BISHKEK EAC MEETING REGARDING ON-GOING

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000452 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN DEPT ALSO FOR DS/IP/SPC - WEINBURG DEPT ALSO FOR DS/IP/NEA/SA - GALLO E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/20/2017 TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PINR PREL KG SUBJECT: BISHKEK EAC MEETING REGARDING ON-GOING DEMONSTRATIONS Classified By: DCM Lee Litzenberger for reasons 1.4 (b and d) ¶1. (U) Ambassador chaired a meeting of the Bishkek Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on April 20, 2007 to review demonstration-related events of the past few days and make security plans for the coming weekend. Present were: AMB, DCM, RSO, Pol/RA, RSL, DAO, Pol/Econ, PAO, MED, MGT, Peace Corps, and CON. ¶2. (C) Ambassador reported that during the late evening of April 19 demonstrators had moved against the White House and were dispersed by Militia using tear gas and percussion grenades. Police dismanteled all yurts and tents erected on Ala-Too Square. There were unconfirmed reports of limited looting, and press reports that police may be arresting organizers of the demonstrations on April 20. Early April 20 Kyrgyz intelligence services sent 30 agents to the Freedom House printing press to seize all electronic files, printing plates, and printed copies of four opposition newspapers. Government response has been disciplined to date, but another rally is reportedly scheduled for Friday afternoon. ¶3. (SBU) RSO reported that as of 1000 April 20 there were approximately 100 demonstrators near Ala-Too Square, all streets in the downtown area were open to traffic, and warrents have been issued for the arrest of opposition leaders. ¶4. (SBU) EAC discussion centered around the need to issue a Security Message from RSO concerning the broader perimeter of police and demonstrator activity beyond Ala-Too square, and the possibility of renewed clashes over the weekend. CON will send a parellel Warden Message to all AmCits in Kyrgyzstan via e-mail advising avoidance of the downtown area. ¶5. (U) EAC meetings will be held on an as-needed basis until demonstrations end. YOVANOVITCH