KYRGYZ STAND READY FOR SCO SUMMIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001015 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZ STAND READY FOR SCO SUMMIT REF: A. BISHKEK 377 ¶B. BISHKEK 925 ¶C. BISHKEK 908 BISHKEK 00001015 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Following months of intense preparation, Kyrgyz officials claim they are ready for the 7th annual Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit on August 16. The Kyrgyz Government has worked feverishly to ensure all logistical and functional aspects of the summit -- from paving roads and scheduling flights to building guest houses and installing streetlamps -- are in place well before the dignitaries arrive. With a series of road closures and flight cancellations expected during the summit, there will be disruptions in the city of Bishkek, and to the operating schedules at the Manas Airport, Manas Air Base, Embassy Bishkek. And given the importance of the summit to Kyrgyzstan, even the political opposition has said it will refrain from any demonstrations during the summit. END SUMMARY. A CAPITAL POLISHED -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Although aware of its hosting responsibilities for over a year, the Kyrgyz Government began serious preparations for the August 16 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit only a few months prior to the event (reftel A). At the August 3 official opening for three large guesthouses and a reception hall (built at breakneck speed using laborers and finances provided by China),and with the repaving of many roads, including the main road to Manas International Airport, completed, President Bakiyev pronounced his country ready to host the largest summit ever held in Kyrgyzstan. ¶3. (SBU) In addition to paving roads and sidewalks along the motorcade routes, the Philharmonic (which will host a gala concert the afternoon of August 16) has been completely refurbished inside and out, working streetlamps and fountains have been installed, building facades have received a fresh coat of paint, and posters depicting all six SCO heads of state and touting summit slogans have been hung on billboards throughout the city. "To ensure public safety," stores and kiosks along the main motorcade routes will be prohibited from selling alcohol until the summit is over. Private taxis will also be banned within central Bishkek, presumably to limit the amount of cars on the road. Hotels, including the Hyatt, have been booked solid as well, as Bishkek readies itself for the large delegations that will accompany each visiting head of state. In all, 14 motorcade delegations and 10 heads of government are expected to participate in the summit. AIR AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC HERDED -------------- ¶4. (C) In a meeting with DCM and Manas Airbase officials August 8, representatives from the Kyrgyz Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, and the Presidential Administration, laid out the routes each motorcade will follow, de-conflicted flight schedules to ensure that OEF operations are not disturbed, and coordinated ground security plans at the airport. The base has agreed that coalition aircraft would fly only at night, from 1900-0700, and the base confirmed that schedules would be adjusted if SCO-related aircraft needed clearance during that time. The Kyrgyz noted that commercial flights that conflict with SCO departure/arrival times would be canceled, but that international flights, most of which arrive in the middle of the night, would not be affected. The Kyrgyz side also explained that major roads between the airport, the Presidential Administration, and the Presidential guest houses will be closed during the summit and while visiting BISHKEK 00001015 002.2 OF 002 delegations arrive to and depart Bishkek. Practice runs were made along the airport road, as well as the main road leading to the Presidential Residence (which passes directly in front of the Embassy),on July 28 and August 10. Such closures will undoubtedly cause major traffic jams, with expectations that Embassy operations could be disrupted on August 15, and 16 as a result. (NOTE: An EAC will be held August 13, to discuss road closures and the potential for disruption to Embassy operations. END NOTE.) AN AGENDA PROPOSED -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Following the SCO's Council of Foreign Ministers meeting on July 10, Kyrgyz FM Ednan Karabayev announced that the signing of a treaty on "long-term good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation" would be one of the summit's main objectives. Noting that the SCO should play an important role in "ensuring security," FM Karabayev said that member-states would seek to increase the organization's relations with observer-states, and "expand a dialogue" with Afghanistan. Further to Karabayev's announcement, President Bakiyev said publicly that the summit's agenda will also include a discussion on the fulfillment of previous SCO-related agreements; regional and global issues; and a signing of eight documents on enhancing partnership, cultural cooperation, and interaction between the SCO Business Council and banking structures. A LIST OF ATTENDEES ANNOUNCED -------------- ¶6. (C) In addition to the heads of all six SCO member-states, Mongolian President Enkhbayar, Pakistani FM Kasuri, Indian FM Mukherjee, and Iranian President Ahmadinejad are expected to attend as observers -- with the latter already calling for closer cooperation with the SCO. While undoubtedly hopeful that stronger economic ties can be attained with Iran, the Kyrgyz have already signaled their wariness regarding Ahmadinejad's penchant for making outrageous remarks during such events (see reftels B and C). During an August 10 meeting with the Ambassador, the President's Chief of Staff Medet Sadyrkulov said the Kyrgyz have made clear to the Iranians they expect them to be constructive, although he admitted he was not certain what to expect. ¶7. (SBU) Afghan President Karzai, Turkmen President Berdimuhammedov, and UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Lynn Pascoe will also attend as honored guests. Most will arrive a day before the summit, on August 15. Chinese President Hu Jintao will arrive earlier than the rest, for an official state visit on August 14. The six SCO member heads of government will leave the evening of August 16 or the morning of August 17 to observe the conclusion of the SCO's August 9-17 counterterrorism exercise in Russia. Dubbed "Peace Mission 2007," the exercise includes the participation of over 6,500 troops from throughout the SCO's territories, but primarily from Russia and China. COMMENT: ALL ON THE LINE -------------- ¶8. (C) Pulling this summit off successfully has been a high priority for the Kyrgyz, with substantial government resources devoted to that aim. Given the importance of the summit to Kyrgyzstan's image, even members of the political opposition have said that they will refrain from any public demonstrations during the summit. Local commentators (and numerous government officials) are hoping that a successful summit will attract more foreign investment to Kyrgyzstan, as attention focuses on Bishkek this week. To this end, the Kyrgyz are emphasizing the trade and investment aspects of the SCO for this summit. YOVANOVITCH