EMBASSY BISHKEK RESPONSE TO TOBACCO ACTIVITY

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000026

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GEHRENBECK),EB/TPP/ABT (HUDAK/WINTON)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ATRD ECON KG
SUBJECT: EMBASSY BISHKEK RESPONSE TO TOBACCO ACTIVITY
REQUEST

REF: STATE 957


1. Post has searched available records dating back to
January 2004 for any tobacco-related documentation described
in reftel. Post located one item, described in paragraph 2.


2. On October 13, 2005, the Ambassador sent a letter to the
President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kurmanbek Bakiyev,
regarding a commercial dispute involving Dimon International,
a U.S. company, which, at the time, was involved in the
purchase and curing of Kyrgyz tobacco. Earlier in 2005, the
Kyrgyz government had declared Dimon a monopoly, and
attempted to impose a central pricing mechanism on the firm.
The Ambassador's letter relayed to President Bakiyev the
impact this decision would have on foreign investment in the
Kyrgyz Republic. The Embassy took no further action
regarding this case.


3. Post will forward a scanned copy of this letter by e-mail
to EB and SCA/CEN. Post has not located any other
tobacco-related materials.
YOVANOVITCH