Embassy Election Events a Hit with Kyrgyz Elites and

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001133

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG
SUBJECT: Embassy Election Events a Hit with Kyrgyz Elites and
Students

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1. (SBU) Summary: Embassy Bishkek hosted sx public events November
5 to mark the U.S. presidential elections. The events took place at
the Chief of Mission's Residence (CMR); the American Corners in
Jalalabad, Kant, and Karakol; and the American Centers in Bishkek
and Osh. Prominent opposition politicians attended the Ambassador's
event. With the exception of the American Center in Bishkek, where
the Consular Section hosted an event for American citizens, all
events were geared to a Kyrgyz audience. End summary.

KYRGYZ VIP'S MARK U.S. ELECTIONS AT THE CMR
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2. (SBU) The morning event at the Chief of Mission's Residence was
an open house attended by about 50 local government officials,
members of the diplomatic corps, NGO representatives,
politically-engaged Kyrgyz elite, and the media. Elections in the
Kyrgyz Republic are regarded as holidays, and many guests wished the
Ambassador "Happy Holiday!" and "Congratulations on your elections!"
even before the results were clear. Common questions had to do with
the practice of color-coding states (red state/blue state) and the
Electoral College system. Many of the guests were pleasantly
surprised by the graciousness of Senator McCain's concession speech,
with the Russian Ambassador commenting, "He is also a worthy man."
Many guests insisted on staying for and appeared quite touched by
Senator Obama's victory speech.

OPPOSITION POLITICIANS TAKE NOTE
--------------

3. (SBU) Omurbek Tekebayev, one of the most prominent Kyrgyz
opposition leaders, accepted the Ambassador's invitation to the
event. Tekebayev rubbed shoulders with many government officials,
and also eagerly collected materials (in Kyrgyz and Russian) about
the U.S. electoral system. His assistants also took note of
displays on the elections process. Roza Otunbayeva, a former
foreign minister and currently a parliamentarian representing the
Social Democratic Party also attended, and made the rounds of other
politicians in attendance. The Ombudsman informed the Ambassador of
his interest in building a solid relationship with the Embassy. The
opposition politicians seemed appreciative of the Ambassador's
invitation to the event.

IN THE SHADOW OF THE RUSSIAN AIRBASE
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4. (SBU) In the city of Kant, located twenty miles outside of
Bishkek and site of the Russian airbase, Embassy staff hosted an
event for approximately 25 local students, teachers, and elected
officials at the American Corner. With CNN predicting the winner
state-by-state in the background, Emboff's spoke with guests about
the Electoral College, the differences between the two candidates
and their parties, and the fundamentals of the election process.
Two Kant City Council members recently elected on October 5 fueled
the discussion by comparing the Kyrgyz and U.S. electoral process.
The council members were quite inquisitive about polling stations,
ballots, and the overall election process. They admitted that the
current Kyrgyz system was extensively flawed and hoped to learn from
Americans about the importance of transparency as a weapon to
eliminate corruption.

KARAKOL EVENT IS STANDING ROOM ONLY
--------------

5. (SBU) Spilling out into the corridor, over sixty students,
teachers, NGO representatives and local journalists gathered in the
American Corner in Karakol. Embassy staff, joined by six Peace
Corps volunteers, fielded questions on electoral process and
differences between the U.S. political parties. The students in
attendance were the best students from the various institutions and
universities near Karakol, so the questions were nuanced and the
students were surprisingly well-informed about the U.S. presidential
campaign. When asked what they expected from an Obama
administration, several students expressed the hope that the United
States would be more "peaceful" and would work more closely in
cooperation with Kyrgyzstan and other countries in the region.

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ENTHUSIASM IN SOUTHERN KYRGYZSTAN
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6. (SBU) Close to 30 Kyrgyz students, teachers, and local media
attended an election discussion at the American Center at Osh State
University. Pol-Econ Chief and USAID
Society and State Advisor outlined the U.S. election process and
took questions from the students and press. While there were a
number of questions about the two-party system, the campaign
process, and the Electoral College, attendees were particularly
interested in whether the results of the election would affect U.S.
foreign relations, including the relationship between the U.S. and
Kyrgyzstan. Other areas of interest for the students included
personal wealth of the candidates, life of ex-presidents and race
relations in the U.S. At the American Corner in Jalalabad, the
Cultural Affairs Officer held an event for over 50 Kyrgyz students.
Questions posed were similar to those at the other student events.


7. (SBU) Comment: While there was little coverage of the U.S.
presidential election campaigns in Kyrgyz mainstream media, Kyrgyz
youth proved to be surprisingly well-informed about the U.S.
presidential race. Perhaps it was a self-selecting crowed, but
their interest in, and knowledge of, U.S. politics should be
credited to the American Corners and Centers, which provide free
internet access to students. Since Kyrgyzstan's independence, this
was Embassy Bishkek's largest U.S. election outreach effort.

GFOELLER