MOST KYRGYZ CABINET APPOINTMENTS MADE; OPPOSITION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000362 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KG SUBJECT: MOST KYRGYZ CABINET APPOINTMENTS MADE; OPPOSITION UNMOVED REF: BISHKEK 351 BISHKEK 00000362 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: DCM Lee Litzenberger, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Following his March 30 confirmation, Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev announced that he would consult with all political forces -- including the opposition -- to select a new "coalition" cabinet. He then quickly reappointed the foreign minister and the power ministers. He also announced that controversial First Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov would not be re-appointed. The opposition made clear its dissatisfaction with the appointments, and several opposition leaders vowed not to participate in a coalition government led by Atambayev. As of April 3, Atambayev has selected most of the cabinet, with several additional re-appointments and a few new faces. Although the names of several opposition figures were floated as possible appointees, to this point, no opposition leaders (and only one opposition member) have joined the cabinet, calling into question whether Atambayev will be able to form a "coalition government." END SUMMARY. POWER, FOREIGN MINISTERS UNCHANGED -------------- ¶2. (U) Soon after his March 30 confirmation, PM Atambayev reappointed 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. NEW NAMES IN THE CABINET -------------- ¶3. (U) By April 3, a number of other cabinet-level appointments were proposed by PM Atambayev and subsequently confirmed by President Bakiyev. Of those made, the following are changes from the previous government: -- Medet Sadyrkulov, as the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, who formerly held the Deputy Chief of Staff position within the Presidential Administration; -- Turutbek Junushaliyev, as Minister of Emergency Situations, who replaced Janish Rustenbekov; he is the former deputy economic development and trade minister; former ambassador to Tajikistan; former deputy head of the PA,s foreign policy department, and he also worked at the Kyrygz embassy in Tehran; -- Tuigunaly Abdraimov, as Minister of Public Health, formerly the Chair of the Central Election Commission; -- Sooronbay Jeenbekov, as Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Processing Industries, a former MP and member of Atambayev's Social Democrat party; -- Temirbek Kurmanbekov, as Chair of the State Committee on Taxes and Duties, who formerly was head of the Bishkek tax commission; and -- Nurlan Akmatov, as Chair of the State Committee on Customs, who formerly chaired the State Committee on Taxes. HOLDOVERS FROM THE PREVIOUS CABINET BISHKEK 00000362 002.2 OF 002 -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The following cabinet members were re-appointed: -- Akylbek Japarov, as Minister of Finance; -- Nurlan Sulaimanov, as Minister of Transport and Communications; -- Igor Chudinov, as Minister of Industry, Energy, and Fuel Resources; -- Sabyrbek Moldokulov, as Minister of Economic Development and Trade; -- Sultan Rayev, as Minister of Culture and Information; -- Kanybek Osmonaliyev, as Minister of Education and Science; -- Ukhtomkan Abdullayeva, as Minister of Labor and Social Development; -- Aigul Ryskulova, as Chair of the State Committee on Migration and Employment. ¶5. (U) The positions of First Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, as well as the Minister of Justice, remain unfilled. There are also several state agency positions that have not yet been filled. OPPOSITION UNFAZED -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Opposition members have thus far expressed their dissatisfaction with the appointments made, stating that "nothing has changed" within the government, and that corruption cannot be stopped without replacing the current cadre of law enforcement bureaucrats. Opposition MP Omurbek Tekebayev said that since the opposition has vowed not to work with Atambayev, demonstrations are still needed to effect change within the government. Other lawmakers have pleaded for negotiations between the government and opposition, citing the nation's anxiety over the planned opposition-led rallies on April 9 and 11. COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) Atambayev's new cabinet, so far, largely resembles the previous cabinet. While several key positions remain open, the new cabinet has not drawn in figures from the opposition, and, despite Atambayev's presence, it would be difficult to label this a "coalition cabinet." The opposition United Front and For Reforms movements have said they will push ahead with their plans for demonstrations beginning April 9 in the regions and April 11 in Bishkek. YOVANOVITCH