KAZAKHSTAN: USCENTCOM CDR PETRAEUS' MEETING WITH

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 001416 NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, S/SRAP, EUR/RUS, P/M E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2029 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR MARR OSCE AF KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: USCENTCOM CDR PETRAEUS' MEETING WITH DEFENSE MINISTER DZHAKSYBEKOV, AUGUST 13 REF: ASTANA 1250 Classified By: Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland: 1.4, (A),(B),(D) ¶1. (S/NF) SUMMARY: During an August 13 meeting in Astana, USCENTCOM CDR General Petraeus and Minister of Defense Dzhaksybekov discussed: -- further Kazakhstani assistance in Afghanistan, including staff officers for ISAF HQ in Kabul, noncombatant trainers and instructors for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal school in Mazar-i-Sharif, and the setablishment of a logistics/transportation hub to provide further logistics capacity for the U.S. and Coalition military effort in Afghanistan (and as an alternative to the Manas Transit Center near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, should that be needed in the future); -- Kazakhstan's policy decision to move away from conscripts toward a professional army that would include a non-commissioned officer corps and, eventually a military reserve system; -- the Huey-II program and the need for Kazakhstan to transition from Foreign Military Financing to Foreign Military Sales; and -- the possible development of a Kazakh naval force for the Caspian Sea. Dzhaksybekov suggested military intelligence sharing. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) USCENTCOM Commander General David Petraeus met with Minister of Defense Adilbek Dzhaksybekov on August 13 in Astana. The minister excused himself for arriving late, explaining he had been on the telephone with President Nazarbayev who had asked Dzhaksybekov to pass his greetings to General Petraeus and who had instructed the minister to "discuss all questions in full detail in light of our strategic partnership." The minister expressed appreciation for U.S. assistance in military education and training, noting this is important to change the psychology of Kazakhstan's military personnel. After reviewing other areas of the bilateral military relationship, Dzhaksybekov commented, "I know there was lots of discussion and doubt about our desire to head OSCE in 2010, but it is a significant honor for us to be the first former Soviet state to achieve the OSCE chairmanship. We intend for Kazakhstan to be seen as a positive example in the OSCE's security dimension." General Petraeus responded that the OSCE chairmanship is indeed an honor and moves Kazakhstan from the regional to the world stage. ¶3. (C) Concluding a detailed briefing and analysis of U.S. policy directions in Afghanistan and Pakistan, General Petraeus said, "It is in our common interest to ensure that Afghanistan does not become again a safe-haven for transnational extremists." He expressed appreciation for Kazakhstan's help in Afghanistan, including overflight and divert agreements and participation in the Northern Distribution Network (NDN) for the transit of non-lethal supplies to U.S. and Coalition troops in Afghanistan. He told Dzhaksybekov he had recently signed a "Central Asia First" policy letter directing NDN contractors to purchase local goods, wherever possible, for U.S. troops. PERSONNEL FOR ISAF HQ AND MAZAR-I-SHARIF, AND A LOGISTICS/TRANSPORTATION HUB ¶4. (S) General Petraeus listed his requests for further cooperation in Afghanistan. He asked that Kazakhstan detail staff officers to the International Security Assistance Force ASTANA 00001416 002 OF 003 headquarters in Kabul and provide instructors/trainers for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal school at Mazar-i-Sharif, noting that in both cases Kazakhstani personnel would be in noncombatant roles. Dzhaksybekov stated that they were studying these. ¶5. (S/NF) Responding to President Nazarbayev's recent offers of a logistics facility in Kazakhstan to assist the U.S. military in Afghanistan (reftel),General Petraeus said that the United States would like to have additional locations for a logistics facility and transportation hub as we increase our activity in Afghanistan. He emphasized, "We have no desire for permanent military bases in the region, but we do appreciate your President's offer." He proposed to send a technical team to Kazakhstan to make an assessment and to discuss location and other details. Dzhaksybekov responded, "We'd like to create with you a detailed draft of an action plan to present to President Nazarbayev for his approval. But we know since this was his idea, he will support it, and we will, of course, do everything possible to fulfill it." (NOTE: General Petraeus subsequently confirmed with USTRANSCOM that a joint USCENTCOM-USTRANSCOM survey team could arrive in Kazakhstan by the middle of September to begin working out a detailed proposal with the government of Kazakhstan. END NOTE.) PROFESSIONAL ARMY VS. CONSCRIPTS ¶6. (C) Noting continuing U.S. assistance to KazBrig (Kazakhstan Brigade, the elite force being trained for International peace-keeping operations) and the Caspian Response Force, General Petraeus asked Dzhaksybekov if Kazakhstan is considering professionalizing its entire military and reducing its reliance on conscripts. The minister acknowledged that this transition had been slowed because of the current global financial crisis as well as by leadership issues. However, Dzhaksybekov said he has studied this question since becoming Defense Minister in June. Some urged a return to the "old system," but "the decision has been made to follow this path" toward a professional army with a noncommissioned officer corps, although Kazakhstan will need significantly more equipment and support, he said. He added that, over time, he also wants to develop a military reservist system. General Petraeus praised these policy directions. HUEY-II PROGRAM ¶7. (C) General Petraeus told Minister Dzhaksybekov he is aware of the need for the United States to keep its promise on the Huey-II helicopter program. Since it is not likely it can ever be completed under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, he intends to recommend that the administration seek a special Congressional appropriation to finish the program. In the meantime, a U.S. maintenance assistance team is currently in Kazakhstan to get the first two helicopters in the air by September 6. Kazakhstan can help immediately by releasing the final shipment of parts that seems stuck in Customs. In the longer term, especially as the current global financial crisis abates, Kazakhstan, because of its wealth and economic success, will need to transition from FMF to Foreign Military Sales. Petraeus said, "I hope you'll seriously consider this new kind of partnership." KAZAKHSTAN'S NAVY ¶8. (C) General Petraeus acknowledged Kazakhstan's long-standing request to acquire a 1,000-ton naval ship from the United States for use in the Caspian. He noted that he did not know of anything available at this time, but offered to continue to look. Minister Dzhaksybekov told General Petraeus there is lots of discussion within the government of ASTANA 00001416 003 OF 003 Kazakhstan how to develop its navy. He said, "We must pay more attention to our ground forces, but for political reasons we also must look at the Caspian." General Petraeus noted that if Kazakhstan makes a formal request, the United States would be pleased to provide an assessment as Kazakhstan considers enhancing its naval forces. INTELLIGENCE COOPERATION ¶9. (S) After a further review of the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan, General Petraeus urged a broader partnership north of Afghanistan to move away from a Great-Game mentality to one that recognizes the utility of working together broadly on the common threats of terrorism, extremism, and narcotics. Dzhaksybekov fully agreed. Presumably speaking about military intelligence, he said, "We are observing events closely. I want to emphasize we want to develop or intelligence cooperation between our officers. It would be important that we share information and analyses." ¶10. (U) CDR USCENTCOM General Petraeus cleared this cable. HOAGLAND