NEW KYRGYZ CABINET SIGNALS LITTLE CHANGE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001543 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL KDEM KG SUBJECT: NEW KYRGYZ CABINET SIGNALS LITTLE CHANGE REF: BISHKEK 1538 BISHKEK 00001543 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: President Bakiyev signed a decree installing the new Cabinet under Prime Minister Chudinov December 27. The new Cabinet's structure and composition are consistent with previous PM Atambayev's Cabinet, with many holdovers and only a few new names. The positioning of experienced personnel at the helm of the energy & industry, economic development & trade, and finance ministries could signal Chudinov's likely intention to focus on economic development issues ) a key priority for President Bakiyev. END SUMMARY. POWER, FOREIGN MINISTERS UNCHANGED -------------- ¶2. (U) Immediately following the December 27 parliamentary approval of Chudinov's government structure, President Bakiyev re-appointed all of the ministers in the "power" and foreign ministries, to include: -- Ednan Karabayev, as Minister of Foreign Affairs; -- Ismail Isakov, as Minister of Defense; -- Bolotbek Nogoibaev, as Minister of Interior; and -- Murat Sutalinov, as Chair of the State Committee on National Security (GKNB). NEW NAMES AND SHUFFLES IN THE CABINET -------------- ¶3. (U) There were a few changes in the Cabinet ) namely: -- Arstanbek Nogoyev, as Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Processing Industries, who was the former mayor of Bishkek. He replaces Sooronbay Jeyenbekov; -- Marat Mambetov, as Minister of Public Health, who was the former Director of the Bishkek Territorial Department of Mandatory Health Insurance Fund. He replaces Tuigunaaly Abdraimov; -- Tajikan Kalimbetova, as Minister of Finance, who was the former Chair of the Social Fund. She replaces Akilbek Japarov; -- Saparbek Balkibekov, as Minister of Industry, Energy and Fuel Resources, who takes PM Igor Chudinov's former portfolio. He was the former head of the Fuel and Energy, Infrastructure and Communications Department under Chudinov. Balkibekov also held the CEO position of the Kyrgyz energy firm, "Elektrichisky Stansi"; and -- Akilbek Japarov, as Minister of Economic Development and Trade; he was the former Minister of Finance. He replaces Sabyrbek Moldokulov, who was dismissed earlier in the year. HOLDOVERS FROM THE PREVIOUS CABINET -------------- ¶4. (U) The following cabinet members were re-appointed: -- Iskenderbek Aidaraliyev, as First Deputy Prime Minister. He served as Acting Prime Minister, prior to Chudinov's appointment; -- Nur uulu Dosbol, as Deputy Prime Minister; -- Murat Ismailov, as the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff; -- Nurlan Sulaimanov, as Minister of Transportation and BISHKEK 00001543 002.2 OF 002 Communications; -- Ishenkul Boljurova, as Minister of Education and Science; -- Marat Kaiypov, as Minister of Justice; -- Kamchybek Tashiyev, as Minister of Emergency Situations; -- Uktomkhan Abdullayeva, as Minister of Labor and Social Development; -- Sultan Raev, as Minister of Culture and Information; -- Aigul Ryskulova, as Chair of the State Committee for Migration and Employment; -- Nurlan Akmatov, as Chair of the State Customs Committee; -- Temirbek Kurmanbekov, as Chair of the State Committee for Taxes and Duties; and -- Tursun Turdumambetov, as Chair of the State Committee for State Property. COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Presdient Bakiyev has indicated his priorities for the new government are stability and economic development. PM Chudinov's new cabinet largely resembles the previous cabinet. Given the Prime Minister's public remarks regarding his satisfaction with former PM Atambayev's government, and his likely intention to focus on the economic development strategies initiated by his predecessor, the lack of significant change is not surprising. END COMMENT. LITZENBERGER