Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASTANA248
2009-02-11 10:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Astana
Cable title:
KAZAKHSTAN: EXBS ADVISOR'S REPORTING CABLE (JANUARY
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 000248
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC: YWONG, ACHURCH, JHARTSHORN, SROBINSON
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC-AMT: LSPRINGER
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE: DFISCHER
DEPT FOR SCA/RA: JSPILSBURY
CBP/INA: SBAKER AND BPICKETT
USDOE/NNSA: CWALKER, TPERRY, EDESCHLER
DOC FOR DCREED
USCG FOR SHABETIMICHAEL
AMEMBASSY BERLIN FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE
AMEMBASSY TASHKENT, BISHKEK, BAKU, DUSHANBE AND ASHGABAT FOR EXBS
ADVISORS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC MNUC KNNP KSTC KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: EXBS ADVISOR'S REPORTING CABLE (JANUARY
2009)
ASTANA 00000248 001.2 OF 003
I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS:
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ASTANA 000248
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC: YWONG, ACHURCH, JHARTSHORN, SROBINSON
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC-AMT: LSPRINGER
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE: DFISCHER
DEPT FOR SCA/RA: JSPILSBURY
CBP/INA: SBAKER AND BPICKETT
USDOE/NNSA: CWALKER, TPERRY, EDESCHLER
DOC FOR DCREED
USCG FOR SHABETIMICHAEL
AMEMBASSY BERLIN FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE
AMEMBASSY TASHKENT, BISHKEK, BAKU, DUSHANBE AND ASHGABAT FOR EXBS
ADVISORS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC MNUC KNNP KSTC KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: EXBS ADVISOR'S REPORTING CABLE (JANUARY
2009)
ASTANA 00000248 001.2 OF 003
I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS:
1. (SBU) On January 23-26, Kazakhstan's President Nazarbayev paid an
official visit to India. During this visit, Kazakhstan's national
nuclear energy company Kazatomprom (KAP) and the Nuclear Power
Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL),run by India's State
Department of Atomic Energy, signed a memorandum of understanding
and cooperation. According to Kazatomprom, the two companies will
cooperate in the extraction and production of uranium, the supply of
uranium pellets and fuel assemblies to Indian nuclear facilities,
and the training of Kazatomprom personnel. Under this agreement,
Kazakhstan will supply approximately 300 tons of uranium and
processed fuel annually to India for up to five years. Kazatomprom
also announced that it will take advantage of the opportunity to
review the technical feasibility studies for India's heavy-water
nuclear reactors in order to assess whether plant of similar design
would be suitable for Kazakhstan.
2. (SBU) Kazatomprom also plans to work with Russian partners to
build a new nuclear power plant in Aktau. A feasibility study has
been completed and will be submitted to the government for review in
April. Under this plan, Russia would supply two 300-megawatt
reactors, analogous to those used in Russian nuclear submarines.
3. (SBU) On January 29, the Kazakhstan Senate ratified a number of
agreements on forming a new Customs Union among Russia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan.
II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS CONDUCTED
4. (SBU) On January 13, the EXBS advisor participated in a special
country team meeting with General Petraeus, Commander of the U.S.
Central Command (CENTCOM)and his staff. During this meeting the
EXBS advisor briefed the participants on border security and
nonproliferation efforts in Kazakhstan.
5. (SBU) On January 27, the EXBS advisor participated in a Security
Assistance Working Group meeting convened to brief U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) Deputy Assistant Commissioner for
International Affairs Charles Stallworth on border security
assistance provided to the Government of Kazakhstan.
6. (SBU) On January 27, the EXBS team participated in a
meeting between Kazakhstani Customs Control Committee Chairman
Kozy-Korpesh Karbuzov and Stallworth on reforms being undertaken by
the Customs Control Committee. During this meeting, Karbuzov
outlined the extent of the reforms undertaken within Customs,
including the reduction in the number of border control agencies
present at ports of entry. Stallworth answered specific questions
concerning the experience of CBP in carrying out similar reforms.
7. (SBU) On January 27, the EXBS advisor participated in a dinner
hosted by Kazakhstani Customs Control Committee Chairman Karbuzov in
Stallworth's honor.
8. (SBU) On January 28, the EXBS team accompanied Stallworth on a
tour of the Customs facility at Astana International Airport.
9. (SBU) On January 28, the EXBS team participated in the grand
ASTANA 00000248 002.2 OF 003
opening of the Center for Operational Administration (CAO) at the
invitation of the Customs Control Committee Chairman. This facility
is designed to function like the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection's National Targeting Center (NTC) in Reston, Virginia,
and when fully functional will be manned by personnel from a variety
of Kazakhstani ministries responsible for transportation, trade,
public health and safety, and border security.
10. (SBU) On January 29, the EXBS team participated in meetings
between CBP Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stallworth and
representatives from the Embassy's Office of Military Cooperation
(OMC)and International Narcotics and Law Enforcement office (INL).
During these meetings, border security matters, including assistance
provided to the Kazakhstani Border Guards, were discussed.
11. (SBU) On January 29, the EXBS team participated in a meeting
between Stallworth and General-Major Marat Mazhitov, First Deputy
Director and Chief of Main Staff, Kazakhstani Border Guard Service.
12. (SBU) On January 29, the EXBS team participated in an
international donor coordination meeting hosted by the Border
Management and Drug Action Programs in Central Asia (BOMCA/CADAP).
During this meeting, the EXBS advisor gave a summary of EXBS
assistance provided during the last quarter and future plans for
2009.
B. TRAINING COURSES CONDUCTED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
13. (U) None
C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
14. (SBU) On January 23, the EXBS program manager accompanied Major
Sabynbayev of the Kazakhstan Border Guard Service to the Ankor
manufacturing facility in Almaty to inspect and accepted the first
of three portable shelters purchased by EXBS for the Green Border
Project to control the vast border area of Kazakhstan between
designated border ports.
15. (SBU) On January 23, two of the four Rapiscan Model 627DV X-Ray
machines purchased by EXBS were delivered to the Customs Control
Committee for use at the Korgas and Kaizhat Customs facilities. The
remaining two machines are expected to be delivered during February.
16. (SBU) On January 23, two survey meters, eight personal
radiation pagers, and gloves and other inspection equipment were
delivered to Murat Baimukhanbetov, Chief of the Customs Control
Department in Almaty, for use at Almaty International Airport.
D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE
17. (U) None.
E. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR
RELATED BORDER SECURITY
18. (SBU) On January 22, the Kazakhstan Senate ratified the Geneva
Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) and the document
has been sent to Kazakhstan's President Nazarbayev for signature.
ASTANA 00000248 003.2 OF 003
The purpose of the Convention is to ban or restrict the use of
specific types of weapons that are considered to cause unnecessary
or unjustifiable suffering to combatants or to affect civilians
indiscriminately. Currently 102 states are members of the
Convention.
F. CASPIAN SECURITY INFORMATION
19. (SBU) On January 29, during a meeting between CBP Deputy
Assitant Commissioner Stallworth and General-Major Marat Mazhitov,
First Deputy Director and Chief of Main Staff, Border Guard Service,
the issue of assistance in repairing the U.S.-donated vessel "Sea
Ark" and EXBS-donated SAFE boats was raised. (The details of the
conversation will be reported to Washington separately.)
III. RED FLAG ISSUES.
20. (U) None.
HOAGLAND
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC: YWONG, ACHURCH, JHARTSHORN, SROBINSON
DEPT FOR ISN/ECC-AMT: LSPRINGER
DEPT FOR EUR/ACE: DFISCHER
DEPT FOR SCA/RA: JSPILSBURY
CBP/INA: SBAKER AND BPICKETT
USDOE/NNSA: CWALKER, TPERRY, EDESCHLER
DOC FOR DCREED
USCG FOR SHABETIMICHAEL
AMEMBASSY BERLIN FOR CUSTOMS ATTACHE
AMEMBASSY TASHKENT, BISHKEK, BAKU, DUSHANBE AND ASHGABAT FOR EXBS
ADVISORS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PARM PREL ETTC MNUC KNNP KSTC KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: EXBS ADVISOR'S REPORTING CABLE (JANUARY
2009)
ASTANA 00000248 001.2 OF 003
I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS:
1. (SBU) On January 23-26, Kazakhstan's President Nazarbayev paid an
official visit to India. During this visit, Kazakhstan's national
nuclear energy company Kazatomprom (KAP) and the Nuclear Power
Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL),run by India's State
Department of Atomic Energy, signed a memorandum of understanding
and cooperation. According to Kazatomprom, the two companies will
cooperate in the extraction and production of uranium, the supply of
uranium pellets and fuel assemblies to Indian nuclear facilities,
and the training of Kazatomprom personnel. Under this agreement,
Kazakhstan will supply approximately 300 tons of uranium and
processed fuel annually to India for up to five years. Kazatomprom
also announced that it will take advantage of the opportunity to
review the technical feasibility studies for India's heavy-water
nuclear reactors in order to assess whether plant of similar design
would be suitable for Kazakhstan.
2. (SBU) Kazatomprom also plans to work with Russian partners to
build a new nuclear power plant in Aktau. A feasibility study has
been completed and will be submitted to the government for review in
April. Under this plan, Russia would supply two 300-megawatt
reactors, analogous to those used in Russian nuclear submarines.
3. (SBU) On January 29, the Kazakhstan Senate ratified a number of
agreements on forming a new Customs Union among Russia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan.
II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS CONDUCTED
4. (SBU) On January 13, the EXBS advisor participated in a special
country team meeting with General Petraeus, Commander of the U.S.
Central Command (CENTCOM)and his staff. During this meeting the
EXBS advisor briefed the participants on border security and
nonproliferation efforts in Kazakhstan.
5. (SBU) On January 27, the EXBS advisor participated in a Security
Assistance Working Group meeting convened to brief U.S. Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) Deputy Assistant Commissioner for
International Affairs Charles Stallworth on border security
assistance provided to the Government of Kazakhstan.
6. (SBU) On January 27, the EXBS team participated in a
meeting between Kazakhstani Customs Control Committee Chairman
Kozy-Korpesh Karbuzov and Stallworth on reforms being undertaken by
the Customs Control Committee. During this meeting, Karbuzov
outlined the extent of the reforms undertaken within Customs,
including the reduction in the number of border control agencies
present at ports of entry. Stallworth answered specific questions
concerning the experience of CBP in carrying out similar reforms.
7. (SBU) On January 27, the EXBS advisor participated in a dinner
hosted by Kazakhstani Customs Control Committee Chairman Karbuzov in
Stallworth's honor.
8. (SBU) On January 28, the EXBS team accompanied Stallworth on a
tour of the Customs facility at Astana International Airport.
9. (SBU) On January 28, the EXBS team participated in the grand
ASTANA 00000248 002.2 OF 003
opening of the Center for Operational Administration (CAO) at the
invitation of the Customs Control Committee Chairman. This facility
is designed to function like the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection's National Targeting Center (NTC) in Reston, Virginia,
and when fully functional will be manned by personnel from a variety
of Kazakhstani ministries responsible for transportation, trade,
public health and safety, and border security.
10. (SBU) On January 29, the EXBS team participated in meetings
between CBP Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stallworth and
representatives from the Embassy's Office of Military Cooperation
(OMC)and International Narcotics and Law Enforcement office (INL).
During these meetings, border security matters, including assistance
provided to the Kazakhstani Border Guards, were discussed.
11. (SBU) On January 29, the EXBS team participated in a meeting
between Stallworth and General-Major Marat Mazhitov, First Deputy
Director and Chief of Main Staff, Kazakhstani Border Guard Service.
12. (SBU) On January 29, the EXBS team participated in an
international donor coordination meeting hosted by the Border
Management and Drug Action Programs in Central Asia (BOMCA/CADAP).
During this meeting, the EXBS advisor gave a summary of EXBS
assistance provided during the last quarter and future plans for
2009.
B. TRAINING COURSES CONDUCTED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
13. (U) None
C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD
14. (SBU) On January 23, the EXBS program manager accompanied Major
Sabynbayev of the Kazakhstan Border Guard Service to the Ankor
manufacturing facility in Almaty to inspect and accepted the first
of three portable shelters purchased by EXBS for the Green Border
Project to control the vast border area of Kazakhstan between
designated border ports.
15. (SBU) On January 23, two of the four Rapiscan Model 627DV X-Ray
machines purchased by EXBS were delivered to the Customs Control
Committee for use at the Korgas and Kaizhat Customs facilities. The
remaining two machines are expected to be delivered during February.
16. (SBU) On January 23, two survey meters, eight personal
radiation pagers, and gloves and other inspection equipment were
delivered to Murat Baimukhanbetov, Chief of the Customs Control
Department in Almaty, for use at Almaty International Airport.
D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE
17. (U) None.
E. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR
RELATED BORDER SECURITY
18. (SBU) On January 22, the Kazakhstan Senate ratified the Geneva
Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) and the document
has been sent to Kazakhstan's President Nazarbayev for signature.
ASTANA 00000248 003.2 OF 003
The purpose of the Convention is to ban or restrict the use of
specific types of weapons that are considered to cause unnecessary
or unjustifiable suffering to combatants or to affect civilians
indiscriminately. Currently 102 states are members of the
Convention.
F. CASPIAN SECURITY INFORMATION
19. (SBU) On January 29, during a meeting between CBP Deputy
Assitant Commissioner Stallworth and General-Major Marat Mazhitov,
First Deputy Director and Chief of Main Staff, Border Guard Service,
the issue of assistance in repairing the U.S.-donated vessel "Sea
Ark" and EXBS-donated SAFE boats was raised. (The details of the
conversation will be reported to Washington separately.)
III. RED FLAG ISSUES.
20. (U) None.
HOAGLAND