Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KABUL3198
2007-09-22 04:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kabul
Cable title:
AF: Fuel price spikes stabilizing, Iran blamed.
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UNCLAS KABUL 003198
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/RA, AND SCA/A (A/S BOUCHER, GASTRIGHT,DEUTSCH)
DEPT PASS AID/ANE, OPIC
DEPT PASS USTR FOR GERBER AND KLEIN
DEPT PASS OPIC FOR ZAHNISER
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD, JICENT
NSC FOR JWOOD
TREASURY FOR ABAUKOL AND BDAHL
MANILA PLEASE PASS ADB/USED
PARIS FOR OECD/ENERGY ATTACHE
OSD FOR SHIVERS, SHINN
COMMERCE FOR DEES, CHOPPIN, AND FONOVICH
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: ENRG EFIN EPET ETRD KPWR EAID PGOV AF
SUBJECT: AF: Fuel price spikes stabilizing, Iran blamed.
Sensitive but Unclassified
UNCLAS KABUL 003198
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/RA, AND SCA/A (A/S BOUCHER, GASTRIGHT,DEUTSCH)
DEPT PASS AID/ANE, OPIC
DEPT PASS USTR FOR GERBER AND KLEIN
DEPT PASS OPIC FOR ZAHNISER
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD, JICENT
NSC FOR JWOOD
TREASURY FOR ABAUKOL AND BDAHL
MANILA PLEASE PASS ADB/USED
PARIS FOR OECD/ENERGY ATTACHE
OSD FOR SHIVERS, SHINN
COMMERCE FOR DEES, CHOPPIN, AND FONOVICH
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: ENRG EFIN EPET ETRD KPWR EAID PGOV AF
SUBJECT: AF: Fuel price spikes stabilizing, Iran blamed.
Sensitive but Unclassified
1. (U) Reporting from Embassy PRT's as well as Kabul-based Embassy
FSN's confirmed that July and August 2007 saw an increase in fuel
prices across Afghanistan that quickly caused an up-tick in other
prices, as well as increased grumbling against the government in
Afghanistan's coffee house conversations. Fuel (gasoline) prices
jumped from an average of USD .70 (35 Afghanis) per liter to
approximately one (1) USD per liter (55 Afghanis),or USD 3.70 per
gallon. A Central Bank (DAB) official recently told Embassy
Treasury Attach that the surge in fuel prices occurred several
months ago, but its impact is only recently being felt. The
official also claimed that fuel prices have started to decline since
the July/August surge.
2. (U) Citing higher transportation costs, many shopkeepers have
increase prices. Ghee (clarified butter) and sugar, basic stables
in the local diet, have seen as much as a ten percent increase
according to monthly Market Basket Survey results from PRT
Mazar-e-Sharif, with similar results from other PRT's. Mazar
residents complain rising public transportation prices have made it
increasingly inaccessible to the groups it is aimed at serving.
3. (U) In a recent meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gutierrez,
Minister of Commerce and Industry Farhang and Finance Minister Ahady
blamed the price hikes on Iran's recent decision to restrict the
export of gasoline. They described the move as a result of Iranian
anticipation that increasingly stringent economic sanctions were
soon to be applied by the international community. According to
Ahady and Farhang, Iran lacks sufficient refining capacity and is a
net importer of gasoline. The prohibition on exports was reportedly
aimed at creating a sufficient domestic stockpile in anticipation of
economic hard times. The ministers claim that as a result, regional
trade patterns have been disrupted and some neighboring nations have
imposed a USD 100/ton export levy on gasoline. Afghanistan has only
one small refinery and is basically dependent on imported gasoline
for all its fuel needs.
4. (U) Comment: While any increase in fuel prices and/or the
regular Afghan basket of good requires close observation, a jump in
fuel prices prior to the "heating" season in Afghanistan, which
begins in mid-November, is cause for increased monitoring and
concern. Afghans already deal with a lack of sufficient electricity
for lighting. Increases in fuel costs, transportation costs and
everyday living expenses as well as possible spikes in home heating
fuel cost could create difficulties for many in the coming months,
and might translate into public calls for the IRoA to "do
something," and a commensurate erosion of support for the
government. End Comment.
Wood
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/RA, AND SCA/A (A/S BOUCHER, GASTRIGHT,DEUTSCH)
DEPT PASS AID/ANE, OPIC
DEPT PASS USTR FOR GERBER AND KLEIN
DEPT PASS OPIC FOR ZAHNISER
CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A, CG CJTF-76, POLAD, JICENT
NSC FOR JWOOD
TREASURY FOR ABAUKOL AND BDAHL
MANILA PLEASE PASS ADB/USED
PARIS FOR OECD/ENERGY ATTACHE
OSD FOR SHIVERS, SHINN
COMMERCE FOR DEES, CHOPPIN, AND FONOVICH
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958 N/A
TAGS: ENRG EFIN EPET ETRD KPWR EAID PGOV AF
SUBJECT: AF: Fuel price spikes stabilizing, Iran blamed.
Sensitive but Unclassified
1. (U) Reporting from Embassy PRT's as well as Kabul-based Embassy
FSN's confirmed that July and August 2007 saw an increase in fuel
prices across Afghanistan that quickly caused an up-tick in other
prices, as well as increased grumbling against the government in
Afghanistan's coffee house conversations. Fuel (gasoline) prices
jumped from an average of USD .70 (35 Afghanis) per liter to
approximately one (1) USD per liter (55 Afghanis),or USD 3.70 per
gallon. A Central Bank (DAB) official recently told Embassy
Treasury Attach that the surge in fuel prices occurred several
months ago, but its impact is only recently being felt. The
official also claimed that fuel prices have started to decline since
the July/August surge.
2. (U) Citing higher transportation costs, many shopkeepers have
increase prices. Ghee (clarified butter) and sugar, basic stables
in the local diet, have seen as much as a ten percent increase
according to monthly Market Basket Survey results from PRT
Mazar-e-Sharif, with similar results from other PRT's. Mazar
residents complain rising public transportation prices have made it
increasingly inaccessible to the groups it is aimed at serving.
3. (U) In a recent meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gutierrez,
Minister of Commerce and Industry Farhang and Finance Minister Ahady
blamed the price hikes on Iran's recent decision to restrict the
export of gasoline. They described the move as a result of Iranian
anticipation that increasingly stringent economic sanctions were
soon to be applied by the international community. According to
Ahady and Farhang, Iran lacks sufficient refining capacity and is a
net importer of gasoline. The prohibition on exports was reportedly
aimed at creating a sufficient domestic stockpile in anticipation of
economic hard times. The ministers claim that as a result, regional
trade patterns have been disrupted and some neighboring nations have
imposed a USD 100/ton export levy on gasoline. Afghanistan has only
one small refinery and is basically dependent on imported gasoline
for all its fuel needs.
4. (U) Comment: While any increase in fuel prices and/or the
regular Afghan basket of good requires close observation, a jump in
fuel prices prior to the "heating" season in Afghanistan, which
begins in mid-November, is cause for increased monitoring and
concern. Afghans already deal with a lack of sufficient electricity
for lighting. Increases in fuel costs, transportation costs and
everyday living expenses as well as possible spikes in home heating
fuel cost could create difficulties for many in the coming months,
and might translate into public calls for the IRoA to "do
something," and a commensurate erosion of support for the
government. End Comment.
Wood