KAZAKHSTAN: VISIT OF FBI DIRECTOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASTANA 002146 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PINS SOCI KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: VISIT OF FBI DIRECTOR ASTANA 00002146 001.3 OF 002 REFTEL: ASTANA 2083 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Robert Mueller, III, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, visited Kazakhstan November 17-18 and met with the Committee on National Security, Prosecutor General, Minister of Internal Affairs, and Chief of the Financial Police. In the cordial and productive encounters, the director stressed the need to build partnerships to fight terrorism, improve intelligence gathering and solve transnational crimes. He signed a memorandum of understanding on general cooperation with the Prosecutor General (reftel). In internal embassy meetings, he asked for assistance in overcoming what the FBI sees as obstacles on human rights when the Bureau proposes to repatriate criminals. The embassy recommended consultation with Washington specific cases. END SUMMARY. PROSECUTOR GENERAL ¶3. (SBU) FBI Director Robert Mueller, III discussed cooperation with the Prosecutor General of Kazakhstan, Karat Mami, on November 17. Mami offered a brief description of his office and focused on his broad role as a prosecutor, defender of the public, and representative of the government's crime-fighting goals. Finding common ground, Mueller said he felt at home as a former prosecutor saying that deeper partnerships are the key to making progress on all of the FBI's goals. As Mami closed the meeting, his deputy indicated that the Government of Kazakhstan seeks U.S. help to find information about people who may have left the country after having embezzled substantial sums. Mueller only offered general agreement to be helpful. The two then signed a memorandum of agreement (reftel). MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS ¶4. (SBU) Director Mueller met with Minister of Interior (MVD) Serik Baimaganbetov on November 17. Baimaganbetov opened the meeting by drawing parallels between the FBI's roles and responsibilities of the MVD. Baimaganbetov noted, as the chief law enforcement agencies of their respective countries, that cooperation between the two entities will only enhance their ability to protect their citizens against harm. The FBI Director, after thanking Baimaganbetov for the opportunity to meet, concurred on cooperation and expressed hope for it to continue. The FBI Director stressed the need for further joint training programs and investigative work. The FBI Director discussed the Biometrics initiative with Baimaganbetov, because Kazakhstan has not expressed an interest in it. Director Mueller continued the theme of cooperation and added that the sharing of Biometric data will expand both countries' resources and ability to thwart crime. He concluded by urging Baimaganbetov to consider sending more candidates to the FBI's National Academy located in Quantico, Virginia to train side-by-side with U.S. law enforcement officers. FINANCIAL POLICE ¶5. (SBU) Director Mueller met with Deputy Chairman Rustam A. Ibraimov of the Agency on Combating Economic and Corruption Crimes (Financial Police) on November 18. Ibraimov expressed his thanks for the Director's visit and his regret that the Chairman of the Financial Police could not attend due to a meeting with the Kazakhstani President. Ibraimov briefed the FBI Director on the history and authority of the Financial Police. He explained that their responsibilities include economic crimes and corruption crimes. Upon request, Ibraimov's deputy further explained the Financial Police's impact in Kazakhstan, citing a recent Transparency International study in which Kazakhstan advanced from the 145th to 120th position in its corruption index. The FBI Director expressed his appreciation for the Financial Police's accommodation of his visit and cited the current global economic climate as common ground for both agencies to collaborate on issues of economic and corruption crimes. The Director discussed the ASTANA 00002146 002.3 OF 002 October INL-funded training session in Astana provided by FBI instructors for the Financial Police. In response to his inquiry about its value, the Deputy Chairman and his staff praised the program. The Director's closed by identifying further areas of cooperation and training and again advocated for sending officers to the FBI's National Academy. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: The FBI Director's visit was remarkable on three fronts. First, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Prosecutor General's Office strengthens an already good relationship. Second, the FBI Director advocated further cooperation and extended his agency's hand in pursuing joint ventures. Third, he asked Kazakhstan to consider the Biometrics-sharing initiative throughout Central Asia. Kazakhstan is the only Central Asian countries that has not either signed a letter of cooperation with the FBI or expressed an interest in the program. The FBI is preparing to forward a proposed letter of cooperation to the Kazakhstani government for its consideration. Post is hopeful that the Director's visit has advanced this important project. END COMMENT. ¶7. (U) FBI Director Mueller has cleared on this cable. SPRATLEN