KYRGYZSTAN PROTEST INTENSIFIES FOLLOWING QUIET

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DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZSTAN PROTEST INTENSIFIES FOLLOWING QUIET
WEEKEND

REF: A. BISHKEK 1565

B. BISHKEK 1554

C. BISHKEK 1551

D. BISHKEK 1548

E. BISHKEK 1537

F. STATE 180495

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: Following a relatively quiet weekend, the
anti-government protest appears to be growing in intensity.
As of 1600 local on November 6, a crowd of over 3000
protesters has pushed up against the fence of the Kyrgyz
White House, while a group of opposition leaders is
reportedly inside the White House negotiating with State
Secretary Madumarov for a meeting with President Bakiyev.

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The situation is tense. Earlier in the day, President
Bakiyev officially sent to Parliament a draft constitution
that would create a mixed presidential-parliamentary form of
government. END SUMMARY.

Meeting with Foreign Minister November 3
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2. (C) Ambassador met with Foreign Minister Jekshenkulov late
in the afternoon of November 3. She repeated our concerns
about the demonstration that all sides exercise restraint and
act non-violently and in accordance with the constitution.
Jekshenkulov urged the Ambassador not to meet with opposition
figures. Later in the evening, SNB Chair Sutalinov called
the Ambassador to provide an update of the situation, but
also told the Ambassador that "much depended" on her in
resolving the situation. Ambassador responded that we view
the protest and debate as an internal Kyrgyz matter, but that
we have shared with all sides our concerns that all actions
be non-violent and in keeping with the constitution.

Relatively Quiet Weekend
--------------


3. (C) The anti-government protest, which began November 2,
continued peacefully over the November 4-5 weekend.
Approximately 300 protesters remained in tents and yurts on
the central Ala-too Square each night. On November 4,
members of visiting German Foreign Minister Steinmeier's
delegation visited protesters on the square. The crowd grew
to no more than 1000 during the day, and the atmosphere
remained relaxed. There were reports of two demonstrations
outside Bishkek, with approximately 50 protesters at the
administration building in Tokmok, and 80 protesters in
Talas. Both demonstrations ended without incident, although
we understand that the police have orders to remove
protesters by force in the event of any attempt to seize
local administrative offices.


4. (SBU) On November 5, the protest in Bishkek continued,
with the crowd growing to over 1000 in the late afternoon.
At approximately 1600 local, the crowd marched several blocks
down Chuy Prospect, past the White House to the Bishkek City
Hall, where they demanded that the Mayor resign. The
protesters then marched to the headquarters of the
state-owned KTR broadcasting company, where they again
demanded airtime. (Note: On November 3, KTR backed out of a
reported agreement to give airtime to the opposition. See
Ref A for local media coverage of the protest.) There was a
small scuffle with police as the protesters marched past City
Hall on their way back to Ala-too Square.

President Proposes New Constitution
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5. (U) On November 6, President Bakiyev officially submitted
to Parliament a draft amending the current constitution. The

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draft will reportedly be reviewed in Parliament by committee,
and then sent to the Constitutional Court. After the
Constitutional Court gives its ruling, the draft will be sent
back to Parliament for a vote to adopt or reject the whole
proposal. This process could take six months or more.


6. (SBU) Following submission of the proposal, State
Secretary Madumarov and Head of the President's Legal Policy

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Department Zulpiyev met with the press to explain details of
the proposal, which they claimed was based on the consensus
reached in discussions with opposition leaders, although
opposition MP Beknazarov said publicly that only a
parliamentary form of government was acceptable to the
opposition. According to them, the proposal would create a
mixed presidential-parliamentary form of government. The new
parliament would consist of 75 members, 50 elected by party
list and 25 from single-member constituencies. The largest
party in parliament would select the prime minister.
Following consultation with the prime minister, the president
would nominate the members of the government for approval by
parliament. Parliament would control implementation of the
budget. Judges of the Constitutional Court and the Supreme
Court would be nominated by the President and approved by the
parliament. The government audit chamber, which now reports
to the president, would report to parliament under the
proposed amendments.

Protest Picks Up Following Weekend
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7. (SBU) On November 6, following renewed appeals from
opposition leaders for people to turn out, over 3000
demonstrators have gathered on the central square, closing
Chuy Prospect to traffic (roads had remained open from Friday
night through the weekend). At approximately 1230 local,
2500-3000 protesters marched the short distance to the White
House, and at 1400 local, a smaller number marched again to
City Hall.

Situation Tense at White House
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8. (C) At 1600 local, a crowd of approximately 3000
demonstrators remained in front of the White House. The
police who had been guarding the front of the White House
outside the fence have abandoned their positions, and the
crowd is now pushing up against the fence. Sources among the
protesters claim that a number of police have joined with the
protesters. A small group of police in riot gear remains in
front of the main (west) gate to the White House, and
National Guard troops remain deployed inside the White House
fence. At the same time, a group of opposition leaders is
inside the White House, reportedly negotiating with State
Secretary Madumarov over a possible meeting with President

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Bakiyev.


9. (C) The White House announced in the afternoon of November
6 that Deputy MVD Chief Suvanaliyev has been promoted to be
the head of the MVD. Late in the afternoon, Suvanaliyev
spoke to the demonstrators and assured them that the police
would never fire on demonstrators.

Comment
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10. (C) The current situation (1700 local, November 6) in
front of the White House is tense, and the situation is
potentially unstable. Under such conditions, the protest,
which has remained largely peaceful over the course of four
days, could become more confrontational, and any mis-step by
protesters or militia could escalate quickly. The
appointment of Suvanaliyev, who is close to Kulov and has
been critical of the President, could be seen as a desperate

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move, but perhaps the White House feels it needs his
influence (and negotiating skills) with the opposition.
Tomorrow, November 7, is Soviet "Revolution Day," a public
holiday in Kyrgyzstan, and the embassy will continue to
monitor the protest with roving patrols.
YOVANOVITCH