Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10ASTANA82
2010-01-26 04:06:00
SECRET
Embassy Astana
Cable title:
KAZAKHSTAN: APPRECIATION MIXED WITH CONCERN
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S E C R E T ASTANA 000082
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, S/SRAP, EUR/RUS, PM, DRL
E.O. 12958: 01/20/2030
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR EAID MARR AF RS KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: APPRECIATION MIXED WITH CONCERN
REF: A. ASTANA 0020
B. ASTANA 0002
Classified By: Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland: 1.4 (A),(B),(D)
S E C R E T ASTANA 000082
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, S/SRAP, EUR/RUS, PM, DRL
E.O. 12958: 01/20/2030
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR EAID MARR AF RS KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: APPRECIATION MIXED WITH CONCERN
REF: A. ASTANA 0020
B. ASTANA 0002
Classified By: Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland: 1.4 (A),(B),(D)
1. (S) SUMMARY: During a January 25 meeting, Deputy Foreign
Minister Kairat Umarov noted the Kazakhstani government's
appreciation for Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central
Asian Affairs Robert Blake's recent remarks on Kazakhstan at the
National Press Club in Washington and Special Representative for
Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke's civilian strategy for
Afghanistan. Umarov also told the Ambassador that the Kazakhstani
government hopes to have a draft overflight agreement prepared by
February 1 (ref A). Umarov asserted the government is considering
seriously whether or not to refuse all assistance under the
human-rights certification (ref B). END SUMMARY.
RECENT POLICY STATEMENTS WELL RECEIVED
2. (SBU) On January 25, Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Umarov both
personally and officially conveyed to the Ambassador appreciation for
SCA A/S Robert Blake's January 20 remarks on Kazakhstan's
Chairmanship of the OSCE. Calling it "helpful to mitigate the AP
article" and other bilateral irritants, he emphasized that the
statement pleased the government. With obvious enthusiasm, Umarov
also expressed "great interest" in the civilian strategy for
Afghanistan recently announced by Special Representative Holbrooke.
He underlined that this increased attention to humanitarian and
civilian needs "coincides with Kazakhstan's view, especially our
thinking on the summit. This is what we were thinking regarding an
OSCE summit on Afghanistan. The military is the short-term response,
while civilian is long-term." Umarov further stated his hope that
Presidents Nazarbayev and Obama can discuss these issues during a
meeting on the sidelines of the April Global Nuclear Security Summit.
DRAFT OVERFLIGHT AGREEMENT SOON
3. (S) Umarov asserted that he had hoped to present a text of a
draft overflight agreement before the Ambassador's January 27 trip to
Washington. However, he explained, "We are still addressing minor
details, but we hope to have a copy before the Foreign Minister
travels to Washington (i.e., February 1)."
SERIOUSLY STUDYING HUMAN RIGHTS CERTIFICATION ASSISTANCE
4. (SBU) On Kazakhstan's threat to refuse assistance subject to the
Congressional human-rights certification process, Umarov stated, "We
are looking more deeply at this step. I do not like radical steps.
Before we make an official decision, I will look into the details.
We do not want to be humiliated to get financial assistance. We
would rather reject it outright and be done with it." The Ambassador
highlighted the negative consequences to Kazakhstan's image should it
refuse the assistance. However, Umarov insisted that the process can
be "used as a tool to put us in a bad situation."
5. (SBU) Umarov explained that the Kazakhstani EMBASSY to the United
States is considering the pros and cons after which the government
will have inter-agency meetings to discuss their options. Umarov
emphasized, "We do not want certification to be used as leverage
against us. We know how small things can become big, big issues,
such as the AP article [which alleged negotiations between elements
related to KazAtomProm and Iran for the sale of yellowcake uranium].
At some point, someone [in the Kazakhstani government] will raise it
and ask why we did not eliminate the process." He asserted that the
government will take a consolidated approach, using the advice of its
Embassy and other agencies. Umarov further argued, "We must not just
wait and see, but we must work and be proactive. I am not for
radical steps, but when issues become troubling, we must do
something." The Ambassador responded that such a step would be a
disaster for the bilateral relationship, with unforeseen negative
consequences. He urged that Kazakhstan retain some perspective on
the situation.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, S/SRAP, EUR/RUS, PM, DRL
E.O. 12958: 01/20/2030
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR EAID MARR AF RS KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: APPRECIATION MIXED WITH CONCERN
REF: A. ASTANA 0020
B. ASTANA 0002
Classified By: Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland: 1.4 (A),(B),(D)
1. (S) SUMMARY: During a January 25 meeting, Deputy Foreign
Minister Kairat Umarov noted the Kazakhstani government's
appreciation for Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central
Asian Affairs Robert Blake's recent remarks on Kazakhstan at the
National Press Club in Washington and Special Representative for
Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke's civilian strategy for
Afghanistan. Umarov also told the Ambassador that the Kazakhstani
government hopes to have a draft overflight agreement prepared by
February 1 (ref A). Umarov asserted the government is considering
seriously whether or not to refuse all assistance under the
human-rights certification (ref B). END SUMMARY.
RECENT POLICY STATEMENTS WELL RECEIVED
2. (SBU) On January 25, Deputy Foreign Minister Kairat Umarov both
personally and officially conveyed to the Ambassador appreciation for
SCA A/S Robert Blake's January 20 remarks on Kazakhstan's
Chairmanship of the OSCE. Calling it "helpful to mitigate the AP
article" and other bilateral irritants, he emphasized that the
statement pleased the government. With obvious enthusiasm, Umarov
also expressed "great interest" in the civilian strategy for
Afghanistan recently announced by Special Representative Holbrooke.
He underlined that this increased attention to humanitarian and
civilian needs "coincides with Kazakhstan's view, especially our
thinking on the summit. This is what we were thinking regarding an
OSCE summit on Afghanistan. The military is the short-term response,
while civilian is long-term." Umarov further stated his hope that
Presidents Nazarbayev and Obama can discuss these issues during a
meeting on the sidelines of the April Global Nuclear Security Summit.
DRAFT OVERFLIGHT AGREEMENT SOON
3. (S) Umarov asserted that he had hoped to present a text of a
draft overflight agreement before the Ambassador's January 27 trip to
Washington. However, he explained, "We are still addressing minor
details, but we hope to have a copy before the Foreign Minister
travels to Washington (i.e., February 1)."
SERIOUSLY STUDYING HUMAN RIGHTS CERTIFICATION ASSISTANCE
4. (SBU) On Kazakhstan's threat to refuse assistance subject to the
Congressional human-rights certification process, Umarov stated, "We
are looking more deeply at this step. I do not like radical steps.
Before we make an official decision, I will look into the details.
We do not want to be humiliated to get financial assistance. We
would rather reject it outright and be done with it." The Ambassador
highlighted the negative consequences to Kazakhstan's image should it
refuse the assistance. However, Umarov insisted that the process can
be "used as a tool to put us in a bad situation."
5. (SBU) Umarov explained that the Kazakhstani EMBASSY to the United
States is considering the pros and cons after which the government
will have inter-agency meetings to discuss their options. Umarov
emphasized, "We do not want certification to be used as leverage
against us. We know how small things can become big, big issues,
such as the AP article [which alleged negotiations between elements
related to KazAtomProm and Iran for the sale of yellowcake uranium].
At some point, someone [in the Kazakhstani government] will raise it
and ask why we did not eliminate the process." He asserted that the
government will take a consolidated approach, using the advice of its
Embassy and other agencies. Umarov further argued, "We must not just
wait and see, but we must work and be proactive. I am not for
radical steps, but when issues become troubling, we must do
something." The Ambassador responded that such a step would be a
disaster for the bilateral relationship, with unforeseen negative
consequences. He urged that Kazakhstan retain some perspective on
the situation.
HOAGLAND