Former Foreign Minister Jekshenkulov Engages in Some

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000333 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL KG SUBJECT: Former Foreign Minister Jekshenkulov Engages in Some Revisionist History Ref: A. 06 Bishkek 974 ¶B. 06 Bishkek 1195 BISHKEK 00000333 001.2 OF 002 Classified by CDA Lee Litzenberger, for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In an April 1 press interview that became an exercise in revisionist history, former Foreign Minister Jekshenkulov claimed that he had had "no influence" over the expulsion of two U.S. diplomats in July 2006 (Ref A). He took credit for saving the bilateral relationship and for Kyrgyzstan's acceptance into the Millennium Challenge program. Jekshenkulov also said that two current Ak Jol party members previously had spied for the Americans, but he refused to name the alleged spies, citing protection of state secrets. Jekshenkulov, who now heads the opposition For Justice movement, said the group plans to invite President Bakiyev to the "Kurultay," or people's assembly, now planned for April 12 in Bishkek. Jekshenkulov is dissembling on the PNGs and righting the bilateral relationship; he was neither helpful nor straightforward at the time of the PNGs and played virtually no role in the MCC program. With his sensational claims and his carefully chosen words about President Bakiyev, Jekshenkulov appears to be trying to raise his profile and promote his own political future. End Summary. SELECTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY -------------- ¶2. (C) Former Foreign Minister and current leader of the For Justice movement Alikbek Jekshenkulov gave a revealing interview to the Kyrgyz-language Agym newspaper April 1. The interview begins with a question on the apparent contradiction in Jekshenkulov's career path: Why, after demanding the expulsion of two U.S. diplomats working with NGOs in the summer of 2006, is he now so closely working with NGOs (and heading one himself)? Jekshenkulov answered that he has always held that the government should support NGOs, and that President Bakiyev once held the same view. Jekshenkulov insisted that as Foreign Minister, he and his ministry had no influence over the course of events that led to the expulsion of the U.S. diplomats (see Ref A); he claimed that the episode was driven entirely by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) and National Security Service (GKNB). He expressed regret over the incident's outcome, but followed with comments taking credit for saving the bilateral relationship through his meeting with Assistant Secretary Boucher in August 2006 (Ref B). Jekshenkulov also claimed to have sown the seeds for Kyrgyzstan's acceptance into the Millennium Challenge (MCC) program. Jekshenkulov took a swipe at the current government, saying that unless internal politics and decision-making changes, the country's foreign policy will not improve. SPIES IN AK JOL? -------------- ¶3. (C) Jekshenkulov also claimed that two Kyrgyz citizens, who at the time of the expulsions worked for local NGOs, had helped U.S. diplomats with their intelligence collection activities in Kyrgyzstan. Jekshenkulov refused to name them, citing the protection of state secrets, but said the two were now members of the pro-presidential Ak Jol party. Jekshenkulov said he believed that senior government officials were aware of their background but remained silent. (Comment: It is not clear from the interview whether Jekshenkulov was referring to Ak Jol members of parliament. End Comment.) SUPPORT FOR A KURULTAY -------------- ¶4. (SBU) In the interview, Jekshenkulov also discussed plans for the upcoming "Kurultay," now scheduled for April 12. (Note: A Kurultay is a traditional people's assembly that BISHKEK 00000333 002.2 OF 002 provides a forum for citizens to express their views regarding the performance of the government, and provide suggestions for the resolution of problems. The right to hold a Kurultay is protected under the Kyrgyz constitution. End Note.) He said that the opposition For Justice movement plans to invite Bakiyev to the Kurultay, and he warned that there could be problems if the government denied a venue for the meeting. (Note: Press reports April 7 indicate the government has approved holding the Kuraltay in Biskek, in the square outside the parliament. End note.) Jekshenkulov expressed his faith in the process of Kurultays, stating that demonstrations were no longer needed in this "civilized society," but rather that dialogue was the key to resolving issues. ¶5. (SBU) Jekshenkulov disputed accounts alleging that disagreements within the opposition or lack of funds caused the postponement of the Kurultay, which had originally been planned for March 29; he blamed government officials for spreading such rumors. He remarked that any group with fifteen political parties, more than twenty NGOs, and numerous other political figures is bound to have iffering views. He also said that Kurultay would take place with financial backing of the groups and individuals within the For Justice movement, with no foreign funding at all. A NOTE ABOUT AGYM NEWSPAPER -------------- ¶6. (C) The Agym newspaper that published the interview with Jekshenkulov was formerly owned by former opposition MP Melis Eshimkanov. It once held the distinction of being the most virulent opposition newspaper in Kyrgyzstan. Over time, articles published in Agym have become less critical of the government, a trend that tracks closely with Eshimkanov's shift in political loyalties after Bakiyev appointed him as the head of the State Television and Radio Company (KTR) in October 2007. Despite having sold the newspaper, Eshimkanov is rumored to maintain influence over the newspaper's content. Agym's decrease in sensational reporting -? which in Kyrgyzstan determines the popularity of a newspaper, regardless of its reliability -? has resulted in a corresponding loss of readership and revenue, and has led to an exodus of journalists working for the paper. COMMENT -------------- ¶7. (C) Jekshenkulov's interview was part revisionist history, part self-aggrandizement, and part careful positioning for his own political future. Jekshenkulov mixes sensational claims with careful wording regarding the upcoming Kurultay. His criticisms are relatively mild against Bakiyev, and are more visceral towards the MVD and GKNB. By inviting the President to the Kurultay and advocating peaceful means of criticism and alternative views, Jekshenkulov is likely hoping to elevate not only the status of the For Justice movement, but also his own profile and political future. LITZENBERGER