Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASTANA426
2009-03-10 03:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Astana
Cable title:
KAZAKHSTAN: DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENSE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASTANA 000426
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/A, S/SRAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR AF KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENSE
FACT-FINDS IN KABUL, WITH VIEW TO AID ISAF
Classified By: Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland: 1.4 (B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASTANA 000426
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/A, S/SRAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR AF KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENSE
FACT-FINDS IN KABUL, WITH VIEW TO AID ISAF
Classified By: Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland: 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (C) Kazakhstan's Deputy Minister of Defense,
General-Lieutenant Bulat Sembinov, accompanied by Embassy
Astana's defense attache, travelled via Manas at Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan, to Kabul, Afghanistan, February 23-25. In Kabul
he met with Commander International Security Assistance Force
(COMISAF) General David McKiernan, ISAF POLAD Sherwood
McGinnes, NATO Senior Civilian Representative Ambassador
Fernando Gentilini, Afghanistan's Deputy Minister of Defense
Akram, and U.S. Embassy officers, among others.
SEMBINOV OUTLINES KAZAKHSTAN'S PAST AND POSSIBLE FUTURE
SUPPORT
2. (SBU) In all of his meetings, General Sembinov emphasized
the strategic nature of the U.S.-Kazakhstan relationship. He
briefed what Kazakhstan has already done in support of
Afghanistan: over 6,000 cost-free overflights; emergency
landing rights/divert agreement employed over 70 times;
Northern Distribution Network transit agreement in place for
non-lethal supplies; and $3 million in 2008 (probably to be
repeated in 2009, depending on budget constraints) to support
stabilization efforts, including roads, schools, and other
infrastructure projects.
3. (C) General Sembinov noted the purpose of his visit was
to assess the situation in Afghanistan so that he could make
recommendations to his government about the possible
deployment of forces in support of ISAF. Kazakhstan is
considering deploying 2-4 staff officers to ISAF Headquarters
in Kabul who would both support ISAF and also provide updated
information to Kazakhstan on the situation in Afghanistan so
that his government could better determine future
contributions to ISAF. Such contributions could include
personnel for medical work and for explosive ordinance
disposal. In each presentation, General Sembinov also
emphasized Kazakhstan's contributions to Operation Iraqi
Freedom, and that Kazakhstan was the only Central Asian
nation to deploy forces in Iraq.
4. (C) ISAF Commander General McKiernan stressed to Sembinov
the need for the international community to contribute more
and thanked Sembinov for his contribution. He said, "Almost
any capability you can think of, we can use. I won't ask you
to consider specifics, but would support whatever you could
support." McKiernan suggested that Sembinov come up with a
concrete proposal and he would coordinate the offer with NATO.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/A, S/SRAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR AF KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: DEPUTY MINISTER OF DEFENSE
FACT-FINDS IN KABUL, WITH VIEW TO AID ISAF
Classified By: Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland: 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (C) Kazakhstan's Deputy Minister of Defense,
General-Lieutenant Bulat Sembinov, accompanied by Embassy
Astana's defense attache, travelled via Manas at Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan, to Kabul, Afghanistan, February 23-25. In Kabul
he met with Commander International Security Assistance Force
(COMISAF) General David McKiernan, ISAF POLAD Sherwood
McGinnes, NATO Senior Civilian Representative Ambassador
Fernando Gentilini, Afghanistan's Deputy Minister of Defense
Akram, and U.S. Embassy officers, among others.
SEMBINOV OUTLINES KAZAKHSTAN'S PAST AND POSSIBLE FUTURE
SUPPORT
2. (SBU) In all of his meetings, General Sembinov emphasized
the strategic nature of the U.S.-Kazakhstan relationship. He
briefed what Kazakhstan has already done in support of
Afghanistan: over 6,000 cost-free overflights; emergency
landing rights/divert agreement employed over 70 times;
Northern Distribution Network transit agreement in place for
non-lethal supplies; and $3 million in 2008 (probably to be
repeated in 2009, depending on budget constraints) to support
stabilization efforts, including roads, schools, and other
infrastructure projects.
3. (C) General Sembinov noted the purpose of his visit was
to assess the situation in Afghanistan so that he could make
recommendations to his government about the possible
deployment of forces in support of ISAF. Kazakhstan is
considering deploying 2-4 staff officers to ISAF Headquarters
in Kabul who would both support ISAF and also provide updated
information to Kazakhstan on the situation in Afghanistan so
that his government could better determine future
contributions to ISAF. Such contributions could include
personnel for medical work and for explosive ordinance
disposal. In each presentation, General Sembinov also
emphasized Kazakhstan's contributions to Operation Iraqi
Freedom, and that Kazakhstan was the only Central Asian
nation to deploy forces in Iraq.
4. (C) ISAF Commander General McKiernan stressed to Sembinov
the need for the international community to contribute more
and thanked Sembinov for his contribution. He said, "Almost
any capability you can think of, we can use. I won't ask you
to consider specifics, but would support whatever you could
support." McKiernan suggested that Sembinov come up with a
concrete proposal and he would coordinate the offer with NATO.
HOAGLAND