A/S KRAMER TALKS HUMAN RIGHTS WITH KYRGYZ FOREIGN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 001038 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/09/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KG SUBJECT: A/S KRAMER TALKS HUMAN RIGHTS WITH KYRGYZ FOREIGN MINISTER Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana C. Gfoeller for Reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d). ¶1. (C) Summary: During an October 3 meeting with Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev, Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor David Kramer discussed human rights developments and legislative initiatives recently passed or awaiting parliamentary approvals. The Foreign Minister proposed redirecting the focus of governmental reforms and defended recent legislative programs that would curtail some civil liberties. End Summary. FM KARABAYEV REFLECTS ON KYRGYZSTAN'S DEVELOPMENT -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) In an October 3 meeting with DRL Assistant Secretary Kramer and the Ambassador, Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev couched his initial comments regarding A/S Kramer's concerns about recent legislative measures that effectively restrict human rights by recalling the post-Soviet political and economic "spheres" available to Kyrgyzstan. Karabayev said that ex-President Akayev chose the "Western" political sphere, which supported civil society, human rights institutions and an environment of social freedoms. Now, he explained, President Bakiyev must focus on economic reforms, as implemented by East Asia and Latin America. Karabayev said that Bakiyev must rebuild the state by emphasizing economic development with the West, to include widening the U.S.-Kyrgyz relationship beyond Manas Airbase. He claimed that "we work so hard to keep the base from being politicized by its critics," and added that depoliticizing the Base could be achieved if "we shift our focus toward economic issues." KARABAYEV DEFENDS RECENT LEGISLATION -------------- ¶3. (C) Turning to the concerns raised by A/S Kramer, Karabayev stressed the need to cut back on certain rights allotted to the Kyrgyz, arguing that the nation was ill-prepared to handle "newfound freedoms" while ensuring national security. He maintained that the adoption of the television broadcasting law would protect the "rights of the public to receive quality programming," instead of unlicensed, uncensored media currently available. Karabayev added: "We've been building free media over the last 17 years, but now journalists imagine themselves as above the law...which could lead to disorder." ¶4. (C) The draft law on religion, Karabayev continued, would regulate religious organizations and prevent their leaders from politicizing them. He stated that Kyrgyzstan would continue its history of being open and tolerant to world religions. However, he cautioned, the risk of instability caused by religious extremists prompted the government to draft a religion law that would allow specific control measures. Regarding the law on public assembly, Karabayev noted that the government would not ban protests but merely implement new rules to regulate them. COMMENT -------------- ¶5. (C) Although the Foreign Ministry may wish to enhance economic aspects of bilateral cooperation, government officials recognize that democracy and human rights will remain topics of interest in our bilateral dialogue. Karabayev endorsed the government's latest legislative moves and stressed the importance of maintaining stability while ensuring national security, even at the cost of basic civil liberties. ¶6. (U) A/S Kramer has cleared this cable. GFOELLER