KYRGYZ PRIME MINISTER'S LETTER TO THE SECRETARY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000655 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/23/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZ PRIME MINISTER'S LETTER TO THE SECRETARY REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FOR FOOD SECURITY REF: BISHKEK 593 BISHKEK 00000655 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: A/DCM Robert Burgess, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) During a June 20 meeting with visiting Deputy Assistant Secretary Krol, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Igor Chudinov delivered a letter addressed to the Secretary requesting assistance for food security. The letter notes the "sharp rise" in food prices and the need to provide targeted assistance to vulnerable people. The letter requests $10 million to implement three projects: 1) formation of a state "Agrofood" corporation; 2) establishment of a development fund; and 3) opening a special fund for humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people. ¶2. (SBU) Following is the embassy's unofficial translation of Prime Minister Chudinov's June letter to the Secretary. The original will be pouched to SCA/CEN. Begin Text: Dear Ms. Rice, Due to sharp price rise for food and in order to provide targeted and efficient assistance to socially vulnerable people, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic has taken several active measures. However, the Kyrgyz Republic is facing serious difficulties in finding resources to implement the planned activities. In particular, the realization of the following activities and projects is planned: 1) The formation of an Agrofood corporation to develop the agricultural sector which would place state orders for cultivating agricultural products, timely provision of fuel, fertilizers, seeds, and agricultural machinery. 2) The formation of a "Kyrgyz Republic development fund," whose main activity will be the funding and realization of strategically important investment projects which provide rapid and quality economic growth in Kyrgyzstan. 3) The opening of a special account to provide one-time humanitarian assistance for socially vulnerable people during a food crisis, which will be allocated by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic. Taking into account the aforementioned, I request you, dear Ms. Rice, to consider the possibility of providing 10 million USD financial assistance to Kyrgyzstan for activities listed above. I take this opportunity to express hope for a positive solution of this issue. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. (signed) ¶I. Chudinov ¶3. (C) Comment: As outlined reftel, Kyrgyzstan faces potentially serious economic and energy problems in the coming months. Post, largely through our USAID mission, is planning to redirect some assistance to address food and energy problems, and we have also submitted a $12 million "1210 proposal" for Department of Defense funding which would target agricultural sector shortcomings. The Kyrgyz government has instituted some short-term measures, and the government has also appealed to other donors for increased assistance to meet food security needs. The Prime Minister's letter highlights the seriousness with which the government BISHKEK 00000655 002.2 OF 002 views the situation, and we will seek additional information about the government's proposed projects in order to help form our response to the Prime Minister's request. YOVANOVITCH