Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE102147
2008-09-24 17:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO THE HEAD OF
how-toVZCZCXRO0742 PP RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHC #2147 2681734 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 241730Z SEP 08 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 3913 INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 102147
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KG PHUM KDEM PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO THE HEAD OF
THE BISKEK CENTER
UNCLAS STATE 102147
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KG PHUM KDEM PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO THE HEAD OF
THE BISKEK CENTER
1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at
the September 25, 2008 meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council:
Begin Text:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ambassador Tesoriere, welcome to the Permanent Council and
thank you for your comprehensive report on the situation in
Kyrgyzstan and the work of the Center. In our view, you have
inherited a Center that has, over the past ten years, been a
strong example for the OSCE for its excellent programmatic
activities and strong and candid working relationship with
the host country.
The United States fully supports the work of the Center and
the comprehensive, cross-dimensional strategic plan that you
crafted and outlined for us today. We are pleased that the
Center's work takes place not only in Bishkek and in Osh, but
also in the far reaches of Kyrgzstan; the use of local
provincial coordinators ensures that even remote villages can
benefit from the OSCE's presence. This is an innovation that
could serve as a "best practice" in field mission work.
Ambassador Tesoriere, it would be difficult in the short time
allotted here to detail all of the exemplary work of the
Center. We therefore would like to highlight a few programs
we believe are especially commendable and are making a
significant and lasting impact. The Policing Program by all
accounts has helped start the process of reform to bring the
police service's performance in line with Kyrgyzstan's
international commitments and could be used as a model in the
region. The Community Policing Program and Public Prevention
Centers have laid the groundwork for a much-needed link
between local communities and the police, and we believe this
program should be expanded in the coming year.
We would also like to underscore the important work
undertaken by the Center in good governance and
anti-corruption. The Center has provided critical assistance
to the government in strengthening transparency and in
reducing corruption and money laundering. We also note the
excellent work undertaken by the Center,s human dimension
department, which is currently supporting voter education,
the training of electoral officials for the upcoming local
election and sharing the lessons learned from the OSCE,s
observation of the December Parliamentary elections. The
judicial support programs, including training for prosecutors
and judges, have set the stage for development of a more
professional, independent judiciary. Finally, we note that
the OSCE Academy continues to serve as an excellent example
of regional cooperation and has produced an impressive cadre
of graduates.
None of these programs would have been successful this year
without the strong support of the Government of Kyrgyzstan
and its commitment to be a responsible stakeholder in OSCE
programs. We urge the OSCE Center and the Government of
Kyrgyzstan to continue this close cooperation in solidifying
the gains made by Kyrgyzstan in building a democracy,
improving respect for human rights, and developing a civil
society, and in addressing some continuing challenges.
Most pressing is the need for the OSCE to continue to work
with the Government to resolve discrepancies between national
legislation and international commitments. We note with
concern that elements of the recently adopted laws on public
assembly and the media, as well as draft legislation
concerning religious freedom and political parties, appear to
undermine Kyrgyzstan's international commitments. We
encourage the Center to work with national authorities in
Kyrgyzstan to adjust implementation guidelines to ensure that
government implementation is in line with OSCE commitments,
and to work with the legislature to seek further adjustments
in the future in line with shared commitments and objectives.
We also encourage the Government to work with the OSCE
Center to implement ODIHR's recommendations concerning
election legislation and reform.
The United States thanks you again, Ambassador Tesoriere, and
your very capable staff for the important work you are doing.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KG PHUM KDEM PREL PGOV
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO THE HEAD OF
THE BISKEK CENTER
1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at
the September 25, 2008 meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council:
Begin Text:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ambassador Tesoriere, welcome to the Permanent Council and
thank you for your comprehensive report on the situation in
Kyrgyzstan and the work of the Center. In our view, you have
inherited a Center that has, over the past ten years, been a
strong example for the OSCE for its excellent programmatic
activities and strong and candid working relationship with
the host country.
The United States fully supports the work of the Center and
the comprehensive, cross-dimensional strategic plan that you
crafted and outlined for us today. We are pleased that the
Center's work takes place not only in Bishkek and in Osh, but
also in the far reaches of Kyrgzstan; the use of local
provincial coordinators ensures that even remote villages can
benefit from the OSCE's presence. This is an innovation that
could serve as a "best practice" in field mission work.
Ambassador Tesoriere, it would be difficult in the short time
allotted here to detail all of the exemplary work of the
Center. We therefore would like to highlight a few programs
we believe are especially commendable and are making a
significant and lasting impact. The Policing Program by all
accounts has helped start the process of reform to bring the
police service's performance in line with Kyrgyzstan's
international commitments and could be used as a model in the
region. The Community Policing Program and Public Prevention
Centers have laid the groundwork for a much-needed link
between local communities and the police, and we believe this
program should be expanded in the coming year.
We would also like to underscore the important work
undertaken by the Center in good governance and
anti-corruption. The Center has provided critical assistance
to the government in strengthening transparency and in
reducing corruption and money laundering. We also note the
excellent work undertaken by the Center,s human dimension
department, which is currently supporting voter education,
the training of electoral officials for the upcoming local
election and sharing the lessons learned from the OSCE,s
observation of the December Parliamentary elections. The
judicial support programs, including training for prosecutors
and judges, have set the stage for development of a more
professional, independent judiciary. Finally, we note that
the OSCE Academy continues to serve as an excellent example
of regional cooperation and has produced an impressive cadre
of graduates.
None of these programs would have been successful this year
without the strong support of the Government of Kyrgyzstan
and its commitment to be a responsible stakeholder in OSCE
programs. We urge the OSCE Center and the Government of
Kyrgyzstan to continue this close cooperation in solidifying
the gains made by Kyrgyzstan in building a democracy,
improving respect for human rights, and developing a civil
society, and in addressing some continuing challenges.
Most pressing is the need for the OSCE to continue to work
with the Government to resolve discrepancies between national
legislation and international commitments. We note with
concern that elements of the recently adopted laws on public
assembly and the media, as well as draft legislation
concerning religious freedom and political parties, appear to
undermine Kyrgyzstan's international commitments. We
encourage the Center to work with national authorities in
Kyrgyzstan to adjust implementation guidelines to ensure that
government implementation is in line with OSCE commitments,
and to work with the legislature to seek further adjustments
in the future in line with shared commitments and objectives.
We also encourage the Government to work with the OSCE
Center to implement ODIHR's recommendations concerning
election legislation and reform.
The United States thanks you again, Ambassador Tesoriere, and
your very capable staff for the important work you are doing.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE