

Currently released so far... 6230 / 251,287
Articles
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Amsterdam
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lagos
Mission USNATO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Browse by tag
ASEC
AF
AE
AR
AORC
AJ
AU
AM
ABLD
AL
AMGT
ASUP
AFIN
APER
ABUD
AVERY
APCS
AEMR
ADCO
APECO
ASIG
AG
AA
AS
AFFAIRS
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AMED
AO
ACOA
AX
AROC
ATFN
ASEAN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AODE
ATRN
AID
AC
AGMT
CH
CO
CS
CE
CU
CLINTON
CG
CVIS
CMGT
CI
CJAN
CF
COM
CASC
CA
CBW
CM
CDG
CR
COUNTER
CD
CWC
CKGR
CN
CPAS
CJUS
CV
CONS
CT
CY
COUNTERTERRORISM
CIA
CACM
CDB
CAN
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CONDOLEEZZA
CARSON
CL
CIS
CODEL
CTM
CB
ECON
EFIN
EAIR
EUN
EINV
ENRG
EG
ETRD
EPET
ETTC
ELAB
EU
ER
ET
EAGR
ECPS
ECIN
ELTN
EAID
EMIN
EWWT
EFIS
EIND
EC
ES
EN
EI
ENVR
ENGR
ENIV
EUNCH
ENVI
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ELN
EZ
EXTERNAL
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EINT
EUR
ECINECONCS
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EK
ELECTIONS
ECUN
EINVEFIN
ECIP
EINDETRD
EUC
EREL
ECA
ENERG
ENGY
ETRO
EFTA
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
ECONEFIN
EINVETC
EINN
ESA
ETC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ESENV
ETRDECONWTOCS
IN
IC
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
IT
ICTY
IO
IA
IWC
ID
ICRC
ILC
INTELSAT
IMO
ISRAELI
IACI
ILO
ITRA
IBRD
IMF
ICJ
ICAO
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
INTERPOL
IV
IQ
IPR
INRB
ITPHUM
IIP
IL
INR
ITPGOV
IZPREL
IRC
INRA
INRO
IRAJ
IEFIN
IF
KDEM
KCRM
KJUS
KTIA
KWBG
KPAL
KIPR
KTIP
KE
KNNP
KGHG
KICC
KV
KTFN
KU
KCFE
KDRG
KWMN
KSCA
KGIC
KCOR
KFRD
KPKO
KSUM
KPRP
KPAO
KBCT
KIRF
KCFC
KISL
KREC
KSPR
KHIV
KBIO
KMCA
KMPI
KFLU
KSTH
KBTR
KS
KOMC
KOMS
KSEP
KPRV
KFLO
KHLS
KN
KWWMN
KUNR
KLIG
KSTC
KZ
KG
KRAD
KOLY
KTBT
KTDB
KOCI
KAWK
KCIP
KNPP
KWAC
KMDR
KAWC
KIDE
KSAF
KX
KWMNCS
KNEI
KCRS
KVPR
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KACT
KO
KFSC
KR
KPWR
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KFIN
KGCC
KPIN
KPLS
KIRC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KGIT
KBTS
KERG
KWMM
KRVC
KNSD
KVIR
KNUP
KTER
KDDG
KHSA
KMRS
KHDP
KTLA
KPAK
KNAR
KREL
KPAI
KTEX
KCOM
KNNPMNUC
KPOA
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KNUC
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MO
MX
MCAP
ML
MTCRE
MR
MP
MY
MU
MIL
MAR
MC
MRCRE
MTRE
MA
MEPI
MV
MPOS
MD
MZ
MEPP
MOPPS
MAPP
MASC
MT
MERCOSUR
MK
MDC
MI
MAPS
MCC
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MTCR
MG
OREP
OVIP
OFDP
ODIP
OPDC
OAS
OTRA
OSCE
OECD
OIIP
OEXC
OPCW
OPIC
OPRC
OVP
OSCI
OTR
OSAC
OIC
OFFICIALS
OIE
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PREF
PTER
PARM
PBTS
PINR
PINS
PHSA
PK
POL
PM
PINT
PE
PINF
PEL
PA
PARMS
PO
PLN
PROP
PALESTINIAN
PAO
PL
POV
PG
POLITICS
PEPR
PSI
PSOE
PU
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PBIO
PECON
PAK
POGOV
PINL
PKFK
PMIL
PY
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PRAM
PMAR
PGOVLO
PUNE
PORG
PHUMPREL
PF
POLINT
PHUS
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PNAT
PGOVE
PRGOV
PRL
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
SENV
SY
SZ
SOCI
SO
SR
SNAR
SA
SP
SW
SMIG
SU
SCUL
SC
SAN
SN
SL
SG
SYR
SEVN
SF
SI
STEINBERG
SIPRS
SH
SNARCS
SOFA
SANC
SHUM
SK
ST
TRGY
TU
TBIO
TH
TS
TSPL
TT
TPHY
TSPA
TI
TK
TIP
TERRORISM
TZ
TX
TW
TD
TP
TC
TO
TNGD
TINT
TRSY
TR
TFIN
TURKEY
UK
UNGA
UN
UNHRC
UNMIK
UNO
UZ
UNSC
UP
UG
UNHCR
UNDC
US
UNAUS
USTR
UV
UNEP
UY
UNESCO
USUN
UAE
USEU
UNDP
UNCHS
UNVIE
UNCHC
UE
UNDESCO
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 09TBILISI1034, GEORGIA: RUSSIA MOVES IN ON ABKHAZ ECONOMY \
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #09TBILISI1034.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
09TBILISI1034 | 2009-06-05 09:09 | 2011-02-22 00:12 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Tbilisi |
Appears in these articles: http://www.letemps.ch/swiss_papers |
VZCZCXRO1339
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHSI #1034/01 1560907
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 050907Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1666
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 0231
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 2278
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 4849
2009-06-05 09:07:00 09TBILISI1034 Embassy Tbilisi CONFIDENTIAL 08TBILISI2071 VZCZCXRO1339\
OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR\
DE RUEHSI #1034/01 1560907\
ZNY CCCCC ZZH\
O 050907Z JUN 09\
FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI\
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1666\
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY\
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 0231\
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY\
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY\
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY\
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 2278\
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 4849 C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TBILISI 001034 \
\
SIPDIS \
\
DEPT FOR EUR/CARC \
\
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2019 \
TAGS: ECON EPET PREL KBTS RS TU GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: RUSSIA MOVES IN ON ABKHAZ ECONOMY \
\
REF: 08 TBILISI 2071 \
\
Classified By: Ambassador John F. Tefft for Reasons 1.4(b) and (d). \
\
¶1. (C) Summary and comment. Recent moves suggest an \
increasing Russian interest in exploiting economic \
opportunities in Abkhazia. The Georgian Law on Occupied \
Territories stipulates that all business in Abkhazia be \
conducted pursuant to existing Georgian regulations (reftel), \
but Russian entities apparently believe their government's \
recognition of Abkhazia renders the law inoperative. Rosneft \
secured the rights to explore Abkhaz oil resources, and the \
Russian government has offered millions in loans to Abkhazia \
-- loans that could benefit such companies as Russian \
Railways. Russia plans to help manage the Abkhaz airport -- \
a move that will likely draw Abkhazia closer into Russia's \
Olympic preparations. In an illuminating counterexample, \
Benetton Turkey proposed opening a store in Sukhumi, but \
following vocal protests from the Georgian government and \
Benetton's own Georgian stores, apparently backed down. The \
Georgian government believes highly placed Russians, \
including Prime Minister Putin, stand to benefit directly \
from these deals and is considering its options for a \
response. End summary and comment. \
\
Rosneft and Abkhaz Oil \
\
¶2. (SBU) On May 26, the Russian state-owned Rosneft \
reportedly signed a five-year deal to acquire the rights to \
explore for oil and natural gas off Abkhazia's Black Sea \
coast. Estimates of the recoverable offshore oil reserves \
near Abkhazia range from 80 to 200 million tons. Financial \
details of the agreement have not been released. In 2005, \
the Abkhaz rejected a bid by LUKOil to develop these same \
offshore reserves. The key area for exploration is the \
Abkhaz Black Sea coast. Rosneft plans to build a string of \
gas stations in Abkhazia and sell gasoline, diesel, and \
heating oil. In response, Minister of Economic Development \
Lasha Zhvania issued a public statement, saying, "Any \
commercial activity of any organization in Abkhazia without \
the permission of the central Georgian government is illegal." \
\
Russian Loans and Abkhaz Infrastructure \
\
¶3. (SBU) On May 14, Abkhaz de facto "president" Sergey \
Bagapsh announced in Sochi, Russia that Abkhazia asked Russia \
for a long-term loan, worth approximately USD 31-47 million. \
Prime Minister Putin reportedly agreed to the long-term \
repayment structure. Bagapsh was quoted as saying the funds \
would be allocated for the "development of the Abkhaz banking \
system and the capitalization of the National Bank in order \
to finance small and medium business in the republic." Other \
funds will reportedly go toward the construction of a \
railway, apparently in cooperation with Russian Railways, \
which Bagapsh claimed was critical for the transportation of \
cargo to the facilities for the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. \
He added that he is not aware of the role Abkhazia will play \
in the construction itself, but he knows that Turkey is \
prepared to take Abkhaz construction materials. Russia will \
also reportedly be involved in the management of the Sukhumi \
airport. \
\
Benetton in Sukhumi \
\
¶4. (SBU) On May 26, four Benetton stores in Tbilisi closed \
their doors to protest the announced intention of Benetton \
Turkey to open a branch in Sukhumi. Large signs appeared in \
QTurkey to open a branch in Sukhumi. Large signs appeared in \
the stores' windows, reading "Shop closed in protest of the \
opening of a Benetton shop in Sukhumi." Government \
representatives reacted swiftly: Economic Development \
Minister Zhvania publicly condemned the move as again being \
outside the requirements of the Law on Occupied Territories. \
Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze told the press he did not \
oppose the idea of commercial firms conducting business in \
the occupied territories, but insisted that such actions be \
in line with Georgian law (which would require registration, \
tax identification codes, and payment of taxes to Tbilisi) \
and have the explicit permission of the Georgian government. \
He went on to suggest that any violation would be met with \
legal and commercial consequences. According to the Turkish \
Embassy in Tbilisi, the Foreign Minister also called in the \
Turkish Charge to make a formal complaint about the move. \
Although Zhvania was reportedly scheduled to meet with \
Benetton representatives to discuss the issue, on May 28 \
\
TBILISI 00001034 002 OF 002 \
\
\
Benetton Turkey released a statement saying that it no longer \
planned to open a store in Sukhumi. \
\
The Government Prepares to Respond \
\
¶5. (C) In a May 28 conversation with the Ambassador, Vashadze \
said that Russia made a "big mistake" in entering the Abkhaz \
market with Rosneft and Russian Railways, which he \
characterized as 100 percent state-owned. He noted that \
LUKOil's Alekperov had approached President Saakashvili \
several times in the past about offshore drilling and that \
Saakashvili had always objected until Georgia reclaimed \
control over the Abkhaz territory. Alekperov did not pursue \
the matter further. Vashadze said that the government is \
currently investigating its legal options and, once they were \
clear, would allocate the appropriate resources and go on the \
attack. He also noted that Rosneft is part of what he called \
"Kremlin, Inc," as the Swiss company Gunvor -- in which Putin \
has a stake -- holds significant ownership. \
\
COMMENT \
\
¶6. (C) Abkhaz opposition parties have recently publicly \
criticized Bagapsh's regime for giving away too much of the \
country to Russia -- and those reports came before the \
Rosneft announcement (septel). Of course, investments such \
as Rosneft's could ultimately benefit Abkhazia, but the \
self-declared republic will have little leverage to negotiate \
reasonable terms. Judging by anecdotal evidence, the Abkhaz \
are increasingly nervous about the growing influence of \
Russia's economic might in Abkhazia. The question is to what \
extent the Abkhaz will be willing to tolerate Russian \
economic domination before they start seeking alternate \
partners in earnest. It is likely that realization will come \
too late. The Georgian government understands this and hopes \
to erect legal obstacles to the activities. State-affiliated \
Russian companies seem willing so far to brave the potential \
complications -- but both LUKOil (with its international \
structure that is vulnerable to legal challenges in \
international courts) and Benetton realized that the market \
might be more trouble than it's worth. Nevertheless, even if \
Georgia devises an ingenious strategy to pursue damages \
against Russian companies or their government, it will likely \
need help from its international partners to implement such a \
strategy. \
TEFFT \