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 000629 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR CA/P - L. SKEIRIK 
ALSO FOR CA/P - D. HEIEN AND J. WECHSLER 
ALSO FOR CA/VO/F/P - E. PATTERSON AND C. KAGARISE 
ALSO FOR SCA/CEN J.MUDGE, SCA/CEN/PPD J. BASEDOW 
FRANKFURT FOR RCO - R. BROWN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECONOMIC
SUBJECT:  A/S HARTY VISIT TO ALMATY: TACKLING TOUGH TOPICS 
 
¶1. SUMMARY.  Assistant Secretary Maura Harty's visit to 
Kazakhstan served to underscore the importance of consular 
work to our multi-faceted bilateral relationship.  In a 
series of high-profile events, A/S Harty discussed our 
consular commitment to the business community, the variety 
of education options available to Kazakhstani students in 
the United States, and, in a well-attended and highly 
covered press conference, adoption and visa issues.  Later 
in the visit, A/S Harty met with entry-level officers and 
with consular officers stationed in Almaty and Astana.  A 
rough translation of media coverage will be sent via email. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
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A/S Harty to AmCham: America is Open for Business 
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¶2.  During a well-attended morning breakfast address to the 
American Chamber of Commerce of Kazakhstan on February 6, 
A/S Harty reviewed the post-September 11 history of the visa 
issuance process and its effect on the international 
business community.  Her message to the local community: the 
Department of State has never been in a better position to 
respond to business visa requests and to facilitate business 
travel.  A/S Harty also noted Embassy Almaty's Business 
Facilitation Program and the comparatively low refusal rates 
for Kazakhstani B-1 visa applicants. 
 
¶3.   During a question and answer session following her 
address, A/S Harty responded to queries on tourist travel 
visa issuance rates, the ability of non-profit organizations 
to obtain visas, profiling of Central Asian applicants, and 
the advisability of business travelers to invite their 
families with them on business trips to the United States. 
As a follow-up, Consular Section officers met with local 
members of the Almaty Tourism Board to address issues 
relating to tourist travel to the United States. 
 
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Press Roundtable: Squaring the Adoption Issue 
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¶4.  In a spirited session with a large contingent of 
national and local print and electronic media, A/S Harty 
fielded a number of questions on the adoption of Kazakhstani 
children.  A/S Harty reviewed the adoption process in 
Kazakhstan and described children as "our most important 
asset."  The media focused their questions on child 
kidnapping issues, the difference between adoption and 
abduction, the role of an embassy in the adoption process, 
and the responsibility of caregivers, teachers, and police 
in the U.S. to verify the safety of adopted children. 
 
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Speech to Students: "Come Study in the U.S.A." 
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¶5.  In a lively exchange with students at a local 
university, A/S Harty discussed the many opportunities 
available to Kazakhstanis interested in higher education in 
the United States.  Many of the questions revolved around 
financing for higher education in the United States, and A/S 
Harty invited students to consult with the embassy's student 
advising center on the many scholarship opportunities 
available to international students.  Students also asked 
about documentation needed when applying for a student visa, 
immigration issues, and the student visa refusal rates at 
Embassy Almaty (currently around 10 percent.). 
 
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Meeting "The Troops": Time with ELO and CON Officers 
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¶6.  Throughout her visit, A/S Harty met with groups of entry 
level and consular officers to discuss "the view from 
Washington."  A/S Harty spent time with consular officers 
from both Almaty and Astana to underscore the Department's 
commitment to their career development and professional 
growth.  At a session at the CMR hosted by Ambassador and 
Mrs. Ordway, A/S Harty spoke to ELOs.  In a discussion on a 
wide range of topics, A/S Harty stressed the importance of 
leadership at all levels of the Foreign Service.  She often 
illustrated her comments with practical and frequently 
humorous, anecdotes from her own career 
 
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Comment 
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¶7.  A/S Harty's visit to Kazakhstan could not have come at a 
more timely moment.  In recent weeks, Kazakhstani media have 
focused on the U.S. investigation of California based Yunona 
adoption agency.  In response to questions on this issue as 
well as other adoption-related subjects, A/S Harty provided 
straightforward answers on safeguards in place that the 
Bureau of Consular Affairs and U.S. Embassies employ in 
working with both adoption agencies and prospective parents. 
Media reporting of her session was uniformly positive and 
served to reinforce the embassy's core message on the 
importance of assisting Kazakhstani orphans.  END COMMENT. 
Ordway