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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000100 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2017 
TAGS: PGOV PREL KG
SUBJECT: KYRGYZ GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS REFLECT ON PARTIES, 
ORDER, AND GOVERNANCE 
 
REF: BISHKEK 86 
 
BISHKEK 00000100  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch, Reason 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
¶1.  (C) Summary: During conversations with the Ambassador and 
visiting Central Asian Affairs Office Director Pamela 
Spratlen, Kyrgyz government officials defended the December 
30 version of the constitution that restored numerous powers 
to the president.  Presidential advisors stressed the need 
for "order" and "proper behavior," in place of "irresponsible 
democracy."  Parliament's approval of a new prime minister 
diminished the threat that parliament would be dissolved, but 
some may still push for early elections.  And President 
Bakiyev has kept up his criticism of the parliament, accusing 
it of inaction.  End summary. 
 
¶2.  (U) The Ambassador and Central Asian Affairs Office 
Director Pamela Spratlen met then-Prime Minister Felix Kulov, 
First Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Usenov, Parliament 
Speaker Marat Sultanov, State Secretary Adakham Sultanov, and 
Chief of the Presidential Staff Medet Sadyrkulov during 
Spratlen's January 21-26 visit to Kyrgyzstan for discussions 
of bilateral relations, as well as Kyrgyz political and 
economic developments. 
 
Constitutional Upgrade ) Views on Version 3.0 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  (C) With the exception of Kulov, interlocutors expressed 
support for the December version of the constitution. 
Although the new version stripped many of the powers 
parliament gained in November, Sultanov considered the 
December version a "stabilizing factor" that eliminated 
"imperfections" in the November version.  Usenov minimized 
the importance of the "stylistic" corrections, a stance 
echoed by Madumarov.  Kulov, the dissenting voice, saw no 
"progress" in the December document, and instead favored the 
old constitution, most recently amended in 2003. 
 
Political Parties ) A Uniting Force? 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶4.  (C) The new party list voting system outlined in the 
December version of the constitution received nearly 
unanimous endorsements.  Kulov argued that political parties 
"will help bridge the North-South divide, and make it easier 
for the political elite to come to agreement."  Sadyrkulov 
opined that there is grassroots interest in political 
parties, as people "see this is the future."  Even though the 
new version of the constitution splits parliamentary 
representation evenly between single mandate and party list 
seats, Sadyrkulov believed that most seats would be won on 
the basis of political party affiliation.  President Bakiyev, 
in a January 27 speech, lauded the "significant democratic 
development" of parties taking shape in parliament. 
 
¶5.  (C) While parliament's January 29 approval of Azim 
Isabekov as prime minister likely diminished the threat of 
dissolution, there may still be pressure for early elections. 
 In his January 24 comments, Sultanov cautioned that parties 
not currently represented in the parliament, such as Ar Namys 
(Kulov-aligned) and Jany Kyrgyzstan (pro-Bakiyev), might 
continue to agitate for new parliamentary elections. 
 
Give People What They Want ) Order 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (C) Madumarov claimed that most Kyrgyz outside of Bishkek 
 
BISHKEK 00000100  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
were not attuned to political developments, and simply wanted 
discipline and public order.  As a result, he argued, the 
majority of Kyrgyz supported "strong presidential power." 
Madumarov, reflecting on the lively Kyrgyz protest culture, 
said it was time "to introduce responsibility ) democracy 
without responsibility turns into anarchy."  In a similar 
vein, Usenov, while highlighting the "ideal" state of 
freedoms in Kyrgyzstan, advocated a need for "balance and 
behavioral standards."  As an example of the new order, 
Usenov noted that MP Omurbek Babanov, a leader of the 
November protests, was "behaving now" and was "being treated 
fairly."  (Note:  Under pressure, Babanov recently sold his 
stake in television station NTS, and has maintained a low 
profile since November.  End note.) 
 
You Don't Work for Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Works for You 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
 
¶7.  (C) In an hour-long address to a Kyrgyz business 
convention January 27, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev ridiculed 
Parliament and criticized the (Kulov-led) government for 
failing to aid businessmen and agree on economic reforms.  He 
vowed, under the approving eye of uber-businessman Usenov, to 
remove any government official blocking the path of business 
and commerce.  Parliamentarians, Bakiyev noted, lacked 
practical work experience, failed to pass critical 
legislation regarding the power sector, specifically the 
Kumbarata hydroelectric stations, and "needed to work."  He 
chastised ministers for taking three years, and counting, to 
revise the tax code, when it "only takes nine months to make 
a baby."  The new government, Bakiyev predicted, would herald 
a "new era of dynamism" amounting to 100 times the Kulov-led 
government's level of activity.  Parliamentarians seated 
behind emboff chuckled at Bakiyev's advocacy of reform, 
asking what efforts at reform he has taken since coming to 
power. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶8.  (C) During our meetings, the President's advisors seemed 
satisfied with the course of political developments in 
Kyrgyzstan.  And why not?  Over the past month, Bakiyev has 
managed to regain the powers he ceded in November, gotten rid 
of his chief competitor, the Prime Minister, and -- at least 
temporarily -- outmaneuvered parliament.  Bakiyev appears to 
be trying to keep parliamentarians where he wants them: with 
the imminent threat of parliamentary dissolution and early 
elections fading with the agreement on Isabekov's apointment, 
the President's attacks on parliament may be an effort to 
keep parliamentarians at bay.  The rhetoric, and continuing 
pressure on opposition politicians as suggested by Usenov's 
comments about Babanov and numerous other cases observed by 
Embassy, are troubling and worth watching. 
 
¶9.  (C) Kulov's belief that political parties can bridge the 
North-South divide may run into obstacles.  Unless 
implementing legislation (due by the end of June) or party 
platforms mandate nationwide membership in political parties, 
political parties may simply reflect the existing divide. 
However, given Kulov's reported bitterness about his ouster, 
the political party structure could strengthen whatever 
activities he wishes to pursue now that his "tandem" 
relationship with Bakiyev is shattered. 
YOVANOVITCH