Kazakhs to Seek Water Independence from Uphill Kyrgyz

Once was enough. 

During his visit to southern Jambyl Province on June 9, Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Masimov said that authorities must protect Kazakh farmers from Kyrgyz manipulation of water supplies by constructing reservoirs in the area, downstream from Kyrgyzstan. 

“If they put pressure on us, we must be on the safe side regarding water issues,” he said.

On May 18 Bishkek blocked the flow of irrigation water to southern Kazakhstan, leaving over 100,000 hectares of farmland without water for several days.

During that diplomatic drought, Kazakhstan immediately ended its economic blockade of Kyrgyzstan. Astana had kept the border closed since the April 7 change of power in Bishkek, throwing Kyrgyzstan's economy into chaos. 

In response, Kazakh authorities said they would never let water factor into politics again.