(S) KYRGYZ PM ATAMBAYEV ALLEGES HE WAS POISONED

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 BISHKEK 000584 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR KG SUBJECT: (S) KYRGYZ PM ATAMBAYEV ALLEGES HE WAS POISONED REF: BISHKEK 555 BISHKEK 00000584 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) . ¶1. (S) SUMMARY. On May 17, Ambassador met with Prime Minister Atambayev, who claimed he was poisoned on May 11. He fingered a number of possible culprits, but former PM Kulov was at the top of the list. Atambayev had visibly lost weight, was slurring his words and did not have his usual energy, but he did not accept the Ambassador's offer of U.S. medical help. The PM said that the poisoning would not deter him, and he would ensure that "democratic reforms are irreversible." Atambayev discussed a number of other issues, including the base. Although Ambassador explained that there is not a connection, Atambayev said that the Kyrgyz desire for increased base compensation could be dropped if Kyrgyzstan receives assistance through the Millenium Challenge Corporation. END SUMMARY. ATAMBAYEV ALLEGES HE WAS POISONED -------------- ¶2. (S) On May 17, Ambassador met with Prime Minister Atambayev, who claimed he was poisoned on May 11 at the White House. Atambayev said he had just concluded a meeting with President Bakiyev and Presidential Chief of Staff Sadyrkulov, when he returned to his office and drank a glass of juice. He said he knew immediately that he had been poisoned and would lose consciousness soon. Atambayev requested his body guards take him home immediately, and he claims he was unconscious for two days and is only now able to drink a little tea. He says that doctors are cleansing his blood twice a day. ¶3. (S) Atambayev was slurring words and had visibly lost weight although this was a trend we had already observed on May 3, the last time we saw him. His face was puffy, but not pale. He often closed his eyes and leaned back against the high back of his chair for support. Ambassador asked whether there was something the USG could do, for example, tests we could perform or medical assistance we could provide. Atambayev said no; he was convinced this was a "Russian" poison, meant to intimidate not kill. He alleged that he had called in the FSB to complain and told them that they should not be abetting actions against him as he is a "pro-Russian prime minister." KULOV MOST LIKELY CULPRIT, ACCORDING TO PM -------------- ¶4. (S) Atambayev said that he was clearly "really bothering someone." He pointed the finger at former Prime Minister Kulov as someone who had the motivation and the means. The staff in the PM's kitchen are the same people that worked for Kulov, he said and noted that there would be a housecleaning soon. Atambayev also suggested that those who lost out in the cancellation of the Krystall privatization or those who have been fired by Atambayev and lost their "money flow" could be behind this. He also said that President Nazarbayev's son-in-law might have ordered the poisoning, but did not offer a reason why. ATAMBAYEV WANTS TO ENSURE REFORMS ARE IRREVERSIBLE -------------- -------------- ¶5. (S) Atambayev said that the poisoning would not deter him. He said he was not afraid, and he would press on and ensure that "democratic reforms are irreversible." He did not directly answer the Ambassador's question regarding BISHKEK 00000584 002.2 OF 003 Bakiyev's reaction, but noted that,"It would be very bad for the President, if I were to die." He said that Sadyrkulov was visibly upset when he heard the news. EARTHQUAKE ASSISTANCE, NTS, AND AKAYEVA -------------- ¶6. (C) Despite this startling news, Atambayev talked to the Ambassador for approximately 45 minutes. He once again requested significant assistance for earthquake victims in Kochgar and Batken. He also requested the U.S. to purchase NTS and produce Russian news programming, so there would be an independent news source in Kyrgyzstan. Ambassador raised the issue of former first daughter and erstwhile parliamentary candidate Bermet Akayeva's house arrest. Atambayev said the Akayevs were "reaping what they had sowed" and listed the many injustices visited upon himself by former President Akayev. He, nevertheless, agreed to look into the issue, at Ambassador's urging. MANAS BASE: POLITICAL LIABILITY TO KYRGYZ POLITICIANS -------------- -------------- ¶7. (C) Ambassador reviewed the upcoming U.S. visits, and Atambayev agreed to meet all our visitors. She also described the USG plan to build support for the base, including with the orientation brief and flight at the base on May 19 and a later trip to Afghanistan for high level policy makers. Previously, the PM had been excited about the May 19 base trip; this time, he noted that as a politician, he could not go out to the base. The people would not understand it, and he would be severely criticized, he said. Atambayev agreed to send his security and defense advisor on the Afghanistan trip. ¶8. (C) Ambassador noted to Atambayev that with the upcoming parliamentary hearings, it is important for Kyrgyz leaders to counter Russian media and stand up for the base, as Coalition pressure on terrorists in Afghanistan has proved to be Kyrgyzstan's most effective defense against terrorist incursions. Atambayev agreed that the base is vital for Kyrgyzstan. He, once again, told the Ambassador it is vital that the base incidents be brought to closure. He also suggested that the way to solve the base public relations problems is to move the base to a more remote location, perhaps to Batken. Ambassador dismissed this idea as unpractical and said that together, the U.S. and Kyrgyzstan, have to change the image of the base. INCREASED BASE COMPENSATION OR MCA THRESHOLD PROGRAM -------------- -------------- ¶9. (C) Ambassador said she was disturbed that informally she had been approached by government officials regarding increased base compensation. She pointed out that the U.S. had just negotiated a compensation package with the Kyrygz last summer and provided the PM with a copy of the protocol where it clearly indicates that the Kyrgyz cannot request additional compensation for five years. Atambayev said that the Kyrgyz desire for increased base compensation could be dropped if Kyrgyzstan receives assistance through the Millenium Challenge Corporation. Ambassador explained that there is not a connection, to which Atambayev suggested the U.S. provide other additional assistance to the GOKG. (COMMENT: The MFA informed us that the drive for increased base compensation is a direct order from Atambayev, and it is clear that he is looking for increased funding for the GOKG, one way or another. END COMMENT) COMMENT: BISHKEK 00000584 003.2 OF 003 -------------- ¶10. (S) It is hard to know what to make of the alleged poisoning. Atambayev did not look good, was obviously feeling poorly, and was slurring his speech. We are not doctors, however, and he did not agree to U.S. medical assistance when offered, probably because of the likely political repercussions. ¶11. (S) Atambayev has a lot of enemies, so his claim could be true; Atambayev is also a dramatic and emotional individual, so it is conceivable that a tummyache became something much bigger. What was clear is that Atambayev wanted the Ambassador to believe the allegation, and it is most likely that he himself believes it as well. We will try to quietly determine whether Atambayev's allegation is, in fact, true, as this would take Kyrgyz politics into unchartered territory. YOVANOVITCH