MORE KYRGYZ CABINET APPOINTMENTS MADE;

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000142 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2017 TAGS: TAGS SUBJECT: MORE KYRGYZ CABINET APPOINTMENTS MADE; JEKSHENKULOV OUT AS FOREIGN MINISTER REF: A. BISHKEK 140 ¶B. BISHKEK 102 BISHKEK 00000142 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Charge Lee Litzenberger, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) A number of new cabinet-level appointments were made February 8, including the ministers of Foreign Affairs; Finance; and Industry, Energy and Fuel Resources. The February 8 appointments include: -- Ednan Karabayev, former Deputy Rector of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. Karabayev held the same position in the early 1990s. -- Akylbek Japarov was reappointed Minister of Finance. Given Japarov's pro-HIPC position, few, especially those within the opposition, believed his reappointment was assured. -- Igor Chudinov, former Director of KyrgyzGaz, was appointed Minister of the newly-created Industry, Energy and Fuel Resources. -- Sabyrbek Moldokulov, former Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, was appointed Minister of Economic Development and Trade. -- Talantbek Uzakbayev was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Processing Industry. Uzakbayev formerly held the position of Director of the Department of Veterinary Medicine within the same ministry. -- Kanybek Osmonaliyev replaces Nur uulu Dosbol as Minister of Education and Science. Osmonaliyev previously held the Deputy Minister position within the same ministry. -- Janysh Rustanbekov was reappointed Minister of Emergency Situations, after speculation that he would get the boot for embezzlement. -- Sultan Raev was reappointed Minister of the re-named Ministry of Culture and Information. The addition of "information" within the ministry's title suggests that Raev may be given the power to oversee all aspects of Kyrgyz media. -- Salaidin Aidarov was reappointed Chair of the State Customs Committee. -- Shailoobek Niyazov was reappointed Minister of Public Health. -- Toikonbek Kalmatov was appointed Director of the State Agency for Religious Affairs, replacing Jolbors Jorobekov. -- Turuspek Mamashov, who previously held the position of Minister of Trade and Tourism, was appointed Director of the State Tourism Agency. -- Nurlan Askarov was reappointed Director of the Vocational Training Agency. �0A; -- Turusbek Koyonaliyev was reappointed Director of the Information Resources, Technologies and Communications Agency. -- Bektur Asanov was reappointed Director of the State Agency for Physical Culture, Sports, Youth Affairs and Child Protection. -- Toktorbek Akmatov was appointed Chair of the State Tax and Duties Committee. BISHKEK 00000142 002.2 OF 002 ¶2. (U) With these latest appointments, all ministries have been filled and only the agencies for real estate registration; procurement and mineral reserves; environmental protection and forestry; antimonopoly and competition development; construction and architecture; professional technical education; geology and mineral resources; and the financial police remain to be filled. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: Though rumored late last week, the appointment of Ednan Karabayev as FM was a surprise, as a number of our interlocutors, including First Deputy Chief of Staff Sadyrkulov (reftel B),had predicted former FM Jekshenkulov would remain in office at least through June to oversee preparations for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, to be held in Bishkek this June. While we are not displeased that Jekshenkulov is out at MFA, we are cautious over Karabayev's appointment. Though he has not been outspoken as Vice Rector of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, University faculty are widely cited in the media as experts, presenting a strongly Russo-centric analysis of events. We understand that Karabayev was fired rather quickly from his previous service as FM when, following a trip to Israel, his announcement that Kyrgyzstan would open an embassy there produced outrage in the Muslim community. ¶4. (C) COMMENT CONT'D: Akylbek Japarov's reappointment as Finance Minister is surprising, given his unpopular pro-HIPC stance. According to the IMF, his reappointment may not be as positive as it might seem, however. Much of Japarov's responsibilities may be shifted to other areas of the government, possibly including the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade -- a ministry that appears likely to fall within First Vice Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov's bailiwick. In addition to the possibility that several of Japarov's personnel may be removed due to staffing cuts, the Finance Minister may no longer have oversight over tax officials. ¶5. (C) COMMENT CONT'D: Nevertheless, Japarov's first public act within the new government was to announce that the government would make a final decision about entering the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative by the week of February 12. Referring to a February 7 joint statement by the IMF and World Bank, Japarov told reporters February 8 that, if the government confirms its intention to join the initiative, Kyrgyzstan would receive approximately $1 billion in debt relief. Japarov also pointed out that the Asian Development Bank is likewise ready to write off about $200 million. Although still a proponent of HIPC, it remains to be seen whether he has the bureaucratic clout to overcome the widespread opposition to HIPC that permeates parliament, the government and the media. LITZENBERGER