Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BISHKEK1383
2006-09-28 12:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

KYRGYZ PRESIDENT OUTLINES DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN

Tags:  PREL PGOV ECON EINV KG 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001383 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EINV KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ PRESIDENT OUTLINES DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN
NATIONAL ADDRESS


BISHKEK 00001383 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: DCM LEE LITZENBERGER; REASONS 1.4 (B,D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001383

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/28/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EINV KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ PRESIDENT OUTLINES DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IN
NATIONAL ADDRESS


BISHKEK 00001383 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: DCM LEE LITZENBERGER; REASONS 1.4 (B,D)


1. (SBU) Summary. Kyrgyz President Bakiyev presented his
national development strategy to the assembled parliament,
diplomatic corps and other dignitaries on September 28.
Speaking in Kyrgyz, he stressed the need for all branches and
levels of government to work together to attract foreign
investment, extolled the virtues of private versus state
companies, called for the transparent privatization of the
energy sector, and a new emigration policy to halt brain
drain while retaining remittances. On political reform, he
called for pragmatic constitutional amendments, with a strong
Presidency, that would help the country develop; he urged a
new law on political parties, decentralization of fiscal
authority to empower local officials, and a restructuring of
the executive branch (but did not announce any cabinet
changes). Turning to foreign policy, he said national
interests dictated good relations with neighboring countries
(including Russia),adding that he would seek close ties to
all countries interested in helping Kyrgyzstan, and mentioned
Japan and the U.S. specifically in this regard. End Summary.

Economic goal: Attracting foreign investment
--------------

2. (SBU) Kyrgyz President Bakiyev presented his annual
address to the nation, titled &On the National Strategy for
Development and Near-Term Tasks8 to the assembled
parliament, diplomatic corps and other dignitaries on
September 28. In his one-hour address (delivered in Kyrgyz)
Bakeyev focused on the tasks ahead, several times noting the
futility of debating past mistakes or engaging in political
squabbling. He lamented the time wasted since independence,
noting that Russia, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries have
moved much farther ahead than Kyrgyzstan. He presented a
strategy focused on economic development through attracting
foreign investment in energy, transportation, agriculture and

mining. Bakiyev specifically noted the need to privatize the
energy sector, contrasting the efficiency and increased tax
revenues of private vs. state energy firms. He called for a
new policy on migration that would maintain the benefits to
Kyrgyzstan of the remittances of Kyrgyz expatriates while
minimizing the resulting loss of qualified workers within the
country.

Decentralized Government, Strong Executive Power, Active
Parties
--------------

3. (SBU) Bakiyev listed four goals for creating &effective
government,8 the absence of which he said was the basic
problem facing the country. First, full restoration of
&hard power8 (tverdi vlast) and rule of law. Second,
carrying out necessary changes in the Constitution ) calling
for a strong executive power and a pragmatic text. &We
don,t need an idealistic, abstract model constitution( a
parliamentary form of government works very well in countries
where there is a developed political elite.8 Bakiyev also
called for the formation of capable political parties (a new
law is needed, he said),civil society, and raising a new
generation of political elites. Finally, Bakiyev called for
a transformation of the economy focused on new technology.
Much of his speech was devoted to the need to restructure the
executive branch, improve coordination among regional and
local authorities and the Presidency, and hold ministers
accountable for their portfolios.

Good relations with neighbors, and those who help Kyrgyzstan
--------------

5. (SBU) Turning briefly to foreign policy, Bakiyev said
from day one he has insisted that Kyrgyzstan will adhere to
all of its international and bilateral obligations and
agreements. The changes he has made in foreign policy were
due to the principle of giving priority to national
interests. This means placing greater attention on good
relations with neighboring countries. (Departing from his

BISHKEK 00001383 002.2 OF 002


written text, he mentioned Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, China and, in a geographic sleight of hand,
Russia.) This pragmatic foreign policy, Bakiyev said, means
Kyrgyzstan values foreign assistance and will recognize those
who honestly help the country. Kyrgyzstan needs to build
partnerships with the largest number possible of countries
that are interested in supporting Kyrgyzstan. (Again,
departing from his text, he mentioned Japan and the U.S. as
examples.) Bakiyev then laid down some markers: no country
can interfere in Kyrgyzstan,s internal affairs if Kyrgyzstan
does not violate any international obligations; and there are
no &teachers8 or &students8 in international affairs, all
countries are sovereign. Kyrgyzstan has developed to the
point it can make its own decisions, as the events of March
2005 (the Tulip revolution) demonstrate. Bakiyev ended
saying his government was working on a new foreign policy
&concept,8 which he said parliament should adopt as a law.

Kyrgyzstan must do the hard work itself
--------------

6. (SBU) Bakiyev said he wanted to break with past practice
when the President offered his vision, no one raised any
objections, but no one did anything either. He said the
country,s development and strategic goals should be
discussed this fall ) by parliament, local assemblies,
citizens and NGO,s. Bakiyev ended his remarks with an
appeal to face the tasks before Kyrgyzstan &with one will.8
He cautioned his audience against counting on foreign
assistance to make Kyrgyzstan rich. &We lived with this
hope for a long time, but only received a lot of debt. We
must do our own work. We have a worthy land and a worthy
people, and worthy goals. We need only work and harmony.8

Comment: Something for Everyone
--------------

7. (C) Bakiyev,s speech included many positive elements in
support of political and economic reforms, but it remains to
be seen whether he will be able or intends to carry them out
in a transparent manner. Bakiyev only made two brief
references to civil society and NGOs in his remarks, but both
were positive. His endorsement of private enterprise and
decentralization of power were also encouraging, as was his
call for a nation-wide discussion of the strategy he
presented, but as always the devil is in the details of how
the process unfolds. Bakiyev reiterated his commitment to
pursue constitutional reform, but stated his clear preference
for a strong Presidential government to be the outcome.
Although Bakiyev did not announce any of the rumored changes
in the cabinet, he cautioned that he would be assessing
ministers and local officials between now and the end of the
year, and those who perform poorly &will go.8 From our
perspective, there is plenty in the speech that we can use to
push for continued political and economic reform.




YOVANOVITCH