KYRGYZ DCM DISCUSSES GOU DIFFICULTIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000538 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/22/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL UZ ZK SUBJECT: KYRGYZ DCM DISCUSSES GOU DIFFICULTIES REF: A. A. TASHKENT 233 ¶B. B. TASHKENT 225 Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY AMB JON R. PURNELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D). ¶1. (C) Summary: Uzbek-Kyrgyz economic relations are souring and the GOU is reneging on a long standing deal to trade Uzbek gas for Kyrgyz water, according to the Kyrgyz DCM. Uzbekistan,s accession to the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) has the potential to improve regional relations. However, Kyrgyzstan is experiencing difficulty with the GOU on a number of bilateral issues, including access to Kyrgyz nationals held in connection with Andijon and border crossing problems. End summary. ¶2. (C) DCM met with Kyrgyz DCM Chingiz Igemberdiev to discuss the Kyrgyz-Uzbek bilateral relationship. Igemberdiev said that the GOU has stated that three of the 15 persons tried in the September/November 2005 Andijon show trial are Kyrgyz, but that in reality one of the three is stateless and holds an Uzbek passport. The GOK has repeatedly requested access under the Vienna Convention to visit the two Kyrgyz prisoners, both during the trial and after the verdict. While the GOU does not deny it holds these prisoners, it has not responded to the GOK,s requests. Igemberdiev suggested that additional secret trials related to Andijon might be occurring. ¶3. (C) Igemberdiev said that a 2000 border agreement between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan permits residents of the border districts to cross for up to five days without visas if they remain in the immediate vicinity. There are 14 official checkpoints between the two countries, but there is a large problem with people crossing at unofficial locations. Igemberdiev said the Kyrgyz have a good border crossing system, but the Uzbeks have made crossings more difficult since Andijon. Many border problems will be solved, Igemberdiev said, if Uzbekistan signs onto the EurAsEC visa regime. He said Uzbekistan plans first to sign onto the easier agreements, then the more involved accession agreements, such as the visa-free regime for member countries. ¶4. (C) Igemberdiev reviewed the long-standing arrangement laid out in a framework agreement among Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan on trading water for natural gas. Every year, under this agreement, the three countries meet to negotiate rates of water for gas or coal. In the past, when the Kyrgyz release water in the spring and summer to irrigate Uzbek crops, they receive chits that can be redeemed for natural gas or coal during the winter. However, in December 2005, Uzbekistan raised the price of gas and demanded for the first time that payment be made in hard currency and not, as had become usual, with water. Igemberdiev was reluctant to discuss in detail the annual Uzbek-Kyrgyz agreement on water, but did say this year,s meeting has yet to be held. Because the Uzbeks, he said, view water as a &free commodity8 and a &gift from God8, negotiations will be difficult. ¶5. (C) Comment: Every winter, the Uzbeks use the Kyrgyz need for natural gas to try to exact political advantages from their neighbor. This year has been no different. The GOU demand that the Kyrgyz pay for gas in hard currency is a new development. This winter the Uzbeks raised the export price of gas to all of its neighbors and Russia, and looked to increase export amounts (ref A). Ironically, at the same time the Uzbek people were not receiving enough gas to heat their own homes (ref B). End comment. ¶6. (C) Bio note: Igemberdiev appears to be a young, up and coming Kyrgyz diplomat, very intelligent and intellectually curious. He asked direct questions regarding Uzbek-U.S. relations in an attempt to better understand the current problems. He speaks good English as well as Russian, Kyrgyz and some Uzbek. PURNELL