VZCZCXRO1661
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHEK #1568 3111033
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 071033Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK
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INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1797
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 1336
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0372
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2209
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1594
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 001568 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, SCA FOR DEUTSCH 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2016 
TAGS: ENRG ECON PREL KG
SUBJECT: AES AND KYRGYZSTAN SIGN MEMORANDUM ON ELECTRIC 
TRANSMISSION LINES 
 
Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (U) In a brief November 6 signing ceremony attended by 
the Ambassador, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Felix Kulov and AES 
Silk Road President Dale Perry initialed a memorandum of 
understanding regarding the construction of 500 kilovolt 
electric transmission lines linking Kyrgyzstan to both 
Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.  Kulov said Kyrgyzstan "could not 
refuse such a generous offer" and highlighted the "stability" 
the project could bring to the region.  Both sides stressed 
the role of other foreign companies in the project, and 
specifically mentioned a place for Russian firms.  The entire 
ceremony was open to the press. 
 
¶2.  (C) In a separate discussion with the Ambassador 
following the ceremony, Perry thanked the Ambassador for 
helping to put the memorandum back on track and acknowledged 
the importance of keeping both sides of the Kyrgyz governing 
tandem, the President and the Prime Minister, as well as the 
Parliament, supportive of the project.  While the memorandum 
establishes various target dates for the overall project, AES 
expressed hope that an "Energy Agency" will be established 
soon within the government to streamline interaction on this 
project. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Amidst the continued demonstrations taking place 
within sight of the White House, the fact that Kulov kept 
this ceremony on his schedule underscores the importance the 
Kyrgyz government attaches to the potential of this project 
to inject much needed investment into the Kyrgyz economy. 
AES representatives are elated, but, expect hiccups and are 
opening a Bishkek office to interface more closely with the 
Kyrgyz government.  End comment. 
YOVANOVITCH