Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BISHKEK85
2009-01-29 12:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR CONFIRMS PROPOSED $2.5 BILLION
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000085
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR ECON KG
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR CONFIRMS PROPOSED $2.5 BILLION
ECONOMIC PACKAGE FOR KYRGYZSTAN
REF: BISHKEK 47
Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana C. Gfoeller, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000085
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR ECON KG
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR CONFIRMS PROPOSED $2.5 BILLION
ECONOMIC PACKAGE FOR KYRGYZSTAN
REF: BISHKEK 47
Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana C. Gfoeller, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Vlasov
confirmed to Ambassador the details of a $2.5 billion Russian
economic assistance package for Kyrgyzstan and indicated that
the agreement would be signed during President Bakiyev's
February 3 visit to Moscow, which he also confirmed. Vlasov
appeared delighted about the pending agreement, but remarked,
"I'd prefer we weren't buying friends." End Summary.
2. (C) Ambassador spoke with Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan
Valentin Vlasov at a January 29 diplomatic corps working
luncheon, hosted by the Belarusian Ambassador. Breaking with
protocol and precedence, the Belarusian seated the Ambassador
and Vlasov opposite each other, at the far end of the table,
where they would be able to speak in a more private manner.
The sometimes temperamental Vlasov was in an unusually jovial
and expansive mood.
3. (C) The Ambassador asked Vlasov about press reports
concerning President Bakiyev's upcoming trip to Moscow and a
Russian economic assistance package for Kyrgyzstan. Vlasov
confirmed that Bakiyev would be traveling to Moscow on
February 3, and he said that "important decisions" would be
made during the visit. Vlasov detailed the agreement for
Russia to provide approximately $2.5 billion to Kyrgyzstan.
He said agreement called for $150 million as a grant, $300
million in the form of a low-interest loan, and a $1.7
billion loan to fund a Russian-Kyrgyz joint venture to build
the Kambarata 1 dam and hydroelectric project. (Note:
Vlasov's description of the assistance package tracks with
what Presidential Chief of Staff Usenov told the Ambassador
January 14. Reftel. The outline of all three components of
the package has since appeared in press reports. End Note.)
4. (C) The Ambassador commented on the enormous size of the
package and its potential impact in Kyrgyzstan. She then
asked Vlasov what he thought about the package. Vlasov, who
had appeared almost to be gloating when describing the
details, thought for a minute and said, "I'd prefer we
weren't buying friends. This would be better if done between
poor people." As the Ambassador pressed Vlasov to explain,
the Belarusian Ambassador butted in to break up the
discussion, expounding on the health benefits of his native
cuisine.
5. (C) During the business portion of the meeting, Vlasov
acted as if he owned the room. He jumped in and fielded
questions directed to the MFA Protocol Chief, and both the
MFA rep and the Belarusian host deferred to him. At one
point, Vlasov dismissed the German Ambassador's concerns
about the Kyrgyz practice of x-raying diplomatic bags by
saying that the Vienna Convention didn't take into account
today's concerns over terrorism.
GFOELLER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/29/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR ECON KG
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR CONFIRMS PROPOSED $2.5 BILLION
ECONOMIC PACKAGE FOR KYRGYZSTAN
REF: BISHKEK 47
Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana C. Gfoeller, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Vlasov
confirmed to Ambassador the details of a $2.5 billion Russian
economic assistance package for Kyrgyzstan and indicated that
the agreement would be signed during President Bakiyev's
February 3 visit to Moscow, which he also confirmed. Vlasov
appeared delighted about the pending agreement, but remarked,
"I'd prefer we weren't buying friends." End Summary.
2. (C) Ambassador spoke with Russian Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan
Valentin Vlasov at a January 29 diplomatic corps working
luncheon, hosted by the Belarusian Ambassador. Breaking with
protocol and precedence, the Belarusian seated the Ambassador
and Vlasov opposite each other, at the far end of the table,
where they would be able to speak in a more private manner.
The sometimes temperamental Vlasov was in an unusually jovial
and expansive mood.
3. (C) The Ambassador asked Vlasov about press reports
concerning President Bakiyev's upcoming trip to Moscow and a
Russian economic assistance package for Kyrgyzstan. Vlasov
confirmed that Bakiyev would be traveling to Moscow on
February 3, and he said that "important decisions" would be
made during the visit. Vlasov detailed the agreement for
Russia to provide approximately $2.5 billion to Kyrgyzstan.
He said agreement called for $150 million as a grant, $300
million in the form of a low-interest loan, and a $1.7
billion loan to fund a Russian-Kyrgyz joint venture to build
the Kambarata 1 dam and hydroelectric project. (Note:
Vlasov's description of the assistance package tracks with
what Presidential Chief of Staff Usenov told the Ambassador
January 14. Reftel. The outline of all three components of
the package has since appeared in press reports. End Note.)
4. (C) The Ambassador commented on the enormous size of the
package and its potential impact in Kyrgyzstan. She then
asked Vlasov what he thought about the package. Vlasov, who
had appeared almost to be gloating when describing the
details, thought for a minute and said, "I'd prefer we
weren't buying friends. This would be better if done between
poor people." As the Ambassador pressed Vlasov to explain,
the Belarusian Ambassador butted in to break up the
discussion, expounding on the health benefits of his native
cuisine.
5. (C) During the business portion of the meeting, Vlasov
acted as if he owned the room. He jumped in and fielded
questions directed to the MFA Protocol Chief, and both the
MFA rep and the Belarusian host deferred to him. At one
point, Vlasov dismissed the German Ambassador's concerns
about the Kyrgyz practice of x-raying diplomatic bags by
saying that the Vienna Convention didn't take into account
today's concerns over terrorism.
GFOELLER