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

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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
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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
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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

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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
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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