Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BISHKEK1144
2008-11-10 10:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
KYRGYZSTAN: KARAKOL MAYOR PRAISES INTERNATIONAL
how-toVZCZCXRO7288 OO RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHEK #1144/01 3151030 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 101030Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1512 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2747 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1110 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3138 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2524 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001144
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON SOCI KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: KARAKOL MAYOR PRAISES INTERNATIONAL
ASSISTANCE
REF: A. BISHKEK 1094
B. BISHKEK 1124
C. BISHKEK 1134
BISHKEK 00001144 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001144
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON SOCI KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: KARAKOL MAYOR PRAISES INTERNATIONAL
ASSISTANCE
REF: A. BISHKEK 1094
B. BISHKEK 1124
C. BISHKEK 1134
BISHKEK 00001144 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) Summary: The mayor of Karakol, capital of Issyk
Kul oblast, praised NGO and international assistance projects
to the Ambassador October 23, but also identified
infrastructural shortcomings, particularly in the
transportation sector, which challenge the region's aim to
develop its tourism potential. While he somewhat grudgingly
praised certain aspects of China's economy, he was wary of
too much influence and links with Issyk Kul oblast's eastern
neighbor. End summary.
Praising International Assistance
--------------
2. (U) During an October 23 lunch with the Ambassador,
Karakol mayor Nurbek Aaliyev highlighted the city's
"international" character and praised the work of
non-governmental organizations and international assistance
programs such as the Urban Institute, Save the Children,
USAID and others in helping the city. He also mentioned an
Asian Development Bank project which would treat waste water
from Karakol. Aaliyev seemed interested in building a sister
city relationship with a community in the United States.
Economic Challenges and Opportunities
--------------
3. (U) Aaliyev repeated the desire, as expressed by the
Ambassador's other interlocutors during her trip through
Issyk Kul oblast (reftels),of improving the capacity for
tourism in the region. However, he confirmed that regional
power cuts were affecting economic conditions, and added that
Issyk Kul officials would soon be traveling to the Toktogul
hydroelectric cascade (several hundred miles west of Karakol)
to learn about the electricity generation problems there.
(Note: The Toktogul cascade and the main Bishkek power
station supply the oblast with electricity. End note.)
Aaliyev also identified food processing as a sector which
could take advantage of the oblast's agricultural production.
4. (U) Aaliyev highlighted two transportation shortfalls
that limit the oblast's tourism potential: 1) lack of an
airport near Karakol (capital of Issyk Kul oblast),and 2)
unrealized plans to cut travel time from Almaty (Kazakhstan)
to the Issyk Kul region in half through the construction of a
shorter highway. However, he said $5 million had already
been spent on the road project.
Eyes on China
--------------
5. (SBU) In response to the Ambassador's question about
links to China, which borders Issyk Kul oblast, Aaliyev said
that a direct road link "would permit too many Chinese"
access to the region. "They would marry our women and then
never leave," he fretted. However, he somewhat grudgingly
praised the Chinese work ethic and agricultural methods and
seemed to support Chinese investment in the Sary Jazz region.
(Note: The Sary Jazz region in the far east of Issyk Kul
oblast has been identified as a future site for major
hydroelectric stations. End note.) Aaliyev concluded that
"we have much to learn from the Chinese."
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) Aaliyev is a relatively young (new) mayor, who
welcomed international engagement and seems open to further
BISHKEK 00001144 002.2 OF 002
interaction with the Embassy. Karakol and the greater Issyk
Kul region have potential for further tourism development,
but global financial conditions may limit available funding.
GFOELLER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON SOCI KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: KARAKOL MAYOR PRAISES INTERNATIONAL
ASSISTANCE
REF: A. BISHKEK 1094
B. BISHKEK 1124
C. BISHKEK 1134
BISHKEK 00001144 001.2 OF 002
1. (SBU) Summary: The mayor of Karakol, capital of Issyk
Kul oblast, praised NGO and international assistance projects
to the Ambassador October 23, but also identified
infrastructural shortcomings, particularly in the
transportation sector, which challenge the region's aim to
develop its tourism potential. While he somewhat grudgingly
praised certain aspects of China's economy, he was wary of
too much influence and links with Issyk Kul oblast's eastern
neighbor. End summary.
Praising International Assistance
--------------
2. (U) During an October 23 lunch with the Ambassador,
Karakol mayor Nurbek Aaliyev highlighted the city's
"international" character and praised the work of
non-governmental organizations and international assistance
programs such as the Urban Institute, Save the Children,
USAID and others in helping the city. He also mentioned an
Asian Development Bank project which would treat waste water
from Karakol. Aaliyev seemed interested in building a sister
city relationship with a community in the United States.
Economic Challenges and Opportunities
--------------
3. (U) Aaliyev repeated the desire, as expressed by the
Ambassador's other interlocutors during her trip through
Issyk Kul oblast (reftels),of improving the capacity for
tourism in the region. However, he confirmed that regional
power cuts were affecting economic conditions, and added that
Issyk Kul officials would soon be traveling to the Toktogul
hydroelectric cascade (several hundred miles west of Karakol)
to learn about the electricity generation problems there.
(Note: The Toktogul cascade and the main Bishkek power
station supply the oblast with electricity. End note.)
Aaliyev also identified food processing as a sector which
could take advantage of the oblast's agricultural production.
4. (U) Aaliyev highlighted two transportation shortfalls
that limit the oblast's tourism potential: 1) lack of an
airport near Karakol (capital of Issyk Kul oblast),and 2)
unrealized plans to cut travel time from Almaty (Kazakhstan)
to the Issyk Kul region in half through the construction of a
shorter highway. However, he said $5 million had already
been spent on the road project.
Eyes on China
--------------
5. (SBU) In response to the Ambassador's question about
links to China, which borders Issyk Kul oblast, Aaliyev said
that a direct road link "would permit too many Chinese"
access to the region. "They would marry our women and then
never leave," he fretted. However, he somewhat grudgingly
praised the Chinese work ethic and agricultural methods and
seemed to support Chinese investment in the Sary Jazz region.
(Note: The Sary Jazz region in the far east of Issyk Kul
oblast has been identified as a future site for major
hydroelectric stations. End note.) Aaliyev concluded that
"we have much to learn from the Chinese."
Comment
--------------
6. (SBU) Aaliyev is a relatively young (new) mayor, who
welcomed international engagement and seems open to further
BISHKEK 00001144 002.2 OF 002
interaction with the Embassy. Karakol and the greater Issyk
Kul region have potential for further tourism development,
but global financial conditions may limit available funding.
GFOELLER