BISHKEK EAC MEETING ON PLANNED DEMONSTRATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000249 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI) DEPT ALSO FOR DS/IP/SPC - WEINBERG DEPT ALSO FOR DS/IP/NEA/SA - GALLO E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/25/2019 TAGS: ASEC CASC PGOV PINR PREL KG SUBJECT: BISHKEK EAC MEETING ON PLANNED DEMONSTRATIONS Classified By: DCM Lee Litzenberger, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) DCM chaired a meeting of the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) on March 25 to discuss the Embassy's plans for opposition demonstrations planned for Friday, March 27. Present were: DCM, RSO, Pol/RA, Pol/Econ, PAO, MED, MGT, Peace Corps, INL, MSG, OMC, and CON. ¶2. (SBU) DCM reported that information available indicates that opposition political demonstrations will be held in Bishkek's Gorky Park, and in several other cities around the country, on March 27. The demonstrations will start around ¶1100. In Bishkek, the opposition expects about 8,000 people to attend the demonstration, while the police expect about 1,000, according to the RSO. The opposition does not plan additional days of protests, but does not rule them out. DCM noted that as with any demonstration, things could get out of hand, but that post has no information indicating that the protest will become violent. There is no indication at all that the protests have any anti-American focus. ¶3. (C) Regarding observation of the demonstration, DCM emphasized that no U.S. personnel or on-duty local personnel should approach the demonstration without the express consent of himself or the Ambassador, and that the Embassy's paramount concern during the demonstrations is the safety of American citizens and Embassy staff. The Embassy will monitor the demonstration from a vacant Embassy-leased apartment overlooking the demonstration site. RSO, FSN investigator, and a local guard will monitor the area around the demonstration in an Embassy vehicle. The sending of any additional observation teams will be based upon observed conditions. ¶4. (SBU) RSO advised Manas Air Base to cancel all trips into Bishkek for Friday and Saturday, March 27-28, and issued a security notice advising avoidance of Gorky Park and surrounding areas. CON will issue a Warden Message advising AmCits to avoid the planned demonstrations. Peace Corps Volunteers will be ordered to stand fast at their sites. Embassy personnel who live within the area likely to be blocked off by police will be offered the use of liberal leave for the day. Local schools are closed for the week, so transportation of Embassy dependents is not an issue. GFOELLER