US embassy cable - 05ALMATY3072

UNCLAS ALMATY 003072 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KZ, MOPS, PREL, ENRG, ECONOMIC, Energy 
SUBJECT:  KAZAKHSTAN BANS JET FUEL EXPORTS THROUGH END OF 
2005 
 
REF: ALMATY 1932 
 
1. (U) On August 20, the government of Kazakhstan imposed 
another temporary ban on the export of aviation fuel, to 
last through December 31, 2005.  According to the GOK 
decree, the ban on jet fuel was imposed "for the purpose 
of saving the required aviation fuel for economic needs of 
the republic and in accordance with item 2 of article 8 of 
the Customs code." 
 
2. (SBU) A Red Star source recently told DATT that the 
company has not purchased any fuel oil from Kazakhstan 
since the first Kazakhstani fuel ban in April.  Thus, 
while the ban tightens an already-difficult regional 
market, it does not present Red Star with any new, 
overnight supply issues. 
 
3. (SBU) Comment:  This decision appears to have been made 
for economic rather than political reasons, and thus 
should not be interpreted as an intentional hindrance to 
OEF operations at Manas airport in Kyrgyzstan.  Our 
petroleum sector contacts confirm that consumption of jet 
fuel in Kazakhstan exceeds production, necessitating 
increasing imports to meet demand.  Post will underscore 
the potential negative impact on OEF operations to the GOK 
and seek an exemption for OEF-related shipments.  Given 
that no shipments are presently pending, however, the GOK 
is unlikely to waver.  End Comment. 
 
ASQUINO 
 
 
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