VZCZCXYZ0002
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTA #2379/01 3361107
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011107Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4004
INFO RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//DHO
RHRMDAA/COMUSNAVCENT
RHMFISS/JIATF MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHTA/USDAO ASTANA KZ
RUEHTA/SAO ASTANA KZ

UNCLAS ASTANA 002379 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: MASS MCAP PARM PINS EAID KACT KCFE KOMC KZ
 
SUBJECT:  KAZAKHSTAN FY 2009 COUNTRY TEAM ASSESSMENT OF 1206 FUNDING 
PROPOSAL 
 
¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified.  Not for internet distribution. 
 
¶2. (U) SUMMARY:  The U.S. Embassy Astana Country Team and 
Ambassador approve the Kazakhstan Fiscal Year 2009 1206 funding 
proposals.  The two separate proposals are for equipment and 
training for the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Brigade (KAZBRIG) of the 
Airmobile Forces Command, Naval Special Operations Forces (NAVSOF) 
of the Western Regional Command, and the Air Defense Forces.  The 
proposal for KAZBRIG includes 450 night vision goggles (NVGs), 
nuclear, chemical, biological (NBC) personnel protective equipment, 
and associated training and transportation.  The Caspian region 
proposal includes a mobile command center for the NAVSOF and Huey II 
helicopters and related support equipment and training for the Air 
Defense Forces to support NAVSOF.  The KAZBRIG proposal is estimated 
at $6.56 million and the Caspian region proposal is estimated at 
$29.43 million.  The proposals are consistent with the requests of 
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Defense (MOD), CENTOM's Theatre Security 
Cooperation Goals, and the U.S. Embassy Astana Mission Strategic 
Plan.  END SUMMARY 
 
¶3.  (U) KAZBRIG requires NVGs and NBC equipment to achieve 
interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces.  At exercise Steppe 
Eagle 2008, a NATO interoperability evaluation team observed 
shortfalls in KAZBRIG's ability to operate at night and protect its 
soldiers and equipment inside the NBC threat envelope.  1206 funding 
is identified as most appropriate in this case to achieve KAZBRIG 
interoperability in the quickest manner.  Kazakhstan's participation 
in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM ended in October of 2008.  Assisting 
KAZBRIG achieve interoperability is very important as the Government 
of Kazakhstan considers alternate missions to support the U.S. in 
the Global War on Terror (GWOT). 
 
¶4.  (U) The Western Regional Command requires a mobile command 
center for NAVSOF and the Air Defense Forces require additional Huey 
II helicopters to complete Ministry of Defense (MOD) fielding of a 
Caspian Quick Reaction Force.  Kazakhstan recognizes a significant 
capability gap in its ability to protect, defend, and/or react to 
terrorist events against American and Kazakh citizens and critical 
petroleum infrastructure in the North Caspian region.  The FY 2008 
1206 allocation for Kazakhstan included approximately $10 million 
worth of equipment (fast boats, NVGs, dive equipment, etc.) for 
NAVSOF to begin creating the capability to close this gap.  This FY 
2009 proposal would complete the purchase of equipment necessary for 
Kazakhstan to create a unit capable of deterring terrorist activity, 
as well as quickly reacting to any events in the North Caspian 
region. 
 
¶5.  (U) OMC and United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) have 
worked closely with KAZBRIG since its creation and it is anticipated 
that introduction of this equipment will not affect KAZBRIG's force 
structure.  However, the stand-up of NAVSOF capability and 
additional Huey-II helicopters will affect the force structure of 
the Western Regional Command and Air Defense Forces respectively. 
The Western Regional Command designated NAVSOF Unit 41443 to receive 
the Caspian Quick Reaction mission and associated equipment.  MOD 
plans to have 200 special operations soldiers preparing, training or 
standing ready to conduct operational missions.  Additionally, 
Military Unit 53975 of the Air Defense Forces currently operates two 
Huey II helicopters at Pervomaika Airfield outside of Almaty.  MOD 
plans to move these helicopters to the Caspian area to directly 
support NAVSOF when the unit receives its full allocation of 
aircraft. 
 
¶6.  (U) Kazakhstan has good relations with its neighbors. 
Neighboring nations will support an increase in the level of 
security within Kazakhstan and the North Caspian. 
 
¶7.  (U) With proper training, technicians from Kazakhstan should be 
able to properly operate and maintain all equipment included in 
these proposals.  The Air Defense Forces already operate two Huey II 
helicopters.  A continuation and increase in OMC's existing training 
programs would ensure more effective operation of the helicopters. 
Additionally, the FY 2008 1206 purchase included NVGs for the NAVSOF 
forces.  OMC would ensure that training for KAZBRIG NVGs is similar 
to the training planned for NAVSOF. 
 
¶8.  (U) Human rights vetting will be conducted for all training as 
required by the Arms Export Control Act and will be periodically 
re-evaluated over time.   U.S. Embassy, Astana has selected a 
Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) seminar for 
human rights training.  This seminar is scheduled for the second 
quarter of FY 2009.  OMC Astana is currently working with staff from 
 
DIILS and coordinating final details for upcoming seminars. 
Seminars will be held at MOD's National Defense University in 
Shchuchinsk, Kazakhstan.  Additional seminars will be held at 
KAZBRIG headquarters in Almaty, Kazakhstan.  Additionally, Leahy 
vetting occurs for all security assistance training activities with 
Kazakhstan.  OMC works closely with the Regional Security Office, 
Legal Attache and Political/Economic sections to ensure all Kazakh 
trainees meet Leahy requirements.  This certification process will 
continue to ensure compliance with the Foreign Assistance Act. 
 
¶9.  (U) OMC Kazakhstan will include end use monitoring of these 
items within our larger end use monitoring and security cooperation 
plan.  Additionally, OMC Kazakhstan will conduct at a minimum a 
semi-annual 100% inventory and inspection of all NVGs and inspect 
all storage facility documents related to accountability of NVGs. 
When training teams are on hand, they will be tasked to inspect the 
night vision devices during the course of their duties as well as 
inspecting security procedures.  OMC will keep serial numbers for 
all night vision devices on file in case of theft or loss. 
 
¶10.  (U) POC for this memorandum is Lieutenant Colonel James G. 
Yentz, Chief, Office of Military Cooperation, Office, tel +7 7172 
702100 Ext. 2321, email: yentzj@state.gov or 
KazakhstanOMC@state.gov. 
 
MILAS