KAZAKHSTAN: EXBS ADVISOR'S MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE FOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ASTANA 000432 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 MONTHLY REPORTING CABLE FOR FEBRUARY 2009 ¶I. BROAD ITEMS OF INTEREST TO ADVISORS AND AGENCY MANAGERS: ¶1. (SBU) During February 2-13, the BN-350 Program team traveled to Aktau to conduct a Canister Requalification Meeting and to discuss multilateral transport operations for BN-350 spent fuel project. ¶2. (SBU) During February 11-13, the Second Line of Defense Program held its quarterly meeting with the Kazakhstan Customs Control Committee to discuss Phase II activities. ¶3. (SBU) During February 24-25, the Preventing Nuclear Smuggling Program conducted a table top exercise in Astana in an effort to help Kazakhstan evaluate its national nuclear smuggling response plan. ¶4. (SBU) During February 23-25, an AirConOps Project team held meetings with the Kazakhstani Customs Control Committee to discuss implementation of the Astana Airport pilot. II. COMPLETED ACTIONS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD ¶A. SITE ASSESSMENTS AND MEETINGS CONDUCTED ¶5. (SBU) During February 3-5, the EXBS advisor attended the Central Asia Border Management/Security Conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This conference was co-organized by the George C. Marshall Center and the Border Service of Kyrgyzstan. The aim of this conference was to discuss the process of reforming the border security sectors in the Central Asia countries and the approaches the countries use to reform their security sector. No representatives from Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan were present. ¶6. (SBU) On February 3, during the Central Asia Border Management/Security Conference, the EXBS advisor participated in a panel of EXBS representatives that provided an overview of the EXBS program's projects and border security efforts in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. After these presentations, the panel of EXBS advisors answered a variety of questions on border management, transnational issues, and common threats. ¶7. (SBU) On February 4, the EXBS advisor traveled to Novopokrovka, Kyrgyzstan, and was provided a tour of the Border Service Training Center. The advisor was afforded an opportunity to observe differences in the type of border management training provided at this facility in comparison with the Military Institute in Almaty. These observations highlight the need for improved inter-regional border management training regarding transnational issues and common threats. ¶8. (SBU) On February 4, the EXBS advisor toured the Ak-Jol Border Crossing Point in Kyrgyzstan and the connecting Kordai Border Crossing in Kazakhstan. ¶9. (SBU) On February 18, the EXBS advisor and LTC Yentz of the Embassy's Office of Military Cooperation met with Fitz Fitzgibbon, Defense Attache, and Martin Child, Second Secretary for Regional Energy Policy, from the British Embassy in Astana to discuss the subject of cooperation with the Kazakhstani Maritime Border Guard Service on the Caspian Sea. ¶10. (SBU) On February 18, the EXBS advisor met with the Embassy's ASTANA 00000432 002 OF 004 Legatt office to discuss the restructuring of the various Kazakhstani government agencies that impact passport control and immigration issues and the impact such restructuring would have on border security. ¶11. (SBU) On February 19, the EXBS advisor participated in the Embasssy's Security Assistance Working Group meeting during which he presented the EXBS Kazakhstan assistance plan for 2009. ¶12. (SBU) On February 23, the EXBS team meet with Kurushbek Sauranbayev, Acting Head of the Kordai customs post, and discussed inspection procedures and technology utilization at Kordai, which is located on the border with Kyrgyzstan. ¶13. (SBU) On February 23, the EXBS team visited the Karasu customs post escorted by the deputy head of the Kordai customs post, Marat Polatov, where they reviewed and discussed inspection procedures and technology utilization with Mombayev Batyrzhan, chief specialist at the customs post in Karasu, which is located on the border with Kyrgyzstan approximately 16 kilometers east of Kordai. ¶14. (SBU) On February 24, the Astana EXBS team met with the EXBS team in Bishkek and was given a tour of the Kyrgyzstan Customs Academy by Durlat Osmanaliev, Senior Inspector, Department of International Cooperation. The team was also introduced during this trip to First Deputy Chairman Kubanychbek Kulmatov of the Kyrgyzstan customs service. The Statement of Work for this facility will be provided to the Kazakhstan Customs Control Committee for their consideration in the construction of Kazakhstan's new Customs Academy. ¶15. (SBU) On February 25, the EXBS team visited the International Airport in Almaty and meet with Abeuova Aktolkyn, Head of the International Relations Division of the Customs Control Department in Almaty. The team was then provided a tour of the airport facilities and discussed inspection procedures and technology utilization with Anuar Chuzhegulov, head of the Zhetysu customs post, and Yerzhan Bottayev, deputy head of the Zhetysu customs post. ¶16. (SBU) On February 26, the EXBS team meet with Mindulla Merkaliyev, head of the Kalzhat customs post, which is located on the border with China, approximately 360 kilometers northeast of Almaty. The team was then provided a tour of the facilities and discussed inspection procedures and technology utilization with Nurlan Syikynov, Chief Specialist of Radiological Control at the post. ¶17. (SBU) On February 26, the EXBS team met with Talgat Nogayev, head of the Korgas customs post, which is located on the border with China, northeast of Almaty. Nogayev provided the team with an operational overview of the post's operations, including a detailed description of inspection procedures and technology employed at the port. ¶18. (SBU) On February 27, the EXBS Team was provided a tour by Rashid Nazyrov, deputy head of the Korgas customs post. The team reviewed and discussed inspection procedures and technology utilization with a Mr. Ashimbayev, the head of the delivery section at the post. ASTANA 00000432 003 OF 004 ¶B. TRAINING COURSES CONDUCTED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD ¶19. (SBU) On February 3-5, representatives from the Kazakhstan Customs Control Committee and the Border Guard Service attended the Central Asia Border Management Security Conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This conference was co-organized by the George C. Marshall Center and the Border Service of Kyrgyzstan. The aim of this conference was to discuss the process of reforming the border security sectors in the Central Asia countries and the approaches the countries use to reform their security sector. ¶C. EQUIPMENT DELIVERED DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD ¶20. (SBU) On January 23-27, miscellaneous articles of equipment, including inspection gloves, socket sets, wrenches, flashlights, hammers, and other inspection equipment, were delivered to Customs representatives at the posts of Karasu, Zhetysu, Kalzhat, and Korgas. ¶D. IMMINENT TRAINING OR EQUIPMENT STATUS UPDATE ¶21. (SBU) During March 18-19, two representatives from Kazakhstan will participate in the Export Controls for Biological Materials International Workshop in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. This is a joint Canadian and Kyrgyz sponsored event with U.S. and British participation. ¶22. (SBU) During May 18-22, a WMD Basic Investigative Analysis Course is scheduled in Astana. This International Counterproliferation (ICP) course is designed for up to 20 police/customs investigators, prosecutors, intelligence analysts, and other officials responsible for developing actionable intelligence used in combating the illicit trade or smuggling of WMD-related materials and technologies. ¶23. (SBU) During April 13-24, the EXBS program manager and two representatives from Kazakhstan will attend the University of Georgia's Center for International Trade and Security Export Control Academy in Athens, Georgia. The participants from Kazakhstan are Azat Makhmudov, from the International Security Division of the Department of Multilateral Collaboration in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Nurlan Zhussupbekov, from the Export Control Department of The Ministry of Industry and Trade. ¶24. (SBU) The EXBS team is planning a turnover ceremony during April for three portable shelters that will be donated to the Border Guard Service for use in the Green Border project. ¶E. SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN EXPORT CONTROLS, NONPROLIFERATION, OR RELATED BORDER SECURITY ¶25. (SBU) None ¶F. CASPIAN SECURITY INFORMATION ¶26. (SBU) On February 20, a DOD Caspian Security Cooperation Action Officer Working Group meeting was held in Stuttgart, Germany, to discuss the coordination of security cooperation activities to enhance regional security in the Caspian Basin. ¶27. (SBU) Country Clearance has been granted for Lt. Michael ASTANA 00000432 004 OF 004 Fisher, EXBS advisor Baku, to visit Astana from March 15-18. A meeting has been scheduled for March 16 with the Deputy Chief of Mission to discuss the future of U.S. assistance to the Maritime Border Guard Service. III. RED FLAG ISSUES. ¶28. (U) None. HOAGLAND