KYRGYZ OPPOSITION BEGINS MASS DEMONSTRATION

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000397 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZ OPPOSITION BEGINS MASS DEMONSTRATION REF: A. BISHKEK 389 ¶B. BISHKEK 396 ¶1. (SBU) The opposition United Front began its mass protest on Bishkek's central Ala-Too Square. Throughout the day, United Front and other party workers erected over 30 yurts and dozens of tents on the square. As of 17:00 local, the crowd had grown to approximately 4-5,000 demonstrators. Much of the crowd appeared to have come from the regions outside Bishkek, and many were wearing blue United Front scarves or other political party paraphernalia. Opposition leaders, including Felix Kulov and MP Melis Eshimkanov, addressed the crowd. Prime Minister Atambayev also addressed the crowd, but reportedly was hissed. We expect the crowd to swell in the evening hours. ¶2. (SBU) Several streets in the area were blocked to vehicular traffic, but people were allowed to move freely to and from the square. Two to three hundred police remained in a park area between the square and the nearby Kyrgyz White House (government house),and several busloads of Interior Ministry were seen at points a few blocks from the square. Businesses around Bishkek generally have remained open, and earlier reports that some larger stores near the center had closed proved incorrect. ¶3. (SBU) There was little apparent movement toward negotiations between President Bakiyev and United Front leader Felix Kulov. The United Front has prepared a draft constitutional law nullifying the December 2006 constitution and calling for early presidential elections (Ref A),but there has been no official reaction to this draft law. The 11-member constitutional working group, led by Prime Minister Atambayev, presented a draft constitution on April 10, which President Bakiyev immediately sent to parliament for consideration. Speaker of Parliament Sultanov told the Ambassador that the working group's draft would be considered in committee, possibly starting on April 16 (Ref B). ¶4. (SBU) The United Front's hunger strike continued outside of parliament, although about 30 (including MP Melis Eshimkanov) of the 100 participants gave up the strike in order to join the main protests. There were no reports of demonstrations in the regions outside Bishkek. ¶5. (SBU) Embassy teams will continue to monitor the situation around Ala-Too Square. YOVANOVITCH