Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BISHKEK1158
2007-09-18 12:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
KYRGYZ MP BAIBOLOV DETAILS CONFUSION, ANXIETY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001158
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ MP BAIBOLOV DETAILS CONFUSION, ANXIETY
FOLLOWING INVALIDATION OF 2006 CONSTITUTIONS
REF: BISHKEK 1137
BISHKEK 00001158 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001158
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ MP BAIBOLOV DETAILS CONFUSION, ANXIETY
FOLLOWING INVALIDATION OF 2006 CONSTITUTIONS
REF: BISHKEK 1137
BISHKEK 00001158 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: In a meeting with the Ambassador September
18, opposition MP Kubatbek Baibolov detailed the confusion
and anxiety in parliament following the Constitutional
Court's September 14 decision to invalidate the November and
December 2006 constitutions (reftel). Baibolov predicted
further political turmoil, an end to democratic
constitutional reform, and even a rise in "totalitarianism"
in Kyrgyzstan, as President Bakiyev regains the strong powers
afforded under the 2003 constitution. Baibolov did not think
there would be public demonstrations, but did caution that
rising food prices could add to the public's fears of
Kyrgyzstan's instability. He thought that the decision had
effectively united the parliament, pitting it against the
Kyrgyz White House. President Bakiyev is slated to address
parliament and the nation September 19, and many expect that
he will propose his own version of the constitution to be
adopted by referendum. End Summary.
A PRESIDENT EMPOWERED
--------------
2. (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador September 18, MP
Baibolov said that Kyrgyzstan is facing political turmoil as
a result of the Constitutional Court's ruling September 14 to
invalidate on procedural grounds the November and December
2006 versions of the constitution. Baibolov criticized the
court's decision as a "political show" staged by MPs Kabai
Karabekov and Melis Eshimkanov (who filed the petitions
challenging the November and December versions of the
constitution),Bakiyev's lawyer Bektur Zulpiuev (who actually
argued in favor of keeping the December constitution),
Constitutional Court Chair Cholpon Bayekova (who made a
political decision),and President Bakiyev (who gains from
the result). Baibolov argued that reverting to the 2003
constitution, which provides greater powers to the president,
should not have been automatic, and was a step toward
"totalitarianism." (Note: Under the 2003 constitution, the
president has much broader authority to dissolve the
parliament. End note.) Baibolov lamented Bakiyev for not
having long-term vision, and criticized Chief of Staff Medet
Sadyrkulov for being interested only in political intrigue.
Noting that the president could not appear to be against
constitutional reform, Baibolov predicted that Bakiyev would
delay the process as much as possible while he enjoys his
newly extended powers provided by the Akayev-era 2003
constitution.
3. (C) Baibolov did not think there would be public
demonstrations over the issue, but did believe that the
people would band together one way or another to move the
country in the right direction. The potentially inflammatory
issue of rising food prices could, however, incite public
action.
A PARLIAMENT UNITED?
--------------
4. (C) Baibolov commented that the parliament, normally 75
members pursuing their individual interests, had effectively
been united by the Court's decision. Anxiety over its future
pitted the parliament against the Kyrgyz White House. He
said that parliament had acted quickly to form a commission
to review the Court's decision, hinting that parliament
remains unsure as to what the next steps could be. In
addition, parliament passed two resolutions calling into
question actions taken under the now-revoked December
constitution. One resolution called on the president to
re-submit the members of the government for parliamentary
approval, and the other deemed invalid the parliament's
earlier approval of three Constitutional Court judges. The
BISHKEK 00001158 002.2 OF 002
bottom line, said Baibolov, is that parliament, the
government, and the entire country is trying to figure out
what the Court's ruling means for Kyrgyzstan's future.
COMMENT: ANSWERS AWAITED
--------------
5. (C) The Constitutional Court's decision to invalidate the
November and December 2006 constitutions has thrown Kyrgyz
lawmakers, prosecutors, analysts, and opposition activists
into turmoil and confusion larger than anyone could foresee.
All will be focusing intensely on President Bakiyev's address
to parliament and the nation September 19, with many
predicting that Bakiyev will attempt to carry out
constitutional reform by proposing a new text (that will
likely preserve strong presidential powers) to be approved by
referendum. End comment.
YOVANOVITCH
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ MP BAIBOLOV DETAILS CONFUSION, ANXIETY
FOLLOWING INVALIDATION OF 2006 CONSTITUTIONS
REF: BISHKEK 1137
BISHKEK 00001158 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: In a meeting with the Ambassador September
18, opposition MP Kubatbek Baibolov detailed the confusion
and anxiety in parliament following the Constitutional
Court's September 14 decision to invalidate the November and
December 2006 constitutions (reftel). Baibolov predicted
further political turmoil, an end to democratic
constitutional reform, and even a rise in "totalitarianism"
in Kyrgyzstan, as President Bakiyev regains the strong powers
afforded under the 2003 constitution. Baibolov did not think
there would be public demonstrations, but did caution that
rising food prices could add to the public's fears of
Kyrgyzstan's instability. He thought that the decision had
effectively united the parliament, pitting it against the
Kyrgyz White House. President Bakiyev is slated to address
parliament and the nation September 19, and many expect that
he will propose his own version of the constitution to be
adopted by referendum. End Summary.
A PRESIDENT EMPOWERED
--------------
2. (C) In a meeting with the Ambassador September 18, MP
Baibolov said that Kyrgyzstan is facing political turmoil as
a result of the Constitutional Court's ruling September 14 to
invalidate on procedural grounds the November and December
2006 versions of the constitution. Baibolov criticized the
court's decision as a "political show" staged by MPs Kabai
Karabekov and Melis Eshimkanov (who filed the petitions
challenging the November and December versions of the
constitution),Bakiyev's lawyer Bektur Zulpiuev (who actually
argued in favor of keeping the December constitution),
Constitutional Court Chair Cholpon Bayekova (who made a
political decision),and President Bakiyev (who gains from
the result). Baibolov argued that reverting to the 2003
constitution, which provides greater powers to the president,
should not have been automatic, and was a step toward
"totalitarianism." (Note: Under the 2003 constitution, the
president has much broader authority to dissolve the
parliament. End note.) Baibolov lamented Bakiyev for not
having long-term vision, and criticized Chief of Staff Medet
Sadyrkulov for being interested only in political intrigue.
Noting that the president could not appear to be against
constitutional reform, Baibolov predicted that Bakiyev would
delay the process as much as possible while he enjoys his
newly extended powers provided by the Akayev-era 2003
constitution.
3. (C) Baibolov did not think there would be public
demonstrations over the issue, but did believe that the
people would band together one way or another to move the
country in the right direction. The potentially inflammatory
issue of rising food prices could, however, incite public
action.
A PARLIAMENT UNITED?
--------------
4. (C) Baibolov commented that the parliament, normally 75
members pursuing their individual interests, had effectively
been united by the Court's decision. Anxiety over its future
pitted the parliament against the Kyrgyz White House. He
said that parliament had acted quickly to form a commission
to review the Court's decision, hinting that parliament
remains unsure as to what the next steps could be. In
addition, parliament passed two resolutions calling into
question actions taken under the now-revoked December
constitution. One resolution called on the president to
re-submit the members of the government for parliamentary
approval, and the other deemed invalid the parliament's
earlier approval of three Constitutional Court judges. The
BISHKEK 00001158 002.2 OF 002
bottom line, said Baibolov, is that parliament, the
government, and the entire country is trying to figure out
what the Court's ruling means for Kyrgyzstan's future.
COMMENT: ANSWERS AWAITED
--------------
5. (C) The Constitutional Court's decision to invalidate the
November and December 2006 constitutions has thrown Kyrgyz
lawmakers, prosecutors, analysts, and opposition activists
into turmoil and confusion larger than anyone could foresee.
All will be focusing intensely on President Bakiyev's address
to parliament and the nation September 19, with many
predicting that Bakiyev will attempt to carry out
constitutional reform by proposing a new text (that will
likely preserve strong presidential powers) to be approved by
referendum. End comment.
YOVANOVITCH