Yesterday in Astana on the day of the big summit, the Wikileaks cabled a new publication, which came from a diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan. It speaks about the hobbies and customs of Kazakh government elite. "Kazakhstan’s political elites appear to enjoy typical hobbies — such as travel, horseback riding and skiing. Not surprisingly, however, they are able to indulge their hobbies on a grand scale." The cable begins with a visit by U.S. diplomats to President Nursultan Nazarbaev’s horse farm, which has "a large stable, indoor and outdoor riding arenas and a clubhouse" as well as about 40 horses from various parts of the world. What follows is an eye-opening tale of lavish living, including Elton John’s performance and Russian pop stars at a birthday party of his son-in-law Timur Kulbayev for a seven-figure sum. In the same year, singer Nelly Furtado was reportedly flown in to perform for Nazarbaev’s birthday. It seems that being posted to Kazakhstan was rarely dull, as far as characters are concerned. Other Kazakh officials also come under the spotlight, with a detailed account of Prime Minister Karim Masimov’s visit to a nightclub called Chocolate in the capital, Astana. Apparently, the prime minister was quite the dancer: "His companions quickly tired but Masimov remained, dancing alone and animatedly for another 15-20 minutes." Later, the cable describes a dinner held for a visiting U.S. delegation by one of Kazakhstan’s wealthiest men, Aleksandr Maskevich. The leaked cable ends with a florid description of then Defense Minister Daniyal Akhmetov, who "appears to enjoy loosening up in the tried and true ‘homo-sovieticus’ style – i.e. drinking oneself into a stupor."
