Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BISHKEK199
2008-02-28 12:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT TO KYRGYZSTAN
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000199
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG
SUBJECT: IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT TO KYRGYZSTAN
FOCUSES ON ECONOMIC ISSUES
REF: 07 BISHKEK 1048
BISHKEK 00000199 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: DCM Lee Litzenberger, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000199
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG
SUBJECT: IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT TO KYRGYZSTAN
FOCUSES ON ECONOMIC ISSUES
REF: 07 BISHKEK 1048
BISHKEK 00000199 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: DCM Lee Litzenberger, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Iranian FM Mottaki paid an official visit to
Kyrgyzstan February 21-22, and met with President Bakiyev, PM
Chudinov, Speaker of Parliament Madumarov, FM Karabayev, and
Finance Minister Kalimbetova. Discussions included the
expansion of economic and commercial ties, Iran's nuclear
program, and Afghanistan's narcotics production. A banking
cooperation agreement was signed, paving the way for
establishment of Iranian bank offices in Bishkek. The Kyrgyz
MFA told us that the meetings focused mainly on economic and
trade issues. Concerning Iran's nuclear program, the MFA
pointed to PM Chudinov's public statement that Iran should
work cooperatively with the IAEA and the UN. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki paid a
two-day official visit to Kyrgyzstan February 21-22. He met
with President Bakiyev, Prime Minister Igor Chudinov, Speaker
of Parliament Adahan Madumarov, Foreign Minister Ednan
Karabayev, and Finance Minister Tajikan Kalimbetova (who also
chairs the Kyrgyz-Iranian Joint Economic Commission). The
visit followed Iranian President Ahmadinejad's participation
at the August 2007 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
summit in Bishkek and an exchange of parliamentary
delegations last year (reftel).
3. (SBU) According to press reports, Mottaki's visit focused
mainly on economic and trade relations, but did include
discussions on narco-trafficking out of Afghanistan and
Iran's nuclear power production. PM Chudinov noted the work
of Iranian companies on projects in Kyrgyzstan, and he called
for continued cooperation through the the Kyrgyz-Iranian
inter-governmental commission. Chudinov and Mottaki also
expressed concern about increasing narcotics production in
Afghanistan, calling it a serious threat to Central Asian
security. Chudinov finally welcomed Iran's cooperation with
the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as its
participation as "observer" in the SCO.
4. (SBU) Mottaki said that Iran intends to expand bilateral
relations with Kyrgyzstan. He also signaled Iran's
willingness to open an Iranian automobile (Saipa)
manufacturing plant in Kyrgyzstan, and hoped that both
countries could introduce a "mixed tourism" scheme. He
further discussed with FM Karabayev the possibility of
establishing new air routes between both countries. Mottaki
and Finance Minister Kalimbetova signed a banking cooperation
agreement, under the auspices of the Kyrgyz-Iranian Joint
Economic Commission, to establish Iranian bank offices in
Bishkek, through which Iran would issue a 50 million Euro
line-of-credit for future Iranian investments.
5. (C) MFA Eastern Countries Division's Iran Specialist,
Turdukon Sydykov told Poloff that Mottaki's meetings focused
mainly on the development of economic and trade relations.
Sydykov, who attended each meeting, emphasized his
government's intention to develop such relations with all
countries, and that Kyrgyzstan would continue to work
productively with other members of the Tehran-based Economic
Cooperation Organization. He also said that, as the last
foreign ministerial meeting took place in 2003, it was time
to "re-connect" with Iran. Sydykov reiterated PM Chudinov's
public statements regarding Iran's need to work
diplomatically with the IAEA and UN regarding its nuclear
production program, confiding that the issue was not
discussed at length.
Comment
--------------
BISHKEK 00000199 002.2 OF 002
6. (C) The Kyrgyz have been cautious toward Iranian overtures
in the past, and they turned down a request last year for a
state visit for Ahmadinejad. Nevertheless, the Kyrgyz are
anxious to develop economic and trade relations in all
directions, and the promise of a 50 million Euro credit line
will get their attention. On the security side, local press
have previously ginned up stories that the Coalition Airbase
at Manas might be used in an attack against Iran. For this
visit, the Manas Airbase was not mentioned in the public
statements about the trip, nor did the local press play up
the Base angle.
YOVANOVITCH
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG
SUBJECT: IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER'S VISIT TO KYRGYZSTAN
FOCUSES ON ECONOMIC ISSUES
REF: 07 BISHKEK 1048
BISHKEK 00000199 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: DCM Lee Litzenberger, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Iranian FM Mottaki paid an official visit to
Kyrgyzstan February 21-22, and met with President Bakiyev, PM
Chudinov, Speaker of Parliament Madumarov, FM Karabayev, and
Finance Minister Kalimbetova. Discussions included the
expansion of economic and commercial ties, Iran's nuclear
program, and Afghanistan's narcotics production. A banking
cooperation agreement was signed, paving the way for
establishment of Iranian bank offices in Bishkek. The Kyrgyz
MFA told us that the meetings focused mainly on economic and
trade issues. Concerning Iran's nuclear program, the MFA
pointed to PM Chudinov's public statement that Iran should
work cooperatively with the IAEA and the UN. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki paid a
two-day official visit to Kyrgyzstan February 21-22. He met
with President Bakiyev, Prime Minister Igor Chudinov, Speaker
of Parliament Adahan Madumarov, Foreign Minister Ednan
Karabayev, and Finance Minister Tajikan Kalimbetova (who also
chairs the Kyrgyz-Iranian Joint Economic Commission). The
visit followed Iranian President Ahmadinejad's participation
at the August 2007 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
summit in Bishkek and an exchange of parliamentary
delegations last year (reftel).
3. (SBU) According to press reports, Mottaki's visit focused
mainly on economic and trade relations, but did include
discussions on narco-trafficking out of Afghanistan and
Iran's nuclear power production. PM Chudinov noted the work
of Iranian companies on projects in Kyrgyzstan, and he called
for continued cooperation through the the Kyrgyz-Iranian
inter-governmental commission. Chudinov and Mottaki also
expressed concern about increasing narcotics production in
Afghanistan, calling it a serious threat to Central Asian
security. Chudinov finally welcomed Iran's cooperation with
the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as its
participation as "observer" in the SCO.
4. (SBU) Mottaki said that Iran intends to expand bilateral
relations with Kyrgyzstan. He also signaled Iran's
willingness to open an Iranian automobile (Saipa)
manufacturing plant in Kyrgyzstan, and hoped that both
countries could introduce a "mixed tourism" scheme. He
further discussed with FM Karabayev the possibility of
establishing new air routes between both countries. Mottaki
and Finance Minister Kalimbetova signed a banking cooperation
agreement, under the auspices of the Kyrgyz-Iranian Joint
Economic Commission, to establish Iranian bank offices in
Bishkek, through which Iran would issue a 50 million Euro
line-of-credit for future Iranian investments.
5. (C) MFA Eastern Countries Division's Iran Specialist,
Turdukon Sydykov told Poloff that Mottaki's meetings focused
mainly on the development of economic and trade relations.
Sydykov, who attended each meeting, emphasized his
government's intention to develop such relations with all
countries, and that Kyrgyzstan would continue to work
productively with other members of the Tehran-based Economic
Cooperation Organization. He also said that, as the last
foreign ministerial meeting took place in 2003, it was time
to "re-connect" with Iran. Sydykov reiterated PM Chudinov's
public statements regarding Iran's need to work
diplomatically with the IAEA and UN regarding its nuclear
production program, confiding that the issue was not
discussed at length.
Comment
--------------
BISHKEK 00000199 002.2 OF 002
6. (C) The Kyrgyz have been cautious toward Iranian overtures
in the past, and they turned down a request last year for a
state visit for Ahmadinejad. Nevertheless, the Kyrgyz are
anxious to develop economic and trade relations in all
directions, and the promise of a 50 million Euro credit line
will get their attention. On the security side, local press
have previously ginned up stories that the Coalition Airbase
at Manas might be used in an attack against Iran. For this
visit, the Manas Airbase was not mentioned in the public
statements about the trip, nor did the local press play up
the Base angle.
YOVANOVITCH