VZCZCXRO7288
OO RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHEK #1144/01 3151030
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 101030Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1512
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2747
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1110
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3138
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2524
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001144 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ECON SOCI KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN: KARAKOL MAYOR PRAISES INTERNATIONAL 
ASSISTANCE 
 
REF: A. BISHKEK 1094 
     ¶B. BISHKEK 1124 
     ¶C. BISHKEK 1134 
 
BISHKEK 00001144  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary:  The mayor of Karakol, capital of Issyk 
Kul oblast, praised NGO and international assistance projects 
to the Ambassador October 23, but also identified 
infrastructural shortcomings, particularly in the 
transportation sector, which challenge the region's aim to 
develop its tourism potential.  While he somewhat grudgingly 
praised certain aspects of China's economy, he was wary of 
too much influence and links with Issyk Kul oblast's eastern 
neighbor.  End summary. 
 
Praising International Assistance 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) During an October 23 lunch with the Ambassador, 
Karakol mayor Nurbek Aaliyev highlighted the city's 
"international" character and praised the work of 
non-governmental organizations and international assistance 
programs such as the Urban Institute, Save the Children, 
USAID and others in helping the city.  He also mentioned an 
Asian Development Bank project which would treat waste water 
from Karakol.  Aaliyev seemed interested in building a sister 
city relationship with a community in the United States. 
 
Economic Challenges and Opportunities 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (U) Aaliyev repeated the desire, as expressed by the 
Ambassador's other interlocutors during her trip through 
Issyk Kul oblast (reftels), of improving the capacity for 
tourism in the region.  However, he confirmed that regional 
power cuts were affecting economic conditions, and added that 
Issyk Kul officials would soon be traveling to the Toktogul 
hydroelectric cascade (several hundred miles west of Karakol) 
to learn about the electricity generation problems there. 
(Note:  The Toktogul cascade and the main Bishkek power 
station supply the oblast with electricity.  End note.) 
Aaliyev also identified food processing as a sector which 
could take advantage of the oblast's agricultural production. 
 
 
¶4.  (U) Aaliyev highlighted two transportation shortfalls 
that limit the oblast's tourism potential:  1) lack of an 
airport near Karakol (capital of Issyk Kul oblast), and 2) 
unrealized plans to cut travel time from Almaty (Kazakhstan) 
to the Issyk Kul region in half through the construction of a 
shorter highway.  However, he said $5 million had already 
been spent on the road project. 
 
Eyes on China 
------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) In response to the Ambassador's question about 
links to China, which borders Issyk Kul oblast, Aaliyev said 
that a direct road link "would permit too many Chinese" 
access to the region.  "They would marry our women and then 
never leave," he fretted.  However, he somewhat grudgingly 
praised the Chinese work ethic and agricultural methods and 
seemed to support Chinese investment in the Sary Jazz region. 
 (Note:  The Sary Jazz region in the far east of Issyk Kul 
oblast has been identified as a future site for major 
hydroelectric stations.  End note.)  Aaliyev concluded that 
"we have much to learn from the Chinese." 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Aaliyev is a relatively young (new) mayor, who 
welcomed international engagement and seems open to further 
 
BISHKEK 00001144  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
interaction with the Embassy.  Karakol and the greater Issyk 
Kul region have potential for further tourism development, 
but global financial conditions may limit available funding. 
GFOELLER