VZCZCXRO5880
PP RUEHDBU RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHTA #1403 1080507
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 180507Z APR 06
FM AMEMBASSY ALMATY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4968
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0163
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0303

UNCLAS ALMATY 001403 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (J. MUDGE) 
PLEASE PASS USTR (BURKHEAD) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON ETRD EFIN PREL KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: FM TOKAYEV ON VIP VISIT 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  The MFA is carefully reviewing a list of 
potential activities related to the upcoming VIP visit and 
will work to ensure implementation of the most feasible 
ideas, according to FM Tokayev.  The MFA is also pursuing 
the idea of hosting a TIFA Council meeting as discussed with 
A/S Boucher.  Tokayev expressed appreciation for the 
invitation to visit Washington and meet with the Secretary 
this summer.  He told the Ambassador that he had low 
expectations for the upcoming CIS ministerial in Moscow due 
to lack of organizational reforms and conflicts within the 
group.  Tokayev promised to help ensure resolution of the 
AIG settlement issue.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) In an April 17 meeting with the Ambassador to 
discuss issues related to the upcoming VIP visit to 
Kazakhstan, FM Kasymzhomart Tokayev said that the MFA was 
"carefully analyzing" the list of ideas presented by A/S 
Boucher (septel).  The GOK understands that the list does 
not constitute an agenda for the visit, but thinks that it 
provides useful background for the upcoming discussions in 
Astana and Washington.  He indicated that, while a few 
points were "unexpected," the list was generally acceptable. 
The MFA will work to ensure implementation of the most 
feasible ideas.  Tokayev proposed to meet with the 
Ambassador the last week of April to review progress. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The Ambassador updated Tokayev on the Department's 
thinking regarding the proposed TIFA Council meeting in 
Kazakhstan.  We believe a three-part event would be 
valuable:  a seminar on financial services, the TIFA Council 
meeting, and a discussion of broader economic cooperation. 
Tokayev expressed the hope that the events could be 
completed in two days or less.  He added that based on the 
agreement reached during A/S Boucher's visit, the MFA was 
circulating a letter to all ministries and agencies involved 
in TIFA to seek agreement on a way forward. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador conveyed the Department's invitation 
to Tokayev to visit Washington in June or July to meet with 
the Secretary and prepare the ground for President 
Nazarbayev's expected fall visit.  Tokayev indicated that 
Amb. Saudabayev had already alerted him to the invitation, 
which he very much appreciated.  He was seeking Nazarbayev's 
formal permission to make the trip.  Tokayev said that July 
3-6 would work best for him.  The Ambassador cautioned that 
the Independence Day holiday might make that timeframe 
difficult, and encouraged Tokayev to have Amb. Saudabayev 
work directly with the Department to identify mutually 
agreeable dates. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Tokayev told the Ambassador that he would attend 
the CIS ministerial on April 21 in Moscow.  He took a 
pessimistic view of the organization's future potential, 
given poor progress on reforms and the lack of a 
"commonwealth" spirit due to the numerous conflicts among 
member states.  Kazakhstan recognizes that the CIS will 
continue to be an important "club" for presidents and 
ministers, however, and for that reason is seeking to reduce 
the bureaucracy and the costs. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Turning to AIG, the Ambassador informed Tokayev 
that he had spoken to Deputy PM Masimov and Justice Minister 
Baliyeva about the fact that the GOK had still not paid the 
agreed settlement.  Tokayev said that he felt very "awkward" 
about the situation given that he had personally committed 
to Secretary Rice that it would be resolved.  He said that 
he would remain personally involved to ensure that the 
matter was settled before the May 3 deadline and the 
upcoming VIP visit. 
 
ORDWAY