Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BISHKEK676
2008-06-30 12:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

SOCIAL DEMOCRATS CRITICAL ON POLITICAL CLIMATE

Tags:  PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000676 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GEHRENBECK)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2018
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: SOCIAL DEMOCRATS CRITICAL ON POLITICAL CLIMATE

BISHKEK 00000676 001.2 OF 002


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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000676

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GEHRENBECK)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2018
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: SOCIAL DEMOCRATS CRITICAL ON POLITICAL CLIMATE

BISHKEK 00000676 001.2 OF 002


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


1. (C) Summary: In a farewell meeting with Ambassador June
26, ex-Prime Minister and Social Democratic Party (SDPK)
leader Almaz Atambayev and SDPK MPs Bakyt Beshimov and Roza
Otunbayeva offered a negative assessment of Kyrgyzstan's
economic and political climate and were particularly critical
of President Bakiyev's leadership. They encouraged further
U.S. assistance to civil society and political party
development. End Summary.


2. (C) In a June 26 meeting with the Ambassador, Atambayev
asserted that life, in general, was worse now than before the
2005 "revolution." He said that Bakiyev had lost any moral
authority, and he was critical of the government structure
that Bakiyev had allowed to develop, which he described as
"up to eight presidents," each wielding authority. Among the
other "presidents," he listed President Bakiyev's brother,
Janysh, who was appointed head of the Presidential Security
Service on June 3, and Bishkek City Mayor Daniyar Usenov.
Given the current conditions, reforms were more important
than ever, and the opposition had a duty to step up and
invoke change. Nevertheless, Atambayev said that Kyrgyz
politics was so polarized that bloodshed was possible during
the next elections; Beshimov agreed. (Comment: They have both
said this before previous demonstrations. Otunbayeva was
notably silent during this part of the conversation. End
comment.) Atambayev said that he planned to meet with
leaders of the opposition Ata Meken party on June 27 to
discuss uniting the opposition and developing a plan of
action focused on reforms. Turning to party development,
Atambayev said there was a need for increased political party
training by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the
International Republican Institute (IRI).


3. (C) Parliamentarians Otunbayeva and Beshimov said that
Kyrgyzstan needed further development of NGOs and political
parties, while at the same time the country should improve
upon its working relationships with Russia and Kazakhstan.
Beshimov claimed that Bakiyev's popularity continued to
decline, and he said that Bakiyev's control over certain
ministries was dwindling. Acknowledging that their country
was young and president inexperienced, Otunbayeva hoped for a
better working relationship with its larger neighbors,
Kazakhstan and Russia. Both MPs complained of widespread
corruption within the government but believed that support
for a strong civil society and free press would help to keep
officials in check.


4. (C) They also echoed Atambayev's call for intensifying IRI
and NDI training for political parties. All three called for
increased exchanges and for the U.S. government to more
actively support civil society and the opposition. "It is
time for the U.S. to be more active and plan for the future
in Kyrgyzstan," said Otunbayeva. She claimed the Russian
government had already written off Bakiyev and was courting
other politicians to succeed him.

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


5. (C) The opposition members shared with Ambassador their
bleak outlook on the political and social situation currently
plaguing Kyrgyzstan. Not surprisingly, they criticized
Bakiyev for ineptness and failure to bring positive reforms.
They also criticized the U.S. government for not providing
the necessary funding to facilitate the Kyrgyz transition to
democracy. Although Atambayev noted that the "March
Revolution" had shown that it was important to plan before
seizing power and to develop an integrated platform, none of
the politicians was critical of actions or inaction of the
opposition. While it is yet unclear if Atambayev will be
able to unite the opposition, all felt that Bakiyev's
disappointing performance as president may open the door of

BISHKEK 00000676 002.2 OF 002


opportunity for serious change within the government.
YOVANOVITCH