KYRGYZ NOVEMBER 2 PROTEST UNDERWAY; SITUATION CALM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001551 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZ NOVEMBER 2 PROTEST UNDERWAY; SITUATION CALM REF: A. BISHKEK 1548 ¶B. BISHKEK 1537 ¶C. STATE 180495 BISHKEK 00001551 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The situation in Bishkek is changing minute-by-minute, as the opposition mounts a protest in the central Ala-too Square, and meetings between the government and opposition continue. As of 1630 local, there was a crowd of at least 5000 on the square. Opposition MPs, who had addressed the crowd earlier, have left, reportedly to meet with President Bakiyev. Approximately 20 small camping tents have been set up on the square. Although we have been told that this could be a potential flashpoint, as the demonstrators do not have permission to set them up, there has been no conflict so far. Nevertheless, the crowd appears to be losing interest, although it was just announced that Prime Minister Kulov would speak to them shortly. In Parliament in the morning, President Bakiyev promised to submit his draft of a new constitution on November 6. There are hundreds of police near the square, in the area between the Parliament building and the White House. To this point, the protest has been peaceful, and we are not aware of any security incidents or problems. Embassy observers continue to monitor the situation. END SUMMARY. Bakiyev Goes to Parliament -------------- ¶2. (SBU) President Bakiyev, Prime Minister Kulov and other members of the government went to Parliament in the morning of November 2. Contrary to the expectation of some members of the opposition (Ref A),Bakiyev did not present a draft of a new constitution. He said he was finalizing a draft and would submit it on November 6, and that a new constitution would be adopted by the end of the year, either by vote in parliament or by referendum. He said he remained open to dialogue with the opposition. Several MPs spoke, including protest organizer Azimbek Beknazarov, who accused the President of "walking away" from his promises. Iskhak Masaliyev, head of the committee that is holding hearings on several constitutional drafts, expressed skepticism about a draft that had been agreed upon by only "a half dozen people." The session in Parliament was broadcast live on radio. Protest on the Square -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Protest organizers had designated separate rally points near to Ala-too Square for various parties and groups. The first such gathering was in front of the Parliament in the morning, where the Ata-Meken party (MP Omurbek Tekebayev's party) brought together about 1000 demonstrators. Embassy teams observed small groups of about 8 to 10 men on many streets near to the Parliament. The atmosphere was slightly tense, but both militia and groups walked freely in the park areas near the Parliament. At other rally points, groups numbering in the hundreds gathered, and at approximately 1400 local time, began converging on Ala-too Square. Embassy observers estimated the crowd at approximately 5000. ¶4. (SBU) Protest organizers and opposition MPs addressed the crowd during the first hour. Civil society activist Edil Baisalov acted as master of ceremonies. At approximately 1500, however, it was announced to the crowd that the opposition MPs were leaving the square to meet with President Bakiyev. At this point, the crowd seemed to lose interest. However, at approximately 1600, it was announced that Prime Minister Kulov would be coming to the square to address the crowd, although we now understand that Kulov is presiding over an emergency cabinet meeting. Yurts and tents are being BISHKEK 00001551 002.2 OF 002 set up now (1700 local),and organizers have announced that there would be food for everybody from 1800 to 1900 local. We have been told that there could be a clash when the yurts are set up, as the demonstrators do not have permission to pitch tents and yurts. Many Businesses Closed -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Many businesses closed for the day, including the Narodniy grocery store chain, local bazaars, and a number of smaller shops and restaurants in the center of the city, through the TSUM department store has remained open. At several shopping centers, merchants were observed removing and carting off valuable items on the evening of November 1. With the exception of streets near the Parliament, the White House, and Ala-too square, traffic flow appeared normal and unrestricted. COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (C) To this point, the crowd size has remained on the low end of the opposition's expectations, and the protest has remained calm and peaceful. There have been no reported breakthroughs in the discussions between the government and opposition, but meetings reportedly are continuing. YOVANOVITCH