BAKIYEV PROVIDES GLOWING ASSESSMENT OF KYRGYZ

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000442

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN - GEHRENBECK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: BAKIYEV PROVIDES GLOWING ASSESSMENT OF KYRGYZ
DEMOCRACY, COURTESY OF THE OSCE

BISHKEK 00000442 001.2 OF 002


Classified By: Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch for Reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)



1. (U) This is an action cable. See paragraph seven.


2. (C) Summary: President Bakiyev's Constitution Day speech
May 5 celebrated the accomplishments of last October's
revisions to the frequently amended 1993 constitution.
Bakiyev pointed to increased political stability and
attention to human rights as results achieved by the 2007
version of the constitution. To support his remarks
regarding the state of Kyrgyz democracy, Bakiyev extensively
quoted OSCE Secretary General de Brichambaut's April 26
remarks, which praised Kyrgyzstan's democratic development.
De Brichambaut's remarks have made it more difficult to
engage the Kyrgyz leadership on the continued backsliding of
democratic conditions in Kyrgyzstan. We recommend Washington
raise de Brichambaut's remarks in Vienna. End summary.

All's Well That Ends Well
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3. (SBU) President Bakiyev's May 5 Constitution Day speech,
delivered to a crowd of like-minded Kyrgyz Government
officials and selected media, praised the democratic
achievements reached as a result of the recently-revised
constitution. Noting that the initial adoption of the
constitution in 1993 was a "significant" event, Bakiyev said
that subsequent revisions of the nation's supreme law led to
"mixed responsibilities" between the branches of government.
Instability ensued, he added, as the constitution "changed
like the weather," eventually leading him to call for a
referendum that would ensure the constitution promotes human
rights, government decentralization, and democratic
elections. The final draft of the constitution (adopted by
referendum in October 2007),Bakiyev stated confidently,
allowed for increased political stability and Kyrgyzstan's
further distancing from authoritarian rule.

And Don't Just Take My Word For It!
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4. (C) Attempting to illustrate international support for his
actions, Bakiyev quoted directly the positive remarks
regarding Kyrgyzstan's "democratic" development, delivered by
OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut during his
April 26 visit to Bishkek. We were told by the speechwriter
that Bakiyev had instructed him to include de Brichambaut's
remarks. Specifically, Bakiyev repeated de Brichambaut's
statement that "Kyrgyzstan has been an example of democratic
transition in the region," reiterating the Secretary
General's "confidence" in Kyrgyzstan's ability to "maintain
its leading position in pursuing international standards of
democratic development." Although a direct quote was not
provided, Bakiyev did refer to de Brichambaut's remarks
regarding Kyrgyzstan's "respect" for "human rights."
However, Bakiyev chose not to add de Brichambaut's further
comment that Kyrgyzstan also "respects . . . civil and
political rights, especially freedom of assembly, speech and
media."

More Work Ahead
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5. (SBU) Noting that the adoption of a "high quality"
constitution is "only the beginning," Bakiyev pointed to
three issues that still need to be addressed: 1) the
formation of a culture that respects the rule of law; 2) the
promotion of an active civil society, building upon the
principles of democracy and human rights; and 3) ensuring
that all government structures adhere closely to the law in
the effort to curb the growing problem of corruption.

Comment

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6. (C) Bakiyev's speech was excellent and would have been
laudable, if only his actions matched his words.
Unfortunately, they do not, and we are concerned by the
continued backsliding on separation of powers, media
independence and freedom of association that have followed
last year's flawed constitutional referendum and manipulated
parliamentary elections. Bakiyev's actions also do not match
de Brichambaut's glowing endorsement, which has undermined
our efforts to engage the Kyrgyz on their backsliding and
also undermined the OSCE's own credibility on the issue,
including the recent ODIHR report on the December
parliamentary elections.


7. (C) The Charge at the Bishkek OSCE office first told us
that de Brichambaut's remarks would be "corrected," and then
said the OSCE preferred not to pick a fight with the Kyrgyz.
We recommend that Washington raise de Brichambaut's remarks
and their unhelpful impact here in Kyrgyzstan with the OSCE
Secretariat.

YOVANOVITCH