VZCZCXRO5436
OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK
RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNEH RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHPW
RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHTA #0523/01 0791050
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 201050Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASTANA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4996
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE 1398
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0778
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1481
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 0465
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFAAA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC 0961
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC 0874
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHAST/USOFFICE ALMATY 1335

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASTANA 000523 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON SOCI SENV KZ
SUBJECT:  KAZAKHSTAN:  LIFE ON THE STEPPE, MARCH 14-20 
 
ASTANA 00000523  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (U) This is another in a series of weekly cables drawn mostly 
from public media, as well as think-tank, NGO, and opposition 
web-sites, selected to show the diversity of life in Kazakhstan, and 
information about it available to citizens of Kazakhstan.  Our goal 
is to choose what might interest and be of use to various end-users 
in Washington and -- especially -- to provide a more complex view 
from the other side of the world, illustrating the vitality (and 
sometimes the quirkiness) of discourse available to citizens of 
Kazakhstan. 
 
MODERN, TWO-STORY YURT TO BE BUILT IN ALMATY 
 
¶2. (U) The yurt, the traditional dwelling structure used by nomadic 
tribes in the steppes of Central Asia, is getting an upgrade for a 
new generation of urban nomads.  Thus, Almaty will soon see a new 
type of yurt, not in the form of a portable tent but rather as a 
fully-functioning multi-bedroom, two-story house.  This yurt will 
have all modern amenities but will also keep its traditional 
elements including the "shanyrak," the traditional opening for 
ventilation at the top of a yurt -- which is also a symbol of 
family, peace, and tranquility.  The project is the brainchild of 
Askhat Bakirov, a young architect from Semey.  His idea of 
incorporating the traditional Kazakh yurt into the design of a 
contemporary home already won him the first prize for "best 
residential project" at a design competition in Astana last year. 
 
¶3. (U) A request to use Bakirov's design to actually build such a 
modern yurt came soon afterwards.  The young architect gladly 
provided all charts and blueprints and in return only requested to 
be invited to the house-warming party when the yurt is finished. 
"An idea that becomes reality is the greatest reward a creative 
person could ask for."  Bakirov is proud of his deep patriotism and 
says: "Every summer a yurt was my home.  And even then, I pondered 
the idea of building a contemporary yurt with the beloved 'shanyrak' 
instead of a regular family house.  What could be closer, more 
familiar, more vibrant?" 
 
"HONEST" CORRUPT OFFICIAL DETAINED RETURNING BRIBE 
 
¶4. (U) An official from the Department of Migration and Demographics 
in Kostanai oblast (region) promised to register a local family as 
"oralman" returnees. (COMMENT:  Oralman are ethnic Kazakh immigrants 
from other countries.  They are often eligible for special 
government-provided resettlement benefits.  END COMMENT.)  Since it 
is apparently not easy to do such a fraudulent registration, the 
official received $2,000 from the family for his services.  As it 
turned out, the official was unable to fulfill his promise and 
decided to return the bribe.  That, however, was not the turn of 
events envisaged by the "oralman" family, and thus they sent a 
letter to the local office of the Committee for National Security 
(KNB).  Several days later, the "honest" official was detained after 
being caught red-handed returning the bribe. 
 
DANGEROUS WORK AGAINST WILDLIFE POACHERS 
 
¶5. (U) Combating poaching of the saiga antelope is a very difficult 
task.  In fact, the vast territory of the Kazakhstani steppe and the 
minimal resources available to patrolling rangers makes it nearly 
impossible.  Additionally, recreational "hunters" have increasingly 
joined poor villagers in hunting the antelope for its valuable 
horns.  Protecting the saiga has also become more dangerous because 
poachers have been turning their guns against the rangers. 
 
¶6. (U) In an incident reported by the daily newspaper "Vremya," 
several rangers monitoring the steppe in Mangistau oblast by 
helicopter came under fire from a well-armed group of local 
poachers.  Initially, the rangers thought they were conducting a 
routine check of a suspicious convoy of two SUVs and two motorcycles 
driving on the empty steppe, far from any inhabited area.  Yet, as 
the rangers approached, the suspects opened fire against their 
descending helicopter.  Clearly intending to chase the patrol away, 
a passenger in one of the SUVs fired several times, only stopping 
when the helicopter crew retaliated and hit the driver and passenger 
of the SUV. 
 
¶7. (U) To the surprise of the rangers after they finally landed, one 
of the suspected poachers ran towards the helicopter holding a 
police ID in his hand.  Needless to say, the check was officially 
 
ASTANA 00000523  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
over, and the rangers were not allowed to conduct a search or 
confiscate the suspects' weapons.  Local police, informed of the 
incident, did not prove helpful and announced that they could not 
find the suspects.  However, not long after, the attackers came to 
the surface.  A police official whom the rangers suspected of 
illegally hunting the enQered saiga blamed the rangers with 
staging the whole attack and sued them for 10 million tenge 
($67,000) in damages.  While the last word has probably not been 
spoken on this case, it appears that the effort to protect the saiga 
will not become any easier. 
 
HOAGLAND