Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BISHKEK1038
2008-10-09 01:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
A/S KRAMER TALKS HUMAN RIGHTS WITH KYRGYZ FOREIGN
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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).
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
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