BISHKEK EAC MEETING ON PLANNED DEMONSTRATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000383 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN DEPT ALSO FOR DS/IP/SPC - WEINBERG DEPT ALSO FOR DS/IP/NEA/SA - GALLO E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2017 TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PINR PREL KG SUBJECT: BISHKEK EAC MEETING ON PLANNED DEMONSTRATIONS Classified By: DCM Lee Litzenberger for reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on April 9, 2007 to discuss action plans for the anti-government demonstrations scheduled to start in out-lying regions of Kyrgyzstan on April 9 and in Bishkek April 11. Present were: INL, RSO, LEG, POL/ECON, POL/RA, DCM, MGT, AID, Peace Corps, MED, CON, PAO, DAO, OSI, MSG, and military leadership from Manas Airbase. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador discussed her meeting last week with former PM Kulov, who has recently joing the opposition party, and his comments regarding the planned demonstrations. The opposition is taking these planned demonstrations very seriously and feels that this may be their last opportunity to rally a large group of demonstrators because people are tiring of trying to resolve the political situation through demonstrations. Kulov stated that the largest obstacle to the demonstrations are logistical problems--providing food, lodging, and in many cases pay, for the demonstrators. Ambassador noted that the message of past demonstrations was for the president to "reform or resign" and now the message has changed to "reform without Bakiyev." ¶3. (SBU) Ambassador urged all Americans to take the demonstrations very seriously, make preparations by purchasing food, water, gas, and other emergency supplies, and preparing cash and travel documents in the event of evacuation. She also urged all Americans to avoid the downtown area and asked each section head to keep informed on the whereabouts of their personnel, including TDY staff. A warden message to all AmCits was released on Friday, April 6, as well as a security bulletin to all Embassy personnel. ¶4. (C) RSO noted that many rumors regarding the opposition party's plans are circulating, but at this point they are unconfirmed. It is rumored that the "Women Battalions" may be paid to come to Bishkek to take over some government buildings, and that the opposition may try to take over some government buildings in southern Kyrgyzstan, a Bakiyev stronghold. Rumors are also being spread that both opposition and government supporters are stockpiling weapons. It is also rumored that a number of 18-20 year olds are planning to travel to Bishkek to participate in the "fun," and that some members of the government and police may declare for the opposition. POL/RA observed that there seem to be fewer preparations to use force against demonstrators being made currently, compared to preparations observed prior to last November's demonstrations. ¶5. (C) DCM and RSO outlined plans in place for the demonstration period. The Embassy will maintain a lower monitoring profile during these demonstrations, compared to the November demonstrations. There will be one team monitoring the situation in four hour shifts from 1000 until 1900 beginning on Wednesday, April ll, consisting of one FSN driver, one FSN translator, and two American observers. Teams are not to exit the vehicle without express permission from the Ambassador or DCM and are expected to stay at the periphery of any activity. The team's objective is to look for indicators of violence; the Ambassador emphasized that team safety is the top priority. Plans for school notification/closure and evacuation assembly points were discussed, and RSO asked all American staff to verify that their Kazakh visa is current since evacuation would likely involve an overland drive to Almaty. ¶6. (C) RSO plans to broadcast situation reports via radio starting Wednesday, April 11 at 1200 and 1900 hours daily as long as needed. Situation reports will also be sent to EFM's via e-mail at the same times. The Embassy will send a front channel situation report to Washington at 1700 each day (0700 Washington time),with a 2100 telephone call to update the Desk each evening. ¶7. (U) The EAC will convene as required during the duration of the demonstrations. YOVANOVITCH