( CNN ) -- `` 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 . '' So begins a cable from a diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan , written in 2008 . What follows is an eye-opening tale of lavish living , including Elton John 's performance at a birthday party for a seven-figure sum , a palace in the Emirates and prodigious drinking . Coming on the day U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Kazakhstan for a conference , the timing of the leak could not have been more poignant . 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 . `` Nazarbaev is also fond of traveling to warmer climes , '' the cable continues , mentioning that he had traded local property for a `` palace '' in the United Arab Emirates . Quoting Turkish officials , the cable adds that the Kazakh president also had a mansion in Turkey . Other Kazakh officials also come under the spotlight , with a detailed account of Prime Minister Karim Masimov 's visit to a nightclub called Chocolat 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 . `` It is not clear what Maskevich is spending his billions on , '' the cable continues , `` but it is certainly not culinary talent . '' The menu featured boiled meat and noodles , and `` the wait staff appeared to be graduates of a Soviet cafeteria trading academy . '' In a section entitled `` Private Concerts With The Stars , '' the cable describes the 2007 birthday celebrations of the president 's son-in-law , Timur Kulibayev . Not only were Russia 's biggest pop stars on hand , `` The headliner was Elton John , to whom he reportedly paid 1 million pounds ( $ 1.55 million ) for this one-time appearance . '' CNN has reached out to John 's representatives for comment . In the same year , singer Nelly Furtado was reportedly flown in to perform for Nazarbaev 's daughter . It seems that being posted to Kazakhstan was rarely dull , as far as characters are concerned . 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 . '' It recounts a meeting between the minister and a senior U.S. Defense Department official in June 2007 . `` Slouching in his chair and slurring all kinds of Russian participles , Akhmetov explained to this very senior guest that he had just been at a cadet graduation reception , 'toasting Kazakhstan 's newly-commissioned officers . ' `` Spotting the opportunity for a zinger , the cable 's author observes : `` Who was toasted more -- the Defense Minister or the cadets -- is a matter of pure speculation . ''
Dispatch from CNN tells of free-flowing liquor , visits from stars . Turkish president owns luxury homes in Turkey , United Arab Emirates . Cable derides dinner hosted by seven of nation 's wealthiest men .