VZCZCXRO4855
RR RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHSK
RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHEK #0598/01 1610427
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 100427Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2297
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3115
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1408
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3456
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2842
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 000598 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG ECON PREL KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ FOREIGN MINISTER SHOWCASES KAMBARATA HYDRO 
PROJECT TO AMBASSADORS 
 
BISHKEK 00000598  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary:  During a June 5 MFA-sponsored tour for 
the diplomatic corps of the Toktogul reservoir and Kambarata 
2 hydroelectric power station construction project, the 
Ambassador observed ongoing work to complete the 
Kyrgyz-financed project.  However, the Russian Ambassador 
cautioned Foreign Minister Sarbayev that Moscow would not 
allocate any additional funding for the larger Kambarata 1 
project.  The Uzbek Ambassador raised concerns about Kyrgyz 
plans to dynamite a mountain to create a "natural dam" that 
might impact water flows downstream to Uzbekistan.  Balancing 
Bishkek's interest in completing the Kambarata projects with 
Moscow's funding priorities and Tashkent's qualms about water 
supplies will be a significant challenge for Kyrgyz 
diplomacy.  End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Kadyrbek Sarbayev escorted 
diplomats on a June 5 tour of the Toktogul reservoir complex 
and Kambarata 2 hydroelectric power station construction 
project.  Sarbayev said the excursion, which began at 7:00 
and ended at midnight, was the first of many planned 
activities designed to build an esprit de corps among the 
diplomatic community in the Kyrgyz Republic.  He contrasted 
his country's "openness" in showcasing these facilities to 
Soviet-era secrecy.  Most Ambassadors resident in the Kyrgyz 
Republic participated in the tour. 
 
Toktogul Reservoir - Running on Empty? 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  The Toktogul reservoir, which feeds the main 
hydropower generating complex in the Kyrgyz Republic, 
appeared quite low.  (Note:  Kyrgyz authorities have reported 
that water levels are lower than they were last year.  Last 
winter, the reservoir nearly reached a critical low level 
that would have curtailed electricity production.  End note.) 
 Sarbayev told the Ambassador that the reservoir had last 
been full in 2000.  Overlooking the antiquated control room 
that regulates an adjacent hydroelectric facility, Jalalabad 
Oblast Governor Masirov highlighted the complex's role in 
providing electricity to Bishkek.  (Comment:  The Governor's 
remarks came three days before a June 8 power disruption 
plunged Bishkek and adjacent areas into darkness.  The 
electricity distribution network has seen little investment 
since Soviet times.  End Comment.) 
 
Moscow Turning off the Tap 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The diplomatic delegation then traveled upriver 
from Toktogul to visit the Kambarata 2 hydropower station 
construction project.  With a backdrop of freshly-poured 
concrete, Sarbayev pointed out a recently installed turbine 
(sourced from Russia) and proclaimed that the Kyrgyz-funded 
project would be completed by the end of 2009.  In response 
to the Ambassador's question about the interaction of 
Kambarata 1 and 2, Russian Ambassador Vlasov interjected that 
the Kyrgyz Republic would need to allocate funds for 
Kambarata 1 as well.  (Note:  Moscow pledged $1.7 billion for 
the Kambarata 1 project as part of a Russian aid package 
announced when Kyrgyz President Bakiyev said he would close 
the U.S.-run Manas Air Base.  Energy experts have told 
Embassy that Kambarata 2's generating capacity is quite 
limited when compared to the larger Kambarata 1 project.  End 
Note.)  Vlasov said the $1.7 billion would not be sufficient 
for Kambarata 1, and added that Moscow would not provide "one 
more ruble" to the project. 
 
Uzbek Ambassador Pours Cold Water on Dam Plan 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) While still digesting Vlasov's remarks, Sarbayev 
encountered another obstacle in the form of Uzbek Ambassador 
 
BISHKEK 00000598  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
Pulatkhodzhaev's declaration that proposed Kambarata 2 dam 
work is "geologically unsafe and untested."  Pulatkhodzhaev 
seemed unimpressed with Sarbayev's assurances that Kyrgyz 
plans to dynamite a mountain to create a "natural dam" for 
Kambarata 2 would not interrupt water flows to Uzbekistan. 
Later, the Kambarata 2 on-site project manager, while 
describing computer modeling employed by Russian engineers to 
develop the "natural dam" plan, compounded Pulatkhodzhaev's 
displeasure by noting that "I would trust the opinion of 
Russian engineers over the Uzbek Ambassador any day." 
 
The Good Old Days 
----------------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Amidst the rhetoric, Governor Masirov reflected 
positively on Moscow's Soviet-era control of today's Kyrgyz 
Republic.  Masirov said he had helped build the Toktogul 
reservoir complex, and pined for the patriotism that 
motivated workers to build such projects.  While praising the 
Russian engineers working on Kambarata 2, Masirov said the 
pairing of "Russian ingenuity and Kyrgyz brawn" harkened back 
to the "good old days."  Without Moscow's past leadership, he 
surmised, "we would all be Chinese by now."  (Comment:  His 
remarks echoed repeated praise Embassy hears for the Soviet 
era and modern-day Russia, as well as concerns about 
neighboring China.  End Comment.) 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU) While the Kyrgyz continue to make progress on the 
small-scale Kambarata 2 project, Bishkek must convince Moscow 
to disburse the $1.7 billion for Kambarata 1 and assure 
Tashkent that water resources will not be withheld.  This 
will be a significant challenge for Kyrgyz diplomacy and 
President Bakiyev. 
GFOELLER