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.


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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

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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