STRAIGHT TALK FROM LOCAL KYRGYZ IN NARYN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001451 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/13/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR ECON ETRD PHUM KG SUBJECT: STRAIGHT TALK FROM LOCAL KYRGYZ IN NARYN BISHKEK 00001451 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: CDA Lee Litzenberger, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: During an October 5-6 trip to the coldest region in Kyrgyzstan, Country Desk Officer and Poloff met with various NGO representatives and Naryn government officials about the current state of the region's economy and civil society. Local government officials were candid in voicing their concerns about Naryn's lack of sustainability and the current government structure, but offered differing opinions on the city's "free trade zone." The NGO leaders also listed a wide range of problems facing the citizens of Naryn, but voiced considerable interest in the constitutional reform process. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The city of Naryn, located approximately five hours by road south of Bishkek, is situated along a river of the same name and engulfed by the Tien Shan mountain range. Both government and NGO representatives agreed the population of 45,000, almost entirely ethnic Kyrgyz, benefited from a wide range of USG assistance and technical support. This was evident when visiting Country Desk Officer and Poloff toured the USAID-funded PEAKS Project (Participation, Education and Knowledge) in one local school and the Naryn Oblast Family Medicine Center, where USAID-supported health reforms, which included the establishment of Family Group Practice Clinics (FGP) and the restructuring of the entire health delivery system, vastly improved patient care and hospital efficiency. CONTRADICTORY COMMENTS FROM LOCAL OFFICIALS -------------- ¶3. (C) Isabek Abdugaziev, the Naryn Oblast Deputy Governor, echoed comments by other regional officials in speaking of the need for decentralization of the government and complained of the redundancy of operating under both an oblast and rayon level structure, which would be easily resolved by eliminating one layer. He also touted the potential benefits of the "free trade zone" established in Naryn, which offers tax exemption to foreigners willing to produce goods for export. Abdugaziev claimed that over 50 companies representing fourteen different countries have been registered, primarily in such small-scale areas as leather and sugar cube production, but did not provide any examples of specific facilities. ¶4. (C) Although initially touting the party line, the Deputy Governor was more frank about Naryn's dependence on the tax revenues and crop production from other parts of the country. Abdugaziev spoke candidly about comments by other regional officials that Naryn is "a pension oblast," living off of the produce and incomes of the citizens in other oblasts. The sparse population of Naryn endures 6-7 months of harsh winter climate, preventing most fruits and vegetables from flourishing. Most of the produce available in the markets is shipped to Naryn from other parts of the country, thus increasing the price. ¶5. (C) In a separate meeting, Deputy Mayor Chinara Abdiraiymakunova spoke proudly of the eight city schools, practices of the city parliament, the opening of the Aga Khan University on the outskirts of the city, and recent renovations to several main streets. However, when the subject of the "free trade zone" arose, she scoffed at the whole idea, arguing that it had no impact on the daily lives of the people of Naryn. In clear contrast to comments made by the Deputy Governor, Abdiraiymakunova claimed that the "free trade zone" was a joke, as companies register in Naryn for the tax benefits and then move to Bishkek without supporting the community with jobs. NGO REPS EVEN MORE CRITICAL, BUT HOPE FOR REFORM -------------- -- ¶6. (C) During a working lunch, Naryn-based NGO BISHKEK 00001451 002.2 OF 002 representatives shared their thoughts on the many obstacles facing the local population. With high levels of unemployment, and bitterly cold winters, alcoholism has become a widespread problem in Naryn. Domestic violence and bridal kidnapping also persist in the community. Naryn residents complain about the large noisy trucks traveling through the center of town on their way to and from the Torugart border crossing on the border with China. (Note: Officers expected to see heavy traffic on the roads in and around Naryn but witnessed almost none. End note.) Corruption was also mentioned as being systemic throughout the public and private sector, in particular in the courts. One of the representatives explained that it "starts from the children in school, who pay for their grades instead of earning them, and continues all the way up to the government officials," who get elected by bribing voters with money and vodka. The group also reported crime was on the increase, in particular among young people. ¶7. (C) The NGO representatives reported that local officials recognize the important role the groups play in civil society and provide opportunities for them to offer input. The real glimmer of hope for all representatives was the possibility of a reformed constitution that would protect the rights of citizens and balance the various powers of the government. They agreed that local residents were very aware of and interested in the constitutional reform process, seeing a direct connection between their own joblessness and the inefficacy of the current government structure. They also agreed that the public needed further education on the process of reform and the substance of specific proposals. COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (C) The various representatives of the Naryn community made no attempt at hiding the difficulties of living in this harsh, remote region. This was evident during meetings with government officials, who touted the accomplishments of their administrations but were also frank about the economic situation. The local leaders of civil society provided a laundry list of problems with few solutions, instead placing their faith in the possible changing effects of a reformed constitution. END COMMENT. LITZENBERGER