VZCZCXRO8038
OO RUEHIK
DE RUEHTA #0037/01 0141204
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 141204Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7181
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE 2331
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1693
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2399
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 1309
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFAAA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC 1888
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC 1738
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2668
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 2958
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASTANA 000037
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, ISN/WMDT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON MNUC KNNP RS KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN OFFERS TO HOST A SPRING GLOBAL INITIATIVE TO
COMBAT NUCLEAR TERRORISM CONFERENCE
ASTANA 00000037 001.2 OF 002
REFTEL: 09 ASTANA 1541
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) This is an action request (see para 9).
3. (SBU) SUMMARY: On January 6, Post received a Kazakhstani
Ministry of Foreign Affairs' diplomatic note (see para 7), which
outlined Kazakhstan's proposal to hold a Global Initiative to
Counter Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) conference in Astana in April or
May 2010. On January 13, Kazakhstani Ministry of Foreign Affairs'
Director of the Security Division of the Multilateral Cooperation
Department, Anvar Tanalinov, asked PolOff and two Russian Federation
representatives if the United States and Russia, as GICNT co-chairs,
would support Kazakhstan's initiative. Tanalinov also requested
U.S. and Russian suggestions on the event's timing, topic, and
audience. Post recommends support for this initiative and seeks
guidance for a response. END SUMMARY.
KAZAKHSTAN RESURRECTS PLAN TO HOST NON-PROLIFERATION EVENT
4. (SBU) During a January 13 meeting, Kazakhstani Ministry of
Foreign Affairs' Director of the Security Division of the
Multilateral Cooperation Department, Anvar Tanalinov told PolOff and
Russian representatives that Kazakhstan seeks to hold a meaningful,
timely, and substantive workshop. He asserted Kazakhstan wants to
host the event to meet the needs of the GICNT community, not merely
to satisfy its own national interests. (COMMENT: Kazakhstan hosted
two Global Initiative exercises in 2008, and had announced its
intention to host two more exercises in 2009. These 2009 proposed
exercises were postponed indefinitely, reportedly due to Kazakhstani
government budget constraints as a result of the economic crisis.
END COMMENT.)
AGENDA TO BE COUNTERING TERRORISM AND ENHANCING NUCLEAR SECURITY
5. (SBU) In response to Counselor of the Russian Embassy Vladimir
Kuznetsov's query about possible topics and intended participation,
Tanalinov emphasized Kazakhstan's openness "to any agenda related to
combating nuclear terrorism and enhancing the physical security of
nuclear facilities and materials." Tanalinov stated Kazakhstan's
plan to invite representatives of all government agencies with
counter-terrorism responsibilities in the fields of nuclear and
radiological materials, as well as those who guarantee the security
of nuclear facilities and liaise with the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA). He also underlined that target participants
would include representatives of special forces and academic
institutions with nuclear-security related responsibilities.
Tanalinov said the event would be geared toward senior experts, not
Ministers. Kazakhstan's Anti-Terrorist Center and Ministry of
Foreign Affairs would organize the event, with the participation of
specialists from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and Ministry
of Interior.
KAZAKHSTAN FLEXIBLE ON TIMING
6. (SBU) Underscoring Kazakhstan's desire for the event to
complement the U.S. Government's April 12-13 Global Nuclear Security
Summit, Tanalinov expressed the Kazakhstani government's willingness
to hold the event before or after the summit. Nonetheless,
Tanalinov highlighted Kazakhstan's readiness to consider other
proposed times should April not be suitable for the United States or
Russia. Most importantly, Tanalinov emphasized, Kazakhstan needs
two months to plan adequately. Tanalinov, therefore, requested that
the United States inform Kazakhstan by February if it concurs with
Kazakhstan's plan to host an April event.
7. (SBU) An unofficial translation of the Kazakh-language text of
Kazakhstani Ministry of Foreign Affairs' diplomatic note number
10-2/11 follows.
ASTANA 00000037 002.2 OF 002
BEGIN TEXT:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of
America, and informs the United States that the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan proposes holding a Global
Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism conference in Astana in April
or May 2010. In case of approval, the dates, agenda, and
participants of the seminar can be coordinated via diplomatic
channels.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan avails
itself of this occasion to renew to the Embassy of the United States
of America the assurances of its highest consideration.
END TEXT.
8. (SBU) COMMENT: While the initial reaction of some might be that
this is part of a cynical effort to counteract the recent Associated
Press article alleging a possible effort by "some elements" in
Kazakhstan to smuggle 1,350 tons of yellowcake uranium to Iran,
there is reason to look at this proposal objectively. In
recognition of Kazakhstan's accomplishments and nearly two decades
of strong cooperation on non-proliferation issues (reftel), as well
as to assist its continued efforts to combat nuclear proliferation
and ensure the security of nuclear facilities and materials, Post
strongly recommends support for Kazakhstan's offer. END COMMENT.
9. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Post requests guidance on responding to
Kazakhstan's proposal, including specific recommendations regarding
timing, agenda, and suggested participants for this event.
HOAGLAND