Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BISHKEK1173
2008-11-18 03:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

KYRGYZSTAN: VIEWS FROM ISSYK KUL'S SOUTH SHORE

Tags:  PGOV ECON SOCI KG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001173 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON SOCI KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: VIEWS FROM ISSYK KUL'S SOUTH SHORE

REF: A. BISHKEK 1094

B. BISHKEK 1124

C. BISHKEK 1134

D. BISHKEK 1144

E. BISHKEK 1165

BISHKEK 00001173 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001173

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON SOCI KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: VIEWS FROM ISSYK KUL'S SOUTH SHORE

REF: A. BISHKEK 1094

B. BISHKEK 1124

C. BISHKEK 1134

D. BISHKEK 1144

E. BISHKEK 1165

BISHKEK 00001173 001.2 OF 002



1. (SBU) Summary: An Issyk Kul regional chief briefed the
Ambassador October 24 on the shift of his region's economic
foundation largely to agricultural and livestock pursuits.
While the Soviet Union's collapse took its toll on major
industrial and tourist facilities, the chief expressed hope
that tourism would reclaim its role in the regional economy.
Yet power cuts, which are affecting the region for the first
time this winter, will challenge the local government. End
summary.

Agriculture and Livestock Predominate
--------------


2. (SBU) At the conclusion of the Ambassador's visit to
Issyk Kul oblast, Ton Rayon (district) chief Kurmanbek
Urjanov briefed the Ambassador October 24 about local
conditions. Urjanov said the area now lacks any factories,
and most local inhabitants work in agriculture or with
livestock. He noted that 90% of residents in higher
elevations raise livestock, and highlighted attempts to
cultivate yak meat for export to Europe. However, Urjanov
said that European regulations were proving challenging for
local producers. Despite an official fishing moratorium in
effect in Lake Issyk Kul, he confirmed that a local plant
still processes fish caught in the lake.

Economic Voids and Hopes for Tourism
--------------


3. (SBU) The collapse of the Soviet Union, Urjanov
explained, forced the closure of a military diode factory
that had employed nearly 2,000 people. A multistory hotel
complex, financed by an Uzbek agricultural collective but
abandoned before completion in the early 1990s, now sits as a
"ruin," he noted. While a wealthy Kyrgyz citizen has begun
construction of a Central Asian fairytale-themed lakeside
resort, no other significant, recent construction projects
were apparent on Lake Issyk Kul's south shore. Urjanov
talked up prospects for ecotourism and local yurt production,
but added that most tourists come from Kazakhstan and Russia.
Based on Embassy's observations, the southern shore is much
less developed than the northern shores (reftels).

Winter Woes
--------------


4. (SBU) Urjanov confirmed that this is the first year that
the region is facing electricity shortfalls due to nationwide
power problems. While noting that the hospital and
kindergartens were fine, he said that nine of 30 schools
relied on electricity for heating, and added that back-up
plans for those schools and their students had not yet been
determined.

Looking Outside
--------------


5. (SBU) Urjanov, like many other officials we met, had
recently been to China on an official trip. He seemed
impressed with an agricultural institute he visited in Xian,
and lamented that a similar institute in the Kyrgyz Republic
had closed. Urjanov noted that given the scope of Chinese
capabilities, the Kyrgyz had limited potential for export to
the Chinese market.

Comment
--------------

BISHKEK 00001173 002.8 OF 002




6. (SBU) Urjanov, like other officials the Ambassador met,
openly discussed his region's hardships, and his comments
reflected views heard elsewhere during the visit to Issyk Kul
oblast. Interestingly, he also contrasted favorably
"secular" attitudes and the limited numbers of mosques found
in northern oblasts of the Kyrgyz Republic with the
"Islamization" reportedly taking over in southern oblasts
like Batken, Osh and Jalalabad.
GFOELLER