Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASTANA2146
2009-12-14 09:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Astana
Cable title:  

KAZAKHSTAN: VISIT OF FBI DIRECTOR

Tags:  PGOV PREL PINS SOCI KZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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TO RUCNFB/DIRECTOR FBI PRIORITY
INFO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6985
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE 2242
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
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RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2306
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RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHAST/AMCONSUL ALMATY 2089
RUEAWJL/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEABND/DEA HQS WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC 0058
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

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