Kyrgyzstan: Bakiyev Stands Up to Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan on Hydropower Projects

Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has reaffirmed his commitment to building two controversial new hydroelectric dams in his country, the news agency 24.kg is reporting.

"We will build the Kambarata hydroelectric power stations in Kyrgyzstan whether one likes it or not," Bakiyev told members of the non-governmental community May 5. He was referring to the leaders of neighboring Central Asian states, in particular Uzbek leader Islam Karimov and Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, who have both expressed strong opposition to hydropower projects in which they have no say.

The comments come a week after Bakiyev sparred with Karimov and Berdymukhamedov during a regional water forum in Almaty. Downstream Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan are concerned that the water they need for irrigation will be blocked during the summer months. Upstream Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan suffer massive energy shortages every winter and see no other solution.

Russia has promised $1.7 billion to help construct the Kambarata complex on the Naryn River, angering Tashkent. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Bishkek-based political scientist Nur Omarov says Bakiyev's statements are part of his plans to counter Uzbek pressure. "We know that Uzbekistan has already tried to pressure its neighbors through its ties with Moscow regarding the water projects in the region, but hasn't achieved much yet. I think Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan will try to influence the projects through the European Union and attract [the Europeans'] attention as much as they can to the problem," Omarov said.

"Bakiyev's statements on this issue are one aspect of his reelection campaign," Omarov added. "It is not random. He wanted to show that he stands behind the national interests of the country."

Presidential elections are scheduled for July 23.