Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BISHKEK1082
2009-10-01 08:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
OPPOSITION LEADER WANTS HELP FROM U.S.
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001082
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION LEADER WANTS HELP FROM U.S.
BISHKEK 00001082 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Larry L. Memmott for Reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001082
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION LEADER WANTS HELP FROM U.S.
BISHKEK 00001082 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Larry L. Memmott for Reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Roza Otunbayeva, a former Foreign Minister
and current Member of Parliament for the Social Democrat
Party, met with the Charge on September 25. Otunbayeva
criticized the U.S., the OSCE, and other Western countries
for their silence as the Presidential election was stolen and
opposition activists were arrested. Otunbayeva said that
since former Chief of Staff Medet Sadyrkulov left the
Administration, the opposition has had no reliable
interlocutor with the government. Acting for the United
People's Movement, Otunbayeva has requested a meeting with
the President, but hasn't gotten a response. Otunbayeva
described an opposition movement that is broken down, broke,
and largely discouraged. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) Roza Otunbayeva, a former Foreign Minister and
current Member of Parliament for the Social Democrat Party
(SDPK),met with the Charge on September 25. She began the
meeting by criticizing Western governments and institutions
for their silence over the past months, saying "we in the
opposition have been left completely alone." She requested
U.S. assistance in pushing back against legal assaults on
opposition members by the government, saying, "we want you to
find the best way to help the opposition."
3. (C) Otunbayeva said that since former Presidential Chief
of Staff Medet Sadyrkulov left the Administration in 2008,
the opposition has had no reliable interlocutor, and
essentially has no dialogue with the government. In a
September 1 speech, President Bakiyev called for renewed
dialogue with social groups, including the opposition.
Otunbayeva said that the joint opposition group, the United
People's Movement, selected her to open a dialogue with the
government, and she agreed because she wanted to try to do
something about imprisoned opposition members. But so far,
the President has not responded to their request for a
meeting. The Secretariat requested some papers, so
Otunbayeva believes the request is still under consideration.
4. (C) Otunbayeva described an opposition movement that is
broken down, broke, and largely discouraged, with many of its
leaders in jail or with serious legal problems. Green Party
leader Erkin Bulekbayev has been jailed since April. Former
Foreign Minister Alikbek Jekshenkulov has withdrawn from
politics after six months in jail. SDPK Parliamentary Leader
Bakyt Beshimov is widely believed to have sought refuge in
the U.S., and SDPK MP Kubanychbek Kadyrov, whose immunity was
just lifted by parliament, is in hiding. Otunbayeva did not
hide her disdain for those who went into hiding instead of
continuing to fight. In contrast, she described Omurbek
Tekebayev, Ismail Isakov and Azimbek Beknazarov approvingly,
saying they are broke, jobless, and beset by legal troubles,
but continue the opposition's struggle against Bakiyev.
5. (C) Otunbayeva noted that several children of opposition
leaders also have legal troubles. Isakov's son, who is
facing charges for accepting illegal gifts, has resigned his
military commission and is in the U.S. seeking asylum.
Beknazarov's son, who was charged with cheating a former
business partner over a car deal, has requested and received
refugee status from the UNHCR in Almaty. (Otunbayeva passed
us a copy of a document to that effect from UNHCR and asked
us to help him obtain asylum in the U.S. or Canada.)
Jekshenkulov's son, accused of involvement in a nightclub
brawl, is also attempting to register with the UNHCR,
according to Otunbayeva.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) Like many Kyrgyz opposition leaders, Otunbayeva
BISHKEK 00001082 002.6 OF 002
appears to hope for some intervention from the United States
that could compel the Government to toe the line on its
democratic commitments and stop persecuting members of the
opposition. We will continue to address the treatment of the
opposition in quiet meetings with the government, but we see
little prospect that our efforts will effect significant
change over the medium term.
MEMMOTT
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION LEADER WANTS HELP FROM U.S.
BISHKEK 00001082 001.2 OF 002
Classified By: Charge D'Affaires Larry L. Memmott for Reasons 1.4 (b) a
nd (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: Roza Otunbayeva, a former Foreign Minister
and current Member of Parliament for the Social Democrat
Party, met with the Charge on September 25. Otunbayeva
criticized the U.S., the OSCE, and other Western countries
for their silence as the Presidential election was stolen and
opposition activists were arrested. Otunbayeva said that
since former Chief of Staff Medet Sadyrkulov left the
Administration, the opposition has had no reliable
interlocutor with the government. Acting for the United
People's Movement, Otunbayeva has requested a meeting with
the President, but hasn't gotten a response. Otunbayeva
described an opposition movement that is broken down, broke,
and largely discouraged. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) Roza Otunbayeva, a former Foreign Minister and
current Member of Parliament for the Social Democrat Party
(SDPK),met with the Charge on September 25. She began the
meeting by criticizing Western governments and institutions
for their silence over the past months, saying "we in the
opposition have been left completely alone." She requested
U.S. assistance in pushing back against legal assaults on
opposition members by the government, saying, "we want you to
find the best way to help the opposition."
3. (C) Otunbayeva said that since former Presidential Chief
of Staff Medet Sadyrkulov left the Administration in 2008,
the opposition has had no reliable interlocutor, and
essentially has no dialogue with the government. In a
September 1 speech, President Bakiyev called for renewed
dialogue with social groups, including the opposition.
Otunbayeva said that the joint opposition group, the United
People's Movement, selected her to open a dialogue with the
government, and she agreed because she wanted to try to do
something about imprisoned opposition members. But so far,
the President has not responded to their request for a
meeting. The Secretariat requested some papers, so
Otunbayeva believes the request is still under consideration.
4. (C) Otunbayeva described an opposition movement that is
broken down, broke, and largely discouraged, with many of its
leaders in jail or with serious legal problems. Green Party
leader Erkin Bulekbayev has been jailed since April. Former
Foreign Minister Alikbek Jekshenkulov has withdrawn from
politics after six months in jail. SDPK Parliamentary Leader
Bakyt Beshimov is widely believed to have sought refuge in
the U.S., and SDPK MP Kubanychbek Kadyrov, whose immunity was
just lifted by parliament, is in hiding. Otunbayeva did not
hide her disdain for those who went into hiding instead of
continuing to fight. In contrast, she described Omurbek
Tekebayev, Ismail Isakov and Azimbek Beknazarov approvingly,
saying they are broke, jobless, and beset by legal troubles,
but continue the opposition's struggle against Bakiyev.
5. (C) Otunbayeva noted that several children of opposition
leaders also have legal troubles. Isakov's son, who is
facing charges for accepting illegal gifts, has resigned his
military commission and is in the U.S. seeking asylum.
Beknazarov's son, who was charged with cheating a former
business partner over a car deal, has requested and received
refugee status from the UNHCR in Almaty. (Otunbayeva passed
us a copy of a document to that effect from UNHCR and asked
us to help him obtain asylum in the U.S. or Canada.)
Jekshenkulov's son, accused of involvement in a nightclub
brawl, is also attempting to register with the UNHCR,
according to Otunbayeva.
Comment
--------------
6. (C) Like many Kyrgyz opposition leaders, Otunbayeva
BISHKEK 00001082 002.6 OF 002
appears to hope for some intervention from the United States
that could compel the Government to toe the line on its
democratic commitments and stop persecuting members of the
opposition. We will continue to address the treatment of the
opposition in quiet meetings with the government, but we see
little prospect that our efforts will effect significant
change over the medium term.
MEMMOTT