KAZAKHSTAN: METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY WANTS

UNCLAS ASTANA 002069 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, L, OES, SCA/EX, DS/IP/SCA, DS/ISI/CI STATE OES/MSHENA PASS TO NOAA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SENV KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY WANTS FORMAL COOPERATION WITH NOAA REF: A) ASTANA 1504 B) ASTANA 2061 ¶1. Regional Environmental Officer (REO) met with First Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Environment's Department for Hydro-Meteorological Service (KazHydroMet),Kuanysh Bektemirov, on November 20 to discuss future cooperation between KazKydroMet and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). REO passed several documents to Bektemirov, for his information only, demonstrating that Mr. Mamilov (reftels) had a contract with NOAA to carry out samplings in Kazakhstan. REO also provided a draft copy of a Memorandum of Understanding that could serve as the basis to negotiate a future cooperation agreement for signature by KazHydroMet and NOAA. REO indicated the U.S. desire to put this relationship on a sound foundation and stressed the United States' openness to suggestions and advice. REO added that the U.S. Embassy would also pass these documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ¶2. During the conversation, Bektemirov made a brief phone call to confirm that KazHydroMet does not now have, nor ever has had, a signed cooperative agreement with NOAA. However, Bektemirov concurred with the desirability of such an agreement, saying that KazHydroMet always is interested in cooperative relationships with international partners. After explaining he will need a few weeks to review the documents and the proposed draft agreement, he promised to contact REO. SPRATLEN