Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TASHKENT1707
2007-09-28 10:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
CHINESE LOOK TO BUY UZBEK URANIUM
how-toVZCZCXRO0950 PP RUEHDBU DE RUEHNT #1707 2711029 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 281029Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8533 INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 3304 RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 9492 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1048 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 3918 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 3783 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 1917 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2051 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001707
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2017
TAGS: EMIN KNNP ENRG ETRD ECON CH UZ
SUBJECT: CHINESE LOOK TO BUY UZBEK URANIUM
REF: TASHKENT 1682
Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY ECON OFF B. OLSEN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001707
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2017
TAGS: EMIN KNNP ENRG ETRD ECON CH UZ
SUBJECT: CHINESE LOOK TO BUY UZBEK URANIUM
REF: TASHKENT 1682
Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY ECON OFF B. OLSEN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D).
1. (C) Nukem Inc. Head of Office, Yevgeny Onokhin, told
econoff the Chinese have quietly started talks with
Uzbekistan to purchase uranium. (Note: A Chinese
congressional delegation reportedly was in Tashkent September
6-10. End note.) He said the Chinese want to sign a
long-term contract to purchase 500 tons per year. Onokhin
added if a deal is made, the Kazakhs will make it public, as
a Kazakh transit license is necessary and, in his opinion,
they do not want Uzbekistan to compete with their uranium
exports to China.
2. (C) Comment: The Uzbeks already committed to sell Itochu,
a Japanese firm, 300 tons in 2007, with the option of selling
the same through 2011 (reftel). According to Nukem's
contract with Uzbekistan, the government can sell no more
than 300 tons per year without using Nukem as an
intermediary. In order to meet the Chinese request,
Uzbekistan must violate both its contracts with Itochu and
Nukem. This Uzbek-Chinese deal might not come to fruition,
but the action demonstrates the Uzbek Government's
indifference to the inviolability of business contracts as it
seeks to maximize profit from natural resources.
NORLAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2017
TAGS: EMIN KNNP ENRG ETRD ECON CH UZ
SUBJECT: CHINESE LOOK TO BUY UZBEK URANIUM
REF: TASHKENT 1682
Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY ECON OFF B. OLSEN FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D).
1. (C) Nukem Inc. Head of Office, Yevgeny Onokhin, told
econoff the Chinese have quietly started talks with
Uzbekistan to purchase uranium. (Note: A Chinese
congressional delegation reportedly was in Tashkent September
6-10. End note.) He said the Chinese want to sign a
long-term contract to purchase 500 tons per year. Onokhin
added if a deal is made, the Kazakhs will make it public, as
a Kazakh transit license is necessary and, in his opinion,
they do not want Uzbekistan to compete with their uranium
exports to China.
2. (C) Comment: The Uzbeks already committed to sell Itochu,
a Japanese firm, 300 tons in 2007, with the option of selling
the same through 2011 (reftel). According to Nukem's
contract with Uzbekistan, the government can sell no more
than 300 tons per year without using Nukem as an
intermediary. In order to meet the Chinese request,
Uzbekistan must violate both its contracts with Itochu and
Nukem. This Uzbek-Chinese deal might not come to fruition,
but the action demonstrates the Uzbek Government's
indifference to the inviolability of business contracts as it
seeks to maximize profit from natural resources.
NORLAND