Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BISHKEK281
2008-03-25 09:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

U.S., KYRGYZSTAN SIGN MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE

Tags:  PGOV PREL EAID KDEM KG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3515
OO RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHEK #0281/01 0850921
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 250921Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0825
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2460
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0857
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2850
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2235
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BISHKEK 000281 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID KDEM KG
SUBJECT: U.S., KYRGYZSTAN SIGN MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE
THRESHOLD AGREEMENT

BISHKEK 00000281 001.2 OF 004


Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 BISHKEK 000281

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID KDEM KG
SUBJECT: U.S., KYRGYZSTAN SIGN MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE
THRESHOLD AGREEMENT

BISHKEK 00000281 001.2 OF 004


Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: A/DAS Pamela Spratlen led the U.S.
delegation at a low-key March 14 signing of Kyrgyzstan's
Millennium Challenge Account Threshold Country Program
assistance agreement. Spratlen subsequently met with senior
Kyrgyz government officials responsible for the program to
discuss U.S. concerns about Kyrgyz government backsliding on
democratic governance, the necessity for improvement in
Kyrgyzstan's governance indicators, and the importance of
Kyrgyz government engagement while implementing the Threshold
Program.

THE SIGNING CEREMONY
--------------


2. (U) On March 14, USAID Regional Mission Director William
Frej and Presidential Chief of Staff Medet Sadyrkulov signed
the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Threshold Country
Program agreement in a low-key event in Bishkek. The
Minister of Internal Affairs Kongantiyev, General Prosecutor
Satybaldiyev, Presidential Administration Foreign Affairs
Department Head Ryskulov, and Deputy Foreign Minister
Ibraimov attended the signing. The U.S. delegation was
comprised of Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Spratlen,
Ambassador Yovanovitch, DCM Litzenberger, USAID Country
Representative Shapiro, and MCC Threshold Program Coordinator
Charlie Undeland. A handful of representatives from the
local media covered the signing.


3. (U) During public statements immediately following the
signing, Sadyrkulov emphasized the program's importance for
the future of the Kyrgyz Republic, describing specific
program components, and stressed the government's commitments
to fulfilling Threshold Program goals. A/DAS Spratlen noted
problems with Kyrgyzstan's performance on MCA governance
indicators, and concern following the flawed December
parliamentary elections. She emphasized the importance of
commitment to the Threshold Program, and expressed hope for
the cooperation necessary to make the program a success.

SADYRKULOV: POLITICAL WILL TO REFORM

--------------


4. (C) In a meeting with Sadyrkulov following the signing,
Spratlen expressed the hope that the Kyrgyz parliament would
quickly ratify the program, send its letter of intent to the
U.S., and name points of contact for each of the three
program areas. She raised U.S. concerns about the trajectory
of democratic governance in Kyrgyzstan, the conduct of the
December elections, and reports of intimidation of the
political opposition and NGOs. Spratlen emphasized the
necessity of guaranteeing citizens' rights to participate in
the political process, including the right to peaceful
assembly. Frej noted the importance of the Threshold Program
for USAID and its commitment to cooperating with Kyrgyz
counterparts.


5. (C) Sadyrkulov affirmed the government's commitment to the
program. While agreeing that there had been problems with
the December parliamentary elections, he claimed that some
factors had been beyond the government's control. Sadyrkulov
maintained that the transition to a party-list system was
important to spur political party development and ensure that
subsequent elections would be "normal."


6. (C) Sadyrkulov argued that the country's progress would
justify the steps taken in connection with the elections, but
he acknowledged that the situation would be "tough" if the
economic reforms undertaken by President Bakiyev and the
parliament did not yield "results." He asserted that Bakiyev
had a "very liberal" agenda, including overhauling the tax
code, completing privatization of state assets, and providing

BISHKEK 00000281 002.2 OF 004


protections for small and medium enterprises. He said that
Bakiyev has the political will to reform, and he urged that
the U.S. have a deeper understanding of the problems faced by
Kyrgyzstan.

PM CHUDINOV: FOCUS ON ECON AND ENERGY REFORM
--------------


7. (C) In a meeting with Prime Minister Igor Chudinov,
Spratlen again noted the need to move quickly to complete
requirements for program implementation and said that program
success would depend on cooperation between the government,
the legislative branch, and civil society. She then raised
U.S. concerns about the trajectory of democracy and
governance. She asked about the Kyrgyz government's reform
plans, and noted the Prime Minister's key role in energy
sector reforms.


8. (C) Chudinov highlighted the government's focus on
economic reform in welcoming the signing of the Millennium
Challenge Account Threshold Program. Chudinov said that the
Threshold Program's planned reforms of the judiciary and law
enforcement bodies should help fight corruption in the
economy. He noted that improving Kyrgyzstan's business
environment, especially its World Bank "Doing Business"
rating, was a top priority. He thanked the Embassy and USAID
for assistance in business development, energy, and the
mining sector.


9. (C) Chudinov agreed that economic development is
inseparable from democratic development, but maintained that
one cannot ignore the economy while seeking governance
improvements. He said that stability could be achieved
through greater private investment, which was more important
than immediate democratic reform. He stressed that Bakiyev
and the Kyrgyz government have the desire and will to improve
its government indicators. Chudinov hoped that political
stabilization in Kyrgyzstan would lead to acceleration of
economic and governance reforms stipulated in the Threshold
Program, but he cautioned that the Ak Jol party was not
monolithic and the government would be hard-pressed to get
all of its initiatives through parliament.


10. (C) Chudinov also gave an overview of the government's
Energy Development Strategy, which focuses on increasing
electricity capacity; changing tariff policies; developing
small, localized power plants; and completing the reform of
distribution companies. He said that the government would
accept World Bank assistance in this area, and he welcomed
continuing to work with USAID. Chudinov said that the
government planned to submit draft amendments to the Laws on
Privatization, Privatization of Strategic Facilities, and
Energy and Electrical Power on March 17. He said the
government would adopt a new tariff policy on April 7.

MEETING AT SUPREME COURT
--------------


11. (C) Supreme Court Deputy Chairman Davletov illustrated
the steps undertaken to increase judicial independence
through legislation on the Congress of Judges, Judicial
Council (JC),and National Council for Justice Affairs
(NCJA),as well as proposed changes in legislation to lower
the cost threshold for filing a commercial case and to ensure
expenditure discretion by the court system. She expressed
doubts about the need for the Council to be elected by secret
ballot, saying that wasn't consistent with past practices.
Supreme Court Chairman Aliyeva noted the need to tie training
requirements to recommendations for appointment of local
judges issued by the NCJA.

KONGANTIYEV: NOT BRIEFED ON PROGRAM, BUT READY TO ENGAGE
-------------- --------------

BISHKEK 00000281 003.2 OF 004




12. (C) While Minister of Internal Affairs Kongantiev was not
well briefed on MCATP particulars, he said the Ministry was
ready to engage fully with the assistance program and carry
out its commitments. He had not yet designated personnel for
working on the Threshold Program. He noted that he was keen
to work with NGOs, citing beneficial cooperation with
outspoken NGO leader Aziza Abdurasulova, who had provided a
human rights training program to police personnel. The
minister added that he had just signed an order to implement
a three-year program to reform law enforcement organs. The
program, which recognizes that corruption and violation of
rights exist, is designed to change the ministry's priority
from protecting the interests of the state to protecting the
individual interests, rights, and freedoms of citizens.

GENERAL PROSECUTOR: NO REFORM FROM THE TOP
--------------


13. (C) General Prosecutor Satybaldiyev was even less
familiar with the Threshold Program and had not yet
designated staff to work on it. He asserted that prosecutors
are completely apolitical, and their role in courts,
regardless of changes in the Criminal Procedural Code such as
the introduction of jury trials, would remain the same.
Deputy Prosecutor Nasiza, who also attended the meeting with
Satybaldiyev, later stated that the Prosecutor's Office fully
supports the Threshold Program. He said the office
recognizes the need for reforming legislation regulating
criminal investigation and prosecution, and training for
prosecutors is much desired. Nasiza said that he anticipated
being the coordinator for Threshold Program from the
Prosecutor's Office.

MPs: ACTIVE ON JUDICIARY REFORM
--------------


14. (C) Spratlen met with Members of Parliament Leila
Sydykova, Chair of the Committee on Defense, Security, and
Legal Reform; Zainiddin Kurmanov, Chair of the Committee on
Constitutional Law, State Structure, and Human Rights; and
Irina Letova, a deputy on Sydykova's Committee. The MPs
estimated that ratification would be completed within two
weeks from the time parliament received the text from the
presidential administration, which had not yet occurred. The
MPs anticipated passage of several laws within the next three
months, including regulation of jury trials, judges' status,
and amendments to the National Council on Judicial Affairs
(to bring it in line with the new Constitution). Parliament
has not yet planned review of any legislation concerning the
police.

NGOs: HOLD THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE
--------------


15. (C) Spratlen also met with Kyrgyz NGO leaders Aziza
Abdurasulova of Kylym Shamy, Tolekan Ismailova of Citizens
Against Corruption, Cholpon Jakupova of Adilet, and Media
Ombudsman Shamaral Maichiev to discuss the Threshold Program.
All of the NGO leaders expressed support for the Program as
addressing priority concerns for Kyrgyzstan. Abdurasulova
and Ismailova explained that they had held a press conference
and recommended delaying the program until the government
demonstrated its commitment to democratic reform with
concrete steps. All expressed interest in participating in
monitoring of Program components, and they supported the idea
of holding the Kyrgyz government accountable through a system
of rigorous indicators. Jakupova noted the geopolitical
implications of the Threshold Program, welcoming U.S.
involvement in judicial and law enforcement reforms, rather
than allowing countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan, or China
to enter these niches.


BISHKEK 00000281 004.2 OF 004


COMMENT
--------------


16. (C) Spratlen used the low-key signing of the MCA
Threshold Country Program agreement, as well as the
subsequent meetings on implementation of the Program, to
register U.S. concerns about democracy and governance and
also to urge full commitment to the reforms supported by the
Program. Implementing the Threshold Program will be a
challenge as ministries have not planned for the profound
changes the program will engender. But the Threshold Program
has crucial support from the top of the Kyrgyz government,
and most Kyrgyz officials connected to the Program realize
the need for reforms in the judiciary, the procuracy, and law
enforcement.


17. (U) A/DAS Spratlen has cleared this cable.
YOVANOVITCH