The KATEL Telecommunications Company made a statement in Bishkek on 15 October demanding to restore its license to provide satellite service. According to the statement, the company received in 1997 equal rights with the governmental Kyrgyztelecom Company to provide the service but was revoked of it in 1998. The Washington Times wrote on 24 September, "After KATEL's confiscation, foreign investors will avoid the Kyrgyz Republic like the plague."