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

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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
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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

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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
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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