Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BISHKEK335
2007-03-26 10:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

NOVROOZ: AN EXCUSE TO DRINK AND CELEBRATE SOVIET

Tags:  PGOV PREL KG 
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RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHEK #0335 0851058
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R 261058Z MAR 07
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RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2024
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RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0597
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0413
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RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0518
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2419
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1804
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000335 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: NOVROOZ: AN EXCUSE TO DRINK AND CELEBRATE SOVIET
BROTHERHOOD IN KYRGYZSTAN

Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000335

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: NOVROOZ: AN EXCUSE TO DRINK AND CELEBRATE SOVIET
BROTHERHOOD IN KYRGYZSTAN

Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) The Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry and resident embassies
that celebrate Novrooz invited the diplomatic community to a
lengthy lunch and cultural program to celebrate spring on
March 21. The words that followed were no doubt heavily
influenced by the vodka, which flowed freely, but were no
less heartfelt because of it. We think the following slice
of diplomatic life in Bishkek provides some insight into the
lingering nostalgia for Soviet times that shapes the
worldviews of many officials in this part of the world.


2. (C) The program began as expected with short speeches by
State Secretary Madumarov, Foreign Minister Karabayev, and
Ambassadors from the Iranian, Kazakh, Pakistani, Tajik,
Turkish, and Uzbek Embassies. Each country presented a short
cultural program, and then it was lunchtime.


3. (C) Each Embassy had rented a yurt on the premises of a
traditional restaurant, arranged by Director of the State
Committee on Tourism, Turusbek Mamashov. The Turkish
Ambassador whispered that Mr. Mamashov had demanded $500 per
yurt, but the Kazakh Ambassador drove the price down to $300.
Each yurt offered a buffet of the country's national food.
The diplomatic corps was rushed in and out of each yurt so
quickly, though, that hungry envoys were complaining.


4. (C) Then we entered the Kazakh yurt. The Kazakhs had
organized a lavish sit-down dinner. Delicacies included
horsemeat, a sheep's head, and camel's milk. The vodka
flowed like water. Soon the Tajik Ambassador was laughing
loudly and inappropriately, and the Kyrgyz dignitaries and
Kazakh Ambassador began trading toasts on the importance of
the upcoming Shanghai Corporation Organization summit in
Bishkek and the close Soviet "brotherhood" still thriving in
the region.


5. (C) We moved on to the Tajik yurt, where the vodka
continued to flow. The Tajik ambassador offered a toast to
Madumarov, noting the closeness of the Tajik-Kyrgyz
relationship and how much "we love you." Madumarov responded
by ignoring the Tajik and toasting the Kazakh Ambassador
regarding the upcoming visit of Kazakh President Nazarbayev
at the end of April and the closeness of the Kazakh-Kyrgyz
relationship. He briefly noted other upcoming visits,
including Tajik President Rahmanov's visit in September.


6. (C) Last, but not least, came the Kyrgyz table
co-located in the Tajik yurt. The guests had become very
relaxed by this time, and the jokes unprintable. FM
Karabayev proclaimed that those present had a real nostalgia
for the Soviet Union and requested the Russian Ambassador
make a toast. Each Ambassador present followed, many in
languages not understandable to our hosts. The Kazakh
Ambassador raised a toast to the close relationship between
the former Soviet countries, only to be interrupted by a very
merry Tajik Ambassador, who shouted in a distinctly
capitalist manner: "We love your money!"


7. (C) On leaving, the Indian Ambassador remarked that next
time he would bring earplugs. That might fix the raucous
volume of these events, but clearly there is much work ahead
to reverse the strong nostalgia for the Soviet past and the
attempts to recreate it.
YOVANOVITCH