KAZAKHSTAN: NEW MINISTER OF DEFENSE OPTIMISTIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 001366 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/RUS, P/M E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR MARR RS KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: NEW MINISTER OF DEFENSE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT U.S.-KAZAKHSTANI MILITARY COOPERATION Classified By: Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland, 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The Ambassador met with Minister of Defense Adilbek Dzhaksybekov on August 7 to congratulate him on his June 24 appointment, and discuss U.S.-Kazakhstani military cooperation. Dzhaksybekov: -called bilateral military relations positive, and expressed hope relations would continue to develop "strategically." -praised U.S.-Kazakhstani cooperation and said he hoped to expand cooperation as part of his plan to modernize the Kazakhstani armed forces. -thanked the Ambassador for his efforts to fulfill U.S. promises to Kazakhstan concerning security assistance, especially the "politically-important" Huey-II program. -said Kazakhstan has a strong interest in a stable Afghanistan, and will do all it can to support U.S.-government efforts there. -told the Ambassador Kazakhstan will send two officers to the headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul. -said he will discuss President Nazarbayev's offer of a logistics base in Kazakhstan and the U.S. request for deployment of explosive ordnance disposal instructors during the Petraeus visit. -commented on Kazakhstan's "special relationships" with Russia and the United States, drawing on his personal experience as a former Ambassador to Russia. Throughout the meeting, the new Minister of Defense was relaxed and personable. END SUMMARY. AMBASSADOR RAISES REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE IN AFGHANISTAN ¶2. (C) The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on recently appointed Minister of Defense Adilbek Dzhaksybekov on August ¶7. The Ambassador congratulated Dzhaksybekov on his appointment, highlighted milestones of bilateral cooperation, noted Kazakhstan's importance in regional stability, and previewed three points that CENTCOM Commander General Petraeus is likely to raise during his August 13 visit to Astana: -Kazakhstan's deployment of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) instructors to the Afghan EOD school in Mazar-i-Sharif is a high priority, and would be of immediate assistance. -General Petraeus and the Ambassador are aware that the U.S.-Kazakhstani security assistance program has had some problems and that the lack of progress on the Huey-II helicopter program has been an irritant in the relationship for far too long. General Petraeus is working on a possible solution for this issue, which has strategic importance for Kazakhstan. -General Petraeus might want to explore further President Nazarbayev's March 30 offer to provide a "logistics base" for U.S. troops in Afghanistan. NEW MINISTER OF DEFENSE CALLS RELATIONS POSITIVE AND STRATEGIC ¶3. (C) Dzhaksybekov, who clearly understands and speaks some English, said he believes U.S.-Kazakhstani military relations are positive, and he hoped relations would continue to develop "strategically." He thanked the U.S. government for its support of Kazakhstan, even during the most difficult and complex times in Kazakhstan's history. Dzhaksybekov told the Ambassador he hoped to increase training of Kazakhstani military personnel at U.S. institutions and supported bilateral military exercises and regional cooperation. "Kazakhstan has a strong interest in a stable Afghanistan; therefore, the Ministry of Defense, under the direction of Kazakhstan's leadership, will support all U.S. efforts to ensure stability in Afghanistan," Dzhaksybekov declared. ASTANA 00001366 002 OF 003 UNITED STATES IS MORE OPEN THAN SOME "OTHER FRIENDS" ¶4. (C) Throughout the meeting, Dzhaksybekov emphasized his priority is adopting modern best-practices and developing the professionalism of the Kazakhstani armed forces. He told the Ambassador training military personnel in various countries -- particularly the United States, Turkey, and Russia -- is an important element in accomplishing this goal. Dzhaksybekov said the United States is Kazakhstan's preferred destination for training military personnel. "According to our military experts, it is best for Kazakhstan strategically, as well as from the point of view of quality, for officers to be trained in U.S. military schools. At least 320 military personnel have been trained at the U.S. National Defense University. It is our goal to increase this number," Dzhaksybekov stated. The Minister of Defense also praised U.S.-Kazakhstani cooperation during joint military exercises, noting his officers had told him U.S. trainers are "more open and friendly than some of our 'other friends.'" (COMMENT: By "other friends" Dzhaksybekov was clearly referring to Russia. END COMMENT.) DEFENSE MINISTER CALLS FOR INCREASED BILATERAL COOPERATION ¶5. (C) Dzhaksybekov welcomed increased bilateral military cooperation, inviting the Ambassador to attend the opening ceremony of the upcoming Steppe Eagle exercises with him. "I am glad to see our cooperation is so advanced," Dzhaksybekov said, noting that in 2008-2009, the U.S. and Kazakhstan conducted over 100 military-to-military events -- compared to only 30 events in 2003-2004. It is important to develop and demonstrate our enhanced level of cooperation," Dzhaksybekov added, commenting that, in principle, he agreed with the U.S. proposal of holding a multilateral exercise in 2010. He noted Kazakhstan had conducted a similar activity in 2007, but said he was still working with other government institutions to finalize review of the proposal. KEEPING PROMISES -- A POLITICAL QUESTION ¶6. (C) After the Ambassador briefly explained the issue concerning funding for the Huey-II helicopter program, Dzhaksybekov replied, "We believe that the U.S. government always keeps its promises. If there is a possibility for you to deliver more helicopters in the program more quickly, we would appreciate this very much." Dzhaksybekov told the Ambassador Kazakhstan can develop independently, and its military is financed "not badly." He reiterated, however, that it is important for Kazakhstan to demonstrate U.S.-Kazakhstani bilateral military cooperation. According to Dzhaksybekov, expansion of the helicopter program is "a political question." (COMMENT: Dzhaksybekov appeared to be trying to make the point that while Kazakhstan intends to modernize on its own, U.S. support in following through on its original promises in the Huey-II program would be an important political gesture demonstrating strong commitment to a close bilateral military relationship. END COMMENT.) MINISTER REITERATES SUPPORT FOR U.S. EFFORTS IN AFGHANISTAN ¶7. (C) When the Ambassador initially raised the request for Kazakhstani assistance in Afghanistan, Dzhaksybekov laughed and said,"Afghanistan - your government's favorite theme." In his response, however, the Minister stated seriously, "Kazakhstan has a strong interest in a stable Afghanistan." He described the humanitarian assistance Kazakhstan provided in 2008 and intended to provide in 2009-2011. While reminding the Ambassador that Kazakhstan had also supported the U.S. military effort through bilateral agreements, Dzhaksybekov remarked, laughing wryly, "When I was the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation, I received a lot of criticism about such agreements." In the first firm indication that Kazakhstan will commit military personnel to Afghanistan, Dzhaksybekov said, "we will send two officers to the headquarters of the International ASTANA 00001366 003 OF 003 Security Assistance Force in Kabul." Regarding the U.S. request for deployment of explosive ordnance disposal instructors to the Afghan EOD school in Mazar-i-Sharif and the logistics base, Dzhaksybekov said he hoped Kazakhstan will be ready to discuss these issues during the upcoming Petraeus visit. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION ¶8. (C) In his discussion of regional issues, Dzhaksybekov stated, "Kazakhstan has had to make certain decisions based on its geopolitical location, and we thank the U.S. government for understanding and supporting these decisions." In response, the Ambassador reiterated that the U.S. government wants cooperation with Kazakhstan -- and its neighbors. Emphasizing that President Obama is working hard to improve the U.S.-Russia relationship, the Ambassador said he hoped that the next time the Minister visited Moscow, he would hear less criticism, eliciting an appreciative chuckle from Dzhaksybekov. The Minister concluded the meeting by saying, "I, personally, always look positively towards the United States. Our countries have a very special relationship, and I look forward to the development of our friendship." NEW MINISTER -- LOGICAL AND ANALYTICAL ¶9. (C) Prior to his sudden appointment on June 24 -- following the dismissal of the previous minister after a spate of accidents and scandals -- Dzhaksybekov served as Kazakhstan's Ambassador to the Russian Federation. Dzhaksybekov has also held a variety of other important positions, including Akim (mayor) of Astana, Minister of Industry and Trade, Head of the Presidential Administration (twice),and First Deputy Chairman of the ruling Nur Otan Party. (COMMENT: Prior to the Ambassador's meeting with Dzhaksybekov, Post's interlocutors had commented that the new Minister of Defense is logical and analytical. Interlocutors said he is known for carefully analyzing policy options, selecting "best practices" in pursuit of key strategic goals. Dzhaksybekov's behavior during the meeting supported this analysis. Since his appointment, it was clear he had consulted with experts in the Ministry of Defense. Overall, he appeared well-briefed, and paid close attention to all the topics discussed, several times stopping to confer with his staff members and to take notes. Demonstrating a consultative leadership-style, Dzhaksybekov made a point at the end of the meeting of asking the U.S. DATT, who accompanied the Ambassador, for his view of bilateral relations. END COMMENT.) HOAGLAND