Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BISHKEK969
2009-09-03 10:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
KYRGYZSTAN: UPDATE ON HYATT HOTEL'S DISPUTE WITH
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHEK #0969 2461034 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 031034Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2623 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCPDOC/DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
UNCLAS BISHKEK 000969
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI)
EEB/IFD/OIA (STILLWELL)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV KIDE ECON KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: UPDATE ON HYATT HOTEL'S DISPUTE WITH
CITY OF BISHKEK
REF: A. (A) STATE 49477
B. (B) BISHKEK 469
C. (C) BISHKEK 2008 875 AND PREVIOUS
UNCLAS BISHKEK 000969
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI)
EEB/IFD/OIA (STILLWELL)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV KIDE ECON KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: UPDATE ON HYATT HOTEL'S DISPUTE WITH
CITY OF BISHKEK
REF: A. (A) STATE 49477
B. (B) BISHKEK 469
C. (C) BISHKEK 2008 875 AND PREVIOUS
1. (SBU) The following is an update to the dispute between a
U.S. based hotel chain and the City of Bishkek (refs).
a. Claimant A
b. 2008
c. Claimant A, a major U.S.-based hotel chain, operates a
hotel in Bishkek on approximately two hectares leased from
the City of Bishkek. In July 2008, the City of Bishkek
claimed that the hotel's fence blocked "public access" to the
statue of a famous Kyrgyz ballerina and demanded that the
hotel remove its perimeter fence. However, the fence did not
block pedestrians from entering the area where the statue is
located. In July 2008, municipal authorities shut off the
water supply to the hotel, and city workers tore down the
security fence surrounding the hotel. Meanwhile, the Mayor
of Bishkek's Office released a press statement noting that
the hotel pays $2,600 per year to lease its land. Claimant A
believed that the Mayor was seeking to force Claimant A to
pay more for the land it leases rather than honoring the
original terms of its lease.
The Charge' d'Affaires protested these actions to the Deputy
Foreign Minister, and the Embassy sent a diplomatic note of
protest. Later in July 2008, municipal authorities restored
the water supply to the hotel. Embassy representatives also
met separately with the Mayor to request that the fence be
reinstalled and to emphasize how the incident could
discourage foreign investment in Kyrgyzstan.
In February 2009, Claimant A and the City of Bishkek signed a
new land lease agreement. Under the terms of the new
agreement Claimant A agreed to pay a higher amount to lease
the lands and agreed to move the gate regulating automobile
entrance to its grounds closer to the hotel, past the statue
of the ballerina. According to a representative from
Claimant A, as of September 2, 2009 the situation is now
resolved and the City of Bishkek has made no more complaints
or demands.
d. (SBU) Claimant A: Hyatt Regency Bishkek
GFOELLER
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI)
EEB/IFD/OIA (STILLWELL)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV KIDE ECON KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: UPDATE ON HYATT HOTEL'S DISPUTE WITH
CITY OF BISHKEK
REF: A. (A) STATE 49477
B. (B) BISHKEK 469
C. (C) BISHKEK 2008 875 AND PREVIOUS
1. (SBU) The following is an update to the dispute between a
U.S. based hotel chain and the City of Bishkek (refs).
a. Claimant A
b. 2008
c. Claimant A, a major U.S.-based hotel chain, operates a
hotel in Bishkek on approximately two hectares leased from
the City of Bishkek. In July 2008, the City of Bishkek
claimed that the hotel's fence blocked "public access" to the
statue of a famous Kyrgyz ballerina and demanded that the
hotel remove its perimeter fence. However, the fence did not
block pedestrians from entering the area where the statue is
located. In July 2008, municipal authorities shut off the
water supply to the hotel, and city workers tore down the
security fence surrounding the hotel. Meanwhile, the Mayor
of Bishkek's Office released a press statement noting that
the hotel pays $2,600 per year to lease its land. Claimant A
believed that the Mayor was seeking to force Claimant A to
pay more for the land it leases rather than honoring the
original terms of its lease.
The Charge' d'Affaires protested these actions to the Deputy
Foreign Minister, and the Embassy sent a diplomatic note of
protest. Later in July 2008, municipal authorities restored
the water supply to the hotel. Embassy representatives also
met separately with the Mayor to request that the fence be
reinstalled and to emphasize how the incident could
discourage foreign investment in Kyrgyzstan.
In February 2009, Claimant A and the City of Bishkek signed a
new land lease agreement. Under the terms of the new
agreement Claimant A agreed to pay a higher amount to lease
the lands and agreed to move the gate regulating automobile
entrance to its grounds closer to the hotel, past the statue
of the ballerina. According to a representative from
Claimant A, as of September 2, 2009 the situation is now
resolved and the City of Bishkek has made no more complaints
or demands.
d. (SBU) Claimant A: Hyatt Regency Bishkek
GFOELLER