Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TASHKENT905
2008-08-05 11:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
UZBEKISTAN: AFGHAN POWER TRANSMISSION LINE TALKS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHNT #0905 2181106 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 051106Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0108 INFO RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY 0737 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 2731
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000905
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO ROBERT DEUTSCH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS: ECIN ECON ENRG UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: AFGHAN POWER TRANSMISSION LINE TALKS
CONTINUE
Classified By: Poloff Robert McCutcheon for reasons 1.4 (b, d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000905
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO ROBERT DEUTSCH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS: ECIN ECON ENRG UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: AFGHAN POWER TRANSMISSION LINE TALKS
CONTINUE
Classified By: POLOFF Robert McCutcheon for reasons 1.4 (b, d).
1. (C) According to a working-level source in Uzbekenergo,
talks on the contract to build a 43 km power line from the
Surkhan substation to the Afghan border are continuing longer
than expected. The Afghan team that arrived in Tashkent the
week before last is still here, and talks have gone on so
long that visas for the Afghans have had to be extended for
another week. A high level Afghan delegation headed by
Minister of Economics Dr. Shams and Minister of Water and
Energy Khan is expected to arrive in Tashkent on August 5
with the goal of finalizing all financial issues and signing
a contract by the end of the week.
2. (C) Our Uzbekenergo source tells us that the Uzbek side
has appointed the Uztarmoqqurilish Company (UTQ) as general
contractor for the construction project. UTQ will form two
construction brigades that will start building from opposite
ends of the line -- one from the border and the other from
the Surkhan substation -- and will meet in the middle. UTQ
reportedly is prepared to complete the project within three
months. The Afghans are discussing technical issues with UTQ
engineers.
COMMENT
--------------
3. (C) UTQ claims notwithstanding, three months is a highly
optimistic forecast given the lead time needed for
procurement of transmission towers and other needed supplies
before construction can even begin. It also stands in
contrast to earlier Uzbek claims that at least ten months
would be required to build the line. Thus it is highly
doubtful that the line will be complete any earlier than next
spring.
4. (C) The Uzbek side continues to express frustration with
the Afghan negotiators. Our Uzbeknenergo source has
characterized the Afghans as "spoiled children who think they
can get whatever they want simply by saying so."
BUTCHER
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/FO ROBERT DEUTSCH
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS: ECIN ECON ENRG UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: AFGHAN POWER TRANSMISSION LINE TALKS
CONTINUE
Classified By: POLOFF Robert McCutcheon for reasons 1.4 (b, d).
1. (C) According to a working-level source in Uzbekenergo,
talks on the contract to build a 43 km power line from the
Surkhan substation to the Afghan border are continuing longer
than expected. The Afghan team that arrived in Tashkent the
week before last is still here, and talks have gone on so
long that visas for the Afghans have had to be extended for
another week. A high level Afghan delegation headed by
Minister of Economics Dr. Shams and Minister of Water and
Energy Khan is expected to arrive in Tashkent on August 5
with the goal of finalizing all financial issues and signing
a contract by the end of the week.
2. (C) Our Uzbekenergo source tells us that the Uzbek side
has appointed the Uztarmoqqurilish Company (UTQ) as general
contractor for the construction project. UTQ will form two
construction brigades that will start building from opposite
ends of the line -- one from the border and the other from
the Surkhan substation -- and will meet in the middle. UTQ
reportedly is prepared to complete the project within three
months. The Afghans are discussing technical issues with UTQ
engineers.
COMMENT
--------------
3. (C) UTQ claims notwithstanding, three months is a highly
optimistic forecast given the lead time needed for
procurement of transmission towers and other needed supplies
before construction can even begin. It also stands in
contrast to earlier Uzbek claims that at least ten months
would be required to build the line. Thus it is highly
doubtful that the line will be complete any earlier than next
spring.
4. (C) The Uzbek side continues to express frustration with
the Afghan negotiators. Our Uzbeknenergo source has
characterized the Afghans as "spoiled children who think they
can get whatever they want simply by saying so."
BUTCHER