TEL AVIV — When she first arrived here in January 1997 as Kazakhstan’s first ambassador to Israel, Byrganym Aitimova fit the stereotypical image of a product of the former Soviet Union: a solid-looking woman in a severely tailored suit that gave the impression that she meant business.
She had never been an ambassador before, but had been through the ranks of the communist party machine — and though not schooled in the airs and graces of diplomacy, she had learned the art of networking. She also knew that as a greenhorn diplomat, the most important thing to keep in mind was “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.”
She proceeded to do just that.
During her first two years in Israel, she never refused an invitation. She visited military installations and attended weddings, b’nai mitzvah, brit milah ceremonies, factory and restaurant openings and scores of diplomatic events.
At her own initiative, she visited 40 ambassadors in their embassies, not only to find out how they do things, but also to familiarize herself with their countries’ relations with Israel and with Kazakhstan.
It took three attempts before she landed a meeting with then-U.S. ambassador Martin Indyk, “but afterwards we became friends.”
Today, Aitimova is dean of the diplomatic corps.
It is almost unheard of for a first-time ambassador, let alone a first-time diplomat, to become the dean of the corps. But Aitimova, 48, who has experienced a few of life’s hard knocks, took it in stride — as an opportunity and a learning experience.
She was not the obvious choice to succeed Philippines Ambassador Rosalinda de Perio Santos in the position. Other ambassadors had more seniority — but no one else wanted the job.
One day, when Aitimova was abroad, de Perio Santos tracked her down and said that the members of the corps had taken a vote and Aitimova was the choice.
It was an exciting challenge, but Aitimova had not yet received the green light from her foreign ministry, and was reluctant to take on the responsibility without an official go-ahead. But when she spoke to her minister, she was told to seize the opportunity, because it would open many doors for her.
“What about a budget?” she asked.
The honor would have to suffice, she was told. There would be no addition to her budget.
Aitimova is proud that although Kazakhstan is a Muslim country that maintains friendly relations with other Muslim countries, it has always been good to Jews. There are 7,000 Jews living in Kazakhstan today, says Aitimova, adding that Jews in Kazakhstan were always among the intellectual elite, and often found in economic spheres.
“There was never any anti-Semitism in Kazakhstan,” she boasts, “not even under the Soviets.”
Although the state religion is Islam, Kazakhstan is a secular country in which religion, even a decade after independence from Soviet rule, does not play a major role.
Aitimova remembers fondly her Jewish teachers at school and at the Pedagogic University of Kazakhstan, where she trained to be a teacher. Her English lecturer, Lubov Fiszbein, now lives in Israel and they see each other from time to time.
For Aitimova, who always delights in a challenge, being named ambassador was “something absolutely different and new.” She wasn’t sure what to expect. “We heard in the Soviet Union that it was a military country. We heard only about bombing. But still it was a new field for my potential, and it enabled me to prove to myself, to my president and to my country, that I can continue to exercise my initiative and to be useful.”
One of the major challenges facing Kazakhstan was to move into the 21st century as quickly as possible. Political independence was one thing, but economic independence was another.
Aitimova set for herself the task of bringing Israeli investors to Kazakhstan. The country, which has vast raw materials and natural resources, still needs outside capital and know-how to exploit those resources and to bring Kazakhstan’s products to international markets.
Aitimova was fortunate in meeting early on with Israeli business tycoon Lev Leviev, himself a product of the Soviet Union and someone who understands the mentality of former Soviet states.
As it happens, Leviev was already thinking of investing in Kazakhstan, so she didn’t have to twist his arm. It wasn’t long before he was appointed honorary consul for Kazakhstan.
It was through Leviev and his family, who are affiliated with Chabad, that Aitimova was able to familiarize herself with Jewish tradition and practice.
Though Leviev is the most prominent and deeply involved of the Israeli investors in Kazakhstan, Aitimova wooed others, with enviable success.
Aitimova believes that it is an asset for an ambassador to be a woman. “I can have links with the wives of Israeli public figures and business people, and sometimes I find a path to some important people through my friendship with their spouses — though I’m very careful not to abuse my friendships with women.”
Aitimova’s husband, Nurlan Abdullayev, a doctor of chemistry, was very proud of his wife’s appointment, and accompanied her to Israel. He was pleased that the experience would provide their 12-year-old daughter, Sabena, with the opportunity to acquire an education abroad.
After two years in Israel, Abdullayev told Aitimova that he needed to get on with his own work. He returned to Kazakhstan and became a representative for Leviev, whose diverse business interests include the recent establishment of a detergent manufacturing concern, similar to that of Sano in Israel.
It is the first enterprise of its kind in Kazakhstan. While he and Aitimova are in frequent telephone contact and see each other from time to time, there is a certain amount of strain in a long-distance marriage.
Aitimova also misses her son from her first marriage, Saken, 30, a police officer, born when she was only 18. Even more than Saken, she misses his 1-year-old son, Sultan.
But, long accustomed to placing duty ahead of personal concerns, Aitimova says she will remain dean of the diplomatic corps for as long as it is in Kazakhstan’s interests.