmanship will provide a chance for Kazakhstan to
show great leadership in these areas domestically and abroad.


The United States looks forward to Kazakhstan's
implementation of the commitments it made at the Madrid
Ministerial. While fulfillment of the commitments is the
Government's responsibility, the Center should continue to
play a supportive role in this regard by providing assistance
from experts and facilitating civil society input.

We also want to express our strong support for the continued
assistance provided by ODIHR, the Representative on Freedom
of the Media, the High Commissioner on National Minorities,
and other OSCE bodies in crafting the best possible pieces of
legislation to enhance and not limit religious freedom and
media freedom, to liberalize registration requirements for
political parties, and to reform the electoral law per
ODIHR's recommendations. We hope that these reforms are
completed in a timely and transparent fashion. We hope
Kazakhstan will take into careful consideration the advice
provided by the OSCE/ODHIR Advisory Council of Experts on
Freedom of Religion or Belief concerning the draft amendments
to the religion law and ask that Astana allow ODIHR to make
the report public.

Thank you again for joining us today, Ambassador Keltchewsky.
The United States stands ready to support you and your
excellent team in Kazakhstan.


Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE