Cablegate: Kazakhstan Urges U.S. Support for Global Initiative

VZCZCXRO1169
OO RUEHIK
DE RUEHTA #0179 0420828
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 110828Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7388
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE 2441
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1801
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2507
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1417
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2696
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2986
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFAAA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC 1998
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC 1846
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS ASTANA 000179

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, ISN/WMDT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV MNUC KNNP RS KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN URGES U.S. SUPPORT FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVE
CONFERENCE

REF: (A) ASTANA 0037
(B) 08 ASTANA 1541

1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.

2. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 7.

3. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) invited
the Russian DCM and Political Officer to a meeting on February 9 to
urge U.S. and Russia's support for Kazakhstan's proposal to host a
Global Initiative to Counter Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) conference in
Astana. MFA plans to host the conference of experts and
policy-makers on or around April 7 so it could serve as a
"springboard" for the April 12-13 Global Nuclear Security Summit
(GNSS). While the MFA is working on the agenda and specific topics,
Sadykov underlined that U.S. and Russian support were necessary
before substantive planning could begin. Sadykov also sought U.S.
and Russia's support for Kazakhstan's bid to join the Missile
Technology Control Regime (MTCR). END SUMMARY.

3. (SBU) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Director of the
Multilateral Cooperation Department, Barlybay Sadykov, invited for a
meeting the Russian DCM and Political officer to further discuss
Kazakhstan's proposal to hold a Global Initiative to Counter Nuclear
Terrorism (GICNT) conference in Astana (ref A). During the February
9 meeting, Sadykov urged the U.S. and Russia, as GICNT co-chairs, to
support the conference in principle and to "do so expeditiously to
assure appropriate participation and representation of member
states." The Russian DCM and Political Officer told Sadykov that
Kazakhstan's proposal is under consideration in Moscow and
Washington.

4. (SBU) Sadykov said the Kazakhstanis intends to hold the
conference before the Global Nuclear Security Summit (GNSS), "on or
around April 7." (NOTE: The MFA was initially flexible on the
timing and amendable to holding the conference either before or
after the GNSS (ref A). END NOTE.) He asserted that the conference
could serve as "a springboard" for the GNSS. While GNSS would
address the issue of nuclear terrorism from the global perspective,
he opined, the Astana conference could focus on regional
cooperation. Target participants would include "experts and
political decision-makers" from agencies in capitals dealing with
nuclear non-proliferation. Sadykov said the agenda and specific
topics should be ready within 10 days, but underlined that U.S. and
Russian support were necessary before substantive planning could
begin.

5. (SBU) Sadykov used this opportunity to seek U.S. and Russia's
support for Kazakhstan's bid to join the Missile Technology Control
Regime (MTCR) (ref B). He stressed that U.S. and Russia are
"members of authority whose voices carry weight." Sadykov allowed
that the question of new members joining MTCR is "a nuanced,
political question," but expressed hope that U.S. and Russia will
support Kazakhstan "in the spirit of our strategic partnership."

6. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post would appreciate the Department's
expeditious response to Kazakhstan's proposal of hosting a GICNT
conference in Astana on April 7. We would also appreciate guidance
on responding to Sadykov's request concerning the MTCR.

SPRATLEN

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