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
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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
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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
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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