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