NEW KYRGYZ FM KARABAYEV MORE POSITIVE ON U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000227 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL KG SUBJECT: NEW KYRGYZ FM KARABAYEV MORE POSITIVE ON U.S. RELATIONS BISHKEK 00000227 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In Ambassador's introductory meeting with new Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev on February 26, Karabayev said he was looking forward to a productive relationship, and suggested establishing a regular schedule of meetings with the Ambassador. He said that his top priorities were preparations for the SCO Summit (now set for August) and economic development. Karabayev said he hoped to widen the "economic dialogue" with the U.S., and he expressed strong interest in the Millennium Challenge Account. Karabayev also welcomed a briefing on U.S. assistance programs, but demurred on an invitation to visit the Manas Air Base. Karabayev said many of the right things during the meeting, and we are cautiously hopeful that Karabayev will be a more constructive partner than his predecessor. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Ambassador met with newly appointed Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev on February 26. Ambassador said that the U.S. saw Karabayev's appointment as an opportunity to reinvigorate the bilateral relationship and that Washington principals were looking forward to working with him. She said the U.S. was counting on Karabayev's partnership to work through some bilateral issues and his leadership to broaden and strengthen the bilateral relationship. Karabayev said that, he too, was looking forward to a productive relationship. He said that the relationship with the U.S. was a priority and he did not expect that to change. Karabayev expressed great interest in MCA. (NOTE: Karabayev's son, Timur, son works at the Kyrgyz White House and has been Embassy's key contact on MCA. END NOTE.) MFA PRIORITIES: STAFF, SCO, AND THE ECONOMY -------------- ¶3. (C) Karabayev said the recently issued Foreign Policy Concept would, together with the Constitution, remain the basic blueprint for Kyrgyzstan's foreign policy. In addition to getting to know Foreign Ministry officials, he said his priority is the SCO Summit and developing Kyrgyzstan's economic ties. He noted that at any given time in a country's history, one particular area supercedes all others; for Kyrgyzstan, today, that area is the economy. All ministries are involved in working to improve the economy, including the MFA. Karabayev said he looked forward to working with the U.S. to widen our economic dialogue and take concrete steps forward; he looked forward to progress on MCA and to hearing other proposals from the U.S. He also noted that Kyrgyzstan's multi-vector foreign policy is intimately tied to its internal politics. This was due, he said, to the need to take care of the national image of the country on the one hand, and create national unity on the other. ¶4. (C) The Minister stated that one cannot have a foreign policy without an internal policy. He said that Kyrgyzstan is still working on creating national unity and bolstering its sovereignty. Karabayev said that many are exaggerating the situation in Kyrgyzstan, but as a historian, he could attest that Kyrgyzstan is going through a normal stage of state formation. Political development in Kyrgyzstan is "not going badly," but people are not informed about this. This is why Karabayev personally would be working with civil society, which is very advanced. Kyrgyzstan, he said, has to create national unity, but this is not possible if other countries interfere. KARABAYEV IS THE BOSS BISHKEK 00000227 002.2 OF 002 -------------- ¶5. (C) Karabayev said that he would be in charge of foreign policy; "the minister is not a symbol." He said that the MFA would become the focal point for coordinating foreign policy. Karabayev said he prefers actions over words and wanted to establish a regular schedule for meetings with the Ambassador, which he defined as once or twice a month, although not limited to that. He noted that he looked forward to working with Ambassador constructively and with collegiality and that no problems could not be overcome if both sides work together. ¶6. (C) Ambassador welcomed the Minister's comments and suggested a briefing on U.S. assistance programs in Kyrgyzstan, noting that the full scope is generally not known and sometimes misunderstood. She said the assistance program is completely transparent and she would welcome whatever questions the Minister might have. The Minister agreed and the meeting was subsequently set for March 5. The Ambassador also invited Karabayev to visit Manas Air Force Base, but the Minister demurred, citing the newness of his position and the press of business. COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) Karabayev may be a man of action, but he's also a man of many words. He likes to talk and, not surprisingly for a historian, likes analysis. Karabayev said many of the right things, but he also said some of the wrong things: the reference to interference from foreign governments, the clear emphasis on the SCO, the link between foreign policy and internal politics (which could reference our NGO issues or the tilt towards Moscow),the non-enthusiasm to visit the Base. ¶8. (C) For this first meeting with Ambassador, Karabayev brought plenty of reinforcements. Five ministry officials joined for the meeting, although they mostly stayed silent. At least one, Western countries division deputy Daniyar Mukashev, clearly thought Ambassador might have gotten the wrong impression and ran after Ambassador to tell her that the Ministry wants to be a positive partner and wants to work through the bilateral issues. We note this is not something Mukashev ever did in the Jekshenkulov-era, perhaps because the Ministry at that time did not want to be a positive partner. We are cautiously hopeful that Karabayev will be a more constructive partner than his predecessor. YOVANOVITCH