Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BISHKEK479
2007-04-24 11:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

SCA DAS FEIGENBAUM MEETING WITH KYYRGYZ ADVISOR

Tags:  PGOV PREL ECON EAID KG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000479 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EAID KG
SUBJECT: SCA DAS FEIGENBAUM MEETING WITH KYYRGYZ ADVISOR
RYSKULOV


BISHKEK 00000479 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000479

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EAID KG
SUBJECT: SCA DAS FEIGENBAUM MEETING WITH KYYRGYZ ADVISOR
RYSKULOV


BISHKEK 00000479 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. In an April 19 meeting with SCA DAS Evan
Feigenbaum, recently-nominated Presidential Foreign Policy
Advisor Islan Ryskulov said he sought improved dialogue and
cooperation with the United States. He asked for assistance
moving forward on U.S. funding for the Kyrgyz Threshold
Country program under the Millennium Challenge Account,
expressed interest in U.S. initiatives to help transmit
Central Asian electricity to markets in South Asia, and
highlighted the importance of U.S. assistance in developing
Kyrgyzstan's economy. He reaffirmed Kyrgyz government
support for Manas Air Base, but noted that U.S. punishment of
the U.S. airman involved in the December shooting incident
would help deflect public criticism of the base. End Summary.

Kyrgyzstan wants good relations, help with MCC
--------------

2. (C) On April 19, SCA DAS Evan Feigenbaum, accompanied by
the Ambassador and the DCM, met with Presidential Foreign
Policy Advisor Islan Ryskulov. Ryskulov, who was appointed
barely two weeks earlier, commented that the then-ongoing
opposition demonstrations in Bishkek were a sign of democracy
in Kyrgyzstan. He expressed hope that the opposition and
President could negotiate an end to the crisis. Ryskulov,
who spoke in English and whose last diplomatic assignment was
to Pakistan, added that in his 20 years as a career diplomat,
he has always had good relations with U.S. representatives,
and looks forward to continuing to do so in his new capacity.
He said Kyrgyzstan was prepared to discuss and reach
agreement "on all issues" of cooperation, and wanted good
relations with all western countries. Ryskulov noted in
particular his desire to move forward with Kyrgyzstan's
proposed Millennium Challenge Corporation Threshold Country
program, which is awaiting MCC Board approval for funding.

U.S. Supports Kyrgyzstan, seeks commitment to reform

--------------

3. (C) DAS Feigenbaum reviewed the strong U.S. support for
Kyrgyz independence for the past 15 years, highlighting the
broad nature of our bilateral engagement. He also outlined
the challenges ahead to keep relations constructive, realize
the largely untapped potential for increased economic and
trade ties, and for Kyrgyzstan to emerge from the current
political crisis peacefully, and with strengthened democratic
institutions and respect for rule of law. Regarding MCC, DAS
Feigenbaum noted that he is asked two questions about
Kyrgyzstan: does it have the political will to carry out the
Threshold Country program, which is targeted against
corruption; and does it have the stability in key personnel
to follow through with the program over time? DAS Feigenbaum
suggested that Kyrgyzstan could help demonstrate its
commitment to reform by taking several steps now in advance
of a funding decision by the MCC board.

Interest in regional energy markets
--------------

4. (C) Ryskulov responded that President Bakiyev had recently
agreed to take "serious" reform steps, such as making the
state television, KTR, a "public" company that would be
independent of government censorship. He added that
Kyrgyzstan needed to discuss and resolve fundamental
political questions that would determine the future of the
country. For example, what kind of system -- presidential or
parliamentary -- should define the state? He noted that a
government meeting had recently endorsed the Country
Development Strategy, where a primary goal was to combat
poverty through economic development and an emphasis on civil

BISHKEK 00000479 002.2 OF 002


society. He said he hoped the U.S. would support the
strategy, which will be published soon. He added that
economic cooperation was critical to economic development,
and cited the advantages of selling electricity to markets in
Pakistan, where prices were five or more times higher than in
Central Asia. Ryskulov was aware that U.S. companies were
interested in this potential, and hoped the Embassy would
support developing these potential markets.


5. (C) DAS Feigenbaum replied that the U.S. was very
excited about developing a regional energy market, and very
active. He noted upcoming World Bank/Asian Development Bank
visits to promote this idea, and encouraged Ryskulov to
contact the U.S. energy firm AES. He added that the
President's recent reform steps, including regarding KTR,
were very encouraging. But the key, he added, is whether and
how they are implemented, and how quickly.

Manas Air Base
--------------

6. (C) DAS Feigenbaum asked Ryskulov for his views on the
issues surrounding Manas Air Base. Ryskulov said that
Kyrgyzstan responded to 9/11 and supported the Global War on
Terrorism by hosting Manas Air Base. "The base will remain,"
Ryskulov said. He added that President Bakiyev has confirmed
his commitment to the base as long as the struggle continues
in Afghanistan. "The stability of Afghanistan needs support
first," he said, "then we can discuss the terms of the base."
Regarding the December 6 shooting incident, Ryskulov said
that what is needed is "an objective investigation." He
underlined that, from the Presidency's perspective,
"punishment (of the U.S. airman) will be very important" to
be able to deal with public hostility towards the base.


7. (C) DAS Feigenbaum noted that the U.S. investigation
continues, and we do not know what conclusions it will reach.
He noted that the base is in the strategic interests of both
Kyrgyzstan and the U.S. In light of the incidents that have
occurred, the U.S. has taken steps to ensure that the base
operates safely, and continues to work on solutions to other
base-related issues. He added that base personnel volunteer
and contribute to surrounding communities, and want to do
more. In addition, the base is looking at ways to increase
local-sourcing of supplies and consumables at the base.
Finally, the U.S. welcomed the Kyrgyz proposal last December
to set up a joint committee to discuss base issues, and is
ready to meet at any time to establish the group.

Bio Data/Comment
--------------

8. (C) The meeting took place inside the White House the
afternoon before police swept demonstrators clear of the
central square downtown, but Ryskulov's comments on the
situation all focused on the need for dialogue and a
negotiated resolution. Ryskulov spoke English throughout the
meeting, which is rare among Kyrgyz officials. He was most
recently the Kyrgyz Consul General in Karachi (hence his
English and interest in energy exports to South Asia) and
served twice in Germany for a total of five years; the last
time as DCM to Apas Djumagulov, the current Kyrgyz Ambassador
to Moscow. He was aware of and interested in both the MCC
Threshold Country Program, and our efforts to promote
regional energy cooperation and electricity exports to South
Asian markets. He has clearly been tasked with improving
relations with the U.S. and other western donors.
YOVANOVITCH