Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TASHKENT81
2008-01-22 13:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
DEEP FREEZE (LITERALLY) PERSISTS IN UZBEKISTAN
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHNT #0081 0221338 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 221338Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9062 INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 3620 RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 9833 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 4234 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0122 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0149 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0112 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 3837 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 2115 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0210 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0782 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000081
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON ENRG UZ
SUBJECT: DEEP FREEZE (LITERALLY) PERSISTS IN UZBEKISTAN
REF: ASHGABAT 45
Classified By: Poloff Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000081
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON ENRG UZ
SUBJECT: DEEP FREEZE (LITERALLY) PERSISTS IN UZBEKISTAN
REF: ASHGABAT 45
Classified By: POLOFF Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (SBU) Unusually cold, sub-zero temperatures persist
throughout Central Asia (reftel) and, while most people in
Tashkent report barely adequate heat in their homes, there
are press reports indicating that up to 300 people protested
insufficient heating gas in Ferghana (uznews.net). This
follows reports last week of small protests in Samarqand
region, and approximately 100 people reportedly rallied in
Jizzakh region on January 18. The GOU said that officials
have been instructed to do everything possible to ensure
people can stay warm, which could even have some impact on
scheduling meetings for an upcoming delegation from the
Department.
2. (C) POLOFF traveled overland through frozen Bukhara and
Samarqand last week and found these tourist centers virtually
shut down. On top of low gas pressure, the historic Bukhara
old city was suffering a power outage, foiling efforts to
stay warm with electric heaters. (Note: Fortunately, power
was restored before POLOFF retired to bed in a chilly hotel
room. End note.) Even stores in the newer, Soviet-built
section of the city were closed and the streets deserted.
The few interlocutors POLOFF spoke with nonchalantly blamed
Mother Nature rather than the government for the chill as
well as frequent power disruptions. Some Tashkent officials
clearly seek to put a good face on the situation, denying to
the Ambassador that serious problems exist. What is clear is
that this unusually long spell -- almost one month of below
freezing temperatures -- is taking its toll on aging
infrastructure.
NORLAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON ENRG UZ
SUBJECT: DEEP FREEZE (LITERALLY) PERSISTS IN UZBEKISTAN
REF: ASHGABAT 45
Classified By: POLOFF Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (SBU) Unusually cold, sub-zero temperatures persist
throughout Central Asia (reftel) and, while most people in
Tashkent report barely adequate heat in their homes, there
are press reports indicating that up to 300 people protested
insufficient heating gas in Ferghana (uznews.net). This
follows reports last week of small protests in Samarqand
region, and approximately 100 people reportedly rallied in
Jizzakh region on January 18. The GOU said that officials
have been instructed to do everything possible to ensure
people can stay warm, which could even have some impact on
scheduling meetings for an upcoming delegation from the
Department.
2. (C) POLOFF traveled overland through frozen Bukhara and
Samarqand last week and found these tourist centers virtually
shut down. On top of low gas pressure, the historic Bukhara
old city was suffering a power outage, foiling efforts to
stay warm with electric heaters. (Note: Fortunately, power
was restored before POLOFF retired to bed in a chilly hotel
room. End note.) Even stores in the newer, Soviet-built
section of the city were closed and the streets deserted.
The few interlocutors POLOFF spoke with nonchalantly blamed
Mother Nature rather than the government for the chill as
well as frequent power disruptions. Some Tashkent officials
clearly seek to put a good face on the situation, denying to
the Ambassador that serious problems exist. What is clear is
that this unusually long spell -- almost one month of below
freezing temperatures -- is taking its toll on aging
infrastructure.
NORLAND