Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BISHKEK362
2007-04-03 12:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

MOST KYRGYZ CABINET APPOINTMENTS MADE; OPPOSITION

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM KG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO2908
PP RUEHDBU
DE RUEHEK #0362/01 0931231
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 031231Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK
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INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
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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)

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