AMBASSADOR HOSTS INFORMAL MEETING BETWEEN KYRGYZ

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000237 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID KG SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR HOSTS INFORMAL MEETING BETWEEN KYRGYZ FOREIGN MINISTER AND NDI COUNTRY DIRECTOR REF: BISHKEK 195 BISHKEK 00000237 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana C. Gfoeller, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: On March 11, the Ambassador hosted an informal meeting at her residence between Foreign Minister Sarbayev and the country director of the National Democratic Institute (NDI). The meeting was cordial and lasted a full ninety minutes. They discussed NDI's programming in Kyrgyzstan, including NDI's efforts to work neutrally with both pro-government and pro-opposition parties. They also discussed difficulties faced by NDI, including the cancellation of two television programs supported by NDI. The Foreign Minister requested that NDI consider organizing an expert-level conference on democratic development in Kyrgyzstan. This was the first in a series of informal meetings that the Ambassador is organizing to brief Sarbayev on U.S. assistance programming in Kyrgyzstan. End Summary. ¶2. (C) On March 11, the Ambassador hosted Foreign Minister Kadyrbek Sarbayev and the NDI Country Director, Amcit Scott Kearin, for an informal discussion over tea at her residence. The Ambassador had earlier complained to Sarbayev about proposed restrictive amendments to the law on NGOs, prompting him to allege that U.S. programming to support civil society was biased against President Bakiyev and the government. To counter this allegation, the Ambassador then suggested she host a series of individual, informal meetings to brief him on the true nature of U.S. assistance programming (Reftel). (Note: Future meetings are scheduled with the country representative of the International Republican Institute and with the USAID country representative. End Note.) ¶3. (C) The meeting was cordial, and it lasted a full ninety minutes. Sarbayev said that "many people" perceived NDI as critical of the government and working only with opposition parties. Sarbayev was dismissive of several members of the opposition, saying that they had "failed" when they worked in government. Sarbayev was particularly critical of his former boss, Alikbek Jekshenkulov. Sarbayev asked why we would work with Jekshenkulov, who "was in the pocket of the Russians" when he was foreign minister. (Note: Jekshenkulov is the leader of the pro-opposition "For Justice" movement, and he is currently in detention on suspicion of involvement in a murder. End Note.) ¶4. (C) Kearin explained in detail that NDI worked with all of the major parties, including the President's Ak Jol Party. He noted that representatives from eight parties, including Ak Jol, would participate the next week in an NDI-organized study tour in Poland. Kearin offered to send Sarbayev a schedule of upcoming training events, as well as the materials to be presented. Kearin said he would welcome attendance at events by an MFA representative. Sarbayev readily accepted the offer. ¶5. (C) The Foreign Minister and the NDI country representative disagreed on the current state of democratic development in the country. Kearin argued that Kyrgyzstan was failing to live up to its earlier promise. He raised concerns about recently adopted legislation restricting public assembly, and he described how the proposed amendments to the law on non-governmental organizations mentioned by the Ambassador earlier could hurt civil society activities (see Reftel). Sarbayev argued that Kyrgyzstan was developing in a democratic direction. He said that the situation was worse under Akayev, pointing to media restrictions and arrests of political opponents. ¶6. (C) Kearin complained to Sarbayev that two NDI-sponsored television debate shows had been cancelled in the past year. Sarbayev acknowledged that the "Face to Face" program on the state television station had been a good show, but he argued BISHKEK 00000237 002.2 OF 002 that there were still other debate-style shows on local television. Sarbayev indicated that he might talk to state television director Eshimkanov to find out why the show had been cancelled. ¶7. (C) Sarbayev suggested that NDI organize an "expert-level" conference to discuss the course of democratic and political party development in Kyrgyzstan. Sarbayev said that the conference could invite international and local experts, as well as representatives from the government. Kearin wondered if it would be better to organize such a conference under the auspices of the UN or OSCE, but agreed to look into the issue. ¶8. (C) Comment: Perhaps the most significant aspect of this initial meeting was simply the fact that it happened. While neither party was persuaded by the other, the informal setting allowed for a frank exchange of views. Many in the Kyrgyz government are highly suspicious of our assistance programs, particularly in the democracy field. We are encouraged that the Foreign Minister is interested in learning more about our assistance programs, and we hope that this and future briefings will persuade him to be an advocate within the government to continue allowing such programs. GFOELLER