This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ALMATY 000216 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 190356: N/A 
TAGS: OVIP PREL ECON KZ POLITICAL
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: SECRETARY JOHANNS' JANUARY 11 MEETING 
WITH FOREIGN MINISTER TOKAYEV 
 
¶1. (U) Participants in Secretary Johanns' January 11 
meeting with Kazakhstani Foreign Minister Tokayev in 
Astana: 
 
U.S. 
Secretary Mike Johanns 
 
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Mrs. Stephanie Johanns 
Ambassador John Ordway 
Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business, and 
Agricultural Affairs Josette Shiner 
Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs 
Timothy Adams 
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and 
Eurasian Affairs Matthew Bryza 
Lynne Tracy (Principal Officer, Astana) 
Jim Loveland (Embassy Notetaker) 
 
KAZAKHSTAN 
Foreign Minister Kazymzhomart Tokayev 
Ambassador to the U.S. Kanat Saudabayev 
Director, Europe and America Department, MFA, Serzhan 
Abdykarimov 
Americas Desk Officer, MFA, Aidar Shakenov 
MFA Press Spokesman Ilyas Samarov 
 
¶2. (SBU) Summary:  In his January 11 meeting with 
Kazakhstani Foreign Minister Tokayev, Secretary of 
Agriculture Johanns commended Tokayev for Kazakhstan's 
economic accomplishments and clear improvements in the 
conduct of elections, while urging the GOK to undertake 
further political reforms.  The Secretary followed up on an 
earlier January 11 discussion (septel) of regional issues 
with President Nazarbayev, addressing the potential for 
greater regional infrastructure development and security 
cooperation.  Tokayev acknowledged the need for further 
political reform, while noting that the country's 
geopolitical and sociological context demanded patience. 
End Summary. 
 
Highlighting Importance of Regional Issues 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶3. (SBU) Secretary Johanns and his delegation met with 
Kazakhstani Foreign Minister Tokayev on January 11.  The 
meeting occurred hours after Nazarbayev's inauguration, and 
minutes after the delegation met with President Nazarbayev. 
The Secretary opened the discussion by reflecting on 
Nazarbayev's sizeable margin of victory in the December 
election. "It is clear he has a mandate," 
he said.  Secretary Johanns told Tokayev that, in 
Nazarbayev's new term, "we see an opportunity to build our 
past relationship into something even more significant." 
 
¶4. (SBU) Secretary Johanns informed Tokayev that he had 
discussed regional issues, including infrastructure and 
security, with Nazarbayev earlier that day.  "It is very 
important," Tokayev agreed, adding that "so far, we haven't 
exploited existing opportunities." The region, he said, was 
characterized by "jealousy and competition."  "We sleep in 
the same bed," he said of the Central Asian states, "but 
our dreams are different."  One success, he noted, was that 
all five Central Asian states had signed TIFA (Trade and 
Investment Framework Agreement). Tokayev said that his 
government had proposed to Secretary Rice going a step 
further and implementing ideas discussed in the context of 
the agreement. 
 
GOK Need to Address Electoral Shortcomings 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶5. (SBU) Secretary Johanns told Tokayev that Nazarbayev 
commands a great deal of respect.  Economically, the 
country reflected "so many positives."  Discussion of 
political reform was encouraging.  Secretary Johanns noted 
that he had told Nazarbayev that "we are encouraged by the 
elections - there were significant improvements." 
Nazarbayev clearly "has the support of his people," Johanns 
observed; it was now crucial to follow through on reform 
rather than letting problems fester. 
 
Tokayev: Stability and Reform Intertwined 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Commenting on the election results, Tokayev 
remarked that "people appreciated his (Nazarbayev's) 
efforts."  Twelve years ago, following independence, "no 
one believed we could succeed.  Not even Gorbachev. Now we 
feel we have succeeded."  Tokayev said that Nazarbayev had 
"great commitment to political reform."  Nazarbayev had 
decided to first "build the economic basis" of the country. 
He realized that not undertaking further political reforms 
would be dangerous to the stability of the country, and 
maintaining stability was "our number one goal." 
 
¶7. (SBU) "We have to persuade people to be patient," 
Tokayev continued, "being mindful of the political context 
- Russia, China, Afghanistan - and the country's lack of 
experience." "Kazakhstani society is not an easy one," 
Tokayev added, noting that within society there was 
considerable nationalistic sentiment, as well as "some who 
were inclined to religious extremism."  However, he 
concluded, "we will be successful.  Our commitment to the 
U.S. is unchangeable." 
 
Political Reform: Opportunity to Cement a Legacy 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶8. (SBU) Secretary Johanns remarked that, in looking back 
over only a short period of time since independence, "you 
know you are on the right course."  With a clear mandate 
and a working economy, Nazarbayev "has an opportunity to 
establish a legacy."  Political reform in Kazakhstan, 
Secretary Johanns concluded, "would be an example for the 
 
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world." 
 
¶9. (SBU) Secretary Johanns and Tokayev ended the meeting 
with a brief discussion of agriculture.  Tokayev noted that 
his government was still working on the issue of 
agricultural subsidies within the context of WTO accession. 
The Secretary offered USG technical assistance on the 
issue. 
 
¶10. (U) Secretary Johanns did not have the opportunity to 
clear this cable. 
 
ASQUINO