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Updated December 2009
Nuclear Chronology
1992-2009
View the export control-related developments in Kyrgyzstan.
This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
1992: YUZHPOLIMETAL SWITCHES TO GOLD PRODUCTION
Nuexco Review reported that although Yuzhpolimetal produced an estimated three million pounds of U3O8 in 1992, the facility would no longer produce uranium and in the future would convert to gold production. The change was reportedly precipitated by the cessation of slurry shipments from in-situ leaching (ISL) operations in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
— "Eurasia," Nuexco Review, 1992, p. 60.
21 October 1992: SUSPENSION OF THE ANTIDUMPING INVESTIGATIONS
The U.S. Department of Commerce decided to suspended its uranium antidumping investigations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan as long as a price-based quota, starting when the US market price is $13/lb for U3O8 is imposed. The investigation was filed by an ad hoc group of US uranium miners and the Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers Union. Agreements were also signed with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan but no quotas were established since these republics have uranium mills but no mines. Should Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan open any mines at a later date, the agreement states that quotas may be set. This agreement will remain in force until October 15, 2000.
— "CIS Republics Sign U Suspension Agreement to End Antidumping Agreement," Nuclear Fuel, 21 October 1994, pp. 1-6.
September 1993: QUOTAS FOR URANIUM SALES
The Kyrgyz government asked the US Department of Commerce for price-tied quotas for uranium sales in the US. The DOC has since proposed a quota starting at 188,000 pounds of U308 per year at $13/lb, with a potential increase to 470,000 pounds of U3O8 per year at $20/lb.
— "UI Says Kyrgyzstan Mill Is Working," Nuclear Fuel, 22 November 1993, p. 6.
December 1993: ANTIWAR MOVEMENT ESTABLISHED
The Kyrgyzstan Antiwar Movement Lop Nor (KAM Lop Nor) was founded. The movement seeks a total ban of nuclear tests at the Lop Nor testing site or anywhere in the world as well as the abolition of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction in the world. This organization brings together physicians, journalists, physicists, lawyers, and workers; other organizations are also members of the KAM Lop Nor, including the Kyrgyzstani Commission on Peace and Agreement, the Kyrgyzstani Committee "Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War," the Slavic Fund, German Uigur, and other cultural-ethnic societies.
— Kyrgyzstan Antiwar Movement Lop Nor information notice.
May 1994: AGREEMENT WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION
Kyrgyzstan signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union to develop political and economic relations. The accord established the framework for cooperation in many sectors - including energy, mining, and raw materials - that may be financed through the EU's technical assistance program for former Soviet republics (TACIS). One of the projects will be the development of a transportation and distribution system for natural and low-enriched uranium, paid for by the EU.
— "Kyrgyzstan," Nuexco Review, 1994, p. 52.
20 July 1994: KYRGYZSTAN SEEKING COMPENSATION FOR NUCLEAR POLLUTION
Kyrgyzstan is asking the nuclear successor states to the Soviet Union (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine) to compensate Kyrgyzstan for the contamination of its rivers and soil by uranium mining. More than 40 pits, dug to supply raw uranium for the USSR's nuclear weapons program, have been identified, and it is believed that due to unsafe mining practices these pits are leaching radioactive material into groundwater. 250 million rubles allocated by the United Nations is considered insufficient to relocate even a single town.
— Galina Bilyalitdinova, Pravda, 10 August 1994, p. 2; in Central Eurasia, "Lack Of Progress In Cleaning Up Pollution From Uranium Mining Criticized," 10 August 1994.
5 August 1994: RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
The state gold company Kyrgyzaltyn is working to reinforce the storage sites for radioactive waste that are in danger of being flooded. The approximate cost is 240 million rubles (US$115,000).
— BBC Monitoring Service Summary of World Broadcasts, 5 August 1994.
8 October 1994: KYRGYZSTAN POSITION ON COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY
At the 49th Session of the UN General Assembly, Rosa Otunbayeva, Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic stated that Kyrgyzstan supports the indefinite extension of the NPT and the completion of a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
— "What did Rosa Otunbayeva Declare at the 49th Session of the UN General Assembly?" Slovo Kyrgyzstana, 8 October 1994, p. 5.
21 October 1994: IMPACT OF CHINA'S NUCLEAR TESTS ON KYRGYZ ENVIRONMENT
China exploded a nuclear device at the Lop Nor testing ground, 1000km from Kyrgyzstan, on 7 October 1994. According to a Foreign Ministry statement made public on 21 October 1994, the nuclear tests carried out by China at the Lop Nor site have an adverse impact on the Kyrgyzstani environment and public health. The statement emphasizes the need to set up an international commission to analyze the effects of tests at Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan and at Lop Nor. According to scientists, background radiation doubled on the Kyrgyz-Chinese border and increased by half around Lake Issyk-Kul following the explosion.
— Interfax, 21 October 1994; in "Statement on Effects of PRC Nuclear Test," 21 October 1994, FBIS-SOV-94-205.
20 December 1994: KARA-BALTA PLANT FILED A LAW SUIT
Kyrgyzstan's Kara-Balta Mining Plant filed suit against Oren Benton, his Concord Services, Nuexco Trading Corp., and Nuexco Exchange AG, complaining that Benton had failed to pay Kara-Balta some $2.8 million as a result of uranium purchases made in 1992 and January 1993 by Global Services & Supply from Russia's Tekhsnabexport. The 209,588 kg. of uranium (U3O8) had been processed at Kara-Balta facilities.[1] The 1992 anti-dumping agreement between the US and former Soviet-bloc countries left Nuexco holding Russian uranium that it could not sell in the US, forcing them to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Denver on 23 February 1995.[2]
[1] Nuclear Fuel, 2 January 1995; p. 2.
[2] Nuclear Fuel, April 1995; p. 13.
January 1995: KYRGYZ-KAZAKH AGREEMENT ON PRODUCING AND MARKETING URANIUM
According to an agreement reached between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, some uranium mined in Kazakhstan will be processed at the Kara-Balta Mining Plant. A Kyrgyz-Kazak bilateral agreement was reached in June 1994 to produce and market uranium between 1994 and 2000. Under the terms of the agreement, uranium mining companies in Kazakhstan will ship 1000t of concentrate containing 40 to 45 percent uranium to Kara-Balta for processing. The processed material will then be marketed by the Kazak National Atomic Energy and Industry Company (KATEP), with profits being divided 71 percent to Kazakhstan and 29 percent to Kyrgyzstan.[1] Reportedly, the facilities of this giant industrial complex were nearly idle throughout 1994 (an insignificant portion of its production facilities had been used to assemble South Korean refrigerators and microwave rangers from imported parts). The plant is now being revived.[2]
[1] "Kyrgyzstan," Nuexco Review, 1994, p. 52.
[2] ITAR-TASS, 21 January 1995; in "Kazakhstan Agrees To Join Uranium Production," FBIS-SOV-95-014, 21 January 1995.
April 1995: KYRGYZSTAN ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR NPT EXTENSION
At the 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference, Kyrgyzstan announced its support for the indefinite and unconditional extension of the Treaty. The Kyrgyzstani delegation mentioned the following as significant for the nonproliferation regime: creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in Central Asia, full-scope safeguards as a condition of supply to all non-nuclear weapons states, and a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
— Statement of H. E. Ambassador Askar Aytmatov of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations at the 1995 Conference of the Parties to the NPT, 21 April 1995. Statement of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Tolgat Chinetov at the NPT Review and Extension Conference, 25 April 1995.
7 June 1995: PRIVATIZATION OF KARA-BALTA PLANT
—Kyrgyzstan is considering privatizing 49% of the Kara-Balta gold and uranium plant.
14 July 1995: OFFICIAL STATEMENT ABOUT RADIATION LEVEL AROUND LAKE ISSYK-KUL
K. Omuraliyev, head of Kyrgyzstan's Sanitary and Epidemic Office, stated that radiation levels at Lake Issyk-Kul do not exceed levels common for that type of terrain, contrary to Russian mass media reports.
— "Rumors of High Radiation Levels at Lake Issyk-Kul Denied," FBIS-TEN-95-011, 14 July 1995.
19 July 1995: KYRGYZSTAN'S REACTION TO CHINESE NUCLEAR TESTS
Kyrgyzstan's government commission for radiation monitoring has refuted reports by the Lop Nor Antiwar Movement that the underground nuclear tests in China have had a negative impact on Kyrgyzstan. Measurements taken from 1992 to 1995 before and after tests showed that an increase in the content of beta-active elements did not exceed natural radiation levels.
— "Government Commission Says Radiation Levels Normal," 19 July 1995, in FBIS-TEN-95-011.
August 1995: NUCLEAR TESTS IN CHINA
A Kyrgyz scientist named K. Karimov reported at a press conference that the Chinese have been conducting nuclear tests at Lop Nor in the spring and fall, those times of year when the Chinese are certain that the radioactive fallout will travel along prevailing wind currents away from China to Kyrgyzstan. The effects of the nuclear wind have caused heart, lung, and blood irregularities and disorders among the Kyrgyz population.
— Aleksandr Ivanov, "Nuclear Wind From China," Literaturnaya gazeta, 2 August 1995, p. 2.
August 1995: RADIATION LEVELS AROUND LAKE ISSYK-KUL
The Kyrgyz Commission on Emergency Situations conducted a survey of the radiation levels in and around Lake Issyk-Kul. They found that levels averaged 15-18 microroentgen (mcr) an hour which, according to the Commission, does not exceed typical levels for Kyrgyzstan - 25.5 mcr/hr. They accused Russian mass media of "information exaggeration" in reporting high radiation levels at the lake, a popular Russian tourist destination.
— Viktor Kiyanitsa, "Radiation Fears Scare Tourists Away from Kyrgyzstan," Moscow News, 18-24 August 1995, No. 32, p. 14.
January 1996: BISHKEK HAS NOT RESPONDED TO U.S. PROPOSALS
Bishkek has still not responded to US proposals, tendered in December 1993, on developing a quota and pricing system to delimit uranium exports from Kyrgyzstan to the United States. US policy makers suggested arrangements ranging from 260 thousand pounds of U3O8 at $13 per pound to 650 thousand pounds of U3O8 at $20 per pound.
— "Suspension Agreements: The Status Quota," The Nuclear Review, January 1996, p. 19.
5 January 1996: NUCLEAR POLLUTION OF LAKE ISSYK-KUL
The German newspaper Die Zeit reports that Lake Issyk-Kul has been polluted by radioactivity from Chinese nuclear testing at Lop Nor. Kyrgyz officials quickly refuted the charge by saying that the levels of background radiation at Issyk-Kul range between 15 and 26 mcR/hr, which is well below the permissible level of 60 mcR/hr. This topic is especially controversial because Kyrgyz leaders hope to make Issuk-Kul into a fashionable resort area.
— Edil Baissaloff (ed.), Kyrgyz News Digest On-Line, Kyrgyz American School, edil@kaf.freenet.bishkek.su, 15 February 1996.
29 May 1996: KARA-BALTA ENTERPRISE BECAME A JOINT VENTURE FOR URANIUM MINING AND PROCESSING
The management of the Kyrgyz Kara-Balta uranium enterprise announced that an agreement has been signed with Kazak nuclear authorities to turn Kara-Balta into a joint venture for uranium mining and processing.
— The Monitor, "Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Form Uranium Joint Venture," 30 May 1996.
11 June 1996: KYRGYZSTANI REACTION TO CHINESE NUCLEAR TEST
The Kyrgyzstani Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed serious concern over the Chinese nuclear test at Lop Nor on 8 June 1996. The ministry stated that such tests will have a negative influence on the progress of negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear test ban.
— Bishkek Kyrgyz Radio First Program Network, 11 June 1996, in FBIS-SOV-96-115.
15 August 1997: KYRGYZSTAN AND KAZAKHSTAN CREATE A URANIUM PROCESSING JOINT VENTURE
Kazakhstani Deputy Prime Minister Umirzak Shukeyev and Kyrgyzstani Prime Minister Apas Szhumagulov signed an agreement in Bishkek to establish a new uranium processing joint venture at the Kara-Balta mining complex.[1] The venture will initially process up to 1000 MT of Kazakhstani U308 per year, increasing to 2000 MT U3O8 per year.[2] The enterprise plans to process 450 MT in 1998.[3] Kazatomprom will own a 65 percent share of the joint venture, while Kara-Balta will own 35 percent.[2] The agreement plans to add Tajikstan's Leninabad Minining and Metallurgical Plant Number 6 to the joint venture at an unspecified later date.[4] One unnamed official stated that the purpose behind the Kazakh-Kyrgyz enterprise is to circumvent the normal processing route away from Tselinnyy Mining and Chemical Plant in northern Kazakhstan. The Tselinnyy facility has remained inoperative since Spring 1997 after the Kazakhstani government annulled an agreement with the former managing contractor, World Wide Minerals.[2] Deputy general director of Kara-Balta Anatoliy Grebenyuk stated that while Russia will be the primary recipient of the new venture's processed uranium, the United States, Germany, Japan, and France have also shown interest in purchasing their uranium.[4]
[1] Interfax, 28 August 1997; in "Kazakh-Kyrgyz Plant to Produce 450 Tonnes Uranium in 1997," FBIS-SOV-97-240.
[2] "Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Sign Mining/Processing Pact," FreshFUEL, 15 September 1997, pp. 1-2.
[3] Novecon, 29 August 1997; in UI News Briefing, 2 September 1997.
[4] Yuri Razgulyayev, "Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan Uranium Tandem Created," Delovoy Mir, 5-8 September 1997, p 3; in "Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Set Up Uranium Joint Venture," FBIS-SOV-97-251.
September 1997: ENVIRONMENT MINISTER DOWNPLAYS RADIATION DANGER AT LAKE ISSYK-KUL
Kyrgyzstani Environment Minster Kulubek Bokonbayev held a special press conference in Bishkek to halt rumors that radiation levels at Lake Issyk-Kul are hazardous. Bokonbayev said that analyses demonstrated that radiation levels are only 12 to 18 R/h [sic--should be 12 to 18 microroentgens/h], three to four times less than the maximum allowable level, along the northern shores of the lake, where most sanatoriums and resort beaches are located. Bokonbayev dismissed rumors that Chinese nuclear tests at Lop Nor have increased radiation in tourist zones. He added that the higher levels of radiation along the southern shores resulting from closed uranium mines are not high enough to pose any danger to human health.
— Yuriy Razgulyayev, "Kupaniye v Issyk-Kule nichem ne ugrozhayet," Kazakhstanskaya pravda, 7 September 1997, p. 6.
November 1999: ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK CONSIDERING CLEAN-UP PROJECT
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is considering providing Kyrgyzstan with a low-interest loan of approximately $20 million to finance the clean-up of contamination at Kyrgyzstani uranium mining sites, according to a representative of the ADB. If approved, the project would commence with a six-month study of the country's major mines to determine which sites need to be cleaned up first and what sort of infrastructure will be necessary. The second stage of the project will be the actual clean-up work at one to three sites, which may cost up to $30 million. The ADB loan is conditional upon Kyrgyzstan banning all uranium mining and processing activity. Depending on the length of negotiations, the initial study could begin in the first half of 2000, and implementation could begin in 2001. The ADB is considering providing assistance to clean up all major uranium sites.
— CNS NIS Representative Office Discussion with ADB Representative, 1 November 1999, KYR991107.
22 June 2000: MINATOM TO EQUIP KYRGYZSTAN'S BORDERS
On 22 June 2000 the Russian Ministry of Atomic Energy and the Kyrgyzstani Ministry of Defense signed an agreement in which Russia will rebuild Kyrgyzstan's border guard and control systems. Minatom enterprises, which were instrumental in developing the original Soviet-era border control system in Kyrgyzstan, will supply the equipment for at least 350km of Kyrgyzstan's border at a cost of about 1.2 million rubles ($43,000 as of 22 June 2000) per kilometer. A group of representatives from the United States was in Bishkek the same day to present its version for strengthening Kyrgyzstan's border control systems.[1] Kyrgyzstan will pay for the equipment by engaging in a trilateral venture in which Kazakhstani uranium slurry is to be processed by Kara-Balta Ore Mining Combine for use in Russian nuclear power plants.[2] The equipment includes Vitim, Fara, and Gardina radar systems.[3]
[1] Lyudmila Romanova, Nezavisimaya gazeta, 23 June 2000, p. 5; in "Russian Atomic Energy Ministry to 'Modernize' Kyrgyzstani Border," FBIS Document CEP20000623000115.
[2] Natalya Pereverten, "Moskva vozvrashchayetsya v Tsentralnuyu Aziyu," Nezavisimaya gazeta, 11 April 2001.
[3] Vladimir Kucherenko, "Kirgiziya vstupayet v uranovyy proyekt s Rossiyey," Rossiskaya gazeta, No. 242, 23 December 2000.
28 July 2000: RUSSIA, KYRGYZSTAN, AND KAZAKHSTAN AGREE TO FORM TRILATERAL URANIUM VENTURE
In July 2000, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Russia agreed to form a trilateral venture, in which uranium concentrate from the Zarechnoye deposit in Kazakhstan's Zhambyl Oblast is to be processed at Kara-Balta for use in Russian nuclear power plants.[1] The venture will include the Kara-Balta Ore Mining Combine of Kyrgyzstan, Kazatomprom of Kazakhstan, Atomredmetzoloto of Russia, and possibly Tajikistani facilities in the future.[1,2] Under the proposed agreement, Kara-Balta will obtain a concession to the Zarechnoye uranium deposit, where uranium will be extracted using the in-situ leaching process. The uranium slurry will be processed into U3O8 at Kara-Balta. The venture plans to begin production by the end of 2001 and expects initial output to be 500 to 700 metric tons (t) per year, increasing eventually to 1,600 to 1,700t, according to Kyrgyzstani Minister of Industry and Trade Arzymat Sulaimankulov.[3]
According to Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov, the venture will initially operate by exchanging debts between the parties. The Russian Joint Stock Company TVEL is in debt to Ulba Metallurgy Plant for nuclear fuel rods and Kazakhstan owes money to Kyrgyzstan for electricity. Under the three-way venture, Kazakhstani energy consumers will pay Ulba, Ulba will continue to supply nuclear fuel rods to TVEL, TVEL will pay for new border control systems in Kyrgyzstan, and Kyrgyzstan will continue to supply electricity to Kazakhstan.[2,4]
[1] "Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan To Form Uranium Mining JV," Interfax, 31 July 2000.
[2] Vladimir Kucherenko, "Kirgiziya vstupayet v 'uranovyy proyekt' s Rossiyey," Rossiskaya gazeta, No. 242, 23 December 2000.
[3] "Kyrgyzstan, Russia Close to Creating Uranium JV," Interfax, 13 April 2001.
[4] Natalya Pereverten, "Moskva vozvrashchayetsya v Tsentralnuyu Aziyu," Nezavisimaya gazeta, 11 April 2001.{Entered 20 April 2001 KB}
20 October 2000: KYRGYZSTAN OFFERS RUSSIA OWNERSHIP OF KARA-BALTA
According to a 20 October 2000 Interfax report, the government of Kyrgyzstan offered to transfer government shares in 23 Kyrgyzstani enterprises, including the Kara-Balta Ore Mining Combine, to Russia to meet a $150 million debt. Other enterprises on the list were Dastan (also known as Fizpribor), which makes torpedoes for the Russian Navy, and the Kyrgyz Chemical Metallurgical Plant.
[1] "Kirgiziya predlagayet Rossii zavody po proizvodstvu urana i redkikh metallov," Interfax, No. 3, 20 October 2000.
[2] Zhyldysbek Kerimbayev, "Kirgiziya otdayet Rossii predpriyatiya VPK," Kommersant online edition, 25 October 2000, www.kommersant.ru.
9 December 2000: KYRGYZSTAN AND MINATOM SIGN COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
On 9 December 2000, Kyrgyzstani Minister of Defense Esen Topoyev and Russian Minister of Atomic Energy Yevgeniy Adamov signed a cooperative agreement on the production of uranium, nonferrous and precious metals, and other strategic materials. Under the agreement, uranium supplied by Kazakhstan will be processed at Kara-Balta Ore Mining Combine for the Russian nuclear power market.[1,2] Minatom will operate the combine[2,3] and provide new equipment,[4] in part with funding from foreign investors.
[1]
[1] "Rossiya i Kirgiziya 10 dekabrya podpishut soglasheniye po uranu, tsvetnym i dragotsennym metallam," Interfax, 9 December 2000.
[2] Vladimir Kucherenko, "Kirgiziya vstupayet v 'uranovyy proyekt' s Rossiyey," Rossiskaya gazeta, No. 242, 23 December 2000.
[3] Slovo Kyrgyzstana, 20 April 2001, p. 5; in "Russo-Kyrgyzstani-Kazakhstani agreements help bolster regional security," FBIS Document CEP20010428000132.
[4] "Kyrgyzstan, Russia Close to Creating Uranium JV," Interfax, 13 April 2001.
3 February 2003: MINATOM TO HELP TAILINGS SITES RESTORATION
Kyrgyzstan's minister for ecological affairs and emergency situations Satyvaldy Chermashev announced that Russia's Ministry of Atomic Energy (Minatom) agreed to provide technical assistance and funding to restore the uranium tailings sites at Mailu-Suu. The Mailu-Suu restoration project is expected to cost over $30-40 million dollars, and the Kyrgyz government has been seeking prospective donors. Prior to 2003, Russia had provided around $20 million for rehabilitation of tailing sites in Kyrgyzstan, including sites at Kadzhy-Sai.
— Alexei Breus, "Minatom will help Kyrgyzstan restore uranium tailings," Nuclear Fuel, 3 February 2003; in Lexis Nexis Academic Universe, global.lexisnexis.com/ us.
7 September 2004: KARA-BALTA TO BEGIN PROCESSING OF BRITISH GRAPHITE-URANIUM SCRAP
In accordance with a 2004 agreement between Kara-Balta Mining Corporation and RWE Nukem GmbH, British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) announced the beginning of shipments of mixed graphite and uranium scrap to Kara-Balta uranium processing plant for recovery of over 60 metric tons of uranium (in the form of U3O8).
— Pearl Marshall, "Graphite-uranium scrap from BNFL to be processed in Kyrgyzstan," Nuclear Fuel, 27 September 2004; in Lexis Nexis Academic Universe, global.lexisnexis.com/us.
20 April 2006: ROSATOM HEAD ANNOUNCES INTEREST IN URANIUM COOPERATION WITH KYRGYZSTAN
On 20 April 2006, Rosatom head Sergey Kirienko stated that Russia was discussing long-term cooperation with Kyrgyzstan in uranium processing activities that would take place at Kara-Balta.
— "Russia after uranium deal with Kyrgyzstan," RIA Novosti, 20 April 2006.
21 September 2006: IAEA AND KYRGYZSTAN SIGN COUNTRY PROGRAMME FRAMEWORK
On 21 September 2006, the International Atomic Energy Agency announced the conclusion of a country programme framework (CPF) with Kyrgyzstan. The document covers remediation of the existing uranium mill tailings, environmental protection, health, support of the new Kyrgyz regulatory body, radiation infrastructure, as well as agriculture, industrial applications, and preservation of nuclear knowledge.
— "1st CPF signed with Kyrgyzstan," IAEA News Story, 21 September 2006, www-tc.iaea.org.
15 December 2006: RUSSIA'S RENOVA GROUP INTERESTED IN KARA-BALTA
On 15 December 2006, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Felix Kulov announced that Russia's asset management company RENOVA has shown interest in acquiring a stake in Kara-Balta Mining. Kyrgyzstan has reportedly attempted to sell a 72 percent stake in Kara-Balta on four occasions, however, has yet to find a buyer.
— "Renova eyeing Kyrgyz uranium plant," Interfax, 15 December 2006.
8 January 2007: TAILINGS SITES NOT AFFECTED BY EARTHQUAKE
An 8 January 2007 earthquake measuring 6 points on the Richter scale reportedly did not damage the extensive uranium tailings sites in southern Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyz Ministry of Ecology and Emergencies stated.
— "Kyrgyz uranium dumps safe after earthquake," Kyrgyz AKIpress, 9 January 2007, OSC Document CEP20070109950264.
26 February 2007: RENOVA GROUP WINS KARA-BALTA TENDER
Ural Platina Holding, an affiliate of Russia's asset management company RENOVA won the tender to acquire a 72 percent stake in Kara-Balta Mining Combine.
— "Renova won Kara-Balta acquisition tender," Nuclear.Ru, 26 February 2007, www.nuclear.ru/ eng/ press/ other_ news/ 1802899/.
22 March 2007: KYRGYZSTAN RATIFIES CANWFZ TREATY
On 22 March 2007, the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan ratified the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (CANWFZ) Treaty, the first one among the Central Asian republics.
— "Deputaty Zhigorku Kenesha segodnya ratifitsirovali 20 mezhdunarodnykh soglasheniy, protokolov I dogovorov" ["Members of Zhogorku Kenesh Ratified 20 Agreements, Protocols and Treaties Today"], For.kg, 22 March 2007, for.kg/ goid.php?id= 30287&print.
7 September 2007: KYRGYZ SECURITY COUNCIL DISMISSES THREAT OF TERRORIST ACCESS TO URANIUM MINES
On 7 September 2007, Secretary of the Kyrgyz Security Council Tokon Mamytov stated that Kyrgyzstan had received intelligence on the desire of international terrorist organizations to use Kyrgyz uranium mines to procure materials for a dirty bomb. However, Mamytov dismissed the possibility that terrorists might gain access to the mines, stating that "given our borders, that is impossible: we won't let them do that."
— "Terrorists won't gain access to Kyrgyz uranium mines," Agentstvo Voyennykh Novostey, 7 September 2007, OSC Document CEP20070907950223.
12 October 2007: RUSSIA TO COMMIT FUNDING FOR TAILINGS SITES CLEANUP
On 12 October 2007, Rosatom head Sergey Kirienko announced that Russia would begin allocation of funding for cleanup of uranium tailings sites. Cooperation would begin with a small scale project on a site close to Minkush, where uranium tail rods are stored.
— "Russia to begin funding cleanup of uranium storage facilities in Kyrgyzstan in 2007," Interfax, 12 October 2007.
31 January 2008: BISHKEK TO SEEK IAEA ASSISTANCE IN SCREENING RAIL CARGO
The Kyrgyz government has indicated that it will seek assistance from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in order to acquire a stationary unit to screen cargo transported by rail, Interfax reported on 31 January 2008. Bishkek made the decision after an Iran-bound Kyrgyz cargo was stopped at an Uzbekistan border checkpoint due to concerns over its radioactivity level.
— "Bishkek to ask IAEA for help in controlling railway cargoes," Interfax, 31 January 2008.
9 October 2008: EDB, RENOVA TO ALLOCATE $160 MILLION FOR TAILINGS CLEANUP
On 9 October, Russia and Kyrgyzstan signed an agreement to extend the cooperation between the Government of Kyrgyzstan, Renova state corporation, and Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) on developing a uranium production and processing complex at the Kara-Balta Mining Combine. EBD has committed to provide up to $150 million in loans for the processing of uranium wastes accumulated during the 50 years of Kara-Balta's operation.
— Renova Press Release, 9 October 2008, www.renova.ru/ press/ 734.
15 October 2009: FIRST CONSULTATIVE MEETING
States parties to the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty held their first consultative meeting on October 15 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Representatives of the five Central Asian states discussed measures necessary for Treaty implementation and ways to engage with the nuclear-weapon-states (NWS), and elected a coordinator to represent the CANWFZ states parties at international forums. It was agreed that the next consultative meeting will take place in Uzbekistan. Official protocol of the October meeting was not immediately made available to the public.
—"Zamglavy MIDa B. Kalambekova prinyala uchastiye v vstreche gosudarstv-uchastnikov Dogovora o zone, svobodnoy ot yadernogo oruzhiya v TsA" ["Deputy Foreign Minister Kalambekova Took Part in the Meeting of States Parties to the CA Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty"], For.kg, 19 October 2009, http://www.for.kg/goid.php?id=99978&print.
This material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2010 by MIIS.
