Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BISHKEK376
2007-04-06 01:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

KYRGYZ OPPOSITION: PRESIDENT MUST TALK TO US

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PP RUEHDBU
DE RUEHEK #0376/01 0960121
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 060121Z APR 07
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000376 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2017
TAGS: TAGS
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ OPPOSITION: PRESIDENT MUST TALK TO US
DIRECTLY

BISHKEK 00000376 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 000376

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/05/2017
TAGS: TAGS
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ OPPOSITION: PRESIDENT MUST TALK TO US
DIRECTLY

BISHKEK 00000376 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: DCM Lee Litzenberger, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: In separate meetings April 5, opposition MPs
Omurbek Tekebayev and Omurbek Babanov stressed that President
Bakiyev's direct involvement in public negotiations was
necessary to resolve the current political standoff.
Tekebayev believed that a compromise could be reached only
after the demonstrations -- scheduled to start April 9 in the
regions and April 11 in Bishkek -- took place, while Babonov
felt that a compromise was still possible ahead of the
demonstrations. Both believed that constitutional reform and
limiting the powers of the president were the necessary steps
to reaching a "compromise." END SUMMARY.

TEKEBAYEV: COMPROMISE POSSIBLE -- ON OUR TERMS
-------------- -


2. (C) In an April 5 meeting with Ambassador, opposition MP
Omurbek Tekebayev said that public negotiations with
President Bakiyev are key to finding a resolution to the
current political crisis -- but only after the April 9 and 11
demonstrations take place. Once these occur, and the
president willingly agrees to reduce his powers, the
constitutional reform process can continue and possible
pre-term parliamentary elections could be held, according to
Tekebayev. Tekebayev, however, had no clear plan how all
this would take place. He then seemed to contradict himself
by offering that parliament could continue its work until the
next election (the parliament's term runs to 2010),
suggesting instead that a new government might be formed by
May.


3. (C) Tekebayev warned that the situation could get out of
hand if not controlled properly. He said that everything
depends on Bakiyev, and it is up to the president to make his
position known to the people. Thus far, however, the
president is not willing to meet publicly or reach a
compromise with the opposition. Tekebayev was confident that
Felix Kulov's United Front easily would be able to gather
thousands of demonstrators, given the opposition movement's
financial resources. When asked where the funds were coming
from, the MP appeared unsure, but added that the United Front
does have support in other regions of the country --
including the South.

BABANOV: AN AUTHORITATIVE CONSTITUTION NEEDED FIRST
-------------- --------------


4. (C) In a separate meeting April 5 with Poloff,
self-proclaimed pro-Atambayev MP Omurbek Babanov said that a
strong constitution needed to be in place first before the
country could resolve the current political crisis. Babanov
said he had been offered the first deputy prime minister
post, but he would not leave his seat in parliament to join
the government before a "solid" constitution was adopted.
Babanov added that it would take time to create such an
important document.


5. (C) Babaonv believed that a compromise between the
president and the opposition was possible ahead of the
mid-April demonstrations, but he stressed the importance of
Bakiyev's direct role in any negotiations with the
opposition. Babanov said that the president -- like his new
PM -- seems willing to talk about political and social
reforms, but needs to make his views known publicly. PM
Atambayev has signaled his willingness to meet with
opposition forces, said Babanov, but "we're still waiting for
Bakiyev." Babanov added that the country is, once again,
facing many risks -- including the possibility of civil war
-- should the president, government, and parliament not
address the issues that could tear the country apart. Noting

BISHKEK 00000376 002.2 OF 002


that the south remains "separate" from the rest of
Kyrgyzstan, Babanov said that northern regions -- "from Naryn
to Talas" -- also should not be forgotten by Kyrgyzstan's
leaders.


6. (C) Babanov said that he met earlier in the day with the
demonstrators who had gathered in front of parliament, in
support of the United Front's hunger strike, and was
"heartened" by hearing the "real demands" of the people
there. (NOTE: The United Front's "hunger strike" began in
front of the parliament building April 5. The United Front
claimed that over 100 supporters would participate. At least
five of the demonstrators have reportedly said they were
willing to light themselves on fire to protest "Bakiyev's
unwillingness to implement constitutional reforms." END
NOTE.)

COMMENT
--------------


7. (C) It seems that both sides remain in deadlock. Although
some within the opposition may be focusing their demands more
on constitutional reform, while others -- Kulov -- are
pushing for pre-term presidential elections, both groups are
calling on President Bakiyev to step in to avert a
confrontation. It is conceivable that a compromise could be
reached before next week's demonstrations -- but only if
President Bakiyev agrees to discuss all issues openly with
the opposition, including the possibility of early
presidential elections.

YOVANOVITCH