KYRGYZ DEFENSE MININISTER ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000485 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/26/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZ DEFENSE MININISTER ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP; ASSURES GOKG WILL ACT WITH RESTRAINT REF: IIR 6 955 2047 07 BISHKEK 00000485 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) . POSITIVE BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP -------------- ¶1. (C) On April 19, SCA Deputy Assistant Secretary Evan Feigenbaum met with Defense Minister Isakov and Deputy Defense Minister Oruzbayev for a warm and open discussion. Isakov repeated assurances (reftel) that Kyrgyzstan understood the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan and had made a political decision that Manas Air Base should remain. He said it would be useful to send senior Kyrgyz defense and security policy makers to Afghanistan so they could see for themselves the situation there. Both Kyrgyz officials were extremely positive about the bilateral relationship in general and the security relationship in particular, noting a U.S. handover of a refurbished MI-8 helicopter the day before. But Isakov noted that Kyrgyzstan's international agreements (SCO, CSTO, etc) are important and must be taken into account as Kyrgyzstan contemplates expanded bilateral cooperation with the United States. DAS Feigenbaum thanked the Kyrgyz for their cooperation and noted that the U.S. is fully prepared to work through the out standing Base issues. ISAKOV: THE NORTH WANTS TO TAKE BACK POWER -------------- ¶2. (C) In a separate one-on-one meeting with Isakov, DAS Feigenbaum asked about the political situation. Isakov, who is close to President Bakiyev from their days together as parliamentary deputies, said that the situation is complex; the opposition's reform slogans are merely cover for northerners to take back rule of Kyrgyzstan which they had enjoyed for years until Bakiyev came to power. He said that there are no political, legal or moral grounds for opposition leader Feliks Kulov to aspire to be president and that Kulov would regret the actions he is taking. Nevertheless, Isakov claimed that Kulov does not have public support, and that Bakiyev has support not only in the south but in the north as well. He claimed that allegations of Bakiyev's corruption are untrue and that many opposition members were themselves corrupt. REASSURANCE OF RESTRAINT -------------- ¶3. (C) Just hours before Kyrgyz police took action against demonstrators on Ala-Too square, Isakov assured DAS Feigenbaum that the President and those around him would take sober decisions. He noted, however, that if the demonstrators try to seize government buildings, they will be dealt with "severely." He asked Feigenbaum whether the United States regarded Bakiyev as the leader of Kyrgyzstan and suggested the USG state so clearly in public. Noting that Bakiyev is indeed the elected president, DAS Feigenbaum emphasized the U.S. message that all sides, including the government, need to show restraint and that it was necessary to solve the impasse peacefully, legally, and constitutionally, and in a manner that both reflects and strengthens the rule of law. ¶4. (C) Isakov said he respected the "tough position of the U.S" and conveyed his appreciation that the U.S. recognized Bakiyev's position as the president elected in 2005. He said the situation in Kyrgyzstan is constantly improving and that the demonstrations were merely an example of democracy in BISHKEK 00000485 002.2 OF 002 action. Isakov concluded that the GOKG would take action only within the framework of the law and the constitution. YOVANOVITCH