REFORM-MINDED PM LOOKS FOR U.S. SUPPORT OF

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SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR KG
SUBJECT: REFORM-MINDED PM LOOKS FOR U.S. SUPPORT OF
KYRGYZSTAN

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Classified By: Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
.


1. (C) On April 30, Ambassador met with Prime Minister
Atambayev. Atambayev noted that the President and those
around him are "euphoric they have won (against the
opposition following the April demonstrations)," but said he
would work with the President to make sure that there is no
persecution of the opposition and civil society. Atambayev
said that he had sat down with the Power Ministries and the
Procuracy to gain release of the three opposition members
held at GKNB headquarters which occurred May 27. Atambayev
was visibly pleased when Ambassador told him that one of the
three, Omurbek Abdurahmanov, was grateful to the Prime
Minister for his actions.


2. (C) The Prime Minister stated that he sees it as his job
to defend democracy and the opposition. He added that he had
called in the deputy editor of Agym, one of the two
newspapers that was the target of the GKNB raid on the
Freedom House Printing Press, to see whether he could help.
Atambayev also noted it was important to punish the
"provacateurs" who started moving against the White House, as
well as those who smashed car and store windows, so that
Bishkek residents believe in the government's capability to
maintain law and order and punish wrongdoers.


3. (C) Ambassador said that it was a constructive move to
release the three opposition members, as keeping them
incarcerated would provide a reason for the opposition to
continue to protest, although in smaller groupings. She said
that the events of April 19 had raised questions in
Washington about Kyrgyzstan's commitment to democracy and
reform. The Prime Minister responded passionately. He said
the Freedom House raid was "illegal" and that the government
had made mistakes, but that as long as he is prime minister
his government would "defend democracy" and move forward on
reforms. He said he had spoken out on these issues and
subsequently accepted the Ambassador's invitation to
participate in an event in honor of World Press Freedom Day
at Freedom House, where he was eloquent about the need to
support and defend freedom of the press (septel).


4. (C) Atambayev urged the U.S. to be more active in
Kyrgyzstan, to help a struggling democracy as "the future
history of Kyrgyzstan is being decided now." Atambayev noted
that Russia and Kazakhstan are very active and Kyrgyzstan
must have strong relations with these two countries, but said
that U.S. assistance is needed for the development of a
strong democracy in Kyrgyzstan. Ambassador responded that
the U.S. had supported the Kyrgyz people since independence
and would continue to do so.


5. (C) COMMENT: Unaware that April 30 was a holiday,
Atambayev had all his staff on hand and a full schedule. He
told Ambassador that there was much to be done, reforms
needed to be implemented, and he was not sure how much time
he would have to finish the job. In short, he would rest
later, he said. Atambayev was unprompted and unwavering in
his desire to "defend democracy" in Kyrgyzstan and passionate
about the need for the U.S. to support these efforts.


6. (C) Even before Atambayev took the PM slot, the long
knives were out, and rumors continue that the President does
not want Atambayev to become too strong and will fire him
before that happens. For now, however, even critics such as
former Foreign Minister Imanaliyev believe that Atambayev is
one of the three most influential officials around the
president. Even if Atambayev's influence is limited or

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relatively short-term, we need to seize the moment and work
with this government. END COMMENT.
YOVANOVITCH