KYRGYZ CHIEF OF STAFF TELLS AMBASSADOR HE'LL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000993 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/26/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZ CHIEF OF STAFF TELLS AMBASSADOR HE'LL RESOLVE WEAPONS CASE REF: A. BISHKEK 992 ¶B. BISHKEK 989 ¶C. BISHKEK 943 BISHKEK 00000993 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana C. Gfoeller, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Ambassador held an introductory meeting with Presidential Chief of Staff Sadyrkulov September 23. The Ambassador briefed Sadyrkulov on her meeting with the Prosecutor General earlier in the day and the apparent escalation of the weapons case (Ref A). Sadyrkulov assured the Ambassador that he would resolve the weapons issue and asked for patience. Sadyrkulov said he would arrange for her to present her credentials to President Bakiyev during the week before October 16, when Bakiyev would make a major speech to the Parliament and Government. Sadyrkulov also indicated that Bakiyev would be traveling October 20 "for medical reasons." Sadyrkulov was upbeat, friendly, and engaging throughout the meeting. He noted that he had met regularly with the Ambassador's predecessor, and he told the Ambassador that he looked forward to continuing that close contact with her. End Summary. "I'll Resolve Weapons Case" -------------- ¶2. (C) Ambassador held an introductory meeting September 23 with Presidential Chief of Staff Medet Sadyrkulov. Following introductions, the Ambassador briefed Sadyrkulov on her earlier meeting that day with Prosecutor General Satybaldiyev, who has apparently escalated the weapons case by referring questions to Parliament and by threatening to bring criminal charges against an Embassy officer. Sadyrkulov told the Ambassador how he had worked since the August 4 weapons seizure to keep the case from growing into a "scandal." He said that the seizure had resulted from "mistakes" being made by both the Kyrgyz and American sides, and said he looked forward to working with the Ambassador so that such mistakes would not be repeated in the future. As for now, he assured the Ambassador that he would work things out satisfactorily, and he asked for patience on her part. Presenting Credentials in October -------------- ¶3. (C) Sadyrkulov told the Ambassador that he would arrange for her to present her credentials to President Bakiyev during the week before October 16. (Note: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs later informed us that the credentials presentation has been scheduled for October 14. End Note.) Sadyrkulov said that Bakiyev would make a major address to the Parliament and Government on October 16, reporting on building democracy, the problem of corruption, economic development, and other key issues. "There will be some very progressive announcements on that day," Sadyrkulov promised. Bakiyev Medical Travel -------------- ¶4. (C) Sadyrkulov disclosed that Bakiyev would travel outside Kyrgyzstan on October 20 (or 22) "for medical reasons" ("na lechenie"). He did not provide further details. (Note: Bakiyev traveled to Germany in March, reportedly for hip surgery. End Note.) CIS Agenda, Papers Set -------------- ¶5. (C) Sadyrkulov said that, in principle, all of the documents were set for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Summit, to be held October 10 in Bishkek, but he said that there may be additional questions and debate over Georgia. He stated ruefully that he expected an enormous BISHKEK 00000993 002.2 OF 002 amount of pressure to be exerted on the Kyrgyz Republic by Russia on that subject. Power Plant Privatization? -------------- ¶6. (C) Sadyrkulov said that the Bishkek thermal power plant ("TETS") was not "fully operational" and was in serious need of major investment. He said that the plant could be privatized as soon as this year, "if the right investors were found." (Note: Embassy has heard conflicting information about TETS privatization plans, but we have seen no concrete steps toward near-term privatization. End note.) Comment -------------- ¶7. (C) Sadyrkulov was welcoming and friendly throughout this introductory meeting, and clearly wants to establish a close working relationship with the new Ambassador. His confidence about resolving the weapons case is a positive sign, but he did not explain how he planned to do this or offer any timetable. While Sadyrkulov has not been able to resolve the situation to date, he does have the ear of Bakiyev. GFOELLER