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