Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BISHKEK1094
2008-10-29 11:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

KYRGYZ OFFICIAL BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON ISSUK KUL

Tags:  PGOV ECON SOCI KG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001094 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON SOCI KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ OFFICIAL BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON ISSUK KUL
OBLAST CONDITIONS

BISHKEK 00001094 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001094

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON SOCI KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ OFFICIAL BRIEFS AMBASSADOR ON ISSUK KUL
OBLAST CONDITIONS

BISHKEK 00001094 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) Summary: In an October 22 discussion with the
Ambassador, Issyk Kul region officials outlined desires for
increased tourism, expressed optimistic plans for a shorter
road link to southern Kazakhstan and described needed
investment at Tamchi Airport. Local schools will be
shuttered for two months this winter due to power shortages.
While Chinese influence is minimal in the region, local
officials viewed an expansion of such influence as
"dangerous." End summary.

Focus on Tourism
--------------


2. (SBU) During an October 22 lunch in Chok Tal (Issyk Kul
oblast),Issyk Kul rayon (region) chief Tursbek Mansurov and
his colleagues briefed the Ambassador on current and planned
economic developments and activities. At first, Mansurov
described the lack of food processing facilities for local
produce before turning most of his attention to tourism, a
mainstay of the local economy. He said that the local
government would be promoting private lodgings, supporting
casino development, and seeking "wealthy visitors." Mansurov
claimed that 80% of tourists visiting the Kyrgyz Republic
come to Lake Issyk Kul, and reminisced about visits by Nikita
Khrushchev and Boris Yeltsin to the lake. However, he noted
that the global financial crisis caused Kazakhs to reduce
their real estate purchases in the region.

Tamchi Airport and the Almaty Highway
--------------


3. (SBU) Mansurov noted that Kyrgyz authorities had allotted
funds in the current budget to begin construction of a
shorter highway to Almaty in southern Kazakhstan. A new
route would cut travel time between the Lake and Almaty
roughly in half, to about four hours. Mansurov
optimistically claimed that the road could be completed as
early as next year, and said that the Kazakhs would also be
investing in this project. (Note: This road project has
been discussed for years, but has been and probably will
still continue to be delayed. End note.)


4. (SBU) Mansurov then noted that Kyrgyz authorities still
had not secured investors to expand the Tamchi Airport, which
is located between Balykchi and Cholpon Ata on Issyk Kul's
northern shore. The airport runway is two kilometers in
length, but needs to be expanded another 1.8 kilometers to
service Boeing aircraft. (Note: Tamchi Airport is apparently
an emergency diversion point for aircraft destined for Manas
Airport outside of Bishkek. End note.)

Short on Power
--------------


5. (SBU) Complaining of low water levels in Kyrgyz rivers
which feed the Kyrgyz Republic's hydroelectric stations,
Mansurov said public buildings would be shifting to coal
power -- a return, he said, to "pre-electricity times." He
confirmed that regional schools would be closed for two
months (January and February) due to power shortages.

Chinese Neighbors
--------------


6. (SBU) In response to the Ambassador's question about
Chinese investment in the region, Mansurov noted the changing
ethnic balance in China's Xinjiang province and told the
Ambassador that increased Chinese activity in the Kyrgyz
Republic would be "dangerous." He feared that Chinese
citizens would come to the Kyrgyz Republic, and not leave.
"We have Chinese goods here, but no Chinese," he added.
Mansurov said the only Chinese now are in Bishkek. Mansurov,

BISHKEK 00001094 002.2 OF 002


as well as Aziz Aldashev, the deputy head of the Cholpon Ata
town council, had all recently visited China on official
visits.
GFOELLER