US embassy cable - 04TASHKENT3180

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 003180 
 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/14 
TAGS: PBIO, PINR, UZ 
 
 
SUBJECT: FIRST DAUGHTER LOLA (KARIMOVA) CUTS LOSE 
 
CLASSIFIED BY AMB. JON R. PURNELL, FOR REASONS 1.4 
(B, D). 
 
1. (C) For at least the past month, the youngest of 
President Islom Karimov\'s three children, 26-year old 
Lola Karimova, has been frequenting restaurant/club 
Barkhan (\"shifting sand dune\") on a near nightly 
basis.  On November 13, we once again ran into the 
First Daughter at this location.  During this 
encounter, she identified one of the men in her booth 
to poloff as her boyfriend and confirmed the club was 
hers. 
 
2. (C) Karimova typically arrives in her -- one-of-a- 
kind, for Tashkent -- Porsche Cayenne S Sports 
Utility Vehicle around ten o\'clock for the 
traditional floorshow and stays until the wee hours 
dancing the night away in the raucous disco.  On 
occasion, her older sister, Gulnora, joins her around 
three o\'clock in the morning.  Taking her prominently 
reserved booth amidst all the action and protected by 
four bodyguards, Lola Karimova drinks a fair amount 
of alcohol and dances freely while 28-year old 
Barkhan proprietor \"Timur\" and Ms. Karimova\'s 
thuggish-looking boyfriend also serve to keep 
potential dance partners at bay. 
 
3. (C) Comment: Lola Karimova, who reportedly also 
owns chic Tashkent nightclub Basha, would appear to 
favor her new club, the Barkhan.  It remains unclear 
whether she is the owner by appropriation/hostile 
takeover, or whether she reached a partnership 
agreement with \"Timur,\" who is rumored to own the 
popular restaurant Karavan, as well.  Considering the 
plethora of foreign contractors, diplomats, and First 
Family members who habitually attend the Barkhan, the 
securQis astonishingly light.  Barkhan ownership 
is obviously well connected, as it\'s the only place 
in town that flaunts selling non-Uzbekistan produced 
hard alcohol, which is against the law. 
 
PURNELL