Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BISHKEK560
2007-05-15 13:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
KYRGYZ INVESTIGATE APRIL EVENTS
how-toVZCZCXRO5664 PP RUEHDBU DE RUEHEK #0560/01 1351327 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 151327Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9571 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 2151 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 0240 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0252 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 0738 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0546 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 0247 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0415 RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC PRIORITY RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 2554 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1933 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000560
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ INVESTIGATE APRIL EVENTS
REF: A. BISHKEK 549
B. BISHKEK 492
BISHKEK 00000560 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Ambassador 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 000560
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ INVESTIGATE APRIL EVENTS
REF: A. BISHKEK 549
B. BISHKEK 492
BISHKEK 00000560 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: United Front leader Omurbek Suvanaliyev is
due in court this week to face claims for damage caused
during the April protests in Bishkek. Former Prime Minister
Kulov, in a conversation with the Ambassador, absolved
himself of any mistakes or responsibility for the April
events. Kyrgyz State Security Service personnel are seeking
a United Front youth leader and have extended "invitations"
to opposition parliamentarians to discuss the April protests.
We will continue to encourage the government to be
magnanimous and inclusive. End summary.
SUVANALIYEV IN THE SPOTLIGHT
--------------
2. (SBU) United Front leader Omurbek Suvanaliyev, who was
released from State Security Service (GKNB) custody April 27,
will appear before a Bishkek court May 16 to answer for
$100,000 in damages incurred during the April 11-19 United
Front-led demonstrations. The Bishkek Mayor's office, which
filed the suit together with the Pervomay District
administration, included the salaries of the police officers
who provided security during the rally in the damage claim.
Opposition MP Melis Eshimkanov vowed to defend Suvanaliyev in
court, and called for the authorities to clarify who should
be blamed for the damage -- the opposition or pro-government
"provocateurs." Eshimkanov also asked why Suvanaliyev was
summoned, and not Felix Kulov, opposition MP Omurbek
Tekebayev, or himself. Later, Eshimkanov announced that he
was selling his opposition newspaper "Agym" due to government
pressure against him and his relatives.
KULOV SITS ON THE SIDELINES
--------------
3. (C) On May 11, Ambassador met with an unbending Felix
Kulov, who deflected blame for any mistakes that occurred
during the April demonstration. He said that he was not
responsible for the rally or the manner in which it ended,
proudly claiming that he was simply following others. Kulov
added that the demonstration was peaceful, and that President
Bakiyev lost because he used force to break up the
demonstrators. He also disavowed any responsibility for
organizing the May 5 "kurultay" in his hometown, or the list
of demands produced following that gathering. Kulov said
that he supported the decisions that others made, rather than
formulating those decisions himself.
4. (C) Kulov said repeatedly that he was not ambitious, and
did not want a position within the government. He added that
in the immediate future he will go on vacation, and focus on
politics upon his return. Meanwhile, his supporters are
consolidating their forces, vowing to collect 300,000
signatures to force Bakiyev out of office (reftel A). (Note:
It is rumored that Kulov now has controlling authority over
Pyramida TV and may be attempting to purchase other media
outlets as well, possibly increasing the United Front's
reach. End Note.) Kulov added that he would not stop
opposition supporters from removing Bakiyev by force if the
president chooses not to step down voluntarily. The
Ambassador said that such a scenario is unrealistic, but
Kulov disagreed, stating that Bakiyev came to power under
similar circumstances. He also said that the "mood of the
people" dictated the opposition's actions, and that he was
powerless to stop the possibility of a violent take-over -- a
notion the Ambassador insisted was irresponsible.
YOUTH LEADER IN HIDING
BISHKEK 00000560 002.2 OF 002
--------------
5. (C) Responding to appeals for assistance, poloff met the
mother of United Front Youth Wing member Jalyn Mamatkaziyev
May 15, and learned that Mamatkaziyev, who is wanted by the
GKNB, had fled to Almaty and may seek asylum from Canadian
authorities. (Note: Another youth wing leader, Adilet
Aitikeev, was detained by the GKNB for four days, together
with United Front leaders Omurbek Abdrahmanov and Omurbek
Suvanaliyev. See reftel B. End note.) She claimed that her
son had done nothing wrong during the April demonstrations,
and did not understand why law enforcement authorities would
not leave her family alone. She said that she plans to visit
her son in Almaty this week, and would ask Jalyn to solicit
UNHCR's assistance. She gave Poloff a May 11 copy of
"Megopolis" newspaper -- a pro-government newspaper that is
not widely distributed -- which included a want-ad with
reward information from the GKNB for her son. Meanwhile,
several opposition MPs have reportedly been "invited" to
visit the GKNB at their earliest convenience. According to
media accounts, at least one MP has met with GKNB officials
in his parliamentary office.
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) The opposition has not yet publicly protested the
government's continued harassment of opposition supporters.
However, the government's continued push to investigate the
April events recalls government actions following the
November demonstrations and could agitate the waters. We
will continue to take the pulse of both sides, and encourage
government officials to be magnanimous and inclusive in
victory.
YOVANOVITCH
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ INVESTIGATE APRIL EVENTS
REF: A. BISHKEK 549
B. BISHKEK 492
BISHKEK 00000560 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary: United Front leader Omurbek Suvanaliyev is
due in court this week to face claims for damage caused
during the April protests in Bishkek. Former Prime Minister
Kulov, in a conversation with the Ambassador, absolved
himself of any mistakes or responsibility for the April
events. Kyrgyz State Security Service personnel are seeking
a United Front youth leader and have extended "invitations"
to opposition parliamentarians to discuss the April protests.
We will continue to encourage the government to be
magnanimous and inclusive. End summary.
SUVANALIYEV IN THE SPOTLIGHT
--------------
2. (SBU) United Front leader Omurbek Suvanaliyev, who was
released from State Security Service (GKNB) custody April 27,
will appear before a Bishkek court May 16 to answer for
$100,000 in damages incurred during the April 11-19 United
Front-led demonstrations. The Bishkek Mayor's office, which
filed the suit together with the Pervomay District
administration, included the salaries of the police officers
who provided security during the rally in the damage claim.
Opposition MP Melis Eshimkanov vowed to defend Suvanaliyev in
court, and called for the authorities to clarify who should
be blamed for the damage -- the opposition or pro-government
"provocateurs." Eshimkanov also asked why Suvanaliyev was
summoned, and not Felix Kulov, opposition MP Omurbek
Tekebayev, or himself. Later, Eshimkanov announced that he
was selling his opposition newspaper "Agym" due to government
pressure against him and his relatives.
KULOV SITS ON THE SIDELINES
--------------
3. (C) On May 11, Ambassador met with an unbending Felix
Kulov, who deflected blame for any mistakes that occurred
during the April demonstration. He said that he was not
responsible for the rally or the manner in which it ended,
proudly claiming that he was simply following others. Kulov
added that the demonstration was peaceful, and that President
Bakiyev lost because he used force to break up the
demonstrators. He also disavowed any responsibility for
organizing the May 5 "kurultay" in his hometown, or the list
of demands produced following that gathering. Kulov said
that he supported the decisions that others made, rather than
formulating those decisions himself.
4. (C) Kulov said repeatedly that he was not ambitious, and
did not want a position within the government. He added that
in the immediate future he will go on vacation, and focus on
politics upon his return. Meanwhile, his supporters are
consolidating their forces, vowing to collect 300,000
signatures to force Bakiyev out of office (reftel A). (Note:
It is rumored that Kulov now has controlling authority over
Pyramida TV and may be attempting to purchase other media
outlets as well, possibly increasing the United Front's
reach. End Note.) Kulov added that he would not stop
opposition supporters from removing Bakiyev by force if the
president chooses not to step down voluntarily. The
Ambassador said that such a scenario is unrealistic, but
Kulov disagreed, stating that Bakiyev came to power under
similar circumstances. He also said that the "mood of the
people" dictated the opposition's actions, and that he was
powerless to stop the possibility of a violent take-over -- a
notion the Ambassador insisted was irresponsible.
YOUTH LEADER IN HIDING
BISHKEK 00000560 002.2 OF 002
--------------
5. (C) Responding to appeals for assistance, poloff met the
mother of United Front Youth Wing member Jalyn Mamatkaziyev
May 15, and learned that Mamatkaziyev, who is wanted by the
GKNB, had fled to Almaty and may seek asylum from Canadian
authorities. (Note: Another youth wing leader, Adilet
Aitikeev, was detained by the GKNB for four days, together
with United Front leaders Omurbek Abdrahmanov and Omurbek
Suvanaliyev. See reftel B. End note.) She claimed that her
son had done nothing wrong during the April demonstrations,
and did not understand why law enforcement authorities would
not leave her family alone. She said that she plans to visit
her son in Almaty this week, and would ask Jalyn to solicit
UNHCR's assistance. She gave Poloff a May 11 copy of
"Megopolis" newspaper -- a pro-government newspaper that is
not widely distributed -- which included a want-ad with
reward information from the GKNB for her son. Meanwhile,
several opposition MPs have reportedly been "invited" to
visit the GKNB at their earliest convenience. According to
media accounts, at least one MP has met with GKNB officials
in his parliamentary office.
COMMENT
--------------
6. (C) The opposition has not yet publicly protested the
government's continued harassment of opposition supporters.
However, the government's continued push to investigate the
April events recalls government actions following the
November demonstrations and could agitate the waters. We
will continue to take the pulse of both sides, and encourage
government officials to be magnanimous and inclusive in
victory.
YOVANOVITCH