KYRGYZ PRESIDENT OFFERS TO MEET OPPOSITION AHEAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001532

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ PRESIDENT OFFERS TO MEET OPPOSITION AHEAD
OF NOVEMBER 2 PROTEST

REF: A. BISHKEK 1506

B. BISHKEK 1423

BISHKEK 00001532 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Kyrgyz opposition is moving ahead with
plans for a mass demonstration against the government on
November 2, but there are some indications that a compromise
may still be possible. President Bakiyev and all the members
of his government appeared in Parliament October 30 in an
apparent attempt to defuse the tension. Bakiyev disputed the
opposition's claims and blamed the Parliament for the delay
in constitutional reform, but he did offer to meet October 31
with a small group of opposition leaders. Prime Minister
Kulov called for compromise, and offered to meet with civil
society and political party representatives later on October

31. Following the meeting in Parliament, Ambassador met
separately with For Reforms co-chairs Omurbek Tekebayev and
Almaz Atambayev, who said that the President had offered
"nothing new" in his address and the opposition would move
forward with its plans for the November 2 rally. They
expected protesters to come to Bishkek from all regions of
the country. Atambayev said that the opposition was meeting
daily with the MVD to settle any unresolved issues regarding
demonstration logistics. We, along with like-minded missions
(German, French, OSCE, Turkish),are delivering a consistent
message to the government and opposition, calling upon them
to resolve issues related to constitutional reform, and to
act legally, constitutionally, and non-violently with respect
to November 2. The EAC meeting October 30 is covered septel.
END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) On October 30, President Bakiyev, along with the
members of the government, appeared in Parliament to address
the current political situation. Bakiyev focused on the
opposition's main demands and aggressively refuted each of
them. He said that constitutional reform was stalled because
Parliament had delayed hearings on the previously submitted
drafts (Note: hearings are scheduled to start November 1.
End note.),and he said he would forward his own draft by
November 20. Bakiyev defended the make-up of his government,
defended his veto of the public television law, and denied
allegations that his family members were involved in illegal
businesses.


3. (SBU) Bakiyev suggested a meeting with four or five
opposition leaders in the morning of October 31. He said
that the government side would be limited to the President,
Prime Minister Kulov, State Secretary Madumarov, and Chief of
Staff Abdyldayev. He assured the residents of Bishkek and
the surrounding region that the government would not let
anyone "destabilize" the situation, and he reminded the MPs
that their immunity did not extend to unconstitutional acts.


4. (SBU) In his remarks, Prime Minister Kulov called
repeatedly for compromise. He suggested the situation could
be resolved by moving forward with constitutional reform, and
such reform should include election of a new parliament by
party lists. The President should remain in office until
2010, the end of his current term. Kulov offered to meet
with civil society and political party representatives later
on October 31.


5. (C) Following the meeting in Parliament, Ambassador held
separate meetings with For Reforms co-chairs Omurbek
Tekebayev and Almaz Atambayev. Claiming that Bakiyev offered
nothing new during his speech, both pointed out the
President's aggressive stance towards the opposition. In a
chance encounter with MP Sariyev, the Ambassador was again
told that Bakiyev accomplished nothing during his
presentation, except to provide more fodder for the
opposition. Rather than address the opposition's demands
directly, including the details of the constitutional reform

BISHKEK 00001532 002.2 OF 002


process, Bakiyev simply blamed the opposition and its
supporters of trying to destabilize the country. Adding that
he would submit his version of the draft constitution by
November 20, the President did little else to appease the
opposition. According to Tekebayev, Atambayev and Sariyev,
President Bakiyev will be continuing his discussions with
parliamentarians the morning of October 31, despite his
previously stated intention to meet with opposition leaders
at 10:00 am.


6. (C) Both Tekebayev and Atambayev confirmed that the
opposition would go forward with its plans for the
demonstration, which would start at 2:00 pm on November 2.
They expected that people from throughout the country would
attend the demonstration. The Ambassador once again relayed
our concern that the demonstration be peaceful,
constitutional, and legal. Atambayev reassured the
Ambassador that the opposition was meeting daily with the MVD
to settle any unresolved issues regarding demonstration
logistics and will have a number of mixed citizen-police
patrols roving the area during the demonstration, watching
for looters and mischievous behavior.


7. (C) Representative from several like-minded missions in
Bishkek (U.S., German, French, Japanese, Turkish) met October
30 to discuss approaches to the government and opposition
ahead of the November 2 demonstrations. The representatives
agreed on the importance of delivering a consistent message,
calling upon the government and opposition to resolve issues
related to constitutional reform and find a solution that
promotes human rights, rule of law, and democracy; urging
respect for human rights in recognizing the opposition's
right to assemble and freely express its opinion during the
November 2 rally, and to show restraint in any reaction to
the event; calling upon each side to make public statements
for restraint; and calling upon the government and opposition
to act legally, constitutionally, and non-violently. The
German Ambassador said his staff had confirmed that the
opposition was purchasing tents, food, and coats in
preparation for staying on the square overnight. He added
that PM Kulov had told him last week he was prepared to
address the demonstrators.

COMMENT
--------------


8. (C) About the only thing that everyone agrees on is that
the situation is unsettled and unpredictable, and that people
remain worried that events could spin out of control. In
Parliament today, President Bakiyev did not sound like a man
ready to compromise, and the For Reforms leadership did not
sound ready to have a meeting with the President to talk
about compromise. Nevertheless, meetings tomorrow will offer
some chance of finding a compromise before November 2.
YOVANOVITCH